Greywind

Re: Tiered Equipment or "How to fit Arrows and Antimarter in 60-90 AP" I would do it simply by applying magic handwavium and calling it good. There's a point where too much accounting is detrimental to the sanity of the GM.

Re: Snippets Jason meandered the halls to his bedroom. He opened the door and went inside to find Kris laying on his bed dressed in a sheer white pearlescent body stocking and high white heels. Around her neck was a black ribbon, from which hung a red-on-black star sapphire. “I was wondering when you would get here.” Her voice was husky. “I was getting tired of waiting.” Her makeup shone. His suit coat was pulled down and off from behind. “Yes, we were getting tired of waiting for you.” Jason turned around to Dani, dressed the same as Kris except being in red and her makeup like flames, in time to see her flame his coat. The ashes fell to the ground as rose petals. Trese stepped forward. A corset, purple with black trim, purple hose and high heels, and purple shadow colored her eyes. Her eyes glowed and he felt his belt being pulled loose. “It will be an interesting night,” she said with a warm smile. Charley lounged in his chair, her long legs draped over the arm. Her battle garb was sheer, making it more like lingerie. “Oh, it will be a very interesting night.” Leah, dressed in a light pastel blue, was curled atop Charley and Charley pulled her close for lingering kiss. Sparks literally flew from Leah. Ash stepped forth in a royal blue teddy, stockings and matching shoes, and pulled Jason down to kiss her. She tore his dress shirt off in the process. “It's been too long,” she whispered hotly in his ear while she rubbed herself against him. He felt his trousers being pulled down. Jason looked down to see Lisa on one side and Jenny on the other. Oh, it's going to be an interesting night, he thought to himself. If only this incessant buzzing would stop.

Re: Interesting article about Sexism in Geek Communities Yeah, I think it was before that. No need to go dumpster diving.

Re: Snippets The intercom sounded and Jessica's voice came through. “Mr. Scott. There's a gentleman here who wishes to speak with you.” Jessica had adjusted fairly well to having her own office space outside of Jason's office. “Does he have an appointment?” “No, sir.” Jason detected a hint of nervousness in her voice. “Make an appointment,” he said, in about thirty years he thought to himself. He turned the chair back as the door opened. “You can't go in there!” Jessica called after the intruder. “He will see me!” the intruder declared. Jason stood up to face Anton Darque. “I need to speak with you.” “No,” Jason growled. “Oh, hell no! You do not get to barge in here and demand anything from me!” Jason moved around his desk. “I'll call security,” he heard Jessica say. “I need your help, son. My daughter...” Jason grabbed the man by his lapels and slammed him into the wall. “You're manhandling me. I invoke guest-right.” “Your powers of observation are as sharp as ever,” Jason growled as he slammed the mage into the wall again. “You don't get to invoke guest-right.” Again he slammed him into the wall. “I'm not a wizard and you don't have an appointment. You were not invited. Now before I put you through the wall, why are you here?” “Angelique!” Darque exclaimed. “My daughter is missing. You are bound to her. Through your actions, your power, you are bound to her!” “What the hell do you care? You blocked her. You are the epitome of a bad father. Look up 'abusive' in the dictionary and you're the definition.” “She's my daughter! She needed to be reminded her place!”

From time to time I'll post small bits here. Mostly to keep psyber624 from drooling all over the board. Some of these may not be used. Some already have a place in the grand scheme of things.

Re: Interesting article about Sexism in Geek Communities Restaurant No more excuses.

Re: Interesting article about Sexism in Geek Communities First Facebook would have to crack down on all the multiple account people that have "names" that are obviously not real. Then there's those that start accounts with other people's names.

Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now?

Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now?

Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iElty90IPiw

Re: What Are You Listening To Right Now? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stVz6gURpSQ

Re: Who you include in your Magical Harem of Fictional Characters?

Re: Business Unfinished Sometimes a scene demands attention out of place in the order of writing. That was one such.

Re: HERO: Combat Evolved [Equipment Posts & Comments] So redesign it all. And quit vacationing from the board.

Re: Psychological Limits of Famous Comic Book Characters

Re: Business Unfinished There's a small bit in here: http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php/92314-Evil

Re: Hypothetically and unofficially, what would you like to see in a Mecha Hero book? BattleTech is still popular.

Re: "Neat" Pictures

Re: Mindcontrol: the dumber, the easier Well, yes.

Re: Little Girl Lost I know someone that does that. Might talk with her about it.

Re: "Neat" Pictures So does Pat Tallman.

