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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hjorimir" data-source="post: 1137847" data-attributes="member: 5745">[size=+1]Paradigm Shift: Vol. 1, Issue 1, Part 3[/size]Mount Helix, San Diego (Noon)Zariel shifted in his dark Armani sports jacket as it clung to him and glanced at his watch. Only jacket I know of that makes you feel cold. A short way off Rook was busily explaining his costume idea to Venture who had the good manners to pay attention giving the occasional nod of understanding. To his left, Zariel caught a glimpse of light and turned to see Blaze standing near him dressed in a designer suit complete with thousand dollar Italian shoes.“Good afternoon, Blaze.” Zariel greeted him.Blaze waved to Venture and Rook who were now approaching.“Hello there, Zariel. However, if we’re using those names, you can call me Nova. Apparently ‘BLAZE’ is a term Genesis created for me.”Nova! Man that’s a good name. Wish I would have thought of it first. “I’m called Rook now. What do you think?” Rook smiled hesitantly.“I like it...Rook.” Nova replied and returned his smile.“Very well.” Zariel nodded.“But given the circumstances; hi, I'm Jason Warner, nice to meet you.” Nova extended his hand.Ah, somebody with some sense around here. “Nice to meet you, Jason” replied Zariel shaking his hand. “You get everything taken care of?”“Yes, I just needed to check in on some accounts, move some money around, that kind of thing.” Nova replied.“Oh yes, I understand completely. How about we head to my condo and we can discuss the matters at hand.” Zariel offered.Coronado Bay, San Diego (Afternoon)Sheath slowly opened her eyes. I feel like I’ve been drugged. Where am I? She looked around the comfortable bedroom and finally stopped to consider an African hunting mask that hung on the wall opposite the foot of the bed. Well I’m not at school, that’s for sure.She brushed her long, blonde hair out of her face and cleared her violet-blue eyes from sleep. What the heck is this gunk all over me? Ewww! I’m all sticky! This had better not be...Just then, the bedroom door opened. Standing there, like he owned the place, was a rakishly handsome man with short spiked blonde hair wearing expensive clothes with a European cut. “Good, you’re awake. Go ahead and take a shower if you’d like. My name is Zariel and this is my condo, my bedroom to be more precise.”Zariel crossed to the closet and took a look. “Perhaps this will do for now.” Turning around holding a rather expensive evening dress. “Sorry, don’t have anything more casual for women.”Before Sheath could conjure a response he let himself out, closing the door behind him.Gratefully, she peeled the sticky underwear from her body and slid into the hot shower. I feel like I haven’t taken a shower in months! My hair is nothing but a series of knots!She froze as it all came back to her in a rush. What happened to me? Who were those men who took me from my bed? I don’t think they were cops, but they sure acted like they were. What the hell did they shoot me with?Long moments passed as her mind raced trying to piece together recent events. Then she noticed she was no longer getting wet. A violet glow had encapsulated her in a protective shell...or sheath? Ummmmmm, don’t panic, Kassie. Somehow this can all be explained. Sheath opened her mind to the glow and felt her connection to it. It was as innate as breathing to her. What the hell?!? What did they do to me? She shook her head and the field disappeared.Delta NexusColonel Burke fumed as the reports were given. “It has been over twelve hours and we don’t have a single damn idea where any of the subjects are or where Venture is! Is that what I’m hearing from you, Captain?”“Tracking seems to be offline, sir.” Captain Gallow replied coolly. “I assure you that as soon as we re-establish SATCOM and bring GPS online my team will be ready to move.”“Must I remind you that in less than twelve hours KnightWatch will have a presence here, Captain? We need to have this swept up ASAP. Do I make myself clear?”“Absolutely, sir. We have four Juggernaut-Class ‘X-Os on stand-by. We cannot possibly fail.”“See that you don’t, Captain. You’re dismissed and send in the idiot of a man they call a scientist in on your way out!”Meanwhile, Back in CoronadoOut in the living room Nova, Venture, and Zariel had been discussing matters while Rook was watching Access Hollywood. Sheath entered the room. “Hello?”There was nothing but silence, as the four of them looked her direction.“Close your mouth, Rook” Venture whispered.Rook complied.