The flowers lay still on the stone marker, but the petals vibrated in the slow breeze that crossed the Hansen cemetery. The grass was lush and green, well kept, and punctuated by flowered bushes at tasteful intervals, dividing the grounds into smaller sections. Roberta's grave was on top of a small hillock that commanded a view of San Francisco Bay, but the morning was misty and the opposite shore was lost to his sight in the gray shroud. Special Agent Shawn Crawford pulled his long coat tighter, but it couldn't shield him from the cold he felt here.
His whole life was a vast hole. Everything he did got sucked down into the void of his longing to hold her again. Nothing he did here mattered. "Dammit, why am I here?" he cursed aloud, and added quietly, "when I only want to be with you." He couldn't seriously consider suicide now, though. In the hours afterward he surely would have tried, had the mist not stolen him away, but now, here, he was very remote from his loss. His separation from the event that caused his sorrow made things both better and worse at the same time. He wished he had been able to attend her funeral... to say he was sorry... or something... What could he have said? "I had to do it?" She knew that. No, it wasn't Roberta's forgiveness he needed - he knew she would have given it in a second - it was his own absolution which was missing, and he knew it would be very difficult to earn.
Gravel crunched under his shoes as he walked across the small parking area to the blue Ford Bronco. He swept his coat out of the way as he stepped up into the truck and slammed the door. On the passesnger's seat was the special edition of the Chronicle. He eyed it hatefully.
A short drive brought him to a scene he was not suprized to see. As he approached the house, the road became clogged with cars and news vehicles parked on both sides of the street. A few dozen men and women - presumably reporters - chatted on the sidewalk, and stood ready with pens and cameras in case anything newsworthy should occur. "Shoot," he steered the truck to weave around the obstacles, piquing the interest of the newspeople, who waited to see if he would stop or drive on. He stopped.
Like a pack of dogs released from the leash on a hunt, the circle converged rapidly, all of them elbowing one another for a spot. He pushed the door outward, physically displacing the swarm, the clicking of shutters snapped a stacatto rhythm and the TV cameramen bumped one another as they walked backwards to keep him in view. Microphones hurtled at his face, poking at him like daggers. "Are you a friend of Odyssey's?" "What's your name?" "Are you a Superhero?" "Did Odyssey tell you she's an alien?" "Is it true that Odyssey knows where Elvis is?"
Shawn raised an eyebrow at the last one, but couldn't pick out the reporter who had said it. He walked up to the door, mob in tow, and knocked three times. The crowd grew silent as they waited for the answer. The door openned just enough for Shawn to see an eye looking through the crack. Cameras clicked, but there wasn't anything to see. The eye looked like Tony's, and Shawn pulled out his credentials and slid them through for him to inspect. After a moment, the door opened up wider, and again the cameras went wild, but Tony stayed behind the door so as to be out of their view, and closed the door behind Shawn as soon as he was inside.
Inside the house, the noise of the reporters cackling voices died down to a low humm. Shawn could still hear muffled questions being thrown at the door, but it was easier to ignore now. Before Shawn stands the hulking figure of Cassie's husband and he doesn't look happy. Actually, if a word could be used to sum up Tony's appearance at the moment it would be protective. Tony speaks first cutting through the awkward silence.
"So, what does the FBI want with us on this bright and sunny day?" Tony asks in a sarcasm-tinged voice.
At that momen Protector's ears pick up the vague sound of popping - like popcorn in the microwave - and then Cassie's voice can be heard.
"Tony you won't believe this. The bug broke down on the freeway and I had to teleport my way home. I think it may have died for the last time," Cassie says.
Coming into the living room she sees Tony and Shawn standing there.
"Pro.... Shawn, what are you doing here?"
"I wondered what was going on with you in light of this new development." He looked at Tony as well. "How are you guys holding up?" Shawn thought her husband looked none too pleased to see him.
"I've been thinking about having the Orco man come by and fumigate for bugs," Cassie says, crossing the hallway and coming over to the two men. "If nothing else the fumes should keep those reporters at least 20 feet back from the house. Besides, I find it entertaining to say that I sprayed for reporters."
"He's ummm..." Cassie's voice drops off and she looks at Shawn, uncertain if she should reveal his secret ID.
Not sure if she meant it the way he heard it, Shawn adds, "You should definitely do that. *Bugs* can be a problem this time of year."
Cassie looks at Shawn and suddenly comprehension dawns in her mind. "I never thought about it that way," she says.
