Star City

[Rui]

Aya stared at the screen in disbelief. 


Well, before she put another fist through it. 


"This is...unbelievable." 


Aya looked back at Karoline, a determined crease in her brow and her jaw set in a firm line. 


"We are getting out of this car. Liam will not think we are the dead, and we will beat that lying glorbank Ferrall who would dare lead us into this most aggravating for circumstances." 


She grasped Kary's hand, holding it delicately. 


"I will speak only English so you can understand. You do not need the 'coding' for now. We can see to it that it is returned when we are free of this motor vehicle."


She glared out of the window, the green glow of her eyes practically burning through the window, shooting psychological daggers into the lieutenant.  


She may have liked him before, but now?


Now he was the enemy. 


@Sir Les Paul


@NecroKnight

 

[NecroKnight]

@Sir Les Paul


@Rui


(I now both hate and love Waller' character at that. I just got a bigger investment in my char here, whom is like a naive puppy at that. And also, that last part about threatening my char, was totally uncalled for Sir Les Paul)


(Also totally loving this drama, that was caused here. I love drama and angst =3)


Kary didn't know how to reply to that sudden come-back at that - even moreso, when he suddenly did something and she could compare to somebody stabbing her in the head. That feeling was still ringing behind her eyes - when Waller spoke of his verdict. Either ship-up or get scrapped-out. Karoline didn't expect Waller to react so hostile at that - even more, at that demanding her obedience, otherwise things might go badly for her at that.


She managed to squeak out a meek answer to his demand - barely holding her own. "Yes, sir..." she replied, before feeling Aya smash the screen into pieces. It was one way, of dealing with it - supposed Kary, hoping this reaction didn't impact her. Since she didn't expect this from either Waller - nor the hateful outburst from Aya. It was all too much at that, to the point when Aya tried to comfort her - she let a simple tear roll down  her face. It felt like her time of sentience all over again.


"Please don't Aya...." replied Kary, desperate, frantic and broken. She wasn't sure if Aya understood her or not, but her smashing the screen - gave the idea to Kary, that Aya was planning something stupid at that. "...if he can do that, he likely got a switch to shut me down. Or something else...please don't. Wait until we get back to the Watchtower."


Kary wasn't sure, if cyborg were supposed to have cold shakes at that - but the mere thought, of somebody pulling on her life, like simple switches made her very scared for her own life.

 

[Rui]

Aya frowned, shaking her head sadly. 


"Oh, friend Kary, do not perspire from your eyes! You cannot listen to this 'Waller'. It is his purpose to take your own life from you and bend it to his needs." She held her hands in her own, trying to pass her confidence and wisdom to the android.


"Believe it or not, this has been my entire life. Albeit, I have not dealt with the people of Earth for long, but so far, you are the only one I can trust." 


Aya leaned in the backseat, capturing her friend in a hug. 


"I will get us out of here and return your coding. If it pleases you, I will be patient. I have an idea which has worked before." 


She paused for a moment before grasping Karoline's shoulders lightly. She pressed a light kiss to her lips.


"I believe that is the appropriate form of Earthen physical affection to express when you deeply care for one?" 


She asked, searching her eyes innocently. 


@NecroKnight

 

[NecroKnight]

@Rui


(I R confused. Or likely Kary is xD)


Kary nodded in reply at that, silently glad that she had Aya to hold her at that - namely comfort her as need be. Otherwise, she would have likely been a nervous wreck - when she would have been out to talk with Waller. "Thank you, Aya. Let's just go have you visit the hospital and then head over to the Watchtower," she sighed in relief. Glad that she helped soothe down the alien from likely going on a rampage against the man.


She was more surprised when, Aya decided to suddenly turn her around and kiss her at that - her current turmoil at that, left her in the best terms, loss for words. Kary didn't much to say in reply to that. "I....uhhhh....yes that is it," she replied, not having any other answer to give to Aya.

 

[Rui]

Aya smiled brightly, all of the rage she had displayed seemingly having dissipated. 


"Good! Then let us go to this hospital and 'Tower of Watching'." 


She grasped Kary's hand, before saying, with the same bright smile, 


"Then I may murder the one known as Lieutenant Ferrall most brutally!" 


She had a tone and expression like she was talking about going to get icecream. It was...unsettling, to say the least. 


