[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/uvX201s.png[/img] and [img]https://i.vgy.me/weS5zP.png[/img] and [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/EKNTTqu.png[/img][/center][/center] [b]Location:[/b] Somewhere in the sewer systems, Lost Haven [b]Time:[/b] Some time past 8:30pm [hr] Hearing no response from Leila as to whether Jai had found Racheli prior to Michael entering the sewers, Fletch sighed. Trying to get to her allies before he did, she found the nearest manhole cover and hastily beelined towards it. She grabbed the soaked jacket on her way and tied it around her waist before clambering down into the sewers below. Keeping her arms around her bow, the release aid clamped around the loop on the string where the arrow was knocked into place, the archer crept her way forward. The turbid atmosphere of the sewers made it difficult to see, even with the yellow-tinted glasses she wore removed from her sight. The smell didn’t help either as the sewage was mixed with the metallic smell of blood that was dumped onto her during the fight. Not having a chance to get a glimpse of what she looked like, she bet that she looked like something out of an Evil Dead movie. [color=e38c2d]"I seriously need a shower after this,”[/color] she muttered. Trudging through the sludge, Fletch was getting nowhere. Without any light and no way of knowing the layout of the sewers, the fear of getting lost was becoming palpable. While she didn’t know where Michael was, there was only one option to find Jai and Racheli due to her human-ness. [color=e38c2d]"Jai!”[/color] Fletch called out into the darkness, a note of worry in the call. The echoes were muted, but no immediate responses. [color=e38c2d]”Jai! Racheli!”[/color] There was a faint crackle on Kayla's earpiece from the set that Jai had given to Kayla and the soldier prior to the mission start. "Kayla, did you go down into the sewers? Jai and Rach should be coming up shortly…" [i]Finally,[/i] Fletch thought, relieved that someone finally answered. [color=e38c2d]"Michael escaped into the sewers,”[/color] the archer replied. [color=e38c2d]"Everything was silent when he ran away. I think he knows that Jai has gone in to rescue Rach and couldn’t just stand there and do nothing!”[/color] [i]I don’t want to be useless.[/i] "But it's not a good idea to go in when you're not equipped to deal with the sewers," Leila said with a frown. "You just finished dealing with Michael above ground—" [color=e1a900]"Kayla, where are you?"[/color] [hr] Racheli stared up to the manhole opening. Her eyes squinted from the light filtering in and her hand instinctively raised to shield her vision from it. She leaned more into Jai for support before a voice caught her attention. [color=indianred] “Kayla didn’t follow you down, did she?”[/color] A spike of anxiety filled her voice. Her head looked behind her shoulder and scanned the murky scenery for signs of Kayla. Jai glanced at the woman in his arms and squinted, adjusting her against his side when she leaned into him for more support. [color=e1a900]"No, I do not recall that being part of the plan."[/color] [code]Kayla's biosignature is heading further into the sewer system.[/code] Glancing down at Rach, he asked with the bow of his head, [color=e1a900]"Do you mind if I bring you above-ground somewhere safe and go after Kayla? Apologies if this seems presumptuous of me, but I do not want to leave you as you are."[/color] There was a firmness to his tone, indicating that he's aware that Michael was still after both Rach and Kayla for various reasons. [color=Indianred] "God damn it, Kayla,"[/color] Racheli muttered and shook her head, her pixie cut scattering a few moisture droplets. [color=Indianred] "No, [I]we[/I] will fucking go get her. Then I'll kick her ass for risking her damn neck. I'll be fine. I'm no damsel in distress."[/color] She ignored the fact she couldn't navigate this place worth shit. Her figure began to move from the ladder but stopped. [Color=Indianred] "Which way is she?"[/color] Jai held up a hand, listening to the conversation between Kayla and Leila. He nodded in Rach's direction, understanding her stubbornness isn't going to be helpful in the long run if he argued. [color=e1a900]"Kayla, where are you?"[/color] Jai’s voice was further relief to Kayla. She had no idea if Michael had gotten to them or not, but hearing his real voice had relieved some of the anxiety she had. While still armed with her bow, she remained still as she tried to figure out where she is from the direction of the manhole she went in. [color=e38c2d]"I don’t know, Jai,”[/color] she replied, slightly worried. [color=e38c2d]"Trying to backtrack my route from the manhole in the front of the garage. I think I’ve gone down the tube heading towards the bus stop I have been taking for the past month.”