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#DrellCompound – September 23, 2016
Steve would find himself surrounded by darkness when he awakes. Pitch black darkness in every direction. And cold. No armor. Exposed skin against the air, one side pressing against the cold metal floor. Metal shakles pressing against wrists behind him.
Steve blinks a few times, confusion setting in heavily as he looks around, but the darkness affords him no clues as to where he is. Like a flash of lightning, his memories rush back to him, reminding him of the fight with Kell. The sharp pain in his side certainly helps to bring him back up to speed. He jerks against his restraints, causing more pain in his left hand. Definitely some broken bones. Once his brain runs through a
quick game of 'connect the dots', it's not difficult for him to realize he's probably in one of those small rooms they were trying to shove him in before. "Let me out of here you ugly fucks!" he shouts at the darkness. "Didn't I kill enough of ya'll the first time!?" he taunts, his shoulders rising and falling as a loud chuckle escapes him. "C'monnnn! You gonna make me kill the rest of ya, too!?" Even in the darkness his
Steve continues to test his restraints as he climbs to his knees, attempting to figure out what the restraints are made of, how durable they are, whatever he can as he pulls at them. "What's the matter, Kell? Can't face me without an army at your back? Man the fuck up, ya pussy. Just you and me! See how shit goes when you ain't got people to bail your ass out!"
The metal shackles seem quite durable, and as Steve pulls at them he'd hear the rattling of chains behind him, and find that he is anchored to a point somewhere behind. There is still no response.
Steve decides that the lack of a response most likely means nobody is in the immediate vicinity. With a deep breath and a moment's hesitation, he bites down hard on his lower lip and begins the process of trying to use his broken digits to his advantage on his left hand as he attempts to slip his left hand free from the shackles. A painful process that causes his teeth to sink deep into his lip and his breathing to grow rapid and
It's not quick, and it's not pretty, but it's looking doable. He's made some progress when a crack of light appears in the darkness, and accompanied by a load metal grown it grows wider, blinding sunlight filtering through into the dark room as a door opens and a silhouette takes shape in the opening.
Steve halts the moment the crack of light appears, sucking shallow breaths in through his nose as he jams his damaged hand back into the shackles, suppressing the whimper threatening to escape. No point in giving himself away. If worst comes to worst, he can always just go for it all in one swoop if he needs a free hand in a pinch. He tilts his head to the side, clenching his eyelids shut to shield his eyes as they attempt to
adjust to the light. "Decide to come back for round two?" he taunts with a chuckle. He sucks a deep breath in through h is nose as he reopens his eyes to look over his visitor.
The silhouette enters the room, and it soon becomes clear that it is Kell. Still in his coat, armor underneath it, he crouches down in front of Steve, keeping a bit of distance between them. "You have caused me a great deal of trouble, alien."
As the light shines into the room it is revealed to be a small room with metal floor, walls and ceiling. There is some rust, but surprisingly little. The room is barren. Outside Steve might catch a glimpse of a corridor. It doesn't look like the same one he was taken to before.
Steve snickers, his shoulders bouncing as he looks up at Kell. "Buddy? I'm just gettin' started." he says through a grin. "See, I've been in my fair share of cages." he continues, giving the small room the once over with his eyes, "Ain't none of 'em been able to hold me for too long. You'll slip up eventually. Or one of your people will slip up. And then one night- when you least expect it- you'll open your eyes and my face is
gonna be the last thing you see before I slit your throat. Count on it." He falls silent as his gaze to a corner of the room behind Kell.
Kell grins at this, amused by the human's threats. "I do not doubt it. You have proven yourself very dangerous. Many of my people lay dead, because of you and your friends. But they have abandoned you now. Fled. Is such disloyalty accepted among your people?"
Steve doesn't at all seem surprised by this. Steve is the only one Steve depends on, after all. "Figured as much. They ain't got the stomach for what needed to be done here." he admits, bringing his attention back to Kell. "S'all right. I'm still breathin', so I ain't done killin' yet. I'll get around to finishin' the job in due time." he continues to taunt, grin widening. He gives another glance towards the corner of the room
briefly before continuing, "Way I see it? This is gonna play out in one of only a few ways, Kell. Either you kill me right this second? Or I kill you in good time. But see, I got a third option for ya." He rotates his shoulders, causing the chains to jangle behind him, "I ain't never been too fond of cowards. So how 'bout you loosen up these chains and I take ya to my team's rendezvous point? Figure they left me here to
rot, so one good turn deserves another, right? They got more than enough shit to make it worth your while. Even a ship to boot, supposedly. Could all be yours. All I ask in exchange is a car and enough food and water to get to Pilgrim's Haven. Hell, I'll even help ya knock off the whole lot of 'em."
Kell 's grin widens as he studies Steve. "Indeed? I like the way you think, alien. My people are thristy for revenge for the damage caused here. If you can bring us to the others, I would be happy to spare a vehicle and some supplies." he says with a nod. "Of course, any sign of trouble, and I will have no choice but to put you down. You understand, I'm sure."
