Part Twenty-Seven

Part Twenty-Seven

Hanna: *paces around room* *glances at computer* ...checking my mail couldn't hurt. *fires up computer and accesses email account* 10 unread messages... 9 from Anna and one from Kandi... *deletes Anna's messages, but opens Kandi's*
Dear Hanna, blah, blah, blah, rainbows and sunshine and- *stops* ... what's this? *tilts head as she reads a string of letters and numbers* ...Kandi was never one to write in code... weird. *hears ship horn blare* *shuts off computer and goes to look out window*
*sees docks filled with CS ships and soldiers* That can't be good... *turns to face the door* Show time.

Cryptic: *opens the door to Hanna's room* Ready for a little captivity? It won't be too bad, just some chains, guns, swords, possibly a maniacally insane overlord person or two. You know, the average Clockwork Syndicate response team...


Hanna: *frowns* Of course. Just don't expect me to get too comfortable with imprisonment. *walks closer* Lead the way, clown. I guarantee you'll look more impressive that way.

Cryptic: Yeah, as if I really care about impressions with them. Just don't forget your options.

CS guard: Ah, so you actually managed to catch the girl, Cryptic. *claps lazily*

Cryptic: Silence, fool, unless you'd like your face seared off with a glob of poisonous acid. *sees a caravan arriving from the other direction*

CS guard: *turns to look at the vehicles approaching* Huh...looks like you actually have better timing than I thought. There's the other prisoner now...

Hanna: *watches the caravan* Other prisoner? ...no, no, no, please... don't let it be... *says apathetically* Anyone I know?

CS guard: *smirks* I'm sure you could guess. Who's the other main player in this game?

Hanna: *in a spiteful tone directly aimed at the CS guard* Oh, I don't know. The Joker, maybe? You tell me, slime.

CS guard: *watches as the caravan pulls up and stops in front of the group* You wish. *walks over to the middle vehicle and opens a sliding door, and steps aside as DJ is roughly shoved to the ground* Much better than your guess, I must say. Heh, the master will be very pleased with this.

Hanna: *watches DJ* Why?! He was supposed stay out of this! This wasn't supposed to happen! *glares at the CS guard and clenches fist* Calm down. If you lose it now, it's all over. *takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out* Any other surprises?

DJ: *slowly gets up and attempts to dust himself off* Not that I'm aware of, anyway. I wouldn't be too shocked at this point though if there were a few more waiting for us.

CS guard: *laughs cruelly* As much as I'm enjoying this little reunion, it's time for you to have a visit with the powers-that-be in the Syndicate. Time for a bit of a march...well, for you anyway.

Hanna: Whatever. *briefly glances at DJ* Let's just get this over with. Take us to your leader, oh high and mighty subordinate.

CS guard: Gladly.

DJ: What's the worst that could happen? Aside from us both being killed and the world being destroyed...

CS guard: *smirks* You have no idea, don't you? You'll find out. *chains DJ and Hanna in a line between two other guards and pushes them along*

Hanna: *highly annoyed voice* How long is this going to take? I've got an appointment later today and I'd hate to postpone it.

CS guard: Start walking, miss ice princess. We don't want you to melt out under this heat, now.

DJ: *motions quickly to Hanna as they're walking*

Hanna: *follows and only glares at DJ* He wasn't supposed to get caught. Doesn't he know he's jeopardizing the entire situation? Everywhere we've gone, he's been the one to need help! How am I supposed to concentrate on rescuing Lui if DJ's tagging along?! *shakes head* Augh! What am I thinking?! DJ's always been there for me! It's not right for me to think like that. *sighs and whispers* ...Shard...

DJ: *blinks* Shard?

Hanna: *lashes out in a harsher manner than intended* YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!

Guard: *raises eyebrows* Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the law this morning.

DJ: *quietly* Hanna. It's all right. We're going to take care of this.


Hanna: *turns away and says only loud enough for DJ to hear* Leave me alone.

DJ: *shrugs* For now. We've got plenty of time, in case you change your mind about that.


