Dragon Fist silently runs through the passageway, ducking through hatches and down ladders, towards where he heard the woman's scream. Behind him, Odyssey is not as stealthy as she clangs down the steps of a ladder. Proteus and Starlight are not far behind, Starlight's flight generating light in the dim passageways, and Proteus slipping insubstantially through the decks.

The scream echoes through the passageways again, and, after diving down another ladder and through yet another open hatch, Dragon Fist first sees the Silver Avenger, dripping wet and barefoot, holding her knees close and rocking. On her face is an expression of stark terror, and she is muttering to herself in Spanish.

"'I've killed them all, killed them all, it's all my fault,'" Starlight translates after entering. Light and sound spill from a open hatch across from Maria Chow - this time, the scratchy sound of a record player needle reaching the end of the song. The Silver Avenger does not acknowledge the presence of the heroes at all, but continues to hug her knees and rock.

Proteus steps into the room, sweeping his eyes quickly across, looking into every nook and cranny. As soon as he sees the Silver Avenger, he looks questioningly at the others. Looks like post traumatic stress disorder. "Better have a look at her, Odyssey." He cocks his head, much like Nipper, the RCA dog, as he strains to decipher the tune being played.

Odyssey kneels down, looking intently at Maria Chow, trying to see if she's been injured. I doubt it's physical, she thinks. I've never seen Maria look like this. She always so, so composed.

Putting her hand on the Silver Avenger's shoulder, Odyssey says, "Maria it's OK. It's me Odyssey - Cassie. You're OK now we're here. Dragon Fist, Starlight, that guy from the docks, um, Proteus. We're all OK"

Great, thinks Proteus. My official codename is 'That Guy.'

"Odyssey, can you handle things here?" Dragon Fist asks softly. "I know it may seem a bit callous, but someone has to go after that motor boat."

Let's see, he thinks, Odyssey had best stay here with Maria... that leaves only Starlight with some sort of ranged attack. We've got to get someone aboard that boat. Hmm. Someone ought to stay and help guard Maria too.

"Proteus, from your comments it sounds like you're no stranger to a combat environment. We need to catch that boat, what do you recommend?"

Proteus mulls the problem over in his mind. "Well, without reliable transportation that will allow maximum firepower to be brought to bear, the next best thing is to be where they WILL be. That is, determine where they are landing and ambush them. However, that could be difficult unless one of you is precognicient." Looks hopefully around. "Didn't think so, since we probably wouldn't be in this trap if you were. I say Starlight would be the choice to follow them, but she would make a better signal flare than an incognito shadower. Unless you can dampen the effects?"

"I wish," Starlight says quietly and then adds, "No, it's quite noticeable, especially at high speeds or at night."

Proteus then walks over to the light coming from the hatch. "My next question is what is in here?"

Outside the cabin, Odyssey says, "I doubt you'll be able to catch those people whomever they are. They have quite a bit of time and distance on you. I understand your desire to capture whomever did this, but Maria needs our help, there's whatever is in that room and then don't forget that Commander Ely is still sitting in his skivvies on the dock."

Dragon Fist shrugs. "Well, I hope we can get something out of the two we captured."

"By the way, did anyone tie up those unconscious VIPER agents?" Cassie asks over her shoulder.

Dragon Fist winces.

Odyssey has turned back towards Maria Chow, who shows no sign of improvement. "Well, you never know until you try," she mutters, then louder, "Maria, I'm going to try and help you." Cassie's brow furrows in concentration and a honey-colored glow surrounds her and Maria.

Dragon Fist edges away from the glow. I know she's doing healing, and I know that healing seems to be OK with me, but who knows what might happen if I catch the fallout from someone else. Looking around, he spies the record player and moves over to look at the label. Then, the hero walks over to stand with Proteus.

Inside the cabin, there is an old phonograph which has loudly reached the end of the 45 it had been playing. Glancing over, Proteus and Dragon Fist see it's an old Glenn Miller song from the forties - "Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread.)"

