Surprise!

[Seer]

As the night wore on and the city around them was really starting to live up to its reputation, the new inhabitants of Illustra would find themselves pulled together once again – perhaps for the last time.

Delilah and Mina finish up their conversation with Karen, no closer to finding the answers they seek. Something triggers in Karen’s astute mind, but she keeps it to herself – for now. She promises to look into Morgan’s objects more closely and see what she was turn up regarding the strange circumstances of Mina’s arrival. Delilah and Karen say their goodbyes, and they go their separate ways.

Mike and Cass, human and vampire, grew closer – what they would see in the light of the new day, though, remained to be seen.

Rich, Ana-Leigh, Sharon and Andrew have a night of merriment – almost like real friends. Rich and Ana find an ease with each other, while Andrew and Sharon both make strides to “fit in” with the group. If Delilah were watching, she would see these four slowly but surely becoming a cohesive unit. But would it be enough?

In the War Room, Bishop finishes running his background checks – some with more surprises than others – and with Delilah’s agreement calls everyone to assemble for an information session on their last night before entering the MysTech compound NERVOUS.

The core four of the group make their way from Rich’s apartment, while Delilah and Mina arrive together after Karen takes her leave to return to the Parthenon.

And so, we watch.

 

[MorningStar]

Illustra - War Room

Delilah and Mina had finally found some down time – though their thoughts were far from relaxed - when they were summoned by Bishop to the War Room. She would have preferred he discuss it with her first…but no matter. She trusted that he had something important to say.

Delilah could sense Mina’s growing discomfort at being joined at the hip to her for so long that day. Strangely, she seemed most at ease with Karen, someone so many years her senior. It was clear from her demeanor that Mina enjoyed the solitary life. Delilah wasn’t sure whether that was noble or sad.

They went together down to the War Room. They had responded almost immediately whereas the others had not. Probably out enjoying their limited freedom. In any case, Delilah and Mina were the first to arrive – and conspicuously even Bishop wasn’t there yet.

As the other four sauntered in together, Delilah was increasingly perturbed by Bishop’s absence. She looked at her watch.

“We have a big day tomorrow – all of us should be in bed. This had better be good.”

Delilah didn’t like that Connor had left them looking disorganized or unprepared – or that it was now clear that Delilah was just as much in the dark about this meeting as the rest.

 

[Mina Harker]

Mina felt strange being included in this strategy session. She was not really a part of Delilah’s fighting forces – she was helping behind the scenes, but she still felt out of place somehow. She didn’t feel she really had anything to add. And the mysterious circumstances of her arrival only served to put doubt in Delilah’s and her own mind. Was there a connection? Karen had seemed about to say something about it, but then had stayed silent. Mina feared unknowingly being a pawn in someone else’s game – it had happened before and she would do anything in her power to make sure it never occurred again.

But she followed Delilah because the girl had asked her to. She was trying so hard – Mina could see it plainly – but not even Delilah believed that it would be enough. Mina felt it was her duty to lend whatever assistance she could, but in the end, it would come down to the other Six people slowly filtering into the room. She had learned long ago that silence sometimes served better than words, so she said nothing.

 

[Titan]

Andrew was pretty ticked off.

He, Rich and Ana – and even Sharon had been having a good old time, relaxing, resting, when they were SUMMONED by Bishop to the War Room.

He didn’t like that one bit.

Was his personal time not his own? Could they be called upon at any hour of the night at the whim of He-Man and Wheelchair She-Ra? He showed up on time when he was asked to – but his off time should be his. He bristled.

The four had walked down together from Rich’s place. Andrew still carried a bottle of beer in his hand. Hey, if he had to be there, at least he might as well enjoy it.

“So Big-and-Ugly calls us down here but doesn’t have the decency to show up? You might like having your time wasted but MINE is precious so I’ll just be going then.”

 

[Matrix]

“So Big-and-Ugly calls us down here but doesn’t have the decency to show up? You might like having your time wasted but MINE is precious so I’ll just be going then.”

I gotta side with Drew on this one. Could this not wait until tomorrow?