Re: Little Girl Lost “What have you got, Red?” Red Star's white mask covered his head, leaving only his eyes and lower face uncovered, the image on the monitor obviously coming from a hand held camera. “Pulsar, what we've got is two girls were escorted off that plane. They were taken off to the tarmac. Not to the gangway. The girls and their carry-ons were loaded into a shuttle, driven to the other side of the airport and loaded into a 'copter.” “Any ID on the chopper?” Pulsar asked. “Ghost was looking into that. He hasn't checked back yet.” Pulsar rubbed his chin in thought. “That doesn't make a lot of sense. How were they taken to the tarmac? Aren't there rules about passengers disembarking to the gangway?” Red Star nodded. “Normally, yes. Only this time our friend had the help of Franklin and Grant. Once we came in and looked around, we found that a couple of cargo handlers were paid off to help. Apparently on the plane, one of the flight attendants was paid to assist. What was reported was that the two girls weren't feeling well; flight attendant offered to help and took them and their carry-on bags down to the galley. That was the last anyone saw of them on the plane. “The flight attendant was picked up off her last flight in Miami. She was scheduled for a vacation and had a ticket to Rio. The cargo handlers have already been turned over to the authorities here with charges pending. “The only thing is, Pulsar, neither of the cargo handlers can describe the guy. The girls, yes. Both of them described the girls identically.” “What was the shuttle?” “Limo for hire. Driver was paid a hundred for a ten minute cruise,” Red Star told him. “I questioned the driver. He got a call from his dispatch and met the plane. His papers for the run check out, but security says that they never authorized them. The driver said that the girls were traveling under their own power, but it was like they were drunk. They were giggling and stumbling.” Pulsar leaned down over the monitor panel, resting his weight on his closed fists. “Did we ever manage an ID on the second girl, Red?” A note pad was flipped up and blocked the camera momentarily. “Lisa Anne Sheffield. Blonde. Hazel eyes. Eighteen years old.” “Lisa?” Nightwing asked. “That's Jenny's best friend.” Lost in thought, Pulsar nodded his head. “Nightwing, how well do you know the family?” “The Sheffields are old family friends.” “Make contact. See if they've been called.” Pulsar thought for a moment longer. “Something doesn't feel right. Red, what did the cargo handlers do?” “Need names?” “No. Just their actions,” he answered. Red Star scanned through his notes. “They went through the luggage, SOP. They loaded the baggage cart. They pulled out three bags. Two belonging to the Sheffield girl and one belonging to our target.” “They missed a bag. The girl's brother picked it up.” He stretched his neck. “What's your next move?' “Reconnect with Ghost. See what he's managed to find on that chopper. I'll call back in after that,” Red Star said. “Much appreciated, Red. Out.” The monitor went dark. Marlene came in with a plate stacked with three thick sandwiches and a glass of iced tea. She set those close to hand for Pulsar. “Something I can do for you, Nightwing?” Paladin asked the gray and black clad figure. “You keep staring.” “Sorry. I was just wondering if Robert Downey Junior was a good choice to portray you,” Nightwing said. Paladin shuddered like he was suppressing a laugh. “No. I'm prettier. And I'm not Iron Man. He's been around a lot longer than I have.” Jason disappeared his mask and lifted up one of the sandwiches. “That's true,” he said. “How did that story go again? You and dad found an old box of comics and after a weekend of drinking, you decided to see if it was actually possible?” Marlene started rubbing his shoulders. Sitting back in the chair he was in, Paladin said, “It was your dad's idea, Jason.” “Yeah, maybe,” Jason said around a mouthful of roast beef sandwich, “but I don't recall dad being the one that climbed in the suit.” Marlene laughed. “Your father would have needed a suit a little rounder in form.” “Jason,” Nightwing said, “I meant to say something earlier. When I talked to my mom earlier, she said that Jennifer is realizing.” He scratched above one eyebrow using his thumb. “Another piece of the puzzle?” Jason asked himself quietly. “Or is it something that is secondary to the disappearance?” “Jennifer is realizing what?” Marlene asked. “I don't get it.” “Nightwing, go call the Sheffield house and talk to someone.” Nightwing nodded his head and grabbed a sandwich off the plate when he walked by. Marlene glared at him. When Jason felt her fingers tense up, he placed one hand over one of hers. “Realization is when a mutant starts changing. Either there are physical alterations or they start manifesting power in other ways. Hellfire burned down her grandfather's barn the first time she was kissed by someone.” Marlene ran her fingers gently through Jason's hair. “Did you go through that?” “I was born realized, Marlene. Everything I can do now, I could do as an infant. I just needed to learn how,” he told her. “So,” Paladin said, “I take it you two are still in the 'honeymoon' phase of the relationship?” Marlene blushed when she answered, “Is it obvious?” “Only a little,” the armored man answered. “Did I embarrass you?” she batted her eyelashes trying for a “cute but innocent” look. Paladin laughed. “Only a little. Irish scandalized my mother when we were dating. I'll give you fair warning, though, Marlene. You do anything like that in front of the Board, they will see it as a weakness and they