What lies beneath

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<< Morgan looked at Haleigh...no particular feeling of contempt..yet. she watched as Tinkerbell walked across the head of the leather sectional...and craned her neck out...inspecting the presence and aura of Haleigh's "new" body....>>

hmm yes. Guardian and Alycia both indicated that your invovlement in this is more than skin deep. Delilah also pointed out that the "super soldier" project was something of an "urban legend" in law enforcement circles. step forward..and see what the Scrying Glass has to reveal....

<< with one hand on her hip Morgan waves the other one back back toward the mystic lens....a sparkling trail follows and begins to spin around in front of the lens as a chime sounds off of....and the lens shimmers and glows>>


<< FIRST, Haleigh sees a full, unedited recounting of The Six's battle with the super soldier as it actually occurred. their rescuing of Alycia and Sharon...and the final seeming destruction of "the shape". then the images shift and swirl....as the glass shows moments from the PAST....again images of the government soldiers brutalizing the young man's mother...before killing her and dumping her in the very lake that Sharon's cabin over looks. Haleigh sees the young man beaten into unconsciousness..and dragged away....she see's his FACE>>

<< Morgan speaks>>: Alycia said that YOU were romantically involved with this man...that you KNEW he had been selected for testing. The government started the project bUT ABANDONNED it given lack of funds and endorsement (thats the reason on the books anyway) but MysTech filled in where they left off....stripping him of his humanity courtesy of Imagiomg and his spells...and ....the night that the core melt down took place in the citadle, the SUPER SOLDIER was one of the "bio hazards" that escaped!..he's been on the loose ever since...and murdered dozens of people....he's been after Alycia Barnett ...we've rescued her, but we've since learned that it wasnt originally HER that he was meant to kill..but US. The Super soldier is one of MANY projects under the "anti mutant/meta human" platform that Sharon Kelly has been a vocal opponent of. It wont be long before they target her as well.

we know that you know about this...youve known all along, but you didnt TELL US when we were in the citadle.
 
:: Noting Haleigh's words, she didn't bother to respond as Morgan jumped right into buisness. Closing the door gently, Alexis placed crossed her arms along her chest, and made her way back into the livingroom. As Morgan filled Haleigh into what was going on, Alexis glanced over to Adrian, who had been oddly very quiet during this entire ordeal. Watching him for a few seconds, Alexis finally stepped forward and took a seat next to the man. ::

"Why the new look."

:: A cross between curiosity and bitterness, she turned her head and looked to Adrian. The group hadn't dove into Adrian's change of appearence and personality, so Alexis was unaware at the fact that Adrian had infact changed...he wasn't that ignorant ass anymore. So the brunette was cold toward him, still hated the fact that he let her father die. ::

"Well?"
 
While Morgan began recapping what had happened, Adrian continued staring at Haleigh. Despite a change in her demeanor, he had become receptive to all emotions, and could sense the underlying current of hostility that would always permeat her sentiments. He could sometimes even make out a person's aura if he looked hard enough. Now, however, he only saw the buddings of an argument. And sure enough, Morgan began her assault.

As the newest (if at all) member of this group, he would avoid intervening during this "battle of the titans." Thankfully, Alexis provided a much-needed distraction, and he turned his head to look at her. While close contact with anyone had always insinuated some sort of intimacy, this Adrian looked at Alexis with untainted curosity and openness. He had been alone for most of his life in dealing with his true emotions, and even a relative stranger was welcome company during this time of "regrowth".

"It wasn't my choice," he said quietly, raising his gaze. "It wasn't my choice but, I don't regret it. I was wearing someone else's skin, and I'd much rather be my own person.."

He shrugged his shoulders slightly. "What about you?"
 
:: Listening to his words, Alexis looked forward to the fireplace. His look was changed to better himself, Alexis' change was to hide herself. ::

"I needed a break from being Alexis Chandler-Quartermaine."

