THE KISS OF DEATH
Part II

[Michael Gideon, a private investigator in New York City, has been 
brought to the local precinct station, following his involvement in an 
incident in which two police officers were killed. What the police don't 
know is that Gideon is a metahuman, and so was the cop-killer.]


[GM]

"For now, fleeing a crime scene, carrying a concealed weapon, and 
suspicion of
aiding a criminal suspect," they say.

The drive to the precinct house is short, and they lose no time in getting 
you
into an interrogation room. You're relieved when they bring in Detective 
Randy
Santago, who you've worked with before.

"Man, Gideon, this is a mess," he says, and has the cuffs taken off you. 
"All
right...do you want a lawyer, or can we just sit down and straighten this 
out?"

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "I'm not going to be a pain in a**, Randy. I haven't done anything wrong 
and
I don't want to get a mouthpiece involved. You know that this isn't my 
first
time sitting in this particular chair." he says, neutrally. "You had better
have plenty of tape in the recorder, this one starts to get weird from word
one. Ask your questions."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Randy looks at you, then nods. He sits down and turns on the tape 
recorder.
"OK, you hereby acknowledge that you have been advised of all your 
rights,
including your right to remain silent, and your right to an attorney...and 
that
under no duress, you have voluntarily waived those rights?"

[Assuming you so state-]

"OK, let's hear it."

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "What started out as simple missing person case, suddenly turned into 
a fight
for my very life."

  Gideon goes on to explain the first contact with his client Richard 
Stofeld.
His meeting with Cindy Cornoe and the events which led him to his 
present
position. He goes into full detail about Cindy's strange power and the 
effect
it had on Richard, Luciano and himself. He describes the hotel massacre 
and how
they survived it. He even mentions that he seems to have manifested 
some
unusual abilities himself. He tells Randy of his newly gained night-vision 
and
his bulletproof skin. He gives an estimate of his new strength, using the 
bed
incident as example. Gideon finally reaches the end of his statement 
where the
apartment is blown up and the two officers help him get home. He makes 
sure to
tell Randy about the moving darkness that he saw at Cindy's and that he 
might
have seen after the two officers were killed. Gideon tells Randy that they 
can
confirm that he was with the officers by checking the time of their call in 
to
Donny Carver.

  He knows that he left two crime scenes but he feels that his life and 
Cindy's
was in danger both times. He also feels that his actions were not 
completely
responsible at both locations but his willingness to help has never 
faltered.
Eyewitness' at the apartment building can prove that he aided the old 
man and
led them out of the burning building to safety.

  "I told you it was strange from word one. Before you doubt what I told 
you,
remember the news broadcast from the airport and the nuclear explosion 
in
Germany. Think about those events when you think about mine."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Randy just listens to you, open-mouthed at some points.

"Jesus, Mike. We knew something weird was going on with Navarone's
organization, but we didn't figure on these 'metahumans' being 
involved."

He leans back and lights up a cigarette, shaken. "So where do you 
figure Cindy
Cornoe is now?"

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "I have no idea, Randy. I wish I knew. I really wish I knew." he says,
wistfully. He reaches for the legal pad and pencil on the table. He jots 
down
Alicia's phone number and slides it across to Randy. "This is my friend
Alicia's phone number. If I have to be here a while, could you give her a 
call?
She'll be able to get in touch with mom and dad. Just to let them know 
that I'm
alright. You know how things get around in the neighborhood."

  Gideon massages his tired legs and lower back. *Not everyday that you 
get
blown up.* That is probably what he finds the most amazing. The 
experience of
being in an explosion was at once terrifying and exhilarating to him. 
Knowing
that he can take that kind of damage gives him a feeling of invincibility. 
*The
bad guys already know that you can survive grenades. They'll try 
something
bigger next time. They've been keeping you off balance the whole time. 
You have
to return the favor.*

  He had to get out of here. He had work to do that wouldn't get finished 
if he
was sitting in the cooler. "Before you make that call, any ideas as to 
when I
can get out of here?"

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Technically, you fled two crime scenes," Randy says. "And you DON'T 
have a
license for a concealed weapon, even though you PIs always think you 
can get
away with that s***. But I don't think I'm going to hold you, as long as you
let me know exactly where you're going to be, so we can get hold of you
immediately when we need to. We've got two cops dead, Gideon. That's 
making the
whole department crazy. So you'd better not be playing me, or I'll regret
cutting you this much slack, and I'll make YOU regret my regretting it. 
There's
definitely going to be a hearing about those mafia soldiers you killed. If 
your
story doesn't check out, that's FOUR possible murder charges, so I 
would really
think about getting a lawyer, if I were you."  He stubs out his cigarette, 
not
mentioning what you both know, that having engaged in battle with the 
mafia,
legal problems are not your biggest concern.

"So you've got super-powers, huh?" he asks skeptically. "What are you 
gonna do
with 'em? You plan on becoming Batman or something?"

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "I'm not going anywhere, Randy. I wouldn't do that, especially since 
you're
sticking your neck out for me. I'll be available whenever you need me.  If
those guys weren't mafia it would surprise the crap out of me. They 
came
busting into that room with silenced Ingram SMGs. Two groups that I 
know of
have access to that kind of firepower. The mafia, and the feds. If those 
guys
were feds, they were all Cleaners. They moved like they were born with 
those
weapons. I'm sure that the evidence boys recovered the guns and plenty 
of shell
casings. I think that will help with the self-defense plea. If it was the mob,
par for the course. I'll deal with it."

He chuckles at Randy's last statement. "Something like that. I'll try and 
keep
the mess to a minimum, but you didn't hear that from me." he says, 
seriously.

He reaches out to shake Randy's hand, gently. "I appreciate everything 
you're
doing, Randy. I owe you one, maybe seven. You know where to find 
me."

Gideon intends to return home and get cleaned up. He'll sleep if he can 
and get
to work in the morning. He has much to do and little time to complete it.

