Rebels & Mutineers is set in modern day New Orleans, Louisiana. R&M is fueled by player's plots and group input.
Supernatural people have always had their place in society, hidden in plain sight or locked away for their own protection. New Orleans, a haven for the strange and mysterious and a magnet for the supernatural.
Established: Oct. 27th, 2018 Recently Updated Posts && Recently Updated Threads
05.11.19
As the community reels from the untimely death of Lucia Lovelle, life has to move on. Primrose readies for the annual Prom celebration! Keep your eye out for a event board and have fun!
02.27.19
It's not too late to vote for February's OTM winners! The winners for January, keep an eye out on your messages for your winner's graphics for your signature. Already voted? Make sure you check out the Mardi Gras event board! Party up, have a good time, and enjoy!
Palmer rubbed his temples while assembling his thoughts together. Just a few minutes ago, he had received an important notification followed by a firm phone call from his boss regarding a new predicament. Jasper was hell-bent on the classified documentation being recovered and would not settle on anything less. Failure was not an option, and Monroeville’s secrecy depended on it.
That is, the secrecy had been compromised by a security breach. Earlier, inside intelligence had become aware of the theft of a significant document, but to their relief it had occurred within the past hour. He wasn’t entirely sure what was listed on the archive, and neither did his colleagues; with the obvious exception of Jasper. The director kept information which was only permitted to him. It came as no surprise, since the probability of infiltration from a mole could happen anywhere. Palmer had his own hapless dealings with moles in the past; he was more than ready to handle one if the time were to come.
Upon the computer screen were details of the hostile’s probable location. Undoubtedly had Jasper’s highly trained staff found this, whether through satellite or by visual means. Although he knew he was going to have to do the dirty work, there was one other person vital to the operation. It made sense in choosing her to assist and give aid in fulfilling the mission. Despite the presumed scepticism that will come from his colleagues, Palmer believed that Charlie was capable of more than they realised. It was often those individuals with dissimilar social characteristics that showed beyond doubt to onlookers what astounding objectives could be achieved.
He picked up his phone. Scrolling through the names, he found Charlie’s before clicking the dial button. Unsure of the female’s location, he hoped that she wasn’t too far from his. The sooner, the better.
“Hey Charlie, it’s Palmer.” His voice didn’t sound rushed or unsettled as he spoke. In actual fact, he appeared to be calm. “I need you to come to my room on the first floor as soon as you can.”
Charlie smiled at the young teenager in the white plush chair across from her. She had just finished a session, and the girl was coming out of the manipulative state, shaking her head as if it were filled with cobwebs. The child had stumbled onto a gruesome scene the day prior and had tried to flee, surely to run her mouth to anyone who would listen. Since that was certainly not what they needed, Charlie had scheduled a session with her as soon as she could, bumping lower risks to the next day. The girl’s mind was wide open, pliant; it had been an in and done, no consequences.
“So, Keely, what did you do yesterday?” she asked, leaning forward slightly. She was putting on her best easy smile, a learned reaction rather than an innate one. The little girl looked lost for a bit as she tried to remember, but Charlie watched the light pick up in her eyes.
“I went outside. The orderly let me sit in the grass for a little bit.” Keely’s lips spread into a shaky smile. “The sun was warm, and it was really nice.” There it was, the fake plant. Charlie scribbled on her chart and sat back in her chair, dismissing the orderly that had come in with Keely.
“Good to hear it, Kee. Now, I want you to make sure you’re drinking plenty of water, okay? Your voice sounds a little hoarse.” She stood, and the girl stood as well. For a second, she was afraid the child might hug her, but the orderly had his hand on Keely’s shoulder before she could approach the psychiatrist. Together, the two walked out of her office, and Charlotte was finally able to relax a bit. Her smile fell as soon as it could, and she rolled her shoulders back. Finally.
She barely got a second before her phone was ringing. With a sigh, she drew it out of her pocket and slid to answer. “This better be good, Palmer,” she grumbled. Keely had been her last appointment, and she was already in her tennis shoes and jeans. She had leftover lasagna at the house calling her name. Her frown only deepened when she heard the orders. Where did he get off? Jasper’s orders. Of course. That was where. She bit back her sigh. “On my way now.” That was all she gave before she hung up. Tossing her chart down on her desk, she passed through the frosted glass of her office door, making a beeline for the rendezvous point.
