Monopolize
Post 'Break Down the Walls'
"You've gotta be kidding me." Delsin ran a hand through his hair, his beanie having been stolen by Fetch only a few moments before. The television was on, the news airing a story about one of the newly escaped— er, freed— Conduits from Curdun Cay. The newsman chattered on like a broken record, the words scraping against his ears. They'd been out three days, three damned days, and already, a report about a murder spree. Delsin felt certain he was about to have an aneurysm.
"Were they even listening to us?" Fetch shook her head, pink hair vibrant under Delsin's red beanie. She was referring to the speech they had given to the Conduits prior to liberation, the story of Seattle, what Augustine had wanted, the exhortation to be the very best they could. Welp.
Delsin stood. "Why? How hard can it be to not kill people? And if those people were drug dealers, or thieves or murderers than how hard can it be to include that in the report? The military is already out for blood, General Mortimer or no General Mortimer. This is the last shit we need!" He sat, dust pluming up from the criminally-underused sofa in his motel room. "It's just more work. When will it end?!" he asked Fetch.
"Do you even want it to, D?" she made a face like she knew the answer.
"For like, five minutes, yeah, Laser-show." he grinned. "At least long enough to take you out on a proper date."
"I like taking down dealers, ya know. It's half my charm." She winked, swatting his arm and he laughed.
He sighed. "Still, are we going to have to chase the ones who cause trouble down ourselves? And if we do, are we any better than the DUPs?"
"I dunno, Smokes. But I know we can't let the Army get to them."
"Yeah. You're right, you're right, you're right. God, I hope this isn't what Augustine felt like." Grabbing the remote, he turned the television off and Fetch leaned her head on his shoulder. He smiled, finding her light weight comforting. It didn't hurt that she smelled pretty.
Delsin looked over toward where they had pushed the motel beds together from his spot on the couch, blue blanket covering both of the mattresses. It worked for the moment, but he needed to find an apartment. One with a real bed that they could share. The only problem being his recent discovery that being a Conduit doesn't have to pay. No wonder so many robbed banks. He had begun to consider accepting the occasional offer for a speaking engagement. It seemed like selling out, but it paid and there weren't enough dealers left in the city to make a real living off of going all Robin Hood on them.
"We're going to have to go after the Army, too, than." he said.
"Yeah. They ain't gonna fight like the DUPs, are they?" she asked.
"No. Shoot to kill and all that. Tanks maybe. No Conduit powers, though. Should be tons of fun." he nodded as he spoke.
"Should I call Teen-Angel, see if he's down?" she started to reach for her phone on the little table beside the sofa.
"Nah. It can wait. I'm taking you out tonight. We just gotta find a dealer, first." He grabbed her hand and stood.
"You know just how to flatter a girl, don't ya?" Fetch looked up at him and smiled. He was right, work wasn't so important yet.
Author's Note: If you're coming from my previous story, I:SS: Break Down the Walls, than great! If not, you might want to read it, as many stories here will mention events from it! Either way, welcome! I don't have any set timetable for updates, and not every story posted here will necessarily be concluded in the next update. One-shots and multi-chaps will both have places here- think of this as a general story collection. I hope you enjoy it, please review, and thanks for reading!