Log:Pawns of the Ice Fox, Scene 4

Pawns of the Ice Fox 2007/06/27 	 Lady Luck Kibin Jennifer and Jessica Victor Yolanda Diamond Howl Sword Dancer 4

Jessica and Jennifer are seated at a table with a large bag at Jessica's feet. They are sipping coffee. There are two empty cups on the table between them so it seems they may have been here some time.

Space Burger, as usual, is fairly busy even if it's between the lunch and dinner times, having a fair student clientele with odd hours.

Amy has been here a while too, having a late lunch by herself, but she's been sitting by herself and chatting into her PDA most of the time.

Amy finally finishes her conversation and only then sees the twins, and waves.

Yolanda frowns. Space Burgers. She sits at a table, looking a little uncomfortable, arms folded and not really wanting to touch the grease-stained table. She looks around for the student she's been waiting for and spots the twins instead.

Jennifer waves back with a smile. The twins had spotted Amy on arrival but didn't interrupt as she was obviously busy talking.

Amy comes over with her drink, sucking on the straw, the rest of her lunch being finished. "Hi!"

Jessica and Jennifer smile and Jessica pushes a chair back from the table for Amy to sit in. "Hi," Jennifer starts, "saw you were busy so we didn't interrupt." Jessica finishes.

Jennifer looks over to Dr Simmons and indicates another spare chair at the twin's table.

Amy says, "It's ok, I wouldn't have minded, but thanks! How are you?"

Jessica says, "Doing fine. Although a little bored as I mentioned. You still okay with me coming to your store and helping out?"

Amy says, "Uh-huh, sure! I've been looking for someone to help out anyway - I guess what! I think I've got an archenemy or nemesis or something, except I didn't know who she is, but she doesn't like me!"

Jessica says, "Huh? You serious?"

Yolanda smiles and head over to the twin's table. On the way over, she glances towards the door. She arrives at the table. "Hello Jennifer, Jessica." She nods to Amy. "Good afternoon." She doesn't sit yet... she eyes her chair for a moment, before deciding that it's safe to sit on.

Jennifer says, "Hi, Dr Simmons." The twins grin, "I wouldn't have thought this was your kind of establishment?"

Amy says, "Well, I think she is. She calls herself Countess Calamity and she through a rock with a message for me at Coffebucks and it turned out to have a riddle on it and I figured out it meant the lighthouse and I had to go there or someone would die, except it turned out it was a guinea pig, but I rescued her anyway but Countess Calamity got away."

"Quite right..." Dr. Simmons says. "I was hoping to meet a student here." She raises an eyebrow as she looks over to Amy. "What's this about a nemesis?"

The twins aren't sure whether Amy is serious on not. That sounds just so... silly.

Amy looks about at Dr Simmons, trying to place her, and says "hi".

Jessica does the introductions, "Dr Simmons, this is Amy, the owner of Lucky Finds and a meta. Amy, this is Dr Simmons, a mentalist.

Amy says, "But she said she hated me and she did try to hurt me with traps and stuff, though she didn't do very well, but she did get away."

Yolanda extends a hand to Amy. "Pleased to meet you."

Amy shakes Dr Simmon's hand and says hi again.

Amy says, "Oh look, here's the note!"

Amy fishes it from a pocket.

Jessica starts paying more attention. . o O(Maybe this is real)

In my clutches an innocent child, Unknown to them my murderous plot. Are you a hero who can save him, Or will you do nothing and let him rot? Should you be brave and bold, Come and find the child and me. Somewhere in the city is our location. Find us where ships can see.

Yolanda hmms. "The note, is it hand written?"

Amy shows Yolanda the note.

There's a bit of a commotion at the counter: a girl (probably a student) with long dishevelled brown hair seems to be trying to jump the queue. People seem to be backing away once they look at her, and the guy at the counter looks a little unnerved too.

Jessica glances at the disturbance, "Curious. The server looks freaked out."

Yolanda looks at the note, peering down at it carefully through her spectacles. "Hmm," she murmurs thoughtfully. She's beginning to study it when she gets distracted by the commotion. She looks over, trying to determine what the fuss is about.

"Um, I don't think you should be in here," the guy at the counter is saying. "Maybe you should go home and lie down, or to a doctor's....

At this point the girl leans forward and grabs the guy bu his shirt-front, lifting him almost off his feet. "GIve me a Murray Meal! Now!"

Jessica mutters, "I'm retired. R.E.T.I.R.E.D. Oh heck. Back in a minute." and she gets to her feet and starts to head to the counter.

The twins, Amy and Yolanda are together at a table, seemingly about finished eating. The girl first in line at the counter (with long unkempt hair) has just grabbed the poor guy working here.

Amy says, "Huh? What's up?"

Jennifer says, "Someone getting impatient. Jess will sort it out, one way or another."

Olivia comes into the Burger and looks around a bit. She purses her lips a little and waves to the twins, beforeheading towards the counter to wait in line.

The line has to some extent reformed behind the queue-jumper, and Olivia joins it.

Jessica nods in relief, "Hi, Olivia, your timing is immaculate. Grab hold of clawed and hairy here could you. I think she's having a bad hair day. Not to mention a bad werewolf day."

"Werewolf?!" gasps the poor serving guy.

Olivia cocks her head to the side and she seems to shift into a diamond statue as she reaches to grab the woman, well clawed and hair, "Sure Jessica." she says curiously.

Jessica nods, "No problem. It's just a phase of the moon thing. She's probably a bit peckish though. Better biting into a burger than a neck, right? So if you could fill her order we'll take care of everything."

"Give me food *NOW*!" snarls the woman. She doesn't seem to register Olivia.

"OK ok I'll get you all the food you need!" whimpers the cashier.

Diamond reaches out and grabs the woman, "Calm down miss, he is getting your food." she says as she exerts her strength, grabbing her.

"Let go of me!" she says, dropping the cashier and exerting full strength to break free.

Yolanda says, "Jessica, perhaps we should oblige her -- let her eat her fill."

Jessica nods, "Yes, that was my intent. After she was under control. It's hard to serve burgers with half your face ripped off."

