A Tale of Three Cities

[Jade Green]

(This is perhaps the third time I’ve had to type this up)

They were the thorn in the side of the Mutant Militia, a covert military organization that had long since been forgotten by the very government that had created it Forty years prior; sworn to protect the United States and all of its territories from mutant and psionic threat, the militia had never expected anything such as this: a rebel organization run by one of their very own, an Omega Psionic by the name of Miranda Ann Tezlof. Greysight.

There were many different opinions when it came to this group. Some thought of them as rebels, while others thought of them as revolutionaries. They were considered murders as well as saviors, evil and yet good, enemies and allies, nonexistent and all together evident, organized criminals and finally, simple good doers. Some would joke that The Outlanders were the modern day ‘Merry Men’ and Greysight was their ‘Robin Hood’. Nothing could be further from, (and yet closer to), the truth.

Within the last three years, the Outlanders had grown to such a size that it was unwise to keep them all in one area alone; and so, the leaders of the outlanders made the decision to make semi permanent colonies, or mini cities if you will, across North America. The first of these was called El Dorado, which was located somewhere in Nevada; secondly, there was Shangri La, placed somewhere in Toronto, Canada; and lastly, Atlantis, located right under New York City.

Unlike its sister cities, Atlantis was still in its building stages. The Outlanders and found an underground water reservoir that had not been used in years that was large and secure enough to their liking. Now, Mutants of every make worked on creating their new home. Some worked on the security, electrical and plumbing systems while others created rooms for board, meetings, and storage as well as walkways leading from one level to another and then there were those who worked on keeping the new territory secure while others walked patrol.

On one of the higher walkways, a single figure stood, watching the progress wearing a long, worn black coat, a black fedora, sunglasses and a dark gray scarf. It was Miranda Tezlof, the mutant rumored to be one of the most powerful psycho-kinetics in the known world, the turtle that started it all. Greysight.

There were many rumors, true, false and simply ridiculous that surrounded the lone female about how; some said she was cruel and wouldn’t hesitate to kill any who challenged her leadership. Others said that no one would ever have a chance to challenge her because the female kept a secret mind link with every citizen of Atlantis and would kill such a would be challenger even before they got the chance. Some disagreed whole-heartedly on this and claimed that she would only kill in order to protect The Outlanders if even that. Then, there were those people who said that she wore sunglasses to hide her bi colored eyes – one eye was an evil blood red and the other an angelic blue – and that the basis of her name was that she was literally colorblind…

[starry knight]

"OUCH!" Pheonyx, Nyxy, Graye pulled her hand away from the pannelling sharply. Of all the jobs she could do, why did she get stuck wiring the new security system? She hated wiring. She sucked on the shocked fingers a moment, frowning at the board of wires and wondering how she could con someone else into doing the wiring for her. Oh, how she loathed it. Finally she removed her fingers from her mouth and brushed a strand of her longish, brown-dyed a light teal/washed out indigo hair out of her face, setting her arms at her hips and looking around, trying to distract herself from the aggravating task at hand. Atlantis had come a long way in a farely short while, she decided, as she watched others scuttling away at their given tasks. She bet they hadn't been stuck with something they hated as much as she hated her job. She flipped the needlenose plyers she was holding in her hand, catching them deftly in one hand before sticking them nose down in the front right pocket of her jeans. She grabbed the binder from her wrist and scooped her hair up into a quick and somewhat lax bun while she watched the others. Eventually, the shape-shifters eyes wandered upwards, where she noticed a very daunting figure standing above, watching the workers. She gulped as she realized who she was looking at. Nyxy cocked her head to the side slightly as she wondered about Greysight.. not so much wondered, actually, as just tried to figure out how many of the rumors about her were true. She became uneasy as she slowly became aware of the feeling of eyes upon her. Averting her eyes, she went back to work, cussing under her breath whenever a whispy thread of electricity ventured through her fingers. She hated wiring.

[Jade Green]

"...stem should be completed with in the week." A female mutant anole lizard with obvious cyborg implants, informed a very tall, militant looking buck hare. The anole was Dianne Rose, the head of the technologies department, thus was one of Nyxy's supervisors; the hare, on the other hand was Captain Topez Maplewood, the head of security.

"Then we can begin the next level of electronic construction and ensure that project Zilch will go smoothly." The two stopped with in hearing distance from Nyxy as Dianne showed Topez her lay out and plans for the system.

The two began to talk rather hushedly about the umpcoming plans when suddenly, Dianna stopped mid scentence, blinked and looked up. Topez immediatly followed suit and then both turned their attentions to Nyxy.

"Miss Graye." said Topez, "When was your last break?"

[starry knight]

"Ugh. Damnit!" Pheonyx pulled her hand away again, a silvery blue streak following her fingers. "Oh.. what?" She blushed a little as she looked up to see authority figures standing over her. "Um..." She ignored the pain in her hand as she tried to look more professional than she was sure she was coming off as. "I'm... uhm... I'm not really sure." She didn't know if standing around for five minutes while she was supposed to be working really counted as a break or not, so she covered it up by telling a bit of a white lie. She brushed a lock of her hair out of her face and looked at the two with startlingly bright eyes, the same teal-ey, washed out indigo as her hair, though her eye color was completely natural. "Why do you ask?"

[heretic888]

Michelangelo watched Pheonyx in a silent amusement from a shadowy corner of Atlantis, completely unseen by the others. It was a good thing the security system hadn't been hooked up yet, as this made infiltrating this strange place much easier for him.

Mike personally knew some of these mutants from his adventures both in and out of the city. Did they really think he and his brothers wouldn't detect such a mass gathering of mutants such as this?? Didn't they expect them??

