The Right If Not The Responsibility
Well first and foremost I'm sorry I haven't updated this sooner, but on the plus side Brooklyn Nine-Nine is almost back and Maya Rudolph is guest staring. Can't wait to see it, and its almost Tuesday.
Now I'm sorry again if this chapter is a little slow in places, just having to cover a little bit more ground before I can go forwards. I'm also sorry that Amy didn't get as much focus as I wanted to give her, I'll make sure that the next chapter is a lot more Amy-centric to compensate.
Well as always, I hope you enjoy reading this.
Chapter Six: Game Changer
Terry looked down at his wrist, before remembering he lost his watch at the hospital. Groaning he looked up. The rest of the squad had already lost interest. "Okay," he groaned, "you've had your lunch can we please try this again?"
Really Terry didn't know why he was bothering. It was Scully and Hitchcock after all, but they had claimed to have figured out their powers, so he had to let them try it. Especially considering Captain Holt had stopped trying just after they demanded lunch before trying again.
Slowly the two middle aged men got to their feet, and closed their eyes. Entering what could be called the closest thing they could manage to concentration. Terry watched silently for four minutes, before his suspicions that they had learned how to sleep standing up caused him to finally lose his patience.
"Guys!" he yelled.
"Yes sarge," Scully sleepily groaned.
"Demonstration! NOW!"
The force of his voice caused everyone to look up and take notice. Even Captain Holt briefly glanced up from his bottle of water.
Scully and Hitchcock frantically grabbed each other, and froze. Silence fell, Terry rolled his eyes.
"Okay enough hugging, you're making the rest of us uncomfortable. Just give us a demonstration, or sit down at the back like you usually do."
"Um Sarge, I think that is their demonstration." Charles suddenly said.
Terry turned to stare at him. "What Boyle?"
"Yeah what?" Hitchcock asked.
"Back at the store, when you grabbed hold of each other like that none of the shop assistants could move you." Charles replied.
Curious Terry walked over to them. "This is ridiculous." He said, and with that he gave them a push. His hand crashed into Hitchcock's stomach and immediately stopped. Startled Terry tried again, this time also pushing against Scully. Again his hands stopped.
Straining Terry began to push hard, only for Scully and Hitchcock to begin whining in pain. But yet despite they wouldn't move. It was like he was pushing against a stone wall, a sweaty, fleshy fatty stone wall sure, but still an immovable stone wall.
"I can't move them." He uttered in disbelief.
Curious now the others walked over to get a better look. Amy however kept her distance; she couldn't even bring herself to look at them.
Hitchcock let go of Scully and breaking away, stepped forward clearly basking in the rare attention. Scully stood behind, looking more surprised than anything else.
"How are you doing that?" Holt asked.
"It's simple sir," Hitchcock began, "I just have to focus on something that means I don't want to move from this spot and I won't." He gestured to Terry, who shoved him again. Hitchcock let out a yell as he went flying backwards.
All eyes stared, Rosa chuckled. Groaning from the floor Hitchcock looked up, his eyes spinning like he had been hit by a truck.
"Huh, I guess it only works when we're touching each other." Scully shrugged.
Terry helped the still groaning Hitchcock to his feet. Leading him over, he grasped Scully's hand and just stood there looking like he would fall over in the slightest breeze.
"Can we have another demonstration?" Rosa asked smugly.
Terry shrugged. "Wait!" Hitchcock sleepily yelled, "Push him."
Scully gave him a worried look. But before he could speak Terry heaved into him with all his might. All three of them let out slight yell of pain. Terry pulled back shaking his hand. Scully let go to grasp his stomach. Hitchcock just stood there "What?" He said, "I just got shoved to the floor. It still hurts."
"Are you okay Terry?" Jake asked.
"Fine," Terry groaned. "It's just like when you accidentally hit something solid. Painful cause you didn't prepare for it."
"Well it hurt me to." Scully whined.
"But it works," Hitchcock boasted, regaining a bit of his swagger, "we'll immovable."
"Rosa, you want to test that theory?" Jake asked.
Not dropping her smirk Rosa stepped forward, and Terry stepped back. Hitchcock regained his smug look, but Scully trembled slightly, his grip on Hitchcock tightening.
"This will be fun." Gina chuckled.
Rosa surveyed Scully and Hitchcock, then without warning she grabbed hold of them and tried to heave them into the air. Nothing happened. Rosa steadied her position to take their full weight upon her, that way they wouldn't pull her over. Again she heaved nothing happened.
Scully and Hitchcock looked at each other, Scully still looked uncomfortable, but if anything Hitchcock looked smugger. Rosa's scowl had by this point become a distinct glare. Bending her knees she tightened her grip, and ignoring the cries of pain from the pair heaved with all her might.
Still nothing happened.
"Okay Diaz," Holt began, "I believe this has prov…" he never got to finish that sentence, for at that very moment there was a loud cracking sound. Scully and Hitchcock shot upwards, Rosa stumbled and all three fell backwards.
"Rosa," Jake yelled, rushing forward he casually pulled Scully and Hitchcock off her.
"I'm fine, invulnerable remember." She smirked. Jake paused then chuckled, "still," she added, "Thanks."
"What about us." Scully whined, "That hurt."
"What are you complaining about, I got Rosa out from under you did I?" Jake replied.
The two shrugged and went back to lying on the floor. They had let go now so their ability had worn off.
Terry however was staring at where the two had stood. "Wow," he murmured.
All eyes looked. Where they had previously been standing the floor tiles had been ripped out, leaving the ground broken and with four holes.
"It appears are provable unstoppable force, has met an immovable object." Holt murmured, "no doubt generations of scholars and philosophers are resting easier knowing that the question has finally been answered."
Jake stared at Holt, with all his skills as a detective he felt mostly sure that he had caught Holt making a joke. He silently congratulated himself on it.
"Yeah we're awesome." Hitchcock cried.
"So you two have the power to not move?" Amy asked.
The two of them looked at each other. "Awesome." Hitchcock replied.
"You already had that before." Jake replied.
"Yeah, but now it's a superpower so we're more awesome." Hitchcock added. He tried to bump fist with Scully, but the two missed each other by miles.
"Even when they get super powers, they're still lame." Gina smirked. "I guess some things are so engrained they can't be changed, even by the laws of physics being repelled."
The other silently nodded, before heading off leaving the pair to lie on the floor.
