Raising his eyebrows in surprise as Midnight explains about her aversion to coffee and he can't help but wonder what kind of effect it had? Was it like alchohol to her, did the caffeine cause her to become inebriated ? Fascinating.
really? I suppose there must be many things on earth that affect you differently.there are other refreshments in the fridge, water, soda, beer? Please help yourself.
he says I have been spending much of my spare time trying to compile all the information I have obtained , try to make some sense of it. I will gladly take you through what I have so far.
Looking around the others to see if any of them want refreshments he turns his attention toward the young Asian Ebon? Some kind of title then? When you say your order do you mean religious order? he asks as he resists the urge to reach out and "touch" midnights mind with his own. The thought of exploring an extraterrestrials mind was so tempting, to feel what a non human mind was like.....
I am glad to meet you, and you also Trysst.
"Nice place you got here, doc. You can call me Napalm." The young man walks around the apartment, taking in the decor. He looks for personal items which might tell him more about the man they just met. Oddly, he doesn't see many pictures of Dr. Sterne so much as of another man. Napalm frowns, but doesn't say anything.
He moves over to where the collage of 'evidence' is. He gives a low whistle. "You did this all by yourself?" He moves closer to examine some pieces of the evidence and see if this was just a crazy person's work or if the Doctor has any real observations.
Smiling at the badly scarred figure that called himself Napalm, he wonders what may have happened to him, the life of a super hero was fraught with danger, had some enemy done this to him ?
Napalm? An imposing pseudonym to be sure. he says not unkindly The apartment actually belongs to a friend, he's a real estate developer. I live in Greenwich village , my father owns an apartment there he says as he notices Napalm interest in the photos on the side board
I put all this together myself yes, I used some contacts I have in the NYPD to get access to a lot of the crime scene photos and reports and obtained much of the other evidence myself. I have visited alll of these locations and done my own digging he says indicating areas of the map.
Inwardly he shudders as he recalls the psychic resonances he encountered at some of the more brutal crime scenes.
Scattered among the photographs, files and clippings are dozens of events and cases that the group has never seen. In fact, even those who pay close attention to the news do not recognise some of the bloody crime scenes depicted in Dr Sterne's work.
Though extremely careful when to use his powers, Sterne himself doesn't fully realise how open his Third Eye is and how much information floods in unbid. This is one of those moments and while some might read the bodylanguage of the group, he unconsciously picks up their lightest thoughts - thoughts of confusion.
If the media and therefore the public really knew how many Punisher cases there are, they'd be horrified. Dr Sterne says. At least most would. Frank has become something of a cult hero in many circles, epitomising the strength and decisiveness that the current administration seem to lack. A bomb goes off and the government impose sanctions. Frank kills those responsible and anyone else in their network.
Sterne shakes his head and rubs at his temple.
People cannot begin to think that the end justifies the means. Still, you have to admire how single-minded he is.
He moves to his board and begins picking off photographs. The first is of an obliterated limo, smashed into a wall at seemingly high speed. There are a series of neat holes in the side windows, in the driver's side, the others in the back.
This was Vanessa Fisk's limo. He opened up on it with an assault rifle. Decisive, like I said.
The next photograph is an horrifically bloody scene. Broken bodies of aliens - goblins and orcs lie scattered on the floor of a seedy, back-alley bar.
Six dead. Three shot, two stabbed and one had his head smashed in with the cash register.
The final photograph is of the Staten Island lab, smoke billowing from the hole blown in the side of the facility and dozens of bodies lying dead among the ruined buildings.
And of course this. Explosives and precision kills.
This is why he is so hard to catch, his MO is different every time. He changes, he adapts, he stays ahead of the law because they can't trace his weapons, they can't anticipate how he will attack and they can't know who he will target next. Sterne says, his voice as grim as his name.
He begins pinning the photographs onto a huge map of Manhattan.
Surrounded by Fisk's personal security. he points at the limo. Moving unseen among the alien ghettos of Brooklyn. he points to the second. Getting away from Staten Island when the area was swarming with police and SHIELD in the air and on the ground. his finger settles on the third picture.
