[PRP] Belly of the Beast

[Rocket Agent Jerome]

A whistle sang from Jerome's lips "$600 suits? Dude must have some serious style with threads like that."

He leaned his head back against the cool bars, he was starting to feel hot again, realizing how closed in they were.

"No cape though right? I mean... that ain't some style all the big crime names got...?  

[Gwennythe]

"Plausible deniability." Tambrey probably wasn't really trying to mutter it, but it was just that quietly stated anyway. She didn't seem to have much in the way of anger about it, though a little frown was growing as she considered what they'd just learned about the elite, instead she remained rather 'wilted' at the situation and kept her eyes on the floor for a few moments while she listened to Lore and Jerome talking.

It was interesting, the conversation led to the thought, to be in this situation; she knew barely a thing about Lore's brother, their boss, and hadn't met him yet she'd encountered Deimos a few times.
It led to another thought; she didn't know Lucere barely at all, whereas Lore, obviously, would know him extremely well.
She wasn't so interested in whether or not he wore a cape.

"So what happens now? With him, I mean. He'll look for you, of course..." It seemed a fair assumption to her as she addressed Lore and there was an unspoken 'but' in there; but will he bother to arrange anything to get the rest of us out?  

[Natsuko-neko]

Non-plant caused nap sound good even with out the bed at this point but Xander nodded in agreement to Tambrey with a small chuckle. His attention went back to Lore though when the man started to explain. "You don't owe us one, it's understandable about the boss' reasoning. That and you certainly didn't plot our capture." he said with a shrug and a small smile.

The blond leaned slightly and shoulder bumped Tambrey lightly. "We'll be fine." He said though he thought to his self that 'fine' could have a pretty stretched meaning. It was dangerous to leave them in enemy hands after all so one way or another they wouldn't stay in Galactic's hands, but that didn't account to what might happen while in said hands.

After that he looked over the group again then nudged Shawn slightly. "You ok?" he asked seeing as the teen still looked pretty shaken up from what happened to Tam.  

[Loreven]

Jerome's cape question earned a laugh from Lore. Smiling, he shook his head, "He'd sooner shoot himself."

At Tambrey's unspoken question he arched an eyebrow, "..he won't stop until he gets all of us back. Luce isn't a fan people touching his stuff. He's not gonna let this slide."

He sighed and settled down to sit. "..all the same. Wouldn't hurt to work on our own escape plan.. y'know just in case we get tired of waiting."

Unfortunately, waiting was all the group was really given freedom to do. More than once Lore tried to sidle up to the cell's door with hopes of picking the lock. Unsurprisingly, the guards didn't think too highly of this and he was never able to make any progress.

Despite these failed efforts, Lore seemed determined to keep up a good mood, talking about any distracting topic that crossed his mind.

It was that night when a strict-looking male Galactic with black hair arrived at the brig, looking important, keys jangling at his belt. He offered the guards a nod. "They're ready for Temero."

"Sir." A guard answered before approaching the cell. The rest of the guards in the room readied weapons and aimed them at the cell door. "You." The approaching guard pointed at Lore. "Come with me. Everyone else stay where you are unless you want a tranq dart in the throat."

Lore looked up, "Just me? C'mon you don't wanna break up the party.. we're having a great time in here."

"Now."

Sighing, the Exec climbed to his feet and dusted off his shirt. "..f'they bring any food while I'm out you guys save me a slice. Or a bowl. Whatever's relevant."

With the line of gun-readied guards on either side of him, the Galactic at the front opened the cell door enough for Lore to step out before slamming it again.

"Any eta on when I'll be back?"

"Walk." The Galactic gave Lore a firm shove on the back. The pair disappeared into the hall, followed by one guard, then the door swung shut behind them.  

[TawnyAngel]

As the guard with the keys approached Aulus tensed. Oh no. No no no, this was going to be bad!... But not for him apparently, not yet. Of course they would take Lore first, that made sense; it was him they'd wanted specifically after all.... s**t, he hadn't liked the man's prattling on at all - he'd been about ready to thump him for his instance on making light when they were all about to be horribly tortured - but he didn't deserve whatever was about to happen to him. What was about to happen? Did they have machines designed just to hurt people? He could imagine it, he could imagine it very easily indeed.

Licking his dry lips Aulus shot a glance over at Hayes. There was nothing they could do, was there? They were helpless, and when the Galactics moved down the ranks he would be helpless to stop them taking Hayes. He was supposed to protect him. He'd promised!


