[PRP] Belly of the Beast

[Gwennythe]

Tambrey would perhaps, she thought, have rather just stayed laying there on the floor of the giant Dusknoir.
She'd found herself settling, without thinking, into a worried expression as she'd felt the movement of the craft change; if they were landing, than they were closer to whatever fate awaited them out there. Much closer.

She'd kept her eyes shut when the guard had started yelling, mumbling an unhappy "Go away" to herself.
She didn't want the guards to hear it, it was said quietly enough even, that the other Rockets might miss it if their attention was elsewhere, but somehow just muttering the two words to herself were enough to make her feel a little less defeated.
She had to agree with Lore; it was not pleasant to hear yelling in this place, left with the headache from sleep powder; she imagined the others with more severe injuries were feeling worse though, so she shook her head and tried to forget about the ache.

The door opening was something she heard, but again she chose not to open her eyes, nor even move more than her head until she heard Xander approach and offer to help her up.
It took a few seconds to register but she smiled gratefully, if not quite truly, and began to get up herself.
"Thanks Xander." She said sincerely to her friend, somewhat amused that even with how unhealthy he'd looked just a short while ago he remained a gentleman even in such a situation. "I'm alright though; think th' others could use the help more than me."  

[Rocket Agent Jerome]

Jerome didn't say anything more during the trip, though his eyes still trailed quickly from each Rocket as they spoke, when he wasn't taking another look around the room and up at the Galactics that were keeping guard over them.
He seemed like all he wanted to do was lean there, on his good elbow and try not to breath.
He was starting to look a little more stressed, and pale, while this could be put up to the wound he had that was causing him pain, he could be seen glancing to whatever shadow was cast from his form, his brow would furrow after a few seconds of staring in silence, and he forced himself to look away.

The first real movement from Jerome came when the voice echoed annoyingly through the room they were kept in, and seemed to be giving instructions as to what would happen.
He didn't want to cooperate, but he really didn't see what kind of option they had at this point.
Using his legs, he was able to get to his feet without the use of his arms.  

[Shawn Darrow]

"Um...I've never seen Danny Darko," Shadow admitted sheepishly to Tambrey. "But like you said, building things seems like all they do. Their mechs seem like the main problem, but are they really horrible people?" Selfish, maybe, for wanting to change reality to suit their whims, but that was the sort of dream children had, and that didn't necessarily make them cruel or evil people. Just inconsiderate. Certainly that didn't make them capable of torture.

Then again, even a child could throw a hell of a tantrum when you crushed their hopes and dreams. That was almost what this seemed like; some angry, spiteful lashing out rather than a calculated, impersonal plan. But what did he know? He still had yet to meet any brains of the Galactic operations. It was hard to tell what kind of people they were, and maybe the others didn't know either. They seemed to know enough to think revenge was involved, however.

"Shooting someone and killing them is different than torturing them," the teen grunt tried to assure Tambrey, though he realized his argument didn't sound all that reassuring. "Killing can be accidental. Torture takes a whole different type of person. But if you really think they would - " Before he could finish his sentence, he was cut short by a Galactic grunt who aimed his gun at them. Shadow was still thinking about how Tambrey was saying that they Galactics might have not tortured them before, but she wouldn't have put it past them now. His mind was unfocused as the man with the gun yelled at them.

The loud noise of the Dusknoir ship's mouth opening was enough to jerk him back into reality. It seemed they wanted them to move out. With a heavy sigh, the teenager struggled to his feet while glancing over the others, worrying about their conditions as they were ordered to exit. He attempted to linger a little longer to see if he could assist anyone else while Xander was helping out Tambery. However, the kid continued to keep an eye on the guns as they moved out.  

[Tinnunculus]

Hayes let his head sink into his shoulders a bit while the others talked, his smile relaxing to its habitual curve. When the ship started shifting, though, it faltered. "Time's up," he muttered softly to Aulus.

