[Our scene takes place about two days since Christian aka Shockwave met up with Meri and made arrangements. He's actually just closing up shop in the late evening and making his way for home. After closing up the shop and making his way a few blocks down the road, his phone goes off.] [Those Far Beyond crazyverse session start!] 06* Christian listens to the phone for a bit and scowls, making his way for an area that's less crowded, just in case. He picks it up and answers with a "Yo." He doesn't seem too happy with it though. 06* Sister_Admin is on the other side, and she says, "Christian. You clear?" 06* Christian looks around. "Am now. Within a couple of damned minutes. Couldn't you have waited?" 01 Thought you didn't want me tracking your movements. That's what I get for being courteous. 06* Christian snorts. "I still don't." He frowns and shakes his head. "And if you're contacting me *this* early, I suspect it ain't no courtesy call anyway." 06* Sister_Admin can almost be heard smirking. "When'd I start doing courtesy calls?" Geez. Ya sayin' ya don't like me anymore? I'm hurt. 01 Nah, not what I said at all. But you gotta admit it'd be pretty unusual. Yeah yeah. Cause you're completely usual an' all, right? 06* Christian gets a more serious tone as he replies. "What's up?" 01 Been digging up some info on the girl you dropped in my lap. She's fine, by the way. Got her in an orphanage in the Bronx, at least, on a temporary basis with no questions asked. Best I could do on short notice and better than juvie. 06* Christian sighs. "Yeaaaaah, you don't sound happy. You're wanting me to come in, aren'tcha?" 06* Christian tilts his head and holds the card with his cheek like a phone while shifting his weight. "Ain't like she wasn't exactly dropped in *my* lap either." 06* Sister_Admin is silent, then says, "I was planning on just talking to you over the phone, but yeah. If you meet me here, I can show you some files." 06* Christian snorts. Really? "Alright. Let me get into uniform. I'll be there in 15-20." 01 See you soon, then. 06* Christian nods and turns it off, looking for a moment at it but shaking his head. 01 [Blipzoom! Fifteen minutes later, at base, Sister Admin is preparing for Christian showing up. Well, she is pretty much prepared, and frankly probably more directly interfaced with the computer (being a hologram and all), but it just looks nice and normal and not weird at all when someone sets up a series of files with keystrokes.] 06* Christian shows up, in full regalia. It probably took him longer to get dressed than to actually get there. He steps into the room and glances around. "Just me, eh? We'll need to get a Shockwave signal eventually." 06* Sister_Admin grins slightly. "A little too public for me, but I'll see what I can do." 01 I didn't want to bring the others into this - too many cooks, y'know? Not even Solaris knows yet. 06* Sister_Admin finally turns to Christian and waves for him to come over and take a seat. 06* Christian takes off his shades and raises an eyebrow at that. "Well...guess I can thank you for the subtlety. Though if anyone was gonna be it, it'd be you." He heads on over. "What's this about?" 01 The girl you picked up. Meri? I've been looking into her... figured the least I should do was get her medical records, in case she was allergic to penicillin or something. Turns out she *does* have a fatal allergy, but that's not really here or there. 06* Christian raises an eyebrow, face neutral. "Peanuts?" 06* Sister_Admin says, straightfaced, "Potatoes." 06* Christian looks at her for a moment. "Huh." He looks like he wants to say something else but doesn't. 01 Yeah. So... what do you know about her, anyway? 06* Christian looks at the screen as he responds. "Young kid, lanky. Got into a major fight with her parents, ran away from home." He stands up more readily and stretches. "*Way* too naive for her own good. She's too young to be running from her parents." 06* Sister_Admin looks sideways at Christian. "She's twelve. That it, then?" 06* Christian 's not quite looking at her when she glances his way. "Pretty much." He does turn to glance her way. "Why?" 06* Sister_Admin shrugs. "Just establishing where to start." If she knows Christian's lying, she doesn't give much of an indication. Start what? 06* Sister_Admin reaches over and types a few keys, bringing up what looks like a school picture of Meri and two older people, a man and a woman, who may be her parents. "Her name's Meredith Turner. She the only child of Chad and Evelyn Turner. Until recently," another glance towards Christian, "she lived in Manhattan." 