The Specials (open)

[MeikaBeans]

A Late Comer

Following the "Waking" incident, the handling of such cases was rethought. So when Allison Kaline sat up days later, she was treated in the gentlest way possible. The head nurse was on hand to calm the girl as she regained her senses. Armed guards, while kept handy, were kept out of sight. Allison took a long, hot shower before being met by Gen. Knight in the mess hall. The General broke the news of Pine Crossing to her and explained her current situation in the softest way one could expect from a military man. Her parents were unaccounted for, presumed dead. She was one of a handful of survivors and she was not normal. The star had left its mark on her, in a way not yet known.

"Tests will need to be done, to establish what changes may have occurred. If things go well you may be able to join the other survivors."

Allison complied, not sure what else to do. A battery of tests were run, from CAT scans and X-rays to endurance tests and weightlifting. Ten pounds were added to the load after each attempt, eventually amounting to over 300 pounds, quite a load for a girl of her stature. It wasn't, however, so impressive when compared to the abilities the other survivors exhibited. Convinced something was being overlooked, the general ordered more tests. Allison, more confused than ever, was put to off-the-wall tasks such as imagining herself floating or exhaling as hard as she possibly could(the only result being her blacking out after spending twenty minutes doing so).

The next revelation came over lunch. A nurse accompanied Allison nearly 24 hours a day for safety's sake, making sure the girl didn't wander the wrong way and watch for any odd occurences. The two ate quietly, the young nurse giving up on conversation once she saw introverted Allison wasn't interested. Allison let her mind flow freely, critiquing the cafeteria food and sizing up her watcher. The nurse was quite attractive. Allison thought so and was sure any guy would agree. Wavy blonde hair, long eyelashes, a gifted body... Jealousy touched the pink-haired waif. No, she wasn't entirely unattractive, but how could she compare to this blonde bombshell?

If only I could look like her... I bet the last four years of school would've been so much different... A slightly smaller nose. Not quite so round. Blue eyes... I'd look so good with her eyes... thinner face. Oh god, the hair! If I could have that hair...

The nurse glanced up from her salad. She dropped both her fork and her jaw, her eyes growing wide like saucers. Allison returned the attention, only with a quizzical twist. What was her problem? The answer came inching down her face, gorgeous blonde hair Allison never could've had two months ago. She watched in awe as the golden locks slipped down across a fuller chest than she had ever had. The new weight was awkward, but exciting. Oddly slender fingers ran over an unfamiliar face, strangely hers. She looked back to the poor nurse whose image she'd stolen, wired with a dozen conflicting emotions. The nurse stared back, frozen. The rest of the cafeteria had slowed to a halt, workers and soldiers alike pausing in midaction to stare at the spectacle. Someone dropped their tray. As Allison swung around with a start everything changed again, and by the time her electric pink hair settled about her face she was herself again.

A flurry of new tests were doled out with mixed success. The transformations came irregularly, and no outward sign clued the doctors into how the change began. There was no abnormal brain activity when the change began, no preparation necessary. When Allison wanted it to happen, it would. The trick was getting Allison to truly want to change herself. Once these preliminary tests were finished, Gen Knight approached Allison once more. In his hand was a set of dogtags with the word "Charlatan" etched on it.

"I think we've kept you to yourself long enough."
*******
"They've been visiting with their families. I thought it would be best for all parties if we waited until afterwards to reunite you."

The general's pace was agonizingly slow. He strode down the halls in an almost leisurely pace, much too slow for Allison's taste. She wanted to run. She wanted to see her friends. Yes, she'd known there were survivors, but she hadn't dreamed it would be people she knew! She hadn't been a bosom buddy to anyone in the study group before, more like acquaintances, some of them. But now they all seemed like lifelong friends. They knew what she was going through. They'd understand. She walked in short but fast steps behind the general, mentally urging him forward. He was a good man, she decided. She'd been treated so well by the doctors and nurses and stray army personnel she'd spoken to so far, she really was lucky.

