Thats the problem...I can't explain it..I don't see how its possible....my eyes tell me one thing, but my brain tells me another *....put yourself in my position.....would you believe it?....*She sighs and seems to almost slide to her feet* Who would I tell? besides that...who would believe me? *she moves over to the rack of weapons, her trained gaze wandering over each as she silently mulls over what you have told her* so these powers? what all do they entail? what are they?

*He smiles as she gets up.* I was in your shoes... At one time. I've not always had my powers. I was once a NAVY S.E.A.L. On the most secret team available. S.E.A.L. team 6. But, then my powers showed up, and from somewhere on high it was decided that I should be discharged. The G.U.A.R.D.s work no doubt.*He watches as she moves over to the weapons rack, wary eyes holding her.* The powers, I don't know what they are. Something the syrum either awakened inside us, or added. It had a different effect for everyone so i'm guessing it added a bit of code to our DNA. Something it found within us, and mutated it. I'm not really the person to ask. Just a soldier unfortunate enough to have this happen. M'not a scientist.

*..she feels his eyes warily follow her as she looks over the weapons....she know better than to touch someone elses weapons, but she can look..and look she does...after all she needs something, some sort of distraction while her mind roams..wandering its own path, seeking its own answers...perhaps, just maybe, here was an explanation for her...maybe* so everyone has different powers? or mutations?

*He nods.* Exactlly... Mine happen to be in the area of Pressure. There are others who can control or create fire, illusions, mind powers. You dream of it, somone's likely got it already. Some peoples powers are very subtle. So much so that they never even know they have them. Not everyone was gifted with a "Kick-Ass" power as another of our kind would put it.*Immediately thinking of Geoff.*

*she turns back to him* so how do you know the difference between someone who is just 'gifted' and one of yours?...*she wanders back over towards the couch* so if this is all chemical experimentation....are they still making more? or perhaps a more advanced breed?

*He thinks about her question for a moment.* The way we know is because there isn't anyone who has NO power. All of us have hightened senses. But each of us has a unique power that can't be explained by normal science or theories of evolution. Some of them are just VERY discreet. No, there are no more being made. When the GEMlabs had their complex problem, they lost the formula for making the syrum. Much to their chagrin I assure you. On top of that, it appears before they were through that they created a few. Hyper unnaturals. People of such strength in thier abilities that not even the strongest of our kind could beat without ALOT of help.

*She turns back towards the bag she had earlier dropped and bends down, to rumage through it...after a brief moment she pulls something from it..and turns back towards you..in her hand is nothing more than a small field mirror, the type used for signalling* And what happens when one of these beings are found?

*He shrugs.* Depends on who finds them... If it's someone like me. Nothing. We try to help the new ones out as much as possible... If it's the GUARD. Then you're captured. And they do whatever it is that they do. Try to make you work for them most likely. Some of us value our freedom though. We're just trying to survive here.*He watches her pull the sgnal mirror out of her bag. Raising an eyebrow slightly.* What ya gonna do with that?

*She looks down at the mirror in her hand for a long silent moment then back towards you* Do you believe in fate? or destiny? or any of a million other names you might give it? *she lets the mirror flip in her hand while she once more studies you..then she sighs and glances back at the mirror* I never used to, but the longer I live, the more I wonder if maybe destiny is prewritten *her gaze once more passes to you as she approaches the couch* Its too coincidental that I encountered you...too many factors in play for it not to have been pre written....*she shakes her head and turns away* after all, what are the odds? *with her back to you she stares at her reflection in the mirror, concentrateing..and soon her pale locks turn to those of Auburn, her blue eyes to green...then she turns back to you* Its not 'kick-ass' as you call it, but it is one of the powers you speak of? isn't it?

*This time, it's his turn to be surprised. She was losing him with all that talk about fate and destiny. Two things he's never really believed in. When she turns around and he sees the differences in her though... He blinks a few times to make sure he's not seeing things himself. Then, he slowly starts to nod.*Yeah... Yeah that's one of them. Unless you know too many people in the real world that can change what you just changed, with a thought. I guess it's for the better that you met me then. Seeing as you could have just as easilly met one of the GUARD. Now, there's a choice you'll be forced to make sooner or later. Either you side with them, or you side with us. There's no in between. You either fight them to stay free, or you join them. But trust me, there's no staying out of the game once they learn about you. And they DO have technology that can scan an area for our DNA. All I can say is, learn all your powers, learn to control them, and then use them to your advantage to the fullest. I'm prolly not the best one to explain these things, there's them that 'ave been doin' this alot longer than myself. It's just plain luck the GUARD haven't picked you up before this. What you've got to decide now is, where to go from here.

