Aberrant: Dead Rising - Chapter 10a: Hell [Mature]

[Courier]

James was mostly pleased about how this was shaping up.

*Right, that's what I thought. Everyone is good with pretending to be abused sex slaves until they hear that might involve being abused or having sex.*

*Bond and I would be going in there as slave traders, so defending virtues would be out of character. For all his talk about not allowing this or that, when Bond is invited to go to Horn's office for drinks, is he really going to say, 'No, I have to guard my sex slaves because someone might abuse them?' If we take the girls in, they will act like they're real people, and then Bond or myself will have to abuse them or drop character.*

*Promising any females we bring in aren't going to be raped is like promising we'll survive this mission. It's not a serious promise. Bond's movies give him several attractive girlfriends because some of them die. That's not the plot we want to follow. And that's assuming the bad guys don't have some hit-below-the-belt advantages.*

[z-Jules WhiteElk]

Jules sighed. "I swear to God... look, is Myf going to try to see if they have any supers? If so, I'll go with her, so that I can get her and me out. If not, we don't have to, and the traders can just go in as traders."

She looked around the room. "I personally don't want Myf to go in there in a powerless position. The knowledge she could gain would be helpful. But, and this is a big one... these fuckers are capable of anything. Here, a demonstration is in order."

Standing, Jules put her back to the room and pulled the back of her shirt over her head. Over her bra strap was a nasty burn scar that spanned her shoulder blades and was about four inches tall. "That used to be a brand that said 'Joshua'," Jules said softly, turning her head to speak to the room. "Some girls were tattooed, some branded. But any woman owned by one of those animals had his name scrawled across her back." Lowering her shirt, she turned to the room again. "That's the kind of mentality we're looking at."

[Mr Fox]

"We're getting off track. We were talking of sending you an Mwf in so she could scope out the possiblility of supers, but as the discussion has moved on I no longer think that is a good idea. It lowers the chance of Bond and James getting out with useful information on the layout of the place and puts you two at too big of a risk and the information gained is not worth that. More important is to know where the prisoners are currently being held so we can try and keep the fighting away from them and keep them safe. When we go in there we're going in like a ton of bricks falling from the sky. I'll open gateways to where ever I'm able and we'll all go in as close to the same time as I can manage. We'll hit em hard and fast and anyone that resists buys a death sentence. Does that summarize the plan for everyone so we are back on the same page?"

[Fox]

"If I may?" Bond's face and voice betrayed none of the momentary irritation he had felt, being as relaxed and happy-go-lucky as ever. "I doubt they'd let honest traders in, or if they did it would be to simply kill us and strip the bodies, unless there's something I've missed about how they operate?" He looked at Jules. "Correct me if I'm wrong there." He looked at Fox.

"Someone mentioned taking photos of the women in. Seeing as James has effectively frightened folks out of our best bet to be accepted with open arms, I propose we take in photos of some of our lovelies, including Jules naturally, to pique the interest of Hornsbeck. We also tell him that we have heavily armed backup, so taking us prisoner and torturing us is a no-win situation for him. Under those auspices, I might be able to get a tour of the place and see where they're keeping the captives, as well as worm my way into their leader's good graces." He eyed everyone with faint sardonic amusement playing around his lips. "Does that sound better?"

[Courier]

James nodded in agreement to Bond's adjusted plan. He looked over at Violet, she'd look good in chains.

[Jasmine Gentian]

Jas shrugged slightly. She wasn't the one running the plan, so she didn't have a lot of say in the matter. Bond could sense her mirrored irritation at the direction the conversation had taken. After a moment, she finally spoke up, trying to hide the annoyance from her voice and only somewhat succeeding.

"Of course, our biggest concern then is going to be what we need to do to prepare ourselves for if they suspect us too much. After all, there are probably a lot of innocent women in there that we don't want to give them the chance to use as hostages. Oh.. and what are we going to do with the ones who aren't? I mean, I guess we're just gonna let everyone out, criminals and all? It was - originally - a prison. I guess a lot of that is gonna be drug dealers and assault cases and such, but do they have a high-security area? Are there women who were convicted of murder in there? Do we just let everyone out, despite their background? I mean, whether they were criminals or not before, they're all victims now too. How are we gonna handle that? We inviting 'em all back here - and if so, how're people gonna react? You prepared for that, Captain? Or are we just gonna leave 'em all there if they want to turn it into their own place, and leave it at that?"

