WHAT IF?.......
Blackdagger leaves the GUARD
~BLACKDAGGER~
-=- He didn't bother to try to hide his identity, the person he
was set to meet would know he summoned him. That was if the man
even dared to show. He shook his head, //he// was 15 minutes late
to their appointment, and Blacke was on time. Well what was he to
expect, Mr. Sommers to just hop on over, give him a sturdy
hand-shake, and for two hours let by-gones be by-gones? No, he
doubted that, and he wouldn't doubt if the RUNners had something
set up, just for him. Either way he would find out what he needed
to know. There was that slim chance, since Yvette's escape, that
he, Alan that is, might want to see what he had to say. If
anything it might be interesting how James'new training would
faire against another UNnatural of such caliber. He glanced at
the clock again, the small broke-down roadside caf\'e9, was the
last place GUARD would look for him on his day off, and he made
special care that he wore 'clean'clothes. Sipping on the milk he
made the bartender fetch just for him. People stared at the bulky
man sitting on the stool, drining milk form the carton, but he
wasn't about to dull his senses when such an encounter was
planned. 16 minutes passed by, James got up, walking over to the
pool table. Retrieving a cue from wall, dusting the chalk on the
end. Popping the 75 cents into the table and setting up the
balls. All he could do was wait, and avoid the stares of the
low-life that infested the place. One man, wandered over to him,
glaring. The two teeth the hell's angel still had were clearly
visible from his sneer. In a drunken stupor he slurred a quiet.
-=- // I have tattoos that are older than you /boy/ this is MY
table -=- The man managed to point at him, slamming down his
beer. -=- If you catch my drift. -=- James simply stared at the
man, raising one brow, then blew on the end of his cue. Leaning
down, taking a shot, ignoring the man completely. The man then
enraged, slammed his bottle down in front of one of the pockets,
where a ball was headed. The force f the ball, cracking the beer,
the man blinked, a bit surprised, then turned to Blackdagger. -=-
You owe me another beer /boy/ -=- James just sighed, narrowing
his eyes, /trying/ to be passive. He simply nodded tossing the
man a ten dollar bill, in a single move, swiped the broken beer
off the table, and to the garbage. -=- Don't call me /boy/
toothless wonder.
~ABYSS~
*Actually.... Alan wasn`t late. But nor was he about to walk
RIGHT into a trap either. The word had gotten to him through the
usual channels. Via the mercenary network he used to get jobs.
His Mr. Johnson, to quote a Role Playing game, had said this
particular buyer hadn`t had the right air about him. And the fact
that he`d wanted to ONLY meet with Alan was an even bigger flag
that Al should be watching for danger. When the mans name had
been given to him he couldn`t believe what he`d heard at first.
James had wanted a meeting with him. So here he stands outside
the bar across the street. A small light flares up in the bit of
shadow he`d been standing in as a match blazes to life, raising
it slowly to the stick protrudeing from his mouth. Sucking a
litle slowly to light the tobacco until it flares to his lips
beckoning. Tossing the match by the wayside. 16 minutes had gone
by, no sign of any other GUARD other than James. He was more than
man enough to accept any invitation, even if it was one to fight.
If the GUARD wanted to call down the thunder, he`d be more than
happy to oblige... The fact that there might be innocent people
in the bar was of little consequence. He`d a new purpose now, he
was at war... And the first rule of war, innocent people die.
Holding his cigarette in his hand as he walks. He heads off
across the street, there would be no R.U.Nners coming to his aid,
he`d ben told to come alone, and if nothing else Alan is a man of
impecable honor. He walks in, at James back, just in time to
finish seeing the little confrontation of the old Vet and young
man. A wry smile etching it`s way to his face as he raises the
cigarette to his lips and takes a couple more drags. Unlike
James, he`d no reason to be dressed up. In fact, with his choice
of meeting locations, it wasn`t a smart move to be dressed up all
pretty like. And Alan had his usual array of weapons with him.
Always one to rely on more of old school than simple power usage.
Just as James gets ready to take another shot, he walks up about
five feet behind him. Puffing his cigarette a few more times...*
Heard ya wanted to see me James....*He`d no idea what all this
was about. Other than he`d been called out of his usual
incognito.*..a little overdressed for the occasion aren`t
ya?*Meaning the nice suit and all, not necisarilly a thing somone
would want to fight in.*
-=- James didn't even bother turning around. Instead he just
nodded preparing for another shot. -=- Indeed. I did. -=- He
lowered and made another shot, The man growled at this, and James
simply waked around the man looking for the next shot. The
distant juke-box music, stopped, putting on another record. James
flicking off another piece of glass, took the shot. This time the
man grabbed the cue call and slammed it into the table. -=- Ah
said this is MY table /Boy/ -=- James quietly, very slowly put
his billiard stick down, backing from the table. Hands up in the
'I give up' position. -=- Fine you can have it. -=- The man
chuckled. Saying again . . . in spite of Black's warning. -=-
That's what I thought /Boy/. -=-Turning then back to the bar,
nodding To Alan, saying very casually. -=- I needed to speak with
you about something. Something I can't discuss with anyone else.