How is he getting in and out? That's the question I would like you to help me answer because if we can, I think we can find him. the Dr finishes.
I have one more question for you. What did you find at the Staten Island facility? I couldn't get any information out of my contacts.
I don't think the people I spoke to knew what was there. the Doctor shrugs. Look, I understand your suspicion. But I'm just someone trying to do help - just like yourselves. he gestures to the gathered group.
Ebon shows his naiveness he speaks up, seemingly happy to just tell the Doctor. "Maybe there are cops on his side? Do we know where he came from? He seems highly skills with weapons that's some intensive training."
"They were doing a lot of experiments, there were alien plants and we met a big player. The reason I came to new york was to learn from the monks but there is an ancient order almost as old as my own. They call them selfs The Hand, one of their agents was there he knew so much about me. If the Hand is involved nothing good will come of it."
Have you heard of 'The Hand' doctor? They seem to have resources focused in the Eastern side of things, hand to hand combatants, interests in criminal activities.
She continues to stare.
About finding Mr Castle... several parties, including SHIELD themselves, have warned us away from confronting The Punisher directly,
for all the reasons you've already outlined about his capabilities.
What makes you think we'd fare any better than those who have hunted him before?
I don't. the doctor agrees. But when good men and women do nothing, are we any better than the vigilante who thinks his brand of justice is absolute? he answers Midnight's question with one of his own, sensing in her an innate will to do what is right.
i would like to think the police are not helping him but there are always those willing to do almost anything for money.
Did you follow the trial Akio? He is ex millatary, he had a very distinguished record. His service no doubt has some bearing on what he has become but it was the death of his family that changed everything for him he says somewhat sadly I have heard some vague references to the Hand but I know very little about them, so you say they were at the facility ? They were experimenting on alien plants? What would they want with plants? he asks as he looks at the trusting young man, what do these Hand people want?
"Something nefarious," Spore replies quickly when Sterne mentions the plants. "Some of us have abilities that The Hand desires to coopt." Frustrated at the thought of it, Spore shakes, giving off a rustling sound.
"And what can you do Doctor, besides draw connections? SHIELD put us together because we can do things most beings on Earth cannot. Are you the same as us?"
Turning toward the strange plant creature he suddenly feels his pulse begin to race, here was the question he feared and yet it was the very question he knew they would ask.
The very question he had in many ways forced them to ask. When he placed these events in motion he knew there would be only two outcomes.
He could just give them his research and continue to live as he had always done, concealing his abilities.
"I've done my bit, now do with this information what you will. I'm not supposed to have most of it and would likely be looking at criminal charges so please leave me out of it from here on"
But he knew that was not enough, the other choice meant he had the chance to do something. To really help people but to do that would mean he would have to face up to what he is and what he could do.
He was almost certainly getting in way over his head but a part of him, a big part of him liked the idea of that.
For what seemed like an eternity he wrestled with this choice until suddenly his shoulders dipped slightly as he visibly relaxed and just like Alice he decided to plunge down the rabbit hole.
Glancing over at the small globe shaped drinks trolley in the corner of the room he reached out with his mind and flipped open the cover revealing the decanters inside.
Opening his hand a half full crystal decanter streaked across the room toward him.
A crystal tumbler followed and of its own accord the decanter poured out a healthy measure of bourbon all the while hovering in the air before the doctor.
Reaching out he grasped the glass and downed the shot in one.
am I like you? I'm afraid that I do not know. But I do know I am not quite like anyone else I have ever met either . he says as he grasps the glass tightly and letting the decanter settle back onto its trolley he waits for whatever their reaction may be.
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"And there it is..." There is the barest hint of the bitterness that Trystt feels towards those who can blend in and hide in plain sight. She takes out a deck of cards from a hidden pocket and begins shuffling it in her left hand. "Now you want to join our merry band," she states questioningly. She looks at each of them to gauge their reactions, but her gaze settles on Napalm, who has been kind of the de facto leader.
He looks down at Trysst and he nods gravely
there is no one in my life that knows what I can do, it would make them...uncomfortable around me. he says choosing his words with care I have kept my powers a secret for years using them sparingly and only in great need. But I cannot go on watching the world collapse around me, I do not seek to be a hero but there is too much going on for me to stand idly by.
