The woman starred blankly at Lexa Fallon. She was obviously terrified, probably confused. Lexa knew if she didn't get her moving, she'd soon be deceased instead. Lexa grabbed her hand, pulling her to her feet, while her partner dove into action.
The Clockwork didn't pay any attention to the fact they were being attacked by a strange looking, grey skinned creature with pointy ears, garbed in nothing other than a pair of long black tights, because the clockwork only registered life on two levels- potential resources to salvage, and threats to be eliminated. Even was clearly the latter. He demonstrated this by taking out the closest of the Clockwork's Line Oscillators out of mid air with a single kick. Another two hovered overhead, and a pair of the more humanoid looking Cogs stood ground bound, eager to eliminate the new target and go back to their mindless collecting tasks.
The Line Oscillator Even had grounded wasn't out of the fight, either. Even aimed another kick at it. It was able to dodge easily. Un-deterred, Even dropped it with a quicker, more precise kick instead. A bolt of electricity stunned Even for a moment, though, as the Cogs and Line Oscillators positioned themselves around him.
Lexa shouted for the girl to get out of the way and turned her attention back to the Clockwork. Energy crackled from her body in a familiar manner as she fired off a white bolt at the Cog. A second shot nailed it as it approached her.
Lexa: Hey, hands OFF!
The second it stepped into range, she cocked a glowing fist back and sent if flying with an energy punch. The smell of ozone burning around her stimulated her lust for action. She held her hand for a second.
Lexa: Oowie. What are those things made of? Metal? Oh wait, they are.
She giggled furiously as she blasted it again and yet once more, finally sending it to the ground as Even brawled, parried and jested with the flying Line Oscillators. He was a blur of grey, black and bright lime green- the star burst pattern on his tights- as he kicked from one object to the next. Although impressed..
Lexa: Eh, I've seen faster.
Even didn't comment. He was on the quiet side, and preoccupied with kicking the head clear off a cog, as well, even as it fired a desperate shot at Lexa. She staggered back from the impact.
Lexa: Ow! Nasty little buggers, aren't they?
Even: Yes.
Lexa: Gee, don't talk my head off. She paused, then added Just kick theirs off.
Lexa chuckled. Even didn't respond, instead focusing on finishing off the last of the Clockwork. Julie, frozen in fear to this point, didn't quite believe it was over so quickly. She walked up to the two, as Lexa caught her breath, and Even focused his insight into making sure there weren't going to be any nasty surprises jumping out of nowhere while they rested.
Julie: Thank you! Wow, I've never met a hero before.
Lexa chucked, accepting a handshake and a brief hug.
Lexa: Wow, don't get out much, do we?
Julie frowned, confused.
Julie: What's that mean?
Lexa: Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but this city's full of heroes.
Julie shook her head, not quite agreeing, as they walked down the alleyway to a nearby street.
Julie: It wasn't too bad six months ago. Things just suddenly started getting worse lately, with the emergency war walls finally shutting down, and the city sanctions being lifted. Besides, I said I'd never met a HERO before. There's plenty of jerks out there with super powers who just barely stay on the right side of the law. You're the first.. you know.. real hero...
Lexa: Oh, gotchya. Hey, thanks!
Even: Do you need help getting home?
Lexa: Or you could just run into the closest door and live there.
Julie: Confused What?
Lexa: Nevermind. Need help getting home?
Julie: No, I'll be fine, now that we're back on the streets. Thank you. I wish I had more to offer you than luck.
Lexa: It's fine. Stay safe out there.
Lexa turned to Even, as Julie vanished down another street, presumably not one filled with Clockwork.
Lexa: So which way now?
Even: Sounding bored I think we should go the park now. I like it there. It relaxes me.
Lexa giggled, despite herself.
Lexa: Even! Will you forget about the damned park already? We're supposed be on patrol.. not that a little picnic doesn't sound nice.
Even: Yes it does sound nice. .. .. Whatever it is. Let us go there.
Lexa laughed again.
Lexa: Sorry, but we've got a duty to attend to.
Even: You're probably right. Where to next?
Lexa: I think we're supposed to check out Falkner's street next. The corner of Queenswork and Main.
Even: These streets have such funny names. What do they mean, Lexa?