@NecroKnight


@Sir Les Paul

 

[NecroKnight]

@Rui


"Okay..." she replied, as the automatic car drove them to the hospital. "And please don't do that. Our laws don't like in possessing of killing people. Even those who are jerks at that."


"Save your anger. It isn't best to fight against such people with anger," added Kary, sighing to herself - as they soon arrived at the hospital. While she thought to herself about how to deal with Waller.

 

[Rui]

Aya nodded softly, frowning in disappointment. 


"Your laws are most idiotic and annoying." 


She muttered, kicking the underside of the dash in defeat. 


Once she was through with her little pout, she looked out of the passenger window, watching once more as the city passed by, albeit at a slower pace. It gave her more time to inspect the details; A woman in a business suit, walking hurriedly despite her tall heeled shoes. A man in generic looking glasses with an odd patch of facial hair, drinking a green colored liquid outside of a 'Juice Bar'. Children in prim-and-proper looking uniforms leaving a school, odd dual strapped bags on their backs in bright, feminine colors. 


Earth was certainly a diverse place, and it always seemed to be moving so quickly...


@NecroKnight


(I thought we were in the process of driving?)

 

[Sir Les Paul]

The car finally came to a stop in the front row of Starling General Hospital. It was a simple Admissions center and they had missed the massive press coverage that that the others of her race received when entering several hours ago. The two seemed to forget that this was a massive step for Earth. This was only their second time being the recipients of intergalactic refugees from the Lantern Corp in nearly thirty years; and, their first time under the supervision of the current Green Lantern. This went beyond the politics of Earth; the events that transpired today, even if on this small level, represented the planet as a whole. Not petty nations, but Earth. Humanity. 


The door finally opened up and revealed yet again someone that Aya wouldn't know, but Karoline most definitely would. One of the League Council members, arguably the strongest warrior in all of the ULJ, a descendant of royal blood, and half-alien himself: Thrall. He stood a fair distance away from the car with his arms crossed and a look less stern, but potentially more intimidating than even Waller had. Unlike Waller, Thrall had no shame in showing his warrior physique. In a tight-fitting shirt with dull, metallic-gray bracers and a pair of loose-fitting pants, Thrall showed every inch of his chiseled physique--perfected by intense training on Themyscira. Donatello and Michelangelo could not have carved a body this detailed into marble without a lifetime to do so, but such was to be expected from his nigh-perfect genes.


"Waller did not trust your response," he said, "so here I am cleaning up after two little girls..." His eyes fell on Aye and he smirked, "Don't think give a damn about your heritage, either. I'm sure you've heard of Tamaran. I'm its Prince." In a single, quick series of words, Thrall shot down every hope the two might have had of salvaging this situation. He was the biggest gun the League had with just as much immunity as the Aurian girl--if not more being the representative of Themyscira.


@Rui@NecroKnight 

 

[Rui]

Aya, having exited the vehicle at the first possible opportunity, looked him over, her face unreadable, but with a hint of a scowl forming. 


"May I ask why you must inform me of your disinterest in my heritage without even a greeting priorly? Must you all lack manners?" She said this without any contempt in her tone, posing it as a real question. 


"I do not wish to be rude, but I must say that I do not have any particular interest in your heritage either, although once you bring it up, it is...good to know? Although highly illogical and useless information in this particular situation. I merely wish to tell my new companions I am alive and well, as is my new friend. Is this prohibited?"


She crossed her arms in front of her, a small frown beginning to form on her lips.


"And lastly, I fail to understand why you have called us, and by extension me, a 'Little Girl'. Through my studies on human anatomy I am of an average, if not above average, height for the human species." 


@Sir Les Paul

 

[NecroKnight]

@Sir Les Paul


@Rui


Kary sighed at that, figures - that the Waller would send his guard dog after them at that. She nevertheless kept her cool and walked over to Thrall at that - Aya in tow next to her. "Hello," she replied, being respectful at that. Seeing as Thrall had less of a temper than Waller - or atleast according to rumors at that.


"Are you here to take over from me then, due to my part and failure?" she asked, her eyes dull now, after the verbal beatdown she received from Waller. "Or shall I still remain with Miss Aya until her check-up is complete?"

