Aberrant: Cognizant Chimera - Cognizant Chimera - The Early Years...

[phoenix]

"What word and / or words didn't you understand?"

Eddie thinks, What the hell?, but rather than voicing his increasing annoyance and continued confusion, goes into Heckler Mode.

::sly "Well, the part where you don't care if they nuke us.. You know, it's just a personal preference but I'm not fond of death."

He pauses, then flashes a grin around the room to anyone who cares to bask in it for a second.

"And the part about the President being yours. He rightfully belongs to those who bought him fair and square." ::devilangel

[Bahamut810]

Cid sighs. "Please...everyone. I know that I am damn sarcastic...but lets at least try to be civil here. I, for one, dont want to have to help stop a scuffle. Now..." he looks around at everyone.

"Instead of voicing our displeasure at having the military...why dont we do something about it? Can anyone here screw with camera feeds? Magnetic media? There should be enough of us here that we can keep a look out for military men and escort them off AEon land while we use it...this is AEon land...right?"

[brilyn]

"Instead of voicing our displeasure at having the military...why dont we do something about it? Can anyone here screw with camera feeds? Magnetic media? There should be enough of us here that we can keep a look out for military men and escort them off AEon land while we use it...this is AEon land...right?"

Bill's palm smacks his forehead with the palm of his hand. Loudly.

"Yeah, that's the same kinda logic David what's-his-face used at Waco....

"Look. Instead of deciding that because we're tougher than normal humans that we're going to tell the government what to do, how about we just do our thing, and if they want to monitor us then let them."

He gazes around the room at the assembled folks.

"I mean, it's not like ya gave a damn who was watching at the bank, did ay? Or how about when you were on national television? The only way the government is never gonna know what you can do is if you never use your abilities.

"And going out o' yore way to pick a fight with the Federal Government? That's just plain crazy......"

[Bahamut810]

Bill's palm smacks his forehead with the palm of his hand. Loudly.

"Look. Instead of deciding that because we're tougher than normal humans that we're going to tell the government what to do, how about we just do our thing, and if they want to monitor us then let them."

"I mean, it's not like ya gave a damn who was watching at the bank, did ay? Or how about when you were on national television? The only way the government is never gonna know what you can do is if you never use your abilities.

"And going out o' yore way to pick a fight with the Federal Government? That's just plain crazy......"

"I agree its not the best idea for physical action...but it is an appropriate one to keep anyones secret if they want to keep it. Its none of the governments business wether or not I can do this or that. As far as what people know I can do. I was cought on camera being quicker then a normal person..thats it. The goverment is in the dark about most of what I can do. I have never gone on camera and used my...powers. Interviews, yes. Powers no."

He bows his head slightly. "I dont know about the rest of you...but I dont like the idea of the government knowing exactly what I can do so that, god forbid, they decide that we are too dangerous to exist they can come and take us without problems. Im suprised the conservitive (sic) base hasent started the process for that already. Hell...Im suprised that there hasent been more attacks on our kind by normal people." He sighs.

"I know that I refuse to be cought flat-footed by anyone, and I know that I refuse to allow anyone to stop us from taking our lives away from us. I can understand where you are coming from. You trust the govermnent, you trust your fellow man. I know that I would like to. I probably used to. But I have video evidence that makes me be a bit more causious(sic). Now...if you want to flaunt everything you got. By all means. Make a tape and send it to the president so that he can see what a "threat" you are. Clinton is pretty layed back...but if he is pressured into doing something...or congress votes it. we could be at war soon enough..."

He shakes his head slowly. "I know it sounds paranoid...but I dont want to give any edge to anyone when I dont have to. And I dont trust the governments good intentions at all."

[Heritage]

Martha shrugs and grins a weary grin.

Personally, I don't trust any government - but I also don't think there's any way we could completely stop them from sussing out our secrets if they're determined to dig 'em up. I stopped believing in the illusion of my privacy years ago. We live in an age of surveilance, boys and girls; them's got the money can buy yer ass. I don't think there's anywhere in this or any country where we ain't gonna be watched.

