The NEW Vanguard - LIONHEART Issue #3 - The Mission, Part 1

Admin wrote:The vans started to pack up and made to leave.

It irked Lionheart to stand and watch, but at the same time he wondered what he could do and more importantly what can of worms he'd open if he got involved. If there were only one kid to save, how would he protect him let alone give him any kind of a chance if he had no back up plan. Even assuming he could bust him out without drawing attention to himself. No, things clearly had changed here. Lionheart now understood why people were so jumpy, if at any moment a meta human 'emerged' it could be anyone. Perhaps the sinister apprehension was just prudent law enforcement and good governance. However one thing did niggle, how on earth did they know the kid was there and react so quickly? Did they have some means to detect Metahumans and if so might that mean an active use of his powers would alert the authorities to Lionheart's presence on American soil? Lionheart didn't know, and in truth wasn't sure if he wanted to know. It already weighed heavy on him that whilst he was here, to 'steal' from a criminal, it was in order to rescue the world from a far greater threat massing on a front it wasn't even aware off. But he still needed to be careful.

Turning back to the building at large, Lionheart focused his attention on all going on. On security, people going in and out and what he could discern form the building. After sitting across the street, pretending to read a newspaper, he spent time walking around the building and then spyied the likely location for his target's offices. Looking at the comparative building nearby, he choose one that seemed to offer the best views and attempted to get in, so as to gain the roof and get another look without resorting to any obvious power use, just in case.

OOC: Ok sorry not replied on the Frostbite front, its a lot to think about and it takes time hence no response. I need to sit down and look at what you wrote and put it with the character roster to get an idea of who is more capable than not. That way I get to build up a more complete picture. Unfortunately time is against me at present.

Anyway as regards Lionheart, he will seek to find a way in by hook or crook. When it comes to it I want to try and minimise the use of my powers just to be on the safe side. I think I know how I'll get into the building, but I want to check out the buildings around to see if I can free fall with minimum gliding/flying to gain the outside of the building and see if I can't break in from above. My aim is to bust a lock on the rooftop and leave some clothes around sort of thing. But then climb down the outside and break in whilst people are diverted thinking someone went off the building not onto it. Well that is the plan, I realise that will go sideways as soon as I try to break in and I will have to resort to using powers, but hoping I can get in and away quickly with the minimum of fuss. But hey we'll see.

Sj

Lionheart watched the building intently.

A modern glass and steel edifice he had no doubts whatsoever that security would be tight. His speed and skill would help immeasurably. His diversion plan he thought was a good one but the test of any plan usually came in the first moments of trying it out.

Just as he considered his plans he saw a commotion at the revolving door as a bespectacled young woman (early-mid twenties) was ejected from the building, stumbling away as a pair of suited gorillas (you know what I mean, not zoo escapees!) and yelling in their wake!

"You can't hide the truth! I know what you've done! I want my sister back damn you! What happened to law and due process!" she screamed.

The security made no attempt to answer and the flustered young woman started to straighten herself up and walk away. Towards Lionheart, across the plaza and ignoring the glances from suited passers by.

What had she meant? Was this an opportunity he could use?

Admin wrote:What had she meant? Was this an opportunity he could use?

Walking toward the woman in her line of sight so as not to surprise her. Lionheart smiled and then when he was within earshot spoke up.

"Miss, I say Miss." As he got her attention Lionheart casually swept up beside her. "I'm so sorry to bother you, but I couldn't help but witness the disturbance I saw across the way there. I see that you call for help was rejected. Perhaps I can be of help. My Name is Dick King, I'm also interested in this establishment and its owner. Slippery customer at the best of times."

Lionheart tapped his nose with a conspiratorial nod of this head,

"Anyway maybe we can be of mutual benefit. Can I at least hear you out over a cup of coffee?" He offered politely looking back to the coffee shop that had only recently been the focus of the previous disturbance.

OOC: Ok lets see what she says and go with the idea that I too am interested in the fact that such a villain, such as Frederick Timpson aka Dwarfstar is almost too big to fall, so gets away with it. Whilst one poor child barely a teenager gets hauled off to who knows where. If evidence can be found to take down maybe like her sister then something could be done.