Diamond nods.

The girl thrashes about wildly in Diamond's grasp, but fauls to break free.

Diamond nods.

Diamond nods and shakes her head, "I will let go of you shortly, just let the man get the food, he cannot get it, if you have a hold of him."

Jessica leans over the counter and grabs several burgers. She hands one to the woman and holds the others. "My sister will come over and pay when we've got the woman to a table, okay?"

The girl (who is obviously sweating an feverish) doesn't listen. "Let go! Put me down!" She keeps struggling.

Diamond blinks, "Um...can we call a doctor or something?" she looks a bit worried as she holds the girl.

To the food however, she pays attention, trying to snatch them from Jessica's hands - a bit hard when held. "LET GO!"

Jessica says, "There's a doctor at the table where my twin is seated. Take her here please, Diamond.""

Jessica says, "Oh, and let her have a hand free so she can eat please."

Yolanda rises and looks over to the captured girl. She nods a quick hello to Diamond. She pulls out a small medical PDA.

Anastrophe snatches at a burger as soon as a hand is free and stuffs it in her mouth.

Diamond nods and lets her get and eat one of the burgers before heading over towards Yolanda with the girl.

Jennifer goes over to the counter to pay for the burgers and collect another half dozen or so.

Yolanda begins to check on the girl. She asks, "Are you sure you've got her securely?" she asks a little anxiously. The struggling makes it hard for her to perform a quality diagnosis.

Jessica is ready to interpose herself between Dr Simmons and the struggling girl is needed.

Diamond nods and makes sure that she has a good hold, only allowing the girl to eat.

The girl is pretty much in a feeding frenzy, and focusing on little but the food anyway.

Amy says, "What's wrong with her?"

The manager (who seems almost as young and pimply-faced as the cashier) starts heading over.

Yolanda shakes her head. "I don't know. I'm going to call an ambulance. We'll need a proper diagnosis." She begins to dial.

"Are you friends of hers?" the managers says nervously. "You'll have to take her outside. It can't be hygienic for her to be in here..."

Jessica shakes her head, "Never seen her before today. Tell you waht, if you have an objection to what we're doing we'll just let her go and get back to our snacks."

The manager goes as pale as the feverish woman. "No no, that's ok....." He backs away hurriedly.

Yolanda manages to call an ambulance.

Diamond just holds her.

Jessica looks at the retreating back of the manager, "Jerk. He didn't ask if she was all right. I mean obviously she isn't, but all he cared about was getting her out of his place."

Yolanda nods to Jessica, with a half-frown on her lips.

The woman is eating slower now - not surprising given the amount she stuff downed in a short time.

Amy says, "Do you think she'll be ok?"

Diamond smiles, "feeling better?" she asks the woman.

Yolanda tries taking a little more time to check on the girl's symptom, now that things have calmed down somewhat.

For a moment she looks a bit more lucid, then she starts shouting again, "Let go of me!"

Jessica sighs, "I don't know, Amy. If the doctor isn't sure I'm not going to offer an opinion." She thinks for a moment and then asks Yolanda, "I have a nanotech mediket. Is it worth trying a shot of that?"

The woman almost gets free with a surprise wrench, but Diamond reassert her hold.

Yolanda jerks back, almost falling down.

Diamond blinks, as she flexes and shakes her head, "I got her....but...she is getting hotter, burning up." she shakes her head.

Jennifer puts out a hand to steady Yolanda.

Yolanda says, "It almost sounds like a mteabolic disorder of some sort, but I'd be guessing... Thanks."

Yolanda straightens up.

Yolanda tries asking the girl, "What is your name?"

The ambulance sirens are now heard - this not being far from the hospital.

"Tara! I'm Tara! Now let me GO!" She tries to wrench free, yet again.

"Tara," Yolanda says, "You're very ill. We're going to take you to the hospital."

says, "Let me GO!"

Diamond cocks her head to the side, "Tara, did someone give you something, a pill of some kind?" she asks as she holds her, "If I let you go, are you going to try to get violent?" she reasserts her hold but seems to be barely able to keep it.

Yolanda turns to the manager, "Get me ice, and a lot of it. We've got to lower her temperature immediately." She turns to Tara and says, "Please. Relax... just... Relax," she says, meaningfully.

"Ice... so cold....."

For just a moment Tara seems to relax, but then she's agitated again, the fever not seeming to let her relax.

Amy runs to get some ice!

Diamond starts whispering softly, "Its okay, just relax."

"Help me with these," Yolanda says to the twins as she tries to pack ice around the feverish girl. She asks Diamond, "How are you doing?"

Yolanda comments as she works, "The hypothalmus is a gland that regulates body temperature, thirst, and hunger. I wouldn't be surprised is hers was out of wack."

Diamond nods, "I am alright, if it is anything catching, I am probably immune to it, and she is just hot. She might break free, if so...I will get in the way."

As Tara cools, she finally begins to relax - indeed she falls asleep.

And then the ambulance arrives and the paramedics rush in.

Diamond relaxes as she falls asleep and lifts her into her arms. As the paramedics come in, she holds her out to them.

The paramedics ask about symptoms, etc, as they hurry Tara off.

Yolanda explains the situation to the paramedics.

Yolanda tries to speak quietly to the others: the paramedics, Diamond, Amy, and the twins. "I believe that we have a situation here..."

Diamond shrugs and lets the others answer, not really knowing, other, "She is hot." she says softly.

Amy says, "Huh, what kind of situation?"

Yolanda says, "Look at the cashier... I think that whatever the girl had may be highly contagious."

Now Yolanda mentions it, he does look a bit pale and sweaty.

Jennifer nods and goes over to the doors. "I'll make sure nobody enters or leaves by the main doors. There the fire exits and rear staff doors of course." says Jessica.

Amy says, "I can cover them, I guess!"

Jennifer says, "Thanks Amy."

Amy runs to do so. "I'll be ok, I never get sick!"

Diamond blinks, "Everyone else in here needs to be tested." she looks at Amy and nods, "Myself as well."