will eat you for lunch. “What are you going to do about Bauer?” he asked Jason. “Artie will be dealt with.” “That sounds kind of final.” “Yes,” Jason said flatly. “I trained you better than that, boy! We don't kill except as a last resort,” Paladin said hotly. Jason hung his head for a moment. Then he looked up, locking his gaze with Paladin's visual sensors. “That is what the official Union handbook says. That is one thing that was drummed into me, I'll grant, but I would also point out to you, Paladin, that another aspect of my training was carried out by someone whose only daughter is named after the director of an organization both our teams are affiliated with and your wife. The lessons Huntress taught are just as deeply ingrained as what you taught me. “If the only way that I can keep Marlene safe is to kill Rocco, then I'm sorry, but he's a dead man walking.” “Huntress gave that up a long time ago. A lot of what she did was to find a balance in herself for the harm she did before. And part of that was training you. If you murder Bauer, then I will be forced to take a hand in bringing you in.” “Well, that'll be an interesting day.” Jason took the last bite of his last sandwich when an alarm went off. The monitor showed a news report that seemed to be coming from a battle zone. One car was shown to be lying on the passenger side. From the way lights were flashing it looked like it was a police car. “This night is just never going to end,” Jason said. Paladin was reading the data that appeared on a secondary monitor. “'Thumper'? 'Thumper'?” he rubbed the back of his head with a gauntleted hand. “He doesn't happen to have a partner somewhere named 'Bambi', does he?” “Charles Turner. Low-life turned super. Story goes he was a 'forced volunteer' for the Avatar process. Whether it was Viper, Madacar or some other group, only Turner knows for sure. No partner. He's solo. Either work-for-hire or self-employed depending on options at the time,” Pulsar told him. “As for his codename, he fell victim to the first rule of supers.” Marlene was confused. “'First rule' what?” “Never let the media choose your codename,” Nightwing told her as he flew into the room. He was carrying a long narrow brown box. “This came for you.” He handed the package to Pulsar. “Turner is strong. Stronger than at least Nightwing and I. He's classed as 'mid-grade'. He isn't in Ash's or Titania's class when it comes to brute strength, but he is capable of keeping up with Lightning at a sprint. Downside is he can punch just as fast.” Pulsar opened up the box and took from it a gleaming silver staff. “Cool!” Nightwing made a grab for the staff, sending a blast into the ceiling. He looked up at the hole and dangling wiring. One light flashed on and off before finally going dark. “I'm going to pay for that, aren't I?” “Good guess.” With a crimson flash, Jason vanished the staff. He opened a small panel and lifted out an earpiece and fitted it in place. “Hook me in, Mentor.” “Connection established.” “Thank you. NYPD dispatch, this is Pulsar. What's the status of the situation with Thumper?” A female voice came through the system. “Guardians, dispatch. Officer down. Civilians have been injured. Ambulances have been dispatched. FDNY is on scene. Containment truck has been dispatched.” “Understood. Who's in charge?” he asked. “Captain Bressler is brass on scene. Captain Stone is scrambling,” dispatch answered him. He watched as a news station showed a uniformed officer taking shots at Thumper. “Dispatch, remind officers on the scene that Thumper is bullet-proof and they are endangering civilians. Guardians en-route.” Jason turned away from the monitors. “Confirmed, Pulsar. Good luck.” Paladin continued to watch the newscast. “So, what's our plan?” “I'm thinking one person goes in and tries to talk him down,” he explained. “The other two hang back until it's apparent that he's only going the hard way.” “Who's on point?” Nightwing asked. Jason shrugged. “How are your diplomacy skills?” Nightwing showed a toothy smile. “Still leading with my right.” “That eliminates you. Paladin, I want you to hold back as well. You've never fought Turner. That unfamiliarity might weigh in our favor,” Jason said. Marlene's mouth tightened. “Putting yourself in front again, Jason?” “'It's what I do, darlin'. It's what I do.'” Anger flashed in Marlene's blue eyes. “I don't like it! And stop using movie lines. I'm not Warren.” Jason locked eyes with Marlene. “You guys head to the roof. I'll catch up in a few minutes.” He took in a heavy breath. “Was that thing what you used the omnium on?” “Yes. I'm giving it to a friend. What's on your mind, Marlene?” “I don't like it. I don't like the idea of you throwing yourself in the way. You just got over the last time, and you needed help for that.” Marlene crossed her arms. Anger was apparent in the way she held herself. Jason laid his hand over Marlene's. “I am what I am, Beautiful. I do what I can. It's how I honor Sandy's memory. And I have to go or more people are going to be hurt.” He slipped his arms around her. Marlene kept her arms crossed, but she still pressed into him. Jason lifted her easily and gave her a gentle kiss. Her hands moved to slide behind him. She broke the kiss and leaned her head against him. “I don't like it. The whole idea scares me more now than it ever did before,” she said quietly. “That's because you have more invested now, Miss Palmer,” he told her just as quietly. “Stay in the tower tonight. Don't go back to the loft.” She nodded her head against his chest. “Okay.” Marlene lifted her head to smile at him. “I love you.” “Love you, too.”