So yes I wish to join you, I want you to look at my research with fresh eyes, with fresh insight And together maybe we can do some good
Ebon stands more to attention as The Doctor shows his power. "Sheild didn't tell us you were one of us. Shield didn't tell us much at all. While I can understand wanting to hide your gifts, why were you so secretive with us." He looks around at the others attempting to gauge their reaction.
Sterne Speeads his hands and shrugs toward Ebon.
when it comes to my mutation I am secretive around everyone, I have a job I enjoy, a life I also enjoy.
My friends, family. If they knew what I could do....well it would all change. I could no longer live a normal life it would be impossible. he says trying to explain
I was not even sure I was going to reveal myself, I thought maybe I could just show you what I have and let you get on with it but I guess deep down I knew I couldn't do that. I have to help he says as he places the glass on a side table and he looks around at them all
I don't want us to start off on the wrong foot, and I can see the distrust written on your faces, which I can't blame you for. The reason SHIELD told you very little about me is that they don't know anything about me, I am afraid I had to manipulate one of their agents into contacting you. It was the quickest and easiest way to reach out to you.
Maybe I should have approached SHIELD through the proper channels, but what's done is done
Napalm approaches Dr. Sterne as he shows off his power. The mutant grabs his wrist now holding the glass. He squints his eyes. "Hmm, no sign of a magnetic actuator." He pulls the man's sleeve up and he slowly nods. "Telekinesis, then? And what do you mean 'manipulated' an Agent?"
Napalm reaches out with his gloved hand and the circuitry lights up, glowing blue. The full set of glasses comes out and a round of drinks is poured. He gives a small smirk, obviously enjoying showing off replicating the doctor's trick. One of the glasses flies to his hand, sloshing the alcohol on the floor as he catches it. He grunts in frustration. "Dr. Sterne, perhaps we should sit and discuss your little game." He moves over to the dining table, motioning for the others to join him.
He sits and takes a sip of the bourbon, trying not to cough as it burns doing down. "You have mental powers, I take it? Something akin to the Scarlet Witch? And you even admit to toying with a SHIELD agent's mind? That's a serious offense. Of all the types of powers, mind control is probably the one that concerns SHIELD the most. There's little to detect and no way to know if someone's actions have been influenced. The Witch nearly destroyed the Avengers from the inside out by herself. Hell, it could be you who's guiding the Punisher..."
He pauses, taking a breath and lifting his hands up. "Ok, let's take this one step at a time, Doc. Walk us through this. You chose to make contact with us by manipulating a SHIELD agent. Why not just make contact with that person? And what exactly did you do? We'll get to your involvement with the Punisher in a moment."
Sterne suffers Napalms curt examination as he roughly pulls at his arm looking for some kind of technological answer to his abilities.
this is the paranoia that I knew would manifest itself once they knew what sort of powers I have. he thinks to himself sadly as he sees the change in Napalm.
Watching the scarred man clumsily replicate his telepathy with his technology Stern tries to ignore the implied jibe.
we don't need you, I can do your tricks too it would be amusing in any other situation he thought.
game? I assure you Napalm, I am not playing any games. he says a little gruffly disliking the manhandling he was getting
you think I am guiding the punisher? I am afraid you are letting paranoia run away with you. I am not another Kilgrave, and I do not appreciate the association. What he did and what others like him do is disgusting he says bluntly, the police files he had seen on Kilgrave had turned his stomach.
I do have psychic powers yes, but more empathic in nature, I can exert some control over people though not in the way you fear. he says as he moves to the table and sits at the head
after the reports in the press about the Staten Island incident I felt It was well past time I tried to do something, share what I had.
I had seen various reports on your activities in the city, the chatter on social media about you guys all seemed very positive. you seemed to be a relatively new group, newly associated with SHIELD, as such I hoped you would be a bit more approachable.