Terry gave them one final look and shrugged. 'At least they're happy.'
Daniel handed the man his money, then licking his lips took his bucket of fried chicken with fries, and walked out of the shop. He considered hailing a cab, but decided if he wanted to eat like this he would need to exercise every now and then.
It was a nice hot day, so Daniel didn't care. Besides it was only a few blocks anyway. Calmly he pushed through the crowds before darting into an empty alley. He got about halfway before the smell of the fried chicken became too much. Ripping off the lid he stared at his little treat, his eyes greedily darting between the pieces of chicken.
He was about to reach in when there was a loud clanging sound directly behind him. Frantically Daniel spun around. Nobody was there.
"Hello?" Daniel asked.
Nothing replied. Shrugging his shoulders he reached in for a piece of chicken, when suddenly another crash echoed.
"This…This isn't funny." Daniel snapped, his eyes darting around the alley. "Look if you want takeout buy your own this is mine."
Several cardboard boxes blew in the wind. Looking around Daniel swore that it had suddenly gotten a lot colder. He began to walk towards the end. He couldn't shake the horrible feeling that someone was watching him. Behind there was a slight rustle.
Not daring to look over his shoulders, Daniel instead began to walk a little bit faster. Then as he turned the corner and as the concrete shifted to pavement the unmistakable sound of footsteps became audible right behind him.
Panicking Daniel broke into an all-out run. The footsteps continued matching his pace for every step. Daniel ran through the alleyways, he had to get back to the main streets, he had to. Unfortunately all the fast food soon caught up with him. Panting Daniel felt his legs burning. Sweat poured down his brow, and he knew he couldn't keep this pace up for much longer.
In front of him, a side street suddenly appeared. Not even hesitating to think where he was going Daniel ran into it. Turning the corner he stopped to pant for breath. In-between pants he listened. Silence. No footsteps. No Rustles or crashes. Nothing.
Still panting Daniel bent over, gasping for breath.
"Little out of breath aren't we?" a cold smug voice said.
Daniel barely had time to look up when a fist smacked into him. A white hot pain spread through his face as he fell backwards. With a crack his head hit the wall, and suddenly it all went black.
The Vulture bent forward and picked up the bucket. Shaking his head he took out piece, and ravenously bit into the fried chicken.
Holt continued to stare at his water bottle. He had tried to do as Peralta had said and replicate the emotions he had been feeling when he had frozen the water the first two times. But the trouble is Holt couldn't find any the common denomination that would provide him with the link that he required.
The first time he had been flustered by and dismissive towards Jake's claims of something unnatural going on. As well as surprised by the discovery the doctor was trying to put Jeffords into a comma. The second time…well it had been such a cornucopia of emotions, Holt honestly felt somewhat embarrassed for being so openly emotional in front of his squad.
Sighing he went back to circling through the variety of emotions the human being could express, hoping to strike the right combination.
Slowly Terry approached him, "are you okay sir?"
"Fine, Jeffords." Holt replied, not taking his eye off the bottle.
"Look sir, I know you're not the emotive type, but it's okay, these are pretty strange situations."
Still Holt didn't look up from his water bottle, "That is very true, but as I said I'm fine."
Terry sighed, "Okay okay, I know your fine. Maybe it's me that's not."
At this Holt looked up, "I'm sorry Jeffords," he said calmly. "If you have anything you want to say, please feel free to share it. I can't guarantee I'll be any relief to you though."
Terry shrugged, "I know, I know sir. Really I would rather talk to Jake about this. But this is a stressful situation for all of us. And they're looking up to us to be the voices of sanity and restraint."
Holt's face made the most miniscule change, which Terry had come to accept was Holt's version of rolling his eyes. "Jeffords, I'm sure Peralta won't think less of you for admitting you have problems with this. I'm sure he has his problems to."
Terry nodded; he looked over at Jake who was still helping Amy. "Oh I know he does, I mean sure he puts on all his bravado, and in some ways he is still enjoying the fantasy fulfilment part that comes with us gaining…well these abilities. But underneath it, he's just as afraid as the rest of us."
Holt was about to speak when Terry eyes sort of glazed over. "Only he's not afraid for himself….No he's afraid for us. Rosa, Charles, Gina, Me, You and especially Amy. He's afraid of what they will do us, if they find us, if they capture us." As Terry spoke Jake's face started to shift, he suddenly looked…uncomfortable, but as if he didn't know why.
"Jeffords?"
Immediately Terry snapped back. "Sorry Sir, got a bit lost in thought."
"What was that?"
"What was what, sir?"
"You just described what Peralta was thinking."
"Yeah, I know that's what we were talking about. Sir, are you feeling okay?"
Holt's eyes met with Terry's. "Listen to me Jeffords, when you were describing what Jake was thinking, for a moment there it was like you could read his mind."
"What? Sir that's…that's…"
"Unbelievable? Anymore unbelievable than anything we've already seen? I've just dedicated the last thirty-seven and a half minutes to trying to induce freezing temperatures in this bottle of water. Not to mention the fact that Santiago can already do it."
Terry froze and stared off, "no," he mummed, "that's not possible. I mean…"
"Santiago." Holt suddenly called.
"Yes sir," Amy asked, not so much running over as suddenly appearing in front of them. If she hadn't been able to do that before all this, Terry would have wondered if she could now teleport.
"Santiago, I need to ask you about something. Back at the hospital you claimed you could read one of the doctor's minds?"
"Yes sir," Amy replied, she looked up at him with her big brown puppy dog eyes. Her tone was earnest, but even for Amy it felt a bit much.
"How did you do it?" Holt asked.
Amy paused, "I just brushed against him and suddenly I heard his thoughts."
"Details Santiago, what was it like?"
"Um, well, it was just like he was talking to me. I could hear his voice as plainly as I can hear yours now. Their was a buzz, all the same voice, I couldn't really make them out but the one I did hear was much clearer and louder."
"Well that certainly didn't happen to me." Terry quickly interjected. "I didn't hear Jake talking about this or any sort of buzz. Sir, are you sure you're not jumping to conclusions?"
Holt didn't reply. "Sorry what are we talking about?" Amy asked.
"Holt thinks I read Jake's mind." Terry replied.
"Wait you did? No fair." Amy yelled.
Holt and Terry recoiled slightly. Amy blushed, "sorry sirs, I…I didn't mean to shout."