[Mr Fox]

Fox rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger as if fighting a headache. He did not of course have a headache, he hadn't felt the least bit ill since the day he'd lept off the room and learned to fly. Still, old habits...

"You are right, they may have been criminals before Z-day, but they have surely paid for their crimes through what has happened since. I will allow any to return here to the refuge but only under the strict understanding that there will be zero tolerance for crime and that any anti-social activity will land them firmly outside the fence never to be allowed back in. We're not going in there however to excahnge one prison for another. We rescue them and then they have the choice to come home with us or go on their way, or stay and try to make an enclave out of their former prison. In short, they can do whatever they want. Unless someone comes up with a way to read minds here in the next few days we don't have much choice. I can do a pretty good job at lie detecting now, so I'll definitely interview the women and any prisoners we find to make sure they are at least not going to abuse our trust, but beyond that I don't know what else we can do."

[Dan Hawkins]

Dan nods. "Good enough for me."

[Venus]

"So?... Who is going and who is staying?", Violet asked a bit nervously. She didn't like the idea that the refuge was left half exposed with almost all of the supers out on this 'crusade'. She looked over to Jules and understood her desire for revenge but it shouldn't be at the cost of what they had built here.

Violet squeezed Dan's arm trying to get some reassurance that everything will be ok and she faintly hoped he would volunteer to stay back. She'd feel much safer at the refuge if he was around to protect them...

[Jasmine Gentian]

"You can count me in."

There was no negotiating in the young woman's voice - she'd be going, whether they said she was or not. That much was blatantly obvious.

[Dan Hawkins]

He knew Violet wanted him to stay, but he couldn't. He was the best at disarming demolitions, and one of the better fighters should things go south. He nodded to Violet and pat her arm.

"I'll be heading up the second contingent. We can take the sled, wait behind a hill, when the infiltration team give the signal, then we go in too."

[z-Jules WhiteElk]

"I'm going," Jules said simply, her dark eyes daring anyone to deny her.

[Venus]

Violet looked up to him and whispered, “Be safe – please.”

This needed to be done, she was aware of it but she still didn’t like it. By the way the other supers looked she feared they’d all go which would leave her behind alone…

Violet held on Dan’s arm as long as she could trying to calm herself down and think positive about the mission. She was scared that they would be in over their heads…

[Courier]

James said, "I'm in."

[Fox]

"I see a problem: looks like everyone bar Violet is wanting to go. That means no-one is here with a position of authority to watch over the Refuge." He looked at Fox. "To clarify the situation, we need Doctor Shattuck to provide medical aid to the rescued women and one flier to provide additional transport and recon. Jules has a right to go." Blue eyes flicked to the lovely Native American and he nodded at her, then looked back at Fox. "I'd say Jasmine does too, seeing as she's looking for family."

"That makes five supers, including me, plus some of your security force for backup. That should be all we need unless they have an army of supers in there. The flier can be you or Dan, Captain, but my recommendation is that Dan comes and you stay here to keep the home fires burning. James, I think you should stay too. With you two gentlemen and Violet, the Refuge will be well led and well protected, and we won't need to worry about coming home to find it a smoking wreck."

[Venus]

Violet looked at Bond and smiled brightly, he obviously had overheard her whispering with Dan or he could read her thoughts. The latter wasn’t as pleasant as she thought since it would also reveal to him her hidden fantasies about making out with him. Ever since he showed up and left again Violet kept asking herself what kind of man he was. She liked his ‘spleen’ and… and she remembered her time with Daniel fondly – even though it was just a handful of dates.

“I agree… even though I’ve got no idea about tactics and strategies – but I do feel better if I wasn’t the only one staying here…”, she quickly added seconding Bond’s suggestion.