SHIELD these days is a shell of what it once was, after what HYDRA did they are now so cautious so careful. It would have taken too long had I approached them directly he says
I went to Staten Island, made my way inside the crime scene, located the agent in charge and used my abilities to make her believe she received a call from her superior , instructing her to get in touch with you and ask you to meet myself....and so here we are
Ebon steps forward standing between the doctor and the others. "Let's take a little slower, no one here's to fight and no one here to mislead anyone." He looks to the Doctor. "Right Doc?"
He relaxes his stance and looks back towards the others. "Now no matter how it came to be, he has information we all want and he can help. I don't know about the rest of you but this downtime has been killing me, I want to get to the bottom of this. I have to find out how all this is connected." He points to the board.
Not wanting to be left out, Spore exhales a large cloud of green dust, that quickly dissolves into the air of the room, and a moment later, one of the glasses Napalm filled begins to make its way back towards Spore, buoyed by the tiny, microscopic plants he'd emitted. With a smile, he takes a seat at Napalm's suggestion.
"Good point, Ebon. We DO need to catch whoever is behind these things. If The Doctor here can help, we should consider his offer. And I don't expect he'll be able to control my mind, for what its worth..." Spore rumbles.
"But no more lies, and you should probably come clean to SHIELD," he quickly adds.
Napalm sits back, taking in Sterne's story. "Making someone believe they got a phone call from their superior is a little more than empathic. Can you do it again? I think we need a demonstration."
He looks at Spore and Midnight. "Assuming your minds work differently than ours, could you make sure the Doctor here doesn't do anything horrible?" He turns back to Sterne. "Alright, Doctor, I'm all yours. Would you show us what you can do? A fake call or something else will do. Careful, I am armed."
He raises an eyebrow at the man.
Dr Sterne smiles warmly at the scarred man they called Napalm, if he wanted a demonstration then he would do his best to provide one.
as you wish Napalm, please relax everyone, try not to resist. he says as he reaches out to them all with his mind, focusing on Napalm he seeks for something dear to the man....a loved one....someone unmistakeable.
The choice is obvious once he has found it and he attempts to link Napalms mind with that of his companions, he reaches out to Akio, Trysst and Midnight with little difficulty.
Even though Midnight is an extraterrestrial her mind was still amenable to his powers. The same could not be said however of the gruff plant-like creature known as Spore.
He could not reach him at all, it was as if there were no mind there to reach. It was a very strange feeling and one he was not accustomed to.
Focusing on the others he intensifies his power and suddenly there is a knocking at the door
Lucas? It's Maggie. Let me in, I've got doughnuts and coffee for you all. Come on hon, quickly these things are heavy the all too familiar voice of Napalms wife suddenly comes from the other side of the doorway followed by another coupe of quick knocks
come on, open up. Coffees getting cold
Sterne can see the look of surprise that flickers across their faces and focusing his mind further he looks for something else, something equally familiar and he alters the auditory hallucination. suddenly a powerful, gruff voice can be heard from the other side of the door.
excuse me miss, I need to get past the familiar stern voice of Daredevil is now heard beyond the front door followed by several powerful thuds as if he were banging the door with his fist.
open up! I can hear you all in there, there's no need to threaten the doctor, he just wants to help you Daredevil calls out gruffly as he continues to pound the door.
"Excuse me, Doctor. Just a moment, that's my wife. We can continue in a sec..." He is half out of his chair when the frontal lobe of his brain kicks in.
How did Maggie know we were here? She didn't know about the meeting. We're at Sterne's. How did she know how to get here? It take a split second for the neurons to fire, just before he hears Daredevil's voice. This is Sterne!
"Very clever, Doctor. Is this what you meant by empathic? You can't control someone, but if you get them to believe something, they might do it over their own accord, yes? I assume if I open that door, I won't see my wife and the Devil of Hell's Kitchen. Or can you make people see things too?" He looks around at the others. "Are they hearing this too? Or are they seeing me react to nothing? Or perhaps you have them hearing their own family? What about something more severe, could you make me believe I've been cut or burned?"
The paranoia in his voice is gone, replaced by intrigue. This is the inquiry of the scientist, rather than the SHIELD agent.