It took her only a couple minutes to get down to his door. She rapped on the door with her knuckles before entering. “What do you have for me?”
A blank expression could be seen upon Palmer’s face as he closed his eyes for a moment, before opening them again with the follow of an apprehensive sigh after Charlie hung up the phone. He was hoping things would go smoothly, not that he was questioning Charlie’s loyalty to Jasper’s orders to say the least. The guy they were after wasn’t as armed or had the men and uncomprehending backup that Jasper had, but it was always smart to take any extra precaution. Figuring it be best to take another look through the printed papers before Charlie’s arrival, Palmer picked them up before scanning to intake the given information for one last time.
He looked up the moment he heard the noise on the door before Charlie entered the room. “Hey…” Gesturing to the other chair, he hoped the female would comply in taking a seat. “Thanks for coming. I’m going to have to keep this short and quick, but I’ll make sure you know everything you need to know.”
Pulling a small table over to be placed between the two of them, Palmer set all the explanatory papers in order for Charlie to get a visual. He was working at a fast pace; the clock was ticking. The chosen piece of paper on top was a photograph of a man. The man appeared to be tall, perhaps standing at around 6 foot 3 inches. His hair was short and black, with a few spikes edging the fringe area. Caucasian.. there was nothing else that appealed distinctive features other than his face.
“This man’s name is Beckham, formerly known by the name of Becky. He has obtained a very significant document that belongs to the hospital.” The head security guard didn’t want to go into the details of how or why the document was stolen, but just straight to the facts so that they could save time. “We need to get it back, but after we do, we know Beckham has got the information in his head, let alone some device.”
Lifting his gaze, he came in eye contact with the female, hoping she was getting the gist as to why she had been specifically summoned. “This is where you’d be able to help Jasper.” Palmer ensured to make special use of the director’s name. “He knows and believes that you have the ability to wipe any memories that could endanger us if left preserved.” He paused before continuing, checking for engagement and for any collaborative words that may come from the other.
Charlie did not quite know where to place Palmer, a fact that both distressed and interested her. The rather stoic man did his job with no complaints; he was not afraid to roughhouse, wrestle, break a few bones to get his point across. She might have admired that about him, but his loyalties were not obvious. She still had not smoked them out, and she was always trying to. Perhaps a mission such as this one, just the two of them, would be enough.
“I would appreciate if the entire thing could be quick.” She entered the office and took the seat he offered her. Instinctively, she crossed her knees and her arms. The orders may have come down from Jasper, who she was already more than happy to help, but that didn’t have to mean she had to be okay with her evening plans going this way. She only started moving out of the position when he put the table and files before her. She picked up each one, reading them quickly but thoroughly. She lingered the longest on his included picture. Non-descript, tall, dark-hair. Nothing jumped out at her.
She smirked just a little as she listened to the briefing. She could tell where this was going: right into her wheelhouse. He didn’t have to dangle the Jasper carrot, but she didn’t bother letting him know that. “Darling, I can make him forget his entire adult life. The contents of one document? That’s nothing,” she boasted, knowing full well that, though it would be difficult, she could follow through on the promise. Like a switch, the smirk dropped and she grew serious. “How long has the document been out and in his hands? I can destroy the imprint in his mind, but it’s imperative that we leave no traces.”
Were the document about rather extracurricular activities at Monroeville, it could be traced back to Jasper – then her. She refused to spend the rest of her life in a cage; she had once and wasn’t going back. Besides, the thought of the ever-brilliant Jasper Blackthorn being in one filled her with even more dread. “So what do we have to do? No backup, right, just us? Do you think we need some heat for this?” She had taken plenty of self-defense classes during and after her stay in Monroeville, some sanctioned and others not so much. She liked to be prepared.
Palmer nodded, “I know you can.” Charlie’s confidence conveyed in her words as she delved into explanation of what she truly was capable of. No wonder Jasper hired her on; this woman only needed to scrabble in one’s mind to cause utter destruction. Truth be told, the thought of asking her to have his certain bad memories erased crossed him. At the same time, however, was a treacherous path that could be taken. Weaknesses and inner vulnerabilities were always a source to become a strength. If he hadn’t control or awareness of these things, what new principle would be behind it? A lifetime to a mind of nothing but happiness was a conviction in itself.
