OPERATION SEXY MARIO: CONCLUSION

[initiates]

Date & Time: Sept 19th
Location: The UE Holding Compound, and surrounding area.
Characters: Anyone being rescued, doing the rescuing, or doing the distracting.
Summary: There have been some slackers freeloading off the UE for the past couple weeks or so, so let's go drag them home.
Warnings: Likely violence! Let a mod know if we should update this.

Those meant for distraction and those meant for rescue alike are both loaded onto the same stolen highspeed train. It's a great distance to cover, but the train manages in just under two hours, and deposits both groups three miles from the Holding Compound — a desolate and cold area, with rocky, uneven ground, small but jagged hills well-scattered and covered in scraggly trees — and there they part ways.

The diversion is sent away north, to draw United Earth attention and aggression upward, further into the continent, while the rescue team takes a much slower and quieter route to approach the Compound from the south, closest to Exsilium. The rescue team's orders are to wait a full half hour, to be sure that all forces who can be drawn out of the Compound to meet the sudden onslaught from the north will have already left.

The diversion team won't have an easy job of it. The soldiers are heavily armed, and trained to fight to the death before they surrender. They're grouped in organized squadrons, about 20 in each, and seem to outnumber Transports by three to one. Scattered throughout these soldiers are the Masked, the UE's special forces. These soldiers strike with a deadly precision, enhanced speed and strength, and highly advanced weaponry. Also, oddly enough, they seem to have a few smaller members among them, standing about 4 feet tall, and wielding strange powers… Those familiar with the powers of their kidnapped friends may see distinct similarities.

The Compound itself, when the rescue team makes their way in, will be very quiet. All prisoners had been forced into locked rooms (together or separately — whatever was most convenient) before the soldiers had left to face the encroaching threat. There are still personnel left to man the base, of course, and a few of them are armed soldiers — but for the most part it's scientists and researchers. Careful, though. Even scientists and researchers are perfectly capable of sounding the alarm to bring back the armed threats.

Once everyone is out of the Compound, the train will begin running a return trip. It will be kept as long as possible, while the distraction teams sneak back from the battlefield in small groups, but it can't wait forever. Those on the battlefield for the longest, the hardest hitters or the most dedicated fighters, might just have to find another way home. So… any Transports with relocation abilities feel like lending a hand?

Comments

[reconnaissance]

( She's not going to lie, if she's asked about it. Actually, she might lie, but the only thing that's kept her from going to pieces is the same thing that kept her together in Stratton: she had to keep finding other things to do. Talking like this is easier than dwelling on it. It's easier than trying to feel the guilt about what she said to Steph, how she acted, and for a second her hand is resting on the gun, fingers gripping the metal, steadying herself on it, but she can't stop looking at Steph. )

Let's get out of here.

( More softly. Most used line in a movie, or something, according to Lee. Most used line in her life, she suspected, these days. )

[controlledvariable]

[Very quickly, she presses a kiss to Ellie's brow, before pulling back. It's the only indulgence she'll allow herself until they're out of here.]

There's a train waiting for all of us, it's not far.

[And with that, she draws the handgun from the holster at her side, clicking off the safety and holding it at the ready as she starts to move, gaze flicking between Ellie and the surrounding area.

If they come upon a soldier, she won't hesitate to shoot.]

[reconnaissance]

All right.

( Her voice is flat, but it's because the idea of a train, of there being more people here - it seemed the only answer, the way things had gotten shut down - it's all timing and danger and adrenaline lifting in her system, so that she's nodding to Steph. The tilt of her head says come on, let's go, but first... ) What's the path like that way? There's some maintenance points we can try get through, if it's looking feral.

( Quiet, quick. Time is precious, seconds essential. )

[controlledvariable]

They've got half of us playing distraction down near the populated area, so it's pretty quiet. We'll be fine.

[reconnaissance]

Go big or go home.

( Softly, a little bit of a smile, before she's nodding for Steph to lead the way. Ellie knows these halls pretty well, but Steph got here and she probably has the place pretty well mapped out. Ellie can cover her.

She doesn't know what to say about her powers. Maybe it was stupid to get so into something that hadn't been hers in the first place. )

[controlledvariable]

[She gives a quick nod in return before moving out, keeping silent and low as they move through the compound.

It's a relatively uneventful journey; a soldier crosses their path and Steph shoots him in the throat before continuing on her way. There are others moving about, kidnapped Transports and their rescuers, but now that she's accounted for her friends, and Ellie is with her, Steph's primary concern is getting out.

Once they're in the clear, she holsters the gun and starts moving quicker, though she waits until they're moving past the limit of the power null to speak up.]

Your weapon should be working again now, so don't go disappearing on me.

[reconnaissance]

What?

( A beat, looking at Steph. Everything was washing over her, dragging like the current, a water barricade against any kind of sound. There were so many people, so many rescuers.

And none of them are the people from home. She known it, but some part of it stills feels wrong, like she should be looking for Fi, for Homer. ) Okay.

( Distant, her grip on the rifle white-knuckled. She's kept up with Steph, is vigilante, sharp, but her gaze is critical and questioning. )

[controlledvariable]

The United Earth found a way to block people's powers, including our weapons.

[Quickly explaining, but she's worried about Ellie, watching her carefully now that they're at a safer distance.

She takes a step closer, resting her hand over Ellie's on the gun.]

Sweetheart?

[She doesn't use that much, except when they're teasing each other, but it was just the first thing that came to mind, right now.]

[reconnaissance]

Right.