“Hello, Kassandra, my name is Zariel Greystoke and you are in my home.” Zariel went on to introduce the others each giving a nod or wave in return. “I’m sure you have a lot of questions. Unfortunately, we have only a few answers. Perhaps it would be easier if you told us what you remember.”Sheath stepped forward cautiously to speak with the group. “Only that men had burst into my room and shot me with some kind of dart.”Zariel explained what he knew of the situation to her, answering what questions he could. Sheath went numb as the situation sunk in on her and fell into a seat on the couch. Why me? “WHY?!?” She buried her face in her hands and started to cry.Rook moved next to her and put a comforting arm about her. “We don’t know. But we are going to find out...and somehow we’re going to make it right!”Nova turned back to Zariel and continued, “I suggest we go back and see if we can get some information out of their computers.” “I don’t have much knowledge in hacking computer systems, Nova. I’m not sure how realistic it is for us to do that.” Zariel considered the situation. “Perhaps we can get our hands on backups or hard files though. At this point anything would be helpful. It would be awfully nice if you could offer up some insight here, Venture.”“I suppose that is fair,” Venture replied. “I was working under a government grant at Baylor University’s Department of Molecular and Human Genetics examining DNA samples researching x-gene detection methodology. You see there are approximately thirty-thousand genes in human DNA and about three billion chemical base pair sequences that make up human DNA...""Um, Venture, speak stupid if you can." Rook pleaded."Oh, of course. I'm sorry about that...old habits," Venture explained. "Anyway, my work was promising as I made headway into the program that had earlier stalled under prior management. You see, I was under the impression that the government was seeking a screening method to identify children with latent x-genes in an effort to assure proper medical treatment and social counseling to help them cope with their....differences. Anyway, I was promoted for my efforts and soon came to understand the truth of the matter. Operation: Genesis is funded by a ‘sub-division’ of the N.S.A. (National Security Agency for those of you who don’t know)."“I knew that one.” Rook interrupted.Venture continued, “When I learned that they had been testing x-gene fusion on living subjects I threatened to go public at once. That was my biggest mistake.”“How can you call that a mistake? Would you rather they continued such research?” Nova inquired.“You have no idea what it cost me.” Venture replied. “Well that is all in the past. Now, I’m going to do whatever I can to bring an end to it.”Zariel sensed he was holding something back...something painful.“Guys, shhhh, get a load of this!” Rook exclaimed turning up the television.<<...live coverage of the scene. For our viewers just now joining us, today at approximately 2:23 PM, NSA agents uncovered a metahuman terrorist cell in the Mojave Desert. There are unconfirmed reports that human experimentation had been taking place at the facility. To what end, we are unaware. As you can see, the entire area has been quarantined for public safety.>><<Michael, can you tell us what sort of  materials are present that would make the quarantine required?>><<That is a good question, Lisa. The NSA has not released any information regarding the specifics of any materials or that any materials even exist. The only thing we know regarding the quarantine is what we’ve shared...it is for the public safety. Back to you, Lisa.>>“WHAT A LOAD OF &%@$!” Rook yelled standing up.“Shhhhhhhhhhhh!” Nova admonished. “I’m trying to listen.”<<Well there you have it. We are expecting to hear from Governor Schwarzenegger’s office soon regarding...I’m sorry we’re going back to Michael Sanchez now. Go ahead, Michael.>><<We just got a shot of none other than KnightWatch’s own Valence arriving on scene from out of the sky. Unfortunately we cannot get near enough to question him and his mission here. As we learn more we will be sure to share it with our viewers. Back to you again, Lisa.>>The television showed recording of the crystalline Valence descending behind quarantine lines, a slowly fading blue streak of energy marking his path.“Well, there’s the spin.” Nova sighed.Delta NexusAgent Steve Lehman made his way though the crowd to the advancing hero, “Hello there, Mr. Valence...”“It is just Valence” The entity corrected him with an eerie vibrating voice.“Yes, uhhh, of course.” Agent Lehman continued. “We were not expecting KnightWatch here so quickly.”“I am aware.” Valence replied simply.“Well, you see, we’re not quite ready for our formal presentation to your team.” The agent explained.“Formality is of no concern. I will examine the scene.” Valence continued walking forward.“You might want to wait here, sir. We found some deceased and it could be...errr...hard for you.” “Bodies are comprised of particles either living or dead, Agent Steve Lehman.” Valence said as if that explained everything and continued on into the facility.Agent Lehman stopped as Valence walked off. How did he know my name?</blockquote>

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