Aberrant: In the Beginning - Katalyst

[Katalyst]

Eagle Base, Tuzla Main, Bosnia

0500

A quiet and well-conducted sergeant rose early, preparing himself for another day in war torn country of Bosnia. King look over his gear and carefully began his normal morning process of checking and rechecking everything. Alone with his thoughts, his mind wonders as what the future may hold for him in the coming months. His squad had done it’s job here very well, and soon they were to redeploy back to Germany for some well deserved time off.

For King though something troubled him this chilly morning. It was as his instincts were screaming at him that something bad was on the horizon. He knew that for this next mission his troops were trained and ready to go, but King still felt that he had missed something. “Gotta stop worrying so much,” he says to himself. “One last mission is all we got left, can’t let these jitters distract me.” As he spoke the words in his head, he still felt that something was missing. King knew that he was one of the best in his platoon, but he felt that he was still not the best he could be. That translated him into putting himself and his squad on the more dangerous mission that the other squads hesitated to take. It had caused some tension with the other members of his platoon, but his results had made that somewhat ease.

His platoon sergeant laid out the detail of his last mission in country only several hours ago. He is orders were to check out a suspected mass grave site that some locals had tipped off to the Command, replayed it’s self over again, and King went to wake his troops he had one last thought “Easiest stuff we’ve done yet, nothing can go wrong with this one.”

[Titan]

When King and his men were assembled in the back of the transport trucks and HMMWVs, the NATO company commander addressed the platoon. This was not usual. Something odd was going on.

"Good morning, gentlemen," he announced, "I trust you are up for one more go?" He looked around at the faces of the men, and nodded at what he saw.

"Good. Last night, the 105th intercepted a group of nationals, and took a diary off of one of the combatatants." He paused, and allowed the murmur from the troops to subside, then continued, "G2 has just finished translating it, and it looks very bad."

He was handed a file folder by an aide-de-camp, and read from it.

"According to the text, the diary was probably taken off of a Croat prisoner at a camp called Omarska, near Prijedor. The diary tells of a hell that I hesitate to describe. Hundreds of Muslims and Croats living in an area built for about thirty people." He paused, to allow this to sink in.

"Not enough food, not enough water, incredible amounts of physical labor. Every day, men and women who fail to rise in the morning, dragged out and piled in a pit. Prisoners used to fill the pit with lime and dirt. Eventually the diary ends with pleadings to God to save him."

He handed the folder back to the aide, who handed back another folder, this one blue and stamped "SECRET" He glanced through the folder, then addressed the troops again.

"Satellite imagery has revealed that this camp is still in operation. It is also suspected that the camp is under the control of Miroslav Kvocka and his liutenant, Mladen Radic. As you should be aware, if you have been following the daily briefing, these men are war criminals, wanted by the UN in conjunction with the slaughter at Vukovar."

Two corporals passed recognition booklets up to the back of the trucks, and in the windows of the HMMWVs. The booklets contained a small map of the area surrounding Prijedor, and pictures of Kvocka and Radic. As they passed them out, the Company Commander continued.

"We anticipate between ten and twenty troops under Kvocka's command. They should be lightly armed, and will offer minimal resistance to an overwhelming force."

He eyed every member of the strike team. His face became grim, and his tone was grave.

"Nevertheless, we will do this one by the numbers. Good luck, men, we'll see you in Berlin tomorrow at 1300."

The trucks pulled away into convoy formation, with the HMMWVs flanking the convoy.

[Katalyst]

As soon as the CO spoke King's earlier feeling of misgivings popped right back in his head. His face a mask of indifference, but underneath a quite rage was building. “Goddamit” he swore under his breath as the details were read to him and his men. “I knew something like this was bound to happen. Can't think for one second that we were gonna get out of here so easy."

As the Nato commander continues with the mission brief King’s begins feeling pity and sorrow for the innocent people living in that camp, Especially, the kids. It just made him sick to his stomach, and all the more pissed off. One of his soldiers lean over and whisper’s in his ear, “Hey sarge finally some real action for a change.” A stern look quickly quiet’s the young soldier. A mummur of "geez" and the soldier and King turns thier attention back to the CO

As the Co finishes his brief, King once again looks at his troops. The excitement coming from them is almost over powering. King calls over to his buddy Smith, “Hey bro you getting a bad feeling about this like I am?” “No way” is Smith’s replied. “This couldn’t have come at a better time for us, a chance to fuck some bad guys up, instead of this bullshit “peacekeeping” shit we’ve been doing. C’mon sarge there’s nothing to worry about.” Smith’s words though filled with optimism still can’t shake his bad feelings. “I guess your right Smith, just make sure that everyone get’s a good look at booklets, we’ve got a long flight to Berlin.”

