God loves, man kills

[Valkyrie]

Bus Crash Site

Zizi had them out here, in the cold, for nothing. Well, cold didn't really bother her, per se, but it was the principle of the thing. The crash site had been scrubbed clean – there was no way in hell they were going to find anything. Ashley had suggested finding Dominique and giving her a good old-fashioned beat down until she talked. Zizi had overruled her. But at least they were getting out of the Clocktower. Looking at all those screens gave her a headache.

“Tell me again why we’re still here? Anything worth finding is in Clandestine’s hands now, never to be seen again.”

Zizi tossed her a small box-like gadget. What the hell was this thing?

“Sand power detector.”

“Oh. Right.”

Ring a ding ding, what an exciting way to pass the time.

“Why don’t you give me a metal detector instead and we’ll search for buried treasure.”

She turned away with a roll of her eyes and looked down at the thing, turning it on and beginning to comb the area. It was clear as day to her what they needed to do, and searching for clues was not it. If Isis could give them answers, then that’s where they should be.

She had been all over the site of the bus accident and hadn’t found a thing.

Enough.

She walked over to where Zizi was sitting, looking at her phone. Probably watching The Bachelor or something equally pathetic while we do all the work.

“Nothing.”

She held up the detect-a-bitch gadget.

“What now.”

“There, under the car. There’s something.”

At Oracle’s urging, John now looked like he was made of metal – even his clothes. She whistled.

“Damn, if you weren’t my boss…”

But that wasn’t the only reason he was off limits, despite being sexy as hell.

Steel lifted up the car while she retrieved a tiny piece of something that Zizi seemed to recognize.

“Isis hasn’t been here. And this is similar tech to what we saw at the SUV crash site when the mechs arrived.”

“That doesn’t mean Isis isn’t involved.”

But she could see that Zizi’s brain was already firing at light speed. Oracle called Zach & Vivica on the bat phone, while Ashley stood there impatiently and stared at her waiting for an explanation to all the crazy talk.

“I’m sorry, John. MorningStar is working with Isis. I saw them kill several Purifiers earlier tonight. I didn’t want to have to tell you…”

Ugh. This is where Zizi was about to get all kind and concerned and look up at John with those doe eyes and ask if he wanted to talk about his feelings before Ashley puked in the street.

“Oh get a room already. If MorningStar is killing Purifiers, she’s okay by me. [pause] Dominique is still a bitch.”

Zizi showed them where the Purifiers must be hiding.

“Screw intel – they’re a bunch of humans. Let’s head down there, Steel can smash through the wall, I’ll do my thing, bada bing dead Purifiers and all our lives are a lot easier.”

 

[Recall]

:: Vivica allowed herself a few moments to gain composure as a team worked on getting her ankle back in place and Karen cast a spell that healed the injury to the point of which it appeared to have never happened. She watched Alycia cautiously for a moment. Their altercation had been a long time coming and as bad as it may have been...it COULD have been much worse and ironically...it had been NEEDED. Her issues with Alycia had been clouding her ability to think clearly and to come up with a plan of action. ::

:: Nicolas went upstairs to attempt to get a lock on Cameron and came back with some less than exciting results. Cameron was captured and being tortured as they spoke and they still couldn't find his exact location. ::

Nicolas: "I-I narrowed it down, but they are torturing him w-with white noise. Could not complete the psionic ping. But he is in these 20 blocks. I KNOW it."

"Let's see what we can do then..."

:: Vivica surveyed the map for a few minutes deciding to try and crack The Purifier's location in the back of her mind. She was placing herself at different points on the map during the altercation before and was trying to retrace her steps to see if she could possibly trace a missile pattern or if she had somehow seen a detail in her own memories that she hadn't had time to process completely. All of this was going on in the background of her brain as she sat next to Simon Pratt who was still visibly shaken. He had foregone the care of Karen Victoria much to the chagrin of the rest of the group..but Vivica understood his point of view. Simon had actually been one of the nicer suprises since her return to New York. She had always had a fondness for the blondie in the hey days of King Enterprises and she was glad to have recconnected with him. She made a point to dress Simon's wounds herself and use her own field training to ensure that he was in fact healthy and ready to press forward. ::

:: She squeezed his leg for a moment and gave him a sad smile. ::

"You're doing okay, Pratt. Remember our talk at The Parthenon? I told you to protect yourself..and you did. You saved a kid's life and you walked out of there alive. You did good..."

Simon: "I can't imagine what good ME being alive versus forty innocent children who have done WAY less harm in their lives than I have does...but thanks.."

:: Vivica furrowed her brow. ::

"Put that anger to good use, Simon. Put it towards the people who did it. Don't point it towards yourself..or the rest of this team. You may not have been fully aware of what you were getting yourself into with these people..but nobody lied to you either. This is their reality...and like it or not..it's a part of yours right now. And I know you..you're not going to walk away from them..so since that's the case? Trust 'em. Stay guarded...but trust them.."

:: Simon nodded. Vivica wasn't sure if she even believed the words she was saying considering what would end up being her fate for trusting certain members of The Six..but she knew now that things were different and that the group knew he ran right into the flames to help Ava. They wouldn't forget something like that. Or at least they shouldn't. ::

:: Alycia expressed her concerns about Cameron and Cass as well as Alison who Cameron had mentioned had been captured right before their battle with The Purifiers. She made some good points. They needed to pin both Alison and Delilah down before they went forward. ::

:: Soon...The group had deduced that the stronghold for The Purifiers was in fact St. Patrick's Cathedral which had been closed for quite some time now. This caused bitter feelings from Sharon and a flash of anger from Ava. Vivica became lost in thought for a second as her own calculations confirmed the cathedral as well. ::

Ava: "NO. This is all because those people are EXTREMISTS who use a 1,000 year old book and a man--whom i've met by the way and ISN'T that spectacular--to do terrible things and justify it. They're terrorists. They're evil. And they would have done the same damn thing whether the incident at St. Patricks cathedral happened or not. This is NOT your fault Sharon. THIS is all on THEM."

"Ava's right, Sharon. Don't blame yourself for a second over the actions of born again CRACKERS on a mission to destroy things they know nothing about--"

Oracle: [via com link] "Orion, Recall – I know it’s a bad time for you both but we NEED to talk.”

:: Vivica's eyes went to Zach for a second before returning to the group at large. She had already tried explaining herself to no avail earlier. If SHE were the one to reveal information about their contacts, the group would not receive it as well as if Zach were the one saying it. They trusted him far more than they trusted her. It wasn't a bitter feeling so much as an absolute truth. ::

"...and I agree with Alycia as well. We need to put this flux of rejuvenation to good use.."

 

[Steel]

Bus crash site

After he finished up the paperwork on the questioning of one Ms. Dominique Devereaux, he had left the precinct and called Ashley to see if they had made any progress. Of course, all Ashley wanted to talk about was a cat fight between Vivica and Alycia Barnett. But she had told him that she and Zizi were heading to the site of the bus explosion, so he told her he would meet them there. He was a detective, after all. And it had been a while since he had seen Oracle in person, and he wanted to ask her if he could sit in on some of her forensic tech classes at NYU.

When he had arrived, Zizi had put him to work with a smile as a third pair of eyes. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his coat out of habit (less desire to disturb a crime scene that way) and began to carefully go over the scene.

“Tell me again why we’re still here? Anything worth finding is in Clandestine’s hands now, never to be seen again.”

He called over to her without looking in her direction.

“Now, Ash, I taught you better than that. Always good to walk the crime scene. You never know what you might uncover.”

But the girl wasn’t wrong. He doubted there was anything to be found here. Searching for evidence of Isis’ involvement was a good idea, though.

“Why don’t you give me a metal detector instead and we’ll search for buried treasure.”

“I’m afraid the only treasure you’d find is me.”

He laughed nervously. Ashley looked as if she was about to vomit. They were about to give up, when Oracle saw something under a parked car.

