Warp: Prelude to Discord

Metaphysical / Paranormal event

With the upcoming trip to Hell to think about, Frank heads to Century HQ to arm himself with weapons, knowledge and the resolve to continue the fight.

The pale radiance of the morning sun shines brightly against the glass exterior of Century HQ, as Frank parks up outside. Walking up and into the main building, he quickly spots the main receptionist and approaches with a friendly smile, "Good morning Denise, I need to speak with the head of Occult Research & Investigation"   "Oh, hi Frank," Denise says, smiling as she looks up from her terminal, smiling warmly at the Agent, "Dr Mantis is up in the departmental management meeting right now, but you're welcome to head to his office and wait for him. Do you remember where it is?"   "I do indeed, thanks" Frank says, making his way to the lifts near the reception desk and entering a newly arrived one as its previous occupants exit with a pleasant nod to Frank, who returns the gesture before settling next to the controls, and taps the button for level 3, humming an old tune to himself as the lift begins to ascend.   He reaches the third floor without much fanfare. This floor had always been something of an enigma to Frank, often preferring to avoid things like magic and the supernatural, but today he had an important job to do as he headed towards the small library that serves as Dr Mantis' office.   Reaching Dr Mantis’ office door, Frank opts to wait inside, passing quickly inside and shutting the door behind him. The office is fairly sizeable, easily the biggest of the subdepartment heads, with aged books of the supernatural and occult lining every wall and a beautiful hand-carved wooden desk in the centre of the room. Even his magically-dull senses could feel a certain level of energy within the walls of the room, and Frank almost expects a piece of office furniture to come to life and start speaking to him at any moment.   Whilst awaiting the good doctor’s arrival, Frank browses along the many well preserved tomes, keeping an eye out for any titles that mention demons or related subjects, maintaining a healthy distance however, uncertain if the books are magically warded and unwilling to test the possibility.   While he sees a few words that look vaguely demonic, Frank can't be sure as a lot of the older books especially are written in Latin and might as well be gibberish. It becomes a moot point however when, a moment later, the office door swing open and the cockroach-headed Doctor paces in, his stride and posture denoting a military history and his insectoid visage a run-in with the uncanny.   "Ah! You must be Agent DeTroy," he says in a jovial baritone as he closes the door behind him, placing a dusty stack of papers on a nearby table and holding out his hand to shake, "The Centurion told me you'd likely want to pay my little home away from home a visit. Doctor Barnabas Mantis. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."   “The pleasure is mine Doctor, you have my thanks for meeting with me on such short notice” Frank replies warmly, taking the proffered hand, careful as always not to accidentally crush it. “I was hoping you and your department could help me with a demon problem, and maybe a vampire one as well”.   "Oh yes, Chap. I'm sure," he says, meandering over to his desk and offering Frank a seat, "Frankly, I'm surprised you haven't come through here before. We've been working with samples of Zaebosian corruption for weeks now. Made some interesting discoveries too, if I might add."   Frank takes the offered seat and settles in, "please do tell. Any insights you can give would be most appreciated"   "Well, of course it's hard to make any definitive claims without access to more corrupted material and test subjects," Mantis responds, taking a seat and clasping his hands together atop the desk, "But the guys in the R&D -ahem- that is, theRituals and Divinations department, think they may have developed a spell that can ward people against the indirect corruption in areas around the archdemon. But, in all honesty, Frank, we're more interested right now in you."   Frank quirks an eyebrow at the last statement, “In me?” He asks bemusedly.   "Well, you and your companions, of course," he says, a little surprised that Frank doesn't understand what he's thinking, "Have you not realised that you're the only people able to freely enter areas of Zaebosian corruption and not suffer the effects?"   “Tell you the truth Doc, given it’s the entire team, I had wondered if it were Zaebos itself leaving us be. Our backgrounds are too varied and I can’t think of a common event that would have immunised us, so it must be Zaebos messing with us, or so I’d assumed” Frank says leaning back in thought, “Whilst it did seem confused by our immunity, I’d put that down to play acting, demons being well know for their deceptive tendencies”   "While that is a fair assumption, Frank, I'd recommend against relying on something that your enemy could theoretically remove from you at any point," he says, tenting his fingers in thought, "Tell you what, we've got a Lunar Seer in the building today. Why don't you let her take a look at you and she may be able to shed some light on what exactly is going on?"   “I have no problem with that, the more we know, the better prepared we’ll be” Frank says with a nod, “On the subject being prepared, I’d like to know if you have anything that’ll let me hurt Zaebos without causing its host permanent harm, we want to rescue Harmony and preferably without crippling her”   "Come along then, let's walk and talk," he says, standing up again and pacing towards the door, "Now, as far as selective damage goes, it's pretty tough. Her and Harmony are pretty well connected at this point and they don't exactly call her an archdemon for nothing. What you're probably going to want is some sort of blessed damage. What kind of weapon are you using?"   “My fists mostly” Frank says matter of factly, “Though I am proficient with bludgeoning weaponry and have a decent throwing arm”   "Ah," the Doctor says as he closes the door behind them and leads Frank down the adjoining hallway, "Well, I hope you realise that even an enchanted weapon tends to do some damage to the host if you beat them over the head with it."   Frank suppresses a smile at the mental image before replying, “You raise a fair point, any recommendations?”   "A super-soaker full of holy water?' The man suggests, half-joking as he points Frank towards the last room on the right.   The smile he had been suppressing now broke free with a short laugh, “If you think it would work I’d take it and the basin you filled from” he said, entering the designated room.   The room in question had been furnished more like a living room than a laboratory, with carpeted flooring and several luxurious couches dotting the space. Within, a man in the looser-fitted armour afforded to magically-inclined Century agents approaches the pair and nods, "Afternoon, Doctor. Madame Vance said that you and Agent DeTroy would be coming through. She's ready for you."   "Wonderful, Timothy," Mantis says in his usual jovial bark, "We'll be having a private discussion with the Madame. In the meantime, would you mind fetching me the VM-03 prototype from storage?"   "Right away, Doctor," Timothy says, before nodding to the pair and making a swift exit, leaving them alone with the mysterious woman lounging on a nearby chez lounge.   "Madame Vance, it's good to see you again," the Doctor proclaims as he approaches her and gently shakes her hand.   The woman is quite the sight. Dressed head-to-toe in flowing fabrics in purples, greens and oranges that have blanketed almost her entire form in softness. Her dark hair is tied back in large braids, and her face is covered almost entirely by a mask in the shape of a gibbous moon, leaving only one eye and her cheek visible. The eye and cheek smiles at the pair and she speaks in an accent that Frank can't quite place, "Ah, it's always a pleasure, Barnabus. And I'm keen as always to meet your new friend," her visible eye moves over to Frank, holding her hand out in a gentle offering, "Agent DeTroy. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."   Frank steps forward and takes her hand as he offers a single gentle shake of his own, "The pleasure is mine, Madame. May I infer that you are the Lunar Seer, the good Doctor has told me about?"   "That I am, Agent," she says, sitting up in the chez and motioning for the pair of them to sit on the nearby couches, "I've been looking forward to meeting you, Agent DeTroy. Your exploits have given me and a select few of my sisters quite the thrill, and I've been eager to see what makes you tick. Tell me, how go your preparations for your little jaunt down to perdition?"   Frank settles back into one of the indicated sofas, momentarily starting as he sinks a bit further than he was expecting, before looking back to Madame Vance. "They are progressing well so far, I am hopeful the operation will be a success. I am also hopeful this meeting will prove fruitful towards that endeavour, I am as curious as you and Dr Mantis about the source of my teams immunity to Zaebos."   "Not sure I'd call it immunity," the Doctor chimes in, "Especially if your missing colleague is anything to go by. But perhaps you've been afforded some sort of... resistance? Who knows. Perhaps it's something we can utilise against her."   "Yes, quite," the Madame says, quickly turning her attention back to Frank, "Well, if you're looking to be out of here quickly, then I suppose we'd best get started. Have you ever had your aura read before, Agent?"   "I do need to speak with the Director after we're done, and no, magic isn't really something I've interacted with much before I joined The B-Team, though the regularity seems to be increasing" Frank states with a small smile.   "Who knows," Dr Mantis says, chuckling to himself, "you may find yourself joining us in the Occult division."   "He won't," Madame Vance says with some authority, "The process is fairly simple, Agent DeTroy. I'll just place my hands to your head and get a feel for your unique spiritual aura and, should the moon spirit allow it, take a peek behind the metaphysical curtain, as it were."   Frank rises from his sofa and moves to kneel in front of Madame Vance, "Then by all means, read what you may."   The mystical woman smiles at Frank with that one cheek and places her hands to the sides of his head, her gentle touch delicately parting the strands of his hair. She closes her eyes and soon enough, Frank feels an odd sensation. Invasive, but not intrusive, in a way he felt emotionally more than physically. A few moments later, hands still on his head, Madame Vance opens her eye and looks down at Frank, "Looks like you've got an angel on your shoulder," she says, "Or... No, not an angel exactly... A Psychopomp."   "He's got a psychopomp watching over him?" Dr Mantis asks, flabbergasted.   "So it would seem," she replies, her words holding a sense of gravitas, "You've got yourself quite the formidable ally there, Agent."   “Sorry, but you’re going to have to explain that, I’m unfamiliar with psychopomps” Frank says, holding himself still while the Madame literally works her magic.   "Allow me, Madame," the Doctor says, leaning forward as to make eye contact with Frank, "Psychopomps are incredibly powerful beings that concern themselves with the integrity of souls. We really don't know a lot about them, since they're so outside of our usual understanding of reality. More like forces of nature than beings as we know them," he pauses for a moment, trying to decide which details to give and which to omit, "It's generally accepted that they're in charge of where a soul goes when a creature dies."   Frank’s blood runs cold at the doctor’s last statement, a brief flash of a terrified young girl’s face reminding him of where his soul was likely bound. Trying to refocus himself, he asked,”What would draw a creature like that to someone like me?”   "Well, you don't appear to be dying..." the Doctor remarks, glancing over at the Seer.   "No, not yet," she mutters, shaking her head as she continues to hold Frank's head between her hands.   "Honestly, Frank," Mantis continues, "These beings are so beyond our understanding that we really have no way of knowing what's drawn it to you, or why it's protecting you. Perhaps you've got some greater cosmic importance, but there's no way we'd be able to work out what that is."   “What about the others?” Frank asks, “Could it be protecting them as well?”   "Without examining them too, we can't be sure," the Seer says, "But it would make sense. There are few beings who can nullify the power of an archdemon, after all."   “You said psychopomps concern themselves with souls, could it be its drawn to us because we’re trying to destroy Zaebos? An entity known to collect souls”   "It could definitely have something to do with that," Mantis says, sounding understandably unsure of himself, "If we had more information about what Zaebos is doing with people's souls, we'd have more to go on."   “Your guess would be better than mine” Frank says, feeling a little awkward trying to have a conversation with the man while having the Seer continue to hold his head, “Is there a way to talk to the psychopomp? Ask it directly why its so invested?"   "If you manage to figure that out, do let us know," Mantis says, chuckling as he motions for Madame Vance to release Frank's head, "As far as we know, actually conversing with a psychopomp is practically unheard of. Like I said, they don't exactly fit well into our definition of being, and those that do tend to operate on a level far beyond our comprehension."   Now released, Frank returns to the sofa, “In which case, does knowing what’s protecting me and the rest of the team provide any advantage beyond the certainty that Zaebos isn’t doing it to lower our guard?”   "If it chooses to reveal itself you know not to shoot it?" Mantis replies, chuckling uncomfortably, "I'm sorry, Agent DeTroy. I was hoping it'd be something we could utilise, but this is a little... well, extremely beyond us."   "That's quite alright Doctor, as I said, we at least know it's not Zaebos trying to fool us" Frank says, smoothing his voice into neutrality to mask his own disappointment, "In which case, I think we'll just be needing that prototype you mentioned earlier... and, if you have any, some restraints capable of holding a vampire"   "Ah, of course," Mantis says, standing from his chair and turning to the Seer, "Thank you for your time, Madame Vance. We'll leave you in peace."   "You're always welcome here, Barnabus," she says, smiling with that one eye again, "And it was a pleasure to meet you, Agent DeTroy. Do come visit again sometime. I'd love to tell your fortune."   