Re: Little Girl Lost Paladin Knight in Shining Armor “It's just something I can do, Brad. First time I did it, it totally freaked my mother out. I had broken one of my favorite toys. I was old enough to realize how it was supposed to go. I put one part against the other and the next thing mom knew, it was fixed like it had never been cracked,” Marlene heard Jason say. She was sitting with Paladin in the common area. She had her legs drawn up under her, her shoes lying at odds on the floor under her. In her hand was a rock glass half filled with an amber liquid. On the table in front of her were the canister for and a bottle of Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Single Malt Whisky. Judging from how much was missing from the bottle; Marlene was on her second drink. Her eyes were locked on the ripples caused by her shaking. The ice clinked against the glass. “Hey! That's...” Brad was brought up short when Jason dug his fingers into the nerve cluster of Brad's upper arm. “Mine,” he said in a whisper. “Why don't you take Jenny's bag to your room or one of the guest rooms? Might want to change while you're about it,” Jason told him. Marlene watched Brad nod in agreement, and turn and go. Once Brad was gone, she set her glass down, sloshing contents over the side, and rushed across the room to Jason. She buried her face in his chest and squeezed hard. She let him go with, “I'm sorry, Jason. I didn't think.” Jason held her close. “It's okay. Honest,” he told her warmly. “In fact I hardly felt it.” Jason could feel her quivering. “I take it something didn't go well?” Marlene just shook her head. They walked slowly towards the couch where Marlene had been sitting, one arm around the other. “Hey, Jordan.” Still holding Marlene, Jason stretched his hand out to the armored man. “How's Irish?” Paladin looked up from the tablet he had been working on to shake Jason's hand. “She's good. Very good, actually. Thanks for asking about her. She has inquired about the two of you. I can tell her that I saw with my own eyes that things are good if the way you're holding Marlene is any indication.” Jason sat in the space that Marlene had left when she got up. She snuggled in closer to Jason. She couldn't stop herself from shaking. “Brad's kind of upset that you raided his bottle,” he told her with a chuckle. “...k him,” Marlene said into Jason's chest. Both men knew what she had said, even without hearing all of it. Metal-clad finger tapped on the tablet. “You've got a problem.” Jason looked at what was on the tablet. “With that?” “No. This is good. With the batteries that your company had Brightstar develop as a power source, I had the emitter re-tuned. That will up the output a few notches. I've got a charger that will work with those batteries. I'll donate that to the cause. What are you planning on using for the housing?” Paladin asked. "Omnium.” Paladin nodded his head. “That will help stabilize it.” Marlene pulled herself up to look Jason in the eye. Having something to focus on aside from what was bothering her helped. She gave him a steely glare with one eyebrow raised. “Omnium? And exactly just when were you planning on filling me in on this?” Jason gave her a kiss which she in no way returned. “Marlene, I had a length of omnium bar stock sent to the fabricators, oh, about six hours ago.” “Uh huh.” He gave her a toothy smile. “And I had it deducted from the 'personal use' account.” “Uh huh. You know how expensive that is metal is. What are you using it for?” She stretched her hand out to Paladin. “Let me see that.” He handed her the tablet. Marlene flipped through electronic pages on the tablet. Some pages took more of her attention than others as she perused them. Jason caressed Marlene's leg where it wasn't covered by her skirt. “Stop that,” she said, although she made no effort to move her leg. “So if it isn't this, then what is the problem?” Jason asked both of them. “Nova's emissary to the meeting,” Paladin said. Jason's eyes turned cold. “Oh, you have just got to be joking!” At the same time, Paladin said, “Bauer” Marlene said, “Art Rocco.” “Just because