[Alex Green]

Matt responds, "I don't disagree with anything you've said, but... don't kid yourself. Our old lives are over. My sucked so I don't mind saying good riddance. If you want protection from the government, secrecy and hiding where there are no witnesses isn't the way to go. The government behaves most nicely when there is a spot light on it. Judging from the hoards of reporters following us around, that won't be hard."

[ezekiel]

Eddie thinks, What the hell?, but rather than voicing his increasing annoyance and continued confusion, goes into Heckler Mode.

"Well, the part where you don't care if they nuke us.. You know, it's just a personal preference but I'm not fond of death."

Lance is about to answer when

Cid sighs. "Please...everyone. I know that I am damn sarcastic...but lets at least try to be civil here. I, for one, dont want to have to help stop a scuffle. Now..." he looks around at everyone.

"Well, we wouldn't want to scuff now, would we?

"I agree its not the best idea for physical action...but it is an appropriate one to keep anyones secret if they want to keep it. Its none of the governments business wether or not I can do this or that. As far as what people know I can do. I was cought on camera being quicker then a normal person..thats it. The goverment is in the dark about most of what I can do. I have never gone on camera and used my...powers. Interviews, yes. Powers no."

"Oh? What about them glowing hands of yours? Forgot what you did in the bank? I know I had fun watching the tapes at the police station. Most impressive destroying a metal shotgun like that... Perhaps you should thank me for telling them not to release them to the public. Official news is that bank footage was destroyed, HA!, what a laugh!"

Personally, I don't trust any government - but I also don't think there's any way we could completely stop them from sussing out our secrets if they're determined to dig 'em up. I stopped believing in the illusion of my privacy years ago. We live in an age of surveilance, boys and girls; them's got the money can buy yer ass. I don't think there's anywhere in this or any country where we ain't gonna be watched.

Lance nods gleefully

"SUCH wisdom in your words! Ladies and beasts, we're just going to have to live with the fact that the world is curious. If you're afraid of the boogieman, by all means, jump out the window. I'm hanging out to see what this Aeon guy wants to do with us. If I hate it, I leave. If they screw me, I'll screw them back 'til they'd wished they were never born.. - Lance throws Jenkins a stare that could make a grown man cry...then lightens up - If they just want to help out the new underdog or try to organize things to ease the transition of our lives, I'm willing to listen. Have you tasted the shrimp? Quite tasty!"

[ProfPotts]

"Why Michael, perhaps you're still humane after all..if not totally human." Lance gets up and walks towards Michael, hand extended

Mike glances towards Kat as he tries his best to ignore Lance's presence...

"Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot..or hoof, or whatever. I did what I did to save people." - Looking to the others - "You'll be happy to learn that all robbers gave detailed confessions in the presence of their lawyers and will be indicted appropriately."

Giving his better half a 'sorry for what I'm about to do' look, Michael wheels on Lance, only just managing to keep his obvious anger in check,

"Don't give me that you sanctimonious little gobshite! You violated my mind, robbed me of my free-will - just because you had the audacity to presume that your choice of actions for me was superior to my own! You saved no-one - you forced me to act like a demented moron instead of leaving me alone to do something constructive! Are you honestly so smug that you think you know better than everyone else around you? You controlled my mind without a second thought, & with little or no understanding of my capabilities. I don't give a rat's ass about your forced confessions from the robbers, which will probably be the one defense they have in court - there were hundreds of witnesses to what they did - you really think that you helped anyone? Frankly you repulse me. You are the single most dangerous individual on this train, & I'm of the mind that scum like you should be put down. If I ever hear of you doing to anyone else what you did to me then make no mistake that I will take great pleasure in beating you until you're no more than a bloody stain on the carpet!" ::angry

"... Perhaps you should thank me for telling them not to release them to the public. Official news is that bank footage was destroyed, HA!, what a laugh!"

Mike doesn't look any happier at this comment,

"What? So no only to you go to great pains to provide a reasonable defense for those criminals who were caught red-handed, but you remove the actual, real, evidence of their crimes as well?! Boy, you are a piece of work. How much are they paying you anyway?"

