Last time Harry and the others arrived at The Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense. There they learned that the one responsible for all the murders was one Shannon Revek, a psychopath and Scanner. A Scanner is a Meta Human with incredibly powerful psychic abilities, and a Meta Human is a person with abilities ordinary people don't have. 'Nuff said, on with the show!
Chapter 6: The Ramblers
"So what's the big picture with Meta Humans?" Harry asked as he, Ginny, Hermione, Samantha, Chris and Rebecca followed Travis Bachman, Patricia Walker and Warren Ulrich to another elevator. Callahan had already returned to his office on the administration level, saying he'd meet up with Harry and the others later.
"That's something we're still trying to figure out," said Travis Bachman as he entered a complex code into the elevator keypad. The doors closed and the car descended. "But we have some of the best scientists in the world working on that puzzle. You're going to meet some of them soon; I'm sure they'll answer your questions."
"We're going down another 300ft," said Patricia Walker, "to the level where all the fun really happens."
"Lucky us," said Ron.
"Makes you wonder what they do when they're not working," muttered Ginny.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened onto a large room with ten sides. On the other nine sides, the tenth containing the elevator, there was a corridor, and each corridor had a sign over it that stated what lay down each corridor;
1: Archives and Computer Core
2: Weapons Development and Storage
3: Training
4: Cafeteria and Kitchens
5: Recreation
6: Dormitories
7: Vehicle Storage and Supplies
8: Special Project Laboratories
9: MDS
"What's MDS?" Ginny asked.
"We'll get to that later," said Warren Ulrich, "but first; Archives and Computer Core. That's were The Bureau keeps all of it's records of cases going back all the way to the beginning in 1943, as well as tones of books and documents on all sorts of supernatural stuff."
"So it's a library," said an intrigued Hermione.
"It is," said Travis Bachman, "but you need special clearance to get in, and even more advanced clearance to check stuff out."
"Oh," said a disappointed Hermione.
"I'm sure that the higher-ups will give out temporary clearance once things settle down," said Patricia Walker, she then gave Hermione a mischievous smile, "and if you'd like, I can let you in when security isn't looking."
"That may not be such a good idea," said Ron, "the thing about my wife, whom I love with all my heart, she always toes the line and never does anything that would get her into trouble."
"Ron!?" an annoyed Hermione exclaimed.
"Who are you and what have you done to my brother?" Ginny asked.
"Kidding!" said Ron as he grinned.
"That's more like it," said Ginny.
"Moving on," said Warren Ulrich, "Weapons Development and Storage. That's where we build, improve and house the tools we use to combat demonic and undead forces. Of course, we can't show you exactly what goes on in there for security reasons, but let's just say that it can get pretty wild in there sometimes."
It was then that Harry thought he heard a soft explosion coming from the second corridor. "What was that?" he asked.
"The sound of progress," said Travis Bachman, "it isn't pretty, but it's a step forward."
"What doesn't kill you," said Patricia Walker, "makes you stronger."
"Moving on," said Warren Ulrich, "Training, you can guess what goes on there. One needs to be in top physical condition in order to tackle the critters we often come across."
"It's also where us Meta Humans push ourselves to bringing out the full potential of our abilities," said Patricia Walker.
"What's your ability, Patricia?" Hermione asked.
"I'm what's known as a 'Screamer,'" said Patricia Walker, "I may not look like it, but I can hold my breath for over two hours. It's great for swimming and deep-sea diving. I also have some control over my blood chemistry, which also helps when dealing with extreme atmospheric and water pressures."
"What's that got to do with swimming?" Ron asked.
"Everything," said Ginny, "even I know that when you spend long enough and deep enough underwater, you can't come up right away or you get The Bends."
"Nitrogen bubbles form in your blood if you ascent from deep depths too quickly," said Hermione, "and any bubbles in the blood can kill you."
"I don't have to worry about that," said Patricia Walker, "but that's not the best part of my ability. It's what I can do with all that air I can store in my lungs. I can produce a sonic scream that can knock down a brick wall."
"Which is why we call her the Tallahassee Banshee," said Travis Bachman.
"What's Warren's nickname?" Samantha asked.
