Vendetta [Ray Bishop]

[Christian Moynahan]

That's the kind of shit you figure out
when you're fast asleep in a fallout shelter
-The Tomatoes, "Vendetta"

According to his contact, this was the correct date, time, and place.

Following his placement of several agents inside Reier Technologies, and then his conversation and subsequent arrangement with the enigmatic “Keyes,” Christian had come to the realization that he needed someone inside the research and development department of that firm. Fortunately, Ira Reier was hiring for just that department. Unfortunately, the man was screening each and every candidate for any ties to Ark Industries - or to Vital Energy, the Kilvayne Corporation, or the government. If Christian did manage to get someone on the inside, it would have to be a person with no known connections to him or the corporation he led.

Although there were companies that presented much greater threats to Reier Technologies and their “free energy” initiative than Ark, Ira Reier had decided to pick directly at Christian and make an archenemy of the young man, proceeding to dig up as much dirt on Christian as he could, which was not much, and remind the public of Ark’s past, which Christian had already left behind. Christian let the man play his games. Reier had beaten Ark and the others in the energy race, but there was no way he could defeat Christian in the public opinion. Christian was simply too popular.

So while Ira chipped at Ark from the outside, Christian worked on destroying Reier from the inside. His contact had informed him that while the application process appeared to be open to everyone, the candidates selected so far had all been Specials - energy-based ones, in fact. Ergokinetics, mostly, but also electrokinetics, psions, photokinetics, any sort that allowed command over some form of energy. The candidates chosen also had few or no connections to family or friends, and disappeared for weeks at a time, if they resurfaced at all.

There was a dormitory - a massive, luxury apartment complex, really - onsite at the Reier Technologies Great Basin research site, so it was possible the newly-hired researchers simply did not need to leave. Or perhaps they were under a non-disclosure agreement so strict that they could not leave the premises without permission. Or perhaps there was something more afoot. Christian’s contact had no access to those areas.

The contact had given Christian a few names, however, as well as dates, times, and locations. That was all. There had been no context for any of that information. Christian had been slightly disturbed to see a familiar name on the list, and had dispatched his right-hand man, Alain Jensen, to that location - the Jung Facility - to look after that. Christian himself had picked the second name on the list and was now standing at an intersection in the middle of Los Angeles, invisible, cloaked by illusions.

That person was someone Christian had also been monitoring for the past few months. An ergokinetic named Rayden Bishop, who had an extraordinary ability and apparently very little family or other connections to account for him. So far, however, he had not noted any attempts on Bishop’s part to apply for Reier’s company, nor any communication from Reier to Bishop. Yet Bishop fit the profile perfectly.

So, completely unseen and unsensed behind his psionic illusions, Christian simply watched, unsure what to expect, but growing more certain with each passing second that something unnatural was about to happen. He was aware that he was not the only person monitoring the intersection; there were no fewer than four individuals milling about for no apparent reason. They were each at a different corner of the intersection. Christian was no battle expert, but he had played enough video games in his time to know an ambush formation on sight.

Was he simply paranoid? His ability’s sudden development had rendered him nearly useless until he had finally started to grow accustomed to and master it. Now, nearly ten months since the transformation, he had a solid grasp on his new faculties - and was that much more dangerous for it. That information, of course, was limited to a very few individuals.

He watched the intersection, especially the four suspicious persons, waiting for the precise moment in which he would have to move. It would be nice if, for once, he was wrong and he had misinterpreted the information, that the intersection and the time and the expected routine of young Mr. Bishop was all connected in an entirely innocent, non-harmful way.

Unfortunately, Christian was usually right about these things.

[Rayden Bishop]

'Marcy I Hope you'e okay' Rayden Bishop prayed this every morning. And has for several months now. Ray felt resposible the she fault that she got caught. She was used to playing the game and keeping under the radar. but not him, Rayden was just a dumb kid from a small town. For the last several months Ray has maintained the same routine. Every morning He wakes up get's dressed and goes down stairs from his apartment to retrieve the news a bagel and coffee. Ray reads the news to keep up on what Reier tech is up to. See they took his girl, and he intends to get her back. as for the coffee and bagel, well who wouldn't. Ray likes an Onion Bagel with Strawberry cream cheese, and coffee with mass amounts of cream and sugar. Today he decided to change it up a bit and get blueberry instead

The next place on his routine was and is the Reier Tech L.A Building. Everyday
he scopes out the Security and tries to divulge a plan to get inside. And everyday he chickens out. Everyday he lets Marcy down. he has failed her for so long now that he feels he doesn't even deserve her. But has to get in there somehow and save her. He just hopes she can forgive him for taking so long.

