PS-004 A world where the people from early age are subjected to intense thought control. While an orderly society, such minor crimes as littering can trigger a frenzied response from both the government and the peoples.
Once visited by members of the Clique, with the help of Landis.
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The young tech read the countdown as gatetime approached ....
" 5 .... 4 .... 3 .... 2 .... 1 .... "
The cyclonic burst of energy and the gate opened, and immediately closed. The gate appeared and locked ... the green lights came on. The lock rating appeared over the view screen. Rating 99.8 percent ... near as perfect as could ever be achieved.
"Brilliant, people, brilliant!"
Llyron was ecstatic ... the gate lock was the stable he'd ever seen. Signals coming through from the launched drone were crystal clear. Zero interference for Tinman communication.
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LlyronLlyron himself decided to man this expedition. They were again just off of New York City. An hour of prep time and he was in an aquatic car, pulling up onto the boat landing at Long Island. He parked the car in the water under the boardwalk and went ashore, assuming human guise. A stroll across the bridge ... from there he could see the Atlantean embassy, looking new and pristine. It was odd, this place was immaculately clean ... it looked like the majority of the people drove hybrid cars. More amazing yet, the subways and bus seemed to be free of charge, so he caught a ride into Manhattan. FF plaza seemed intact, as did the Avengers mansion. A swing over to Champions HQ left him stunned though ... not place he'd known back on earth. Luxuriously appointed marble, steel and glass. Brilliant architecture. And all about him, milling happy people. He stood gazing at it, like a tourist ... which he was.
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Champion Arctic Izotza pulled offer her helmet as she arrived at the Champion’s head quarters. Her motorcycle was carfully tucked away as she ran her fingers through her blonde hair. The commercial shoot had run long and she knew that she was going to be late for her assignment, but honestly, who would dare oppose the Clique?
It had been a long time since she’d seen some real action with those litter bugs, but still training and her duties kept her busy… maybe too busy as she hadn’t done any real socializing lately. But it was just the same. Anyone who wanted to go out with her was probably just looking for their fifteen minutes rather than having any real interest in her.
She made her way to the training room and into her usual room where she signaled for the training simulator to come on so she could practice.
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LlyronHe blinked hard as he saw what looked a lot like Arctic arrive at the Champions HQ like she owned the place. And perhaps she did. The guards treated her like an old friend as she went through and into the building, parking her bike in ... reserved parking with her codename on it?? THIS was going to be a fascinating world.
Llyron asked a guard if it was allright if he went inside, and he was told yes, and he proceded in. A small crowd was in an observation room, watching educational recorded displays about the Champions and their glorious history as peacemakers. Further down was an observation window for the training room, where Arctic was training. Another PR opportunity. Jack managed to make his way to the front of the crowd.
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Champion Arctic The training today was to work out the kinks in her new mask. I was supposed to amplify her powers as well as provide her with new ones. The simulation stopped abruptly many times and a few men in white coats would come in to talk to her for a few moments before she finally finished up and offered waves to the crowds who applauded her.
She disappeared for a few moments and then could be seen in the hallway near the observation room to sign autographs and take pictures. It was only then that she had noticed the man staring so intently at her. While most of the others seemed like mindless adoring drones… he was studying her.
So she finished up the autograph she was on and moved to approach him. “Hey there. Is there something I can help you with?” she tilted her head a little. “You look familiar…”
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LlyronHe smiled, surprised she'd recognized his human form.
"We may have met before. Jack McKinzie."
He casually fingered his teleport tag in his belt, in case she attacked. Was this world's Llyron allied with the humans? Probably ... they seemed much more ecologically minded than those back home. He would see by her reaction ... if any at all.
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Champion Arctic “Name doesn’t ring a bell… but you do sort of look like that guy that was trying to take over… Egomaniac polluting everything… Lay-man, lay-ron… I forget. Green-skinned dude.” she said as she waved her hand dismissively. “Anyway, It was myself and Shadowcaster that finally put an end to him to save our fair city.” she explained with a gentle smile.