“The document has been in enemy’s hands for an hour,” he replied. “They’ve sent us these photographs and imagery of their location.” Moving the first file to the side, he then presented Charlie with images captured from satellite and local cameras that had been put in place. “Here’s evidence of the surveillance. Our priority from here is to get in, find Beckham, and then take back that document.”
He wasn’t acquainted with the extensive details to how Beckham was related to the cause of the situation. Sending in a large group of men and women could bring about suspicion. At this time of night, most of the public were asleep in their homes. Yet, it would only take one single witness to relay supposition to the authorities, sabotaging the whole plan.
“Yeah,” Palmer answered, “Just us.” His eyes locked with Charlie’s, curious for her response. He would do all in his power to ensure her safety, but he knew she was going to have to trust him and even follow orders. His instincts told him that Charlie was more than up to the task even if she hadn’t been specifically trained in this sort of thing. Her willingness, power, and supposedly daring nature made her a phenomenal asset.
“You’ll have a vest but we’ll have to conceal it as much as we can,” the dark blond exclaimed. “There may be a point where we need you to go in alone, depending on what sort of perimeter he has set up.”
Softening his features, he continued to speak in a gentle manner. “Look, once we get out there, I can’t promise you’ll be safe, but I will do everything I can so that you do not fall in any danger. Jasper wouldn’t have put me to the job if he had any doubts.” Palmer knew he had the skills and training to do this, but it didn’t mean she knew this to the extent that he did. There was no part of him that wished for any unfortunate circumstances to fall upon Charlie.
Charlie smiled at his statement, but it was mirthless, all jagged edges and sharp points. That was right. She was dangerous, and she would never let anyone forget that again. She bristled almost happily at Palmer’s acknowledgement of it. The head security chief was more effective and useful than others usually expressed to him, and despite the fact that he was still technically part of her own security detail, she respected him a little bit. Only a little bit, of course. She couldn’t afford to go around getting all enmeshed with other people. Distant respect was about as much as she could manage. It was more than most people got.
She rifled through the next file he gave her. It was simple enough, she supposed. It looked like a standard warehouse, squat but large. The inside was up in the air, but in an hour, he would not have had much time to plan specifically for two of Monroeville’s staff to pay him a personal visit. “Well, that’s workable.” So it would be simple extraction. She almost frowned. That was a little boring, even if it meant she had a better chance of coming back in one piece. Tip to tail, it could delay her night by only two, maybe three hours if they ran into real trouble. Since it was just the two of them, there was less opportunity for things to go south, which she preferred.
She nodded when he confirmed it was just the two of them. As far as they knew, it was only one target. Between his expertise and hers, the deed just needed to be done. “Good. Less moving parts.” And less distractions. She almost brought her thumb to her mouth, to chew her fingernail in an old nervous habit, but old conditioning stalled her. Don’t do that. It makes you look like a child. She lowered her hand and gave the files back to Palmer, standing.
She shrugged at the mention of a vest. She could throw on a black jacket and still be rather incognito. The going in alone did not shock her much either. Palmer’s power made him an excellent one for stealth recognizance, but she could not turn into a bird. She would have to settle for walking in on her own two feet.
She had to bite back the scoff at his next spiel. Of all the people he hired, Jasper rarely made a mistake; everyone had a reason they were there. If Jasper could trust Palmer, then she could, too. “I can take care of myself, Mr. Palmer. But when I start using my power, you’ll have to run point. It’s an art, and distractions can be deadly.” Not that she was afraid of that, per se. Nothing great was ever made without having to take a few unsavory steps along the way. “We should load up and get going before he decides to skip town or share his new knowledge,” she suggested, indicating for him to lead the way.
Everything looked to be more promising now that Charlie wasn’t showing any objection to hunting Beckham down. He was impressed, actually, to how willing she had been. This gave him more faith in the success of their objective. As the female continued to talk, Palmer stood up and began to collect the essentials in preparation for the event. He made sure to nod and give Charlie assurance through body language that he was still listening to everything she had to say. It was crucial to the operation she knew and felt that they were going to unfailingly work alongside as a team. After finding the vest stored in a nearby drawer, he handed it over to his new partner, turning back resume his search for the appropriate ammunition.