"It's cool," Terry replied, "it's cool. And personally I don't think I did. Like I said, I didn't hear Jake's voice anytime except for when he spoke."
"We shouldn't dismiss anything to quickly," Holt replied, "Our attributes may not necessarily manifest in the exact same ways. Santiago, do you think you could possibly attempt to…read a mind now."
Amy's eyes widened like a deer in the headlights. "Um, Um I could try. But I can't guarantee…what I mean to say sir…I won't disappoint…I can try sir, I can try."
"Very well, to ensure we repeat the conditions. Peralta."
Jake looked up from the corner, before leisurely strolling over.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Would you be willing to be a genuine pig?"
Jake's eyes widened, and his smile turned into a definitive grin. "You have the power to turn people into animals? That's so cool. But if we're going to start could I be a lion? Or a wolf? Or a rhino? Or perhaps a nice brown kitty, I always loved them with ther…"
"Peralta!" Holt snapped. "No one can turn people into animals. Attempting to do so would probably kill you. Not to mention the questions of where the mass would either go or come from, and your body having to adjust to the sudden alteration of your biochemistry. Even with all are new paranormal attributes I can assure you that is impossible." Holt paused and looked around the room.
Rosa stood in the corner cracking the now loose floor tiles into pieces, she was presently grinding a chunk to dust with her fingers. Boyle was trying to see if he could make only parts of him invisible, so far without much success. Gina was just staring funnily at the window hoping to discover that she had gained some other ability. After a few moments Holt continued, "As I was saying I can assure you that it's vastly and stupendously improbable."
Jake's face fell. "Cheer up man," Terry said bumping his shoulder. "You wouldn't have liked being any of those animals anyway. After all they don't have thumbs, and they eat off the ground."
"Not to mention being any sort of animal would make being together uncomfortable, cause I'm not changing species. It's hard enough to move up the ranks as it is, without having to worry about human only regulations and animal rights protestors." Amy quickly interjected.
"Yeah, well I wasn't considering staying an animal forever. Just spending an hour or an afternoon would be cool. I mean they have long sharp claws or a long pointed horn, and they…"
"People!" Holt snapped, "Can we please focus."
"Sorry sir," everyone quickly murmured. Amy in particular hung her head slightly.
"Now as I was saying, Peralta would you be willing to be the subject in an experiment that Santiago and Jeffords are about to perform?"
Jake shrugged, "sure, just as long as I don't need to be strapped down. Cause we don't have a table, or a thunder storm."
Amy rolled her eyes.
"Now Peralta let me stress for this to work we will attempt to set up a telepathic link with your mind. Are you okay with that?"
"You're going to Vulcan mind meld me? Cool."
"I'll take that as a yes, Santiago please proceeds."
Slowly Amy reached forward, and timidly placed her right hand onto Jake's forehead, ensuring her palm was flat against it. With her left hand she gently clasped the back of his head. She closed her eyes and let her head tip backwards.
Jake looked at Amy slightly confused. "Peralta," Holt said, "focus your mind upon something, some event, image or event. Anything you can think of…"
"Okay got it. Right I'm focusing on that Lion now," Jake replied.
"…But don't tell us about it." Holt finished.
Silence fell, Terry let out a sigh. "I'll think of something else." Jake added. "Okay got something."
Holt nodded, "Very good. Santiago, are you picking up anything? If you are don't tell us what it is."
Sweat poured down Amy's brow. 'Come on; don't try so hard, this is your chance. You can do this; come on you can do this.'
Even with her eyes closed, Amy could feel Holt's gaze upon her. Recording her every movement and motion; silently judging her. Even Scully and Hitchcock were doing better than her at this point. She couldn't let herself fail. She couldn't.
It had been so much easier at the hospital, she had just touched that doctor and it had happened. 'Why isn't this working? Okay isn't don't beat yourself up over it…just remain patient, something is bound to…'
'I wonder if I could take Amy flying. Would she let me? What if I dropped her? She probably shouldn't let me. But wouldn't it be fun…' Jake's voice suddenly said.
Amy's eyes opened wide. She paused, waiting for Holt to reprimand Jake for speaking again. When he did not, a large smile spread across her face. "I did it!" she yelled.
All eyes turned towards her. Releasing her hands from Jake's head, Amy initially looked a bit shy. But as all but Holt, Terry and Jake's eyes lost interest, her features shifted again. "Yeah, I mean it wasn't a problem. Could do it anytime." Amy replied. She flashed Jake her best smug smile. "Mistress of the minds, that's me."
Jake just rolled his eyes.
"Very good, Santiago." Holt replied in his standard deadpan manner. "Now Jeffords I want you to try. See if you can tell what Jake is thinking as well. If you can I want you to compare what you got, and Peralta can then tell you if it was right. Peralta please keep your mind focused on whatever it that you are focusing on."
"Sir, do I have to grab Jake's head?" Terry asked.
"As you didn't the last time you seemingly pulled this off, you don't have to. However if you feel it could be beneficial in the performance of this act. Very well," Holt replied. "Peralta I trust you have no objections?"
Jake shrugged. "No I'm good." Terry replied.
There was a pause. "Um, what do you want me to do sir?"
"Just do what you did last time," Holt replied.
Terry looked at Holt uncomfortably, "what did I do last time?"
This actually caused Holt to stare. Letting out a sigh, he then spoke "You were looking at Peralta and thinking about what he was thinking or feeling. Then you started to concentrate."
"Okay sir," Terry turned his gaze upon Jake and started muttering something underneath his breath.
Jake continued to stand there, trying to keep his mind focused upon the same thoughts. Amy however held her breath and waited.
After several minutes, terry turned to Holt. "Sir, nothing's happening."
"Keep trying for five more minutes Jeffords." Holt replied.
The five minutes past slowly, Holt could see the interest dying upon Jake's face. However with every second Amy looked more hopeful.
Eventually the time ran out. "See sir, nothing." Terry replied.
"Yes indeed, it appears I did jump the metaphorical gun so to speak." Holt replied. "Peralta, Santiago, go back to what you were doing."
Jake and Amy nodded, before walking off together. Jake looked bored out of his mind, but Amy was smiling like a schoolgirl who had just received a golden star. When no one was looking she silently threw her fist into the air.
Holt turned back to Terry, "my apologies Jeffords, but you have to understand, it was somewhat uncanny your pin point accuracy into Jake's present mental state."