"I'm the Oklahoma Oni," said Warren Ulrich, "and not just because I'm from Oklahoma City. I've been gifted with superior strength and endurance, meaning I can bench-press 500lbs and can do up to 100 reps of such weightlifting exorcises without getting tired or sore."
"You don't look that strong," said Chris.
"Things aren't always what they seem," said Rebecca.
"As for the 'Oni' in my nickname," continued Warren Ulrich, "any of you ever hear of a Kanabo?"
"I think it's a type of war club," said Hermione, "yes, a war club used by the Samurai."
"It's also the eastern equivalent of a Devil's Pitchfork," said Warren Ulrich, "in Japanese mythology, a demon, or Oni as they're called, carry Kanabo. Later on I'll show you exactly how I got my nickname."
"The Cafeteria and Kitchens speak for themselves," said Travis Bachman, "and so to Recreations and Dormitories. At least a thousand people are on staff at all times here at BPRD HQ. Naturally they need spaces to eat, sleep and just cut loose, 'cause of all the stressful jobs in the world, this has to be the biggest."
"Why do you do it if it's so stressful?" Harry asked.
"Why did you become an Auror?" Travis Bachman asked.
"Because it's what I wanted to do with my life," said Harry, "I wanted to fight evil and keep the world safe from evil, as well as those I care about."
"That's why I'm part of the BPRD," said Travis Bachman, while Patricia Walker and Warren Ulrich nodded in agreement, "ask any Bureau operative. Just about everyone will give you the same answer. Of course we all know the job is dangerous, hell, I knew it when I took the job, but I wanted it."
"As did I," said Warren Ulrich, "I was a nobody before joining the Bureau. Here, I feel like a somebody, somebody who can make a difference."
"And even though the rest of the world doesn't know it," said Patricia Walker, "we all have made a difference at least once, and that makes it all worth it."
"It does," agreed Harry.
"Anyway," said Warren Ulrich, "Vehicle Storage and Supplies; that's where we keep all our modes of transportation: cars, trucks, helicopters, even a few exotic vehicles. The Supply storage areas are boring, so let's move on."
"The Special Projects Labs," said Patricia, "that's where our scientists and Krelboynes do their work."
"'Krelboyne?'" Ron asked.
"It's a type of Meta Human," said Travis Bachman, "a very, very, very smart person who specializes in at least two fields of science or medicine. One of them, whom you're going to meet tonight, may just be the greatest scientific mind alive, if not of all time."
"Who could that be?" Ginny asked
"I think I may know," Hermione whispered.
"And then there's MDS," said Warren Ulrich, "that stands for Most Dangerous Stuff. That's where we keep artifacts and items that are hazardous to the population, as well as books and documents that aren't fit to be read by human eyes."
"Like the Restricted Section," said Ron, "only worse."
"That's the general idea of the lower level," said Warren Ulrich, "now, how's about we introduce you to a bunch of genuine heroes?"
"That sounds like fun," said Harry.
"What does that make you?" Ginny asked.
"Us?" Patricia Walker asked, "well, I guess we're heroes as well, but these guys, they're the real deal. They must have saved the world eleven times in three years."
"You mean ten," said Travis Bachman.
"No, it was definitely eleven," said Patricia Walker.
"It was ten," said Travis Bachman in a serious tone, "That one time in Panama didn't count, and you know it."
"It was eleven," said Patricia Walker in a serious tone, "and it wasn't in Panama, it was Colombia."
"You're both wrong," said Warren Ulrich, "it was eleven," this earned a smug smile from Patricia Walker, "and it happened in Costa Rica."
"Whatever," said Patricia Walker as she ignored the smug look from Travis Bachman, "anyway, these guys are the best the Bureau has in terms of handling demons, zombies and other supernatural baddies."
"It's too late in the evening to meet them all," said Warren Ulrich, "we'll never get them all back here before morning, but if I know that one, he should be in the cafeteria by now."
"Every night at 10:00 pm when he's either at home or at The Bureau," said Travis Bachman, "two glasses of warm milk and two pieces of dry toast while reading whatever book he's on, like clockwork."
