The hypercycles purred underneath them as Soldier Boy and Nemesis cruised through Hudson City.  The vibrant colors gleamed, even in the darkness as the city's lights reflected off of their pristine surfaces.  Traffic slowed as the two heroes glided in and out of the flow, people were obviously interested in the rare site of catching a Conquistador on patrol.

Full helmets protected their heads and built in wireless communicators allowed them uninterrupted communication, as they bantered lightly back and forth.  The forecast for the evening was trouble, but it was hard to feel an immediate urgency when there was nothing concrete as to who or what was out there.

A little girl with her mother saw the heroes and got excited. Soldier Boy gave her a wave and a smile. Seconds later a couple of teenage boys gave Soldier Boy the finger. Soldier Boy gave them a wave and a smile. Not many made an effort to get Nemesis' attention, but that wasn't unusual. And, to a certain extent, Luke preferred it that way.

Soldier Boy said to Nemesis, "Okay, I bet you never heard this one, A blind man walks by a fish market. He tips his hat and says, 'good morning, ladies'." He laughed at his own joke. "Get it? Fish smells like pussy."

Nemesis snorted, the sound echoing slightly in the helmet's radio. "Not bad. Try this one; what'd the elephant say to the naked man?" After a moment's pause he supplied the answer. "'How do you breathe through that thing?'" He snorted again, amused at the latest joke making the rounds at the bar.

"Hah! That's pretty good. Well, it'll do anyway."

"Hey, Jag," Nemesis began after they passed another small collection of Soldier Boy fans on the street. "Does the attention ever get old? I mean, is it worth it?"

"Hell, I don't know. It goes in cycles I guess. Sometimes you want to smack the grinning morons up side the head. Other times you jones for the attention. Depends on your mood I guess. Don't worry, though. You'll get used to it."

"I guess so." Nemesis didn't seem convinced. "When I started this whole mask bit I never thought of anything like fame. I figured I'd be playing in the shadows the whole time, you know? This whole 'Hey, look at me!' thing just seems...strange. Not really me." He shrugged, not that it could be seen. "I don't know. It's just different. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this part of the job yet."

"My experience was a little bit different when I was brand new. The first thing they did was dress me in the flag. The second thing they did was introduce me to my publicity guy. Kind of a kick in the head for a boy right off the farm. Think of this, though. Part of our job, in addition to actually keeping people safe, is making people feel safe. Somehow dressing up in a gaudy costume and smiling at the kiddies does that. Beats the hell out of me how, but it works."

"Well, that part of it I understand," Nemesis replied. "It's why cops walk the beat, and why we're out here now. Let's folks think we're doing something proactive whether we are or not. It's the..." he struggled to find the right words. "I don't know. The celebrity of it all, I guess. That's the part that bugs me. A little."

"Celebrity can open some doors for you," Soldier Boy said and then he smiled. "Opens pussies for you, too. Don't worry about it too much, son. It's all just part of the ride."

As the two Conquistadors cruised towards the river, Nemesis' communicator crackled to with the sound of Heatwave's voice. "Nemesis, I just heard about the bounty hunt going on. I think I either found signs of what's being hunted or there is one nasty hunter out there. Either way I think someone should check it out. I gave the details to Orion but I think he was more interested in Phase."

"That's as good a lead as any," Nemesis replied. "What'ss your location, and is JACE still with you?"

Heatwave gave Nemesis her location--heading south toward Layfette--and told him JACE was headed back to the base to analyze the sample he took. She then asked if there was anything he wanted her to do.

"We have most of the team deployed around the city. For now, make sure you've checked the area thoroughly. We don't know what this thing is or how it's traveling, or how fast and far it can move, so any information you can get will help. And witnesses, if there are any. For now, you're on your own, but if you find it, holler and we'll come running. Don't engage unless civilian lives are at stake."

Heatwave acknowledged his orders and signed off.

"Did I hear right? Did JACE just leave Heatwave without backup? You might want to check with Stone. See if he can give her some support." Soldier Boy shook his head and muttered a few obscenities. "I'm going to have a talk with JACE. I mean, sure that brain of his is an asset, but he can't keep running off like that. He has to keep his head in the game, he has to stay focused, he has to... Holy shit! Did you see the titties on that chica?" He craned his neck for a better view of a comely bystander.

Nemesis shook his head, amused and annoyed at Jag's own lack of focus. But he did glance in the indicated direction before keying his mic.

*Stone, this is Nemesis. What's your location?*

A pause. "Nemesis who?"

There was a slight commotion on the other end of the line, like a woman speaking.  "How the hell do I know?" Stone's voice continued, sounding far away and then became strong again. "What kind of name is Nemesis, anyway?"

Nemesis blinked, confused. This was not the time to be playing games.  "Is that Heatwave with you? Where are you guys?"

"Yeah!"  A feminine voice said almost simultaneously to his question, and obviously not in response to it.

"We can find out the answer to that later," Stone said in a flirtatious tone, which was most likely directed at the woman he was with and not at Nemesis.

"Heatwave?" Stone asked back into the phone.  "Is this important because I'm kind of in the middle of something, or I'm about to be."

"Put your gun back in it's holster, big guy," Soldier Boy said. "There'll be plenty of time for that after we kick all of the appropriate asses."

Nemesis was alternating between concern and anger. Something wasn't right, but Stone didn't sound in any danger. "Stone, I swear to God that I will find a way to kick your ass--later--but right now, tell me where the hell you are!"

There was more of that distant female voice followed by what sounded like Stone laughing of all things - something Nemesis had never heard before or perhaps even thought possible.

