Freedom: The New Era

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Noelani had been running for a long time, she was glad that she had hidden that young boy fairly well, a friend, human, had agreed to watch him as she tried to lead the group that was hunting her down. She had ditched her car far on the otherside of the docks and had tried to reach the other side to get to her small boat. She would have liked to had a ship...

But it was a boat at best.

It was about halfway to her destination that she heard some shout, "There she goes!" She wished that she had run into one of the warehouses when she had the chance. But it was foolish to think of such things now.

Noelani turned and ran down the wharf that was off to her immediate right and couldn't help but hear all of them shouting after her. Telling, no, commanding that she stop but that was something she could not do. Somehow she wished that the damn thing was shorter so she didn't have to run as far, she heard a shot ring out and suddenly, normally so calm, she panicked and leapt off the side of the wharf into the icy cold dirty water that was the home to the transport ships.

It was impossible to see in the sullied water but she opted to get the hell out of there, a bullet, oddly enough, grazing her arm. She wondered how long it would take them to get a diving team together. Well... Now was as good a time as any to escape to her boat.

Now which way was that damn dingy?

 

[rengadeirishman]

"Brilliant." Jack said, "I think as commander it would be best if I stayed here, close to everything needed to react most efficiently." he said to josh.

 

[let3us2be1free0]

Luise

"Please don't put me in a cell! Ill behave! Just tell me were i am! am i being kidnapped? What's hapened to my parents?"

 

[let3us2be1free0]

Bay

"Luise, your in a facilaty for people who have been experimented on and given special abilitys. Here we give them identities, a home, food, and anything else they might need. You learn to use your powers, and grow up a bit happier then those who must live as exiles. As for your parents, they are dead, I'm sorry. You killed them with your powers, i think. It wasn't your fault, and you should take some time to mour them."

 

[let3us2be1free0]

Luise

"And who are you?" *points to Josh and Jack*

 

[Angelus]

As soon as Lauren got out of the Hummer all she could see was the pandemonium that had erupted on the wharf. She could see that the part of the wharf her team was on had been cordoned off which in itself was a small blessing but everything else had just gotten totally screwed up.

She walked towards the closest person who seemed to be arguing with one of the other members, "What the hell is going on here. I got the report of the experiment being here just over half an hour ago and expect to come here to see that things have been done, that you have caught her but instead I come here to find you haven't done a damn thing."

The man opened his mouth to argue but he knew instantly by the look that was in Lauren's eyes that it was not a wise thing to do.

"I am sorry ma'am. The dive team only just arrived five minutes ago and have been waiting for clearance to go into the water."

"They have it. Now get them into the water to either get that experiment back or find her body. I don't care how long it might take or what they have to do, I want at least some results."

She turned quickly on her heels and walked back to the Hummer, her anger rising with every step. As she got into the drivers seat she looked back at the group and began to mutter under her breath. It was then that the phone rang which caused her to pull it out and look at it, when she saw the name her anger rose.

"Yes colonel, what is it you wish to know."

"I want to know why the hell that team hasn't found any trace of the experiment yet. It is just one woman and should not be a problem now should it?" Jason said from the other side of the line.

"No sir. They have just gone into the water now and should find something. If they do not then I will report back in an hour. I am sorry sir," Lauren said just as Jason hung up.

She looked at the phone as she closed it, "Just fucking perfect."

 

[Angelus]

"Good, I'll take you to see Callie after we are done with this tour and you can tell her what you need. If you don't find something that is to your liking that is."

He then looked at Luise who was still being held there by Bay, "There is no need to worry Luise. We are here to help you as strange as that sounds. As for your parents I hate to tell you this but they aren't really your parents. I know what that sounds like but please let me explain. You were given to them by the group that made you what you are so that your 'parents' could monitor you and report back to the group in regards to your progress. Bay; the one that is holding you there is another of your kind and told by us to take you from them and bring you here so that you would be safe."

He looked at her for a second to let it sink in and signalled to Samuel. He knew that he might need his help very soon.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Noelani found her way over to one of the large bouys that was floating out a little distance from the wharf. She could see the men gearing up to go find her... If she was in the water when they started the search for her then she would be in trouble. Probably unknown to them the had some men stationed very near her boat and that was not going to be her great escape today.

'God dammit...' she thought as she huffed softly before letting herself sink back into the water. 'Just have to get to dry land and then get back to the kid...' Her mind was racing as she started to try and go around the docks and head around to one of the rocky beaches to retreat inland.

Damn the water was cold.

'I thought that someone was going to be able to help me...' Her mind asked. Stupid brain, always making sense.

 

[rengadeirishman]

"Sounds good," Jack said. He turned to Luise. "I am Captain Jack Daugherty, and he's telling you the truth, but your not alone, I am an experiment also, though an earlier one then you by the look of it."

