Cranberry Soda 14

[20:19:26] <Meredith> "Jenna, there is what looks like the sun glinting off the lens. Don't look right at it, but it's down the street."
[20:20:24] <`GM> [Jenna makes no overt motion, and taps at her phone.]
[20:20:40] <`GM> Jenna:  "...East or West?"
[20:23:09] <Meredith> "East. Opposite the sun."
[20:23:52] <`GM> [Jenna nods.]
[20:24:15] <Tyro> "...Please give me the authority to knock these idiots out and drag them into the car."
[20:24:18] <`GM> Jenna:  "Heh.  Obviously.  Range?"
[20:24:58] <Karan> Karan plants her hands on her hips and turns to Tyro.
[20:26:17] <Meredith> "About 150 yards."
[20:27:05] <Karan> "Give them some credit. Everyone freaks out when first dealing with... us."
[20:27:22] <Karan> She pauses as a fleeting memory of surgery and training and one shining light between them.
[20:27:29] <Karan> "Even our younger selves."
[20:28:29] <`GM> [Jenna actually frowns at the mention of the range.]
[20:29:21] <Tyro> "No, I'm kind of done caring about how it would hurt their feelings to not let them lie down in front of bullets." Tyro taps her foot again, adding a little flair into her speech and some sway into her gestures. And her hips. "Shall I take the big one, dear sister?"
[20:29:31] <`GM> Jenna:  "That's too close...  What the hell are they thinking...?"
[20:29:38] * Meredith sends her bunny sneaking through hedges and tallish grass toward the glint.
[20:31:58] <`GM> Jenna:  "Do not engage, Termagant, I repeat, do not engage."
[20:33:38] <`GM> [Samantha and Dorothy continue to cower next to the wall and hug, mumbling something to each other.]
[20:34:27] <Meredith> "Very well. But I was just going to scout. Do you really think they'd detect it?"
[20:34:51] <Karan> Karan just stares back, a silent dare in her eyes.
[20:36:30] <`GM> Jenna:  "If we can spot a scope, they can spot a rabbit.  We don't know their game, Term, and our only card is the Jacobs family in that house."
[20:37:31] <Tyro> Tyro begins to slowly walk towards Samantha and Dorothy, although she makes no sudden moves. "Pfff. Really. You know how you don't let little kids do stupid things just because? That should totally extend to big babies, too. Sheesh."
[20:38:17] <Meredith> "Very well. Have you alerted the others in the house?"
[20:39:30] <`GM> [The family tenses up and glances at Tyro as she comes closer, but they also make no sudden moves.]
[20:40:06] <Karan> Karan places herself between Tyro and the duo. "Wait."
[20:40:25] <Karan> She calls back to them: "Is there anything you want to take with you?"
[20:43:21] <`GM> Samantha:  "...Wh, what?"
[20:43:31] <`GM> [She responds like she wasn't paying attention.]
[20:43:50] <Karan> Karan repeats herself, firm but soft.
[20:44:21] <Karan> "The sooner we leave, the safer you are. Grab anything you want to take right now, and if we have the chance, we can get more later. Sound good?"
[20:44:44] <`GM> Jenna:  "Doesn't make any difference.  There might be a hundred scopes.  Or zero; could just be a mirror."
[20:45:23] <`GM> Jenna:  "We wait until someone comes out of that house.  That is an order, Termagant."
[20:46:50] <`GM> [Samantha's voice sounds extremely weak and weary, but it retains her previous determination.]
[20:47:10] <`GM> Samantha:  "We, are not, leaving, with you."
[20:47:59] <Tyro> Tyro gives a winning smile and she extends her hands forward, as if to joing Samantha and Dorothy in their hug. "Come on. If you're extra good girls, I'll let you have a lolly!" She punctuates it with a derisive laugh, figuring they're beyond convincing nicely.
[20:48:07] <Meredith> "Very well." The bunny goes in a different direction, as if it were just patrolling the premises. "Will you tell the people inside?"
[20:50:44] <Karan> Karan holds her head in frustration.
[20:51:17] <Karan> "Tyro, let's back off. If nothing else, we can keep guard for whenever the others will make their move."
[20:53:03] <Tyro> Tyro keeps her smile, but moves her arms down. "Back off? Maybe. Once someone bursts in behind our backs and fills these two with holes they'll be a lot easier to carry with us. Much lighter, without all that pesky blood."
[20:54:05] <Karan> "They'll also be 'lighter' when not trying to punch us or run off on their own."