Finally, around down one last hall and through one last set of doors into a second, smaller dining hall. They were all there. The general stepped aside without a word, nodding to Allison.
She, for all her excitement, shuffled forward slowly, unsure of what to do with all that energy and suddenly very sensitive to how she presented herself. She hugged her black and red scrubs to her body. The flimsy duds had been a strange comfort to her since she woke up, and she cherished them. Looking over the group, she smiled timidly. It had been over a month since she'd last seen them, when'd they'd been sitting around one of the library's big oak tables cramming for a history final.

"Hey, guys... um, so... did we ever figure out who killed Archduke Ferdinand?"

OOC:
Character: Allison Kaline / "Charlatan"
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 128lbs
Hair: Bright pink, cut even with her jawline
Eyes: Almond brown
Abilities: Above human strength. Can change her appearance to a limited degree (it must be in the realm of normal human genetics. No wings, tails, paws, etc.)

Hello everyone. This would be my trial post, like Matt told me to do... or at least something like he told me to do. If this isn't acceptable to anyone, I'll gladly either resubmit or just rid the thread of my post altogether. Hopefully you like it. I tried to slip her in as seamlessly as possible, so no one would have to go out of their way for me. It's a little late, as some folks are already on that night, so simply carry on, you wonderful people. And if anyone has a better name for the dogtags, please do share.

 

[the_bean]

Jessica had never been so happy to be in bed. The reunion with their parents had been exhausting to say the least. She'd never experienced such an outpouring of emotion before and it positively drained her of energy. She'd almost been embarassed with the way she'd reacted, balling like a little crybaby, but had decided ultimately that she didn't really care what anyone thought. However, she did feel bad for Bo.

She'd watched Nick with his little sister for awhile, smiling at how happy they seemed to be together. It was obvious that Katie absolutely adored her older brother and that he felt the same way about her. It had been a shame when everyone was again seperated from their families, but seeing after such a long time, even for that short time, had been well worth it.

Then, as they sat in the library, the addition of Allison had been a near shock. Jessica hadn't even thought about anyone else joining, and it was a joy to see this girl she'd seen around school a few times. Jess smiled and offered her a little wave. She might have been a popular girl, but she was genuinely friendly to everyone. She even motioned for her to come sit near Nick and herself.

That night as she laid in bed, she only slept for a little while. She'd woken up to the feeling of something on her shoulder, but she hadn't opened her eyes. The sound of something shifting beside her brought only one thought to her mind: Nick. It was his bed on that side of her. She nearly smiled at the thought of him touching her, but held the expression in beneath the facade of sleep. Only when she heard him moving away did she open her eyes and watch until he disappeared toward the nurse's station.

She did smile then, and touched her bare shoulder where his fingers had grazed her skin. She was warm there, but not uncomfortably so. It was a very comforting warmth. She let out a small sigh and took her dogtags in her hand, running her fingers over the inscription. "Mouse", they read. She could only imagine the reasoning for such a code name. Perhaps it was her ability to hide?

She sighed a small laugh and tucked the cool metal pieces down the front of her shirt and curled up on her side, facing Nick's bed. She watched the empty spot there until she fell asleep again.

 

[Matthew82]

Knight Watch

Allison had been a total shock to everyone. She seemed to be taking everything so well. Maybe she just had not come to grips with what was actually happening here. The kids had talked about the excitement of the day, reuniting with their loved ones. Nightfall had taken over the outskirts of the Crossing.

Everyone began to drift off to sleep. A small red light blinked in the upper east corner of the room.

Gen. Knight watched patiently from multiple monitors in the Observation Deck. Observing, scanning over their sleep paterns. Noticing the brief moment shared by Wildfire and Shadowbend. He saw strong leadership qualities between those two. Rather, more importantly, he found the one weakness that could always be used against his newly acquired flying weapon if he should ever decide not to follow orders..

Lights flickered, Samael was no longer in his bed. Punching a few buttons, he saw Nick standing in the hall, conversing with the curvacious nightstaff nurse. A very viable weapon this one could be. So much anger fueled by fear? Angst? The boy had talent, seemed willing to do the dirtier things that Bo would most likely shy away from. Plus he had even more of a weakness than Mr. Smith....that little girl..."Katie" he grinned to himself.

Mouse appeared to be the quiet one of the group, but as the General knew quite well, those driven by fear could accomplish almost anything if so pushed....it's always the quiet ones you have to watch out for.

