Mutant Ascension [IC]

[Clashus]

The mutants in the house had erupted again, throwing high speed dodgeballs and taking out the MISC agents. Which, in any other circumstance, might have been funny. But not while she could help again. She turned the data off the government phone, and put it in her pocket. And as she was beginning to put the "Lyle file" under her arm and raise the nearby megaphone to her mouth, the hairs on her arms began to stand up and she felt kind of tingly all over. Confused, she looked around, and saw Tarmo flying back to them. Was his mission over? Had he found this missing Lyle Richardson guy? But the speed he was flying, plus the blank look on his Eastern European chiseled face, was disturbing. Shauna began to get a very bad feeling about this, even before Tristan called out that Tarmo acting out was under the influence of Lyle's abilities. Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no.

Ace saw Tarmo zooming towards "Lady Lang", a blank look on Tarmo's face. Ace summoned his Energy powers and chanted in his head not to miss. Extending his arms in a motion similar to the Kamehameha, Ace extended his hands and drained the energy from the particles surrounding Tarmo. The particles, stripped of their energy froze in place basically freezing Tarmo in the air. Ace also tried to cut-off Tarmo's internal energy, but after facing some sort of "electrical interference field" Ace succeeded. Tarmo's molecules were drained of their energy, Tarmo's ATP was gone. Bubbling from all the energy intake, Ace needed to blow a load. He put some energy back into the particles around Tarmo and he fell to the floor, tired and sleeping. Needing to let lose some more energy, Ace let out a mighty special "energetic" fart. Hopefully, Tarmo wasn't breathing through his nose.

[Talchyon]

Outside the Mutant Safe House
Shauna Marks (aka "Lady Lang")

Ace saw Tarmo zooming towards "Lady Lang", a blank look on Tarmo's face. Ace summoned his Energy powers and chanted in his head not to miss. Extending his arms in a motion similar to the Kamehameha, Ace extended his hands and drained the energy from the particles surrounding Tarmo. The particles, stripped of their energy froze in place basically freezing Tarmo in the air. Ace also tried to cut-off Tarmo's internal energy, but after facing some sort of "electrical interference field" Ace succeeded. Tarmo's molecules were drained of their energy, Tarmo's ATP was gone. Bubbling from all the energy intake, Ace needed to blow a load. He put some energy back into the particles around Tarmo and he fell to the floor, tired and sleeping. Needing to let lose some more energy, Ace let out a mighty special "energetic" fart. Hopefully, Tarmo wasn't breathing through his nose.

Just when she thought she had things working for her. Now, all of a sudden, everyone who had heard her voice was now going to feel courageous, determined to survive, and focused. Granted, the focus was to be on Tarmo who had been about to electrocute everyone. But now that he was drained by Ace, who had also developed a nasty case of gas apparently, that focus was going to shift to another target. And that meant, mostly her, Ace, Keith, and the MISC agents who were out here. Not to mention the news crews.

But she still had her megaphone in hand. That had to work. She wondered briefly what the effect would be on those who were hearing her, to rapidly switch emotions from those to the ones she was about to give. Speaking into the megaphone, Shauna said, "Hey everyone. Change of plan. Now, the Center for Mutants is here to help. We want to help take care of the medical situation for Pastor Eric, and anyone else who's been hurt. Just chill out, come out of the house one by one, and everything will work out." Her words were now causing the people to feel peaceful, docile, gentle and very very pacifist. Like you wouldn't want to hurt a fly. Not to mention anyone else. That should do it, Shauna thought.

Now for the news crews. The last thing mutants needed was to be shown attacking each other on the channel 3 news later that night. And even though there was a live stream going, it wasn't in primetime tv watching right now. Which meant the exposure was very limited - like only little old ladies in nursing homes and the unemployed might have seen them. This could work. Setting the megaphone aside at her feet, she pulled out the government-issue, unlisted number phone that Tristan had given her. And getting again the contact information she was looking for using the phone's data, she placed a call. The first of many. She was calling the offices of the CBS affiliate in L.A., just as she would soon call the other channels and the L.A. Times.