 

[Angelus]

It was then that the phone at Josh's side started to ring and he picked it up quickly, swearing loudly when he saw who it was from.

"Yeah; what is it?"

He listened for a few seconds, his eyes going wide.

"Oh shit. I'll try and get there as fast as I can. Just keep me posted in case anything else happens."

He turned to look at Jack, "I'm sorry that I have to run out on you Jack but something urgent has come up. One of the group was sent out to pick up a little girl but it seems that she has run into a bit of trouble and some of the assholes that have been trying to nab everyone have got her trapped near Fisherman's Wharf. I am just going to go down there now to see if I can lend any type of hand to her."

He then punched a number into the keypad near the door and watched as they opened.

"I don't suppose that you would like to join me? Just to see what we are up against."

 

[Jedi_Khan]

John "Draco" Hera's Back Story Part 1

It had been more than a year since John “Draco” Hera had escaped from a top secret government facility, and during that year, several significant things happened. First, John had found a cave in the mountains of western Colorado which happened to be a gold mine that had yet to be discovered. Second, he spoke the first words of his life to a woman by the name of Eve, who had also escaped from the facility. Third, someone had contacted him and Eve at the same time, offering refuge and a new life. Apparently, they could help both him and Eve hide in plain sight. While Eve had agreed whole heartily, John had been weary and took his time in replying. The fourth event had been when Eve effectively destroyed the GPS transmitter that had been placed under his scales on his back. That, more than anything, would allow him to hide more effectively.

The five event happened when the representative that had found them, one Josh Matthews, was about to leave, in the company of Eve for San Francisco, John had offered to allow his cave to be used as an outpost for the group, if they ever wanted to take a break and leave the hectic life of California. The only thing that had happened after that was that some device had been delivered to him that allowed for secure communication between the main base in San Francisco and John.

What made most of this unique was that John was not human. At least, for the most part; he is part dragon. John hadn’t been born part dragon, though. Before he was even two days old, he had been taken from his parents and sent off to the facility where scientists who had discovered an old dragon carcass that held viable DNA, which the scientists then replaced portions of John’s own DNA with. This then resulted in a considerable change in John, both physically and mentally. From his back sprouted a pair of large, tough leather wings, measuring twelve feet from wingtip to wing tip. He had retractable claws in his otherwise human hands that could slice through half-inch thick steel. His skin was covered from the neck down with solid, armored scales that could turn bullets ranging from .50 cal down. His feet were like a bird of prey, with four razor sharp claws on them. His eyes were a brilliant golden color, with cat-like pupils.

The primary mental change that had occurred was that John became temperamental. His patience was short at times, and at others, he could endure Barney for twelve straight days. He knew that because the scientists had put him up to it. Playing Barney on a TV in John’s cage was one of the few tests the scientist had done. John put up with the noise for twelve straight days and nights before his patience snapped, at which point, he destroyed the TV. Usually with John, when he loses his patience, he loses it in a spectacular manner, which usually results in the reason for his patience snapping to be…resolved, like the TV.

…to be continued…

 

[rengadeirishman]

"We'll take my truck." Jack said heading back toward the elevator.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Noelani was not going to use her powers because it would be much harder to get away that way, sure how easy could it have been to use the water's help to push her to the other end of the pier and then make a getaway? That would have been easy but the actual getting away part would have been hard.

Secretly, she was glad that she could stay underwater for a long time without air. This was not a forever deal, she wasn't a fish dammit. But the swimming was growing tiresome and she was sure that the diving team was in the water by now, they would have the help of those machines that would pull them through the water whereas she had the use of only her arms and legs to aid in her escape lest she draw their attention.

The best she could hope for was that they were not looking this far for her.

She knew that despite the murky water she was getting closer and closer to escape. Unfortunately what she did not realize was that there were two divers on her trail, not that they were tracking her but they were getting closer and closer to her and it wouldn't be long before they found her and took her in.

'Almost there... come on... you're almost there.' She kept repeating in her head.

 

[MilkManDan007]

Hayden Makes His Choice

The offer was an interesting one. In one hand, he had the opportunity to disappear again, to try and lead a normal life without the fear of being discovered, chased or killed. In the other hand, the opportunity to try and find the others before the facility’s hound dogs did and to help bring them to a safe place.

Hayden knew the pain of running, the lack of opportunities to set down roots and find anything that resembled a normal life. He had known a woman once, a sweet college gal who shared his passion for rock climbing and rock music. They had spent nearly eight months together, much of it in the backcountry of Utah, exploring one another and lavishing in the close connection they were forming. Hayden kept his abilities secret from her, one of the few things he felt reluctant to divulge, and their lives were progressing as any normal couple’s lives would have. Then came that fateful day when an agent stumbled upon him and he had to run again. He tried not to think about the life he could have had and the pain he had caused her with his sudden disappearance.

