Force Works Annual 1
Loves
and Loss
Metro City, the apartment studio of Adam Sol
"Hello, Adam," Rahne said, wearing a purple evening dress, her lower lip cut and her right eye slightly swollen, "I...I need yuir help."
Adam, very much dumbstruck, gestured for Rahne to come in as he asked, "Rahne, what happened? Were you attacked...?"
"Doug happened. He...hit me. " Rahne replied as she sat down on Adam's leather couch, "I...he's been abusive, and I..." Rahne wiped a tear out of her eye, "I've jus' taken it. But now, it's gotten to the point where I cannae look me own mum in the face...so I stopped taking it. I told him to stop, he didn't... I'm nae goin' back even though...never mind. "
X-Treme sat down and put a comforting arm around her shoulder, "I'm sorry, I...I didn't know. Are you okay? Do you want me to call the police and make a report?"
Rahne let out a sharp, bitter laugh at that, "Like they'd believe me, a superhero, would let some rookie police officer slap her around. Besides...I dinnae leave peacefully this time. I jus' need a place to spend the night," Rahne explained, "if I go back to the Workplace like this..."
"Don't want to think about what Dani or 'Nita would do." X-Treme said, finishing the thought for her.
"Aye. Or Nova, or Speedball, or Arsenal." Rahne sighed wearily, "Everyone else, basically. I jus' need a few hours to heal up, look presentable."
"You can rest up in my room," X-Treme offered as they stood up. He directed her to his bedroom, and politely opened the door for her, "you can stay here as long as you need."
"Thank ye, Adam." Rahne said softly as she laid down in the bed, "I'm sorry about all this."
"Don't worry about it, Rahne. I'll be right outside if you need me." X-Treme said calmly as he closed the door. He waited outside of the room patiently, until he heard Rahne's breathing change ever so slightly, indicating she had fallen asleep.
And then, as quiet as a church mouse, he was gone.
"Stupid little bitch whore." Doug muttered as he pressed a plastic zip lock bag filled with ice-cubes against his face while watching Comedy Central reruns in his recliner, constantly coming up with ever more creative profanities to describe his now ex girlfriend. His entire left face was swollen and puffy from a single blow and combined with tonight's other events, it went without saying he wasn't in a good mood. His train of thought was interrupted by a creak from his bedroom window. Doug carefully and quietly stood up, picked up his service revolver that he always kept close at hand, and stalked down the short hallway towards his bedroom. He slowly pushed the door open, his trained police eyes looking for any possible irregularity that might indicate an intruder. Finding none, he stepped fully into the room and made his way towards the window. It was still closed, and the small sewing needle he kept placed atop it was still there, thus implying a...
"False alarm." He mumbled to no one as he stuffed his gun in his back pants and started back to the T.V, "Kinda hoped it was that bitch, give me an excuse to shoot her hairy ass..."
"Will an angry son of a bitch do instead?" A voice asked, instantly making Doug's blood run cold. He whirled around, weapon drawn, but not nearly fast enough. X-Treme grabbed Doug's gun out of his hand before he could react, and nailed him in the chest with the flat of his palm. Doug flew back into his meager hall, gasping for breath as he landed with a thud.
"Hello Doug, looks like you got some of your own medicine there." X- Treme sneered as he bent the firearm into a ball, "I think you can guess why I'm here."
"That little bitch had it coming!" Doug spat as he stood back up, full of false bravo. Before Doug could even blink, X-Treme was upon him. Adam's foot slammed into Dog's chest and flung him backwards again into his living room.
"Believe it or not, that's not why I'm here, but you better watch your damn mouth anyways." Adam explained, "You have something of Rahne's. You're going to give it back, now, or I'll take you apart piece by piece."
"I don't have a clue what you're talking about." Doug gasped. X-Treme regarded Doug for a moment, and inched forward, making Doug flinch.
"Yes, you do. See, Doug, you're my bitch. Now fetch boy, or else." X- Treme spat angrily. Doug flinched in fear again, and slowly turned away from X-Treme and walked into his kitchen. Adam heard him roughly rummage thru a drawer, and sighed. He could tell by sound alone what to expect. Doug returned with a beautiful pure silver necklace in his hand. X-Treme knew that Rahne liked to wear it every now and then on important dates. He'd asked her about it once, and she said it gave her strength. Adam guessed that it had come off either when Doug had struck Rahne, or when she'd struck him back and was forgotten in the turmoil
However, that wasn't all Doug returned with. Like all cops, Doug had a back up piece. Doug kept his stashed in the kitchen, and his ego refused to allow anyone to tell him what to do in his own home, regardless of the consequences. He whipped it out as fast as he could, took aim, and fired two shots. X-Treme was already in motion, though. With practiced skill and incredible speed, Adam brushed the bullets aside, causing them to imbed themselves harmlessly in the plaster walls and closed the distance between himself and Doug in a heartbeat. A casual backhand was all it took to knock Doug back down.
"Not fun to be on the receiving end, is it bastjak?" X-Treme spat as he pressed his foot down on the small of Doug's back and grinded it in. Doug whimpered despite himself.
"I'm going to talk, and you're going to listen and obey like a good dog, understand?" Adam asked with a slight twist of his heel.
"Yes," Doug replied meekly
"Good. Here's the deal. In exchange for me not crippling you in ways no earth doctor could hope to heal, you never bother Rahne again." X-Treme ordered, "You will not call her, seek her out or even so much as speak her name unless you want to suffer in ways unimaginable by humans."
"How dare you..."Was about as far as Doug got before X-Treme pushed his heel down on Doug's back and extracted another squeal of pain.
"That's yes master, dog." X-Treme snarled.
"Yes, master." Doug said thru gritted teeth.
"Good boy." Doug heard before he felt the pressure on his back quickly disappear.
Doug stood up gingerly, careful not to aggravate his injuries further. He brushed himself off, and while his ego was damaged, deep down, had to admit he got off very easy. Many of Rahne's teammates had the power to rend battleships with their bare hands, travel in space unaided and rend minds. If they'd come after him...
"One more thing." Doug spun around and was met by a black leather fist to the face. He crumbled to the floor yet again, and he felt his entire left face beginning to swell from the blow.
"Wanted to give you a matching set." X-Treme stated, "anyone asks, and they will, you ran into a door. Understood?"
"Understood." Doug whimpered before passing out.
When Rahne awoke, she wasn't the least bit surprised to see Adam hunched over a chair at the foot of the bed, concern all over his face. Rahne didn't need a mirror to tell that her bruises had all but disappeared now thanks to her healing factor. Rahne pulled the sheets off (she was still full dressed) and silently stood up.
