Terror & the city

[MorningStar]

Delilah just couldn’t deal with Andrew right then and there. He was here, and that was good for the team, but she needed to make sure Karen was alright and find out exactly what had happened to her. She had said both she and Mina were okay – but knowing Karen, that could mean a whole range of things. This woman was like her mother, and she didn’t want to waste any more time than she already had before checking in on her.

The security system told her she could find Karen on the 99th Office Floor, so she headed down the two (actually 3) floors and found her in one of the empty offices. Delilah opened the door quietly. It was clear that Karen had been crying and that she had startled her.

Delilah...what is it?

She came into the office and closed the door behind her. She spoke to the doctor in her gentlest voice.

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

She paused.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra - 99th floor

<< Karen dabs her eyes with her hankerchief and looks upon Delilah.>>

<< there was a moment of silence between Delilah's question and Karen's response.>>

<< exhaling>>

Oh Delilah...

<< she says softly as she seats herself in a chair from the nearby conference table.>>

I'm sitting in this dark room....one of 100's...in the building that was my daughter's show place. her home.

WAS.

<< she swallowed hard.>>

Not even an hour ago, i was out in the city with a woman I'd only met a day before...discussing MOVING my daughter's things from her home...your home. Only when we emerged from The Vault... we were confronted by...

<<FLASH!>>

<< Karen's driver and another zombie attacking her.>>

zombies....


<<FLASH!>>

<< Karen casting her hellfire spell against the creatures.>>

Mina and I survived, more than a little of that credit goes to the help of a young woman named Cass, who was a super of some kind...and a police officer named Michael Armstrong....Mina was, at one point, saved by...that tall young man...Andrew.

<< Her fist slowly clenches on her hankerchief>>

Such an ill mannered...impertinent man!

<< her tone grows cold with contempt>>

But I certainly couldn't be bothere with that due to the more PRESSING matters at hand.

But...even as we escaped... he invited himself to join Mina and myself back here at Illustra. I OBJECTED at first...but then he....he...not only informed me that YOU paid for his passage here...but that YOU invited him HERE.

<< Karen looked away for a moment as she composed herself>>

Mina suggested that I should...."Let Delilah decide what to do with him."

I realized then...that I'm in the wrong place. This....this isn't my daughter's place anymore.

FIRST I let this strange woman talk me into moving my daughter's things...disturbing the peace of them. THEN I'm forced to abide the presence of a man who has the manners of a PIG and the charm of a cobra!

<< Karen pauses for a moment.>>

Oh i realize...on a night like this...that my concerns or my objections may seem petty.

A night like this. I dont think I EVER imagined that I'd have one like this...you and I here...without my daughter...your best friend...with creatures that I'm SURE are a hold over from my husband's twisted machinations roaming about.

Delilah...I know...

<< struggling>>

what you're trying to do.

And the last thing I want to do is stand in the way of that. Not that I could really...

<< Looking up to the ceiling...she looks pained as tears roll down from her opal blue eyes again>>

But I....I think it's time that I LEFT and never returned to this place.

I failed to protect my daughter...and she's gone. Now...I can't even protect her memory. First her posessions....now her show place....

This is just TOO MUCH!

<< she cries out>>

<< she takes one of Delilah's hands in her own for a moment>>

You avenged her...and you set me free from a bondage of fear when you dealt with Christopher....But I still have to live with knowing I wasn't there for her when she needed me! Now...i can't even preserve her memory here!

There's such chaos unfolding...all around us. The same kind of unexplainable things that took her life...and

for all my power as a witch...or my skill as a psychotherapist...I find myself feeling completely lost and bewildered.

worse...being in this place...that's supposed to be a lasting piece of my daughter's legacy...i find myself feeling more out of place than EVER.

According to your recent guests...i may as well be an old woman getting in the way.

 

[MorningStar]

I'm sitting in this dark room....one of 100's...in the building that was my daughter's show place. Her home. WAS.

Karen’s words were like a punch to the gut, but Delilah said nothing. She positioned herself next to where Karen sat.

Only when we emerged from The Vault... we were confronted by...zombies…

Even having heard Karen say this on the phone, it still caught Delilah by surprise.

“Zombies! My god, Karen – are you sure? Are you alright?!”