The cabin is furnished lavishly, and there is a table here, set with china, crystal and silver. Two roses sit in a crystal vase, and on the plates are half-eaten steaks. Next to the bunk hangs a picture, of two members of the Forces of Liberty, the American hero team during the forties - Protector and American Weapon. There is no trace of either of them, now, though.

The Silver Avenger's breathing calms somewhat, and, after several minutes, she looks Cassie in the eyes. "Th-thanks," she says, smiling weakly. "I don't think I've ever seen anything so horrible in my life."

"What happened?" Odyssey asks, thinking it must be terrible if Maria Chow was fazed by it.

The Silver Avenger pushes wet hair from her face and takes a deep breath. "Would you mind turning on the heat a bit?" she asks, shivering. "Thank you," she says, as Odyssey's hands glow with the heat from her energy blast.

"After I ripped through the hull," the Silver Avenger begins, starting to sound more collected, "I immediately came into contact with VIPER agents, moving large crates into the ship, and moving other crates out into a waiting boat. I thoroughly trashed them," she adds pridefully. "I started to hear music, though, and I moved towards the sound. Imagine my surprise, when I found Protector dancing with what looked to be American Weapon. I didn't want to say this before, at PRIMUS, but Protector - Shawn Crawford - has been missing for over a week, having disappeared while in Washington, D.C. Other Forces of Liberty teammates, now in their seventies and eighties, have been attacked, and Senator Larry Greene -- he was Doctor Dimension -- was killed a week and a half ago."

"At any rate," Maria Chow continues, "Here I see Protector, slow dancing to this forties song with American Weapon (what a hero name!) - she was supposed to be killed in 1945! Then she turned and looked at me, and…and…" Maria shudders. "It was awful - She knew my worst nightmares and forced me to live through them. It was like years had passed, in my head…and I could hear her laughing…" her voice breaks off again, and she studies her red-painted toes. Finally looking up a few seconds later, her composure is firmly intact, and she stands. "Thank you again, Odyssey," she says, extending a hand to the healer.

"You're - a - welcome," Odyssey says shaking Maria's hand while turning slightly red. Imagine, a Silver Avenger thanking me, she thinks. "Don't worry about it. Hey next time I have a barbecue you can bring the beer. That stuff Tony bought last time was terrible."

Maria Chow steps into the cabin now as well, and quickly surveys the scene. "This is where I saw them dancing, all right," she says, turning back to Odyssey. "It was definitely Protector and American Weapon, what was her name?" She taps a finger to the side of her head. "Roberta something, I think…Roberta Marshal, that's it. She was as young as the day she supposedly died in '45. I didn't see them leave," she says. "There's no telling where they are now."

"This is all, very weird," Odyssey muses out loud. "I mean how did American Weapon, Roberta, not age? Do you think maybe she came through time like Protector did? That would account for her looking as young as she did. I think Protector actually thought she was dead. The few times he spoke of her to me, he always used an almost sacrosanct tone of voice. Like he didn't want to tarnish her memory. And he always talked about her in the

past tense. I wonder, could she have affected his mind like she affected yours, but instead of giving Protector his worst fears, instead given him his greatest desires - her, alive and with him?"

Dragon Fist notices a sudden sound as the Silver Avenger muses, that of a energy weapon being discharged. No one else has appeared to have heard it. Moving out into the passageway again, he sees that further aft, a large hatch to a cargo hold is not quite closed. As he approaches, he hears muffled curses and yelling.

A large hatch to the outside is open, and rain is falling into the expansive hold. Two units' worth of Iron Guard armor is standing vacant, their operators confined in a large nylon web, weighted at the bottom and attached to a crane. The agents are jumbled up in a tangled mess, with socked feet and heads sticking out of the net in every which way. The weight swings from side to side, as though the net full of PRIMUS agents had been moved, then suddenly stopped. Slumped unconscious at the controls of the crane is an Asian man, wearing an olive drab jumpsuit. "Nice shot, Frohicky," someone in the mass of agents says. Looking at the agents, Dragon Fist notices a PRIMUS blaster sticking out from the net, though the body it's attached to isn't immediately apparent.