[/color] Hearing something in the distance, Kayla raised her bow in the direction and waited to take a shot. [color=e1a900]"Stay where you are—"[/color] [code]Kayla is located approximately about a klick in this direction, according to her remarks.[/code] On his map display, he noted the little dot that indicated Kayla's location. With a shake of his head, he continued, [color=e1a900]"—we're on our way."[/color] Turning to Rach, he offered his arms. [color=e1a900]"If you want to join me and retrieve Kayla, I need to be quick so I'll either have to carry you on my back or in my arms—which will you prefer?"[/color] Racheli had been silent. Her lips curled into a frown when Jai asked her a question and she gritted her teeth, answering. [color=indianred]"Back, it would be easier and if I have to let go, I can. I feel like the asshole might be lurking.”[/color] Her head turned into the darkness, but she couldn’t shake the fear crawling up her spine. He knelt down in front of Rach so she could climb up behind him. With a little direction, she stepped behind him and slipped onto his back. She couldn't help but admire the myriad raw muscles interlocking under the shirt. A soft wistful sigh escaped her lips while she sulked in her new position. Once her arms were wrapped around his neck and shoulders, he linked his arms under her legs and hoisted her up as he stood upright at an angle. Making sure she was both comfortable and with a firm grip, he advised, [color=e1a900]"Please hold on—I plan on moving quickly."[/color] [color=indianred] “If I can dent steel, I think I can hang on.”[/color] Racheli’s grip tightened around his neck to prove her point. He made a noise in the back of his throat—a mixture of a laugh and a snort. Still, his body shifted, coiling like a spring as he prepared for a run. His arm tightened around her thighs and he bolted, careful not to damage the cement that lined the sewer system. He moved through the sludge and muck of the sewers with little difficulty. He jumped and moved like an agile antelope on the side of a steep mountainside, but with the controlled power of a jaguar. It took little more than a couple of seconds before his computer detected Kayla's heat signature. [code]Kayla detected in...[/code] [color=e1a900]"Found you, Kayla."[/color] Jai recognized the bow in hand and the quiver of arrows that were strapped to her back and her right leg, but because Michael could even replicate equipment, he paused just a short distance away from her. Again, he flexed his arms around Rach's thighs, bracing for possible combat, but also for the reflex that he knew would come for Kayla putting herself in further danger. [color=e1a900]"Ready to go?"[/color] He didn't bother questioning her why she even bothered coming down after them, despite how ill-suited she was for mucking around in a dark sewer system. Kayla paused for a moment as Jai arrived. Not initially seeing Racheli on his back, she pointed the bow towards him, thinking he might be Michael. As she focused the scope on his head, the familiar pixie cut hair was seen in the peripheral of the scope. Figuring that he couldn’t mimic two people at the same time, she eased the tension on the bowstring. She was still cautious, however… [color=e38c2d]"I figure I’d stay down here a little bit longer,"[/color] she replied sarcastically. [color=e38c2d]"In all seriousness, the sooner we are out of here, the sooner I can wash this crap off."[/color] At the same time, the plant familiar crawled out of the pocket he had been hiding and climbed onto her shoulder. Unlike Kayla, Archie had remained clean through all the endeavour, looking at Racheli with a look of recognition. Racheli tensed and began to pull off Jai. His grip on her thighs stopped her, causing her to frown, and her expression darkened with anger. Her nostrils flared before she calmed her temper. Letting it vanish, she looked harder at ‘Kayla’. Several moments passed before Kayla’s voice echoed back and the leafy creature clamored onto her shoulder. [color=indianred]"What are we doing?"[/color] Racheli leaned in and hissed quietly into his ear. His blue eye flickered through the myriad of monitoring and system checks before easing his grip on Rach's thighs, confirming that this was indeed Kayla. [color=e1a900]"Making sure it's Kayla and not the target,"[/color] Jai muttered. To Kayla, he remarked with a slightly aggrieved sigh, [color=e1a900]"Nice to know you're still reckless as ever, even in a mission like this one."