Shift

[Howler]

((Click the title to go to the OOC Thread))

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"After what happened in Hong Kong, Division tightened their grip on the world. Agents were dispersed globally to hunt us down. The Drug was valuable, but not valuable enough to release my mother. She was their most important asset. Without her they would be blind."

"So Plan B? Well, there wasn't one. That was until I got a vision about New York. Times Square seemed safe enough, Division wouldn't dare pull something in Public. This is why it seemed to be the best course of action possible."

"However, the future is always changing."

"But I'd never even considered the past."

- Cassie Holmes

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Chapter One: Look Before You Leap

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Augustus Evans

As the sunlight creeped in through one of the slats of the shack he was sleeping in, Augustus lazily threw an arm over his eyes to shield them from the sun's rays.

He lay there, thinking of what was, what was going to be until he dozed off a little again.

Eventually, he lifted the arm off his face and wiped his coarse chin and his tired eyes with his hands. Swinging his legs over the side of the cot, he slipped into his shoes and the day's wear to proceed out the door of his little wooden house.

Upon exiting, he sheathed his knife and put on some old looking sunglasses. Pulling out a chocolate bar from his dusty coat pocket, he opened it and began chewing on it as he made his way to the equally makeshift barn which had become the housing for the rest of "The Pack".

Striding casually into the rackety abode Augustus had found for them, he lifted his sunglasses and began kicking some of the sleeping bags, cots and straw-sleeping areas.

"Come on!" He cried, lifting a mangled and rusted cattle prod. "Up!" He boomed as he began to strike the barn's wooden side, create a rather grotesque and unpleasent pang from the cattle prod.

"Meetin' in five." Augustus declared. "We 'av a big day ahead." He continued.

Returning to his chocolate bar, he walked in a relaxed manner toward the old jailhouse of the abandonned town they were in.

El Castillo Del Diablo was the name of the settlement they occupied, roughly translated as The House Of The Devil.

Throwing the wrapper of the chocolate bar to one side before entering the jailhouse, he swallowed the last bite and went in to gather notes, papers and blueprints for their meeting.

Augustus continued and sat in the chair of the Sheriff's office of the jailhouse, placing his feet on the table and pulling a copy of "Oliver Twist" out of the top drawer of the old mahogany desk. Flipping through the pages, he reached where he had been reading last with the help of his trusted bookmark, a one hundred dollar bill. Yawning and stretching back a little in the old creaking chair, he continued reading as members of The Pack were making their way to the office where they would begin planning how to become the richest people on the planet.

[Guest]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Timothy Harris


The clamor created by August's rather noisy entrance brought Timothy out of a fitful dream, although he couldn't quite remember what it was about. He laid there for another five minutes, beginning his day like he always did, by convincing himself to get up instead of sleeping another fifteen minutes. Slowly his eyes opened and adjusted to the Nevada sun, and he squirmed out of his sleeping bag, much like a caterpillar from a cocoon.

He walked over to the duffel bag he kept his clothes in and retrieved a fresh pair of boxers, torn blue jeans, and an 80's style ringer T-shirt, blue with a black collar and black at the end of the sleeves. He looked around to the other sleeping Pack Members, and even bothered to nudge a few, before finding somewhere private to change out of the clothes he'd worn the previous day. A few minutes later he was running a comb through his hair and applying his deoderant, although no cologne, he was fresh out. He needed to steal some soon, or just borrow from J.

Finally, he hitched his belt around his waist and walked over to the abandoned sheriff's office, his Converse clad feet kicking up small piles of dust as the glare of the midday sun caught his eye. He stopped, for just a second, to admire the natural beauty of the Nevada Desert and how truly great God was, he said a short prayer and continued his walk. The bright blue desert sky matched the shade of his eyes, he noticed, and slowly pushed open the door of the sheriff's office.

"August?" he said, rather loudly, to announce his presence, and slowly he walked to where they usually had their meeting, taking his customary spot near the back of the room. He leaned back against the wall and waited for everyone else to come, and in his mind he thought that they certainly were a motley crew, a group that nobody would have guessed could come together. Obviously that had it's benefits, because when they did this heist nobody would guess they were working together. He looked up, towards Augustus, and waited for their 'leader' to start.

[Eternity]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Zhen Nahida


Ah, nothing like a psychic gone wild to wake you up in the morning. The sound of a clanging cattle prod struck the walls and Zhen winced from her sleep. She was a very light sleeper, and she knew that this was the method of Augustus. She kept her eyes closed, able to tell it was light outside of her lids that would bring her to instant irritability if she looked into it too quickly. But on came Augustus, nudging her cot. She took a long breath and audibly sighed, slowly cracking her eyes open. Her dark hues stared into the light, appearing the tone of fresh coffee beans, her pupil shrinking to a minimal state in the sunlight. She wrinkled her nose as yet another came by. Timothy; nudging her cot again.

She raised her body up, draped in a pink tank top and black pajama shorts. The heat was so much that she could usually manage sleep without a blanket. The only times she did use a blanket was to cover her bare legs from the buzzing pests that seemed to whiz about meaninglessly around here. Bugs and bees and mosquitoes too- though mosquitoes were without much breed here in the desert where water was a delicacy.

Zhen Nahida brushed her slender lightly tanned fingers through her colorful hair, pushing through the top tones of burgundy into the lower tones of orange/copper, passing through the two solitary streaks of bleach blond near her cheeks. She yawned quietly and rubbed her face, staring through her fingers at the other members of "The Pack".

"Tôi không thể chờ cho các phòng của riêng tôi." She said softly to herself in a native language that, thankfully, not many knew. Because of such, she could have open audible thoughts and smile at the fact that everyone could be clueless. Save for some, but what the hell.

Zhen swug her long legs over the cot and pressed her feet on top of her shoes. She wouldn't touch the dirt- not yet. She slid on a pair of white low-rise socks and then pushed her feet into a pair of lime green and white Pumas. She tied them up and then stood, stretching and yawning once more. Oh how she wished getting up were easier. But then again, it might be if she had a bed instead of a little rickety cot.

She turned and moved towards a few of the bags, noting which one was hers by the bright blue color. She bent down to her knees in a crouch and unzipped it, pulling out her deodorant and rubbing it beneath her arms. She then pulled out a bottle of scent-less lotion and rubbed it into her arms, and then put on a bit of tanning oil to hopefully both tan her, and keep her from looking like a lobster when she stepped into the sun. Zhen zipped her bag back up after having grabbed a brush and gladly moved outside, combing her hair back and straightening it from its morning mess.

Outside the sun glowed down with a relentless heat. Ah, she remembered it was hot like this in Cambodia, but she didn't mind. Back there, they had trees. Here in the middle of nowhere, in the desert, they had sand. What a nice transition, she would think. But she didn't mind this place. Here, she wasn't alone. And being alone was her weakness; her fault. She had no true reason to fear being alone, but she just did. It made her nervous, and she felt weak and powerless without her companions nearby. But this fear was one that very few knew about- and she planned on things staying this way for a long time. Zhen walked onwards down the road until she arrived at the jailhouse, stepping through the doors and into the semi-shaded area.

"Good morning to you too Augustus." She grinned at him, folding her lean arms across her chest and standing before him as she parted her lips to quietly yawn once more. Man, she really couldn't wait for the day where she could sleep in, with an air conditioner hopefully. "Hey you." She then said, turning her head and spotting Timothy. He was the youngest, or so she thought. She didn't really keep up with how old each person was, she just knew that the diversity here was pretty astonishing. She was the only Stitcher, and Augustus was a Changer, and the others ranged from Porters to Movers to Pushers. Well, they kept her entertained; that was for sure.

[Ragter the junior greeter]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Tule Seiris

Tule Seiris the Mover let out a slight sigh as a cattle prod hit the side of the building that she, as well as the majority of The Pack, slept in. Of course, the exception to that was the leader, Augustus, hence 'the majority'. "Why does he always find the need to do that when not all of us sleep at normal times?" She commented to herself, in a small, whisper-like voice, not loud enough for any of the others to hear, thankfully enough.

Or...not so thankfully, for moments after that, someone nudged her cot for some god forsaken reason that she couldn't possibly fathom. These people are so annoying at times...but if I must deal with them, I suppose I will She thought to herself as she sat up and let her only yawn of the morning escape her lips. Perhaps after whatever it was that Augustus was planning this time she could fall asleep. Opting to stay quiet now, she reached over to her pack, which was right next to her, as it always was, and took a hold of it, then stood up.

