One Universe RPG: Season V IC Thread

[wiegeabo]

Robin paces back and forth on a nearby rooftop as Spider-man continues to writhe in painful fear as the Fear Toxin continues to course through his veins. The Boy Wonder bends down and places his fingers on the superhero's neck, checking his rising pulse, finding it reaching dangerous levels, "Come on, Bruce. Where are you?"

"UFF!"

Like I said, Gotham's sewer system is a marvel of engineering. And if you can stand the sights and smells, and avoid passing overcome from the noxous gasses, it's really something to see.

Unfortunately, as I'm slammed into the wall, it's hard to concentrate on that.

"RRRAAAHRRR!!!"

Croc rushes at me. I spring up and plant my hands on his shoulders, flipping myself over him, and helping to shove him into the wall. His head makes a nice hole, and the second it takes to pull himself free gives me a chance to reach into my belt. He turns and rushes at me, but I toss a few gas pellets into his face. He stutters to a stop, his eyes glaze over, and he wobbles in a circle. Then his eyes clear and he's focused back onto me.

Uh-oh.

Croc swings, and I duck under and slide to the side. That was enough gas to take him down, I'm sure of it. Maybe he's built up a tolerance after being down here? It's not something I can worry about now as he comes after me again. I reach into my belt. Ducking under his punch, I respond with an uppercut, slamming my brass knuckled fist into his chin. I land a couple of more punches to his head and kidneys. A normal person would be peeing blood for a week, but I'm just hoping Croc feels it.

And apparently he does, but it just makes him angrier. I catch a swing of his massive arm in the chest. It sends me into the air, and I land hard. The air is knocked from me, and vision blurs and threatens to go black. My suit's armor is the only reason I don't have a chest full of shattered ribs.

I force air into my lungs, and close my eyes against the feeling of vertigo. Listening past the rushing water, I focus on the other sounds .

"Heh. So much for the 'dark knight'."

BANGZZZSSSAAAAASSSZZZSZSZS

"ARRRGGGHH!!!" Croc yells as my taser hits it's target. I open my eyes and watch him quiver as 50,000 volts flow through his body.

When the taser is drained, Croc wobbles again...this time falling to the ground.

I sigh with relief. "Finally."

I force myself up with a grunt, my chest throbbing. I'll have a nice bruise in the morning. Pulling out a pair of bat cuffs, I bind Croc's arms. Then I think twice, and use two more on him.

And then I notice something moving on his neck.

"What in the-"

The blob suddenly leaps off his neck towards me, but I duck to the side. It misses. I throw a batarang at it, but it avoids the toss and starts squirming away faster then should be possible.

"Oh no you don't." I pull out my grapnel and fire before it can leap into a tunnel. My grapnel hits, pinning it to the wall. But it struggles and pulls itself free, escaping.

Frustrated and confused, I retract the line. And that's when I notice the smear of blob still on it. "I guess you didn't quite get away after all..."

 

[Byrd Man]

I raise my hand, as Jean does the same next to me. Alex Summers has struck me as nothing but polite, confident, yet a bit lost in the current climate of the Mansion. From the few conversations I've had with him, he truly did come here to reconnect with Scott and find a new way in the mutant community. And I for one can't fault him for that.

Wolverine and Colossus keep theirs down. And I'm not surprised.

"I guess it comes down to you, Dr. McCoy," I shrug.

Jean speaks, "I've talked to Alex quite a bit. He wants to atone for what he's done. I don't see why we shouldn't allow him to try."

I nod and raise my hand. "Although the past is not easily forgotten, it is difficult to atone for it if we're not given second chances. I hope the younger Summers shows what he's made of."

I pull my glasses out of my pocket and slip them on my head before reading my notes.

"This is our current team: Kurt, Peter, Jean, Logan, myself, and then the new additions of Gar and Alex, I'll speak to Jefferson when he comes to the school, but for now we'll put him down on the reserve roster. Hopefully the young man in Metropolis will consider our offer. I'm excited and pleased about what Charles has told me, I look forward to meeting him."

I place the notes down and remove my glasses.

"Anything else to add before we call this meeting adjourned?"

 

[Eddie Brock]

CYCLOPS

Taking Emma Frost's list of potential X-Force candidates, I make my way to San Francisco to meet with my first interviewee. The government's footing the bill for my recruiting trips, so I fly in style in a private jet. I admit I'm a little uncomfortable with the pampered lifestyle. I graciously accept a glass of scotch from the flight attendant, but I feel weird sipping it in the middle of the empty cabin.

We touch down in San Francisco where a private car is waiting for me. I adjust my crimson-tinted sunglasses as I step into the car. Emma suggested that I take someone along for the trip, but I assured her I could do it alone. Now, I find myself wishing I had brought someone - even just for conversation's sake. I ride in silence downtown to my destination.

"Hello, sir," the receptionist in the main lobby says cordially.

"I have a meeting with Mr. Worthington," I announce.

The receptionist smiles. "Of course. He's waiting for you upstairs." She motions to the elevator doors behind the front desk.

"Thank you," I nod.

A short elevator ride later - alone, once again - I find myself on the top floor. The building is pristine, colored in shades of off-white and cream. I open the glass doors to the head office and find myself greeted by panoramic windows displaying the San Francisco skyline.

"Right on time, Mr. Summers."

Warren Worthington III, heir to the Worthington fortune and newly-appointed CEO of his father's company, is standing in the center of the room adjusting his cufflinks. He wears a spotless white Armani suit, which seems to bulge in the back. As he fits the second cufflink, I catch a glimpse of his gold watch. His flowing blonde hair is brushed back behind his ears.

"Please, it's just Scott," I announce, feeling suddenly inadequate in my jeans and leather jacket.

"Let's get right down to business, shall we?" Warren says authoritatively, yet without seeming impolite. Everything about him - his tone, the way he dresses, the way he carries himself - reminds me that he's lived in the lap of luxury his entire life. He possesses the exact charisma that X-Force needs. "You want me to serve alongside yourself - and several others yet to be named - in this 'X-Force' team. In what capacity?"

I shift my weight. I feel like I'm the one being recruited now. "Someone of your...talents...would be a valuable asset to the team. When I envision X-Force, I try to piece together individuals whose unique abilities will blend seamlessly. Yours gives us a much needed eye in the sky."

Warren nods. "You know, my father grappled with my mutation for years. When it first manifested itself, hope for a cure was decades away. He taught me to survive by hiding it, burying it, and never acknowledging it. And do you know how that made me feel?"

