January 2nd, 1974

Never Go With a Hippie to a Second Location
It seems like yet another night of the usual debauchery at the Candy Castle tonight. Everyone's gathered up after having the holidays free from worry. Boost and Sonny are chatting up some new arrivals. Ikiryo arrives too with a new friend. Where the heck was that guy during the big fight they had last time? Someone's got some 'splaining to do...

Pogo started partying early, as usual.

Pulse has a drink at some point. Nightmare is probably socializing with Max.

Nightmare doesn't have a drink though. Pogo keeps trying to get Patty to drink. Pulse can apparently hold his liquor..!!

Nightmare has one drink on Pogo's insistence. She probably also tries to chat Pogo up, for all that would entail.

Nightmare and Pulse too since he's there.

Pogo tells Patty ALL about her life.

Pogo doesn't say a damn thing that's true, though Nightmare believes all of it. Pogo also says very little that is comprehensible Pulse is pretty talkative, for a deaf kid. He doesn't really talk about himself so much, though, mostly asks Patty about herself. How she feels about their situation and her particular burden.

April sees a man being kicked out of the club, bouncers drag him out by the arms and legs. His voice is really familiar...

Ikiryo walks on in with his new best buddy. Looking between the others, and then back to newguy.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo ducks into the ladies room after all this, once Patty has been asked about herself.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare is pleased to talk about her past and her relationship with Oscar. She explains to him that her power frightens her and she feels uneasy about what's going on, especially with SILENCE.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare seems all to eager to tell him about herself. Fucking Kellhus.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy pinches the side of his glasses, pushing them up somewhat. He looks pretty pumped to be there, in that he didn't looked pumped at all. He just looked kinda blank.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare asks Pulse about his life before coming to the Castle.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse studies Prodigy when he notices them, but does his best to give Patty his attention for a bit. He talks about the importance of community, especially with the nature of her powers. "With help, you might have more conscious control over it, you know."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare shakes her head, "I don't know. The thought of controlling it almost scares me even more."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: I lived in a home in Quebec, as for me. I read a lot. Not much reason to go out.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Sonny strides over to give the new fellow a greeting. "Evening, pal. Sonny. Who're you?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse watches Sonny's response to Prodigy very carefully.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo falls out of her van and runs through the back door

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare eyes Pulse a long moment before remarking, "You have a very old soul."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse shakes his head, as he gets up. "Not really." He smiles at Patty and excuses himself, heading over to Pogo.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo scopes around the bar to see if Max is guarding the stock. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo picks up a trashcan, empties it on the floor and turns the bag inside out. She starts filling it with anything she can grab from behind the bar, before Max objects (if he's there)

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Sonny, Boost and Maximo are all crowding around the new guy and Ikiryo. They seem distracted. Massima, Max's young daughter is behind the bar. But she's never stopped Pogo from pinching booze before.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: Hey.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: Yordah saiddis all goota go, kay?

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo says this to the girl, as she loads up her loot <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare walks over to where Sonny, Boost, and the rest are to meet the newbs.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy puts up his practiced SMILE, holding his hand out to Sonny. "Caleb Simmons, student to Dr. James Bannon. I have an offer for you, regarding the recent..." He pauses, clearing his throat. He could not quite believe he was saying this. "Powers."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo looks at Pulse with a squint "Goo on, whaduwan?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Boost looks at Ikiryo quizzicly, as if to ask if this young man can be trusted.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: What's all this?

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy looks at Boost for a moment. C'mon man, he's cool.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare smiles warmly at Prodigy, "Hi Caleb, I'm Patty."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: Suppah.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo points at Prodigy, "New guy?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo nods along. "Dr. Bannon would like some of you. Us, to join him at a... Ranch. They want to learn more about people like us."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse nods at Pogo. "You should have something solid with your supper. We talked about this."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse keeps glancing at this 'Caleb' dude, but being deaf, gets absolutely jack shit out of that conversation.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare: Bannon... That name is really familiar. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: Shove off, don' need toodads.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy: There is no need to worry about any harm coming to you. It is purely optional for any of you to come, and all we will be looking for is information and data that might better help us understand the nature of the Event.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse sits on the bar, shaking his head. "You know that's not why I'm saying this."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo approaches Ikiryo with her bag in tow, "Let's go, yeah? Who's coming with?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse probably read one of Bannon's books recently, honestly.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare shakes her head, "Doesn't ring a bell. I know I've heard it though."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse does follow after Pogo as she socially evades, though.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare: I'd... I'd like to come along for sure.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo jerks her head toward the direction of the door, then hoofs it to start her van.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Sonny: I'll come along. I'm feeling curious tonight.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: Where?