Breeze was the wild card, Knight knew he would have a tough challenge breaking her.

Allison was a pleasant surprise, she seems to have taken to the programming and protocol a lot easier than the rest.

Having cought wind of what happened in the locker room earlier in the meeting, Knight had Lt. Wu, Scientist Clearance Level IV examine trace chemicals in the 'Specials' blood samples. The scientists testing the kids had come up with the cute nickname for the group. All the General saw was power and control....

Knight read over Wu's report as he watched over the Specials that night. Unknown chemical formations had been discovered. Closely related to pheramones, but Wu could not confirm the true identity of the substance due to the levels being at such an unbelievalby high level. But Knight could see each of them pairing...longer glances at one another..innocent touches here and there...rapidly developing relationships. The shock of the incident alone could have easily been a logical explanation. But what could explain the toning of each members figures. Recording brains waves displayed patterns of those as 'heavy wet dreams'. Knight saw no cause for concern, playing it off as horny teenagers being horny teenagers.

Flipping to his LEVEL V security briefing. Knight carefully read over each word, studying maps and diagrams. It looked like he might have a chance to test his newly acquired weapons sooner than imagined....grinning to himself...how Special could these kids from the Crossing be?.....

 

[CollegeCutie]

Alexis fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow, the day's events had her absolutely exhausted.

It seemed as if the general had been testing them nonstop since that first day they came out of the coma. They were even being tested while they slept! She had gradually gotten used to sleeping with the sounds of the monitors that all of them were hooked up to. Their soft beeping had become her lullaby, lulling her to sleep each night. That and the sound of Bo's soft breathing coming from the bed next to her.

That day they had placed her in a fireproof chamber similar in structure to Cheree's wind tunnel, except instead of testing wind speed they would be testing the heat intensity of Alexis's flames. Over the weeks she had been able to gain great control over her abilities, and it was no longer necessary for her to have 'kindling' to start her fires with. With just a thought she could make flames form out of thin air. At one point during the exercises Gen. Knight had urged her to just "let loose". The flames had been so intense that it was hard to tell where they ended and Alexis began, it was as if she had become the blaze. They had to stop the tests when the first barrier of the chamber began to melt. Yet when she joined the group again later she hadn't even broken a sweat.

She had been so relieved to see her family that she had started to laugh and cry at the same time. Now that she had control of her abilities she was free to hug and cling to them without having to worry about them getting burned. She hadn't wanted to leave them, but they had promised that they would try to come again soon.

To top it all off a new girl had joined the group. It had been a shock, but Alexis had smiled when she saw the familiar face. Allison had sat next to her in their History class, and while she wouldn't have exactly called them friends the two girls had occasionally chatted with one another before class would begin. She was a nice girl and a welcome addition to the group.

Alexis stirred slightly in her sleep in reaction to a particularly intense dream.

 

[the_bean]

bump!

 

[Kuldaboli]

Nick "Samael" Bender

When Nick returned to his bed, he felt a bit better. He still hadn’t come to grips with what he’d learned about his code name, but he’d at least calmed down a bit.
He saw Jesica asleep in her bed and he couldn’t help but smile. She really was beautiful. He reached over to gently brush a strand of her dark hair from her face. She stirred slightly in her sleep and Nick froze in his tracks.
His mind filled with questions. What would she say if she woke up and found him like this, his hand almost to her face? What would she think of him? Would she think he was trying to take advantage of her, like some pervert? He didn’t know. But a sudden burst of courage drove him on.
As if of it’s own accord his hand moved the rest of the way, and gently brushed the strand of hair from her face.

 

[the_bean]

Jessica stirred again when Nick's hand touched her face, but she did not wake up. A soft sound, partly a sigh, partly a whimper, brought itself from her throat. Her lips parted ever so slightly to allow that sound to escape and the corners turned up in a faint smile.

She took a deep breath and sighed happily, her face turned into his hand, her skin warm, but still she did not wake.