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Llyron"It IS beautiful. Such a wonderful example of ordered society."
He kept his face straight ... polluting? Didn't sound like him. But then this didn't seem like the Arctic he knew, either.
"I was wondering if I could talk to you for a moment? About a matter of scientific importance ...? "
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Champion Arctic “Scientific importance?” she said as she put her hands up. “Woah woah… we are putting a stop to this conversation right now. If I told you people once, I’ve told you a thousand times… one: I don’t use steroids, Two: If you want me to promote your thing, you have to talk to my agent, and three: I am not allowed to reveal my technology. If this ever got into the wrong hands…” she started taking a few steps back as she shook her head.
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LlyronHe smiled.
"No no no, I'm talking science that I might help humanity with. I don't want any profit or PR from you. I just wanted to discuss something about the ethical applications of a new science ... and you always reputed as the, forgive the pun, coolest member of your team. You'd know if this is something I should divulge or not."
“I… really think you should talk to the boss about that… I mean… Hard Core is really particular about what we can say and can’t.” she told him gently as she looked around and sighed gently. “Okay… okay fine. We can talk… but if this starts getting weird, or you’re plugging me for too much… I’m going to pull the plug right away.” she told him as she waggled her finger at him.
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LlyronHe nodded, and almost caught himself making a polite bow ... but refrained. No Atlantean mannerisms ... at least not yet. He walked with her outside, and off to the side ... annoyed at the tourists taking pictures. Well, not that they were taking pictures ... he LOVED pictures. But he was used to the cameras being aimed at HIM.
"Arctic, I'm going to tell you something rather hard to believe. But then you're an experienced peacekeeper here. Have you heard about the theories of parallel worlds ... universes where things are similar but a bit skewed from the one you know?"
He had no idea this was the world where the clique had made themselves known.
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Champion Arctic She stopped and looked at him seriously. “If this is more about that ridiculous theory about the litter bugs…” she looked around and smiled at some of the people that had passed before pulling him into another building. “Look… I don’t know how you found out about the second Schemer or the girl that looked like me… but if I were you, I wouldn’t mention it again.” she said as she glanced around again.
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LlyronHe blinked ... and blinked again.
"Second Schemer? Another Arctic? Lord Poseidon! Could this be where Landis dumped them all those months back? The odds are phenomenally improbable, but then our device IS based on Landis' energy signature."
He looked at her curiously.
"But what are you talking about litterbugs?"
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Champion Arctic “Okay… okay… that’s it. I’m done. I’m not listening to this anymore. I know what I saw… I know who I destroyed. End of story.” she told him as she wrapped her coat around her tighter and started ducking out of the alley before she turned back to him. “And a word of friendly advice? If you plan on sticking around, I wouldn’t talk like that if I were you.” she told him before heaving a big sigh.
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LlyronHe laughed ... a pleasant, rolling noise.
"It makes one believe in a sense of fate. Kizmet. The karmic wheel."
He moved forward, to keep pace with you.
"I would assume the official story then was clones? And, seeing as ... Llyron ... was a criminal here, I assume he was blamed? How utterly comical."
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Champion Arctic “The story was posers. People looking like us to try and drop public opinion. That’s what they said when more came and we locked them up. They are dead now. Llyron has been dead for nearly a decade. The only thing he was blamed for is some bad hygiene.” she told him as she sauntered back over to him. “You… really aren’t from around here, are you?” she asked him gently. “’Course not. That’s why we’ve been talking for more than two seconds and you haven’t run away screaming…” she offered as she brushed her hair back a little and looked at him.
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LlyronHe smiled broadly.
"Why on earth would anyone, well ... other than an enemy ... run from you? You're one of the most beautiful women on the planet."
He again shook his head.
"So schemer is a hero also? Nearly a decade, hmmm? Must be a close approximation."
