[23rd March 2011]
[SHIELD Portal Security, Orange Zone, Gotham City, New Jersey, United States of America, Earth-16]
"...and just because we don't see any obvious signs of magic users, beyond this singular reference to one potential in alternate Chicago doesn't mean there aren't any there. Till recently it was a hidden world despite the best efforts and general understanding dating back to World War Two"
I sat quietly as Mister Zatara voiced his opinion with this extended meeting between members of the American version of SHIELD, my own version, members of the US and Canadian governments via camera like myself, and the Justice League of course. Our, very basic, data-mining thanks to me going to a public library and downloading publically available information had revealed...problems on the horizon. Problems;- big problems involving a world with quite a lot of meta-humans, oh, and city-destroying...hells island-destroying...abominations like the thing that'd been put down on Bialya.
Of course it was a very incomplete picture as there was only so much one could garner from a public source without drawing suspicion after all, and the listening in on local radio channels and comms only gave a snapshot of feedback on things. Thankfully there seemed to be useful information source called Parahumans Online, much like here on that gods-awful site with videos of me on it, details believed powers and abilities local superheroes, and supervillains, might possess. Overall it painted a concerning picture, as they were, at the very least, peer in terms of civilization, military, and various superpowered beings...
'Unfortunately a peer society potentially in collapse mode, or heading towards superpowered feudal lords nd ladies' I thought as Doctor Fate offered agreement with Mister Zatara. There was also something...wrong...on the other side that I, nor my patron deity, could tell exactly what without being dangerously snoopy with potential deities, or elder beings. One generally had to be careful with such in other dimensions as you never knew what would find you when you called out into the Darkness of the Void between realms, even if the local Weave was fairly dormant, even relative to this dimensions prior to recent months.
Whatever the case it was causing a mini-panic amongst the American governmental officials who had the portal to the place in one of their worst cities, one with a harbour out to the Atlantic. The desire to trade was there too judging by the latest reported to mine and Jade's happy little containment trailer park home as the bored Nyugen sat reading out of sight of 'comm-booth' that took up a quarter of the 'house'. We were clear by all tests, but it was deemed best limit the amount of contact till everybody was a hundred and ten percent sure everything was fine...and we were the go-to dynamic duo for infiltration to other Earth. Much to my girlfriend's irritation on the last call and hour ago, Jade smirking in the background.
"I've concerns about if we're detected obviously, though that's in my last report..." I found myself saying as the discussion shifted back unto what to do next, and another infiltration to access the library again, along with potentially install a device into the local systems "...but I do agree with Director Waller and Senator Breckenridge that we are running on very short time scale before we likely must make contact with our...alternates?...authorities. Frankly, this Brockton Bay has a similar problem to several of our worlds more crime-ridden ones, and even without looking for trouble we encountered it, so I'm making sure to point out more incursions mean increased detection risks, especially with installing our tech into local networks"
"An acceptable risk..." Director Waller replied, getting a nod of agreement from Batman and my own representative from the Irish government "...and contingency for First Contact under those circumstances has been discussed. Acquiring further information though has been deemed more critical, especially in the wake of what these...Endbringers might be, and the danger they represent, as we do not know how much the other world will be willing to supply"
The response was less for me of course than the more important people at the table, so I remained silent as Batman replied "Yes, while the Justice League would prefer otherwise, further information is vital, and as long as League protocols, and with United Nations approval, support will be provided"
'Oh, we're talking alien-tech, LexCorp, or Waynetech then' I thought as the discussion moved about, then broke into details of where we were to be deployed and what information we were seeking out as first priorities. After Sigil and the New Gods arrival, followed by that bloody starfish...people were on edge, and like the Sigil Gate a massive security gate enclosure was hastily being assembled from the strongest materials, tech, and magic to serve as crude Locked Door. That and diversionary spells to ensure this was the only access point, and very likely a 'Broken Door' contingency system to try contain a breach. At least I wasn't doing the warding on those, not I mission ahead as I turned towards Jade and gestured we'd new reading material for the day...
--
[24th March 2011]
[Downtown, Brockton Bay, Maine, United States of America, Earth Bet]
I glanced up after we'd installed the second, and last, of the 'boxes' that linked into what passed for the local wi-fi network. Well, this one did, with two small relays along the way, while first carefully hidden and installed one was into the hard-line nearer to the Portal site; somebody figuring out how to get basic data extracted from said systems. No matter, the sun made for a beautiful vista over the bay stretching out in field of red and gold over the shimmering ocean and glass windows of the skyscrapers. First part of the job achieved, despite quite a large number of things to get in the way like gangs, metas, and security systems that this place seemed to have in numbers.