Changing her voice with her ability to mimic the exact sounds and pitches of other people, Shauna made herself sound like the one person who could call off the media. The president himself. The big dog. She found it funny when she was moving her lips and the deep, raspy and nasal baritone sound of the country's leader's voice came out. It helped that she was able to find the name and personal line of the CEO of the affiliate. "Hello, this is the President. Tom, we got a problem. You got some footage of an incident that NSA is investigating. It's a matter of national security. You can't show that footage of the mutant situation taken earlier today. No, no one gets to. The story can't be shown, or the populace will react with fear, and we won't be able to handle that. So, and I know youse got your rights for the free press. But not if it endangers national security. Destroy that footage, and leave it off the news. Yes. Yes. Thank you. I'm thankful for citizens like you who value the safety of this great land. Alright." This call coming from an unlisted government number might just sell it. Now to call the other major media outlets.

[Zjaum]

The residents of Castle Blue, as expected, received their determination and focus, as expected. It wasn't directed at the right people, though. Most of them couldn't see Tarmo from their window, and the ones who did weren't all too trusting of their new captors. No, the much greater threat came from the agents with weapons pointed at them. At the mutant who had murdered so many of their own and who had now farted in their general direction. Castle Blue began rearming.

They only managed to get one volley off towards Ace, Jacob, and the MISC agents before their emotions (and consequent actions) changed. The soundest of mind we're able to switch emotions easily, but such a contradictory switch of feelings caused the weaker-minded to faint. Regardless, with the second volley in their hands, Castle Blue was pacified.

Tarmo dropped to the ground like a bag of rocks, with only just enough power to keep from breaking his legs when he hit the ground. As a man, he didn't have that much strength. As a puppet, though, reckless of his condition, he might still have a use. Both threats were pacified for a moment, giving perhaps a five-to-ten minute window to catch the big fish. Tristan sped down the street in pursuit of Lyle. "Everyone, split up! Shout when you see him!"

[Altito Asmoro]

Giovanni Serrano

Time to roll out, now. Gio had hid himself inside the car of his, seeing that he has the most useless power in combat-terms. Immortality net knowledges, but those knowledges, while effective against humans, are no match against mutants. Of course, once the threat was pacified, and Lyle already on the target, it took his time to took the key of his car. "I'll send out the second wave of drones, Agent Tristan!" as he rode off with his car in the search of Lyle. Of course, again, the hunt for him in a house with birthday of some kind is not the easiest part.

The car sped down the street, Giovanni alone on his vehicle. He has a shotgun prepared as well as a semi-auto pistol. He didn't really prepared for a front-out battle, but he realized he has no choices for now. Just as that, he came across the house. Well, in actuality in turns out he was on the back side of the house. "Tristan!" as he called him via his phone to him. "I am on the back side of the house right now!" as he went out from the vehicle, he put off his car on the parked side. "I think I'm on the back side. I cannot see anything from here, track me via the GPS of this phone, trace the location, I'm waiting for reinforcement," although he has the intention to going in without backups.

[Talchyon]

Outside Castle Blue, the Mutant Safe House
Shauna Marks (aka "Lady Lang")

The residents of Castle Blue, as expected, received their determination and focus, as expected. It wasn't directed at the right people, though. Most of them couldn't see Tarmo from their window, and the ones who did weren't all too trusting of their new captors. No, the much greater threat came from the agents with weapons pointed at them. At the mutant who had murdered so many of their own and who had now farted in their general direction. Castle Blue began rearming.

They only managed to get one volley off towards Ace, Jacob, and the MISC agents before their emotions (and consequent actions) changed. The soundest of mind we're able to switch emotions easily, but such a contradictory switch of feelings caused the weaker-minded to faint. Regardless, with the second volley in their hands, Castle Blue was pacified.

Tarmo dropped to the ground like a bag of rocks, with only just enough power to keep from breaking his legs when he hit the ground. As a man, he didn't have that much strength. As a puppet, though, reckless of his condition, he might still have a use. Both threats were pacified for a moment, giving perhaps a five-to-ten minute window to catch the big fish. Tristan sped down the street in pursuit of Lyle. "Everyone, split up! Shout when you see him!"

Thankful that the mutants inside the safe house had been calmed - though knowing that if she left chasing after Lyle Richards, things could easily get worse - Shauna took a breather. The possibilities of actions lay out like paths before her, in her mind. Like things always did with her, she kept getting nagging thoughts of what she still needed to do for all areas of life. Like, with Shay. She should really sit down and talk with him about where he's going in life. Plus, she still had some groceries to get. Can't forget that. Plus, she had some paperwork from a house she had just sold. There were some researchers who said that all women thought like this. Shauna didn't know.