”John if you please.”

“You got it.”

He checked to make sure there wasn’t anyone around, and then he allowed his body to change, starting at the top of his head and ending at the tips of his toes, into organic steel. This form not only gave him durability, but strength as well. He knew Ashley could have easily lifted the car as well, but he liked to think Zizi just wanted to see him use his power.

“Damn, if you weren’t my boss…”

“Do not finish that statement, Officer Oldenburg.”

Oracle had linked this attack to the others and was coming to the same conclusion that Delilah had earlier when they had spoken: that Isis was not behind these attacks.

“That doesn’t mean Isis isn’t involved.”

“Come off it, Ash – Isis doesn’t make sense. She may be killing them, but she’s not behind them. We can talk to her about her methods later.”

“I’m sorry, John. MorningStar is working with Isis. I saw them kill several Purifiers earlier tonight. I didn’t want to have to tell you…”

He looked down at her hand that she had put gently on his arm.

“Oh get a room already. If MorningStar is killing Purifiers, she’s okay by me. [pause] Dominique is still a bitch.”

He rolled his eyes at Ashley. To her Isis would be the mastermind no matter the evidence to the contrary, just because she didn’t like her. But Ashley didn’t like anybody – which was a source of a great number of headaches and grey hairs on his part having to work with her, publicly and in secret. But she was a good soldier, he had to give her that – she was born for it.

And as for Delilah working with Isis – that made his earlier encounter with her make more sense. But he still didn’t believe she would join something the likes of the Hellfire club. This was something else. Had to be. When this was all over, he made a point to go see her, whether she wanted him to or not.

“Delilah came to see me earlier today, to tell me that Dominique wasn’t behind the Purifiers OR the missing children. It may not make sense right now, but if she working with Isis, it’s for a good reason.”

Oracle wanted to find out what Delilah and Dominique’s captive had to say. And of course, Valkyrie disagreed in favor of a more direct approach.

“Screw intel – they’re a bunch of humans. Let’s head down there, Steel can smash through the wall, I’ll do my thing, bada bing dead Purifiers and all our lives are a lot easier.”

“As much as I’d like to ‘smash through a wall’ – a bit of caution is warranted here. We know where they’re hiding, but we have no idea of their numbers, or what kind of weapons they might have. We need all the information we can get before we go in. Not to mention some extra bodies.”

He nodded to Oracle.

“Lead on.”

 

[Orion]

Thank the Gods, they'd come down away from the roof. Ava felt marginally better, which helped improve Zach's own mood. He still couldn't shake the image of the burning bus, but when they returned to the group, Karen was there to help with THAT.

There was some discussion about the state of current affairs, and after putting their minds together, they discovered the likely base of the purifiers. Ava was ready to go after them, but Sharon gave them all pause, taking responsibility, which Ava quickly rebutted.

"Sharon...... she's RIGHT. It's not your fault. Religion is a tricky thing. For many, It offers explanation for the unknown, and gives meaning and direction to life. For others...... it is a tool, a weapon for the fear, jealousy and anger felt. These purifiers hate us because we are different from them..... stronger than them. They are twisting religion to their purpose, and they'll do the same for reality. Even though YOU, and other mutants have been SAVING the city, they will focus only on the damage caused, because that's the only part that 'justifies' their viewpoint."

Viv: Ava's right, Sharon. Don't blame yourself for a second over the actions of born again CRACKERS on a mission to destroy things they know nothing about--

Oracle: [via com link] Orion, Recall – I know it’s a bad time for you both but we NEED to talk.

Zach and Vivica shared a glance that held a conversation. He didn't have to be a telepath to know what she was thinking. She was feeling uneasy.

"Haleigh, as you know, I've been working separately on the mutant-hate movement within the city. Viv has been a great help in that regard, as have a few of my other contacts. One of those contacts-- you remember Elizabeth York-- is actually hauling me right now on another frequency. She might have useful information for us."

Haleigh: Knowledge is power. And while you're touching base with your other contacts, call your insider at the NYPD. I want to know if Dominique has been released from their custody yet. If she's been killing purifiers, our mutual objectives might suggest an alliance.

He nodded, then stepped away, moving over to a window so that he could hear Zizi a little better.

"Oracle, I'm here. Viv is too. What's up?"

 

[Black Widow]

Ava was ready to rock after coming back with Zach, which was relieving, but Haleigh didn't want them all going off half cocked just because they knew where to go. She was about to say 'not so fast y'all' when Sharon spoke.

There was more than one voice of reason, so Haleigh allowed those who had something positive to say go on uninterrupted, until Zach turned to her with other news.

Zach: Haleigh, as you know, I've been working separately on the mutant-hate movement within the city. Viv has been a great help in that regard, as have a few of my other contacts. One of those contacts-- you remember Elizabeth York-- is actually hauling me right now on another frequency. She might have useful information for us.

Oh yes, Elizabeth York. They'd met. Zizi, as she preferred to be called, had helped them as a freelancer with restoring Vivica, among other things. Zizi was known for her ability to hack computers and as an information broker. It would be a distinct advantage to know what SHE knew.

"Knowledge is power. And while you're touching base with your other contacts, call your insider at the NYPD. I want to know if Dominique has been released from their custody yet. If she's been killing purifiers, our mutual objectives might suggest an alliance."

He split off to talk to Zizi, and she waved the others back over to the screen, where she was pulling up architectural records of the cathedral.

"As much as the idea of riding in there like the Calvary and blasting holes in everybody really turns me on, it's not a good tactical plan. I've got more information to share TOO. I traced the nano bot tech back to its manufacturer, and nobody is going to like it....... but it was developed by Wilpharma. There's more, too. Wilpharma recently made a sizable 'charitable' donation to the..... I don't know, nunnery? Anyway, the nunnery/clergy associated with St Patrick's. It's fair to assume they got more than money in the 'donation', based on our recent experience with them. We have to assume they got all the latest anti-mutant weaponry."

 

[Mary Justice]

The cathedral - catacombs

:: Mary may have had intel on her targets, but she DIDN'T know their backstories, just WHO they were. In order for her to have felt the need to do more research on that, she would have had to regard them as HUMAN, which she didn't. It didn't SEEM like an error to overlook that, but it would prove to be.::

:: She looked at him with DISGUST as he dared to speak so improperly about her person "underneath that habit", SLAPPING him across the face with her energy baton::


I will not listen to the poison words of a repulsive creature like you. I guard my heart against such wicked and impure thoughts. Something you would know nothing about.

:: She turned on her conservative heeled shoe and began to walk away from him::

He nodded to her very subtly as he propped his head back up towards Sister Mary Justice.

[coughing] "You're right about a few things...Sister. I mean I'm assuming you ARE a nun or at least you WERE before something in your head told you to kill kill kill. I AM the emmisary of the devil. I CAN put thoughts in people's heads..and tempt them..make them do things they wish they wouldn't have..but all of that? HUMAN ability. Never needed to be a mutant to do any of it..."

:: She came to a stop, but did not turn back to look at him yet::

[cocking his head to the side] "So are we torturing me because I'm a mutant..or just a generally very very bad guy? Or both? I'm just trying to keep up...Also I should mention that when it comes to death? I have a history of thwarting it. And you're going about it completely the wrong way...Torture is the DEVIL'S playground you amateur..these chains don't hinder so much as turn me ON..."

Cameron laughed sadistically.

::FLASH!::

<< Horizontal, split view of Mary Justice's eyes narrowing as they flash with INDIGNATION; Cameron's face, dark and grim, his brow dripping with sweat and a twisted, WICKED smile and laugh>>

:: Mary Justice instinctively clutches the exquisite golden necklace that hangs around her neck. The same curious necklace she wore the night she RESCUED Sarah Smythe from that rapist...and then KILLED him with it::

"Rest assured you BETTER make sure you kill me..because if I manage to slip out of this collar..or catch you off guard for one second..the things I could do to you!?..Go through your mind...find each and every little bit of sin you've committed sin you haven't repented for because you thought nobody was around or that it wasn't a big deal...everytime you've showered and took a lingering touch of your body...everytime you've sat in service and lusted after one of the congregates...every single bit of sin that resides in your tragically human body and bring it to the forefront..FORCE you to revel in it..why I could turn you into my own personal little WHORE of BABYLON..and you'd like it Sister...I'd MAKE you like it..."

