ACTION TIME

[aphelionix]

The two days had come and gone since Locke stayed over at Weiler's. He was tipsy when Weiler had called that night and made their two day check-in rule - not that he forgot, but he couldn't stop the nagging feeling that something was off when he went to bed that night.

On the morning of the third day, he remembered.

The rule was to get out. He tried calling Weiler once, in case he had forgotten his own rule, but Locke was sure by now that it wasn't like him. It was all the sign he needed when the call went straight to voice mail. He headed right out the door of his room, only gathering his pistol and communicator. Through the bustling of the soldiers' morning routines, he managed to keep himself fairly blended in. No one seemed to be looking on him any differently. Locke was on the last stretch of the emergency escape route of Gladsheim's base - for Circle members, that was - when someone called his name.

His real name.

Comments

[pugsmuggler]

"I heard that we had some rats on the base," said a young soldier not but a few feet from Locke. He was in full uniform, hair tucked into a beret and utility satchel on his back. Although small in frame, he was intimidating in his stance, and from the film of dirt on him, it looked like he'd just arrived from the mines. Bad day for Locke.

"You shouldn't be here."

[aphelionix]

Locke slowly turned, his face impassive.

"There must be a misunderstanding," he said. "Where should I be, exactly?"

[pugsmuggler]

"Your ID," The soldier demanded, retrieving a scanner from his belt.

[aphelionix]

"I'm sorry, but who are you? What's your rank?"

[pugsmuggler]

"Vercelli Garamond," The soldier said dryly. "Captain general and fighter pilot."

[aphelionix]

Ah, so this was Boss's estranged son.

Locke reached into his pocket, handing over his ID.

[pugsmuggler]

Vercelli ran the card through the scanner. It was green. Vercelli didn't look very pleased with that.

"What's your real name?"

[aphelionix]

"Nicholas Avery. Is that a trick question?"

[pugsmuggler]

"Why don't you follow me, Mr. Avery? We have security protocols we need to clear before we can send you on your way."

[aphelionix]

"It's very easy to fix color blindness these days, you know," he said, pointing at the scanner. "It was green."

[pugsmuggler]

"I saw it, smart ass. Another crack out of you and I'll call it contempt against a superior."

[aphelionix]

Locke smiled. "Lead the way then, Captain."

[pugsmuggler]

Vercelli turned on his heel, stepping in the opposite direction Locke had been heading on his way out, but not without spearing the red-head with a glance over the shoulder to assure that he followed.

[aphelionix]

The turn was all the chance Locke needed to pull out his gun. It wasn't much, and Vercelli would surely notice, but being turned around would lessen the time he had to react. He pointed it at him steadily.

"How many others have you arrested, Captain?"

[pugsmuggler]

His glance heavy on Locke, Vercelli froze under the aim of the gun, his fingers curling into his palms. The corner of his mouth quirked.

"That's a very bold move, Avery."

[aphelionix]

"An answer, if you wouldn't mind."

[pugsmuggler]

"That's confidential."

[aphelionix]

"Life-or-death confidential?"

[pugsmuggler]

"This place is under surveillance, you know," Vercelli sneered. "You shoot me and both you and your buddy dies."

[aphelionix]

Locke already knew his time was limited; back-up was bound to rush in soon. There were very few blind spots on base.

"On the ground, Captain," he directed.

[pugsmuggler]

Vercelli was slow as he moved to his knees, glance extended straight in front of him. He raised both hands, palms straight and fingers spread, making it clear he wasn't reaching for anything.

[aphelionix]

Locke reached forward, taking the gun from Vercelli's holster and sticking it into his empty one.

"Your access card," he said.

[pugsmuggler]

Vercelli rolled his eyes. "Front pocket."

lol my phone corrects 'vercelli' to 'bedfellows'

[aphelionix]

Pressing the barrel of his pistol into Vercelli's back, Locke kneeled to slip his hand into his front pocket, taking the card. He was on the watch for reinforcements as well, and seemed to be running out of time - he could hear the thumps of boots echoing down the hall. Locke was sure Vercelli didn't expect him to actually get away, else he wouldn't have been playing along as calmly as he was.

Looks as though that was his cue. He broke out into a run the opposite way.

omg

[pugsmuggler]

Despite being disarmed, Verelli was the first to take off after Locke. Unclipping a handheld taser from his boot, Vercelli followed Locke's heels like a hungry wild cat, with the speed of one to boot. The two of them were booking it down the hallway like their life depended on it. Vercelli was much less intimidated by guns when they weren't trained on him at point blank range, but he was wary to watch Locke as he sped after the man. With Locke on the move, he'd be too unsteady to throw a clear shot back.

Eventually the alarm system went off, red lights flooding the hallways and a buzzer reaching out over the speakers while Vercelli shouted obscenities like: "Yeah, you better run, you bastard!" and "You are so fucking dead."