We'd started in the dark of night as dawn approached, and now it was time to descend to the streets below with working day for most begun as all the shops were open now below. Featherfall was such a great spell I found as I slowly descended from the rooftop, mental shutting out the height and feeling of falling...same flight I just did not like the whole thing. Connor loved it, as did a number of others, but I more-so used it because it was so useful and practical; flight offered many, many, advantages after all. So I was content when my booted feet landed gently on the concrete below where Cheshire already waited.
"We're clear here"
I nodded as she gestured at the surrounding area free of cameras and people, casting an illusion over both of us as the invisibility spells approached their sell by date in the next hour. Back into the forms of Yoko and Patrick rather the schoolchildren ones; with a little variation, due to the issues that had arisen the last time, along with more professional looking clothing. School was in session, so best not look out of place for truancy or something like that, so out onto the street we went, mingling with crowd as we moved towards the library building once again...
--
[24th March 2011]
[Underground Base, Brockton Bay, Maine, United States of America, Earth Bet]
Thomas Calvert was unhappy, but in no position to attempt to argue back as he was forced to comply with the favour "There is unusual activity related to the disturbance, general location, something relevant to data download from Central Library. You will contact your assets in the vicinity and direct them to await further instructions"
"Will you at least tell me what I am to order them to look for?" it was deeply frustrating to deal with...these people, to be in their debt. Yes he had enforcers who could call upon in the Boardwalk at a moment's notice, but Cauldrons interference was severely curtailing his ability to utilise his powers efficiently, safely. This interference was causing problems, and he problems enough without outside factors interfering with his plans for his city.
"You will await further instructions, targets are currently being identified"
'Yes, that's helpful' he thought bitterly as the call ended and he dialled a number for his senior captain in that area. Someone else was making a move in his city, neither ABB nor Empire, someone with Stranger powers, training, and Tinkertech; which meant backers from what Tattletale had detailed. It was Cauldron that had made the connection for him, but all his inquiries through his regular channels had found nothing out of the ordinary unfortunately.
Nor had the PRT, who had increased on patrols as there were orders from above to investigate this, likely Stranger or Thinker, effect that was inferring certain abilities. Piggot was disgruntled it seemed, the PRT having concerns from above as such blind-spots related to the Endbringers. It didn't matter s he ordered the man on the other end to be ready, and to await further orders...
--
[24th March 2011]
[Downtown, Brockton Bay, Maine, United States of America, Earth Bet]
"We need to leave..." Jade told me barely audible, disconnecting her device her voice low but falsely cheerful as she made no moves to draw attention "...there are people looking for someone, or something. Man reading the paper, but his eyes are watching everywhere, and a second just entered, military posture"
"Ah, of course, we can go for a bit to eat then, I am hungry" I replied slightly louder with a smile, fingers dancing over the keyboard to end the session and remove the drive as I stated the withdrawal code. Keep all movements calm and relaxed as stretched, then stood up as Jade gave an impatient gesture at her watch. I waved her off as I stood, playing along as we walked out, chatting to each other about 'what John did at work' and other prepared nonsense lines.
She was right, there were people trying to find someone, probably us, and not just within the library itself as we exited the building, walking down the steps towards the street. Their eyes didn't seem to be on us yet, but there were just too many of these 'security guards' actively looking for someone as I saw several sporting camera phones or something to that effect. Or least they weren't till both myself and Jade noticed the glance up at us, then at a phone, from a man across the street outside a jewellery store, before he turned away, hand touching his earpiece.
"We're evacuating. Command prepare for likely Recall order" I sub-vocalised as both myself and Jade moved up the street, feeling the attention come. Mission was FUBAR, though how I wasn't sure, so it was a matter of could we escape without having to pull the emergency recall spell. Sadly that didn't seem the most likely as even I could tell we were being tailed, and we moved swiftly but carefully through the bustling crowds as our shadows continued to follow. Grabbing Jade's arm I turned us up the alleyway with no camera coverage that we'd used earlier, dashing forward around another corner...
"Emergency Recall!"
...and back into the summoning circle with Doctor Fate's helmeted head looking down at me and Jade as the Lord of Order hovered off the ground before us. Behind me I heard the Gate system over the Portal begin to lockdown...
--