Supercape Posted August 28, 2010 Posted August 28, 2010 That last blast from Dragonfly may have actually struck the fiery man. Did he stagger a little? "Come ON!" shouted Slick at himself, and took a deep breath in as he reaffirmed his resolve. Diving into the fire, he extended an arm in a long punch, driving right into his target. If this is the pale imitation he thought to herself we are going to have to be really prepared for the original...
trollthumper Posted August 28, 2010 Author Posted August 28, 2010 Slick's blow seemed to glance off of the scientist's fire-hardened body, but did send him spinning right into the path of Cannonade's fist... which, even when knocked for a loop, he managed to dodge at the last moment. "Why'd we have to get the scientist with a fricking black belt?" he yelled, driving a fist right into the scientist's solar plexus, sending the burning man staggering back.
Fox Posted August 28, 2010 Posted August 28, 2010 finally - progress - not fast enough but progress - serum makes them durable? Dragonfly sent another blast his way, trying to keep an eye on the condition of the room as she did. "Luck can't last forever. Have to just wear him down!"
trollthumper Posted August 28, 2010 Author Posted August 28, 2010 The blast caught the scientist right across the chest. He let out a pained gasp and fell to the ground in pain, as the fires went out like a candle in a windstorm. He fell to the ground, landing on his hands and knees, clad only in soot and ashes. Before he had the luxury of passing out, Cannonade crossed the distance and hoisted him to his feet. "Where's the girl?" he said. "Where... she needs to..." Cannonade pulled the scientist closer. "Oh, I'm sorry, you got ash in those ears? Where's the girl?" "Back... in back... just..." The scientist chose that moment to pass out. Just as Cannonade began to move for the back room, a stray beam split from the ceiling and came crashing down just a foot away. It managed to gouge a good foot into the floor -- not enough to punch through to below, but close. "Slick, Dragonfly, the girl's in the back room. Get her out of here. I'm gonna try to get everyone out safely."
Supercape Posted August 29, 2010 Posted August 29, 2010 Fire. It had to be fire didn't it. Slick cursed to himself and did his best to try and reabsorb his oily secretions. Still, this was what it meant to be a hero. Guess the old man would be proud. Moving with uncanny speed and grace, he vaulted over to the Fire Extinguisher and primed it. Smoke would probably be more of a problem than fire to begin with, but it would be best to be prepared. Taking a few deep breaths of the already limited air, he hefted the extinguisher (holding it like it weighed a fraction of its weight), and dashed off through the smoke and flames to the back room.
Fox Posted August 29, 2010 Posted August 29, 2010 Dragonfly blinked, lowering his arm as the scientist went out and collapsed. ...or that - so much for wearing him down - true science wins? "Slick, Dragonfly, the girl's in the back room. Get her out of here. I'm gonna try to get everyone out safely." She nodded, paying better attention to the surrounding smoke and fire. "R-right!" Putting a hand over her mouth - and taking a moment to consider herself lucky that her gauntlets were both (mostly) lined on the inside and (decently) heat-resistant - she took off after Slick, hoping Cannonade had a plan. This whole situation seemed to have gone bad pretty quickly.... exactly what happens when you abuse science like that - what kind of idiot drinks untest forumlas - lucky if the building doesn't collapse on our heads
trollthumper Posted August 29, 2010 Author Posted August 29, 2010 The back room was untouched by the fire... for now. But the smoke was starting to billow under the door. Fortunately, the girl appeared to be fine. She lay supine on a hospital bed, her wrists in chains. An IV drip was stuck in her arm -- the label on the side indicated pentobarbital, meaning she was in a chemically-induced coma and she appeared to show no signs of distress. In fact, her skin was beginning to turn a strange shade of green -- to Slick's eyes, it appeared almost as if her biology was responding to the heavy carbon dioxide content of the air by converting her body to process carbon dioxide. ----- Meanwhile, Cannonade had hauled the unconscious gangsters and the scientist into the elevator. "Do not use in case of fire," he thought. Yeah, well I don't have many alternatives here, do I? As the elevator descended, Cannonade kept hoping the cable would hold -- not that he couldn't punch his way out if the worst happened, but it'd be annoying. Fortunately, the elevator managed to make the trip down. He hauled the bodies out of the elevator to join the other felled guards, and rushed for the DJ booth. The dance floor was still untouched, for better or for worse. Cannonade hadn't exactly been expecting a full sprinkler system after the catastrophe upstairs went off without an alarm, but there was still the hope. The ceiling was starting to smolder, and soon the fire would probably start licking through, but for now, the smoke was lost amongst the lights and the darkness. "One of the benefits of being underground," he whispered to himself, "no safety regulations." He rushed the booth, kicking open the door. "Hey, what the --" Before the DJ could get anything else out, however, he took the mic. "Ladies and gentlemen," Cannonade said, "may I have your attention, please. This club is closed due to illegal activities. The FCPD is on their way, and I recommend you all file out -- calmly -- unless you wanna attract their attention with a stampede." It was already working; a cacophony was breaking out on the floor, and some of the more casual clubgoers were filing out the back. "What the hell are you doing?" said the DJ. Cannonade turned to him, his hand covering the mic. "Trying to avoid a riot. If you're smart, you'll help." He handed the mic back over to the DJ. "He's right, ladies and gents. Freedom's finest will be on their way, so if anyone's holding, might be wise to head on home." That definitely started to move the crowd out the doors. There was some pushing, but no one was getting trampled. "See. Told ya." Cannonade looked up to the ceiling, hoping it would hold out until the crowd was off the floor.