If he could help people like himself, those who were tired of running, maybe it would help ease that pain. He might be able to set roots down here, to find others like him he could be friends with, true friends, with no secrets between them.

“I’m in,” he said bluntly. “I’m sure everyone is just as tired of running as I am.”

Catherine and Hayden spoke for some time at the desk in the lobby. She told him of the others that had come to join their little crusade, and of the ones who they had found too late. His memory was not playing tricks on him; she had been familiar, one of the scientists at the facility. There were some here already that he had interacted with before the escape, and many others that were new to him. As they spoke, people continued to filter in and out of the building. There was only one that drew his attention away from Catherine.

A familiar face strode in. Michael, complete with the guitar he always carried around. Hayden had seen Michael from time to time over the past year, but contact between them had dropped off over the past months as Hayden’s mild paranoia pushed him into seclusion.

“Michael, good to see you,” said Hayden as he smiled at his old friend. “They managed to get me to come in, so it can’t be too bad.”

 

[AmenRa]

Michael stepped close to Hayden and shook his hand. He handed Hayden a dollar bill from his jeans pocket.

"For the slushy thing that day we met at the park," Michael told him. "I don't forget much, and since I spilled yours on that roller blade girl, I kinda owe you. But, thanks for the date!" Michael laughed, recalling how a telekinetic impulse had sent Hayden's red drink all over a roller blader's white tee shirt. It was, of course, one of Michael's chick meeting techniques, and it had worked.

Michael looked at Catherine. He nodded his head at her, remembering the times she had sat in his room at the facility and listened to him play.

"Okay," he said to both of them, "I'm here. Let's do this."

He, too, was tired of hiding. Tired of running. Tired of being alone.

 

[Wolfsister]

She nodded towards Bay Nur, whom she had only known for a short while and kept on friendly terms. She looked at the small girl and shook her head, sure she had punched the lights out of Ronald but he was a cool eighteen, he could handle it. Though she disapproved of Luise's current state, she kept her mouth shut. Later, she could go the girl and ask just how Bay had 'captured' her.

Then she grinned up at Jack, "Nice to meet ya Capt'in," she looked over at Josh and knew that he was itching to show the new around. Then all of a sudden, pandemonium broke out. Luise was now awake as struggling to break free. It seemed that she had some sort of ability to throw darts from her body. Maybe they were laced with poison or something? She wasn't sure, but she also knew that this situation, what with the extraordinary levels of testosterone that were present, would very quickly escalate.

She made ready to diffuse the situation but soon realised that there was no reason to be so uptight. She looked over to Luise and smiled gently, "Come on, its okay. Believe me, they're telling the truth," she was hoping that the fact that she was the only other female in the immediate area would help to calm the girl down.

Then all sorts of explanations were given as to why she was here. Eve shook her head and muttered to herself, "Men..."

And then Josh got an odd phone call and it was all immediate battle stations again. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, "I'll sit this one out, Josh, Jack," and she watched them leave.

Then she spoke softly to Luise, "Are you hungry, kid? We've got a pretty mean kitchen around here." She nodded to Bay, "She's alright, she ain't gonna hurt anybody as long as she doesn't feel threatened, besides, I've got Sam with me, so you can go and join the other two if you want,"

As always, she really didn't take notice of Ken. He seemed to just blend in the background, as always, but she knew that he was there. She reached out a hand and beckoned to Luise, "Come on, I know where we can get some grub and have a little chat."

 

[Angelus]

Catherine let a rare smile appear on her lips. She had not really expected him to say yes, seeing how he was so much of a loner but now that he had she knew that he would be a great help to the team.

"I hate to say this to you Hayden but can you wait here for a while longer. Unless you want to stay here so that you can talk to your friend."

She then turned her head to look at Michael, "Hello Michael. I know that you have just arrived but I am going to give you the same offer that I just gave Hayden. We have a way to hide you better than anyone else so that you can walk out of here without having to worry about anyone jumping out of the shadows to take you back to the facilities. Do not worry as I know they do exist, I unfortunately used to work there but before you judge me I have to tell you something, who do you think helped to get you out of there?"

It was then that her phone rang and she heard Josh's voice in her ear before she was ready for it.

"Damn it. I wondered what had happened to her. Okay, you can take whoever you need with you and bring her back here safely."

He was gone before she realized it which left her to keep talking to Michael.

"If you want to you can become a part of the team that I have decided to start. One of our major missions is to get as many of your kind to safety before the group can find them. The other is to help anyone that might need our kind of help. What do you say?"

 

[Angelus]

"That will be better. That way they cannot recognize us when we go in to help Noelani, if we can get to her in time. I knew we will though."

