෴WD40෴

෴Darby O’Cellan෴

෴Wilson Meyers෴

Wilson and Darby said goodnight to the rest of the team they’d spent the last few hours going over the day’s events with.

“Finally!” Darby slumped down onto the couch.

“We have a problem,” Wilson said. His serious tone and stance a stark contrast to Darby’s carefree sprawl.

Darby sighed and then nodded. “We got a few, which one are we talking about now?” He stretched out on the couch.

Wilson sat down on a nearby chair. “We’re not geared, trained, or staffed for this kind of protracted engagement. I’m worried that if this last site doesn't pan out, and we get another list of sites, we’re going to have to say no to our best—”

“And most dangerous,” Darby chimed in.

Wilson nodded. “Yes, best and most dangerous client. But we’ve talked about this. Some days I want to kick his ass, but most days he’s the client anyone would want.” Wilson leaned forward in the chair, clasping his hands tightly together, brows furrowed.

Darby nodded, his jaw tight.

A long, heavy pause filled the room, Darby popped his knuckles, the sound loud in the heavy silence. “So, what do we do?” his body remained relaxed, but the tension he was hiding showed around his eyes and mouth.

Wilson thought about it in silence long enough that Darby was starting to doze off when he finally answered. “We start recruiting of course. That alone will be a whole lot of no fun. At least we can include people with bad ability activations. Catalyst syndrome wards are great recruiting locations for us—another way he puts us head and shoulders above the competition. First thing, we get Chrome into some therapy if he’ll accept it. We can’t afford to be without a tank. Lastly, we ask our client for a favor and see if we can get the rest of the team patched up fast.”

He took a deep breath and looked into the middle distance. “Oh, and we make sure that contractual death penalties cover Hex in the future. This one is coming out of our pockets because there are no remains.”

Darby snorted. “Good call. We never needed that before. I’m still shocked you talked her into it. I don’t know what you said the other day, but she’s been more willing to take on the physical stuff since then. Not that she isn’t a dream come true for comms and logistics, but did you see how fast both of them are on target and shooting? I have a theory that if three of them were there it would be even faster.”

Wilson nodded. “I think you’re right. That's probably why she’s so good at logistics and comms. However her ability works, it works better when they are close together. It doesn’t matter though, she only agreed with the caveat that she’ll never risk more than one-third of herself. Keep this really quiet, but I think there might be a rate limit on how quickly she can replace lost copies. If there wasn’t, I think she’d be less concerned about how frequently we use her for ops. She seems to be basically unkillable if she doesn’t lose all six of her copies.”

“Huh, that reminds me. You ever wonder why each of them appears with different hairstyles and makeup but the same face? I noticed that even when she does that sort of explosion thing to get rid of one. If she remakes that one, she looks the same as she did. Even the one, you know, number six” Darby cupped his hands in front of his chest. “In any case, like I always say, knowing our people’s abilities, that's your department. I’m just here to look good.” He gave Wilson an exaggerated wink.

Wilson rolled his eyes but couldn’t keep the smile off his face. “I wouldn’t recommend calling her selves copies. She doesn’t seem ok with that word. On that note, enough about work! I’m dead tired, let’s get home and hit the sack.”

Darby winked and nodded. “Tired, or tired tired? Because I don’t know about you, but operations always get me seriously going.”

Wilson winked back. “No really? You? Tell me more about this unusual phenomenon that I have never encountered from you before.”

Darby shook his head. “Jerk. You suck,” he said with a smile.

Wilson smiled back. “I guess we’ll just have to see about that.”

෴Raz෴

෴Braithwaite෴

෴෴෴෴෴෴

Bad Trip

෴෴෴෴෴෴

Without another word, Braithwaite grabbed Raz by the upper arm, lifted him off the bed and dragged him from the cell.

Oh shit, he’s taking me to the lab. We gotta spend some right now!

[Combat or Recovery?]

This is not the time for being cryptic. We’re out of time. He’s going to shoot me up with more! Be verbose enough for a minute so I can understand you!

[We have enough upgrade datastream and capacity to unlock Combat, or two ranks of Recovery.]

