The hero named Hang Time stands in the 'debarking' room in the Talos Tram, behind a small folding table on which several unlabeled cups of soda have been arranged. A short, curious line of onlookers has formed up -- some to participate in the Crey Cola Taste Test, and some to get autographs. Hang Time:
Thank you for taking our Crey Cola taste test. Please accept this complimentary coupon for a free nine-pack!
He is dressed in the dark blue and yellow most commonly associated with the Paragon Protectors, a group of metahumans most commonly associated with Crey Industries, but the civilians don't care: they smile shyly, they offer up glossy photographs for signing... some have print copies of the aborted "Incomparable Hang Time" webcomic (still available through Cafepress), and some just want a picture. Hang Time:
Thank you for taking our Crey Cola taste test. Please accept this complimentary coupon for a free nine-pack!
There is a targeting reticule fastened (Bolted? It looks bolted. That's odd...?) over his right eye, a red LED blinking at its edge, and he does not give onlookers his well-known lopsided grin, but the public appearance is a definite success.
The taste test is done, and with it, Hang Time's public appearance. He pulls out a small digital PDA stamped with the Crey logo, checks it, sighs quietly through his nose, and flies away from the tram with one final wave to the crowd. Hang Time:
Thank you for taking our Crey Cola taste test. Please accept this complimentary coupon for a free nine-pack!
With that, he flies off. _____________________________
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Leroy Jones: uhh why is Hang Time advertisin' Crey Cola in Talos?
[Coalition] (Storm Knights Local 23) Malcalypse: SAY WHAT?
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Kinetica: Repeat that again Leroy?
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Illusion Dancer: JASON IS IN TALOS?
[Coalition] (Storm Knights Local 23) Noelle Frost: Huh?
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Dark Scorpia: What?
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Leroy Jones: Hang Time... he just flew over me advertisin Crey Cola
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Illusion Dancer: keep him there Leroy
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Dark Scorpia: *dead calm* Where are you?
[Coalition] (Allies of the Alliance) Allegro: Crey is suckering more heroes in to doing their advertising again?
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Kinetica: And a bunch of us have been pounding Crey constantly for the last several hours looking for him..
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Leroy Jones: I dont know where he went
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Dark Scorpia: Leroy, where are you?
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Leroy Jones: on top of the Talos train
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Leroy Jones: Jen Sparrow is here
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Dark Scorpia: *without inflection, but insistent* Stay right there.
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Leroy Jones: no lookin then?
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Dark Scorpia: Stay
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Dark Scorpia: There
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Shock.Therapy: JASON! I see him!
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Shock.Therapy: He's in founders....He just went right past me.
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Jennifer Sparow: -Wait-, Sabrina-- -where- are you going?
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Leroy Jones: where did everyone go?
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Shock.Therapy: By the hospital, Jen. Next to Janet Kellum. We found him.
_____________________________
Noelle Frost approaches the open courtyard where her friend is standing, his back to her. Kid Galahad at her side (as he always is, these days). "Jason?"
Hang Time:
*speaking to Miss Kellum* "... so you see, it's quite impossible for me to continue our professional relations... I'm very..." He glances over his shoulder at Noelle, Kid... and the half-dozen or so other heroes that are flying in above him. He spreads his arms slightly and lifts away from the ground. "Oh. Hello everyone."
Dark Scorpia:
Jason? What the hell?
Hang Time:
Hello, Scorpia. And it's good to see everyone. *He smiles. Slightly.*
Illusion Dancer:
Hello Jason
Noelle Frost:
Jay?
Kid Galahad:
Easy now, son....
Hang Time:
Hello... Noelle. Good to see you. Kid.... and Kinetica... behind me. Hello.
Kinetica:
Hey there Jason... Where the hell have you been?
Dark Scorpia flies up to him -- reaches out to grab him by the shoulders, shaking her head, tears already shining in her eyes. "JASON!"
Hang Time glides back through the air, just out of of Dark Scorpia's reach. "Now now..." He reaches around to the belt holster at the base of his spine and pulls out a sleek black Crey Autopistol.
Kid Galahad:
Hey now. Chilly....stay back.
