Force-X: New Blood Rising

[poohlive]

They travelled through what felt like miles and miles of pipe, none of it seemed like it led anywhere. At one point, Joe felt so turned around, he swore they were crawling in circles. But, at the moment, no one knew where they were, and that was an advantage to have.
The only real question became, how in the hell would they get out of here.

Finally they climbed up and up, some air shaft that stretched all the way to some high roof. Once it leveled off, Joe felt the first reverberations, shaking against the rafters. Whoever put up this air vent this high up, hadn't expected anyone to climb up here.

"Umm," he tried to remember the man's name, but he had never given Joe one, "I think we should..."

And then, the vent flew free, part of it collapsing, while the other part just let go and fell to the ground. Joe immediately caught a hold of something, his arms swinging out to stop his descent. He grabbed ahold of some weak wires though, and instead hung awkwardly for a few minutes, before falling on the ground.

Still, he landed on his feet, despite the 20 foot drop, ready for action. Maybe this suit had some advantages after all. He smiled to himself, but only for a moment.

"Hey, what do you know, the motor pool."

 

[Strolling Gecko]

"Aye, aye Net," I said with a bit of sarcasm. "Everyone, follow me to the upstairs dorms."

I turned on my heel and led the small group of mutants up through the foyer to the stairwell and up two flights to the dorms. I opened the large door and stepped into the hallway.

"All right guys, ladies' rooms are down to the right, the boys go down the left. There are bathrooms in each respective hall, but you'll have to share your respective bathrooms with the other occupants of your hall. If any of you have any questions, about the Compound, our philosphy, or even Net and myself, I'm more than willing to answer them. So.... any questions?"

 

[Orlanth]

Arko - Denial O'Neal

"A... man... attacked me. I was... sitting on... the...".

"I don't think it was that man." Denial thought to himself.

Before he knew it he was standing in the rain offering to help the young woman up.

 

[SoulcatcherX]

Netshocker

*His eyes flashed through the data on the monitor in front of him as a frown deepened on his brow. Huffing he opened a new window and let his finger fly as he began to conjure up local media and law-enforcement reports.*

"A disturbance at a health clinic?"

*His eyebrow raised as he watched a hastily shot video by a bystander as a response unit stormed into the clinic.*

"That's no SWAT team. Looks more para-military to me. Angel, I want a location on where these vechicles went. Run a DMV check."

*He leaned over and hit a switch that opened a wide-band transmission.*

"Listen up. We've got work to do. Everyone meet me in the garage. If you don't like getting your hands dirty, then you might want to stay behind."

*He killed the switch and concentrated his thoughts. He'd hadn't had time to train extensively with Seer to make a thought projection easy, but it helped that he'd had a sister that was a telepath*

"Seer, looks like we have a kidnap situation to remedy. I have Angel working on our location right now. When we get there I need you sharp and looking for details.

*He stood up and tightened the gunbelt around his waist and picked up his energy rifle, before he began walking to the garage.*

 

[Arachnid Prime]

oh brother....*Dennis heads to the garage and sighs*

 

[Screech]

Goergina heard the summons and, putting on her basic 'costume' of skintight clothing, and picking up her facemask, she walked out of her quarters and toward the garrage, wandering all the way what the emergency would be

 

[Mantra]

Sentry

There was a creaking noise, then a metalic 'ping' and the groan of metal just before the vent broke away from it's fasteners and buckled.

"Aw, shit!!!"

Andrew imeadiatly lost sight of Joe as the entire section he was crawling through fell away. The metal box with Andrew in it struck the roof of a parked truck, buckling the roof and spider webbing the windshield before rolling down, over the hood and flipping end over end, hitting the floor with a resounding crash.

"Hey, what do you know, the motor pool." Joe said.

Andrew slowly crawled out of the battered vent box, turning and laying on the cool concrete floor, unwilling to move.

"Yay." he said weakly. "Great to hear kid."

 

[Strolling Gecko]

Confirmed, Net. I'll join you in the garage shortly.

Jack darted into his room, stripping the clothes rom his back with his mind and replacing them with his black military boots, kevlar lined leather pants and vest and a floor length duster. The final touch was a pair of small round sunglasses that Jack wore low on his nose.

As Seer stepped out of his room, he noticed Georgina and Dennis heading towards the garage.

