Well, it's MOnday night. Merry What's-Left-Of-Xmas to ya. Let get to work.
Hard Knox.
Well, the Heroes event at the Jules Verne Festival in L.A. gave the fans something to hope the writers and the moguls come to thier senses. They showed an eyes only trailer of V3/Villians...and it seems that the show is back on track:
As the clip reprises the Sylar preview from Powerless, Angela, all powerWoman, says there's going to be some changes here. That, and the "I'm back" moment, may be Kring telling the faithful that we're getting back on track.
It seems to set up a major confrontation between Elle and Sylar:
Elle: I'm not afraid of you
Syler: You should be....I'm a psycopathic killer.
Elle: It takes one to know one.
Damn!
Then, Angela breaks out the plot: "Theve been sitting on the files of the most dangerous...the most powerful...rapists, arsonists, killers......." she it goes unitellegable.
You see brief flashes of Hiro, Claire, maybe Matt. Nothing about Nathan or Niki/Jessica.
Now one of the sources says that one of the villians will be a man named Knox, who will "end Micah's storyline and change Monica's life forever." And God help knox if Jessica's alive!
I like the line, "like 12 Sylars running free." Is it possible that the Comp. and Sylar migh align?
SO here are you spoilers guys.....
11/11 - I’m hearing from multiple very reliable sources that when (and if) Heroes kicks off the second half of its season, it’ll look very different from what was initially planned. Let’s just say the complaints from fans and critics about the overabundance of new characters and weak overarching story have not fallen on deaf ears, and that changes are being made to return the show to its winning Season 1 formula.
11/11 - Though Israeli freedom fighter Hana died in outer space in a Heroes graphic novel, her consciousness survives. “We will see her again on the show at some point,” promises Jeph Loeb.
10/14 - Since part of the action will now follow Micah to New Orleans, the show is introducing a pair of Crescent Citizens to interact with him and his cousin. First up is Officer Warren, a twentysomething good guy who sounds like a likely love interest for new Hero Monica. They do, after all, have the same hobby: crime fighting. On the flip side of the coin is Knox, a twentysomething bad guy recently sprung from the pokey.
10/29 - James Kyson Lee reveals: You might see [a woman from Japan] coming into Ando’s life pretty soon. It’s the second half of the season that gets really interesting for Ando. [Note: He wouldn’t confirm that said love interest would be Hiro’s sister.]
10/14 - Officer Warren - 25. Male. African-America. Handsome leading man. A police officer from New Orleans, Officer Warren works very hard to clean up the streets of the city he loves.
[This is a recurring character who will appear in at least episodes 13, 14 and 16.] Knox - 25. Male. African-America. Frightening and intense - with the eyes of a predator — Knox has returned to New Orleans with plans to reclaim the criminal territory he used to run before he was sent to prison. [This is a recurring character who will appear in at least episodes 13 and 14.]
10/06 - Our source just informed me that “Badass” Future Hiro will make another appearance sooner than we expect and will also be seen in another “future” episode of Heroes. As I reported about a week ago in the episode breakdown that Episode 13 is scheduled to be the future episode, but our source mentioned that this might change and the future will air sooner than expected.
10/06 - TV Squad offers a summary of spoilers: Down the road, fans will learn what are Mr. Nakamura’s powers (and yes, “are” is a key word here).
09/03 - Ricky Gervais has revealed he will appear in the second [season] of Heroes. [Note: No official sources confirmed these spoilers so far.]
08/03 - The latest actor to join the show for its second season is [The Nine’s] Jessica Collins, who will take on a recurring role. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Collins will play Sophie, “a mysterious woman with powers who works at the organization that is tracking all heroes.”
07/30 - Look for a dangerous new Francophone character named Sophie. She’s the employee of a powerful, mysterious group, and she’s “not afraid to use lethal force to accomplish her mission.
Source: SpoilerFix
In addition:
Ali Larter will return to the show and her storyline will be wrapped up in Volume 3. (NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!)
2) Micah’s storyline will end also. (NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)
3) David Anders (Adam) will return and will meet a new friend.
4) Adrian Pasdar “might be back so don’t worry”.
5) Zachary Quinto (Sylar) will be more badass than ever and will kill a star on the show. (Kring will you stop with all the damn killing?)
6) Villians is the start of something bigger on Heroes and hopefully it will be more fast paced than Volume 2.
The Podcast.
We're still working on getting our live show of the ground, first we have to deal with Now Live tech support...if it exsists. But from what I have seen, once this thing is up and running, we will be able to do a 30 minute show WITH CALL INS FROM YOU live every Monday night when the show comes back. Also we'll be able to do a chat during the show and after. For now I will be doing this via my cellphone, so your support is vital. If you have any show ideas, e-mail me at donald.paschal@yahoo.com.
Other News:
I wonder how this happened, but Our Favorite Show won most Family-Friendly Drama last week at the Family Friendly TV Awards. Theymust have missed the part where Jessie wen down on Nathan in S1...
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i647445e216e4f374c8920de916012488
From Rotten Tomatoes: The writers' strike might have brought Season Two of NBC's Heroes to a premature end, but series star Milo Ventimiglia isn't just sitting around twiddling his thumbs; in fact, you're about to see quite a lot of him at a theater near you.As Ventimiglia tells Entertainment Weekly, he's working on two films before Christmas -- and that's in addition to Pathology, the long-delayed medical thriller he'll be starring in early next year. Dig it:I'm pretty busy. I'm doing two features before Christmas. One is called Game, and that's with Gerard Butler and Amber Valletta. It's written and directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, the same guys who did Pathology, the movie I have coming out in the spring.Game finds Ventimiglia playing, in his words, "a very interesting futuristic character that's not necessarily in control of himself." He's also playing the villain in Chaos Theory, an independent feature "about a guy who leads a very organized life, and someone comes into that life and just sets a downward spiral in motion."
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10008496-pathology/news/1698049/
The EClaire shippers may have some added ammo: Seems Hayden has a bi streak:
According to New Zealand's Stuff, The stunning 18-year-old actress - who plays indestructible cheerleader Claire Bennet in the hit US TV series - would love somebody to start a rumour about her sexuality and ideally would like to be romantically linked to Angelina Jolie!
Down boy!
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4288589a1860.html
Finally, Adrian Pasdar's musical, Atlanta, hit the boards in LA recently. The critics did talk thier shots, saying that Adrian's direct may have been one of the weakest links in the piece. But high praise for Adrian's buddy, ex-DL Leonard Roberts, who was called having "who has a strong voice and presence....moving as the tormented slave Hamlet."
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/12/03/192008.php
Til later, yatta, homie!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Claire's First Assigment (graphic novel..no shipping!)
Part 1:
A Norman Rockwell world where shadowed darkness lies.
In a tale of times past, Elle receives her very first assignment: monitor Claire Bennet. Posing as a student at Union Wells High School, the task proves far more difficult than she ever imagined.
Summary
Bob hands his daughter a file containing Claire's school schedule along with pictures of her family. Elle brushes off the assignment as a waste, but Bob tells her Claire and her blood could become major benefits to the Company, comparing her to Linderman and Arthur Petrelli.
On Day 17 of her assignment, Elle sits behind Claire in social studies class and thinks about how much she hates this assignment, even drawing a picture of her electrocuting Claire. She says she now hates Claire— the first time they met, she only disliked her.
At night, Elle is spying on Noah and Sandra on the grass outside their house when Mr. Muggles comes running up to her and begins barking. Elle pleads with him to quiet down, but he continues barking (Elle and Mr. Muggles are both inside the sidewalk). Elle says she warned him and begins charging the ground, but unfortunately for her, the sprinklers turn on and she ends up shocking herself.
Standing in the shadows, a woman tells Elle she read her file, including how water can cause her ability to short out and shock herself. The woman rushes toward Elle, thus revealing herself to be Eden. Eden reaches Elle and begins to beat her down, telling her that if she doesn't use her power, then she won't use hers. But before Eden can get another punch in, Noah comes outside and tells Eden to leave Elle alone. Noah then tells Elle to stop spying on his family because watching over Claire is his job. Elle disagrees and tells him once Claire manifests her power, she'll be the one who trains her and will be as nice to Claire as Eden was to Elle.
Back at school, Elle comments on how interesting it is that Claire is hanging out with the school pariah— Zach.
http://www.nbc.com/Heroes/video/video_display.shtml#mea=194954
Part 2
Zach attack!
Elle received her first assignment from the company: find out what Claire Bennet's power is, if she even has one. Opposed by the Man in Horn-Rimmed Glasses, Elle decides to give Claire a push in the right direction...
Summary
Outside Claire's school, Elle watches Claire and Zach talk, and as Noah comes to pick Claire up from school, he gives Elle a disapproving look.
As Zach and Claire walk home from the abandoned refinery after filming Claire's sixth test of her ability, Elle watches from afar through binoculars and realizes she just missed them. However, she noticed the two looking at a tape and decides to take a new approach to her assignment.
Elle knocks on the front door of Zach's home and he answers, asking Elle who she is. She invites herself in and tells him her name is Cindy—she's in his fourth period English class and he told her he'd let her copy his notes. Zach doesn't recall that ever happening, but Elle ignores him and checks to see if Zach's parents are home. After asking for the tape and submitting to the fact flirting with Zach is futile, she resorts to threatening him with a ball of electricity. Before Elle can use it, Noah comes in and pistol whips Elle, knocking her out.
Noah asks Zach if he's all right, and Zach says he is and thanks Noah for saving his life. Zach asks Noah why his friend is there, and Noah replies by telling Zach he's going to make sure Elle never bothers him again. After that, Noah and the Haitian turn to Zach and Noah asks where the tape Elle was talking about is.
On Day 27 of her assignment, Elle sits in social studies class and ponders what else she could be doing that was more important. Claire turns to Zach and asks who the blonde that looks like she wants to kill her is, but Zach says he's never seen her before. Elle reminds herself her dad said Claire might not even have an ability, so if she doesn't manifest by the end of the week, the assignment was canceled. Elle thinks this is fantastic, because if she had to attend Homecoming, she might have to shoot herself.
http://www.nbc.com/Heroes/novels/downloads/Heroes_novel_064.pdf
A Norman Rockwell world where shadowed darkness lies.
In a tale of times past, Elle receives her very first assignment: monitor Claire Bennet. Posing as a student at Union Wells High School, the task proves far more difficult than she ever imagined.
Summary
Bob hands his daughter a file containing Claire's school schedule along with pictures of her family. Elle brushes off the assignment as a waste, but Bob tells her Claire and her blood could become major benefits to the Company, comparing her to Linderman and Arthur Petrelli.
On Day 17 of her assignment, Elle sits behind Claire in social studies class and thinks about how much she hates this assignment, even drawing a picture of her electrocuting Claire. She says she now hates Claire— the first time they met, she only disliked her.
At night, Elle is spying on Noah and Sandra on the grass outside their house when Mr. Muggles comes running up to her and begins barking. Elle pleads with him to quiet down, but he continues barking (Elle and Mr. Muggles are both inside the sidewalk). Elle says she warned him and begins charging the ground, but unfortunately for her, the sprinklers turn on and she ends up shocking herself.
Standing in the shadows, a woman tells Elle she read her file, including how water can cause her ability to short out and shock herself. The woman rushes toward Elle, thus revealing herself to be Eden. Eden reaches Elle and begins to beat her down, telling her that if she doesn't use her power, then she won't use hers. But before Eden can get another punch in, Noah comes outside and tells Eden to leave Elle alone. Noah then tells Elle to stop spying on his family because watching over Claire is his job. Elle disagrees and tells him once Claire manifests her power, she'll be the one who trains her and will be as nice to Claire as Eden was to Elle.
Back at school, Elle comments on how interesting it is that Claire is hanging out with the school pariah— Zach.
http://www.nbc.com/Heroes/video/video_display.shtml#mea=194954
Part 2
Zach attack!
Elle received her first assignment from the company: find out what Claire Bennet's power is, if she even has one. Opposed by the Man in Horn-Rimmed Glasses, Elle decides to give Claire a push in the right direction...
Summary
Outside Claire's school, Elle watches Claire and Zach talk, and as Noah comes to pick Claire up from school, he gives Elle a disapproving look.
As Zach and Claire walk home from the abandoned refinery after filming Claire's sixth test of her ability, Elle watches from afar through binoculars and realizes she just missed them. However, she noticed the two looking at a tape and decides to take a new approach to her assignment.
Elle knocks on the front door of Zach's home and he answers, asking Elle who she is. She invites herself in and tells him her name is Cindy—she's in his fourth period English class and he told her he'd let her copy his notes. Zach doesn't recall that ever happening, but Elle ignores him and checks to see if Zach's parents are home. After asking for the tape and submitting to the fact flirting with Zach is futile, she resorts to threatening him with a ball of electricity. Before Elle can use it, Noah comes in and pistol whips Elle, knocking her out.
Noah asks Zach if he's all right, and Zach says he is and thanks Noah for saving his life. Zach asks Noah why his friend is there, and Noah replies by telling Zach he's going to make sure Elle never bothers him again. After that, Noah and the Haitian turn to Zach and Noah asks where the tape Elle was talking about is.
On Day 27 of her assignment, Elle sits in social studies class and ponders what else she could be doing that was more important. Claire turns to Zach and asks who the blonde that looks like she wants to kill her is, but Zach says he's never seen her before. Elle reminds herself her dad said Claire might not even have an ability, so if she doesn't manifest by the end of the week, the assignment was canceled. Elle thinks this is fantastic, because if she had to attend Homecoming, she might have to shoot herself.
http://www.nbc.com/Heroes/novels/downloads/Heroes_novel_064.pdf
Monday, December 17, 2007
from Hana: More News About Drucker
Global News Interactive has posted another video about Drucker and this one
has really thrown me for a loop. Charlie Svenson, Drucker historian, clues us in
to Drucker's life in America and his ties to Charles Deveaux. What does Samkhya
philosophy have to do with Drucker? Check it out: http://www.samantha48616e61.com/.
And when you get there, this:
This new video leads me to think that the
mystery of Drucker goes even deeper than I first imagined. Does anyone know
anything about Samkhya philosophy? I believe it has something to do with nature
and consciousness, but I don't know much more. I am looking for help finding
details and a link to why Drucker would be interested in Samkhya. All theories
welcome. HG
Click CLIP 3, and you get a story that hints that Drucker may be Hispanic. The "report" also mentions that he traveled from to the US and formed a "secret society" at the U. of Virginia. It ias als here where he met Charles Deveaux. It also mentions that they had a mutual admiration for the great Miles Davis. It mentions Drucker was part of a "small group of friends" with like minded goals, until 1977 when Drucker suddenly split to Bangalor, India.
To be continued.
Fight or Flight
Searching for a missing hero, Elle (Kristen Bell) makes a shocking debut in Ireland.
Du Yu Hulu?
As you probably know, the lawyers who run NBCUni and NewsCorp/Fox have put together a new site called HULU, where thier srepective studios and networks are trying to put all thier copywrited material to protect it from thieves and scalawags.
You know, you fans.
Well, only a chose few have been invited to the beta test,
Well guess what. I was!
So I am navigating through the site. Its a site that begs for a really fast computer, and a lot of website developer have not yet figured out that not everyone has the super-duper high speed HP's they have.
Also, you CAN embed, but trying to find the links thingy is a bitch. AND you have to wait through the slowest loading 15 second spots on record. I swear, it took 3 minutes to get through a 15 second commercial.
But I did finally find the embedding tool, and we are showing exmples below. If this thing works, expect to see some full-length stuff real soon. If not...ow well.
This clip is "Prince Charming" where Zach invites Claire to the homecoming dance (S2):
Here's "Good Versus Evil," Niki's first meeting with her much cooler sister...
And here is Our Hero Matt who has to protect that low down dirty scum Malsky from The Baddest Woman On Television. Good luck!
Now so you know, Hulu is in private beta, so unless you got the invite, you still can't get in. BUT you can sign up at http://hulu.com and they will send you an invite when they get around to you.
You know, you fans.
Well, only a chose few have been invited to the beta test,
Well guess what. I was!
So I am navigating through the site. Its a site that begs for a really fast computer, and a lot of website developer have not yet figured out that not everyone has the super-duper high speed HP's they have.
Also, you CAN embed, but trying to find the links thingy is a bitch. AND you have to wait through the slowest loading 15 second spots on record. I swear, it took 3 minutes to get through a 15 second commercial.
But I did finally find the embedding tool, and we are showing exmples below. If this thing works, expect to see some full-length stuff real soon. If not...ow well.
This clip is "Prince Charming" where Zach invites Claire to the homecoming dance (S2):
Here's "Good Versus Evil," Niki's first meeting with her much cooler sister...
And here is Our Hero Matt who has to protect that low down dirty scum Malsky from The Baddest Woman On Television. Good luck!
Now so you know, Hulu is in private beta, so unless you got the invite, you still can't get in. BUT you can sign up at http://hulu.com and they will send you an invite when they get around to you.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Heroes @ Ease
Well, with some time on thier hands, let's catch up with some of our Heroic folk to see what the're up to.
http://www.tmz.com/ reports that Ali Larter's puppies came out to play (or was it Jessica...ya never know)..
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid353549946/bctid1312369922
...and when she's not showing off, she's showing her support to the writers on the picket line:
http://www.celebrity-gossip.net/celebrities/hollywood/ali-larter-pitches-in-at-the-picket-lines-202941/
(and it seems the 1000 Cranes for Heroes effort is getting some play too. In fact not only has it wound up in the Ali Larter pic, but itwas mentioned in, of all things, the Wall Street Journal!
Here's some stuff that Hayden talked about in her upcoming cover article in Seventeen:
And ex-nay on the rumours that Hayden is doing the HeroBop with co-star Milo Ventimiglia. Seems she has caught the eye of Ryan("Lars and the Real Girl") Gosling (who as also been linked to Rachael McAdams and Michelle Williams). So there.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/a81505/panettiere-swaps-numbers-with-gosling.html
And apperently, I am not the only one feeling frustration with this stupid strike. According to BuddyTV, Actress Kristen Bell has pledged her full support for the writers, but the Heroes star admits she is also concerned about the rest of the show's work force who have found themselves off the payroll because of the WGA strike.
Just desserts. Interesting way to put it, Elle...
http://www.tmz.com/ reports that Ali Larter's puppies came out to play (or was it Jessica...ya never know)..
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid353549946/bctid1312369922
...and when she's not showing off, she's showing her support to the writers on the picket line:
http://www.celebrity-gossip.net/celebrities/hollywood/ali-larter-pitches-in-at-the-picket-lines-202941/
(and it seems the 1000 Cranes for Heroes effort is getting some play too. In fact not only has it wound up in the Ali Larter pic, but itwas mentioned in, of all things, the Wall Street Journal!
They help in symbolic ways. "Heroes" fans are sending origami birds to the
Writers Guild of America because a character on the show once folded a thousand
cranes for a woman he had fallen in love with.
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB119699082174316559-p_75BiBgTo3A6vtuE4KAlqd_99E_20080106.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top
Here's some stuff that Hayden talked about in her upcoming cover article in Seventeen:
Her style:
“My style has evolved and become more sophisticated. It’s
grown with my personality.”
Her fashion obsession:
“Shoes are definitely
my guilty pleasure. I have these Givenchy shoes that are a deep plum patent leather. They
are stunning. And I love my Louis Vuittons.”
Her cheaper thrill:
“Hale bob, Shoe-wise, they’re great, and they’re not an arm and a leg. And you know
what else? Forever 21. You can find great things there–they’re all over the place. I bought a top there for $4.”
http://www.2snaps.tv/9813269
And ex-nay on the rumours that Hayden is doing the HeroBop with co-star Milo Ventimiglia. Seems she has caught the eye of Ryan("Lars and the Real Girl") Gosling (who as also been linked to Rachael McAdams and Michelle Williams). So there.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/a81505/panettiere-swaps-numbers-with-gosling.html
And apperently, I am not the only one feeling frustration with this stupid strike. According to BuddyTV, Actress Kristen Bell has pledged her full support for the writers, but the Heroes star admits she is also concerned about the rest of the show's work force who have found themselves off the payroll because of the WGA strike.
“I one-hundred percent support the writers and support the directors and
obviously support SAG, but what no one's really acknowledging is that none of
the crew can work,” Bell told IGN from the picket lines outside Universal
Studios on Tuesday. “I'm in support, but my heart really goes out to the
crew members who haven't had work for two months before Christmas… So just
even for that alone I hope that we can all come to a settlement soon where
everybody gets their just desserts, you know?”
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/heroes/heroes-star-supports-writers-b-14756.aspx
Just desserts. Interesting way to put it, Elle...
Thursday, December 13, 2007
I am sick of this.
If I ever supported anyone in this travesty called a strike, I no longer do.
Last night Carson Daly's Last Call was disrupted by striking writers. Daly, who was pretty much bullied by NBC to come back to the show, lest his staff be cancelled, was disrupted by Hollywood's other mafia to a point where he was totally rattled by it all.
Now we know what Crips and Bloods would do if they had real money.
And all the while the end user of the product these pricks turn out...namely the writers, studios, and networks...have decided to spend a happy holiday with their loving families. The hell with trying to find common ground. The hell with settling this nonsense that has gone on 6 weeks too long.
And the hell with you.
That is what the WGA, ABC/Disney, CBS/Paramount/Viacom, NBC/GE, Fox/News Corporation, and Sony/Columbia/MGM have just said to you, the people that actually pay their salaries by your loyal viewership and ticket/DVD buying. F.U. And Merry Christmas.
And what is amazing is that we, the end consumer, continue to act like lemmings, supporting one side or the other, without realizing that these people are continually screwing you. They are screwing you by denying you a full season of the series you enjoy. They are screwing you by allowing televised dung like the CW's Crowned. And more dreck of a similar nature to come.
And let's not talk about the screwing that shall be done to you AFTER all of this. Higher DVD and movie ticket prices. Free services not being as free (how long will Hulu stay gratis?).
And the most ironic thing of all, is that after you have been screwed continually by these clowns, after all this of which you have no recourse, all entities will jointly put out big two page ads in newspapers saying that they didn't mean to make you lives a living hell, that they didn't mean to drag out for weeks or months when it all could have been settled before the deadline, or at least within days.
And in those ads they will look upon you with puppydog eyes, apologize to Carson and Ellen, and sweetly ask you to come back. We looooooooove you!
And like the Pavlov's Dogs you are, you will. Obediently, like zombies, you will return.
I know. I am no different.
Because I love Heroes so much, I will be there for their return. But trust me, it will not go farther.
These two sets of goons are Illinois Nazis to me. And like Joliet Jake, I hate Illinois Nazis.
But since I do not have the car, or the nerve, I will do the next best thing to ruin thier day. And I hope you do the same too.
I'm going to read a book.
Last night Carson Daly's Last Call was disrupted by striking writers. Daly, who was pretty much bullied by NBC to come back to the show, lest his staff be cancelled, was disrupted by Hollywood's other mafia to a point where he was totally rattled by it all.
Now we know what Crips and Bloods would do if they had real money.
And all the while the end user of the product these pricks turn out...namely the writers, studios, and networks...have decided to spend a happy holiday with their loving families. The hell with trying to find common ground. The hell with settling this nonsense that has gone on 6 weeks too long.