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Watch yourself," Randy says. "This ain't Gotham City, and you don't 
have a
Commissioner Gordon to pat you on the back and thank you when you 
take the law
into your own hands. I don't see the powers that be *encouraging* 
metahumans to
run around playing vigilante superhero."

He has you sign to get your gun back, and warns you NOT to be caught 
carrying
it concealed again. "Next time, I'll have to charge you. I may get 
hammered for
cutting you this much slack already." Then he tells you you're free to 
return
home.

After a badly-needed shower and short nap, you go to the mall and do 
some
shopping, spending more money on clothes and accessories than you 
have in quite
a while. With all your jeans, boots, gloves and shades stashed in the 
trunk of
your car, you head for the gym.

As soon as you pick up a weight, you can feel the change. You've 
always been in
pretty good shape, but a 20 pound weight now feels almost weightless, 
and at 50
pounds, where you normally did a series of one-handed reps, it still 
takes
virtually no effort.

You quickly advance up to the heaviest curling dumbell they have, 
without
straining yourself. Likewise, when you try the squat and leg press 
machines,
the highest setting doesn't present any difficulties for you; you could 
push a
couple hundred pounds around all day.

It doesn't look like you can reach your limit here, at least not without
attracting some attention as you collect every 100-pound weight in the 
gym and
try to hook them ALL up to one bar.

You take a quick shower, then return home, and call Alicia. Who 
answers on the
first ring. "Hello?"

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  *Didn't expect her to be home.* "Hi, Allie. Please don't hang up the 
phone.
I'm sorry about the other day but some awfully strange things have 
happened
over the last twenty-four hours."

  He hopes that she is at least willing to listen to him. "Can I see you
tonight? I can explain everything." he says softly.

<><><><><>

[GM]

"It better be real good, Mikey," she says, sounding both angry and 
worried.
"You can come over at 7. Don't count on spending the night."

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "Yes, ma'am."

  He spends the rest of his time straightening up his apartment and 
checking
his new clothes for a good fit. He decides to wear one of the pairs of 
jeans
and to start breaking in the new boots. He is standing at Alicia's door at
seven o'clock. No flowers, no candy. Nothing. Just himself, and a whale 
of a
story.

  He rings the doorbell and waits to be admitted.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Alicia opens the door, looks at you silently, then opens it the rest of the 
way
and lets you in, still without saying a word.

Only after she shuts the door behind you does she say, "Well...you went 
back to
her, didn't you?"

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "I did. She called me and said that they were trying to kill her. My
intention was to get her out of the state and to somewhere safe." He 
walks
across to the stairwell and leans against the bannister. "My plan was to 
hold
up in hotel room until nightfall. Unfortunately, we didn't get that chance.
They somehow found us, and a pretty bad gunfight ensued. I managed 
to get us
out of there and back to my place. Wait, it gets better. I'm still of a mind 
to
get her out of town, and I decide to go to her apartment and get some of 
her
things. Well, the bad guys were waiting for me. They blew up the 
apartment and
set the building on fire. I help the tenants escape and I get helped back 
to my
place by two uniformed officers." 

 He pauses to compose himself for the next part. "While I'm upstairs 
trying to
get myself back together, the two officers are shot and killed by a sniper. 
My
client decides it's time to run. I decide that I can't do that. She 
disappears
into the night, and I'm arrested for various reasons. Randy Santago 
helped me
out and had me released after I gave my statements."

 Gideon seats himself on the stairs and runs his hand over his face. "I 
don't
even know how to tell you the rest. I guess the best way would be to just 
come
right out and say it." He hesitates again, trying to find the right phrasing.
"I survived the first gunfight because I'm...bulletproof. I survived the
explosion for the same reason. They lobbed two grenades into the living 
room. I
couldn't have been more than a few meters from them. They should 
have killed me
but they didn't even pierce my skin. I also find that I have some kind of 
night
vision. I could see things that would have normally been obscured by the
darkness. Last, but not least, I stopped by the gym and decided to lift 
some
weights. Allie, the place didn't have enough weights for me. I was lifting 
an
unusual amount of weight with one arm. I won't even get into my leg 
strength."

 He can't even look at her as he explains all of the weirdness that has
surrounded him. "In many ways," he laughs "I wish I were lying. Anything 
would
be better then this metahuman b*******! There! I said it! The new catch 
word!
Metahuman! I wish I had never heard that damned word."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Alicia's hand lays against her chest, as she listens to you with wide 
eyes.

"Oh wow," she murmurs. "A...a metahuman...like Superman? But...who's 
trying to
kill you? Are they still after you, or are they after that...*other* chick?"
Her voice becomes sharp again. "Your 'client'."

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "I thought that it might be the Mob. I'm not too sure about that theory
anymore. I'm not even sure if I was the target. Since my client departed, 
I've
been left alone." he says, knocking on the wood step.

  "My new dilemma is what do I do with these new abilities? I can't just 
do
nothing. I have a real chance to make a difference with these powers. 
Should I
put on a mask to protect my family and friends? What about the people 
that
already know of me. What do I do about them? I came to the conclusion 
that I
have to do SOMETHING. I went out an bought a bunch of jeans and a 
couple pairs
of these boots. Call them a costume if you must. I need to find out what 
these
people want and why they have to kill to get it. Too many good people 
have died
and I have to make that right."

<><><><><>

[GM]

"There's something else you haven't told me," Alicia says. She walks 
into her
kitchen, and comes back with two cups of coffee, handing you one.

"Did you sleep with her again?"

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  He accepted the coffee and took a sip before answering. He looked her
straight in the eye, understanding the gravity of the question. "Yes. Any
explanation I could give you would sound feeble. I tried to stay away 
from her.
I really did try. I just wasn't strong enough." he says, sounding very
uncomfortable. He places the unfinished cup of coffee on the island and 
buttons
up his jacket. "I don't know if it will make any difference, but in the end, I
chose you over her." The pain in his heart is worse then anything he has
endured in the past day. The bullets, the bombs, are nothing compared 
to the
hurt and disappointment on Alicia's face. Gideon is just waiting for her to 
ask
him to leave.