Noelle Frost:
Jay...
Hang Time makes a gesture, nowhere in particular, with the pistol. "The nanites in my body are property of Crey Corporation. I must ask you not to assault me."
Dark Scorpia blinks. "Prop-- No, you're *my* fiancee... Jason Marks. If you belong to anybody, you belong to me."
Hang Time nods. "That is my civilian identity, yes, but as I am on duty..." He shrugs, apparently apologetically.
Noelle Frost:
Jay, come down and talk to us.
Kid Galahad:
Easy now, man....no one's gonna hurt ya
Noelle Frost grabs Kid's hand. Kid Galahad gives hers a slight squeeze...
Kinetica:
Uh.. Excuse me? On duty? What are you talking about? And when did you start dressing like a fashion victim?
Hang Time:
I am unharmed everyone. There is no need to worry. I'm currently working through the city as a sanctioned hero. "Caping" as some like to say. In other words, I'm on duty. And my other costume was damaged. The Crey team allowed me to borrow some of their equipment. They're *very* generous.
Dark Scorpia pulls her mask off and floats forward to grab him by the shoulders again, "Damnit! JASON, stop!"
Hang Time
Now now... let's not get... physical.
Dark Scorpia's lower lip trembles, her hands tightening on his shoulders, not willing to let him go, her voice finally cracking with emotion, "Baby....baby, what did they do to you?"
Hang Time:
It would untoward for the heroes of the city to come to blows anywhere but the Arena, after all. Bad for morale.
Hang Time lays EVER so slight an emphasis on 'arena'.
Noelle Frost:
We're not trying to come to blows, Jason, just talk.
Kid Galahad cracks his knuckles. "Up to you, partner..."
Hang Time:
What's that, Kid?
Kid Galahad:
Don't think Ah stuttered.
Noelle Frost squeezes Kid's hand. "Shush."
Dark Scorpia:
NO! You're not going anywhere.
Hang Time, holds up a placating hand, holstering his pistol. "No, no... it's alright. We'll ALL go. That would be BEST."
Dark Scorpia:
NO. Shut up, Elvis!
Kid Galahad glances up at Scorp.
Dark Scorpia shakes her head, tears slipping down her cheeks, her eyes never leaving the one of Jason's that she can see. "Please, baby."
Hang Time:
I confess, it's very much something I'd like to do... *to Scorpia* "In fact, I Can't. Fly. Fast. Enough."
Leroy Jones:
Yer call Scorp.
Dark Scorpia blinks.
Hang Time:
Shall we?
Dark Scorpia sighs, stepping back, nodding once. "Fine...the arena then."
Hang Time:
Then it's settled. Excellent.
____________________
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Dark Scorpia: No one touches him without my say so
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Dark Scorpia: Seriously...no one touches him.
[Coalition] (Allies of the Alliance) Reese Riley: Are you going to beat up Jason?
[Coalition] (Storm Knights Local 23) Noelle Frost: No
_____________________________
Noelle Frost wraps her arms around herself, glancing around at the sterile, clean antechamber of the Arena while Hang Time punches up a suitable set of parameters. Kid Galahad puts his arm around Noelle's shoulders
Hang Time:
Alright, is this everyone?
Dark Scorpia coolly, "Let's get this over with"
____________________
The arena setting is a mock up of Atlas Park, absent only the teeming activity -- it is, in fact, eerie in its silence; alien-seeming without any people. The group of heroes congregate, cautiously, on the top of the Atlas statue, eyeing Hang Time. He holds up a hand, watching Dark Scorpia approach, indicating everyone should wait, but keeping the gesture low, down at his waist, out of his own line of sight.
Dark Scorpia flies up and, without preample, punches Hang Time in the face. Twice.
Hang Time winces.
Dark Scorpia moves to hugs Jason immediately after hitting him.
Hang Time backs away... shaking his head and pointing at his eyepiece, where the LED still blinks.
Hang Time activates his forcefield ...
and Jason's eyepiece led goes out.
Kid Galahad:
Awright man.........
Jason:
Jesus! Baby! Come here!
