The Mall Battle

§ Daytime. There is an all out dead run. Tearing the sidewalk with the soles of their sneakers. A panicked glance does not disturb their pace. To all, appearance would be two paranoid, panicked, even drug using teenagers. But unbeknownst to the public, there is a mild small ripple dissolve, as two hunters.. conveniently cloaked head towards the Teens. Pausing, looking up at a sign, The Mall. Phase nods to Locke, and she pauses, as if to catch her breath. Like she is unaware of the Hunters behind her. Phase does not stop his pace, melding, and slipping though walls as if they were mere air. Sliding though them, people, avoiding the confused crowds. Frantically, he searches for a pay phone.. somewhere, anywhere, panting, his throat raw and his legs like lead. Wide eyes, he smiles. Paydirt! carefully, he makes his way to the phone at the end of the line of shops, darting around the people, zigzagging through them. A hand phases thru the metal of the phone, his fingers wrapping around each coin. Taking them, ruthlessly, and slamming them into the phone. The dial tone pops up, while he taps his fingers swiftly on the key pad.. //comeon comeon.. comeonecomeon... \\ He hears a distinctive ring, though the reflection on the metal part of the phone, he sees a few people that 'conveniently' fall over, and the ripple. The distortion of the back ground. Someone picked up but he dropped the receiver. His hands trembling. His eyes wide.. § Oh SHIT! § Not sure if the person on the other end could hear then sound, he ran, bolted though the glass and more people, the resolve moving closer, and quicker. .. Locke, paused until the hunter resolve to a human, his head down, she blinked. She knew of this one.. She sputtered. she saw a slight grin, as he, with inhuman speed bolted towards her. Shrouded in illusion, she tensed further. She began again.. her legs seemed like they were moving though mud. She paused time a increment at a time, the act draining, while it got her only a few feet ahead.. she blinked back.. randomly pressing at a button on a small pendant. Her hands fumbling, and aching. Instead of vanishing the thing blinked bleeped.. slowly tracking.... A beacon for the Hunters to pick up on perfectly.. The Hunter simply grinned. ... Moving, darting though things.. /through/ things.. glancing back.. until the cloak was resolved too.. a tall blonde man. Strikingly handsome. Some other people startle, while a brush of a confidant smile warps over his lips. His hands fold over his chest, and he slows his pace.. to a walk. Phase slowed.. out of breath.. blinking back.. the man, standing out in the crowd. Though the rest of the population seemed to ignore him. They were all focusing on the strange boy, who was walking through things. Paralyzed, in that of a deer in headlights.. panting, hands resting on his knees, but still steadily backing away.. on to The Mall's escalator§

*Pole grins like some predatory animal, or at least he bares his teeth. The gleam in his eyes is chilling. Slowly, he pushes off the wall, arms lowering, never losing eye contact with his prey, the scared young man backing up onto the escalator. He seems to shift -something- from one hand to another, and with a deft flick of the wrist, subtle tap of fingers, a short bleep of light springs from nowhere. Net set to signature. Files relayed to Razorshred... locked on. Infra red, already engaged, enables a better target lock. Pole's eyes narrow with his broadening smile. Too easy. Stupid kid. The net is launched, a wave of motion and ripple of background, also cloaked, psionically so, thanks to the telepath. keyed to not miss, and it won't. It -can't-... Shred is showing the way, the psi-locks on the boy's mind far more reliable than anything previous. In a blink, its over. The boy appears to collapse, or have a seizure, struggling in the wrap of the invisible netting that shrinks even as he fights, heading up to the nest level. Pole arches a brow, and calls the successful hunt in*