"SUCH wisdom in your words! Ladies and beasts, we're just going to have to live with the fact that the world is curious. If you're afraid of the boogieman, by all means, jump out the window. I'm hanging out to see what this Aeon guy wants to do with us. If I hate it, I leave. If they screw me, I'll screw them back 'til they'd wished they were never born.. - Lance throws Jenkins a stare that could make a grown man cry...then lightens up - If they just want to help out the new underdog or try to organize things to ease the transition of our lives, I'm willing to listen. Have you tasted the shrimp? Quite tasty!"

Mike shakes his head,

"Personally I don't care if the military are watching us or not - it's the fact that we're being driven out to a secret & isolated location which we've been told specifically has a government-enforced no-fly zone around it & then being watched by the military. Wake up & smell the proverbial coffee people - if these guys had nothing to hide, then why are we being isolated like this? Don't give me that 'public safety' BS - there can be public safety in a publically known location & with press volunteers present. Hell, if journalists go into war zones, then keeping this little soirée secret smacks of nothing short of 'plausable deniability'. Or would you have us believe that all those government-sponsored attrocities over the years are just historical 'boogiemen'?"

[Nullifier]

"Personally I don't care if the military are watching us or not - it's the fact that we're being driven out to a secret & isolated location which we've been told specifically has a government-enforced no-fly zone around it & then being watched by the military. Wake up & smell the proverbial coffee people - if these guys had nothing to hide, then why are we being isolated like this? Don't give me that 'public safety' BS - there can be public safety in a publically known location & with press volunteers present. Hell, if journalists go into war zones, then keeping this little soirée secret smacks of nothing short of 'plausable deniability'. Or would you have us believe that all those government-sponsored attrocities over the years are just historical 'boogiemen'?"

Listening to the conversation for a while, Gabriel seems several times as if he is about to speak, to disagree vehemently with what has just been said, but doesn't. Michael's words however, only make him look curiously at Lance and then back at Michael, until finally he starts to nod in agreement as Michael finishes, "I have to say I agree with you. Even if we are going to cooperate with these Aeon folks, there's no reason for us to have to follow their dictates as to how and where and in what matter that cooperation is given. We should be the ones dictating terms to them if they want our assistance. " Pausing for a moment to look around at his peers, Gabriel then continues, his deep voice conveying his sincerity, "I know that we all have our differences, that some of us bear grudges against others and so forth. However, I believe that the need for us to make a discision on this subject as a group outweighs all those things. So I'm asking all of you to be with me on asking Aaron to stop the train so that those of us who aren't willing to go along with his good ol' boys club's plans for us can leave before we get to a military controlled region. "

As he finishes, Gabriels gaze comes to rest squarely on the Aeon rep's face.

[Bahamut810]

Mike doesn't look any happier at this comment,

"What? So no only to you go to great pains to provide a reasonable defense for those criminals who were caught red-handed, but you remove the actual, real, evidence of their crimes as well?! Boy, you are a piece of work. How much are they paying you anyway?"

Cid nods and leaves it at that hoping a larger argument.

However, I believe that the need for us to make a discision on this subject as a group outweighs all those things. So I'm asking all of you to be with me on asking Aaron to stop the train so that those of us who aren't willing to go along with his good ol' boys club's plans for us can leave before we get to a military controlled region. "

Cid nods to Gabriels suggestion. "Does anyone want to get off? LEt them speak now if they do. I am going to stay as long as anyone else does though...I wont leave a brother or sister in a situation like that. Or even better...is there a way that we can change the location. Find another place that we can go to?"

[brilyn]

Even if we are going to cooperate with these Aeon folks, there's no reason for us to have to follow their dictates as to how and where and in what matter that cooperation is given. We should be the ones dictating terms to them if they want our assistance.

Bill raises an eyebrow.

"And, um...... you mentioned this when you spoke to them on the phone, right?

"Or do you hijack any event you are invited to?"

Bill shakes his head.

"Look. You guys do what you want. If y'all decide to go do your own thing, that's fine. But could one of you leave me a card, so I can keep in touch? I (for one) am not going break any engagements that I've made, but I'd be interested in seeing what the rest of you have in store too."

[Nullifier]

Bill raises an eyebrow.

"And, um...... you mentioned this when you spoke to them on the phone, right?