Jason grabs Sabrina, who jumps into his arms, choking back a sob.
Sabrina:
You scared the shit out of me
Jason:
*half laughs* Really? Cuz all this was fun for me.
Kid Galahad: *smirks*
Noelle Frost:
Jason?
Jason:
*Over Sabrina's shoulder* And shit... damn... don't even scare me like that, Kid... I thought you were gonna kill me... and Kin hovering behind me... damn.
Sabrina hugs him tighter, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Kid Galahad laughs.
Kinetica:
Geez... I wouldn't have killed you... Bounced you off a statue or two and into the water maybe...
Noelle Frost:
Yeah, well, ice cubes down that spandex would have been very uncomfortable
Kid Galahad *grins*.
Malcalypse:
Good. All's well that ends.
Leroy Jones look completely confused. "What? Wait... everything is ok now?"
Jason:
No. Okay... we've got like 23 minutes before this arena match drops and my comms come back on.
Sabrina:
What happened?
Jason:
Crey got me... put this goddamn thing on me. *motions at his eyepiece* Got my ... whatever... nanites dancing to the frequency... hurts like hell.
Kid Galahad slides his hand into Noelle's.
Noelle Frost looks up at Kid as she squeezes, listening to Jason.
Kid Galahad gives her a wink......listening as well.
Jason:
When I put up the shield, baby... it stops... The signal, all of it. Cuz it's you, not me. They REALLY don't like that.
Jason manages a smile.
Sabrina doesn't let go, but pulls back enough to look up into his face, not quite managing a smile back.
Sabrina:
So we fix this.
Sabrina:
Somehow.
Noelle Frost:
Any ideas?
Malcalypse:
The only idea I have is... if we can't think of another. I'll need some time. *Malcalypse ponders, looking off into the distance.*
Jason shakes his head. "Can't fix it, anyway. Not yet."
Sabrina:
Why not? What do we need?
Jason:
I gotta leave this going for a bit... they're... the Crey... they're talking around me... saying sh-- stuff they never would around anyone who's not... *He makes a face.* ... docile.
Sabrina shakes her head vehemently. "No."
Kid Galahad:
Scorp, listen to the man, darlin'.
Jason:
They're talking about this thing in another dimention. Something big. Huge. Very bad.
Illusion Dancer:
And why aren't they making you wear the helmet?
Kinetica:
Because he's known, he's relatively popular, and they got him under their thumb right now.
Jason:
"They want me as a spokeperson, Aurore... can't do that with my face covered. I'm PR." He takes breath. "Thank you for taking our Crey Cola taste test! Please accept this complimentary coupon for a free nine-pack!" Jason makes a face and looks like he wants to crawl off and puke.*
Sabrina continues to shake her head. "Baby, we've got to get you out of this."
Noelle Frost:
Why you? Why'd they pick you?
Jason:
I wasn't lying before... the nanites... the crap that got spilled on me back when I got my powers... it was their project... I survived it where their lab rats didn't. They want it back... functional. In me. They want that working for them.
Sabrina:
Well, they can't have you
Kid Galahad nods.
Shock.Therapy:
Jason I am *sure* I can overload the circuits on that eyepiece thing.
Jason manages a weak grin. "Umm... Shock... it's wired into my brain. Please don't."
Kid Galahad:
Oh...
Noelle Frost:
There goes my idea of freezing it.
Malcalypse raises his hand then lowers it again.
Jason:
Getting it off... we have to wait on.
Noelle Frost:
... don't like waiting...
Jason:
I'm not a fan either, but we need to... and I'm hoping Mal's having a eureka moment over there, right now, anyway.
Shock.Therapy:
It's Mal, of course he is.
Kinetica:
I have an idea too, it is a rather ironic one, but I'll want to talk with Mal about it first to see what he has in mind.
Malcalypse:
Step into my office, Erin.
Sabrina:
I don't like this
Jason:
I don't either, but they need me, and I can ... *we* can fuck them. Royal.
Jennifer Sparow:
-That- I like the -sound- of.
Jason:
I just need a couple days and disguise, eventually... and we're going to do it.
