Terror & the city

[Shadow Weaver]

in the truck

<< Karen's eyes widened with dismay as she saw Mina in distress. >>

Mina!!!

<< Karen was several steps away. Several steps TOO LATE for anything physical and Mina was moving ...STRUGGLING with the zombie she'd impaled and so Karen didnt have a clear shot with a mystic force bolt. If Karen cast a spell...Mina was in such close proximity, SHE'D be hurt as well.>>

<< But ANDREW intervened. Both he and Cass were remarkable in their ability to handle themselves! They were clearly "supers.">>

<< Andrew rescues Mina and Cass dispatches two more zombies.>>

<< Karen was closet to the truck, having made her way to the passenger side, she scrambled in. Michael was trying to get the thing started.>>

I'm letting the others in the back...

<< shutting her door behind her, she slips through the front cabin into the back of the truck and unbolts the doors, opening them.>>

*yells to nobody in particular*: "Get everybody to safety!"

<< Indeed. Karen looked just past Andrew and Mina and MORE zombies were coming from J's Bar, they were closing in on them in the alley!>>

HURRY! Get in!

<< Cass jumped up into the back of the truck. Andrew helps Mina step up on to the step bumper where Karen and Cass quickly pull her in. Karen turns back just in time.>>

Andrew watch out!

<< Karen thrusts her hand forward. a chime sounds off as a golden blast of dark magick is unleashed and strikes down a grotesque zombie that was about to lunge upon Andrew from his left from the alley way. The bolt strikes it in the head and it howls as it meets its violent end.>>

Hurry now!!!

<< she commands.>>

<< as he gets in, the large group of zombies surges forward.>>

Cass! the other door!

<< she frantically points as she hurridly pulls one part of the doors shut.>>

Michael!!! They're coming!!! SHUT YOUR DOOR!

<< Karen says with distress in her voice.>>

<< Never in her WILDEST imaginations could she have seen herself in a situation like THIS. It made her appreciate what Delilah and MORGAN must have faced before...>>

STOP IT! now is NOT THE TIME!

<< she silently scolds herself. the fear and distress were understandibly high but she couldnt fall apart.>>

Michael may need more time. Time we don't HAVE

<< the moaning, growling or gurling of the large group of zombies outside was frightfully clear and sounded quite close at hand.>>

could they possibly tip the truck over!?

...I'll cast a spell that will drive this hoard of monsters back!

<< lifting up her hands a bit, she gestures.>>

By Atheia and Percese!
Open your skies , do your WORST!

<< chimes sound off followed by a VIOLENT crack of thunder.>>

<< Karen's spell activates and summons a VIOLENT cloudburst of wind, thunder and LIGHTNING.>>

<< outside, a black cumulonimbus cloud manifests and expands. thunder cracks with explosive fury and winds WHIP through and around the area of the cloud burst against the zombies, blowing them back, smashing some into walls and then LIGHTNING bolts strike down, blasting groups of zombies or hitting others that were tossed by the winds.>>

<< the storm spell is vicous but BRIEF and only buys Michael a precious few more moments.>>

 

[Arsenal]

<< outside, a black cumulonimbus cloud manifests and expands. thunder cracks with explosive fury and winds WHIP through and around the area of the cloud burst against the zombies, blowing them back, smashing some into walls and then LIGHTNING bolts strike down, blasting groups of zombies or hitting others that were tossed by the winds.>>

<< the storm spell is vicous but BRIEF and only buys Michael a precious few more moments.>>

Suddenly the truck roars to life as Mike slams the driver's door shut.

We are in business!! Everyone settle in. Doc, ride shotgun. I may need you to do more of that magical thing you do if the Z's bar the way.

The truck engages it gear and slowly pulls off, gaining speed and momentum as Mike turns right out of the alleyway.

 

[Ruby]

:: Cass managed to close the door just as the truck started going. She turned around and looked over everyone. They all seemed to be in great shape, aside from the fact they were all shaken up. ::

"Is everybody okay?"