I shake my head.

"Resentful." Warren turns his back to me and seems to examine the blue skies just beyond the window. "I understand his motivation, of course. To be a mutant - or the originator of a mutant - is to invite shame and hatred in certain circles. But I know why the caged bird sings, Scott." At this, Warren turns back to me. "I have longed for the day when I could embrace my own mutation."

"If you join the team, you will be in the public eye," I warn. "There will be no hiding anymore."

"Precisely, Scott," Warren smiles. He removes his jacket and tie. Letting them fall to the floor, he begins unbuttoning his shirt. "We have feared registration for so long, but only because we view registration as restriction. But, as I see it, registration is freedom." On top of Warren's undershirt are a number of leather straps and buckles. He begins unbuckling them, and the harness comes loose.

Warren spreads his wings, the feathery tips touching the walls on either side of the office.

"I'll join you, Scott. I'd be happy to. You'll just have to allow me a little time to get some affairs in order."

I nod.
​

 

[NiteMare Shape]

As the sun shines down on New York City, a lone man makes his way through the Eternal Peace Cemetery. Though he has only been to this particular gravesite just once, he weaves his way to his destination as if he had walked the path a thousand times.

Finally, he comes to a stop in front of a small headstone. As he looks down at the stone, he feels his heart ripped out anew as he reads the name engraved on it. "Elizabeth Brant."

He had loved her with all his heart, and the day that she died...a piece of him died with her. He had vowed to make the man responsible for her death pay with his life, however he had failed in that endeavor.

"Betty. I know it's been a long time, and I'm sorry." He says aloud.

"I tried. I tried to kill Parker for what he did to you, but I wasn't strong enough." He clenches his fist at the thought of his mortal enemy, then relaxes again.

"It's all his fault you know. We were innocent once, do you remember what it was like? We were so happy. We had the whole world ahead of us...together we were going to conquer it all. But then Parker came into our lives...He destroyed us...he destroyed our innocence. He took you from me...and then when I finally became strong enough to get revenge for what he did...He used deception to beat me...and he left me laying in a hospital bed...not able to move, hardly able to breathe on my own." He begins to feel a hot rage burning inside once again, but he forces back inside his being.

"But then my other returned to me. It healed my body and set me free. We've been given a second chance to make things right Betty, and we're not going to fail this time. We were innocent once...but Peter Parker took that from us. But we will do what we have to do. We will kill Parker for what he did to us...for what he did to all of us. And once he is dead...and they bury what's left of him, we will do what no one was there to do for us...we will make sure that nobody suffers the way that we have suffered. Will we make sure that nobody preys on the innocent again...and those foolish enough to try will have to answer to Venom."

 

[Byrd Man]

​

Last Time

Spoiler

Gotham Mayor Hamilton Hill looked at the paper in his hands and balled it up in frustration. "Third ****ing place?! How does that happen?!" He growled as he threw the ball of paper across his office. "How in the hell does a two-term mayor end up losing in the poll projections to a city council chump and a goddamn billionaire airhead?!"

"Wayne's lead over you is a slight one," an intimidated aide replied. "Maybe five percent. He's appeal to the people who don't care about the issues, they're just drawn to the press surrounding Wayne. It's like a sideshow attraction."

"What about Kane? How is that sniveling little weasel is pulling off a ten percent lead in the polls?"

"He's gotten a lot of sympathy from the murder of his wife. It's become a rallying cry behind his campaign to get tough on crime."

Hill shook his head and walked over to a cabinet in his office. He pulled a bottle of scotch from the cupboard and fixed himself a glass. "That little ****. Leave it to him to turn the death of a loved one into a political move. At least I'm doing better than that idiot, Krohl. When's the debate?"

"Next week. It'll be you, Councilman Kane, Mister Wayne, and Deputy Krohl."

"Alright," Hill said with a sigh. He turned his glass up and chugged down the scotch. "Start looking into their campaigns and get me what you can."

**********
​

Councilman David Kane sat up in bed and looked out the window. He was being consumed by guilt. In a week, he'd turned his biggest political liability into a strength. He was going to be the next mayor based on just one issue. But it had cost him his wife. The woman Marie had become in later years wasn't the woman he'd met an fell in love with, but she was down there somewhere underneath all the drug addiction.

Marie's drug addiction was the biggest flaw in his campaign. How could a mayoral candidate who professed to be tough on crime have a junkie wife? Nevermind the fact that he'd put her in rehab and NA programs a dozen times. She could never get the monkey on her back. He'd always threaten to cut her off, divorce her and take their children, and she'd always counter with threats of suicide. The drugs were taking her life, no matter how much he tried to help her, she'd never be truly clean. He couldn't stand to see her suffer any longer. That fact, along with the political motivations, is why he visited the Penguin with a few thousand dollars and his wife's photo.

All it took was one gunshot. One gunshot caused him to leap frog over Mayor Hill and Bruce Wayne to take charge in the polls. He was the firebrand in the election. While Hill and Krohl represented the old ways, and Wayne was just a PR stunt, it was David Kane that was becoming the hungry up and comer with ideas to help change the city. But was it worth it? Marie's death was on his conscience. He stilled owed Cobblepot twenty-five grand. He had no idea where the money would come from, and he was afraid to think of what would happen when he didn't pay the Penguin.

He turned and looked at the empty spot in his bed, the place where Marie had laid next to him for nearly twenty years. He stared at the spot for what felt like hours before finally laying down and going to sleep.

**********​

Detective Crispus Allen pulled his unmarked squad into the parking lot and swooped into a space. He lit a cigarette and puffed on it while he crossed the parking lot. Allen tossed the butt down on to the pavement and stomped it out just before he walked into GCPD's Eastern District House. He nodded and waved to a few of the officers he knew from the job. Most of the men and women weren't familiar to him. He navigated through the hallways to a small row of cubicles marked "Eastern District Drug Enforcement Unit." Allen couldn't help but smile when he saw the three familiar faces typing away on their work computers.

"You boys better not be looking at porn," he said with a chuckle. The three men turned almost simultaneously. Detective Sergeant Kasper Cole, Detective Charlie Fields, and Detective Marcus Driver all stood up and greeted their former co-worker.

"So what's brings you down to the Eastern?" Cole asked once the four had finished exchanging pleasantries. "Figured it was beneath the big, bad Homicide boys to visit us in the districts."

