[center][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/290977655627448341/468538457770295308/coollogo_com-138851225.png[/img] & [img]https://i.imgur.com/uvX201s.png[/img] [img]https://vgy.me/weS5zP.png[/img] [img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/212820584294383617/481938491148861441/15349734812526167172506609776093.jpg[/img] [/center] Location: At the HoH base Time: Attacking the second Base. [hr] Moments before the lockdown had been lifted, Fletch listened to Roadblock as he talked about the information sharing on the Penose. [color=e38c2d]”That sounds reasonable enough,”[/color] she replied. [color=e38c2d]”Certainly will let you know, just the method on how will be a thing we’ll need to figure out.”[/color] That was the thing, how were they going to contact each other in regards to the Penose? While the wording he had used suggested that he had a vague idea on who she was outside of the archer, but it was too vague to figure out if he had. Especially after she had been thrown against a wall. [color=0072bc]”Well if you don’t feel like using nine-one-one, you could always drop by precinct 13 and ask for Roadblock. My name might be a secret, but I work with the rest of the LHSCD and that’s where we work out of for now.”[/color] When the policeman said that the computer programme in the suit was nothing more than a glorified Google search engine, she was left feeling like he was trying to hide something. She thought about asking, but decided against it. [i]Besides, there might be a reason to it,[/i] she thought. When Roadblock commented on how to contact him, she nodded. But before she had a chance to respond to the policeman himself, the archer had heard the click of the mouse. She guessed that the programme had gotten through into the system and had stopped the lockdown as soon as the lights returned to normal. Her eyes took a hit from the change in colour, making her head hurt, but it only took a moment for them to readjust when the security door to the control room had moved up. And it readjusted in time to see Nemesis begin her comical tumble onto her ass. Fletch chuckled to hear the loud grunt from her, causing her sides to hurt from the pain of the monster grabbing her. Reflexively, her left hand reached up from its resting position and pressed onto the gouges, still holding onto her bow. Then, with a cheeky look in her eye, she looked at her falled friend. [color=e38c2d]”Guess I won’t be the only one who’d make an ass of themselves today, eh?”[/color] [color=0072bc]”Nice landing.”[/color] Steading himself as he stood Hound Dog seemed to be fine at first but blood began dripping from his injury earlier and he hadn't yet noticed as he casually strolled up. [color=fff200]”Who the hell installs a laser defense system. Those just never work in movies. Kinda surprised none of the hounds got killed by their own security system. Anyway how's the hacking going Crash and Burn?”[/Color] [color=indianred]“Oh shut the fuck up,”[/color] Racheli barked as she lifted onto her feet again. [color=indianred]“Lets see you avoid a batch of lasers eager to slice you into pieces and then open a door, only to have it abruptly open on you. See if you keep your balance well,”[/color] she pointed out, summarizing her experience as she dusted herself off. [color=Indianred]“What the hell took you so long?”[/color] [color=0072bc]”The Hounds look like they’re trying to be literal. There’s something else in here with us, and it wanted more than a few friendly pats.”[/color] Despite being a civil servant he wasn’t above a little sarchasm. When Hound Dog walked into the room, commenting on the lasers they faced, Kayla noticed the wound on his shoulder bleeding. [color=e38c2d]”Yeah, they usually don’t,”[/color] she replied. [color=e38c2d]”Not from the movies I’ve seen anyway. The one thing they seem to be good at doing is reopening wounds that were stitched up. Much like your earlier injury to your shoulder.”[/color] While there was a simple solution to it, there wasn’t much she could do personally as she gave her first aid kit to Voyager to treat the wound as they were fighting the Hounds in Sherman Square. [color=e38c2d]”When this is over, I’ll go about tending to that shoulder to stop it bleeding until it gets checked by someone more qualified than me.”[/color] Looking down at his jacket he simply sighed. [color=fff200]”Dang. I'll just take a seat for a while if I find a chair not covered in blood.”[/Color] Fletch chuckled as Nemesis swore at them for making fun of the fall she had to take, turning her gaze towards her fallen friend. Though there was amusement to be had, her eyes grimaced from the pain at her sides. Much like Hound Dog, the metahuman talked about the laser system. [color=e38c2d]”To be honest with you, I’d rather deal with the lasers than that [u]thing[/u] that triggered the lockdown in the first place.”