"What time is it?" Rahne asked softly.
"Around one. You've been here about two hours." X-Treme informed her.
Rahne picked up her purse and said, "I think I'm ready to go back now."
"I'll escort you back." Adam said. It was more of a statement than a request, not that Rahne objected. They made their way out of his studio and towards the twenty-story building that housed some of the youngest and most powerful heroes on earth. The walk started out uncomfortably quite until Adam finally opened his mouth to ask...
"Why?" Rahne stated, anticipating Adam's question, "Because...because for the first twelve years of me life, almost the only way I knew I someone recognized I existed was when I was beaten." Rahne blinked back tears, "that changed when Moira adopted me o' course, but I guess...I guess I never learned how to stop loving someone, and ye know what they say about old habits..."
"Did...did Doug remind you of someone you loved?" Adam asked
"Ye have no idea." Rahne sighed, "My first love, actually. I jus' wanted to hold onto it so much that I saw what I wanted tae."
"Love has that effect, regretfully." X-Treme said, "I know first loves are hard to put in the past. But, that wasn't what I meant by why."
By now they were at one of the (many) secret entrances to the Workplace (an abandoned and disused gas station in this instance). They stopped and looked at each other in the eyes.
"Why did I come tae ye?" Rahne asked.
"Yeah. I mean, compared to the others on the team, I'm pretty...nasty." Adam explained.
"Why do ye say that?" Asked Rahne, out of genuine curiosity
"Because I hurt people. Very well." Adam said uncomfortably, rubbing his neck nervously.
"As do I. I hit people, my claws have torn flesh, but hurting people's nae who I am." Rahne explained as she cupped Adam's chin gently, "and it's nae who you are, either, I ken see it in yuir eyes. I'm a fair judge of character Adam, when I'm nae trying to relive the past."
Adam opened his mouth to reply, but something he couldn't describe stopped him. Almost as if in a daze, he pressed his lips to Rahne's. She didn't resist, and their lips met for several long seconds before Rahne pulled back.
"I...thank ye for yuir help Adam." Rahne turned around to leave,
"Wait!" Adam called out, and he produced her silver necklace, "this belongs to you."
A smile quickly spread across Rahne's face, the first Adam recalled seeing tonight, at the sight of the necklace. "Aye, it does. I'll see ye later, Adam."
As he watched Rahne leave, Adam was very much aware of two things. One, she hadn't asked him what he did to Doug. He knew as well as anyone Rahne wouldn't approve of Doug being maimed or even seriously injured.
Two, she hadn't asked him to keep tonight's events to himself, though he fully intended to.
Which meant that she had faith in him as a decent human being. More faith than he had in himself at times. That thought seemed to give Adam strength as he began to leave, but not to return to his studio. It was late, and in Metro City, he was sure somewhere there was a crime in action
Maybe I really can be a hero. Adam thought to himself.
Rahne made it up the elevator and to the door of her room unobserved (for obvious reasons) easily. However, Rahne was naturally confused when she observed the lights in her room were on and she could hear her television set. She hesitatingly creaked the door open and saw Richard Rider, Nova, sitting on her couch and basking in the blue glow of her T.V
"I considered conking in your bed while waiting for ya, but the Freudian implications were a little much." Nova explained as he clicked the T.V off and stood up.
"Ye been watchin' Dennis Miller?" Rahne asked with a soft smile.
Rider rubbed his sleep deprived and baggy eyes, "How'd you guess?"
"Hunch."
"Ah. So...how are things with Doug?" Nova asked seriously
"Ye were right." Rahne admitted, "They...they were bad. But they're settled, and I'm ne'er going tae see him again." Rahne said with a slight sniffle, "I hope ye can forgive me fer lyin' tae ye."
Nova quietly moved to embrace the young woman he now considered a little sister, "Don't you worry about it none. You gonna be okay?"
"Nae yet, but I'm on me way now."
Reflections and Realizations
My name is Danielle Moonstar, and I've just had one hell of a long day. I've agreed to join a new team of young heroes called Force Works. Although it's barely been twenty-four hours, a lot has happened. Before we were even an official team, we had to deal with a hostage situation. While doing that, we stumbled across the theft of an ancient artifact by some guys called The Everlasting. Force Works followed them, and even though we never met the 'Everlasting' face to face, they felted threatened enough by us to unleash a powerhouse named Tarene on us. For some reason, I can't help but be reminded of Thor when I see her. Thankfully, the Everlasting were controlling her against her will. Turns out she has total amnesia. She doesn't know who she is, or where she came from. Most disturbing thing about that is that she doesn't seem to really care. Due to the fact that there isn't exactly a Social Service for super humans, we decided to take her in. Rahne's helping her get settled in a room now. Tomorrow, I'll have to call Jean and see if she can help Tarene out. Tomorrow, not today. I'm just too worn out after everything that's happened.
I plop down on the bed in front of me face first, not even bothering to take my costume off. Not that it matters, really, because I don't have a change of clothes. I can't honestly say I expected to join this new team, just check it out for the X-Men. But here I am, now only am I a member of Force Works, I'm the offical leader! One thing I have to say about Parvenue though. He doesn't spare any expense. The rooms are lavish. My bedroom, and presumably everyone else's, comes with a kitchen loaded with fine silver, a two-level oven and everything I would ever need to cook. The bathroom even comes with a Jacuzzi. The bed I'm laying on is actually queen sized. All in all, this room is better than anything I've had before, not that that's saying a lot, mind you.
As I rest, my thoughts drift back to the early days. I was a founding member of the New Mutants, mutants brought together by Charles Xavier to learn how to use their powers to protect themselves from themselves or others. We weren't like the original X-Men. We weren't supposed to be running around saving the world, though we did every once and a while. What can I say? It was fun. No, the New Mutants were about learning how to go to the mall without raising a volcano or being teleported to another dimension. I count my times among the New Mutants as the some of the best times of my life. In fact, I consider many of the New Mutants my family. Rahne, Sam, Illyana, Shan, Warlock are all people I love like siblings. Hell, even Bobby, even now, though I will kick his teeth in next time I see him. For a while, we just a bunch of kids who got involved in one crazy matter caper after another. As much as I may have wanted it to never change, I knew, eventually, it would. And it did, when Doug Ramsey, a teammate and dear friend, was killed while freeing an island of animal mutates. Doug's death was the first thing that really changed the New Mutants. It made us realize life wasn't a game and the fact that we had powers wouldn't always make us safe from those who wanted to hurt us. In retrospect, Doug's death was the beginning of the end for the New Mutants. We would have to either change or die. So, we changed and never looked back. A little while after that, something happened that will haunt me for the rest of my life.
