Welcome to Gaia! ::

The day had finally come, the parley was here. Set at some fancy resort hotel, liking crawling with the enemy ready to kill or apprehend them. Zaku had been planning every step every moment he could for the last two weeks, with only minor interruptions along the way. Everything was in place as far as Zaku knew. Even Lucian had showed up dangerously close to the time they were to leave for the parley. A wave of relief and concern had hit him when he finally showed, being followed by what could only be described as a hulk mass of woman, one that looked like she'd fought an entire war alone.

Michael stared at Lucian with a concerned look, looking him over, identifying the bullet wound in his shoulder and the grazed lacerations on his face, stomach, and hip. Narrowing his eyes behind thick glasses, he spoke coldly, ”Did SIU attack you?”

”No.. it was Haven.. or rather I attacked them… It’s complicated.”

The name alone was enough to send a chill down his spine. Haven? Near by? Still running? He wanted to ask a slew of questions but now was not the time. ”We’ll talk about that later. We have to go.”

Leaving Moira in the care of Kate, they headed out, walking their way to the resort as they stuck to barren paths and obscure routes, at times, taking a more complicated route, but eventually had come within sight of the resort. Zaku took a deep breath and seemed relaxed as they walked, not talking as Michael walked in front of him and Lucian followed from behind.

Cordelia had made a deal with Murder Squad to spot for them a distance away with a sniper rifle to signal them when s**t inevitably went down, the squad positioned just out of range of any possible telepaths from SIU. She had to adjust to the discovery of the blacked out windows when she scoped the area from afar earlier that day. She only had to adjust one slight part of the plan as she positioned herself just behind a few rocks on a hill far from the resort, eye in scope as she surveyed the area once more. Cordelia picked up a walkie and pressed the button. "Everything's in place. Zaku arriving on scene. Stand by." Setting down the radio next to her, she then raised a finger to the comm in her ear as she kept sight of the approaching group of Metas she knew as her friends. ”Everything is clear from my point, Michael.”

Michael raised a hand to the comm in his ear as he heard her voice, fumbling a bit as he was getting used to a slightly larger body, though not by much, just barely noticeable. A compass in his free hand as he kept an eye out as he walked. ”I would hope so, all the windows are tinted.” He snarked with a smirk.

Cordelia audibly sighed, ”And you wonder why Zaku chose your sister over you…”

”Hey, don’t bring my anatomy into this.”

The mere insinuation was already pissing her off to the edge. ”Watch it, Michael.” she warned but took a steady breath as she moved her sights to the building, training her rifle on the white haired meta standing just outside the building. She made a gun shooting noise with her mouth and grinned, watching him carefully. ”One outside.”

Lucian kept his thoughts on reading the area. /Everything is green./

Zaku nodded, ”You both know what to do..... I have confidence in you two.”

They walked up to the entrance and up to Ree, his face was stern but softened into a smirk. ”Beautiful day, isn’t it..”

Michael looked to Ree, sending back the glare as he shifted his glasses with his hand before placing the comm in his ear on open and looked down to the compass.

Zaku cracked a grin. "I don't think anyone expected it...." he motioned to his two accompanying metas as well, Michael seemed very on guard, and Lucian looked not only nervous but like he'd very recently been through hell. His shirt still stained with his own blood. Zaku took a cursory glance to Lucian, glinting with a slight frown before sighing and returning to a more calm and interested nature. "Judging by the voice, you must be Mara's adoptee that I spoke to on the phone. Ree, was it? It's a pleasure to meet you in person." he spoke in a very light, almost jovial manner like he wasn't the slightest bit worried about what was going on and he kept his hands in his pockets casually. Ree had been staring at them as nome of them were aware of his scan on them as Ree would find the only hum of electronics on them to be the comm in Michael's ear, and the cellphone in Zaku's jacket pocket. Zaku sighed, releasing any underlying tension he had, "Lead the way." he requested and followed Ree into the building.

