The Wrath of Rose

[Tachyon]

Steel took Sharon and Zizi to another sound blocked attorney conference room so that Zizi could make contact with the "Birds" at the Sanctuary, as well as Gabe and Zizi at the clocktower. She wanted Vivica at the courthouse, as well as Tachyon.

X looked at the others.

That is my cue, fellas. I am only a call away. Andrew, order some food for these kids, on me. Rich, contact Simon and see if his volunteers he has made contact with would be down to help you guys watch some kids for a few hours.

He tosses a thousand dollars cash to Andrew and is gone before the money reaches his hand. He runs to the Clocktower and grabs something appropriate for court as he sped of, dressing himself as he arrives 20 yards from the courthouse steps.

Xavier bounds up the steps and enters, looking for his teammates.

 

[Isis]

The Courthouse- Hallway outside of Ancillary Office

:: Dominique and Zizi had been successful in getting Alycia, and Sharon to respond to them, and return with them. ::

:: At the courthouse, Steel meet them at the top of the steps, and brought them inside.::

:: Now, Dominique sat outside of the large ancillary office that Alycia was in. She gave the amazon privacy as she was changing into an outfit she'd magicked up for her, after having restored and refreshed her.::

:: The courthouse was in an odd state today, with "out of order" signs on various doors, even courtrooms and restrooms on various floors were closed. This meant less traffic, but there were still certain areas that were moving full steam ahead, including "Family Court" which is where the hearing regarding Jake would be::

:: There was no one else in the hall where Dominique was waiting, or so she thought.::

:: Isis had not directly encountered Bianca Ceasul at the Hellfire Mansion. She only learned of her after the night Spellbinder had died at the hands of Black on top of the Empire State building, an event that had been caused by Bianca, who herself had been a casualty of the Inferno Event. She died, but she didn't stay dead, she was changed, becoming a temporal anamoly, and gaining abilities that were neither mutant, nor magickal, but something no less unusual or advantageous. ::

<< A lingering view of a statue near the door to the office Alycia was in. The statue seems unordinary, and it has always been there. HASN'T IT?>>

::FLASH!::

:: Because Bianca was "out of synch" with the passage and manifestation of time and space as it was perceived in the physical realm, Among other things, this granted her the ability that, when observed, she appears to the onlooker to be nothing more than a stone statue. Its appearance changes to fit its surrounding and appears to the observer to be nothing out of the ordinary.::

:: And so, UNAWARE that she was being watched for a moment, the sorceress, still in her current goddess costume, sat there, and allowed herself to relax a bit.::

Richard??

Watch these. I have to change this one.

I pulled out the bag and grabbed the powder, a diaper and some wipes. Nedry was dying tonight. Real talk.

Richard? Oracle and I found Alycia, and Sharon. She was in a bad way, but Oracle helped her to come around, and we are NOW at the courthouse. She is prepping for the hearing. Are you alright? I sense some distress! are the children at the sanctuary okay?

:: As Dominique "spoke" to Richard, she remained unaware of Bianca's presence, as the hardly sterling senator slipped past her into the ancillary office, and was now in the presence of Alycia!::

 

[Matrix]

I had the diaper switched, now for powder...

Richard? Oracle and I found Alycia, and Sharon. She was in a bad way, but Oracle helped her to come around, and we are NOW at the courthouse. She is prepping for the hearing. Are you alright? I sense some distress! are the children at the sanctuary okay?

Was everything OK? It was, but I wasn't. I went off.

The little kids was crying when I got here, and these kids know that Jake hurts and is gone again. X is paying for them to eat something, whenever that comes, but Gabe and his boys are gonna paint this panic room a brighter color and put fun stuff in there and fucking food for when they get hungry or we are going to have a problem. NO...I AM NOT ALL RIGHT. These kids have been hounded, hounded like I was before you took me in. Imma kill this fat motherfucker, Miss D. I promise you that. Get what you need TODAY, but he WILL GO MISSING.

I picked up the toddler and he held on for dear life. He called for Mama, who I knew had to be Rose in his mind. I was tempted to turn into her but it would just be a cruel, confusing joke. I felt tears fall and wiped them. My pain was replaced with fury.

NO, THIS SHIT GOT ME REAL FUCKED UP RIGHT NOW. Fat boy's days are numbered.

 

[Orion]

Manhattan -- 8 spruce Street

The pilots were going through their hot-start procedures. Zach put his helmet back on as the jet engines began to spool up. Jake had a court date he couldn't miss, Haleigh had taunted.

So they AREN'T taking him to Hellfire, and we fell hook, line, and sinker for a baited trap.

He thought with a scowl. But in her gloating, she'd given them a clue. Jake must be headed for a courthouse. Zach knew better than to make a second attempt by helicopter. Haleigh could have crashed or blown up this one, killing everyone on board, but she hadn't. There was no sense in pushing their luck. He needed to find out where exactly Jake was likely to turn up next.

Gabe>>The Clocktower systems were compromised. Security is holding strong, but I'll be blind for the next seven minutes while I reboot the system.

Gods, give us a BREAK!

He thought angrily. It seemed like the hits would just NOT STOP COMING.

Gabe>>Orion, did you get Jake? The systems went down before I could see what happened.

"No. We were waylaid by Black Widow and Persephone. Nedry's definitely being protected by Hellfire."

He made no mention of Haleigh's hint over their com-link. He wasn't even sure it her intention to tip him off, but of all the things for her to say, she'd chosen those words, and now he knew where to focus their efforts next. He told Phoenix to take them back to Clandestine.

To Specter>> Find the subject's name on any NYC Justice Department cases involving CFS.

When he arrived at the rooftop of Liquid Crystal Images, Griffin was waiting on the helipad. They rode the elevator to the sub levels together. Specter opened the conversation with the location of the courthouse where Jacob had been taken. He mentioned being surprised that the target had given them the slip.

"Haleigh hijacked our helicopter."

Specter: No shit? It looked like the equipment was intact and the personnel all accounted for on return. None KIA, right?

"Right. She never boarded the aircraft, never touched any of us."