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Oh, s***," she sighs. She plops down on the chair across from you and 
leans
her forehead against her hand, covering her eyes.

"I don't get it, Michael. What's WITH this chick? You ain't never been 
like
this before, you don't GET that way with women, playin' around and 
acting like
a gigolo! It's why I always thought I could trust you..." In her emotional
distress, all the careful diction she learned in law school is being 
replaced
by the street talk of her barrio upbringing. "This bitch is so damn sexy 
you
just can't help f***ing her every time she asks?"

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "Allie, it isn't like that. Part of her ability is to attract men to her in
order to drain life energy. I saw her take a slug to the chest, after which 
she
proceeded to tear the gunman's arm off and drain him like a juice box. 
She
started to heal at an incredible rate as she took this guy for everything 
he
had. She's some kind of monster. I mean a real monster. She turned
into...something I have no words for. You've been with me when I've 
seen other
attractive women. You've been with me when they hit on me. I never 
once gave
thought to cheating!"

  He tries not to raise his voice, but his emotions are building up. "Her 
power
is the same as..as a fisherman using bait. She catches the man and then 
gets
what she needs from him. I was lunch! I was a survival tool for her!" He 
hadn't
really accepted that violation of himself until that very moment. It hurt to
admit it, but that is all he was, a jackass led around by the promise of a
carrot. He was spent. The fight had been beaten out of him. He didn't 
want to
argue with her anymore. He didn't want to hurt her anymore.

 Gideon knelt on both knees in front of her before speaking. "What do 
you want
me to do, Allie? I don't want to fight anymore. Not with you. What can I 
do?"
he said, softly. 

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Oh man," Alicia groans, burying her face in her hand. "'The Devil made 
me do
it'...anyone else, Mikey, I'd tell 'em they're full of s***."

She looks up at you. "Look...I'm sorry, but this chick bugs me a lot more 
than
your being a...a metahuman or whatever. I gotta think about this, OK?"

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  It was more then fair. He couldn't have expected a better answer. "Fair
enough, Allie. If you want to talk, or if you need me, don't hesitate to call.
I have some work to catch up on so I'll be going now." He stood up, 
wanting
very much to kiss her, but not wanting to force the issue.

  "I'll be around." he said before leaving. *Time to put up, or shut up,
Gideon. I have to find out if I can put these abilities to use.* The only 
way
to find out if the Mob was involved was to take it directly to them. It was
time to pay Francis Ricca a visit.

  He had followed Randy's instructions and left his gun at home in the 
safe. He
figured that with his current strength he really might not need it. His 
plans
are to canvas areas that Ricca frequents and wait for him to appear. 
He'll keep
this up until about midnight, at which time he'll return home if he comes 
up
empty.  

<><><><><>

[GM]

You spend much of the evening hanging around the 'territory' that Ricca
supervises. It's a little after ten when you see him, and three large Mafia
soldiers, emerge from an underground parking garage, and proceed 
across the
street to a bar from which he collects 'membership dues'.

All four men look tense, and in a bad mood, the way people do when 
they're
half-expecting trouble, and planning to deal with it in a seriously 
aggressive
way.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  He spotted Ricca and his soldiers, which immediately brightened his 
mood. He
noticed the particular attitude that they wore and his smile widened. 
*Okay
Gideon, stay in control and don't get cocky. It still hurts to get shot and
your body isn't comfortable with it yet.* he thought. He wanted to get 
them
before they got inside. It might cut down on the civilian damage. He 
starts to
walk towards them and slides his gloves on.

  "Hey, Ricca! Got a minute?"

<><><><><>

[GM]

Ricca freezes when he sees you. His expression is fear and anger, 
mingled.
"It's him!" he squawks.

The soldiers look puzzled for a moment, then alarmed, then reach into 
their
coats.

"You @%#$! psycho bastard!" Ricca snarls, drawing a pistol himself, 
and looking
quickly around, both for witnesses and escape routes.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  Gideon felt that he had some of his answers. Ricca knew something 
about what
was happening, that much was certain. He had a second to decide what 
to do. Go
for Ricca or go for cover. He sprinted towards Ricca, zig-zagging to 
make
himself a more difficult target. He intends to subdue Ricca with a 
minimum of
violence. Gideon figures that Ricca's goons won't fire if the boss is in the
way.

<><><><><>

[GM]

As you rush them, they pull their guns and open fire.

Even your speed seems enhanced, as you zigzag towards the frantic 
mobsters, but
you're NOT faster than a speeding bullet, and some of them hit you. 
They sting,
but seem to have less effect than the bullets you took the other night. Of
course, these are lighter weapons, but is it too much to imagine you're
developing a "bullet tolerance"?

Normally, Ricca would be pretty safe right now, with a line of armed 
Mafiosi
opening up on the threat. But what can they do to stop someone who 
doesn't fall
down when they shoot him, and who can toss them aside effortlessly?

Wincing from all the new bruises you've undoubtedly acquired, you 
tackle Ricca,
who was beginning to run from the scene. Restraining him is ridiculously 
easy;
his violent struggles against your grip are as effective as a baby's. As 
you
expected, his men stop firing when he's in danger of being hit. Of 
course,
you've caused quite a scene out here, so you won't have long before 
witnesses
become brave enough to emerge and see what's going on.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  Gideon restrains Ricca in a secure hold before turning him towards his 
men.
"If you want to see your boss again, I suggest you drop your weapons 
and kick
them into the drain."

>>If they comply.<<

 "Very good, gentlemen. Stay right here. I promise you I'll return him to 
you
in one piece." Gideon begins to back away from the men while 
addressing Ricca.
"You answer my questions straight, Ricca. I'm tired, I'm hungry and I'm 
really
upset with you for ruining my jacket. YOU killed Richard Stofeld! YOU 
tried to
have me killed at the hotel and at Cindy's apartment! YOU also had the
policemen killed in front of my apartment! You guys have a metahuman 
working
for you, one in particular who can move like a shadow. Call that dog off 
me! If
you don't, you'll live to regret it," he says through gritted teeth.