Kid Galahad:
*shrugs* Just tell me who ya need me ta hit.....*winks*
Shock.Therapy:
Can I look at it?
Jason:
*nods at shock*
Shock.Therapy:
*places her hand on the eyepiece*
Shock.Therapy has to pull her hand back to resist the tempation to fry the thing anyway.
Sabrina:
Nora?
Shock.Therapy:
It's not magical. Didn't figure it would be, but it's definitely not.
Jason relaxes once the lady with the 100,000 Ohm Reading steps back.
Noelle Frost:
Jason, what can we do in the meantime? I mean, the Countess has a warrant out on me -- is she going to send you after us?
Kid Galahad glances at Noelle.
Jason:
No. They want me speaking for the Crey, but playing ball with Alliance. PR.
Noelle Frost looks relived.
Sabrina:
Where are you going to be?
Jason:
I'm going to be playing the good dog.
Sabrina obviously hates this idea.
Jason:
And this isn't going to drag out. I want this DAMN thing done as soon as I can.
Jennifer Sparow:
-Please- tell me there's a part to this plan where I get to play -bad- dog.
Kid Galahad laughs.
Jason:
I sincerely hope so, Miss Sparrow. Really.
Jennifer Sparow:
Because, right -now-, I'd like nothing -better- than to fly -straight- to Crey -Headquarters and -smash- the wholed damn -place- in!
Sabrina:
You and me both, Jen
Jennifer Sparow seethes, visibly.
Illusion Dancer:
Can we make it easier to block the signal off the thing?
Jason:
Mal. Get a reading my or Sabrina's shield.
Jason:
When I activate it, it damps out their circuitry. I need something that does that to... wear, or something.
Jason:
Cuz they HATE when I open up the connection and do it myself.
Sabrina:
I'll help you however you need, Mal
Malcalypse taps his goggles. "Okay, Hit it."
Jason and Sabrina activate their forcefields.
Illusion Dancer:
Why not get readings on as many sheild fields as you can find?
Jason:
These two... they're the same, Aurore... My shield IS Sabrina's.
Illusion Dancer:
Ah
Malcalypse:
Hmm? Explain.
Jason:
That... is so complicated it's hard to explain and we don't even have time. My baby will have to.
Malcalypse peers through his goggles, and begins to chant something under his breath. He fades from view, only to reappear on the other side of Sabrina and Jason, vanishes again to appear across from them again, but at an angle... then again, at another angle...
Noelle Frost:
Mal? What are you doing?
Jason:
Pentagram. *shrugs* I'm guessing... but he did it when he was doing Hangbot's setup.
Malcalypse continues to chant, but lowers his goggles and winks.
Malcalypse:
There is also a link to the Bot from both of you. We can use that.
While Mal studies their power readings, Sabrina looks up and slips her fingers through Jason's hair just behind his ear.
Jason closes his eyes, tipping his head into her hand. "Missed that."
Sabrina:
I don't want you so far away from me
"Soon... so very soon you'll have to make up a new word for how little time passed... I'll be back." He strokes Sabrina's hair. "Promise. Word to god."
Sabrina:
Holding you to it
Jason:
Better.
Jason winces an his lens LED flickers for a second. "'re tryin' to find me."
Noelle Frost:
Jase -- be careful....
Sabrina bites her lower lip, obviously trying to retain control. "You promised."
Jason:
I promised. I promise. I Swear.
Sabrina floats up and kisses him.
Malcalypse:
Okay. That's the best we... I can do for the moment.
Jason:
Right. Thanks Mal. Thank you. Seriously.
Malcalypse:
Worst case, we can use that link to you. The Crey can't. *Trust* me on that.
Jason:
Cool, and see if there's a way to talk to me through Sabrina.
Sabrina's eyes widen. "That is... a damned good idea..."
Malcalypse:
Law of Contagion. Once together, always together. Of course we can.
Noelle Frost:
Uh, Mal... gotta ask you about that sometime
Kid Galahad glances down at Noelle.
Malcalypse:
We might be able to buy you some time, or send some strength. It may be enough to make a difference.
