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Post by Weather Wizard on Jan 5, 2009 19:31:22 GMT -5
He didn't like this.
Mardon paused in his scouting of the tattered wreck of Central City's streets, his drawn face stuck in its usual petulant frown as he glanced suspiciously at his surroundings. Central City was quiet. Too quiet, he thought. From the intermittent confused reports he and the other Rogues had gotten as they lay hidden in the Flash Museum's basement, he would have imagined Central City, like the rest of the world, would be nothing short of a chaotic mess.
But it was so empty. That made him suspect something. Of course, Mardon treated nearly everyone and everything with some degree of suspicion, with or without cause. Yet this seemed justified. How could Central City be so empty?
On the upside, it presented him with the chance to scavenge for food that DIDN'T come from a vending machine unmolested. The downside, however, screamed of traps and ambushes. With his nerves as frazzled as they already were, Mardon most certainly wasn't in the mood for any traps or ambushes. Scowling the whole way, he crept along the streets as best he could, keeping himself covered and hidden when the opportunity presented itself. Call it paranoia, but Mardon had been in the business a long time, and playing it neurotically safe was rarely something that backfired on you. In his right hand was his wand, clutched tightly and held before him like a weapon. If anyone was stupid or crazy enough to jump out at him, then they were certain to meet a nasty end from Mardon's wand.
Above him, the sky skill howled red, shooting lightning with an intensity to match his own fiercest lightning bolts. The sky, while unsettling, had become something of a comfort to him and the Rogues over the last few.... days? Weeks? He couldn't much say anymore. He didn't much care. It was when the sky returned to normal that had him worried. He knew who would come of that. He knew the next round that would come of that, the Flash he would have to fight. Barry Allen would give him and the others no chance of rest. He knew that. And he had grown so tired, felt so old. Why did things rarely work out the way one wanted it to? They were to retire after this, and for good. Inertia was dead, scores were settled. They just wanted to go home. He just wanted to retire to his books.
But no. Oh no.
A soft rustling caused him to spin, wand raised for the kill as lightning crackled about its tip. But it was only a dog, and Mardon relaxed. Was he getting too paranoid? Probably. Best get this over and done with.
"All clear so far," he mumbled, only partly to himself. "Don't like it, though."
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Post by Captain Cold on Jan 5, 2009 20:19:35 GMT -5
There was a soft rustling behind Mardon as Captain Cold approached, "Mardon." He said in hushed tones as if breaking the silence of the city would bring the whole of Darkseid's army upon them. "Where do you want to look first?"
Cold was hungry, hungry for food, hungry for an adrenaline rush, hungry for women but mostly he was hungry for something other than the crap that came out of the vending machines. "I think we should try to find a grocery store that still has power. Get whatever food that's sealed and still good and get back. What do you think?"
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Post by Weather Wizard on Jan 5, 2009 23:13:03 GMT -5
"Mm," came Mardon's distant reply, his gaze falling briefly on the Rogue' leader before once again restlessly scanning the surrounding area. With the typically untalkative Mardon, the reply was his way of agreeing with the proposal. There were a few stores to fill that description in the area, he knew, but whether they had power and unspoiled goods was a mystery. One worth checking out, though. Not like there was much other choice, right?
"This way, then," came his hushed reply, his whispering voice rattling like parchment. A flick of the wand directed Cold's attentions down the route he had proposed. "Only four or five blocks. And another one three more blocks down if that one's no good." Though considering the state of things from here, they were going to count their lucky stars if they found anything remotely fresh that wasn't in a can.
Cautiously he started forward once more, wand held at the ready attack position, his eyes never still. The silence and desolation of the place still had him on edge, and would have him on edge until he was sure things were safe. Which would most likely mean that Mardon would be jumpy and borderline paranoid until he and Cold were back in the sanctity of the Flash Museum.
Heh. Sanctity and Flash Museum. The thought of using both words in one sentence still amused him to a degree.