Ray takes the same route everyday. After getting his Bagel he walks five miles across town. He won't use the bus, or a taxi. And the Subway is to risky. walking is not a problem for him. If he needed some energy He could just siphon it off someones headlights or phone or something. It keeps him out of sight and out of trouble. Plus he has very little money.

Before he left home his step father gave me a large amount of money to keep going with out job for a while. Ray has used that and has now been doing odd jobs to help pay for his rent and travel. This way he can continue my search for Marcy.

Ray passes the same marts, the same mall, and the same Ice cream parlor every day. However about half way through his trip. At an intersection everyday he gets the feeling some one is watching him. It's because there is. He has never seen them but he can feel them. But he doesn't know why. Ray is at that intersection now. but there is something new today. He feels an energy he hasn't felt before. someone else is here and its not the regular thugs that think Ray can't sense them. This presence is powerful. Ray felt a shiver run up his back. He froze at the corner. He couldn't move. All he could do was wait for what happened next.

[Christian Moynahan]

As usual, Ray appeared at the intersection at roughly the same time as, it seemed, every day before it. Christian was not monitoring him as close as the men specifically after him were, so unfortunately the joy of the new bagel flavor was lost on him. Had he known of that little adventure, he certainly would have approved.

Christian hated watching people place themselves in bubbles. It was all fine and well to have a home, a familiar place, something to rely on; but when you let that define you, when you let it shape your days and become routine, that was when it had to stop. That smacked too much of complacency. Christian did not believe anyone could truly find happiness and fulfillment unless they kept pushing forward, forcing their way out of their comfortable bubbles. To Christian, complacency was ennui. Boring. He did not typically try to force his opinions on others, but, well, he could become very opinionated when discussing it.

Another little item that had escaped Christian’s notice was that Ray was well aware of the thugs at the intersection. He would have been proud of that as well. Ray noticing Christian’s power was impressive as well, even if the young man was not certain what it was or what it meant. Not every ergokinetic could differentiate different auras and such, let alone realize that he was sensing someone new.

For their parts, the thugs were just waiting for Ray to start crossing the intersection. The plan was that a car would just happen to come out of nowhere and hit Ray, just hard enough to knock him out or disorient him; or, failing that, to distract Ray long enough that the thugs could run in and grab him.

So much for that plan. Ray stopped short of the intersection and did not cross it.

The thugs waited. Christian was standing at the corner just a few feet away from Ray, still unseen but able to read the young man’s expression. What was making him so apprehensive? Christian was considering taking a look at Ray’s past history regarding this intersection in case he had missed something before when the thugs all jumped out of hiding and rushed toward Ray.

There were five thugs - one at each corner of the intersection and one behind the wheel of the getaway car, who was supposed to have hit Ray as he crossed the street. The thug hiding behind Ray leaped out of cover and tried to tackle Ray; the other three thugs, not caring whether they made a scene, raced over to help, with one of them picking up a large rock while running.

Christian remained where he was, for the moment. He would help, especially if Ray needed it, but he did also want to see how Ray would respond to the ambush. Whether the young man knew he could use his ability to defend himself.

Most of all, whether Ray Bishop was as powerful as these thugs and the man who had hired them seemed to believe.

[Rayden Bishop]

Ray Felt a presence behind him. It was jumping at him. Completely on instinct Ray Stepped his left turned his body and fire a bolt of lightning in the direction of the presence. The bolt hit a man squarely on the shoulder. and knocked him down. Smoke rose from the burned whole where once was a full suede Jacket. Never in his life had Ray reacted so quickly. Its like he wasn't in control of his own body. Was someone helping or was this him.