Something that puts myself on the line here. Seeing as you are
rouge, no one would believe you spoke with me, so it's safe. -=-
He walked a few paces, wanting this to be over and done with as
soon as possible. Hearing a set of swaggering foot-steps draw
closer to him. He heard the sound of the stick grabbed, the soft
sound of it sailing through the air. Without turning around he
grabbed the stick with ease. Clenching his hand, splintered it
into two pieces. Ripping it out of the drunkards hand and
throwing it to the floor. He didn't even lose step. And this
enraged the man even more. Looking at Abyss, offering a halfway
friendly smile. -=- I am sorry about the meeting point. -=- With
that the man /tries/ to rush Blacke. James sighed shaking his
head, the man reaching grabbing a bottle from a near-by table.
Smashing it, everyone stopped and stared. Black turned looking at
him, a small smile spreading over his face. -=- Do it, I /dare/
you to. -=- The man lunged gouging James's forearm deeply. The
man jumped back, ready for more, James simply held up his arm ,
watching the blood flow to his elbow. Clenching his fist, feeling
the nerves, the veins the muscle re-knit itself. Watching the man
stare in awe, horror, as his arm was healed before the first drop
of blood splattered on the floor. Looking at the wound rolling
his cold gaze back, saying very deeply. -=- Is that all you can
do? -=- The man was horrified, and repulsed, in his confusion he
charged Blacke. James blinked. -=- Are you /that/ drunk?!! -=-
Side stepping the attack with UNnatural grace, the man hurled
himself onto a table. Apparently this attracted the attention of
a few of his friends. -=- Shall we talk elsewhere? -=- The old
toothless freak was trying to get back up, and James simply
walked towards the door, pausing only when the 'friends'started
approaching him, and Alan. Saying directly to Abyss. -=- Seems
your friend is causing a bit of trouble, how about we beat the
rest outta you. -=- James sighed shaking his head, narrowing his
eyes. -=- This ought ta'be interesting.
*Al watches the exchanes with a passing interest. This was rather
distractinf from the pont, and considering the company that`s
requested his presence, contrary from the popular good.* As soon
as you`re finished with your new aquaintance....*Watching as the
exchange with the broken bottle goes on, simply leaning his back
against the bar as though he`s looking really bored. How many bar
fights had he been in during his travels with the S.E.A.L.s? Some
ass always had to grab a bottle.... Quirking a brow as James
actually allows the drunk to slice him wide. Then shaking his
head as the man decides to persue the fight to it`s ultimate
stupidity. Figuring that James statement deserved an answer.*
Somthing that important eh..?*He shrugs at the appoligy.* Been in
worse places than this... Comes with the job.*Seeing the mans
friends begin to stand up as Black walks to the door. And
noticing that, instead, they approach him. Waiting until they are
a few feet away from him...* Beat the rest out of me? Sure... I
think you might want to reconsider your strategy though.*The
"Bar buddies" all look at each other in unison.*[Oh?
And why is that...?]*Al looks down at the bottle in thier friends
hand.* Because if all you are going to do is come after me with a
broken bunch of beer bottles, you`ve got alot more trouble to
deal with than you had originally planned for... I fight
dirtier.*He winks, and purses his lips in a small kissing face to
one of the men. Then flicks his cigarette to slam against the
mans clothing.*[Why ya...!]*He takes a swing at Alan, which is
simply turned aside by a standard martial arts block. A fluid of
motion takes over Al`s movements as he swirls around, his duster
flowing wildly behind him. I`ts unable to be seen exactlly what
he does, but there`s a loud resounding CRACK followed by the
dropping and then screaming of his assailant as he clutches his
shattered arm on the floor. Finishing his movement as the fallen
drunks friends start to get thier senses enough to make some
moves, to find they`ve come nose to nose with the business end of
a double barreled shotgun.* Seems your friend decided to make
some trouble.... How about I kill the rest of you for his
mistake.......?*Said in a tone so cold that iot garners NO
rebutals.*
Yes it's /that/ important, or I wouldn't have even thought of
asking you here. -=- He folded his arms over his chest, watching,
learning, observing how Alan handled himself. With the subtlety
of a freight train. Passing through a nuclear power plant. The
toothless tattooed freak gathered his wits, and must have been
blind to what was going on behind him, because he rushed James
//again// -=- Don't you learn?! -=- At this point James was
pissed. With a quick and single motion, almost too quick to see,
he punched the man, laying him flat out on the floor. The man
stirred once more, James rolled his eyes, simply kicking him
/hard/ once. Hearing the ribs break, hearing the blood gush to
the floor under the roar of the bar. Their meeting wasn't going
quite as he planned it. Looking to Abyss, taking in the handiwork
the ex-seal demonstrated. -=- Finished with your fun? -=- It was
too bad a solider like Alan was on the other side. Someone like
him would have been a great asset to the GUARD. He tore his
thoughts away from anything remotely like that. He wasn't going
to take in Alan, well not /today/. Though the man would have been
the ultimate challenge. He turned, not his back fully on the man,
as he walked out of the bar, to his car. The only decent one in
the dusty lot. Brushing off his jeans a bit, smearing off the
remaining blood that escaped before the wound healed. Looking
back assuring that Abyss followed. -=- I need to talk to you
about Yvette. -=- He narrowed his eyes, and said very lightly. He
wasn't about to give away that she was in their custody. Not
/yet/. -=- When she got back from the complex in France. . . did
she /act/ // any // differently? Say anything out of the
ordinary?
