Nemesis moved to his chair, but rather than sitting down he simply stood behind it, hands resting on the back. He smiled at the people gathered around the table, nodding once or twice in polite acknowledgment.

"Well," he began, then cleared his throat. He smiled again. He spoke with an easy grace tempered by confidence and, oddly enough, a hint of shyness."I suppose I should begin by calling this meeting to order. I'd like to begin by thanking each and every one of you for your consideration and optimism in joining the team, and let me say that I both respect and share in that optimism. I think we can achieve great things together, and I think we can help bring a new era of peace, pride and prosperity to Hudson City. If nothing else, I think we can knock us off the top ten list for crimes per capita."

Ophilia's smile brightened at that line.  The entire endeavor seemed so huge and impossible, but in that one line, Nemesis gave them a goal.  A goal that would bring back a sense of pride to the city and one that she felt in her heart was doable.  So manageable in fact that she hoped to see those headlines a year from now.

Nemesis paused, glanced at the chronometer on his watch, and sighed. "Okay, for those of you as-yet unaware, we have a new teammate. He's been vetted by me but will still get the full work-up by Soldier Boy, JACE and Epoch," he nodded to each of the gentlemen in turn. "He's a last-minute addition but one I think will bring a lot to the table. His name is Stone, and..." Nemesis stopped, glanced at the door with a grimace, then turned back to the others. "Frankly, he's a pain in the ass, but he's tough as nails and as strong as anyone I've read about. He'll be here, apparently, when he's damn good and ready."

It was hard for Ophilia to stifle the chuckle that came unbidden.  She didn't know where it came from but blamed her bizarre humor on the fact that she was opperating on less than five hours of sleep in the last 36.  ...and it felt a little bit good that she wasn't the only one that Stone was inconveniencing.  At least he was an equal opportunity pain in the ass.

"I'm ready," said the figure who strode through the door that moment.  He was dressed down in jeans, motorcycle boots, and a black AC-DC Back In Black World Tour t-shirt under a well-worn denim jacket.  Black shoulder-length hair framed eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses.  He was ruggedly handsome, and carried himself tall with confidence and machismo. 

Phi's eyes swung to look at him, and she greated him with one of her welcoming smiles.  Inside she was about ready to laugh again, by the absurdity of the situation.  Her slap happy demeanor was barely contained as she realized that he still hadn't showered, since their introduction last night. 

Her brother, Sebastian, sitting next to her could feel the tickle of her spirits through their link, and had to wonder if it was one of those laugh or cry moments.

Stone hesitated near the doorway for just a moment until he picked out his name on a packet in front of an empty chair.  He walked to it in no particular hurry and plopped down, leaned back, and swiveled slightly to face Nemesis and rested an elbow on the table. 

He hadn't looked at or acknowledged anybody.  He just gave Nemesis a slight shrug to indicate that he knew he was late and then waited silently.

"Thanks for showing up, Easy Rider," Soldier Boy said while giving Stone a stern look.

Heatwave looked over the man who sat down in front of her. What kind of hero came to the first meeting of his team in jeans and t-shirt? Still, he was not the only one there sans costume. She looked down the table to the man in the suit. It appeared Orion prefered not to wear a costume as well when he was not out on the streets.

Phase quickly sized up the man slouching next to her with approval, suppressing a grin.  It was nice to see that not everyone was a DiSantiago lap dog. 

Nemesis cast a "okay, you were right" look at Ophilia, and took his chair.  She grinned back at him, and he could see the mirth dancing in her eyes before she focussed them on her laptop. 

"Now that we're all here," he started, with a tone and a look that let Stone know that the issue of his lateness was just being tabled until later, and not forgotten, "let's get to it."

He scooted forward, resting his arms on the table. "We're all here for the same reason--because we think we can make a difference somehow. I don't care where you came from or what baggage you bring with you. As of now we're a team. First and foremost we look out for each other. We help each other, we get each other's backs, we work together and, God willing, we succeed together. We're going to get pounded in the media. We're going to take flack from the public. We're going to catch hell from the people who run things behind the scenes, the players and the movers and Big Money guys who stand to lose big if we do what we say we're going to do." The vigilante was speaking in earnest now, and he was making a point of meeting everyone's eyes in turn, one after the other.

"I don't care if it's mafia, drug traffickers, some amped up asshole with a machine gun for a left hand or anything else--if they prey on the people in this city they are fair game. We do not kill." Nemesis hammered his finger into the table as he made his point. "We do not pursue vendettas. We do not take the law into our own hands. What we do is fill the gaps that the local badges can't. We find those who can't be found. We take down those who otherwise cannot be touched. We fight those who can't be beat by normal means. We follow the spirit of the law, if not the letter. We do what's right."

Nemesis' speech had done much to sober Ophilia up.  She nodded her head in complete agreement as he said his last bit, and tried not to beam with pride as she looked at him.  The vision was becoming a reality, and for once, in a very long time, she was sure that things would turn out okay.

He stopped, suddenly realizing he'd practically been preaching to these people. He managed to look somewhat embarrassed.

"Okay, so I get carried away. But it's only because I really want this to work, and I think it can if we all work together." He opened his mouth, closed it again. "So...um...yeah. That's what I'm thinking." He grinned sheepishly. "Thoughts or comments?"

Ardent shook his head. "Nope, that sounds about right," he said fingers silently drumming on the  papers on the desk before him. He glanced at Stone, frowned as his eye's slipped from gray to green, then looked back around the table, his expression quickly settling once more into interested affability. 

Nemesis offered Ardent a grateful nod.

We do not pursue vendettas, Heatwave thought. That was easy for him to say, he had probably not lost his entire family and still believed there was some good left in this city. Well, what she did on her own time was her business and what Nemesis did not know would not hurt him. Or her.