:: She sat down, legs outstretched, and leaned against the wall of the truck. ::

 

[Titan]

He grabbed his bag where he’d dropped it as they ran to the truck. He had helped Mina sit in the back of the truck, then sat himself across from her. Now that the immediate danger had passed, what had just occurred was sinking in.

“Fuck me…I can’t believe that just freaking happened.”

His eyes turned upward to the roof of the truck, and he started repeatedly banging his head against the side of it, thinking. After a minute he scrambled his way to the front of the truck bed, and knelt by the window between the front seat and the back, holding himself steady with his hands on the opening.

“Hey, Karen – I think I know someone who can help us. And I think you know her too. We need to go to this place called ‘Illustra’ and find Delilah Trelaven. She’s the one who invited me to New York. That’s who you were talking about before, right?”

 

[Mina Harker]

Andrew helped her into the truck and soon they were speeding along, but to where?

"Is everybody okay?"

Mina pursed her lips, her unseeing eyes staring straight ahead.

“So it would seem.”

She didn’t like being stuck here in the back with these two. Andrew was just now seeing the gravity of the situation. She hoped he wasn’t about to start freaking out now of all times.

“We need a plan. Do we even know where we are going?”

She heard Andrew moving, and then he was speaking to Karen in the front.

“Hey, Karen – I think I know someone who can help us. And I think you know her too. We need to go to this place called ‘Illustra’ and find Delilah Trelaven. She’s the one who invited me to New York. That’s who you were talking about before, right?”

Mina inclined her head.

“Wait – did you say Delilah brought you here? Why would she do that?”

It was too much of a coincidence that they just happened to meet this boy, and he was looking for Delilah. There had to be a reason for all of this.

 

[Shadow Weaver]

through the streets

<< Karen got into the passenger seat, Michael got the truck started and they quickly drove away. For a moment...there was some relief. They escaped the bar. Everyone was okay. >>

"Is everybody okay?"

<< Karen laid her head back against the seat she was in & slowly exhaled. Others directly replied to Cass.>>

<< But then, before she could say anything, Andrew spoke...and her opal blue eyes popped open with disbelief.>>

“Wait – did you say Delilah brought you here? Why would she do that?”

why indeed...

<< she said incredulously.>>

It wouldn't be hard for you to guess that I knew Delilah. She was my daughter's best friend. She was a highly respected officer for the NYPD.

I hardly know you...and while it was certainly the right and decent thing to do by helping each other escape the bar, that in NO WAY means I'm taking YOU to my daughter's...

my daughter's place...


<< she heard it loud in clear in her mind and she stopped herself from saying aloud all but too late. it was a reflex that wouldnt ever go away most likely.>>

<< taking a moment to compose herself... she noticed that police and emergency crews were getting some unusual looking help in the form of well armed, black garbed..."soldiers"? She had no idea they were infact Mystech's private security force & B.O.W. counter measure team resonding to the T Virus outbreak to contain it.>>

<< Michael had the radio on, broadcasts of safe stations were coming over the air waves. One was near by where Karen and Mina needed to be! She looked over at Michael.>>


Michael before you get to the safe station...If you would please take Mina & myself to 4616 Fashion Way...

You can drop us off in the office park, I'll be able to take us in from there.

<< Karen was not willing to entertain the idea of Andrew joining them. It didnt immediately occurr to them that he might have been the person he went to see several days ago. She had a rather negative view of him from their first encounter and her impressions of him. Yes he showed himself to be remarkable in the alley and he saved Mina's life...but there was no way she'd allow someone like him to follow her into Illustra.>>

 

[Titan]

It wouldn't be hard for you to guess that I knew Delilah. She was my daughter's best friend. She was a highly respected officer for the NYPD. I hardly know you...and while it was certainly the right and decent thing to do by helping each other escape the bar, that in NO WAY means I'm taking YOU to my daughter's...

“Delilah was a copper?”

He thought about it for a second, then nodded his head.

“Yeah, I could see that.”

He paused, and then smiled down at her from his perch in the back.