With a glance around, she headed over to the nearest private spot she could find, and then removed her old clothes, after which she would put on the cleaner clothes in her pack. "Okay...now just to see what Augustus wants now" She commented to herself, then she turned around and headed off in the direction of the sheriff's office. To her, it was a rather fitting place for one such as Augustus...even though she didn't trust him completely or anything, he was a nice enough guy. Further yet, he had the air of authority about him, hence why the office was a fitting place for him.

As she was heading towards the office, she noticed two of the other pack members...Zhen, and Timothy. None of them seemed to do anything too odd as they entered the office, though Timothy seemed to pause for a moment near the sheriff's office. Deciding to stop taking notice of what the others were doing and actually get in there, she herself continued towards the office. She just so happened to enter it right after Zhen and looked over towards Augustus. "Hello, Augustus" She stated to him as usual whenever meetings such as this occurred. With her greeting said to the leader, she took a spot against the wall and sat down, paying no mind to how dirty the floor might be or what might be on it.

[Howler]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Augustus Evans

Augustus nodded as Timothy, Zhen and Tule entered in a staggered, but farily prompt manner.

Gazing down at his Dickens book once more, he was reminded of the parrallels between himself and Fagin. Afterall, they were training and teaching these pubescent, outcasts theivery. But in admiring Fagin and his speeches to Oliver and the 'Artful Dodger', Augustus remembered that he was about to give a statement to the gang that was so vital to what they were doing, it was disturbing how slow they were making their way here.

Did they even care? They would become rich and powerful beyond their wildest dreams.

"Stupid kids..." He muttered under his breath, before he flung the book back on the desk and strutted past the people who were on time, with a little "Wait 'ere." before he went outside into the scorching sun and began shouting at the barn where they were sleeping.

"Do you want to be a part'o'this or am I just wastin' mah time?" He spat.

Muttering and cursing quietly, he stared into the sun, sneezed and walked back into the office where he returned to what he was previously doing.

Smiling with a hint of distaste for the people in the barn, he threw a question at Tule. "Ow's the movin' going Tule? I'm gonna need yer strength today love."

"An' I'm not talkin' 'bout shifting the sleepy-crew over there."Augustus snickered.

[Spectre]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Felix Inigo Bernal

Felix sighed to himself as he heard the older Augustus banging and hollering. He was already partially awake, and was fully aware what was going on. He squeezed his eyes further closed for a brief moment. He was laying in his cot, on top of his small blanket and pillow. It was far too hot in the mornings to really want to wear a blanket. Especially the way he slept. Shirtless, but he for some reason kept both his jeans, and pants on.

He again inhaled deeply, and exhaled in a sigh as he slowly rose to a sitting position, his feet off the cot and now on the dirty floor. Felix ran his left hand down his face, then back up to rub his left eye with the palm of his hand. Vision still a bit blurry from the short sleep he had- he widened his eyes, and blinked a few times to clarify his sight. He heard Tule mumbling to herself, and watched as Harris wandered around to fully change. Grabbing his backpack, Felix pulled out his deodorant and slapped some on, and used some hand sanitizer to clean up a bit. Not in the mood for anyone's complaining at the moment, he reached over and grabbed up his cream colored shirt that was neatly folded at the foot of the cot, his sunglasses atop it, as well as his cigarettes. In a fluid motion he stood and walked for the doorway, passing a few others still getting read to meet.

Exiting, he felt the heat of the sun. Something he was fairly familiar with. In a quick motion his shirt was stuffed into his back pocket, before pulling his sunglasses over his eyes. He gave a half smirk, thinking about the rag-tag group of psychics he was with. The thought passed quickly as he stuck a partially bent cigarette in his mouth and promptly lit it.

Bored, Felix wandered around in a small vicinity, looking to the town, the sky, taking drags as he saw fit. Staying down wind to make sure smoke minimally hit him. Despite being a smoker, he did not like smelling like one. He finally saw Harris exit the little building and to the sheriff's office. Shortly after, as he was almost done with the cigarette, he saw Zhen exit. Taking his last drag, he held the cigarette between his thumb and forefinger, and roughly tossed the butt to the ground. He then Gripped up his shirt and slid it on quickly, he himself now heading for the office.

He was met at the door by Augustus who Felix seemed to ignore. Augustus began shouting again, which Felix continued to ignore, walking the opposite direction into the office. Entering, he gave a smirk and a nod to everyone, still not really saying much other than a general 'Heya'. His voice- It sounded nice to him. Barely any accent to it at all...

He readied himself for some sort of briefing. Crossing his arms, and cocking his head, he began to wait. He was there to make money. He'd do his job, and be off. Sure, some of the people were nice, he'd made some good conversation with them. Though in his mind, he'd probably never see them again. At least that's how he felt now.

[Klikxx]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Alejandro Gonzales Bernal


"Come on. Up!"

The cry was followed by an unpleasant rattling pang from the cattle prod dragged across the wooden clapboard siding of the barn. A startled Alejandro sat straight up in his squeaky cot at the instant the ruckus started. Pulling his knees tightly to his chest he took several deep breaths to slow his now racing heart. It had taken him several moments to orient himself to his new surroundings. He was not at home.

He began to remember more clearly as the adrenaline rush subsided and the cobwebs cleared from his brain. He had at last found his brother, Felix who assured him they would talk in the morning. His older brother brought him to this place with the assurance this was as safe a place as any. The young boy slept comfortably for the first time in ages. A safe haven or not it was a thankless awakening to a new day.

"Meetin' in five." The deep voice boomed. "We 'av a big day ahead."

Judging from the bright light that filtered into the room they were well into the day. Alejandro never slept in this late before. He searched the tattered room for signs of Felix. He caught but a glimpse as his older brother made his way outside. There were signs that several others who were holed up in the communal style facility along with them. They too seem to have departed.

“Wait!” Alejandro yelled as he sprang from the bed.

The dirt floor felt cool to the touch of his feet despite the warmth of the day. He was almost to the door before he realized he wasn’t fully dressed. Rushing back to his cot he snatched the crumpled mass on his jeans and shoved one leg into the pant leg. The other leg however did not navigate the tangled mess as gracefully sending him toppling over onto the bed. The young boy wasn’t even fazed at the setback hiking his jeans up the rest of the way and fastening the metal button.

"Do you want to be a part'o'this or am I just wastin' mah time?"

Damn! That voice reminded him of his father. He already began to despise the man behind it and they hadn't even met. He definitely didn’t need that following him around. Swiftly he pulled a dirty white tank top over his head and grabbed his boots. He looked a mess but it would have to do given the circumstances. Rushing out the doors he frantically tried to determine where everyone had gone.

Running up the barren streets boots in his hand panic began to set in. He stopped and twirled in what seemed like endless circles trying to discern direction. Then he heard it. A sneeze is what caught his attention. The Mexican youth caught sight of a gruff older man turning to enter a run down office. He could only assume he was the one responsible for barking out the demands earlier.

Alejandro made haste towards the wooden building. Arriving at the door he was relieved to hear the distinctive voice of his brother. Ignoring the imposing figure in front of him he pushed his way into the room and headed straight for Felix. The young boy didn’t even acknowledge the others at first as he walk up and slugged his brother hard into the meat of the shoulder.

“That’s for leaving me behind.”

[Ragter the junior greeter]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Tule Seiris

She said nothing as the leader of the group muttered something under his breath, something about stupid, though she couldn't hear the last part. Now, Tule thought herself quite intelligent, actually, and being called stupid wasn't really on her to-do list today. As usual though, she just had to suck it up, she wasn't really one for confrontation and, besides, the man was their leader, how could she be stupid enough to get in a fight with him, of all people?

Their leader eventually left the building, presumably to wake up the others that hadn't come into the room yet. Of course, just as she suspected, that was what was up, because just a few moments after the leader had left, well, the brothers came in. Tule remained quiet as she watched the brothers come in...if she remembered right, she could be wrong. They hadn't explicitly told anyone they were brothers, but, well, they looked somewhat identical...to her. Of course, her guesses usually turned out to be wrong, so she didn't bother to ask them if they were brothers or not. At least I know their names for sure, Alejandro and Felix She told herself. "Hm? You're going to be needing me today?" She responded when she heard someone talking to her, she looking over at the leader, while at the same time hearing Felix saying a simple 'heya'. Out of the corner of her eye, she also saw Alejandro punch Felix in the back, for whatever reason.