:: Mary Justice swallows HARD. Her face frowns up...and her eyes WIDEN with SHOCK at what she hears.::

Filthy....creature...

:: She says in a low tone of voice, still not turning to face him. Her voice...her BODY trembles....with RAGE::

Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.

"..and just as you reach the HEIGHT of esctacy..the PINNACLE of pleasure..I can bring it crashing down around you..I can make you feel WORTHLESS..HOPELESS. I can guide you to the knife and watch you slice it across your own wrists. You have no idea what you're dealing with sister. Or maybe you do...is what you are doing now any worse than ANYTHING I am capable of? You take in young people full of life and hope and ambition...and you sell them your ideas, plant your own seeds and force them into undying loyalty...loyalty which in turn leads to murder and crime and pain...religious mission or not Sister..you're no better than me. You just coward behind GOD where as I actually stand and ANSWER for my crimes.."

[thinking for a moment]

:: Her earnest hold of her necklace turns into a tight GRIP. This is TOO MUCH. Sister Mary Justice, once a VICTIM, is now a PROUD, STRONG, DEDICATED WARRIOR for the lord and she will NOT be vexed by the wicked, salacious tongue of an ABOMINATION!::

"You know...I'm a little thirsty. What is the house wine tonight?"

:: She INHALES sharply and spins around, now standing QUITE at attention as she looks at Cameron with a WILD sparkle of emotion in her eyes::

:: But she held herself, her tongue for a moment longer...as she looked at Cass. She still gripping her exquisite golden necklace::

:: Suddenly, with a speed that defies her [now cracking] calm exterior, she tears the Necklace from her neck. There's an odd whipping/shimmering sound as the necklace flows like a sparkling stream of pure gold and with a fearsome "CRACK!" she STRIKES Cass across her chest. The whip CUTS through her prison garb and her CHEST, leaving a terribly painful , bloody "stripe" where it struck::

And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan!"

The lord who has chosen his TRUELY RIGHTEOUS servant to rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?

:: She turns and STRIKES Cameron across his chest, causing the same painful, bloody wound.::

And the lord said, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Shall we TEST your haughty spirit?

::CRACK!::

:: Mary strikes Cameron across the FACE::

You are the seed of SATAN , and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. That is who you are!

::CRACK::

:: Mary brutally WHIPS Cameron over a DOZEN times, leaving him bloody and his clothing torn, his body seizing with pain. As Cass cries out in protest....::

SILENCE!

:: She strikes Cass cross the face with the golden whip as well, then she stops. Standing there and looking upon them both.::

:: She walks up to Cameron and places the head of her energy baton under his chin. She powers it up, presses a button and then releases a terrifying stream of blue energy into Cameron's body::

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. You are BENEATH my heel, serpent. You have NO power here.

:: She stops the energy attack and leaves him to slump down::

The victory is OURS. Thus say the lord!


:: she backs away, turning her back once more and marching out of the chamber.::


:: OUTSIDE, beyond the sight and presence of those two, she leans against the wall, clutching her chest and looking up to the blackness above. Silently praying for strength to remain steadfast and unfazed when confronting this evil MOST FOUL. Cassandra was proving to have a quiet inner strength and resiliency that defied expectation.
CRUSHING her hope was proving to be a far more difficult task, and CAMERON KING? He was the very IMAGE of perversion and iniquity! Even shackledand de-powered, he spoke with the tongue of a SERPENT and attempted to pervert her mind! She would NOT let it be so! Mary Justice had survived the unthinkable and was called by the lord to bring the sword of righteousness down on this mutant filth! The gift of visionsSAID SO! Her faith MUST NOT waiver, even in the face and sounds of such unspeakable SIN as what Cameron described!::



:: Her breathing was rapid, her heart beat elevated. It was as if she was DESPERATELY trying to avoid a part of herself! She continued to STRUGGLE, until finally, the tone of the comlink caused her to open her eyes.::

.....YES?

Sarah Smythe: Sister? We have lost another triad patrol of purifiers. Initial data indicated they were under attack from the same sorceress who attacked another group in Central park, but there was another..

:: Mary Justice interrupted her...::

THAT IS ENOUGH, Sarah. There will be many who give their lives to a cause such as this. No war can be won without the demand of faith, and sacrifice!

Proceed with the next task. Send a well armed group to the coordinates provided, the office of that species traitor, Alycia Barnett. You have your target, you know what to do!

:: Mary sounded far more abrupt and upset than she normally did. NOT a good look for a leader to have.::

Sarah Smythe:.....Yes....sister.


:: the communication ends. ::

......

For god did not give me the spirit of FEAR, but a spirit of POWER and a SOUND MIND....

Mary finally stands up straight and makes her way down the dark passage, disappearing from sight::

 

[Oracle]

Bus Crash Site

“Why don’t you give me a metal detector instead and we’ll search for buried treasure.”

“Oh I have one back at the Clocktower. Maybe we can do that next Saturday? We can go out to lunch, make a day of it.”

But back to business. She muted her com piece while she waited for Orion and Recall to respond, and discussed Delilah’s involvement with Isis with Valkyrie and Steel.

“Delilah came to see me earlier today, to tell me that Dominique wasn’t behind the Purifiers OR the missing children. It may not make sense right now, but if she working with Isis, it’s for a good reason. As much as I’d like to ‘smash through a wall’ – a bit of caution is warranted here. We know where they’re hiding, but we have no idea of their numbers, or what kind of weapons they might have. We need all the information we can get before we go in. Not to mention some extra bodies.”

She should have known that she didn’t need to worry about telling John the truth. He took it in stride – and didn’t lose faith in MorningStar.

“Orion and Recall should hopefully be able to get us the information we need. I think I can help with the extra bodies too.”

"Oracle, I'm here. Viv is too. What's up?"

She unmuted her mic and routed the conversation to Valkyrie and Steel as well before replying.

“I’m here with Valkyrie and Steel. We’re at the site of the bus accident. MorningStar and Isis have captured a Purifier and taken him to an undisclosed location. I was tracking them but they’ve disappeared off the grid. We’ve traced the missiles and the Purifiers back to-“

Zach: “St. Patrick’s Cathedral.”

“Exactly. We dismissed it too quickly, and we’re paying for it now.”

That mistake would haunt her. But she couldn’t worry about it now. She put it away to think about later, when the immediate danger was past.

“We need to know what MorningStar has found out from that Purifier. We’re standing by ready to move in, but we need to know what we’re up against.”

 

[Isis]

Bishop's Warehouse

Stretching out her right arm, she spread the fingers of her hand, and watched it as it began to glow with laser light. She slowly brought her hand closer and closer to the side of his face. The Purifer would be able to feel the extreme heat coming closer and closer. And as finally she made contact, the smell of burning flesh and the sound of his screams would fill the air.

:: Isis stood silent and grim faced as she watched MorningStar torture the Purifier with a detatched, almost surgical prescision. The glow of her laser light flashed against Isis' own tall form as she stared without waver in her gaze.::

::From what she'd previously observed about MorningStar, the woman seemed to be beyond such things. But LOSS has a way of forever altering, RESHAPING someone. Isis knew that from her own life when Set blighted her family. MorningStar had suffered a tragic loss during the Blue Moon. She didn't have to be a telepath or even an EMPATH to note the change in the woman ever since that night. In the face of that loss, EVERYTHING changes and what may have seemed unlikely before, was now brutal reality. Isis knew this ALL too well.::

::Watching MorningStar now, she saw the cold, almost surgical prescision with which she carried out the torture.::

:: The behavior of the woman was definitely not what Isis had expected, but it wasn't unwelcomed either.::

:: Moments turn into minutes and pass almost as slowly for the sorceress as they do for the doomed Purifier, but she felt NO sympathy for the wretch.::

:: EVENTUALLY, his rhetoric gave way for cries of protest and mercy.::

:: He cried out to ISIS!?::

Purifier: Puh...PLEASE.... :: His teeth CHATTERING from the pain that was making his body almost seize:: PLEASE MAKE HER STOP!

