[05th April 2011]

[Oasis Hotel, Near PRT ENE Headquarters, Downtown, Brockton Bay, United States of America, Earth-Bet]

"And there we go, done" I muttered, stretching out tired muscles as I finished the last of the spell-wards, and boundary field around mine and Jade's room. Beside us I could feel Jason Blood's wards click in, meshing, with my own, and a glance at the clock revealed it was just after one in the morning. I shook my head; another one of those long, long, debriefings as we blundered across a whole household been effectively enthralled. Not that we were being let near them after the discovery as we were hustled off for debriefing, with takeaway on the way, that only finished about an hour ago.

"Took you long enough" came from the second bed in the room, where 'Jasmine' lounged about in a t-shirt and underwear watching some late night news. I merely stretched my arms up above me, then shrugged. She was right, it was a sluggish thing, but it wasn't like I'd a choice in the matter;- too many wizards got ambushed in the tavern just sheer laziness after all.

"Nature of the beast sadly, takes time, and in a strange place, and I ain't sleeping without some defences up..." I replied starting to take off my suit top and waistcoat off my polymorphed body and place it on the hangers "...so did I miss anything on the news?"

"Cape-Watch, where bored news-anchors talk about costumed idiot do-gooders on patrol. Oh, and this Earth has an even worse superhero-villain stalker fixation on their version of the internet. The amount of versus treads and 'what they can do' on this PHO is bordering on obsessive"

I nodded, largely to myself as my back to her "Don't I know it, I was doing the downloading and reading last time we were here remember?"

"Hmm-hmm" she semi-agreed rolling under her side and resting her head on her arm "So, what do you think is going on?"

"Vampires?" I retorted hanging up the pants and sitting back unto my bed, earning a *look* and I sighed rubbing at my tired eyes "Honestly? I'm not really sure. There's a Master Vampire running about, and these people's powers are...a bit odd...honestly, as well as us being here. Someone higher up clearly doesn't want us here, yet here we are, getting sent around on official, but secret, business, because officially that Gate is closed and nothing is happening. Oh, and they've seers and oracles, so we've got to put up tiring, tiring, anti pre-cog and anti-scry wards. It's frustrating. You?"

"Well, you're the Magical Dark Lord, and I am merely your awesome sexy ninja minion, whatever would I notice?"

"Ninja-kitty"

'Jasmine' gave an unlady-like snort "Meow!...but, no, I agree there's something strange, but what I don't know what. This place is just Gotham by a different name, and their Justice League is watching it like a hawk, and all the channels at least mention it...but this Earth is a shithole in my opinion. But what I do think is, this vampire is either very stupid, or very smart, staying here"

I mirrored her resting position, my elbow on my pillow "Oh?"

"Well, all the heroes and that type are right here watching everything, from us to the local gangs and criminals..." she answered "...and even more now they've killed someone, and abducted a rich girl. So, they're either really stupid hunting here, which the hiding and mind control argue against, or their being smart hiding the bodies and seeking a way out, but being a bit stupid actually hunting and killing someone, and abducting someone's teenage princess. Mind control memory thing aside. Nobody here really believes us about vampires and magic, so if I were her I'd try get out somewhere no so busy, like South America, or Africa"

I paused, hummed in thought, then yawned sleepily "Good point actually, see you are more than just an sexy ninja minion. Now, I'm going to sleep, as I've spells to memorise, and not many hours to enjoy the joys of sleep before we've to get up in the morning..."

--

[05th April 2011]

[Protectorate ENE Headquarters, The Bay, Brockton Bay, United States of America, Earth-Bet]

"...and they're currently having breakfast?" the hero Armsmaster, though he occasionally went by Colin, asked as he studied the evidence collected and presented before him. Dragon had persuaded him to get a few hours sleep himself, but he couldn't afford to waste so much time, not when all eyes were on Brockton Bay, and so much depended on him. Yes, intellectually, he could understand the reasoning to bring in experts on this...vampire...problem, but it felt like an insult, regardless of Legend's assurances that it was all for the best.

"Yes, something you should be having Colin..." Dragon replied, the image of her face giving him one of those looks again, and he gestured at the protein bar he had created to increase his efficiency "...something that isn't a few seconds of eating an energy bar a few seconds before your morning briefing. Still, whatever interference they did ended when they left their rooms and my sensors came back online. I'd like to ask how they did it, but it would a little rude admitting to spying on them now wouldn't it?"

"Unfortunate, but yes it would be problematic to admit. Shadow Stalker, still asleep in her cell after passing M/S protocols, and I'm monitoring as requested by the Protectorate. I will again state it is a bad idea assigning her to this role"

Armsmaster shook his head "It is the most effective method, without risking senior heroes and wards to potential Master/Stranger effects, and allows her a path to redeeming herself. Keeping her powers, as well as Weavers, is the optimal outcome. As the current crisis has shown, we cannot afford to discard useful powers despite unpleasant personalities. Regardless of that, we have been ordered to ensure her transfer instead of incarceration when this situation ends"

Dragon sighed, shaking her head "Of course, but it is a concern. Much like this evidence of three further situations like last night...four girls Collin, four families, wealthy families, Mastered. And that's only what we know right now"

"Have you had any luck tracking potential locations?"

"No" he could hear the frustration in her voice "Using the criteria of unusually large cash withdrawals with children between twelve and twenty helped locate these victims, but by Master/Stranger standards the amounts weren't excessive, and they are sticking to cash and avoiding surveillance. Not impossible with the city on edge as it is, though the cooperation of Coil's organisation, Faultline's, and all the outside support of Thinkers it is very personally frustrating"

"Yes, we should be clearing out the villains, not wasting time with imported threats..." he agreed "...but it is a learning experience and will enable us to learn more of Earth-Gimel, albeit in a less than efficient manner. It may lead to us discovering ways to eliminate the Endbringers, however frustrating it is to make sense of their power classifications and this magic-talk..."