And the hell with you.
That is what the WGA, ABC/Disney, CBS/Paramount/Viacom, NBC/GE, Fox/News Corporation, and Sony/Columbia/MGM have just said to you, the people that actually pay their salaries by your loyal viewership and ticket/DVD buying. F.U. And Merry Christmas.
And what is amazing is that we, the end consumer, continue to act like lemmings, supporting one side or the other, without realizing that these people are continually screwing you. They are screwing you by denying you a full season of the series you enjoy. They are screwing you by allowing televised dung like the CW's Crowned. And more dreck of a similar nature to come.
And let's not talk about the screwing that shall be done to you AFTER all of this. Higher DVD and movie ticket prices. Free services not being as free (how long will Hulu stay gratis?).
And the most ironic thing of all, is that after you have been screwed continually by these clowns, after all this of which you have no recourse, all entities will jointly put out big two page ads in newspapers saying that they didn't mean to make you lives a living hell, that they didn't mean to drag out for weeks or months when it all could have been settled before the deadline, or at least within days.
And in those ads they will look upon you with puppydog eyes, apologize to Carson and Ellen, and sweetly ask you to come back. We looooooooove you!
And like the Pavlov's Dogs you are, you will. Obediently, like zombies, you will return.
I know. I am no different.
Because I love Heroes so much, I will be there for their return. But trust me, it will not go farther.
These two sets of goons are Illinois Nazis to me. And like Joliet Jake, I hate Illinois Nazis.
But since I do not have the car, or the nerve, I will do the next best thing to ruin thier day. And I hope you do the same too.
I'm going to read a book.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Hana's Latest Blog....Richard Drucker
from: http://www.samantha48616e61.com/
Drucker plays by his own rules. Most people who have changed the world do. It makes sense that a rebel was the creator of the net. Who else could have foreseen millions of people linked so tightly together? You can see the second part now on my blog: www.samantha48616e61.com.
But a larger question looms in my mind: why hasn't he returned my message? I sense that more is still to come.
Drucker plays by his own rules. Most people who have changed the world do. It makes sense that a rebel was the creator of the net. Who else could have foreseen millions of people linked so tightly together? You can see the second part now on my blog: www.samantha48616e61.com.
But a larger question looms in my mind: why hasn't he returned my message? I sense that more is still to come.
Friday, December 7, 2007
NBC's Strike Schedule.
NBC announced the remaining pieces of its strike-altered midseason schedule on Thursday, a lineup that includes scripted drama Medium returning on Mondays at 10.
With Sunday Night Football off the air following the completion of the season, the network is looking at using a series of specials and events to fill the void, including the Golden Globes January 13 and a Guinness Book of World Records live special on January 27.
Below is NBC’s current midseason schedule:
Mondays (effective January 7, 2008)
8-9 p.m. -- American Gladiators and then Baby Borrowers beginning February 18
Baby Borrowers is a unique social experiment that takes five
teenage couples on a rollercoaster ride of adult responsibility, allowing them to experience parenting firsthand. Desperate to have their own life and family, our lovebirds are thrown in at the deep end. They're given real houses and real responsibilities the most important of which is to look after children from a range of age groups. They'll begin with an infant, followed by a toddler, pre-teen, young teenager, and lastly a senior citizen. In the end, will these couples be able to cope with the pressure of parenthood or will they break?-NBC
9-10 p.m. – Deal or No Deal
10-11 p.m. – Medium
Tuesdays (effective January 1, 2008)
8-10 p.m. -- The Biggest Loser
10-11 p.m. -- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Wednesdays (effective January 9, 2008)
8-9 p.m. – Deal or No Deal
9-10 p.m. – Law & Order: Criminal Intent
10-11 p.m. – Law & Order
Thursdays (effective January 3, 2008)
8-8:30 p.m. – comedy repeats
8:30-9 p.m. – comedy repeats
9-10 p.m. – Celebrity Apprentice
You know your gameshow is in the crapper when they stick the word "Celebrity" on
it! http://www.nbc.com/The_Celebrity_Apprentice/
10-11 p.m. – ER and then Lipstick Jungle beginning February 7
Lipstick Jungle is the new project from Candace "Sex in the City" Bushnell and
Timothy "thirtysomething" Busfield. Here's the website: http://www.nbc.com/Lipstick_Jungle/
Fridays (effective January 4, 2008)
8-9 p.m. – 1 vs. 100
9-10 p.m. – Friday Night Lights
10-11 p.m. – Las Vegas
Off the air: Chuck, Journeyman, The Singing Bee, Bionic Woman, Life, and (sniff!) Heroes
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Strike Update and Powerless Ratings
Well, there is a hopeful sign out of the strike talks. There seems to be much "haggling".....that's the word Madame Finke is using concerning Tuesday's strike talks...
I've been able to glean a little from Tuesday's resumed WGA-AMPTP talks. Both sides sounded very matter-of-fact about today's negotiations focusing on the writers' counter-offer. (See my The Operative Word Tuesday Is "Haggle" from last night for background.) Now that the news blackout has been lifted, the AMPTP issued this public end-of-day statement: "We will spend the evening studying what the WGA had to say today, and we look forward to returning to the bargaining table tomorrow." Earlier in the day, WGA Negotiating Committee Chair John F. Bowman, on behalf of the Writers Guild of America, issued a message to members about the contract negotiations and presented a report-&-analysis.
Tonight, a WGA source says a "small group" talked about the WGA's counter-offer which Bowman had characterized as "a serious, reasonable, and affordable attempt to bridge the gap between us." Noted the WGA source, "Questions were exchanged. There was some haggling. This will continue tomorrow." Said another WGA insider, "Our negotiators have been played so often. But it's not bad. They're at least engaged." And a third party familiar with the talks emailed me, "The tone of 'haggle' is it. I'm encouraged today."
I say, where's the 2nd half of the AMPTP proposal? The dog eat your homework, boys? I'll update if and when I know more.
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/talks-day-5-questions-haggling/
Well, they are still talking. Maybe someone probably told these bozos what I've been saying all along...settle this magilla, or neither of you may have an audience to come back to.
In terms of audience, "Powerless" may have been the title of last Monday's "Generations" finale, but the numbers of Our Favorite Show were anything but that.
Our Favorite Show got a 6.6 rating/9 share for Powerless, making it the # show of the night in the money demo. You can get the full story here: http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ratings120307,0,680580.story?coll=zap-tv-ratings-headlines.
I've been able to glean a little from Tuesday's resumed WGA-AMPTP talks. Both sides sounded very matter-of-fact about today's negotiations focusing on the writers' counter-offer. (See my The Operative Word Tuesday Is "Haggle" from last night for background.) Now that the news blackout has been lifted, the AMPTP issued this public end-of-day statement: "We will spend the evening studying what the WGA had to say today, and we look forward to returning to the bargaining table tomorrow." Earlier in the day, WGA Negotiating Committee Chair John F. Bowman, on behalf of the Writers Guild of America, issued a message to members about the contract negotiations and presented a report-&-analysis.
Tonight, a WGA source says a "small group" talked about the WGA's counter-offer which Bowman had characterized as "a serious, reasonable, and affordable attempt to bridge the gap between us." Noted the WGA source, "Questions were exchanged. There was some haggling. This will continue tomorrow." Said another WGA insider, "Our negotiators have been played so often. But it's not bad. They're at least engaged." And a third party familiar with the talks emailed me, "The tone of 'haggle' is it. I'm encouraged today."
I say, where's the 2nd half of the AMPTP proposal? The dog eat your homework, boys? I'll update if and when I know more.
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/talks-day-5-questions-haggling/
Well, they are still talking. Maybe someone probably told these bozos what I've been saying all along...settle this magilla, or neither of you may have an audience to come back to.
In terms of audience, "Powerless" may have been the title of last Monday's "Generations" finale, but the numbers of Our Favorite Show were anything but that.
Our Favorite Show got a 6.6 rating/9 share for Powerless, making it the # show of the night in the money demo. You can get the full story here: http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ratings120307,0,680580.story?coll=zap-tv-ratings-headlines.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
So Nobody Died?
Well, last night was quiet the blood bath, wasn't it? At least three Heroes apperently saved NBC a lot of money by allowing themselves to be Sylared, blown-up, and J.R.'ed all in one hour. All setting up quite the cliffhanger for when ever the writers-producers-studio heads cabal come back from thier paid vacations (by know you know how I feel about this B.S. laughingly called a strike).
But before we tell you what this blog will be doing whilst we wait, our Heroes uber-fan Kristin des Santos posted some inside scoop on who flies and who dies.
Apperently, just about no one...
Three Heroes Have Fallen; So Who Will Rise? We all know Claire's blood can save the world and pretty much everyone in it, so who'll get hot the cheerleader injection (wait, that sounded dirty) and come back to the show? Based on what I'm hearing from inside sources, here's where I'd put my money...
Ali Larter: According to Heroes insiders, Niki is not expected to return to the show. But her devilish alter ego Jessica? Oh yeah, we'll see her as soon as the show comes back to the beloved airwaves, when the strike is through! At least, that's the current plan according to sources, who tell me producers had "done all they could do" with Niki. Micah is not gonna be happy. But at least he'll have Monica...
(My take: YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!! It was the drop dead deadly, smartass, badass Jessica that I fell in love with in the beginning. The question is will Jessica continue to protect Micah...or will she clash with Monica. Or will they team up. If I was a bad guy in the Big Easy, that would be bad news!)
David Anders: I'd bet my beloved, signed Hiro poster that Hiro's sworn nemesis will return. (I've seen that '90s flick The Vanishing and know that people can be dug up after being buried alive! Maybe we can even get Kiefer Sutherland to do the digging like he did for Nancy Travis!) Sources tell me it's not set in stone, but that the tentative plan is for Adam Monroe to be back to torment our favorite squinty teleporter, i.e. the "carp." Here's hoping he does.
(My Take: Probably. I don't think Adam is done with Hiro..or the Heroes yet.)
Adrian Pasdar: I've heard the production and writing staff is somewhat split as to whether Nathan should return to the show when the show returns. Allow me to be the first to say WTF? Heroes without the brothers would be like Prison Break or Brothers & Sisters without the brothers: i.e., a waste of time! Surely Claire's blood can save her own father, right?! Let's say a little prayer for the older Petrelli, shall we?
(My take: I proabably think that Adrian [and Ali, too. for that matter] have been looking at history. Remember the last time someone got shot on TV during a writers strike? His name was J.R. Ewing. Larry Hagman held CBS for ransom during that perfect storm, and I uderstand they are still loading up armoured trucks to pay him.
He is also the only one of the three with not much to lose. His wife is Dixie Chick #1 Natalie Maines, he has also written a musical called Atlanta, starring his Heroes buddy Len Roberts. He doen't need to do the show. But he wants to.
Look for Pasdar to come back. Richer. Much richer.
Oh, and just so there is any doubt. Maya is gone. Thank you, God.
So what will we do here at HF? Well, there are still graphic novels to cover, Hana's e-mails to decipher, there's still that f------ strike. Not to mention some of the better...and maybe juicier...fanfics.
Oh, and so you know, Heroes WILL be back. The question is when.
Settle it now, homies.
But before we tell you what this blog will be doing whilst we wait, our Heroes uber-fan Kristin des Santos posted some inside scoop on who flies and who dies.
Apperently, just about no one...
Three Heroes Have Fallen; So Who Will Rise? We all know Claire's blood can save the world and pretty much everyone in it, so who'll get hot the cheerleader injection (wait, that sounded dirty) and come back to the show? Based on what I'm hearing from inside sources, here's where I'd put my money...
Ali Larter: According to Heroes insiders, Niki is not expected to return to the show. But her devilish alter ego Jessica? Oh yeah, we'll see her as soon as the show comes back to the beloved airwaves, when the strike is through! At least, that's the current plan according to sources, who tell me producers had "done all they could do" with Niki. Micah is not gonna be happy. But at least he'll have Monica...(My take: YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!! It was the drop dead deadly, smartass, badass Jessica that I fell in love with in the beginning. The question is will Jessica continue to protect Micah...or will she clash with Monica. Or will they team up. If I was a bad guy in the Big Easy, that would be bad news!)
David Anders: I'd bet my beloved, signed Hiro poster that Hiro's sworn nemesis will return. (I've seen that '90s flick The Vanishing and know that people can be dug up after being buried alive! Maybe we can even get Kiefer Sutherland to do the digging like he did for Nancy Travis!) Sources tell me it's not set in stone, but that the tentative plan is for Adam Monroe to be back to torment our favorite squinty teleporter, i.e. the "carp." Here's hoping he does.(My Take: Probably. I don't think Adam is done with Hiro..or the Heroes yet.)
Adrian Pasdar: I've heard the production and writing staff is somewhat split as to whether Nathan should return to the show when the show returns. Allow me to be the first to say WTF? Heroes without the brothers would be like Prison Break or Brothers & Sisters without the brothers: i.e., a waste of time! Surely Claire's blood can save her own father, right?! Let's say a little prayer for the older Petrelli, shall we?(My take: I proabably think that Adrian [and Ali, too. for that matter] have been looking at history. Remember the last time someone got shot on TV during a writers strike? His name was J.R. Ewing. Larry Hagman held CBS for ransom during that perfect storm, and I uderstand they are still loading up armoured trucks to pay him.
He is also the only one of the three with not much to lose. His wife is Dixie Chick #1 Natalie Maines, he has also written a musical called Atlanta, starring his Heroes buddy Len Roberts. He doen't need to do the show. But he wants to.
Look for Pasdar to come back. Richer. Much richer.
Oh, and just so there is any doubt. Maya is gone. Thank you, God.
So what will we do here at HF? Well, there are still graphic novels to cover, Hana's e-mails to decipher, there's still that f------ strike. Not to mention some of the better...and maybe juicier...fanfics.
Oh, and so you know, Heroes WILL be back. The question is when.
Settle it now, homies.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Recap: S2E11: Powerless (end of Generations) **EAST COAST FEED**
Heroes Season 2 Episode 11
Posted by Shane on Monday, December 3, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Thanks to his daughter’s blood, Noah’s death was short-lived in Heroes Season 2 Episode 10. Sylar, who hasn’t liked Alejandro from the beginning, killed him and took his sister Maya to see Suresh. At the end of the episode, Peter, Hiro, and Adam all showed up in Odessa, TX, where Hiro was there to kill Adam, sword in hand, but Peter was interested in protecting him.
Suresh returns home to find Sylar waiting for him. Maya’s there with him, cooking breakfast. The niceness won’t last long. Sylar wants to find a cure for the virus, via the combination of Claire’s and Suresh’s blood. Suresh pulls a knife; Sylar pulls a gun. Maya seems shocked to find out that Sylar is a liar. (He's a MAN, girlfriend, what did you expect??-dp) She gets angry and tries to use her powers, but Sylar guilts her into stopping herself.
Nathan tells his mother Peter’s alive. This convinces her to recount her story from the past, how they decided the world needed fixing by being wiped out, but she later was against it. He says she hasn’t changed much, since she tried to blow up New York. After telling Parkman and Nathan to go to Odessa, TX, she warns them to kill Adam with a bullet through the head, and Parkman hears her thinking that they’ll have to kill Peter the same way if they can’t stop him.
Hiro finds Peter and Adam and tries to kill Adam, but Peter uses his powers to protect him. Hiro tells him he shouldn’t trust Adam, that they knew each other a long time ago, and that he killed his father. In turn, Peter warns that he went into the future and saw the problems the virus will cause. He then shocks him unconcious. When time restarts, Adam obviously recognizes his old friend.
Claire’s still considering telling everybody what she can do, as an attempt to avoid any future running and secrets. Her mom’s afraid this choice also carries consequences.
Bob continues to be disappointed with Elle. She goes to see HRG, who tells her about how she was experimented on as a child and how Bob was unfeeling and just wanted to keep pushing her even if she was in pain. Bob walks in because he needs to ask if Claire could have any hard evidence that could leave the Company exposed. HRG just smiles. Bob says they’re going to have to take measures to keep her quiet.
Micah asks Niki for help rescuing Monica. Even without super powers, she can at least still drive.
Peter and Adam are looking for the virus. Peter asks if it’s true that Adam killed Hiro’s father, and he admits it, saying it was due to his unwillingness to destroy the virus. In an effort to get Peter to open the door that stands between them and their goal, Adam brings up Caitlin (and something about the fate of the world).
Maya’s still surprised Alejandro was right all along about Sylar. He offers to take her powers off her hands and help them both. While preparing to be stuck with a needle, he warns Mohinder that his father betrayed him, and that he shouldn’t make the same mistake.
Elle’s doing some snooping. She spots Sylar, which she’s happy about because she still wants to make her father proud.
Monica’s kidnappers tell her heroes in the real world end up dead.
Nathan and Parkman go to Odessa as instructed. Parkman tells him what he overheard, but Nathan just says he’ll handle him and that listening to his mother never did any good. Hiro’s happy to see flying man.
Claire refuses to listen to her mother. Perhaps West can get somewhere, but she just gives him his file and says there isn’t an “us” for him to be worried about any more. When she turns around, she sees her father. Okay, so maybe that’s what she needed to change her mind.
Molly offers to help Maya find Alejandro. She can’t find him because he’s dead. Suresh finds out Sylar has the same strain of the virus Niki has, meaning that somebody injected him. While they’re discussing this, an upset Maya confronts him about killing her brother, so he shoots her.
HRG’s just there to warn Claire not to expose the Company. He has to go back with the Company, and his family can live normal lives, as if he actually did die.
With much difficulty, Peter manages to get the safe open. What’s this thing made out of anyway? Hiro comes to stop Kensei, but Peter flings him against the wall and lets Adam go forward into the vault. Parkman warns Peter to let Hiro go and go after Adam instead, but Peter doesn’t believe him. He tells him he’s on the wrong side. Nathan asks if he’s on the wrong side, too.
Adam tells Hiro that God just washed away the world he was unhappy with by making it rain for 40 days and 40 nights, and that he intends to do the same, releasing the virus and being a hero. Nathan tells Peter about his visit to the past and asks whether he can really trust Adam.
Peter realizes who the actual enemy is, and he grabs the vial containing the virus, destroying it in his hands.
Nathan wants to take this whole thing public and destroy the Company. Of course, he’s being filmed when he says this.
Suresh cures Maya at Sylar’s insistence that he try it on her first. Elle shows up and chases after Sylar.
Monica’s left to die in a burning building. So why doesn’t she use her powers or something? Micah tracks her down, and Niki runs into the burning building to save her. Monica gets out okay, but while Niki’s still inside, the building explodes. (Cliffhanger!)
Hiro buries Adam alive, telling Ando he’ll never bother anybody again.
Elle’s afraid she’ll get in trouble for chasing off Sylar, but Suresh thanks her and says they owe her their lives. (yayy! Elle's a Hero!!)
Nathan holds a press conference to blow the secret. As he’s about to reveal his ability, he gets shot. (Cliffhanger #2) His mom warns that Pandora’s box has been opened.
Sylar’s injuries don’t last long. He’s able to heal himself. Beyond that, he can move objects with his mind. He’s back, and so concludes volume two.
(Will Niki survive the explosion? And if so, will it be Niki....or Jessica....or someone else?? Will Nathan survive the gunshot? And what where those visions of Larry Hagman and dollar signs dancing in his head? Ho shot JR...errr...Nathan? And what was Natalie Maines doing out side with a shotgun? Will Sylar pick up where he left off....and is Elle his next victim? And most importatly, will those damn a--holes at the WGA, the studios, and the networks get together and end the is damn strike so we can have the rest of season 2, or do I have to go over thier and kick thier solidaritied asses??
Tune in whenever boys and girls!)
Posted by Shane on Monday, December 3, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Thanks to his daughter’s blood, Noah’s death was short-lived in Heroes Season 2 Episode 10. Sylar, who hasn’t liked Alejandro from the beginning, killed him and took his sister Maya to see Suresh. At the end of the episode, Peter, Hiro, and Adam all showed up in Odessa, TX, where Hiro was there to kill Adam, sword in hand, but Peter was interested in protecting him.
Suresh returns home to find Sylar waiting for him. Maya’s there with him, cooking breakfast. The niceness won’t last long. Sylar wants to find a cure for the virus, via the combination of Claire’s and Suresh’s blood. Suresh pulls a knife; Sylar pulls a gun. Maya seems shocked to find out that Sylar is a liar. (He's a MAN, girlfriend, what did you expect??-dp) She gets angry and tries to use her powers, but Sylar guilts her into stopping herself.
Nathan tells his mother Peter’s alive. This convinces her to recount her story from the past, how they decided the world needed fixing by being wiped out, but she later was against it. He says she hasn’t changed much, since she tried to blow up New York. After telling Parkman and Nathan to go to Odessa, TX, she warns them to kill Adam with a bullet through the head, and Parkman hears her thinking that they’ll have to kill Peter the same way if they can’t stop him.
Hiro finds Peter and Adam and tries to kill Adam, but Peter uses his powers to protect him. Hiro tells him he shouldn’t trust Adam, that they knew each other a long time ago, and that he killed his father. In turn, Peter warns that he went into the future and saw the problems the virus will cause. He then shocks him unconcious. When time restarts, Adam obviously recognizes his old friend.
Claire’s still considering telling everybody what she can do, as an attempt to avoid any future running and secrets. Her mom’s afraid this choice also carries consequences.
Bob continues to be disappointed with Elle. She goes to see HRG, who tells her about how she was experimented on as a child and how Bob was unfeeling and just wanted to keep pushing her even if she was in pain. Bob walks in because he needs to ask if Claire could have any hard evidence that could leave the Company exposed. HRG just smiles. Bob says they’re going to have to take measures to keep her quiet.
Micah asks Niki for help rescuing Monica. Even without super powers, she can at least still drive.
Peter and Adam are looking for the virus. Peter asks if it’s true that Adam killed Hiro’s father, and he admits it, saying it was due to his unwillingness to destroy the virus. In an effort to get Peter to open the door that stands between them and their goal, Adam brings up Caitlin (and something about the fate of the world).
Maya’s still surprised Alejandro was right all along about Sylar. He offers to take her powers off her hands and help them both. While preparing to be stuck with a needle, he warns Mohinder that his father betrayed him, and that he shouldn’t make the same mistake.
Elle’s doing some snooping. She spots Sylar, which she’s happy about because she still wants to make her father proud.
Monica’s kidnappers tell her heroes in the real world end up dead.
Nathan and Parkman go to Odessa as instructed. Parkman tells him what he overheard, but Nathan just says he’ll handle him and that listening to his mother never did any good. Hiro’s happy to see flying man.
Claire refuses to listen to her mother. Perhaps West can get somewhere, but she just gives him his file and says there isn’t an “us” for him to be worried about any more. When she turns around, she sees her father. Okay, so maybe that’s what she needed to change her mind.
Molly offers to help Maya find Alejandro. She can’t find him because he’s dead. Suresh finds out Sylar has the same strain of the virus Niki has, meaning that somebody injected him. While they’re discussing this, an upset Maya confronts him about killing her brother, so he shoots her.
HRG’s just there to warn Claire not to expose the Company. He has to go back with the Company, and his family can live normal lives, as if he actually did die.