"Excuse me, but will someone please explain what's going on," Tony says,slightly exasperated. "Nothing personal," Tony adds, looking at Shawn, "But who the hell are you?"
"He's ummm..." Cassie's voice drops off and she looks at Shawn, uncertain if she should reveal his secret ID.
Shawn reaches out his hand, "I'm sorry, you probably don't recognize me. We met at the Phantom of the Opera. I was seated in front of you." Tony reached out and shook Shawn's hand, still unsure. "After the show was stopped, Cassie was talking about your old job... doing construction. Do you remember?"
Tony's eyes widen a bit as he takes a hard look at Shawn's face.
"Yes, well, things were a bit strained that evening," Tony says. "First impressions and all. It wasn't the best evening. Perhaps re-introductions are in order."
"I actually work as a contractor here in the Bay and you work at the bureau?" Tony asks as he steers Shawn toward the living room.
"Cassie are you coming?"
Cassie has been busy looking under various potted plants and knicknacks on tables in the hallway. She looks up startled.
"Oh, yes," she says and follows the two into the living room. Reaching the living room she turns on the radio, which was tuned to a Bay Area jazz station. Tony looks a little perplexed at this, but continues on in a conversation with Shawn.
"Well, your work must be interesting," Tony says.
The radio on, Cassie interrupts, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Shawn do you honestly think the house might be bugged?"
Quietly Shawn says, "Sure it could be. Certainly wouldn't be beyond the scope of VIPER to do that, or any one of several groups, public and private, that want to 'keep an eye on' paranormals. Also, with the right equipment, it isn't very difficult to evesdrop from outside either. Any one of the trucks out there could be bouncing a laser off your living room window." He shruggs, "I don't mean to make you nervous, Cassie. I just want you to be aware that the possibility exists. There are a lot of people who will want to know what Odyssey is up to, especially if she continues to be a strong crimefighting presence in the city. The criminals want to know what you're planning, and the tabloids are trying to connect you to Elvis... Its unlikely that you're being spied on now, but in the future it could definitely be a problem."
"Do you hear that you big oaf," Cassie says, kicking her husband's feet. "No more singing *those* songs in the shower."
"I think singing is last thing we should be worried about them overhearing," Tony says.
Cassie turns bright red.
Shawn pauses, thinking for a moment. "Its dangerous to be exposed in the public eye in your line of work. Crimefighters need sponsorship to do their jobs. They need resources, and protection from retribution by the criminals they apprehend. That security is usually provided by the legal threat of further prosecution if the criminal commits an act of violence against a law-officer or his family, but it fails in the case of people who do not fear the law, such as powerful mobsters and druglords, and of course, supervillains.
"The superheroes of this city need sponsorship. Some entity which is willing to step up to the challenge of providing a base of operations, and a sense of legitimacy to their efforts. I think you should write a proposal, maybe make it an editorial in the paper too, and ask the city to recognize a group of paranormals.
"The superheroes would get the resources of legitimate law enforcement behind them; the city would gain a measure of control over something that currently seems like a random element beyond their reach. It could even be sold to the public under the idea of it being a way for the city to control heroes, rather than as an effort to sanction them. In either case, it brings the supers under the auspices of an institution, which lends that credibility and inherent security to the group."
"Would you be willing to put your weight behind an effort like that?"
Before Cassie can respond, Tony pipes in.
"Shawn, I think you're intentions are good, but you are mistaken if you think the city would ever sponsor a superhero group. The liability alone would keep them from it. I've done some building work for the city and I have to sign a contract that states that the city is not liable for anything that happens on my job and then I have to get my own insurance."
"Even if the city politics-wise wanted to support a superhero team - and I doubt they would want to get into that issue right now during elections - it would still open up a whole can of worms as regards to insurance. They city doesn't want to beliable for a lawsuit involving supers. Hell, it doesn't want to be liable for lawsuits resulting from the actions of its own cops. They'd probably force any superhero team to get their own insurance and I don't think anyone could afford those premiums."
"Tony's probably right about the liability issue," Cassie says. "And, there are those in the city I wouldn't want to be held accountable too. There's some bad elements," she says staring out the window.
"But I do agree with you Shawn that we need to change public opinon," Cassie says, bringing her attention back to the conversation. "Perhaps what we need is some sort of PR firm that publicizes all the good we do. It seems like the public has forgotten that we helped PRIMUS catch Thermond and rescue all those people. I read that the Hudson Hawks have a public relations firm that handles all their stuff - appearances, press release, etc."