Raz tripped over his own feet reading the message, but Braithwaite didn’t even break stride, just dragged him along until Raz regained his footing. Braithwaite’s tight grip felt like it was about to break his arm.

Recovery! Unlock Recovery and turn it on as soon as its online!

Within a few seconds Raz began to feel unwell. Like a sudden case of heartburn, he felt a burning heat coming from the center of his chest. Sudden nausea caused him to dry heave and retch.

Braithwaite looked at Raz, disgusted. “If you vomit and so much as a drop touches me, I’ll make you lick it up, then break both your forearms and cast them so they heal at a ninety degree angle.”

Raz swallowed hard and nodded. The illusion of control was shattered when he dry heaved again. Braithwaite began dragging him along again.

How long is this going to go on!?

As if in answer, the pain spiked for a moment, causing his vision to dim and consciousness start to fade before the pain started to recede. He stumbled but managed to keep his footing.

[The uncomfortable part is over. Recovery rank 1 upgrade installed, and coming online.]

[Prepare for possible side effects.]

“Wha--” Raz tried to say as he passed out.

[-8 HP. Impact Trauma]

What seemed like an instant later he woke up with a sore nose and chin laying on a cold hard surface. The taste of blood was strong in his mouth. He tried to sit up but Braithwaite held him down with one hand absently while he read over a tablet style device in the other hand.

[+2 HP.]

“I am truly puzzled. You have not become a chimera. You have not melted into a spongy puddle of viscera. You seem to have no abilities that we can detect, and now you’re talking to yourself. I’ve never had a subject go insane from these treatments.” He snapped his fingers as if having an epiphany. “Well, to be more accurate, I’ve never had a subject go insane specifically from the treatments. Some may have found the experience of prolonged agony a bit hard on the mind.”

[+2 HP.]

Raz looked up at Braithwaite and waited. The scientist scowled and looked back at the device.

“You really should be dead. I am beginning to think your only noteworthy property might just be the ability to absorb the Catalyst without using any of it. If that's the case, it's certainly unique, but ultimately useless. It would make you a dead end. Oh well, maybe I’ll learn more in disassembly.” The doctor thought aloud.

Braithwaite looked down at Raz. “Do you have anything to say before I get you scheduled for vivisection?”

[+2 HP.]

Raz thought fast. “How, um, how do you know the catalyst was any good? Shouldn’t I be able to do something by now?”

Braithwaite’s smile faded into a stern frown. “You make an annoyingly good point.”

He made a humming sound and looked at the ceiling as though deep in thought. “What is more likely, that you’ve taken in enough Catalyst to kill you five times over, or that the new batch stuff wasn't a viable sample.”

He shoved Raz into a seat. “Sit.”

Braithwaite went over to the other side of the room and opened a metal plate that had appeared to be part of the wall. The open door revealed a small keypad. Turning to grin at Raz he put his body between Raz and the keypad. Just as he hit the first digit Raz made a virtual mirror and watched him enter the last nine digits.

[+2 HP. Health full.]

Record that pattern he just used.

[Recorded.]

[Recovery rank 2 upgrade installed, and coming online.]

[Prepare for possible side effects.]

Another powerful pulse of nausea flowed through his innards.

[Energy enhanced recovery available.]

Braithwaite opened a large concealed cabinet that had seamlessly blended into the wall. Inside were several objects that Raz was fairly sure were weapons and tools, even if he didn’t recognize any specifics. There were several weapons and what looked like a stack of cash in the case, but what caught his eye was sitting right up front. At the front of the hidden cabinet sat several rows of small vials of a translucent amber material. Braithwaite grabbed one of them and then closed the cabinet. It latched shut with a muted but distinctly solid click. Once closed he could barely tell where it had been.

Why is this stuff gold?

[Unknown. Catalyst database does not include color information.]

Braithwaite smiled at him, somehow looking even more menacing than normal. “Normally I don’t let people see my private stash and live. But you’re not going to tell anyone about it are you?”

Braithwaite held out the amber-gold vial. “I truly cannot be sure that what I gave you was an active good quality Catalyst sample at all. I have occasionally had issues with quality control from some sources.”