[/color] As Roadblock spoke about what had attacked them. [color=e38c2d]”Well, if you count it being pissed off with them in the first place and becoming a murderous rage monster.”[/color] She lifted her left hand from the wound on her side, indicating the bloodied hand and handle of the blow. [color=e38c2d]”It’s things like this that I wished that I wasn’t as… vulnerable… in comparison to you guys. But we’ve managed to get into the system and lift the lockdown. Hopefully, we’ll find what we’re looking for and get the hell out before it comes back.”[/color] [color=0072bc]”Before we talk about [i]that[/i] again, why are you doing this, especially since you seem a little more than vulnerable?”[/color] He gestured to her bow with a slight nudge from his head. Both Nemesis and that Dog guy had decent sounding powers, they seemed to handle themselves well all things considered, even Fletch from what Artemis had shown him. But there was a critical difference, that bow. Fletch somehow managed to fight off the Hounds well enough, but could she really carry on like this. Why did she want to be a hero, that might be too personal, but he had to ask, especially since she always seemed to be at such a disadvantage. As Fletch was left to answer Roadblock’s question, Rach decided to take matters into her own hands. They needed strips of cloth to stop the bleeding and possibly something to sterilize the wounds. She moved into the small office. Rach abruptly stopping right at the corpse as she leaned down, her hand reached for the sleeve. With a sharp tug, the cloth ripped loudly off in one movement. She repeated the action with the other sleeve while the two talked. As Fletch finished speaking to the group, Roadblock had asked her one simple question. It was simple, yet a defining one that took her back in it being asked. [i]Why I am doing this?[/i] she thought. In that one moment, the key moments that had spurred her into becoming Fletch come to mind. The first, which isn’t too much of a surprise, was the night that Jason died. Learning that the people who killed him were now coming after her is pretty much her driving force. But for her to become a vigilante? It was the night when they blew the bus up, almost killing Mark and leaving her friend Mia traumatized as a result. She hadn’t forgotten that feeling, the sight of her childhood friend being in that same position she had been in all those years ago. And with the man that had caused it being close by when it happened, she vowed to get answers. She placed her left hand back onto the wound on her side, eyes looking down at the console. Her eyes gave a sense of melancholy as she gave her response. [color=e38c2d]”A lot of people close to me got hurt. And when they did get hurt, I had been helpless to stop them getting hurt.”[/color] Her right hand, hanging down along her side, clenched into a fist. [color=e38c2d]”There was nothing that I could do that could stop them from feeling hurt. And when I saw the face that had caused it, right there in the moment of me feeling helpless, I thought enough is enough. No more would those I care about be hurt again. Those that would hurt them will face the justice they deserve. And if anyone along the way was getting hurt, they’ll face that justice.”[/color] Her eyes looked up from the console and turned towards Roadblock. Unlike a moment ago, there seemed to be a relentless fire burning within them. [color=e38c2d]”If that means that I’ll have to drag my broken body to achieve that, then so be it. Does that answer your question?”[/color] [i]Those eyes...[/i] [color=0072bc]”Revenge, and justice, I understand. It seems we’re doing this for the same reason,”[/color] Richard replied solemnly. He didn’t know why she chose a bow of all things but that didn’t matter, that passion in her eyes reminded her of him. It was for that reason he understood and sympathized with her so easily. [color=0072bc]”Can you keep up like that?”[/color] Richard gestured to her hand from earlier, he didn’t have a medkit on him, so unless one of the metas had some kind of healing power, it looked like she might not be able to fight. [color=indianred] “Are you done nagging her?”[/color] Rach asked as she stepped in between the two. [color=6ecff6]”She's a sunny one.”[/color] There was several strips in her hands now, her mind paused long enough to divide them evenly then pass the second batch to Hound Dog. [color=indianred] “Have him help you use those to patch yourself up. If you need longer ones, we’re going to have to tear off the corpse’s pants and see if they work,”[/color] Her voice was neither amused or joking. She then added,[color=indianred] “You two might want to attend to your wounds [i]outside[/i].”