Violence all around

[Oracle]

<< the six and their allies buckled down for a caper with no clear solution in sight...with so many angles to face...it became necessary for them to divide their their team strategically, leaving Dr. Victoria, Prophet, Persephone and Mike to safeguard Illustra and Black Widow who was still suffereing, despite every effort made so far to help her...coupled with the most recent attack by a newly returned..and HIGHLY insane, Sharon Kelly while Spellbinder, Rampage and MorningStar traveled further down the east coast to find and rescue another ally of the Six, Alycia Barnett who was in the clutches of Rick Riley, a hold over from Mystech that was bent on destroying Haleigh and everyone she cared about. so far, the biggest casualty of this has been Zach, who now has seemingly lost the woman he loved, as well as his standing with the Six.>>

<< no matter what they do, things will get worse before they get better and HALEIGH will be forced to the forefront like never before as she is made to reexamine the way she lives her life and treats those that are affected by the choices she's made or will make.>>

[Alycia Barnett]

:: stalking the halls of the luxury cottage, Alycia moves carefully, covering the wall and keeping herself ready for anything as best she can. finally making her way out into a large sitting room with a fire place...it is quite dark and even with so many windows and the moonlight shining through in some areas, the cottage, long since "abandonned", looked so eerie and unwelcoming. she stepped with hestitation as she kept her repulsor blaster drawn and ready to fire at any moment.::

i need a way to contact force works. he took my communicator!

<< feeling her way along a wooden table, Alycia looks for any sign of the items that he might have taken from her...or possibly another communication device. keeping her eyes on any window or door nearby....a large CRASH is heard and Alycia screams as she spins around , taking aim at the direction of the crash. a LIGHT comes on ...and she see's HERSELF in a live image playback on a large TV facing her.>>

???

<< she sees the look of fear in her own hazel eyes as the repulsor blaster in her hand trembles.>>

<< a voice comes over an audio feed...it's RICK>>

Rick Riley: ahh, Alycia. my pretty black bird. I KNEW you wouldnt be held down for long, but I always DID love it when you made me WORK for it. If you're seeing this, that means you've escaped like i knew you would, but you're make it too easy for ME to enjoy watching you be hunted like PREY. Enjoy yourself Alycia. You wont make it out of here alive and before you DIE...i'll give you something to remember PERSONALLY.

:: Alycia narrowed her eyes with contempt when suddenly a door bust open and several windows were smashed as Black Guards stormed the room, closing in on Alycia and intending to bring her down with lethal force.::

NO!!!

:: reaching to her side, she grabs a large floor lamp and looking over with hostile defiance, she grips the pole of the floor lamp and SWINGS IT mightly around with all her might. SLAMMING it into one of the black guards, before taking the pole in both hands and holding out in front of her horizontally and BULLING her way past the next two, SLAMMING them down with the lamp.::

:: Alycia drops the lamp and continues to make her way for the door..before being grabbed by her hair and slammed into a wall...::

UGHH!!

:: the man continues to man handle her...but she pushes BACK, "expanding" as she busts loose from his grip and reaches back with her hand...YANKING on his private parts before elbowing him and the stomach and spinning around to slam her elbow across his jaw. now facing him....Alycia grabs him and pivots just so with her body to send HIM careening into a wall head first!::

:: her fighting training was paying off. She was not going to be killed...not by THEM! .her adrenaline rushing, she hurried out of that room and through another room::

Black Guards: her she comes....I'll NET HER!

:: Alycia continues to run for the door behind them.::

a NET?

:: the net is fired from from a gun like weapon..but it GLOWS...the net would cover Alycia and JOLT HER so badly it would leave her paralyzed and unable to move.::

I RECOGNIZE THAT TECHNOLOGY!!! GOT TO MOVE FAST!

:: dropping down, Alycia uses her traning and now honed body to tuck and somersault foward...DODGING the net as it flies forward and as she reaches the men..she untucks... and expands thrusting her legs UP as she slams her high heeled boots into the chins of her would be captors, sending them both staggering and falling back, crashing into tables.::

:: she gets up.::

I'm OUT OF HERE!!

:: she makes a mad dash for the door....JUST crossing the threshold out into the open forest area...when she is GRABBED by her hair again with such strength and force she is lifted UP OFF the ground...she SCREAMS with pain as she is hoisted up in the air by an IMMENSE man with a bulky pro wrestler's build as he HURLS her through the air onto the ground....::


OWW!!!!!

:: she has BARELY anytime to register anything but pain and loss of air..when she is picked up again..and SLAMMED into a tree ..and the man..the INHUMANLY SPECTACULARLY BUILT man...PUNCHES her across the face to one side..then the other...but despite the PAIN of the assault...Alycia doesnt falll..not YET...as he lifts her up with his hand over the lower part of her face.::

:: with blood dripping from her mouth...and her body shaken with impact, Alycia goes into a PANIC mood as she BITES DOWN on his hand with all her might..causing him to roar with pain as he drops her. She scrambles to her feet....running under him and behind him and as he turns around to come for her again...she cries out with a war cry of her own as she BURIES an axe deep into his breast.::

BASTARD!!!

:: he staggers back for a moment..before roaring and and RUSHING HER!! she cant withstand it..as she is bowled over and falls on the ground and a TERRIFYING struggle ensues. she has to get to her repulsor blaster..its on her thigh holster...its her only chance...but she has to GET AWAY FROM HIM FIRST!!::

[Oracle]

<< Alycia Barnett, a woman of many talents and many abilities, despite being "only human" and after all she'd been through and how far she'd come...here she was NOW putting all her skills to the test as she fought for her LIFE against a man who was impossibly large and as strong as he looked. her body was taking punishment but her physical training allowed her to endure far more than she could have before ...and her skills, combined with speed and technique allowed her to do what she could not before...but even with all of THIS...she was running out of time!>>

<< as she fought back against the monstrous man, even slamming an axe into his chest, Alycia was now on the ground struggling against the man who had far greater leverage and strength.>>

<< the others had yet to arrive...but Alycia was not thinking about them. she was too busy fighting her life but more importantly she was PROOVING that she would NOT admit defeate at the hands of a man until the last breath was crushed from her breast. >>

<< the sounds of violence and struggle echoed through the area of the forest as the cottage was now a fierce war zone...and this was only the beginning.>>

[Alycia Barnett]

:: rolling around in a fierce, painfull struggle, Alycia was hopelessly gripped by the walking meat locker of a man who seemed only capable of roaring and grunting. there was no telling if he was super powered, or merely an augmented "test subject" of Mystech's that Rick had unleashed. the LATER seemed more likely for if she had been hit with a SUPER POWERED punch..she'd probably be dead now. ::

:: with him on top of her....Alycia felt his body , his strength..his WRETCHED presence all over her. he began to try to strangle her::

::coughing....straining...as she grits her teeth::

IN YOUR DREAMS!!


::...and she lifted her neck...wrapping her arm around his neck and forcing his head down before he could compensate and SINKING HER TEETH into his nose...biting with all her might!::

:: as the man cried out and blood gushed, Alycia HEADBUTTS him and then KNEES him in his private parts before pushiing him off with all her manic might and rolling away...she scrambles to her feet, breathing heavily as she quickly fumbles for her repulsor blaster.::


have to get it...have to hurry!!

:: breathing heavily...as the man continued to writhe from the pain...and Alycia herself was NAUSEATED with the taste of his skin and his sweat..and his blood...she looked so HARRIED.::

HURRY UP !!!

:: she screamed at herself as her hands didnt work so well with her now...the man was now up and coming for her...she backpedaled....and just as it seemed too late...the blaster is FIMRLY in her grasp and she takes aim but its TOO LATE...he grabs her arm and holds it up in the air...her first shot blasts high up into the air, burning away some brances and leaves of trees around them. the sound of energy discharging is heard for miles around as she and the steroid freak struggle once more.::

[Oracle]

<< the struggle reaches a violent climax as the steroid creature hurls Alycia back into a tree. the impact leaves her momentarily stunned, but she doesnt lose grip of her repulsor blaster.>>

<< she slides down the tree a bit...looking rather dazed...the "man", seemingly convinced he's dominated the woman, now takes a moment to survey his prey before preparing to finish her off.>>

<< SHE may have been far smaller and not nearly as strong as he...but he obviously didnt know who HE was doing with. >>

[Alycia Barnett]

:: she doesnt even hear the sound of hitting the tree but her skull rings as her vision begins to blur. she feels herself wanting to pass out, but its like her own mind wont let her shut down. s he's THANKFULL for that.::

:: sitting there as the hulking steroid creature stands over her, she looks half dazed and unafraid at first..until he raises a large boulder, about to smash it down on her...and crushing her in the process. her eyes widen as she gasps and scrambles forward...moving underneath and between his legs to get behind him.::

:: her body ACHES, she feels like she's got a b roken rib or two and her moves are not as fast...she cant keep up at this pace. she wont have to.::

:: as she rolles on the ground...she struggles to her feet, the creature couldnt pull out of his move because he had committed so much force to it, so he fell INTO the tree and was now suitably staggered. Alycia herself took fast aim with her repulsor blaster.::

...tha...THANKS for the dance...ASSHOLE..but this is where I LEAVE the party!

:: the man beast snarls..as he begins to turn arond but with another loud sound of energy discharge, Alycia VAPORIZES h im with a repulsor blast...his body begins to glow and flicker as it is irradiated and seemingly set ablaze..the horrible scent of seared meet and black smoke fills the area as he staggers and lurches violently. and at the last moment..he comes toward her..before falling down....slamming to the ground, now totally covered in purple hued energy "flame" like energy. his screams and the sounds of his body burning/melting are sickening and Alycia falls to her knees...before laying down on her side...dazed, exhausted...and hurt.::

:: she'd fought her way out of the cottage and faced down a creature alone...quite a feat, but would she live to tell about it? if only they could have seen her now...doing something she'd never done before. ::

:: her eyes fluttered as the sounds of the creature's demise began to soften...and the moon continued to shine down on the forest area.::

too weak....to move....to...get help...want to sleep....forever....

[Oracle]

<< as Alycia struggled to maintain consciousness, she fell over to the ground, the flickering light of the now charred, incinerated body of the steroid enhanced man was near by and made for an all too gruesome scene.>>

<< Alycia had, at the very least, escaped the confines of the cottage and more than prooved her ability as a trained fighter, but now what? she lay on the ground, and though her immediate threat had been dealt with , she was hardly in a position to move, or even call for help.>>

<< the din of the burning body began be overtaken by the sounds of nighttime nature again as leaves blew over Alycia's own trembling body and as the bruised, battered woman struggled, she found herself faced with a new problem.>>

<< from the tree's and the darkness all around, came a low, growling sound, sounds of gurgling breathing. from among the trees, and rustling leaves...zombies...or more approrpriately, techno organic infected beings who had been captured and contained for experimenation from yet ANOTHER mystech project began to emerge and lumber forth...converging in an awkward yet no less coordinated pattern and closing in on Alycia.>>

<< they were men and women...most wearing the clothes they wore the moment their lives as humans ended...some now weilding axes in each hand, others had meat cleavers or machetes...different sizes and shapes, these zombies looked ghostly but seemed to possess an almost "hive like" mentality as they focused in on Alycia...ready to kill and dismember her.>>

<< the six would arrive outside the cottage a few feet away, but a quick enough pace would allow them to get to ground zero to see what was happening before it might be too late for special agent Barnett.>>

back at Illustra

<< the darkness outside only mased the uncertainty and chaos raging without and within. Dr. Victoria, Prophet, Persephone and their newfound ally, Mike were all in Illustra, keeping watch over the building itself and its most difficult resident, of whom ALL this focuses around, Haleigh Davidoff, Black Widow.>>

<< by now, with the group having split, those who remained behind are still on Illustra's secret "security floor" where the medical lab is contained. Mike is now in the control room that Alison once haunted during her time as co-leader and Dr. Victoria sits at the wrap around control counsole of the medical lab while Prophet sits by the bedside of Haleigh. Dr. Victoria slowy runs her finger over the beautifull "mother ring" that Nicolas gave her as a mother's day present...the exquisite ring and matching pendant have now become an ever present part of her wardrobe and as she looks at the ring under the light...she also finds herself thinking a bit about how nice..how friendly Mike is....and how handsome.>>

<< Cameron, who is now by Haleigh's bedside, wishes to be all that he can for his fallen comrade, the woman that he truly loves. but even the most well meaning of intentions can sometimes fall short. the young telepath broods, and waits as Haleigh remains sedated.>>

<< On Persephone is not present, as she is now getting much needed rest in her own luxury apartment. Zach has left Illustra, with no indication of when or if he'll return...he left on such a bad note, and yet...it was his own choices that made it this way and so, with skeletons brought forth from closets long thought sealed...the team that remains at Illustra with precious few moments to reflect on all that has been learned....wondering how any of it will lend itself to helping Haleigh?>>

<< moments like this were not made to last long, especially where the Six were concerned, for even in something as harmless as shadows cast along the walls...where mystech or any of its remnants was concerned...ANYTHING could be turned into a weapon.>>

<< and so we watch.>>

[Rampage]

Mike made his way through the security area, augmenting his outfit as needed. He tested a wrist gauntlet for his left arm that produced an energy shield. It was small, but it could come in handy, so he kept it. He also went for an energy pistol to replace one if his Desert Eagles and a high-voltage taser that seemed designed to take down an elephant, although it was quite small. An collapsible stun baton ended his rummaging as he made his way to the console.

He was in contact with the rest of his team. He sent a pair of his best recon and surveillance experts to keep track of Zach while the rest maintained a perimeter around Illustra that was extended beyond its internal systems. The key was not to engage, but to give some advance warning if Sharon--or anyone--showed up.

As he sat at the console monitoring the goings-on, he stopped for a moment at the camera in the Med Bay. He smirked as he watched Karen admire the expensive gift Nicolas had purchased for her. He remembered when they picked it out. While Nicolas worried about quality and what she would receive, he went about the business of assuring the owner that the young Black male making a purchase up front was to receive the best for a FAIR price. OR ELSE. He laughed out loud at how quickly ten thousand dollars melted from the price that day. And to see her cherish it so, it was a nice moment to see. Too often the kid did good for people and they never gave a tinker's damn. Millions spent in philanthropy and millions more in oversight to make sure corrupt governments did not take what was ORIGINALLY given. It was refreshing to see a pretty woman smile over something given freely, with no thought of the cost, in the hopes to achieve the VERY result he was now witnessing.

PRETTY. That she was. It did not change the sexiness that oozed from Ava, but the good doctor DID make an impression on him. It made him think.

You know Mike, you could spend an enormous amount of time and energy trying to please a goddess who does define that word well, or you can see if the good doctor would like to accept simple appreciation, conversation and companionship from an honest-to-goodness man. Besides, her boldness intrigues me...I am thinking the doctor has a naughty side. Well, only one way to find out.

Mike walked out after doing his security check, resetting the protocols. he decided that it was time to make a physical sweep.

Where to start. HMMMNNNN..... Let's try the Med Bay...

[Shadow Weaver]

<< after a while, Karen decides that Haleigh can be brought out of sedation. the situation is quiet and controlled now, and the woman has a right to face her situation head on. She wouldnt want it any other way.>>

<< She made her way over to the bed where Haleigh lay, and as she looked upon her restrained patient, Mike entered the room. She turned her head slightly and looked at him with her stern, beautifull eyes.>>

he's certainly acclimated well into the Six's world. a testimony to his adaptibility...and to be so young...quite remarkable.

<< the resiliency and stead fast nature of the man appealed to Karen, but his age..coupled with his link to Nicolas...it made her wonder if ettitquite would ALLOW for her to enjoy his company. on the one hand, she knew her daughter would not object..and in fact would APPLAUD her mother indulging her needs as a woman, but Karen was always one for "keeping up appearences", and so her mind quietly churned with thoughts of intrigue and concern, while her eyes softened their glare as she beheld Mike.>>

I'm going to wake her now.

<< and with a slowly, sweeping wave of her hand over Haleigh's face, Haleigh will find herself able to awaken as if coming out of a deep slumber. the mystic chains remained in place though. Karen would determine shortly if Haleigh were fit to be released or not. She wanted to gauge the woman's reaction.>>

I'll contact Ava after I'm sure that Haleigh is stable. I dont want another repeat of earlier.

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: A gentle warm breeze swept through the open french doors leading into Ava's bedroom, and a soft rolling of thunder soon followed. There was something about a thunderstorm that calmed Ava...it was like a symphony to her. The build in intensity until it's climax. The anticipation of flickering lightning. The rhythmic dance of raindrops hitting the window. It was the essence of beauty in Ava's eyes. ::

:: Walking forward, the breeze caught Ava's knee length flowy black night gown, blowing it back against her body. Warm rain droplets kissed her skin and dampening her body. Wrapping her arms around her body, Ava walked out onto her patio overlooking the city. Ebony strands of hair blew across her face as she approached the railing of the balcony. Somewhere out there Sharon was planning the six's demise and Alycia was fighting for her life. But in this moment, everything seemed to fall silent to the approaching storm. No conflicts, no battles, just the rain and the thunder. :::

:: Closing her eyes, Ava inhaled a long and deep breath. She wondered how Haleigh was doing....had Karen released her yet? Had Haleigh remembered what Ava told her? Ava played 20 questions with herself, hoping to answer questions she knew she couldn't. It was frustrating and debilitating at the same time. Finally opening her eyes as she sighed out, Ava gripped the rod iron railing, leaning forward a bit. All she could do was wait at this point. Wait for Karen...wait for the six. Wait for Sharon to attack.... ::

[Silver Swan]

[as she stood out on the balcony, Ava wouldnt have to wait for long....for in the distance...there was a sound..a sound of fury and discontent...there was no IMMEDIATE visual.]

[ the din was growing louder...and from the faintest distance, Persephone, with her enhanced vision and sense of nature could discern a large, swelling flock of crows...with glowing red eyes coming toward Illustra.]

[ Sharon Kelly, the Silver Swan was flying in the nucleus of the flock...streaking across the night sky. She was coming..and NOTHING was going to stop her. Haleigh was DEAD MEAT!]

[ as she flew with perfect form, the silver swan's sonic scream could be heard in the winds as well, causing the walls of buildings far below to vibrate and car /building windows to shatter. DOGS everywhere in the vicinity began to howl and bark and the low hanging moon provided an unhelpfull glimmer to the danger that was approaching Illustra.]

[Oracle]

<< While Mike's mind dwelled on possibilities of companionship with Karen and Karen's mind entertained the idea of the attentions of a younger man, things were beginning to move forward as Haleigh is now awakened and greeted by the sight of Dr. Victoria looking over her with a rather cold glare. the room is dark and quiet and its obvious that no one is there but the doctor and now mike. Haleigh would remember her last moments before being sedated and she would also see that she was now suitably restrained by mystic chains.>>


<<as Silver Swan closes in on Illustra, and her sonic scream heralds her arrival for several square miles as windows of lower level office buildings and cars begin to shatter, and the very structure of many buildings began to tremble. proximity alarms in Illustra began to register SOMETHING....but the large, black crows with their glowing red eyes blocked any immediate visual of their mistress as she streaked toward Illustra.>>

back in the forest around Sharon Kelly's private cottage off the secluded lake

<< the growls and demented moans of the "zombies" made for a growing sense of dread as Alycia, who was now injured and exhausted after her gauntlet lay...too tired to be afraid...but too weak to try to get away either.>>

<< there was still no sign of Rick Riley, and as the zombies closed in on Alycia, the members of the Six who had recently arrived, were now FINALLY at the scene.>>

<< it seemed like a simple enough operation...."rescue Alycia", but they would find or rather be REMINDED that nothing for them was ever as easy is theory might make it.>>

[Alycia Barnett]

:: there was danger...dread...DEATH in the air and it was coming for HER, but Alycia could barely move. some of her ribs felt like they were cracked, her jaw was swollen and her body bruised, if not for the battle suit she was wearing, she would have sustained MORE physical damage but this state of the art, body contouring "armour" provided much needed protection against the behemoth man she'd just fought and killed.::

:: trembling with exhaustion, Alycia registered the stench of "undead" people coming for her...some had half mangled faces, others had clothes that were dirty and soaked with blood, some lurched and staggered, but they were coming for HER.::

:: she lay on the ground, she still had her repulsor blaster.::

got to...get up....

:: she wanted to sleep. maybe unconsciousness would envelope her before she was torn apart and devoured. deep down, she KNEW better than to give up...but she'd just taken a beating...and though she survived and triumphed, it didnt come without a heavy price.::

Force Works....help...help me...Morgan....

:: Alycia closed her eyes...trying to summon the strength to get up...::

[Rampage]

Nicolas arrived at the cabin with the others and immediately began to look around for alycia. he was tempted to check the cottage when he caught a whiff. Check that, a STENCH, coming from behind him. He hoped that he was not too late as he immediately ran that way to its source.

As he ran, he saw a group of what appeared to be zombies moving towards a listless Alycia. He teleported in front of her, lifting her up in one arm as he took his other hand and slammed his axe hammer-end down on the ground, producing a tremor designed to disrupt the attackers equilibrium...

************
Mean while, Mike approached Karen and watched as she liftd the sleep spell from Haleigh. As the mutant began to open her eyes, an alarm sounded and his communicator buzzed.

Man, you have THOUSANDS of crows at your twelve o'clock!!!! What to do?!?

Mike's brow furrowed at the report...

Shit! Stay put, do NOT engage until I give the word!!

Mike looks at Karen grimly.

I am afraid that we have more trouble brewing...

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: The serenity of the nights sky and calm thunderstorm soon came to an end as Persephone spotted something strange in the distance. Squinting her eyes to get a better look, they were crows with red eyes. Following the sighting Ava winced in pain as her enhanced hearing picked up the sonic scream of Silver Swan...she was with that flock. Hidden, but she was there. ::

"I can't...[climbing up the railing] catch [using the side of Illustra for support, Ava stood on top of the railing overlooking the 102 story drop to the streets below] a break tonight."

:: Letting go of the wall, Persephone walked across the railing with cat like agility and looked out to the oncoming flock. Huffing out, Ava craned her neck from side to side, a soft popping of her bones could be heard. This woman was beginning to irritate her. Extending her arms out to the side, Persephone fell forward in a swan dive, disappearing from her balcony. In a huge rush of wind, her body took flight, charging toward the flock of crows. Unlike Morgan, Persephone couldn't actually FLY, but she was able to use the wind to advantage to propel her body. The winds behind her began to intensify into hurricane-like speeds. Within seconds, she was coming up to the flock of crows. Extending her hand out she managed to control the first few lines of birds to part away from the group. As she was about to enter the flock, Ava's body literally dropped from it's position and the rushing train of 250mph WINDS crashed INTO the birds and Silver Swan. ::

:: 'Floating' in the air a about thirty feet away, Ava 'stood' in a leaning position with her arms folded across her chest. ::

"Eat. Crow." :D

[Jill Monroe]

<< the thick brush of the forest and the sound of bugs didnt do well for Morgan, the air seemed more dense as well. hardly "Fresh"...but as they moved through, it became worse.>>

UGH!! what is THAT?

<< she said with an icy contempt in her voice...but before she could be too taken by it, she noticed a few bodies lumbering past her and the sight of them made her...>>

GASP!!!

<< looking over, in the immediate distance, there was Sharon's cottage and the lake behind it, the last time they were there, they had teleported right onto the back deck. this time, they were at the front end of the house. this cottage, despite it being equipped well within looked PERFECT for the back drop of a friday the 13th movie...and boy did they have the right kind of "cast" for it....>>

ZOMBIES!?

<< some of the zombies were running, coming from the other direction TOWARDS her and her team mates. one of them, a bloody man in a lab coat HURLED a large axe at Morgan as Nicolas teleported to Alycia.>>

<< Morgan flinched back and thrust out her hand, catching the axe in a small "stepping disc" that snapped open at her command. the axe flew in and was closed. and Morgan's widened eyes narrowed into a glare.>>


THAT wasn't very nice at ALL!!

<< the zombie was still coming for her...and SHE glared at it.>>

GET BACK!!

<< throwing her hands forward, palms out, she unleashes an eldritch bolt.>>

<<ZARK!!

<< the blast of dark magick slams into the creature, blowing off its ARM and causing him to falter backward...but it doesnt stop him for long as he keeps coming.>>

He...it's...STILL COMING!!

<< she pointed at it, and this time she unleashed a stronger, more broad beamed blast...with a louder energy sound effect...and as it blasted the zombie, the sound of crashing thunder heralded its other arm and its LEGS being blown off....and as its bloody torso and half erroded face lay on the ground...it STILL MOVED!>>

these arent LIKE the ones from the citadle when it went into melt down!!

<< Morgan looked at Delilah then over to Nicolas who had picked up Alycia and was fending off more.>>

we've got to get them and get underground!! there's so many COMING!!

<< a larger zombie, a pot bellied man with SURPRISING agility and moves like a wrestler tackles Morgan, snarling and growling. he's on TOP OF HER!! HIS FACE INCHES FROM HER'S>>

NOO!!! BITE...HURT...KILL!!



<< her strength allowed her to fend him off...but he had gotten the drop on her..he was only MOMENTS away from getting a bite...and INFECTING HER! his stench, his touch...its more than she can bare as she SCREAMS with fear, disgust and RAGE...and a chime sounds off!!>>

<< with her eyes glowing white, and her clenched fists now encircled by halos of dark magick Spellbinder BUSTS LOOSE, unleashing a sparkling white field of dark magick that expands around her like an explosion and BLASTS the fat zombie away with concussive force...the zombie's shadow is seen for a second as he is BLOWN AWAY and slammed into a tree, impaled by a branch and now twitching as his bloated, decayed body hangs there.>>

<< Spellbinder gets to her feet, THOROUGHLY disgusted and repulsed...SICK from the smell and horrified by the idea of being VIOLATED by a creature like that...as she begins to open fire upon more Zombies with FULL POWERED eldritch bolts...some of the blasts SLAM into ground near Rampage's feet...causing small tremors of their own and leave DEEP impacts. She's firing more out of ANGER than design, and while its helping..its not as effective.>>

[Rampage]

After creating the diversion, Nicolas secures Alycia in his left arm as he uses his powers to keep the beasts at bay. Science aside, he has seen enough MOVIES to guess that he does not want to give them an opportunity to infect him with whatever they have. He is not sure they would be successful, but he would rather not risk it.

So tree limbs become animated weapons, tearing at the flesh of the zombies as they press forward. In addition he pulls a force field in tight to them both and stops breathing so that Alycia can have of the remaining air. As he selects the way he would like to go, he is almost toppled by a blast at his feet leaving a steaming crater. Morgan has been accosted by the poor brutes and is blasting angrily, taking out large numbers of them but threatening him and Alycia as well!

Nicolas turns his axe into a shield just in time as a bolt comes in too close. He deflects it with the rounded buckler (while noting the incredible force behind it) and decides the air is much safer.

Nicolas leaps high into the sky and lands near Morgan, still holding Alycia. He addresses her forcefully so as to reach her, but speaks without anger.

Morgan!! Calm yourself before you kill more than zombies!! I have Alycia. What now?

[Silver Swan]

THERE she is....and there she will DIE!!

[ Sharon snarls as she streaks through the air, WITHOUT the added aid of her own metallic wings, which were concealed at this moment....if there had been a MOMENT of wavering on her part in the cathedral, if there had been ANY wonder just HOW she could fly through the air like this..or anything ELSE, that was all GONE at the moment as her silver eyes sparkled with chaotic hatred. she was a runaway train of vengeance and woe be unto those that she crashed into.]

[ as she lead her army of demonic crows, the first line of birds alerted her via telepathic rapport that PERSEPHONE was intercepting them...how PROACTIVE of the wench!]


[ several hundred birds were diverted by Persephone...and as Sharon decided to come forward to MEET Persephone and knock her out of the air herself, she was met by a sweeping, powerfull, pounding blast of wind. her hair immediiately blew back as she cried out with surprise. many birds were blown off course too, sent spiraling away in all directions and Sharon herself was lost in the feathered chaos. her own vision horizon was turned upside down as the winds seemed to knock the wind out of her temporarily but at that moment, her metallic wings sprouted from her back, to steady her and buckle her against these winds, KEEPING her from falling to the earth. ]

[ Sharon, however, was not a mere bird. she was somthing far more and she CUT THROGH the winds with her very body as she climbed up with power and force, reaching Persephone and as she did she slammed into the woman, connecting with her chin a devastating punch that would send the woman to the HIGHEST reaches of the sky she'd ever been. Persephone had gotten a taste of Silver Swan's strength before....and now this was worse. Silver Swan hovered at the spot where she connected with Perspehone, while Persephone was now launched into the air as a ball being hit by a steel bat.]