Deciding that the news crews were still a potential threat, she got the numbers for the media hubs that were there, the magnates that controlled the news. She made several more calls, each sounding like the President (which, on an unlisted government number, should do the trick). With the president's voice, Shauna told the powers that be that the footage shot at this particular house would never air, and was to be turned into the MISC agency under direct governmental orders. That being done, she put the government-issue unlisted phone in her pocket. She might still have a use for it later.

When Tarmo landed, Shauna ran to him to make sure he was alright. As she began to run, it dawned on her that he might still be under hypnotic control. She knew that he hadn't been afraid to blast them. But just maybe, the fall from that height would have brought him back to himself. Cautiously, she tried to engage him. "Tarmo? Are you ok?" No emotion-inducers here. Just pure concern on her part.

[NewLakotah]

Mutant Safe House
Kw'eh T'soh Dai/Keith Dai (Red Wolf)



Well, things had certainly escalated quickly. From the get-go, they were facing a mutant with the ability to turn good people into crazed mindless attack dogs. These was a threat that was certainly going to play hell with the team, both teams, MISC and the Center, as they would have to find a way to handle that. However, there were more immediate concerns facing Kw'eh at the moment. Tarmo had been "taken over" so to speak. Even though the other Eletric Guy had ability to detain him for the moment and "Lady Lang" had pacified pretty much all of the immediate bystanders. He could be suffering some psychological effects from the mental attack. It might be wise to keep an eye on things around here. Especially considering that half the team, including Giovanni had already decided to go off in hot pursuit without much of a plan of action or a method of how to take down Lyle Richards.

While some of the incident had been taking place and right before, Kw'eh had been going over the dossier on Lyle Richards. Who he was, his powers, and whatnot. It wasn't a lot, and he really didn't have the time to really go over it. Kw'eh watching somewhat irritated as Tristan lead the mad scramble and Giovanni bolted off separately. He heard Tristan shout as he darted away, something about "splitting up". Haven't any of you ever seen a damn horror film? he thought to himself. He turned his attention back to Tarmo, starting to think about the best way to ensure his safety and whether he had gotten through the ordeal in one piece. As well as to ensure that he wasn't about to start attacking people again as soon as he came too.

He then noticed Shauna rushing towards Tarmo. He sighed and darted after her. Moving towards Tarmo and Shauna.

"Hang on, Shauna! You don't know if he's still under his effects. I think while he is still out we should detain him. I'm pretty sure he'll understand once he comes to all sane." He picks up his radio, to contact Tristan.
"Agent Spinner. What the hell are you doing? Tarmo, who is a powered Mutant just got his brain fried. I really don't think rushing in all gung-ho is the smartest decision right now. All of the agents are armed potential weapons that he could use against us. I really don't want to have a situation in which I have to potentially kill one of ours to save lives." At least he would get Tristan thinking, hopefully saving lives. He turns back to Tarmo and Shuana. He wasn't exactly sure how to proceed. Detaining a human was one thing. A mutant was another. His standard zip-ties probably wouldn't do the trick to truly pacify Tarmo should he come to still enraged.

[Zjaum]

While Lyle was definitely more the threat, Tristan knew there was at least a slight amount of wisdom in Keith's words. At the very least, he probably couldn't find Lyle on his own, let alone resist his mind control without better support. He slowed to a halt and jogged back. If he was going to make either faction into a disciplined team, he might as well act like they were.

A couple MISC agents pulled away from the house to focus on Tarmo, who began to aright himself. Kneeling, hunched over, and breathing slowly, he made no move until Shauna came close. Grabbing her by the sleeve of her shirt and risking the bullet from Keith, he made desperate pleas between huffs. "Wait... not... time... huff... Lyle... huff... turned on Cinema... huff... Cinema Avenue... huff... huff... rrrrrRRRIGHT!" He collapsed on the ground, struggling with his inner demon and casting Shauna's sleeve off. He didn't have much strength, but his cold, hardened days in the Soviet Union were- slightly- paying off. He had a few minutes at best.

