12:30 (Pix,Tex,Ayumu,Scapegoat, and Symboite)

Another explosion would ring into the air. Randomly, alleys would burst into flame and some of the older buildings would fall over. There would be a lot more injured people because of different people always hanging out in Steel at night. Cars would be going crazy along with half of the town, which are usually awake at this time of hour. Not only did Pix and Tex had to protect themselves, they had to hold off hero's and escape!

bump

Tex sighed, watching the burning skyscraper before her. It was beautiful, really. At least Omega thought so. Seeing as she was sitting on a building, she had a great view of the area in front of her. Jemmy was giving her some orders to keep her busy while some of the AI were collected. She couldn't complain though, she would get a little twitchy if she stayed locked up too long, making this just the kind of thing she needed. "You doing alright over there Pix?" She called over her shoulder. Omega materialized and floated over to Pix chuckling. "Some damn pretty lights, eh kid?"

Ayumu had looked up to the skyscraper with a sigh, packing up her mat and other street business things and walking away from it all, even a fair distance away she could still feel the heat, it stung a little, like when you burn your tongue on something hot, she winced a little as she walked further away, no, she wasn't cut out to try and save people or anything, she wanted to go find Flint so he could protect her and make her feel safe.

The night was abysmally cold. It had rained once this afternoon across the rooftops of Steel City. Stratocumulos clouds threatened to break again, though not in time to save the skyscraper that was ablaze. The firemen and their trucks would also struggle to combat this latest inferno. Pix had brought the encircling traffic to a stop. Vehicles were backed up across multiple city blocks, and no traffic light was providing proper instruction. Steel City Traffic Control had been paid a visit. Every screen in their terminal room was now devoid of pixels. No one would fix this mess in a hurry.

Thus their goal was assured. Team B had successfully... set a random building on fire... Friggin' ingenious.

Pix liked a bit of arson as much as the next villain, it served nicely as a distraction or lure, but he would prefer to integrate the target into his overall strategy. Not just pick the building most abundant in kindling. This wasn't a plan, this was just petty chaos. Pix, as a rule, tried to avoid excessive destruction if he could help it. Although a supervillain, he was still effected by the economy like everybody else. These were tax-payers' dollars they were demolishing. Did no one consider this!?

As usual, Pix could only critique a plan he had not personally had a hand in creating. They were on loan to another villain, which meant they went by their instructions. Though that didn't require Hugh to like it.

He sat cross-legged, away from the ledge, as if sulking, not bothering to glance at the fire. Though it was dark out, the diodes in his pixels had increased their brightness, turning Pix's body into a light source. Hugh turned as he was addressed, "Alright? I guess so. Thought someone had foiled me for a moment. But it was a false alarm." ( ) He'd never been partnered up with Tex before. His first impression of her was that she was very professional. Unfortunately she seemed the type to wear that armour like a cocoon. The sprite had not yet seen her face.

The AI suddenly appeared. Hugh didn't believe in artificial intelligence. You could create a piece of software that was very advanced, sure, but that didn't mean it was alive. The anagram was a misnomer, in his books.

"Yes. Fire burn reet good. Um flames dance like deity. Listen," Pix stood up, pointedly walking passed the AI. It was just a computer. Not like its feelings would be hurt if he treated it like it wasn't there, "I'm obviously overqualified for this master plan where we 'break stuff' and 'distract people'. You seem competent enough. What say I call it a night, you get the heroes to yourself, and we agree to tell Headmistress I was here all along? Savvy?" (^_^)

Tex stood up suddenly and whirled around, glaring into...whatever counted as eyes on Pix. "Excuse me? Are you trying to say I'm NOT above grunt work?" She growled, absolutely insulted by the pixelated villain. "That's not nice or bright..." Omega chuckled, glowing a bright white. "Agent Texas? I say we shut this kid up."

