Gavin

[indent][font="Tahoma"][size="2"]Time seemed to slow as the words left Welshâ??s mouth, the realisation of what he was saying slowly dawning on Michael as his heartbeat increased to a frantic pace and every bodily sensation became painfully acute. The small pendulum clock on the desk between the two men punctuated the growing lapse of silence between them. After several moments Michael at last seemed to dredge up the strength to speak. [b]â??Youâ?¦you canâ??t be serious.â?[/b] An unpleasant, crooked smile broke across Welshâ??s face. [b]â??I am entirely serious Dr McKnight.â?[/b] Michael slammed his hands down on the desk, half-frustration, half-desperation to make his employer reconsider. [b]â??We had an agreement! I would not be asked to join a field team in exchange for my cooperation working with Geistâ??s Advanced Biology Division.â?[/b] The unpleasant smile because a thoroughly malicious grin, withdrawing his arched fingers from one another Zachary Welsh drew himself up out of his desk and turned to face the window behind him, marvelling at the skyscape passing by. [b]â??The terms of our agreement were always subject to how Geist believed you best functioned as an asset doctor. Until the present time your expertise as a scientist, as well as the nature of your genetics, were enough that we did not feel Geist would benefit by removing you from a laboratory environment. Indeed doctor, the results of you and your research team has exceeded our most optimistic estimates on the time expended.â? [/b] Michael found himself swallowing uncomfortably at the realisation the day he had dreaded had not merely been a possibility, but an inevitability. Black memories again began to force their way into his unconscious mind and with savage effort he crushed them back down. He kept his head low, unwilling, perhaps even unable to let Welsh see the sense of defeat breaking across his face. When he found his voice again it was even lower than it had been before, robbed of any fire. [b]â??And there is nothing I can say or do that would change your mind?â?[/b] Crossing the distance between them Welsh placed a â??reassuringâ? hand on the other manâ??s shoulder, it took every aspect of Michaelâ??s restraint not to allow his sense of disgust at the gesture to make itself apparent. [b]â??Iâ??m afraid not.â? [/b] He chuckled, as though with an afterthought. [b]â??Of course this is all contingent on the team surviving their current mission. Obviously no field team would mean thereâ??d be nothing to transfer you to.â?[/b] â?¦The thought was utterly vicious and came absolutely unbidden but Michael found himself unable to banish it. He knew Welshâ??s choice of words were intended to play him, to push him exactly towards the decision he was weighing up, or one like it that he hadnâ??t yet considered. In the years he had worked for Geist Michael had come to everything played out to Geistâ??s advantage, everything as directed by Zachary Welsh was win-win. In the end the decision was simple, empirical. It was his life, the life he had build for himself here versus the lives of a group of people he had no personal knowledge of, nor connection to. The more he thought about it, the more certain he became. They were just going to die against the Big Five anyway, better that he saved them from that misery than allow them to go through with it. A nausea formed in the centre of his stomach and Michael did his best to avoid retching in front of Welsh. [b]â??I understand Mr Welsh. I will introduce myself to the team when they return from their current mission and do my best to integrate into the team dynamic quickly.â?[/b] The grip on his shoulder tightened. [b]â??Excellent Michael, I knew we could depend on you.â?[/b] ______ Dun da dun dun. [/size][/font][/indent]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"]Nice piece Lrb.[/size][/font]

[quote name='DeLarge' timestamp='1312059823' post='708678'] Dibs were implied! [/quote] [font="Tahoma"][size="2"]You see that's the problem with implications, they're so vague and can be easily misunderstood. [/size][/font]