Jason:
Either through the shield link or through Hangbot or something... you said it's got both our Power signatures... maybe.
Sabrina:
I've got something better I think
Sabrina:
For talking to you, I mean...
Jason:
J-- Miss Sparrow. I need you to get a team together. Sabrina. Ted. A solid team. Whoever. Just good.
Jennifer Sparow smiles, reassuringly. "You can call me -Jen-, Jason. What do you need me to do? Anything: I'll -do- it."
Jason:
Just get a team together.
Jennifer Sparow nods. "I assume I'll be waiting for a -signal-, of some sort?"
Jason:
Something like "Let's go rip these bastards in half..." but that might be too subtle.
Kinetica:
The peaches are ripe? The eagle has landed?
Jason:
But yeah, there will be a signal. Soon I think. There's an ROI meeting tonight.
Noelle Frost:
ROI? Robots on Ice?
Malcalypse:
Return on Investment?
Jason sighs. "Return On Invest-- yeah."
Malcalypse:
ROI is big stuff.
Jason:
And this one is about this thing they have going on.
Jen's eyes narrow. " What -kind- of thing?"
Jason:
Interdimensional exploitation... slaves... resources... all kinds of nasty nasty crap.
Jason:
Where they get their money, I think... a lot of it.
Malcalypse:
We're Knights, or two of us are. Our job is protect from dimensional problems. In and out.
Jennifer Sparow:
And I -work- for Portal Corp--I'll get you your team, Jason, and I'll get all the supplies we need.
Sabrina:
I really hate this
Jason:
Then we are utterly at one with each other, baby.
Sabrina:
We always have been
Jason nods.
Sabrina half-smiles.
Jason hugs Sabrina, so tight the air goes out of him.
Noelle Frost:
... yeah
Kid Galahad gives Noelle's hand a gentle squeeze.
Jason:
Okay. Everyone in close, please. We're running out of time.
Jason:
Thank you. You're good friends. The best. Thank you. Don't talk about this, or I'm dead as disco. Yeah?
Kid Galahad nods.
Noelle Frost:
Got it
Malcalypse:
Sealed
Kid Galahad:
Gotcha, man
Kinetica:
Gotcha.
Jennifer Sparow:
It won't be known to any other but Emma.
Jason:
Whoever you trust, I do. Just keep it small. Now... Give me two minutes with my girl.
Shock.Therapy:
You got it.
Noelle Frost:
Take care
Shock.Therapy:
Be safe Jason.
Everyone else hits their Arena Counters and fades from view, teleported to the entry hall.
Jason looks down at Sabrina.
Sabrina doesn't let go.
Jason:
I love you.
Sabrina:
I love you
Jason:
I will always, always love you.
Sabrina:
No chance to talk you out of it?
Jason:
This has to happen. I want to rip them to pieces for this.
Sabrina:
So do I actually
Jason:
"Oh... in my heart... in my mind..." *He touches her hair.* "Hey, you changed your suit."
Sabrina:
Baby, I thought....
Jason:
Shhhh...
Sabrina:
Swear to me again.
Jason:
I swear. Forever. I'm safe. You're safe. Mine. Yours. Ours.
The buzzer sounds on the end of the Arena match.
**ARENA: ALL COMBATANTS ARE NOW LEAVING THE FIELD. WELL FOUGHT, HEROES!**
Jason: I love you.
______________________________________________________________
[Coalition] Hang Time: Well, that was a very interesting fight. Thank you! I have to be off now.
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Dark Scorpia: *sounding absolutely disgusted* I'm going home. I haven't slept.
[Coalition] (Storm Knights Local 23) Noelle Frost: Home too. G'night
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Hang Time: A pleasure meeting with all my Coalition Allies.
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Kinetica: Good night Noelle, Sabrina.
[Coalition] (Allies of the Alliance) Reese Riley: Who fought what?
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Jennifer Sparow: *playing at competitiveness* You'll not beat me -next- time, Jason.
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Hang Time: *empty chuckle* Probably not, Miss Sparrow.
[Coalition] (Freedom Phalanx) Hang Time: Until we meet again. I look forward to it. Back to the salt mines...
