[center][h2]Collaboration between:[/h2]
[h1][color=lightblue]Skye Rosalind Lyons[/color][/h1]
[h1][color=ec008c]Samantha Dalton[/color][/h1]

[h1]Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan[/h1]
[h2]Gate to Gate[/h2][/center]

[color=ec008c]Samantha was beyond exhausted. She had used autopilot at some points but she had been up over 24 hours at this point. She had been making it through on adrenaline. She had to stay alert enough to defend her family. She had Bob playing music to keep her awake. She had managed to eat some protein bars and drink some water. Her mind had been turning over what was going to happen to Skye. She knew that she was under orders from Oracle to bring Skye in. She didn’t trust that they had Skye’s best interest at heart. She wasn’t sure they would believe her when she told them how she had managed to decide which one was Rose and which one was Skye. She had not worked so hard to save her friend just to allow Oracle to imprison her or worse. Samantha had no choice but to land. She was running on fumes. Her plane was out of fuel and shouldn’t have been in the air for a while now. Tired pilots made mistakes. 

The F35 followed the Airbus A400M in for a landing. She followed the directions from the tower and followed the Airbus to a cargo runway off on a quieter side of the airport. She followed the instructions to park the F35 in the hangar at the end of the runway. The Airbus stopped outside the hangar and was left on the runway. Fuel trucks were already moving in. She parked the F-35 and turned it off, powering down the aircraft. She was exhausted but more awake due to the need for action and getting to move around. [/color]

[color=92278f]The plane skidded down on the tarmac, on the last drags of fuel and finally at last, down to earth. The flight had taken forever, and in the late afternoon, they were here for fuel and some food supplies. It had been a hell of a journey- and as it coasted along, past civilian traffic, the innocuous looking A400 wasn’t exactly making a scene that was unknown for such an airport. JSDF traffic popped in sometimes, and even USAF crews too on training exercises, right in the heart of Tokyo proper. Still, the large prop-driven aircraft pootled along and into a port in the cargo hub area, came to a dead stop. With that, the rear door opened as Vincent called out on the tannoy.

“Alright everyone, rear door is open. Grab some kerosene-fresh air and be back in twenty minutes. We will be setting off for our next part of the journey. Hawk, out.” Vincent called on the tannoy, as Skye, Tahlia, and everyone else got the first glimpse of Japanese concrete, Skye walking out of the back as the ramp hit floor and taking a deep exhale.[/color]

[color=lightblue]Last bit of freedom. Or was it? She was mulling it, thinking it through. Looking around, there was a lot of security. And she did not want to run….yet knew that something Boaro said was right. They wouldn’t want her dead, but right now, whatever was going on, Rose would bank, gamble that Skye would follow orders. She had to do whatever she WASN’T. And that meant…..well, it meant taking a risk like no other. Throwing total anarchy at the wall to make it clear to Rose that she could play her game, and divide attention. Draw it from the team and bring it to her, and her alone. That felt more noble. Fuck, she kicked and hurt herself over the idea this might happen. But before she could think, a Japanese Self-Defence Air Force crew were over, a number of Toyotas with armed troops aboard. This must have been containment, just in case there was any risk aboard. Nothing to worry about, protocol. Though still, it threw a wrench to that. [i]No running away from them on top of airport security.[/i]

Skye looked across to the group, as the Toyota Land Cruisers came to a halt, one of the more senior members of the group headed across to Skye, recognizing the redhead from a mile away now her helm was off. [/color]

[color=0076a3]“You must be Lyons-San. I am Captain Ide Takahashi, we are here to help you on your way. I have not been told much about your situation. But is all well?”[/color] 

[color=lightblue] Skye heard him ask, his Japanese-accented English deep, as Skye nodded.

“Just about. We have one hurt aboard, the big girl. Few walking wounded. They need at least stabilization till the next step.” Skye said, as the man then yelled back across at a couple of medics. They would at least put Freya right for the time being, as Skye looked to the F35 behind.[/color]

[color=004b80]“We will help. Do you need anything yourself?”[/color] The Captain asked, Skye shaking her head. 

