Loa Blood

[SwampThing]

Argopolis

"Sarra," the hooded cultist girl replies, "Yes, we drink deeply in the north."

Otto returns with a tray of drinks, greeting many people in thhe crowded bar, and lays it on the table. "To good hunting," he smiles at Nia as he passes small glasses of strong Sejealan whiskey to her, and his friends, Sarra (the cultist), Donovan (the smuggler), and Fang (the ninja). Fang removes fis mask to toast them and drink.

"I wish you luck in your search, Nia," Sarra say as Otto pours another round. "You've come to the right place, you know. The Cold Blood have their coils everywhere, we'll be able to find whoever you're looking for. Probably someone in this room who could find them and kill them."

Otto passs around some of Hass' infamous opium. "A taste of Bridges." Donovan asks about the recent Killer Bee troubles, but Otto doesn't go into any detail.

After a few more rounds of whiskey and opium, Sarra and Donovan are passing out. Fang and Otto are still passing the pipe, slowly, with hooded eyes. Nia, with her regenerative metabolism, feels fine.

 

[cats]

Nia

IC: "You know one of these days I should win a drinking contest justfor the hell of it." Then again this wasn't the place for that, I wasn't fond of this drink. I tended to prefer the rose wines of my homeland. I think I'll put off my descision more. I'll do a drive by the house and then choose to see Valous or not.

 

[Screech]

Sparks stopped his vehicle and climbed out. If he was going to find this Nia person, then he'd have to start asking around. Making sure his vehicle, and his gear were safe, he started off wandering through the streets of Argopolis, asking anyone who looked his way if they had seen a train pull in recently, or if someone matching her description had been sighted. His cover story was that he was an old aquaintance of her father, and that he had something to give her. Of course, he hoped that, if no-one asked too many questions, his gift would be a quick trip to the Bumble Bee...

 

[cats]

Nia

IC: I turned to see Otto, who was cleary going to have a hang over in the mourning. To think I once found myself atracted to him, but that was years ago. "Otto, I'm going to walk and get some air. I'll be back in a few hours."

I placed my coat back on and stepped out into the evening air. Dark outside and yet bright, snow was something that happened once or twice a year back on Val. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the slip of paper I scribled my note. "I supose I knew I was going to do this otherwise I woudn't of written it down." I looked at the adress and aked a local for directions quickly and was on my way.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Fenris was shocke by the sudden appearance of the young girl but decided not to ask too many questions. He kept running, the gun strapped to his arm ready to fire at the first guard he saw. "So who are you little one?" he asked as they ran.

 

[cats]

Valous

IC: I returned to hovering off the ground. "I'm an escapee, sort of... only my mind managed to escape. And now the gaurds seem to have us cornered."

 

[rengadeirishman]

"Bah! I swear i will kill them all!" Fenris said "There must be away out of this!" he said. "I am Fenris, the thrice cursed scientists named me experiment XIII." he said "What is your name?"

 

[cats]

Valous

IC: "Valous, and I don't know what the scientists called me. Any how I am glad one of us can harm them because the best I can manage is throwing a rock if even that."

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Monolith

I had forgotten the freedom of bounding through the air. At these speeds I could hear the wind whistling past me and feel the earth shake when I landed. The ocean was all too soon before me, a blue field waiting to envelope me in it's crushing embrace. I wasn't certain where I was going yet, but I was leaning toward Bay City to track down Hope. It was a long walk, but I needed some time to think, and I doubt anyone Had created a craft that could handle the depths I would be marching across.
"Monolith its Nikki Hall, I helped you years ago and though we didn't follow the same path I am still not your foe. Those after you seek to use you for their own gain. I only wish to help you. If you do not want t associate with me I understand but I could not stand by when I knew trouble was soon to find you."

I staggered a little when I landed, and thats when I noticed the aircars behind me. Nikki. I seemed to remember a young woman who had a serious look on her face and a unpredictable Loa power. If I remember right she disappeared after the Chief made us his offer. The aircars were another story. I did not recognize either one, but most likely both were armed. Well, I had learned a few things about myself while I was floating in the womb of the earth. I was much stronger than I used to be and would not go down easy.