Jennifer thinks. o O (Wish I could say the same. Did I touch the girl? Don't think so but maybe in the scuffle..)

Yolanda reaches out with her mind to the Paramedics and informs them of the apparently contagious nature of the sickness. << Well need to prepare a quarantined area to receive patients. Plus we'll need to make sure that no one leaves the Space Burger.>>

The paradmedic indicates mentally that he understands, once he gets over his surprise.

Jessica sets herself in the doorway and prevents access and egress.

And so the wheels are set in motion. Of course, once people realise they aren't allowed to leave things get a bit panicked for a while, but nothing that you can't handle.

Yolanda calls over the manager and explains the situation to him. She'll try to sit the cashier away from everyone else, hopefully covering her nose and mouth in a mask from a first aid kit.

Diamond cocks her head to the side, and looks around, keeping an eye on things.

"Damnit I said you should get her out of here!" says the manager. "Now we're all going to die!" It seems that being a manager of a fast food place doesn't help with an optimistic attitude to life.

Yolanda answers the manager. "Sir, please calm down. I'm a doctor, and I assure you ther we will be alright." She asks the cashier to give her his hands. She looks at the man's hands, flips them, and looks at them again."

The cashier shows his hands.

Yolanda comments, "I don't think it's airborne." She looks to the others, "We'll need to prepare ice and possibly restraints as well."

Diamond nods, "Anything I can do?" she asks Yolanda.

Jessica sighs and whispers quietly to Yolanda, "Doctor, if I start developing it you're better have Diamond take me down hard. I could come close to killing everyone here if I lose control."

"Restraints?" says the cashier.

Yolanda points out the scratches on the cashiers hands and forearms. "Did she scratch you here?" She asks.

"Yeah - I guess she must have - I didn't have a scratch there before."

Yolanda nods to the cashier. "I'm against they may be necessary, to prevent you from infecting anyone else. Also, Jenn, Jess, Amy... can you check for anyone else who might have been infected?"

Diamond cocks her head to the side a little, "What about me?

Jennifer nods. She and Jessica check their hands and arms for scratches.

None of the heroes are scratched, and it looks, luckily, like no one else has recent scratches.

Yolanda says, "I'll need you here... I'm hoping that like your namesake, you'll be unscratchable."

Yolanda smiles.

Diamond smiles a bit and grins and nods, "I am pretty resistant."

Yolanda will try to monitor the cashier's temperature and keep an eye on the others for symptoms. She''ll try to arrange for an ambulance to take the cashier to the hospital under restraints, once the hospital is ready to receive him

The cashier's symptoms were worsening, but under Yolanda's ministrations he isn't much worse by thrr tume the ambulance arrives.

Yolanda will inform the paramedics about the new developement in the situation. Once the cashier is under their care she'll remain a while longer to make sure that no one else falls ill.

Time passes and indeed no one else seems to fall ill, or no more ill than eating Space Burgers accounts for.

[log date 07/05/2007]

''This house looks like pretty much any other on the street: cheap, run-down housing, with only really the odd posters or flags in the windows to differentiate the buildings - except for the police cordon around it, and the police car and ambulance outside. A few neighbours look out windows, and passersby watch, or looking pointedly away.''

A dark sedan rolls to a stop outside the yellow-tape police line that law enforcement officers have set up around a student house here in Harrisburg. Dr. Simmons steps out and and looks around for a moment. "Who's in charge here?" Catching gaze of a police officer with commanders stripes, she walks over to him briskly and offers a hand for a firm shake. "Dr. Yolanda Simmons. What is the situation?"

"Sealed the house off, just as you requested," reports the officer in charge. "No one's come out or gone in - no sign of life at all, in fact."

Augustin shadows Yolanda almost like a bodyguard. He watches the house impassively from behind his shades.

Jennifer arrives on hoverbike at the mentioned time and place. She's wearing a heavy leather jacket and biking gloves. Suitable for the winter but slightly out of place at this time of year.

Jennifer parks her bike and walks over to Augustin. "Hi. What's up?"

Dr. Simmons waves to Jennifer as she arrives. She then turns her gaze towards the house and begins to stare at it for a few moments.

"Dr. Simmons is trying to find out about an individual connected with that girl who was infected with that mysterious illness." Augustin replies to Jen. He doesn't seem to be perturbed by her choice of dress, as if he understands it.

Jennifer nods, a slightly forced smile coming to her lips without reaching her eyes, "Where's a Diamond when you need one?" she jokes.

Augustin shrugs. "Look in the rough. They seem to hang out there."

Dr. Simmons nods stiffly to Jennifer, echoing her thought. "Two people inside, semi-conscious. One upstairs and one in the basement. There's no sign of where the other three housemates are."

Dr. Simmons looks to the others. "Basement first?"

Jennifer nods. "I'll go take a look. If I'm not out in ten minutes call the police. Oh, their already here. Then call the army. Tell them to bring their MOP-3 gear."

Jennifer moves towards the house, not bothering with stealth seeing there's police cars with flashing lights parked all around it.

Augustin glances at Jen, "Does that forcefield of yours stop microbes?"

The officer looks doubtful. "Wait - should you be going in without protective gear?"

Dr. Simmons says, "We should go together. It's safer that way." She begins to walk, following Jennifer. A glance to Augustin to see if he's following."

"I thought this was some kind of quarantine situation?"

Dr. Simmons pauses ot explain: "From all evidence, the disease can only be contracted through open wounds - blood contact..."

Jennifer steps into Dr Simmon's path. "My father would shout at me if I allowed you to get hurt before he's had a chance to meet you. Plus, you're the only one here who has a chance of stopping me if I turn crazied violent."

The policeman nods. "You're the doctor."

Augustin starts to follow the others, nearing Jennifer. "Oh, I don't know...I've let myself go but I could still probably break a few of your bones."

Dr. Simmons says, "It's important to contain people who are infected still, officer."

"If one of them comes out, what should we do?"

Jennifer grins tightly, "Without me drawing blood first, and infecting you in turn?" she asks.