::Isis does not move::

Purifier: You....you're the one who claims to protect the weak!

Isis: Did YOU think of the weak when your fellow soldiers ORPHANED MARK AND JILL and murdered THEM? Did YOU think of the weak when you EXTINGUISHED the lives of those 41 children!?

You've brought this on YOURSELF and it's NO LESS than you deserve.

:: Morningstar resumes the torture, with an EXTRA dose of BURN for him thinking he'd get ISIS to aid him::

You may have your deliverance...in DEATH.

How YOU choose to handle your last moments of life remains in YOUR hands. Do you continue to serve your false, demented "god" or do you FINALLY think for YOURSELF and TELL US what we want to know!?

Purifier: Sister SAID you'd ask...and you...you shall receive. St. Patrick's Cathedral...go there, witch...& mutant filth. All...mutants...Burn...The CHOIR will sing as you are all cut down like wheat....ri....ripe for the harvest

"The CHOIR" ? what does he mean by THAT!?

Isis: And let YOUR BURNING SOUL light our way to VENGEANCE against your fellow misguided murdering TERRORISTS.

:: The purifier's body gives out and he "gives up the ghost", slumping over. Dead at the hands of torture from MorningStar. Though it must be noted, he survived far longer than any normal human could have been expected to while enduring such pain::

Isis: They have no remorse for those they hound and kill. And they are prepared to die for their beliefs. That makes them all the more dangerous, all the more reason why they deserve the full WRATH we may bring down on them.


:: Isis looked upon the dead terrorist with disgust and gestured. A golden column of energy beams down over the body, enveloping it as the body glows and is CONSUMED by the energy and totally disappears from view::

May his soul find no rest as it free falls through the sea of chaos.

:: she says with scorn::

I can get us to that cathedral.

:: She looks at Delilah for a moment. There is no doubt this woman is ready to go forward, but Isis knows there's something missing...::

Perhaps you should contact your teammates.

We can be sure that the Purifiers will be at their strongest and most battle ready at their stronghold.

:: Isis wasn't WORRIED, but she wasn't stupid either. No matter how far flung Delilah was from her team, they would want to know her status and where she was going, to be there to AID her in freeing THEIR teammates::

:: Isis looked down at the piece of tech that Morningstar had removed from the Purifier, the portable mutant scanner::

Black Widow has power over technology. This may be of importance and of use to her.

 

[Prophet]

St. Patrick's Cathedral - Torture Chamber

:: She INHALES sharply and spins around, now standing QUITE at attention as she looks at Cameron with a WILD sparkle of emotion in her eyes::

:: But she held herself, her tongue for a moment longer...as she looked at Cass. She still gripping her exquisite golden necklace::

:: Suddenly, with a speed that defies her [now cracking] calm exterior, she tears the Necklace from her neck. There's an odd whipping/shimmering sound as the necklace flows like a sparkling stream of pure gold and with a fearsome "CRACK!" she STRIKES Cass across her chest. The whip CUTS through her prison garb and her CHEST, leaving a terribly painful , bloody "stripe" where it struck::

And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan!"

Cameron winced as he watched the necklace tear from the woman's neck to become a weapon as she uses it to SLASH Cass across the chest with razor like precision as it creates a bloody and torn stripe across her. He was hoping to spare Cass but at the end of the day, try as he might..he couldn't completely protect her from everything bad. She would have to be able to manage the pain and carry on.

Still..the nun's outburst at Cameron's words told him that she was unstable and a ticking time bomb. His words had affected her in the exact way that Cameron had wanted. She was a novice and she was in over her head. And the more chinks he could put in her armor before The Six found them..the better chance they had at defeating her.

The lord who has chosen his TRUELY RIGHTEOUS servant to rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?

:: She turns and STRIKES Cameron across his chest, causing the same painful, bloody wound.::

And the lord said, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Shall we TEST your haughty spirit?

::CRACK!::

:: Mary strikes Cameron across the FACE::

As her words began to be directed back onto him..he watched as Sister Mary SLICES him across the chest as he cries out in brutal pain for a moment..but once he feels the wind of the chain roll back around and aim for his FACE he is able to dodge his head in such a way that he takes the brunt of the attack onto his SHOULDER. Without his powers, his senses were all he had and he needed to ensure that those stayed in tact. A hit to the face could have him blinded or worse.

You are the seed of SATAN , and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. That is who you are!

::CRACK::

:: Mary brutally WHIPS Cameron over a DOZEN times, leaving him bloody and his clothing torn, his body seizing with pain. As Cass cries out in protest....::

The pain was incredibly intense. Each brutal lash tearing into and ripping his flesh in such quick succession that he almost had no time to react as the chain lashed over already left marks. There was blood everywhere and Cameron was feeling weak, though he was still mentally sharp. After what he had went through with Malice and Erika, nobody would ever be able to break down his mental facilities. Never again. He shuddered as he heard Cass cry out for him.

"Dammit Cass..."

SILENCE!

:: She strikes Cass cross the face with the golden whip as well, then she stops. Standing there and looking upon them both.::

:: She walks up to Cameron and places the head of her energy baton under his chin. She powers it up, presses a button and then releases a terrifying stream of blue energy into Cameron's body::

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. You are BENEATH my heel, serpent. You have NO power here.

:: She stops the energy attack and leaves him to slump down::

The victory is OURS. Thus say the lord!


:: she backs away, turning her back once more and marching out of the chamber.::

He knew that her protest would land her in a world of hurt as she is STRUCK across the face. But it seems as if her suffering ends there once Mary catches a glimpse of Cameron and makes her way over...which is exactly what Cameron had been trying to do this whole time..keep Mary away from Cass. The result however was a HIGH CHARGED energy blast to the chin. The pain causes his teeth to chatter and makes him feel as if he is being electrocuted. But soon enough she stops..quotes another bible verse and leaves them be.

Cameron takes a few moments to reel from the pain he is feeling, closing his eyes and breathing in and out as clearly as he can before he lifts his head up to look at Cass.

"Well...she's a wonderful hostess, eh?"

Cass doesn't seem to be much in the mood for speaking. He can see she is very visibly distraught and in pain from the chain attacks she just endured.

[chest heaving]

"I'm not going to tell a survivor how to survive...but lean into the pain, Cass. Embrace it. Get to know it..The sooner you can brace it..the easier it's gonna be to endure. She's limited in her tactics..and she's keeping us alive for a reason..probably to kill us on a bigger stage..but we have time..."

[thinking for a moment]

"Where is my sister? Where is Alison. I saw her get captured but she's not here...did she escape? Is she being held somewhere else?"

 

[Ruby]

:: Well then. As much as she enjoyed the show between Frau Mary and New Guy, it was quickly trying her patience. She sighed LOUDLY. That had earned her a huge SMACK! from the guards. Why were there guards here anyway? It’s not like they could do any harm. She had already tried to use her powers but to no avail. Besides, Frau Mary certainly could handle herself…or could she? New Guy was goading her on and on, earning him some pretty hardcore beats. Still, he never wavered. Bryda!Cass was impressed albeit horrified by what she KNEW was coming. She laid her head back against the cold wall and gritted her teeth. ::

*furious*: “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TRYING TO DO, GET US BOTH KILLED?”

:: Frau Mary just stood there, trying to contain whatever emotion it was that was nearly undoing her. She turned and looked at Bryda!Cass. ::

Oh HELL no!