”Karen, darling, I thought we were over this? Are we still having a lover’s spat?”

He really couldn’t fathom that she didn’t believe what he was saying. What reason could he possibly have to lie, after all?

“Hold on.”

He disappeared from the dividing window and moved back to where he had been sitting. He rooted around in his bag for a while until he’d found what he was looking for, then went back.

“See? Here’s the card she gave me with the address if I wanted to find her. And my plane ticket that she paid for…it says so, right here, see? She said she needed me for some team she was putting together to go after those MysTech people.”

After a moment, he moved away and sat back down. Looking at Mina, he said:

“Why would I lie? But suit yourselves.”

It didn’t really matter if they believed him – he had the address, and he had been invited, so he didn’t need them to take him. If they didn’t want his help or to go with him to get some from Delilah, then so be it.

 

[Mina Harker]

Mina listened to Karen. Of course she wouldn’t believe Andrew. How much had it taken for Karen to believe Mina? She thought about it. Yes, it was strange that they met him when he had come here for Delilah. But no stranger than her dream or waking up a half a world away from where she’d gone to sleep. To Mina, this was a mystery worth solving. Hadn’t he proved himself? He could have ran and left them, taken the truck himself…but he didn’t. And he just didn’t seem to have the mental capacity to be that duplicitous.

“Karen, he did save my life…perhaps we should let Delilah decide what to do with him?”

She wrinkled her nose and scowled in his general direction.

“Even if we leave him behind, I have a feeling he’d just show up again anyway.”

She let out a weary sigh. He was clearly a mutant, and if Delilah had wanted his presence here, turning him loose on the streets to be eaten by zombies would be unfortunate.

 

[Ruby]

“So it would seem.”

:: Cass gave a soft smile. So much for the...friendships? comradeships? Cass couldn't think of a word to describe what their group was. It didn't matter, though; apparently they were all back to being strangers now. ::

"I'm really glad."

And I'm sorry for caring about you people.

:: Cass closed her eyes while Andrew, Karen, and Mina were discussing this Delilah person and whether Andrew really knew her or not. From the sounds of things, he did know her, but she was just going to stay out of it. ::

Michael before you get to the safe station...If you would please take Mina & myself to 4616 Fashion Way...

You can drop us off in the office park, I'll be able to take us in from there.

:: Cass opened her eyes and leaned forward to speak to Michael. ::

"After you drop these guys off to wherever they need to be, you can drop me off at the Tomias Hotel. It's right across the street from Rockefeller Center. Thank you."

:: She had a penthouse there that she lived in...as well as her sect family all stayed there. After all, she owned the place. Surprisingly, nobody seemed to care that Cassandra Johnson still looked to be the age that she was when she first arrived in New York - in the 1960s. Or maybe not so surprising, as she had powers of manipulation and so they all treated her with respect and kindness regardless of what she looked like. Business was great there...as long as humans stayed away from floors 65th and upwards of the 106th floor hotel/convention centre. She loved her home. ::

 

[Shadow Weaver]

in the truck

<< Karen lifted her finely shaped eyebrows as Andrew responded in a way that few others would when addressing her.>>

<< but before she could retort...he produced>>

Delilah's card!?

<< She paid for his plane ticket here. And as Mina spoke...it hit her painfully. Illustra wasn't HER DAUGHTER'S place anymore. First it was Mina, who appeared under bizarre circumstances, calling for Morgan's things to be removed. Karen was not going to allow that. Her reaction was more emotion than anything else...protecting her daughter (or rather her memory) the only way she felt she could at that time. While she DID have a say in what happened to her daughter's things...they were in DELILAH'S penthouse apartment now. She eventually came around to Mina because she realized that in moving her daughter's things to a safe place out of the reach of anyone who would misuse them...she would be protecting & preserving her daughter's memory & legacy in a big way for the long run.>>

<< Rationally, she knew Andrew and Mina meant no harm...but all these changes. All these sudden "MUST DO" "MUST ACCEPT" developments...all unfolding in her daughter's former showplace... Mina and Andrew may not have realized or understood...but this revelation...it struck her rather painfully.>>