He held up the vial to the light, as though admiring it. “This is the highest purity Catalyst I have been able to make. This is meant as my private stash, but I’m willing to use some for the advancement of science.” He said with a smile.

“I’d tell you what it is, but why ruin the surprise.” He said in a jovial tone.

Seeing Raz’s nauseous expression and pale look, his expression abruptly turned serious. “Are you going to shit yourself or vomit? The cleaning staff are gone for the day, and you won't like what happens if you soil my laboratory.”

He stopped as if having had an idea. “In fact, let's get you back to your room. You can mess that up all you want.”

He grabbed a large syringe and needle, then dragged Raz back to his cell. Once inside he sat Raz down on the end of his cot on top of the pillow. Raz could feel the gloves under the thin pillow and hoped Braithwaite wouldn’t notice them.

“Hold still. Unless you don’t want to. I haven’t had someone break the needle off inside them in weeks.” Braithwaite teased Raz. The sadistic scientist filled the syringe with the amber liquid.

Raz held himself as still as he could while Braithwaite injected him.

[Intravenous non-specific upgrade datastream detected.]

Non specific upgrade? What the hell does that mean? We need to figure out how bad this is.

The System didn’t answer. Raz felt the burning radiate out from his arm where the injection had gone in.

[Critical System/Host Error: Datastream beyond Host ability to assimilate. Move upgrade data [to storage? y/n]

[-5 Hp.]

[+5 Hp.]

[100/100]

Yes!

Braithwaite watched him tense up and clutch at his shoulder and arm. He stared at Raz for a long pain filled minute. When that minute elapsed without Raz passing out or starting to melt, he seemed to grow bored and headed for the door.

“Well, that is a known good batch. I’ve used it myself. If this one doesn't have any effect, then I’ll know you’re worth dissecting and seeing what is going on inside that body of yours. I’ll give you a few more minutes to die or not and then I am sorry to say I have things to do.”

[Critical System/Host Error: Warning! Datastream beyond Host current storage capacity.]

[-10 Hp.]

[+5 Hp.]

[95/100]

Finish unlocking Combat and Recovery!

[This is not recommended! Host in imminent danger from freely circulating intravenous upgrade [datastream material.]

I’m not asking. Finish Recovery now! Raz fought the urge to scream from the pain. His vision went hazy and red.

[-15 Hp.]

[+5 Hp.]

[85/100]

[Critical System/Host Error: Datastream beyond Host ability to store. Host will be damaged [without purge. Purge? y/n]

[-20 Hp.]

[+5 Hp.]

[70/100]

No! Raz clenched his teeth against the pain. If he sees me purge it we’re dead. Spend it now damn you, it's getting worse!

[Recovery rank 3 upgrade installed, and coming online.]

[Prepare for possible side effects.]

Raz could no longer breathe without whimpering. Now Combat 2! Don’t argue, just do it.

[Rapid regeneration ability now ready.]

Turn it on! Turn everything on!

Unaware of the inner battle his victim was waging, the sadistic scientist stepped outside the cell and closed the door.

“Try not to die, I’m looking forward to opening you up and seeing just what makes you tick.”

With that, Braithwaite turned and left. Raz blinked tears from his eyes. He wiped his face and found blood smeared on the back of his hand. He tried to stand but found his body strangely too heavy to get up.

෴Doktor Midnight෴

෴Chris Redding෴

෴Bill Redding෴

෴Mark Walcott෴

෴Cyndi Walcott෴

෴Jim Hunter෴

෴Gillian Yueng෴

෴Anita Hillman෴

෴෴෴෴෴෴

Law and Disorder

෴෴෴෴෴෴

Doktor Midnight touched down without a sound. He watched the occupants of the military helicopter get out and the helicopter lift off. Having verified the vehicle itself wasn’t armed, he paid no more attention to it.

"Norns, I want you all extra attentive to the lookout and skywatch drones, especially antimissile and mortar watch. We're way off script at this point. If they have me in one place for more than a few minutes, I expect they'll try something, don't let them catch me unaware."