“When we get to that point, we’ll discuss what you will need to make it as comfortable and easy for you to perform your task,” Palmer said, glancing to see Charlie in case of the need for assistance with the vest. “Throughout this mission, it’s essential that you listen and obey my every order. I don’t mind you speaking or asking questions when the time is right, but you must do what I say.” His voice was firm, knowing he had to be stern in putting such a point across. “That way I can keep you safe.” An addition of explanation is something he didn’t always provide to colleagues, but since he was working with someone he hadn’t before under these particular conditions, the expectations as well as the provision of reasons were compulsory.
Reaching down to his belt, Palmer pulled out a pistol from the holster. It was a polymer-framed Heckler and Koch USP Compact: small, light, and durable; chambered for the 9mm cartridge. Starting to attach the silencer, a detachable accessory to suppress noise when used, his sudden attention was brought back to Charlie. Looking at the confidant, he noticed her eyes glued to the gun, almost as if the pistol, rather, was melting itself from the anomalous gaze. Hell knew what was going through that head of hers. The smarter side of Palmer thought best to not even ask, nor entertain the thought.
She rolled her eyes. She knew how to follow orders when it mattered. Even if they came from people who, under ordinary circumstance, she would have never let give her orders. People had seemed to forget that about her. A few missteps, a few extra memories wiped, and suddenly people thought you had gone absolutely rouge. What was important was that she got the job done with minimal risk to herself or more importantly Monroeville, and she knew she could handle that. “Got it, Chief. Keep my head low, follow orders, don’t fuck it up.” She pulled her dark hair into a high ponytail. “This isn’t my first rodeo, and we both know it won’t be my last.” Someone would really have to take her out before she stopped working for Monroeville.
Pretty much ready, her eyes wandered around the room, tracing the various instruments of both surveillance and damage. She vaguely wondered if the hidden cameras at her house fed into his office before she spotted him attaching the silencer to his gun. She watched him with the gun, the way he carefully prepared it. All her fire power was mental, and even then, it was hardly a weapon in that sense. They had confiscated everything she tried to make and use a child, and the security that watched her, ostensibly “for her protection,” would not have allowed her anywhere near one as an adult. Of course, what they did not know (or, more accurately, could not remember) was no skin off their nose.
So, technically, the answer to that question should be “no.” As far as the hospital knew, she had never. She hardly thought they would appreciate the classes she took when their security wasn’t looking. She hesitated before nodding. “Not that one, specifically,” she answered curtly. “But I know my way around one in a pinch, yes.” She all but muttered it; it was, after all, probably not something to tell the head of security.
“Okay.” His tone was placid as he extended over to his desk, grabbing a single key that was hidden under the keyboard. The key was small, fitting nicely into the palm of his hand. Moving over to a locked drawer, he inserted the key, clutching the handle and pulling out what then showed to be a portable container. Taking it out and setting it on the side. The case had a metallic shine, still showing sign of youth. After rearranging the numbers to the correct code, the case popped open in which another pistol was shown. It was a black Beretta 92FS.
Most of his colleagues would think him crazy, perhaps even Jasper. Palmer knew, however, that if Charlie intended on hurting him, she could do more things without the use of a gun. But, if they were going to do this, risky decisions had to be made.
“It’s been a while since I last saw this,” he muttered quietly, arming it with new ammunition. His eyes glazed over as a flashback of memories attempted to overcome him, for a mere second, before lifting his gaze to Charlie’s. “I want you to use it as means for protection. Nothing else, unless I say otherwise.” Palmer’s command was straightforward, taking a good look at the female as he offered the weapon. His expression was unchanging, watching closely as he waited for her to take. Silence filled the room.
Charlie’s eyes widened before she could control her expression. She watched him retrieve the key, then the container. Was he actually going to go through with it? Maybe Palmer wasn’t as bad as she always thought! The case looked new, rarely used; she wasn’t quite sure what to make of that. She stepped forward when the case popped out, the semi-automatic pistol all but grinning up to her from its case. Perhaps Palmer had tangled with too many patients; perhaps he really had lost it.