*Not taking his eyes from his intended targets. The shotgun still
pointed level with the closest mans head. Intending fully into
making it into a canno if he so much as takes another breath
towards him. All eyes trained on the street howitzer in his hand.
Keeping James in the corner of his vision.* Well, i`m not
actually done with my fun yet. But i`m sure these guys would like
me to be.*Hearing the smaller exchange between the toothless one
and James. Hearing some cracking ribs, and nodding in agreement
of the move. He`d respect for fellow once was soldiers, when they
were good people that is. Not every person who`s gone through the
military, in his oppinion, deserves the title. Hearing the door
open, he takes a few steps foreward and plants the twin barrel of
the shotgun against the head of the man in front of him. Pushing
him back with the force of the gun. His friends follow suit, not
wanting to enrage the lunatic before thier eyes.... Dieing wasn`t
in thier plans for tonight. A little fist fight maybe, but this
guy was serious. Seeing that they are all complying with his
silent demands.* Gooooood.... You guys aren`t as stupid as you
look....*Hre releases the pressure on the mans forehead and the
gun drops to his side. The guy stumbling foreward a little with
the shock of the weapon no longer being there. Al turns towards
the door, leaving his back fully accessable to them. KNOWING they
wouldn`t be stupid enough to charge a man with a loaded shotgun.
He walks out into the parkinglot with James. Taking a look at the
Black 1999 Trans-Am. Giving a slight whistle.* Nice wheels....
Company car?*Acting as though he`s not interested in news about
Yvette. H`d no idea where she was, nor Jess for that matter. But
he wasn`t about to let James know that...* You mean when I broke
her out from the complex in France...*Knowing that`s a sore spot
for the ENTIRE G.U.A.R.D. He`d gone in all byu his lonesome and
broken her out. That had proved how much of a soldier, and
potential asset as well as pain in the ass, he could be. He stops
looking at the car. Keeping his eyes on jams as he replaces the
shotgun in it`s thigh holster.* She was a little different... I
simply took it as all that time you guys tortured her with
solitary confinement... But yeah. She was a little colder, well
more than usual anyway.*Shrugging a little. Actually she was a
LOT colder, she`d even taken a swing at him and busted his nose
for no appearant reason while they were shopping one day.* What
of it?
Company car? You might say that. Being with GUARD has all kinds
of quirks. -=- Turning, leaning on his back on his car, folding
his arms over his chest again. Looking at the long road that
seemed to go to nowhere. He wondered how a place like this got
any business. Who would drive all the way out here, unless they
didn't want to be found. -Point taken- He kicked the small pieces
of gravel against the tanned dust that swelled with each step.
Seeing the street ripple in waves under the heat. Saying lightly,
in a very sarcastic tone. -=- At least it's a dry heat. -=-
Narrowing his eyes further as he listened. Not hearing what he
wanted to hear at all. -=- Well the France thing was an excellent
showing of talent Alan, though some of it was chance. Some of it
was that mind-chick, the rest, though was talent. -=- Saying that
lightly. And continuing. -=- I'll level with you. Yvette and I
were never the best of friends. When we weren't trying to kill
each other, we were trying to kill each other if you catch my
drift. Well I was anyway. I'll make it short. Phobia a while back
invoked some fear or some crap, and Yvette was the first person I
saw, the crown jewel of the RUNners. I simply had to take her in.
After this game of cat and mouse, and after she supposedly offed
Vince, my former best bud, I loathed her. -=- He grasped his
hands tightly around his arms, still looking at the road. -=- I
was nothing but pleased to see her locked behind bars, rotting
away. Her sanity slipping each day. -=- Looking directly then at
Abyss. His tone completely serious. -=- It's all I lived for.
It's all I wanted. I almost willed her to die. I'd go down there
to watch her suffer, watch her on the monitors for /hours/. Oh
and Scratch knew it. . . that's neither here nor there. -=- He
had to get to the point no dancing around it now. -=- What I am
telling you, is classified, but I am sure you know several other
'leaks'you can blame it on. -=- Looking directly at Alan waiting
for a nod, or a decline. Alan nodded. -=- When Yvette came /back/
to GUARD a bit ago, she was like you said. /Cold/ bitter. She
wasn't they way she was. Aside from that she claims a Mr. Aerik
Winters had twisted he mind in the first place. Making her leave
GUARD. Alan, she /hugged/ her dad. -=- Looking at him knowing he
/knew/ how much Yvette loathed Scratch. -=- But she is as
emotionless as -=- Looking at Alan again very lightly, knowing he
would want to know. -=- Ms. Raymond /used/ to be. -=- He tossed
and teased with this subject, knowing he could hold it over
Alan's head. Jesse was the one who make the files about her
missing time. And included everything about Alan. /Everything/.
