[center] [img]http://i.imgur.com/Md9XRKw.png[/img][/center] The smell of bacon and coffee wafted through Alexa’s apartment summoning Scott out of a deep sleep. The previous night spent with Alexa’s parents had been unpleasant to the point that had Scott been capable of getting drunk, he would have drank himself into oblivion. With that not being an option, he just waited it out, enduring more of Jonathan’s passive aggressive attacks until, mercifully, the hour grew late and the elder Winstones departed for their hotel. In all honesty, Scott never thought that he would be so happy to see someone, anyone go away. But the level of relief that he felt when Jonathan and his wife left Alexa’s place was almost indescribable. Scott laid there for several more moments until the smells from the kitchen were more than he could bare, and he finally got out of bed and made his way to the kitchen. He approached Alexa, who was standing in front of the stove in nothing but one of his tee shirts, which came down just above her knees. He snuck up behind her, not because he was especially stealthy, but because she was focused on the task at hand, and slipped his arms around her waist as he rested his chin on the nape of her neck, giving it a small kiss before pulling her close to him. “That smells amazing.” He told her as he lightly squeezed her before letting her go and making his way to the kitchen table. “After last night, I figured you could use a little TLC.” Alexa told him. “Sorry that my dad’s a dick.” “Hey, it’s not your fault. He’s just looking out for you…I think.” Scott said as he reached for the TV remote across the table. “Yeah, but…” Her words were cut off by the words of the news anchor as she recounted the atrocities from the night before. Alexa joined Scott at the table as they listened to the newswoman, Michaela Pearl speak of the numerous fatalities that had occurred all across the country the night before. The attacks on the meta human and supernatural community were shocking, as was the news that STRIKE had been similarly attacked. They continued to watch in silence as the network played the video message that had been broadcast by the ones who had claimed responsibility. Once the message had ended, and the news report began replaying the same information that they had just delivered again, Scott reached for the remote again and turned off the TV. His face was sullen, and Alexa immediately knew what he was thinking. “This isn’t your fault. There’s no way you could have known.” Alexa told him with a slight edge of pleading in her tone. “No, I didn’t know. But I do now, and I’m going to make these monsters pay.” Scott said with an air of anger in his voice. “No.” Alexa said sternly, her tone causing Scott to look into her eyes questioningly. “We’re going to make them pay.” [b][center]***[/center][/b] [center] [img]http://i.imgur.com/yKiyn0i.png[/img][/center] [b][i]Brooksdale, Lost Haven[/i][/b] Kyle sat unmasked in the Garage across from Harry, who was sitting in his usual spot in front of the computer array that he had set up against the far wall. The two men had been going over the details of the events of the night before, trying to find anything that they could about the terrorist group now known as the Hounds of Humanity. Harry had been reaching out his contacts within the intelligence community with little luck. It seemed that no one knew who these people were, or what hole they had crawled out of. The only thing that was known was that these so called Hounds had stirred up the proverbial hornets’ nest, and hand half of the meta human population terrified for their lives, and the other half ready to take up arms against anyone that they considered to be a threat. While details on the group were hard to come by, even for Harry and his extensive network of informants, a few details were available. The Hounds of Humanity were heavily armed and funded. There also seemed to be numerous cells that operated in various locations around the country, which was evidenced by the numerous simultaneous attacks from coast to coast. Their weaponry was also a cause for concern, as some of the more advanced tech that they had been seen using were eerily similar to developmental tech that STRIKE was said to have been working on. This could only mean that the Hounds had in fact infiltrated the organization before it set off the attack which crippled it. Kyle watched Harry as the older man went over everything that he had been able to find out about the terrorist group, and one thing in particular struck him. Harry looked tired and worn. He hadn’t seen Harry like this since Ronnie had died, and it worried him. However, he knew that the old man would do what he always did, get through it. “There were reports in Crown Ridge of smaller, individual attacks by the Hounds, or at the very least people sympathetic to their cause. Several meta humans have been reported missing or have turned up dead. We should start there.” Harry sighed as he spoke. “Yeah, I’ll get on it.” Kyle told his elder as he slipped his mask on and stepped toward Kaiju. “And Kyle.” Harry said, causing the younger man to pause. “Yeah?” Kyle said as he turned to face his mentor. “Be careful. I have a bad feeling that this is just the beginning.” [center][b]***[/b][/center] [center] [img]http://i.imgur.com/KDaLzr2.png[/img][/center] [b][i]Pacific Point, California[/i][/b] Izzy sat on the couch with a bowl of cereal in front of her and her eyes glued to the television. She had been watching the coverage of the terrorist attacks perpetrated by a group calling themselves the Hounds of Humanity which left scores dead. With each detail, the situation seemed to be getting worse and worst. She listened as a panel of commentators debated the issue, and while none came right out and endorsed the actions of the Hounds, some came perilously close to sympathizing with their mission. Others argued about what the attacks on the meta human and supernatural population would mean, and what sort of response from these groups would result. To be honest, the thought of an entire population of supernatural beings seemed silly to Izzy, or at least it would have, if a horde of demons hadn’t overrun an entire US city months back. As Izzy watched the news reports, she heard Amanda in the other room, and called out to her. As her friend made her way into the living room, Izzy tried to tell her what was going on, but couldn’t quite get the words out. “Oh man…this is bad, very, very bad.” She said instead. “What? Did they announce a new Drake album?” Amanda asked glibly. “No, look.” Izzy said pointing to the TV as she turned up the volume with the remote, allowing the news anchors to fill Amanda in on the events of the night before, as well as the promise of more attacks to come. “My god.” Amanda said as she lowered herself to the couch with her eyes transfixed on the television screen. After a moment, she got back to her feet and started toward the door. “Be careful. These guys aren’t messing around.” Izzy said. “Neither am I.” Amanda said as she zipped away in a flash.