[/color] He dropped one arm while the other held Rach. [color=e1a900]"At any rate, come here so we can leave."[/color] Sensing that she was in safe hands, Kayla removed the arrow from her bow and began clipping it onto her hip. Once everything was secure, she slowly made her way towards them. [color=e38c2d]"Yessir,"[/color] she replied, sounding fairly chirpy to know that they’re leaving the sewers. [color=e38c2d]"Lead the way, seeing as you have the navigation system.”[/color] Racheli’s arms tightened and her legs crossed over his waist front to keep herself from falling over. She glared at him, but her expression melted at hearing him confirm it was really Kayla. [color=indianred] “You look like shit. Is that your blood or the asshole’s? It better be the fucking asshole’s.”[/color] Racheli snapped, hiding her worry. [color=e38c2d]"Nice to see you too,”[/color] Kayla replied, deflecting the snap at her. [color=e38c2d]”And I think with an exhaust and iron bar being a few of the things lodged in his body, the blood is his. There were a couple of times I landed in a bit of hot water, one point nearly literally, but he’ll be feeling it in the morning.”[/color] Once Kayla was in range, he took her hand. They won't be able to leave as quickly as they came in so they'll have trudge their way through. He still had Rach secured with one hand, helping her remain upright on his back. Though, there was an option. Kayla finally felt at ease once she was close enough to the pair of them. She planned on walking alongside them as they went to leave the sewer, but she felt Jai’s hand clasp her bloodied left hand. She blushed in the darkness of the sewers at the move. It's the first time she held another guy’s hand in a long time. Her heart picked up at the idea, her blush darkening. Jai noted the change in pulse, picking up Kayla's change in heart rate and made a mental note to ask her later. The silence stuck with the group for a little while as they trudged through the sewers. During that time, Kayla thought about finally reuniting with Racheli again. The thought about everything that happened in the garage and how everything turned outweighed on her mind. Her pace with Jai slowed until she came to a stop. [color=e38c2d]"I’m sorry, Rach,"[/color] she spoke, her voice laced with guilt. [color=indianred] “It's not your fault things turned to shit. He’s supposed to be dead, according to the state."[/color] Racheli shrugged off the apology. Her eyes still searched the surroundings, feeling edgy and unsettled. She expected him not to be done. Not by a long shot. Jai's single arm that's hooked under Rach's leg gently squeezed in reassurance. Michael would be quickly shut down if he came an inch close to him. Kayla shook her head. [color=e38c2d]"No, it is,"[/color] she replied. She was aware that Michael could be in the vicinity, but this had been eating her up from the moment Racheli stormed out of the garage. [color=e38c2d]"I had said things back in the garage that upset you and had caused you to stumble into Michael.”[/color] She slid the cowl down, not wanting to hide behind it when she spoke. [color=e38c2d]"In a world where people have amazing abilities, I felt like I was being a fool to try and follow their footsteps—in following [i]your[/i] footsteps. I didn’t want to feel like a burden and wanted to show that I have—at least—a chance to rub shoulders with you guys. Even if it was for a moment—though, it was probably the most physical pain I’ve experienced in my life. And yet, I still feel like I’ve let you down.”[/color] Slowly, she lowered her head in remorse. When Jai brought her closer, Racheli dialed back her strength and reached over. Her hand tapped Kayla upside the back of the head. Her lips frowned as she leaned back into position. She adjusted slightly to get comfortable. [color=indianred] "You have no idea what I would have given up to be like you—to be human. The reason I walked out was because I was pissed at myself. I managed to survive a virus that everyone's told should've killed me, but I couldn't keep being a human."[/color] Racheli sighed then continued. [color=indianred]"You did. Being normal isn't a weakness and being abnormal isn't strength. It's the choices you make with what you have. Remember that. And stop forcing me to sound like a goddamn fortune cookie."