Shad left the teens at a trunk in the corner of his tent. Con glanced around the tent taking a quick survey while he waited his turn. Shad kept it tidy. He had everything squirreled away in their places and spic-n-span. Then his eyes stumbled across the desk. This was obviously the room's achilles heel. Papers were scattered thickly across the breadth of the cherry wood and pens and pencils peeped mischievously out of odd places. Several fantastical paper weights were arranged in a straight line across the back, and a stapler/tape dispenser was on the fritz in one of the back corners. The teens all made their selections quickly and then drifted back out. The stange thing was that each of them had found their weapon inside a black case with their name on it, like it was premeditated what each of them would be most skillful with. Con slung the case for his Heckler and Koch sniper rifle over one shoulder. He had had basics firearm handling training in Mockingbird but they didn't really focus on it. He filed away the list of the other's weapons away in his brain, under the title assets. Jay, Walther P. Katie, a thin cable. Nexo, brass knuckles that poped out short blades. Of course these weapons were only last resort assets, but it was reassuring to have one. Shad had disappeared which was definitely something none of them were used to a sarge doing. Assuming that they were to fend for them selves till he turned up again they all drifted into the woods and eventually their hike turned into a mad game of capture the flag. It was incredeible how competitive and yet fun games could be. Even the more quite Katie joined in and turned out to be fierce, only Cade stayed reclining on the limbs of nearby ash trees or maples watching them contently. They all staggered into camp long after the sun had gone down on their flashlight tag. Shad smiled at them as they filed sheepishly into the cat rooms to wash up. He didn't seem mad at all.
I'm sorry my lemon peepers. I had another battle with writers block, but I'm forcing my way through it and I hope the writing's not too bad in result. Enjoy!
Ooh, keep fighting the good fight!
I CON't aim to save my skin, this would go bad IRL.
Chapter Fifteen The Meanwhiles Around Town (part…3?)
Con felt like his whole body was tingling, little pricks that bordered painful danced all over him. After a few seconds it passed, and order was restored. Con tentatively flexed his power, and felt some of his consciousness streak out like a lighting bolt. It stopped racing at breakneck speed when he felt his brother's mind touch his. He felt Nexo's start of surprise and puzzlement, Con strained to speak to him but couldn't seem to get any words out. Regardless, he felt Nexo recognize that he was being contacted somehow by his brother. A thought seemed to seep and form at the base of Nexo's mind, almost a thought, but Conner lost the contact prematurely. He opened his eyes and couldn't help but grin ecstatically, "I did it! I have my power!" Shad just gave a small, quirky smile, green eyes sparkling. Con jumped up from the log, "I have to tell the others! I mean, thank you for helping me, can I go?!" Shad chuckled at his enthusiasm, "Sure now, go on then and tell them, no trouble to me." Conner made no haste and dashed off, ready to celebrate.
Chapter Fifteen The Meanwhiles Around Town (part 4)
Daniel Daxon picked at the manila folders piled in his breifcase on the glass-top table of the confrence room. He and Benjamin Seysoe were having a meeting with some of the lower level Sharekeepers of the Organization. There were representatives from the middle tier, Galaxa, Searise, and Sterex, and the lower trio Oceanic, Cateon, and Aneon. The reports were good, no problems, the boss would be pleased. They had all been worried about the Wednesday Incident as they came to call it. They had been bracing everything for maximum damage control, but in a surprise move. Nothing had happened. No press feeding frenzy, no inquiries, no viral internet reveal. It was strange, relieving one on point, but on another Daxon was waiting for the other shoe to fall. Why would someone, especially a green teenager not tell the whole world? Or at least endeavor to before he was taken care of. It made Daxon's blood pressure pound in rage again. The kid was smater than most, or at least had the common sense to attempt to save his own skin. Daxon's men had been working overtime like dogs, analizing every tiny little thing that might help them find Alexander Rome. And they would, sooner or later. After all, he was just a scared college kid, how much trouble could he be.