Unmarked wooden crates line the sides of the hold, stacked haphazardly as though loaded in haste.

"That bleepin' traitor was here," one of the heads sticking out of the net yells down at Dragon Fist. "Lemme down from here, and I'll show bleepin' McBain how PRIMUS handles traitors!"

Behind Dragon Fist, Maria Chow enters the hold. She sighs, surveying the scene. Quietly she says, "This is a bad night for PRIMUS. Can you say 'Senate Subcommittee?' Knew you could."

"Well, " Odyssey says, trying to say something positive, "maybe you'll get lucky and the Senate will be too busy trying to pass a budget to notice."

Dragon Fist takes a good look around, sizing up first the hold's contents, then the hatch. "If you can help them down," he says, indicating the mass of PRIMUS agents, "I'd like to check on our sleeping friends upstairs."

"Stop your yapping," the Silver Avenger calls. "I'll get you down. Jeez, Richards, when's the last time you changed your socks?" She pushes the unconscious man aside, and begins working the controls.

"Gee, Maria, do you think I should feel honored being in the presence of so much undressed masculinity?" Odyssey says with a sly smile. "I'll never look at Ironguardsman the same way."

The Silver Avenger snorts as she works the controls of the crane. "Now how does this thing work?" she asks herself. Wildly they swing towards the wall. "Oops," she says. "Guess that's the wrong one. Hold on, ladies and gentlemen."

Jumping from crate to crate, aided by a few acrobatic flips, Dragon Fist quickly ascends to and through the hatch. Once up, he orients himself, then pads silently off to where they left the VIPER agents.

Not long after, the hero reappears at the opening above the others, bearing one VIPER agent -- only the girl was left, and her Iron Guard suit was gone as well. "I have a present for you, Maria" he announces. "Somebody want to catch her?" Dragon Fist hoists the agent off his shoulder and over the opening.

The Silver Avenger smiles weakly, but moves from where she's standing to catch the woman. "Well, well, Senorita Sandoval, how lovely it is to see you again. We'll see if F. Lee Bailey can get you out of where I'm going to put you this time."

After tossing the unconscious VIPER agent, dressed in a t-shirt and shorts, into the hold, Dragon Fist again disappears up to the main deck, but he isn't able to find any of their equipment. Having seen the VIPER agent secure in PRIMUS' hands, Dragon Fist drifts over to talk quietly to Odyssey. "That vision or whatever that Maria saw... well, I saw it too. When I was climbing aboard, I looked through a porthole to see Protector dancing with a woman. I blinked, and the porthole was gone."

"Hmmmmm, that slightly confirms my suspicions," Odyssey thinks outloud. "I think you may have caught American Weapon by surprise, she didn't have a chance to cloak her appearance to you. You saw her as she truly is - an old woman. When she realized you were there she blocked your vision. It's interesting that she didn't attack you the way she attacked Maria. Perhaps your mind is more resilient to her powers. Can you think of a reason why her illusions would not affect you. It might be useful to know when we encounter her next."

"The discipline required by some of my martial arts training strengthens the will," Dragon Fist replies. "My sufi says that it also develops defenses against attacks directed at the mind." He shrugged. "Maybe I just caught her by surprise."

"I thought dragons were supposed to have true sight," the Silver Avenger chimes in. "Maybe you're immune by nature of that."

"This sounds an awful lot like magic or ghosts, or something of that nature. I don't know about the others, but I don't have a whole lot of experience in that arena. I figure it's probably connected somehow to your amulet..." Dragon Fist continues. Inside the hero's mind, a voice chimes in, I have experience in this sort of thing.

Dragon Fist grins inwardly. I haven't forgotten you, he silently replies, However, this sounds like more of an American thing, and not Chinese. Besides, I don't think PRIMUS would greet your arrival too favorably. Can you add anything to what we know?