Dr. Simmons says, "Jennifer, with several of us there, it should be easier to prevent anyone from getting infected."

Augustin shrugs. "I'm willing to take a microbe. Let's go inside."

Jennifer sighs, "Stay behind me then, okay. Where's that bodyguard of yours. He ought to have more sense than let you go inside there before the place is checked out."

Dr. Simmons follows. "Jens? I convinced him that I'd be surrounded by police officers and that he should take some time off."

Augustin eyes the door. "So, kick it in?"

Jennifer says, "You can always," and she suits deeds to words, "try to see if the door's unlocked."

The door does, in fact, prove to be locked.

Augustin ahs. "See, I never went to high school."

Jennifer laughs and steps to the side, "All your's then Augustin."

Dr. Simmons looks around for a place where a spare key might be hidden. It is a tough neighborhood, but with five roommates, someone is bound to get locked out on occasion.

Augustin crosses the threshold, sniffing the air for any hint of foulness.

Augustin holds out his arm to keep the others back. "Blood has spilled here."

Dr. Simmons crouches down to check under the door mat. Finding nothing, she straightens slowly, with a slight grimace on her lips. "Hmm. It was worth a try." She nods to Jenn. "Insurance will cover the cost of the door."

Jennifer nods to Augustin. "Change of plan. Augustin first if he doesn't mind. His senses are superior in this case."

Augustin removes his sunglasses so that he can see better, tucking them into his shirt pocket. He proceeds slowly, looking for a way down. "There may also be corpses."

Jennifer nods, "I guessed that. Two hyped up crazies and three victims."

Dr. Simmons nods. "Lead on."

This floor has a reasonable-sized living room, a kitchen, and one bedroom (by the look of it). The stairs up are easy to find, those down prove to be directly under them, accessed through the kitchen.

There's blood on the kitchen floor, by the door leading to the stairs downn.

Jennifer activates her force armor as soon as she's out of sight of the police, and readies her energy whip.

Augustin eyes the blood, hmming lightly. "Down or up?"

Dr. Simmons clicks a device on her belt and a force field envelops her. "Down, I think."

The basement door also has a lock, and proves to be locked.

Dr. Simmons nods to Augustin.

Augustin reaches out for the doorknob and tries to turn it. Find it locked, he tries to rip out the lock using brute force.

Augustin breaks the door by ripping out the mechanism. He drops it on the floor and opens the door.

Here are the entries which match 'stairs prove to be barricaded with assorted furniture. "Who's there?!" says a dry, faint frightened vouce beyong.':

The stairs prove to be barricaded with assorted furniture. "Who's there?!" says a dry, faint frightened vouce beyond.

"My name is Dr. Simmons. I'm here with some friends," Yolanda says. "Are you hurt?"

"We're here to deliver more beans!" Augustin replies.

"Thank god - thank god - I thought it was them! They've gone insane...."

"We're going to get you out of here." Dr. Simmons says. "What is your name? Can you tell us what happened?"

says, "I'm Stu - Janice, she attacked me, she was like a wild thing - so strong! It was all I could do to keep her out of here." There's the noise of some stumbling behind the barricade."

"Stu. I'm going to ask you to sit tight." Dr. Simmons says. "There's someone else in the house. It may be Janice. Don't come out yet. Are you hurt or cut?"

"Not really, but I think I've come down with something - hungry too! Good thing we keep all the cans and things down here..."

Augustin hmms. "Too bad for him." He says quietly.

Dr. Simmons shakes her head. She mouths the words to the others. 'Infected.' "All right Stu. Sit tight... we'll be right back for you."

"Ok..."

Dr. Simmons says, "Upstairs?"

Augustin nods. "Nowhere else to go."

Jennifer says quietly, "Damn. I thought we'd found someone unaffected when he spoke to us."

Augustin starts up the stairs, likewise not concerned about the mindless. "Breaks your heart."

Jennifer follows behind Augustin and Yolanda, watching their backs.

It's all too easy to find out what happened to two of the people: on the landing are two rather thin-looking corpses. It looks like they died at each other's throats, rather than from the disease itself.

There's no obvious sign of someone still alive, though two doors are closed.

Dr. Simmons pulls a handkerchief from her bag and holds it over her nose and mouth. "Look..." she starts, then pauses a moment. "Look at the length of their fingernails. Their metabolisms were accelerated too; they were infected."

Jennifer says, "That makes four out of four so far, and one to go."

Augustin nods, gingerly stepping over the body and looking at the doors. "Doctor?"

Jennifer stands ready to hold an attacker back with her energy whip so the attacker can't get close enough to use teeth or fingernails.

Dr. Simmons waits, looking down at the two bodies. "This one is the boy friend of the first infected girl we encountered." She looks up to Augustin and gives a nod. "Let's continue."

Augustin nods. "I was wondering if you had an insight as to which door."

The mind appears to be behind the door at the end of the landing.

Dr. Simmons points out the door.

Augustin strides towards the door. "I'll bust the door. Jen, stand ready?"

Jennifer says, "I'm ready."

Augustin nods, positioning himself to kick in the door. "Doctor?"

Dr. Simmons readies herself as well.

Augustin kicks, trying to demolish the door's lock and blow it open.

The bathroom door flies open. Inside there's a man lying still, half-asleep, in a bath, in his clothes - or more closely rags. He has shaggy brown hair, a rough beard, and long fingernails.

He looks at least mid-30s.

Jennifer extends her whip and grabs the man before he can start to react.

Jennifer holds without tightening the whip unduely.

The man goes wild-eyed and shouts out as he's grabbed. "Zhat grodgount! Ehbbuhunt!"

Augustin blinks. "We should find Kihzra. These two would get along.

Dr. Simmons follows Jennifer's attack with mental attack, reaching out for his mind with hers, seeking to carefully shut down his consciousness.

"Ajah! Ash gruhrbent!" exclaims the man as he winces in pain. "Pfaznyyhk!"

Dr. Simmons will continue her mental assault until the man drops.

The man comes out of his half-asleep state with, it seems, a suddenly loss of temper.