"But beyond just getting some positive pr, I think our best bet is to capture the people resonsible for that debacle at the museum. If we can give the public the true villains responsible, we might regain their confidence."
"Have you heard of the Art Loss Register? It's an international database of 70,000 stolen pieces of art. It's maintained by a New York non-profit group, but it can be used by law enforcement, curators and art dealers. Anytime a sale is made you are supposed to check with the Register to make sure the piece isn't stolen. I was thinking that maybe with your connections you could contact them and have them run a check and see if any similar thefts have occurred across the nation. If we could establish a pattern to the thefts - particular items that are being stolen - then we could determine who was buying up this artwork and why."
Shawn heaves a long sigh, and a silent curse at the complexities the world has brought on itself in the last 50 years. "There was a time," he thinks, "when people appreciated us."
"Jeez, I hadn't even thought about insurance. Guess I ought to go back to law school for some refresher courses, eh? Man," he says, slapping his fist into his palm, "it didn't used to be this hard." He stands and walks about a bit. "OK, the PR firm sounds like a good idea, but how do the Hawks pay those guys? It can't be cheap. One of them must be pretty well off.
"I'm not sure about the costs, but we could probably look for a firm we could afford," Cassie says.
"I'll get on it and see what I can find out about that."
"But its my turn to throw a bit of cold water on the old hope fires. Finding a VIPER base isn't going to be easy, and once we find it, we might not like what the results are. That mech trashed us flat out, and a rematch isn't going to be any different unless we can come up with something new. We need a lot of practice as a team if we're going to have a chance. Also, of course, theres the matter of hoping they only have the one..."
"Anything else?"
"Have you heard of the Art Loss Register?" Cassie asks. "It's an international database of 70,000 stolen pieces of art. It's maintained by a New York non-profit group, but it can be used by law enforcement, curators and art dealers. Anytime a sale is made you are supposed to check with the Register to make sure the piece isn't stolen. I was thinking that maybe with your connections you could contact them and have them run a check and see if any similar thefts have occurred across the nation. If we could establish a pattern to the thefts - particular items that are being stolen - then we could determine who was buying up this artwork and why."
Shawn raises one eyebrow, "Now aren't you supposed to be a rookie at this? That's a terrific idea. I can get a trace running without stirring up too much fuss I think. But as for the purchasers of the stolen items - they won't be checking the register if the thefts were comissioned specifically for certain pieces. I'm a little short of contacts in the international art purchasing community, though. Do you know anyone who might hear about it if these things were to turn up somewhere?"
"I've talked with my contacts in the art world," Cassie says. "They are discreetly checking on some things and will hopefully be able to dig up some clues as to who has been buying large amounts of art larely and who would have the money to pay VIPER to steal what isn't for sale."
The doorbell rings. "Tony, could you get that. It's probably another reporter." Tony leaves the living room.
Cassie returns to her conversation with Shawn. In the background both can hear Tony answering the door.
"All I'm hoping from the database is possible patterns in stolen art and whether any art that was stolen and fits our pattern has ever been recovered. Right now I'm guessing it will probably be someone in the Pacific Rim. The European art market is pretty depressed with the economy and inflation. But the Asian art investors have been snapping up things left and right. Shawn, you work for the bureau, don't they keep files on those who purchase stolen art. It would probably involve transporting stolen property across state lines, which falls under the FBI's jurisdiction. Maybe those files could point us in the direction of who paid VIPER for the stolen goods. If we find them, maybe we'll be able to get to VIPER."
The front door shuts and a few moments later Tony escorts Dr. Lisa Gardner into the living room.
In a concerned voice he asks, "Cassie did you want to see a doctor? This woman was at the door."
Cassie studies the woman's face, trying to see if she remembers her from somewhere. "I don't remember asking to see anyone....."
Lisa adjusts her glasses, "Hello. I am one of the physicans who is treating Mr. Knightblade." I can't believe Dr. McBain is Knightblade. I never thought I would meet someone else's double life. "I'm sorry about the deception. But, logically, if Odyssey was under the weather, that would give you a tactical advantage. But the real reason is Knightblade was actually concern that you may need my help. According to his medical records, he is bedridden but in stable condition. In my medical opinion, he would have died before reaching the hospital without your assistance."
