Diamond_

'Operation Swarmer' , Second Phase launched
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Associated Press

In the early morning hours U.S. and Expeditionary Forces found themselves under fire as the second phase of the Expeditionary Forces Operation Swarmer began. British forces soon found their operational launch zones under heavy Overseer and Watcher air attacks as what have been dubbed 'brutes' and swarms of Natterlings attempted to overrun British positions.

For a moment during the early hours of the operation it appeared the attack on one third of the force might stall the attack. Hero security forces operating with the British forces were able to fend away the attack long enough for reinforcements to arrive from the neighboring American units.

"This was a surprising move on the part of the Rularuu" said Maj. Gen. Alex Sheppard of the 4th British Army. "Our forces were caught on the ground, preparing to move out , when quite suddenly our forces found themselves on the defensive."

He also added , it seemed as if the Rularuu had been herded over the British forces.

Casualties have yet to have been disclosed but they were considered to be moderately heavy on the British side. French med Evac units were still assisting U.S. units with the rescue and recovery as the second phase of the operation continued.


U.S. ARMY RANGERS FIND TWO LARGE WEAPONS CACHES

Release Date: 4/28/2006

Release Number: 06-04-02PM

Description: BASTION OF PAIN, Shadow Shard – Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 75th US Army Rangers found two large weapons caches during a search in near a refugee community.

The first cache included several hundred tank mines, 100 80 mm mortars, two hundred 60 mm mortars, Hundreds of Gatling cannons and Flamethrowers,Two deactivated War Hulks and numerous varied small arms. It was identified as Nemesis steam technology and secured and destroyed by units of the US Army E.O.D. (explosives Ordnance Division)

The second cache consisted of 11 250-pound aerial bombs, two hundred 155 mm artillery rounds, eighty eight 120 mm artillery rounds, 1000 82 mm mortars, 1000 102 mm mortar rounds, several hundred rocket-propelled grenades, 1000 rocket propelled motors, 1000 60 mm mortar charges, 2000 82 mm mortar charges, dozens of crates of hand grenade, blasting caps,and fuses, Several rolls of detonation cord, Various high and low tech Small arms, three 120 artillery weapons.

Both sites were heavily defended by Nemesis and Rularuu forces.

A U.S. E.O.D. team was called into destroyed the weapons of the second cache as well.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION - SHADOW SHARD PUBLIC AFFAIRS PLANS AND OPERATIONS NCO, MASTER SGT ERIC LOSINGER AT: eric.losinger@mnd-b.army.mil


EXPEDITIONARY FORCES KILL 32 TERRORISTS

Release Date: 4/28/2006

Release Number: 06-04-02P

Description: FIREBASE NOVEMEBER, Shadow Shard – Expeditionary and Firebase Security forces engaged and killed 32 terrorists during a raid April 28 at the Firebase itself. During the early morning hours a large and well organized group of terrorists hit an underground bunker used by the Expeditionary force. Although initial bunker defense personal were taken hostage, Heroes and military personal stormed the bunker to reclaim it and engage the terrorists.

Upon arrival the troops took direct fire and immediately engaged the threat with small arms fire as well as respsonses from the Hero support on site. The troops initially killed five terrorists outside of the safe house, and then called for the nearby heroine, The Valiant Dazzling Diamond to penetrate the terrorists defenses and open the way for the Expeditionary forces to engage.

After Diamond was able to breech their defenses, the ground troops along with the heroine conducted a tactical assault of the besieged bunker and engaged the unknown terrorists. The terrorists were well equipted with full combat vests and black fatigues as well as several high tech weapons.

Two wanted terrorists, one potentially transnational, were believed to be involved with this strike against Expeditionary Forces. However, it is unknown at this time just who the terrorists represented. No word has been released from Expeditionary intelligence forces, other than they are currently determining the identity of those killed.

Diamond was unavailable for comment as she was returned to her unit soon after the bunker was secured.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER at: cpicpressdesk@shard.centcom.mil.

June 9th, 2006 - King's Row

The pain was horrible as the white blue beam burned deeply into her back. She laid face down on the alley floor, newspapers and debris blew idly by her face as she winced as blow after blow landed across her back and sides.

She coughed and retched as she felt her skin crawl at their brutal touch.

With each blow her mind fights to keep out memories and frightful images. Images and sounds that struggle to blend and merge with her most recent attack. Her mind screaming at her to relent and just let it happen. A brief flicker of pain and sound the smell of ozone from the sapper's stick, her pain and struggles in vain, the sound of a hammer being drawn back...

In her mind she hears "...So expend her" ...a relic of a memory from a time she was far more helpless than she was now!

"NO! "

The Malta operatives surrounding the fallen Heroine ignore her cries as they continue their assault, kicking and swinging down their rifle butts against her prone form. A flicker flashed from the Sapper's beam as a soft flash covered the downed girl's body. Twice more the stun rod flickered as the girl raised up her arms to smash into the pavement digging her fingers in deeply. With one massive titanic shrug she rises up tossing them aside as if they were toy soldiers. Whirling her eyes wild with anger and pain she begins a graceful dance of retribution.

Turning to the Sapper she almost pirouettes and drives her fist through his night vision goggles shattering them as her second and third blows send him to the ground to lie silently as the other agents open fire on her. Twirling gracefully Kara works her way through each of them, relieving them of their weapon and swinging her fists as she smashes her way across them.

In short time her dance has ended , her audience felled by her blows. Dropping to a knee she fights for her breath, wincing at the pain she feels from her bruised and shatter ribs. Holding them tightly she closes her eyes knowing soon her body would rest leaving not a mark on her.

"okies...just hold it together until you get clear girl"

Drawing in a deep breath the wounded heroine pushes off of the cracked pavement and darts up into the night sky....

....and out of camera range. The screen still showing in green and white night vision the bodies of the defeated strike team laying broken and wounded in the alleyway.

"Sir that is the 5th team in two weeks"

a half gloved finer reaches up to snap off the screen. Alpha smirked "Keep sending them Fergie....I want her hit as much as possible"

He turned to face his aide in the darkened interior of the van "Use the same method of contact we have been....i know this is stone age stuff...but it is keeping her and whatever allies she can call on from finding us..."

Fergie nodded and turned to the wireless and tapped out the coded orders to the next cell for tomorrow night.

"Same orders sir?" he asked in between his clicking

"Yes...as much damage as possible"

Alpha smirked as she looked to the darkened screen..

Soon girl...very soon

May 20th, 2006 - Unregistered Freighter, Atlantic Ocean


It was blueish - white fire again. Burning, brilliant, and seething hot fire that consumed him, consumed the entire world. He could feel sweat trickling down his brow from that searing heat. The fire pulsed with his blood. It drove his pulse which commanded the throbbing pain burning underneath his skin or maybe the pain was what induced everything. It couldn’t be separated; the pain, the pulse and the dancing, burning, blue, white hot flames. Alpha stared at them hypnotized by the swaying , pulsing white blue and rooted in place by the scalding pain that ran streamers through his head and down his spine. His legs still refused to move as the fire got closer, hotter.

The Gunslinger could have easily imagined this was hell filled with the torturous cold seeming fire, but something in his gut said he was still alive, still on Earth and not whatever lay beyond. His personal hellfire began curling around his feet. Alpha could just start to detect the smell of the rubber soles of his combat boots melting under the heat even if he couldn’t feel the searing white blue on his feet yet. Sweat was now pouring from his face under the sweltering heat. His hand moved instinctively to clear his sight even though he felt he hadn’t commanded it to do so. He blinked as his hand came away from his cleared vision and nothing had changed. The vast landscape before him still boiled with the blueish white, feverish flames.

The Malta assassin felt it rising deep in his gut, he wanted to run. He couldn’t place the reason besides some irrational unknown that caused the hair on his neck to prickle. Cold chills shot through his body even under the intense surreal blue-white conflagration that filled his vision. His nerves were stringing out like an addict with no money. He shook and the paranoia rose.

“It was coming.”

What it was couldn’t be determined but it was on the way, his base primal instinct screamed for him to run. He tried but the pain along his spine began to pulse faster with his blood. It's intense throbbing pounding so fast that it was becoming excruciatingly painful. A dull white burn like the fire licking at his boots, heating the metal plating on his shin guard to a searing brand on his calf.

Nothing caused him to move.

Alpha tried as the nausea in his gut blossomed to full blown fear. The type of fear that made most men scream or cower. Alpha on the other hand stood resolute, waiting patiently. Even here in this burning land of throbbing pain, cool surreal fire and pulsing fear he stood defiant to the end. His senses strained to take in anything beyond the flame's crackle and the cool brilliance but nothing could be sensed beyond them.

Then it came like the soft gentle hiss of a powerful serpent. A graceful whisper of movement wafting down from above. Alpha recognized that sound at some level, a deeply hated sound. Here though it was given voice, one so vicious that he again shivered and the fear gauge threatened to overload at any moment as the sound grew nearer. His face tightened, eyes locked in the direction the gentle hiss started but it spread. Moving in on him in rings like the white flaming blaze had just seconds before.

Blackness stepped from the veil of searing blue and with it came the smell of death. Alpha gagged stumbling away his gut twisting under the stench. It stalked forward, four paws coercing more blueish white flames from the landscape. The Malta commando backed away from it, fear gnawing at him, his heart pounding in unison with the paws.

Alpha fell back into a wall, hands instinctively seeking to brace him. The hands touched and agony shot fire through his body. The wall was hot like a kettle that had set on a fire all day. His hands recoiled before his mind ever told them to. The frightened assassin's eyes drifted over his shoulder to the wall and up its surface. The rock face disappeared out of his sight range to a sky filled now with the wafting flames of blue-white.

He was trapped and the thing still moved on him.

His eyes squinted to see it. The sleek black coat covered and flowed across its body, perfect and yet it possessed an elegant almost natural symmetry of death to it. Its form closed in silently moving with a fluid grace. His beast stopped just a few paces before him and yawned. The great maw exposing huge fangs seemingly lit from within by that pulsing white blue fire. So close he could smell its scent. Alpha had smelled it before, it was the reek of a week old battlefield and the filth of the Lost who crawled from the Paragon City sewers. He couldn’t stand it, revulsion race up his spine as he felt his stomach twist and an involuntary gag. He kept his eyes on the beast even as it's stink threatened to topple him from his feet.

He scrutinized the beast and caught its eyes and looked deeply into them, they burned, raging like a white hot coal of hate. Alpha's eyes went wide hypnotized by the beast's gaze. He was intimate with that gaze, having seen it before but his mind couldn’t wrap around where. The creature growled causing his hair to stand once more. The eyes seemed to be boring into his soul he could feel the fire of the stare mixing its fiery gaze with the brilliant, white blue pain surging through his nerves from the fear that now gripped his heart. The feeling of intimacy returned and with it a slow recognition. Alpha's own gaze threatened to tear open as it grew beyond the limits of surprise.

He KNEW this gaze, he knew the level of the beasts determination! He knew that look because it was his.............


The Elite Malta Gunslinger Alpha-One bolted upright in bed, eyes wide, searching like a trapped animal and the scream just fading from his mouth. He couldn’t tell when it had started but his throat burned from creating that one sound of pure fear. He could feel the sweat prickling on his skin in the cool bunk room of the freighter, as he buried his face in his hands.

Panting he tried to regain control. His heart was pounding and seemed as if on fire with all the burning white intensity of the dream and threatened to send him back into unconsciousness. Taking a deep breath he contemplated the room around him. His eyes traveled over his gear stored and at the ready, his computer screens now mostly dormant, his files and reports of his new assignment in Africa, lay scattered across his desk.

“It was only a dream.” He thought in a vain attempt to strengthen his resolve.

There was a nagging feeling deep inside driven by the pounding white-blue tendrils of fire streaming from mind's his eye through every nerve of his body. Something deep inside told him that this dream would be reality, some time, some place the fire would come to consume him.

A knock at his door brought his powerful sidearm up with panther like speed as a familiar yet darkened shape filled the doorway.

"Sir?" Fergeson said to his boss

"What is it Fergie" Alpha monotoned.

"New Orders sir...just came in...Its.." The young Tac-Ops aide began

"...Paragon" Alpha intoned lowering his weapon to his lap as he wiped away the sweat covering his brow.

"How did you..." Fergie began

"That will be all Fergie...make ops prep and brief the teams" Alpha said laying back down as Fergie nodded closing the door behind him...

Alpha knew this was it, he knew now the time had come....

He knew he would have to deal with her again.

'Operation Swarmer' , First Phase Comes To A Close
Thursday, April 27, 2006
FOX NEWS

The first phase of the massive air assault campaign launched last week by the joint U.S. and Expeditionary Forces, came to a close today. It is being considered an operational success by Expeditionary Commanding officer General 'Hamidon' Hammond.

"All coordinating efforts and complied intelligence has thus far panned out. Our forces have reached each and every objective and are currently securing their current positions and preparing for the next phase of the operation."

When asked about the second phase Gen. Hammond merely added..

"Once our positions are secured and further intelligence secured and processed, we will then proceed to move on to phase two, which in effect is a deeper probing attack in to the Chantry in order to deny our opposition further terrain and materials to continue their attacks on our facility and personnel."

The second Phase of this operation, which includes the use of armor, infantry, Hero support and Helicopter assets is due to kick off sometime this coming weekend.

U.S. Presses Assault In The Shard
Reuters

April 23, 2006 -- U.S.-led Expeditionary forces today pressed on with yet another major offensive push against suspected insurgent targets in The Shadow Shard Zone known as the Chantry.

Today's operation was yet another in the Expeditionary Force's current offensive, called Operation Swarmer. This operation involves over 50 helicopters, making it the biggest air assault since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

A U.S. military spokesman said U.S.-led forces are searching a 256-square-kilometer area of floating rock and debris country for Nemesis Bunkers and large Rularuu infestations, and thus far casualties have been reported as minimal by American and Expeditionary forces. No fatalities have yet been confirmed on this the third night of the operation, possibly due to the policy of the Department of Defense and United Nations Peace Keepers of wanting to inform the families of the deceased prior to any formal press release.

When asked about the current success of the operation last evening the Heroine known as The Valiant Dazzling Diamond offered this :

"We so have hit no less that a dozen or more Nemesis bunkers previously unknown to us and more than a hundred or so people have been detained," she told reporters at Fire Base Zulu. " of which like 30 are def criminally important to this operation remain in custody."

When pressed to what would make them 'criminally important' The weary young Heroine explained that they were suspected officers with high ties to the Nemesis on going operations in the Shard Stolen, but would not elaborate further on their importance due to to the classified nature of their detainment.

She also further explained that high technology weapons and explosives have also been seized, as well no less than a dozen refugee camps have been secured and food convoy lines re-opened.

"Those People are like the key issue up here" she added to reporters "It is why we are here, to offer help and ensure they get it. "

When asked to comment on the topic of whether we had a right to open the portal to this world in the first place, a key issue being decided on the floor of Congress, the weary heroine merely waved her hand.

"Gawd we so -did- and its been like done...what do we do now then. See these refugees that so need our help and walk away?...Like just sit back and hope we can guess where the Rularuu are to follow us back again like they did before and like deal with them then?"

"We so opened Pandora's box...now we either deal with it or stick our heads in the sand...I for one think its so time to deal with it and stand our ground. People so need our help up here"

May 18th,2006 - Finnesville, New Jersey


The rain pelted the framed glass with a steady yet soft tattoo as the chilled early morning wind bowed and swept a low branch. A figure stood in his den window looking out into the dark cul de sac of a driveway that lay before his home. An elegant yet subtly expensive affair that remained softly lit as opposed to his distant neighbors long since surrendered to slept. Thoughts and emotions rippled through, memories and pain. Though one though remained clear for him as he allowed his eyes to turn to look around his den...to the pictures along his wall.

This was at one time a happy home...

Dr. William Reynolds turned to walk over to his bookshelf. His half drunken glass of bourbon shaking a bit in his hands as his eyes tumbled back through the years. He looked at an old family photo frame in soft mahogany. He reached out gently to run his fingers over the two brunettes pictured with him and a very young boy. Their happy smiles frozen eternally before him in the only displayed picture he had of all of them before that horrible night in '96. So mirrored were their eyes, their smiles...he closed his eyes.