He himself was only 6-7 years old.
"YOU are in for an incredible surprise ...."
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Champion Arctic She took a deep breath and glanced over her shoulder again, patrol would be by any moment and would ask her why she wasn’t following her normal routine. She might be able to get away with it because of her status, but they wouldn’t be able to linger long.
She looked back at him, concerned as she crossed her arms and waited for him to explain. “You really have no idea…” she told him gently as she diverted her gaze downward. She didn’t want to explain it and shatter his perceptions.
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LlyronHe looked at her.
"No idea? You're sick or something?"
He looked concerned ... Arctic was such a pivotal player in his game with the clique back home. He followed her gaze over her shoulder ...
"Looking for papparazzi?"
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Champion Arctic “No. I’m not sick.” she told him before she looked down at her watch. “We have to go.” she told him as she pushed him farther into the alley. “We can’t let anyone see us here… not like this.” she told him as she pushed him along.
“Ever hear the term ‘Ice pregnant dog’?” she said as she kept shoving him. “Yes, that was my name long before Arctic ever was.” she told him. “The patrol will be here any second. Come on MOVE!” she said as she pushed him to move.
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LlyronHe moved along quickly, she must be late for something.
"I'll walk with you, if you're in a hurry. 'Ice pregnant dog'. Never heard of that."
He raised an eyebrow as they walked.
"Don't tell me you're working off some sort of community service thing?"
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Champion Arctic “The ladder. Go. Hurry.” she said as she watched the darkened alley. “The third floor window is open, it’s my other place… just slide in and we’ll be able to talk more there.” she told him as she started following him up the ladder.
That was when she heard the footsteps. Crap.
She slid down off the ladder and smiled gently. “Boys! How are you tonight?”
“Miss Lyubov. You missed your second session today.”
“Yes, I know, I just needed to get some air. I am sorry about that. I’ll be there bright and early tomorrow to finish up fixing those kinks.” she said as she patted one on the shoulder.
“And what about the man we saw you with?”
“Tourist. Saw him off at the bus station. Never did catch a name. Was that all? I’m kind of… busy at the moment.”
“Alright. Tomorrow. You’d better be early. The boss will want to talk to you.”
“Yeah yeah…” she said as she shooed them off. Before glaring in the direction of the ladder and moving to hurry up after him.
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LlyronHe chuckled.
"You ARE on some sort of community service release program."
He grinned.
"What's the story? Former free speech radical?"
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Champion Arctic “No. I’m not. I’ve never committed any crime. And… maybe that’s the trouble.” she said as she flopped into a chair. “People tell me I’m uptight. Especially the people I bring in. They all seem crazy. And by the way? You are topping that list right now. I should have handed you over to them.” she explained as she looked at him and crossed her arms. “So what’s your story?”
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LlyronHe laughed ... this was too good.
"Turn me in for ... bad attitude?!? Lord help me, this place is just TOO rich. Thought police."
He smiled.
"I'm the son of Namor, the Submariner. Named Llyron, just like that loser you and Shadowcaster killed was. But hopefully a bit brighter. My human name is Jack McKinzie. And in case you don't believe me ...."
For just the barest moment, his face turned green and his eyebrows and ears arched to points, then returned to human appearance.
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Champion Arctic She tensed and her hand came up to defend herself when she looked at him in confusion. “But I saw you… I… I just…” She made a stabbing motion through her heart as she looked at him. “So… just how did you get here?” she asked him intently.
It was more than clear that she was confused about all of this but ever so slowly, she was buying into everything he was telling her. Honestly, who wouldn’t? The potential that there was the possibility of a life better than the one you are living definitely has appeal.
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LlyronHe laughed ...
"I wonder if my own version here faked his death. I could see easily making a clone to take the hit for me. Remember how I told you about parallel worlds. I wasn't kidding."
He smiled
"Take a little boat ride with me? And we can discuss your world, and mine ...."
He put out his hand ...