[Mr Fox]

Fox shook his head at Bond and answered, "We'll have Violet and Walker both here along with Ger and half the security force. We also have all the weapons we picked up in Norman now in the armory. If an emergency arises we can issue them to the people."

He looked thoughtful then added, "Plus, there is literally no travel time. With my gateway we can be there in the time it takes to step through. I'll check in here every few hours just to be sure. Ger will be in charge, but he'll have Walker as backup and the security guys remaining behind will have to stand double duty, but that can't be helped."

[Jasmine Gentian]

An expression of annoyance flickered across Jasmine's face. She glanced at Bond briefly, wondering if he had mentioned the enclave attacks to the refuge's leader, then turned her attention back to Morgan.

"Captain Fox, if you don't mind me asking.. what if something happens to you? If we show up there with no vehicles, not only will it look suspicious if there's no place for us to have "hidden" them, but we'll be screwed without some getaway option other than your abilities. And do you really think we'll be able to convince a bunch of scared women to step through some magical portal to get to safety, if they want to leave with us? If they haven't been exposed to supers, don't you think they're going to be reluctant?"

[Fox]

"There's an additional matter to consider." Bond followed up Jasmine's words with his own. "Des Moines enclave has been wiped out." He looked at Fox apologetically. "Sorry to bring it up like this, but this is the first time I've seen you since I got back yesterday. The survivors, mostly women and children, are in your quarantine now, with instructions to talk to no-one but you and I about what happened."

"It's notable that they mentioned something about being attacked by black fire from the sky. The wreckage looked like the place had been napalmed. Someone wiped out an organised and well armed enclave in one night. Whether its a super, or these RUS people with some hi-tech weapons, I think we need to be careful about leaving the Refuge too sparsely defended." Bond's tone was serious, his features no less so as he cautioned the Captain.

[Mr Fox]

Fox raised an eyebrow at that. "Good points. Your last one in particular. As for the vehicles, I wasn't planning to go in without vehicles, my gateways are about 9 feet by 9 feet, a humvee can drive right through one. If something happens to me no one needs to be stranded. On top of that we'll also have Dan and the sled to fly. As for them not wanting to step through a gateway, well, that's their choice. If they want to form a caravan and drive here they are welcome to. I'm sure the slavers probably have some vehicles we could commandeer and whoever wants to can stay to escort them back here. I will have to get back here as soon as possible, however, along with our security guys, as was pointed out being away too long is risky."

[Courier]

James said, "That being the case, why are we sending the second group at all? We could just launch the invasion from here. Bond and whoever go in, wheel and deal, at some point he leaves and goes to the prearranged place and time and gets picked up."

[Jasmine Gentian]

Jasmine arched a brow at James, looking a little annoyed.

"Yeah, let's do that, James. Let's send people into a group of hostiles to lie their asses off about the situation in order to get information. Let's hopethey don't get held up and miss the port back, or get caught or in some sort of trouble without backup within radio range to help them immediately. Great plan."

She turned back to Fox without waiting for James' reaction, and crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair.

"So.. when do we go?"

[SalmonMax]

"Easy, Jasmine," Myfwany reproves gently. "There's nothing wrong with making a suggestion, even if there's reasonable objections to it. Lets not get to the point where people don't want to speak their minds for fear of being mocked."

She nods. "Though I agree that Fox's teleport gates should be more an emergency escape route than something we depend on."

[Courier]

James answered Jas back equally sarcastically, "Sure, it's not like James and I can take of ourselves, we just need you around to hold our hands. Nor is it like we could leave on our own and trivially get back here if we had to. Nor is it like I'm MUCH stronger and tougher than you, so if we run into something I can't handle you're not going to be of much use anyway."

"Oh wait..."

[SalmonMax]

"All right, I think we can safely say that we've ceased making meaningful progress on these questions," Myf goes on with a sigh. "I think we could use a break."

[Fox]

Bond threw Myfwany a wink as he uncoiled from his chair, though his face was carefully neutral, with just a hint of sardonic smile visible.