With much difficulty, Peter manages to get the safe open. What’s this thing made out of anyway? Hiro comes to stop Kensei, but Peter flings him against the wall and lets Adam go forward into the vault. Parkman warns Peter to let Hiro go and go after Adam instead, but Peter doesn’t believe him. He tells him he’s on the wrong side. Nathan asks if he’s on the wrong side, too.
Adam tells Hiro that God just washed away the world he was unhappy with by making it rain for 40 days and 40 nights, and that he intends to do the same, releasing the virus and being a hero. Nathan tells Peter about his visit to the past and asks whether he can really trust Adam.
Peter realizes who the actual enemy is, and he grabs the vial containing the virus, destroying it in his hands.
Nathan wants to take this whole thing public and destroy the Company. Of course, he’s being filmed when he says this.
Suresh cures Maya at Sylar’s insistence that he try it on her first. Elle shows up and chases after Sylar.
Monica’s left to die in a burning building. So why doesn’t she use her powers or something? Micah tracks her down, and Niki runs into the burning building to save her. Monica gets out okay, but while Niki’s still inside, the building explodes. (Cliffhanger!)
Hiro buries Adam alive, telling Ando he’ll never bother anybody again.
Elle’s afraid she’ll get in trouble for chasing off Sylar, but Suresh thanks her and says they owe her their lives. (yayy! Elle's a Hero!!)
Nathan holds a press conference to blow the secret. As he’s about to reveal his ability, he gets shot. (Cliffhanger #2) His mom warns that Pandora’s box has been opened.
Sylar’s injuries don’t last long. He’s able to heal himself. Beyond that, he can move objects with his mind. He’s back, and so concludes volume two.
(Will Niki survive the explosion? And if so, will it be Niki....or Jessica....or someone else?? Will Nathan survive the gunshot? And what where those visions of Larry Hagman and dollar signs dancing in his head? Ho shot JR...errr...Nathan? And what was Natalie Maines doing out side with a shotgun? Will Sylar pick up where he left off....and is Elle his next victim? And most importatly, will those damn a--holes at the WGA, the studios, and the networks get together and end the is damn strike so we can have the rest of season 2, or do I have to go over thier and kick thier solidaritied asses??
Tune in whenever boys and girls!)
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Nikki Finke Strike Update: Friendly but Non-productive
EXCLUSIVE: Talks Day #2 Still Friendly But Unproductive; "Game Of Chicken"
Tuesday was the day that the writers and the producers were supposed to start considering "new business" during their resumed contract negotiations. But, instead, they just kept focused on old business. Day #2 was supposed to be "when they really start advancing the ball forward" and "where the rubber can really meet the road," according to its advance billing. Instead, it was the same old same old.
Again, negotiators for the AMPTP presented that "very comprehensive proposal which laid out to all the entire roadmap to the deal" and, again, addressed every single issue. And, again, negotiators for the WGA listened and, again, kept getting up to caucus.
But where was the new stuff?
The reps for the studios and networks keep telling me about at least two improvements in their comprehensive proposal presented Monday compared to what was on the table back on Sunday November 4th when the talks broke off and the strike began. "But they also feel that the writers weren't paying attention and didn't absorb the proposal back then. So, basically, they presented back what they proposed on November 4th," an insider in that camp explains to me.
It took a couple of hours, I'm told, for the AMPTP to do this. "They went over the proposal point by point as though they were delivering a new proposal," a different source explained to me. "But it was the exact same proposal, though they restated their positions in a friendlier manner."
Yet I've been repeatedly told by people in a position to know that the networks and studios do have new stuff to present, and the writers still hope that will be done sooner rather than later. But it's truly baffling to me exactly why the AMPTP is slowing down the process when, if anything, it should be speeded up especially with Christmas looming. On the other hand, this is a favorite negotiating tactic of AMPTP president Nick Counter: to repeatedly offer little new until the guilds are forced to negotiate against themselves by continually reducing their demands. (Which is one reason why the writers now are toying with a provocative new tactic of raising their demands at every bargaining session.)
My question is: have the Hollywood moguls authorized Counter to delay? (Which, if so, will give fuel to the fire that the studios and networks just agreed to these talks purely for their PR value and are instead adhering to their individual timetables to declare force majeure. If the moguls think they're badly losing the PR war now, which they are, just wait until that happens.) Or has Counter talked them into this strategy because he thinks it'll work now just as it has in the past?
But that was then, and this is now. I'm hearing phrases like "jaw-dropping", "mind-boggling" and "you can gape at the chutzpah" to describe Tuesday's session. But I also hear the writers are determined not to feel frustrated or angry. "You've got to admire the kabuki of it," a source told me. "You can look at this as some really sophisticated and interesting negotiating tactic, or as stonewalling. But it's also paralysis. It's one thing to go back but another to not move at all."
Still, an insider is convinced that what happened at Tuesday's session "is like two cars just sitting there getting ready for a game of chicken. Neither one wants to go first. Both sides will get past this. I don't know when, but they will."
I understand the writers will spend this AM caucusing to figure out their next move.
Look, I'm going to wait until I receive a report about Wednesday's talks before I begin passing judgment on what's happening, or not happening, here. But I must say that Day #2 certainly puts a damper on all those wishful-thinking rumors sweeping Hollywood and beyond -- but not here at DHD -- that the strike would be settled by December 8th.
Tuesday was the day that the writers and the producers were supposed to start considering "new business" during their resumed contract negotiations. But, instead, they just kept focused on old business. Day #2 was supposed to be "when they really start advancing the ball forward" and "where the rubber can really meet the road," according to its advance billing. Instead, it was the same old same old.
Again, negotiators for the AMPTP presented that "very comprehensive proposal which laid out to all the entire roadmap to the deal" and, again, addressed every single issue. And, again, negotiators for the WGA listened and, again, kept getting up to caucus.
But where was the new stuff?
The reps for the studios and networks keep telling me about at least two improvements in their comprehensive proposal presented Monday compared to what was on the table back on Sunday November 4th when the talks broke off and the strike began. "But they also feel that the writers weren't paying attention and didn't absorb the proposal back then. So, basically, they presented back what they proposed on November 4th," an insider in that camp explains to me.
It took a couple of hours, I'm told, for the AMPTP to do this. "They went over the proposal point by point as though they were delivering a new proposal," a different source explained to me. "But it was the exact same proposal, though they restated their positions in a friendlier manner."
Yet I've been repeatedly told by people in a position to know that the networks and studios do have new stuff to present, and the writers still hope that will be done sooner rather than later. But it's truly baffling to me exactly why the AMPTP is slowing down the process when, if anything, it should be speeded up especially with Christmas looming. On the other hand, this is a favorite negotiating tactic of AMPTP president Nick Counter: to repeatedly offer little new until the guilds are forced to negotiate against themselves by continually reducing their demands. (Which is one reason why the writers now are toying with a provocative new tactic of raising their demands at every bargaining session.)
My question is: have the Hollywood moguls authorized Counter to delay? (Which, if so, will give fuel to the fire that the studios and networks just agreed to these talks purely for their PR value and are instead adhering to their individual timetables to declare force majeure. If the moguls think they're badly losing the PR war now, which they are, just wait until that happens.) Or has Counter talked them into this strategy because he thinks it'll work now just as it has in the past?
But that was then, and this is now. I'm hearing phrases like "jaw-dropping", "mind-boggling" and "you can gape at the chutzpah" to describe Tuesday's session. But I also hear the writers are determined not to feel frustrated or angry. "You've got to admire the kabuki of it," a source told me. "You can look at this as some really sophisticated and interesting negotiating tactic, or as stonewalling. But it's also paralysis. It's one thing to go back but another to not move at all."
Still, an insider is convinced that what happened at Tuesday's session "is like two cars just sitting there getting ready for a game of chicken. Neither one wants to go first. Both sides will get past this. I don't know when, but they will."
I understand the writers will spend this AM caucusing to figure out their next move.
Look, I'm going to wait until I receive a report about Wednesday's talks before I begin passing judgment on what's happening, or not happening, here. But I must say that Day #2 certainly puts a damper on all those wishful-thinking rumors sweeping Hollywood and beyond -- but not here at DHD -- that the strike would be settled by December 8th.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Strike Update: Encouraging News
from NIKKI FINKE'S DEALINE HOLLYWOOD DAILY:
EXCLUSIVE: Today's Talks Productive; "Reasonableness Ruled The Day"
I am thrilled to give you a report on how today's much-anticipated resumed contract talks went between the writers and the producers. And they went well, according to my sources. "It was very productive, very level-headed, and it seemed as though the producers came ready to bargain," an insider told me tonight. "Reasonableness ruled the day."
In fact, the AMPTP reps for the studios and networks showed up to the first day's negotiating session since the WGA strike began November 5th with what was described to me as "a very comprehensive proposal which laid out to all the entire roadmap to the deal. Over the course of the session, the producers addressed every single issue, and the writers listened and kept getting up to caucus."
According to my sources, both sides spent the session recapping where they'd left off negotiations back on November 4th, which was the last time the WGA and AMPTP faced off. "So they basically went through all the proposals on the table: what they'd already agreed upon, and where they needed to go from here," an insider explained to me. "Tomorrow, they really start advancing the ball forward."
There will continue to be a news blackout on the contract talks, meaning no end-of-day statements by either the AMPTP or WGA, "because no one wants to be the one to derail any progress." (My lips are sealed about the site of the meetings.) Both sides plan more negotiating sessions not just for Tuesday but also for at least Wednesday. "It's anyone's guess where this process goes," said a source. "Today, they spent time on old business. Tomorrow, they handle new business -- and that's where the rubber can really meet the road."
EXCLUSIVE: Today's Talks Productive; "Reasonableness Ruled The Day"
I am thrilled to give you a report on how today's much-anticipated resumed contract talks went between the writers and the producers. And they went well, according to my sources. "It was very productive, very level-headed, and it seemed as though the producers came ready to bargain," an insider told me tonight. "Reasonableness ruled the day."
In fact, the AMPTP reps for the studios and networks showed up to the first day's negotiating session since the WGA strike began November 5th with what was described to me as "a very comprehensive proposal which laid out to all the entire roadmap to the deal. Over the course of the session, the producers addressed every single issue, and the writers listened and kept getting up to caucus."
According to my sources, both sides spent the session recapping where they'd left off negotiations back on November 4th, which was the last time the WGA and AMPTP faced off. "So they basically went through all the proposals on the table: what they'd already agreed upon, and where they needed to go from here," an insider explained to me. "Tomorrow, they really start advancing the ball forward."
There will continue to be a news blackout on the contract talks, meaning no end-of-day statements by either the AMPTP or WGA, "because no one wants to be the one to derail any progress." (My lips are sealed about the site of the meetings.) Both sides plan more negotiating sessions not just for Tuesday but also for at least Wednesday. "It's anyone's guess where this process goes," said a source. "Today, they spent time on old business. Tomorrow, they handle new business -- and that's where the rubber can really meet the road."
It looks like the cure for what ails Heroes is simple: stay away from dancing celebriries.
The next-to-the-last installment of Heroes: Generations got a nice gift from ABC...a truncated version of Dancing With the Stars which ended as Heroes began. That meant that Hiro, Claire, Elle, and crew did not have to deal with SWTS's last half hour.
And that equaled out to a higher-than-last week rating of 5.3.
The dancing D-listers did do well...6.2 Neilsen rating for best of the night, but in the 9-10 slot, in all demos, Heroes reigned:
HEROES (NBC) 5.3
TWO AND A HALF MEN (CBS) 5.0
SAMANTHA WHO?/NOTES FROM THE UNDERBELLY (ABC) 4.1
I'm sure that FOX, the CW, and MyNet would rather talk about something else....
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6505405.html?industryid=47171
The next-to-the-last installment of Heroes: Generations got a nice gift from ABC...a truncated version of Dancing With the Stars which ended as Heroes began. That meant that Hiro, Claire, Elle, and crew did not have to deal with SWTS's last half hour.
And that equaled out to a higher-than-last week rating of 5.3.
The dancing D-listers did do well...6.2 Neilsen rating for best of the night, but in the 9-10 slot, in all demos, Heroes reigned:
HEROES (NBC) 5.3
TWO AND A HALF MEN (CBS) 5.0
SAMANTHA WHO?/NOTES FROM THE UNDERBELLY (ABC) 4.1
I'm sure that FOX, the CW, and MyNet would rather talk about something else....
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6505405.html?industryid=47171
Monday, November 26, 2007
Recap: S2E10: Truth or Consequences
Posted by Shane on Monday, November 26, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Bob escalated his efforts to get Claire’s blood in Heroes Season 2 episode 9, kidnapping her. Her father, however, managed to kidnap Elle, arranging a trade and convincing West to help him for Claire’s sake. While they were making the swap, HRG was killed… briefly.
Peter tells Adam of what he saw in the future, where most of the world’s population was wiped out by the Shanti virus. Adam responds that Victoria Pratt obtained the virus from an Indian girl named Shanti, and that the virus is the crime of the Company founders. Peter wants to find Victoria and get some answers.
Bob goes to see HRG’s family, urn in hand. He offers them some attempt at being kind, saying they will be allowed to lead a normal life. When he goes out to the car, he blames Elle for what happened.
A not dead Noah is being doctored by Suresh, who infused him with his daughter’s blood to save him. The reaction to saving his life? Anger.
Niki returns to Micah, telling him about the virus she has. She tries to convince him Suresh will cure her.
Claiming her brother hates her for the murder of his wife, Sylar teaches Maya how to control her power.
Hiro thinks that maybe Kensei can live forever, and if so, he’d leave a trail.
Peter finds Victoria Pratt and mentions the Company. She pulls a gun on him, but after informing her of his trip to the future, she’s willing to talk.
Hiro and Ando find a picture of Adam Monroe from 1977. Ando says the name sounds familiar, and they find that he came from Primatech. Ignoring his previous vow not to mess with the past again, Hiro goes back in time again anyway. When he gets there, he sees Victoria trying to convince his father to destroy the virus.
Back in the present, Victoria tells Peter he’s looking for mutated strain 138 in New Mexico. When she sees Adam’s there with him, she wants to take both of them out. Except neither of them can be killed by bullets, so that doesn’t work.
When she goes to tell Alejandro the good news, Alejandro tells Maya their new friend Gabriel killed his mother. He says it was self defense and because his mother turned on him after finding out what he was, something Maya can understand. Since Alejandro doesn’t trust Sylar, an argument ensues that gets rid of Alejandro, exactly as intended.
Victoria tells Peter what happened 30 years ago, that Adam’s a killer who broke into the lab to release the virus, and that Peter must be a killer, too, since he’s with him. Now that he knows she lied to him, Peter again asks where the virus is. He can’t get an answer, but he can read her mind: Primatech in Odessa, TX. Adam unties and releases Victoria, who of course goes for a gun to shoot Peter, conveniently allowing Adam to kill her. She had the symbol on her photo as well.
Alejandro’s not quite done yet. He’s back to visit Sylar, insisting he’s taking his sister. Obviously, Sylar’s not having any of this. In the struggle, he kills Alejandro. Maya comes to the door, so Sylar leaves the dead body in the room and goes outside and kisses her.
Following her father’s death, Claire’s family decides to leave. She says it hurts more than falling 20 stories or being on fire. Her plan is to call on the Haitian and have her memory erased, but West tells her forgetting isn’t the answer.
Micah’s upset because his cousin got his dad’s medals stolen. He wants to be a hero and go get the medals, but his mom refuses. Monica, however, is willing to help. While they’re out, Suresh calls to tell Niki that he thinks he may have found a cure, and she goes to tell Micah and discovers he’s not in his bed. Using their powers, they break into the house where the kids who stole the backpack live. They come home just in time to catch Monica in the act.
Claire goes to the ocean to apologize to her father for being selfish and not listening. As she’s saying goodbye to West, she spots Elle spying on her. In an effort to scare Elle, she threatens to tell the world what she can do and that they kidnapped her and killed her father.
Sylar calls Suresh from home and asks for help for himself and Maya.
Like Peter, Hiro’s also on his way to Odessa. When Hiro shows up, he stops time and tells Peter why he’s there. Peter doesn’t want him to kill Adam, and the episode ends with Hiro charging at them with his sword.
Bob escalated his efforts to get Claire’s blood in Heroes Season 2 episode 9, kidnapping her. Her father, however, managed to kidnap Elle, arranging a trade and convincing West to help him for Claire’s sake. While they were making the swap, HRG was killed… briefly.
Peter tells Adam of what he saw in the future, where most of the world’s population was wiped out by the Shanti virus. Adam responds that Victoria Pratt obtained the virus from an Indian girl named Shanti, and that the virus is the crime of the Company founders. Peter wants to find Victoria and get some answers.
Bob goes to see HRG’s family, urn in hand. He offers them some attempt at being kind, saying they will be allowed to lead a normal life. When he goes out to the car, he blames Elle for what happened.
A not dead Noah is being doctored by Suresh, who infused him with his daughter’s blood to save him. The reaction to saving his life? Anger.
Niki returns to Micah, telling him about the virus she has. She tries to convince him Suresh will cure her.
Claiming her brother hates her for the murder of his wife, Sylar teaches Maya how to control her power.
Hiro thinks that maybe Kensei can live forever, and if so, he’d leave a trail.
Peter finds Victoria Pratt and mentions the Company. She pulls a gun on him, but after informing her of his trip to the future, she’s willing to talk.
Hiro and Ando find a picture of Adam Monroe from 1977. Ando says the name sounds familiar, and they find that he came from Primatech. Ignoring his previous vow not to mess with the past again, Hiro goes back in time again anyway. When he gets there, he sees Victoria trying to convince his father to destroy the virus.
Back in the present, Victoria tells Peter he’s looking for mutated strain 138 in New Mexico. When she sees Adam’s there with him, she wants to take both of them out. Except neither of them can be killed by bullets, so that doesn’t work.
When she goes to tell Alejandro the good news, Alejandro tells Maya their new friend Gabriel killed his mother. He says it was self defense and because his mother turned on him after finding out what he was, something Maya can understand. Since Alejandro doesn’t trust Sylar, an argument ensues that gets rid of Alejandro, exactly as intended.
Victoria tells Peter what happened 30 years ago, that Adam’s a killer who broke into the lab to release the virus, and that Peter must be a killer, too, since he’s with him. Now that he knows she lied to him, Peter again asks where the virus is. He can’t get an answer, but he can read her mind: Primatech in Odessa, TX. Adam unties and releases Victoria, who of course goes for a gun to shoot Peter, conveniently allowing Adam to kill her. She had the symbol on her photo as well.
Alejandro’s not quite done yet. He’s back to visit Sylar, insisting he’s taking his sister. Obviously, Sylar’s not having any of this. In the struggle, he kills Alejandro. Maya comes to the door, so Sylar leaves the dead body in the room and goes outside and kisses her.
Following her father’s death, Claire’s family decides to leave. She says it hurts more than falling 20 stories or being on fire. Her plan is to call on the Haitian and have her memory erased, but West tells her forgetting isn’t the answer.
Micah’s upset because his cousin got his dad’s medals stolen. He wants to be a hero and go get the medals, but his mom refuses. Monica, however, is willing to help. While they’re out, Suresh calls to tell Niki that he thinks he may have found a cure, and she goes to tell Micah and discovers he’s not in his bed. Using their powers, they break into the house where the kids who stole the backpack live. They come home just in time to catch Monica in the act.
Claire goes to the ocean to apologize to her father for being selfish and not listening. As she’s saying goodbye to West, she spots Elle spying on her. In an effort to scare Elle, she threatens to tell the world what she can do and that they kidnapped her and killed her father.
Sylar calls Suresh from home and asks for help for himself and Maya.
Like Peter, Hiro’s also on his way to Odessa. When Hiro shows up, he stops time and tells Peter why he’s there. Peter doesn’t want him to kill Adam, and the episode ends with Hiro charging at them with his sword.
DEAL???
Since this infernal strike between the WGA and the Studios/Networks started 3 weeks ago and basically holding America hostage, a prime...may I say THE prime source of information has been Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily blog, often breaking stories that the MSM has not been able to.
It is with that in mind that I post the following from Finke's site this morning....
So, fellow eclipsers, let's do a little pre-hatching chicken counting and see where this may be headed.
If....and that is a BIG if....Finke is right and both sides are close to an agreement....and if the WGA rank and file says, ok we have a deal, how fast can we get the second half of Our Favorite Show on. Many sources say that it would be a four to six week turnaround from pencil-pickup to new content on-air. That would mean that would be possible for Heroes: Fall of Man to start airing sometime in Februrary during sweeps, break for 4 weeks in May, then comeback in April to conclude at the end of May sweeps.
It is also possible that if this lags on for another two weeks, a truncted Fall would hit your HiDef in March, leading through the sweeps.
But right now, all that is speculation. As one wag told Entertainment Weekly, Says one studio topper, "Today they'll call each other a--holes before getting down to talking tomorrow."
It is with that in mind that I post the following from Finke's site this morning....
As the WGA strike begins its 4th week, I've been told positive news about
today's resumption of contract talks between the writers and the producers. So
positive, in fact, that I'm almost fearful to post it. But here goes: a very
reliable source tells me that there appears to be a deal seemingly in place
between both sides.
"It's already done, basically," the insider
describes. That's because of the weeks worth of groundwork by the Hollywood
agents working the writers guild leadership on one side, and the studio and
network moguls on the other. I was told not to expect an agreement this week.
But my source thought it was possible that the strike could be settled before
Christmas.
Look, I don't want to raise false hope here. But this source
has been very accurate in the past. The negotiations starting today will have a
news blackout, so don't expect any significant leaks. But consider the real
possibility there's been a breakthrough. Still, I must caution that this is
Hollywood -- where defeat is snatched from the jaws of victory nearly every
time.
So, fellow eclipsers, let's do a little pre-hatching chicken counting and see where this may be headed.
If....and that is a BIG if....Finke is right and both sides are close to an agreement....and if the WGA rank and file says, ok we have a deal, how fast can we get the second half of Our Favorite Show on. Many sources say that it would be a four to six week turnaround from pencil-pickup to new content on-air. That would mean that would be possible for Heroes: Fall of Man to start airing sometime in Februrary during sweeps, break for 4 weeks in May, then comeback in April to conclude at the end of May sweeps.
It is also possible that if this lags on for another two weeks, a truncted Fall would hit your HiDef in March, leading through the sweeps.
But right now, all that is speculation. As one wag told Entertainment Weekly, Says one studio topper, "Today they'll call each other a--holes before getting down to talking tomorrow."
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Spoiler A Go-Go 11.21.07
Well, with two shows left, we are not left with a lot of spoilers......BUT we do have some hints from the usual sources. One things for certain: Tim Kring is a master of screwing with your mind, and if these missives are right, a lot of minds got screwed last Monday night.
Including mine.