Rich was having a good time with the ladies, unwinding, flirting, getting his drink on. He would have much preferred to start fresh on this in the AM...

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Looking at her watch, it was nearly 1am. She had to side with the guys on this one...why the hell would Bishop be calling upon them NOW.

"And i'm slightly intoxicated, so this isn't the best timing..."

She admitted, rolling her eyes as she leaned her hip against the table and folded her arms.

"I could really go for a pizza right now...."

She thought out loud to herself, not really realizing she was speaking out loud.

"Oh! You think he'll bring pizza with him?"

She asked seriously, though it sounded more comical than anything else. This further prooving she was a little more far gone than she let on.

 

[Bishop]

Illustra - War Room

"Oh! You think he'll bring pizza with him?"

“Not exactly.”

Connor shuffled into the room, carrying something in a plastic bag under his arm. He grabbed Andrew’s bottle of beer from his hand and took a swig.

“You morons”

He threw the bottle into the garbage.

“are supposed to be in training.”

These kids today - couldn't leave them alone for five seconds. Couldn't be expected to have any common sense or pride in the job they did. He checked to see that everyone was present, situating himself half-sitting on one of the counters so he had a view of the room – and the door.

“As Delilah knows, we had two charming new mouths dropped in our laps by the lovely Dr. Victoria. You four [indicating Rich, Ana, Sharon and Andrew, who were standing together] will meet them later, but I spent the afternoon running background checks on these wonderful additions to our motley crew.”

He picked up two dossiers from the counter and tossed them onto the table in front of him.

“Surprisingly, they both passed. Not even Clandestine could find a reason for me to throw them out.”

He clearly looked disappointed by this.

“However, I did find something else that was rather interesting.”

He took the plastic bag from under his arm, and unwrapped from it a paperback book.

“I made a trip to my local bookstore. Fascinating place.”

He threw the paperback on top of the dossiers – the others could see it was a copy of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. He leveled a steely gaze onto Mina.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a bona fide celebrity in our midst – Mina Harker, the heir to Count Dracula in the flesh.”

Even though Mina couldn’t see him, she would certainly be able to hear the mocking irony in his voice.

“Anything you want to share with the group lady?”

 

[Titan]

Illustra - War Room

Gigantor finally made an appearance – and snatched Andrew’s beer as he passed by. He looked longingly after the bottle.

“Dick.”

He mentioned something about more (probably lunatic) people joining the group, and Andrew rolled his eyes. But then the man just got absurd.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a bona fide celebrity in our midst – Mina Harker, the heir to Count Dracula in the flesh.”

Andrew held up his hands.

“Whoa, whoa wait a minute.”

He stepped towards Bishop.

“I know you aren’t used to reading and all [picks up the book and holds it up] but this, this is what we call a story.” He exaggerated the word.

“Fiction. It’s not real.”

He turned to Delilah and hooked a them towards Bishop.

“Seriously, sunshine, where’d you find this guy?”

Laughing he turned back to Bishop – meeting his eyes in challenge.

 

[MorningStar]

Illustra - War Room

Delilah held up a hand.

“Alright, alright, settle down.”

She turned her head towards Bishop.

“Connor…I hate to say it, but Andrew has a point. That book is just a story. The name’s just a coincidence. Besides, Mina doesn’t become a vampire in the book – she’s saved in the end. Even today, regular people don’t live to be a hundred and fifty.”

 

[Mina Harker]

Illustra - War Room

Mina settled in to her seat, he hands resting on her cane very proper. She closed her eyes and shook her head slightly, then opened her mouth to speak.

“Saved? Yes, I was most definitely saved. My husband would not abandon me to the fate the monster had left me to. He was a good man.”

Mina inclined her head towards Delilah.

“You did not read Stoker’s novel carefully enough, my dear. Dracula’s blood was and is in my veins – there was nothing that could prevent my transformation once that had occurred. The innocent young girl I had been was well and truly dead.”

She addressed Bishop, a mocking air to her speech.