Hela, in a plot to avenge herself on Thor, corrupted me and every other member of the Valkyrie. It was, easily, the most horrible experience of my life. My body was coated in non-consuming flames, and I would have sworn that I was in hell. For all intents and purposes, I was. My mind was filled with rage, pain and loss and try as I might, I couldn't figure out where Hela ended and I began. In a way, it was worst than rape. It wasn't my body that was violated. It was my heart, mind and soul. Thankfully, the New Mutants did everything within their power to break Hela's hold over me. I'm proud to say my family faced down the forces of Hel itself to free me. When it was all over, I was forced to make one of the hardest decisions of my life. I choose to leave the New Mutants and stayed in Asgard. I had to. The others couldn't hope to understand how confused and hurt I was. Not even Rahne, whom I consider my soul mate, could understand the pain and hurt I felt. But my sisters in the Valkyrie understood. I knew each and everyone of them felt the exact same way. So I stayed, and we all healed together, as one. After some time, I felt whole again. But that wouldn't last. It never does.
As a Valkyrie, I had certain duties I had to perform on Asgard. I escorted the souls of noble warriors slain in battle onto Valhalla. Sometimes I would take one soul to Valhalla a week. Sometimes I escorted scores on a single day. I held the power of life and death in my hands, and I got sick of it. That wasn't who I was or who I wanted to be. I was supposed to be a hero, damn it, someone who was supposed to save lives. I should represent something better, yet there I was, personally helping death day in and day out. Then it happened, the day that changed everything.
I was riding with my winged horse Brightwind, admiring a beautifully Asgardion day, when I was 'called'. I found a young man whom had been ambushed by Rock Trolls, gravely wounded. He fought bravely, but they were too much for one warrior. He was struck down, and left bleeding on the side of a dirt road, waiting for his death. For me. All I had to do was bring his soul to Valhalla, and then I could have gone on with the rest of my day. He saw me come for him, but before I could escort his soul to Valhalla, he made a surprisingly simple request.
"That I might see mine family, one last time." He rasped. I was going to say no, that I had a duty to do, but when I opened my mouth, my throat went dry, my heart sank and I realized, perhaps for the first time, what exactly I had truly become. A tool, an instrument of death. What kind of monster was I that I would deny a father, a husband one last time with his family? I told him that I would come for him soon, and left.
Later that day, I felt the call again. I was summoned to a quaint little farmhouse. I opened the door, and saw a house that looked like it had been ransacked by looters. Dishes were strewn all over the place, chairs knocked over and laundry thrown about. I entered a bedroom, and saw a sight I'll never forget. Inside the bedroom, was an entire family butchered. Two little boys, their eyes still open in stark terror, and their mother draped over them, with what look like a dozen stab wounds in the back. Her last act was to try to protect her children. And standing next to them, his hands awash in blood?
The young warrior I allowed just a few more hours on in this world.
"They shalt be with me in heaven forever." He muttered again and again. I stand there, too stunned to move. A family is dead because of me, because of my weakness. I didn't want to be a party to one man's death, and now I am party to the death of an entire family! I don't have long to think about it, though. A storm thundered in out of nowhere, and tore the roof of the farmhouse to shreds. We looked up, and see the face of Odin the All Father, ruler of Asgard itself, in the clouds staring down, enraged in a way I never thought possible.
"Malkie, Thou hast dishonored thy self and thy family!" He bellowed so loud my ears bled. The young man screamed, and I see that Odin sent him straight to Hel. I also see Odin used his powers to resurrect the family, most likely with no memory of what happened. Odin then turned to me and stated,
"Thou hast much to answer for, Moonstar."
And with that, he was gone. But his message was clear. I jumped on Brightwind, and headed towards Odin's court. The entire time, I try to sort out my thoughts. Did I make a mistake? Should I have said 'hell with it' and taken that man's soul straight to Valhalla? Should I have done something differently?
Spirits help me, I don't know. I just don't know.
I debate this point in my head the entire time I'm flying towards the royal court. As I touch down, I see the looks of hate and fear from the other Asgardions, though the crowd of gods fluidly parted to make way for me. Valkyrie aren't well liked, for obvious reasons, and I'm hated more than most. Why? Because I'm a mortal bring death to the gods, and that really pisses them off. I approach Odin without a trace of fear in my body. I should be afraid, I know, but I think I lost the ability to be afraid for myself a long time ago. How could I not? I had to face down the Master of Magnetism on a daily basis with the New Mutants and stared death itself, literally, in the face more times than anyone my age ever should.
"Thou hast committed a terrible crime, Moonstar." He says, with eyes I know can see right thru me, "But thou shalt be forgiven if only thou admits thy error."
Admit I'm wrong. That's when it hit me. Yeah, I made a mistake, but I was still right, damn it. And I would do it again. And I am so sick and tired of cleaning up after these immortal assholes that have had centuries to make peace with the enemies plaguing this heaven. And I tell Odin this, in language that would make a sailor blush.
Looking back, I'd say that was something of a mistake.
Odin isn't some insane mutant with a superiority complex, or alien slaver with an insane plot to rule Earth. He's the most powerful Sky Father of Earth's many Pantheons. He could eat an army of Magneto's for breakfast and still have room left for a side of Onslaught.
"How dare thou insult me in such a manner!" He roared with such force I was actually thrown twenty feet back, and for the first time in a long time, I was very, very afraid. The court is deserted, everyone ran like the wind the moment I threw the first profanity at Odin. As I get to my feet, quaking in fear, I see his face contorted and his chest heaving in anger Asgard itself is trembling in anger along with his master. And then suddenly, it disappears and Odin was calm once again.
"This was mine error," He said evenly, "Mortals should have no place in a sacred institution as the Valkyrie. They doth shoulder a burden that would break many an immortal. That thou hast carried such a weight for so long speaks greatly of your strength, Moonstar. But thy sin is too grievous for thou not to be punished."
Odin looked me in the eyes and raised his hands,
"Moonstar, for thy weakness, though art banished from Asgard. Ne'er again art thou to look upon it's beauty."
And with the wave of his hand, Brightwind and me are kicked out of Asgard and back to earth. I have to blink a few times to realize exactly where I am. Odin teleported us to Colorado, my home state. I look behind me, and see how Bringwind has changed by his exile. Before, he was as white as now, with wings like a bird, a beautiful work of art almost. Now he's black as night and his wings are like those of a bat. Still beautiful, but in a terrifying and foreboding way.