Mia walked up behind her boss's large chair flicking her long red hair back, preoccupied with her report. The room was dim, which was how he always liked it, and she tried not to feel irritated. "Alpha? The monthly reports are all in, everythings green across the boards." Alpha steepled his fingers and swivled his chair partway so Mia was in his visibility range. "Good. Tell me, have those special clients I wanted you to take care of sold out anything to us yet?" Mia ground her teeth silently, "No." The air seemed to freeze solid suddenly, "I told you to get them to sell. Whatever the means necessary, no price concernments." He let those words hang heavily for a moment. "What is your excuse." Mia swallowed past her growing rebellion. "They won't sell no matter what I tell them, some of them will get suspicious if I keep hounding them this way!" Her voice rose in agitation unconsciously. "Haven't you even thought that they'll figure something out if we keep at it! Especially GO Industries since the owner personally knew you and knows about your recent involvment with the whole Diast" Alpha cut her silent with a look that could have frozen magma solid. His disapproval was palpable and made breathing the air seem hard. Mia sighed in frustration. "Sorry, I can't get them to sell. I did absolutely everything to try and convince them." Another long moment while tendrils of silence wrapped smotheringly around them. "I have an idea of how to get them to sell." Mia just barely held back from stomping her foot.
"I already told you I. did. everything!" Alpha clicked his tounge in mock chastisement. "Really Mia, you shouldn't fly off the handle, it's not becoming of one of your high position." His voice sounded smooth, like waves slipping over sand. His mind flickered onto another thought. "Well then perhaps we should go visit a few of your files, maybe take them out and read them. I know lots of people would be absolutly facinated with some of the things in there about you. Maybe we could even go back and visit your old room in the S.P.?" Mia paled immediatly as all the blood in her body rushed to pool at her feet, her throat went dry as it felt sand seemed to be pouring down it. Panic erupted in all her nerves and she struggled to control her rapid breathing. Alpha smiled without humor, "Would you like to hear my idea then?" Rage at being manipulated emotionally like this by such a basic power move replaced her fear momentarily. Then was quickly extingushed, guttering into grim compliancy. She barely ground out the expected anwer. "Ready to comply."
Shad had been training them for a week now, he was a very good teacher despite his penchant for disappearing and appearing unexpectedly. They had been doing some of the most intense team building Con had ever experienced. They ate, laughed, learned, lived, slept, played, worked, and were together 24/7. That took its toll every once in a while and a fight would break out, but they were living in such close proximity that staying at odds just wasn't practical or possible. On wednesday Shad had handed them a few items and dropped them off 50 miles from anywhere. They spent the rest of the week until last night, monday, surviving just barely and and living completely reliant on eachother's quick choices, reactions, and capability. That had been something that you never forget, never lose, it changes you. And everyone involved. ✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤ It was evening and Shad had them all sitting in a ragged circle around the fire pit. Con looked up from the sand on the ground under his combat boots and tuned in. Shad looked solemn for once, "I want yu to tell me one by one what yu have learned in this team, and with yu're training." Katie spoke first after a moment of gathering her thoughts. "I learned how to fill my time constructively, even when there's no one around to give me orders." Landon shuffled his feet, "Don't eat poison ivy." Everyone chuckled, it was funny now, but he had almost died. "And teamwork, hard work, and dedication can get you anywhere." Jay piped up, eager to be submit her contribution. "I learned that no matter how tough or scary something is, I can do it if I believe."
Nexo, focused on his toes then spoke in a low tone. "It's okay to ask for help." Cade spoke in a whisper, staring off past them all. "Never give up trust for gain, not for anything." Con wet his lips to speak, "There are different kinds of family. There's blood family like my brother and I. He's like an extension of myself, so close. Then there's extended family, the other agents at Mockingbird, I know they would back me up like that." He snapped his fingers in the evening air. "And then there's you guys. You all are more important to me than even life, I will take bullets for any one of you anytime, and I know you would all do the same for me. That's something special." He swallowed hard. "Lets take on life together." Emotionally charged silence floated around them all weaving between them and binding them closer than ever. Shad nodded his head and smiled brightly, "It sounds as if yu have all learned great things. My job is almost finished." Jay looked up her face was sad and worried. "What is your job exactly?" Shad's eyes glittered like dark emerald sparks in the firelight. "To give yu the tools yu will need to suceed the best yu can in life." Jay's shoulders slumped. "We're going to have to say goodbye soon aren't we, and never see you again?" The old smile came back. "Of course not, yu can see me again whenever yu want. It won't be farewell forever my lass." That cheered Jay slightly and she broke into a small smile. "Sure now and we still have time here together, dinna any of yu worry on that. We'll cross those bridges when we come to them." Con leaned back and streched out on the ground, he could feel where the warmed sand gave way to cool grass. Crickets sung in harmony, some song that only they knew the tune of. Stars hung brighter than silver in the midnight blue of the sky, looking like someone spilled specks across a canvas. Little forest sounds and night noises joined the vast music swirling around them. It was as if they were in a little bubble, surrounded by nature that went on around them endless and wild and beautiful.