STAY OUT OF MY WAY!! OR DIE LIKE YOUR SISTER YOU COMMON GUTTER TRASH!!

[ Sharon screamed as she resumed her course for Illustra, and now, Mike would get a VISUAL of the Silver Swan, he would see the insane EVIL in her silver eyes and the ironic beauty of her over all form as the bird of prey closed in. there was not going to be any escape. she was coming for Haleigh and no one would stop her.]

[Jill Monroe]

<< it didnt matter that these zombies didnt "Care" or "FEAR" Spellbinder or the rest of the Six. Spellbinder wanted to lay waste. Despite calming down earlier, she was weary and the thought of annihilating Rick Riley was on her mind. she hoped, vainly, that he might be in the midst of these creatures...but instead, she was met with Rampage's forcefull tone as he admonished her to control herself but she hurt someone OTHER than the Zombies.>>

<< looking rather astonished at Rampage for the way he spoke to her, Morgan reigned herself in ...if only because she DIDNT want to hurt Nicolas, Alycia or Delilah with her bolts.>>

these things..they DISGUST ME!!

<< she seethed, still feeling dirty and defiled by the touch of the bloated zombie that rushed her.>>

we need to get Alycia medical attention...Sharon's underground bunker is THAT way

<< pointing.>>

the last time whe were here, ALISON used her TK and SEER'S eye to descramble the combination and get us inside. Delilah, can you set up a cascading forcefield to follow us and keep the creatures BACK, Ill carry Alycia and Nicolas can get us inside...when Alison RESET the code...she never told ME...she only told Sharon and Alycia..and that thing is fortified against all kinds of force and pressure.

<< more creatures were coming.>>

WHERE are they coming from!?

<< taking Alycia from Nicolas...>>

once we get underground, I'll cast a spell to eliminate these creatures...either that...or send them to LIMBO and let my demons deal with them.

but we've got to pin point Rick...i want him DEAD before we leave here...

<< she motions for Nicolas to lead the way, with her behind him and Delilah bring up the rear, blasting some creatures away with her photon blasts and setting up her forcefiled to cascade behind them VAPORIZING any zombie or its projectiles that came in contact with the field. >>

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen's eyebrows lifted as she overheard Mike receive a warning about the crows...>>

Sharon...

<< Karen looked at Haleigh who was just waking up...and unfortunately, a flash of resentment came through Karen's heart. The Silver Swan was one of the most VIOLENT and irrascible foes they'd encountered. while MALICE represented a depth of evil and depravity that surpassed any sociopath that Karen had confronted, Silver Swan represented something else...the insanity of unchecked anger...so fierce, that even SHE probably wasnt as driven as what was DRIVING her.

it's her...and she's not going to stop until she get's Haleigh. she'll...kill ANYONE she has to get to Haleigh!

fighting her will be like trying to STOP a charing , high powered, high speed TRAIN!

<< Karen instinctively reaches out to Mike's arm, to prevent him from leaving.>>

You can't face her...you have no powers...you could be HURT or KILLED . I will hold her off as long as I can with my magicks while you and Cameorn get Haleigh to safety. IF Persephone has sensed this as well, then she will join me in fighting Sharon.

<< karen looked adamant and concerned for Mike...she did not want HIM to die as Sharon did when Master Mold attacked, or to suffer as Alycia had. too many human allies of the six had paid a price for their alliance with the team...and Mike was a good man from what she could see. this was a mixture of the maternal instinct as well as her own feelings as a woman.>>


<< Haleigh will have heard all of this ..but she is STILL bound by mystic chains...and will have precious little time to convince the doctor to release her.>>

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Sharon rebounded, soaring toward Persephone and sending a massive punch right at her face. Quickly lifting her forearm to block, Sharon's fist slammed into her arm, instantly breaking it, and sending her flying high into the air. Crying out in pain, Persephone nursed her arm as her body flipped and turned in the air like a ragdoll. Sharon'd physical strength was far surperior than Persephone's, but what Persephone lacked in strength, she made up in power. ::

:: Thunder cracked violently in the sky, Persephone now gaining control of her body's movement in the air. Propelling herself back down toward the city, lightning began to flicker, illuminating the goddess in the sky. What happens to a flying swan in a metal suit?!.. ::

:: Extending her hand out at Sharon, simultaneously bolt after bolt after bolt of lightning crashed from the sky, hearling straight INTO Silver Swan. The electricity immediately drawn to her body armor like a moth to a flame. The lightning didn't stop however. Bolts interlinked like a chain fence around Illustra, creating an electrical force field around the building; the entire city within a 20 block radius illuminated by the bright bolts. ::

"You're far too cocky, Kelly! I'm FAR from out of THIS BATTLE!"

[Rampage]

Mike quickly nodded to Karen as he prepared to leave.

Whatever you decide is up to you, but we may need her strength before this is over. I will do whatever I can.


Karen grabs him arm, adamantly pressing him to stay and allow HER to go. He shakes his head. The matter for him is not up for discussion. He has seen her be the glue of this team, this family. In the larger scheme of things, she is more important in Mike's opinion than he to everyone, EVEN Nicolas. Besides, this was his JOB. He was only doing what he was supposed to do. He grabs her hand as it lay on his arm

I can't do that. This is my job. I'll be fine. Just get as ready as you can to help her

<<<nods to Haleigh>>>

and then help me. I'll be FINE. Although, just in case this is my last day...


Mike lifts Karen's chin and kisses her quickly and deeply on the mouth, then rushes out of the Med Bay before she can react and makes it over to a balcony one floor up. As he reaches the opening he sees Persephone engage Sharon ALONE. He also sees Persephone take flight at about 80 miles per hour straight up thanks to Sharon's well places punch.

DAMN!! So much for the plan I was going to talk to her about.

Despite the danger she represented she was incredible to behold, a mix between a model and a large raptor. He gasped as she turned from her point of contact with Persephone and proceeded to advance on Illustra. Mike activated his small energy shield and spoke into the comlink.

People, stay hidden, your target is now acquired. Fire at will.

Mike placed a pair of insulated earpieces in his ear as the shots came at Sharon from all sides. Concussive, flash-bang, and tear gas ordinance was detonated all around her. The idea was ORIGINALLY to stun her with this, THEN have them ALL engage her together but he had no choice. He couldn't let anything happen to the people to whom he was responsible. And so he would have to fight for them. He sent a thought out to Nicolas via their permanent link as he fired a high voltage energy pulse at the Silver Swan.

Nic, I hope its not a bad time but Sharon is HERE. She just took out Ava and Haleigh is no good yet. That leaves me, Karen, Cameron, and the Crew. Any assistance you could give would be fucking welcome.

**************************************
Nicolas saw the look that Morgan gave him but he did not apologize AT THIS POINT. It was more important to survive right now and he wanted to keep her with it so they could do so. After she spoke of how disgusting they were, he responded. His tone was even and smooth again, no hint of the force that he had previously used.

I can imagine, Morgan. They are a bit unnerving.

As Nicolas leads Morgan towards the bunker she has indicated, he "hears" Mike. He stands straight up as he sees through Mike's eyes Sharon approaching as Mike and the CREW try to stave her off.

Morgan, we have to go back NOW!! Sharon is at Illustra, Ava is out already and Mike is preparing to engage her DIRECTLY to try to save the others. He'll be killed!!

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Mike respectfully rejected Karen's demand for him to get to safety. She was about to protest further and threaten to use her magick to restrain him, but he was not a child, he was a grown man and..she couldnt help but respect his bravery and resolve. he was truly Nicolas' partner and the best kind of friend the young man could have. >>

<< he surprised her as he lifted her chin and kissed her. how long had it been since she ENJOYED the touch of a man, accepted his affections? her eye brows lifted as her sapphire blue eyes widened with surprise.>>

<< slightly winded , she looked at Mike for a moment...as he asked her to get as prepared as she could and be ready to come and help him...as he left, she called out after him.>>

you be CAREFULL!!

that kiss....

<< Karen could not linger on it for long, despite the boldness of this young man, it wasnt offensive to her, it was TENDER.>>

<< Ava had been struck down by Silver Swan's FIRST pass and was coming for Illustra. as Mike and Ava began to try to repell Sharon, Karen looked at Haleigh.>>

I have no choice, i have to releaseh her. she cant be let here like THIS..unable to even protect herself.

<< Karen extended her hands up and out, with a rushing harried harp sound being heard as she removes the mystic chains and cancels out the scrambled effect on Haleigh's powers.>>

you're restored.

<< Karen looks and speaks with coldness.>>

Illustra is under attack by Sharon Kelly. YOU are to stay HERE. If she sees you, it will incite her to levels that WE might not be able to handle until the others get back. For once, DO AS YOU ARE TOLD and STAY HERE, STAY OUT of SHARON'S SIGHT!

I'm going to help Mike and Ava. Cameron, KEEP her here...SEDATE her again with your telepathy if you have to.

<< and with that, Karen leaves the med lab, the cape of her flying suit flows behind her as she moves out of the doors and they shut behind her. she knows already that Haleigh will find a way to disobey and that she'll convince Cameron to go along with it. this isnt a matter of Karen being a PRECOG...but rather knowing their patterns of beahvior. Haleigh will WANT to face sharon...COFRONT this "demon" of her's...DESPITE being out classed by Sharon's new found power. was this a good thing? on most levels...Karen felt NO, but still..this WAS Haleigh's mess and SHE should be the one to clean it up.....Karen honestly didnt know HOW this would turn out, but she knew Mike and Ava would need her help right now and so up to the roof she went...preparing for what would be as harsh a battle as the one she had with the Super Soldier.>>

[Silver Swan]

[ having sent Ava "on her way" :D or so it seemed, Silver Swan renewed her charge and was now very close to the upper floors of the sky scraping Illustra.]

[ at that moment, however, a man appeared on the roof. she narrowed her silver eyes, not quite sure WHO HE was but HE could be dealt with as well.]

[ as she rushed toward him, she could SEE that he was a bit unnerved by her. it didnt matter. it'd all be over in seconds when she DECAPITATED him with one of her large , metallic wings.]

[ but for all her speed and direction, she didnt count on Illustra being DEFENDED by well trained men, brave men who were willing to risk their lives along side Mike.]

[ she was STARTLED by the flash bulb effect, suitably knocked off course as she was hit again and again. the JOLT from one of the blasts caused her to scream as she tucked and curled her body up with her wings folding around her to cover her and shield her.]

KILL YOU ALL!!

[ she cried out as she began to SPIN "wonder woman style" in the air...turning into a high speed funnel of wind as unleashing a DEADLY volley of spinning stars that began to pelt that entire side of Illustra...slamming into the structure, THROUGH windows on various upper floors and HITTING some of the men as well as slicing through their weapons. MIKE hadn't seen the ferocity of Sharon at the cathedral FIRST HAND...but NOW he was getting a taste and FEEL of it as several spinning stars sliced at his arms , chest and FACE.]

[ a few of the men would be taken down, some killed, others maimed but as she unleashed her onslaught, SHE was struck by someone else's onslaught as PERSEPHONE returned with a vengeance.]

"You're far too cocky, Kelly! I'm FAR from out of THIS BATTLE!"


[ the SKIES seemed to rebel against Silver Swan as a jagged bolt of LIGHTNING struck the malestrom of wind...and for the first time since she'd manifested this ability of her power, Sharon's body could be seen..being irradiated by the lightning bolts...as the weather goddess attacked.]

[ the thunder crashed as Silver Swan was assaulted. any NORMAL and MANY super powered beings would have been KILLED behind such an attack, but while the metallic body armor DID attract the lightning..it didnt redistribute it through Sharon's BODY...instead..it ABSORBED the brunt of the impact and PREVENTED her from being BURNED by the bolts. but against this massive assault, Sharon became something of a PINBALL caught in a violent ricochet of force. She was blasted OUT of her malestrom form and sent sprawling through the air. MIKE got a reprieve and not a moment too soon, HEARING some of his men go down, he realized that Silver Swan was out for BLOOD, if he didnt understand BEFORE...this woman was THE FACE of "REVENGE".]

[ Persephone had done her job maybe a bit TOO well perhaps, for as Silver Swan fell from her position, she CRASHED into Illustra, smashing through the panoramic window of ALISON'S apartment...just a floor below Morgan's where a truly upset Tinkerbell and kitten were now taking refuge under Morgan's bed in the chamber of dreams.]

[ when the lightning ended, There was no sign of Sharon yet from the wreckage in Alison's apartment. no movement of any kind. if she were dead, Ava would have much to explain to Morgan...but could that REALLY have been all it took to kill her? ]

[Rampage]

As Sharon dived for Mike, the onslaught worked as well as he had hoped when he planned it. Sharon was knocked off kilter and as he took aim for her with the energy stun, he thought that maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Then she began to spin, tossing deadly shuriken in all direction. He grunted as a few sliced his face and chest, cutting deeply. Mike fell forward holding the enegy shield above his head to protect him as he tried to think.

Dammit!!!I've been up here 80 seconds and I am in need of a medic. Wonder how the oth-

His thought was interrupted by yelling on the comlink. He had at least 20 men stationed in a position to engage her, and a quick roll call indicated that only 7 of those men were in the position to fight, with only 5 of those 7 having a usable primary weapon. He was certain that he had lost at least 3 men, and he feared that the casualties would be worse.

Regroup!!! Wounded care for more wounded. Fit personnel need to re-deploy at better protected positions!! Everyone else, get in position, stay protected!!!Stay in...ahhh!!...er..

Mike was getting a bit woozy. A couple of the chest cuts were deep, and a side wound also bled freely. As he entertained the though that Dr. Karen Victoria had given him his last kiss on this Earth, lightning began to charge and connect itself in a latticework over Illustra. Ava was back and talking smack as she re-engaged Sharon.

Mike yelled new orders into the comlink.

Cover that lady!!! If she falls again, we will most likely be next gentlemen...

The next think Mike knew, Sharon fell into an apartment below, he did not know which, but he had a feeling that this was not over...

[Shadow Weaver]

<< the door opening out to the roof burst open as Dr. Victoria came hurrying through, looking regal and elegant in her black "flying suit", she caught the last moments of the awesome lightning strikes and knew that Persephone had to be behind this, as nature was her power. she must have intercepted Sharon...thank the goddess...no pun intended :D>>

<< her eyes darted quickly for any sign of Sharon, but there seemed to be none, but there WAS the sound of a body crashing through a window apparently a floor or two down and THIS made the doctor jump a bit before her eyes finally rested on a visibly HURT Mike.>>

oh my stars!!

<< she said with pained concern as she hurried forward.>>

Mike!!!! you're HURT!

<< she saw the cuts on his face and his chest...BAD cuts on his chest and a wound on his side.>>

shards...you're bleeding everywhere!

<< he stumbled a bit, obviously feeling the effects of such blood loss.>>

<< struggling to at least keep the larger young man from FALLING DOWN on top of her, Karen helped him to lay down against the wall edge of the room...while the thunder and lightning run its course in the skies around her. though it was unnerving, she'd seen this and MORE in Limbo and so, she did not let it DISTRACT her from what she needed to do. Despite Karen's worry, she knew Persephone could take care of herself and powerfull as Sharon may be, Perspehone would NOT go down without one hell of a fight to protect Haleigh. >>

hold still now..

<< Karen spoke with a clear, less stern tone as she began to weave a pattern of power, while kneeling in front of Mike. extending her hands forward, a soft hum of energy followed by the rushing harp sound heralds the manifestation of a sparkling, golden orb that slowly turns and unleashes a golden mist stream. the mist slowly flows around Mike, touching each wound and seemingly "kissing" it with the touch of soothing comfort and thorough healing. the blood loss is halted, the wounds are repaired and healed and Mike can breathe easily now.>>

there. you're all better now.

<< reaching forward, she gently strokes Mike's cheek. this was in part a maternal move, as she had done with Nicolas, Alison, Delilah or her daughter Morgan...but also...it was the first time she'd had a chance to be this close to him and she found herself feeling all TOO GLAD that she'd arrived when she did..to SAVE him from permanent injury or worse.>>

I told you....to be CAREFULL, young man.

<< she said as she narrowed her eyes, and put her best STERN effort forward. looking up a bit, she was afraid that Silver Swan would emerge at any moment.>>

there's no sign of sharon...i hard a body crashing through a window...was that HER? and Persephone...where is she now? is she allright?

<< if it was...and she was inside Illustra now...that would spell disaster for Haleigh and Cameron.>>

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Sharon CRASHED through the 104th story window, Alison's apartment. Hovering in the air, Persephone's hair blew across her face as she stared through the broken glass into the dark apartment. She didn't see Sharon...or any movement. It couldn't have been that easy...but if it was, she was in deep shit. Gliding over to the window, Ava landed on the small ledge outside and cautiously looked inside. Shards of glass covered the floor and furniture near the window was crushed or toppled over. Stepping through the hole, Ava's body was englufted in winds for a split second; her night gown replaced by her halter styled black leather catsuit. ::

:: Glass crunched under her healed boots as she stepped further into Alison's apartment. She had never actually been in Alison's apartment before...it was pretty nice. Aside from the gaping hole in the window and a bit of debris. Still no sign of Sharon, but Persephone was on high alert. With her right hand held out in front of her in anticipation of an attack, her badly broken left arm hung by her side painfully. But she hid it well. ::

:: Crossing the diningroom, Ava's skin pigments began to blend into the background, hiding her from sight. Keeping her movements slow and steady, she stealthily made her way into Alison's livingroom. She wished she had a way to contact Karen at this point, to atleast warn her that Sharon was now inside Illustra, but no where to be found... ::

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh awoke, though groggily. She rubbed her eyes gently as she began to come around..... there were certainly NICER things to wake up to than an attack, but the positive side was that in the scramble to defend, little attention was paid to her previous state of weakness.... Haleigh looked on, bewildered, as Mike kissed Karen. no.... can't be.... hallucinating... She thought, as she rubbed her eyes again. Karen commanded her to stay.... to keep out of Sharon's sight and Haleigh was rudely awakened by the idea... her consciousness seemed to taken instant effect.

"WHAT? You want me to hide.... like a COWARD? No! Karen, I can fight! I can... oh, great, THERE she goes, running off to fuckin SAVE the DAY, just like every OTHER lunatic on this team, when what we REALLY need to STICK TOGETHER!!!!! Oh, that therapist is CERTIFIABLY INSANE if she thinks I'm going to cower now. This is MY fault, damn it.... I'm not about to let everyone ELSE take the beating for it.... there's been enough of that already. [turning to Cameron, who looked like he might be considering the idea of listening to Karen's orders] SO HELP ME, Cameron, I'll make SOUP out of you if you try to stop me!"

She exclaimed, as a crash was heard a few floors above them. Haleigh pulled medical vitals monitoring lines off her body and grabbed Cameron by the sleeve of his upper arm as she hurried to Illustra's security bay.

"Sharon's here.... she's already inside... well.... now we HAVE to fight!" said she, as she turned on the PA and scowled. "Senator Kelly.... how nice of you to drop in..... Now, I don't know WHAT kind of plans you had, coming here tonight.... but you're in MY HOUSE now.... and I'm going to have to PUNISH YOU for stealing the man RIGHT OUT OF MY BED!"

She said, as she tapped into the computer.... only to find herself FIREWALLED out. She grumbled, swearing under her breath as she struggled getting around the passwords... and then just looked up, deciding that she could play with the computer interface after she bought time for herself. She saw the mess in Alison's apartment on the monitors.... but no sign of Sharon.

"Hmm.... come out, come out, where ever you are.... I know you want me.... I'm RIGHT here on the security floor.... if you can get in."

She taunted, slamming her hand down on the button that closed off the floor from intruders.... the floors, ceilings, and walls were all reinforced by Haleigh's design, with such rigidity that it would take HOURS to break through with sheer force-- even for someone with uncharted physical strength.... the armor on this place was meant to withstand things that military tanks/battleships/strongholds could NOT. It also had a rerouting forcefield that preventing unauthorized teleporting.... anyone who was NOT on the approved list would be technologically [via molecular dispersement] relocated to the south pole or some other outrageously uncivilized place. The very SHORT list of approved teleporters included the CURRENT members of the Six, provided they were still in good standing, Ororo, and Karen.

[turning to Cameron]"That'll buy us a little time to FIND her.... try telepathically.... and just WHERE are the others? Morgan, Nicolas, Delilah? Why aren't they here?" She questioned, as she located Persephone, who'd landed on Alison's floor, and Mike and Karen, who were on the roof. Haleigh contacted Mike through his earpiece.

"You two need to get OFF the roof... you're WAY too vulnerable to air attack.... if the birds regroup... you'll be birdseed.... tell Karen that my sister is on the 104th floor, searching for Sharon.... she's suffering a broken arm. I've got the 100th floor on LOCKDOWN.... get everyone to retreat HERE and we'll make a PLAN, instead of everyone running around all willy nilly trying to do shit by themselves and getting killed for it. We're a TEAM.... it's about goddamn time we started ACTING like one. I don't want ANOTHER person engaging Sharon ALONE. You don't have to trust me or even LIKE me to LISTEN right now, okay? So keep the BACK TALK to yourself, tell Karen to do the same, albeit politely, and just GET DOWN HERE!"

She said confidently, without giving him a chance to get a word in edgewise. She planted an earpiece in her sister's ear for silent communication.

"Ava, I will BEAT YOUR ASS if you don't cut that HERO shit out and get down to the 100th floor THIS INSTANT. DOUBLE TIME, Rugrat, you need medical attention and I need all the collective power I can scrounge up."

[Silver Swan]

[ a wild ride. Persephone's powerfull assault had blasted Silver Swan from the high skies and sent her crashing THROUGH Alison's apartment. Though it was hell of a way to get inside, she was NOW inside...and her body, her endurance levels, allowed her to take the punishment of the lightning strikes without permanent damage but where WAS inside the apartment was not readily now.]

[ her PREY was now inside as well, searching her. She may have been hidden from the EYES, But Sharon could still HEAR her breathing, her heart beat...she had perfect hearing]

[ a game of cat and mouse was now in full swing and suddenly THAT VOICE came over the PA.]

IT'S HER! SHE DARES TO TOY WITH ME!?

[Sharon seethed with rage but despite her anger, the programming given her by Rick Riley allowed her to supercede the anger with strategy, at least for now.]

[ as Persephone looked for her in the darkness of Alison's sprawling luxury apartment, Haleigh's concern about the BIRDS was all too true, as MANY demonic, red eyed crows began to regroup and circle around Illustra in an upward spiral pattern, their own way of mimicking Sharon's spinning funnel effect. Their cawing and screeching could be heard as well as the fluttering of their wings and the WINDS generated by their high speeds and vast numbers. Persephone had cleared away a fair few of these crows at the beginning ...but there were still many more to be accounted for and some were GETTING INSIDE Illustra. this was going to be a major problem that would present itself shortly.]


[ counting on the sudden FURY of birds swirling past the now gaping hole in the panoramic window, as WELL as several of the demonic crows rushing INTO Alison's apartment, Silver Swan took THIS opportunity to attack, emerging from the shadows to KICK Persephone in the back of her legs HARD enough to send her buckling forward and down, upon which time Silver Swan rushes her and tackles her to the ground]

NOW I HAVE YOU!

[ she yells with insane glee as she begins to BANG Persephone's head on the ground before raising a lamp over her head, intending to SMASH it into Persephone's face with full force.]

[Oracle]

<< as Silver Swan attacked Persephone, the demonic, red eyed crows began to breach Illustra from various points...getting and ZOOMING with terrifying speed, agility and aim. they were targeting various power conduits, wiriing and other systems and soon, lights, communication and security cameras began to go offline or malfunction all over the building from the first floor to the 107th floor. SOME birds died during their missions, but more were waiting to replace them. the situation was getting worse, as crows began to attack MORE of Mike's men tearing at their faces, eyes, necks and other weak areas with their talons, feathers and beaks.>>

[Tinkerbell]

<< night time is supposed to be quiet time. time for exploration. or sleepy time. sometimes it was fun to sleep with "large one", especially when Mommy was busy or not there, b ut between mommy, mommy's mommy and large one, tinkerbell felt sufficiently attended to, for NOW :D>>

<< but this night was not fun, it was SCAREY...EVIL. there were terrifying sounds, sonic screams, scarey birds, lightning and thunder....cats dont like big noises like this.>>

<< as the battle raged outside of mommy's window, tink had taken refuge under mommy's bed in the chamber of dreams. the little kitten was next to her, shivering with fear and Tink's pupils were wide with nervousness as her ears remained back a bit and her tail swayed slowly and cautiously.>>

<< she could "see" the birds. they were COMING...all inside. no place to hide!!>>

<< "Large one" wanted tink to tell mommy's mom if there was danger!!>>

<< picking up the kitten by the nape of its neck, Tinkerbell hesitates for a moment as the kitten mews with protest, but then she quickly and quietly rushes from the bed to a shadowed corner of the room.>>

<< moving low to the ground , Tink quickens her pace...for a CROW sees them...and makes a pass! it's too large for even tink to fight, DESPITE being enchanted familiar and she needs to find safety...to tell mommy's mom...SOMEONE big who can help them!>>

<< slipping into the shadow, Tinkerbell "teleports" from Mommy's place, to the hard room with lights and metal...where Mommy and mommy's mommy had hid from the big ugly creatures [ the dire wraiths]>>

<< Haleigh and Cameron would immediately see a frightened looking Tinkerbell, carrying the small white kitten and for THIS to occurr, there had to be SOMETHING wrong even in Morgan's apartment. >>

<< someone had to know that the birds were WELL inside...and they were scarey!>>

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Stopping in mid stride, Haleigh's voice came blasting over the intercom taunting Sharon to come and get her. With an 'is she INSANE' look on her face, Ava then got a little message from her sister as well, via her forgotten private ear piece. Wincing at Haleigh's voice volume, Ava lifted her hand to her ear and plugged it to muffle the noise. But instead of answering, Persephone stood there, motionless. She was being stalked....she could sense it. 'Ahh, Sharon. Quite the game of cat and mouse...' She was very good. Hearing the faintest of noises behind her, Sharon unleashed a fury of a kick against the back of her knees, sending Persephone falling to the ground. Getting tackled from behind, Sharon slammed her head into the ground, hard. At this point in the cartoon, Persephone would probably have little swans circling around her head. ::

:: Sharon grabbed a lamp and hurled it toward Ava's face. Ava lifted her arm blocking the attack. Grabbing Sharon by the shoulder, Ava pulled her forward and slammed her head into Silver Swans. Hell, she already had a headache, what was the difference? Kick Sharon off her, Ava did a back roll onto her feet, backing up next to the broken window. Droplets of rain hit her exposed skin, giving her an idea. The calm thunderstorm suddenly turned violent. Blasts of wind literally bust through EACH window in Alison's apartment, sending shards of glass flying inward at high speeds. The warm rain turned a bitter ice cold as it begain to flow through each window in a column-like fashion, slamming into Silver Swans body like a truck. ::

[Silver Swan]

[ Ava was more fun to fight than Haleigh. In a way, Ava was giving Sharon the PRACTICE she needed to acclimate to her new found powers]

[ still unintended benefits aside, Ava was the enemy, standing in Silver Swan's path to vegeance and she had to be dealt with. she was as STUBBORN as she was powerfull, fighting on even with a broken arm!]

[ avoiding the lamp being mashed into her face, Persephone head butts Sharon before kicking her back. Silver Swan falls back on her butt and rolls to the side....getting up on all fours for a moment before rising to her feet. Before she could do anything though, ANOTHER elemental assault...the winds, the rain and the GLASS of the windows around this apartment erupted in violence pelting Silver Swan. a shard of glass cut her across her cheek, leaving a deep slash mark. her healing factor would address the damage but MORE would come her way until her metallic winds spread, and then wrapped around, covering her from the furious assault.]

NOW ITS MY TURN!!

[ her wings unfolded and spreed out, with a span that seemed SO LARGE within the confines of the luxury apartment, and as Silver Swan "punched" out with her left hand, that wing SWUNG with the movement of the arm and SLICED across the entire length of the area like a massive GLAVE. even cutting through the AIR as any object, piece of furniture or whatever was immediately SLICED in half with brutal efficieny. the FORCE of the wing pushed toward Persephone and if she DIDNT duck, her body would be CUT IN HALF so fast, so FINELY and thoroughly, she would still be alive for a few moments as the torso fell from the lower half.]

[Pam De Beaufort]

"Fucking wings!"

