RP: Taking a trip
The Mothermen’s trip to the Silo begins. Perhaps not quite in the way everyone involved may have assumed…
Starring: C_K; S_R; R_V
Warnings: Threats
Departure of the Mothermen team from Fairco had historically been an event of some ceremony. Captain W_A was always very keen on ‘showing support to your boys. What with us keeping you all safe and snug down in here.’
S_R had put a stop to that. They have a fucking job to do, and it wasn’t running a damn parade.
The current preparations are more of a circus than he is happy with, but he has to admit that the chaos is… less than it might have been. Arranging field kits for seven people – the three Mothermen themselves, and four AGRIs – as well as Reclamation gear, weapons and camp-rolls should, by all experiences he had had so far in this damn place, have been an abject nightmare to achieve.
Yet this time S_R finds himself bizarrely unopposed. Requisitions completed. Maintenance checks done, in a timely fashion. Paperwork actually filled in.
It is weird. And unsettlingly… welcome.
Most of the little group is now congregated just outside the main door, carefully passing out packs and distributing equipment. The AGRIs aren’t new to this sort of work, but it’s infrequent enough that there is an unconcealed air of excitement about them, and S_R ignores the snatches of conversation that rumble on around him, predicting riches and possible treasures. It isn’t riches he expects to find in that chlorinated tomb, unless bleached, rotting concrete really does it for you. But they don’t know that. Don’t need to know that.
The small canister containing Halstead’s damn battery seems to weigh unaccountably heavily against his side, shoved deep into one uniform pocket, and S_R tries to shakes off the leaden mood as he looks up towards the non-haulage parts of the team.
[S_R] You carry your own fucking kit. So you might want to get to picking one.
R_V takes a deep breath and takes the step from cold metal onto the grass just outside. He strides towards the equipment in a pile by the Captain, making a point of nudging past his injured arm to collect a rucksack and sling it over his shoulder.
[R_V] Are you sure you don’t need someone to carry your kit too, Captain? You know, after the accident you had in the gym you should have more issue than usual.
He smirks and turns from the group to see the world outside of the Facility; the smirk quickly turns into a frown as his eyes dart from trees to plants to lake.
[R_V] Regardless, we should be on our way. Try not to hold us up too much Captain - see to it that he doesn't, hmm, C_K?
Forest green eyes narrow at the former astronaut as he purposefully brushes past the Captain’s injured arm. For the moment C_K say nothings. Merely adding it to the mental list of lashes to take out of R_V’s hide later. There would most certainly be a later. Gaze lowering, he picks up one of the packs and briefly checks through it. There is no doubt in his mind that S_R would have gone through them and checked at least five times, but his Captain had taught him to be thorough. And so he was going to check until satisfied.
[C_K] The Captain’s arm is well on the way to recovery. I for one am impressed.
A slight raise of his eyebrows but soon followed by a docile little smile, cocking his head slightly to one side as he pats R_V on the shoulder in a friendly manner.*
[C_K] But be assured I’ll keep an eye on him. With your good self on our team, I’m sure we’ll get there in no time.
He’s pleased that manages to sound genuine, despite the bile rising at the mere sight of the man.*
R_V glances at his shoulder and back to C_K, his scowl quickly becoming a grin after the compliment.
[R_V] Your medical knowledge may be lacking, I am however impressed by your optimism C_K, and rightfully so.
Another smug, chrome smile breaks out across his face as he places his hands on his hips just as he posed for his posters as he addresses the AGRI-Wards, a brief glance at S_R also..
[R_V] Well then, no time like the present - keep close to the Mothermen Extraction Unit at all times, do not attempt to flee, failure to comply will result in injury or expiration.
[Sage] No worryin’ Commander. Done this sorta thing before. We gotcha!
She lightly cuffs R_V on the arm, grinning broadly.
[Sage] Though if yer offerin’ t’stay close, I ain’t sayin’ no.
[S_R] If you’ve quite finished?
He glares daggers at R_V as he grabs the nearest pack, swinging it into place with minimal difficulty. That he totally hasn’t been practising. At all.
[S_R] We’ll hit the first waypoint around noon. R_V, since you’re so fucking keen to show off, you can put your muscle where your mouth is and take a Rec bag as well.
R_V bends down at the pile again, slinging another bag over his shoulder. He stands again with arms held out, taunting S_R.
[R_V] Why of course Captain, you certainly won’t be able to carry it. In a way me carrying more will help you heal. It was lifting that injured you in the first place, after all.
He again glances from his arm and this time to Sage, he gives the woman a look of disgust.
[R_V] Close, S_G. Not that close.
Sage shrugs.
