Avengers' Temporary HQ, Temple District

(Note: The first post takes place 24 hours following the thread entitled Some Assembly Required. Everything else in this thread takes place a while after.)

Kyle stood at the long table that the original first meeting of the Avengers had taken place at. At the moment, he was alone, save for the presence of Diana, the AI which oversaw...so many things. How one singular program could handle so many things without becoming overloaded was impressive to him, when he actually gave it a thought. The computers available to the general public, in the world he came from, couldn't handle a hundredth of the real-time processes Diana oversaw in the passage of a minute.

Projected in a three-dimensional holographic construct over the table was a map of Rhy'din. For the past couple hours he had been reviewing data from the sensor logs of Ed's audio and ultrasonic mapping network, relayed to him by Diana, whose programming had been updated to watch for more specific cues, including mention of Raven in the various manners which his agents had been heard referring to him, as well as anything that might match the sound of the dragon Pestilence's hatchlings, which had been captured by Spartan's audio sensors some nights previous. Over the past day, the AI had pinpointed several focal points for both. Some were near the marketplace, others in the Temple district, and still more in the area known as WestEnd.

Using that information, he had planned out patrol routes for those that handled the patrols both on the ground and in the air that intersected with those areas of activity, using the time and location data to allow the patrolling units to be in those areas when the level of activity was highest.

It had taken a couple hours before he was satisfied that the Avengers who were a part of this initiative would be able to be in place to either affect an efficient reconnaisance, or else mount an attack to reduce Raven's in-city forces as much as possible.

Hopefully, in the process, they would be able to locate Raven's mysterious doppelganger as wellthough tracking him down was proving to be more problematic. Ranger and the Scarlet Witch had run into the man in the waterfront area of WestEnd, but he had vanished before he could be apprehended, disappearing to who knew where.

The big man took a moment to review the planned patrols one more time before nodding to himself. "Diana, relay this information to the Avengers as is appropriate for their assignments, along with the following: patrols may be done singly or together, as they are able to arrange them to meet with everyone's personal schedules. If alone, they are to report enemy movements, and to call for assistance if they feel that attacking the forces they are watching is necessary. No one is to mount an offensive maneuver without at least two Avengers being present, or at the least without assurance that backup is on the way."

The AI's cool, sultry voice came back to him immediately. "Acknowledged, Mr. Pontius."

((Note: All characters involved with the Avengers may use this as they see fit, and may play their patrols in their own way. Have fun with it!))

"Places that will no longer be places, very soon... Unless you and yours do something this time around... Like on the docks... I'll give you a day or so, then I act."

The words carried a meaning indeed, and not the cryptic one, either.. The man meant exactly what he had said. Places that would be removed from existence one way, or another. Either way, they would not longer be places what so ever, and he would see to it personally.

Unless they acted, upon his words.

A day or so, and then he would carry out his promise.

And a promise it was indeed, because as it stood--- threats did jack and sh*t, and he had no time for either. Every moment spent waiting on the sidelines so to speak, kept him further away from his family--- his loved ones, and more so...

Being whole once more.

It also allowed the other, to grow that power base and more so, to finally enact whatever twisted measure he had in store for the city, and her people-- and their Government.

Things the man here in Rhy'din, could not allow to come to pass, no matter how many more lives he himself had to take, much likened to the other that was far away dealing with his own measures.

So it was time to finally set the wheel into motion, assemble those who would make that stand for the good of the many. It was finally time to make it know exactly what was underneath the people of the city, and more so, expose it once and for all, regardless of how it would make the man some called 'Brian' look, in the eyes of the city, it's government and more so, his own family.

Knowing he would not very well be able to stroll into the town hall, after all that had happened, he had very little choice you know. He had tried to get word to them before, and each time had been cut off. Then again, having several warrants, and bounties for murder charges will do that. So it was hardly unexpected.

So even then he had to act, while the other had taken to leaving the city.

It seemed so long ago, but in truth it had not been..

The docks... An old church converted into a warehouse, and three strangers inside, who have stumbled upon a fourth..

An axe man, a sword man, and a woman.

And someone, they seemed to know.

"Others my Lord? There was to be us only, to hold this place until your return to the city, and here you are." said the female.

"Yes, well--- you did well.. Yes, well.. So--- provisions, weapons, and what not. I assume they are--readied?"

"Of course, my Lord! As you originally requested years ago, after you arrived from Kher Ridge. Do you see how faithful we are? Even when you decimated the city, even when you had to leave and return, we did not waiver. Even through West End, and Scarred, we remained right here, holding this for you."

The axe man took a step foward.. Fingers, gripping the handle, as he did so.. And the sword man, followed... The woman remained on her knees, looking rather confused. What followed could be left to debate, unless one was actually there.. It took nearly an instant, as one fell to the ground with the dagger Raven had literally impaling his throat, the blade bursting from the back of his neck. The sword man.. Well, he lost a leg it seemed, and more so was dragged off into the shadows.. If one looked to the blood trail, they might have seen a large print.. Padded toes? Either way, Raven did not seem to have moved one bit.