Supercape Posted September 1, 2010 Posted September 1, 2010 Slick gave a few coughs. The smoke was getting bad, and as vital as his constitution was, he would not be able to hold out forever. The girl, even less so. She looked heavily sedated, and through the smoke wafted the smell of powerful barbiturates. "Best not unhook her just yet", he called out to Dragonfly. No idea how long she had been under. Slick took the extinguisher and gave a few squirts, then kicked in the windows to help the smoke clear. But it wouldn't buy them much time.
Fox Posted September 1, 2010 Posted September 1, 2010 risky to move her - unknown status - adaption undependable? - ideally move her whole, without disturbing - ...! Dragonfly coughed, rushing over to the window and searching for something, anything within - there - structurally sound - better than here Turning back around to face Slick, one hand still over her mouth, she held the other out like a handshake as her force field wavered and finally untangled into nonexistence. "Trust me?"
Supercape Posted September 2, 2010 Posted September 2, 2010 "Absolutely" lied Slick. It wasn't a complete lie: Dragonfly looked trustworthy enough, its just that Slick had been around the corporate world of business too long to hand out absolute trust frequently, if at all. But a goodwill gesture was always handy. And besides, now was the time for action, not delay. The smoke was getting thicker. "So whatever you are going to do, now is the time to do it!"
Fox Posted September 2, 2010 Posted September 2, 2010 Dragonfly nodded, and would have taken a deep breath if the air wasn't full of smoke. Lights dancing behind her eyes, she mentally disabled assorted safeties on her gauntlets (getting more than a few warning messages in return, which thankfully only she could 'hear'). There was a noise, like a whirring electronic whine, slowly building into a tooth-vibrating hum as every crack and non-metal surface on her gauntlets started lighting up in pale, bright blue; the air around her hands just looked...wrong, like the light passing nearby was getting distorted and twisted around before coming out the other side. She reached out and laid a hand on Slick's shoulder, resting the other on the end of the bed. "Don't touch my bike." On either side of her, from where each hand rested, little lines like folds in paper scattered across the surface of Slick's body and and the girl - bed, drip, and all. In no more than a couple seconds both were completely covered, and the world...twisted. From an outside point of view, the world itself started folding in towards her hands, crumpling and distorting until it vanished into nothing. To an inside point of view, there were simply a few seconds of tingling followed by the universe...churning, like standing inside a room that's being twisted inside-out in ways the brain isn't sure how to process. The sensation was fortunately brief, leaving Slick and the girl-laden bed sitting (floating?) in largely empty (if human-friendly) space with the bike, jacket, and assorted odds and ends. Standing alone in the smoke-filled room, Dragonfly coughed again and made her way to the window, searching for the warehouse roof she'd spotted before. Holding her hands out to her sides, she winced. this will hurt - best option - repairs will be fun Space folded in around her.... ....and folded again on the roof of the warehouse nearby, depositing her and a puff of smoke in the clean, fire-less city air. She had about two seconds to wonder at her plan working before both (no longer glowing) gauntlets twitched and spat sparks and acrid smoke. expected that - calculated risk - will have to repair later - let's see here A little glass tube on the left one exploded in a tiny burst of blue energy as she charged up to pull her 'captives' back into normal space.