Tristan didn't waste a second. "Giovanni, we have a heading. Not a big one, but it's a start. He turned right on Cinema Avenue. Take a couple MISC agents"- he motioned to the MISC agents next to him- "and go after Lyle. We'll follow as soon as we... sigh wrap this up. If any of the mutants in the house are interested, take them too. You can offer them full pardon, on my authority."

He hung up the phone and turned to Keith. "He can only control one guy at a time, and the protocol for Lyle is to shoot to kill. They can at least distract him, which will hopefully give Tarmo-"

The cell phone in his hand started charging. Tristan only cocked his eyebrow for a second before groaning. "Get to your places, everyone. Time for Round Two."

[Talchyon]

Outside the Mutant Safe-house
Shauna Marks (aka "Lady Lang")

While Lyle was definitely more the threat, Tristan knew there was at least a slight amount of wisdom in Keith's words. At the very least, he probably couldn't find Lyle on his own, let alone resist his mind control without better support. He slowed to a halt and jogged back. If he was going to make either faction into a disciplined team, he might as well act like they were.

A couple MISC agents pulled away from the house to focus on Tarmo, who began to aright himself. Kneeling, hunched over, and breathing slowly, he made no move until Shauna came close. Grabbing her by the sleeve of her shirt and risking the bullet from Keith, he made desperate pleas between huffs. "Wait... not... time... huff... Lyle... huff... turned on Cinema... huff... Cinema Avenue... huff... huff... rrrrrRRRIGHT!" He collapsed on the ground, struggling with his inner demon and casting Shauna's sleeve off. He didn't have much strength, but his cold, hardened days in the Soviet Union were- slightly- paying off. He had a few minutes at best.

Tristan didn't waste a second. "Giovanni, we have a heading. Not a big one, but it's a start. He turned right on Cinema Avenue. Take a couple MISC agents"- he motioned to the MISC agents next to him- "and go after Lyle. We'll follow as soon as we... sigh wrap this up. If any of the mutants in the house are interested, take them too. You can offer them full pardon, on my authority."

He hung up the phone and turned to Keith. "He can only control one guy at a time, and the protocol for Lyle is to shoot to kill. They can at least distract him, which will hopefully give Tarmo-"

The cell phone in his hand started charging. Tristan only cocked his eyebrow for a second before groaning. "Get to your places, everyone. Time for Round Two."

When does a friend cease to become a friend? Is it when she won't return your text messages? Or when he is always too busy to talk to you? Is it when he has more time for other people but not you? Or if she gets mad and angry?

Or how about when an electically-powered mutant who you met at an airport and who you started working with becomes mind controlled? Yeah, that one doesn't fit inside any of the preconceived categories...

So when Shauna tried to come to Tarmo's assistance, despite the warning from Keith, the weakened electrical flying man working with the Center grabbed her sleeve. It looked as if he was fighting with himself, like whatever had been happening inside his mind was still holding on but not by much. The Eastern European mutant struggled to get out directions to where this Lyle Richards was heading, and Shauna immediately felt sorry for him. Tarmo had only tried to help, and now it was costing him. Possibly his sanity.

There was a plan in motion now. MISC needed the Center's help, and while the Center was somewhat ambivalent about MISC, yet working with them did give some kind of governmental sanction. The plan now was to send several agents against Lyle Richards, since he could only control one on at a time. The others were to recruit some of the house mutants to help them fight this Lyle. Shauna thought she might be of value there. Once all were ready who were going, they would head out in search of the mind-altering Lyle Richards.

Only there was one problem. The government-issue phone that she had been given and put in her pocket started to cast a white glow. It was charging, just like before. That could only mean one thing... Tarmo was losing his one-on-one battle for the control of his mental facilities. But knowing that Lyle's mind control made Tarmo impervious to her vocal, emotion-inducing words, she told everyone around her, "Don't hurt him, but win so we can get all this sorted out." And her words were going to inspire feelings of courage and bravery for all around. Tarmo excluded.

Taking off at a run, Shauna ran to what she hoped was a safe distance. Still keeping an eye on him, and those around him, she tried to catch up to the MISC agents who were about to recruit the mutants from the safe house. She spoke up, "Hey guys. I can help. You want people you just shot at to come work with you now? Leave that to me."

