The Rising Dawn, # 25— "The Dawn Digs in, Snow Rises"

Sir Gallant had at last recovered from the curse of Voodoo’s Equal Amulet, which was enchanted by her arts to allow the user to emerge victorious in any battle, for a price. The price had been acute and debilitating nausea for weeks, and only Philos (Solomon Gillis, The Philosopher) had any ability to give him relief. This he did, using his ethereal Gift, along with the Oracle Stone he crafted, to transfer his ‘cosmic energy’ (as he called it) to reduce Gallant’s pain.

The Dawn Society had learned from their captives from their recent battle (with the Grecian mob boss’s militant Fraternity) the location of the Gifted that had been kidnapped. These were low-tier members of the Dawn Society, but they had lucrative talents. Two were Soothers, and for a fee they would use their Gifts to make phone-callers fall fast asleep, fighting insomnia. They were hapless to make money themselves, but with Wraith and Gallant’s business model, they did well.

One of the captives had the ability to use months of gathered ‘ether’ to remove any and all psychosis from a patient for at least two weeks. Her services were coveted by many.

The other two Gifted Dawn Citizens had low-demand abilities, but the Citizens wanted them back nevertheless. One could make stunning performances using an outstanding mastery of balance, and with the right equipment, she could put acrobats to shame. The other worked security, having a surpassing ability to read ‘auras’, particularly by people who were trespassing or had ill intent.

With Gallant spearheading the attack, along with Nightshift, Mech, Pointer and Wraith, they had stormed the location where their people were held, which was deduced by Parse. What they found was the dead bodies of their fellow Citizens, which had been completely harvested for blood and other useful organs which were coveted for making Drive, the drug that bestowed Gifts on whom would otherwise be non-gifted. Zane Frederick, the Magister (& the Grecian mob boss) had already converted four of his best guns into Gifted, which they called Outliers.

The most coveted Outliers were those with the most potent abilities, which included Gallant himself. Gallant was a pioneer in the strengthening of Gifts, being the first to push his ability (‘Abnormality’) further and further until his potential was reached. Michael Ruppert (Gallant) had begun with what was referred to as ‘Force’— he could burn his emotional and spiritual strength (‘ether’, as Parse insisted) to add to his strength, endurance, and stamina.

By relentless focus on developing his power, he was able to concentrate it in his extremities, enabling him to fly. Moreover, he was able to use it to build himself into a super-soldier. With his armor and his helm, he was like a flying tank.

Gallant’s ability had been harnessed with his discipline and training, but in the end, his ability was a Gift, and he used his to maximum effect.

Upon the discovery of the murdered Citizens, Ruppert changed his tune, and assumed his role of leadership not merely of the Sentinels (elite combatants fighting evil), but also of the Rising Dawn. These were Citizens with Gifts, and their Society sought their advancement. With his blessing, Mech and Nightshift followed suit, and would no longer be mere Sentinels. They were agents of a Society that would place those who were special where they belonged: In services that made full use of their talents, protecting and getting justice for their fellow Citizens.

Citizen Snow was in the company of Jonathan Stokes, the Ratcatcher. Her real name was Jessica Auspice, and they both greeted Mech, whose Normy name was Civella Candin.

Civella’s Gift had been speaking to ghosts that had dwelt in machines, and because of cancer, her lover (Dr. Daniel Thrift) arranged for her to receive state-of-the-art robotic replacements for her ravaged body. Because of her ability to understand how Spirits fused with machines, her control over her body made her a super soldier (and a Sentinel) beyond nearly any other candidate.

“Citizen Snow. Care to tell me how the Underground found you before you could truly move water?”

Jessica was training with her ability to control water. She had mastered with great difficulty the ability to remove water from 2-liter bottles and place it back in again without spilling… much. Currently, she was trying to open a door handle using only water. Her progress was exactly zero, but each day her endurance and capabilities became much stronger.

“I was a legend among the student body. They all swore I was magical,” said Snow.

“Do enlighten me,” said Mech.

“...it’s hard to explain. Moments of inspiration, timing, empathy, imagination. Just plain old talent.”

“Of course,” said Mech.

Snow released the water surrounding the doorknob in frustration, water spilling on the ground. “Are you sure I’m actual Sentinel material? Splashing water isn’t going to stop anyone from doing anything, no matter how cool it sounds.”

Mech said, “The correct use of water could damage my own body beyond repair.”

“You’re not water-proof?”

“Try again,” said Rat.

Mech said, “Water can wend its way into places it shouldn’t, if you’re in perfect control.”

“Right. Electricity,” said Snow. After a pause, she said, “What about an EMP? Would that kill you?”

“That’s why I can’t fight without Pointer. At least not safely. Jeremic can mute EMPs with his telekinesis.”

“Woah,” said Snow.

“Try again,” said Rat.

Jessica growled in frustration. “Fine,” she said, and water lifted from the ground off the floor.

Rat started singing:

“When you’re down and out—

—And friends just can’t, be, found,

Like a bridge, over,

Troubled water,

I will lay me down.

Like a bridge, over,

Troubled water,

I will lay me down.”

With that, she jostled the doorknob and and turned it with the small amount of water.

“Thought that would work,” said Rat.

“I could kiss you!” said Snow.

“That wouldn’t be so bad,” said Jonathan Stokes, the Ratcatcher.

The nubile Citizen Snow hugged and kissed Rat, and he grinned and kissed her cheek.

Mech said, “We better inform Parse that your Gift enhances the performance of other Citizens.”

“You mean you didn’t already know?” said Rat, smirking.

“I’ll have to keep you here more often,” said Snow, “even though your breath smells like an ash tray.”

“And coffee,” said Rat.

“And halitosis.”

Rat grinned, although he did not laugh.