Who: Daryn & Fitz What: Everything changes When: Late afternoon; Sunday, October 15, 2017 Where: Faction safehouse, through the streets, then the Marketplace Rating: High for violence Status: Complete
The weekly Faction meeting had gone well, there was new intelligence gathered about government movement off of the Island. It was a rare chance at hope that had two possible bright spots. If the government was pulling more agent away from Destruction, maybe their imposed captivity was soon coming to an end. And if that was too much to wish for, at least more frequent boats to and from the Island meant more opportunities at hijacking one of those vessels to escape. Daryn tried hard to remain focused on the positives, it was the only way to keep morale strong for her friends.
Sweeping the safe house, Daryn was careful to make sure there was no evidence left of the meeting. Even though it had only been a small gathering for four people, seemingly playing cards and drinking while they engaged in telepathic plotting, any tip offs to the human agents was a risk that could not be taken. She could sense that Fitz was still lingering, and smiled a bit to herself as she responded without words. ”It’s okay to go. I’ll be done here in a minute.”
—
The cat stretched from its perch on the bookshelf. I know. I wanted to see how you were. The grey Manx cat hopped down to the table and sat, looking at Daryn. I know leadership can be hard. He’d not been an officer or anything when he served, but a couple times he found himself having to take charge of small parts of missions. There was a lot of stress. Anything goes wrong, it’s on you.
Fitz kept an eye on the boats, more and more. But it was the best guarded area of the island- understandably. He also worried about once they were on the mainland. Without being able to communicate there, how could they ensure people would be snapped back up quickly? How could they keep them protected without resources?
—
Daryn straightened and rubbed at the back of her neck. Turning to Fitz, she smiled to the cat and shrugged. Over their years on the island, and their work together in the Faction, they had become good friends. Daryn did not take that for granted, especially since she got close to few. She appreciated that he was looking out for her. ”I’m managing as well as anyone else could or would. And you?” It couldn’t be easy to be in hiding like he had for so long.
Moving past the window, she glanced out and around quickly. No one in sight, and she hadn’t picked up anyone telepathically. They were still clear, for now.
--
Well, constantly sickened by the depravity of some of the guards. He sighed, cleaning his chest, partially to keep up the rouse, partially because there was dirt! Kyrie gets a lot of comments from the bad ones. I feel for her, wish I could do more. His ‘sister’ had grown into an adult on the island, and hadn’t been socialized the same in her teen years with her overprotective mother home schooling her. She hadn’t learned how to handle herself. He tried to help, but was limited in what he could do.
He tilted his head at her. I’m trying to find a way into the facility too, would love to get an accurate map of it. Fill in some of the holes. Others had contributed intel, but everyone had limited access. If he could get in, there was the chance he could sneak into places others couldn’t. Problem was, there was no way into the building except the front- heavily guarded door. It had been years, but he wouldn’t give up.
—
Daryn frowned, folding her arms beneath her chest. ”I’ll keep an eye out for her.” She had suffered her own harassment and close calls over the years, she was not going to just allow it to happen to the young woman. She didn’t deserve it. No one did.
Moving around the room again, she gathered up her things to go. ”There could always be some sort of sudden injury to a guard. They’d be too injured to leave on their own, and need medical attention on the inside. As long as they allowed in medical staff, you could slip in unnoticed.” Daryn typically used her health manipulation to ‘heal’ people, to help them. But she knew she could do the opposite, she could stop a heart or cause a stroke with just the thought of it. But she didn’t want to hurt anyone unless it was a dire need.
--
We’ll call that plan B. He laughed. I have a couple ideas, there’s this one vent I might be able to get to… Fitz watched her move about. I’m thinking, maybe, we need to focus on… making things more comfortable for those here. I know it’s important to find a way off, keep fighting back. But I’m almost positive you agree that we need to not forget the people we’re trying to protect. And it was also a good way to protest. They wanted to keep them down? Make them mad? Take away their humanity? Don’t let them.