She spoke in disbelief. How was that even possible?

Mina and I survived, more than a little of that credit goes to the help of a young woman named Cass, who was a super of some kind...and a police officer named Michael Armstrong....Mina was, at one point, saved by...that tall young man...Andrew.

So that’s how he’d gotten in here.

Such an ill mannered...impertinent man!

Delilah nodded.

“He is…he really is. I’ll speak to some of my contacts on the force about a commendation for the officer.”

But...even as we escaped... he invited himself to join Mina and myself back here at Illustra. I OBJECTED at first...but then he....he...not only informed me that YOU paid for his passage here...but that YOU invited him HERE.

Again she nodded.

“We had heard about his abilities and Bishop and I travelled to see him. He’d refused to join us then, but I suppose he’s changed his mind. He’s here – I gave him a room for the night until we figure out what to do with him. I wanted to see how you were first.”

I realized then...that I'm in the wrong place. This....this isn't my daughter's place anymore. FIRST I let this strange woman talk me into moving my daughter's things...disturbing the peace of them. THEN I'm forced to abide the presence of a man who has the manners of a PIG and the charm of a cobra! Oh i realize...on a night like this...that my concerns or my objections may seem petty.

A night like this. I dont think I EVER imagined that I'd have one like this...you and I here...without my daughter...your best friend...with creatures that I'm SURE are a hold over from my husband's twisted machinations roaming about.

Delilah...I know...what you're trying to do. And the last thing I want to do is stand in the way of that. Not that I could really...But I....I think it's time that I LEFT and never returned to this place. I failed to protect my daughter...and she's gone. Now...I can't even protect her memory. First her possessions....now her show place....This is just TOO MUCH!

You avenged her...and you set me free from a bondage of fear when you dealt with Christopher....But I still have to live with knowing I wasn't there for her when she needed me! Now...i can't even preserve her memory here! There's such chaos unfolding...all around us. The same kind of unexplainable things that took her life...and for all my power as a witch...or my skill as a psychotherapist...I find myself feeling completely lost and bewildered. worse...being in this place...that's supposed to be a lasting piece of my daughter's legacy...i find myself feeling more out of place than EVER.

According to your recent guests...i may as well be an old woman getting in the way.

Delilah listened quietly and patiently. But when she spoke, her voice was stern.

“Karen Verna Victoria, what nonsense am I hearing? You’re having a pity party for yourself and that is NOT the Karen I know!”

Her tone softened. Delilah wasn’t angry, and of course she understood, but that didn’t mean she was going to allow Karen to delve into depression thinking she was useless when Delilah knew that was FAR from the case.

“First of all: Karen, Illustra will ALWAYS be Morgan’s showplace. She built this company and this building, and no one can every change that. Certainly me living here or owning the building doesn’t. And you want Morgan’s things kept safe as much as I do, and you know you made the right decision. Now, if you don’t want me living here, I will move out. Gladly – if that gives you peace of mind. And if you want Morgan’s things to stay in her suite, well then we will deal with whatever comes as a result just like we always have. It is your decision. But you know the danger.

“Second: Morgan’s memory isn’t about things. It’s about what’s in here [touches a finger to her heart] and here [points to her temple].”

She gently took Karen’s hand.

“Morgan was the most fantastic person I’ve ever known. And she loved you more than anything in this world. The way to honor that is to live with her spirit and protect the things she most held dear – and that was her family. She wouldn’t want this for you, Karen. She wouldn’t want you to turn your back on those who love you. And she also wouldn’t want you to live your life standing in an empty building watching it crumble without her.”

She let go of Karen’s hand, and her face grew harder, more pained.

“Do you think I wanted this? Any of this? I didn’t want to live where I see her at every turn, surrounded by her things, or run the businesses she built. I don’t want to be reminded every day of what I lost…but we do what we must. I avenged her, yes. But it isn’t enough. It will never be enough.”

She looked down at the ground for a moment before staring intently into Karen’s face.

“You were always there for her Karen – she could always depend on you. I was the one who wasn’t there the day she needed me. And we’ve all paid a terrible price for it.”

