Sunrise Over California (Mission)

[David B.]

"Would Deacon Graves and Blake Oleander please report to the Command office? Thank you."

Whatever they were doing, they'd be given the option out of it (assuming classes), and allowed to the command office, where they would find the supervisor standing beside a large circular station where several people sat. There were maps of the city, cameras of 259 and organizations all over various monitors.



David would glance up and gesture for them to step inside, intent for them to come over and stand next to him. On the screen he was looking at was a blonde woman, mid-sprint. She looked familiar to Deacon, but otherwise would seem innocuous.



"This woman is Stacie Tig. She's a recruiter for a group called PAL- Power and Liberation. They are very....anti Cabal, or anti-establishment in any position. They're of the mind that people with abilities are the future and shouldn't be forced to learn to control them. This has led to a middle of minor success to massive failure. Some of their recruitments went on to implode, killing hundreds."

He gestured at the second screen over.

"She's located here. When she was escaping the other day, I was able to air-tag her ankle. We want to learn more about her group. I want you two to get her away from populated areas, to a meeting with me. She will resist if you're open about it, so I'd like you to post and prospective deserters. Deacon, you proved yourself a capable leader, if somewhat rash. I'm giving you a second chance- take control of this mission and bring her to the central square."

[Deacon Graves]

Deacon was quick to answer the request from over the PA system, this time however his destination was not Bay One, but the Command. It seemed he and one other were bring summoned, the reason unknown. He would make his way there and upon entering, his eyes would find the many screens. He would begin to scan them, before his eyes settled upon the cute blonde haired woman he had seen on his first mission. He would stand at attention and salute, before speaking. "Deacon Graves reporting, Sir."

His eyes hadn't left her picture, the slightest hint of a frown etched itself upon his face as he studied her picture. It's no wonder she spooked so easily.. Damn it- If I had been able to detain her last time, we wouldn't even be here. In a way it agrivated Deacon, almost as if he deemed it a failure on his part. He supposed it was in the past, now he had a chance to set that right.

"So you want us to pretend to join PAL, lure her away and bring her to you? I don't have a problem with this, Sir.. But don't you think she'll recognize me?" Deacon doubted she would have forgotten his face so soon, especially after their encounter while he had been pursuing Curtis Wilson. He figured this might throw a wrench in any potential plans of deception.

[Blake Oleander]

Blake was nearly as quick to report to duty, despite his injuries. If there was one thing he took seriously it was a mission. HIs people lived or died based on objectives being completed. A well here, a herd there may seem small. But they were daily life and death struggles where he was from. He didn't have the luxury to blow off his duty or be late and drag his heels. Punctuality and obedience were key. He'd give Deacon a small look, his lips pursing in a hint of displeasure. But he would not argue being put under him for this mission. It was not his place to question such things. Only to see the mission was carried out.

"I could be the deserter and subdue you when you come to bring me in. It builds trust, and I can make it look convincing."

He'd tap the hilt of his blade with a small smirk. He'd enjoy that part of the plan, should they go that route.

[David B.]

David frowned.

"Blake has a possibility. Or we can count on her recognizing you, and make out like you don't like how things went with Curtis and want out. Blake could serve as an observer in case things go sideways. Or vice-versa. Really, I leave the details of it up to you, as field leader. But I don't want a scene made- so no fighting if at all possible."

OOC: Bonus objective given.

He'd roll his shoulders, hands moving into his pockets.

"But should you find yourself compromised, do what you have to do to make it back here. Any other questions?"

[Deacon Graves]

"Tch- I suppose that is an option, but I'm not sure that is the best route.." His words were intended to answer Blake's suggested strategy, while he lifted his hand and brushed at his chin. He was unsure of how he felt about the other guy on a personal level, but at least Deacon knew he could trust him when if it this mission turned confrontational.

"As.. fool proof as his suggestion is.. What if we bait her with Wilson? Or the idea of him anyways.. We approach her, tell her we plan to defect and that I will give her a bargaining chip in the form of one Curtis as good faith. Set up a secure location, in which we can lure her to- Tell her to meet us there, where we can trap her with little risk to others if we have to.. And it would be away from prying eyes"

Deacon was the field officer, but he wasn't above taking input on what they should do. His mind was already sifting through the little information he knew about her. Really, that was just her name and that she wields a fire-type Qi, even that he had only seen once. The only down-side he saw to this, was that she could ultimately bring back-up. He would think of something to counter this, if this was the route they chose.

[Blake Oleander]

He'd just shrug and clasp his hands behind his back. He didn't know who Wilson or Curtis was. Or why she would care. Setting up a location was not a bad idea, but that was assuming she agreed to it. It sounded like she already knew Deacon to some degree, and that complicated things because they couldn't come in fresh. But they were selected for a reason, and since he wasn't being asked he'd keep his thoughts to himself. He'd follow whatever plan of action was decided.

That was his job.

[David B.]

David shrugged.

"It's up to you, but I expect the job done well. You'll head out through the door on my right toward the training bay. If you have any questions, I'll be on mic. Make sure to grab some before heading out."

And they would be dismissed!

