anyastark:

Hurricane Anya breezed into New York after a week of traveling for Ren Tech business. She and Bridget had been to New Mexico, Detroit and Alabama surveying possible sites for production facilities. There was a stop in DC to meet with a few politicians and assure them that she had no plans on weaponizing the tech outside of non-lethal stun weapons.

Anya stopped in New York on her way back to Boston since today was her father's birthday. She had scheduled lunch with him to see him and give him his gift. This year she got him a week's worth of babysitting for Monkey Boy and a trip for him and mom. Lunch was a quiet affair with just she and Dad. They talked about the family, but most of the conversation was about Ren Tech. Anya loved every second of it.

After lunch she met backup with Bridget and together they headed for the Genoshan Embassy. They had a meeting with one Andrew Summers about Zero Point Energy use and manufacture in Genosha. The car arrived at the Embassy and the driver opened the door so Anya and Bridget could step out. Taking a deep breath, Anya approached the door with Bridget next to her.

lottelensherre:

Charlotte had been pacing in front of her newphe's door for a good 5 minutes, trying to organize her thoughts enough before she finally got the courage to knock on his door, a little harder then strictly necessary. It was time..she had to *do* something.

not_adorable:

Days later, and Angelo was still skittish. Research on schools, daily assignments, volunteer work, and neighborhood patrolling had been able to keep him busy until he found a spot in Andrew's schedule that he could reasonably impose upon. The trick had been finding one where he wouldn't have to go through Gio first, besides not taking Andrew away from all of his very important work. The boy had been a bundle of nerves ever since... the unthinkable* had happened.

He ran a hand through his hair and did his best to collect his thoughts, which seemed to keep running out of his head like water from a sieve. "Nella vita, chi non risica... non rosica," he told himself sternly, before knocking on Andrew's door.


*Unthinkable in a fantastically good way.

marvel_girl:

Okay, so, yeah.  This being in a real relationship thing?  Pretty dang nice.  It didn't hurt to have the mess that had been the Mojoverse long behind them, though she admittedly still felt kinda bad about David.  Not so much that it colored her current relationship with Starbridge, but certainly a thought now and then.

But these days, it was a certain Shi'ar prince than held her thoughts.  And more often than not, shared them too.  Having telepathic powers and a boyfriend with something of the same made of a level of connection Rachel never would have thought possible.  Of course, considering she was person non gratta back in his galaxy (or possibly public enemy number 1, she wasn't quite sure)...  Well, she wasn't going to think about that.

As for tonight?  Well, as nights on the town went, this one was really good.  Granted, she hadn't had too many dates to compare it to, but she knew what she liked.

Rachel looked up from her food.  "This is nice," she said.  "...And I've said that already, haven't I?"

assaultnbattery:

A lot going on very quickly. It had been so long that it was just him and Gio... then Angelo. Since then, things have grown quickly. Andrew fully intended to take advantage of that. Now that they've brought on some official staff, it was time to take advantage of all that momentum. As soon as he gets caught up, however temporarily, on paperwork, he starts making calls...

Calling Xavier's.... asking for both Cassidy, and one of the McCoys.
Calling Nell.
Calling Rikki up at her convenience.
Calling Julian.

Any of these could go quite badly... but nothing was ever acheived through a lack of effort.

nextgen_citizen:

"If we do this... there's no going back. This is going to burn through every favor you and I have above my pay grade." Police Captain Erica Strauss poured herself and her associate a shot of whiskey. The strongest she had.

"And yet you will do it. District X's time is over, and this is the way to do it." The gentleman raised the glass, before downing it. He pushed a dossier across the table to her. "This file does not exist. There is no file which contains this exhaustive a cataloging of the District's residents, and their... unique qualities. Just make sure you don't get anyone with wings involved. The media loves them, almost as a rule."

"Nobody's going to love anything about that hellhole after this, not until it's torn down and rebuilt as high-rises." Strauss flips through the files, downing her own drink. "This... if this existed--" she humors him. "--it would be perfect. Let's see those brats try to derail this now."