[color=lightblue]To run like hell, maybe, but actually, no way. She had to keep quiet. And know this was something to think over. Boaro was right. Anything she could do, Rose could. But she wanted to use that. Make it pay. A solid technique was to create dilemmas for your enemies, not decisions. Rose wanted to do what she wanted to do. And likely, she had all of it now, thanks to Raven. So Skye had to find some way, she thought to herself, of putting the balance back in. In a way that even Rose couldn’t see. And it occurred to her. There and then, it hit her right. It would be possible to reverse the flow. Turn the situation back on Rose. If she could break into Raven’s HQ, right through the front door….then in the chaos ensuing, Skye could do the same. She would gamble on the fact Skye had empathy, and would stay to her pack, her loyalty, like from all she read. No, she could defy that. Go against the grain, and perhaps, do something that she knew was ultimately highly risky, but highly rewardin. It had saved her life already. It could save plenty more next.

The Scot reminded herself she had to reply to the polite Japanese Air Force Captain too.

“Some water, and rations would be nice. I know you have some of the best MREs in the world.” Skye smiled, trying to hold it together at least, as the Captain nodded, and with that, headed to the truck once again.

Skye looked about, and taking a seat on the concrete, just took a look at the situation. [/color]


[color=ec008c]She was never more grateful for her re-designed suit. She would have never been able to handle being in the air so long without the supports built into her suit. She popped the canopy on the aircraft. She tried to stand up and fell back into the seat. There was only so much room in a fighter cockpit and she had been sitting for a very long time. She stretched and wiggled her toes and massaged her legs. They felt like jello. She tried again and managed to stand. She sucked in a breath as pins and needles surged up and down her legs. She gritted her teeth and managed to climb out of the cockpit. She was standing and working the kinks out when  Japanese airport personnel rolled a ladder over so that she could climb down out of the aircraft. 

Samantha made her way shakily down the ladder. She almost fell at one point. She caught herself on the handrail. She could see that they had  moved closer intent on helping her but there was really no room. She held up a hand and finished the climb down. As her feet hit the concrete, her knees buckled. She remained standing by holding onto the railing. She sucked in a deep breath. She finally stood straight. It hurt but the longer she stood tall and stretched the better she felt. She gave the personnel that hovered a short bow of respect. “Kon'nichiwa, arigatō.” She then began to take shaky steps towards the plane she had passed on her way to the hanger. The thought of seeing her team and family kept her upright. Her body was tired and sore from being in one position so long. You can only stretch so much in the cockpit of a fighter. The more she moved around the better her muscles felt. By the time she made it to the door of the hanger, she was walking fast. She was soon running full out. She had a desperate need to see Skye and Freya. She needed to know they were okay. 

She spotted Skye sitting on the concrete behind the plane talking to a Japanese man. She didn't stop moving. She worked on pulling her helmet off. She carried it in her hand and dropped it next to Skye as she slid onto the ground next to her. Her heart raced, wondering if she was alright. “Skye!” Her voice was laden with pain and panic. “Are you okay?” Her face had haggard lines that told how trying the last few days had been on her. Exhaustion was evident. [/color]

[color=lightblue]Skye crawled over, wrapping her arms around Sam, the exhaustion clear on Sam’s face, hurting and feeling like shit. Skye was glad to see her too, knowing the weight of things must have taken one hell of a toll. Running the team and looking after comms were tricky, and it was the first time she’d seen Sam since back at Kaitiaki in the armoury proper. Skye of course was feeling better after the transfusion, but still, not much more than could be expected after that combat.

“Yeah, not too bad. Come here, Sam.” Skye replied with a certain British understatement, sighing as she held on, feeling Sam almost shaking with trepidation and exhaustion herself, holding her in her arms. Skye was hurting too, and a lot was going on.

Looking into Sam’s eyes, the redhead placed an arm onto her armoured shoulder, the burning look still there, even if it was exhausted and jet lagged, holding her close in, knowing she had to calm her, reassure, and ease her down the ladder.

“I’m really proud of you. You did an amazing job….amazing. That could have been the end of us, all of us, but you got us through.” Skye said, glad and happy in a way, yet wanting Sam to know.

“There’s a lot to take in, but breathe. Just look at me. We’re gonna be alright. They’re gonna get us some amazing MREs, the JSDF do the best. And they’re gonna finish fueling, and you are gonna get that well earned sleep on the plane.” Skye said, holding herself together, knowing she had to. This may be the last time she tells her, and Skye isn’t easily giving anything away. Though it’s fairly obvious outside of the Scot’s head. Sam would almost certainly know. [/color]

[color=ec008c]Samantha hugged Skye tightly as tears streamed down her face. “Are you sure you're okay? You have to be okay!” She was muttering randomly as her hands patted over Skye looking for injuries.Samantha’s panic receded some as her brain caught up to her and slowed her emotions down. Samantha hugged her friend and sister of her heart. She had a long time to think as she flew across the world in a plane by herself with periodic updates from Oracle and Vincent. [/color]

[color=lightblue]“I’m fine. Somehow. Breathe.” Skye replied, looking over at her, nodding, knowing she was worried. She had a right to be, but Skye being stubborn wasn’t letting anything go about the neurotoxin, or anything like that. But she saw the worry in Sam’s look.[/color]

[color=ec008c]Sam needed to speak to Skye without any of the team around. This would be her only chance to do so. 

