[19th November 2010]
[Portal Site, Highlands, North of Fort William, United Kingdom]
Snow had started to waft down from the glooming morning sky above she noted letting out a breath after drinking from the paper cup of soup in hand; watching as her breath steamed on the chill air along with the movements of all those around her. An unpleasant place that looked alot prettier that it ought to she found glancing at the faint layer of snow upon the buildings, and upon the mountains that towered up into the mists above them. Having seen the state many of those that had been pulled out of here last night...she repressed a shudder at the thought of her children, or even herself, restrained in one of those machines. A rather nightmarish scenario to consider; it certainly ranked up there with several of the other potential 'fates I'd prefer not to suffer' she'd encountered over the years.
Her little Artemis stood beside her, eating away at a sandwich as they both await their journey off into another dimension of all things. Maintaining a stoic facade at the thought of that...was hard she could admit to herself, as her daughter radiated nervous energy instead. Paula Nyugen could relate, perhaps felt even more the surge to step through into the danger, into the unknown, and just be all that she could be once more. Life had been so depressingly dull for the past few years, filled so much misery as her useless bastard of a husband turned one of her babies into a tool and made the other as broken at times as Paula knew herself to be. Though thankfully that was only metaphorical as a person rather than the miserable existence when her back had been broken on that last mission. When her Lawrence had shown his true colours and her life had become a cold prison cell, staving off abuse guards and other inmates, and resisting the ever growing urge to just make it all end.
She took another drink of the vegetable soup, pressing down the urge to head over to her young charge, and technical master, to urge him and all his annoying buddies in the Justice League to hurry up and get this mission started. Delaying, as they had for a whole night and early morning now, was unlikely to make things easier in tracking their rather nasty alien quarry; even if time to see her Jade, however unhelpful she had been, had been most welcome. It had been made very clear that there were great dangers with this task, even to the nature of been slow to return if ever, and leaving prepared was the key rather than rushing off into the void. Such was why she was going with her Artemis; she'd been apart from her child for so long in that prison; and Artemis at least had a future, could be someone other than another Nyugen girl destined for a prison cell.
"Did you pack your spare bow Artemis, as well as the extra arrows?" she asked calmly trying to take her mind off her delight at getting to be...herself...once again on a mission warring with the thoughts of leaving her Jade off in prison while she did so. Then again all the others were the same she supposed, bar maybe the Robot Red Tornado, as Fortune had gone off for the night to 'see various people' before his departure and asking Doctor Fate to transport her and Artemis to see Jade.
"Yes Mom I did"
Preparation was the key she'd found, and she and her young master had left a rather detailed list of things to organised to bring with them. Artemis was a good, thoughtful, and intelligent daughter...prone to hot-headedness as her original vigilantism had shown with the arrival of Batman and Green Arrow one cold dark night. That had been rather shocking and fear-inducing Paula had found; feeling helpless and useless in her wheel-chair, watching as the nightmare of every criminal in Gotham plucked her weapon from her hands without any effort "And did you check your smoke-bombs and throwing daggers?"
Artemis huffed at her, impatient as always, then folded her arms across her chest now that she'd finished her breakfast of sorts "Mom! I've been on missions before! God, I know what I'm doing by now!"
Paula nodded back faintly at the impetuousness of youth, sadly her baby had taken after both her and Lawrence just like Jade had in those ways even if avoiding the darker path they'd walked "Sure you do dear, but remember I'm your superior here as much as your mother so double-check your gear while we have a moment's rest before departure. Those magic carry bags let us have more tools; ensure you make use of every bit of space because you never know what we might need on the other side!"
She gave a snort of amusement at the muttered unhappiness in reply, though Artemis followed through immediately and began checking through her gear as Paula tutted at her in a tone she hoped sounded like the caring mother. It was hard to know if she did or not, her own experiences with the subject had been rather lacking and this was how she'd seen other women, civilian women, interact with their daughters "Now Artemis, I've already treble-checked my pack, ensured all my concealed ones are sharp and secure, and that nothing interferes with my agility either. You were right there with me, talking to the others, while I did so. So no complaining about going about your task, remember; Train Hard..."