(Blackdagger)
~*~ He slid, in and out of her time freezes. Like an inhuman thing.. well he was. She panics for a moment, and he shakes his head. Not bothering to say a word at first.. just approaching her. Locke seemed to give up the prospect of teleporting home.. as he approached, ever faster. Like a swift demon, a descending hawk. Striking violently at her, first with a small reserve of his power, using most of the frail rabbit he sucked dry to catch up to her. Moving.. lightning.. then grasping her. She turned, ripping her nails in a blind furry, at his face and cheek. The scratches, with this power healed over instantly. Freezing time again, and again, wearing herself down like a wind-up toy. Until she was just in a sickening embrace with Black. He tilted her head.. as she said.. she'd rather die than go with him. Too weak to fight on, she simply paused.. time, as she scrambled down.. a last effort. He shook his head sending his blonde locks flying.. as he unfroze. An eerie feeling at that. tapping on his link with WARPOLE.. just in case. Quickly removing his gloves, and pressing them on her skin. The soft traces of life draining to his finger tips. She gasped.. slowly turning to him. He shrugged, half -heartedly, as he slowly absorbed more.. and more of this sweet elixir. Her head rolling back, tears welling in her eyes. He blinked.. it couldn't have been that painful. Her eyes sunk in and her flesh dulled. Losing it's natural redness.. until, she was completely drained. A mere shell of herself. He sighed.. orders were to kill, and he followed them out to at. Moving his glove back on.. the illusion of a man, simply replacing driving gloves.. a shadow conveniently cast in their direction, thanks via Shred.. and he moved.. almost causally towards The Mall's doors. The glow barely hidden by the hologram. ~*~

(Jayne/Hehx)
she picks up the phone* Hello? *listening intently to the other side, not hearing anything besides a short span of heavy breathing and then a clang as it hit something* Hello? Hello! *she frowns deeply and looks over her shoulder to her friend Melanie* Hey Mel...something's up.

(Lyta)
*she walks slowly down the dirty street, her gaze to the pavement, a mixture of anger and grief in her heart as she approached the ally where Maggie used to live*

(Geoff)
*Asleep in the lair at the moment. Mouth wide open as he drools down the side of it. One foot up on the back of a couch. The other draping too the floor. The 9mm he always carries secured in the Han Solo type star wars holster at his side, something he'd picked up long ago after dragging Paul to one of those conventions.*

(Melanie)
*She walks over to Jayne, leaning her head against the other girl's trying to hear whatever it is going on the other end* I don't hear anything. What's up? *she grabs the phone away from Jayne* Hello? *she looks at the receiver and puts it to her ear again* I can hear SOMETHING. *she moves over to a panel of buttons and screens, tapping a few hear, adjusting a few there* I think that I can get this to work....*a look of concentration crossing her face*

(Pole)
*A glance around... a few were looking at the fallen man oddly. A snort from Pole and a connection to Shred... suddenly, the boy is hardly very interesting and very easy to overlook. Ah.. telepaths. The Guardian grins and makes his way up the escalator to the frantic, screaming RUNner* Shut up. Like anyone can hear ya. Dope. *and true enough, Shred was covering the sound, covering the sights. Pole connects again, kicking the boy off to the side of the escalator's path, he sets another connection to BLACK* ~~~You got yers? Mines in wraps. Ready for the port home, the lil baby.. *growls at the begging runner*~~~

(Yoshi)
*Yoshiaki slowly approaches the mall, his mind on his sister's request. she wanted some stuff from America- and he hadn't gotten around to getting her anything yet. maybe some of their CDs or something...and malls generally were the best place to look. she wouldn't be interested in anything a regular gift shop had to offer...* *he pauses just inside, glancing around- it taking him a bit to orientate himself and read the signs to figure out where to go.*

(Jayne)
*looking over Melanie's shoulder* Are you getting anything? Where'd the call come from? *watching Melanie intently*

(Mel)
*with a few more twists and turns, a smile breaks out on her face* Got it! *a look of confusion crosses her features* Wait a minute, this came in from the mall. Who would be calling us from there? *she looks into space, distracted, thinking* Did anyone say anything about mall time?

(Venin)
*with a sigh her she glances absently up at the clock over the mantle* Guess I should get going, told Alan I'd meet him there. *With a long languid stretch she slowly stands she turns and walks into the kitchen, grabbing her leather jacket off of the back of a chair on her way by.* Bt why he wants to meet there, I have no idea *shrugs* oh well *she does a minor adjustment to her wrist unit and vanishes, reappearing in an alley just beside the mall. She looks around, ensuring that her sudden appearance was unobserved before stepping boldly onto the main street. She glances around for a second before locating the main mall entrance, then turns and heads towards it.*

(Lyta)
*she glances over to the mall across the street as she turns down the narrow ally that Maggie lived in, wondering again how such extravagant stores can be in the same area as people who live on the streets, then she is hidden in the gloom between the buildings, she looks up in surprise as Venin appears right in front of her* hello?