The woman? She remained there, steadfast and praying it seemed.. Raven moved to her, as a knee was taken. "Who am I, child?"

"I'm sorry, my Lord! I told em you'd come back! I told em, all and they wouldn't listen! The others are ready! The depot, the temple, and works! They'll be ready I swear to you! I swear it!"

"Hassim told us, you would return! When we set out, he did! When the ranch of Charlotte was attacked, when the doll went after the vampire sister, and her husband, and when the empress was finally ended, he told us!"

"Hass--- Hassim?"

"Yes, and Henrie-- wait, why would you ask, my Lord?"

"It's been a long time, child. I am weary. Forgive me."

"Oh you need to rest! Well, we can't do it here! We still have the payload below, and have to be careful. We only come to check on it. Hassim moved our quarters, years ago. We come, and we go. We don't want to set it off, and blow this place away, do we?"

The word payload has those eyes widening. That could only mean one thing in her mind. Her stomach twisted in a knot as she continued to listen.

"Pa-- Why yes, we would not want that, would we? So Hassim did as I asked, and moved everyone.. Good, and he must have moved my articles as well. Good."

"Yes, he did. Seaforium charges, per your design. We've not the key, either. So we had to be very careful. I came up with the idea, of the church, since no one comes to them down here. They'd rather have the whore houses."

"Below no less.. Good, good. You did good---?" She looked up more so, finally. "Rayndrell, milord." He nodded, "Yes, of course."

"So where are the quarters? I need to rest, and ready myself for what is to come. We've work to do." She chimed up real quick like, "Down the block, to the west! And I have the key right here an no one is there. We have the orders there too an---"

*snap*

Before the lass could finish, her neck had been broken.. They key taken from her slumped form, as the shadows came to life once more.. A pair of blackened cats.. Big cats, easily 200+ lbs, padded up. "Sorreah, the body. Be gentle. Jean, find the place.." The smaller of the cats, took hold of the girl's robe, and dragged her off. The larger, padded into the shadows, and was no more seen.

He's been listening in silence now as the conversation continues. The depot and works the girl was talking about, the Ranger knew of...and she wouldn't have been happy to hear they had been shut down. But then, it seemed, there was more that he had missed, then what he had found. Not good. And as the girl is silenced and her body taken away, he almost moves. Almost.

Raven, lifted to his feet, collecting a pair of the ebonsteele swords he then grabbed his bag once more.

"I told them, more would die.." said as the swords were attached to the bag once more. "Seaforium.. Unstable f*cks.."

The warheads could be handled, probably easier than the Pakistani nukes. But were they the only ones in the city? And what was Seaforium? It was only out of discipline that kept her from moving. That and the knowledge that this was not the Raven they had been dealing with. She was near certain of it now.

Suddenly, he was joined by the larger of the two cats once more. A low growl offered, and a nuzzle of hand. "Is that so? Get your sister, and let's go. We still have others to find, and get rid of. No more loose ends."

He's come to the same conclusion. But he's not sure of this man's intentions, either, and while he doesn't fear for himself, he's not going to start a brawl to find out. Instead, he moves - invisibly - towards the door he'd come in by, halting near it to wait.

Taking to a knee, he reached into the bag once more.. A bottle, rag and lighter were pulled. "Time to get the peoples attention." That said, a Molotov was lit, and hurled out a side window, shattering on a far wall of the alley, as trash underneath caught damned quickly.. Hungered flames reached upwards, as people could be heard crying out. And out he went through an opposite window, the cats and gear in tow.

She was not in the mood to get into a fight she could not win. She readied the math to allow her to take to the skies once again. There was a frown at that maneuver. Follow or put out the flames. She could do one or the other, but not both.

What followed was mass chaos on many levels.. In the end, the crisis had been averted with the help of Avenger members, Spartan and Wanda.. And the timely arrival of Andu as well, which assisted a great deal more than even the minotaur would ever know.

The payload had been seized, the bodies recovered.. And save the fire which assisted in the man's escape, the damage had been quite minimal..

Emotionally that was not the case, as another incident had occurred during his escape, but for the here and now that was set aside, and for good reason.

Back to the present, shall we?

The envelope given to the witch.

Places, it listed.. Locals for each, and specifics..

The Temple District, nestled just west of the RTS building and south west of the watch house. East of the Library and slightly north of the Temple of Divine Light, there lay a very low key, orphanage. Seemingly new, yet the building itself is old, and was a warehouse at one time.

Dig deeper, and use caution.

Between the Rhy'din Orphanage, and RTS Shelter. Along the south wall of the city, just outside the third watch tower of the wall, an old warehouse. Abandoned, and yet gated. Look for the feather, on the gate signage and try not to use fire, so much in there.