:: Frau Mary gripped at her golden crucifix around her neck…and swiftly with a speed that both fascinated and repulsed Bryda!Cass, she tore it off. Cass watched in sick fascination as the necklace turned into a weapon of mass destruction. She KNEW what was coming and SCREAMED as she was WHIPPED with enough force it TORE open her prison clothes as well as her own SKIN, leaving a bloody red STRIPE on her chest. ::

:: She gasped for breath as she doubled over, trying not to succumb to the intense pain. Through slit eyes she watched as Frau Mary continued her assault on New Guy. A curious thought came to her just then. ::

Is he…is he trying to PROTECT me?!

:: It would seem like he was. A curious thought indeed, and one that picqued her interest, because that would mean that HE knew HER. She let out a small groan. She shut her eyes and gathered her strength. ::

“STOP IT!”

Sister Mary Justice: “SILENCE!”

:: She SHRIEKED as the old biddy whipped her across the FACE. But Bryda!Cass wasn’t done YET. She waited until Frau Mary finished her sermon and everybody else left the room, following their mistress. She gasped heavily for a few seconds, trying to catch her breath. She spit out blood from her mouth and gazed at her fellow prisoner. ::

Cameron: “Well, she’s wonderful hostess, eh?”

:: Cass managed a small smile but didn’t speak. ::

"I'm not going to tell a survivor how to survive...but lean into the pain, Cass. Embrace it; get to know it. The sooner you get to know it, the easier it’s gonna be to endure. She’s limited in her tactics..and she's keeping us alive for a reason..probably to kill us on a bigger stage..but we have time..."

:: Cass stared at her fellow prisoner. A look of horror appeared on her face. ::

*confused*: “Who is…? Who is CASS?”

:: Her body began to shake. She didn’t know what was real now. He obviously knows her…but he called her by a different name. He then mentioned his SISTER. ::

"Where is my sister? Where is Alison. I saw her get captured but she's not here...did she escape? Is she being held somewhere else?"

:: Cass gasped as a memory came to her just then. ::

<<A flash of black hair, a young woman [Alison] standing over her speaking…>>

:: Cass shut her eyes and shook her head HARD. She couldn’t make sense of this memory. In fact, she did not recognize the woman at all. She shuddered. ::

“I’m sorry…”

:: She gasped as a sob escaped from her throat. ::

“I’m not sure who CASS is but I’m Bryda; Bryda Jesko.”

:: She opened her eyes and looked at her fellow prisoner. ::

“I…don’t know who this Alison is either.”

:: She pulled her knees up to her badly broken chest with painful effort and stared at them. ::

*curiously*: “How do you know me?”

 

[Prophet]

St. Patrick's Cathedral - Torture Chamber

He watched Cass from the shadows. Something was definitely wrong with her. It was like she was searching her mind for the right answer to a very easy question.

Cass: "Who is...? Who is CASS?"

"Oh no...no no no no no no no...."

Prophet gritted his teeth with annoyance. Whatever had been done to Cass in his absence had definitely done a number on her if she didn't remember who she was. This was not good. For as strong as he was on his own..it was comforting to be there with one of his teammates. And now, this teammate had no idea who she was.

:: Cass shut her eyes and shook her head HARD. She couldn’t make sense of this memory. In fact, she did not recognize the woman at all. She shuddered. ::

“I’m sorry…”

:: She gasped as a sob escaped from her throat. ::

“I’m not sure who CASS is but I’m Bryda; Bryda Jesko.”

:: She opened her eyes and looked at her fellow prisoner. ::

“I…don’t know who this Alison is either.”

:: She pulled her knees up to her badly broken chest with painful effort and stared at them. ::

*curiously*: “How do you know me?”

Cameron let out an exasperated sigh as he closed his eyes for a moment. While he may not have had access to his mutant abilities in their full glory, the sibling bond he shared with Alison was still active for the most part. While he couldn't communicate with her because of the collar he still could sense her. She was alive and at the moment she didn't seem to be directly in harm's way which allowed him to focus his attention back to Cassandra.

"Okay...nice to meet you Bryda. I'm Cameron King. As nice as this has been...I really..REALLY need Cassandra Johnson to come back out and play..."

[Cass still looked as dazed and confused as ever]

"Look..It's common for people who have gone through what we've gone through to revert. To sink back mentally to avoid the pain. I get it. You and I could write one HELL of a book about it. But I don't have my abilities to FORCE you back into yourself right now so I need you to listen..I need you present...and I need you to REMEMBER for me..."

"Think about this, Bryda. Do you understand that you are speaking English right now? That we are all speaking English and you are understanding it? That's a little odd right for a young woman in a concentration camp, don't you think? Look at that RUBY around your neck. Where did you get that? Who gave that to you? You're Cassandra Johnson now. You've been through a lot of things but you are CASSANDRA JOHNSON. You have been ever since you escaped your situation. You are a part of The Six. You manage a club in Los Angeles...After Dark. You're good friends with Ella. You live in her apartment...at Melrose Place. And I have it on some pretty good intuition you have some strong feelings for Blaze Victory. For Firebird. She needs Cassandra. I need her. You were attacked earlier. Sally Spectra, another of your friends was attacked. They took you from Blaze...they brought you here. They want to kill all mutants. Just like they wanted to kill your people..."

Cameron seemed somewhat exasperated.

"I don't know what else I can say to you...YOU are Cassandra. YOU are Ruby. You're a member of The Six and I need you to remember that so you can help me get us both out of here and back to our friends so we can teach that miserable bitch with a crucifix a lesson she won't forget. CJ...please. Remember. Do it for me. REMEMBER..."

He was trying to attach as many names and familiar hallmarks to her as best he could. He was hoping that SOMETHING would jog her memory and really he had no other options without his powers at this moment. If Cameron wanted her back he was going to have to talk her out of this mental state and he was scared that he didn't have the time.

 

[Ruby]

St. Patrick's Cathedral

"Okay...nice to meet you Bryda. I'm Cameron King. As nice as this has been...I really..REALLY need Cassandra Johnson to come back out and play..."

:: Cass looked REALLY confused. ::

“I’m not…”

:: Cameron didn’t wait for her response. He just kept right on going. Her head hurt but she used up all her strength in order to do what he asked. She listened…CAREFULLY. ::

"Look..It's common for people who have gone through what we've gone through to revert. To sink back mentally to avoid the pain. I get it. You and I could write one HELL of a book about it. But I don't have my abilities to FORCE you back into yourself right now so I need you to listen..I need you present...and I need you to REMEMBER for me..."

"Think about this, Bryda. Do you understand that you are speaking English right now? That we are all speaking English and you are understanding it? That's a little odd right for a young woman in a concentration camp, don't you think? Look at that RUBY around your neck. Where did you get that? Who gave that to you? You're Cassandra Johnson now. You've been through a lot of things but you are CASSANDRA JOHNSON. You have been ever since you escaped your situation. You are a part of The Six. You manage a club in Los Angeles...After Dark. You're good friends with Ella. You live in her apartment...at Melrose Place. And I have it on some pretty good intuition you have some strong feelings for Blaze Victory. For Firebird. She needs Cassandra. I need her. You were attacked earlier. Sally Spectra, another of your friends was attacked. They took you from Blaze...they brought you here. They want to kill all mutants. Just like they wanted to kill your people..."

:: Cass trembled at his words. She was not allowed to have friends. She only ended up killing them in some way or another. That’s what people have been speaking over her for as long as she was caged up in the lab. The names Cameron mentioned…they meant nothing to her. ::

“H-how do you know I was in…?”

…a concentration camp?

:: Cass’ body shook. He was annoyed, she could see that. But HOW did he know about Auschwitz? ::

"I don't know what else I can say to you...YOU are Cassandra. YOU are Ruby. You're a member of The Six and I need you to remember that so you can help me get us both out of here and back to our friends so we can teach that miserable bitch with a crucifix a lesson she won't forget. CJ...please. Remember. Do it for me. REMEMBER..."

