Reese woke up in very unfamiliar surroundings. It was probably a cell. She didn't see the inside of one very often though. Money could solve a lot of problems. Sadly, his didn't look like one of them. The target was the only one there. But even if she lost the physical fight, there was still a mental one. Break him down and escape. She had trained for this type of situation. She was unbound and could move freely. She could escape.
She got up and looked around. Not much to climb on. There was a bed and that was about it. The pipes on the ceiling were too thin to hang from.
The target was the first one to speak. "So, what's yer name?". It was a weird question to start with. Reese was sure they'd start with what was she doing out there or why was she following the cowboy. Unsure of what he was getting at she stared at him for a bit.
"My friends call me Macaw," she finally replied. After seeing his confused face, she added, "It's because of all the colors and art and stuff. The name kind of stuck, trust me I've tried getting rid of it". The cowboy nodded.
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance," he said, "The name's Jesse McCree". He looked her in the eye and smirked. "But you already knew that didn't you?".
Reese nodded. The faster she got this interrogation over with the faster she'd be left alone. She still had her jacket with her. She'd be able to escape. Grab Jet and go back to New York City. Her rank would suffer a bit, but at least there wouldn't be severe repercussions.
"You ain't gonna be left alone," he said with that annoying southern drawl. It was as if he had read her mind. "You can either stay locked up in here until we can find a way to properly turn you over to the authorities," he took on a more serious stance and looked her in the eye, "Or you can cooperate and maybe, just maybe, I can swing it so you don't end up in the slammer."
"Well when you put it that way, it doesn't seem like I have much of a choice," Reese replied. She peered at him. But why? Why not just send me off to jail?. She started pacing around her cell. What was his angle? What did he want? There had to be more than just giving second chances. You don't get a second chance. Ever. Not here. Not in New York. Not anywhere. She couldn't be allowed to be tricked. Her rank was already going to be damaged. If she got any further in trouble she'd Have to start from square one. Was the room getting smaller? She needed to get out of here.
Suddenly an idea popped into her head. All she needed to do was add a condition to get him out of here. That should give her enough time they were alone, and for all the weaponry these strangers had taken, they missed the lockpicking kit and the knife she had hidden in her sleeves.
"I want my ferret. That's it. Then I guess I can cooperate or whatever". The cowboy nodded, but not toward her. It was more to the side. Apparently the maybe omnic was sitting out of view. So much for that escape plan. The only thing left to do was gain their trust and run away later. This was probably more dangerous than trying to fight her way out. Going this route would give her a chance to get attached. The last time that happened… well the memory wasn't to pleasant. She had gone far down in the ranks that day.
The thought occurred to Reese that she should collect some information if she was to get out of this mess. She sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall. "I get the impression that for some reason, some of you friends don't like me" she said casually.
Her chaperone was quick to reassure her. "Naw, Genji ain't one to hold grudges much. I mean, his brother is the reason he became what he is today, and Genji forgave him. Besides, having a robotic limb or two ain't that bad". He held up his own metal arm as if it were proof. Reese had never seen someone fully covered in cybernetics before, so she had o idea why McCree's friend did, but to each their own.
"Are you sure about that McCree?" the cyborg said. He was holding Jet in one hand, who was still completely feral. The cowboy chuckled and opened Reese's door, not even bothering to watch her. She could have bolted. She'd miss Jet, but at least she'd be free. And for some unfathomable reason, she stayed.
She took her now chattering companion from the cyborg-Genji, she reminded herself- and put him on her shoulder. Then she followed the two men through a series of hallways and outside. Reese didn't like how quiet Genji could be. She only used to noise. Even when she could have peace and quiet- which wasn't often- she'd start playing music. Silence made her uncomfortable.
After maybe five minutes they reached their destination. A lab, with tons of people in it. Fantastic. On top of the two other people responsible for getting her caught in this mess, there was an old lady, a blonde in a lab coat, some really short dude, and a huge man with a scar on his eye(He reminded her of a polar bear) a gorilla, and two omnics. Not her idea of a fun time.
"Everyone," McCree said, "meet our newest-"
"Problem?" the guy in the mask said. Reese would have to remember that he wasn't super friendly. That could lead to complications later.
McCree scowled at him. "You said you'd play nice" he reminded him. Then the cowboy turned to everyone else. "Anyway, she says she goes by Macaw. A little crazy, but I think it'll work fer now". After the nods of agreement, the masked guy piped up again.
"How do we know she isn't a spy working for Talon? We have enough problems on our hands and I'm not going to just let her waltz in and-"
"Whoa whoa whoa," Reese cut him off. "One, the gang I work for doesn't even have a name, let alone one like Talon. Two, even if I did take a job from these weirdos, I would never know. I'm just the person that pulls the trigger". That seemed to shut him up, at least for now.
The room was starting to get uncomfortable. Everyone seemed restrained enough, but that Didn't ease Reese's nerves. Finally, they got around to introductions. After putting every face with a name, Reese was hoping she could go, but it seemed her former target still had people for her to meet.
He asked the masked guy (Who went by 76) "Where's Genji's brother?". Reese could feel the glare thrown at the cowboy and winced in sympathy. No, she berated herself, he is not on your side.
"We aren't introducing two loose ends McCree" he said harshly. McCree nodded and grabbed Reese (With his metal arm she noted) and led her down a hall. Eventually they came to a room. It had a bunk bed set into a wall, a desk and a window. Wait. Window. Yes! There was her escape. Reese had gained some major climbing skill in NYC, so climbing around the cliffs would be easy. These guys were idiots. She could escape right now. She picked up Jet and pressed a button under his chin. He folded into himself until he was a small square that could fit on the tip of her thumb.
"The surprises just keep on coming with ya, don't they" McCree said from the doorway. Reese jumped. She had forgotten he was there.
"You have no idea" she said. She got to work on opening the window. Unfortunately, there was no escape from conversation.
"Watchya doin there sweetheart?" McCree asked.
"Just letting some fresh air in. And don't call me sweetheart."
"How old are you?"
"Nineteen"
"What the hell are ya out here fer then!"
The window popped open. Reese tucked the square into her pocket. She turned around and smiled like she had just one the lottery. "That is none of your business". Then she jumped out the window.