"Sir, that was just what I thought Jake was feeling. We don't know if it was true or not, it was just my observation."
"Be that as it may, it was still a very detailed and to the point observation."
Terry shrugged, "Well I've always thought myself an attentive person."
"That you are, still you have to understand why in are present climate I cannot rule out so easily what I once deemed the mere fleets of fantasy."
"Don't worry, I get it sir."
Holt solemnly nodded. "Very well, you wished to speak to me about some emotional issues. Is that still on your mind?"
"No, I think I'm good." Terry replied. "It's just I was worried about my family. I mean Sharron, Canny, Lacy, Ava. They all think I'm dead. I…I just can't imagine what they are going through right now."
Looking slightly uncomfortable Holt stepped forward, but only continued to look at Jeffords. "I acknowledge this is hard on you. And I assure you that as soon as its safe reunited everyone is our first priority. We just can't do that at the moment."
"I know, I know sir."
Still unsure, Holt slowly rested his hand so it was hovering over Terry's shoulder. Terry gave him a strange look but said nothing.
"Furthermore, I'll make certain to explain away your absence in a way that leaves no fault upon your shoulders. None of us should have to suffer any more than is necessary from our lives being derailed."
"Don't worry about it captain, I can handle that. I don't care what they say or do, just as long as they know I'm alive and I can be with them."
Terry paused, "besides I shouldn't complain too much, I mean it's not like I'm the only one who's worrying about their family believing your dead. I mean you have to worry about Kevin, and of course Debbie, and your mother, and your uncle Hugo."
"Yes I will admit there faces have been a frequent visitor to my mi…" Holt paused and looked straight at Terry. "Jeffords, how did you know that I was thinking about or for that matter that I even had an uncle called Hugo?"
Terry froze, "Well everyone thinks of all their relatives sir, I even thought about Zeke briefly. As for knowing of him, well...um…you must have mentioned him sir,"
Holt turned so he was now facing Terry again, his eyes were fixed. "I do not recall ever sharing with you that I had a maternal uncle named Hugo."
Terry looked around slightly flustered, "well you must have told someone, and they told me; Right sir?"
"Yes," Holt replied, his eyes never leaving Terry, "that is indeed a plausible explanation. I did after all recount that particular fact to total of seven people over my career as a police officer, the most recent of which to Boyle last September 23rd, at precisely 10:34 Am."
"See there, that must have been it," Terry replied.
"If you will excuse me Jeffords, I should probably return to attempting to defy the laws of thermodynamics."
Terry nodded, "sure sir," and strolled off.
Holt let his eyes linger upon Terry until he was near the other side of the room, before turning back to the water bottle. He gave Terry one final suspicious glance, before once again attempting to focus his emotions.
With a snarl the Vulture tore off the last piece of the fried chicken, he gave the bone a slight gnaw before tossing it down onto the dirty pavement. He looked across at the figure lying there before him. He was probably in his mid-twenties; he was fat and dressed in non-brand clothes. Sighing, the Vulture shook his head. This loser probably just lost out on his treat of the week.
Pausing he looked down at himself, he had lost his jacket back at that crazy hospital, and the shirt he was wearing was now covered in grease stains. Shame this fatso couldn't have lain off the takeout or he could have taken his.
The Vulture paused, before looking both ways. "If he can afford to eat out that often, I'm sure he won't miss a couple of bucks."
Reaching forward he reluctantly let his hands comb the guy's pockets. He was as greasy as the food he ate. Turning his nose, the Vulture continued to pat the guy down, his hands finally finding what he wanted.
Taking the brown leather wallet out, the Vulture quickly went through it. 'Five bucks, a couple of pennies and a dozen worthless cards. Couldn't this moron have something worth stealing?' The Vulture was about to angrily throw the wallet back down when suddenly a voice yelled.
"You! Stop! Hey he's mugging that poor guy!"
The Vulture spun around on the spot. Seven young largish black men were standing at the end of alleyway. All dressed in wannabe gangsta clothes, with cheap caps and obviously fake chains.
Frantically the Vulture ran off down the alley. Several of the men stopped to help the fatso, but three more continued to chase after him. "Damn youth, why can't they rob grandma's like all the other ding dongs." The Vulture panted.
Frantically he turned the corner, ran down another dirty alley and then turned left again straight into a wire fence. The footsteps were getting louder now. The Vulture's eyes darted around the alleyway; there was a fire escape just above him.
Stretching upwards he tried to grab the ladder. But it was just out of his reach. The Vulture began jumping into the air, his hands swinging wildly. "Come on! Come on! Bloody ladder!"
Still the footsteps were getting louder. They couldn't be any more then seconds away. Hunching over, he panted for breath.
Letting out a sigh, The Vulture's memories returned to that lovely time he had with Mary only a day ago. Well lovely was overselling it. But still that chick wasn't bad, even with all the sobbing. What he wouldn't give to be back there with her.
Suddenly the Vulture realised he was rising into the air. He let out a scream. "What the bloody hell!"
"He's over there." A voice yelled.
Panicking, the Vulture grabbed the fire escape and pulled himself up it two rungs at a time. He didn't stop until he was on very top of the building. Gasping for breath he scrambled onto the roof and collapsed. Lying there he waited until his breath had stabilised and listened.
But apart from the normal roar of the city, there was nothing. Nevertheless the Vulture waited a good twenty minutes before getting up to look down. Those dimwits had clearly lost interest in left; for there was no one back on the ground.
"Okay, what the hell just happened?" The Vulture murmured.
Pausing he looked down at his hand and focused. A single talon quickly extended. "First I move like grease lighting, then I can control chicks with my masculine charm, and then I'm birdy wolverine. Now I fly? I'm a regular superman."
He paused, "Great, now I'm talking to myself." Ignoring this, but making a mental note to seek out some sort of company soon as possible, the Vulture focused on the matter in hand. 'How did I do that?' once again his mind returned to what he did to Mary. Smiling, he sloppily licked lips. But this time nothing happened.
Grumbling he began to walk back and forth on the roof top 'come on work, that's the same thing I did last time right?'. Then as he kept turning up blanks, his thoughts shifted to other subjects, he would need to find somewhere more comfortable to sleep tonight. That bench had left his back sore. As he let his mind wander over his present living situation, he began to think back to his apartment. How he would have loved to go back there. But considering what Mary told him, it was safe to say they would be watching it.