"Melissa....Kitten" he sighed sadly and took a long draw of the bitter bourbon, it's bite stung his throat in an attempt to choke off his grief.

He turned to look back at his Lap top, an image frozen on it smiled sadly back at him. The image stopped in mid sentence was from one of her most recent press conferences, one of the items analyzed by Minos before their dinner this Tuesday.

Minos had been compelling, a budget, resources unlike those of the Crey, access to a highly elite team of security experts. He shook his head, he had seen the Malta in operation. He watched what 'she' had done to them....to -a lot- of them.

Oh, they had said. Those were teams they send to deal with other operations, clients. He during this would receive the best of their best. His daughter....his Kitten....would be facing the best operatives Malta could bear to bring her in unharmed.

A cure is top priority , Minos had said. William shook his head. What was he doing he thought all through dinner. His daughter had become a highly decorated heroine of that city. Rescued and worked with Statesman himself on several occasions, according to the files he had back when he worked for the Crey, he discovered she was being groomed as she became more and more trained and capable with her so called gifts. She was even being mentored by another young member of the Phalanx, Swan, whose reports praised his daughter highly.

He frowned as he listened to his new security briefing. Kara had achieved a international standing with law enforcement all over the world. Our own government has awarded her an Alpha clearance now coded three times over. She has worked with the NSA, CIA,FBI,DEA, ATF and Brazilian Security Forces over the last two years. She was about to graduate college and become a teacher...something she had been doing for a year now. A kindergarten teacher....her mother would've been so proud.

She was popular, and well respected. Even making Sprite commercials. William smiled sadly as he remembered how though often frowned at , at the club from having a mutant daughter, its members enjoyed her commercials.....

What had he become. He had begun to question his motives. Was he as his son had begun to call him...a bigot. William closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. His son, long known for being angry at Kara for her relationship with that girl from her school, seemed to back off his position and attacked his father's views.

Views the boy had once shared with he and the boy's step mother.

She has accomplished much for a wild animal sick with mutation dementia, William thought bitterly as he listened to Minos and read his expert's reports. He had almost walked out surely knowing it would incur the wrath of his wife. Cynthia had no love for his daughter, nor her for Cyn. He was troubled and had been for sometime over how to help his kitten.

The reports had shown early on when he had turned her away she had been horribly hurt....his mind couldn't bring itself to accept the word '[censored]'. He could only imagine the humiliation and suffering his actions had left her to endure alone. That had been largely his reasons for his earlier attempt. Inside he cringed now every time he heard the word 'expend' now a days. That girl had meant something to his daughter and he had over heard the orders and did nothing....so easy to let someone else remove an obstacle to his beloved image of his little girl.

"Coward" he shook as he cursed himself bitterly, his eyes never leaving those of his daughters on the small screen.

It was only this image before him that convinced him to try again under Minos' direction. This look of deep sadness in her eyes, that and that [censored] Alpha's report of her dwindling contact with others.

William knew this look, she was sad. She could hide it from everyone but never from he or her mother. No matter her successes, she was in pain. It was this knowledge that drive him to accept the offer to field his work once again.

A light swept across his office as the long dark limo pulled into his driveway. As soon as the car stopped three men in dark black suits and overcoats emerged. One moved to both the front and back of the car and the other out of his sight to the front door. He looked back into those soft green eyes frozen on the screen.

A knock at the door and a cool voice snapped him back to reality.

"William..." Cynthia stood there in her housecoat, her hair still up in her perfect bun. "They are here darling"

William nodded and set down his empty glass. "I know...thank you Cynthia"

She smiled a thin smile then went to the foyer to 'entertain' their guests momentarily until he was ready to depart. It was the role she played...

He looked back a to the screen..looked into her sadness..

"I'm coming Kitten" he said reaching out to run a finger down her features on the screen "Daddy's coming"

He wouldn't fail her this time

April 21st, 2006 -American Forces Press Service


Predator Crashes in the Shard; Operation Swarmer Continues
American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, April 21, 2006 – An unmanned aerial vehicle crashed this morning in the Shard, and combined operations continued this morning in the Bastion of Pain Zone as part of Operation Swarmer.

A pilot at FireBase November, was piloting an Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, based with the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Firebase Zulu, when the aircraft crashed. Army and Hero personnel were able to recover the wreckage and returned it to Firebase November.

The MQ-1 Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV system. Its primary mission is interdiction and armed reconnaissance. Each Predator costs about $5 million.

An interim safety investigation board president has been appointed and will conduct an investigation, officials said. It is not known at this time what other than mechanical difficulty couldve brought down the aircraft as it was largely away from any known enemy activity.

In other news, Operation Swarmer continues in central area of the Bastion of Pain today, as Expeditionary Forces began their second day of combined operations today. Participating units include 1st Brigade, 4th British Army Division, Heroes from the Firebase Zulu Security Detail and 2nd Battalion , 75th U.S. Rangers.

Units continue to sweep across the area to deny Rularuu or Nemesis forces the freedom of movement and reduce their ability to operate in the province. These efforts also uncovered ten Nemesis weapons caches containing small arms, ammunition and materials used in making high-tech explosive devices yesterday.

(Compiled from U.S. Expeditionary Command Air Forces Forward and Expeditionary Force Press Information Center news releases.)

May 5th 2006 - Rikti Crash Site

COMSAT3021FEED....report to main facitlity...target aquired...repeat target aquired...containment team discovered...target engaged...repeat target engaged......

She slammed headfirst into the crumbling concrete wall with a loud painful crash. Tumbling up and over it she fell amidst the raining debris of bricks with an audible and painful 'ooof' . Her head was spinning and her side on fire. She coughed up a mouthful of blood and blinked trying to fight to stay conscious. The air around her stunk of carbon and the ozone crisped as a hail of bullets ripped up her side shimmering her fields as they struggled to protect her and the ground around her froze and was erupted by electrical fire. She rolled to her side seeking cover, finding a temporary refuge in an old sewer alcove she bite her bottom lip in pain as she fought to recover from her injuries. Kara caught her breath and tried to get her bearings fast before they could move in again.

Her costume was dust covered and ripped baring her shoulder and the wound there. She couldn't get the taste of blood out of her mouth as she tried to focus. She had gotten quite a few of them but they just kept coming. A sharp pain to her right leg showed one of the bullets had gotten through her fields and tore a neat hole in her upper thigh. The sounds of metal feet crunching the rocky debris around her hiding spot told her she had only seconds before they drove her out of hiding again....

Her mind reeled at the speed of their attack, it had begun slow enough. A simple patrol at the Rikti Crash Site, a lead from an informant given to her contact. Look for any Crey activity that may be interfering with Army operations in the area and report it to the Army. She grinned mirthlessly, look for Crey activity, she thought bitterly. Well I so found some, she thought bitterly.

She had been a bit north of the mighty saucer's impact crater when she had spotted two Crey snipers taking up firing position on the road below them, a road frequented by Army convoy's in the area. She had believed this to be a simple smash and arrest. She had even been on the comm with Rhuby. She smiled faintly as she remembered the conversation, talking about such simple stuff, that had been before she suddenly found herself surrounded by twelve Crey operatives, including four of their sickening Protector clones.

She rose to her knees and tried to catch her breath, her sides hurt, she could feel at least two broken ribs. She wasn't sure which hurt worse ..the moment they break...or how much it hurt as her body reset itself. She blinked back a few tears and steadied herself as their sounds drew nearer.

She had dispatched the first twelve, even joked about something else with Rhuby, before her comm cut off. She had frozen in place at the sudden silence of her comm. She knew instinctively what the unexpected static on her comm had meant, someone had jammed it. That was when the next dozen arrived and she began her dance. Her fists charged by her fields within gave her a tremendous amount of strength to put behind each blow. She weaved into their midst and struck out encasing several in her diamond like crystals, keeping them in place until she was done with those who had escaped it.

The Protectors covered in spikes descended upon her then. Two at first followed by a third. Each of them as difficult to harm as herself as she landed blow after blow that would've cracked a modern tank in two. Explosions were going off around her as she spun into a deadly pirouette striking all three at once, illuminating this ballet of death in an eerie almost ethereal light.

Soon enough she had exhausted her second twelve, her fields almost pushed to their limits in defending her life. More explosions had followed as another two dozen came crawling over the rubble in pursuit. She did the only thing she could've done....she ran.

That was how the hunt had begun, she fled to catch her breath and then turned and fought a few until overwhelmed, trapping a few of her pursuers in her crystals she fled once more across the ruined landscape. Over and over her pursuers had forced this exhaust pattern on her, until she eventually found safety in this partially collapsed culvert..

"No more" she rasped, she was exhausted and hurt now. She knew she only had one choice left to her. Kara stood and charged her fields to their fullest with a defiant scream. The two Protectors nearest to her turned and crossed the distance between them silently and swiftly. Kara rocked up on her toes and dug in to get her balance. Beyond the two remaining Protectors she could see the remaining mob of agents take up positions and prepare to fire.

Twirling like a dervish Kara spun out into the middle of the approaching pair and began the first movement of her dance. She sneered at the hail of gunfire...she would deal with them soon enough.....

Break....break....break....COMSAT3021FEED...Contai nment team failure repeat containment team failure....repeat catastrophic failure....target remains....repeat...target remains.....ENDTRANS


=============================

Originally posted by NPI student Skilla

May 9th 2006 - Finnesville, New Jersey

"Good evening, Dr. Reynolds. I'm sorry to call at such a late hour. My name, sir, is Minos Anatole...yes, yes," he replied with a chuckle. "The same.

"It has recently come to my attention that you are having some...distressing domestic difficulties...well, I would prefer my sources remain...unidentified for the moment. Suffice to say we have a mutual friend of sorts. I am extremely sympathetic to your plight, Dr. Reynolds, as I recently lost my own sweet daughter to similar circumstances." The cultured voice rose a bit, nearly breaking on the unacknowledged emotion in the statement.

"Thank you, Doctor, your condolences are appreciated. I am calling you today as one father to another. I do not wish to see any parent suffer the agony that I have faced. Therefore I wish to offer my assistance. I'm sure you are aware of my considerable financial resources, but there are certain other...resources I may be able to offer you. There are other ways of reaching your daughter, Dr. Reynolds, ways you may not have considered.

"I was wondering if you and your charming wife would be so kind as to meet with me, say Tuesday at eight? I would be delighted to receive you at my home in Manhatten. You'd be able to meet my wife Anastasia and my son...no, no, no imposition at all. It would be my honor, sir. Of course, I understand you must check your social agenda," he laughed pleasantly. "The date can be changed if you have a previous engagement. Feel free to ring me at any of my numbers, and leave a message with my social secretary. It was a pleasure speaking with you. Good evening. <in Greek> "Fortune guide you."

The following are also news stories of adventures in the Shard for Kara and some of the other Templars!. I hope you enjoy them I had fun trying to write about them in a news/journalistic style

April 20th, 2006 - FOX NEWS


'Operation Swarmer' Air Assault Launched in the Shard
Thursday, April 20, 2006
FOX NEWS

Expeditionary launched the largest air assault in the Shard since U.S. forces reienforced the International Taskforce in 2005, the U.S. military confirmed Thursday.

The assault was launched from 'Firebase November' to clear a suspected Rularuu operating area southeast of the 'Path of Tears' , an area known as Bastion of Pain in the zone of the Shard designated as the Chantry.

The operation, which began Thursday morning, is expected to continue for several days. U.S. military commanders say the operation was largely carried out by joint forces based on tips from several native refugess recently rescued from the Area
.
Expeditionary forces have dubbed the assault "Operation Swarmer," which is an operation consisting of about 1,500 soldiers in all, including the British Army's 1st Brigade, 4th Division, the 75th Ranger 2nd Battalion Combat Team ,such Firebase Zulu Security Heroes as The Valiant Dazzling Diamond, The Starrior, The Crimson Scythe, The Healing Touch and the Startling Sabre, supported by the air assets of the 18th Airborne Combat Aviation Brigade.

The assault is a combination of air and ground operations involving more than 200 tactical vehicles and more than 50 aircraft also participated in the operation.

According to the Expeditionary Force Press Information Center, initial reports indicate that a number of enemy Monument and Kora fruit caches have been captured,as well as a large degree of Nemesis weapons bunkers containing artillery shells, explosives, IED-making materials, and military uniforms. Troops also captured several Nemesis operatives, according to EFPIC.

Maj. Tom Bryant of the 75th Rangers told FOX News on Thursday that the No. 1 priority of the mission is to deny safe haven for Rularuu forces.

"This is absolutely an opportunity to deny these creatures, and the insurgent forces of the Nemesis, an area in which to operate," Bryant said, noting that the area in question is south southwest of the wormhole slip that connects to Firebase November and is a very large, rural objective area.

"We'll continue to search until we've made absolutely certain there are no weapons out there that the bad guys can use against us," Bryant continued, adding, "we have not faced any kind of resistance that we've not been able to handle."


Pulling the Enemy 'Out by the Roots'

The Bastion of Pain, located in the Shard Zone known as the Chantry, was the scene of fierce fighting between Rularuu forces and U.N. forces in 2005. The area is a pilgrimage/ migration center for Rularuu Overseers. The Chantry Zone is a major part of the "Unsecured Shard" where the Rularuu have been most active.

The operation, refugees said, appeared to be concentrated near four major landing sites along the eastern edge of the Bastion of Pain.

UN Spokesperson for the Expeditionary forces Hoshi Hataki said the attack had been necessary to prevent the Rularuu from forming a new stronghold such as they had established in the Cascade Archipelago last November.

"After the archipelago and some of the operations carried out successfully in the Chantry and Storm Palace Zones many of the Rularuu moved to areas nearer to the Bastion of Pain" Hataki said in a cable television interview. "They have to be pulled out by the roots."

The Valiant Dazzling Diamond said The Bastion of Pain is a symbol for the insurgency in the Shard.

"This is a fight so not just for the control of a population but for the Rularuu to sort of reinstate themselves by owning geography and the shores so to speak of the Bastion are the one area where they think they can do that," Diamond said to reporters Yesterday morning at a MedEvac center set up on the airfield at Firebase November.

She said Expeditionary Forces forces are getting better intelligence each month because an increasing number of refugees are becoming more confident that their chances for survival will be greatly increased once the Rularuu can be controlled and the Nemesis elements within the Shard are wiped out.

"It's the type of thing that in an insurgency, is really so like the key to the crown," Diamond said of actionable intelligence that allows operations such as 'Operation Swarmer' to be carried out and minimize the threat to EF Forces and any refugees still located in the threatened areas.

Army Lt. Col David Hunt, agreed with the young heroine that this kind of military operation would not have been launched without some very specific intelligence regarding the location and plans of the Rularuu.

"We would not commit this kind of manpower … and the amount of equipment it takes planning to do an air assault … without very specific, very good intelligence," said Hunt.

The difference between Thursday's operation and the "shock and awe" campaign launched by U.S. forces when they first joined the Exeditionary Forces in the Shard is that the strikes launched then were primarily by air. Thursday's airborne assault, on the other hand, allowed the largest insertion of Expeditionary Forces into enemy strongholds on the ground.

"This is really an air-ground op but it allows you to insert a large number of troops with tactical surprise," explained Ret. U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Tom McInerney. "That's why this is effective, they know that there are Nemesis elements that are watching them very closely so what they're trying to do is get that tactical surprise."

McInerney, a FOX News military analyst, said Nemesis elements have been trying to stir up trouble by launching attacks that may lead some to believe that the Rularuu are still being used as a tool to gain control over the shattered world.

A U.S. defense official told FOX News that the recent decision the send some 700 U.S. soldiers back into the Shard from their standby position in neighboring Ft. Drum, NY freed up forces to launch this air assault and allowed U.S. and Expeditionary forces to take on a more offensive role.

Amid the ongoing operation, the Expeditionary Force commander, Gen. Hammond, ordered those forces back into the Shard over the past week because of the increased Rularuu strikes against food and medical convoys to refugee camps and several raids against scientific operations in the area.

