With all the hoopla of the Valentine's Eve Ball noone noticed that one of the security guards was conspiculously absent. A bribe had been made, clearing the way for a select team of X-Men to make their way back into this darkened hallway. Rumors have been circulating through different channels that perhaps "Humane Treatment For Mutants & Humans Alike" isn't quite as clean as the wind driven snow. This was to be a stealthy mission with no cassualties allowed. If an alarm was sounded it would likely mess everything up so that meant that the X-Men would have to be picture perfect.

***

The hallways was barely lit by the moonlight that streamed in from the far end of the hall. None of the offices on this particular floor had lights on and no footsteps could be heard. It was the perfect starting point for this particular mission.

ooc: continued from theultimatexmen.proboards26.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=newyorkcity&thread=3682&page=1

Ic:
What appeared to be a stairway where she'd previously been standing was actually a stairway and the end of a hallway. The stairs led a little off to an elevator. That made sense. This was a tall building... stairs were probably only used incases of emergency. Raina walked quietly down the darkened hall with an air of purpose. Incase anyone spyed her they'd think she'd have every right to be there- some job to be done. That was the truth actually. Raina did have a job to do.

Once reaching the stairway she stopped to wait for Luke and Deathstar. It was different for her to work along side Luke for real. Having only recently re-obtained her power she was a bit weary of her own capabilities in that department and was relieved to have his level headed judgement. Deathstar was a different kettle of fish. She didn't dislike deathstar... but she didn't exactly like her. There was something about the woman that was a bit standoffish in Raina's mind. That might have to do with the welcome she'd given Raina when she'd first arrived. But hey, water on the bridge right? Raina respected Deathstar for her ability and control. Not something easy to come by with a power like DS's.

While waiting for the pair Raina surveyed the area. She wasn't sure how much time they had- if the guard would be gone all night or resume his post. She reached up under her skirt while thinking about this and pulled at a zipper. The skirt of her dress peeled away to reveal Raina in a gray body-suit - a part of her x-men uniform. She wasn't big on wearing the uniform but it held some practical advantages for her. The utility belt for one. It was a wonder how that thing had been concealed under her dress but it had.

She fiddled with it and adjusted it, mentally going over their plan. She wasn't used to her new accuired leader role but dog-gonnit she was going to give it her all. This was important. Very important.

Luke slipped through the hallway entrance just in time to catch Raina stripping off her dress to reveal the gray bodysuit hidden beneath. Walking her direction, the blind man collapsed his cane and tucked it carefully in his inner jacket pocket. While a part of him felt like cracking a joke about meeting such a sexy woman here, he decided that he better stick with a business approach for this one. Well... at least a mostly business approach.

"What's the plan boss?" Luke asked quietly, offering her a quck smile at the world boss. Anyone paying attention would have noticed that this particular tuxedo was actually a little bit looser than most, giving him plenty of range of motion. He could actually fight in this item without strain so there was no need for him to change quite yet. Underneath he wore a thing, kevlar lines bodysuit that would provide some padding should he get in any type of problem situation.

The two of them had arrived... one the third got here, the team would be set to move forward and complete their objective.

Deathstar arrived at the meeting point quietly, watching her back for any guards that might notice her leaving the scene, she walked slowly, scared the her heels hitting the floor will bring unwanted attention. "OK!, whats the plan" Deathstar shot straight to the point, she wanted to get out of here, and get this dress off immediately. She decided to keep her dress on so if by chance they get caught, she will look like a woman lost from the party. "I haven't met you Luke, I'm Deathstar, I guess we will have to get more acquainted after this is over eh!", she said the blind man.

Raina felt a flush when Luke arrived. She wore a silly grin. She'd have to make up for this by going to a real ball with him sometime. He only had a moment to ask her what the plan was when Deathstar appeared and echoed his question. She looked lovely even though she was out of her ellement. Raina nodded. Time for business.

"We need to get to the executive offices." she explained pulling out a folded up piece of paper from her belt. She unfurled it to reveal a small blue print. It wouldn't be much use showing it to Luke but it was likely he could scan the whole building if he wanted to and have his own blueprint in his head. So she leaned to Deathstar. "Top floor in this corner. It looks like we can get there from the elevator... at least part of the way. We arranged this area specifically tonight so that there wouldn't be anyone to run into."

