Heroes: Eve of Destiny

[Cynical Cat]

"He's sending us into the meat grinder," said Blackheart. "This whole 'recon' business is bullshit. This group isn't going to do it. I imagine he wants me at least, dead or discredited. Probably some others as well."

[LadyTevar]

"He's sending us into the meat grinder," said Blackheart. "This whole 'recon' business is bullshit. This group isn't going to do it. I imagine he wants me at least, dead or discredited. Probably some others as well."

Argent blinked. Honest, blunt truth, and yet she could feel Blackheart was determined to not only see it through, but bring his team out the other side with him. "He is insane... isn't he." she answered. "Trying too much to keep in control, winding himself too tightly."

[Cynical Cat]

"No. He has an agenda. He's got a special relationship with time remember. He can see what may happen. What doesnt' seem sensible to us can make sense to him. I'm not sure what his agenda is, but we are operating in the dark. He's the one who has the most information." Blackheart curled his fingers in fists and relaxed them.

[LadyTevar]

"No. He has an agenda. He's got a special relationship with time remember. He can see what may happen. What doesnt' seem sensible to us can make sense to him. I'm not sure what his agenda is, but we are operating in the dark. He's the one who has the most information." Blackheart curled his fingers in fists and relaxed them.

"If he can see Time," Argent asked, "What prevents him from nudging the threads into just the way he wants them to be? Isn't Time supposed to be multiple future threads, with every choice available? To find his way, he'd have to be able to see every variation."

[Cynical Cat]

"He's not exactly forthcoming about his powers and yes, he nudges things. Like this mission. Recon my ass. This is going to be a bloodbath, win or lose. He's got a good idea who will come up on top, of course. Probably the other guys. He didn't give me a team of amateurs and coerced personel to lead into the meat grinder because he loves my continued existence."

[LadyTevar]

"He's not exactly forthcoming about his powers and yes, he nudges things. Like this mission. Recon my ass. This is going to be a bloodbath, win or lose. He's got a good idea who will come up on top, of course. Probably the other guys. He didn't give me a team of amateurs and coerced personel to lead into the meat grinder because he loves my continued existence."

Bitterness. She could taste it in the air. "So why are you going, and why are you taking us with you, Blackheart." Argent asked softly.

[Cynical Cat]

"I'm not taking anyone with me. This is volunteer only, for everyone else. That the recon bit is going to get fucked up doesn't mean we don't have people to rescue or that the Astronomer doesn't need to be put down hard. If you think Tarot's little games intimidate me, you've jumped to the wrong conclusion. I scare him, not the other way around."

[SirNitram]

Some political commentary/talk show, that evening..

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce our guest for this evening, controversal Meta and author of Gods And Monsters: Life In The Meta Age, Gravitas!"

The roar of applause.. Intermixed with a few boos, greeted the unlikely 'hero' as he strode onto the stage, shaking the host's hand and taking a seat. As they quieted down, the back and forth began.

"Thank you for coming, I realize it's a bit of a walk."

"I manage. It's great to be here. Haven't had this much fun since my book."

"I know you want to get on to a specific topic you wanted to discuss, but I'd like to ask about something the other day. I understand you assisted Ultimas when the anti-Meta rally at the park came under attack? Could you tell us a few things about that?"

"Of course. Well.. See, it's not like I go looking for anti-Meta rallies to save." Some laughter rippled through the room. "I was out at the park when the rally started getting really rowdy. I was planning to just ignore them, go around. Of course, once the trouble started.."

"There's alot of talk about you, with your controversial views on Metas being more than human, and why you would step in for these people, protesting your rights?"

"Well, can't change their views if I ignore them, right?" More laughter. Gravitas was good at defusing sharp questions like this. "No, it all comes down to my views, actually, controversy and all. Yes, I'm probably really arrogant to call myself a 'god', even in the idea of old stories. But what do gods do in the stories? They help people. Even if the people don't beleive in them, or hate them. You help because it's what you've got the power to do."

"A unique view, certainly. But obviously, the big topic for Metas everywhere is Congresswoman Ayn Rand's proposal to ressurect the Meta Registry."

"Of course. Frankly, this is nothing but the radical politics of fear and scapegoating. She would have us forget the Ethiopean Terraforming project, the Russian economic miracle, the advances in our space program, and a dozen other things accomplished by Metas who were responsible, upstanding citizens of their communities. It's no surprise she is speaking out against Ultimas; they do charitable work across the world, and her hatred of such benevolence is well documented."

"So clearly you oppose the registry."

"Of course. Would you stand for a registry of everyone who might break a story the government wished classified? How about a publically viewable one about who has guns?"