-=- What I am getting at, is it feasibly possible that Aerik
would have done this. . .and why.
*He nods at the car point. It was a passing interest used as a
smoke screen. He too, as James does, looks down that long road to
seeming nowhere. And the comment about the dry heat bringing a
wicked smile to his face.* Reminds me of times long ago
actually.... Jungle heat and all that. But i`m sure you didn`t
come to hear glorified sea stories.*Waiting and listening.
Nodding as James had waited for.* Sounds like you had an
obsession to me.. But since she offed your friend, I guess it was
a needed thing..*His voice holding no malice, he`d lost friends
in combat. What he`d done to the people he`d caught hadn`t been
pretty at all... But it`s different when the recipient of that
toture is your friend. And Alan didnt have many... And most of
them right now were missing. The part about Yvette coming BACK to
G.U.A.R.D. catching him by surprise though. Even with all his
training to the contrary his facial expressions betray him.
Quirking a brow unconciessly as he stores that bit of
information. Self note, no hugs and kisses when next she`s
seen.... And the part about her HUGGING her father catching him
even more by surprise. James must be REALLY going out on a limb
here. Probably more that nintey nine percent of the R.UN.ners
didn`t know she was back in the fold with her old compadres. This
was a big chance that James was taking... And one question he
wanted to know was WHY? Why did it matter to him so much if she`s
back and doing her job. He too leans against James car, listening
and watching intently. Knowing all along that this could be some
sort of trap or otherwise. But willing to give the reasonable
doubt. The tantalizing bit about Jess forcing him to furrow a
brow a bit. What did the referance mean? Did the G.U.A.R.D. have
her too? It takes quite a bit of willpower for him to not
physically grab James and try strong arming the information he
wants out of him. It turned out that he was being supplied more
information than he seemed able to give. This was a very
profitable conversation for him at the moment. Seing as Alan
doesn`t have alot of the answers that James is looking for.
Wanting to ask outright about Jess and be blunt about it.... But
waiting.* Possible for Aeirk to have reprogramed her like that?
With Ven`s hatred of him and everything? I don`t think so.... I
mean, Aerik could more than do it to the likes of you or me. But
her, when she`s at full strength and out fighting. No way... Not
a chance. Why he would do it iff he could..*He shrugs.* Aerik has
his own agendas. If he did do it, and she`s back in the
G.U.A.R.D. it might mean he WANTS her there for a
purpose.*Realizing that he might be putting Yvette in danger if
Aerik really did do it. But he doesn`t think the telepath did. If
she`s at G.U.A.R.D. it means she went back for a reason. And if
he could plant some doubt as to her loyalties. It`d give him a
personal advantage in the future. Thoguh he wouldn`t be counting
on it. Deciding to show a little compasion as the game of "I
don`t want to show you what i`m feeling" is growing boreing
to him...* Is she alright...?*Whether he`s asking about Yvette or
Jess.... Who could know. But it was a double bladed question.
James could reveal thier having Jess too, or just tell him about
Yvette.*
-=- He knew how the whole thing sounded. It sounded as if he
obsessed over her so much, he wound up wanting her. Almost
chuckling and shrugging his shoulders. -=- I forgave Yvette,
Sounds trite but, Vince would have wanted me to. I grew up, lost
my obsession. Instead wound up becoming what I would consider a
close friend to her. Abyss, she wasn't cold, emotionless. She was
alive. That's why she couldn't stay there. She would have died if
she stayed there. Even when she dragged my sorry ass back to
GUARD, I had to practically threaten to kill Zakai -=- Giving
Alan another long look, as if letting him know the whereabouts of
that one too. -=- to get her to even hurt me. -=- Saying
something that he hadn't told anyone something that surfaced no
matter how many times Rikky tried to tuck it away, how many times
Attrait 'convinced'him to forget it. -=- See, she's my sister.
-=- He shook his head saying. -=- I guess I am the family's
little dark secret. -=- Pushing off of the car and looking Alan
directly in the eye. -=- I know you don't like me, I have nothing
against you. Nothing at all. In fact I admire you. . . and
because of this is why I needed your help. Because I don't trust
you, and hell no one there does either. Yet you are in the
situation. GUARD simply turns a blind eye. They are happy they
got the wayward daughter back. They don't care that I've seen
trees with more personality than her. She's dead. She's a shell.
She's nothing. -=- He paused, taking in all the information that
was supplied to him about Aerik. Yvette hated Aerik, well she
still did, but why. Why did she hate him in the first place.
Saying what fleeted through Abyss'mind. -=- She would be the
perfect mole for Aeirk. Because of that snapback field. (cont)
Though why the trouble of turning her RUNner in the first place?
