Zelandra Firestar ... Rise of the Hero
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
| |
| First it was for revenge. Now, it's for justice | |
| Ze'lan Fey | |
| Player: @ShadowHopper | |
| Origin: | Natural |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Blaster |
| Security Level: | 46 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Erin Roberts |
| Known Aliases: | "Z" |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | ' |
| Height: | 5'8" (ish) |
| Weight: | ' |
| Eye Color: | Blue |
| Hair Color: | Brunette |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | Confidential |
| Occupation: | Confidential |
| Place of Birth: | Galaxy City |
| Base of Operations: | Confidential |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Known Relatives: | Unknown |
| Known Powers | |
| Energy and Fire eminate when angry | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Stubborn Determination | |
| Equipment | |
| Confidential | |
| No additional information available. | |
Contents |
Erin's Love
Alex
Erin's workload was beginning to grow and she was now contracting her services to 4 different comanies. City Hall, the Portal Company, Atlas Center for Network and Technological Services and Faultline Security Services. Erin's main site, however, was the Atlas Center. It was an up and coming technology hub and their work was important enough for Erin to be needed onsite so she agreed to occupy a corner cubicle as long as it didnt interfere with her other clients.
Business Analysts and Project Managers were soon brought on board to help facilitate the deployment of new applications and services. During the staff meeting in which they were introduced, Erin's attention wavered because standing behind the Director was a gentleman who would stand out in any crowd. Alexander Graham stood at least 6 feet tall and his build attested to what must be an obvious devotion to physical fitness and form. He didnt slouch, but he wasnt proud. He merely looked confident. Taken aback by her observations, Erin averted eye contact though she noticed that he made no effort to avert his ...
Later that week, Erin was sitting at her desk when Alexander Graham paid her a surprise visit. "Hi," he said with a little uncertainty in his voice. "Hi" Erin said "... is there something I can help you with? Are you looking for someone?" "No, " He answered, "... I was looking for you actually ... I need a tour of this place, and I was hoping you could help." Erin couldnt have appeared more shocked if she tried. I - I dont really think I know much more of this building past the server room ... I'm sure Ruthie, our Admin, would be a lot better suited at this than I am." "Please?" He asked. Erin merely stared at him, his eyes were as sincere as his words. All hope for a retort vanished. So she straightened her shoulders and said simply, "Ok", and they set off down the corridor.
Alexander Graham paid more attention to Erin than to the tour and asked a lot of questions. In response to the question of where she was from Erin replied, "I think we've reached the end of our tour." Erin turned to walk away only to hear the man's swift confident strides catch up with her short quick determined ones. "Erin, please, wait. I'm sorry, I didnt mean to touch on an improper subject. And please, please call me Alex. Erin, I'm so sorry" Erin didnt dare look into his golden brown eyes, yeah she noticed that too. This man triggered feelings inside her that troubled her greatly. Confused and a little shaken, Erin turned around and walked away
The next morning, propped on Erin's desk by one single red rose was an envelope with her name on it. Trembling, Erin set down her bag and picked up the card. What was written inside brought her to tears. Making her way to Alex's office with the rose and card, she found him staring blankly at his paperwork, pen in hand; but completely focused on her when he saw her standing there. Was he thinking about her just then? Erin nodded at him and said simply "Ok". Alex looked relieved. Erin turned to leave and ponder the big question ... what to wear to dinner.
What began as dinner quickly grew to coffee breaks and lunch, when their schedules permitted it. Alexander Graham touched every part of Erin's soul. In all her years, Erin had never imagined being this happy with another. Alex declared his feelings for Erin so intensely. And Erin knew she was in love with him as well. She felt safe in his arms and knew he was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Three months after their first date, Alex and Erin were engaged. Their work life and their personal life molded perfectly into a life together. Erin was happier than she could ever have imagined. Alex treasured her in ways that brought her to tears. Erin shared the loss of her parents with Alex. The hurt in his eyes at what she endured was nearly her undoing. Alex vowed to be by her side and fill that gap of loss with his love. Erin had no doubt that he would make well on his promise as she would also make good on her promise to love him forever. Erin's life was complete and her heart was made whole. She'd never been happier
Love Lost
The Ambush
Winter had come to Paragon. Alex and Erin didnt want to stay inside every night because of the cold, so one Friday evening the couple decided to head to Steel Canyon for dinner and a movie. The weather outside was frightful, but the Erin's heart was filled with warmth and joy.
On the way back home, Alex missed the turn for Atlas and was forced to follow the highway to Kings Row. A first glace at their surroundings told Alex and Erin that this was not the neighborhood to be lost in. Sensing Erin's frightened state, Alex reached out and held her hand in his while navigating their SUV with the other. Erin sought comfort in his strength and began to breathe. "It looks like the highway back to Atlas is just up ahead, we're going to be just fine," Alex said. Erin was too scared to respond.