Supercape Posted September 2, 2010 Posted September 2, 2010 Slick was, of course, somewhat apprehensive. As his world collapsed and altered, leaving him in a state he could only describe as limbo, he added disorientation to the emotion. With all the folding of space (and he guessed other dimensions) into impossible angles, his only clear memory was of Dragonfly's motorcycle hanging in the not-space. A curious sense of calm, probably birthed from complete bewilderment, overtook him. And before he knew it, the same folding and angular madness started again, and in a completely indescribable fashion (at least to a sane human mind), he was "out" again, standing by Dragonfly. He wasn't normally short of words. This was an exception. "Whoa!"
trollthumper Posted September 2, 2010 Author Posted September 2, 2010 Outside, on the opposite roof, the two heroes could see the smoke pooling out from the windows of the warehouse. Flames were starting to lick across the roof, and in the alley below, the crowd of dancers were looking up at the burning building. ----- Meanwhile, in the warehouse, the music had cut out just in time for a loud shout to be heard over the murmuring: "Jesus Christ, the building's on fire!" "Crap," muttered Cannonade. As he feared, the crowd started to panic. What had been an orderly attempt to file out descended into chaos, as people pushed each other down in an attempt to escape the building. The DJ had already fled, and no well-reasoned words were going to help calm the beast. So he waited in the booth, drawing his shirt up to around his mouth to prevent any possible smoke inhalation. When the crowd had departed, there were still a few lying on the floor, bruised and twitching. Cannonade leapt from the booth and checked them over -- fortunately, they were still alive, just hurt. He took care in picking them up and ferrying them to the entrance. Behind him, he hear the sound of splintering timber as burning beams fell onto the dance floor. He'd gotten out just in time. And fortunately, the fire department showed up just as he barged out of the warehouse. He walked over to the nearest ambulance, unconscious clubbers in his arms. "Got a few who got caught in the crowd," he said to the EMTs. "Tried not to disturb anything. They should be okay..."
Fox Posted September 2, 2010 Posted September 2, 2010 Dragonfly hissed a little, shaking her hand now that Slick was back into normal space. minor burns? - fingers intact - good sign - new engine's containment held - better than I'd hoped for "Sorry. Was expedient. Harmless, no after-effects; been told it's unpleasant." She glanced at Slick, tilting her head. "Haven't tried it, myself." Apparently deciding that explained everything, she made her way to the edge of the roof. "Should get help before she adapts to where she's been put. Where is...ah. Coming?" Carefully - wincing - she lowered herself down onto the fire escape. From there it was a simple matter to get back down to the street, and then to pick her way through onlookers towards the emergency personnel. Hesitating only slightly she pulled an EMT aside, brought the unconscious girl and her drip back without fanfare (well, as much without fanfare as folding someone out of thin air can be) and gave a brief, tired, borderline-clinical explanation of what had been done to her, as well as a promise to come by with a more detailed recreation of the notes and files she'd seen when she'd had the time to do the recreating.
Supercape Posted September 3, 2010 Posted September 3, 2010 "Haven't tried it, myself." "Hmph. I wouldn't recommend it", answered a still disorientated Slick, as Dragonfly sped off. It looked like the immediate crisis was over, so Slick took a few minutes at the rooftop getting used to the regular three dimensions and surveying the sights, sounds, and smells of the burning building and the unfolding emergency services response. Spotting Cannonade and Dragonfly in the throng, she made her way down to join them. This whole business was deeply wrong, and someone was going to pay. She fought back the customary flashbacks to her infancy and the horrors she had undergone. Yes, they were going to pay.
trollthumper Posted September 4, 2010 Author Posted September 4, 2010 Cannonade dragged out the unconscious gangster and the scientists, handed them over to the EMTs, then saw Slick and Dragonfly wheeling the drugged girl over to the EMTs. "Thought if anyone knew how to get her out of there, it'd be you," he said. He then looked back to the warehouse. "Don't think we're gonna get much info on the operation until these guys wake up."
Fox Posted September 4, 2010 Posted September 4, 2010 "Might be a while. Other sources...hm." Dragonfly glanced up at what was left of the warehouse and sighed, tracing a finger through the air as she silently mouthed some figures. "Possible but unlikely. Heat, water." She winced at a crashing sound. "Structural collapse." Without looking down, she expertly pulled back a plate on one of her gauntlets, removing what was left of the shattered glass tube and gently putting it away in a pouch. "Should have gathered better data while I could. Sorry. Was....distracted. May have to wait." She flexed her hand, the plate snapping back into place as she added, "But won't forget. Suspect we all have equal stake in this now."