 Gideon searches Ricca's pockets as he walks/drags him down the 
street. He is
searching for the money that he has collected this evening.

>>If he finds it.<<

 "I think the families of those dead officers could this money a bit more 
then
you morons."

 Gideon isn't sure that Ricca or his associates is responsible for all of his
accusations. He's hoping to scare some of the truth out of him. He 
figures the
bulletproof dance that he just performed would be enough.

<><><><><>

[GM]

"D..do it!" Ricca says. Reluctantly, his men toss away their weapons.

As you vent your accusations, Ricca begins protesting. "Waitaminut- 
that was
Luciano's men who killed that kid...he pulled a gun on them! The hitmen 
at the
hotel, yeah, do you know what kind of a monster that Cornoe bitch is? 
You were
just...there....Aaargh! Lighten up on the throat, for God's sake....I DIDN'T
have nothin' to do with the cop shootings, that was f***in' STUPID, why 
would
we wanna gun down a couple of cops right in the middle of the street? 
Now the
precinct is on fire with angry cops, all hell's breakin' loose!"

He winces as you manhandle him like a ragdoll. "No...wait...that freak 
with the
shadow-powers...yeah, we hired him, to take out your vampire-lady 
'client'!
She's a monster, I'm tellin' ya! If he went after you, it was only because 
you
were with her!"

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  He had some of the answers that he was searching for. Richard Stofeld 
was
shot in self-defense. He had a feeling that it had gone down that way. 
The
hitmen were as he first suspected. No reason to blame Ricca for them. 
But the
Shadowman. He was dangerous and had to be stopped. He blew up an 
apartment
complex and Gideon was sure that he had killed the two officers.

  "Tell me where I can find this Shadowman. He was there when the two 
officers
were killed. I'm sure that he did it." Gideon eases up on Ricca's throat. "I
just want him. You can have Cornoe if you can find her. The 
Shadowman is a
killer and I guess it takes one freak to bring down another. I don't want
anything else to do with the Mob, yet. Tell me how I can reach this 
person."

<><><><><>

[GM]

"I don't know!" Ricca says. "I got hold of him through...uh, connections. 
But
he don't have a phone number...I met him once, gave him his 
instructions, and
turned him loose."

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  He noticed Ricca's hesitation when he mentioned the 'connections' he 
had used
to get in touch with this assassin. *He's more frightened of this person 
then
he is of me.* Ricca would be no more help to him.

  He turned Ricca around and shoved him up against a car. "Listen to 
me,
Francis. You tell everybody, get the word out on the street that I'm 
looking
for this Shadowman. Remember when those 'freaks' as you call us were 
having it
out at the airport? That's exactly what's gonna happen when me and this 
killer
meet. Stay out of the way. Normal people have a way of getting hurt 
when we're
around."

 Gideon leaves Ricca leaning up against the car. He didn't get 
everything he
came out for tonight, but he got enough. If Ricca did as he was told, the
Shadowman would find him. What he would do when that happened, he 
didn't have a
clue.

Gideon decided to head home.

<><><><><>

[GM]

You get your big light bulbs, then turn in, with plans to donate the money
(anonymously) tomorrow.

The next day, you find out from some of your police contacts who is 
handling
the fund for the slain officers' families, and send in the cash.

The next couple of days are refreshingly (or perhaps frighteningly) 
uneventful.
If you were expecting "Shadowman" to leave a threatening message on 
your
answering machine, or come calling, you're disappointed. Neither he nor 
Cindy
Cornoe makes any attempt to contact you.

Nor does Alicia.

Apparently, the next move- in any direction- is up to you.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  DAY: 3

  NO SIGN OF THE SHADOWMAN. NO SIGN OF CINDY. NO WORD 
FROM ALICIA. THREE
STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT. MY NEW FOUND ABILITIES HAVE LEFT 
ME WITH MUCH THINKING
TO DO. COULD IT ONLY HAVE BEEN A FEW DAYS AGO WHEN I 
SAW A BATTLE OUT OF A
FANTASY FILM TAKE PLACE AT THE AIRPORT? I FOUND MYSELF 
THINKING OF THOSE PEOPLE
AS STRANGE, EVEN FRIGHTENING. NOW I FIND THAT I AM JUST 
LIKE THEM...AND JUST
LIKE THEM, I FEEL NO DIFFERENT FROM WHO I WAS BEFORE I 
HAD THESE..POWERS. JUST
LIKE THEM, I SAW THE FEAR MY VERY PRESENCE CAUSED. 
RICCA CALLED ME A 'PSYCHO'
AND A 'FREAK'. THEY MEANT NOTHING TO ME...UNTIL NOW. ONLY 
A PSYCHO WOULD CHARGE
INTO GUNFIRE, ONLY A FREAK WOULD STILL BE ALIVE.

  Gideon saved the entry and shutdown his computer. He sat in his office 
for a
few hours as the sun climbed higher in the sky. He watched the stick of 
incense
burn itself out, filling the air with a sweet odor. How could his life have
changed so drastically in so short a time? During the last few days he 
had
gathered information about all reported metahuman activity. The number 
seemed
to be growing every day. More and more people like himself were 
revealing
themselves. The manifestations seemed to be completely random. Men, 
women,
young and old. The sane and the insane. Metahumans were appearing 
in all walks
of life.

 The power didn't seem to have a preference. Fate had picked him. He 
had to
choose his path. As a P.I. he barely worked within the framework of the 
law.
That could take on a whole new meaning with his new abilities. He 
thought about
that for a moment. He could try adding metahuman cases to his list of
investigative chores. It might not be a bad idea. He booted his computer 
up and
accessed his old business card. He set to altering the card to more 
reflect his
new line of work.

