Chapter 61: Where do we start? (Team)

[Dome]

Isamu smiles at Deci's statement he can't help but think back to when he felt the same way. So much had happened to him, both good and bad.

Leaning forward resting his arms on the table he says, "I have another favor to ask, this one will perhaps be harder to do, as it is harder for me to ask," his face dreadfully serious. "I hope this does not undue any relationship we have been building thus far, however I must ask this. Please before you react think about what I am going to say."

He pauses, takes a deep breath then begins, "now, when you are out in the field, I need you to please listen to those who have more experience than you. Whether I like it or not I am the leader of this group. That means that I am responsible for what happens to the people on this team. I care about each and every one here, all of you. My most paramount concern is your safety. If I say I need you to leave a scene, I need you to do it. If you disagree, that is fine and when you and everyone is safe you can come and yell at me, debate it with me, or anything like that but the safety of everyone is paramount. There will be times that people will have more knowledge than you in a given subject, voicing a concern is fine, but if someone that has more experience, and more authority tells you that you must do something, unless it is out right illegal or immoral I ask that you comply first and discuss it later," again his face shows that he dislikes having to say this.

"We are about to go on a mission to take two criminals into custody. I have never met these individuals, however I am fairly sure this will not be a uh.. pie-walk," he says as if it finally came to him, "while your abilities will be invaluable in doing this with the powers of these suspects, I need you to understand that Avery is in charge and you will need to do exactly as he says."

[sasqaricious]

"I can agree to that to a degree, but now to make a point, does Avery know every ability in which I possess. Is he going to be able to know my limits. But you know what that does not matter. I promise you I will follow his words and listen to him exactly then. No matter what!" She makes him a promise, even though she is not sure she knows he does not know what he just asked. She is a bit upset especially since if she listens to his words exactly it means she can not act on her own, even if it means saving lives!

[Dome]

"He does not. You will need to fill him in on the way there. Explain to him what you can do, so he knows how to use you. The goal is to bring these two in and keep everyone safe. That includes civilians but especially your team members. The better we all work together the more likely that everyone will be safe. I will be with you on the main team, however Avery will lead this operation. Ryne's group will be working to secure the area and protect any civilians."

"I do not mean to take away your free will December, I suppose I should clarify. When I say do exactly like he says, I mean to say if he tells you to watch a door, then you do that. If he says we must withdraw then we do that. If you see something that you must do to protect the team, yourself or others, by all means do so. Just do not disobey if he says to pull out or to pursue or something like that. I hope that makes sense."

[sasqaricious]

"I understand what you mean." She is still mildly upset at him as she feels like her father is talking to her and she is like 10 years old instead of an adult. But also acknowledges he is also trying to be a leader. She is just not sure what to make of it!

[Dome]

"I am glad December, I just want the mission to go well and everyone to be safe. That is my main concern," he says worry etched on his face.

After a short pause he says, "I want you to know December if there is something you ever want to discuss with me, I will be available. Whatever it may be."

He then says, "we may be team mates, I may have the responsibility of leadership, but I really want us to be friends. I know all of this stuff," he says waving his hands at the room, "may sometimes get in the way, I just hope that we can keep everything in proper perspective and be both teammates and friends. I really think having you with us will be a benefit for the team and for me I hope you see it that way too."

[sasqaricious]

Deci hears the last part but thinking she hs been hard enough on Isamu that it is time to just go and face everything else. Perhps he would show her wrong which in the end would more nice, but she has to wait and see either way.

[Dome]

After a few moments of silence, Isamu says, "we can discuss the mission further on the way there," he stands up, "I should go prepare myself. I will see you in the garage shortly."

Unless she stops him he leaves the room and heads to the one he shares with Ashley. Once there he knocks but enters immediately, he says in Japanese, "My love? Are you here?"

[sasqaricious]

Deci heads out to meet up with Avery and prepares to take off for the task at hand.

[dakota]

"I'm still here." Ashley said, seated on the edge of the bed tying her laces. "Look, if this is about me being hurt, I'm okay. Between Avi's and my own healing only thing I need now is a little more rest and I'll get that this weekend. With the moon almost full, I want to lock myself in the cells until it passes so I can't hurt anyone." She looked up at Isamu with the same scowl she'd had in the meeting.