“Skye. We need to talk. We don’t have much time. The others can’t know.” 

She sat cross legged and released Skye and just held her hand. 

“I don’t think you should come with us. I think you need to take the fight to them outside of Raven. We don’t know how many others might be like Rose or how badly infiltrated Oracle is. The one thing we do know is that Artemis needs to be taken down. I trust you. I trust Freya. I am not sure how to trust another leader at Raven. Or to trust Oracle completely. Let me help you.” 

She gave Skye a fierce look which turned to pleading. 

“I can’t watch them lock you up or worse.” Her  voice cracked. 
[/color]

[color=lightblue]Skye looked back into her burning eyes, seeing the rest of the crew grab food from the back of the Land Cruiser, bringing in crates, Vincent and Javi helping fuel the plane and the ground-team out, and well, Sam and Skye with a moment there and then from a quick skim around. Sam clearly felt it, and Skye felt similar, albeit pushed the emotion deep inside her which wanted to pour.

“Oracle can be trusted. But he won’t trust a single thing I do given the situation. I don’t blame him. It’s operational. Nothing personal.” Skye sighed, shrugging.”

“And…I suppose we could change things, codes and all, but it complicates things too much. Rose believes that she’ll knock the piece off the table in me if she does what she does, because they’ll be terrified and every version of me is a shoot to kill from then on out. Team would be led by someone else, who while I don’t agree with his method, knows what to do. Well, she’d be dead wrong. There is no easy way out here, Sam. I can’t run, they’re on shoot to detain orders for any leaks of any kind. We are guests, but under the strictest secrecy. But there is nowhere to run.” Skye replied, sighing.

“I need answers first. But that won’t come from the position of waiting. I may have a plan. But you would need to trust me. And I need to know you can deal with what’s going to come next. The questions, how I went missing, and why you let it happen. This is up to you, Sam. I really, really do not want to this to you. But this may be the last you see of me if we do this….if it goes wrong. And it may be for nothing.” Skye replied, swallowing a big lump in her throat, giving a last smile, a last, pulling grin back at Sam.

“I don’t ever let anyone down. I’d rather die before I do…..so this may be one of those where I might. So tell me true. Because I need to know you’ll keep going. I can’t do this to you if you can’t hold on, no matter what…..this is up to you.” Skye cooly replied, her look serious again, knowing she needed Sam to say the words. She was the leader, usually brave and brazen, but right here, she knew Sam was at breaking point. It was two roads from here. Skye would accept whatever she said, because Sam was not just the temporary team lead, but well, she was someone she owed a hell of a debt to after all the hell Skye had put her through. Sam had every right to say it was dumb, and they should not risk it. But same time, Skye knew if she accepted it... [/color] 

[color=ec008c]Samantha let her frustration show with the current situation. She knew that Skye was right but she didn’t have to like it. She shouldn’t be punished because of something her sister did. That is exactly what was happening though. She understood the operational issues that the situation presented. She also knew that it made Skye one of the few that could be trusted in this situation. Sam let her anger show as well. She was not angry with Skye but Artemis. They kept taking people away from her. She knew if Skye did what she needed to that she might not see or hear from her again. She refused to let Skye go into this thinking she was alone though. 

She looked Skye in the eyes with a frustrated sigh. “I understand that you need to do what you need to do and that I might not be able to be privy to your plans. I don’t have to like it though. I will not however have you go off on your own thinking no one cares and that you have no back up.” 

She took a deep breath before continuing. 

“At least take into consideration some help I can freely offer. If you need a safe place to stay off the grid, go to my grandma in LA. There are no links to be tracked there. At grandma’s look in the saddle bag of my motorcycle, there will be some resources for you to use. You need to do that.” 

She looked over at the team who were getting some fresh air by the cargo plane.

“I will stay with Freya, our sister. I want to see her recover and well. I will do as you ask. But only if you promise to go to LA at one point.” 

She looked around to make sure they couldn’t be overheard. She hugged Skye and whispered in her ear to make sure they were not overheard. Even if the place was wired for sound it was a tarmac at an airport with planes landing and taking off. It was doubtful a whisper in her ear would be captured. 