,,

[Titan]

After King had familiarized himself with the recogniton booklet, and convinced himself that he would recognize Kvocka or Radic at a glance or find his way around Prijedor blindfolded, he leaned back and took advantage of the long ride to catch a cat nap. One thing he had learned in the military, never pass up a chance to eat, sleep, or shit, because you never knew when you would get the chance again. He dozed.

He dreamed, and in his dream he was swimming in the ocean. Some of his buddies, and some girls were on the beach laughing and cheering him on. At first, he was having fun, but after a while, the undertow had him, and he kept being pulled under. Everytime he would surface, he would gasp in air and try to call for help. His friends just laughed and clapped. And he was losing strength. Desparate, he broke water and tried to scream, but he was pulled under again. He lost track of where the surface was. He struggled to find the air, but it wasn't there. His lungs burned for oxygen. Where was it? Underwater, he cried out. His lungs reflexively inhaled. The saltwater burned its way down his throat. He was drowning.

King jerked awake. Still rolling down the road in a convoy, headed to Omarska death camp. He took a shaky breath and rejoiced at the oxygen that filled his lungs. He checked his chronometer. 12:17:31

"Hey, Sarge, back to the land of the living, huh?" One of his men gave him a hard time, "Having a bad dream? You were whimpering pretty hard."

The men laughed. They sounded eerily like the friends in his dream. King smiled.

"Listen up, Johnson, cause you might learn something. In my dream, I had your momma bent over-"

The sky exploded. It was blinding, even in the daylight. When Kings eyes adjusted, a fraction of a second later, he saw a ring of blue fire spreading outward towards the horizon, like ripples in a pond. The sky behind its path was white for a moment, before resuming the normal blue of sky.

The lieutenant was on the comm. His voice sounded faint in the wake of the explosion.

"NBC! NBC! We have detonation of...possibly..a possible tactical nuke. Command, please advise!"

[Katalyst]

"Everyone get your masks on!" cried King. An NBC attack was one of the few things that scared him to death in this Army business.

Quickly donning his mask he turns to the Lt who has complete frozen. He tries calling out to the LT, "Sir, sir, snap out of it!" His Lt looks back at him, and nods back in acknowledgement. The radio traffic is alive with chatter, as all nearby units are calling in the "explosion".

That feeling of dread he had before was now staring him right in front of his face. They couldn't go forward with the mission, not now with the chance of them being hit with radianation.

"Driver, Get the truck turned around now!" screamed King. Panicing the driver oversterred the vechile and before he could correct the trail vechicle slammed into the passenger side of the truck, pinning him in to his chest.

[Titan]

He lay trapped in the transport truck. Sweat beaded on his forehead and ran into his eyes. Some of it wasn't sweat. He was positive he had a bad head injury. His skull was probably shattered. He felt okay, though. He knew that was not a good sign, but despite his headwound, he felt normal.

He reached up and pulled the strap off of him. He felt it give up by his shoulder. He pushed at the caved in door. It went away. He grabbed the driver by the arm, and pulled him out of the cab of the truck. He looked around. The rest of the convoy was coming still. They moved very, very slowly. Still, it didn't seem like they were going to stop. In a very disconnected way, he decided to move the truck.

He pushed it to one side of the road, then pushed the other truck to the other side of the road. He leapt to the back of the truck he had been in. Peering into the back, the men seemed fine, though still with shock. He leapt to the back of the other truck. Those men were ok, too.

The approaching convoy was braking now. Ever so slowly, they screeched through the gap between the two trucks. He reached out and stopped the second one from hitting the one in front of it.

The pain in his head made his teeth ache, his neck pulsed with fire. He staggered in between the two now-stopped transport trucks. He heard the HMMWVs approaching. He fell to his knees, then collapsed to a prone position. He dreamt.

[Katalyst]

His dream was similar to the one he had earlier. He was back on the beach, walking towards where his buddies and the girls were partying. When he got up to the party nobody seemed to look at him, it was like he wasn't there.

Frowning he walked towards the water where to his surprise the only thing he saw was his footsteps in the sand. He shook it off and jumped into the clear blue water and slowly swam out. He had gotten maybe 50 meters out when he saw someone failing about as if drowning.

He hurriedly swam towards the person with an unknown quickness, to find the the person drowning was himself. His other self grabbed him and pulled him under the water. King struggled to free himself from his "other self" but it was to no avail. His double pulled him deeper and deeper. Kings cry's of help drew only salt water, but strangely he found that he could breath as if he was on land. Looking down at his double, he saw that the face had changed into someone he didn't recognize it. A look of expectation showed thru the water, as a eerie voice spoke to him. "This is your chance to free yourself, or continue your mundane life."