Here's http://www.spoilerfix.com/:
Episode 2.10: Truth & Consequences Airdate: November 26, 2007
11/11 - A picture from this episode shows an online newspaper with this title: "Local Man Wanted In Mother's Murder." The article also shows a picture of Sylar. Source: SpoilerFix.com
10/29 - Peter travels to Primatech Paper in Texas with his new friend to destroy the virus, which will kill 93 percent of the world's population in the future -- or so he believes. Niki returns to Micah with bad news. To right a wrong, Monica puts her abilities to the test while Hiro goes after his father's killer. Meanwhile, Matt uses his mental abilities to track down the last person in the company photo. In addition, Nathan learns his brother is alive. Outside of New York, Maya must choose between Alejandro and Sylar. Kristen Bell, Jack Coleman, James Kyson Lee, Hayden Panettiere and Sendhil Ramamurthy also star. Nick D'Agosto, Adair Tishler and Stephen Tobolowsky guest-star. Source: NBC
10/14 - Robert Keep - Early 30s. Male. Robert is a young man living in New Jersey, with a pretty big secret. Baseball Cap - 30-35. Male. Distinctive Features. An agent working for a very powerful organization. Uniform Cop - 28 - 35. MaleE. A uniform cop working in New York city. Samantha - 16. Female. A pretty Southern California cheerleader. Lucy - 16. Female. A pretty Southern California cheerleader. Co-Worker #1 & #2 - 28-40. Male or female. Japanese. Two office workers at a powerful Tokyo corporation. Sheriff - 40-45. Male. A sheriff working in Odessa, Texas. Mother - 35-45. Female. A mother in Odessa, Texas who is worried sick about her child. CDC Worker - 30-40. Male. An agent from the Center for Disease Control. Source: SpoilerTV
Episode 2.11: Powerless Airdate: December 3, 2007
11/16 - Deep below Primatech Paper in Odessa, TX, Peter's reunion with Nathan turns violent when the brothers, Matt and Hiro all clash thanks to Adam and his pursuit of the deadly Shanti Virus. After watching his heroic cousin captured by a street gang, Micah turns to the one person who can help him save Monica -- his mom. Meanwhile, Maya tragically learns how much of a monster Sylar really is during his kidnapping of Molly and Suresh. Meanwhile, Elle decides to play hero to get back into her father's good graces. Jack Coleman, James Kyson Lee and Hayden Panettiere also star. Source: NBC
11/11 - In episode 11, H.R.G. is in a cell of a sort. So unless the 'alternate ending' they filmed has changed, H.R.G. being in episode 11 means that it really can't be his remains in the urn. H.R.G. heads back to his cell. H.R.G. works on Elle, Bob has Claire problems. Disappointed Bob benches Elle. Source: SpoilerTV
11/11 - Jack Coleman arrived late on the scene as he had actually just left shooting the much talked about alternate ending for "Heroes," the ending that may have to be used if the writers' strike ends up cutting this season short. Source: Comic Book Resoures [Note: So that means that either he shot a flashback or that H.R.G. is not really dead as per a picture circulating on the web.]
11/03 - Heroes' second season may be coming to a close a lot sooner than expected due to the [...] writers' strike. Sources confirm that the show is going back and shooting an alternate ending to the Dec. 3 episode that, if used, would allow the episode to function as a season finale in the event of a strike. Originally, the episode was only supposed to serve as the conclusion of the current "Generations" arc. Should an 11th-hour agreement be reached and a strike averted, the alt ending would likely be scrapped. Source: The Ausiello Report
Then there's this from Kring:
Heroes creator Tim Kring has revealed that the show will cap volume two on December 3 with an "out of the blue cliffhanger".Confirming that volume two will end on December 3, Kring told USA Today that fans can expect a complete turnaround in the pace of the show over the next month. "[The episodes] are among the absolute best we have ever done."Cast member Milo Ventimiglia added that "we'd gotten away a little from what the show is" and that "we're getting back on track".Kring, who is refusing to cross WGA picket lines to work on the show, said that the series' segmented approach permitted an early end to volume two. "In an oddly kismet kind of way, we have a real finale that could act, God forbid, as the end of season two," he explained.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a79660/tim-kring-we-have-a-real-finale.html
So, it is POSSIBLE the we have not seen the last of HRG, that Niki may have one last shot a heroism, and that Elle may have a shot at good-guy status. I may stay with this after all.
Including mine.
Here's http://www.spoilerfix.com/:
Episode 2.10: Truth & Consequences Airdate: November 26, 2007
11/11 - A picture from this episode shows an online newspaper with this title: "Local Man Wanted In Mother's Murder." The article also shows a picture of Sylar. Source: SpoilerFix.com
10/29 - Peter travels to Primatech Paper in Texas with his new friend to destroy the virus, which will kill 93 percent of the world's population in the future -- or so he believes. Niki returns to Micah with bad news. To right a wrong, Monica puts her abilities to the test while Hiro goes after his father's killer. Meanwhile, Matt uses his mental abilities to track down the last person in the company photo. In addition, Nathan learns his brother is alive. Outside of New York, Maya must choose between Alejandro and Sylar. Kristen Bell, Jack Coleman, James Kyson Lee, Hayden Panettiere and Sendhil Ramamurthy also star. Nick D'Agosto, Adair Tishler and Stephen Tobolowsky guest-star. Source: NBC
10/14 - Robert Keep - Early 30s. Male. Robert is a young man living in New Jersey, with a pretty big secret. Baseball Cap - 30-35. Male. Distinctive Features. An agent working for a very powerful organization. Uniform Cop - 28 - 35. MaleE. A uniform cop working in New York city. Samantha - 16. Female. A pretty Southern California cheerleader. Lucy - 16. Female. A pretty Southern California cheerleader. Co-Worker #1 & #2 - 28-40. Male or female. Japanese. Two office workers at a powerful Tokyo corporation. Sheriff - 40-45. Male. A sheriff working in Odessa, Texas. Mother - 35-45. Female. A mother in Odessa, Texas who is worried sick about her child. CDC Worker - 30-40. Male. An agent from the Center for Disease Control. Source: SpoilerTV
Episode 2.11: Powerless Airdate: December 3, 2007
11/16 - Deep below Primatech Paper in Odessa, TX, Peter's reunion with Nathan turns violent when the brothers, Matt and Hiro all clash thanks to Adam and his pursuit of the deadly Shanti Virus. After watching his heroic cousin captured by a street gang, Micah turns to the one person who can help him save Monica -- his mom. Meanwhile, Maya tragically learns how much of a monster Sylar really is during his kidnapping of Molly and Suresh. Meanwhile, Elle decides to play hero to get back into her father's good graces. Jack Coleman, James Kyson Lee and Hayden Panettiere also star. Source: NBC
11/11 - In episode 11, H.R.G. is in a cell of a sort. So unless the 'alternate ending' they filmed has changed, H.R.G. being in episode 11 means that it really can't be his remains in the urn. H.R.G. heads back to his cell. H.R.G. works on Elle, Bob has Claire problems. Disappointed Bob benches Elle. Source: SpoilerTV
11/11 - Jack Coleman arrived late on the scene as he had actually just left shooting the much talked about alternate ending for "Heroes," the ending that may have to be used if the writers' strike ends up cutting this season short. Source: Comic Book Resoures [Note: So that means that either he shot a flashback or that H.R.G. is not really dead as per a picture circulating on the web.]
11/03 - Heroes' second season may be coming to a close a lot sooner than expected due to the [...] writers' strike. Sources confirm that the show is going back and shooting an alternate ending to the Dec. 3 episode that, if used, would allow the episode to function as a season finale in the event of a strike. Originally, the episode was only supposed to serve as the conclusion of the current "Generations" arc. Should an 11th-hour agreement be reached and a strike averted, the alt ending would likely be scrapped. Source: The Ausiello Report
Then there's this from Kring:
Heroes creator Tim Kring has revealed that the show will cap volume two on December 3 with an "out of the blue cliffhanger".Confirming that volume two will end on December 3, Kring told USA Today that fans can expect a complete turnaround in the pace of the show over the next month. "[The episodes] are among the absolute best we have ever done."Cast member Milo Ventimiglia added that "we'd gotten away a little from what the show is" and that "we're getting back on track".Kring, who is refusing to cross WGA picket lines to work on the show, said that the series' segmented approach permitted an early end to volume two. "In an oddly kismet kind of way, we have a real finale that could act, God forbid, as the end of season two," he explained.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a79660/tim-kring-we-have-a-real-finale.html
So, it is POSSIBLE the we have not seen the last of HRG, that Niki may have one last shot a heroism, and that Elle may have a shot at good-guy status. I may stay with this after all.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Recap: S2E9: Cautionary Tales
Heroes Season 2 Episode 9
Posted by Shane on Monday, November 19, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Heroes Season 2 Episode 8 took us back and answered questions. We found out why DL is dead, Maya and Alejandro’s story of their new powers, and what happened to Peter, how he knew Elle and Bob, and how he met Adam. Now Peter remembers that he has to save the world.
HRG still seems to think they’re moving. Claire comes down dressed in her cheerleader outfit and makes it clear she doesn’t care what he says. Then she accuses him of abducting West and says they’ll always be running no matter what she does. Her father’s willing to tie her up if needed, but her mom steps in and lets her go to school to say goodbye.
At his father’s funeral, Hiro’s supposed to speak, but he just gets guilty and blames himself for his father’s death. He decides to go back in time, heading back one week to stop it.
Molly’s back at home and not having any nightmares. Parkman is looking for answers in the photo. Molly volunteers to help, but he declines. He wants her to just be a little girl and uses his powers to covince her to go back to normal.
Bob wants to grab Claire and take out her father. He brings Suresh to his new partner and the person who’s going to carry out the murder, Elle.
West doesn’t believe Claire’s for real and still thinks it’s all a setup. She says it is all just a coincidence, and she lied because she liked him and didn’t want to mess everything up like it has been. Regardless, he doesn’t believe her story or that she’s staying behind for him.
Parkman continues researching the photo while at work. His boss gets upset and tells him he’s got real work to do. With a little mind control, this isn’t really much of an obstacle for Matt.
HRG tells his wife more of the story, showing him the paintings of him, Claire, and Suresh with a gun, and he says he really needs to talk to West. He calls Suresh to ask for his help tracking West down. After hanging up, Suresh goes to talk Elle and Bob into not killing him. Elle’s not interested, but Bob says he’s willing to do it his way.
Hiro breaks the bad news to his father, who refuses help and just accepts his fate. But that doesn’t prevent Hiro from interfering anyway.
HRG gets tired of waiting around. He goes to find West at school, but he doesn’t need to go far, since West is waiting for him right outside. West wants answers. Her father tells West the truth and says he’s guessing he’s pretty important to her since she lied to him and never mentioned having a boyfriend. Then he tells him he’s taking Claire and leaving town, and West will be the one to convince her it’s the right thing to do. Suresh calls and gets them to go to school, though, convincing them Claire’s in danger.
Bob goes to Claire’s school, pretending to be researching underaged drinking. He slips up and calls her by her old name so she takes off. With that, she’s now perfectly willing to leave town. Except when she arrives at home, Bob’s there waiting for her.
Suresh goes to Noah to ask her for Claire so they can get her blood. Unsurprisingly, he doesn’t get a reaction that isn’t hostile. So he pulls out a gun and says “Start driving… please.” Just as Elle’s ready to kill HRG, West swoops down from the sky and saves him. HRG grabs the gun from Mohinder but resists the desire to shoot him for betraying him. When they get home, they find out Bob took Claire, but since they’ve got Elle, they’ve got plenty of room to bargain.
He gives Elle a history lesson, telling her the story of how they brought her in and performed tests on her. Obviously, she doesn’t remember any of this. Bob calls, and Noah offers a trade, Claire for Elle. Bob still manages to get some of Claire’s blood.
Hiro takes his father back to the day his mother died, running into little Hiro. In the process of talking to his younger self, Hiro learns that he must allow his father to die as he originally did. Before dying, Kaito tells Hiro he’s proud of him. Hiro’s no dummy, though. He sticks around to find out who the killer is: Takezo Kensei.
Parkman goes to Angela to get the truth. With some convvincing, she tells him it was Adam Monroe, who has cellular regeneration like Claire, which after a while made him stop growing old.
West goes with HRG to save Claire and gets instructions to fly her out immediately, no matter what else happens. As they’re flying away, Elle breaks free and zaps West. HRG wants to kill Bob to kill the Company, but Suresh shoots HRG first instead, making another of Isaac’s paintings come true.
Posted by Shane on Monday, November 19, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Heroes Season 2 Episode 8 took us back and answered questions. We found out why DL is dead, Maya and Alejandro’s story of their new powers, and what happened to Peter, how he knew Elle and Bob, and how he met Adam. Now Peter remembers that he has to save the world.
HRG still seems to think they’re moving. Claire comes down dressed in her cheerleader outfit and makes it clear she doesn’t care what he says. Then she accuses him of abducting West and says they’ll always be running no matter what she does. Her father’s willing to tie her up if needed, but her mom steps in and lets her go to school to say goodbye.
At his father’s funeral, Hiro’s supposed to speak, but he just gets guilty and blames himself for his father’s death. He decides to go back in time, heading back one week to stop it.
Molly’s back at home and not having any nightmares. Parkman is looking for answers in the photo. Molly volunteers to help, but he declines. He wants her to just be a little girl and uses his powers to covince her to go back to normal.
Bob wants to grab Claire and take out her father. He brings Suresh to his new partner and the person who’s going to carry out the murder, Elle.
My first major dissapointment. This show is great, but it has a habit
of taking great characters and ruining thier potential by turning them to a
darker side. Maybe this will all work out for the best, but I am not
liking this...-dp
West doesn’t believe Claire’s for real and still thinks it’s all a setup. She says it is all just a coincidence, and she lied because she liked him and didn’t want to mess everything up like it has been. Regardless, he doesn’t believe her story or that she’s staying behind for him.
Parkman continues researching the photo while at work. His boss gets upset and tells him he’s got real work to do. With a little mind control, this isn’t really much of an obstacle for Matt.
HRG tells his wife more of the story, showing him the paintings of him, Claire, and Suresh with a gun, and he says he really needs to talk to West. He calls Suresh to ask for his help tracking West down. After hanging up, Suresh goes to talk Elle and Bob into not killing him. Elle’s not interested, but Bob says he’s willing to do it his way.
Hiro breaks the bad news to his father, who refuses help and just accepts his fate. But that doesn’t prevent Hiro from interfering anyway.
HRG gets tired of waiting around. He goes to find West at school, but he doesn’t need to go far, since West is waiting for him right outside. West wants answers. Her father tells West the truth and says he’s guessing he’s pretty important to her since she lied to him and never mentioned having a boyfriend. Then he tells him he’s taking Claire and leaving town, and West will be the one to convince her it’s the right thing to do. Suresh calls and gets them to go to school, though, convincing them Claire’s in danger.
Bob goes to Claire’s school, pretending to be researching underaged drinking. He slips up and calls her by her old name so she takes off. With that, she’s now perfectly willing to leave town. Except when she arrives at home, Bob’s there waiting for her.
Suresh goes to Noah to ask her for Claire so they can get her blood. Unsurprisingly, he doesn’t get a reaction that isn’t hostile. So he pulls out a gun and says “Start driving… please.” Just as Elle’s ready to kill HRG, West swoops down from the sky and saves him. HRG grabs the gun from Mohinder but resists the desire to shoot him for betraying him. When they get home, they find out Bob took Claire, but since they’ve got Elle, they’ve got plenty of room to bargain.
He gives Elle a history lesson, telling her the story of how they brought her in and performed tests on her. Obviously, she doesn’t remember any of this. Bob calls, and Noah offers a trade, Claire for Elle. Bob still manages to get some of Claire’s blood.
Hiro takes his father back to the day his mother died, running into little Hiro. In the process of talking to his younger self, Hiro learns that he must allow his father to die as he originally did. Before dying, Kaito tells Hiro he’s proud of him. Hiro’s no dummy, though. He sticks around to find out who the killer is: Takezo Kensei.
Parkman goes to Angela to get the truth. With some convvincing, she tells him it was Adam Monroe, who has cellular regeneration like Claire, which after a while made him stop growing old.
West goes with HRG to save Claire and gets instructions to fly her out immediately, no matter what else happens. As they’re flying away, Elle breaks free and zaps West. HRG wants to kill Bob to kill the Company, but Suresh shoots HRG first instead, making another of Isaac’s paintings come true.
Preview: Cautionary Tales
Here are the Canadian (Global) and Americam (NBC) previews of tonight's Cautionary Tales.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Fan Fiction: The Family that Fights Together
The Family That Fights Together
Part 1 of 7
Niki Sanders pulled the car up to the house. She got out, shut the door, and walked up to the porch. The door was already open, there were men swarming around and holding clipboards and walkie-talkies. She approached one of them carefully, and tapped on his shoulder.
"Yeah?" The man turned around. "Hey, you're Niki, aren't you? Mr. Sanders' daughter?"
Niki nodded. "My dad... what happened?"
"We have no idea," The policeman shrugged. "He was found lying in a pool of his own vomit, blood and urine. We didn't notice any signs of violent struggle, but it appears as though his head had been bludgeoned from the back or something. There's still more tests to be done. You've got to go down to the station one of these days to arrange for his body to be -"
"Can I go in?" Niki interrupted.
"Yeah, sure," The policeman said. "CSI's all done here." He held out his hand. "I'm Inspector Reese, by the way." Niki took his hand, smiled briefly, and entered the house.
The smell was recognizable, immediate and clear. When Micah was younger, he had vomitted over one of Niki's bras. She had taken him to the hospital, and D.L. and her stayed there with him for a week. Eventually she came back to an undergarment festering with bacteria, ants and small worms.
The metallic smell of blood was also reminiscent, from Niki's not-so-long-ago days of murdering and assaulting. She was only glad that that part of her life was over and gone.
Chalk markings demarcated Hal Sanders' death at the foot of his stairs, which were located immediately to the right of the house upon entrance. There was blood splattered violently over the white walls. The vomit-urine smell was emanating from that part of the stairs, and the dried bloodstain was clear.
Niki turned as Inspector Reese stepped into the house.
"We're going to clear out off the area," the Inspector said. "We'll be back later at 2 pm, but for now we're getting the evidence to the lab. You're going to be fine?"
Niki nodded. "Yeah, sure."
"Okay," Inspector Reese replied, and he left the house, looking sympathetic.
Niki frowned. It was odd, really, that what she was feeling now was basically... nothing. Her life had been spent without Hal Sanders, and now that it really was that way, there didn't seem to be much difference or cause to mourn.
Except, of course, she was her father.
Niki sighed. This murder was the last thing she had needed. Micah was still recovering from all the action he had been through while trying to stop Sylar, and DL was still trying to get a higher-paying job. She just came out here because of civility. Granted, she had cried some when the first police call came, but gradually, it seemed that the other, more important, more alive things in her life were going to the top of the attention list.
Niki decided to explore the house further. She had only been to her father's house once, many years ago, when Micah was still a toddler. It didn't seem to change, but something had definitely gone on here, and Niki, indifferent as she was feeling, wanted to know exactly what.
She sidestepped the chalk mark of her father's figure on the floor, and climbed the stairs. Halfway up, she thought she heard a car pull up in the driveway.
Niki turned, and she heard the crunching of someone's large feet across the gravel. Can't be Inspector Reese, she thought.
"Idiot. Complete idiot," A man's voice muttered. "Stupid man just couldn't die well enough."
Niki gasped. She turned around, looking for a way out, and she quickly hurried up the stairs. She plastered herself in the doorframe of a bathroom, listening intently. To her horror, the man began climbing up the stairs as well!
The man walked past the bathroom, and apparently up another flight of stairs.
Niki quickly stole out, and dashed downstairs. She ran noisily down and out of the house, which was when she noticed the car. The good-looking Nissan Versa. Sitting in the driver's seat was a muscular black man. His eyes widened as he saw her in the doorway, and he pressed hard on the horn.
"Jesus!" The man upstairs yelled. "I found it! I'm comin', I'm comin'!"
Niki turned to go back into the house, but the larger man was already coming down the stairs!
"What the- " The bulky, nearly fat, man wheezed. "Who are you?"
"Who are you?" Niki cried.
"Hey!" The man's eyes flashed in recognition. "You're Nicole, Hal's daughter!"
"Damn right I am!" Niki said. "What did you do to him?"
"Nothing he wouldn't have done to himself, suga," The man wheezed. "I think you'd better come with us."
"You wish," Niki said, and turned, but the black man had come out of the car and was heading into the house. She was trapped.
"The police just left," She warned.
"Yeah. They just did," The black man scoffed. "What are you going to do, scream?"
He grabbed her arm roughly, and on instinct, Niki jerked it away. A sickening crack was heard as she dislocated the man's wrist. He howled in pain, grabbing his hand.
"You'd better come with us," The fatter man said and pulled out a gun. "Our boss wants to meet you."
"Your boss killed my dad?" Niki demanded.
"Yeah, he did." The fat man aimed, but Niki was too fast. She felt an surge of adrenaline, anger and fear all at once, and she grabbed the fat man's wrist and twisted. He screamed and dropped the gun. She twisted his arm violently, and jabbed his nose with her other elbow. That elbow then went down to his fat stomach, where she was still able to make him double over with one good hit. The fats, clearly, didn't do much to protect.
She smashed him against the wall, where he went down and stayed down.
The 'click' of the gun was a bad sound. She turned her head slowly, and it confirmed her fear: The black man had the gun leveled at her head.
"I don't think so," A new voice said. The black man gasped, and he dropped the gun. His eyes rolled back into his head and he toppled. Niki gasped in surprise as D.L. Hawkins pulled his fist out of the black man's chest.
"D.L!" Niki hugged him. "When?"
"This guy, Inspector Reese, he called me up. Said something about you being very sad or depressed. Asked me to come over here and keep an eye on you," D.L. looked down at the men. "He had the right idea."
"I'm NOT sad," Niki sighed. "Which is weird."
"What's weirder is, who are these people?" D.L. asked.
"I guess we'll find out," Niki said. She walked over to the fat man and jerked back his head violently, snapping him out of unconscious.
"Do you believe me," Niki said. "When I tell you I can pull your head off with my own little hand?" The man's eyes widened, and he nodded slowly and cautiously.
"Who are you working for?" Niki asked. "Who sent you to kill my dad?"
The man choked back a gulp, and he said in a few disjointed syllables that still came out clear.
"Li...Linderman," He choked.
Part 2 of 7
The door slammed shut, and Niki rushed in, her face flushed with heat.
"Niki!" D.L. cried, exasperated as he opened the door. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going back to Las Vegas," Niki said.
"Niki!" D.L. reasoned. "We just got here!"
"For the wrong reasons," Niki snarled.
"And what are you going to do once you get to Las Vegas? Linderman has land and contacts there too!" D.L. yelled.
"Look, I can't deal with him again," Niki said. "I know you can't either. We just got out of this mess. We are NOT getting back in."
"Mom?" Micah came out of the bathroom. "What's going on?"
"We're leaving, Micah," Niki said. "Pack your stuff."
"But we just got here!" Micah exclaimed.
"Pack your stuff," Niki ordered.
"Niki!" D.L. grabbed her and spun her around to face him. "Listen to me. Linderman is dead. He's not coming back."
"Linderman?" Micah asked.
"Micah, go into the room," Niki pointed to the adjacent living room which came with the suite that had been booked for them.
"No, I want to hear," Micah said.