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra - 99th floor

<< Karen WAS in rare form, even for her being a grieving mother and disillusioned widow. She may not have realized it before, but she was soon reminded of it now.>>

“Karen Verna Victoria, what nonsense am I hearing? You’re having a pity party for yourself and that is NOT the Karen I know!”

<< Karen jolted a bit. Delilah was right.>>

<< Karen listened and thought for a moment how she had just slipped from grief into self pity and here she was, with another woman who knew her own share of grief & the pain of loss, acting as though she was ALONE.>>

<< Closing her eyes tightly, Karen inhales. Delilah reminds her that Morgan's memory isnt about THINGS.>>

I AM being rather ridiculous arent I? I let my grief take over me and carry me away and I of ALL people should know better, right?

<< Looking in Delilah's eyes again as she opens her own.>>

The saying goes that a therapist is often the one MOST IN NEED of therapy.

<< dabbing her eyes once more.>>

But if you think I'd feel "better" by YOU moving out...you're being silly yourself, my dear.

<< holding Delilah's hand>>

With all the horror of this evening...exhaustion took its toll and I just lost my way...even if for a moment.

You've been like a daughter to me for years now. I watched you grow just as I did Morgan. This is your home now.

You being here...it's the best thing for both of us...and for her. AND more importantly, I should continue to be the mother I thought I was...and be there for YOU.

This CAN'T be easy for you any more than it is for me.

Rest assured, that when I leave to return to my own dwelling...it will not be because of anything you've done or any ill will and I'll ALWAYS be just a call a way. I'll appear in the twinkling of your eye.

<< sitting up a bit, Karen tucks some of her blonde hair behind her ear and smiles a bit at her surrogate daughter.>>

And what about you?? When Mina and I were taking refuge in J's Bar, we heard reports about an attack at the Parthenon! What happened? Are you okay? Does anyone need healing?

 

[MorningStar]

Illustra - 99th Floor Offices

You being here...it's the best thing for both of us...and for her. AND more importantly, I should continue to be the mother I thought I was...and be there for YOU. This CAN'T be easy for you any more than it is for me. Rest assured, that when I leave to return to my own dwelling...it will not be because of anything you've done or any ill will and I'll ALWAYS be just a call a way. I'll appear in the twinkling of your eye.

Delilah smiled warmly back at Karen. She’d always thought of her as a mother, and though she was grown and didn’t need Karen’s approval, it certainly felt good to hear her say it.

And what about you?? When Mina and I were taking refuge in J's Bar, we heard reports about an attack at the Parthenon! What happened?

She exhaled and shook her head.

“One minute we were watching Siryn perform – she and Sharon Kelly ARE one and the same, by the way – the next there was an explosion and this ginormous monstrosity was going after Sharon! Luckily we were able to get the civilians out of there unharmed. The team”

She paused for a second, thinking on the strangeness of referring to the young people and Sharon p) as a team.

“The team did surprisingly well. They didn’t back down even though this thing just kept coming and coming. Thank god Sharon was there. We were able to hold it at bay enough to give her a chance to kill it. Then we got the hell out of there.”

Are you okay? Does anyone need healing?

“No one’s too worse for wear. I sent them all to get cleaned up and then we’re to meet in the War Room. Perhaps you could just check in and make sure?”

She turned her chair towards the window so she could look out at the night sky.

“I don’t know Karen. Like I said, they did well together – but they were still in danger. I can’t help but feel like I’m doing the wrong thing, sending them up against MysTech. This attack had to come from them – and they clearly want Sharon badly. Is it naïve to think I can keep them all safe? I want to take MysTech down but am I putting others in too much danger to do it?”

The Six hadn't been able to stand against MysTech - how could these young and inexperienced mutants and mutates not fall to the same fate?