Two more suit wearing drones rushed Ray. One was completely bald and looked as though he could have been a boxer in another life. the other was taller and skinny with a full head of hair. They came at Ray from opposite directions.

"Come on, see what happens" Ray taunted. He only had one option. But could he do it. or was he being controlled by some one. Again he was frozen in place. but this time luck was not on his side. two chords of solid matter energy wrapped around him. they appeared to coming from what looked like tasers. The wraps felt like Electricity to.

The shocks were small but still hurt. Ray thought quickly though and began draining the energy from the Taser chords. He began to convert the energy into solid matter and conjured a ball in each hand. It was impossible to move. Ray had no idea how fire of his Ergoblast's before the energy drain was too much on his system.

Ray turned his hands as hard as he could until they were almost pointed in the opposite direction toward each thug. Ray had no choice but to let them go. But they wouldn't again it felt like someon was controlling him. But How? Then he heard something in his mind. "Not Yet." Ray didn't understand what he heard. With all the strength he could muster he tried to fire the Ergoblast's. again no go. He had no choice but to Wait.

[Christian Moynahan]

The thugs rushed past Christian, who was still standing back and watching. Everything went fine for Ray at first, but them the young man froze again, and was successfully tasered for his trouble. Knowing how strong an ergokinetic Ray was, Christian wondered why he didn’t fight back - until a wave of muted energy wafted toward Christian and he saw his error: those were not ordinary tasers.

The charges in those tasers had been specifically designed to deal with energy-based Specials. Having made contact with Ray physically, they had knocked out access to his ability and, if Christian guessed correctly, were making him hallucinate, as he seemed to think he was fighting back when he really wasn’t. At this point Christian could no longer stand by and watch. Ray was running out of time.

Stepping forward, Christian dropped the illusions that had kept him out of sight and raised one hand, in which a glowingenergy shape took the form of a dagger. He threw that just short of Ray; it severed the taser cords and then disappeared into the air.

The thugs turned toward him quickly and looked surprised at seeing him there. Then, realization dawning on them, they had the good sense to be scared. Depending on how well one kept up with the news, anyone might know who Christian was and that he was a Special with a potent energy ability. The thugs got to witness this for themselves as Christian turned on them and a dark cloud formed far above them in the sky. It looked foreboding but was mostly harmless; the clouds actually harnessed the energy in the area and then acted as an EMP, disabling all electronic devices and other energy-dependent things except those items among Ray’s or Christian’s belongings. As this happened Christian threw two non-lethal energy daggers at the two troublesome thugs, which hit them each in their upper chests. They were stunned but not down.

Christian glanced at Ray, and if Ray was recovered enough, he nodded at Ray to try his energy attack again.

[Rayden Bishop]

Something cut the chord that was strangling Ray. At that moment he noticed that the energy in his hands was gone. Or maybe it wasn't really there. A moment later the two thugs were stunned by two energy daggers. Ray turned and saw a gentleman, only slightly older. his blue-green eyes looked back at Ray as though to tell him "They are yours." Then he nodded to his black haired head in confirmation.

Ray then Generated Energy into the palm of his hand. This time felt different. It was real. No games, no illusion. The Energy built up in Ray's hands until... "BOOSH!" HE fired off his Ergoblast's. The two thugs fell to the ground. Ray used enough to knock em out but not to kill them.

Ray turned back to the man, and began walking toward him. The closer Ray got the stronger the man's presence felt. Now even closer he recognized it as the presence he felt earlier. An then it happened again. This man's presence was affecting Ray. There was something about him. Perhaps a synergy between the two. Or maybe a clashing of the aura's. What ever it was Ray had to Find out> He manage a couple of words.

"Who are you?"

[Christian Moynahan]

Fortunately, Ray recovered quickly, which Christian was glad to see. He had not been incredibly worried, given what he already knew about Ray’s ability. He was also glad to see Ray take a non-lethal route with his response, knocking the men clean out but not killing them. Violence without necessity was unacceptable.Murder, even more so.

Besides, he wanted to question these men. Christian only suspected who they worked for; he did not know entirely for sure. Once the scene had quieted down, he tapped his cell phone once and said “Clean-up” before hanging up. His team would collect the men and put them to questioning once he and Ray had departed.