Deciding to ignore those two, for now, she listened to the rest of their leader's words and allowed a very rare smile to show on her face as he made a joke about the sleepy pack. "Well, if you're not talking about all of them, then what exactly are you talking about?" She spoke up again, this time, with a question, rather then a statement like last time.

As she waited for a response from their leader, she couldn't help but to let her mind wander, as well as ponder, and think about how alike all of them were. From her point of view, the majority of them were rather anti-social, her included, obviously, and wouldn't talk to each other for a friendly chat. Again, this was all just from her point of view, but that didn't matter to her much.

[Howler]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Augustus Evans

As the last of the group entered the office, Tule answered his question with a question, which just plain confused him.

"I'm erm, talking about them... yeah. Who... who... else?" He stuttered, not having a clue what Tule was trying to say.

"Nevermind." Augustus said, moving on briskly. "We're all 'ere are we?" He enquired, looking around at the just arriving faces of Felix and Alejandro. "Good."

Lobbing his book back into the drawer, he pulled out the blueprints of a building labelled "The Federal Reserve, New York" and splayed them out across the desk he was sat behind. "Lean in kids." He whispered, smirking. "This is where the magic happens." Pointing at a specific place within the building, as he peeled back the layers of blueprint, indicating that they were going below geound level, he looked up and began talking once more.

"Do you know what's in that room there?"

Before anyone could anwer, he stated firmly and loudly. "Gold! Tons and tons and tons of god-sent bricks of pure brilliance."

Augustus couldn't help but begin waving his arms about while he was giving this speech. "And do you know what we're gonna do with it?" He enquired once more in a rhetorical fashion.

"We're going to steal it all!" He cried, flinging certain bits of paper at his miniature crowd, for the purposes of what he felt was dramatic effect. Either that or he was just coming across crazy. "That's eight hundred and fifty billion dollars of cold, hard, elemental dosh! Enough to last us an eternity and more!"

Scanning the patterns in people's eyes and faces, he didn't await a reaction as he plowed on with the plan. "Porters, you'll be taking us there and then back. Tule, you'll be helping moving the Gold into the bags we have. The rest of you will be using your gifts to whatever advantage we require. As soon as we're loaded up and ready to go, the brothers will get us outta there and back to home sweet home." He announced, banging the desk twice in a non-affectionate manner.

"I have taken the liberty of gathering gear for you all, you'll all be my 'protection', since I'm going to be leading us in with a familiar face." He chuckled, opening a small chest next to him containing suits and clothing. "And you'll be needing these, you just never know." Augustus said, dropping his tone of voice a little, handing them each a handgun.

Momentarily, Augustus' features swivelled and danced before The Packs' eyes until his face and body were recognizable of that of the President Of The United States.

"Any questions?" He said. Smiling a bit as he mimicked the President's tone and accent of voice with immense precision.

[Eternity]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Zhen Nahida


She had stood back as another came in; that being Tule, who was shortly followed by Felix and Alejandro. Of course, Alejandro came in after Augustus seemed to go out, crazily beckoning at him to come in. Zhen had to muffle laughter; not because Alejandro was late. But because Augustus was so impatient. She had always seen him as a bit on the cuckoo side, but she also believed it was his open-mindedness that made him a strong leader. His oddities made him stronger. Just as they did everyone in "The Pack". When all returned, she turned her dark eyes to watch Alejandro sling his fist into Felix's shoulder.

Those two, they never stop. I can never figure out what's up with them...

She swayed out of her thoughts as Augustus drew everyone's attention with a blueprint pressed down to the table. She watched his hands move over it, his dusty fingers riding over the blue lines and interpreting the meaning of his words as he went. Zhen took in the meaning quickly, her mind picking at the plan before it was even done. Her lips curled at their ends, and she blinked, if only to keep herself from glaring at the blueprint. Hell, she'd even managed to slightly ignore the flailing arms of a maniac that was the cheery plotter Augustus.

When he stopped, he seemed to soothe his excitement for a more professional mockery sense, and was like a fresh teacher taking questions on the first day of school. He appeared as the President, and she took in the new Augustus for a moment before chuckling quietly.

"When do we begin?" Zhen said, asking the simplest question which was of the time essence. She couldn't deny that she herself was excited. Money meant college, and a nice job and identity. Or, if she preferred it, it meant a free no-strings-attached lifestyle of her own, somewhere rich and fancy; of course with an alias. And of course, not alone. She felt her throat tighten at the thought of being alone and wrinkled her brow in thought. You can't buy friends, can you? Not the ones that make honest company...

She, again, jolted herself from her thoughts. Sometimes they just went in all the wrong directions. Zhen tilted her head up and smiled, folding her arms across her chest and pressing her nails just barely against the flesh of her upper arms.

[Spectre]

[quote="Spectre"]Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Felix Inigo Bernal

Felix looked back as Alejandro walked in. His attention had left his little brother, and focused on Augustus. Feeling a closed fisted punch to his shoulder, Felix raised a brow at his brother, then continued to focus his attention on Augustus. Just as he was hoping for, Augustus seemed to get directly to the point after stumbling over an answer to Tule, who's question confused Felix as well. Who else is here...? he thought in his head sarcastically, watching Augustus flop some blueprints onto the table.

"Lean in, kids."

Still standing with his arms folded, Felix took a step closer, and began to study the blueprint..33 Liberty St
New York, NY.... Reading on to see 'New York Federal Reserve Bank', even as Augustus was talking. He was standing partially sideways, his body not directly facing the table, but his head and full attention were on the blueprint, and the fanatic 'briefing'. Partially able to begin picking apart the briefing before it began, Felix knew they would be up for some sort of job... To his lack of surprise, it was a heist. Oh dear lord...

"We're going to steal it all!" rang in his mind, as he dodged paper being tossed about.

Wait... there better be much, much more to this than that... He began thinking, noting that the current briefing was entirely too vague for his liking. Despite this, Felix was satisfied. It all sound too crazy to be entirely true, but Felix knew it was for real. The crazed look in Augustus, now the President's eye affirmed this all, as he reached out and took the handgun.

His time in America had made him very familiar with guns for some reason, he had always been a fan. Maybe it was a testosterone thing, maybe not. Hm. Nice. He inspected the gun quickly, immediately recognizing it, cocking the slide back, inspecting the load of the magazine. He never put his finger on the trigger, though, and reached back to stick it into the rear of his jeans. Even after, though, he had questions. Probably questions that would be answered later, but something he felt he needed to know first hand. He gently cleared his throat and spoke up.

"I-" He was cut off by Zhen asking about when they would begin, but before Augustus could answer, Felix continued again. "You're using me and Alejandro to get in, and out.. But what about the gold? And once we get the gold-" He paused, looking about. "I haven't seen any semi-trucks here. If there's tons of gold, what are we putting it in?" He asked, his tone showing inquiry, and not frustration. He was confident in his skill to get the group of persons in and out, but why port there? why not just walk right in if he's using the President's likeness? Maybe Augustus was making it vague and full of holes on purpose for now. Felix assumed he'd begin to go more in depth later...

[Ragter the junior greeter]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Tule Seiris

Tule couldn't help but find herself a bit amused after Augustus had stumbled over her question. You see, despite what the others thought, she had intended that question to be confusing like that, it was oh so fun seeing Augustus confused, after all. She stayed quiet as usual when Augustus began to state his plan as if he was some sort of crazed madman. He even threw bits of paper at the group for...well, something that Tule was quite unaware of. Seems he's finally lost it.. She commented to herself in her mind as Augustus seemed to be done. Thank you She thought again, to no particular anybody.

She again stayed politely quiet as the others asked Augustus questions.

"Hm...I have a question, like them, Augustus" She said to him, her smile from earlier completely gone. "I really hope you aren't planning to walk into the bank as the president as an alternative to this plan, to me, that would be a really stupid idea" She said to him with a sigh. "Think about it, why would the president visit some town in Nevada" She said again to him, then went quiet as she realized what she said hadn't been a question. "Oh...and uh, sorry, that wasn't a question, more of a comment" She added moments after she had spoken before.

With that said and done, she reached her hand forward, picking up one of the guns that Augustus had offered to the group. Hm...a gun, biggest symbol of America right here..at least, for the time being She thought to herself, since it seemed everyone and their mother had a gun.

