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Post by ebonyviper on Dec 3, 2008 15:53:24 GMT -5
"You think it's Carl up to his old tricks again?" Nerisa answered, with Freda and her parents listening in.
*****
"No problem," said Ebony as she pulled up, "I have a daughter about her age. I would've been worried if she were missing too."
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Post by Evangeline on Dec 3, 2008 16:29:30 GMT -5
"He's the only one with the wherewithall and the motive right now." Dawn answered. "He must figure he's going to get the power he wants one way or another."
"Everybody ready to move out?" Lane called on his bullhorn set. A convoy was rapidly forming up to take the residents out of the danger zone.
"Where are we going to go?" the SUV mother asked.
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Post by ebonyviper on Dec 3, 2008 16:41:40 GMT -5
"Well, we know that he stays away from the coast," Arrow joined the radio conversation, "but it's not going to be easy finding him, though. He disappeared into the fog where our radar can't reach him."
*****
"To Amherst Mansion," said Ebony.
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Post by Evangeline on Dec 3, 2008 17:47:19 GMT -5
"They're just re-opening that place, aren't they?" the mother asked. "I've only seen it from outside."
"Maybe someone else can..." Dawn's gaze turned back towards Raven, and then Marty. Fog didn't affect sonar! "Raven, can you use sonar... seeing with sound?"
Randy and Jastrow waited, then reluctantly started back. Randy had experienced something similar to Raven, since users, regardless of their power source, could generally link on a psychic level. It had not been a pleasant sensation for him, and he didn't look forward to bearing this unpleasant news to Delfina's companions, or to Erika.
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Post by ebonyviper on Dec 3, 2008 18:02:58 GMT -5
"Neither have I, but my husband knows the owners," said Ebony.
*****
Raven looked up slowly and nodded, "Yes, I can. I'd have to be in my true form to do so, though."
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Post by Evangeline on Dec 3, 2008 18:26:59 GMT -5
"You don't have to do this." Dawn said. "We understand if you don't want to put yourself at additional risk." She glanced towards Marty, who gave an ALL-SET wave. "We're looking at every option right now."
"Randy and the ensign are on their way back." Manuel called back to her, with his ear to the radio.
"Just let them know that it's not their fault, OK?" Dawn said. "How could they have any idea?"
"Wow. That really big house?" Maya asked.
Her mother blinked, with that WHO-ARE-YOU-THAT-YOU-KNOW-THESE-PEOPLE look.
"OK, let's move out!" Lane shouted as he went to the head of the column.
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Post by ebonyviper on Dec 3, 2008 18:40:11 GMT -5
Raven stood up, "Well, I'm tired of hiding like this. It's my fault that Delfina is in danger. I'll do what I can to get her out of it."
*****
Ebony drove along with the convoy. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Kendall's number to check in.
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Post by Evangeline on Dec 3, 2008 19:23:26 GMT -5
"It's all on Carl's head, not yours." Dawn said. "But you're welcome anywhere you want to be."
Soon, Randy and Jastrow turned up, looking a bit tired and dirty from fighting the inland river and smoke exposure. "I guess you already know we lost Delfina."
Erika came up to Randy. "Raven told us. It's not your fault, OK? But I think there is something we can do to make sure that the power you work up stays with you to use instead of being spent." She turned to Jastrow. "Please excuse us. We'll be back shortly." She nudged Randy. "Let's go and get this done quick."
"Are you sure?" Randy asked as he followed her out.
"After "serving" every demand of Carl's associates for three years, I know EVERY way." Erika picked up speed as she headed towards the "private" area. "But I won't mind doing it for you."
Kendall answered the phone. "Hello, Ebs?"
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Post by ebonyviper on Dec 3, 2008 19:58:59 GMT -5
But Raven, having a strong sense of guilt and responsibility, had already shifted back to his ship form and blasted out of the cove, speeding across the water as quickly as possible in his search for Delfina himself.