“You figured out the mystery, sir – bravo to you. I would have thought there were more pressing issues to occupy your time than my sordid history.”

She took a deep breath.

“Very well then. Yes, I am the ‘real’ Mina Harker. I was born in 1862. [resignedly] And I am a vampire.”

Delilah: “But how is that possible – I mean, you’re blind. You’re [searches for the word] human.”

Andrew: “The machine in your apartment…”

Mina smiled a little in spite of herself.

“Yes, Andrew. My late husband was a brilliant man. He discovered that if I cleansed my blood the vampirism could be rendered dormant. So I take dialysis three times a week and that keeps me human. Obviously I do not age as a human would, as you can see.”

Andrew: “But you can’t.”

The boy blurted it out before he could stop himself.

“True. I lost my sight a few months after I started the treatments. We do not know why.”

She turned again to Bishop.

“Is there anything else you would like to know, then? Or are you going to try and drive a stake through my heart or some other such nonsense? Though I may be blind, I would not recommend that you try that.”

 

[Matrix]

Richard watched Bishop as he strolled in and started in on them all and then drank Andrew's beer. It was obvious he needed to get laid. BADLY.

Then he dropped the bomb on them. Mina was THE MINA HARKER from Dracula, or so he claimed. Rich watched silently as they responses came, and then Mina came right back.

“You figured out the mystery, sir – bravo to you. I would have thought there were more pressing issues to occupy your time than my sordid history.”

She took a deep breath.

“Very well then. Yes, I am the ‘real’ Mina Harker. I was born in 1862. [resignedly] And I am a vampire.”

Aw shit! That is SO cool!!

Andrew: “The machine in your apartment…”

Mina smiled a little in spite of herself.

“Yes, Andrew. My late husband was a brilliant man. He discovered that if I cleansed my blood the vampirism could be rendered dormant. So I take dialysis three times a week and that keeps me human. Obviously I do not age as a human would, as you can see.”

Andrew: “But you can’t.”

The boy blurted it out before he could stop himself.

“True. I lost my sight a few months after I started the treatments. We do not know why.”

She turned again to Bishop.

“Is there anything else you would like to know, then? Or are you going to try and drive a stake through my heart or some other such nonsense? Though I may be blind, I would not recommend that you try that.”

Damned if she wasn't ACTUALLY THE MINA HARKER!!! Rich was immediately intrigued, curious as hell. He leaned forward and looked at Mina.

That is...COOL AS SHIT! I have SO many questions. And any vampire that would perform dialysis to kill her bloodlust for 150 years is no threat to us in my opinion.

He turns back to Bishop.

So now what?

 

[Mina Harker]

Illustra - War Room

Aw shit! That is SO cool!!

Mina sighed.

“’Cool’?”

Her face bore a look of disapproval – and her tone was not unlike the one Karen used OFTEN, especially with Andrew and Bishop.

“My boy, there was nothing ‘cool’ about it. My will was subjugated by a monster, and I was turned into something evil and wretched. I lost my husband and son to the long years – what kind of life is it to watch the ones you love leave while you must continue on alone?”

She shook her head, her voice was crisp.

“This is not one of your American films. It was a horrific thing.”

 

[Matrix]

Mina sighed.

“’Cool’?”

Her face bore a look of disapproval – and her tone was not unlike the one Karen used OFTEN, especially with Andrew and Bishop.

“My boy, there was nothing ‘cool’ about it. My will was subjugated by a monster, and I was turned into something evil and wretched. I lost my husband and son to the long years – what kind of life is it to watch the ones you love leave while you must continue on alone?”

She shook her head, her voice was crisp.

“This is not one of your American films. It was a horrific thing.”

Eep. Did NOT look at it THAT way...not at all. Now that he did, Mina became much less of a curiosity and much more a person much the way he was...someone who had lost a LOT through no fault of their own and would likely trade it all in to have their lives back.
Rich's face fell as he responded.

I am sorry Ms. Harker. I did not think of it that way at that moment. I'd be glad to be back at my home with my Mom and not have had to die myself, so I should have understood where you are coming from. I spend so much time ignoring the crappy parts of my own life that I couldn't immediately see that all of this probably does really suck for you. That was insensitive of me.