Specter: Then she never violated the terms of the contingency plan.

"So we'll do nothing about the fact that she sabotaged our mission?!"

He asked, frustration in his voice.

Specter: The company will not take an aggressive stance against Black Widow unless she attacks us directly.

Zach shook his head, clearly displeased. He felt a terribly ambivalent. One the one hand, Haleigh had prevented him from saving Jake, and that had really pissed him off. On the other hand, he now knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she was suffering as much as Ava. She was burying that pain deep, but it was there.

"Well I'll have to try to pull this off alone."

Specter: I'll keep the team on standby in case you need a quick pickup.

They stepped into his office, and his executive assistant, John, was ready with a low-profile bulletproof vest, and a three piece suit. Zach changed out of his battle-suit, and into something that wouldn't draw unwanted attention at a courthouse.

Specter: Zach.... I told her that it was never too late for extraction. I'll mobilize this entire company the second she sends up a distress code.

"I doubt it'll be that easy, Griff."

He said sadly, and set his watch for the courthouse. It was not hard to locate Jake once he arrived. The boy's emotions were unmistakable. Zach walked down the halls as if he belonged there, and when the young CFS assistant outside the door protested, Zach flashed his UN credentials. He practically burst into the witness waiting room, taking on the boy's anxiety, giving him a boost of confidence. It was easy to flip his mood, because as soon as Jake saw him, he brightened.

Jake: Zach! I missed you!

He said, and rushed over, as Zach knelt to hug him, said he'd missed Jake too, and asked if he was okay. Jake asked Zach why he didn't come to see him anymore, and the question threatened to break Zach in half.

"I couldn't, buddy. I wanted to, but I couldn't."

He replied, and it was all he could say. The horrid truth of the matter was that Zach hadn't been able to set foot inside the Sanctuary since the bus incident. He'd tried several times to go, and usually made it to the city block where the Sanctuary complex was. But in the aftermath of all those lives lost, the place had been overflowing with grief, to the point that he felt suffocated by it.

It had been so paralyzingly painful that each time he went, he'd been unable to get out of the car and go into the Sanctuary proper. Several times, he sat in the car and sobbed. A couple of times he'd been furious with himself. Every time he drove away he'd been ashamed, but he just couldn't do it. There was too much cumulative grief in one place for him to handle.

"I'm here now buddy."

He said as he hugged Jake tightly, and as the child's mood soared, he felt better too. He told Jake to be brave, and that this would all be over soon.

 

[Isis]

The courthouse- Hall outside of the Ancillary Office

:: Dominique leaned back in her seat, her eyes were already closed, and she frowned as Richard "unloaded". She placed a gloved hand to her forehead, and groaned a bit.::

These kids have been hounded, hounded like I was before you took me in. Imma kill this fat motherfucker, Miss D. I promise you that. Get what you need TODAY, but he WILL GO MISSING.

:: He wasn't WRONG, but even without being reminded by Alycia in her moment of darkness and frustration, Dominique knew well for herself, how that could end up being a person's undoing in a moment when they were needed.::

Richard...CENTER yourself. Remember, you are facing but a FRACTION of what Rose must deal with on a daily basis. You are where you are MOST NEEDED right now, and you have more than some of these children will ever experience in their lifetime. Show them that you have empathy, and be STEADFAST. In many ways, you are the most qualified person present to watch over these children in the absence of their devoted caregiver.

I picked up the toddler and he held on for dear life. He called for Mama, who I knew had to be Rose in his mind. I was tempted to turn into her but it would just be a cruel, confusing joke. I felt tears fall and wiped them. My pain was replaced with fury.

NO, THIS SHIT GOT ME REAL FUCKED UP RIGHT NOW. Fat boy's days are numbered.

:: Dominique indirectly felt the fear and cries of the small child, as Richard reacted to the baby calling for the only 'Mama' he knew, Rose.::

The need is so great...

:: Still sitting there with her eyes closed, she looked visibly saddened::

We have Alycia, and we are very hopeful that she will be able to STALL nedry LEGALLY to buy herself time she needs to put him to BED. She has a contingency plan for Jake's protective placement in the interim.

But beyond THAT, Richard, WHEN the time comes...where Nedry is concerned, we will do what we do best. But for NOW? PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER! You cannot be a caregiver, and provide the calming, STABILIZING effect these children need, if you are focusing your energy on this amoral, souless PIG, Nedry. You have your job to do, we will support Alycia as she does her's...and soon...VERY soon, my knight...Nedry will be divorced from his disgusting physical form, and RETURNED to the abyss of oblivion where he BELONGS.

It isn't JUST him that we must deal with, it's the ROOT , and branches, from which he is a low hanging fruit...look far enough...and all his twisted paths will lead back to the hellfire club.

:: If Richard wanted war, he would soon have it, and Dominique expected her knight to be up to the task. She would join him in that moment as well. But for now...::

Reign yourself in Richard, and focus on those children for now. I will check in with you soon. I am waiting on Alycia now. Her battle will soon be beginning.

:: she sits upright, and gestures, blowing a kiss. and mere seconds later, a small glowing golden orb begins flowing, spinning around Richard, reaching his head, and as fast as it's moving, it suddenly STOPS gently "kissing" him on his cheek as it shimmers away. Richard is bathed in the remaining haze of Isis' magicks, which provide him with a calming, restorative effect, as well as a "kiss" from her.::

Be vigilant, my knight. Until we speak again.

:: and with that, Dominique ends the communiation, and stands up. Alycia has not emerged.::

Well...I should change.

:: lifting her hands into a pose, she SNAPS her fingers, and a chime sounds off, and in a flash of GOLDEN light, she changes from her current goddess costume into something more suitable for a courtroom battle.::

:: she takes a moment to adjust her jacket, and then pulls a compact from her purse, to primp for a few moments.::

Hmm....

:: she studies her image in the compact mirror, lifting her eyebrows, as she fixes her hair a bit.::

Now...

:: placing her compact back in her purse::

...Alycia.