:: The wind was so intense in the apartment, she could barely hear her own voice. Sharon was a better foe than Persephone had anticipated. She was learning her new abilities well....if Morgan had any hope of appealing or even capturing Sharon, she had her work cut out for her. Seeing the wings spread out to full length, they suddenly came swooping forward, literally slicing everything in it's path in half. This was Ava's cue to leave and regroup with the others. She had more information on Silver Swans powers, so the brawl wasn't for 'nothing'. She definitely had some information to share. ::

:: Just as the wing came slicing toward her, Ava's body disappeared in a tornado of winds and reappeared in the medical bay with Haleigh, Cameron, and Morgan's two cats. The winds subsided and Ava's loose hair settled. ::

"That woman is one powerful lab experiement."

[Rampage]

Mike staggered and was caught by none other than Karen Victoria. He was impressed with her strength, even as blood loss made him nearly incoherent. He babbled to her as he tore out the shuriken.

Gotta get...these out of me. There...hey, Doc, fancy...meeting *cough* YOU here. You....know WHAT?! You are...a damned FINE woman.


As Karen admonishes him, he waves his hand dismissively. But after he is healed and comes back to his senses, he is a bit mortified.

I just treated Dr. Karen Victoria like a barfly!!

Mike clears his throat, turning away.

Pardon any insult. I just lost my head there. I feel much better now.

Mike cracks his back and stretches quickly as Haleigh comes over the intercom, barking orders about returning to the safe floor. He realizes the value of the idea and answers her.

Good to have back the Haleigh that Nicolas raves about. We will rendezvous in 30 seconds.

He turns back to Karen.

Haleigh is full strength. We should meet her, Ava, and Cameron in the safe floor immediately. (on Comlink) Men, fall back!! Protect yourselves, backs to wall from the birds, and retreat for now.

Mike's order saves lives as the birds next assault has minimal levels of injury. However, the Crew is out of the fight for now...

*************************
Nicolas senses what is happening and is put SLIGHTLY at ease. He tears the door to the underground bunker open and walks inside...

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan looked at Nicolas while carrying Alycia.>>

Nicolas...we..we CANT leave now. We HAVE to get Rick before he makes another pass at Haleigh and BREAK his link to Sharon! He has to PAY!

<< Nicolas was working on the hatch while Delilah kept her forcefield up. Morgan agonized, but she knew that between her mother, Persephone and Cameron, there was considerable power to at least repell Sharon for a little while. A spell, a strong STORM, a telepathic illusion...all good ways.>>

My mother, Persephone and Prophet are plenty powerfull, and while OF COURSE i want to be there, WE have a job to do too. If the situation escalates, I'll teleport us back immediately, but right now, Delilah and I need to see to Alycia!

<< Nicolas succeeded in breaking the hatch open, in a far different , less "elegant" method than Alison but no less effective. down the access tube and through the corridor, they found themselves in the sophisticated underground bunker. it was similar to that of Barbara' Minerva's under the mansion where Alison resided.>>

<< while Morgan placed Alycia on the gurney across the room and Delilah grabbed a first aid kit, Morgan looked over her shoulder.>>

That computer over there, it can see the entire area of Sharon's cottage, it can detect infrared signatures and any movement. it's also linked to Alycia's own information systems in the pentagon. Alison used it to track the Super Soldier's movements ....you need to use it to find Rick Riley..and if there are any MORE Bio hazards waiting for us in/around the cottage. Find the surveilance footage of what happened to Alycia before we got here..i want to know who did this to her, so i can deal with THEM as well!



<< turning to Alycia, Morgan waited for Delilah to address some of her surface wounds and help her to stabilize her breathing. she didnt want Alycia's body to become accustomed to MAGICKAL assistance otherwise it would lose its own ability to adjust and begin the healing itself. She WOULD step in momentarily, but for now, she held Alycia's hand.>>

It's allright now. we're here...and you're safe. Nothing's going to happen to you. I won't let it.

[Oracle]

underground bunker on the grounds of the cottage

<< the place was well fortified, able to withstand some high powered detonation and shield from radiation for YEARS if necessary. stocked with food, nutrition, water, weapons, communication devices, clothing, medical supplies it was something that FEW people knew Sharon had access to. She had it built piece by piece over the years following the death of her husband and son at the hands of mystech and as Nicolas sat down at the large computer console with multiple monitors and other devices, he saw a picture of a younger Sharon with her husband Robert and their infant son Kyle. but he saw something ELSE too...>>

<< a picture of Sharon, looking very glamorous, in a black leather Gucci two piece bathing suit w/ the trademark platinum "G" buckle on the side of bottom and center of the bikini top, sitting on the deck of a yacht, with a handsome, distinguished man sitting behind her with his arms wrapped around her waist. in this outfit, as with the one she was CURRENTLY wearing as the Silver Swan, Nicolas saw just how feminine and beautifull the former senator was and the MAN in this picture was HIS OWN adoptive father, Gustav!! Sharon looked happy and content in his arms as he rested his head on her shoulder from behind. and the background indicated that they must have been in Greece on a summer holiday together. on the back of the frame, there was no indication when this was taken but it was clearly before Malice had killed Gustav and Master Mold had killed Sharon....yet ANOTHER indication of how close Sharon and Gustav most have been. He was HER "Aristotle Onsasis" after she was widowed from her husband robert and memories of her came to Nicolas' mind. he remembered seeing her several times when he was a younger boy and he could hear her voice.>>

Sharon: Nicolas? hello there!! I'm Sharon, a friend of your father's!!....that's a strong hand shake you have there!!

<< She never presented herself as "Senator Kelly" to him, she always spoke with a soft, warm tone, and told him how handsome he was. a stark contrast from the racist thoughts and words he encountered from OTHER people of HER ethnic persuasion during his travels. His father told him of her bravery, how she FOUGHT for "gifted people" [mutants] like him. Sharon had often gifted Nicolas on his birthdays, attended many events where he showed his talents , sitting with Gustav to cheer him on. though he didnt know it THEN...Sharon and Gustav were considering marraige...though they were at different LEVELS of considerations for various reasons...but the idea of what "might have been"...it couldnt be shaken from Nicolas' mind so easily. and now to see her rampaging across New York as the Silver Swan...it drove home to Nicolas why Morgan was so BENT on KILLING RICK outright. Sharon, Alycia, Haleigh...even ZACH had been burned by this man, NOT TO MENTION what he represented...MYSTECH.>>

<< Morgan and Delilah tended to Alycia...and for the moment, there was a chance for them ALL to breathe even as bio hazards lumbered around the grounds of the cottage. where ever rick was...they would find him.>>

back at Illustra

<< Haleigh was "coming back" in a big way, but was it too little, too late? Of them all present, she was at her LOWEST standing EVER with Dr.Victoria and with Silver Swan now firmly in Illustra, as well as the demonic red eyed crows, the situation was precarious as ever.>>

<< Persephone arrives to the war room floor, injured and just having escaped being eviscerated by the Silver Swan. but she gained MUCH personal insight into the power of Sharon as she was now. this would HELP them. Tinkerbell also arrived, carrying the small kitten that Haleigh had gifted Morgan with. for Tinker to come here like this...meant that even the saftey of Morgan's penthouse was compromised. she would also provide information in her own way as an enchanted familiar.>>

<< Karen and Mike were en route, while Mike's "crew" regrouped, and retreated from the birds, taking refuge in various offices on different floors.>>

<< little did they know that the worse was yet to come.>>

<< and so we watch>>

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen's eyes flickered with a bit of irritation as Mike spoke the way he did. her expressive, perfectly shaped eyebrows betrayed a look of offense and showed the difference in generations between them as she balked at his "compliment" of her, as well as his casual dismissal of her concern. Perhaps she OVERestimated him.>>

<< still, as the healing took effect, Mike seemed to realize that he had lost himself in his dizzyness from the blood loss and spoken out of character...was it REALLY "out of character"? the incredulous feeling Karen had wouldnt go away, she was older than him, and had dealt with Christopher for over 20 years, she'd heard it all before.>>

<< standing up as Mike seemed to be fully recovered, Karen placed her hands on her hips.>>

Well.

<< she said in an icy tone similar to Morgan's>>

im certainly glad you're back in full posession of your mental capacity.

<< turnning her back as he cape flowed with her movement.>>

I will take the elevator to the war room floor.

<< even as the demonic crows reached the height of Illustra's roof, Karen disappeared through the doorway and down the stairs. finally reaching an elevator which jetted her down to the 99th floor, she arrived. moving down the hallway, the look on her face said it all...she was IRRITATED.>>

<< arriving to the security room, she found Haleigh, Cameron, a recently arrived, and injured Ava and Tinkerbell and the kitten as well??>>

Well, I see you're fully functional again.

<< Karen said with coldness.>>

Perhaps now we can attend to this mess that revolves around you before Sharon paints these walls red with our own blood.

<< she wasnt yet aware that Ava was injured, but she was LESS than confident in Haleigh, and the fact that Haleigh thought she was about to take charge would NOT go unchecked by Karen.>>

[MorningStar]

[ Once again MorningStar found herself at Sharon’s cottage. Her nose prickled for a moment, and she was about to make a fart joke to Nicolas, when she saw them. THEM!? They looked like zombies…but surely that was ONE thing in this world that didn’t exist. Whatever they were, they were after Alycia.

Nicolas acted quickly, Morgan right behind him. MorningStar threw her arms out, fingers splayed, and put on a light display to make the Fourth of July proud. Hopefully the zombies would be frightened, or at least disoriented, enough to be distracted while the others made short work of them.

Nicolas thankfully had Alycia. Following Morgan’s direction, Delilah created a forcefield which protected their backs while shooting photon blasts at any zombies that remained in range. They made way for the bunker. Delilah remembered that the last time they had been there, Sharon and Alycia had been injured and the Super Soldier was after them. But would there be time to get medical attention there for Alycia this time? Nicolas entreated them to return to Illustra. But was that wise with an already injured Alycia, to take her out of the frying pan and into the fire? As well as leaving Rick Riley alive to continue his psychopathic tendencies.

Thankfully Morgan voiced the same concerns aloud, and they were once again moving down the corridor into the bunker. Delilah raised her own level of luminosity to light the others’ way. Reaching the underground room, Delilah went for the med kit, as she had the last time. She applied pressure to the larger gashes on Alycia’s body while swabbing and bandaging the smaller cuts. She was banged up, but not as bad as it could have been. Delilah gave her a shot to help stabilize her, for whatever was to come next. As she did, so, she called to Nicolas. ]

“See anything on the monitors?”

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Alycia, who was barely conscious, was not registering much. Nicolas came to her aid, and now Morgan was carrying her. suddenly there was quiet, CLEAN air. they were underground...Sharon's bunker. and inspite of this nightmare, she STILL had no idea that Sharon HERSELF was alive...and attacking Illustra as they spoke.::

:: Delilah used her medical training to address some of her more serious surface wounds and gave her a shot of medicine to stabilize her breathing and vitals. Alycia gasped as she opened her eyes, finally feeling something OTHER than the overwhelming pain and disorientation.::

:: looking up, she saw Morgan , who was holding her hand, and Delilah who had helped her. they came for her after all! Cameron HAD gotten her signal on the astral plane.::

...Delilah...Morgan.... thank god you're here......

:: coughing a bit, Alycia didnt attempt to sit up yet.::

we...we're in Sharon's bunker...i see...did you find rick yet? I ..havent seen him since i escaped h is captivity...but he's sent EVERYTHING from black guards to zombies after me...including a steroid freak of a man that looked like something out of a horror body building competition.

:: Delilah was asking Nicolas if he'd gotten anything yet, and Alycia turned her head to see him sitting at the computer console. so HE was here too. she hadnt seen him since the meeting with Karen...and while she wasnt terribly fond of him, HE was t he first one to reach her side tonight when she needed it most. she was appreciative. maybe...when there was a less stressfull time, she'd be able to properly acknowledge and thank him for it. for now though, she too wanted to know where Rick was. She STILL didnt know about Sharon.::

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah shushed Alycia. ]

“Don’t try and talk, just rest.”

[ She touched Alycia comfortingly on the arm. ]

“We’ve not found that bastard yet, but don’t worry, we will.”

[Silver Swan]

[ Silver Swan's large metallic wing swung in an arc pattern toward Persephone like a massive glave, and as it was about to cut the goddess in half, Persephone DISAPPEARED in a swirling tornado.]

WHAT!?

[ Silver Swan bellowed with disbelief as her prey escaped. she cursed as stood, her wing pulled back into position and both wings retracted into her back now disappearing from view as she stood in Alison's apartment. the elemental chaos began to subside, but the noise of crows was still in the air as Sharon looked around for a moment, wondering just WHERE she was.]

[ a few pictures...a few items indicated that this place belonged to someone she KNEW from before. the ONE person whom she had NOT seen at all since her encounters with the Six so far....]

...Alison...?

memories of Alison coordinating the rescue effort from the Super Soldier at her cottage in conneticutt came back..from what SHE could remember. Alison always seemed...genuine, efficient, helpfull......Sharon had no issue with her, and there as no "false memories" of her either.

[ in this moment, the silver swan seems to falter...wondering why she's here...why is this so IMPORTANT. but then she hears Haleigh's voice again...taunting her, MOCKING her....and her eyes narrow with contempt as she renews her resolve to tear that woman limb from limb.]

[ storming out of Alison's apartment, she busts into the hallway...looking around furiously, but seeing or hearing nothing...she prys open the elevator doors with but a fraction of her strength, and drops down the shaft, she has no need of the actuall elevator itself. making her way to Haleigh's floor...she prys open the doors and is now on the 104th floor. through the eyes of the demonic crows, she has gained multiple vantage points throughout illustra, she sees what they see...knows what they know. ANOTHER advantage she has to keep her a step ahead in this deadly game of cat and mouse.]

[ she BURSTS into Haleigh's apartment...looking around with fury]

I'll FIND YOU! and ILL TEAR YOU TO PIECES!! ILL SHOW YOU WHO'S GOING TO BE PUNISHED!!

[ she yells with derranged fury as she begins to TEAR Haleigh's apartment APART...ripping the furniture, smashing things, busting holes through walls, tearing things down...its a FURIOUS rampage that she goes on....and all the while, she's unaware that there are two dogs in the apartment. UNLIKE Tinkerbell, these dogs are not enchanted, they cant use special gifts to discern or find escape. IF these dogs try to protect their territory from the Silver Swan...they will meet a deadly force by her hand as well as the demonic crows that are under her thrall.]

YOUR HOUSE? THIS IS WHAT I THINK OF YOUR HOUSE!

[ Hurling furninture, smashing through windows , and more , she rips more things apart, demolishing the kitchen, the living room...and tearing through Haleigh's personal items, including momentos of Blaze aka Foxfire, PATRICK and Zach. Feathers from destroyed cushions and pillows were flying through the air, glass was shattering, TV's and monitors were being busted, it was truly a berserker rage. screaming at times as she releases some of the rage and hatred she feels toward Haleigh. ]

[ much like in Nicolas' "dream" where she DEMOLISHED his memorial of her and his father, Sharon is taking MUCH cathartic pleasure in destroying Haleigh's home. She didnt know OR CARE if she could be seen doing this. ]

[Jill Monroe]

<< as Alycia came around more centered, Morgan stroked her forehead as the woman coughed a bit, and began to talk. Morgan nodded in agreement with Delilah as she shushed Alycia.>>

Delilah's right. You just rest now. Don't worry...we're going to find him..and we're going to KILL HIM and you can take the credit.

<< this was so that Alycia's superiors on Capitol Hill [ though there were only two, one being the president himself] would know the value of her and her capability.>>

But before we kill him, we're going to make him tell us how to.......

<< she stopped her self FAST. she was going to say "how to fix Sharon" but then that would FORCE her to reveal another horrid fact to Alycia and Morgan didnt think she was ready. in a situation similar to that in the Limo, Morgan looked at Delilah, silently asking if NOW was the time to tell Alycia about Sharon or not?? she didnt want to ADD to Alycia's pain and anguish, especially now...but perhaps being in the know was BETTER than being unaware of danger?>>

you pick the BEST TIMES to screw up, MORGAN.

<< chastising herself mentally.>>

how to FIX what he's done to Haleigh!

<< not that Alycia would really CARE about Haleigh, but still...Morgan felt THAT was better to say then "how to fix Sharon.">>

Nicolas is checking the surveilance now to see what happened to you and possibly locate Rick.

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh is fiddling around with computer codes as Ava turns up, looking flummoxed.

That woman is one powerful lab experiement.

"Yeah.... well so AM I... but at least I still have all my mental faculties. She's just a mindless drone programmed with anger, from what I can tell. Christ, Ava... look at your arm... she DID that to you? [scowling] Morgan still wants to save her... as if.... ugh.... its CLEAR that's not 'Sharon' anymore... just a SAVAGE.... a tool unleashed to trifle me... or bring me back.... Mystech is behind this.... I KNOW it. Can't we ever be RID of them? that Corporation is like a fireant colony.... you drown out the anthill, but then the colony scatters and build ten little anthills all over your lawn. Ridiculous."

Well, I see you're fully functional again.


Looking up to see the approaching doctor, Haleigh seems to either MISS the cold stare completely or just plain not give a damn about being on the receiving end of it. "Indeed.... and nary a system inoperable, thanks to you. It seems some of your particular brand of medical attention is needed over here.... Sharon got her hands on Ava's arm and.... well.... it's not pleasant looking."

She suggested, as she moved out of the doctor's way and back to overriding the system firewalls methodically. She finally breaks through and several things can be heard powering up and turning on at once. Morgan had taken precautions to prevent Haleigh from taking hold of illustra during one of her episodes.... but she had to have known it would only stall the cyberpath.

"Damn.... I know you all were only playing it safe by locking me out of Illustra Security.... but.... seriously, How Inconvenient!"

She deprecates, as she searches the grid for Sharon, whom she finds to be tearing the 104th floor apart-- Haleigh's own apartment. Well.... thats not very nice. How about I hook you up with a not-very-nice welcoming committee? She thinks. A few floors above, Sharon destroys the scenery in a fit of rage. Echo and Delta, the older dogs, stalk in the shadows, growling, their hair standing on end. The Great Dane puppy, though hardly puppy sized OR puppy sounding, is immediately alarmed, and not so stealthy. This is her first home invasion experience, and she is instantly inclined to protect her territory, and so she begins to snarl and bark threateningly. She is not immediately seen, and her barking echoes throughout the open loft in such a way that it is hard to tell EXACTLY where she is... but off in the shadows to Sharon's left, something MOVES.... something large and hulking with RED EYES. Is it the dog? Not likely.... from the fleeting glimpse she got, Sharon could determine that it was humanoid in form... and that aspect coupled with the red eyes is BOUND to bring to Sharon's mind the LAST encounter she had with a red eyed MASTER MOLD.

Out of nowhere, a bomb EXPLODES beneath Sharon's feet, leaving a sizable crater in the black marble floor and sending her up into the air. Metallic panels shift and rotate to reveal MACHINE guns that instantly train on the intruder and open fire, creating 360 degree barrage of deadly force: volleys of ARMOR PIERCING rounds are unleashed, assaulting Silver Swan with hollow point bullets that are designed to puncture military TANKS and leave alarmingly LARGE holes in things of any substance. Whether or NOT Sharon liked the decor, she WAS in Haleigh's house now, and the Black Widow did NOT take kindly to uninvited guests.

Down on the security floor below, Haleigh nods as Karen suggests they deal with the 'mess'. She still doesn't seem to be offended by the overly judgmental tone in Karen's voice.

"Yes.... come to think of it..... just where IS that sleazy cheating wannabe-husband of mine? I'll just castrate him NOW and it'll be one MORE problem solved."

She said, almost NONCHALANTLY. Haleigh was in full swing emotional SHUTDOWN mode now, and that fact would not be lost on Karen. Between the way Haleigh IGNORED the issues between herself and Ava, and the take-no-nonsense approach to regrouping her allies and taking a strong hold of the situation, not to mention the way Haleigh seemed to DISREGARD Karen's treatment [the very sort of thing that normally unhitched the hybrid], there was no question that Haleigh'd compartmentalized all her emotions and was now dealing with the danger at hand, using as cold a heart and as calculating a mind as she could have.... Of course, most present would see right THROUGH this facade, as it was something Haleigh was wont to do in times of peril.... but would they allow her to continue in such a robotic fashion, and unite against Silver Swan? Or was is truly the natural order of things to draw Haleigh once again OUT of her comfort zone and force her to FACE her own inner turmoil.... so that she could really DEAL with her problems and perhaps even OVERCOME them? But was now the BEST time? It was a decision Karen would have to weigh and make in the midst of a turbulent attack..... as Haleigh seemed perfectly content to stoop down and gently take the kitten into her hands, after finally noticing Tinkerbell. She gave Tink a soft scratch under the chin. The cat seemed to have FINALLY accepted Haleigh, as there were no signs of tension between them. Tink no doubt knew that Haleigh was not a cat person.... but Haleigh seemed almost.... affectionate.... an oddly out of place interaction between human and animal right at THIS moment.... yet another sign of Haleigh's curiously EFFECTIVE ability to shut out that troublesome emotional stuff. After a nice rest courtesy of Dr. Victoria, Haleigh seemed as 'fully functional' as ever.... but could it last.... SHOULD it?

"Aww.... what ever is the matter Tinkerbell? Did that mean vulture lady let her underlings into your Mommy's apartment??"

[Shadow Weaver]

<< glaring at Haleigh with disapproval, Karen watches as she activates a rather deadly defense macro against Sharon. She takes Tinkerbell into HER arms protectively, not wanting Haleigh to touch her.>>

just WHAT do you think you're doing? Morgan does NOT want you interfacing with Illustra's systems, you've prooven UNABLE to control yourself time and again and you're not fooling ME with this manic RUSH of determination. You're only doing this to DEFLECT and DISPLACE the real issue!

<< she eyed the kitten in haleigh's hands as well.>>

You can't just take over and try to obliterate Sharon..it's not YOUR CALL!

<< as Haleigh informed Karen of Ava's injury, the doctor relents for a moment, setting Tinkerbell down gently on the table nearby, Karen turns to Ava who is visible shaken and hurt. SHE'S just survived another close encounter with the Silver Swan.>>

put your hand down, Ava...this will only hurt for a moment longer.

<< Karen extends her hands forward toward the badly broken arm, and weaves a pattern of power as golden streams swirling and encircle the length of her arm before merging together to form a sparkling golden field of light. Persephone's muscle spasms from the fracture are dulled and begin to fade as the bone slowly, properly resets itself and heals and the damage to her arm is repaired.>>

there! all better now.

<< she said with a reassuring tone and a slight smile on her face as she nodded to Ava to touch her own arm.>>

<< hearing the sounds of attack against Silver Swan, Karen returned her attention to Haleigh, as the woman commented so casually about Zach.>>

YOU may be the one losing body parts if Sharon dies. She's to be CAPTURED and SEDATED, not KILLED. This wouldnt even be HAPPENING if it werent for YOU and all the CHAOS you've caused.

I believe Morgan would prefer you NOT to be handling her animals , given your track record of late. we wouldnt want you having another one of your episodes, which you seem to think you're ENTITLED TO, and harm yet ANOTHER innocent creature.

<< taking the kitten away from Haleigh, Karen DARED her to say something as she placed the kitten next to Tinkerbell.>>

Delilah is the security chief of Illustra and Mike is acting in her stead. YOU have no authority at this moment. you BARELY have standing with this team and yet one of YOUR messes is here...tearing as much apart as she can and all you can do is stand here and make caustic comments?

you're a JOKE and if no one ever tellls you that again...you make SURE to remember it from ME. you're not brave, you're not proactive, you're a COWARD. hiding behind your facade as you ALWAYS do, thinking you're impressing someone when all you're doing is covering up the MOUND OF CRAP that is your past that is now HAUNTING US in the form of SHARON! But its not SHARON'S FAULT..it's YOURS! She's an unwitting PAWN while YOU..you've MADE the choices that have lead up to this MOMENT and even NOW, you stand here, acting as though you have ALL THE ANSWERS when you arent even BRAVE ENOUGH OR SMART ENOUGH to know when to accept HELP from people who are QUALIFIED to best assist you. Even now, Morgan, Delilah and Nicolas are risking their lives out in the open to rescue Alycia from the clutches of YOUR enemy, the man responsible for Sharon's cruel transformation and ALL OF THIS is because of YOU!



If Sharon dies tonight, I'm almost certain you will MORE than fullfill Alison's prophecy, so you go right ahead and race head long into your path of destruction. it's what you do BEST.

But you're NOT going to endanger ME or anyone ELSE because of it and if I feel the need to, i will SCRAMBLE your powers AGAIN.

<< karen's words were slicing and her elegant tone was SHARP. she was NOT in a mood for Haleigh's grand standing,especially KNOWING what lay beneath it.>>

[Oracle]

<< Karen had good reason not to trust this sudden BURST and almost OVER REACTION on Haleigh's part. it WAS manic and clearly an attempt to distract from the issue that remained all along, the issue that Haleigh refused to address or receive help on. Ava had maintained that Haleigh was as much a victim as Alycia or Sharon but the difference between them all was that Alycia WAS a victim, a victim who, if given the chance would take the opportunity to face her problem and get control. SHARON was an unwitting pawn. She was supposed to be DEAD...she died in a way that no one should have had to...but she died doing what she thought was right, standing up on behalf of mutants and metahumans and now...her memory, her rest was stolen from her, perverted as she was turned into the insane Silver Swan and Haleigh? well, the irony is that while she claimed ALYCIA "hid behind the victim card" HALEIGH HERSELF did it the best of anyone. It was shown in greece, and it was DEFINATELY being shown time and again in this caper as well.>>

<< Karen was showing a harder edge with Haleigh and was not about to back down, and truthfully, it was for a GOOD reason.>>

<< as Ava and Mike watched the standoff between these two take place, Sharon was forced to deal with the surprise onslaught in haleigh's now trashed apartment...but THAT onslaught was almost going to pale in comparison to the stand off between Karen and Haleigh.>>

<< meanwhile, despite what Haleigh thought she could do, even with her cyberpathy, the demonic crows were about to make short work of ALL that...by doing the simplest thing...CUTTING THE POWER and CONNECTIONS in vital areas of Illustra as the lights and power began to fluxuate...force fields were being taken down and the doors that once sealed the war room and security floor were now DISENGAGING and opening.>>

back in the forest, underground bunker

<< as Delilah and Morgan keep Alycia calm and resting, Nicolas goes about the task of manipulating the computer systems to try to find Rick Riley on the grounds of the cottage. despite seeing Sharon's personal pics and getting a surprising glimpse into this woman's past (a picture is worth 1000 words) and even being reminded of his father's affections for the woman who now called herself "Silver Swan", he couldnt be too distracted from the task at hand. Haleigh's life...as well as ALL their lives depended on getting to the REAL root of the problem and it wasnt Sharon.>>

<< the scanning system was quite comprehensive, and on one monitor he was able to get a clear visual playback from varying views of Alycia's frantic and bold escape from captivity, he saw her FIGHTING the black guards and then engaging in a brutal battle with the "steroid freak" as she called the man-beast that assaulted her. finally she incinerated him with her repulsor blaster. so NOW they knew how Alycia came to be outside and where her wounds came from. For Nicolas, it was proof that the woman was FAR from being weak...something she always felt HE didnt realize.>>

<< on several other monitors he saw various groups of black guards, drones and floating mines postioned around the cottage, in the trees around the area and more. zombies were lumbering everywhere but still there was no sign of Rick, from obvioius visual, infrared sensor or bio scans...BIO SCANS....that was something to pay attention to.>>

<< Rick Riley had LEFT the grounds of the cottage, using a molecular transporter SIMILAR to the powers of the mutant Pipeline that was once under his command. Nicolas would need to determine the time of departure and could perhaps trace the coordinates to figure out where Rick would end up.>>

<< his answer wouldnt be to his liking either.>>

[Silver Swan]

[ as Sharon rampaged through Haleigh's apartment, she heard some seriously threatening growling..and then vicious barking. she stopped, and snapped her silver glare in the direction of the bark. Sharon's hearing was PERFECT and with the birds in the room, what they saw, SHE saw.]

SILENCE!!

[ she commanded as she yelled out toward the dogs...totally unafraid of them and reading to BARBEQUE them if necessary.]

You can't protect your filthy bitch of a mistress from me. NO ONE CAN!

[ not as if the dogs would REALLY understand...its just that Sharon loathed ANYTHING associated with Haleigh.]


[ stomping down on a framed picture of Zach and Haleigh, Silver Swan CRUSHES it under her silver, high heeled boot, but as the glass smashes under her heel, something catches her attention...a fleeting flicker of redness from the shadows across a room....she turns...as the flickering lights make for poor viewing by most , but as she narrows her silver eyes, she sees something in the distance. is it HALEIGH?]

[ she's prepared to fire upon it...but then, the glowing red eyes open in full view!!]


.......