OOC: You guys will orchestrate the confrontation- she lives in a large apartment complex downtown. There are many people around, and the area is known for not being friendly toward the academy. I will play all NPC's as well as the main QC.

[Deacon Graves]

"Understood, Sir." He would nod then salute before he would move to grab comm set-ups for two, offering one out to Blake before taking his own. "So, I know this woman can use fire type abilities.. I had a little run-in with her on my first assignment." Deacon would speak to his partner as he hooked up his communication device. "I have an idea for where we can set up a meet, if this even gets that far.. There is an run-down, abandoned water-treatment center a few miles outside of the city. It sustained a lot of damage during the war and no one has bothered to try and get it working again."

As soon as Deacon finished that, he would have started to move toward the door David had specified, talking while he walked. "If we can get her there and a fight happens to break out- I'm willing to bet there is still a few thousand gallons of stagnant water in those massive tanks.." He would cast a glance toward Blake after he spoke, before they made their way into the training bay. "A shot in the dark either way- But I think I'll be able to convince her."

Deacon was already thinking up details before head, for any potential questions that could come in to play when he met with her face to face. He honestly wasn't too sure how this would go, but it was probably their best chance of bringing her in without a fight. Once inside the training bay he would halt. "We might not want to wear anything academy related. The area we are going might not like it very much.. Should swap out for a casual jacket, at least.."

They would make any last minute preparations before heading out.

-----arrival-----

The apartment complex loomed above them, a bustling crowd meandering through the downtown city streets as the two Academy Trainees approached the building. He had made sure they parked the humvee a the next block over, so they could avoid any unwarranted attention from disenfranchised civilians. "Remember, non-hostile.. A lot of people around this place- We don't want to be responsible for hurting them."

Deacon would nod toward his partner, waiting for him to signal that he was ready, before he would move toward the front door.

[Blake Oleander]

"Yes, Sir."

He'd say, bringing a fist over his heart and giving David a small bow. He wasn't a challenge at the moment, he was a direct superior and that meant he would be treated as such. He'd eye the communication device with some skepticism, wondering if such things would give them away to their target, or any that may be trying to listen in on chatter to make sure they were who they said they were. But again, orders were orders.

"If that's your location choice I have no arguments. My normal clothing should be sufficient. My people do not care for Cabal and I am the first to ever be sent here."

Much to his chagrin. But he was the first of his people to exhibit these types of abilities. It was a hard choice, but one that was made for the betterment of their people.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I remember the briefing."

He said curtly, sword at his hip but sheathed. He'd keep it there if everything went to plan, but he wasn't going unarmed. And he wasn't going without the only token he had of where he'd come from. It was as much a part of him as his beating heart. And he'd rather die than let it leave his side.

[David B.]

They'd find the apartment complex easy enough to get into, no locks on the door. It wasn't entirely run down, but it wasn't the nicest place in the city. The vehicle they brought had no identifiers, thankfully, so the people on the street made no notice of them at first. However, plenty would begin to skirt them at the sight of the weapon at Blake's hip, whispering to each other about who they were.




There were a few people outside the coffee shop nearby, talking. There were two others sitting on benches outside the hotel, one with a mohawk the other with a red vest on. The apartment that she was in did have it's light on as well, so it appeared she was in fact home.

David's voice came in over the mic.

"Situation report?"

Arrival information, crowd information, etc.

[Deacon Graves]

"We've just arrived." His voice came out low, icy iris' glancing around their surroundings to gauge their situation. It was hard to judge, as far as they were concerned, all these people could be part of the PAL movement. "A handful of people around, a couple at the coffee shop and two in front of the hotel."

Deacon's hands would drop into the pockets of his jacket, head shifting slightly as he took in the apartment building nearby. It wouldn't take him too long to locate Stacie's apartment and the light that shined from the window. "Persona-of-Interest's light is on. She should be home. Proceed?" Deacon would speak as he looked back toward the people nearby again, first the couple outside the hotel before shifting back to the coffee shop.

[David B.]

"Affirmative. With caution."

[Blake Oleander]

He opted to keep his silence. Two people talking to nothing was probably cause for notice. Rather he'd thought he'd play the part he was dressed for and just gawk at the buildings. He'd never been in a city like this with buildings so tall. Gawking at them with an open jaw would probably just make him look like some hick. And that was fine because it would also allow him to look and see if there was anyone or anything watching them. Take note of camera locations or sentries.

He'd keep his hand away from his blade, not wanting to signal for escalation. Simply having it should be enough for anyone that was watching to know he at least could handle himself.

[David B.]

Blake would notice several cameras on street corners and light lamp posts. He would also notice a man staring at them, smoking a cigarette on a bench near the building.

He would feel a sort of....blood lust coming from his direction, and the man refused to look away.

[Deacon Graves]

Deacon would waste little time after David's words, both Blake and himself knew what they were doing here and it was time to get started. His icy blue iris' focused upon the front door of the apartment building as his boots began to carry him forward to them.

So long as nothing hindered his progress, Deacon would pull the door open and proceed toward the staircase, opting to avoid any elevator there might be. As he moved, his eyes would scan for anything notable and commit it to memory.