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]

Originally Posted by heretic888

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]

Originally Posted by 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?"

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??))