:: As she spoke her name, she did it in such a way as to express her displeasure of being that woman. Almost poking tease in a dark sort of way. Looking to Bane, her eyebrows rose to the mid of her forehead. With a small shrug. ::

"As far as paperazzi are concerned, Alexis is in "Switzerland" on vacation. Gives me a little down time, especially after the Gala feasco."
 
"Hanging out with you people makes me think I need to do a stint on Extreme Makeover..."

[ She spoke under her breath. She had been quiet up until now, preferring not to get into the squabbles going on between the members, new and old, of The Six. It really wasn't her business and getting involved would only add to the fragmentation rife with this team. She had to wonder how people who clearly disliked each other had worked together this long...

She sighed and waited for Guardian to return so they could finally get down to business. ]
 
:: Alison appeared before Cameron. His plan had worked, she had come to his aid and returned himself to his old Penthouse which was not looking so good. It was dusty and not clean but there was still some furniture there that Cameron had forgotten to have people come move for him. As his sister nursed his wound, he began to explain what had happened to him. ::

"I don't know Alison, I was about to come with you but before I could do anything, I passed out. It was like a psychic headache. I used to get them when I was around 12 years old and just pass out for days, but this one was only a few hours. Maybe it's my new power or simply just my telepathy trying to break free.. When I woke up, I left for Illustra as fast as I possibly could, but I knew that Morgan had probably alerted Security and everyone else to not allow me access to the building.. So I took the scenic route.."

:: He began to laugh a little, but the pain in his hand jerked sharply. He guessed he went a little deeper than planned, but it was nothing that wouldn't heal before battle. The King family was strong. They each rounded each other out, but they were all survivors, it seemed that no matter what situation they were put in, somehow they would always get out. It comforted him. ::

"But enough about my own stupidity, what is going on so far? What do we know? Is it bad?"
 
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Haleigh felt someone watching her, and so she turn to face him, her green eyes locking with his for a few moments. She looked him over... he seemed... familiar... yet she couldn't place him. Was it Bane? If it was, something must have happened to him... for he had changed, and Haleigh could FEEL it was deeper than just skin. Alexis asked him the question... and Haleigh decided it must be Bane. The change certainly peaked her curiousity... but she was distracted away from persuing the matter further when Tinkerbell trounced up to her. Haleigh looked down at the cat, wary. Their relationship was rather.... shaky. She slowly reached out to the feline, scratching under her chin. For the first time in a year... the cat didnt bristle. She didnt purr.... but she didnt hiss either. Haleigh turned to look at Morgan.

"Hmm. I think she likes me.... imagine that."

Hales followed Morg over to the scrying glass, wondering briefly about how the 'white flag' had been faring under morgan's care. Haleigh didnt see the kitten running around... but now was not the time to ask. She had spoken to quickly about Tinkerbell though... because as she and Morgan turned their backs to the cat to look at the scrying glass, neither of them noticed the cat's hair stood on end. Haleigh watched the events unflinchingly. The only true sign that she was actually PAYING ATTENTION came at the end... when she inhaled sharply upon seeing the man's face. Haleigh stares as the glass darkens, not looking at Morgan as she begins to speak, frozen not in fear but in recognition. She finally moves to fold her arms across her chest defensively. She too senses the onslaught of Morgans disdain bearing down on her. It was only a matter of time before the whole virulent 'alliance' was blown out of the water. Battle of the Titans, indeed. She felt as though she was beign scolded like a child... ESPECIALLY when Morgan accused her of HIDING information from the Six. Haleigh looked up at Morg... her face blank but her eyes just barely hiding a look of dark, icy malevolence. Her voice was about as restrained --albeit defensive-- as could be.