:: She waited patiently.::

 

[Cypher]

Gabe was already in the midst of rebooting the systems when he informed everyone that The Clocktower was now dark for at least seven minutes. But quickly, he went on a private com link with Zach, hoping to fucking God that he had gotten Jake out of Hellfire's hands.

Zach>> "No. We were waylaid by Black Widow and Persephone. Nedry's definitely being protected by Hellfire."

"FUCK."

Gabe roughly pushed the keyboard away, sitting back against his computer chair in frustration. Shutting his eyes, he sighed out. They were SO fucking close.

[com link to Zach]>> Copy that.

Suddenly he heard a voice behind him. Turning, he saw Vivica standing there looking about as shocked as he was a few seconds earlier.

Vivica: "What exactly did I miss and what the hell is going on Gabe?"

"Nedry has Jake. Rose is in custody."

She asked if Persephone was the reason for the lightning crash and sudden blackout. That was when he heard Rich and Zizi over the com link--Vivica then linking in and letting everyone know she was ready for action. He decided to explain what happen to everyone so they knew that Persephone and Black Widow could be near by.

Rich: What the fudge is going on over there? Are you OK, Gabe?

[com link to all Birds of Prey]>>"Persephone attacked The Clocktower with lightning. It fried the main breaker but the backup generators kicked in. Unfortunately the computer systems need time to reboot. Black Widow also struck against Orion while he was in pursuit of Nedry's vehicle. Both she and Persephone are unaccounted for."

Zizi: "You've got this Cypher, you're doing great. Everyone lets talk out there, Clocktower is blind."

[com link to all Birds of Prey]>> "Systems should be operational in....t-minus five minutes."

Oracle ordered Vivica to go to the courthouse while Gabe remained at The Clocktower waiting for the computers to reboot. To say he was pissed and frustrated was an understatement. Why the FUCK would Haleigh and Ava go after a kid?! A fucking KID. He didn't even know what the fuck to think about them anymore.....Tapping his fingers against the desk in anxiously, all he could do was sit there and wait.

 

[Orion]

The Courthouse -- Witness Waiting Room

Jake was trembling, still, though Zach had done a lot to relieve his fear. When they stopped hugging, Jake began to pull his arms into his shirt sleeves.

"Are you cold, Jake?"

He asked with concern, and the boy nodded. Zach slipped his suit jacket off his shoulders and cloaked Jake with it. Instant gratitude poured off the boy, and Zach gave him a kind smile.

Jake: I wanna go home.

"Soon, little man, soon. Oh hey, I brought something for you!"

He remembered, and reached into his jacket pocket. He withdrew the scrambled Rubik's cube he'd grabbed from his office. This thing had always kicked his ass, so surely it would keep Jake's mind occupied for a while.

Jake clambered up into a chair and sat with his legs crossed, turning the cube over in his hands, staring intently at it. Zach lowered himself into the chair next to him, continuing to relieve the boy's stress and blanket him with a sense of security.

"It's a puzzle, you see. The goal is to make each face of the cube have it's own color."

He said, and he checked his phone. There was an unread message from Ash.

From Ashley>> Jake's at the courthouse.

To Ashley>> Me too. Are you and John bringing Rose?

 

[Oracle]

The Courthouse

Isis took them to the very steps of the Courthouse.

"I wanna do it again. Exhilarating," she said, not to anyone in particular.

She took a deep breath. Just being there, looking out over the square, gave her a sense of justice, like they couldn't fail.

[via com] "Steel to Oracle, are you reading me?"

"Go ahead, Steel."

[via com] "I'm at the Courts, where are you guys?"

"That's terrific - we've just arrived. I'm on the front steps, and I have Charope with me, as well as Isis and Silver Swan."

[via com] "I'll be there in one minute."

It was probably more like 30 seconds. She waved to him as he stepped outside.

"Thank god you're here. I have Rose and Rae in a conference room. Let's get you all inside."

Steel escorted them in, and she and Sharon parted ways with Alycia and Isis.

"Alycia, good luck. You'll be great."

She smiled and then followed along after John and Sharon. When they arrived at a conference room, John left them, saying he was going to check on everything.

"I just want to update everyone on what's happening."

[via com] "Birds, this is Oracle. Steel has achieved Rose's release, and we are now at the courthouse with Charope. Little Jake is here - they are going to put him through a family court hearing. Orion, are you alright?"

Vivica was on her way, but there was someone else - and someone she thought Alycia would be happy to see.

[via com] "Tachyon, please head over here. I have a feeling you will be needed. Everyone else, keep doing what you're doing."

She knew Rich & Andrew were at the Sanctuary, and she assumed Valkyrie was here somewhere with Steel. That left Zach, who had been on Jake's trail and attacked by Black Widow, and would be here soon if he wasn't already. And she was not about to stop him, whatever Rose said. He deserved to see that the boy was okay.

[com link to all Birds of Prey]>> "Systems should be operational in....t-minus five minutes."

Zizi pulled out her phone and dialed Gabe. She knew he was busy, but he had at least four minutes left before he could really do anything.

"Hey...are you okay? Did she try to get inside the Clocktower?"

 

[Valkyrie]

Precinct 19 to the Courts

Despite Rose's friend trying to get into the front seat of the SUV, Ashley was having none of that. There was no WAY she was sitting in the backseat, especially with ROSE.

They arrived relatively quickly, and she helped John get the two wack jobs inside and into a conference room. Steel made to leave and she went to follow him back out. They could just lock the two of them in there and be done with them.

"Stay with them, Ash - I'm going to see if I can contact Zizi and find out where the hell Alycia is."

"What? No...Steel...don't you leave me here..."

And he shut the door in her face.

Great.

Babysitting was not what she wanted to be doing right now. Rae looked like a freak show and Rose just gave her the creeps. The cherry on the top was when Gamer Gabe started talking on coms. What the hell was going on in the world?

[com link to all Birds of Prey]>>"Persephone attacked The Clocktower with lightning. It fried the main breaker but the backup generators kicked in. Unfortunately the computer systems need time to reboot. Black Widow also struck against Orion while he was in pursuit of Nedry's vehicle. Both she and Persephone are unaccounted for."