*scene switch*

*back with Brady, Misty, Alzymus, Eve and Christina 30 minutes later*

Misty: Ok, the next guard station is right up there. *turns to Brady* what do we need to do to get in?

Brady: A really fast car would be nice coupled with some explosives. Otherwise, a bunch of guns would also be helpful. *looks back* Any other ideas? *sees Eve and Christina sleeping* *facepalm*


Misty: ... Any other way to get in other than violence?


Alzymus: Does Brady even know anything other than violence?

Brady: Shut your mouth, you overgrown swan. *thinks* There was a back entrance along the western wall of the city. Last time I came through here, it was mostly unguarded. It isn't perfect, but it's probably better than driving straight through a roadblock. Good call, Misty.

Misty: I see. Well, we can at least go check it out. *drives parallel with the western wall*

*people walking along the wall look down and stare at the car as it drives by*

Brady: *waves* We're here to pillage, plunder, and burn. Throw us some food and we might spare you. *waves gun*

*people quickly throw food down to the car*

Brady: Heh.

Misty: ... Alzymus, slap Brady for me. *keeps driving*

Alzymus: Gladly. *slaps Brady in the back of the head*

Brady: ...don't make me come back there, young man. *points to a gap in the wall* Yeah, it's there. Swing the car off the wall a little so we can see what we're going up against first. *takes a bite out of an apple Barbossa style*

Misty: Of course. *turns the car to the right* ... I thought you said this one would have less guards. Take a look *points to triple guards*

Brady: That IS less guards. You should have seen the main entrance. *points gun at guards* Drive straight in and don't stop for anything yet. I'll take us to a safe place to ditch the car.

Alzymus: *materializes a bow and a pair of arrows* If it has to be done, let's do this.


Misty: ... *rolls eyes* Look, Brady, we may get past these guards this way, but they will call for help, and then where will we be? Why don't we do this logically? Meaning put those guns down! Now then, if you will note, do you see that sign? The one that says they are displaying the greatest thing La'esk has ever seen? Why don't we "go see it"? And if that fails... I suppose we can do it your way. But it's not very smart if you ask me.

Brady: *reads sign* That works. *puts gun down* Follow my lead.

Alzymus: *sigh* *dematerializes bow*


Misty: *takes gun and puts it in glove compartment* Fine. Just don't do anything... stupid. *drives forward*

Guard: *signs for them to stop* *knocks on window*

Misty: *rolls window down* *in chipper voice* Hi. How are you doing today?

Guard: *is taken aback* I'm doing fairly well, just slightly bored. But these stations have to be watched and someone's got to do it.

Misty: I understand completely. What can I help you with?

Guard: *ahem* Right. I just need to know why you want to go into the city.

Brady: *somewhat impatiently* We're here to see the grand who-dad display thing you're doing in the city. My wife here wouldn't quit talking about it, so we travelled for a good seven hours from Kienv to get here. And don't even get me started about her 'friends' here...book club or something like that. *hands Misty papers* Give these to the nice guard now, dear.


Misty: *takes papers from Brady* Oh, seems I forgot to sign them. *grabs pen* *speed reads over papers and signs them* Here you go. *hands them to guard*

Guard: *reads* Ok, go on through. You should be able to find a hotel close by. Have fun. *lets them through*

Misty: *drives for a ways* *takes a right turn* *stops* *slaps Brady... hard* Never! ... Do that again. Do you understand me?

Brady: *laughs* We're in, aren't we?

Alzymus: *facepalm*

Brady: Let's just go...we should pick up some supplies while we're here. Try not to draw too much attention...your plan seems to be working so far. I'd hate to change that unnecessarily.

Misty: ........ whatever. Where do you want to get pick up supplies?


Brady: Misty, if you would go to the hardware store. *points to a store and hands Misty a credit card* Anything you can find that would be useful for attacking the Clocktower, go ahead. Al, just...stay here with Eve and Christina. No need for you to draw attention with your wings. I need to make a quick stop before we keep moving.

Alzymus: ...babysitting? *sigh* Whatever.


Misty: Ok. *tosses Alzymus keys* You can turn on the car and music if you want. *walks into hardware store*

Clerk: Can I help you?

