A Call of Necessity

[Subtleknifewielder]

OOC: OK, that'll have to do. And feel free to do what you wish on the next test, as long as you don't bring permanently disable the base's power or do anything permanent, for that matter. Violet will not tolerate any harm to the nation.

And I might recommend Shane gets tested last, should any of the others have any computer skills to speak of.

IC: "Did I ask your opinon, Sergeant?" Carter growled, with the air of someone expecting to be obeyed. Though he refused to take back the patch, he relented enough to briefly explain. "We can't have you helping instruct your fellow recruits without the authority to back it up. It is only for the duration of your training." And like that the Major was back to his tough, uncompromising, almost forbidding persona.

"Now get a move on!" he barked, glancing pointedly in the direction of Violet's already-receding back, leading to yet another building on the base.

----

Once all the information they could obtain was gleaned, the agent put in a small virus to disable any possible electronic defenses, but leaving any other electronics intact. The information was passed on to to Clancy.

After inspecting the elevator shaft, he re-organized his forces. ten troops would keep descending each of the staircases, with himself in one of them, while one more six-man team would descend the elevator shaft to the third floor; for this team he put in charge a young Lillian lieutenant. And with the exception of the one getting the latter team through the elevator doors, the SWORD agents were assigned to moniter their progress from the computers.

At least one Lillian was assigned to each group going into combat, to minimize friendly fire from those they were here to rescue.

----

"In position," the agent muttered into his radio, as he set about opening the third-floor doors. That was the signal for Clancy and his group. They had encountered no one until the fifth floor, and had had the sense to stay out of sight until the proper moment. This was that moment, and now they would press down on the rebels from above to keep them occupied while the smaller team cautiously entered the third floor from the shaft. Apparently either no one had thought of the possibility of troops entering here, or access to the necessary equipment was cut off somehow.

But that changed quickly as they neared the stairs--they encountered defenders before getting near any of their assigned targets. There was a tense moment or two until the Lieutenant strode into sight--her Lillian uniform would be familiar to the defenders. "We're here to rescue the Diarchs," she stated calmly.

To be honest, she wasn't surprised they still kept a wary eye on her and her team. She wouldn't be entirely sure in their position either, but she was escorted, alone, to Thomas.

As she calmly met his gaze, he would undoubtedly notice a certain similarity of facial features to Anthony--including the grey eyes. "Ms. Lillian is here and waiting to be entertained," she stated, using a modification of his own words to Anthony.

[Thomas Grimshaw]

Remembering the blow to the head from his last defiance, Shane opted out of the comment he normally would have responded with in such a situation. Besides, he knew he didn't need a badge or a patch to back up what he said. He snatched the patch and shoved it in his pocket, he could hardly be expected to attach it with an invisible sewing kit.

That done, he walked at his own pace towards the building for his next test, followed by the other recruits.

----

The number of weapons pointed at "Ms. Lillian", was almost comical, even more so considering that it was the majority of the higher government members of the nation, surrounding the woman, aiming them at her. A variety of small and large caliber pistols, one rifle, and even one short-barreled shotgun, were all locked loaded and ready to go, prompting Thomas,

"Gentlemen, ladies, you're all pretty, I'll take you all to the event, but I'd be a lot more comfortable if you'd all lower your weapons..."

Most obeyed, Rikke, however, kept her Walther P5C readied.

"I'm holding on to this."

"What can I do?" Thomas sighed.

"Now, Ms. Lillian, what, exactly, is your plan for getting us out of this mess...my wife isn't exactly in walking condition," he gestured to his morphine-sleep induced partner.

[Subtleknifewielder]

Carter kept his face stoic as he watched Shane follow the other two instructors into the next building. He really hated this part of the job, but being easy on them would actually be more cruel in the long run, considering what lives they would be leading after this was all over.

He beckoned to several nearby soldiers to come dispose of the results of this test before following to see what would happen in there.

The building in question would, surprisingly to the recruits, be a lot more comfortable. It was generally used as space for receiving visitors, though at the moment it was empty of any other occupants. as they entered, Violet would indicate the recruits could relax for a change, if they so desired, in any of the cushioned chairs around the room. However, she beckoned for Shane to follow her to one corner, where a computer terminal sat ready and waiting. It was clear what kind of test this was going to be.

She stood behind the chair, in a positon that would allow her to see everything he did, and waited for him to get started...