Rich grew silent, still trying to pry the foot from his own mouth...

 

[MorningStar]

Illustra - War Room

Delilah glared at Bishop. He should have TOLD her about this privately, rather than making the fool of her in front of the team. This was the last straw – every possible thing that could go wrong it seemed had – and despite her extreme caution when it came to the people KAREN had chosen, Delilah had allowed a complete unknown into their midst. And one who was keeping secrets.

“I give up.”

She shook her head, starting to wheel herself towards the door.

“I don’t know who to trust anymore…and I can’t keep putting people’s lives in danger like this.”

She paused, then turned herself around towards Mina, her anger flashing up.

“You should have told me, Mina. I was willing to trust you despite how you came to be here, but this? You’re a self-described evil creature. What else are you hiding?”

She just stared at Mina who said nothing – she only stood there, a blank expression on her face.

“Fine. It seems I was destined to fail.”

 

[Ororo]

Illustra - War Room

“STOP, child.”

An elegant yet forceful contralto voice seems to surround them. A sparkling trail of green eldritch shards begin to swirl in the center of the room, flowing up from the ground. The magick forms a column, accompanied by a rushing sound that is strangely soothing to those in the room. The swirling eldritch slowly takes shape, until before them stands a tall, exquisite, dark skinned woman with long silver hair dressed in a white goddess dress and flowing blue cape.

It is ORORO, the weather witch.

The goddess stands before them, beautiful but imposing, her eyes solid white and her robes and hair stirred as if by a gentle breeze even indoors as they were. The winds began to fade and her eyes slowly transform into a striking opal blue.

Those blue eyes meet Delilah’s own as the girl stares at the goddess in awe. Delilah would recognize something familiar in the figure before her.

Ororo smiled down at her.

“Do you not recognize me, child? Do you not remember taking my hand as I led you out of Black’s demonic clutches?”

Ororo nodded slowly.

“Yes, it was I who was there at the Citadel the night you were broken.”

Ororo’s eyes shifted around the room, resting a moment on Bishop then falling once again on Delilah.

“In my immortal life I see countless time streams, promises of what could be and what isn’t – whispers, shadows of lives that might have been lived. You, young one, are all that remains of the ORIGINAL time thread of this reality, where my protégé, Morgan, and her team The Six stood against MysTech. Morgan…”

Ororo bowed her head, emotion overcoming her for but a moment – and soon her voice once again took on its firm and authoritative tone, her head raised high, powerful and confident.

“I am the guardian of the Dark Trinity across all times and spaces. Your friendship with Morgan Victoria was a strong emotional bond that registered deeply with me. It was for Morgan that I began to watch over you, that I came to you there in the Citadel and cast Black out…”

Ororo’s deep gaze now fell on Mina.

“…and that I sent Mina to you.”

Ororo saw the look of shock on both Delilah and Mina’s faces and allowed herself a small smile.

“Yes. I selected Mina not only because of her vampiric nature but also because of the DISCIPLINE over her bloodlust that makes her so unique. Despite the manner in which she gained her immortality, Mina’s character is above reproach – and of course her knowledge of and experience with the occult is quite extensive. You could have no better ally as you set upon your quest.”

Ororo’s face grew hard as she continued.

“I did NOT, however, rescue you and send you the help you needed in order to see you WAVER or FAIL. To do so would dishonor the spilled blood of those we both held dear [Morgan, Blaze, Alison]. Your BODY may have been broken that day, but not your SPIRIT. You have been given the tools to fulfill Morgan’s destiny – these extraordinary beings around you, this TEAM – now it is time for you to USE them to accomplish what Morgan could not. Morgan once said that you were the person she might have been had tragedy not struck her so early in life…you must now live for the both of you.”

Ororo’s face softened as she reached a perfectly manicured finger under Delilah’s chin and raised Delilah’s face to look into her own.

“Do not look for reasons to give up. You did not fail Morgan in life – do not fail her in death. You are stronger than you think you are.”