neither of us directly does business with Madacar or Nova doesn't mean they can't come to the summit meetings,” Paladin reminded Jason. Marlene handed the tablet back to Paladin and leaned back against Jason. “He made...” “He threatened you?” Jason's anger was rising. Marlene pressed her fingers against his lips. “Just wait. He said they weren't threats. They were promises, the things that are going to happen. He only said them to me, when no one else was around to hear him. It wasn't what he was saying. It was how he was saying it. Like it was just an everyday thing to him.” “He's rapidly moving to the top of my list of priorities to deal with,” Jason told her. Paladin stood up. “When I saw who he had corralled, I made sure I was nearby her for the rest of the evening.” “Thanks, Jordan. I really appreciate that.” Cocking his head, giving the impression that he might be smiling beneath his helm, he said, “You'd do the same if it had been Irish.” Jason pulled Marlene closer in his arms. “Yeah. I would. So as soon as you got here you grabbed a bottle?” he asked lightly, not wanting any of the anger he felt inside to spill over to the woman in his arms. “Go lightly on that, son. She didn't drink at all at the summit. I think she's entitled,” Paladin told Jason. “Jason,” Mentor spoke up, “Red Star is checking in. Perhaps you would prefer to change and get updated on the situation. Perhaps in the meeting room.” “Work, work, work,” Marlene grumbled. “Sorry,” he said to her. Marlene kicked her shoes under the table before standing up. She straightened her skirt before stepping away. Jason caught her hand before she escaped his reach. She wasn't shaking any longer. “Favor?” he asked. Marlene turned back to him. “What?” “I haven't had a chance to eat since lunch. Would you mind making me a sandwich or something?” he asked nicely. “I suppose,” she said. Marlene turned back, looking around Jason and then around the room. “Jason, where's your cane?” Slipping his arms around her from behind, Jason kissed her lightly behind the ear. “I don't need it,” he whispered to her. “I didn't notice earlier.” She pulled away from him and turned around. “What happened?” Her hands pulled at his sweater. “The scar is gone!” She ran her hand over his side feeling smooth skin. “Spellbinder found out what the problem was. It took her a little while, but she was able to correct it. There is one small thing, though, that you should know about before a certain loudmouth tells you something out of context.” Marlene crossed her arms and raised her eyebrow at him again. “During the fixing problem I kinda got knocked out,” he said sheepishly. “And?” Jason continued, “And when Binder was trying to wake me up, I kind of thought she was you.” “And?” Marlene's expression never wavered. “I kissed her.” Marlene had a looked between perturbation and relief. “Is that all?” she asked with a laugh. Jason blushed and added quietly, “On the inside of her thigh.” She gave him a quick look of annoyance before she started laughing again. She jumped up on him, catching him about the hips with her thighs. From her elevated position she told him, “She fixed you. If all she got out of it was a kiss on the thigh when you thought you were kissing me, she got the short end of the deal.” She leaned down and kissed him passionately. When the kiss was finished he set her gently to her feet. “About that 'short end of the deal' bit, she's getting a bit more for her efforts.” Marlene pursed her lips in thought. “Like what?” Jason rubbed the back of his neck and changed, his mask hanging loosely in his hand. “Some of her equipment got damaged. I agreed to replacements. She also wants to have dinner with us. Only other thing is she'd like a chance to go through my mother's book collection.” She smiled warmly. “Then nothing to worry me about. I'll see what there is to make you. Would you like something, Paladin?” “I'm good, Marlene. Thanks,” he replied. Jason and Paladin watched Marlene walk out the door of the common room. “You planning on marrying that girl?” His head cocked to one side. “I just might,” he said wistfully.

