[b]Title[/b]: Chasing Shadows

[b]Characters[/b]: Jessica Mireu of the "Freedom of Niðhöggr" timeline, Cain Flueves, and several "Hecate Corps" troops from the Omega Empire.

[b]Context (Situation)[/b]: Taking place shortly before the far later plot "Macha's Vengeance" and before the upcoming thread "Broken Trinity" in [i]The Darkness II[/i], N. Jessica meets with Cain in the relatively depopulate Lior over an alliance in order to expand their reach, work with someone familiar, and develop an alliance, not to mention gain any possible information on herself from this universe before checking for herself.

Cain walked around the streets of Lior. He didn't have much worry about getting attention since the city appeared to be slightly less populated than normal. The relative quiet helped, especially after the huge disappointment back in Bord'Wan. He didn't want to remember that little incident but decided that if he saw his "partner" again, they would have a stern conversation between each other. That one thought calming him down, Cain continued with his walk, keeping his guard up. Anything could still happen, especially with the silence that was currently happening. He kept a grip on his Needler and brought the weapon out, just in case of an ambush.

"Hello there," said a female voice from his right, as something flickered into view on his periphery. "Paranoid, are we? Put the gun away before someone comes down this street, alright?"

"Considering my history, sometimes it pays to be paranoid. Especially when the people who know me want me dead." Cain replied. Still, he placed the Needler away. Turning to the right, he found himself staring at the owner of the voice. A woman with long blonde hair with silver highlights and glowing red-green eyes, a shade of purple as the moonlight shifted a bit, her skin having a reddish tinge. She wore a steel blue, skintight bodysuit with red lining and a red "Ω" symbol on the right half of her chest, with slight heels on the bottoms of the feet. On her left arm was a mechanical armband, her right empty.

"So whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?" Cain bowed to the woman. He had a feeling he may know or have at least heard of the woman since he could see something familiar from her. Still, he didn't like to recall the past very much for many reasons.

She smiled, standing from her leaning position against the wall of the building she had been relaxing against and walking slowly over to him. "Come now, don't tell me you forgot about me." Her hand brushed against the Needler, then his face, before she stopped and lowered it. "Jessica Mireu, Commander of the Hecate Corps, Omega? Or do you not remember me?"

"My apologies." Cain replied. He remembered the woman perfectly, the little sister of Jonathan Mireu whom he had met after Isaac's future self had "influenced" her into the woman standing in front of him right now. "Death has a way of affecting one's memories. It has been some time since we last met. Sadly, I've lost sight of the you I've met since back then. To what do I owe the pleasure for this visit? I seriously doubt it would be a simple social call. I am normally not one to get down to business but me running into you merits as such."

The smile turned to a smirk as she ran her hand around his face, through his hair before letting go finally, wondering if he understood her impression of him from her time. "Truth be told, I didn't come here for you. I came here for them. You from my time, the emperor, the rest of them. Heard we've had...trouble. We had some on our end, but it's dealt with and no longer an issue. But business is business." She put a hand on her hip, running the other behind her before letting it drop. "I'm seeing about finding a way to augment my force I brought with me. You haven't seen them, don't worry. But you weren't wrong about being paranoid. We really [i]are[/i] everywhere. Or at least most places that matter.

"I am trying to find a way to bring over some, but not all, of them. Diana became too...argumentative. Not my problem, but no, she is not dead. Her kids, I understand, were not so lucky." She frowned at that, but it faded again. "I saw your little friend with you, or should I say henchman? I know about many on these worlds in various degrees. And I ask you. What do you have to offer for me, [i]Director[/i]?"

"Ah. My apologies but I don't think that'll be possible. Isaac has... strayed from his path and Kynthia is out of the question. And again, I have lost sight of the you I've met back then. Pity since I'm sure she and  I could've become something like you and him." Cain explained. He listened at Jessica's explanation of her reasons for being here. While not necessary, he was glad to have confirmation that him being paranoid wasn't in his head this time. He didn't react as she explained the situation back in her original time but frowned at the mention of his "little friend". Cain didn't have much time to think on it though as he heard her question.

"I admit I'm at a disadvantage right now since you possess more resources than me. However, I was planning on visiting a certain world right after I finished with my business here. Jackie Estacado's world. Isaac and me are no longer vessels of the Darkness so it would make sense to search for him. And if he refuses on an alliance then I will simply find a group who knows about the Darkness. I mean in a world where a force like the Darkness exists, it makes sense a secret society or two revolving around it would be founded." Cain explained. He had been planning on returning there himself since he needed answers to some questions he's been having.

She grinned still, leaning against the wall once more and motioning for him to come closer. "Well, I can tell you that you are most certainly not wrong. That world does have the most ancient of secret societies for the Darkness, the Brotherhood, still running around. Last I was there, it was run by one Brother Victor Valente. Former circus act who has teleportation powers and wants the Darkness for the Brotherhood. If you can secure an alliance between them and me, I'll get weapons, you get weapons and powers, and I'll get upgraded soldiers, while I give some of my technology to them. Everybody wins. As for that friend of yours... what can he do for me? And what can... [i]you[/i] do for me?" She grinned at that, playing with him.