I headed off toward the forest, the trees would buy me some cover to think, and to see how the aircars would react.
I also had to reply to Ms. Hall. she seemed concerned. I mentally yelled, hoping she would hear me.
"Ms. Hall,I would be happy to speak with you in person, but I seem to have some guest with unknown intentions. If I see you on the shore of the ocean alone, I will stop and we can talk."

Now it was time for the others to play their cards.

 

[SwampThing]

South of Bridges

Wading waist-deep through swamp forest, Monolith is slowed, but the ancient trees hide him from the two aircars. The aircars catch up, then slow down, searching the forest. Looking over his shoulder, Monolith can see that one car is boxy and back. The black aircar hails the jungle below with a loud amplified voice.

"Monolith, we are representatives of Coda Corp. We invite you to come back to Argopolis with us. If you leave Argo now, the military will see you as a rogue agent, another Crusher monster. You have to stand trial in Argo for the deaths you caused in Bay City with that earthquake. Come with us, and Coda will defend you in court, but if you leave now, I can't guarantee your safety."

The second aircar is white, with a big bubble chamber in front, and a green GAIA circle on the bottom. It too, blares a loudspeaker over the trees.

"Damnit, that's what I was going to say! Monolith, this is Dr. Dugan. We met in Bay City. You don't have to go along with Coda, Monolith. GAIA will defend your rights as a metahuman in international law. They're right about the military, though. Fighter squadron is on its way, behind us."

The loudspeaker voices grow distant as Monolith loses the aircars deep in the swamp. Soon the trees thin out, and the swamp widens out to the sea. Low waves lap over long sandbars, mangroves, and small islands thick with trees. Farther out, the sea is choppy, bright, and deep.
_________________

The cloaked Bumble Base descends toward the swampy coast, hovering above a small rocky island, with a few trees. Mark walks with Nikki to the airlock.

"The base will on standby, agents and droids ready for trouble. You need anything, give me a shout." Mark taps his temple. He kisses Nikki quickly as the airlock whirs open. "Be careful."

 

[SwampThing]

Argopolis

Nia leaves Otto drinking with killers, and walks in the snow. Out of the slum, and across a commerciaal district towards the suburban heights. Shop windows with ballgowns and household robots. Not a lot of people out on the streets this late. Nia notices the man following her as she crosses a parking lot next to a shopping mall. He was pretty good, she hadn't noticed him until now, but he was exposed in the big parking lot.

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Monolith

Earthquake in Bay City?? I did not remember a quake, but my memories of the final moments of my fight with the ant-like creatures were hazy at best. I stopped at the tree-line, watching the waves come in on the shore. I moved out of the trees and approached the water, wading in and washing the muck off the lower part of my body. The white sand glowed in the brilliant sunlight and I took the time to look back along the shoreline, watching the wind blow through the trees. I had two choices, run or stay. It was that simple.
I walked back up onto the shoreline and sat down on a rocky outcropping. Eventually the aircars and whoever else wanted a piece of me would find me, and I would get a chance to find out what everyones agenda was. I could feel the power of the Earth below me through the rock. I was not worried about violence. Either it would happen or it would not, but either way I would not be the one to start anything, and I was more than capable of finishing what got started.

 

[SwampThing]

Amun

The Pyramid airships can't see where Valous and Fenris are hiding in the ravine. So they just drop bombs, collapsing the cliffsides and setting fire to the trees. The animal-helmetted Sphinx guards patrol the tops of the cliffs on either side, watching the burning rubble for any signs of the two escapees.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Nikki smiled reassuringly at Mark a rare show of affection she reserved only for him. Lowered swiftly to the ground Nikki caught sight of Monolith sitting on a rocky outcropping. Approachig cautiously she purposely kept her hands out from her sides where they were very visible. "Monolith?" She spoke keeping that same calming and trust inducing tone in her voice. In truth it had been a skill she had been working on in secret. The ability to lure others to do her bidding with voice alone. So far it was a 50/50 thing with success but she hoped it would pay off in this endeavor. She knew the others were nearby, she didn't have much time.