"A gun....hopefully I won't have to use it, I do detest having to fight when I don't have to" She commented to herself, something she had found herself doing more and more often. Which usually made her wonder why in the world she was talking to herself when she had the whole Pack to talk to. Maybe it was simply just because of the fact that she didn't really trust them all with her life just yet..she would trust them with that when they went and saved her life. Speaking of saving lives...maybe they'll get a chance to do that this time She told herself.

"So...now for an actual question, why are we planning for it today, specifically?" She questioned to him. He hadn't made any sign that he had been planning this, not that Tule paid careful attention to whatever Augustus was doing at any given time.

[Guest]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Timothy Harris


Timothy leaned against the wall of what had apparently been a sheriff's office, watching as Tule, then Felix, and finally Alejandro filed in, one after the other. He nodded with a shy smile at Tule and Zhen when they greeted him, and watched Tule fire questions at Augustus. When he finally motioned for them to gather around the table Timothy took his place between the two girls and leaned forwards, his hands on the table to either side of him. Augustus laid out a crude blueprint of a vault of some sorts, with their goal clearly labeled.

Timothy shrank back a bit as August started throwing paper at them and wildly gesticulating, screaming his head off about gold and 850 billion dollars. Inwardly he shrugged, his cut would allow him to live comfortably his entire life, but who were they stealing this from? Timothy's eyes widened as Augustus slowly changed into the President of the United States and started handing them guns. Timothy's hands started to shake at the ghastly object. He decided right then that he wouldn't ever use the gun and his nerves started racing just at the prospect. One of his hands decided to go incorporeal and he dropped the pistol, barely recovering it before it hit the ground.

He laughed nervously, voice crackling, and listened to Tule question Augustus again. She seemed to have a really high opinion of herself, didn't she? Most of her points were valid, and when she was done he slowly raised his hand, still shaking slightly, and waited on Augustus to call on him. When it was finally his turn he opened his mouth and said "Ah-August? Why w-would you go to this base as the President? W-wouldn't it make more sense for you to be a general or something? And it's going to be hard for the brothers to g-get us into there, let alone out of there with the gold, so maybe I should phase us out and we load everything up? I think that I can make the gold phase th-through if I keep my hands on it, and I can get everyone else out too....."

Timothy looked down at his feet, embarrassed that he had stuttered so much during his time to talk. A hint of a blush creeped at the corners of his face and thankfully some of his hair covered his eyes, so that he couldn't see the eyes of the other Pack members, who surely must be staring at him. He kept staring at the dusty floor while the rest of the people talked, barely tuning in for the duration of the rest of the planning. Soon he was in his own little world, away from all the embarrassment, the awkwardness, and the prying eyes of the others, and he liked it that way.

[Klikxx]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Alejandro Gonzales Bernal


Alejandro joined the others around the small wooded desk. The close cramped quarters made it difficult to get a good look. Leaning in he tried to make heads or tails of the display of blueprints. It wasn’t until he took notice of the label "The Federal Reserve, New York” he realized what this was all about. Augustus spread them out across the worn desk gradually revealing each layer before sitting well pleased with himself.


"Do you know what's in that room there?"

What he had revealed to the motley crew was a modern day Eldorado. The old man wildly stated the target waving his arms in excitement. The bounty was described as tons and tons of god-sent bricks of pure brilliance ripe for the plucking. A take he estimated at eight hundred and fifty billion dollars.

As he looked to each member indicating their part in the affair Alejandro was overwhelmed with a sickening sensation. Feelings of inadequacy began to creep back into his mind. He was to be responsible for transporting the group to the reserve and back. A simple task given the skill set he was assumed to possess. What hadn’t been mentioned is that he had no idea how it worked.

Alejandro refused to meet the gaze of the others. He simply shook his head silently in disbelief at his luck. He thought things would be different this time. What had Felix gotten him into? Frustration set in and he responded with a sharp elbow to the ribs of the elder Bernal. Now that he had his attention he shot his brother a cold stare as the Brit continued.

Much of what was said from that point on eluded Alejandro. His mind whirled as the thought of failure his brother had set him up for set in. To fail once again and in the presence of a madman who seemed as abusive as his father. Perhaps at another time, another place he would feel differently but right now he could barely breathe, paralyzed with fear.

Even as the hand gun was slid in front of him he could not force himself to grab the weapon. He desperately sought an excuse to just walk away. There was no way he could do this. Augustus' features changed before the young boy’s eyes until what appeared to be the President of the United States stood before him.

"Any questions?" The President asked exhibiting a playful smirk.

"When do we begin?" Zhen responded promptly not exhibiting any of the apprehension that gripped Alejandro. Her attitude was somewhat inspiring to the young boy as she confidently folded her arms across her chest. Tilting her head up she smiled. Somebody believed in this madness.

The young boy was almost convinced on her reactions alone when Felix spoiled the mood. "You're using me and Alejandro to get in, and out.. But what about the gold? And once we get the gold-" He paused, looking about. "I haven't seen any semi-trucks here. If there's tons of gold, what are we putting it in?" As the inquiry finished Alejandro without thinking fired off a question of his own towards Felix.

“If we can move ourselves and others wouldn’t it be safe to assume we can move the gold as well?”

[Howler]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Augustus Evans

Changing back to his regular self, Augustus awaited their queries, hoping they would get it.

Glancing at Zhen's eager face, he beamed at her, he was pleased that at least one of the group wanted to jump into this head first. But his joy was soon quelled by the questions that ensued.

Felix asked about the gold and how they would transport it without any trucks.

"You're my semi truck mate." He said, poking him with a grin. "Hell, ya could move a whole hotel if ya wanted. You need to understand yer potential lad."

It was Alejandro, Felix's younger brother who put forward a good point. Augustus nodded. "That's yer answer book right there." Pointing at Alejandro, he looked back and forth between the two porters and taking in how similar, yet different they were.

Tule then said something odd. Again. Augustus had gotten used to her strange remarks and comments, but nevertheless carried on to reply to her. "This ain't no small-time bank love, this is the big leagues, the federal reserve, New York. Common theives drool at the thought of even setting foot in such a place. And who's going to do that? Why, our very commander-in-cheif!"

Turning to Timothy, who was stuttering a little, listened to the staggered sentences that came out of his mouth.

"Tim, Tim, Tim." Augustus said, continuing his mad stride around the room, like some sort of insane lecture. "Would you question the President's presence if he were in yer livin' room? I think not. Plus, with that, we can pass you all as Secret whatnot so that we can all come on through. Besides, I need you, Tule and Zhen to be my infantry, if anything goes wrong, you can help out with any company we get."

Assuming that that was all, Augustus handed out the Secret Service uniforms. "Go change and train up a bit, we leave in an hour." He said sternly.

[Ragter the junior greeter]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Tule Seiris

Tule just waited patiently, listening to the answers he gave the other people as she waited for her question to be answered.

The others questions, for the most part, were pretty average for breaking into a bank, and she wasn't really paying attention much, just off in her odd little world. By odd little world, well, she was staring up at the ceiling, with her hands behind her head, just..waiting for Augustus to answer her.

"The..Federal Reserve?" She found herself asking moments later when Augustus got to her question..or statement, rather.

"Hey...Augustus, seems like you've thought everything through but...what are you going to do if the president happens to be at the reserve?" She asked.

"Of course...it is unlikely, so there's not much point in asking, now is there..." This wasn't directed at Augustus, it was more directed at...well, none other then herself. Yes, she was talking to herself in a room full of people and didn't really care all that much.

"Ah...forget it Augustus, that question isn't important" She stated with a wave of her hand. "Anyways...I suppose I'll go and get ready" She said rather pleasantly. "Oh, but before I do, good boy Augustus, for thinking most everything through" She said to him, again, not really caring that she just did something..strange in a room full of people. That strange thing was, of course, referring to Augustus as if he was a pet.

She then took the offered Secret Service suit and headed towards the exit, pondering how she would look in such a suit.

"Oh, I almost forgot" She called out, but not turning around at all. "Timothy, was it? Hope you don't mind if I call you Tim. Anyways, there's no need at all to be so nervous, it's not like we're a bunch of bloodthirsty psychos" She commented to him. "Just be sure to keep that in mind" She added as an afterthought, then just like that, she exited the sheriff's office. After she did that, she would head back over to where they all slept, except Augustus, of course.