(Alan)
*In the alley behind the mall, leaning against it, cigarette in one hand as the other covers the lighter to stop the wind from blowing out the flame. His usual black all weather trenchcoat covering the entirety of him so you can't notice the more..... Indiscreet weapons. Waiting for Yvette to arrive.. Yes, he'd started smoking again. Things just hadn't been the same back home. So, he felt it was warranted. He'd get down to business soon. He knew Yvette would wonder why they would meet so far from home. But this was where his latest deal was going down for one of the ''just uncovered weapons'' that the military had to offer. Taking a few puffs from the smoke and blowing the exhaust out into the wind.* Damn.... Where is that girl....*Looking at his watch.*

(Jayne)
*her features crinkle up in concentration* I don't...think so. *thinking harder* But the way that the phone was left off the hook.....I think we should ask a few people about it. What do you think Mel?

(Black)
EXIT ~*~ He sends a tendril of a thought,, more like a cheesy post card greeting from hallmark.. ~ Wish you were here ~ A small smirk as he told Exit about the events.. and the location.. ~ Now THAT'S Over lets go to We Be Knives.. You said you needed a new set of throwing ones.. so do I ~ His thoughts were interrupted by POLE he tilted his head up as he entered the collar interior of the Mall. -- POLE -- These children were a push over sir... mine is already.. dealt with, and being studied by the techies in The HQ for all I know.. I am locked on to your location sir.. heading up the east side of the mall, to the escalator... -- and his pressed his hands in the illusionary pockets, avoiding the crowd, and attention.. looking up again and staring at Pole.. continuing with his conversation with EXIT.. ~ As I was saying.. We Be Knives.. has a set on sale.. you owe me for the car thing.. ~ His hands sparking, drops of glimmer falling off his fingertips. ~*~

(Pole)
*Pole, monitoring transmissions, chuckles very softly at Black's greeting to Exit, the poor sap left back at HQ for unknown reasons. Pole shakes his head.. really. Like he'd get any better or.. -whatever-.. being cooped up in the HQ or where ever he was hanging his hat. With a nod to his transmission from BLACK, and a look of disgust at the weeping baby who was undoubtedly wetting his pants, (probably one of those "lavender" boys too), he connects* ~~~Gotcha. Good work, kid. This one is the bag, and ziplocked. Sealed and delivered~~~ *the transporter is enacted, and the body vanishes. Thank god.. no puddle on the floor* ~~~ Guess... take a few minutes, take a load off, get back soon to fill out the papers. In triplicate. And um... pick me up a bowie, will ya? Pay ya back... end trans~~~ *A grin.. he was in a good mood now, and it was meatloaf night back at the HQ... he swaggers his way into the upper level of The Mall..*

(Mel)
That's a good idea Jay. *picking up the phone again, and quickly dialing the Outcast's lair, hoping someone, anyone there would be able to answer a few questions*

(Exit)
*Smirking, trying his hardest not to laugh* I owe you for nothing. You deserved what you got. But..........your b-day is soon, so I'll be there soon.

(Jayne)
*waits impatiently for someone to pick up the phone at the Outcast's hold, tapping fingers on the desk*

(Yoshi)
*He starts moving in again, glancing around, hating the crowds. a man could be murdered ten feet away in this crowd, and you'd never notice...* *he moves towards the escalator, meaning to head up to the second level. maybe the crowds would be less up there..*

(Venin)
Lyta: *she utters a half growl under her breath as she realizes her arrival has been seen* Damn! Now I remember why I her face a vicious scowl* what you doin here? ----- ALan: *she see you leaning against a wall down the alley, and discreetly nods to you*

(Jayne)
Anyone answering Mel? *looking anxious* Maybe I should go on ahead? You can catch up with me later. I want to check out what could have happened at the mall.

