14/01/04

Characters: Jack_Karrde, Terry_Bogard, Raven_Von_Tilsen

*SOUTH NERIMA*

Jack is walking along the street.  And for some ungodly reason his red hair is
now brown and cut short.  He's also dressed in a somewhat casual business suit. 
What the hell is this?

Terry looks about the street thoughtfully, stomach lurching a bit as he catches
a whiff of okonomiyaki from 'Ucchan's'... but there's a far more serious job to
do. Unlike Jack, he has not bothered with a disguise and looks his normal self.
His eyes alight on a small door, nestled at the edge of an alleyway next to a
dilapidated building with the sign 'Rooms for Rent' rusted and battered, hanging
on its wall.

Jack walks up behind Terry, "Hey Terry.." he says as he looks around, "Got the
message?"

Terry's head whips around, hair flying back as he glares over his shoulder..
calming once he recognises the voice. But what he sees doesn't match up. He
cocks an eyebrow, turning fully to look the man up and down. "Yeah... but you've
gotta be kidding me, right? You been sponsored for this?"

Jack says, "..Terry, it's me..Jack."

Terry smirks, "I know it's you. Why'd ya think I asked? Oh well.." he gives a
loose shrug, grinning, "At least now I know what it takes to make a respectable
citizen out of ya." He turns back to look across the street at the building,
expression turning more serious as he nods towards the slightly rusted sign.
"We've got suspect number one right here. Look good to you?"

Jack tilts his head a bit, "Gut and phoenix senses are in agreement." he closes
his eyes and he presses a button on his watch and his image wavers as the
holocloak is dropped, "Let's go."

Terry laughs a bit at that, "Nice. You didn't have any problems, I take it?"

Jack says, "None, scoped the place out from a distance and had Falcon do a
cloaked fly by of it." he smirks, "They have no idea what they unleashed.  Shall
we?"

Terry nods, tossing his head back to clear some errant hair as he turns to look
across the street once more. "Yeah, we shall. Wish Rock'd told us a bit more,
but I guess it can't be helped." He shrugs before stepping out into the road and
towards the seedy building. Three floors up on the northern side, light glints
off one of the few polished windows in the block...

Jack asks, "..Third floor..notice something?"

Terry stops in the middle of the road, side-stepping to allow a cyclist to ride
past before he glances up. "No... not really-oh. Yeah." He leans to one side, to
give a better view of the side of the building, "Seems they're still renting
rooms. Someone's in there too.." he chuckles, "Never hit jackpot so quick.
C'mon." He walks the rest of the way to the door, cocking an eyebrow at the
chunky electronic lock mechanism. He draws a fist back, then hesitates and looks
across to Jack. "You got anything to open this quietly?"

Jack kneels down in front of the door and narrows his eyes, "..A Shenron Lock?
God give me a challenge." he says as reaches into his coat and pulls out a lock
pick and some small box.  Setting the box on the door he pulls out a couple of
wires and hooks them to the lock. "Setting up a cross current so we don't set it
off." he explains as he starts to work on the lock with a singular skill and
grace.  Seems he's done this before.

As Jack speaks, an area of shadow further along the tight alleyway starts to
coalesce into something more distinct... that power throbbing again. Terry
winces, his gaze flickering to the side. "Cool. While you're working on that I
guess I'd better deal with our little friends."

Jack says, "..I'll be another moment.  The alarm is not the hard part. 
Shenron's are a pain to pick, even with a key they still stick."

Terry nods vaguely to Jack, "Okay. Well, watch out for traps.. I get the feeling
whoever we're up against goes for that kinda thing. They sure as hell go for
-this- kinda thing." He looks towards the twwo emerging creatures with a resigned
sigh, then dashes into the alleyway. Halfway there he is met with the sudden
apparition of a third zombie, this one lunging at his side with claws already
extended.

Of course the third one is in for a shock as a subtle whine is heard as a red
bolt flashes past Terry to hit the masked creep right IN the mask. Looks like
Jack as always has a ace up his sleeve.

Terry curses and starts to dodge the fiend's claw, a smirk touching his lips as
Jack's bolt fires into it's face. As his first opponent goes down to it's knees,
mask cracking neatly in two, he hops up onto it's shoulder - giving a light
grunt as he kicks off into a fast flying kick, his booted foot hammering into
the face of the second zombie before it can even raise a hand to attack. Pieces
of mask fly up into the shadows as Terry lands neatly on his feet, leaning back
to dodge a vicious claw-thrust from the third enemy. "Dammit.. don't you.." he
leans up against the wall to one side, bringing a knee up to the fiend's gut. It
gurgles unpleasantly and doubles over, though still managing to throw a second
claw for the blonde fighter's throat. Ducking that, he delivers his second blow,
another knee to the throat. "Ever.." As his opponent falls back, Terry steps
around to face it, right hand clenched at his side and gathering energy. "Give
up?"

Smirking a bit as the lock finally pops Jack looks at the remaining two.
Okay..one on one..that's the way he likes it. Holstering his old Blastech he
grins as he looks at Terry, "Last one's mine.." he says as he moves in.

Terry chuckles and steps to one side, looking down at the fallen creature as it
catches a breath and starts to pull itself to it's feet. He spreads his hands
helplessly, "Sorry, guy. Love to carry on, but..." and at about that point Jack
will probably be launching his attack.