Struck Orion?!

The panic Rose had caused earlier returned. Was this what she was talking about?

[via com] "This is Valkyrie. What is Orion's status? Over."

Just then her phone buzzed, and she pulled it out, then exhaled with relief.

To Ashley>> Me too. Are you and John bringing Rose?

>> We're here. I'm in a conference room with Rose and Rae. Kill me now.
>> Are you alright?!!!
>> I miss you.

See? Rose didn't know what the hell she was talking about.

 

[Matrix]

Richard...CENTER yourself. Remember, you are facing but a FRACTION of what Rose must deal with on a daily basis. You are where you are MOST NEEDED right now, and you have more than some of these children will ever experience in their lifetime. Show them that you have empathy, and be STEADFAST. In many ways, you are the most qualified person present to watch over these children in the absence of their devoted caregiver.

How in the hell is that...Miss D, really?

We have Alycia, and we are very hopeful that she will be able to STALL nedry LEGALLY to buy herself time she needs to put him to BED. She has a contingency plan for Jake's protective placement in the interim.

But beyond THAT, Richard, WHEN the time comes...where Nedry is concerned, we will do what we do best. But for NOW? PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER! You cannot be a caregiver, and provide the calming, STABILIZING effect these children need, if you are focusing your energy on this amoral, souless PIG, Nedry. You have your job to do, we will support Alycia as she does her's...and soon...VERY soon, my knight...Nedry will be divorced from his disgusting physical form, and RETURNED to the abyss of oblivion where he BELONGS.

It isn't JUST him that we must deal with, it's the ROOT , and branches, from which he is a low hanging fruit...look far enough...and all his twisted paths will lead back to the hellfire club.

:: If Richard wanted war, he would soon have it, and Dominique expected her knight to be up to the task. She would join him in that moment as well. But for now...::

Reign yourself in Richard, and focus on those children for now. I will check in with you soon. I am waiting on Alycia now. Her battle will soon be beginning.

Yes ma'am.

Time to do work. Isis was right, this was not about me. I needed to get my head back in the game. Tears gone. Game face. I held the kid up and looked into his face.

We gonna be JUST fine, lil man.

:: she sits upright, and gestures, blowing a kiss. and mere seconds later, a small glowing golden orb begins flowing, spinning around Richard, reaching his head, and as fast as it's moving, it suddenly STOPS gently "kissing" him on his cheek as it shimmers away. Richard is bathed in the remaining haze of Isis' magicks, which provide him with a calming, restorative effect, as well as a "kiss" from her.::

Be vigilant, my knight. Until we speak again.

I nodded my head and the kiss DID make me smile. The toddler saw the kiss and surprised the hell out of me when he said it.

MageeK Yay-dee!

I laughed, shaking my head.

Yeah kid, the Magic Lady.

Then I had an idea. It HAD to be time for a nap. They WERE babies after all. I opened my palm and made a speaker in it. The speaker played Miss D's go-to lullaby that she sang to me when I had nightmares. It was weird that it always helped me sleep, even though it talks about NOT sleeping. The toddler in my other hand recognized it, as I thought he would.

I carried him back to the others that Danny was watching and spread my arms, turning into cozy places for all of them to rest. They each curled up at the song as it played and I spoke to Danny.

Go watch the others. I got this.

I replayed the song for the last straggler that was still fighting sleep and she barely made the first verse. And to tell the truth I was gone soon after, holding the most vulnerable ones of all in my hands.

 

[Cypher]

"Common mother fucker. What are you, fucking Microsoft circa 1995?! BOOT!"

Gabe kept hitting the enter button repeatedly as if it would help make the reboot go any faster. He felt fucking useless without being able to see what was going on. Granted he wasn't even apart of the Birds, but this situation was different....he helped Rose and those kids. And now they were in jeopardy along with Rose. He needed to do SOMETHING, even if it was just to be the eyes and ears the team needed. But of fucking course, there was still one minute left before he could get on the system.

"Stupid fucking bitch ass mother fuc--""

His phone began to buzz: it was Zizi.

"Saved by the fucking bell you little cunt."

He griped as he glared at the computer monitor as if it were a person with feelings. He picked up the phone.

"Hey."

Zizi: "Hey...are you okay? Did she try to get inside the Clocktower?"

"Yeah, yeah, i'm fine. No one got in....I think they were purposely trying to knock out the computer systems. Where are you? Is Rose okay? Any word on Jake?"

 

[Recall]

To The Courthouse

Cypher: "Nedry has Jake. Rose is in custody."

"Custody? Where is Alycia?!"

Oracle: "Head to the Courthouse. God knows we could use all the friendly faces we can get."

:: Vivica nodded. ::

"On it. Be there as soon as possible."

:: She looked at Gabe, who seemed very helpless in this scenario. She went over to her canvas bag and pulled out a laptop as well as a few other tech advices and placed them on the desk next to him as he began to dial Zizi. ::

"If we lose power again, this is all advanced Clandestine issued tech. Some of it's a little archaic, but it's used in field work. So the signals are stellar and it's power source can only be attacked from inside Clandestine headquarters. Haleigh won't touch it and neither will Ava. It might be useless, but I hope it helps.."

:: Vivica began to run towards the door, stopping at the elevator - waiting. ::

"And Gabe? Thanks for everything..and stay safe, okay?"

:: She smiled as she burst out in the city, running with her peak human speed towards her apartment, changing quickly into something more appropriate for court. It may have seemed superfluous to change when she was needed at the courthouse, but right now she looked more like she was about to answer to charges, rather than to be a support system for Alycia and the others. And a black woman in a courthouse in NYC just couldn't afford to take any chances. Besides, she had wanted a morning run anyway. In an incredibly quick amount of time, she was dressed and ready to go, entering a part of the courthouse that was being evacuated, entering through the back doors, her heels

Oracle: [via com link] "Birds, this is Oracle. Steel has achieved Rose's release, and we are now at the courthouse with Charope. Little Jake is here - they are going to put him through a family court hearing. Orion, are you alright?"