The words stung King to the heart, he wasn't go to let himself quit. He reached out and grasped the double's hands and with pure brute strength ripped them from his legs, freeing himself. He rose to the surface quickly, and with a renewed sense of purpose.

A he broke the surface, he found himself once again on the beach his buddies all cheering him on. He saw his double in the distance a smile on it's face. A quick nod was given before disappearing into the sun. A sudden peace of mind went thru Kings mind as the figure faded away.

[Titan]

King awoke slowly, and opened his eyes. He lay in a field. About 150 feet in front of him, he saw a Quonset Hut, and a shed next to the hut. He rose slowly, and looked around him. Behind him, freshly turned earth formed a sqare 50 feet across. He looked back at the Quonset Hut, and saw some activity. The Nato troops were coming around the makeshift building.

They approached him slowly, awe on their faces.

[Katalyst]

He glanced about, looking around at his surroundings completely mistified about where he was. He felt his head to check to see if was still bleeding, but his hands came back with no blood on them. His last memory was of him passing out, and now he was god's know where.

As the men got closer they noticed a look of confusion on King’s face. Their voices quieted down, waiting for him to speak it seemed. "Where am I, and what happened here?" he ask the group of approaching soldiers.

The lead soldier shakes his head. "It was unbelievable! You took the whole camp out by yourself, like out of some Rambo moive. You mean to tell me you don't remember?" King can only shake his head. Looking down at his hands, the blood mixed with dirt triggers a flash back of previous events. King blocks out the continuing praises as the hazy memory of what happened starts to come back.

It's like all hell breaks loose. Literally, all hell breaks loose," he remembers. "There was enemy located in three different positions around the camp. I made my to the first position and quickly took out the two guards with a quick strike, leaving their bodies in a crumpled mess. I didn't even stop to think that before they had even hit the ground they were dead. I picked up a pistol and loosed a barrage of bullets, shredding the guards in the two other positions with an uncanny accuracy. Four more down, only three more left.

At the sounds of gunfire the remaining enemy soldiers move from the main complex, leaving the prisoner's area unguarded. There, standing with his bodyguards, fought a hulking figure, muscles flexing his brow flashing in the sun. He cursed and I knew it could only be one voice.

He was spotted and the enemy began firing in his direction. Ducking for cover, he felt his body draw on a reserve of energy that he had never felt before. "You're mine!" King yelled, expelling the last of his ordnance, taking down the last two body guards.

Radic continued to fire but never would King divert from the target. Dropping the useless weapon, he unlatched his belt, and his blade flashed like a thunderbolt. The gunfire ceased and when King looked he saw Radic their standing with a wide, broken-toothed smile, waving King upward.

King grinned and raised the knife. "Onward!" he laughed, and without hesitation, he leapt. Radic raised his weapon in an attempt to fire, fate, however, intervened, and it jammed. Kings impact resounded like a sonic-boom, and they clasped together in a death-grip, rolling and tumbling into a shallow bunker. Colliding with a wall, King felt his enemy's breath expel itself in a quick, painful gasp. Another surge of energy allowed him to take the advantage, and he wrapped the crook of his arm about the man's neck. In one swift moment the knife became embedded within his jugular blood splattering everywhere. King stood watching the final death throes of Radic. At last the final battle fell silent.

Thus, bare-fisted, and covered head-to-toe in the crimson of other the man, he made his way to the remaining villagers that were still alive. Words that he could only think were of thanks escaped the lips of the remaining villagers. A sad, and sorrowful look came upon King's face as he saw the bodies of those he had failed to save.

Which had then led to him digging the grave he now was standing by.

[Titan]

As this memory settled into his brain, King was startled to hear the sound of an approaching helicopter. He and his men scanned the sky until it was spotted. One of the men pointed.

"It's NATO!"

As the chopper landed, a middle-aged Colonel and a young Chinese civilian in slacks and an open shirt, exited. They approached him bent at the waist, for stability. The Colonel stopped two paces away. King quickly saluted him.

The Colonel smartly returned the salute. He spoke.

"Sergeant King, you are relieved. I order you to go on a fourteen day leave. Dr. Go here will escort you to a safe house in London, and give you a full physical. You will give him your full cooperation. You will rendezvous with your platoon in Berlin at 1800 hours on 7 April. Dismissed."

The young Asian smiled at King, gestured to the copter.

"This way, Sergeant, if you please."

[Katalyst]

"Hooah, Sir" he replies as he gives the Colonel another slaute. Inward King is thinknig, "London, what the hell is in London?"

"Hold on a sec Dcc, gotta talk to somebody real quick." King finds Smith in the crowd of soldiers that were still hanging around. "Hey man I'll be back in a couple of weeks; you keep everyone in line till I get back okay?" Smith nods. "You got it JK. Everyone here will be waiting to see you when you get back from wherever and you've got to fill us in on what the hell happened. You better get moving, JK, seems like your company is calling you."