"Or do you hijack any event you are invited to?"

Bill shakes his head.

"Look. You guys do what you want. If y'all decide to go do your own thing, that's fine. But could one of you leave me a card, so I can keep in touch? I (for one) am not going break any engagements that I've made, but I'd be interested in seeing what the rest of you have in store too."

Raising both his own eyebrows, Gabriel replies passionately, "They didn't say anything on the phone about the Top Secret military bases and no-fly zones that'd be surrounding the location of the meeting. I never agreed to anything like that, and I resent the implication that I'd be breaking an agreement for refusing to participate based on this new information. It'd be naive in the extreme for us to believe that these peoples' intentions towards us are entirely honorable, especially considering we're being taken to a place surrounded by the military. For god's sake, we barely know anything about them!"

[brilyn]

I never agreed to anything like that, and I resent the implication that I'd be breaking an agreement for refusing to participate based on this new information.

"I didn't say you did. But you now decide that we should be the ones dictating where and when a meeting should take place. That's what I'm questioning."

[Heritage]

Martha pulls at her face, then lets her head fall to the table with a thump.

I am getting a massive headache.

She holds up her hand, thumb and index finger about two inches apart.

Does anyone have one a them super-big Tylenols? The kind with arsenic in 'em?

She lifts up her gaze and wearily takes in the whole group.

It seems to me there's two issues here: not trusting Aeon based on the revelations as to where we're headed, and a lot o' bad blood left over from LA. Whenever one issue is even close to bein' resolved, the other one flares up like bad rectal itch, and the cycle continues 'til we all puke or kill each other.

She pauses to drain the last of her beer, and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand.

Now: is there any one issue that we all can agree upon, without glowin' or bitchin' or threatin' ta put Slick Willy's head on a stick? Anything? Paper or plastic? Beatles versus Stones?

[ProfPotts]

I am getting a massive headache.

Mike glances over,

"Maybe you're developing new powers?" ::tongue ::sly

[Heritage]

Martha is just starting on a fresh beer when-

Mike glances over,

"Maybe you're developing new powers?"

She snorts beer through her nose and starts laughing uncontrolably.

Ow! Goddamn it!

It turns into a major giggle fit, and it's....contagious!

Da da daaaaa!!!!! ::laugh ::tongue

[Bahamut810]

Cids smiles broadly and starts to laughs himself!

[malkboy]

Aaron starts to speak then stops again as people continue to talk. Waiting until there is a natural pause in the laughter, he speaks up to respond to what's been said, "Let me say this as plainly as I can, there isn't going to be any nearby military presence. The facility is NOT a single building, nor is the property going to allow for them to just sneak up and watch what all you do there. Nobody is talking about a nuclear bomb or thinking of any of you as direct threats, that is just unrealistic to think the President would bomb his own country. I just passed along the information I was handed as I quickly arranged this meeting, in so far as the no fly zone. "

Moving in front of the table he was sitting at and walking between the tables the novas are sitting at Aaron looks at them in turn as he continues to speak, "You want to know if Æon can help you, but what is it you want help with? I mean exactly what is it we can do for you? A large amount of resources and a want to help is what we are offering to aide in finding answers that work. As for what we want, our "agenda" as it was put, it is simply to help humanity process what is going on, which yes can make you the "guinea pigs" a little bit as scientists study what it is happening to and around you all."

"What else can I really say if you don't want to accept the offer in the charitable nature it was given? I'll happily stop the cars and seperate them so that you all can move on in the way you feel you have to if need be. There is no agreement broken in any way if you decide it's not for you, we didn't expect every person to stay. If everyone wants a change in venue, then if you'll give me some time this evening, I'll get you a change of venue," Aaron says as he calmly stands in the middle of the car.

[Bahamut810]

If everyone wants a change in venue, then if you'll give me some time this evening, I'll get you a change of venue," Aaron says as he calmly stands in the middle of the car.

"I know that I would feel safer with another site. But I think a better question is, is there anyone who dosent want a change in the site? Right now we have a few not-cares, a few cant be helps, a few I-dont-think-so's and a few dont worry about its...But no one going gung ho for this place."