Allen reached into his jacket and produced a picture of a middle-aged woman with her husband and two children. "This is Marie Kane in better times." He pulled another photo from his jacket. It was Marie Kane, dead and laying on a coroner's slab. "This is her a few days ago."

"She's the wife of the guy who's running for mayor, right?" Driver asked.

"Yeah," Fields replied. "Nora told me about her husband coming in and identifying her at the morgue. Said it was kind of heart-breaking. She had two younger children"

"Yeah, it's sad, but it's also a priority case," Allen said. "I got stuck with this redball. Now, those of you who aren't illiterate like Driver, you know she had a drug problem."

"I know about that," Driver said defensively. "It was on TV, after all."

"Well, anyway," Allen continued. "She had a drug problem and like to buy Eastside. Even though she was found over in Major Essen's district, I figured the Eastern DEU would know a little intel about what's going on in the streets out there, know who's dealing and who was dealing to her."

The three narcotics detectives shared looks before Cole spoke up. "Yeah, you can come along while we bust heads. I mean, the captain's been riding us to get the stats. We can't do all the stuff we did in MCU."

"Yeah," Driver added. "Much as that works, the captain don't care. So, instead of collecting intel, we collect scalps."

"We're rolling out in about a half hour," Cole said. "You up for it?"

"Sure," Allen said. "Just make sure to get a vest in my size."

"Goddamn," Michael "Mink" Sullivan said with a shake of his head. He was driving his truck down the quiet Southeast Gotham neigborhood, staring at the man in the passenger seat. For Mink, it was the first time in nearly ten years that he had laid eyes on his cousin, Daniel Sullivan. "Can't believe you're home, Danny. To be honest, I gave up on you. Figured Maroni and his people caught up to you and that was all she wrote."

Danny shrugged. "Just laid low. The mob has reach, but they don't exactly have much of a presence in rural Washington."

Mink smirked as the two men passed a corner. "Hey, remember this place? This is where that idiot Pee Wee Hawkings thought he could deal on Sullivan Boy turf. We showed him that day. ****er ended up in traction after you got done with him."

"Yeah," Danny said in a neutral tone. "I was never sure we could ever hold any turf here in our own neighborhood, but who would have thought we'd have taken over all the Eastside?"

"Those were the days," Mink said with a smile. "All you needed to take corners was a half-assed package and a few AKs. Now? ****, man. They've been gutting the Southeast, developers are turning this place around and making it a 'respectable' neighborhood. This place is boring as hell. There's only one major drug player, and he gets his **** from us."

"Who is 'us'?" Danny asked quizzically. Mink nodded as he took a left.
"You'll find out soon enough, cuz. Told the man about you, about our past here in this town, and he's interested."

**********
​

"Gentlemen," Mayor Hamilton Hill said to the two men behind his desk. "Crime is running rampant in this city. I am holding you two personally responsible."

Acting Police Commissioner Josh Grogan shifted nervously in his seat. He glanced to the right at his number two, Deputy Commissioner for Operations Arnold Flass.

"Well, sir," Grogan began. "If you look at the data and monthly crime reports you'll see that-"

"I know what I see," Hill said through narrowed eyes. "I see a 5% decrease in felonies. But I also see a 20% jump in the murder rate. How in the **** do you explain that?"

"Well, sir," Flass said. "It's really-"

"I can explain it," Hill snapped. "It's easy to manipulate the data when it comes to most crimes. You can downgrade an assault, unfound a robbery. But how in the **** do you make a body disappear, right?"

The commissioner and his deputy exchanged uneasy glances. "What's the current number of murders for this year?"

"187," Flass said without hesitation.

"Jesus Christ," Hill snarled. "It's not even August yet! I have an election to win, and I'm getting my ass handed to me when it comes to crime. Keep crime down, period. Murders included. If by some miracle I make it through this election, I'll think about removing your title as 'Acting Commissioner' and let you get a full term once you've served all of Gordon's."

"We'll get the numbers down," Grogan said. "But the murder rate? That might be tricky."

"It better not get over 250 by election time," Hill said in a stern tone. "If not....well, we'll see how Deputy Flass here can handle the big chair."

**********
​

The red sedan sped around the corner, catching the five young men on the street corner off guard. "5-0," one of the young men shouted. All at once, his friends and co-workers dumped any incriminating evidence they had on them before the sedan came to a stop. The car skidded next to the curb and the three men jumped out.

"Hands against the wall," Detective Marcus Driver shouted. His partner Charlie Fields was right behind him while their sergeant, Kasper Cole, brought up the rear with Detective Cripus Allen.

The young drug dealers replied with Driver's request, leaning their hands against the outside wall of the building beside the sidewalk. Driver and Fields quickly patted them down, not finding anything.

"What is this?" Cole asked as he bent down and picked up a ziploc bag filled with vials of heroin and cocaine. "Anyone wanna cop to it?"

The five youngster remained silent. "Well, we'll lock you all up. But for now, you ****heads are gonna listen to my man here."

Cole yielded the floor to Allen, who came up on the sidewalk as Fields instructed the young men to turn around. In Allen's hands were photo of Marie Kane, wife of mayoral candidate David Kane and the victim in his latest homicide case.

"Any of you deal to her?" Allen asked. The five young men looked straight ahead, blank looks on their faces. "I'm homicide, not a narco like these men. I don't give a damn if you were slinging. Hell, I got the power to get ya'll off on most charges as long as the DA's office know you're
cooperating in a murder investigation."

Allen held the photo up and walked down the line. "Anyone seen her? Anyone at all?"

After a solid minute of silence, Allen sighed and pulled out five copies of his business card. He walked back up the line, placing the cards into the men's pockets. "When that lockup ya'll are spending the night in looks bad, I hope you'll look at these cards and think warm thoughts of me."

Allen stepped back and let Cole and the two detectives go to work arresting the drug dealers.

 

[Carnage27]

Light flows into my eyes for the first time in what seems like an eternity, and the horrific visions that have been dancing in front of my eyes slowly fade away into the retreating darkness. Other than the mental anguish, my body also feels like it's been hit by a truck. A really big truck. I try to sit up, but my body is lethargic, and I barely make it up.

"Easy there, buddy," Robin says from the chair situated a few feet away in front of me. "Crane's gas does a number on your body. In all honesty it's amazing that you're even awake so soon."