Frank rises with Dr Mantis as he smiles at the Seer, "The pleasure was mine, Madame, and I'm sure I can find some time for future visits after we've dealt with the current issue."   Madame Vance smiles at him before reclining into her chair again as the Doctor leads Frank back out into the hallway, "She's quite the character, Madame Vance. Has caused quite the stir around here with her predictions."   Upon stepping out, the pair are confronted by the same agent as before, now holding a large, dark case which he quickly offers to Mantis, "The prototype, Sir."   "Ah, thank you, Timothy," Mantis says as he opens the case to reveal the weapon therein. It's a deep black colour and fairly bulky, with rounded tubes and pipes leading to a decently large tank on the top covered in magical symbols that Frank has no chance to decipher.    It's very clearly a super-soaker full of holy water.   Frank grins with amusement at the bulky, high-tech super-soaker, "I trust you've had it thoroughly tested by the Junior Department?"   "Tested extensively at the Occult department company picnic, I can assure you," he says, lifting the weapon out of the case and offering it to Warp, "Now, be careful with it."   He takes it and tests its weight for himself, aiming down the sight, making certain to point it away from the other men, for courtesy's sake if no other reason. "Can it handle any other liquid payloads, or just holy water?"   "There was talk of a holy ketchup version," Timothy chimes in before Mantis has a chance to speak.   "I would say generally not, Agent DeTroy," he says, "But, I suppose if you have something that's not going to damage it or be too thick, I can't see why not."   Frank smirks at Timothy before focusing on Mantis, “And the restraints I mentioned, got anything there?”   "Now look, Son," Mantis says, placing his hands into the pockets of his jacket, "We've all been there, and I'm well aware of their gothic allure, but they can be a lot more trouble than they're worth. I assure you."   Frank raises an eyebrow, trying and failing to suppress an amused smile, "Relax Doctor, I am not trying to date a BDSM vampire, I need actual combat scenario cuffs or other bindings" He locks eyes with Mantis as he continues, his voice turning deathly serious and his smile vanishing, "I have reason to believe that my teammate, Mercy, may be planning to do something... ill-advised, and I need to be able to stop him, and I want to do that without killing him"   "Right, right..." Mantis says, his voice trailing off slightly as he seems to get lost in thought, "Well, forgive me for asking, but can't you reshape the world around you? Surely that would make for a far more versatile restraint than anything we could provide."   “I can and it might” Frank admits, “But we won’t be in this world when we engage with Zaebos, we’ll be confronting it in its own realm, and I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to influence anything there”   "Very well," the Doctor says, rolling his eyes at the thought of sending Timothy back down to the armoury, "Head to your meeting with L, and I'll have something brought over to you."   “Thank you, I’ll sort out the paperwork for that and this” Franks says, hefting the supersoaker, “With reception before I leave” with that he hands the bulky weapon back to Timothy, shakes Dr Mantis’ hand again, then heads for the lift.   He hits the button for the top floor and waits for the elevator to carry him up. The familiar hallway of the top floor brings back memories of the day that L called him into her office to assign him to the B-Team, and he thinks briefly about how different life would've been if it wasn't for that fateful afternoon.   Knocking on the Centurion's office door, Frank waits a moment to hear the telltale buzz of the magnetic locks disengaging and his boss's voice calling out, "Come in, Frank."   Entering quickly, he closes the door behind him and waits for the click of the lock reengaging before proceeding further, letting his eyes roam about the room that he has become, to his mind, almost too well acquainted with. Between his initial assignment, his dressing down for the prison incident and now today, he was certain he was racking up some sort of tally.   Putting it out of his mind for the time being, he turns his attention to the woman behind the desk, “Thank you for seeing me"   She looks over at him from her computer, the mask she's wearing giving little away until she pulls it off, laying it down on the desk and looking at him through eyes that continue to give him next to nothing to work with, "Take a seat, Frank."   She sits back in her chair and waits for Frank to be seated, skipping all pleasantries and getting straight down to business, "Thalia says your reports are getting a little backed up."   Frank sits, his own face wearing a carefully guarded expression, “We’ve been quite busy, so I’ve had quite a few reports to file of late”   "So I hear," she says, "Alec Upton apparently had a meeting with Rue this morning. Tells me you guys are finally prepared to make a move on Zaebos."   “We are, which is why I need a favour, a big one”   "Beyond raiding half the Occult department's armoury?" She asks, raising a brow.   “Yes ma’am, I need as many agents as can be spared for a security detail” Frank says, all business, “We need them to guard the portal we’re opening”   "Yes, Mister Upton and I were discussing a joint force with the BCPD to lock down the area around the power plant," she says, looking pensive as she explains, "We'll send a few specialists from the Occult division as well, in case they're required, and a small staff from the scientific division to keep the nuclear plant up and running until the Nichols' staff are recovered enough to work. Now, was there anything else?"   Frank pauses, thinking carefully before speaking again, "I have one other request but it is not about Zaebos. If you're pressed for time today then it can wait until after the operation, but I would like to get your opinion."   "No, go ahead," she says, checking the clock on the wall before turning back to him, "Might as well. What is it?"   "I have been meaning to put in a request for a transfer of residence due to the security breach by Arsenic, I haven't so far because after some thought I not only want to relocate to a new residence but also set up a base of operations for the B-Team as a whole, perhaps also for other heroes who could rotate in and out." Frank pauses for a moment to catch his breath before continuing, "My ultimate ambition for such a setup is that it would serve as a central command network and training ground for heroes of all grades and a support center for superhumans in general"   "Uhuh..." Lithium mutters, deadpan as she raises that brow again, "And I suppose you want me to help fund and licence this... Idea of yours? I hope you realise that there's a lot more to a concept like this than just a change of venue."   Frank nods, "I do, and I will do whatever it takes to make it a reality" his neutral mask begins to crack, his gazing dropping from Lithium's for a moment, "I know, it won't be easy, it won't be quick and the effort may just break me, but I need something more to dedicate myself to, L. And while right now that's stopping Zaebos and getting Harmony back, I know I'll need something else to dedicate myself to, because the truth is... without something to focus on, I'm afraid I'm going to go insane, because even after all these years, I still see her face every night, and my work is all that keeps me going these days"   "It's alright, Frank. I know," she says, her usual stoicism dropping for the slightest moment, "This would be a big project and I'm not entirely opposed to the idea, it's just... difficult. It'd have to be a joint venture with the Vigil and I'd need a solid plan before putting anything forward. Why don't you put together a plan for me, include everything you want to do, how you intend to do so and why. I'll look it over and if I think it would be a good investment, I'll put it to the directorate and see what they say."   Frank recomposes himself, the neutral expression slipping back on with an effort before he nods, "Thank you, I will. Should I perhaps approach the Vigil beforehand to test their willingness to engage with such a project?"   "No," Lithium says, "Interorganisational discussions are above your paygrade. Just continue to act in your current capacity and leave the rest to us."   "Understood. In which case that will be everything, thank you again for seeing me, and hearing out my... ambitious project" he says, rising from his seat.   "Of course, Frank. Remember to get those after action reports to Thalia, and..." she pauses for a moment, "Good job out there. I'm hearing good things."   Frank nods in thanks, a small smile playing across his face, "I do my best" he says, before turning and making for the door, making a mental note to forward those reports as soon as he gets home.   On his way out, Frank makes his way back to the front desk and, upon filling out the appropriate requisition forms, is handed two weapon cases. The first is the same super-soaker from earlier, but the second holds some sort of modified net gun, with three accompanying canisters packed tight with silver wire, the exact thing that Mercy and his ilk find so unworkable.   Taking the cases, he carries them out to his car and loads them up carefully before sliding into the driver's seat and peeling out of the dedicated car park, heads for home. Upon arrival, he takes the cases inside and places them inside his combat simulations room, setting a reminder to familiarize himself with both the next day, heads to the kitchen to feed Charcoal, then spends the remainder of the day catching up on his overdue reports, mentally cursing himself for allowing them to pile up as they have. By days end, he drags himself to bed, hoping his exhaustion will make it easier tonight, but doubting it. His eyes flutter closed... and all too soon, his dreams are filled, with screams.