[quote name='DeLarge' timestamp='1312045619' post='708672']I don't know, Gavin, I invent a hot woman and five minutes later you're all over her![/quote] [font="Tahoma"][size="2"] *Shrugs* Never saw you call dibs on her. [/size][/font]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"]Sorry it took me so long to post, I ended up deciding to have Michael join the team after their current mission (something he himself is not yet aware of), so I'll probably have a post of Welsh telling Michael and then Michael introducing himself to the team afterwards.[/size][/font]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"][indent]Pushing his slipping glasses back up to the bridge of his nose, the young man carefully studied the data and video feed from the training session. A faint smile crept across his lips as he watched them overcome each of the challenges, it was a rough victory certainly, but for their first major trial as a team, especially one with such diverse powers they had done well. The smile faded as the feed from the cameras in the room went dead, the result of Slateâ??s use of an electromagnetic pulse to disable the remaining threats to his team. Internally Michael disagreed with Mr. Welshâ??s decision to use such a complex and dangerous first training scenario, had anything gone wrong, indeed had Slate not been willing to push himself dangerous close to his physical limitations, the results mightâ??ve been outright disastrous. Removing his once again slipping glasses he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration as an unpleasant memory attempted to force its way back up to the surface. Tea. He needed tea. Strong, hot, sugary tea. Rising from his desk he left his glasses where they were, he could see well enough without them to make a trip to the vending machine in the corridor between the science offices. He gulped down the first mouthful, grimacing at the heat but thankful for the taste of the liquid. He felt a hunger headache press against the side of his head, and glancing at his watch he realised it had been almost four hours since his last meal. He felt her coming up behind him of course, it was practically impossible to actually sneak up on Michael given his powers, but for the sake of camaraderie he pretended not to notice as she jabbed her fingers into his side attempting to give him a start. [b]â??Boo!â?[/b] He allowed a ripple of false surprise to pass through his body, careful to keep the hot liquid in his cup suppressed so it did not fly everywhere with his jolt. He turned, keeping his face a mixture of surprise and frustration as he turned to the would-be prankster. She was grinning, her green eyes alight with mischief. [b]â??Iâ??ve asked you not to do that Elena, one of these days Iâ??m going to get a nasty scald.â? [/b] Her grin faded into a pout, then once again morphed into something resembling a sinister smile. [b]â??Perhaps I want that to happen Dr McKnight, so I can finally have you in my clutches.â?[/b] He smiled genially and moved closer. [b] â??Iâ??ve heard your clutches are not such a bad place to be.â? â??Sources vary on that.â?[/b] He leaned in, closer again, the distance between their faces measured in a handful of centimetres. [b]â??Maybe I should find out for myself.â? â??Perhaps you should.â?[/b] And then his careful façade broke and they were both laughing. It was simply their strange way. They would flirt endlessly with one another, daring the other to keep going in a romantic game of chicken knowing that no matter how close they came, nothing would ever come of it. They were friends, good friends, in this place perhaps even best friends and that was all. Michael stepped back, allowing her access to the vending machine and renewing his consumption of his own beverage. Coffee, black, no sugar. He had no idea how she drank the vile brew but judging by the number of cups of it she went through a day, and the fact so far as he could tell she was never tired, there must have been some merit to it. [b]â??I was just on my way to the canteen, you want to join me?â?[/b] She pursed her lips together; the tell-tale sign Elena was considering something, before nodding twice and taking another sip of her coffee. [b]â??Sure, I canâ??t even remember when I ate last. Things have been so hectic since the new team.â?[/b] The corridors in the medical and science wing were all white, pristine, sterile and utterly labyrinthine if you were unfamiliar with them, Michael and Elena could probably navigate them blinded now theyâ??d been on the base so long. The canteen, or mess, or food dispensary, or whatever each of the different staff segments called it was a large open plan space broken by a mixture of tables, chairs, sofas and the occasional elevated area. The exterior wall was effectively a giant glass panel surface, enabling the diners to have something resembling a view while they ate. It was a comfortable space, a sign that Geist actually did recognise their employees worked better in pleasant conditions. Food was always available, staff generally did not have set repasts, eating when they found the opportunity to or felt like. You could order pretty much whatever you liked within reason and it would be accommodated, though a daily menu was on offer for those who felt like picking from it. Despite his lean frame Michael was prone to eating large quantities of food, his plate was already stacked with a mixture of two sandwiches and a collection of side salads, added to that his customary large fries and strawberry milk shake and he probably have room for a desert or two. Elena was limiting herself to a single light salad and a bowl of soup. His stomach grumbled looking at it, wondering how she could be filled on so little. Finding a table near the window he greedily stuffed a sandwich quarter into his mouth and chewed with a mixture of contentment and gratitude, watching the clouds passing by. His pleasant mood was spoiled as the flat edge of her knife struck him across the knuckles. [b]â??I saw you eyeballing my salad, hands off.