Jack runs in and at the last moment changes his attack pattern and starts
running across the wall.  Who does he think he is, Neo?  As he reaches the thing
he kicks off and spins in mid air as his leg flashes out for a good old
fashioned roundhouse kicked aimed at the standing one's face.

*CRUNCH* As the kick hammers home, the shadowy mask splits into four pieces..
the chunks falling one after another to the floor. The face below is, rather
surprisingly, a young woman. A further glance at the bodysuit she wears would
confirm this, though small of bust she is most certainly female. Blood runs from
several cuts on her face as she crumples backwards. Terry watches this, blinking
a little at the fiend's identity.. not to mention Jack's rather original method
of attack.

Jack lands in a crouch facing Terry, "No flashy powers..that's like putting a
sign out saying 'Come and get us.'" he points out as he walks to the young
woman, "You know her?"

Terry nods quietly, "Gotcha. And yeah, kinda... she's.." he scoffs rather
bitterly, lifting two fingers to emphasise the nature of his next words,
"'Nobody special'. Just a girl who used to hang around Southtown, always tried
to make the big one each year," By this he clearly means the 'King of Fighters'
tournament... "And never did. Regular at just about every organised fight in
town." He sighs, kicking off from the wall he has leaned up against. "Nice
girl."

Jack says, "She was a living being Terry.  That's makes her somebody to me." he
looks at her and narrows his eyes. "Terry...in all my life there is one thing I
never learned."

Terry says, "Yeah, well, not everyone feels the way we do." He looks towards the
door, then back to Jack and raises an eyebrow, "And what's that?"

Jack turns to Terry and looks at him both his eyes glowing solid white and
burning with inhuman anger, "How to hate...let's do this."

Terry gives a slight smile, looking down at his hand and slowly clenching the
fist.. the leather creaking despite its age. He looks back up to Jack, meeting
those disturbing optics. "Yeah." He nods, "I've got an old acquaintance to look
up. I doubt he can wait much longer for me either... difference between me and
him?" He turns towards the door, walking up to it before he glances sidelong at
Jack. "He does know how to hate. My life's on the cards tonight."

Jack nods and the glow fades, "Then don't fight him..I will.  If he's so
dangerous let me finish him."

Jack says, "Let's do this Terry."

Terry shakes his head, "No. This is a fight I should've ended years ago." He
lifts a hand and places it against the door, "This definitely isn't trapped,
right?"

Jack says, "..Falcon says it isn't..and you know my warning senses."

Terry nods, giving a small grin. "Just checking, Jack, just checking.." and he
pushes. The heavy door swings open to reveal a dark reception area. Terry steps
inside. A set of decrepit stairs lead upward in one corner, and a set of heavy,
dented elevator doors dominate one wall. Opposite these is a glass-fronted
booth, obviously where a secretary of some kind should be seated. Behind the
dirty glass, shadows shift ominously.

Jack walks in following Terry.

Terry takes one look at the elevator doors and then heads for the stairs,
placing one hand on the half-unscrewed support rail and leaning to peer up into
the darkness. "What d'ya think? If you were a psychotic mass-murderer with the
blood of a draconic god, which would you trap?"

Those shadows shift again, appearing to move closer to the glass...

At that Jack stops dead and turns to look right at Terry, "Repeat that last
part?" as he seems the shadow moving he pulls a throwing knife and he hurls it
into the shadows.

Terry jerks, looking in the direction of the thrown knife. Moving like a
whipcrack he lunges forwards and thrusts out one gloved hand, the knife's hilt
slamming into his fingers and dropping to the floor with a clatter. As whatever
was lurking in the shadows ducks down behind the booth, Terry looks to Jack with
his eyes wide "I -said-. If you were a psychotic mass-murderer with the blood of
a draconic god, which would you trap? But ..what the hell are you doing, Jack?"

Jack nods at the shadows near the glass, "There..they're moving.." he points
out. "Meaning the trap is in that area." he nods at the railing, "That might be
our best bet."

Terry nods, "Fine. But lemme just do something." And with that he spins on his
heels, striding up to the small door next to the booth, yanking it open and
stepping into the darkness beyond. There is the sound of a brief scuffle,
shadows flashing once more behind the glass...

Jack smirks a bit.  "A dragon blooded? Now this IS interesting." he muses.

A couple of moments later, the rag-clad figure of a teenage boy is hurled out of
the booth to land on his knees at Jack's feet. By the look and smell of him, he
hasn't washed for months, and clearly hasn't eaten in about the same amount of
time. Terry steps out, dusting off his hands before he reaches into the back
pocket of his jeans. "This, Jack, is why we have to be more careful. I sensed
the same thing you did - nothing. Why couldn't you see that?"

Jack looks at Terry, that anger is there again.  "Reasons.." Translation: He's
hiding something.

Terry shakes his head, sighing a little as he pulls out a wad of crumpled notes.
"Here, kid, get the hell outta here. Try not to come back." He reaches over the
boy's shoulder, thrusting the money - of which there seems to be rather a lot -
into the wide-eyed boy's hand. After a pat on the back, he nods and scrambles to
his feet before dashing out of the door, scraggly hair flying behind him. Terry
smiles sadly and looks to Jack with a shrug, "You coulda killed that kid, man."