[ezekiel]

"Don't give me that you sanctimonious little gobshite! You violated my mind, robbed me of my free-will - just because you had the audacity to presume that your choice of actions for me was superior to my own! You saved no-one - you forced me to act like a demented moron instead of leaving me alone to do something constructive! Are you honestly so smug that you think you know better than everyone else around you? You controlled my mind without a second thought, & with little or no understanding of my capabilities. I don't give a rat's ass about your forced confessions from the robbers, which will probably be the one defense they have in court - there were hundreds of witnesses to what they did - you really think that you helped anyone? Frankly you repulse me. You are the single most dangerous individual on this train, & I'm of the mind that scum like you should be put down. If I ever hear of you doing to anyone else what you did to me then make no mistake that I will take great pleasure in beating you until you're no more than a bloody stain on the carpet!"

Lance lowers his hand, his smile morphing into a spiteful grin

"Something constructive like standing on the front porch oggling at fire falling from the sky? I didn't control anything, I demanded that you help. If you'd like to know what it feels like to be controlled I'll be happy to demonstrate. I didn't "force" any confessions out of the robbers you dimwit and there won't be a defense since they've already confessed. Case closed, defendants plead guilty. You don't go duck hunting with a bazooka, my powers weren't needed. Anyway, I tried burying the hatchet. This is the second time you've threatened me with death. - Lance continues in mock sadness - If you keep this up, I'm going to start thinking you don't like me...." ::smiley4

Mike doesn't look any happier at this comment,

"What? So no only to you go to great pains to provide a reasonable defense for those criminals who were caught red-handed, but you remove the actual, real, evidence of their crimes as well?! Boy, you are a piece of work. How much are they paying you anyway?"

"I said they weren't released to the public. Geez, what do they teach in dom school nowadays... ::rolleyes Besides, even if I had destroyed the tapes, proof won't be needed, they've plead guilty."

Lance heads back to his seat grabbing an apple on his way and lays his feet on the table in front of him

"He may be right people - *chomp* Lance bites on the apple - about me on this train. I'm willing to be a friend but if you want to add to demon boy's threats, now's the time. *snif* C'mon...I can take it... ::smiley4 "I don't think you'd like me as foe..." ::devil

It'd be naive in the extreme for us to believe that these peoples' intentions towards us are entirely honorable, especially considering we're being taken to a place surrounded by the military. For god's sake, we barely know anything about them!"

"Look, just all go to your bomb shelters, Bill and I will send you a postcard."

[phoenix]

"What else can I really say if you don't want to accept the offer in the charitable nature it was given? I'll happily stop the cars and seperate them so that you all can move on in the way you feel you have to if need be. There is no agreement broken in any way if you decide it's not for you, we didn't expect every person to stay. If everyone wants a change in venue, then if you'll give me some time this evening, I'll get you a change of venue,"

Eddie nods as though satisfied with the answer.

"So, why did you say the building was slated for destruction again? I'm just curious.."

[malkboy]

Eddie nods as though satisfied with the answer.

"So, why did you say the building was slated for destruction again? I'm just curious.."

"Simply put, the buildings on the campus are not what Aeon needs to continue with it's ecological research that has been going on there. The scientists needed a better facility to handle some of the newer equipment. But since it has the proper equipment for some basic scientific research, as well as a good remote location, and removing the fear of accidentally destroying the buildings around it became a really optimal choice for this meeting," Aaron says calmly as he answers Eddie.

"He may be right people - *chomp* Lance bites on the apple - about me on this train. I'm willing to be a friend but if you want to add to demon boy's threats, now's the time. *snif* C'mon...I can take it...  "I don't think you'd like me as foe..." 

Xander hollars over to Lance, "Hey, anybody as funny as you can be my friend."

The engine of the train blows it's whistle twice as it starts to slow down.

[Archer21]

As the train slows, Jimmy leaps up and scrambles to the nearest window, staring outside to see what everything looks like. Head cocked at an awkward angle to see past the glass reflection, peeking out from under his shirt collar is the edge of a nasty looking bruise. Angling from the back of his neck down, the bruise continues further under his shirt.

Seemingly unaware of it, Jimmy asks, "So where are we?"