On the other hand I am more interested in the direct approach and not going to spend months in some draw out legal battle. However if she can help me gain intel that might get me additional help and access then so be it.

Sj

The young woman was taken aback and initially cautious...

"If you're one of Timpsons cronies I can't be bought! Metaforce and everything they do is..." she trailed off as she noticed a van parked across the street, blacked out windows concealing who might see - or hear - what she was saying. She seemed to notice Lionheart for the first time, glancing up and down at him. "You. You're English? What did you say your name was? King? Dick? Richard?" She chuckled and it seemed to calm her down some. "Sorry you must get that all the time, about your name I mean. You sound like a porn star."

She remembered herself then with a hand to her mouth and a flushed look on her face. "I mean... I'm sorry I..." She burst into laughter again and this time took Lionhearts arm in hers. "Coffee. Great. I'll buy!" she said sheepishly.

=========

"My name is Kayleigh Walters. My sister, Karen, 'manifested' super powers 4 weeks ago. I'm all my sister has. Our parents were... they aren't here anymore." she started, hugging a large cup and staring into it.

"Karen had never done anything wrong, been any different from anyone. Or me. My parents were scientists for a research company called Vortex Incorporated, a small start up. I didn't really understand what they were working on but when a company came in to buy them and all their research out, they left the company in protest. On the way back home the plane developed engine trouble and went down in the ocean. You probably heard about that. There were.. there were no survivors. I was old enough by then to look after my sister and Dad made sure we'd be looked after. We get by ok. Just when we thought life was getting back on track my sister was taken by Metaforce. The official letter has them working for the federal government to contain the 'unplanned manifestation of the metahuman gene.' I think they mean she's some kind of mutant. I don't see why they would need to burst into her University and drag her out though. She didn't burst into flames or..."

She gathers her thoughts. "Thanks for listening. I don't even know who you are. All I know is that..." she looks around "...I've 'heard' my sister in my head. She can talk to me. She doesn't know where she is, but I'll find her and get her out, I swear! I have to! I'm all she has!"

Collecting her thoughts she smiled and pushed her glasses back up her nose. "So what's your story, handsome English stranger with the funny name?"

Admin wrote:Collecting her thoughts she smiled and pushed her glasses back up her nose. "So what's your story, handsome English stranger with the funny name?"

Lionheart smiled, it gave him time to zero his senses in on the parked van, looking suspicious in its attempt not to stand out.  He wondered if the Metaforce had left anyone around for just such as they.  And it only made him both more curious about what was going on, that America was taking such drastic action and thankful that he'd been prudent to avoid using his powers overtly.  

He let the words play around his head as he considered whether getting the White Dwarf material would also allow him time to free Kayleigh's sister.  But then what?  Drop her over to Frostbite's latest project of waifs and strays?  Something tugged at his conscience, he'd been a pawn in someone elses power game and he knew how it felt.  But he was not powerless, as was the Walters sisters.  

Turning back to Keyleigh Lionheart smiled, "Not much to say really, here on business.  Rather shocked by the heavy handed way those bozos came bouncing in, handling that poor frightened kid earlier.  Hearing your story, makes me curious, as to why people stand for it.  Doesn't your Bill of Rights, protect such people?  Or has the legal teams been able to sweep aside such niceties in the war on Metahumans?"

Lionheart listened to her response before asking what her plans were, mindful of the suspicious van and for that matter any covert operatives hanging about, to mop up.  It occurred to him that he didn't have what past for sophisticated communications, a smart phone with him.  Therefore no number to pass on.  But somehow he felt he'd want to stay in touch with Kayleigh, he felt sure that before this was all over she was going to get herself into some sort of trouble for digging where she wasn't welcome.  

OOC: OK very suspicious of what is going on here, and wonder if Kayleigh might be under surveillance for some sort.  So will suggest since I am new in town she give me her contact details, as at least a way to get in touch.  

Then once we've done here, I'll go back to surveillance and figuring out the best way to get to Timpson.  If nothing else is forthcoming, and night falls without incident, I'll be ready to put into action my plan, such as it is.

Sj

Kayleigh listened and shrugged before giving her response.