Jack says, "..Sorry.  But..something you should know.  A dragon and the phoenix
are natural enemies."

Terry nods, "Yeah, you said before. But look, Yamazaki's no dragon. He's a
nutjob with ancient blood in his veins, passed down through hundreds of
generations to get to him." He gives another small shrug, beating some dust off
his jeans before looking over to the stairwell. "Let's go, then."

Jack says, "..And I'm sorry.  I should thought it through...but this place. 
It's bringing back old memories." he nods at the stairs, "Let's go."

Terry nods again before heading over and, taking the steps two at the time,
heads onwards and upwards. Wisely he leaves his hand from the rail, which looks
set to fall at any moment...

Jack follows Terry on up.  His senses stretched out to track any possible
dangers in the area.

The journey passes uneventfully.. though just past the second floor Terry stops
dead, holding a hand out to one side. "Wait."

Jack narrows his eyes and focuses his senses, "You feel something I'm missing?"

Terry looks over his shoulder and shakes his head. "Not that. There's.. nothing.
Far too much nothing, but anyway... it was the third floor we were after right?
North side?"

Jack says, "..Yes.."

Terry nods, "Right. When we get there.. stay outside."

Jack nods, "Sure.."

Terry looks at Jack for a moment before he quietly nods and turns away, dashing
up the last few steps to the third floor. Once there, he glances left and right
before taking the left corridor, brushing between the narrow walls until he
reaches the elevator, looking at the door opposite it and biting his lip. "This
one.. but I still don't feel anything."

Jack says, "..Same here.  Unless it's not Yamizaki but someone else." he hmms,
"..Terry..let me go in..if there is a creep with a gun I can deflect the shots
and heal any that hit.  You can't."

Terry glances sidelong at Jack, shaking his head again. "Jack, no. There won't
be a creep with a gun - there's too much bad blood. Yamazaki wouldn't settle it
like that, he's a bastard but he's a real one. He wants my blood for himself,
running over his hands. Trust me."

Jack asks, "..You're really making me rethink sitting this fight out bub." he
looks at the door, "Want to go for it?"

Terry nods, placing his hand on the loose door handle. "And don't worry. I'll
call you in once I know what's going on. I just wanna hear what the bastard's
got to say to me - what his -boss- has got to say to me, before they intend for
me to die. Let's do this." He turns the handle and shoves the door open boldly,
looking into the office beyond.

*OFFICE*

Jack keeps himself well outside. Hiding his aura and keeping quiet.

Terry frowns, looking about the empty room. A long, thin hatch is open at the
top of the long window that is the far wall, but no way near long enough to
admit a normal person. The blonde fighters sends a glance and a shrug towards
Jack before he steps inside, curling his right hand to a fist unconsciously...
and at that point the comfortable leather chair behind the desk spins around,
revealing a young girl crouched on it. She is dressed in quite the most horrible
manner, and as she comes around to face Terry gives him a toothy grin as she
humps her stilettoed feet onto the table.. sharp heels digging into a pile of
paperwork. "Heya, baby. Thought you'd never come. Where's the pet firebird?"

That did it, Jack is really gonna rip someone's head off.

Terry takes a step forward, hooking his hands through the waistband of his jeans
and looking over either shoulder, taking in the previously invisible corners.
Seeing nothing, he turns back to the girl with a quiet hmph. "Call him that and
you'll wish you'd never been born, kiddo. Who the hell are you, and where's my
welcoming party? You know what I mean..."

The girl's grin falters, and she puts on a mocking little pout, looking at Terry
over her fingernails as she brings them up to her face as if examining them.
"Well, big guy, you really know how to greet a girl. And here I am being so nice
to Rocky baby as well. How's he doing?"

Leaning against the wall Jack takes all this in.  But of course he's not gonna
be playing by the rules.  Tensing himself a bit he casts out his mental
perceptions and tries to get a read on the woman, last he needs is Yamizaki
busting in.

Terry shakes his head slowly, glaring daggers at the brightly dressed young
woman. "I asked you two questions, and you've not answered either of them. I'm
gonna add another now, and -this- one I expect a goddamn answer to." He leans
back, apparently quite casually,  on his heels. "You sent those things to kill
me. And before you give me any crap, I'm not here to discuss that. I'm here to
ask who wants me dead.. and be honest."

Jack shakes his head.  As subtle as a detonator he muses as he starts to try and
sift through the woman's more recent memories.  Yes, he's going to enjoy this.

As Jack does that, he'll notice a little resistance. Or, in fact, a lot of
resistance. (Don't even try it, honey. Not that I can really stop you, but my
way's more fun. Am I right?) She doesn't show any sign of her communication to
Terry, calmly settling back in the office chair she occupies. "Funny thing is, I
don't know. Haven't got a clue-diddly-oo. Oh, sure, Ry -wants- you dead, but
he's not the one making it so. Give us a few days, and you can ask your
surrogate kid."

Jack narrows his eyes and blinks, oO("She has shields..") he thinks as he sends
to Terry the feeling he got, this woman is more than she appears to be.