[/color] [color=fff200]”Well if the lady says so. How badly are you hurt Fletch? Any pain?”[/Color] [color=e38c2d]”Yeah, I’m in a bit of pain. Concussion, probably a couple of broken ribs and at least 4 gouges from where the wolf-like monster grabbed a hold of me and then threw me against a wall. And just a heads up, it has a caustic blood that hurt my hand a little, though I can still use it to use my bow. I’ll leave the punching to someone else.”[/color] As she mentioned the gouges, Fletch lifted her hand up once more to show the claw marks on the left side of her rib cage before returning it back to her side. Racheli frowned then glared at the two. Her expression screamed for them to move it or she would do it for them. [color=0072bc]”I’m hoping you’re more gentle than you let on, if you feel like playing nurse you’re going to have to be careful, especially with injuries like those, and try not to use any contaminated pieces of cloth.”[/color] Richard said; although he tried to give advice earnestly, if Fletch really had the level of injuries they suspected she definitely wouldn’t be able to do anything here and now, the least she could do was be gentle, but it didn’t seem like that was in her personality. He pitied Fletch. He gestured for Hound to leave with him before unplugging himself from the computer and tossing a quick look at Rach and Fletch. [color=0072bc]”Knock when you think you’re done, I’ve got something to tell everyone.”[/color] [color=indianred] “Yeah, yeah,”[/color] Rach said, seeming uncaring about his advice. Rach eyed them through the door as she paused, shifting to ensure it was closed completely. To be honest, she suspected neither had been laid with for a good part of a week and would gawk at a partly naked woman in their midst. She didn’t want to deal with the distraction. After she find satisfaction with the door’s seal, she turned back to Fletch then spoke. [color=indianred] “Well, pull off your shirt so I can look at the damage. You mentioned four gashes and bruising near the ribs. I want to make sure that’s all the damage done. Or do you need help?”[/color] Her arms crossed her chest as she waited for an answer. As the bandages were handed out, Fletch feared that both hers and Hound Dog’s wounds were being treated in the same room. But she didn’t hide the sigh of relief as both the men walked out of the room and closed the door behind them. As Nemesis checked to see if the door was closed properly, the archer placed her bow on the console so it was ready at hand in case the wolf monster came back. [color=e38c2d]”Four gashes from what I know and there will be bruising. Not 100% sure if there’s any broken ribs, but that can be checked by a doctor at a later point.”[/color] With both hands free to help both the customized jacket for her archery and her top, she began zipping the jacket down and took it off. While the pain in her ribs nagged at her, it hadn’t been much a problem. When it came to the shirt underneath, it became clear that the ribs would be a problem. Nevertheless, she managed to get the top off. The falcon tattoo on her shoulders and the scar going through her left shoulder and the upper part on the left side of her chest. The four gashes on her left side ran for about 2-3 inches along the lines of her ribcage. Racheli edged closer. About five makeshift bandages were still dangling in her hand, thin and slightly shorter than she would’ve originally liked. As she looked over the damaged areas, her lips curled into a tighter frown. [color=indianred] “He got you pretty good,”[/color] She stated, then asked,[color=indianred] “Tell me you at least got a chunk of him too?”[/color] Already her eyes were examining the first cloth for any blood. There wasn’t any. Relieved it wasn’t going to cause infection, Rach then sat down behind Fletch. With surprising gentleness, the cloth was applied and fixed in place. The ends were tied to other strips, making the bandage slightly longer. Easily they wrapped about the wounds about three times before she knotted it off. [color=indianred] “There doesn’t look like anything is in them, but if you feel feverish then tell me quickly. We’ll find some painkillers or something,”[/color] Rach’s tone had taken on a softer version, through it still held a hint of attitude within it. [color=e38c2d]”Yeah, though I think I did piss it off by jabbing one of my arrows in its back,”[/color] Fletch replied. While her cowl was still on her face, it shifted to show the smirk underneath. [color=e38c2d]”And that was after I nailed it with a shot from the bow.”