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: Dunoo

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy: A bit upstate. Dr. Bannon and the team should be ready to get to work by now.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Sonny: This lad's a scientist. They want Strangers to help them out with their research. He seems on the up and up. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo: They want to learn more. As I'm sure we do.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse watches Prodigy carefully while he speaks, thoughtfully. "James Bannon?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare nods, glancing at Pulse.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo Camon! Gittin thavan.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy nods at Pulse. "That's right."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: Camon! Gittin thavan.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo scrambles out and starts up her van.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Boost: I'll stay out of this, if it's all the same to you lot. Call me when you get there though, Sonny. Just to ease my mind,

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Sonny picks up a duffel bag from the floor. Did he already have that packed?

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo honks the horn in a series of short, punctuated blasts.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse makes a kissy noise in whatever direction Milou's sleeping, to make sure his best friend, best dog, good dog, comes with.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare smiles with a small laugh, "She's really excited to leave." With that, she makes her way out the door and into Pogo's van, taking her usual seat behind the driver side.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy honestly didn't expect everyone to be so eager. He already had a backpack ready, making his way towards the van after everyone else.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo stows her trashbag of alcohol under her seat.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Sonny takes the seat next to Pogo. "You mind if I take the wheel, kiddo?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: NO.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo is holding the steering wheel in white knuckled grip.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Sonny backs off and fiddles with the stereo instead. "Alright. It's your show."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo gets on in the van, placing himself near Prodigy, silently.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Milou pads along behind Pulse.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">DID SOMEONE SAY CAR RIDE?!?

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse slides his hands in his pockets, leading his dog into the big van for a bye bye ride.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo starts moving the van before everyone is fully seated, or even in the van. It moves just a short hop forward.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse conveniently climbs in in that exact moment, stumbling for a moment.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare: Hey, take it easy, there's no rush.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse catches himself like a sir. ~So Majestic~

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo skids off once everyone's in. Apparently there is a rush.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Once all you crazy kids are loaded into the van, you set off for this ranch. Caleb gives occasional pointers to get you there quickly. Looks like you have some time to kill amongst yourselves while you ride. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo drives amazingly well for a drunken teenager as well.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse studies Caleb. "Tell me what you study."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare pokes her head around to the front, "Hey, you okay?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: YEP.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy studies right on back. "Particle physics is my speciality, but I have branched off into robotics recently."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare: Okay. Well, if something's on your mind, I'm a good listener.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: Prodigious. I've actually been reading about the field recently.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare smiles slightly before settling back into her seat.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo takes a sharp turn which hopefully throws pulse into prodigy for mo-homo <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse tumbles into Prodigy, omg

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse touches NOTHING (but might have this kid's wallet)

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse just might be the man for Prodigy.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: Alright, yeah, solid, thanks.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse and Prodigy share a moment in each other's eyes as they tumble into each other. Pulse-sama *__*

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse sits himself back next to Milou after a moment though, sliding his hands into his pockets. He blinks, then lifts his eyebrows, and shakes his head after a moment.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy raises his brow, doing his best to ignore everything that just happened. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo just doesn't UNDERSTAND

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse hands some sort of superscience battery to Prodigy. "I think this is yours."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: Impressive, though.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy takes it back, giving it a look over for a moment. u hrt bby