"Yes... I was involved with him. His name is Patrick Phillips... we grew up together... and were high school sweethearts. I knew that he was going to be involved with a government project... but he didnt know what exactly. When he found out... he backed out of it... or tried to, at least. He wouldn't tell me what it involved. He disappeared a few days later. I was young... angry.. I figured he'd left for the project and left me behind. I had no idea THIS was it. I never heard from him again. MY involvement with this project runs VERY deep indeed.... I've been following it as closely as possible since I escaped Mystech's clutches six years ago... it was then i learned i was NEXT in line to be a test subject for the program. The government didnt abandon the project... they simply contracted it to Mystech for several million dollars and the agreement that the US military would see the FIRST 'super soldiers'. I know you probably wont believe me... but our government is more corrupt than even I am. No offense... but I didnt tell you about this during the Citadle caper because frankly, I didnt TRUST you. I thought you UNSTABLE.... and you havent exactly proven to me otherwise since then, now have you? Besides... when have you ever taken an interest in my work?"
 
[ Delilah wondered how Haleigh could speak of this person - this Patrick - with such little emotion, with such steely matter-of-factness. She suspected she was channeling her emotions into her disdain for Morgan...but Delilah worried that by holding themin that those emotions could come flooding out at any time... ]
 
<< Folding her arms, Morgan immediately retorted to Haleigh>>

oh is that so?

<< in an icy tone>>

well I am about as "unstable" as YOU are "trust worthy"...so we're even.

from the MOMENT YOU APPEARED your motives were anything BUT pure. You KNEW that one of the bio hazards in the citadle would pose a threat to ALL OF US in due time, and you had the most knowledge of MysTech.

and do you want to know why we are taking an interest in this now? because two of our allies...two of MINE, ALISON'S and DELILAH'S personal friends have been placed in PERIL trying to help keep ALL of us out of the government's scrutiny...and THAT includes YOU. Alycia Barnett did damage control for us when insurance companies and local authorities began trying to investigate the "weird happenings" of the night we destroyed the citadle..and Sharon has been a vocal opponent of the anti mutant/meta human campaign on capitol hill.

the super soldier was on our trail..and murdered scores of people along the way...maybe that doesnt register with you...but it does with me.... Alison has a brother who is a mutant. Alexis is a meta human...that places us MORE than at risk...and all this time..you KNEW..but instead you wanted to further the agenda of Clandistine Intelligence...that was your sole motivation from the beginning.

so while you may NOT have trusted me...or you may NOT find me stable...AT LEAST this group KNOWS where i stand....they dont have to worry about ME selling them out to the government or mystech....you speak of "Patrick" as if he were some sort of negligible casualty....and so...YOU were inline to become one of those THINGS??
 
Prophet said:
:: Alison appeared before Cameron. His plan had worked, she had come to his aid and returned himself to his old Penthouse which was not looking so good. It was dusty and not clean but there was still some furniture there that Cameron had forgotten to have people come move for him. As his sister nursed his wound, he began to explain what had happened to him. ::

"I don't know Alison, I was about to come with you but before I could do anything, I passed out. It was like a psychic headache. I used to get them when I was around 12 years old and just pass out for days, but this one was only a few hours. Maybe it's my new power or simply just my telepathy trying to break free.. When I woke up, I left for Illustra as fast as I possibly could, but I knew that Morgan had probably alerted Security and everyone else to not allow me access to the building.. So I took the scenic route.."

:: He began to laugh a little, but the pain in his hand jerked sharply. He guessed he went a little deeper than planned, but it was nothing that wouldn't heal before battle. The King family was strong. They each rounded each other out, but they were all survivors, it seemed that no matter what situation they were put in, somehow they would always get out. It comforted him. ::

"But enough about my own stupidity, what is going on so far? What do we know? Is it bad?"
Click to expand...


:: sitting bedside with her legs crossed at the knee...Guardian looked away for a moment as she listend.::

it was a foolish thing to do. but i understand your motive. i suspect that you, like many others on this time [Alexis, Adrian] are in a period of transition..your powers readjusting in various ways. But now is NOT the time to be foolish. Morgan would sooner have you shot dead if she had seen you prowling through Illustra's underbelly.

but she knew that i would bring you here...the circumstances are such...that even SHE is allowing Haleigh in the building at this moment. time is short and peril is near....