The Vulture had been tempted to go back to the station and tell them everything. But somehow something inside told him that was no longer an option. And honestly, why should he? Now he could get people to do what he wanted just by focusing on a single emotion, why should he bother carrying on working for those ungrateful old fossils?
What with their Political correctness, and sissy regulations that stopped actual police work getting done. He shook his head, what he wouldn't give to make a few of them regret talking down to him, making him go to all those pointless HR meetings. Still he did wish he could go back to his apartment. Set out just the way he loved it: his recliner setup just in the right spot to watch TV while eating dinner, his collection of gentleman's magazines, dating all the way back to 1974 scattered over the nearby table.
The Vulture couldn't help but smile, at the thought of his boyhood memories gazing at the pictures under the covers, while his parent's argued in the other room. Then he realised he was floating upwards again. He yelled out, and instantly fell onto the hard roof.
Brushing himself off as he got up, his mind began to work, 'first time I wanted to go up, and I thought of my most recent happy memory. Second I wanted to up, and I thought of another happy memory.' As the cogs slowly clicked together in his mind, the Vulture let out a chuckle. 'Good thing to, I didn't want to have to climb down.'
Sighing Holt put down the water bottle, out of the corners of his eye he had observed the growing feeling of exhaustion that had spent the last thirty minutes spreading through the room. He looked down at his watch. "Attention everyone, that's enough." He yelled.
Halting whatever activities they had had been mostly unsuccessfully practicing, the squad assembled in front of him. Scully and Hitchcock leisurely strolled over and joined in at the back.
Calmly Holt cleared his throat; he gave the squad a final glance over before he continued to speak. "I would like to say that this has been a very successful first day of practice, we have managed to determine a much greatly level of understanding about our recently acquired para-human attributes, all of which will help us on the long path that leads to us returning to the closest facsimile of our normal lives possible. I have to say, even ignoring the bone headed stupidity of certain individuals who will remain nameless…"
There was a pause as he looked straight at Jake, who uncomfortably looked away.
"…Today has been a success. Now I don't want anyone to get prematurely arrogant…"
He paused to look at Amy, who joined Jake in looking at the floor.
"…We are still upon the first steps of that previously mentioned metaphorical path. Nevertheless today's progress managed to excel even my most unlikely predictions placing us at least two steps forward."
A positive mummer broke out amongst the squad, but Holt hadn't finished speaking. "Now on a more serious note, there is the matter of my decision over which of us will be given the assignment of surveying the aforementioned illegal hospital that is at the epicentre of this entire mystery. Under normal circumstances I would recommend we put in more training, and ensure backup is available on the scene. But as I'm sure all of you are aware, are situation and resources do not allow us much breathing space. As such I've been forced to make the decision that the surveillance will start tonight. We simply do not have the time available to us, so I have been forced to make the decision of whom will be undertaking this task."
He paused for a moment to let his words sink in, all eyes were closely watching. Jake, Rosa and Amy crossed their fingers. Charles and Terry wiped the sweat from their brows. Gina looked like she wanted some popcorn. Scully and Hitchcock looked hungry.
"Now I do not believe that I need to stress how dangerous this mission is. Whoever takes it will be going in unarmed, with no back up or outside help. They will be entirely self-reliant. If they are captured, there will be no rescue attempts. It pains me to say this, but we simply cannot risk losing anyone else. I'm sorry but there are simply no other options available."
Uncomfortably everyone looked at each other.
"Now almost any one of you I could trust to carry out this operation. But because of the great dangers it preludes and the greater risk to oneself, there is only one person I can ask to perform this task and that is myself."
The silence that followed was brief. "Sir, no, you can't go." Amy suddenly yelled.
This set everyone off; the entire squad began to loudly reply.
"People!" Holt yelled over the din. "I'm sorry but my decision is final."
"Captain, you can't go alone." Jake yelled.
"It's better that I do," Holt replied. "If I'm caught then we will lose no one other than myself."
"But sir you're more valuable than all of us, we need you." Amy replied. She quickly turned to Jake, who nodded in agreement.
Holt let out a sigh, "somebody has to go. You yourself said that Peralta. I am not going to ask any of you to risk your lives without any support or hope of rescue, not while I remain in relative safety. As such things cannot be guaranteed the only person who can take up this assignment is I."
The 99 spent the next twenty minutes arguing, but one by one they were all forced to accept Holt wasn't going to budge, and aside from holding him down they had no way of stopping him.
Holt turned to Terry, "Jeffords, you're in charge until I return. I will be back at eight o'clock sharp on this Friday. In the event I am more than an forty-five late, you must assume something happened to me. As I said before, no rescue attempts are to be undertaken. We cannot risk everyone's lives over that of one person. In the event I am captured, I will trust all of you to carry on without me and find the answer to whatever is going on. Your all fine men and women, and I trust your skills and instincts to ensure your safety and success."
Holt paused again, and turned back to the rest of the 99 "while I'm gone I expect you to carry on training. I want to hear progress reports when I return, is that understood?"
"Yes sir," was the mumble of the group.
Holt nodded, "Very good, now I recommend you call it a day, you all must be getting very hungry by this point."
"Captain, at the very least wait till tomorrow. It's getting late now." Terry said.
"No," Holt replied, "It is best to go now the cover darkness will assist me, besides we simply do not have the time to waste." He turned and walked over to the doorway, "I will return in 48 hours, hopefully with something useful." And with that he just left.
Silence fell in the hall everyone looked around at each other. No one quite knew what to say.
"Come on, we better get back to Rikers," Terry said quietly.
"Say what about dinner?" Hitchcock moaned.
"There still food there," Terry replied.
Hitchcock and Scully hurried out, the rest of the squad gave each other one final look before following them. By the time they got outside Captain Holt was nowhere in sight.
Jake paused and looked back at the crumbling derelict. He paused for a moment before suddenly slamming his fist into the wall. He let out a whimper and clutched his hand between his legs, but the brickwork cracked open. Gently Amy took his shoulder and led him away.
Slowly Holt walked down the street; the natural light was nearly faded by now. Still there was one stop he had to make before he went to the Hospital. He approached the payphone, and gingelly inserted the exact change. Then making sure to use his body to shield the keypad from any onlookers, he dialled the number.
There the phone continued to ring, finally the machine picked up. Holt rolled his eyes as he waited for the beep. The message was the same as he expected a standard pre-recorded one that came with the machine, not even the most remote hint of anything personal. Finally it finished and the machine beeped.
