"Now that we're on terra firma can't I take off the stupid blindfold, Boy Savior?" a voice asked ungratefully as Cait struggled to consciousness.
What sounded like a well-practiced sigh was the response. "Not yet, Jinx. It's better for the other Firelights to see you have the 'stupid blindfold' on and the bag over the head of the captain when I take you both to them, so they see I've kept the hideout safe."
As Cait became more aware, she also became more aware of the pain. Was I shot in the head from the inside?
She bit her lips to stifle a groan, so they wouldn't know she was with them yet. She felt the bag he mentioned and her handcuffs on her wrists. Inauspicious start to my captaincy. At least it sounds like I'll be in an Undercity gang hideout already.
"If this situation was switcherooed and I was bringing two young blindfolded blue-haired lookers as captives to my gang, they would suspect I had a kink."
She's his captive?! But they fought together like comrades and friends. Is everything internecine and inscrutable down here? She kept herself still as she lay between the hoverboards.
"You're the one that keeps bringing up sex, Jinx. Maybe you're projecting like a magic lantern."
"I'm just calling them like I see them. Well, when I can see."
"We're coming to a stop… here." She felt the hoverboards come to a halt. "Now, we both know how you… you can be. S and E–"
"Fiddle-faddle! I'm not calling every letters like I'm in an ankle biter's educational puppet show. I don't need to know they're real names, but I'll give them monikers if they don't have them."
Another deep breath was audible to Cait. They argue like friends. More important right now is figuring the Undercity out. These are the Firelights and Jinx has been hostile, but are reconciling. Maybe.
"Would you do it if it helps us rescue Vi?" he asked in a solemn tone. He gave a series of knocks on presumably a door.
"You're lucky you're you… lead," was the angry response. "Fine. I'll be a little angel."
A few moments passed then the sound of metal scrapping and sliding came. It was quiet after, so perhaps there were gestures before they moved in. Then "FIRELIGHTS!" was shouted loud and sudden enough that Cait startled.
"Swell job, uh, S! You brought the enforcer back to life," Jinx praised. "That is, S, right?"
"Give me a few seconds," the leader said.
No more point in playing unconscious now. "May I please have some water?" Do small things to humanize or even ingratiate yourself.
"Up to, lead, no. Up to the Boy Savior. He tries to save people, even if they don't ask for or want it. It's his thing."
"Soon, Captain Caitlyn. We'll be taking you to a safe place and checking your head injury. E, escort her please."
"I'll stand myself up. If that's okay," Cait offered. Not hearing an objection, she slowly brought herself up and then felt an arm on her shoulder.
"I'll tell you when to step up. You'll be treated better than we are when captured. Especially if you listen," E told her.
As she slowly walked away, she heard Jinx exclaim. "Finally. Glad to get that enforcer strip off. Wow. Wowie-wow! Ek–Boy Savior, that is a tremendous, terrific tree. Did you find it first or did one of your team?"
"I did, but we have more urgent things to discuss. And then, we should really eat and sleep before deciding on Operation Free Zoo and its details."
"Sleep. That old monster," Jinx replied with bittersweetness in her mouth.
It felt like a long walk for Cait to get to the room. E had her sit down. "I'm going to uncuff you, but don't be stupid. I'll remove the bag, you can drink the water, then lie on the bed for our healer to check on you."
"Understood, thank you," Cait said as she complied with the directions. E and the healer wore masks and the room was dim. The healer concluded she was well in short order.
"Do you need food? If not and the healer approves, I'd recommend trying to sleep. I've heard enforcers claim the guilty are more likely to sleep than the innocent the first night of detention, but the bags under your eyes aren't much smaller than the one I just removed."
Cait shook her head. "I appreciate it, but no, I'm not hungry right now."
E nodded. "I will have to handcuff you to bed. Call if you need it adjusted."
Nodding, Cait lied down on the bed and stayed still for the cuffing. E had barely closed the door as the young captain drifted off.
Arguing voices brought her back in what felt like little time. Blinking away the sleep, she recalled her situation. Convey sympathy and active listening. Stay away from the word "Kiramman" if I can. Gather information subtly. Be patient and weary about escape opportunities–they could be tests.
"I was just confused–is all, Boy Savior. I raised my voice, but of course I didn't try to hurt her," Jinx contended.
"I'm honestly unsure. You didn't mean to, but if I hadn't discouraged her from leaving and you were armed, it could've gone ugly fast for E," a young man said. "And it was right after we made a lot of progress convincing them the plan was worthwhile and you could be relied on to not endanger them unnecessarily. It was poor ingratiation."
There was a pause and a couple of slams on the door. "Wake up, coming in!" Jinx shouted. She seemed to be working out some frustration on the door. "Let Eve know I'm sorry," she said much quieter.
"Names, Jinx!" the leader admonished, his voice filtered on again. He sighed and added "I'll ask her if she's willing to hear it from you directly; if not I will tell her."