<< Under normal cirumstances, perhaps it wouln't have been like this but the woman, like the rest of them had experienced a terrible ordeal this evening and had to depend on each other to survive to this point. and what were the odds that two of the three people they took refuge with were SUPERS like Karen? >>

<<the young woman Cass, whom Karen had first encountered at the bar, was all but off Karen's radar during her exchange with Andrew. It was not intentional but as Michael had observed earlier..."this was a grieving mother.", one who had not recovered as much as she might have thought.>>

<< Karen looked away from Andrew as she handed him Delilah's card and she did not respond to Mina. She looks forward. Shutting her eyes and swallowing hard for a moment.>>

Well...

<< looking to Michael again and speaking in a rather flat tone.>>

It would appear that three of us will be getting out at the address I gave you.

<< And that was that. She looked at Michael and then to Cass. Such a pretty young girl and evidently possessed of great power, though no one knew she was a vampire. She looked at Cass. Cass could see a sadness in Karen's eyes.>>

I do apologize ...if I seemed to be ignoring you. It wasn't my intention.

It's been a rather dreadfull evening for all of us.

<< Karen produces a business card of her own, handing one to Cass and placing one in a pocket of Michael's vest.>>

What does one say when parting company with people who helped you to survive something so unbelievable?

I can't thank you enough...

<< looking to Michael>>

If either of you should need something....please use the number on my card.

<< and with that, Karen fell silent for the last bit of time on their journey together.>>

 

[Arsenal]

"After you drop these guys off to wherever they need to be, you can drop me off at the Tomias Hotel. It's right across the street from Rockefeller Center. Thank you."

Gotcha. Cass...I saw you out there. I want to say thanks for your help. You apparently needed us much less than we needed you.

Mike drove on as instructions were given. He nodded and accepted the cards offered. He produced two of his own and gave one to Karen and the other to Cass.

You probably won't need me, but if you do, I can shoot, fight with the best of them and bring down whatever thunder that humans can bring. I also have some military contacts here and there.

He continued driving, noticing the paramilitary goons alongside some regular cops. That was not good. If jurisdiction was being shared with non-military armed groups then shit was bad. REALLY bad.

He pulled up to Illustra and stopped at the front entrance. he absentmindedly patted Karen's leg as he hopped out...

...and opened her door and the door in the back. He helped her out and nodded to the trio.

Call if you need me. Service seems to still work. Good luck to you all.

Nodding to Cass, he smiles a bit. Apparently not a man of long goodbyes, he nods to the trio before turning to the barmaid killer.

Ready to roll?

 

[Ruby]

I do apologize ...if I seemed to be ignoring you. It wasn't my intention.

It's been a rather dreadfull evening for all of us.

:: Cass smiled at Karen. She was surprised by how Karen seemed to know what she was feeling. NOBODY could READ her. After all, how could they read anything off somebody who is CLINICALLY DEAD? ::

Am I really that obvious?

:: She took the card that Karen held out to her and put it in her jacket pocket. She wasn't entirely sure she was going to use it, but it was nice all the same. ::

What does one say when parting company with people who helped you to survive something so unbelievable?

I can't thank you enough...

<< looking to Michael>>

If either of you should need something....please use the number on my card.

*awkwardly* "Thank you."

:: As Karen said, what DOES one say when you all survive something completely unbelievable? ::

Gotcha. Cass...I saw you out there. I want to say thanks for your help. You apparently needed us much less than we needed you.

:: Cass smiled real big as she recalled the fight at the bar. It was SO NICE to be able to let loose, even without turning into a full-on vamp, and just fight. She hadn't had a fight like that in a very long time. ::

"You're welcome. I just did what I needed to do to keep everyone safe."

:: She took his card and put it with Karen's card. She wished she had something to give, but she didn't. Besides, if they knew what she was, they'd probably kill her the first chance they get. ::

You probably won't need me, but if you do, I can shoot, fight with the best of them and bring down whatever thunder that humans can bring. I also have some military contacts here and there.