 

[MeikaBeans]

Allison laid in bed, drifting in and out of sleep. It was another strange transition in a series of strange transitions, sharing one large room with half a dozen other people. Both female and male. Before the star fell, she'd had her own room. She could count the number of times she'd been to a sleepover on one hand. She never slept in class, because she didn't like the idea of being unconcious around so many people. Not only might she snort or drool in her sleep, but they'd be able to do all sorts of things, like write on her face or put spitballs in her hair. That was a nap in supervised conditions. Now, with no one (that she knew of) watching over them, she was supposed to let herself black out for eight hours?

Staring up at the ceiling, Allison did her best to clear her mind. Despite the drastic changes in her life, the apparent loss of her family, the adjustment to life in a military hospital, the unknown life ahead of her, she was dealing with all the normal drama of a girl her age. To think she was still worried about her image, not wanting to embarrass herself by snoring. Or worried about sleeping in the same room as some guys. As much as they'd all been through, surely they weren't going to be the lewd little boys they may have been before. No, it was probably just her being immature and shallow. She was sure everyone else had more important things on their minds.

Turning onto her side, Allison curled up in her bed. One arm hooked under her head and pillow for some extra support, the other lay pressed between her thighs. It was a comfort she couldn't properly explain, but she'd slept like this for years. The position tugged on a few of the wires she was attached to, but the girl ignored the rustling. None the the doctors had really made a big deal out of the patches they were hooked up to - indeed, any of the kids could remove the attachments any time they got up. The presence of the monitors were just another thing to adjust to.

It was unreasoning instinct that made her catch her breath. Nick had wandered back into the room. He was a touch too creepy for Allison, the gothic style too unnerving for her. True, she had the pink hair and (back when life was normal) a style generally considered "punk." Several unfilled piercings filled her ears, several more spots on her body had been mentally marked for future piercings. She did such things and acted callused for the power it gave her. The individualism associated with the look made school life easier in a sense. But inside she lacked the angst that drove so many "punks" and was stereotypical of the "goths." She was a girl who just wanted to be left alone to do her thing, whatever it was.

Allison watched Nick's outline travel across the room, pausing at Jessica's beside. What was he doing? Allison saw him reach out, but the darkness hid the details from her. Go to bed. It's right there. Allison's imagination pressed forward possibilites of what was going on, what Nick might do next. Blushing despite herself, she bit her lip and watched her former classmate. I'll make a scene if it looks like he's really trying to pull something, she told herself.

 

[Kuldaboli]

Nick "Samael" Bender

Nick felt his breath catch in his throat. The sight of Jessica’s lips parting was incredible. Their fullness was intoxicating. He wanted to kiss her so badly.
Feeling her face pressing into his hand was a feeling unlike any he’d ever felt. Her skin felt so warm. He never wanted to let go of her.

He lowered himself down, to sit on his haunches beside her bed so their eyes were leveled with each other. His thumb stroked her cheek gently as he watched her sleep. He bit his lip as his gaze focused on her lips again. He wanted to kiss her. But no, she would wake up… and probably freak out. He did not want to loose her, so he was content just to watch… for now.

 

[Matthew82]

Late

Hearing some stirring over in by nick and jess' bed, Bo woke softly...looking over at Alexis, seeing her eyes clenched shut...must be having a bad dream.

Looking over at Allison, hoping that she would feel welcome with the rest of us....

Shutting my eyes again. Thinking of what the General said...knowing deep down there was some truth to it. Sad as it was, he was my only family I could rely on. The others could if they wanted to badly enough, rid themselves of the binds that the US military had metaphorically shackled to to my wrists. Without a second though, Alexis, Jess...all of them leaving me behind.

Pushing those thoughts from my mind...thinking of the last thing Ali's mom said to me..."keep my baby safe"...it was one promise I would never live to let down..her fierly locks laying softly to the side of her face....it was something i never felt before...so sudden..

The sun began to rise off in the distance...throwing on my sweats, watching the others sleep...stepping outside with my usual heavily armed escort....it seemed a good a time as any for a morning fly...dust kicks up...and im gone...

 

[the_bean]

Her breath quickened, as did the pace of her heart, for in her dream Nick was not only stroking her cheek, but holding her in his arms, smiling down at her with all the goodness in the world. It wasn't the first time she'd had such a dream about him and it certainly wouldn't be the last.