*she chuckles slightly at your reaction..she had never shown the ability to a lot of people only a few ever knew...and most of them were believed dead....* So I'm one of you? I always wondered why I could....*she shakes her head vehmenatnly * I don't like being forced into anything, I choose my own fights, in my own time.....I'm a Merc, we don't get forced to fight any battles

*He chuckles.* I used to think the same thing. But trust me. They are holding all the cards. Guarding all the doors. They hold the keys to everything. And when they come, they will be RELENTLESS. You're still a MERC, but above that, you're an unnatural, and to the GUARD. A R.UN.ner. The only way to choose your fights with them, is to keep your power hidden from them. Which, if your around them, won't be very long. I know it seems like an afront to everything you believe, but trust me. It's the truth, their technology is beyond anything you can imagine. Force fields, DNA trackers. Even molecular cybernetics. This company is entrenched in such a shadow that not even people like you and I, with the resources we have, can dig up any kind of information on them. To the world, this company doesn't, and never, existed.

We'll see *she walks back to the bag and puts the mirror away, pausing only briefly to revert to her former coloring* So far you haven't given me reason to doubt you, or your side but...its something I will have to see for myself and decide...I learnt a long time ago not to take anyone at their word *she glances back over her shoulder at you* something I'm sure you know *she stands back up and turns towards you* As for information on them, perhaps it would be hard to acquire, or maybe near to impossible but I need to acquire my own ideas before I choose sides as you seem to think I must *she chuckles and shakes her head* imagine fighting on a side for no pay *she shrugs* guess there is always a first

*He chuckles a slight bit. A wry grin etching it way onto his face.* Yeah, there is a first for everything. I've finally come to believe that much. If you gain nothing else from our little meeting in reguards to the GUARD. At least go away from here with this in your mind. When you see them, whatever action you initially take. Be prepared for it not to work. Definately have an escape plan. And above all else, if you can, make sure you fight them on your ground. You go to them, the games over. They've already got the chips too far stacked in thier corner. As the old chinese proverb goes," A single grain of rice can tip the scales." *He gestures with his hand a little bit.* So, the colouring the only thing you can do? *Usually, when there are what have become known as "lesser powers" thoe with them usually find they have a number of them. Though those with greater powers can use thier single one to a broader spectrum.*

Thats standard on any operation, you always play as if the odds are monsterous, even if they aren't. *she shrugs* gives you the advantages if you have all alternatives planned for and can be on your own turf *a wry smile carresses her face* Its the first rule of survival....*once more her shoulders lift in shrug as she glances at you* yeah I guess...what about you?

Oh.... I've got some tributary powes here and there. Nothing as major as my main one. But they are always useful. Every bit helps when your faceing a foe. So, you got somplace to stay? Or would you like me to recommend somwhere to you? A place that doesn't ask alot of questions? Or do you have the "Proper" identification to get into a nice, swank, establishment.*Of course by proper, he means faked.* Or, if you've got something set up with whoever your rendevous was supposed to be. I suppose I could send you to that hotel, though you might be wanting to stay away from that particular state for a couple years.

well, it was supposed to be arranged through my contact but..*she shrugs* he never showed...guess thats what happens when you make contacts through others *a long drawn out sigh exits her form* I don't have the connections in this country *as she looks at you an almost devilish smile slowly crosses her lips* You however I believe may have some *the smile turns sweet, almost innocent* could you possibly assist me in that department?