(Mel)
Sounds good Jay. If no one answers soon, I'll be right behind you. I'll catch ya at the front entrance....ok? *she turns back to the phone, frowning*

(Alan)
*Seeing VENIN. As well as another person that has seemed to walk into it and not notice him. He nods back to her, still smoking his cancer stick. Leaning against the wall as he does so, though he shows no /real/ sign of intending to move from the spot. He'd heard a bit of hype while waiting for Venin at the front of the mall, probably some wrestler who came to town that all the groupies were drooling over. He didn't wanna be caught up in all that.*

(Shadow)
*bored she heads for the mall.. Might as well get in a little shopping before heading home.*

(Lyta)
Venin;... i live here... or did...i ...why? * already upset at coming back for a last visit to her old home, she frowns, her look challenging*

(Mel)
*she sets the phone down on the cradle* Hold up Jayne. I'm gonna go with you. I think it best if we stick together. *she heads out after Hehx, slamming her door behind her* I'm sure it's nothing too much. Maybe just someone didn't hang it up right or something...?

(Exit)
*making his way through the halls and out of HQ, seeing as how he didn't want more of a mess in his home, he prepares to teleport. In a blink, he is standing in front of the big hang-out Mall, not even looking around to see if any people saw his appearing act, he enters the main doors*

(Yoshi)
*peers in a store window- smiling. she'd love some of the dolls in this toy store..* hai...just the thing...*doesn't want to head in quite yet, though- there's some annoying brat screaming his head off. maybe once he leaves...*

(Jayne/Mel)
....*She and Melanie reach the mall, looking around it* There seems to be an awful lot of people around here today. I don't know if we're even gonna find which phone was used. *Both women head into the large complex, their eyes taking a bit of time to readjust to the change of light*

(Shadow)
*Walking up to the mall she sees Exit appear* Shit! *realizing he hadn't seen her she follows him discreetly.*

(Black)
EXIT/ POLE ~*~ He saluted Pole, slightly... more of a brushing of sweat off his upper brow. Then Turning looking at the We Be Knives store.. sighing.. he said that about the magic fingers mattress too.. and where was that 300 dollars. Shrugging, and wandering to the store.. calling the tendril back to EXIT. ~~ I had to walk 3 miles to get my car so I could go to training... You OWE me Asshole.. ~ He chuckled ~ That Or I would have driven a log to work ~ He sighed, not at all amused. He looked at the window of the sore, pausing there.. seeing the stuff Warpole wanted.. and the few other weapons he'd pick up ~ Exit, get your Hunter ass down here!~ *

(Mel)
*She enters behind Jayne, trying to pay attention to all the people at once. A natural optimist, she thinks of the best, just someone that thought they had hung it up after a wrong number. But maybe she should try the Lair one more time, just to be sure she didn't catch someone in the shower....*

(Pole)
*A swift look around from the upper level, leaning down over the railing. Idle now, but always ready, and doing what he's basically -programmed- to do, his infra red is still on, and he sweeps the mall below for any signatures, suddenly a bit bored. Always sucked, the adrenaline let down after a hunt. Mission accomplished, and easily enough. No real exertion even. A small sigh and makes himself comfortable, letting the scans go back to Shred for any IDs, tho he seriously doubts any would show...*

(Venin)
*she looks you over, deciding what to do.. Get rid of her quick.. chuckles to herself.. and continues on with her adopted persona* well scram kid *she pushes by you* some of us got business to attend to *She heads to Alan, not even bothering to look over her shoulder, hoping that the kid will build her own ideas on business and make a hasty departure*

(Exit)
*Entering he immediately gets the feel for the building. the symphony blaring to keep the teens out, the random talking from the population.* BLACK: Yeah, yeah, keep your tights on. I'm in the building. on my way. *throwing his arms behind his head he heads to meet his pard*

(Geoff)
*The phone only /barely/ wakes him up. Grouchy and stuff.* Lyeth pick up the fuckin phone!!! *Yelled as loud as he can. Wiping the drool away from the side of his mouth. Seeing that no ones taking action though. He picks up the receiver...* Gary Shandlings house of dildos.... Manager speaking, how can I help you today?

(Lyta)
*she wonders about some one who just appears like that and with a shock, looks down at her own bracelet* hey!...wait a minute....*then goes silent as she realizes you could be a hunter*

(Shadow)
*adjusting her sunglasses she follows EXIT. Keeping as many people between them as possible. Checking around for shadows as she goes.*

(Shadow)
*she continues to glance around her, trying to see around and over people* Now, think......*she looks up, trying to find a way up to a higher floor for a better advantage*

(Mel)
*she talks into the pay phone to GEOFF* Hello there? *frowning a bit* Ummm, this is Melanie, to whom am I speaking? *looking over her shoulder at Jayne, watching her 'prowl' the area*

(Jayne)
*She looks to find Mel, looking fairly startled to see her on a pay phone. She walks over to the younger lady* What ARE you doing? *a frown on her face*

(Mel)
*she covers the receiver with her hand, over exaggerating a whisper* I thought I would give it one more try! I got someone!