Once there, she would find a hidden spot, much like earlier, and within moments was in the Secret Service garb. Now, for one last final action, she headed back to the sheriff's office and stepped inside again. "Augustus, I don't suppose you have any dark sunglasses to go with these, do you? You see, it's quite stereotypical of the public to think that all Secret Service wear such things" She stated to him rather calmly.

[Eternity]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Zhen Nahida


She thought her question was reasonable, and perhaps she was just enthused by the idea of being able to afford a bit of luxury. Zhen wasn't materialistic, but she did favor the thought of a lavish bed and bathroom. When the others asked their questions following her own, she smirked quietly. Was everyone so worried? If one were hurt, she could heal them. If one were cornered, they had porters. Shifters, movers, etc. They had a real team of vicious psychics that were all working together. And Zhen didn't ''trust'' these men and young woman, but she did have faith in their operation and their leader. She then turned her head in the others' questioning, to notice Alejandro and Felix. Those two were the strangest to her. One so greatly trained, one so raw and new. The Cambodian Stitcher raised a quiet eyebrow at the two brothers before looking back at Augustus' equipment.

She reached into the chest and withdrew a suit that matched her size, and then picked up a handgun. When done, Zhen looked over the others, and prepared to follow Tule outwards, where she would then find her own little place to change. But she stopped, and looked back at Alejandro. Her eyes rolled between him and his brother. She almost wanted to speak, but refrained. She bit her lip as she looked back at Alejandro and continued then on her way out.

"Let's get this thing going then." She grinned, moving to the door.

"Alejandro, bạn không nên lo lắng. Không phải về những vấn đề đó sẽ làm cho chúng ta những người chúng ta sẽ được." Zhen whispered quietly beneath her breath in Vietnamese- her native language- as she stepped out the door and into the open street.

She then turned off and into an old establishment that much resembled a bar, moving towards the back room. There, she laid the suit on a blanket over a table, and then stripped away her clothes. She rubbed her hands over her stomach and legs, realizing quickly that she was hungry; but it wouldn't stop her. Zhen took a long slow breath, before slipping into the suit. The only matter now was staying in it and not sweating in the mass heat of the desert. She set the tie over her chest and then slid the black coat over her shirt, and brushed her fingers through her hair once more to straighten it. She then slid the handgun inside of her coat, and moved outside. Done, and it hadn't taken no real long time.

Zhen was back in the street, and had come back to the office Augustus had taken over. But instead of walking inside, she took a good look around. Yeah, she was a little worried about the whole shebang... But it seemed like everyone else was playing mother, and assuring that the questions were asked. She just wanted to get it done... Get it over with.

And she turned into the office and smiled, folding her arms over her chest again and grinning anxiously.

"Ready when you are Augustus." She smiled, a slight accent to her voice.

[Guest]

Chapter One
Slightly after Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo De Diablo, Nevada
Timothy Harris


Timothy looked everybody in the room, their less than stellar replies to what he said being somewhat expected. He sighed, taking the government suit that Augustus had given him, and somewhat reluctantly grabbing the gun. He walked off to his own secluded corner of El Castillo de Diablo. He shrugged his shoulders, stripping down to his boxers and threading his legs through each leg of the tailored suit, then putting on the requisite undershirt and belt, and finally the jacket and tie. Looking himself over, he decided, for once, that he looked good. Maybe he'd keep the suit afterwards.

Stowing the pistol (safety on of course) in an inside pocket of the jacket, Timothy once again combed his hair and folded up his jeans and t-shirt neatly, then inserted them into his bag. He went through his stuff, stowing his wallet which contained his ID in the duffel bag with the rest of his things. He was slightly annoyed at having to change again, but still, Augustus was the boss. He put on his socks and the provided shoes and walked back out to the Sheriff's office with the rest of the group.

"Augustus, I thought to port you had to have been to the place you're going to first.. is that going to be a problem?" He muttered, his stutter almost gone. He straightened his back, practicing his official looking walk and stance, and started getting into the character of a secret agent. After all, looks won't matter if the acting was off. He was glad he took acting classes in highschool. Soon enough he had the act down, and was helping the others with theirs, as well as making up codenames for the group.

He had one more thing to take care of before he was ready to go, and, making sure nobody was listening to him but August, he said "Augustus, if any of us die during this mission, any one of us, I'm out of the Pack. I can't stand killing, I don't even want one guard dead. It's bad enough we're stealing all this gold, let alone killing an innocent. If we kill somebody, you'd damned best hope I never find out about it because that's one thing I won't have on my conscience. Do you understand me?" His tone was deathly serious, and he felt unusually brave, but such was often the case when he felt passionately about something. He waited for August's response.

[Klikxx]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Alejandro Gonzales Bernal


Alejadro couldn’t help but feel a little puffed up with the acknowledgement from Augustus. It was a rare occasion when he came up with a solution his brother had not thought of himself. It felt good to speak and not be shot down or humiliated. He was right for once and he could not help but grin happily.

The smile grew even wider when the older man handed him the Secret Service uniforms. He certainly did come prepared. Alejandro immediately rubbed his hands over the soft smooth fabric. He had never worn a suit before but the thought that he may like it definitely crossed his mind. He could get use to this.

"Go change and train up a bit, we leave in an hour." The British man barked sternly.

It wasn’t until just then it hit him. As prepared as he was the man was sure to have consulted a watcher. If he hadn’t he seemed confident enough in the role the two brothers would play. Alejandro collected up the rest of the uniform filled with a sense of purpose unlike anything he had felt before. Gruff as the elderly man was he believed in them. The inexperience of his trade was apparently not weighed against him.

Lost in his own thoughts it was the Cambodian girl that snapped back his attention. For some reason she stopped. Having gathered her items she looked back at the brothers before exiting. Biting her lip, she almost looked as if she wanted to say something as she locked eyes with Alejandro.

"Let's get this thing going then." She grinned, moving to the door before spouting off another comment in her native tongue.

The only thing the young boy knew for sure of the latter message was that she had spoke his name. Beyond that he had no clue what she had said as she stepped out the door into the open street. He would have to find out what that was all about. Tucking the pistol securely into one of the glossy black shoes he hurried after her. Stumbling into the street she had already disappeared.

She couldn’t have made it far Alejandro thought to himself as he glanced around for possible destinations. He soon found himself peering through window after window in hopes that he may find her. One such window revealed his mark. He stood mesmerized momentarily watching as she slid the black coat over her shirt, and brushed her fingers through her hair. She then slid the handgun inside of her coat.

Alejandro ducked back out of sight and began to change his clothes in rapid fashion. His wrinkled jeans provided a mat after he had kicked off his boots and dropped his drawers. A fresh pair of socks soon comforted his feet. Grabbing the fresh pair of dress pants Augustus had supplied he slid his feet into the legs and cinched them up over his waist. Stepping into the black dress shoes that were laid out nearby he was now half dressed.

Peaking back through the window he caught but a glimpse of Zhen as she exited the shelter. And he though he had changed fast. The fresh white dress shirt felt wonderful as it slid over his skin. Soon, with little effort he had the ensemble complete and all that was left was a few finishing touches. The tie would have to wait as he had little idea how to secure such a device. Sliding the gun into the shoulder holster he snatched the jacket and began his pursuit once more.

Zhen had already reached the office and was standing with her arms folded across her chest. It wasn’t a very inviting look but what did he have to lose. Pausing momentarily he took a deep breath before he began. He stumbled across the first few words. "You,…you spoke of me…” He stopped once again and collected his thoughts. He shook his head embarrassed from being tongue-tied.

“What was it you said to me before you left?”

[Eternity]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Zhen Nahida


Zhen turned her head as Timothy stated a serious question after having returned. Now Timothy was one of those few who seemed to confuse her at times. At once, he was a strong spoken person; when usually he was timid. But this wasn't too unusual. Zhen swayed her mind over the possibilities of his actions and the shift in his mood, when Alejandro came in.

Her eyes rolled over his figure, her lips curling in a smile. The straight wrinkle-free legs of the suit draping downward over shined shoes, and a jacket and shirt that made Alejandro look like quite the respectable figure. The only thing that drew away from this physical appearance was the look on Alejandro's face that suggested some need to speak, or some form of embarrassment even. If it had been Felix, it'd been ''perfect''. A suit, and a man of confidence inside of it.

"You... you spoke of me... What was it you said to me before you left?"

