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Post by Jordanna on Mar 4, 2008 0:45:50 GMT -5
"Not much. At least not yet." Proteus shrugged. "I know the location pretty exactly. It's hidden away in a rocky little corner of West Virginia--they converted tunnels from a spent coal mine. But I can't tell you what it's like on the inside. I may be able to find out more, but I can't guarantee it."
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Post by skybright on Mar 4, 2008 0:50:05 GMT -5
Daws frowned. "The easiest way -- 'easiest' being relative, of course -- would be taking him from Tiernan somewhere en-route. That doesn't do anything to solve the problem of Tiernan killing everyone in the place, though."
She scratched behind her left ear. "I guess barring that the next-easiest thing would be trying to strike at the same time Tiernan got there, or right before -- take advantage of whatever confusion he'd stir up in arriving. But that's still talking about a full-scale assault."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 4, 2008 0:58:31 GMT -5
"I think confusion is a polite word for it," Proteus said darkly. "It's just possible, you know... that Tiernan will consider this a big enough job to apply his powers to personally."
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Post by skybright on Mar 4, 2008 1:03:54 GMT -5
"And if he does -- if he decides to take out everyone in the place personally -- I can't think of a blessed thing short of killing him that'd stop him doing it." Father Rick said darkly.
Daws flexed her claws in agitation. "Don't give me any ideas, Padre."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 4, 2008 1:09:29 GMT -5
"We're still missing something important here," Vance muttered. "Proteus--what's the timeframe?"
The shapeshifter scowled thoughtfully. "Tiernan is still working on... well, a holding cell down below. His people don't know what this Ashley might be capable of, and they're not going to take any chances with him." He paused. "Judging by the work schedule for that, he won't be ready to move in anything less than three days from now."
Vance paced, restlessly grinding his fist into his palm. "That's something. It's a chance to move before Nocturne can."
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Post by skybright on Mar 4, 2008 1:15:17 GMT -5
Daws glanced at him, lashing her tail. "What are you thinking, Jerod? Sneak in ahead of him?"
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 4, 2008 1:18:53 GMT -5
"If that's the only way to keep Ashley out of his hands without letting him wipe out a complex full of people--yes." Vance gave Proteus a hard look. "Personally, I don't know that I'd be eager to let those scientists live... but we owe you that, if nothing else."
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Post by skybright on Mar 4, 2008 1:22:33 GMT -5
Daws sighed faintly and nodded. "I don't suppose I can argue with that."
She glanced at Proteus. "If you can find out anything else . . . well, obviously, it'd be a help. I'll get Jai to work on it, too -- they must have computers, but I dunno how much he'll be able to get to without tipping anyone off." She shrugged. "Still . . . Jai was a labrat himself, once. He'll do what he can."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 4, 2008 22:23:35 GMT -5
"So will I," Proteus said gravely. "I've seen too many doctors come to Spooktown looking for 'study subjects'. I don't want to let it happen to anyone--and if there's no other choice, I'd sooner have you people stop it than Tiernan."
Vance reached out to grip Daws' elbow.
"I meant what I said, Regina. You can't think for a moment that any of your civilians can be involved in this."
Sid folded his arms. "I dunno about her--but I'm not buttin' out. Could be Tara in a place like that someday... God forbid."
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Post by skybright on Mar 4, 2008 23:06:00 GMT -5
"Could be me, or any one of us." Daws added. She raised her chin defiantly, meeting Vance's gaze. "And I dunno about 'civilians', but you can't seriously think I'm gonna just sit at home while you handle this."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 4, 2008 23:40:01 GMT -5
"Regina, we're not talking about going up against Tiernan's collection of hoodlums," Vance growled. "We're talking about military professionals. You and the others don't have the training."
Sid raised an eyebrow. "Ya wanna 'splain ta me how takin' on regular guys who know how ta shoot guns is any harder than fightin' against mutant powers?"
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Post by skybright on Mar 4, 2008 23:47:17 GMT -5
Daws didn't waver. "Sid's right. Maybe all of our guys aren't up for it -- I'll grant you that. But some of us are . . . and we are going to be in on this."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 5, 2008 22:23:29 GMT -5
Vance folded his arms and seethed. Although he didn't try to argue the point any further for the moment, it was clear that the matter was anything but settled in his mind.
Nate exhaled uneasily and moved restless hands across his knees. "Okay, so... once we've got the intel we need, how do we get down to West Virginia?"
"Can't exactly carry an armory on the bus," Sid muttered. "Guess there's not much choice but ta drive, even if it takes a lotta time we don't have."
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Post by skybright on Mar 5, 2008 22:46:10 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "Unless one of you's been keeping a private plane under wraps, that's about all we can do."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 5, 2008 23:13:17 GMT -5
Alex had been silent up to this point, but now he spoke up, rather tremulously. "Are you seriously talking about... about shooting at real soldiers?"
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Post by skybright on Mar 5, 2008 23:20:03 GMT -5
Daws sighed and spread her hands in a somewhat hopeless gesture. "Realistically, Alex? Yeah. No matter how well we might plan this, it's going to come down to a fight. I don't see any getting around that."
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 5, 2008 23:31:34 GMT -5
Alex turned pale and stared down at his hands.
Sid frowned at him. "Don't worry too much about it, Foxy. 'Sides the fact I wouldn't like havin' ya in this anyway... I don't think ya got the heart for it." He raised a hand as Alex began to protest. "Nah, don't kid yourself. You're best fightin' fer the cause a different way--an' any of us pretendin' otherwise'd just be stupid."
Miriam drew in a slow, deep breath. "You're right, Sid. Alex isn't right for it... but I think I should be there."
"What?" Alex barked.
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Post by skybright on Mar 5, 2008 23:35:56 GMT -5
Daws' eyebrows shot up. "Doc . . . Miriam . . . you can't be serious."
Padre held up one hand. "Now hold on a moment." He turned to Miriam. "Just what is it makes you think that's best?"
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Post by Jordanna on Mar 5, 2008 23:54:49 GMT -5
Miriam sighed. "Well, for one thing, you're going to need a doctor if anyone is hurt--and maybe even for Colonel Ashley, depending on what they've done to him." A sad, flat smile passed across her lips. "And I really can't see Caddy keeping his head down in the middle of a siege, can you?"
She abruptly dropped her gaze. "For the rest of it... I can't really explain. I can't help feeling there might be--something to learn there."
"From the people who end up dead?" Sid growled.
"Not necessarily." Miriam shook her head. "Plenty of unexplained mutant deaths used to cross my table in the coroner's office. Some were stranger than others. It all adds up to a lot of puzzle pieces in my head that I've never been able to fit anywhere." She shrugged. "As much as I hate to think of it... maybe there are clues at this Mount Bliss that will help put some of them into place."
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Post by skybright on Mar 6, 2008 0:00:45 GMT -5
Daws rubbed the back of her neck, frowning at the floor. "I guess I can't argue with ya on that -- especially the part about needing a doctor." She glanced up, meeting Miriam's eyes. "But I know you know it isn't gonna be easy for you. No matter how careful we are."
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