JACE listened to the long, idiotic speech with amused disinterest.  He continued to send cybernetic commands to his operating system, updating and modifying a model for a new propulsion system the French government was interested in for their armored vehicles.  The most difficult part was not overdoing it.  He didn't want to give them anything too far above what they had developed for themselves.  As he worked, Nemesis' comments about behavior caught his attention.  Commenting was perhaps not the wisest of ideas, but he felt the need to attempt to illuminate the lesser minds around him.

"Excuse me, but I have to say that stating "we do not kill" is naive and potentially dangerous."   JACE smiled at the man, not wanting to offend the team leader, even if he appeared to be a foolishly idealistic child.  "I certainly agree that killing is a last resort, only to be used when there truly is no choice, there will almost certainly be times when there is no other choice.  If it should come down to killing one criminal or allowing him to kill even one innocent person, I would think the choice would be obvious.

"In addition, although we will probably occasionally have to suffer through bad press," the armored hero continued, "we are intended as a public group of heroes.  I would hope our public relations will be better than you seem to be assuming.  You are no longer a shadowing vigilante working behind the scenes.  You are the leader of the Conquistadors.  I'd recommend you modify your thoughts appropriately.  Especially since the big money people and the media can be powerful weapons in our fight."  He indicated Ophilia, "Including our sponsors."

There was no smile on her face or in her eyes as she returned his gaze.  Nobody could ruin a good mood like JACE.  She had a few things that she would have like to have said to him, but knew it was absolutely not the time or the place to do so.
 
As JACE dressed down Nemesis, Soldier Boy flashed Nemesis his best 'I'm so happy I'm not team leader' smile.

Nemesis spared only a moment to smirk at Soldier Boy before answering JACE. He seemed unphased by the critique, and indeed leaned back in his chair in an almost relaxed manner.

"It is precisely because I'm not the behind-the-scenes vigilante that I said what I said." He smiled. "My job is to make sure that we actually do some good and not just pose for pictures. We are the new face of justice, if you want to talk marketing. But we are going to be very, very unpopular for a while, at least amongst those who run things here in the city. We are about to upset the status quo big time. We know there is corruption in this city. You can't swing a dead cat without hittin' someone on the take. Dirty cops, politicians, media, corporate interests--oh yeah, and those pesky criminals, gangs and organizations out there--they're all going to be gunning for us."

Avatar sighed softly with relief. Normally he didn't mind conflict - people revealed themselves so quickly that way - but something about JACE's veiled hostility wore at him. He rubbed his right temple, then stole a surprised glance at Ardent. He had the strangest feeling that this unease was coming from the man seated next to him.

He nodded toward Ophilia. "Questions regarding our public image can be directed to Miss Santiago."

Nemesis hiked one leg over the other. "Now, as to what I said about killing..." he sighed and shook his head. "The use of deadly force is authorized in any situation where a suspect or perpetrator, either directly or through intended actions, may cause harm or death to another. Some of us, though, may not be aware of that distinction, so for the sake of argument I'd rather land on the "do not kill" side until experience or authorization tells us otherwise."

Nemesis suddenly sat forward again. "Make no mistake. I know what we're about to get into, maybe more than anyone here. I know how hard it can get out there. More to the point, I understand what the people of this city are going through. So no, I will not alter my thoughts accordingly." He shot an accusing look at JACE. "What I--we--will not do is pursue personal vendettas under the vague shroud of justice. Some of us have pasts that are--" he paused, searching for the right word. "Let's say traumatic. I will offer whatever aid I can to bring closure to those situations, as appropriate, as I'm sure Miss Santiago and her family will. What I won't do is pursue "eye for an eye" justice. We are not going to be judge, jury and executioner. What we are is an authorized body of people who have abilities and powers that can be used to help fight the crime that is so very, very rampant in this city. We will use those abilities and powers to do just that, and I'm not going to worry about bad press or nasty letters or pay cuts."

There was a moment of silence as Nemesis collected himself. He again leaned back in his chair. "But yeah, I see what you mean about me being leader and all. It's one of those annoying things I've been wrestling with for days. So feel free--anyone--feel free to let me know if you think something is a bad decision, or if something ought to be done another way. I'm definitely open to ideas and opinions." He shrugged and smiled. "I might not agree, but I'll always listen."

Ardent turned his attention back to JACE. He'd not had many interactions with the armored man so far. Just the initial medical examination, and the occasional polite greeting as they'd passed in the halls of this building. Even so, Ardent's initial impression of JACE, something he'd heard Loretta say once, seemed to be holding up. She had said this while watching a politician on television in the libraries break room one rainy Tuesday afternoon:  'That man's so sharp he's going to cut himself some day.' 

JACE looked at Nemesis for a moment, then inclined his head politely.  Interesting that the team leader was so emotional.  It was a fact that the doctor filed away for future reference.  It might be a useful tool at some later point.  Rather than pursue a useless arguement with an inferior mind, JACE chose to concede for the moment, at least until reality asserted itself.  "I will be certain to inform you when you make bad decisions."  Which will obviously be frequently, the armored man added silently.

Heatwave did her best to hide the shock she felt at the way JACE corrected their leader in front of the whole team. Even an idiot knew that was not how things should be done, that if you disagreed with the boss you should take it to him in private. She had hoped her initial dislike of the doctor would pass but the more she saw of him the less inclined she was to believe she would ever warm up to him.

Nemesis smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I'll be sure and return the favor," he said affably. "Thank you."

JACE was amused by the naive young man's offer.  It was ridiculous on so many levels, it didn't need debunking.  Even if JACE made bad decisions, which he didn't, Nemesis certainly wouldn't be intellectually capable of recognizing them, or of judging the merit of JACE's decisions.

Soldier Boy leaned over to whisper to JACE. "I want a word with you after this."