**Galaxy Diner, corner of... oh hell, I don't know. I'll call you back later, okay?** --click--

Nemesis reached for the brakes and cranked hard on the handlebars of his cycle, the engines whining as he slid to a halt. "Jag, did you catch that?"

Soldier Boy slowed to a halt next to Nemesis. "Stone's girlish giggle? Yeah, I heard it. Has to be psionic control. Only thing I can think of. Heh. He's gonna hate that when he comes out of it."

"Fuck me." Nemesis' thoughts mirrored Soldier Boy's. Some sort of mental whammy was all he could think of that would turn Stone into an idiot like that. He cursed again--under his breath this time--and keyed his radio.

**Phi, this is Nemesis. Something's up with Stone and I can't tell if Heatwave is with him or not. Have everyone check in, status and location. Let me know if anyone else is not accounted for or if anything seems hinky. Jag and I are heading for the Galaxy Diner to get Stone. Should be a couple blocks north of the Convention Center around Harnett. We'll check in again when we get there.**

**I'll check the map and run traces on them.  I'll get back to you as soon as I find them.**  Ophilia responded quickly and helpfully, very much unlike Stone.

With a jerk of his head Nemesis revved his bike again, sending it flying towards the diner he hoped was where he thought. Soldier Boy smiled as he roared after the Conquistador's leader. He couldn't wait to see Stone acting like a moron.

The duo made a quick right from 30th Avenue onto King, and another left onto South Madison Street and let out their speed.  They sped back through Forsythe and Crown Point and were about ready to cross the Deerman Drawbridge when Phi radioed in.

**I have those traces that you were asking for.  Stone is on 4th Street, between Harnett Street and North Jackson.  Heatwave is at Hudson City College.  I dispatched Bastian to Little Italy.  JACE is on Naomi Street and Avatar and Danny are in Little China.  Let me know if there's anything I can do.  We still have Orion, Phase and myself at the Cathedral if you need us somewhere.**

** Hang tight,** Nemesis replied. **Jag and I are on our way now. If we can't handle whatever's there I'll call in the cavalry. And let me know if anything else turns up.**

**Actually.**  Ophilia returned in a grim voice.  **There are a couple of things.  Bastian reported back, and he used his timeview power to see the beast.  He said it's enormous, it is enormous. It's like King Kong with fangs...and metal parts.  He doesn't know where it is now, the incident that he viewed happened in Little Italy, but it was forty-five minutes to an hour ago.  And it could be anywhere by now.  He's going to track it and stay in touch.  ...and, Phase said that Danny called it.  He and Avatar are heading to Lafayette.**

** Do they have a lead? **

There was a hesitation on the other end before Phi replied. **Sort of.  He met up with someone that thinks they can track it, and plans to let us know when they get close.**

**Keep us posted.**

By the time that Nemesis was off the radio with Phi, she had uploaded the trace on Stone to his Conq issued phone.

Nemesis and Soldier Boy were nearing their destination when Nemesis' radio crackled once more. ** Nemesis, I lost whatever it was I was trying to follow. I'm over HCC now and there is no sign of it anywhere. Do you want me to go back to patrolling or keep looking for this thing? ** Nemesis could hear the frustration in Heatwave's voice.

** Actually, ** Nemesis said after a moment's thought, ** I'd like you to hook up with Danny and Avatar. They're heading to Lafayette and might have a lead. If this thing is as big as everyone seems to think they could use the firepower. Once Soldier Boy and I get Stone we'll be coming back your way. I hope.**

** On my way. " Heatwave signed off.

Soldier Boy looked over at Nemesis with a big grin as they roared through city streets. He didn't even try to stifle his laughter.  While the legend was laughing, a bulletin came across from JACE.  **JACE to Conquistadors, I have analyzed the material left behind at the site of the vandalism.  It is animal urine, possibly some kind of primate.  In addition, a powerful acidic compound has been added to it, presumably by the animal.  I have a compound to neutralize the acid.  I would recommend you rendezvous with me to collect a supply of it.**

All at once, Nemesis thought with a sigh. It always happens all at once.

**Nice work, JACE,** Nemesis replied aloud. **I think we're all a little busy at the moment but we'll get to you when we can.**

**As you wish,** JACE responded.  **I would recommend avoiding any contact with the fluid without the neutralizer.  It is quite caustic.**

Nemesis made sure the team intercomm was off.  "Like he couldn't deliver it faster," he said to Jag. He made note of the streets they were on. These bikes were fast. "Diner's coming up. Any ideas?"

Soldier Boy thought a moment. "Stone doesn't sound like he's been given any mental commands or anything. I bet we can just introduce ourselves to the big guy, explain the situation, and tell him what we need. Just between you and me I hope he puts up a fight. Ha!"

Despite several great comebacks--or at least great in his mind--Nemesis let the moment pass without further comment. Truth be told he was generally concerned for his friend. Stone most definitely wasn't himself, and while he might not be in danger, he could definitely pose a danger to the rest of them. The needed to find a cause and a fix. Whatever else was going down in the city tonight, Stone was going to be needed.

"Here's Fourth Avenue," he called out instead, leaning the bike into the turn. "Diner's about two blocks d--hey! Is that him?"

As the hypercycles slowed and closed the distance, it was clear to see that it was.  Stone was paused on the sidewalk, speaking to a well toned woman in black leather.

OOC: Richard, anything you wanna add here or should we just jump on over to the other thread? Stone and Mayhem are walking on the street, so...yeah. Ready to jump when you are.

OOC: ready for the jump. - richard