Chapter three for your praising, or flaming enjoyment. R&R please, it's the only way I'll learn .

DISCLAIMER: Um, yea. I'm poor, always have been, always will be. Poor people don't own much, so I don't own COH.

Chapter 3

Sisterhood

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your conductor speaking. We'll be arriving in Atlas Park, Paragon City in approximately 20 minutes. Please ensure that you have your personal belongings, and make your way to your seats as we near the end of our trip. That is all, Thank you." Strike awoke with a jolt from the intercom's announcement. She looked around to find herself stretched across both of the seats in her row. Everything was just as it was before her mind left the train. God, I hate sleeping. The same thing every time, the same dream. She wiped the tears from her eyes as she pulled out a thick envelope labeled "AHD members only". Inside were papers detailing her mission in Paragon; mostly information on the gangs, cities, and a few contacts that work with the AHD. So, where will I start? I'll be arriving in Atlas Park; I suppose the best move would be to find the other agent that was sent before me. NemA, is it?

The folder also held a dossier for another AHD agent sent in a few weeks before Strike was called. Sista Nema was her name; she didn't look too much older than Strike. What kind of nun uses a deadly weapon like a katana, She thought as she read up on her fellow agent's information.

Sista Nema:

Age: 22

Sex: Female

Status: Current AHD agent, stationed in Paragon City

Bio:

Nema is an interesting case as far as AHD agents go. She was raised at a young age as a nun at St. Lawrence cathedral. Though she wasn't a model nun, she showed impressive abilities that would prove useful to the organization. Along with the regenerator implants installed in her body, she is also skilled with her katana. On the downside: she has quite the temper; that has lead to many of her missions ending in unwanted bloodshed. Though Nema has been repeated lectured and disciplined, her anger, and rashness remains. For the situation reported in Paragon, She seemed like an obvious choice.

P.S. Strike, if you do run into Nema during your mission; you are advised to work with her. She knows more about the city than you, and can show you how to survive out there. Chances are she'll be expecting you when you arrive.

Great, not only am I stuck in a cesspool of heretics; I have to pal around with a sword wielding, homicidal maniac! "This is not how I wanted my first assignment to be", she said softly to herself. She closed the folder and waited for the train to reach its destination. Strike looked out the window as the city came into view. "Atlas Park, Paragon city. The train will be docking shortly, thank you for choosing "Here to There" for your travel needs. Please be sure to ride with us again. Thank you" the conductor spoke over the intercom.

To say that Strike was amazed would be an understatement. London was a big town, but it didn't begin to compare to this sight. Everywhere she looked, there were skyscrapers, hustle and bustle, and people in tights being heroic. She had heard that this was the city of heroes, but now she actually believed it! In the station she looked around for anyone that may look like a contact or informant from the church. She saw none, instead she caught glimpses of men and women in flashy costumes running on and off trams to go who knows where. Looks like I'm on my own then. Fine with me. She thought as she exited the station.

Suddenly, something caught her eye. A group of men, with bandanas over their faces and coats with Goat heads on the back were running into an alley between two tall buildings. Strike recognized those characteristics from her information folder. Hellions. What are they up to? She decided to follow them down the alley to find out. At the end of the alley, a small group of them were crowded around something, or rather, someone. "We told you we didn't want to see your face in Atlas anymore, snitch!!" One of them spoke. They were surrounding a man, small in build and stature who was obviously intimidated by his "companions". The small man was cornered with his back to the wall; for some reason, he didn't bother yelling for help like Strike expected someone in his position would. Strike stood at the entrance of the alleyway, and looked around for possible assistance. The police were nowhere in sight, and heroes were speeding by at speeds that made it impossible for her to get their attention. This isn't in the job description, but I can't stand by and let this happen!

"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" She said, pointing in a dramatic fashion. Oh geez, what am I doing? I look like a bloody power ranger. The Hellions were very amused at the interruption, erupting in roar of laughter. One Hellion stepped away from the pack, apparently wearing some kind of mask. It seemed like there were spikes coming from his head. "Look little girl, the church is down the street. Now run along before we arrange a more personal meeting with your god" he said in a non-chalant fashion as he returned his attention to his previous business. Why aren't they taking me seriously? What am I doing wrong? Then Strike realized that she was still wearing her full body cloak that made her nun like appearance complete. Tossing it aside, she planted her feet and leaned back slightly as if preparing for an unseen force to push her backwards. Forming a fist with her right hand, and pointing it directly at the hellion that made the rude statement; she gripped her arm with her left hand as she begun to concentrate. Once again, the feeling of burning palms resurfaced as her hand begun to glow, and her body begun to shake violently. With that, a powerful sphere of energy left her hand, nearly knocking her on her back, hurling toward the pack.

The leader, which Strike concluded was one of the infamous "fallen", turned around just in time to see the blinding image rushing toward his face. The blast knocked the thug to the ground with a resounding "THUD", as the rest of his comrades finally took notice of the situation. "I smell spandex!" One of them said as the group eyed their attacker. "You picked the wrong party to crash little girl! Tear her apart!" the fallen said, still rearing in pain from the blast. Strike realizing that she was outnumbered, stood her ground and begun to take aim at her enemy. I'll destroy the spiders, so the butterflies my flourish. Amen. She thought as she blasted one after another. They came at her with bats, knives, and fist flying. With the grace of a professional dancer, she dodged blow after blow while still unleashing with attacks of her own. Everything was going well until she had backed out of the alley, bumping into another group in the street. Strike turned around just in time to see a Louisville slugger bat flying toward her. No amount of speed, or agility would have saved her from the blow that followed. Dammit, didn't see them; she thought as she took a knee and gripped her head. She could feel the warmth of her blood as it ran down her face. "Told you to take a hike, babe. Now it's too late, FINISH HER!!" As they closed in on her, she tried to stand, but couldn't. Everything was a haze of blurs and sounds. She looked around once more for assistance only to notice that everyone, including the police ran in terror from them. Cowards.

Suddenly and yell of pain was heard back in the alley. Everyone turned to see the Leader stumble out to the street with small cuts covering every inch his body. "Now is that anyway to treat a lady? And she's a nun from the looks of it" a soft voice came from the alley. Everyone, including Strike, was completely mesmerized as to what could have done that kind of damage in such a short amount of time. "You boys need to be taught a lesson. There's no place or need for Heretics such as you in this world!" A small figure emerged from the alley, wearing almost the exact same outfit that Strike was wearing. She had black hair and a face that dared anyone not to take it seriously. Nema.

"You the hell are you, lady?" One of the thugs spoke, obviously shaken by the entrance of the new player. "Oh, where are my manners? My name isn't really important, but I'll tell you so you can tell all your friends about the chick the kicked your butts. The name is Nema, Sista Nema. Remember it, fools!" The small woman said as she unsheaved her weapon; a katana nearly as long as her. The hellions regained what little sense they had left and charged her together as Nema charged from the opposite direction. As they met, it seemed as if the thugs didn't even attempt to attack; Nema ran pass them like they were nothing and stopped just shy of Strike who was still on a knee trying to regain herself. Nema sheaved her blade waited patiently as the Hellions fell one by one to the ground as if god himself had decided it was time for them to go. "What a bunch of weaklings! You ok?" She said to Strike, whose jaw was practically dragging on the pavement at this point. "Sorry I'm late; I had hoped to meet you at the station to greet you. By the way, I'm Nema, Looks like we'll be working together." A warm smile had formed on her face that would've made Strike completely forget about the killer deposition she held earlier; if not for the pile of hellions lying on the ground behind her. "Let's go rookie, the cops can handle things from here."