The pillar to Heaven built in Hell

Cebra was in traffic looking around at the different cars seeing inside, he felt it was like a small view into the average persons life. He'd sometimes slip into a semi daydream state inserting himself into someones life, imagining what it would be like to go about a normal life. The thoughts would start to sink after a while becoming depressing. He'd wonder if he was capable of making children, if he could work a normal nine to five job, if Orion would be destroyed so he could live normally. The biggest fear in his life next to being taken back by Orion was being alone for his possible eternal life. He'd never let on to anyone how he felt, he couldn't stand to be perceived as weak or pitiful. The sudden honking of a horn drew Cebra out of his downward spiral of thought and he began moving getting his focus back on the mission.

The Data compiler complex was pretty well guarded, though you think there would be more security. The facility was in an upscale area, all around were office buildings and high end shops. The crowds were quite heavy today so Cebra was happy to do this task alone, stealth being one of his best attributes. The facility itself was fenced off all around, a circular structure resided in the center leading underground. There were guards scattered all about though they seemed somewhat lackluster, perhaps rookies or just didn't care. Cebra crept in a back alley then climbed up some stairs to get a better view of the facility and it's security. He peers through the binoculars watching the guards movements.

"Huh... Well they certainly are not expecting any security breaches, this'll be easy... I hope."

Sam stared at the key in her hand for a moment. What sort of a person booby-traps his own place? A shiver ran down her spine when she realised how dangerous the situation she was in must be if Cebra felt it necessary to protect his home with such draconian measurements. And these were the guys they’d go up against? It was almost too crazy for words. Still, Cebra must have trusted them enough to give them a key. Something that couldn’t be easy giving the life he lived. One thing was sure, though, she wasn’t going to let either of them out of her sight for a long as this operation lasted. Who wanted to get to them, would have to go through her first!

“Right,” she started as she turned away from the key, “we better get moving too.”

She made her way to the door when she realised she was still wearing her costume. If she went out like that, there wouldn’t be much secret about Cebra’s place any-more. Or he’d have to try and convince his neighbours she was some kind of dedicated cosplayer or something like that. She shook her head, waving that silly thought aside. There was no way they’d get away with something like that. Better get changed first.

She pulled her civilian clothes from a compressed compartment in her cape. She put a green shirt, brown pants and white sneakers on. To finish she slipped into a grey jacket with a hood. It was creased a bit, she should have been more careful when putting it in. Not much she could do about it now, apart from asking Cebra to make her an iron. No, he’d just do something similar like how he made that phone. Nothing she wanted to see a second time.

“Finished,” Sam said when she straightened her jacket in a failed attempt to tidy it up a bit. “Let’s go.”

332 *2 = 664

Cebra melted off a small piece of metal with saxon energy, the metal began to shape itself into a thumb size spider like design. When it was finished molding it turned into a tiny eight legged drone with a camera on it's front. Cebra molded another device from the metal. This time the metal sprung out towards the garbage bin absorbing some glass and other material. It formed into a small phone like device with a screen, the screen displayed what the tiny spider drone was seeing. Cebra sent the drone towards the facility.

The drone slipped passed the guards easily enough avoiding being stomped. Some guards dogs however were aware of the approach in the form of barking, not that it worried Cebra. He waited until the sliding doors opened to slip the tiny spy drone inside and begin observing the security detail inside. The inside was much different from the lax security outside. Camera systems were numerous in every hallway as well as guard patrols. Things might get a little hairy if Cebra isn't careful.

The hallways inside the facility as well as most of the rooms were large in design, not something one would expect from the tiny structure at the surface. Cebra began the process of mapping out the rooms, contents of the rooms and guard patrols. Thankfully such a tiny innocuous device with low energy output didn't set off any alarm. He identified key spots to place the motion sensors when he entered so he'd know if anyone was approaching. It was imperative Cebra not be disturbed or found out while stealing the data he needed.

oh yeah time to go Jeannie amused as Sammie got her clothes from her cape neat!
cape pocket!

“I’ve got to keep my clothes somewhere,” Sam explained Jeannie. “I couldn’t just leave my clothes behind each time I changed into costume. Collecting them afterwards was such a pain. Expensive too, if I couldn’t find them back.”

She looked at the address and instructions Cebra had given them earlier. They were very details, with these instructions even someone visiting the neighbourhood for the first time should have no trouble getting there. Even the distance and supposed travelling time were, for some reason included. Of course, the estimated time was based upon normal means of transport. Flying there would only take them a fraction of the time.

When they walked out, Sam made sure to lock the door behind them as Cebra had asked them too. She let the key slide in her pocket as they left the building, reasoning it might be for the best if she held on to it. Not that she didn’t trust Jeannie, she just felt more at ease if she know Jeannie wasn’t the one holding their only way back in.