06* Christian snorts. "Figures. That'd explain why she's so fuckin' naive as to be wandering around the back alleys of the Bronx around midnight." Without shoes, I might add. 06* Christian looks at her. "She say anything at the orphanage? I'm sure as hell you ain't *not* been spyin' on her." 06* Sister_Admin smiles slightly. "As far as I know, she's been keeping mostly to herself." 06* Christian nods. "Makes sense. I'd be shaken up if that were me and I were that fuckin' naive." 06* Sister_Admin nods. "The missing shoes would be a side effect of her powers, more likely than not. The FBI has... a division for monitor and control of superpowered individuals." Sister Admin pauses a moment, and she kind of looks like she wants to wash her mouth out, then continues: "Usually they limit their monitoring 'duties' to those of more criminal bent." 01 Still, approximately three weeks ago, there's been an upsurge in superpowered individuals in New York City. Meredith was one of them, and they already have a file on her. 06* Christian snorts. "Wonderful." 06* Christian glances at her. "So you'd rather take her up instead, is that it?" He doesn't actually seem very *surprised* at this info. 06* Sister_Admin types a few more keys, and the file comes up. It has all standard information: name, birthdate, address, etc. Various medical notes. Under powers/abilities, it lists the ability to turn into a giant humanoid bat, sonic screams, claws, and such, but not unusual strength. It also includes notes on her personality and family. 01 It's a thought. She's running for a reason, and I... don't like thinking about what the government might want to do with a preteen girl listed as 'extremely dangerous'. We should take care of our own. 06* Christian doesn't look at the info. He's looking fully on Sis Admin now. "She's fuckin' *twelve*." 06* Sister_Admin looks back at Christian. "So? How old were you when you became extremely dangerous?" 06* Christian folds his arms across his chest and looks at her, not liking the answer. "About her age. What's your fuckin' point?" 01 Didn't make you less dangerous, did it? 06* Christian frowns. "No. But it taught me a lesson. And a lesson I had to learn for my fucking self." 06* Christian gestures vaguely. "I'm sure you were around at that time too. Why didn't you keep tabs on fucking me then, if you're so "good samaritan"?" 06* Sister_Admin snorts a little. "Even if I *did* know about you - and I'm not saying if I did - I don't and can't manage to make things perfect for everybody. Besides, you're the good samaritan in this instance." 06* Christian snorts and turns his head aside. "Yeah. Everyone knows I'm a real fuckin' boy scout, am I right? We done here?" 06* Sister_Admin frowns. "No. You've met her, and you've got a better idea as to what she's probably going through than I do. What do you think we should do? Help her disappear? Send her back to her parents? They're pretty good people, at least on paper." 06* Christian sighs. But it seems more resigned than irritated in this case. "What am I, her babysitter?" 06* Sister_Admin rolls her eyes. 01 No. Her 'babysitter' is the orphanage I landed her in. 06* Christian takes a moment's pause, then finally answers her question for real. "She's scared. She's scared of how her parents are going to react. She's scared of someone putting a hit on them. She wants to go back but she's scared of why and what's gonna happen." She's scared of how they'll feel about what it's like to learn their daughter turns into a *freaking bat* half the time. 06* Christian did say freaking, not fucking. It's the end of the world. 06* Sister_Admin nods. She accesses the computer. "Three weeks ago, two superpowered individuals disguised as policemen accosted the Turner household, in an attempt to kidnap Meredith. Another was on site, and singlehandedly took out everyone in the lobby, though for some reason this doesn't say how. SWAT was called. One dead, multiple injured, blunt trauma and electrical burns being the primary cause of injury." She purses her lips. "Well, she's right to be worried." 01 It looks like the two individuals posing as police are now being held by the FBI. The third is still missing. 06* Christian frowns. "She also...wants to be a superhero." 01 Really? Heh. 06* Christian blows out a breath. "It's not funny." He rubs his head. "Man, I could really use a smoke right now..." 06* Sister_Admin waves. "Go for it. I can't smell it. Just keep it away from the machines. 