"Of course," JACE responded quietly.  He wondered what Soldier Boy wanted.  The aging hero was the only member of the team that JACE respected at this time.  He had at least some basic competence, based on his previous experience.  Regretably, he had proven to fall far below his legend when viewed in person, but that was only to be expected.

There was something about the formality of the whole situation that was making Raphael uncomfortable.  Anxious, perhaps.  Outwardly he remained relaxed and casual, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, regarding each speaker in turn.  Inwardly, he hoped for a swift resolution to this meeting (he tried not to check his watch again).  He wasn't a stranger to family politics, but never desired to be in the middle of it.  When he was called, it was for a reason.  His uncles were usually mindful to get straight to the point. 

He didn't fault Nemesis, though - he figured this sort of thing a necessary evil for a team like this.  In the end, he would have to learn to get used to it.  For now, he just sat, arms crossed, and watched.

There was a silence in the room that lasted a heartbeat or two more than Ophilia would have liked.  Unfortunately, it had taken her that long to push the irritation of JACE's actions back into place.  "Alright then."  She leaned forward in her chair and shut her laptop, the screen reaching high enough to block her clear view of the table.  "We've all met, of course, my role will be as the teams liaison with DiSantiago Pharmeceuticals.  I'm also the person that you can come to if you have a problem, whether it's concerning payroll or any aspect of integrating yourself into this new life.  If I can't help you, I'll be able to get you connected with someone that can."

"It's important to understand that despite our role as protectors of this city, like Nemesis said, we are not above the law.  We can not protect you, if you are found guilty of a crime.  I'm working with the local law enforcement and trying to open channels with them that will allow us to respond more efficiently to crime, and that will hopefully allow for more leniency in the event that something does go sour during a case.  Regardless, heed the rules that I've outlined for you in your packet, and feel free to set up a meeting if something isn't clear or you want to discuss them."

"In addition to the packet of information, with rules, payroll and insurance information, you have an envelope with the keys to your onsite apartment.  Feel free to use this space as you wish.  We will be implementing a schedule, where each team member will be required to spend two to three nights at the base, to be available to respond to calls.  We're not trying to strap you down, and will work with your schedules as we go forward this, but you will be required to spend some time at the Cathedral."

"Now, some of you have inquired about your secret identities and whether or not you have to share them with us."  She gestured to the man on her right, "Bastian, our team therapist is the guardian of this information, no one else on the team or outside of it will be privy to it unless you share it with them.  With that said though, I do hope that as the team moves forward, you will all be able to trust your teammates with that information.  I feel that it goes a long way, when you know that you can trust your team.  If you can't trust them with your name, how is that going to affect you trusting them with your life?"

Nemesis found himself nodding. She made a damn good point about trust. As he looked around the room he realized that he'd based a great deal of trust on instinct, on his gut feelings. Phi, Soldier Boy, Stone--that was out of nowhere--and maybe Ardent and Palmer--Avatar, he mentally corrected--if only because of what they'd been through. He leaned on the table, one hand over his mouth, his finger idly rubbing at his chin as he thought about the team, trust, and--

--and what was Phi saying? He blinked and brought himself back to the present.

She took a deep breath as she continued and her eyes darted towards Nemesis to help gather some courage.  "In the vein of following my own advice, most of you don't know this, but I'm an empath.  My code name is Marionette, and while I won't be a frequent presence on missions, I will be a team member.  I understand that prejudices against menatlists are common, and I hope that by being up front with you, you can trust that my ethics and morals prohibit me from actively intruding upon you."  She half winced and half smiled with that final bit of information.  

Avatar's grip on his pen tightened for a moment, but he nodded sagely as if he'd known all along.

Ardent's brows narrowed, then rose as Ophilia's statement lay there in the now very quiet boardroom. "An empath," he said finally, sounding somewhat surprised. And maybe even pleased? "Well, that's wonderful. That's going to come in quite handy." He nodded at her, smiling broadly, hands clasped together atop the paperwork on the desk before him. "Very handy indeed."  

'Interesting,' thought JACE.  He had wondered what Ophilia was hiding.  There had obviously been more to her than she let on.  He was glad his psionic shield was in place.  He made another mental note to make it a permanent part of his armor.

Nemesis' eyes shifted around the table at Ophilia's revelation without turning his head at all. He almost smiled at Ardent's response; that guy really was an odd one. Avatar's moment of tension was something he'd probably have to follow up on. Everyone else either didn't show a reaction or simply didn't care at the moment. That, too, was interesting.

"Does anyone have any questions concerning me, my family...", here she stopped and looked at Ardent, "...that are pertinent to this discussion, or the administrative side of things?"

Ardent returned the look with one of his own, but said nothing else. Somehow, Ophilia just knew the young man would be back with even more esoteric questions about her family. 

Heatwave kept the frown she was feeling off her face. An empath on the team, just what she needed. She would have to be careful around the tiny woman if she did not want Ophilia figuring out she had more of an agenda than fighting crime. As for trusting anyone with who she really was, one too many people already knew her secret and she did not plan on adding more any time soon.

Ophilia was relieved by the minimal reaction to her confession, and in a way excited to get it off of her chest.  "Just so you know, I'll be using a body double at all public engagements, like the party tonight.  So, I do request that everyone is extremely careful when divulging information to me when I'm in my costume."

Finally, Phi looked over at Jag, and she could tell that he was chomping at the bit to get his hands on this group.  She gave him a broad smile as she gave him the floor.  "Soldier Boy?  What do you have for us?"

Soldier Boy took a sip of water, stood up, paced a little, cleared his throat and then faced the group with hands clasped behind his back.

"You! Are not! A team!" He bellowed loud enough that every dog in the city probably heard him. "Hell's bells, most of you aren't even fuc..."

He stopped. He promised himself he would be a good boy on Ophilia's big day.

