damned_institute | Nightshift 24, F8

The Boss stood up as she reached F8, her expression blank as ever. She doubted Fox would be there already, but whoever was on the other side of the door was still an ally.

For now.

She knocked twice, eyes darting from left to right now and then, on constant alert for whatever Hell might send as an ambush.

Lyta froze. She didn't recognize the 'feel' of the person knocking on her door. It wasn't Fox or Envy. Frowning, Lyta stood and sent out a feeler. The damn door caused too much interference, she couldn't get anything.

"Come in," Lyta said, reaching for one of her syringes. Just in case.

Still self-confident enough to at least not hesitate, The Boss didn't freeze for a moment as she stepped into the room. Even if her supposed ally was going to attack her when she did, she doubted it would be something she couldn't stop. She could break guns and arms with the same efficiency.

Now she could get a read.

"You're the one Fox told me about," Lyta said, setting down the syringe. "Where is he?" She'd figured the two would come together. At least now she could touch the woman's surface thoughts without guilt. And she would have felt guilty, had Fox been right there. But damn it all, she wasn't going to work with someone if she hadn't screened them.

"He isn't here yet," she replied, evenly, keeping herself from raising an eyebrow when she noticed the syringe. "I'm sure he's on his way."

She's not the trusting type, and I doubt my ability to trust Fox. Irrelevant to efficiency. I have and may make allies, so there is no reason to let my personal feelings cloud my common sense.

"Fox didn't talk about you," she continued, without pausing. "Who are you?"

"It took him a little while last night, too," Lyta said. "And we're waiting for the fourth member of our little expedition, to." Who she didn't trust, but she could control.

"I'm Lyta Alexander. I'm originally from Earth, I'm from the the year 2264, I guess you could say I'm a soldier since I fought in a few wars, and I'm a telepath. But don't worry, I have to touch someone to read their mind." She was always quick to point that out to anyone who she didn't think would trust her because of it. And would make an issue out of it.

"I've known Fox for a few days, I did a favor for him and he's helping me out because of it."

Exactly three-hundred years after The Boss's death. So far in the future she likely wasn't even a distant footnote anymore, but that was how time worked, wasn't it?

"I am The Boss," she replied, without any inward or outward signs of friendliness.

She remained blank when Lyta mentioned her abilities, but it was actually a lack of surprise and not forced. For one, Fox had mentioned telepaths before. Second, she had worked alongside a man who used bees as weapons.

She was internally relieved that the telepath wouldn't be pulling anything out of her head soon. Her history was hers alone to give to someone else. And she had only given it to one person.

The Boss still didn't trust her, regardless, and she remained silent, not even noting the "originally from Earth". Not really suprising that it'd find a way to destroy itself in three-hundred years.

Cheetara didn't trust herself to speak up at a time like this, so she curled up a little more and quietly listened to the exchange. A few things that were said piqued curiosity, however.

Fox? She wondered. Robin was a fox. Or, so he said. She doubted Lyta was referring to the same person, however. It was entirely possible for there to be other foxes. The second comment made her shiver, though.

Telepathic. Of course. No wonder I felt so funny before. My second sight must've been reacting to her powers... but what does that mean? What does anything mean anymore?

Her eyes left Lyta and she looked analytically at this self-proclaimed "Boss." Trust was not the issue here. Cheetara's compassionate nature lead her to want to trust anyone that crossed her path. But, she knew, that was no way to live and remain living. Especially in a place like this. She had only been here a day, but she'd seen already that anything could happen. For now, she decided to reserve judgment. It was unlikely that she would be spoken to and she saw no reason to interrupt unless either party wanted her to be part of the conversation. This did leave plenty of time for thought, however, and encouraged Cheetara to draw her own conclusions.

She would have to speak to Lyta later, though. Maybe Lyta would be able to teach her a thing or two...

