Services...

Mei was thoroughly enjoying the closeness, and hearing his soft, contented churrs earned a peaceful smile. He sounded so... adorable. She nuzzled against his cheek, calmed and completely at ease. Despite what had happened in the other tank, as long as she could feel his life-force, she knew things could turn around.



She gently caressed his cheek, seemingly lost in those intense, soulful eyes of his when he asked the question that couldn't be answered earlier. She never spoke of her abilities to anyone, aside from her father of course.. .he had taught her. The scientist had fallen victim to them but being men of science, seemed to refuse that it could be something that science could not explain.


"My father taught me in the way of Shinobi..." She began, slightly hesitant. Not because she didn't want to share everything about herself, but because he may have a hard time believing such an ability could be possible. " I am in tune to chi energy, and through that I can detect life forces. It also aids me in determining if someone is good or bad..." She told him, searching his gaze, hoping he didn't think she was 'strange' because of this. "I can also harvest energy if I focus hard enough...it forms a ball... it can be used as a weapon, or a calming agent. I am still learning." And she gingerly touched the metal color that had left her with slight bruising from the earlier zap. "The scientist put this on me and when my body chemistry changes due to energy, it....zaps me..."

Don listened to Mei carefully as she explained her abilities. He didn't think it was strange at all. With all he had seen in his young life, nothing surprised him anymore. He nodded and smiled, taking her hand in one of his and lightly fingered the collar with his other.

"I might be able to get this off of you." Although he hadn't been able to study it in great detail, so he couldn't make any promises. "My Tech-pack..." He really wanted to get it off of her so it wouldn't hurt her anymore.

Baxter hung up and turned back to Erica. he removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes with an annoyed sigh.

All of you are more trouble then you're worth. He mumbled. Your turtle cut his wrist trying to kill himself. They got the bleeding under control and took care of things...For now. Clearly he's dependent on you, like some child. Really, Erica. You want someone who's that needy? You can do better.

He slipped his glasses back on then opened his door. He called in security, once they were in the room he pointed to Erica.

I need you to bring her to Red's tank. Lock her up with him. Make sure she can't get out. I'll figure out what to do with her later, right now we have to make sure that these mutants stay alive.

The two security men walked up to Erica and reached out to take her arm and bring her back to the tank.

____________________________________

Meanwhile. In the tank room. the kitchen servers came in with the turtle's morning meal. Eggs, bacon, toast, yogurt and a tall glass of whole milk. Each turtle got their own tray of food that was slipped carefully into their cage, even Raph's though he was in no possition to eat at the moment.

the woman who ran the kitchen smiled warmly at Don and Mei.

I hope you enjoy the food. I'll come back in a couple of hours to see if he wants to eat, maybe something light on his stomach. she said nodding to Raph. My name is Crystal by the way. I will be making all your meals. So if there is something special you would like, let me know.

She slipped a tablet and pen that with it through the door. That is conected to the computer in the kitchen. so just write what you want and we'll bring it to you. She then gave Don and Mei a sly look and lowered her voice.

Bax don't know about this. keep it on the down low. ok! enjoy, I'll be back to check on your brother soon. Crystal gave them a wave then left the tank room.

Erica gave Alyss an apologetic again pulled her arm free of the security men and choosing to ignore Baxter once more turned on her heel and hurried ahead of the men.

She thought over what the man said though - upset to no end Raphael had done that to himself, but understanding why... to delay whatever Baxter had in mind for her. Though by his statement of figuring out what to do with her later was confusing she was certain the man had a plan already, mutate her, and treat her much the same way he did the turtles... as beasts to be studied and experimented on and nothing else. Perhaps her work here so far was preventing that just yet? Aside from what has occurred turtles she knew her work was above the standards of nearly all here but Baxter. She'd successfully introduced a musically program to tame that creature Baxter had shown her on her first day here, 'Project Ghost' and it's response to the subliminally planted words and phrases in the music it was played had so far been ... successful.

Or perhaps that she knew things? well she knew Baxter had had her followed - and probably learned very little other than she was a loner and had a grand mother and a busy not always at home father. She doubted he had gleaned anything about Leatherhead or Slash or he'd have wanted them captured too.