 When he finished with the card, he ran the new design down to his print 
shop
and ordered them. The trip to the shop took him pretty close to Alicia's
office. He didn't want to stop by unannounced, so he decided to call her 
for a
possible lunch date.

 When the receptionist answered, he asked for Attorney Ramirez.

<><><><><>

[GM]

After learning who you are, the receptionist puts you on hold. You figure 
you might end up staying on hold, but Alicia finally picks up the phone.

"Mike," she sighs, sounding neither happy nor unhappy to hear from 
you. "You aren't in trouble again, are you?"

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  He gets angry at her question but doesn't let it into his voice. "I'm not in 
any trouble. I was in the neighborhood and I thought we could have 
lunch together."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Alicia hesitates for just a moment, then says "OK, lunch would be fine."

She meets you shortly at a nearby cafe where you've met for lunch dates 
before. She's dressed in her attorney's suit, looking businesslike and 
professional and very attractive. She smiles when she sees you, but it's 
not quite the warm, welcoming smile you were hoping for, the one that 
says 'I miss you and want you back.' On the other hand, it's not a cold 
plastered-on smile either....Alicia isn't sending you any clear signals one 
way or the other yet.

She sits down across the table from you. "So, what have you been up to 
the last couple days?" she asks.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  He reaches into his shirt pocket and pulls out the business card rough 
draft. "I was thinking about adding a new specialty to my ever growing 
list," he says with a smile. "You'll be happy to know that I'm no longer 
carrying a firearm. I know that it didn't sit well with you and with my 
newly acquired talents it seems to have become unnecessary. I've tied 
up a few loose ends and started investigating the deaths of the two 
officers. What's the scuttlebutt around your office?"

<><><><><>

[GM]

Alicia looks at your card with a slight smile. "Awfully confident, aren't 
you? Are you sure you're totally invulnerable? I don't know, Mikey...do 
you really want to advertise to everyone that you're a...metahuman?"

"Not much useful I can tell you. The NYPD is seriously pissed off about 
the cop killings, of course. I haven't heard much about metahumans 
being involved, though. They must be trying to keep that kind of 
speculation out of the papers, to avoid starting a tabloid frenzy. There's 
definitely a mob connection, but word is that the mob is trying to 
convince the police that they di

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "In this line of work you have to exude a certain amount of confidence, 
even if you don't feel it. It helps your clients feel more at ease and 
makes your enemies think twice. Personally, I'm terrified and exhilerated 
at the same time. As for my invulnerability, I'm not certain. I feel 
everything that happens to me, only to a lesser degree. I still have aches 
and pains in the aftermath. I know about my tolerance for bullets, 
grenades and fire. If someone whips out a rocket launcher, I'll head for 
cover before I put that to the test."

  He sipped a little water before speaking again. "The card doesn't really 
say that I'm metahuman. It just tells people that I handle those types of 
investigations. Someone smart like you would probably put it together 
though. I can't deny what I am. I need to continue accepting these 
changes."

  Gideon listens to her information about the slain officers. "I have some 
news for you. I don't know how it can be of use, but I want you to have it 
anyway. I have it from a very reliable source that the Mob did not 
sanction that killing. The hitman that performed the job is a metahuman. 
He was supposed to kill my client which is why I was constantly being 
attacked. This particular person can assume the qualities of a shadow. 
He seems to be a loose cannon. The Mob isn't too pleased with him 
either."

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Oh," Alicia says, unable to think of anything else to say. She sips her 
drink.

Finally she asks "So what are you planning to do next?" She was 
watching your face while you described the shadowy metahuman, and 
seems resigned to the answer.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "I'm going to try and bring this guy in. The police will have a tough time 
handling him. I'll have a tough time with him for that matter. I mean, how 
do you fight a shadow? Last time I saw this guy, he was an amorphous 
dark mass. I was thinking about searching for Cindy Cornoe. If I can find 
her, he won't be far behind." He tries to speak of Cindy as 
dispassionately as possible. He knows that a bit of excitement crept into 
his voice.

  It was impossible to describe what this woman was like. This was truly 
a case of it being 'A Man Thing'. Though the lunch was pleasant, Alicia's 
distance bothered him. He knows the difficulties that they experienced 
before were minor compared to this. He decided to cut lunch short. "I 
think that I've taken up enough of your valuable time," he says 
unsuccessfully keeping a bit of sarcasm out of his voice. "What do you 
say we go dutch and call it even?"

<><><><><>

[GM]

Alicia nods somberly. "All right. You take care." Then as you turn away, 
she clears her throat uncomfortably. "I mean...really. I mean it, Mikey. Be 
careful."

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  He turns back and gives her a warm smile. "I will, Allie. I'll keep in 
touch. You call me if you...you know. If you want to talk or something." 

  When they part company, he looks at his watch and decides to check 
on Cindy's old business address. It is possible that she went back there 
for a short while. If he comes up blank there he'll try to circulate on the 
street to see if he can pick up some leads. A person of Cindy's particular 
talents can't keep a low profile for long.

<><><><><>

[GM]

You find Cindy's office seems to be closed. The doors are locked, and 
no one is inside.

Surprisingly enough (or not), there are no leads on Cindy on the 
street...she seems to have gone quite thoroughly into hiding.

Which isn't to say that something isn't out there. All the places where 
New York's down and dirtiest hang out are less populated than usual, 
and the police, unusually tense. There's blood in the air. A bad sign of 
imminent blood on the streets.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "How can I draw her out," he said to himself. He knew that there had to 
be some way to draw Cindy out into the open. For the life of him he 
couldn't figure out how. *She has to have some energy. She can go 
without it, but not for long. What's to prevent her from just getting it from 
some john. Lord knows that she did before.*

  Gideon felt that tonight was the night. The streets were going to be 
very live this evening. He decided to head home and get some rest. He 
would set alarm clock for eleven pm and then restart his hunt.

<><><><><>

[GM]

You hit the streets, dressed for the night in your new black garb and 
boots and gloves, and making yourself a little nervous at your eagerness 
to flex your powers again, and at your eagerness to find Cindy. Both 
impulses could be extremely dangerous.