[ she's taken aback...someone in the room with her? someone the BIRDS hadnt detected?? the eyes...the BEADY red eyes...the looked like....like MASTER MOLD!]

....master mold.....sentinel.....

[ she's slightly confused....when suddenly an explosion shocks and startles her, blasting her off her feet as the badly damaged apartment seems to come to vengefull life and unleash a volley of high powered artilery shells...the explosions and high concussive impact are deadly but Sharon's reflexes are lightning fast, FAR faster than Haleigh's and even in close quaters, the woman begans tin fly and dodge most patterns of fire and hits, deflecting some with her wings. She was about to unleash her OWN wave of spinning stars to disable the guns and cannons but a blast detonates and sends her BLASTING through the wall of the kitchen and out of the hall way of the 104th floor. the smoke, rubble and shockwave ROCK that portion of the building and Silver Swan, though she managed to evade MOST of the attacks was encompassed by this one. she lay motionless, face down...Haleigh was not aware of her healing factor...but the crows in Illustra were NOT PLEASED with this...and while they were already cutting the power supply down more and more...they were about to RETALIATE on behalf of their mistress in a way like never before.]

[ like Persephone before her, Haleigh may have done TOO much. For the blast that had just destroyed Haleigh's kitchen could have ALSO affected Haleigh's animals as well. with the power in Illustra fluxuating and draining, the fire alarms and fire containment systems failed to activate. If Sharon was dead...Haleigh would have MORGAN to deal with as well. ]

[Oracle]

<< as Karen blasts Haleigh and assasinates her integrity and character, its clear that the doctor does NOT trust her in ANYWAY and will take matters in HER HANDS if she needs to. In her mind, Haleigh HAD her chance and she BLEW it. People's lives are at stake and with the Silver Swan now INSIDE Illustra, people were going to DIE.>>

<< at the moment that the Silver Swan was seemingly subdued and blown into the hallway of the 104th floor...the power in Illustra COMPLETELY failed and the building blacked out.>>

<< there was NO LIGHT, no sound of energy, and Haleigh could NOT restore it...too many lines, too many connections were now severed and the large, demonic, red eyed crows had infiltrated Illustra on so many floors and levels.>>


<< could it get worse? of COURSE it would>>

<< the power WITHIN Illustra may have been cut out, but that didnt apply to any OUTSIDE forces and as Rampage searched for Rick Riley, he FINALLY was able to determine that Rick had left the Cabin and was headed for ILLUSTRA. He was now INSIDE as well...but his exact where abouts were unable to be determined, he was scrambling his own bio signature.>>

<< with Sharon, Rick and the birds all in the building...things were about to go from bad to worse.>>

[Rampage]

Mike was still thinking about what he had said to Karen as they emerged at the Security Floor. Karen was quiet and irritable, and he could sense that he had at least a small part of that. He would have to make amends later however, as they needed to get together, plan their next move.

Too late. Karen stormed in and rightfully let Haleigh have it as the mutant unleashed on Sharon in the apartment, raising the violence level NEEDLESSLY and disregarding the orders they were all given in regards to trying to save -Sharon. Mike decided to let this run a bit, see what he was dealing with as far as Haleigh was concerned. His face hardened as Sharon's pets responded in a way he could have predicted when this started. Now, they were blind figuratively (no sensors) and LITERALLY, as they stood in the dark.

Mike ignited three high intensity glow sticks, items that were much brighter than the things you give kids at Halloween. He threw two of the at different ends of the room to light it and held the last one to his face. Everyone would see that he was VERY displeased, and he faced Haleigh as he spoke, his voice BOOMING.

You said to me on my comlink that you were trying to get us back together to PLAN. Not so you could pull some cockamamie cowboy bullshit that only managed to imperil all of us. My job is to keep ALL of us safe. EVERYONE!!! Not just who YOU deem worth saving!!! We are in the dark with one Omega-level combatant that has the recon advantage thanks to her birds.

<<notices some shocked eyes>>>

Yes, HER birds. With your training Haleigh, if you had WATCHED her 5 seconds you would see that she SEES through them, just as they respond to her mood and act in concert to defend her. Thanks to your stunt, we will be lucky if the people in this room ALONE survive. Meanwhile, I have 7 men DEAD, 4 widows to notify, 6 scholarship funds to set up for half-orphans, counseling to approve for everyone not in this group including myself and you are spouting off like Dirty FUCKIN' Harry!! From now on you will follow orders and stay in line, or I will ask Dr. Victoria to return you to your prone former state, AM I UNDERSTOOD!!!! And...

Mike voice lowers to a whispered growl, still easily heard by everyone in the room.

If you think I am bullshitting...please try me. I am here to help you, but I am NOT your GODDAMN FRIEND. Get your shit together or take a nap.

*****************************************

Meanwhile, Nicolas was working the computer system in order to try to locate Riley. The layout was amazing, easily surpassing what they had at Illustra, much to his chagrin. He first took a look at the cameras archived video. Riley was there for a time, but then he was gone. No traces. He kept looking and found the video of Alycia escaping her bonds, navigating the house, then kicking the living HELL of out of EVERYTHING in her path until she met the beast. he looked like he should have been on WWE Monday Nitro, but no matter. After taking a few lumps, she obliterated him with her weapon before finally succumbing as they arrived. He turned and looked at Alycia, speaking playfully but with respect at what he had seen.

You GO girl. If I knew you were going to kick ass so complately, I could have stayed at home. I am willing to pay for lessons on a couple of those moves. Just wait till we get out of this.

He turned back and got back into his work. As he turned back to the monitor, something caught his eye. Pictures. Of Sharon and HIS FATHER. It brought back faded childhood memories. She had ALWAYS been there. ALWAYS. birthdays, recitals, even during some of his tests that his father commissioned for him. Now that the memories were coming back to him, he never realized how happy Father was with her, never realized that the love he sense from his father was any different than any he sensed from his father for EVERYONE. But it was different. It was much the same way that he felt about Morgan NOW. The thought of fate keeping them apart tore at him and he gritted his teeth in ANGUISH at how far this whole thing reached. It had managed to scar EVERYONE, and he vowed to make sure that it was put to rest. He redoubled his efforts, trying bio signatures that were encoded in the sensors, then radar, sonar, infrared and UV signature measurements and he found almost nothing. ALMOST. But the UV signature indicated that there had been a dispersion pattern similar to what he recognized as associated with an atom dispersal. So, either Riley committed suicied with a energy cannon, or he TELEPORTED. Nicolas decided on the latter and continued to work, nearly oblivious to the others as they talked. He saw the exact signature associated with Riley's move, and expanded the network (which was FRIGHTENINGLY expansive) to trace it in the New York state area. What he found made him grit his teeth, and he turned to Morgan quickly.

Delilah, could you stay with Alycia? Morgan, let's mop these guys outside up ASAP. Riley is at ILLUSTRA. We have to MOVE.

With that, Nicolas took out his axe and walked to the door...

Nicolas stood up to go outside, his face newly intense.

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh eyes Karen as she pulls tinkerbell protectively away and then goes on to rather POINTEDLY question Haleigh's intentions and says that it is NOT Haleigh's call to use such measures against Sharon.... Haleigh CLEARLY gives her a 'oh? watch me!' look.

"And just WHEN is it my call, doctor? That woman is DECIMATING my HOME.... she is on a DO OR DIE mission to HUNT me down and KILL ME in the most unpleasant way she can. I'm only DEFENDING myself. Maybe you DIDNT get a good look at her PREVIOUS handiwork... tell me, am I allowed to 'take over and obliterate' her before or AFTER she does THIS [projecting a hologram of a mutilated, disemboweled body, which is strewn across a church pew] to me? How about THIS: [pointing at the hologram, which shifts to the silver-star riddled corpse of the Chaplain] .... hmmm? Do you think after she's done turning me into swiss CHEESE, I would be authorized to DEFEND myself? Well golly.... SURELY it would be appropriate for me to take SOME kind of action BEFORE then..... maybe as I'm BLEEDING TO DEATH?!"

The power begins to flicker.... Haleigh turns instantly to the computer panels to check something, as Karen adamantly demands Sharon to be handled with care.

"OKAY, woman..... FINE. I'll turn down the lethality, alright?? What--- WHO has been messing with the security measures?? Someone has deactivated nearly EVERYTHING.... including-- [the power cuts out and they are doused in darkness. Mechanically controlled protection can be heard shutting down] the internally self sufficient generators. Great... just GREAT. now, not only do I have to listen to YOUR constantly depressing verbal attacks, but we're all EXPOSED to just about ANYTHING."

Haleigh manifests and turns on a flashlight, shining it directly AT Karen.

"Well, I'm locked out of the computers now. Happy?"

She asks sardonically, as she calls for Ava, Mike, and Cameron to give them a heads up as she tosses them each a flashlight. Haleigh's eyes are glowing RED in the dark... she can see with nightvision just FINE, but the sight of her robotic looking [and eerily sentinel reminiscent] eyes while the rest of her is shrouded in DARKNESS is no doubt UNSETTLING for those that will remember the sentinels... and for Ava, who will recall that PATRICK had that same effect after his full transformation.

Karen pulls the kitten out of Haleigh's hands, leaving the hybrid confused but otherwise unbothered, even as Karen seems to imply that Haleigh is in danger of throwing the kitten out the window or some other nonsense. Nevertheless, Haleigh passes the doctor a flashlight. Karen updates Haleigh on just WHO is now in charge of security. Haleigh's voice sounds slightly vexed at the idea.

"MIKE WHAT? [glancing at Mike, whom Haleigh hadn't even properly MET before] No offense man, but just who the hell ARE you?? I mean, I'm alright with you tagging along or whatever if the others are comfortable with it, but a LINE has to be drawn.... and somewhere BEFORE the safety of everyone residing in this building passes into a complete stranger's hands is really ideal... I mean DAMN, Doctor, WHAT were you thinking?? Delilah, I can understand.... but-- and again, no offense Mike-- are we SERIOUSLY going to hand the keys to the kingdom to.... who, Nicolas' CHAUFFER?"

She asked, alarmed. It was a bit of a sting to find out that she'd been REPLACED... but with her condition, she could hardly contest a sensible choice like Delilah to fill in.... but this guy? What did they even KNOW about him? Karen was all huffing and puffing and acting like HALEIGH couldn't be trusted.... but then she'd trust someone she practically JUST MET with EVERYONE'S lives? That made Haleigh very uncomfortable.... it seemed a little TOO cavalier. But that seemed to be an issue quickly overlooked, as Karen had OTHER things on her mind-- something she made very clear as she began to BOMBARD Haleigh and mercilessly castigate the hybrid. Under the cover of the power outage, Haleigh's expression of bewilderment was not seen.... but as Karen suggested that Morgan, Nicolas, and Delilah were in mortal peril trying to do Haleigh a favor, 'out in the open', Haleigh started defending herself:

"Out in the OPEN?? PFFT... they're probably SAFER, arent they?? After ALL.... the most DANGEROUS place to be is apparently RIGHT BESIDE ME, isn't THAT right, doc? And just WHAT DO YOU MEAN, MY enemy? Who are you TALKING about? Let me GUESS..... this is yet ANOTHER little tidbit of insignificant information that you guys decided not to tell me.... this ought to be REALLY good.... I can hardly fathom. Who's after me NOW, GOD??"

She replies satirically. But she goes on, albeit, in a slightly more serious sounding tone. "Oh, alright, FINE, I'll OWN UP. This IS all my fault. Every last BIT of it. SATISFIED? no? How's this: I'm a FAILURE.... and a CURSE to everyone around me.... and I'm SORRY for it, okay?!? I'm SORRY that I can't be as GOOD.... as PURE.... as INCORRUPTABLE as YOU.... or the REST of my teammates. I'm SORRY that I'll never be someone you can be PROUD to be associated with..... and that you'll forever be SO REPULSED by me that [with bitterness and a hint of contempt] you'll never regard me as one of your own. [slight pause of discomfort... then continuing, sounding vexed] ..... there, does that appease you, Your Excellency? Is there anything ELSE I can say to pacify you? Good God ALMIGHTY, Karen..... were you aware that I would PAY YOU your HOURLY RATE just so that you WOULDN'T be my therapist?"

Karen denounces Haleigh and speaks of Alison's prophecy, and then finishes with the denial that Haleigh will endanger any MORE people tonight. Haleigh seems, above all, exasperated at Karen's threats to scramble Haleigh's powers yet AGAIN.

"Oh, I'm sure you will, Doctor..... but if you hate me SO MUCH, then WHY are you still here? Why don't you ferret everyone away to safety and leave me and SHARON to deal with our problems? There's two outcomes: I'll die, and you'll no longer be inconvenienced with my presence, or SHE'LL die, and then either Morgan OR Alycia will kill me.... and then.... well, imagine that... THEN you'd no longer be inconvenienced with my presence. Either way you win."

She huffed.... but she would NOT be left alone in piece for long, as Mike thought HE'D found a soapbox to get up on. Haleigh's brow raised ever so slightly..... he seemed upset, but she just plain didn't GIVE A DAMN. Furthermore, his little hissyfit was HARDLY helping the situation, and the LAST thing any of them needed was an even more COMPLEX problem.... Haleigh had ENOUGH enemies to occupy the entire TEAM, as it was easily seen. Why was Mike trying to be yet ANOTHER antagonist? and just WHEN was Haleigh going to catch a break? Both Ava AND Cameron had already let her down, Morgan had all but forsaken her, and the rest of the team seemed apathetic or WORSE, they stood as Karen did, nearly AGAINST Haleigh altogether. Now would be an IDEAL time for Ava OR Cameron to redeem themselves by at least standing BY Haleigh or perhaps coaxing her a little... because even someone who didnt LIKE being coddled liked to have the benefit of knowing SOMEONE didn't detest her.... that SOMEONE believed she could pull through or even rectify the situation..... there was only SO MUCH someone [especially someone like Haleigh] could stand before she fell back on her self-preservation tactics-- the very behavior that FRUSTRATED Karen and the others.... there was only SO MUCH she would take before she SHUTDOWN again..... and she seemed to be coming DANGEROUSLY CLOSE to that threshold.

"EXCUSE YOU, Sir? Just WHO do you THINK you are?? I don't appreciate you speaking to me like that, and I never assumed you WERE my friend, thank you very MUCH. This may not have occurred to you, but I really DONT CARE who you have to apologize to for getting their husbands/wives/mothers/fathers killed. I'm trying to DISTRACT Sharon while WE get a plan, but instead of doing THAT, I've got to deal with the two of YOU [pointing fervently back and forth to Mike and Karen] Attacking me and treating me like I've been sitting over here TWIRLING MY MOUSTACHE or some shit. Who are YOU to judge me? You don't know ME. Yet instead of HELPING to disengage the little FIGHT that's brewing right in FRONT of you, you take Karen's cue and try to get in a little punch of your own. Did you think that would help you win points with her? Maybe get you in her pants? Get OVER yourself, asshole, or else get the hell OUT.... go back up to the roof and fight the birds off by YOURSELF, see how you fare doing what YOU wanted to do.... or better YET, just DROP DEAD, see if I care. WHATEVER you decide, stop THREATENING ME like you've any kind of CLOUT or GROUNDS for doing so before you PROVOKE me into doing something ELSE despicable."

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

Meanwhile, a few floors above, after Haleigh turns off lethal force, sleeping gas is released on the floor to sedate Sharon. But the power flickers, then shuts off completely, and the gas release valve is stuck open. With no mechanical function to turn it off, an entire tank will permeate the floor.... and runs the risk of putting Sharon to sleep PERMANENTLY.

A cold metallic hand opens the sliding glass door of the terrace and lets the dogs out of the contained area, allowing them free air. The Great Dane puppy [named Morgan in honor of the once fallen, now returned] limps and whimpers slightly but otherwise they are unharmed. The door shuts again, and the large, stalwart figure moves through the open, now destroyed loft rather smoothly, putting out fire with chemical neutralizing spray as it passes. It stands over the rubble that buries Silver Swan in total darkness.

[B]>>Target: Kelly, Sharon. Target down and unresponsive. Use of Lethal Force is... prohibited. Objective: Apprehend and Subdue target in a manner sufficient to prevent further property damage and loss of life.

The figure is revealed in the moonlight to be a smaller [not THAT small: it is ten feet tall] version of the sentinels and master mold... it appears to be some sort of REVAMPED version, made of ADAMANTIUM, an indestructable metal, with given orders that do not include maiming or killing any of the Six.... Haleigh has been quietly working on this little pet project of hers, recreating the robotic soldier for the benefit of the Six. This particular android is a prototype model that Haleigh activated to deal with Sharon. As it runs on its own power, the outage of Illustra doesn't affect it... it will continue to carry out its known objectives until Haleigh tells it not to... luckily, as Karen has requested, it is NOT trying to snuff Sharon out completely... but to capture her.

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: In a painful, but much needed healing, Persephone watched as Karen's magic weaved around her arm, healing it. Flexing her fingers, she gave Karen a small smile, thanking her. But, Karen went straight from healing her arm to verbally attacking Haleigh. Ava stood there, watching Karen scold her sister...surprisingly she didn't interject. Haleigh needed to hear the things Karen was saying. As harshly as it was put, Karen was accurate on all accounts. Haleigh was emotionally spent because of Zach AND herself. She was retreating into her shell and going on auto pilot. Persephone shifted her eyes from Karen to Haleigh anticipating her sister to completely blow up right back when suddenly the lights completely shut down. Looking around in the dark, Ava's eyes had little time to adjust before Mike cracked some glow sticks on, illuminating the room. Seeing the anger in is eyes, Mike began to attack Haleigh as well, claiming that HE was supposed to protect THEM. Narrowing her eyes into a cold glare, it was one thing for Karen to speak to Haleigh like that, but Ava would NOT tolerate it from Mike. ::

:: Grabbing Mike's wrist that held the glow stick, Ava twisted it around to his back and pushed his chest against the near by wall. With considerable strength on her behalf, thanks to her god-like physique, Ava's hold on Mike's arm was like a vice, pulling the arm to the near point of dislocating his shoulder. ::

"BACK OFF! If memory serves me correctly, you have no powers, Mike. So i'm not quite sure where the hell you get off spouting your rubbish about you having to protect us! And as for my sister....[Ava tightened her pull on his arm]...don't you EVER speak to her like that again, do YOU understand ME? I don't give a shit if you work for Nicolas, you have no standing to give ANYONE orders to do ANYTHING to her."

:: Pushing away from Mike, Ava let go of his arm, DARING him to try or say anything to her. She wouldn't hesistate to gut him like a fish, and everyone in that room knew it. Walking to one of the gurneys, she knew Karen wouldn't approve of what she had just done to Mike, but quite frankly, she didn't care. Looking up as the back up systems kicked in, the lights within the med bay flickered back on, giving new light to the crappy situation. Haleigh began to scream at Karen then at Mike. Walking over to her, Ava placed both her hands on Haleigh's shoulders, trying to coax her to calm down. ::

"Haleigh, listen to me. No one wants to see you dead. But going off on a rampage isn't going to help the situation. WE won't allow Sharon to hurt you, but you can't shut down on us. You're attacking because you feel like your being backed into a corner, I get that. I understand. But DON'T let your anger cloud the reality of the situation. Sharon is a victim too. She was turned INTO Silver Swan; not by choice, but by force. We can't just kill her and brush our hands of it. We aren't going to abandon you, but we can't abandon her either!"

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan looks over at Nicolas as he applauds Alycia's skill. She see's the playback and it's true, the woman DID kick ass and defend herself very well.>>

you did good work Alycia. I know you wanted to handle Rick yourself...but NONE of us can deal with him alone. he's got more tricks the David Blane and they ARENT merely Illusions.

<< looking back, Nicolas seems preoccupied a bit looking at some of Sharon's personal pictures. Morgan herself is too far away to see just what the pictures are but perhaps seeing her in happy times when she still had her humanity was doing him some good? She was only becoming MORE aware of her link to his Father but it was prooving that ALL members of the six, past and present had lives that were connected on levels they didnt always know. they were destined to be together. even Persephone, crossing form another timeline and connected to Morgan's counterpart, Darkchilde, found her life had become interwoven deeply with the Six. >>

<< and Haleigh and Morgan, the LAST original members of the team (cameron had only just returned) having been POLARIZED by Silver Swan...it was such a painfull thing to go through. Morgan had a moment to think, realizing that while she wouldnt consciously want Haleigh to be going through this...it all played on her worst fears of betrayal and lose of control, that someone WITHIN would hurt her. and to see Sharon...the woman who morgan constantly blamed herself for over the woman's death...the wound was PAST opened ...it was now FESTERING with trauma and Morgan had clearly suffered throughout this whole affair. they ALL had.>>

<< as Nicolas searched for Rick, what he discovered was dreadfull indeed. Rick was now somewhere AT ILLUSTRA! but they couldnt get away until they'd cleared the area and so Nicolas asked Morgan to join him in that task.>>

Delilah, if something should happen, DONT WAIT for us! Take Alycia and get out of here. ...just in case.

<< there were so many zombies above ground...and there were many booby traps and anti personnell devices just laying in wait in and around the cottage now as well>>

<< Morgan joins Nicolas as they make their way down the corridor and toward the tube leading above ground but she stops.>>

Nicolas....You've been...wonderfull through this whole thing. I dont know how well i've done as a leader and quite honestly i feel as though i've failed the team, and sharon AGAIN...but if we DONT make it....if Sharon gets Haleigh or more of us...or if ....if .....we cant save her...I dont know how i'll recover...but before ANY of that...i just want you to know that i.....I........

<< Morgan was stumbling...her heart raced as she stood face to face with him.>>

oh HELL, HECATE would want it this way anyway.

<< she lunges forward, wrapping her arms around Nicolas and kissing him full on the mouth, closing her eyes, hoping he understands. and after a few moments, she disengages , looking at him for a moment with her icy violet eyes.>>

now...let's get to work.

<< lifting off the ground with a sound of wind and chimes, Morgan flies up the tube....buiding up a globe of eldritch energy as she gestures and weaves a pattern of power. preparing to detonate the dark magick bomb when she bursts through to the surface.>>

[Shadow Weaver]

<< Karen glared at Haleigh, narrowing her eyes as the two women locked horns once again. Haleigh retorted almost as methodically as she would if she was taking control of machines. but STILL she didnt seem to understand, at least it didnt APPEAR that way. one thing though that caught Karen's attention....>>


"Out in the OPEN?? PFFT... they're probably SAFER, arent they?? After ALL.... the most DANGEROUS place to be is apparently RIGHT BESIDE ME, isn't THAT right, doc? And just WHAT DO YOU MEAN, MY enemy? Who are you TALKING about? Let me GUESS..... this is yet ANOTHER little tidbit of insignificant information that you guys decided not to tell me.... this ought to be REALLY good.... I can hardly fathom. Who's after me NOW, GOD??"

<< as Karen set the kitten down next to Tinkerbell, and turned back to speak to Haleigh...the power began to flicker. everyone looked up or around as the energy seemed to drain, but only MIKE discerned that the BIRDS were working along side Silver Swan as her support team of sorts and that THEY were probably behind this.>>

TELL YOU? no one can TELL YOU anything...because if you're NOT busy ALIENATING everyone, you're HAVING ONE OF YOUR EPISODES FOR THE WHOLE CITY to enjoy.....

<< the power faded, and there was a black out. EVERYTHING shut down and the sealed doors disengaged. In her heart, Karen was terrified, but she wouldnt show it. she COULDNT...not only because she wouldnt allow HALEIGH to see her like that but because in HER mind, she believed that everyone expected HER, THE DOCTOR to be collected and PERFECT at all times. It was as if she'd FORGOTTEN how she'd cracked more than once during this caper as well..HARDLY embodying the role of a therapist. but as she had often remarked in times past...THERAPIST are probably the ones who need "mental health treatment" the MOST!>>

<< as Haleigh expressed her agitation over the now building wide power outage, she handed Karen a flashlight. Karen took it and turned, noticing a pair of RED EYES glowing at her...it was...UNNERVING to say the least...for the LAST time she saw eyes like that...she was battling the SUPER SOLDIER at the Citadle!>>

<< a silent, internal gasp could be felt in her chest...as her sapphire blue eyes widened a bit at Haleigh staring at her. but her perfectly shapped eyebrows lowered a bit, indicating she was FAR from intimidated.>>

as i was SAYING...no one can tell you ANYTHING because you've made it IMPOSSIBLE to communicate with you for MOST of this affair! do you think we PLANNED it this way? do you think people WANTED to see the carnage and BLOODSHED that Sharon visited upon the church? WE were at a loss with what to do while YOU were breaking down and refusing OUR HELP! But understand THIS....this whole problem..it goes FAR beyond Sharon. She's only ONE terrifying manifestation and an unwitting pawn at that. She's supposed to be DEAD remember? WHAT is the common theme here? YOUR past, people with some connection to you being harmed or repelled, ALYCIA, and now SHARON? who has the kind of power to bring someone back form the dead outside of magick? MYSTECH and who is the ONE PERSON that remains UNACCOUNTED FOR among the MANY villains of Mystech's gallery? RICK RILEY! it shouldve been OBVIOUS to you at some point, since you enjoy standing alone and acting like you have all the answers....but when WE figured it out, and that was ONLY after several attempts and a dangerous away mission by Morgan and Nicolas, we could not even get the chance to communicate with you as you were practically MELTING DOWN.

<< at that moment, MIKE spoke...his voice LOUD and making Karen flinch a bit due to his close proximity. she could almost FEEL his physical presence...so that would prevent her from stumbling into him at least as he activated some glowsticks. He lit into haleigh and while on some points he was dead on, she KNEW what both haleigh and ava would not tolerate MUCH of what he had to say. he was a human working along side super powered and volitile individuals, just as Nicolas had warned. but like Alycia, he needed to show he was NOT afraid to speak his mind even to THEM. but UNLIKE Alycia, he did not have history with this team yet and so for MANY of them, it was easy to dismiss him as merely one of Nicolas' boy's in the entourage.>>

<< Haleigh railed against him and Karen interjected.>>

I went to the roof to help him. HE and his men were risking their lives trying to help Perspehone because outside of her and myself...there was NO ONE ELSE HERE to repell Sharon. He's only human, YES, but he's doing his best...ALL THINGS CONSIDERED and risking his life in such a way that NO ONE without powers should have to....seem FAMILIAR to you? has someone ELSE we know been in that position that you've so CASUALLY disregarded? . Would be minimizing ALYCIA if she where here? well YOU might, given your irrational hatred of her, even though MOST OF THIS IS YOUR FAULT.


<< as AVA stepped in to agressively defend her sister, Karen saw her and pointed her flashlight in that direction.>>

ALLRIGHT, unhand him at ONCE!

<< after a few more moments of her WARNING him , She pushed him away and walked from the immediate group. Karen followed after her with her eyes.>>

LOOK, you IMPULSIVE CHILDREN!

<< Karen snapped.>>

WE HAVE to get ahold of ourselves...if for no other reason than to ESCAPE before Silver Swan recovers and comes for us!

<< Karen, and none of the others had any idea of the mini sentinel prototype that was now standing over the seemingly unconscious Sharon several floors above. and if she did, it would be yet ONE MORE THING to question Haleigh on and that kind of time, they simply not have.>>


Mike,

<< breathing out a bit...she wasnt terribly happy with him for her own reasons, but they needed him too.>>

you're to stay by me. you have no powers...and if SHARON somehow ambushes us, my magicks will shield you. Haleigh....just WHAT was that THING in your apartment that Sharon saw before you unleashed the volley of attacks? she seemed to be dismayed by it.....

