A Field Trip to the Research Towers

[original_is_best]

♥ Who: (Aerith - Receiving materials), Cloud, (Feanor), Gladio, Sephiroth, Tony, Verstael
♥ Where: The Research Towers
♥ When: M.E. 724-III-16th, 3-Dianir-20th (6-20-21)
♥ What: An bit of illegal research into the towers
♥ Rating: PG-13?

It started with what looked like the most bizarre field trip in history. A few boys who liked giant swords and open chests with an almost unassuming middle-aged man, and a fully geared Imperial scientist. They didn't blend in at all.

However, the lower parts of the tower were open to guests, and they always looked this crazy, and so they received no objections walking through the lower towers and took the elevators up to the student labs. They situated themselves near the separate elevators that went to the native research labs and, after some crazy-eyed ramblings about wanting to isolate the differences between the sources of life powering the men from different planets, the natives politely let them alone.

The eager departure of the native left them with silence. Only the humdrum of natives working in other rooms. Muffled and distant.

In that isolation Verstael regarded each man accompanying him - Cloud, Gladio, Sephiroth and Tony. Now it was time to get down to business.

"Show us your skill," he gestured toward Tony, facing the elevators. They had no keycards to proceed, so from here on out they were criminals. He would be there for backup, of course, but as with most expeditions he was following at the rear, mentally if not always physically. He placed himself by the elevator, hands and tools ready if needed.

To the others, "Perhaps it would be best to engage in some discussion so as not to draw attention to our quiet. We come from many worlds of many sources of life, so what say you of the man standing next to you: are they human or alien?"

This would, at least give Tony time to work with some sound covering it up.

Comments

[runs_on_batteries]

He'd told them to dress normally! He'd even gone over what normal was with pictures because he knew how dense Sephiroth could be. So why had everyone shown up wearing a damn dress? God help them, he had no idea!

Okay, maybe not everyone but still. Tony had, at least, dressed as inconspicuous as possible. Sadly, thanks to this crowd, he now stood out with his dark hoodie and casual, black sweats. The thick rimmed sunglasses weren't helping his look either.

"Gladly," Tony replied with a smirk. He kept his arm lower, partially concealed by the others as a metallic gauntlet quickly encased his hand. Subtly, he raised his hand and a very thin laser shot from his index finger, cutting through the outer panel of the elevator and making a small hole. Crouching down, he quietly asked, "Alright Friday, which wire is the lucky one?"

Lights reflected in the glasses he wore for a brief second before he flicked the laser to a particular wire. The elevator doors opened immediately afterward. "Someone hold that and the rest stay put!" He hissed the order.

Quickly, he used the same laser but on a weaker setting to weld the circle he'd cut out a few seconds ago back into place. "Okay now. Go!"

[callmegladio]

Gladio reached out a hand to hold the door open. He stood just to the side of Tony, out of the way but close enough to assist if needed. He was quiet, just watching what Tony was doing and waited patiently for the go ahead to move inside.

Even still, when Tony gave the order he remained where he was and gestured for the others to get in first. He'd keep a watch and follow at the rear. Watching everyone's backs was really all he could do. He wasn't able to hack computers or charm his way past security. Gladio's main priority was the safety of the group and those around them.

[silversoldier]

This was a long time coming and now that they were finally here, Sephiroth was quietly simmering. It wasn't quite tension but rather that coiled sense of readiness before a mission. He was prepared for whatever happened. Tony might have gotten him to wait and everyone around him might have filled his ears with their optimism about Havenwell but deep inside Sephiroth was still expecting the worst. These so-called gods and their followers were not benevolent. He wasn't sure what horrors awaited them but previous experience informed his perspective on the matter.

Sephiroth didn't bother with the small talk. It wasn't his forte nor was he usually counted upon for it on a mission like this. Instead he kept a covert eye on their surroundings for any threats before taking the lead by stepping into the elevator first. If there was anything unpleasant to be found, he would deal with it. Sephiroth gave the space a once over and finding nothing unusual turned and nodded once to his companions before stepping aside to let them enter. He intended to be first in front of the doors when they disembarked as well.

[original_is_best]

Though serious, Verstael didn't appear to be in any rush. He allowed others to take the lead, and went into the elevator just before Gladio did. For someone like him, it was best to allow someone to watch his front and his back, and there was no shame in taking sensible precautions.

"It may be redundant to say so, but from here we will be broaching uncharted territory. We've little information about what may come. I trust you will all be adaptable to whatever situation we may run into."

Perhaps a bit cocky for the least physically able to fight man on the team, but he was prepared for consequences and he didn't fear them anymore than he feared shoving a god of fire in his freezer. Sometimes danger went hand in hand with making progress.