Terry smirks, "Funny thing is, you're lying. Jack!" He calls out, head whipping
back over his shoulder. The girl stays calmly seated as he does this, humming
something to herself. "Can you-" he hesitates, shivering at Jack's mental
contact but understanding immediately. He turns back to the girl with a light
shrug. "Shame. Even my 'pet firebird' can't play ball with ya, huh? So how did
you wanna do this?"

Walks into the room, his long coat billowing behind him, "I can't read her mind
without hurting her. But the fact they know what I can do makes me wonder." he
says simply, "But there is another way."

The girl crosses one leg over the other, resting her jacketed arms on the rests
of the chair. She gives Jack one of her toothy grins, "Hey, birdie! How's it
going?" Not waiting for a reply, she looks back to Terry, tilting her head to
one side.. earrings jangling. "Weeeelll.. y'see, I was hoping we could do this
without even bumping into your good self. I already had to send Ry away, 'coz he
might get a little.." she grins, "Jumpy if he knew you were coming. Y'know?"

Terry glances at Jack, raising an eyebrow warily as he is addressed as 'birdie',
"Don't do anything yet.." He smirks, looking back to the girl and nodding once.
"Yeah, I know. I was kinda hoping we'd be able to end this today, but obviously
I'm pretty wrong about that. So.. you're working for someone. Who is it? Oh..
and while you're at it, who are you?"

Jack looks at the woman and just smirks. As Terry tells him to wait he does so. 
But deep down he know what he's going to do..he's going to put the fear of God
into her in his own style.

The girl extends a hand, leaning forward as much she can without changing
position.. presenting her right hand complete with clawed sheath-ring. "Talena
Heyorvai." She makes a face, "Kinda crappy, and my friends just call me
'Talon'." She hmms, peering off to the left before looking back to Terry, "So do
my enemies, actually."

Terry doesn't move forward, he doesn't even spare a glance for the extended
hand. "No. However stupid you think I might be, that's not gonna happen. Answer
the first question."

Jack extends his perceptions on life forces to see if there are any surprises
hiding outside now.  HE saw the look, so he's being careful.

Talena leans back again with a complex shrug. "Eah.. suit yourself, big guy. I'd
ask bird boy to shake, but he'd probably fry my ass to New Orleans. So.. who do
I work for hm?" She pauses in a mockery of thought, then grins, waving her hand
vaguely in the air, "I work for.... Ryuji Yamazaki. Professional madman, and an
old buddy of yours, Terry 'Hungry Wolf' Bogard."

Jack says, "..No..New Orleans is too close.  I'd shoot for the ice rings of Io."

Terry gives a short, bitter laugh. "Yeah. Right. That bit I coulda guessed for
myself, thanks. If that's the way you're gonna play it, what streak of scum is
employing my 'old buddy' this time?" He looks at Jack, "Might wanna check
outside the door. Just a thought." His attention moves back to Talena, the
blonde fighter raising an eyebrow, "Well?"

Jack steps back and looks around outside with both his eyes and his senses.

If he were to look -up-... he'd see a shadowy figure poised above him with claws
ready to strike.

Jack smirks and with a sigh he shakes his head as he suddenly fires off a
Shouryuken right at the things face.

Talena shrugs, "Don't have a clue, babe." She looks up and across as Jack
strikes, the creature's mask shattering and it's now finally dead body peeling
off the wall to fall to the ground below.. provided the half-phoenix remembers
to step aside. Talon grins a little bit, then turns back to the conversation. As
she continues speaking, she drops something into her left hand from the sleeve
of her jacket, rolling it dextrously between her fingers. "Or rather, I've got a
few clues. Never met the guy, but.." she holds up her right hand in a fist,
raising fingers one by one as she counts off points. "Numero uno: he's from your
world.. numero duo: you two go way back, but only indirectly.. and numero trio:
he's about as involved with Rock as a man could be without, y'know, funny
stuff." She grins again, flicking the small tube in her hand up into the air as
she finishes speaking.

Jack does indeed step aside and walks back in, "One..outside.  Easily taken
down." he looks at the woman, "You done with her Terry?" he asks simply.

Terry blinks and darts forward to snap the object from the air, hand closing on
emptiness as Talena beats him to the thing. She looks up at him, "Too slow,
bozo." Her dull brown eyes move idly across to Jack, "Does it -look- like he's
done with me?"

Jack glances at Terry, "Well?"

Terry also looks across to Jack, "Yeah, we're done. If she's not gonna talk.."
his eyes snap back to Talena, his hand - still held out in the air - now moving
down to grab her by the upturned collar of her purple jacket. Once more his hand
closes on nothing, the girl moving suddenly, barely even making a blur, across
to the corner of the room, leaning casually against the glass wall and flicking
the small tube into the air once more. Terry's eyes eventually manage to follow
her movements, and promptly narrow. "Say no more."

Jack walks forward, passing Terry as he starts to glow with his power, "Instead
of the easy way we do this the hard way." he says sadly as his body begins to
glow like a small sun a pair of golden wings appearing from his back as he
surrenders to his power. "There is one thing about the phoenix that is not
known...something few understand." he says as his voice gains a resonating
sound.

