"Respectfully Warden, this is urgent and confidential. Don't obstruct the wishes of the Council.

Respectfully Warden, this is urgent and confidential. Don't obstruct the wishes of the Council.

Respectfully Warden, this is urgent and confidential. Don't obstruct the wishes of the Council." Caitlyn practiced the line quietly as the ferry neared the island prison. The 'commandeered' ferry.

"Hey, Cap. Bad news, good news," Jinx had told the aged ferry captain with her mini gun aimed just under her chin. "Bad news is you'll be taking me, my other abducted captain, these masked kids, and these repair workers to the island. Now. Gratis. Good news is if you obey that and all other instructions, everyone goes home to their loved ones. And you can tell the grandkids about your adventure."

The old captain accepted it. If I can do my part right, then Jinx will have been honest. Well, except I'm not really an abductee anymore. Not after I've actively collaborated on this.

The boat reached the pier and Cait got off first followed by Jinx, Nick, and then the rest of the repair workers. After the forgery plan was decided on, the leader had divulged that the Firelights had stolen an enforcer's uniform. Jinx was giddy and demanded that she be the one to wear it, but it was large and tall enough to almost make her look like a kid playing dress up in their parents clothes. It was a poor fit for Ekko and the other Firelights. Jinx and S went to Nick, gave him some herbs to help with shimmer withdrawal, and almost volunteered without being asked to join this mission disguised as an enforcer.

The repair workers beside Jinx were the leader, E, N, and A. S, the chirean one, was staying with the rest of the action-ready Firelights.

"Captain," the gate guard saluted lazily. "Is the maintenance team with you?"

"Typical," Jinx huffed and stepped forward as Cait's heart sank a little. "Officer… Marie, not only is the hydrocarbon filter and ventilation system years passed its schedule check, but temperature detections in crucial compartments have been well beyond flashpoint. So you can hold us up if you want and we'll find out how long it takes the fire brigade to get her via ferry. Or just let us do our job and keep a quarter of this building from combusting. I've heard some sickos like to see that kind of thing."

With alacrity Officer Maire opened the main gate and her colleague even offered to help them with the sizable bags the crew were carrying.

"This is highly calibrated equipment. Thank you, but a slight jostling would render it useless," the leader reprimanded. They did let the officer take the ladder though.

Cait and Nick were directed to the warden, whose desk was reminiscent of a judge's bench. "Warden, I have papers from Councilor Kiramman to remand inmate 516 to my custody forthwith." She extended the papers.

"Do you?" the Warden said, his attention mostly on the repair crew. He received them like she was trying to sell him life insurance.

"For a crucial investigation into the Undercity."

The warden looked like he was in danger of falling asleep. "Hmm. And you are?"

"Respectfully Warden, this is urgent and confidential. Don't obstruct–"

"Captain Caitlyn Kiramman. Glad to hear about your escape."

"What?!" The leader, Nick, N, and A exclaimed in near unison.

Jinx must have processed what that meant the fastest since she glared at the heir to House Kiramman. "Plan Rocket Ride then."

The warden had already reached for his huge bludgeon and two other guards were starting to move as she pulled a crystal bomb from the bag. It flew from her hands and immobilized one of the guards. Nick was also fast and encapsulated the other before she could be a threat. The warden swung at Jinx; she evaded and then the leader relieved him of a couple of his teeth with his collapsable wrench.

"Not the head, Little Man!" Jinx shouted as she half-kicked, half-stomped the warden's knee. It made a sickening crunching sound and Cait covered her mouth as he screamed.

"Good still with us. Pliers, pretty please!" she extended an open palm with a grabby gesture.

"X, are you sure–" N began.

"Give it to her," the leader ordered with resignation.

"Hey, gasping Pilty princess. If you don't want to find out what he's feeling first hand, check the roster for '516' or 'Vi' or 'Violet'. Chum, look for master keys. Lead, have them empty the bags," Jinx directed and nodded as she took the tool.

It was mostly as the backup plan had been discussed, though the pliers had been left out. As was threatening me, but that might be to make it more convincing I'm doing it under duress. So everyone listened.

"You–you don't have to torture me. What do you want to know?" the warden said between moans.

"But what if I wanna?" Jinx asked. She let out a sigh as the weapons landed on the floor, Nick rifled through drawers, Cait leafed through a great book, and the leader admonished the Loose Cannon with eyes. "Help out your fellow officer with her initial request. Where is the cell of inmate 516?"

"Fifth basement level, farthest left."

"Well, she'll confirm soon. If wrong, I'll be taking part of you away. Is she in her cell right now? Not in some gym area or cafeteria or the like?"

"Yes."

"Jinx, the roster confirms it. I'll check today's schedule," Cait said loudly then kicked herself.

"Really only care about your own name, huh, Kiramman?" Jinx chastised. "Anyway," she put some pressure on the warden's bad knee, "while I'm sure you don't care if every inmate dies, it is probably a bad look if they all die in fire or flood or whatnot."

"For Janna's sake, X!" the leader said. This part, at least, is a performance. He knows what she is getting at, but will join as a good cop if needed.

"Calm down, Boy Savior. I'm just asking the warden how do I open all the doors simultaneously?"

Nick slammed the last drawer closed. "I found the master keys, X."

She gave a thumbs up with the hand holding the pliers.

The warden was shaking his head. "If I tell you, then every–"

"Prisoner will give themself a sudden and generous furlough? Do you want to tell me now or after I start peeling?"

The warden swallowed. "Insert the master key into the panel, enter the sequence 1512 and turn. The doors will be unlocked but still closed. They can be relocked manually."

Jinx stood. "Chum, you've already got the keys."

Nick rushed over as Jinx stared at Cait. Is she thinking ahead? That she'll have leverage over me similar to how Silco did over Marcus. No, she must be focused on her sister, right?

As Nick entered the combination, the Firelights equipped their weapons and as did Jinx. There was another wordless exchange between Jinx and the leader, who lightly touched her hand as she strapped the mini gun over her shoulders. She nodded though it was the most uncertain Cait had seen her today.

Nick turned the key and a softer than expected alarm sounded. There was a rhythmic flashing of light blue and light pink too.

"A trick?" Jinx asked the warden. She squatted and pressed the pliers ominously to one of his thighs.

"No, that's just the general danger or disaster. They don't know you're here yet."

She clicked her tongue. "Well, you're not the first enforcer to surprise me this week. Nor the first I'm putting to sleep."

"Wait, you don't–" she swung the back of her mini gun fast into the back of his head.

She gestured to N and A, who complied and helped move the warden over to behind the podium. Cait stepped away as the leader moved to the immobilized guards and sprayed a mist that knocked them out. It must be the same type of gas Jinx used last night.

"Since you're dressed as enforcers, stay here. Trying befuddling anyone coming or going and maybe we can avoid Operation Dystopian Dynasty," the leader told them.

Jinx and the Firelights opened the barred door and disappeared down the hall. Nick moved to give himself a clear line of sight of the main doors. He took out a cigarette but couldn't find a light.

I'm having a hard time finding one too.