Ghosts of greeds past

The rain poured down in a torrent over the city streets of Seattle. The thunder boomed relentlessly as lightning struck a jagged path through the sky. Inside of a shop window stood a dislpay of flat screen televisions. On the television was a news report, behind the news anchor displayed images of an oil rig off in the Pacific. The anchor proceeded on with the report.

"The Merida prime oil platform went dark nearly twelve hours ago. A team of engineers, technicians and security were sent out by the company to investigate the loss in communication suspecting the storm may have damaged a receiver somehow. That team has itself not reported in and the government is getting poised to intervene. Merida Prime has refused our requests for a comment but made a public statement they will work with authorities to discover the reason for this loss in communications... In other news."

Cebra stood under the shelter of an open storage building at the docks looking out at the ocean expectantly. The cigarette in his mouth nearly down to the butt he flicked some ash off then took his last haul throwing it into a trash can. Cebra was waiting for the captain of fishing vessel he had met on one of his self appointed missions. The man was to take Cebra to the oil rig so Cebra could have a look around himself, Cebra thinking this may be something above the level of government agencies. Cebra had detected unusual energy fluctuations in recent days coming from the oil rig, this was confirmation that he had to get involved.

"Of all the times for a flipping storm to kick up, why now?" Alan growled as he dashed through the streets, holding a newspaper above his head as a makeshift umbrella even though it was already soaked through.

"I know what you mean, partner. Seriously, I'd like to find that weatherman and strangle him!" Aurora chimed from inside their shared mindscape, feeling very miffed that their trip to Seattle to put on a live performance had been cut short by the sudden downpour, "Could you please find us some shelter and quick? I'd really hate for either of us to catch a cold."

"I'm trying, I'm trying..." Alan looked every which way and eventually saw an open storage building with someone standing underneath it, "There!" The young man promptly ran to the makeshift cellar and breathed a sigh of relief, "Phew! Thank goodness!" He saw the man standing next to him and decided to strike up a conversation, "Hey, sorry if I'm intruding on your privacy. It's just, man, the rain is killer. Like, the weatherman said we were suppose to get sunshine all week and my umbrella got torn apart by the wind. I swear, that is the last time I buy umbrellas from a dollar store."

Cebra glanced sideways at the man who had taken shelter from the rain next to him. Immediately Cebra's internal sensor picked up a strange energy signature, Cebra's sensors being state of the art were rarely wrong. Out here at the docks in a storm of all places Cebra runs into a being with unique abilities, Cebra didn't believe in coincidence but he played along. However during his thinking he unknowingly stared at the man for a few moments which might have been seen as a bit creepy.

"Hey it's not a problem, though I guess you're not a local? The weather in Seattle is legendary for wind and rain like this. You smoke?"

Cebra pulled out a pack of cigarettes from the inside pocket of his trench coat quickly popping one into his mouth.

Admittedly, Alan did find it a bit creepy the way the guy was staring at him but he chalked it up to the perfectly logical idea that most people wouldn't be caught dead being caught in a downpour like this...but that also made it all the more curious what this individual was doing out here all alone.

"Yeah, I'm not from around here. Just stopping by to see the sights, maybe do some shopping, that kind of stuff," At being offered a cigarette, Alan made a sour face and shook his head, "Sorry, I don't smoke. Go ahead and puff away though. I'm not gonna judge," He looked out at the ocean, "You know, the ocean really is a strange yet wondrous place. Although I find a bit of irony in that all life, and supposedly humans too, were born from it, and yet even after decades of exploration we still haven't seen all it has to offer. Really puts into perspective how little we know about the world we live in..."

At realizing he was rambling, he stopped himself and shook his head, "Sorry, I got a bad habit of going off on tangents at times. I'm Alan, and you are?" He offered a hand.

Cebra smirked occasionally glancing at the man wondering if he knew who Cebra was and playing a farce. Cebra certainly wasn't feeling any hostility from him but assassins came in all shapes and forms. So far it had been mildly pleasant to talk to someone, though Cebra's guard was always up and ready.

"Hey dont worry about it, the rain is quite harsh today, it's as good a topic as any."

Cebra had a thought, he already knew this person was some manner of meta or high powered being. If he was here to assail Cebra might as well get it in the open. If he wasn't and this was coincidence then Cebra revealing himself wouldn't be an issue. In fact perhaps he could convince this person to help him out. Most meta Cebra had met were either psychotic murderers, neutral or good people willing to aid in saving life. He had no expectations, but it was worth a shot. He decided to reveal his powers in a fun way.

Cebra lit the cigarette by channeling energy into the tip of his finger and making sparks.

"So... you're not a human are you?"