[Oracle]

<< what that "THING" was, was a secret weapon/defense prototype that Haleigh had been working on for sometime. how tragically fatefull that it was to be used against SHARON KELLY of all people, a woman who fell at the hands of a sentinel once before!>>

<< but as Karen, Ava, Haleigh and Mike STRUGGLED in the war room, something was b rewing on the 104th floor.>>

<< the robotic creature had taken control of the envrionment, keeping the dogs out of harms way and now assessing the threat of the silver swan. what it DIDNT HAVE, however, was a full file of informaiton on her or her powers. INCLUDING her healing factor and other internal enhancements grafted into her biology by "the suits".>>

<< the demonic crows, were ALL OVER Illustra now..inside...and many OUTSIDE as well. but they seemed to have gone silent. no sound...no indication of where they were at this moment. it was a precarious situation indeed for those who were now trapped in a building and haleigh was right...they'd probably be MORE safe out in the open at this point.>>

back in the forest on the east coast

<< Spellbinder and Rampage blast up to the surface, Spellbinder leading off the attack by detonating a mystical globe of eldritch force that blasts about 10 zombies back off their feet and into the air. she flies high up into the air to gain the vantage point and begins to blast down, picking off targets one by one...giving Nicolas a path to run for the cottage itself.>>

while at Illustra

<< a NEW presence has arrived, RICK RILEY has now appeared on AVA's floor, above Haleigh's. he's already aware of the situaiton, as HE has his own scanning systems. he appears to have somehow replicated or gained PIPELINES powers, and thats just ONE of many changes the commander exhibits since his last battle with the six...not including his bionic arm.>>

<< like the president surveying disaster, Rick prowls the scene quietly, using night vision goggles, he posesses "back door" access to haleigh's programming as well as Sharon...and that alone gives him confidence he needs to stalk his prey RIGHT in their own habitat.>>

<< moving past some birds...he manages to avoid inciting them to agression as he prowls thorugh the hall like a seasoned hunter. the stairwell is empty...save for a small blinking light. no birds, no nothing....and so , he makes his way down to the new "ground zero"...before he takes his TRUE prize , he needs to CHECK UP on Sharon, who has done MORE than her share of the leg work...and no mini sentinel is going to stop him either.>>

[Rampage]

Mike saw the move coming before it came but he rolled with it, staying put as Haleigh had her say and Ava threatened him with an amateurish move that she wrongfully assumed gave him pause. While he had no powers, his experience wrestling with a being that was stronger than Haleigh and Ava combined had its advantages. Her shoulder grip was insufficient, but now was not the time for him to show her that humans could fight also. So he relaxed and waited for her to make her show. As she backed away, her eyes dared him to respond, but there was no way he was going to back down. Karen admonished him to stay by her as they went forward and he obliged, although he could feel the tension from his earlier comments ever so slightly in her voice. The fact that Haleigh attacked him on that front did not help, and he was determined to make a point not to cower before anyone. He stretched as he looked at Haleigh. He didn't fear anything, including death, and these two were NO exception.

Who am I Haleigh? I was part of Nicolas personal security until I became embroiled in cleaning up your mess. As of now I am acting in the stead of Delilah, who replaced you due to your continued security risk. As for you---

<<looks at Ava>>>

It is not about powers. You didn't care that I didn't have powers when I CARRIED YOU from the photo shoot. I said I was protecting you not because I was stronger than you . I said it because I am now in the position of worrying about a being who wants to kill me because I stood in her way to YOU TWO. With NO POWERS.

<<Looks at them all>>

At some point we should be able to outthink a bewildered, brainwashed former friend whose only programming seems to be to kill two of the people before me in this room. Did YOU learn anything form her at ALL, Ava? Besides the fact that she leans to the side she is going to punch from?

**************************************************

As Nicolas and Morgan walk the tunnel, she turns to him and says the most beautiful thing he has ever heard. It manages to stay his anger for now, and her kiss.. was ecstasy. He smiles and as she gets ready to turn, he pulls her back to him and kisses her again, wrapping his arms around her as he holds her close.

There's more where that came from. Morgan, I want to be with you, if you'll have me.

He then releases her and she rises to detonate her eldrich bomb. As she does so, he uses his TK to add to his speed as he rushes the door, exploding it open to the outside. He immediately gets to work, slicing monsters in half with such force that his axe SINGS in the wind. He teleports quickly over the grounds, staying only long enough to deliver the killing blow...

[Silver Swan]

[ she lay face down, so still, so silent. bits of dust and rubble fell down on her statuesque, armour covered body and her wings were once again sheathed and retracted. ]

[ a MINI SENTINEL was what she saw, a highly provocative prototype that Haleigh had been working on after her time in NERVOUS and with the original team's encounter with the sentinels.]

[ a cruel fate that she should now be faced with this..after her death at the hands of Master Mold, but trust HALEIGH to do something like THIS! Haleigh didnt know who she was up against anymore...and neither did this mini sentinel.]

[ while laying there, Sharon's healing factor had already kicked in. she was FAR from knocked out....and she was playing possum once more, able to reduce any indication of "vital signs' to an almost undetectable level as the red glowing eyed mini sentinel began to establish the best way to capture her.]

ill kill you. ill killl you DEAD

[ her heart and her mind churned with hatred and violence and the birds all through Illustra were POISED to unleash their deadliest wave of attack, and in close quaters, there would be no escape.]

[ the mini sentinel was composed of admantium, armour and metal on par with Sharon's new costume in terms of durability but UNABLE to flow and shift like liquid which SHE could do with her armour. still she lay, she could sense the robot investigating her, it came close....turning her over, now with her face up .]

>>Target: Kelly, Sharon. Target down and unresponsive. Use of Lethal Force is... prohibited. Objective: Apprehend and Subdue target in a manner sufficient to prevent further property damage and loss of life.

[ as the robot attempted to access any file information on the Silver Swan, SHE opened her silver eyes...looking VERY ALERT and responsive.]

[ before anything else could happen, she inhales and opens her mouth wide and unleashes her SONIC SCREAM AT FULL POWER!! the sound...that of a high powered woman's scream, the sound of a roaring jet engine, a tornado, a high speed train, an ear splitting factory whistle...all of these terrible, painfull things combined into one FURIOUS sonic assault and while the adamantium itself was unbreakable, the BODY could still be moved...and this sonic scream at full power DESTROYED everything in the immediate area...BLASTING a hole out of that side Illustra into the open sky. the building's structure was now compromised as the mini sentinel was BLASTED through that hole and out into the sky to fall over 100 floors to the ground below. This was MORE than merely defenidng herself...this was her chance to get REVENGE against a SENTINEL. Haleigh had NO IDEA just what she done NOW.]

[ Sharon stood to her feet, as she finished the duration of that sonic scream...the 104th floor was now GUTTED and could collapse...causing half the building to implode....things were getting worse but SHE was not done yet. through the eyes of her birds...she knew where Haleigh was...and it was time to go there..]

YOU CANT RUN!! NO PLACE TO HIDE!!

KILL THEM! KILL THEM ALL!!

[ she prepares to make her way there...when suddenly...]

YOU!?

[ she looks upon RICK RILEY...she thought she'd killed him along with the others at the Cell....but she HADNT and before she can strike at him just yet....there's a moment where her vision goes blurry...and all reality flows...before fading to black......Sharon's unconscious...but HOW?]

[ that doesnt stop the BIRDS though, who are now BEYOND restraint.]

[Jill Monroe]

<< as she flew up into the sky, she thought of Madonna's song "How High", the lyrics in part described how she felt right now, after Nicolas more than understood what she was trying to say, he returned it two fold. iat that moment, it was no longer a matter of her saving face. If...WHEN they saved Sharon and Haleigh...Morgan would have Nicolas as her partner and she sure that her Mother and Ororo and even HECATE from afar would give their blessing. Even if the others thought she was "going soft", didnt SHE deserve a chance to find happiness, with someone who didnt appear to be poised to kill her or her friends? she couldnt dwell on it for long, for even as she detonated her eldritch bomb and Rampage sliced his way through. Zombies came, wielding weapons, and hurling them...not with much finess but certainly with FORCE behind them. >>

<< her stepping discs opened at various points, swallowing the weapons and closing, keeping Rampage from being hit as she flew over head. she blasted the HEADS of zombies with her eldritch bolts, making short work of them so they could reach the cottage, and clear away the threat of the bio hazards.>>

<< from up above...she thought aloud>>

this almost seems TOO easy. even with OUR powers, we're clearing the zombies away so quickly...most of them seem ...DISTRACTED. WHY is that? could they really be ONLY focused on Alycia?

<< she began to worry about the goings on at Illustra. She hadnt felt anything from her mother yet, but that didnt mean there was trouble. and what of mike and his friends? MORE casualties for the silver swan? she couldnt bare that to happen and of course there was Haleigh...who one momente made a person truly concerned for her and in the same moment could make them DESPISE her. the feelings she evoked were as MANIC as her own mood swings. that alone spoke of the effect she had as a PERSON and in happier times, Morgan was GLAD to have Haleigh as part of her team, her FAMILY. Nicolas vowed that this would be set right...and that bolstered her own confidence about it. They COULD get Sharon back to HERSELF AND help Haleigh too!>>


<< nearing the cottage, Morgan pointed from above...>>

Nicolas....you've got sniper dots on your back!! you're being TARGETED!!

<< and sure enough...BLACK GUARDS, who seemed to be deadly efficienet marks men, began to OPEN FIRE with laser cannons as they attempted to fry Nicolas and Morgan...sending rapid volleys of firing patterns at both of them.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

Karen dropped the Rick Riley bomb.... and everything seemed to click at once.... as Haleigh leaned against the inoperable computer bay, rubbing her eyes gently.

"Ri......Riley. Of COURSE.... well, I never REALLY got confirmation of his death.... I mean, I certainly left him something to remember me by.... to think that someone could SURVIVE wounds like that.... I'm certain he's going to be reinforced by some kind of Mystech technology.... ugh.... I can only imagine.... Well, that explains a LOT. Sharon seems to be disillusioned.... not very much.... but just enough to create such a deep, driving hatred."

She said, more to herself than anyone, as the gears in her mind turned.Mike retaliated, defending himself, as Ava came to Haleigh's aid. Seeing her sister defend her seemed to soften Haleigh a bit... it relieved a little of that stress.... and seemed to erase the fact that Ava had previously revealed a real shocker.... that secret was a kicker, certainly, and it salted old wounds.... but Ava quickly proved that she was STILL on Haleigh's 'side'... and Haleigh was willing to take whatever she could get in that department. Ava came over and tried to soothe Haleigh a little, and Haleigh gave an absentminded nod in agreement, still a little distracted.

At some point we should be able to outthink a bewildered, brainwashed former friend whose only programming seems to be to kill two of the people before me in this room. Did YOU learn anything form her at ALL, Ava? Besides the fact that she leans to the side she is going to punch from?


"Well GEE, forgive Us for slowing you DOWN, John Wayne! Go ahead, Have the fuck at it. Why don't you put your money where your mouth is and take care of Silver Swan for us?"

Karen made a comment or two about Haleigh's episodes and her meltdown.... and Haleigh equally vexed by the situation, and frustratingly helpless.

"Well, what do you want me to DO, Doc? This isn't some part of me that I can TURN OFF.... that's the whole trouble with losing CONTROL..... I can't STOP it! You seem to think I WANTED this or I'm enjoying it somehow but I hate it more than ANY of you! I.... I feel UNSTABLE.... and..... [abashedly] vulnerable... and [guiltily] ashamed. I KNOW this is mostly my fault, Karen, but I can't CHANGE that.... I have to FACE it, and here I am, trying to COPE with that, and I look around me for support and find.... that EVERYONE who is supposed to be on me TEAM.... everyone who's allegedly part of this 'family' has ABANDONNED me in the favor of those trying to persecute me [Alycia] and KILL me [Sharon]! I mean.... what do you want, an invitation?! HELP ME!"

She hurriedly exclaimed, looking harassed. It seemed the revelation that Rick Riley was after her now TOO has knocked her far enough off kilter that she stopped FIGHTING. Karen defended Mike and she had a POINT, but Haleigh's mind didnt change.

"So, what? That gives him the right to scold ME, like he has any bearing on the situation? It's going to take way more than a little skirmish with some pidgeons to earn the place to look down his nose at ME. Especially after everything I done WITH THIS TEAM. [at the mention of Alycia, Haleigh shakes her head, warning Karen NOT to go there] Oh, uh-unh, Doc. Not EVEN. What, do you people think I jut WOKE UP one day and went 'oh, i think I'll hate Alycia today.' No, that's not how it WENT. Alycia turned on me, and she didnt give me a chance to explain! Not only THAT, she ran off before we could really WORK IT OUT and I spent an agonizing night worrying that she'd KILL my sister, so you'll have to PARDON me if I'm still a little miffed."

She sighed, contemplative. Karen admonished Mike to stay near to her as she tenatively asked Haleigh what it was that had caused Sharon to pause.... Haleigh took a deep breath, considering the best way to say it.

"Well... I wasn't going to say anything about it until I'd field tested it and what have you.... but it's a prototype I've been working on since Nervous.... it's a..... well, it's a mini sentinel, kind of. An answer to that technology.... I've been picking apart the leftover destroyed sentinels from previous encounters... and reverse engineering one... I'm almost finished... I've actually been working on it so that the MEN of my agency don't have to do pawn work.... the LIVES that wouldn't have to be lost.... can you imagine? I've lost so many.... FRIENDS, some of them... if machines could fight in place of them, stand guard in place of them... it would also eliminate human error in many cases. It's only a prototype... I've sparred with it a couple of times-- it learns very quickly.... we'll see how it fares against a REAL opponent, yes? Don't WORRY.... it's not going to hurt her.... just try and capture her, sedate her..... like you said."


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

Meanwhile

The Mini stoops over SS.... reaching down and scanning her for injury.

>>Target health quotient 90%. Minor damage sustained, loss of consciousness. Administering Oxygen.

It droned, as it pushed a small bottle of breathing oxygen towards Sharon as a health precaution. Since she was knocked out, there was no need to sedate her just yet, according to its artificial intelligence. Unfortunately, there was the absence of human DOUBT that allowed Sharon to fool it long enough to BLAST the robot with SONIC SCREAM, knocking it clean OUT OF THE BUILDING! The Mini Sentinel was hardly damaged, just thrown clear of the building, and it registered the change in atmosphere and quickly falling altimetric readings to determine what was happening. It right itself and rocket boosters ignited in the soles of its 'boots', propelling it BACK up again.

>>Target Conscious..... capable of creating sonic disturbance sufficient to combat sentinel. Updated objective: Sedate and RESTRAIN.

As it came up on the Davidoff floor, however, it saw RICK RILEY, in all his glory, and the sentinel paused to reassess.

>>New entity discovered..... Subject Identified. Riley, Rick. Subject is classified ENEMY. No objective mandated. Target Kelly sedated. Target in ENEMY custody. Objective: Acquire possession of target. [propelling itself to the ledge of the 104th floor, landing just inside the building, and beginning to advance towards Sharon and Riley. >>Entity Riley. Surrender Target Kelly to CI custody.

[Shadow Weaver]

"Well, what do you want me to DO, Doc? This isn't some part of me that I can TURN OFF.... that's the whole trouble with losing CONTROL..... I can't STOP it! You seem to think I WANTED this or I'm enjoying it somehow but I hate it more than ANY of you! I.... I feel UNSTABLE.... and..... [abashedly] vulnerable... and [guiltily] ashamed. I KNOW this is mostly my fault, Karen, but I can't CHANGE that.... I have to FACE it, and here I am, trying to COPE with that, and I look around me for support and find.... that EVERYONE who is supposed to be on me TEAM.... everyone who's allegedly part of this 'family' has ABANDONNED me in the favor of those trying to persecute me [Alycia] and KILL me [Sharon]! I mean.... what do you want, an invitation?! HELP ME!"

<< Karen looked dismayed and astonished all at once, her mouth opened in disbelief at the self centered and ever swinging pendulum of Haleiegh. oh NOW you want to open up?>>

You've got SOME NERVE!

NOW you want HELP? when the TIME for help was plentifull, you wanted to GRAND STAND and HIDE behind your toxic macro of self loathing which makes it EASIER for to treat EVERYONE ELSE like GARBAGE. NOW when faced with certain defeat or DEATH at the hands of someone you CANT stop...you want help? Do you know what's happening? THE SAME THING that Alison predicted, the same thing my magicks showed you. YOU pushed people away. YOU alienated people. just as YOU claim that you didnt "wake up one day and decide to HATE Alycia", NO ONE in this room or elsewhere had a meeting saying "In the event that Sharon Kelly comes back from the dead, let's team up with her and Alycia to destroy Haleigh."

NO ONE needs to make that effort because YOU do a fine job of it YOURSELF and you ALWAYS find a way to excuse it. as if YOU'RE the only one with a past? with struggles? with REGRET in their life?

GROW UP LITTLE GIRL and LEARN how to funciton OUTSIDE OF YOUR TOXIC DEMENTED SELF OR DIE! those are your choices because the REALITY is that YOU are going to fullfill Alison's prophecy and you will have NO ONE to blame BUT YOURSELF...and the REST of us will be faced with a reality where we are ALL exposed for who and what we are..and face persecution like never before. You want to DIE? go right ahead...it would be TYPICAL of a COWARD who can dish it out but cant take it. It's not about MY life being inconvinienced...because as long as MY DAUGHTER is here..i will NOT leave and as long as I AM here...I will do what i can to protect HER and those of her friends who TRULY want my help.

HELP YOU indeed.

why dont you HELP YOURSELF by learning how to SHUT YOUR MOUTH and taking stock of your situation. there IS no magick cure for YOUR kind of problem. your memory episodes ALONE illustrate that this was YEARS in the making but now that you've been FORCED to face these issues and RELIVE them...REMEMBER what it is that helped MAKE YOU who you are NOW...its time for you to GROW UP and act like an adult. ADULTS understand that the past does not BIND, and that whatever the past may be...THEY define their lives in the HERE AND NOW. The choices we make determine the life we live..and YOUR choices are sealing YOUR fate. It's not ME..its not "this team abandonning you"...its YOU PUSHING EVERYONE AWAY.

<< Karen wanted to take her and shake her...and slap her across the face. How DARE this woman stand here and appeal for help NOW after all she'd just said ..and everything ELSE that had happened BEFORE in regards to this caper. NOW she wanted help? what person about to drown WOULDNT cry out for a life ring after they'd so boldly declared they could swim in ANY depth of water? Haleigh was acting like a drug addict in Karen's opinion and she wasnt REALLY convinced that the woman was sincere.>>

<< turning away, Karen looked at her flashlight for a moment and looked at Mike, then at Ava as Haleigh explained that she had a mini sentinel prototype IN Illustra.>>

That's NOT an exercise in strengthening TRUST, Haleigh. Sharon DIED at the hands of a Sentinel and you send one to CAPTURE her? You are really FULL of sound moves arent you? Do you have any idea what Morgan would say? You have one of those things in here...you've been USING Mystech Technology BEHIND your team's BACK? and so what was it that Alycia said? something about you not being TOO FAR REMOVED from Mystech after all?

<< Karen couldnt take it anymore.>>

Don't say ANOTHER WORD. I can't DEAL WITH YOU , your TOXIC and MALDAPTIVE WAYS AND YOUR DEADLY SECRETS ANYMORE and rest assured, MORGAN will hear about ALL of this.



<< and in THIS moment, karen shows that she is all TOO human. she can, NO LONGER, work professionally as a therapist. NO LONGER can she overcome the REPULSION that she harbors towards Haleigh. Well intended or not....Haleigh has just broken the last straw with the doctor as she shoves past Mike and leaves out of the war room disappearing into the darkness.>>

[Oracle]

<< the midnight hour was nearly upon the team, in more than one way as the floor dropped out of the dynamic between Karen and Haleigh, Karen would surely report to Morgan that Haleigh had a mini sentinel IN Illustra and THAT would most likely signal Morgan's banishing Haleigh from Illustra.>>

<< Haleigh had to see now that Alison's prophecy was dawning. This was the beginning of the END...and HER CHOICES brought her to this point. whether she was trying to do right NOW didnt register because she'd spent so much time UP TO THIS POINT doing WRONG and you cant expect anyone to believe a 180 degree turn can happen in MINUTES.>>


<< Dr. Victoria was almost BESIDE HERSELF with disgust and repulsion. she HAD to get away. She COULDNT function with rational thinking in regards to Haleigh and THIS was the danger that any therapist faced. that in dealing with someone so toxic...that THEY would begin to SHARE the problem the would be patient had. >>

<< Karen rushed out into the dark hall and disappeared. leaving NO SIGN of herself.>>

Meanwhile

<<on the destroyed 104th floor, the mini sentinel obviously survived Silver Swan's devastating attack but it returned far QUICKER than even she would have suspected. SHE herself was no unconscious on the floor at the feet of Rick Riley and as the mini sentinel identified Rick Riley and commanded him to turn Sharon Kelly over to CI custody, Rick stood calm and smirking in the shadows.>>


New entity discovered..... Subject Identified. Riley, Rick. Subject is classified ENEMY. No objective mandated. Target Kelly sedated. Target in ENEMY custody. Objective: Acquire possession of target. [propelling itself to the ledge of the 104th floor, landing just inside the building, and beginning to advance towards Sharon and Riley. >>Entity Riley. Surrender Target Kelly to CI custody.

<< Rick stands tall and stead fast, looking contemplative as the sentinel approaches.>>

Rick Riley: soooo, it was smart after all, taking a piece of NERVOUS back with it after that caper. and this prototype is quite adpating. It recovered far quicker from the Silver Swan's sonic scream than MOST mechanical equipment. equipped with adamantium too!

<< with a swift move as he pulls back his coat and lunges forward he renders the sentinel totally INERT with the EMP WAND that Alycia was carrying. wiping its network clean and leaving it BLANK and inactive as it falls to the floor.>>

Rick Riley: too bad it didnt remember that TECHNOLOGY is OUR forte' and for every item we create? we have a way to DESTROY it.

<< looking down at Sharon, he smirks a bit.>>

Rick Riley: now come along, Silver Swan. I want to PERSONALLY escort you to Haleigh's last dance. It will be so much fun to watch you MANGLE her pretty little face. and even MORE fun to watch Morgan and her friends...as I send you BACK to your "final resting place". Since we cant having you flying about and risking ME being found.

<< Rick was going to kill Sharon after she killed Haleigh. Leaving Morgan, Alycia and the others mentally and emotionally destroyed over the loss while he REVELED in his ultimate revenge. using one woman he nearly raped, to kill another woman he truly despised.>>

<< dragging the unconscious Sharon into a darkened corner. Rick Riley TELEPORTS with her again, disappearing from sight.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh GAPED as Karen replied.... it was a rare thing to see Haleigh caught unexpected but the SINCERITY of Karen's continued crusade just amazed the hybrid.... She licked her lips, looking about wondrously as she folded her hands. Clearly some things could not change..... and as much as Haleigh did NOT want Alison's prophecy to be realized, how much control did she REALLY have? Perhaps she was NOT supposed to change Alison's vision... could THIS be her destiny? It was certainly starting to LOOK like it.... and Haleigh was beginning to feel like she couldn't win for losing. She pursed her lips, trying to remain calm as Karen reached apoplectic levels. Karen scolded Haleigh to grow up and once MORE accused her of pushing everyone away.

"So..... does this mean you're NOT going to help me?"

She deadpanned. She might have considered a rebuttal.... but suddenly there seemed LITTLE point. It became dreadfully clear that nothing she could SAY would satisfy Karen OR change her mind..... and Karen CONTINUED to whittle Haleigh down, only NOW, she'd moved on to the topic of the mini sentinel. Haleigh shook her head and interrupted.

"Whoa, NO! See, I KNEW you'd overreact. It's NOT Mystech technology.... I STUDIED the Mystech versions and built a BETTER version using my OWN technology! I--"

and so what was it that Alycia said? something about you not being TOO FAR REMOVED from Mystech after all?

[looking APPALLED, her voice suddenly low] "You take that BACK. That was so UNCALLED FOR.....No..... I've put UP with your CONSTANT vilification and your OBVIOUS favoritism... but I'll NOT HAVE you accuse me of being associated in ANY WAY with the very ENEMY I've been busting my ASS to TAKE DOWN....."

She growled, and Karen finally huffed and puffed and stormed out, refusing to help [or hinder] the situation. Haleigh seemed oddly too dejected to be angry.... and she folded her arms across her chest [subconsciously protecting her heart -- though it regretfully seemed too late for that]. Haleigh had finally opened up as Karen had all along been asking, and she'd gotten torn down for it... and Karen had only VALIDATED Haleigh's fears regarding allowing herself to be honest and vulnerable, and the doctor had inadvertently REINFORCED Haleigh's self-preservation behavior of shutting people OUT.

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: The situation began to escalate into an all out verbal brawl between Haleigh and Karen. And Mike chiming in trying to prove his 'place' wasn't helping matters any. Rolling her eyes, Ava shot Mike an 'are you kidding me' glare. ::

"Wow, Mike. Would you like a metal for your heroic efforts against battling BIRDS? I'm sure I can find SOMETHING to give you to show you how wonderful your efforts are in ridding the world of a bunch of pigons. [scoffing] The only reason I was quote on quote helpless in that situation was because unlike you, I have an identity to protect, and using my powers in the middle of the afternoon in front of 500 people--not to mention rolling cameras--would of been just SLIGHTLY devestating to my career. Not to mention Morgans AND Madonnas. So before you step on your soap box about how you're a 'human among mutants and can hold your own', let me remind you, i'm not above gutting you like a fish."

:: At that point, between Karen and Haleighs fight, and Mike and Ava's bitchy exchange, the entire room was filled with tension. Too much tension. Karen couldn't take Haleigh anymore and stormed out of the med lab, disappearing into the darkness. Huffing out, Ava looked over at Haleigh. ::

"Well that went well...Look, Hales. As much as you don't want to admit it, you need Karens help now. We all do. She may have just walked out right now, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't CARE about you. In fact...I think she cares TOO MUCH to watch you self distruct again. What she said may have been harsh, but SOME of it IS true. I know i'm the last person you want to hear this from, but you shut down and lash out when you feel responsible or guilty about something. Instead of accepting peoples help, you push them away so you can 'handle it yourself'. You're NOT strong now, Haleigh. You're powers are erratic and you need to step back and accept the help that Karen is offering. That we ALL are offering. No one is going to think any less of you....that you're weak or unable to fend for yourself. You've proven yourself to this team time and time again. You've risked your life for everyone in this group, and it's time to allow US to help YOU. [her expression softened] I understand that this is hard for you....or that you think everyone has turned their back on you....but you will ALWAYS have me. Do you hear me? We may not be the Brady Bunch, but we're family."

:: Haleigh needed someone on her side, but she didn't need the reality of the situation sugar coated. She needed help and she was pushing it away. Ava refused to stand there and watch her sister self destruct or even DIE because of past mistakes and vendettas. Call it tough love, but Ava hoped that Haleigh would see she was only trying to HELP her...not turn against her. Glancing over to Mike, Ava looked back at Haleigh. ::

"With Morgan, Nicolas, and Delilah gone, and Silver Swan roaming inside Illustra, we have to have all the fire power we can get. I'm going to go look for Karen. You stay here and monitor the surveillance cameras. [looking over to Mike] If you want to be helpful, stay here with Haleigh. [looking back to Haleigh, Ava took her hand, squeezing it.] Stay out of trouble."

:: Smirking, Ava moved away from Haleigh and passed Mike, now exiting the med lab to search for Karen. ::

[MorningStar]

[ Delilah looked at Morgan as she silently questioned whether Alycia needed to know about Sharon. Her vitals were dodgy enough that she didn’t really want to risk the shock to Alycia’s system…but Delilah didn’t want to think about what would happen to HER vitals if Alycia found out they had kept this from her.

Nicolas asked her to stay with Alycia, and she nodded. She wouldn’t have wanted to leave her alone anyway. Alycia was a formidable fighter, it was true, but she WAS injured and they didn’t need to take unnecessary chances with her life.

As she sat there with Alycia, she debated silently in her mind. If things did go down and they had to return to Illustra…what if Sharon was there? They couldn’t afford to have Alycia taken by surprise in that way. She took a deep breath, and touched Alycia’s hand. ]

“I need to tell you something Alycia. There’s something else that’s been going on here. It’s not going to be easy to hear, but I think you need to know. Sharon Kelly is alive. And someone has programmed her to try and kill Haleigh. When we got in her way, she turned against us all…”

[Rampage]

Mike just shook his head as the room filled with Ava's bravado.

Correction: The cameras were down and no one was looking once I got to you. And here you were in all your glory, and the building is STILL full of birds. So if you would rather THINK that you had it all under control, do so. But you'd be full of shit. And if I dried up and died every time I was THREATENED?! I'd already be in HELL looking up your skirt.

The tension was was indeed thick and heavy, with everything that had been said. Exasperated, Karen hurried out of the room. Mike started to follow after her when Ava decided to go for her instead. Nodding, he shifted gears as he realized that ALL of them needed each other here, that this discord was EXACTLY what Riley counted on. He sighed as he was left with Haleigh. He spoke much more calmly now.

Look, I definitely came on too strong with the military bit there, hoping to jar you into a better place. But I want you to know: You are a LEGEND to mercs like me. The stories from the few that have seen you and LIVED are extraordinary and THAT is who I am looking for. Who all of us are gonna need if we are gonna survive here, especially without the others.

********************************************

As Nicolas plowed a path across the grounds, he noticed Morgan watching his back as he went.

How sweet. That's the kinda girl you want. One that will fight for you. At least I won't take an asswhippin' by myself.

As the lights targeted his back, Morgan shouted to him. He turned intangible as some guards shot each other across lines of fire. The rest of them found their weapons no longer worked very well as Nicolas leaped up high into the air, shouting back to Morgan.