The Rangers of the 2nd of the 75th ranger Battalion in and out of the Shard since the Rularuu invasion of Paragon Last February; this is the largest air assault operation because this division hasn't done anything on this scale thus far.

Operation Swarmer comes on the heels of an Expeditionary Force operation west of the Bastion of Regret in early March that resulted in the capture of substantial Nemesis weapons and equipment caches, according to Diamond, who has been working with the Rangers here in the Shard for more than a year now.

"They so keep putting them up there in like an attempt to use these poor people as 'shields' and we so have to keep digging them out"

She said with no small degree of frustration at the attempts of Nemesis using the displaced starving refugees as human shields. Heroes of the security detail at the Firebase are constantly involved with Expeditionary forces, doing what she called 'surgical strikes' in an attempt to take the fight past the refugees and straight to the Nemesis and Rularuu.

"They want to like 'bunker up'....then we so will burrow and dig em out!" she added with an exhausted grin.

The Valiant Dazzling Diamond, an almost three time winner of the Hero Corps badge 'Hero of the City' , and long standing member of the Freedom Phalanx's Reserves is a highly decorated heroine who was recently decorated once more last Thursday by General Hammond and granted an honorary comission with the Expeditionary Force's security detail according to a spokesperson at the EFPIC.

March 8th, 2006 - Undisclosed Location


A bright orange plume of fire lit up the night sky over 'dockside' on Peregrine, briefly illuminating the scrambling Police and rescue units and fleeing night workers, sending them for cover. Longbow Chasers banked and swerved to get into position as a News helicopter spun erratically to the ground with smoke billowing out of an engine vent. Its beleaguered pilot breathed a tight sigh of relief as its skids hit the pavement with a hard but safe bounce only jerk in pain as a series of bullet ripped up his cockpit window. Paramedics rushed to the downed helicopter under the protection of police SWAT units as the reporter and his camerawoman stepped out of the helicopter.

Holding his hand to one ear in a desperate attempt to continue to hear his news feed he continued to give a very rattled report. His voice shaken but professional as behind him windows blew out of a warehouse by a green energy blast that arc up through the night sky.

"....As you can see Maryanne, Peregrine has become a -war zone-! ...it is pure pandemonium and chaos as Longbow and police emergency units scramble to get into a position should this battle threaten to spill out of the warehouses on the docks!"

From her safety at the news desk WKRTO Anchorwoman Maryanne Sanchez winced as yet another explosion engulfed a warehouse behind her coworker and friend.

"Bill are you sure you and your people are back safe enough?"

His voice continued on "This scale of a fight reminds me of the Fifth Column, Council Street war last year Maryanne....so I'm not entirely sure if anyone is safe here in Peregrine should this battle spill out into the streets" He coughed and ducked behind the ruins of his helicopter as some more stray fire raked across its metal form behind them. "Paul Murray, The pilot who safely got us to ground is with paramedics now and as you can tell Maryanne the fighting inside the Docks is only intensifying..." He paused as the side of one of the burning warehouse exploded outward as the ruined form of a mangled Malta Zeus was hurled through the air. Its twisted form crashed with a deafening metal thud as the flashes and pops from the shell grew with a dull hellish intensity.

"Bill! Bill? Can you still hear me?" Maryanne shouted her professionalism slipping slightly as her concern grew

"Yes ..Wow...we are still...We're here!" he shouted his voice just barely topping the shouted orders of the peace officers and recently arrived heroes and heroines to the fights perimeter.

"What was that?" Maryanne shouted only to lower her voice when chastised by her producer through her earpiece, then in a more professional tone” and Do you have any idea how this started and just who might be involved?"

"Well Maryanne from what we've been able to piece together so far....is earlier a literal mob of Malta Operatives appeared out of nowhere and assaulted Paragon's own 'Valiant Dazzling Diamond' at the Ferry just across from here. Now of course according to Ghost Falcon who we interviewed while still airborne..She fought back as best as she could but she was caught in her 'tank' form and was clearly over-matched. Several Heroes and Heroines nearby joined her in driving them back and well it seems she was able to rally a full team of 8 and they pursued the fleeing operatives to this warehouse owned by Con Amalgamated." another blast clearly some hero’s nova shook the docks causing the camera to buck and Bill to cover his head...

"Now " he shouted into his mic trying to keep his story flowing "...What happened then is anyone’s guess but it appears the heroes stumbled into simply a massive plot involving hundreds of the terrorist operatives...and well Maryanne what amounts to world war three has literally broken out in there..."

Maryanne listened to the desperate report while trying to listen to the producers all pressing her to ask their questions. With clipped aplomb she appear calm and continued one question at a time "Bill? Has there been any word on the status?"

"Well Maryanne....any attempt to get closer has resulted in risk of being hit by Malta panic fire or a missed shot by one of the heroes but the casualties the Longbow and rescue workers have reached have been in the hundreds already...mostly Malta and there are reports of a unknown group of terrorists in there as well who resemble the council but somehow more reminiscent of the fifth column."

He cleared his throat "Now Medicom is reporting that four of the heroes involved have arrived and two are in very series condition and were rushed to surgery...now we don’t have their names....."

The reporters face froze as the image was paused as a bright light filled the darkened room. The room's lone occupant sat before the massive computer array and sank back into his chair, his teeth tightly grinding as he just stared at the images before him. Along the wall of screens the aftermath of the fight was being played out...interviews with the surviving victorious heroes ...reports on the wounded four...Longbow reports on the entire Malta group captured and then interviews from the fire chief and heroes who remained to put out the dock fires. Even the interview with Positron and Ghost Falcon as they praised that little [censored]....

He closed his eyes in anger as Fergie's voice from the doorway broken the tense silence.

"Sir? "

Alpha opened his eyes and fixated them on one of the screens, he bore them through that damnable perpetual smile. "How did it happen? Are we simple incapable of operating in Paragon without getting the little [censored]'s attention?"

Fergie cleared his throat "Um...Central Command reports Both Agents Tomahawk and Wildfire detected her in her 'tank' configuration and not knowing the extent of her abilities still showed her as listed as a 'target of opportunity' and considering how close she drifted to what was thought to be an extremely fortified bunker they engaged. "

"They ...engaged" Alpha sneered

"Yes sir...." Fergie gulped

'WHY the hell is she still considered a T of O?" Alpha still stared with growing hatred at her frozen image on the screen "I recommended her being dropped ....clearly my reported statement stated my opinion that she was to be approached in planned operations only."

"Central felt ...well sir you may have.." Fergie began, the young Tac-Ops Officer seemed unwilling to finish his sentence.

"Overstated things?...." he smiled mirthlessly "Well they know different now don’t they?" He sighed. "Thank you Fergie....fools an entire operation to draw some other dimensional Council in to become cannon fodder wasted by an arrogant error"

Fergie tried "But , sir Intel reported light Templar activity and with her self isolation of late , who could’ve predicted she would gather allies from total strangers so quickly"

"I would’ve!" Alpha whirled to face Fergie, his eyes filled with Rage "I would’ve this woman could find help on Mars where there is no life! Look at the screen Fergie" he snapped pointing his massive arm up behind him to crook an accusing finger at her image on the screens.

"She was awarded her forty first clearance level....well her one hundred and forty first, for this debacle!...they even pinned two city badges on her in this form...her third Atlas Medallion and the press has dubbed her a sensation! The ones who helped her praised her for being able to hold the attention and withstand the damage from our best Heracles and Zeus Mechs...what’s next...see her toss a Kronos into Talos bay for charity...for Christ sakes Fergie....those two [censored] Wildfire and Tomahawk just made her stronger...." he whirled back into his chair and studied that hated face for a long silent moment...

"Well sir ..What do you propose we should do about it then" Fergie's voice carried an alien like uncertainty towards his friend and superior.

"What to do?" Alpha mused coolly "Why I think I'm just going to have to kill that [censored]"

Around the two the silence of the room was broken up as Alpha pushed play on 'her' aftermath interview, her voice filling the cubicle.

"....they responded as Heroes of the City, each and every one of them. I was like so proud to have fought beside them to end what appeared to have so been a very serious threat. They , my fellow teammates were the heroes tonight so not -me-. So don’t forget ...I was the one they saved first...I only went along to so i could help them as much as they helped me...Tonight this team aren’t just the city’s heroes....they are mine as well!"

January 2nd, 2006 - Independence Port

The cold chilling breeze of the winter night embraced the dockyards of Independence Port as it blew through the rusting Iron and steel works.
Silhouetted by the light of the half moon , the port facilities looked eerily like the twisted bones of a long dead titan of a beast. Fossilized forever outstretched and reaching up towards an unforgiving night sky, never to find mercy..

High above, standing on the 'flying' bridge of the Super Tanker Al-Khadiz Alpha could only marvel at the sheer volume of the defeat. Inhaling the sting yet warm smoke into his lungs, he thought..

Defeated, by an MH, a mutant....a mere slip of a girl. Alpha smirked. The best the Crey security Forces had to offer, the best any Malta Operative could muster. Each attack, each ploy, each threat was met on our footing and driven back.

Alpha signed and looked down to his men and the Crey forces as they loaded the last of this project into the ship. It had taken months to salvage the remaining supplies and records and locate surviving operatives after the net had crashed. Base locations, caches, covers, bribe schedules, all data on the target, most of Dr. Reynolds research...all of it lost in a matter of hours. Crey security procedures, Malta firewalls our best technical defenses....and she had them destroyed.

"How the [censored] did she manage that" Alpha mused aloud with no small amount of respect. "Little [censored] has a god damn army at her disposal"

"Sir?" said his aide

Alpha sneered slightly "Just wondering how we got our [censored] kicked so hard Fergie"

The Tac-op beside him walked forward a bit and nodded to his friend and superior "The computer thing was a bit unexpected "

"Fergie , sometimes i just cant seem to wrap my brain around this [censored]. " he sighed "We had her....Helena's idiotic plan with the girlfriend should've worked...The target revealed the third power abilities, showed us her levels and how she shifts .....data i might remind you we just lost....she then should've reacted as predicted. " he sighed "As she usually did....a war path....we were prepare at every facility"

"Yes sir"

Alpha took a long drag from his cigarette "Then it somehow all goes to [censored], Dr. Reynolds get his mysterious phone call, the target pulls herself off the street as Quartz is rehabilitated...." he sighed "Then one by one our funding, our intelligence data bases begin to shut down or lock us out."

Alpha watched as his aide flinched understanding all too well his bosses frustration.

"...Supply bases, caches and personnel exposed to other Heroes or the authorities, data lost as whole networks are crashed or forever locked."

Alpha gripped the rail and looked out across the darkened bay to the open ocean of the horizon "Helena up and disappears....no trace of her or her god damn female brigade...even the Sisters have no clue what happened to them.....Good old Feisty Doc Reynolds then goes home quietly retiring from Crey Pharmacuticals ....and now...our recall with all salvageable data and materials..."

"I tell ya Fergie....its not fair...it was supposed to be a mere snatch n grab last February...."

"Yes Sir" his aide added frustrated as well

"How the [censored] did she do it....defeat us....god damn"

"Her list of allies sir..." Fergie added "Starting with Garrett and the Wystan boy in the beginning...and Quartz getting her away from the Crey using such basic tactics we ended up losing them until 'Boomtown' "

"oh yeah ...Boomtown....[censored] up number one" Alpha sighed annoyed at the memory...then nodded "Yes yes i know...then the Tomoya fire witch ,....who was supposed to be dealt with by the Crey...[censored] up number two...the mad Russian Romanov..."

Fergie nodded "Let's not forget the model who aided her and Quartz during their first flight....Addo?"

"[censored] ...Christ Addo...another Malta favorite"

"Then the other unknowns...Rico Chavez?"

"Oh Yeah...him ...such a great idea by the Countess and the first project team leader....get an new student to betray her..damn it Fergie we had her then....he turned her right over to us"

Fergie just shook his head "Sir ..honestly who could've guess his parents were MH villains in hiding..."

"It was an asinine plan.....it cost us a full lab and gave the girl an undying ally....which she seems to be able to find the way i can pick up a new pack of cigarettes at the local Haji store...." he spit in anger "now she seems to be always running with Delaney's current favorite red head the little pain in [censored] Snake Girl and a guy who swings a hockey stick.....a Hockey stick....and we cant touch her..."

"Not too mention the albino girl..." Fergie offered "the MH who seems to heal her. The files from Croatoa and the corps seem to indicate..." Fergie began

Alpha shook his head "Oh yeah i saw that....undefeated thus far ?" Christ Alpha thought again bitterly , a [censored] god damned army!

"Well sir then there was Gabe...."

"[censored] Results.....Jeesh .....what was it a dance that did him in? Recognized by an exchange student who wasn't even a god damn student ...brought to the dance by who else? Rico!" he sneered "....its like the gods of fate were mocking us this whole god damn time"

Tossing his cigarette over the rail he turned and walked back into the bowels of the ship..

"once the men and all material aboard tell the captain to set sail for the Med" he called over his shoulder to his friend and aide

"Yes sir" was the quiet response.

Alpha walked down the cramped white hallway, morale is low, but someday [censored] we will meet....

The Malta's best beaten back by a Kindergarten teacher! Someday Diamond,he added with dangerous resolve tightening his fists

"..this isn't over..." he said through clenched teeth as he reached his small cabin....

August 3rd, 2008 - Steel Canyon


...Pain

Like little daggers of steel pressing deeply into her belly each time she tried to move. Each time she had shifted or tried to readjust on the couch in her living room, to reach for the remote or even her glass of now warm flat sprite.

It had seemed all as a blur to her now, the fight, the horrible slash across her midsection that had brought her down. She shivered as she still remembered the quick flash of the blade through her body, the chill of the cold blade as it ripped through her.

She had awaken under guard at the hospital, a very stern and very professional friend of Deliah and Carmen's, a serious woman who now stood guard over Miya as she still laying in quarantine. Her body still ravaged by the flesh eating bacteria.

She had cooperated at once with the police, the Corps and Longbow telling them just who it was who had fought them. How valiantly Luci and Miya had tried to hold off Miya's ex. How fast how lethal and more to the point she had stressed to them just how dangerous this ex demon hunter had become with her blood magic.

She then listened to the doctors explain to her just how 'lucky' she had been, her mutation had saved her life. Her body's ability to reset itself as she regenerated her energy had all but removed the extensive damage done to her. They said it was by pure luck, or her own will that she had held on just long enough for the 'reset' to kick in.

Lucky...

The doctors had even gone on to explain that within a few days there would be little trace of the injury at all. However she would be in a great deal of pain that should in time subside with each incremental reset of her body. The very mutation that kept her trapped physically in her physical state since the day it emerged had saved her life.

Relief had set in for her when she had heard Miya had not been killed, followed by frustration at her current state and the grim news Luci had been kidnapped by Tomi. Kara sighed and gritted her teeth only nodding when she was told Nyah had survived unscathed. She found herself wondering where had Nyah's healing abilities gone during the fight.

She had tried to remember all she could of her night stay in the ICU ward. She had blurry half remembered images of Izzy sitting vigil, of Mae? She thought she remembered hearing Bill's voice talking to RJ, and something about renewed attacks...

Her darkened thoughts were soon chased as Bill and Lexus ushered in two balls of worry and smiles. Little Katerina and Phil charged to the bed as she sat up to hug each in turn, letting them know she was still here and would be home soon....

Home soon...

Indeed she was, released and send home since her she had little injury to be treated by the hospital. The girls after seeing her home with Bill and Patti were returned to Luci's parents house to keep them safe for now.

She sighed as she rose from the couch and stiffly made her way to the window as a far off all clear siren sounded through out Steel Canyon. Her apartment lights flickered, a power surge as the War Walls snapped back to life.

"The Rikti..." She snarled quietly to herself.

Patti had left with Bill, once they were sure she would safe and getting her rest. She knew why Bill had left, it was the same pull that was calling her off of the couch. The city was once more under attack...

Her best friend was missing...

He was needed out there tonight...

