003 - Kidnapping

[not_annika]

[Private to Tony, backdated to after meeting Wanda]

May I speak with you?

[Private to Wanda]

A number of inmates have disappeared, though solely men at this juncture. They still register on their wardens' items. You are safe?

Comments

Private

[tadwizard.livejournal.com]

Yes?

Private

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

I was examining the deck when I came across your inmate in distress. I spoke with her and we discussed her feelings of powerlessness after her being taken prisoner by an inmate. She believed that the clear course was to cause pain, perhaps kill in order to earn the proper respect.

Sufficed to say, I managed to dissuade her, but I wish to secure your permission to further assuage her concerns by teaching her self defence without the need to rely on her powers.

Private

[tadwizard.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and yes. You have my complete and absolute permission to teach her self defense, thank you. I was looking for someone to teach her self defense, actually.

Private

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

I am glad to be of assistance.

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

[fumblefumble]

[happybarking in background, shuffling]

Dammit, Fozzie, no dig!

I--hi, uh, yes ma'am, I'm okay. I'm checking in with people daily and...

...oh crap. How many are missing? If search parties are starting I want to make myself useful.

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

At least three, as many as five. If you wish, you can accompany me on a deck by deck search.

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

I'll do it. I can at least sense magical anomalies while we go. And an extra pair of eyes is always useful.

Has anyone flight capable checked the roof of the Warden area, or...um...

[she hesitates, remembering a fleeting plan of her own.] There are some other possibilities a desperate inmate might think about. Like dangling a captive off the edge by rope. Or using one of the empty rooms.

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

We will do so. You have been here the longest, do you wish to start from the deck or level eight?

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

Let's start from level eight and move up. I'll meet you at the fore common room.

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

Understood.

[Seven appears at the common room in good time with her tricorder and a phaser in her belt.]

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

[Wanda arrived promptly, albeit brushing puppy hairs off her boots. She seemed tense, but nothing like the off-her-rocker level of anxiety she had sported before.] OK. Let's do this.

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

[Seven is assured but watchful. She holds up her tricorder.] This will assist us in our sweep. It is unfortunate that these inmates are human but if they are congregated together, then it may be sufficient. [Assuming that what's interfering with the communicators won't interfere with the tricorder, of course.]

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

OK. I hope it doesn't come down to having to knock on the doors of occupied cabins. I just know that the faster we get this handled the easier it will be on the people missing. The waiting is hellish. I gotta...helping find them wasn't an option for me.

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

We will call for backup if necessary and my phaser is set to stun if we encounter difficulty. [Seven opens her tricorder and starts to walk, ensuring Wanda is with her.] I spoke with your warden.

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

OK. I'll keep my communicator handy. [the lights start flickering. Wanda scowls, strikes the wall with a suddenly bluish-glowing fist, and the lights...well, they flicker less, anyway.]

Damn. Well. Looks like we might have to do this in the dark.

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

We will adapt. [Sounding as if she's regretting not asking for a torch. The tricorder gave a little flicker, though it was barely noticeable through the lights.]

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

You got it. Um...let me try something.

[The chaos effect came with a watery blue light around her hands. Now she made a fist and concentrated on brightening the glow around it as much as possible. It was wavery and threw reflections like light through an aquarium, but she managed to maintain it.]

That will keep us from tripping, anyway.

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

[She's a little impressed.] That should suffice. [She'll also not strain her eyes when looking at the tricorder.]

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

So...um...what did you and Tony talk about? [She takes up the rear, trying not to get in the way of Seven's scans.]

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

Self defence training.

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

...

You're offering?

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

[Seven looks at her with a raised eyebrow.] I am.

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

[Wanda's startled a moment more, then smiles slightly and nods.] I wouldn't waste your time. I'm quite serious about all of this. I don't ask for things and then not do my share. Ask Tony.

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

I believe you, Wanda. When would you wish to start?

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

As soon as is workable for you. My afternoons are open as well as after dinner, but I have the evening dinner shift.

[She pans her hand around, trying to ignore the weird shadows that flicker at the corners of her vision.]

Thank you.

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

Tomorrow afternoon would be agreeable. [Seven disapproves of shadows.] Of course.

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

Okay. I'll be there.

[Wanda's desperate. She starts listening at the private doors.]

I have three friends who aren't answering my contacts, and I know they haven't gone home.

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

The interference with the communicators appear to be affecting my tricorder.

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

...crap. Should we start knocking on doors?

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

Would a kidnapper answer?

[scarlet-discord.livejournal.com]

One of the hostages might call out if they heard someone was there...

...oh, I don't know. All I know is that when this happened to me the waiting for help was the worst part.

[not-annika.livejournal.com]

Agreed. We'll knock.