"You suspect an ambush?" he asked Cold, once again breaking the city's unsettling silence. It wasn't like the Rogues had broadcasted their location after all this time, but their isolation was a bit of a double-edged sword. Hiding out safe with little to no contact with the outside world meant that they too would gain little information on the other side. A god theory in practice, but it sure felt like they'd made the wrong move now. Not like there was much choice, after rejecting Libra like they had, but...
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Post by Captain Cold on Jan 5, 2009 23:52:39 GMT -5
Cold grunted in acknowledgment, "Ambush? Considering we're on the wrong side of everyone I don't think it's outside the realm of possibility." He said, drawing his freeze gun to punctuate the point.
He continued on, staying at Mardon's side about an arm's length away, ready to pull him to cover if need be. They continued on for a few more blocks. Cold's eyes scanning the tops of the buildings and down alleyways for anyone oer anything that may approach the pair. "I'd feel a little safer with Mick here. Hell, I'd take Axel's help if it came to it." He said with a sardonic smile as they advanced.
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Post by Justice on Jan 5, 2009 23:56:31 GMT -5
Justice walk down the abandon streets of Central City. During these harsh times, it wasn't safe to be out and alone. With Darkseid's army protroling the streets, he had to take every precaution to avoid detection. Normally he would just walk among the rooftops, but the lightening would just give away his position. The only reason why he was here was to search for pieces he needed to complete the project he was working on. Ofcourse while he was out here it wouldn't hurt to search the ruins for other equipment, any survivors and food. Maybe if he was lucky he would run into a few old friends that use to live here.
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Post by Weather Wizard on Jan 6, 2009 0:45:28 GMT -5
"Should have used McCulloch to look around a bit first," Mardon added slowly. Shit, why'd that thought only just now hit him? It would have saved them a fair amount of trouble on this trip out. Not really, maybe, but he would at least be able to breathe that much easier. He'd have to remember that one for future use.
As they neared a street corner Mardon paused to peer around a corner, then tensed. "Someone's out there," he whispered. His view of the other party (or person, looked like he was alone), was limited. He hesitated only a moment as he thought of what action to take. Then, with surprising speed, he shot around the corner of the building, wand flashing as it shot a crackling bolt of lightning not five feet from the unidentified figure. It was something he never would have even considered doing if he were in a less weary and jumpy state, but that was not the case for today.
Eyes crackling with the same lightning energy as the tip of his wand, the Weather Wizard hovered in place, ready to strike again with less than a moment's notice. "Identify yourself," he rasped, his attentions zeroed in on the stranger. "Or next time I won't miss."
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Post by Captain Cold on Jan 6, 2009 13:04:04 GMT -5
Cold shot out after Mardon spoke, leveling his gun at the figure, "You'd better listen to him boy." He said, trying to make out who the figure was. His finger rested on the trigger of his gun, ready to fire if need be. "I've seen what he's like when he gets jumpy like this and you don't want to see that."
He cracked his neck and shuffled his feet, trying to ease some of the tension this whole situation had given him.
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Post by Justice on Jan 6, 2009 14:17:13 GMT -5
Justice heard someone approaching from around the corner however before he could hide on the side of the building, a person. The next thing the knew a flash of light blinded him followed by the crash of a bolt of lightening no more than a few feet in front of him. Before Justice could identify the person, he heard another voice from around that corner. However there was only one person he knew that could produce lightening bolts like and was a notorious criminal in this city, the Weather Wizard. Lucky today Justice wasn't wearing his uniform, and decided to go with regular street cloths to blend in. "My name is Blake Curtis, I mean you gentlemen no harm. I'm only out here in search of food and equipment." Justice wasn't about to tell these men his real name, or objectives for being out here. Seeing how he was out number and his vision still a blur, it was just best to cooperate with these men. Maybe he could find out what they were doing out here and gain some en sight into whom they working for.
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Post by Weather Wizard on Jan 6, 2009 14:52:27 GMT -5
Mardon didn't lower his wand after the stranger's, Blake's, introduction. Yet while the Rogue showed no inclinations for backing down, neither did he seem to show any inclination for further acts of aggression. A good sign, really. Mardon's expression remained unchanged, though slight quirk of his eyebrow indicated that he was considering the man's words. Another good sign. Hopefully.