Michael kept half his attention to the compass as they walked, mumbling numbers and letters as they turned every corner. "45n24e11n62w12s34a47w34n" he rambled on quietly, watching the compass needle spin in his hand. Only looking up as they reached the room, gave an last few numbers then put the compass into his pocket. He gave a grin from beneath the medical mask covering the bottom half of his face as his eyes met with Tri, resisting the urge to make a verbal jab.

Zaku looked from Mara to Tri, blinking a bit. Then smiled as he held out a hand to Mara to shake. "It's nice to finally get to talk to you, Mara Gold.... In a less hostile environment anyway..." he smirked at her. "Shall we get started..." he motioned a hand toward the room and kept an eye on Mara the whole time.

Lucian was focusing on thoughts, aware that he couldn't read the white-hair meta, but not that it mattered. He could easily find out what they wanted by just reading the other too. Those two were nervous as hell. Be hadn't even seemed to recognize Mara being the same person who he had been chased by and had retaliated against during infiltration of the SIU sub base.

/They are just as worried about betrayal as we are./

Zaku shifted a slightly stern gaze to Lucian briefly.

/By us?/

/Not just./

Zaku gave a short nod to Lucian, closed his eyes, then returned his gaze to Mara, eyes much softer now, then to the table. Signaling his team to sit down at the table. "Lets get this over with, right?" he joked and moved to sit in a chair. Still as relaxed as when he entered.

Michael turned his head to Ree as he spoke to him. He placed one hand behind his back and leaned toward Ree closely, adjusting his glasses a bit with his other hand, the light glinting off them enough to obscure the view of his eyes, a quirk eyebrow as though looking at someone leagues below his own intelligence. "I've been given explicit instructions not to destroy you. On top of that, I don't really like you. And Mara has been glaring at me since we got here. So shut the swirling vortex of garbage you call a mouth and let the adults talk. Okay, punkin'?" he retorted with an intense stare, voice low and calm, the last part fluctuated into a condescending voice that reflected to devious smirk beneath the mask as he then straightened and moved to sit down. As Tri mentioned Sanctuary and Spectrum being added, he directed his attention to the screen, then a slight bit of relief washed over him.

Lucian's eyes narrowed at Mara as he heard her thoughts about him, resisting the urge to make a comment. He choose to remain silent as he concentrated on thoughts for now, taking a seat next to Zaku calmly.

Zaku had given a glint of a glare to Michael for his comment, in return only being given a small shrug by the black-haired meta. Deciding to leave that alone, he watched as Tri set up the call. Mara began to speak of how she did not have the position or power to decide anything as a slight glimmer of a smirk hinted at the corner of his lips "I'm very aware." he retorted softly, then stared at her for only a moment longer before turning his gaze to the screen, leaning back a bit as he interlaced his finger together before him. His eyes showed sternness as they fixated on each face on the screen with care before starting in, the jovial nature in his voice had changed to one that was firm and almost alluring in a way that demanded to be listened to. "Thank you all for joining us for quite a unique and momentum occasion. Something that I never expected to be possible, yet here we are. So lets get to it, shall we." he kept his eyes locked on the screen, reading every face. "I'm sure you all know who I am. However, what you may not know is why I'm here. I'm here to be a voice for those the humans have chosen to ignore, dampen, or even eradicate. While I want to speak about what we've been through, I'm sure as history has shown it will only fall on deaf ears. The leaders don't want to know what happens to those who are weak enough to fall prey to bloodthirsty humans. Or worse.. research centers." his eyes narrowed, "While some facilities have proven to be helpful in shedding light on our fairly new race, others seek to use us, harness us, tear us apart, to kill us when we aren't what they were after. And they are allowed to do so without any form of repercussion. An unfair advantage to humans that have always feared our existence. Something I'm sure the true races can relate to. To be feared and hunted as a whole for the actions of a few. Humans want to find any reason to hate us to justify their actions against us. They cast stones into the water and are angered by the ripple it causes." he paused for a moment. "I want to change that, to give them the chance to see we are people too, just like them. We hurt and feel in the same way. We deserve to be treated like everyone else. Not like a bunch of experiments waiting to be dissected or brainwashed for their own personal gain. The city of Belosh is the first to take measures to restore a balance to the races with rights that protect the Metas that reside within. However, they are the only place besides Sanctuary that can be called safe. Protected. It shouldn't be hard to extend those rights to us. No,... them. The Metas deserve that much. The renegades demanded rights and protection on par with humans and I personally understand how difficult that can be to convince everyone to be on board with such an idea. However, if it is already working in other places, what are the humans so afraid of that they continue to deny even the slightest bit of protection from humans and non-humans that intend to do harm, or even terminate unjust experimental projects, and completely stop and shut down Haven." his eyes showed a slight hint of pain and anger at the mention of Haven but quickly subsided. "This is why I'm here. To speak out, and try to obtain those rights for my race. Our race." He adjusted to sit up a bit straight, moving his hands to just before his lips. "With that being said, I open the floor to the burning questions I'm sure you all have for me..."

