5. Nasty!
On the Left part 1
A Car in the Middle of New York,
Shortly after the events at Zspunk,
Chamber sat quietly as Domino drove in a furious silence. She sped and swerved, neither gesturing nor screaming abuse as was her custom when driving. Ignoring all other traffic, she slammed into the parking garage of an apartment building, using a security code that Jono couldn't see. Following silently as she strode forcefully through to an elevator, he watched as she punched the button for the 11th floor. Getting out, she strode across the hall, walking into an apartment as though she owned it. Maybe she did. Jono was reminded that he knew next to nothing about Domino. He didn't even know what her powers were. Turning, she said, "We will stay here for a few days. Blink knows where. Just stay here for a bit," before walking off and shutting a door. The click of a lock echoed across the silent room. Jono turned, exhausted looking for a bedroom. He was exhausted; blowing out the window had taken everything he had. He spotted another door across the room and walking across slowly, he entered and collapsed gratefully on the bed.
Waking up the next morning, he emerged from the bedroom, blinking at the sunlight flooding the living area. Nice place, he thought to himself, wandering in the direction of the kitchen he had spotted the night before. Realising that he could no longer eat and it was only habit that had led him to the kitchen, Jono thought a rude word and wandered back to the lounge. He dropped into the couch gratefully and flicked on the television, channel surfing before he found something playing music videos. He didn't even notice when he dozed off.
Clarice Ferguson woke up, curled in a chair in Mercy Hospital near Maria's intensive care room. No-one had been brave enough to try and find out where Maria had gotten such horrific injuries, not after Blink's display yesterday. Looking around, she realised that Jean-Paul was gone. Wondering if it was for coffee or for good, she strode over to the observation window, heart twisting as she looked down at Maria, lying helpless in the bed. Daredevil had snapped Maria's spine and she'd been helpless to do anything because of that damn window. Helpless. Staring at Maria, she ignored the nurses coming in to adjust medication or the doctors to administer shots. Just watching Maria. Three hours later, she realised that people were talking to her. Turning, she saw police, looking at her expectantly. Jean-Paul wasn't here. One of the police asked, "Miss? Can you tell us anything?" but Clarice ignored her, 'porting out with the faintest of sounds.
Chamber was dozing in front of the television when suddenly Clarice appeared in front of him, crying. He jumped up and nearly blew her to pieces but she didn't notice. Running to the bathroom, she came out a moment later blowing her nose on a tissue. Sighing, she said, "Maria is in intensive care. Mercy Hospital. The cops are there so I had to leave." Dropping onto the couch, she asked, "What happened at Zspunk?" He told her in a short burst, filling her in on the confrontation between Domino and Taskmaster and the result. Have you seen Jean-Paul? he asked. She nodded slightly. "He came to the hospital. He…he was really upset. I don't think he will come back. When I woke up this morning, he was gone." Wishing he could still whistle, Chamber sent Domino is not going to be happy with that he started but broke off suddenly, seeing what was on the television. A news bulletin had just started and the announcer was looking solemn. "The area of the city known as 'Hell's Kitchen' is becoming more and more of an issue in the upcoming election. The brutal beating of blind law student Matthew Murdock last night has become a major platform for the candidates, with repeated references to the incumbent's incompetence. Mr. Murdock remains in a critical condition at the community hospital but the prognosis is good. The election debate continues to rage..." she continued but Chamber muted the sound, turning to face Blink. "Jono, what is it?" she asked, knowing something was wrong. That kid…Murdock. He was Daredevil, Blink, he said, knowing what must have happened. There were only so many people who could beat up someone like him so badly. "Jean-Paul." she stated, sorrowfully. "He must have…." Trailing off, she suddenly asked, "Where's Domino?" He nodded his head toward the bedroom to which Domino had retired and from which she had not yet emerged from. She hasn't come out since last night, not that I've seen, he sent. He wondered if there were any good clubs near here. He wasn't legal but he doubted that would be a problem. He'd enjoyed his first few days at Zspunk and he wanted to get back onto the scene. Walking back to his room, he grabbed his trench coat and headed for the door. I'm going out, he sent to the exhausted Clarice who was already dozing on the lounge. She mumbled something sleepily.