His thumb brushed her cheek and her head turned again so that the tip of it ran through the crevice of her lips, teased by the edge of her tongue. She sighed again, a sound of frustration . . . and need.

But the dream went away as quickly as it had come, never extending past that embrace. Jessica was tormented by her fear of letting anyone know what a crush she had on that boy. Her soft smile faltered, dying down somewhat and her brow furrowed almost sadly. Again she sighed, frustrated and disappointed and her head laid back down against her pillow.

 

[Matthew82]

The Mission

The General called us into the conference room at 08:00 hrs. All of us in sweats, most still trying to wake. The girls looked so cute in their natural appearance..hair tied up, barely functional.

I pulled Nick aside, hoping that he had finally come to somewhat trust me...thanking him for letting me meet Katie..she had reminded me of the love i once shared with my own brother..."She'll be back soon Nick, before you know it"...He nodded, grinning..digging his hands in his pockets and taking the seat next to Jess.

Knight, "Shadowbend, if you'd be so kind as to join us.."..

Taking a seat, still getting used to my codename..not sure why they felt we needed it..

"Specials....that is what the US Army Covert Ops Division has decided to designate your team"..Knight looking dead at me..'your team'.

"You all know that you have been undergoing testing, been given shelter, meals...protection..all on Uncle Sam's dime. Well Sam is looking for some payout from his investment."

He was right..the Army was protecting us...from the public. Public scrutiny. We were small town kids. If the general public every found out about what we were all capable of, our lives as we know it would be ruined.

Knight continued on about duty, loyalty...We would all be given a college education...as well as an education in the art of warfare. Due to the hightened risk of National Security, our 'special' talents were in high demand.

"HQ has sent the word that our Japense Ambassador is the target of an assassination plot funded and blueprinted by the Yakuza. He is scheduled to leave for Tokoyo in one month to meet face to face with Japanese governemt officials to negotiate a 'Zero-Tolerance' Terrorist Treaty."

Briefing are passed out among the group...pictures of top Yakuza members. Bank accounts, wire transfer receipts, embassy blueprints. This was all a little above our heads. I mean we're just high school students...

"In that months time you will train. You have already been implemented wth hypnotic suggestive training..cutting edge military research program...virtual electric training 'dreams'...you are all learning every form of self defense and weaponry tactics as you sleep. You will train to master each of your abilities. And at said one months time, you will be deployed to Japan to scope and protect the US Ambassador. Shadowbend will run point on this mission, Breeze second in command. Im sure you have plenty of questions but you are all late for your first morning of basic espinoge and counter-terrorist training. Welcome the the US Armed Forces...dismissed"

 

[Kuldaboli]

Nick "Samael" Bender

He didn’t know what to make of her reaction. The only thing he knew whas that the girl in front of him had been haunting his dreams for a very long time. Ever since the’d been paired up for that first school asignment in Chem lab. When she’d smiled at him for the first time. After that there was no turning back, not that he ever wanted to. He had dreamt of her so many times and many of his dreams of her had been anything but inocent. He wanted to have her with him, in every way imaginable.

As he looked at her frowning as she rested on her pillow, he felt an ache in his heart. He couldn’t stand the thought of her being uncomfortable. He wanted to make her feel better. He wanted to see her smile.

Slowly, carefully, he leant towards her and kissed her lips gently.

 

[the_bean]

They were called into the meeting early and every single one of the "Specials" looked as if they wished they were still in bed. Jessica did. She was tired still. Her dreams had kept her from getting a good nights rest. As they sat at the table, her eyes constantly wandered to Nick. Something overcame her when she looked at him, a strange memory of warmth, of skin on skin. She supposed it could just be residue from her strange dreams, but this felt much more real.

The General came in to brief them and when he was finished, Jessica was left in shock. In more words than anyone had heard her say since their arrival here, she stood up. "Dismissed?" Her voice rose in pitch as she stared disbelievingly at the General. "Welcome to the Forces, dismissed? Are you fucking insane? You're going to send a group of mostly underaged kids on a military mission . . . in a foreign country . . . with a few months of training and no military support?"