"Yeah, Fox told me about you," Lyta said, nodding. He'd told her quite a bit. She cast a quick look over to Cheetara, almost apologetic. Should she introduce her? Her roommate didn't seem like she wanted to be introduced to Boss, and Lyta honestly didn't blame her.

"Once everyone's together, we're heading for the Courtyard. We tried it last night, but morning came before we were able to do what I'd planned." That happened, when waiting for more than one person. If Lyta didn't need the protection....

She did look to Cheetara now. "Do you want a rough map?" she asked the woman. "I can try and sketch one out for you."

The Boss gave a slight nod, but was otherwise immobile, calm, as unmovable and unreacting as a rock. She just stood there, saying nothing, watching and waiting.

If Fox had talked about her (how much had he said?), there was nothing to say.

The only thing that seemed to be occupied were her eyes, which turned towards the other woman in the room, analyzing her.

Cheetara glanced over at Lyta, her eyes reflecting relief. "A map would be wonderful." she intoned gratefully. "Thank you."

Her skin crawled as she felt the Boss's eyes on her and she turned, inclining her head in a small nod. She wasn't sure what else to do, but if nothing else, every living being deserved respect. That was part of the Code, if an unwritten part.

Her thoughts spun. So this was a game of trust. Cat and mouse, almost, except this time she was one of the mice. A very disadvantaged mouse too, by the looks of things. What should she do? Staying here was always an option, but it wasn't a very appealing one. It should be the safest course of action, but to hell with being safe. She was a Thundercat. Since when had she ever been afraid of danger? It was never a good idea to rush into things without a purpose and a plan, however. A map would certainly help.

She toyed briefly with the idea of asking Lyta if she could join her little escape mission, but decided that if she was invited she would readily accept, but if she wasn't, then she was unecessary. If they had a plan worked out from the start an extra person may just complicate things. She understood that, though in her heart she was hoping she would figure out somewhere to be. Anywhere but here. Just to understand the way things worked in the place... just so she wouldn't have to face whatever terrors awaited her alone.

Fox was actually relieved when night-shift arrived, when the lights went out, and they were free to explore the hospital. He was more himself when he was stalking along the halls, katana in hand, avoiding danger.

When he reached Lyta's door he knocked on it quietly twice, standing with his back facing the wall next to her door, waiting for it to open so he could slip inside and keeping an eye on the hallway.

"I'll see what I can do." Lyta flipped open her notebook and grabbed a pen, leaning over her desk to sketch a very, very rough map of the first floor. It wasn't exactly her specialty. But it would give the woman something to go by, at least.

When the second knock came, she didn't even look up.

"You don't have to knock Fox, just come in." She already knew his signature, and as far as she was concerned, he could come in whenever the hell he wanted.

"You've got plans tonight?" she asked Cheetara, handing her the map. Too bad they were locked in a crazy house with monsters running all over - usually Lyta would be thrilled to have two attractive women in her room.

The Boss noticed obvious signs of the other woman's discomfort. Being unnerved by just her stare alone didn't say good things for the woman's abilities.

Simple grunts had been unnerved by her, but this was a stranger who knew nothing about her. So there was no excuses, and being so reactionary to a stare when said other woman had just been staring at her was simply a negative trait.

The Boss turned her eyes toward the door when Fox knocked, already guessing at who was on the other side before Lyta confirmed it.

Otherwise, she still didn't move. Her questions would wait.

Cheetara took the map gratefully. "None whatesoever. My original idea was to sleep, but it looks like that's the last thing on the agenda." She glanced over at the self-proclaimed Boss again and tried desperately to relax. It wasn't as if she were in the company of enemies necessarily.

Trust... trust... She thought gently, trying to recall what Jaga had said on the subject. "You must always trust in people or risk never earning theirs in return." It sounded like sound logic to Cheetara and she stood fluidly. If nothing else, it'll be good to meet more people. Learn new skills... She breathed deeply, steadying herself for a moment.

"If I can be of help in any way I would be more than happy to assist."