Why not just use her while still on the inside? Why did she HATE
Aerik in the first place? -=- He paused again, looking back at
Alan, wondering why he went through all of this trouble, all of
it when it would have been easier to have ignored it all in the
first place. -=- Jesse is fine too. You would be proud of how she
is I suppose. I remember her way back. She was worse than Yvette,
never spoke, never did a thing. Now she laughs, she gets pissed.
-=- He chuckled, not revealing why she was there, no that was
still GUARD's little secret. -=- Alan, stay away from her. -=- He
said lightly. He wasn't going to just tell him "By the way,
she never really liked you in the first place, she was just doing
something Aerik programmed her to do to get her out of the way
for a while." So he instead said very lightly. -=- She isn't
the same person either. Healthy, happy, but deadly. She's
stronger now as well, according to reports. -=- He put his hands
into his pockets and kicked another pebble. -=- This whole thing
is messed up. The whole system. They are messing with people in
ways I wasn't aware of. I am sorry for that. If it was just a
clash of powers it would have been different.
*He gets comfortable as James goes into his explination of
Yvette.. Knowing now the disappearance of Zakai as well... Seemed
everyone he knows or cares about is in thier possession now.
That`s fine though, he as used to being, and working alone. It`s
what he`s best at most of the time. Though it had been a gret
time living at the farmhouse with Yvette. Nodding his head, glad
at least that they seemed to have somthing of a better
relationship now.* I knew about that much. Figured it was the
reason she didn`t wanting me hurting you that day after we all
escaped from the complex. And I wondered why she`d gone to such
trouble to return one of her jailors to his own after helping her
escape. I`m not as dumb as I seem most of the time..*Grinning a
little. Listening further as he describes what James must think
about him.* James, i`ve never felt the need to explain myself to
anyone. Because of that the NAVY both applauded me and hated me
when I was inside thier fold. I`ve decked commanders and dined
with admirals. It`s not that I dislike you... More to the fact
that I don`t agree with what your organization does. I don`t like
it`s tactics, and I find somthing wrong with it as a whole. It`s
contrary to the thoughts and beliefs of every true born american.
And while it might sound lame to you. It means alot to me... Do I
think there should be an organization that governs the powers we
have? Yeah.. Do I think it should be gone about in the cloak and
dagger style that it does. No... People have the right to live
thier lives reguardless of what or who they are. I often wonder
what`s going to happen when you`ve finally got all of us. Ask
yourself that. What`s your organization about? While I don`t know
that much about it. I know it`s a finte thing because we can`t
stay running forever. Whoever pulls the strings has a purpose for
us all. And R.UN.ner or G.U.A.R.D. when they`ve got us all in one
place. Somthing going to happen to us all.... I believe that
much. You don`t go to all the trouble to reign in everyone WITH
the help of those your capturing in the style they are doing it
for no good reason. Anyway...* What`s not to trust about me? I
didn`t bring anyone here to back me up. Obviously you trust me
that much.... When I give my word, I keep it. Told the contact
you went through to tell you i`d come alone and I did. As far as
Yvette being dead to the world emotionally. Do I think her brains
been tampered with. Yes... But i`ll tell you somthing else.
Before she went into the France headquarters she was fine.
Emotional as anything else. When she came out, that`s when all
the diferences happened. *Now telling James what he`d come to
hear.* Do I think Aerik did this change to her... No. No one`s
seen him for the longest time... Whatever happened to her,
happened while she was inside your jail. And Aerik was never
there to my knowledge. And I don`t think Aerik turned her into a
R.UN.er to begin with. Her hatred for her father did that. And
with how she`s acted when she came back. I wouldn`t be none to
surprised if for whatever reason she`s there, it`s not
necissarilly of her own will... It might be. I don`t know what`s
going on around here. But i`ll be the first one to tell you.
Watch your back... You`ve come out here and given me alot I
didn`t know. For that, i`m grateful. All I can tell you, is when
whatever bad wiring in her head comes unraveled, if it does,
watch your ass.*And, when James goes into the part involoving the
one he`s been worrying about for the past few months. His heart
pretty much drops right into his stomach. He`d feard that she
might have been caught. But he never thought she`d go back to
them. She`d been so convincing that she wasn`t one of them
anymore. And James warning about how she`s changed strikes him
even harder. All the emotion draining from his face. Jesse had a
constant link to his mind from what she told him one time.... The
G.U.A.R.D. could obviously find him whenever they wanted him.
Simply casting his eyes to the ground as James sticks his hands
in his pockets. Reaching into his own to pull out a pack of
smokes. Sticking the whole pack to his mouth and pulling out a
lone stick. Then shoving them back into his pocket. He`d deal
with the severed heart strings later. Right now he`s in the
company of a person who was easilly one of the greatest fights
around should they decide to go at it. Pulling a match out. He
runs his thumbnail accross it to light it. Lifting it to his lips
and shielding the joining with his free hand so that the desert
wind won`t blow it out. He shakes it once the cigarette is lit
and tosses it by the wayside of the road. Puffing a few times...*
Yeah... S`all fucked up. Mindgames and everything... Nothin`s
ever as it seems though James. Even the NAVY has its ugly parts.