Mike's attention turned to Greysight. Then again, the leader was said to be a powerful psi-talent. Maybe she had learned of he and his brothers from the other mutants, whether intentionally or not, and had been preparing for his arrival?? Did she detect him even now?? Mike's skills at cloaking his presence were good, but clearly this Greysight was good as well...

Michelangelo shrugged and quickly darted to another shadowy portion of the underground citadel. He changed into a worker's pair of clothes, so he could move about more freely among the mutants. A greyish-black jumpsuit concealed his figure with a hard-hat shading his face.

Heh, just my style....

Mike looked back up toward the 'authority figures'. He didn't like this. Its not that he didn't mind the company of other mutants --- he had fond (if bittersweet) memories of Leatherhead and some of the others. The problem is that these mutants seemed to be creating some kind of underground citadel. And arming themselves.

Mike had to find out what their plans were, and what this 'Project Zilch' he had heard about was supposed to entail...

[Demonfox38]

Sewers. It had to be sewers. Always with the underground belly of civilization. A part of Atsuko didn't mind being underground, but she resented having to be down here to please humankind.

Humans. No race more diverse than them. Kind to one, spiteful to another. That is what she hated the most about humans; they never make up their minds to be purely good or evil.

Takahasi Atsuko had come to observe the current construction of Atlantis. After previously watching the Shangri La project, she had come to observe her fellow mutants build this new haven. In reality, she had no idea who these people were, but she was more willing to protect them than humans. A part of her wanted to stay in Toronto--black squirrels are amusing.

For now, she'd hang back. Only reason to attack would be if she was actively pursued. Atsuko had fox cunning and speed on her side, and she planned to use it. If humans came after her mutant charges, she would attack. After all, one must do what they can for their 'family' . . .

[Jade Green]

Michelangelo was right, Greysight was 'good' as well; when he looked up to her, he no doubt felt a miniscule amount of pressure - like a migrain - on his frontal lobe as the female turtle's mind brushed against his own. Almost immediatly after he looked away from her, Greysight was gone.

"You've been working since..." Dianne's eyes unfocused for a second as she read her internal computer, "Eight a.m., correct?" It was now two in the after noon. She looked back to Nyxy and smiled. "Yes, I do believe it is time that you took your lunch."

"We'll find some one to cover you for now." Topez nodded to the teal-haired girl. "Just give us a moment." The hare put the password protected lock on his own hand held computer and put it into his pocket.

"Oh, don't worry Topez, I'll take over for the next hour until she gets back." Dianne smiled sweatly, "Not really doing anything at the moment anyways."

"Very w-... Greysight!" Topez and Dianne immediatly went to attention as the female turtle strolled by. She stopped momentarily and looked at the three before looking strait at Topez. The tall hare nodded, "Yes Ma'am." and motioned to Dianne to hurry up and take over Nyxy's work.

With that done, he looked back to Greysight enquiringly for a moment before turning and going the way he came. Greysight, on the other hand, turned and started walking again. As soon as her back was to the two girls she pulled off her sunglasses and glared into the shadows.

Don't bother hiding, Her voice entered into Mike's mind, I know you're there. You have my word that no harm will come to you. I'm sure you have your questions... Michelangelo Hamato, is it?

[starry knight]

Nyxy blinked at suddenly being displaced, but receded kindly off to some distant recess of the construction site. She was hungry, anyway.
"How's it goin' Graye?" A co-worker flagged her down and she collapsed next to him, pressing the heels of her palms into her eyelids to produce those little orangy spots in front of her eyes.
"Mrrgh." She responded.
"Wiring today, huh?"
"Mrrrgh."
"Again?"
"Mrrrrrgh."
"Rough." The co-worker nodded knowingly and took a bite out of his sandwich.
Nyxy opened her eyes and leaned back in her seat. "I'm not... innept...." She muttered.
"Eh?"
"Innept.. I'm not." She stated, as though this made everything loads clearer.
"Course yer not." The co-worker replied. "Yer one of the best security techs we got."
Nyxy laughed bitterly. "Yeah.. and doesn't that just speak volumes for our staff?" She asked sarcastically.
"Yeah. It does." He nodded.
Nyx shook her head, laughing. She couldn't quite shake the feeling she had been sent on break because her supervisors thought her inept. This was silly, of course. She was a great tech... just not when it came to wiring. She opened her lunch box, still smiling, and took out her sandwich. All she needed was a little food, and then she'd be fine and would go back to work and only get zapped half as much as she had been.

[heretic888]

Michelangelo was right, Greysight was 'good' as well; when he looked up to her, he no doubt felt a miniscule amount of pressure - like a migrain - on his frontal lobe as the female turtle's mind brushed against his own.

Michelangelo had noticed this subtle sensation, which was partly why the rumors that this 'Greysight' was a talented psionic were confirmed before his own eyes. Or mind, rather.

Mike had felt similar sensations from Splinter during training sessions meant for refining the more 'subtle' perceptions of the ninja. Of course, Greysight's 'migraines' were almost miniscule compared to what his sensei had demonstrated during training, but enough to warrant serious concern from a cautious ninja trying to remain unseen all the same...

"Very w-... Greysight!" Topez and Dianne immediatly went to attention as the female turtle strolled by. She stopped momentarily and looked at the three before looking strait at Topez. The tall hare nodded, "Yes Ma'am." and motioned to Dianne to hurry up and take over Nyxy's work.

Mike observed the group from the corner of his right eye. Very interesting, he deduced. The group seemed to be military. Or ex-military. Very interesting indeed.

For some reason, Mike suddenly thought of he and his brothers' misdeeds involving the rogue government agency DARPA....

With that done, he looked back to Greysight enquiringly for a moment before turning and going the way he came. Greysight, on the other hand, turned and started walking again. As soon as her back was to the two girls she pulled off her sunglasses and glared into the shadows.

Don't bother hiding, Her voice entered into Mike's mind, I know you're there. You have my word that no harm will come to you. I'm sure you have your questions... Michelangelo Hamato, is it?