“I had a mirror drive to the information we were finding at the base. I was using it for my own investigation into what happened to my father. I have been backing up all that data to my mirror drive. The information on how to access that is my saddle bag. Got it?” 

She pulled back to look at Skye. She tried to memorize her face. She was worried she would not see her again. [/color]

[color=lightblue]Skye looked on in shock, wanting to be mad if it was normally her, but on this occasion, it may have made some sense. Shit, it was a risk but at the same time, well, that could be useful. There was some reason to get out and get some information, and that was one of them. The kind that couldn’t be recovered by normal channels. Something like that would be cause enough to fuck over Sam, completely- all that had happened would come back to Skye allowing Sam to do this, and right now, Skye didn’t even have half the heart to ask about the defences, or anything else. That had to come under Skye’s leadership. A good manager took account, and ironically, whilst good, that buck laid at Skye’s feet. All of it did. She was not to blame anyone but her own self, and well, the fucks at Artemis.[/color]

[color=ec008c]She gave Skye a wry grin. “I know it was against operation protocols.” She raised one shoulder in a wry shrug. “I learned to always have an ace up my sleeve. To me that has always meant information. I hope you are not angry with me?” She raised an eyebrow as she looked for her response. [/color]

[color=lightblue]“I know someone who can help too. I have my own tricks. Like yours. The ones you used, that knowledge and authorisation, that was mine. Even if you didn’t ask me. Anyone that suggests anything…..well, you have your fall girl. Okay. You’re with me.” Skye smiled back, nodding, noting Sam’s voice coming in with vigor.

“Understood. I know where to go. And I will. I have a few things to do first. But….there is something I could get some help with. They are watching me.” Skye said, looking at the guards, leaning in and whispering into her ear.

“There’s a parachute rig in the back of that Land Cruiser, next to a crate containing water. Can you get them both aboard?” Skye whispered, before leaning back out from the hug, nodding back, a quick glance back into the plane, in Freya’s direction, before back at Sam, keeping things incognito.

“Look after Freya as much as you can. Maybe a mission missed, perhaps for her, with her brother in replacement. Though a word of warning. Her sister, I told you already, do not ever let her corner you alone, Chuck will make her think twice. They are bonded close, like us. She will want to rip me into three because of it, no matter what logic she has, I’m the one who pulls us into the situations we are in…..right or wrong. She’ll find anyone else who is a replacement and want answers, and she has connections in Blue Sword that will make life difficult. Nor the new commander, if I think who it is…..he’s a disciplinarian and someone who will not mess around. And he will be annoyed enough that you let what happens next, happen. They’ll screw you around, but you hold your ground and know it comes back to me. All of the wrongs, and rights. Understood?” Skye said, hoping Sam would know what to do. [/color]

[color=ec008c]Samantha gave Skye’s hand another squeeze before nodding. “I will go help load supplies. I can do it.” She looked over to the Land Rover and nodded again as if setting her plan into motion mentally. She paid attention as Skye gave her some advice about Freya’s sister. She wrinkled her nose at hearing about the commander. She sighed, “I will endure what I must to protect Freya and you from any further fall out. The new commander sounds delightful.” She rolled her eyes snarkily hoping to see Skye smile. “I can handle Freya’s sister. Don’t worry about me.” [/color]

[color=lightblue]Skye felt affirmed, and with it, stood up, giving her a hand up, then heading back towards the plane. This was it. This was all there was. She had her bit to do.[/color]

[color=ec008c]Samantha watched Skye walk away and allowed the sadness she felt to wash over her. She then sighed and picked up her helmet and put it back on. She would need both hands. She left the visor up so that her face could be seen. She joined the people loading supplies onto the plane. She picked up the box of water bottles and set them on top of the crate with parachutes in it. She casually lifted them and carried them into the plane. She set the two crates down in the cargo area and secured them with the netting tie downs attached to the wall. She smiled as no one pointed or called out any alarms. 

She then made her way back outside. She sat down next to Freya and grabbed some hot food that was being served out of the back of the vehicle. She chugged a bottle of water and began to eat. She was starving. Protein bars only did so much. 

She turned her attention to Freya. “How are you doing Freya?” 
[/color]

[hr]

With the aircraft loaded, the crew were all back aboard, and well, the JSDF commander had sent them on their way. Skye was munching down ramen, the hot and spicy noodles burning the back of her throat, but making her feel. The crew were all in the A400, and well, taxiing quickly. 