"Hold up there, you two. This is going to be dangerous. From a couple of mental fragments I picked up on the edge of Net's message, this isn't going to be a walk in the park. You're untrained, have never worked in tandem, and don't know how we do things in the field. Add to that your inexperience in facing serious anti-mutant troopers that were likely to face, it's too dangerous to have you out there. For your safety, I suggest you hang back. For now," Seer said with a new, sterner exterior showing than when he first met the group.

"This is not personal. But Net didn't go to all the trouble tracking you down in order to have you get wiped out the first night before you're ready to go. So stay in the compound. In the upper levels for now, just like Net said. We'll be back before you even realize we're gone."

That said, Seer snapped on his com-link and spun around towards the elevator. The doors opened up just as he approached. He stepped in, the doors shut behind him and he headed towards the basement.

You hear all of that, Net? Jack had remained in telepathic communication with Netshocker during his last conversation with Dennis and Georgina. I hope I didn't come across as having a stick up my ass.

 

[Screech]

Georgina grumbled to herself as she turned around and walked back towards her quarters

 

[Arachnid Prime]

*Dennis walks up to Georgina and sighs*hey... if we`re not allowed to go, wanna go raid the kitchen? I mean, this place has got to have one and no hablo englais isn`t that fun to be with y'know? not mean offensifely but... what`s the fun of hanging with somebody who doesn`t talk?

 

[Screech]

Georgina chuckled. "Got a point there. Sure, coun't me in. Oh, and I hope you know the way

 

[Arachnid Prime]

actually no. but hey, what better way to learn the layout then searching for the chocolatechip cookies right?

 

[SoulcatcherX]

Rewind

Finally the throbbing was easing and her breathe coming easier. She watched from upturned eyes as the man slowly walked toward her, his shoes making little splashes in the pooling rainwater.

Her outfit was soaked, but that didn't bother her too much. Her mind was strictly focused on business. Shakily she started to rise and accepted his outstretched hand for support. She mustered all of control and lifted a trembling face towards his, her dark blue mascara running in thin streams down her cheeks, her lip slightly trembling.

"Thank you."

She raised trembling fingers to her lips trepidatiously and cast her eyes side-to-side as if wary.

"He's gone isn't he? Why would he... why would he just do that? I had just poured myself a cup of coffee and was going to sit on the windowsill to read my paper and watch the rain, when he... came bounding down the stairs."

Her eyes suddenly shot open wide and she looked at him.

"What are you doing up here?"

She pulled her hand away sharply, staggering a little as she began to backstep.

"I heard you two talking. You know him... Eric was right, you people really do want to hurt me!"

Inwardly, she grinned, a bit risky to have used His name, but she doubted that the target would be able to discern the meaning and make the association.

 

[SoulcatcherX]

Netshocker

Seer: "You hear all of that, Net? I hope I didn't come across as having a stick up my ass."

Net smirked as he got the SUV started.

"Yeah, I heard. Good thinking. In fact, I think we can use this to an advantage. Give them a crash course in Team Dynamics"

He flipped the stereo face outwards and slid out the mini-keypad and flip-up monitor that was usually hidden in the dash. Quickly he programmed a time-delayed process into ANGEL's core system. As Seer slid into the passenger seat beside him, he closed the window and turned the unit towards his teammate. He could see the questioning look on Seer's face but just shook his head. If Seer really wanted to know he could either scan his surface thoughts or wait and find out like the rest of the them.

Besides, that would be telling.

Refocusing, he hit the remote for the garage bay and pulled out.

"Looks like our little crack team has theirselves hidden out in the Highhills district in the old National Guard compound. Which means they've got the means to make life really hard for us. How about you and Angel see if you can figure out how to simplify things a little eh?"

Net peeled off out of the compound. As the gate closed behind him with a *click*, several holographic arrays sprung out of their hidden spots and projected what seemed to be a quiet day around the area.

Just in case someone was to drive by anytime soon.

Deep in the control a silent counter ticked off the seconds.

 

[Screech]

"Yeah, guess you're right on that one!" Georgina wandered through the corridors with Dennis, poking her head round several doors to see what was inside

 

[Arachnid Prime]

*Dennis follows Georgina and smiles a bit*hey Georgina, you think they got a tv here?might aswell crash in front of the tv while eating right?