"Watergate." Holt said and with that he hung up the phone.
Less than a minute later the phone began to ring. Holt calmly picked it up.
"Who is this? And how did you get this number?" A hoarse voice spoke.
"Salvador. It's Raymond."
There was a pause, and then finally a chuckle "Raymond Holt, my old friend. I thought I told you never to call this number."
"You did and I understand this is taking a liberty, but something's happened Salvador, something that goes beyond the most distant regions of even my wildest dreams."
There was another pause. "Well I suspected something was a bit off, considering I got an invitation to your funeral last week. I hear it's going to be a lovely service, sorry I can't make it."
"Salvador, I do not have time for this. This is serious I need to meet with you."
"Still no sense of humour I see Raymond. Very well what are we talking here? Corruption? Conspiracy? Invasion? Whatever it is you know I've dealt with it before."
"No this is worse, much worse. What I know has fundamentally changed the very principals of life as I understand it." Holt replied. "You know me Salvador, so I don't feel I need to stress what I saying that means."
"I understand Raymond," Salvador replied, his voice suddenly turning much more serious. "If it's that serious, then I'll see what I can manage."
There was another pause; in the background Holt heard some papers rummaging. Standing their Holt took the moment to glance over his shoulder; no one was paying attention to him. "Very well," Salvador continued "Now listen closely Raymond; I'm not going to repeat this. I assume you remember the Le Shandell Café. I want you to go their tomorrow, at exactly six O'clock. Don't go inside. Wait outside at the back next to the garbage bins. Don't be late." With that he hung up.
Holt stepped out of the booth, and using his peripheral vision casually looked around to ensure no one was watching. He had always hated this more cloak and dagger part of the job, but it was Salvador's bread and butter, and as much as Holt regretted it, he needed him now. Night was upon them, so with that Holt walked off.
Jake gazed out of the window, behind him the rest of the Nine-Nine slowly ate in silence, except for Scully and Hitchcock who were happily munching away at the remains of the snack food. Taking the last beer, Jake popped the cap and began to drink.
"He's going to be okay, Jake." Amy gently said. She sat down beside him and put her arm on his shoulder.
Jake looked up from the window to face his girlfriend. "Is he? How can we be sure? How do we know they haven't already recaptured him, and are now lugging him off to be cut up like a lab rat?" Jake froze; he hadn't meant to say that.
Thankfully it seemed the others hadn't heard him. Amy took a breath. "We can't," she replied, "But Holt's tough, he's smart and he was surviving dangerous scrapes back when we were children. Besides whoever these people are, the last place they're going to look is going to be right outside their own building. I bet you he's in the safest place he could be right now. Probably safer than we are now."
Jake cocked his head, "do you honestly believe that, Amy."
There was a pause. "No," Amy finally replied, "but saying it makes me feel better."
Jake sighed and handed Amy his beer. She took a deep swig, before giving it back to him. "Holt will be back in two days, and he'll probably have found something that will give us the key to answering the case. You said it yourself; the only option we had left was to watch that building." Amy added.
Jake nodded "I just really wish it wasn't though."
"Believe me, so do I." With that Jake leaned in and let Amy hug him.
"He shouldn't be alone, someone should have gone with him. I should have gone with him."
"He would never have let you. You know that just as well as I do. Besides, as he said it's safer for only one person to go."
"Yeah, it's safer for us."
"Jake. Look at me." Amy said softly.
Slowly Jake looked up so that his eyes were meeting with Amy's beautiful brown ones. "You and I both know Holt will be able to focus a lot better upon his own safety as long as doesn't have to worry about ours."
Jake let out a sigh, "yeah your right. I know, I know, your right it's just…"
He stopped in midsentence, his dulled eyes suddenly snapping awake. "What is it?" Amy asked.
Jake didn't reply, instead he turned and looked out the window. Not as he had blankly gazed mere moments before, but now carefully scanning, searching the grounds like a hawk looking for a mouse. Amy turned to window, but she could see nothing in the poorly lit dirty alleyways below.
"Jake what's wrong?" Amy asked, her reassuring hug, now turning into a protective grab.
Suddenly Jake's eyes opened wide. "Quick everybody away from the window!" he screamed, grabbing Amy and pulling them both to the floor.
No one had time to speak before a loud bang rang out. Something smashed through the window. A round metallic object rolled along the old floorboards, before suddenly making a click and then out of it gas quickly seeped.
"Gas grenade!" Terry screamed.
The thick layer of noxious gas was already beginning consume the room causing everyone, except Jake, to choke. The Nine-Nine tried to get out of the room, but in the confusion they knocked into each other. The air was already getting thin. Jake practically carried Amy off the ground to the edge of the room, then turned around and ran back towards the grenade. Grabbing it with his left hand he hurled it straight back out through the window, his eyes were watering. Frantically he smashed his elbow through the glass planes.
Gunfire suddenly erupted demolishing the window; Jake barely threw himself to the floor.
"JAKE!" Amy screamed.
"They've found us!" Gina screamed. "Run for your life!"
Breaking into a sort of blind panic, everyone scrambled for the corridor. Amy tried to get to Jake, but was caught up by Scully and Hitchcock trying to force their way through the door. Through the gas Rosa pushed herself forward and crouched down besides Jake. Her eyes were burning, her breathing heavy, and she could barely make him out.
"I'm okay," Jake replied. "They didn't hit me."
Rosa coughed and raised her head to the window, letting the cool breeze wash against her face. It was dangerous but her lungs were burning. She needed fresh air. Far too quickly her eyes began to recover; as she blinked the shapes bellow shifted until clear forms became apparent. In the confusion two large vehicles had pulled up and were now blocking both exits to the alley. At least two dozen soldiers poured out of them. All dressed in the same uniform, and all were armed.
By this point the rest of the Nine-Nine had manged to make it to corridor. Despite their best efforts, they were all hunched over gasping for air. Despite the lack of breath and temporary blindness, they still tried to make their way towards the stairs. Charles had already collapsed.
"Everyone stop!" Terry yelled, having recovered the fastest. "This is getting us nowhere, we need to calm down and recover. We are police officers, we have all been trained for serious situations we…"
He was cut off by the sound of the front door being knocked off its hinges. Everyone fell silent to the sound of boots rushing up the stairs.