Zhen's soft lips curled into a brighter smile as she unfolded her arms and stepped to her side, nearing him a bit better. After she was at his side, she more loosely folded her arms, leaning towards him as to keep from disturbing the possible Q&A between Augustus and Timothy. She tilted her head a bit, her dark eyes rolling up to meet Alejandro's. She knew that speaking Vietnamese to the others may've left them confused, but a lot of times they didn't ask too many questions on the things she might've said. She never went off on a cursing roll over other members of the Pack. But then again, she had never mentioned Alejandro in his native tongue- his name remaining the same in her speech.

"I said..." She began in a ginger whisper, her eyes turning back to Augustus, before coming back to Alejandro, "that you shouldn't worry. I don't know if you do or don't- I don't read minds. But I think you do sometimes. You shouldn't worry because, well, look at us. We're a unique pack of talented bums in the desert. What have we to lose? Besides. We've got each others' backs" She then turned her head a bit towards the door, expecting the others to arrive shortly.

"I am sorry I didn't just say that. Sometimes I feel less restrained of my thoughts when I speak in my native tongue. It's a bad habit I suppose." Zhen chuckled, taking a long breath and grinning. "I'm excited. Aren't you?"

[Howler]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Augustus Evans

Raising an eyebrow at Tule's unfailing strange behaviour and quesitons, Augustus watched as the group left and returned in a more formal manner; dressed as the protectors of his master masquerade. When Zhen was the first to return, she arrived obediently and promptly. Augustus admired her for this, but something was preventing him from believing that this was what Zhen was truly like, a suspicion that being like this was to fulfill or prevent a feeling or thought. Dismissing it, Augustus was then addressed by Tim about a rather serious matter.

"Killing? Death? No, that's not part of the plan." He said. "These..." Augustus continued, pointing at the pistols that were stowed away within the jackets of the Pack. "...are precautionary, we won't be using them except in when we're in dire need of 'em."

"Which reminds me. Take a holster. Without 'em, who knows, maybe they'll think we're bank robbers." He smirked, tossing them out to the Pack.

Almost entirely forgetting what Tim had said about the porters, he clapped, reminding himself of the question that had been directed at him. "Oh yes, them." He cried, remembering what was being asked. "That's the beauty of Porters, even though they're a bit slow off the mark with the actual porting, they don't av' to av' been there to go there. It's all 'bout willing and determination." He said, yelling a little, but then lowering his voice again.

Walking to Alejandro after he and Zhen had had their chat, he took Alejandro to one side. "Look, I know you're new to this 'ole Porting business, but you av' the capability, you can do it. It's just up to you to follow through and show this lot what yer' made of." He whispered, hopefully giving him the confidence boost he needed.

Stepping back from Alejandro, he returned to his place near the desk and began spinning his knife randomly, yet with a refined skill.

"I think we're just waitin' for our dear old friend Felix now." Augustus said, becoming a little impatient.

[Spectre]

His thoughts were going to be his own on the briefing for the moment. Everyone else seemed to want to put their input in, which was natural. Augustus was going to have to deal with a lot, so Felix didn't want to add to it with another question on concern that would probably be addressed later.

Felix noted Zhen though. She looked to both he and his brother for a moment. As if she had something to say, but didn't want to say it. Raising both eyebrows, Felix gave a crooked smile, hoping to coax it out of her. Or at least let her know he noticed her looking. She bit her lip and moved on. All... right? He thought to himself as he moved for the chest, noticing Zhen saying something under her breath. Or to Alejandro. He didn't know. He walked over to the wardrobe and took his suit.

He snickered to himself and spoke aloud. "This is going to be the funniest group of secret service i've ever heard of." He jested, seeing as everyone was differently sized, different length hair, non-natural colored hair even. Some would be lucky to pass for regular contract security at a first glance. Though, sadly, it would still probably work.

He walked just outside the door to change. He didn't mind changing right there. He changed rather quickly, pants, shoes, shirt, tie, jacket. He had a system. He then placed the handgun in the rear of his pants waistline. He noticed others leaving the building and going to chance. A waste of time in his opinion. Felix stood around and waited a moment for everyone to come right on back. First noticing Tim Harris coming back, a big bulge in the front of his jacket. Felix shook his head and chuckled to himself. It was comical, not only was he skin and bone, but he was trying to act like a movie special agent. Two things that certainly weren't made for each other. Poor Kid he thought to himself. He tried getting his attention with a quick, easily noticeable, but not harsh hand movement.

"That's probably not a good place to put your weapon. You could see it from a mile away, and could also drop that thing in a hurry if you move too quickly. Try to conceal that for later, bud." He said finishing with a crooked smile, not trying to sound like a 'know it all' or anything. Just trying to give some advice. He had been in situations like this. Not robbing banks, but working as a bodyguard and an armed contractor.

Felix finished his sentence and smirked. Not a moment after, he sort of broke off and went to he other side of the Office, catching Zhen and Alejandro coming toward the office again. He was going to get some practice in. Or at least a little 'warm up'.

On the other side of the building, he looked about... Okay... what's big around here...?

He came back, not long after. Hearing voices inside. What the hell.. he was giving us an hour...?! He groaned inside his head, he jogged back to the office, nearly just ten yards. He heard his name, so he arrived.

[Klikxx]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Alejandro Gonzalez Bernal


She responded to his inquiry with a smile. Despite his ill at ease around others she somehow made him feel comfortable. Well as comfortable as he could get in such a social setting. The tension seemed to almost disappear completely for a moment as he became lost in the soft tones as she spoke.

Her words struck home. He did worry excessively. Much of the anxiety he felt revolved around how others would react. He worried far too much on trying to get a positive response. Perhaps she was right. What do we have to loose? Alejandro was lost momentarily as he replayed the commentary back in his head.

Zhen chuckled, "I'm excited. Aren't you?"

She had a beautiful laugh. “I wouldn’t really describe it as excited.” He began fighting to keep his voice steady. I think the butterflies in my stomach were telling me something completely different.” Alejandro grinned as he rubbed his tummy hoping to relieve some of the nervous tension. “Truth is I have only ever ported once,…..and that was by accident.Whether we have each other’s backs or not I get the feeling I am in way over my head.”

It's all 'bout will and determination." the Brit’s voice rose above the rest.

Alejandro’s head immediately snapped in the direction of the booming voice. It seemed like he was speaking right to him. Upon further review he seemed locked in conversation with Tim. That notion was relatively short lived as the imposing man turned and headed towards him. Perhaps he was speaking to me after all. Alejandro questioned his logic as Augustus pulled him aside.

"Look, I know you're new to this 'ole Porting business, but you av' the capability, you can do it. It's just up to you to follow through and show this lot what yer' made of." He whispered,

A huge smile crossed the tanned face of the young boy. There was seldom reason for him to smile but when he it certainly suited him. A bright glow seemed to come over him as if he had just realized for the first time he had worth. They believe in me. He cheerfully thought glancing back towards Zhen. I CAN do this!

“Think you can help me with this tie thing?” He remarked holding the device in the direction of the stunning Cambodian girl.

[Howler]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Augustus Evans

"Ready?" He enquired, glancing around as he saw that most people were suited up nicely and prepared well enough for his plan. Or at least he felt as Augustus was a person who enjoyed the thrill of jumping into situations and thinking on his feet, even though a rough plan never hurt anyone.

"Two groups." Augustus then announced, putting up two fingers. "Me, Tule and Alejandro. We go first, that way, if we cock up, we at least av' a bit'o'time to head to the right place. Then as soon as we port away, the rest'o'ya follow us."

Handing a picture of the Federal Reserve to both of the porters, he nodded at them.

Several minutes later, Alejandro stood with Tule and a transformed Augustus, all of them clothed in their Secret-Service like clothing, apart from that of Augustus' appearance; a tall, dark suit that made the figure of the current President seem slimmer, more muscular and slightly more towering.

Alejandro concentrated on the photo in his mind.

What sounded like a loud 'schwoooof' was heard by Augustus and most probably the other two. The room they had been in was left behind and the images he thought he knew shifted, twisted and spasmed.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
Financial District, New York
Augustus Evans

It felt like thousands of gallons of water were thrown against his face. Dragged, pulled and flung around, Augustus felt a little sick.

Landing flat on his face, Augustus groaned. Flipping himself gradually onto his back, he got up, gripping his pains, aches and so on. Not paying attention was the way to get through pain, at least that's what he found.