Talena smiles sweetly at Jack, "Oh yuh? Care to share with a girl.. I've been
very good." Her smile phases into a wicked grin as she tosses the tube once
more, this time towards Terry. Though distracted by Jack, he manages to catch
the thing on the second try as it rebounds from his breast. Closing his fist
around it he looks between the phoenix and the speedy girl. "Jack... we're not
here to kill. Not in cold blood."

Jack smiles softly as he gazes at the woman, "I shall not kill Terry." he says
as the fire around him glows even brighter.  Terry might actually be able to
hear the song he hears.  A music that carries the richness and texture of a
symphony. Talena may be cocky now but when she sees what she faces, that may
change.  Reaching out with his power he forms a wall of force to keep her in one
place, also to make sure she doesn't jump out the window. "The flames of the
Phoenix burns away lies, it's radiance shines to the truth, it's eyes cut
through deceptions." he says as he attacks goes to attack her mind with all the
force at his command, "Burn and know I speak the truth!!!"

Talena's eyes widen alarmingly, the girl's body going limp as she cries out...
wanting to tumble to her knees from the pain, but held in place by the powers of
the phoenix. A hand flies to her brow, fingers whitening as they squeeze into
her throbbing temples. "You... I can't....." her chest rises and falls heavily
beneath the thick layer of PVC that covers it....

Terry swallows as he watches, his own eyes widening a little both at Jack's
display of power and the girl's reaction. Without a word, he leans against the
edge of the desk, as if himself staggered by what he can feel.

Jack seems to float into the air with the power he's called forth, the flames
taking the form of a bird of prey, a raptor rising to the attack as he tries to
penetrate her mind to find the secret of who they face. There is a line between
having power and being power, Jack is that line here and now.  He swore not to
kill and he shall not..he wants what they need.

Talena would now be writhing on the floor, if not for the power still holding
her in place. She bites down her lip, breath seething in her lungs and throat as
she struggles to fight what is happening... failing of course, her mind's basic
defences crumbling under the assault. And everything she knows is revealed - a
book for Jack to browse through at will. All of her experiences, everything she
knows and.. things she doesn't even know about herself. Her darkest thoughts and
desires. As to what Jack is intent upon discovering... she has been speaking the
truth. She knows her ultimate employer to be a relative of Rock's, and someone
Yamazaki would loathe if money were not involved... she also knows something of
the experiments being conducted. Not a great deal, but something... blood, lots
of blood is involved. And the bodies of dead martial artists, people dragged
from the Gates, turned into the zombies Jack and Terry have been encountering.
She was lying about that bit - the creatures are created by Yamazaki's employer,
created and controlled by. Terry is their target, and they have orders to
preserve Rock... but for all of this, she truly does not know the man's
identity.

Terry just watches from his position at the desk, gaze flitting back and
forth...

Looking at the woman as he stops his assault he goes to repairing the damage he
has done. But also he adds in something, something to help her get through the
day. A bit of light that may one day help her find her true way in life. 
Lowering to the ground, the fire and the wings fading Jack stands there, looking
less like a man and more like a terrible god with that proud air about him. "She
doesn't know who it is...but if Yamazaki was not in this for the money he would
not be here working for him."

Terry nods, giving a puzzled frown. "That I don't understand... and in truth it
only cancels out one person. Geese." He shrugs, "That's the one person Yamazaki
has any loyalty to. But I never thought this was doing." He looks across at
Talena, who finally slinks to the ground with a sob... reliving what she has
just been subjected to, despite the repairs that have been done. She sits
trembling, looking over at Jack with fearful eyes. Terry sighs and looks away,
tightening his grip around whatever he holds in his fist. "Anything else?"

Jack says, "The experiments involve blood, lots of it.  And the bodies of dead
Martial Artists. And Yamazaki's boss is behind the zombies.  And he is related
to Rock."

Terry slowly nods, "Definitely a 'he'? If it's definitely a man we're after,
then this just about confirms that it's Kain. Why the hell he's stooped to
gathering blood and creating these things I dunno... that's the question now.
And he does want Rock alive, not dead?"

Jack sighs and the proud air disappears, "That was a rush."

Jack asks, "Terry...question.  How did Yamazaki gain his powers again?"

Terry thinks for a moment, looking into the distance, before he shrugs, "I don't
know. As far as I know it was a gift from his bloodline.. just something that
surfaced inside him one day, and he never looked back. Why?"

Jack hmms, "Blood is very powerful.." he says after a moment.

Talena pulls herself together with a final choking breath, and slowly pushes
herself to her feet, leaning back against the glass again. "Karrde.. I knew you
were a badass but... ugh." She looks down, blinking a few times. "Sorry to break
this up, fellas.. but now what?"

Jack looks at Talena, "Knowing what I know of your boss now, you failed to stop
us meaning you're dead now, right?"

Terry narrows his eyes at Jack's comment, slowly looks towards the girl as he
address her. "Yeah. You're free to go, kid. Go get a real job, coz this one's
over now.. you've done your bit, you met Rock, you met with me and you betrayed
your boss. If we don't kill you, he will. And better your blood on his hands
than ours."

Talena straightens up, some confidence returning to her expression as she tosses
her head back, earrings jangling crazily. "Sure, sure. So I get one chance to
run off and improve myself, or I keep my loyalties and die? Nice try, but for
all you know I'm more useful than that. Ry's big bad might've taken a liking to
me, eh? Then what?"