" Oh Brightwind, I'm so sorry!" I said. He just snorted, and I knew he was angry. But that's okay, I can also sense that he agrees with me. Guess he has to since he's stuck with me now. I move to mount him, but suddenly my legs become like lead and I can't stand up straight. Looking back, I realized that I was too emotionally spent to even walk. By severing my connection to my sisters in the Valkyrie, Odin tore out a part of my heart, and the wound was still raw. After falling face first in the snow, I look up to see my parent's house not twenty feet in the distance. At the same, it was both an omen and a curse.
I summoned every last bit of willpower in my body, forcing myself to stand up and march towards home. It's freezing out, and my Valkyrie wear isn't the best insulator. But I'll be damned if I die within eyeshot of the home I was born and raised in.
Stubbornness only got me about ten feet, though, and before I could cross the final ten feet I can feel my feet give way again and my vision beginning to blur. Thankfully, I hear a familiar voice yell out 'Dani!' Dad. And then everything goes black.
Next thing I know, I'm dressed in one of mom's old robes and sleeping in my old bed, which at the moment is the most comfortable thing in the world. I see mom sitting in the corner, reading a book while keeping an eye on me. I tried to fake being asleep almost as soon as I woke up, but there's no fooling moms, you know? She slammed her book close without bothering to mark her place and rushed to my side.
Naturally, she bombarded me with questions, top of the list being why she hadn't heard from me in nearly a year and a half. So I explained about how the school was blown up, how the New Mutants defected from Magneto, how Hela tried to use me to destroy Asgard and how I'd spent the last year and a half recovering in Asgard, an extra dimensional heaven, though I left out the 'gaping hole in my heart part' that I now felt. Now, most parents would probably freak out when they heard half the stuff I'd done, but not my parents. I guess being turned into a demon bear makings you really, really understanding.
"Where's Dad?" I asked, finally noting his absence. I'd figure mom would have called him in the moment I got up.
"He's downstairs with a…guest." Mom answered, "I'll go get him now."
Mom left and returned a moment later, with Dad and probably the last person I ever expected to see.
Nick Fury, the director of the international peace keeping force known as S.H.I.E.L.D and (ironically enough) the most famous spy in the world.
"Welcome back to terra firma kid." He said while chewing on an unlit cigar (I can thank mom for that), "how you feel?"
"Depends, what do you want?" I asked casually, which raises a smile on Fury's lips. Most people I suspect are a little more star struck or honored when talking with Fury. Me? After everything I've seen and done, Fury is a cakewalk.
"Direct, I like that in an agent." He said, "so I'll be just as direct. One of your former classmates is forming his own little mutant terrorist groups, and we'd like you to infiltrate an' stop 'em."
"How'd you even know I was here?"
"When you popped back up earth side, it set off all kinds of red lights. When we realized that it was you, it was like a God send." Fury explained. He then tossed a manila folder on my lap, "That's a dossier on your classmates, I'd thought you'd wanna catch up. I'm warning ya now, it ain't pretty, I'm sorry to say. The information on your traitor is in there too, and so's my number." With that Fury left. I asked my parents to excuse themselves as I opened the file, as I didn't know what to expect.
I opened the file, and nearly screamed in loss, pain and anger when I read the first page. What I learned…it was like reading about how your little brother was murdered by a serial killer and little sister, forced to watch, was raped by the same man. Warlock was dead. Murdered. A madman, Carmen Hodge, who sought to steal his power killed Warlock, sweet, child like Warlock who would never hurt an innocent being. Worse, Rahne was present and was unable to stop Hodge. I felt another lump in my throat when I read what had then happened to Rahne. Rahne, quite, shy and innocent, was violated body and soul by the madman, turned into a mutate, a mutant drone deprived of all independent thought. The only way she could keep her free will was by staying in the wolf form, something I know she must despise. Sam, a little tin soldier in a war we were never supposed to fight. And finally, Bobby. He's the traitor, secretly using his father's company to gather the resources he'll need to make war on humans and calling himself Reignfire, of all things. It would be a long time later that I learned that it wasn't actually Bobby who'd gone traitor, but rather a clone of some sort who was also manipulating Bobby at times. But I guess that's why I'm not so shocked about Bobby forming his own little click, his Fallen Angels and switching sides. I just got used to the idea of him being on the other side.
Obviously, I took Fury up on his offer. I needed a purpose, I needed a direction now more than ever. Since the others had decided to join 'the good fight', I saw no reason to remain on the sidelines myself. I talked it over with the 'rents, and joined Shield. I was trained for about a month before we staged my 'return' from Asgard, about a mile from where Reignfire was purchasing supplies. He came a runnin' like I knew he would, and I gave him a slightly abridged version of what happened to me in Asgard. He took my return as an omen, and I was instantly made his most trusted soldier in the new Mutant Liberation Front.
My time in the MLF was easily the most terrifying thing I'd ever experienced. I was riding herd on a powerful and deranged group of mutants who were more than willing to kill anyone who crossed them. Sometimes, I only prevented civilian deaths by a hair's breath. Other times, I was forced to stand by when innocent people were killed, unable to save them even if I'd blown my cover then and there. That wasn't to say that I didn't manage to do some good. I helped X-Force take down Feral on the sly, and helped my sisters in Asgard when they needed me. Even after Reignfire was stopped and Brightwind killed, I stayed on. Brightwind's death spurred me on to insure this M.L.F would go down in flames. While I was a member, I secretly helped Shield find locate the old bases of Stryfe as well as his many Swiss bank accounts. By staying on, I helped dismantle almost everything the M.L.F had built. I'm sure I missed a few bases, but there's no way they'll ever be half as effective as they were. Shield was finally prepared to take down the MLF when Operation Zero Tolerance, what amounted to a mutant witch-hunt, was enacted. It went without saying that the MLF was in their sights. Thankfully, my friends in X-Force managed to bail Forearm and me, the only sane member of the MLF, out of trouble when O:ZT set it's sights on the MLF. My mission finished, and slightly irked about Shield not rescuing me themselves; I joined up with my old friends immediately.
X-Force, compared to my old team, was a lot more laid back. I actually relaxed and enjoyed myself, despite the fact that we managed to stumble across more than our fair share of danger. I even gained a new power, the ability to warp quantum reality, along the way while battling the Damocles Foundation. But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. X-Force's end started in the form of King Bedlam and his Hellions. Bedlam tried to use X-Force to harness the power of the Armageddon Man, and very nearly succeeded. In the process of defeating him, Siryn, our team leader, was rendered voiceless and powerless by Feral. If it weren't for my then amped up powers and a little luck, the Armageddon Man might have destroyed the West Coast. Sadly, the hits just kept coming for X-Force. Losing our leader depressed us all though we still managed to pull thru a few capers, which were followed up by a near alien invasion that cost me my enhanced powers (not that I'm complaining, a girl only needs so much power), which was followed up by the assassination of Charles Xavier, the founder of all things X. After all that happened, I really should have seen Tabby and Bobby's defection coming.
