Heroes: The Road of Good Intentions

[Charon]

Legacies had been quiet and watchful for a long time since the attack on Freak Legion, his mind spinning about a great many things that had to be solved, long term goals that would maybe even impress Gravitas. Additionally, the excess speed and power Saibot's dagger gave Legacies made him cautious until he knew his new limits. His feelings were mixed a great deal on the matter of Saibot, which is why he'd stayed away and kept quiet, they still were, but the symbiotic creature kept silent, its emotions being kept deeply under cover where no one could see them.

As Ghost moved to leave a silvery tendril reached out and placed itself, for now gently, upon Ghost's shoulder. It was the first action Legacies had taken, even during Kyosuke's attack. "Stay." The silver head turned to Blackheart. "He does not wish us harm, and even if he did, what is one more organization among Ultima, RCE, and Tarot? His skills are useful."

[LadyTevar]

Argent's eyes slide from Legacies to Blackheart. Basically, the symbiote had said the same thing she had, but perhaps his greater experience would carry more weight.

She resisted the impulse to say more, although she could point out that Ghost had performed the best out of the last mission. She merely stood by, locking down her Empathy so not to influence anyone.

[Marcao]

He watched and listened to the exchange between Blackheart and Ghost. Ghost’s assertion that he was not here to mess with any of the team struck him as bullshit, considering that he could not make any sort of guarantees about his employers. What was that information that Ghost was passing on up being used for? Blackheart’s answer was met with a too neat of a response. They were supposed to take it at his word that he would only report when everything was said and done? He had never had an outright spy in any team he had been part of before. Oh sure, Ultima loved its paper work and there had been a handful of times where members of a team he had been part of had been asked to testify about various events which had transpired. That such a thing was normal, but the idea that Ghost was working for something else and actively keeping tabs on the members of Team Mirage did not fill him with any confidence. In a combat situation, he may just suffer a lapse of judgment, react too slowly and get Ghost killed as things appeared to shape up.

Argent spoke and he was genuinely surprised by her decision. Of all the members of Team Mirage, she would be at the top of the list when it came to be someone to watch or recruit. Even now he was not aware of all the details of what was going on within the team, but Argent’s apparent capabilities were certainly attractive. He said nothing immediately, allowing Argent her time to make her pitch and state her perceptions. It was true that once one knew where a trap laid, it ceased to be a trap in the usual sense. But the idea that Ghost would be there alongside them cataloguing everything he saw, everything they did and everyone that they worked with.

It was then that another voice of support manifested from within the group. His eyes left Argent then and flickered towards who he believed was called Legacies as he too offered his support for Ghost’s remaining within the team; this was certainly getting interesting. Ghost seemed to have a penchant for making friends. He hesitated for a moment; aware that by virtue of being the newest member of the team his words carried the least weight.

“I am inclined to agree with Blackheart on this.â€

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost smiled, glad that at least two people had stood up for him. "Ultimately, its Blackheart's choice. And Tachyon, if my 'mysterious employer's' wanted to find out about your contacts, there are plenty of ways for them to do that." He shrugged the tendril off his shoulder. "Though I do have a question. Blackheart, who told you, and what did they say?" He asked.

[SirNitram]

"Ghost, why do you assume we need told? We're not idiots. You're a highly trained military man with powers useful to alot of agencies around the world. You're not used up, or mentally fracked. Why would they have let you go?" Gravitas tilted his head.

"The fact you refuse to identify them is just a further weight on the considerations of OpSec here." A surprising term from him. Where'd he pick it up? "My loyalties aren't to Ultima, but no one freaks out because they know what I'm loyal to."

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost looked at Gravitas. "Well, if you had figured it out on your own, I assume you would have talked with me long before now." Mentally Ghost added, 'yeah, your loyalties are to your own egotistical sense of godhood.' "And if you say you aren't stupid, then why haven't you figured out who I'm working for. It's not really that hard once you know I'm on assignment here."

[SirNitram]

"Why? Your interests were in Ultima, not me. If they were in me, well, I'm not stupid enough to do anything any government agency might want to find out in a federal agency." Gravitas shrugged. "There's dozens of agencies known, and who knows how many unknown? For all I know, you're Ultima IAB."

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost shook his head. "Alright, alright, I get it. Mirage Team, it's been fun, hopefully our paths will cross someday, and hopefully it won't be at your funerals." He stuck his hand in his pocket, but quickly removed it. Turning, he walked towards the roof access, patting Hotfoot on the shoulder as he passed him. "Good luck kid." As his hand pulled away, something did not, a tiny microphone/transmitter. It was extremely hard to spot and would lose power and dissolve in 24 hours.

