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Post by Jordanna on Jun 1, 2006 1:05:13 GMT -5
"Miss Dawson, what happened to Major Vance?" Henry asked quietly.
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Post by skybright on Jun 1, 2006 1:15:20 GMT -5
Daws winced and released Miriam's hands. "I really don't know, Henry. He charged the truck, told me to get everyone else out. After that . . . ." Her fingertips unconsciously went to the bloody graze on her hip, "After that I was kinda busy, myself."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 1, 2006 1:21:15 GMT -5
Sid let out a heavy sigh. "I dunno about Jerod's gang, but we better start getting our people outta here, Daws. I'm s'prised the cops ain't here already. If anybody's wounded, maybe that doc friend of yours who looked Tara over...?"
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Post by skybright on Jun 1, 2006 1:27:26 GMT -5
"That's a good idea, Sid." Daws nodded. "Caddy's got a big place all to himself, out on the edge of Queens -- not too far away. I know we've got quite a few people're gonna need bandaged up."
She hesitated, then turned back to Miriam. "Doc," Daws said haltingly, "I . . . don't wanna ask this. But -- can you, y'know, tell . . . who we lost?"
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 1, 2006 1:43:10 GMT -5
Miriam shook her head, raising a hand to her face. "I don't know names. Only... what they saw. What they felt."
"She told me we lost four," Alex said softly. "But we took out eight of Tiernan's people--and that's not counting the first truck."
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Post by skybright on Jun 1, 2006 1:50:17 GMT -5
"Call it a victory, then." Daws sighed. "Okay, we need to get people organized -- bring the wounded to Caddy's place, send the others home. See if we can find out who . . . who we lost."
She shook her head. "I don't think it's a good idea for us to leave . . . y'know. What's left of them. The cops'll ask questions, and so will Tiernan." She shrugged and said "We've got a couple fliers -- we can send them over to search.
"We've got a long night ahead of us, still."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 1, 2006 2:06:19 GMT -5
Miriam took a deep breath, and visibly attempted to pull herself together. "I can help with the wounded on the way to Dr. Olivard's."
On the opposite bank of the river, Jerod Vance moved silently between the bodies of Tiernan's guards, searching them for any valuable papers. He had already seen to the three fallen resistance members. One was part of his own team; the other two came from Dawson's group of amateurs. He was a little surprised there weren't even more of those lying around.
With a sigh he lit a cigar and leaned back against a tree, waiting for the others to return for the inevitable search for casualties.
This was the work Vance knew. It was what he had trained for and bled for, devoted his entire life to...
And in moments like these, he hated every bit of it.
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Post by skybright on Jun 1, 2006 2:20:49 GMT -5
It didn't take much to gather the resistance fighters together into a smaller knot; they seemed to be instinctively drawing close together, anyway. Daws cleared her throat and addressed the group.
"Okay, guys, we've got a doctor who lives nearby -- those of you who are injured, step off there," She gestured, "And we'll get ready to head for his place. Scold, Cauder, Luke, Raimi -- can you guys meet me over here?
"The rest of you best make tracks. Split up, avoid cops, and go straight home. Get some rest -- we'll contact all of you in a day or two, with news." She paused, and added "You all did a fine job out there tonight. You did yourselves proud."
She turned and beckoned Padre over. "Padre, stay with the wounded, will you? Try'n keep everyone calm." She lowered her voice and added "Keep an eye on the Doc, willya? She . . . had it hard."
Father Rick frowned. "We haven't got much time before we'll have Police here, Daws. Where do you think you're going?"
"With them." She nodded at the four fliers she'd summoned. "They'll need someone who can see in the dark."
The priest regarded her keenly. "With that fire going?"
Daws shrugged and chuckled mirthlessly. "All right, and maybe I need . . . to see for myself." She shrugged and added "I'm partly to blame for us getting caught up in this, y'know."
Padre threw up his hands. "You and your guilt. Fine -- but hurry."
Daws nodded and turned to the four other mutants. "You guys mind me catchin' a lift?"
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 1, 2006 2:30:45 GMT -5
The cigar Vance had lit while waiting had almost burned out when he heard a rustling in the trees. Quickly he dropped the cigar and stepped on it, turning the palm of his hand forward in preparation to lob a boomer if anyone uninvited showed their face.
Instead, his favorite irascible detective poked her nose out of the undergrowth, followed by four other figures--at least one of whom had wings.
"Nice of you to join us, Detective," Vance murmured, relaxing his ready stance. "We were just about to sit down to tea."
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Post by skybright on Jun 1, 2006 2:41:46 GMT -5
"Major." Daws' mouth twisted in a wry smile. "I didn't guess I'd be lucky enough to have you outta my fur just yet."
She sobered and stepped forward. Scold and the others followed her, watching Vance without much trust.
"We're here after our dead." Luke said gruffly, his feathers rustling.
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 1, 2006 2:50:44 GMT -5
"I know. I checked for signs of life, but..." Vance shrugged and shook his head, looking suddenly weary.
"My boys stashed a van this side of the river. We figured it might be kinda useful." He tilted his head toward one of their fallen comrades. "We can take them outta here that way. I guess Casselton can help deal with 'em later."
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Post by skybright on Jun 1, 2006 3:01:56 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "All right. Let's get to it."
They worked solemnly but quickly, carrying their fallen comrades to the waiting van. Daws knew one of them as Murphy Donovan, a fairly harmless sort who'd played opposite her team in the baseball league last year.
She was ashamed to admit that she couldn't remember their other casualty's name.
When the work was finished, she turned to Vance. "We've got to get our wounded to a doctor -- some of yours are comin' with us. You're welcome to join us, if you need it."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 1, 2006 3:08:03 GMT -5
Vance shook his head. "I'm fine. I'll take the bodies to Casselton's shop--don't worry, I know where it is, and I can let myself in." He wasn't in the mood to give the insolent grin that might otherwise have accompanied that remark. "Just do me a favor. If you see Handy back over there with the others, tell him I'm alright."
His voice softened curiously as he added, "He worries."
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Post by skybright on Jun 1, 2006 3:12:33 GMT -5
Daws raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "I'll do that."
She sighed and surveyed the wreckage. "Well, Vance, you certainly do know how to plan a shindig." She glanced at the former soldier. "Still and all, my 'amateurs' didn't do half bad."
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Post by Jordanna on Jun 1, 2006 3:16:57 GMT -5
Vance smiled grimly. "Darn straight they didn't. And believe me, this may've cost us a lot, but it's gonna hurt Tiernan bad."
He reached out to shake Daws' hand. "You'll hear from me."
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Post by skybright on Jun 1, 2006 3:24:51 GMT -5
"And you'll hear from us." Daws nodded, returning the handshake.
As Vance ambled toward the waiting van, Daws turned to the others.
"Luke, I could use a lift back across the river. The rest of you might as well take off."
Scold nodded. "Take care of yourselves."
The three fliers launched themselves into the sky and disappeared into the early-morning sky; Luke lifted Daws and ferried her back across the river. From the air she looked down on the small knot of wounded still waiting in the convenience-store parking lot, and sighed wearily.
That's a battle won, she thought, Guess we'll see what it does to the war.
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