Fox smiled briefly when Lyta said he didn't need to knock, but the smile faded back into a neutral, focused mask before he stepped into the room, door opening and closing quickly as he silently stepped into the room.

He studied the new woman in the room for a moment, sizing her up and quickly deciding that she wasn't an immediate threat. However, that didn't mean he was going to relax, and the Katana stayed in a ready position at his side.

"Joy, Lyta," But someone else was missing from the room. Envy hadn't arrived yet. So maybe he would have time to speak with The Boss before they went on their mission.

"Well, we've got a pretty good crew right now," Lyta said, nodding to Fox and the Boss. "It's up to you, what you want to do. You've got a map, so you won't be wandering around lost. We're going to the Courtyard - I really don't need as many people as I've ended up with as it is..."

Which was true. It wasn't like anyone else could actually help her with looking for vents or pipes. They were just there in case she got attacked. She shrugged.

Things were so much easier with small groups - she'd learned that, working with Byron. Not that it should have been a surprise, considering how often the crew of the station was at each other's throats and dealing with miscommunication.

"Fox," replied The Boss, redundantly. It didn't help that it came across as a stated fact, not a greeting. And it was no wonder why, really, as she had questions she wanted answered.

"I want an explanation of this morning," she continued, coldly, efficiently. "Particularly of Snake, and your reasons for lying."

"If I could just follow you, perhaps, that would help me. I'm not quite familiar with the way things are yet." Or what I'm likely to run into in this place she thought bitterly. At least the Courtyard was semi-familiar.

"I won't be in your way." Cheetara promised. If there was anything she was good at, it was not being in the way.

He knew that he would have to explain everything to The Boss, but he really didn't want to do it in front of a woman he didn't know. He didn't mind Lyta, but the other woman he didn't know about.

"Let's step outside for a moment," He didn't particularly want to be standing around in the hall again, but he wasn't going to ask anyone else to do what he himself wouldn't do.

Fox opened the door again and stepped out carefully, leading with his Katana in case of an attack.

[[Going here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/120020.html?view=8085204#t8085204)]]

It was so tempting to move close to the door and eavesdrop. Lyta had to fight the temptation.

Instead, she turned her attention to Cheetara.

"It doesn't matter to me if you do or if you don't. I'm not exactly picky when it comes to who I run around with at night." But she did hate larger groups. It was impossible to think with all the static that came with it. She needed to figure out a way to block that all out.

"Hopefully we can get what I want done tonight."

"And what's that?" Cheetara inquired, partially out of curiousity but mostly so she could keep herself informed. There was so much about this new world that she didn't know, but she was ready to learn. There was that Thundercat instinct again.

She was also curious as to what was going on with these new people whom Lyta knew and what the dynamic was between them, but she was fairly certain that she wouldn't find much out about that until later, if ever. At any rate, she doubted she would learn much about them this night, although things could change. Things had changed, and rather too quickly for Cheetara's taste. But she had to deal with it. Ingenuity she thought grimly, thinking of Panthero. I bet he'd know what to do.

"Find a way out of here," was all Lyta said, in response to the question. That was the only thing on her mind. She'd promised people, and damned if she was going to break her promises. Even if....

No, she wasn't going to get bogged down in depressing thoughts. She couldn't afford to.

Damn it, why did Fox have to do whatever it was right now? And where the hell was Envy?

Although she'd been hoping for specifics she was okay with this vague plan. Lyta knew much more than she did and Cheetara trusted her. "Just tell me what to do." She responded quietly.

Envy saw Lyta's other henchman in the hallway talking with someone else, and avoided them as he let himself in, only to find Lyta talking with another new woman. More allies? That got under his skin. They were probably better armed than he was too. He straightened up and crossed his arms confidently so as not to betray his irritation at potentially being devalued besides other disposable pawns.

"Are we ready to go?" he asked, calmly, biting his tongue to avoid adding 'or do we have another troop to wait for?'.