She shook her head back and forth, looking at each of her school mates to see what they thought. Of course Bo and Cheree would probably be jsut peachy seeing as how they somehow managed to get the 'top positions'.

"Uh-uh, no . . . I am not comfortable with this arrangement. I don't even have any powers like these guys do." Jessica's voice grew quieter momentarily and she looked a little disappointed. "All I can do is . . . blend in . . ."

With that, she took a seat and looked almost sorry for her outburst, but maybe she was just afraid of being left out of the mix with her seeming lack of ability.

 

[JubeCube]

Breeze

Cheree was about to stand when Jessica actually stood and argued her point. But then she quickly sat, almost looking like she was ashamed of her outburst. "I agree with Jessica. We're all barely old enough to do anything that the goverment considers legal for us. And now you expect us to do this? It's rediculus." Cheree's height had her looking up at everyone in the group when they stood, but this added to her fiery temperment as people saw her as small and a push over she had learnt early in her life to be able to fight back and have a voice to say her oppinion. Cheree now stood and was staring up into General Knight's eyes. She saw, out of the corner of her eyes, two military personnel take a step forward as she stood.

 

[Matthew82]

Knight-stand

The guards flipped there safeties off..laser sighting pointed at the dead center of Cheree's chest.

"Excuse me..Mouse, Breeze...Have you witnessed what has just happened in these past few weeks...you are all 'Special' and the US Military has a lot invested in you...You dont think that'd we'd send you into battle unprepared? Or would you rather try making it on your own? with foreign powers after you?"

 

[MeikaBeans]

Allison's hands balled into small fists as she listened to the girls object. Didn't they get it? They didn't have any choice, just like they didn't have a choice when the star fell. This was how it was going to be and their only option was to live with it. Where they just supposed to walk out and move on? Not possible. They'd never be able to live normal lives. Once someone found out about their abilities, it would be over for them. There was no way the General could let them go, besides. Letting super-powered teens walk out of a military installation would be plain stupid and irresponsible. Just like not keeping us in check while we're here, Allison thought as she watched the red dots dance across Cheree's chest.

The "Specials" weren't really prisoners, as far as Allison could tell. They had as much freedom as could be given them. They'd be given an education, and who knows ... maybe once they proved themselves they'd be able to take leave. Who knew what they'd be allowed in the future or what this really meant in the long run. That wasn't to say she liked the idea of risking her ass for the government. Yes, they were just kids, but at the same time they were just kids. She trusted the General to take care of them.

It was only Knight's cool handling of Jessica and Cheree that kept Allison from leaping up herself to reprimand them. Instead she sat, quietly staring at the table in front of her as she listened. Chewing on her lower lip, she did her best to keep a neutral face.

 

[Matthew82]

Knight Continues

"Mouse..there are people out there that do not know about you...any of you...yet. These "people", once they do find out about you and your abilities may stop at nothing to sway you for their own use. Or if they cant swing you to their side, they could not allow you to work for their opposition. Im not here to put you in harms way. My people are the best of the best. You will be trained. Our studies indicate that since the Star hit, all of your overall intelligence has increased dramatically. You will learn things and go places never thought imaginable. And if those other people I speak of do find out about you, they will not only try to harm you, but those close to you...family, friends, boyfriends..(his eyes turning from Jess to Nick)...Breeze, Mouse..all of you...we are here to protect you, but we also need your help. Terrorist threats would not think twice about a group of kids in their plots to destroy the freedom we believe in. But this, you all as a group does not work unless it's together" Turning to Bo, looking down at his folded hands. He looks up...

 

[Matthew82]

Bo stands...

"Guards, if you dont drop those laser-sightings from Cheree' chest, you will not live to see the next sunrise."

Standing, a dark shadow surrounding him..his eyes darker than ever the others have seen before. The guards drop their guns to the side having witnessed Bo's increased strength an unmatchable speed. But then as he turns, and looks at each one of the 'Specials', they soften immediately...his voice trembles just a bit. Being captain of a baseball team is one thing, but this was something big..maybe to big for him to handle. But his parents would want this. They would want to watch him grow into a man others would respect, perhaps follow.