[color=lightblue]“Fuck, this is burning.” Skye replied, as the plane jolted and heading down the runway, barreling, the sky back to a dark orange and nearly black following fuel and their hijinks on the ground, as Skye knew the rest of the team were awake. With it, Skye stood once they were up and off the ground and out of the steepest climb, headed on a full loop. She knew the score. The exo was left behind, the only thing she had on were her t-shirt, jeans and well, a stashed set of goggles down by her bra. She knew the run to go on. Fuck, surviving this might be in itself rather risky, but well, it set as loud a signal as it could be that Skye Rosalind Lyons was going rogue, and out of the way. 

This was it. Ultimate risk, ultimate reward. She could die, she could be gone for a while, hell, she may never see them again. But she trusted them totally, completely. She had to. Fucking Boaro had just gotten here and was now seeing her do this. Hell, she could even feel like he wanted her to bond, and he had some very good points. Points she wanted to nod and accept, but she knew if all worked out, she’d be back. With a big bollocking, but Skye had to make a change. Do something. And she knew just the man for the job. He was down there in that city. And she had her way down. An express route. Moving to the front, Skye clambered over, Javi flat asleep, in the cabin.

“Vincent. One quick favor. Mind if I get a view of the city, while we leave? Last time for freedom and all.” Skye asked, the aircraft leveled out above Tokyo, currently heading over the bay. This was going to be the most fucking insane dropzone ever. But, it sent the loudest possible message that Skye was gone. If not through the security, it set every single alarm bell off. It would be so loud Rose could not ignore it. Artemis could not ignore it. It would be a point made. And she just had to not get arrested. 

For the first time in a long time, Skye was living completely, totally in the moment. A little fear was inside her, but she was ready for this. There was a strange sadness inside of her, but it was like always, the Lyon was roaring inside of her, screaming. Once her mind was set, it was all in now. And she believed Sam. Like the sun in the sky, she’d do as she needed, like Skye herself would.[/color]

[color=92278f]“What are you meaning, Madame Lyons?” Vincent suspiciously asked, as Skye merely patted him on the shoulder.[/color]

[color=lightblue] “Something for morale. Please?” Skye asked, Vincent sighing, giving into the sultry tone of the Scottish leader, nodding.[/color]

[color=92278f]“Fine. Only because you ask nicely. I will miss you being a boss-lady, you know.” Vincent replied, licking a smile to Skye, knowing she was wild, but well, she seemed to be perked up again.[/color]

[color=lightblue] “I love you to bits, Vincent. Thanks!” Skye replied, with it running to the back, and with that, walking through. The rear door began to open, and the music began playing in her head.

Looking back across, she saw Sam in particular, and a giggling grin, as Skye bolted across.[/color]

Good Feeling- Bakermat [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH6yPS7pikE[/url] 

[color=lightblue]“We’re getting one last look at Tokyo before we’re out, now how about that!” Skye yelled, knowing that everyone would be  yanked awake as the view came into the cabin, and revealed the absolutely glorious, the noise howling as the aircraft slowed a little, for a last little observation.

The sprawling metropolis of Tokyo beckoned below, lights glowing bright and the dusk chorus on the horizon, settling in the hills beyond and the faraway glow of Mt Fuji beyond that, and well, the density down in the city there and there. 

Skye was not looking. Instead, she was yanking the rig off the top of the crate Sam had loaded, knowing she’d obliged, and well, flung it over her shoulders and dunked her legs in.

Skye tightened the straps, and checked the holster on her hip, her FNX, the last remaining bit of her tool, with only a spare magazine to boot, and her trusty scout knife in another holster taken from the exo. She looked to Sam, and nodded, flipping her goggles over her eyes, her red hair blowing in the howling wind. The team would be a little mystified as to what was going on, no doubt, and Tahlia stood up, the howling wind blowing all around the cargo bay, watching as the tall (not tallest) redhead stood in front of Sam, calling back one last time.

“You tried to convince me, remember!” Skye yelled to her, and turned and bolted towards that open door. It was the last word she would tell a Raven member for a while, and Tahlia’s jaw dropped, as did Raph’s, and quite a few others. Without context, this seemed ridiculous. It was without a shadow of a doubt, bonkers. [/color]

[color=fff200]Tahlia could half guess, but still, this by Skye’s standards, was the dumbest shit she’d ever seen her do. She couldn’t run to stop her, or anything. She knew there was no stopping Skye if she was doing this.