Hrmmm ummph. I'll think on it.

Dragon Fist frowns and shakes his head. "No answers here. What do you think?" Dragon Fist's frown deepens, obviously, something is bothering him. Then, he snaps his fingers. "Ah, I've got it! Something about what Maria said didn't connect with what I saw, and I've just remembered. I saw Protector dancing with and old woman. Maria seems fairly certain that American Weapon, the woman she saw, was still young. Maybe I saw another one of Protector's old teammates..."

"Well, I'm not especially proficient in magic," Odyssey says. "My only previous experience was pulling a rabbit out of a hat in the third grade talent show - course it was a stuffed rabbit. But, I digress. I don't think I was their first target. If they just wanted the amulet, they would have attacked me when there were no superheroes around - say at my home or the office. It's not like VIPER doesn't have a good idea where I live. However, they probably have a standing order to get the amulet if and when opportunity presents itself."

"But why would VIPER be interested in your amulet? I never thought they had much interest in magic," Dragon Fist points out.

"I'm an idiot," Odyssey, slapping her forehead in mock disgust. "I forgot, you weren't around for the Demon kidnappings. About a month ago, all these people were being kidnapped in San Francisco. Protector, Knightblade, and I were helping PRIMUS on the case. It turned out that this guy, possibly a commander in VIPER though I don't know if that was ever confirmed, was summoning demons to kidnap people. He needed the victims to carry of this great summoning. Luckily PRIMUS took him into custody and rescued the people before he could carry out the plan. So I guess VIPER in S.F. has a penchant towards magic."

"I think this first and foremost was a lesson at humiliating all of us, PRIMUS included, and doing as much damage as possible. They decided to try for the amulet because I was here. Also, I think that woman, American Weapon, has her own agenda. I'm willing to bet she's the one taking shots at all the old superheroes. I know Protector was in love with her and I'm afraid that that might have made him very susceptible to her powers. The Protector I know would never stand by and let this woman hurt innocent people. Perhaps she has cast some sort of illusion over him and he does not see what is going on? If my powers helped Maria, perhaps they can help Protector. If I could just get to him. I think they were the people we heard in the motorboat. Perhaps, we can figure out where they might have gone if we go over to Protector's apartment."

Dragon Fist responds, "I don't know much about the World War Two teams, but I don't recall hearing that American Weapon had any illusion powers. Hmmm.. I agree, we should visit Protector's apartment. Should all of us go along though? You'd be revealing Protector's identity to us. Not that I think you should go alone, especially if VIPER is gunning for you in particular. Right now, though, I'm interested to see what's in these crates. Maria, would it be legal for us to open these things and take a look inside? Or do we need a search warrant?"

"Right now Protector is considered an accessory to assault on federal agents and property," Maria Chow says. "I'll send a team out to his apartment to take a look around, but things didn't start to go wrong for him until he went to Washington last week. I doubt we'll find much." She pauses. "Mind control might explain the Knightblade incident as well," SA Chow says. "Though I wonder if it will be enough to save him now." The crane lowers the agents to the ground with a THUMP, and after the Silver Avenger rips the net open, they begin to start spilling out. "Thanks, Avenger," one of them says to Maria before climbing into his armor.

"Hey, no prob," she says, prying one of the crates open. "Frohicky!" she calls out. "Give me your radio. I'm wondering if not getting through on the dock wasn't part of that witch's trap as well. It just occurred to me who David Ely really is." She catches the radio, and steps back. "The rest of you - comb this ship! I want everyone on board brought back here. Gonzales! What the hell happened out there?" She radios for PRIMUS and, sure enough, she doesn't have a problem getting through this time. While she's calling for backup, however she idly looks into the crate. Waving madly at Odyssey, she points into the crate, a big grin on her face.

Stepping over, Odyssey looks inside the crate - only to see one of the stolen paintings from the de Young. An ecstatic gleam comes across Odyssey's face. "They're alright! They're alright!" She hugs Maria. "We've got them back."