For a while, me, Warlock, Siryn, Rahne along with a new girl Emily pretended to be X-Force and tried to carry on, to fight the good fight and all that jazz, but it didn't last long. I got side tracked when I was forced to help the new Weapon X discover the truth about what was done to him, and the team fell apart almost instantly in my absence. After that, I hung around the mansion while helping Brandon get adjusted to not being a soulless killer. Only went on one mission really, when Sam told me he'd gotten a line on Bobby and his brat pack, the Fallen Angels. Sam convinced Madrox to accompany us, I coerced Rahne to join us and along with Weapon X, we crashed Bobby's little party. It was an utter debacle for both sides, something I should have seen coming. We had almost no intel on Bobby's current team (like say, did he recruit some heavy hitters from Magneto's followers?), Sam and Rahne were too emotionally invested and not in a good way and none of us were really experienced working as teammates. We didn't even bother to drill in the Danger Room beforehand. Hell, that mission was Madrox's first and last in months. We also under estimated Bobby, he had a few aces up his sleeve and used them very well. As a result, Rahne was nearly killed, both China's hero The Collective Man and the Fallen Angel Ariel were killed and Bobby crossed a line that he can never come back from. He's a murderer, and matter what we do, we can't save him now.
Which pretty much brings me back to the present. Asked to evaluate a new human/mutant super team, I've ended up joining and leading this new team. It'll be a challenge, it'll be hard, but somehow I already know, it will be worth it. If nothing else, at least it's different from the other X teams. Whether that's a good thing or not, I'll find out soon enough.
Biography
Dani was corrupted by Hela in New Mutants 77
Dani showed up in the M.L.F in X-Force 27 and revealed to be an agent of Shield in X-Force 66
Dani gained quantum powers in X-Force 84.
Siryn lost her voice in X-Force 90
The near alien invasion that cost Dani her enhanced powers will be addressed down the line, promise
Dani was apart of a new X-Force in M2K's X-Force 1-8
Dani fought the Fallen Angels in M2K's Fallen Angels 11
This occurs directly after Force Works 1
Plans and PreparationsA smart man once said 'George Bush says 'we are losing the war on drugs'. Well you know what that implies? There's a war going on, and people on drugs are winning it! Well what does that tell you about drugs? Some smart, creative mother fuckers on that side'. I call myself King Bedlam, and I would like to think that I prove that statement correct. I've made it my personal mission to kill the team of superheroes who call themselves 'Force Works' and despoil the city that they've made their home.
To be fair, despite some of the people I've gathered to my side to assist me, my mission against Force Works is completely impersonal. You see, when Force Works was established, they decided to make a quick name for themselves by cleaning up their new home town, Metro City, which was awash in drugs and corruption. Now, for anyone else, this would have been almost impossible. But Force Works however, was both creative and patient. For instance, one member, Wolfsbane, possesses enhanced senses. Another, Wiz Kid, could create advanced scanners that could easily detect the chemicals required to process various drugs from across the street. Combined with the power of Force Works' other members, they wrecked utter havoc on the drug trade. As they were private citizens, they almost completely eliminated the need for search warrants. After a week of investigation, they actually managed to shut down an organized network that smuggled and processed over three hundred million dollars from this port city and into the United States that had been in place for over a decade.
Given Force Works' power and resources, defeating them is beyond the means of even the most resource crime lord. After all, Force Works is in essence the next generation of Avengers and X-Men. They are well trained, experienced, and powerful and truly believe in what they fight for. That has been something of a deterrent for others, but not myself. I'm an optimist, and believe that there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome by careful planning and patience, combined of course with an equal amount of power and ruthlessness. Today may be the most important day yet in my conspiracy against Force Works yet, and in truth it has little at all to do with them directly. So, as I swing my feet off my bed and begin to dress, I look about for my ladylove, Tarot. Of course, she's in the corner of the room, again reading her tarot cards.
"The cards tell me that the path to your ultimate goal is dangerous, and filled with great danger, but remains clear." She said while staring at her precious tarot cards. As much as I want to, I can't discount their ability. I walk over to her and wrap my arms around her waist as I say, "Don't you mean our goals, my love?"
"No, for that would not be the truth." She replies evenly. All I can do is shake my head at that. I love her, I truly do, but we are different people.
"Does the truth matter in this regard my love?" I ask. Despite what others may believe, I am not responsible for Tarot's new lease on life. When I first began my search for allies, I decided to start with Tarot's family. It's well known that the mutant gene often runs in the family, and Marie comes from a rather extended family, who run a moderately successful vineyard in France. I had hoped that she had a family member who desired vengeance against the man who killed Marie. I knew that it was a gamble, but I had nothing to lose at the time. Before I began my search for a possible ally, I visited Marie's grave, to pay my respects. She, and indeed all of the Hellions, deserved better. I'm not shamed to say I very nearly wet myself when Marie's hand burst out of the ground, seeking freedom from her grave. After overcoming my shock, I dug her out and slowly nursed her back to health. How she survived buried so long I honestly have no idea. I suspect that the combination of mutant and the arcane that gives Marie her powers is what saved her. She says that she cannot find peace until she avenges her friends and teammates, the Hellions. Regardless, Marie has been invaluable to my cause. With her help, I've recruited all the allies I've ever needed, though she at times has been disloyal. Even though Feral and Magma have defected from my side, Marie's cards have led me to stronger, better allies and even reunited me with one.
"That is for you to decide." She answers, "your plans depend on today's events."
"Well then, lets not keep the day waiting." I say as I open the door to my room and make my way towards the meeting hall. The base I've taken is an old A.I.M safe house roughly a mile from Force Works' base, perfect for laying in wait. Like the good little soldiers they are, my Cabal is already waiting for me. Warhead is making small talk with the super strong martial artist Delilah and Switch; Smiling Tiger is crouched in the corner while Paradigm is hovering silently behind his chair. Lodestone, as ever, is pacing back and forth in the back. Or to be more accurate, hovering back and forth like a ghost. It's almost comical to watch.
"Good morning, my Cabal." I state, gathering their attention, "I trust everyone is well rested?"