"Yea, well, comes with the territory of having super-powers I guess," I respond as I take stock of my surroundings. I'm in some sort of cave, which is filled with some of the most technologically advanced equipment I've ever seen. "Holy crap, Batman has a lot of toys."

"Yea, come in pretty handy, too," Robin chuckles.

"Is he back yet?" I ask about the Caped Crusader.

"No, but I'm sure he'll be here any minute," Robin shrugs. "He's probably dropping Croc back at Arkham."

"So I'm sure you've heard about Venom," I change the subject. "I may be...indisposed with him for the next few weeks. If that's the case, I'm going to make you active field leader for the Titans."

"Wow...thanks, man," Robin looks shocked, but it's a subject I thought about on the train ride down. The Titans will need someone who's experienced and level headed, and Robin is by far the most experienced, save for me. He's a natural leader, and he'll be a good stand in.

"No problem," I nod. "You'll do fine if the situation presents itself."

The two of us continue talking amongst ourselves as we wait for the Batman's return.
​

 

[Byrd Man]

​

Last Time

Spoiler

"Goddamn," Michael "Mink" Sullivan said with a shake of his head. He was driving his truck down the quiet Southeast Gotham neigborhood, staring at the man in the passenger seat. For Mink, it was the first time in nearly ten years that he had laid eyes on his cousin, Daniel Sullivan. "Can't believe you're home, Danny. To be honest, I gave up on you. Figured Maroni and his people caught up to you and that was all she wrote."

Danny shrugged. "Just laid low. The mob has reach, but they don't exactly have much of a presence in rural Washington."

Mink smirked as the two men passed a corner. "Hey, remember this place? This is where that idiot Pee Wee Hawkings thought he could deal on Sullivan Boy turf. We showed him that day. ****er ended up in traction after you got done with him."

"Yeah," Danny said in a neutral tone. "I was never sure we could ever hold any turf here in our own neighborhood, but who would have thought we'd have taken over all the Eastside?"

"Those were the days," Mink said with a smile. "All you needed to take corners was a half-assed package and a few AKs. Now? ****, man. They've been gutting the Southeast, developers are turning this place around and making it a 'respectable' neighborhood. This place is boring as hell. There's only one major drug player, and he gets his **** from us."

"Who is 'us'?" Danny asked quizzically. Mink nodded as he took a left.
"You'll find out soon enough, cuz. Told the man about you, about our past here in this town, and he's interested."

**********
​

"Gentlemen," Mayor Hamilton Hill said to the two men behind his desk. "Crime is running rampant in this city. I am holding you two personally responsible."

Acting Police Commissioner Josh Grogan shifted nervously in his seat. He glanced to the right at his number two, Deputy Commissioner for Operations Arnold Flass.

"Well, sir," Grogan began. "If you look at the data and monthly crime reports you'll see that-"

"I know what I see," Hill said through narrowed eyes. "I see a 5% decrease in felonies. But I also see a 20% jump in the murder rate. How in the **** do you explain that?"

"Well, sir," Flass said. "It's really-"

"I can explain it," Hill snapped. "It's easy to manipulate the data when it comes to most crimes. You can downgrade an assault, unfound a robbery. But how in the **** do you make a body disappear, right?"

The commissioner and his deputy exchanged uneasy glances. "What's the current number of murders for this year?"

"187," Flass said without hesitation.

"Jesus Christ," Hill snarled. "It's not even August yet! I have an election to win, and I'm getting my ass handed to me when it comes to crime. Keep crime down, period. Murders included. If by some miracle I make it through this election, I'll think about removing your title as 'Acting Commissioner' and let you get a full term once you've served all of Gordon's."

"We'll get the numbers down," Grogan said. "But the murder rate? That might be tricky."

"It better not get over 250 by election time," Hill said in a stern tone. "If not....well, we'll see how Deputy Flass here can handle the big chair."

**********
​

The red sedan sped around the corner, catching the five young men on the street corner off guard. "5-0," one of the young men shouted. All at once, his friends and co-workers dumped any incriminating evidence they had on them before the sedan came to a stop. The car skidded next to the curb and the three men jumped out.

"Hands against the wall," Detective Marcus Driver shouted. His partner Charlie Fields was right behind him while their sergeant, Kasper Cole, brought up the rear with Detective Cripus Allen.

The young drug dealers replied with Driver's request, leaning their hands against the outside wall of the building beside the sidewalk. Driver and Fields quickly patted them down, not finding anything.

"What is this?" Cole asked as he bent down and picked up a ziploc bag filled with vials of heroin and cocaine. "Anyone wanna cop to it?"

The five youngster remained silent. "Well, we'll lock you all up. But for now, you ****heads are gonna listen to my man here."

Cole yielded the floor to Allen, who came up on the sidewalk as Fields instructed the young men to turn around. In Allen's hands were photo of Marie Kane, wife of mayoral candidate David Kane and the victim in his latest homicide case.

"Any of you deal to her?" Allen asked. The five young men looked straight ahead, blank looks on their faces. "I'm homicide, not a narco like these men. I don't give a damn if you were slinging. Hell, I got the power to get ya'll off on most charges as long as the DA's office know you're
cooperating in a murder investigation."

Allen held the photo up and walked down the line. "Anyone seen her? Anyone at all?"

After a solid minute of silence, Allen sighed and pulled out five copies of his business card. He walked back up the line, placing the cards into the men's pockets. "When that lockup ya'll are spending the night in looks bad, I hope you'll look at these cards and think warm thoughts of me."

Allen stepped back and let Cole and the two detectives go to work arresting the drug dealers.

"Crime is up, gentlemen," Deputy Commissioner Arnold Flass said before quickly altering his statement. "Crime is up, gentlemen and lady," he said with a nod to Major Sarah Essen.

Flass, Commissioner Grogan, the commanders of Gotham's eight districts, and the commanders of all the different bureaus of the GCPD's Criminal Investigations District, were all packed together in the conference room on Gotham Central's sixth floor. Maps, charts, and data were all spread out before them.

"The mayor has indicated that he wants a ten percent decrease in crime," Grogan said. "And a cap on the murder rate. No more than 250 by the end of the year."

The collected commanders all held their groans and eye rolls inside. "What we want to see," Flass said, "is what the mayor wants to see. Let's be frank here, people, the ****er is getting banged on crime and he wants it going down. Preferably before the upcoming election. Speaking of that, how are things going with the red ball case, Major O'Hara?"