Hayes had been quiet during this time. One benefit of the attention being on Lore was that he could think. He was doing that now, resting his elbows on his drawn-up knees while he frowned critically at the slick floor between his sneakers.

They want you to panic, so don't panic. They want you to get angry, get scared, lose control, and when you lose control you've lost. The blond was more than familiar with this strategy. What worried him was how long it could last. So that was another rule: Don't think more than five minutes into the future. (With room for exceptions.)

The sound of the cell door brought him back to the present. Hayes swung his head up for a blurry glimpse of the Galactics and a barked order to stay there. That was easy enough.


Staying still was easier said than done but he managed it, until the guards left with Lore in any case. Once they were gone he shifted closer to Hayes and murmured; "I'm not really a very good bodyguard, am I?" He wished everyone else wasn't around to look at him and possibly overhear. Mainly though he wished they weren't here, he wished he could have done something to save them all. He wished he knew what had happened to his pokemon, he hadn't a clue if they had been taken too or if they'd escaped of been killed or anything. He probably shouldn't have favourites but he thought about Tortie most. "If there's anything I can do to protect you I will." There wouldn't be. They'd lost already. There was nothing any of them could do.  

[Loreven]

Two hours passed. Without Lore present, they passed more quietly. The guards offered no sound or entertainment. In fact, they hardly moved.

When the guard and Galactic who had escoted Lore away finally returned the brig door swung open abruptly. They came in at a staggered pace, slowed by the guard supporting Lore.

Whatever the Rockets imagined might have been happening to their missing Executive, Lore's appearance probably confirmed it. He looked terrible. Hair clung to his damp blood-slicked face. His nose was clearly broken and a black eye was setting in. Bruises lined his jaw and his torso looked to be sporting a few fresh cuts.

It looked like the Galactics had treated him to visually potent injuries. His current state was probably meant to frighten the others.

When he realized where he was he drew himself up, making an effort to look better off.

The leading Galactic nodded at the Brig guards, who readied their guns as he approached the cell door and unlocked it.

Lore stumbled as he was shoved through the door. Apparently his legs were alright because he managed to stay on his feet, though he seemed unsteady. Probably from blows to the head, "I'm not usually one to make complaints... but the spa here leaves something to be desired.." He commented in a ragged voice.

"Don't get too comfortable." The guard who'd helped Lore in focused on the rest of the Rockets, "You'll all get your turn."  

[Gwennythe]

Well that was actually pretty reassuring; Lore would /know/ the boss intimately and, aside from the pretty big secret so recently disclosed, he'd always seemed rather casual and open. She got the impression that he was probably being perfectly truthful about Lucere's reaction, though she was still glad to hear him suggest working on an escape plan.

"... Sorry, I just, y'know, had to ask." She apologized, though didn't regret receiving her answer.
The Executive's words and Xander's shoulder bump brought a cautious and worried, but accepting, smile to flash across her lips accompanied by a short nod.
"Of course we will." The grunt tried to sound confident in her agreement to Xander's reassurance.

Alright, they were stuck in a cell, guarded, in an unknown location above, she remembered, the sound of the ocean so... So, that meant that Team Rocket would first need to locate where they were.
She closed her eyes to think things through, but her thoughts were rather broken by the Galactic coming to take Lore and she found herself watching the guards, the door and Lore's escort carefully. Habit caused a very slight dip of her head as a response to the request to save some food and then they were walking away... Tambrey leaned forward a little to at least listen to the retreating footsteps or door noises and then looked back to the guards. Clearly disciplined, patient and professional; somehow that seemed unlikely to be Deimos' influence from what little they'd seen of him, however there was his permanent escort, so that answered that. They'd already seen them use communicators, so that probably meant that woman was a button press away...
She closed her eyes, sighed and slumped back a little. She couldn't think her way through and it was pretty clear the sort of thing they'd have taken Lore for.

She caught a little of Aulus murmuring and though she couldn't really detect much of the words, she supposed she might have some idea about what was being said, catching herself giving a glance that way. At least, more than the last mission, thanks to Aulus she might actually be a little more helpful when it came to hitting things this time when it came to that. It almost certainly would, she was sure.
Tambrey found herself, then, looking around at the others; she didn't want to see anyone hurt further- she had friends here.