Not saying a word, Terry pointed at the far sides of the corridor, the others slunk over. As quietly as he could Terry crept over to corner beside the staircase, and crouched down. His eyes were still recovering from whatever that gas was, so he could only make out vague shapes. However his ears were as sharp as ever. Stooping there, he waited until the footsteps were right beside him before jumping into action. The first soldier was caught off guard by the sight of a giant appearing in front of him. Before he could react, Terry's fist collided with his stomach. He fell backwards, knocking the man over the nearest soldier behind him. Frantically Terry dived to the side just in time to avoid the men on the next levels response.
The building was drenched in the sound of gunfire. Bullets cut through the old wood and brick like a knife through butter. Clutching their only gun, Amy let off four of their remaining eight bullets in the direction she heard the shots. Between her blurred vision and the confusion she had no idea if she hit anything but it seemed to slow their advancement.
Crouching there in his makeshift cover behind the post Terry found his eyes were starting to sting again, but differently this time. He blinked and found his vision was now perfectly clear. Just in time to see the flash grenade as it landed beside them.
Letting out a scream, he practically flew up the stairs. In the blink of an eye he had somehow gotten to the next floor. "Everyone cover your eyes." He yelled. At that moment there was a monumental flash.
A soft wind was blowing in now, and with the increased ventilation the gas was starting to disperse around them, letting Rosa breathe a little easier. Frantically Rosa's eyes spun around the area. The room was still too full of gas to see clearly outside. But no one could have missed the shots or the explosion. The others needed there help. Rosa was tempted to just run out their into the fray, but what she had seen bellow caused her to hesitate. Multiple soldiers were guarding the entrance, forming a rear guard for those inside. "We need to get down there. If we don't disrupt that, we'll never get out of here alive." She contemplated jumping, but painful memories of what happened the last time she had fallen washed through her mind.
Without saying a word Jake rose to his feet, he stepped onto the windows ledge and turned to look at her. "Trust me?"
"One thousand push ups." Rosa replied, stepping up beside him.
Without a word Jake grabbed hold of her. Together they jumped forward through the window. For just a second time seemed to freeze. To Rosa, so many details suddenly became apparent. It was a cool night tonight. There were barely any street lamps in the alleyway, and there was no moon. So the normal light pollution of the city was for once wrestling the prospect of darkness leaving the sky bright as normal but the alleyway dark. The soldiers had their own lights, but the area was still dressed in a coat of darkness.
Then the ground came into view. It loomed before them. Getting closer and closer. Rosa braced herself. But then reality seemed to take another break, as suddenly the ground stopped looming and now seemed to be getting further away. Rosa looked at Jake. His eyes were carefully focused. Looking at her he gave her a look. One they had perfectly over years of chasing perps and crashing into busts. One they could never mistake for anything else. One that made it clear they were both in perfect agreement. Rosa nodded.
Out of the sky the two of them appeared. The closest soldiers barely had time to gasp before Rosa fists sent them flying into others. Jake lunged forward, grabbing the nearest man's rifle. With a tug he pulled the man into him, before knocking him to the side. Snarling Rosa rushed forward. The remaining soldiers scattered trying to avoid the Latina juggernaut.
Jake ran into the building. The soldier standing at the edge of the stairs turned just in time to see him enter the doorway. Frantically he scrambled with his assault rifle. Facing no alternative, Jake dived into him, knocking them backwards onto the stairs. But he failed to notice the other man behind them. Snarling the soldier thrust his boot into Jake's head. His vision momentarily blurred, and a white hot pain washed through him but Jake did not let go. Evidently he wasn't going to risk shooting for fear of hitting his friend.
The other man was still struggling, but the fall had knocked the wind out of him and Jake had him right where he wanted him. Seeing he wasn't loosening, the soldier kicked Jake twice more, before drawing back to attempt a truly hard kick. That was his mistake. In mid-air Jake grabbed his foot, and pulled the man over, diving back at the last minute so the soldier fell on top his friend.
Spots danced before his eyes, and for just a moment Jake paused to hold his head. From the top of the stairs another soldier appeared. He let out a spray of bullets. Jake managed to dive to the side, but in mid jump he let out screech of pain before crashing into the floor.
Rosa collided with another man, snarling she was about to knock him down when she saw the other soldiers surrounding her. The four of them that were still standing had circled her, all had rifles pointed at her chest. Rosa spun on the spot realising she was trapped. Frantically she threw the man she was holding into another soldier. Hoping this would distract the others she dived at the closest. But it was not enough.
The spray of submachine gun fire collided with Rosa's back. Strange sharp pains spread through her body, and Rosa was knocked to floor. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself back to her feet. The remaining three soldier's had grouped together, seeing her still standing caused their faces to turn pale.
Letting out an inhuman roar Rosa smashed her foot down so hard the concrete split. Shaking all three soldiers opened fire. The bullets collided with Rosa's skin and tore through her clothes. Pain shot threw her body. Her eyes watering, Rosa heaved every ounce of her will to sustain the onslaught.
An eternity of million needle like pains past before all three guns ran dry. The soldiers gazed onwards at the still standing, still snarling Rosa. Her entire body was burning, her clothes were barely holding together but still she could stand. Growling she advanced upon them. First slowly, but as the pain turned to anger, she broke into a run. The soldiers were paralysed by fear. They never stood a chance.
Terry looked down from his perch; the soldiers seemingly hadn't noticed that he had managed to get up a floor. He tried to see where the other members of the squad where, but they seemed to have vanished, most likely into one of the other rooms. However something was clearly happening bellow, as the soldiers were no longer advancing, instead they were holding ground, while several had turned and were making their way back down the stairs.
Then there was a spray of gunfire and the confusion must have been sort as once again they were advancing back up. Several ran in front him down the corridor. Not having time to think, Terry threw himself off the edge, and landed with a horribly loud crash on top of the nearest soldiers still on the stairs. Slipping and screaming, they fell down the old stairs together, knocking into several other men, till the crashed on the landing. By some miracle Terry managed to get his way to the top.
Groaning in pain he forced himself up, just in time to see the barrel of the gun pointed at his head.
Gently the soldier bent down, his partner making sure to cover him. Jake lay there on the floor, he was bleeding, and from the looks of it he had knocked himself out cold.
Clicking on his radio the solider spoke, "Gamma four reporting. Caucasian male advanced subject detained, injuries sustained, moving to the stockade now." Clicking it off he turned to his partner "Here give me a hand," he yelled, and bent down to grab him.