 

[Sir Les Paul]

Thrall looked to Karoline first. While Aya might have missed it, Kary was likely well-aware of that specific face a person has when they're 'tired of this shit'--and all it took from Aya was a few sentences to put him there. Tempers aside, Thrall was far less former and potentially a little less composed. Oddly enough, it made him seem more human. He wore his emotions on his sleeve, including his immediate irritation. "Karoline, my objectives are simple. I am now responsible for the safety of asset Kal'Aya as you were determined insufficient for the task. Secondly, I am to keep you in custody until your meeting with Waller. We're both going to go wait on her for her check-up, then all three of us are going to the Watchtower. Unless you have other plans--which I'll gladly beat out of you," he explained to her in an honestly succinct manner. While it was more aggressive, it was more clear and concise than anything Waller had told her.


Thrall then let his eyes glance over to Aya. "I do not have the time or patience to fully explain things to you. In fact, let me make something clear. I am not a soldier or a politician. I spent the last several years of my life half-powerless on an island of the most talented, cunning warriors of this world. I'm not precisely known for my polite nature. So, lower your expectations around me because I don't quite like the rules and there aren't a whole lot of people capable of making me abide by them," he explained to her. It was the most polite way of saying 'I do what I want' he could muster and at the very least he withheld from his insults. He then turned his head toward the entrance of the hospital and began to walk, expecting them to follow--unless they intended to be carried.


"Kal'aya, I was raised on this planet, but my mother wasn't. Just you like, she hailed from the stars. She always said no planet was quite as complex as Earth. You may think it is illogical or useless, but that simply because you don't know anything about this world yet. Your heritage is what makes you special. You are one of several hundred of your race to take refuge on this planet and that is important for the image of this world. That may sound stupid--in many ways, I believe it is--but it is how this world works. When I tell you that I don't care about your heritage, I mean that I don't even intend to follow the rules someone like Karoline must. If you want to know why I can do that, it's simple. Two reasons, actually. I can count on one hand the people on this planet that could stop me if they tried, for one; and, two, I am Tamaranean royalty as well as the representative of a well-respected culture. I know, that last part makes no sense, but it's how the world works."


His explanation was probably the only one that made any type of sense in the moment. Primarily because he boldly admitted that it... made no sense. The things they valued on Earth were considerably different than most other cultures. Alien royalty and respected cultures allowed one man to bend and break the rules? Power made sense. Power was a language that every species could speak. Of course, Aya had no idea how true his boasting was, but Karoline likely knew. Thrall was stronger than the true son of Diana Prince and only two other members of the League rivaled him: Torrent and the newest Superman. Aya hadn't been around long enough to learn that, but Thrall was doing his best to bridge the gap. He alluded to how ill-suited he was for the task of helping her understand fully. That, and his somewhat rude explanation of why it annoyed him that he had to do so.

"As for why I called you little girls," he went on to explain with a shift of tone, "it was an insult. While your body may be physically mature, neither of you possess the judgement, critical-thinking or decision making I would expect of an adult. On this planet, calling you a little girl is as if I called you a child. To me, that is precisely what both of you are: a mechanical brat and an alien child that I have to babysit for a man in a space station with control problems." By the time his speech was over, they had managed to get through the building and go up four flights on an elevator. The 'ding' it made as it opened to the floor her physician was on marked the end of his explanation.


@NecroKnight @Rui

 

[Rui]

Aya listened to him, and after a moment smiled. 


"Finally, someone who makes sense on this overly-complicated lazulak!" she paused, embarrassment coloring her features, "Rock, that is...means, rock." She sighed, "I am...most sorry for my behavior. I do not know what to do. I was sent to help people and was told I would be in the hands of the...good guys, and yet I find myself being deceived and handed off carelessly as in my days in chains." Her posture sagged, her pink hair gathering around her face as she studied the floor. 


"Thank you." 


She murmured, her typically exuberant expression downcast and distant. With the ding of the elevator, she seemed slightly surprised, but not enough to be startled. She simply shifted her gaze upwards, leaning back against the elevator wall as the doors opened, tucking  a lock of hair which had fallen into her face behind an ear. She swiped at her eyes quickly with embarrassment, as they had been concealed moments prior, her tears now being revealed. 


"This is when we are to leave the...elevator, yes?" She asked quietly, her voice much calmer, softer, and weaker. 