King gives a quick wave and heads to the copter, with the Doc following impatiently behind him.

The new orders were a surprise to be sure, but King wasn't gonna question them. It had all ready been one hell of a day, and the headache the he felt coming would only get worse if he got into it with the Col. "Oh well, haven't been to London, so maybe this trip won't be so bad."

The Huey lifted off and while airborne King tried to get the Doc to tell him what was going on, but had little success other than it was just gonna be a routine physical. A short bit later they landed again in Eagle Base, where a C-5 was waiting for them. That flight took them to Rhein-Main in Frankfurt, Germany where he was giving a change of clothes, and ticket to Heathrow, London. During the trip King noticed two things that he found unusual. One he was neither tired nor hungry from the days events, and two his head hadn’t stopped pounding even though he had taken more than what was recommended. He figured he’d say something to the Doc, but decided it just had to be stress, beside it wasn’t worth waking the Doc for something that should pass in a little bit.

[Titan]

When they started the approach to Heathrow, Dr. Go awoke. He stretched, put on his seatbelt, and looked at King. His brow wrinkled in concern.

"The headache. Still with you, is it?"

"Yeah," King responded.

The doctor leaned over so that he could reach into his pocket. He withdrew two small pill bottles. He looked at them, and chose one. He offered it to King.

"It is called adrenocillin. It may help you, it may not. It won't hurt you, however."

The plane landed. Dr. Go grabbed a duffel bag from the racks behind them, and they disembarked. A black car waited for them on the tarmac. As they drove, Dr. Go made a call on his cell phone. Although he spoke quietly, King easily made out what was said.

"Yes, we are leaving now... no, not yet... Henri, I haven't found it necessary... 100mgs of the adrenocillin... about 20 minutes...ok....ok, goodbye." Dr. Go turned to King.

"That was Dr. Mazarin, from the WHO facility. He is eager to meet you. He asked me to prepare you to meet others who have had a similar experience. We must postpone your examination until later today. It seems that we will be just in time for a luncheon, welcoming you and the others."

The driver left the highway and drove along a country road.

"we have a few moments before we arrive," Dr Go said, "If you have any questions..."

[Katalyst]

King took the pill without question. After all with all the dfferent shot's he had gotten in the Army, it wasn't really much of a big deal for him to take a new drug. Hell he was a doctor so it had to be safe.

As they drove, King started to feel better, seems like the pill worked. "Good don't need to be feeling like shit if I'm going to be meeting anybody else."

"I do got some questions for you Doc. First thanks for that pill I think it did the trick. Now you can tell what the heck this "WHO" facility is and second does what happened with that explosion the other day have anything to do with what happened to me? And you mean to tell me their are others that had something happen to them as well?"

[Mr Fox]

Dr. Go nodded, "That's quite a lot to answer really, but let me first say that the World Health Organization is dedicated to helping the peoples of the world in times of crisis. In it's own way this is a time of crisis, though not one of the traumatic ones like a tsunami or a plague. I think you will find this facility the most luxurious you've ever visited. It is run by the Aeon Society and they have volunteered their palatial mansion for the duration of this situation. This facility was specifically set up to examine you and those like you who have shown unusual reactions." The doctor smiled distractedly and continued, "I see the question in your face, reacted to what? You were right in surmising that this had to do with the explosion of the Galatea. Or at least it is our belief that he radiation that was dispersed into the atmosphere has cause very odd reactions in some individuals. And let me hasten to assure you that we know of no one who has died from this, nor do we believe it to be in any way life threatening. Also, though I alluded to 'others', let me make it plain that this is a very very rare phenomenon, and while there have been a few cases, there are only a handful in the world right now and they are converging on the WHO's London facility as we speak."

[Titan]

This story will continue in the 'Prelude: Æon- Breath on the Waters' Thread...

[Titan]

Continued from the 'Fiat Lux!' thread...

The C-130 makes a relatively short hop to Berlin. Jay disembarks, only to be met on the tarmac by the same Colonel that sent him on leave. His nametag says 'Lusby'.

"Welcome back, Staff Sergeant King," the Colonel barks.

The Army does not make mistakes, so King must have been promoted sometime in the last two weeks.

"With me, Staff Sergeant." The Colonel turns and stalks away.

[Katalyst]

"Sir, yes sir." he replies a bit puzzled. That's rather strange. Go on leave and come back promoted. Somethings up. King follows the Col, being sure to move to his left side as they make their way towards the Col awaiting vehicle "Col. Lusby sir, could you tell me why your here picking me up? I was expecting to see someone from my unit instead."

,,

[Titan]

Colonel Lusby chuckles.