The group stood uncertainly a few hundred feet away next to a large metal sign displaying park features and rules. Doktor Midnight held his ground and waited with the appearance of patience. The part of the group in street clothes contrasted with the five armed soldiers in their midst. Midnight watched the soldiers urge the enhanced humans to engage him. He didn’t bother trying to overhear what was being said. The gestures and threatening body language were clear enough from where he stood. Two of the soldiers finally took up kneeling positions with rifles aimed at him.

He verified that his personal defenses were ready for a workout and otherwise stood still. Once it became clear that no one wanted to make the first move he engaged the PA drones. “If you don’t want to get right to the fighting we can talk first.”

One of the soldiers in the back was spooked by the sudden voice coming from above him. He pointed his rifle upwards and fired blindly. This startled the two aiming at Midnight and they opened fire. For a moment the night was split by multiple rifles spitting out bursts of fire and lead. The few rounds that hit his armor ricocheted off with a clang and sparks. Once the threat was real in his mind the shield around him began draining the inertia from each bullet as it came into the area surrounding him. The sparks and clangs ceased and was replaced with a soft rain of bullets falling to the ground in front of him. Midnight watched with interest, as the large metal sign next to the group crumpled in on itself and rolled toward the group.

When the soldiers ran their weapons dry and reloaded, the shouting of the one presumably in charge was finally audible. “Cease fire, cease fire, you idiots.”

Once all the weapon fire stopped, Midnight spoke into the PA again. “Seriously, we can chat instead. You don’t have to do this. No need to be alarmed, but I’m going to come a little closer so we can talk.”

One of the soldiers shouted at him to stay back. He ignored them and walked over till he was around twenty feet from the front edge of the group.

“That isn’t exactly true. We kind of do have to fight.” One of the enhanced spoke up with an oddly muffled voice. Midnight realized it was the one now clad in a tightly fitting steel suit. It seemed that in the brief chaos, he had used an ability to repurpose the large sheet metal sign and steel pillars into a sort of armor suit. “They have us all wired to blow if we don’t do what they say.”

Midnight sighed. “It sure would be nice if the government that is supposed to be protecting its people stopped using so many bad guy tactics. It looks like you’ve got some ferrokinesis, so I take it the implants don’t use any metals? I’m guessing you’re a contact shaper? I thought you were set up as a thrower.” He glanced over the group, locking onto the other Redding brother. “Oh, I see, you’re the thrower, brothers, no wonder I missed that. So he’s the tank and you’re the artillery. Not a bad setup, although you could both do so much more if your abilities were fixed.”

He extended his left hand and the deep black material making up his gloves flowed away like water leaving his hand bare. The material then flowed back into place as a larger heavy gauntlet, then shrank back down to the sleek segmented armor look it had before. “That's just a taste of what you could do with abilities like yours that work with metal and other materials.”

While the group watched the display of animated armor he was putting on, he looked at each of them in turn. The entire suit of armor around him rippled into a glossy sheen and then back to the matte black.

Midnight stepped forward. “Look, we can at least be civil can't we? How about this, let's at least introduce ourselves. People call me Doktor Midnight, obviously not my real name. In fact, I didn’t even pick it. I wish we were not meeting under these circumstances, but such is life.”

No one said anything. Finally, the man in the suit of sheet metal spoke up. “I’m Chris Redding,” he pointed to the similar looking man. “That’s my brother Bill.”

A sandy blond-haired man holding hands with a dark-haired woman waved a bit. “I’m Mark, this is Cindi.” He pointed at the woman with him. She smiled, her expression wary and half waved at him. “We’ve got no problem with you, but we haven’t got a lot of choices here.” He added.

A balding middle-aged man in an ill-fitting set of fatigues spoke up next. “I’m Jim. I’m not too thrilled to be here either.”

The two women standing together and scowling at him said nothing.

The soldier that had ordered the ceasefire took a step forward and shouted at everyone and no one in particular. “Our orders are to detain or eliminate the target, not to engage in conversation!. Use your abilities to take him out or the implants will be activated!”