"Surely they can't be the same thing."

"Of course they are. Congresswoman Rand made the gun comparison herself. How many Americans would be outraged if the same was proposed for anyone who owned a weapon? How about one with everyone's DNA in it? It's what you'd need; not every Meta is obviously one."

"Very compelling arguments. Again, thank you so much for coming. I have to ask, alot of fans of your book have been asking, my wife is one of them.. Are you planning to do another one?"

"I've been working on one in-between defending Anti-Meta protests and gathering samples for NASA. We'll see if it's any good."

"Gravitas, ladies and gentlemen!"

[Shark Bait]

Seven could hear people talking on the roof as he walked up the last flight of stairs, no one seemed to be overly confident with the leadership or the mission. Hell how much can you expect from a govenment agency that cant even tell if your dead or not, he thought jokingly to himself. He just shook his head and continued jogging up the stairs till he finally stepped out onto the roof and looked arround.

[LadyTevar]

"I'm not taking anyone with me. This is volunteer only, for everyone else. That the recon bit is going to get fucked up doesn't mean we don't have people to rescue or that the Astronomer doesn't need to be put down hard. If you think Tarot's little games intimidate me, you've jumped to the wrong conclusion. I scare him, not the other way around."

Behind the shadow curtain blocking some sound and all vision of their little conversation, Argent listened to Blackheart's voice, and more importantly to the confidence in his heart.

Funny, after so many years on the street living as a theif, she'd found two men that she -felt- she could trust. Slowly, she held out her hand to Blackheart. "Then I am in. All the way."

[Dark Silver]

It took nearly half a hour, but Saibot was whole again. With his saber at his side, and his ring with a charge, he felt nearly invincible.

Of course he wasn't as stupid as to think he was, thinking yourself invincible was a quick way to get yourself, or your teammate killed.

With the saber's tapping against his thigh as he walked, Saibot made his way towards the roof. Soon, they'd be back in the fire, he just hoped they all made it out alive.

[B4UTRUST]

He glared over at her. First he had let her live, then he let her out of her cell and even had allowed her to watch him work. Now he had to feed the wretch too? What the hell did she think he was? Her father? A nice guy? He sighed and shook his head in disdain.

"The kitchen is down the hall..."

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

Precisely one hour later Tarot stepped onto the rooftop admist the small talk and quiet conversations. He was pleased to note that everyone had arrived and was ready.
"If I may have your attention please. Thank you. At this time we're going to begin the initiation of this operation. Argent here will be teleporting the group inside of the location and will be providing extraction as well. Everyone gather close together so she may teleport everyone. Remember, hostages are more important an objective then the Astronomer.

"And now, as much as I would love to join you all on this little adventure I'm afraid I must take my leave. I've just recieved orders of my own, a temporary assignment to Japan's Asahi organization. I'll be on loan to them while Ultima will be recieving an agent from them in return. I'm sure you'll all meet the agent upon your return.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a plane to catch."

Tarot turned and left before anyone could ask him any questions. It was now or never. Their comms were setup in a SINCGARS frequency hopping mode, their GPS locators loaded with the proper keys and accurate down to less then a meter. Their equipment was loaded and ready, themselves as ready as they would ever be.

They gathered closer for Argent to teleport them...

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

"In an earlier interview with the meta known as Gravitas, Congressman Rand was deliberatly called out. Join us at ten to hear the first coverage of Rand's response."

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

A plane landed at Liberty International Airport bearing the markings of Japan Air. It taxied smoothly to the gate and began to allow the passengers to disembark.

At the gate inside a pair of Ultima agents stood waiting. They made no attempt to hide their federal status, their tailored MiB suits and shades making them reek of government employee. Their eyes moved over the crowd as each passenger came through. One glanced down at his watch to check the time before returning to his search.

A young oriental man came out. He was a very striking individual with his appearance. He was about five and a half foot and slim, his skin alabaster white and his eyes were blood red. He was dressed in a pair of white slacks, a black undershirt and a white leather trenchcoat. His hair was perhaps the most shocking of all in its light pink color. A pair of ruby stud earrings adorned his ears.

He smiled as he made his way over to the two agents and bowed at the waist, his hands at his sides.
"Agent Shigure?" inquired one of the agents.
"Hai. I am Shigure Kyosuke."
"Lets go get your luggage. We've got your place set up and waiting. We'll drop you off there tonight and let you settle in. We'll bring you down to HQ tomorrow for in processing if that's alright with you."
"Hai, it sounds fine."

The three went downstairs to baggage claim. Kyosuke grabbed a large suitcase in one hand and a small highly decorative wooden case with his other.
"So whats in the case? Pool cue?" asked one of the men, joking.
"Sword. Somehow I doubt if most of your American pool halls would take kindly to me trying to break with that."