"Likewise."

:: She fell silent and didn't speak until the truck pulled up to Illustra. She replaced Karen in the passenger seat and rolled down her window. ::

"It was very nice meeting you guys and fighting with you guys."

:: She lifted her hand in a wave and quickly rolled her window up and turned to Mike, who was speaking to her. ::

Ready to roll?

:: She nodded at him. ::

"Ready."

 

[Seer]

and so

<< and as Karen, Mina and Andrew stand together in the office park outside of Illustra, Michael and Cass drive off, heading to the safe station and a fate hopefully brighter than what they've seen tonight.>>

<< This was just one view of the night and the impact it had on people around the city. a reminder that there were more people out here that were unique- like Cass and others- like Michael, who while not a super, still very brave and very much aware of the danger looming around them, the growing toxic choke hold on their lives caused by Mystech.>>

<< But even in the midst of such wide reaching danger, the smaller, personal struggles still manage to remain clear and present, like Karen trying to live life in the aftermath of her daughter's loss. Her story was known by many...as evidenced by Cass and Michael. But what none of them or even SHE seemed to know...was how to go forward from here.>>

<< This place, Illustra...she had a connection to it more than most...but things were different, forever changed. Much like this night would change all who survived it, so too would her interactions with Mina and Andrew change her course of direction with regard to this place.>>

<< After a few moments, Karen gestures, weaving a teleporting spell that takes them inside and up to the War Room floor.>>

<< Clandestine Inc soldiers had done an excellent job of defending Illustra's perimeter from the Zombies. There were no creatures in the building and any who had strayed too close outside around the office park were dispatched quickly. Security systems recognized Karen, who in turn made sure Mina and Andrew were recognized as official guests....of DELILAH'S.>>

<< Soon, Karen can be seen in a conference room of the 99th floor, standing by a panoramic window and holding up her wrist communicator to contact Delilah.>>


<< FLASH!>>


<< Zoom away from Illustra, across town to the Parthenon. Inside the Crystal Room.>>

<< The battle has raged. with the Pursuer hammering Delilah and her fledgling team.>>

<< A horrifying scene shows Delilah holding up her hands, generating a laser sheild, PROTECTING herself, Artemis, Richard, Brenda and Bishop from a merciless onslaught of high artillery fire from the Pursuer.>>

<< In an attempt to draw his fire away from Delilah, Silver Swan and the beast had engaged in a horrific physical battle at one point. The physical punishment Silver Swan dished out was bone breaking and terrifying but the Pursuer's healing factor and strength were a MATCH for her. >>

<< with each deadly round, Delilah's new team seemed to get better at rallying around her and her direction. That was the only reason they were all still alive at this point but now, Delilah realized that physical force, even from someone like Silver Swan was not going to be enough.>>

 

[Silver Swan]

The parthenon

at LAST! an honest to goodness bad guy asshole that I can take out ALL my anger and frustration against!

[ so she thought. but even for all her power and savage instinct, she found a creature JUST as resilient and perhaps more than a match for even HER raw physical power.]

[ several times she attacked delivering strikes and blows that would have killed or destroyed but the creature countered.]

<<FLASH!>>

<< a black and white scene of Silver Swan and the Pursuer engaged in a TREMENDOUS physical power struggle. He is taller, bigger but her strength defies her fearsome look.>>

[For the first time...since she can remember waking up as the thing...the PERSON she is NOW...she finds herself FALTERING...feeling for a moment that she MIGHT NOT succeed or escape!]

[ in that moment, the creature overpowers her and slams her down to the floor...THROUGH the floor leaving a steaming crater in the aftermath.]

[ There's silence and blackness for a time. She's unconscious. But soon she stirs. She's unhurt...the benefit of being well nigh invulnerable but still feeling a bit disoriented. soon, the wrist communicator she's wearing is glowing. The sounds of battle raging above.]

Brenda says she's detecting the quicksilver like pattern of "thought" that she associates with Sharon! She can't read Sharon's mind but she can sense that she's conscious and alive!