[Sage] Suit yerself. *She grabs a couple of packs, turning back to the AGRI group, and another amused rumble runs the circuit*.
[S_R] I am very aware of what ‘injured’ me. *His free hand twitches a little, but he swallows whatever other retort was rising, and his expression cools again.*
[S_R] Right. Let’s get this over with.
-
The journey falls into routine quickly. S_R or C_K lead, familiar as they are with the route through the canyons and trackways that surround Fairco; one at the head of the party and one at the rear, swapping periodically with a brief exchange of update. Mismatched stares of forest-green and black amber rove constantly; observing, watching. Wary even in this known path. The AGRI group are far less cautious - chatting, joking, occasionally stopping to grab handfuls of recognised weeds or herbs and stuff them into waiting pockets - but other than a few sharp rebukes when they get too loud, S_R mostly ignores this.
They reach the first waypoint indeed a little after noon. It’s a natural clearing in the woodlands either side, where thin soil and slabs of weathered surface rock have held back the trees, and there is a smooth stone set into the ground in the centre. Man-high, clad thickly with moss, and with unfamiliar symbols half-visible beneath the green layer.
S_R eyes the distinctly un-State marker with a faint flicker of something approaching discomfort. A reminder, that this borderland area was always at the very edge of Mother’s sight, and now… He shakes off the mood and turns back to the group. The AGRIs have settled down, unwrapping the first of their ration packs, and S_R catches C_K’s eye; nodding.
Now.
[S_R] Commander. Time for another line on your arm: Recruitment posts.
[R_V] Recruitment posts, Captain? Is that how you ended up here? Random squabble amongst the wild? The quality shows.
S_R’s teeth grit and he leans in a little closer, dropping his voice slightly.
[S_R] You might think this is all a big joke, space-boy, but if I have to drag. You. Screaming. Into being a damned competent officer, then I fucking will.
[S_R] Now.
[S_R] Monitoring recruitment posts is going to be something you’d better get real interested in, really quickly. Because scraping starved Wards off branded landscape is very fucking dull.
R_V raises his brows briefly and smirks at S_R, hands behind his back he stands to attention.
[R_V] Competence and compliant are two things I learned to be way before the rank of officer Captain, perhaps this explains you - again.
R_V throws the bags he was carrying against the foot of a tree, kneeling down carefully beside them to retrieve a ration pack.
[R_V] Regardless Captain - this task shall be trivial.
[S_R] Then it should suit you completely.
C_K has been watching over proceedings with a keen gaze. Following his Captain’s orders silently and constantly, but subtly, checking over R_V and planning how to do this. They already have something set in stone, but plans change and the Ward is still very unsure of R_V. The man could be capable of anything. As soon as the former astronaut’s back is turned, C_K’s demeanour changes dramatically. Slipping from docile and compliant to something predatory. His movements are fluid and almost cat-like as he moves over to where Oak is sat (the large Agri who had taken a shine to him at the Blue Moon Ball) and retrieves the bag he needs, with a smile that was more of a baring of teeth than anything pleasant.*
[C_K] The Captain and I will be showing the new recruit how to monitor the Recruitment posts. You and Sage can keep an eye on things, yeah?
The large Agriward grins widely and pats C_K hard on the back before affectionately ruffling his hair. Something C_K kind of wishes he hadn’t done, but… He supposes it’s an Agri thing.*
[O_K] Don’ you worry, Seekay. I’m good at watchin’.
A brief smile that is gentler than the one before.*
[C_K] Good.
A nod, before that predatory grace is back and he moves to stand at S_R’s injured left side, slightly behind. Shoulders rolled back and standing to attention. Waiting.*
[S_R] Right, let’s get this farce moving again.
He strides off into the treeline, making for a trodden-in path amongst the undergrowth. Not as flat as the road, and with whip-like fronds of this year’s growth edging in from the sides.
R_V follows, brushing vines and loose leaves and branches from his path with a look of disgust on his face.
The small clearing falls away behind them and is soon lost in the blur of trees. There are few animal noises on the main road - a party with AGRIs in it does not lend well to stealth or naturalism - but with the three Mothermen alone, moving carefully, rustles and small sounds come back, filtering towards them as they walk.
R_V nervously glances around at each chirp of a bird or snap of a twig underfoot, a gloved hand resting on the hilt of a small dagger he carries with him on his belt.
[R_V] Quite a trek for a recruitment post is it not Brothers, amongst all these hideous trees - Tell me what kind of people do you expect to find around here?
[S_R] If we’re lucky? None. The last fucking thing we need is to be dragging some gibbering wreckage around with us. Present company excluded, for professional courtesy.
He ducks under a low-hanging branch, letting it go behind him close enough to waft past R_V’s face.