-----


"The public was shocked today as, in an historic announcement, the governor signed an act to grant emergency powers to the 11th Precinct. Martial law and standing search warrants for the entire District X area have been put into effect. Policymakers are still reeling, as this is the first act of it's kind within the city. Captain Erica Strauss was available for comment earlier today."

"I want everyone in the five boroughs and beyond to understand that no-one involved in this is looking to make any kind of history. These are unfortunate measures to have to be implemented, but it's been determined there is no other appropriate response to the still surging crime wave from District X, and the continuing allegations of disappearances. I'd like to thank my fellow captains of the neighboring precincts for helping to pool emergency funds, as, in an effort to protect taxpayers from the cost of bringing in the National Guard, as well as keeping public safety our first priority, we will be bringing in the brave men and women of Castleton Security Holdings to support our own men and women as we deploy into the District." Every syllable was crisp, except for the parts where the public would respond better to signs of stress or remorse.

Strauss locked her gaze on a camera. "I want those people hiding within this district of our fair city to know that we will not stop. We will put everything as it should be. To the law-abiding citizens of District X, I promise you this, we will be among you."

----

The searches started the next day at dawn. Doors were pounded on. Homes were turned upside down. Residents were subject to 'mandatory relocation' to hotels and shelters in other parts of the city. Every 'successfully' searched building had security stationed nearby afterwards. By nightfall, and the enactment of the district-wide curfew, over five hundred residents had been moved, with well-crafted gentle assurances they would be back in their homes soon.

The efficiency alone was something of wondrous terror.

burnwithlight:

When everything was done at the volunteer site, there was cleaning up and meeting at that great little restaurant with the nice private rooms. The whole gang: Andrew, Giovanna, Angelo, Sengai, Rikki...and that Nell girl Gio had met. The St. Croix girl. The American (and therefore baseline) St. Croix girl. Gio was still processing this. Good thing for the restaurant's record keeping away eavesdroppers, in case someone ended up saying something untoward.

anger_issues:

America... so-called Land of Freedom, home to more super-humans than just about anywhere else in the world, whose New York City had been blown up or destroyed so many times it wasn't even remotely funny.  Home to the Avengers, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four... and the Genoshan Consulate.  The Grandson, her best friend Gio, and Gio's twerpy little brother (and apparently some other guy too, but no one terribly important).

The same place to which Rikki was now being assigned.   Something about "learning to live among the Flatscans" or something like that.  She hadn't particularly been listening.  She was a good soldier.  She went where she was told, hit who she was told to hit, and, well, okay, she asked questions.  Usually loudly and angrily and sometimes punctuated by punching holes in things.

The plane ride (with several connections) had been almost unendurable.  Certainly not that she was afraid of flying, but it had been far too long.

She was glad to be out.  And gladder still to see Gio.

Even in this Magnus forsaken Flatscan infested country.

burnwithlight:

Lying on Andrew's bed while he was distracted by something, Gio was taking a brief afternoon break with a book of poetry in one hand and an apple in the other hand when suddenly she has to set the apple down and gnash her teeth. "What an idiot," she said, with more vehemence than more people tend to show against the protagonists of ballads. Apparently, after everything the heroine went through -- including sacrificing her life -- to get her beloved safely away from the enemy, he responded by charging right back in the midst of enemy territory, all rage, no plan, and was promptly killed as well. No respect for his girlfriend and her efforts at all. Moron.

She looks over to Andrew at his desk. "You are never pulling this nonsense on me. If I kill myself saving you, you'd better stay saved for at least a full day or you're going to regret it."