"The President was keen to play the situation down and stated the good that Superhumans do, day in, day out. Unfortunately whilst his speech was going on a new superhuman 'outbreak' caused an Earthquake and toppled part of a shopping mall, killing a dozen people and injuring hundreds. Whilst the news of that was coming in another 'outbreak' resulted in a teacher changing into a human Tsunami in her classroom and almost drowning her entire class of pupils. Only the glass on the door shattering allowed the water to leak away. Pretty terrible huh?"

She sipped her coffee, then added "I thought so, but then wondered about the time of those outbreaks. Word came to the President of the first. He's a pretty professional guy, and kept it together but when the 2nd erupted only a few minutes later and made the news he called the press conference over and a day later Congress called an emergency meeting. Since then, well, Metaforce have been awarded a contract to intercept and contain these outbreaks. How they are do it is anyones' guess. I assume they have a super working for them, able to predict the future or detect outbreaks... Anyway, they can basically charge what they want, the law has been amended to give them free reign to protect the public and anyone who complains too loudly is generally shouted down by relatives and victims of previous outbreaks. You wouldn't know it to look around, but we're living in a police state."

Lionheart heard a 'squeal' of feedback distortion suggesting that he and Kayleigh were being listened in on with shotgun microphones, able to pinpoint and record what they said from a distance.

Kayleigh took a look at Richard, then cautiously wrote down her contact details. "Better not be some kind of crazy stalker, I carry mace!" she laughed, but seemed relaxed behind the place. She checked her watch, then gathered her bag up. "Better get going. I'm seeing the relatives of someone who was taken to try and... I don't know, reassure them that their loved ones aren't forgotten." She shook Richards hand and offered "Hope to hear from you. Me on my own won't make much of a difference against..." she turned round and look at the shining glass and steel tower "That." With a smile she went on her way.

Lionheart settled back to watch the building across the street, then noticed the van slowly pull away down the street, in the direction Kayleigh had gone...

Admin wrote:Lionheart settled back to watch the building across the street, then noticed the van slowly pull away down the street, in the direction Kayleigh had gone...

Although Lionheart hadn't got the familiar buzz of a warning signal, whilst talking to Kayleigh he couldn't help but smell something wrong with the eavesdropping van. Was there more to Kayleigh than met the eye? Or had her insistent search for his sister put her across someone's radar where she warranted further attention. Either way he didn't like the thought that the lady, let alone her sister were in such a situation. He'd come back in time to save the future, but kept finding that the past was as much under threat from would be dictators as well.

Getting up, having left a tip, he ducked down a side alley to give Wandafar an update. What he wasn't sure about was how best to follow the van, but since Kayleigh was walking they couldn't risk going too far. What worried Lionheart was that they'd go for a snatch and grab along a quieter street. So using 'normal' speed, he ran to where he could keep within reasonable distance of Kayleigh should anything go down. If it did, he was going to have to intervene in a way that didn't draw attention to himself, or this Meta force. Last thing he needed was to be tied up and locked down.

OOC: Ok what I am thinking is that if they do go for a snatch and grab, I'll do things like use my Telekenisis to burst a tyre, force another car into the van and cause them to have to hold up. Then maybe I'll see about more direct help, like offering to assist.

However if nothing happens, and the van leaves Kayleigh alone, I might just keep an eye on her to I know she is safely away before returning to Timpsons building, ready to deploy.

Sj

Lionheart paid, then made to follow Kayleigh.

His warning sense buzzed and he turned to see two suited dark glass wearing men step from a nearby car. "Excuse me sir." said one. "Federal Agents. I'm going to have to ask you to come with us." He paused, then added "All of your questions will be answered shortly, but I must insist you come quietly."

One pulled a badge - looked official. The other held a hand inside his jacket, clearly concealing a weapon. Lionheart glanced to the end of the block to see Kayleigh turn to hail a taxi... and the van pulled up alongside, obscuring her from Lionhearts view!

OOC Two feds are on Lionheart, and the real chance that Kayleigh might be bundled into the van.

Admin wrote:Lionheart paid, then made to follow Kayleigh.

His warning sense buzzed and he turned to see two suited dark glass wearing men step from a nearby car. "Excuse me sir." said one. "Federal Agents. I'm going to have to ask you to come with us." He paused, then added "All of your questions will be answered shortly, but I must insist you come quietly."