(Yoshi)
*gives up on the store. the brat just won't shut up.* hm....this place has to have more than one place like this...*muttered in Japanese* *He begins to move through the crowds again, grumbling to himself as he's rudely jostled every which way.* just like damned Tokyo...

(Geoff)
*Blinking his tired eyes for a moment.* Oh /HI/ Mel... This is Geoff. *Nodding and flaring his hands out to the sides as he talks, the phone crunched against his shoulder and head as though she could see him.*

(Venin)
Lyta: *as she walks away from you she growl under her breath* Damn kid! ---- Alan: *a mischievous glint enters her eyes as she approaches you, mouthing the words play along. She drapes an arm loosely over your shoulder, the other one still at her side leaning as if to kiss you with a loud disgruntled sigh she turns her head back to the kid.*

(Jayne)
*She leans impatiently against the wall* Well, FINALLY! *she looks around at the people, never letting her eyes wander from the crowd*

(Alan)
*Watching YVETTE as she closes to him. the mouthed words not missing his eyes. Though the cigarette is still in his hand as she ''embraces him with one arm. Getting a rather wry grin on his face when she turns back to the kid. Wrapping an arm around her midsection. He tosses the cigarette away with zest, then grabs the back of her hair with his other hand. Turning her quickly, though gently, back to him. Then kissing her lips... The chuckle can just be felt through their loose hug. She'd get him back for this, but if she wanted her deception to be genuine, it wouldn't be now. Releasing her, then looking over at LYTA.* Yeah, you still here?

(Lyta)
Venin; *silenced suddenly by her realization she backs away, her eyes wide, watching you and Alan, then bolts away, across the street, to the mall, hoping to hide herself in the crowds*

(Mel)
Oh, I'm so glad to finally have gotten ahold of someone there GEOFF! We got a call at the headquarters of the FLD. I was wondering if you knew of anyone that would be at the mall today that could have gotten into trouble, and would have had the mind to have called us?

(Geoff)
*He shifts to his butt a bit.* I think LOCKE and one of the others were going to the mall today. I heard them mention it to one of the others before my nap. Why? Did they get a warning through to you? Where are they. *Covering the phone and yelling.* Jakki! Lyeth!!! Where the hell is everyone.....?*Mumbled. He shrugs and uncovers the phone.*

(Exit)
*Strutting up behind Black, he gives him a hard slap on the back and a smile* What's shakin' soldier boy?

(Lyta)
*she pushes through the glass doors of the mall and into a large area full of milling people, then slows her pace to that of those around her*

(Mel)
*she leans forward excitedly* Jayne and I were at headquarters, GEOFF, and we received a really odd phone call. All it was was breathing and then a clang like it was on the booth and then people just milling around. Jayne and I both came here to investigate, and we were wondering if you wanted to come down to the mall too, so that you could help us check things out?

(Yoshi)
*continues to try to get through the crowd- muttering unkind things about a knot of teenagers who simply MUST stand in the middle of the crowd. When they grow up, they'll be able to get jobs as professional road blocks at this rate.*

(Shadow)
*cursing as she sees Black now too.. This was not a good day. Still she may be able to find out something. Looking around she doesn't see anyone and slips quietly into some shadows by the knife shop. Within easy listening of EXIT and BLACKDAGGER.*

(Jayne)
*she keeps looking around, venturing from the phones, looking up to the next levels, and at the people milling around there* Hurry up Mel! I have a bad feeling 'bout this.....