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Rhun had been pacing back and forth checking the time periodically, not caring that Delilah had been glaring at him the whole time. She wanted to demand he back out now, just not answer the call, opening her mouth to speak beneath the mask but then the ring from the computer interrupted anything she would have said. Rhun immediately darted over, sitting down in one of the two chairs at the table in the room in front of the computer screen, webcam positioned at him.

Delilah sighed and calmly walked over and sat in the other chair next to him. She watched the screen carefully as her eyes fell onto a familiar face, her eyes widening slightly but dying back down calmly as she watched the scene unfold.

Zaku leaned forward, his eyes intense as he narrowed in on the leader of Criel. So many thoughts ran through his mind, like how he had specifically set up his elite team in Criel to help alleviate the attacks on the renegades in that area. He let him talk, blowing wind and steam as Zaku looked as though he soaked in every last word. "Let me assure you that just because I am calm, that I am not still burning in outrage, I just know how to handle myself to direct it where it's needed." he exhaled slowly, focusing on the screen. "My outrage lies with why it's so hard to enact laws that only protect Metas, but also govern them as well, and hold them accountable. You've gone so long ignoring our people that we simply act as an independent. And instead of trying to solve the problem, you've only instigated it. Metas have only met force with force. We wanted it to be diplomatic, but peace was never even considered by the humans. You refused to acknowledge us for decades and that's why we are here after twenty years of fighting trying to stop these innumerable conflicts. And while Ambassador Freya has a good cause, one I could get behind, she isn't make much headway either. She's favored by the humans because she plays the part they want, but Metas are hesitant about her rose-colored glasses. While I have had the back of countless Metas from the start, fighting tooth and nail for the rights we deserve, but the humans will always be apprehensive of me and what I'm capable of." He shifted his eyes to each and every box on the screen that showed the leaders as he spoke now, leaning back into the chair, fingers still laced over his mouth in a tense stare, far more serious than he had ever appeared before. "So when you look at me, and you ask why, do not forget that this is a tango. There are two people required for this dance, and you refuse to do anything for peace, for better or for worse. I could yell all day for equality, but it takes action for you to step down from your podium and actually look at the problems that you are causing by refusing to acknowledge that we deserve rights, just as much as humans do. So when you ask why we inspire fear in the hearts of men, and why we strive to cause issues that make you view us, I look back at you with a steady look. You know why. It's the same reason that you would get in trouble for stealing late night snacks. You know what you've done."