Jack says, "There is another alternative Terry.  One that will make sure that
this man never even thinks she's alive." he says slowly. "Be right back."
Pouring on the speed Jack's out the door and back in a moment carrying the body
of the dead girl that fell to them outside. "The Phoenix means rebirth from
fire." he says as he walks to the window and plants the body against it.

Talena's eyes widen at the display of speed, and it dawns on her that she can't
hope to compete here. She leans back resignedly, raising her eyebrows across at
the phoenix born. "What are you doing now? I thought you wanted me to go..."

Terry looks at the body with a dark frown creasing his brow. "Jack.. what're you
doing?"

Jack says, "Listen, if he does have a liking to you.  He'll track you down.. And
I want a answer, if I help you get a new life will you give it your all?" he
asks seriously reaching for the light he opened up in her soul.

Talena swallows awkwardly, pursing her lips together and staring wide-eyed at
Jack. "What the heck're you talking about? I'm not some evil henchwoman, I'm
just a woman making her way. You think I did this 'coz I like to kill or
something? You couldn't be more wrong, babe.."

Jack nods, "That's all I need to know. Give me your ring.."

Talena holds up her gloved hand, "Nonono. First tell me what jive you're
talking! Who's the pretty stiff?"

Jack asks, "..One of the zombies that attacked us outside." and he narrows his
eyes, "Simple Talena, you're going to do and be reborn." he says simply as he
looks at the body, "Terry, with the lightshow I put on it's pretty obvious that
it looked like I just turned this woman into a crispy critter, right?"

Terry casts a sharp glance towards the brightly dressed girl. "Someone who
didn't deserve what life tossed her. And.. someone who deserves another chance
but-" he sighs, looking to Jack, "Yeah, sure. But I don't like this, Jack.."

Jack shrugs, "Fine.." he tosses Talena a small envelope, "This'll be enough to
get out of town and someplace else." he says offhandedly.

Talena catches the envelope between two fingers, smirking. "I'll say it again,
baby bird. I'm interested, just not dumb enough to go with you like that." She
clicks the same two fingers together, flipping the envelope into her other hand
as she does so. "You want me inside that body. Am I right?"

Talena catches the envelope between two fingers, smirking. "I'll say it again,
baby bird. Nonono. I'm interested, just not dumb enough to go with you like
that." She clicks the same two fingers together, flipping the envelope into her
other hand as she does so. "You want me inside that body. Am I right?"

Jack says, "..No..I was going to burn the body to a skeleton, that was they
wouldn't know it wasn't you."

Jack says, "..It's how people in the Witness Program disappear, they make it
look like they died and they give them money and a new identity to set up
elsewhere."

Talena nods, "Oh. Well, go ahead babe. Go crazy. Me, I'm gonna get out of here
before the smell starts up, you ever smell burning flesh?" She makes a face,
"Dis-gusting."

Jack looks at Terry, "Now you see what I had planned?"

Terry nods, "It's why I don't like it. That girl.." he nods towards the propped
corpse, "She's been through enough. She has her dignity stripped, at least let's
give her a proper burial."

Jack says, "..Get out of town fast though.  And if you go to the states look up
a Grayson Kinkaid in Washington.  Tell him Phoenix calls in the debt...he'll
help you out the rest of the way."

Jack looks at Terry for a moment and then he nods, "All right...I can set a
timed explosion off.  No one will be the wiser."

Talena steps forward, a blur of flashing colour as she moves to the door. Then
glances over her shoulder as she tucks away the envelope, "Sure. You good guys
crack me up, but I'll go with the flow. Maybe I'll enjoy it, eh?"

Jack says, "You never know.."

Terry shakes his head, then gives a small shrug. "Well, sure. But we'd better
check the building first, I'm not gonna see anyone else die because of this."
Behind him, Talena nods to herself and slips out quietly, her footsteps
clattering off down the corridor.

Jack nods, and he hmms, "Maybe there was light there before I did what I did."
he says idly. Looking at Terry he sighs, "Sorry about..what happened."

Terry blinks, lost in some sudden thought. "Huh?"

Jack says, "..About..what I did. Flaring up and acting like I was better than
anyone."

Terry shakes his head, "Oh, it's nothing. I dunno about better, but you're more
powerful than anyone else here so that gives you some excuse right?" He smiles a
bit, "Don't apologise for what you are."

Jack says, "No it doesn't..I'm still human." he looks around and casts out a
mental net to see if anyone else is here.

There is someone.. or several someones.. in a top-floor room. They don't feel
hostile.

Jack looks up, "Top floor room.  Give me a moment." he says as he stretched out
to put a thought in their minds.  The building is evil..they need to flee it.

Terry gives Jack several moments, but he doesn't remain still. He moves over to
the front of the desk, sitting down on the chair previously occupied by Talena
and starting to rifle through the paperwork.

Though some of the minds are uncertain, gradually they all come to the same
thought... these are normal humans, and easily manipulated by the
half-phoenix...

Jack says, "The wings fold over the main body on atmospheric re-entry.."

Jack asks, "..Done..find anything?"

Terry sighs and pushes aside a clump of papers, shaking his head as he gets back
to his feet. "No. I'm gonna stop looking, whoever's organised this has it sewn
up pretty tight. It's all the kinda thing you'd expect. Stocks and shares,
official letter, the usual crap..."