Silver Swan! This is MorningStar. Brenda's psi scans of the creature have given me an idea!

[ and with the communication of that plan, Silver Swan is ready to rejoin the battle.]

<< back above, Artemis manages to disarm the Pursuer of one of his high powered guns with her own deadly golden energy bow and arrow. Richard surges forward swirling around his legs and turning into a thick, solid concrete cylinder block immobilizing him but only for a few precious moments. Morningstar takes aim and severs his other hand (with gun still in it) with a glowing bright pink, powerful and focused LASER BLAST.>>

Now Silver Swan!

[ launching up from below ground up into the air, she climbs high before turning down into a focused high speed dive. without hesitation, she opens her mouth and unleashes her SONIC SCREAM but only for a few seconds before focusing the attack into a SONIC LANCE an intense beam of sonic power that can be used as a "battering ram" or in this case to DECAPITATE the Pursuer.]

[ Striking him at his most vulnerable spot with one of his apparent weaknesses as detected by Brenda's psi probes, MorningStar's plan was to momentarily stun him with the sonic scream and then punch his head OFF with the sonic lance.]

[ It was a FIRST, Sharon taking such "orders" like this...but theres no time or logical reason to argue. She wanted this thing DEAD just as much as anyone else, so she did it.]

[ The creature's body lurches before finally falling over sideways with a thud. Silver Swan lands to face her weary team mates and she looks down at the creature.]

He came for me and I...I don't know if I could have stopped him by myself!

[ Just like the night in the Citadle, when she wondered if she'd ever get out alive or even if she WAS alive or just having a death induced night mare. It shook her to her core.]

[ What was she to do? The answer was obvious and Delilah had already offered her not only to join their team but a place to stay within Illustra.]

There's no healing or regeneration from THAT.

[ she says as she looks down at the severed head]

 

[Seer]

and so

<< Richard, Brenda, Ana-Leigh were all standing on the otherside of the massive body with MorningStar and Bishop. If they wondered how deep they were or how much further it could go, this was a clear indication.>>

<< they were all weary and JUST starting to come down from the adrenaline they were high on.>.

<< MorningStar herself was a bit shaken. But at that moment, her communicator went off.>>

Karen: Delilah, it's Karen. Thank the goddess I've FINALLY been able to reach you! Mina and I emerged from the Vault only to find ourselves confronted with...zombies!

<< Delilah and Bishop looked at each other.>>

Karen: We're alright. I used my magick to protect us. We had much needed assistance from others we met at a bar we took refuge in. A young woman, who was most definitely a "super" of some kind, a police officer...Michael Armstrong...who remembered you from when you were still with the NYPD.

<< THIS of course would be totally unexpected news for Delilah and Bishop.>>

Karen:: Michael and the young woman, Cass...they dropped us off at Illustra as they were heading to a safe station...

Karen: We're fine. I wanted you to know that Mina and Myself are here at Illustra and you needn't worry.

<< Karen sounded tired but there was something else in her voice. It almost sounded like resentment? She ended the communication. >>

<< Delilah and her time were alive, battle worn, but alive. The Crystal Room was badly damaged by the Parthenon itself had escaped any further major structural damage and thanks to Bishop and Brenda, there were NO casualties among those evacuated!>>

<< Brenda scrambled the memories of all personnell who had seen any part of the battle take place and as the group prepared to depart, they noticed the same black uniformed agents that Michael and Karen had seen out on the streets aiding emergency workers. They were Mystech's private security force sent out to dispatch and clean up all bio hazards. >>

<< Bishop urged Delilah gather the others and return to Illustra. The less they were seen here, the better. They'd be able to gather more information in the War Room.>>

<< and with that, the group exits quietly and returns to Illustra. The long night is not over yet. Even with the bizarre and apparent danger outside being dealt with, other difficulties were soon to manifest inside Illustra on the secret residential floors.>>

 

[MorningStar]

Car to Illustra 107th Floor

Delilah stared out the window of the car headed back to Illustra, going over the battle in her mind. The Pursuer had matched them at every turn until the end…they had just been able to immobilize it enough for Sharon to deliver the killing blow. It was a telling and somewhat frightening test of their abilities. They had succeeded – but would they be so lucky the next time. Delilah wondered if they were strong enough – even with all their individual gifts – to take on MysTech.