So much for staying unseen, Mike chuckled to himself internally.

A shadow approximately five feet to Greysight's rear seemed to suddenly spring to life and assume a corporeal form. Seemed to, anyway.

Mike stood calmly behind Greysight, observing her as she silently watched the shadows down to her front.

"Behind you." Mike said calmly, with a slight snicker in his voice. Greysight wasn't the only one who knew how to work with intent. Sensing that he had been found out by Greysight, Michelangelo had deftly moved from his original location and left a 'sphere of intention' to fool onlooking psionics, while concealing the intention he was projecting from his actual location. He had even left his worker's clothes draped there to enhance the illusion.

"And yes, my name is Michelangelo. But you can call me Mike." He grinned.

[Jade Green]

So much for staying unseen, Mike chuckled to himself internally.

A shadow approximately five feet to Greysight's rear seemed to suddenly spring to life and assume a corporeal form. Seemed to, anyway.

Mike stood calmly behind Greysight, observing her as she silently watched the shadows down to her front.

"Behind you." Mike said calmly, with a slight snicker in his voice. Greysight wasn't the only one who knew how to work with intent. Sensing that he had been found out by Greysight, Michelangelo had deftly moved from his original location and left a 'sphere of intention' to fool onlooking psionics, while concealing the intention he was projecting from his actual location. He had even left his worker's clothes draped there to enhance the illusion.

"And yes, my name is Michelangelo. But you can call me Mike." He grinned.

Greysight did an immediat about face causing her long coat to fan out behind her. She gave him a quick once over as if to size him up while still keeping the look of calm on her face. Then, she nodded to him, ignoring his request to be called 'Mike' for now. "Finding interest in our orginization, Mr. Hamato?" She asked, "Or is there something else that you're looking for?"

[Demonfox38]

Approx. Time: 17:31

Atusko sighed as she check the clock inside of the growing metropolis center. Sometimes keeping out of the spotlight was a little bit tiresome and boring. Sure, it probably was the safest, but you never really . . .

Something clanked down the sewer drainage pipe. A quick first glance confused her. She had seen human contraptions like this before; but, when did toasters have legs and walk around? It began to chew into a drainage pipe, making itself a small little tunnel into another sewer line. Confusing as it was, Astuko decided not to persue it.

Another one quickly followed after it, walking in a mechanical shuffle like a chicken. This was definately weird; why would Americans want robots in the sewers? Sure, they were a little freaked out by Al Queda, but this was overkill! Readying her lajatang, she prepared to persue it.

A scream echoed through the pipes, chilling the fur on her back. Whatever that was, she decided that needed to be taken care of first. Leaving her silent post around Atlantis's skeleton, Atsuko ran off to find whoever that was. Barely a minute later, she came to a strange sight--a giant rat-like creature was severely bleeding on the floor of the sewer, looking straight at her.

Then he passed out.

[heretic888]

Greysight did an immediat about face causing her long coat to fan out behind her. She gave him a quick once over as if to size him up while still keeping the look of calm on her face. Then, she nodded to him, ignoring his request to be called 'Mike' for now. "Finding interest in our orginization, Mr. Hamato?" She asked, "Or is there something else that you're looking for?"

Mike smirked in a genuine amusement coupled with curiosity.

"Well -- Ms. Greysight, is it? -- you can't really blame me when a small army of mutants, some of whom are acquaintances, begin arming themselves and building a citadel underneath my home, can you??" Mike replied casually. "I mean, c'mon, that'd be enough to make frikkin' Ghandi get all stuffy in his whities..."

Mike laughed jovially.

[heretic888]

((oh, and to all concerned, I am playing MIRAGE Michelangelo --- sometime between Volumes 2 and 4, around 19 or 20 in age).

[Jade Green]

Greysight did an immediat about face causing her long coat to fan out behind her. She gave him a quick once over as if to size him up while still keeping the look of calm on her face. Then, she nodded to him, ignoring his request to be called 'Mike' for now. "Finding interest in our orginization, Mr. Hamato?" She asked, "Or is there something else that you're looking for?"

Mike smirked in a genuine amusement coupled with curiosity.

"Well -- Ms. Greysight, is it? -- you can't really blame me when a small army of mutants, some of whom are acquaintances, begin arming themselves and building a citadel underneath my home, can you??" Mike replied casually. "I mean, c'mon, that'd be enough to make frikkin' Ghandi get all stuffy in his whities..."

Mike laughed jovially.

"Underneath your home you say?" She raised an eye ridge at him. Her scouts had found no hint of others living in this area which meant one of two things: they've been slacking off, or his home was well hidden. For now, judging by his previous actions, she'd opt for the latter; however she'll still need to have a talk with Maplewood about that.

"I must apologize, we had not realized that we had infringed on your territory." Said she, taking a few steps out of the shadowy area stopping next to him as an invite for him to walk with her, "I hope we haven't... displaced you or your family." She made it a point not to say anything towards his comment, or rather, complaint about them being armed, at least for right now.

[heretic888]

"Oh, no. They're fine --- we were just a bit alarmed, is all." Mike raised an eyeridge in curiosity. He could tell by the tone in here voice that she was trying to hide something. Or, rather, avoid something he had brought up...

"But, no offense, Ms. Greysight," Mike replied, chuckling at the formalities they were taking (Mike not being a very formal guy), "I would still like to know what exactly it is you are all doing here.."

[Demonfox38]

(Ooc: Sorry if I'm really bad at this. It's my first time RPing.)

Okay. Two turtles. No problem. It's not humans, it's not humans, it's not humans . . .

Atsuko swore to herself. Okay, yeah, right, no problem at all! She might have had one of their resistance members on her shoulders. He smelt terribly, like blood. The ratling didn't wear any sort of uniform like some of the workers she had seen, but this person still needed help.