::taking his hand, Guardian BLINKS back up to Morgan's penthouse...the TOP floor of Illustra::

everyone is now here. take your seat in the lounge with alexis and the others.

::gently ushering him along as she made her way over to Delilah and sat down next to her...ALREADY aware of what had taken place between Haleigh and Morgan in front of Alexis, Bane and Delilah...Guardian immediately added in::

We fought the super soldier ourselves....myself, morgan, alexis, delilah and bane. this creature is WITHOUT human emotion...save perhaps the most base instincts. whatever he WAS in his past life....MysTech stripped that away. Haleigh KNEW that this was going to happen...yet she did nothing to warn him. it wasnt until SHE herself was selected as the NEXT test subject did it become an "issue" for her. This creature posseses unimaginable endurance and POWER...he TURNED BACK the attacks of Shockwave and Spellbinder upon BOTH of them...he BROKE FREE of my freeze effect...fought through my temporal distortions and was able to bust loose from Bane's hold as well. he withstood direct blasts from Morningstar....quite simply he was beyond any creature of MysTech that we've seen before...and he was AFTER US.




the next step is clear...FIND this agency that spear heads this project...and destroy it. take out ALL the files and information that they hold on US and every other mutant/meta human that they've identified.

clearly Haleigh has been less than forthcoming ...and her willfull withholding of information has not only endangered US...but our allies as well. this...is just a SYMPTOM of the bigger problem.

we need to know of this agency Haleigh....and ALL the details that Morgan's scrying glass does NOT provide..you must!
 
:: Turning her head away from Bane, she noticed Alison and Cameron had finally made it. Scooting aside allowing Cameron room next to her, she softly smiled at him before turning her attention to Morgan lashing into Haleigh again. Her muscles loosened as she rolled her eyes. ::

"Blaming everything on Haleigh isn't going to get us anywhere. I knew how dangerous my Aunt was and her ties to MysTech, and I didn't say anything. I could of gotten everyone killed as well. Same goes for Cameron and his mother. We need to stop playing the blame game and work on taking these super soilders out before we get attacked again."

:: Alexis was frankly, getting fed up at Morgan (and usually Alison as well) always ganging up on Haleigh like she had no shred of emotions or feelings. True she hid them well, but she knew that deep down, she wanted acceptence just as much as the next person. Even though Alexis herself had come to terms with Alison and Morgan and seemed to find a steady "calm" within their storm of a relationship, she didn't loose her nerve to stand up to the woman. ::

"Haleigh, do these super soilders have any sort of weakness that you know of? Any immunities?"

:: Taking it upon herself to get to work, Alexis stood from the couch and made her way to the group of standing woman, folding her arms. ::
 
"Wait a second - do we know for sure that there ARE more of these so-called 'Super Soldiers'? They hardly seem to be the type of thing you turn out in an assembly line... I agree with Alison - we need to hit their facilities before they have a chance to regroup."
 
As the group assembled together in Morgan's penthouse, Adrian watched with a wary gaze. Despite his hazy memories, he remembered well their bickerings, their exchanged hostile glares, their venomous comments and most of all, their uncompromising positions. But what compromise here! Where two halfs of a whole met under the unlikeliest of circumstances. Regardless of their current quarrel over Haleigh's intentions or otherwise, the congregation of these powerful men and women once again showed the resiliency of The Six and, inspite of human imperfections and shortcomings, their ability to unite in the face of a national danger.

Drawing closer to the couch, he observed as Alexis stood up and directed their attentions to the matter of hand. Yes, she had strength, that much he knew. But the undertones of apathy that he detected from Alexis' comments and demeanor troubled Adrian. Looking from Alexis to Cameron, who had been the last to rejoin them, he blinked. If ever a rival existed for Adrian, it had been Cameron. Had things changed between them within a week? Could he even blame Cameron, considering he had openly tried to seduce both him and his sister?

