Log:Hope Against Fear, Scene 3

Hope Against Fear 01/23/2014 	 Liam Allison Felicia

3

Steel's Gym

''Inside the door is a spacious reception area. Directly opposite the entrance is a wide full length window of thick armor glass providing a gallery view into the workout area. To the east is a desk where gym staff check membership cards, schedule sessions and give out information. Next to the desk are vending machines selling snacks and chilled drinks and a jukebox. The west side of the reception area has a pair of old fashioned pinball machines and a holographic Hogan's Alley combat shooting game. Some framed Photographs, a Plaque, and the Gym Rules are hung on a wall beside the gallery window. ''

''The central area of the reception has a half dozen tables and chairs for members who are waiting for their booked session or discussing the outcome. A short flight of stairs leads down to the massive stainless steel door of the workout room as well as doors to the restrooms and changing rooms that are equipped with showers for freshening up after an exhausting practice. An arched opening provides access to the more conventional areas of the Gym, a weight training facility, the exercise room, and a heated swimming pool. ''

Liam steps into the gym, looking about for someone. He is *not* dressed like a man ready to work out.

Felicia follows close behind and she definitely does look a person who's hee to work out, lightweight mesh top, track pants and sneakers. Given how cold it is outside the light fleece wrapped around her waist might do more good if she actually wore it but apparently she prefers it as an accessory.

Puttering about the gym, Allison is more into the technical side of things. She has one of the treadmills halfway dismantled, and is working on installing a replacement part to make it work once more. Some speedster decided to see how fast it could go and POOF, broken. As folks come in, the holo-image Julius came up with springs into being, "Welcome to Steel's. I am called STEEL. Can I be of assistance today?"

Liam pauses and considers the holo-image. "Have you downloaded any new 'apps' recently?" he asks in a faintly worried tone.

Felicia blinks at the hologram. "Hi, where's the stuck up Brit chick who usually keeps things boring? Are they spit-shining the stick she keeps..." she lets the question fade out as Liam asks his. "Where do I sign up to train and stuff?"

Felicia 

''Flawlessly smooth skin of matte bronze flows across the youthful features of this striking young woman. The clean, well defined curve of her jaw contrasts with high, round cheeks faintly dimpled by the ghost of a smile. A broad, strong nose testifies to her African American heritage and perfectly complements a narrow full-lipped mouth below and a pair of exotically tilted dark brown eyes above. Silky black hair is pulled into a simple, slightly haphazard ponytail that hangs down to her shoulders, stray wisps of hair curling gently against her cheeks. The simplicity of her hair style and her lack of obvious makeup are slightly belied by long, lush lashes, and finely arched brows. ''

''A loose sleeveless white shirt shrouds the slender athleticism of her torso, a tight-fitting black sports bra worn beneath to preserve dignity. Her arms and shoulders show a subtle but unmistakable tracery of muscle as she moves, weaving a fluid, intricate tracery of light and shadow. Her slender waist is clasped by a pair of loose lightweight lavender pants that afford her considerable ease of movement, the light, fluid grace of her gait reinforcing the overall impression of strength, poise and vitality. A pair of brightly detailed black sneakers flash beneath the hem of her pants with each bouncing step. ''

"Good sir, I do not -download- apps. I only accept upgrades from my programmer." The floating head turns towards Allison and winks out, appearing beside her. "Allison, we have customers." he says...

"Be there in a sec." she mutters, a bit of grease on her forehead and all over her hands. "Can't you just handle it?" she asks. Julius sighs and vanishes, reappearing before the others. "Ms. Scorby hired on my creator as an assistant, and I was installed to help facilitate matters. As for signing up..." a holo interface springs into being before Felicia, but just a bit off to one side. "I think you will find the appropriate documentation there for you."

Liam hmms thoughtfully. "Actually, you two might do better than who I had originally planned. How would you like to go on a bit of a working vacation? See new sights, meet interesting creatures and possibly destroy them?"