Rhun sat there with a sense of amazement behind the mask as he stared sternly at the screen, listening to the words he'd heard so often, the real muse in him shining through his words as they conveyed the message he spoke back when they first met. It was charming in a way, seeming him like this again, a sense of familiarity as he knew how Zaku got when he'd finally found a soapbox to stand on. He watched carefully, keeping an eye on the people around him as he listened intently to both sides of the conversation, between Criel and Norcrest as well. He then recognized the white haired Meta in the back behind the woman, as his eyes narrowed. It seems suspicions were true that he had been a spy planted by SIU. He would be relieved that at least no one was hurt, but his daughter was still missing, confirmed taken by SIU, but only by renegade's eyes. So nothing they could claim as Sanctuary just yet. Then the mention of Andy escaping caused him to exhale shakily. So she was still alive and even escaped SIU. He was internally relieved, and he'd definitely want to tell Mira once this was done.

Delilah had been focused on Michael too much, noticing the medical mask reminiscent to her own as she stared at the screen quietly. She removed her mask carefully, folding it up and placing it on the desk in front of her. She opened her mouth to say something, but the fear of what they'd say about her stutter welled up in her as her face grew slightly solemn and she remained quiet.

Belosh:
"While we have never agreed with the methods that Zaku Shiori and his renegades have used, I can't deny that it is a good idea to set in place laws to govern the Metas. It's a give and take. Within the wall of our city, they are protected, but they also abide by the same laws as humans and true races that keep everyone in check. I can understand [Criel Leader's] frustration as I'm sure they have suffered far greater attacks from the renegades than any other city, but it might be wise to consider some kind of measure to promote unity and peace."

Aldas:
"While that's great and all, if we give into to their demands without some fair trade off, it'll cause an uproar. We might be in favor of consideration of such a thing if Zaku gives himself up. We want to make sure that our city is protected, being the closest to where they all crawled out of. If they decide to attack, it's likely they might bring their anger here first, and we want to avoid that at all costs, even if that means continuing to denying rights to the destructive race of Metas."

"So what you are saying is that one nation has done it and even though that has worked for them, and in their favor, you still refuse to acknowledge that it can be done. So in fact, if we were humans, with a large scale army, and weapons to match it, you would be more willing to grant us rights? Have you not forgotten that even we, ourselves, could drop your crime rates and increase your standard of living? That we could not only make jobs that cause humans such distress and time, such as building large structures and policing your criminals, easier?" he shifted lightly, only paying attention to the screen now as he let Lucian watch them and Michael stared at the screen curiously, frowning beneath his mask but reluctantly pulled his gaze to watch Ree as he had been told. Take a breath, Zaku continued, "So instead of looking into the possibilities of what could be advantageous to you, you continue to fear destruction. This is what brought about the Great War in the first place. We don't seek your destruction, or to destroy your way of living, but to instead, live in co-operation with humans."

"Trisuri Luz, what is your item?"

Zaku shifted his gaze suddenly to Tri, caught off guard by the question. Normally, he would have written it off but the look on Tri's face to be asked such a thing in front of everyone, to be made some kind of example of, it burned Zaku deep down, his eyes glinting in tension as he waited for what was to come of this topic.

"A snowglobe.. really. Something so breakable.. that explains a lot."

Zaku tensed only slightly, keeping anger and annoyance buried deep within him as he wanted to react to it, but that wasn't part of the plan. They needed to stick with they had agreed or none of it would work. He listened to them talk back and forth, a sudden flicker of surprise and curiosity graced his face, staring at Tri intensely as he didn't expect Tri to have even agreed at all to any part of it. This made circumstances a bit different now, but not by much. Directing his attention back to Criel he kept a stern look, "I never said I had the backing of every Meta. Only that I had a very large backing from the start." he retorted simply then listened to Norcrest begin. He rather liked hearing what they had to say over Criel, but it was all the same to him in the end. "What would be the point of giving myself up? What purpose would that even solve? If I am not here to be their figure head, who is to say someone doesn't take my place who is more radical, therefore putting your populations in danger? I'm here to stop pushing your people into a far greater danger than I could produce but you kick around your ball like a petty child who refuses to play with the neighbor kids."

Then Morrad spoke. The offer of controlling their breeding sent a sense of escalated tension between the three renegade members.