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy: Thanks.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy can't help but feel this shit is awkward after that tumble.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Y <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">ou eventually find your way to the ranch just after 10 pm. To be honest, the place looks more like one of those hippie communes than an actual ranch. For one, there are no animals here. A tall, dark skinned fellow is waiting for you at the entrance, along with some other young folks in labcoats. The ranch house and the barns have all been recently painted white.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo bails out of the van and promptly vomits on the ground.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo then walks off a ways like nothing happened. The van is still on.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare offers Pogo some gum.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy stares after Pogo with wide eyes, still in the van. HAHAHWHAAT

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: That's just how she is.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Sonny turns the ignition off on the van, sighing.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy: I...see.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: smiles slightly. "She's learning, though. Even if she is frustrated by it."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse totally said all that. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo shakes his head, exiting the van. He pats Prodigy on the shoulder. "I did say."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo takes the gum with quiet thanks.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Nightmare gives Pogo a small pat on the shoulder before approaching the dark-skinned greeter.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse exits the van, with Milou. He catches up with Pogo and Patty.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy blinks, moving out of the van. "I thought it was exaggerated." He makes his way towards the tall dark guy, smiling. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon looks concerned for the young vomiting lady. "I'm Dr. Bannon, James Bannon. Welcome to uh...is she alright?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo chuckles, following closely behind the others.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty smiles, nodding, "She's fine. I'm Patty, it's a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Bannon."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo shoves Pulse, and storms back over to the van. She rinses her mouth out with water? vodka? you don't know.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon: I'm really grateful you all decided to come up here. You don't know how eager I am to talk with you all.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse is shoved, stumbling backwards a step. He sighs. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo returns with gum. Pointedly ignores everything.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty: Well I think we're all just as eager to learn more about ourselves.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse watches the doc as he speaks, pursing his lips. Even though she's pointedly ignoring everything, he still asks Pogo if she's alright.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo acts like she's deaf.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon tries to get around to shaking everyone's hand and introducing himself personally. When that's all done, they're escorted to one of the freshly painted barns. The interior has all been refitted to look more like a laboratory than any kind of barn. There are medical exam tables and the usual sorts of things you'd see in a doctor's office. Bannon's interns each lead you to a set of comfy seats in the center of the barn. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo thousand yard stares at everything.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon: Have a seat anywhere that's comfortable. Caleb, if you could get everyone's names and general details. I'll go grab Alice from the house.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty has a seat and folds her hands in her lap. She takes a moment to look at all the fancy lab equipment.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: Joyce Garfunkel.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse sits on the arm of one of the seats, leaning against his knees.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo gives the intern nothing but lies

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty gives the intern whatever they ask for. What a square.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy nods over at his mentor, searching a desk for a clipboard and some blank sheets. He moves over to Pogo, staring at her.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo stares at Prodigy, wide eyed.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse answers honestly, but cautiously.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty leans in towards Pogo and whispers, "I thought you told me your real name was Robin Funkhouse."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy writes down Joyce Garfun- WHAT.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: Nah <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: Listen, she's being funny about her name, it's what she does. Her name is Hannah Creedy.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo rolls her eyes.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty fails to hide a smile.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse can't keep a straight face.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: Stop lyin! <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The interns continue to ask basic questions, date of birth, height, weight, pre-existing medical conditions. Nothing too crazy. Bannon returns awhile later with a redheaded young lady with a dour look to her.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: Sorry, I couldn't help it.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy closes his eyes, taking a deep breath. Instead, he just turns around and puts the clipboard back.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: I didn't mean anything by it, Joyce. Relax.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Alice: What is this? You didn't say anything about this.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo gives his name as Ikiryo, but is otherwise perfectly forthcoming.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo takes her turn giving the thousand yard stare, this time at Pulse.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon: Alice, it's alright. These people are like you. Relax. We're just asking them the same questions we asked you.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse smiles at Pogo as he leans down to rub Milou's neck.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty smiles at Alice.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo turns her head, squinting at this 'Alice'