â?[/b] Mouth-full he could only protest his innocence in a handful of loud mumbles. [b]â??Yes you were, while we were queuing I distinctly noted you looking at my salad.â?[/b] Swallowing he began massaging his knuckles with his unhurt hand before responding. [b] â??I was not. Yes, I looked at your food but I was simply wondering how you can get by eating just that.â?[/b] She quirked an eyebrow. [b]â??Yes, I know, we have higher than normal metabolisms and therefore appetites and calorie requirements due to our distinct genetic nature. Still, you canâ??t remember when you last ate and all youâ??re having is something Iâ??d consider a prelude to a snack.â?[/b] He crossed his arms and shook his head in mild perturbation. [b]â??You normies are a strange lot.â?[/b] The knife flashed out again, this time striking his wrist. [b]â??Ouch! Would you stop doing that?!â?[/b] Her grin was practically predatory. [b]â??Not if youâ??re going to call me something as insensitive as [i]normie[/i].â?[/b] [b]â??Pfft.â?[/b] He point to himself. [b]â??Superhuman.â?[/b] Then to her. [b]â??Normie, deal with it.â?[/b] Grabbing another sandwich he attempted to chew nonchalauntly, as the expression on her face darkned. [b]â??Of course in your case Iâ??m will to consider you a [i]supernormie[/i].â?[/b] She stuck her tongue out at him, drawing a chuckle and the two returned to their meal. Despite the large quantity difference the pair finished at roughly the same time, Michael satisfiedly rubbing his stomach. He leaning in, noting there was practically nobody else in the canteen before opening his mouth. [b]â??So whatâ??s your assessment of the team?â?[/b] Elena paused, noting the serious expression on his face, before responding. [b]â??Medically theyâ??re fine, all of them in good health that with the right training and dietary regiment can be pushed to peak physical conditioning, which theyâ??re absolutely going to have to be in order to succeed in the mission. Jacob Slate practically gave himself an aneurysm during the exercise today, he strike me as the type who believes limits are made to be broken. Other than that, theyâ??re what we expected.â? [/b] Michael nodded quietly. He could trust Elena to give him a truthful evaluation. Working with feeds and data reports, along with tissue samples could only tell him so much. If experience had taught him anything, psychology was always the make or break point. [b]â??Why did you ask?â?[/b] He shook his head. [b]â??No real reason, your opinion gives me a more complete collection of data to evaluate the team from. Hopefully when they gets back from their current mission Iâ??ll have a chance to personally assess them.â? â??DR. MCKNIGHT, PLEASE REPORT TO MR. WELSHâ??S OFFICE IMMEDIATELY. DR. MCKNIGHT TO MR. WELSHâ??S OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.â? [/b] The PA system announcement interrupted any further conversation between the pair. [b] â??I guess Iâ??d better get going. Iâ??ll talk to you later Elena.â? â??Later Michael.â?[/b] Whatever this was, it probably wasnâ??t going to be good. [/indent][/size][/font]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"]Well holy **** wasn't this a turnaround. Lot of people apparently saw it coming (specifically that Uryuu was actually attacked by two people) but I have to admit this came as a shock to me. Next week really can't come quickly enough to see how things progress. My God though, Ginjo's rapeface almost made me jump back from my computer. [center][img]http://i998.mangareader.net/bleach/458/bleach-2510001.jpg[/img][/center][/size][/font]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"]I'll try and get something done today, unfortunately I seem to have picked up a stomach bug from my brother that's pretty bloody horrible. >_< Probably be just a short intro-ish post of Mike meeting the rest of the group.