The important thing to do was not to panic. "Looks like it." Oh s**t. s**t, ********, s**t why was he here? What was going to happen to him, to Hayes, and the others too. Tam. He was just starting to sort of like her, to enjoy their sessions together. Getting carefully to his feet Aulus offered Hayes a weak smile. "Least they haven't seperated us yet," he murmured.

"Do me a favor." Hayes had his head tipped upward as if trying to make out the Galactic on the walkway shouting orders, but his good eye was slid towards Lore. "Stick with the casualties?" Protective as his partner might be, he was probably the only one substantial enough to catch Jerome or Lore if they went into a dead fall. As the bay doors opened, the programmer struggled carefully to his feet - a difficult task with bound feet and hands.

"Here we go," he breathed.

He did not like that request, but he did understand it. Hayes was not the only person around here that mattered, and Hayes wasn't currently badly hurt. "Right," Aulus said reluctantly, "good idea." It was a good idea. He didn't like it. He didn't like the ominous sound of the doors opening either. Where were they going to be taken? What was going to happen? "Just keep your head down, alright?" He couldn't imagine Hayes mouthing off like an idiot - that was more his own style - but he felt the need to say it all the same.

"Heh." The blond cracked a little grin. "Don't worry about me." He gave Aulus a companionable elbow nudge, then fell into silence as they were marched out at a shuffling pace.

Don't worry about me? Might as well have told him not to breathe. "Right." Oh ********>  

[Loreven]

With some effort Lore struggled to his feet. He was trying to keep up a positive attitude but he wasn't feeling too hot.

As the group of Rockets shuffled out of the mech they'd have a good view of the Galactic hangar. Those that were on the last mission would recognize it easily. Some of the mechs lining the walls had changed and the huge mess from their battle had been cleaned up. A few faint echos of the giant fight hung around the room. Familiar dings here and there. The faintly scorched wall where the Galactic known as Star had taken a hyperbeam to the face.

Somewhere in the distance over the constant hum of the airship the sound of the ocean could be heard. The airship had been relocated since their last visit.

With their absurdly large escort of glaring Galactics, causing a ruckus right out the gates seemed ill advised. The crowd of Galactics surrounded and followed them as the group was herded to the back of the room and into the large hall leading out the rear of the hangar. It wasn't long before they came to a stop next to a pair of open double doors marked "BRIG" and a female Galactic at the front of the group spoke.

"Those who are severely injured will stay here. Everyone else, inside!" She pointed through the doors.

Not waiting for the Rockets to separate themselves on their own, the Galactics started snatching those from the group who were obviously injured to lead them further down the hall. Lore was grabbed first. He stumbled slightly as a Galactic snagged him by the arm and shoved him onward.

"Ow! Careful man you're wrinkling my shirt.."

Hayes was pulled out next, given the amount of blood decorating his face. After a cursory inspection the Galactics seemed to determine he wasn't too badly off. The blood was all dried.

In the end only Lore and Jerome were ushered away from the rest of the group.

Those left behind would be greeted with a long narrow room lined with barred cells. A large cell to the left had the door open for them. At least they'd be kept together.

"Inside!" The woman giving orders shouted, gesturing with her gun.  

[Gwennythe]

"Well that's something we /have/ t' rectify when we get back." Tambrey had made purposeful use of 'when' and not 'if' in her answer to Shawn. She couldn't be all doom and gloom; that would be good for no one.

-
Oh goody; they were back in Castle Wulfenbach...
Tambrey found herself both glad that they weren't in uniform and wishing that they were at the same time. She thought, or maybe hoped, that those that had been here before were a little less recognizable out of uniform; not that she really recognized any of the Galactics they'd come up against on the last mission. She also, however, missed the possibility that had she been wearing her hat, it might have been easier to look down and hide her face; she'd actually hit one of these people which had been extremely satisfying, but she didn't want to meet him again now as a prisoner.