Two turtles were standing in the middle of the open 'courtyard', holding up a light conversation. She had seen the female before; this was most definatly their leader at Shangri La. Greysight was what they called her. However, the second turtle--she had no idea who he was. He was dressed a bit naked for an officer of any sort. Didn't matter. Just had to go in, drop the rat off, and see what happened.

Carefully, Atsuko interrupted, "I've got a question too: Where's your sickbay?"

[Jade Green]

(Ooc: Sorry if I'm really bad at this. It's my first time RPing.)

Okay. Two turtles. No problem. It's not humans, it's not humans, it's not humans . . .

Atsuko swore to herself. Okay, yeah, right, no problem at all! She might have had one of their resistance members on her shoulders. He smelt terribly, like blood. The ratling didn't wear any sort of uniform like some of the workers she had seen, but this person still needed help.

Two turtles were standing in the middle of the open 'courtyard', holding up a light conversation. She had seen the female before; this was most definatly their leader at Shangri La. Greysight was what they called her. However, the second turtle--she had no idea who he was. He was dressed a bit naked for an officer of any sort. Didn't matter. Just had to go in, drop the rat off, and see what happened.

Carefully, Atsuko interrupted, "I've got a question too: Where's your sickbay?"

Greysight, who had been about to answer Mike's question, stared at Atsuko and the rat for a moment, (it was hard to see whom she was really looking at). "...One moment." She turned to where she saw a pair of Electricians eating lunch. "Ms. Graye." She called out, "Ms. Graye, since you appear to be finished with your meal, could you please be kind enough to escort this lady to the Hospital Wing?"

[heretic888]

((Is the mutant rat Splinter, or just some random character?? If its Splinter, we should know so I can know what Mike's reaction will be...))

[Demonfox38]

((888--sure, go for it.))

[heretic888]

((err... you didn't really answer my question there:

is it splinter?? and, if so, are you playing as him??))

[starry knight]

[quote=Demonfox38]

Greysight, who had been about to answer Mike's question, stared at Atsuko and the rat for a moment, (it was hard to see whom she was really looking at). "...One moment." She turned to where she saw a pair of Electricians eating lunch. "Ms. Graye." She called out, "Ms. Graye, since you appear to be finished with your meal, could you please be kind enough to escort this lady to the Hospital Wing?"

"Nn?" Nyx looked up and over to the leader, a little intimidated. The shapeshifter smiled endearingly at them as she got up and walked over to the group. "Yeah, no problem." She motioned in the direction they were to go. "It's just this way."

[Demonfox38]

((err... you didn't really answer my question there:

is it splinter?? and, if so, are you playing as him??))

((Sorry for not being clearer. Sure, it's Splinter, and no, I am not RPing him. You can if you want to)

[heretic888]

((if you're not going to RP him, then you shouldn't have introduced him --- you're basically forcing someone else to RP him or the story can't progress))

[Jade Green]

((here's an idea. How about it NOT be splinter. especially since you personally have no plans to rpg him and frankly I don't want to deal with a canon character like him at the moment. This means its another rat mutant. Since you called it a Ratling, that would lead me to think Child.))

[Demonfox38]

((Sure, that's sounds good. Sorry if I'm really screwing this up--this is all I've ever done for Internet RPs.)

[Jade Green]

((Sure, that's sounds good. Sorry if I'm really screwing this up--this is all I've ever done for Internet RPs.)

Thats okay
just reply to Starry Knight now. Please?

[Demonfox38]

(Mmkay. Sorry about all of that!)

Nyx. Cute name.

"Thanks. Also, sorry about the intrusion.", Atsuko followed after Nyx, the ratling child still slung limply across her shoulders. Although she really wanted some questions answered, she'd have to take care of the kid first. . .whoever he was.

There was only two things that really bothered her: what were Greysight's motives, and why did that male turtle not bother to wear pants?

[starry knight]

Nyxy stepped lightly through the bustling sub-city, glancing at workers she passed and nodding to those she knew.
"The hospital wing is just up here." She called over her shoulder at the girl following her. She turned to the left sharply and led Atsuko into one of the few finished rooms of Atlantis.
The hospital wing was, despite the unussual surroundings, clean. The quick transition from the dimly lit sewers to the bright sub-terrainian hospital made Nyxy blink and go blind for a moment. She shielded her eyes until sight found her again, and then proceded to direct Atsuko as to the proper course of action to take.
"Sit here and the doctor should be around in a bit." Her brow furroughed as she looked at the ratling. "Poor kid." She muttered, more to herself than anyone else.
"What's this?" A voce caught their attention from behind Nyxy and she turned to see one of the doctors standing in the doorway, dressed in a white lab coat. He was tall, with sandy-red hair and amber eyes. "Miss Graye, back again?" He sounded slightly ammused. "Third time I've had to treat you for minor burns since I started here."
"Not me this time, Doc." She grinned and motioned to Atsuko and the ratling. "Someone else"
The doctor's face darkened slightly as he looked at the two strangers. "I'm Doctor Mraz Doubeck." He said as he crossed to them and placed a hand on the ratling. "We've got to get this kid some help"

[Demonfox38]

Atsuko gave the doctor the ratling, knowing she could do nothing else. "Thank you for your assistance, Dr. Doubeck. If the child would need anything else, I'd be more than willing to help him."

She turned to Nyxy, whispering under her breath, "That goes for you too. Thank you for what you've done--you've made yourself an ally."

[heretic888]

Michelangelo had watched the entire scene with Atsuko with a somewhat detached concern. He thought it a bit rude that that fox had interrupted he and Greysight like that, but given the emergency it was understandable.

Hmmm.... that fox resembles the some of the Hengeyokai of Japanese myth, Mike thought to himself. Interestin'.