[20:55:19] <Tyro> Tyro looks relieved. "Hallelujah! The gal sees the light. We can try and keep one of them from running off if we both knock them out at the same time, so I'll take the big one, ok? I can keep my shockwave just strong enough, so she doesn't get a concussion."
[20:58:08] <Karan> "You know I meant them coming with us of their own will."
[21:00:55] <Tyro> Tyro smacks her forehead. "How many more times do they need to tell you they won't? Hell, how much more bitching do you want to hear?" She plants her hands on her hips, looking indignant.
[21:01:20] <Tyro> "Really, this couldn't be any easier. Let's just knock them out, take them with us, and they can moan and wail and hate us all they want when they wake up and are alive enough to have things to complain about. Sound good?"
[21:02:54] <Karan> "Or, since we're  professionals , we can guard them until they're attacked and save them, at which point they have no choice but to come with us. Saves some trouble and doesn't make us assholes."
[21:03:15] <`GM> [Jenna sighs.  She has something of an idea what's transpiring inside, but she has to hope...]
[21:03:22] <Karan> "... Somewhat," she concedes.
[21:05:29] <`GM> Jenna:  "What is happening inside is happening, Merry.  Anything outside would just distract them."
[21:06:15] <`GM> Jenna:  "Will YOU tell the people inside?"
[21:06:18] <Tyro> "Or, since we're professionals, we can follow our orders and not lie down in front of bullets in the process. How about that?" Tyro turns back to face Samantha and Dorothy, taking another step. "Come on, playtime's over. My aim's easier if you stand up."
[21:07:35] <Meredith> "Okay." She heads inside, looking casual. "Any progress?" she says when she comes in.
[21:08:55] <Tyro> "No. These idiots still want to die, and Karan wants to let them. Can I get some backup, please?" Tyro continues to face them and puts her hands behind her back before suddenly leaning down just a bit, causing her boobs to bounce for a few seconds.
[21:11:27] <Meredith> "Well, there's someone spying on us down the street. Could be binoculars, could be a sniper scope."
[21:12:31] <Karan> Karan shuts her half-open mouth, cutting off a retort.
[21:12:57] <`GM> [Dorothy glances at Tyro's lean for a brief moment, but clearly has other things on her mind.  Her mother, however, is not amused.]
[21:13:23] <`GM> Sam:  "Get, away, from my daughter,  slut."
[21:15:10] <Karan> "Samantha, you're not helping. Also, it looks like they're already close. If you won't leave now, let us keep you from getting shot.  Then  we can leave. Please be reasonable?"
[21:16:55] <`GM> [Sam blurts a mirthless laugh.]
[21:17:24] <Tyro> Tyro, far from losing her patience, is now clearly upset. She obviously did not like being called slut at all. "Nice one, girl, but I'm the one on her feet right now, and I'm done asking nicely. So here's a real threat: shut your fucking child mouth and come with us, or I'll break your jaw."
[21:20:02] <Meredith> "No, ma'am, she's Virago. Slut is someone else."
[21:23:06] <Meredith> "Anyways, Virago, that doesn't help."
[21:23:10] <`GM> [Sam rolls her eyes at Tyro.]
[21:23:48] <`GM> Sam:  "Hah...  Bitch you are just proving my point.  You try.  You TRY, and watch yourself become whoever 'they' are."
[21:25:28] <Meredith> "Yes, I was about to say that too."
[21:29:44] <Karan> "Tyro, Jenna wanted them to come  willingly ."
[21:32:12] <Tyro> "Yeah, well, we didn't get that. We'll have to settle for getting them to come." She turns back to Sam. "Oh, my. You'd have gotten me so good, if I cared. Now, just in case you don't know, you're gonna want to stop talking. If I hit you in the middle of a sentence you might bite your tongue."
[21:32:51] <Tyro> Tyro suddenly bursts into motion and lets two shockwaves fly from her fists, aimed at knocking the mother and daughter unconscious on the spot without hurting them.
[21:45:41] <Karan> Karan matches her movements and aims a palm strike to throw off the direction of one shockwave while flinging her blades' case to block the other!
[22:15:25] <`GM> [Karan's palm is pitifully pushed off to the side as a rush of air snaps forwards and plows into Samantha's face, drumming her head against the wall and knocking her out cold.]
[22:16:56] <`GM> [Karan's blades, meanwhile, make an ear-splitting groan as they grind against each other, managing to repel the force of the second blast.]
[22:18:14] <`GM> Dorothy:  "I'LL GO!"
[22:18:23] <`GM> Dorothy:  "I'LL GO I'LL GO OH GOD MOM, PLEASE STOP I'LL GO!"