"What does it matter, we never do anything besides train!" Lodestone snapped sharply, to which I only smile.
"No one here, myself included, holds a record of positive record of wins, we must strive to better ourselves." I reply. One must first recognize weakness to overcome it, "But today is different. Lodestone, you will accompany myself, Tarot and Paradigm as we see to a few important details. We are gaining a new teammate today, and have an appointment with some very powerful people."
"Finally." Lodestone sighs. She is not by nature a patient person, and I've been forcing her to wait for some time. However, we both know it's for the best. If we strike before all the players are in their proper place, we will be lost even if we managed to defeat Force Works outright.
An hour later, we're in Colorado, standing outside an otherwise ordinary looking cave, but I happen to know better. In actuality, it's a secret entrance to the federal superhuman penitentiary known as 'The Vault'. Even though we're expected and I'm quite certain we're being observed, our contact keeps us waiting for nearly half an hour, likely out of spite. Finally, a man of normal height and average build with short-cropped brown hair, and a suit that almost screams government agent, emerges from the cave flanked by several guardsmen.
"Ah, Agent Crass, it's a pleasure already." I smile as sincerely as possible. Whatever this man expects of me, I'm fairly certain it isn't politeness.
"Save it mutie. If it weren't for your buddies in the Agency brokering this deal, I'd throw your midnight ass in one of these cells and watch you rot." He spits as he motions for us to follow him, "Now stay close and keep your hands to your damn selves, children. You try any funny shit, and the boys in green will turn you into swiss cheese. Got that freaks?"
"Of course, Mr. Crass, thank you for your polite concern." I reply, which only causes him to silently fume. Kill them with kindness, my mother always said. Before I killed her, of course.
"What agency 'buddies' is this scum bag talking about?" Lodestone whispers into my ear.
"Every now and then, certain people need others silenced, but cannot risk the scrutiny of having them killed or their mind wiped by a telepath." I explain, "That's where I come in, as my telepathy is only offensive, I can't read minds. I induce severe mental confusion, in essence scrambling memories for certain people, and they owe me a favor. I've just called it in."
"I'd think it'd be obvious. I guess the regard gene came from you, Mrs. Costanzo, huh?" Crass sneers. I freeze, already knowing what to expect from my magnetic co-worker. Lodestone grabs Crass by everything metal in his body, spins him around and holds him aloft, face to face. As a consequence, the guardsmen step back and level their repulsars at all of us. At this point, only Lodestone and Crass are moving.
"Don't you ever so much as think about my son, you sorry piece of shit." Lodestone growled, barely aware of the guardsmen. Crass, to his credit and my surprise, is still calm and collected, not the least bit afraid or intimidated.
"You're on my turf, you two bit slut of a Magneto wannabe." He smiles before nodding to his men, "Now put me down, bitch, before I order my men to shoot your ass."
"Go to hell." Lodestone snarls back.
I can clearly see that Lodestone is in no mood to obey, and so I must take matters into my own hands. I look towards Paradigm, confident he knows what to do.
"Fine. Boys, cap this slut's ass." Crass orders. The look on his face when the guardsmen fail to move or even acknowledge his order is quite priceless, however briefly it is. Unknown to Crass, Paradigm has the mutant ability to control any machine he wishes. Even though these guardsmen have special protections against outside control, Paradigm's techno organic nature allows him to sidestep said precautions with ease.
"Mr. Crass, we're here on business that will benefit yourself, the CSA along with myself. If you could try to be a little more professional…?" I ask respectfully. I put my hand on Lodestone's shoulder and say, "That's enough. Let him down."
"Go muse, good, ouch…" Lodestone babbles as I subtly telepathically instill slight confusion, slowly lowering Crass to the ground. Lodestone glares daggers into me, but is unable to defy me.
"Nice set up you got going." Crass smiles as his feet touch the ground, "I'll bet your telepathy doesn't work against your toy robot, but it does against mini mags. By controlling her, you control the robot."
I'll give Crass this, despite all his hate and anger, he's no fool. And I'm becoming very tired of this game, "Mr. Crass, I trust that I have demonstrated that if I so wished, I could take what I wanted, killed you and everyone of your men and leave unmolested." I state thru gritted teeth. It is a sign of weakness, to a degree, but I don't care at the moment, "now please show us to the cell so that we may finish our business and leave."
Crass smiled, this time as it was a smile as close to genuine as he ever came and said, "Of course. You are doing me a favor, after all."
Paradigm releases the guardsmen and we continue walking down the corridor. As much as I wish otherwise, I'm very aware of the fact that I made a mistake. I let Crass get to me, to get under my skin. I make a mental note to strive to improve my patience.
We finally reach the cell, situated under the main Vault facility and unsurprisingly, quite dank with an unrivalled stench. When the government wants to forget about someone, they lock them in this dungeon, it seems.
"Why do you want this particular piece of trash?" Crass asks as he opens the cell.
"Tactical advantage, fire power and I need someone every team member can hate." I explain.
I enter the cell alone. I really have no reason to be afraid, after all. The cell only negates the prisoner's powers, not mine. My host chooses to sit in the darkness, the only comfort he can find no doubt.
"Hello, young man." I say warmly, "I trust you know why I'm here?"
"Yeah. Ass Crass bastard explained it to me, what was expected."
"Then explain it to me, for clarity's sake."
"I 'break out', crew up with you, do some damage then get caught. From there, the CSA uses me against my old back stabbing teammates and I go into witness protection. But there's something else I want." He replies in a low voice, dripping with constant anger.
"The man who murdered your friend? I trust Crass has also informed you about the exact circumstances of her death?"
He nods. There's an anger there I can exploit, that much is obvious.
"Of course, though only after I get what I want first. I'm glad you've taken our deal. If anything troubles you, just think of yourself as Sammy the Bull being used against organized crime." I explain.
"If the feds forced Sammy to commit crime and then used him against his bastard friends." He snorts.
I chuckle at that, "Quite true, so, are you in?"
He leaned forward and said, "If you get me Jolt's killer, Charcoal will follow you to hell and back, buddy. To hell and back."
"Excellent. I'll be leaving now. In a few days, you'll be transferred to another prison where you'll perform your 'break out'. You'll receive more information there. I'll see you then."