As Atsuko darted past them with the ratling, Mike picked up fairly 'scrambled' intentions from the fox. Something about... his clothes?? Odd.

Mike shrugged and turned back to Greysight. He smirked, "Now, where were we??"

[Jade Green]

Mike shrugged and turned back to Greysight. He smirked, "Now, where were we??"

"I believed you wanted to know what we were doing here?" Greysight asked, frowning at the direction of the medical wing. "You see, our numbers have grown too large for our full populous to all stay together so we devided ourself into three seperate communities this being one of them; each community is diverse when it comes to its members: Males, Females and children. Families, Mr. Hamato, families. I'm not about to put stress on any family by forcing them to become... nomadic, if you will; however, staying in a perminant residence risk being caught, no?" She smirked lopsidedly at him.

"This means, that where ever we choose to call home will have to be well protected." Greysight continued, "And... should the need ever arised, easily left behind. Now, as for what we are doing here, there are several reasons why we decided to take up residence in this city; however, you are not cleared to know most of them so I'll just ask you this: Why do YOU live here?"

[heretic888]

"I believed you wanted to know what we were doing here?" Greysight asked, frowning at the direction of the medical wing. "You see, our numbers have grown too large for our full populous to all stay together so we devided ourself into three seperate communities this being one of them; each community is diverse when it comes to its members: Males, Females and children. Families, Mr. Hamato, families. I'm not about to put stress on any family by forcing them to become... nomadic, if you will; however, staying in a perminant residence risk being caught, no?" She smirked lopsidedly at him.

Michelangelo maintained a nonchalant look on his face, with his perpetual casual smile beaming out. She appeared to him to be trying to guilt-trip him into sympathizing with their cause, whatever it may be. The emotional attachment of family, of course, being something very dear to Mike. He was confident this Greysight somehow sensed this about him. Very clever.

Mike smirked. But not clever enough. Mike had a very welcoming heart, but he wasn't stupid. It would take more than a few worried mutant families to catch him off his guard. He knew this 'community' was arming itself --- and he still wanted to know why.

"This means, that where ever we choose to call home will have to be well protected." Greysight continued, "And... should the need ever arised, easily left behind."

Somehow, Mike thought to himself, 'building an army' and 'easily left behind' don't seem to go hand in hand....

"Now, as for what we are doing here, there are several reasons why we decided to take up residence in this city; however, you are not cleared to know most of them so I'll just ask you this: Why do YOU live here?"

This wasn't good, Mike thought to himself. She had flat-out refused to tell him her 'community's' intentions, and had proceeded to turn the question around back on him. This was beginning to feel like an interrogation, especially to one that was not on home turf.

Mike was worried a confrontation was bubbling, but he knew better than to jump to conclusions and pushed his worries to the far end of his mind. He decided to play along. For now. Looks like he'd have to uncover this group's intentions the hard way.

"Because this is my home." Mike replied calmly. "My family and I have lived in this city our entire lives. We grew up here, and have many friends here. This is our home." Mike re-emphasized.

"And," Mike, paused and then continued, "as such, if a large group of outsiders begins to galvanize near your home, and arm themselves..."

Mike smiled. "... well, you start to get a little cautious, if y'know what I mean."

[Jade Green]

"Home." She started walking again towards some spiral stairs, "Question: Why is your home nearly undetected to the untrained eye? Protection is the obvious answer, Mr. Hamato, protection. If your enemies - and I"m sure you have enemies, we all have enemies - if your ememies cannot find you, then they cannot harm you."

She stopped half way to the stairs, looking back to him, "However, this tactic has a possibility to fail. What does one do if they are detected by their enemy? They, sir, protect themselves in other ways. Your way is martial arts because that is what you know best, our way is with arms, technology and such. This is what we know best." She reached the bottom of the stair well.

"If you are worried that we might attempt to attack you, I can assure you that we would never do so intentionally... You are not the enemy, and therefore are only a... minor threat. Care for a cup of coffee? Tea?"

[Jade Green]

bump

[heretic888]

"I'll have some tea, thank you." Mike replied casually, following Greysight down the stairwell.

He paused for a moment, seemingly deep in thought. But the truth was that he was just scanning the room for anything of interest. "So, would you care to tell me something about this 'enemy' of yours?? We might'a crossed paths in the past...."

[Jade Green]

"I'll have some tea, thank you." Mike replied casually, following Greysight UP the stairwell.

He paused for a moment, seemingly deep in thought. But the truth was that he was just scanning the room for anything of interest. "So, would you care to tell me something about this 'enemy' of yours?? We might'a crossed paths in the past...."

Greysight didn't answer for a long momnent, instead, she lead Mike to the next level, across the same cat walk she had used to watch Nyxy and the rest, and then down another cat-walk which led to a group of doors. She went down this 'hall' until she reached a particular door and opened it, stepping back to let Mike in.

Once inside, she walked over to the small kitchenette and began to fill a kettle with water and put it on the now on stove. It was then that she finally spoke.

"I highly doubt that you've had any encounter with them, Mr. Hamato." she said, motioning to one of the chairs before taking one for herself, "Because if you had, I'm almost certain that I would have heard of you sooner; however, since you asked, they're called the 'Mutant Militia'."

[heretic888]

Sure has a flair for the dramatic, this one.

Mike smiled. "Nope. Doesn't ring a bell." He laughed.

"So, what's the deal with this 'Mutant Militia'??" Mike smirked, "They tryin' to conscript every mutant here for guard duty??"

[Jade Green]

Sure has a flair for the dramatic, this one.

Mike smiled. "Nope. Doesn't ring a bell." He laughed.

"So, what's the deal with this 'Mutant Militia'??" Mike smirked, "They tryin' to conscript every mutant here for guard duty??"