----

If the young Lieutenant of the Lillian Guard was unnerved by the rather excessive number of weapons pointed in her direction, she gave no sign as she stared levelly across the space between herself and Thomas, waiting for instructions or queries, and standing in the positon known as 'at ease.'

Though she allowed herself a slight smile when he sighed at the obstinence displayed by his suboordinate.

[i]"Now, Ms. Lillian, what, exactly, is your plan for getting us out of this mess? My wife isn't exactly in walking condition."[/i]

"We'll get you to the roof, where we have aircraft waiting to evacuate you, our medical personel, and any loyal members of your government to a safe location. Your wife can easily be carried out on a stretcher."

She briefly outlined the plan they had utilized in getting here--through the elevator shaft. Even as they spoke, the Doctors who had attended the comatose Diarch would be hurried to the open doors and, one at a time, sent up in a harness. The Sword Agent that had opened the door for them had returned to the top and would be pulling them up. He could easily send a stretcher down capable of conveying Zhanna safely to the roof, and he was alerted that such would be necessary to give him time to prepare.

So by the time they arrived, the stretcher was waiting, along with bindings to ensure she didn't fall.

[Thomas Grimshaw]

The atrium of the training facility was auspicious in contrast to rest of the base; no shadows hid in the corners of the eyes here, no stoic stamped steel architecture ensconced the recruits. But for all its creature comforts, it as all such places was one laced with the greatest poison…complacency. The recruits’ presence here was calculated and methodical, for no matter what pleasant bonhomie seemed to overtake the atmosphere, Shane knew each step in was one step deeper into the labyrinth.

He had enemies; everyone who had ever stood up for something had enemies, however most men had never been surrounded by their enemies. Now, as always, Shane was surrounded by his enemies. The only difference between now and the last fourteen years, was that now he had no way out.

And while his confidence had for the moment returned…Shane was still “the good soldier” when Violet beckoned him.

Sat in the chair, he set to work on the task at hand. No flashy techniques were necessary or available, due to the nature of this test being improvisation, rather than prepared infiltration.

In minutes he had administrative permissions, and had several low-level security files open so as to avoid rebuke. Scanning over one of the files, immigration records, he noticed a file labeled “USET Immigrants of note”. It was small, not exceeding the kilobyte size.

[i]Fair game[/i], Shane thought.

He opened the file and saw a list of names, each with their own separate file, presumably a dossier.

With no real goal in mind, he began to scroll through the names…

…as he found one he recognized, his grip tightened on the mouse, the cheap plastic cracking. It was a low popping kind of sound, but if you were close, or paying attention, you could hear it.

[i]Vester, Wenzel…here? [/i]

[i]They’re here…for me…[/i]

[i]This is why Thomas wanted me here…[/i]

[i]He set me up.[/i]

His hand twitched, slowly at first, then a constant tick, tick tick.

He stood.

His hand reached for his knife…

…and in a flash, his knife went for Violet’s throat.


-----


[i]"We'll get you to the roof, where we have aircraft waiting to evacuate you, our medical personnel, and any loyal members of your government to a safe location. Your wife can easily be carried out on a stretcher."[/i]

Thomas listened carefully to the plan and although he was hesitant, he had little other option.

“Well then, Ms. Harlem,” he made the connection, “let’s get a move on shall we?”

One by one the injured members of government made their way up the elevator shaft, with Zhanna being the last.

Those not injured made their ways up the staircases, escorted by a few Lillians. Once the groups coalesced, the high government members made their way into two of the vehicles, while the military split up between them, and a third transport helicopter, the one attended by Thomas, Zhanna, and the Lieutenant.

As the departure began, Thomas took the Lieutenant’s hand in both of his, “Thank you…now, if I may be so bold, what is your name?”

Edited March 26, 2010 by Thomas Grimshaw

[Subtleknifewielder]

Michelle and Carter, as this was not their area of expertise, had stood apart, too far away to take any action.

But Violet had not picked this particular position simply because it allowed her to moniter Shane's progress on the computer...it allowed her to observe him as well. The life she had lived was not conducive to easy trust, though it had been far from the level of turbulence his had contained.

So while the records he had been skimming seemed innocuous, she heard the mouse crack and break.

Now, in her minds, what most people didn't understand was that, should someone stand from a sitting positon, you were better off being more wary of coming actions if it was slow...they would most likely be trying to decieve you. And the twitching of his hand before he stood was also a warning, when combined with the reports she had received from the other two instructors.