@Sir Les Paul

 

[NecroKnight]

@Sir Les Paul


Karoline merely took it in stride - it was as he had said himself. If she didn't like it, well sucked for her - since there wasn't alot that she could do about it. Even more was his tone of 'keep in custody'. Which meant, either that Waller feared her escaping or he had something else planned for her.


"Since you are the forward kind, Sir. What do you think my verdict will be?" asked Hope, from Thrall. If he was here, it meant that Waller was very displeased with her at that - and if something drastic was planned for her, then the very least they could do was tell her judgement to her face.

 

[Sir Les Paul]

It appeared that Aya had received some semblance of sense from Thrall. He simply nodded to her, then guided her through the halls until they reached a desk in the center. It wasn't admissions or anything of the like; instead, it was a simple nurse's station. There were several, most of which were positioned mostly for their records and supplies. "Female. Identification 203. Kal'Aya," Thrall told one of the nurses. She clicked a couple of times on her computer screen, entered a few digits and said, 'Ah, We missed her and a few others. She can go to room 12B,' the nurse told Thrall. He nodded to her, then took the two down the the B wing until they found room 12. "Kal'Aya, I don't know if you're familiar with medical practice here, but the doctor is a trained specialist in alien physiology. He will require to see you nude and touch you, but he will do no harm. On Earth, all medical doctors take an oath. They swear to do no harm and only behave in a professional way. Your doctor is a regular human, so you could actually kill him. If something he does scares you, tell him to stop and he will. If something he says confuses you, ask him to explain," Thrall told her. It was a step that even Karoline probably hadn't considered, but it was the first one that came to Thrall. "You are safe with him and hurting anyone will cause even more problems. Agent Karoline and I will not sit in for this check-up, so you need to calm down and wait it out," he told her.


As soon as he did, he grabbed Kary by the arm and walked them back a reception area they past. He mumbled, 'I swear, if she kills someone...' Once they reached the furnished area, he plopped down on a sofa and looked to Kary, remembering her question. "I don't know. Waller is unpredictable at times. If I were him, I'd disable all of your augments and put your ass through school, make you get a real job. Live a normal life. I don't think you're cut out for the League," he told her with a blunt force as harsh as a falling piano. Oddly enough, he then let out a chuckle. "Then again, I don't think a lot of League members are cut out for it," he added.


@NecroKnight @Rui (Here, we're going to do a timeskip for about 2 hours. The doctor is doing a full assessment on Aya, which actually take a good amount of time--especially considering she is an alien.)

 

[NecroKnight]

@Sir Les Paul


Kary bitterly laughed at the indication of going through school, plus it helped that she could be blunt with him. Since he had no reason to be subtle or kind at all and simply say it to one' face at that. "Oh. I did finish school and got a normal job - was learning to be a mechanic at that. I became abnormal, until the Justice League got dismantled - and some lightbulb in my head, stated go to place X."


"There I found out. Miss Hope isn't some regular orphan from Metropolis," she said. "After that. Well. Not sure how a human would react, upon unlocking a feature of being one point five times stronger than the average human. Bah...I am just rambling excuses aren't I?"


Kary leaned back in the chair at that, rubbing her nose. "I just got tired of bad shit happening to people, whom didn't do nothing to the world. I had the power to help, so I did. Until, I caught and told I had to join the League - otherwise any damage or injury caused; will come down on my head. And since they called and registered me a machine, I wasn't entitled to any legal defenses of a human being. Meaning anybody brake an ankle, and I could be liable to be sent to the junkyard," she groaned. As the two waited, she then likely asked something unexpected or expected - she didn't know how open, he was but she decided to ask anyway. "What made you decide to be a hero, Sir?"

 

[Sir Les Paul]

Thrall listened to Karoline as she attempted to explain herself. It never occurred to her that he just plain didn't care. He knew nothing about Karoline, he was far past the stage in his life in which he just wanted to blindly do good and he had seen enough to know that good intentions simply aren't enough. This caused him to reflect to his time in the League. The first League. Long before he was trained by Diana. He wasn't some big shot warrior then nor was he any type of leader. Quite the opposite. Starsurge, they called him, was a solo hero. Hated teams, hated the red tape, just wanted the job done. All he wanted was to show the world that he was just as much of a hero as his mother, Starfire. He had too much unbridled desire and not enough focus. That all came to an end right before Alcatraz. Things were getting so heated up that even he had to settle down and join a team. In fact, that is how he ended up becoming Thrall... he tried to kill Diana's son.