"This is Recall just arrived at the Courthouse."

:: A lucky guess landed her at a conference room where she saw Oracle from the small glass window in the middle of the door. She was relieved as she came in. Oracle was on the phone it seemed. Most likely still with Cypher. ::

:: She mouthed a 'hello' and took a seat in one of the chairs. She took out her phone and sent a text. ::

>> To Alycia: "Are you okay? Do you need any help?"

 

[Citadel]

Rose's Place

:: The young boy with babies on both hips was stressed out and morphed his body into a weapon. Danny cracked a smile as Xavier announced him to Rich, who immediately shifted. ::

Xavier: "Rich! That is Danny!"

Rich: "Oh, OK. People better start announcing ish in here. I am on EDGE right now. My bad, Danny."

"No worries. That was pretty fuckin' cool."

:: For a second he thought about watching his language, but then he remembered - these were kids of the city. Being foul mouthed was a birthright. How else do you navigate the subway system. It was clear that Rich was very stressed out. ::

Rich: "Watch these. I have to change this one."

:: Danny nodded. The entire thing was like a scene out of Daddy Day Care. And then Xavier took his leave as well. ::

Xavier: "That is my cue, fellas. I am only a call away. Andrew, order some food for these kids, on me. Rich, contact Simon and see if his volunteers he has made contact with would be down to help you guys watch some kids for a few hours."

:: He threw a wad of cash and was immediately gone. Danny pressed the bridge of his nose with his fingers and shook his head, still thoroughly amused. ::

"And this is why the world needs gay men."

:: At that moment Simon arrived, to which Danny smiled brightly. ::

"Simon! Welcome to Daddy Day Care. Roll up your sleeves, it's time to get some order in this bitch."

Simon: "I'm all yours!"

"Don't tease me like that blondie."

:: Whatever Rich was going through, it was best to let that play out. He turned to the group of children and his eyes widened with glee. ::

"Okay, who wants to go outside and play with Andrew?"

:: He turned to Andrew. ::

"Let's get them to burn off some of that energy. Simon and I will take care of lunch."

:: Turning to Simon. ::

"How are you at making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?"

:: Looking at the money that Xavier had left and back up to Andrew smiling. ::

"Feel free to pocket that cash, man. I think we might all deserve a few rounds after this morning."

:: Rich was sweet, but this was the morning and there was no way that two dozen children would all be wanting to take naps, so a group went with Andrew outside while another group settled in with Richard. ::

Richard: "Go watch the others. I got this."

:: Danny nodded, glad to see that Rich was calming down. Perhaps he needed a nap more than the children! Smiling he motioned for Simon to follow him to the kitchen as he opened one of the cupboards, shooting a glance to Simon. ::

"Now...chunky or smooth?!"

[pausing for a moment as he looked at Simon]

"Smooth. Definitely smooth. Butter knives are in the second drawer over there. Let's get to it."

 

[Oracle]

The Courts - Conference Room

"Yeah, yeah, i'm fine. No one got in....I think they were purposely trying to knock out the computer systems."

"Well if you see anything from either Persephone or Black Widow, you call it out. I can have Tachyon there in a flash. Anything look fried? There's spare hardware in the walk in closet next to the laundry room."

"Where are you? Is Rose okay? Any word on Jake?"

"Oh, I'm here at the Courthouse with Sharon. Isis brought us and Alycia. And Viv just got here."

She waved at Vivica.

"Steel has Rose and Rae together somewhere here, and Jake is here too. I don't think anyone has been able to talk to him, though. Alycia is prepping to go into the hearing now."

She ran her hand through her hair.

"Listen, Gabe, thank you...for stepping in so I could go to Alycia. She needed us. I appreciate it."

 

[Titan]

The Sanctuary

Kids were chaos.

And Andrew felt like a god. He had a kid attached to each arm and was swinging them around like a propeller, while the kids cheered.

He stopped as something came over the com.

[com link to all Birds of Prey]>>"Persephone attacked The Clocktower with lightning. It fried the main breaker but the backup generators kicked in. Unfortunately the computer systems need time to reboot. Black Widow also struck against Orion while he was in pursuit of Nedry's vehicle. Both she and Persephone are unaccounted for."

Zach was attacked again?! They all needed to like find a hole and stay there, because every time they went outside, someone got hurt. But he was beginning to see why the others wanted to get Black Widow and Persephone. He looked at Rich & Tachyon.

"Wait, who the he-"

He saw a small girl looking up at him with curious eyes.

"-heck is that on the com?"

[via com] "Birds, this is Oracle. Steel has achieved Rose's release, and we are now at the courthouse with Charope. Little Jake is here - they are going to put him through a family court hearing. Orion, are you alright?"

At least everyone seemed safe enough, but the poor little kid, he must be scared off his wits. Zizi called for X to head to the courthouse.

"That is my cue, fellas."

Andrew grinned and nodded.

"Yeah, time to comfort Alycia."

"Okay, who wants to go outside and play with Andrew? Let's get them to burn off some of that energy. Simon and I will take care of lunch."

"Sounds like a slice of fried gold to me. Come on kids!"

He'd much rather play outside than make lunch, so he high tailed it out of there before they changed their minds, pocketing X's cash for safe keeping.

Once they were out, Andrew gathered them all together. He spoke in a low, conspiratorial voice.

"Okay, now, we are going to play a very special game."

He looked at each kid in the eye solemnly.

"Your teachers won't let you play this in school, but we're going to play it now. It's called Red Rover..."

 

[Cypher]

Zizi: "Well if you see anything from either Persephone or Black Widow, you call it out. I can have Tachyon there in a flash."

"Yeah, will do."

Gabe opened up the Clandestine laptop that Vivica left him. He cocked a brow as the home screen loaded, unimpressed.

Zizi: "Anything look fried? There's spare hardware in the walk in closet next to the laundry room."

"Nah, the systems did what they were supposed to and shut down before anything was damaged. Just takin' for fucking ever to reboot."

He asked where she was and if Rose and Jake were okay.