Lucian's eyes showed his shock for the suggestion immediately as he looked to Zaku.

/They can't do that. Can they do that?!/

Lucian looked uneasy as he tried to even imagine what that could be like.

Zaku slid his eyes to Lucian and shook his head shortly, just trying to put him at ease for now. He knew they probably could, but now wasn't the time to let Lucian lose his cool over that now.

Michael was gripping the table hard now, anger building that they could even think about that, refusing to acknowledge they probably could have done that a long time ago. Criel was really starting to get to him as he wanted to act, but besides Zaku's orders, there was something else that was keeping him from just acting out anyway. He needed to stay calm as he leaned back in his chair slightly, crossing a leg over his knee, shaking his foot in agitation. This was not the conversation they had expected and Michael had so much to say, but Zaku was better at being more... polite about what he always wanted to convey. Something he really looked up to Zaku for.

Belrad:
A woman shifted her dark feathered wings in apprehension, "That's going a little far isn't it?"

Aldas:
"Maybe it's what's necessary. Don't know why this wasn't something that wasn't done 20 years ago when they started raiding our city, attacking our people, and then turning on themselves. They just seem like a danger to everyone even their own. Maybe if a regulation of items given to the Metas, that might alleviate some of the more overpowered ones in the future, but what of the ones who are more powerful now. What is done about the ones that already exist?"

Zaku shifted his eyes onto Morrad now, eyes burning with a sense of passionate determination, "If we give up our breeding, there will be conflict. You have to think ahead, because when I'm gone, and you are gone, who knows if that would cause more problems. I was under the notion that you would desire peace, like Belosh, but I can see warmongering still runs deep in your blood. As there is no getting through to you, I see our only option is to continue causing strife. To ask us to give up things in exchange for rights is paltry at best. What have you humans given up for having laws that protect you? This has all become a point in which you are sitting in your glass tower claiming, Why should I care? Because if the meta- community rises up and continues to hate humans, what can I do? I have tried, and I stand here, continuing to waste my breath. It will be out of my hands by then, and there are some of us who are stronger than the true races ever were." Closing his eyes for a moment, he sighed. "So, in fact, I beseech you to give us the opportunity to establish rights within your communities, lest we break down into further chaos. If one nation is so great as to implement it without issue, then what stops you?"

Belosh:
"The Metas have coexisted in our city for some time, they contribute to the community and are an established part of what we are now. However, it isn't a utopia, there is still crime though low. Apprehending criminals that are Metas is more difficult, but there are also Metas that help us with bring those wrong-doers to justice. They aren't running around with reckless abandon. They simply, are apart of us and act just like any other races that come through her or live here. I can't say that will work with every city, but I'd like to put our city on the forefront as an example that peace can be achieved."

"And in retrospect, it seems like Belosh is the only town that understands that we are a boon to their infrastructure and economy, so perhaps, we should put our efforts into supporting them wholly."

Rhun was tense, but remained calm. This is what they wanted, to rile anger in them, to cause them to act so they could just place the blame right back on Metas, and he wasn't going to allow that to happen yet again. He moved to open his mouth to speak but hesitated as a soft hand was placed over his gloved one, looking over to Delilah who was staring intensely at the screen, already beginning to speak, unwavering and not a slight bit of fear in her tone.

"N-not only is that a b-bad idea to t-take away the alters... N-not even we kn-know where they all are... b-but Metas as a whole w-would never stand f-for that. T-to be regulated l-like we d-don't deserve ch-choice in our happiness. I g-generally play a v-very neutral p-part in this chaos, b-but I felt I must s-speak on this. Y-you are suggesting t-to take even m-more from Metas before w-we get even a c-consideration towards r-rights. T-that doesn't seem f-fair either. What I c-can propose as a n-neutral party, h-have l-leaders of humans and t-true races in c-cooperation w-with Meta r-representatives... to m-make rules about what the M-metas are allowed to use as items. Or m-maybe an approval p-process. J-just some kind of c-common ground. A-anyone not following the r-rules will b-be arrested... " her voice was calm and mature, her stutter prominent but it was obvious she was trying to keep it maintained. It went against what she felt should be done about it, but if her suggestion helped in any way, that would be enough to set her mind at peace that she was trying to help stop the oncoming war rather than sitting silently watching it unfold.