:: Cass really tried to remember. But then he mentioned RUBY…and another memory came forward. She gasped. ::

<<A woman screaming at her, calling her RUBY, to stay down and keep calm; she was in some kind of church; said woman disappearing right before her eyes!>>

“N-no! NO!”

:: She looked over at Cameron, her eyes pleading. He HAD to understand…but she was afraid to open herself up to him. She was NOT allowed to have any friends. The newest memory disturbed her. ::

*softly*: “I KILLED…her?!”

:: A soft mewl came from her. ::

“There WAS a woman here, earlier, I think. I think she was trying to help me? But I KILLED her! I kill EVERYONE around me…”

:: She cried quietly. That life he was talking about…about Cassandra Johnson…seemed really nice and all, but of course she had NO friends, let alone romantic feelings towards somebody else. ::

*quietly* “I’m not trying to be a pain, but I really don’t know who you’re talking about. I know English because I stayed with the British army when I finally escaped from the lab. It wasn’t MY intentions to do so…but they insisted. I know a LOT of languages…”

:: She closed her eyes and looked off to the side. She wasn’t willing to reveal her story, especially to a complete STRANGER, but Cameron was right about one thing: they had to HELP each other to escape from their prison. ::

*resigned*: “Okay, I’ll tell you…”

:: And so Bryda!Cass began telling Cameron EVERYTHING about what had happened in her life. She told him about her playmates in the lab, how they all banded together in the dangerous times, how she was a natural leader as they all gathered around HER for comfort and safety, how she had discovered a knack for languages…and then she revealed EVERYTHING that had transpired in the lab on that horrible, HORRIBLE day. She told him what the guard had said to her and what they all kept saying over her throughout the years… ::

“So, you see, I’m not ALLOWED to have friends. AT ALL. I wind up KILLING them!”

:: She had a look of distraught on her face. ::

“IF what you are saying is true, then I’m going to KILL you! Why ELSE would you be here with me? Oh my GOD! It’s MY fault you’re here!”

:: She started weeping. ::

“I’m going to KILL you just like I KILLED that woman in the church sanctuary!”

:: Her hands automatically clutched at her RUBY necklace and she FROZE. ANOTHER memory came to her mind but it was a bit different than the others. ::

<<A beautiful woman offering her hand to Cass. Her hands were cold, like ice. She offered her the RUBY necklace, telling her that if she ever needed help, she can find solace in the SIREN SECT.>>

*softly*: ”Vampires…”

:: She noticed a curious thing, just then. It felt GOOD to talk about her time in the lab…almost as if it was…therapeutic?! She looked over at Cameron, who was watching her like a hawk, and she made a decision that IF what Cameron was saying was true, that he was a FRIEND of hers, then she would do everything in her power to not let him get killed. She couldn’t change the past but, she hoped, she could change the FUTURE. ::

*sadly*: “Don’t you see? I KILL everybody around me.”

:: She sighed a sad sigh. ::

"I am not allowed to have a good life...OR friends, much less romantic entanglements."

:: She looked Cameron in the eyes, her blue eyes filled with sadness. ::

"I did a VERY bad thing. I KILLED my...my FRIENDS. They looked to ME for their comfort and I FAILED them! I don't deserve to have that life that you're talking about."

 

[Seer]

<< Elsewhere>>

<< We see a view of Sister Mary Justice, back at her center of operations in the Cathedral on the main floor, behind the alter, where the Nimrod Component looms LARGER THAN BEFORE, but its ever changing size and dimensions doesnt seem to register with the Nun or her followers.>>

<< Having communicated instructions to her Purifiers, we see images of her face staring at different floating monitors broadcasting images, all provided from the data stream of the Nimrod component.>>

<< FLASHES of another set of images, of large men, DOZENS of them, standing in perfect formation>>

<< We see that these men have shed their purifier robes as they heed the call of their leader>>

Mary Justice: We must prepare for the battle between light and darkness, my christian soldiers. Put on the full armor of god, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

<< The men can be seen stepping up and into LARGE, complex suits of armor, closing themselves in and locking the armor, powering up.>>

<<The armor gives the fighters increased height, super strength, durability, resistance (but not total immunity) to psionic attacks; the ability to withstand a large amount of impact, enemy energy projection and temperature extremes. The armor is also armed with missles, high powered energy cannons, mutant detection scanners and a variety of other tools for combat including jet propulsion in the boots of the armor.>>

Mary Justice: You wear state of the art battle armor, capable of powerful offensive and defensive measures, allowing you to stand toe to toe with these mutant monsters. Be prepared to go FORWARD!

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

<<PREVIOUSLY>>

<< In an undisclosed location, the WOMAN-IN-SHADOW can be seen in a large, well equipped, high powered laboratory.>>

<< images of machines around her, her hands holding various tools; images of her moment of success when she manages to duplicate this rare, almost ALIEN strain of the virus!>>

<< The woman in shadow would eventually APPEAR before Mary Justice, with another "gift". Persuading the nun to gather her BEST fighters so that they may be truly anointed. >>

<< Through a most UNHOLY use of science, technology and a dash of magick, the ELITE of the Purifiers' fighters are grafted with the virus strain and now manifest metallic WINGS and carry vibranium weapons and shields, capable of withstanding even a deadly pass from the Silver Swan. They now wear choir robes designed to accommodate their altered forms with the wings. They comprise "THE CHOIR" of the Purifiers, while the armored soliders represent "THE RIGHT">>


<< The purifiers now have soliders on the ground and street level with the Right and the Choir now mobilizing in and around the cathedral, and THEY will draw the line for the Six, now. >>

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

<< As Oracle communicates with Orion and Recall and it becomes apparent that there will be a deadly confrontation with the Purifiers at their base of operations, Valkyrie decides to retrieve some of her own heavy weaponry to use for the occasion.>>

<< As it happens, one of her own outposts is within the same area as the offices of Charope, LLC.>>

 

[MorningStar]

Bishop's Warehouse

Purifier [to Isis]: Puh...PLEASE....PLEASE MAKE HER STOP! You....you're the one who claims to protect the weak!

“Don’t beg HER – beg ME you filth.”

Isis: Did YOU think of the weak when your fellow soldiers ORPHANED MARK AND JILL and murdered THEM? Did YOU think of the weak when you EXTINGUISHED the lives of those 41 children!?

She pressed the pads of her fingers to the Purifiers forehead, slowly drilling into his skull for maximum pain. Only a FRACTION of the pain those children felt.

Do you continue to serve your false, demented "god" or do you FINALLY think for YOURSELF and TELL US what we want to know!?

Purifier: Sister SAID you'd ask...and you...you shall receive. St. Patrick's Cathedral...go there, witch...& mutant filth. All...mutants...Burn...The CHOIR will sing as you are all cut down like wheat....ri....ripe for the harvest

Delilah looked down on the Purifier with disdain. The scum refused to save himself, over some ingrained ideology of HATE. And then the bastard had the audacity to DIE on her. She planted her boot into the body, giving the lifeless mound a good hard kick.

“Too bad you can’t resurrect his dumb ass.”

She stared at the body as Isis dissolved it, then looked up.

Perhaps you should contact your teammates.

Delilah pulled her phone out of her pocket. The damn thing had been vibrating at her since the Parthenon.

“Huh. Missed calls from Alycia and Haleigh. And ZACH. No texts, though, so it couldn’t be THAT urgent. Probably just want to treat me like a criminal some more.”

She started to call Haleigh, then stopped, and scrolled to Zach’s name instead. She texted: “Purifiers= St. Patrick’s” and put the phone away.

Isis indicated the portable mutant scanner on the ground.

Black Widow has power over technology. This may be of importance and of use to her.

She knelt and picked it up.

“Yeah, whatever. Let’s go.”