Walking up to the mutants who had come outside the safe house, with the MISC agents right beside her, Shauna was the first to speak. "Fellow mutants. What happened here today began as a tragedy, but it doesn't have to end that way. There is one man on the loose who can control minds. He controlled some of these MISC agents who shot at you, he's controlling that electrical man over there, and he controlled some of you too. The lady with the force field, for starters. But now, we need your help. Again, as I said earlier, I'm not with the MISC. I'm with the Center. We're a group that helps mutants like you. Like us. But right now, MISC and the Center are working together. I don't want this escapee making me use my powers against my friends, and I don't want him doing the same to you. If you have any criminal violations, the government is also giving out a full pardon for any and all of your past transgressions if you will help out."

During the speech, Shauna wanted the mutants who heard her to feel that one important feeling, that can make or break a person's spirit. And that feeling was hope.

[NewLakotah]

Kw'eh T'soh Dai/Keith Dai (Red Wolf)
Mutant Safe House

Tarmo had managed to break though the mind control, if only for a second. It was a start, but it seemed to have taken all of his energy to do so. He was certainly a tough man, but he seemed broken, collapsed through the intense mental battle raging in his head. Kw'eh couldn't help be feel somewhat lucky that he hadn't gone through the mental attack. He had barely managed to make it through a much less devastating "attack" by Shauna not that long ago, he wasn't sure if he, mentally, would be as capable to handle it. He wasn't exactly well regarded as having a great mental health these days.

Kw'eh simply stood by, unsure of what to do as Tarmo muttered aloud the position of where Lyle Richards was. It was a start at least. But the danger wasn't not knowing where he was, it was what to do once you encountered him. This type of target, the danger he presented, really left very few options as to how to take him out. Talking to him was out of the question. Fighting him solo seemed risky to say the least, especially seeing the devastating effect that it had on Tarmo, a very powerful mutant and a very strong person as is. Kw'eh was at a lost.

Suddenly Tristan was there next to him, by his side. Kw'eh looked over to him as Tristan barked off orders. It seemed as if he did take his advice, that was good.

"He can only control one guy at a time, and the protocol for Lyle is to shoot to kill. They can at least distract him, which will hopefully give Tarmo-" Tristan said to him before being cut off by a cell phone. His expression could only tell that things had not gotten better. Kw'eh sighed.

"Get to your places, everyone. Time for Round Two." Tristan said again. Kw'eh looked at him. He flicked the safety off from his M4 assault rifle. he turned to the house to see Shauna moving to the house trying to rally support from the former targets, now hopeful allies. Things certainly had changed.

"If he can only focus on one guy, everyone needs to travel in teams. We need to distract Lyle enough to break his... mind grip on Tarmo. I don't think he'll make it much longer. Either he'll die from the mental strain or turn on us again. We need to corner him, draw him into a trap..." He stopped thinking for a second. He turned back to Tristan. He didn't have any good ideas, but, hell, desperate times call for desperate measures. "A sacrificial lamb. Put a tracker on someone, me or something, keep the MISC and the mutants following behind quietly. Once we get to the Cinema avenue, and he gets distracted on focused in on one person, send the jump him. Kill him. Arrest him. Whatever. Unless you got any better ideas of getting him. Cause I sure as hell don't."

[Zjaum]

It was neither foolproof nor airtight, but it started well. Shauna's request was met with a few seconds of silence, and then the unlocking of the door. Two mutants walked out, a man and a woman. The woman introduced himself. "My name's Wendy King, and this is Mack McConnell. Mack wanted to do something, and I honestly just wanted to blow off some steam. I have the power to direct winds, and he's bulletproof. We're at your disposal. Where do we go?"

Tristan sped to his car while Tarmo was gathering steam. He whipped out his Swiss Army knife, pried off the car's tracker, and sped back to Keith. "Gunther! Weston! Get over here!... Keith. This tracker works remotely. Give it the tracker to Gunther; he's been in a number of life-or-death scenarios, and this is partly your plan. Take Shauna, the two MISC agents, the two volunteer mutants and head down Cinema. I'll handle everything from here. If there are any other mutants who want to help, I'll send them your way."

As the away team left the scene, Tristan was left to face off against his friend/more-often-than-not rival. "Look, Tarmo. We never checked if you could hear anyone while Lyle brainwashed you, but I figured I might as well tell you now, while we have the chance. You, Shauna, and Keith are the closest I had to friends in this profession. I won't hesitate to shoot you if things go out of hand, but I wanted to tell you that before I do."