A Gothic Club,
Near Domino's Apartment,
Chamber slid into the heaving, throbbing mass of people, large trench coat practically passé in this kind of club. He didn't even have any visible piercings. Turning towards the bar checking out the crowd, he stopped dead, staring at a blond woman in the corner. About 18, maybe 20, long, blond hair, figure she'd clearly had to kill for, blood red lipstick. Flash of a piercing as she licked her lips after a sip of her drink. Getting a hold of himself, Jono is glad he hasn't got a mouth because otherwise he'd be drooling. Knowing she was out of his league, however, just made it all the more interesting. Sliding through the crowed, he made his way to one of the booths at the back, securing an empty one by glaring. Wishing he could drink, he was watching the heaving mass on the dance floor when someone slid in next to him. Turning, he saw the blond from the bar, sipping a drink calmly as if she sat next to skinny 16-year-olds every day. Jono looks at her questioningly. "I like my men…younger," she answers his unspoken question. "My name is Vertigo," she introduces herself. Raising an eyebrow, Jono replies, An...interesting name. She smiles. "It's not the one I was born with if that's what you're asking." She replies with a small laugh, breaking the ice. The conversation is joined.
Two hours later, they leave through the back of the club. Not sure where they're going but after the last two hours, Jono is just flowing with it. Heading down an alley, he notices that they are being followed. Not saying anything, they keep walking. Suddenly, a huge form bursts out in front of them and Jono reacts without thinking, pushing Vertigo aside and letting loose a psionic blast that sends the giant man flying. Suddenly, a force hits him from the side, sending him sprawling into a wall. As he tries to get up, he hits a barrier that has sprung up around him, dropping to the ground again. Lashing out with his fire, he hears a muffled grunt as the barrier snaps but suddenly everything spins and whirls. He can't see which way is up and he can't feel which way is down. Dropping back to his knees, he vomited, the world spinning. Looking around, he spotted Vertigo looking at him and she smiled, noticing his efforts. He tried to blast at her, sending his fire in what he hoped was the right direction but the barrier knocked it back and he heard another muffled grunt. Collapsing, retching he fell to the ground and another concussive burst slammed into him as the giant and a blond man walked out of the shadows. Two dark-skinned women approached, joining Vertigo. The world spun once more and he fell into blackness.
A Lab,
An Unknown Location,
An Unknown Time Later,
Chamber came to. The first thing he noticed was that he was in a cage. He looked around the room, immediately focusing on Vertigo lounging on a chair a few meters away. Turning away from her deliberately, he saw the others from the alley on the other side of the room. Ignoring them as best he could, he spotted the room's final occupant. Chamber had not seen a stranger looking man in his life. Why the hell are you wearing vertical blinds on your shoulders? he asked curiously. You look absolutely ridiculous. Turning, the man smiled calmly at Chamber, readying a needle. I see you're awake, my boy" he said calmly. "I believe you've already met my dear henchpeople, the Nasty Boys. I don't think you had time for introductions though, except with Vertigo." The named woman smiled and crossed her legs on the chair. The man indicated the others, "These are Strong Guy, Slipstream, Shard and Cecilia, who refuses to have a post-human name." Chamber looked at them contemptuously. They probably need a bit more training. I just about took down all five of them, he sent. Sinister smiled. "My boy, that's exactly where you come in," he said gleefully.
Domino's Safehouse
The Next Morning,
Blink finally gathered the guts to knock on Domino's door. The woman herself opened the door looking absolutely terrifying. Her white face was even paler than normal, the black patch around a single eye making an almost terrifying contrast but the most horrific detail was the crusted tracks of dried blood trailing down from Domino's eyes. Blink jumped back afraid something had happened to Domino but when she didn't react, said, "Jono went out last night. He hasn't come back. Something has happened, it's too late for him to just have found some girl." Domino nodded. "Give me a minute," she said and the door closed. Blink sighed and went to where she had set up her own room. Visiting Domino's weapon stockpile, she began to armour up. There was something seriously wrong if Domino had already known. Blink knew she didn't sleep with her armour on.
