Board Thread:The Company/@comment-24930445-20140615054833/@comment-24930445-20140621230235

Some Rescue

“Its too late. We’re not going to be able to get you off the Angel.” Axin growled softly. The retrieval of the pods had caused a delay in getting the shuttle landed. By the time they had locked down, the floor crew was already preparing the Angel for the transition to hyperspace and dumping the empty escape pods.

They remained in the shuttle as they watched the security team efficiently drag an unmoving Darrak away. He had put up quite a battle when they tried to remove Aerli from his arms.

“No no no no….” Kat chanted softly as she watched the fight.

Axin figured he’d have to club Kat to keep her from going to her daughter’s rescue, but it was over fairly quickly. Three men down before a tech rushed in with some sort of remote console and seemingly just deactivated his cybernetic components. Suddenly, there was no movement other than his head frantically swiveling on his shoulders as if blindly searching for oncoming attackers.

Her eye glued to the scene before her, she constantly fingered the weapons in her lap. Axin had the impression she was about to blast her way out of the shuttle when they saw security lead Aerli away, but the kid seemed ok. To assure her compliance, however, he made a point to remind her that a crazy woman running across the tarmac would only attract weapons fire.

“Just get me to Aerli. I’ll worry about the rest.” She knew she would have to go in unarmed, so she pulled the blasters from her lap and tucked them under the shuttle’s seat.

_____________________

While they waited for the all clear, Kat and Axin had argued as to how they would get her to Aerli. Kat had no problems whatsoever impersonating Joslynne, but Axin had pointed out Jos would have never dressed in dusty jeans, tank top and running shoes. She also smelled like she had been at a forest fire. It would have never worked.

Kat wasn’t keen on his idea of putting her in restraints and handing her over to security. It was the restraints part that had her the most unconvinced his plan would be of any help even when he conceded on having her hands cuffed in front instead of behind. The plan was vetoed when Kat pointed out how unusual it would seem for the boss to be led through the ship in restraints and thrown in with the prisoners.

Axin growled and flopped back in his seat, rethinking her idea. There was a very slim chance it could work, but only if ‘Jos’ seemed in a rage. Glancing at Kat, he could see her pulling it off quite easily. Sighing, he shook his head. “What are you going to do when you get in there? Its not like you can just get them all off the ship.”

“One problem a’ a time.”

______________________

He couldn’t believe it actually worked. If he hadn’t already know she wasn’t Jos, he might have believed it himself. No one seemed to question why the boss was dressed as she was, they just tucked their heads down and prayed she didn’t notice them. His own blood covered appearance might have assisted in the charade, but he had to admit Kat handled herself pretty well.

They had stopped down a side hallway, Kat with her back against the wall and Axin facing her though his attention was on the lone guard outside the room they had taken Aerli to. “Alright, we got this far. Now what? Anything done beyond this point will be reported to Lantis.”

She sighed heavily, her hand moving to the bridge of her nose to try and ease the massive headache. “Jist one, aye?”

Axin frowned down at her, actually finding himself concerned and unsure why. “Yeah. What’s your thought?”

She glanced up at him and shrugged slightly. “Somethin’ I’ve nae tried afore. I was told it could b’done, but.. “ She shook her head, suddenly wishing Mogneio was with her.

“Great. So you’re not even sure you can do this, huh? Damnit woman. Just when I think you’re not like her a’ all, ya go an’ pull something like this and totally redeem yourself.” He had turned his back to her and took a step down the hallway they had just come down. The sharp sting in his back let him know she had hit him.

“Stop fucking comparing me to tha’ bitch!” She was pissed, she was stressed and constantly being reminded that Jos was near only made it all so much worse.

He spun, grabbing her by the arms, pulling her against his chest. “Hit me one more time and we’ll both find out just how much alike th’ two of ya are.” he growled, his lips mere inches from hers.

“Let.. me.. go..” Her eye narrowed, her fingers sunk into his sides where they had come to rest. He could see the hatred in her gaze, something he had never seen in Jos. He also saw the promise of his death and the thought excited him.

“Once more, Katrylle. Just once…” He released her. “Do what you intend with that guard and lets get this shit over.”

She turned from him and returned to her spot on the wall, sliding down to a crouch. Resting her head against the wall, she closed her eye and concentrated. Axin peeked around the corner and watched the guard. “Nuthin happenin.”

Her raised hand told him to shut up and he did. A few more minutes, and the guard’s eyes started to droop before he slowly slid to the floor.

“He’s down.” He glanced down to find her head dropped into her hand. Reaching down, he hefted her to a standing position and pushed her towards the door. “Go..”

She stumbled, but gained her feet enough to make it. As the door opened, she immediately called for her daughter, stopping as she realized Aerli wasn’t the only one in the room. “What th…” She spun on Axin.

“Get your daughter and lets go.” He was glancing over his shoulder and didn’t see the rage.

“I’m nae leavin m’people here!”

He turned at gaped at her. “Well you sure as hell aren’t taking them with ya!”

She stood toe to toe with him, Aerli’s arms around her waist. “What are y’doin wi’ me people, Axin? Wha’ is th’ plan?”

“You really want to argue this with me now? You have your daughter, lets.. go!” He tried to pull her through the door and she resisted, jerking her arm free of him before stepping back into the room.

“I told ya, I ain’t leavin ‘em here. Figure oot how ta git them out o’ here, Axin or yer word will be broken ta Ilrea.”

He blinked as the door closed in front of his face then growled and kicked the sleeping guard, taking his frustrations out on the man..

______________________

Hugging Aerli close, she looked over the room as the door closed behind her. She was shocked at how many of her people were stacked into the stark white room. There was no furniture and most of them had been sitting on the floor. She recognized some of them and her anger only grew. She had heard her name spoken several times and tried to smile reassuringly, but knew she failed.

Vee slowly picked his way to her. “Miss K, you’re an idiot. You should have taken Aerli and gone.” She hugged him tightly.

“Shut up, sister. Y’ owe me a shoppin trip an’I ain’t leavin wi’oot ye…” She pulled back, looking over the room. “...wi’oot any o’ye.”

“Kat, Tarin is here… and.. and Ben.” His face was expressionless.

Kat frowned at Vee. She was pretty sure he wasn’t telling her something and she was also pretty sure she was not going to like what it was. “Show me.”

Carefully, his hand still in hers, Vee led Kat to Tarin who was currently caring for a very battered and very unconscious Ben. Although an attempt had been made to wipe most of it away, blood stained his face and someone had wrapped a multi colored scarf around his chest, indicating problems with his ribs. She reached out shakily and took Tarin’s hand as she kneeled next to her brother.

From behind her a soft voice spoke. “He has broken ribs and a possible concussion, though I won’t be able to determine that until he wakes.”

Kat turned from the sight of her brother to smile at the woman. “Thank ye. Med?”

The woman shook her head. “Nurse on Nash. He’s the worst, and, depending on that head wound…” She left the rest unfinished as Kat looked down at the hand that had gently gripped hers and Tarin’s. Following the arm, she smiled softly seeing Ben’s eyes opened.

“Break time o’er, m’boyo. We got some plannin ta do.”