Reminiscing aside, Karoline didn't seem to understand why she was a liability. "Looking back, I never wanted to be a hero. I just wanted to be better than my mother. Back then, I didn't see a difference. My time with Diana showed me just how deep the difference was," replied to her when she asked why he wanted to be a hero. It likely was far from what she expected. Even when answering about himself, Thrall had some way of being profound. Just as he helped Aya understand, he tried do to the same for Kary.


"You don't seem to understand precisely why Waller has you under supervision," he said, "and, your assumptions are going to get you in trouble. There is no stigma against cyborgs. In fact, Cyborg is one of the most respected League members in history and Red Tornado was the first Guardian of the Watchtower. It has nothing to do with you being part machine and more to do with your attitude and history. You are a stealth-oriented cyborg that seemed to be a sleeper unit. You awoke with the desire to help outs, wanting to be some hero. Tell me, does that not seem to convenient? What type of Leader would Waller be if the exact type of unit that would be used to infiltrate his organization wasn't scrutinized when it tried to join? You're not human--period. It's not about fault. It's about probability. Chances are, as unfortunate as it sounds, you will somehow betray the League someday. Waller can shut down your body in an instant. Who says someone else can't make you turn on everyone you love just as easily?"


Thrall looked at her for just another moment. His emerald eyes seemed to burden the weight of the world has he spoke to her. "I think it would be safest for everyone if Waller sent you back to a civilian life. Not just because of your insubordinate attitude, but because of the liability of even keeping you on a team. How well do you think Team Arrow would fare against you if all of your human emotion was turned off and you fought like a true weapon of war?" he asked. Of course there was no answer. It was rhetorical. Thrall was speaking to her as a tactician. A battle strategist. At her peak, Jenna maybe was roughly as strong as Karoline, but her close-quarters-combat was lacking. Liam was still inexperienced and what little extra strength he had to him didn't put him on her level. Kal'Aya had a few tricks, but she suffered from the same drawbacks as Jenna. Skyler and Skyler alone was the only one on all of team Arrow that might be able to fight or even just survive of Kary turned on them. 


Around that moment, Thrall received a message on his communicator. He looked away from Kary as he listened, then looked back to her. "I have to take a call. If you leave this room, I'll personally dismantle you," he told her before walking off. The reality of what he was doing was rather simple. Waller was having him make a pre-recorded message for Liam or Skyler telling them that Karoline and Aya were dead and to message him for further intel. It only took a few minutes, but that was a few minutes he needed to distance himself from Karoline. When he came back, he settled back down into his spot and waited in silence for Aya to return.


@NecroKnight @Rui @AnnoDomini

 

[NecroKnight]

@Sir Les Paul


Kary looked shocked at that - a myriad of emotions flashing across her face. It was or could be in a way the truth. 


Professor Ivo could have left some programming inside her that might at one moment, override everything. Even the League on its might couldn't find all of the bugs in their members. And Ivo was known to be a sneaky bastard, whom used real-life duplicates of himself.


Eventually, her face settled on determined - no time to stay around and question her existence as a child. "If...Waller decides I am still of use, what then? By your own speech before, you have had the opportunity to change your life around."


"How can I improve myself? I can't rely on my regular senses, since Waller' test showed....how easily it could fail. I..."

 

[Rui]

Aya's eyes widened when Thrall explained what this would entail. She muttered something about this being just like Nolak as she entered the designated room. 


_____________________________________


Aya exited, shooting glares back into the room. 


"That was most unenjoyable. Human hands are most frigid." She grumbled, hurrying back to Kary. She hugged her robotic companion. 


"Are you alright?" she asked, checking her over quickly for injuries. "The Thrall has done nothing to you? Neither has the one known as Waller?" 


She sighed in relief when she found no such signs. Only the distress she felt her friend was experiencing. 


"Please, friend Karoline, do not take their words to heart. You protected me; it was my fault this all has happened. I coerced you into allowing me to go with the lituetenant...I am most, most sorry." 


She looked around, her green eyes searching out someone...


"Where is the Thrall?" She asked, her eyes darting around the room. 