Glancing at his surroundings, he grunted. "The Big Apple." He commented. "Very nice." Augustus said, scanning the small alleyway they had landed in and the familiar skyscrapers of New York that surrounded them. Grabbing a small map out of his pocket. "Handy, this!" He cried, although he wasn't sure who he was talking to. He then noticed he wasn't alone, Alejandro and Tule too had been thrown through the port he created. It wasn't the best of ports he'd ever been through, but at least they had arrived at their destination.

Alejandro had landed in a lime green dumpster to the side of them and Tule had been just as unlucky; having fallen in a pile of garbage beside the dumpster Alejandro was in.

"Could av' been worse." Augustus chuckled, helping both Tule and Alejandro to their feet. "Right." He cried, examining the map that he had. "Here we are. And we want to be..." He began, but faded out because of what was happening beside them.

A rip, temporary, but quick appeared in the air, out came Felix, Zhen and Timothy, appearing in what seemed fractions of a second.

"Fancy meetin' you 'ere." Augustus smirked, giving a playful punch to Felix.

Resuming his look at the map, he pointed at the map at where they were and where they were headed.

"Two blocks from here. We were a little off, but nothing a little walk can't fix." He stated.

Using his ability once more, Augustus changed into what seemed to be another Secret Service agent. Smiling a new smile, Augustus said smoothly "Just follow me."

[Ragter the junior greeter]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Tule Seiris

Tule listened to what Augustus had to say, and couldn't help but smirk a little when he, he being Augustus, stated that there were going to be two groups. The first group was herself, Augustus, and Alejandro, while on the other hand..she didn't know what the heck the other group was, she didn't pay attention to that.

"Alright...got it, Augustus" Tule stated to him. Minutes later, she was standing with Alejandro and Augustus, while at the same time remarking to herself how much she had changed. At least, she had changed around these people.

She usually only acted...odd like that to Augustus though. He was their leader, someone had to make him lighten up.

She kept thinking of that for a few moments until she noticed that Alejandro was concentrating on the photo. She knew what that meant, any minute now they would be ported by him to their destination, hopefully. She thought he could do this as well, but wasn't entirely positive that he could.

Well, she was proven wrong in just a few moments.

For quickly, a loud..sound, she wasn't sure what, was heard by her, and the room they were in was gone, already. Things were twisting around left and right, as well as shifting, so she simply closed her eyes to save herself the trouble of a headache.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
Financial District, New York
Tule Seiris

Just like that, the port was over, and it left Tule a little sick, a feeling which she didn't like...a feeling she did not like in the slightest.

It was then she noticed where she landed...in a dumpster of all places. It seemed that Alejandro would need to work on actually getting them to land in something that wouldn't get them to smell like garbage all day.

She heard Augustus say something about 'The Big Apple' as she sat up in the dumpster, taking some of the garbage off of her head, her nose scrunched up just a little. She was soon helped out of the dumpster thanks to Augustus though, and gave him a small smile of thanks. Ah...New York City..? Haven't ever been here before..how odd The girl thought to herself as she looked around, while also wiping off any remaining garbage off of herself. Eventually, she looked away from the sight and at the two other members of the pack with her.

"Could..have been worse?" Tule could only comment to herself as Augustus stated that, then she let out a sigh and a shake of her head. That was just Augustus being...well, Augustus.

She then simply watched as the man studied the map they had, but before he could do so completely, yet another rip appeared in the air, out coming the rest of the members in the pack, Felix, Zhen, and Timothy, which answered who had been in the other group.

Hm...well, now it seems the robbery is about to start Tule thought to herself idly as she looked back over to Augustus.

He had just punched Felix, playfully, and was already looking back at the map.

"Two blocks hm?" Tule stated, more then asking. "Don't get us lost now, Augustus" She stated to him when he said to follow him.

Of course, she didn't think he would get them lost, she just wanted him to loosen up as their leader.

"Ready to go any time you are" She stated to him, and just then, noticed he had changed into yet another Secret Service agent, prompting her to wonder why. The answer was obvious, of course..some lunatic might shoot at him if they hated the president and saw him walking down the street.

[Klikxx]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
Financial District, New York
Alejandro Gonzalez Bernal


”Yeeeesssss!”

“WHHHOOOOOOT!”

The sound seemed to resonate from within the lime green container. The young Mexican boy couldn’t hold back the exuberant cheer that built up inside. He emerged from the confines of rubbish shortly after the proclamation arms raised triumphantly. Alejandro had landed in a lime green dumpster but it made little difference. They were alive and they had in fact arrived in The Big Apple. For that he was ecstatic.

Tule didn’t seem to share the same enthusiasm as the excitable youth; having fallen in a pile of garbage beside the dumpster Alejandro."Could av' been worse." Augustus chuckled, helping both Tule and Alejandro to their feet. "Right." He explained "Here we are. And we want to be..."

Alejandro glanced over towards Augustus given the sudden pause in his account. He saw it too. A rip, temporary, but quick appeared in the air, out came Felix, Zhen and Timothy, appearing in what seemed fractions of a second. “That’s what it looks like from an outside point of view. Wow.” The stunned expression emerged from the boy not even realizing he had spoke out loud.

Augustus smirked as they walked over to greet the others, giving a playful punch to Felix. The action saved him the trouble. Leave it to older brother to pull it of without a hitch. He a huge grin on his face when he realized that Felix wasn’t as perfect as one might think. He too was two blocks off the mark they were shooting for and he had more experience in the technique.

With the pack together Augustus carried on where he had left off in his previous discussion. With a quick indication of their current position and the destination the changer began to alter his appearance once again. He emerged from the transformation smiling a new smile as a Secret Service agent much like themselves.

[b]”Just follow me.”[/b} He said smoothly.

Alejandro for the first time did not exhibit the hesitation that normally surrounded his demeanor. Instead he stepped forward a casually straightened his attire as he waited along side their leader. Even as he brushed away the small amounts of trash that had attached itself to him his newly found confidence did not waver.

He indiscreetly brought a hand to his chest reached inside his jacket. His hand brushed against his pistol within the shoulder harness as he reached for his shades. He was relieved to still have his weapon and not have to sift through the trash container to find it. Placing the dark glasses into place he adjusted the ear bud into a comfortable position.

Ready or not, here I come, Alejandro mused to himself.

[Eternity]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Zhen Nahida

Zhen smiled at Alejandro's response, and then to Augustus. So things were really about to go down. It was either all about to change, or all about to blow up big time in their faces. But she had faith that it was going to be more on the side of changing for the best of their fates. She'd be ready for a little taste of luxury. Why not?

As Augustus began to talk about the two groups, she turned to face Alejandro. She was attentive, even when looking away, so she didn't think Augustus would mind her gesture. Zhen had reached up, her nimble fingers working the tie around Alejandro's neck. She drew it around, remembering an odd little humming notion her father had used to carry on when he was putting his on; which was basically the mumbling of instructions with a rhythm. Though she was silent; and her lips pulled into a smile instead of pursed in some sing-song reminder of tie-tying. As soon as she was finished, she gave Alejandro a pat on his shoulder and stepped back, moving with a clean two steps towards Felix.

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Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
New York City, New York
Zhen Nahida

She watched the first group disappear, then felt Felix's more controlled power take them. It was the oddest feeling, and was said to affect different people different ways. For some reason, it reminded her of turbulence on a plane when standing in the aisle. She felt her knees weaken while in the midst of time and space, contorted and folding as the Porters moved. Her stomach felt light and airy, and the air felt thin- almost unbearably so. Zhen just tried to hold her breath, as finally, her legs regained strength and she blinked away the dull haze of porting. When she took a long breath, and fully opened her eyes, she saw the city.

And it was a dream come true for a girl like her.

She looked straight up, staring into the bright sky and the many tops of buildings that scraped said sky. The sun was in a different position from the desert; having possibly moved back in time a few hours dependent upon time-zone differences between Nevada and New York. She drew her eyes down; admiring the mirror-like windows that wrapped over these establishments, to the colorful paints and billboards, the tons of cars dashing to and fro, as well as the patterns of bricks and alleys and streets that danced through this city. Zhen loved the big city... If she were here... She'd never be alone...

The young woman blinked and turned, hearing the excited voice of a familiar spirit on high. It was Alejandro in the dumpster, stepping out as Augustus changed into a fellow Secret Service Agent. Zhen smiled, pulling out a pair of shades from an inside pocket of her suit and slid them over her nose. Not as if hiding her eyes made her any more like other people. She had multicolored and bright hair, and could easily show some form of Vietnamese/Asian features. But she ignored the feeling; just liking the way the shades put a tint on the city she was already admiring so much.

