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Post by Jordanna on Mar 6, 2008 23:17:26 GMT -5
Miriam nodded. "I know. But I'm not forgetting that I used to deal with my powers every day." She reached out to squeeze Daws' hand. "I can cope with it."
"Your powers weren't as strong then!" Alex protested, and his expression became uncharacteristically hard. "You can't do it, Miriam. I won't let you."
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Post by skybright on Mar 6, 2008 23:25:18 GMT -5
Father Rick cleared his throat quietly. "We could be here all night arguing over who's going to allow what," he said evenly, "But that's not going to get us a bit closer to figuring out how we're going to do the thing."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 6, 2008 23:33:10 GMT -5
"An' that beats me," Sid rumbled.
Proteus sighed. "If your hacker friend could find out about the security guards at Mount Bliss... well, I'd be willing to bet that I could get you in. You know how." He shook his head. "But getting out again with Ashley--that's where I can't help you."
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Post by skybright on Mar 6, 2008 23:39:18 GMT -5
"That's where it comes down to us." Daws sighed. "I'll tell Jai to make the security guards one of his priorities."
She slipped her fedora off and raked her fingers through her hair. "As for the getting out part . . . I dunno. I think it's a fair bet that this Mount Bliss is gonna be run too tightly for us to pull off one of our bait-and-switches on 'em."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 7, 2008 23:17:10 GMT -5
"If we can learn anything about the layout of the place, that might suggest something," Vance murmured. "Otherwise... I don't see much choice."
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Post by skybright on Mar 7, 2008 23:22:57 GMT -5
"It'll be a regular maze, if it's anything like the mining tunnels around where I grew up." Father Rick said, frowning. "You suppose Tiernan's got ahold of plans for the place somehow?"
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 7, 2008 23:36:25 GMT -5
"I didn't find any," Proteus offered grimly. "He may have more information that I haven't seen yet--"
"Or he may just be expecting to walk in and blow away anything between him and Ashley," Vance growled.
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Post by skybright on Mar 7, 2008 23:44:34 GMT -5
"And that's a luxury we don't have . . . unfortunately." Daws sighed.
"Suppose we do manage to get a lead on one of the security guards." She said, frowning in thought. "That gives Proteus someone to disguise himself as to get us in . . . but we're going to have to make sure whoever we tag for the job doesn't show up while we're there."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 7, 2008 23:51:54 GMT -5
"There are ways of taking someone out of commission without hurting them," Vance replied. "If we could catch that person alone before they go on watch... Well, it'd be tricky, but nothing about this situation isn't."
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Post by skybright on Mar 7, 2008 23:58:17 GMT -5
"If we could catch 'im far enough in advance, he might be able to tell us more about the inside of the place." Daws mused.
Father Rick shook his head. "Not a chance. A place like that doesn't keep men who would talk on the payroll."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 8, 2008 0:11:59 GMT -5
A sudden inspiration occurred to Nate, and he raised an eyebrow.
"Who said he'd need to talk?"
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Post by skybright on Mar 8, 2008 0:16:21 GMT -5
Daws glanced up sharply. "Cole. Sure . . . he might not be able to get to Tiernan in time to do much good, but that doesn't mean he couldn't make himself useful some other way."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 8, 2008 0:32:33 GMT -5
Vance scowled. "The last thing I want is to get him involved with breaking in on a government Black Ops project... but I guess it's an option we've got to have on the table."
"Do we even have time to track down one of these guards, kidnap him, get the information we need, and then make real plans?" Miriam asked.
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Post by skybright on Mar 8, 2008 0:37:01 GMT -5
Daws shrugged. "We've got about the same amount of time we usually have for these things -- which is to say 'nowhere near enough'." She replied. "I guess the best thing we can do is make what plans we can on the way down there, and then adapt 'em to the details."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 8, 2008 0:50:13 GMT -5
"We've definitely gotta set up a base camp down there in a hurry--those of us that are going, that is," Vance rumbled. He glanced at Sid. "I've already said my piece about civilians--and if that includes Daws, it goes double for you. You've got your kids to think of."
"I know." Sid shrugged one shoulder. "But I wouldn't be much of a dad if I didn't do somethin' ta make sure they don't grow up in a world with places like we're goin'. Foxy'll take care of 'em while we're gone--"
"Neither you or Miriam are going without me!" Alex protested.
Vance sighed and put his head in his hand.
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Post by skybright on Mar 8, 2008 0:59:50 GMT -5
Daws held up one hand. "Look, Alex, I'm with Sid on this. We need someone to stay behind and keep things together, at his place and at the Paragon. Miriam . . . well, we've already had that discussion. Vance," She turned to the Major, "Sid probably knows just as much about bein' in a firefight as any of your guys do."
She crossed her arms. "And I'm going to say it again -- I am not staying here. Especially not after what happened the last time you decided to try shuffling me out of harm's way." She lashed her tail.
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 8, 2008 22:52:59 GMT -5
Vance glowered at Daws, looking to be on the verge of another protest--but Nate interrupted before his father could speak.
"Okay, here's another interesting question. If we're going to use Mayor Cole for the old Vulcan mind-probe routine, how exactly are we going to get him down to West Virginia? Pack him up with the ammo crates in our little caravan?"
"Rog Latimore might be able to help us there." The elder Vance put his hands on his hips, scowling in intense thought. "He used to pilot Blackhawks, and he's still got a couple of connections in aviation circles. We might be able to get our hands on some kind of helicopter--at least long enough to chauffeur His Honor down there and back."
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Post by skybright on Mar 8, 2008 23:03:54 GMT -5
Father Rick nodded slowly. "We couldn't afford a landing at a regular airport -- too many records involved -- but a 'copter could setdown somewhere without attracting too much attention."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 9, 2008 22:21:18 GMT -5
"That's the idea." Vance sighed. "Other than that, and making preparations for a road trip to West Virginia, I don't think we can do much else until we have more information--especially about the personnel."
"I'll do what's possible," Proteus said. "Sometimes it's not easy to find someone to pass myself off as--I've got to be sure he's out of the way long enough that no one will figure out he was in two places at once. But I'll go back as soon as I leave here."
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Post by skybright on Mar 9, 2008 22:26:35 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "I can get Jai started on nosing around tonight, if I can get a ride out there -- he doesn't exactly sleep the way most people do."
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