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Post by Jordanna on Feb 28, 2008 0:35:15 GMT -5
On the evening of the same day that Nate and Marla returned, Major Vance called a meeting of the resistance at Our Lady of Refuge. He was interested in the clues Mayor Cole had taken from Nocturne's mind, and he wanted to discuss it--to have the other resistance members listening for more information about it, if nothing else.
Arms folded, he stood at the front of the basement meeting-room, watching the audience file in.
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Post by skybright on Feb 28, 2008 0:42:51 GMT -5
Daws trailed down the stairs in the wake of a small knot of resistance members and made her way towards her customary seat in front, grinning at Vance as she did so.
"Nice night for a meeting." She said, pushing her fedora back and squeezing his shoulder briefly. "I take it everything went all right?"
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 28, 2008 22:25:54 GMT -5
Vance let his hand rest lightly on Daws' arm.
"Yeah, seems to've. Apparently Tiernan bought the idea that Cole is only a mediocre empath--even used him for a barometer at that meeting of industrial bigwigs. And Nate's little vacation was quiet. He brought Cole's sister back today."
Glancing over Daws' shoulder, he nodded in greeting as he saw Sid, Alex, and Miriam coming down the steps. Then he went on, "But Cole thinks he picked something interesting out of Nocturne's head. I think it'd be worth learning more about."
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Post by skybright on Feb 29, 2008 0:29:03 GMT -5
Daws brightened. "No kidding?" She grinned wickedly. "Well, I'm all for that. It's been too long since we did anything to give the Bat a good bloody nose."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 29, 2008 20:53:13 GMT -5
"Trouble is it's about as vague as it can get," Vance replied with a shake of his head. "I don't think we've got a chance of figuring it out without more intel direct from Tiernan Enterprises."
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Post by skybright on Feb 29, 2008 23:48:10 GMT -5
"Which means Proteus -- or me -- doing some nosing around." Daws said, frowning thoughtfully.
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 29, 2008 23:56:39 GMT -5
"That's what it looks like," Vance replied morosely.
Within a few more minutes, the rest of the expected crowd had arrived, including Henry Casselton. Vance waved a hand vaguely in a general greeting, then took up his place at the head of the room.
"We've got a very small scrap of intel about what Nocturne is up to right now," he announced. "I know some of you folks hear things on the street now and then, so I called this meeting to see if anyone can suggest what it might be about.
"Here it is. According to a certain telepath we won't name who recently got close to Tiernan, he's getting ready for the 'arrival' of somebody named Ashley. And he's pretty preoccupied with the idea." The Major shrugged. "But that's all there is. We don't know who or what this Ashley is, or what they're supposed to do when they arrive."
He shrugged. "Any thoughts, folks?"
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Post by skybright on Mar 1, 2008 0:03:49 GMT -5
Father Rick rubbed his chin. "My thought is that if Tiernan's planning it, it can't be too good." There was a faint murmur of agreement from the crowd.
Daws frowned. "I can't think of anybody well-known named 'Ashley' . . . unless you count a few of those insipid blondes that pass for starlets these days. Somethin' tells me Tiernan wouldn't be having any of them dropping by for a visit."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 1, 2008 0:11:14 GMT -5
"I knew an Ashley once," Handy murmured reminiscently from the front row, propping his chin on both of his left hands.
"So did I--my commanding officer," Vance replied, with only the faintest tinge of impatience. "Any one of us has probably known an Ashley over the years--but the odds are this isn't one of 'em."
He paused. "Tiernan also made some remark about a mutant-welfare case--"
"An urgent mutant-welfare case," Nate corrected. "Which makes it sound like he's in a hurry for the meeting."
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Post by skybright on Mar 1, 2008 0:17:05 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "Knowing Tiernan that could mean this Ashley is a mutant -- or it could just as easily mean it's someone he wants to eliminate for the sake of his twisted form of 'mutant welfare'. Either way, the sooner we get some more intel, the better."
She leaned back in her chair. "I could try my hand at snooping, but it's been quite a while since Tiernan called me in -- and I wouldn't put odds on that changing just because we need it to. I think Proteus is probably our best bet."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 1, 2008 0:25:36 GMT -5
Vance nodded. "I think so too--if the old man is willing to cooperate with us. We'll have to get word to him through the parish bulletin board, if that trick still goes."
Miriam's eyes darkened. "You don't suppose this 'Ashley' is some woman Tiernan just wants to--entertain himself with?" she asked in an uneven voice.
"Given his urgency and his big planning, I'm inclined to doubt it," Vance murmured. "But we can't rule out anything right now."
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Post by skybright on Mar 1, 2008 0:30:26 GMT -5
Father Rick scowled blackly. "Knowin' what we do about his idea of 'entertainment', I'd vote for interfering even if that is what he's up to." He muttered, crossing his arms.
Daws shrugged. "Far as I know, Proteus still keeps an eye out for our signal. I'll tack it up tonight, and we'll see how it goes getting in touch with him."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 1, 2008 0:38:11 GMT -5
"No need... I've been sitting right here listening."
All eyes turned to the back of the room, as Proteus himself demurely stepped forward. He smiled thinly at the resistance leaders. "I come to listen in on your meetings now and then. I like to know what's happening."
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Post by skybright on Mar 1, 2008 0:42:46 GMT -5
Daws twisted slightly in her chair, chuckling dryly. "Proteus, every now and again I'm reminded of how glad I am you're not on the other side."
She raised an eyebrow at the shapeshifter. "I don't suppose you can shed any light on Tiernan's little upcoming project for us?"
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 1, 2008 0:52:10 GMT -5
"Not yet I can't. I've stayed away from Tiernan's place for a while. Thought it might be good to let them relax a while--maybe step down their guard a little." Proteus shrugged. "But I've got no objection to going in again and poking around. I still owe you... for Claire."
Vance shook his head slightly. "You don't owe us a thing--but we'd appreciate a little snooping."
Proteus frowned. "But there's just one thing: my old terms still go. If I see the information is liable to get someone hurt, I'll keep it to myself."
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Post by skybright on Mar 1, 2008 0:59:34 GMT -5
Daws bit back on a frustrated noise and nodded. "Fair enough, I guess. You're still the best bet we have on learning anything useful soon enough for it to be useful."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 1, 2008 1:05:31 GMT -5
"Okay then. I'll be conventional and call your office, Miss Dawson, if I learn anything I want to share." Proteus gave a slightly exaggerated little bow. "And with that, I'm off to visit the belly of the beast."
He turned to climb the stairs, and Vance stared after him with a shaking head. "Some best hope."
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Post by skybright on Mar 1, 2008 1:11:06 GMT -5
Daws smiled crookedly and shrugged. "You know the old saying about beggars and choosers, Major."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 1, 2008 22:03:23 GMT -5
"I guess so." Vance sighed and slouched one shoulder against the wall. "Well, folks... any other business to bring up? Sid, how are the Spook employees at Lusus Naturae working out?"
Sid rolled his shoulders noncommittally. "No cash missin' from the till yet--an' that guy Tusker's stomped out any fights with the local color 'fore they could get started. But I think that Pink lady kinda makes 'em nervous."
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Post by skybright on Mar 1, 2008 22:07:02 GMT -5
"Yeah, that's something we're gonna have to deal with sooner or later." Daws shrugged. "Soon as we figure out how."
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