[S_R] Wards, mostly. The broadcasts go out with co-ordinates, same as on the posters. And whatever flyover littering drops Hawkins has done recently. The Civs have fucked off, on the whole, or got their acts together a long way away from here, and Citizens are Mister Fairfax’s problem right up until they’re ours.
He glances back at R_V, sneering.
[S_R] So wasn’t it nice for you we pulled you out of that shithole directly? Or you’d have been hanging around in these ‘hideous trees’...
[R_V] I would much rather bring back a Brother or Sister of the Chain that have to suffer another moment of conversation with a Citizen -
R_V trips over a loose root and stumbles forward, he disguises his fall by swiftly kicking the top off a nearby mushroom and glancing at the others.
[R_V] I may find the outdoors… disgusting, but I would have survived without your so called assistance - I’m not so sure about Mr. Vesalius however.
[S_R] While I’m not sure you can die from a lack of moustache wax - I think we have to agree on that.
C_K follows the other two silently, keeping one ear on the bickering - making sure his Captain isn’t being too antagonistic; yet - while the rest of his attention strays this way and that, drawn by the rustling in their surroundings. He’s quite aware that out of the three of them, he is the only one who actually enjoys spending time outside the FAC’s walls, the only one whose glances after nearby scuttling noises is from curiosity, rather than wariness. He likes these trips. And this particular one has been coming for a while...
The small group continues for about ten more minutes, taking the occasional side track. There is no signposting here now, no visible landmarks past the shading autumn patchwork of the trees. No obvious path back to the road, if you didn’t already know the way.
It is - in short - perfect.
S_R stops, grunts, and lets his pack slide to the floor. He tightens his free hand against his bound arm and grimaces slightly with apparent pain.
R_V looks around at the thick woodland around them, looking out for a road or path or clearing, finding none.
[R_V] Well this seems like the perfect spot to set up a watchpost. If a poor Citizen were to find themselves out here they’d never survive before we got to them. It’d make our job a lot easier.
[S_R] Oh, it does.
There is a click; a soft, metal noise that nonetheless manages to cut across every other sound in the clearing, and an abrupt point of threatening pressure settles against the back of R_V’s head. When S_R speaks again, the earlier strain has gone from his voice, replaced with liquid threat.
[S_R] Don’t move, Commander. Twitch, or try anything - anything - and I’ll blow your brains all over this wretched clearing. We’re in the ass end of nowhere. No witnesses; no chalked-up leeches to tattle on my misdeeds.
R_V freezes in place, tensing his body, he clenches his fists and growls before raising his hands slowly, defeated after thinking about the gun to his head.
[S_R] I could kill you now, right where you stand, and I swear on Mother’s rotting heart it’s a tempting fucking option.
[S_R] But.
The Captain’s other hand - freed from the brace that now lies discarded on the leafy floor - jerks up, bunching his gloved fingers roughly in R_V’s hair, and pulls the bigger man’s head back more firmly against the pistol barrel. S_R leans forward, the closeness of the raised threat only slightly diminished by the fact that he’s speaking into R_V’s shoulder rather than his ear.
[S_R] You want to be a Motherman, Arr-Vee? Then you’re going to fucking learn when, and when not, to throw that bulk around. On. My. Orders.
[S_R] So. In the spirit of camaraderie, Brotherhood, and all that other rancid garbage you lap right up - I have a test for you.
C_K becomes as still as a statue. Eyes sharp as cut emeralds as he simply watches his Captain grapple with the taller man. The only movement for the moment a twitch of his lips into a slight smirk when S_R is not quite tall enough to make his movements as dramatic as he clearly desires. A sigh and a roll of his eyes as the brace is dropped to the ground. Movements liquid as he steps forward without fear and ducks down to pick up the brace. Turning slightly to S_R as he speaks in a lowered tone and with narrowed eyes*
[C_K] If you fuck up your Chain-Damned arm just because you wanted to be a melodramatic little shit, I will be displeased, Sir.
He steps back and turns swiftly on his heel to walk around the two men until he is facing R_V. His smile wide and welcoming, but there is something vicious in his eyes. Spiteful.
[C_K] Doing okay there, brother? I really wouldn’t move, he’s not kidding, you know. I wouldn’t call our esteemed Captain trigger happy, but he’s a man of his word.
R_V looks sickly white with fear. He glares at C_K as the man approaches, his body still stiffly locked in place and then begins to nervously laugh.
[R_V] You know I think you might be right for once Brother C_K. Now tell me S_R - is the bullet with my name on it even in the chamber? I doubt it is - if I recall I remember seeing it tucked neatly into that little ammo pouch of yours -
R_V slowly lowers his left hand to remove the small knife from his belt, tossing it to the ground in front of C_K, his pale smirk now faded he carefully presses his legs together tightly to conceal the small dagger hilt in his boot.