[/color] As the bandage was about to be applied, Kayla braced herself to feeling a bit of pain from when the wraps go around her chest. But as the wraps were being built up, she had been surprised with the notion that Nemesis was applying the bandages gently, though firm enough to keep the pressure on the gashes on her side. As there wasn’t too much of a sharp pain in her ribs, her earlier assumption of broken ribs was put to rest. [i]Looks like there’s just a lot of bruising in the area.[/i] With the wound now covered up, she checked to see how viable the bandages were with the use of her bow. Just by raising both her arms to the position they would go at full draw, she felt satisfied with the positioning. However, the impact with the wall seemed to make her left shoulder feel a bit uneasy, trying to relieve it with a few rolls of her shoulder. [color=e38c2d]”I think I should be fine in terms of the infection.”[/color] Kayla replied. [color=e38c2d]”As long as I get some painkillers and antibiotics within the next couple of days, I’ll be safe from the bandages.”[/color] The archer had been surprised with the softened tone that Nemesis was using when talking about the possibility of infection. In her mind, it showed that there was more to her than the usual tough exterior she put on. [i]If that’s not proof that she’s human, I don’t know what is,[/i] she thought. Rolling her shoulder one more time, she reached for her top and put it back on. She noticed the slight burn marks on her right hand, but it hadn’t looked too severe so she didn’t take notice of it. [color=e38c2d]”I’ll definitely say one thing. I’ve never seen anything like that monster. And as a heads up, one that had that Alien-like shit with something caustic in its blood. Much different than what I’ve seen with you back on the rooftop.”[/color] Racheli’s eyebrow raised. She was not happy to hear something else had untouchable blood as she had been considering what to do about the bruises. Her head turned to the door where the boys were likely wrapping up. [color=indianred] “Just when I thought this place couldn’t get any more complicated… it turns into a sci-fi horror,”[/color] She mumbles as she knocks sharply on the door. [color=indianred] “You two can come in, now.”[/color] [center]----[/center] Richard walked just a little past the door, enough that it closed by itself, allowing for Fletch and Nemesis to have the privacy they wanted. Although he had a good amount of medical training, per his academy days, he suspected it might not look so good to certain higher powers if he tried to push to stay in the room, even if it was to help Fletch. The best answer here would have been to tell them all to wait for an ambulance, but this Fletch should know her limits by now, and he wasn’t going to deny her justice. Following behind Roadblock, Hound Dog had already began taking off his jacket revealing a unique layer of padding underneath. [color=6ecff6]”Huh, take a look at that padding, Richard. It never got public mass production, but I remember reading some research journals about it. That’s a type of insulation, this ‘Hound Dog’, apparently can’t take his heat.”[/color] [i]Insulated padding, and no form of directing equipment. The problem isn’t that he can’t control his powers…[/i] [color=0072bc]”You’ve got some kind of special insulation, can’t handle your powers?”[/color] [color=fff200]”I can handle lighting. But the heat no. Once broke a thermometer trying to gauge how much rubber I burn. What about you, that suit of yours? Didn't realize that LHPD had a mech unit. Does that thing have a AC unit? ”[/Color] [color=0072bc]”Technically, this is the LHSCD’s mech, and yes it does come with AC. Can you imagine lugging yourself around in a metal shell with no air at all? Sounds like torture. Hmm, your skin’s a little dry and cracked, but nothing I can really help with, you should heal on your own soon enough.”[/color] Richard said, he was about to hand Hound Dog’s jacket back but suddenly stopped mid motion. [color=0072bc]”Say, do you mind if I lifted some of this padding off your jacket? I’ve got the feeling it’s rare, could be handy for me in the future.”[/color] [color=fff200]”I kinda do. Heat is a major concern for me but I might try and see if SPARK is willing to hook you up.”[/Color] [color=0072bc]”Please, if it’ll help the boys and girls in R&D work on something a little slimmer that would be great.”[/color] Richard casually mentioned one of the gripes he had with the suit, completely forgetting about a certain factor. [color=6ecff6]”Are you calling this suit fat?”[/color] Artemis' voice suddenly oozed with hostility, Richard broke out into a cold sweat. A couple knocks sounded on the door from the other side, and then Rach called out to them. [i]Saved by the bell.[/i] [color=0072bc]”Well what do you know, she knocked, come on. Time to get to business.”