posted
After a quick cross-check into the datafiles, Question Lad followed the information trail to Cobie's Midnight Exclusive Lounge. The records revealed a deep history between Cobalt Kid and Legionworld.
But did that mean anything?
Was there some sort of conspiracy?
The young man had plenty of time to mull over the possibilities, as it was still early evening. His communication device relayed some sort of attack, but he tuned it out. He knew he wouldn't be needed unless things got desperate.
[ February 22, 2011, 07:16 PM: Message edited by: Red Arrow ]
-------------------- Go with the good and you'll be like them; go with the evil and you'll be worse than them.- Portuguese Proverb
From: Illinois | Registered: Jun 2010
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Question Lad kept watching the doors and making mental notes on the individuals. He noted that at least a third of them were in the files, the rest were off-worlders or unknowns. He wondered if some of them were even from this dimension, as a young man wearing a suit entered the room. He was buying drinks for all his friends, and seemed to have the ability to make butterflies out of thin air.
The young man was going to be questioned, but the waitress finally came with Question Lad's food.
-------------------- Go with the good and you'll be like them; go with the evil and you'll be worse than them.- Portuguese Proverb
From: Illinois | Registered: Jun 2010
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*Appearing out of thing air, Cobalt Kid and Exnihil suddenly appear in the middle of the dance floor, Cobalt using his magnetism to land on his feet but Exnihil lurching forward. They are a little worse for wear, their unseen assailant having torn some of their clothes, but they are okay.*
My apologies people! Please, keep partying, don’t let this interruption distract your extravagance. Just a little theatrics to keep things interesting!
<an applause breaks out and Cobie smiles to the crowd waving, basking in how they love him; he takes a martini as it passes by; soon the crowd turns back to what they are doing; Cobalt’s smile fades immediately, being a cheap ploy and Ex gets a firsthand taste of what kind of façade Cobalt Kid keeps for the public>
Let’s go Ex, it won’t be long before we’re found out here. And we can’t keep using the tesseract system—without Stoopid Cat on Legion World no longer controlling it, it’s become far too dangerous for normal use. There was a good chance we would have teleported into the walls of this building and been dead. But hey, what’s life without a few risks?
<Cobalt walks Ex through the crowd to his back office, and signals to his staff to continue>
Karl, Sasha, I’m trying to lay low now. If any Security Officers or anyone else shows up, hold them up for as long as possible.
Ex, I notice you grabbed a ton of Nyebif’s files—very well done. It’s obvious that despite being an opportunist, you’re tired of getting pushed around. Same here. We need to regroup and figure out what to do next. The tobacco drug ring through the casino was obvious a front for not only a larger narcotics shadow industry, but importing some sort of terrorism as well…and a specific person to be exact. I’m starting to formulate some suspicions but we need more information.
<Cobalt appears to be talking to himself>
Grand Central Space Station? All imports and exports go through there. Or is there something else obvious I’m missing? I wish Lolita were here…her analytical mind would be invaluable right now.
<Cobalt suddenly spots someone plainly watching him, moreso than the casual fan of Legion World’s most legendary hero; it is the poster known as Question Kid>
Ex…do you recognize that sentient?
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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<Ex squints across the floor, and does a double take>
Actually... I do!
I don't know his name, but I swear that's the same kid that's been lurking around outside my shop ever since I reopened. At first I figured he was just some young guy who was trying to get up the nerve to ask me about some of the more “questionable” products I stock these days, but he never came in.
But almost like clockwork, every time I’d see this guy, about an hour or so later Lardy would show up looking for his payoff. I can’t believe I didn’t make the connection before! I’d be willing to bet that guy is tied up with whatever the Security Office is planning.
<looks around the rest of the Lounge>
I don’t see any of the usual SO suspects, so if he is with them, he’s gotta be flying solo tonight.
<grins at Cobalt>
This is your joint, Cobie… but I’m thinking it might be time to get some hard answers. Seems like a golden opportunity for a little “shakedown” of our own.
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The doors to Cobies Lounge open and a young man of about 25 walks in looks around and sees Cobie and Ex standing in the back.
He moves through the crowd, ignoring most of the people as he passes or bumps his way through the crowds of people.
"Cobalt Kid, Des...we need to talk," he says as he flashes a fanged grin <insuring nobody else can see.>
From: Doing the things that need to be done | Registered: Sep 2003
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Fortunately, Question Kid had been watching the scene a lot longer than Furball. I am not going to let my co-workers sabotage our own espionage missions, the young man thought. He decided to take a big risk and take off his gloves, and soon enough a young waitress tripped over and crashed a tray full of drinks. Question Kid used this opportunity to sneak behind Cobalt Kid and Exxnihil.
-------------------- Go with the good and you'll be like them; go with the evil and you'll be worse than them.- Portuguese Proverb
From: Illinois | Registered: Jun 2010
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Ah, I was wondering if you'd get involved in this, old friend. I'm glad I can count on you. I think some of our pals are being a bit misguided.
The question is...where to next and how to do it undetected?
<suddenly Question Kid walks over and the waitress tripping causes commotion; without thinking, Cobalt's hand reaches to grab Question Kid--and suddenly their bare hands connect>
Ugh...