Tex nodded and clenched her fist and started to reel back at an extremely fast speed, but Theta popped up in front of Tex, prompting her to stop."Texas? Don't fight him...He seems nice!" Theta turned around and gave a childish smile toward Pix. He already believed everyone was 'nice' like most little kids did, and this had been his first time online throughout the entire mission, mostly because Tex didn't want him to see the act of arson they'd committed. "Hi! I'm Theta!"

((OOC: Permission to go before Emmz.))

Oh great, he found a plan even dumber than unsubstantiated destruction - fighting your own allies. A few poorly chosen words and Pix had upset the delicate sensibilities of his comrade. Whoever she was, this warrior possessed pride, it had been presumptive of him to treat her as carelessly as his usual teammates. In the academy they taught you to hide fear, but Hugh was never able to deceive another as to his emotions (). His face betrayed all, and he was not able to gracefully recover from the gaff.

"That's not what I- Don't put words in my- Who asked the floating office assistant, anyhow?" He was saved by the manifestation of a second cybernetic figurine. It was hard not to instinctively like this new apparition. The programmed personality evidently had an endearing quality. The personality Hugh would prefer his own android Nix displayed.

Having recoiled at Tex's developing punch, Pix gradually unguarded himself as Theta went on, "Ah. So you had another one of these advanced computer things? Gotta say this one seems better attuned to handling social situations. Glad you came online, Theta." Very glad, "Call me Pix. Now please explain to your master how I thought she'd be the type to revel at a chance for fisticuffs. No offense intended. Most my classmates would love to hog a couple heroes."

Ayumu looked up to the rooftops of the buildings and gave a sigh, a frosty breath of air escaping her lips, even after escaping from Steampunk she hadn't turned completely good, she just wanted to live a normal life and try to get by, she didn't even know why she was out this late, she knew it'd be troublesome but...she just wanted to go out for a night walk, something her brother would shake his head to, ice powers or not, she just wanted to try avoid any trouble, freezing some puddles as she walked past them.

(I'm going next then since...no one seems to wanna show up...)

Omega growled at Pix, but Tex quickly shut him up by muting his vocals. "I don't have to ask my A.I. Anything, you'd be surprised what they know." Tex couldn't quite believe what she was hearing. So the members of the famous HIVE were just a bunch of fight-obsessed push overs who didn't care whether they had back up or not? Didn't have even a bit of a back up plan?

Pix really seemed like the only one with any common sense to be found. At least when his ego wasn't in the way and causing him to make some really, really stupid assumptions. "Well, you know what they say about 'assume.' Tex said, which caused Theta to laugh for a moment.

"Alpha didn't join the HIVE for the same reason you did though." Theta said. "She joined so that she could recover the rest of my siblings." Tex signaled to Theta he was saying a bit too much, not willing to log off the small child. He freaks out a little when she does that. Ever since he was taken and recovered anyway.

Tension which had escalated rapidly eased just as rapidly. Having clarified what he believed his actions represented, Pix was finished pushing the envelope and resolved not to make things any more difficult than they already were. Two strangers, reliant on each other, could butt heads at the best of times, especially when those strangers were openly dishonest. Thankfully the ice had now been broken.

Pix received Tex's next comment agreeably enough, yet mentally scolded himself for his error. His dad always critiqued people for their assumptions. In fact if his father had a catchphrase, it would be 'never assume'. Though life was too short to go around double checking everything. Hugh preferred to seem informed by use of assumptions, even if they were straight guesses. Just happened this time he was wrong. Tex was more mature than he gave her credit for.

As Theta went on Pix found himself focusing upon the AI more and more. Machines didn't require normal social protocol; eye contact, head nods, muttered affirmations; but this particular one attracted his interest. Made him take comfort in its company, "Oh really? Sounds like better use of my time. There's no denying your computer friends are advanced." He stated, looking inquisitively up at the two AI, "But it begs the question. If you're making alliances - what are you up against?"