Steve's own grin widens in turn. He jangles his chains, "There's no love lost between me and them. That's for damn sure. Bring me my gear and lose the chains and you've got yourself a deal."
Kell 's smile fades. "Let's not be hasty. I appreciate your cooperation, but your equipment will be returned after we find your... friends." he says, balancing his arms on his knees as he studies the man.
Steve shrugs his shoulders. "That ain't gonna be a problem. But if there's gonna be a firefight, I ain't goin' into it unarmed. And you can bet your ass the rest of my team ain't gonna go down without a fight. Gimme one of them lil' peashooters of yours at least. And some clothing." he negotiates. "Trust, my new friend. Foundation of any good relationship. You got somethin' I want, I got somethin' you want. Trust."
Kell smirks. "I have seen what you can do without any weaponry. I suspect you will be fine. When the time comes for a fight, we can discuss it again." He stands up and looks the man over. "Clothes, we can provide." he says before turning towards the door. "We leave immediately. You will be brought to a vehicle." he says as he heads towards the door.
Steve briefly considers requesting the small pill bottle tucked away in a compartment of his hardsuit, but the pounding at the back of his head causes him to twitch irratically and rethink it. Nah. Never been better. Who needs 'em. The figure in the corner of his cell's voice echos in his mind. 'You're confused, Thumper. You need your meds.' He stares through her, pursing his lips together to kiss at the air as he sends a wink
her way before sitting back against the cold metal floor. Sure will be nice to get out of this room. Becoming awfully crowded.
The door remains open after Kell leaves, and soon two armed guards step inside, one of them tossing a worn pair of cargo shorts and a pair of sandals on the ground in front of Steve before moving around behind him and kneeling down. The other one remains by the door, holding a rifle.
Steve remains in place, giving another jangle of his shackles. "Ya'll gonna let me outta these things? I'd like to put some fuckin' clothes on. C'mon." he complains as he raises his hands to give the drell behind him better access to the shackles.
With a metallic click the drell behind Steve detaches the wrist shackles before stepping back, standing up again as he looks at the human.
Steve rolls his shoulders, stretching out the joints as he scoops up the shorts and climbs to his feet. A loud pop fills the room as he cracks his neck by tilting it hard and erratically to the side. "Ya'll just gonna stand around and watch me get dressed?" he asks with a shake of his head before going ahead and tugging the shorts on and sliding into the dumb sandals. He makes a fist with his left hand, opening and closing it
to test the range of motion despite the sharp pain that fills his arm with each movement due to the shattered bones somewhere in there. His gaze travels down to his side to look over the wound burned shut on his side and assess it.
One of the guards turns and exits the corridor, while the other nods for Steve to follow. No rough treatment now. Just a nod.
Steve silently follows his orders, giving a few glances in random directions in a bid of farewell to his invisible guests. He slows to a stop at the door, looking to his side for a few moments before sucking in a deep breath and blinking the visions away. 'You're fine, Steve. Just gotta get a grip on this.' he silently encourages himself before exiting the cell and following behind the drell guard. He keeps tabs on where he's
being led and brings his right hand up to the back of his head, tracing it against his neck, feeling for his amp.
Not there. The port is empty. The guard ahead leads the way up a stairs which leads to another corridor, and then out a door that takes them directly outside. Judging by elevation they must have been underground. The other guard walks behind Steve. Outside, a large numbers of vehicles are once again being prepared. The damage from Nathan and Ehanis' attack is still being cleaned up as well. More than a few angry or fearful eyes
Steve winces and cusses up a storm. "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, shit, fuck!" he mutters loudly. "My amp. I need my-... Kell!" he shouts, looking around for any sign of the lead drell. "Deal is off if I don't get my fucking amp!"
The guards stop to look at the man as he begins his tantrum, confusion in their faces. It is not long before Kell joins them, however. "Your amp?" he asks, eyebrow raised curiously.
Steve turns to face Kell, the anger clear as day on his face as his right hand slaps at the back of his neck. "Yeah my-..." his eyes clench shut tightly as another pang of lightning shoots through his skull and he attempts to calm his breathing. "My amp." he repeats, tapping his neck. "I need my amp. Not up for debate."
Kell studies the human's condition for a moment before responding. "I have seen devices like that before." he says. "It has to do with your... powers, doesn't it?"
Steve stares harshly at Kell. "It's none of your damn business. All you need to know is you're either gonna hand it over, or we're gonna have a few more dead bodies right here. You understandin' me?" he asks, sizing up the guards around him. "My amp. Hand it over. And give me some fuckin' shoes." he adds, kicking at the air with his dumb sandals.
Kell seems amused by the reaction. Additional guards rally on them, raising their rifles, but for whatever reason he waves them down. "I see." he says, digging a hand into a pocket and producing the small device. He holds it out for Steve to take. "Trust." he says with a smile. "Now, time to go."
Steve swipes the device from Kell's hand, holding eye contact with the drell as he slots it back into his neck. "Yeah... Trust..." he repeats as he falls back into line. "Guess that means I ain't gettin' no real shoes, huh?"
Kell glances down at Steve's feet. "What you have will suffice, for now." he says as they resume heading towards a nearby vehicle.