[dontcallmebro]

Sephiroth was not the only one incredibly worried about the idea that the gods and their followers were not as friendly as they seemed. And while Cloud was aware that this theory of Verstael's could be wrong, he wanted to rule out the possibility. Sneaking in and taking the information was priority. With as little violence as possible - unless his worst fears did turn out to be true. He wasn't sure if all of his companions would think the same, however.

A quick glance of his surroundings and he stepped into the elevator, keeping his voice really low as he spoke.

"Naturally. Considering there's still stuff they still don't want to tell us for whatever reason, I'd be pretty damn amazed if we got off easy."

[runs_on_batteries]

You didn't limit information when you had nothing to hide. That's how groups like Hydra flourished and did devastating things to worlds. Sure, they might go by a different name and face but corruption was universal. The fact that they'd all been brought to this world against their will to clean up the natives mess no less should've meant they were given every detail necessary for the job, or so believed Tony.

It bothered him how lax and lazy others were in this city. It worried him how easily lulled into complacency he'd been too. However, despite outward appearances, he'd been working with the others to plan this carefully. He might be suspicious of the natives in charge and the gods (most of the time), he also believed the majority in these towers were just innocent peons who also were being duped.

Whatever the case, he got into the elevator and repeated what he'd done outside of it to the main electric panel. "Don't worry, princess. We won't feed you to the wolves." With a click, the elevator started moving upward. "This could be the first warning signal to the guards, though I'm attempting to block it. Our elevator is going to ignore any other calls while we go up to floor we wanted."

[original_is_best]

"It has never been attempted before in my entire time here. Thus, this will be the only time we have the element of surprise. We may be able to replicate the signals but, should the doors open to a room full of natives, it is unlikely we will convince them that we belong."

Copying software, hardware, or their method of coding? Perfectly possible, and Verstael stood ready to completely disrupt the signal if necessary. As a last resort. It was better to move with the least amount of disruption to their systems if possible, but he could shut down communications if necessary. Suspicious, yes, but better to have the enemy confused than to clearly know what they were doing.

The elevator slowed to a stop in front of what should be the native research labs. Here luck could reward or punish them - the doors had every possibility of opening straight into view of someone else. Verstael took a military stance, arms behind his back, feet wide, gaze fixed on the elevator doors as the whirring of parts signaled that they were opening.

This tower had been built long before any otherworlders showed up, and with a brainwashed population it seemed that a reception area was unnecessary. They would never expect unwanted visitors.

It opened into a small, almost lobby-like area. However, though the room was a rectangle, the other doors were all open. They could even see straight into a laboratory straight ahead where, indeed, natives were working. But by good fortune none were facing the door, and he only saw the back of a native hunched over a table. No doubt this was the time people might be feeling some adrenaline rush, but they were all professionals here.

Verstael walked, albeit briskly, into a currently empty hallway nearby to get out of view should the native scientists happen to walk by the door across the way. They were going to need to quickly assess where witnesses were and how to get around them to make it to the single elevator on the other side of the building.

[silversoldier]

Sephiroth's cold gaze slid to the other SOLDIER in the elevator and a little noise rife with contempt left him. "Let them try."

Given free reign, Sephiroth had no doubt he could kill these so-called gods all by himself but in all actuality he was not optimistic without more data on their weaknesses and was only speaking to goad them and their followers should any be watching. It was an excellent tactic that usually served him well and this trip was all about gathering information, after all.

Sephiroth allowed Verstael to exit the elevator first because there were no active threats but he was right behind him. He knew what he had to do next when he saw the line of doors between them and their goal. Sephiroth moved without hesitation checking each room and their destination before returning. The most any of the natives would have seen or felt was a rush of wind or a flash of silver at his passing before his legendary speed carried him by.

"Three natives in the first room, two in the second, and three in the third. They all appear to be occupied in their tasks. The fourth room is full of computers and other equipment. There may be a camera inside." After Sephiroth finished his initial report, he crossed his arms. They would need to exercise some measure of caution but it appeared to him that, as usual, so-called scientists were oblivious to all else besides whatever they were studying.

Jailbirds [Header for any Jail Threads]

[runs_on_batteries]

[ooc: Please feel free to use this header to start your own jail threads or you are welcome to tag into mine.]

Re: Jailbirds [Header for any Jail Threads]

[runs_on_batteries]

Dear god he was bored. B.O.R.E.D. And angry.

He hadn't stopped complaining either since they got there either. Tony had bitched about guards, the laziness of everyone in the city, the jail cells, and whatever else he could think of. Oddly enough, he didn't say one negative thing about how their mission had gone down.

Tony stopped pacing and looked out the forcefield doors. He couldn't quite see the other cell but he'd tested the theory already and knew Cloud and Verstael could hear him alright. Still, it was annoying they were separated.