"Most of you aren't even heroes yet. Sure you each have fancy powers and pretty little costumes, but that don't mean jack. Those of you without field experience," he shot a quick glance at Ophilia and then to each of the other rookies, "should get ready for boot camp. You will make yourself available for training over the next couple weeks. We will drill every day, build your skills, then when I think you're ready we'll go out on patrol. This will be hard. You will either become a hero or run home crying. I don't care which. I suggest you start hating me now, because you're going to soon anyway."

"So, then you'll all be heroes, but you still won't be a team." He punctuated that remark by slapping the table hard enough to slosh water out of most of the drinking glasses. "That's why we're going to all train together. Get to know each other's abilities. Get to know everyone's role. Learn to trust each other. Then when you're all out in the field together and shi... stuff comes at you from out of nowhere, you'll be ready. You'll know what to do, and you'll know what your team mates are going to do, and everything just falls into place. Then... then you will be a team. And it's going to be a beautiful thing. My pricks getting hard just thinking about it." Soldier Boy paused for a moment and quietly cursed himself. Well, at least he tried to be a good boy. Sorry Ophilia.

By the end of Jag's speech Nemesis was grinning behind his hand. Leave it to the old soldier to inject a little reality into the situation. Or ram it down their throats, as the case may be.

A slight blush crept up Heatwave's face at Soldier Boy's colorful description and she hoped the rest of the team did not notice. "So, that's what you have to look forward to," Soldier Boy continued. "If you don't like it, the door is right behind me. Any questions, comments?"

The inquiry was made to the whole group, but Soldier Boy was looking directly at JACE when he said it.

"Do we have a sexual harassment policy?" quipped Avatar.

Nemesis barked out a laugh before getting himself under control. That was just damn funny, he thought.

Ophilia chuckled at the question.  "I do encourage anyone to bring issues of this nature to me or Nem. ..esis, in the event that they become a problem for you.  However, for now, allow us to take each other in the best spirit possible.  I think that we're going to have our hands full with knocking Hudson City off of the top ten list, so... a few bad words at the base, a few temper tantrums in the office, that kind of stuff will be tolerated."  She narrowed her eyes at Soldier Boy, but he could tell that she was in a much better mood than earlier.  "Not encouraged, mind you, but tolerated."

Ardent regarded the older man out of eyes gone a deep ice blue and began to laugh. The laugh was deep and throaty, almost feminine in a very disturbing kind of way. Ardent ran his hands through his midnight hair, then shook his head ruefully, settling that icy gaze once more upon the teams new trainer. It was a look that said "Oh my, someone has just given me the most decadent chocolate desert!". A look full of a kind of appreciative hunger - not necessarily sexual, at least, Soldier Boy didn't think so, but there was definitely hunger there. Need. 

"Oh, I like him!" Ardent said, blue eyes sweeping from Solider Boys face and taking in the heroes seated around the table. He chuckled again, the sound of it like silk drawn across a supple thigh, and leaned back in his chair with his hands behind his head. "Ego amo tu multus."

Unconsciously, Heatwave slid her chair farther away from the man sitting beside her and wondered exactly what she had gotten herself into. There was something unsettling about the man, though she could not quite put a finger on what it was. Something about his eyes.

Ophilia gave Nemesis a queer look at Ardent's antics, her eyes bright and alive with amusemente as the lyrics, from I'm Going Slightly Mad, sounded in her head .  She would have to talk to Bastian later about his psychiatric profile.

Nemesis, for his part, simply shrugged as if to say, 'What can you do?'

Raphael, despite his reservations, broke into a wry smile.  He shared the pale man's sentiment, if not his enthusiasm.  Soldier Boy had just put to rest most of his concerns about the exact same thing: They were too green, for the most part.  Congealing them into a functional team was a serious undertaking, something which would require a significant amount of time and effort.  He shot his cousin a very content look of approval, followed by an uncharacteristic wink that brought a slight smile to her face.

Stone sat there, bored.  The melodrama unfolding around him wasn't as entertaining as it might be.  The presence of Soldier Boy was a novelty that quickly wore off as the man talked and Stone slowly began to realize this might turn out to be actual work.

Invisible behind his dark sunglasses, the biker's eyes drifted from person to person.  Between the model-quality women - of which there weren't hardly as many as Luke made it sound, the bastard - and the metrosexual men, there was enough hair product going on to cap a small volcano.  Ophilia's admonition about smoking might prove prudent simply from a fire prevention perspective.

He stifled the urge to yawn and a stronger urge to catch Luke's eye and make a jerking-off gesture.  No sense undercutting the man in his first meeting with a private joke that would probably not go over well with this uptight crowd.

"No questions? Fine by me." Soldier Boy said as he returned to take his seat. Then he gave JACE a friendly yet super-strong slap on the back. "You're up, Doc."

JACE was knocked forward in his chair by the impact.  Fortunately, his armor absorbed the blow, although it still stung.  As he stood, he made a mental note to keep his forcefield engaged around the team trainer.  And perhaps he should add some kind of touch based defense system to discourage contact.  Shaking off the thoughts, he smiled at the group around the table.  His prepared speech flowed across his line of sight on his HUD, invisible to anyone but him.

"I'm Dr. Jonathon Jace, as most of you know from your physicals," he began.  "Many of you will also know me as JACE.  I have been functioning as an independent superhero in the area for the past 5 years.  I'm looking forward to working with a team and quite excited about the potential to truly clean up Hudson City."  His voice had the comfortable, easy to listen to cadence of a trained public speaker.

"I am currently acting as team physician.  Thus I will be responsible for keeping you in the best possible health and dealing with any injuries you may receive in the line of duty."  As he spoke he made gentle eye contact around the table.  "In addition, I am the most brilliant scientific mind alive today.  Thus any scientific problems are best brought to me as well.  Although I can't claim to understand every aspect of modern science, I'm working on it."  He smiled again at his own joke.