06* Christian waves his hand. "Not one to do it inside, you know that. Stinks up the place like crazy." 06* Christian sighs. "Look. I got saddled with a kid out on patrol. Kid looked half starved, scared, waiting to be attacked. *Was* being attacked. She hadn't eaten since noon. I got her pizza and we talked. Happy?" 06* Sister_Admin raises an eyebrow at Christian. "What's got you so defensive." 06* Christian sighs again and rubs the back of his neck. "I...kinda trained her, alright? Not seriously. Just to see what she could do." 06* Sister_Admin grins. "So, she think of a codename yet?" 06* Christian snorts. "Hell no. Little bastard wants to be my sidekick. Can you believe that?" 01 You *did* train her. Casually. Yeah? You think I'm gonna hit a kid like that full force? Even if she *is* a giant bat... 06* Sister_Admin rolls her eyes. "Of course not, unless you wanted to try to kill her. Don't change the subject." *What* subject? We've gotten so far off the fuckin' subject, the Emperor of China's asking why we just took a giant subject dump on his front lawn. 01 Hasn't called me yet. Maybe you should call him first. 01 What I'm trying to say, Christian, is she's at least partially your responsibility now. Unless you don't want her to be, but I'm thinking you do. 01 And I'm *trying* to figure out what to do with her, besides leave her up to the system - and we both know how that works out. 06* Christian sighs and rubs his head. "Look. I *don't* want her to be my fucking responsibility. I just don't like to see little, confused kids get hurt, a'ight? Even if it's a spoiled little green rich kid like her." Horus would probably have a fuckin' field day with her. And don't even get me *started* on Jackie. 06* Sister_Admin frowns. "She might be coddled and green, but from these records she sounds like she's still damn tough. You could do worse." 01 Besides, they don't even know. Stop thinking about your fuckin' reputation for one sec, okay? 06* Sister_Admin turns back to the computer. "Nothing wrong with sidekicks, anyhow," she mutters. 06* Christian glares at her. "What the hell do you *want* from me? I got her off the streets, alright? I don't need this crap from you." 06* Sister_Admin whirls on Christian, because that did it, apparently. "Some advice, okay! I don't know what to *do* with her! And I couldn't- I can't be there for her even if I *wanted* to." She puts a hand to her face. "Christ, this is why I don't get *involved* in hard luck cases like this." 06* Christian rubs his face slightly at the outburst. "And you said there's more of them? Jesus Christ..." 01 There are always more of them, Christian. You should fucking well know. You were one. 06* Sister_Admin runs a hand through her hair, then says, "You know, forget it. I'll have the orphanage send her home tomorrow. You're off the hook." 06* Christian frowns. "Sure that's wise?" 01 No, but it'll make you happy, and she'll probably manage. 06* Christian rolls his eyes. "Yeah. Cause you're *real* into making me happy, aren'tcha?" He sighs. "She's gonna fight it tooth and nail, you know. I think she needs at least a couple days to settle down. Maybe some help on the parents front if they really *are* at risk. Course...I ain't the guy to do that..." 06* Sister_Admin holds up her hand. "I can put out some feelers, see how receptive they are to their daughter's mutation." And make sure they're not still at risk at being taken out to get to her? 06* Sister_Admin nods. "Exactly." 01 And it may be best to keep her under the radar regardless. 06* Christian snorts. "Hopefully. May be easier said than done though, given she ain't exactly subtle." 06* Sister_Admin smirks. "Way ahead of you." She turns back to the computer and hits a few more keys, finally showing Christian what she's been working on for the better part of the day. Birth certificates, doctor's notes, school records... an entire fabricated history, but the pictures are certainly Meri. "Merilyn Brooks. She can keep going by Meri; it'll make it more natural." 06* Christian looks at all of the stuff and all of the fake ID. And just ends up staring at it. "Don't take on the 'hard luck cases', huh?" 01 I can get a little carried away. Uh huh. 06* Christian sighs and sits back. "I'll keep my eyes open for if any others show up. But it ain't gonna be easy. We're already having a heckuva time keeping underwraps as is. If we start finding *kids* all over the place..." 