“She’s beautiful,” Charlie informed him, in probably her first real, unbiting comment of the night. She tore her eyes away from the gun long enough to find a holster for it, which she attached to her waist. It would be easy enough to cover with the jacket. Once it was secure and the gun loaded, she gently took the weapon, testing the weight and grip in her hand. It was rather natural, the right weight and everything. As she tested the sightline, she scoffed. “Don’t worry, Palmer. I’m sure even Blackthorn would hang me out to dry if I shot up his favorite security guard and left a trail of bodies during a routine mission,” she informed him with a little shrug. She had fucked up a few times but never quite that bad. It would be new territory, that she definitely didn't want to explore.
She slid the gun into its holster, the weight new at her hip. She pulled the jacket down over it and tested raising her arms a few times. The jacket was just big enough to cover it but not enough to get in the way of her movements. She was ready, locked and loaded. “After you,” she informed him, crossing her arms over her chest. Her Tupperware of dinner was still calling her name, and as exciting as this all was, she desperately just wanted to be in her own house, in her pajamas. If she got back with enough time, she could even add a bath to the night’s docket.
Palmer raised a brow, followed by a small and rather unsettled smirk. He surmised the idea in terms of getting rid of him came to Charlie after she picked up that gun albeit hearing those words from her confirmed his suspicion. It wasn’t a big deal, nevertheless, and it was to be expected. He took a last look at the weapon before the female conceived it. Momentarily, looking to the side and then to the ground in distant thought, Palmer finally lifted his gaze to his partner. The daze had only lasted a few seconds. “Okay, let’s go,” he replied, taking a courteous stand in allowing Charlie to leave the room first before taking the lead, himself.
Outside, the rain was pelting down hard, though the temperature itself was far from chilly. Darkness was sweeping in and New Orleans, itself, was fortunate to be close to the 70s in Fahrenheit during this time of year. Monroeville’s weeping willows covered the vast of the secluded area and the entryway and existence of many gates were easy to be seen. Beautiful transparent drops of rain slid off the drooping leaves down onto the ground. It was a prepossessing scene, yet the presence of the trees stood out as a symbol of sadness among this isolation. Palmer kept his hands snug in his jacket’s pockets, now beginning to step closer to the other. Cameras were unquestionably capturing their exit, but their approval to leave ceased any security personnel from retaining them.
After leaving the grounds together, Palmer ensured that they kept close, maybe even a little too close for comfort. The head security’s body language was calm as if the two were close friends walking beside each other in an exceptionally close manner. His arm would often rub against the side of his partner's jacket, and judging by Charlie's character alone, Palmer knew he was going to have to offer a quick explanation.
“We’re being watched,” the dark blonde whispered, eyes beaming at Charlie with a substantial smile. His words and serious tone contradicted the unusually pleasant vibe his body language was giving off, hoping for both of their sake that the memory manipulator would catch on; Palmer believed Charlie to be smart enough to understand.
Before they had left the hospital, the coordinates had been set into his device. It was on silent for now, but they were first going to have to find a vehicle. Jasper had invested in plenty of well-equipped sturdy vehicles that would be more than suitable for the job. The problem was that Beckham’s men would certainly anticipate that once Jasper found out regarding the missing document, the man would send some of his own team to take them down, using Monroeville’s own vehicles. Palmer had only spotted one individual using his peripheral vision. The individual was on higher ground which gave their competitor the advantage for the meantime. The ex-agent's own training came to the aid in times like these.
Inevitably, it appeared that a civilian’s car was going to be their best option.
Charlie tried her best to forget the piece at her hip. It would be a dead giveaway if she kept her hand hovering near it all night. Instead, she fiddled with her bracelet, a simple circle of grey metal, only meeting his eyes when he looked up at her. He gave the signal to leave, and she was already half-way out the door before he could finish the command. “Thought you’d never say so,” she murmured, breezing out the door.
She turned up the collar of the black jacket to try to keep the rain off of her, but it did little to create a barrier against the inclement weather. The night was hot and dark, the tension high in the air, which seemed to only increase the mugginess. She hated hot rain more than anything in the world, or close to it, and she cursed under her breath to be out in it when a perfectly good night was waiting for her at home. The weeping willows stood like giant statues on the lawn, immobile except for their swaying hair. She had always thought they looked foreboding instead of beautiful, like sentries who stood guard outside the gates. They were meant to keep the patients in, to shield them from the outside world, and anytime she was able to cross their threshold, she considered herself lucky.