-last edited on Jun 8, 2018 1:15:05 GMT by Essa Kryze
Post by Essa Kryze on Jun 8, 2018 1:14:37 GMT
Chapter Eighteen They Come (part 1)
Brixxtton Hights: Deep In The city
Rome had not wasted his time in this country. He had settled into a small time, low profile apartment unit. Immediatly after, he made his way to a one bit pawn shop and purchased a lightly used Desert Eagle. With no dwadling he travled 50 miles to the next big town to get enought ammo to fuel a small army. Of couse this all had taken place in a joint that the purchase of that much surplus ammo didn't raise any eyebrows or call in any authorities. for the next few weeks after his arrival he worked unceasingly to perfect the American accent, and tamp down his. He had been living here a while now and he felt his was blending in well. No one noticed another face in the crowd. No questions were asked, everything remained the same. ❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖ That afternoon as Rome strolled home his cheery whistling died in his throat as he felt the familiar tingle in the marrow of his spine. His could hear the warnging bells ringing in his head, and an inexplicable urge of self preservation. He immediately switched on his senses to high alert. Pretending to continue to cluelessly stroll down the street without a care he scanned the sides of the streets underneath his eyelashes. In a split second his attention fixed on a man sitting in at an outdoor café table. He looked completely normal and casual. Too normal and casual, on top of that Rome's warning bells were going insane. Just before he turned the corner headed home the man itched his nose, and spoke nearly invisibly into his cufflink. Rome could barely swallow, he knew that was Daxon's man, he knew they were here to eliminate him since he was a potential threat. And he had absolutely no idea how many of them there were. The instant he rounded the corner he leveled out and ran as fast as he could to his apartment. He slipped in the back after checking through a window discretely, no one was there yet. But he still ran in the building because his gut told him that his luck would only hold out so long.
Bursting into his room he locked the door behind himself, he threw the keys somewhere. It didn't matter any more where they were. Slinging open the closet door he grabbed the backpack he had permanently kept packed and ready in caution of this day. Sliding his hand above his head onto the top shelf he grabbed his Desert Eagle, checked the clip was full and safety flip was on. He pulled one of the extra clips out of the backpack and slipped it into his deep cargo pants pocket. He turned to go and froze. Heart pounding and breath silent, he waited like prey, waiting for the giveaway. It came a second later, the softest creak on the staires to his floor, one landing from the top. The blood racing hot through Rome's veins, he lept silently into action. Tipping the bed onto its side mattress side out, he slide down to sit behind it. His back against the wall and his arms propped on the side of the bed, gun ready. He figured the mattress and bed might give him some protection. The seconds slide by feeling longer and longer, Rome felt displaced from himself, almost transcendent. Then he saw the movement in the crack of the door he'd been waiting for, without even thinking he unloaded half his clip into the door at rib hight. He didn't even think to sight down the length for accuracy. After the incredebly loud blasts that had ripped through the air it seemed deafeningly silent. Sweat trickled slowely down into the hollow of his lower back. There was dead silence from the other side of the door. Mentally rousing himself he forced himself to get moving, he knew that , even now, shock was threatening to settle in. He had to get out before this man's backup showed. He dropped his backpack out the window and popping the safety back on, tucked the Desert Eagle into the front of his waistband on his pants. Swinging one leg over and straddling the sill he paused a moment, then getting up his courage he swung all the way out and hung from his fingertips a moment before dropping the remaining ten feet into a roll.
Chapter Eighteen They Come (part 3) He snatched up his backpack shouldered it and set off with a speedy and purposeful walk. He walked about five minutes, eyes scanning everything intently before he lit upon the subject of his search. A lady had her dark blue Honda Accord parked at a gas pump. She had finished gassing up and stood at the back talking energetically on her cell phone and staring off into the distance. But the really important detail was that she had left open the drivers door and the car on. Foolish little one. Rome casually walked up on the opposite side of the pumps and slid in shutting the door. He was pulling out of the parking lot by the time the lady realized what was happening and started flipping out. He drove the car to the airport and parked it, locking the keys inside the car. Then promptly walked three blocks away and took a cab to the bus station, all the while praying silently that he had enough time. He kept out of sight until the very last passengers were bording then ducked onto the bus. Settling into the back seat he prepared for the long ride across to the other side of the state. It would take about 4 days non stop driving to get close enough to the other side. It was about three hours until the adrenaline wore off enough for him to crash into an exhausted sleep. ❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
I had another battle with writers block, but I'm forcing my way through it and I hope the writing's not too bad in result. Enjoy! 