Ororo turned to face the others in the room.

“My dear children, follow Delilah, listen to her. She will not lead you astray. Her heart will guide you true. Your destinies are not meant to end on this day.”

Winds began to swirl around the goddess, green eldritch sparkling up and signifying Ororo’s departure.

“Be well, young mutants. Know that I am always with you, watching…”

 

[MorningStar]

Illustra - War Room

As if enough strange occurrences hadn’t happened to them already in the preceding weeks, just as Delilah was about to leave the room and the team for good, a striking woman appeared before them. Delilah didn’t feel very confident in her recent track record, but the woman gave off such a feeling of peacefulness and trust that it was difficult to view her as a threat. Delilah looked up into those blue eyes and something triggered in her memory…

<< FLASH! >>

The CITADEL. BLACK overpowering Delilah, her light attacks useless against him

<< FLASH! >>

Black holding Delilah’s limp body, she barely able to struggle against his cold touch. THROWING her against the wall.

<< FLASH! >>

Delilah’s head lifts slowly, painfully – her body bruised and broken. She sees a ghostly woman in flowing white robes reaching out…Delilah takes her hand…

Delilah looked at the tall woman curiously.

“Do you not recognize me, child? Do you not remember taking my hand as I led you out of Black’s demonic clutches?”

“It was you…”

“Yes, it was I who was there at the Citadel the night you were broken. It was for Morgan that I began to watch over you, that I came to you there in the Citadel and cast Black out…”

“Morgan…”

She whispered it. Could it be true? Yes, something was familiar about this woman, certainly. Sometime, long ago, Morgan had spoken of such a guardian.

“…and that I sent Mina to you.”

Delilah could not hide the surprise on her face. Yet it made sense, Mina reaching out much as she had and arriving here in New York…that she had been sent here to help, to finish what Morgan had started.

“I did NOT, however, rescue you and send you the help you needed in order to see you WAVER or FAIL. You have been given the tools to fulfill Morgan’s destiny – these extraordinary beings around you, this TEAM – now it is time for you to USE them to accomplish what Morgan could not.”

Delilah nodded.

“Yes…I must do it. For Morgan.”

“Be well, young mutants. Know that I am always with you, watching…”

“No – wait!”

But she was gone. Delilah looked around the room at the eyes staring back at her. In the time since Morgan’s death, Delilah had never felt so vulnerable as she did listening to the goddess speak to her. All the cold strength, all the determination, the WILL to lead had gone from her – and she was once again the emotional young girl who was willing to follow Morgan anywhere. But as the green eldritch faded with Ororo’s departure, a new sense of determination filled Delilah. Finally, she knew with certainty that what she was doing was right – and that it must be done, at all costs. She must finish what Morgan started – no, THEY must finish it.

She locked eyes with each of them in turn.

What was it that Morgan had called her team?

“THE SIX…reborn.”

Delilah stared at her team, seeing them all as if for the first time. How strong, how determined. MysTech was surely no match for them.

Bishop’s voice broke in, barking at the young mutants.

Bishop: “Alright – everyone get to bed. Tomorrow at dusk, we leave for NERVOUS.”

 

[Seer]

Illustra - Secret Garage Level

THE NEXT DAY…DUSK

Delilah, Connor, Rich, Ana-Leigh, Sharon and Andrew assemble in the underground parking structure which houses the team’s vehicles, separate from the public garage for Illustra. They are lucky to be inside, for New York’s twilight skies RAGE. The day had been dark and rainy, and the night was promising storms that would be enough to keep most of Manhattan inside.

The Six prepared to board the Tac vehicle that would transport them to a private airstrip where they would board a jet bound for the remote arctic stronghold known as NERVOUS.

Each member of the team is dealing with their nerves and the danger of the impending mission in their own way. Were they still so sure of their decision to take on the world’s most powerful corporation?