All organizations do... Simply the lesser of two evils sort of
thing. If all this were different. Maybe you and me`d be on the
same team... Who knows.*He takes a long drag and blows smoke into
the air... Watching the curls for a moment.*
-=- He didn't need to watch Alan's responses. He knew what they
would be. Instinctively. He walked a bit while the gang they just
wailed on managed to stumble out of the pub, onto their bikes,
and roar away. Listening it seemed like a long time to just the
wounds of the motors. Hoof-beats, galloping, the further they
distanced themselves. He drew himself closer to the car. Looking
then at the reflection in the black sheen. Watching too Abyss
finally. -=- Too bad we're on opposite sides. You would make an
excellent ally. -=- Almost in a way expecting an invitation. Not
sure if he would have declined. Since Vince was back, since
Yvette was back. . .Rikky, Jesse. . . He clenched his fist,
pulling back giving his new car a very hard, swift, and
devastating hit. Crumpling the front fender, It bent like butter
under his hand. The torn and bruised flesh, rending, healing. He
ran his knuckles along the sharp edges, letting black paint
flecks and the car to slice. Just to feel something. /Be a coward
run away. Be a coward let them defeat you. / He thought dimly. .
./Be brave, and just walk away. / The only thing that was keeping
him there as a positive was Warpole, and even THAT wasn't that
much motivation. He almost laughed. -=- It figured the bastard
would have pulled something like this. . .somehow. I should have
trusted her over him. He would have to have his 'perfect' family
there wouldn't he? At such a cost. -=- Rage building, as he
spoke, his skin ran hot and it wasn't the sun. He shook his head,
pulling his GUARD hat from the car, blocking the sun from his
eyes. Almost comically grabbing another and tossing it to Alan.
-=- Haven't you thought I've thought about these alternatives?
What happens when we are all rounded up in a nice tight spot? All
on the same side? What do we get thrown under one super-power?
Annihilated? -=- Suddenly blinking, seeing in a way what Scratch
tried to spare him, by sending him away. The bastard. He pushed
all that confusion aside. -=- All I know is when this all started
it was to round up the rogue UNnaturals, ones who simply used
their abilities for evil. It's beyond that now. They know
everything, they are toying with you. They are simply waiting
watching. Enjoying themselves. I hate it. And this institution is
supposed to be as American as Apple Pie. I understand your
desires of freedoms. I have as much freedom as someone would in
any military outfit. In a way more. -=- He chuckled again,
turning swiftly, his back against the gaping dent. -=- Then again
look who I am talking to. . . you would know all about that. . .
-=- He fell silent for a moment, and faced the fact. He did /not/
want to go home. He did not want to trudge through that crap,
that emotional turmoil, that unimaginable hell. -=- Screw them. I
don't care if they find out you know anything anymore. I don't
care if they rip me limb from limb. In fact I look forward to it.
-=- He grit his teeth, narrowing his eyes. -=- All I know this
isn't what I intended. -=- Tugging absently on the dent in the
car, before, saying. -=- I know exactly who did it to them as
well. -=- Taking a very deep breath, it was a point of no return.
-=- It was Aerik, just not the one /you/ know.
*His hand falls silently to the place where the handle of his
shotgun is as the bar gang makes thier way out. Simply tapping
his fingers on the handle of the street cannon he knows to be
under the folds of his duster. Letting up slowly after the bums
make their way away on the bikes. One of them flipping him off as
they ride, Al simply gets a slight grin and waves a little with
the lit cigarette in his hand. The grin disappearing as soon as
they are out of sight. Listening to James again as he gets closer
to the car. Taking the small compliment as it was meant. Puffin
his cigarette a little more.* As would you... I remember our
couple of fights vividly. And while it may sound morose... They
are the best i`ve had in a long time. Woulda been proud to have
had you in my unit... Seems everyone I care for is now your
guests.*He huffs s slight laugh as he puffs his cigarette.*
Couldn`t even go to my best friends funeral without worrying
whether one of you was there or not. `Course one of your
operatives were... Waited till everyone was gone to pay my
respects. Finest man I ever knew...*His statement an invitation
in itself. Perhaps showing James the idea, in the niscest way he
could, that there was no way he was going to help gather up
innocent people. Not even flinching a little as James lays waste
to the cars fender. Sad bit that.... good car and all. He puffs a
few more times on the cigarette. Watching as James mutilates his
hand a little. Raising a slight brow as to the reason for this
whole little display. Unaware of his internal strife and
contemplation. Though if he`d known the real source of James
staying with the GUARD. He`d be a little bit in a fury. To his
mind, Pole was nothing more than a coward. And until proved
otherwise, would stay that way, and be treated in future
engagements with such. The man had no honor... Unknowing for a
moment of what James speaks of when talking about trusting his
father over her. He didn`t know the exact details of Yvettes
first leaving. Catching the GUARD hat as it`s tossed to him and
looking at it a bit weirdly. Quirking a brow at the sheer
hysteria of it. HE reaches in through the window and lets it fall
back to the seat.* Thanks, used to the sun though... Don`t know
what you`ve thought about James. Don`t know exactlly how many
have thought about it. As for me, i`m not one to be finding out
what happens when we`re all in the same place at one time. Would
rather be figureing out what happens then before that. That way
it can be prepared for. I don`t know how many have thought about
it truely.*Chuckling a little at James explination for why he
originally joined the GUARD.* But ya see..? Therin is the irony.