"The point is," D.L. interrupted. "Is that I put my fist through Linderman's head. I know he's not coming back."
"His company people must be mad at us," Niki reasoned. "They know who we are, D.L. They know what you and I could do. They must have gone after Hal to get revenge."
"Then if they come after us," D.L. said. "We'll fight them off! We can do that now."
"Yeah!" Micah added.
"Stay out of this!" D.L. and Niki yelled in unison.
"Dad, I want to help too," Micah cried.
"Micah, listen," Niki bent down to look him in the eye. "These men are dangerous. You know that. I don't want you getting involved. Now pack your stuff, and we'll go home."
"No!" Micah said defiantly. "Mom, if these guys are still coming after us, we need to stop them, or we won't get any peace."
"That's what I was trying to say," D.L. said, crossing his arms.
"No, you listen to me now," Niki ordered. "This is an order. Pack your stuff."
Micah sighed in frustration, turned and began to pull his backpack out of the closet.
Niki turned. "D.L," She said. "I need you to trust me. We can't deal with anymore of Linderman, his company or him."
"And I need you to trust me," D.L. said darkly. 'Linderman isn't alive." He turned and walked out of the room, by walking through the door.
Niki sighed, and she headed into the bathroom, as Micah continued throwing whatever little he had into his backpack unhappily.
The moment Niki entered the bathroom, the voice rang out so clearly.
"Niki, Niki," The familiar voice sighed. "I thought we were all done here."
Niki looked up, and the bathroom mirror greeted her. Inside the mirror, her reflection was shaking her head sadly, her eyes glowering with that familiar mix of menace and pity.
"You!" Niki gasped. "I thought... I thought..."
"I was gone?" Jessica raised her eyebrows. "I thought so too."
"What are you doing here again?" Niki cried. "Get out now! You don't belong here!"
"I belong wherever you want me to," Jessica said. "I thought you knew that by now."
"Well, I don't need you," Niki said fiercely. "My life's back on track now."
Jessica leaned forward, so close she looked as though she was going to leap out of the mirror.
"We both know that's not true," Jessica said. "Linderman is after you."
"That's why we're leaving," Niki said, turning to look at the ground.
Jessica's face was still there, this time, smirking in a puddle of water on the floor.
"I thought you were strong enough. But shying away from the trouble isn't going to resolve it," Jessica said, almost with a hint of philosophical thought. "Although I must say, Linderman's men did a good job of killing our dad."
Niki's face scrunched up in disgust.
"You don't know him that well either," Jessica said. "Don't act like a saint. You're not at all sad he's gone, are you?"
Niki chose not to answer.
"The point is," Jessica smiled sinisterly. "I'm back."
A loud knock on the front door snapped Niki's attention back to her present surroundings.
"Mom!" Micah cried out.
Niki pulled open the door, with such force she nearly took it off its hinges.
The knocks on the front door got more and more rapid, and with increasing force.
"Stand back," Niki ordered. Micah hurried behind his mother, as she edged forward. She glanced at the open closet, and pulled out the metal clothes-hanger bar with one good pull.
She opened the door, and swung the bar as hard as she could.
The woman behind the door gasped, and Niki felt her body suddenly immobilized, like someone had paralysed her with a good bout of snake venom.
"What are you trying to do?!" The woman yelled. "Kill me?"
Niki gasped as she recognized the woman. "Mom?!"
"I don't have time to talk!" Mrs Sanders said, ducking under Niki's flung arm and entering the room. The moment she was behind Niki, Niki felt her muscles and strength returning to her.
"Close the door," Mrs Sanders said. "Hello, Micah!" She cooed. "Where's D.L.?"
"He left earlier," Niki said, shutting the door. "What are you doing here?"
"Linderman," She said, eliciting a gasp from both Micah and Niki. "He's after me too."
Part 3 of 7
"Mom," Niki said exasperatedly as her mother plopped herself down onto the hotel bed. "What are you doing here?"
"What," Mrs Sanders looked up at her with a semi-innocent grin. "Can't I come visit my daughter?"
"Mom, I'm serious," Niki said. "You wouldn't come out into the open unless you had to."
"I had too, then," Mrs Sanders said, looking at Micah's open backpack. "You guys going somewhere?"
"Mom," Niki said firmly. "What's going on?"
Jane Sanders stood up. She wasn't very tall, in fact, nearly a head below her daughter. She was slim, with a body type matching that of her daughter. Her once blond hair was now striped with white, and she had minimal wrinkles, only in the parts where she scrunched her face up to think.
"Your dad is dead," She said.
"I know," Niki said. "Why else am I here?"
"You didn't find me," Jane said.
"I didn't know where to find you," Niki said. "You moved since your last address, and last time you visited, you didn't leave anything behind. Not even your new phone number."
"When did she visit us?" Micah asked, speaking up.
"When you were so young," Jane Sanders cooed. "Just a teeny weeny little pea I would hold tight and sing to."
Micah looked at Niki. Niki sighed, and nodded.
"Grand...ma?" Micah said, trying out the name.
Jane looked slightly embarrassed, and she turned back to Niki. "Linderman's after me. Now I need your help. I need you to find me a safe place."
"Why would he be after you?" Niki asked.
"Well-" Jane looked around uneasily. "It's kinda a long story."
"Mom," Niki tried explaining. "I can't help. Linderman is after me too. And it makes it even worse if you and Dad somehow did something to ****** him off."
"No, you listen," Jane said suddenly, standing up. "I am living in fear. I don't think you know what it's like-" At which point Niki scoffed. "-But I think I have a right to choose where I want to be."
"Fine then," Niki said. "But we're leaving anyway."
"I'm coming with you," Jane said stubbornly.
"That's not possible," Niki sighed. "You have a house here. Mom, you need to go to the police. Ask them for protection or something."
"Niki," Jane said. "You know how much I hate the police."
"Why?" Micah asked.
"Another long story," Niki filled in. "Your grandma here is full of long stories and secrets."
Jane smiled. "Oh, everyone has secrets."
Suddenly, D.L. came right into the room, by walking through the door.
Niki's eyes widened, and she shook her head slightly.
"Daniel!"Jane smiled, opening her arms for a hug. "How did you come in? I didn't hear the door."
D.L. hugged Jane, and looked at Niki quizzically. Niki shrugged. "Guys," D.L. said. "I checked us out. We can go now. And I think we'd better go fast." He cocked his head at the door. "There are men downstairs." The way he said 'men', it was clear.
"Linderman's men?" Jane gasped. D.L.'s eyebrows went up. "You know about Linderman?"
"Somehow, she and my Dad did something to set either Linderman or his company off," Niki said. "That's why Hal was killed."
"Either way, we got to go," D.L. said. He opened the door this time, and signalled for them to leave.
Micah grabbed his bag, and Niki her purse, and they all left the hotel room.
The elevator ride down wasn't eventful, but once in the lobby, it was clear that they were being watched. Everywhere they turned, a man in white-and-black clothes would be standing there, waiting.
"This is impossible," Jane hissed. "Linderman is dead."
D.L. looked at Niki, a look of shock and... smugness on his face. "I told you so," he whispered.
They quickly cut through the hotel pool and across the courtyard, ending up in the open-air carpark.
"I called a cab," D.L. said. They rushed outside to the roadside.
"Come on, hurry," D.L. frowned.
"Mom," Niki said, turning to her mother. "You've got to tell me. What's going on? What did Dad and you do?"
Jane smiled. "So special, aren't you, Niki," she said. "You're as special as me. As your sister."
"My sister?" Niki was confused.
"Jessica," Jane said, and Niki felt her heart beat faster.
"What about Jessica?"
"You and Jessica were born as twins," Jane said. "Jessica was older, you were younger," She said.
Niki gasped. Her... twin sister!
"Now you know the truth," A voice in her head said sneeringly.
"Mom...Dad..." Micah cried, pointing. Men from the two ends of the road were headed toward them.
"We have to go, now," D.L. said, and they headed back into the carpark. But men were also headed towards them.
"We'll have to fight them," Jane said.
"We can't fight them," Niki cried. "Look at how many there are!"
"Daniel," Jane looked at D.L. "Take Micah and go through that wall there. I think it leads into the kitchen."
D.L.'s face registered surprise. "How do you-"
"No time! Go!" Jane ordered, barking, for the first time Niki heard it in ten years. D.L. nodded, grabbed Micah's hand and they rushed into the kitchen by going through the wall.
"They followed you," Niki realized, as the men came closer. "You led them here. They're after you, not me."
"But now," Jane said, looking up into her daughter's eyes. "They're after you too."
Niki looked at her mother, and an intense surge of an unknown feeling welled up inside her. She looked up at the men who were crowding around her, trapping her, surrounding her.
"Move aside, Nicole," A rather tall, middle-aged man snarled, stepping forward.
"No," Niki said. "I won't."
The words were out of her mouth before she even knew she said them.
And then, just like that, she blacked out.
Part 4 of 7
The first thing Niki noticed when she woke up was how pink the room was.
Pink wallpaper. Pink lamps, pink carpeting, pink window curtains, pink bedcovers and bedsheets, pink cabinet, pink stationary on the desk decorated with pink floral patterns.
"Ugggh..." Niki shook her head groggily.
"Mom! You're awake!" Micah cried, running into her arms as she struggled to get up.
"Of course I am, babe," Niki said, kissing her son's forehead. "What, you think I was dead? Now I'm some undead zombie rising up? It'll take more than -"
"A few bad guys?" Micah smiled.
"Yeah, to stop me," Niki said, and flashes of memory came back at her. She remembered a surge of a weird feeling, rising up at her, and she was so taken by surprise she let it go. Following that she had images of her hands pulling tendon apart, tearing muscle from bone, crushing skulls...
Niki gasped, pulling herself away from Micah.
"Micah," She asked worriedly. "Where's your grandma and-"
"We're here," Jane said, and Niki turned, finally noticing that her mother was now standing in the doorway, amusedly observing the displays of affection the son and mother were showing each other.
"What happened?" Niki asked, though she knew it herself very well.
"If you want the details, Micah probably shouldn't be in here," Jane replied casually.
"It was Jessica," Micah piped up suddenly.
Jane chuckled. "You should keep that boy under lock and key."
"Where are we?" Niki looked around the grotesquely-pink room.
"My house," Jane said, eliciting a groan from Niki. "I know, it's pink and all, and I trust that to be one of the reasons your father and I divorced."
"D.L," Niki wheezed, deciding not to focus too much on the pink-framed mirror on the wall next to the bed, hanging above the pink floral-patterned desk. "Where's DL?"
Micah's face suddenly clouded over with worry.
Jane smiled at him. "Go on, child, go outside. Your mother and I need to talk."
Once Micah had left, Jane shut the door. "Niki," She said. "D.L.'s been's caught."
"WHAT?!" Niki leaped off her bed. She felt the familiar, but unknown surge of emotion, well up inside her.
"Relax," Jane said. "And tell Jessica to get back in. If she comes out I'm using my power straight."
Niki turned to the mirror that was on the wall next to the bed.
Jessica's eyes twitched slightly, and her mouth flattened into a thin, disapproving line. "She can't."
"Yes, I can," Jane replied, as if she had read Niki/Jessica's mind.
"Your power," Niki said, and she had another flash of memory back to the hotel room, where she suddenly felt her body losing all will, and her muscles incapable of taking commands from her brain.
"I don't think you're that shocked," Jane said, eyeing her daughter. "Considering what you did."
"Jessica did that," Niki said, shaking her head.
"No, dear, you did that," Jane replied calmly. "Your power is strength. Jessica's power is weaseling that out of you."
Jessica's mouth began to curl down, into a very disapproving frown. "You'd better ask her what happened twenty years ago," she suggested.
When Niki related her question, Jane sighed. "I suppose it's time," Jane held Niki's hand, and looked deep into her eyes.
"Jessica and you were born as twins, Jessica first, then you later, exactly 3.15 seconds afterward," she said. "But here's the problem. When you were born, you were dying. Your sister was ready, but you weren't. You were premature. Hal and I wanted to save you, but the doctors said it was too hard, that you were so undernourished that you probably wouldn't make it.
"So we went to Las Vegas to find a man. His name, Daniel Linderman, known for his great amounts of wealth and connections. We wanted him to find a hospital good enough so that we wouldn't lose you. He did even better. He had a power."
"Power?" Niki frowned. "Linderman's... one of us?"
"Oh, yes, I was shocked too, when I first saw what he could do," Jane said. "I thought I was the only one. Your dad, he's a normal being, of course, not that we're very much abnormal ourselves.
"Anyway, Linderman's ability is to heal, or generate lifeforce, or something like that," Jane tottered. "He was about to save you, to bring you back to health, but he couldn't solve the problem of your brainwaves not at a frequency that was normal. So we suggested that he use his abilities to 'transfer', if you will, some cerebral functionability from your twin sister to you."
"That's how-?!" Niki was aghast at learning this fact.
"It wouldn't have mattered anyhow," Jane looked at Niki sadly as she pulled her hand away from Jane's. "Both of you had gifts, inherited from me. I didn't know what yours were, but Jessica's, now that was very clear. She could create emotional rapports, bridges, whatever you call it. When anyone was feeling down, she could feel it. When anyone feeling happy, angry, lustful, she felt every single one, as long as the person was near her. Eventually, she developed some sort of emotional block. At that young age, can you imagine what it would have been like?"
"I think I can imagine it at my age," Niki said with a controlled level of disgust and sarcasm. She couldn't believe her mother had kept this information from her for so long, causing her to endure what she did throughout the past year!
"Then your father started getting into 'his rut'," Jane sighed.
Again, another random flash of memory. Of her father shoving her roughly into a table. Then of her bare hands, slamming her father's head against an oak cabinet in a good-looking hotel room.
"Now, I loved Hal," Jane said. "I loved your dad. Couldn't stand him, but I loved him. But after his company fired him, he started getting into beer and alcohol. Started throwing things around the house. He kept beating you, kept hitting you and Jessica. But here's the weird thing," She said, her voice dropping two levels softer. "You wouldn't feel it. He would beat you, but you would just stand there. And Jessica would look like she was the one in pain, while you just looked blank."
"Damn right, I did," Jessica hissed, and Niki focused her attention back on her mother. Her mother, though, was looking quite apprehensive, like she was about to say something she would regret.
"Well then he killed Jessica," Jane said finally, clearly scared Niki would yell out and turn into a fiery beast, if the truth was out from under those rocks and stones.
But somehow, Niki guessed it coming. She saw another one of those flashes of memory, of Jessica being hit over the head violently with a wine bottle. Somehow, strangely, though, she felt nothing, like a complete lack of emotion over learning how her sister died, though surely, even though she saw that coming, she would have felt something.
"You're just sooo heartless," Jessica snickered from the mirror.
"Go on," Niki said, ignoring that woman in the glass while Jane had stopped, looking at her cautiously.
"I had to divorce him. I had to get out of the relationship, and get you out too," Jane said. Niki didn't need anymore retelling. She knew how the rest of it turned out. She just didn't know, one day, why her parents decided to get a divorce. She decided that it was something she had done, and that set off a long guilt trip, one which she was determined never to return to.
"So Linderman was the culprit. Linderman was the one who fused Jessica to me," Niki said. "But that doesn't explain why he's after you," She said, shrewd enough to catch her mother's casual lack of detail.
"Because I owe him something," Jane sighed. "I promised him that I would deliver Jessica's body to him after I divorced and had full custodial rights over what to do with your sister."
"Clearly, you didn't."
"She's my daughter!" Jane erupted, standing from the bed. "I couldn't send off my daughter to some unknown entity to perform scientific tricks on her!"
"So what does he want now?" Niki asked, getting up, and surprised to find that she was able to balance herself quite well.
"I don't know!" Jane yelled. "All I know is that I didn't deliver my promise twenty years ago, and he's coming after me now!"
"If he wanted to come after you," Niki said, her brain immediately working. "He would have twenty years back. No," Niki glanced at the mirror. "This is something else all together."
Jessica smiled, and the way she did told Niki what she wanted to know.
"Mom, we have to go get D.L. now," Niki said hurriedly. "Linderman's not the one who took him!"
"It's Linderman," Jane said deflatedly. "Linderman, dead or not, obviously had wishes he wanted carried out after his death. Some unfulfilled-"
"Mom," Niki cut her mother off. "How was D.L. caught?"
Jane shrugged. "I was watching you tear his men apart. I don't think I noticed so much where D.L. went."
Niki pulled open the door, and motioned for Micah to come in. "Micah," she asked. "How was your dad taken?"
"He was running," Micah recalled. "But all of a sudden these men surrounded him, and they had these weird handcuffs made of something - "
"Your dad couldn't get through them?"
Micah shook his head. "No." At which point all the puzzle pieces clicked together. "He just told me to run."
"Micah did, and I found him," Jane said. She saw Niki contemplate the situation. "You're thinking about saving D.L., aren't you?"
"Mom, he's my husband. Micah's Dad!" Niki whirled around to face her mother.
"I don't care," Jane said stubbornly. "I want to go to Las Vegas, and get out of here."
"Mom," Niki said in a controlled tone of voice, trying to control that onsurge of weird emotion again. What's wrong with me, Niki thought. What I'm feeling is completely wrong!
"Mom, those men are probably at my house right now," Niki said. "They don't work for Linderman, and surely they won't hesitate to shoot you if you go there."
"So..." Jane looked helpless for a moment. Then her expression hardened. "They can't shoot me."
"Mom, you can't stop ten men for very long," Niki said. "And you know it. You need to stay put."
"Linderman's men will come here very soon. They're probably on their way now."
"Then run. Do what you can. But I have to save D.L," Niki said with an air of finality.
Jane breathed hard, then her face registered defeat and slackened. "All right. But I want Jessica to fight them, not you. She knows how to put the right emotions to your power."
Niki turned briefly to the mirror, where Jessica nodded coldly.
"We'll see," Niki said. "Micah," she said, turning to her son. "Stay here with Grandma, okay?"
"No," Micah said. "I want to go rescue Dad, too."
"Let him go," Jessica's voice called out from the mirror. "After Kirby Plaza..."
"You can come," Niki said, knowing clear well that Micah would prove himself more useful than ever. "But you stay close to me."
She left quickly, a small part of her glad to set eyes on another color other than pink, and glancing back only to see Jane wave at her, smiling wistfully.
Micah's voice primed her for the upcoming fight.
"Mom," he asked as they headed outside to Jane Sanders' car. "Can Jessica not come out?"
"Honey," Niki said, as truthfully as she could. "I really don't know."
Part 5 of 7
Niki Sanders pulled the car quickly out of first gear and headed speedily down the highway.
"Mom..." Micah asked. "Do you know where to go?"
"No," Niki said. "But I know someone who does."
Micah looked puzzled. Then he seemed to get it. "Oh," he said, with a slight note of disappointment.
Niki tousled his hair slightly, and tweaked the rearview mirror to face her.
Glaring back at her was her dead twin sister, whom Linderman had bonded so close to her when they were barely babies, that she could now, see even from the grave.
Of course, that sister had all the rage.
"Where is D.L.?" Niki demanded.
"Like I know?" Jessica asked, clearly toying with her.
"You know where D.L. is being kept," Niki said matter-of-factly. "When you took over my body, when you worked for Linderman as that assassin-"
"You worked for him too," Jessica corrected.
"You had plans to do something to D.L., didn't you," Niki continued, as if Jessica didn't say anything. "You and Linderman made a deal, or something, and you wanted D.L. for some purpose."
"Well, now that you got it figured out..." Jessica mock-sighed. Then her eyes snapped harshly back onto Niki's, boring into her. "I don't know why Linderman wanted D.L. All I know is that he would pay double what he was paying if I brought D.L. to him," Jessica shrugged. "Obviously that didn't happen, and D.L. killed Linderman, so that was the end of that."
"WHERE is D.L. being kept?!" Niki said. "If the plan was set, then there would have to be a place they would use to hold him. Someplace that is specific to D.L, because you know anything ordinary wouldn't hold him in."
Jessica sighed, and revealed the address. Niki nodded mutely, tweaked the rearview mirror away from her, and looked down at Micah. He was looking away, one hand pressed on the glove compartment, trying not to be disturbed, but clearly listening in.
*****************************************
Jane Sanders paced back and forth across the pink carpet on her floor, getting tenser and tenser by the minute. She was looking out the window, expecting a man in black to barrel in upon her.
To her surprise, there was no such man.
The phone rang suddenly, causing Jane to jump. She clutched her chest weakly.
"Damn it," She muttered and picked up the phone.
A gruff male voice asked, "Where's Miss Sanders?"
"Speaking."
"Niki," The man said. "It's Inspector Reese here."
"I'm not Niki," Jane said. "I'm her mother. If this is anything concerning Hal's death, please do tell me. I have a right to know."
There was a brief pause, then Inspector Reese continued. "Mrs Sanders, please do tell your daughter that we have the results of Mr Sanders' autopsy."
"That fast?" Jane was surprised.
"We don't have the complete analysis. But we have enough to go on," Inspector Reese said. "We know for sure now, for example, that your husband died of asphyxiation."
This caused Jane Sanders' heart to beat faster again.
"Asphyxiation? Like suffocation?"
"Yes, a form of a lack of air," Inspector Reese said. "But here's the odd thing. There were no hand marks or fingerprints found on your husband's neck. His windpipe also wasn't damaged, without any external contact whatsoever. Our forensics expert is now doing the test on chemical-"
But Jane had hung up. She was still processing the information.
She could imagine Hal, choking, clutching his neck, falling down the stairs...
Whoever Niki was going to deal with, had a power of his own!
Jane pulled out her handphone from her bag, the one which Micah had tampered with before Niki has awoken. The screen was flashing.
Jane pressed the button Micah told her to press, and a map immediately opened up on the screen. It showed a blinking red dot that had moved along an expressway, then after a while, had turned onto a road, then down a small squiggly line which Jane assumed was the map symbol for a lane or something.
The red dot had since stopped moving, and stopped blinking.
The house phone rang again.
Inspector Reese, Jane thought. What a name.
She grabbed the keys off the table, tucked the phone into her pants pocket, and took off at a trot out of the house, leaving the phone to ring to an empty house.
***************************************
Niki Sanders left the car, turning once to instruct Micah, "Don't leave the car."
"Mom!" Micah objected. "I want to help."
"You stay here. When we come out, I need the car to be ready to go," She said. "Can you do that?"
"I can't drive," Micah said, before realizing what she meant. "Oh."
"Good," Niki smiled, kissing her son's forehead and left at a fast jog into the warehouse.
Micah looked at the rear profile of her mother fading away, and he decided he couldn't do nothing. Once her mother rounded the corner, he opened the door and got down.
****************************************
Niki grabbed a large metal beam from the ground and crossed it over her chest, to arm herself. The main warehouse was surrounded by guards, patrolling in a circle that made it hard for anyone to sneak up and enter. Niki was surprised they couldn't see how conspicuous they looked, men in black circling one warehouse out of the tens in the yard.
She ducked low, and crossed the yard quickly.
One guard looked up, spotting her movements, and she swung the beam down hard before he could utter a word or do anything. The beam smashed across his face with a crack and knocked him hard against the warehouse wall, sending him down and out, but alive.