Zizi: "Oh, I'm here at the Courthouse with Sharon. Isis brought us and Alycia. And Viv just got here. Steel has Rose and Rae together somewhere here, and Jake is here too. I don't think anyone has been able to talk to him, though. Alycia is prepping to go into the hearing now."

"Okay...well at least the kids not at Hellfire."

Small victories. Speaking of victories...

"Hot damn! It's about fucking time!"

The computers finally rebooted, flickering on to the exact screens/feeds that he had up before they shut down. Closing the Clandestine laptop, he pushed it out of the way.

Zizi: "Listen, Gabe, thank you...for stepping in so I could go to Alycia. She needed us. I appreciate it."

"No worries. Didn't do much, but glad I could help. And i'm happy Alycia is okay."

He didn't know what was going on with Alycia, but it seemed everything was alright for now. Gabe quickly ciphered through all the live feeds as he spoke in tandem with Zizi. He also brought up the security feeds from the past ten minutes when the systems were down, seeing if there was anything of use that could be relayed to Oracle.

"The systems are back up. I have live feeds up of the courthouse, Sanctuary, and outside Hellfire. I'll keep watch from here."

Gabe set up a live feed from inside the courthouse as well; multiple views of multiple locations. He had eyes on everyone that was at the courthouse except Alycia. That particular room didn't have a security cameras.

"Be careful over there. I got the com link open."

 

[Artemis]

The courthouse- Ancillary office

:: Alycia needed every moment she could spare, and so, inside the ancillary office, she held the clothes in her hand she wished to change into, and lifted her arms into position, she then performed her spin transformation. and was now wearing one of her signature business suits , complete with coordinating high heels::

:: she completed the final spin, and then took a moment to look herself over in a mirror, adjusting her blazer, and running her hands through her hair.::

There!

:: she exhaled slowly, feeling so much better. in many ways, this outfit was more comfortable to her than even her amazonian battle armor, but she was dressing for a different kind of battle, one where she was without peer, and if nedry thought he was going to win today, he would find he was SORELY mistaken.::

:: She sat down at the desk, and pulled out the flashdrive, plugging it into her laptop, which Isis had teleported from her office along the way. She began to view the files that Gabe had hacked...impressive. She also brought up her files on Rose, and began printing things off in the office, quickly creating her handouts for the judge, and her presentation of evidence, etc.::

:: Isis was waiting for her outside, and she moved with with a purpose. She'd done this so many times before, it was second nature to her. Unbeknownst to her, Danny Donnelly brought her a MUCH needed buffer of time as well.::

:: All of a sudden...::

"Alycia Barnett."

::GASP!::

:: Alycia jolted with a start as she saw::

Bianca walked forward, towards her.

How did YOU get in here!? How did you get past ISIS?

:: The amazon stood up, taking a slightly defensive posture, ready to defend herself with whatever force she needed::

"I sent my assistant ahead to set up a meeting location, but he had trouble getting past your...circus."

She waved her hand absentmindedly in the air.

"I was forced to come to you myself."

:: Alycia REMEMBERED, Bianca was in state that kept her perpetually out of synch with time, and she had the ability, that when observed, she appears to the onlooker to be nothing more than a stone statue. Its appearance changes to fit its surrounding and appears to the observer to be nothing out of the ordinary.::

:: The woman didn't answer her question, but Alycia already knew the implications behind the application of such an ability were both intriguing, and terrifying, especially when privacy and confidentiality were a must, to say nothing of defending against a STALKER .::

The Six NEVER should have let you live, and if you've come here to attack me? You'll find that I'm MORE than willing, AND ABLE to stop you.

She sighed, as if to underscore the effort that such a thing had taken.

"I've given some thought to your...predicament."

She reached into her bag

STOP RIGHT THERE!

:: Alycia's feminum bracelets shimmered, as she drew forth her golden lasso, and was prepared to tie Bianca up....but...::

she pulled out a file folder.

:: Alycia's hazel eyes widen for a moment. She THOUGHT the woman was going to pull out a gun or some other weapon....but it was a FILE folder.::

"Your little nuisance is quite a disturbed piece of garbage. The Red Queen is all over this guy. As I'm sure you suspected, Nedry's membership in the Hellfire Club is a buy off for the use of his services."

Bianca clucked her tongue.

:: the legal counselor realized Bianca was here...to deliver the ULTIMATE damning evidence on Dennis Nedry!::

:: She softened her posture, and returned her lasso, slowly seating herself to listen to Bianca::

"It's disgusting. Letting someone like that in the club for any reason is just...dereliction of duty. I mean, she allowed him to attend the past two Blackout Parties. Can you imagine?"

She shuddered.

"In return for doing her bidding, Helena allows him to satisfy his perverse sexual appetites within the walls of the Mansion. It seems that several of his "playmates" have never been heard from again."

::Alycia's eyebrows lifted, as Bianca opened the folder and almost "TEASED" Alycia with glimpses of: Pictures pulled from actual video surveilance, entire scenes of Nedry, in all his GROTESQUE "au naturel" form, in state BEYOND debauchery, a full dossier on him, going back to CHILDHOOD, a paper trail of financial transactions that would be ORGASMIC for a forensic accountant, Gabe's information weaved into what was contained in this folder, and now, Alycia had THE "Smoking gun."::

She looked at Alycia for a second, and then leaned in and whispered, as if Alycia needed it dumbed down for her.

"Because they're dead."

Bianca straightened up again, and continued, opening the folder and glancing at it.

Great Hera!

:: She said softly as she saw "crime scene" quality photos of the bodies of some of Nedry's playmates. She knew what Bianca had been implying, even before she said it flat out, and the implications of all of this were STAGGERING. Think of all the missing persons cases that would be solved, among OTHER things...::

"Oh and this part's quite good: Nedry made sure that several orphaned children never made it to your friend Rose's care - they ended up in the new Black Queen's lab instead. Charming, isn't it?"

:: Alycia's eyes widened briefly, and then she felt herself hardening, with outrage. Rae's flash perception of him had been RIGHT. Nedry may as well have been an emissary of the devil himself!::

Bianca crossed her arms, holding one elbow with her other hand, and dangled the folder in front of Alycia.