[22:19:11] <`GM> [Dorothy is immediately snapped out of her mousey timidity upon seeing her mother hit the wall, and hugs her limp body as she shouts.]
[22:19:46] <`GM> Dorothy:  "DON'T HURT ME I'LL GO, I ACTUALLY WANT TO GO, OH GOD OH HELL MOM NO!"
[22:20:09] <Karan> Karan shouts. "Goddamnit, Tyro!"
[22:20:57] <Tyro> "Hallelujah. The girl sees the light." Tyro smiles gently as she pointedly ignores Karan and moves over to pick them both up, gingerly carrying them both as if she were a mother figure, but holding Dorothy just a little tighter so she can't squirm her way free. "Just relax, ok? She's fine. I didn't hurt her. It's all going to be ok, I promise."
[22:21:09] * Meredith looks at Sam, and says in a cold, controlled voice, "Tyro. Go outside. Now."
[22:21:56] <Karan> Karan injects herself between Tyro and Dorothy again.
[22:22:09] <Karan> "Do what Meredith says. I'll handle her."
[22:25:31] <Tyro> Tyro gives a chuckle, not at all grasping the gravity the other two see in the situation. She shrugs as if innocent. "Handle her, hm? Had to happen sometime, I guess. I'll help with carrying Sam out." She strongly suspects that they'll try and stop her, so she doesn't actually move for Sam yet.
[22:26:38] * Meredith goes over to Sam and starts making sure Tyro didn't seriously injure her with that stunt.
[22:26:44] <Karan> Karan crouches next to the little girl, trying to reduce her intimidating height.
[22:27:46] <Karan> "Dorothy. Listen. Sorry, but I need you to let go of your mom for now. She'll just be in the car outside, sleeping. Meredith will ensure she's fine."
[22:28:39] <Tyro> Tyro moves over next to Meredith and crouches along with her, knowing that the woman is uninjured but figuring she can indulge her squadmate. "Let go? No real need, we can just bring them out at the same time."
[22:32:31] <`GM> [The back of Sam's head is slightly damp with a patch of blood, but the smack into the wall just broke skin, not her skull.]
[22:33:00] * Meredith pries her eyes open to check if she has a concussion.
[22:33:06] <Karan> "You've already assaulted one of our charges. Let me handle Dorothy my way."
[22:34:30] <`GM> [Samantha's eyes are non-responsive; she is definitely unconscious.]
[22:34:52] <Tyro> "I guess I have to, since you got what you wanted. Just a friendly suggestion." She turns to Meredith. "Want to help me carry her out? She's fine, but it could help keep her head steady if you're worried."
[22:36:57] <Meredith> "You aren't touching her."
[22:38:24] <Tyro> "Why not? She's not gonna start struggling." Tyro seriously doesn't seem to get it.
[22:39:09] <`GM> Dorothy:  "S-sorry, I just...  Where's, where's Aunt Jen?"
[22:39:31] <Meredith> "She's outside. And Tyro, Jenna is going to have your hide in very thin strips."
[22:40:11] <`GM> [Dorothy lets go of Samantha and stands up, standing closer to Karan than any of the others, though not THAT close to Karan.  She tries to wipe the tears off her face.]
[22:41:06] <Karan> Karan answers Dorothy, keeping down to her level.
[22:41:26] <Karan> "She's right outside. I can take you to her, and then we can get your things, if you like. Ok?"
[22:41:32] <Karan> She holds out a hand.
[22:41:34] <Meredith> "Medes, help me carry Sam. She's out, but not too bad. She'll definitely want aspirin when she wakes up."
[22:43:39] <`GM> [Dorothy mimes pushing away Karan's hand, though very hesitantly.]
[22:43:42] <`GM> Dorothy:  "I'm...  I'm fine, I'm not a kid, ma'am, I just...  There's a lot on my mind right now."
[22:43:58] <`GM> [Dorothy is trying very hard to put a brave face on things.]
[22:44:30] <Karan> Karan lets it be pushed aside, but otherwise keeps it extended.
[22:44:51] <Tyro> Tyro doesn't seem at all fazed by the thought of Jenna lighting her up. "Yeah, I guess Jenna will inevitably take your side, especially since you'll probably keep me away from them even though you know I won't hurt them. Phew, what a day." Tyro stretches her arms outwards, and turns towards the exit although she doesn't yet begin to move.
[22:45:57] <Karan> "This kind of thing is rough for anyone. I'm... Probably not your favorite person right now, but if I can help, just let me know. Tough times are ahead."
[22:46:14] <Karan> She leaves her hand out for a moment longer, in case Dorothy wants it.
[22:47:58] * Meredith starts helping Medes bring Sam outside.