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Champion Arctic She looked down at his hand and then up at his face, and firmly stayed rooted to the spot she was in as she looked up at him. “Just… what do you want from me?” she asked him gently. “I don’t want to go into this blindly. I’ve given up a lot already, and before I go any further… I want some more explanation from you.” she told him as she looked around again. It was probably the most vulnerable she’d ever appeared to anyone.
“The second me… went down the sewer and disappeared… was she really from another world?” she asked softly as she looked at him. “I only asked because… you seemed to know me. Because… you know her, don’t you?”
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LlyronHe smiled, but is was less cheerful ... a bit more grim.
"My world is much more brutal than yours. Roles tend to be reversed. Kind of a dark mirror image. The arctic from my world is a murderess ... she works for a terrorist named the Schemer."
He raised a brow.
"It's a different world. Dirty. Brutal. Lord Poseidon, I don't even know if Atlantis rose here."
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Champion Arctic She sighed a little and nodded. “I kind of thought so.” she said softly. “She never… came back, did she? she just… sunk lower.” It was then that she nodded a little and offered her hand this time. “Okay, I’m ready for that boat ride.”
But she paused a moment and removed her mask. “But you can’t talk like that in pubic. We’re happy shiny people… okay?” she told him as she came back to offer her hand to him.
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LlyronHe smiled and reached out to touch her hand. He laughed lightly ...
"Hold your breath ...."
His free hand touched the jack-tag keyed to the anchor atop his aquatic car parked in 30 feet of water beneath the boardwalk of Coney Island. They appeared underwater, assuming she went with.
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Champion Arctic When she opened her eyes and spotted where they were she motioned for him to let go for a moment before she fashioned herself a small bubble she fixed over her nose and mouth so she could breathe and then offered her hand out to him again.
She really didn’t know why anymore. He was a murderer, a litterer and…. She trusted him more than she had trusted anyone she’d ever known. It was all strange and confusing and she wasn’t ready for it to end.
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LlyronBeneath them, a rocky formation transformed into a shining new car .... and floated up to them. The seats slid back and a hatch opened in the floor of the vehicle, and Llyron guided her into the air filled vehicle. Inside, they could talk in peace. He joined her a moment later. His clothing flowed over his body (unstable molecules), and he assumed his true form.
"This ... is my car. One of several."
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Champion Arctic She looked around, a little more nervous now before returning her gaze to him. “Are we still… just outside the compound? IN the harbor?” she asked him gently. “Was this car like… twenty feet from my office the whole time?” she asked him softly.
“Just… what do you want with me anyway?” she finally came out and asked him as she looked at him intently. “All things considered… I’ve killed you once, and I could do it again if you’re just going to kidnap me.” she told him seriously. “Because I know how to do it…”
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LlyronHe shook his head.
"You killed YOUR Llyron. You're probably talking of draining all the heat from my body. I've survived and taken precautions against that since then."
He smiled.
"I have no intention of kidnapping you. I'm talking about a car ride. You tell me about yourself and your world. Then I return the favor. Then we consider our options. Qui Pro Quo, Clarise."
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Champion Arctic “I know. I never doubted that. Not really. But I just… I wanted to put that out there. Reassuring myself if nothing else.” she explained as she looked over at him again. “There isn’t much to tell. You’ve pretty much seen it all. You stay in line, be happy and everything is fine… if you’re not well… then you end up in the looney bin and… bad stuff happens there.” she explained. “I was talked into helping this one guy who had a fear of drowning… he hasn’t been back since.” she told him with a soft sigh. “I live comfortably… and it’s a good job.” she told him as she leaned back in the seat. “Or at least… I thought so until I started talking to you.”
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LlyronHe smiled.
"Is that really the case or are you hoping to turn solve the litterbug evil schemer plot?"
He looked at her carefully, watching for a reaction ...
"I HAD to ask. I want to assure you, I am NOT allied with those who came before."
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Champion Arctic