And then there was what Karen had told her. Something about being attacked by zombies? She was too weary even to fully process that right then. There would be time when they were all safely back at Illustra. Delilah had suggested they all clean up and then regroup to debrief, so while Bishop parked the car, Delilah made her way up to the penthouse to take a much needed shower.

She wheeled herself through the door and the foyer and stopped facing the sunken living room. Something wasn’t right. The room suddenly became very bright as Delilah raised her own natural luminescence to a very high level.

“Andrew! What are you doing in my apartment?! And get your feet off my sofa!”

 

[Titan]

Illustra 107th Floor

Andrew could it admit it, he got a touch woozy when Karen magicked them inside the building. That’s not something you see every day. She had – surprisingly, considering her earlier outburst regarding him – gotten him cleared with the security systems and wanted to leave him sitting in an office to wait for Delilah. Screw. That. He told her he was going to wait for Delilah down in the lobby, then rode up in the elevator to the top floor. She owned the place, so naturally she must live in the penthouse.

He was lying on the sofa with his feet up when she came home. She was surprised to see him, which meant Karen hadn’t told her he was there – brilliant! He gave her his most winning smile as she wheeled closer to him. She scolded him, sounding exasperated, but he knew deep in her heart she was glad to see him. Why wouldn’t she be?

He put his feet firmly on the ground and leaned toward her, and used his most solemn voice.

“Delilah my love, I know how much you must have missed me, but I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere. They can’t keep our love apart any longer.”

He put a hand on the arm of her wheelchair.

“Now, I know you want to ask me to stay here with you, but you’re afraid of seeming too forward, so you don’t have to worry, because I accept. Do you want me to take my shirt off?”

He smiled again, and started to inch his shirt up over his abs.

 

[MorningStar]

107th Floor to 99th

“Andrew – no! Stop that!”

Delilah just looked at him. She blinked. Then she just shook her head in disbelief. He was so odd.

“Pick up your bag.”

She wheeled herself over to one of the small side tables towards the kitchen and pulled a key from its drawer. Returning to the foyer-area, she motioned to him.

“Follow me.”

Andrew: “I thought we’d take it slow, but if you want me to sleep in your room, I’ll make the sacrifice.”

Delilah rolled her eyes, then lead him out to the elevator.

Andrew: “I got ya – don’t want to be too obvious.”

He winked at her.

They rode down to the 101st floor and Delilah opened the door with the key and handed it to Andrew.

“I’ll decide what to do with you in the morning. For now, DON’T leave the floor.”

She left him grinning self-satisfactorily and took the elevator to the 99th floor to talk to Karen, her shower all but forgotten.

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra- unusued office

<< Karen sat in conference room of the unused office on the 99th floor.>>

<< she sat by the panoramic window, leaning her her head against it. Looking out over the night sky and seeing spots of trouble around the city, she didnt show much expression on her face, except for the tears that fell from her weary eyes and streamed down her cheeks.>>

<< She'd been noticeably cold and withdrawn from Andrew and Mina upon returning to Illustra.>>

<< This building was so large. So many floors, so many rooms. So many possibilities. Now she was here in this office, feeling like a stranger in what used to be her daughter's showplace.>>

<< What was it now? On the surface it was still Illustra...on the business side at least. But what about the rest of it? Where Morgan LIVED??>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< Illustra. Opening Day! Celebration! >>

<< flash bulbs, bottles popping, people cheering and clapping.>>

<< frozen black and white images of Sally Spectra, Morgan Victoria, Alison Marble, Delilah Trelevan, Dr. Karen Victoria. images of Morgan and Karen hugging with Karen kissing her daughter on the cheek.>>

<< all the sounds, images...they are clear as day in Karen's mind. But then...>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< Images of a crestfallen Delilah holding Karen, whose face is buried into her hands as she weeps for her fallen daughter.>>

<< images of a black ribbon being placed around the image of Morgan Victoria in the crystaline lobby of Illustra.>>

<< Karen shut her eyes tightly as she shuddered with sadness.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< Just a couple of hours ago>>

<< Karen screams. Mina can hear the near PANIC in Karen's voice as CHIMES sound off>>

Hellspawn demon creature of DEATH
FIRE shall take your very BREATH!

