((This thread is still open to new writers.  See the OOC if youâ€™re interested in joining!))<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">Sloatan, New York.  22:46</span><br/><br/>When Gabriel Kane set took to the streets that night, he knew instinctively that a change was coming.  He could feel it in the electric hum of the air; in the restless stirring of the city around him like a slumbering animal about to awaken.  He could almost taste it in the teasing, airy mist that promised rain but brought only a slow-rolling fog that cloaked the docks and alleyways.  There was a chill in the air that cut through your clothing and settled in your bones, aching.<br/><br/>Change was coming.  The manner and means were all that remained to be determined.<br/><br/>Club Pulse was a three-story warehouse that sat near the docks of Sloatan where a consistently long string of hopeful attendees lined the street nightly, pushing, prodding, and bribing their way through the door.  The club was small, but oddly popular, and space inside was at a premium.<br/><br/>Tonight Gabriel stood in the shadows two blocks away from the noisy establishment, his shoulder holsters heavy with the wire-threaded clubs he kept hidden there even under his plain coat and jeans.  Most nights he could find something to keep him occupied on this stretch of streetâ€¦ The crowds that tended to lurk around places like this were of a consistently shady ilk and most thugs in this area were just belligerent enough to pick a fight with him.  They almost made it too easy.<br/><br/>Tonight however (and it came as no surprise) heâ€™d found a bit more than heâ€™d bargained for.<br/><br/>Not long after openingâ€”and the real excitement inside was only just getting startedâ€”a black car pulled up to the curb across the street and deposited a group of all-too-familiar faces onto the damp sidewalk.  Despite the line, their impressive figures and colorful uniforms quickly granted them entry, though each was solemnly warned that trouble of any kind would not be tolerated.  It wasnâ€™t every night that the Omega Circle appeared in public, but it was made very clear that they would not be granted any special privileges either.<br/><br/>Dark brows drew together over stern eyes as Gabriel watched the group approach and enter the club.  Heâ€™d known they would show up sooner or later.  Heâ€™d hoped it would be later, but fate had a way of surprising him, it seemed.  He pressed a thin mask over his eyes, and followed.<br/><br/>A heavy bass beat echoed through every inch of concrete as the members of Omega Circle stepped inside Club Pulse, pounding through the floor and up through their chests.  Flashing lights and strobes turned the sea of dancing people into a surreal landscape of lifted hands and colorful drinks.<br/><br/>â€œMhmm.â€  Ricochet smiled appreciatively at a passing waitress, turning to watch her walk away.  â€œYou should put us on gigs likes this more often, big guy.â€<br/><br/>â€œWeâ€™re not here for the night life,â€ Morgan Stone, leader of Omega Circle, reminded the younger man, his searching gaze never staying from the teeming crowds. His voice came out with a mechanical quality through his suitâ€™s helmet. â€œI might remind you that you have a job to do.â€<br/><br/>â€œYeah, yeah.â€  Ethan tried to drop his arm around Emberâ€™s shoulders; she swatted him away.  â€œFind the freakshow.  I got it.  Whatâ€™s this guy look like, anyway?â€<br/><br/>â€œIf we knew that, we wouldnâ€™t be standing here,â€ the shorter figure replied testily.<br/><br/>â€œThere he is.  Is that him?â€<br/><br/>Ethan directed his teammatesâ€™ gaze to the raised platform that served as a makeshift stage.  A young man stood behind the sound and speaker arrays, seemingly completely enthralled in the sound.<br/><br/>â€œIt doesnâ€™t look like heâ€™s working a whole lot of magic with that equipment.â€  Ethan observed.  As they watched, the lights ands sounds changed.  The beat grew thick and heavy while the crowd screamed; the lights dimmed.  The DJ hadnâ€™t touched the boards.<br/><br/>â€œLetâ€™s go.â€  Morgan led the way, his heavy powersuit cutting a swathe of intimidation through the half-drunk partygoers.<br/><br/>They had almost reached the stage, at times pushing and fighting their way through the crowds too drunk to notice the heroes in their midst, when they found their way blocked by a thin, dark figure.<br/><br/>â€œBlackhawk.â€  Morgan hid the note of surprise in his voice admirably.<br/><br/>â€œGemeni.â€  The younger man returned formally.<br/><br/>â€œWhat do you want?â€  Ricochet growled, pushing his way past his leaderâ€™s shoulder.  â€œYou made it pretty clear how you felt about the Circle.  So get lost.â€<br/><br/>â€œNothingâ€™s changed.â€  Pale blue eyes shifted between the heroes, all but hidden behind a thin black eye mask.  â€œIn fact, I think it would be a good night for you to take your propaganda elsewhere.â€<br/><br/>â€œYouâ€”â€œ<br/><br/>â€œEnough.â€  Morgan stopped the argument from escalating, hand raised.  â€œWeâ€™re not here for you, Hawk.  Weâ€™ve heard rumors about this place.â€<br/><br/>â€œSo have I.â€<br/><br/>â€œThen you know why youâ€™re here.  Let us pass.â€<br/><br/>â€œThese people are having a good time,â€ Blackhawk gestured a gloved hand towards the dancers.  Some were still oblivious to the commotion in their midst; most had now paused to gape open-mouthed at the four superheroes.  â€œI donâ€™t think a rumor or two is grounds enough for you to burst in here and ruin that.â€<br/><br/>â€œMorgan.â€ Allisonâ€™s soft voice drew the team leaderâ€™s attention to the three bouncers pushing their way towards the group from the crowd, obviously intent on stopping any violence before it happened.<br/><br/>Ricochet swore, and turned angrily towards Blackhawk to blame him for their troubles, but the other man had already disappeared into the crowd.<br/><br/>The dancers cleared as the bouncers came in to â€œsuggestâ€ that the heroes depart quietly, but the beat droned on and the music hadnâ€™t dimmed in the slightest.  Seething, Ethan glared over his shoulder as they were herded out.<br/><br/>The man from the stage was gone.