The passion of her temper might prevent Gio from seeing what a terribly weird subject this is to raise all of a sudden.

whoholdsthewhip:


Things had been moving fast for Sengai Senyaka. First he met with  Andrew Summers, head of the Genosha Consulate, and his bodyguard Giovanna Bennet, http://www.scribbld.com/users/whoholdsthewhip/318.html .  He had explained his reasons for his coming then, the nature of his often difficult powers, and his own desire to to learn about the conflict between humans and mutants.  Summers struck him as a good man, young perhaps, but he defintiely knew what he was talking about. He seemed like the kind of individual Sengai could see himself working under, but he wasn't going to make a hasty decision. Afterwards, Giovanna had engaged him in a sparring session in order for him to attempt to control his powers during a combat scenario.  http://www.scribbld.com/users/burnwithlight/1827.html.  He was pleased the progress, but knew it would still be some time before he was comfortable enough with his powers. Still, it had been a rewarding experience. He was pretty sure he could could consider Andrew and Giovanna friends, but he tried not to get too attached to the idea. Afterall, he wasn't there to make friends.

He was currently in the consulate lunchroom, sash on his shoulders. After the training session, he looked forward to simply sitting and having something to eat.

nextgen_misc:

The invitations to THE wedding of the year went out today. Heads of state, diplomats and dignitaries from all over the world would be receiving invitations. The fervor over the wedding was building and would reach a peak when Kate Middleton walked down the isle.

not_adorable:

Angelo had done some preparation for this. He knew that he and his sister had divergent views on the group occupying his thoughts, but he was confident they could approach the situation like rational adults. Of course, he wasn't above cheating, just a little bit. The jug of homemade cider he'd buried in the neighborhood garden had finally been dug up after fermenting long enough, and some was currently on the stove with butter and cooking brandy milling in it. He'd also just finished dusting some krapfen with powdered sugar as he approached his sister, who was going over his latest home-school exam.

"Gio?" He set down a plate of Italian pastry and cider in front of her. "There was something I wanted to confer with you about."

burnwithlight:

Giovanna dragged Angelo out of bed one morning, even earlier than they normally woke up.

"Come on, mon frere. Get dressed -- warmly -- and let's get you some exercise on the roof."

nextgen_holiday:

There's a piece of paper and a pen attached to a bulletin board. Across the top is written:

New Year's Resolutions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
+

Anonymous entries accepted.

burnwithlight:

After speaking to her parents and brother, Giovanna went as promised to go talk to Andrew.

"I...need to ask you something, and it's kind of a big favor."

burnwithlight:

Just before they got near Symkarian airspace, they'd gotten a message from Vernard that he and his brother would be going. Another point in the 'Nazi Trap!' column.

And again they answer a few basic questions from SHIELD before they're even allowed past those border checks.

Eventually, they're in. Giovanna's hand hangs onto Andrew's arm in a girlfriendly fashion. The better to shock him at an instant's notice.

Symkaria's cleanup look like it's going very well.

burnwithlight:

Once Angelo had brought her back to Genosha, Giovanna went to find Andrew. She'd hated not being with him this whole time.

nextgen_parent:

Paris and Carmella had gotten to bed late, after some extra time and work and much interest and speculation on the whole Latverian Thing. But going to bed late normally never prevented them from getting up early.

This morning, it didn't happen. The sun was starting to climb high by the time Carmella groggily stirred, barely able to open her eyes.

nextgen_media:

Staggered and vague reports are coming that Dr. Doom has now followed his unprovoked aggression against neighboring Symkaria with attacks against Atlantis and Wakanda. As both of these nations are insular and isolated, these reports have been difficult to confirm, and no public announcements have been made by any of the governments involved.  There are even rumors that the respective kings of Atlantis and Wakanda are missing in action.

Even though all the reported victims so far have been isolated or marginalized nations, the U.N. and various governments around the world are reported to be in an uproar trying to decide what action to take.

nextgen_media:

"Reports are coming in from Symkaria that both major cities are under siege by what are unmistakeably Doombots and other Latverian military automata.

After decades of only occasionally mildly disturbed peace, Latveria has apparently finally invaded its southern neighbor.  Victor Von Doom's motivation for this attack remains unknown; he has made no public statement."

nextgen_holiday:

What Makes a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so,

He called it ... Dad

burnwithlight:

Giovanna has Plans today. Among those plans was the fact that she'd been very careful about not letting Andrew see the packages she'd ordered, and was now holding as she knocked on the door of Andrew's room that morning.

hellfireprince:

Paulo held the door as Julian strolled into the hotel, adjusting his tie for the third time since getting in the car. He was sure there were paparazzi following them; they hadn't let up since the business at the Statue of Liberty several days ago. The others were caught under the limelight just as much, if not more, and while Julian relished the attention on one level, some things deserved the consideration of privacy.