The guard that had been behind him drew a gun, and Niki rushed forward quickly. Before he could fire, she had smashed down hard on his wrist, surely breaking it and bending the beam by quite a bit.
He yelled out in pain.
The other guards rushed quickly to that side, all drawing guns and aiming them at her.
Niki felt an emotion she could clearly identify with this time. One called fear.
Without warning however, the unknown surge of energy and emotion bubbled up within her and took over that fear, and Niki felt her lose her grip on her body.
Then Jessica burst out, subduing Niki behind her body's shell, like a spectator at a Sox game that could watch the game from a large, full-sized screen, but couldn't call out for the snacks or move or yell or do anything otherwise... just watch.
And what a show it was.
Niki had seen her power of superhuman strength at work plenty of times, back when Jessica had complete and full control of her body, but this was different.
It was as if Jessica was released with a vengeance and fury like never before seen. She tore through all of the guards in less than five minutes, twisting and breaking limbs, and smashing heads against each other, and basically wiping the ground with the guards.
Niki felt her consciousness bubbling forward again, and soon she felt she could control her body once more.
"And that," replied Jessica from the shiny surface of a steel beam. "Is how you do it."
Mom was right, Niki admitted. Jessica knew how to put the fury to the force.
Niki ducked low to the entrance of the warehouse, but the doors were locked with a padlock and chain.
Niki reached down and yanked the entire lock, chains and all, from the door, splintering them into little chunks of metal.
When she opened the warehouse doors, she was shocked.
The interior of the warehouse did not store any rough goods, but instead, was a medical facility. Walls were lined with large cabinets and shelves that contained vials filled full with chemical liquid of all sorts. Doctors and men in black suits paced the entire room, walking around, looking busy.
In the centre of it all were three people.
One of them she had seen somewhere before, although she could not place her finger where. The woman was wearing a business power suit, looking like she belonged in a high-level meet with delegates from all over the world. The man in the middle she did not recognize, but the black man to the far right, however, caught her eye.
D.L.!
"What the-" A slightly pudgy man wearing a suit yelled out from next to the captive, but still powerful-looking woman.
The suit he was wearing was a completely different color from the black of everyone else's, and he had the aura of someone important around him.
He noticed her, then his eyes widened considerably.
"Nicole!" He cried.
With that, the entire range of black-suited men and white-robed doctors all stood back at once, backing away from the entrance as if she was bearing the plague.
"I want my husband back," she snarled.
The pudgy man smiled, stepping forward, while announcing, "Resume your work, everyone!"
The people all continued work, while they still glanced covertly at her.
"My name is Bob-" the man began, but Niki knocked him aside roughly, knocking the glasses from his face.
She stormed up to the long chairs the three 'subjects' were sitting on, like the ones used by dentists, and she saw D.L.'s hands were caught in a pair of handcuffs of a weird material.
"They're macro-lattice structures," Bob explained, somehow having caught up to her. "Your husband can walk through any molecular structure on this planet, except for macro-lattice, because the arrangement of their atoms is so precise that only-"
With one hard tug, Niki snapped both ringlets of the cuffs into bits.
The doctor that had been next to D.L. backed away quickly, fear flashing across his face.
"What are you doing?" Bob asked, his face clearly trying not to explode with anger.
"I am getting my husband out of here," Niki said, helping D.L. to his feet with little effort. D.L. looked like he was just waking up from a long nap, and drowsily hunched up.
"You cannot leave," Bob said angrily.
"Oh yeah?" Niki turned to face Bob with as equal amount of anger. "And why's that so? Why did you go after my mother, my father, just to get my husband? You didn't want me, or Jessica, you wanted D.L.!" As she spoke, her voice began to increase in volume. Everyone in a metre-radius of her began to back away. "Why is that so?"
"Niki, or Jessica, or whoever you are right now," Bob said calmly. "You do not understand. If you take D.L. now, he will die. And not only that, he will infect you too, and infect Micah most likely, because-"
"Bull," Niki said through gritted teeth. "I don't care what he is, you can't take him."
She shifted D.L.'s weight to one arm, and with further snaps of her free hand, she broke off the cuffs of the two adjoining people that were next to D.L.
"You will not let them go until we inject them with the cure," Bob said. "None of these three can leave, if not they will infect everyone."
"I don't care," Niki said, and she began to walk out of the warehouse.
Bob's face briefly flashed hatred and a vicious fury.
"Get her!" He yelled.
None of the black men moved from their places, all apparently well-aware of what Niki/Jessica could do.
But one man stepped forward, brave, seemingly as he was. He smiled, and then narrowed his eyes.
Niki felt as though her throat had been pinched together. All of a sudden, air was cut off from her windpipes, and she felt her windpipes trying furiously to obtain oxygen, of her nostrils desperately trying to take in air, but she felt none enter her nose.
She choked, doubling over, and D.L., unable to support his own weight, stumbled to the floor, and collapsed.
The man in black who had stood out from the rest, who had did that, stepped so forward that he was only a few feet away from Niki.
He towered over her, his relentless gaze still upon her, giving her little bits of air at a time, but not enough for her to get out of panic mode, yet not enough for her to fall unconscious or die.
Bob made a motion, and more men rushed forward to surround D.L.
"Keep her there," Bob said, looking disdainfully at the struggling woman on the ground who was wildly trying to garner air from her surrounding atmosphere. "We may have to quarantine her, too."
Part 6 of 7
Jane Sanders drummed impatiently on her knees. She was nervous, and it was showing. She was staring out of the window, wondering how on Earth she was going to help Niki when it came down to a fight.
The cab driver noticed it, and looked in the rearview mirror at her.
"Hey, ma'am, you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah," Jane replied half-heartedly. She wasn't one to get into a fight, especially with other super-powered individuals like her, Niki, Jessica and D.L., but she had no choice.
This was how the Sanders family rolled. And she decided that if nothing, she was going to right the wrong she did twenty years ago.
The cab pulled up to the warehouse rows. The driver turned back and nodded. "Here you go, ma'am."
Jane nodded mutely, and looked at her surroundings.
*****************************************
Niki was awake. She had never fallen into any form of sleep or rest. She was strapped down in a large pod-like case, controlled by a humming machine.
One that was apparently, impervious to her reserves of strength. She slowly fumed, glaring at the man in black who was standing on the 2nd level of the warehouse, looking down at everything. That man who could choke her to death in minutes if he wanted to.
Niki looked at the machine, and the screen was showing a number, followed by a J at the back. Simple scientific knowledge told her that the machine was designed to exert a number of Joules of energy on her, holding her down and preventing her from breaking the pod because she just wasn't strong enough to overcome that much force.
As she stared at the screen showing the number of Joules that was holding her down, Jessica's face smiled sinisterly back at her.
"Let me out," she said simply.
"No," Niki said flatly. "You'll go crazy and wreck this place."
"Isn't that what you want?" Jessica asked.
"No. I want to rescue my husband and get out of here," Niki said. "These guys aren't bad. Not at least until they kill someone."
"You don't care," Jessica said. "That's your thing, you see, sis." She shook her head slowly, sadly. "You don't care about others. You don't care about anything but yourself."
"That's not true," Niki said through gritted teeth. "I care about people. I care about my family."
"Even that's pushing it too thin," Jessica said sardonically. "You only care about D.L. and Micah, to be precise. When Hal died, you didn't care. You really just were going out of necessity. Not that I'm complaining, because I don't care about him either, but you don't care about Mom, about the greater good of us."
"Us?" Niki laughed. "You mean, me and you?"
"I mean, about everyone," Jessica hissed. "I know your emotions, sister. I feel them. You know what that Bob, that creep, what he's saying is true, but you don't care because you don't care about the rest of humanity, only about Micah and D.L., and yourself. All about you."
"I'm no hero," Niki said. "I'm not some superhero or something. I have a job, remember? On the Internet? I have a life, remember? I have -"
"You, you, you," Jessica sighed. "It's always about you. Our mom wanted to be safe, wanted to come with you to Las Vegas, but you, you were scared only for yourself. You didn't want her to be butting in either, so you tried to shake her off."
Niki closed her mouth. What Jessica was saying was...
"The truth," Jessica said simply. "I'm speaking the truth. Why am I here, Niki? Why am I in your life?"
Niki refused to even look at her in the reflection.
"Because you needed me," Jessica replied. "You needed me to balance out all your emotions. All your screwed emotions, all your wrong reasons. You needed me to be your good half."
"No, I'm the good half," Niki said, her fury building steadily. "I'm the one that doesn't tear people in two, that doesn't fight and kill and - "
"That's why," Jessica said, smiling her cocky grin again. "If you'd just fight, if you'd just stop running, and thinking about yourself all the freakin' time..."
The sight of Micah standing behind the machine snapped Niki's attention away from Jessica.
"Micah!" Niki whispered, glancing to the 2nd level of the warehouse. Mr. Suffocation was not there anymore.
"Mom," Micah whispered back, placing one hand on the pressure machine. "Where's Dad?"
Niki nodded across the room, where D.L. was being surrounded by a entire posse of white-robed doctors and analysts.
Suddenly she felt the pressure lighten up off her body. She felt her chest rising and falling easily now with every breath. She realized Micah had used his power to disable the machine!
With one powerful exertion of force, Niki shattered the pod into thousands of tiny fragments.
"Hide in the shadows," Niki instructed Micah. "I'm going to rescue Daddy." Micah nodded and ran behind a pillar.
The guards started rushing to her, and the doctors started backing away as one from D.L. Everyone started running around, trying to subdue Niki.
She looked at the machine screen, where Jessica nodded.
"Be with me," Niki said with a tiny smile.
The guards rushed at her, but Niki channelled her boiling anger and she smashed into the first man that even dared to cross her path.
Of course she didn't kill. She wouldn't. She just gave them a good enough knockout to ensure it would hurt the next morning.
The next guard made the mistake of grabbing her arm. She flung him through another machine.
Another pulled out his gun.
"NO bullets here, fool!" Bob yelled from somewhere to the far left. "You'll destroy the equipment!"
Aha, Niki thought. A level-playing field.
Suddenly, she felt her throat begin to tighten.
She cursed while she still could. That man again.
The man slowly walked from her right toward her, his hand now outstretched, in a circular claw-like shape, like he was gripping her neck.
He slowly wiggled his fingers, and Niki felt her lungs constrict too.
What is the extent of this fellow's power? Niki thought, rather annoyedly.
She turned her head with great effort, looking hatefully into the man's eyes, who were hidden behind cool shades. He smiled, and took a step forward.
Suddenly, his body stiffened, and Niki could see his muscles tense up. He was suddenly stuck in that position, his hand outstretched like he was holding up a mug to offer cheers, while the rest of his body stayed rooted to the ground, one foot in front of the other. He looked rather odd.
The difference? Niki could breathe again.
"Grandma!" Micah cried from behind the pillar, giving away his position.
Niki looked behind the man, and there she was. Jane Sanders, in all her glory, focusing her energy onto Mr. Suffocation, beads of sweat already squeezing out from her pores due to her effort in utilizing her power.
"The son's here!" One doctor yelled.
"You're not getting him!" Niki yelled. "We're all here now! If you want to fight, you'll have to fight us all!"
Bob walked forward, shaking his head. "Stop this right now, Niki or Jessica-"
"Niki," Niki clarified. "I want you to let my husband go."
"That's fine by me," Bob said. "As long as you do not get him within the vicinity of your son or your mother," He replied. "Your husband has a virus, Niki, and I was never lying to you about that." He handed her a file. "This virus affects only evolved humans, Niki, like you and I, and your mother, and your son, and your husband, and your sister, and all of them out there."
"What about you?" Niki demanded.
"Niki," Bob smiled. "You don't have to worry about me. A few of us, less than ten now, regrettably, have immunity to this disease. We have tried to culture antibodies for a cure, and some have worked," He looked at Mr. Suffocation, who was still not moving an inch, held in check by Jane Sanders.
"Some," he said with a nod to the file. "Haven't worked as well."
"But my husband?" Niki asked.
"We don't know yet," Bob replied. "Our antibodies don't work on everyone. But we know more people out there with the same immunity, for example, a professor of genetics in India-"
Niki had a brief memory flash of a young Indian-American man, handsome but with a grudging, jaded look in his eyes.
"Your husband hasn't shown defense against the disease yet, and we will need to keep him here longer-"
"Out of the question," Niki said, and she thought she heard Jessica's laughter somewhere off.
"That's fine with us," Bob said. "We have had the time to culture the antibodies in his blood. We can let him go now, provided that you do not let him near any other evolved individuals. We will not know whether your husband's body will recognize the antibodies and proceed to manufacture some of their own, but since you're so adamant about him returning-"
"Any risk is mine to take," Niki said with a note of finality, taking the file from Bob.
"Very well," Bob replied, nodding with a rather pleased look on his face. "I thank you for your cooperation, Miss Sanders."
Niki only briefly noticed the change in formality of her address, and she said. "Why kill my father just to take D.L.? Why couldn't you have mentioned at least a meeting? We could have-"
Bob laughed. "I didn't kill your father," He looked at Mr. Suffocation with amusement. "As for the kidnapping, well, we needed D.L., but we didn't think you'd be receptive to us experimenting on your husband. You have been known, after all," he said, giving a morose glance at the destroyed machines around the facility. "To be extremely protective of your family."
He walked away, nodding at the doctors. "Release him."
Jane looked at Niki, who nodded. Jane closed her eyes, and Mr. Suffocation stumbled forward, crashing into the floor at Niki's feet.
Niki bent down, and snatched up a collar of Mr. Suffocation. "Why did you kill my dad?"
"That irritating piece of-" Mr. Suffocation growled. "He didn't know where your husband was, fair enough, but he still demanded us to compensate him for wasting his time, and he wanted to call the police because we had entered his house..."
He shrugged. "I didn't think it would be a loss."
Niki felt the emotion this time. One of strong annoyance, anger and sadness. The feelings were back, and stronger than ever, and she had never been happier to feel more human.
Niki raised a fist, and took him out cold.
Jane sighed. "Let's go, Niki."
Niki went over to the holding chairs, and supported D.L. to his feet once again. As usual, everyone was giving her a wide berth, afraid of getting in her way and getting thrown several feet into the air.
She supported D.L. all the way out of the warehouse, Jane holding Micah close and away from D.L. Her mother was taking it seriously.
Niki helped D.L. into the front passenger seat in the car. "Mom, you take a cab and take Micah back to your place. I'll drive to Las Vegas."
"What?" Jane Sanders was shocked. "You'll do no such thing! Las Vegas is not near, honey! You need to stay!"
"If what Bob said was true, then I can't take that chance," Niki said. "I'll drive D.L. back to our place, drop him off, then drive back to pick Micah up."
Jane Sanders seemed to ponder this plan, then realized her daughter's mind was made up and nothing she said could possibly change Niki's mind.
"Okay," Jane said, slightly defeated. "Make sure you top up the gas."
Niki laughed. "I will, Mom."
"Will my house be safe?" Jane asked. "Can we go and ask them-"
"Grandma," Micah piped in. "You have a power! You can stop any bad guys anytime!"
Jane laughed. "I guess I can, eh, sugar pie?"
She held onto Micah's hand and they began walking back out to the main road to hitch a cab. "Well," Jane told Micah. "I was expecting the fight to last longer."
"It was long enough," D.L. choked, watching them leave.
"D.L.!" Niki smiled, getting into the driver's seat and kissing her husband on the lips. "Nice to have you back, baby."
"Seen what you can do, baby," D.L. reciprocated. "Nice work."
"I learn from the best," Niki smiled at D.L. and he choked out a laugh.
Niki revved up the engine and tweaked the rearview mirror.
Jessica was there, staring at her."What, I'm not the best?"
"No," Niki said matter-of-factly.
"Well, to that guy's credit," Jessica replied with a tinge of satisfied pleasure. "He was right. It wasn't all that a loss."
Part 7 of 7
When Jessica Sanders died, Jane Sanders did nothing to stop the police from intervening and preventing her from taking full custodial rights. She was sad, angry, frightened and confused all at once, during those tumultuous times.
If anything, Linderman's hand in the whole situation caused the police to nearly deliver Jessica's body to Linderman straight, if not for Jane going to the morgue at twelve midnight one night, deciding enough was enough, just to 'paralyze' the police officers there and make away with her daughter's body.
Niki Sanders never knew that. But that dream, the one she had two nights after rescuing D.L., the one she believed Jessica let her see, made her understand her mother in ways she never knew. Her mother singlehandedly rescued Niki's twin sister from police officers 'affected' by Linderman's power.
Niki realized her mother wasn't as weak as she had thought.
Jessica was right. Niki needed to see that family, if anything, was the only thing.
The only thing that could save the world, once again.
D.L.'s scream woke her from her dream, the dream of Jessica, the dream of Niki, the dream of the world and its many powers, its many heroes, and its many wonders.
"D.L.!" Niki cried, as D.L. Hawkins writhed on the bed, his body painfully wracked by spasms and muscle twitches.
Bob's smiling face popped in suddenly in her mind's eyes, out of nowhere, and begun sighing excessively.
"Mom? Dad?" Micah asked, and Niki saw the doorknob twist.
"Micah! Stay in your room!" Niki cried, remembering Bob's instructions. "Don't come out! Your daddy's not feeling well!"
"What's going on?" Micah asked from behind the door.
"I'm going to take your daddy to the hospital, okay?" Niki cried. "Go back to your room now!"
Niki heard Micah's shuffling and the door slamming, and then she focused her attention back to her husband.
"D.L., hang in there," Niki said, wondering what the hell was she going to do.
D.L. coughed and choked, and cold sweat began streaming down his face in rivulets.
Niki ran to the bathroom, poured a glass of water from the tap, and as she turned to leave, Jessica called out to her.
"Niki," Jessica called. Niki turned briefly.
"Take him to Bob," Jessica suggested.
"No," Niki shook her head. "I'm taking him to the hospital."
"You know what D.L. has can't be cured by doctors," Jessica advised. Niki knew that too, but the sight of Bob's face, smiling with that knowing look, was too much for her to bear.
Niki rushed back to her husband's side, and tried to feed him the water.
D.L. swallowed down a bit of the liquid before coughing most of it back up.
"Darn it, D.L!" Niki cried. "You survived a bullet! Survive this!"
D.L. opened his eyes, and looked at her with weak amusement.
For the past two days, he seemed to be all right.
But now, it seemed that everything had taken a turn for the worse, and too fast for her to handle.
Niki knew she had to do something. A hospital, at least, would be able to have the facilities to stop D.L.'s spasms, temporarily, though she knew Jessica was right in the long-term.
Niki lifted D.L. up with her bare hands, focusing all her energy on tapping into her power.
She banged her shoulder against the door, causing the entire door to unhinge and swing back, held only by the doorknob instead. Her strength was coming in super handy.
She headed out to the car, and opened the door somehow. She then set D.L. gently on the passenger seat, where he began a whole new coughing fit.
Her heart sank when she saw how pale he looked.
Then, looking into the side mirror, Jessica was there, and she cocked her head back at the house.
Niki nodded, and hurried back in.
Moments later, she re-emerged, holding the file Bob had given her back in the warehouse. D.L. was now either sleeping or unconscious, but it was clear something was not right.
Niki rushed into the car, revved up the engine, and prepared to head to the nearest hospital in Las Vegas.
A slip of paper fell out from the file, one which Niki didn't see because she never opened the file since it came into her possession two days ago.
As Niki drove, she reached down and found the paper near the accelerator.
Lifting it up to read it in the darkness, she saw that there was a phone number written there, in sprawling, bold lettering, and a small sentence of words.
"Call me," Bob's face popped out in her head again, smiling that sleazy-looking, yet smart/cocky grin. "He's not going to make it, and neither are you," Bob told her in her mind's eye. "Call me."
http://boards.9thwonders.com/index.php?showtopic=59752&pid=550835&st=0&#entry550835
Part 1 of 7
Niki Sanders pulled the car up to the house. She got out, shut the door, and walked up to the porch. The door was already open, there were men swarming around and holding clipboards and walkie-talkies. She approached one of them carefully, and tapped on his shoulder.
"Yeah?" The man turned around. "Hey, you're Niki, aren't you? Mr. Sanders' daughter?"
Niki nodded. "My dad... what happened?"
"We have no idea," The policeman shrugged. "He was found lying in a pool of his own vomit, blood and urine. We didn't notice any signs of violent struggle, but it appears as though his head had been bludgeoned from the back or something. There's still more tests to be done. You've got to go down to the station one of these days to arrange for his body to be -"
"Can I go in?" Niki interrupted.
"Yeah, sure," The policeman said. "CSI's all done here." He held out his hand. "I'm Inspector Reese, by the way." Niki took his hand, smiled briefly, and entered the house.
The smell was recognizable, immediate and clear. When Micah was younger, he had vomitted over one of Niki's bras. She had taken him to the hospital, and D.L. and her stayed there with him for a week. Eventually she came back to an undergarment festering with bacteria, ants and small worms.
The metallic smell of blood was also reminiscent, from Niki's not-so-long-ago days of murdering and assaulting. She was only glad that that part of her life was over and gone.
Chalk markings demarcated Hal Sanders' death at the foot of his stairs, which were located immediately to the right of the house upon entrance. There was blood splattered violently over the white walls. The vomit-urine smell was emanating from that part of the stairs, and the dried bloodstain was clear.
Niki turned as Inspector Reese stepped into the house.
"We're going to clear out off the area," the Inspector said. "We'll be back later at 2 pm, but for now we're getting the evidence to the lab. You're going to be fine?"
Niki nodded. "Yeah, sure."
"Okay," Inspector Reese replied, and he left the house, looking sympathetic.
Niki frowned. It was odd, really, that what she was feeling now was basically... nothing. Her life had been spent without Hal Sanders, and now that it really was that way, there didn't seem to be much difference or cause to mourn.
Except, of course, she was her father.
Niki sighed. This murder was the last thing she had needed. Micah was still recovering from all the action he had been through while trying to stop Sylar, and DL was still trying to get a higher-paying job. She just came out here because of civility. Granted, she had cried some when the first police call came, but gradually, it seemed that the other, more important, more alive things in her life were going to the top of the attention list.
Niki decided to explore the house further. She had only been to her father's house once, many years ago, when Micah was still a toddler. It didn't seem to change, but something had definitely gone on here, and Niki, indifferent as she was feeling, wanted to know exactly what.
She sidestepped the chalk mark of her father's figure on the floor, and climbed the stairs. Halfway up, she thought she heard a car pull up in the driveway.
Niki turned, and she heard the crunching of someone's large feet across the gravel. Can't be Inspector Reese, she thought.
"Idiot. Complete idiot," A man's voice muttered. "Stupid man just couldn't die well enough."
Niki gasped. She turned around, looking for a way out, and she quickly hurried up the stairs. She plastered herself in the doorframe of a bathroom, listening intently. To her horror, the man began climbing up the stairs as well!
The man walked past the bathroom, and apparently up another flight of stairs.
Niki quickly stole out, and dashed downstairs. She ran noisily down and out of the house, which was when she noticed the car. The good-looking Nissan Versa. Sitting in the driver's seat was a muscular black man. His eyes widened as he saw her in the doorway, and he pressed hard on the horn.