"Think these assholes will remember we eat something other than motor oil?" He asked loudly to no one in particular.

[original_is_best]

"Anything is possible," he answered, serious and having some levity at the same time. If the natives were going to starve them then, well, that would happen. He was a man of war, as were other people here. Starvation was nothing new. In particular, Niflheim had seen its fair share of famine.
It might have been the reason why he wasn't a particularly large man.

Verstael had some frustration that they hadn't gotten further, but they had retrieved and moved data to a safe location, and for the time being he was repeating what information he saw in his head in order to safely jot it down later. So he was calm. Very calm, unusually quiet, sitting, arms folded, not particularly focused on any object.

Information was key. He had to make sure he remembered all he could. Who knew how long it would be until they were released?

[runs_on_batteries]

"We don't eat motor oil!" Tony shouted and clenched his fists. He really wanted to hit something but he wasn't sure what would happen if he touched the forcefield and these metal walls would likely break his hand. The chances of him still doing that at some point this week were high, but he'd rather not do that the very first day.

Still, if they wanted to find a topic to make him start freaking out they'd found a good one. He started pacing again but this time with much more agitation than before. Squeezing his eyes shut, he took some deep breaths. Nope nope nope. He wasn't letting himself get pulled under. At least he wasn't bored anymore.

He needed to pick a new topic maybe. "Verstael! It's your job to annoy Cloud and Feanor over there for us. Think you can handle it?"

[silversoldier]

Sephiroth had never failed a mission nor left one as incomplete. At first he mistook the heaviness in his chest and limbs for the weight of that--he refused to say the word, even to himself. Then he recognized it for what it was. This was not the presence of something new but rather the opposite.

He was missing something.

Sephiroth punched the wall of the cell with enough force that it should have exploded outward and freed them. Instead, he heard the unmistakable crunch of bone and felt a surge of warmth and something else. Sephiroth removed his glove and stared down at his skinned knuckles and the fresh blood tracing the contours of his hand. He couldn't move his middle two fingers and after a moment he identified the curious sensation he was feeling as pain.

It had been so long...

[original_is_best]

"It is not my profession to annoy people."

He did. But it was neither intentional nor his job. It was more of a natural talent that he had no control over or, perhaps, even awareness of.

"It is a shame that we were unable to retrieve anything, but keep control of yourself and remember what you are able."

An obvious lie. So obvious that it should be clear that he was making a point that others could be listening in, and he wanted to be sure that everyone had that on their minds.

[silversoldier]

Sephiroth was used to people chattering at him nonstop thanks to his time with Zack. This and his unflappable nature allowed him the equanimity to deal with his constantly throbbing hand while Tony made his way down a laundry list of complaints.

The man had kept his word and that was what was important. So, Sephiroth listened without saying much of anything. He agreed with most of what Tony said anyway, but that didn't mean he was going to talk about it. Such wouldn't have been a productive use of his time.

No, Sephiroth was far more engaged in his internal world of rehashing the mission and planning next steps. This wasn't the place to talk about those either.

"They won't eliminate their energy source," he said, from his place leaning against the wall by the field trapping them inside. He would ordinarily have his arms folded across his chest but at present they were hanging by his sides.

[runs_on_batteries]

"Dammit Seph! What the actual fuck, you jackass?" Tony had been leaning against said wall, only a little closer to the forcefield and watched in horror as his dumbass of a friend turned his hand into an accordion.

As he came closer, he slapped the man in the back of his head. "How the hell am I supposed to explain that to Aerith?! I keep you safe during the whole mission and then let you do something this stupid as soon as we're in jail away from healers and potions?"

[dontcallmebro]

Cloud knew this would happen. He was almost 100% sure he ‘d get captured and…..well, so far, he had been treated okay, considering. It was not as if the authorities had tortured him or decided to put him to death……well, they had given no signs of it so far. That was more of the behaviour he would have expected from Shinra back home.

But good god, it was still agonizing being stuck here. Sitting around with pretty much nothing to do but wait until he could be released. Or hope to be released, anyway.

Cloud felt that he didn’t know enough about what was going on with the authorities to really know and this sort of thing hadn’t happened before, as far as he was aware.
And Tony really wasn’t helping. Cloud was on the brink of telling him to just shut up but then caught the guy telling Verstael to annoy him and held his tongue. He was not going to take his bait. He was not going to take his bait…

But he could say something though.

Loud enough for Tony to hear him. And in a measured voice. Well, it came out less measured than he liked and with a tinge of annoyance. “Trying to piss me off isn’t going to get you out, you know. Might annoy the guards into making you stay here longer, maybe.”