That sounded worse than it would be. Christian did not intend to harm the thugs during their questioning; torture seldom got the answers one needed. But, given that he was the head of a large technology company, he did have a few unique ways of getting people to talk.

He looked at Ray as the young man asked who he was. Funny; he had not thought of an appropriate answer to that question. “I’m Christian,” he said simply. A full explanation would have to come later. “More specifically, I have an idea of who just tried to have you kidnapped. But at this moment, we both ought to get out of sight.”

At least his psionic storm had taken out any devices that might have been set up to watch them. With a quick glance around, Christian decided to head into town. He started in the direction Ray had just come from and gestured for Ray to follow him. The young man’s energy was interacting with his; it seemed the two auras were still deciding whether they liked each other. Energy could be so finicky.

“Are you feeling all right?” Nothing seemed wrong with Ray, but Christian asked just in case anything was the matter.

[Rayden Bishop]

Christian turned back in the direction that Ray had come from, motioning for Ray to follow. His advise of getting out of there seemed like a good idea. but the next part was interesting. Christian asked if Ray was Okay. Ray had only been asked that one time since he left home.

It was about two years ago. Ray was homeless cold and afraid. He had no idea where to go and no money. He had just use the last bit to help a poor family eat dinner. He had been searching for his father for a little over three years and had no luck, no leads and no friends. He sat on the side walk in the rain all alone. as he stared out into the city tears ran down his face and he though of home. for several moments he didn't even notice that someone had come and sat down next him. until she spoke.

"Are you okay?" she asked. Ray was startled by this and when he looked to see who this stranger was. He saw what could only be describes as pure heavenly bliss. She was Beautiful beyond comprehension. At least she was to Ray. but her appearance was only half of the beauty. Her voice was as soft as angel's. Her lips twisted into a big grin. but her green eyes spoke another tale. She was sad.

The last time Ray was asked if he was okay he fell in love with the most beautiful red headed girl. And upon being asked that question again it took every fiber in his being not to cry. Not to beat himself up. To remind himself that she will be fine. She will be safe. after a moment he looked up at christian.

"I;m fine," he choked, "Your aura is not familiar to me and very difficult to read" Ray followed behind Christian.

[Christian Moynahan]

While Christian did notice that Ray became somewhat choked up, he was unaware of the reason for it. Had be known what the question he had posed meant to Ray - so simple, like many things in life, but so powerful under the right circumstances - he might have been more careful about what he said; as it was, he did his best to respect whatever Ray was feeling in the best way he could, by not remarking on it.

As for his aura, it would certainly be strange to Ray, as Christian himself was a stranger to the young man. “It’s quite complicated,” Christian said, but did not explain further. If anything, that would be a discussion for some other time. Ever since the trial that had put his abilities on display to national attention, Christian had been wary of explaining them too much unless it was necessary. And now, following their development into something much stronger, he was not certain he understood them fully yet himself.

“Your aura is unfamiliar to me as well, but I suspect I know more about you than you do about me.” That was saying something, since Christian’s name was well-known, particularly in connection to the famous and infamous Ark Industries; but it was entirely possible that people outside of the business and technology fields did not know who he was. It had been a few years since the last time he had been forced to endure the intense public scrutiny that came with fame. At present, he occasionally popped up in the news, but nothing so big as a trial or, well, saving the city of Washington, DC.

“Which is why I’m here, incidentally. It’s also why you were almost kidnapped just now.” Their hurried walk had brought them to a lunch café that Christian knew to be safe. He held the door for Ray and then directed Ray to a table that was far from the front windows but not entirely excluded, in case Ray felt any wariness over sitting there with a socially awkward stranger. “We should talk about your ability and why it could be important to various parties.”

[Rayden Bishop]

Curious, Ray followed Christian into the cafe. There was clearly something going on above Ray's sphere of knowledge. He sat down at the semi excluded table that he directed to and pondered for moment as he sat down.

"I know I was probably a little careless back there. I haven't really been great at hiding my true self. I'm proud of what I can do." Ray stopped there as a waitress came to get there orders. Ray thought for a second. He really only had a few extra dollars. "Can I just get some water, and a piece of toast."