"The proof is right here...if you'll do me one-"

She raised her hand and pinched her fingers together.

"Tiny..favor...in return."

Name it.

:: Alycia practically COMMANDED, in a cold tone. Something inside of her had BROKEN recently, and no one, not even Zach had understood what that meant, or what the implications of it were. Alycia had made "deals with the devil" before in her capacity as the ADA, in order to bring down her targets. But THIS was something all together different. Cameron, Haleigh, AND AVA were on a SPECIAL "list" of her's now. One that NO ONE should want to be on.::

Bianca's smile was replaced by a sneer, her eyes becoming stone cold, as she leaned in towards Alycia.

"I want you to kill Ava Cassadine."

:: Alycia slowly stood up, and met Bianca's stare with her own, equally cold gaze, and in that moment, Bianca could sense that Alycia was NOT responding to her as a "representative of the law." She was responding to her on HER level of desire to see Ava (as well as Haleigh, and Cameron), DEAD.::

Consider it done.

:: she said without hesitation, and knowing FULL WELL that this would put her at odds with Zach, and the rest of her team...that is...if they KNEW what she was planning. ::

:: To save Rose and Jake...she would send Ava BACK through Doom's Doorway on Themyscira. She'd deliver that woman to HADES GIFT WRAPPED, and WAVE GOODBYE as the woman was dragged BACK to hell where she BELONGED, and once word of what Persephone had done to Alycia reached Themyscira? That renegade Goddess would have MORE PROBLEMS than she could imagine. ::

:: Bianca handed her the folder::

Thank you.

:: But then, Alycia unexpectedly GRABBED Bianca's wrist, holding it TIGHTLY at first, and looking her dead in the eyes still. She loosened her grip once she was sure she had Bianca's attention.::

I may have misjudged you, Bianca. But I am not above rectifying my mistakes, AND establishing new lines.

:: Especially when you've decided to DESTROY your enemies::

How would you like a LUCRATIVE "side gig"...as an "consultant?"

:: Alycia said, quite seriously. She had two OTHER targets in her crosshairs: Zenith Group, and Clandestine Inc.::

:: and at THAT moment...::

>> To Alycia: "Are you okay? Do you need any help?"

:: Alycia did not respond just now. She wanted to ensure she established a line ::

THINK about it. I guarantee it will be WORTH your while.

:: She slowly sat back down in her seat, eyeing Bianca with a smirk for a brief moment. ::

We'll be in touch.

:: After Bianca replied, and then took her leave, Alycia sat there...looking at the folder. It was like a bucket of ICE WATER in her face after being in a drought!::

:: She hid her WICKED glee very well in this moment as she stared at the weapon that she would DESTROY Nedry with. She ALSO allowed her mind to wander, as she was already thinking of plans to WIPE OUT Persephone, Black Widow and Prophet!::

:: What would the others say if they knew? It didn't matter. they'd NEVER know, until it was TOO LATE.::

:: She looked at her phone, at Vivica's text. Vivica. They'd come so far recently, but Recall would almost certain be a casualty as Alycia cut her path of VENGEANCE toward Cameron...WOULDN'T SHE? ::

or maybe NOT...

:: ANOTHER opportunity! ::

:: she tapped out a reply to Vivica on her phone::

>> To Vivica: MAJOR MOMENT OF DISCOVERY. Revising my package of evidence. Will be there Shortly.

 

[Rose]

The Courthouse- from the conference room, to the victim/witness waiting room

<< Rose was hardly insane, but like the "indigo children", she was forever misunderstood, judged, and dismissed. But there were some, like Simon, Danny, Sharon, Alycia, and even Xavier, who seemed to "get" her. Of them all, Rae KNEW her the best, and even SHE only knew "so much." But she had an UNDERSTANDING of Rose that people like Zach and Ashley did not. They would soon realize how much of a handicap that was for them.>>

<< At the moment, Rae, Rose and Ashley were in a conference room. Ashley kept her distance, which was fine with Rose. >>

<< Ashley put on a brave front, but Rose had already seen through her, with a mere CURSORY "scan" of her soul. The woman relied on a "death glare" to SCARE her foes. But the TRUTH, especially when used as a weapon, can be more cripling than any FEAR. >>

<< She DESPERATELY needed Zach in order to feel whole, validated even. She put her trust, her faith in a man who was WEAK, and prone to FALTER, and FAIL when a person was most in need. She chose not to see that, and it would be her downfall, and no one around her would be able to save her from herself. She may not have known it, but Valkyrie was in a personal HELL of her own design, and Rose would shine the SEARING spectral light of TRUTH upon her, and Zach. >>

<< Others were arriving, INCLUDING ALYCIA!>>

Alycia is here!

<< Rose said to Rae with a smile.>>

I was beginning to worry.

<< but the BUILDING itself was responding to the call of another as IT seemed to REBEL against the processes happening within these walls on various floors.>>

My dearCitadel

<< Danny would "hear" Rose's voice, sounding so serene, with that lilt it had.>>

Stay at my sanctuary, with Sable, and my children. I will be home...WITH JAKE...soon.

<< SPEAKING of Jake. Rose had finally calmed him a bit ago, but now, she registered a higher level of awareness and activity from him...>>

<< A purple "line" of psionic energy pulsed across the view, behind Rose's head, as she realized that ZACH was with him. Her countenance DARKENED.>>

ZACH ARMANI.

<< She shouted, as she marched toward the doors. Ashley tried to stop her.>>

<< Like Black Widow before her, Ashley had likely made MISTAKE of thinking Rose was physically weak, and not capable of hand to hand/physical combat. But Black Widow was unpleasantly surprised to learn otherwise. Now it was Ashley's turn. Rose EVADED Ashley's attempt to take hold of her.>>

AWAY from me, wayward shield maiden!


