|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 25, 2008 21:53:54 GMT -5
"Okay." Vance leaned back and folded his arms. "If you don't want to talk about your buddies, how about something more mechanical? What kind of security systems have they got rigged up at the lab?"
This was met by certain anatomically impossible suggestions, and Vance rolled his eyes. "Please--we have ladies present."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 25, 2008 23:01:50 GMT -5
Daws chuckled. "We sure can pick 'em when it comes to hostages with foul mouths, can't we?"
She glanced briefly at Cole, then at Highsmith. "C'mon, pal, whattaya say -- just how tough is your security up at Mount Spooky, anyway?"
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 26, 2008 22:14:59 GMT -5
Highsmith's only response was to direct a particularly choice phrase at Daws--or rather, to begin to. He was swiftly cut off by Sid, who rapped him under the chin and caused him to bite his own tongue. The captive snarled furiously and hunched further back against the mildewed wall.
Vance spoke to Daws in a low voice. "Since we don't even expect any verbal answers out of him right now, I'd gag him--but then he'd get suspicious why we're preventing him from answering our own questions."
He glanced at Cole. "How's it going?"
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 27, 2008 0:59:05 GMT -5
"I've dealt with worse," Cole responded in a quiet, slightly strained voice, "But it's not exactly easy going -- give me a few more minutes."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 27, 2008 21:11:21 GMT -5
Vance nodded and turned back to Highsmith.
"Okay, pal. Let's discuss one of the touchiest points about your little base of operations. We know there's a self-destruct system rigged in the tunnels... but what do you know about it?"
The captive paled visibly and at last made a legitimate reply, in a voice that sounded rather shaken. "I don't--I don't know what you're talking about."
The Major looked at Cole, lowering his voice again. "Is that true? Are the higher-ups not even telling these guys they could get blown sky-high at the first sign of trouble?"
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 27, 2008 21:57:51 GMT -5
Cole closed his eyes for a moment, cocking his head slightly to one side. "Yes." He murmured after a long moment, "He's telling the truth . . . and he's wondering if you are."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 27, 2008 22:34:37 GMT -5
"Well, that's interesting." Vance turned back to Highsmith.
"It's true, buddy. Those old mine shafts are rigged to take out a sizeable piece of real estate if your bosses decide they're in too much trouble. I'm sure they don't care to have their toy soldiers know about that little retirement package."
Highsmith hesitated, then shook his head slightly. "You're lying."
"Suit yourself." Vance's lips twitched. "All the same, I'm guessing you wouldn't like it very much if we carted you along with us when we go calling."
The prisoner gaped. "You're out of your mind! Whatever you're trying to do, you haven't got a chance!"
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 27, 2008 22:39:23 GMT -5
"Sure we do," Daws said brightly. "Maybe it's only a million to one or worse, but it's a chance -- and we're just the sort of crazy that likes to play that kind of odds."
She grinned ferally. "My friend here may be on to something, actually. You might decide you like playing the odds, too -- if we give you the chance to find out."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 27, 2008 22:43:20 GMT -5
Vance frowned and raised an eyebrow at Daws. "Have you got an idea?"
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 27, 2008 22:47:44 GMT -5
Daws held out her hands. "I'm just pointing out to our buddy Highsmith that if it's a choice between givin' us some answers and then sitting tight right here where there's relatively few bullets around, or keeping clammed up and coming along when we go out to play with his pals, well . . ." she shrugged, "I know which option his insurance company'd suggest, is all."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 27, 2008 22:55:00 GMT -5
The Major chuckled. "As always, I like the way you think."
He turned back to Highsmith. "You heard the lady. I'm inclined to take her up on the idea. Does that make you any more interested in playing nice?" He paused. "After all, the way you say it, we're just walking into a wall of concentrated doom anyway. What could it hurt for you to give us a few directions?"
Highsmith clenched his teeth. "I have my orders."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 27, 2008 23:00:20 GMT -5
"Sure, orders from a bunch of guys who'd blow you into pieces so small they could bury you in a matchbox -- without even botherin' to tell you about it." Daws replied.
She shrugged. "Maybe it just means I'll never be real military material -- but personally, I wouldn't give a flying leap about orders from that kinda source."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 28, 2008 21:17:35 GMT -5
"I don't believe you," Highsmith snapped.
"You don't sound all that convinced." The Major shrugged. "Suit yourself. We'll just take you along with us, and you can hope you won't find out."
He paused for a moment, then asked another question. "What do you know about the man your scientists have been experimenting on?"
At that point, Highsmith fell back on the custom of "name, rank, and serial number", grating out the words slowly through clenched teeth. Vance raised an eyebrow and turned to Cole.
"Maybe he's getting wise and trying to fill his head with that stuff," he murmured. "How's your progress?"
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 28, 2008 23:17:38 GMT -5
Cole looked up from a page of somewhat haphazard notes, passing a weary hand over his face. "It could be worse," he murmured, "I think I've found some useful things for you -- but that chanting he's doing is throwing up a fair bit of mental static, whether he intends it or not."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 30, 2008 22:17:13 GMT -5
"We'll see about that." Vance stepped back toward Highsmith, and gave the edge of the mattress a shove with his foot. "Enough of that. We get it. Either give us useful answers or shut your trap--but you're just going to find things getting more uncomfortable if you keep that up."
Highsmith grudgingly fell silent, his jaw tightly clenched.
"That's better." Vance settled his hip against the table again. "You want to tell us whatever passwords or security codes you know?"
"No," Highsmith answered flatly.
Vance gave a low chuckle. "I never was that good at picking passwords, myself. Thought it used to be a good idea to pick cutesy things nobody'd ever associate with me--like 'Easter Bunny'." He grinned at Daws, then glanced back at the prisoner. "How's that compare with the ones in your head... or are they just numbers, maybe?"
The chatter sounded outwardly idle and casual. However, Vance was hoping that his dwelling on the topic would prod Highsmith into thinking about the passwords he knew.
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 30, 2008 22:26:29 GMT -5
Cole glanced at Vance long enough to give him a slight nod -- indicating that he was once again finding useful information in Highsmith's mind -- before he once again shut his eyes and turned his concentration to the task.
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 30, 2008 22:40:09 GMT -5
With that confirmation, Vance felt it would be wise to keep Highsmith's mind on the subject a bit longer.
He glanced at Daws and smiled crookedly. "What about you? Any password anecdotes to share?"
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 30, 2008 22:46:44 GMT -5
Daws chuckled. "My old partner couldn't remember passwords to save himself. Used to use the names of movie stars, but then he'd always forget which stars he'd used for which passwords." She shrugged one shoulder, "I'm told the best ones use letters and numbers both -- I don't think he could've handled that at all."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Apr 30, 2008 23:07:03 GMT -5
Vance chuckled, then raised an eyebrow at Highsmith, who still sat sullen and impassive behind his blindfold. The Major's expression sobered slightly.
"You have any kids, Highsmith?"
The prisoner's jaw clenched, but after a moment, he answered in a hard voice. "Two."
"You may not believe this, but we want to be able to give you back to them safely," Vance said quietly. "All we want is the man they're using for a guinea pig in that lab."
Highsmith scowled. "I'm no scientist... But I know that if you let that thing out of the lab, you'll kill us all."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Apr 30, 2008 23:12:52 GMT -5
Daws' expression hardened. "Maybe it never occurred to you," she said quietly, "That under different circumstances you could be the 'thing' in some lab, Highsmith."
|
|