xp_logs | BBP: Hank & Kurt- Casing the Steel Mill (Reply)

Hank & Kurt arrive at the steel mill and find it surprisingly sparsely guarded for a stronghold.

The smell of molten metal was still ripe in the air despite the fact the site had been abandoned for years- though his enhanced senses were probably partly to blame for being able to pick up the stench at all. The two azure mutants silently made their way through the thick scrub brush that formed a perimeter around the apparent Purifier's base. So far they'd encountered no resistance and there weren't any sentries either, which ran counter to what they'd come to expect from these humans with their particular brand of insanity.

"Are you quite certain this is the place?" Hank asked in a low growl.

"This is the place Natalie described", Kurt confirmed. "I do not think I like this. Even if she is innocent, it does not mean there is no trap laid."

"I'd expected to be running up against an entire army given the rhetoric that Risman has been spewing to his followers. This doesn't make any sense." They moved along a ridge the looked down into the main promenade of the facility, carefully watching for any signs of activity.

"Wait," Hank said, holding up a fist and then slowly pointing down at one of the out buildings. "There, by that door, do you see him?"

Kurt turned to look, and nodded. "I do. He does not look particularly alert, does he?"

The man in question was wearing a camouflage t-shirt, which did nothing when juxtaposed against the harsh metal of the plant. "I'd say no and then some," Hank took a knee and brought out his binoculars from his utility belt to take a closer look. "One gets you ten that's where our friend Risman is holed up."

"Then we should stay as far away as possible, given our mission", Kurt said quietly. "The less actual confrontation this time, the better."

Putting the glasses away, "Let's wait here for a moment to see if there's any more of them that we're not seeing right now. I don't think these are the type of people who would put out a fake sentry to disguise their real one, but it's better to be safe than sorry." Hank took the canteen off his belt and unscrewed the top before holding it out to Kurt, "Thirsty?"

"Very", Kurt said with a nod of thanks, and took a drink before handing it back. "I almost wish we could have brought someone with a stealthier power than ours. Invisibility, perhaps."

Hank racked his brain for a moment, trying to recall all the mutants he'd encountered with that power set. "The only one I know of," he began, "in any proximity to us is a young man in Salem Center, but I doubt he'd be any good to us." With a sigh, he continued, "You must be very concerned if you're worried about your powers of stealth not being enough."

"If this is too good to be true", he countered, "I would be afraid my stealth would only be used against us. Risman is not a stupid man, and I cannot believe he is truly this overconfident."

"While I agree there must be more to this than what we are seeing," Hank smiled sheepishly, "I can't say that I agree that this Risman fellow isn't as stupid as his reputation proceeds him to be." With another sigh he took out the binoculars again and began to scan the facility's visible areas. "I'm really not seeing anyone else...nor smelling them, though the scent of stale steel is overpowering around here." Hank thought for a moment before going on, "You don't think Risman would be keeping his young protege near to him, do you?"

"If her email is to be believed", Kurt told him, "she is alone in her room after 10pm each night. I think that would only change if Risman suspected something."

"Then let's not give him something to suspect," Hank put away the binoculars and moved into a squatting position. "How did she describe the building again?"

"Her room is on the southwest corner. She said little else about the building beyond, but I have a photograph of her bedroom."

With a nod and a smile, Hank stooped over as he stood, "Let's keep moving then, keep your eyes open."

*****

Kurt was staying close to the wall, keeping an eye out for any unwelcome passers by, as he looked at the picture in his hands. "I think we are in the right place."

Hank nodded, keeping an eye on their rear and flanks, "I hope you're right. We'll only get one shot at this." They hadn't run into any more sentries and that fact alone was worrisome, but a helicopter had landed on the other end of the compound just before dusk and dusted off almost as quickly as it came.

"But then", Kurt answered grimly, "if I am wrong, at least no one is likely to associate our presence with the girl. I hope."

"If we're wrong," Hank smiled toothily, "then we'll just have to take down a mutant hating zealot before kidnapping his ward."

"Now that", Kurt said with a soft laugh, "sounds like a great deal of fun."

They reached the corner of the building and Hank produced a small screen and snake camera from his belt. "Never thought I'd actually get to use this," he said with a smirk. "Alright we're in the clear and a fully green on operation rescue your adopted-son's sister."

"Then let us begin." He grinned wolfishly, nodding to the camera. "Send it up when you are ready."

Obligingly Hank put the fiber-optic filament wire into a vent above his head and slowly began the process of snaking it through the air ducts of the building- with any luck they would run into the girl's room before running out of wire. As they wound through the vents, various scenes unfolded in the rooms below. While there weren't many sentries outside there were a number inside, at least ten in all. "If we slip up here we may be- oh, wait, I think I have it, does this look right?" he showed his companion the small LCD screen.

Kurt studied it, fishing the folded paper from his pocket to compare, and nodded. "I think we are in. Is the girl there?"

"Look's like she's in bed," he sighed. "That could make things more difficult...want me to create a distraction?"

"Better to keep things as quiet as possible", Kurt suggested instead. "If I make her understand Nick sent me, I think she will not make a fuss."

"Then let's get started. Are you ready?" the blue doctor inquired.

"As I will ever be." He smiled faintly.