"Heh, sort of." Randi replied. "Think of them as a... forgotten branch of the military created to hault the threat of psionic and mutant attack upon the United States. They think the Outlanders are a threat and they haven't given us a real moment's peace... such the need for the weapons and ecetra."

[heretic888]

"I see." Mike replied casually, his demeanor unchanging.

"So, basically, what you're tellin' me is that all this", Mike briefly motioned to the outside with a waving motion of his arm, "is for purely defensive reasons?? Just tryin' tah protect yourselves from this Militia??"

[Jade Green]

"They're the main reason, yes." Said she with a slight nod, "That, and..." She chuckled, "I've a few... prices on my head so do some of my associates."

[heretic888]

Michelangelo, upon hearing this, raised an eyeridge. "Gee, you guys sure do get around."

He looked outside the room for a moment, and then looked back toward Greysight. "So, what now?"

[Jade Green]

There was a sudden loud, shrill whistle coming from the kitchen, which was divided from the living room by a small rise thus blocking the stove from view; Greysight glanced over at the kitchen for a moment and as the whistling died down, she looked to Michelangelo. "We drink tea."

Then, standing up, she moved to the kitchen. "I hope you like black berry tea, Mr. H-..." she hummed with a slight frown, "The hell with it, we're alone now, Mike -- that's what you asked to be called, right?"

[heretic888]

"Yeah, its Mike." He laughed, a bit taken back by her sudden surge of informality. "And blackberry will be just fine." He smiled casually.

[Jade Green]

"Yeah, its Mike." He laughed, a bit taken back by her sudden surge of informality. "And blackberry will be just fine." He smiled casually.

Randi chuckled a little, finding it some what amusing herself as she put the black berry packets into the hot water. "Good, because that's all I have at the moment," She loved staying in her own 'appartment' because she often felt where that was where she could really be herself and not the image that the Outlanders saw her as. Being the powerful, ominous figure head of a group of people who fear you just as much as they respect you wasn't exactly 'fun' for Randi. For a moment, she started to dwell on how she even became the 'leader' of the group but she pushed the thought aside as she grabbed two mugs, sugar, and some milk for herself.

[heretic888]

Michelangelo was still a bit surprised by Greysight's sudden change of demeanor. It was almost like she was an entirely different person inside this room. He smiled, a bit amused by her casual demeanor.

She kinda reminded him of Raphael, with his near-bipolar personality...

[Jade Green]

"Like anything in your tea? Honey? Surgar? milk? lemon?" She asked as she put the needed additions to her own drink: honey and milk. She noticed his surprise, but decided not to really say anything about it.

[heretic888]

"Honey and sugar, please." Mike said, following suit with Greysight's choices, wondering if she would notice. He took a slight sip of his tea, and looked back over at Greysight.

"So, you go by anything else other than 'Greysight'?" Mike asked with a smile.

[Jade Green]

(Randi doesn't have sugar in hers but rather milk. So I'll pretend that's what you mean :))

Randi finally sat down with her own tea after giving Mike the proper additions for his own drink. "Miranda." She said, bringing the tea to her lips, "Most who go by my real name call me Randi though."

[heretic888]

((whoopsy, my bad. :D))

"Randi, neh?" Mike smirked. "Much more becoming than 'Greysight', I'd say." He chuckled.

[Jade Green]

((whoopsy, my bad. :D))

"Randi, neh?" Mike smirked. "Much more becoming than 'Greysight', I'd say." He chuckled.

"Maybe." She shrugged, "But most recognize me best by that alias, it is in that name that I hold most...." She thought for a moment, "Authorative power as it were." Ironically, it states right out one of my major weaknesses.

[heretic888]

"I see," Mike said, sipping his tea. He paused.

"So, Randi," Mike said with a cheerful smile, "you're technician down there seemed to have been havin' a bit of trouble, neh?"

[Jade Green]

Randi shrugged, setting down her own tea. "Well, she's a good technician; she just doesn't seem to like doing such chores as wiring. To tell you the truth, I wouldn't either. Such jobs can become tedious because it is simply the same over and over again, rarely nothing new. My mind's too active for that, I'd get bored easily -- I suppose the same is true with her."

[heretic888]

Michelangelo chuckled.

"Sounds like the complete opposite o' Donny." He half-muttered, with a sheepish grin.

[Jade Green]

"Hrm?" She gave him an inquisative look, "Don't get me wrong, what I mean is that neither of us like to do simple, mindless work that doesn't challenge us any. To her, wiring is no real challenge and thus, boring. Her mind was most likely not all on her task at hand, and that was caused some of the... eletrical problems."

[heretic888]

"Yeah," Mike nodded, sipping his tea casually, "I hear yah."

He paused for a moment. "I sometimes find myself looking for ways to keep excited myself --- things can get awful dull when you're isolated from the rest of the planet. S'pose that's one o' the reasons I snuck down here in the first place. Y'know??"

He sipped his tea again, somewhat deep in thought.

[Jade Green]

"Yeah," Mike nodded, sipping his tea casually, "I hear yah."

He paused for a moment. "I sometimes find myself looking for ways to keep excited myself --- things can get awful dull when you're isolated from the rest of the planet. S'pose that's one o' the reasons I snuck down here in the first place. Y'know??"

He sipped his tea again, somewhat deep in thought.

"Should I take that as a complement," Said Randi, "Or should I be offended that you only see my collueges and I as a mode of intertainment?" There was no tone of malice or amusement in her voice, it almost sounded like a genuine question.

But if it was, Randi didn't wait for the answer. Instead she sat down her cup and looked to the door. A milisecond later, the door opened and a tall female hare strode in.

[heretic888]

Mike had sensed the hare approaching, but raised his eyeridge in "surprise" anyway --- just for the hell of it. He sipped his tea lightly, and turned his head toward the hare.

[Jade Green]

Mike had sensed the hare approaching, but raised his eyeridge in "surprise" anyway --- just for the hell of it. He sipped his tea lightly, and turned his head toward the hare.