“There,” Sam said when they reached the street, pointing at a nearby alley. “I can safely take up there without being spotted.” This behaviour felt somehow strange, at home she didn’t have to worry about anyone seeing her using her powers while out of costume. Not any-more anyway. Here any public display of her powers might tip this Orion group about Cebra’s hideout. Something she wanted to avoid at all costs.

Once they were out of sight, Sam flew them to their destination. The trip didn’t take them more than a few minutes, and she hadn’t even given her all she had. ‘So much for those estimated travelling times,’ she thought with a grin as she put them down somewhere out of sight.

309 * 2 = 618

Cebra had mapped out the entire facility after some time, he even extracted the drone itself without any trouble. He sat in the alley way looking over the recorded footage and map made. He wanted to make sure there wouldn't be any sort of trap or security measure he couldn't deal with. Truth was he didn't want to get Jeannie into something too bad, she was capable in a fight but often loss focus. In a operation like this keeping sharp and wary would mean staying alive. But he'd be lying if he said Sam's words were not a bit intimidating, he had no intention of upsetting the super powered woman. To most other people the daunting task ahead would be a crushing weight, Cebra was different though. Even his psychology had been manufactured by Orion, programmed to have a mind of steel unbreaking before any danger. The problem would only come afterwards when he had to live with the fallout. Cebra sat there and let out a deep sigh going over every step in his mind... A falling piece of brick grabs Cebra's attention fast.

From above in a blur of Silver some figure dives at Cebra striking down with a katana. Cebra narrowly manages to jump out of the way falling the rest of the way down the stairs and hitting the ground with a hard thud. The mild pain did nothing to slow Cebra down as his instant reaction was to jump to his feet, lucky he did as that silver blr struck again almost matching Cebra's speed. Some other person might be stunned at the brash quick assassination attempt but Cebra's programming and training gave him hair trigger reactions. Cebra ducked and dodged the assailant giving them a hard side kick into the wall. Just enough time to get a good look. A male in grey cybernetic armor, a type Cebra was unfamiliar with. He wielded a katana with an edge charged with EM energy.

"So who are you to go picking fights in a dark alley? Is Orion really that aware of where I am?" The man shows no signs of response, his face hidden behind his helm. He let's out one word.

"Monster..."

Cebra stops for a moment stunned thinking of that word, his mind flashing back a quick second to his past. He's immediately brought out of it by the assassins attack, Cebra's face gets cut bad as he falls back and yells. The effect of the EM drains a bit of energy.

"You little prick, I'm gonna enjoy doing this to you."

Cebra grabs a ladder melting it down and quickly shaping a spear and sword as dense as he can make it to contend with the advanced katana. The two clash crossing blades and staring each other down.

huh yeah that could be a pain Jeannie was disappointed when the ride wanted to fly more will they would fly back. riight now Mr. cyborg said to give the guy this ticket and he'll give us Mr. cyborgs gizmo he wants

Sam nodded. “Should be down that alley,” she said, pointing at an uninvitingly looking alley across the street. Cebra hadn’t been exaggerating when he had told them the neighbourhood was a bit sketchy. It looked like the kind of place no decent person wanted to have to go though at night. Not any other time of the day, for that matter. Even the very air around here seemed to function as a warning to keep people away, a mixture of rotten eggs and something that smelled an awful lot like urine. Not exactly her kind of neighbourhood. All things considered it seemed a good idea to accompany. God knew what sorts of trouble she could get herself into in a place like this.

She put her hood on. The last thing she wanted was to be recognized by anyone, even if the odds of that happening were negligible. At any rate people obstructing parts of the face would likely be common practice around here.

“Right,” Sam began as she crossed the street, “let’s find this guy we’re looking for as fast as possible and get out of here before that stench gets into our clothes.”

198 *2 = 396

good idea it pretty smells here Jeannie looks around for the place they need to get she did want to stay in this stinky place any longer then she had to, Mr. cyborg should have given them gas mask or something hey think we're going to see like a piggy man or a rat maybe you'd have to be a piggy to be in such a messy place and happy, little piggies are so cute when they play in the mud

“I certainly hope not,” Sam replied, rats gave her the shiver. A silly fear perhaps, but she couldn’t help it. Just the sight of those big, grey rodents with their disgustingly bald tail was enough to make her take a different path.

When in the alley, she looked around. Cebra had instructed them to exchange his ticket with a guy at the counter. So, there were looking for a shop of something late that. Only none of the buildings around here looked like they housed a shop. There weren’t any numbers to go by either. Apparently, the people living here believed there were above such things. Or they didn’t want to be found.

The alley was empty too. Empty as in, not a living soul apart from the two of them. A big metal dumpster occupied the end of the alley and one side was littered with big carton boxes. If the boxes hadn’t been so dirty and smelly, they could have been the fortress from a children’s game. Behind the boxes ended the escape ladder of one of the many blocks of apartments that were dominating the neighbourhood. Higher levels of the ladder were used as an improvised clothes line.