They passed through the official grounds, Charlie’s shoulder blades near her ears with her tension. It was only when she was able to really focus on her surroundings that she noticed Palmer’s closeness to her. He had to have been out of his mind, and she glared at him from the corner of her eye. Clocking his relaxed demeanor, she started to unwind some of the stress she carried. There was a game at foot, quite clearly. That or she just might have to use the new gift on her new “friend.”
Charlie rolled her eyes at his insinuations, but she tried to make it appear as playful as she could for the onlookers, whoever and wherever they were. They were being watched, huh? When was she not being watched? She leaned toward him, appearing outwardly as though she had a great and joyous secret to tell him. “The least you can do is commit. Or at least buy me dinner first.” She followed the statements with a laugh completely incongruous to their content. She sidled closer to Palmer; she was never one to be outdone. She bumped the side of his hip with her own, having picked it from people-watching as a youth.
Charlie eyed the cars in the parking lot as they neared them. They were walking rather quickly past the company vehicles, which all screamed Monroeville. They were practically armored cars, some of them, and the rest had the general sense of authority about them. None of that would do, she figured. She took out the keys from her back pocket and held them up to Palmer. “We’ll just take mine, then.” It wasn’t a showy vehicle, older than most, compact but not too small or sporty. It was technically not hers, a long-term loan of sorts from the hospital. Originally packaged as a gift, it was just another claim they had over her. Not that she minded benefitting from those, of course.
Palmer quickly looked at Charlie with a confused yet surprised look after his colleague’s sarcastic and teasing remarks. Raising a brow, a feeling of amusement, and to be honest, even a slight hint of terror churned inside him. There were a few women he had dated in the past that had their unique ways with things, but Charlie was undoubtedly one of a kind. He could imagine the sadistic and manipulative games the female would be capable of playing on any guy who had the audacity to develop some romantic connection with her. Putting the craziness and jokes aside, he was fine working with her, and truth be told, he felt a little pity for the woman. He had long heard the remarks that had been made about her behind her back. There were many who were too afraid to even say anything in case of Charlie finding out, herself. The head of security, himself, had been smart enough to ignore them and set the comments aside, but no question Charlie had an idea of these doings anyway. If they had seen the way the memory manipulator had looked at that gun, those individuals would probably think again before they opened their mouth; patients included.
“I can tell you really want that dinner,” Palmer said, following the incident of Charlie bumping her hip against him. Hell knows what she is really like as a flirt. Taking the keys, he nodded at his partner before getting into the car. Hopefully they weren’t going to get into any collisions, but he figured that probably wasn’t going to happen with his luck. If anything was going to happen to Charlie’s car, he had a hunch for who was going to be next on this upcoming menu for Christmas dinner.
After turning on the coordinates and driving off, he kept a good eye on the mirrors. They weren’t being followed, yet, but Palmer knew they weren’t going to be in the clear for a while. Surprisingly, the person who had been watching them from afar, hadn’t taken any action before they had left. This told Palmer that they, too, were keeping things under wrap.
“Be ready to shoot if you need to,” he warned the other. He kept a firm grip on the wheel as they continued forward, checking the radar on his phone for any suspicious objects or activity. The car was going to have to be parked in a place of hiding, outside the perimeter of their adversary’s base.
“Any plans for Christmas?” Palmer casually asked, continuously peering into the mirrors to warrant his undivided attention. He thought it be good to establish somewhat more of a connection while they had the chance. Jasper often provided meals for a few, and it was more than likely that his boss would take strong measures to ensure that Charlie was well catered for.
Charlie couldn’t get a read on Palmer, and it drove her batty. He seemed like he wanted to be a good man. He must have, once upon a time, been a good man, at the very least. Good people rarely lasted when it came to working at Monroeville unless they had an ulterior motive or some sort of connection. She had seen more than her fair share of doctors, orderlies, and others quit without giving their two weeks. It took a special sort to tough it out at Monroeville, and Palmer seemed tough enough. He had roughed up that bone kid well enough, and he had trusted her with the piece at her hip. Not everyone would, that much was abundantly clear. She couldn’t suss out his motive in doing so. She knew the general whisperings about her; they were nothing new. If he had listened to them, he would not have made what could easily feel like a grievous error.