"I am from your unit, strictly speaking. As long as you are talking about the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division. I am the X.O. of the 2nd. And I am here 'picking you up', because you are going T.A.D. Stateside. Word from FORSCOM is that you are to report to Fort McPherson for re-designation, and re-deployment. In here."

He leads you into a Quonset hut off of the main airfield. At the door, two Corporals in dress snap to attention. The Colonel leisurely flings a salute at them, and enters.

Inside, he goes to a table and picks something up. He turns to you.

"Staff Sergeant Jay King, Aten-hut! Normally, this would require much to-do and ruffles and flourishes and all that, but we are pressed for time. Therefore, it gives me great honor and pride to award you with the Bronze Star for Valor, for your actions at the Omarska camp. I'm sure there will be a ceremony at some future time, but you need to be wearing it when you go before the General. Oh, and before I forget, here are your new rank tabs and patches."

While you are still assimilating this information, he presents you with a clipboard and pen.

"Also, just as a formality, we need to reaffirm your commitment to the U.S. Army. You will see this is a standard re-up form, but the term of duty is the remaining two years, eight months of your existing commitment. Initial here, and here, and again here, and sign at the bottom, and on page three, please."

[Katalyst]

Jay takes the clipboard and gives the papers a quick read. His mind is a mix of shock, awe, and happiness. Col Lusby answer's to King's questions totally have his brain swirling, and the Bronze star presentation only made King's heart swell with pride. Damm what do I say to that! Two more years ani't that bad. He takes the pen and scribbles his intials and signature in all the right spots.

Handing the clipboard back the to Col Lusby, King renders a sharp salute. "Thank you sir. Dropping his salute to shake Col Lubsy hand he smiles. "This is all a bit sudden sir, but you can count on me to "Be All I Can Be. I hope that I don't disappoint."

"One more thing Sir, any chance I can see my buddies before I move out?"

[Titan]

Colonel Lusby looks at his watch. He grunts to himself.

"Alright son, it's 12:26. Your flight leaves at 13:30, and I mean AT 13:30 on the nose. You miss movement, and it's not just your ass in a crack, it's mine. I understand you move pretty fast when you want to, so hustle."

[Katalyst]

"Thanks sir, I'll be here in time don't worry." Damm! I'm fast but not quite that fast. Let me try calling Smith to see if he can meet me halfway.

Dialing his company's number while jogging off towards the food court, he actually manages to reach Smith. "Hey bud, it's King. Can you meet me at the food court like right now? I'm in country for about another hour and I wanted to tell you some stuff before I head out again." Smith replies with a quick "Sure thing man, I'll be their in about 10 mics."

1245

Smith arrives a little ahead of King and spots him running up to the table area. He has a look of confusion and anticipation. "Hey man what's going on? What and where the hell have you been the last two weeks, and jesus is that what I think it is?"

He must be taking about the Bronze star. "Yeah it is man, just got it for that stuff I did out in Omarska, but I'm not here to talk about that though."

Motioning to Smith he heads to an area where nobody can over here their conversation. “Look man, somehow when that satellite blew the radiation or whatever, caused my brain to erupt is how the doc’s said. I found that I’ve got these powers now, and I was in London with others that have powers to. Hell just a few days ago, I swam the English channel in like 3 hours and some change.” He relates the last few hours to Smith who is s taken aback upon hearing King’s story. “Whoa man that’s some serious shit! I mean we’ve seen some of the news about these “New People”, but to actually know one. Fuckin’ a! So why are you telling me these things for?”

King smiles before continuing “Well, I wanted to see how you and the others were doing. Didn’t want you to think that I ran out on you, and the boys! I think that I might be heading for a special assignment and if I need some guys, I want you there with me. Here’s my number, in case you want to call me later. Now I’ve got to head back, I’ll try and get a hold of you when I get back stateside.” Smith takes the number completely flabbergasted but the turn of events. He manages to mumble out a “Um okay” as King takes back off towards the flight line.

1320

Whew made back with a few minutes to spare. He heads towards the Col whom he spots looking around a bit anxious. He laughs to himself as he speaks, “Hey sir, told you I’d make it back in time. You ready or what?”

[Titan]

The Colonel chuckled.

"Yes, son. The plane is ready for takeoff. I'm not sure you move quite as fast as I had been told. Still, good enough."

He walks Jay onto the flight deck and towards the waiting Boeing 777.

"Hope you don't mind commercial aircraft, soldier," Lusby commented, "We chartered it especially for you and one other. The Marines had a Novus in Okinawa, and he's being redeployed Stateside as well. You'll meet Lieutenant Magruder on board. Good luck, soldier." Against tradition, the Colonel took a step back, snapped to attention, and saluted King.