Clancy O'Hara, the commander of the homicide unit, stood and cleared his throat. "Detective Allen is the primary investigator and Sergeant Bullock is working as secondary," O'Hara said in his Irish brogue. "They're working it hard. Allen's out in the Eastern District as we speak, canvassing local dealers with the Eastern DEU. He's hoping the fact that the lady was a drug addict will lead to the answer. Occum's Razor, sir."

"Let's hope," Flass said neutrally. "For Allen's sake, and yours."

O'Hara nodded and sat back down. Flass swivled in his seat and pointed towards a man sitting a row in front of O'Hara. "Captain Jones. Care to tell me why our homicide boys didn't have any active intel on the drug dealers in the Eastern District?"

Morris Jones, the commander of the Eastern District, rose and stuttered slightly as he started. "W-well, sir...umm, I thought....umm, that is to say,
I was under the impression the m-murder occured in the Southeastern."

"Wrong," Flass said sharply. "The wife of Councilman David Kane was found in a field off Edmonson Avenue. That's a half block away from the Southeastern District."

"B-but the call wasn't handled by my people. I had no idea it was my duty."

"Stop with that horse****," Flass spat. "The call came in to the Southeastern, but it's the Eastern District's job to be up to date, regardless of who gets dropped in the area. As far as I've heard, you haven't told me why your people don't have a goddamn clue who's running your drug corners."

"I thought-"

"Whatever you thought was wrong. I better have some good intel in 48 hours, Captain. If not, just don't bother showing up for the next meeting."
Captain Jones swallowed heavily, nodded, and sat back down in his seat.

"All of you in this room are in your positions and ranks by appointment. You are all here because we say so, and you can all leave because we say so. The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away."

"Either the crime in Gotham goes down.....or you do," Flass said with a smirk. "Got that?"

**********
​

Hip-hop music was blaring out the black sports car as it came to a stop beside the street corner. The corner boys peddling drugs looked on in awe as the large black man stepped out. "Who's running this corner?" he asked once he was out the car. The young men stared at him with blank expressions.

"I ask because ya'll are smart enough to know I ain't police, but dumb enough not to know who the **** I really am."

"Step off," a skinny black boy in his late teens said. "You ****ing my people up. We got a job to do. Now, step off before something bad happens to you."

"Yeah, right," the man said with a chuckle. "Since you the boss man out here, I was wondering who exactly is your boss man. Y'know? Who you working for, or you an independent?"

"I'm my own boss n****," the boy said with a hard look. "Don't know where you been, but ain't be no big boss man running product up Westside since Two-Face got taken down."

"Just what I thought," the man said. "Now, I know ya'll got that weak **** you out here selling. It's working, but that's because the rest of the Narrows got the same weak ****. It's gonna change once someone gets some real raw up in here. Since you look like a reasonable man, I was gonna make you an offer."

"Giving you one last chance, mother****er," the boy said as he lifted his shirt to show a pistol tucked into his baggy pants. "Step the **** off."
The man nodded and turned to leave, before suddenly whipping a pistol from the small of his back and putting it to the boy's head. "What's up now, boy?"

The rest of the young man's crew was preparing to leap into action before the large man's eyes looked up. "Any of you n***** move, this mother****er gets one in the dome."

The crew suddenly stepped off, watching the scene before them fold out.

"Now," the large man said. "Let's talk business. You got nice territory out here, but with a weak ass product. Me? I got no territory, but I got some real killer ****. I was thinking we compromise."

"What you want?" The boy said hurriedly, his voice remained even but the gun to his head was unnerving him.

"I'm gonna hook you up with some real good ****. Straight off the boat raw I'm getting from up in NYC. I sell the **** to you and you grind for me. You get to keep your territory and sling, and I get to lay back in the cut and make my paper. Sound like a good deal."

"Yeah," the boy said. "Yeah, sure. Whatever you want."

"Alright. I'm rolling back through here tomorrow. I'll have some good re-up for you. Let you get a taste of the good ****, and then we'll see if you want to keep getting steady re-ups from me. That work?"

"Yeah, that'll work."

The man nodded and removed the pistol from the boy's head. "I'm coming back tomorrow with muscle, too," he said as he stepped back towards his car. "So don't try anything cute, or there will be some real consequences to face."

With his gun still trained on the boy and his workers, the man pulled a piece of paper out and handed it to the boy. "My cell. Hit me up tomorrow afternoon and we'll figure out a time and place to meet. Now, be advised that this isn't so much of an amicable thing. You gonna take my ****, or I'm gonna take your mother****ing life. Got that?"

"Yeah," the boy said with his eyes narrowed. "I got it."

"Good," the man said with a smile. "By the way, when you call, ask for Gambol."

Gambol slid into the driver's seat of his car and rolled the passenger window down. "You boys have a nice day now."

The music started back up and he drove off down the street.

**********
​

Maggie Sawyer was still dressed in her patrolman's outfit when she went to Gotham Central. With her hat in her hand, she walked into the fourth floor office that was marked CID Robbery.

"Hey, girl," she said with a smile as soon as she saw the woman sitting behind a desk in the room's far corner.

"Look who it is," Detective Renee Montoya said as she stood up. The two hugged quickly before breaking it off. "Heard they jettisoned you off into some district. Didn't know where."

"The Southeast isn't bad. It's just quiet. It's got me spinning my wheels right now. Major Essen, too. Looks like you made it out okay. You, Cris and Harvey, and Major Essen seem to be the ones who made it out the MCU smelling like roses."

"Don't be so sure," Montoya said. "I'm working in robbery, but I'm part of the Paperhanger Squad."

"Check Fraud?" Sawyer said with a slight scowl. "Didn't think that happened much."

"Happens enough. Me and two other cops run down all the bounced checks, forgeries, and stolen checks in this town. Spend half my time in Korean liquor stores, the other half at the Social Security Department."

"Well, at least you're learning Korean. With your English and Spanish, you might be GCPD's first trilingual cop."

"True," Montoya said with a laugh. "So, what's up, Maggie? What brings you down to Central?"

"I've been doing some thinking over the past few weeks. Guess it comes from my talks with Major Essen, but something about the way the MCU was broken up has been bugging me lately."

"You mean how we had to come down on it early? Yeah, that bugged me, too. Lieutenant Akins had us deep into the money. No telling where we could have gone."

"Yeah, but something else in that case has been bothering me as well. Remember how they all dumped their phones halfway through the investigation?"

"Yeah, that always struck me as odd. But good thing we were able to keep on them with surveillance."

