The Paladin cave

[Bobby Bowen]

""Nothing we can't handle! We blow up something as a diversion, then run for the portal! We are not scrubs here!" an apparently exasperated Bobby spat out.

[Robert West]

"I think Bobby could use a nap," Rob says, "He's had a hard day."

[Atropha]

"Yes yes, you're professionals. Thing is, these guys have been at each other's throats for so long it's become second nature to them and they won't care about taking prisoners. Unless you're really unlucky and Harbinger decides you're worth paying attention to." She certainly sounds calm but at the end there the tip of her cigarette is shaking.

[Daniel Uriel]

"I have an idea," Daniel said, sounding uncharacteristically patient now that they saw Sam (and yes... he'd let himself admit that he was relieved to see her, she was one of the few people at the school that gave him a chance, after all). "How about we stop being cryptic and pretending everyone knows who everyone is and give us some facts. We've got some time, not like we can leave before we find the others anyway."

[Atropha]

"All you need to know is that the portal is temporally unstable and I've been here for over a year. Let's just say it wasn't the most pleasant vacation. My 'native' version is dead because I killed her. No, I did not keep her head as proof."

[Daniel Uriel]

"I was sort of referring to the 'stuff standing between us and getting home' part, but okay, we'll take that part on faith since you probably can't fool her," he said, nodding at Sam.

[Atropha]

"Right. Well all that stands between us and the portal is most of the General's army, several floors of a sentient building and Galactus' Harbinger. Something their opponents haven't managed to crack despite years of trying even before their leader disappeared."

"Sam managed to coerce Faultline into an attack to give us a chance to sneak in. With this many people... We have no choice but to try to fight our way in and hope for the best."

[Daniel Uriel]

"Oh," Daniel said, letting the silence sink in for a minute. "Well, I'm glad that it's not anything worse than that." Shit. This sounds bad.

[Order]

"Yes, I'm sure an army of children will bring down the Bitch Goddess at last," Croyden said with a roll of his eyes as he made his entrance, "Seriously, this is the rescue party?"

[Samantha McManus]

"This isn't the time, Croyden."

[Nick Varkan]

Nick's gaze shot to the sound of his own voice insulting them.

"Great. It figures evil me would be here..."

...and blonde... the fuck?

[Order]

"Oh no, the bizarre lovechild of James Dean and a sea captain assumes I'm evil. Whatever shall I do?"

[Daniel Uriel]

Daniel glanced at Nick, then at Sam. "Who's Captain Douchebag, and is anyone going to be really upset if we kick his ass?"

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

"You'd hear few complaints from me," Stephanie said quietly.

[Order]

"Easy, easy. I'm on your side," Croyden said. "Besides," he added, pointing to his collar, "What threat could I possibly pose?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Defector from the General's forces. We need him."

[Daniel Uriel]

Daniel looked at Sam skeptically. "You weren't here when it got pointed out earlier, but we are in the universe where we can safely assume that no one we meet has any redeeming value to society. Do we need him unbruised?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Considering we bruised him up rather a lot bringing him in..."

[Daniel Uriel]

Daniel nodded and sighed. "You get to have all the fun."

[Paladin]

Paladin frowned at the mention of fun in regards to violence.

"You would be safer to assume nothing about anybody in this universe," Paladin said, "There are people in this universe with redeeming value and a great deal many people who are simply trying to survive in a world filled with creatures like the Mockery and Apophis."

[Daniel Uriel]

"Yes, yes, I know, just a misunderstood place, which is why our universe got dragged into it. You're the last person I'm going to take moral lectures from," Daniel said dismissively.

[Nick Varkan]

"What I want to know is, if you're here... who or what was Belial?" Nick redirected, looking at Paladin.

[Daniel Uriel]

Daniel looked over at him. "Wouldn't be surprised if a world that pumps out more evil scientists pumps out more clones," he pointed out.

[Paladin]

Paladin fixed Nick with glowing blue eyes. His skin tanned where Gideon's was black.

"Belial was an abomination of science," Paladin said, "Vat grown, trained, and psychologically manipulated."

"He was created to fight me on even footing. He failed and they scrapped the project. However, now that I've attacked so openly they'll no doubt start asking for bids from the general to produce more."

[Nick Varkan]

"What's so special about you? Our Gideon's just a telepath."

[Paladin]

Paladin chuckled warmly before looking at Gideon.

"Untapped potential, discipline, training," Paladin said with an easy seeming smile.

[Nick Varkan]

"Has anyone told you that your friendly attitude is just a bit creepy?"

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

"Enough," she said, "let's focus on getting the job finished. When do we need to strike to get back to the portal and get out of this place? Second question being can we close it after us?"

[Paladin]

"I find your friends first," Paladin said, "I recommend resting, having a meal, taking a shower, perhaps having a cup of hot chocolate."

"I can disable the portal once you're gone. The issues we're looking at are negating Harbinger, a sentient building, and an army or three. All three of which contain very powerful mutants."

[Nick Varkan]

"So yeah, we clearly need the whole team."

[Lora Zalesky]

Lora just stood with the others and listened for now, uncharacteristically quiet. Maybe it was because she was around a third version of her boyfriend

[Robert West]

"No rest for the wicked," Rob says, "We need a plan. And I need my old lab."

"Sunshine," Rob says to Daniel, "You stay here and lead this side of our team. Don't kill anyone."

"Now, who wants to volunteer for a suicide mission!" Rob asks in a jovial tone.

[Daniel Uriel]

"Am I the only one getting creeped out that he's referring to it as his 'old' lab?" Daniel mused.

[Robert West]

"Depending on how time works between worlds, the radiation should be down to healthy, life giving levels," Rob says, "Don't worry about it."

[Paladin]

"I would prefer if none of you left the safe house," Paladin said, "Leaves me with one less rescue mission to perform later."

[Daniel Uriel]

"Care to give more details and prove how unhelpful these guys are?" Daniel asked Rob, ignoring other-Gideon. "What are we up against? I hear a lot of names and no 'what the hell they do.'"

[Robert West]

"This is the world's smallest violin," Rob says, rubbing his fingers together, "And it doesn't give a shit what you want either."

"Now, I've had all sorts of peaceful intentions here, Pally. I've told people to trust you, followed along after you and let you play the great and powerful Oz," Rob says, "But you're not the boss of me, you're kind of a tool and I've got at least one guy here that would probably be delighted if I told him to play hackey sack with your scrotum."

"So, your recommendation has been considered and rejected. Anything else?"

[Daniel Uriel]

Daniel smirked. "Knew there was a reason I was starting to like you..."

[Stephanie Kaltiera]

Despite her best efforts not to laugh, Steph couldn't help but chuckle at Rob's retort.

[Paladin]

"Well put and as you say I have no control over you," Paladin said, "I do have control over the security system inside the safe house, maps of the underground tunnels, and the most intelligence files on the factions in this city."

"However, you are welcome to do as you wish. I would simply prefer that you did not unless you're going to explain why."