[Cynical Cat]

Blackheart walked over to Hotfoot. "Just a second," he said checking his shoulder. "Jesus Christ, no fucking respect at all." He pried the bug off Hotfoot's back and crushed it between thumb and forefinger. "Just a word to everyone, we'll be leaving all our electronic toys in my apartment before we leave and do a nice bug check. Blast should be helpful with that."

[LadyTevar]

Blackheart had made his decision long before she had teleported in, it seemed. Argent at least watched Ghost walk away. He was codenamed that for a reason; he could simply walk out of sight and vanish from view to spy. She'd have far preferred keeping him close so they could watch him. 'Keep your enemies where you can see them' was a very good policy.

Although... this meant that her apartment was now going to be under surveillance. Let his organization try to get past Zufu and his lawyers. It's not like I can't go to another city, though.

However, the bug on Hotfoot was the last straw. "Blackheart, you know I can 'port and make sure things are left behind," she stated flatly. "Name a new destination, and I'll make sure we get there clean. Or do you want me to pick a site?"

[SirNitram]

"A bug check is a good habit either way. I'll be shedding these medical pins just in case. I would not be surprise if one has a GPS transmittor." Gravitas shrugs. "No discussing our destination until we're sure we're clean."

[Cynical Cat]

"No offense Argent, but you have so little trade craft you keep on stopping in with a Chinese mob boss who probably has a permanent stake out on his ass," said Blackheart. "My faith that you can spot and ditch every single bug on us is zero."

[LadyTevar]

Argent met Blackheart's eyes without faltering. "Odd how 'no offense' usually is followed by an insult from you," she said conversationally. "Or is this where you decide that I, too, should be left behind as a risk?"

[frigidmagi]

"Besides I can just look and see anything that has a power source. Won't touch anything mental or magical but techie stuff I'll nail. So why not let me play?" Blast asked.

[Cynical Cat]

"Grow a thicker skin," said Blackheart. "I told the truth, nothing more, nothing less. You're plenty sneaky but you have no idea how to play in this particular world. Pretending otherwise is going to lead to trouble we don't want. Blast is the king of reading energy flows and despite his disclaimers about not being as good with mystic energy, he can read mine pretty good. He absolutely is the best man for the job."

[frigidmagi]

"Shall I go ahead then?" Blast asked, he wanted to be sure before he started.

[Cynical Cat]

"Go," said Blackheart. "Although you'll get a lot of stuff that isn't bugs off me at least. Still got a lot of electronics on me."

[SirNitram]

"I suppose medical sensors might be an issue with me, but a radio would have to be stronger, wouldn't it?" Gravitas smiled. "Do your thing, Blast."

[frigidmagi]

Blast relaxed and let his vision slip... Slip wasn't the right word, but then there wasn't a right word, to accurately describe what he did and what he saw and felt was beyond the ability of normal language. Mankind had only invented words for what it had experienced after all...

There were a number of electronic devices all over the place but bugs... Hmmm... Yeah...

Four small devices, two on Gravitas, one on Blackheart and another on Blast... Which annoyed him, he made a note to cause some trouble for someone over that... Four small devices fizzed, sadly chirped and died with a bit of smoke. He looked over everyone again... Nothing...

"That's all I can find." He said dragging himself away from his other sight.

[Cynical Cat]

"Good first go over," said Blackheart. "We'll toss them in my apartment before we leave."

[LadyTevar]

Argent noted that none of the smoke and chirps came from herself or Hotfoot. A small smile touched her lips as looked over to Blackheart in sly amusement. Yes, she had been to her loft, in the middle of Tong territory, and Hotfoot's new costume was provided by them, but they were not bugged.

"It seems Hotfoot and I are clean, then," she stated softly. "Ghost must not have had time to plant more." And the Tong did not, she silently directed to Blackheart. More honor among thieves than amongst the so-called Heros

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost reached the street and waved down a taxi. He had been listening in when Blackheart found the bug. Ghost was impressed, most people wouldn't have seen the clear, one centimeter disk, but Blackheart knew the trade.

One cab ride later and he was back at Ultima. He reached his desk and picked up his phone. "Yes, this is Agent Ryan, I would like to have a meeting with Agent Bowman."

[Charon]

Legacies watched Ghost leave as the others prepared, briefly he thought that if they were not going to keep Ghost within sight they should kill him, but the symbiote shook his head, clearing away the thoughts. They didn't do things like that here.

Legacies looked at Blackheart. "Tell us when you need something of us."

[B4UTRUST]

Bowman scheduled the meeting with Agent Ryan for about an hour after the phone call. When Ryan arrived, Bowman was behind his desk, attending to paperwork.
"What can I do for you, Agent?"

[Agent Fisher]

Ghost cut straight to the chase. "Well sir, my team is currently handling matters that I'm not powerful enough for. Until they are done, I'm basiclly just floating around here. I would like your permission to help with the hunt for the people who murdered Frank, I mean, Agent Pratt, sir." He said.