This is a setup!! They are here to keep us away from Illustra while Riley makes his attack!!! This ends NOW!!!

Nicolas fell back to the ground, creating a shockwave with his landing. As he did so, he extended his TK out in a way Morgan had not seen previously.

It got deathly quiet for a second as an unseen force seemed to tear apart the zombies and guards in a widening circle around Nicolas. Morgan could see his eyes aglow with power as the effect widened in scope with him as the epicenter.

Now the screams and moans of Nicolas' prey became a cacophony as his power RAMPAGED through the group, tearing through armor and flesh alike...

[Oracle]

<< Haleigh was not the only one having a struggle, as Karen prooved. SHE had suffered and endured more than most of her colleagues could have in a situation like this and even MAGICK couldnt protect the mind from being weary. She may have lost her way, so entrenched was she in TEARING DOWN Haleigh's defenses, that she may have MISSED the moment where Haleigh WILLINGLY appealed for help. Karen So bitter and resentfull and REPULSED by Haleigh that she could no longer EFFECTIVELY administer any kind of therapy toward her. in fact, the longer she remained, the more likely it was that she'd LASH OUT at Haleigh with her MAGICK as well as her words and that wouldnt be right at all.>>

<< Karen was losing her own personal battle and had to leave. She returned to the 107th floor, to angry, to flustered, to upset to CARE about the darkness....or the terror that lay beneath it, as she reached the double doors of her daughters apartment and prepared to go inside.>>

<< Unaware that Persephone would be looking for her, Karen paused at the door for a moment, her shoulders indicating the tension in her body as well as her mind, she heaved a sigh of exasperation as she rubbed her hand on her face. she had the flash light in her hand and was now about to go inside.>>

<< Persephone, would use her logic to determine the most likely place Karen would go. MOST LIKELY it was Morgan's, though there was always that ever present chance that Karen would ABANDON the team and return to Soho. she certainly LOOKED as though she might after this last round with Haleigh.>>

<< still, as quickly as Persephone MIGHT have determined where to go, it would not be quick enough.>>

<< Karen goes inside...to find herself worse off than before.>>

back in the forest, underground bunker

<< as Spellbinder and Rampage bull their way through the gauntlet toward Sharon's cottage, Alycia and MorningStar remain below ground. the quiet and cool air makes for a calm setting and while Delilah watches the monitors for a moment to observe the progress of Morgan and Nicolas.>>

<< she decides to pick up where Morgan left off, realizing they HAD to tell Alycia about Sharon for her protection so that if she were confronted by the silver swan, she'd be better prepared. it was a hard thing, but it was the right thing and Delilah was probably the best person to deliver the news at this point.>>

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Alycia lay there, secretly GREATFULL that she had the chance to rest and avoid any zombies or monsters. she was glad her friends Morgan , Delilah and even Nicolas were there. there were feelings of de ja vu from the last time she and the six , a different roster though, were here....taking refuge from the super soldier but this was slightly different. the stakes seemed much higher, if that was possible.::

:: one thing was for sure, Alycia had found some validation after this part of the team observed her own fierce fighting and determination. The fact that Nicolas, whom she found to be insufferably arrogant, actually complimented her...it was a remarkable thing indeed.::

:: not showing any outward reaction, ALycia turned her head to look up at the ceiling, blinking a few times as Spellbinder and Rampage left. She and Delilah remained.::

I wanted to be the one to get my hands on him! I was SO CLOSE!! but he got away like the slippery EEL that he is!

:: she spoke with contempt as Delilah looked at the monitors. She seemed to be brooding on something herself.::

Delilah? what...what's wrong?

:: Alycia , still laying, turned her head once more so that her eyes rested on her friend.::


I need to tell you something Alycia. There’s something else that’s been going on here. It’s not going to be easy to hear, but I think you need to know. Sharon Kelly is alive. And someone has programmed her to try and kill Haleigh. When we got in her way, she turned against us all…”

:: it was like hearing static from a radio or TV, with select words coming through clearly, while everything else was lost.::

............tell you something...........Sharon Kelly is alive......ALIVE..........programmed her to kill.....kill Haleigh.....turned against us........


:: Alycia looked blankly for a moment as the words swirled in her mind and she attempted to process and wrap around them. Sharon Kelly...so ....THAT must have been what RICK was referring to when he mentioned the Silver Swan.....had HE...had MYSTECH REALLY transformed her into a killing machine!! they'd REACHED out and TOOK her from her eternal rest...and brought her back...for THIS!!::

:: her eyes seemed to glaze over for a moment as she remained silent...looking at Delilah.::

Delilah.......

:: she swallowed as she struggled to sit up...but she was too tired ...so she gave up.::

in ..my wildest dreams...or maybe my nightmares even...I would see Sharon...ALIVE. all kind of scenarios came through my mind, but Ororo told me once before that not everyone could or SHOULD be restored through necromancy spells or any other means...and i accepted her wisdom. i saw the truth and logic b ehind it....and it REINFORCED what i was raised to accept as the reality the FINALITY of death!

but then there are people like Haleigh and Cameron....and while i cant blame THEM..i STILL have to ask...WHY THEM and not Sharon?

but NOW......

:: half laughing as she speaks::

NOW .....Sharon is ALIVE...NO WONDER Morgan faltered a few moments ago...

:: she seemed to be taking it in more and more as she spoke.::

it....I......I dont know HOW to react...i dont know WHAT i should be doing right now....this is NOT something i ever imagined...even in my WILDEST moments.

:: looking up at the ceiling.::

Rick Riley TOLD me that he had a surprise guest HELPING him...but he referred to the guest as the Silver Swan. he never indicated that it was SHARON.

:: she looked at Delilah.::

Tell me, Dee, what has he DONE to her.....how bad is it?? I have to know...in case i'm confronted by her.

:: Alycia was taking it pretty well it seemed. maybe she was too tired? maybe all her time with the six had indirectly prepared her for a moment like this...or maybe she had come to realize that while the rules of life/death WERE still very real...there were several ways to BREAK those rules. Karen's therapy had helped, Alycia was demonstrating a far more even, calm and collective attitude, which is something she'd been KNOWN for. sh e wasnt falling apart. not YET anyway.::

and....can we....GET HER BACK when this is all over?? RIck is USING HER....she didnt ask for this...and if ANYTHING I'm worried that Haleigh is going to try to KILL HER!


:: turning on her side.::

maybe...we should get ready to help the others...maybe we'd better look for Sharon.

look for Sharon!?

:: Alycia's mind was RACING with shock and fear...but rather than cower, she felt COMPELED to go FORWARD.::

[Jill Monroe]

<< in the air, Morgan flew with form and grace, the chimes and the wind signaling her movement ahead. As Rampage reacted accordingly to the volley of laser fire, Spellbinder herself engaged in evasive maneuvers, showing just how agile, fast and gracefull in the air SHE was. weaving among trees for cover against some of the blasts while her magick shields deflected others.>>

<< Nicolas shouted that this was a set up, and Morgan agreed, STILL something inside her told her she HAD to get into Sharon's cottage.>>

<< as Rampage crashed down to the ground, he unleashed his own TK in a way that was FAR different from Alison, prooving that he was in no way REDUNDANT while she had been apart of the team. She wondered if he had felt that way though when working with Alison. still at this moment kept high in the air, for the LAST TIME she was caught by one of his shockwaves, she was nearly PUSHED into the jaws of the metalloic insectoid creature in the cell.>>

<< she flew along, watching as he made short work of anything in sight...giving MORE than appropriate meaning to his code name of Rampage.>>

amazing. beautifull body, heart of gold...but fights like a lion!

<< Morgan couldnt believe what she was thinking at a time like this. and as Rampage cut through the gauntlet like a hot knife through butter, Spellbinder finished it up as she swooped down. a chime sounds off as she closes in...turning her body in a spiral pattern as she extends her hands outward and stretches in verticle form.>>

<< a white halo forms around her outstretched hands...as she summons a sweeping, violent, twisting gusting wave of winds...to sweep EVERYTHING "Mystech" related away from them out into the lake. the Black Guards (what was left of them) the Zombies, debris...all of it....not only did this ensure the zombies would drown (or at least be stuck down in a DEEP LAKE) but all debris and evidence of the battle was now being removed as well. the winds howl and have a sparkling effect, DIFFERENT from Persephone's manifetation of wind control. >>

<< finally, after a few moments, as the QUIET settles over the area, Morgan lands down with perfect poise at the front door of the cottage...which was not entirely closed from after Alycia had escaped earlier.>>

<< she waits for Nicolas to reach the door before they go inside.>>

I have to go in. I FEEL that there's something in here that we need..before we leave...but at least NOW MorningStar and Alycia will be safe from danger if they come above ground.

<< looking to Nicolas.>>

Nicely done.

<< she gently touches his chest, feeling his rapid heard beat and heavy breathing before turning to go inside.>>

<< ONCE inside, in the living room, the damage from Alycia's battle can be scene, several Black Guards are down on the ground, the floor lamp she'd used was there as well.>>

She beat the hell out of them...didnt she?

<< Morgan smirked as she silently congratulated Alycia on kicking ass like this. Moving through the cottage, it was still rather dark inside...and the house seemed to creak and moan with sounds of "settling." Despite her power, and the realm she ruled, Morgan couldnt help but feel a tad unsettled.>>

I'd forgotten how CREEPY this place could be. the LAST time i was here....with Delilah, Alison and Alexis....we were ....rescuing Sharon and Alycia from the SUPER SOLDIER....

<< Morgan shuddered a bit....the Super Soldier....he'd MAIMED her and left Alison for DEAD.>>

I....almost expect him to LUNGE OUT from a dark corner at ANY MOMENT.

<< at that moment...a tree branch from a tree damaged by the laser cannon fire during the battle CRASHES into a window. it was like a moment out of a horror movie and Morgan can't help but to scream and jump a bit, turning her hand in aim at the source of the crash, only to see that it was merely a tree branch crashing through the window...>>

oh...DAMMIT!!

<< she exhales with relief and annoyance.>>

I'm acting like a silly bimbo being chased by JASON!

<< not wanting to look back and see Nicolas' reaction...as he is probably amused at this moment, Morgan continues on.>>

<< through several rooms, the kitchen, and finally an office den where Rick has clearly taken up temporary residence at one point. there are documents, files, papers....MANY items.>>

I KNEW IT!!

<< she came in and saw the remnants of a FIRE in the fire place, as well as a smoldering cigar on the table and a glass of scotch>>

who does this creep think he is? Sherlock Holmes?

<< She says with contempt, noting the various personal items of comfort at the desk.>>

He took over Sharon's cottage as if it were his own! HOW DARE HE!

<< looking on the large desk , there appeared to be a comprehensive file on Sharon Kelly, her life, her death, her transformation into the silver swan and the exact specifications...every detail!>>

Nicolas...its a file on the Silver Swan...

<< quickly thumbing through it..>>

it has EVERYTHING we need...we can find a way to REVERSE THE PROCESS!!

<< she hands it to him, while quickly going through more items, including personal notes, large, pictures...of this cottage and the area around it....and a file on Haleigh.>>

pictures of the cottage...and a file on haleigh.....but why??

<< she looks at the pictures....>>

pictures of this place..but there's nothing SPECIAL about them.....

<< and the file on Haleigh....along with personal notes..and a side by side profile of Black Widow and Silver Swan.>>

he wants them to FIGHT IT OUT. He wants Sharon to KILL Haleigh before HE Kills SHARON!

<< looking at Nicolas.>>

We'd better get back. We'll get Delilah and Alycia and return to Illustra IMMEDIATELY. I havent felt anything negative from my mother...but that doesnt mean there's NOT any trouble and if RICK is there....

<< she takes Nicolas hand and rushes forward, into a stepping disc that has just opened vertically before them and in the blink of an eye, they teleport DIRECTLY to Alycia and Delilah in the underground bunker.>>

it's all clear above. and NO sign of Rick Riley at all, but he WAS here. he's taken over Sharon's cottage...mainly hero office study. we've found information.....<< she stopped short of saying "information on Sharon", not knowing that Delilah had already briefed Alycia.>>

we've got to get back to Illustra.


<< looking to Alycia.>>

Alycia? are you well enough to travel? I could have Ororo come for you.

[Shadow Weaver]

useless....all useless. NOTHING means anything to her! She only wants things when SHE thinks its time. not when it really IS time. she's so SELFISH!

<< She allowed herself a moment of venting, without an audience. knowing that she couldnt keep this bottled up and that she HAD to get through it somehow...even if she had to roll through the muck and mire of mental fatigue to do it.>>

<< after a few moments of standing in the dark hallway, she huff out with annoying before going inside of her daughter's luxury penthouse apartment, Karen softly closes the door. walking slowly as her head throbs. she hasnt turned on the flashlight yet. she knows the lay out of her daughter's place well enough. as she moves through the apartment in the darkness though, her cape flows irregularly, it FEELS as though its brushing OVER things on the floor.>>

<< she stops for a moment, noticing an odd smell...like OZONE in the apartment and as there is no power, she takes a moment to try to hear for anything unusual first before turning the flash light on.>>

<< there's no sound...funny how when the power goes out...the SOUND seems to deaden with it as well.>>

<< she's moved from the foyer over to the first reached area of the panoramic wall/window over looking the city, the small sitting area where Ororo and Cameron had once had a talk nearly a year ago.>>

<< standing by the window, the moonlight is of little to no help and as she turns on her flash light....she GASPS...as demonic crows...are EVERYWHERE...on the floor, furniture, the walls, shelves...EVERYHWERE..>>

GODDESS!!

<< the flash light is all they needed as the began to flutter and leap, INSTANTLY upon Karen. >>


<< they charge at her...striking her with their beaks, and talons, swiping at her face, biting at her hands, tearing at her hair and costume....>>

<< she struggles...half grunting with pain as she strikes back with the flash light, hitting some away.....but it happened too fast...and there's SO MANY...its like a WALL of feathers, beaks and talons...>>

<< the sound of the wings, flapping, beating at her face, hair and blood...the pain...the sharp, WHITE HOT stingging of skin being torn and bitten.>>

<< Karen staggers backward.....trying to move...but not being able to SEE which way is up! her hands, her hair....her costume, all being torn at and sliced at. >>

....ughh.........

<< to an observer, it might seem as though this attack had happened QUICKLY...but for Karen, it felt like it had been going on in a LOOP...She was was losing her ability to think, breathe and she was getting SICK with nausea. the birds seemed to be CONVERGING on her....BLOCKING her from any possible escape as they vengefully attacked the FIRST person they could get their ...beaks on.>>

<< she begins to cough and sputter as the birds strike at her again and again...and all she can do is FRANTICALLY try to keep her EYES protected....as she drops the flash light. losing her strength, and her ability to THINK clearly as the pain , the chaos begins to over take her...her eyes roll in the back of her head...and she falls back, TRIPPING over the chair and slamming, CRASHING through the WINDOW....the sudden shocking CRASH of glass breaking seems to jar her back to a higher level of consciousness as shee FALLS OUT OF THE WINDOW ....>>

<< Karen Victoria , now beseiged by the demonic crows, FALLS from Illustra at its highest level....SCREAMING so loud that her scream echoes and is carried in the winds.>>

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Walking through the dark hallways, Ava opted not to use the flashlight. Instead, she relied souly on her keen eyesight. Like cats, she could see perfectly in even the darkest conditions. Making her way up to the 107th floor, the most logical place Karen would have gone was to Morgan's penthouse. So that was where she would check first. Treking up the stairs, Mikes arrogant words kept her mind busy. He was exactly like Hades. Sweet and gentleman-like until his true colours came flooding out. Rolling her eyes, at that moment, Persephone decided to wash her hands of Mike. ::

:: Finally exiting the stair well, Ava immediately began to here crashes and birds crowing. Sprinting down the hallway, she burst into Morgan's apartment right as Karen went crashing through the window. ::

"KAREN!"

:: Running across the livingroom, birds began to flock around her now, trying to prevent her from getting to the window. Withdrawing her Mystic Daggers, Ava threw them straight into the wood floors creating a huge mystical explosion right as they hit. A wall of green light forced the birds back, destorying the few that were closest to the explosion. With the birds stunned, Ava literally leaped into the air and dove OUT the window in pursuit of Karen. ::

:: High winds propelled Persephone faster downward than she would have been just free falling. Spotting Karen, a few crows were STILL pecking at her even as they fell. They were relentless little buggers weren't they? The distance between herself and Karen began to close....but so was the distance between themselves and the ground. The winds behind Persephone intensified even more, sending the goddess soaring straight to Karen. Wrapping her arms around Karen's torso, BOTH woman dissappeared instantly in a tornado of winds, just minutes from hitting the ground. ::


:: Reappearing in Ava's penthouse, both woman tumbled to the ground in a heap. Rolling to a stop, now THAT was a rush. Pushing herself up, Ava's apartment was too, covered in birds. But dead birds. Smirking, she spotted Onyx a few feet away, munching on a dead crow....that cat was a damn talented hunter, that was for sure. ::

:: Finally getting to her feet, Ava quickly went to Karen's side. Rolling her onto her back, the doctors body was filled with wounds; similiar to her own earlier that day. Checking Karen's pulse, it was steady but weak. ::

"If you wanted to leave Illustra, you could of just taken the stairs."

:: Trying to brighten the mood a bit, Ava got up and quickly grabbed the first aid kit that was located in the nearby closet. Going to a few of her plants placed throughout her livingroom, she tore off some of their leaves and steams. These plants weren't your typical houseplant. Ava knew what plants had specific healing factors, numbing agents, and pain relievers. It was the benefit of growing up in a time where modern medicine wasn't available. ::

:: Returning to Karen's side, Ava broke one of the larger steams apart; a green liquid seaping from the break. Rubbing the liquid onto a piece of gauze, she began to gently blot it against all the deeper wounds that were bleeding the most. It was a cloating agent, immediately slowing the bleeding down. It would sting slightly, with a warm tingly sensation, but that was normal. Taking out a small vial from the first aid kit, it was a bottle of Thieves oil extract; a very powerful natural disinfectant. Dumping it onto another piece of gauze, Ava gently rubbed it along Karen's wounds, the pain immediately stopping and replaced by a cooling sensation. ::

"There...the pain should be gone...[examines the deeper wounds] and the bleeding has stopped on your more critical wounds. It's not exactly magical healing, but it should suffice until you're stong enough to heal yourself....[pausing] Are you okay, Karen?"

[Jessica Hamby]

Well that went well...Look, Hales. As much as you don't want to admit it, you need Karens help now. We all do. She may have just walked out right now, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't CARE about you. In fact...I think she cares TOO MUCH to watch you self distruct again.

Haleigh rested a hand on Ava's shoulder, looking concerned as she interrupted.

"Honey.... did you hit your head on something? Or are we just NOT talking about the SAME Karen. --Because the Karen that was JUST in here? She couldn't care LESS. [disheartened laugh] She wants to argue that I HAVEN'T been abandoned.... but don't you remember what Jeff used to say? 'Everybody wants to slap your back and shake your hand when you're up on top of that mountain.... but then one of those rocks gives way and you slide back down.... look up and see who's around then. It'll only be your TRUE friends.' Well, I'm looking around, Ava.... and the only one who HASN'T walked out on me is YOU. So don't you STAND THERE and tell me she wants to HELP.... because I just DON'T see it."

But as Ava continued, Haleigh had no choice but to listen.... and Ava knew all the right things to say to reach her sister. Haleigh nods softly as Ava finishes, and as Ava took her hand, warning her to stay out of trouble, Haleigh pulled her into a haphazard hug.

"Be careful, Ava."

Ava left hurriedly, and Mike and Haleigh were left to their own devices. Haleigh gave him the once over as he tried a different approach.... he seemed sincere enough, but in the true fashion of men, he was stuck on the trial and error method of dealing with women. This time, he managed at least to NOT anger her, and got a rather half hearted response, as Haleigh turned her attention to trying to work with the damaged systems of Illustra's high tech security.

"Well.... looks like you'll have a NEW kind of story to tell.... if you survive. Oh, and Mike? If you value that which identifies you as a MAN.... don't EVER again make a comment about my sister's skirt."

She said, eying him testily before closing her eyes. The circuitry was an absolute MESS.... the birds had destroyed it several times over and there was little left to give the security cameras power OR to route the video feed.... but Haleigh could remotely power the cameras... and extract the feed herself... and so.... one by one.... the cameras throughout the residence floors of Illustra powered on again. Haleigh made certain, however, that the red lights on the face of the cameras that identify them as WORKING or transmitting did NOT illuminate... and in this manner.... she could watch without being detected. She checked her own apartment.... surveying the damage... and upon seeing her downed sentinel, she immediately checked its activity log.... and contacted her sister through her earpiece after Ava reappeared in her own penthouse with Karen in hand.

"AVA! Keep your eyes peeled.... Riley's been here.... he's got Sharon and he disabled my 'Bot..... I don't see him anywhere.... but I can't imagine he'd come and go without saying hi to an old friend."

[Shadow Weaver]

<< falling through a window didnt hurt like she might of thought. in her own paniced mind, she hoped she'd FLY AWAY from the birds that were tearing at her, but in reality, she was falling to her death. was it really going to end like this? >>

<< many of the birds began to pull away, but some remained close...almost if they held a GRUDGE.>>

<< but as Karen's body fell through the night sky, PERSPEHONE caught up with her, bravely leaping to save her , catching her and then shifting them from the open air into Persephone's own luxury apartment via a tornado of winds. By now, Karen was well on her way to being blacked out....barely conscious but still, she hung on to what awareness she had.>>

<< this place was quiet...there were birds...but DEAD birds...and a big cat in the distance, happily eating one of the dead birds. It must have been Persephone's beloved pet. so there were big cats AND little cats in Illustra.>>

<< as Karen lay....half dead with terror, Persephone made a light hearted joke about Karen not leaving Illustra in such a dramatic way...and in truth it probably WAS a MAD thing to do...leaving the war room when birds were all over the place, but Karen was So BESIDE hereslf, she needed an escape. even SHE was not above a breaking point.>>

<< she coughed and winced as Persephone carefully and deftly applied medical attention, using plants and herbs. a far more natural approach than magick or traditional medicine but no less effective in disinfecting and cleaning and facilitating the healing process.>>

<< very dizzy, Karen shut her misty sapphire eyes and spoke in a weak voice.>>

well...i...certainly didnt mean to cause such a stir...falling out of the window like that....

<< her OWN attempt in keeping as light hearted an attitude as she could about it.>>

thank...you for saving....

<< Karen was weary, in mind and body and was drifting in and out of consciousness. she would have said MORE but right now, she wanted to SLEEP more than anything.>>


<< Karen could heal herself if she were at full strength , MORGAN could heal her if she were there...but Persephone had done more than her part to make sure Karen would not suffer any more pain or risk infection and Karen looked much better.>>

[Silver Swan]

AVA! Keep your eyes peeled.... Riley's been here.... he's got Sharon and he disabled my 'Bot..... I don't see him anywhere.... but I can't imagine he'd come and go without saying hi to an old friend."

[ an armoured hand SLAMS across Haleigh's jaw in a closed fist. it comes so fast and without warning as Silver Swan makes the scene.]

HE'S not your problem right now, you piece of TRASH. I AM!

[Silver Swan takes Haleigh's head in the same step and SLAMS it down face first into the control console before hurling her down to the floor using her far superior super strength. she then leaves Haleigh to face Mike.]

and YOU!

I've got something in store for YOU! you'll wish you had DIED ON THE ROOF when i'm finished with you NOW, you interferring wretch! how DARE you come between me and my JUST REVENGE!!

[ she shrieked as hurls her armour covered arm forward. for daggers fire from the metalloid substance of her armour and charge for Mike. two for his eyes, one for his throat and the other one for his PRIVATE PARTS.]

I'll flay the flesh off your bones, before i PULL HER APART PIECE BY PIECE!


[in the background against the wall, a pair of cool eyes could be scene. Rick Riley was in the room as well, hanging back leaning against the wall with his arms folded, content to let Sharon do the leg work once more before finally carrying out his plane. if anyone came NEAR him, they'd be in for a terrible surprise themselves but as he KNEW they couldnt anticipate that...he remained there, in the shadows...watching with delight as Silver Swan renewed her attack on Haleigh and Mike.]

[Oracle]

<< with the silver swan now in front of them, and her reflexes FAR faster than Haleigh's...the Black Widow would be hard pressed to stay ahead of this woman who was BENT on her death. but the REAL architect of this whole affair was now in the room as well. whether he knew or not, he was prooving just how COWARDLY he was...hiding behind Sharon to do his work, but that was how he'd always been, taking the credit for other's work. Haleigh remembered THAT form her days in the service>>

<< as rick watched the scene begin to unfold, he was looking rather smug, but in fact, he was waiting for the right moment. to do something that he wouldnt do until Morgan and the others arrived. this would make it all the more effective, to have them ALL in one place at the same time.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

STARS.

Black Widow was blindsided by Sharon's surprise attack, and her head whipped sideways, her hair flinging about as she takes a step to steady herself.... but Silver Swan is quick to follow the first hit by SLAMMING Haleigh's head into the console, right THROUGH a monitor! She throws Haleigh to the floor, and turns on Mike. As she does, Haleigh picks herself up, pulling a key sized piece of jagged glass out of her left eyebrow. Blood runs down the side of her face for a second before congealing, preventing further blood loss through the open wound. As Sharon sends several daggers at Mike, Haleigh disappears, and HUGE metallic shield appears between him and the projectiles. After they all strike the shield and get embedded, the shield lifts up and away, to reveal a defiant Haleigh.

"I can't let you do that, Sharon. He's an innocent man.... I just met him tonight..... he doesn't have to be pulled into this.... this is between you and me. Now can't we just talk? I always respected you, Senator.... you were a GOOD woman.... I could never BEGIN to explain how much I appreciated your efforts on behalf of mutants EVERYWHERE.... to myself.... and the rest of the Six.... and ALL others like us, you meant SO much.... the WORLD mourned the loss of you.... and it WAS my fault.... I should have STOPPED Stavros.... I should have SAID something.... but I.... I was so ashamed of him.... and YOU paid the price of my silence. You didn't deserve that.... and For that..... I am TRULY sorry. Please listen to me.... let Mike go.... don't hurt him.... don't hurt Zach..... or the rest of the Six.... none of THEM deserve to pay... You came for ME.... so here I am."

She said, close to pleading. She didn't have a weapon in her hand, just the shield strapped to her arm. She held eye contact with Sharon... the woman who died at the hands of Master Mold.... one of those that Haleigh couldn't save.... one of those that Haleigh KNEW would die weeks before. Would Alison's fatal prediction still have come true if Haleigh'd said something? It was possible... but why wouldn't Alison have confronted Haleigh if that were the case? No.... by the time Alison foresaw Sharon and Morgan's death, it was unavoidable..... but Haleigh still felt terribly responsible.... and facing the victim of her secrets, Haleigh couldn't shake the guilt. Karen and Morgan were right.... Sharon was NOT the enemy, though it seemed that way... Sharon was Rick Riley's Ace In The Hole... and this whole time he'd been waiting to play it until the time was right..... but how did he KNOW? How did he know this was the BEST time to hit Haleigh, while she was down and suffering from crippling episodes and power fluxuations? That SON of a bitch.... he's DONE something to me! HE'S behind ALL of this.... HE has cost me EVERYTHING! I'll.... I'll DESTROY HIM, once and FOR ALL! But first.... I have to parry Sharon..... WHERE is everyone?

>>Mike... call for help!

She whispered, transmitting it to his ear quietly as she steadied herself for any sudden moves on Sharon's part.

"Sharon, I don't want to hurt you.... I never did.... but you're not leaving me much choice here. Morgan wants to HELP you.... but you're killing innocent people.... people WE protect. We can't let you continue like this... please... help us help YOU."

[Silver Swan]

[ screaming at Mike as she advanced behind the daggers]

I'll CRACK YOUR ACCURSED BONES!

[ and she could do it to. She was FAR stronger than he was thanks to the terrifying transformation she was put through but as the daggers flew through the air to meet their targets in Mike's eyes, throat and private parts, Black Widow appears, and DEFLECTS THEM.]

recovered faster than i thought possible! stronger than she looks!

[ Silver Swan, astonished at the resiliency and boldness of Haleigh , prepares to unleash her fury of spinning stars. but her foe's NEXT MOVE....it was something she didnt know HOW to combat! it was something she COULDNT have expected.]

this is between you and me. Now can't we just talk? I always respected you, Senator.... you were a GOOD woman.... I could never BEGIN to explain how much I appreciated your efforts on behalf of mutants EVERYWHERE.... to myself.... and the rest of the Six.... and ALL others like us, you meant SO much.... the WORLD mourned the loss of you.... and it WAS my fault.... I should have STOPPED Stavros.... I should have SAID something.... but I.... I was so ashamed of him.... and YOU paid the price of my silence. You didn't deserve that.... and For that..... I am TRULY sorry. Please listen to me.... let Mike go.... don't hurt him.... don't hurt Zach..... or the rest of the Six.... none of THEM deserve to pay... You came for ME.... so here I am."