She drew a sharp breath and winced at the pain the rippled across her belly. She placed her hands over the tender area and took smaller breaths. Trying to ride out the spasms of pain.

"Damn it.."

Kara turned and stumbled back to the couch, her eyes now glued to the news reports and updates of the most recent attacks across the city.

....as I said Susan the fire is not yet under control, fire units are only now being allowed to respond...

...That is right as you can see clustered behind me is the remnants of the stand Heroes made here in Talos...

...Paramedics are on site to help treat those the Defenders and the Emergency Teleport System were unable to reach....

Once more Vanguard and Air Force Representatives are verifying the skies are clear of Rikti dropships...for now that is Paula...reports of a dropship down over Peregrine have not yet been confirmed however....

Somehow she had to find a way to get out there, she was helping no one laying up in here. Luci was counting on her...her family was. She took a step towards her phone to call Vanguard and attempt to get herself placed on their active status roster, only to double over and land across the couch again. She shuddered as again she was forced to deal with the sharp pains that burned deeply into her belly.

She dragged herself up to a semi comfortable sitting position and drew her legs up beside of her. She brought a fist down onto the arm of the couch in frustration.

"Damn it"

Somehow...they were counting on her.

Originally posted by NPI Student Skilla

October 12, 2005 - Green City Wisconsin

"Doctor Reynolds, it is so good of you to meet with me," she said, smiling, as her perfectly manicured finger gently tapped her cigarette in the glass ashtray. "I was so sorry to hear about your daughter. I remember her as such a sweet child. Melissa was so fond of her. "

"My meeting with her was quite disturbing," she continued, sadly, brushing away an errant tear, as she took a long drag on the filter. "It only proved to me how subversive those people are! I mean, what they've done to our daughters is nothing short of criminal! "

"I completely agree with what you said on the phone, about being forced to use drastic measures to reverse the obvious mental torture our poor babies have been put through! In addition to the physical constraints their disabilities have put them under. "

"I completely understand your concerns about Kara's...confusion..right now. I'm not sure you were aware, but Melissa has been coerced into a relationship with a man ten years her senior. No, I assure you, it is quite true...and the things they've convinced her of about her father. " She looked away, biting back her choking sobs.

"Oh thank you," she smiled through her tears, taking the outstretched handkerchief. "Yes, it is quite distressing." She leaned forward, gripping his hand in a gesture of sympathy and intensity. "It was why I felt, absolutely felt, that we needed to speak. I think we can help each other. I have a suggestion I would like you to consider..."

Neshina smiled to herself.It's all going according to plan. Men...so easy to manipulate... killing two birds with one stone...how absolutely lovely.


======================

originally posted by NPI Student Prudence

October 16th, 2005 - Skyway City

Elsewhere, on a roof somewhere overlooking a relatively peaceful patch of ground. A kite soars through the air, danceing on the winds. It's string is held by a shiny, black gauntlet. It's a little surreal to see...a sleek obsidian machine, it's tapered claws wrapped delicately around the fragile thread as she waits for the child next to her to reply. Said child is a peculiar picture all her own, still clad in a pirate costume from International Talk Like A Pirate Day, more or less just because.

Prudence looked up and shrugged. "Well, of course! That's what friends are for, right? I don't think she'd get mad at you at all. And even if she did, it wouldn't be for very long...Kara doesn't do mad if she doesn't reaaaaallly have to."

The ebon android tilted it's winged head slightly. A voice whispered softly from somewhere in it's featureless faceplate. "Will your parents mind?"

"I don't think so. They don't usually mind me helping you, as long as I promise not to get myself blown up or anything. And it's not like that's likely to happen."

"Very well then. We shall see what we can do."
~~~~~
Cry if you wanna cry, if it helps ya see, if it clears your eyes.
Hate if you wanna hate, if it keeps you safe, if it makes you brave!
Pray if you wanna pray, if you like to kneel, if you like to lay.
Don't come over here, piss on my gate, save it just keep it off my wave!
~Soundgarden, My Wave


==================

Originally posted by SDI : Wolfcry Division Member Pastoral

October 22nd, 2005 - Paragon City

Interference: Tricks and Traps
~~~~~
This was a day that security officer Daniels wanted desperately to be both over and long forgotten...and it was only just begining.

It began with a phone call. He lifted the reciever and waited a moment. That was when a child's voice piped up and, quite politely for a pirate, inquired: "Arr matey, be yer refridgeratorizin' device runnin'?"

"Uh..." managed Daniels, quietly pushing the little red 'Oh dear.' button on his desk. It didn't do any good, but he felt better about it. "I don't think so..."

"Avast, ye scupperin' sea-dog! Ye'd best be callin' a techie-nician, " and here the voice clicked off and someone else was suddenly on the line. A cultured voice, precise in delivery and cheerful in tone. Also, totally fake. " and if you're going to call a technician, why not make it one of the fine home-appliance repairpeople of Westonfell Home Repair?"

One must bear in mind that the phone in question was off-grid, in a nice and safe Crey facility that should never have been subject to this sort of nonsense. Except that this flew in the face of the conventional wisdom that when you've started recieveing crank-calls, faxes advertiseing better security and computers that hummed cheerfully to themselves as they deleted your data...buddy, you've been hacked.

Alarms failed to ring.

All over the city, apparently random (but very, very certain) Crey operations ground quietly to a stuttering, confused halt. Cutting the networks didn't help...virii already present in the local systems merrily continued their work in a manner not only malicious, but frighteningly intelligent. They requisitioned supplies to remote locations, cancelled support to suddenly endangered operatives, clogged communication lines of all varieties with...and they shuddered...Spam. Telemarketers proffesing the wonders of what SDI's latest anti-Spyware could do recited happily alongside inappropriate inquiries about your reproductive system.

Vinyl sideing and million dollar dreams.

This was just the begining.....

August 1st, 2008 - Steel Canyon


...I'm cold.

She shivered as she felt the soft warmth flow over her hands as she clutched them to her stomach. The contrast to the warmth of her damaged belly as she held tightly clashed with the icy shivers that began to ripple through her collapsed form. Her skin grew pale as she lay across the unforgiving cold asphalt. Around her she was aware that the fight had continued, she tried so hard to stand, to return to the fight.

Yet her body simply would not respond.

She knew intellectually how badly she was hurt, how much muscle had been severed by the quick vicious slash of the katana. She had dropped to the street like a discarded marionette. She was so cold. She could feel her life ebb away into darkness. She had been hurt so many times, beaten, blasted, scorched and seared, but never so badly.

Kara knew she was going to die.

What better way to die than for the people you love? She tried to console herself with this thought.

Luci and Miya had been in the fight of their lives with the blood thirsty killer who once had been Miya's fiance. The woman was lethal and dangerous, perhaps the most dangerous person they had ever faced. She went into battle without question, fighting for them as she would for any Templar.

Kara always knew in the back of her mind one day fighting out here, taking a stand for justice that she might die. On some level she always knew, and at times welcomed , if not had begged for it. She never truly showed it, to love at times for her was often more difficult that dying.

Now, She's not sure if she cares, not anymore.

In her mind's eye she reflected back, she has done so many things wrong and wanted to do so much more. She hurt Rhu, Rhu hurt her. She hurt her dearest friends and at times they have hurt her. Yet she had come to Luci's call for help without question, she was needed and arrived as she always did. She had no choice, she would have done this for any of them. The Templars, The former students of NPI, they’re her family and the only people she loves in the universe, and they’re the only people who love her.

She values them,their trust and love. She would willing die for any one of them to be safe, it was all she had to offer them. She believed in them and what they all stood for, even knowing they all did not get along.

She loved everyone of them, the ones that took her in, kept her safe during her most dark and painful early days. The ones she had help find their way as well and those that had stood beside her over the years without question themselves.

What better way to die than doing something you believe in?

So cold now, She shivered.

Rhu...

Her fleeting thoughts are more worry and pain. What about Philomela, who will look after her? Who will have to be the one to tell her daughter what happened to her mother. How can little Phil deal with such loss again.

It wasn't fair, she tightened her fists in frustration and anger and shuddered as waves of numbing pained lanced through her wound. She clenched her jaw and trembles more as she feels the chill flow over her like a blanket of ice. Her world is dimming, fading. Voices and sirens around her sound like distant echoes. She hears the words emergency teleporter, Critical injuries and her name being called.

They have no meaning to her any longer. Numb and detached now.

Everything is so cold and far away.

She closed her eyes, desperate to find something to hold on to, the smile of a child learning to trust once more, the jingling of little clown bells. The boyish yet earnest smile of a former love, The impish laugh of a brother and the comfortable feel of a deeply needed empathic link to someone so close to her. The excited voice and boldness of her best friend and the soothing look of warmth and comfort from a pair of eyes beneath soft blond hair...

So cold...

I just need to catch my breath, she thought. I'll fight my way back in just a few moments, I need to catch my breath....

Then I'll fight...

So very cold, She thought as the never ending darkness rose up and slipped around her in it's final embrace...

October 4th, 2005 - Independence Port



"....Target : Kara Reynolds Aquired!" Quartz 's voice blared through the speakers hidden amongst the various rows of monitors showing Helena the p.o.v. of her newest pet project. "You are to Surrender at once" followed by the precise "YOU WILL COMPLY"

Half turning within the darkened womb of the security center she smiled to Doctor Reynolds who fidgeted nervously with his glasses "Relax Doctor, She wont fight the Quartz Project " she shrugged adding with a smirk "And if she does you know at least they wont be together anymore."

He flinched as another shadow stepped forward to extinguish a cigarette in the ashtray on the console.

"This is the master plan you have been working on for the last 5 weeks" Alpha chuckled "This is why you captured the Mayhann girl?"

Helana sneered but clearly enjoyed watching Quartz overwhelm the Reynolds girl who surrendered instantly without so much as a single blast. "There you see " turning to the technicians "Reroute her calls for containment to our Air units in the area....tell Quartz pick up in 5 minutes"

Alpha allowed his gaze to slide up the various screens to focus on the monitor that measured the Target's MH power levels. He merely raised an eyebrow as he lit another cigarette.

"a 20-to 22 reading?" He mused

"Yes More than reasonable for Quartz to contain or subdue if necessary" she smirked.

"and the reasons for the drop in the target's powers are?" Alpha tried once more turning to nod to his Tac-Op. The Malta soldier nodded and began to speak into his comm unit. Turning back Alpha waited for an answer.

"Doctor Reynolds?" Helena said confidently "Your theory"

"Um ..Yes...Quite. " he fidgeted with his glasses once more "We began to notice a trend as of late of a severe pattern of um...mutant genome and emanation variation in Kara.. " he cleared his throat " Based on prior scans of Kara....we um..my team and I ..have come to the conclusion she has overreached with her ability to generate energy...hence in a sense she is 'wounded' and unable to maintain her former power levels"

Alpha merely watched the diminutive scientist continued. Helena remain confident and smirked at Alpha almost as if daring him to not believe this was finally ending.

"....Back Up Required! " Helena whirled and watch as the plan fell apart, The Target had a second comm unit and had called in back up of her own.

Pin-Up

She turned to her Security Chief who turned in time to Alpha who leaned over across her to the console and keyed the comm system.

"All Containment and Retrieval Units standby..." his voice empty and cool, like an abandoned grave. "You are to hold positions do not...repeat do not provide back up for Soldier 1426"

Helena froze, Alpha knew her codename for the Mayhann girl. He had known about her project since she began it. She stood there her heart freezing as her pilots..../her/ pilots responded.

"Acknowledged control"

"Stand by all surveillance teams to record her shift "Alpha said evenly tossing a wink to Dr. Reynolds "This one doesn't burn out Doctor...call it a gut feeling"

They stood and watch Quartz seize the target and lift her away as she mocked Pin-Up with her lack of flight. Helena watched and listened as the Target spoke.

"I'm sorry Baby" The Reynolds girl said as her power levels suddenly shifted in a flow of her energy that had to have caused her immense pain. "You waited too long"

Confused Quartz could only ask "What....for what" as she held her target.

"MH Readings off the scale!" Yelled a tech as Alpha stepped back into the shadows

"Maintain recording" Alpha said.

"Yes yes record everything" Yelled Doctor Reynolds shaking at this new news.

"For This" the Reynolds girl said right before the monitors all turned blueish white. The sound of a massive Salvo ripped from the speakers as Quartz was hurled to the ground. The watchful eyes of the center watched as Pin Up struck Quartz across the chest with a massive kick followed by blast after blast from the target.

One by one the monitors went dark. Helena just stared, She had attacked her.....she had actually attacked her lover. She was now at full power and had attacked her.

"All units return to base" Alpha said into his own comm. "Thank you Helena...this was extremely helpful"

She watched as Dr. Reynolds, arms full of printouts headed off to his labs. She collapsed into a vacant chair,as Alpha stepped out into the hallway to meet with one of his people.

She stared at his back with hatred, he knew....he knew and he had used her and Quartz to show the Reynolds girl had a third series of powers.

She turned to stare at the monitors and smirked, well Little girl, I've hurt you at least. Your little girlfriend broke, it took weeks and we dumped a lot of memories into her. Good luck cleaning up her little mess.

Helena chuckled at this sudden revelation.

I may have missed you, but i /hurt/ you. She smirked "I and wish to keep on hurting you" she added as her mind began to shift to a new target....more pain.

Oh yes , She mused. This might be fun.

=====================

Kara twisted and shifted a bit uncomfortably in the chair outside of the cell in Freedom Corps. She was torn between worry and guilt for Rhuby. Those monsters had stolen Rhuby from her and had stolen Rhuby's mind and memories from her. Luci and she had brought agent 'Quartz', here to keep her safe or from returning to her captor's confused. She pulled her knees tighter to her chest as she watched the woman who did not recognize her sleep fitfully in the cell across from her.

"Stop calling me that!" Rhuby's words still rang out in her ears. The Corps Telepath had undone the 'veil' of the new memories allowing the false ones to merge with the true ones. She said it would take a day or two to sort them out. Until then....

She had fallen into a half sleep for an hour or so, just staying close. She wanted to be near, wanted to be there in case....well to be there. She was awakened by Luci's return. Her friend had returned with a pillow, blanket and even some sprite.

She wrapped the blanket tighter around herself. She fought away images of her retaliation, of what she yearned to do to those who had hurt Rhuby, first Gabe and the Malta and now this from the Crey...

And her father. She knew of a few labs and warehouses, warrant or not soon she would deal with them.

For now her place was here as much as she could....she knew she had class and could be called away. But she would return.

'They Hurt her" She muttered hugging her knees tight "They hurt her..."

===========

"Sir you know once she recovers Diamond is going to go on the war path" Said the Tac-Op to his left as Alpha stood on the deck of the Freighter in Independence Port.

"Ofcourse Fergie" He took a slow drag of his cigarette "and we will be ready for her"

He allowed his gaze to linger on the gathering blackish gray storm clouds along the horizon.

July 5th, 2008 - Steel Canyon

It's been far too long, she thought as she moved through the night sky above the vast city below.

Kara landed atop the roof of the old Gothic style building in Steel Canyon. Around her and below lay a sleeping city, soft lights burned a gentle yellow hue along the dark faces of of the tall skyscrapers that rose above her, here and there they remained lit, awaiting the city to reawaken. She gingerly moved around the old rattling air conditioning units and dirty encrusted skylights to the roof's 'locked' access door and stepped down into the dark stairway. She walked soundlessly down the quiet shadow filled hallway to the entrance of her friend Katherine's dance studio, using her keys she opened the door with a soft creak and stepped within.

She looked around, it had almost it seemed been forever since she had been here, alone at night. Since moving out of their Steel Canyon penthouse and into the new house in New Overbrook, she had in fact become a little spoiled. Luci's Poppa had a small dance studio built into the house to her specifications and she had been working out there now and again. She paused before the hardwood surface of the studio floor and looked around. She, Phil and Katerina had to move out of the house in Faultline for the girl's own safety. Luci's fiance's ex was on a vicious killing spree, Luci couldn't have the girls in the line of fire and Kara had readily agreed. Moving to an old apartment converted to a townhouse/condo back in Steel Canyon, Kara spent most of the week settling in the girls to their new home. Kara herself was just settling in as well, it was odd to have a place of her own now. Rent was not an issue, between her endorsement deal and the silly toy line from long ago adding to her quite adequate teacher's salary, Kara was sure the girls and she were more than fine.