Suddenly a call echoed through the radio's, "This is delta five. Large black male advance subject detained. Request immediate assistance to move them to stockade. Presently on third floor of target location." Both soldiers turned to look up the stairs. The sound of them turning had been just what Jake had been waiting for. His eyes flicked open and he grabbed hold of the crouching man. The soldier didn't recover fast enough to struggle. Forcing himself up, Jake held the man in place, and flipped him over so that he was between Jake and the other soldier.
Said other soldier was holding his rifle, his fingers itching over the trigger. "Release him, or I kill you both." He yelled.
"Okay, okay," Jake panted, "I'll let him go." He loosened his hands. The soldier tried to step away, when Jake suddenly slammed into him throwing him into his partner. The other man stumbled, and hesitated before open firing. The bullets missed by miles. Before he could recover Jake's fist hit his head. He went down.
Panting for breath Rosa fell to her knee's. Sweat poured down her brow, every part of her body hurt. The concentrated power of a thousand bullets, spread over her entire frame. Yet not a single one had pierced. Jake had been right, she may be invulnerable, but that didn't mean nothing could hurt her.
Groaning she managed to force herself to her feet. She had to keep going, they still needed her. She looked up just in time to see the butt of the rifle as it went into her head. The force managed to knock her to the ground. Thinking he had knocked her out cold the solider leaned forward when a snarling Rosa shot up into him, ripping his rifle in two with a single flick of her wrist.
Grasping the man by the throat, Rosa hoisted him up off the ground with a single hand, her brown eyes were burning. The soldier was whitest she had ever seen a man turn. Frantically he tried hitting her. Rosa didn't even blink. Then his hands went for something strapped to his belt. There was a click and he dropped it next to them.
Rosa's eyes hit the ground. In the dim light she saw the pin-less grenade glisten. "You stupid…" she screamed. With all her strength she concentrated on jumping as far as she could, springing forwards she clutched the soldier tight, just as the explosion went off.
A loud bang suddenly erupted from outside the building. For second the soldier was caught off guard, then Terry smashed his huge fist into the man, knocking the rifle from his hand. He tried to grab it, when another man ran into him shoving him back. The gun fell and some how went through the banister down to the next floor. Terry turned to meet this new opponent. He was also a big man, but Terry was still bigger.
Out of his belt the man drew a knife. Snarling he swung at Terry. Terry dived backwards, and slugged the guy straight in the chest. The man must have been wearing body armour as the blow barely seemed to register. Terry's body was still aching from the fall. Suddenly gun shots rang out above them.
Startled Terry hesitated. The large solider dived forward plunging the knife at him. Terry barely managed to pull back in time, his shoulder let out a sharp burn and the end of the man's knife glistened red. Terry growled and hit the man with all his might. Knocking him backwards into the wall. He fell to the floor. Terry turned to run upstairs but a pair of arms grabbed him and pulled him back down the stairs. Terry struggled free, elbowing his attacker in the ribs. Spinning he saw the original soldier standing their holding the other man's knife. He hit Terry straight in the face. Terry swung back, but the solider jumped backwards in time. Terry tried to swing again when suddenly a great pain went through Terry hand.
The soldier's knife had connected with his hand, in one sharp slashing motion. Blood dripped onto the floor. Without warning the soldier shot backwards seemingly by nothing. Started he looked around wildly his eyes searching for the attacking. Suddenly their was a loud whacking noise, and he fell backwards clutching his nose.
Taking the opportunity, Terry dived forward and with his good hand threw the man down the stairs.
"Boyle? Is that you?" he yelled.
"Yeah, it's me." Charles groaned, "are you okay?"
Terry looked down at his bleeding right hand. "I'll be fine," he said, ripping a piece of fabric from one of the unconscious soldier's uniforms he clutched it tight. "What happened to the others?"
"There still upstairs." Charles disembodied voice replied.
"Come on, we've got to help them."
Terry turned to run back up the stairs. But suddenly several more men appeared at the top of the staircase. Riffles pointed straight down at him.
Swaying badly, Jake scrambled from the building. "Rosa!" he yelled.
His eyes shot around the alleyway for her. The explosion had shattered the concrete and sent all the loose garbage flying. Some of it had even caught fire. Lying to the side of one of the vehicles was Rosa. There was a dent in the vehicles side next to her.
"Rosa." Jake ran over, she was lying beside a unconscious soldier. Collapsing to his knees Jake grasped the man's torch and shone the light upon his friend. Her clothes were torn and barely holding together. Bruises covered her entire body and she was out cold.
Gently Jake candled her in his arms. Letting out an unholy groan, he forced himself back to his feet, and laboured once again to approach the building. Suddenly gunfire sounded out from inside. Sweat poured down Jake's brow, blood dripped out of his side.
Through the pain he staggered forward. "Freeze!" a voice suddenly yelled.
Whether the solider had just arrived, recovered from the fight earlier or been hiding in he vehircle this whole time Jake had no idea. But right now he standing behind them and he was holding a gun in his hand. "Put her down and get down on your knees, now."
Agony flooded his body, exhaustion was swallowing him. For one last time Jake looked back longingly at the building. They were still inside, Amy, Boyle, Gina, Terry. But he could no longer focus on 52 Riker's. His vision was blurring.
From the sounds behind him, Jake felt sure that the soldier had been joined by at least one other now. Out here in the open, he had no hope of avoiding their gunfire. No hope but one. Jake looked down at Rosa. She was still out, her strong face was covered in dirt and sweat. If Jake didn't know better he would say she looked afraid.
"I'm sorry," he softly admitted.
Slowly Jake crouched down onto the ground. A solider cautiously walked up behind him, gun constantly pointed. Circling around so he was facing them. Slowly Jake looked up at the man. He cocked a crooked grin.
Suddenly he shot up off the ground. Before the soldier could react Jake's leg collided with him knocking him down and with that they rose upwards into the night; the others only remained startled for a moment before letting opening fire after them. But all too quickly they had disappeared into the darkness.
Well I hope you enjoyed reading this instalment, and I can confirm all the ground is firmly set and this story will remain at its new speed for a while.
Now I can't guarantee when I'll update next, as I have several other projects coming up. But I'll try to be quicker than last time.
As always, please review, and hope you all enjoy the season Four premier.