The door opened and lights flicked on soon after. Jinx moved over her and uncuffed her wordlessly. She seems chastened. This interaction could be for the 'Boy Savior' or 'Ek–' to get more points to advocate for her. I could try to play for or against it.
With an emphasized slowness, Cait sat up on the bed. The leader set down a tray of food. Nothing fancy, but it was a decent amount and probably what they regularly ate. An instinctive suspicion was there, but she took up the spoon. Don't be too formal–they will see it as looking down on them. "Thank you... Not to be awkward, but what should I call you two?"
Jinx snorted. "How about just 'Vi's sister.' That's my most important identity for you, officer."
"She's a captain, Jinx."
Nodding, Jinx eyed the badge. "True. Are promotions normally given for being made unconscious by Underciters? You might make sheriff by the week's end."
Good cop, bad cop. Or is she incorrigibly antagonistic, at least with enforcers. "Who is Vi?" she said, ignoring the bait and taking another scoop.
"Still concussed I guess. My sister, durr," Jinx taunted. Both. It's a tactic but her antipathy is sincere.
The man in the owl mask took a step forward. "The late sheriff imprisoned a girl named Vi–short of Violet–seven years ago. Without a trial or even formal charges, she was taken to Stillwater under secret. From Jinx's, um, interviews with released convicts, she has been mistreated. Badly."
With her face showing a mixture of repulsion and rage, Jinx gave a small nod. "Put into solitaire for long periods. Having to fight other prisoners. Beatings from guards. Not told anything about what has happened to her home, her family, except from the answers she can trade or interrogate."
The leader moved closer to Jinx, almost half-hugging from behind. Maybe not just friends. Maybe on-again, off-again lovers. The contact appeared to soothe the young bomber, but her expression stayed dark.
This isn't an act. It is either true or at least they believe it is true. Damnit, Marcus. Why did you lead the enforcers so poorly? Sheriff Derek will have such a hard time reforming them to be a force the Undercity will trust.
"Do you know her prison number?" she asked softly. Keep them talking. This interrogation can give you a lot more than them.
"Are you calling me a liar?" Jinx snarled. She clenched her fist but the Boy Savior rubbed her wrists and she softened. After a deep breath, she then reached into a pocket and produced a tightly folded paper. "516. I'm told she tattooed "VI" onto her face. Not much here, which makes sense."
Cait slowly took the paper and looked it over. She's right. It's a process order, but it's incomplete and lacks signatures besides Marcus. If it's not authentic, this is some masterful subterfuge.
Cait shook her head, but widened her eyes right after. "I believe you. It's just, I'm disgusted at Marcus. Where did you find this?"
"Marcus' desk in his office. I rifled through it when Ren had to tinkle and he hadn't returned yet."
Cait brought a finger across her chin. That's why she was there and threatened him. To get him to release Vi.
"Do you think I could have her released?"
Shaking her head, Jinx took the paper back. "He could've been lying, but Marcus said he couldn't have a Stillwater prisoner put under his custody without a Councilor signature. No, putting our cards on the table, we're telling you this in hopes you'll tell us something new about Stillwater to make our rescue go like the hex gem heist went or better–no deaths."
They still don't know who I am. Would a hostage exchange work instead? Probably not, Piltover would be more enraged by the stolen hextech gemstone than a missing captain. Even my mother. Oh, she'll be impossible when I return from this. But maybe this is playable. "I know Councilor Cassanadra Kiramman well. She helped me and my father when I grew up," she lied by omission.
Cait couldn't see through the masked, but read the small head tilt it did. "You want us to believe she'll release a Stillwater prisoner on request of a sponsored enforcer captain."
Cait shook her head. "No. But over the course of her patronage, I've seen her signature thousands of times and replicated it successfully multiple times."
Jinx grinned at that. "Look at you, Captain Piltover. Not beyond a little mischief."
The Boy Savior turned to Jinx. "You said she was helpful with Ren, but you tried to kill her not half a day ago."
She snorted. "Little Man, if I didn't team up with people I've tried to kill, I'd always be alone. Plus, I'd work with Fiddlesticks himself if it meant freeing Vi."
A sigh of acknowledgement came from the masked man. "So, Captain Cait, would you come with us to Stillwater? We'd be in disguise and you in uniform and with your new badge. You'd present the forged papers, retrieve Vi from her cell, walk out the front gate, and we'd go our separate ways."
He sounds like he is trying to convince himself. Both of the general idea and the particulars of my trustworthiness.
"I understand you don't have reason to trust me, but it makes me sick that a girl would be imprisoned and abused and not even properly charged. It is a wrong that needs to be righted immediately."
The Boy Savior tilted his head to the other side. "I am with Jinx in prioritizing Vi now, but sadly that type of oppression is as regular as a healthy poro, at least on this side of the Pilt."
"Well, I am Captain Caitlyn of the new Undercity Division," the young Kiramman said with a faint smile. "I would like to learn more."