Jack says, "..Like a true business man."

Terry shrugs, "Exactly. Seems everyone I go up against has that inside them..
maybe I should take a hint. Anyway..." he looks around before shrugging again,
"I think we're done. At least until Yamazaki realised who he missed and comes
knocking."

Jack says, "..Sounds like fun."

Terry smirks, running a hand through his hair. "Oh yeah, it will be. 'Course,
we're also stuck not knowing where the hell to start finding Kain. Any ideas or
do we sit tight?"

Jack looks at Terry and shakes his head, "What kind of person is Kain?"

Terry returns Jack's look, frowning, "Kain is.. scarily sane for someone who
does what he does. He talks a lot of sense, which is why I'm scared for Rock's
sake." He shakes his head, thrusting both hands into the pockets of his jacket.
"He's also not stupid. Hell.. it's taken the reading of two minds to even find
out what's going on, and Rock was already taking the bait when you worked him
out."

Jack asks, "..Arrogant?  Stylish?  Want the best of life?"

Terry nods, "To all three. Not just the best for himself, either.. he's got a
world view, a way he thinks everything will work out. And it scares me because
in so many ways he's so right." He looks back over his shoulder, at the body of
the girl he knew... "But.. that isn't Kain's doing, or it wasn't. Something's
snapped."

Jack says, "..He lost Rock..he wants him alive and you dead."

Terry nods a few times, "Figures. Before.. he didn't want me dead, but I guess I
can see why that would've changed. Any clue what he wants Rock for? The reason I
ask.. he's either got 'my Rock' with him, or they've already parted ways..."

Jack says, "..Maybe he's not from your world.  Just a variation of it.  One in
which HE lost Rock."

Terry frowns, "Maybe. I don't know, but I'm sure we'll find out."

Jack says, "..But there is one thing that is setting off warning alarms.  The
blood..."

Terry raises an eyebrow, "Why? They're sustaining life in corpses.. or I presume
that's what they're doing. Of course it's gonna involve blood... isn't it?"

Jack says, "..Terry. I study tons of things. Zombies don't need blood. But blood
in and of itself is a powerful icon of strength."

Terry looks down at the ground thoughtfully, after a few long moments lifting
his head and meeting Jack's gaze. "So what're you thinking?"

Jack says, "Through ancient times and even in the modern world it is there. 
Vampires feed off the life force it brings.  Some cultures believe that by
tasting the blood of their slain enemies they ate part of their souls.  In dark
rites blood is used to call forth spirits and demons."

Jack says, "Terry...in your world has there been ANYONE that has done something
similar?" he asks as he looks out at the city.

Terry smirks a bit, nodding, "Yeah. As far as I know, Yamazaki avoided it but...
everybody else in his bloodline, they entered something called the 'Riot of the
Blood'. Made 'em twice as powerful, and twice as fast.. and they fed the Riot by
drinking what was left of their victims. We spent the whole of '97's tournament
dealing with it."

Jack nods, "What happened after they drank the blood?"

Terry shakes his head, "The blood of their foes just sustained the Riot... but
there's more. It's a legend really, a myth, and I've never seen it done, but
feeding off the -blood- of the person absorbed -in- the Riot of the Blood is
supposed to make a person stronger than they could ever imagine."

Jack says, "Myths have a habit of being true."

Terry sighs, "Yeah, I know. But this can wait.. for now we need to get outta
here, and I need a drink. You wanna set that timer so we can get going?"

Jack says, "..Let's head to the warehouse."

Terry nods, "Right." He looks across at the dead girl, expression darkening for
a moment before he heads over and shoulders the corpse. "Do what you have to do
then, Jack."

Jack nods to Terry and forms a orb of energy and tosses it onto the floor,
"..This'll send Kain a message."

Terry glances at the orb, then nods to Jack. "Let's hope so. The sooner he comes
to find us, the less effort we have to make to find him. How long's that gonna
wait?"

Jack says, "..A minute.."

Jack says, "Lead on Macduff."

Terry laughs, "Say no more. Let's go."

Jack nods and follows Terry on out.

*OLD WAREHOUSE* 

Raven says, "Believe it or not, I think it's salvageable."

Milly Falcon says, "..I'm amazed."

Raven is currently on the back of Oni, climbing upwards.

Raven says, "It all depends on who you chummers get to work on it, that's all."

Milly Falcon says, "..Me and some drones. And we got company."

Jack looks at Terry as he keys in the security code, "Raven's gonna kill me."

Raven doesn't even have to look. "Hi hon." she calls out from behind the mech. 
"What did you do this time?"

Terry smirks, "You're not the one banned from leaving the house without magical
support. Whaddya think'll happen to me when I get home?" He looks over to Raven
as the doors open, lifting a hand in a casual wave. "Hey, Raven." Leaving Jack
to answer...

Jack blinks as he looks at Terry, "I forgot to mention..me and her are kinda
linked.  She knows what I'm thinking and also knows when I power up. And Raven
has the same thing on me." he holds up his hand displaying the phoenix shaped
ring. Glancing at Raven he coughs, "The usual."

Milly Falcon says, "I already told her Jack..and where's Rocky at. He's a damn
good kisser...I wanna see what else he can do good."