The light just ahead turned red. It was the last light before the turn. Erin was starting to feel marginally better when she heard a crash and felt Alex's hand jerk away from hers. Erin screamed at the sight of a masked man fighting his way into their car, through the window. Just as Erin was about to make her way the short ditance across to help, her window crashed around her and a second pair of arms held her in place. Erin screamed even louder. Before she knew it, more skull faced masked men joined in and the doors to the SUV were unlocked and opened. Alex was dragged out of the drivers seat while Erin was lifted out of hers and flung to the ground. Erin called Alex's name and just as Erin's name left Alex's lips, she heard a muffled oath and a series of thuds which had to have been the kicks landing on her fiance's body. Tears clouding her vision, Erin lunged at the attackers holding her at bay and was quickly thrown against a building where she sank to the ground. Cries of pain, screams of joy from the attackers, the sound of ammunition and more thuds of foot against flesh surrounded Erin as her world began to fade into darkness.
The Rise of the Firestar
When Erin came to, she was still on that street corner in Kings Row. Where was Alex? She searched desperately for him. Crawling on her hands and knees, she found the love of her life sprawled on the opposite side of the vehicle, dead. "NNNOOOOO!!!" Erin screamed as if her life force were being beaten out of her all over again. She crawled over to Alex's body, ignoring her own pain, and cradled him in her arms. Her body racked with her sobs of grief and dispair. He was gone.
Somewhere in the distance, footsteps came closer. Erin knew they were coming back for more. She could sense them watching her. Apparently they hadnt expected her to live and now they were headed her way to finish the job; but Erin wasnt scared. The anger from her grief surprised her at first, but she quickly fed into it. If she was going to join Alex, she'd send these bastards to hell first. Gently placing Alex's body back on the ground, Erin stood and turned to the direction of her attackers. Suddenly, in that moment, something about Erin changed. Her hands were on fire, her arms were glowing like some sort of energy bulb. Feeding her rage, Erin let it take control. One by one, Erin set her attackers ablaze in a ring of fire. Pure energy shot from her hands and when there was one gunman left, Erin raised both her arms and aimed, emitting an energy blast that knocked her attacker to the ground. The blast was so powerful that it zapped the last of Erin's strength. Exhausted beyond reason, Erin collapsed atop the body of her fallen fiance.
Lost in Paragon
Erin awoke sometime later. What day it was, she didnt have a clue. She didnt even remember what she was doing here ... wherever here is. At that, Erin sat bolt upright, her body ached in response, a monitor went off and doctor rushed into the room. A doctor? She was in a hospital? What hospital, where and why? Looking at her gown Erin saw she was in Atlas memorial. Erin remembered the why as images flashed across her mind's eye.
The doctor that came in explained that a distant patrolman heard what sounded like an energy blast and saw the orange tint of fire in the distance and decided to check it out. He made the discovery and called it in. Two civilians down, gang ambush, and gang members down, set on fire. Erin looked at the doctor and asked the one word question she already knew the answer to, "Alex?" "I'm sorry miss, there was nothing we could do for your companion, he was pronounced dead on the scene. You were brought here because of the indetification in your wallet. They didnt take the ID ..." The doctor stopped short, knowing that if this wasnt a mugging, then it was something more violent ... just a random brutal gang beating. Erins hands felt hot again, but she could not remember why that feeling was so familiar, so she focused on breathing, to try and calm herself down.
Later that afternoon, the patrolman paid her a visit. He kept repeating over and over how he wished he'd been on duty earlier and there to stop the attack. Erin thanked him and he let her rest before her discharge from the hospital. Erin was numb and empty through and through. At work she went through the motions. At home she often cried herself to sleep.
One afternoon, Erin forced herself to go out for groceries. As she turned the corner, she spotted it, out of the corner of her eye; more skull masked thugs ... this time terrorizing a young woman who didnt want to give up her purse. When one of them brandished a knife, Erin's temper flared and her hands grew hot. Letting the flames take over, Erin aimed it at the small group and encased 2 out of the three men in a ring of fire, immobilizing them. The third came after Erin with a gun. Without missing a beat Erin shot an energy blast from her arms as if by instinct. The first one narrowly missed singing the gunman's free arm. The gunman fired and Erin fired again as well. This time she hit the mark and the man went down. Turning her attention back to the two men encased in the fiery circle, she was astonished to find that they'd been taken out as well. Apparently this ring of fire emanting from her, does more than just immobilize.