"He's right Jess. You cant say that he isnt. There are peole out there that would want to hurt us. And I couldn't live with myself knowing that I did nothing to protect you...(turning, looking at everyone. They all know he has nowhere to go, no home, family to go home to)..all of you. I would do this on my own if I could. But I know that I can't. I made a promise to someone (looking at Alexis, thinking of her mom), swearing I would let no harm come to them. Im making that same promise to all of you now. I will do everything in my power to protect you...I just need you to help me. And if helping the military protect someone that is negotiating for peace to keep our families safe in the Crossing, I can live with that. Because protecting you, means protecting them. Please, Breeze, Mouse..((calling them by their codenames for the first time), I can't do this on my own."

 

[CollegeCutie]

Alexis / Wildfire

Alexis watched as Bo made the guards lower their weapons with just a look. He wasn't just a "kid" anymore, none of them were. No ordinary kid could give trained military personnel twice their age a command and expect it to be obeyed.

She didn't even realize she had been holding in her breath until Bo turned to look at her and the rest of the Specials. The shadows around him faded and she felt herself begin to breath again. She listened intently as he spoke.

"...I can't do this on my own."

He wouldn't have to.

"I'm in." she said, rising from her chair in one smooth movement. Her gaze locked with Bo's for a moment before she turned to look at Jessica and Cheree.

"I know you guys are upset and maybe even scared. Hell, I am too. But if we all stick together I know we can do this. We have a chance to do some real good here, and I think we should take it."

 

[JubeCube]

Breeze

Cheree's hard edge dropped as Bo spoke his peace and tears burned behind her eyes. She listened to Alexis as well, and nodded. "Fine, I will help." Then she turned to the guards. "And if you do that again, you will find yourselves somewhere, and since I don't have complete control of my power yet, it could end up so bad, falling from a great height can be dangerous you know, especially if you don't have a parachute or something." She smiled and sat down.

 

[Kuldaboli]

Nick "Samael" Bender

Nick hadn’t really slept at all that night. He couldn’t get the experience with Jessica out of his head. He had just sat there on his bed and watched her sleep. Sure, maybe it was creepy and he should be locked away for being a stalker or something, but he just couldn’t help himself. He had kissed her lips as she slept… and she was all right! Nothing had happened to her! He’d sat there on his bed and smiled at the beautiful girl as she slept.

He’d had a bad feeling about this whole thing all through the meeting, and what the General had said had only sealed that feeling in his very being. This was the military! They never told you the whole truth! They hadn’t done so when his father had gone to Vietnam and they weren’t doing so now! To them, they weren’t even human anymore! They were things that should be experimented on before being sent into situations that normal soldiers wouldn’t dream of going into in their wildest fantacies! To them, they were nothing more then tools! Weapons!

Nick listened to the General as he snapped at Jessica and had a mind to get up and put that Armed Forces pencil pusher in his proper place. But he remained quiet and gritted his teeth in anger. Then later, he listened to Bo. He wasn’t convinced by Bo’s speech! He didn’t believe these things were that easy! But he sat in his seat, quiet and observed. Like he’d always done. That was the best way to get info.

When Alexis and Cheree jumped up and pledged their loyalty to Bo, Nick’s eyes narrowed under his dark longish bangs as his head tilted downward slightly. This was not looking good! But still, he just sat there quiet. Like always. ‘Do not speak unless you’re spoken to.’ He thought to himself.

 

[Matthew82]

Training

Whether all of them agreed upon the course of action taken by General Knight or not, training began that next day. 6hrs physical, tactical, counter-terrorism and weapons training. 6hrs spent on intellect, espionage, and strategy. Bo and Cheree were assigned an extra hr for leadership prep and FUBAR training...if anything went wrong, it was their responsibility to get the to others to safety, even if it meant their own lives in exchange.

Weeks passed. The virtual 'dream' training seemed to be working. All members of the team showed increased signs of intellect and combat skills. Their physiques began taking shape. They were in the best shape of their lives. They had learned extensive history on the Yakuza and ran endless training drills of the hot zone assassination attempt.