That ocean noise hadn't been present before; well of course the ship had moved, it would be a terrible idea to keep it in one place after what they'd done... and even if they hadn't, having a giant airship and not flying it around was like... well, it was like having a giant airship and not flying it around! Kind of pointless.
It would make rescues, or escape, difficult though with an unknown location and a possible swim down there.

She sighed as they stopped at the brig after being marched along by the giant guard party.
She hesitated as the injured Rockets were being pulled out, frowning both angrily and with worry at the rough treatment afforded by pulling the others about and fought to keep her mouth shut.
Argumentative comments and protests would likely just get them worse treatment and she wasn't prepared to do that while her team mates were injured; she wasn't sure what she could do if one of the others kicked off and found herself hoping they wouldn't.
The grunt settled for glaring at the shouty woman while Lore and Jerome were being removed from the group and risked a question instead.
"Are they going to be treated?" It was better than 'where are you taking them?', she thought and hoped it might get some answer.
She looked at the gun and then kept it in her mind as she shuffled into the cell.  

[Rocket Agent Jerome]

There was a slight feeling of pride when noticing the number of Galactics that were surrounding and keeping close tags on the smaller, warn out and tightly bound group of Rockets.
To think, all of that security for them? Naw really Galactic, you shouldn't have.

But, during the walk Jerome didn't make any attempt to mouth off or get away, and for the time being none of the other Rockets seemed to be to inclined to start much trouble with any of the armed guards either.

Jerome was really starting to hate this restriction on his legs,he couldn't get a long enough stride, and his arms were completely immobile, even if one side of his body wasn't already in pain.
He hated that the most, having limited movement.

The seriously injured, Jerome being one of them were pulled away from the group.
This caused the Grunt to finally glance up from the floor. Letting out a soft growl of pain and annoyance when someone touched him, but he didn't resist. Falling in next to the taller Executive, Jerome shook his head slightly, tossing a couple of his dreadlocks out of the way of his vision.
"Hate to tell ya this man, but yer shirt already looks like s**t." He informed the man, in a tone that regarded the topic seriously, and regretful.

He kept his gaze around them though, shifting along the barrels of the guns, and the odd uniforms of the Galactics leading them.  

[Loreven]

Lore smirked at Jerome's comment. "Nah it's cool, I have a Tide Pen." He chuckled, then winced. "..ow."

"Stop talking." One of the Galactics barked. The procession turned a corner and arrived at a room labeled "INFIRMARY".

Lore's shoulders sagged with relief. "..well it's not beer and pizza but I'll take it."

"I said be quiet." The leading Galactic grumped as the pair was shoved through the door.  

[Tinnunculus]

"Hey-" Hayes stumbled, caught off-balance by a sudden grab. Before he could right himself, a Galactic had thrust a hand under his chin to examine his face.

Aulus found himself moving forward as swiftly as was possible, with very little input from his brain. "Watch how you handle him," he growled at the Galactic, "don't make me make you regret that." Uh. How exactly? Possibly not a bright thing to say.

"G'd d'mmit," his old partner muttered.  

[Loreven]

Though a few of the surrounding Galactics tensed when Aulus approached, the one inspecting Hayes didn't seem to view Aulus as a threat. "He's fine, just needs a bath." The man muttered dismissively before shoving Hayes back into the group.  

[Natsuko-neko]

Xander had been both impressed by what he had seen of the Galactic base and oddly amused at just how many of them had turned out to escort them. It was nice to know the last mission team had made a bid impression, though it would probably come back to haunt them later on some how. At least Lore and Jerome would get treated now that they were down in the brig even if that did mean they were split from the group.

He didn't like how rough they were treating Hayes though, even if it was mostly dried blood the man was still hurt.  

[Shawn Darrow]

Shadow wondered the same thing Tambrey did - about where they were taking the more seriously-injured Rockets - but bit his tongue to keep from speaking. If he opened his mouth, even just to ask a question, he couldn't be sure he wouldn't end up mouthing off, and that wouldn't have helped their situation in the slightest.