[ezekiel]

Xander hollars over to Lance, "Hey, anybody as funny as you can be my friend."

Lance barely acknowledges the comment and keeps munching on his apple. Eyeing the asian girl wearing the cat suit Lance gets up and sits next to her.

"How 'bout you doll? You can't hate me yet...got a name pussy cat?"

[Alex Green]

Matt says, "I'm pretty sure I can destroy a building."

The other Matt finishes eating and waits for the train to stop.

[Heritage]

The engine of the train blows it's whistle twice as it starts to slow down.

Martha cranes her neck around to look out the window, then turns back to the others, chuckling and shaking her head.

I think we've learned a valuable lesson here, folks - if we argue long enough about somethin', said somethin's gonna happen anyway.

She gets up from her chair and stretches like a panther.

So, who's gonna bolt and who's gonna stay? I, for one, am lookin' forward to knockin' down sh*t under the gaze of the All-Seein' Eye.

[Obsidian Shade]

Andric cleaned his mouth with the back of his hand and lookes around. The ‚dark Meister‘ ::rolleyes seemed not very interested in the discussion of the other Novas. It was obvious that both Aaron and Andric were sure: The silent Nova would stay.

[Prince of Boredom]

So, who's gonna bolt and who's gonna stay? I, for one, am lookin' forward to knockin' down sh*t under the gaze of the All-Seein' Eye.

"Hey, why waste the trip. Might as well see what this place is like..."

He walks over to Martha and extends his arm, gentleman-like...

[Heritage]

"Hey, why waste the trip. Might as well see what this place is like..."

He walks over to Martha and extends his arm, gentleman-like...

Martha curtsies with her imaginary dress (no, she hain't nekkid!), and takes David's arm. She turns to Michael with an insipid expression on her face and speaks in a bad stuffy British accent.

It's nice to see that some people know how to treat a lady.

She grins and sticks out her tongue, but then grows half-way serious for second.

Michael, if you an' your entourage don't stay, and ah don't blame you for a second if you don't, at least leave a number where ah can reach you? You're just too darn interestin' to lose track of, know what ah mean?

[Bahamut810]

Cid sighs. "Well...Im staying. I dont know about training here...but im going to keep an eye out for trouble. We can talk about a possible other site as well."

He waits for michael before he departs.

[ProfPotts]

It's nice to see that some people know how to treat a lady.

Michael simply raises an eyebrow...

She grins and sticks out her tongue...

The winged man smiles back,

"Don't stick it out if you're not planning on using it..." ::devil ::wink

Michael, if you an' your entourage don't stay, and ah don't blame you for a second if you don't, at least leave a number where ah can reach you? You're just too darn interestin' to lose track of, know what ah mean?

Mike shrugs,

"Having been duped & kidnapped, we don't have much of a choice right now. It's a Hell of a flight back to LA, & I'm not 'super-sonic' like some of these guys appear to be. I prefer to take things nice & slowly..." ::sly

Michael & retinue join Cid & the others as they disembark the train [of DOOM!!! ::tongue ].

[Alex Green]

She gets up from her chair and stretches like a panther.

So, who's gonna bolt and who's gonna stay? I, for one, am lookin' forward to knockin' down sh*t under the gaze of the All-Seein' Eye.

Matt responds, "I'll stay. At least to give them a chance."

[Bahamut810]

((bah...too much on my mind...forgot this part above))

Cid pats Martha on the back as she passes. "Ill catch up later, I wanna talk to Michael for a few little bit. Everyone is still meeting for dinner, right?"

then he leaves with michael

[Nullifier]

Gabriel doesn't say anything as he gets off the train with the others, but the flickering blue flames that cover his body don't go out. As he follows along, his gaze is constantly moving, inspecting, and recording what he sees.

[Q-Attunement on]

[phoenix]

As the train slows to a stop, Eddie and Virginia share a glance. He smiles cheerfully and squeezes her hand, and she rolls her eyes, as they get up and walk to the door.

Eddie quickly lets her go and levitates slightly into the air, gaining speed as he flies towards and out the door, leaving a faint smokey trail.

"Oh, for Pete's sake."

