Genosha - Step by Step: Sharing Intel and Getting Raided

[x-adrienne.livejournal.com]

Back from their intel gathering missions, the group shares what they've learned, but their safe house is found out by the Magistrates and they're forced to scatter.



Everyone had made it back from their respective information-gathering outings and were gathered in the safe house, Jean-Paul assigned to be lookout, having a quick meal and some rest while their shared their information.

Jean was halfway through the sandwich they had made that basically consisted of two pieces of bread and some meat. Though as far as she was concerned it was the best meal in the world at the time. She probably would've eaten just the turkey if she had a chance. Protein was important in maintaining energy.

After making short work of finishing the sandwich, Jean leaned against the counter.

"Here's what we know. According to our contact there are two members of the Genoshan Commission who have suspicions that their government has not been telling them the truth about mutant programs the Genoshans have set up. There's a strong chance that if we find proof of what the government has been doing we may have a chance of getting the commission members to help us get the word out to the public and actually making an impact," she said.

Angelo nodded, leaning against the opposite wall. "They seem like good people", he admitted a little grudgingly. "Which means it's gotta be the ones above their heads doing all this."

"We might be able to convince them, but I do not think we can do that without real proof." Sooraya said, still a little hesitant to speak up in the larger group with so many more experienced people. "The data Artie, Nico and I recovered shows some strange and suspicious things, but I don't think it is anything that would prove things definitely." She shrugged a little. "I may be wrong though..."

"There's definitely proof out there, alright." Sam spoke up, arms folded as he looked around at his fellow mutants gathered around him. "Our recon confirmed the existence of several mutate work camps scattered around the hills well outside of the city. We got a good look at some of the camps..." He shook his head back and forth for a second before continuing. "It's slavery, no ifs, ands, or buts about it, pure and simple. They're workin' 'em like dogs out there."

Callisto was, as usual, slumped down in her seat, arms folded, legs stretched out in front of her and crossed at the ankles. As the group glanced in her direction for corroboration she was pulled out of whatever silent reverie she'd been in, and she lifted her head, though her 'Callisto thinking hard Callisto think good' frown didn't shift. She gave a short nod of her head.

"Yep," was all she said.

Maddie smiled and removed a small flash drive from her bra, holding it aloft so all could see. "We got videographic evidence. Security footage from the Power Authority," she explained as she crossed to the counter and set the stick down on it. "Long story short: They're working these mutants literally to death. We didn't have enough time to go over all the raw footage, but there is at least one taped evidence of one of the workers being beaten to death." She paused, as much for dramatic emphasis as to suppress the nauseated feeling that lingered in her stomach.

"He fainted from exhaustion, and went underfoot and unnoticed until the supervisors pulled him out and beat him lifeless. If that doesn't get attention, nothing will."

Having trusted to John and Maddie's abilities when it came to informing the others of their discoveries, Jean-Paul'd grabbed a sandwich and headed outside to do what he did best - watch. Nothing struck him as odd for the most part. Not until he finished his sandwich and made a pass over the neighborhood where they were hiding. There weren't supposed to be any people moving in. They, themselves, were here merely on a legal technicality, as he understood it, which meant the three vehicles approaching their location from three different directions were incredibly suspicious.

Moving back to the townhouse at speed, the Quebecois didn't wait for confirmation, heading straight for the window he'd left open when he went outside. Flying through, he said, "There are trucks approaching from the north and the south. The east, also. They seem to be armored, but I did not risk getting closer. They come toward us here. I think it would be best for us to move. Quickly."

Nico stood from the corner she had taken. "Oh, busted. This is when I wish we had enough time for me to set up barriers to keep unwanted visitors from knocking on our door." She had eaten what she could, but her needs were slightly more specific. "If needed, I can cause a distraction for us to gain some distance."

Sooraya jumped up immediately, moving to their supplies and quickly starting to gather up the most essential of their supplies. With as much as care as possible, she shoved things in a two bags and tossed the first small one to Maddie before handing the next one to Angelo. "Can you handle this one? I think it's better not to carry one if I have to shift..."

He caught it without hesitation and slung it on his back, already moving for the door. "Yeah, if things really go south we want you able to shift and get away. Maddie, you stick close, center of the group if you can."

Eyeroll. "Right. Don't do anything stupid that puts me in the line of fire," Maddie replied, shrugging the bag on. "So let's peace out, like, now?"

"Stay in touch on your phones. Davis thinks he can get us a meeting soon with the two Commission members. So that's where we'll meet up again. Until then, enjoy your seedy motel rooms, rear bar booths, or my personal favourite, the YMCA bunks." Kane said, referring to their backup hiding places to wait out of sight. They'd made reservations split up on multiple cards and paying cash where ever possible, further confusing their trail. It gave him a momentary chuckle to consider that if the cop thing didn't work out, he might have a bright future as a criminal.

"We should group in threes." Bishop stood, looking over the group. "I hear the YMCA is fun, I'm calling it."

"i want a shower so I'm off to the Y too," Artie said, shoving a couple of bottles of water into his backpack and putting it on while he gulped down the last of his sandwich without chewing it. He checked his gear quickly for phone and the emergency cash in his right sock and knife (just in case but he'd rather just ...avoid anything, since he was hardly a knife fighter). The room was in chaos as they all began to scatter.

The only thing John needed was his trusty zippo. That, and two spare lighters which he kept in the pocket of his jacket. As he headed toward the exit, John looked around for Angelo, caught sight of the guy and gave him the 'you better not get yourself killed' look. He was glad they were leaving the safe house though as he was getting way too restless and needed to burn something; possibly Moreau's face off.

Jean grabbed the important items and shoved them into a bag. She disliked the idea of the group breaking apart when it'd taken so much to get them back together but she understood the necessity.

As they split off, each taking their own way into the darkness of the Genoshan city, Jean pulled out her cell phone. She ducked into the shadows of an alleyway as the Magistrates' cars rolled by.

"Come on, Davis..." she murmured to herself as the phone rang. She eventually heard a click.

"It's Jean. So were you able to talk to---?" She nodded, letting out a sigh of relief. "That's great. Give them our thanks. I---" Pausing a moment, Jean tilted her head, standing up a little straighter. He sounded too calm. I can't make the meeting.

"What do you mean? What's going on?"A distant echo reverberated in her ears, rhythmic, metal against wood.

"What's that---Davis," Jean clutched the phone tightly, her throat suddenly felt dry as confusion quickly set into realization. She took a step forward, as if somehow that would help. But all she could do was listen. They yelled orders to stand down. He just laughed.

"Davis. Run. Please. Just--" The shot rang out, so loud she nearly dropped the phone, followed by a muffled thud.

Pulling the phone away from her ear, Jean stared at it for a moment. The Magistrates were yelling 'all clear' on the other end of the line as she pressed 'end call.' She resisted the urge to throw the phone against the wall as she slipped her hands into her pockets and walked on.