They aren`t just rounding up those that use thier powers for bad.
There`s some fine folk that just want to live thier lives and be
at peace. And they`re gettin` round up too. It`s not just those
that are robbing and useing them for personal gain. But everyone
that`s not a GUARD. Look at me. I get booted out of the place I
love because it`s found out i`ve got these powers. You think that
with these, without the GUARDs influence, that the government
wouldn`t be using them to THIER advantage? Be it good or evil. I
haven`t even used my powers against anyone but the GUARD. Don`t
need to, i`m trained enough to do what I do without needing them.
*He smiles a little and chews on the end of his cigarette.
Puffing out a little to James notion of freedom.* So free eh...?
Then leave. Leave and see if they don`t come after you. At least
with my person inflicted prison in the military I had the choice
of leaving when my gig was up. Think you got the same choice?
Think if ya met somone on the outside that you were crazy enough
about to want to go off and live with, never worry about getting
your head busted by another rogue as long as you lived, that
they`d actually let you go? But then, everyone has their own
definition of freedom.*And as James goes past the point of no
return. Divulging that there might be TWO Aeriks, he raises a
brow.* Y`mean there`s more than one of the cynical bastered? And
he`s one of yours? Man.... If he messed with their minds. Then
your organization be real fucked up..... Don`t know what to say
to you about that point there.*Puffing some more on the cigarette
until it`s almost down to the butt... then comically puffing
wildly on it as it just about burns the filter. Flicking it off
into the distance and blowing the smoke out his nose.*
Just like you, they cloned the son of a bitch. That's how they
got Ei-Que, That's how they got Yvette the first time. I am sure
that's how they got Zakai. I am sure that's who messed with
Yvette's mind. The sad thing is he's not that bad of a guy. He's
like a kid. He does when they tell him to. He hates his 'twin'.
From everything we've learned about Aerik, he's the most demented
of all of us. Sick isn't it? He's got. -=- Motioning to his hair
absently -=- shorter hair. But he can change that easily enough.
-=- He shrugged and looked at Alan, wanting to see his reaction
to this. -=- We do not know if he is as strong as Aerik, the
original, and he goes by the name Rikky, or Psiclone. -=- Taking
a deep breath, and explaining a bit further. -=- I remember so
clearly , like crystal, Yvette said she would never go back to
GUARD, and even if they mind-wiped her she'd know. She'd find out
the same way again. Even when she was GUARD before she turned
RUNner, she was more alive. Trying to please Scratch, never
seeming to do it. -=- Almost as if trying to offer a glint of
hope, not telling Alan that Jesse had made the full reports,
about him. -=- I am sure Jesse is the same way. She left GUARD
for a reason. I don't think even the best telepath could erase
that. 'Sides, you know as well as me, that once a Rogue always a
rogue. They never stay. That would be too easy. -=- Moving back
to the pub slowly, removing his GUARD card, moving to the ATM
that they had right inside the door. Popping that sucker in and
withdrawing as much as he could. GUARD wouldn't care, these
things happened all the time. Last minute plane tickets. Car
rentals, Limo rentals. He withdrew about 1,240 dollars, all in
20's before the machine needed to be serviced. He smirked taking
the large wad, putting it in his pocket. He didn't need to worry
about muggers, or robbers, an advantage. He stepped out again,
half expecting to see Abyss gone. Moving slowly out of the shade
into the desert heat. Where to go? He couldn't go back, not now.
He didn't want to. Saying aloud, not even if Alan was around
anymore to hear. -=- I know they'd be after me, I know where
they'd look. I know how they'd look. I don't care. -=- Moving
back to the car, kicking out the extra hat, looking finally if
Alan was actually still around. Pulling open the door, hearing it
groan. The thing would still run beautifully. Pulling from the
dash-board the key that Yvette mailed back to him, the directions
to the \endash off site- garage. He'd trade in this one, the
irony, just get Exit's old one they thrashed. He sat in the seat,
shoving the key in his pocket, and revving the engine. **
*Listening to the facts of the cloning. He knew he`d been cloned,
wasn`t the original. He`d died thanks to Poles cowardice in not
being able to deal with him. And he`d often thought if it
depreciated who he is to be a clone. He knew he`d the same
original thoughts as Alan. But he didn`t know if he was the same
person.... How to account for a soul lost? And the assurances of
This Rikky being the one who`s messed with everyones mind giving
him some measure of hope as to the fact that things may yet work
out. But he`d have to be careful about how he went about things.