 

[Screech]

"Well, who knows, right? Guess if we get lots, we can eat it while looking for the TV"

 

[Arachnid Prime]

yeah... wonder if there`s a good movie on.*Dennis spots the tv*whoa... that`s a BIG one!

 

[Strolling Gecko]

Net wheeled us into the National Guard compound. I was furiously typing away on the keys trying to get Angel to report just what we were up against.

"Reports vary from a jail break that was tracked to this compound to a terrorist taking it hostage. However, surface thoughts of those in the immediate area indicate that it is neither. I'm picking up two distinct thought patterns. One is unusally cool and collected about the situation at hand. The other seems to be desperate to get out of his situation," I ceased typing and placed two fingers to my right temple. "Also, there are five hostiles ahead of us with orders to open fire on any unfamiliar vehicles. I believe they've just been overcome with the urge to take a deep, deep nap." I focused for a moment, the hum of the car the only audible noise. "Ok, the entrance to the motor pool is clear. Let's go."

 

[SoulcatcherX]

Netshocker

Net's smile broadened in anticipation as he opened the door, pulling his e-rifle from between the seats with him.

Slowly he strode up the rest of the distance to the motorpool gate, leaving the vehicle running. Theft was not a concern to him. Angel would be able to track the SUV's movement, and if needed, disable the engine herself.

He looked around at the slumbering forms of the men at the gate and nodded at Seer.

"Let's get them out of here ASAFP before these goons wake-up and bring the entire facility down on our heads."

He reached into the guard shack and hit the gate-release button. It's well-oiled geartracks were relatively silent as it slid open. He looked down the rows of tractor engines and jeeps, his eye's focused on detecting any movement ahead. Slinging the rifle over his shoulder, he pulled his smaller energy pistol and dropped the charge on it to a non-lethal level. With a quick wave of his hand he began to walk cautiously forward.

"You still have a lock on their psi-sigs Seer?"

 

[poohlive]

Joe had finally got into a jeep, finding one that had a set of keys in it. He thought he recognized it, the back at least... the same truck they'd hauled his ass in here on.

Well, how conveniant.

He turned over the engine, and helped him into the passenger side.

Footsteps were coming closer, someone knew they were in here. Panic set in, but for some reason he felt calm cool... under control. Maybe this suit did a lot more than just kick ass.

"Ok," He put it into gear, and jumping out into the aisle where rows of these things lined up.

"They're gonna shoot at us, aren't they? We had to pass a lot of guard checks, I remember. You wouldn't happen to know some sort of magical code, do you?"

 

[Mantra]

Andrew pulled himself up and following Joe's voice, clamored onto the back of the jeep. The sounds of shouting and running feet were clearly auidable as well as the ringing alarm bells now. Adrenalin and training was forcing the pain from the fall subside.

"You wouldn't happen to know some sort of magical code, do you?" Joe asked and the jeep roared to life.

"Yeah," Andrew anwsered as he stood, leveling the 'borrowed' carbine towards the garage door. "I got a magic code...."

Taking aim, Andrew fired one shot. The bullet smashed into the control panel next to the garage door, causing it to spark. There was a loud buzz, and the door began to rise.

"Punch it kid!! And don't stop for anything!"

 

[Strolling Gecko]

"You still have a lock on their psi-sigs Seer?"

"I do, Net. They're heading for the south exit. They won't get too far," I responded calmly.

I focused my mind on the driver. I searched through his head and discovered he thought Net and I were guards. I decided I had to put their nerves at ease.

"Joe, Andrew, you have nothing to fear from us. My name is Seer and we're here to help you and your friend. Now we need you to trust us. We're not the bad guys. In fact, we're going to help you get away from the bad guys. If you can bring yourself to trust us, that is.

 

[nostress]

OCC

just passing on a message from Orlanth, he has been in hospital for the last week or so but is hoping to be out of hospital tomorrow, so with a bit of luck he should be back on line tomorrow night

 

[SoulcatcherX]

Re: OCC

just passing on a message from Orlanth, he has been in hospital for the last week or so but is hoping to be out of hospital tomorrow, so with a bit of luck he should be back on line tomorrow night

OOC: Thanks for the relay of info nostress. Much appreciated.