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Alice pulls a bitchface at Patty and sits down at one of the exam tables.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy stares at Alice, lips pursed. He moves back towards the seated group, seeming to avoid Alice.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse watches Alice's expression, demeanour, movements in general.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty 's smile fades and looks around.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse 's expression shifts instantly, and he slowly tilts his head. "Miss, are you alright?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon frowns and addresses the group. "Right, let's talk about the night of the event. If you will. What do you all remember?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo folds her arms over her chest, "Don't remember nothing."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty: I remember... being terrified. And seeing a giant face.. in the stars. And seeing a lot of other people up with me, including my cousin.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Alice: I'm fine. Robert.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Alice smiles, bitchily. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon sort of gestures to Caleb and then to Alice quickly as he writes down what Patty is saying.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse 's eyes flit back and forth, rapidly considering what just happened, then evidently reaches some sort of conclusion. "If you say so." He turns his attention to Dr. Bannon, then nods slightly. "Also two Herculean figures between us, and the face."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo nods, folding his arms close to his chest. "I saw similar."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy takes another deep breath, moving over to Alice. He does not say anything for a moment, just giving her the blanklook.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty leans forward and starts rubbing her hands together nervously. "Right. That too."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon hands some more notepads over to the gang. "If you could illustrate what you saw, to the best of your abilities. I'd like to get a read on how consistent these visions were."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Alice: What is it, Mr. Simmons?

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty furrows her brow as she stares at the notepad, "I'm not really an artist."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: It's... been some time since I've drawn anything.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon: Try your best, dear. We're not grading you.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon laughs awkwardly. It's so forced.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty nods and starts making a drawing of what she remembers. Her eyes lose focus.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy speaks quietly to Alice. He really was not good at mood inflection with his words, kind of sounded like he was reading from something. "Alice, we need you to work with us, them. If you avoid doing what you just did with Robert, it'd be appreciated. You know people do not like that."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Both Pulse and Patty's drawings are pretty serviceable, more remarkably they look a lot alike. Pogo's is not that great but looks generally like the others. Bannon studies them keenly. "This is remarkable really. You all had the exact same experience. I thought for certain there would be inconsistencies..."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo looks between Alice and Prodigy, briefly.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Caleb is shoved back and away from Alice lightly by some unseen force. "Or what?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse shakes his head at Dr. Bannon. "No, it's true. Whatever the vehicle of the experience was, the phenomenon seems to have occurred identically to all of us."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">P <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">ulse: ...It was the first thing I asked everyone I met.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo was about to lay some sick art skills down maybe, but stops, looking from Alice, to Prodigy.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse will knock that woman out if she doesn't stop playing around.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy takes another deep breath. "Or you can leave."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon: Alice. No. We've talk about this. You can't just push people around like this.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty looks nervously between Bannon and Alice.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy is pretty good at staying calm when being pushed around by crazy biches <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo looks at Alice.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo apparently knocks a table straight up in the air.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo is in front of Alice though now, hovering.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Alice leaps off the exam table in time to avoid getting tackled. "You see that? She started it!"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo takes a swing at the girl.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty: Pogo!

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo is shouting bloody murder at the moment, also. None of it makes any sense unless you speak Shelta

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty: Pogo, stop! What are you doing?!

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty stands up.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy goes to pull Pogo off of Alice, brow furrowing. This was probably his angry face.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Alice is socked in the face and falls to her knees.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse picks himself up, strolling over to Pogo and Alice. "Pogo, calm down. You're giving her what she wants."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty helps, eyeing <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"> Alice cautiously.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy: Robert is right.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty: Pogo, please come down. Don't do this.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">No one manages to get a hold of Pogo, her forcefield overloads a second later and knocks everyone nearby back. Alice gets back to her feet and lets out a bloodcurdling scream. Pogo is thrown back into the wall a moment later.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty gets thrown back.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo stands up from his watching this shit position.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon tries to inject some calm back into the room. "Please! This isn't necessary!"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse is just touching Alice.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo takes a swing at Alice, maybe bad timing.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty stands up and backs away from the fray. "Stop. Please.."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Alice shrugs Pulse off but is decked in the temple a moment later by Ikiryo. She goes whirling to the floor again.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse looks incredulously at Ikiryo.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy falls off of Pogo, hopping back to his feet. Rather than get involved again, he just backs up staring wide eyed.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: What were you thinking?