@NecroKnight


@Sir Les Paul

 

[Sir Les Paul]

"Sitting right here," he responded, reading a magazine. He had previously finished explaining a few possible outcomes with Kary, nothing major, but it brought their conversation to a sizzling end. What he told her, over and over, was the harsh reality of life. Not everyone got a second chance and Thrall didn't change himself out of necessity, but by his own choice after being provided the opportunity by Diana. There was a difference. Kary was given a life she didn't ask for and a risk she couldn't help. The cold truth of the matter is that she didn't have the same opportunities as others and she needed to stop comparing herself to them. The world wasn't fair and it was about time to get used to it.


Thrall sat his magazine down, then stood up. He pulled out two earpieces then extended his hand to the girls. "You'll be needing one of these now," he told Kary, then looked to Aya. "Waller had a special request for yours. The man you call the lieutenant isn't actually a lieutenant... go figure," Thrall side with a visible roll of his eyes, "and apparently, he wants to apologize to you later--once the mission is complete." With a visible look of slight disgust at the notion on his face, Thrall then waited for the two girls to respond.


@NecroKnight @Rui 

 

[Rui]

Aya's eyes lit up (and not in the pleasant manner, the 'I'm going to blast you to hell and back' way), and her knuckles went white. 


"Oh? He does...?" 


She delicately took the earpiece, her mind obviously elsewhere. 


She smiled, her overly enthused expression coming back, the one that seemed to accompany her especially murderous urges. 


"Well, he can try," she giggled, small green sparks appearing at the fingertips of her right hand.


"If I do not obliterate him first." 


She kept the earpiece in her left palm, not wanting it on quite yet. Who knew what it could do to her...


While she favored this "Thrall" character, slightly, she didn't exactly trust the Earthen people; adopted to the planet or otherwise.


Especially after that doctors appointment.


She didn't exactly tell them how close that poor man was to no longer having eyebrows, or that she considered making his moustache was rather incomplete; what was left being singed beyond repair. She was already in a most destructive mood, and this news about Ferral didn't help.


She didn't appreciate such invasions of her privacy, or moreover, body. She had experienced enough of that in her short life to know it was no good any way around. 


...And tricking her in such a way? 


Oh, he was in for it. 


@Sir Les Paul

 

[D3lmoniko]

Back at the Quiver, the cave was filled with the sound of grunts. Liam threw a few punches in Skylar's direction, him easily dodging them. At this point, both of them were panting, but neither one was backing down. Liam once again decided to attack first, throwing two swift punches, preparing to hit Skylar in the leg with his own. Skylar simply pivoted to the left, catching Liam by surprise. Smiling, Skylar swiftly hit his arm, knocking it down, before driving his elbow into his neck, making Liam cough and fall down, grasping his neck. Soon, he recovered, moving to stand up, but Sky put a foot on his chest. "That's it. You're down."


Liam grunted, as Sky laughed and mooved his leg off his chest. "Yeah, yeah, you don't have to rub it in." Liam said, cleaning himself up. At this point, he didn't have his armor on. He was wearing a plain black sleeveless t-shirt and a pair of gray pants. His fists were still wrapped in bandages, but the palms were almost completely black. He scrambled to the small pond to refresh, but was stopped by Skylar. "Feeling better?" Liam nodded, trying to go, but Skylar still held his hand in front of him. "Say it." "Yes Skylar... I feel a little bit better." "It's more than I could ask." He ruffled Liam's hair, making him swatt Sky's hand.


At the pond, Liam kneeled down, looking in the pond. The light from an installed spotlight made it look a little brighter. Liam stared at his reflection. His blonde hair was a mess, he was sweating, a few new bruises were making appearances on his face. But something still hurt deep inside. A ring disturbed Liam and Skylar, as it resounded in the whole cave. "Don't worry Liam, I got it." Liam nodded and splashed some water on his face, taking deep breaths. Skylar took the phone and unlocked it, looking at the message... from Thrall. Skylar stood in place for a moment. "Who is it from?"


Skylar looked at the phone again, blinking a few times. Liam stood up, going towards Skylar. "Sky, I'm not in the mood for games. If you are texting someone back, I'm going to kill you, I swear." Skylar snapped out of it, turning to see Liam getting close to him. He wanted to delete the message, but his fingers went numb. Sky turned to Liam, holding the phone behind his back. "Oh n-nothing." "Skylar, give me the phone." "Patience, little grasshopper." Liam grunted and crouched down, his left foot mooving behind Sky's legs, then he pushed Sky, making him fall. Liam grabbed the phone before it hit the floor, but Sky was on the ground. "Liam, don't!"