One pulled a badge - looked official. The other held a hand inside his jacket, clearly concealing a weapon. Lionheart glanced to the end of the block to see Kayleigh turn to hail a taxi... and the van pulled up alongside, obscuring her from Lionhearts view!

OOC Two feds are on Lionheart, and the real chance that Kayleigh might be bundled into the van.

The warning buzz was all that Lionheart needed, as he approached the men he sought to dispatch them quietly using super speed, and his shield he sought to just give them enough of a 'love tap' so as to send them to the ground, not do any permanent damage and then he shot off. Running as fast as a normal man would under such conditions.

OOC: Assuming the agents go down without much hassle, I'll speed off - human like, toward Kayleigh. I am still trying to maintain my cover, but at this rate, my patience is beginning to wear thin. So if things get complicated then I might just grab her, get her away from what is going on and aim to break into the building, post haste. I might have to figure out something regarding Kayleigh's sister later, as right now who knows how much time we've got before a micro invasion is about to lay some smack down on the UK then the world?

Sj

Lionheart pulled his punches - at full strength he could easily punch through the thickest battleship armour!

The agents seemed ready... to a point. Skilled as they were, and agile, they were up against one of the more powerful superhumans active in the world!

OOC Boost Superspeed to 14 (use of 6 points of boost) and 'pull punch' so as not to knock the agents back. Those 2 extra points on Strength and a multi attack against both agents.

2d10 → [5,3] = (8) Hits, but it's not fantastic... However it's enough to knock both agents out!

Lionheart suffers a minor headache and loses 2 Mind (reducing his current total to 7 points) but he will recover that soon enough if he doesn't lose any more.

With inhuman speed Lionheart rams a heel of a hand into one agents chin, even as the man displayed fantastic reflexes and expert training in martial arts, enough to mark him as a 2nd or 3rd dan master...And yet it wasn't enough. Lionheart turned to the other and rammed a knee directly into the mans solar plexus, and finished them off by grabbing each and clattering their heads together. They'd wake up in an hour or so, but with a ringing head no doubt!

Turning, he saw the van already pulling away! These guys meant business! Glancing about he saw several people pause and look at the downed suits. This place was going to get busy, quickly!

Unfortunately that van would be screeching away and out of sight around the corner if Lionheart didn't put his skates on!

Admin wrote:Unfortunately that van would be screeching away and out of sight around the corner if Lionheart didn't put his skates on!

Seeking not to draw any undue attention to his powers, Lionheart jumped into the car, after quickly placing both agents in the back and mumbling something about them feeling sick. He then drove off after the van, at the same time making sure that he had procured any listening devices to stay on the same communication band as the would be assailants.

OOC: Ok going Old School and being spy like following in the vehicle as best I can, and see if I can keep an eye and ear on what is going on.

Sj

Navigating the city streets was easy for a man who saw things effectively in slow motion.

Indeed, he had to rein himself in as it would be too easy to catch the van. Instead he tracked it as it headed towards the freeway. From there it would speed up and make its way to its ultimate destination.

Just then Lionheart heard an earpiece squeak in one of the downed agents ears. "...come in. What is your status?"

Lionheart heard the other agents earpiece more or less state the same.

He glanced ahead at the van slowing for traffic lights. He slowed to a halt behind, several cars away in the queue. Just then Lionheart heard something else. The 'whupp whupp whupp' of a distant helicopter? And a loud one at that!

Admin wrote:Navigating the city streets was easy for a man who saw things effectively in slow motion.

Indeed, he had to rein himself in as it would be too easy to catch the van. Instead he tracked it as it headed towards the freeway. From there it would speed up and make its way to its ultimate destination.

Just then Lionheart heard an earpiece squeak in one of the downed agents ears. "...come in. What is your status?"

Lionheart heard the other agents earpiece more or less state the same.

He glanced ahead at the van slowing for traffic lights. He slowed to a halt behind, several cars away in the queue. Just then Lionheart heard something else. The 'whupp whupp whupp' of a distant helicopter? And a loud one at that!