Finding someone to ask for directions wasn’t going to be easy. Out of her element Sam kept turning around as if the solution was suddenly going to present itself to them. The only thing she accomplished by this was accidentally knocking over a pile of boxes. She could have sworn she had heard a small creature running away when the boxes came crashing down. Disguised the stepped away from them.

“Did Cebra give you any other clue on how to find this contact of his?” Sam asked Jeannie. While she spoke, she waved her hand in front of her nose in a vain attempt to make the bad smell in this place go away.

321 * 2 = 642

huh will he wrote the address down but didn't mention what the person looked like, huh I know maybe if I wave the ticket around it signal the person to come to us? or it opens up a secret passage when the light hits it like in the hobbit she waves the ticket around to see if anything happens.

Cebra stood across from the assassin at opposite ends of an alley, both the fighters were injured. Cebra's face and chest were badly gashed though the nanobots had already begun healing him. The assassins armor was dented and pierced in some places, he breathed heavily grunting every once in a while holding his shoulder. The assassin looked poised to strike again raising his sword, Cebra stood ready with spear and sword ready. But before the assassin struck he stood looking behind Cebra distracted, Cebra took a quick glance behind him. It seems a young woman took notice of the battle and had been recording it on her phone. The assassin promptly jumped up from wall to wall reaching the roof and looked back down at Cebra. Though Cebra couldn't see his face he knew behind the helm was a glare, a glare that said he'd be back. He sped off across the roof tops heading eastward, Cebra paused a moment thinking on the identity of the assailant. After a moment he took a piece of metal molding it into a crude mask for his face. He turned to the woman and approached her.

The young woman realized Cebra was coming at her and in a panic turned to run out of the alley. Cebra grabbed the railing above turning it to liquid, he then threw the liquid metal blob at her feet. It solidified in an instant holding the woman in place as Cebra walked up to her rather annoyed. The woman tried to scream but Cebra held his hand to her mouth.

"Shut your bloody mouth before I remove your vocal cords geez, if I wanted to hurt you then you'd be dead. Stupid fucking kids with your phones getting too nosy for your own good."

Cebra takes the phone from her and sends a charge of Saxon energy into it melting and burning it completely. He throws it away in a dumpster then turns back to the girl who is quite shaken nearly crying. Cebra had no pity though, she stuck her nose in where it didn't belong, she was lucky she didn't get hurt in any cross fire. Cebra removed the metal at her feet holding her and she falls down, he looks down at her condescendingly.

"Go home... brat."

She runs off quickly without a word. Cebra lets out a big sigh now alone in the alley. He looks around at the destruction he caused during the fight. Unlike many renegades or heroes Cebra didn't like to destroy property that wasn't his. Regardless of the situation he'd always try and leave an area the way it was after a battle, part of his moral compass. He began to use scrap metal melted down to patch the brick together, the metal seeped between the bricks like water and sealed itself.

From the window of a rather dingy run down looking door in the alley a tall lanky man spies two strange women in an alley. They clearly didn't look like they belong on this side of the city, the fact that the blonde was senselessly waving her arms about didn't help. It was like they were looking for trouble going around so obviously, not that the man cared really. But after a second he spied what the blonde held in her hand, a ticket, a place holder for an item in HIS shop. After seeing that he burst out the door and waves at the girls.

"Hey hey! What the hell you think your doin? Waving that around like I already dont get enough hassle from the cops. Get in here! You Blondie and your friend."

huh? Jeannie looked at the man yelling blonde huh he must mean her. oh you are the ticket guy ok! see sammie my plan worked now we can get Mr.
cyborg his toy she follows him into the shop

Sam blinked a few times in disbelief. Not even for a moment had she believed someone would magically show up the moment Jeannie started waving the ticket around.  The only reason she hadn’t stopped the girl from doing so was because she didn’t have any better plan herself. And now his strange fellow had suddenly thrown a door open and urged him to get in.

She didn’t know what to make of him, though. His statement that he already had enough problems with the police didn’t earned him any points in trustworthiness. One the contrary, she suspected him to be a low-level thug that ran an illegal storage facility of some sort. When Cebra had told them to collect something, she had believed he had left it in the care of a trustworthy person, not this shady character. Not that she had much choice in playing along, Jeannie had already followed the man inside and she wasn’t going to let her out of her sight.

Without a word she followed Jeannie inside. The first thing she did when the door closed behind her was subjecting the ‘shop’, if she could call it so, to a thorough investigation with her X-ray vision. This room, as well as the adjacted ones, didn’t reveal anything she could identify as dangerous. She couldn’t make anything out about the rooms further ahead, the were beyond her reach. The only reason she knew they existed was because of the doors and staircases within her reach that seemingly went nowhere. This place was much bigger than she had first believed, making the owner more than just a small criminal.

She bended over a little and whispered in Jeannie’s ear. “Just give him the ticket so he’ll give us the device. I want to get out of her as soon as possible.”

315 * 2 = 630

oh ok then she hands the ticket to the man Mr. cyborg said to give you this for his emp thingy whatever that is.