"Jesus!" The man upstairs yelled. "I found it! I'm comin', I'm comin'!"
Niki turned to go back into the house, but the larger man was already coming down the stairs!
"What the- " The bulky, nearly fat, man wheezed. "Who are you?"
"Who are you?" Niki cried.
"Hey!" The man's eyes flashed in recognition. "You're Nicole, Hal's daughter!"
"Damn right I am!" Niki said. "What did you do to him?"
"Nothing he wouldn't have done to himself, suga," The man wheezed. "I think you'd better come with us."
"You wish," Niki said, and turned, but the black man had come out of the car and was heading into the house. She was trapped.
"The police just left," She warned.
"Yeah. They just did," The black man scoffed. "What are you going to do, scream?"
He grabbed her arm roughly, and on instinct, Niki jerked it away. A sickening crack was heard as she dislocated the man's wrist. He howled in pain, grabbing his hand.
"You'd better come with us," The fatter man said and pulled out a gun. "Our boss wants to meet you."
"Your boss killed my dad?" Niki demanded.
"Yeah, he did." The fat man aimed, but Niki was too fast. She felt an surge of adrenaline, anger and fear all at once, and she grabbed the fat man's wrist and twisted. He screamed and dropped the gun. She twisted his arm violently, and jabbed his nose with her other elbow. That elbow then went down to his fat stomach, where she was still able to make him double over with one good hit. The fats, clearly, didn't do much to protect.
She smashed him against the wall, where he went down and stayed down.
The 'click' of the gun was a bad sound. She turned her head slowly, and it confirmed her fear: The black man had the gun leveled at her head.
"I don't think so," A new voice said. The black man gasped, and he dropped the gun. His eyes rolled back into his head and he toppled. Niki gasped in surprise as D.L. Hawkins pulled his fist out of the black man's chest.
"D.L!" Niki hugged him. "When?"
"This guy, Inspector Reese, he called me up. Said something about you being very sad or depressed. Asked me to come over here and keep an eye on you," D.L. looked down at the men. "He had the right idea."
"I'm NOT sad," Niki sighed. "Which is weird."
"What's weirder is, who are these people?" D.L. asked.
"I guess we'll find out," Niki said. She walked over to the fat man and jerked back his head violently, snapping him out of unconscious.
"Do you believe me," Niki said. "When I tell you I can pull your head off with my own little hand?" The man's eyes widened, and he nodded slowly and cautiously.
"Who are you working for?" Niki asked. "Who sent you to kill my dad?"
The man choked back a gulp, and he said in a few disjointed syllables that still came out clear.
"Li...Linderman," He choked.
Part 2 of 7
The door slammed shut, and Niki rushed in, her face flushed with heat.
"Niki!" D.L. cried, exasperated as he opened the door. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going back to Las Vegas," Niki said.
"Niki!" D.L. reasoned. "We just got here!"
"For the wrong reasons," Niki snarled.
"And what are you going to do once you get to Las Vegas? Linderman has land and contacts there too!" D.L. yelled.
"Look, I can't deal with him again," Niki said. "I know you can't either. We just got out of this mess. We are NOT getting back in."
"Mom?" Micah came out of the bathroom. "What's going on?"
"We're leaving, Micah," Niki said. "Pack your stuff."
"But we just got here!" Micah exclaimed.
"Pack your stuff," Niki ordered.
"Niki!" D.L. grabbed her and spun her around to face him. "Listen to me. Linderman is dead. He's not coming back."
"Linderman?" Micah asked.
"Micah, go into the room," Niki pointed to the adjacent living room which came with the suite that had been booked for them.
"No, I want to hear," Micah said.
"The point is," D.L. interrupted. "Is that I put my fist through Linderman's head. I know he's not coming back."
"His company people must be mad at us," Niki reasoned. "They know who we are, D.L. They know what you and I could do. They must have gone after Hal to get revenge."
"Then if they come after us," D.L. said. "We'll fight them off! We can do that now."
"Yeah!" Micah added.
"Stay out of this!" D.L. and Niki yelled in unison.
"Dad, I want to help too," Micah cried.
"Micah, listen," Niki bent down to look him in the eye. "These men are dangerous. You know that. I don't want you getting involved. Now pack your stuff, and we'll go home."
"No!" Micah said defiantly. "Mom, if these guys are still coming after us, we need to stop them, or we won't get any peace."
"That's what I was trying to say," D.L. said, crossing his arms.
"No, you listen to me now," Niki ordered. "This is an order. Pack your stuff."
Micah sighed in frustration, turned and began to pull his backpack out of the closet.
Niki turned. "D.L," She said. "I need you to trust me. We can't deal with anymore of Linderman, his company or him."
"And I need you to trust me," D.L. said darkly. 'Linderman isn't alive." He turned and walked out of the room, by walking through the door.
Niki sighed, and she headed into the bathroom, as Micah continued throwing whatever little he had into his backpack unhappily.
The moment Niki entered the bathroom, the voice rang out so clearly.
"Niki, Niki," The familiar voice sighed. "I thought we were all done here."
Niki looked up, and the bathroom mirror greeted her. Inside the mirror, her reflection was shaking her head sadly, her eyes glowering with that familiar mix of menace and pity.
"You!" Niki gasped. "I thought... I thought..."
"I was gone?" Jessica raised her eyebrows. "I thought so too."
"What are you doing here again?" Niki cried. "Get out now! You don't belong here!"
"I belong wherever you want me to," Jessica said. "I thought you knew that by now."
"Well, I don't need you," Niki said fiercely. "My life's back on track now."
Jessica leaned forward, so close she looked as though she was going to leap out of the mirror.
"We both know that's not true," Jessica said. "Linderman is after you."
"That's why we're leaving," Niki said, turning to look at the ground.
Jessica's face was still there, this time, smirking in a puddle of water on the floor.
"I thought you were strong enough. But shying away from the trouble isn't going to resolve it," Jessica said, almost with a hint of philosophical thought. "Although I must say, Linderman's men did a good job of killing our dad."
Niki's face scrunched up in disgust.
"You don't know him that well either," Jessica said. "Don't act like a saint. You're not at all sad he's gone, are you?"
Niki chose not to answer.
"The point is," Jessica smiled sinisterly. "I'm back."
A loud knock on the front door snapped Niki's attention back to her present surroundings.
"Mom!" Micah cried out.
Niki pulled open the door, with such force she nearly took it off its hinges.
The knocks on the front door got more and more rapid, and with increasing force.
"Stand back," Niki ordered. Micah hurried behind his mother, as she edged forward. She glanced at the open closet, and pulled out the metal clothes-hanger bar with one good pull.
She opened the door, and swung the bar as hard as she could.
The woman behind the door gasped, and Niki felt her body suddenly immobilized, like someone had paralysed her with a good bout of snake venom.
"What are you trying to do?!" The woman yelled. "Kill me?"
Niki gasped as she recognized the woman. "Mom?!"
"I don't have time to talk!" Mrs Sanders said, ducking under Niki's flung arm and entering the room. The moment she was behind Niki, Niki felt her muscles and strength returning to her.
"Close the door," Mrs Sanders said. "Hello, Micah!" She cooed. "Where's D.L.?"
"He left earlier," Niki said, shutting the door. "What are you doing here?"
"Linderman," She said, eliciting a gasp from both Micah and Niki. "He's after me too."
Part 3 of 7
"Mom," Niki said exasperatedly as her mother plopped herself down onto the hotel bed. "What are you doing here?"
"What," Mrs Sanders looked up at her with a semi-innocent grin. "Can't I come visit my daughter?"
"Mom, I'm serious," Niki said. "You wouldn't come out into the open unless you had to."
"I had too, then," Mrs Sanders said, looking at Micah's open backpack. "You guys going somewhere?"
"Mom," Niki said firmly. "What's going on?"
Jane Sanders stood up. She wasn't very tall, in fact, nearly a head below her daughter. She was slim, with a body type matching that of her daughter. Her once blond hair was now striped with white, and she had minimal wrinkles, only in the parts where she scrunched her face up to think.
"Your dad is dead," She said.
"I know," Niki said. "Why else am I here?"
"You didn't find me," Jane said.
"I didn't know where to find you," Niki said. "You moved since your last address, and last time you visited, you didn't leave anything behind. Not even your new phone number."
"When did she visit us?" Micah asked, speaking up.
"When you were so young," Jane Sanders cooed. "Just a teeny weeny little pea I would hold tight and sing to."
Micah looked at Niki. Niki sighed, and nodded.
"Grand...ma?" Micah said, trying out the name.
Jane looked slightly embarrassed, and she turned back to Niki. "Linderman's after me. Now I need your help. I need you to find me a safe place."
"Why would he be after you?" Niki asked.
"Well-" Jane looked around uneasily. "It's kinda a long story."
"Mom," Niki tried explaining. "I can't help. Linderman is after me too. And it makes it even worse if you and Dad somehow did something to ****** him off."
"No, you listen," Jane said suddenly, standing up. "I am living in fear. I don't think you know what it's like-" At which point Niki scoffed. "-But I think I have a right to choose where I want to be."
"Fine then," Niki said. "But we're leaving anyway."
"I'm coming with you," Jane said stubbornly.
"That's not possible," Niki sighed. "You have a house here. Mom, you need to go to the police. Ask them for protection or something."
"Niki," Jane said. "You know how much I hate the police."
"Why?" Micah asked.
"Another long story," Niki filled in. "Your grandma here is full of long stories and secrets."
Jane smiled. "Oh, everyone has secrets."
Suddenly, D.L. came right into the room, by walking through the door.
Niki's eyes widened, and she shook her head slightly.
"Daniel!"Jane smiled, opening her arms for a hug. "How did you come in? I didn't hear the door."
D.L. hugged Jane, and looked at Niki quizzically. Niki shrugged. "Guys," D.L. said. "I checked us out. We can go now. And I think we'd better go fast." He cocked his head at the door. "There are men downstairs." The way he said 'men', it was clear.
"Linderman's men?" Jane gasped. D.L.'s eyebrows went up. "You know about Linderman?"
"Somehow, she and my Dad did something to set either Linderman or his company off," Niki said. "That's why Hal was killed."
"Either way, we got to go," D.L. said. He opened the door this time, and signalled for them to leave.
Micah grabbed his bag, and Niki her purse, and they all left the hotel room.
The elevator ride down wasn't eventful, but once in the lobby, it was clear that they were being watched. Everywhere they turned, a man in white-and-black clothes would be standing there, waiting.
"This is impossible," Jane hissed. "Linderman is dead."
D.L. looked at Niki, a look of shock and... smugness on his face. "I told you so," he whispered.
They quickly cut through the hotel pool and across the courtyard, ending up in the open-air carpark.
"I called a cab," D.L. said. They rushed outside to the roadside.
"Come on, hurry," D.L. frowned.
"Mom," Niki said, turning to her mother. "You've got to tell me. What's going on? What did Dad and you do?"
Jane smiled. "So special, aren't you, Niki," she said. "You're as special as me. As your sister."
"My sister?" Niki was confused.
"Jessica," Jane said, and Niki felt her heart beat faster.
"What about Jessica?"
"You and Jessica were born as twins," Jane said. "Jessica was older, you were younger," She said.
Niki gasped. Her... twin sister!
"Now you know the truth," A voice in her head said sneeringly.
"Mom...Dad..." Micah cried, pointing. Men from the two ends of the road were headed toward them.
"We have to go, now," D.L. said, and they headed back into the carpark. But men were also headed towards them.
"We'll have to fight them," Jane said.
"We can't fight them," Niki cried. "Look at how many there are!"
"Daniel," Jane looked at D.L. "Take Micah and go through that wall there. I think it leads into the kitchen."
D.L.'s face registered surprise. "How do you-"
"No time! Go!" Jane ordered, barking, for the first time Niki heard it in ten years. D.L. nodded, grabbed Micah's hand and they rushed into the kitchen by going through the wall.
"They followed you," Niki realized, as the men came closer. "You led them here. They're after you, not me."
"But now," Jane said, looking up into her daughter's eyes. "They're after you too."
Niki looked at her mother, and an intense surge of an unknown feeling welled up inside her. She looked up at the men who were crowding around her, trapping her, surrounding her.
"Move aside, Nicole," A rather tall, middle-aged man snarled, stepping forward.
"No," Niki said. "I won't."
The words were out of her mouth before she even knew she said them.
And then, just like that, she blacked out.
Part 4 of 7
The first thing Niki noticed when she woke up was how pink the room was.
Pink wallpaper. Pink lamps, pink carpeting, pink window curtains, pink bedcovers and bedsheets, pink cabinet, pink stationary on the desk decorated with pink floral patterns.
"Ugggh..." Niki shook her head groggily.
"Mom! You're awake!" Micah cried, running into her arms as she struggled to get up.
"Of course I am, babe," Niki said, kissing her son's forehead. "What, you think I was dead? Now I'm some undead zombie rising up? It'll take more than -"
"A few bad guys?" Micah smiled.
"Yeah, to stop me," Niki said, and flashes of memory came back at her. She remembered a surge of a weird feeling, rising up at her, and she was so taken by surprise she let it go. Following that she had images of her hands pulling tendon apart, tearing muscle from bone, crushing skulls...
Niki gasped, pulling herself away from Micah.
"Micah," She asked worriedly. "Where's your grandma and-"
"We're here," Jane said, and Niki turned, finally noticing that her mother was now standing in the doorway, amusedly observing the displays of affection the son and mother were showing each other.
"What happened?" Niki asked, though she knew it herself very well.
"If you want the details, Micah probably shouldn't be in here," Jane replied casually.
"It was Jessica," Micah piped up suddenly.
Jane chuckled. "You should keep that boy under lock and key."
"Where are we?" Niki looked around the grotesquely-pink room.
"My house," Jane said, eliciting a groan from Niki. "I know, it's pink and all, and I trust that to be one of the reasons your father and I divorced."
"D.L," Niki wheezed, deciding not to focus too much on the pink-framed mirror on the wall next to the bed, hanging above the pink floral-patterned desk. "Where's DL?"
Micah's face suddenly clouded over with worry.
Jane smiled at him. "Go on, child, go outside. Your mother and I need to talk."
Once Micah had left, Jane shut the door. "Niki," She said. "D.L.'s been's caught."
"WHAT?!" Niki leaped off her bed. She felt the familiar, but unknown surge of emotion, well up inside her.
"Relax," Jane said. "And tell Jessica to get back in. If she comes out I'm using my power straight."
Niki turned to the mirror that was on the wall next to the bed.
Jessica's eyes twitched slightly, and her mouth flattened into a thin, disapproving line. "She can't."
"Yes, I can," Jane replied, as if she had read Niki/Jessica's mind.
"Your power," Niki said, and she had another flash of memory back to the hotel room, where she suddenly felt her body losing all will, and her muscles incapable of taking commands from her brain.
"I don't think you're that shocked," Jane said, eyeing her daughter. "Considering what you did."
"Jessica did that," Niki said, shaking her head.
"No, dear, you did that," Jane replied calmly. "Your power is strength. Jessica's power is weaseling that out of you."
Jessica's mouth began to curl down, into a very disapproving frown. "You'd better ask her what happened twenty years ago," she suggested.
When Niki related her question, Jane sighed. "I suppose it's time," Jane held Niki's hand, and looked deep into her eyes.
"Jessica and you were born as twins, Jessica first, then you later, exactly 3.15 seconds afterward," she said. "But here's the problem. When you were born, you were dying. Your sister was ready, but you weren't. You were premature. Hal and I wanted to save you, but the doctors said it was too hard, that you were so undernourished that you probably wouldn't make it.
"So we went to Las Vegas to find a man. His name, Daniel Linderman, known for his great amounts of wealth and connections. We wanted him to find a hospital good enough so that we wouldn't lose you. He did even better. He had a power."
"Power?" Niki frowned. "Linderman's... one of us?"
"Oh, yes, I was shocked too, when I first saw what he could do," Jane said. "I thought I was the only one. Your dad, he's a normal being, of course, not that we're very much abnormal ourselves.
"Anyway, Linderman's ability is to heal, or generate lifeforce, or something like that," Jane tottered. "He was about to save you, to bring you back to health, but he couldn't solve the problem of your brainwaves not at a frequency that was normal. So we suggested that he use his abilities to 'transfer', if you will, some cerebral functionability from your twin sister to you."
"That's how-?!" Niki was aghast at learning this fact.
"It wouldn't have mattered anyhow," Jane looked at Niki sadly as she pulled her hand away from Jane's. "Both of you had gifts, inherited from me. I didn't know what yours were, but Jessica's, now that was very clear. She could create emotional rapports, bridges, whatever you call it. When anyone was feeling down, she could feel it. When anyone feeling happy, angry, lustful, she felt every single one, as long as the person was near her. Eventually, she developed some sort of emotional block. At that young age, can you imagine what it would have been like?"
"I think I can imagine it at my age," Niki said with a controlled level of disgust and sarcasm. She couldn't believe her mother had kept this information from her for so long, causing her to endure what she did throughout the past year!
"Then your father started getting into 'his rut'," Jane sighed.
Again, another random flash of memory. Of her father shoving her roughly into a table. Then of her bare hands, slamming her father's head against an oak cabinet in a good-looking hotel room.
"Now, I loved Hal," Jane said. "I loved your dad. Couldn't stand him, but I loved him. But after his company fired him, he started getting into beer and alcohol. Started throwing things around the house. He kept beating you, kept hitting you and Jessica. But here's the weird thing," She said, her voice dropping two levels softer. "You wouldn't feel it. He would beat you, but you would just stand there. And Jessica would look like she was the one in pain, while you just looked blank."
"Damn right, I did," Jessica hissed, and Niki focused her attention back on her mother. Her mother, though, was looking quite apprehensive, like she was about to say something she would regret.
"Well then he killed Jessica," Jane said finally, clearly scared Niki would yell out and turn into a fiery beast, if the truth was out from under those rocks and stones.
But somehow, Niki guessed it coming. She saw another one of those flashes of memory, of Jessica being hit over the head violently with a wine bottle. Somehow, strangely, though, she felt nothing, like a complete lack of emotion over learning how her sister died, though surely, even though she saw that coming, she would have felt something.
"You're just sooo heartless," Jessica snickered from the mirror.
"Go on," Niki said, ignoring that woman in the glass while Jane had stopped, looking at her cautiously.
"I had to divorce him. I had to get out of the relationship, and get you out too," Jane said. Niki didn't need anymore retelling. She knew how the rest of it turned out. She just didn't know, one day, why her parents decided to get a divorce. She decided that it was something she had done, and that set off a long guilt trip, one which she was determined never to return to.
"So Linderman was the culprit. Linderman was the one who fused Jessica to me," Niki said. "But that doesn't explain why he's after you," She said, shrewd enough to catch her mother's casual lack of detail.
"Because I owe him something," Jane sighed. "I promised him that I would deliver Jessica's body to him after I divorced and had full custodial rights over what to do with your sister."
"Clearly, you didn't."
"She's my daughter!" Jane erupted, standing from the bed. "I couldn't send off my daughter to some unknown entity to perform scientific tricks on her!"
"So what does he want now?" Niki asked, getting up, and surprised to find that she was able to balance herself quite well.
"I don't know!" Jane yelled. "All I know is that I didn't deliver my promise twenty years ago, and he's coming after me now!"
"If he wanted to come after you," Niki said, her brain immediately working. "He would have twenty years back. No," Niki glanced at the mirror. "This is something else all together."
Jessica smiled, and the way she did told Niki what she wanted to know.
"Mom, we have to go get D.L. now," Niki said hurriedly. "Linderman's not the one who took him!"
"It's Linderman," Jane said deflatedly. "Linderman, dead or not, obviously had wishes he wanted carried out after his death. Some unfulfilled-"
"Mom," Niki cut her mother off. "How was D.L. caught?"
Jane shrugged. "I was watching you tear his men apart. I don't think I noticed so much where D.L. went."
Niki pulled open the door, and motioned for Micah to come in. "Micah," she asked. "How was your dad taken?"
"He was running," Micah recalled. "But all of a sudden these men surrounded him, and they had these weird handcuffs made of something - "
"Your dad couldn't get through them?"
Micah shook his head. "No." At which point all the puzzle pieces clicked together. "He just told me to run."
"Micah did, and I found him," Jane said. She saw Niki contemplate the situation. "You're thinking about saving D.L., aren't you?"
"Mom, he's my husband. Micah's Dad!" Niki whirled around to face her mother.
"I don't care," Jane said stubbornly. "I want to go to Las Vegas, and get out of here."
"Mom," Niki said in a controlled tone of voice, trying to control that onsurge of weird emotion again. What's wrong with me, Niki thought. What I'm feeling is completely wrong!
"Mom, those men are probably at my house right now," Niki said. "They don't work for Linderman, and surely they won't hesitate to shoot you if you go there."
"So..." Jane looked helpless for a moment. Then her expression hardened. "They can't shoot me."
"Mom, you can't stop ten men for very long," Niki said. "And you know it. You need to stay put."
"Linderman's men will come here very soon. They're probably on their way now."
"Then run. Do what you can. But I have to save D.L," Niki said with an air of finality.
Jane breathed hard, then her face registered defeat and slackened. "All right. But I want Jessica to fight them, not you. She knows how to put the right emotions to your power."
Niki turned briefly to the mirror, where Jessica nodded coldly.
"We'll see," Niki said. "Micah," she said, turning to her son. "Stay here with Grandma, okay?"
"No," Micah said. "I want to go rescue Dad, too."
"Let him go," Jessica's voice called out from the mirror. "After Kirby Plaza..."
"You can come," Niki said, knowing clear well that Micah would prove himself more useful than ever. "But you stay close to me."
She left quickly, a small part of her glad to set eyes on another color other than pink, and glancing back only to see Jane wave at her, smiling wistfully.
Micah's voice primed her for the upcoming fight.
"Mom," he asked as they headed outside to Jane Sanders' car. "Can Jessica not come out?"
"Honey," Niki said, as truthfully as she could. "I really don't know."
Part 5 of 7
Niki Sanders pulled the car quickly out of first gear and headed speedily down the highway.
"Mom..." Micah asked. "Do you know where to go?"
"No," Niki said. "But I know someone who does."
Micah looked puzzled. Then he seemed to get it. "Oh," he said, with a slight note of disappointment.
Niki tousled his hair slightly, and tweaked the rearview mirror to face her.
Glaring back at her was her dead twin sister, whom Linderman had bonded so close to her when they were barely babies, that she could now, see even from the grave.
Of course, that sister had all the rage.
"Where is D.L.?" Niki demanded.
"Like I know?" Jessica asked, clearly toying with her.
"You know where D.L. is being kept," Niki said matter-of-factly. "When you took over my body, when you worked for Linderman as that assassin-"
"You worked for him too," Jessica corrected.
"You had plans to do something to D.L., didn't you," Niki continued, as if Jessica didn't say anything. "You and Linderman made a deal, or something, and you wanted D.L. for some purpose."
"Well, now that you got it figured out..." Jessica mock-sighed. Then her eyes snapped harshly back onto Niki's, boring into her. "I don't know why Linderman wanted D.L. All I know is that he would pay double what he was paying if I brought D.L. to him," Jessica shrugged. "Obviously that didn't happen, and D.L. killed Linderman, so that was the end of that."