 

[Seer]

safe indeed

<< Karen and Delilah sit together in the dark conference room.>>

<< from questions and wondering minds...>>

<< zoom away from Illustra to another, less well to do area of town. into the homeless shelter that until two days ago was the only "home" Richard Martin could claim.>>

<< to HUNGRY EYES and predatory intentions...>>

<< The young Richard Martin finds that his intentions may well have paved the road to his own untimely end.>>

<< In the homeless shelter he had recently counted among his havens, he found his path to rescuing the few survivors barred by zombies, some of whom he'd known and befriended.>>

<< He'd been many places and seen many things, but from the moment in XS till now, his world was opening and expanding with good, bad and TERRIFYING revelations. Being in a shelter, confronted by nearly a dozen zombies, some of whom had been people he knew less than 48 hours ago...it had to be more than a little unsettling.>>

<< But in a world where Mystech's shadow cast far and loomed large, unsettling was a heart beat away from death.>>

<< as the young man stood, dismayed at what he saw, the zombies had no such pause. as soon as they became aware of him, they immediately began to close in on him.>>

<< If Delilah wondered how SAFE she could keep her newly formed team...THIS scenario certainly wouldnt fit well for an answer.>>

<< there's that moment where the predator(s) lock onto the visual of their prey. And then they come for him. Whatever feelings of dismay and shock he has at seeing former friends now zombies is NOT shared by the creatures as they move forward in slow, unhesitating unison.>>

<< The groaning, the growling, the open mouths and bared teeth, the sunken in, white eyes, the outstretched arms. they all point to one thing...their need to FEED. The irony that he SHARED that constant need to feed may have been lost on him at that moment as he realized he may have not thought this through clearly.>>

 

[Silver Swan]

the homeless shelter

[ the sound of metal slicing through the air is heard as a spiked disc flies forward and SLICES off the heads of the zombies reaching for a stunned Richard Martin.]

[ Silver Swan makes the scene]

Get out of the way!

[ She commands as she pulls Richard away from the Zombies and pratically tosses him out of the door. At that moment, a zombie grabs hold of Silver Swan and bites down on her ARM. She looks at it with astonishment. But the majority of her arm is covered with silver armour.]

GET OFF!

[ She bellows as she swings her arm and uses the zombie as a weapon, slamming it into three more before yanking it off with her other hand and slamming its head into the wall.]

[ Richard watches as Silver Swan savagely attacks the remaining zombies. They are no match for her raw physical power and the speed of her savage attacks. A few eye popping moments later, Silver Swan stands in the doorway, looking at Richard. Her silver eye mask hides any obvious sign of disapproval or irritation she may have but she makes it known...]

This was a dumb thing to do, Richard. Going out into a place filled with creatures by yourself like that.

What are you doing here?

 

[Matrix]

Rich froze. He was capable of killing to be sure, but this?! He hesitated...

...and ended up picking himself off the floor 10 yards back as Silver Swan killed he entire group of zombies. Quick and easy.

He had turned into steel as a precaution when grabbed, and as he came back over she addressed him.

This was a dumb thing to do, Richard. Going out into a place filled with creatures by yourself like that.

What are you doing here?

He turned back, his looked at her defiantly, and then he wept. Openly. He tried to explain a couple of times and then he finally composed himself enough to speak. His eyes were still running as he spoke.

I...ahhhhhh...I KNEW that they would need some help here, that no one would COME for them. And so-so I c-came. These people fed me when I was hungry and shared what little they had with me when they could. And some of them were turned into THINGS to be destroyed. By motherfuckin' Mystech.

He composed further and spoke again, his voice hardening. His eyes were sad and distant.

I need to take the rest of them, the survivors, to Illustra. To SOMEWHERE. They will die out here. ALONE. Unless I, unless we do something.

 

[Silver Swan]

the homeless shelter

[ Silver Swan's eyebrows lifted up a bit when Richard began crying. She wasn't expecting that. But again, as with the little girl two nights ago, she felt a pang...of sympathy. The humanity in her was more in tact than she liked to think. Delilah and the others were seeing that. This WAS the same woman who was just singing her heart out just hours ago and who made the people dance at XS. All the pieces of her were coming together in spite of herself.]

Mystech destroys everything it touches.

I still don't know why I'm here...after all they did to me. But if i must live this way...I will continue to destroy as much of them as I can! But maybe there's something to what Delilah says. Maybe there's advantage to working TOGETHER.



[ Still dwelling on the revelation that even she might not have been able to overpower the Persuer on her own this evening. ]

We can't take them back to Illustra. But We can get them to one of the safe stations nearby. Provide them with safe passage and destroy any creatures along the way. This way theyhave a chance to live.

[Even from the room the survivors are holed up in, Her hearing detects...]