It doesn't take long for your hunt to turn something up. At Scalli's, a bar 
in the garment district, five police cruisers are parked, lights blazing, 
officers cordoning off the area. You see shattered windows and smoke 
still curling from within, and paramedics carrying bodies out. Scalli's is 
Ricca's trough of choice.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "Damn! Damn, damn, damn it all!" he whispered. Gideon quickened his 
pace as he raced towards the crime scene. He stopped suddenly as a 
thought occurred to him. 

*This assassin likes to admire his work.*

  Gideon used his night vision to scan the nearby rooftops and darkened 
alleyways. He was looking for a pool of shadow or a person hiding out in 
one.

<><><><><>

[GM]

You don't see any unnatural shadows around.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  Seeing no sign of the assassin, Gideon walks over to one of the 
officers. He doesn't have time for any pleasantries snd decides to step 
through the cordon and have a look around. When an officer stops him, 
he'll simply ask what happened and whom.

<><><><><>

[GM]

The officer glares at you, and says "Who do you think you are? Get back 
behind the line, now! There's been a shooting, what does it look like?"

A shooting with at least half a dozen victims, by the looks of things. You 
can't ID any of them, since those not already loaded into an ambulance 
are already covered. From the condition of the bar, it looks like the killer, 
and/or his victims, expended an awful lot of munitions.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  Someone had to have seen something. You can't cut loose with this 
kind of firepower without having an eyewitness. Of course, the witnesses 
could be under some of those sheets.

  Gideon decided to get the jump on the police. He started moving 
through the crowd, asking if anyone had seen anything. With any luck, 
someone would come forward with some information.

<><><><><>

[GM]

The cop stares after you as you turn and walk away. In the crowd, some 
people are the usual rubberneckers, some look shaken enough to have 
been in the bar when the gunfire started.

You find a woman you think you recognize as one of Scalli's regular 
barmaids. She's shivering, and has a streak of blood across her cheek, 
though it doesn't seem to be hers. She hasn't noticed it yet, and runs 
trembling fingers through her hair when you question her.

"Some chick..." she mutters. "Some crazy chick. Walked in and whipped 
out a pair of guns, started shooting up everything in sight. Like Rambo 
with t**s. She just laughed. You got a cigarette?"

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  *That crazy b**** did it.* "No, I don't smoke," he says, sympathetically. 
He takes out his handkerchief and wipes the blood from her face. "I 
know this is a difficult time for you, but I need to know exactly what 
happened. Especially how the woman escaped, if you can remember. 
Take your time," he says, while placing his jacket over her shoulders.

  Gideon is going to try and seperate her from the rest of the crowd. He 
doesn't want any interruptions as he questions her.

<><><><><>

[GM]

She doesn't resist as you gently steer her away from the crowd.

"She was this...real, drop-dead gorgeous chick," the barmaid says, in a 
voice still shaky. "I mean, she walked in, she was wearing a leather 
jacket and jeans looked like they were spray-painted on, the whole place 
just went dead silent. Every guy in the bar just stared at her, their jaws 
were practically draggin' on the floor, along with their tongues. She was 
SO beautiful-" the woman pauses, a note of wonder in her voice- "I know 
this sounds crazy, but it was almost like she was glowin'."

She takes a deep breath. "She smiled, at, uh, Francis I think. This real 
sexy smile. I thought she's gotta be the newest queen bee, y'know? 
Clingin' to one of the made men, and tauntin' the rest. Dunno what her 
game is, but she sure likes attention. OK, I'm waiting to see if there's 
gonna be a scene or something."

"Then suddenly she whips a pair of guns from under her jacket." The 
maid shudders. "Then she's blazing away, spraying bullets everywhere. 
These were BIG guns, man! And she's holding two at once, just like in 
the movies! Blew away twelve guys in three seconds. Then stopped. 
She was f***in' reloading! Some of the regulars, well, you know who 
hangs out here...they're pulling out guns too, and I dived under the bar 
at that point. I just heard a lot of firing, guns everywhere."

She breaks into sobs. "I was too scared to move, until I realized the 
place was on fire! Then I got up and looked around, and saw there were 
bodies everywhere. I didn't see that woman, though. I ran for the door."

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "Easy, miss. Let me take you to one of the ambulances and have them 
look you over." He escorts her to one of the many EMS vehicles and 
drapes a blanket over her shoulders in place of his jacket.

  He was deep in thought as he moved away from the carnage. *She 
took out Francis and couple of his men. Where would she go next?* 
Gideon thought very hard about that question. "Never talk to the feet, go 
straight for the head," he mouthed. It was a saying that his father used.  
"She eliminated the feet, which only leaves the head. Navarone. She 
wants the old man all to herself."

  Cindy had a big head start on him. The only way to beat her there 
would be to fly. He was connected, but that well connected. He was on 
the move as he thought about his options. He couldn't risk a call to the 
police. They would be ill prepared for a person the likes of Cindy. He 
could call the old man and warn him. If he needed proof, all he had to do 
was turn on the television.

  His first stop would be his place. He planned to give Navarone a call 
and then get over to his place as soon as possible.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Navarone himself doesn't answer the phone, of course. A gruff voice that 
might be one of his sons, or just a miscellaneous underling, says 
"Yeah?"

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "This is Mike Gideon. Tell Mr. Navarone that he is in danger. Several of 
his men were wiped out tonight and I feel that he may be next. If he 
needs confirmation, tell him to turn on the local news. I'll be there as 
soon as I can."

  Gideon doesn't wait for a reply. He grabs his car keys and heads out to 
Richard Navarone's home. He will go unarmed, at least to the naked 
eye. As he starts his car and excelerates from the curb, he feels a rush 
of adrenalin wash through him. This is what has driven him for all these 
years. Beyond justice and righting wrongs.

The Danger!