[/size][/font]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"]Just happened to notice this rewatching episode 327 but damn if that doesn't look like one of Gainax's mecha poses. Makes this appropriate. [img]http://i55.tinypic.com/33uvl2c.png[/img][/size][/font]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"]Apparently Bleach has slumped down into the bottom seven of WSJ so hopefully Kubo will take notice and pick up the pace a bit. Honestly I didn't think much of this chapter at all. Tsukishima's powers lose more and more flavour as time goes on, or maybe it's just Ichigo's complete lack of capacity to meaningfully think of a way of countering them is annoying me. Ichigo's whole deal has been as much out-thinking his opponents, or working out how their powers work and how he can overcome them as it is "lawls, I got a power-up *****!". For all his speaking to Jackie about being able to read opponents, Tsuikishima is really playing him far too easily, or maybe it's just the fact Chad and Inoue and everyone else trust Tsukishima more apparently than they trust Ichigo (I know it's the nature of his power but it's still lame as hell they don't even think about it). I suspect Ginjou may turn in front of Ichigo, thereby showing him Tsukishima's powers right from the beginning but that Uryuu's Quincy powers will have left him less affected and able to offer some kind of aid. Even if Isshin and Urahara are out of the picture I'm questioning where Ryuken is during all this, someone stabs my son I'm not exactly going to sit down and do nothing. I swear if this turns out to be a shadow training arc I will drop Bleach.[/size][/font]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"]Just a quick update to let you know I will finish that sign-up soon Phil, I was away all weekend and didn't have internet access but I'll try to get everything and an initial first post up tomorrow morning/afternoon.[/size][/font]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"][indent][b][Edit][/b] OK thatâ??s that all done, changed his codename because it sounded a bit too close to Drizztâ??s characterâ??s name and tidied up the powers bit which was a little too waffle-y. [b]Subject Number:[/b] #005 [b]Real Name:[/b] Michael McKnight [b]Codename:[/b] Novus [b]Age:[/b] 22 [b]Appearance:[/b] [[url=http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs43/f/2009/152/8/0/Ohyeah__I__m_a_nerd__by_colinhill.jpg]Michael[/url]] Stands roughly around 6â?? tall, athletic but still somewhat lean. Definitely not the type that works out on a regular basis and the heaviest lifting he does probably involves books. Clothing wise Michael is fairly normal, a mixture of jeans, long or short t-shirts, hoodies, etc. Tends to favour nerdy t-shirts such as the [url= http://fashionablygeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/evolution-image.jpg]following[/url]. [b]Personality:[/b] Michael is a quiet and unassuming sort of person, the type that tends to stay at the back of groups rather than attempting to be the centre of attention. He has a deep dislike of disharmony and will avoid or attempt to diffuse tense situations. Kind, reliable and loyal, he can be somewhat introverted around new people and takes a while to come out of his shell but becomes chatty and enthusiastic around subjects of interest. [b]Powers/Abilities:[/b] [u]Particle Manipulation[/u]: A powerful form of microkinesis, Michael is capable of freely moving and controlling different types of particles around him to an extremely fine degree. So far he is most adept with the manipulation of air particles but has demonstrated some level of control over water, sound, earth and even light under controlled tests. Speculatively Michael could be capable of controlling any type of particle in existence. In a combat situation Michael will usually limit himself to air-compression techniques whereby he forms superdense material capable of either being projected towards opponents like bullets or wrapped around himself to form a shield. Cloaking himself in a pocket of this superdense air Michael is also capable of limited flight, though it requires a very high degree of concentration and leaves him somewhat more vulnerable than the shield-form. [b]Writing Snippet:[/b] [center][u]Extract from the Journal of Michael McKnight[/u][/center] People have asked me before when I first developed my powers, truth be told I donâ??t have the faintest idea. I didnâ??t wake up a superhero one morning, walk groggily into the bathroom and notice a brand new sixpack as Iâ??m brushing my teeth to go along with my sense of justice and freedom. There were probably earlier incidents, reaching out for a can of soda that was just slightly out of my reach but which still found itself in my hand without moving, jumps or shots in basketball which were definitely behind my skillset. Stuff thatâ??s easy to dismiss because I wasnâ??t