"Pile in, everyone." Sarah says to our JTF compatriots as we head towards her truck. As she and I get in, the others toss their bags into the bed. Upton and Miller take the rear, while Finnigan joins us in the cab.
"Road trip!" He says excitedly, trying to cram his tall self into the tiny backseat.
"Wanna trade?" The shorter Upton asks, watching this happen. Finnigan looks at what he's trying to do, then at the open truck bed.
"Yeah, okay." He gives in and hops in back with Miller.
"You can play musical chairs later." Sarah calls as she starts the truck. "It's nearly a four hour ride, give or take a bit for traffic."
"Good one." Kelly says.
"Hey, I've never seen Faye or Dima drive." Sarah defends her comment. "They could be like being stuck behind an old person."
"Well, you have passengers and cargo back here, so don't go too fast, Sarah." Miller replied through the sliding window.
"I make no promises." Sarah calls back as she pulls away, before giving a farewell *honk* to the base and remaining JTF. Just around the corner is the Lincoln Tunnel Checkpoint, where Faye stands behind an SUV with her arms crossed.
"About time." She says with mock annoyance as Sarah and I get out. Kelly fumbles with the seat back in an attempt to join us.
"Sorry we aren't awake all hours of the night." Sarah replies sarcastically, sharing a handshake that turns into a bro-hug with Faye.
"It's great to see you both." She says happily. "Thank you for coming along."
"So…" Kelly says, finally clambering out of the truck. "Why are we going to Washington?"
"Contrary to the rest of the country, things have continued to deteriorate in the Capitol." Dima comes up next to Faye as she speaks and we bump fists.
"Word of failed containments, an attempt at a cure that only made things worse, even JTF defectors. There's only two active Agents left in D.C. and they're barely holding things together. I know the both of them, and they asked me directly for help. Which is something they wouldn't do unless it's truly important."
Sarah, Kelly and I exchange worried expressions as we absorb what Faye has told us.
"What about the cure we created?" Sarah asks. "Surely that should've calmed things down by now?"
Faye looks down. "It was sent out, but my contact tells me they never arrived. The JTF's Base of Operations is the White House. We start there, then find what to do from there. The SHD network is also experiencing a nation-wide blackout, so re-activation won't be official until it's back online." She looks past us at the truck. "Anyone else come along?"
"Three of my people." Kelly answers. "Upton, Miller and Finnigan."
"Two of them are in the truck bed." I add, answering Faye's next question of where could they fit.
"I would offer them a lift with us, but…" She gestures to Dima, who is trying to reach for something in the backseat, but a pile of his and Faye's stuff tumbles out, partially burying him.
"Cyka!" He shouts in frustration. "Ah, nevazhno."
Kelly and I can't help but laugh at his predicament.
"They'll be fine." Sarah says assuringly. "We'll trade seats if necessary."
"Alright then. Saddle up and follow us. Keep your phones on. Get comfy, too. It's a long trip."
We all head to our respective vehicles, climbing into ours as Faye helps Dima reload theirs.
"Wow." Kelly says quietly after a moment. "That's quite a bit to take in." From the tone of her voice, I can tell she's having second thoughts.
"It'll be okay." Sarah replies, starting the truck. "If we stay together, We'll get through it and be back here in time for chow."
"Chow…" Finnigan echoes from the back. "Great. Now I'm hungry."
"I told you to eat before we left." Upton calls to him.
Sarah lights a cigarette as we enter the Lincoln Tunnel, blowing the smoke out the window.
"Hey, Upton." She says, passing the pack and lighter to him. "Welcome back to active duty." He accepts the pack of Big Break 'Smooth Blues'.
"Pass it around. I brought two whole cartons."