Well - whatever it was that was preventing Baxter from out right executing her right now - good. Perhaps there would be some time then for them all? And she would not object to being kept in Raphael's tank of course. So she did not fuss as the security men marched her down the hall back tot he tank room and then over to the tank once asking the three very curious Japanese men about the state of the big turtles sedation and throwing her roughly back inside the tank. Catching herself before she landed face first in the pool of now dark congealed blood. Scrambling to her feet she heads over to the one whom bled all that blood fussing over the work that was done on him - double checking the tubing and the blood packets recognizing that now Raphael was receiving Slash's donation. An already empty one told her the last of the stock she had got from LH was gone. Good judging how much Raph lost, both contributions from equally large mutant reptile males was what he needed.

Shifting closer and with great difficulty at some points as she uncomfortably rests her back against the log entrance edge, glad the little stream went under it here and was not soaking her backside... and that she could reach it with her hand - and now with Raphael's head cradled in her lap the girl settled to wait out the sedative, blood loss induced sleep.

Daichi made his way over to the red turtles tank. "You... girl... where you get the blood?" He asks. They had found the packets in the tank and used them.

"Synthetic." Erica lies glancing towards Don and Venus, unable to see them at this angle, but she could see they had food and drinks.

The young teen walked to the lab climbing over a chain link fence before dropping down to the ground. Dashing across the parking lot she found an unlocked door in the back and entered it. She didn't know exactly where she was in the building so she ran down the halls not caring she was making noise or being watched. Mel was beyond pissed off still and one thing on her mind was revenge and giving others their freedom from this damned place. The steak knife was still hidden in her hoodie pocket where she could easily grab it when she needed it. She dashed down random halls but it was a giant maze.

Alysson watched as Erica was taken away.

She was just about to slowly drift off into a light slumber when she suddenly was startled with the sound of an alarm. It was just like before, when Mel attempted to escape through the vents. She didn't like the sound, it was highly irritating. But, that's the point of an alarm - isn't it? She sighed. What could the reasoning be? It couldn't possibly be Mel again, could it? Mel was supposed to be in her 'fancy' new apartment. She had no reason to ever return here.

Unless Mel was being Mel, and in that case who knows. Alyss frowned.

And the alarms sounded. Baxter was quick to figure out the cause of the alarm and shut the sound off. He then went over to Alysson and did something he never did to anyone but his own momma, he hugged the girl.

You'll never cause me this kind of grief. You are good. You are special. The reat of them are against me!

He finally got himself together and cleared his throat. Yes, anyway. Melly is back it seems. I suppose I should see what she wants now.

Baxter turned on a screen in the room that Mel was in and picked up the phone to talk to her through the room's intercom. What do you want, child?

" Revenge against you for your damn experiments and to do something everyone else is to chicken to do free those turtles! They don't belong here and neither does Aly! You will pay for everything your sick mind did!" Mel yelled at the intercom believing every word she said she might have cost her own freedom but it would be worth it if it meant she could free Aly and the turtles.

Alyss was shocked. Did, did he just hug her? She couldn't remember the last time that someone hugged her. Had someone hugged her before? She was frozen for a moment, her mind registering what had just happened. "I...eh," she produced a small smile, before being distracted by the presence of Mel.

"Mel, just stop! Maybe I like it here. I don't need you to help me  'escape'!" Alyss yelled at the intercom. "And how do you expect to free three giant talking turtles? You can't even escape yourself!"

Baxter nodded. Mel. stay there. Don't move, can you at least follow those simple instructions?

He turned to alysson.

would you like to try out your new weapon on a real threat? Why don't you go down and talk to Mel for me.

" Fuck you Stockman! Quit trying to be mr.nice guy! You're evil as they come!" Mel yelled at him looking for a direction to go in. She didn't trust him to be a nice guy to anyone but Aly had fallen for it hook line and sinker.

"Sounds fun," Alyss replied, smiling. This would be very fun, she thought. She headed out of the room immediately, headed for where Mel was. Hopefully she could at least listen a little bit and stay where she was. Alyss didn't feel like searching for her.

With a grin Baxter got back on the com.