By anyone to run into she meant security guards. "We don't want to cause a scene... and unconscious or harmed bodies at an event like this will only cause us more trouble down the road." It was funny to be warning Luke and Deathstar about something like this. DS had a bit more experieince in missions than Raina and Luke was so level-headed. But she said her piece anyway. "We need to avoid being seen. We need to avoid being caught. If we take the elevator we're going to have to figure out how to disable the light ups or the guards on the top floor will know someone's on the elevator. Suggestions?"

she looked to her two team mates.

"I haven't met you Luke, I'm Deathstar, I guess we will have to get more acquainted after this is over eh!"

"I suppose so." Luke replied with a slight grin, "Once the mission is successful I'll buy drinks for all of us."

Turning serious once again, Luke turned and listened as Raina gave them a quick talk through. As she pulled out what he assumed was a blueprint of some kind, Luke found himself once again wishing he could see. There were so many things he missed out on because he didn't have eyesight and now that he couldn't see the diagram, he had to wonder how he would fair on this particular mission.

"Check your map out to find the electrical circuit breaker." He spoke up quickly, his mind racing over the possibilities, "If that's not an option then I'd say take the elevator up to one or two floors below our target and then take the stairs. The guards wouldn't even notice the elevator stopping a floor or two below them so it wouldn't raise any alarms."

Turning his attention over to Deathstar, Luke waited to see whether she might have an idea of her own. Obviously both of these ladies were more experienced working in a team so they could easily think of things that would never occur to him. "Deathstar?"

"Deathstar?"

Deathstar wasn't used to taking orders, it's an issue she's been dealing with for a while, but this was no time to pout and complain about not getting the lead in this mission, she will have to prove she can get along with everyone and work with a group. "sounds good to me Luke, but how would we know there isn't any guards on the floors above us?" she asked clutching her chin with her thumb and index finger, trying to find a solution. "How about I walk off the elevator first, just in case there is a guard up there I can pretend that I'm with the party and it wouldn't alert any security" she said while nodding to the other two.

Raina nodded. That sounded like a good idea. Heck, she and Luke both looked like they could be simple party-goers. Not her. Not with the body suit. She wondered again if it was a good idea. Well... if a sprinkler system went off or something it was a good idea then, "Ok. I think we'll get off a floor or two below. I'll wait in the elevator and Deathstar can check things out. We'll come up with a backup plan when we need to." she knew that wasn't terribly responsible of her... but the worst that could happen at this point was that they'd end up back down here again. She nodded to them both and made her way to the elevator.

It was a strange thing being in charge. Raina didn't think of it much as being a leader so much as working well with her team. Raina was a much better team player. She led the way and pressed the little up button and it lit as the doors opened. "Everyone Pile in." she grinned

Deathstar had a good idea about checking the floor for guards... the only problem she would have is if there were guards, they would more than likely ask her why she was on the floor. Biting his tongue, Luke resisted the urge to suggest one more idea.

If it had been Raina all dressed up going to check out the floor, he would have made the suggestion that they go together and act like a couple interested in finding privacy for a romantic rendezvous, but there was no way he was going to suggest doing that with Deathstar. Raina had apparently been slightly jealous and uncomfortable around Victoria so the discomfort would probably be even worse when it came to Deathstar.

"You may feel a tad bit of anxiety hit you as you step off the elevator." Luke warned Deathstar quietly as the car began its way up to the apropriate floor, "I'll be sweeping the floor with my sonar and sometimes it can have a slight side effect on people."

"You may feel a tad bit of anxiety hit you as you step off the elevator." Luke warned Deathstar

"Thanks for the heads up", Deathstar said as she proceeded out of the elevator feeling a rush of nerves crowd her mind, she leans outside the elevator to have a peek, looking both ways as if she was crossing a busy street. "Ok!, coast is clear" she told the others in a quiet faint whisper,

What the hell is wrong with me?, she thought to herself ,maybe this is the anxiety Luke warned me about.

Stepping out of the elevator car as her heels clicks on the marble floor, she walks cautiously out into the hallway, hands clamped together, desperately trying to control her jitters. "Now where is the circuit breaker Luke?" she asks with her breathing voice.

ooc: Sorry for the delay
IC:
Deathstar had decided to go with the circuit breaker idea and Raina thought that would be just fine. Couldn't be too careful in a situation like this. Hopefully everything was labelled easy enough for them to figure out what controlled the elevator lights. She stepped off the elevator behind Deathstar and felt the familiar rush of Luke using his powers. Being around Luke so much she'd gotten pretty used to it. She'd feel a strange sensation as if her hair was standing on end. But when that sonar is directed right on to your body... you get used to it pretty quickly. She'd only really seen the ghostly images a few times.