So when the knife appeared, she was already tensed as a spring, ready to snap into action--she stepped to the side, grabbing his arm. Instead of trying to change his direction in any way, she simply gave it a yank, using his own momentum to propel him further along, to collide at an angle with the wall.

At the same time, her other arm delivered a blow to the back of his neck, not enough to seriously hurt him, but hopefully enough to knock him out. It was a vain hope--he must have been even tougher than he appeared, and when he turned, she saw the murderous gleam in his eyes as he focused on her...

Only to be tackled from the side by Carter, who had finally arrived. The impact knocked the knife from Shane's hand, and slammed him back against the wall.

He appeared dazed as he lay there on the floor, but there was no mistaking the hate-filled glare he gave them all as he was pulled back up, after handcuffs had been applied. He spat on the floor at her feet and Carter's. "I'll kill you all for what you've done," he declared, the venom oozing from every syllable he uttered as he was escorted to the brig by several burly MP's.

He would also be thoroughly searched before being put in the brig, and anything that could possibly be used as a weapon or means of escape confiscated, excepting the uniform itself.

----

The Lieutenant, correctly assumed to be Miss Harlem, blinked, startled at the quick connection. Sure, she looked similar to her father in many ways, but the vivid red hair was all her mother's.

But that was a momentary distraction only.

She radioed the rest of her fire-team to press the rebels from behind. With the attack from above, they had been completely occupied with the thread coming down the stairs, and were caught off-guard. it wasn't hard to establish a line between the Diarch's room and one staircase.

Though they still had to defend that route from occasional attacks--one rebel had gone unobserved so long, the only sure way to kill him had been with a thrown knife. Melissa calmly retrieved her weapon, beckoning to the uninjured government members to follow even as she used a piece of the rebel's uniform to clean the blade.

It didn't take long before everyone was safely stashed away in the helicopters.

Once all critical personel had been escorted to the roof, Clancy and his troops retreated back up the stairs, taking time before actual liftoff to set a few traps intended to delay pursuit.

Then they were in tha air, and it was all over but for the trip itself.

[i]“Thank you…now, if I may be so bold, what is your name?”[/i]

She had not yet sheathed her knife, only doing so now that the danger had passed, and smiling at Thomas. Only then did she answer. "Lieutenant Melissa Harlem, Sir. And you would be Thomas Grimshaw, correct?

[Thomas Grimshaw]

"Yes, yes I would be Thomas Grimshaw."

He flattened down a lone strand of hair sticking up from his head, after noticing it in the almost polished interior of the helicopter. He racked the slide on his pistol ejecting the spent round as the helicopter took off, an effective sacrilege at his efforts of grooming. He ejected the magazine with his thumb and let it fall out of the open door.

He tossed the weapon out along with it.

Leaning back against the seats he looked from face to face, observing the strike team. All masked, muscles tensed, locked loaded and ready to rock.

"So, you're Anthony's daughter. He isn't the normal suit you know. He's got history, you can tell by the way he carries himself. He's different than others, heavier foot steps, sweeps of the perimeter from left to right, callused hands...not to mention the spring-operated knives he has in his sleeves. Tell me, what [u]did[/u] he do before this whole political thing?

----

[i]Twenty-six...Twenty-seven...Twenty-eight...Twenty-nine...[/i] Shane's one-legged kicks at the door shook his whole body, chaffing the skin on his cuffed wrists, sending vibrations and severe pain up into his calf muscle. "I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE CARTER! FACE ME LIKE A MAN!" he shouted the same thing he'd been shouting for a good half hour, although his call-out was getting progressively weaker.

[i]Vester Wenzel, wherever you are...when I'm through with every god-damned collaborator on this pathetic excuse for a hellhole, I'm coming for you. I know you can hear me...in the day, in the night, in your dreams, YOU WILL HEAR ME.[/i]

Edited April 1, 2010 by Thomas Grimshaw

[Subtleknifewielder]

The grey eyes watched every movement, from ejecting the spent clip to simply tossing the weapon out the door. Even that little movement surely spoke valumes about what he was feeling, if she could just discern it.

But at the present time, they were as safe as they could be. There was no need.

[i]"So, you're Anthony's daughter. He isn't the normal suit you know. He's got history, you can tell by the way he carries himself. He's different than others, heavier foot steps, sweeps of the perimeter from left to right, callused hands...not to mention the spring-operated knives he has in his sleeves. Tell me, what[/i] did [i]he do before this whole political thing?[/i]

She crossed her arms in front of her chest, leaning back in her seat. "You know, I once asked him that very same question..."