Yet something had called her here to dance tonight. It had been so long since she had come here. She knew Katherine wouldn't mind, anything she knew that would get Kara to dance again.

She had missed the feel of a real studio, the wall of mirrors with the long worn wooden bar. The smooth brown hardwood surface of the old over polished floor lit up by the moon light that shown through the high french style windows that looked out across 9th avenue. She allowed a small smile to slip across her features as she took it all in. Her long mane of black hair was already tied up secure in a tight bun, she wore a long dark coat with her workout bag slung over a shoulder. She carried her portable disk player over to Katherine's desk and set it down. She sighed a little nervous, it had been so long it seemed, aside from dancing for Arraz to show him what style she danced, that she had the chance to be alone on a dance floor.

Pulling out the simple chalk from her coat pocket she then selected a disk that contained one of her usual mixed programs that she had long ago chosen and edited herself. She fed the disk into her portable player, then suddenly self conscious and shy about her dance for the first time in years, she dropped her jacket to the floor of the studio right beside her bag and took a deep breath. With a flick of her wrist she dropped the twin sticks of white chalk to the floor, smashing it with one sharp stomp of her slipper-ed foot before carefully toeing the fine powder with first one slipper then the other. Stretching her arms and rolling out her shoulders she moved to the mirrored wall to begin her bar exercises. She groaned at the difficulty of almost forgotten movements and stretches. Even though her body was often reset by her abilities, it had been so long since she had danced, mentally she now felt stiff and ill prepared. She bent and twisted her well muscled body as she left her right foot, toe pointed, hanging high on the bar. Her back arched with a quiet grace as she pushed her limits to once more find herself for the music, her arm poised high behind her head as she bent backwards at an almost impossible angle. Amazed and amused to see she still possessed her dancer's limberness. Her confidence once more began to grow with each labored stretch,

The exotic melodies of the lovely theme entitled the "Young Prince and Princess" from Scheherazade soon filled the room, pulling her from the bar to glide elegantly to the middle of the studio's floor. Her body flowed with a natural style and grace through her choreographed dance as if she had never stopped. With a natural ease her gentle pirouettes and grand jete's swept her across the smooth hardwood floor with the soft grace of a whisper on the wind. Yet she grew frustrated, she was never one for a set step when she soloed. Kara felt the desire she always felt to let go and 'soar' with her dance. The beauty of the music seemed to once more flow into her, dance and song became one as she discarded the set program and spun up on her toes to begin to lose herself in the music.

To once more allow it to carry her away.

The music changed as she twirled in the soft moonlight that illuminated that part of the darkened studio floor, with the symphony change from Rimsky-Korsako to Richard Rodgers. Her body twirled as she smoothly translated the sweeping tango of 'Beneath the Southern Cross' into a magnificent adagio performance of classical ballet. She twisted and twirled as she leaped across the floor, one jete a jete to another, landing delicately on her toes to spin happily about, her long obsidian mane held firm in the tight bun she had trapped it in. Her skin sparkled softly now in the cascading moonlight as she began to gently perspire. Her eyes closed as she heard and felt nothing but the music that surrounded her, embracing her form as she gave herself over to her dance completely now.

She smiled almost overjoyed at her next selection. The more challenging piece was a a much more difficult electronic jazz piece by Ryuichi Sakamoto. Her body launched into a wild, gay explosion of allegro as she shifted from her more classical dance style to an almost brilliant improvisational, she twirled and spun, long toned legs carrying her gracefully, almost flying high atop her pointed toes, across the studio floor. Sweeping her arms about her whirling body before spinning up into a fast series of very tight pirouettes. Spinning wildly she turned an almost impossible number of revolutions as she cried out happily as she became one with her challenge. Accepting, embracing the music she had become.

As Lissa once described she had become 'dance', and her spirit now released, soared.

Bounding and darting across the floor, she felt some of the stress begin to slip from her, the worry and the fear, the encompassing feeling of isolation and loneliness melted away as she was for now, no longer a heroine of the city, a mother nor a leader. A friend in need nor a confident, she was nothing more right now as she spun and twirled with such a lovely grace, than a pure expression of the music that filled the studio. It guided her spirit, her soul as she became one with it, her dance was one of near perfection now as she turned and undulated blending styles at will.

A never ending dance of joy... a spirit released.

The very last choice of her return performance tonight was yet again another stylistic shift. She laughed happily as the music of Belinda Carlisle's old rock pop hit 'Valentine' began. Her dance ramped up and she glided perfectly into a wild yet graceful expression as she accepted the challenge of the new driving, elemental edge of the music that so tightly embraced her. She spun wildly across the shiny hardwood surface of the floor as she danced, her arms curving around her gyrating body with the soft grace of the wings of a swan, rising up above her head as she rose to a perfect en point and held it there in the bathing soft light of the moon. Her body held there, silhouetted, arms arched high above her head as the piece reached its conclusion. With soft sigh she dropped to the floor as the music ended with the grace of fallen silk as she dropped into a perfect ballet reverence, as if she were gratefully acknowledging a vast audience of a grand hall rather than the quiet shadows of a darkened studio in the middle of the night.

She held her position for a few long moments as she fought to catch her breath, the sound of her breathing filling the now silent studio. She rose after a fashion and walked over to her bag, slipping down to her knees she fell back to rest upon her calves. She reached for her towel and lightly dabbed away her perspiration as she sipped from a small bottle of Sprite. A soft repeating hum continued from her bag and she smirked as she reached for its source. She opened her cell phone to see the text message awaiting her.

'Kat still hears creaks....Please come home?'

She read the message again and wondered how many creaks Phil was hearing too as she began to type in her response to her daughter. Both had been excited about moving into their new apartment and yet excitement also breeds nervousness in little girls. Kara giggled softly to herself as she also knew nervousness fueled imaginations like nothing else and the little pair had incredibly deep imaginations.

"On the way, love Mom' was soon sent, hurried response as she began to pack up. However she couldn't resist adding 'Why still up?' as the nagging pull of her maternal side forced her to look at the time on her phone.

She then stood and slipped her jacket back on, once more shouldering her bag as her phone chirped a response. She turned it over as she released her mane to allow it to once more fall down softly about her shoulders. She ran her fingers through it scratching and shaking it out as she read....

"Creaks"

She smiled warmly, already knowing her alone time was once more over as she typed "Coming home to investigate 'creaks' tell Kat no throwing furniture at it. '

"K, hurry"

She locked up and headed up to the roof. Stopping only long enough to secure the rickety roof access door, she lifted herself up and into the night sky. Heading off towards home she paused and descended on a lonely 7-11. Dealing with 'creaks' was often stressful, she knew. Chuckling she bought some ice cream and cookies before heading off to do battle with the nerves that being in a new place often wrought. Such things was dealt with meant some pigging out, cuddled in front of the TV under a blanket on the couch and a good Disney Movie.

"Mulan tonight" Kara smiled to herself and nodded, since the film was one of her favorites too.

There would be no patrolling tonight, for a while now she guessed. She was needed at home for now, pure Mommy stuff, which was as she knew was more important than battling any army of Malta creeps. Stepping up into the night she headed off for home...

To help the good fight against things that go 'creak' in the night.

August 25th, 2005 - Talos

"We've confirmed it sir"

The Tac-operative to Alpha's right coninued, "Both Donaldson's strike team at the temple and Dr. Reynolds' shipments have both been compromised"

Alpha drew a long drag from his cigarette as the orange glow from the distant Talos sunrise lit across his haggard features. He closed his eyes feeling the dull yet comforting sting of the nicotine rush through him as he inhaled. He cocked his head a bit to the left as he continued to listen.

"Tapes show also Sister Hecta's Team also failed in the graveyard and the informant is once more free and well,..." his officer paused before he added "The project is further compromised"

Alpha smirked "I thought we drove them off?"

The Tac-op sneered "It was a feint, Diamond returned solo and made short work of all three platoons....over a hundred sisters are dead, wounded or in custody, mostly the latter two. The cops and feds are having a field day over this"

Alpha shook his head slightly. This had been an unmitigated disaster, the target had grown in strength with her fields so fast, they couldn't contain her. She in fact seemed to produce new allies out of no where. He would train his people to train theirs for Rico or her sister Tomoya and she would arrive with this Skilla character. He had them prepared for the Addo girl and that Wystan punk and she showed up with this new Fire woman. A woman whose record is so lost and fabricated that even if it was accurate it was difficult to get a feel on how she acted.

He was losing to her, damn it did she know everyone in Paragon.

Then the 'Gabe/Results' gambit completely failed to draw her out. Alpha had felt even should Gabe fail, and he expected him too, it would've enraged her to come straight out. He had her exhausted and on the offensive, he had calculated even this Rhuby's reaction to wanting it to just end. All of this should have pushed her to one more offense straight at them.

Straight into their trap.

Does she do this, he thought. No, she waits and hits them as the Doctor is about to move his shipment. She goes right back to work as if it never happened. Thus catching them on their flank and unprepared. It was as if she was able to look right through him and spot each of his traps.

"She is getting help " he muttered.

"Well it gets worse....the rogue element, this DiMeo thing."

Alpha shook his head "Move on Jamie, that is Jacob's affair not our business"

"No Sir, after all of her arrests and Gabe getting himself turned over to Freedom Corps and the police, which I may add he may be cooperating now. " The officer drew a breath "All Malta Ops are now showing an increase of Phalanx activity and interest"

Alpha slowly pitched his cigarette only to light another. After a moment "Phalanx....wonderful, why doesn't she just throw nukes at us"

He turned to his operative "And the good doctor what has he to say about all of this?"

Jameson sighed "As per your orders sir....he is preparing still for the next step...even without the equipment, he says he can make do"

Alpha sighed, "Its going to be another long month or so Jamie" The weary gunslinger looked back out to the sunrise "Tell all Operatives we are to be a go as soon as the doctor is ready"

"Sir?"

"Operation Retribution , " Alpha smirked as he inhaled "....its a go"

God help us, he thought...

...We are committed now.

Hi Diamond here again, we do some goofy things too in the Templars of the Abbey, this next one is a series of cute commercials done by Lucianna. The inside joke is Kara as Diamond has become a very public heroine and has a taste for Sprite, which some of her friends believe it is all she ever drinks . Not usually a heavy drinker this is usually what she orders when she is out clubbing or with her friends. So given the nature of her friendship with Lucianna who is a noted model, Sprite reached out and got Kara to agree to doing a few commercial during their Miles Thirst "Obey your Thirst ' Campaign. I thought they were cute and would share them with you guys.

I am not sure if she has any more planned, they tend to pop up from time to time, I think they are adorable and wanted to share them! D


Sprite Commercial: September 11th, 2005


((PoKara told me to go ahead and post this, though it will be a little while before this actually turns up IC ))



FADE IN

Door Bell rings.

Diamond (a little doll of Kara in her hero costume) opens the door.

Miles Thirst (the Sprite mascot, the cool little guy with the afro and sunglasses) is standing there. He says, “Hey Diamond, ready for our hot date?”

Next scene shows Diamond and Miles sitting court side at a basketball game. Diamond yawns and suddenly a basketball bounces at her. She looks startled and blasts it with her energy blast.

A referee’s whistle blows.

Next scene shows Diamond fighting a bunch of bad guys (also dolls), while Miles hides behind a car.

Next scene show them walking down the street. Diamond says, “I want to go to the Olive Garden.”

Miles says, “Olive Garden? Let’s go get some ribs!”

Still walking and arguing they see a Sprite machine and stop.

“Hey, you want a Sprite?” says Miles.

Diamond says brightly, “I’d love a Sprite!”

The next scene pans down from a full moon, showing Diamond and Miles sitting on a bench and drinking bottles of Sprite.

Miles says, “Hey, how about a kiss?”

Diamond sighs and blasts him off the bench.

Miles lays in the grass, with smoke coming off him. He groans, “Show ‘em my motto.”

Burned in the grass above is ‘Obey your thirst.’

FADE OUT



Holiday Season 2005


FADE IN

Jingle bells play in the background as the scene fades in.

Diamond (a little doll Kara) and Miles Thirst (the Sprite mascot) are flying over a snowy town decorated for Christmas. Diamond is wearing her white costume and a Santa hat. Miles is wearing ski and a Christmas jetpack.

Diamond zooms ahead. “Come on, we have to help Rudolph deliver the Christmas Sprite!”

“Time to spread some Lemony-Lime cheer,” Miles says racing after her.

“Oh no! It’s the Bumble!” Diamond points toward the ground.

The scene changes to Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer ((the animated stop motion figure)) tied up a string of Christmas lights. Next to him is a sleight full of Sprite. Each bottle has a little red ribbon tied to it. The Bumble ((the Abominable Snowman from the same Rudolph cartoon)) laughs at Rudolph, picks the sleight and puts it the back of a refrigerated truck.

“Stop that Bumble! He’s stealing that sweet Sprite!” Miles shouts.

Diamond dives and fires a blast at the Bumble. He run in front of the open truck doors. Diamond dives at him. The Bumble moves the side. Diamond flies into the truck. The Bumble shuts the door and puts a big pad lock on it.

Meanwhile, Miles unties the string of lights from Rudolph. Rudolph says, “Thanks!”

The Bumble is laughing by the door of the truck. Miles makes the lights into a lasso and lassos the Bumble. “Get em’ Rudolph.!” Shouts Miles.

“Got em!” says Rudolph.

The Bumble turns around and his eyes go wide as Rudolph rushes at him. The reindeer head butts him and sends him sailing into the sky. The figure of Bumble flies by the moon, the lights around him blinking cheerily.

“Now we just to rescue that delicious Sprite. Hey where Diamond go?” Miles look around for her.

Giggling is heard from inside the truck.

Miles rushes over and pulls on the padlock. “It’s locked!”

The scene changes to the inside of the truck where Diamond is sitting in a pile of Sprite bottles, holding in each hand. “Merry Christmas to me!”

Outside Rudolph hits the lock with his head and Miles karate kicks it.

“Don’t worry Sprite, we’ll save you!” shouts Miles.

Miles kicks the lock and skids backward, striking a cool Kung Fu pose.

The truck opens for a second and Diamond’s hand tosses a Sprite out.

The truck slams shut.

Miles catches the Sprite. “Show ‘em my motto!.”

The screen changes to the Sprite logo decorated with Christmas lights, against a snowy background.

Diamond is heard giggling again.

FADE OUT


Superbowl 2006 Ad

FADE IN


Diamond (a little Kara doll) is sitting on a film lot, sipping a Sprite. Miles Thirst (the Sprite mascot) sits down next to her carrying a film script.

“What’s that?” asks Diamond.

“This,” says Miles, “is the script for our Super Bowl commercial.”

“Super Bowl commercial?” Diamond quickly opens the script and starts to read. “Godzilla!”

The screen cuts to Godzilla stomping on a truck decorated with what looks like a 7-Up logo.

“Superboy! Darth Vader?”

A quick clip shows Darth Vader running at the camera slashing his light saber; behind him a huge space battle takes place.

“And, like, lots of explosions!”

The screen cuts a quick montage of huge explosions.

Diamond turns to Miles. “This is awesome!” she says.

Miles gets up and goes over to a man sitting in the director’s chair. “So Director, my man, when do we start?”

The director turns to look at him. “Actually I wanted to talk you about that. We’re getting someone else to play your part.”

“You're replacing me?” says Miles. “Who’s gonna take my place?”

“Him,” says the director. The camera cuts to Tom Wellington in a Superman outfit.

Tom smiles than looks down in confusion.

The camera pans down to Diamond clinging to his arm.

She smiles brightly and says, “Sorry Miles!”

“Well Diamond, we’re getting someone else to play your role too.”

She let’s go of Tom, looking shocked. “I’m Diamond! Who else can play Diamond?”

The camera pans over to the real Kara Reynolds in her white hero costume. “Hi there!”