As CSA Agent Crass watched Bedlam's Cabal leave, he still hated the fact that his superiors had forced him to deal with such scum, especially when he already had a plan, a very good plan, in place to deal with the Justin Hammer's Thunderbolts. This 'back up plan' involving Bedlam and Charcoal was simple and in Crass' opinion, completely unneeded. Charcoal would be allowed to escape and then become involved with publicly known criminals in an attempt to take over Metro City's drug trade. In helping to kill Force Works, he is thus forever branded as a villain and handed back over to the CSA and from there, he'd testify to lies under oath about and against Justin Hammer and his Thunderbolts, who were making the CSA very, very uncomfortable. It was a simple plan overall, and Crass knew how they could go wrong
After our appointment with Crass, my mini Cabal and I make our way to New York, with Paradigm's shape shifting body providing the transportation. Thankfully, the man we're meeting is far more polite and at least pretends to be more respectful. That may be because physically, he could snap me in half without raising a sweat, despite his current physical ailments.
Carefully holding a fine Cuban cigar between his index and ring finger in his right hand, Wilson Fisk carefully regarded the two superhumans before him. While he already knew the full story behind Lodestone, and could sense the anger that seemed to radiate off her, Bedlam was a different story. Kingpin barely knew of the young man beyond his powers and rather simple proposal.
"Let me see if I understand you correctly, Mr. Bedlam," Kingpin said as he blew a ring of smoke into the air, "in exchange for a modest twelve percent of the drug money that travels thru Metro City, you and your Cabal will destroy Force Works, who have obstructed the flow of drugs from Metro City." Lodestone coughed loudly, "And the ability to destroy Paulo Costanzo's mob free of reprisal, of course."
"That's correct, sir." Bedlam replied.
"Tell me, young man, what makes you believe that I need your assistance to deal with Force Works?"
"Because if you could have dealt with them already, you would have done so." Bedlam replied evenly, "your recent legal troubles have distracted you no doubt, but Force Works is a powerful team. They're not children, Mr. Fisk, they're young adults who've been fighting for some time. And every day they remain undefeated, your grip on the drug trade on the east coast will slip. Worse, other heroes may follow their lead."
The Kingpin of Crime's eyes narrowed, whether in anger or a sign of grudging respect, Bedlam couldn't tell, "And naturally, you have the solution to my problem."
"I'd like to think so, Mr. Fisk." The young telepath replied calmly, "My request is simple. Should we be successful in defeating Force Works, we would like a respectable percentage of the money generated from Metro City. This venture is absolutely risk free for you, I might add."
"Oh? How so?"
"I am utilizing none of your resources in this venture whatsoever. Should I fail, you stand to lose nothing, but should I succeed, you only benefit."
The Kingpin thought on this for a moment before finally coming to a conclusion, "Very well, Mr. Bedlam, we have an agreement and understanding. Good luck in your venture, though be warned that you are not the only one planning a coup on Force Works."
Bedlam smiled a wide grin at that, "I know, sir. Thank you for your time."
Today is easily the most harrowing day of my life. Today I've met two people with enough power, cunning and resources to kill me on national television in the middle of Times Square and get away scott-free, and to my credit, I barely blinked an eye. These people will be my peers after all, one day. But I'm secure enough to admit the man I'm manipulating next scares me. He's survived the Avengers, Captain America and slain scores of costumed villains. He is death personified. However, if my plan works, Tarot assures me that I will have nothing to fear from this man ever again.
A run down Warehouse on the fringes of Metro CityMelvin Short liked to think that he was smarter than the average hood or crime lord. He was an average thug for the Maggia when he came into contact with a radioactive element that gifted him with super strength. One defeat by a super hero later, Short realized that no matter how strong he was, there would always be someone stronger. It took only one battle to teach him that, unlike all those other super strong characters out there. So, he used his night classes in accounting to focus on money laundering and bankrolled the money he made there into legitimate business interests, eventually becoming a respected businessman despite his criminal past and odd physical appearance.
Overall, the man once known as Mr. Fish had had the last laugh on everyone who had laughed at him. But having finally tasted power akin to the power the mob bosses who had once lorded over him had, Short developed a thirst for more. And that's why he was here today.
However, until Force Works moved into Metro City, he never saw a chance to make a bigger name for himself. Now, he was gathering an army for The Kingpin, the very man Mr. Fish secretly planned on replacing. Looking out from the stage in the abandoned warehouse, Mr. Short had to admit his army wasn't that impressive. Most where average thugs with no powers, sadly. And costumed villains that agreed to meet Short? He had to admit, they were less than impressive. The female group known as The Female Fatales, Oddball and his team of lethal jugglers, The Deaththrows (minus Bombshell), Captain America and Hulk's sparring partner Blackbird, Stiletto and Disc recently on parole, Battle Axe, Leaper Logan with the Two Legged Rat of the Speedball Revenge Squad and finally, probably the only good catch, Mac Gargen, the Scorpion. Not an impressive display of power, but then again, neither was Short. The former Mr. Fish took the podium and began.
"I assume you all know why you're here. Because, like myself, you see the incredible amount of potential that is Metro City. As we all know, the self righteous 'heroes' who arrogantly call themselves 'Force Works', have crippled the once thriving drug trade in this fair city." Short shouted, like a general addressing his troops before a battle, "But let me tell you this, these children have only captured a tiger by the tail! They may have won the battle, but all they have done is to suppress a bomb that will ultimately consume them and all they hold dear! As they have made war on drugs and crime, so must we make war on them!"
The crowd cheered, as Short continued, "The advantage is ours. We know where they are, and while we don't know who they are, we know their comings and goings. They are one easy target my friends, they just don't know it yet! Their power can be overcome by cunning and ruthlessness, something we possess in spades. Force Works are nothing but spoiled children pampered by a rich man, no match for us!"
"What makes you think you're the man to lead us?" Scorpion interrupted as he arrogantly stood up and strode towards the podium, "Mr. Fish? You're the jokes of jokes of jokes, buddy."
Short glared at Scorpion and stated, "I think my current record speaks for itself, despite my one defeat at Luke Cage's hands. If we were to be judged by the number of defeats, well, you Mr. Gargen would be the greatest failure here."
The gathered crowd laughed heartily at that and to Short's surprise, the Scorpion smiled a devil's grin at that as well, "Yeah, you're a smart guy, Fishy, real smart. Bet you know all kinds of languages and whatnot, right?"
Short smiled proudly, "Of course."
"Then can you translate La justice est servie for me?" Scorpion asked.
Though it was impossible to see, given the scales covering Short's entire body, the blood rushed from his face and he became deathly ill, "Justice…is…served…"
The Scorpion's hand became a blur and before Short could even register the fact that there was a gun in Scorpion's hand, a single bullet ripped thru his skull, killing him instantly.