Midnight held up a hand placatingly. “Look, son, you need to understand that while this group can't hurt me, I most certainly can hurt you. But seriously, I don’t want to hurt any of you! This doesn’t have to escalate. Tell me, is the detonation signal local or sent remotely?”

“Don’t answer him!” the soldier in charge shouted, then he broke his own order and replied. “It's both! You can't stop it, he can't stop it! Now attack him!”

The soldiers raised their rifles again as the enhanced all looked at each other uncertainly. Bill and Chris casually shifted position, subtly moving off to the side and out of the line of fire.

Midnight shrugged, “I’d rather talk, it doesn’t have to be this way, but that's fine. If you want to fight, go ahead.” His armor subtly shifted its appearance, becoming slightly more glossy and slick in appearance.

Without warning the tall woman next to the blue-haired woman pointed at Midnight and released a brilliant energy blast that struck the metal park bench behind Midnight and turned half of it into glowing slag in an instant.

Midnight risked a glance at the glowing remains of the bench and mentally increased the potential threat of this group. “That's a pretty solid energy pulse. Is that my warning shot, or is your aim bad? If it's hard to aim, there might be ways to improve that if you wanted your abilities fixed. Even if it’s a limitation on the ability there are ways it can be made better.”

She shrieked incoherently and another beam, this one visibly dimmer, missed him by a few feet.

Spurred by the initial strike, the other woman went translucent and started to circle around toward Midnight’s flank.

Midnight extended his senses toward her and took the measure of her abilities. He smiled under his armor. “Nice, phantom style abilities are rare to get working properly without help. I hope you haven’t left any body parts behind yet. That's a pretty common problem for unbalanced abilities in that area. It’s almost as dangerous as teleportation that way. I’m impressed that you can still walk on the ground so well without sinking in. That's good skill and control for that type of ability.”

A chunk of metal made a small sonic crack right before it hit him in the chest. The inertia was enough to stagger him. Midnight was glad his inertial draining field was active. He increased the power behind his inertial drain.

“That is a really good throw. Don’t be offended, but are you accurate or was that a lucky shot?” Midnight said to Bill.

BIll answered by sending several more rocks with trace amounts of iron in them to strike Midnight in the chest.

The drained projectiles barely hit hard enough to feel, but Midnight recognized that they had indeed all struck nearly the same spot on his chest.

“Nice shots! Are you sure you don't want to join me and help the world instead of being your own hostage?” Midnight said.

The metal-clad man advanced on him. Midnight looked at the ground in front of him and focused. The armored form slowed down and then realized he was sinking into the suddenly loose and flowing soil. Midnight relaxed the effect once the man was up to his chest in the oddly flowing dirt. The dirt abruptly regained its normal behavior, leaving Chris stuck.

Chris used his metal shaping to start digging himself out. Midnight approached the group, walking around Chris.

Midnight looked over at a hint of movement in time to see the translucent Asian woman running at him with a stick in hand. He spun and dodged to the side to avoid contact with the translucent stick. “Nasty! Were you going to leave that in me? That is just uncivilized.”

Gillian recovered from her near miss and circled around again. She moved opposite the main group.

“Ok enough.” He put his hand out and then pushed down. Everyone around him suddenly felt as though they weighed twice as much. He pushed down further and the weight became almost intolerable.

“I’m going to let up for a second, and if you lay down on the ground you’ll come out of this without broken bones and a ruined spine. If you don’t the next pulse will be 10Gs, and only one of you can handle that.” He looked at the balding man. “Jim was it? I hope you’ll lay down. If I have to force you to the ground this way everyone else here will be meat juice.”

With that Doktor Midnight relaxed his fist and the oppressive weight lifted from everyone around him. “Three” He held up three fingers and started to count down. “Two”. Several of the enhanced lay down right away. The translucent woman that had attacked stayed standing and said nothing, while Bill helped Chris climb out of the suit of sheet metal armor in the hole.

“Boss, there's a missile incoming at your position right now!” Emily's frantic voice came over his comms. “ETA is five seconds or less.”

He glanced upward.

“Oh shit!” He muttered.