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Post by skybright on Oct 24, 2009 22:35:42 GMT -5
Daws shrugged. "I dunno. I guess his place is our next stop -- we'll have to ask him."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 24, 2009 22:38:08 GMT -5
"That and a lot of other things," Vance sighed. "How's it coming, Jai?"
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Post by skybright on Oct 24, 2009 22:45:16 GMT -5
Jai gestured at the printer in one corner of the room, which now had a thick stack of copies sitting in the tray. "Everything is printed off -- all that remains is for me to copy the . . . the video files."
He leaned over and pulled open one of the drawers of the file cabinet next to the bed, rummaging for a moment before withdrawing a blank flash drive. He handed this to Veeru, who fitted it into the USB hub as Jai closed his eyes.
Daws crossed the bedroom to the printer, retrieving the thick sheaf of paper with a wry, humorless smile. "Looks like Cole's got his homework cut out for him."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 24, 2009 22:51:55 GMT -5
"We've all gotta do our research," Vance murmured. "Any of us might hit on something that wouldn't occur to someone else--and if we do manage to get in deep, knowing something in these files that doesn't seem important now could save our lives."
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Post by skybright on Oct 24, 2009 22:59:20 GMT -5
Daws nodded soberly, tucking the papers under her arm.
After another moment Jai opened his eyes with a sigh, gesturing for Veeru to retrieve the flash drive. "That's everything."
He took the drive from his brother and held it out to Vance. "Use it to hurt these butchers, Major." He said, with uncharacteristic vehemence.
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 24, 2009 23:02:20 GMT -5
Vance gravely took the flash drive. "Believe me, Jai--I've got a score to settle for Major Ashley. If it's the last thing I do, we're gonna bust 'em up."
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Post by skybright on Oct 24, 2009 23:10:26 GMT -5
Jai nodded, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I'll keep looking for anything else that might be useful -- and I will put out those feelers I talked about. The moment I learn anything new, I'll contact you."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 24, 2009 23:17:22 GMT -5
"Yeah. Only make sure you get yourself some rest, too." Vance gently squeezed Jai's shoulder. "You've done good work for us tonight. We'll make the most of it."
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Post by skybright on Oct 24, 2009 23:26:21 GMT -5
Jai smiled and ducked his head. "I am glad to be of help." He glanced sideways at his brother. "You will show them out?"
Veeru nodded and removed his hand from Jai's shoulder -- and the smaller man instantly lapsed back into his trancelike state.
Veeru shrugged and pushed himself to his feet. "Is there anything else I can do?"
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 24, 2009 23:32:38 GMT -5
"Just take care of yourself and Jai," Vance replied, following Veeru out of the room. "We need you two for intel--not for rough stuff. If a miracle happens, and we find some way to crack any real stronghold or headquarters these people have, here's hoping what we brought you tonight would look like a drop in the bucket."
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Post by skybright on Oct 24, 2009 23:38:41 GMT -5
"Here's hoping." Veeru smiled crookedly and shook Vance's hand. "Best of luck out there -- and be careful."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 24, 2009 23:45:00 GMT -5
"Always," Vance replied, and led the way down the stairs, glancing over his shoulder at Daws, Nate, and Handy.
"Okay--let's go see our favorite politician."
In short order, the four mutants had arrived at Mayor Cole's apartment building, and discreetly taken the stairs up to his floor.
"If he's heard about our little swapmeet at Voegel's place, I'd bet he's expecting us," the Major remarked. "--With a headache already."
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Post by skybright on Oct 24, 2009 23:55:34 GMT -5
Daws smiled thinly. "If he doesn't still have the same one left over from cracking into Voegel's skull." She remarked as Vance rapped on the Mayor's apartment door.
A moment later the door cracked open, and Cole peered out, looking tired and -- as predicted -- unsurprised to see them. "Hello, everyone." The door closed momentarily as Cole slid the security chain back, then opened again. He gestured for the group to enter the apartment. "Busy night, I take it."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 25, 2009 22:48:20 GMT -5
"To put it politely... we've been shopping." Vance gestured for Handy to put down the bags he was carrying, then turned grimly back to Cole.
"If you're serious about nailing the people behind Mount Bliss--what we got from Voegel's apartment tonight may be just the stuff to do it."
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Post by skybright on Oct 25, 2009 22:56:48 GMT -5
Cole nodded as he turned from fastening the security chain and deadbolt. "As serious as they come, Major." He replied. "What have you got?"
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 25, 2009 23:00:10 GMT -5
Vance's eyes narrowed. "For starters--actual video of those butchers working on a mutant in a lab."
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Post by skybright on Oct 25, 2009 23:12:43 GMT -5
Cole stared at him for a moment with a faintly dumbfounded expression. "That's huge." He said finally. "You couldn't ask for better leverage."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 25, 2009 23:16:00 GMT -5
"The question is who we're supposed to use that leverage on--and that's your department." Vance waved a hand at the bags on the coffee table. "There's plenty more, too, but we haven't made much of it yet. Caddy and Jai are working on the medical and technological angles, respectively. Now it's your turn to see what the political angle is."
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Post by skybright on Oct 25, 2009 23:22:51 GMT -5
"I have some ideas." Cole settled onto the sofa and zipped open the nearest bag. "I've put out some discreet inquiries with some ex-military contacts of mine in Washington -- nothing that would come across as unusually inquisitive. Whoever Voegel's superiors answer to, they're almost certainly military. Like you said -- it's just a question of finding them."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 26, 2009 22:48:49 GMT -5
"Good luck to you," Vance rumbled. "Seeing as how I'm supposed to be dead, I can't involve any old Army pals of mine--not without throwing their lives into a tailspin, and probably putting 'em in a lot more danger than they deserve."
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