"For an alien, he is a hothead. I guess we'd better follow to make sure he doesn't get in trouble himself," huffed Arrow.
*****
"How're the kids doing?" asked Ebony, "Are they worried or are they doing okay right now?"
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Post by Evangeline on Dec 3, 2008 20:13:06 GMT -5
"They're a little concerned, but OK." Kendall answered. "Their new friend Elsie is here with her great uncle, so they're playing checkers together right now."
Marty sighed as he watched Raven tear out. "Raven's a really emotional kinda guy. He could be goin' into another trap, just like Delfina. I guess we gotta go after'em."
It was then that there was a horn blast from the mouth of the cove. Lt. Stokes was back.
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Post by ebonyviper on Dec 3, 2008 20:45:46 GMT -5
"I know the boys are taking it fine, but who I'm more worrying about is Artemis," said Ebony, who knew that her daughter would withdraw into herself when disaster struck.
*****
Freda went immediately over to Stokes as he arrived. "Ben! Something terrible has happened! Delfina disappeared and we all think that Carl has something to do with it! And Raven rushed off like he had something to prove!"
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Post by Evangeline on Dec 3, 2008 21:11:47 GMT -5
"Oh, Chrysler." Stokes' eyes widened. "We can't let him just go and take Carl on alone. That's exactly what the b*st*rd might be counting on."
Marty came up beside them. "I'm not gonna be left outta this either. Can I button onto somebody?" (tie onto them so he can hitch a ride, being much slower on the surface)
Dawn was stalking back towards a locked, secured trailer just inside the edge of the camp, where much of the more valuable equipment was stowed. She punched in the combination and opened the back doors. Inside the trailer was a tall metal safe, bolted in one corner. She brought out the keys to that, opened it, and lifted out a Remington 870 Marine Magnum shotgun with tactical fittings, from Ash Mountain's orginal security arsenal. It wouldn't do much against a ship, but it would definitely make thugs of the car and forklift varieties think twice. She handed out several more to Manuel and a few others in the security detail. Then, they started pulling on wet suits.
"Artemis is curled up with me right now." Kendall said. "She wants to stay real close."
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Post by ebonyviper on Dec 3, 2008 21:37:11 GMT -5
Nerisa floated up, "I'll take you."
*****
"As long as she's with you, I'm not worried," said Ebony, "The rescue team and I are just gonna take the evacuees to Ahmerst Mansion for safety."
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Post by Evangeline on Dec 3, 2008 22:13:58 GMT -5
"OK." Kendall said. "Peter Vilinsky's the real deal, he'll take care of things on his end. He supports a lot of community stuff wherever he has an interest, and a few charities besides. Call me back when you're there, OK?"
"Thanks." Marty accepted a couple of cast lines. "Now we're just waitin' for two more."
In the meantime, Randy and Erika made their return. Randy seemed much more energetic than he'd been a little while before; Erika's expression suggested that she was quite proud to have turned some of the skills she'd been forced to learn to the benefit of a man - no longer a boy - who was truly worthy of her. And Randy knew the importance of this, giving his lover an appreciative lick on the cheek as they headed towards the shore to pick up their human companions. I'll return the favor, it said.
Jastrow rolled his eyes a little, as if to say YOU LUCKY BUGGER!
When the shell was brought aboard, Carl scented the shape-changed human and was brimming with anticipation. The containment cage, an item that he had acquired from the Soul Reavers for no small amount of money and favors, was readied. "Get her inside before she wakes!"
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Post by ebonyviper on Dec 3, 2008 22:27:02 GMT -5
"Okay, I will," said Ebony, "I love you. Bye."
*****
"Everyone ready, then?" asked Arrow.
*****
Delfina had withdrawn into her subconscious mind, as the tranquilizer had effectively numbed her entire body. She was going to have a hard time waking up.
*****
Raven had dove beneath the waves to make his search more unnoticeable as he was trying to psychically pinpoint exactly where Delfina was and how he was going to get to her.
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