"Randi!" She said cheerfully, "I've got an idea, lets -- oh, we've got company."
"Michaela Madison, this is Michaelangelo Hamato." said the femme turtle, "Michaelangelo, this is Michaela... also known as Silver, or Micky..." A whisp of fur on the creamy white hare's head was silvery in colour.
"Hi!" said she offering a paw, "Just call me Silver, much easier."

[heretic888]

Michelangelo casually put down his cup, and took the hare's paw. He smiled warmly. "Nice t'meet you, Silver. You can call me Mike, by the way. Everyone else does." He chuckled.

[Jade Green]

Michelangelo casually put down his cup, and took the hare's paw. He smiled warmly. "Nice t'meet you, Silver. You can call me Mike, by the way. Everyone else does." He chuckled.

"Mike," She repeated with a grin, "I've never seen you around before, new?"
"Actually," Randi interjected, taking her empty to cup to the kitchen, "You could call him our new neighbor."
"Ooh, you mean he's takin' the compartment next to ours? Then where are the Smit-..."
"The whole orginization's neighbor." Randi replied, "He lives near here."

[heretic888]

"Actually," Mike smirked, "I live in quite a few places, one of which is near here. But, yah get the point."

He laughed warmly in amusement.

[Jade Green]

"Oh so you're just visiting then?" Silver smiled, "So how do you like our underground community? Has Ran-... Graysight given you a tour yet? The place isn't really pretty like 'El Dorado' yet, but when we're done, it'll be great!"

[heretic888]

"No, 'Ran... Graysight' hasn't." Mike chuckled, wondering if Silver knew that Randi and he were on a first-name basis. "But, what's this about 'El Dorado'??" He raised an eyeridge.

[Jade Green]

"Its another community similar to this one." Randi explained, looking at the clock. "As for the tour, I'm sorry but I can't give you one right now -- I've got some business to attend to -- but Silver, I'm sure, wouldn't mind."

[heretic888]

"Ummm... ok. Have fun, Randi." Mike said to his new aquaintance with a smile, apparently not thinking as to whether he should refer to her by 'Greysight' or not in front of Silver.

Mike rose and faced Silver. "Shall we, then??" He smiled.

[Jade Green]

"Mmmm? Oh... Oh sure! I'll be glad to give him a tour -- I guess."

~Only the Civilian Areas, Silver.~ Randi warned the hare in a private mind link. Silver's left ear fell in responce to this and she motioned for Mike to follow her.

"How fast do you think you are?"

[heretic888]

"Mmmm? Oh... Oh sure! I'll be glad to give him a tour -- I guess."

Michelangelo couldn't help but snicker when the words "I guess" came out of Silver's mouth. He wondered if this was something she had planned on doing when she came to see Randi.

~Only the Civilian Areas, Silver.~ Randi warned the hare in a private mind link. Silver's left ear fell in responce to this and she motioned for Mike to follow her.

Mike thought he sensed something in the air, a rather odd and almost hushed feeling momentarily entered his consciousness. Just as quickly, however, it disappeared. He shrugged it off, and walked toward Silver.

((Would you mind putting Silver's profile up in the profile thread??))

"How fast do you think you are?"

Mike raised his left eyeridge in curiosity at this statement. To be honest, he was slightly taken aback by this question. "Ummm.... I think I'm pretty fast. I suppose. Why??"

[Jade Green]

((I will when I have a chance. Her basic outline is a mutant hare cream of color and a streak of silver on the top of her head. She's tall, (like Topaz) she is pyrokinetic and due to her figure and legs... naturally fast and a good jumper.))

The hare grinned as the two stepped out of the 'appartment'. "Race ya!" She chimed and sprinted down the walkway.

[heretic888]

Michelangelo smirked in amusement. It was time to have a little fun. Pushing Randi and Atlantis out of his mind for the moment, he darted after the hare...

[Jade Green]

Michelangelo smirked in amusement. It was time to have a little fun. Pushing Randi and Atlantis out of his mind for the moment, he darted after the hare...

A woman and what looked like to be a iguanna were walking casually down the walkway, having a relaxing conversation; but this was cut short as both spotted the blur coming their way. The woman shrieked releasing an amount of electricity as Silver soared above them and landed on the other side only then to leap over the edge to the floor below.

Then, before either could do anything more, there was a blur of green as Mike moved past them too.

A moment of silence, and the woman looked over to the slightly twitching iguanna. "Uh...?" The lizard coughed up a small cloud of smoke. "Sorry..."

Silver was now sprinting at high speeds on the bottom floor, weaving easily through crowds of people and leaping over some more before suddenly stopping in what looked like a courtyard.

[heretic888]

Michelangelo chuckled silently to himself as he darted past the iguana and the electrokinetic. He followed behind Silver, darting to and fro between the crowds of people and mutants --- and found himself standing in front of her in the courtyard.

[Jade Green]

"Heh-hey!" She laughed, stopping in front of him, "You're faster than me -- not even Topaz is faster than me! The person really faster than me is China, and she doesn't count becuase, well, that's her 'power'!"

She straightened herself up and pointed around, "This is the courtyard, basic, simple -- sorta like a town square -- Over there's the medical branch. I'd introduce you to Morgan, but I think she's slightly too old for you and she's engaged to Gabriel..."

Silver then began to show Mike various areas and explained how every member had to have a position to help the body in a whole. "I know it sounds like communism... even Graysight admitted that it has its similarites..." She shrugged, "But we don't FORCE people into any particular position..."

[heretic888]

"Heh-hey!" She laughed, stopping in front of him, "You're faster than me -- not even Topaz is faster than me! The person really faster than me is China, and she doesn't count becuase, well, that's her 'power'!"