He then pulled out his phone and punched in Catherine's number, "I have bad news for you Catherine; they have Noelani trapped at Fisherman's Wharf. She was out there picking up someone who had contacted us when she was attacked by the same troopers who are still trying to get us and we are going out there to try and get her back before something bad happens to her. Jack has decided to join me and we will come back safely; I promise."

He closed his phone up before he stepped into the elevator and looked forward as the doors closed.

"To the garage," he said and a second later the elevator started moving.

Seconds later they were sitting in the garage looking at all the vehicles there.

As he pushed a button on a panel and watched the lights around one of the tunnels come up he turned to Jack and said, "Okay, which one is yours?"

 

[rengadeirishman]

"That one." jack said, running over and opening the door. He quickly unlocked the other door and rolled his windows down. He lit a cigarette, and unlocked the safety on his twin .45 Colt's, Lady Luck and Madam Justice. "Josh, glove compartment, .45, lock and load."

 

[Angelus]

Josh got into the passenger side of Jack's truck and looked at the glove department before pulling out his own pistol with a smile.

"I might take you up on the idea about the pistol the next time Jack but I find that this works well enough."

He slid it back into its holster before looking out at the lit tunnel.

"That's the one to take. That will take you about a block from Fisherman's Wharf, just trust me on this one."

As he sat back he hoped that they would get there on time and that Noelani would still be alive.

 

[rengadeirishman]

"Whatever you say" Jack said, with a slight smile on his face as he barreled down the tunnel.

 

[Angelus]

As they moved quickly down the tunnel the one thought that Josh had was that he hoped that they would not be too late. He could tell that Noelani would be in serious trouble right now, especially with the people he knew were after them. That led to his brother and what he was doing now; about the path he had taken. He remembered his last encounter with him and the bullet that had to have been taken out of his leg afterwards.

He let that memory flow away from him as he looked out of the window at the lights of the tunnel. He didn't know how long they had been travelling for but it was then that they were inside of what looked like a parking garage.

"Good. We are in the right place. Just drive out of here and we should be close enough to Fisherman's Wharf."

He pulled out his two pistols and released the safety on them.

"We are coming Noelani. Just hang on for a little while longer. We will get to you."

 

[rengadeirishman]

"Yes sir," Jack said as he pulled up quick to the wharf, he turned off the truck and got out, drawing one of his pistols. He morphed his eyes to give him night vision and his ears to increase his hearing. "Lets find this Noelani of yours Josh."

 

[Angelus]

Josh turned to look at Jack, "Nice gift that you have there. It would make a person a better soldier but; I hate to say this I do not think I would want to go through what you did to get them."

As he walked away from the truck Josh watched the group that was almost in front of him carefully. He wanted to see who they were although he had some idea. It was then that he saw one person walk out in plain sight and a smile came to his face. He could see by the way she was walking and what she was saying that they had not found Noelani yet.

"Always love small miracles," Josh said as he turned to Jack before handing him a small communicator, "I'll take the right side and you take the left. I don't have to say to stay under cover at all times and don't get shot as that would be stupid of me. Good luck and I'll keep in touch."

With that Josh moved away from where he had been standing and began to move from anything that could hide him to the next. He watched the group carefully, hoping that they would not bring Noelani up while he was trying to get to them. He also hoped that nobody would turn around and see him.

His hopes were dashed when one of the group turned and spotted him. Before Josh could say or do anything the soldier brought up his gun and opened fire, making Josh dive to the nearest place of safety and sending several people running for cover.

"Oh shit. I knew that this wasn't going to be easy," he said before he moved to the left of him and squeezed the trigger on his pistol. As one of the people that was now firing on him fell to the ground, a large hole where his shoulder had been only seconds before Josh was already lining up his next shot and squeezing the button on the communicator.

"Sorry Jack. I was hoping it was going to be easier than this."

It was then that a loud explosion ripped through the air as a large LPG tank exploded, sending shard of metal flying through the air.

What the hell? I didn't fire at that? he thought before he was forced to duck back under cover from a hail of bullets.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Jack rolled his eyes and morphed his legs in order to jump on top of a small shed-like structure, and raised his pistol, squeezing off three shots and dropping three guards before leaping down. He rolled, morphed his head and his arm and came up right in front of the last guard. The guard dropped his gun in shock as jack deployed his armblade, cutting off the guards coming scream at the source. The headless body hit the ground with a dull thud. Jack returned to normal, and opted to remove his jacket, stripping down to his OD beater and dogtags. He tied the OD jacket around the waist of his matching baggy fatigues. "I cant leave you alone for five minutes eh josh?" Jack said, before changing fully. His arms and legs and growing slightly as he assumed his beast form, his face elongating into a wolf like snout, and his teeth growing into fangs. "Give devil dog a new meaning dont I?" he said chuckling, deploying his arm blades for a quick check. "Shall we continue?"