On board the massive plane, King found a young 2nd Lieutenant flipping through a Maxim magazine. He was leaned way forward, probably necessary because of the easily four foot long insects wings folded against his back. He noticed King, and jumped up.

"Hey! Danny Magruder. Wild, huh? Can you fly? I can fly. Have you thought of any code names yet? I'm thinking, 'Buzzkill', but I'm not married to it or anything. Hey, what's your name?"

[Katalyst]

"Hello Sir" he says shaking the hand thrust at him. "Um no, I can't fly, though I've already met a few other who could. But I'll say this though you got them beat on style points, geez those things really work?"

Geez he's acting like a kid in a candy store, and what's this "Buzzkill stuff he's yapping about?

Shaking his head "No I don't got a "codename" either. I hadn't really had much time to sit down and think of one yet. I've quite busy learning to understand the changes that I've been going thru. I can cover my self in a field of engery, and shoot out that same kind of engery into foucused blasts. I'm super strong to boot as well."

Taking a seat next to the Lt, he asks "So other than fly what can you do? Maybe we can come up with a code name that fit's the both of us, hell we got a few hours to kill."

[Titan]

Lt. Magruder continues to bubble over with excitement.

,,

"Hey, forget that 'sir' business for a minute. I saw you on T.V., at that W.H.O. place. They said we're different, right? More than human? So, we're together in this, I figure. These? Yah, they work."

He vibrates them once. They emit a loud buzzing sound.

"Hah! I can shoot energy too, I'm gonna call it my 'Stinger' attack. Did you ever read comics? I never really did, not like some of the guys I went to school with, but we're like that, I figure. Powers? I can grow to twice my size, and... well, I've got one more power, but it's really weird."

He holds out a hand shyly. The skin of his palm seems to draw together into a lump. Suddenly the lump 'pops', and a large wasp flies away from it. The lieutenant grins at the wasp as it flies around the cabin.

"I can control it," he whispers. The wasp flies back to the men, and lands on Lt. Magruder's cheek. It quickly melts into his skin, leaving no blemish behind.

He sees the look on Jay's face, and smiles broadly.

"That's nothing. I can make hundreds of 'em. Maybe thousands."

[Katalyst]

"Wow that is very weird, that tops anything I saw over at the W.H.O place" King shockling says. And here I thought that with all I've seen over in London nothing would surprise me, holy shit!

"So yeah are those like real wasps? And you can make thousnads of those suckers to? Man I hope someone doesn't piss you off, cause that would be one hella of thing to unleash on someone! Those boys over at the W.H.O would have loved to see how you manage to do that."

King takes a mooment to think before going on. "I was a big fan of comics before I left home for the Army, had a lot of X-men stuff. I have plenty of dreams as a kid on wanting to have my own powers. Never would I have thought it could really happen."

"So you know anthing else about what's going on?"

[Titan]

The Captain calls for seat belts, and the stewardess asks the gentlemen to buckle up. They are pressed back in their seats for a moment as the plane gets up to speed, then they are in the air over Germany. The stewardess returns with drinks. Magruder, predictably, orders a 'Stinger'

"Where were we?" he asks, "Oh, yeah. The wasps are real, as far as I can tell. But, they are also me, if that makes any sense. As for anything else, not really. I only know what is on the news, unfortunately. Did you hear about Godzilla attacking Tokyo? I wasn't there, but I had a friend who was, and he said..."

[Katalyst]

"Godzilla huh, no didn't hear about that one, that has to been some story in itself." King listens to the rest of the LT story as their carries on.

King and Magruder contiune to make small talk during the flight. King relays to him some of the training that he underwent, and what some of the other people he met their had for powers. He made sure to tell him all about the german chick Sascha. Magruder got quite a laugh when King told him about what Juno and her went thru.

[Titan]

Near as Jay can piece together later, they were over the Bay of Biscay when it happened.

Lt. Magruder was helping himself to another tray of sushi, and speculating on what awaited them Stateside.

"Way I figure it, this isn't FORSCOM, it's gotta be Joint Chiefs. The Pentagon. Cause, I'm not Army, and I don't report to FORSCOM. I'm actually supposed to report to CINCLANT, in Norfolk. I think it's gotta be-"

An earth-shattering BOOM! shook the plane, knocking Jay out of his seat and into the aisle. Facing the rear of the plane, he could see the 10 foot diameter hole in the side of the plane. Even as he realized this, the differential in pressure began to suck him towards the hole.

[Katalyst]

What the!!! Jay managed to make it to his feet, struggling to keep from being pulled out of the plane. Oxygen masks deployed all over the plane, out of instint he went to grab one, before he realized that he didn't need it. The plane was quickly becoming a complete wreck, trash and all manners of loose items were flying towards the hole.