"I hope all of them are here," Odyssey says moving over to another box. "Especially those marble frieze. I thought I would never hear the end of it from the German museum who loaned them to us. By the way, who is David Ely? And did I heal someone I should've left alone?"

"Well," the Silver Avenger explains, "You probably didn't really heal him, because he probably really wasn't injured - we just thought he was." She pauses. "Things are starting to make sense, finally." Looking up from another crate, this one full of packets of Red Dragon - "Gonzales! Take a look at this!" The Silver Avenger grabs the radio again. "Kester!" she says into the radio. "I want a team of eggheads down here pronto - I think VIPER was using Free-X gas."

Turning back to Odyssey (who has now located the frieze), the Silver Avenger focuses again. "Sorry. I think I know what's going on here finally. The reason the fog was so heavy here, especially by the docks, was because it wasn't real - it was full of Free-X - it's a chemical that VIPER's labs developed several years ago that exploits the chemical vulnerability of anyone who's gone through the Cyberline process, making them more susceptible to suggestion. All it would take from a mentalist would be a hint." Straightening, she says, "David Ely is a traitor - he was an Iron Guardsmen in Hudson City, and it was discovered that he worked with Kevin Armstrong of VF-2, back when he was still with VF-2. He managed to escape from our sight last year, and we've been looking for him every since. Got that, Yvonne?" she says to an Iron Guardswoman behind her. "Go get 'em!"

She sighs. "He's probably long gone, too, but there's no harm in trying."

"Pretty brazen of him to use his real name," Odyssey says. "I guess he was counting on that Free-x stuff to muddle your perceptions. Well, at least you know he's in San Francisco. I don't suppose that Free-X is traceable, I mean trackable? All those VIPER agents as well as Mr. Ely were immersed in that phony fog. It would be great if you had a dog that could track it."

Well, thinks Dragon Fist, at least we got the drugs... and saved PRIMUS from a major disaster. Too bad most of Viper got away. We really blew it on those two agents too. I can't believe we just left them lying on the deck! Although why they would leave one behind is a mystery to me.

"Maria, do you know when the museum can reclaim all these paintings and artwork?" Odyssey asks. "I'd love to call the museum board members. It would be a load off their minds and our insurance companies."

Proteus steps out of the hatch with his hands raised, as a PRIMUS agent with a gun motions him forward. "Um, Miss Avenger? I thought we went through this already. I was just looking for clues."

'Miss Avenger?' she mouths. "He's OK, Warrington," she calls. Turning back to Odyssey, she says, "In answer to your question, it will take at least several days for us to process the contents of the ship, and I'll have to explain why I up and tore open the bottom of a Hong Kong ship without a warrant. Luckily for me, the British aren't going to want to associate themselves with VIPER, so I doubt anyone will protest. Now if this were happening in August, I might have real problems."

Several minutes more, and law enforcement arrives in droves - FBI, DEA, more PRIMUS, Port Authorities, Deputies, and the Alameda police. "Now it begins," mutters Maria Chow.

"You were right," Agent Kestler says, neatly somersaulting through the open hatch to land in front of the Silver Avenger and the heroes. "Hi," the tall, attractive PRIMUS agent says to the paranormals. "How are you doing?"

Dragon Fist gives the agent a short bow in return.

Odyssey smiles and waves.

Kestler continues, "There were traces of Free-x gas outside - and we just found two tanks underneath the docks. Also," she nods to Dragon Fist, "I think you caught them by surprise - about twenty -five minutes after you left the base, we got an 'anonymous tip' from a pay phone across the island, telling us about the ship by name. They wanted us to show up, but later."

"Did we get prints from the phone?" SA Chow asks.

Kestler shakes her head. "No, but there were bread crumbs." The two PRIMUS agents share a meaningful look.

"Have the science guys get on the manufacture of the tanks, pronto. And perhaps the lovely Senorita Sandoval will have more to contribute as well."