Moving his gaze from Cameron to Deliah, Adrian stopped. Paused. Took a moment to gather his thoughts on this blond-haired friend of Morgan. He had never met her, and they hadn't even had the chance to introduce themselves. However, Adrian already sensed a similar calm and inner strength in Deliah. He was glad this stranger was here, as tempers ran notoriously short in this group, and such sporatic behavior necessitated a neutral, firm individual.

Looking away from Deliah, Adrian finally turned his attention back to the four women who stood poised in the center of the room. Anything could happen at this point. He took a deep breath; the deep breath before a plunge.
 
:: Looking at Alexis...Guardian was rather annoyed that she picked NOW to act like she gave a damn...considering all the quips she made up till she was actually FACED with the super soldier::

Funny how NOW you decide to come alive...after all this time. the "blame game" as you call it could be spread EQUALLY AMONGST US ALL in one way or another. OBVIOUSLY that is neither here nor there.


Haleigh needs to tell us what she knows....and ALL OF IT. YOU and Cameron are the ones who stand to suffer THE MOST if we DONT succeed in beating "them" before they beat us.


::turning back to Haleigh. Guardian was OBVIOUSLY less than concerned about the emotional toll this would take on her....she didnt show MORGAN any compassion when Blaze's death stung like a hot fire poker through the hearts of many....at least not OUTWARDLY::

we need to know what you know..now. how many MORE of them are there. and WHERE are they produced. THAT is where we need to go.

::Guardian was prepared to use FORCE if necessary to extract the information...and Alexis would do well to keep OUT of her way...but ONLY because she KNEW what was coming ....something of "gargantuan" proportions.::

in fact...delilah is right...they ARENT turned out in an "assembly line" fashion...but there's something else....the CORE of the super soldier...the ONLY vestige of its humanity...it doesnt DIE...it ...LIVES and is used as a platform for CLONING.

::Guardian's foresight allowed her to see that the super soldier was FAR from finished::

we didnt succeed in killing him AFTER all...we merely damaged its "body" beyond repair. but he can EASILY be reconstituted
 
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<< Morgan glared at Alexis...HOW DARE this woman!>>

<< clenching her fist with anger...she allowed Guardian to speak where she herself could not....allowing HERSELF to calm down>>

<< supressing the urge to lay Alexis out for HER vacillation between sheer cowardice and unexpected feats of courage....Morgan simply stood...waiting for the right moment to comment again...and HOPEFULLY by then her own anger would have subsided>>


as soon as we can get the name of this "agency"...i can get a location on the scrying glass.
 
"All this time? Pardon me if my life was turned upside down, Alison. But i'll make sure next time, to bounce back more quickly."

:: Looking to Alison, her expression didn't change. And it ended there. The meta human wouldn't further continue with this small tiff with Alison, because either way the woman would try to get the last word, threaten Alexis, talk about keeping out of her way, yada yada yada. The same bullshit she's said over and over again. Turning her gaze from Alison to Haleigh, she shifted her weight from one leg to another, awaiting Haleigh to answer Alison's question. Alexis wouldn't be stupid enough to stand in Alison's way, especially after what had happened to Blaze, therefore her questions to Haleigh were valid, and she was interested as well. ::
 
[ Oh for the love of god...Delilah held up her hands. ]

"ALLRIGHT!"

[ Then in her usual calm, even tone. ]

"Can we please focus on the matter at hand. Let's pool our information and get moving."
 
:: Looking to Delilah's sudden outburst, she was right. They had to stop bickering and focus on the task. Looking to Alison, she nodded. ::

"Agreed."

