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How The Chickens Flew The Coop.
Dec. 14th, 2018 10:20 pmHow The Chickens Flew The Coop...
"The security deposit is non-refundable and will be retained by management as liquidated damages."
*******
Angel's Cheap Eats, and the children's mission attached to it, were in a respectable, safe side of the settlement. Populated by tradesman, many of the buildings here were still intact, or had been restored after the bombing. Highballers, feeling generous would eat here now and again, mixing with the working class, thinking they would earn some credit with Karma by supporting a bunch of waifs. Assholes.
Sometimes, despite the Mission's influence, they enticed a child into becoming a slag, and for that offence Fox declared war on them for as long as she was breathing. Her hatred had solidified, its talons piercing deep, with the death of her father by Highballer hands, some six years before. In retaliation, she harassed their 'businesses' by stealing from them as much, and as often, as she could.
Fox, decked in full derelict gear, took the back alley. The eatery was appreciably cleaner than the places Fox ordinarily frequented, and she didn't need to attract unwanted attention by using the front entrance. Not to Angel's. There would be no surviving the guilt if she caused the Mission any trouble.
Fox needed to visit Sister Sarah, the self proclaimed 'nun' who ran Angel's, to retrieve clothing for the rescue attempt tonight. Last thing she needed was transporting a frightened gaggle of naked girls through the tunnels. First time a rat scurries across a bare foot - the screaming would start. (Sometimes Fox was truly ashamed for her sex.)
A bucket filled with cement propped the back door open, so Fox was able to slip silently inside. Hectore, glancing up from his dishwashing began to greet her, but before he could, Fox placed a finger to her lips, shushing him.
Sister Sarah (or Sarah to Fox) a smallish woman with black hair, a decade and a hand full older than Fox, had her back turned to the door, putting together plates of food. Fox crept behind her and covered the Sister's eyes with her hands.
"Hmm, now who could this be, I wonder? Must be someone sneaky. They certainly smell bad, (Hectore sniggered)...and also have the bad manners to try scaring me!" Sister Sarah clasped Fox's wrists and in a smooth motion twisted around to fiercely hug her almost daughter.
"Nice to see you Fox. I worry when you don't come around, especially when I know you're taking on a Highballer like Rodrigo. You do know he runs that club right." Sarah asked, planting a kiss on Fox's forehead.
Embarrassed, Fox pulled away "Yes, Mother Hen. I do know. Trust me Sister, if I didn't think I could pull it off, I wouldn't be taking it on. I have been casing Rodrigo's joint for days now. Everything is in place." Fox paused, resting a hip against the counter. "Could use Newt though." She finished with a rush, while watching the Sister's eyes, and seeing their blue darken, she quickly continued,
"Just to point the girls in the right direction and to help escort them to the tunnels. I'll lead them through to here. Newt's good at sticking to the shadows and I trained him myself. Please?" Fox petitioned.
Sister Sarah stood back, crossing her arms as she earnestly searched Fox's face. Finally, breaking the tension with a sigh, she threw up her hands. "Bah, as if the mongrel child doesn't know you're here already and I could keep him from going." She said, exasperated. "You WILL stop the rescue if it's not safe won't you? No reckless moves, you'll keep Newt, and yourself safe..."
"SISTER! Stop! I won't take any unnecessary risks, you have my word!" Fox declared, wrapping the older woman in a hug. "I'm not ready to die just yet and I'm certainly not going to sacrifice Newt or allow him to become a slag. I just want to take some of their 'investments' away is all. We'll be careful, I promise."
"Hmmph. I'll keep you to that, Fox. I'm quite fond of Newt, and..." rumbling from Fox's stomach rudely interrupted her. "...What in the world?" Questioned Sister.
Fox, flashing her a wicked grin asked "Oh yeah, can I get a sandwich?"
*******
The sliver of moon was clouded, leaving little light to see by. The red brick building was pitch black in the night,and Fox wearing head to toe black and slinging a small backpack, became one more shadow.
This worked to Fox's advantage while skulking her way along the fence line. Previously she had cut some links, giving her access to the building's basement window. She'd scored a hole through its glass, in anticipation of her use tonight.