"Unfortunately we are all out of bread at the moment, but we do have muffins and bagels." Ray looked from the table to the waitress, her name badge read Mary. She had a pleasant grin on her face and tried her best to make the two gentlemen feel at ease.

"I'll just have some water then" Ray gestured to Christian. The waitress asked

"And for you"

[Christian Moynahan]

As Ray spoke, Christan nodded, and even smiled a little. He approved of being proud of one’s ability; he considered them true “gifts” for the most part. And Ray’s was truly unique.

“And you should be.” Christian might have said something further, but the waitress approached them then. He frowned at Ray’s order of water and toast, and more still when Ray revised that down to just water. “You should have something to eat. You will probably need it,” he said with a touch of sternness. Ray was either trying to be polite or not assuming that Christian would pay; either one was thoughtful, but the young man had expended a fair deal of energy and Christian had to assume they would be attacked again.

“I’ll have a BLT. Put it on a bagel.” Christian returned the waitress’ smile. “A glass of tea as well.”

He waited for Ray to order something better and for Mary to leave before going on.

“You seem to know your ability very well. How long have you been practicing?”

[Rayden Bishop]

Ray got the point that Christian wanted him to order a real meal. Still unwilling to be impolite Ray sheepishly ordered an onion bagel with strawberry cream cheese. As the waitress skipped away Christian spoke again.

“You seem to know your ability very well. How long have you been practicing?”

Ray shared eye contact with Christian for only moment before answering the question,

"I have read books on people with powers and have spent time in isolation working on my powers. i don't want to hurt people with my powers. I don't want to be a monster. I don't want to be the reason normal people are afraid of us. My goal is... i want to be a beacon of hope, Like Superman."A grin spread a cross Ray's face. That feeling of hope that he longs to inspire flooded back into him. It was a sentiment that has been in short supply for Ray. For a moment Ray was reminded of his childhood aspirations. "In order to do that I need complete control of my powers. Which i have... mostly"

[Christian Moynahan]

At least Ray ordered something that might give him some lasting energy. Christian respected the young man, though, for his attempt at being thoughtful. It was welcome, albeit unnecessary. But, rather than comment on it, Christian chose to be satisfied with the onion bagel order and let the conversation continue.

It did seem Ray had done as much research as possible into his abilities, which did help. And the young man had done well against the attackers for a while. That was as much as anyone could ask for. It would have been unfair to expect anything more.

“Yes, so it seems,” Christian remarked, with regard to Ray having control of his powers. Christian was not certain how to respond to Ray’s wish to be Superman. His own experiences with heroism, with hope, were quite dark; they had led him into mortal danger, resulted in him sustaining damage to his powers, making them toxic and dangerous to his own health. But he was still dealing with the changes his abilities had wrought on him recently, and he was somewhat aware that that was making him consider things in a darker sense than usual.

“But there is often a difference between practicing and having to use them in the real world, off the cuff, like just now. No practice can really capture that sense of urgency.” He smiled a little. “All i all, that was an admirable effort you made just now.”

He folded his hands and frowned. “And while I hope you won’t have to do so again, I fear that may not be the case.”

[Rayden Bishop]

"Exactly, that's why I need to get stronger." Ray started gesturing with his hands, "If even just to stay alive." Ray looked for a moment to Christian, trying to figure him out. He was calm and collected and seemed to have some sort of appreciation for Ray's skill. Though Ray knew all to well he wasn't unstoppable. If those guy could come that close to capturing him what about another EVO? A stronger EVO. "I need someone to train me. All of my progress is just through simply stumbling through life and figuring it out. I'm self taught," Ray paused for a moment trying to think of an example, "Um,... Oh it's like this; i'm like someone who decided to become a black belt. I have some natural talent, enough to be able grab a book and watch some you tube video's. But the problem is that I can only get so far with that with out a mentor, a teacher." Ray paused again, he narrowed his eyes and looked down, "Like if my Dad were here and had powers, he could teach me." Mary returned with the water and Tea
"The Bagel and BLT will be ready soon." Ray to a big gulp of the water. and began to watch Christian when it suddenly occurred to him, What does he do? who exactly is he?
"So question,.... What is that you 'do?', if you get my meaning"