Lionheart thought fast, he had to stall, at least for the meantime. No telling what these agents might have up their sleeves. "What....Squak....Co Zrrrrk...in. Interfer...."

Lionheart had to hope that he had given them enough to throw off suspicion from the downed agents, with the Helicopter coming in, he figured it was going to be now or never he made a move. At the next underpass, or point when he might evade an eye in the sky he planned to ditch the car and take the van. It would need split second timing to leap out of one, letting it run down to a stop, whilst running up grabbing off the doors, and snatching Kayleigh before things got any more serious.

Sj

Lionheart watched the lights change and the van peeled off the main road, surprisingly, heading away from the on ramp of the freeway to travel towards an area of disused land...

He looked ahead, and saw his chance. Just before the Van would slow to a halt on the waste ground was an overpass. He pulled the car up then stepped out. In a flash he sped alongside the van. Not surprisingly the sliding side door was locked, but a swift grab and pull tore that clean off! Inside the van was decked out with screens and electronic equipment, the agents up front looking surprised as they turned round at the tearing metal sound!

Lionheart saw Kayleigh on the floor or the van unconscious! The whiff of chloroform suggested she'd been knocked out, rather than anything more serious. Before the agents could pull their guns from holsters Lionheart scooped the young woman up in his arms and sped off!

OOC How far away, what's he doing with Kayleigh, and about the Van with agents in, or the incoming helicopter heading for the waste ground?

Admin wrote:OOC How far away, what's he doing with Kayleigh, and about the Van with agents in, or the incoming helicopter heading for the waste ground?

This wasn't what he would have wanted, nor ideally what was planned. But then since arriving, any notion of a plan was long gone. A simple snatch and grab this was not. But he had to make sure he didn't compromise the mission. Getting Keyleigh away was the first part in a threat he might have to tug on later. Her sister would have to wait, for now. But at least by grabbing her he could put her somewhere safe. Or at least that is what he hoped he was doing.

Moving as fast as he could, knowing that this might well set off all sorts of alarms was not what Lionheart needed to do, right now. But then subtle was not his strong suit either. For now he would try and make do with short burst of effort doing what he could not to alert the authorities to his position. After all they didn't know him from Adam, he would just be another rogue meta human to take down and possible by rescuing Keyleigh he had further impeded her life by association. It wasn't looking good. But he put such thoughts aside as he moved from cover to cover, running, walking speeding up and slowing down in short bursts, hoping to stay off whatever radar for Meta Humans the authorities used. Inevitably he found himself back here it had all began, moving swiftly to the rooftop where he had work out attack he laid Kayleigh down, his jacket as a makeshift pillow and waited for her to rouse, whilst scanning the sky for any sign of pursuit.

OOC: Ok try to avoid any entanglements, and get back to where I was. I am not sure what I do next but for the meantime hope to finish my mission and then decide what is best for Kayleigh and her sister.


Sj

Using his speed, delaying to watch for pursuit, then heading back to the spot where he and Kayleigh had met.

Pouring on the speed he ran up a wall and settled on a roof some distance from the building he'd been sizing up, and set Kayleigh down. It was just then that Lionheart felt... something. A 'tickle' in his mind. His mental shields were always up, and he suspected that a powerful mentalist had just 'swept' the area, looking for ...

Kayleigh?

Who was he up against here? Agents? Daylight kidnappings? Superhuman 'containment' forces that looked like para military types. A billionaire businessman who was whiter than white on the outside but - according to Kayleigh - was behind the company that was dragging people off the streets. Random metahuman 'births' in the streets, then these guys turning up out of the...

Lionheart paused at that thought.

Someone was 'scanning' with mind powers. Looking for Kayleigh, maybe, but if they were skilled, knew what they were doing... The very fact that they COULDN'T scan Lionheart might cause him to stand out. Lionheart himself was a powerful mentalist, and knew that it was like looking over a flat landscape of unskilled, 'average' minds and coming across hills where stronger minds were encountered. Then, rarely, a mountain would crop up, a mind that would need to be 'overcome' if read. It was possible to 'hide', to blend in with the ordinary minds, but to do so would reduce his mental resistance, so that a clever mentalist would be able to mount a more effective attack if they knew the signs to look for.