MISC agents encircled Tarmo, doing their best to counter electric shock on the fly. Some put their rubber heels on Tarmo's back, immediately retracting them once they began to melt. Others still checked for rubber bullets, which they'd left behind. Behind the sunglasses and stoic faces, within deep within, was a small modicum fear.


Lyle was definitely going for a workout. It had been quite a while since he had exerted himself this much, and not many people were willing to mind-wrestle with him for training purposes. Still, Lyle found everything quite exhilarating. He wouldn't have escaped if he hadn't mentally and strategically prepared for this moment. He looked at his phone, grateful for the one independent "newsman" who snuck in late and began recording. The live comments were hilarious. The electric man would be up and running soon, and he was going to need as much mental power as possible to handle whoever's left.

Clutching his head, he stumbled into the warehouse store. The manager gave him a funny look, but Lyle didn't have time for formalities. He shuffled down the aisles: 11, 12, 13, 14... there we go. He passed through to the chemical fertilizer section and lifted up one of the bag's lips. Underneath was a Henry Survival AR-7 rifle. Good; 55 had done her job. He picked it up and checked the ammunition. Also good. Hopefully at this point he'd have enough to hold himself off until the others get there in time. Everything was calculated. He eyed the live feed and prepared for war.

[Anxiety Cafe]

"Ow!" Jacob yelled, abruptly sitting up from his isolated position in the neighbor's yard. Someone must have moved him. He could barely remember anything from the fight, besides him rushing into the house for no reason whatsoever. That wasn't like him. It was like someone had been guiding him, telling him what to do with such authority that his mind simply went along with it instead of attempting to resist. He clutched his throbbing head with one hand, pulling it away to find it stick with blood. He must have gotten injured falling down the stairs, or maybe worse. The mutants in the house didn't exactly like him for what he did.

His feeble attempts to get himself on two feet failed spectacularly; the only thing he managed to do was trip over the dirt and fall on his ass again. He half-heartedly groaned in pain, before lying down for a couple seconds and trying again. Bingo! He stood, watching confusedly the chaotic scene. Mutants from the Center and the house, agents from the MISC, news crews, police officers, even a couple civilians with guns; it looked like war. Tarmo had passed out somewhere, Shauna and the rest were rushing, and Tristan seemed like his head was about to explode off of his head and then some. They had all but forgotten about him, hidden where he was; he couldn't blame them, considering everything he could see.

One step in front of the other, he told himself, focusing hard on his feet to ensure he didn't trip again.

"You!" he croaked, limping on one leg with one finger pointed at the MISC agent. "What the fuck happened?"

The agent's eyes blazed in fury at being talked to like a tool, roughly giving an explanation of Lyle Richard's, one of the MISC's mutants, escape. That explained all the chaos, and would explain what exactly happened to him. Jacob only grunted in response, slowly making his way to the only familiar authoritative figure he could see: Tristan.

"Agent Spinner! Sorry about...everything. I don't know what came over me, although I think your mutant escapee might have had something to do with that. Where do you want me? I could go with the others after Lyle, but I think my talents would be better suited against Tarmo, should Lyle gain the upper hand in his mind."

[NewLakotah]

Kw'eh T'soh Dai/Keith Dai (Red Wolf)
Cinema Avenue
Kw'eh nodded at Tristan and turned to the two MISC agents, Shauna and the two new mutants that had joined the cause after being convinced by Shauna. He took the tracker in his hand and grabbed his M4 and motioned for them to start following him.

"Ok, this might be a terrible plan, but still, its the best shot we got, especially with Tarmo still down. We need to act fast and move now. First things first, Gunther, with the tracker, you are going to the be bait so to speak. I'll follow right behind you. Weston, you take the mutants with you and spread out behind and stay the hell outta sight. Keep your distance, but stay close enough that once we get eyes-on you can move in quickly. You'll move in on my signal. Being seen here and now will end our mission. And remember, its shoot to kill. IF you have a shot on him, kill him. Don't hesitate or think about it, he wouldn't do the same for you. Now, Lyle Richard's last known location was Cinema avenue, so lets get moving."

With that he turned and started jogging off towards Richard's position. He motions for Weston to head off down a side road parallel to Cinema avenue, while still remaining as quiet and unnoticeable as possible. Meanwhile, Gunther and Keith moved towards the intersection. He picks up his radio.