[22:53:59] <`GM> [Jenna can be found outside, on the porch steps, with her head bowed and hands clenched together, as if in prayer.]
[22:55:52] <`GM> [Jenna does not look up as she reacts to the sound of the door opening.]
[22:56:11] <`GM> Jenna:  "Dear GOD tell me she's not dead."
[22:56:24] <Meredith> "Unconscious, but no concussion."
[22:57:28] <`GM> Jenna:  "...Who was it?"
[22:57:35] <Meredith> "Tyro."
[22:57:41] <Tyro> "She's not dead." Tyro follows instructions to the letter, literally. And she didn't have to lie!
[22:59:05] <Karan> A moment later, Karan emerges with Dorothy in tow.
[22:59:35] <Karan> "I tried to stop her, but wasn't quick enough to defend Samantha."
[22:59:36] * Meredith puts Dorothy in the back, then sits next to her.
[22:59:46] <Meredith> [*Samantha]
[23:00:49] <Tyro> Tyro knows what's coming, so she seems quite calm.
[23:00:53] <`GM> [Jenna stands up and rubs her face, as if this was all just another rough day at the office.  Her face is unreadable.]
[23:01:11] <`GM> Jenna:  "Merry, you told them?"
[23:04:15] <Meredith> "I did. Things got complicated after. We should get going."
[23:08:19] <`GM> [Jenna nods, looking at Dorothy.]
[23:09:55] <`GM> Jenna:  "...I wish I could have been a different sort of aunt to you, Dorothy."
[23:10:27] <`GM> [The girl shrugs, as worn-out as everyone else is]
[23:11:14] <`GM> Dorothy:  "It's okay.  I mean, you had work...  Your work's important, I guess."
[23:12:51] <`GM> [Jenna moves to rub Dorothy on the shoulder, but thinks better of it.  She turns to the maids instead.]
[23:14:46] <`GM> Jenna:  "Merry, Tyro, take Samantha in our car.  Drive out east, drive slow, watch for that lookout as you go.  Text me if you get anything."
[23:15:29] <Karan> "What shall I do?"
[23:16:35] <`GM> Jenna:  "Medes, Karan, you're with Dorothy and me.  We'll wait fifteen minutes, then take Sam's car and drive out west."
[23:16:46] <Karan> Karan nods.
[23:16:54] <Tyro> "I guess I'll drive." Tyro begins to walk, then pauses to make sure that Merry is behind her.
[23:16:56] <Meredith> "We should not have Tyro in the same car as Sam when she wakes up."
[23:17:04] <Meredith> "Medes can drive, right?"
[23:20:01] <`GM> [Jenna rolls her eyes.  Seriously.]
[23:20:54] <`GM> Jenna:  "If we're being followed, what's going to cause more of a scene:  Tyro and Sam, or Tyro and Karan?"
[23:21:19] * Meredith sighs. "I suppose you're right. I'll just have to calm her when she wakes up."
[23:21:47] <Karan> Karan simply frowns.
[23:24:22] * Meredith puts Sam in the car Tyro will be taking, and sits down herself. They're both in the back.
[23:24:56] <`GM> [Jenna leans into the Tyro/Merry car.]
[23:25:51] <`GM> Jenna:  "Do NOT go back to the hotel.  Yes Merry, I know your meds are back at the hotel; we'll have to manage."
[23:29:29] * Meredith sighs. "Wonderful. Any way we can pick up more?"
[23:43:09] <`GM> Jenna:  "You're the one who takes it; you tell ME how much you think you're gonna need it.  Unless you think you can operate while perpetually baked?"
[23:45:04] <Meredith> "...I think if we can stay in one place for a couple days, I can find some place that supplies it on the Internet."
[23:45:47] <`GM> [Jenna pats Merry on the shoulder.]
[23:46:10] <`GM> Jenna:  "We'll pull through, girl; I believe in you."
[23:46:31] <Meredith> "Right." She takes a seat.
[23:49:00] <`GM> Jenna:  "Just drive.  Better that we don't know where.  I'll contact you in an hour."
[23:51:17] <`GM> [Jenna closes the door and turns back to Karan and Dorothy.]
[23:51:51] <Tyro> Tyro immediately starts the car as if unconcerned, then begins to drive. She's got her communications gear ready, but doesn't quite look it to appear like an average motorist.
[23:52:27] <`GM> Jenna:  "We've got fifteen minutes.  Let's grab what we can.  Karan, help Dorothy pack.  Medes, we're on supplies."
[23:53:58] <Karan> Karan nods and leads Dorothy back into the house.