When it appeared she wasnt going to elaborate, Thomas prompted her further. "And what did he say?"

She snorted. "That when I was ready, he would tell me everything. He still hasn't given me a proper answer."

----

Violet allowed the barest hint of a frown to appear along her eyebrows, leaning forward to study whatever was on the computer. It was only logical that whatever it was, that had been what finally set him off. She raised a single eyebrow as she read the file. There was something there that they were missing.

----

When someone finally arrived, it was not Carter, but Violet. Michelle stood just behind her, looking uncomfortable with the whole situation, and keeping both wary eyes on the still-handcuffed prisoner as she aimed a gun at him.

The door opened right as he was preparing himself for another kick, no doubt throwing him off-balance.

"So," the emotionless voice questioned, "something about Vester Wenzel has obviously aroused your ire. I know our system isn't perfect, so what did we miss about him?"

[Thomas Grimshaw]

Thomas chuckled, "I have the feeling, that there are things he's done that you probably wouldn't want him to tell you about."

With that, he leaned forward, elbows on his knees and face in his hands. He listened to the rhythmic turning of the helicopter blades, a symphony of machines as opposed to that of instruments.

"Usually, when a man carries around spring-operated knives in his sleeves, he knows how to use them."

----

As the door opened, Shane's foot made contact and jammed his ankle. He limped back and landed against the wall, still managing a contemptuous glare at Violet.

[i]"So, something about Vester Wenzel has obviously aroused your ire. I know our system isn't perfect, so what did we miss about him?"[/i]

Shane ignored the question and looked from Violet to Michelle with a stare so intent as if he were trying to crawl around inside her skull and peek into her very soul.

"You know Sorensen you were right...you really can't trust anyone. Just letting you know in advance: I'm going to destroy both of you, and everything you love. Then, its Carter's turn."

He slid down the wall into a sitting position, looking at the ground. "You think you know pain girl? You think you know pain? Let me tell you, I've discovered the true nature of pain. My friend Vester, he helped me with that."

[Subtleknifewielder]

[i]"I have the feeling, that there are things he's done that you probably wouldn't want him to tell you about."[/i]

"Yeah, probably," Melissa agreed. "But I still think I shoud know--he's still my father, and I'm not going to revile him whatever he's done. If he's done unspeakable things, he undoubtedly had good reasons."

She fingered the knife on her belt. She had asked that shortly after the rest of the family was killed. It hadn't been long after that he had begun teaching her how to use knives and daggers. She withdrew the knife from its sheath again, balancing it on a single finger despite the slight bit of turbulence the aircraft passed through.

[i]"Usually, when a man carries around spring-operated knives in his sleeves, he knows how to use them."[/i]

"I can affirm that much. He taught me everything he knew about such weapons." She flicked her finger, tipping the knife up so that she could catch the handle in that same hand.

----

Michelle winced at the pain he must have felt when they opened the door, but that didn't stop her from watching him carefully. Even hurt, he would undoubtedly be capable of a great deal of mayhem.

[i]"You know Sorensen you were right...you really can't trust anyone. Just letting you know in advance: I'm going to destroy both of you, and everything you love. Then, its Carter's turn."[/i]

And not all of it physical, she thought nervously, judging by that look. And his words were cutting, deliberately meant to hurt. She bit her lip to keep from retorting back.

Violet stared, silent and unmoving for a moment, then reeching up to the patch. She hesitated a moment, a trulu rare thing for a woman with her confidence, before removing the pieve of fabric to reveal an empty eye socket. "Neither of us really know what you went through,"she stated, "but don't belittle either of us just because of your own hurts. No one in this room made it to this moment in time completely intact," she chided, with just the barest hint of further inflection. A slight narrowing of her one good eye showed that she was not incapable of feeling emotion, after all. "We do not inflict unnecessary pain on others, nor do we condone those who do. Now..."

She continued looking him in the eye, as she had the entire time they had spent in the cell with him, replacing the patch. "What did Vester Wenzel do? If he is half as bad as your words and reaction suggests...I can think of a few individuals who would be more than happy to see him locked up, or executed, for his crimes--not the least those in Immigration Services."

[Thomas Grimshaw]

"The greater good, the propaganda of tyrants and patriots everywhere." said Thomas.

A silence passed as there was not much else to say. Thomas had always wondered the speed of the Australian aircraft, and their military capabilities in general considering the advanced level of their technology.

"How long till we reach the LZ?"