Harry checked the time on the watch he received on his 17th birthday, it was nearly 10:00 Eastern Standard Time. It was hard to believe that so much had transpired since the party earlier in the evening.
"This way," said Warren Ulrich. Harry and the others followed him down corridor 4 to the cafeteria. There, the time was 10:02 by then, they saw a man, about 19 years old sitting at a table, with two glasses of warm milk and two pieces of dry toast. He looked to be about 5'7", had short brown hair and brown eyes behind glasses that were a bit larger than Harry's. He wore a green and white shirt underneath a blue jacket, blue jeans and a pair of gray and white tennis shoes. He was reading a book, pausing every now and then to sip at the milk and take a bite out of the toast.
"Doesn't look like a real hero to me," said Ron. Harry had to agree with this. From where he stood, the man at the table looked, well, ordinary.
"I may have more than my fair share of problems," said the man at the table while still reading his book, "but I'm not deaf." He quickly drank the rest of his milk, regardless of how hot it was, finished the toast and got up. Harry could see that he had a shoulder holster on his left side, holding a very large pistol, "so you're Harry Potter, the man who destroyed Old Moldy Shorts."
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny laughed at the mockery of Voldemort. "Yeah," said Harry once he and the others calmed down, "I defeated Voldemort. Wish it didn't have to cost too much, though."
"War sucks," said the man. He held out his hand, "I'm Andrew Carpenter."
"Andrew is part of a special team of Meta Humans," said Warren Ulrich as Andrew Carpenter was introduced to Ron, Hermione and the others, "put together back in 1999; each one was chosen for their special abilities."
"What's your ability?" Ron asked.
"I'm a thinker," said Andrew Carpenter, "or a Krelboyne as the others here at The Bureau call us. I prefer to use my brains to solve problems, unlike some people I've had to put up with. But as to what I can do, I'm good with my hands," he held up his hands, "you give me any machine that has a mechanical problem, I can fix it in a heartbeat."
"Andrew's ability allows him to figure out what's wrong with a mechanical device just by touching it," said Patricia Walker, "which is why he's unofficially in charge of the Bureau's repair shop, and also why's he's sometimes called 'The Mechanic of Baltimore.'"
"He's got another nickname," said a man with a Louisiana accent. Leaning against the door was the speaker; a man about 20 with short black hair and dark gray eyes. He wore a yellow shirt with black pants and gray running shoes.
Before Harry could blink the man was gone, only to reappear at a nearby table, "a nickname that we all call him," he vanished again and reappeared at another table, "but one he doesn't like."
The man wasn't Disapparating, not as near as Harry could tell. It seemed like he was running very fast from place to place, that his movements were barely more than blurs.
"Quit fooling around, Leon," said Patricia Walker in a stern tone, "you're upsetting our guests."
"Who's upsetting who?" the fast man, Leon, asked innocently. He then flashed from another table to right next to Harry, "oh these must be our magical friends who are supposed to help catch Shannon." he then zoomed over to Ron, then to Hermione, then to Ginny, then to Samantha, Chris and Rebecca, "well personally I don't see anything so special."
"Looks aren't everything," said Ginny, who wasn't as freaked out as Ron was by the fast moving man.
"Witty as well as beautiful," said the man in a suave tone. He then set his eyes on Hermione, "and who is this enchanting lady?"
"My wife, that's who!" said an irate Ron.
"I've got this, Ron," said Hermione in a reassuring tone. She then glared at the fast man, "you can turn off the charms, I'm immune."
"Same here," said Ginny as she crossed her arms and glared at the fast man in a way that greatly resembled Molly when she was angry.
"There's a time and a place for everything, Leon Smyth-Falcon," said Warren Ulrich in a disapproving tone, "and now is not a time for flirting."
"I was only saying hello," said the fast man, Leon Smyth-Falcon.
"For you, that's flirting," said a female London accent. At the doorway was a young woman about 20 or so, at 5'4" and had long black hair and hazel eyes. She wore a red and blue shirt over black jeans and green high-heel boots. An elaborately woven belt was round her waist, and sheathed in that belt was a saber with a hilt encrusted with three sapphires. She entered the room, walking with the athletic grace of a professional warrior.