[/color] Kayla was taken by surprise by the tap on the back of the head. She looked back up as Rach talked to her about wanting to be human. As she listened, she was slowly beginning to understand everything about her friend. While there was still much more to answer, it was enough to feel better about what happened. Her lips slowly curled up into a friendly smile. [color=e38c2d]"I will remember that,”[/color] she replied, her tone happier than a moment ago. [color=e38c2d]"And I’ll try not to in the future, despite it making you sound more sagely thank you are.”[/color] She giggled at the end of her impromptu joke, hopefully, to alleviate the dour mood she created. She exhaled and leaned into Jai, gritting her teeth a bit. [color=indianred] "It's not your fault my past caught up with me."[/color] [color=e38c2d]”The past will come back to haunt us at some point. For me, I just deal with it as they come. However, don’t worry about Michael if he appears again. Next time he does, we’ll be there to help.”[/color] Jai adjusted Rach on his back with his one arm, reminding Rach to relax, and he squeezed Kayla's hand with the other. Though his face was indiscernible through the helmet, he tried to make his voice sound sympathetic. [color=e1a900]"You're probably the most human of us,"[/color] Jai said. Though he wasn't looking at them and was rather focusing on the map system and the various variables on his display as he slowly guided them out. Kayla looked towards Jai. As soon as he said she was the most human of the group, one matter that was discovered came back into her mind. [color=e38c2d]"I might be, but I still would want to know what the fuck was inside me when the nanites healed me.”[/color] Remembering that Racheli wasn’t there, the archer looked towards her as her right hand rubbed the scar on her left chest. [color=e38c2d]"Speaking of which, Jai and Leila had discovered that something in my body had stopped your virus from causing further harm. Something I’m still trying to wrap my head around."[/color] At her remark, he added, [color=e1a900]"So you're one of us."[/color] But then, he sighed, shaking his head. [color=e1a900]"And I'm sure Leila will scold you plenty for us when we get back."[/color] With a gentle tug, he pulled Kayla along to keep moving. [color=indianred] “You keep squeezing me…”[/color] Racheli commented, looking at him with an expected look. [color=e1a900]"And what?"[/color] There was a hint of amusement in his tone. [color=indianred] “Keep squeezing and I might pin you to a bed,”[/color] Racheli muttered quiet enough that only Jai heard. Since Rach wouldn't be able to see his smirk, he responded in a low voice that only she could hear, [color=e1a900]"I'd like to see you try."[/color] But, the manhole came into view. Kayla was going to say something about Leila. However, the slight interaction between Jai and Racheli caught her attention. She clenched her jaw as they talked back and forth. She slid her hand out of Jai’s hand. [color=e38c2d]"Come on, let’s get out of the sewer."[/color] Racheli glanced over to Kayla and narrowed her eyes. She didn’t say anything while they edged to the nearest manhole. The withdrawal of Kayla's hand quirked Jai's brow in question. Instead, with the manhole in view, he took it as a sign that she didn't need any further assistance, despite the fact, his observations had all but said otherwise. [color=e1a900]"Kayla, it's uneven ground here so here—give me your hand until we get to the ladder."[/color] With the manhole in view, Kayla’s eyes just focused on that and away from the other two. The sooner she was out of here, the better. She didn’t take her eyes off of where they were going when Jai spoke to her. [color=e38c2d]"Thanks, but I’ll be fine from here,”[/color] she replied tersely. The archer trudged on ahead of them to the ladder. She waited for a little bit as they got closer before deftly climbing out of the sewers without another word. Jai dropped his hand. [color=indianred] “What the fuck is her problem?”[/color] Racheli muttered low enough for Jai alone, her eyes watching Kayla disappear to the surface. Carefully, she began to detangle herself from Jai and climbed up next. He let Racheli go, watching and making sure she climbed up to safety before letting himself sigh near inaudibly at their departure. If he could, he would be pinching the bridge of his nose. His earpiece crackled to life but he knew that the voice in his ear was only targeted at him. "Out of one frying pan and into another, hm?" [color=e1a900]"Leila."[/color] For a moment, he sounded tired. Or at least, something resembling it. "Mhm. Well, I expect you to report in when you get a moment, but take care." [color=e1a900]"I always do."[/color] And Jai left the sewers, following after the girls in one smooth jump up to the surface.