"Well, I'll be out at the Falcon getting ready to go." He drawled. "I think I've contributed about all I can to this discussion. If anyone needs any equipment, feel free to whisper in my shell-like ear."

"Do let me know what the plan ends up being. I'm on the edge of my seat with anticipation." With that the mercenary sauntered out, his hands in his jean pockets.

[z-Jules WhiteElk]

Jules stood up and followed him out. Neither spoke to the other, and Bond went to his hummer while Jules continued on to the young man hanging out by the car. Cal straighted up as she approached, his lanky teenage body looking awkward. "It's fueled up, and I've got your bag," he said, glancing past her. "Went about how you thought?"

"Worse," Jules grunted, eying the bag in the back seat. A thump caught her attention, and she turned, watching Bond loading up his Hummer. "Should have left a week ago," she added idly, watching him as a new plan presented itself. "Hey, Cal? I don't think I'm going to need your car after all."

He looked at Bond and nodded. "Just as well. I'm not sure the transmission would have held all the way." Jules looked at him and he shrugged. "Hey, I told you she was on her last legs."

"Well, far be it for me to keep a boy from his first POS. That's the teen American dream, right?" she muttered and leaned her shapely body into the car to grab her bag. "Take care, and don't go running to Morgan too fast to tell you what I'm up to, right? But don't get yourself in trouble, either."

"I know how to time this," Cal assured her. "Good luck, Jules."

The native woman nodded, then turned and walked over to Bond, her backpack over her shoulder. "You heading out now?" she asked, casually.

[Fox]

"Don't know what gives you that idea." Was the nonchalant reply. "After all, aren't we supposed to wait until the committee has finished it's deliberations?" The irony of his tone was heightened by the fact that he was already changed into his forest-night pattern armor and methodically strapping on his gunbelts. He fixed Jules with an honest, straightforward gaze.

"I was simply thinking about taking a little drive. Perhaps with a couple of friends." The corners of his mouth turned up in a slight smile. He glanced over at the entrance to the meeting hall, waiting for Jasmine to come out, then looked back at Jules. "Care to come along, Ms WhiteElk?"

[Jasmine Gentian]

Jas studied James for a long moment after Jim left, keeping her face neutral for once so that her disdain wouldn't be quite so obvious. She glanced at Myfwany briefly, and though the doctor could tell by Jasmine's expression that she understood why she was trying to keep the peace, she didn't say anything in the way of an apology, or anything else for that matter. After a moment of silence, she stood up and nodded slightly at Fox, following Jules and Jim out the door.

She glanced around once she stepped outside, and spotted Jules and Jim talking by the Humvee. Without hesitation, she jogged over towards them, and ran a hand through her hair. Her eyes skimmed over his attire briefly, and she nodded again, this time a little more firmly.

"So.. should I go get my stuff?"

[Fox]

"I've got your primary gear packed and ready in the Falcon." Bond told the girl with a smile. "Grab anything else you think you might need and kiss Pumpkin farewell." He glanced at Jules, still smiling, his eyes dancing.

"Do you have any requirements? I have a lot in the hummvee, but if you can think of something you want or need to have along with us, now's the time to say."

[Jasmine Gentian]

Jasmine nodded slightly, and glanced over towards the area where Priest's crew was gathered. He had taken some of his more active crew out on another raiding mission, from what she'd heard, but his crew had agreed to watch Pumpkin for a few more days. Reluctant at first to take responsibility for the child while Priest was away, they had acquiesced after Jasmine had informed them that she would be taking Pumpkin with her after this situation had been dealt with. After a moment though she turned back to Bond with a look of concern on her face.

"What happens if we leave and they decide to just do this without us, Jim? Should we ask Fox for a portal, and tell him we're doing things our way? Or if we just drive off, do you think they'll wait for us? I don't want to put those women's lives in any more danger than we already will be. Are we going to bank on them deliberating long enough for us to make it there by road?"

[Dan Hawkins]

Dan sighed. Things always went like this. They'd talk and take forever to come to a decision. He looked at Fox and nodded. "In all honesty Morgan, do you want to play this slow, or do you want to go in there and take these bastards down?"