Adalene closed the door to her home and set the locks. She went into her study and poured herself a small glass of brandy. She gulped that down and left the glass sitting next to the bottle. “Arkayne!” she yelled. Blue light flashed through the study. When it faded a short man with white hair and beard appeared holding Angelique to his chest. “My, this girl is heavier than she looks.” “Lay her on the sofa, old man, and then let me tend her. What the hell was all that? Jason saw!” anger was apparent in Adalene's voice. The old man “harrumphed” as he laid Angelique where his hostess indicated. “Jason Scott has always been good at seeing patterns. Even if he isn't aware of what he's seeing. That is what makes him such a useful piece.” “Jason is liable to kill you, you old fool, if he finds out how much and how deep you've meddled in his life.” Adalene closed her eyes and ran her hand flat down Angelique's body from head to belly. “She's drained. Almost empty. Why did she do that?” “Because she is learning that there is more to her than just being Anton's daughter,” Arkayne told her. “Why do you think I placed her and Scott's orbits so close together?” Adalene closed her eyes and quietly muttered a spell. Her hand glowed pale blue and the light suffused Angelique's still form. After a few moments the glow faded and Spellbinder opened her eyes. She let out a tired sigh. “I've given her what I could for now. It's been a long night.” She went and poured another glass and drank it down. “I always thought you would make a good master of our order, girl,” Arkayne praised her. She slammed the glass to the shelf and rounded on Arkayne, her eyes alight with power. “Damn your 'order', old man. Too much order is just as dangerous as too much chaos. I work for the greater good!” “Mind your promise, girl,” the old man growled. “I will honor my promise, Arkayne. No one will ever know what I know about you and your games, but Jason knows enough that he saw Sandy reflected behind you. You know how that place works.” “Scott knows nothing. It was a childhood love. Nothing more.” “Then you don't know your pieces as well as you think you do. If Jason found out what part you played in either Sandy or Leah, he will kill you.” Arkayne looked down on Angelique. “It was necessary,” he said quietly. “I don't think any of the involved parties would agree with that sentiment, old man.” She turned back and poured a third, larger glass of brandy. “I'm tired. I will take care of Angelique. Get out of my house before I violate guest right.” When she turned back to the room, the old man was gone. She clamped her eyes shut tight and shook her head, spilling tears for her friend.