"I'm certain that together we can become a great force for good in this city and, hopefully, the world.  Thank you all for your attention.  It is an honor to be working with all of you."  JACE smiled around the table again and sat down.  He saw no reason to ask for questions.  Everything he said was be perfectly clear.  If any of them were incapable of understanding him, he was sure they wouldn't let ignorance stand in the way of speech.

Ophilia let out a breath that she didn't know that she'd been holding.  JACE's speech was far less abrasive than she had feared, and while he did need serious work on his bedside manner - she was quite pleased.  "Thank you JACE.  Bastian? "  She gave her brother a big genuine smile, as she continued.  "Can you give everyone an idea of what you need or expect, and tell them the precautions that you've taken with their identities?"

Sebastián smiled and nodded at his sister. Somehow it had worked out for him to go last, and that was just fine for him. He’d made a few observations during the other speeches, and made a few more notes for future sessions, but overall things were progressing about as well as he had anticipated. Standing, he smoothed out his jacket, and gazed around the table at the assembled heroes.

“Hello, as most of you know, I am Dr. Sebastián DiSantiago, the team therapist. Inside the packets in front of you are my contact numbers. I am available at any time, 24 hours of the day, if any of you should have need. You all know where my office is, stop in whenever you want.”

He pulled a slim cell phone from his jacket pocket. “The only people who have the number to this phone are in this room currently. I will have it with me at all times. This is not going to be easy on any of you; this is going to be hugely stressful for all of you.  Your mental health is as important, if not more important than your physical health. I can’t imagine what you are going to face while you are making this city better. I will however, be there to help you make sense of it. You are all my most important patients, so please do not hesitate to come to me with any incidents that are troubling you. I know that most of you are used to toughing things out, and getting through things on your own.  That is no longer necessary, and it is no longer acceptable.  You are all part of something bigger now, each of you will be depending on your teammates being physically and mentally fit.”

He paused, and took a drink from his glass, before continuing on.

“As you all know, part of the requirements for being on the team was that each of you gave me your real identity. Keeping those safe, and secure is a big priority for me, and as such I’ve had a special safe designed and installed for just this purpose. In keeping with paranoid traditions, I also had the workers eliminated once they were done, so they could tell no one of what they did.”

He smiled, and glanced around the room, before frowning slightly. “Ok, maybe given our family history that wasn’t the best joke. Don’t worry, none of the workers were harmed. As far as the safe goes, I am the only one who has access to open the safe. Any attempts to force the safe open, or manipulate the electronics will result in the contents being immediately incinerated.  They are about as safe as I can make them, so please try not to let that worry you.”

“Lastly, I applaud my sister for being open forthcoming with regard to her special abilities.” Phi smiled at that as Sebastián pulled a dirty piece of metal from his pocket, held it in his palm for all to see and focused on it. “As most of you are aware, I also have a special talent, I can manipulate time. I can, among other things, increase or decrease the effect of time on inanimate objects. Please remember, I share your concerns for privacy, and I understand what it is like to be different.” As he spoke, the metal began to become cleaner, bits of gold showing through the dirty marred surface, until finally a shiny gold doubloon rested in his palm, looking as if it had just been pressed. “Are there any questions?” he asked, tossing the coin in the middle of the table.

He paused, and looked over towards the newcomer. “Mr. Stone, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. If you could, I’d like to talk to you after the meeting to schedule an appointment with you?”

Stone nodded once in reply, but said nothing.  The man could talk all he liked, but Stone would grow a third nipple before he subjected himself to therapy.

Ophilia watched with interest at Stone's silent reply, then quirked a brow at Nemesis.  "I think we should do some official introductions before we finish up.  Maybe Stone should start?  What do you think?"  Her tone was conversational as she waited for her partner's nod of approval.

Nemesis shrugged. He hadn't expected a round-table introduction. "Yeah, sure. Well, I'll make it easy and go first." He leaned back in his chair again. "I'm Nemesis, obviously. I've been active here in Hudson City for not-quite a year now, and my main focus has been on street and organized crime. The stakes are getting higher, though, so when Ophilia approached me about a team I--" he paused, smirked. "Well, I didn't jump at the chance, but I'm here, so obviously I saw something worth pursuing." He thought for a moment, then added. "And no, in case anyone was wondering, I have no real powers or superhuman abilities that I'm aware of. I just work real hard and make sure I have the right tool for the job at all times. I'm a bit of a jack of all trades, so while I'm not any real expert in any one field, if you need some help with something I can probably come up with some decent info." He shrugged, again spreading his hands. "That's it." He gestured to Stone with a grin, knowing damn well that Stone wanted a cigarette and an exit.

At the non-verbal cue, Stone returned a brow-furrowed look of annoyance and asked, "What?"  He quickly realilzed the others were waiting, however, so he sighed and leaned back in his chair to get it over with.

"I'm Stone.  I'm not much for this encounter group shit.  I do my talking out there," he said in an easy but serious manner that was almost John Wayne-esque, and jerking a thumb towards the door.  He reached into a chest pocket and pulled out a pack of Marlboros.  "Anybody here mind if I smoke?"

"Actually, I do."  Ophilia's voice was matter of fact, but polite.  "Thanks for asking."

Heatwave gave an inward sigh of relief at Ophilia's objection. Stone was the type of man she would have avoided if she saw him on the street, and she did not want to be the one to tell him no about anything.

"As do I," JACE added.  "Smoking is not only a disgusting habit but shows an appalling lack of concern for the well-being of your teammates."  The disgust in his voice was obvious.  This man was unsuited for the team, obviously, JACE only hoped Ophilia would quickly realize that and remove him from the roster as quickly as possible.