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy: I knew she was a mistake.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Alice stands back up and gestures with her hands at the roof of the barn, tearing large chunks out of it and bringing them down onto Ikiryo. "Is this what you want then?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse fires at the chunks of barn.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: Stop it.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty, meanwhile, is cowering against the wall.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The chunks of roof are annihilated before they can hurt Ikiryo. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Who has a really hard to spell name.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo seeing as there's no longer any incoming debris, just goes for another hit. Leg brought up in a kick.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Alice is kicked in the side, she screams and is knocked into another table.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy moves over to Alice, going to stand over her, fist raised up in the air. "You do not deserve your gift." FACEPUNCH.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse watches this like whoah what the fuck.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty screams, "STOP!!"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Alice gets punched in the mouth again. She spits out a mouthful of blood and tries to get back up. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse is nearby.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo pulls Pulse and Patty into her forcefield reflexively. Feel protected, brosephs <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse is so secure

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">P <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">atty 's eyes flutter for a moment before she <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">faints.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Sonny tries to get to Patty before she faints but is just a moment too late.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo tries to catch Patty so she doesn't fall <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The Monster appears almost instantly and just bum rushes the fuck out of Pogo's forcefield straight towards Alice with a screech that could curdle milk.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse concludes he shouldn't use his powers right now.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Sonny, standing directly in the path of the Monster as it breaks out of Pogo's field, is directly in the way of harm. The Monster's claws rake across Sonny's stomach. Pogo's field breaks for a moment and everyone inside of it is deposited onto the floor abruptly.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse fall <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo fall on pulse <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse catch Pogo <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo is fallen on by Patty

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo wracks pulse

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse grits his teeth, keeps calm, carries on.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse steps between everyone and everyone else.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#660066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty can see through the monster's eyes as the claw tears through Sonny.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: Stop it.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Alice 's body lifts off the ground like a ragdoll and she takes off into the sky through the hole in the barn's roof.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse is vibrating fairly constantly, possibly damaging the floor under his feet, and definitely seeming to thrum or shift constantly as he just steps into the middle of this.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo is just lying on the floor like she's dead. It was her last defense.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty also looks like she's dead but is really sleeping.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo screams so loud that Robert might even notice it.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse resolves to take the Monster down in that moment.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo sighs, looking more than happy to listen to Pulse. He turns, eyes going wide at the sight of wtf was happening behind him.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Bannon looks like wants to get to Sonny but doesn't want to be anywhere near that thing in the middle of the room. Sonny is on the floor, still concious but bleeding out.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy looks up at where Alice shot off, clentching his fist. He turns around, eyes wide, mouth parted somewhat. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse really hopes Prodigy will do the smart thing.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy looks over to his weird seeming backpack, running to it. He plants his hand on the back, a light appearing at the center of the back.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo 's scream dwindles off into a squeak, and she shoots off into the air like fuck this noise

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The Monster runs towards the group, kicking Sonny out of the way. Ouch. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The Monster takes a swipe at Pulse.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse vibrates responsorily as he's struck.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Robert is hit by the claw and knocked away. He doesn't seem hurt but he isn't eager to take another of those.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse quickly assesses his environment, then rushes to aid Sonny.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The monster is clearly violent and willing to hurt you all. What do team?

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#660066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Robert attempts to put pressure on Sonny's wound but it's not enough. There are medical supplies in this room and Dr. Bannon is still here.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse turns his head and barks at Dr. Bannon: "Help me!"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo blinks, looking at the situation like OHMAN. He rushes towards the Monster, trying to hit it in its BUTT to draw it's attention.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The Monster is punched in the butt but seems undisturbed.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon stays low and moves on his hands and knees towards Pulse and Sonny.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy Barks orders as the backpack thing folds out into a sleek looking spider robot thing. "Attack!" He shouted clearly. Sometimes it'd Cyril him if he wasn't clear enough. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Caleb runs over to Sonny, kneeling next to the downed man.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Spiderbot skitters in a circle for a moment before leaping onto The Monster's back. It brings down it's sharp talons and tries to sink them into the Monster's flesh.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Spiderbot 's sharp claws jab into The Monster's flesh and latch on for dear life. That little guy is made of stern stuff.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#660066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty wakes up.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The Monster disappears suddenly with no fanfare.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty sits upright with a look of horror on her face as her eyes are fixed on a mutilated Sonny. Her hand is over her mouth and tears are streaming down her face.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Spiderbot falls on the ground and skitters around angrily, wondering where it's target went.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo lands near the van and crawls in to hide amongst the horrible decor