:: Shifting her eyes back to Delilah, finally, the woman came out of her shell..::
 
<< Morgan turned sharply at Delilah's outburst...more SURPRISED than anything else>>

<< her eyes were just a bit widened by the display...but in her heart of hearts...Morgan knew it was the JUMPSTART that they all needed to get out of the bitter groove they were stuck in>>

<< her mind conjured images of blaze, valiant, battles fought long ago.....Morgan had NEVER fit in to the "team" setting...it wasnt her preferred path. Delilah however had made a suitable replacement when Morgan left Valiant. they PROBABLY PREFERRED Delilah to Morgan...given how vicious and "ice cold" Morgan had been to them all except Foxfire>>


<< but it didnt matter now..not to her anyway. Delilah was a dear friend of Morgan's and she knew that if Dee had reached her point of exasperation then perhaps things WERE getting too side tracked>>

as soon as haleigh gives us the information we need....i can find the location on my mystic lens.
 
Haleigh glared at Morgan in disbelief. The tumultuous storm in her eyes seemed to radiate from her skin. There was violence leaking out of her, spilling into the room like an airborne poison. It always seemed to happen like this... no matter how good Haleigh's intentions were in the beginning.... Morgan ALWAYS shut down any chance for alliance between them within minutes. Haleigh was about ready to SMACK Morgan right in the face... but she stopped... took a deep breath, and backed away slowly. She went over and sat down in a chair adjacent to the couch.... and she narrowed her eyes as she looked back up at Morg.... her demeanor calming once more.

"You know what I just realized, Morgue? I dont owe you a goddamn thing. I dont owe you an explanation, I dont owe you any answers, and I sure as hell dont owe you ANY HELP. FUTHERMORE, I THINK it would serve you well to take a step back, look at this situation as it just transpired, and dually note that the WAY you're TREATING me RIGHT NOW is the VERY REASON I didn't tell you SHIT in the past AND the very SAME REASON that I wouldn't tell you a GREAT WHITE SHARK was swimming up behind you until it smelled your menstrual blood in the water. It's just something to contemplate."

Haleigh rounded on Alison next with venomous poise... she seemed to be on a roll, and it was QUITE clear that while she had momentarily returned in the interest of seeking out the super soldiers... she was not about to let Morgan OR Alison chastise her, and she was NOT about to roll over for them as Cameron had.

"AND YOU.... if you would STOP JUDGING me for ONE MOMENT... you'd ALSO, with your impeccable all-seeing eye, observe that I dont owe you SHIT either, and certainly not the 'details' you brought me here to MILK ME FOR."

It was then that Alexis broke in, finally offering Haleigh a little rapport, for which she was more than grateful. Haleigh turned to face her, relaxing her defenses. Haleigh and Alexis finally seemed to be coming together well... and understanding each other.

"THANK YOU... you seem to be the only one here with some sense of respect. YOU, I'll talk to. unfortunately... I havent had the chance at hand on experience with them as you have... but after watching the confrontation... there was something I noticed. Mystech is getting closer and closer to perfection... they've certainly managed to engineer something Darwin would marvel at. Physically... the Shape is formidable. BUT... it IS corporeal... and as such... CAN be, if not killed, CONTAINED... or DISPOSED of. Maybe we shouldn't focus on its weaknesses, for that would be challenging and time consuming, and require a number of experimental encounters. Instead... lets look at the one thing i saw immeadiately... its LIMITATIONS. Mystech made a mistake in stripping... Patrick.... of his humanity. Now hes nothing more than a mindless killing drone. A very GOOD predator... but not a very CLEVER one. We saw how easily duped he was by your impression of Alycia. And no offense, of course... I'm sure you put on a very convincing show. However... a HUMAN has intuition... gut feelings... and other indescribable senses that would SEE your trap... or at least approach it warily. The Shape blundered right into it. He's fast, strong, and brutal, true... but we dont need to out POWER him... just out SMART him.... Thats my take anyway. Obviously an up close and personal encounter would allow me to better develop a more sound profile."
 
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