paying attention to how strange it was. Now I have it on pretty good authority that Iâ??m a gigantic geek so it probably comes as no surprise that the first time I realised I had powers came about from doing something I knew was impossible but managed to do anyway. It was a Saturday afternoon, lazy and warm like all good Saturday afternoons should be, a faint breeze blowing in my second story bedroom window reminded me that there was an actual world out there outside of the latest fictional world I was engrossed in. A sudden edge of dryness hit my throat so I left the book down on my pillow and stared longingly over at the still frost covered beverage my mother had left at some point in the half-hour on my desk. The distance between myself and that soda was probably no more than a few meters but it might as well have been the Death Star trench run. Iâ??m sure a lot of people do it, though youâ??ll be damned if you find anyone who admits to it publicly. Your fingers uncurl, arm extended and you pretend, even half hope that maybe the object will even just shudder a little before you have to actually physically go and get it. Well there I was, stretching out with my feelings, trusting the Force to bring me refreshment when suddenly my can does start shuddering. Little by little it edges its way across the desk, me staring like a slack-jawed Mudder in disbelief but absolutely unwilling to let my hand waver even a little before this phenomenal event. Iâ??d like to say the can just glided across the air very gracefully and Jedi-like in my open hand but the truth of it is that once the soda actually left the desk it picked up speed pretty fast, like disorienting fast, and I the poorly trained Padawan found myself getting a face-full of soda in exactly the way I didnâ??t want it. Thankfully, or maybe not, the can itself didnâ??t open in-flight so I was just left with a red mark to accentuate my by then pale face. â??Ohâ?¦myâ?¦God.â? [b]Other Skills:[/b] His gentle nature allows him to more easily communicate with other members of the team, acting as a sort of group sounding board or moderator. Good at getting people to open up to him and discuss problems, though he would be best described as an earnest amateur in this regard.[/indent][/size][/font]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"]Lame, predictable episode was lame and predictable. Seriously, a mod-soul with Shinigami powers ? ZOMG never been done before except for you know Nemu who's been floating around since forever. Hopefully things will pick up soon. Omake was funny as hell though, poor Yama.[/size][/font]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"]Meh I wasn't so big on this chapter, some laughs especially from 2nd Mizukage (we need to see more of that dude) but I really wish the Edos acted more similarly to the ones from the Chuunin Arc where they could talk but there was fighting as well. Definitely want to see more of them than just "Sand no Jutsu finish". Also, Gaara's dad is also a dick, plain and simple.[/size][/font]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"]"Don't you remember Tsukishima helped you rescue Rukia and [b]defeat Aizen[/b]." Oh Lord, if Aizen ever catches wind of that he's going to make Tsukishima pay so dearly. Bad enough being beaten by someone who's clearly surpassed you in a fraction of the time it took you to do it but to have some no-name scut with a bastardised version of your own powers try to pull it... Yeesh. Decent-ish chapter. Bit heavy on action when a little more conversation would've been nice. Tsuki was pretty impressive still being able to keep up with Ichigo's new powers, though again it seems strange he'd have left himself open when you know, Ichigo might've just killed him with that first attack. I'm just of surprised Ichigo didn't just retort by asking Orihime or Chad exactly how Tsukishima helped, clearly if they both didn't give the same answer then it should've hinted something was up. Or you know, get them all to tattoo on their arms "Tsukishima is a lying bastard, don't trust him" a la Memento. Need Shinigami soon plox.[/size][/font]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"]Yeah, not really surprising to see Chad and Orihime turn up but I still would've preferred to see Ichigo and Tsuki scrap a bit more (even though Ichigo pretty much WFTPWNed him), kinda surprised that Ichigo only lopped off an arm when he's stated his intent is to kill Tsuki, he's probably still not at the point where he can comfortably assassinate someone in one shot. More than likely we'll see Uryuu pop up making it 2 vs 2 while Ginjo and Tsuki square off in the background. Hopefully Isshin and Urahara aren't too far off either.[/size][/font]