 

[Valkyrie]

The Vicinity of Charope, LLC

Valkyrie detached herself from the group as Oracle finished her discussion with Orion & Recall and alerted Mina to meet them in midtown. She wanted to tap into a weapons cache she had nearby, promising to pick up some party favors for Oracle as well and then rejoin them before they reached St. Patrick’s. FINALLY, they would get a good fight in. Well, she hoped. They were just humans, after all, and they didn’t make humans like they used to. Tecumseh. Now there was a warrior. And a great kisser.

It was all she could do to walk around WITHOUT her game face on. It felt like electricity was running up and down her arms and legs, ready to explode. Hanging out in the street looking for mummy dust? No. THIS is what she was made for.

Selling weapons to Bishop was a profitable side business, but she wasn’t stupid. She had 1200 years of weapons experience and had collected more than her fair share during that time. She did not keep them all under her bed at the Clocktower. Some, yes, but not all. She had stashes all over, with every type of weapon imaginable that hadn’t become obsolete.

She could use her Valkyrie powers, of course, but nothing could replace the feeling of a weapon in her hand, preferably some variety of blade. Guns could be fun too, against humans at least. And they really were doing some nice things with armor-piercing rounds these days.

She turned the corner into a back alley – the drop she was looking for was in a basement just ahead.

 

[Orion]

Oracle: I’m here with Valkyrie and Steel. We’re at the site of the bus accident.

aka the site of the mass murder. 'Bus accident' doesn't quite cover it......

Oracle: MorningStar and Isis have captured a Purifier and taken him to an undisclosed location. I was tracking them but they’ve disappeared off the grid.

Well THAT answers Haleigh's question, to some degree.

Oracle: We’ve traced the missiles and the Purifiers back to-

“St. Patrick’s Cathedral.”

Oracle: Exactly. We dismissed it too quickly, and we’re paying for it now.

"Don't beat yourself up about it, we aren't the ones that did this, were the ones trying to stop it from happening AGAIN."

Oracle: We need to know what MorningStar has found out from that Purifier. We’re standing by ready to move in, but we need to know what we’re up against.

"Well, if laser guided missiles doesn't give you a clear idea of what we're up against, you should know that Black Widow has traced some tech she recovered back to Wilpharma. I'll see if I can touch base with Morningstar and get back with you. And, Elizabeth? Please be careful. From the looks of the Six..... these are NOT your garden variety bad guys."

Zach took his phone out of his pocket and dialed Delilah's number. He hoped she had more information on these bastards, or knew ANYTHING that would give them an edge.

"Come ON Delilah...... answer the phone......"

While he waited for her to answer, he glanced over to Haleigh. She made eye contact with him and raised an eyebrow.

"Isis is out, and Delilah is with her. They've taken a purifier to an unknown location. I'm trying to get in touch with her, find out what they know."

Haleigh: And you think that after ignoring both Alycia AND myself, she's going to answer her phone just because it's YOU calling this time? (Chuckling) You think so highly of yourself, babe.

"Yeah, I'm a MAN."

He replied, with an expression that said 'duh.'

 

[Artemis]

::Charope, LLC and right outside::


:: The others quickly disagreed with Sharon, who expressed remorse and guilt over being the ultimate root cause of ALL of this and Alycia, being her close friend through all these many IMPOSSIBLE things they'd survive, couldn't remain silent either, but Ava, Zach and even Vivica covered all the bases on rebutting Sharon's assessment. Alycia placed a hand on Sharon's arm and looked into her eyes, nodding in agreement with the others. Sharon smiled a bit at Alycia and then looked at the others, nodding with understanding and not allowing herself to be consumed by shame. ::

"As much as the idea of riding in there like the Calvary and blasting holes in everybody really turns me on, it's not a good tactical plan. I've got more information to share TOO. I traced the nano bot tech back to its manufacturer, and nobody is going to like it....... but it was developed by Wilpharma. There's more, too. Wilpharma recently made a sizable 'charitable' donation to the..... I don't know, nunnery? Anyway, the nunnery/clergy associated with St Patrick's. It's fair to assume they got more than money in the 'donation', based on our recent experience with them. We have to assume they got all the latest anti-mutant weaponry."

:: Alycia and Ana-Leigh had been working on something to strike a blow to WilPharma! Now they had a way to tie them to the deaths of 41 children, among dozens of other victims within the city! She had formed deep contacts with TerraSave, an anti-bio terrorism and human/mutant rights advocacy group.::

I have contacts with TerraSave...whatever evidence you have, please let me have a copy of it. TerraSave has been trying to stop WilPharma ever since the bio terror incident at LAX, the one where my..."doppelganger" seemingly betrayed the Six.

If WilPharma is connected this, in ANYWAY, then that means Sharon's senate seat successor, William Stryker is not too far behind. He managed to divest himself from WilPharma after Viper was defeated...but he was able to COVER UP his involvement. He's made no secret of his anti-mutant stance and HE'S probably the one providing financial support to the clergy or whatever it is at St. Patrick's, and why that cathedral has been able to remain closed off all this time without anyone in authority questioning it.

Whatever we're doing tonight. We need to make sure any tributaries are cut off too. Between my office and TerraSave, we can finally get the ball rolling on ROOTING WilPharma OUT.

:: What Alycia didn't know yet was that they'd have a smoking gun, on TOP of Black Widow's find, being delivered to them soon enough, thanks to the efforts of Isis' Black Knight, Richard Martin. He was right around Ana-Leigh's age, and both of them represented the NEXT generation of mutants coming up in a [seemingly] post-Mystech world.::


:: While Haleigh was transmitting data and information to Alycia's database, Ana-Leigh was already in her office, preparing for a secure transfer to their contact at Terra Save::


:: Alycia excused herself up to the main floor where Ana-Leigh had already in contact with Rebecca Chambers from Terra Save::

Ana-Leigh: Alycia, we have everything from Haleigh, along with our previously gathered information & reports.

Alycia: Terrific. :: placing a hand on Ana-Leigh;s shoulder::


Alycia: We'll get that transferred to them and then, that's it for you tonight.

:: Ana-Leigh looked at Alycia::

Ana-Leigh: What? Is there something wrong? Did I....

:: Alycia shook her head::

Alycia: No,no nothing like that. But you've pulled MORE than a double shift tonight, you've done more than I could or SHOULD ask.You're my assistant, and a damn good one, you're also a mutant....

Ana-Leigh: Alycia, please. If you're going to tell me you want me to leave for my safety...I AM a big girl and I CAN take...

:: Alycia and Ana-Leigh had bonded fast, since she had met the young woman at a speaking engagement at NYU. Ana-Leigh had that fire,that steel determination and that clear sense of what needed to be done, just as Alycia did at that age. Ana-Leigh also had supportiveparents like Alycia did. Many things about their background were similar. And when Alycia selected Ana-Leigh for the intern/assistant position,not only was it going to be a boon for Ana-leigh's college credits and resume, it really was the opportunity of a lifetime. Sisterly relationship,and spoke to each other in a less than formal way when they were not engaged in official business::

Alycia: ::holding up her hand and shaking her head once more:: I know what you're going to say. I ALSO know that you ARE a capable, rescourceful, and possessed of considerable power. But the fact remains you ARE NOT meant to be on the front BATTLE line of this. I WON'T have your life endangered...anymore than it has been by your continuing to work with me. I promised your parents that I would protect you, with my LIFE if necessary.

Alycia: Now, we're going to close up shop here. You're going to ensure that information gets to Terra Save and then you're going to get to safety. Sharon, Zach, myself, The Six and apparently contacts of Zach's and Vivica's will all be going to the stronghold of the Purifiers to rescue Cameron and Cass and put an END to their campaign of terror. If anything SHOULD happen to US? You'll be NEEDED to ensure the proper people are alerted so that our deaths are not covered up, so that this doesnt go unchecked. You'll be needed to stand strong and protect the weak. That IS what motivates both of us and there are alot of unsuspecting YOUNG mutants out here in the cross hairs of the purifiers right now.

