[center][ Privy Newstream ] [color=red][b]BREAKING NEWS[/b][/color] Local GA Members Latest Victims In Chain Of Disappearances NEW HAVEN — More victims have been claimed in the string of disappearances plaguing the citizens of New Haven. Local Variants "Maximus" and "Kid Kilowatt", two of the city's most powerful Nobles and members of the Glorious Alliance, have been formally reported missing by NOVA officials. There are still no suspects or leads as the case continues to baffle the authorities. [center]* * * * *[/center] [color=red][b]BREAKING NEWS[/b][/color] Local Lab Set Ablaze As Occupants Are Trapped Inside Foul Play Suspected As Variants Are Seen Fleeing Scene[/center] [center]* * * * *[/center] [b][ May 15, 2080 - 7:04 PM ][/b] The flames roared as the lab turned into an ever-increasing hell. A burglary gone awry had caused an entire floor of a large chemical research laboratory in Midtown to explode into a blazing inferno. The fire was spreading rapidly leaving several people trapped inside as firefighters outside struggled to extinguish the flames. The streets were littered with emergency and law enforcement personnel clamoring to get the situation under control. It was soon discovered that the incident was caused by a few members associated with the group known as the Pariah Underground. Four Variants were spotted leaving the lab on foot with duffel bags that were assumed to contain stolen chemicals. Upon learning that they were being pursued by the law, they split into pairs and headed in different directions. Flea, an extremely short Variant with the ability to leap fifty times his height, and Noxia, a girl partially covered with reptilian scales who had the ability to spit acid, both headed toward Bywater. A bulky Variant, called Graffite, possessing stone skin that is near impenetrable, and a girl, Ruby, with the ability to construct blades and spears out of blood, were heading in the direction of Uptown. Each pair carried a bag and seemed to be very protective of their cargo. The chemicals weren't apparently volatile and were well secured within their duffels. [hr] [center] [img] https://fontmeme.com/permalink/221220/2d2d2b8d2e1bbec98c2b8171a74b5864.png[/img] [i]– Midtown –[/i] [/center] Lina stood in a darkened alleyway a few blocks from the burning lab. She closed the phone in her left hand after reading the Privy notification that popped up on her screen while casually twirling a knife in her right hand. She had been in the middle of researching the lab on the Nexus after tracking Graffite and the others to it. One of Lina’s favorite hobbies was sabotaging criminals in the act and taking the spoils for herself. She wouldn’t consider herself a ‘vigilante’ per say since she doesn’t really do it to uphold any kind of order…she just likes fucking with people who do a bad job and taking their shit. But tonight was different because the Scourge was involved. Those four lunatics were always giving the Underground a bad name. [color=f7941d][i]No matter how hard we try to stay out of NOVA’s face, these idiots are always making trouble for us…[/i][/color] Lina carefully peered down the street awaiting signs of the Scourge while trying to keep a low profile in case MAD happened to pass through. She really didn’t want to be associated with the crime in progress, but she couldn’t help but find out what the idiots were up to. She chose this spot on a whim and figured it was the path of least resistance if they were to flee the lab. As it turned out, her instincts proved correct, because she saw Graffite himself dart around a far corner accompanied by Ruby. Just as fate would have it, they were running in the direction of her little hiding spot. Graffite appeared to be carrying a duffel bag slung over his back with the strap running across his chest. Lina considered letting them pass without interfering in order to continue tracking them. The day had been overcast and she hadn’t gotten much sunlight, so she felt a bit underpowered…but the opportunity was too juicy to pass up. At times, Lina felt the need to add some flair to her little skirmishes, so she leapt from the alley with a front flip as the two Variants were crossing and landed in a ‘superhero crouch’ brandishing her dual karambits. [color=f7941d]”Sup, Graff? Whatcha got there?”[/color] The two Scourge stopped dead in their tracks, both very visibly annoyed. “Out of the way, Sear! Mind your damn business!” Graffite shouted with clenched fists. [color=f7941d]”Nah, I don’t think so. I’ll just take that bag instead. Not much time before MAD shows up, so I won’t be long.”[/color] “We don’t have time for your bullshit!” Ruby yelled as she conjured two large blades of crystallized blood. She dashed at Sear swinging both blades toward her upper body. Sear ducked and parried the attack with her karambit then sent Ruby flying with a well-placed kick before making a beeline for Graffite. Sear knew he was slower than she, so she was able to get close enough to cut the strap of the duffel, front flip over him, and grab the bag before he could grab her. She leapt back and immediately hurled the bag in a high arc toward a wall in the alley she had just left. In one swift motion, Sear holstered one of her karambits and pulled out a throwing knife, infusing it with heat. She threw the knife at the bag just as it had hit the wall, and the heat allowed it to pierce both bag and brick with ease, pinning the duffel and leaving it dangling high above the action. “Ugh, you bitch!” Ruby screamed as her temper flared. She sprinted toward Sear who had re-equipped her other karambit, ready for a fight. [color=f7941d][i]Here we go…gotta make this quick…[/i][/color]