"Leon here calls himself 'Cajun Man,'" said the woman, "but we all know what his real nickname is: 'The New Orleans Streaker.'"
"That was a one time thing!" said an embarrassed Leon Smyth-Falcon, "and it was Mardi Gras."
"In what year?" the woman asked, "or 'years' as I should have asked." she looked at Harry, "you must forgive my male comrades, they can be rather childish sometimes," she held out her hand, "Jill Sparrow, I have no nickname."
"Weren't you in the muggle news a few years ago?" Harry asked, "you look familiar."
"I do take after some celebrities sometimes," said Jill Sparrow, "some say I look like Kathrin Hepburn, others say I'm like Elizabeth Taylor or Judy Garland. But I do believe you've seen me in some sporting events."
"That's right!" said Hermione as recognition dawned on her face, "1995 World Junior Fencing Competition. You placed third in all the world. But then you vanished from the sporting world."
"I would have won the whole tournament," said Jill Sparrow, "but there were two people better than me that time. I've gotten much better since then."
"Jill's ability allows her to anticipate what an enemy is going to do next," said Patricia Walker, "as well as figure out what to do to defeat that enemy."
"If I'm in a duel to the death," said Jill Sparrow, "I can read my opponent like an open book and counter his every move before he even makes it."
"Like thinking several moves ahead in Wizards Chess," said Ron.
"If you're so good at fencing," said Ginny, "why haven't you competed since 1995?"
"My ability," said Jill Sparrow, "I would have had an unfair advantage over the opposition. Alas, I could have been the best in the world, but I've found a greater calling."
"There's one more I'd like you to meet tonight," said Warren Ulrich to Harry and the others, "assuming he's here."
"Oh he's here at HQ alright," said Leon Smyth-Falcon, "if he's not on a mission, he's in the training area."
"I swear, he has no life outside The Bureau," said Andrew Carpenter, "even I have a life."
"And such a small life it is," teased Jill Sparrow.
"Well at least I'm not obsessed with surfing," said Andrew Carpenter, "those damn surfboards will kill you."
"A lot of fun things could kill me," said Jill Sparrow, "that doesn't mean I do them all, but I do what makes me happy, and surfing makes me happy, that and fencing, and fighting evil."
"And what about you, 'Drew," said Leon Smyth-Falcon, "what do you do for fun? Besides reading one book after another."
"I have my fun," said Andrew, "I make time for other activities besides reading," he then glanced at his watch, then glanced again before continuing, "just this morning I fixed two Bureau jeeps and one of our helicopters."
"That's work related," said Jill Sparrow, she then looked at Harry "and anyway, his other nickname goes hand and hand with his true obsession."
"We call him 'Demolition Man,'" said Leon Smyth-Falcon, "'cause he likes to blow stuff up."
"I cant help it if I have an understanding of explosives," said Andrew Carpenter as he looked at his watch twice, then two more times, "and that I sometimes get a thrill out of disarming bombs."
"Isn't that dangerous?" Ginny asked.
"You show me any bomb," said Andrew Carpenter, his voice full of pride, "be it nuclear, chemical or just a few sticks of dynamite, and I'll disarm it in a heartbeat."
"He's just lucky," said Jill Sparrow.
"So are you," said Andrew Carpenter, "and one of these days both our lucks will run out. Hell, I could end up getting vaporized trying to disarm a WMD, where as you, Jill, you're probably going to get your head cut off by a demon, or worse, have your neck broken while trying to ride one of those big waves out at Hawaii."
"Then I'll die with a smile on my face," said Jill Sparrow as she smiled.
"You're impossible," said an annoyed Andrew Carpenter. He took his plate and empty glasses to a tray marked for dirty dishware, went back to the table to get his book, "I've put up with you for over three years, Jill Sparrow, and I don't even know why I'm still putting up with you."
"Because you love me," teased Jill Sparrow.
"In a slugs' eye I do!" shouted Andrew Carpenter as he headed for the door.
"He has issues," said Patricia Walker in an apologizing tone.
