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Post by Jordanna on Jun 24, 2008 22:53:17 GMT -5
"What about that guy Highsmith?" Roger asked.
Vance's jaw tightened, and he spoke in a flat, cold voice. "I'll deal with him."
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Post by skybright on Jun 24, 2008 23:01:35 GMT -5
Daws shot a concerned glance in Vance's direction. "Jerod . . ."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 24, 2008 23:10:58 GMT -5
"If you can find Cole, tell him we're ready to send him home," Vance said tersely. "I've gotta get Casselton to part with the Doc."
Without waiting for an answer from Daws, he went up the steps and into the house. Nate stared after him unhappily.
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Post by skybright on Jun 24, 2008 23:19:12 GMT -5
Daws glanced away from the house pointedly, her jaw tightening. "Fine." She sighed and gestured towards the parked vehicles. "Cole was sacked out in the big black SUV when we left."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 24, 2008 23:26:25 GMT -5
As they moved toward the vehicle in question, Nate gripped Daws' arm gently.
"Look, I'll try to keep Dad from doing anything rash. I think he... he just needs some time. We lost three people tonight, we failed in our mission, and on top of that..." He winced. "It's bad enough knowing the military we served could've done this. But what he learned tonight..."
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Post by skybright on Jun 24, 2008 23:38:02 GMT -5
"I know." Daws replied quietly. "I know. I just hate seeing him hurt -- and I hate being shut out like that."
She sighed. "Just . . . take care of him, will you? As much as he'll let you?"
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 25, 2008 22:49:55 GMT -5
"You know I will," Nate promised.
As they neared the black SUV, Nate could dimly see the shape of Mayor Cole inside, curled up in the reclined passenger seat--probably none too comfortably. Nate hesitated a moment, glancing at Daws, then politely tapped on the window.
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Post by skybright on Jun 25, 2008 22:55:46 GMT -5
After a moment Cole stirred and sat up, looking rumpled and tired. His expression turned sober as he opened the car door and glanced between Nate and Daws.
"Oh, no . . ." He said quietly.
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 25, 2008 23:03:39 GMT -5
Nate sighed. "Yeah. It... didn't go well, sir. Tiernan's people showed up." He shrugged. "We lost three men, and we've got other casualties. And... we didn't bring Colonel Ashley back."
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Post by skybright on Jun 25, 2008 23:09:02 GMT -5
Cole winced. "I'm sorry."
"Yeah, we all are." Daws sighed. "Anyway, we're about ready to get out of here. Roger Latimore's gonna take you, me, and Miriam Van Linden back to the City by helicopter."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 25, 2008 23:16:16 GMT -5
"We're getting Doctor Van Linden to a doctor," Nate elaborated. "She's in some kind of psychic shock. Ashley took out Tiernan's people, and whoever else was left in the tunnels... and that death-vision power of hers didn't handle it so well."
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Post by skybright on Jun 25, 2008 23:19:39 GMT -5
"I can imagine it wouldn't." Cole nodded gravely and climbed out of the vehicle. "We'd better waste no time, then."
He smoothed the front of his crumpled clothing with an apologetic expression. "I'd offer to try and help bring her out of it -- but as I said earlier tonight, I'm all but useless when a person is unconscious. I'm afraid I might do more harm than good."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 25, 2008 23:30:25 GMT -5
"I think it was Ashley's death more than anything," Nate admitted uneasily. "The things they'd done to him--the kind of power he had..." He shrugged, failing to find words.
"I'll find whoever has the least injuries and get them to drive you to the airport," he went on, as they moved slowly back toward the house. "I've gotta stay here and keep an eye on Dad--Major Vance. He, uh... he found out just how close he came to being the one in that lab instead."
Nate stopped walking abruptly, and turned to fix Cole with a hard look. "If you've got any power at all, sir, and you're really willing to use it--then do something about all this. Please."
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Post by skybright on Jun 25, 2008 23:38:23 GMT -5
Cole closed his eyes briefly, as if it would help block out Daws and Nate's memories of the night's events. "I don't know how much I can do." He murmured. "These people . . . the kind of power they wield may be too far out of my league."
He opened his eyes and regarded Nate gravely. "But I promise you -- I'll try, with whatever power I have."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 25, 2008 23:45:47 GMT -5
Nate nodded, and moved to go into the house; but then he paused with a glance at Daws. He turned to Cole again.
"I know she won't mention it herself, but Miss Dawson is headed for the doctor too. She got a little flash-blinded. Help Roger keep an eye on her, too, will you?"
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Post by skybright on Jun 25, 2008 23:50:48 GMT -5
Cole smiled thinly. "She didn't need to mention it -- Miss Dawson is an extremely loud thinker. I'll do what I can to see her safely on her way."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 26, 2008 0:03:26 GMT -5
Nate frowned at Daws. "You really must be worse than you're letting on." He raised a hand to forestall protest. "Sit tight. I'll find your driver."
He went into the house, and a few minutes later he returned with Flash. The teleporter had gotten through the night with only a few cuts and scrapes. They were followed by Scythe, once again carrying the unconscious Miriam--and Henry, who clutched Miriam's hand and moved in a daze. He didn't let go until Scythe gently loaded Miriam into the back seat of the nearest car.
Nae handed Flash the keys. "Okay, get 'em to the airfield, then get back here. With any luck, the rest of us'll be ready to go when you get back."
Flash nodded, then turned expectantly to the rest of his passengers.
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Post by skybright on Jun 26, 2008 0:11:39 GMT -5
Cole shrugged and climbed into the vehicle. Daws smiled weakly in Nate and Henry's direction.
"We'll see you in the City." She said quietly. "Be careful -- all of you." Then she, too, climbed into the car.
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