Five minutes later, Blink and Domino dressed as inconspicuously as they could to cover their weapons and their obvious mutations, prowled around the gothic club Chamber had visited the night before. Domino said, "I can feel him. He was here last night." Blink didn't ask how she knew. No-one on the Crew knew what Domino's powers were for a reason. Leading the way out the back door, the pale woman walked down an alleyway, clearly following something. Suddenly, Domino said, "There was some kind of fight here. He did a bit of blasting. You can see the burns on the walls of the alley." Pointing to a few sooty patches. Odd gaps in the middle for some reason. Blink started, feeling the residue of another teleporter. "There was a teleport here. I'm pretty sure I can follow to the same location," she said quickly, readying her weapons. Turning to Domino, she asked, "Ready?" The pale woman nodded. Setting herself, Blink reached out to the residue, feeling it. It felt…strange...different, but she could find where it went. With a brief flash, Blink and Domino vanish from the alley, leaving no trace they were ever there.
A Lab,
An Unknown Location,
The man speaking to Chamber looked up, startled by a sound no-one else could hear. "That was quick," he mused. "They're even better than I expected. Very well, deal with them, you five." He said, waving his hands at the lackeys. They five got up and walked off down the tunnels.
Inside the Catacombs,
A Short Distance Away,
Domino and Blink arrive in a brief flash, guns raised. Seeing no immediate danger, Domino whispers to Blink, "Quick penetration. In and out. If you see Jono, get him out of here and come back for me." Blink nods, eyes scanning for danger. Suddenly, a dark-skinned woman emerges from the shadows and a concussive burst hits Blink and Domino, hurling them towards the wall. Domino simply flips back, landing in a crouch aiming with her guns but Blink is faster, simply 'porting from mid-air to just behind the woman, letting her motion carry her forward, bowling the woman over. Jumping up, she pumped a tranquilizer dart into the woman's shoulder. Domino whirls at a faint sound, opening fire on the stunned teleporter who just appeared a few meters behind her. He is hit repeatedly in the chest, flying back with a crimson spray. The two intruders run through the tunnels in the direction their attackers came from. Another dark-skinned woman appears and with a wave of her hands, it feels like something clubs Domino in the gut. She drops to her knees gasping for air whilst Blink is spun off to the side, hit with a glancing blow. Blink 'ports out, reappearing in front of the woman, leaping with a kick that bounces off the woman's force field. Jumping again, Blink attacks repeatedly from many angles but the woman's force field is always there. Suddenly, Blink and the woman drop to the ground, unable to stand. A blond woman is concentrating on them but her face registers an instant of surprise as Domino shoots her twice in the head. Shooting the force field woman has no effect but Blink directs a solid blow at the same time that takes her in the back of the neck. The two women rest for a moment before setting off again but are stopped almost immediately by a giant man. He flicks a switch on his headset and says, "They have arrived, sir. All the others are down..." Suddenly Domino and Blink fly across at a wall. "Whoops, sir, it looks like Shard is still going. Probably tranq'ed. Silly of them. Expect a report shortly," he finishes. Turning to the women, he grins. Then charges straight at Blink. Tackling her before she can teleport, he begins to squeeze her to his chest in a crushing hug. Domino ran to help but was knocked flying by another concussion as the first woman advanced out from behind them. Blink struggled but the man just laughed. "You might be good, girly, but you're just making me stronger," he chuckled. Meanwhile, Domino was desperately dodging blasts and firing off shots, hoping to score a hit. Strong Guy begins to squeeze, putting huge pressure on Blink's spine, making her scream in pain. Domino fires off a sudden burst from across the room and Shard grunts as she is hit in the leg twice. She goes down and the blasts stop and Domino takes advantage, shooting her again. She whirls around and is treated to the rare spectacle of Clarice Ferguson letting loose with her powers.