She stepped next to Felix and Tim, and looked back at Augustus, letting him take lead before following short behind him. Her legs moved in long trained strides, and her head was straight; focused in appearance. But thankfully those shades hided her wandering eyes, jumping from place to place and person to person.

I hope we can go somewhere like this..., her thoughts began to swirl.

I'd never want to leave.

[Guest]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
El Castillo Del Diablo, Nevada
Timothy Harris

It was finally time to go. Timothy gulped nervously as they were split into groups. Augustus, Alejandro, and Tule in one, and he assumed he would be with Felix and Zhen. He felt nervous, out of all the members of the Pack, Felix fed his inferiority complex the most. Felix was a porter, he was handsome, tall, muscular, everything Timothy felt he wasn't. In his mind he began to withdraw, just like he had in school. He would speak only when spoken to. He wouldn't look anyone in the eye. He would -

FWOOOOOOOOSH!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
New York, New York
Timothy Harris

-Almost crap his pants as suddenly he felt like someone had reached just inside his belly button and jerked him through a very tight squeeze, somehow ending him up in... New York of all places. When he landed his first instinct, even before he realized his placement, was to step forwards. Unfortunately this sent him crashing into Zhen, who apparently already had her bearings.

Timothy hit the pavement, splaying out against the cool New York concrete and hurriedly scooped himself up. He brushed his hair back into place with his fingers and made sure his gun was still in the holster Augustus had given him earlier. He muttered a near silent "Sorry" to the attractive girl and started memorizing every detail in the tips of his shoes, only to be startled by Alejandro's shouts of joy.

So... New York. he thought to himself. It stinks here. Too many cars. Too much trash. He wrinkled his nose at the smell of one thousand or more gas tanks pumping aerated death into the precious oxygen supplies. Pigeons were everywhere too. He thought to himself that this was a place he'd never like to stay long. But maybe if he was with Zhen, it may be bearable. He looked at the other members of the Pack, pretending he had heard what Augustus was saying while he was lost in thought, and waited for something to happen.

[Howler]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
The Federal Reserve, New York
Augustus Evans

Carefully tracing his path and the rest of the groups', Augustus turned onto the steps of the Federal Reserve and changed into the president, the ever shifting features of his face and body moving once more to form the figure of the nation's leader.

The entourage of odd looking Secret Service that Augustus had followed suit and formed a formation around him.

Striding through the doors and getting wide-eyed reactions from guards, employees and civilians alike, Augustus did the usual thing which was expected of such an esteemed figure of the modern world; nodding, raising his hand, smiling and so on. People grabbed their cell phones for cameras or pieces of paper for autographs.

What ensued was a successful entrance to the reserve, creating confusion, awe and surprise. The Pack were making a nice spectacle of warding off onlookers from taking pictures and pestering Augustus.

They were approached by what seemed to be an executive.

"Hello Mr. P...P...President." He stuttered, obvious drips of sweat wiped away by a handkerchief he then stowed away into his suit pocket. "May I...I...I ask what it is I have the p...p...pleasure of doing for you t...t...t...today Sir?"

"I need to see the vaults, it's something I have yet to do..." Augustus said, thinking that admittedly this was a rubbish way to get in, but then again, who would deny the President of the United States entry to anything?

Fighting with his conscience was both a mental and even physical ordeal for the executive, as he struggled to come up with something to say, but couldn't, showing movements of a nervous and timid nature. He gave in.

"Yes... o...o...of course, right this way." He stated, quite plainly, almost giving up. Who was he to fight this man's word. Afterall, he led the country he lived in.

The crowd was dispearsed as the Secret Service and Augustus, along with two guards and the executive entered a side-elevator. The doors shut ominously, plunging them all in temporary darkness.

Luckily, the doors and walls of the elevator were dull metal, reflecting very little of what was the true form of the people they were taking underground.

"I'll be taking over from here." Augustus announced to the executive in the tone of the President's voice, extending an open palm indicating that he wanted the keys and whatever access tools he needed.

"A...a...alright, but you may need the assistance of my..." The man began, but was cut off by Augustus.

"We'll be fine." He said. Giving the man a hard stare. With that, the executive dropped the card-keys into the hands of Augustus.

Upon exiting the elevator, Augustus and the Pack marched out in surprisingly neat rank. The elevator doors shut behind them. Striding through a dimly lit tunnel, the Pack and he moved onwards, reaching a door through which he slid a the card-key through. A little beep comfirmed the key's authenticity. Nodding, Augustus then pushed the door and in they entered.

What they saw then was a large hall, lined with steel vaults, each one of them marked with golden signs reading which country the gold was respective of.

Before any glory, smiles or gold, a sound came, echoing through the hall.

Click.

A cocking of a pistol. They had all heard it in the movies or somewhere else, but surely not as frightening as this.

Out of the darkness stepped a single woman.

"You know you couldn't just waltz in here without us knowing and walk away. Are you mad Augustus?" The voice purred.

Division, thought Augustus, among many other thoughts that were just curse words and self loathing for getting himself into this mess, but more importantly, ones of how they would get out of this.

Playing the arrogant card, Augustus stepped forward, attempting to intimidate his enemy. "Walking away is the best part though. Especially since a pretty little thing like you can't stop me." He cackled.

His smug face was cut off when out of the darkness, cocking sounds were heard from behind the woman. Stepping back in a shock, but then gathering himself. Whispering behind him, he briefly said to the Pack. "Tule, Felix, Alejandro. Get ready."

Raising his voice once more so that the woman could hear what he was saying, Augustus said plainly. "Guess we're gonna have to turn that walk into a little jog then eh?" He grinned, whipping out his pistol as fast as he could and firing it towards the shadows behind the woman.

*Bang*.

The first shot rang out, meeting a target that he hadn't specifically chosen. Swiftly proceeding this, a hail of bullets came towards the Pack. Tule stepped in the way, ready to do her thing.

The rest of the Pack too drew their weapons, ready for one hell of a firefight.

[Ragter the junior greeter]

Chapter One
Midday, April 10th, 2009
The Federal Reserve, New York
Tule Seiris

Tule did as the other Pack members did and simply followed Augustus in a perfect formation, in her mind. They walked for a little while, or a little while to Tule, anyways, until they reached the bank that they were going to go ahead and rob. Well..here it goes She thought to herself, comparing this moment to the point of no return. They were going down to the vaults, after all. They couldn't very walk out with nothing and not expect some questions...then again, they were with the president.

Then they were there, right in the bank, plenty of people asking for autographs from the 'president' and some were even getting some photos of him. She briefly pondered why they wanted photos of him, when it was just easier to look his name up on some image website and find photos that way.

The autographs, on the other hand, she could understand, and like the others, she stopped some of them from asking him for autographs, leaving some of the others up to the other Pack members. She kept one ear on the conversation Augustus had with the executive, also glancing about, just to make sure that some maniac that hated the president didn't jump out of nowhere with a weapon.

Sure, it was unlikely...but still. There didn't seem to be no maniac today though, considering they just arrived at the elevator and were going down. Just like that, at the bottom, they were left all by their selves. Just a few moments later, they were gazing upon the actual vaults, and Tule had to wonder if it was always this easy to get in places if you were the President of the United States.

That was when she heard the cocking of a pistol. Now, at first she didn't hear it..or, she did, but didn't recognize it as a pistol cocking. She did, of course know it was a pistol when a woman stepped out of the darkness, with said pistol. She almost couldn't stop herself from laughing as the woman commented about not letting them waltz in here. She was just one person, right?

Oh how wrong she was, because more stepped forward, with more guns.

She heard Augustus tell them to get ready...as if he needed to tell them something like that. Here Division was with some troops, and he was telling them to get ready..that was kinda stupid in Tule's mind. There was, of course, no time to talk, because it looked like the firefight could, and probably would, begin at any second.

She stepped forward after the first shot was fired, and a shield appeared around herself just moments before the bullets would have gotten too close to her. The bullets bounced harmlessly off of the shield she made, thankfully. A bit tired, but not tired enough to stay out of the fight, Tule took out her own pistol too, ready to fight.

So, with that, her shield went down and she moved back to the rest of the Pack, her pistol already pointed at one of the Division members.

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