"But why did they dump their phones? In the time we listened to them on the wire, all was going well. They didn't have a clue that anyone was listening in."

Sawyer held up a manila folder that was in her hands. "So I went down to records and looked through all the boxes we had."

"Christ, Maggie, that was about a half dozen boxes of stuff."

"Yeah, and I found a photo. It's a day before all the phones went dead.
Fields was on a rooftop overlooking the Cheetah Club, that strip club Two-Face used as headquarters. Charlie was just bored and taking shots of the parking lot. We overlooked it because there was nothing in it but cars. But look."

Sawyer opened the folder and pointed to a car in the parking lot. A dark colored sedan whose heavily tinted windows showed up even in the black and white photo. "That's-" Montoya started.

"Yeah," Sawyer finished. "That's an unmarked police car. Not one of ours, though. It's more like a town car that the brass get issued as take home cars."

Montoya looked up, her eyes widening. "You don't think..."

"I do," Sawyer said with a nod. "I think someone tipped Two-Face and his people off. Someone didn't want us investigating them, so they tried to kill the case."

"Wow...a corrput cop in Gotham?" Montoya asked with a smile. "Say it ain't so."

 

[J'adore]

The female, shadowed figure stood before the three females. Her firsts were clenched and the red diamond at the crown of her head continued to eminate a bright, maroon, red. The shadowed female had dark, dark blue hair that fell elegantly down to her waist. As she stretched out her arms, psionic, ebony black raven wings draped down from arms. She had no facial features, so the three females standing before her found it hard to analyze where the shadowed female was looking. She couldn't speak, due to the lack of a mouth. So her appearence was left enigmatic. Martha Kent slowly got up to her feet and ran back to the kitchen, immediately reaching for the kitchen draws and pulling out a large, slick, kitchen knife. "Stay there, Aunt Martha!"

As the flickering, psionic wings continued to shine, Kara and Kory slowly began to smirk. They stood in their defense stances, each of them beginning to warm up their powers. Kory's eyes glowed a soft orange, her fists projecting two, flaming, star bolts around them. Kara, however, had flaming red eyes her muscles pumping violently. "Cute. We got a few tricks of our own, too."

Despite the fact the two teens were in their pyjamas, they were still ready to fight. Streaky, Kara's cat, had instantly ran to protect Martha, who still stood quite quietly in the far corner of the kitchen. But, the raven winged, shadowed female did not make any sudden movements. Instead, she tilted her head to the side, supposedly examining the Barn. "I, am Raven,"
​

 

[wiegeabo]

I drive to the outskirts of the city, following the road through into the countryside towards the manor. My chest aches from the hit Croc dealt me, and my arms are sore from having to drag his heavy frame back through the sewers. But after dropping him back off at Arkham, this night is finally over.

I glance at the small container jar with the piece of living goo moving inside.

Well...mostly over.

After what seems like a longer drive than usual, I'm finally able to pull into the cave. I bring the car to a stop in it's place and climb out. Only to be greeted by Robin and Spider-Man talking to one another.

"Did you catch Crane?"

 

[Carnage27]

​

"Did you catch Crane?"

"No," I shake my head at the newly arrived Batman. "He managed to gas me, and then we figure he split. But before he did he said he'd see me again. I'm not sure what's going on, but whatever it is, I think it's centered around me. Which means Venom is probably heavily involved."

I notice Batman is in some pretty obvious pain, "How did you fare with Croc?"

 

[Carnage27]

Nightcrawler
​

I stare at the ceiling from my bed after the X-Me meeting, when a knock draws my attention to the door, where I find Pete angrily standing there, "Why'd you vote for that Brotherhood slime to join the team?"

I sigh, "Because he deserves another chance, Pete. He's been scared and confused his entire life. Now we can give him a chance to be part of something where he can do some good."

"Yea, well, you better hope he does some good. Cuz if he turns on us, we've got problems."

 

[wiegeabo]

"No," I shake my head at the newly arrived Batman. "He managed to gas me, and then we figure he split. But before he did he said he'd see me again. I'm not sure what's going on, but whatever it is, I think it's centered around me. Which means Venom is probably heavily involved."

I notice Batman is in some pretty obvious pain, "How did you fare with Croc?"

"He's back in Arkham. But he put up a fight. And he left this behind." I hold out the jar, the red blob spread out quietly on the bottom.

"It was attached to the back of his neck. And it's alive. I'll have to do an analysis to figure out what it is." Both Robin and Spider-Man lean in to get a better look.

And when Spider-Man does...the blob goes crazy...

 

[Carnage27]

​

Batman doesn't need to do analysis. As the blob continues to try and break free of its glass prison and take me, I cringe at what is staring back at me. "It's a symbiote. Or at least part of one. It's a lot smaller than Venom was when it wasn't attached to a host."

But Batman said it was just on Croc's neck, "And from my experience the symbiote usually covers it's entire host. It almost seems to eat them when it takes over. Just sitting on the neck isn't their MO. Especially if it had a chance at getting its hands on someone as powerful as Croc."

Taking the jar from Batman I twirl it in my hands, "What are you?"

"Batman," I say looking back to him, "do you mind if I take this back to New York? I think I'll have Reed Richards take a look at it."

 

[Byrd Man]

I look myself over in the mirror, making sure my suit isn't wrinkled or dirty, and my hair, all my hair, is combed and perfectly in place.

"Are you ready, Hank?" Charles calls from just outside my room.

"I'm ready," I say as I walk out into the hallway, cleaning my glasses on my coat. "Who all are we taking to meet this potential student?"

"You and I, of course. I also wanted to bring a few of our more experienced team members. Kurt and Jean, and I think the four of us should do it."

"Sounds like a plan to me. I am curious, though, as to what exactly this young man can do."

"All in due time, old friend," Charles says with a smile. "If what I've been detecting in Cerebro is correct, then all of you will be in for a surprise."

"Very well, play it close to the vest if you like."

I follow Charles down into the basement and to the Blackbird hangar. Jean is in the process of going through pre-flight checks with the jet. I climb into the co-pilot seat while Charles and Kurt sit behind us.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon and thank you all for flying Mutant Airlines today. Our flight plan to Metropolis takes us through clear skies and easy sailing on the hour flight. I'd like to remind you all that this is a strictly non-smoking flight. Please make sure you all are properly secured in your seats, and your tray tables are in their up-right and locked position. Your in-flight movie is not available on this flight, unfortunately. But I believe some entertainment can be had with those scandalous magazines Logan left in the cargo hold a few months back. Take off should be in a few moments, just sit back and relax."
​

 

[Eddie Brock]

No sooner do I walk in the front door of the Planet than...