----

"You won't catch him. Not a chance in hell. Even if you went after him you wouldn't catch him for two reasons. One," he stood and tossed the handcuffs to Violet, who caught them and nodded her approval. Michelle simply gave a blank stare. "I don't want you to. Two, you couldn't catch him out in the open, he's like me. Right now, he's in the wind, he's an enigma, a ghost. It takes [u]kin[/u] to catch kin, doesn't it?"

Shane interlocked his fingers and popped them, his face a mixture of stoicism and grimace.

[Subtleknifewielder]

She gave him a strange look at the mention of 'the greater good.' "It is true that 'the greater good' has great potential to be misused, but if the person in charge does not forget their goals, does not let him or herself be corrupted by the power that they wield, he or she might just make things better as intended. Subtleknifewielder did it for the longest time. And our country was all the more stable for his rule."

She said this, blissfully unaware as was the vast majority of the planet that the man she spoke of was a lot closer to her than she realized.

"Anyway, we should be reacing the Carrier in about..." she turned her head to check the time-piece installed in the cockpit, "ten minutes. We'll stop there to get fuel and rest, and give the waiting peacekeeping forces what intelligence we can about the situation."

With that, she settled more firmly into her seat and closed her eyes, intent on catching a little nap before they landed.

----

Violet simply handed off the cuffs to Michelle, who in turn handed them to the guard and holstered her sidearm.

"You judge me by what you know of me...which is precious little," Violet stated matter-of-factly. The implications of Shane's last sentence were not lost on her, but she wasn't going to jump to conclusions.

She thought for a moment, then glanced briefly at Michelle. "I don't hink you need to be here any more. Go see to the rest of the trainees."

"Yes Ma'am." The Lillian nodded and retreated, leaving them alone, and Violet turned back to the man in front of her.

"I don't suppose you happened to stumble across my own file while you were poking around? If you and he are ghosts--I was a wraith."

Edited April 10, 2010 by Subtleknifewielder

[Thomas Grimshaw]

"Peacekeeping? Why do I not like the sound of that? A necessary evil I suppose."

Thomas followed suit as Melissa sat back in her seat. He had never heard the name "Subtleknifewielder", especially uttered as one syllable. He decided it was some sort of pseudonym, perhaps their nation had once been led by a league of spies who did their own dirty work, he chuckled for a moment at the thought, he'd have to ask Anthony about that later, maybe play a joke...he needed the humor.

----

"I really don't think you get it. By now, he's had time to set up shop. Wherever he is, he's got an identity built so well that even you might think you're making a mistake. He'll be dug in, he'll have friends in high places and low ones, he'll be a respected member of the community and he'll contribute to it, but never on paper. He'll be ready for a siege, and to disappear. Unless you're ready to drag him out of his home and execute him like a dog in the middle of the street...YOU WILL NEVER CATCH HIM. Can you [u]live[/u] with that?"

Shane fidgeted with his wrists, the redness on his skin evident of the cause.

Edited April 16, 2010 by Thomas Grimshaw

[Subtleknifewielder]

There were certain things some people wouldn't understand. The rule of the shadowy "Subtleknifewielder" was one of those things that no one raisesd outside the territories once known as Promised Land could truly comprehend, and it was futile to try and explain them further. However, the peacekeepers...

"Believe me, we don't like the idea of sending troops in any more than you do. But as you say...a necessary evil. We don't allow our allies to fall by the wayside."

As promised, it was only a short time before they landed on the Carrier. This particular one was known as "The White Rabbit." The Queen's idea of a joke, some whispered, naming carriers after characters from Lewis Carrol's most famous works.

In any case, the crew of the ship was not in a humorous mood, completely atentive to their guests. The only ones not permitted to rest would be Thomas himself, Clancy, and Melissa, for purposes of the briefing. They needed all the information they could get if they intended to bring down the conspirators with minimal collateral damage.

----

Violet clenched her jaw, the only sign of the emotion he continued to provoke.

"I have had to live with a lot of things, Shane," she said, for the first time addressing him by his name, rather than as a 'recruit.' Perhaps that would get his attention where her previous words continued failing to do so.

"Again, you should read the file they have on me sometime. Killing someone in such a manner would be the least of the things I have done. Though admittedly there are more...efficient ways to do it."

After a moment's consideration, she sat on the floor, allowing their eyes to meet on a level field, rather than having her towering over him. "If he's as dug in as you say, you'll still need an advantage. We each have resources the other does not have. If what you say is true, we have the best chance to bring him down if we work together, rather than at cross purposes."