The man struggles wildly to get out the the energy whip, but Jennifer hold him tight. "Zhab tuhtshyt!" he cries, both angry and frightened at once.

Augustin hmms. "So, when do I hit him on the head?"

Dr. Simmons says, "I should be able to subdue him without any risk to either side, if you hang on Jennifer."

Augustin nods to Yolanda. "That's probably a good idea. Keep it up."

Dr. Simmons focuses her glare on the man.

Once again, the man fails to get free of the whip. He's looking almost animalistic now, and says nothing,.

The man howls in pain and tries once again to break free.

But once again Jennifer is to strong for him.

Augustin continues to wait, giving Yolanda every opportunity.

Dr. Simmons continues to train her attention on the man.

The man passes out and promptly splashes back into the bath.

Dr. Simmons says, "We're missing Janice, still."

Diamond arrives late, having taken a wrong turn. She started having problems getting through the police blockade, till she shifted into full diamond form. She eyes the place as she she gets there.

Augustin hmms at Dr. Simmons. "There were doors we didn't open. It's possible she's dead."

Dr. Simmons squints at the man in the tub as she edges closer to him. She pulls on a pair of rubber gloves and looks at him a moment, lifting the long hair away from his face. "Hm." She says, noting something. She looks back to Augustin. "Right, we cna check the rest of the house. I'll call the paramedics to start coming in."

Augustin nods. "That's a good idea. Tell them to be careful."

Dr. Simmons pulls out her PDA and begins to talk to the paramedics. "We've got two live, infected subjects. One is conscious in the basement. One unconscous upstairs, bathroom. Two dead bodies with suspicions of a third and possibly a fourth. Come up and grag the unconscious subject from the bathroom first -- he'll need to be restrained."

Dr. Simmons looks to Augustin. "What were you saying about Kihzra before?"

Augustin shrugs. "They kind of sound the same. But that's probably more of a joke than anything."

The paramedics come in, and do as instructed. A search of the house turns up one more body - female this time - lying in a pool of blood in the downstairs bedroom. Those with sensitive noses can tell it's the same blood as in the kitchen. She seems to have been knifed, though she too bears the marks of the disease.

Dr. Simmons says, "He's got lice -- I don't think that he's one of the students, Augustin. The doctors at the hospital suggested that the disease might have originated from a rift."

Augustin hmms. "Then talking to Kihzra might not be such a bad idea."

Dr. Simmons nods.

Dr. Simmons pulls out her PDA. "I think we're ready to try and move the boy from the basement. Can you send Diamond in?"

Diamond heads in and looks around, "Where is everyone?"

Dr. Simmons comments, "We'll try not to excite him -- it seems like agitating the infected seems to kick the disease into overdrive."

Augustin nods. "Best to get him unconscious and into containment before this gets worse."

Between you - and given Stu is a bit more trusting and cooperative than some - you manage to get him safely bundled off with the paramedics.

Dr. Simmons nods. "Hello Diamond." She's on the ground floor now, watching as the paramedics take Stu out.

Diamond nods, "Sorry, got all turned around, need to get a good map." she shakes her head a bit.

Augustin stays with Yolanda. "You'll figure it out soon enough. Just takes time."

Dr. Simmons says, "No worries. The excitement is mostly over. Now we're just left with the mystery. I'm going to check out the bathroom upstairs for a moment."

Diamond nods, "Well, want me to come?"

"Is that everyone accounted for?" asks the police officer.

Dr. Simmons looks to the officer. "I think that we may still be missing one person, officer. Can you see if you can find the student enrollment information of the people living here?"

Dr. Simmons nods to the officer, "And hurry please." She turns to Diamond. "I'm just going to try to perform a reading -- you can come with, if you'd like."

THe police officer nods and starts talking into his PDA as he walks aside.

Augustin hmms. "I think I should be on my way. Diamond should be more than able to keep you safe, from where I'm standing."

Dr. Simmons nods. "Augustin, thank you."

Dr. Simmons says, "Oh -- before you go, can you get in touch with Kihzra and have her come over here?"

Diamond nods, and waits to play bodyguard if it is needed.

Augustin nods to Yolanda. "I'll do what I can. She can be a difficult woman to get a hold of."

Dr. Simmons waves to Augustin and head upstairs to the bathroom.

Augustin steps outside the house and tries to reach Kihzra via PDA

says, "Herro, tjasivju?" says Kihzra."

"Herro, tjasivju?" says Kihzra.

"Kihzra. This is Augustin. We would like to speak to you in Harrisburg, there's a sick man here who sounds like you." Augustin replies.

"Sounds rike me? How sounds rike me?"

Diamond follows the doctor.

"Like he could be speaking Vro Brunzgyhof. Maybe. Possibly."

"Is possible? I come! Vhere you are?"

"We're in Harrisburg, but you might need to go to the hospital. Do you have the PDA number for Doctor Yolanda Simmons?"

says, "Cha, no, don't fink so."

"Cha, no, don't fink so."

Once in the upstairs bathroom, Yolanda looks around for a towel. Finding one, she folds it beside the bathtub. She kneels on the towel and places a hand on the rim of the tub. She's quiet, as if preparing to pray.

"Alright. I'm going to send it to you. She's in charge of this thing, she'll let you know where you need to go."

Diamond stands silently watching the doctor.

"Is good."

Augustin presses a button on his PDA, sending the number. "Talk to you later." He signs off and then heads off down the street, towards his own domicile.

Dr. Simmons opens her eyes. She repeats the words into her PDA to record them. She looks over her shoulder to Olivia. "Patient Zero may have been a homeless brought into the house by one of the students. From there, the infection spread."

Dr. Simmons says, "I think that there is still one housemate missing."

Dr. Simmons closes her eyes to concentrate again, looking for signs of another roommate.

Diamond cocks her head to the side, "Inside hiding?"

The police officer returns and confirms this: the last one is Claudio Lombardi, an Italian student doing an exchange year.

Dr. Simmons shakes her head to Olivia. "If he were here, I'd have felt him by now."

Diamond nods, "So there is another out there infecting."

Dr. Simmons nods.