[R_V] Since I don’t really have a choice I’ll entertain this game or test or whatever you want to call it Captain, spit it out.
S_R laughs, but just once. A low, rough single bark of something only slightly akin to amusement.
[S_R] You think I’ve only made one bullet for you? R_V, you’ve got a whole fucking clip.
[S_R] Now, you’re going to walk slowly over to that big - *a pause, only slight, as a flick of uncertainty enters S_R’s voice* - ‘...beech tree - ‘
[C_K] *mutters, under his breath* That’d be an oak, Captain.
[S_R] ...big tree over there, and get your back against it.
R_V lets out a quick laugh at C_K’s correction before turning quickly to face S_R. The barrel of the gun presses against his forehead.
[R_V] Smart man, you’ll need more than one bullet Captain.
R_V’s face is expressionless, he lingers for a moment staring down S_R before slowly walking backwards to the tree, finally pressing his back against it.
S_R’s teeth grind together audibly. It would be nice if the overgrown moron could scrape together brains enough to look worried when he had a fucking gun to his head. He locks gaze with the bigger man, black amber on unearthly-blue, and there’s a gravity in his fingers, as if the trigger beneath his touch is hauling itself backwards.
It’s easy. He knows it’s easy. He’s pulled this same damn trigger enough times. He -
The rasp of failing mechanical tones; harsh and skipping like a Citizen’s broken record player, but still damnably clear enough.
I would - have looked you - in the eyes, Commander...’
S_R jerks slightly as the memory breaks, trying to cover his slip with a snarl.
[S_R] C_K. Rope. Now.
There is a moment in which C_K looks worried. Glancing over at S_R as his Captain seems to malfunction for a second. A brief furrow of his brow before he is lowering his head and hooding his eyes; the expression vanishing. He is very carefully blank. Something that his Captain would recognise, but hopefully R_V will not notice.*
[C_K] Yes, Captain. Right away, Sir.
His tone is as yielding as his body language. A Good Ward following the orders of his superior. His gaze almost glassy as he approaches R_V, unravelling the ropes between his hands. There is a slight edge of guilt piercing his chest for correcting S_R about the tree. They need to be a unified team, he can’t be seen to be insubordinate.*
[C_K] Hold still, kid… Would hate to have to ruin the glamour of all those posters of yours.
[R_V] Very good little dog, follow your master's orders.
R_V leans slightly into C_K’s neck as he wraps the rope around him, a wicked smile on his face. With his eyes fixated on S_R over C_K’s shoulder still, he whispers in his ear.
[R_V] I really do hope the good Captain here has taught you how to properly tie a knot. You wouldn’t like to see what might happen - or… would you, hmm?
R_V leans back again resting his head against the bark of the tree, one eyebrow now raised as his gaze was now on the man in front of him.
[C_K] ~Whoops.~
The Ward jerks on of the ropes so it slips from around R_V’s chest to his throat. A slight tug to give the impression that he wouldn’t be above choking him for the fun of it. Tight enough to make breathing uncomfortable if not impossible. The risk of rope burn present if he struggled.
[C_K] With all due respect, Sir…
The word Sir spoken like it is filth coating his tongue. With none of the awe it had held when directed at S_R*
[C_K] You harm him again, not even Mother Herself could save you from me
The ropes are tightened and knotted. Bound by his hands, torso and throat. C_K gives a wide grin and pats R_V’s cheek before sauntering back over to his Captain*
R_V squirms uncomfortably, trying to ease the pressure of the rope against his neck and hands. Angrily he stares down the two smaller Wards and spits on the ground in their direction, rather than risk trying to speak.
S_R keeps the gun pointed at R_V for a few more seconds, focusing on the welcome sight of that damn face twisted in discomfort for once. Bringing himself back to now, back to here. He’d seen C_K’s glance, knew the man had noticed his own lapse, but… he could live with that. As long as R_V hadn’t.
When he’s confident enough that his hand won’t shake while he does it, S_R holsters the weapon, and gives R_V one last, withering glance.
[S_R] Now, be a good little lickspittle and try not to throttle yourself until we get back. If anyone’s going to choke you, I’d like it to be me -
S_R stops, glaring aside as he hears the muttered ‘oh really, Captain?’ from C_K, then continues.
[S_R] Now, you’ve got a nice, long time to think about your position in this unit R_V. I suggest you think real fucking hard about where your loyalties lie.
[S_R] Have a good couple of days, Commander.
[S_R] And hope we don’t find ourselves… delayed.
With that, the two free Mothermen pick up their packs, and head back the way they came.
-