Re: Little Girl Lost Consciousness returned slowly to Jason. His eyes refused to open. He smelled a faint aroma of lilacs and strawberries and something else. He could tell his head was resting in a lap. He moved his hand to find something soft and yielding beneath it. His fingers moved slowly down. Ankle. His fingers slipped lower, feeling the curve of the calf. He heard Marlene giggle as his light touch tickled behind her knee. He kissed lightly the inside of her thigh. Jason said her name, “Marlene.” “Well that's damned awkward,” he heard someone say, a deeper voice, not Marlene. “Shush, Brad,” a woman also not Marlene. “Jason,” she called quietly. Her fingers ran through the hair above his ear. “Jason, time to come back.” Jason forced one eye open. A leg clad in blue nylon presented itself to his vision. Light stabbed through his open eye, jarring his awareness. “Binder?” “Easy, Jason. You're hurt.” Jason was leaning against Adalene's leg. She was bracing him so that he lay on his uninjured side. The smell of spilled blood smothered her scent of flowers and berries. He moved his hand down his own side, finding his shirt sticky with blood. Probing fingers found no open wound. Jason slowly forced himself to sit. Blood smeared his hand and he noticed bloody trails on Adalene's leg where his fingers had traveled. “What happened?” Brad helped Adalene to her feet. “What do you remember?” she asked. Jason felt like he was going to vomit everything he had eaten in the last year. He hung his head between his knees. “I was here,” his fingers rubbed his temples, “in... here, where I keep the doors to the links. Something kept me from closing the link with Angelique. You touched my shoulder. I remember you saying that you were ready.” He slowly got to his feet, lost his balance and caught himself on Adalene's workbench. He forced himself up on his feet and cast a glance around. The dragon head of his walking stick winked at him from across the floor. “The room faded. The link with Angelique, the pressure from it, that thing that kept it from closing faded.” Adalene caught his eyes with hers. “You were there. Everything spun and Angel was there with you.” Jason shook his head. “And someone else was there. I don't know who.” “What else?” Adalene pressed him. He held up a hand to her. “Give me a second.” Jason ripped his shirt rather than pull the bloody mess over his head. “Jason,” she nodded her head at his side, “there's nothing there.” “Explains why I'm so damned hungry, then.” He looked for a spot on the shirt that wasn't bloody. Between bleeding from one side and laying on the other, most of the rag was covered. “I saw Artie as he was the last time we fought. I remember seeing Sandy, but she wasn't there.” “Don't push, Jason. Let it come on its own or let it fade if it will,” Adalene said. Jason sighed. “Artie was standing over me, like he did when I was hurt. Instead of standing, I was only able to force myself to my knees. I said... something, and he vanished. I was facing Angel. The link between us was being abused. “Anton. Anton was there. Behind her. He did something to her. I felt it. She turned away and I saw her pull out her dagger. That's all I remember before...” he pointed at the floor. Adalene picked up the pieces of Jason's walking stick and brought them to him. “I didn't think that would be an option. I considered severing the link between the two of you when things got hairy.” “I told you...” Adalene held up her hand to cut Jason off. “You told me it wasn't an option. I remember. I respect that decision. I just never thought the Witch,” she glanced nervously at Jason. “I never thought that Angelique would have the strength to do what she did.” Jason fiddled with the walking stick, placing the cracked ends together. “What did she do, Binder?” Crimson surrounded Jason's hand where it wrapped around the cane. When he stopped, the cane was whole, barring where some splinters of wood were gone. Adalene gasped when she saw it. “Neat trick,” Brad said. “Addie, what did Angel do?” “She severed the link between herself and Anton. The last bit that rendered you unconscious was the rebound from that. I doubt that she's in much better shape than you are right now.” Jason felt through the link. He cocked his head to one side and then the other, as if listening for some hard-to-hear sound. “She's tired. Drained.” He lifted his phone from where it lay, held it against his chest with his forearm, and pulled a tab free that trailed a band. The band went around his arm to lock into the other side of the phone. A second followed suit. “Mentor, message Kris. 'Done'. Transmit readings to her.” “Jason?” Adalene was concerned. “Are you all right?” Jason closed his eyes. A crimson nimbus covered him. When it faded his bloody slacks and shoes were gone, replaced by clean ones. A black sweater covered his torso. “I am, or will be, Addie.” Jason caught her arm. This time she was surrounded by the glowing nimbus. For a moment she felt as if she were naked. Then the glow faded and Jason's blood was gone from her clothing. “That'll save on cleaning, I guess.” Adalene laughed. “Can you help with the floor?” Frowning, Jason said, “Sorry, Addie. The floor is a bit much to take up and put back right.” “Why all the blood?” Brad asked him. “I told you, Brad. My powers have been suppressed, ever since the island. The only thing I can assume is that once Anton's influence was removed, my body corrected what was wrong. Violently.” “May I?” Adalene held her hand out for the cane. Jason handed it to her. She began chanting. Light blue flashes twinkled about the floor like stars. Around the base of the dragon head other flashes twinkled. When Spellbinder was done, the cane was whole. She handed it back with a smile. “Yeah, but I don't get that,” Brad said, confused. “Brad, you ever break a bone as a kid?” Jason asked. “Broke my leg playing football before I realized. Why?” “Had a nice cast? Lots of people signing it? When your leg healed, where your leg healed, rather, there's a build up of calcium. A doctor can take a look at you now and say 'right there is where the break happened.' Follow me?” Jason pushed himself away from the workbench, testing his balance. Brad scratched the side of his face in thought. “Yeah. I get that part.” “My body knows how it is supposed to be. If I happen to break something, when it heals, there isn't a build up of anything. It repairs itself to exactly what it was. Why do you think Kris was so concerned over a simple scar?” A cautious step held his weight. “I didn't think about that,” Brad