Diamond (the doll) stands wide-eyed looking up at her.

The scene fades out and back into Tom, still dressed as Superman and Kara, holding Sprites, standing on a hill with the wind blowing their hair and capes dramatically.
Godzilla lays on the ground nearby.

A huge explosion goes off in the background.

Tom turns to the camera and says, “Show them my motto.”

The screen flashes to the Sprite logo, now rendered in shiny metallic gold letters with lens flare.

The motto “Obey Your Thirst” appears in flames below it.

The screen changes to back to the dramatic scene. Someone rolls away the backdrop, Kara and Tom walk off. Miles walks across the set wearing a Darth Vader helmet. “At least we got to be in commercial,” he says.

He walks over and sits on a bench next to Diamond (the doll), who is wearing the lower half of a Godzilla costume. She is drinking a Sprite.

“This thing is heavy,” she says. "And you couldn't see my face."

The camera pans back to reveal that she is sitting next to Kara, who is also drinking a Sprite. “Hey, I thought you were pretty good.”


FADE OUT



September 24th 2007 - Two new Commercials

((Version one))

FADE IN

Several men in suits sit around a boardroom table along with Miles Thirst (the Sprite mascot).

"Any luck finding Diamond?" asks the CEO.

Miles shakes his head. "I can't find her anywhere."

"Then we have no choice." says the CEO. "We've got to replace her. Bring in our first audition."

The scene changes to a man juggling chainsaws and a bottle of Sprite.

He catches a chainsaw and uses it cut the Sprite in half spraying the board members.

The scene changes to an middle-aged pudgy man in a Diamond costume. He is holding a Sprite and looking like he wishes someone would kill him. He takes a deep breath and says, "Tee hee," in a high pitched voice, immediately going back to his forlorn expression.

The scene changes again to a gorilla holding a Sprite. He shakes it fiercely, jumps up on the table in front of the CEO, and yanks the cap off, spraying the CEO.

Someone asks, "That's a guy in a gorilla suit, right?"

The gorilla chases the CEO around the room.

"No way! I got a real gorilla for you guys!" Miles exclaims.

Another scene change: Miles is ushering a girl in what looks like a cheap knock off of Diamond's costume. She's a very pretty blonde with large doe-like eyes.

"Okay, I got," says Miles. "This is Cubic Zirconium. She's great. Take it away girl."

Miles puts a Sprite in her hand and steps away.

Cubic holds the Sprite upside down.

In a bubbly voice she says, "I really love Spit!"

"Sprite!" says Miles.

"I really love Spite," say Cubic.

The board members look on in horror.

The scene goes black, showing the Sprite logo.

Miles steps in front of the logo, calling, "Diamond, Diamond! Girl's probably hanging out at the Sprite factory or something."

FADE OUT.


(Version two)

FADE IN

Several men in suits sit around a boardroom table along with Miles Thirst (the Sprite mascot).

"Any luck finding Diamond?" asks the CEO.

Miles shakes his head. "I can't find her anywhere."

"Then we have no choice." says the CEO. "We've got to replace her. Bring in our first audition."

Several guys in band t-shirts bring in a drum kit, guitars, and a mic stand.

Miles walks up in front of the instruments. "Gentlemen, I give you the Sprite Happy Fun Band." He steps away and the band walks out: four big burly guys with greasy hair. One has his face painted green, another half green-half yellow. Another has a lymon tattooed over his eye, and the drummer has 'Sprite' tattooed across his forehead.

They start to play loud, death metal. The singer thrashes around as he sing-shouts.

"SPRITE! Sprite rules! SPRITE! Sprite rules! Sprite's gonna kick Seven-Up's *beep*!" He jumps up on the table kicks the CEO's name plate. "Sprite is the best drink on the planet! So awesome, you can't handle it!" He lays down the table, arching backwards. "SPRITE! Every body loves it! SPRITE! Everybody does it! What's a limon? What's a lymon? I don't know!!"

He slides across the table on his knees as the band's playing becomes more and more frantic.

The bassist douses himself with Sprite.

The lead guitarist smashes his guitar.

The board members look on in horror.

The scene cuts to the outside of a tall office building as the drum kit suddenly comes flying out a window and smashes on the street below.

As the band finally stops, Miles stands up and says meekly, "That was great. We'll, um, let you know."


FADE OUT.

Originally posted by NPI Student Results

August 5th, 2005 - Steel

It'd taken some time to get the proper documents, but everything was finally in place. He had a suitable backround and a file with GIFT had suitably been counterfeited, falsified and forged with proper signatures.

Results stood in the bathroom of his lavish, Steel Canyon apartment and looked at the new face in the mirror. His once jet black hair had been dyed blonde and he now had a stylish looking goatee of the same color. Donning a white baseball cap, he smiled and spoke in a southern accent to the reflection in the mirror.

"Nice ta meetcha. Muh name's Gabe."

He chuckled and turned on his heels, swooping up his NPI application and made his way to the school.

=========================



August 16th, 2005 - Underground Cavern, 'Boomtown'

The wooden door to the cavern lay in a burning ruin behind her as she stepped in the dark stone passageway. The bleak damp tunnel now illuminated by the soft eerie green light of her fields. Before her the three women warriors ready their swords their eyes widening at the figure now advancing on them. Kara's eyes scanned their equiptment, katana's caltrops, tasers, inhibitor cuffs, and smirked.

"Why Hello Ladies " she purred teasingly "Expecting me?" her arms began to shimmer with her blueish white energy as she prepared.

Two of the Knives of Artemis mercenaries charged as the third yelled for back up as she alerted the rest of her sisters obviously deeper within the old cavern. The fight was short lived, the flashes of white hot light, the sound of metal slicing uselessly through the air were all those who rushed up the corridor to help their sisters could see, before the soft green glow began to grow in the tunnel before them.

================

Helena stared at the monitor in absolute disbelief, she and Sister Sestra had known each other for years. They had joined the Knives together, trained together to the point where they had become bitter rivals equal in skill. Both had competed for command of a sect, and for awhile they had even been lovers for awhile, unable to deny how similar they were. Now as she watched Sestra sect of huntress's was being taken apart piece by piece by this slip of a girl.

"Come on ..." She urged but knew it was becoming futile. She had tried to warn Sestra when Alpha and She had met. She grew angry as the thought that he had set her friend up crossed her mind. She looked over to him as he stood behind her watching over her shoulder. His expression was unreadable but she could see in his something about this disturbed him.

She turned her gaze back to the screen with a degree of concern filling her own eyes as she watched Sestra charge the girl in a final desperate act with her last three mercenaries....

"Come Sestra nail this arrogant little [censored]"

Alpha merely watched in silence.

====================

Kara whirled within her green englobement, her feet never touched the ground as she hovered the winds from the power she wielded kicking up soft dust beneath her feet as it tossed caltrops here and there. Twists and turns heralded her dance just above the ground as she moved through the forces in the cavern. Stars and swords cut through the air, only on occasion to breach her shields and strike but never penetrate her skin. With an almost choreographed beauty she performed her assault for the unwilling Knives. Group by group what was obviously a containment team preparing to strike at her from this cavern in Kings Row. Indigo had tipped her off about the team's movement from her informant her father's operation. Again, the informant's information has been correct.

She stopped with a twirl and fired a final blast into the chest of a young woman throwing her back against the wall, her sword clattering to the cave's floor.

"Sisters! To me! " a strong but wavering voice called out, the woman's voice sounded unsteady but still had much fight left in it. Kara settled to the floor and looked across the vast cavern. A large red haired woman was motioning the last three Knives to her side for a final rush. Caltrops were prepared and swords held at the ready. Kara slowly walked to the center of the room to face them. She narrowed her dispersion field, its green glow flickered about her as she met the gaze of her lead opponent.
Kara smiled this was almost done, this one would know who sent them. She was looking forward to the police interrogation. She smirked, No as much as she hated to do it, it may be practical this time for Tomoya to 'ask' This sister some questions.

Drawing herself up a bit on her toes she performed a gentle 'reverence' to the remaining Knives. Her gesture, a simple yet elegant ballet curtsy in which one foot is pointed before her in front as she leaned forward in her mock salute.

It had the desired effect....

=========

Sestra was still reeling her heart thundered in her chest. A degree of professional panic at the loss of her girls as well as the stung pride of her sisters falling so easily. The briefing she had gotten was way off, Diamond's field tests were NO longer to be considered at the 44th clearance equivalent. She knew they were watching, she had to go down with her team. They had failed....

No she thought I have failed them. Her eyes scanned the cavern as the target approached them. She rallied her three lieutenants to her side and had given them their final orders she would issue for this failed operation when she looked up to see the target standing across from them. Her panic and fear turned into white hot rage as the girl performed some kind of taunting curtsey. Almost beckoning them...

She hefted her blade and charged, the final bout of this operation was to begin.

======

Kara advanced as she deftly glided across the floor inches above the ground. She moved silently to them as they encircled her. Katana's arced through the air as Sestra dove and rolled to avoid the opening salvo from the girl as her three sister coverage keeping a set distance from her so as not to get hit by her wave of energy.

Kara nimbly avoided a series of slashing swords with a tour en l'air, a twisting turn while she leapt straight up in the air. Her blasts struck Sestra and Sestra only as she hung there and began to slowly drop down. The lead Knife found her self thrown backward as she heard her ribs shatter. She lay crumbled against the far wall as she watched Diamond drop amidst her remaining girls.

No!, she thought. " pull back! " she yelled weakly trying to stand.

In an instant the cavern turned a brilliant blue white, the concussive force even reached her tossing her back a bit. The noise was deafening but when the light faded only Kara was standing where there was once three Knives. Her breathing was rapid and her eyes seemed to dart searching for Sestra.

Sestra smirked she knew this power of the girl's. After such a blast she was vunerable, she had only seconds to strike. With lethal accuracy Sestra threw a star at the girls juggler, Alpha can get what he wants from an autopsy. She watched as her star sailed true at the exhausted girl.

She stared in disbelief as the star careened off of the flash of green that erupted around Kara a split second before the star found its mark. The pain from the series of blasts that struck her was unbelievable. She crumbled tot he ground feeling the fight slip from her body.

She heard the girl's approach and twisted painfully to look up at her.

She is no killer , Sestra thought. She means to take me in.

"Well Like that is that" Kara smiled "you came looking for me and here i am, and like you so don't seem happy to have found me" she keyed her school's comm hitting some kind of privacy feature.

"Onnechan?"

Sestra knew that word..sister. That had to be the policewoman from Japan. Well, its over, she mused. She looked up to the girl and smirked as she bit down on the tooth she had never thought she would ever have to use.

Kara blinked kneeling quickly to try in vain to help save the woman as her prisoner slipped into convulsions. It took only a few moments before Sestra fell limp beside of her. With a look of horror, Kara realized what had just happened and merely knelt there staring at the woman...

"oneechan" she whispered biting her bottom lip

=======

Helena merely watched the screen in silence, a soft tear threatened to trickled down her features. She felt it slide down as Alpha stood muttering a single word as he walked out.

She never turned to see him leave, she only repeated the word.

"damn"

July 3rd, 2008 - Talos

The cool chill of the bay breeze teased over her skin as it wafted around her silent form. Her ebony locks danced in its gentle caress as her soft brown eyes skimmed the dark waters of the bay. The stars still fought to twinkle above the still sleeping city in the late hours of the night, shimmering their pale light across the rippling dark of the bay. In her ear the soft hiss of her mostly silent comm was the only sound aside from the soft howl of the breeze to break the silence. Reports of police locations, ambulances on standby and the like intermittently interrupted the soothing hiss. All around her Talos lay sleeping as she stood beneath the stone shadow of its namesake.

This was and had always been her haven, a place to think, reflect or merely to hide from the stress of her 'family'. Only a select few knew she came here over the years, even fewer knew why. For one reason or another she had always felt safe here in the mighty shadow of the stone giant. The platform she stood on, on its very edge resembled a diamond from the air. Upon reflection that had always amused her the first night she had found this place...yet that alone was not the reason. She had long ago decided exactly why this place was so important to her...

"Because I am an idiot" The Valiant Dazzling Diamond breathed her own answer aloud softly, all around her the gentle waves lapped at the stone foundation. She could hear the far off sounds of garbage trucks and the occasional truck horn. Part of the city never slept, it was some of the reason why she was still awake. She could even hear him approach, his cape flapping in the same early morning breeze off of the bay that teased through her long hair. His boots scuffing the sea worn cement as he landed trying not to disturb her.

"Kar?" he asked quietly approaching the raised step she was on but not quite stepping onto it.

She smiled a little, if there was one thing about Bill, he was overly respectful at times. "You found me"

He shook his head following her gaze out to the bay "Yeah you don't make it easy at times"

She smirked at that "Wanting to be alone negates making one being found like easier Bill"

He turned to look at her "So I'm disturbing..."

"You're fine" She offered a slight but warm smile.

The Hero known as Guardian Star quirked a brow "Are you?"

Her smirk continued "Why William, I am always fine"

"Fine? Just fine? " he shrugged a little "That never used to be your answer. You know, back when we were back in high school"

She let out a long breath "We so are not in high school anymore"

"Point" He countered evenly "but that is a 'Kara-dodge', you know what I meant"

"I'm like dealing with a lot right now William" She said "Kyle has been killed, some sick twisted ex fiance of Miya's is wiping out everyone in Luci's life, the girls were just moved out of the line of fire but because I am so close to Luci that may just keep them targets"

Bill nodded, his eyes returning to the bay as he listened to her go on.

"Red is bottling up an extremely powerful fire goddess inside of her own body that she may or may not have defeated, Ivers is still recovering from her attack, Kimi and Dani are so still trying to recover her son stolen by the Council. Tobias is fighting a major corporation to try and get his memories back of who he once was. Izzy and Mae are playing round robin with craziness, Arraz is a tortured mess, oh and lets so not forget Izzy's clone"

Bill winced at the clone, since it was he who discovered it "Yeah...I.." he stammered a bit "Well that was sorta new and unexpected for me..."

Interrupting she continued "We have a meta serial killer on the loose along with dealing with Miya's ex that may have killed Ms. Fury too, not to mention having almost killed Ivers....and MAGI now telling me Raven is trapped in another dimension and is in desperate need for help....all of this hitting at once"

Bill sighed as he tried to keep all of the names straight. "Yeah but Kar..." he tried softly "You need..."

"What? So I do what I've always done, I take care of what I can, help where I can and look after my 'fam' as much as I can" she interrupted again.

Bill shook his head "You know, I think Luci is right kiddo...you need a break. Go out and have a good time or something....maybe I dunno try dating, being social I mean jeesh Kar"

Her eyes returned out to the bay, a gentle flinch flickered over her features. "I'm fine William"

Noting her reaction he sighed "Sit, Kar tell me that you still aren't pining after this guy are you?"

She let a dry chuckle slip from her lips at his 'pining' comment and she shook her head "You so totally don't understand Bill...let /that/ go, please" it occurred to her however how just much she hadn't discussed with him now.

Bill shook his head "No! I mean it Kar, come on, what it's been what? Two years now?...you have to come to grips with this I think" he pressed more "I mean you haven't heard from him in two years"

She sighed a long breath, the chill of the breeze caused a slight shiver with her fields down. "Three months"

He blinked and looked directly at her now "What?"

"It's been two months and don't worry William, I was dumped I think" she said softly in a tight voice. Her eyes never leaving the water. "Maybe it's best described as 'let go' so I'm not hurt" She shrugged "I dunno"

"What...wait I thought you two were already broken up or something.." He asked, really confused now. "I mean that is the general gist of this topic I get from the others. I'm still basically clueless, for some reason its like a toxic discussion from them. It gets awkward whenever your personal life gets brought up"

"I so don't talk about it" she shrugged "I listen better I guess..."

"Okay so how does one go about getting dumped two years after being dumped?" Bill asked lightly in an attempt to at least get her to smile.

She smirked "One doesn't, if it didn't happened like that..." She sighed, her voice tight then she looked back at him over her shoulder "You so aren't gonna let this go are you??"