5 heart beats & breathing patterns. They're terrified.

[ She stands aside]

You should go open the door. They'll respond to a familiar face better.

[ and as Richard goes to the door, Sharon follows. Keeping watching with her eyes and her super hearing just in case there's anything else lurking about.]

 

[Matrix]

Sharon seems to actually understand. Rich quickly wipes his face and straightens himself up as she suggest a passage to a safe house. She stands aside so he can open the door for the five survivors. He walks over and announces himself as he prepares to open the door.

It's me..Rich. You guys will be fine. I am opening the door now.

He reaches out and pulls the door open. The shelter director (Nancy) was huddled at the back of the room with two young girls, the janitor (Jim) and old wino he also recognized.

Ms. Nancy. I need you to come with me and my friend. We will get you to a safe house.

Richard...how did you...Oh my!!

She is startled at first by Silver Swans appearance as she sees her behind him. Then she composes herself as Rich explains.

This is Silver Swan. We can both do..special things. Just rust us and we can get you out of here.

I trust you Richard, and I have to get us to safety from this horror. I apologize for my reaction Ms. Swan. You just don't see a silver-clad woman every day, and believe me I see a lot in this job. C'mon everyone. It is time to go.

Nancy gently ushers the others outside, flanked by Richard and Silver Swan. Richard steps forward and...

...turns into a Ford Expedition.

 

[Seer]

and so

<< And soon, the group of survivors from the sanctuary Richard had depended on many times before, were on their way to a nearby safe station where they would live to tell their ordeal. Those who had helped others, were now in need of help and they would find it here.>>

<< Just as tonight's terrifying encounter seemed to cement her connection with these new found team, which itself showed signs of coming together quite well, Silver Swan...Sharon Kelly was not the only one come to terms with a new reality. So too was Richard Martin.>>


<< No longer homeless and alone. He found himself on the cusp of great change and all because of his instinct to help a girl in distress...the night they, along with Ana-Leigh, first laid eyes on Silver Swan...SIRYN.>>


<< His returning to a place that had been a safe haven for him and helping those who helped him allowed him to close the door on this phase of his life and move toward the next phase, that of openly opposing Mystech along side the few others who could. There was much at stake for him, like the rest of them, but TOGETHER it would be much easier to face than alone. This was something both he and Sharon could see now.>>

<< After Ms. Nancy and the others were safely taken in to the safe station, a very exhausted Richard was carried back to Illustra by Silver Swan.>>

<< There would be little rest for the weary though, as Delilah wanted to meet with everyone in the War Room.>>

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra - 99th floor

<< Back at Illustra. The 99th floor>>

<< Karen nodded affirmative on Delilah's request to check over everyone in case there were any injuries to be healed. She seemed much more assured and clear at this point.>>

She turned her chair towards the window so she could look out at the night sky.

“I don’t know Karen. Like I said, they did well together – but they were still in danger. I can’t help but feel like I’m doing the wrong thing, sending them up against MysTech. This attack had to come from them – and they clearly want Sharon badly. Is it naïve to think I can keep them all safe? I want to take MysTech down but am I putting others in too much danger to do it?”

The Six hadn't been able to stand against MysTech - how could these young and inexperienced mutants and mutates not fall to the same fate?

Remember when Morgan and Alison found out Blaze was alive? There was no doubt in their minds they had to try to rescue her from Christopher..DESPITE the odds and danger they would face. They gathered a few others they knew could help and they went.

....Morgan would NOT leave her sister to their father's torture and evil machinations. She gave her life trying to rescue and protect her.

You wanted to go with them...you asked Morgan to WAIT for you...but she said there was no time.

Perhaps...this is why...you were NOT meant to go.

SOMEONE had to survive in order to FINISH what they were just beginning!

<< Karen was more right than she may have guessed, for it was seemingly divine intervention that ensured Delilah's survival that night in the citadle.>>

You're the survivor, you have the experience...you know that the danger looms over us ALL.


Sharon, Connor, Ana-Leigh, Brenda and Richard all understand that...they've all been touched by Mystech. Alycia as well. ESPECIALLY Sharon.They want Sharon because they view her as PROPERTY. It doesnt matter to them that they DESTROYED an innocent human being to create the Silver Swan...

