You've met him in the past two chapters but we'll finally figure out the Rando for this arc.

Chapter 165: Agents of Asgard Part Three

FBI Correctional Facility, Maximum Security - Time Unknown

Apollo and Sigyn quickly fell into the routine of the supermax as if they've been here for a long time. In the mornings, they knew when to wake up, get dressed and freshen up (the latter to the best of their ability with the lack of hygiene and limited resources with many cranky prisoners who wanted to do the same thing in the small space provided and time allotted), and eat when told. They knew they usually eat meals in the common area in the open space, but they ate in their cells for the first few meals. Probably wanted the newcomers to get used to their cells before thrusting them with the others.

After a breakfast of flavourless, runny oatmeal and bruised fruit at long metal tables, it's free time until lunch which is a bland sandwich. Then they were sent to either work at their prison job or do something physical in the dry spread of a field, depending on their block's schedule and the weather. Either way, the walls of solid barbed wire and stationed guards were always watching. Then it's dinner which is whatever meal the kitchen cooked up from whatever scraps they had left. Until curfew, they were "free" to stay in the common area or go to one of the lounges to socialize with the prisoners. Nobody was allowed in their cells until the clock struck 10.

Officers still shoulder them but they knew. They wondered why officers always yelled when everyone was compliant. Maybe they had nothing to do as well. Every minute of the day is scheduled, except the un-free free time and the time they just sit in their cell, left alone with their memories, regrets, fears, dreams. Officers always give them a laundry list of tasks and rules as if they've never heard them before.

Apollo and Sigyn, even SHIELD, didn't know what to expect about this mission. They were prepared for an extraction and an escape, not the stale scent of people dragging their feet like zombies because it's too heavy a toll on their shoulders just being here. Everyone, even the guards, looks like strangers or someone they've known in a past life. But Apollo and Sigyn know that underneath the blank faces of every prisoner were boiling emotions.

And so the days passed by, monotonous and unbearably dull. Or so they thought days passed. It's only been two days.

-o-

During the third day of their allotted yard time, it's the first time Apollo and Sigyn were allowed outside since it rained on the second day which meant more time to wander around the open shared space indoors. They were glad to have the same schedule since they didn't want to lose the other person in that dreary building, especially when they have a mission to complete. To avoid suspicion, they copy other prisoners who walk or job around a makeshift track created from constant wearing in the same spots. If they stood against a wall or the guard towers, someone might overhear them or they'll look suspicious as the groups who are smoking without really trying to hide it.

"That guard is staring at me," Sigyn says, referring to Officer AR164 who was in one of the watchtowers with other officers. Ironically, when she said that, he wasn't looking at her. She told Apollo about how he questioned her about her file before they locked her up, even mentioning how he eyed them the moment they were being escorted to their cells. "He's assigned to my cell area. I think he's onto us."

"Or he's a normal mortal man doing his normal mortal job," Apollo responds as a prisoner jogs past them. "Have you found Ivory?"

"No," she shakes her head, "it doesn't even seem like she's here. I've asked women in the shower but I had to trade my soap."

"That explains-"

Sigyn glares at him. "I've acquired a toothbrush shank so I dare you to finish that sentence."

Apollo puts his hands up. "It's not like prison soap had a scent but at least it's something."

A part of their blending in by walking laps was that they'd get a better look at the prisoners who were at least in their block, to see if maybe they missed Ivory. They don't spot her but that indicates she isn't in their block. From what they've heard and observed, they were placed in the maximum threat sector which they didn't understand since their alleged crime were conspiracies against the government. They wondered how crimes and punishments were weighed around here; so many trapped people and wasted lives.

Sigyn lights up. "You want to get prison info?"

"If I'm planning an escape, then yes," Apollo responds.

"Let's do get help like our fathers."

"Good idea."

Sigyn shakes her head because she knows why Apollo was so accepting of that idea. "No. I'm doing get help."

Apollo stops walking and focuses on her. "No."

Before she could argue, Sigyn kicks the back of Apollo's legs so he falls back. Before he hits the ground, prisoners are already riled as they and some officers make their way over, rushing from their watchtowers. Sigyn grabs Apollo and casually throws him towards the poor prisoner who was just running laps, who coincidentally was the biggest guy in their block. Sigyn backs away, hiding within the crowd of gathered prisoners who were egging on this battle.

As Apollo stands up, he catches a punch thrown by the prisoner whom he knocked over when Sigyn threw him. Apollo moves the prisoner's arm up and over his head to give himself some leverage. He grabs his waist and tosses him on top of other prisoners who can't help but cheer at how swift that fight went. That sad fight, in his opinion, had to earn him some points within the block.

"Congrats," Apollo says to him, "I used 1% of my power at most." He turns around and sees all the officers pointing their guns at him so he puts his hands up. "Relax, I'm done."

"Back to your cell," an officer barks at him before yelling at the other prisoners to either disperse within the yard or seek medical help at the infirmary.

Apollo starts heading back but notices that Officer AR164 was ordered to escort him. "Why does a guard have to walk me back? I know where I'm going."

Officer AR164 glares at him. "Corrections Officer."

"So, guards."

-o-

Apollo was released from his cell, which wasn't much when yard time was over and he was sent to his prison job. Ironically, his prison job was maintaining the yard. He and the other prisoners would have to upkeep the area when there wasn't much there. There were no trees to trim so no leaves to rake, no grass to mow, no gardens to weed or trim. They were mostly sweeping dirt and dust to keep the makeshift track's appearance known.

To his surprise, when he showed up, the other prisoners assigned to the same sector clapped at him until the officers yelled at them to get to work. They each grab their industrial brooms and make their way out onto the field. Is this what it's like to be at the top of the prison food chain?

"We were waiting for someone to tell off Mars," Jensen, according to his ID badge says. "Guy's a real jerk."

"You're welcome," Apollo says. No way he'll give Sigyn credit. "He seemed like one. So, uh, I've been wondering something about the one of officers."

"Need someone to sneak something in or out for you?" Pats, another prisoner with him, asks.

"Not exactly." Apollo sweeps voraciously purposely to make a sandstorm and cover their tracks before the wind picks up. He was worried the officers watching them would read their lips or something similar. "The one who walked me back to my cell."

"He's a good one, Officer Ashton Ruiz," Jensen states. "Cool guy, recent transfer. Probably half a year here? Hard to tell with all the repetitive days. Anyways, he actually treats us like humans but he won't do any favours. Why?"

"My cousin caught him staring."

"Good," Pats states.

Apollo looks at him. "Good?"

"Now she won't see me staring." He and Jensen laugh a little. "Is she surprised? Has she looked in a mirror?"

"Mirrors are contraband, except the shitty ones in the bathrooms," Jensen adds.

Apollo opens his arms. "That's what I said. Just chill about the guard. He's more scared of us anyways." The wind picks up and their sand cover is gone but they return to sweeping normally. Apollo uses the loud breeze to his advantage so the guards won't hear him. "Okay, look, I need to get something out of here."

"Postal service."

"No, no not a message or a package ... but a person?"

Jensen and Pats pause, looking at him strangely before each other. Apollo wonders if he's said too much and should take it back, but retracting his statement would make him look suspicious. What if these two rat him out to the guards? They wouldn't, would they? However, Apollo's relieved when Jensen and Pats start laughing so Apollo nervously joins in.

"You should've won that fight sooner!" Jensen exclaims. "Pats and I will teach you everything we know."

For those of you reading SA, you might be wondering how our lovely rando, Ashton Ruiz, ended up working for the FBI. We'll see.