Delilah clenched her fists in her lap as the leader of Criel made fun of her stutter, her eyes staring in mixture of anger and fear as she almost began to shake. She didn't know what to say. She wanted so badly just to get up and walk away, just to run somewhere she could hide away. However, her anger burned deep as she was made fun of in front of every leader in Tretera, and in front of Michael. She sat there, frozen, unable to move or speak as the conflict in her mind was beginning to darken her skin around her hands already.

Zaku's eyes narrowed at (Criel) as he bullied the woman on the screen. "So you're so desperate for attention, you've turned to bullying innocent women. Real charming of you." he spoke through clenched teeth as he was trying not to let this pompous a** get under his skin since it was obvious he was trying anything to garner a reaction now.

Lucian hesitated, eyes wide as the Michael's thoughts filled his mind, of the possibilities of wiping out Criel. Town layouts, buildings, politicians. He turned to look Michael with great concern the quickly to Zaku.

/Zaku, you have to do something. Michael is about to lose it!/

Zaku blinked, dropping his anger quickly and tried to keep a calm composure. Sliding his gaze to him with a stern look, "Michael..."

The table started to shake and you could hear the bolts in it rattle and squeal as they started to strip. Michael ripped his face mask off, revealing his face. A few cuts lined his lips and chin. His whole body was trembling as he stood. "What?" He spat sharply, his eyes narrowing beneath his glasses.

Zaku shifted upright in his chair, focusing only on Michael now, covering up his own fear about this situation, unaware of what exactly had set him off. They were aware of what could be said, not much they hadn't already fully anticipated as he took a calm breath. "Maybe it's best to remain calm..." he spoke softly, trying not to cause more tension with Michael, his voice almost doting, as though talking to a distraught family member. "Remember Kate.."

"Oh I remember her. But nothing is going to be solved this way." He continued between gritted teeth. "I know not all humans are this bad, but I want to put my hands around this man's throat." He huffed, leaning down slightly to talk to Zaku. "Maybe I need to leave, and give them a taste of what we could be."

He took in a deep breath, "I don't think that's a good idea, Michael. We are fighting for peace, not another war. At least, trying." He kept gaze with Michael, realizing how bad this was about to be if he didn't calm down. He wanted to ask what was wrong exactly, but he didn't want to light that fuse. "Leave?" he said without much thought. It was obscure but he had a feeling what it meant. He directed his attention to the screen, a slight bit of regret in his face. "Just as I fight for humans to relinquish their control over Metas, I suddenly find myself in the delicate situation of whether to control my people or to let them do as they please. I want them to be free and to have peace, but I also want to try to stop them hurting humans senselessly." He sighed, narrowing his eyes, "Michael, what's the problem that makes you want to leave?"

Lucian seemed scared of something. /What are you doing??/

"If I don't rise up now, if I don't split from the Renegade and become a force to be scared of, we will never achieve anything. I will hit them where it hurts. I will tear apart their armies. I will gather an army myself, and teach them the true meaning of their folly. We've done so much to try and get them to understand, but Belosh is the only nation that understands. They will be free of my wrath, but the people of the others will suffer. If they want a war, I'll give it to them. I will storm their borders, destroy their governments. But I will be merciful. Only those who stand against me will feel what it is to truly feel the anguish of a man, denied basic rights. "

Zaku leaned back, as it began to play out, "I understand that, that's why we've fought together for so long. We've wanted rights, and we were barred at every turn. It's a wonder you haven't stood up long before now with as little progress that's been made on any front." Closing his eyes he thought for a moment, "I feel like this is the true anger that burns deep within the soul of the renegade. The reason we even started fighting in the first place. But let me urge you, Michael, that fighting force with total destruction isn't what we've wanted. What you're talking about is starting another Great War, one that no one wants to be involved in. Are you sure that's something you want to push for on your own? Let's just take a few breaths and continue with this discussion as planned." he kept his eyes locked on him, playing the situation in his favor but also trying to prevent Michael from going to far into his anger that he'd truly act, or at least he hoped.