Like today.

"Paulo, you're certain you delivered the invitations?" Julian asked again before entering.

"Yes, Mister Howard. Again, I couldn't put them directly into Mister Summers' hands, but the attendant I tipped said he would be certain they were received." Paulo says.

"He should have called by now. Or at least told me to take a flying leap. What if he's still not well after..." Julian wondered.

"Sir, you said you saw him leave with a young woman before you could get to him. I'm sure he's fine. Now, calm yourself and go see him." Paulo said gently.

Julian took a deep breath and nodded, then steeled himself. There was no telling how Andrew would react to him, or news of their relation. He hoped to be welcomed, but it was quite possible that Andrew would want nothing to do with him at all. It was also highly possible that his father would feel the same way.

Pushing the doubts out of his head for the moment, Julian walked up to the service desk and smiled at the young lady behind the counter.

"Julian Howard to see Andrew Summers, please. Let him know that I'm here, and I'll wait at his convenience." he says.

burnwithlight:

When it was finally all over, Giovanna stood looking over Andrew, who was sitting in a chair in the appropriate part of their suite, with concern. And many other feelings as well, but the concern needed handling first. "You're all right?"

nextgen_misc:

The media watched the battle from the safety of Ellis Island while on Liberty Island the battle raged on.

nextgen_media:

A special report breaks in on almost all channels....


"We're here live on Ellis Island as apparently a group of mutant terrorists, known as the Mutant Liberation Front, have kidnapped a number of senators' children and grandchildren and have brought them to Liberty Island. The terrorists are holding the children in the torch of the Statue of Liberty. They have threatened to kill the children unless their demands are met. Sources have it that those demands are the immediate halt to the registration bill that is currently in Congress.

The children were abducted from their beds in the middle of the night by the terrorists and a note was left in their place. It is unclear at this time whether or not the registration bill will be killed. Congress is in session now debating the issue.

The question on everyone's mind is what is being done to save these kids? Where are the so called superheroes? Where are the Avengers? Where are the so called benevolent X-Men who want harmony between mutants and humans and fight for that?"

nextgen_mlf:

They moved quickly and silently, grabbing their intended targets from their beds where they lay sleeping. Virus disabled the security systems while Huntsmen and Hype infiltrated the houses and grabbed the targets.

A note was left in each bed that read:

Kill the registration bill or we kill the kid. You have 24 hours. - MLF

dream_catcher:

The Marauders are gone. At least for now. They still haven't determined what that was all about, and right now, Lucas doesn't care. He's been hard at work ever since the attack, despite his own psychological scars, healing who he can. When the medical labs, Hank McCoy, and the other healer assured him they had things under control, he went to talk to Scott, and got permission to do the hardest task yet.
He sighs, setting down the pencil and reviewing the letter.

ng_marauders:

Penny stepped out of the cab and didn't look back to see if Winterkill and Breakneck were getting out. They would follow, of that she had no doubt. They had a mission to do. Penny smiled. They'd have fun doing it too.

Penny smiled more as she practically bounced up to the gate. Makeup covered the bruise she had because of that bastard breaking her nose. Anger bubbled up, but she pushed it back. She couldn't afford to let real emotions get the best of her. She had to play a part right now.

Smiling into the security camera, Penny pressed the buzzer.

burnwithlight:

((Warning: This is going to get messy and unpleasant. Some aspects may be triggery.))

They were on the roof this afternoon, just talking and relaxing a little after getting some more work done. It was too cold, sure, but the decor was lovely and the view was great.

Considering their early trouble, Giovanna had taken to keeping her knife in the inside pocket of her coat when they went outside anywhere that wouldn't have metal detectors. She knew she'd most likely just use her powers in another emergency, but a little paranoia never hurt anyone.

"The weather's improving. Perhaps it'll even be tolerable eventually," she told Andrew with a smile.