Lisa pauses to inhale and let her words sink in as she paces around the room with hyperactivity.
Shawn stands as Gardener enters, a bit on the alert, but says nothing, letting Cassie handle it. After all, its her home.
"Is Knightblade going to be released from the hospital anytime soon?" Cassie asks. "I've been meaning to visit him, but between the PRIMUS agents and the protestors, getting to his floor has seemed pretty daunting. I thought perhaps it might be better if I teleported him home then have him take a cab. He might get stoned before reaching the front parking lot."
"You mentioned offering us some help. What kind? Do you mean medical assistance?"
"Knightblade can be moved if it proves neccessary. Perhaps I should have been more illuminating. His records say he should stay in bed, but it is more accurate to say that as long as he avoids superbattles he is basically fine." Lisa paces with so many thoughts and ideas that they swarm around her unable to crystalize as words. She never thought that she would ever find paranormals, if only she knew she could trust them. If only she could trust herself. "Well, I wasn't thinking of medical assistance directly, but that is a side benefit that we shouldn't ignore. Actually, I was thinking that the media and those mechanical menances will probably be searching for shiny heroes in spandex not some paranormal biologist. I can get Knightblade out if it becomes neccessary; though I was thinking of an air lift from some friends if push comes to shove. But I've been racking my brain to figure out some sort of way of getting a bunch of paranormals together and forming some sort of..." Superhero league? Superteam? Paranormal Chain Gang? "tactical unit. I mean that terrorist seem to know exactly how long he could wait before PRIMUS could show up. If we had some information about that armor, Knightblade and I could discover its weakness." Lisa places her hands on her head in attempt to slow the thoughts into words. "I have studied paranormals for ten years, I have learn the basics of their tactics. The most important part, you have to decide what your moral compass allows and never look back." Lisa remembers stalking in the moonlight like a common criminal to get the information she needed to convict a villian who was untouchable by the police. She was amazed that she wasn't labelled "Midnight Star Stalker" by the media, and more amazed that she was only nineteen at the time.
Lisa pauses for a minute, and wonders how to phrase her next words. "I might be able to get some help from someone, but she's kinda flighty and works best when not covered by the media, but I rather think she needs to interect with other paranormals. I have been trying to train her to be a superhero, but it is much easier to learn from example than diagrams." Lisa wondered if all paranormals talk about themselves in the third person or if this was a special neurosis that only she suffered from, everyone else seemed to be quite public and well adjusted. "She calls herself Starlight. Her speciality is flight and a resistance to common damage."
Shawn continues to observe quietly as Gardener speaks, noting the woman's speech pattern and nuiances (sp?). He feels sure she's hiding something - not maliciously, but simply out of fear...
He waits for Cassie to respond.
Lisa notices Shawns observations, re-adjusts her glasses and gets noticable nervous. He would notice an obvious hyperactivity (not outside the realm of normal, but extreme) and a lack of prolong eye-contact typical of shyness or hyperactivity. Her motions would seem to be graceful except there is an unspoken frustration and they seem quite energy wasting. Her speech is broken as her thoughts seem to go faster than her tongue. Although she does seem to pace like a caged animal.
"Please Ms. Gardner - May I call you Lisa? - please sit down and make yourself comfortable," Cassie says. "You too Shawn. All of this pacing around is giving me a crick in the neck worse than when I watched that tennis match between Andre Agassi and Michael Chang."
Cassie looks expectantly at the two. Tony who was standing besides Lisa, turns to her and says, "The loveseat is very comfortable I usually fall asleep there at least once a week."
With that, he heads towards the kitchen. "I'll get something for all of us to drink."
Cassie focuses her attention on Lisa. The woman is fidgety, nervous, tense and just made several slip ups. They are subtle. Cassie probably woudn't have noticed them if she'd met Ms. Gardner anywhere else but in her own home. Here Cassie is very comfortable and that security gives her the chance to examine every word being spoken. Best not to spook her, Cassie thinks.
"Thank you for the information about Knightblade. I think it is necessary to start making plans to move him. Besides being a huge target for VIPER he can be quite a handful when he's tired. I'm sure the nurses would love to have him out of their hair."
"I still think teleporting him out would be the easiest. No one can follow me when I'm teleporting. And I certainly don't have to wear the spandex when I show up at the hospital," She adds with a smile. "Actually, it would be nice to avoid the costume for now, it's a pain to clean and the dry-cleaning bills are enormous."