( That makes sense. Blocked, though she has to take a second to digest it, watching Steph's hand over hers, hooking her thumb so she can at least catch Steph with some contact in turn. )

We should get on the train.

( Looking back at Steph, because she can't-- slip into this, slip into all the things that this drags up, not until they're on the train. ) Mucking about here isn't going to do any good. ( Blunt, down to business. )

[controlledvariable]

Okay.

[She wants to do something to reassure Ellie that everything's okay, but there really isn't time for it now, so after a final squeeze of Ellie's hand, she's off again.

Her attention is focused more on Ellie now, instead of their surroundings, but she won't say anything else until they're safely on the train.]

[reconnaissance]

( At least when the train's in plain view, so much closer, it's easier to grasp the concept of getting out of here having a solution. At least she knows what to expect more than the last time she got out of somewhere like this, because Exsilium has always been war, instead of sending her somewhere peaceful and shooting her right back. At least she didn't just watch Robyn blow herself apart. She doesn't falter, exactly, but her fingers curl into Steph's shirt, tugging at her. )

I wouldn't leave without saying good bye.

[controlledvariable]

[It feels like a blow, but she turns to wind an arm around Ellie's shoulders, will pull her into a hug if she allows it.]

I know, I know. I'm so sorry.

[Because even if Ellie didn't mean it that way, it feels like an accusation, too.]

[reconnaissance]

( She will be taking that hug, even if she's awkwardly gripping the gun between them, if only one arm can be pulling Steph closer, pressing against her back. )

It's not your fault.

( Ellie is Ellie. She knows that. ) I'm a moody bastard, you couldn't know it wasn't that.

( It hurts, irrationally, achingly, but Ellie has pieced it apart. It hurts that it was normal enough for her to be that difficult that it made sense. )

[controlledvariable]

[Yes it is.]

I should've. I should've realized.

[Her breath is a shudder, and her free hand comes up to Ellie's cheek as Steph rests their foreheads together. She just needs that contact, that reassurance that Ellie is back with her.]

[reconnaissance]

What? "El's gone off again, must have been brainwashing?" Come off it, Steph.

( Relieved for the contact, letting her eyes slip shut and releasing the rifle so it hangs from the strap on her shoulder. )

That's crazy. You're not my keeper.

[controlledvariable]

I know I'm not, but--

[But she feels like she needs to take care of Ellie, and she feels like she failed that.]

You were acting different, I should've known something was wrong.

[reconnaissance]

Stop.

( Fingers resting against Steph's chin, not quite over her lips, just a little curled. ) Don't do that.

[controlledvariable]

Okay.

[It's automatic, almost, a little more submissive than she usually is, but she doesn't have the energy to argue.

It won't change how she thinks about the situation, the guilt isn't something she'll ever let go, but she can agree to stop saying it out loud, at least.]

I missed you.

[reconnaissance]

( That was too easy, but she doesn't want to peel it back and start insisting, right now. Instead, she's settling for keeping her forehead rested against Steph's for a few seconds longer before she eases back. ) You too.

( Trying to catch Steph's gaze, hold it, before her own flickers towards the train. ) Do we need to look for anyone?

( Something hopeful in her voice, despite herself, that they can just curl up somewhere for a bit. )

[controlledvariable]

[She would rather Ellie not pull back, but she knows they can't stay like that forever, and she even manages a small smile as she meets Ellie's gaze.]

Collette and Joel are out, there anyone you want to check on?

[Saul's safe, too, but she isn't going to mention that to Ellie.]

[reconnaissance]

Uh. ( A frown, as she rubs her forehead, tries to grasp names. It was easier, she thinks, when there were only five of them, only four others to keep track of and work with and worry about, but then everyone here was sort of different. You had more people to watch your back, and she turns back to the compound with a frown. )

How much would you kick my arse if I wanted to go back in there and look for people? ( Not that she wants to, but the thought of leaving people behind-- ) Have you seen Nate?

[controlledvariable]

I get it, El, if we need to go back in we can.

[She won't be annoyed, not when any other time Steph would be sharing the same concern, but while she was happy to help whoever she could while she was working in there, she's being a little selfish right now. She had to make sure her friends were okay, and trust everyone else to the other Transports.

But she nods for the other question.]

Saw him heading towards one of the exits, he seemed fine.

[reconnaissance]

Right.

( God, okay. Her head feels a little foggy, Ellie's eyes slipping shut as her fingers curl around Steph's wrist. ) Coll's good, yeah?

( Steph already said that, and she saw some of the others, Coll wouldn't have let people get left behind, neither would Steph. A wave of exhaustion overcomes her, almost sends her staggering back a step, as relief and horror and the rest of it catches up to her. How do they keep doing this? )

[controlledvariable]

[She brushes her fingers against Ellie's cheek, trying to draw her back.]

Escorted her out myself, there's probably a dog running around here somewhere.

[Maybe if she keeps things light, it'll help Ellie.]

[reconnaissance]

Bloody mongrel.

( Softly, letting herself lean into Steph's touch. It's only been a few days, but those days bought back the weeks upon weeks in Stratton, plain walls, wasting away, cold sweat running down her back. The way there had been gunshots, how they'd been taken to the prison with guns pressed to their back of their necks, the way Fi had been so pale and her face covered in blood.

Her eyes snap open, unfocused, but they find Steph fast enough.

Steph shot that man like it had been nothing. Like death didn't weigh on her the way Ellie knows it does, the way that had forced Steph to avoid them all for weeks after their last stint in the UE. ) Can you stay?

( With her, just stay with her, but Ellie's got her focus back, watching Steph carefully. )