The way the grunt saw it, there were two main possibilities for having separated them from the main group: one, kill the wounded Rockets to have less captives to worry about and to avoid wasting medical supplies on them. Or two, have them treated in an infirmary so that they would last the duration of their captivity and at least still be worth something to their team in the case of a ransom. There was also experimentation, but he didn't dare explore that idea or anything like it. The Rocket labs were horrible enough to think about.

Shadow knew that some twisted people just wanted to see their captives cleaned up for whatever reason before they mutilated and tortured him, but judging by the way they gave Hayes back without cleaning his cut, that didn't seem to be the case. The teen could only hope the Galactics continued to prove themselves to be humane in their treatment of the severely injured. He hoped to Arceus they weren't comfortable killers.

When they were brought to the large, barred cell, Shadow obeyed without resistance, though he did throw the woman with the gun a dirty look before seating himself on the cold, hard floor. He tried not to imagine what horrible things they might have been doing to Loreven and Jerome.

Instead, he focused his attention on his remaining teammates: Tambrey, Xander, Hayes, and Aulus. Their conditions didn't seemed to have changed much from before, and there didn't seem like much else to say without being repetitive, so Shadow fell silent. At least they were alive and safe for now. He just hoped Jerome and Loreven would return to them soon.  

[Gwennythe]

Tambrey felt herself tense up a little as Aulus growled at the Galactics handling Hayes, but it was clear, at least, that nothing was going to come of it when Hayes was shoved back into the group.

Whether her question was answered or not, she supposed, didn't matter; the Galactics had had so many opportunities to shoot them or hurt them and it would likely have been more convenient to manage the Rockets by getting rid of the injured before this point, so it was most likely that they were being taken to have their injuries treated.
It was a worry to be split up, but if she was right, then it was good for Jerome and Lore.

Hm. So they were to be put into this cell and still have the restraints? So much for any comfort at all. She sighed and found herself standing about halfway into the cell, turning her gaze from corner to corner, from one side to the other side.
She felt tired, her eyes were hurting and she really just wanted to go back to base, or better yet home, to wash and rest for days.

"Accommodation leaves a lot t' be desired..." She muttered, using the wall to ease herself down to join Shawn on the floor; she really hated the restraints too.
It was getting harder to keep any of the positive thoughts alive for long in her head the more tired she was feeling and as she sat she wilted a little, closing her eyes again for a few moments.  

[Rocket Agent Jerome]

Jerome let out a weak snort of amusement at Lore's comeback, before they were told to stop talking.
His already unhappy features turned into a soft scowl at the ********, yer'self.” He grumbled under his breath.

He was already annoyed by the restraints, and the shoving didn’t help his shoulder. But now some ******** in neon hair was bitchin’ at them?
Jerome would have loved nothing more right now then to knock the punk’s teeth in.
Right now was not the time though.

Despite the reputation of most gangsters, Jerome did not want to die. He had survived his first gang, with the while Blood in Blood out. He wasn’t in a hurry to end his life after all of that, at least not right now.
He might change his mind latter.

One would think that seeing the sign that say “infirmary” might help.
But for some reason it just made the realization of pain worse. Since not that’s all he could really concentrate on.
Though, he was doing an admirable job on not showing it.  

[Shawn Darrow]

"Damn...I really hope those two are alright..." Shadow mumbled, thinking about the pair that had been separated from them. There was nothing they could do for them now, though, so there wasn't much point in worrying about it. They had to concentrate on what they could control. It wasn't much, but it wasn't nothing, either.

At Tambery's words, the teen shifted closer to her, noticing her close her eyes. She must have been exhausted. A lot of them probably were, but Shadow still had a great deal of energy and restlessness to rid himself of. He wouldn't be sleeping for some time yet, especially after that little nap they'd forced on them.

"Here," the male grunt offered, nodding toward his shoulder. "Um...you can lie on me if you like. I'll wake you if anything else happens." It would be best if they all got as much rest as they could for now. At least there didn't seem to be any immediate crisis for the time being now that their injured had been escorted away.