"Recon's great and all, but We know what's going on, We can skip the sneaking about and just go in there and hadle this."

"We need to know what we're going to do and simply do it."

He gets up and starts to leave. "I'm going to make sure the sled is good to go. Radio me when you have decided how to play this."

He nods to Violet then exits. He notices Jasmine and the others getting ready to leave. "Some people figure waiting's bad too I guess." He nodded, then continued on to where the sled was kept. As the Enclave's nominal military leader he ought to say something, but he found he more or less agreed with them. Sometimes Tacit approval was best. Besides the only way he could stop them would be the use of force. He wasn't about to walk that path.

[Mr Fox]

Fox spoke, "We have a plan people, lets get started. Assemble your vehicles if you are driving and make sure it can fit through a 9 foot by 9 foot opening." Turning to Markham, "Get the guys and have them ready in one hour assembled with the vehicles."

To Ger, "Be sure to monitor radio frequencies, if anyone radios out that we are gone then we'll have to suspect an attack. We'll check in every four hours."

"Violet, I'd like you to keep your... heart, open. Listen to the feelings people are giving off and if you suspect anything be sure to let Ger and Walker know."

"Everyone else, lets go. Get your gear."

Fox grabbed his own pack which contained the things he was used to carrying on missions from the days when he was spec ops. Nightvision goggles, binocs, knives, his trusty sniper rifle and his automatic.

[Courier]

James left and got his gear.

[Fox]

"Actually..." Bond drawled, grinning like a cat as he saw the other supers piling out of the meeting hall and moving with some purpose, "... I don't think they'll take that long at all." He leaned against the hummvee's bumper, arms folded casually as he observed the preparations, and fished something out of a pouch at his waist.

"Gum?" he asked Jules and Jasmine, holding out the wrapper towards them even as he fixed his eyes on Fox, beckoning the Captain over with his free hand.

[Mr Fox]

Fox noticed and headed over to Bond, "What's up? Impatient to get going?" He chuckled, "I don't blame you. I'm used to military briefings not these debate sessions."

[Fox]

"It cuts down the waffling." Bond nodded, offering the man some gum with a smile. "I think we're trying to be too clever here. A two-pronged commando raid is simpler. Here's the proposition: Myself, Jasmine and Jules sneak in, find Hornsbeck, and take him hostage. A little light interrogation should persuade the man to tell us anything we need if he can be convinced it'll save his own neck. Lets face it, he doesn't strike me as someone with great reserves of personal courage and resolve."

"When we have the situation under control, we call you in." Bond tapped the radio transceiver in his hip pouch. "Likewise, if the pooch gets well and truly screwed, we call you in. I think the ladies and myself are fast and sharp enough to pull off the sneaky part of the operation, don't you?"

[Mr Fox]

Fox frowned, "That's a plan more to my liking, but for one thing."

He looked up into the still bright sky. "I want to scout the place at night first so I can open gateways inside in the event something goes wrong. Hell, I could set the three of you inside, then you don't have to worry about sneaking past the walls, besides, it would be better to have me on the inside with you. Then I could open the gateways where ever best suits our needs."

[Courier]

Looking terribly amused, James wandered over to the Humvee. *Going to go off without even telling anyone were we? That's a big step further than my 'stupid' plan. Guess it only counts if I suggest it? Let me guess, blaming me for breaking up with V and leaving Pumpkin with you?*

Quote:

...besides, it would be better to have me on the inside with you. Then I could open the gateways where ever best suits our needs."

James frowned but waited for Bond and the others to respond. *Jules has to this. Bond is a hot shot. Jaz is going to label as 'stupid' any plan that doesn't put her on point because she's young and thinks she's immortal. And losing all three of them wouldn't hurt the community half as much losing you Fox. You think Ger can ride herd on the supers if you buy it?*

[Fox]

Bond gave Fox a wry, lopsided smile. "Yes, that would be very helpful. How close can you get us to this prison initially? Do you need to have been to a place before you make a portal there?"