Supercape Posted September 4, 2010 Posted September 4, 2010 Slick pondered the situation for a moment. "I have a feeling that scientist guy isn't going to be to happy when he wakes up in hospital. He looks like our best lead, I guess. " Remembering the slightly green girl, he had a thought. "I wonder how he would feel about his experiment.... he might be a bit more loose lipped around her." he continued, as he started to concentrate. Once again, with streaks of oil and contorting flesh, Slick changed shape. Now, he had the appearance of the "experiment" - the young girl, complete with slightly green skin. "Hook me up with a medical gown, a saline drip, and place me in the same room. See what happens when he wakes up. Just be ready with those fire extinguishers and try and keep him sedated!"
trollthumper Posted September 5, 2010 Author Posted September 5, 2010 "Sounds like a plan," Cannonade said. "We'd probably have to run it by the EMTs, the hospital staff, and the police just in case, but I think we can pull it off." It took a while to clear the air with the cops -- and even longer to get the hospital staff on their side -- but they managed to get it all set up. The scientist was transferred to St. Aloysius after he was stabilized, set up in a private room, and put on an IV drip. The police were waiting down the hall, and Cannonade was waiting right outside the room. All that was necessary was for Slick to take her place...
Supercape Posted September 5, 2010 Posted September 5, 2010 "Right guys", said Slick, who was nervous to say the least. Flamethrowing villains were the last thing she fancied fighting once, let alone twice. "Stay close, and keep watching with the camera and listening with the bugs. And Dragonfly, keep your finger on the sprinkler system button. If it gets to hot, we need to douse him. " She examined the drip on the scientist, full of a moderate dose of benzodiazepine sedative and a side helping of opiates. She knew enough pharmacology for a good guess. 50 odd years of running a pharmaceutical company meant that a little had rubbed off. Her own drip was inserted, running just saline. She adjusted the scientists drip, and slowed the flow. Hopefully he would wake up soon.
trollthumper Posted September 6, 2010 Author Posted September 6, 2010 Over in the next bed, the scientist began to stir. He slowly opened his eyes, then blinked. He began to take account of his surroundings -- the florescent lights, CNN playing on the hospital TV, the patient in the next bed... He stared at "Subject M," then began to stir. He slowly worked the IV out of his arm, ripped off a strip from his bed sheet and tied it around the vein. He then started to rise out of the bed, and worked his way over to his former "patient." He was at the foot of his bed when he felt something wrapped around his waist. "Back away from the girl." Cannonade said, "And don't get any bright ideas, or else I'm gonna throw you in the river and go five rounds on your face." "P-please," the scientist stammered, "I-I don't even know if I can any more, it... it feels like it's gone. Just... just let me see her..."
Fox Posted September 6, 2010 Posted September 6, 2010 Dragonfly leaned in the doorway, arms crossed, watching. was a good idea - fixated? - depowered - good - hard not to punch him in the face "Lucky you both survived," she chimed in. "Got the girl out just in time. You...he saved you." She nodded towards Cannonade. "Would have been tempted to leave you in a burning building, myself." She narrowed her eyes behind the visor. still am
trollthumper Posted September 7, 2010 Author Posted September 7, 2010 The scientist paled. "Wh... what is it you want?" "Your bosses, to start," Cannonade said. "Who brought you into this? Kinda doubt you went to the local gangs with blood samples..." "I - I didn't," he said. "I did my graduate study in power manifestations. Cases with... no direct chemical, biological or thaumaturgical origin. I came on as a specialist in eruptive cases. The... they came to me a year back, put me on their payroll, told me to keep an eye on anything that could be capitalized on. I found her--" He nodded over to Slick. "--a few weeks ago. Her chemistry was... amazing. The first case I saw where the power could... spread. With a few more weeks, I could have perfected it, but... they wanted results. Now."
Fox Posted September 7, 2010 Posted September 7, 2010 The corner of Dragonfly's mouth twitched. "She isn't chemistry. She is a person. Not answering the man's question. 'They' is not a 'who'. Names. Locations. Organizations. Records." Her tone could have been used to freeze and cut through solid oak. "Quickly."
trollthumper Posted September 8, 2010 Author Posted September 8, 2010 "I, I don't know," the scientist said. "He never gave his name, the meetings were--" Cannonade pulled the scientist closer, getting in his face. "That's not an answer," he said. "You said 'he.' Let's start there. Appearance. Accent. Places you met." "Wait... I've got something," he said. "He called me from a private number. Told me where we'd meet, what info to bring." "There's a start," Cannonade said. Then his face contorted. "Let me guess... you kept the cell phone in your pants pocket." "Yes," the scientist said. "But it was my Skype number as well. My laptop's in my office..."
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