-

Two hours of waiting for Lore to be returned was rewarded with the outcome that had, she supposed, been pretty much expected. Still, she found herself standing as he was pushed through the door, moving toward the Executive. Darts-be-damned, she was sure her intentions were clear enough- if he'd needed to be supported back to the cell, then whether he remained upright or not, it would be better to help. Or try to- he'd been quick enough to her side after that mild shock earlier.
"Come on, sir; sit- you're wobbly." She muttered as she moved, choosing to ignore the spa comment and try to, though she couldn't help but shoot a look at them, ignore the guard too.
'You'll all get your turn.' - That made it harder.  

[Loreven]

"..turns aren't necessary.. just take me back in there I'm ready for another round..." Lore muttered. Despite the brave words he accepted Tambrey's offer of help and put a hand on her shoulder.

"M'fine.." Taking her advice he lowered himself to sit and put a hand on his head, "..really, s'not that bad.. just.. hum showtunes and it's kinda funny.." He smiled weakly before looking over the others. "....all the same.. wouldn't mind checking outta here.. sooner than later.."
 

[TawnyAngel]

"Don't stress about it." Hayes murmured back. "You're doing the best you can." He jerked his head slightly in the direction of the other Rockets. "Maybe try to protect everyone else instead - we're a team, right?" This last was said in a voice loud enough for the others to hear. Even if Hayes wasn't so sure about it, team spirit seemed to be doing the others good.


How the hell was he supposed to watch out for more than one person at once? He really had no idea, and frankly he knew he couldn't. Instead of saying this, however, he too raised his voice and said; "As well. Not instead.... Well I'll do what I can." Which was nothing.

And then Lore was back. Lore looked like s**t. He felt sick, and certain that Hayes was next on the menu. He shifted closer to his partner again and stared at the cell door. He wouldn't let them take his friend away, he wouldn't! Who was he kidding? He couldn't stop them. This was hopeless. Might as well just lie down and die.  

[Galactic Commander Tethys]

"Starting with you." The guard motioned impatiently at Hayes. "Stand up."

"Back in five," the blond muttered and awkwardly got to his feet.  

[TawnyAngel]

Oh hell no!

Aulus shot to his feet and stepped in front of his partner. "You want him, you little poof?" he growled. "You have to go through me first!"

...Oh ********>  

[Galactic Commander Tethys]

The guards on duty shifted, training their weapons on Aulus' quick movement.

Behind Aulus, Hayes jaw tightened; he grabbed him by the shoulder, attempting to push him aside and step past him.

The impatient guard looked down his nose at the scarred Rocket. "You want to come too? Fair enough." He motioned another Galactic over; this one was female, with apple red hair and a frown. And a gun. It seemed to be this season's accessory.

"Both of you, out."

Hayes shut his eyes for a moment.  

[TawnyAngel]

[Galactic Commander Tethys]

Hayes didn't look at Aulus as the guards ushered them away.

[Branch point: interrogation.]  

[Blood_Goddess]

There wasn't too much else to say, at least he didn't really feel like talking anymore.
Whatever light hearted conversation or uplifting talk they had was short lived in his mind, mostly driven out by the time the blond kid and the girl said that they would be okay.

Silently Jerome leaned his head to the side, enough to let him glance down at the two of them from the corner of his eye.
He didn't really have the heart to tell them otherwise, or ask why they thought that.
Jerome knew that all team support aside... they were not okay, and they were not going to be okay.

He didn't move from his spot against the bars, he didn't even sit down, mostly just melding into the background and he took in the noise of the group.
Every now and then he would glance down at his shadow, almost hopefully, or expectantly.
Each time he did this he would lick his lips nervously and brush a hand over the shaved side of his head, before turning his eyes to one of the other Rockets instead.

The only thing that got him up off the bars was when some Galactics came in, and actually opened the door to get Lore out.
Jerome frowned deeply, stepping away from the front as he eyed then taking the brunette out.
It was a good stretch of time before they saw the man again, and Jerome couldn't say he was too surprised by the state he was in.

Pissed off? yeah, unnerved? yeah, but not surprised.

He left the care of the executive the Tambrey as she went over to help Lore, the tattooed man's inked eyes moving this time over to the quiet blond when they gestured for him next.

He felt something clench in his heart when Scars was quick to stand and step up for his partner. A feeling like pride, 'right on'
Bro's stuck together, and with them clearly being friends, Jerome could say it was great to see, even if he was sure it wasn't going to end well for either of them, but ******** that s**t, they were ganna die anyway.

Reaching over to gingerly rub at his injured arm, the dark man watched the two men get taken out, before he turned toward Lore and Tambry.

Yeah... they were not okay.