Senator...efforts.....good woman....GOOD WOMAN......SORRY.....mutants....fighting for...

mutants....my son.....

[since she'd been brought back from the dead...NOTHING like this...had been seen in her minds eye of Haleigh. this was UNLIKE what she had been programmed to know and remember. it gave her MORE than pause as her silver eyes seemed to go a bit blank for a moment...and she seemed lost in thought.]


[with the thought of her son....and Haleigh's carefully chosen, yet seemingly sincere words...like static on a TV, her PROGRAMMED memories gave way to REAL memories....the REAL Haleigh...conversations between herself, Sharon and Alycia. Morgan, her beloved friend, ALISON, a trusted confidant, DELILAH, and MIKE.....she remembered him...and through association she remembered ...GUSTAV too]

My son.......Morgan.....friend....Gustav.....help.... .

[ she seemed to falter...free of the programming if only for a FLEETING moment...she was now TRULY disoriented, as any recently RESURRECTED person would be. She had no choice in being brought back from the dead...she was ROBBED of peace EVEN IN DEATH and Haleigh FINALLY seemed to understand that.....it brought Haleigh more time of LIFE in the same room with the Silver Swan than anyone ELSE she had encountered up to this point.]

[Oracle]

<< swing around Silver Swan's body...to her back. the small of her back. go beneath her armoured bodice and under flesh....to the spinal chord itself and you find attached, a LARGE syringe shapped object with a glowing, bubbling green fluid flowing thorugh it. this liquid, another hold over from the chemical warefare of mystech's arsenal is what drives Sharon with such hatred and agression. it superceeds ALL OTHER needs and impulses...it ALSO magnifies her strength...but it's also POISINING her body...and even if she succeeds in destroying Haleigh, SHE will die AGAIN. its just a question of WHEN...and if RICK has anything to do with it...he will make SURE that she dies a crippling, painfull, slow DEATH as her body shuts down, one organ at a time...leaving her to feel EVERYTHING and KNOWING that even in DEATH she was not safe from Mystech's shadowy hand of manipulation.>>

<< zooming OUT from Sharon's body and back to the scene at hand, as the Silver Swan stands, on the edge of reason and awareness...Haleigh's call to Mike is answered before even HE can prepare to radio for help as a flash of light indicates the opening of a stepping disc!>>

<< Morgan, Alycia ,Nicolas and Delilah RETURN to the war room. Nicolas is now armed with ALL the information about Sharon's transformation. He cant entirely REVERSE it, but he COULD free her of the toxic chemical that "fuels/destroys" her at the same time...and thereby bring her MUCH NEEDED calm and peace. with Morgan's magick, she could LIVE without the chemical, live out the rest of her life...even as an engineered metahuman but she would be FREE of Mystech...and able to PROTECT HERSELF and OTHERS like never before...even perhaps as an ALLY of the six? well THAT might be asking a bit much of her...but one thing was for sure...there was a way to save her...and KEEP Haleigh from dying as well.>>

<< in these few harried moments in the darkened war room, within the battered building of Illustra, Haleigh was stepping forward, stepping UP without even REALIZING just h ow she'd managed to proove Karen WRONG in one critical way...she WASNT merely the "Short sighted, selfish, toxic, maladaptive monster" that Karen had written her off to be out of frustration.>>

<< Mike contacted Persephone and Dr. Victoria as well and now, with the rest of the team arriving, armed with the TRUTH and with Alycia safe in hand....they were a step closer to doing what needed to be done...pull together at the right time, and face the enemy..the TRUE enemy.>>

<< but of course...that enemy was MORE than prepared for this moment.>>

[Rampage]

Mike smirked at the answer by Haleigh; out of all he had said, she picked up on looking up Ava's skirt.

WOW, threaten much, Haleigh? Have you ever even tried to correct someone without reminding them noncompliance might be deadl-

At that moment, Sharon knocked the HELL out of Haleigh, then SLAMMED her head into the console, after which she tuned on Mike.

What to do? He prepared himself for what he knew to be next, and as she fired the shuriken at him he crouched quickly and activated his small energy shield. he gave it about a 80/20 chance of stopping the shuriken but, to his surprise, it was NOT needed. HALEIGH had recovered enough to intercept the projectiles and was in the process of trying to talk Mike and everyone else out of this situation. This gave Mike time to think as he crouched behind her. SOMETHING was not adding up.

The chances that Sharon managed to sneak up on them? ZERO, even in an argument she could get on this floor without them knowing immediately. So how did she get the jump on them? As he guessed what was going on, he pretended to still be the dupe, sending a thought to Nicolas per Haleigh's instructions, but with a slight change.

Nic, we need your asses here NOW. Sharon is face-to-face with Haleigh and Haleigh is trying to talk her down now. But listen closely: I think that Riley is here in this room NOW with us. Prepare for that possibility.

**********************************
Nicolas tore through the majority of the beasts that they faced with his attack and Morgan did a mop-up job that the CIA would have been proud of, scouring the outside of the cottage of anything Mystech. he watched her land gracefully at the door and he leaped forward with similar violence to his attack but when he landed, it was soft and noiseless.

He looked at Morgan's hand as she enjoyed a feel of him hard at work. His breathing as she touched him slowed and he returned to his resting rate at an incredible rate. By the time she turned away, he was back to normal metabolic exertion.

As the pair of Morgan and Nicolas entered the cottage, Nicolas could see that Morgan was weirded out by the surroundings. He found it that she could face down zombies without a flinch but respond to an empty cottage like she was the victim in a slasher film. As she screamed at the fallen tree coming into the window, Nicolas put a reassuring hand on her shoulder as he stifled his laughter.

Not a sound Nicolas. The silence will be a sufficient way to pick at her.


It was obvious that Riley was brazen. However, he had taken over THIS place with rare impunity. Nicolas reminded himself that there was probably a dead caretaker somewhere, if he was lucky. Most likely he was one of the poor souls that ended here by his and Morgan's hand.

They worked their way through until they reached the office. It was here that Morgan's hunch paid off. They found the complete file on Sharon and she gave it to him to look over.

Morgan, with this we should be able to at least reverse engineer an undoing of what was done to her. These types of specific protocols and schematics are what I need to do that. If we can get to her, I will do all that I can to make it happen.

Morgan finds Haleigh's file and looks it over. In the process she deduces that Sharon is the killing machine for Haleigh, who Rick has a way to kill afterward via the very chemical that fuels her.
As Morgan stepping disks them back to the bunker to leave, Mike speaks to Nicolas directly about what is happening now. He also relays his suspicions which fit EXACTLY into what Morgan deduced. He turns to Morgan, then pauses, as he is hit with Alycia's determined and rather HEALTHY reaction to what she was told by Delilah. Morgan is still trying to dance around the issue when he speaks.

Morgan, Alycia KNOWS and she will be just fine......We need to head back as Haleigh is face-to face with Sharon trying to TALK to her, reach her. But Mike believes that Riley is there with them, waiting for his move.

[Jill Monroe]

<< a chime sounds off as a stepping disc opens. Spellbinder, Rampage, MorningStar and Special Agent Barnett arrive just as Persephone arrives, helping Dr. Victoria, who looks worse for the wear.>>

MOM!?

<< BARELY realizing that Sharon is in the room with them, Morgan rushes over to her mother, Morgan carefully takes over for Persephone, quickly placing her mother on a gurney.>>

I felt your pain....goddess...WHAT HAPPENED!?

Karen Victoria: ....birds....so many...came out of the darkness....attacked......

<< Karen had obviously been HELPED by Perspehone, looking her mother over...Morgan sees that her body's on natural healing had been jump started by the aid of special plants and herbs, she was also bandaged in the more critical areas. >>

Mother, you shouldnt be here.....it's not safe...

<< looking over her shoulder and gulping as she sees Alycia and Sharon are in the same room with Haleigh. a sure fire recipie for disaster, not to mention that Illustra's power is on the fritz and even TINKERBELL and the kitten are in the war room...huddled together in a chair off in a corner...looking very distressed.>>

<< Morgan had precious little time to gather what was going on...but she hoped that SOMEONE would provide an explanation before it was too late. Seeing Sharon, Morgan slowly turned to face her. she looked confused , not like earlier at the cathedral. more like what Nicolas saw in his dream....and Alycia....Alycia looked pale and dismayed at the sight of Sharon looking like this, but better she see it NOW with everyone TOGETHER, than to have run into Sharon somewhere ELSE where things could have been fatally violent.>>

Haleigh...Mike....AVA??

<< she walked forward slowly.......>>

i need...an explanation...and dont ANYONE make any sudden moves....we dont ...want to frighten or upset her.

<< Rick Riley was somewhere near by. he HAD to be...but what powers had he gained or given himself since their last encounter?? he was BADLY wounded in his last fight with Haleigh, HUMILIATED even, and so...his planning for this moment, everything that lead up to it...he wasnt ABOUT to give up without a fight to see this throught. But with Sharon seemingly lost in thought right now....was NOW the time to capture her? Silver Swan was fast and strong...capable of fighting anyone in the room b ut they NOW had the means to HELP HER....they were SO CLOSE but nohting was EVER easy...and with her mother looking the way she did, not to mention ILLUSTRA itself looking like a giant , technological bird nest now, she wondered just what the HELL had gone on here while they were gone. she had NO IDEA how her mother and Haleigh had locked horns so bitterly OR that just prior to arriving, Haleigh had displayed some of her most enlightened thought processes yet.>>

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Karen insisted that they both return to the war room. Reluctant to actually bring the doctor, there was no arguing with her. She was as stubborn as Morgan. Reaching the war room doors, at that moment, Morgan, Nicolas, and Delilah all returned with Alycia. Morgan quickly rushed to Karen's side, taking her from Ava. Demanding an explaination, Ava glanced to her side quickly, seeing Sharon and Haleigh. Sharon already looked to have gotten a cheap shot in, but Haleigh seemed to actually be trying to communicate with her, rather than tearing her a new ass hole. Looking back to Morgan, Ava began to explain what exactly had happened. ::

"Once Karen restrained Haleigh, I returned to my flat to get some rest. I was just about to get into bed when I saw a flock of demonic crows flying straight for Illustra. I immediately took flight to intercept Sharon before she got to Illustra, buying Mike and Karen enough time to set up a defence field around the building. During the battle I accidently blasted Sharon into Alison's apartment--by the way, just forward me the bill and i'll take care of the mess. With Sharon inside Illustra, I returned to the medical bay where Karen and Haleigh were already having at it. Words were exchanged while Sharon destoryed Haleigh's apartment and the demonic crows worked on shorting out Illustra's power grid. Karen got fed up and left. I followed her to your apartment where she was viciously attacked by demonic crows to the point of falling out one of the apartment windows. I dove after her, retrieved her, and returned to my flat to mend her wounds. I'm guessing that was when Sharon arrived here and attacked both Haleigh and Mike."

[Jessica Hamby]

Everyone seemed to show up at once, as Haleigh's appeal seemed to actually WORK.... Sharon was disoriented and seeing through the blinders that Mystech had installed.... and Haleigh felt a glimmer of hope. Mystech could program the HELL out of a computer.... but if there was ever something they COULDNT override [or falsely manufacture] for long.... it was pure human emotion. Morgan tended to her mother briefly and then questioned what was going on.... but Haleigh didn't answer... she stayed focused on Sharon, afraid to lose the slight rapport she'd managed to develop. Persephone brought Morgan up to speed on what happened while she was gone.... and as she finished, Haleigh tried to guide Sharon a little more away from KILL MODE.

"Sharon..... Mystech did a lot to you in bringing you back.... they gave you a lot of gifts.... but they messed with you too.... they want to make you their next secret weapon.... they wanted me for it.... they've been trying to get me back but I think they want you to 'scrap' me and bring them back to prime. We're not PEOPLE to them, Sharon.... we're machines... we're experiment subjects. They're going to try to use you like they wanted to with me.... but you don't HAVE to be their tool, Sharon.... they put a lot of rage inside you and twisted you up, but you're strong... you can fight it..... and we can help..... we can make it right. [stretching out her hand to Sharon] Let me make it right?"

[Rampage]

As Morgan and the others worked on what had occurred, Nicolas had enough information to make a difference of his own. he concentrated, gingerly reaching out to Sharon with his TK. According to the schematics, the drug cocktail that gave her power and drove her mad was subcutaneously hidden, tapped directly into her spine. This was difficult endeavor, but he had to try. Without this, she would be uncontrollable, a supernova of madness that would eventually (and quickly) burn itself out.

Instead of removing it now, he decided to instead block its flow, cutting the poison off from Sharon. He compressed the needle into the syringe, pulling it out of the spinal column so that it could not be jarred back into action.

Sharon should quickly notice a clarity in thought associated with her body metabolizing the remaining poison and her brain recovering from its effects...

***********************

As the other returned, Mike stood up, still trying to locate Riley in these shadows without tipping him off to the fact that his whereabouts were known...

[Jill Monroe]

<< Hearing Ava's quick and to the point recap, Morgan looked with dismay. there was little Morgan could do not..but stand with the others...PRAYING that Haleigh wouldnt mess up...and that SHARON would ACCEPT this from her. Morgan's own icy violet eyes were misty from anxious concern and a genuine desire to reach out to Sharon, but she stood close by her Mother, who was laying on the gurney, holding her hand. Karen was still a bit shaken from her own ordeal from just earlier. Being viciously attacked by birds and falling out of a window...if Perspehone had NOT come when she did...this could all be SO MUCH worse and Perspehone's quick thinking and way with healing plants and herbs had MORE than started the healing in Karen's physical body.>>

<< Morgan began to weave a pattern of healing around her mother as she watched Sharon and Haleigh with intent.>>

Please let this work....PLEASE let her come back to US!

<< she quickly glanced at Nicolas, who seemed to be concentrating. she hoped that whatever he was doing...it was not to PROVOKE Sharon.>>

<< Haleigh continued to appeal to Sharon, speaking in a way that made Morgan silently gasp with surprise. how...the DEPTH of sincerity she displayed here...looking outside herself and realizing the gravity of the situation. Morgan, in her own anguish and having been polarized by the Silver Swan had underestimated her team mate and she was regretfull of that.>>

<< Delilah generated a soft , subtle pattern of light around the room, using her power to reach out to Sharon's emotions to try to CONTINUE to keep her lulled and calm to allow Haleigh's words to reach her.>>

okay...everyone who can IS doing something...and everyone ELSE is keeping quiet....so far...so good.

<< still, Rick Riley was SOMEWHERE near by and he was watching this...no doubt SAVORING this moment of quiet uncertainty. Spellbinder couldnt detect him because he wasnt powered by magick but CAMERON might be able to...but would his psi powers work before it was too late?>>

[Silver Swan]

[ standing there, looking beautifull and terrible, the VIOLENCE that was Sharon's calling card was temporarily suspended as the Silver Swan gazed at Haleigh and her team rather blankly. Her silver eyes no longer betraying chaos...but disorientation.]

static...like that of a television....fleeting flashing images.......MORGANALYCIAMYSTECHMASTERMOLDPAINDEAT HSTAVROSHALEIGHSORRYHELP

.......

[the soft, calming light coming from Delilah, it was not only helping Sharon ...it was also causing the birds who were telepathically linked to her...to ALSO go into a lulled state throughout Illustra.]

"Sharon..... Mystech did a lot to you in bringing you back.... they gave you a lot of gifts.... but they messed with you too.... they want to make you their next secret weapon.... they wanted me for it.... they've been trying to get me back but I think they want you to 'scrap' me and bring them back to prime. We're not PEOPLE to them, Sharon.... we're machines... we're experiment subjects. They're going to try to use you like they wanted to with me.... but you don't HAVE to be their tool, Sharon.... they put a lot of rage inside you and twisted you up, but you're strong... you can fight it..... and we can help..... we can make it right. [stretching out her hand to Sharon] Let me make it right?"

....mystech....experiment...me..?...my son.....help.....mystech.....hurt......pain.....my son......me....dead.....where??

[MYSTECH....AGAIN!! they'd violated her...even in DEATH she was not safe...they killed her son, her husband...and eventually HER as well...but SHE was not allowed to reset in peace....the brought her back.....as their...their SLAVE!]

images.....master mold....obliteration....scream.....white hot....light...Alycia....

I love you......all of you....thank you...for everything.... [and with that....Sharon exhales her last breath..and passes away in Alycia's arms]


[Sharon begins to falter..showing sings of HUMAN EMOTION as Nicolas CAREFULLY uses his TK to BLOCK the feed of the chemical/poison into her system...she begins to tremble, as she REALIZES she's not supposed to be here....she's supposed to be DEAD....but what is THIS!? a..NIGHTMARE? another CRUELTY designed by MYSTECH!?]

[her eyes...begin to WELL UP WITH TEARS.]

Mystech......hurting me....

[ her voice sounding much like it did the night she died in Alycia's arms....for this was the last state she was in.....]

hurting.......help.....me...

[Haleigh reaches her hand out to Sharon...and Sharon.......no longer FEELING like The Silver Swan....slowly...hesitantly...but gradually reaches her armoured covered hand out to HALEIGH'S]

dont...want this.....

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Seeing what had become of Illustra, Alycia was almost wanting to go BACK to the forest. At least then the REALITY wouldnt be smacking her in the face and in the mind so hard.::

Oh my god!!.......

:: but the one thing that made this all seem so...UNBELIVABLE was the sight of Sharon Kelly, standing there liking like a dark valkyrie. She looked BEAUTIFULL but there was a tremendous feeling of LOSS that came from looking her. She was a puppet on command performance. THIS was what Ororo was talking about....OTHER people forcing their will upon Sharon and not even allowing her to REST in peace. Her family had been taking form her and she DIED defending the rights of mutant kind...and now to be turned into THIS. it made her HATE Rick Riley all the more...and if he WAS in the room she'd KILL HIM herself! if it didnt matter to anyone else...it mattered to HER that he screamed in agony as he died...to feel even an OUNCE of the pain he'd caused her, Sharon and even HALEIGH, not to mention the rest of the six and their allies.::

:: Alycia hardly dared to breath, standing near Nicolas, she eyed Mike for a moment...she'd not seen or dealt with this man before. just WHO WAS HE? now , of course was not the time to find out...but if he was on THEIR side of the room then he HAD to be with the Six in some way. she had to trust that...and that he would keep their secret safe..not to mention the fact that SHE, a federal agent was in league with mutants and meta humans.::

:: She watched with tension in her eyes, her heart as Haleigh made a surprisingly well put appeal to the Silver Swan....the SILVER SWAN. Sharon had a...a "CODE NAME" now. if this had been under BETTER, POSITIVE circumstances...Sharon might have been able to do MORE to help mutants AS the Silver Swan...but not like this...Alycia knew enough to know that NO ONE could handle being wrenched even out of death to be FORCED into servitude...super powered or not.::

dear god.....SHARON!! what have they DONE to you!!

:: Sharon began to falter, showing signs of uncertainty...and humanity and as she SPOKE...she sounded JUST the way she did the night she died from her injuries by Master Mold.[::

:: Putting her hand over her mouth as her face contorted with dismay, Alycia WINCED with pain and anguish as her eyes began to well up with tears....she wanted to DO SOMETHING!! she held Sharon in her arms as she died the first time....and NOW...she had to STAND HERE while Sharon began to reach out for HELP? Alycia didnt know if she could keep quiet for much longer...no matter WHAT..this was HER best friend and suddenly it didnt MATTER the issue between herself and Haleigh anymore...Alycia hoped and prayed that Haleigh would SUCCEED in this most critical moment.::

PLEASE!! HELP HER!! DAMMIT!! DONT LET THEM TAKE HER AGAIN!

:: As Alycia brimmed with anguish and uncertainty, she looked over at Mike again, who seemed to be scanning....with a device. she eyed him once more...just WHAT was he doing!?::

[Jessica Hamby]

The room was tensely quiet.... everyone seemed to understand that what was about to happen could NOT be interrupted or helped along, despite how badly they wanted to help. But as Haleigh tentatively reached out to Sharon, hoping beyond reason that this would work, Sharon herself began to come back around.... and her softly confused voice became eerily reminiscent of the night she died. Haleigh had a brief flash of the dying woman's words, but pushed on, holding out her hand. Sharon slowly comes around.... and a Silver covered hand meets a Black gloved one.

Haleigh breathes a measured sigh of relief-- they aren't out of the woods just yet.... but this is BIG leap in the right direction.... and to the hybrid struggling to keep her world from falling apart, this feels like a huge triumph in the eye of a hurricane of failure and disappointment.

[Oracle]

<< moments like this...made up for ALL the time wasted with the disagreeing, and power playing. moments like THIS served to proove Karen wrong about Haleigh, and REMIND Morgan of why Haleigh WAS an asset to the team.>>

<< When the chips were down, Haleigh WOULD come through. All she needed WAS help and guidance and if she didnt understand BEFORE, she was MORE than starting to understand now...and THAT was in part what allowed her to successfully reach out to a MAD Sharon Kelly.>>

<< in those tense moments, where seconds seemed ot last DAYS, even a silent breath sounded like a shout and a heart beat like an unwanted knock on the door. only Delilah's light provided slightly improoved illumination and even then, it was designed to KEEP Sharon calm as Nicolas subtlely worked to CURB and BLOCK the flow of the chemical in her body...the FIRST step to ridding her of the toxic programming by MysTech.>>

<< but even as it seemed Haleigh was about to have a major moment of triumph, she was about to be reminded AGAIN that for ever step she made to progress...there was SOMEONE waiting in the wings to pull her back...to SHATTER what mattered to her.>>

[Jacob Black]

:: The series of events leading up to this moment had obviously ran on the theory that everything that could go wrong, WOULD go wrong. The only solace in the fact that Alycia was with them and safe. But now with Haleigh fighting with Karen Victoria and now taking on the Silver Swan. It seemed like a very dark situation. Why had he just gone into shell shock? Why didn't he step up to the plate when he needed to? He could have stopped the confrontation between Karen and Haleigh, he could have sedated her. Everything was going so bad for the group, until Haleigh seemed to make a breakthrough with Sharon. ::

:: Cameron had a moment to think to himself, to assess the situation. What did they need to focus on right now, they couldn't help Sharon or Haleigh, that was a beef they needed to squash with only each other. Then he thought of it. Rick Riley? He wasn't out of the picture yet. He was still at large. The Silver Swan still stood, and she was all apart of Rick's endgame. Haleigh and Sharon couldn't be in this close of quarters without Rick nearby, just biding his time to make the perfect move, to storm them just as he had done to Alycia in the cell. ::

:: He cast out his mind's eye and instantly got a lock. He saw Rick Riley, and he was in Illustra. Right under their NOSES. He had entered through Ava's floor. He was picking up the traces of powers. Powers that PIPELINE had. Rick Riley was a whole new form of evil. He didn't have much time to think and with the situation being so tense in the room. He reached out to the only people he could; Ava, Delilah, Mike and Nicholas. Talking to them all mentally. ::

"Guys..I know this situation is tense, but we ANOTHER problem. Rick Riley.... is in Illustra. I thought I should scan for him since Alycia, Haleigh and Sharon were all here.. I saw how he entered. Just like PIPELINE. He is much different now, the only thing is I can't tell exactly WHERE he is in Illustra. We need to find him before he tries to stop what is going on here. Before he uses Sharon for her intended purpose. I just don't know how.. if we MOVE, I feel like Sharon will go crazy. I can't contact Morgan due to her PSI Screen...just a moment..."

:: Cameron knew he couldn't penetrate Morgan or Karen's MINDS because of their PSI Screen but he could SHOW them. Focusing intensely, he cast an illusion on one of the blank walls, blocking the minds of everyone in the room from the vision EXCEPT for Karen and Morgan. The image played like a movie. It showed Cameron focusing his mind, it showed images of Illustra and images of Rick Riley. The words "URGENT" and "INTRUDER" flashed as well before they faded. He hoped Morgan and Karen would pick up on what was going on. ::

"I tried to show Karen and Morgan what's going on.. We just need to decide what we are going to do..."

:: Everyone was tense, and everyone has been through so much at this point and Rick Riley was now seeming to be the straw breaking the camel's back. What the hell were they going to do now. ::

[Silver Swan]

[ Sharon was too disoriented to notice what Cameron was doing...everything seemed so unreal to her. suddenly everyone INCLUDING Haleigh felt more like a DREAM than reality.]

[and secretly, she hoped that if by touching Haleigh's hand, by REACHING OUT she would find her way OUT of this nightmare...back to something else...PEACEFULL. if that meant being DEAD again...she seemed to be ready for THAT than to stand her a MINUTE LONGER in the forced service of Rick Riley or MYSTECH.]

[ but the sudden self awareness...of TRUE SELF was fleeting...as it Sharon's body LURCHED and she CRIED OUT...her sonic scream being unleashed by default as she screamed with PAIN and her EYES and MOUTH began to bleed.]

[ As Sharon's body is RACKED with pain and she clutches at her hair in agony...glass jars and computer screens shattered all around the area...but the power of the sonic scream began to wane as Sharon herself fell to the floor...not breathing. blood coming from her mouth, her ears and her closed eyes.]

[Jill Monroe]

<< standing there, holding the hand of her mother who lay on the gurney, Morgan watched with focus ....>>

yes, that's it sharon....come to US. we'll help you.

<< she blinked and noticed something odd on the wall as she looked. she looked down at her mother, the same thing was coming over the wall near HER as well.>>

what is this??

It showed Cameron focusing his mind, it showed images of Illustra and images of Rick Riley. The words "URGENT" and "INTRUDER" flashed as well before they faded. He hoped Morgan and Karen would pick up on what was going on.

<< Rick Riley, the BASTARD!!>>

<< she looked around the room frantically. She didnt have to be a precog to know that it was just his style to strike at someone when they were at their most vulnerable.>>

Haleigh........

<< She spoke softly.. but it was too late. Sharon began to scream with pain...blood coming her eyes and mouth as she was beseiged with pain...the cry of her sonic scream...it went from savage to WAILING. and Morgan WINCED with pain as the sonic assault hit her...and glass began to shatter around the room.>>

COME OUT...AND SHOW YOURSELF YOU BASTARD!!!

LEAVE SHARON ALONE AND FACE US!!

<< Morgan bowed her head....as the pain of the scream was finally beginning to wane. she wanted Rick's heart...his HEAD and she wanted him to come forward and show himself. but her rage and her desire to strike out was interrupted as Sharon fell to the floor....NOT BREATHING.>>

no....NOT AGAIN!!

<< She rushes forward..>>

NOT AGAIN!!

<< turning Sharon over..>>

Sharon?....SHARON!!?

<< holding her in her arms...checking for a pulse.....>>

SHE'S NOT BREATHING!

HE'S DOING THIS TO HER! WHERE IS HE!?!

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Alycia gasps with shock as Sharon begins to scream....the PAIN of the sonic scream makes Alycia want to jump out of a window...do ANYTHING to escape...but she...she CANT leave her best friend!! NO MATTER WHAT!::

:: its clear that Sharon isnt attacking, she's being ASSAULTED...maybe even KILLED before their very eyes....and as Sharon falls to the floor...Alycia cries out with tears in her eyes.::

NO!

:: as Morgan calls Rick Riley out, Alycia draws her repulsor blaster...and moves forward herself, ever ready to open fire.::

COME OUT NOW!! I KNOW you're here!!!

:: she says as her voice is mixed with anger and grief::

YOU WONT GET AWAY WITH IT!!

[Oracle]

<< as Sharon Kelly fell, and Spellbinder and Alycia rushed forward in anguish and anger....the sound of stoic hand clapping could be heard.>>

Rick Riley: so the wicked witch of the east and the black linda hamilton still have hearts after all? who knew.

<< stepping forward, the man looks as VITAL as he ever did in his prime, wearing a long black leather trench and seeming to meld in the shadows that lengthened around the area of the room he stood in.>>

Rick Riley: Sharon was having some malfuncitons, so apparently THAT was one trial and error that ends in ERROR. She can't be trusted to do what needs to be done, so she's removed.

<< he speaks with such casual disregard for Sharon...validating what Haleigh had said.>>

I guess the OLDER MODEL IS the more dependable....eh Davidoff?

<<Looking at Haleigh he smirks>>

Rick Riley: Even when you put your BEST EFFORT forth, someone DIES and now, that narcissistic witch and that bitch federal agent friend of her's will be REMINDED of how EVERYTHING you touch DIES. You're a FOOL if you thought you could EVER find solace and belonging among THESE people.