Stone leaned forward so he could look at the good doctor.  "Hey...does your mommy know you're out here playing superhero?"

JACE considered a response, but decided not to sink to the juvenile level of the man.  Obviously he was both mentally disturbed and a total idiot.  Hopefully he would be quickly and quietly removed from the team, or have some kind of accident.  With that thought, JACE smiled slightly and leaned back in his chair, ignoring Stone while he worked on his various projects.

"Yeah, that's what I thought," Stone said half under his breath as he leaned back into his chair once more.

Not for the first time, Heatwave wondered exactly what kind of doctor JACE was. If she had been footing the bill JACE would have been gone long ago and been replaced with someone who had a better bedside manner. But she was not and she had to assume Ophilia had a good reason for keeping JACE around. She did make a vow to never go to the good doctor unless it was a life or death situation.

Nemesis sighed and shook his head, holding up a hand to forestall further comment. "Okay, okay. Stone, we'll be done soon--or at least take a break--so if you could hold off until then I'd appreciate it. JACE..." Nemesis trailed off and took a deep breath. "Just ease up." Nemesis laid his hands carefully on the table. An astute judge of body language--or an empath--would note the barely-controlled tension in the now-former vigilante.

Ophilia swallowed at the palpable tension that she felt coming from her partner.  She was interested as it unfolded and considered that it was good to see a small tiff like this so soon.  If handled well, it would do much to establish Nemesis' authority.

Ardent watched the exchange between the three men, face as neutral as Switzerland. His hands were carefully folded atop the documents before him. He could have been a statue.

"Stone and I go back a ways," Nemesis said to the group. "The reason he's a last minute addition to the team is that I didn't know he was available before yesterday. He's strong, he's tough, and he's good on the streets. He's good people once you get past the my-attitude-your-problem persona, so don't let him scare you off."

He glanced at Stone with a nod as if to say, 'See? That's how you do it.'

At that, Stone did make the jerking off gesture.

Nemesis barked out a laugh and hurried to continue. "So....heh...yeah. Um, why don't we move on. Heatwave? Would you be so kind?" Nemesis spared a moment to make a 'knock it off' face at Stone, but much of the tension of the previous moment appeared to have dissipated.

Ophilia almost missed Heatwave's introduction as she stared cooly into Stone's mirrored glasses.  She hated it when she couldn't see someone's eyes, being able to look into a person's eyes amplified her empathic abilities.  ...and now, like Nemesis, there was another team mate that she couldn't be as on target with.

Feeling uncomfortable with the spotlight on her, Heatwave gave an awkward wave and said, "I'm Heatwave and, as much as I hate to admit it, I'm fairly new to this hero stuff. But," She looked straight at Soldier Boy, "I don't expect to have my hand held. I know this isn't a game."

She paused not sure how to continue, "Anyway, I have the power to make things hot. I guess that's about it." Heatwave looked back to Nemesis to let him know she was finished.

Nemesis smiled and nodded. "That's fine," he said encouragingly. "Thank you." Nemesis glanced around the table to pick the next victim, but the choice was taken from him.

At the conclusion of Heatwave's awkward introduction, Celeste noticed that the likely pattern was to go around the table.  Not content to being last or appearing to be an afterthought on the DiSantiago roster, the heiress stood.  "I'll go next, if that's acceptable of course," she nodded towards Nemesis for approval, her posture falling into the ease of someone seasoned in public appearance.  However, before giving the leader a chance to respond, she put on a relaxed smile for the benefit of her audience and continued.

"I'm Celeste Fraizer, or Phase if you prefer.  If you don't already know me," she gave a quick, friendly glance to each DiSantiago in turn, "then I'm sure you've heard of me.  I have teleporting abilities and I am adept in martial arts as I received expert training from a very early age.  The two coupled together...well I'm sure you can see the potential.  I look forward to getting to know each of you as we work towards cleaning up the corruption in Hudson City.  I was born here," she clasped her hand to her chest, " and I loathe to see my beloved city in the hands of criminals." 

In the middle of Phase's speech, Ophilia lifted the screen back up on her lap top and began fussing with it.  {She's going to be a problem.}  The simple thought was broadcast to her brother over their bond.

Resisting the urge to shoot daggers at Ophillia with the word 'criminals', Phase donned a glowing smile and tried to catch the eye of each hero that was yet unknown to her, Avatar, Ardent, Heatwave, and finally rested her eyes on Stone as she returned to her seat and folded her hands over the paperwork on the desk.  She flipped her gaze back to Nemesis and offered him a giddy grin.

Nemesis blinked. "All righty, then. Thank you, Celeste--Phase." There's one to watch, Nemesis mentally noted, then gave a little shake of the head. He also considered writing a 'thank you' note to the inventor of spandex but decided to shelf the idea for now.

"Why don't you go next," he said to Ardent.

"So,' Ardent said slowly, drawing out the word as though examining it, weighing it for acceptability. There was a barely perceptible accent to his voice now - Texan perhaps? His eyes had turned the pale gray of sea foam at dawn, and his gaze flicked around the table as he spoke. "I'm Ardent. I came to be about a year ago on an operating table downtown. Ophilia's kin heard about it and after a bit  came and asked me if I wanted to join up with their outfit." He nodded briefly towards the DiSantiago's at the table. "Fella died, and I woke up in his body, but changed to what I look like now. Figured it was a pretty good deal - her family's old and could maybe help me figure out what and who I am. Shady characters mostly, but to my thinking they were the best deal going in this city at the time." 