*He raises a brow... Connections? Well, Alan is connected with some pretty big wig people. Most of them who still have ties to the military. But he also has the ties that she's looking for. Some pretty good ones too. Connections that had never steered him wrong or tried to pull something over his eyes. But, was he ready to refer somone else to them. After all, that would put her in direct competition with him for jobs. He looks her over a minute, quirking an eyebrow slightly.* And say I were to, as my friend Geoff is so fond of saying, "Get you the hook up." What would I in turn recieve? *He folds his arms slightly across his chest. A couple fingers seeming to tap out the jeapordy theme.*

*she smirks..she knows what he's thinking, she'd be thinking the same thing...why possibly endanger your contacts?..why expose yourself?* It doesn't have to be a good contact, or even a direct one...if you want you can always point me in the direction...or *she shrugs lightly and turns back to her bag* you can send me on my merry way and I'm sure I will find some soon enough *she looks over her shoulder at him then slowly turns to face him* receive?.... what do you want? *..rule number two never give away what you have and always wait to see what they expect first..*

*Well, at least he has her attention. And he can spare at least one of his job contacts. As a matter of fact, this particular guy mentioned something to Al about looking for some new meat since one of his was wasted during a high pay/risk assignment. But he's not willing to simply give things away for FREE. And a business man never -Names- his price. And that is what Al is after all. A business man. And she's the one looking for something.* What do you got? Make me an offer, and i'll consider it. *As to the "sending her on her merry way". He'd do no such thing. After all, it seems he's gotten her into this mess, and though he got her out of it. He's feeling a -twinge- of guilt. Not to be confused with "slightly" guilty. that would be going to far. After all, she CAN take care of herself.*

*she smiles as she walks over to the couch and perches lightly on the arm....if she was in his position of control she'd play the same game...but in this case she's not, so she had to play this game well, she had too much to loose and everything to gain* I don't have much *she shrugs and nods towards the bag* I did sort of have to leave most behind

*The grin never once leaves his face. She hadn't done anything. Not made an offer. Not told him what she did have... So he just lets off a little shrug. Then raises a brow as if to say,"Continue." He obviously wasn't going to be the first to make any offers on what he wanted for what he was giving.* Pity...

I have a few tools of the trade *she shrugs* nothing fancy, just reliable.. though I'm sure you have your own and your own sources *...she looks at him, judging his responses...she can tell shes not going to get far doing this dance..* I honestly don't have much now, I suppose I could offer a like favour *she shrugs* but you don't know me that well, and I doubt you will accept...Almost anything will take a while for me to get reconnected with

*Of course, what he was about to say would be considered dangerous. But if she didn't pay, he could always have his contact cut her jobs off. After all, he had the kind of contacts that could get a contracter killed.* Hmm.... Well, how about I give out a name and number. And you give me a promise of a favour for later? Just as you suggested.*It seems quite obviouse that he wouldn't be doing this if he didn't think he had some way of actually collecting the favour in question.* T'will be a fare favour, of that you have my word. nothing that could be considered TOO extravagent. And the way I see it, about the only way you'll be able to pay for the contact i'm about to give. *Though she could pay in OTHER ways. But she doesn't seem to be that type of lady. And that in itself is rather appealing to him. It shows that she at least has some form of code. That being the only thing that seperates a mercenary from an out and out assassin.*

*...and what he says can be dangerous to her...if she accepts...she gently bites her lower lip as she watches him, weighing and measuring ....a favour can be a dangerous thing, especially one with no set price..can she tust him?..mind you he's trusting her..isn't he?..at least he didn't ask what he could have, that showed some integrity* Very well, I'll accept..with some trepidition, hopefully I will not regret it

*He slaps his knees as he stands and heads into his bedroom to get the information she'll need.* Great!*He walks into his bedroom, goes to his rolladex. Sounds of rushing paper can be heard as he rifles through his desk for a bit of paper and pen. Finally finding it writes down the ontacts name and number. As well as a "safe" meeting place. Then he heads back out into the living room. He walks up to the couch she's sitting on, then extends his hand for a shake, the paper in the palm of it.* Deal then? *He waits for her response.*

*as he's in the bedroom she look around the room her gaze pausing once more on the weapons rack, her ears ever listening to the movements...one can never be too cautious...She turns her head as he exits the bedroom...her gaze watching his steps, an automatic scanning for weapons..even now, while striking a bargain she is always cautious...she even glances briefly at the hand before accepting it.*Deal *Her grip is firm, hand calloused and weathered from years of battle and training, field work never being kind to the skin.*..and neither of us should regret it....I hope *she pockets the piece of paper without looking at it, a sign of trust that he gave her something decent..besides...a name, address, all of those would be useless to her right now...she has absolutely no idea where she is...she has to get her bearings before anything will really make sense...after all this wasn't a jungle, or gorrilla warfare...this was a much more dangerous unpredictable place*