Clarice is a teleporter. Plain but not quite simple. She "blinks" people or things from one place to another. In its most basic form, her power rips something from one place and sort of throws it in one direction. She spent years working on her control so the horrific accidents that happened at her manifestation would never happen again. It's still not perfect. She nearly let loose on Daredevil recently and now, when she is in danger of the same injury as Maria, she snaps. Strong Guy doesn't even have time to scream as Blink's power whips out and everything that is a part of Strong Guy is suddenly somewhere else. The mess is…considerable. Blink drops to the ground, face twisting with grief. Domino snaps out, "Let's go!" and Blink staggers to her feet, face haggard. She and Domino begin to run through the catacombs again, searching for Jono.
The Lab,
Location Unknown,
Chamber studies his captor, to all appearances a normal human albeit in bizarre costume. He watches as the man prepares surgical instruments and readies samples of some kind, carefully adding something to each one. He sets each sample aside with a sigh of satisfaction. He looks up, again apparently reacting to a sound no-one else can hear. He turns to Chamber and says "Your friends are very impressive. Very impressive indeed. I am most pleased." He whirls suddenly and a blast of energy flies from his hand towards Clarice, just entering through a side doorway. She opens a portal in front of her and the blast vanishes, reappearing behind the man and blowing a hole clear through his stomach. He doesn't seem fazed. Domino appears from another entrance, guns blazing and four more holes appear in his chest. He simply smiles. And then looks at Domino and unleashes an optic blast that knocks her flying into a wall. He turns to Clarice who 'ports out of the way just in time, reappearing on top of Chamber's cage. Chamber seizes the opportunity to unleash a blast through the bars of his cage, aimed at the samples the man has been working at for the last few hours. The man simply grins and stares at the fire. It warps around and turns to him, coming to rest in a ball on the palm of his hand. He throws this at Clarice who dodges, getting clipped on the side. It's enough, though, and she collapses into convulsions. The man shrugs and his skin turns completely white, with a red diamond left on his forehead. He stretches out his arms, his shoulder joints cracking and exposing the holes in his chest and back in a hideous sight. He takes a deep breath and visibly concentrates, then watches as the holes simply….disappear. "That was very nicely done, my dears. If I had been almost anyone else, I suspect that I would have died. I am not, however, anyone else. My name, children, is Sinister. We have things to discuss."
Domino looked over at what was left of her team. Clarice had stopped convulsing and was now simply lying there showing signs of recovery. Chamber sat in the cage, furious, knowing he could do nothing against Sinister. Domino looked up at Sinister and said, "Fine. What are you offering?" The man grinned down at her sadistically. "It's not so much a deal as choices. Option A. You work for me. You do what I say when I say. You will be working with the Nasty Boys you met earlier. Option B. You die. Simple choices, children. You shouldn't need long." He smiled down at Domino, eyes sparkling with sadistic glee. Domino grunted. "Fine. Option A. Whatever. Just let me up and get him out of the damn cage." Sinister smiled. "Excellent," he said broadly. Flicking a switch, Chamber's cage was raised, letting him loose. Chamber walked over to help the recovering Clarice and tell her what was going on. Domino looked at them and then at the man who they now worked for. She wondered how their other employer was going to like this. She rather thought that she would be very very pleased indeed.
Epilogue,
Elsewhere,
A man and a woman sit in a room, deep in discussion. "Tessa, you took a risk making a hit like that. A serious risk. We can't replace you, you need to be more careful," the man says, concern colouring his voice. The woman looks directly at him, face motionless. "I discovered the agent was under the direct control of the target. He knows we're after him. He knows it's me. I'm the only person in the world in a position to hunt him, to hurt him like we are now. He doesn't know what kind of resources I have at my beck and call and he doesn't know about you. He has no more information and one less agent than previously. I have done my job, commissioner, and will continue to do my job, risks or no. If there is nothing else, Bishop…." She trails off. The man sighs wordlessly. He says, "Go on then. Please be careful. I'll be very busy over the next few weeks. We've got a major op coming up and it needs a lot of attention but for this, you know I'm always available." Turning away, the woman walks out of the room leaving the man alone. "Tessa please be careful. No-one else can do this," the man whispers to himself, before gathering his own coat and leaving the room.