Personally, Mardon was torn. He sounded honest enough, but then there was the option of someone playing spy. With similar intent in regards to scavenging, though, it'd be good to have another body out. Maybe. Well, at least he could possibly be used as cannon fodder or the like should they fall victim to an attack. He could have his own uses too.
But then again....
Deciding that the matter was out of his hands, he shot a brief sideways glance at Cold. If the Rogues had a leader, it was him. Mardon was just the follower. It'd be his call on this one, as far as the Weather Wizard was concerned. "What do you think, Cold?"
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Post by Captain Cold on Jan 6, 2009 15:45:47 GMT -5
Cold looked at the figure, Blake, he didn't really trust his story but then Cold didn't really trust a lot of things. While it would be beneficial to have another body for whatever reason there was always the chance of betrayal. It was something Cold was used to dealing with. The man thought about before he looked at Mardon and nodded, "You can come with us kid, but you're walking in front, you got that?"
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Post by Justice on Jan 6, 2009 16:02:00 GMT -5
Did Weather Wizard say Cold, well that answer Justice question of whom his partner, Captain Cold. This day just went from bad to worst, however lucky for him they brought his story. "Sure thing sir, so what direction are you gentlemen headed?" For now, everything seem to be fine, but he would feel a lot better if Cold ease his finger off that trigger and if Wizard would lower that wand. Justice waited for directions, wondering what exactly were they men looking for. Clearly the only reason why he was still alive was because they need assistance in whatever they were searching for. Well at least this gave him time to come up with a plan to escape.
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Post by Weather Wizard on Jan 6, 2009 16:41:23 GMT -5
He didn't like this one's tone. Or disposition. it was too polite, too agreeable. While some form of protest or whining would have probably put Mardon's guard down a notch, the agreeable, almost unctuous manner of Blake only made his frown deepen. However, the crackling power along his wand and around his eyes faded, and his feet once again made solid contact with the ground. The wand was still not lowered, aimed with its unwavering steadiness at Blake's general chest area.
"Left," was the only word Mardon used in reply, his dry voice delivering in its typical deadpan manner. "Two blocks." The information was enough to suffice for the time being.
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Post by Captain Cold on Jan 6, 2009 17:40:09 GMT -5
Cold glanced at Mardon, it seemed like they had the same general feeling. This kid was too pleasant, almost saccharine. He lowered his gun slightly, keeping it in the direction of the kid's legs just in case he tried anything, his finger still on the trigger. "Hng." He waved the gun jerkily, indicating to Blake to start moving.
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Post by Justice on Jan 6, 2009 18:48:36 GMT -5
Justice followed the notation of Cold gun as he started moving in the general direction. He turned around and started heading left for two blocks. From their facial expression and Weather Wizard tone, he could tell they didn't trust him. It also seem like Cold was in charge but Wizard was giving all the commands. Maybe Justice could use this to his advantage. Somehow turn Cold against Weather Wizard. After all sooner or later, one would get tired of listening to commands from the other. Once they begin frighting one another he could make a run for it, then easy take them down separately. It was just a matter of waiting for the moment of opportunity to present itself. "So what are you men exactly out here looking for?"
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Post by Weather Wizard on Jan 6, 2009 20:16:49 GMT -5
Mardon trailed along quietly, his gaze once again growing restless. Now that matters had been quieted, he started watching out at the surroundings, wondering if the noise and flash of light would bring about curious and hostile eyes. Or backup would appear for this Blake. Or or or. So many things to be watchful for. Silently he cursed himself for not thinking to make Mirror Master peer around beforehand. It would have been safer, much safer. Oh well. Too late to change that now.
When their captive spoke up after the uneventful two-block walk, Mardon pointed. The object he indicated was a supermarket, whose battered front and dimly flickering lights indicated it had undergone heavy wear and beatings over the years. The broken glass in the store front and suspicious dark stains along the concrete and cracked pavement indicated that there had probably been more than a few fights in recent history. Not terribly promising, he thought, but there might be something there still.
"Careful," he warned, as much a warning to keep watchful for unwanted third parties as it was for Blake to watch himself. "Keep an eye out."
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