"We got 'em!" an Iron Guardsman crows, as he and three others drag a net forward. Inside the net is an unconscious Tyler McBain. He looks terrible, Odyssey realizes. About two weeks' worth of shaggy growth on his face, his clothes are rumpled and stained. "Sucker was trying to escape out a porthole, but he wasn't fast enough for us." The Iron Guardsmen share a high-five.

Ah, Knightblade, Dragon Fist thinks, How far you've fallen. Whatever possessed you to do these things? I hope there's a good explanation, but I think its going to be difficult to convince PRIMUS regardless.

For your sake Knightblade, I hope you were mind controlled, Odyssey thinks. And for the sake of all those kids who idolized you I really hope this was some VIPER plot. I don't know how they would take it if you really were a traitor.

Proteus appraises the man in blinking in the light. What a recluse this guy is. I'd bet an A-10 that he won't be causing any trouble, however."

"Don't heal him until we get him in Sherman," the Silver Avenger warns. "We don't know for sure if he was mind controlled when he acted or not, and he's still dangerous without the armor."

"OK," Odyssey says, nodding at the Silver Avenger. "I'll exercise caution."

More green-suited Hong Kong sailors are being rounded up as well, and outside, the boats of the DEA and Port Authority are rounding up more, from the information on the radio.

Maria Chow extends her hand to Dragon Fist. "Thank you for coming forward," she says. "If we hadn't gotten your tip when we did, things might have turned out quite differently."

"It was my honor, Avenger Chow" Dragon Fist replies, first shaking the Avenger's hand, then giving her a deep bow. "I look forward to working with you again."

She shakes hands with the rest of the heroes in turn. "I really appreciate your being here when you were. Thanks." To Odyssey she adds, "How about I have the barbecue next time?"

"Just as long as it's not fish," Odyssey says, smiling. "After seeing what's in this bay, I'm not sure I could stomach fish. It might sprout a snake."

Speaking of food, thinks Proteus, I haven't eaten since breakfast. I need to get over to that Chinese Restaurant pronto!

"Could you all please leave a number where you can be reached for additional questioning?" Agent Kestler adds. "And if you wouldn't mind filling out these incident reports..."

Dragon Fist leans over to whisper to Odyssey, "Do you mind if I put your phone number as a point of contact? I really don't want to give them the number for Grandfather's restaurant."

"Sure," Odyssey says jokingly. "But I draw the line at making my house the Golden Gate Guardians' secret hideout. Tony and I really don't have room for a supercomputer. But a butler would be nice."

Odyssey turns to see Proteus tugging her sleeve. "Um, Miss Odyssey? May I use you as POC for this operation? I'd rather not divulge any more info than I have to, at this point. I'm sure you can understand." He smiles briefly.

"That's fine, and you can call me Cassie, it's OK. It's not like the world doesn't who I am now," she says wryly. "We'll maybe not the world, but at least all the readers of the National Enquirer."

Dragon Fist looks down at the sheaf of papers clutched in his hands. "Aren't three copies of everything a bit excessive?" he asks mildly.

"Actually, each copy does serve a distinct purpose. Be sure to keep yours." Proteus looks over at Dragon Fist. "You never know when you might need your records."

Proteus looks around and shrugs. He slowly wanders over to where Dragon Fist is standing. 'Um, excuse me, son. What exactly happens now? I'm new to this superhero thing, but I don't think I want every Fed knocking down my door. I've seen what it's done to Odyssey. Also, could you answer a few questions? Who is VIPER? Also, who is the deserter over there? Finally, isn't it interesting how this whole thing fits into a nice little package? The good guys arrive in time to stop VIPER, this guys gets captured miraculously, and there's even an agent left behind. Yet, someone mentioned that Commander Ely was a traitor. For being a traitor with the inside scoop, he didn't plan this whole thing very well. Just a thought."

Dragon Fist blinks at the fusillade of questions. Hmmm... which should I answer first. I guess I'll go in order.

