Terra Incognito

[og_outsiders]

Sanderson Hawkins runs a hand through his hair, idly looking around the large laboratory for something to read or entertain him. Unfortunately, Geo-Metrix wasn't really set up for the amusement of human patients. The relatively new start-up company's business was tectonics and seismic activity - not biology

Comments

[jla_extras]

"This place don't even got a coffee machine for Chrissakes..." Wildcat walks into the room backwards, finishing his rant by biting his thumb at one of the techies in the corridor. "Wise guy. Oh hey, Sands! I was lookin' for you. How have you been?"

[og_outsiders]

"Hey, Champ!"

Sand breaks into a grin.

"Came down to Opal to pay me a visit, huh? I'm glad to see you. Not much to do while I'm waiting on the techs to analyze the readings.."

[jla_extras]

"Visitin'? Me? Nah, I'm just here for the jello." He stares stoically, and then also breaks into a smile. "'Course I'm here to see you. Boxing circuit's on off season anyway, so I had nothing better to do."

Wildcat takes a seat and strokes his chin. "So what's your theory, then? 'Bout these powers, I mean?"

[jla_extras]

"What, no chance for a hello or anything, Ted?" Jade walks in and grins at the two men. "Give the rest of us a chance to catch up. Hiya, Sand."

[jla_extras]

The pleasant reunion of Sand and his JSA colleagues does not, unfortunately, go uninterrupted. The building shakes, as though from a great impact in a nearby section, and the alarm system begins to sound.

[jla_extras]

"What the...?" Wildcat grabs one of the lab tables to stop himself from falling. "Sounds like a 'quake or big bomb, maybe!"

[3x2_9yz_4a]

"This isn't your usual earthquake territory, though." Jesse steadies herself on a nearby table, checking to see if Dr. Mid-nite needs assistance.

"By the way, if it's a bomb, this proves my point about why we don't have more BBQs."

[jla_extras]

Jade steps away from her brother, green auras springing in around her hands.

[midnite_md]

Dr. Mid-Nite decides to try a different approach. The man seems... almost friendly. The reactions of Jade and Obsidian are notable, too.

Making no secret of his gingerly gait, he emerges from the shadows looking every bit the injured man he is.

"The Justice Society does not want to stand in your way, sir, if your motives are true," he says, with the vocal rasp that comes from a healing throat injury. "Just tell us how you plan to save the world with this machine, so we might understand why you are stealing something that isn't yours."

[blackest_knight]

Todd's voice sounds in Jade's head but no one else's.

"We have to know."

While Mid-Nite distracts hi--the man in black--Todd disappears entirely into the man's shadow.

He has to know, and the shadows talk to him. He can see right into the man's thoughts this way. Access his memories. He can know.

As the first wall hits, though, he knows it will take time. The man's willpower is strong--stronger than anything Todd's ever faced before, with one exception.

Please, no.

[jla_extras]

Indeed, the will is familiar in form, but the memories seem.. inaccessible.

The figure is distracted, though, and does not notice the intrusion - holding Wildcat at bay with a green wall of force, while addressing Dr. Mid-Nite.

"The.. so-called "free" nations of the world are too often ruled by the rich and the ambitious. The Professor.. Professor Vance.. he wishes to establish a new place where people can truly be free. Saving people from subtle tyranny."

He sounds like he mostly believes it, but there is an element of recitation in the speech.

"The device will be returned, and improved upon."

[jla_extras]

She can't allow herself to get distracted. They'll take this guy down and then find out what's going on with him. Whether he is actually who they think he is.

And if he is? Jade doesn't give herself enough time to contemplate that possibility.

"Stealing something and destroying property just so that you can make it better and then... bring it back?" Her voice is incredulous, and she's standing there with a disbelieving expression on her face.

"It really sounds like you're kinda going at this thing backwards. Bombing someone for peace, and all that crap."

C'mon, Todd, give me something here, anything...