Mouse and Charlatan were given two of the most important assignments. Charlatan would pose as a member of the Ambassadors entourage, a liason flown in for last minute negotiation counceling. She would be the first line of defense. Mouse was given the task to cover the parameter and locate the sniper. Blending into the vast Tokoyo background would not proove to be an easy challenge, but her grasp of her ability was uncanny. She became almost invisible at will, the one thing every sniper needed.

The General had doubts about assigning such a vital role to Jessica, but after a meeting with Bo and Cheree, it was agreed that there was no other way, not without creating a panic in the streets of Tokoyo. So it was settled. Bo, Cheree and Alexis would take scouting posts throughout the square where the meeting would take place. They were to assure a zero bystander bodycount and engage in any subsequent Yakuza terrorist action. Nick's objective was to shadow Mouse through radio communication. Once the sniper was targeted, Samael would then take the objective out using his powers, draining him to near lifelessness, but taking them into custody for interrogation.

Two weeks before mission:
Eating in the mess room, walking in, brushing his wet hair forward from a shower after training. Bo takes a seat next to Jess. The two had been friends from pre-school. She was the girl next door that would play in the dirt with Bo and his brother...before the incident. The two had grown somewhat apart, but there was a history there..there always is with the girl next door.

"How are you holding up Jess?" She doesnt respond much, barely looking up from her soup. "I know you hate every day here Jess..I see it in in the way you train, the way you interact with the others. Im sorry this happened to us, and I'm sorry you can't be with your family right now. But we really do have a chance to do some good here. You have an amazing gift and are more powerful than you give yourself credit for. I've got nothing to lose here, but you...((looking over at Nick))...you've got something special happening right under your nose. (she looks up at him, grinning shly at Nick, and then at Bo) Jess, I promise I wont let anything happen to you." Giving her a small hug and letting her be, Bo joins Cheree and Alexis. Nick walks over, not liking what he saw, "What was that all about Jessica?"..."Nothing Nick, just old friends being old friends." Bo nods over to Nick and Jess...whispering to Cheree, Ali, and Allison.."This will never happen if those two dont have their hearts in it.."

 

[Matthew82]

Flight

Two days to mission:

In order to avoid suspicion, the specials took a civilian flight out of Chicago. For most it was their first time out of the Crossing. O'Hara was a swarm of people, more than they were used to having been in isolation so long. It was nice to breath a little though, feel a little freedom..although there were always 10 shadow agents following them at all times and would accompany them on the flight.

Bo could have flown to Japan and been there in flash waiting for the rest to touch down, but wanted to be with the others. Low profile was their last instructions from Knight...that and not to fail.

Nick and Jess took seats to themselves on the side, Cheree, Allison, Bo and Alexis took the center row, agents in the other side row. It would be a long flight. Time to reflect and prepare for the mission ahead of them.

Jess was obviously uneasy about flying, but with the help of some GI dramamine,she calmed quickly. Nick kept quiet...the flight soon took off.

They played a movie, Mission Impossible, while a few ate, most slept or read. Bo concentrated on the film. Trying to push out any thoughts of failure, the death of the ambassador or even worse one of his friends. Alexis drifted off to sleep next to him..laying her head on his shoulder...he took hold of her hand, squeezing it lightly...he had a promise to keep.

 

[the_bean]

OOC: Don't mind my first bout of OOCness . . . I'm cranky today.

Jessica sat quietly, thinking many thoughts. She thought about the previous days of training, and how everyone kept looking at her like she was going to end up causing problems. It was irritating, to say the least, the way some of them were treating her like a child.

It was no secret that she didn't want to be here. She thought this whole thing was nuts, but everyone was right - there was no getting out of it, which is exactly why she went through the training with no arguments, day after day after day . . .

She wanted it to work, of course. The last thing she wanted was for anything to happen to any of these people . . . your friends, she told herself.

But were they really? Bo used to be . . . almost her best friend, actually. Now . . . it was like she didn't even know him anymore. Hell, she wasn't sure she actually knew herself all that well, either.

Thankfully nobody bothered her much about anything. Somehow she and Nick became the outcasts of the group, and she began to understand how Nick had probably felt in school a lot of the time; people being somewhat nice to you while you knew they were whispering about you behind your back. Maybe that's why she'd begun gravitating toward him so much.