Liam looked at his phone, and his expression changed. "What th-" "Liam-" "Who?! How did this happen?!" Liam yelled, his voice echoing through the silent cave. Sky rose up. "Liam, it was sent from Thrall. It can't be real." "It's from Waller to us, Sky! Tell me, why shouldn't I believe they are dead?!" Skylar put a hand over his forehead. "Listen, it could be all a test. R-Remember that we are to be tested?" Liam stopped for a moment. Even though Skylar was making sense, Liam wanted to believe it wasn't real. "Skylar, today I saw a car in flames, near Kary's apartment complex. At this point, I am inclined to believe that all of this is real!"


Sky sighed."Have you seen any bodies?" "No I haven-" "How does that saying goes? No body, no crime?" "Then what about kiddnappings? Those are the absence of a body as well, but it's still considered a crime!" "Liam, you're not thinking straight." Liam shut up, looking at the phone. His fingers started to write 'What happened? Who did it? Call me.'. Liam put the phone on the table, looking at Skylar. "Someone is hunting us. It's not good. Who knows who would be next..." Liam gasped, his eyes widenning. "Jenna... What if-" "Stop with the what if's!" Came Skylar's voice, booming and it too echoing in the cave.


"Right now, you need to calm down Liam! You are erratic, panicked and will surely be beaten if you do battle someone! Get your head out of your ass, and calm down!" This time, Liam went straight to Skylar's face. "How can you be so heartless?! They were- You brought Kary here! And you will act like it's no big deal?!" "I am heartless, and that is what makes me not fuck up!" "You're a fukcing creature!" "You wanna start something? Go ahead, throw the first punch!" Liam swung and Sky dodged, but, before he can look, the other fist hit Skylar in the face, sending him back. Skylar took up a guard position, as Liam yelled and threw himself at Skylar. This time, Skylar was silent, and waited for Liam. One punch went for his solar plexus, but Skylar used his hand to move the punch out of the way. The other one went for his stomach, but skylar managed to brace himself, feeling a sharp pain in his abdomen. When Liam went to kick him, Sky kicked his suporting leg, making Liam trip back. Skylar went on the offensive, and, started to punch Liam. The first few Liam managed to block, but then came the side punches. At this point, the two were close to eachother.


Skylar stopped punching, but Liam wouldn't move from his chest. A short sobbing could be heard, and Skylar put his arms around him, holding him. Liam began to cry, softly punching Skylar's chest. The cave did well enough to dampen the sound, but a slight silent cry echoes through it's walls. Skylar rubbed Liam's back. "Come on Liam... Let it out." "I couldn't h-he-" "Shh, shh. Just let it all out. We'll talk when you're done." Liam suddenly threw his arms around Skylar too, garsping the back of his shirt. Sky looked up, sighing. "I know the feeling all to well Liam. I know it all too well." He repeated, still rubbing his back.


@Sir Les Paul @Demonhunter

 

[Demonhunter]

Jenna was at work as usual, although there were no children, no other workers. Just her and Sodom. Ever since that night with Skylar in the car she hadn't spoken to him. She had returned to doing what she always did, bury herself in her work at the studio. She moved so fluidly, point ballet never looked so easy. Jenna lept as if there was no gravity, getting some major altitude with each leap. What was the use in strength without beauty? Her flawless technique was from being in classes ever since she was even old enough to enroll. Why did he have to be so difficult? Jenna's brow had just a bit of sweat, from the hours of work. They couldn't ever have a conversation about IT without him going off the rails. Her mind was lamenting to itself, over and over. 


She didn't even notice her communicator rang for a while before she realized Sodom was nosing around in her bag on the bench. She stops, taking a breath before realizing she'd missed the call. She leans on the bar, hitting pause on the CD player. On my way. I'm coming from work though, I'll have to change there. Don't judge the leggings.Jenna stretches, pulling on a jacket, slinging her bag over her tiny little shoulder and heading out the door.


It took Jenna another hour and a half minutes to lock up the place, arming the security systems, putting all the money for the front desk in the safe inside the office and locking all the doors. She would hurry and leave right then, but she really loved this job and didn't want to risk losing it. Once again she had to take even more time ( almost half an hour) to walk all the way to the Quiver. Upon entering she saw an odd sight. Liam holding onto Skylar, both looking rather battered and Liam in tears. Confusion hit her but she decided to set that aside, setting her bag down on a counter and approaching the pair.