She's a survivor like you and she has the POWER to do something about it...like you.

You're the LINK between what was crushed by Mystech and what is rising up to STOP Mystech in their tracks.


With your guidance and their collective strength and courage...you have the chance To make sure what happened to Morgan, Blaze, Alison and so many others doesnt go unaccounted for. To STOP Mystech and their danger to us all from growing.

 

[MorningStar]

Illustra - 99th Floor

Delilah was quiet for a while, staring out the window.

“Everyone one of those people who went after Blaze knew what they were getting into, knew the danger. I wonder if these young people truly understand what they’ve agreed to?”

Delilah seemed to snap out of her trance then, and took a deep breath and smiled at Karen.

“The others will be finding their way to the War Room soon, we’d better get up there.”

As she passed through the office door she turned back, thoughtfully.

“You know, they never tell you how hard it is to be the ones that survive.”

 

[Seer]

and so

<< How hard indeed. A parent outliving her child, a woman losing her best friends to an evil she herself had been fighting. Survival can be just as challenging...painfull...as the alternative.>>

<< and as the darkness falls across the land, the doctor and morningstar must hold on to each other...and the other lights joining them to find their way.>>

<< Tonight turned out to be more than just a trial by fire for the newly forming Six. But a test of Delilah's own resolve to face down what Mystech might throw at her as she sought to bring them down.>>

<< She wouldnt be alone in her effort but then again, neither were Morgan and Alison.>>

<< Now in the War Room, a truly remarkable gem of technology hidden within Illustra and accessed only by a precious fiew.>>

<< Karen seats herself while MorningStar, Bishop, Silver Swan, Artemis, Matrix & Mina all arrive and take their positions.>>

<< As floating monitors hover at different points around them and display images froa across the city and state, information feeds provide data from a variety of sources, the group prepares for debriefing.>>

 

[MorningStar]

The War Room

Delilah followed Karen into the War Room, pulling herself to a central position with Karen next to her. Bishop was already there at the monitors. He hadn’t showered, either, she noticed. He rose to assist Mina in finding a seat as she entered, looking polished as ever, Delilah noted.

She waited as everyone filed in. They looked okay, if a little subdued. As Richard entered, she saw Bishop clamp a hand on his shoulder and heard Connor whisper in his gruff voice, “Busy night, eh?” before he gave him a pat on the back and a knowing smile before returning to his seat at the main console.

Delilah gave Bishop a questioning glance but let it go, more important discussions were ahead.

“Well, everyone decided to come back, that’s a good sign.”

It wasn’t usually her thing to joke, but she felt like she had to try to lighten things up a little bit.

“We had a hell of a night. Those of us at the Parthenon went up against some sort of…creature…while Karen and Mina has an encounter with what can only be described as…zombies.”

She paused and let that sink in, then cleared her throat.

“First of all, does anyone need healing? Dr. Victoria has graciously agreed to assist us if we have need of it.”

After that was taken care of, she turned herself towards Silver Swan.

“Sharon, we know that thing was after you. Had you ever seen it before? Do you know anything about it?”

 

[Silver Swan]

Illuare -War Room

[ She'd helped Richard save some innocents at the place that was a life line for him before Delilah offered him sanctuary at Illustra, thus closing that chapter of his life. She could understand more than a little about where he was coming from in all of this. Though not homeless, she was alone...without any family and her friends were all killed by mystech. and like him, she was forever changed by mystech's touch.]

[ Silver Swan had returned with Matrix just a little while ago, having carried him back to Illustra after he depleted his energy reserves. They arrived to the War Room. Bishop had apparently seen or been aware that they'd left Illustra after returning from the Parthenon.]

[ She sat down, still in full battle form complete with eye mask. But even with the mask around her eyes, she looked pensive.]

“Well, everyone decided to come back, that’s a good sign.”

It wasn’t usually her thing to joke, but she felt like she had to try to lighten things up a little bit.

[ Delilah had wondered if Sharon would stay or even how long. Sharon now realized that despite her power, she couldnt do this alone. It was an eye opening...HUMBLING revelation for her and it left her feeling some type of way. But now, it was clear that she should say here.]