"Lisa, there are several things you need to know about the attack on the museum. It wasn't chance. Knightblade has been hunted by VIPER before. Lets just say he really pissed them off. The few pictures the media was able to get of that thing were blurry and didn't reveal much. One thing I can say, having healed some of the damage that it did, it was powerful enough to have killed everyone in that room. It may not have an Achille's heel. "
"The thefts that occurred at the same time as the attack, well, they probably were not random. Specific items from a variety of exhibits were stolen. This was not a smash and grab. The entire operation was well-planned and well-executed. Someone very deadly and very skilled is running things at VIPER HQ . I find this interesting because myself and Protector - another Bay area paranormal, I'll introduce you sometime if you're interested - we assisted PRIMUS in the capture of a man who supposedly was involved in San Francisco's VIPER. Apparently the organization was not affected by his capture. Interesting.... "
"There's a lot more going on in San Francisco right now. The problem is we don't know what it is."
"You mentioned a paranormal team. Well, that was a subject that was recently being debated in this very house. I have my reservations about starting a typical team. They are lengthy and I won't go into them right now. Suffice to say that I do believe that the Golden Gate's guardians," she says with a rather wry tone, "should work together to investigate this latest threat from VIPER."
"My question for you Lisa is: Are you a paranormal biologist or a biologist of paranormal physiognomy?" Cassie asks, looking straight into Lisa's eyes. "There is a difference you know. One would be able to hold her own on a paranormal team. The other would do a wonderful job explaining to me why my feet tickle when I teleport."
"Before you answer that question, here is something else to think about. You said, 'You have to decide what your moral compass allows and never look back.' I decided that I couldn't stand by and watch evil being done when I had a chance of stopping it. What have you decided Lisa?"
Lisa forces herself to take a deep breath. "Long ago, I was told the paranormal abilities were evil, a corruption of the soul. As a grew up, I studied paranormals and learned that it wasn't the powers, but who had them that determined whether they were used for good or evil. I decided that paranormal abilities need to be used constructively else they tend to become wild and unpredictible. I also decided that paranormals should have a secret identity so that they can maintain their privacy. If I had paranormal powers, I doubt that I could be strong enough to reveal them to the world. To walk around as the Great Gardner while the media judged my actions against a comic book ideal. I know that it wasn't a choice for you, and I swear that I will do everything in my power to help you in your cause to protect the innocent and so will Starlight in her way. But don't judge my usefulness on whether I can bounce bullets off my chest, VIPER won't be using bullets. And don't ask me if I can fire laser beams from my toes if everyone is wearing Knightblade's armor. And I thought that a clothing change could help you, I would rush to the nearest phone booth, but believe me when I say Starlight is a much better superhero than I could ever be."
Cassie listens to Lisa, wondering what happened in this woman's past that caused her to be so afraid. Someone at sometime pulled an extreme headtrip on her. And I thought my family was terrible, Cassie thinks. At least they just disowned me. I can live with that. Maybe not comfortably, But I can live with it.
"Lisa, thank you for volunteering to help," Cassie earnestly says. "Very few people have really wanted to help us after the museum tragedy."
"But to be brutally honest, I could not in good conscience ask anyone to risk their lives by joining us in this venture. You're right when you say VIPER won't be using bullets. They'll probably be using something nastier than that. I appreciate all the help you've given Knightblade, but I wouldn't want you to endanger yourself further by running around in the dark of night, visiting seedy bars, looking for some clue about where VIPER might be. It's dangerous for a paranormal with tons of powerful armor for you it could be deadly."
"The best thing you could do for all of us, is stay alive and keep working on paranormal biology. If one of us gets injured or ill - you may be the only person who could save us. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I knew that I sent someone with such obvious scientific skills - skills that could save lives - out wandering the city and got you killed."
"And as for Starlight, Please give her my phone number. My same concerns apply to her. I will not ask someone to put their life on the line. That is a choice they have to make themselves. But if she or you ever want to talk - just call me."
Cassie scribbles her phone number on a piece of paper and hands it to Lisa.
Lisa nods and takes the phone number. "Thank you." She places the paper in her pocket. She hands Odyssey her business card, "I think it will be easier for you to call out than if anyone is trying to calling you. As for putting my life on the line, I've had to watch my back ever since I was called 'one of the foremost scientists in paranormal biology'. I'll try to get into contact with Starlight and get your word to her as soon as I can, I think you will need all the help you can get."