"Hey, Smallville. How'd the rally go?"

I suspect Lois was waiting for me. My suspicions are confirmed when she holds out a cup of coffee. It's killing her that Perry's "banned" her from covering anything registration-related. Lois has always worn her heart on her sleeve when it came to heroes - Superman, especially - and I'm sure she takes Luthor's attack on us as personally as I do.

"It was fine, Lois," I say with a bemused look that tells her I know exactly what she's doing. We walk to the elevator side-by-side, and I elaborate, "Look, I know you don't see eye to eye with the pro-regs, but they make some good arguments. People should be able to trust their heroes."

Lois scoffs. "I trust my heroes a Hell of a lot more than I trust Lex Luthor."

You're not the only one, Lois.

When we make it to the top of the Planet, Lois marches off in silence. She's clearly not satisfied with how I've been acting. I wish I could tell her I'm just as indignant as she is, but Clark Kent doesn't need to draw attention to himself. I can't afford to give anyone a reason to start looking closer at the man behind the glasses - especially now that Superman's technically an "outlaw."

"Hey, CK! I found those files you asked me to look for. They're on your desk."

"Thank you, Jimmy."

I sit down at my desk, setting down Lois's complimentary cup of coffee. I pick up the files that Jimmy pulled for me. Even with all this registration stuff going on, I still have a watery bank robber to find. I did some digging and found a possible identity for this man: Morris Bench.

A few months ago, a team of scientists was testing an experimental generator in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Morris Bench was one of the boathands who helped lower the generator into the water. However, Bench lost his footing and fell into the ocean. Rescue crews were unable to find a body. It may be a stretch, but perhaps Bench was affected by the sea water and the energy coming off of the generator.

The financial records I had Jimmy pull for me show that someone cleared out all of Bench's accounts shortly after the accident. Seems to me that Bench survived. Unfortunately, there are no other leads. If Bench is still alive, he's become a ghost. I'm just going to have to wait for him to strike again to catch him.
​

 

[Carnage27]

Nightcrawler
​

I sit back in one of the passenger seats of the Blackbird as we take off towards Metropolis and a potential new student for the school. Usually, I'd be in the co-pilot's chair, but Jean's been learning how to fly the 'bird and it's something that can keep her mind off of things.

Leaning back and putting my feat up, I look over at Charles Xavier, "Professor, I vas wondering if I could ask you a question?"

"Of course, Kurt," the man smiles back. "Ask away."

"Vell, now zhat I have graduated, I've noticed I've got an abnormal and most likely unhealthy amount of free time," I take a deep breath before asking the question. "I vas wondering if I could become a teacher at the mansion?"

"Well Kurt," he responds, slightly surprised, "I never knew you were interested. What are you interested in?"

"Possibly a film study course," I shrug. "And maybe some drama? Ve have been vithout it for so long."

"You know, Kurt," he smiles, "that is a wonderful idea. We'll start preparing when we return."

I smile and ask, "Great. So...who are ve going to pick up?"

 

[Carnage27]

The Incredible Hulk
​

I slink through the aisles of the grocery store as quickly as possible without looking too suspicious. While I try to come the least I can possiby can, sometimes a trip into society is completely necessary. Even if it's also incredibly dangerous for me.

Stores have security cameras. So do traffic lights and bus stops. Basically any where I go my image is being constantly recorded, and all it takes if for one FBI or SHIELD pencil pusher at a desk to recognize my face and I'll have a hundred SHIELD agents on my doorstep, not to mention Luthor's new Avengers.

Grabbing what I need, I check out and jump in my old, beat-up pickup and head back to my lab.

**********

The shadow moves stealthily through the room until it reaches its destination: the large super computer in the corner of the room. Once there, it begins skillfully striking keys until the information it needs is displayed on the screen.

Bruce Banner location: Arizona

The shadow melts back to the ground and lips through the window, and once outside becomes it's fully-formed body, swinging off into the New York night, leaving the Baxter Building behind.
​

 

[Byrd Man]

"You know, Kurt," he smiles, "that is a wonderful idea. We'll start preparing when we return."

I smile and ask, "Great. So...who are ve going to pick up?"

"A young man by the name of Conner Krummet. He's a fifteen year old from the Metropolis suburbs who has a very....unusual skill set."

"According to the boy's parents, he has manifested several abilities. He can fly, has super strength, and can shoot laser beams from his eyes."

"This is a very unique case we're dealing with. In my study of mutants, I've never come across a mutant with so many sub-mutations. It's fascinating, really. Perhaps this is the dawning of the next generation of mutation."

 

[Eddie Brock]

GENERAL "THUNDERBOLT" ROSS

"Take a good look, Sam. That's the future of metahumans."

Sam Lane glances up at me and gives a little nod. I march to his side to get a look at our boy. Corporal Davis Bloome. His body has reacted wonderfully to our little serum. Currently, he's standing in the middle of a testing chamber, showing off his increasing strength. Sam and I stand on the observation deck.

Sam stares dumbfounded as Corporal Bloome lifts a barbell with weights the size of Cadillacs. "How much is he lifting?"

"About eleven million."

"Eleven million pounds?!" Sam asks incredulously.

"That's right."

Sam covers his shocked expression behind his hand. "But that's over--"

"Five thousand tons," I smirk. "After the first round of injections." It's an impressive number, to be sure, but it barely scratches the bottom of the barrel with these metahumans. Superman, Thor, Banner...they're all projected in the one million ton range, if not higher. God help us all.

"And no side effects?"

I hand Sam a file which contains updated physical and mental evaluations for Corporal Bloome. He checks out. "Fit as a fiddle and still in complete control of his mental faculties. Obviously, we'll monitor him after every round of injections, but the project's off to a good start."

At that moment, Corporal Bloome puts down the weights, cracking the floor of the testing chamber in the process.
​

 

[Carnage27]

"A young man by the name of Conner Krummet. He's a fifteen year old from the Metropolis suburbs who has a very....unusual skill set."

"According to the boy's parents, he has manifested several abilities. He can fly, has super strength, and can shoot laser beams from his eyes."

"This is a very unique case we're dealing with. In my study of mutants, I've never come across a mutant with so many sub-mutations. It's fascinating, really. Perhaps this is the dawning of the next generation of mutation."