"We all have our problems," said Leon Smyth-Falcon, "that's the problem with being a Meta Human. We're given incredible power, but we also have compromising disabilities."
"What are you talking about?" Ron asked.
"You saw how Andrew Carpenter kept looking at his watch," said Hermione, "I could be wrong, but I think he has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. He wasn't checking the time just to check the time, he was doing so out of anxiety."
"Too true," said Travis Bachman, "we've seen in every Meta Human we've encountered at least one minor to moderate mental handicap. Nothing debilitating, but it's always at least an embarrassment."
"But the Bureau has resources to help us with our disabilities," said Patricia, "as a child I had an irrational fear of cigarettes. Every time I saw a someone smoking I felt like I had to get away. This was back when everyone thought smoking was cool, before people took the dangers of tobacco seriously, so you can imagine how serious this was from my point of view. I couldn't leave the house, I was so afraid."
"And I was scared to death of bees," said Warren Ulrich, "I'm not allergic, they just creep me out, and it hurts a lot when they sting."
"But we've had lots of therapy to help us get over our fears," said Patricia Walker, "and we can be fully functioning members of society, free of irrational fear." At that Warren Ulrich nodded in agreement.
"What are you two afraid of?" Ron asked Leon Smyth-Falcon and Jill Sparrow.
"Don't be rude," said Hermione.
"It's alright," said Jill Sparrow, "it's nothing embarrassing. My problem isn't a phobia, no, it's a bit worse. I'm what some may call a danger seeker, an adrenalin junky. I have a habit of getting myself into dangerous situations, then escaping that danger with little room to spare, it just makes me fell alive."
"Which gives you your unofficial nickname," said Andrew Carpenter as he stood in the doorway, "Lady Deathwish." He then left again satisfied that he had gotten the last word.
"Oh that dirty bastard!!" snapped Jill Sparrow, who looked angry enough to break someone's leg, "I swear, that bastard, that Baltimore bastard, he's going to drive me up the wall someday!"
"Assuming you don't drive him crazy first," said Leon Smyth-Falcon in a comforting tone, "there-there my dear, everything's going to be alright," he made as if to put his arm around her shoulders.
"Touch me and you lose that hand!" said Jill Sparrow as she gripped the hilt of her saber, causing Leon Smyth-Falcon to back away cautiously. She then looked at Harry, "in case you haven't guess already, Leon's problem is that he's a womanizer. He's addicted to girls."
"What can I say?" Leon Smyth-Flacon asked in an innocent tone as he smiled eagerly, "I like the ladies, and the ladies like me."
"Well this lady think you're a stupid Cajun pig!" said a female voice. Walking through he door was a tall African American woman about 19 with waist long hair and dark brown eyes. She wore a blue and white shirt with hip-hugger jeans and green shoes.
"I thought you wouldn't be in until tomorrow morning," said Patricia Walker.
"How can I sleep when there's a murdering psychopath on the lose?" the African American girl asked, "especially if the lunatic is a Scanner like me."
"Permit me to introduce," said Warren Ulrich to Harry and the others, "the incomparable Katina Jones; diva and Scanner."
"A word of advice," said Travis Bachman to Harry, Ron and Chris in a hushed tone, "don't try to shake hands with her unless she offers hers first. In fact, don't try to touch Katina at all. The last man who touched her against her will lost his mind."
"Point taken," said Ron, "don't touch the man-hating girl."
"She's not a man-hater," said a male voice. From the doorway stood a man, about 20, wearing a green jacket over a red and yellow shirt and blue jeans. He had short brown hair and blue eyes and stood at 5'8", "Katina just has problems, like the rest of us."
"Daniel Pulaski," said Warren Ulrich, "our resident software and electronics guru. Where as Andrew can repair any hardware and mechanical fault, Daniel can cure a computer of any virus and solve any tech-support problem just by touching the machine."
"A word of advice," Patricia Walker whispered to Harry and the others, "Don't make Daniel angry. He doesn't have any dangerous abilities, but it's not a pretty sight to watch when he gets mad."