[/color] [center]----[/center] As Richard walked in, he was surprised that Nemesis ended up doing a decent job wrapping up Fletch’s wounds, she should still visit a real professional, but until then, at least she won’t fall apart. He gave a nod to them as he walked in. [color=0072bc]”I know both Hound Dog and Nemesis encountered the Hound’s defense system right outside. But inside the control room, both me and Fletch were attacked by a ‘werewolf’. As weird as that sounds.”[/color] Richard said as he moved back towards the central console. [color=0072bc]”As we all know, the Hounds have made it their mission to attack anything Metahuman related, or other.”[/color] Richard continued as he pulled up several tabs and displayed them on the giant wall-sized monitor. The screens changed from the previous lockdown shutdown window, to a window displaying detailed medical data on the sides of a box, with the silhouette of the werewolf from earlier in a static pose. [color=0072bc]”According to what I pulled from their science logs, at the beginning they realized they didn’t have the firepower to attack certain beings, so one of their first goals was to abduct some of these beings, whether they be meta, or supernatural.”[/color] Richard changed the screen to display a list of some of their weaponry, to view it all would require him to scroll down more, indicated by a thin vertical bar on the side. [color=0072bc]”They managed to find, and capture a werewolf. Over the course of their experiments, they found ways to alter and attack the bodies of meta and supernatural beings from the inside out.”[/color] Richard pulled away and turned to face everyone else. [color=0072bc]”And that’s all I pulled before someone shorted out the main data banks, I’m assuming that was you Hound Dog.”[/color] [color=e38c2d]”I suppose in the end,”[/color] Fletch started, with the whole story about what they were facing finally sinking in. [color=e38c2d]”I’m just glad that I didn’t get bitten by it. That would complicate things on a different scale.”[/color] [color=fff200]”We should keep an eye out for it. Finish it off before it can get topside if possible. I hate to think what kinda damage it'd do if left to wander. Assuming it's still around.” [/Color] [color=0072bc]”Agreed. I downloaded the layout of the base earlier.”[/color] As Richard said this Artemis was kind enough to display it on his visor for him to see. [color=0072bc]”The vents leading to and from this room don’t actually connect to the outside, but instead, to a mechanical room two floors below us. The rest of the Hounds have probably been taken out by now, I’ll handle this ‘werewolf’ the rest of you should go home, get someone to look at your wounds.”[/color] Richard aimed his words at the group as a whole at first, then looked at Fletch for the latter part of his statement. At first, Fletch wanted to object to Roadblock’s statement. She had been involved with this fight with the wolf beast, she wanted to see that job through. But the returning feeling of pain in her side as she reached for her bow made her doubt that conviction of seeing the fight through to the end. [i]So if you decide to take the fight on in your state,[/i] she thought, weighing up the options through. [i]You might be hindered by the injuries you’ve sustained. And if you have an concussion, your focus will be out of whack. That near-hit on Hound Dog earlier today will not be that fortunate if you’re stuck in that situation.[/i] [color=e38c2d]”You’re right,”[/color] she admitted, a mixture of defeatism and relief in her voice. [color=e38c2d]”I need to see out these injuries. I’m probably going to be another person to watch out for in case that thing reappears.”[/color] With the adrenaline slowly easing out of her system, the familiar throb from the gunshot wound was returning to her leg. [color=e38c2d]”With the Hounds gone, it’ll be easy for me to head on out of the building. Will catch you guys at some point.”[/color] With her bow in tow and Archie still cowering in her trouser pocket, she began limping out of the control room to make her way back to the van. It was clear to Richard that Fletch was taking this hard, he personally didn’t mind these vigilantes running around here, since he wasn’t supposed to be here either. But she had already been banged up pretty good, and if they pursued that animal further they might end up walking into an ambush. [color=0072bc]”I know you wanna take the fight to the Hounds, everyone here does, but you don’t need to die for it. I’ll be more than happy to fill you in when you’re ready.”[/color] He knew his words would be nothing more than a band-aid but he felt he had to say something, and he was ready to leave it there when he noticed her limping. [color=0072bc]”One of you give her a hand, there should be an ambulance outside by now, have them take a look.”[/color] [color=indianred]“ I’ll do it. I’m dead weight anyways,”[/color] Racheli huffed, turning on a dime to follow Fletch out.