[runs_on_batteries]

He was so relieved by the reactions he just got he could've kissed both of them. The subtle reminder from Verstael of something useful to do was going to give his mind somewhere to put some energy for a while and Cloud taking the bait (and yes, he totally did) was way better than succumbing to a panic attack in middle of a jail cell in front of all these men.

"Well why the hell do you think I'm so pissed, Ver? All that work and planning for nothing!"

He rapt his knuckles on the wall, though not hard enough to damage anything- Sephiroth!

"And Cloud, baby, we both know if I wanted to piss you off there'd be no 'trying' to it," he taunted with an ornery smirk. That ought to get him a good fight with both Cloud and Gladio. Good job, Tony. What the hell is wrong with you?

OTA for separate threads or one big thread or whatever floats your boat~

[connectsthedots]

Dot was no stranger to either side of the bars of a prison but this was (perhaps surprisingly) one of her first actual visits to the Havenwell facility. Having passed the security check and been briefed by the guards, she made a beeline towards a particular section. She was on A Mission.

"Good afternoon," she announces as she strides up to the cells, pacing by and glancing at each of them in turn. "I’m Dorothy Pratt, a reporter here in town. I see some familiar faces here as well as some new ones. It’s a pleasure to meet you all, despite the circumstances. You’re the ones responsible for that grave announcement over the network, correct?" There is an intensity and eagerness in her voice - maybe a touch of admiration, even. "Might I get a comment from you lot?"

She pulls a small notebook and pen from the breast of her jacket, prepared to take down information from any willing party.

[original_is_best]

"Such is the way of life." Definitely more defeatist than the man really was.

He, too, couldn't wait to get at that data. But for now, it should be in safe hands and that would have to be good enough.

[original_is_best]

"I heard a thump. Did something happen?"

Verstael had been trying to concentrate and mostly ignoring Tony aggravating Cloud, but while he was sitting calmly with his eyes closed he had most definitely heard something in the other cell.

(Edit, going to assume she was able to get in the next day)

[original_is_best]

Important information would not be given here, but Verstael was no stranger to things like news and politics. Both of which he wasn't necessarily a big fan of, save for a few highlights, but he wasn't shy about giving statements.

"You may. This is not my first day of wrongful imprisonment, but my seven hundredth and ninth day. Though you may plant a flower in a jail cell, it is a cell nonetheless. We are taken from our homes and held captive within alien walls to be used as an panacea. And for our efforts we are given the illusion of freedom. The freedom to peruse any building - of their choosing. To have as we desire - if we perform for them. To ask questions - to those who do not or can not give answers. To walk as we please - within boundaries.

"And to what end? What use have robots of flowers they cannot smell or beasts they need not eat? These are only of use to one who is organic, as they wish to be. But you cannot create something from nothing. If they wish to be organic, then there must be something organic to use as a starting point.

"And so I ask: where do they intend to get their samples from? And where are those who have disappeared?"

A little timey-wimey so they can do their own thread?

[runs_on_batteries]

Tony was lounging on a top bunk when she came by, one leg dangling off the side and his arms folded under his head. It was a rare moment when he at least appeared pseudo relaxed and not driving everyone in the entire building crazy. They'd just had lunch so he was in a good mood, what could he say?

Whatever the case, he looked over at her with curiosity. "A reporter, huh? I didn't realize there were any of our kind involved with the news besides gossiping and bitching."

Okay, not that good of a mood.

He hopped down and moved over to the forcefield wall. "Do you go by Dorothy or Dottie or what?" He asked. Had he answered her question? No, he most definitely had not.

[runs_on_batteries]

That was another reason for Tony's agitation. He wanted to talk about the mission and work out a plan. Unfortunately it wasn't possible given their surroundings which was downright annoying.

He knew they'd end up here though. He'd literally planned for it, particularly with keeping Katsuki out of their heist. The boy didn't need to end up back behind bars (or forcefields in this case) especially when Tony hadn't been sure the conditions they'd be in for the much more serious crimes. He was honestly pleasantly surprised, but he wasn't about to admit it.

No, the complaining and the agitation had a purpose and cause other than what it seemed. It wasn't exactly a conscious thing though. So mostly it was just coming off like he was being a royal dick.

"All they really would need to do is tie our hands to someone else's and they'd get their energy source," he pointed back. "That doesn't require giving us anything or much in a week's time. How's your hand?"

[callmegladio]

Gladio had taken up residence on the bottom bunk in their 'cell'. It wasn't like an kind of jail cell he'd seen before but he wasn't going to complain. Tony had the market cornered on that. Gladio just lay on the bunk, arms folded behind his head, and let the conversations wash over him.

He did open his eyes and glance over when Tony mentioned Sephiroth's hand. He was no healer, and even if he was, with the power dampener in place, he wouldn't have been able to do anything. It was a lesson learned though. Don't try and force their way out. It wasn't going to work.