I know some of the others just want to fight. Some seemed a little too eager. But, not everyone is a fighter. We’re looking at a lot of collateral damage otherwise.
—
Daryn nodded in agreement with a sigh. He was right, a lot of people couldn’t look at the big picture. If they did fight, and win, there was life after that. A battle would not be the end, not for those who survived it. And until that day came, they still had to keep going, push forward. They should have rights to live their lives peacefully. To be treated like human beings, not freaks.
”We need more people on board. Maybe they don’t need to officially join us, but there needs to be higher morale around here. Neighbors looking out for neighbors, people caring what happens to each other. Everyone is too afraid, they keep to themselves and hide away to avoid trouble. No one is really living anymore. They all just keep their heads down.” Moving for the door, she didn’t look back to see if the cat followed. Even if Fitz went his separate way, she could have a conversation with him at any location on the island.
”And some are just itching for some action. If a real fight came along, few would be truly prepared. That is something else to work on.” Turning, she moved down the sidewalk toward her residence, nothing seeming out of place in her demeanor or the street around them.
--
The cat hopped down and followed out the door, trotting by her side for a while. Maybe we should encourage training? I know it’s a risk doing it in the facility, that it also shows what powers and how strong people’s are. But it’s the safest there. They had safety protocols in place he heard, much better than risking someone being seriously hurt in the woods. We can work hand to hand training in the woods? Defensive training? He stopped and cut off in another direction, going the round about way to the home he shared. It may be a risk, but maybe offer it to anyone who wanted it? Faction or not? Which could definitely be a risk. Eventually
—
Moving another block further alone, Daryn turned the corner to her street. Whatever it takes to put people at ease. Not everyone is willing to trust what goes on at-- Her thoughts stopped short at the scene ahead of her. There were guards ahead, too many of them to count without staring and looking suspicious. Dropping her gaze, she continued to walk at the same pace, but expanded her telepathic conversation to any and all Faction members. Shit. Something’s up. All clear in your locations?
--
Fitz wasn’t too far from her yet , but had been headed the other direction. As others started checking in Fitz chimed in. Clear here, I can be to you in less than five. He said, turning around, already heading her way.
—
Fishing her phone out of her pocket, Daryn was preparing to use her text-to-speech app to communicate with the guards. They frowned upon telepathy, and she knew the use of her phone monitored everything she tried to ‘say.’ Lithe fingers typed in a greeting as she continued to walk, but without warning it was smacked out of her hand. So much for playing nice.
Daryn stopped short, looking to her fallen device and then up to the three tall, bulky uniformed men that stood in her way. Sighing, she lifted her hands to begin to sign to them, but the one in the middle grabbed her wrist. She tried to pull her arm back but there was no budging.
She’d not wanted to continue communicating with the others, she didn’t want to put them at risk. But she had to say one thing before cutting off for now. ”No. It’s not safe. Hang back for now.”
--
Fitz came around the corner and saw her being grabbed. Two seconds and he could be a large cat, could knock down all those guards. Daryn! He dropped down and hid behind the corner, peeking out, abiding her orders. He’d hang back, but once they moved he’d follow. The cats tail flicked angrily.
—
Daryn shook her head no, but it was for Fitz, not the guards. They wouldn’t have listened to her protests any way. The one who had her arm pulled her long with them, one staying at her side and the third moving behind her. They were blocking her in. Even if she was quick, they would catch her. There was no point in trying to run.
Cooperating for now, and with all means of communication taken from her, Daryn ‘spoke’ again, using her telepathy with the humans this time, simultaneously broadcasting the conversation and associated thoughts to the entire island. It was a foolish use of her strength and ability, but she had a sinking feeling that things were not going well. ”Can you tell me what this is all about? I was just returning home after a card game with friends. If something is wrong, I’d be happy to help try to get to the bottom of it.”
There was no response, but the one who had her by the wrist pulled harder, nearly dragging her down the sidewalk. The other two did not respond either. Either they had some sort of blocking device, or they were ordered to ignore her.