“Don’t begin to act like that was for your benefit, but if we both come back alive, I’ll consider actually letting you buy me dinner.” With a roll of her eyes, she circled the car to the passenger side door. She hated driving; it was the only thing that went against her complete want of control. She fastened the seatbelt and pulled it rather loose, wanting to be mobile but not entirely trusting of Palmer’s driving. “She’s not pretty, but she’s all I got. Treat her well,” she warned him about the car. It was just another hospital off-shoot, though, and those were little more than empty gestures.
Charlie pulled the gun out of the holster on her hip and laid it across her lap. It only took her a quick second of inspection to find and disable the safety. “Got it, chief,” she murmured, mumbling low enough that he wouldn’t immediately hear her. She still didn’t know the team he played for; his loyalties had always been unclear. The whole mission felt like an equal test, as if they were both tiptoeing around something more than stolen documents.
Did she have plans for Christmas? Maybe Palmer really had lost his mind. “Are you inviting me over, Bob Cratchet?” she huffed, eyes on the sideview mirrors to avoid looking at him. Christmas was a holiday for families or greeting cards; she had neither. The little dinners that Jasper threw were hardly a festive affair, more like something she had to work and fake her way through. There were few things in her life that didn’t feel like complete and utter work. “But no, I don’t have any particular plans for Christmas.” Social training kicked in before she could think; a question like that was meant to be reciprocal. “What do you do for Christmas?”
As she watched the mirrors, they remained relatively cleared. That did not feel like a good sign; it was as if something was watching, waiting for them. She cursed beneath her breath. She hated surprises more than anything else in the world. To be caught off guard was to be caught with one foot in the grave. That much she knew well. “It’s too damn quiet back there. What else do you know about these guys?”
He let out a quick laugh, followed by a small smile. Following the snide remark, he just received, he decided he might actually take her out for a meal after all; Jasper may very well not be ultimately planning anything. As it happens, his boss had kept quieter starting not long ago. It could be that the man was busy, or likely up to something else. Nevertheless, no harm could come from one night out, unless some unfortunate happening came upon her or the vehicle. One dent in the car would be equivalent to a dent in his head. At any rate, he’d be sure to get her a little something at the very least, as he felt it was beyond dispute to what she was feeling. That was his own assumption, anyway. Charlie preserved her rough exterior, but he had learned how to tell if a woman was in an internal squabble. Evidently, he would never be able to come to a full comprehension of the psychological structure of a woman’s mind. Now, that was patently impossible. Notwithstanding, Palmer noted her present lack of eye contact.
“I’ve got nothing planned,” he replied, glancing again at the small angled mirror. The sight of two black vehicles were now apparent, headlights obnoxiously beaming in a glare to throw off their vision. Here we go. His companion had cleverly registered ahead of time the lengthy absence the two of them had shared. The upcoming hostiles were accelerating at an even faster rate, almost in a transfix. Knowing Charlie was going to pick up on the plight, he took a brief look at her before using the pedal to gain more momentum. A resonating growl issues from the engine as they acquired higher levels of speed. “Everything I’ve told you is what I know… Ms. Rae, hold on.”
An abrupt cracking sound proceeded as a solitary bullet impacted the slab of glass window in the back. Shards of glass flew inward, unfurling over the back seat. Without delay, he stooped downward before bringing himself back up. “Dammit!” Palmer bitterly cursed as his eyes narrowed. Adrenaline had kicked in, and a dissimilar demeanour immediately took over. He swiftly checked Charlie to see if she had been hurt. There were yet to be any indication of injury from the projectile, itself. “You okay?!” he shouted, elevating his voice to power over the roaring sounds. Meanwhile, the substantial gap beforehand was closing in, and it was clear they were going to encircle their vehicle.
Instantaneously, the moment one of the hostile’s vehicle succeeded next to them, he strongly gripped the steering wheel before jerking it, slamming the car into the side of the other followed by a booming sound of collision.