Dr. Simmons turns to the police officer. "We'll need to put out a bulletin to find this boy... Claudio Lombardi." She stands up, slowly.

He nods. "Already done," he says.

Dr. Simmons says, "Hmm. We could have used Augustin's sensitive nose. Maybe I'll be able to pick something up from his room."

Dr. Simmons begins to head through the house, trying to find Claudio's room.

Diamond follows after the doctor still

It's one of the upstairs rooms - the other one with the closed door, indeed. It's relatively bare, beyond desk and textbooks. A photo of (presumably) a girlfriend, and a guitar are the main personal details.

Naturally, there are also basic furnishings, clothes, etc.

Dr. Simmons lifts Claudio's guitar and tries to get a sense of where he's gone to.

Dr. Simmons gasps. "I think I know where he might be. There's a pub... where he used to play."

Diamond shrugs, "Shall we?"

Dr. Simmons nods. "I know the place. The bad news is that its faily popular." She sets down the guitar and begins to head out of the house.

The police officer is still at the door.

Diamond nods and follows her, not liking the sound of that.

Dr. Simmons tells the officer, "I think that he's at a college bar -- the Thirsty Scholar. I'll need a police escort getting over there, and I think that we'll need to seal that place as well, if I'm right,

He barks orders to a young policeman to escort you then sets about arranging sealing off the pub.

Dr. Simmons shows Olivia the way to her car and she tells the driver where to take them.

The police escort you at speed to the Thirsty Scholar.

Dr. Simmons's car rolls to a stop outside the Scholar. She steps out and begins to walk into the establishment, as briskly as she can, moving with the assistance of her cane.

There a bit of commotion at the door, where some students are arguing with the police preventing their egress.

Victor decends from an unknown location...though the large zepplin in the sky is kind of a dead give away, Victor moves toward the comotion cane aided as well.

Ashton notices the police and ambulances moving from inside Starguard, and left to investigate. He jogs to where the vehicles are moving to.

Several eyes - both of the police and of the students - are drawn up to the zeppelin.

Dr. Simmons waves to Ashton. She spots Victor as well. She frowns slightly. Thinking aloud to herself, she says, "Whether I like it or not, his skills might be just what we need." Louder, she addresses Victor and Ashton. "Gentlemen, I'll be brief." She looks around to check that she's out of earshot for the students by the door.

Ashton nods at Dr. Simmons while slowing down to a halt, listening intently to what she has to say. It's probably important.

Victor moves closer to Dr. Simmons and liting up a cigar, "Do tellz mich, vhat izen zay matter?"

Dr. Simmons's report is delivered quickly: "We're trying to contain an infectious disease. The infection is blood borne. Also agitating the subject may worsen his condition and send him into a violent delirious rampage. The subject's name is Claudio Lombardi - Italian student."

Ashton asks Dr. Simmons, "If it's blood borne, then how is it so contagious? Seems like it would be easy to contain."

Victor nods a bit, "Vell...zi vill be most useful, ve need to isolate him...zhen put him under quarentine. Are zey police ready for zuch zteps?"

Victor turns to Ashton, "Zhey black death vas blood born az vell"

The police indeed seem to be preparing for that step at the moment.

"There's not a lot of time to explain about it." Dr. Simmons says. "We'll have to locate Lombardi and find out of anyone else is infected. The disease spreads through wounds, cuts, scratches."

Victor nods, "Very vell, let it begin"

Dr. Simmons begins to head inside the bar, past the students who are arguing with the police.

Diamond nods and just follows along, ready to be t he muscle.

Victor removes a strange looking black device...looks like some kind of strange twisted horn. Then heads in after Simmons.

The police admit the heroes - the students are somewhat less inclined to get out of the way.

Ashton follows Dr. Simmons too, asking Victor as the three heros move, "What is that device?"

Dr. Simmons spots Claudio across the room at the bar. He seems to be very drunk. Unfortunately he's also getting into an argument with the girl behind the bar.

The pub is crowded, perhaps because a reasonably good group is playing here tonight.

Dr. Simmons looks to others. "That's him -- at the bar, arguing with the bartender. Olivia, get ready to restrain him. Lead the way please..."

Diamond nods and heads towards the bartender, to make the make and be ready to grab him if required.

Victor gets his ray gun primed and ready...just in case.

Ashton follows Olivia, looking a little nervous.

Victor moves closer to Dr. Simmons and whispers, "Vou know...ve could bribe him out of here...perhap vith zome good beer"

Claudio suddenly roars so he can be heard even over the crowd in here, "I said, give me more beer!" It's rather hard to crosss the crowded room.

Victor smirks and whispers again, "See'zen?"

Dr. Simmons nods to Victor. "Look for other people who look feverish, making requests for more food, more drink."

Victor raises and eyebrow and nods, moving into the crowd, keeping his weapon low and as hidden away as possible, scanning for possible victims.

Dr. Simmons looks towards the bartender and tries to establish a mental link.

Diamond isn't looking for any others, her focus is on Claudio now, the agression being familiar.

Dr. Simmons projects her thoughts to the bartender. << Listen to me very carefully. I'm Doctor Yolanda Simmons and I'm here to handle a situation. The man you're arguing with is a dangerous meta. Keep serving him drinks as quickly as he asks for them. I'll send someone to take over for you. >>

Dr. Simmons looks to Ashton. "Can you get behind the bar and take over for the bartender. We'll get her out of the way and then try to talk him into going outside."

No entry for 'bartender all of a sudden stops arguing and starts serving drinks'.

Ashton nods at Dr. Simmons, and them attempts to do so, trying to act like a 'relief' bartender for her.

Diamond smiles as she approaches Claudio. Her diamond form does seem a bit imposing, but then again, people see metas all the time, right? "Excuse me, sir?" she asks Claudio.

Anastrophe takes his drink from Ashton - the bartender was only too glad to let take over, and says to Ashton, "Shi?"

Ashton says to the man, "Her shift was over, I'm her replacement." Ashton has no clue what the guy means. Si means yes, he thinks... but that's in spanish... he keeps serving the drinks to the man when requested, however.