Eddie turns around and shrugs to her gallantly, flying backwards out the door and above the train.

"Aaah. Fresh air at last."

He looks around, taking in his surroundings..

[froggie]

As the train slows and the other start to file out, Heather stands, flips her hair, looking at Xander trying to discern his intentions and straightens her suit, figguring that even if they aren't going to stay that she has no intentions of staying on the train. Seeing that Xander is rising as well she checks to see that she has all of her belongings before kissing Xander on the cheek as he rises and sliding her arm around his waist as they exit the train.

[malkboy]

"How 'bout you doll? You can't hate me yet...got a name pussy cat?"

The woman turns her head, watching his lips move as he asks his question. From nowhere she produces a black business card, with a single word printed on it, handing it to Lance.

( ::ninja The Middle of 'Nowhere' ::ninja )

The passenger train pulls up next to a simple outdoor train terminal. There is a small gray/white building sitting on the terminal platform that has two signs that have faded beyond recognition of what they might have meant. Looking beyond the platform, there is a road leading towards a few buildings visible beyond small fields of corn and wheat. Further down the track, a trainyard can be seen again surrounded by fields of various farm plants.

Moments after the first nova steps off the train into the noon sun, a few reporters step out from inside the small building. Judging by the cameramen following them, they are from CNN, MSNBC, BBC, and NPT. The reporters wait patiently as the passengers disembark, each one gawking thier head a different way looking for the best person/persons to approach. The cameras follow Eddie at first as he zooms out of the train and around in the air, then go back to the group forming on the terminal platform. As soon as everyone who wants off the train has managed to do so with anything they brought, Aaron steps down onto the platform. As soon as he does the reporters approach the novas asking questions that range from "Where are you from?" to "Do you feel you're a threat to everybody around you now that you've evolved?"

The silent nova with the long dirty blonde hair backs up slightly and loses his balance briefly. Before catching himself he bumps accidently into Virginia, speaking with an Austrailian accent "Oh, 'scuse me ma'am. I always was as awkward as a bull in a china shop."

[phoenix]

Delighted, Eddie flashes a grin around at the cameras trained on his flight.

No harm in a little showing off, I suppose.

He zips in a cartwheel, then at the zenith of his flight a burst of light explodes from his body in a seemingly pyrotechnic display of brilliant white and shades of blue and yellow!

He falls out of it, and floats back down to the ground, where he answers all questions truthfully, emphasizing his love for Virginia, Boston, and his new powers, until Aaron gives some sign that the group should move on.

"Oh, 'scuse me ma'am. I always was as awkward as a bull in a china shop."

"Oh, that's ok."

Virginia smiles amicably at the quiet man.

"Are you a nova as well?"

He certainly looks like one. For that matter, all the 'novas' I've seen are pretty obvious, except that Lance fellow - who does well enough making himself noticed as soon as he opens his mouth, anyway. Even Eddie's really different since his eruption - after the car crash, that is ::blush - even apart from the fact that he can fly and stuff.

[Haze]

Darren alighted from the train a little way down from the main body of Novas. He wasn't entirely keen on all of the attention at that moment. In an effort to remain un-noticed, he zipped his leather jacket up tighter, almost burying his face in it.

All the time his eyes flickered towards the party of Novas, and he caught sight of one of them performing a flashy display for the cameras. Oh, to be eager for the spotlight again...

[Asbjørn]

As soon as everyone who wants off the train has managed to do so with anything they brought, Aaron steps down onto the platform.

But not before Dog pulls him to the side, stares at him angrily and says

"What the f*ck is this? 'Secret destination' my ass!! You couldn't tell us where the train was going, so you issued a statement to the press instead?" ::angry

Dog sighs before he continues.

"You know, the skeptics back there have some very good points, and you're doing a really bad job at laying their fears to rest, man... Look. I believe you have good intentions here. I'm on your side. But please, pretty please with f*ckin' sugar on top, get your act together. Either do the secret stuff and do it good, or can the whole thing and lets just get going. Don't try to do both at once, cause you're messing it up. Seriously."

Shaking his head Dog goes out to meet the reporters, answering any and all questions and chatting away with them in his usual natural fashion.