Her own shoes clicked as she crept behind Deathstar. She believed the young woman that the area was clear but her instincts always took over. She peered around with her body ready in a position to jump. She turned her attention back to Luke to see if he'd located the breaker. They needed to get up one more floor... and she knew there simply had to be guards up there.

Sometimes the sonar sight could be one of the most annoying things in the world. Like when you were at a party and were trying to make people comfortable so that they would talk to you. At other times it was one of the most blessed gifts a person could have. Like in their current situation.

Luke trailed behind the other two, his sonar amping up almost to the point of full power as he swept the entire floor. If there hadn't been a concrete floor/ceiling between each floor he almost could have swept the whole building but due to the materials that had been used in construction he was forced to focus one floor at a time.

"Now where is the circuit breaker Luke?" Deathstar's voice was just loud enough to be heard from up ahead. It was obvious she was doing her best to remain quiet while still staying in contact.

"Second hallway on the right, about a quarter of the way down on the left." Luke replied, doing his best to speak just loud enough for Deathstar to hear, "Rai," He continued as he dropped the volume of his voice to speak directly to his girlfriend, "just a suggestion, but next mission let's see about getting some ear buds and throat mics for communication."

It was amazing the things you realized would make a mission easier AFTER the mission had already started.

"just a suggestion, but next mission let's see about getting some ear buds and throat mics for communication."

"Speak of the devil" Deathstar said as she reached into her beaded handbag pulling out three small communication devices made for the human ear, "I never leave home without them" she added with a slight grin. She quickly puts the device in Luke's ear then handing Raina one, "Looks like we're set" Deathstar said feeling like herself again after a rush nerves stormed her mind.

Deathstar proceeds to walk down the hall cautiously like an international spy but stops all of the sudden, slowly turning back to face the others"wait!, if we shut down the circuit breaker, wouldn't that shut down the party downstairs?, it can be a dead giveaway thats somethings going on"

Raina was about to laugh and say something about needing telekenetic powers when Deathstar pulled out the items they needed from her bag. Raina laughed and kept her voice in a whisper checking out how things worked and making sure everyone could hear her while she led the way to the circuit breaker. "We're not cutting the whole breaker." She explained. "Just a well labelled part" hopefully, she thought.

when she reached the gray box it was locked. She knew no one was on this floor so with a swift kick and a bit of picking she was able to get the frame open so she could see inside. She pulled out a pair of wire cutters and examined the contents of the breaker. Satisfied that she was choosing the right one she quickly snipped one green wire. She held her breath and walked back out to join the other. She glanced at the elevator. It had previously been lit up on their floor. It wasn't anymore.

she listened for any wild screams from downstairs or anyone shoveling up the fire-exit... but heard nothing. "I think we're clear." she nodded heading to the elevator. "we need to be stealth. When we get in the elevator try and locate where the guards are above us Luke, and where we can go the instant we get off. If we can manage to get off the elevator and into a nearby room or something without being seen we can go from there with handling the guards."

It was good that this assignment had been given to a team. There was no way that Luke could have handled cutting specific wired like that by himself. The whole thing with not being able to see colors could be a real drag at certain times.

"As soon as the elevator moved in close to the doors I should be able to sweep the floor." He said rather cautiously as the three made their way into the elevator car, "We'll only have a few seconds warning so you'll have to follow me lead pretty much without question on this one."

Shrugging slightly to the ladies he took a position right in front of the door as they closed, sealing them in the car for the short ride upward, "Sorry there won't be more warning. Here we go."

Closing his eyes Luke focused his sonar forward and outward, sweeping as far down the hallways as he could as soon as the elevator doors cleared the concrete that had been stopping his version of sight. There were four... not five guard spread out across the floor. Off to their left a guard was just walking away and turning the corner. From the look of the others they had a twenty to thirty second window to find an open door and get inside.

"We go left when the doors open." Luke murmured quietly, "There's what appears to be an office, first door on the right. If that doors locked there are bathrooms right across the hall that we can duck into temporarily."

Right then the elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open.