Misty: *walks over* Yes, I think you can. What types of tools would one need to attack a building or tower? Hypothetically speaking of course.

Clerk: *looks suspiciously at Misty* ... why do you ask?

Misty: Oh, well you see. *glances at Clerk's "I love plays" button pinned on apron* I'm thinking of writing this play. And in this play, these 5 people have to go rescue this person in this tower. But these other people are going to attack them. So the first 5 have to go through an attack to do it. I already have the tower; I just need the tools to do the rest.

Clerk: *gets excited* A play you say? Well of course I can help you! Come right this way... *leads Misty through aisles*

***

Brady: *walks east toward the residential area of the city* Left here, right at the corner...*sigh* I REALLY wish I didn't have to do this right now. The doc won't be pleased about my report. Third door, up to the fifth floor...yeah, here it is. *uses key card to open the door*

***

Misty: *walks to cash register* Thank you so much for helping me find this stuff. So how much is this going to cost me?

Clerk: Well, 4 ropes, a box of nails and the rest of this will come to.... $278.97.

Misty: ... I hope Brady doesn't get too mad. Ok, charge it to this.

Clerk: *completes transaction* Here you go and good luck with your play!

Misty: Thanks. *smiles*

***

Brady: *walks in* Just as I left it. *walks over to a desk with a touch panel computer on it* Alright then. *logs into the computer and starts typing on the keyboard* Dude, I'm hungry. *stops typing and walks over to the fridge* *looks inside* Spoiled milk, moldy oranges, and some cold pizza. Perfect. *walks back to the computer and continues typing* I wasn't that hungry anyway I guess... *sigh*

***

Misty: *walks back to car* ... Alzymus, where's Brady?


Alzymus: Not here, I can tell you that much. He's still off on his little project, whatever that is.


Misty: Hmm.. I see. *looks on the back of the card* Aha. *pulls out phone and dials Brady's phone number* Let's just hope he actually answers...

***

Brady: *finishes typing message and clicks send just as the phone rings* ...probably Misty. Either that or Vix. *shudders* *walks over to the table and answers the phone* Hello?


Misty: Brady, where are you at?


Brady: Hey Misty. I'm at my apartment. I had a few things that I needed to wrap up here real quick. I'll be heading back to the car in a few minutes though, if you don't mind hanging out until I get back.


Misty: Ok... I suppose we'll wait right here. *hangs up* *turns to Alzymus* He says he'll be back in a second.

***

Brady: *hangs up and smashes the phone on the floor* Won't be needing this again. *picks up a few things in the room and stuffs them into a bag* Oh, the computer. *logs off the computer and takes the memory cards out of the system* That's about it, then. *walks out the door and makes sure it locks all the way* Back to the misfit renegades. *heads back toward the car*


Misty: Ah, there he is. *drives car towards Brady*

Brady: *waves* Good to go?

Alzymus: I thought you'd never ask. Watching paint dry is more interesting than these two. *points at Eve and Christina*

Misty: I'm ready. Where are we off to next?

Brady: Unless we need a bathroom break or something, it's off to the Clocktower to save the two heroes from danger and all that jazz. Whatcha get at the hardware store, by the way?


Misty: Oh, rope, nails, and the rest of this. *starts driving towards Clocktower*

Brady: *looks in the bags* Interesting. *picks up a sledgehammer from the bag* Good call. *prods Eve with the handle* Wake up!

Eve: *shakes* Huh? Oh. ... How long was I out?

Misty: At least 3 hours.

Eve: ...

Misty: *glances in the mirror at Eve's injured leg* How'd that happen?

Eve: It's a long story...

Misty: I see.

Eve: Brady, whatcha pokin' me with a sledgehammer for?

Brady: *hands Eve the sledgehammer* It's for you...that's why. It seems like your style, that's all.


Eve: *raises eyebrow* My style?

Misty: I always imagined her style more like... a sword. That's why I got this. *pulls out sword and hands it to Eve*

Eve: That's more like it. *places sledgehammer next to Christina*


Brady: *shrugs* Whatever. *mumbles something to himself*


Eve: Can someone explain to me exactly why we are going to this... clock tower?