Cheetara looked up at Envy, eying him warily. At least she assumed this was "Envy," the one Lyta and The Boss had been talking about. She glanced at Lyta, deciding to let her answer this question. She did not, in fact, know where Fox and The Boss had gone and thus had no idea whether they were "ready to go" or not, nor had she anything but the vaguest concept as to what exactly they were doing.

Cheetara's intuition told her that, because she didn't have a solid plan, it would be unwise to go galavanting off into the unknown. Her feline curiousity, however, completely overruled this notion. She was skeptical of what the little group would run into in the decidely dangerous hallways, but she'd never find out if she just stayed in her room all night.

She looked over the handmade map one last time before pocketing it and rising fluidly, a look of pale determination in her eyes. She was ready. She silently repelled the impluse to shout "ho!" as she would at home, echoing the excited cry that meant "I'm ready! Let's go!" before she and her friends would begin a new adventure, or rush to the aid of the Thundercat Lord to close an old one. Of course, she doubted such a reaction would be understood here. It was a Thundercats thing. She missed it already.

[[From here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/120020.html?thread=8086740#t8291284)]]

Fox stepped back inside, and glanced towards Envy, then Lyta. He didn't smile at her, though. Now that they were all here, they could begin the mission.

Fox just gave Lyta a silent nod of hello. He looked forward to getting outside, even though that meant they would merely be standing around waiting for Lyta to investigate the pond.

As blank as she had been when she left, as if nothing had been talked about at all, The Boss entered the room again. She gave quick glances towards Lyta, then the non-soldier, and finally the new one.

She quickly figured that the new one's confidence was somehow fake, as the (wo)man was potentially either hiding something, or compensating for it. The only truly clear thing was that (s)he wasn't a soldier either.

"We're ready," Lyta said, as soon as Fox and Boss were back inside. She cast a questioning look to Fox, but figured she'd ask him when the rather cold woman wasn't right there.

And now they'd ended up with more people than Lyta was honestly comfortable with. But it wasn't like she could tell anyone to take a hike, much as she wanted to.

"There's no time for introductions, and I highly doubt anyone cares anyway. We've spent enough time here, we're moving out." Grabbing her handful of syringes, Lyta headed out into the hallway.

Cheetara followed, unsure of what to expect. Her sharp eyes scanned the hallway and her muscles tensed. Her hair even seemed to bush out a little, reminicent of her old cat-based self.

She felt extremely vulnerable without a weapon and she looked desperately for anything she could possibly use to defend herself but found the halls depressingly bare. Next time I'm outside I'll look for a stick or something... that'll at least be some protection, if not much. She resolved as she hurried quickly after Lyta. She shifted her weight uneasily. Right now if we get cornered running may be my only hope.

Envy didn't say much, looking rather irritably at the new people that surrounded him, and kept moving ahead on the now familiar trek to the courtyard. The sooner the better.

It was good to finally get moving. They had already used up a lot of time, but hopefully they would be able to accomplish the mission tonight.

He followed behind Lyta, making sure to stay close enough that he could intercept whatever monsters might try to attack her, but not so close that neither of them had room to dodge.

Everything in front of The Boss was entirely inefficient.

Stealth wasn't being bothered with, only two were soldiers and one claimed to be, and the amount of men was staggeringly too many with absolutely no preparations and almost no weaponry.

The last problem wasn't one for her, but she doubted the non-soldiers would serve any purpose but shields.

As The Boss silently followed the group into the hallway, all she could think was that this entire effort was simply fruitless.

If it weren't for the fact that Lyta didn't have an effective weapon, she would have just gone alone. Or asked either Fox or Envy alone to accompany her. Too many people attracted too much attention. Not that it mattered much in this place - it didn't matter how silent or how careful you were, things found you. She knew that much.

Keeping her thoughts to herself, Lyta led the way out to the courtyard.

(Moving here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/128465.html))

Nightshift 24, F8

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