What had seemed like a relatively simple thing had been changed. Could he put aside Kayleigh and her sister, and what was going on, to concentrate on his own mission?

Would he be allowed to...?

Admin wrote:What had seemed like a relatively simple thing had been changed. Could he put aside Kayleigh and her sister, and what was going on, to concentrate on his own mission?

Would he be allowed to...?

How annoying, get in get out, that was how this was supposed to go down.  Now he found himself having to nurture his considerable mental powers if he was going to stand a chance of not being 'spotted' mentally in the landscape.  With Kayleigh out cold, he could only hope she wouldn't be noticed.  If he went in now, he knew a lot of heat would be drawn to the spot and Kayleigh would be likely scooped up.  Did he dare leave, drop her off with Wandafar and come back?  It was tempting, a few days away might let things die down, but then might it also mean the window of opportunity to get in suddenly got smaller.  

No, he was in and there was no turning back.  If he failed so then would many others - especially as they'd not know the invasion was coming from an unforeseen quarter.  He would have to lie low for a bit, if all else failed he'd have to try and break in, regardless of the consequences.  Trouble was, were this Psi searchers going to leave him alone so that he had sufficient time to get where he needed to be.  There was one other option, but that was too silly to contemplate.  Attacking the Psi searchers would only draw more attention, not less, even if for a short time it created confusion.  

No he would have to sit this out a bit longer, he needed Kayleigh awake so he could do what he needed to and then get out, at least give her a say in what happened to her next.  So he waited doing what he could to become like the blank of minds around him.  But ready to pounce like his namesake stalking prey if need be.  

OOC: Ok will try and go blank as long as it doesn't unduly leave me powerless.  If it does need to rethink perhaps just go make a dash for the stuff from Timpson and take my chances.  I think it might also be worth calling in some back up, i.e. one of the super powered jet planes with stealth tec so that, assuming it can get here in time, I'll have a safe place to stash Kayleigh if it all goes south.

Sj

Lionheart didn't so much as use his powers, rather he concentrated on clearing his mind, then thinking of the most boring, mundane, everyday stuff that he could...

The middle pages of a newspaper, painting a fence, scraping grass up after cutting it... Even looking off the edge of the building at the people below, going about their lives. Most were on the phone, beavering away at work even during their lunch hours.

He felt something wash over him again, and turned his head, narrowing his eyes. He got something, an inkling of a mind, but could form nothing beyond a vague picture of a bald headed man with wires protruding from his scalp... Lionheart refocused his eyes and found himself looking at the business district of the city, and the steel/glass skyscrapers. One of those...

He pulled his phone from a pocket, dialled the secure, scrambled line number and put the phone back in his pocket as he relied on his earpiece.

"Vat is it? Hef you got ze stuff? Zet vas easy. Hurry on back zen und..." said Wandafar

Lionheart explained what had happened.

A sigh, then "Vell as usual ve hef another damsel in distress und another fine mess you hef gotten me into. Heh. Laurel und Hardy. Funny. Anyway, yes, I arrange for stealth jet. Ve hef some friends in America, back from my days in ze Executive. I can arrange for some help if you need it, seeing as you hef gone 'off piste'. Again. To be honest I vud do ze same in your position, but it's still annoying."

Lionhearts danger sense suddenly started off. He couldn't be sure of the origin. Somewhere out there was a threat to him!

OOC Lionheart can't tell where the danger is coming from, but it's imminent. Whether it's physical, or mental in nature... what defence do you intend to put up? You can use Force Field, Mind Field, Dodging, Superspeed... heh, all if you want.

Admin wrote:

OOC Lionheart can't tell where the danger is coming from, but it's imminent. Whether it's physical, or mental in nature... what defence do you intend to put up? You can use Force Field, Mind Field, Dodging, Superspeed... heh, all if you want.

Lionheart was about to reply when that uncanny sense kicked off again, "What now?" He couldn't but help think. But in truth he suspected that the Psi scan had alerted someone to take a second look at that as a precaution someone was now doing some leg work. After filling Wandafar in, Lionheart left communications open as he scooped Kayleigh up and prepared to use what he hoped was his least obvious power - his speed. With it he knew if he needed to run or dodge he was best placed to do so. Either way, it seemed like the game might soon be up if he couldn't throw any potential pursuers of his tracks.