And of fucking course it was happening. [/color]

[color=ec008c]Samantha watched as Skye had donned the parachute covertly. No one had really been paying all that much attention to Skye. They had all been awake since they had just taken off. She saw Chuck grab hold of Duke as the cargo bay doors opened and the wind howled through the area. “Long live the Queen!” Chaos cheekily replied and smiled as she watched her fearless leader sow the chaos this time. She already missed her friend but knew she was in a better position by doing this. Queen would always be her commander. She would do her best to respect the new guy as Skye had asked. [/color]

[color=lightblue]Skye ran out to the back, and with no hesitation at all, lept. From 20,000 feet, Skye put her hands in front and saw the sight of Shibuya itself below, far, far below. She put her hands down and dived, the cold utterly stripping anything from her, in freefall and out of the plane, flying through the burnt orange sky towards the middle of a bustling, hustling city.

No team now. For all they knew, Skye was AWOL. Half wouldn’t be shocked. The other half would be trying to recover this mentally, and well, Oracle, everyone, they would be in absolute hazed disbelief that this had happened. Skye was incredibly loyal, attentive, and well, core to this. The person that followed orders, yet her time with the team had taught her…you had to embrace the fact that sometimes, you had to go against the grain. Head down, the redhead plumed through the sky, and into the most unconventional dropzone. The adrenaline kept her warm, and awake, and most of all…alive. She was going to do this, her way, on her terms. She hated being stubborn, but there was no way Artemis was getting away with this, and neither was Rose Lyons. She was coming for her. And going fast. There’s a feeling inside of her that feels beyond odd, but for the first time ever, she felt like even if she wasn’t invincible, the adrenaline hit and she is in flight. Skye can see it all- the skyscrapers in Tokyo proper, the bay and bridges, the highways, Haneda itself, Fuji, and the glowing, glittering lights below. It’s jaw dropping, and unbelievably pounding in her mind, coming fast and thin.

No altimeter meant she had to guess how high she was, her eyes watering and her jaw ice cold, Skye reaching over and throwing the pilot chute and suddenly yanking out the gray parachute with a solid jerk, Skye yanking hard on the rear risers and toggles as she pulled herself into a steep dive, turning past a skyscraper, deep in the most famous square that existed within Tokyo, gigantic LED billboards and neon visible below as she knew she was low, and on course- to avoid power lines, she had to stay right on for the middle. Oh, the entire, fucking world would know. There was not any ignoring where Skye had started up. But where would she end? Well, that part of the story, that she hoped she’d figure out in the next few minutes. She was a good survivor in urban environments, and knew where to go, who to ask, what to say. And for the first time in forever, Skye felt like she was back to herself. She was HER, that spike of adrenaline, that feeling of being alive, it was like nobody else. Rose couldn’t ever take that from her.[/color]

[color=ec008c]Samantha had watched her friend dive out of the back of the plane. She leaned over and hit the button to close the cargo bay doors. She looked over the team. She met Freya’s eyes and wondered how she would take this. She straightened her spine and stood watching the team waiting for the first questions. 
[/color]

[color=fff200]Tahlia looked gobsmacked as she held a crate.

“What the fuck?!” 

She yelled at anyone, but mostly in Sam’s direction, the shock sinking in, looking across to Sam, the door shutting, the Kiwi still unable to put two and two together.

“I told her figure this out, not jump out of a plane, what the shit?” 

Tahlia exasperated, looking genuinely like the GIF of John Travolta looking around confused from Pulp Fiction, puzzled and beyond words.[/color]

[color=ec008c]Samantha felt her resolve firming as she turned to address the team. 

“Oracle ordered us to bring Skye in. I know that was truly Skye. I killed Rose the doppelganger clone in her office. Oracle is facing a unique situation with Rose and Artemis. Operational security would have forced them to remove Skye from operations at the minimum. Skye deserved better than that from me. It was my choice. I am asking you to accept that and support it.” 

She looked over at them all to see how they were taking the news. [/color]

[color=fff200]Tahlia looked on in shock, shivering cold, shaking her head and putting her arm on Sam’s shoulder, at least somewhat amenable to an answer like that.

“Well, we’re with you. If you think that’s what we do, boss. For now.” Tahlia replied, knowing it was going to come with consequences- but privately, she agreed. Without saying it, she felt the rest would, even if the confusion was going to stick a while. It would sound weird, but Tahlia knew Skye was long gone. She’d made her choice, and it was sinking in, even if it was the most dramatic way possible. Right now, Sam was team lead. Until that changed.[/color]