Felicia nods and heads over to start ticking boxes and writing stuff that is almost legible and nearly inside the boxes as she powers through the form with the speed and determination of someone who really wants to be punching stuff in the danger room and not doing paperwork. She does spare a glance for Liam as he poses his question and blinks. "Are you talking to me?"

"Ms. Dunbar." says STEEL, since the name is already in the form. "I can finish up most of this paperwork if you still live at..." And he quotes the address from public records, "And is your mobile number 857-445-0937?" There is a pause, and STEEL adds, "And I think the gentleman was speaking to me. Unfortunately, I am installed inside the Gym. I do not exactly have -mobility-. But, my programmer may be able to assist... when.."

"Got it!" announces Allison, closing the panel and standing up, tomboy filthy. She eyes the customers and blushes, "Oh um, hi." She remarks, "Should my ears be burning?"

"That depends," Liam says with what he hopes is his most winning smile to both ladies (and the construct), "how much do you know about cyberspace?"

Felicia nods in answer to each of STEEL's questions. "Yup, yup, and yup. Cool." She puts down the pen with obvious enthusiasm. "Well, yeah, holograms have it tough but at least you all get to hang out in the workout room when noone else is looking. If I could do that I think I would get everyone to act out movies like Premium Rush..." Her brow furrows and she turns to look at Liam. "Cyberspace?" Her tone might be the exact one she might use if Liam had vomited on her shoes.

"Cyberspace? I have several theories about it, but it seems to me that every attempt to make a localized virtual reality interface on the info grid has been isolated and unique, and as such, each one is inherently different with different methods of access...." Nevermind the fact that Allison herself quite literally took over one built by a villain once.

"What about cyberspace?" she asks as she approaches, grabbing a rag even as STEEL pops a small icon up before Felicia. "Follow the icon and it will take you to the door to the women's locker room." STEEL's voice says from said icon.

Liam says, "Have you heard about the goings-on with the bombing within Locke Park? My studies indicate that a more effective avenue of dealing with the issue might be found *within* cyberspace."

"Well, there is no one singular 'cyberspace'." says Allison, "As ... Steel just mentioned. There are lots of attempts to integrate the normal senses into a VR interface, or are you just talking about like.. the internet in general?"

STEEL however just nods and says, "I have read about the bombings, it seems that one simply needs to track down the makers. Were there any fragments left that could be isolated and examined for maker's marks or other telltales?"

Liam says, "Yes, a magical examination seems to indicate that a gremlin may be at fault. One with the ability to alter the nature of machines and 'program' them to act in ways different than their original design."

Ignoring the little icon for the moment Felicia's expression undergoes a gradual evolution as she watches Liam's exposition. "Within Cyberspace" she repeats numbly. As Allison approaches her expression an air of normalcy seems to return and she blinks. "Right, change-rooms." She turns to regard the icon. "Right, I'm already changed." Now that the conversation has movied from the fanciful realms of cyberspace back to more familiar homespun topics like gremlins she seems much more comfortable.

Smirking a bit, Allison shakes her head, "I'd love to meet this Gremlin. He might commit suicide afterwards." she mutters softly. "Can I feed it after midnight though?" she adds as the icon pulses and then says, "Very well, the exercise room is in the rear. You are welcome to make use of it as often as you like. If you need anything, just ask STEEL for it."

Liam says, "Anyway, I was hoping to meet Regan or another capable hero to assist me in this. I can create the necessary interface portal, but my own abilities would be next to useless within the area."

"Well if you need people to hit things inside a magical portal sure." Felicia chirps. "That much I can do, can I take gear with me." Her eyes narrow. "Assuming that's an open invite, otherwise I can go punch holograms for a bit. I'm easy."

Inclining her head, Allison raises a brow, "You can make an interface portal... into a virtual electronic realm? That... doesn't even sound possible. Usually, one needs to access a computer to get into what you would refer to as 'cyberspace'. Depending on which cyberspace you're talking about of course."

Liam pulls a book out of his suit coat, a book too big to fit in the coat in the first place and shrugs, "Normally, I could not, but according to my reading, tomorrow seems a particularly unusual time."

(Continued ...)