"Kill Easy, yes Mom - you and Dad got that into my head" her baby muttered back unhappily, though going about her task in a properly professional manner. Lawrence had proven to be a...less than acceptable...father, but at least his training of her girls in this role had been top-notch. Considering the crazy things that the world threw out at you it was vital a child could be ready to fight and kill an enemy at a moment's notice in her humble opinion. That, and it would hopeful take her little girl's mind off the horror show they'd come upon last night; Artemis, like her friends, had been bothered by the discovery here after all.
"I'm sorry dear, but I can't help but worry about you like any mother would" she commiserated to her daughter before they lapsed into silence beyond the sounds of straps being checked, and of others moving and talking all about the farmyard all around them.
'I suppose I should be grateful to in more conservative wear than in my past career' she mused to herself finishing off the last of the soup and throwing the empty cup in trash-skip nearby filled with the 'unneeded junk' from the place. This left it largely empty for now she saw as everything else was being checked by forensic and other scientifically, and magically, inclined people right now as she patted herself down one last time.
When she first become Huntress the skin tight swimsuit look had been her preference...and still was really even if she didn't get to indulge it...but right now was rather glad of the more conservative, and warm, light 'magically enchanted' armoured clothing Fortune insisted upon. A bit lacking in sex-appeal to distract enemies she found, but the enhanced strength, speed, and bullet stop certainly made up for that drawback in her opinion. All in all her new employment, magically bound contract of servitude really, was in her opinion...heaven sent and a complete surprise. In a few months, she'd gone from a scared cripple looked upon with pity at best, and contempt and as a target at worst, watching her family fall apart to...
She straightened herself up proudly as the group she was to travel with began to move towards each other, and them, seemingly ready to embark at long last. Healed, she was fully healed again and back in her prime without scars, or bed sores, or the shame of sometimes needing another merely to clean herself. That had nearly broken her at a few points during the months, and years. True she had essentially made herself a magically bound slave, with limits, to a teenage boy but she and Lawrence had signed such things before and this had been by far the most enjoyable one.
After a few months she'd already started looking towards how to ensure she continued in the role, or recruited Jade into it as well, into the future. Unlike past employers, before Lawrence and she had gotten a reputation at least, young John hadn't ordered her into his despite evidently finding her attractive even at her age and clearly restoring her body back to what Paula liked. It was probably a bit creepy considering the age difference she supposed, but it did indicate good things if she could get her Artemis, or Jade if worst came to worst, with the young master and got nice magical grandchildren from the...
"Looks like it's time to depart, both of you all set?" she blinked, hiding her momentary surprise, as Fortune neared them with the appropriately named Superboy on his right clad in some sort of armour, and the green-skinned Martian girl between them as they approached.
Paula could see what Artemis like in the clone-boy even if her daughter had seemingly changed her mind; nicely muscled chest, strong arms, and a rather appealing butt t look at. Bit young too, especially with the months' old clone thing, but Lawrence had had similar appeal once upon a time...before he left her behind with broken back, a jail sentence, and went off and ruined Jade's life while Paula was trapped in said jail. Once, she got her hands on her blonde haired boytoy, well, he'd regret getting captured more than all the problems he'd caused her now that she was fully healed and fighting fit. No more tolerating him because she was helpless this time she swore to herself while giving a nod "Of course, we are prepped and ready are we not Artemis dear?"
"Oh, hey Skulls, M'gann, Connor!" Artemis greeted back a little awkwardly; still bothered that the Martian girl and Kryptonian clone knew of her relationship to Paula, and the nature of her background. Thankfully at least only young master Fortune, and the Batman's sidekick too she expected, knew of the nature of Lawrence as her father, and Jade as her sister "Do you expect any less of this awesome archer but being prepared for everything and anything?"
Fortune gave an amused snort before answering, while the Martian girl gave a happy wave and Superboy shrugged, looking eager to move onward "No I do not, you're ready for anything as ever Artemis. But it's time to leave now, so any last minute goodbyes, or requests for anything, get them over with now and we'll depart; no idea how long this could take"
"No we are fine Skulls, let us make haste to this magical place, and get back this kidnapped Green Lantern and their rings" Paula answered with a smile as she used her daughter's nickname for the boy rather than her usual 'young master' greeting. That would embarrass her little girl a little too much according to her, so Paula would avoid using it, for now at least.