:: Ana-Leigh wasnt afraid to debate Alycia when she felt there was a point worth discussion, but she saw and sensed the tone of Alycia and relented. Alycia thought about the young Richard Martin, whom she had seen with Dominique at the Parthenon. He had that same youthful energy about him that Ana-Leigh did. If...WHEN this was all over, Alycia would see about introducing them. One thing that they both knew was always important, was the ability to make key contacts.::

:: A few minutes later.::

:: Alycia informed the others downstairs that she was seeing Ana-Leigh off and went to pull a car around for her, not wanting the girl to be out in the open any longer than necessary.::

::They were ALL fairly certain that the Purifiers were celebrating their "victory" this evening and wouldn't come out again like they had earlier, KNOWING that the Six and others were now MORE than aware of them and certainly LOOKING for them. Alycia counted on this brief respite to allow her time to get Ana-Leigh out of harm's way.::

::she hoped in vain::

:: Right outside the main entrance of Charope, LLC, right along side the dark car, Alycia and Ana-Leigh stand together, with Alycia opening the door for her young assistant::

Now remember, Zachary has ensured that our safe house is guarded by Clandestine. You will not be alone and this is ONLY until we DEAL with the Purifiers.

Ana-Leigh: Alycia, please, don't worry! I can handle getting there, and even IF there's something along the way...I'm FAR from helpless...

::Balling her fist, a red halo of kinetic energy forms around her hand as she nods with assurance to Alycia.::

Alycia: Let's hope that it does not come to that. I want to see you here to face a future WITHOUT monsters like the Purifiers. We both know there will be others, but there's a new generation of mutants that deserves a chance to LIVE, and LEADERS like you MUST be here for THEM.

<< ALycia's voice's reads loud and clear as both she AND Ana-Leigh are being watched>>

 

[Seer]

Outside of Charope, LLC

<< Alycia and Ana-Leigh are being WATCHED. They can be seen HUGGING each other, with Ana-Leigh expressing her hopes for Alycia and her friends SUCCESS in stopping the Purifiers and Alycia wishing Ava safe travels>>

Purifier1: Did you hear what that man hating, amazon slut said? about being gene-joke [Ana-Leigh] being a LEADER for the mutants?

Purifier 2: I dont know which is worse, the species traitor [Alycia] or the mutant filth!

Purifier 1: Let's just GUN the gene-joke and get back to HQ. The Amazon is pulling back from the mutant, We've got a shot!


<<FLASH!>>

<< Ana-Leigh and Alycia goodbye and Alycia steps back, Ana-Leigh prepares to get in the car and Alycia would close the door...>>

<<ZARK!>>

<< Ana-Leigh is STRUCK by a high powered ENERGY BLAST! The moment it makes contact, it envelops her body in a field of glowing green energy and completely irradiates her. She CRIES OUT with such shock and pain before falling into the stunned Charope's arm's and her body is now badly BURNED>>

<< she FLINCHES and GASPS as the green energy blast STRIKES Ana-Leigh in the back>>

Alycia: ANA!!!!! GODDESS , NO!!!

<< The amazon's scream would NOT go unnoticed ashe catchese the badly burned Ana-Leigh in her arms>>

Purifiers: ALL MUTANTS BURN!


<< FLASH!>>

<< Alycia's hazel eyes look up and she sees two purifers at her 12 O'clock. >>[/quote]

 

[Artemis]

NO!!!!!!

ANA!!!!!

:: Alycia looks utterly dismayed as she craddles the badly burned, unresponsive Ana-Leigh. Instinctively, she checks for a pulse. It's still there! Ana-Leigh is ALIVE::

HELP ME!!!

:: She cries out, knowing that several of the Six would hear her...but even as her emotions FLARE from the unexpected, brutal SHOCK of this attack, she hears THEM::

Purifiers: ALL MUTANTS BURN!

::FLASH!::

<< a horizontal split view with Charope's hazel eyes zeroing in on the Purifiers on top; The two JUBILANT Purifiers faces on the bottom.>>

ANA-LEIGH!

PURIFIER 1: DUST THE AMAZON before she can get help!

:: The problem with underestimating an amazon, as MANY men have done throughout history, is that once theire ANGER is unleashed? ALL of their skill, their ferocity as hunters and warriors, their POWER, given to them by Athena, Artemis, Demeter and Hermes....ALL of these things becomes INSTRUMENTS to SING the song of an AMAZON UNLEASHED!::

:: They take aim, Alycia can HEAR them preparing to fire and she can't stay where she is. She has to go to them. The two purifiers place their blasters on rapid fire setting and IMMEDIATELY fire upon Alycia::
:: She's ALREADY on her feet and RUNNING toward them, her arms up. She displays BLURRING speed as she BLOCKS/DEFLECTS all the energy bolts coming for her with her feminum bracelets!::

Purifier 1: IMPOSSIBLE! No one can move THAT FAST! She's BLOCKING ALL our FIRE!

Purifier 2: And she's STILL COMING COMING!

Purifier1: HQ, the AMAZON! she's FASTER than we thought...she's ATTACKING US we....

:: The AVERAGE Amazon can lift a car, break apart metals as strong as steel and stone with her BARE HANDS! Alycia SLAMS her high heel down on a man hole cover which flips up into her hands and she HURLS it forward toward them like a disc, and it knocks them down like two BOWLING PINS! AT the moment she hurls the cover at them, she LEAPS into the air. The AVERAGE Amazon has the ability to leap at LEAST 12 feet into the air from a STANDING position, and as Vivica had observed from before, their movements are as much fluid and graceful as they are athletic. She launches through the air in a perfectly timed, arced pattern and CRASHES DOWN upon the two purifiers as one is calling for a ghost box portal to open!
You’re not going ANYWHERE!
:: now holding the manhole cover high over her head and looking absolutely predatory, she SLAMS it down on his head so hard…it CRUSHES his skull, completely caves his head in. ::

:The 2nd puifier is unable to speak, still painfully winded and now suffering from several broken ribs and a punctured lung after being struck by the manhole cover. ::


:: Alycia wastes NO TIME as she IMMEDIATELY begins SLAMMING the already bloody and gore covered manhole cover down on HIS head , over and over again. Blood, teeth, flesh …all being SMASHED to a PULP as Alycia CRIES OUT with ALL the emotion and ANGER that has been building up while she’s TRIED to “do the right thing” all this time.::
:: FINALLY, she STOPS and steps up, dropping the large manhole cover down on the ground without a thought….tears running down her face::

:: She leaves the now dead and badly disfigured Purifiers where they lay and turns to head back quickly::

 

[Valkyrie]

Outside Charope, LLC

Alycia would hear a slow, slow clapping break through the night air. Valkyrie stepped into the pool of illumination of a street light.

“Oh, B-ravo, Amazon. Br-avo.”

By a particularly interesting twist of fate, Valkyrie happened to be just around the corner from Charope when she heard the commotion and changed course to investigate. She had caught the end of the fight between Alycia and the Purifiers, including Alycia beating the already incapacitated body of the second Purifier to a bloody pulp.

Her tone was FILLED to the brim with sarcasm.

“Not that I would expect any better from someone of…your kind.”

She wrinkled her nose up at the last bit, as if she could SMELL Alycia from where she stood.

“The Amazons never did have any sense of what it means to take an honorable kill.”

Amazons. The lowest form of warrior in Valkyrie’s opinion. They sat hiding like cowards on their island with no men, pretending to be men, when they didn’t know the first thing about the honor of real battle. They acted tough to cover up their FEAR. They could never be the equals of men the way SHE had been in life. The way ALL women of the North were, especially shield maidens and valkyries in particular.

"They’d much rather use their gifts on weaker team mates for no reason.”

She shrugged.

“Guess that’s why they secret themselves away: can’t hold up in a fight against a REAL enemy.”