"The Scorpion's feeding worms in South America, ladies and gents, just like you losers will be soon." Scourge said wearily as he turned around to face the crowd. The green costume of the Scorpion was replaced by the jet-black vintage of the Scourge, with a skull mask of almost unperceivable sadness over his face, "let's not make this harder than it has to be, eh?"
Almost sensing there was no way to escape, the villains attacked Scourge together with as much courage as they could muster. Blackbird and Mindblast took to the air, hoping to flank Scourge. A single bullet in both their skulls ended that plan. Leaper Logan, Death Throws, Whiplash, Disc, Oddball and the Two Legged Rat, along with three dozen suits, were all killed when Scourge sprayed the crowd with his rifle, not a single shot wasted. Bloodlust managed to reach Scourge and began hacking and slashing away, but Scourge grabbed her neck and casually crushed it to powder before dropping it to the ground. Knockout and Battle Axe were the last to fall and they charged the ebony killer simultaneously, but Scourge carefully took aim and shot one explosive bullet thru each of their eyes.
"Nothing left but the clean up." The former Techno sighed as he went about checking the bodies and making sure no one was left alive. As much as the former Fixer hated what he was forced to do, Techno's programming was quite thorough. He couldn't do the job half assed if he wanted to. Several quick executions later, he heard a voice groaning from backstage.
Stupid bastard should have kept quite Techno thought to himself as his programming compelled him to investigate. He found a man backstage, unable to escape thru a back door due to the minor force field generator that Techno had created and used to seal off the warehouse. The man had caught a bullet in the shoulder, but Techno's scans revealed that the man had been wearing a high tech vest that protected his vital organs. With barely a thought as to how the man acquired the suit, Techno created a devise inside his mechanical body that switched off the man's protection.
"Sorry buddy, but I don't have a choice." Scourge said as he raised his weapon.
"Wait!" The man said, putting his hands up, "I can help you!"
"How's that?" Scourge asked, his weapon still raised.
"You hate villains, right?" The man asked, "Well, Short, he did leg work for dozens of villains! Laundered their stolen money and whatnot! He did his business overseas! The records…they're all in his flat in London. Addresses, alias, whatever you want, man! You'll be able to kill dozens…just don't kill me, please!"
"Gutless bastard." Scourge growled as he blew out both the man's knees with his explosive bullets, "I don't do this shit because I like it, I do it because I have to! Now, thanks to you asswipe, my programming is gonna force to fly to fucking cheery O England just to kill even more people!" Scourge grabbed the screaming man by the neck and hefted him up face-to-face, "I've got a napalm bomb ticking away that'll destroy all evidence I was here. I was gonna do you quick, but I think I'll let you suffer. Look at the bright side, I intend to do even worse to the man who tipped me off about this meeting."
The robot killer tossed the man aside and his feet transformed into boot jets akin to those of Iron Man. Without a second though, Scourge tore off into the air and thru the roof of the warehouse, the roar of the jets drowning out the voice of the man whom Scourge had just knee capped. Moments later, the warehouse exploded in an inferno that would put Dante to shame.
The techno organic creature known as Paradigm watched all this happen from a vantage point of fifty feet in the air over it all with general indifference, hidden from Scourge's scanners. Accessing the situation was over, Paradigm sent an electronic signal to Bedlam.
"Christopher, the Scourge has been successfully diverted. However, I believe he has killed Switch unknowingly."
"Pity, though not a great loss. Return to base Paradigm, we have one more meeting tonight, and your presence is required." King Bedlam slapped his cell phone closed and looked towards Tarot, "Scourge haunts us no longer. Two obstacles have been removed from the playing field, thanks to you my love. Tell me, what is in the cards for Scourge?"
Tarot carefully sifted thru the cards before finally coming to a stop on one in particular, "Death and murder haunt him, as well as an foul, evil creature tainted by an even greater, more unspeakable evil."
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised at that." Bedlam shrugged dismissively
"If you knew the truth, you would not say that." Tarot said softly, eliciting a slight shudder from Bedlam. He quickly changed the subject.
"Why don't you freshen up? All this power brokering has gotten me, rather…energetic." Bedlam said as he massaged Tarot's shoulders
"As you wish." Was all Tarot said.
On the fringes of Metro City, yet againAn hour later, Lodestone, Paradigm and King Bedlam, using image inducers to disguise themselves, were sitting idly on a park bench. King Bedlam had brought a paper to pass the time. Lodestone, as always, stood about impatiently in contrast to Paradigm, who stood about with his arms crossed, content to wait.
"Why…?"
"We're waiting for someone who will allow us to continue to operate in Metro City unfettered." Bedlam replied, anticipating Lodestone's question, "you're here as a show of trust."
"She shouldn't be here." A voice said sharply, startling everyone. They turned to see a woman wearing a heavy overcoat, long black leather gloves that concealed every detail that her coat might miss and large hat that helped obscure her identity, "Our deal…"
"You can trust Lodestone, and I want her to trust me." Bedlam explained, "so please, dispense with the cloak and dagger."
Reluctantly, the woman removed the hat to reveal the unmistakable face of…
"Edie Sawyer!" Lodestone gasped, "but you're…"
"A smart woman who recognizes liabilities, even when her employer does not." Sawyer finished. She reached into her coat pocket and produced a CD she handed to King Bedlam, "That CD has the frequency The Workplace's scanners, some information on their comings and goings and an excellent performance review." Edie smirked, "Know thy enemy. They change their scanners every two weeks, but with that CD, you'll be able to ignore them completely."
"You have my thanks." Bedlam stated, "And I assure you once again, regardless of the outcome of our…encounter with Force Works, you name will not come up."
"Oh, I know that." Sawyer said with a sly grin. She pointed towards a trashcan at the end of the bench, "See that?"
The Cabal members looked at the trashcan, and were stunned when the air around it seemingly rippled and the top half disappeared.
"When I teleport, I open wormholes from one location to another. Should I choose to close them on an object, then that item is then subjected to the weight of all reality when the wormhole seals itself. Thus far, I've never encountered anything I couldn't destroy." Sawyer said smugly
"A most inventive demonstration, Ms. Sawyer, though an unnecessary display of power." Paradigm said evenly.
"See to it that it remains so." Sawyer said before teleporting home. Bedlam handed the CD Sawyer had given him to Paradigm.
"See to uploading this into the base's computers, and then get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be hectic." Bedlam said, "we still need more allies, Charcoal is being transferred and we need to see if anyone else is making a play for Metro City's drug trade like the late and unlamented Mr. Fish."
"If I'd known there was so much work to do, I might have considered staying in prison." Lodestone said sarcastically.
"Such a poor work ethic," Bedlam chided, "you're a disgrace to villains everywhere!"