[center][img]http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo63/NMShape/coollogo_com-85841631_zps8otwgsj9.png[/img][/center]
[center][b]Christopher Arthur III[/b][/center]
	Chris intently listened to War-Pulse’s response to his offer.  He could obviously read from War-Pulse’s body language that the arrival of Icon, Thunderbolt, and Boom had spooked the mercenary, causing him to be on his guard.  Nevertheless, despite the potential that bringing backup could put the superhuman mercenary on high alert, Chris believed that the move was a risk that he was willing to take.  War-Pulse had in fact taken on several metahuman opponents at once.  Who wouldn’t blame him for his decision?

	[color=C0C0C0]“If we [b]really[/b] wanted to ‘strong-arm’ you into working for us, we would have already attacked and hopefully taken you back with us by now.  But we don’t have the time for that nonsense.  There are bigger fish to fry in this world and one [b]giant[/b] fish has already threatened to transform everyone in the world into metahumans, whether they like it or not.  We cannot be fighting each other while something far worse is looming over us all.”[/color]

	Chris noticed that War-Pulse tried to deny his own heroism, especially what he had displayed on D-Day.  No matter what he or Icon said, it seemed that War-Pulse was not buying it.  Therefore, Chris needed to change up his game and speak to him in terms that he might better understand.

	[color=C0C0C0]“Obviously you seem insistent on denying that you have any ounce of heroism in yourself.  Following that logic, unless you have fooled yourself into believing that and are now trying to convince us of it, then it is clear that you didn’t help us on D-Day out of the goodness of your heart.  Therefore, what was your motivation?  Did you get a handsome paycheck for participating in our counterstrike against those interdimensional invaders?  Or was it rather that it risked your business?  I bet that the risk of not being paid for one job was dwarfed in comparison to the loss that would have happened if those ‘demons’ had won.  You wouldn’t have a clientele.  Because everyone would have been dead or enslaved.  Or was it just out of the adrenaline rush that came from killing.  Anyone could easily rationalize it, since the ‘demons’ are not human and, as a result of this fact, you could not be possibly committing murder.”[/color]

	[color=C0C0C0]“So, let me try to show you a different incentive.  While the annihilation of the human race is not at risk this time, as it was on D-Day, your business is.  You get top dollar now because of what?  You’re a metahuman who can accomplish jobs that no normal man could ever dream of.  However, once this dome hits, once everyone is a metahuman, the playing field will be leveled.  You won’t be special any more.  You will just be another mercenary, competing for the same jobs with other superhuman hitmen.  Maybe someone might not surpass you tomorrow, or the next day, or in the next year, but someone eventually will.[/color]

	[color=C0C0C0]“Maybe Lyger was right about you.  In spite of his hissy fit, I thought that what you showed us on D-Day was enough proof for me that you were not just a mere hired gun.  Maybe I was wrong. Maybe the only thing that you want is just to reap a cash reward and to crush some skulls along the way.  Isn’t the first time I have misjudged someone.  Won’t be the last.”[/color]

	[color=C0C0C0]“Therefore, if you think that this is just a sick game that gives you license to punch people in the face and get some extra cash, then we wasted our time coming out here.  I don’t care that you would get a sense of satisfaction out of killing two birds with one stone if you join us and redeem yourself against those metahumans who embarrassed you.  That's now what bothers me.  But we’re here to do something that no one else can do.  We’re not tied down by bureaucratic red tape, unlike any other government body that could try to respond to this current threat.  Even S.T.R.I.K.E.  If we don’t do anything about it, then we might as well admit that [i]they[/i] have won already.”[/color]

	[color=C0C0C0]“If you want to help us stop this mess, then come with us.  You don’t need to be a ‘hero’ in order to do the right thing.  What matters is what course of action you pick to follow.  A team needs to be able to rely on one another to get their respective task completed.  You have to take a leap of faith with us, just as we have done with you, even though you have made it a little difficult.  If we didn’t believe that you would work [b]with[/b] us, then we wouldn’t be here now.  Whatever decision you make, time is of the essence.”[/color]

	The device that had shown to worldwide broadcast that was created by that ‘mad scientist’ soared up into the air a few feet and fell in a what could be described as a reverse bell-curve, landing beside Chris.  Once the device was repositioned, Chris turned towards it, which, while not placing his back towards War-Pulse, orientated him so that he was perpendicular to the mercenary.  While the machine was no longer between War-Pulse and Chris, the images and video that it was about to play was still visible to the mercenary.

	Almost as soon as it landed, the device began to project a map of the Eastern United States.  On this map, there were two red circles, one circumscribing a dot that represented Lost Haven and another that surrounded the location of Columbus, Ohio.  Then, a dashed lined began to be “drawn” by the device between these two locations, connecting the dots as it were.

	[color=C0C0C0]“I know that our next destination is a little far away, I still feel that it’s still worth it to try our luck at recruiting this last metahuman.”[/color]  Chris began to speak to his three teammates, although he was still definitely within earshot from War-Pulse.  While Chris was speaking, a rendering of Arachne (pre-transformation) appeared above them map, making her almost look like the MC2 Spider-Girl, just with a blonde pony-tail.  [color=C0C0C0]“Icon, you’ll take the lead on this mission, since it seems like you know everyone caped crusader and their brother.  More importantly, it would be better for her to see a friendly face.  If I were to go with you, this 'Spider-Girl' probably would outright refuse us because of reasons I have already mentioned back at our meeting at Settler’s Clearing.  I’ll send word to Lyger and Radiance to have the two Albany kids rendezvous with you, Icon, in Columbus.”[/color]

	[color=C0C0C0]“Meanwhile, the rest of us will return to Lost Haven and help search for both the device that will start this mess and where their base is.  Even if we are able to deactivate the device, we should still find where these creeps are hiding.  If we don’t stop them here and now, what will stop them from trying this stunt again, but unannounced?  Any questions?”[/color]