said introspectively. “You're not a 'thinker', Brad. You're a 'doer',” Jason told him. “Addie, is there anything else to do? Can we help clean up?” Shaking her head, Adalene answered him, “No, Jason. I'm going to have to clean this up. There are some spells that I'll have to cast to remove all traces of the blood so it won't affect anything in the future. That's another reason I don't like blood magics.” “Sorry to have bled everywhere,” Jason said sincerely. “I guess we need to go continue our search then, Brad.” Adalene escorted them to the door. Brad started to descend the steps when Adalene called out, “Brad!” He turned to see what she called him for. She was standing with her hand outstretched to him. “Aren't you forgetting something?” Brad blushed, fumbling in a pocket for the lock of his sister's hair. “Sorry,” he mumbled, handing it to her. She smiled. “That's all right, Brad. You've got a lot on your mind.” Brad turned and walked down the steps toting Jenny's suitcase. Jason hefted the large computer case and hung it off his shoulder. He caught Addie by the hand. “Thanks. For fixing this, if nothing else.” Jason blushed. “And I'm sorry about...” She favored him with a smile. “If it was just you and me, I'd say 'don't worry about it,' but with Brad having witnessed it, you might have to explain it to Marlene. Sometimes it's nice being reminded that I'm a woman. Even if I wasn't the woman you were thinking of. You better get going.” Bending over, he gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead. “Thanks, again.” He joined Brad at the bottom of the steps. “And don't forget what you promised me!” she called after them. Jason laughed. “I won't!” he called back. The trunk of the limousine popped open and Al the Driver stepped to the curb. He took the computer case from Jason and slipped into its space in the trunk. Brad handed him Jenny's suitcase. All three turned when the single spinning red light atop a car started, along with the “whoop-whoop” of a police siren. “What now?” Brad asked, his annoyance evident. Two police officers in street clothes approached the trio. One had his badge and ID strung on a lanyard hanging around his neck. The other, a woman, had her badge hanging from the breast pocket of her suit coat. Something about the woman tickled Jason's memory. “Lieutenant... Bressler?” “Bress, you know him?” the male cop asked. “I'm surprised you don't, Chavez,” she said to him. “It's 'captain' now, Mr. Scott. I received promotion last year.” “Congratulations, Captain. Is there something I can do to help you?” he asked her. “I've got patrols being informed that someone in a stretch was passing out big bills to pros. You wouldn't be soliciting for girls, Mr. Scott. Would you?” Jason's eyes narrowed. “Off the record, Captain. Just between us?” Captain Bressler met his gaze for a long moment before nodding. “Then step into my, ah, mobile office.” Al stepped around and opened the door. Jason jerked his head around to stare at an upper window of Adalene's house. “Something wrong?” Bressler asked him. “No. Just thought I heard something. Shall we?” he asked holding his hand towards the open door. They settled into the back of the limo. Al stopped Brad from joining them before he closed the door. “So let's hear it, Mr. Scott.” “First off, 'Mr. Scott' was my father. Call me 'Jason'.” “All right, Jason. You can call me 'Captain Bressler'. What's going on?” “Touché,” Jason said. “Would you like something to drink?” “I'm on duty.” “I was thinking a soda, actually.” “If you'd like I can arrest you, take you down to the station and we can have this conversation on the record.” “Captain, if you did that, you know full well that my lawyers would beat us back to the station and I'd be released before the ink was dry on the paperwork. Yes, I've been soliciting street girls, which is technically a misnomer, since some of them were men. And what I've been doing isn't much different than what the police do when they let their informants slip free from a roundup. “I paid some of them, looking for information.” He slipped her a photo of Jenny. “This girl has gone missing. We're looking for her.” “We have procedures for this,” she said. “I'm aware of that. Your procedures don't kick in for,” he pulled the sleeve of his sweater up over his watch, “about another thirty-four hours. Unless there is evidence of wrong-doing the police have a forty-eight hour heel-cooling period where just about anything can happen. All I am is a concerned party helping that guy out there find his little sister.” She gave Jason a hard glare. “Suppose I accept that explanation. Would you care to explain the assault of one of the city's upstanding citizens that allegedly occurred in the back of this car?” Jason gave her a look of annoyance. The back window of the limo lit up like a TV screen showing a black man sticking a gun into the open window of the limo. One image showed the view from the back of the car. Another image showed the man's face. What was being said was muted. The video played, showing Jason disarm the man. “Where's the gun?” she asked. Jason slid open a drawer under the seat he was sitting on. From it he pulled out a zip-lock bag holding an automatic pistol. He handed that over to Bressler. “Beretta ninety-two. Nine mil.” She looked at him with one eyebrow raised. “Can I get a copy of that video?” A port opened in the armrest beside her, showing a thumb drive. Bressler pulled it free. “Anything else I can do for you, Captain?” he asked. His tone wasn't cold, but it wasn't far removed from it. “One more thing,” she said, “Captain Stone told me you were back in town. Are you planning on staying long?” “I'm not in any hurry to go back to California right now, if that is what you are asking.” She bent forward a bit, leaning against her knees. In her hand she held up a business card between her thumb and forefinger, with her fist closed around the drive. “If you're planning on starting up your poker games again, I'd like a seat.” Jason chuckled. “I'll see what I can do.” He plucked the card from her fingers and read it. “Lauren.” She gave him something of a smile. He rapped twice on the window and Al opened the door. “Have a good night, Captain.” She exited the car and Brad slid in the vacated seat. “What was that all about?” “Community relations,” Jason answered him. “Mentor.” “Sir?” the AI responded. “Next time wait until I do something before you start showing off the hardware.” “Yes, sir. Marlene and Paladin are here waiting for you.” Jason pushed a button for the intercom. “Guardians Tower, Al.”