Alysson is coming to you, Mel. Stay put!

Was it wrong to put two girl against each other in a death match? nah.

" I'm not fighting Aly!" Mel yelled as she dashed out of the room in search of the lab that Stockman was in. The young teen wasn't about to fight someone to the death for no reason Aly was just being fooled by the madman. She ran down the halls in search of the lab.

Alyss was quick on her feet, and she didn't find it too difficult to find Mel. She was practically running towards her, searching for the lab!

"Nice to see you again, friend!" Alyss said, smiling and waving innocently at Mel. "Here, you get one chance! One~ One~ All you got to do is stop this nonsense, and we can be best friends again! Maybe even sisters. Fun, right?"

" Aly are you really this blinded by Stockman that you can't see reality? He wants us to fight to the death. But he's using those turtles as experiments and not giving them freedom. Those turtles are like us human just with a different form. I refuse to fight you and I'm gonna set the turtles free they don't belong here and if it costs me everything to free them then I will be happy for them." Mel tried to reason with Aly before attempting to dash past her.

"Oh...I see," Alysson said in mock sorrow as Mel tried to run past. "But...I think that you are the one that can't see reality. So sad so sad, we could have been friends..."

Alyss clenched her fist and revealed the bright purple glow sword and swung it at Mel as she tried to dash past her.

"Besides, Mel...how are you gonna free the turtles? Hm? I don't think you have a real plan, don't think you do."

" You could help me free them or are you so selfish and that much of a coward that staying with Stockman and getting power is all that matters to you?! That's the difference between me and you I'm not a coward or scared to do what's right! I've faced death and it doesn't scare me!" Mel yelled at Aly rolling out of the way of the blade trying to make the girl see that she wasn't doing the right thing at all.

Getting past Aly with the roll Mel ran straight for the lab now knowing she was heading in the right direction.

Baxter was watching the whole thing on his monitor he even made some popcorn for the show. He was expecting a little more of a fight, maybe some blood shed, but Mel seemed to be quick on her feet. He picked the phone back up to talk with the girl. The entire building would be able to hear the conversation.

Mel, Mel. Mel. If you are looking for me, I'm in lab 104, if you are looking for the turtles, you have to go down stairs. If you are looking to be with the mutants so badly I can arrange an escort to take you there. Or, Alysson can take you to where you would like to go. But make it quick, I am about to head home, I need a nap.

Alysson reached out and grabbed Mel's arm.

"Who said anything bout bein' scared? I'm not scared, or a coward! You're just jealous of me because you don't have anybody that cares about you!"

She then heard Mr. Stockman's voice over the intercom.

"So much for escaping, eh?" she smiled cutely, tilting her head.

" Jealous when it comes to that madman? Don't make me laugh I know who he is my so called dad is exactly like him only difference is Stockman doesn't beat anyone or kill them himself. I see right through that and I'm gonna free the turtles. And if you don't want me to escape Stockman I dare you to mutate me then. You can't break me no matter what you do so bring it on!" Mel challenged as she squirmed to get free from Aly's grip.

What was she talking about? Mutate her? Baxter shook his head. Clearly this girl had mental problems. Maybe she was dropped on her head or something. He suppose he should feel some what sorry for the girl, Such a shame when one loses their mind.

It's ok Alysson. Let her come to the lab. Then we shall take her to the tank room before you and I head home. I fear that Melissa is suffering from a slew of mental illnesses. It is our responsibility, as doctors and scientist, to see to it she can not harm herself or others.

"Okay..." Alyss sighed, squeezing hard before releasing her grip. She clenched her fist again to disable the glow sword.

She began walking in the direction of the lab, expecting Mel to follow. She supposed that Mr. Stockman was right - Mel must be mentally ill or something. She obviously was unable to see and understand the reality of things.

" I'm not mentally ill you are!" Mel yelled at Stockman as she followed Aly to the lab ready for her revenge. But obviously he wasn't so easily tempted by her challenge or he wasn't crazy enough to do it. Either way Aly was completely blind to his evil.

"Come on in," Alyss said coolly, stopping finally at the door to the lab and opening it. She held the door open for Mel to go in ahead of her.