<< she gestured, and that mysterious scarf, that flowed around her tall, feminine form, glowed, and then WHIPPED out in the direction that she'd gestured with her arm. A vicious "CRACK" was heard, as the scarf, now charged with psycho power, STRUCK faster than a cobra, and SLAPPED Ashley across the room, sending her crashing into a group of chairs>>

<< With that, she flings open the doors, and as she passes through the doorway, she DISAPPEARS in a flare of WHITE astral energy.>>

<< Ashley contacts Steel and Oracle, URGENTLY to tell them that Rose is going after Zach. Rae has the opportunity to give Ashley the slip, and is already hot on Rose's heels. She has a connection to the psi, but since no one bothered to ASK her, she didn't share that little tid bit >>

<< Steel, along with Oracle, Silver Swan, and ISIS, whom Oracle has contacted, join Ashley to catch up with Rae, all of them on their way to...>>

<< MOMENTS LATER>>

"It's a puzzle, you see. The goal is to make each face of the cube have it's own color."

He said, and he checked his phone. There was an unread message from Ash.

From Ashley>> Jake's at the courthouse.

To Ashley>> Me too. Are you and John bringing Rose?

<< His question is MORE than answered, as Rose suddenly APPEARS before Zach. >>

ZACH ARMANI! MOVE AWAY FROM MY CHILD!

<< She SHOUTS at him, and her voice reveberates as he is hit with psionic white noice for a BRIEF moment.>>

Didn't Alycia and Sharon communicate to you that you are to have NO CONTACT with Jake, or ANY OF MY OTHER CHILDREN!?

<< Zach sees her standing there, with a darker countenance, and he witnesses the same eerie effects about her person, the flowing hair, that ambient sound that seemed to be around her, and now her glowing eyes.>>

I made it CLEAR, that if you VIOLATED my ban, I would take it as an act of AGGRESSION, and RESPOND ACCORDINGLY.

I have had ENOUGH of you, and EVERYONE ELSE violating my wishes, doing what YOU want, without thought to the consequences.

You will REGRET THIS!

 

[Valkyrie]

The Courthouse - Conference Room

And Steel STILL hadn't returned. But at least Zach was in the courthouse, and texting. Maybe she could just slip out and lock the door behind her...

Alycia is here!

Joy.

ZACH ARMANI.

Rose looked like a frickin' killer robot, marching towards the door like that. She must have realized he was in the building. What the fuck was her problem?! It was a damn free country.

"Slow your roll, there purple hair. John wants you to stay here."

She reached out to grab Rose's arm, but Old Mother Hubbard was spry. Ashley rolled her eyes.

"Come on, for once, can you NOT be a pain in my ass?"

AWAY from me, wayward shield maiden!

"Who TALKS like that? I mean-"

And then she was flying backward, hitting a bunch of chairs as she fell.

"You did NOT just use your powers on me, you pyscho!"

She got up as Rose went through the door and disappeared.

Fuuuuuuuuuck.

[via com] "Steel, Oracle, Rose ATTACKED me when I tried to stop her going after Zach. He needs help - I don't know WHAT she'll do when she finds him!"

She ran, knowing that Zach would have been going towards Jake. She could only hope to find him before Rose did. She had been annoyed with Rose when she first made her escape, but now? She was terrified of what Rose could do to Zach. Ashley heard shouting, and suddenly Steel was next to her. They burst into the witness waiting room.

I have had ENOUGH of you, and EVERYONE ELSE violating my wishes, doing what YOU want, without thought to the consequences. You will REGRET THIS!

Ashley stepped between Rose and Zach. Her eyes blazed with anger, defiance.

"Don't you TOUCH him. Time for your meds, Sybil."

Ashley's face melted away to a skull with hollow eye sockets as she used her power on Rose.

"And now I've got my game face on."

Rose would feel despair, inadequacy, like she failed those children that died and was FAILING the ones still in her care. She wasn't fit to watch over them. She wasn't fit to watch over ANYBODY.

 

[Seer]

<< Meanwhile>>

<< Xavier and Vivica took a quick peek into the courtroom, something is wrong.>>

<< The building itself is having a disturbing amount of structural malfunctions, more than NATURALLY possible.>>

<< And there's something...ODD about the baliffs and other "officers" in this court room.>>

<< Vivica receives Alycia's reply, but there's something that's bothering her.>>

<< With all the disruptions and confusion happening in various places of the court building, and entire dockets for Traffic Court, among others, being cancelled, why was FAMILY court still "in session, with no "start" OR "end" time for this emergency motion hearing? was Jake's case the ONLY ONE? If so, why the need for SO MANY baliffs, whom Vivica happened to notice were rather heavily ARMED, and even carrying "anti-mutant" devices such as POWER NEUTRALIZING collars among their arsenal?! >>

<< She leaned close to Xavier, and shared her growing suspicion that something was WRONG, and that this may not be what it seemed. >>

<< Her suspicions grew into reasonable FEAR, when she decided to "peak" at the docket to see who the JUDGE was: K. SHAW!?>>

<< It could be a coincidence. It could be a MAN named KEVIN Shaw. It could be a woman named KATHERINE Shaw, it could be ANYONE...or it could be HER.>>

<< And after what happened with Shadow Weaver and "Frost"...Vivica couldn't be sure. She would HAVE to reach out to Oracle, but how? With so many OFFICERS around them? And now, She and Xavier felt they might be in danger themselves.>>

<< She's about to contact Oracle, unaware that Zizi, and the rest of them are now dealing with a small "fire" of their own>>

----------------------------

<< Valkyrie, Steel, Oracle, Sharon, race to where Zack and Jake are. As they reach the doors, ISIS suddenly appears, noticeably wearing a different outfit than she'd had when she was at the Cell. RAE is already inside.>>

<< Oracle calls for Valkyrie to CALM herself, before they go in, But Valkyrie doesn't wait. She's ALREADY inside now, and immediately coming to Zach's defense. Things are about to go from bad? to WORSE!>>

<< Inside, Oracle moves into action, calling on Isis to be ready to get Jake to safety, and for Steel and Silver Swan to be ready to get between Rose and Zach. >>

<< Isis and Rae have the same idea, and although they haven't formally MET yet, the two women work together.>>