Raven manages to reach the shoulder and takes a seat.  "You're not banned...
it's just in case you need a little extra energy, that's all.  Heya Terry. How
goes?"  she's a little short of breath.

Terry almost chokes on a laugh, looking at Falcon and raising an eyebrow, "He's
a WHAT?!?"

Milly Falcon says, "..I kinda..forced him to kiss me."

Jack says, "No comment."

Raven takes a look down the neck of Oni, making some notes on her PDA.

Terry nods, grinning and rubbing the back of his neck. "Okay, that figures. I
thought you were gonna tell me he'd finally given in." He nods to Raven, "And
I'm good. Confused and.. getting kinda freaked out.. but good."

-MISSING CHUNK-

Terry grins at something, despite the uncomfortable sensation he is
experiencing. Then he returns to concentrating, trying to force the memory he
-knows- is there to the top of his mind, towwards the alien prescence of Jack...

Jack sighs as he gets the lock he needs, "Got it.." and he leaves Terry's mind
and he shakes his head a bit, "..Okay...let's rock and roll." and like that his
eyes flare brightly as he casts out a net across the area, stretching it out to
encompass the city as fast as he can.

Some clanging is heard from the mech, and out of the shoulder Raven appears, a
couple of grease spots on her face.

Crux Caedon doesn't look surprised at all to see Raven. But rather from common
sense, he looks almost like he knew with absolute certainty. One might have
noticed him smiling just before she showed her face, but it's unlikely since
none were paying attention. He decides this would be an opportune moment to
announce himself. "Hello!"

Jack smirks and starts grinning, "Falcon..please arm a Mark 4 photon torp." he
says idly.

Terry gasps a bit as his mind is released. Rubbing at his temples, he glances
over to Crux with a small grin. "Hey, man, how's it-say what, Jack? You got it,
huh?"

Jack says, "..South of here..old temple I used to practice at."

Raven looks over at Crux. "Hi there!" she says as she replaces the metal plates
on the shoulder.  she then stands and jumps off, twisting a bit so when she
lands, she tumbles, and ends up in a crouching position.

Crux Caedon gives everyone a wide, disarming smile. "Miss anything?"

Jack glances at Raven, easy to see the fear in his eyes when she does that.

Terry nods, "Okay. Well, no ranged weapons - when the time comes we'll go there
and end this. But the time isn't now." He looks back to Crux, "Could say that.."

Jack asks, "..So I can't nuke it?"

Raven stays crouched for a moment, then stands, dusting herself off.

Terry chuckles at Jack, "I'd rather you didn't. Besides, I want Rock to get a
chance to decide for himself.. did we tell you his blood's starting to boil up?
I pushed him to the brink in training and he as good as killed me before he
stopped himself..."

Crux Caedon shrugs and walks back towards the elevator. "Well nukes are about
where I step off the plane of reality, thank you very much."

Jack says, "Ah..okay. Well can I just torment him.."

Terry cocks an eyebrow, "Kain or Rock? Rock gets tormented enough, believe me.."

Jack says, "Kain..let him know that he's come to the wrong place to cause
trouble."

Raven walks over to one of the worktables and gets out large pieces of paper and
some marking pencils.  She then starts drawing.

Terry shrugs, "Knock yourself out." He straightens up with a sigh, "Just save
the biggest piece of meat. Whether I get it or Rock, it has to be one of us...
anyway, I should head back for the night shift. Sammy always wakes up about
now.."

Jack says, "Night shift?  Where you work?" and he looks off to the side,
"Falcon..yes you can set up the water bucket prank.  And no you cannot put acid
in it."

Terry laughs, "The same place you do. Not that I mind.. nothing with Mei or the
kids is a chore. Though, uh.." he wrinkles his nose, rubbing the back of his
neck ruefully. "I guess I shouldn't speak too soon."

Jack says, "Eh..Falcon watches the kids when I'm busy.  But lately..somethings
been wrong with them."

Terry raises an eyebrow slightly, "Oh? What's up?"

Jack says, "..They're developing TOO fast.  They're both already walking and
Marie is trying to talk."

Terry blinks, "O-kay.... but that's just your side of things, I'd presume?"

Jack says, "..Possibly.  Raven herself is a child borne of magic so I guess the
combination is causing the kids to be different." he sighs, "Why couldn't they
have been normal..not like me or Raven."

Terry smiles, giving a light shrug. "Jack, you act like it means they're gonna
live their life in constant shadow. Whatever you've been through, it doesn't
have to be like that for them. They've got two loving parents..."

Jack says, "I know..it's just...I didn't want them to even have to deal with
battles or danger like me."

Terry nods, "Well.. that's a pretty vain hope, and not just in this world. And
if someone has to face danger, better they're equipped to deal with it... your
children will be. They'll be free to grow without constant fear of death,
because they can defend themselves."

Jack asks, "..Yeah." he sighs, "Well..I guess we best go.  See ya later?"

Terry smiles and nods, "Be sure of it. Just in time to face more battles and
danger.... oh, and thanks. Thanks for helping me out in this - without you, I
wouldn't have got this far this soon."

Jack says, "..No problem. See ya Terry.." and he walks to the door.

    Source: geocities.com/terrybgoode/logs/terry

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