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon tries to stop Sonny's bleeding. "Caleb, Caleb I need the first aid kit."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse pulls his shirt off and applies pressure to Sonny's wound, as an intermediate solution.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Sonny grab's Pulse's face clumsily. "Robert...Robert, listen."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty scrambles to her feet and bolts out the door.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy nods, getting back onto his feet and running to the desk, opening a drawer and taking out a medkit box.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Caleb runs back over. It was like he memorised where the kit was.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: I'll try, Sonny.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo exhales slowly, eyes ever so slightly wide as he watches somewhat uselessly.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty runs as fast as she can to the van if no one stops her, climbing into the driver's side and starting the engine.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Bannon tears trough the first aid kit and produces some bandages and a powder which he begins to douse on Sonny's wound. Sonny strains to speak. "Alice. You have to find her again. Keep our people together, Robert. We need to stick together if we're gonna stand a chance." Sonny sputters and gurgles on a mouthful of blood..

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo is just sitting with her back up against the van's front driver side tire, since it was locked.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse nods, glancing between Bannon and Sonny. "I will, Sonny. Stay with us, you're gonna be fine."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo springs up and tries to grab Patty before she can close the door.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">doesn't resist. She's grabbed.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty: Let me go.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy furrows his brow again. "Alice is a mistake..." He watches Sonny get patched up, seeming more hung up on Alice.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: What was that?!

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo shakes Patty. "Was that you?!"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: None of us are mistakes. Alice has her problems, and needs our help. Just like we might need hers.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Sonny's body fidgets and spasms for several seconds before it ...stops. Bannon panics. "No! No no no..." He tries taking vitals. Those near Sonny's body see his pitch black eyes lose color and fade back to a deep brown.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty flares her nostrils and clenches her jaw as she looks away briefly. She hesitates before answering. "Yes. Now let me go. I don't want to hurt anyone else."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#660066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo feels bad for Patty. She just wants to run away from her problems, the way you did.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: You...

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: ---should run. I did. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: You're a monster.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse thinks quickly, then places his hands on Sonny's chest.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty gives Pogo a look. "I know." <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy looks at Robert's hand on Sonny's chest, pushing his glasses up in curiosity. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo gets in the passenger's side.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo continues to watch, with bated breath.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty eyes Pogo, "You can't come with me. I'm sorry about your van, but it has to be this way."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo sits there without saying anything, looking ahead. "Nah. Can't hurt me."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty stares at Pogo a moment, then out the windshield, before turning the ignition.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Robert's hand begins to vibrate over Sonny's chest. Sonny's body stirs slightly. Something is happening here!

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy looks pretty damn impressed. That's the most expressive he’s been all day.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: C'mon, let's go to the mountains, yeah?

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#660066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse feels something in Sonny's chest where his heart should be. It's like some kind of Energy. It struggles against him as he tries to revive Sonny.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty glances at Pogo, "I'm going south. Do you speak Spanish?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo: Nah. Too many people. North?

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pogo shrugs. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: Sonny?

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse shifts the position of his hands slightly on Sonny's chest, expression perplexed.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Patty thinks for a moment before shrugging and putting the van in gear. She heads north.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#660066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Robert feels something push into his hand. It's the energy that was in his chest. It feels warm, familiar. You recall the night of the Event. When Sonny helped you back on your feet. How good it felt to touch the man and how reassuring it was to be around him. He hears a voice almost like Sonny's in his head now. "Let me go, help the others."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse stands up, regarding Sonny for a moment, then Prodigy, Ikiryo, Dr. Bannon. "Where are Patty and Pogo?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Sonny's body continues to fidget as Pulse's hands move over it. Dr. Bannon stands back, half awe-struck and half grief-struck.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo blinks, looking up at Pulse after marvelling at his handiwork "They..." he trails off. NO IDEA.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse leaves the barn without ceremony.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy checks Sonny's pulse, putting a hand over his mouth to check for breathing. Might as well lean his head up a little while he's at it.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy can't feel a pulse. Bannon looks at him expectantly.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy takes a deep breath, looking up at Bannon. After a moment, he shakes his head.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon: This isn't...things were supposed to get better now...we're supposed to make the world better...