Diamond stands there for a moment.

Dr. Simmons looks to Diamond and tries to speak to her mentally, beginning with a light mental knock-knock, hoping that she'll open her mind.

"Shi?" he says again to Diamond.

Diamond nods and opens her mind, well tries anyway, and looks at Claudio, "Would you have a moment for some questions? I am with Metawatch Times, a local newspaper, I am doing interviews with foreign exchange students on their opinions of Metahumans, if I could ask you some questions privately, there is free food in it for you."

Dr. Simmons smiles to Diamond. << Excellent >>, she thinks to Diamond. << Try to get him outside. >>

He seems a bit uncomprehending. "Food?"

<< Tell him that you'd like to talk to him about his music, too. >> Dr. Simmons thinks.

Victor stills moves through the crowd, though he is rather distracted by the dangerous man. He tries to do both as much as possible.

Diamond nods, and frowns just a little and then smiles, "Yes, food, just a couple questions, if you come with me." she says and indicates towards the door with her head, "Maybe we could talk about your music too."

"I am 'ungry" he allow - "just one more beer....."

Dr. Simmons sighs a little from the exertion and she turns away from the man, looking for anyone else who might be infected.

"One more beer!" he repeats to Ashton.

Diamond nods to Ashton, "One more from him and then we can go talk about your music and get some food and more beer."

Ashton nods, and gets the man another beer.... fairly simple, just get a mug, pour beer into it from the faucet, and give it to him.

Dr. Simmons whispers to Victor. "Do you have anything that protects a force bubble? We might need to put one around him." "You've heard me play guitar?" He swigs down half the beer in a go."

Victor whispers back, "Mich zero point energy can encase za man.."

Diamond nods and smiles, "Who hasn't, it was here, caught it one night, but it is too noisy in here, we can talk about it outside?" she tries to get him herded towards the door.]

Dr. Simmons nods to Victor. "That'll do."

No entry for 'gulps down the rest of the beer. "Ok! Scusi!" he adds as he slips - fortunately towards '.

He gulps down the rest of the beer. "Ok! Scusi!" he adds as he slips - fortunately towards the unscratchable Diamond. He has had a bit to drink.

Victor smirks and mutters something about italians under his breath.

Dr. Simmons winces. << Close one... Keep him from scratching anyone. >> She begins to try and clear a way for Diamond and Claudio.

Diamond helps support him, of course has no problems with long nails and helps him towards the door, ready to grab himi if he goes after someone else.

Diamond skillfully steers the drunken student to the door!

Of course, at that point he spots the policemen and freezes.

"Che?"

Ashton follows Diamond at a good distance, back out of the bar.

Victor mutters under his breath, "Police..ztill out zide..."

He suddenly panics, and looks set to run back into the pub.

Dr. Simmons has come outside as well. "We can't let him back inside!"

Diamond grabs him.

Victor stops at the doorway...allowing himself to be a shield to those inside.

Dr. Simmons readies a mental attack, in case Diamond fails.

Diamond successfully grabs the guy before he has a chance to head back into the bar. The paramedics, ready this time, are on hand with sedatives - and willy nilly, he's relaxing before he can become a danger to himself.

Dr. Simmons sighs. "I think that we may be out of the woods."

Diamond smiles and once he is relaxed lets the Paramedics take him off her hands and looks at the tothers, "Were there any others?"

Ashton asks Dr. Simmons, "Do you know if the disease can be spread through non-human hosts?"

Victor says, "If zi get a sample. Zi can tell you."

Ashton turns to Victor and asks him curiously, "You study diseases, then?"

Victor says, "Zi study biological warfare, diseases fall within zat..."

Dr. Simmons says, "I don't know. If you have any ideas, I'm certain that they could use your help at the hospital.""

Victor nods toward Dr. Simmons, "Zi vill be ready"

Diamond looks around and shrugs a little, she is just the muscle.

Ashton asks Victor, "Do you mind if I help? I know a lot about biology, and have made a few controlled viruses before."

Victor nods, "Be mich guest"

says, "THis makes the fifth living case," says the paramedic. "I'm sure any help would be welcome.""

"THis makes the fifth living case," says the paramedic. "I'm sure any help would be welcome."

Dr. Simmons locates the police commander. "It may be wise to locate the gilfriend, just in case."

Victor says, "Vell...let uz take him to zhey hospital...unless i can get him back at mich laboratory.."

Dr. Simmons says, "Victor, Kibin, the person we believe to be patient zero is at the hospital. We think he may be from Kihzra's homeworld. The disease may be from there as well."

Ashton asks Dr. Simmons, "Do you know anything about the symptoms? That would be a great help in knowing what the bacteria does. It would also help to get a bloodsample from a recent victim, in order to find any unusual concentrations of chemicals..."

Diamond shrugs a bit.

Dr. Simmons says, "I'll forward the details that I've found. Symptoms include fever hail and nail growth. Sped up metabolism, extreme hunger and thirst.""

Victor says, "Sounds...familiar.."

Ashton nods at Dr. Simmons, saying, "Thanks. Hunger and thirst is probably a symptom of the metabolism changes... as well as physical changes, possibly some sort of mutagenic agent..." He takes out his PDA and checks it.

Victor nods, "Zit iz common reaction, metabolism speeds, which increases wastes...which makes zhey hair and nails grow. Very common in wasting diseases..."

[log date: 07/07/2007 ]

Victor is walking about the hospital, smoking happily hoping to find someone in charge.

Victor finds instead a very young-looking nurse. "Excuse me, sir, you aren't allowed to smoke in here."

Victor looks confused, "And vhy not..?"

"This is a hospital!" she says, as if (a) that weren't obvious and (b) it were an explanation.

Victor nods, "Zo it iz...can i zpeak to zomeone in charge of the strange disease case?"

says, "Possibly, if you put that out. It is important? Dr Hopkins is very busy.""

"Possibly, if you put that out. It is important? Dr Hopkins is very busy."

Victor nods, "It is quite important mich dear, life and death zi am afraid. Please rush and get him for me?"