<< her voice reverberates as she swings her outstreched arms. a sound of power is heard as sparkling red HELLFIRE manifests and spirals out toward BOTH zombies, slamming into them with the impact of a mack truck. the zombies gurgle and moan before EXPLODING.>>

"We must get off the streets."

<< they took refuge in a bar. they'd met a kind young woman named Cass, even encountered Michael Armstrong a second time...and then there was....>>

<<FLASH!>>

"Well unless you plan on baking them cookies and telling them bedtime stories, I think we better get out of here and find help."

<< he was so rude, so impertinent...so disgusting! but what was WORSE??>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< Riding in the truck with Michael, Cass, Mina and Andrew>>

Karen – I think I know someone who can help us. And I think you know her too. We need to go to this place called ‘Illustra’ and find Delilah Trelaven. She’s the one who invited me to New York. That’s who you were talking about before, right?”

i hardly know you...and while it was certainly the right and decent thing to do by helping each other escape the bar, that in NO WAY means I'm taking YOU to my daughter's...

my daughter's place...

<< she heard it loud in clear in her mind and she stopped herself from saying aloud all but too late. it was a reflex that wouldnt ever go away most likely.>>

“See? Here’s the card she gave me with the address if I wanted to find her. And my plane ticket that she paid for…it says so, right here, see? She said she needed me for some team she was putting together to go after those MysTech people.”

After a moment, he moved away and sat back down. Looking at Mina, he said:

“Why would I lie? But suit yourselves.”

“Karen, he did save my life…perhaps we should let Delilah decide what to do with him?”

Well...

<< looking to Michael again and speaking in a rather flat tone.>>

It would appear that three of us will be getting out at the address I gave you.

<< it all played out vividly in her head and it all pointed to the same conclusion...this place was not for her. It may have been her daughter's show place and it still carried Morgan's legacy no matter what...but ANY place that would be sanctuary to someone like Andrew?!>>'

<< this was too much. all of it. she wasn't a warrior. she was a doctor and a mother. a grieving mother and a widow who now found herself in combat situations with increasing frequency. the time had come for her to leave this place before her life once more went in a direction not to her liking. >>

<< She shook her head in the negative, not realizing that Delilah had just appeared in the doorway.>>

<< She loved Delilah but she couldnt understand why Delilah would invite someone like Andrew here. And at this point, she wasnt going to try. She had control over her daughter's personal effects and, due to necessity, Alison's as well. It was ENOUGH of a stretch and change for her to agree to relocate them to Mina's vault. But enough was enough.>>

<< she sat upright and stood, turning to head to the doors when...>>

<< GASP!!>>

<< Karen quickly composed herself, dabbing her eyes with a hankerchief.>>

Delilah...what is it?

 

[Matrix]

Rich was just finishing off, frantically, the remaining food in his refrigerator. He had something important to do.

Ten minutes later...Richard was gone.

Fifteen after that, an unmanned bus was arriving at the homeless shelter near the zombie outbreak epicenter. It turned back into Richard (made of iron as it seemed to fool the zombies) before anyone could see and he slipped inside...to find CHAOS.

As usual, this place was forgotten by authorities and the room had about ten zombies in it. They were scratching at the doors to the back, and screams for help could be heard inside. He walked up to kill them when he realized...it was some of the homeless people he had met here. One was the mother and her daughter he had left the shelter for!! In his shock he turned back 'human', and all the zombies turned turned to face him...