Mike smiled warmly in a friendly and cordial manner, but chuckled inwardly. He was almost tempted to tell her that that felt like a brisk jog to him. He wondered who this 'China' was, though.... it was evident that many of the mutants here had some kind of 'power' or another --- something he and his brothers definately lacked. Perhaps this China was like one of those comic book characters like the Flash?? Super-speed and all that jazz..

Bah, you read too much comics, Mikey. He thought to himself.

She straightened herself up and pointed around, "This is the courtyard, basic, simple -- sorta like a town square -- Over there's the medical branch. I'd introduce you to Morgan, but I think she's slightly too old for you and she's engaged to Gabriel..."

Mike raised an eyeridge at this, but didn't say anything.

Silver then began to show Mike various areas and explained how every member had to have a position to help the body in a whole. "I know it sounds like communism... even Graysight admitted that it has its similarites..." She shrugged, "But we don't FORCE people into any particular position..."

"Oh, I understand." Mike chimed. "An organizational structure like would'a been preferable, given the conditions you guys are in. Kinda reminds me of the Buddhist monastic communities Splinter told us about when we were growin' up..."

"Although," he chuckled, "somethin' tells me you guys didn't build this place because yah had a hankerin' fer Nirvana, neh?"

[Jade Green]

Silver then began to show Mike various areas and explained how every member had to have a position to help the body in a whole. "I know it sounds like communism... even Graysight admitted that it has its similarites..." She shrugged, "But we don't FORCE people into any particular position..."

"Oh, I understand." Mike chimed. "An organizational structure like would'a been preferable, given the conditions you guys are in. Kinda reminds me of the Buddhist monastic communities Splinter told us about when we were growin' up..."

"Although," he chuckled, "somethin' tells me you guys didn't build this place because yah had a hankerin' fer Nirvana, neh?"

Silver smirked at him as they walked, "You'd have to ask Greysight and Topaz about that. Over in this area here is where we're going to be growing the food." She walked into a section that had manipulated what water HAD been in the resevore to irregate the dirt that had obviously been brought in. For light, they opted for a system of sunlamps on the ceiling.

"Ooh, I can't wait. Lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes... too bad we won't be able to grow any fruits... but we can send scouts to get those I guess."

[heretic888]

"Impressive," Mike said with a slightly veiled sincerity. "Donny would'a been green with envy --- if he wasn't green already, that is."

Mike looked around. "Just veggies, huh?? Everyone here a vegetarian??"

[Jade Green]

"Well, uh, no..." Silver looked a little uncomfortable, "There's a 'ranch', but uhm... how about I introduce you to the children? I'm one of the teachers -- math -- school's out for the day but most of the children are still in 'day care' because their parents aren't yet done with work."

[heretic888]

Michelangelo raised an eyeridge at Silver's apparent discomfort. He thought it best not to press the subject.

"Sure, let's meet the kiddies." Mike grinned.

[Jade Green]

Michelangelo raised an eyeridge at Silver's apparent discomfort. He thought it best not to press the subject.

"Sure, let's meet the kiddies." Mike grinned.

"Watch out." She grinned as they walked away from the 'field'. "They're evil munchkins... especially Mikael." They started for another end of the compound, Silver waving her 'hellos' to people along the way.

[heretic888]

"Heh." Mike chuckled, following Silver toward the end of the compound, making a mental note of everything he saw --- landmarks, building structures, people, etc.

[Jade Green]

"Heh." Mike chuckled, following Silver toward the end of the compound, making a mental note of everything he saw --- landmarks, building structures, people, etc.

"What if he is an enemy?" Topaz mused as he watched Silver and Mikey on the security screens. The turtle had been able to sneak in, undetected. His casual demeanor in the male hare's opinion was just, well, TOO casual.

Greysight closed her eyes, pulling off her sunglasses to clean them. "I sensed no malice in him." She replied, "He is not a member of the Militia and he is not an enemy to us..." she paused, putting her sunglasses back on, "...yet, and I want to keep it that way."

"But I still think he's a-..."

"A danger? A threat? Yes, I agree totally." She frowned at him, "However, he can also be the opposite: A help, an Ally. We need allys, Topaz."

"We know nothing about him!"

"That's why we're gaining his trust, so he will allow us to know." Greysight retorted, "And no, I can't take a look into his mind. He's got the best mental blocks that I've seen in years."

"I still think th-.."

"Quiet." She ordered, "They've reached the school."

====================================

As they entered the 'play ground'. Silver was nearly tackled over by a group of several children: some of them anthropomorphic, some of them completely human in appearance, and other 'humans' that had one or two distinguishimg marks... like a pair of horns protruding from his head.

The child in question had been the first to spot them coming. He had let his class mates tackle down their math teacher while he decided to go have a look at the new guy. He saddled up to Michelanglo and crossed his arms.

"Who're you?"

[heretic888]

As Michelangelo had followed Silver toward the school, he had a perpetual tingling feeling up the back of his neck and culminating near the base of his skull. He felt as if he was being watched, but... it was faint, distinct, very nonspecific.

He shrugged. Oh well, nothin' I can do about it now. Just have to wait and see what happens...

Ignoring the tingling feeling, Mike jogged a bit to catch up with Silver.

=================================================

Inside the school, Mike was a bit surprised to see one of the children tackle Silver, although he had sensed the child's movements since before he walked into the room. Still, that didn't stop the display from taking him aback somewhat.

"Who're you??" The boy demanded.

Mike smiled in amusement. This one's probably the alpha of the group, he surmised. Kinda reminded him of Raph, a bit.

"Name's Michelangelo." He grinned. "But, my friends call me Mike. Or, Mikey.... howzabout you??"

[Jade Green]

"Mikael." The boy said a little proudly and then looked back up to him, "You live here too?"

[heretic888]

Mike smiled. "Nah, I'm just visitin', actually. First time, too."