  Knowing that in minutes, his very life could be on line. This time, it was 
special. He was different, his opponent was different. They would fight a 
battle on a completely different level.

He had to restrain himself from laughing out loud.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Navarone prefers to distance himself somewhat, keeping his place of 
residence across the river from his place of business. He lives in 
Brooklyn Heights, in an expensive but unassuming brownstone that 
undoubtedly has plenty of unseen security. Not that any of it is likely to 
be sufficient to stop Cindy. You roar out of Manhattan and across the 
Brooklyn Bridge, gearing yourself up for your final confrontation with 
Cindy. This has to be the final confrontation; with all the parties involved, 
a resolution that's anything less than final seems unlikely.

Turning onto the street where you know that Navarone lives, though 
you've never been here, everything is dark and quiet.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  *Maybe the oldman didn't take me seriously,* he thought. *Serve him 
right if she just swallowed his soul.*

  Gideon parked about a half block away. He tried to extend his senses 
as far as they would go. Listening for any sounds of ambush while 
scanning the street with his new found vision. He'll make his way to the 
house cautiously. Once there, he'll ring the doorbell and hope that he 
isn't too late.

<><><><><>

[GM]

You see nothing on the street as you approach the house. It's not as 
dark as it first appeared, though; there are lights on inside, and you hear 
movement, indicating someone is obviously home.

But Navarone must have taken *somebody* seriously. Only moments 
after you ring the doorbell, you hear a rustle in the grass behind you, 
and an ominous click.

"You are WAY out of your neighborhood, pal," someone with an old-
style Bronx accent says. "Put your hands up, away from your body, and 
tell me who the hell you are and what you're doin' here."

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  Gideon does as the person requests, spreading his arms away from his 
body. "I'm Michael Gideon, a private investigator. I was concerned that 
someone might attempt to kill Mr. Navarone. I phoned to warn him and 
then came over myself. I'm unarmed. I just wanted to make sure that he 
was alright." 

 Gideon knows that an automatic weapon is pointed at his back. Even 
though he is bulletproof, he still isn't excited about the prospect of being 
shot. Again. "May I turn around?"

<><><><><>

[GM]

"Very slowly," the man behind you says.

As you do so, he watches you carefully. "You're Michael Gideon, aren't 
you? That private dick from the city. Ricca said you walked through 
bullets and shook down his men. I think maybe the old man will want to 
talk to you. But I haven't seen you bounce bullets yet...don't make me 
test it."

<><><><><>

Gideon:

 "Don't worry, pal. I won't make any trouble. I just want to talk with the old 
man so we can straighten some things out."

  Gideon takes in the gunman's appearance as he waits to be taken into 
the house.

<><><><><>

[GM]

In contrast with his menacing tone and commanding demeanor, the man 
with the gun is a little shrimp of a guy, with slicked-back hair and a 
pencil mustache, almost a full head shorter than you. He looks not at all 
intimidated, however, especially with the Baretta he has pointed at you.

Inside Navarone's home (which is, of course, only one of his homes, and 
probably the smallest), there are far too many men lurking uneasily in 
the den and looking out windows for it to be a normal "business 
meeting."

Up the stairs, you enter a small study, and though you've seen him at a 
distance before, this is the first time you've met Richard Navarone in 
person. He's seated in a leather chair, behind a mahogany desk, flanked 
by Paul Carlucci, and another dangerous-looking man you don't 
recognize. Two other men were standing by the door as you 
entered...now undoubtedly standing poised behind you, with guns raised 
to join that of the man who brought you inside.

Navarone appraises you for a moment, then shifts a paper on his desk 
with a casual brush of his fingers. "Michael Gideon...private detective. 
And....what'you call it, a 'metahuman', if I can believe Ricca. So you 
believe my life is in danger, do you? I understand you've gotten along 
well enough with my boys in the past. Not sure I understand why you're 
so concerned about my safety, though." He leans back in his chair and 
steeples his fingers together.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  Navarone is as impressive as Gideon had imagined. He had a voice 
that was made to command. Gideon felt like he had just put his head in 
the lion's mouth. He nodded to both Navarone and Carlucci. It wouldn't 
pay not to be respectful to them.

  "I'm not certain that you've been kept apprised of the current situation. 
No disrespect to your men, but certain influences beyond their control 
might be involved. As of an hour ago, you're down at least one 
lieutenant. Ricca was involved in firefight at Scalli's tonight. I don't know 
if he survived. The assault was carried out by another metahuman 
named Cindy Cornoe. Her attack was in retaliation for the hit that Ricca 
put on her. Francis hired another metahuman to kill Cindy. He is the 
person responsible for killing the two policemen in front of my 
apartment."

  Gideon doesn't make any sudden moves or gestures. The tension in 
the study is a tangible thing. "The police think that your people killed the 
officers. I know the truth and now you know the truth. I feel that if Cindy 
Cornoe was bold enough to murder your men. She'll be bold enough to 
try and murder you. I can't afford to let that happen. As wrong as I feel it 
is, organized crime is a stabilizing factor in this city. You're the person 
keeping it that way. If you're killed, this city gets turned upside down in a 
mob war for control. It really isn't about protecting you, it is about 
protecting the innocents caught in the crossfire."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Navarone listens to you seriously, then ponders for a few long moments 
when you're done.

"It wasn't Ricca who hired the other metahuman, Mr. Gideon. It was me." 
He frowns, glancing behind you at the door. "That Cornoe woman was 
not only causing problems with Ricca and Luciano, but....well, she was 
clearly trouble." The old man is obviously not telling you everything....as 
if you'd imagine he would.

"Killing the cops wasn't part of the plan, though. And I have no idea who 
the hell is tossing grenades around. I don't like that kind of crap going on 
in my town, especially when I don't know who's responsible." He 
chuckles mirthlessly. "Call it my fondness for 'stability'."

His arm sweeps the room, and the armed men next to you. "Right now 
I'm surrounded by a cadre of our best soldiers, because we're expecting 
trouble too. Now, this dame Cindy Cornoe...how much do you know 
about her powers? Do you really think she can walk through this kind of 
firepower?" He cocks an eyebrow at you. "Could you?"