"If you tell me what it is about, I'll see if she can see you."

Victor says, "Az vou vish. There izen a man whom iz ztaying here...you obivously know whom I zpeak. I am here to find vou a cure, vonce i get a sample of the blood of course"

Victor says, "Mich name is Baron Victor Von Morningstien."

Victor stands proudly, putting his thumbs in his vest coat, puffin it out a bit.

She stares at Victor as he gives his name. Evidently she's heard of him. It's not clear this is a good thing. "One minute," she says, and runs off.

Victor smiles thinking his reputation has finally gotten through to the young lady.

She returns after a while with a much older woman who regards Victor with a fixed expression. "Dr. Von Morningstien."

Victor nods, still smiling, he takes the cigar out of his mouth and speaks to her, "Ja, Harr ..?"

"Is there any particular reason you're polluting this hospital?" she asks.

Victor says, "Pollutzing..?"

"Your cigar," say the nurse. Though it's not clear that's quite what the doctor meant.

Victor shrugs and takes another long drag and hands it over to the nurse, "Vou know...women aren't suppose to zmoke.."

She looks at Victor in blank disbelief for a moment. "No one is supposed to!" she exclaims, indicating the No Smoking sign - and crushing out the cigar.

Victor chuckles, "Vour one of zhose...new agers...smoking killz and zat zort of thing...allow me to releave vou of zuch ideas. Zhey are falze. Reguardless...

"Why are you here?" interrrupts the doctor.

Victor says, "Zi am looking for the italian fellows. Zhey Doctor ..Simmons called mich hear, said zi could get a sample of zhey man'z blood"

"Then she misinformed you. I wouldn't have given you such a sample because of your reputation alone. And now after your dismissal of all the evidence of the dangers of smoking! Doctor, you are a disgrace to the medical profession.

Victor looks entirely shocked! "Vhat?!"

Victor says, "Zi say mich dear mad'am, vou muzt be mistaken by whom vou are addressing!"

Victor says, "I am vonce of zhey mozt powerful minds of zhis age! Medicine iz but another ztepping ztone in my glorious quest for true science!"

"I make no mistake. Perhaps, in your day, such thing were acceptable practice. I doubt even that. They have no part in today's practice."

Victor says, "Mich dear lady...i have been praciticing medicine before even vour great grandmother vas born! Zis disease vould be even older zhan zat, vou believe vour "modern" hospital haz any hopez of overcoming it vith vour straight and narrow views?! Vour blinded by vhat those whom have come before vou have spoken! Hippocrates vould be shamed!"

Victor says, "Zi demand to zpeak to the director of zhis hospital!"

She frowns at that. "This is my case. The director no doubt will refer you back to me."

Victor says, "Zhen i demand vou reconsider Harr Doctor! Vou muzt underztand the gravity of zhis situation!"

"I understand it all too well. So unless you can prove to me you have a meaningful contribution to make, I need to get back to saving the lives of these patients, and perhaps the lives of many others besides."

Victor says, "Zhen zo let it be...get mich a clean zuit mich dear, zi have livez to save!"

Victor begins to march down the hallways toward, whatever he believes, as a patient in need of aid.

The doctor follows. "WHere are you going?"

Victor turns about, leaning on his cane, "To zhey supply room and cleaning room, zi need to prepare.."

Victor he turns quickly around and heads for the nearest equipment closet, looking for rubber gloves and some scrubs

"You will do no such thing: not until you show me why I shouldn't throw you out in the street."

Victor stops for a moment and turns back, "Zi vill, vonce vou show mich to vour closet and zI zhow vou vhat over 100 years of medical training, experience and research can do."

Victor thinks. o O (She won't listen...you'll just have to show her old man...)

She hesitates, weighing up Victor's reputation for genius and the gravity of the situation against the rest of his reputation. "Very well. But you will work under my supervision - and so much as a hint of a step out of place and you are gone. Do I make myself understood?"

Victor says, "Ja...now vhere to vour cleaning room?"

"So, to about the first time you try to nab something. When she said she was watching you she wasn't joking,"

Victor thought he's go away with nabbing the blood samples - but at the door of the lab there are a couple of security guards, with the nurse standing behind them.

Victor pockets the vial, not even trying to hide it. "Vell, now back to vork"

"Put that back," says the nurse. "Now."

Victor says, "Is zis not vhat ve'd agreed?"

Victor says, "Zi showed you!"

"Dr Hopkins said you weren't to do anything wrong. Pocketing samples is certainly not something you should be doing!"

Victor says, "Then perhaps vou could provide me with a carrying case?"

"Don't let him leave," she says to security, and goes to contact the doctor.

Victor says, "Zi vill assume not, Very Vell. He sets the vial back on the table and takes a good look at the guards."

105 Powers Total Cost

Victor says, "Zi am sorry to do this gentlement..but zhey vorld may depend on zhis..."

Victor draws a strange looking weapon, "Please...don't make me need to use zhis"

One guard draws a gun - "Drop that weapon!" - while the other moves in to try to take it from you.

Victor frowns and fires at the man with his gun, "Zorry gent..."

The guard yells in fear as he shrinks - but tries to shoot back nonetheless.

The guard's gun is meant for subduing, not killing - some newfangled new thing.

The beam missing Victor by miles - evidenly the guard didn't compensate for his shriking body.

The other guard tries to grab the shrink gun from Victor.

The guard grabs the shrink ray from Victor effortlessly!

Victor says, "Now now...you best save that charge to unshrink vour friend!"

The second guard doesn't believe Victor - and shoots the gun at him!

The guard shrinks the machine that goes ping!

Victor turns and looks for a moment, "Vou'll pay for zat!"

Victor quickly unholister his Zero Point energy ray...a french horn looking device and blasts it at the remaining man!

The shrunk guard shouts for backup into his radio as he fires his stun-gun again!

A strange blue energy enwraps the guard, imposing a perfectly balanced amount of counter energy to his movements!

The guard fires again at the momentarily stunned Victor.

Victor takes the last blow and colapses....LIKE a bunch of brocoli!