Flight. Super strength. Heat vision. All powers that I've seen before, and powers that almost every person on Earth is familiar with.

As the Blackbird begins to touch down in Metropolis, I say, "Professor, Dr. McCoy...this mutant sounds like Superman."

 

[Byrd Man]

Flight. Super strength. Heat vision. All powers that I've seen before, and powers that almost every person on Earth is familiar with.

As the Blackbird begins to touch down in Metropolis, I say, "Professor, Dr. McCoy...this mutant sounds like Superman."

"Yes, which makes this case all the more interesting. Mr. Krummet is appearing on Cerebro which means he has a mutation of some sort. We won't fully known until Hank looks at his bloodwork."

"If he accepts our offer to join the school, I'll look at his DNA for the x-gene. But I'm pretty sure we can safely say this young man is a mutant."

"Did his powers manifest at the outset of puberty?" Jean pipes up from the pilot's seat once the Blackbird lands with a dull thump.

"Yes. The heat vision was the first to manifest. According to the parents, Conner had a coughing fit and burnt a hole through his bedroom wall."

"We'll know for certain once we talk to him," Charles says as he powers his chair forwards to the exit. "For now, let's make sure we put on a good appearance for the family."

"Speaking of that...perhaps it would be best if Kurt and I stay back for a few moments while you and Jean make introductions? I know Kurt has no body issues, and neither do I, but our appearances can be quite jarring when it comes to first impression."

 

[wiegeabo]

Batman doesn't need to do analysis. As the blob continues to try and break free of its glass prison and take me, I cringe at what is staring back at me. "It's a symbiote. Or at least part of one. It's a lot smaller than Venom was when it wasn't attached to a host."

But Batman said it was just on Croc's neck, "And from my experience the symbiote usually covers it's entire host. It almost seems to eat them when it takes over. Just sitting on the neck isn't their MO. Especially if it had a chance at getting its hands on someone as powerful as Croc."

Taking the jar from Batman I twirl it in my hands, "What are you?"

"Batman," I say looking back to him, "do you mind if I take this back to New York? I think I'll have Reed Richards take a look at it."

"Richards works for SHIELD now. I don't trust him, despite what Superman might say." I stare at Spider-Man, twirling the vial so cavalierly. I don't care if you have superhuman agility, you don't play around with an enemy like that. It's just another sign of his youth, and another reason I hope Robin rubs off on him.

"But xenobiology is not my expertise. Although, I may need to include it soon. Especially if Crane is still infected."

 

[Carnage27]

​

"Richards works for SHIELD now. I don't trust him, despite what Superman might say." I stare at Spider-Man, twirling the vial so cavalierly. I don't care if you have superhuman agility, you don't play around with an enemy like that. It's just another sign of his youth, and another reason I hope Robin rubs off on him.

"But xenobiology is not my expertise. Although, I may need to include it soon. Especially if Crane is still infected."

"Reed isn't a fed," I shrug. "The man has done more for me with no qualms, he's earned my trust. And I know he's working for SHIELD. The Human Torch has talked to me about it quite a bit. Needless to say, Reed isn't happy about the arrangement at all."

"It's true," Robin nods. "Johnny's complained a lot about how much Reed complains."

Batman merely grunts at the fact that Robin agrees with me. I try hard to suppress a smile underneath my mask.

"And speaking of Crane," I continue, changing the subject. "I was wondering if you have any spare antidotes to the Fear Toxin on hand. If Crane is working with Venom, I'd be willing to bet New York is his next stop, and I'd like some for my allies, should the need arise."

I can already tell Batman wants me out of the city as quickly as possible, and this request isn't going to make things any better. And I'll be honest, I have no desire to stay in his presence any longer than I need to. The guy seriously gets on my nerves sometimes. And this is one of those times. Besides, I have another stop to make.

 

[wiegeabo]

"Reed isn't a fed," I shrug. "The man has done more for me with no qualms, he's earned my trust. And I know he's working for SHIELD. The Human Torch has talked to me about it quite a bit. Needless to say, Reed isn't happy about the arrangement at all."

"It's true," Robin nods. "Johnny's complained a lot about how much Reed complains."

Batman merely grunts at the fact that Robin agrees with me. I try hard to suppress a smile underneath my mask.

"And speaking of Crane," I continue, changing the subject. "I was wondering if you have any spare antidotes to the Fear Toxin on hand. If Crane is working with Venom, I'd be willing to bet New York is his next stop, and I'd like some for my allies, should the need arise."

I can already tell Batman wants me out of the city as quickly as possible, and this request isn't going to make things any better. And I'll be honest, I have no desire to stay in his presence any longer than I need to. The guy seriously gets on my nerves sometimes. And this is one of those times. Besides, I have another stop to make.

I listen to their argument. I still don't like it, but I don't really have the choice. I don't have the equipment, nor the time, to do a thorough analysis.

"Very well. Robin, have Reed keep us in the loop. If there are more of these things running around the city, I want to know everything about them."

I turn away from the pair and towards one of the storage units. I type in the code. "As for antidotes..." I open the chilled units, showing off boxes filled with doses.

"Take as many as you think you'll need. It's good to thinking ahead for a change."

 

[Carnage27]

Nodding to Batman, I take enough inoculations for Aunt May, Gwen, a few of the Titans, and the Fantastic Four, and web them to my belt, ensuring they won't be going any where. "Thanks for the help. I'll make sure Reed let's you know what's going on, and I'll make sure Robin tells you anything I tell him."

I say goodbye to Robin, and Batman then takes me into the Batmobile and darkens my half of the seating arrangement as we speed out of the Batcave so that I can't find my way back, as if I actually wanted to go back. He drops me off in the city, I thank him again, and the two of us go our separate ways.

Once he's out of sight, I swing towards my next goal, one that will prove to be more awkward than my last, but one that needs to be done.

Landing on the side of a Gotham home, I rap on one of the downstairs windows, and the face that greets me after a minute is not that one I was hoping for out of the two possible outcomes. Barbara Gordon slides the window open, "Pete...what are you doing here?"

The surprise is noticeable, yet there's a hint of happiness. Babs was the one that had broken up with me, and I really can't blame her for the way things went down. And now the two of us have moved on. Well...at least I've moved on, so there's no reason this can't got down smoothly. "I was in the neighborhood. Is your dad there? I need to speak with him. And you."

"Sure, I'll get him," she says as she turns from the window.
​