Sj

Lionheart

As he filled in Wandafar Lionheart realised his speed had in this case failed him... too slow!

Or was he? Whoever was firing at him was doing so from distance. As much as a mile or more away! An impossible shot! Scooping Kayleigh up he started to move, and his hearing picked up the telltale whistle of a projectile homing in on its target!

OOC Attack on Lionheart 2d10 → [2,3] = (5) Oh that's not great... Lionheart gets lucky!

Lionheart speeds off, but not before he sees the blur of a projectile that looked, for a split second, like a syringe! It shattered against the floor where Lionheart had stood only a heartbeat before. How on...? Who...?

No time to stand about!

He sped off!

Wandafar spoke up in Lionhearts earpiece. "Ve may lose contact soon. Ze satellite I em piggy becking off is moving out of sync and *skrrrz*"

There was silence for a heartbeat in which time Lionheart sped round a building and up onto another rooftop before stopping for a breather and pressing a finger to his ear. "...head to fourth and central street. Be discrete. Flat 17. Buzz it. Say 'Wandafar Collects'. And hope!"

Static filled his ear and Lionheart knew within moments there would be another of those mental scans!

Admin wrote:Lionheart
Static filled his ear and Lionheart knew within moments there would be another of those mental scans!

Trusting that the scans were focused on the location that he was at, Lionheart having secured Kayleigh, dove off the top of the building. As he gained speed, he knew he'd have to use non standard means to manage his eventual landing, but in such a way as to not 'light up' to any Psi's searching for him. So pushing off the rapidly passing wall, he kicked against the opposite, alley way wall he'd deliberately chosen to be as unnoticed as possible. As he hit he other wall, he reached out using his strength to grab at the wall before leaping across again and so on down until he'd 'managed' his downward speed by mitigating his energy by bouncing off and down the walls where he landed softly.

Not waiting around to be found, he speed off, not at super speed, but still at speed. Easily carrying the limp woman, whose part in all this had possibly cost Lionheart the only advantage he thus far had. He'd had some idea of where Wandafar meant for him to go on account of needing to know how to locate Timpson when he first arrived. He only hoped in a station intent on finding super powered people, one of the strongest could remain undetected for a bit longer.

Sj

Lionheart

Carrying the limp form of Kayleigh and using his incredible (un-enhanced) natural strength and athleticism, Lionheart made his way down to street level and out of sight. Hopefully.

Whoever had fired that shot was doing so from a distance that suggested the weapon was high powered, the shooter had incredible reflexes and vision and that whatever was in that smashed syringes was poison, or more likely some kind of tranquillising serum.

As Lionheart poked his head out in the street he glanced around at the buildings, the rooftops... Considering his own position on the roof it was possible that the shooter had fired from one of the skyscrapers, or that they had fired some kind of 'homing' projectile, certainly not beyond the realms of possibility.

He looked down at Kayleigh and knew he'd been dragged into something bigger. What had been a simple matter of 'obtaining' this so called White Dwarf star material - a super heavy rock for all intents and purposes - had seen him slip down an increasingly slippery slope. The parallels were disturbing when compared with events in his superhuman career. This was the way it started. The pointing of fingers, the angry voices... soon something would happen to escalate the fear and panic against superhumans and regulation, unmasking, opposition, a virtual 'civil war'. He shuddered.

Looking up at the sky he couldn't feel any immediate danger but knew it was out there. There were looking for him, and now him, for helping her.

With that in mind he hailed a cab.

=========

"Short distance ta go but you're da boss" said the Taxi Driver. "Say, you're lady friend... she ok? Little too much of the lunchtime hooch? See it all the time. Mostly with city types. They score big, throw a load of cash around, next thing they need carrying home. All th' time I tell ya..."

Lionheart fished some money out of Kayleighs purse and figured she wouldn't mind. Ignoring the rambling driver he looked out the window to see the city rolling past. It would have taken him time to find the place on his own, and ten minutes later...

"Here we are buddy. That's just 9.95"

"Keep the change" offered Lionheart as he carefully levered Kayleigh out.

The taxi driver looked at the ten he'd been handed. "Keep the change he says. Lousy Brits are always the worst tippers."