<Question Kid's power suddenly begins to work...>
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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A wave of energy pours into the body as memories flood into Question Kid's brain. These were painful memories, like room drenched in blood. He could feel empathy for Cobalt Kid, which really got in the way of controlling his magnetic powers.
Electromagnetism is one of the four most powerful forces in the universe, He remembered Red Arrow telling him one day. Too bad she ran off. He pushed the memories aside as best as he could.
He was losing control...Question Kid focused long enough to send a wave of magnetism at the nearest fire alarm. The people began running out and barely notice Question Kid levitating above them.
[ February 24, 2011, 08:20 PM: Message edited by: Red Arrow ]
-------------------- Go with the good and you'll be like them; go with the evil and you'll be worse than them.- Portuguese Proverb
From: Illinois | Registered: Jun 2010
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...don't have time for this madness...if he just took on my memories along with my powers, he should understand we have to move...
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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Furball looked up at the floating Question Kid.
"Great. This isn't easy for me to do..."
Furball transformed in front of them into his much larger furrier form. He then jumped up in the air and grabbed Question Kid.
"Come on down kid...Des needs to talk to you."
He gently pulled Question kid down to ground level and looked at Cobie, "I have to check in...try to buy us a little more time. My speech is going to rhet weird again rhoon."
From: Doing the things that need to be done | Registered: Sep 2003
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<While Furball called in to the Security Office, Ex warily eyed Question Lad. It seems that an uneasy truce was forming. Furball... OK... he was with the Security Office... but in the end, everyone knew he was loyal to Cobalt... this newcomer though, was a completely different story. "Took on my memories," Des had said... to what end? This was going to be a interesting conversation>
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Question Kid was so enthralled in the power that he did not notice Furball dragging him down until it was too late. He knew it would wear off soon because Cobalt Kid wasn't in a coma. He did not fully understand what was happening because the swirl of terrible memories floated back to the forefront of his mind.
He frowned, "These don't match what the files told me...lots of gaps filled...something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong."
[ February 24, 2011, 10:28 PM: Message edited by: Red Arrow ]
-------------------- Go with the good and you'll be like them; go with the evil and you'll be worse than them.- Portuguese Proverb
From: Illinois | Registered: Jun 2010
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<Cobalt is helped to his feet by Exnihil as Furball brings Question Kid back down>
Wow...that packed some punch...feel weak as hell.
Ex, I think our own "shakedown" may not be necessary, as I have a good idea how this kid's powers work.
<looks at Question Kid>
I'd appreciate if those memories stay private. There are things I do not talk about, ever. I don't want those memories discussed.
<can see the horror on QK's face>
It's okay kid...it hasn't always been parades and sweethears for me. Sometimes you have bad days...some times you get tortured.
The big question, kid, (forgive the pun), is are you with us, or against us? What is your role here? We have a very defined mission that must be carried out and can't be hampered by the Security Office. Can we trust you?
<now turning to Ex and Furball>
As for us, where next? We probably don't have too much time--mere minutes at most. The screaming patrons running out a moment ago are a surefire clue. And that is why we need to find a safe haven as soon as possible to plan our next move. I have a place or two in mind.
How exactly will we slip out of here? We'll need to hit the streets to make our way to our next location. We may have to decide on the run...
[ February 25, 2011, 10:17 AM: Message edited by: Cobalt Kid ]
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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<listening to Cobalt’s words, a sudden wave of déjà vu swept over Ex>
Didn’t we… uh… didn’t we already decide this?
<Cobalt gave Ex a quizzical raised eyebrow, as if to say “Settle down, man, the stress is getting to you.” Ex gathered himself, but no sooner did he regain his bearings then he felt a warm wave pass through his mind.>
<The Midnight Lounge seemed to dissolve before his eyes, giving way to a vision of an ice covered place. ”…was a long time ago,” Rockhopper Lad was saying.>
<Even before Ex could adjust to the sudden shift, the Rookery itself dissolved and Ex saw himself on the streets of Legion World in a scene of chaos. People were fighting, as a veritable army of robots that all looked like Lardy marched forward. Someone was shouting, “… got to stop the Lard-Bots before…”. This too dissolved… shifting back to the present moment.>
<Ex suddenly grabbed on to table to steady himself as his companions looked at him strangely. Furball growled discontentedly at him. Ex quickly recovered his bearings>
Uh… oh, I’m sorry. Drifted for a second there. You were saying?
<Ex thought, “Got to keep it together. What the hell is happening to me?”>
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Question Kid replied,""Your memories have opened my eyes and answered most of my questions. Well, it is settled then, I have to fulfill the role I have hoped to avoid. One of my roles is what a friend of mine called 'karmic justice'. There are things that have happened that Chief Lardy is responsible for." I wish Red Arrow was here, she could always explain those things better than me.
"Sadly, another one of the roles I have played is weapon. I hate that role, it ends badly for everyone involved," Question Kid mused. "There is something about betrayel that sticks with you. So you can trust me as someone who badly wants to trust and be trusted."
-------------------- Go with the good and you'll be like them; go with the evil and you'll be worse than them.- Portuguese Proverb
From: Illinois | Registered: Jun 2010
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