“We had a hell of a night. Those of us at the Parthenon went up against some sort of…creature…while Karen and Mina has an encounter with what can only be described as…zombies.”

She paused and let that sink in, then cleared her throat.

“First of all, does anyone need healing? Dr. Victoria has graciously agreed to assist us if we have need of it.”

Zombies! like those creatures in the forest...


I'm fine...

[she said as she nodded her head]

After that was taken care of, she turned herself towards Silver Swan.

“Sharon, we know that thing was after you. Had you ever seen it before? Do you know anything about it?”

I spent most of my time in a stasis tube...in suspended animation. but near the end...when I was moved from where I first was to the central lab...I remember seeing...

<<FLASH!>>

<< central lab in the underground citadle. in the center of the lab, a large stasis tube, containing a creature that had ONCE BEEN A HUMAN BEING. But after brutal experimentation and exposure to the T Virus...this is what remained.>>

They....activated him before I was strong enough to free myself....i remember he looked at me.

he used to be a man....but they injected him with the T Virus....the doctor said....

<<FLASH!>>

One out of every ten test subjects has latent genetic potential to respond to the T Virus & assume the TYRANT form....the rest become zombies. This is the first fully successfull TYRANT manifestation and the specimen must be preserved for further modification.

I never saw the creature again...until tonight. But he looks so different now.

[ looking at Karen]

Those zombies...Before Mystech captured me, my friends and I saw them in Arklay Forest. I saw them again in the lab...after it went into meltdown two years ago the night I escaped. The night MorningStar and Bishop shut it down.

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah nodded as Sharon spoke. She tried to block out the images that Sharon brought up, of people in test tubes. Not people – Blaze.

“I can’t say it’s a surprise BOTH are from MysTech…”

But before Delilah could continue, she was interrupted.

 

[Titan]

“Did I hear someone say, zombie?”

Andrew bounced into the room, grinning. He gave Karen a wink and took a seat next to Mina.

“Mina, my posh English bird, I didn’t think we’d see each other again so soon, must be fate.”

He looked at Karen.

“Doctor Victoria, a pleasure as always.”

He noticed that Connor had stood up when he entered the room. Andrew gave him a mock salute.

“Gargantua.”

He crossed his arms and settled into his chair.

“So, what did I miss? We heading off to kick some MysTech arse or what?”

He smiled broadly at the three people he hadn’t met yet, a tall blonde that looked like she was about to kick someone's ass, a pretty Asian girl and a tough looking Black kid.

 

[Rampage]

As Richard entered, she saw Bishop clamp a hand on his shoulder and heard Connor whisper in his gruff voice, “Busy night, eh?” before he gave him a pat on the back and a knowing smile before returning to his seat at the main console.

Next time you can buy a dance ticket and join in sir.

Rich winked at the older guy before taking his seat. He figured that he could use all the help he could get Dee found out.

Dr. Victoria offered to heal people but he was good. He relaxed as the situation was explained with Dee taking the lead. As they talked, his stomach embarrassed him yet again...by GROWLING. Just then a guy who, by his speech, was apparently Bristish rolled into the room. He was cocky, but seemed like fun even though all of the older adults seemed to tighten up a bit as he walked in. Rich nodded as Titan smiled at both him and Ana. The mutate leaned forward and spoke in a low tone.

The names Rich. And you?

 

[MorningStar]

Andrew.

Karen was rolling her eyes and turning up her nose at him, clearly annoyed. And Delilah was already regretting inviting him here. She put her thumb and forefinger on the bridge of her nose and rubbed, trying to stave off the Andrew-named headache she knew was coming.

She leveled a steady glare at him.

“Didn’t I tell you to stay in your room?”

She sighed. She indicated the others, each in turn.

“Sharon, Richard, Ana-Leigh – this is Andrew. He is going to be joining our team. He is a hyperkinetic.”

She paused.

“And a pain in the ass.”

Andrew just smiled, which made it worse.

“It appears the rest of you have had the pleasure of meeting him already.”

“So, what did I miss? We heading off to kick some MysTech arse or what?”

Delilah gave him a pointed look.

“As I was saying…it’s not a surprise these incidents are MysTech-related. The question is, what do we do now. I don’t think we can wait much longer to make our move – they are getting too bold. Much too bold.”