(Pole)
MEL:*a lazy stroll around the railing, a pause.. a small blink as his eyes catch a familiar heat pattern, or so he thinks. By the phones... he leans back in, staring hard, the information in his brain rifling thru files at blinding speed, trying to match.. match. The trans from BLACK interrupts him and his eyes flash over, now only one infra red, the other normal sight, to latch onto YOSHI. And they widen.. the image of the unnatural Nightflash gave Razorshred, who in turn, mentally imprinted it on all Hunters and Trackers. Shit... another Runner, here and now. He sends back to BLACK and EXIT* ~~~~High school my ass, blondie. That's the one we recently found. File name, Water Weird. Exit.. you need some action. Bring him in~~~ *he keeps connection, but turns back to MEL, studying her, sure he knows her from -somewhere-*

(Geoff)
*Thinking a bit.... what did Paul tell him about going to a fight with only yourself when there didn't seem to be too many to really help you? Wait... He said FIGHT DIRTY... Oh well.* Yeah, I'll be there in a few minutes. Meet you across on the second level near the service elevator. *That being out of the way of most eyes. He hangs up the phone and sets a few coordinates on his wrist... Then presses the button and disappears in a flash of white light.*

(Exit)
DAG: *shrugs* i got her number, but i haven't seen hide nor hair of the pretty lady since. *glancing at the attendant, he taps the glass slightly and nods. She shells out a set of knives and a short sword. Another nod and she takes them to the reg*

(Mel)
*she scowls at Jayne, trying to pay attention to her phone conversation with GEOFF, waving Jayne off* It'll be just a minute! Just hang on, Jayne!

(Shadow)
*mutters to herself* Won't see me either if I see you first...

(Venin)
*surprise and shock cross her face simultaneously, she didn't expect him to play along this much. however when she hears the kid bolt she breaks out in a fit giggles * Thanks Alan that was fun *her gaze continues to flicker with amusement as she watches you, contemplating revenge* looks like you just volunteered to clean out the stables this month *S* thanks.

(Alan)
*Looking at YVETTE shocked like... Then swats her butt as he heads towards the exit to the ally, and subsequently, the entrance to the mall.* It was /worth/ every shitty day of the job.....*Smiling, he wouldn't be the one without the last word in this.*

(Mel)
*she nods, and hangs up the phone a broad smile on her face* See, told ya. Geoff'll be here in just a few minutes and we're supposed to meet him upstairs, on the second level...come on! *tugging a bit on Jayne's sleeve*

(Lyta)
*she glances back over her shoulder, checking to make sure she was not being followed, then groans as the dizziness hit again, the buildup of poison bearable until she had to do something physical, like running to stir it into her bloodstream again, she pales noticeably and stops, leaning on a wall, trying to catch her breath*

(Jayne)
*she rolls her eyes and leads Mel from the phones to the stairs, taking two at a time, even with her small height, knowing that Mel could get lost in her own house*

(Venin)
*jumps and scowls at ALAN* make it two *she quickly catches up* so why'd you want to meet here?

(Mel)
*Jayne and her wait by the service elevator, Mel just smiling at the few people that passed by every once in awhile* I bet it was nothing. Just a drained battery or something. *smiling almost empty headedly*

(Geoff)
*Appearing next to the service elevator. He smiles as he looks about quickly.. No guards or anything for the mall. Wiggling his brows, he concentrates for a moment. His body looking as though it's surrounded by a thousand points of light. Then seeming to solidify into the shape of one of the big chested, 18 year old, beautiful girls that you can find at the mall most of the day. smiling as he masks his voice to a rather high pitch. The illusions for all intents and purposes perfect. Seeming to ''adjust'' his boobs.* I shoulda been a girl....

(Yoshi)
*has no clue anything is wrong- he's just given up on getting any further on the second floor and is making his way back to the escalator.*

(Lyta)
*she swallows, knowing she cannot just collapse here in public, and stumbles on a bit, looking for the doors that would give her an escape from the crowd, a bathroom, fire exit or back hall.. any would do now, she blinks as her vision becomes dim*

(Jayne)
*she stands up from the wall, looking GEOFF over with an arched brow* Well, hello there Geoffrina. *a small smile crossing her mouth*

(Alan)
*Smiling at VENIN, despite his newly found chores.* For this. *He flashes her a look beneath his jacket at a rather impressing looking rifle.* This it the newest weapon the military has been working on for crowd control. It goes off of energy. A ''stun'' gun of sorts, it fries the nervous system for about eight hours. Groovy little toy. I just /had/ to have it when my contact told me they had finally finished it. They were working on it when I was in. Saw some of the trials of the bigger version. Very chic.* Nodding.*