He looked at Nemesis, then Palmer. "I've had some dealings with a couple of you before now, but this is really my first rodeo." He looked down at his folded hands. "I know iron working. And how to fly a plane. I can code a bit," he looked up at JACE, "but I doubt I'm anywhere's near your league." He looked back down at his hands. 'Got some other skills... was a priest once, I think." He looked up at the wall, watched the second hand on the silver clock upon the conference room wall tick off a couple seconds. "Some people call me a ghost. Or an undead," he looked away from the clock and back at the group. "... you know, like a zombie?" He snorted. "Don't rightly know what I am, but I'm pretty sure that ain't it. Don't breathe no more, or eat or sleep. Don't feel the cold or the heat." He looked at Palmer. "Can walk on air, walk through walls. Some would say it's magic, what I am." He looked away. "I don't reckon that's true. Don't know what is, but don't think it's hocus pocus." 

He looked at Soldier Boy and grinned. "Been a soldier once too, near as I can tell. Can shoot a gun, and I know about how to live in the wild." He sighed, soundlessly. "Don't make no noise any more neither. And iron and I don't get along like we used to. Figured that much out pretty quick." He was studying the older mans face with clinical interest. "Been reading and researching you quite a bit. Not sure what's true and what's not, but there's an awful lot out there. As I see it, you've probably saved the world a couple times, and there's God knows how many who're drawing breath today that wouldn't be if you hadn't been there." He nodded, eyes narrowing. "You're a bit of a cocksucker nowadays, but I 'spect you've earned that." 

Soldier Boy snorted out a laugh, then furrowed his brow. "What'd he call me?" he stage whispered to Nemesis.

"We'll see if you're worth a piss," he directed at Stone, eyes still narrowed, still studying. "But if he," here he jerked his chin at Nemesis "thinks you're needed, then you probably are. Nemesis is one of the good ones, even if he's a bit young" He sighed. "I ask lots of questions, and sometimes who I might have been bleeds into who I might be, so if I don't make sense sometimes..." he left the sentence hanging there. His eyes slid from grey to brown.

He smiled.

"And that's me."

Again Nemesis wasn't sure what to say. The Texas accent had thrown him. I've said it before and I'll say it again, he thought. That boy is one odd duck.

Avatar massaged his pounding temple and watched Ardent for a long moment, unsure if the strange recitation was complete. "Right," he said. "Well. I'm Avatar."

Nemesis turned toward Palmer with a jerk of his head, forcing a smile and nodding to let the man know he had his attention.

He gathered his wits, put on his best speaking voice, and slowly looked around the room to make eye contact with everyone as he spoke. "I've been a police consultant for the past year, and I've worked with Nemesis before. But to be frank, this is a whole new level for me.

"I can handle myself in a fight, but my speciality is information gathering. I can read the history of objects by touching them, and I can manifest what the good doctor here calls 'a psychic construct.' It's like astral projection," he explained. "I can project my avatar where I can't go, and it can interact with or ignore the physical world as needed."

"I also have some contacts on the nightside that might prove useful," he finished. "And that's me."

Raphael was more than a little amused, as well as conserned, but not entirely sure which was more appropriate.  He stood and smoothed his shirt.  His head cocked to the side and his neck gave an audible, satisfying crack. 

"Raphael DiSantiago," he said with a boyish smirk.  He focused on the table rather than his teammates.  "I have telekinetic abilities and a... range of experience." 

His smile turned thin and then he did look up.  At Nemesis.  A thousand things passed through his mind, then.  He skipped the speech and kept it simple.  At least for now.  "Please call me Orion."

Nemesis nodded, acknowledging the statement, obviously pleased.

Heatwave's jaw nearly dropped at Orion's introduction. So Orion was a DiSantiago, no wonder he had known she was on the team before any of them had met. nodding to cover her surprise she gave Orion a smile, her first since entering the room. It would not hurt to have a DiSantigo on her side in her search and given they had all ready met and worked together, even if it were just one fight, Orion was the most likely choice.

Nemesis again stood up. "Well, that's everyone, then. Thank you all for speaking. I know this seems mundane and...well, it's boring as hell, but it's necessary. Expect at least one meeting a week with everyone here. At least for now," he conceded. "As we get things started we'll all need to be on the same page. Later on, when we find our rhythm, this might not be as necessary." He said the last with an air of hopefulness he didn't really feel. He had the idea there'd be regular meetings for the rest of his life.

'Every week?' JACE thought.  Sitting here talking and wasting time once was bad enough, but now they were supposed to do it every week.  He hoped the visibility of being part of a team would make up for the colossal waste of time.  Of course, so long as he had his uplink he could continue to work on various projects while here.

"The important thing to remember," he continued. "Is that from this point on we get each other's backs. You have something you want to work on? Bring it to the table, or to me personally, and we'll see what we can do to help out. I know we're all used to working alone, but from now on I'd like it if we could at least work in teams of two, if not more. Even the mundane cases--call someone in for back-up. Like I said, we're going to be very visible and we're going to make a great big target for all kinds of people. Let's not make it too easy for 'em."

Nemesis paused, thinking. "I'm sure there's more, but we've all got a party to get ready for. Before I give Miss DiSantiago the last word, does anyone have anything else they'd like to add? Any question, comments, good jokes...?"

Nemesis sat down, relinquishing the floor. Ophilia waited for several moments to make sure that there were no other comments before she spoke again. "Well...we need you at the Hotel by 8:30 this evening.  You will make your entrance the same as all of the other guests, if you're asked leading questions by the press, do your best to dodge them.  The unveiling will happen at the party."  She raised her brow as she looked around the table, to see if there seemed to be any asked or unasked questions.

"I would like to encourage you...", and here she looked at both Ardent and Stone, "...to check out your apartments, and the facilities.  You will find several costumes in your closet and training uniforms in your dresser.  If you have any special needs, let me know right away, and I'll accomodate them.  I've also selected suitable body doubles for everyone, and if anyone would like to make use of one, let me know and I'll call them in.  Body doubles will be available for us during any public engagements, in the event you guys would like to utilize them to help protect your secret identities."