[Rukia]

He glared over at her. First he had let her live, then he let her out of her cell and even had allowed her to watch him work. Now he had to feed the wretch too? What the hell did she think he was? Her father? A nice guy? He sighed and shook his head in disdain.

"The kitchen is down the hall..."

-Thank you!- She grinned widely as she stood. -You don't have to be so mean ya know... You might actually need me soon....- She walked out and down the hall for food.

[LadyTevar]

Argent dropped hand before Blackheart had the chance to take it, the private shadow curtain that had shielded their discussion dropping as well. Saibot was coming, but how she knew he was near she wasn't quite sure. As he stepped onto the roof she started across towards him, wanting to speak with him before the mission started...

... and was twarted again by Tarot's timely appearance. The agent was unbearably smug, so much that Argent felt this trip to Japan would mean trouble for Blackheart and the rest of the team. A quick 'feel' of Saibot and Blackheart's emotional states told her they felt the same way.

As Tarot ordered the rest of the team around her, Argent waited patiently. Only once Tarot had left did she risk sending a private wave of emotion to Saibot: support/love/confidence. The last was a little shaky, but she wanted him to know she had his back, no matter what.

She looked to Blackheart and said calmly. "Whenever you're ready. I'll try to find a place without many guards to reform."

[Cynical Cat]

"Whenever you've found a good place," replied Blackheart.

[frigidmagi]

Blast could almost feel his heartrate slowing, the fucker was gonna put half a planet's worth of space between them. It was like God had dropped a gift on his lap. Which only made him wonder what Tarot thought he could do from that far away?

Great, at this rate he would have an ulcer before he reached 25.

[Charon]

Legacies flung himself back onto the roof, shimmering into view as he did so. "Recon. Tarot could at least be honest and say rescue mission." The silver figure slinked up to the others. The eyes and mouth were more formed now, and there was an aura of comfort and ease that seemed to be eminating from him. "We are ready when you are."

[LadyTevar]

"Whenever you've found a good place," replied Blackheart.

Argent nodded, and slipped into her dragonshape. The large inky wings extended upwards and outwards, settling down over each of the heros gathered around her ...

... then they are in a place of absolute darkness, lit only by the silvery fire outlining the dragon's form as she carries them. A heartbeat pulses in the darkness... one beat. two beats. three beats ...

... And Argent fountains up from under a table, her wings extending the width of the room as she returns the heros to reality, each facing outwards to ensure no one has seen them enter what seems to be a dining hall.

Back at Ultimates, the team vanishes from GPS tracking, reappearing in one of the areas of Old New York left to slowly fall into ruin bare seconds later.

[Dark Silver]

Teleporting.

Always such a ingenius and timesaving way to travel, and often Saibot wished he was capable of it. As Argent reappeared with them in the dining hall of the enemy base, Saibot was tensed, free hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

He took a moment, and scanned the room with his ring, looking for any security devices, and finding any of consequence that he was aware of. "All clear" he announced calmly, looking to Blackheart, then to Argent and Legacies, nodding, "Can't vouch for outside the room."

[Rukia]

Cam was in the kitchen looking for something editble. She had started to make a sandwich when she heard something in the Dinaning room that she had walked through to get to the kitchen. She froze. She guessed that if it was one of the gaurds she'd be in trouble, even tho what's-his-face had let her out. She walked slowly to the dining hall entrance and peeked around the corner. Her jaw dropped.

[Agent Fisher]

Niner sensed the presence of someone. He whipped his head around and spotted the girl. He grabbed her with TK and dragged her into the room with them, using TK to hold her mouth closed.

[Shark Bait]

Niner sensed the presence of someone. He whipped his head around and spotted the girl. He grabbed her with TK and dragged her into the room with them, using TK to hold her mouth closed.

Seven watched as Niner pulled the frightened girl into the dining hall “Damn itâ€

[frigidmagi]

Blast took deep breaths, teleporting it seemed made him dizzy. Good to know. He turned his head at the robot's cry to see the girl being dragged in.

"Crap." he muttered.

[Rukia]

Cam winced.-God I'm fucked. If they don't kill me He will- She looked from one meta to the next, panicking. She struggled to get free from her invisible bonds. She looked the meta who said 'crap' and thought to him -Tell him to let me go please? I won't run or scream I promise!-

[Cynical Cat]

"Keep her quiet," said Blackheart as he stepped foreward. "As a rule," he said quietly, "I try to avoid killing young girls whenever possible. I also have low tolerance for fucking around. Blink twice if you want to play nice."