"Nope" He said with a slight grin "Even if you need to just be general, let's have it Kar. I need to understand this if I am to help any."

"All right..general eh? " Her eyes returned to the dark waters as she began "We met at a really bad time for me, when I first came to NPI and it was wonderful for the most part. I was in a lot of pain and this person always had a way of making me feel special without ever making a demand from me. I felt safe instantly around them, it was just a bond I guess....special for me. " she sighed once more "We were even engaged to be married...though more than a few doubted it would happen"

"Why?" He asked somewhat surprised at this revelation. He pulled his comm out of his ear so he could give his friend all of the attention she needed, he let it hand down along his neck as he listened to her.

She shrugged "Age, wisdom perhaps. " she sighed "We were young and stupid I guess...as I keep telling you William I am an /idiot/ when it comes to things like this, you just don't seem to want to see this"

"So what happened then" He asked his tone softening a bit, curiosity about his friend now taking over.

"We drifted apart, for various reasons, it was no one's fault really. " she sighed her voice tightening a little " we separated, we both agreed to it. I guess before we started to hate one another or even get mad..I dunno. " she closed her eyes "I guess I tried to do then, what you and Luci and a few others are suggesting I do now. To meet others and to 'date' .." She drew a breath "To be all social like, More than a few it seems were interested...some, It felt were just waiting to see us apart. Well for a few months I sorta just floated around. I saw some people here and there was asked out to dinners and such...but none of it ever felt the same...in most cases it felt like I was almost being won like a trophy. Not all mind you, save for one or two, well like one in particular... " She almost whispered the next "At least two or three have become closer to me then any...just..."

Bill frowned a little at that. "No names eh? Well I guess I did ask for this to be general"

Ignoring his comment she pressed on "Oh then my biggest screw up ever...my greatest regret.." She added darkly "You see within this time frame this person came back to us, and things started to feel right for me again...but right out of the blue I was asked a question during a game of truth or dare....a question I utterly froze on...not wanting to hurt this person by being selfish I froze and before I could answer the game ended..."

"What was the question?" he frowned a little more.

"Would I, if I was able...go back and start again" she swallowed tightly "I wanted to stand up and scream 'Yes' so loudly the pillars of Heaven would shake...but I remembered why we had separated and I wasn't really sure how serious of a question it was...you see the question had come from my ex...and I totally froze..." She closed her eyes "It was the most regrettable mistake I ever made. Especially in light of what happened next.."

"Kar...one moment..one screw up...isn't enough to...." Bill tried softly then blinked "What happened next?"

"You see, I wasn't aware of it at the time, but despite having told a few friends why I was stuck in a social rut...the reason why I was having trouble committing to dating anyone regularly was the basic fact I was still very much in love...However, the going rumors that my Ex kept hearing was I had been dating and was happy and had moved on, so that is exactly what my Ex thought I wanted. A few even told this person directly to get out of my life and let me be happy...." she clenched her fists tightly "All without my knowledge Bill....I didn't know"

"[censored]" he muttered "That had to be rough...so the guy began to date too?"

"Something like that" She sighed shivering in the breeze "One of those friends who I had confided in about I how I still felt was the one my Ex began to date...I wasn't prepared for it. They had become close friends but I thought I had been the only one really to stay in touch with my Ex during their hospital stay...upon returning to Paragon...my Ex and my friend began to date despite what my friend knew..." She sighed painfully "To make a long story short..I stayed away...I stayed a friend..no matter how hard it was. Somewhere in this mess we started to grow close again....or so I thought. I guess in time they stopped seeing each other..." she trailed off "I never asked...."

"And this friend of yours?" Bill asked gently

"No longer friends..." she closed her eyes once more tightly "I couldn't trust her again....she knew and I got hurt badly...in all fairness she wanted to heal the rift..all I could offer was a total clean slate...but nothing ever came of it"

"and your Ex?" Bill asked then.

"We stayed really close all the way up through the holidays, spending them togeth " she sighed "I guess I had hopes still...our last real time togeth before their next trip to the hospital was really very special to me...the Christmas before last."

Bill nodded

"After that it was a few trips down there to New York that I could manage, what with getting someone to watch Phil and well dealing with stuff for the Templars..." She paused then added "Later with the Rikti and like everything hitting here and...well the whole World Invasion thing" she sighed "After they left the hospital I got a message here or there...the last one telling me though, They miss me and wish to see my smile again....I was not to wait...I was to move on I guess" she shook her head again

"The hospital ....it is your ex you are doing all of that work for Jenny Firkins?"

She nodded "Yep"

Bill sighed and slowly shook his head "I didn't know....well I didn't know a lot it seems" He looked at her "So then..What are you going to do?"

"...Go home now" She almost whispered, it seemed.

"What?" a look of surprise washed over his face, "You are leaving Paragon? You can't be seri..."

She turned and walked over not really looking at him "Go home William, don't keep Patti waiting"

"Wait..I thought..What I meant was" he began as a call was repeated over their PPD frequency, He could barely hear it as it broadcast out of the little ear piece on his dangling comm.

A call he had missed just a moment ago it seemed. He quickly struggled to replace his comm and heard...

" ..at 30.........Repeat : All units in the vincinity of Peregrine East Docks...Malta unit hold up in Drucker's Warehouse, Pier 3...Meta support request...Malta strength estimated at 30"

"PPD This is Diamond, Meta Support enroute, Hero in charge upon arrival" She said to the comm before turning her eyes up to meet his gaze "I've got this" she added softly "Go home."

"Kar..."

"PPD acknowledges Diamond, ...All units, all Units Pier 3 vicinity, Meta Support enroute your position"

She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek gently "Go home to her, you goof....I'm fine"

He smirked but nodded as she took flight and headed off, eventually disappearing into the night sky over the ferry heading towards the small island.

As he stood there he could hear the soft lapping of the gentle waves at the strong foundation of the statue of the fallen Hero. Before heading back home Bill listened intently to ensure PPD and Longbow had her covered as she went in to face the Malta and to see justice was served yet again. Satisfied, he took to the night sky and headed off home as the morning sun already threatened the dark of night with its orange hue on the horizon.

Below him a city began to awaken and he had someone waiting for him.

May 29th, 2008 - Skyway

THEN...

In the stillness of the night the dream had become a nightmare and the nightmare in turn reality.

Laughing

Always the haunting echo of laughter. A constant reminder of the depth of her failure, an echo of her shame and pain.

She awoke with a start and bolted upright barely stifling her scream. Her form taunt and rigid with fear, awaiting...

"No God damn it" she whispered harshly to herself, her body glistened wit sweat as if were a hot sticky summer night in Georgia instead of the chill of the mid winter evening of Rhode Island that lay in darkness outside of her dorm room. She instinctively brought her knees up to her chest, and wrapped her arms tightly around them in a vain attempt to keep from trembling.

Jesus she thought, not again, it had felt so real. They had been right here in the room with her, reaching for her, seeking her out...touching....

Damn that laughing, she thought as she pressed her hands to either side of her head to attempt to chase away the echo's still lingering.

She could still see their faces,their horrible hungry eyes, smell the stale alcohol on their breath....she shuddered

Damn them! She thought furiously, why can't I just forget!

Hugging her knees once more she began to rock back and forth in the dark, soft whimpers of fear and frustration slipped out of her. She felt all alone , so terribly alone and she knew her problems were just beginning now that they had learned the truth about her....

<CLICK>

She gasped as the room was brightly bathed in light and she felt something in the room move toward her.

My God!, she thought feeling herself near the brink of panic and hysteria. They've found me!

Her mind raced to seek escape but she found herself paralyzed with fear.

HELP!

She cringed as she snapped her eyes tightly shut. She could feel her bed sink as someone sat near her at it's edge. She began to weep louder as her fear overwhelmed her.

No More!

She could feel the revulsion and the loathing, knowing what would happen next twist in her gut. Her breathing grew rapid and it happened! She could feel a hand reach out and gingerly touch her forearm only to retreat quickly when the scream was ripped from Kara. Her eyes snapped open as she retreated higher , pressed back as much as she could to her headboard, trembling as her shoulder pressed tightly to the corner of the room where it met her bed.

"Oh God! Oh my God Kara are you okay" a frightened voice called to her "Kara please....you are dreaming!"

Kara's terrified mind struggled to give this person's face and soft voice a name. She dared to look eventually and the memory of this person began to push itself forward, past the dark shadows of fear that lay siege to her mind.

Mary, she thought Mary Lewis, yes that was it. Kara swallowed as she remembered. Mary was a good memory, a good trusting person. The last one to date who had not pulled away from her.

Had not called her a freak or a monster.

Yes there was nothing to fear from Mary.

The fear that covered Kara's features gave ground to a degree of recognition. Her breathing became less labored as she fought back new tears. However no matter how hard she fought, she could not help the shaking.

The memory of Mary acted as a solid foundation, one to build one to climb out of her fear. She began to remember where she was. She was still in her dorm room on the campus of Paragon City University. Mary was her room mate.

She was also the only friend Kara had left, since that horrible day that the Rikti had come. The day she was forced to use her powers, powers she didn't know she possessed herself.

The day it was seen on the news, the day her friends withdrew from her following the defeat of the Rikti. The day she began to lose her family.

Everyone but Mary. The friendship between the two girls had proven to be as strong and close as it was odd. Both girls were complete opposites. Where Kara was out going and bubbly, Mary was slightly introverted and shied away from people. Slightly overweight due to her build added to her shyness and she was someone who not many people liked or even took the time to get to know.

Kara smiled a little as she reflected on Mary's attitude about this "What I ain't got in looks I make up in personality"

Kara and Mary had been friends, sharing a common interest in Math, Kara possessing an almost natural aptitude for it and Mary holding it as a hobby second only to her choice of major, computer programming.

Mary had steadfastly refused to give up her friendship to Kara at first despite, her roommate turning out to be a latent mutant. She was in fact the only one who would room with her since that day in the student center when Kara's abilities emerged. It was going to be hard after next semester, Mary was about to graduate, leaving her friend without a roommate. Mary had heard of other people with powers on Campus, but no real organization had formed just yet. Mary was worried about what would happen to Kara once she left school.

Kara looked to her friend unsure of how to explain what had happened to her. "My God Mary" cried and began to softly weep once more. Mary frowned with concern and leaned forward to pull her frightened friend closer to embrace her into a hug. She was surprised to feel what she interpreted as reluctance before Kara melted into her embrace and let go of the breath of tears she had back.

"Kara what's ...." Began Mary as she began to softly rock her friend.

"Nothing..." Kara lied, when she finally got her voice back, slowly she began to calm herself. She used Mary as an anchor, despite the utter revulsion she was feeling from the Mare touch offered by Mary. Hatred of being confined again struggled deeply inside of her with the terrible need for comfort now. An impossible war now raged inside of her heart as her voice trembles slight as she spoke. "It ..it was just a nightmare.."

"God" Mary said " That had to be a whopper kiddo"

"Lord Mar" She swallowed tightly "It seemed so...so .."

"I know Kar" Mary interrupted her as she almost maternally stroked her long black hair now as she held her tightly "Yes...god They can seem so real" She sighed with worry and deep concern as she felt her friend fall deeper into her hug. She held Kara tightly as if she were holding her from falling off of a tall building.

For a long time after that exchange Mary continued to hold and rock her friend. She listened as Kara's breathing began to slow and her body began to relax, the tears began to dry and her trembling began to subside. She pulled back at bit and searched for her friend's eyes, looking deep into the doe eyed wide, fear entrenched look. She found herself shivering as she though, Good God Kara, what has you so terrified.

Feebly Mary found herself ask "Are you going to be all right?"

Kara couldn't answer as her mind screamed, Am I going to be all right?

No, never again.

Yet despite this she offered her friend a simple smile "I'll be fine" she lied. "it was just a nightmare.." She forced a chuckle "It just got to me...really I'm..fine"

Kara faked a smile and immediately regretted it. Like her childhood friends Bill and Melissa, Mary was always able to spot it. And just worry more.

Kara sighed, Just like Lissa.

"Still try to get some sleep Okay Kar?" said Mary as she stood up holding her friend's hand as Kara lay back down. She then helped her friend readjust the blankets around her, tucking her in.

"Okay I will try, good night Mae" Kara replied softly, barely concealing the fear that remained inside of her. "Ill try..." She then added as Mar moved back toward her own bed. "and Mar?"

Mary turned and quirked a brow "Mmm?"

"Thank you" she softly choked out.

"Anytime Kiddo" Mary said unable to keep the worry out of her voice. "if you ever need to talk about..." She paused before continuing softer "the nightmare ..or Anything...ever"

Kara smiled as she could feel sleep begin to creep up on her. "I know thanks Mar"

As Kara watched Mar put herself back to bed yet did not slip back under the covers. She remained sitting up with just her reading lamp on, angled away from her roommate. Mary opened a book and placed her horned rimmed glasses on her nose. She silently began to read.

Kara watched her, smiling a little. The way Mary was reading...her Posture, reminded Kara of her mother. How she would sit up beside Kara when she was just a little girl. With Mary on vigil tonight Kara felt safe enough for sleep to eventually catch up to her.

The dreams did not come again that night...

NOW...

...but They did come back, Kara thought as she stood in the warm night's breeze high atop the police precinct. The breeze danced through her hair as she stood on the building's edge just beyond the helipad as she thought back to that night more than four years ago now.

She remembered how Mary had found her that pamphlet that had led her to the New Porter Institute after she had left. Kara sighed sadly, Everything she had become since, a hero, a mother, a teacher, was because of who she became at NPI. She stood in the night air and looked out over the city she helped protect, as she clutched a folded copy of a newspaper in her hand.

She smiled to herself as she still remembered Mary's smile.

"Kar?"

She jumped a little inside as Bill approached her slowly. Old scars never fully heal it would seem.

"You all right? " he asked softly stepping up next to her, his own cape now danced and floated in the breeze as he cast a sidelong glance her way "You took off after Nancy loaned you her copy of the Tribune"

Kara swallowed and nodded slowly. Her eyes never leaving the brightly light city skyline.

"Well what happened...what was in it?" He turned to face her. "Come on, Share partner" He stopped short as he saw the tears softly running down her cheeks

She reached out not looking at him, handing him the news paper. He accepted and looked down at the folded section, and read...

Pregnant Teacher Collapses at High School in Dover, Dies


Graduates at a North Jersey high school took time to remember a pregnant teacher who collapsed at school and died just hours before the ceremony.

Dover High School in Morris County held a moment of silence in memory of 27-year-old Mary Lewis- Roberts at the beginning of its graduation ceremony Thursday night.

Lewis-Roberts was an Computer Science teacher who spent part of her career helping struggling students. She was 8½ months pregnant.

But the popular teacher collapsed just as final exams ended, and she died later at a hospital. Her unborn baby was able to be saved. Currently 'Mary' as she was named by her father to honor his late wife has been removed from an incubator and is expected to return home with her father this week.

Superintendent Sam Harris says Lewis- Roberts had a possible aneurysm and a ruptured spleen. She is survived also by her husband Paul and a daughter Elizabeth who just turned two.

Bill frowned as he read it, aside from the New Jersey reference, He didn't make the connection. Both he and Kara had grown up in South Jersey. The hero known as Guardian Star turned to his friend, trying to understand her tears.

"Did you know her Kara?" He asked "Who was she?"

Kara swallowed hard as a fresh tear swept down her cheek

"She was a hero Bill" the Valiant Dazzling Diamond announced "She was the very type we fight for every night" She then turned to meet his gaze "And she was my friend" she reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder to squeeze it softly "Just like you"

Bill blinked and smiled at her as she then strode past him and took to the night sky heading off towards the direction of New Overbrook. He watched her head home for a bit then looked back down at the paper in his hand.

"Mary Lewis- Roberts" Bill shook his head "I have no idea who you are lady, but you definitely made some kind of an impression" He then turned and made as if to toss the paper away. He stopped himself, looking back down at it he read the story one more time.

Before long, the sirens and calls would sweep him away, back into the grind of protecting the city. Yet tonight he does so with the name of a woman he has never met in the back of his mind. The last thing Kara had said to him foremost in his mind.