"WHERE is D.L. being kept?!" Niki said. "If the plan was set, then there would have to be a place they would use to hold him. Someplace that is specific to D.L, because you know anything ordinary wouldn't hold him in."
Jessica sighed, and revealed the address. Niki nodded mutely, tweaked the rearview mirror away from her, and looked down at Micah. He was looking away, one hand pressed on the glove compartment, trying not to be disturbed, but clearly listening in.
*****************************************
Jane Sanders paced back and forth across the pink carpet on her floor, getting tenser and tenser by the minute. She was looking out the window, expecting a man in black to barrel in upon her.
To her surprise, there was no such man.
The phone rang suddenly, causing Jane to jump. She clutched her chest weakly.
"Damn it," She muttered and picked up the phone.
A gruff male voice asked, "Where's Miss Sanders?"
"Speaking."
"Niki," The man said. "It's Inspector Reese here."
"I'm not Niki," Jane said. "I'm her mother. If this is anything concerning Hal's death, please do tell me. I have a right to know."
There was a brief pause, then Inspector Reese continued. "Mrs Sanders, please do tell your daughter that we have the results of Mr Sanders' autopsy."
"That fast?" Jane was surprised.
"We don't have the complete analysis. But we have enough to go on," Inspector Reese said. "We know for sure now, for example, that your husband died of asphyxiation."
This caused Jane Sanders' heart to beat faster again.
"Asphyxiation? Like suffocation?"
"Yes, a form of a lack of air," Inspector Reese said. "But here's the odd thing. There were no hand marks or fingerprints found on your husband's neck. His windpipe also wasn't damaged, without any external contact whatsoever. Our forensics expert is now doing the test on chemical-"
But Jane had hung up. She was still processing the information.
She could imagine Hal, choking, clutching his neck, falling down the stairs...
Whoever Niki was going to deal with, had a power of his own!
Jane pulled out her handphone from her bag, the one which Micah had tampered with before Niki has awoken. The screen was flashing.
Jane pressed the button Micah told her to press, and a map immediately opened up on the screen. It showed a blinking red dot that had moved along an expressway, then after a while, had turned onto a road, then down a small squiggly line which Jane assumed was the map symbol for a lane or something.
The red dot had since stopped moving, and stopped blinking.
The house phone rang again.
Inspector Reese, Jane thought. What a name.
She grabbed the keys off the table, tucked the phone into her pants pocket, and took off at a trot out of the house, leaving the phone to ring to an empty house.
***************************************
Niki Sanders left the car, turning once to instruct Micah, "Don't leave the car."
"Mom!" Micah objected. "I want to help."
"You stay here. When we come out, I need the car to be ready to go," She said. "Can you do that?"
"I can't drive," Micah said, before realizing what she meant. "Oh."
"Good," Niki smiled, kissing her son's forehead and left at a fast jog into the warehouse.
Micah looked at the rear profile of her mother fading away, and he decided he couldn't do nothing. Once her mother rounded the corner, he opened the door and got down.
****************************************
Niki grabbed a large metal beam from the ground and crossed it over her chest, to arm herself. The main warehouse was surrounded by guards, patrolling in a circle that made it hard for anyone to sneak up and enter. Niki was surprised they couldn't see how conspicuous they looked, men in black circling one warehouse out of the tens in the yard.
She ducked low, and crossed the yard quickly.
One guard looked up, spotting her movements, and she swung the beam down hard before he could utter a word or do anything. The beam smashed across his face with a crack and knocked him hard against the warehouse wall, sending him down and out, but alive.
The guard that had been behind him drew a gun, and Niki rushed forward quickly. Before he could fire, she had smashed down hard on his wrist, surely breaking it and bending the beam by quite a bit.
He yelled out in pain.
The other guards rushed quickly to that side, all drawing guns and aiming them at her.
Niki felt an emotion she could clearly identify with this time. One called fear.
Without warning however, the unknown surge of energy and emotion bubbled up within her and took over that fear, and Niki felt her lose her grip on her body.
Then Jessica burst out, subduing Niki behind her body's shell, like a spectator at a Sox game that could watch the game from a large, full-sized screen, but couldn't call out for the snacks or move or yell or do anything otherwise... just watch.
And what a show it was.
Niki had seen her power of superhuman strength at work plenty of times, back when Jessica had complete and full control of her body, but this was different.
It was as if Jessica was released with a vengeance and fury like never before seen. She tore through all of the guards in less than five minutes, twisting and breaking limbs, and smashing heads against each other, and basically wiping the ground with the guards.
Niki felt her consciousness bubbling forward again, and soon she felt she could control her body once more.
"And that," replied Jessica from the shiny surface of a steel beam. "Is how you do it."
Mom was right, Niki admitted. Jessica knew how to put the fury to the force.
Niki ducked low to the entrance of the warehouse, but the doors were locked with a padlock and chain.
Niki reached down and yanked the entire lock, chains and all, from the door, splintering them into little chunks of metal.
When she opened the warehouse doors, she was shocked.
The interior of the warehouse did not store any rough goods, but instead, was a medical facility. Walls were lined with large cabinets and shelves that contained vials filled full with chemical liquid of all sorts. Doctors and men in black suits paced the entire room, walking around, looking busy.
In the centre of it all were three people.
One of them she had seen somewhere before, although she could not place her finger where. The woman was wearing a business power suit, looking like she belonged in a high-level meet with delegates from all over the world. The man in the middle she did not recognize, but the black man to the far right, however, caught her eye.
D.L.!
"What the-" A slightly pudgy man wearing a suit yelled out from next to the captive, but still powerful-looking woman.
The suit he was wearing was a completely different color from the black of everyone else's, and he had the aura of someone important around him.
He noticed her, then his eyes widened considerably.
"Nicole!" He cried.
With that, the entire range of black-suited men and white-robed doctors all stood back at once, backing away from the entrance as if she was bearing the plague.
"I want my husband back," she snarled.
The pudgy man smiled, stepping forward, while announcing, "Resume your work, everyone!"
The people all continued work, while they still glanced covertly at her.
"My name is Bob-" the man began, but Niki knocked him aside roughly, knocking the glasses from his face.
She stormed up to the long chairs the three 'subjects' were sitting on, like the ones used by dentists, and she saw D.L.'s hands were caught in a pair of handcuffs of a weird material.
"They're macro-lattice structures," Bob explained, somehow having caught up to her. "Your husband can walk through any molecular structure on this planet, except for macro-lattice, because the arrangement of their atoms is so precise that only-"
With one hard tug, Niki snapped both ringlets of the cuffs into bits.
The doctor that had been next to D.L. backed away quickly, fear flashing across his face.
"What are you doing?" Bob asked, his face clearly trying not to explode with anger.
"I am getting my husband out of here," Niki said, helping D.L. to his feet with little effort. D.L. looked like he was just waking up from a long nap, and drowsily hunched up.
"You cannot leave," Bob said angrily.
"Oh yeah?" Niki turned to face Bob with as equal amount of anger. "And why's that so? Why did you go after my mother, my father, just to get my husband? You didn't want me, or Jessica, you wanted D.L.!" As she spoke, her voice began to increase in volume. Everyone in a metre-radius of her began to back away. "Why is that so?"
"Niki, or Jessica, or whoever you are right now," Bob said calmly. "You do not understand. If you take D.L. now, he will die. And not only that, he will infect you too, and infect Micah most likely, because-"
"Bull," Niki said through gritted teeth. "I don't care what he is, you can't take him."
She shifted D.L.'s weight to one arm, and with further snaps of her free hand, she broke off the cuffs of the two adjoining people that were next to D.L.
"You will not let them go until we inject them with the cure," Bob said. "None of these three can leave, if not they will infect everyone."
"I don't care," Niki said, and she began to walk out of the warehouse.
Bob's face briefly flashed hatred and a vicious fury.
"Get her!" He yelled.
None of the black men moved from their places, all apparently well-aware of what Niki/Jessica could do.
But one man stepped forward, brave, seemingly as he was. He smiled, and then narrowed his eyes.
Niki felt as though her throat had been pinched together. All of a sudden, air was cut off from her windpipes, and she felt her windpipes trying furiously to obtain oxygen, of her nostrils desperately trying to take in air, but she felt none enter her nose.
She choked, doubling over, and D.L., unable to support his own weight, stumbled to the floor, and collapsed.
The man in black who had stood out from the rest, who had did that, stepped so forward that he was only a few feet away from Niki.
He towered over her, his relentless gaze still upon her, giving her little bits of air at a time, but not enough for her to get out of panic mode, yet not enough for her to fall unconscious or die.
Bob made a motion, and more men rushed forward to surround D.L.
"Keep her there," Bob said, looking disdainfully at the struggling woman on the ground who was wildly trying to garner air from her surrounding atmosphere. "We may have to quarantine her, too."
Part 6 of 7
Jane Sanders drummed impatiently on her knees. She was nervous, and it was showing. She was staring out of the window, wondering how on Earth she was going to help Niki when it came down to a fight.
The cab driver noticed it, and looked in the rearview mirror at her.
"Hey, ma'am, you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah," Jane replied half-heartedly. She wasn't one to get into a fight, especially with other super-powered individuals like her, Niki, Jessica and D.L., but she had no choice.
This was how the Sanders family rolled. And she decided that if nothing, she was going to right the wrong she did twenty years ago.
The cab pulled up to the warehouse rows. The driver turned back and nodded. "Here you go, ma'am."
Jane nodded mutely, and looked at her surroundings.
*****************************************
Niki was awake. She had never fallen into any form of sleep or rest. She was strapped down in a large pod-like case, controlled by a humming machine.
One that was apparently, impervious to her reserves of strength. She slowly fumed, glaring at the man in black who was standing on the 2nd level of the warehouse, looking down at everything. That man who could choke her to death in minutes if he wanted to.
Niki looked at the machine, and the screen was showing a number, followed by a J at the back. Simple scientific knowledge told her that the machine was designed to exert a number of Joules of energy on her, holding her down and preventing her from breaking the pod because she just wasn't strong enough to overcome that much force.
As she stared at the screen showing the number of Joules that was holding her down, Jessica's face smiled sinisterly back at her.
"Let me out," she said simply.
"No," Niki said flatly. "You'll go crazy and wreck this place."
"Isn't that what you want?" Jessica asked.
"No. I want to rescue my husband and get out of here," Niki said. "These guys aren't bad. Not at least until they kill someone."
"You don't care," Jessica said. "That's your thing, you see, sis." She shook her head slowly, sadly. "You don't care about others. You don't care about anything but yourself."
"That's not true," Niki said through gritted teeth. "I care about people. I care about my family."
"Even that's pushing it too thin," Jessica said sardonically. "You only care about D.L. and Micah, to be precise. When Hal died, you didn't care. You really just were going out of necessity. Not that I'm complaining, because I don't care about him either, but you don't care about Mom, about the greater good of us."
"Us?" Niki laughed. "You mean, me and you?"
"I mean, about everyone," Jessica hissed. "I know your emotions, sister. I feel them. You know what that Bob, that creep, what he's saying is true, but you don't care because you don't care about the rest of humanity, only about Micah and D.L., and yourself. All about you."
"I'm no hero," Niki said. "I'm not some superhero or something. I have a job, remember? On the Internet? I have a life, remember? I have -"
"You, you, you," Jessica sighed. "It's always about you. Our mom wanted to be safe, wanted to come with you to Las Vegas, but you, you were scared only for yourself. You didn't want her to be butting in either, so you tried to shake her off."
Niki closed her mouth. What Jessica was saying was...
"The truth," Jessica said simply. "I'm speaking the truth. Why am I here, Niki? Why am I in your life?"
Niki refused to even look at her in the reflection.
"Because you needed me," Jessica replied. "You needed me to balance out all your emotions. All your screwed emotions, all your wrong reasons. You needed me to be your good half."
"No, I'm the good half," Niki said, her fury building steadily. "I'm the one that doesn't tear people in two, that doesn't fight and kill and - "
"That's why," Jessica said, smiling her cocky grin again. "If you'd just fight, if you'd just stop running, and thinking about yourself all the freakin' time..."
The sight of Micah standing behind the machine snapped Niki's attention away from Jessica.
"Micah!" Niki whispered, glancing to the 2nd level of the warehouse. Mr. Suffocation was not there anymore.
"Mom," Micah whispered back, placing one hand on the pressure machine. "Where's Dad?"
Niki nodded across the room, where D.L. was being surrounded by a entire posse of white-robed doctors and analysts.
Suddenly she felt the pressure lighten up off her body. She felt her chest rising and falling easily now with every breath. She realized Micah had used his power to disable the machine!
With one powerful exertion of force, Niki shattered the pod into thousands of tiny fragments.
"Hide in the shadows," Niki instructed Micah. "I'm going to rescue Daddy." Micah nodded and ran behind a pillar.
The guards started rushing to her, and the doctors started backing away as one from D.L. Everyone started running around, trying to subdue Niki.
She looked at the machine screen, where Jessica nodded.
"Be with me," Niki said with a tiny smile.
The guards rushed at her, but Niki channelled her boiling anger and she smashed into the first man that even dared to cross her path.
Of course she didn't kill. She wouldn't. She just gave them a good enough knockout to ensure it would hurt the next morning.
The next guard made the mistake of grabbing her arm. She flung him through another machine.
Another pulled out his gun.
"NO bullets here, fool!" Bob yelled from somewhere to the far left. "You'll destroy the equipment!"
Aha, Niki thought. A level-playing field.
Suddenly, she felt her throat begin to tighten.
She cursed while she still could. That man again.
The man slowly walked from her right toward her, his hand now outstretched, in a circular claw-like shape, like he was gripping her neck.
He slowly wiggled his fingers, and Niki felt her lungs constrict too.
What is the extent of this fellow's power? Niki thought, rather annoyedly.
She turned her head with great effort, looking hatefully into the man's eyes, who were hidden behind cool shades. He smiled, and took a step forward.
Suddenly, his body stiffened, and Niki could see his muscles tense up. He was suddenly stuck in that position, his hand outstretched like he was holding up a mug to offer cheers, while the rest of his body stayed rooted to the ground, one foot in front of the other. He looked rather odd.
The difference? Niki could breathe again.
"Grandma!" Micah cried from behind the pillar, giving away his position.
Niki looked behind the man, and there she was. Jane Sanders, in all her glory, focusing her energy onto Mr. Suffocation, beads of sweat already squeezing out from her pores due to her effort in utilizing her power.
"The son's here!" One doctor yelled.
"You're not getting him!" Niki yelled. "We're all here now! If you want to fight, you'll have to fight us all!"
Bob walked forward, shaking his head. "Stop this right now, Niki or Jessica-"
"Niki," Niki clarified. "I want you to let my husband go."
"That's fine by me," Bob said. "As long as you do not get him within the vicinity of your son or your mother," He replied. "Your husband has a virus, Niki, and I was never lying to you about that." He handed her a file. "This virus affects only evolved humans, Niki, like you and I, and your mother, and your son, and your husband, and your sister, and all of them out there."
"What about you?" Niki demanded.
"Niki," Bob smiled. "You don't have to worry about me. A few of us, less than ten now, regrettably, have immunity to this disease. We have tried to culture antibodies for a cure, and some have worked," He looked at Mr. Suffocation, who was still not moving an inch, held in check by Jane Sanders.
"Some," he said with a nod to the file. "Haven't worked as well."
"But my husband?" Niki asked.
"We don't know yet," Bob replied. "Our antibodies don't work on everyone. But we know more people out there with the same immunity, for example, a professor of genetics in India-"
Niki had a brief memory flash of a young Indian-American man, handsome but with a grudging, jaded look in his eyes.
"Your husband hasn't shown defense against the disease yet, and we will need to keep him here longer-"
"Out of the question," Niki said, and she thought she heard Jessica's laughter somewhere off.
"That's fine with us," Bob said. "We have had the time to culture the antibodies in his blood. We can let him go now, provided that you do not let him near any other evolved individuals. We will not know whether your husband's body will recognize the antibodies and proceed to manufacture some of their own, but since you're so adamant about him returning-"
"Any risk is mine to take," Niki said with a note of finality, taking the file from Bob.
"Very well," Bob replied, nodding with a rather pleased look on his face. "I thank you for your cooperation, Miss Sanders."
Niki only briefly noticed the change in formality of her address, and she said. "Why kill my father just to take D.L.? Why couldn't you have mentioned at least a meeting? We could have-"
Bob laughed. "I didn't kill your father," He looked at Mr. Suffocation with amusement. "As for the kidnapping, well, we needed D.L., but we didn't think you'd be receptive to us experimenting on your husband. You have been known, after all," he said, giving a morose glance at the destroyed machines around the facility. "To be extremely protective of your family."
He walked away, nodding at the doctors. "Release him."
Jane looked at Niki, who nodded. Jane closed her eyes, and Mr. Suffocation stumbled forward, crashing into the floor at Niki's feet.
Niki bent down, and snatched up a collar of Mr. Suffocation. "Why did you kill my dad?"
"That irritating piece of-" Mr. Suffocation growled. "He didn't know where your husband was, fair enough, but he still demanded us to compensate him for wasting his time, and he wanted to call the police because we had entered his house..."
He shrugged. "I didn't think it would be a loss."
Niki felt the emotion this time. One of strong annoyance, anger and sadness. The feelings were back, and stronger than ever, and she had never been happier to feel more human.
Niki raised a fist, and took him out cold.
Jane sighed. "Let's go, Niki."
Niki went over to the holding chairs, and supported D.L. to his feet once again. As usual, everyone was giving her a wide berth, afraid of getting in her way and getting thrown several feet into the air.
She supported D.L. all the way out of the warehouse, Jane holding Micah close and away from D.L. Her mother was taking it seriously.
Niki helped D.L. into the front passenger seat in the car. "Mom, you take a cab and take Micah back to your place. I'll drive to Las Vegas."
"What?" Jane Sanders was shocked. "You'll do no such thing! Las Vegas is not near, honey! You need to stay!"
"If what Bob said was true, then I can't take that chance," Niki said. "I'll drive D.L. back to our place, drop him off, then drive back to pick Micah up."
Jane Sanders seemed to ponder this plan, then realized her daughter's mind was made up and nothing she said could possibly change Niki's mind.
"Okay," Jane said, slightly defeated. "Make sure you top up the gas."
Niki laughed. "I will, Mom."
"Will my house be safe?" Jane asked. "Can we go and ask them-"
"Grandma," Micah piped in. "You have a power! You can stop any bad guys anytime!"
Jane laughed. "I guess I can, eh, sugar pie?"
She held onto Micah's hand and they began walking back out to the main road to hitch a cab. "Well," Jane told Micah. "I was expecting the fight to last longer."
"It was long enough," D.L. choked, watching them leave.
"D.L.!" Niki smiled, getting into the driver's seat and kissing her husband on the lips. "Nice to have you back, baby."
"Seen what you can do, baby," D.L. reciprocated. "Nice work."
"I learn from the best," Niki smiled at D.L. and he choked out a laugh.
Niki revved up the engine and tweaked the rearview mirror.
Jessica was there, staring at her."What, I'm not the best?"
"No," Niki said matter-of-factly.
"Well, to that guy's credit," Jessica replied with a tinge of satisfied pleasure. "He was right. It wasn't all that a loss."
Part 7 of 7
When Jessica Sanders died, Jane Sanders did nothing to stop the police from intervening and preventing her from taking full custodial rights. She was sad, angry, frightened and confused all at once, during those tumultuous times.
If anything, Linderman's hand in the whole situation caused the police to nearly deliver Jessica's body to Linderman straight, if not for Jane going to the morgue at twelve midnight one night, deciding enough was enough, just to 'paralyze' the police officers there and make away with her daughter's body.
Niki Sanders never knew that. But that dream, the one she had two nights after rescuing D.L., the one she believed Jessica let her see, made her understand her mother in ways she never knew. Her mother singlehandedly rescued Niki's twin sister from police officers 'affected' by Linderman's power.
Niki realized her mother wasn't as weak as she had thought.
Jessica was right. Niki needed to see that family, if anything, was the only thing.
The only thing that could save the world, once again.
D.L.'s scream woke her from her dream, the dream of Jessica, the dream of Niki, the dream of the world and its many powers, its many heroes, and its many wonders.
"D.L.!" Niki cried, as D.L. Hawkins writhed on the bed, his body painfully wracked by spasms and muscle twitches.
Bob's smiling face popped in suddenly in her mind's eyes, out of nowhere, and begun sighing excessively.
"Mom? Dad?" Micah asked, and Niki saw the doorknob twist.
"Micah! Stay in your room!" Niki cried, remembering Bob's instructions. "Don't come out! Your daddy's not feeling well!"
"What's going on?" Micah asked from behind the door.
"I'm going to take your daddy to the hospital, okay?" Niki cried. "Go back to your room now!"
Niki heard Micah's shuffling and the door slamming, and then she focused her attention back to her husband.
"D.L., hang in there," Niki said, wondering what the hell was she going to do.
D.L. coughed and choked, and cold sweat began streaming down his face in rivulets.
Niki ran to the bathroom, poured a glass of water from the tap, and as she turned to leave, Jessica called out to her.
"Niki," Jessica called. Niki turned briefly.
"Take him to Bob," Jessica suggested.
"No," Niki shook her head. "I'm taking him to the hospital."
"You know what D.L. has can't be cured by doctors," Jessica advised. Niki knew that too, but the sight of Bob's face, smiling with that knowing look, was too much for her to bear.
Niki rushed back to her husband's side, and tried to feed him the water.
D.L. swallowed down a bit of the liquid before coughing most of it back up.
"Darn it, D.L!" Niki cried. "You survived a bullet! Survive this!"
D.L. opened his eyes, and looked at her with weak amusement.
For the past two days, he seemed to be all right.
But now, it seemed that everything had taken a turn for the worse, and too fast for her to handle.
Niki knew she had to do something. A hospital, at least, would be able to have the facilities to stop D.L.'s spasms, temporarily, though she knew Jessica was right in the long-term.
Niki lifted D.L. up with her bare hands, focusing all her energy on tapping into her power.
She banged her shoulder against the door, causing the entire door to unhinge and swing back, held only by the doorknob instead. Her strength was coming in super handy.
She headed out to the car, and opened the door somehow. She then set D.L. gently on the passenger seat, where he began a whole new coughing fit.
Her heart sank when she saw how pale he looked.
Then, looking into the side mirror, Jessica was there, and she cocked her head back at the house.
Niki nodded, and hurried back in.
Moments later, she re-emerged, holding the file Bob had given her back in the warehouse. D.L. was now either sleeping or unconscious, but it was clear something was not right.
Niki rushed into the car, revved up the engine, and prepared to head to the nearest hospital in Las Vegas.
A slip of paper fell out from the file, one which Niki didn't see because she never opened the file since it came into her possession two days ago.
As Niki drove, she reached down and found the paper near the accelerator.
Lifting it up to read it in the darkness, she saw that there was a phone number written there, in sprawling, bold lettering, and a small sentence of words.
"Call me," Bob's face popped out in her head again, smiling that sleazy-looking, yet smart/cocky grin. "He's not going to make it, and neither are you," Bob told her in her mind's eye. "Call me."
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