Jus then two more people entered the room; a man, about 19 with short brown hair, green eyes, about 5'6", and wearing a brown jacket over a blue shirt and jeans. Also there was a girl, about 17, with shoulder-length curly black hair, light blue eyes and a very shy look about her. She wore a blue jacket over a green shirt and brown pants.
"We just heard," said the boy, "is it true? Is Shannon back?"
"And h-ha-has she k-killed ag-g-again?" the girl stuttered.
"Yes," said Patricia Walker, "Shannon is back. She's killed over a dozen this month, at least two tonight that we know about."
"Sh$t!" exclaimed Daniel Pulaski, "I knew today would be a bad day."
"That's Jeff Dambrisi," said Patricia Walker to Harry and the others, pointing to the boy who just came in, "he can absorb energy and send it back to its source; be it electricity, nuclear or any other lethal energy.
"The girl, she's Gillian Anderson. Try not to get too close too quickly, she's shy around new people. Anyway, her ability allows her to move around without people noticing her, making her very stealthy in dangerous situations. Also, she can communicate emotionally with animals."
"Remind me to introduce her to Pig and Crookshanks," said Ron, "I'm sure they'll have loads to talk about."
"So this is it," said Jeff Dambrisi, "we're going after Shannon."
"We haven't been given the green light yet," said Leon Smyth-Falcon, "but it looks like we will be the ones to bring the bitch down for good."
"Excuse me!" said Rebecca, "but you apparently have forgotten that Shannon Revek has murdered several wizards, making it the responsibility of the AMA to stop her."
"I thought this was to be a joint venture," said Ron.
"It is," said Travis Bachman, "we're all supposed to work together, no matter how much some of us don't like it."
"I'm all f-for co-cooperation," said Gillian Anderson.
"As am I," said Jill Sparrow, "we'll all have a better chance of stopping Shannon once and for all if we work together."
"And it'll make you that much more popular with the higher-ups," said Andrew Carpenter as he walked back into the room again. "We all know how much you like being popular."
"Don't you have anything better to do than annoy me?" an irate Jill Sparrow asked.
"And here I thought you were the bane of my existence," said Andrew Carpenter.
"Both of you knock it off!!" shouted a male voice from the doorway. There stood a man, about 21, with short brown hair, brown eyes and a look of deadly seriousness on his face. He stood at 5'7", wore a gray shirt over blue jeans and black boots. Around his waste was a gun belt that had a holstered revolver the kind seen in old western movies.
"You, Jill Sparrow, and you, Andrew Carpenter," said the newcomer as he walked towards said Meta-Humans, "you two have been on each other's asses for over three years now, and I've had enough of listening to it! If I hear that either of you are trying to grind the others gears, I'll put a bullet in your asses, then I'll rip the bullet out with my bare hands, got it!?"
"Yes boss," said both Jill Sparrow and Andrew Carpenter in a sheepish tone.
"Good," said the newcomer in a calmer tone, "now, from what I hear, we're about to go after Shannon, and that's going to require all of us to work together, without any internal hostilities. You know what I always say; you want to kill each other, do it on your own damn time, the mission comes first."
"We know this already, Max," said Leon Smyth-Falcon, "you say that every time one of us gets into an argument over the smallest of things."
"You should know better, Leon," said the newcomer, Max, "with people like us, even the smallest of arguments can escalate out of control." he then saw Harry and the others, "oh, you're the wizards everyone's talking about," he held out his hand, "I'm Max Kildare, 'The Indestructible Man.'"
"He has another nickname," said Patricia Walker, "'Destructicus Maximus.' It's not real Latin, but if it were it would mean 'Maximum Destruction.'"
"Whenever Max faces an enemy," said Jeff Dambrisi, "he leaves nothing behind, nothing alive that is."
"Assuming the creep was alive to begin with," said Katina Jones.
"And now you've met the team," said Warren Ulrich to Harry and the others, "The Ramblers; quite possibly the worlds best chance of survival against demonic, undead an other supernatural enemies."
"I'll say it," muttered Ron, "since it's what everyone's thinking; The world is doomed."
"The world is doomed," repeated Harry.
The end of chapter 6.
Next chapter, our heroes get to know better The Ramblers. Just what will Harry and his family make of the Meta Humans? Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie. See you next time!