"Guess it worked..." Spore acknowledged as Napalm reacts to a wife he knows isn't there. "Too many spirits, Spore says, taking his own head. "Tough to get in here, you know?"
Midnight's gaze does not leave Dr Sterne throughout the whole time.
Fooling the senses to that degree really is quite a trick, you have developed this yourself with no help from anyone? No training at all?
That you can slip inside my mind as easily as your fellow human's says much about our species compatibilities...
She shakes her head to rid it of the last after effects of the false sensations, the echoes of the Devil's words took their time to fade... where was he?..
Do you have any other training doctor? You have proven your usefulness certainly, but what we do, what we have done and will do again... it is dangerous. Have you ever been in a position where your life or those under your care are threatened? I ask because this is important to understand, for us, to know how you might react. You see?
Pleased that his display has worked on them, or at least most of them he thinks as he glances at Spore he tries his best to answer the deluge of questions.
there are many things I can do and much I suspect I could do if I pushed myself .
If you open the door there will be no one there , I can create visual effects as well but not in this instance. he says to Napalm the others should have all heard the same except for your imposing friend here he says motioning toward spore his mind I cannot "touch" as it were.
I can make people hear pretty much anything I want them to hear, I can also make them hear something that they are familiar with, such as your wife's voice. It matters not that I have never met her or heard her voice. You all have , and so you heard it perfectly.
I could also make you hear something in a language you speak but I may not be able to speak it myself as long as you know it , it will work, of course presuming your mind does not reject my influence he says explaining there are more severe things I can do...I can temporarily incapacitate people and cause them harm if I wish to.
My empathic abilities allow me to read people, to gain information. I cannot exactly read people's minds, much of it is open to interpretation. I mean just because someone firmly believes they are a good singer it does not make it true. They could still be tone deaf but in their own mind they sound like an angel he says as he tries to expla N the complex nature of his abilities.
I can also use my powers to protect and enhance those close to me, in a variety of ways. I can influence you to bring out your best, so the shot you fire or the punch you throw will hit its mark. Not every time of course he says smiling
Looking across at the striking figure of Midnight he flashes her a quick grin
I am entirely self taught and I have kept my powers secret for a long time. Now I am no captain America , I dress better for a start he says trying to lighten the atmosphere a little but I have put myself in harms way on many occasions, especially helping out my friend in the NYPD, I have looked into several cases for him, gone where the police could not in order to help. But those things I did in utmost secrecy, and only when the need was great.
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"I am no Captain America"
Trystt has been mostly silent since they've arrived here, but this comment elicits a loud guffaw from her, with an overtly mocking message of "Obviously."
Her face begins to look troubled as she considers the morality of not just what the doctor described, but her own actions and abilities.
Stern turns at the barely concealed guffaw at his comparison to captain America and he as effects a hurt expression as he looks toward Trysst
you wound me terribly, I've spent some extra time in the gym lately it's nice to see it's doing absolutely nothing for me he says and then smiles .
Akio eyes the doctor up, "I have trained with mystics that could make me see something that wasn't there, make me believe he plucked the sun from the sky." He steps closer to the Doctor and offers his hand.
"Your power is beyond anything I could do, I'm happy you have decided to use it for good." He turns to the others hoping the Doctors explanations and truth will push them forward. "If you want to help, we can't turn you down."
"Deep doubts, deep wisdom; small doubts, little wisdom. - My master would preach, I'm sorry for our mistrust but we had to be sure."
Standing up from his seat Sterne smiles warmly and takes the offered hand, as they shake he can feel the rough callouses on his palms and fingers and His grip is like iron.
thank you, your wariness is only to be expected. I am hoping my transparency will help you all to trust me, the closer we are, the more you can trust me the more help I can be to you he says
Napalm glances at the others and then shrugs and smiles a bit. "Well, if you're coming with us, then I think we can get you access to a gym that will test you quite a bit." He pauses. "And you'd better be ready for more questions and tests and all manner of rude interrogation. SHIELD isn't the most welcoming place, especially after the business with Hydra and now Cap himself. We're less of a SHIELD team than we are a subsidized freelance asset for them. Very business-like relationship and not one built on love and trust."