Alan turned his head and rose an eyebrow at seeing the man producing sparks from his finger. So, he was a person with powers...because of course he was. Ever since he had become a superhero, it seemed like people with powers were popping up all over the place, and his own attempts to try and hide his identity had been met with, at best, questionable results.

At being addressed, Alan sighed in annoyance and looked out at the rain again, "Nah...and the only reason I'm confirming your suspicions is cause you haven't tried to shoot me in the face yet. That, and..." He gestured to the sparks coming off the man's fingers, "And before you ask, no, I'm not part of some super-secret organization meant to hunt down people with powers and what not..."

He rolled his eyes, "So...I know it's none of my business but what brings you out here? Got a hot date or something?" He quizzed with a smirk on his face.

Cebra smirked rather amused at the tone of this person. He took a puff and exhaled looking out at the ocean horizon.

"A date? No, no not me. I'm just curious ... awfully quiet for a shipping area. Should be loads of activity but no one is really here. Guess there's an issue with one of the oil rigs huh?"

Cebra looks at the man expectantly as if trying to lead him to some conclusion. In the distance a faint outline could be seen though almost a dot it was so far. As the figure closed in it was clear that it was a fishing boat, or at least smelled like one.

It took Alan a few seconds for him to catch on to what the man was saying, but once it did he found himself nodding along, "That would definitely make sense, yeah..." He suddenly eyed something out in the water coming towards them and realized it was a boat. He glanced at the man next to him before deciding to ask, "So, let me guess, heading out towards said oil rig? If so, you sure you wanna head out alone? No telling what could happen out there."

"Are you sure about that buddy?"

Cebra says with a mischievous smirk.

"Going out on the open ocean with a stranger into a possible dangerous situation... You're either really confident in your abilities, or you're really naive. But at any rate I dont know what I'm stepping into either haha! But I guess that's half the fun if any." I wont bother you about it, I'll take whatever help I can get right now."

The boat pulls up to the docks as a short, brunette, portly woman steps out onto the deck and waves. She anchors the ship as Cebra walks over to her and waves back.

"Lisa... How are ya now?"

"Good'n'you?"

"Not so bad... She ready to head out?"

"Gimme a minute to do an engine check."

"Ten four on that."

"Over and out."

Cebra signaled Alan to come over onto the fishing boat. He sat back against the railing puffing away at the cigarette in his mouth and looking around the ship. It wasn't what you'd call pretty and looked like it needed a major overhaul. But it was still sea worthy and good enough for Cebra's purposes.

Alan didn't hesitate to climb on the ship when it sailed in. On one hand, this could indeed go badly, but on the other hand it could make for another grand adventure, and more importantly, if there were people's lives at stake on that oil rig, he couldn't just stand back and do nothing. He took up a spot next to the guy he'd be working with and decided to ask, "So, I guess you and Miss Lisa have some sort of history together?"

"Well yeah, we go back a ways. She doesn't mind doing me the odd favor when I need it. Ever since I saved her son from being a Libyan POW and brought him home, well she's been grateful. Ah but he wasn't fit to be a soldier anyways..."

Cebra turns his gaze to the horizon as if looking off to the middle east and what had happened.

"But that's a story best not told now."

Lisa returns and enters the boats cabin going up to the wheel, she turns a key a few times as the motor sputters. After the fourth time it finally starts.

"You boys ready? We're headin out now, no turnin back."

Alan leaned against the rail surrounding the ship's bow as he listened to the man, nodding along, "Too many young folk these days are drawn into conflicts they got no business being in. I mean, I know about that whole "commitment to Lady Liberty" and everything but you gotta draw the line somewhere instead of just throwing away lives just cause something is going on put there that our leaders' ideals don't match up with..."

He shook his head, "I'm sorry. You're right, now's not the time for that kind of talk," Alan heard Lisa's voice and turned to face her, nodding, "Yep! Ready to sail when you are!"

The tiny boat made it's way out into the vast ocean. The tiny ship managed to hold itself well against the waves crashing against it. The weather was harsh, the thunder pounded the sky with one boom after another, the lightning cut bright jagged paths through the clouds. The boat though capable of sailing was rocky none the less. Cebra was used to rough seas, he'd gotten his sailor legs long ago not that this was pleasant. The rain really came down and was no longer safe to be outside, Cebra stood inside the cabin peering out into the distance. After a few minutes a form appeared in the distance. The oil rig slowly came into view looking perfectly normal though devoid of any activity at all. As they pulled up to the docking area two other ships were there. One was from the authorities and the other was from the oil company itself, both were wrecked and had internal mechanisms removed it seems. Cebra stepped outside and braced against the wind and rain making it onto the platform on the lowest part.

"Geez!"

Cebra shouted over the rumble of the sea and storm.

"What the hell happened here? This aint just a mechanical issue."

Cebra knelt down for a closer look at the destroyed parts of the ship.