Getting out of Dodge

[prototypezeus]

Alex is nervous. He's been avoiding this day for a while, but he can't put it off any longer. His food supply is running short, and there's only one thing to do before it goes dry completely... he has to leave Manhattan.

He stands on the edge of the rooftop in the Red Zone, looking over the city that's grown far more quiet than the last time April was here, nearly a year ago. The sounds of gunfire and animal-like screams continue in the distance, but there are few normal city sounds left.

Comments

[prototypezeus]

"Where?" Ragland asks. "How are you going to get her off the island? All the bridges and tunnels are still secured. For that matter, how are you going to get off the island? You're the one they're watching for."

[slayers_desire]

"Doctor Ragland. I am not from your world. And there is a way to remove Dana from this world, without them even knowing."

"You too... if you desire."

[prototypezeus]

Ragland peers at the two of them over the top of his glasses, like he think they're trying to pull one over on him. "You make it sound like an alien abduction."

"Not alien, but sort of," Alex says, a bit uncomfortably.

[slayers_desire]

"We can give Dana a chance... one that she will never get here."

[prototypezeus]

"It means leaving this version of Earth forever," Alex says. "It's that or stay here and get executed."

"I can't go," Ragland says, shaking his head. "I won't abandon the people who are left."

Alex looks at April, as if to say I told you so.

[slayers_desire]

"There are no people left to help on this island, Doctor. If you truly want to stay... I am not forcing your decision."

"But they will kill you. And your death won't help anyone."

"You could still have access to this world. The others who need your help."

[prototypezeus]

"They might not kill me. I've made myself useful to them. And if Redlight ever does get out of the quarantine, they'll need someone like me to help stop it," Ragland says quietly. "It's in everybody's best interest to let me continue my research. Even Blackwatch might see that."

"You sure?" Alex asks.

"There are still civilians left, if only a few," Ragland says with a nod. "I won't abandon them."

[slayers_desire]

"Is there anything we need to take Dana?" April really doesn't want to leave him in a bad position. But it sounds like Ragland has made his decision.

[prototypezeus]

"She's on a few medications to help her recover, but she won't go into withdrawal if she quits cold turkey," Ragland says. "She doesn't need any special equipment either, but she should see a physical therapist... wherever it is you're taking her."

"When's the next rounds for her floor?" Alex asks. He'd rather take Dana long before the doctors will realize she's missing.

"In about an hour. So if you're going to take her, you'd better move fast."

[slayers_desire]

"We can do that. Please... be careful Doctor Ragland."

April is already extending her senses, preparing for the next step of this adventure. To help Alex remove Dana from this situation.

[prototypezeus]

"Don't you worry about me. You get Dana out alive and safe, and don't get caught."

Dana may have been moved, but she's still under guard by Blackwatch, two guards outside her room. The sniper on this side of the roof is positioned directly above her window, in case Zeus tries to come in that way.

[slayers_desire]

"There are two guards outside her room. And a sniper positioned directly above her window. He would see us..."

[prototypezeus]

"We can do this two different ways," Alex says slowly. "You can sneak us in and they never have to know that we were there. Or we can do it the hard way." Which is also the more fun way, but there would be no question that Zeus was involved in getting her out.

[slayers_desire]

"I would like to try to do this without any notice, if we can... reduce the amount of links going back to you. Or the Doctor."

[prototypezeus]

"Then let's go. We have to hurry." Alex looks over at Ragland, a bit awkwardly. "Doc... thanks for all your help. Maybe we'll run into each other again someday."

"I wouldn't count on it, but I'll keep an ear to the ground," Ragland says with a nod. "You be careful."

[slayers_desire]

April uses her shadow-magic to take her and Alex into the shadows. Then heads upstairs to where Dana is kept.

((bed time))

[prototypezeus]

There's a soldier on either side of her room's door, each one holding an assault rifle. They're not expecting Zeus to show up, but they're still alert, watching everyone who walks by with suspicion. They give little notice to the shadow that slips under the door.

Dana is sitting on her bed, reading a book with a look of extreme boredom on her face. Televisions haven't worked for ages, and she's exhausted the hospital library, but she has to do something to keep herself occupied.

[slayers_desire]

April first uses her psychic abilities to access the sniper's mind, who is able to see into the hospital room. She projects the image of Dana sitting on her bed, reading the book.

Once it is safe to do so, she comes out of the shadows. "Dana... don't scream..."

[prototypezeus]

Dana doesn't, but he looks over the edge of her book at April suspiciously. Her eyes narrow a bit when she sees what appears to be a Blackwatch soldier behind her. "What, you guys finally decide I'm more trouble than I'm worth? He's not going to be caught in your little trap, I've told you that. He's smarter than all of you."

[slayers_desire]

"Dana... this is your brother. In disguise."

[prototypezeus]

Dana's still suspicious, unsure if they're trying to trick her.

Alex doesn't know that April is projecting an image of the room for the sniper, so he doesn't want to change back where they might see. "Dana, it's me. We're here to get you out of here."

"Alex, why? This is the safest place in the quarantine zone. And Blackwatch aren't the best hosts or anything, but they've got the most guns around."

"Because I'm going to the mainland," Alex tells her. "And once I do that, Blackwatch won't have a reason to keep you alive."

[slayers_desire]

"He has to leave the Island. But didn't want to leave you behind."

[prototypezeus]

"You know you can't get off the island. They'll kill you, Alex." Dana's worried for him. He's all she has left, and she doesn't want to see him get hurt.

"If I stay here, I won't last much longer," he tells her honestly. "It's now or never. But you need to be safe first."

[slayers_desire]

"I am going to help him leave." April hopes that reassures her worry. "But first, we wanted you to be in a place where they could never find you."

"I am not from your world. I can take you from here."

[prototypezeus]

"What, you're some kind of alien?" Dana asks, not sure if April is crazy or what.

"It's a long story," Alex says uncomfortably. "But you'll be safe. Guaranteed. Blackwatch will never find you."