His alert buzzed, indicating it was time to attend yet another meeting and was forced to end his conversation with Dragon and begin to head out of his workshop while chewing on the energy bar contain all necessary vitamins and protein to maintain optimal health and energy for his body. With more resources pouring into Brockton Bay he had to be even better than before, as they finally had a chance to eliminate the Empire 88 and ABB, and that chance could not be let slip by.

Not when there was almost always one of The Triumvirate in his city, and media watching every patrol with ever greater scrutiny. He and Miss Militia had taken every opportunity to make a good public showing, with active patrols, even into Empire 88 and ABB territory, and starting to roll up the Merchants. All while both cooperating with, and attempting to minimise the public perception of, New Wave's capes, and in truth Armsmaster would be much happier if Glory Girl and Panacea could be finally brought into the Wards, under his authority.

Where they belonged in his view. The new Ward after all, Weaver, was already showing value despite less publically favourable powers and upcoming debut later today, which might continue efforts to ensure no-one became aware of this new problem. While it was entirely the fault of these outsiders, the public likely would prefer to scapegoat locals despite the evidence, so they had to keep up this unfortunate charade till they could cart the outsiders back home through the Portal...

--

[05th April 2011]

[PRT ENE Headquarters, Downtown, Brockton Bay, United States of America, Earth-Bet]

"Sit down, shut up, and do nothing eh?" I murmured to Jason as the briefing, though one where it was more information told at us, rather than involving us, as we gained a short reprieve from details being provided to us via video. This Dragon was a rather pleasant at least, unlike their Director at times, even if she was apparently afraid of people and operated through drone suits and cameras "Fun times"

"Perhaps, I do believe many here feel our presence is somewhat unwelcome, but we have somewhat greater concerns do we not?" Mr. Blood agreed taking a cup of tea into hand from the table and gently sipping it. 'Jasmine' and Mr. Crane stood on the other side, 'Jasmine' guarding while our 'State Department' handler discuss the next set of moves over the television screen with his opposite number. I sighed, glancing up at the clock; another half-a-day gone in 'briefings' and largely sitting around and listening to we were not to do alongside the findings of yesterday.

"Yeah...four missing that they know of, all in the female, virgin, range, actual effort going into the mind-control and memory manipulation. If they'll let us investigate the locations you proposed..." I shook my head, taking up a coffee and turning to look at map of the city "I don't know. I think we're looking at mage, a vampire one, and possibly more than two, or even three, as they seem to think. But, that leads into the question of how their being fed without being noticed by either the PRT or local villains and gangs"

Jason merely inclined his head towards the map and negotiating CIA-man "As I said I think we need investigate potential sources of nourishment as they say. Yes, their electronic records, and paper ones, say they are clear...but I do wonder. If it was I..." he made a gesture with his cane and I nodded "...well, some misdirection and spell-craft and the unaware might not notice for a time. Nor can we sure how many have been enthralled, and they are quite unwilling to let us know the true details it seems. Now, I shall walk away and you shall talk to the purple one eyeing us so, it seems glancing at you merely unnerves her, while my humble presence causes physical pain. Tell me what you learn will you?"

I frowned as he walked away, gesturing at Jade to watch the room with a pre-arranged signal as the two 'escorts' Shadow Stalker and a man named Assault watched from across the room while talking to some of these PRT agents. Of course I felt the approach to my side, and I merely sighed and took a sip of my coffee while reaching for a donut on the table "At least let me get a donut before you bombard me with questions, it's been a long day so far. Oh, Hello, Tattletale wasn't it? And hello to your lawyer too by the way"

"Hmm?" the purple and black clad 'supervillain' murmured, glancing back at her minder as I picked up the donut and took a bite. Yum, strawberry jam filled I found as she gave a fake grin under that domino mask "Oh, he's fine, just ensuring the PRT and Protectorate stick to their end of the deal, and me to mine. Also I'm an acceptable loss like Shadow Stalker and Assault, but that just means more money in hazard pay"

I took a sip of the coffee "Good for you, I'm in the same boat. High risk, great pay, see new, dangerous, locales, all part of the SHIELD experience. Now, out of curiosity why did you wait till Jason walked away?"

That fake smile faltered, then was slapped back into place "Ah, well, I'm psychic, and he's...not...human"

"Oh, he's human, mostly, and we are your guests..." I replied trying to avoid being paranoid, or at least showing it anyway "...or your current employer's guests at least, so don't be rude. Now, what do you want?"

"Well, I want a million dollars, a nice house, and maybe a pony..." she smirked back "...oh, and figure out how that Stranger effect you've got going on works maybe, but right now I Need one of you to go to one of the hospitals and confirm something with your magic-mumbo-jumbo. Or, well, look at Someone, and confirm they aren't, well, Mastered or whatever your calling it"

"Can you tell me who this someone is?"

She winced "Not...really, just that I know certain things about her powers, and I'd rather not get arrested for breaking certain rules under the Truce, or just sending that person over the edge. That possibly could be bad as well"

I looked at the blonde girl, because, yeah, they started their super-villains young here "And how am I supposed to know to check someone when you won't tell me who they are?"

"By checking everyone in the hospital while you check for blood supplies"

I took a drink of my coffee and then let out a long, weary, breath. It was going to be a long, long, day and night again wasn't it?

--