Michael closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, he pointed at the leader for Criel. "You will no longer sit in your throne." A loud noise roared up like train ready to smash through as an area in the room began to distort, twisting the reality as a figure was forced away from their chair within the screen and appeared in the room with them [Total Recall]. "You will talk to me face to face, and see what it is you really trifle with."

Zaku jolted in his seat as Michael pointed and teleported the leader of Criel into the room. He was already cursing in his mind as he came to a stand, putting himself between Michael and SIU as he knew he couldn't save the Criel Leader now, and now only making sure that Michael didn't at least turn on Mara and her two Metas afterwards. "Michael, don't!"

Lucian felt a chill down his spine as Michael acted. He stood as well, trying to understand what he was supposed to do from here, is this what the new plan was, was he just supposed to go along with it? Looking to Mara suddenly, /Stay back. s**t, get out now if you can!/ he ordered her. He then looked to the leader and made a move to try to stop what Michael could do from happening.

/Don't. It's too late to stop now./

Delilah's anger quickly turned to surprise as she watched Michael start in, and then teleport the Criel leader to their room. She brought up her hands over her mouth and gasped, eyes widening as watched Michael act. "...M-michael.. don't d-do it..." she spoke reflexively, not even caring about the what the other leaders drew from it.

Kylar had been watching the meeting unfold quietly within the corner of (Criels) office, having arrived a few minutes before him for their scheduled meeting. He had vanished from sight as the door opened and had been about to assassinate (Criel) when the call suddenly came in. Rather than possibly being discovered because of a missed call he had silently stepped off to the side watching. Several familiar faces were on screen and luckily names were displayed for many of the unfamiliar ones. (Criel) spoke nonsense from the beginning, his crude view and wording almost costing him his head several times. The final straw came after he made fun of the woman with the stutter. It wasn't that he cared for her or even about her situation, it was that it had upset Michael. The man that was like a brother and even a father to Kylar was upset and this made him furious.

A quick movement brought Kylar into frame on the video, although he was still invisible. A hand grasped the shoulder of (Criel) as he raised a key beside him, about to end the life of a terrible man. Michael had other plans however, the room warping as they touched. Reality bent, twisting, until the conference room appeared around them. He released his grasp on (Criel), surprise taking hold momentarily as he took in where he was. Sticking close he saw everyone staring at him, or rather at (Criel). It took Ree teleporting to (Criel) and raising a shield to protect him, which included the unseen Kylar, to confirm that no one could see him. No one from SIU at least.

Thinking silently to himself, 'That was a close one.' A thought from Kage suddenly shouted in his head, 'Great, how do we save Andy now?' The thought not consciously his own, was loud enough to be picked up by the telepaths in the room, a sudden shout from his usual silence. Kylar looked between Ree and (Criel) a sudden thought, 'I may not be able to save Andy, but perhaps I can use this to my advantage.'

The light dimmed, Maras' pet instinctively drawing the shadows as he felt threatened. Kylar raised the hand that held the key he had been planning to use in the first place between (Criel) and Ree. The sudden confusion in the darkness was all he needed as from the key burst a sword. The blade pierced (Criel) clean through, puncturing the heart, the hilt facing towards Ree. Within his shield and with thing setup as they were it would paint a pretty clear picture for those watching on a screen. A sudden flash of light from a meta scared of the dark only added to the effect as he drove away the darkness. The scene revealed to all as (Criel) collapsed. A sword from behind and the only one there was Ree, how would SIU explain that?