He gets back up and looks at Sterne's wall of madness. "But if you can help us find the Punisher, then we can't afford to turn you down. You said you actually met him. I assume you touched his mind, at least in a cursory way. Is he truly sane? And where might he go to hide?"
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if he were not sane he would never have stood trial dr Sterne says simply in my professional opinion he is completely aware of his actions and their consequences. He knows exactly what he is doing and why he says remembering the chilling conversations with the man
I did attempt to "touch" his mind, to learn as much as I could from him. It did not work, his mind is strong with his own purpose and all I could get was a faint chilling whisper "one batch two batch, penny and dime" Sterne shudders at the memory as he feels cold all over it was repeating in his mind like a stuck record and I have never felt more afraid of anything than when I heard those words.
I have no idea what they mean, and I could not very well ask him about it either without exposing myself he says as he gestures to the wall
I guess SHIELD involvement will be inevitable at this point but first we need to go through all this together, your insight may prove invaluable
"Well, nothing is inevitable, Doctor. But let's see what you have here." He begins slowly pulling apart the pages on the board. He passes several items to Trystt for her to see.
Ebon isn't sure how he can help but he does what he can, getting food for everyone and doing what he can. While everyone sits to eat he looks over the board and point to the pictures.
"These arn't victims they are the people we saw from metro cab, they were kidnapped and taken to staton island. Remember all those beds we saw and the cages at Metro cabs. The punisher didn't kill them they were taken by the hand for something."
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Trystt points out the victims that she recalls from the MetroCab information. As her frustration rises, she reaches a breaking point and pulls them off the board. "Your chaos is all mixed up. We need a separate chaos board for these. It's another problem to solve." She proceeds to do just that, creating another board using a spare map of New York. "Anything look different for either problem?"
Satisfied with the goings on, if only because Trystt seems to be, Spore begins exploring the rest of the apartment, focusing on the windows. He's confident he'll be asked for help, if someone things he can provide any.
There is no discernible pattern when it comes to the kidnapped criminals. While they mostly lived in lower class or rougher neighbourhoods, that is entirely expected.
Without their photos on the board though confusing things, something begins to tickle about the remaining locations of the Punisher's attacks. You can't quite put your finger on it yet but you keep coming back to Sterne's question of how does he keep getting in and away from these places unseen...
Ebon isn't sure how he can help but he does what he can, getting food for everyone and doing what he can. While everyone sits to eat he looks over the board and point to the pictures.
"These arn't victims they are the people we saw from metro cab, they were kidnapped and taken to staton island. Remember all those beds we saw and the cages at Metro cabs. The punisher didn't kill them they were taken by the hand for something."
hang on, I thought these hand people were doing strange things with plants in that facility. Now you say all these missing people were kidnapped by them ? For what reason, some of these people would not really be missed by anyone.
What were they doing with them?He asks Akio as he picks at the Chinese banquet provided by the young Asian.
if this criminal organisation, this Hand are involved in all this then maybe the Punisher is targeting them and their operations. We still dont know how he is getting in and out without being seen but I have one idea, one that I have not had a chance to look Into yet.
What if he is using the sewers? They run pretty much everywhere the Dr says as he pops another dog m sum into his mouth and chews thoughtfully.
as he pops another dog m sum into his mouth and chews thoughtfully.
Napalm grabs the remainder of a box of noodles and takes a dumpling to add to it. He takes a seat on one of the chairs. "Sewers? Maybe. Former military wouldn't be squeamish about getting in the muck. We can go inspect the site at Staten Island. What if it's something else?" He takes the dumpling between his chopsticks and pops it in his mouth.
"He's got access to military hardware. Maybe he has access to more. A professional disguise? Alien cloaking device?" He glances at the others. "Hey, just making sure we consider all possibilities."
"Seems like he's against the ones abusing the aliens and stealing our tech," Spore adds. "Maybe he's just very good at planning? And being human himself has got to help with fitting in... No?"
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"Seems like the sewers would be the first thing they would be watching. What about the subway system, or more exotically, old Prohibition tunnels? I remember seeing something about old, abandoned subway tunnels."