06* Sister_Admin shakes her head. "The upsurge in powered individuals has been traced to a laboratory, destroyed in an explosion immediately after. Authorities are still trying to figure out what was going on in there." 06* Christian snorts. "'Authorities' meaning the FBI, right?" 01 And NYPD, yes. 01 Regardless, reports and rumors indicate that Meredith's the youngest among them. Hopefully. It hasn't yet been necessary to call in the team, but I'll keep an eye on it. 06* Christian nods and sighs. "And in the meantime?" 01 In the meantime, I could put Merilyn Brooks in the system. She'll probably transfer to an orphanage better equipped to care for her and start going back to school. 06* Sister_Admin smiles slightly. "I *could* modify documentation slightly and list you as her cousin. You wouldn't have to take legal guardianship, but it would give you an excuse to visit her, if you wanted." 06* Christian looks at her as if she's crazy. "You want me to go to her out of costume? You nuts? You know I'd be fucking terrible at that." 01 What, being yourself? I think she'd like having a friend around. What if she slips and remembers I'm Shockwave and blurts it out? We'll have a whole PR mess on our hands. 01 She's twelve, not two. Besides, if she does, it probably won't be much of a problem. Not that many people know your codename in the first place, and I can exercise damage control. 06* Christian folds his arms. "Plus you get to be amused at the thought of me going out to visit a twelve-year-old girl out of the kindness of my heart." 06* Sister_Admin holds her hands up in surrender. "You got me." She grins. "So?" 06* Christian sighs. "Fine. What's my cousin name then? I'm sure you've already got *that* too." 01 I don't, actually. Any ideas? 06* Christian rubs his forehead and pauses for a moment, before blurting out. "Ash." 06* Sister_Admin grins and turns back to the computer. "Last name? You want Brooks or...?" Brooks works. It'll keep it simple. Plus she'll know Brooks is a fake last name, so if I've got the same one, she'll know it's someone on her side. 06* Sister_Admin nods, and she starts making adjustments, moving faster than she probably should be able to. 06* Sister_Admin presses enter, and a script gets to work. "There. In five minutes, Merilyn and Ash Brooks will be in the system." 01 Do you want to tell her, or should I? You should. It'd keep her from being surprised. 06* Christian smirks. "Plus it means I'm not doing all the leg work for your hard luck case." 06* Sister_Admin smirks back. "You started it." 01 But sure, I'll contact her. Yeah. Some superhero I'd be leaving her on the streets, yeah? 06* Christian frowns. "I'd be American Dream..." 06* Sister_Admin shakes her head. "You're better than that, yeah. Besides, we really should take care of our own." 06* Christian snorts. "Yeah. Question." Why not just rat me out in the first place? Why all this build up? 06* Sister_Admin raises an eyebrow. "Rat you out?" Tell Solaris and the gang. 01 Why would I? It's your business, and you decided to bring me in. Far as I can tell, this girl isn't posing a large enough threat to get Solaris and the others involved. 06* Christian starts to say something. But just ends up nodding. "Thanks." 06* Sister_Admin smiles a little. "Any time. I'll keep you updated... and your secret's safe with me." 06* Christian pauses for a moment. "I'll...probably tell Horus down the line. No one else needs to know. But you might wanna let people know to keep their eyes out for other supers on patrol or something. It'd be hell if we got blind sided by a rush of these people and didn't know how to handle it." 01 I'll get the word out. Far as I can tell, general power level's considerably lower than the squad's, but certainly high enough to mess with normals... and an unusual ability can be pretty dangerous just the same. Yeah. Girl couldn't take me if I was serious and ready, but she could probably get me on a sneak attack given half the chance. Plus there's always the falling angle. 06* Sister_Admin nods. "And who's to say what will happen once they hone their abilities after a few years?" 06* Christian grins. "Well we'll just have to not get rusty ourselves, won't we?" 06* Sister_Admin laughs. "Yeah, that's the size of it." 01 Anyway, that's a problem for another time. Thanks for coming down. 06* Christian nods. "Yeah." He stands up. "Thanks for keeping me in the loop." 01 Sure. Call me if you need me. 06* Christian makes his way to head on out of the base! [Session end!]