"Well," he replies, "I guess we fill these things out and let the authorities take over. I really don't know what to suggest as far as phone numbers and such - Odyssey knows how to reach me, so I'm off the hook." The hero frowns, "Sorry, I don't have many helpful ideas. Maybe you could just arrange to check in with PRIMUS later?"

"It's a thought. I could report in at some designated time or place." Proteus shrugs.

"VIPER?" Dragon Fist continues, "Wow, you're new to the area too, aren't you? VIPER is a criminal organization that makes money through a variety of means, including theft and drug smuggling. They have access to some frightening technology, and were responsible for the raid on the de Young museum a few weeks ago. That's where all this stuff came from." He gestures to the crates full of artwork.

Proteus answers, "Yes, as a matter of fact, I am new to this. But dealing with a high tech mafia isn't my idea of fun."

"That's Tyler McBain.," Dragon Fist continues. "PRIMUS suspects him of betraying them for VIPER. Umm... Hmmm.. Maybe Odyssey could explain it better." He glances over at the heroine.

"Wasn't he in the hospital for a while? Casualty of war at that museum party? He looks amazing for a man who was missing vital organs," Proteus says.

Dragon Fist answers, "Well, he has Odyssey to thank for that. Still, he left before he was really better. I think this was a trap for PRIMUS, which is probably why you're getting the bad vibes. However, VIPER didn't count on us showing up early (thanks to the tip I received), nor did they count on the four of us. There are some missing links, however, that do puzzle me. For example: why were Protector and American Weapon involved?"

'Well, the three of you. I didn't do anything. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Umm. . . who are Protector and American Weapon again?"

"A pair of heroes from World War Two, I believe. Somehow, though, Protector doesn't seem to have aged."

"Well, according to this schmuck," Maria Chow interrupts, pointing to one of the Hong Kong sailors who's speaking rapidly to an FBI interpreter, "the VIPER liaison between Hong Kong and San Francisco was a young woman meeting the description of American Weapon."

"Finished that paperwork yet, guys?" Agent Kester asks, smiling. "If Odyssey knows how to get in contact with you, that will be OK for our paperwork purposes. You may be asked for depositions later, for the trial. If I might make a suggestion, I know that other paranormals, like those in Hudson City, tend to have beepers and cellular phones registered to their hero identities, so that law enforcement can get in contact with them." The blond agent blushes slightly. "It's an idea, anyway."

"That's a great idea," responds Dragon Fist. "I'll be back in touch with you as soon as I get one."

Proteus grins inwardly. And here I thought I wouldn't be on call any more. It'll be just like pulling back up. Ah, well, duty calls. To Agent Kestler, he smiles and nods at the suggestion. "I agree with Dragon Fist, it is a great idea. Oh, here's my paperwork." As he hands over the stack of reports, his hand slightly brushes the agents, sending a slight thrill through his body. Damn, I'm as tough as a rock, and the touch of a woman still can get through this thick skin. What color does a gray creature blush?

Agent Kestler smiles. "Thanks, guys. Good luck making it through the media outiside. I'll call you if we need anything else."

Picking up the sheaf of papers, Odyssey looks somewhat bewildered. "Ah, the romantic life of a superheroine." Maybe this paperwork should wait, Odyssey thinks. Looking over she tries to catch Maria Chow's eye. The Silver Avenger is caught in a sea of agents - FBI, DEA, PRIMUS.

When Maria gets a free moment, Odyssey asks, "I saw you've taken Knightblade into Sherman. Should I go ahead and try and heal him now?" Looking up at Maria, "I'd like to know if he consciously did those terrible things that he did."

The Silver Avenger looks at the papers, then at Odyssey. "Well, you can go and try. By now they probably have him ready for transport, and the transporting agents probably won't be too happy about it. Don't forget - or perhaps you didn't know - McBain has an accelerated healing factor of his own."