And so we watch…

 

[Ruby]

The Parthenon - Starbucks

:: Cass was sitting in the hotel’s Starbucks, drinking a latté and people-watching out the small window looking out into the hotel lobby. She was conflicted. She had left Mike’s suite while he was in the shower and had not spoken or seen him since. But she DID leave her cell number. She was afraid of what he was thinking. So much so, that she had deliberately turned off her phone. She sighed and took a sip of her latté. She had some things to mull over. ::

:: She wasn’t sure what all this meant. She was in ‘like’ with him, that much was sure, but she wasn’t sure what he thought…or felt. After sleeping together…well, she wasn’t sure what the next step would be. She wasn’t sure what his intentions were after this, and she certainly wasn’t going to make the first move. At first she liked hanging out with him and such. There was an attraction there, that couldn‘t be denied, but was this really what both of them needed right now? Cass wasn’t sure. She had been in mourning for decades over her ex-lover’s death, and she wasn’t sure if she was able to go through that again…much less with a human if it ever should come up in the future. ::

It’s probably time I should put Michael away…for good. He’s not coming back. Ever.

:: All she knew was that Mike was the first person she slept with after her Michael, she knew that she was drawn to Mike, she knew that there wasn’t a future for them considering he was human and she a vampire, and she also knew that from here on out, she should proceed with caution. She was a little wary about today. Did Mike like her for her or did he like her because she was a vampire and vampires had reputations for serious sexual appetites? That thought made her sad. She hoped it wasn’t the case. ::

Okay, girlie, proceed with caution from now on.

:: If Mike did like her, he would have to be the one to make the first move, Cass figured. He would have to be the one doing the pursuing, not the other way around. That way, she would know for sure what he thought. She closed her eyes and ran her fingers through her hair. But could they really have a relationship if they weren’t meant to be? Cass didn’t know. ::

:: She also wondered how he was feeling. She had tried to limit her strength for him, but there was a point where they both got a bit frisky. She and her ex, Michael, had some wild stories to tell - or not - because they both were vampires and they had the strength and stamina to…play. Mike was a human and so Cass made sure to keep him safe. She hoped he was okay. She wondered if she should go upstairs and get her phone. She actually missed him. ::

 

[Arsenal]

Mike emerged from the shower nude and half-dry, hoping to have some morning 'festivities' when he looked and what did he see?

An empty bed.

He grimaced a second, understanding. He could imagine that she might be freaked out a bit. He hoped not, but there it is.

He looked at himself in the mirror. A couple of small bruises he could see, but essentially unscathed. Sexing a vampire was certainly...different. It took a moment to get used to the temperature (though he warmed her up just fine in only a few seconds), she was string as an ox (though he could sense her holding back to protect him), and dear GOD she can go forever. he smiled at his reflection and spoke.

There is a God, he MUST like me, and I need to send a check to the Sisters at the orphanage. After I find my...what is she? SHIT.

He sat down and started getting dressed and, as he did so, he started thinking.

What is going through HER head?! Left me her number at least.

He put the contact in the phone and gave her a ring...NOTHING.

Well damn! What is going on? Let me get some breakfast and sort this out.

Getting dressed, he hides a couple of guns on his person and heads out and down...

...to Starbucks, where he wanted a hot chocolate and spied last night's hot vanilla sipping on a Latte lost in thought. He walked up and sat right down beside her, whispering in her ear playfully.

Should I feel used? I called like I was supposed to but got no answer. Look, I am going to go get a Hot Chocolate. If you still wanna talk to me, be here when I get back please.

Getting up, he smiled at Cass and then went to get his drink. Paying, he turned around and...

 

[Ruby]

Should I feel used? I called like I was supposed to but got no answer. Look, I am going to go get a Hot Chocolate. If you still wanna talk to me, be here when I get back please.

:: Cass was lost in thought when Mike came up to her. Startled, she looked up. ::

*surprised*: "Huh? Oh...okay?"

:: A small smile played across her lips as she watched as he made his way to the line. She watched him as he made his way through the line up to the cashier. So. He had finally found her. But then, she had made herself be somewhat invisible all day. She shifted in her chair and gave a slight nod when he looked back at her. ::

Caution, girl, caution.