 

[cats]

Nia:

IC: So this is where te trouble begins. I stopped but did not make eye ontact or even turn my head. It's dumbtfull he is a ninja spy, those seemed to stop telling me long ago, and they usaly hide on roofs of cars and other such silly places. So that means he is from some where else, perhaps even here. Maybe he is some random mugger, although he doesn't seem to be aproaching, so perhaps he is simply telling me.

I raised my hands and puffed hot air into them and started walking again to the adress. I'll play along for now letting him stay a distacne away.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Surprised but unhurt, Fenris started climbing some of the rubble. "Stay behind me young one," he said to Valous as he approached the top of the ravine. he saw three guards clustered together and raised his the gun on his arm and fired, cutting them down, he swiftly ran past them, briefly ducking to finish one off with his armblade. "Follow quickly young one, we must be away." he said as he kept going

 

[cats]

Valous

IC: (Moments before the frenis post.): "Do you here whistling?" A sudden boom ut offany reply that might of been spoken. The ground shook and trees were uprooted. I cowered in the blast, Fenris moved hi body to catch the debris. Like most dogs he seemed kind. I think I'll call him Frank.

Frank shooved the debris off of us. 'Stay behind me young one.' He swiftly moved up the revine, then readied the gun and opened fire. He then began to move with great speed cuting one openin a red rain. 'Follow quickly young one, we must be away.' I nodded and flew off behind him.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Stepping closer Nikki made sure to keep her movements unthreatening almost casual as she glanced around sensing for anyone nearby. Luckily he had lost his pursuers a bit but it wouldn't take them long to find him. "Monolith, its Nikki Hall. Do you remember me?"

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Monolith

"Monolith, its Nikki Hall. Do you remember me?"

A soft voice broke through my thoughts. I looked down and saw a vaguely familiar young woman. yes, I remembered her from the asylum. The girl with the telekinetic powers.
Yes, I remember you Mis Hall. Why do you show so much interest in me? I have only just returned from a long sleep and I have so many that want me. Whats your story?"

I looked down on this girl, three times her size, and waited for her answer.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Nikki seemed to think a moment. What did she want from him? In truth there as nothing right now, the bees were well set in the world at this time and she really didn't want unlimited power. Made things far to boring... hmm. "In truth Monolith there really is nothing I want from you. Yet I know what its like to be hunted, and to have people seek to use you for there own gain. I merely wish to help you escape these such people. After that it is your choice where you go. Of course I will always welcome your help." She smiles warmly her eyes honest and in truth she does feel bad for him. Despite her cold exterior Nikki never seemed able to completely kill her emotions. It was why her powers were still limited in some aspects. The only one that truly knew that was Mark though, to everyone else she was a cold-hearted bitch and thus far it had served her to be so. However with Monolith she allowed alittle of her compassion to seep through along with some of her hatred for the organizations that used the Gifted as if they were cattle and not true human beings.

 

[Optimas]

Jonny Magna

(Just before the Pyramid fighters bomb Fenris and valous) It was night in the desert - the stars shone down with twinkling menace. Jonny Magna sat over looking a ravine. With one hand placed on the sand while the other poured sand out next to him. He stopped moving the matter through him and looked down at his hands, they were black. It was hard to see them so he made them glow a dull yellow - It was strange that he could only change his appearance at night. He also felt different at night, almost like someone else, he became snappy, and more than a little mischievous.