Obviously Jess and Yvette would both be gunning for him on their
next chance meeting. Taking in the image of what James tells him
about Psiclone. Remembering to mark the shorter hair if he should
run into him. His reaction being something short of flat... Aerik
would definately like to know about this, not that he had any
intention of telling him. He owed the telepath nothing. And
wouldn`t betray James trust. If Aerik wanted to pull it from his
mind, he couldn`t stop him. But he wouldn`t volunteer
information.* Yvette doesn`t make promises she doesn`t intend to
keep... If I wasn`t so sure i`d fail, i`d break her out again
without her consent. But there`s nothing I could do for her bad
wired mind. If she finds out her brains been tampered with,
she`ll know what to do if she still desires to leave. *Watching
as James moves towards the pub and enters within.. Wondering if
he shuld still be here when he gets back. He shrugs to himself.
Lighting up another cigarette. No reason not to be here, he`d
nothing better to do today. And the conversation had been pretty
informative. Catching sight of James as he walks back out of the
bar.* Needed a stiff drink before ya leave I take it?*Not knowing
why he went back into the place. Though his pocket is bulging
quite a bit.* That a wad of cash the size of montanna in your
pocket, or are you REAL glad to see me still here?*Watching as
James makes his trek back to the car, having heard his words as
he was walking back... His brow furrowing slightly. So James had
finally had enough? He was going on the run..... Bending down to
look in through the passenger window. Listening to the purr of
the engine....* Takin` off for the wild blue eh....?*Without even
being offered a ride, he pops open the door and takes a seat next
to James, closing the door and fastening his seat belt. Pulling
out a card with his name on it and a number. Putting it on the
dashboard and sliding it across so that it swirls to a stop in
front of the dashboard where James is.* Place is in the middle of
nowhere... Caught a ride with a trucker so since you look like
your headed my way. Figured you could spare the side seat.
Numbers on the card should you ever need to contact me for some
reason...*He was showing alot of trust here, but if James was
looking to run and stay uncaught, he`d need some help. And Al is
willing to give anyone a chance. He leans back in the seat.
Closing the folds of his duster around him. Only mentioning the
card now because James probably wouldn`t want to talk much on the
way to the city, more than likely he`d want to reflect on his
options.* Man.... They gonna be pissed when they finally figure
this one out...*Chuckling to himself a little.*
-=- He patted his wallet and then shook his head. -=- Sorry I
don't drink. -=- He checked the mirrors, the engine.-=- Yeah hop
in. -=- He then nodded to the back-seat of the car. Basic files
that James took with him, that he was supposed to look over on
his day off. -=- There's the latest. I haven't even cracked it
yet. I am just sick of living in fear. I am sick of being afraid.
If that makes /any/ sense to you. Since that's basically what you
live in. Warn your friends at the 'hideout' they know where they
are. They are just waiting. There's a few moles among your people
too, voluntarily, involuntarily. Either way. . . find them. I am
not sure who they are. And for heaven's sake stay away from The
Mall. . -=- Pulling out a pair of shades. Snagging the card and
stuffing it in his wallet. Noting then it was a bit full, and not
with cash. Pulling down the e-brake, slamming his foot down on
the gas as he did, right as he thrust it into reverse. Finding
the sheer irony of the whole situation. Pulling out his GUARD
cards, ID's security passes, everything a good solider boy needed
to get by, and traded them in for a chance to, well as Abyss put
it 'live'. Out the window they went He watched them in the rear
view for as long as he could. He revved the engine further,
racing down the desert road, flipping on the radio. He didn't
talk much after that at all like Alan suspected. Windows down,
music blaring. He hoped Natalia, Amber and even Pole would
understand, though he knew how it would go. He'd just be another
target. No one would miss him. Wrinkling his nose a bit, his head
throbbing as he said quietly. Instead he just looked at the road
that blazed and opened up in front of him. -=- I give them 4
days, tops. -=- He adjusted the rear-view, finally putting on his
seatbelt. -=- Where to?
*Turning his head to look at the contraband brought with him. He
figured as much about the LAIR. Hell everyone and thier mother
knew where that place was. Reaching in back and starting to read
up on the long trip to wherever.* Makes perfect sense to me.
Welcome to the real world there James...*Al reaches into his
duster and pulls out a pair of shades himself. Sliding them onto
his face as they pass the motorcycle gang up in the trans am.
Flicking his cigarette out the window with pinpoint accuracy and
catching one of them in the eye. The bike swerving and taking a
plunge to the ground...* That`ll teach `em... Shoulda wore a
helmet.*He says to the silence that`s started to pass between
them. Taking his advice about the mall as well. The speed James
drives at not bothering him at all, it`s much the same way Al
used to drive the hummer that Doppleganger used to ride around in
when they were together. Watching passively as James dumps his
ids and all that out the window. This could all be a show,
somthing to get to the inside of the R.UN.ners. But he doesn`t
think the GUARD would go as far as to give him all these files
and then let him know all that they are privy too. No, he
believes James, and the kid would have his chance at freedom like
he seems to want with as much help from Al as he`d ask for.* Four
days.... Not alot of time. *Hanging his arm out the window. He
had his bracelet. He`s mearly here to help James do whatever
first steps he needs... Hopeing James knows he could actually
leave whenever he wanted. And that should bring weight to his
next words.* Wherever the road leads.