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Post by Jordanna on Jun 13, 2009 22:47:48 GMT -5
"If it isn't, it must be hiding behind the most unbelievable front ever dreamed up," Vance remarked. "And even then, they'd have enough security measures to make 'em happy. They aren't idiots."
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Post by skybright on Jun 13, 2009 22:50:42 GMT -5
Caddy frowned. "You two are talking like you're planning on making an assault. I mean, is that really even an option if these guys have the kind of power you're talking about?"
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 13, 2009 22:59:27 GMT -5
"It's up to Cole to tell us what the options are," Vance replied wearily. "Until then, all we can do is consider every angle--including the straight line. Who knows... the real heads of all this may be propped up in a plush office somewhere, so far removed from the actual butchering that they think they don't need a lot of bodyguards."
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Post by skybright on Jun 13, 2009 23:08:56 GMT -5
Daws scowled and unsheathed the claws of her left hand. "They'll find they're wrong, if that's the case -- and I'd take a lot of pleasure in proving it to 'em."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 13, 2009 23:12:59 GMT -5
Vance shook his head. "We all would--but as much as it galls me to admit it, it's still possible that politics and public exposure are the only way to root this thing out for good. If Cole can make the law actually save more lives than we can, we'll have to give up the satisfaction of taking our own revenge."
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Post by skybright on Jun 13, 2009 23:20:42 GMT -5
Daws smiled humorlessly. "When you're right, you're right, I guess." She sheathed her claws. "I can't say I'm that happy about it, myself -- but I'd rather see these guys shut down for good, if it can be done."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 13, 2009 23:28:32 GMT -5
"Don't relax yet. You know how I feel about the effectiveness of politics." With a sigh, Vance sank into a chair and propped his head on his hand. "For now, we all might as well get some rest. Regina, I'll have Nate take you home if you don't want to stay here."
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Post by skybright on Jun 13, 2009 23:36:04 GMT -5
Daws smiled crookedly and shook her head. "If I go home, I'll just sit there wondering what's going on here. No sense in sending him on a pointless errand."
She settled into a more comfortable position, shooting a glance at the unconscious Voegel. "Hey, Caddy, how long is Sleeping Beauty going to be out for?"
The doctor glanced up with a shrug. "As much sedative as I gave him? Six hours, easy. Probably closer to eight. Why?"
Daws grinned and peeled off her ski mask, vigorously running her fingers through the fur on her face. "Because these stupid things are itchy, is why."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 13, 2009 23:41:50 GMT -5
Vance shrugged and pulled his own mask off. "Might as well make a party of it. In the morning I'll send Handy out for doughnuts. We can attack the new intel with a full stomach, at least."
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Post by skybright on Jun 13, 2009 23:49:17 GMT -5
Caddy brightened at that. "Donuts, huh?" He grinned. "This part of the job might not be quite so bad after all."
Daws smiled and settled back in her chair. "Give it a couple hours before you say that."
The remainder of the night passed slowly and uneventfully; the resistance members dozed or spoke quietly among themselves, and Caddy checked on Voegel's condition from time to time -- but the captive showed no signs of awakening from his drugged state, nor of any further problems with his heart.
It was shortly after dawn when a faint knocking came at the door of the room. Daws roused herself from a half-doze and -- shooting a quick glance at Vance and the others -- crossed to the door, peering through the peephole for a moment before opening it to admit a haggard-looking Cole.
The politician blinked blearily at her, then nodded at Vance. "Major." He said quietly. "I'd wish you a good morning, but . . . well."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 13, 2009 23:52:37 GMT -5
"We can both agree on that." Vance sat up from a slouched position in his chair, and waved a hand toward the table. "Help yourself to coffee and doughnuts. Handy was out and back again before it got light."
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Post by skybright on Jun 14, 2009 0:00:59 GMT -5
Cole tried for a smile, although it came out looking more like a grimace. "I'm not sure it's the best thing for me at this point, but . . ." He shrugged and poured himself a cup of black coffee, then sank wearily onto a chair. "I'm not sure it matters that much, either."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 14, 2009 22:29:33 GMT -5
"As you can see, Voegel's still out." Vance nodded toward the sedated scientist on the bed, then regarded Cole appraisingly. "You look about two-and-a-quarter percent better than you did last night. Do you feel any better?"
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Post by skybright on Jun 14, 2009 22:41:08 GMT -5
Cole rubbed at his eyes with one hand. "A bit, yes. My head is still splitting, but at least I'm tolerably certain it's not actually going to come apart. Last night I . . . wasn't so sure." He glanced at the unconscious Voegel and frowned faintly. "I didn't realize it could even get that bad."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 14, 2009 22:57:01 GMT -5
Vance raised an eyebrow. "Your headaches, or the inside of somebody else's mind--or both?"
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Post by skybright on Jun 14, 2009 23:04:51 GMT -5
"Both. "Cole replied quietly. "I've been in Tiernan's mind, of course, but I've never delved any deeper than I had to. This was -- different. More visceral. I . . . saw more. Felt more."
He shuddered abruptly and shook his head. "It's going to be a long time before I can close my eyes without seeing the things Voegel has done to people."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 15, 2009 22:02:09 GMT -5
"I'm sorry you had to go through that," Vance said sincerely. Then he scowled, and added, "But I'm sure we'd all be sorrier if we let Voegel and his pals keep doing those things to people."
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Post by skybright on Jun 15, 2009 22:39:53 GMT -5
"Yes." Cole took a deep breath and straightened slightly in his chair. "Enough about me -- you want to know what I found out."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 15, 2009 22:46:36 GMT -5
"If you're feeling up for it now--of course." Vance turned to Handy, who was at that moment fishing into the doughnut box. "Take notes."
"Sure, Jerod." Handy transferred the doughnut to his upper left hand, wiped powdered sugar from his fingers, then reached for a notepad and pair of pencils that lay on the table--all while in the act of taking a bite.
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Post by skybright on Jun 15, 2009 23:02:06 GMT -5
Cole nodded and took a drink of coffee, collecting his thoughts for a moment. "I'm not sure where to start, exactly. I took in a lot of information last night -- not all of it even relevant to what we're hoping to accomplish.
"I suppose where they are is the place to start." He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "Voegel's immediate superiors are operating out of a complex in an industrial park in New Jersey. There's no real lab there -- just bureaucrats and the like. It would have been the first stop for whoever they took from the clinic -- before they were transferred . . . elsewhere."
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