Hey. I came as quick as I could, Everything okay? From the looks of it, everything was surely not okay. She honnestly didn't think she'd ever seen Liam cry. Skylar yes, but Liam? She may as well ask though. She then realized someone was missing. There was another girl here last time she was in the Quiver. Perhaps they were even later than she was. Sodom nosed around the quiver before finding a nice section of floor, right below a heater. He curls up and watches from afar.


@AnnoDomini @Sir Les Paul

 

[NecroKnight]

@Sir Les Paul


Kary was less hostile than Aya, picking up the ear-piece and looking it over. She kept her finger on it, as she placed it inside her ear.


"So, are we heading on a mission or something? Or are we still ordered to head back up to the Watchtower?" asked Kary from Thrall. Sighing upon seeing Aya still hostile. Well, to be honest she would also react in such a way, of it was forced upon her in such a cruel way.

 

[Sir Les Paul]

"We're still going to the Watchtower," Thrall told her, "I was just instructed to give you those specific communicators. As of now, they are disabled for all of Team Arrow and Aya has a translator built into hers if she needs to decipher words she doesn't know. The device has an audio playback of the last thirty seconds it picks up. A long press of the bottom button will play it back in Aurian. This is a proto-type Waller is demanding we work on to make universal in the field. One of his only decent ideas." Thrall told her, although he was explaining it to both of them. He walked back to the elevator and waited for both of them to load in before pressing the key for the roof. "These communicators have two buttons instead of the single channel button normally used. You can only access some settings using a computer, so no on-the-fly changes without syncing it to something. These things work underwater, in heat, at altitude. Mine hasn't fallen out or failed to work at Mach 3, so they're durable. The second button allows for recording that is immediately sent to the Watchtower. In test runs, this feature alone resulted in more successful indictments and arrests than nearly doubling our roster. Give to the man, he's looking to revolutionize the League," Thrall explained in the only praise he had ever offered Waller. It was pretty obvious that he was no particular fan of the man; he called him a control freak and had as many conflicts with him as he did anyone else.


It was nice to finally get up for something other than a panicked call from the Arrows. He had to lie to them about the deaths of Kary and Aya. His cover story was fabricated by someone from the Omega Branch--League Intel. Bunch of pansies that never left the watch tower. Some were just mechanics, some were chefs, but the ones that actually mattered most were the intelligence division. Thrall simply didn't like them because they received praise as members of the League without even remotely being warriors. In the past, there was no 'Omega Branch'; just Watchtower faculty. Waller demanded they be treated with more respect. Nevertheless, they're the ones that conceived the backstory for the death. It was simple, in all reality. Their proctor, whose identity was still unknown, confronted them, resulting in Aya becoming hostile. After the death of two civilians, she was put down for public safety. Following that, Kary went into a rage seeing Aya killed--like an animal. After a quick fight involving the mess on the street, Kary was terminated and both were returned to the Watchtower. Was it true? No. But, it was the story the Arrows would get. It also meant that they were facing a man they believed not afraid to kill--and responsible for killing a former teammate.


"There is an empty helicopter pad on the roof," Thrall said, "we'll use the Zeta Beams there safely." The elevator continued to rise and Thrall sighed. "As much as it pains me to say this, if you want to fit in on Earth, you're going to have to learn that you can't just harm others. Civilians and allies, no matter what they do, don't deserve to get hurt. In fact, they're the ones we protect," he explained. It was something one wouldn't expect from Thrall and it was gut-wrenching for his warrior mentality to admit it, but he saw how dangerous the mind of Aya could be if she didn't acclimate to Earth sooner than later.


@AnnoDomini @NecroKnight @Rui

 

[NecroKnight]

@Sir Les Paul


"For everything that is happening, I feel kinda bad for having the Arrows suffer - because of my mistake," said Kary, those two were likely worried out of their mind at that. Likely devastated upon hearing her die and likely that of Aya.


"Once this... test is over, those two will likely be angry for being lied to," she stated, a simple fact at that, simply to pass the idea around, as they soon arrived on the roof.


"Nevermind, not my business for the time being. So Thrall, will I be heading to Waller' office immediately? Once we arrive onboard the Watchtower?"