King managed to keep himself from flying out only by the grace of his super strength. He spotted the LT who was also barely hanging on, "Hold on LT, I'm going to try something" he yells over the roar of the wind.

Slowly moving himself towards the hole Jay burrows his forehead in an intense concentration. "Okay feel the engery build up, then try to project it to cover the hole, you can do this man, you've got to!"

[power maxing FF to simulate the wall extra to use it to cover hole in the plane.]

[Titan]

[1pt of Will power spent, 5 qp spent (3 for quantum. 2 to activate the FF) Roll of Quantum (3)= 9,2,3. Adding an Extra to a power requires 2 successes.]

Jay channelled the energy he had built up outside of the area of his body for the first time. A 'force wall' of shimmering silver energy covered the hole in the side of the plane. Immediately, the swirling papers and sucking sound ceased. Jay quickly sensed that he would not be able to hold the wall for long.

"NICE!" Magruder shouted from first class.

Jay opened his mouth to warn him that it wouldn't last, when the wall of force flickered, then sucked back until it sheathed Jay in its usual way. He was immediately wooshed out of the plane.

Freefall can be one of the most exhilirating experiences in life. Typically, not when one is sucked out of a holed plane. Jay was still frantically trying to think of a way out of this, when he felt strong hands under his armpits. He looked up to see Magruder, wings buzzing frenetically, straining to hold him. Suddenly, the lieutenant grew to be about 13 feet tall, and held Jay easily, like swinging a three year old by his arms.

Jay looked down, and caught sight of the tracer round out of the corner of his eye. Someone on the ground was shooting at them. Actually, it looked like several someones.

We're not out of this yet.

[Katalyst]

"Magruder, nice save man! We got to get on the ground quick though, we're sitting ducks up here!" he yells.

Serveal thoughts flew thru Jay's head as he and Magruder looked for a place to land. Who knew that they were going to be here, and why did they want them taking out? Neither made any sense to him.

"Lt if we can, when we land we hit them hard and fast!"

[Titan]

Lieutenant Magruder saw, and pointed out, the two bunkers on the ground. One obviously was where the SAM had come from. The other was firing .50 calibur rounds at them, in addition to small arms fire from both bunkers. He yelled to Jay:

"You take the south bunker, with the .50! I'll head north to deal with the other one!"

He swooped in low, angling towards the makeshift bunker. About 20 yards out, he dropped SSgt King from 8feet off the ground, banked sharply left and gained altitude before continuing north.

Ahead, Jay could see a makeshift bunker made from dug earth and sandbags. The mounted .50 cal was tracking Buzzkill, and the four men with AK-47s were turning their attention to King. The area was bare of any real vegetation other than grass and scrub, they were inland of the rocky beach by less than a click.

[Titan]

Lieutenant Magruder saw, and pointed out, the two bunkers on the ground. One obviously was where the SAM had come from. The other was firing .50 calibur rounds at them, in addition to small arms fire from both bunkers. He yelled to Jay:

"You take the south bunker, with the .50! I'll head north to deal with the other one!"

He swooped in low, angling towards the makeshift bunker. About 20 yards out, he dropped SSgt King from 8feet off the ground, banked sharply left and gained altitude before continuing north.

Ahead, Jay could see a makeshift bunker made from dug earth and sandbags. The mounted .50 cal was tracking Buzzkill, and the four men with AK-47s were turning their attention to King. The area was bare of any real vegetation other than grass and scrub, they were inland of the rocky beach by less than a click.

[Katalyst]

Now it's time to bring the pain! Quickly composing himself he turn's his focus inwards and calls upon the "quantum" energy at his disposal, charging his body with his energy signature. Then an instant later he turns himself invisible. This is sure to throw them off, he says to himself with a smirk.

Moving in to make the "kill" he begins drawing upon his q-energy. Knock them out, and take one in for questioning. King grins as he begins preparing to send out his focused energy blast, centered to ensare the 4 men and waiting for the "bewilding" effect that comes with the use of his powers before he closes in for hand to hand combat.

[Qp spent 1 for attunement, 2 for Invisibility, 3 for stun attack]

(Qpool 26, 5 spent for FF, 21 current)

[Katalyst]

Now it's time to bring the pain! Quickly composing himself he turn's his focus inwards and calls upon the "quantum" energy at his disposal, charging his body with his energy signature. Then an instant later he turns himself invisible. This is sure to throw them off, he says to himself with a smirk.

Moving in to make the "kill" he begins drawing upon his q-energy. Knock them out, and take one in for questioning. King grins as he begins preparing to send out his focused energy blast, centered to ensare the 4 men and waiting for the "bewilding" effect that comes with the use of his powers before he closes in for hand to hand combat.