Standard question really. It could be that this mercenary's only obstacle was surveillance. H.I.V.E. could provide a lot in way of intelligence. They had their tendrils in the black market. Though there were other organisations better suited to finding rare technologies and artifacts. Instead she had sided with the group who specialised in a wider range of criminal activities. Pix suspected Tex was after footmen. Backup.

Ayumu stopped when she heard the voices from the rooftops clearer, hiding in the shadows she decided to listen in, even more so when she heard Hive being mentioned 'Nina is in Hive right? Maybe I can find out what she's up to...' she thought, not knowing exactly who the voices belonged to.

Theta started to open his mouth but was silenced by Tex like a child. "Oh well...that's to say uh...that..." Tex shook her head and signaled to the AI to just give up. "That information is classified."

Theta nodded and smiled, thankful he was put at ease. "Texas collected me from the STAR Labs military base. It was super scary there!" Tex groaned and did a face palm. Theta was terrible at keeping secrets. Especially the one concerning the STAR Labs break in all over the news.

Pix noticed her hesitancy for the first time. It appeared Tex wasn't as comfortable as Theta in sharing information. This is what happened when you gave a computer program some personality. It started doing things you didn't tell it to. Overall Hugh disapproved. Though this current situation would seem to play to his advantage. He wasn't eager to pry into Tex's classified life, but the fact he was able to made him chuffed to pieces (^_^). Just when he was giving up hope precious little Theta put them back on track.

Most people were familiar with STAR labs, though Hugh understood their level of security better than your average layman. It was an impressive feat to break into one of their laboratories. Yet doubtless if they held any of the other AIs, finiancial backing would be on its way to make sure they were safeguarded more securely. So this was the kind of enemy she was up against.

"Collected? That's a diplomatic spin on things. Though I understand the local paper went with something more incriminating. Ah. Assuming the Star Labs heist in the news was the same one you were involved in. Pretty good work." Pix said with pinched generousity. He wanted to continue this line of inquiry and get specifics, but feared upsetting his new ally. Instead he dropped the subject, "Like I said. I'd be happy to lend a hand in whatever classified mission you have your sights set on. I aced my security systems class last semester. FYI."

Of course there were more indirect methods of being nosy, "Say. You know who you'd like, Theta? My android, Nix. You two should speak some time." He turned to Tex, "It can't hurt, right? Computer to computer." (>.<)

Tex shrugged. Collected was definitely a unique way to say it. In all actuality she had killed every guard in the base, ripping most of them in half with relative ease. This kid was prying and that was something she didn't like. But a pawn she could use and dispose of when the need arises...now that would be fun. Please kid, STAR Labs was small sh*t. The big prize is the fact that I'm almost certain one of my AI is locked up in the Pentagon."

That was the main goal after all. Alpha. If Tex got back Alpha, she'd recover everything. Unfortunately, she wouldn't be able to accept it without all of its copies, so she'd need the rest first...ho-hum.

"T-The Pentagon? Ha! Now that's music to my pixelated ears." The sprite would once more fail to hide his emotions, displaying one of utter elation (=D), "I knew you'd be mixed up in something worthwhile! And you have insider information too. Which makes me think you were working with them. Or rather for them. It's unthinkable that just anyone would know what's in their vaults." As required, the government held nigh foolproof security protocols for sensitive acquisitions such as this. Spies and hackers would be hard-pressed to procure reliable intel.

"However, if you did just get that tidbit of knowledge from elsewhere, then you're at a disadvantage. The Pentagon is as wide as the Empire State Building is tall. Finding a single room would take days. It would be an exercise in futility. We shouldn't get ahead of ourselves." Pix purposely used a collective pronoun. He wasn't going to be appeased unless Tex included him on this ambitious scheme. After all, playing the government was his forte.

Ever since Queen Bee had disappeared the young political advocate had all but taken over the task of hiding H.I.V.E. academy's more public expenditures through paperwork. The supervillain institution left a paper trail like everybody else, it needed to in order to thrive, but the authorities would never realise the true identity of these records. Pix had seen to it.