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy: Today has yielded certain results. These powers...it is like giving children guns.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo steps a little closer, kneeling. "I'm sorry." he gives Bannon a sad look. "We should not have come."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse is so deaf and not there right now, but would have so much to say if these two things weren't true.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon shakes his head. "There's no way we could have known this would happen." He turns to Caleb. "We need to do better, Caleb. We need to be better people. We -can- be better."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon turns back to Ikiryo. "Does he have any family? Someone we can call?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Spiderbot continues to skitter around the remains of the barn indifferently.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo nods, brow furrowed. "I...yes. He has friends."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse returns. "They took the van. Pogo and Patty both, I think."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon: We should settle his affairs. Maybe involve the authorities. I'm not even sure what we'll say.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy looks over at Spiderbot "Offline." He says quietly this time, standing. "What was that creature? It looked like no animal I have ever seen?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: No. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: Look at these wounds.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse studies Dr. Bannon. "What do you know of our situation?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Spiderbot folds up into itself and plops down on the floor. Bannon just nods along to Pulse. "Whatever suits you. I didn't know the man."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse puts on a pair of goofy looking sunglasses, glancing between the doctor and Caleb.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon: The Event, I saw it too. Everything you saw. I thought I was going mad until I found Alice. But it's true, something special has happened to us. We're here for a reason. We have to be here for a reason, right?

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo "Yes." he says rather adamantly, despite his voice being tinted with some sadness.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy: There is a reason. As to if it is a meaning given through conscious thought is a different matter.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse removes those dippy sunglasses, pocketing them. "I am confident an intellect drove the Event. Have you encountered the cultists?"

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy: Cultists? <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo: SILENCE. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: No, then. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon: They took my friend, Kojiro. They're the ones that him aren't they?

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon looks to Ikiryo. <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo nods.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse tosses the sunglasses to Caleb and the doctor. "They have impressive technology and means to detect or filter us. It's not safe alone - you should come with us."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon: You're right. But there are some things I need to get first. I'll be careful. Caleb, go with these people.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: Right now, our first priority - in spite of today's unfortunate climax - should be unity. Sonny believed in that enough to urge me toward it with his dying thoughts. We need to find Alice, and Patty, and Pogo. But more than that, each of us has a responsibility to master ourselves so events like today don't happen.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse is a deaf kid giving a fucking speech, by the way.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo stays still for a moment, before nodding in agreement.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy: Alice is a violent and unpredictable woman with no indication of changing her ways. If you can change her, then I will work with her. Until then, never.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Prodigy does not like Alice <span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">or the idea of psychics, probably.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon turns to Ikiryo. "The records from that supply company are in the house. You should be able to use those to narrow down where Kojiro is."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: She is a troubled woman with obvious issues of self-worth, trust, and her own limitations. These were plain as day to me.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse: Beating her in the face didn't help anything. But, that's done.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo looks at Bannon appreciatively. "Thank you. I -will- find him."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000066;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Dr. Bannon: It's late now. There are beds in the house. If you need to rest. And a phone to call Sonny's friends. I have some vehicles in the garage as well.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse looks very sincerely at Ikiryo. "Can you call Byron? I'm... I can't do phones."

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo stands there mouth agape at the almost absurdity of that.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Ikiryo: Yes, of course.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#770000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Pulse glances between Bannon and Caleb.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The night starts to close in. And what an exhausting night it's been. You could all use some time to let it all sink in.

<span style="font-size:15px;font-family:Arial;color:#261a12;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">TO BE CONTINUED.