"She was a hero Bill, She was the very type we fight for every night"

"And she was my friend, Just like you"

To Serve and to Protect, tonight it held that much more meaning for him as he moved through the city streets...

Originally posted by NPI Student Hayaka

August 5th, 2005 - Steel Canyon

Hayaka floated down and landed lightly next to the large fountain. She sat down on the fountain's edge and removed her shoes and socks, setting them aside. She then rolled up her pants as far as they would go and stuck her feet deep into the cold water, smiling as the refreshing water rushed over her feet.

She wasn't entirely oblivious to the Malta agent that had taken up a quick position on the building across the street, sure she didn't know he was there. But that was the most likely spot they'd picked for him. Now it was just a waiting game to see what he'd do.

Hayaka kicked her feet through the water causing small waves, and getting the base of the statue in the center of the fountain wet. She stopped for a moment and stood up in the fountain and looked around before making her way to the central island where the statue stood. She looked up at the hulking form, not recognizing who it was and sat down on the island, leaning against his leg, legs still in the water. She rested leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

*****

"Tango Recon to ops. Rabbit's in a watering hole." The agent said into his mic. "Maintaining observation."

He looked through long scope of his rifle, hands resting casually on top of it. He chuckled a bit to himself.

If, only all my assignments were this easy. He leaned into the scope a little further seeing her lay back against the statue's legs. Easy, and gentle on the eyes.

Suddenly she opened her eyes and seemed to look directly at him. Staring directly into the scope right back at him. His breath caught a moment before he found himself chuckling again. There was no way she could see him from that far away.

"Nice try Rabbit, you almost had me fooled." He said aloud and then froze.

She had just made a gun out of her hand and pointed it directly at him, and dropped her thumb. Though really, it was the hard metal object resting against the back of his skull that he was worried about right now.

******

Tomoya had been hiding cloaked beneath the ventilation duct as planned. If Hayaka was being followed this would have been the most likely spot to setup an observation post.

It hadn't taken long, shortly after Haya-chan had entered the fountain, the agent had appeared on the roof. It took him mere moments to setup his rifle and begin his lookout, showing that he obviously had good practice in it.

But, either he wasn't good enough, or he wasn't taking his job seriously, because he didn't hear Tomo sneak up behind him and place the Muzzle of her rifle right up against his skull.

"Move hand from gun!" She ordered, which he was quick to obey, holding his hands out directly to either side. "Up!" She brought the tip of the gun up to press the soft spot right at the top of his neck to enforce her order.

He slowly got to his feet, and was guided away from the buildings edge by the rifle point, as Tomoya walked into the cover of the ventilation equipment. She then ordered him on his knees and bound his hands behind him using flexcuffs. Another set of flexcuffs bound his feet together, a blindfold and gag later, she took the time to search him with assistance from a built in scanner on her PDA.

She keyed her sub vocal mic, telling Hayaka to vacate. She then called Kara. "Neechan, have gift for you. Think maybe it like to talk."

******

Alpha smirked and lit another cigarette as the report came in about the Recon Team's capture.

"How predictable. Thank you ladies."

==================

Originally posted by Me

August 9th, 2005 - Brickstown

Her heels clicked in loud metallic echoes as she walked over the debris scattered along the cat walk. Fires generated the block fog like smoke that swirled and hung in the air like a dense fog. Around her bodies moaned and shifted where they had been tossed when their base had been hit.

She had gotten this bases' or bunker's location from the 'gift ' given to her by Tomoya and Hayaka. She smiled a bit as she leaned on the rail of the creaking catwalk to survey what was now left of the Malta control room for this former base of operations. She smirked a bit remembering how she had been unsuccessful in getting the agent to talk until her Oneechan had 'leaned' on him as she called it. Kara had been uncomfortable with the harsher methods of her sister but they had eventually yielded the location of a planning center for this yet unnamed operation. There was a second sight that needed to be scouted, that was where her sister went tonight while She and Robbie Yorke a friend of hers came here....to catch them off guard and get more answers.

They hadn't been unprepared...far from it. This was or had been a set up. She and the little orange skinned alien woman had to literally blow the place apart in order to just get out in one piece. Her fields and Robbie's harmonic energy blasts kept the Malta platoon at bay and finally toppled them after and hour of fighting.

She was exhausted. Night after night of this, she sighed walking down the steps to head over to where Robbie was still giving their report to the police slowly. She ached and all of the constant never ending raids were wearing thin on her.

All she wanted to do was go home and curl up to sleep.

Mustering up enough energy to smile she helped Robbie wrap up with the Police and thanked her other worldly friend for her help. walking back into the dark early morning air of Kings Row she keyed her comm.

"Oneechan, this was another straight up fight no files or leads this time." she sighed wearily "What have you got at the other site?"

===============

"Well that is yet another bunch of your boys" Snapped Helena as she watched the police sever the power and the distant bunkers feeds go dark.

In the shadows behind her Alpha smirked "not my boys"

She turned "Surely you can't be serious...this is costing you men"

He shook his head "Not costing me a thing....and besides in the long run, once we have the little darlin' it will pay off"

He turned to walk off stopping at the security room's door, over his shoulder he added "Johnson?"

"Yes sir?" His Tac Officer responded looking up from his console.

"Continue with current ops, make sure she sees the next set of targets" Half turning to Helena "Its tiring to stay on the offensive..."

She blinked then understood, a twisted smile gracing her features.

He winked "isn't it?" he turned and strode into the hall his voice floating back to her

"Soon...we begin"

August 1st, 2005 - Independance Port

Helena was enraged as she paced behind his chair, each step her every location though noted by reflex even as he listened to his Operation Engineer give his report.

"How many Last night?" Helena Snapped

"No less than 7 locations, the casualties of arrest dead and wounded are literally in the hundreds" Warner reported his Germanic accent barely noticeable. "The teams with her varied but the results undeniable"

"My God even an entire company of Knives not even involved in our operations , Sister Hectate will be all over us for that one"

Alpha merely smirked, he cared little for that call. "Go on Warner..what else...i can tell you wish to add"

Warner cleared his throat "She....um..never took off her inhibitor."

Helena frowned at that "So?"

Dr. Reynolds who had been listening also seemed lost at that added fact

Alpha sighed, fool he thought as he stood "It means she still isn't hitting us at full strength yet"

"Jesus Alpha" Helena sneered "Crey is outraged, they are demanding an audit of our work and..."

"Dismiss them" he interrupted "Warner get this Intel out to all ambush teams least they share Echo, Silhouette and Amber's fates....tell them to reinitiate..."

A Crey research assistant cracked the door to the briefing room causing him to turn "What is it?"

"Phone call for Dr. Reynolds" she said evenly

"Go ahead Doc....you aren't need for this Ill have Connie brief you later on it" He dismissed the Doctor with a nod of his head. Waiting for him to leave.

After he had left the room "Tell the teams on rabbit to begin phase two and all primary to begin operation : Flush once more. Get the 'beaters ' moving on her. So far she is following the path we have laid out for her"

Helena raised a brow "She is?"

Alpha merely nodded as he lit his cigarette

She sighed "Fine ill delay the Crey and the Knives....but you better be right Alpha!" she stormed out

He smirked taking his gaze away from the door only when Warner spoke

"What of this Results character?" Warner voice was tense he remembered how Alpha and his aide had been 'attacked'

"He is good...i was impressed by what he tried to do to me" Alpha shrugged picking up his Hat "Rhuby has always been expendable ...if he succeeds we still get the Reynolds girl...if he fails then the girls get him and we continue"

"still though his idea has many merits" Warner added following him out of the office.

"Yup...the boy is a pro after all." Alpha smirked.

===========================

In his darkened office an exhausted Dr. Reynolds dropped into his chair and answered the blinking extension line of his phone.

"Doctor Reynolds...hmmm yes?" He blinked then smiled hearing the waspish voice of his daughter's mother. Her views on the disease inflicting his daughter was well known.

"Maureen?"

May 22nd, 2008 - Steel Canyon


“What did you so just say?”

Kara sat there stunned looking across the coffee table at her friend.

“I said, have you two ever slept together…even before I was in the picture?” Patti's voice was even as she repeated her question, yet it could not contain the slight quiver beneath the veil of calm.

Kara carefully set her teacup on the table and frowned softly "You mean in High School? "

Patti set her cup down as well, sitting back and merely waiting for an answer. Her eyes followed Kara's as she stood.

“You like know that we have not. I’m so sure he has told you himself countless times,” Kara said as she walked toward the door to leave, her back stiff.

“Don’t act so offended. I only asked because something has changed within him and I needed to know for certain that it wasn’t my worst fear,” her friend said as she sat down deep into the recliner.

Kara paused and turned “What has changed?” her frown increased as she took a step back to the couch.

Patti looked at Kara for a long moment before continuing.

“Ever since he’s come back from that series of patrols with you during the last Rikti invasion well, he’s been distant. He’s been less careful of certain things.”

Kara walked over to Patti and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“What is it, Patti?” she asked softly, concerned now for both of her friends "What has happened?"

“When Bill and I are....." she paused and drew a breath "...you know when we are... intimate... he always treats my body like glass. A precious relic, he goes out of his way to make me feel special…his energy or radiation...like yours can make him stronger...but after the last invasion... when he came back from those fights he forgot himself.”

Kara closed her eyes and sighed “He hurt you.”

“Not on purpose but I have a pretty bad bruise, right here,” she said as she lifted her shirtsleeve to show the purple discoloration of a nasty bruise. Kara winced, it was not a twisting bruise nor a mark from a vicious impact.

“He was bracing himself against my arm and he held a little too tight. I was whimpering a little when he finally snapped out of whatever fantasy he was in…He felt awful about losing control. He never did before.” Patti was watching Kara again
.
Kara’s own eyes strayed to the floor.

“Nothing happened between us Patti. I totally swear it. You know how much I value integrity. My word is everything.” her voice was soft yet firm.

“So, why can’t you look at me?”

Kara turned up to face her that moment.

“We have not slept together…not in high school and so not now, but there was a moment in between battles you see when we almost…” Kara was trying very hard not to make this any more awkward for them both now.

“Oh, I see.” Patti said dryly.

Kara sighed and her frown returned “No, you don’t see." she shook her head "We had been fighting for almost two whole days straight, the Rikti were on the city streets somewhere at any given hour during that period. During the rare pauses, and so trust me on this, he never could get you out of his mind…it wasn’t until one night after an extremely rigorous battle in which he was trying to heal from his injuries I guess he …” Kara trailed off...

“Please, continue,” Patti said with her eyes focused on her own hands.

“Look I was checking the dressing on his chest wound when he pulled my hair behind my ears." Kara shuddered a bit at the memory, not caring if Patti saw her guard slip at the memory of a surprising or unwanted touch. Undaunted she continued "I looked up then and his lips were so very close to mine, but circumstances outside of our control stopped him from going further.”

“What do you mean?”

“At exactly that moment one of the Vanguard officers requested our help in the repelling of an attack in Steel and that was that.”

“Heroes always go where they’re needed,” Patti said with her patented brand of sarcasm.

“Look Patti you wanted to know and now you do." Kara then added with equal dryness. "Do you feel better now?”

“No. I feel like I’m second in line. He obviously wishes something had occurred. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have this bruise on my forearm.”

“Bill, loves you more than anything. He just forgot himself that night.” Kara softly added "He tried to apologize but I saw it in his eyes he was seeing you, he was just so exhausted Patti"

“I know he loves me. God, I know that, but I also know that Bill has a big heart and I would not put it beyond him that would be honestly in love with two people.”

Kara was about to protest the statement but she knew it was futile. Patti wouldn't understand, her and Bill were close but though he loved her, he was in love with Patti. Kara sighed deeply, the irony of this was also beyond Patti. Her friend had no clue why even if Bill was in love with Kara, she wouldn't be able to return it.

“I will totally never come between you two." Kara tried to explain "Please believe me I am not waiting to have Bill.”

“I know you are not seeing anyone and Bill is always cryptic about how and why you never seem to be with anyone " Patti sighed "Its hard Kara you two work so closely with one another..sharing something I can never share with him...I can't help think Kara you’re kidding yourself if you don’t realize that a part of you is waiting for Bill…the same way that he’s waiting for you.”

Kara sighed as she lightly fingered the small gold locket she always wore around her neck. She hadn't even told Bill this part, of the who and the why she couldn't be waiting to take Bill from Patti. She hadn't spoken to anyone outside of the Templars about this for the last year and a half. It was time, she thought Patti would understand for sure now. “Patti, I…”

“Look," Patti held up her hand as she interrupted her "I didn’t mean to have such an intimate discussion when I invited you over. These things have been bothering me for a while. I wanted to know the truth and I do trust your word.”

“Well, I’m glad for that at least…" She started again, but stopped. Patti would only see the truth as an offered excuse. This was Patti's issue to work out and Kara was a tad angry at the flare of jealousy her friend was exhibiting. "I really like think I should go.”

“Yeah, I really need to finish this report that I’ve been working on.”

“Good-bye, Patti.”

“Bye, Kara.”

The creaking door shut behind her was the only sound that filled the apartment as Patti sat staring at her hands now folded in her lap.

Originally posted by NPI Student Results

July 29th, 2005 - Abandoned Building, Garment District in King's Row

Results leaned back in his chair, reaching out with a single gloved hand for his cup of tea and took a drink, lightly setting it down. He then leaned forward onto the cold, aluminum table of this dark room and rested his chin in his hands, staring at the gunslinger across the table from him and speaking in a calm manner.

"So...let me get this straight. The Malta, the most highly advanced and organized military force on the planet, can't take down a single girl? A teacher, no less? And because of this fact, you want to hire me to take out and subdue her little girlfriend? This...Rhuby woman? Instead of getting one of your more than capable soldiers to do it for you?"

The gunslinger smirked and nodded, "That's correct."

A dry chuckle escaped Results' lips and again, he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. "Right..."

Alpha smiled and stood out of his chair. "Well, Mr. Results, despite our limitless assets, advanced technology and highly skilled soldiers, there is one thing we lack that you can provide."

Results quirked a brow over his dark shades. "And what might that be?"

Alpha said matter-of-factly "Subtlety. You've eliminated countless numbers of high ranking officials for a variety of clients, even going so far as working for the Countess herself. I know this thanks to your employer and leader of your organization, Mr. Consequences, who spoke very highly of your skills. He said you were one of the most highly paid individuals in all of The Professionals. And as per this information, I'm willing to offer you triple your going rate."

Results noticeably perked up. "Triple?"

Alpha nodded once. "Yes...triple. So Mr. Results...what do you think?"

Results chuckled softly and reached for his tea, finishing the cup. "What do I think? I think you're crazy for not doing this yourself. But you're willing to pay, and that works for me."

Alpha nodded and extended his hand with a smile. "Then we have a deal." Results took his hand and shook it firmly. Alpha stared him down, not releasing his hand. "I don't care how you do it...but get it done. And let's get one more thing straight...you cross us, and we'll burn you to the ground."

Results smirked "The feeling is mutual, Alpha." And with that, he retrieved his hand, gathered the documents sitting on the table and left.

Alpha crossed his arms as a voice spoke from the darkened corner. "Isn't this a little risky, sir?" said the Tac-Op as he stepped out of the corner, his cloak field dissipating. Alpha nodded. "Of course I do. If he does as he's supposed to, so much the better. If something goes wrong, he'll take the fall. It's as simple as that. Any word from Bravo team."

The Tac-Op shook his head. "No sir. Still haven't found the Reynolds girl."

"And the Rabbit?"

He shook his head once more. "No sir."

Alpha lowered his head. "I see...keep me informed. I'll be in Control."

The Tac-Op saluted. "Yes sir."

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

Outside the abandoned building, Results took his hand away from his ear and chuckled softly, pressing a small button on his belt as the feed coming from his ear went static and shut off. "Take the fall, eh? We'll see about that, Alpha..."

Pressing another button on his belt and engaging his Anti-Grav suit, he lifted off into the air. He had much to prepare...and these Malta paid good money.

Meanwhile, Alpha and the Tac-Op were wondering what the strange smell was.