West End, between the Boar's Nest, and Watch House. Southern road, north side. Just behind the building on the road side, gray warehouse. Payload, use caution. A good chance for collateral damage.

Market Place District, north west corner, directly. Three buildings against the north wall, stemming from the corner tower. Heavily guarded. Caution on the wall, itself.

"Remember the docks, and be careful. I am giving you this, because I know I can't do this alone, and I've no intention of turning myself in, until this is finished. Every moment wasted brings him closer to this city despite those who are fighting him out there. He isn't stupid, but we can cut him off this way, and slow him. I'll be watching."

He knew they would act, as they had no other choice. It seems none of them had a choice anymore, regardless of how any of them felt.

It was time..


Special thanks to Wanda, Ranger and Andu for this live play, that stems from a while ago. The whole scene will be posted on a new 'In the mean time, and in between time' thread for this SL, thanks!

She had been in the middle of a pretty intensive workout through the obstacle course of an apartment she called ?home? at Toujours le Vert. The place was littered with wooden targets, walls and hurtles of varying sizes and shapes, punching bags hung in strategic locations however at the moment she was using every available muscle within her lithe frame to propel herself between the ropes that were suspended from the vaulted ceilings. The corded muscles of her entire body stretched the skin as they bulged underneath the surface as she flipped around. Her acrobatic movements propelled her from rope to rope in what an onlooker would view as effortless as some of them were grabbed with her hands while others with her powerful legs. Twisting and moving high above the floor of her apartment with snakelike ease. It was during one of these particularly difficult moves that she heard the faint sound of the Avengers insignia card going off. Even when her mind was focused on what she was doing, her senses were always alert to what else was happening around her. Being genetically enhanced came in handy.

When that slight noise broke her focus, her legs had a vice gripped lock on one rope as her upper body was arched and a hand had grasped the next. She glanced down at the insignia card that had been left on the coffee table, the one and only actual piece of normal furniture in the place save for the small couch and her bed in the back bedroom. Releasing her legs grip on one of the ropes, she swung close enough to grab another rope with her free hand and in one fluid motion flipped her body up perpendicularly with her feet pointed towards the ceiling, holding herself there for only a second before continuing around and releasing her grip on the ropes. As she dropped toward the ground, one final well timed tuck and flip of her body slowed the descent by a fraction, landing in a catlike crouched position next to the coffee table, the sound of her touching down was barely audible even if someone had been standing right next to her chosen landing spot. Reaching over the table, she grabbed a small towel that had been flung on the small couch carelessly before she had started her work out and wiped at the very sweaty brow as she glanced down at the flashing card.

The card was slid off of the glass topped table and brought up for closer inspection. Streams of data were lining the communication device as it relayed the call for help. She was scanning and processing the information as quickly as it was being sent to her but more she read, the more she realized the urgency in the call. She set the card back down on the table top and looked up towards the ceiling where she herself had just been seconds ago, ?Diana, I need to ?freshen? up a bit, could you give me the full lowdown of what has been happening in Marfa?s Abbey and just what I?m going to be dealing with once I?m there? I want to make sure I bring the appropriate ?toys?.? A smirk curled her lips as she began to run through the images of the inventory of blades she possessed, her particular brand of ?toy?.

?Of course, Miss Julianna. Currently, Spartan is at Marfa?s Abbey trying to help stop or cripple Ravenlock?s forces?? as the A.I. spoke she was already stripping off the sweaty clothes and heading into the shower, diligently listening and processing each piece of information she was being given. The voice of the A.I. continued even as the water began to hiss and the curtain was scraped closed behind her. The steam billowed out over the top of the shower as JaX continued to listen.

??it would seem the dragon Pestilence and many of her spawn are now swarming the area amongst the other forces Ravenlock has called upon, and the are currently threatening to overwhelming the attacking forces.?

This got her attention, ?Ah, there are dragons in this equation now are there??

?Yes. You are to report to the Avengers Headquarters where you, Zulu and Nails will be flown to the location. Given the chaos of the situation at the moment, there will not be an opportunity to land the aircraft to deploy you. There will be provisions aboard to ensure you reach the ground safely.?

Having made quick work of cleaning up, the shower was shut off quickly and the curtain pulled open and a towel grabbed as she made her way out of the bathroom and back to her bedroom. The knowledge that she was going to be essentially jumping out of the aircraft definitely lightened her mood. ?Let Zulu know I am on my way.?

?Yes, Miss Julianna.?

As she opened up the doors to her closet and stepped in, she selected something to wear that would be easy to move around in, then to a specialized section in the back of the closet that she had installed just for her particular needs. It had a keypad lock and was encased in steel. Once the correct combination of numbers was entered, the doors slid apart. Within was her massive collection of blades of all shapes and sizes. The smirk slid into a grin, ?Now to pick just the right accessories a girl needs on such an exciting venture.?