Jonny is brought out of his thoughts by a rush of explosions of to the west. He could feel the tremors and see the night sky light up with the fury of the bombs.
Oh well he thought as he jumped over the side of the ravine to the darkness below. He let himself drop for a second as he enjoyed the rush, and then with his left hand he began to suck the matter out of the rock. His right hand pushed out a pillar of rock straight down. Once the pillar had melded with then ravine floor Jonny pulled both hands onto the beam and sucked it inside himself till he also was on the floor. He enjoyed manipulating matter to move around in the air, however to get to the explosions quickly he would have to move along the surface, and he hated this, it took a lot of energy.
He lay down his feet sank into the floor and so did his hands he took a deep breath melded himself with the sands matter. With a rush he zipped along the ground and soon was at the sight of the explosions. He looked around; he could see some dead sphinx guards.
Jonny was not sure what was going on but his instinct told him someone may be in trouble so he placed both hands on the ground and searched for some answers in the matter around the collapsed ravine.

He closed his eyes he could see two figures walk away after killing the guards, he opened his eyes. Well they may be killers or they may need help Jonny thought to himself, either way he would follow them for a while. He changed his outward appearance to that of a slender female with dark features and followed the trail.

 

[SwampThing]

Argopolis

Nia loses her tail somewhere in the suburban heights district. Maybe it was a ninja, exposed in the open, but still stalking her somewhere on the rooftops orallong te garden walls of these large fashionable homes. The heights rise in terraced steps up the hills, into the high pine forest outside Argopolis. Behind Nia, the downtown skyscrapers loom and disappear into low grey cloud.

She reaches the address. A high wall, big lot with trees. Jeep, garage, large house, big windows looking down over the sleeping city.

 

[SwampThing]

Amun

The Pyramid airship has lost Fenris and Valous in the smoke, but hovers overhead while armored Sphinxs search the ravine.

Fenris leads Valous through the small ravine, choked with fire, smoke and rubble. The wolfman is singed and bloodied from the bombing. Fenris fires at the few guards they encounter, and is already running low on ammunition. The machine-gun cuts through the roar of the burning trees, and brings more armored Sphinxs. A snake-headed Sphinx fires a net of strong cables at Fenris. A duckbilled Sphinx fires a volley of gas grenades, surrounding Fenris with a cloud of poison gas. Fenris is already weakened, and vunerable to the gas, but Valous has no need to breathe. The two guards take cover behind rocks as they cycle through their gauntlet weapons.

 

[cats]

Valous and Nia

IC: "Why are they shooting green smoke at us?" I turned Frank. "Whats wrong, are you hurt. Your bleeding but I thought that didn't bother you." I hovered for a moment. Whats wrong with him. I don't understand, he seems so strong. "You need to get going your tougher then this." I looked at him concern and confusion on my face.

A second net of cables was fired over me dragging my hovering form to the ground. I looked back at the wolf-man Frank. Looking back at him into his eyes I could see Loki. The night the gaurds stole me from him, the inability I had to save myself. I started crying the tears froming on my astral body even if they weren't physicaly real were real. "Come on I need you! I can't protect myself."

 

[Optimas]

Heres Jonny

Jonny magna could hear a commotion up ahead, he was tired from traveling in the earths matter - But someone needed his help. He walked in the shadows of a couple of trees and allowed himself to turn into a dark female shadow. For some reason at night this was the only shape that allowed him to recharge his powers - it was as if he had to become night to regain his strength. Funny though, why a female? He pondered for a second and then let his eyes wander and let the sounds caress his ears.
He moved up from cover and could see a beast on the floor who was caught in a big net, there were sphinx guards drawing near to him, and there was another person or was there he was not sure, oh well when there was someone in trouble, and it was Jonny`s code to protect people. He wished he had ran here and saved his matter energy for this would not be easy now, he had to think.
Well when there was not a plan you had to be stupid, he sucked up the tree through his left hand and swung his right hand foward. Immediately the tree dissapeared, and three long shards of wood were racing towards the guards. With three sickening crunches the wood had smashed into two of the guards, one guard had roared in pain just as the next projectile pierced his shoulder and threw him back onto the sand. The other was holding a jutting piece of wood that had skewered him through his stomach.
Jonny pushed himself up against the last standing tree and made himself as dark as possible, he hoped they would miss him, or think they were under attack from somewhere else.