On her way outside, Deci finds Tom and Robert waiting for the others. Ryne came in from outside, and looked at them, " Avi and I pulled the cars around. We're all set if the others hurry up."

[Dome]

"I am sorry if I upset you," Isamu says as he enters the room and moves towards her. "I did not mean to do so, you know that. Sometimes it is difficult separating my duties from my feelings. Before we go anywhere though I want you to tell me exactly why your upset."

He then sits down yoga style on the floor in front of her (soles of his feet pressed together).

Isamu's response to Ashley.
He raises to his knees and takes both her hands, "I am truly sorry Ashley. I care about Trevor as much as you do. Allison was also a very good friend to us both. I know how callous I sounded during the meeting. I hope by now you know that I am not that way. As I said, sometimes separating my feelings and duties is not easy for me. In trying to be a strong leader, I had to push my feelings to the side and let the others see what they needed to for the mission at hand. If we can take these two and distract Wraith, then Trevor has time to run to ground. Afterward, we can go help him. Trust me my love, we will. For now though I needed everyone to focus on this task, or some of us may not come home safely."

He pauses and leans forward and kisses her hands and then says, "I need you to know Ashley, who I have to be in that room is not who I really am. I never wanted to be leader, but now that I am, I have to be a certain way for them," he says pointing towards the door, "we have so many young, and new people they expect...they need a strong leader to be here for them. I am just trying to be what they need. I am so sorry that having to be that way upsets you in anyway at all."

[doc]

Tom drums his fingers on his steel skin as he waits.

[HSummers]

Robert checks to make sure he has all of his items in his pouches. Spike launcher. Check. Night vision binoculars? Check. Lock Picks? Check. Knife? Check. Billy Clubs. Check! He looks up at Ryne. "Definitely ready."

[sasqaricious]

"I am ready as I will ever be I guess?" Deci responds almost not sure what to do in the situation coming up at hand. She does close her eyes and hopes that at least Isamu....she actually takes a moment to dwell a little too much on Isamu. Especially now that he says he is more like her then she thought. Girl what are you doing. He has a girlfriend! With that thought she snaps herself back and is ready to rumble.

[shiivster]

Sierra finally returns and is covered in a dark turtle neck, jeans and the black jacket that appears to be similar to a bomber jacket. at first look it appears to be black, but the cross grain inserts and such and in the right like, show a tiger in relief on the back with the letters CC on the waist band.

'sorry for taking so long. i had to find the sock. haven't worn it for a while and now i'm itchy' *she takes a deep breath and looks at the others. 'so you ready to take on the firebug Deci? i have to try and stop the fusion reactor one. don't know about you, but i'm really spooked about this. only thing i can do before hand is tell people where the meta's are as we go up to the top floor.

'all i can do is tell you guys how many and what direction' *she looks at Tom and Robert now as Kristian comes in. 'wish i could do more, but if i say 'creepy ghost' or something like that, that's the only warning i can give you guys that Wraith is nearby. not sure if you are aware, but we did have some professor that did . . magic. and if i say 'i feel a chanty sort' . . chances are its some kind of magic maker or magic called up beast thing. it's all i can do, warn you all.

'now . . you did say something about jackets or suits. thats a good idea Deci. i got to much on my mind. i'm a circus kid, i'll do my thing and keep the monkey off your back, but do your best to hold the flame guy quiet. i . . i don't like flames. so, any of you guys got questions?

[dakota]

" It has nothing to do with your leadership, Isamu." Ashley said, concerned. " Trevor is like a little brother to me, and you dismiss his being in trouble like its nothing but an opportunity. I should be out there trying to find and help him before he gets in more trouble. For now all I can do is hope he comes to us or Tyler without getting caught or doing anything stupid. Now get up, we have to get going." ( Dome, just tack Is' response to your reply, but I want to push ahead


Once Isamu and Ashley caught up, the team loaded into the cars and headed out. The apartment building was the same as Kristian and Sierra remembered, or maybe a little worse. It was a five story building that had the superintendants office/apartment plus the laundry and a common room on the bottom floor, the next three floors had 10 apartments each and the top floor had 4 "deluxe" apartments Kristian described to everyone. There was only one interior stairwell, and the elevator didn't work. There were fire escapes on both sides of the building.

He looked at the others," The roof might be our best way in if we have enough flyers to get us up there. I'm sure we can make our way down later if we need to, right Tom?"