At that moment, the young woman ran up to her, bowed and sobbed, "I dont know how to thank you, hero, I just dont know how to thank you." Erin froze and the woman looked up confused and asked what her hero identity was ... I mean ... she had to be a hero ... right? Erin replied, "I think you're mistaken. You should make a run for it, before those thugs return with back up. The woman nodded and ran. Erin now knew that out of this tragedy, she'd been given a gift. Her loss has fueled her revenge. Her anger and emotions caused fire and energy to emerge. She knew what she had to do. She had to use this gift to take out those who've stolen from her all that was dear. That night, Erin sat and pondered what name she'd register with, and how she'd be able to disguise her true identity. Studying hero files and news reports, Erin put together a name that was uniquely her own and yet honored the celestial origins of Galaxy Girl herself: Zelandra Firestar
As hero Zelandra Firestar, Erin knew she was a very small fish in an extremely large bowl. She was sure to be sent to some of the most dangerous zones in the city and she'd be lost before she'd even start. Erin had no clue what to do ... but she did have an idea of where to begin.
Her Guide
From her work at City Hall, Erin knew her powers were of natural origin. Yes tragedy and loss were natural. Before going on assignment, Erin's first order of business was to erase all possible traces of Erin Meredith Roberts and live her life as Zelandra Firestar. Erin moved and bought out an entire top floor of an apartment building in Atlas and had it constructed to fit her needs. She did this through her contacts at the vault reserve.
It wasnt long before Zelandra Firestar made as many enemies on the streets of Paragon as she did allies. Z also realized something else; this was a city that was all too easy to get lost in. On one such occasion, on her way to check out sewer activity, Z turned the corner and walked straight into a group of Vahzilok as they were gutting open a civilian. Infuriated, nauseated and scared for her life, Z tried to fend them off but they were too powerful. Just as Z thought she was about to experience what it'd feel like to be gutted open by these creatures, there was a loud rip in the air. The sound of an assault rifle came next, followed by another. More gunshots and air ripping sounds; everything was happening so fast. The Vahzilok were fleeing and the owner of the rifle was giving chase. He actually teleported after them. Zelandra went unconscious; when she awoke, she was still in the alleyway but under the watchful eyes of a man, dressed in fatigues, his face hidden behind a cloth mask. From her vantage, he was part man, part machine. "You ok?" he asked. "Yeah, I'm fine" Z answered, "thanks for the save."
The man studied her for a moment and then stood, "you look pretty new at this, the Vazhilok are a tough species ... they're not exactly a crowd you want to find yourself walking right into."
Z fumed, "yeah, I'm aware. Thanks." Z's muscles ached as she tried to get up. The man made as if he wanted to help her but Z paid no attention. "I should get going, I have somewhere to be. Thanks again ..." she hesitated, not even knowing the name of her smartassed saviour.
"Spiro" He said, sensing her hesitation, "if you want, I can show you the shortcut to wherever it is you're going. Wouldnt want you getting jumped again but you're going to have to keep up, target my teleportation signal and follow me move for move."
Z stiffened her spine in stubborness, "thanks ... Spiro ... but no thanks. I can find the location just fine on my own." And with that, she jumped out of sight. As Z traveled, her mind wandered to the mysterious man. She forced all those thoughts out of her head as she had a job to do. Arriving at the sewer, she nearly dropped from the air mid leap, because standing at the entrance was Spiro; waiting for her. "What the hell are you doing here, and how'd you know where I was going?"
"So much for your earlier gratitude eh?" He said. "Those Vazhilok were lower level baddies, the fact that you couldnt take them allowed me to spare a guess at your security clearance. At your level we're talking sewer system or old abandoned building. I guessed right. I also tailed you part of the way to be sure ... but in any event, I did guess right. And I could've showed you a shortcut."
Z bristled, "look, if you're going to be following me or dangling your knowledge of shortcuts in front of me, you may as well stick around to help." She paused and then relented, "I am new at this and I could use a hand." At his nod, Z handed Spiro a device that would emulate her security clearance. Together, they entered the sewers and surprise of all surprises, they were up against the Vazhilok ... again. Some time later, she and Spiro emerged from the other end of the sewer system. "Thanks, and I'm sorry for the apparent huge drop in clearance ... it's not easy being a newbie."
"Dont worry about it," he replied and then paused. "Look - " he began, but was cut off by Z.
"Look," she said ... "Sorry but me first ... look, I could use some help in this city. I may be a native but there are parts of this place that I just get lost in. Would you be willing to help? You obviously know Paragon well, and, of course I'd pay you for your assistance ..."
"We can talk about payment another time, but, yeah I can deal with helping you get your bearings around town. I'll be around ... I could go for something different to do with my time. Use your communicator if you need me, I've already synchronized it with an additional channel. Otherwise, I'll find you."
At that, he disappeared ... Somehow, Z didnt question that he'd be able to find her ... anywhere. there was something mysterious about this man, but something she felt she could trust too; to an extent.
Truly exhausted, Zelandra Firestar started for home ...