Kayleigh was starting to stir and Lionheart was easily able to hold her by the waist with her head on his shoulder so as not to stand out. It seemed a nice neighbourhood. People out walking dogs, flash cars parked about. Other side of the road was a fenced, private residents only park. Looking up at the building it was multi floored, Lionheart counting six, and wide enough to suggest it was at least as big on the inside as it appeared on the outside, probably bigger, in the Victorian tradition of building deep wide houses. Doubtless made into dozens of flats, each would nonetheless be big enough for a full family, he figured.

With a glance about, knowing the longer he stayed on the streets, the more he was a target, he stepped up to the door. He wondered who Wandafars' contact was. Button 17. Buzz.

A momentary delay, then a womans voice came on. American accent, though with a slight twang from somewhere. "Yes? Who is calling?"

Kayleigh groaned, and fluttered her eyes. In a drunken drawl she muttered "Whhhaaaash happnin...?"

OOC Moved it on a bit, but not so much as you feel like a passenger on your own train

Admin wrote:Lionheart

A momentary delay, then a womans voice came on. American accent, though with a slight twang from somewhere. "Yes? Who is calling?"

Kayleigh groaned, and fluttered her eyes. In a drunken drawl she muttered "Whhhaaaash happnin...?"

OOC Moved it on a bit, but not so much as you feel like a passenger on your own train

With a gentle sqeeze cupping Kayleigh's mouth, Lionheart spoken quietly into her ear. "Relax it's me, I've just rescued you from the men in black. We at a 'friends' just need to verify who I am."

Then turning to the device, Lionheart said quickly in a loud whisper. "I've wandered far to get here, I heard this is a place to come if one finds them self in trouble with the authorities for being too powerful by far."

Too much? Too subtle, Lionheart didn't know, he'd kind of assumed that Wandafar had a deserted place earmarked out for someone to lie low, not an actual contact. At this point Lionheart was just riffing off events as they played out. Any notion of subtlety and a well thought through plan, went long ago anyway.

Sj

There was a pause, then...

"That sounds like a tall tale sir. Either you have a strange sense of humour and believe life is like a soap opera or you have the wrong address. Which is it?"

Lionheart pondered at the references (OOC I like yours - Wandered Far...). he then noticed a security camera mounted on the wall was rotatingto settle upon the steps in front of the door to see him. He could blur his features with super speed, simply 'not be there' or stand and let whoever was on the other end observe him...

Kayleigh straightened up, a little unsteady on her feet. "Can whoever is in here help us? If not, we should make a move. I guess we can go back to my place..." but even as she said the words she knew the awful truth. They would be watching her place. A cold fear settled down KKayleighs spine as she realised the depth of the manure she was sliding into....

Admin wrote:There was a pause, then...

"That sounds like a tall tale sir. Either you have a strange sense of humour and believe life is like a soap opera or you have the wrong address. Which is it?"

Lionheart pondered at the references (OOC I like yours - Wandered Far...). he then noticed a security camera mounted on the wall was rotatingto settle upon the steps in front of the door to see him. He could blur his features with super speed, simply 'not be there' or stand and let whoever was on the other end observe him...

Kayleigh straightened up, a little unsteady on her feet. "Can whoever is in here help us? If not, we should make a move. I guess we can go back to my place..." but even as she said the words she knew the awful truth. They would be watching her place. A cold fear settled down KKayleighs spine as she realised the depth of the manure she was sliding into....

"Ah soap opera's I believe our mutual friend likes his soaps, Yah, British soaps..."  Lionheart was not given to feelings of embarrassment, but all this sneaking around trying to avoid scrupulous government attention, and now trying to convince someone he'd never meet he was ok, it left him feeling conscious of his lack of spy skills, which in turn made him feel silly.  Of course he realised the person on the other end, had no reason to trust him and every reason to be cautious...so he grabbed the security camera and mouthed the words, 'W a n d f a r   s e n t   u s,   w e   n e e d   h e l p.'  And hoped that she got the gist of what he was saying without him having to literally spell it out.  He was loath to use any powers in case it sent off a signal that got tracked by some eager to please psi scout looking for them.  

Sj