[Qp spent 1 for attunement, 2 for Invisibility, 3 for stun attack]

(Qpool 26, 5 spent for FF, 21 current)

[Titan]

[stun attack- Dex+SA (used Mega-die to lower to 6, in future please specify whether you want to roll it or use it) 1,5,5,6,8,10 Three successes means that 2 of the men are dazed, and 2 are not.]

The blast explodes in the bunker, a blinding flash of white light that shows the four militia men as a negative photograph for a split second. Two of the men throw their arms across their faces just enough to block the effects. The other two men stand blinking up at the sky. One of them turns to say something, trips over his own feet, and stumbles to one knee.

The .50 cal swivels back to King's general area. It has ceased firing, but moves slowly back and forth, as the gunner searches for the Novus. The two men who are not impaired speak briefly, then one of them comes out of the bunker. The other is covering him. The impaired men are rubbing furiously at their eyes.

King is 20 yards out.

[Titan]

[stun attack- Dex+SA (used Mega-die to lower to 6, in future please specify whether you want to roll it or use it) 1,5,5,6,8,10 Three successes means that 2 of the men are dazed, and 2 are not.]

The blast explodes in the bunker, a blinding flash of white light that shows the four militia men as a negative photograph for a split second. Two of the men throw their arms across their faces just enough to block the effects. The other two men stand blinking up at the sky. One of them turns to say something, trips over his own feet, and stumbles to one knee.

The .50 cal swivels back to King's general area. It has ceased firing, but moves slowly back and forth, as the gunner searches for the Novus. The two men who are not impaired speak briefly, then one of them comes out of the bunker. The other is covering him. The impaired men are rubbing furiously at their eyes.

King is 20 yards out.

[Katalyst]

Damm! He silently curses to himself. I’ve got to get some more practice in with these powers. King begins to head towards the bunker, treading as lightly as possible so as to leave no tracks, and allows the two guards to pass by him. Making his way to the .50 cal, King stops and takes a moment to focus himself again as he prepares to strike a blow to the gunner.

(Stealth skill 4+ 5 Dex use mega to lower diffculty by one to leave no tracks) 1 qpoint spent for Crush attack on gunner

[Katalyst]

Damm! He silently curses to himself. I’ve got to get some more practice in with these powers. King begins to head towards the bunker, treading as lightly as possible so as to leave no tracks, and allows the two guards to pass by him. Making his way to the .50 cal, King stops and takes a moment to focus himself again as he prepares to strike a blow to the gunner.

(Stealth skill 4+ 5 Dex use mega to lower diffculty by one to leave no tracks) 1 qpoint spent for Crush attack on gunner

[Titan]

[stealth- 1,5,5,5,6,8,9,9,10]

King eases by the ranging men. They look like pros, although one is Caucasian and the other is obviously of Arab or Spanish descent. They head off south, towards where they saw King land.

King makes his way slowly to the .50 cal. The gunner never even glances his way, although the two men in the bunker appear to have shaken off the effects of the stunning blast, and are also scanning the scrub to the south and west. King hears a snatch of low conversation.

"Genric wouldn't touch it, that's why."

"I'm just saying, this is a bad deal, these Novas. The SAM should have taken them down, we were just contingent. Now we're up shit creek trying to wipe our asses against who knows what. I don't like it. Holger should have turned it down."

"Shut that shit. You've been with EA for what, six months? You don't call the C.O. Holger. It's Mr. Devries, or Boss, and he decides on the jobs. We follow his orders. If you don't like it, go back to AKE or MPR, or wherever the fuck you came from. Executive Actions takes the jobs that other firms turn down. Period. That's what you signed up for, so shut your pie hole and do your fucking job."

The gunner, so close that King can see the goosebumps on the back of his neck, chimes in.

"Both of you shut up. I think..."

After a long pause, King has heard enough, and his energy is focused into his fists. From the shoulder, as he was taught, he strikes the gunner from behind.

[Martial Arts strike- 1,2,3,4,5,7,7,8,10 +5 automatic levels(MStr1) = 9 lethal levels of damage]

The gunner's head explodes on impact, spraying blood and bone on his two compatriots. For a split second, they are stunned, then begin firing wildly in King's direction.

[blind Fighting Penalties apply +2 Difficulty.

Soldier1- (Multiple Action) 5,8,9,9 : 1,7,8 : 6,7

Soldier2- (Multiple Action) 1,1,4,7 : 6,8,9 : 8,9

This is a total of one hit, for one lethal level of damage, easily soaked by the FF]

The first shot from the AK-47 hits Jay in the shoulder, startling him silly, but bouncing harmlessly off of his field of energy. The rest of the bullets whiz by him, close but as they say at the carnival: no cigar. In the middle distance, King can see the two rangers coming back at double time. They are about 50 yards away.