Sharon Kelly was merely a means to an end...but her HUMANITY was prooving too strong, so i had to REMOVE HER before she became a PEST.

<< as he stands, he waits...DARING one of them to come for him. he's surrounded by a "null light" field that is not "seen" by the eye but once breached, the person who touches it will be SAPPED of all their strength and energy before being rendered unconscious. he stands, waiting to play his hand out in the perfect one two punch.>>

so...who wants to try to avenge the fallen senator? who wants to try to make up for FAILING HER AGAIN?

<< looking at Morgan and Alycia...>>

how about one of you two? Haleigh is obviously too weak ..she NEVER could get the job done right. isnt that why Sharon DIED the first time? isnt that why i'm standing here NOW? she THOUGHT she'd killed me. but she didnt check thoroughly. Looks like you kept the WRONG person. you shouldve left HER behind in Greece and brought ALISON back. ALISON at least did her job well.

<< rick enjoyed this, assassinating Haleigh's character...HOPING it reminded her of what KAREN had said...even though there was a KEY difference. KAREN wanted Haleigh to get BETTER and HER berating came from being more CONCERNED and more INVOLVED than perhaps she would care to admit...where as Rick, rick LIVED to abuse and demean women, break their spirits.>>


<< the moment ANY of them activated their powers...mutant or not their own unique bio energies would activate the FINAL trap he'd laid...and so, he had no need to worry because EITHER WAY he had them...at least for NOW.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh has the fleeting taste of success..... but only for a moment.... before Sharon ERUPTS into a Sonic scream, which BLASTS into Haleigh, blowing her back into the computer console and knocking her momentarily unconscious, leaving her sprawled over the control panel as Riley teased Morgan and Alycia and then casually disregards Sharon. Haleigh wakes up in seconds, wiping the side of her face, which split open again in the blast... Blood runs down her jawline, then it reseals and stops, and Haleigh massages her ear gently. Rick is talking to her now... but his voice sounds terribly distorted and electronic, as if he were talking into one of those old children's microphone voice changing toys. Haleigh sits up and looks at Riley, her expression flat.

I guess the OLDER MODEL IS the more dependable, eh Davidoff?

"Mmmm..... evidently." She replies dryly. He goes on talking about how everything she touches dies, trying to goad her into anger. Rick always DID now like that old proverb: 'He who angers you, controls you.' Haleigh wouldn't be so easily provoked, though.

"Well.... if THAT'S the case... perhaps I should start touching YOU." She suggests.... then, taking advantage of the double-entendre: "Oh, was that inappropriate of me to say? I remember when we served together Rick.... back when you were alright.... uncouth most of the time, and a real SCOUNDREL when you got drunk, but nothing more..... and EVERYBODY knew you wanted me SOOO badly.... yes.... even I KNEW it. But nobody SAID anything.... and I pretended to be oblivious.... tell me.... was it my constant dismissal of your affections that turned you into such an impotent, cowardly, victimizing HORNDOG?"

Rick makes an attempt at tearing Haleigh down a little more..... but Karen had adequately prepared Haleigh for withstanding an attack like this. Ironically, all of Karen's vilifying of the hybrid made Rick's words fall FLAT and sound phony.... and Haleigh tilted her head to the side with a bit of an amused look. She smirks briefly, then tsks-tsks him switching seamlessly from the gentle, compassionate Haleigh that had just been seen with Sharon to the provocative, cutthroat Black Widow.

"That was a NICE try, Rick. Kind of like the brownie scout version. If you REALLY wanted it to sting, you ought to have included how maladaptive I am and how I ruin the lives of everyone I pretend to care about, how it's ALL my fault, and that I'm a lying, manipulating mass murderer. You've got to leave NO fault unaddressed. Here, allow me to demonstrate: Rick Riley, you are scum. You are a nitwit and a disgrace. You are an EMBARRASSMENT to YOURSELF and I am ASHAMED to say I ever stood by you at all, even if it WERE a better you. You have managed to backslide on the evolutionary scale to the level of violent neanderthal 2.0, and you're only who you are TODAY because I HANDED YOU YOUR ASS and you used Mystech to nurse you back from the brink of death. You're not even a WHOLE MAN, look at you. You look like some kind of reject cyborg out of an old Power Rangers movie. And even THAT wouldn't be so bad if you weren't an insecure, yellow-bellied PEON. Tell me, Rick.... does it make you feel like a MAN to beat and rape women? To cut them down and belittle them.... does that make you feel better about yourself? No, I doubt it does... because you're unmistakably too inapt to think that deeply about it. No, you rape for POWER. You come across a woman who's STRONG and capable, and you can't stand a woman who can outdo you. So you try to take that power back, in the only way a blunt instrument like you can. OH... I KNOW what it is..... [pulling a cigar cutter (http://www.qualitycutters.com/ProductImages/qualitycutters/QC5.jpg) out of her pocket, sliding her index and thumbs into the outer holes and opening and shutting it, causing the double blade guillotine to make that 'scissor' noise.] Come on..... take off your pants, let me see it. It'll be QUICK.... then you can get Mystech to give you a bigger one... and you'll be self-confident and won't feel the need to prove your virility by abusing undeserving women."

She finished, making the scissor sound again with a flash of wicked, perverse defiance.

[Rampage]

As Nicolas succeeds in cutting off the poisonous supply, he can feel Sharon mentally again. The anguish of it is excruciating as she tries to make sense of what has happened to her. The sense of violation, of loss, stings him greatly as she reaches out to Haleigh. Maybe they will succeed in this after all.

Then Sharon FALLS, he sonic scream fading eventually to an anguished wail as RICK RILEY tries to snuff her out, causing a series of cascading failures that are destroying her inside. The effect that is seen is akin to the aftermath of Ebola or Lassa Fever, where there is hemorrhaging at every available orifice.

RILEY!!!!!!!!!

Nicolas roars as he steps forward, qucikly shaking off the scream's effects and takes hold of Sharon, trying to locate and undo the damage done. It is clear to him that she may still be saved, but it looks more and more unlikely as Rick Riley sterps out of the shadows, looking more robotic than human, and taunts the entire team, leading to a caustic response from Haleigh. HALEIGH!!!!! That is it! Haleigh should be able to stem the tide, halt the process killing Sharon.

Nicolas speaks to her telepathically.

Haleigh, I think you can help Sharon still. The parts that are killing her are mechanical. If you could stabilize them, she may still be saved.

***************************************

Mike at this point was the only one focused on Riley. He knew that this situation was custim-made for an ambush, and he was sure that this was wher it would play out. he began scanning, noticing Alycia watching him. She was prettier in person, even despite what she had gone through, than on her press photos.

Damn, is it the water around here? Who is the receptionist? Tyra Banks?!

But the meet and greet would have to wait. Just as he found Riley, Sharon's wail almost floored him. They were all lucky that Haleigh took the brunt of that, or they would be looking as bad as Sharon now looked. She unfortunately did not look to have much longer without some extreme medical assistsance. As Riley stepped forward, MIke drew two guns in a flash of metal and held thjem, on his, one at his head, the other perfect center mass. Normally, Rick Riley would have two holes in him by now, but something in him screamed WAIT. This was not all adding up. No one in their right mind would face this group alone...unless they had an ace in the hole of some sort. As the group move to oppose the villian, Mike called out.

Wait! It's a trap!

But would he warn them in time???

[Shadow Weaver]

<< laying there, half sitting up thanks to the sport of the wall and a pillow, Karen held her daughter's hand...and breathed slowly. she was still weak and shakey but Persephone had really done a great job. now, Morgan's spell was slowly restoring...AIDING her own body's healing of itself, ADDING to the ground work done by Persephone's healing plants and herbs.>>

<< she saw the Silver Swan, and while she did look terrifying, Karen could MORE than see a glimpse, a trace of Sharon Kelly, the WOMAN behind this engineered creature. despite the silver eyes, the armour...the powers...there WAS a core....something that even MYSTECH couldnt control or engineer and how IRONIC that HALEIGH was the one to manage to REACH IT in just the right way? and at the right time. >>

<< Karen looked on with weary mist in her own eyes as Haleigh carefully, genuninely reached out to Sharon and in that moment, the doctor wondered if she had been too affected by her OWN repulsion of Haleigh to REALLY SEE HER CORE? that beneath the hardened crust and defense mechanisms, there was still that bright, hopefully young lady that had been shown throughout those memories?>>

<< dealing with Sharon as she was, Karen could feel her daughter's tension, the anxiousness as she held her hand. Karen placed her OTHER hand over Morgan's hand as well...cupping it in both hands as she silently reassured her that Haleigh ....Haleigh KNEW what she was doing and that they had to TRUST her in this moment.>>

<< it seemed to be WORKING, but then, as if on cue, a warning on the wall , indicating that the real danger was all to near. Morgan saw it too but even as Morgan began to go forth, Sharon fell in agony as she was being killed AGAIN by an apathetic Riley. Morgan cried out and rushed forward as did Alycia. Karen fixed her disdainfull glare upon Rick Riley as he appeared.>>

You wont live to savor your victory, you monster.

<< Karen spoke with contempt as Nicolas and Morgan held Sharon, doing what they could to try to save/revive her. Riley was TRULY pathetic, fitting the profile of a classic serial killer/abuser of women who compensated for a massive short coming in some way and haleigh did a GREAT job of calling that out. how ironic that Karen was now in AGREEMENT with Haleighs's analysis. >>

<< Mike said something about a TRAP...and Karen looked over.>>

what do you mean?

<< she looked puzzeled, wondering if Cameron or anyone ELSE had picked up on it.>>

[Jill Monroe]

<< Morgan looks frantically at Nicolas as he comes near, roaring at Riley before bending down to take hold of Sharon. She is on Sharon's otherside, still holding her head up and holding one of her hands as the young mutant does what he can.>>

please....help her!!!

<< tears rolling down her face as she fears she...and the rest of them may be too late AGAIN.>>

<< Riley steps forward...and her eyes WIDEN at the sound of his voice as she looks over her shoulder....her face contorts with HATRED as it becomes partially enshrouded in shadow as he taughts her and Alycia.>>

you SHUT UP!!

<< she spits with hostility.>>

I'll PULL YOU APART with my BARE HANDS!! I'm STRONGER THAN YOU!

WHATEVER you THINK you're going to accomplish...you wont LIVE TO ENJOY IT!! I'll SEE YOU IN HELL!! WHERE I RULE!

<< Haleigh slices him up in a way that would do KAREN proud...and Morgan cant HELP but smirk, as Riley looks VISIBLY dejected...no longer so contente to rest on his laurels as he's just been painted out to be the CLASSIC impotent loser of a man who had LOUSY success with women.>>

<< She looks at Sharon...she doesnt want to leave her side...but she can't keep herself from the urge to attack Riley....its going to happen.>>

<< she doesnt hear Mike...>>

ILL KILL YOU FOR WHAT YOUVE DONE!

<< standing up...as her hair begins to flow...and a chime sounds off....lifting her hands...and thrusting them forward...a LARGE halo of violent energy forms as she unleashes a massive eldritch bolt toward him.>>

you're screams will alert my demons that their latest feast is at hand. DIE!

<<ZARK!>>

<< a chime...that melds with explosive thunder crashing and a flash of magick! the bolt discharges with a frenzied delight as Morgan SCREAMS for his death.>>

[Alycia Barnett]

:: as Rick Riley appears, Alycia immediately spins around, training her repulsor blaster on him with perfect aim...as he taunts her...she speaks ABOVE HIM...in a clear, but slightly shaking tone....her rage, her grief...its creeping through her exterior.""

RICK RILEY!? YOU ARE UNDER ARREST! UNDER THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT as SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE SECURITY ADVISOR OF THE PRESIDENT AND CHAIRWOMAN OF THE COMMITTEE OF SUPER HUMAN AFFAIRS, YOU HAVE BEEN DEEMED A TERRORIST AND A TRAITOR TO THE UNITED STATES! YOU WILL ANSWER FOR THESE CAPITAL CRIMES!

:: he continued to speak in a low, cocky tone, attempting to goad Haleigh and seeming IGNORING Alycia even as she announced that he was under federal arrest.::

I HAVE FULL AUTHORIZATION TO USE LETHAL FORCE!

:: doing this as by the book as she could. she felt either herself or Morgan would be the first to take a shot at him. and as she looked at her fallen friend in the arms of Nicolas....she was taken back to that night of Master Mold...when SHE was the one holding a badly burned and dying Sharon.::

Sharon: ...uhhh.....Alycia??

Alycia: shhhh!! SHHHHH!! don't try to talk! PLEASE save your strength!! Morgan will wake up soon, she'll HEAL YOU!

OH MORGAN PLEASE WAKE UP!!

:: her body trembles with fear::

Sharon: ...tha...thank you Alycia. thank you all.....I love you......all of you!

:: and with these words, Sharon exhales her last breath and passes away.

Alycia: no...no no.....nooooo!!! NO!!!

:: clutching the now deceased Senator in her arms, she lifts Sharon's head up to her shoulders...looking up to the night sky, she CRIES OUT in anguish and agony.::


NO!!

:: shutting her eyes tightly for a moment as the pain of the memory comes back...Alycia feels herself BREAKING in her mind as she now looks blankly, moving her repulsor blaster from his chest...to his private parts...she will castrate him...the ultimate humiliation.::

Your mother must have HATED the world to bring YOU into it. Allow me to MAKE IT BETTER! YOU MURDERER!!

:: she screams with anger just as Morgan joins her in her resolve and the two women fire upon him. the eldritch bolt charging MADLY for his chest and head...while the broad beamed, white hued repulsor blast streaks for his vital private areas. if he some how managed to survive the BOLT which was unlikely (or so it seemed) then he would MORE than die a painfull, agonizing death as his private parts...even his very internal area therein were VAPORZIED by the repulsor blast.

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: Haleigh seemed to be making progress with Sharon, reaching out to help her. Her words were soothing and helpful and Silver Swan seamed to disappear as the true Sharon resurfaced. But the progress was short lived as Rick Riley appeared sending Sharon into a devestating state. Painfully covering her ears, Ava shut her eyes tightly as Silver Swans sonic scream filled the room. Her sensetive ears rang, but the majority of the pain was gone. Opening her eyes, she saw Haleigh sprawled across the floor and Sharon collasped as well. Nearby, Rick Riley stood, taunting Alycia, Karen, and Morgan. As he turned his attention turned to Haleigh, she stood, giving him one verbal lashing that would leave even the most proud of main feeling like he got his balls ripped off. But even Haleigh's harsh words weren't enough for Morgan and Alycia, who unleashed a massive attack against Rick. One that nearly no one would be able to survive. Persephone took that moment to quickly move past everyone and to Sharon's side, kneeling down next to her. ::

"You better not suddenly learch up and cold cock me, Kelly..."

:: Ava spoke dryly as she rolled Sharon flat on her back, whipping the blood from her mouth. Checking her pulse, there was none; and she still wasn't breathing. Quickly, Ava began to do CPR and emergancy breathing. Placing her mouth over Sharons, she gave two full breaths before doing 15 chest compressions. ::

"Come on...."

:: Ava continued doing CPR and emergancy breathing, hoping that this would be enough to bring Sharon back. ::

[Shadow Weaver]

<< struggling off the gurney, Karen came forward, her regal black flying suit was now repaired thanks to Morgan's spell and she looked LESS shaken, though her body was still stiff.>>

How FITTING that you should by the hands of WOMEN, you misogynistic PIG!

<< Karen WOULD have added her own attack but for some reason, she held back as the glow from Morgan's eldritch bolt and Alycia's repulsor blast LIT UP the room as bright as day and the sound of violence filled the air.>>

<< she looked mike. still irritated with his bad manners, but more than capable of putting that aside for more important matters at hand.>>

This is what Cameron was talking about Riley has gained or augmented himself with genetic codes or some kind of specs that gave him an array of abilities he never had before. not to mention his bionic implants to replace the original limbs destroyed by Haleigh.

MIKE!! what did you mean about a TRAP??

<< she was afraid there was a REASON that Rick had goaded Morgan and Alycia specifically OUTSIDE of their connection to Sharon. While Rampage and Persephone administered what help the could to the fallen senator.>>

.....Cameron, see if you can use your PSI powers to FRY HIS BRAINS!! Make SURE that he FEELS the pain that Morgan and Alycia visit upon his physical body. I'm going to try to help revive Sharon.

<< the lethal edge in karen's tone betrayed the contempt she felt for Rick. there was no hesitation as she suggested this...MURDERING him. She was DETERMINED to defy him as he tried to discard Sharon as though she were NOTHING...but in her heart, she knew a man as twisted and crafting as this would probably have arranged for a back up plan even NOW. after all...he had worked with Malice and she knew ALL the weaknesses of the six. It couldnt be THIS EASY to destroy him. >>

[Jacob Black]

:: Cameron listened to Mike's words and suddenly got a horrible pain in his stomach. Mike was right and the telepath was now starting to put some of the pieces together. This was odd for Rick just standing there not doing anything. Rick Riley was the sort of man that hired people to do things FOR him, he only stormed in when he knew he could win. He was an army guy, he did things when he thought he had all the information he needed. It was like he almost WANTED someone to attack him. Prophet tried to interject. ::

"He is tricking us listen to Mike and DON'T use your POW--"

:: It was too late, Morgan had fired an eldritch bolt at Rick and now Alycia was gunning for him too. Since coming back from the dead, he had noticed that he now no longer had his telekinetic ability, something he figured was just an effect of coming back. He desperately wished he possessed this skill at the moment, so that he could stop them. All of a sudden, it came to him. Cameron had tapped into Rick Riley's thoughts. He may have had a helpful new arm but that didn't protect him from a telepath. Rick Riley had a Null Field. He got a fleeting glimpse of the future as he saw Morgan being rendered unconscious and Alycia being dismantled as well. He weighed his options. Morgan had used her powers, it was too late already. Immediately he brought up a wall of psychic energy, that separated Rick Riley from the group. Close enough to stop the projectiles, but far enough away so as not to render Cameron unconscious. ::

"He has a Null Field! Anything that comes at him, it's going to render us useless. We have to be more CAREFUL! Using our powers is what he WANTS. It is part of his endgame."

:: He looked at Rick Riley ::

"As much as I would love for you ladies to fuck this botched testosterone experiment UP.. We CAN'T!""

[Oracle]

<< things always had a way of presenting themselves when you least expected and as Haleigh cooly stood her ground against her former commanding officer and seemingly on going nemesis she found herself remarkably calm inspite of knowing that he was behind ALL of this...and ultimately HE, representing MYSTECH caused her to lose Zach just as Mystech had caused her to loose Patrick before. Suddenly the Silver Swan became just as much a victim as Haleigh was intended to be but unlike her present course of behavior in recent hours, she stood firm, facing down her adversary even as he gloated over Sharon's fall and blaming Haleigh for the blood shed caused by the Silver Swan.>>

<< Haleigh assassinated his character, obliterating any bravado he had as his face melted into a look of contempt and insult. no matter what he had become...he was still the same and his weakness was all too plain.>>


<< the room was the seat of a wild ride, into oblivion and no one had any control as Morgan and Alycia both reacted with savage instinct against Rick Riley.>>

Riley: you're time with Doctor Victoria has not served you well. But we always knew she was better at PRETENDING than actually BEING a therapist. She couldnt even preserve her own family , let alone Christopher, but i guess Helena and Diana (Malice) made up for her womanly short comings.

<< laughing at his own lewdness, his fist clenched as Haleigh sliced him up.>>

Riley: ah, you might have been cute when your parts were flesh and blood and not mechanical, like your fallen friend here...but the word in the unit was that you were easier to pry open than a half open jar of peanut butter..and you didnt TASTE as good. Like any man, i just wanted to see what it was all about. and yet here you are now, only WHAT you are because of Mystech...you're EVERYONE'S plaything. Silver Swan mopped the floor with you and most of your friends and you're only here NOW because of OTHER PEOPLE'S efforts. just like you only SURVIVED in the field because of OTHER PEOPLE'S efforts. your success was built on the blood and broken bodies of innocents. but UNLIKE YOU, i WAS REAL with mine..and i went to the people who could make it work. YOU, with your pathetic scruples, decided to try to be like people who loathe and despise you.

Riley: You wouldve been BETTER OFF in our service, Davidoff. Now, you're friends will join Sharon in death...before i have the pleasure...the RIGHT to crack your accursed bones.


<< as the doctor joined in the efforts to revive Sharon, Prophet attempted to act on Mike's observation about a trap being laid but his plan, while logical...came just a TAD too late for the null light field stretched across the "line" between Rick and the group...expanding from wall to wall and so the eldritch bolt and the repulsor blast did not have far AT ALL to travel before they HIT the wall...reacting to the null field as it waved and fluxuated, showing off ripples of b lack light before the two energy patterns disappeared, seemingly swallowed. Prophet's own EFFORTS were absorbed as well...the psychic energy from his considerable abilities absorbed like a sponge by the field. it was designed to detect and absorb ANY energy signature from mutants and metahumans...similar to the power structure of fallen metahuman Alexis Quartermaine aka Shockwave/Blackout.>>

Riley: I'll take a rain check on that trip to hell, witch. but do say hello to your father and sharon for me will you?

<< looking to Alycia as the field more than responded.>>

ahh, my pretty black bird. You're almost as savage as the crows that Silver Swan commands. but you're in way over your head LITTLE GIRL.

<< the energies churn, seemingly displaaced across the field before coming back together and shooting BACK towards the team in a massive violet/white/blue mixed hue....the roar of the din and the harsh brightness was only exceeded by the force that was the AMPLIFIED and WARPED power of the back lashed energies from Morgan, Cameron's powers and Alycia's weapon...and now...the group was enveloped...the energy attacking their bodies as it swept across the room (think resident evil in the white chamber) ....causing their bodies to seize and lock up as they were IRRADIATED from inside out. IMPOSSIBLE to move...or break away.>>

<< there was the feeling that some might nash their teeth or bite their tongues out from the pain...but soon that searing pain gave way to UNCONSCIOUSNESS and SILENCE.>>

[Jessica Hamby]

Haleigh stared back at Riley, the corners of her mouth pulling up into a smirk as he tried his best to recover. It was clear that he'd sorely OVER estimated his position here..... but he wasn't going to let Haleigh win so easily, and he shot back a weak defense.

"Oh Rick..... I must have REALLY struck a nerve if you're falling back on the patented 'well you're a slut!' bit."

She replied, with a self-satisfied smile..... but as Rick made the comment about Haleigh trying to be like people who loathe and despise her..... Haleigh's expression turned to a scathing glare. As Riley suggested she would've been BETTER off with Mystech:

"Well, apparently NOT, Rick. Everyone ELSE in MYSTECH'S service is DEAD.... we've made SURE of that.... and guess WHAT, asshole? YOU'RE NEXT!"

She promised, as both Morgan and Alycia powered up and fired at Rick. Nicolas called for Haleigh to help with Sharon.... and in other times, Haleigh WOULD have.... but she couldn't tear her eyes away from watching Riley get obliterated.... but then he wasn't.... a null field ABSORBED their attacks! Haleigh responded to Nicolas quickly.

I'd love to help honey, but it'll have to wait until the REST of us are safe from imminent death... I'm sorry....

She thought, without missing a beat as she manifested and raised a Colt M4 carbine assault rifle (http://www.colt.com/mil/images/M4.jpg) Riley boasted as Haleigh took aim.

"Absorb THIS, you rogue."

She said quietly, and opened fully automatic fire on him. The recoil of the weapon continuously shuddered her shoulder, but her aim stayed true-- until the energy wave hit her.... she got half of a 30 round magazine directly headed for Riley before she seized and compulsed, emptying the rest of the armor piercing rounds haphazardly all round Riley and into the ceiling as she blackout and fell to the floor, landing spread eagle with the smoking gun still in her viselike grip.

[Jill Monroe]

<< as Morgan's shadow enshrouded face was briefly illuminated by the light from her own magick, a look of bitterness could be seen on her face as she believed this was IT for Rick. the eldritch blast and now a repulsor blast....surely he would die a painfull, humiliating death. He seemed almost TOO relaxed about this whole thing. not NEARLY as blood thirsty as he was the LAST time they had encountered him in the Cell.>>

<< and as Prophet shouted out to Morgan and Alycia she shot a glare at him. her blonde hair whipping with the turn.>>

WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE CANT DO THAT!?

<< she bellowed...but before she could get an answer...her blast and Alycia's attack were disiplaced along a seemingly invisible black energy grid ....before coming back together...>>

what in....??

<< she looked rather SHOCKED as he Rick stood their unfazed. Turning again as Haleigh joined the fray, Black Widow manifested a powerfull fire arm and open fired as well...maybe BULLETS would succeed where magick failed? she could only hope....pondernig what to do next to ENSURE he didnt survive this....Morgan suddenly felt herself being gripped by a violating , muscle spasm...as her eyes felt like they would explode and her body began to seize......she would have screamed...but she couldnt...her eyes rolling in the back of her head as her head was turned up toward the ceiling.. she saw several stray bullets hitting the ceiling as well....but suddenly it wasnt something she was terribly worried about. >>>

<< it felt like every cell in her body was being set ablaze as the energy from her blast, Alycia's repulsor blast and Cameron's psychic energy were now being turned BACK and sent sweeping across the room in a new way....encompassing the team and their allies.>>

WHERE.......!?

<< she gritted her teeth as she began to cry out.....before falling back and to the floor, unconscious...>>

[Alycia Barnett]

:: Alycia wanted Rick Riley DEAD. She'd already PLANNED the "final report" for the two people SHE had to answer to on Capitol Hill and it would basically read that "Riley died resisting arrest." it would look good, sound good and all parties would be happy.::

:: but like any OTHER villain from MysTech...HE was prepared...he didnt CARE that people wanted him DEAD. he was determined to have HIS way no matter what. She wanted to PULL HIS FACE OFF and she hoped that between Morgan's blast and her own fire arm...his face would MELT.::

:: but even as she attempted to do her worst...a weird black field seemed to warp/absorb the energy of both attacks.::

WHY DIDNT IT WORK!?

:: she shrieked as Cameron admonished them that they COULDNT attack. Morgan bellowed at him as though he'd lost his mind and Alycia herself wondered what the hell it was all about...but before she could anything else, Black Widow reminded them all that SHE wasnt lacking in power herself, as she manifested a hell of a weapon and open fired.::

:: Alycia lifted her repulsor blaster, ready to try again as well...but she found herself gripped by PAIN...as her body shivered and convulsed and she gritted her teeth, half grunting with pain as it felt like her lungs would explode. she she couldnt do ANYTHING...couldnt THINK..couldnt BREATH...the energy feed back was making her feel like she was in a static shock magnified 100 fold.::

:: finally...with a pitifull exhale....Alycia crumbles to the ground...unconscious, her own firearm still firmly in hand.::

[Pam De Beaufort]

:: The room was filled with noise and chaos. Both Morgan and Alycia unleashed attacks against Rick Riley, as did Cameron. Ava continued to do CPR on Silver Swan, but looked up for a split second, seeing the attacks get absorbed in some sort of energy barrier. Haleigh tried a different method, unloading rounds of bullets directly at Rick, but as that happened, the energy barrier came charging toward the group, carrying the attacks they sent at Riley. With wide eyes, Ava instinctively ducked her head down toward Sharon, covering it with one arm. The wave hit her, learching her body into spasms. With her eyes shut tightly, she screamed in pain before collapsing on top of Sharon's torso, limp and motionless. ::

[Rampage]

Nicolas was working feverishly to settle Sharon's systems, making his best educated guesses as to how to proceed, especially with Haleigh focused on ending this standoff. As Mike and then Cameron warned of a trap from Riley, Nicolas turned just in time to see the field engulf him. He gritted his teeth, his cells trying to reject what was being done to him. He even managed to stand, walking towards Riley with his hand outstretched. But the raw power of Morgan's blast COMBINED with the repulsor and the focus of Cameron's mental probe was too much. His body shut itself down, his pain converted to the relative bliss of unconsciousness. Nicolas fell face first at Rick Riley's feet.

*****************************************

As for Mike, he was even less fortunate than the others. As Haleigh emptied half the magazine into the field, the bullets were also repulsed. As a sniper of no small skill, Mike saw exactly where they were headed and acted accordingly.

Reaching out quickly, he snapped the energy shield onto Karen's arm and energized it as they were both hit with a hail of bullets. Karen was completely unscathed. Mike however was not as fortunate, taking bullets in the leg, shoulder and to the right lower abdomen. He groaned in pain as he held Karen's arm (and the shield) up, then his hand went limp, falling away before the rest of the group went under...