"Alright, in position."

[Zjaum]

"Ok, this might be a terrible plan, but still, its the best shot we got, especially with Tarmo still down. We need to act fast and move now. First things first, Gunther, with the tracker, you are going to the be bait so to speak. I'll follow right behind you. Weston, you take the mutants with you and spread out behind and stay the hell outta sight. Keep your distance, but stay close enough that once we get eyes-on you can move in quickly. You'll move in on my signal. Being seen here and now will end our mission. And remember, its shoot to kill. IF you have a shot on him, kill him. Don't hesitate or think about it, he wouldn't do the same for you. Now, Lyle Richard's last known location was Cinema avenue, so lets get moving."

The group moved carefully but quickly, with surprising precision that could only come from well-trained veterans and street-hardened civilians. Piece by piece, they managed to keep formation and acquire information on Lyle's whereabouts. Their formation inevitably led to a large warehouse alongside a similar street. This must be it: Lyle's last hideout. Nobody could blame him, of course; it was rather hot day for a January afternoon.

Weston, King, and McConnell found a rear entrance through the truck bay and passed through, only having to deal with one slightly-miffed employee. Gunther and K'weh approached the front entrance and checked their watches. They gave the rest of the team two minutes to run around the back, and that time was quickly running out. 3... 2... 1...

Keith watched Gunther enter in the front door, quietly, quickly and confidently. Seconds later, Gunther fell backward, a 0.22 bullet lodged in his forehead. Someone had lain in waiting for him.

Upon hearing the gunshot, Weston immediately took for cover and motioned to his mutant allies to do the same. McConnell whispered, "I'm bulletproof, though!" Weston replied. "This man can control minds. You don't want our guns to be worthless, do you?"

Lyle took his hand off the trigger and retreated into hiding before anyone realized what was happening. He couldn't shoot again; he needed his strength for Tarmo. Hopefully, though, those MISC agents would be too careful (and too naive or disorganized) to realize that. Knowing MISC, they'd immediately run for cover and spend five to ten minutes assembling and coordinating a new approach. Not as efficient as the FBI, but the FBI didn't have to handle mind-controlling freaks like him on a regular basis. He sighed quietly. Perhaps not the best plan, but he was in for the long haul now. He stared at the screen and began to concentrate.


It would have been a lie to say that Tarmo arose like a phoenix from the ashes, glory shining over the new villain for one last hurrah. The sight, however, was a tad more sickening. It seemed like the spirit was willing, but the body had... simply given up. Tarmo emerged, like a husk holding itself up, his head bent to one side. The one part of his body that held any measure of rigidity was his hands and feet, which contorted this way and that to simultaneously lift Tarmo to his feet and create an electrical field around him.

"Agent Spinner! Sorry about...everything. I don't know what came over me, although I think your mutant escapee might have had something to do with that. Where do you want me? I could go with the others after Lyle, but I think my talents would be better suited against Tarmo, should Lyle gain the upper hand in his mind."

"No, you stay here, Jacob," Tristan replied, his gun now officially out of his holster and his safety off. "You're right. Electric T-types are probably good counters against each other."

A few cars parked on the street had forgotten to park their emergency brakes correctly. With slight groans, the unfastened cars began to move out of their parking spaces and towards the heroes. For the moment, they were encircling, but Tristan knew full well: if they made any sudden moves, Tarmo could flick his wrists and send one of the cars flying out of nowhere towards them. So, Tristan made slow moves to get out of the circle, telling Jacob to do the same.

"Tell me, Jacob," he said. "You're a electric-type. How would you neutralize your opponent without killing him?"

[The Knockout Gun Gals]

Giovanni Serrano

Gio ran to his car as he started it on and went to the Cinema Avenue. It's not far, but definitely not what he had in mind when he started this hunt. He loaded the bullets into the shotgun, Ithaca, as the car moved ahead. Traffic jam is a thing, but he sure hoped that wouldn't lead to anything bad. Hopefully.

The car sped ahead, though he couldn't really saw where the rest of the agents are. Putting his shotgun back and instead put on the sniper rifle of his, he went through the streets as he got closer. He called Tristan, "Agent Tristan, sorry I was late to the Avenue. Where are you guys? I'm heading over there, rifle on hand, ready to kill."