Lexa: Yeah, brilliant insight there. If you're done with the questions, can we get this show on the road?
Even: Show on the.. what? I'm confused.
Lexa: Argh! Nevermind, just follow me!
Even: Will do.
Another two Skulls popped up around a corner. They complained on sight of the heroes they were only talking- but immediately pulled out a gun and a knife. A couple of kicks and three blasts finished them off in quick work. Lexa caught the slightest glimpse of a Fifth Column member vanish around a corner into an alley. She called for Even to come help. By the time she got to the alley- a dead in with no visible points of entry into the buildings, he'd nevertheless vanished. After another set of Clockworks, and a few Vahzians, Lexa and Even were stopped short as a Circle of Thorn spellcaster was thrown in front of them. Before they could act, and as the green robed Thorn got to his feet, a random hero jumped down in front of him and dispatched it with a punch that sounded like an explosion going off. The Thorn fell into a heap. Lexa turned to Even, impressed by the display, and quite bored of the monotonous hunting.
Lexa: Gosh, when they say the crime doesn't stop in this city, they weren't kidding, were they?
Even again seemed puzzled.
Even: Why would one joke about a neverending wave of crime? It sounds quite.. unpleasant? Yes, Unpleasant.
Lexa: Sarcastic Why, YES it is unpleasant! with a sigh Let's just keep going until it's time to train.
This is the point Shelly shows up.
Shelly: Aha! Pardon me for the interruption, but I believe you two are the duel Azuria sent me down to track.
Even and Lexa turned to her, with Lexa amused by how short she was.
Lexa: AHA! Who are you and who's Azuria? And you do know baggy jeans are so nineties, right?
Even: And since when do Circle of Thorn venture to Atlas?
Shelly answered in her trademark, dry almost too serious for sarcasm but not quite voice.
Shelly: Strangely enough, I have an answer to all of those questions.
Lexa continued her sarcasm, which Shelly would ignore.
Lexa: It's just like a psychic hotline.
Shelly: The name is Shelly Hollins, at your service. Azuria is the one that assigns villains for Even to take down. Even nodded his head to confirm this I like baggy jeans because they're comfortable, and I'm venturing a guess the Circle of Thorn's presence has something to do with them meeting with the Hellions. Keep it between us, though. We need to investigate it before we can determine if it's just a rumor or not. Considering three Circle of Thorns were dispatched on a roof top, when none should be in Atlas, lends weight to the belief it might be true, of course. Nevertheless, it would be too soon to say in any tone of a definitive voice.
Lexa: Wow, you talk a lot. But ok, if Even's up for it, I am! Where do we find them?
Even: Indeed, I am. Do you think it will be a sewer? I'm told they tend to dwell there often.
Lexa: Ewwww! I hope not! Then again, it's probably more sanitary than some of the restrooms around here. Those places are beyond usable, trust me on this one.
Shelly chuckled.
Shelly: Understood, and no, it isn't a sewer. Supposedly, it's a warehouse. Azuria wasn't quite sure, but suggested we hit the streets to locate a Hellion who does know. She suggested that although my mutant power of mind reading is still quite under developed- her words and judgment, not mine, mind you- I should eventually be able to either pick up some knowledge, or obtain it from them otherwise. I hope you two are good at playing, "Good cop, bad cop."
Lexa: Sure are!
Even: I've no police experience.
Lexa couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the statement.
Lexa: Not a police for real, silly! It's an expression, for.. well.. it's hard to explain. Gollies, when you said you grew up in a forest, you weren't kidding, were you, elf boy?
Even: I'm not an elf, but no, I wasn't kidding. Why would I kid about that subject?
Lexa: I don't know.
Shelly: impatiently So if you're ready to start, we can begin hunting at any time.
Lexa: Wow, rush much? Well, let's go! I see a good place to start!
Lexa pointed to a gang of Hellions and immediately charged at them, ready to blast. Shelly and Even were shocked to see her rush off into battle and had to hurry to catch up.
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My characters: Shelly Hollins, Even.
Other characters: Lexa Fallon.
City of Heroes IP: The Clockwork, Line Oscillators, Cogs, Julie, Skulls, Fifth Column, Vahzians, Circle of Thorn, Azuria.