Picking up her bag, filled with some MREs, spare clips for her guns, and a number of coins made of gold and silver, she slung it over her shoulder and brought up the submachine-gun into her hands strap around her neck for support. The young man nodded, leaning on his black and silver staff with bag similar to her own and Artemis's upon his back before glancing at the other two teenagers "Okay, then the Lanterns, Wonder Woman, and Red Tornado are waiting just over there at the exit point so let's and travel into the biggest cage in the multiverse and chase a horrible brain-eating monster"
"And kick his ass!" Artemis replied, then answered by the Martian girl who seemed a rather happy about leaving. That was a surprise; Paula would have assumed the older, more experienced, Martian Manhunter would come and leave the younger girl to play ambassador to the soon to arrive Martian emissary but evidently, the Justice League thought difference. Likely part of their general idiocy with their sidekicks she figured, their behaviour over the past few months had thoroughly soured her on their competence and the need to shift Artemis away from them into a job where she could still play at heroine...which involved getting paid, and having things like magical healthcare as a side.
"Yeah!"
"Right, bloodthirsty ladies...but stick close when we head through this thing and be on guard till we can get our bearing. Just because someone, or something, looks harmless doesn't make it so..." the young man began to saying again to her daughter and the Martian girl, who hugged both him and Superboy as they walked and made a face at Paula's Artemis, who rolled her eyes in response. Likely in one of those telepathic conversations she herself had been involved into once or twice in her career. Soldiers saluted them, and wasn't it great to have actual professional First World ones do that rather than some drug cartel's goons, or a Third World Dictator's play-acting-at-being-soldiers thugs. Made her feel almost respectable as they moved inside to one of the barns build up against the solid rock of the mountains, waiting there already the alien Green Lantern, the black human one, and the two Justice League members coming with them; the Amazon Princess and the Robot.
"Constantine's not about?" Fortune queried, getting the negative from the group waiting as Paula studied the soldiers preparing defensive positions facing inwards towards a 'Door' shape dug into the rock of the mountain. John sighed, and she could hear the relief and agree with it. John Constantine, while amusing and useful at times, was not someone she'd want getting a hold of the things that lay on the other side of this supposed magical portal "Grand, shall we get started then? I've been given approval by my bosses to start this mission so ready when you are I guess. You understand it could be anything from hours to months before we get back? And that we risk being trapped there?"
Wonder Woman nodded motioning at the bag resting on her back then at the form of Doctor Fate watching them from a distance away "No we are ready, the League discussed the guide provided by your patron and Nabu. Myself, Red Tornado and Lantern Stewart know the risks, as does Lantern Kilowog and the rest of you I'm afraid; but the mission comes first. All I will note beyond that is that...Apollo has confirmed what your patron had stated. There was, some discontent over the fact I believe"
Paula watched as Fortune gave an amused snort at that "Didn't tell the rest of'em did he? Sure the Gods can't enter but always one willing to screw around putting a Temple in that City. I imagine their rather mad because it brings unwanted attention upon the pantheon...and you now knowing they pay more attention to worshippers on other planes than here at times. Now...please don't laugh at this"
Then stepped ahead of them, holding out a stick with a pigeon feather on it and shaking his hips, once, then twice, then a third time. Paula couldn't help but smile as the Martian girl and Artemis wolf whistled in unison at him "Ya shake that booty"
"I hate you all! Fecking Sigil and its stupid, stupid, rules..." he snapped back at them as he did a fourth and final shake of that butt...
...and a shimmering purple-blue portal shimmered suddenly into existence before them where the crude outline of doorway in rock had stood. Still the faint chuckles persist, albeit more nervous, as with a deep breath they stepped forward into the...
She blinked as she stumbled forward into the back of the young master, who himself had braced himself with his staff and was standing back up. Gone was bright electric lights of the empty barn, gone was the concrete floor and rock face the barn had been built into. Instead, she stood, after resting a hand on his shoulder to steady herself and looking around for danger...upon a cobblestone street in what looked like an alley from the middle ages maybe. Even the buildings to either side looked odd...old yet new, and...
...she glanced up at the sky at a curse from her daughter. Or at least looked up where they sky should be...and instead seeing another city above them, curling around like one of those crazy mind-bending art pieces she'd seen once or twice. Idly her brain tried to figure out how the hell those buildings didn't just fall from the sky, or was they themselves didn't fall towards them and...
Then a flying person...with looked like a small lizard person riding on its back...flew into, and then out of, her line of vision...
Paula Nyugen blinked, then looked around at her companions as the unhappy voice of young Fortune came to her ears "Stage one achieved; well folks – welcome to Sigil looks like"
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