Proteus whispers to Odyssey, "I see she's busy. Perhaps I'll take this opportunity to bail out. For some reason, I don't think your friend likes me very much. Ah well. It was nice meeting you. All of you. I'll call you at your work. You shouldn't give your phone out to strange men." He grin is rather boyish for someone who calls people 'Miss' and 'son.' "I hope we can all get together sometime and discuss . . . things. I'll be seeing you around, I'm sure." He shakes Odyssey's hand and starts walking inland, his body losing substance and disappearing into the night.

"It was nice to meet you," she calls after him. "Don't be a strange man forever."

Outside, on the dock, it's like Christmas, with all the red and blue flashing lights. There are about fifty law enforcement vehicles, and the press is being restrained behind the police line. "Sherman" is surrounded by armored PRIMUS assault agents. In front of Sherman, there are two vehicles filled with assault agents, and behind Sherman there are two more. The driver and an Iron Guardsman are in the forward position in the transport vehicle, and other agents are watching as the back door is slammed shut. PRIMUS is obviously taking no chances.

Odyssey approaches the vehicle, and an agent in the PRIMUS red, white and blue uniform steps in front of her. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but we're getting ready to move the prisoner."

"Ah yes, I understand," Odyssey says trying to look extremely professional, but deciding that's pretty much impossible in spandex. "Sorry, I didn't introduce myself. My name's Odyssey and I was just talking with Silver Avenger Chow about your prisoner, Tyler McBain. See, during this incident we discovered that my healing powers had a possible counteract on whatever mindcontrol that VIPER woman was using here. I was thinking that perhaps if I used that on McBain, we might be able to discover if he was mind-controlled by this woman as well. If nothing else, it could help disprove any claims McBain and his lawyer may later make that McBain was not responsible for his actions. And healing him would probably deal with those complaints the ACLU keeps filing on behalf of prisoners' health care."

The PRIMUS agent commander rolls his eyes.

Glancing at the sea of security she adds, "I understand your concerns about security. If you like me to wait until you've transported him to more secure surroundings I understand. 'Course there is nothing like taking advantage of the media when they're here."

The PRIMUS agent raises an eyebrow. "I understand your position, Odyssey, but it's really for your protection that you not heal McBain. For one thing, he doesn't appear to be injured physically, and for another, you wouldn't want the media" he gestures at the sea of cameras, "to associate your name at this point with his, especially once the full list of charges against him is made public. You're welcome to take a look at him," he gestures the agent nearest the door to open it, "But that's it. I don't think he'll be saying much. As long as you understand our position, Odyssey."

Greaaat, Odyssey thinks, I'm really scoring points with this guy. I swear I need a badge that says, 'Hi, I'm Odyssey -- the only original member of the Golden Gate Guardians that hasn't turned traitor.'

Inside the van, McBain is shackled, hands and feet, with an odd belt around his waist. He appears to be sleeping fitfully on a gurney. Two large agents - both without guns, or other obvious weapons - are standing guard.

Glancing at Tyler, Odyssey sees she's not likely to get very many answers from him while he's unconscious. What I wouldn't give to have telepathic powers right now, she thinks.

Turning back toward the PRIMUS agent she says, "Well, I guess he's not really Mr. talkative right now. Thanks anyways. I just wanted to know why, why he did what he did."

"So do we all."

Why don't I ever get the talkative PRIMUS agents, Odyssey thinks to herself. Do they exist?

"Well, thanks for your help," and she turns away, walking back towards Maria Chow.

"Excuse me, Silver Avenger Chow," Odyssey says to the Avenger who is swarmed by agents from every jurisdiction. "If it's OK, I'll be going home. If PRIMUS has any questions, I can be reached there."

"OK," the distracted Avenger says. "Hey, Cassie - give me a call at home tomorrow, and we'll talk about things. Say 'hi' to Tony for me."

"I don't have your home phone number," Cassie replies trying to struggle through the mass of agents, police technical personnel. "I'll call you at work, bye."

Oh this is ridiculous, she thinks, trying to get through the people and then she sees the line of press. "I'm not going through that again," Cassie says, mostly to herself. With that she just disappears in a cloud of golden light.

PBEM Turns