--
It took everything not to act. His claws were out, almost digging into the concrete. His whole body shook with rage. Don’t risk it, don’t risk it. She’s strong, she knew what she was getting into. You can’t save her if you’re caught.
—
At the end of the block, they turned, heading for the Marketplace. Confused, Daryn scanned their minds to see what the plan was. If they were taking her in, they should have been dragging her toward the Facility, not a more public area. But they were obviously planning to detain her for some reason, or else they wouldn’t be trying to trap her in like this. But nothing was coming through. She could hear the thoughts of every person on this damned island; she could make them hear her if she wanted. Except for the three closest to her. Trying to yank her hand free again, something suddenly occurred to her. Either they weren’t human, maybe some sort of robotic drones, or one of them was a mutant with blocking powers.
As they neared the area, things became clearer. A mass of armed guards in riot gear was gathered in a circle in the public area. Frightened residents stood by, watching warily, ready to run but also morbidly curious.
Daryn was pushed in the midst of the guards. She turned in a circle slowly, surveying the threat. This wasn’t going to be easy. But she was determined to try. Reaching out, her telekinesis yanked several of the weapons from their owners, drawing them closer to her. But when she crouched to grab one, she felt something sharp hit her shoulder, then her forearm. Looking down, she was bleeding, she’d been shot. Strategically. They could have killed her immediately if they wanted to.
Looking up, she steeled herself for more gunfire, but none came. Swallowing hard, she tilted her head to the left quickly. Immediately, five of the guards fell, screaming in pain at limbs that had suddenly broken, three others fell, clutching their chests and gasping. It took more concentration and energy than she’d realized to use those abilities in such a fine, targeted way. Holding her arm tight to her body, she ignored the blood and the pain, looking around again, this time for help.
--
Fitz followed, and wove into the crowd watching, wondering what was happening. As he went unnoticed, he changed into the slightly chubby gray and white cat that frequented the marketplace. The one that begged for scraps and got pets. Mr. Tumbles was very well known. He even had a makeshift collar on one of the residents had given him.
As a guard started to approach her, Mr. Tumbles ran into the circle between Daryn and the guard. It’s tail was poofed out and stood straight on end as an angry and terrifying yowl escaped its chest. The guard, for his part just started to laugh.
Angrily, Fitz lashed out as the man leaned down to move him out of the way. Claws caught at the man’s sleeve and Fitz felt some skin tear. It wasn’t a lot, but it was something. The guard recoiled with a curse, but it wouldn’t be put on. Instead of reaching down, he just kicked the cat.
—
As the cat worked as a diversion, two other guard came forward. One grabbed her by her injured arm; she cried out soundlessly in pain. The other struck her in the back of her head with the butt of his gun, knocking her down.
Not ready to give up, Daryn reached for another one of the weapons on the ground, holding it up at whoever came near. She frowned as Ftiz was kicked away, and she fired a shot at that guard’s foot. Using her telekinesis, she ripped a few more guns free and away from the armed men, but she was clearly outnumbered, injured, and fatiguing fast.
--
The cat meowed loudly, some jeers at the guards could be heard from the crowd, but they were being held back, one person who attempted to come forward was tased. The cat leaped at the back of one of the guards, but it’s claws just caught on armor. One managed to snag the back of the guys neck and he was thrown again.
As he skidded along the floor a dark haired young woman picked him up and whispered at him. He weakly curled into her arms and watched helplessly as Daryn was overtaken.
—
Daryn watched the woman take the cat, and was a bit relieved that he was taken out of the fray. While she knew her friend could handle himself, she didn’t want to be the cause of any of his injury.
But she wasn’t given much chance to look out for him, or herself at this point. Once she’d fired the shot, the other remaining uninjured guards tackled her, delivering kicks and punches to her as she curled into the fetal position. She couldn’t even scream out in pain as a heavy boot stomped down on her wrist, the gun falling from her grasp.
The melee continued for far too long before it ended. When it was over, Daryn was limp and unconscious, covered in blood, but somehow still alive. It only took one guard to lift her roughly, carrying her off to the Facility unceremoniously.