She finally stood up and gave Nemesis another glance.  "I think that's it!  ...just, please...be on your absolute best behavior tonight."

Stone immediately stood up, gathered up the things in front of him, and walked out without a word or a look in anyone's direction.

Nemesis chuckled, gathering up his own files. "Guess it's time for someone's smoke break." He looked at Ophilia and nodded, pleased with the way the meeting went. He bided his time, nodding and saying something to everyone who filed out. He felt it appropriate that he should be the last to leave, but there was a part of him that was ready to run for the bar.

Ardent watched Stone's silent departure, then stood and gathered his own paperwork. "It was very nice meeting all of you," he said, smiling slightly. He glanced once more at Stones empty chair and then looked at Nemesis. "Not a good first showing for your boy there. I hope you plan on doing something about it before it gets out of hand." He blinked, nodded once, then walked through the table and out the far wall, leaving behind patterns of frost across each surface. Time to go check out this room of his... and perhaps change into a fresh costume. He'd been wearing this one for a few days now after all. 

Nemesis blinked and watched Ardent walk away. Several moments later he remembered to close his mouth. He shook his head with a chuckle but made a mental note to follow up on it. Stone had been somewhat of an ass, but considering he'd had all of twenty-four hours to adjust to this Luke felt he needed a little slack...at least at first. He'd make sure it didn't get out of hand. Hopefully.

JACE stood up calmly.  "Gentlemen, Ladies, it has been interesting.  I'll see you all at 8:30."  He smiled at everyone.  "I'm headed to my lab, if anyone should need me."  The last was spoken with slight emphasis towards Soldier Boy.  With a polite nod, he headed out of the room.  After that waste of time, he might be able to get some actual work done.

Soldier Boy noted the nod and returned it. He would hop down to the lab shortly to speak with the good doctor, but first he wanted a private word with Phi. There were a couple of moments when she didn't look like she would make it through the meeting, and he was getting concerned.

Celeste gathered her paperwork and hopped out of her seat, "Well I'm going to go check out the apartments, thanks for the suggestion Phi!" she offered a girlish grin, as if the two were old friends, "and I'll see you all at the party tonight."  She strolled out of the room without a backwards glance.

Ophilia tried not to bristle at the pet name as she smiled in response. 

"Good meeting," Avatar drawled. "Much food for thought." He winked at Nemesis and Phi as he strolled past them. "See you tonight."

Heatwave smiled and nodded at Orion as she rose to leave, "Nice meeting you. I'll see you at the party." She then smiled at the four staff members left at the table, gathered her packet, and headed out the door.

His return smile was warm and friendly enough, if a bit distracted.  "Tonight, then," he said.  He waited until the rest of the team had departed, waited until it was just Nemesis, Ophilia and Bastian left.  Of course, the enigma that was Soldier Boy still lingered, but that was okay.  Raphael regarded them all with a satisfactory smirk. 

"I have to admit, I was skeptical," he said at last, "I wasn't sure if this whole thing was actually going to happen, but it did.  A little hiccup here and there, but you did it."  He chuckled a little and shook his head.  "You are actually going to pull this off."  Raphael's face split into a grin and he reached for his cousin's hand.  "Congratulations, cousin," and, with a nod: "Nemesis."

He scooped his paperwork smoothly into one hand and turned for the door.  "See you both tonight."

Sebastián finished scrawling the last of his notes on his notebook and looked around the room. As he'd fully expected, Stone had left, Sebastán would have to schedule their meeting later. He opened his mouth to say something, but caught Soldier Boy out of the corner of his eye. Instead he stood, gathered his things, and thought to his sister. {Phi, this went better than I expected, with the exception of the new guy being sprung on us. I'd love to hear the story behind that later.}  She could sense his amusement through their bond.

"Gentlemen, Phi, if you'll excuse me, I need to call my date, and let her know she's only got 8 hours left to get ready."

With that, he was out the door, dialing his normal cell phone as he walked to his office.

Soldier Boy let out a long, deep 'thank god that's over' sigh. "Well kids, I've seen my share of these things and this went a lot better than most. Usually somebody gets pissed and storms out, or a couple of jokers might throw punches, but this went real good."

Phi nodded her head in agreement, obviously pleased by the seasoned veteran's praise.

With a weary creak the old soldier rose from his chair. "We got a big night, so I suggest you two kick back, relax, have that filthy monkey sex you've both been thinking about for months, then enjoy a nice relaxing bath together. Catch you guys later."

As a shocked Ophilia took a small gasp of air, Jag turned and left the room.  She could feel the fire of embarassment as it made it's mark on her face and tied her tongue into a tidy knot.  With a slight movement she angled herself away from Nemesis as she shut her laptop and worked at gathering her papers.  Unfortunately her head was swimming so much with the audacity of Soldier Boy's remark, that her attempts did more to scatter them than they did to retrieve them.  Only a few moments had passed as she waited eagerly for Luke to make his exit. 

Luke snorted in amusement at the look on Phi's face. He stretched. "Well, that went better than expected." He gathered up his things and cast a questioning look at Phi.

"If there's nothing else...?" His mask prevented her from knowing for sure, but Phi was relatively certain there was a mischeivous glint and a raised brow accompanying that question.

Phi smiled and gave him a quick glance, but didn't turn to meet his gaze.  Their flirtatious tension over the past couple of months had been building, and apparently it had reached the level that even Jag had picked up on it. 

"Nothing that can't wait..."  There was a flirtatious lilt to her voice as she picked her papers up and swept past him with a smile and a certain sway to her hips that was most certainly put on for his benefit.

Nemesis watched her leave for several long moments. He laughed softly and shook his head, glancing around the conference room to see if anyone forgot anything. With a simple nod he turned and left, whistling a bit of Joe Cocker's "Feelin' Alright".

File Closed