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  Michael is shocked to learn that Navarone himself hired the methuman 
hitman. He does his best to conceal his surprise. "Believe me, Mr. 
Navarone, I know how much trouble she was."

  "Your hitman was there when the grenade attack took place. The only 
other thing that would make any sense is the possibility of a third 
agency. If that is the case, you were right in surrounding yourself with 
these men."

  Michael thinks for a moment about Navarone's question. Part of him 
doesn't want to reveal any of Cindy's secrets, another would just as soon 
see her 'out of the picture'. "What I know about Cindy's power you could 
fit in a thimble. I don't think that she could walk through this arsenal. As 
long as your men get her with the first shots." 

He looks around and sees the plethora of Ingrams, Uzis, Mac-10s, Car-
15s and too many autopistols to count. His answer is an honest one, 
based on his limited experience. *I've been blown up and shot up. Not to 
forget being pinned under flaming rubble.*

  "If it were me coming after you, this would be a cakewalk."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Navarone coughs, while his men glower at you suspiciously.

"Well," he says. "We think she's been stalking my men. A few 
disappeared even before the shootout tonight. And..." he pauses, "there 
may be a third agency. I think the fre- the superhuman I hired, to deal 
with Cornoe, had his own agenda. There was NO reason for him to 
shoot those cops, other than to get their buddies stirred up like a 
hornet's nest."

"We are looking for her right now...we plan to finish the job you 
prevented us from doing earlier. So whose side are you on this time? I 
know better than to offer you a job. But someone is trying to set us up, 
and it looks like you've been a patsy too."

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  It didn't take Michael more then a second to make his decision. "Cindy 
Cornoe and your former hitman go down. I'll work with you on this one. I 
just want you to know that this isn't going to happen quietly. When we 
superhumans start throwing our weight around, it's usually accompanied 
by a great deal of noise. I'll need to be there when your people find her."

  He puts up a good show of being completely on the side of the 
Navarones. Deep inside he knows that he'll try to save Cindy and will 
only destroy her as a last resort. Despite all of the hurt and pain he feels 
at being used, her charms haven't worn off just yet. The cop killer is a 
different story. Gideon intends to put him down hard.

  "I'll need to know how your search is being conducted. I can be out on 
the streets providing another set eyes if I know where to look. I'll also 
need to borrow a celluar phone. That way, we can keep in constant 
contact even if I'm on the move."

  "By the way, the money I took from Ricca was donated anonymously to 
the families of the two dead officers. Call that my retainer."

<><><><><>

[GM]

Navarone makes a coughing laughing sound. "Hmph. Fair enough."

He nods to his men. "See to it Mr. Gideon has a cellular phone. We 
should be getting a call very soon from Charlie, he was following a lead 
on the chick. Maybe tonight we'll- wha?" The lights in the house all 
flicker, then go out.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "Oh s***! Get Mr. Navarone down, now! Everyone hold their positions! 
They'll try to use the darkness to confuse you and get you to kill each 
other!"

  Michael prays that his night vision is still working. He'll crouch down 
near the desk and scan the room for the moving pool of darkness that he 
feels is coming.

<><><><><>

[GM]

You can see clearly in the darkness. Navarone's men are moving 
efficiently and without panic, as is Navarone himself, taking up defensive 
positions as you advised. "I got a flashlight," one of his lieutenants 
whispers.

You don't see anything else moving in the room. But you all suddenly 
hear a burst of gunfire from downstairs, and the crashing sound of 
shattered glass.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  "Mr. Navarone, I'm going down to check this out. I'll do my best to take 
out whoever is down there. If you have a hidden way out of here, I'd take 
it if I were you. You know how to contact me."

  With that said, Michael exits the room and heads towards the sound of 
gunfire. *Hope you know what you're doing Gideon.*

<><><><><>

[GM]

You find the front windows destroyed, and two men lying dead or dying 
on the living room floor. One soldier is crouched by the kitchen window, 
and spots you dimly in the darkness.

"Fired a burst from a submachine gun," he grates. "Then keeps popping 
rounds from all directions. Circling the house, whoever it is. Luke and 
Kenny and Sly are outside trying to-" You hear more gunfire, outside, 
then a peculiar crackling noise, and a flash of flickering light illuminates 
the lawn briefly.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  The light catches Gideon off guard. "I don't know what that was, but I'm 
going to find out. Stay frosty, when it happens it's going to happen fast."

  Gideon took a few deep breaths and launched himself towards the front 
door. He'll crouch on the stoop and try to get an idea of what the exterior 
situation might be.

<><><><><>

[GM]

Someone is screaming, one of the men outside. There's something 
familiar about that horrific cry.

And a glowing figure moves across the lawn, darting into the space 
between Navarone's house and that of his neighbor. The figure was 
moving fast, much faster than you've ever seen a person move before, 
but just a glimpse was enough for you to recognize Cindy Cornoe, 
glowing like flourescent light.

She's circling the townhouse, firing rounds through windows, apparently 
heading for the back alley.

<><><><><>

Gideon:

  Seeing her glow, brought back the images of the massacre at the hotel. 
He had denied it back then, but seeing her now and knowing what she 
had done earlier, it became clear.

  Cindy Cornoe was dead.

  At least the girl in the yearbook pictures. She had been replaced by a 
lustful, hating creature. He had known this on some level. A combination 
of her influence and his need to try and save people, had conspired to 
blind him. Nothing in the world could blind him to the anguish of these 
dead men. The life, forcibly taken from them. He was the only person 
with a chance to stop her.

 Gideon darted off the stoop and raced to the body of the dead man. He 
makes a quick search of him for his pistol. Once he secures the gun he'll 
pursue Cindy down the alley and try to get a clear shot at her.

 As soon as he lines up a clear headshot, he'll loudly call out to her.

 "CINDYYYY!"