Newt, her nimble, pint-sized sidekick for this venture, she had left hiding in an alcove two blocks away. His job- keeping the rescued girls quiet in the alley while waiting for Fox to arrive. He was to give her fifteen minutes. If she no-showed, he was to continue on, leading the girls through the tunnels to the Mission. Sister Sarah would take over from there.
Fox's fingers felt along the chainlink, and finding the breach she gently pulled the fencing back. She flung the bag in while carefully maneuvering her body through, letting the links drop back into place. She crouched, ducking her way along the wall, and located the lone window. She thrust her arm through, unlocking it and eased it slowly upward.
Tossing the bag down she slithered into the basement. She already knew this was the boiler room. Deftly unwrapping C-4 from her gear, molding it and attaching some wires, she tagged the boiler, clipping the remote detonator to her belt.
Greasy yellow light was spilling from under the room's only door. Fox reslung the bag on her back and stood listening. Not hearing anything, she cracked the door slightly, and using a small hand mirror checked the hallway. It was clear on the left, but there was a slag at the end on the right. Fox, rolling up to him from behind, tapped his shoulder. She gave him a wide smile, catching him by surprise, and bashed his temple with a piece of pipe. He slid bonelessly down the wall and Fox tied and gagged him before moving on.
She navigated her way through the corridor, checking rooms until she came to a stairway. Silently making her way to the next floor, again she employed the mirror. So far so good, there was no one in the immediate vicinity. Fox, investigating every room and finding them empty, kept on.
Another hallway found her inching past an open doorway where two slags had their backs turned, watching their Highballer bosses gamble and negotiate their illegal doings. Idiots, Fox thought, slinking past, leaving them unsuspecting of the thief in the hen house.
She rounded a corner, coming to the final staircase, and took the steps two at a time. The longer she took the higher her chances were of being detected. So far it had only been a few minutes, but Fox didn't want to dally. She slowed at the third floor landing, flattening herself against the wall.
The view to the left was unobstructed, so far so good. No slags there. A glance to the right told her that now - now was time to get serious. Two brawny slags were guarding a door, and judging from the muffled sounds behind it, this was where the girls were housed.
"Well, when all else fails, go bold." her father said, and with that in mind Fox drew a knife from her boot and stepped into the hallway. She rushed forward, throwing her knife and striking the first slag in the jugular. Choking on blood, he went down.
The second slag turned to face her as she drew another knife from her vest. His arm came up holding a stun gun, and using a roundhouse kick, Fox knocked it from his hand. He gripped Fox by the throat, raising her off the ground and slammed her against the wall. Fox reared, pushing her shoulders back and knees up, thwacking him square in the family jewels. He loosened his grip long enough for her to headbutt him, and reflexively he let her fall. Another roundhouse kick to the head, brought the fight to a close.
Fox made short work of securing the slag, turning her attention to the door. She picked the lock, slipping inside. Five frightened faces were staring dumbfounded at her, as she dropped the bag in the middle of the floor.
"Alright chickens, quick, get dressed now! You've got five minutes." Fox said with quiet authority. "Then you're going out that window there. On your left will be a rope ladder. Climb it and wait for me on the roof. I will NOT leave until the last one of you is through and climbing. You got that chickens? I'm breaking you out of here! Now move."
Their voices murmuring with disbelief, they dressed quickly, darting out the window and climbing upward, anxious to get away. Fox, jamming the lock to hold off any pursuit shimmied up after them, bringing the ladder up when she reached the roof.
"Alright chickens, round two, now you're jumping next door. It's a four foot jump and three foot drop. Get a running start, tuck and roll when you land! No bullshit, no tears, just do it. Everyone ready? Yes? Ok, line up... aaaannd go!"
One by one the girls all leapt out and down without making a fuss. Fox following closely behind, felt proud of them and she let them know.
"Good job chickens! Hard part is over! Now, you'll be taking another ladder down to the street, you'll find it on the other side of this roof. When you land, run two blocks along the fence line, then turn left. First alley you reach on the right, turn in and wait until you're all together. I have a young friend waiting there for you. No need to tell you to be quiet right? Ok- let's move! I'll catch up in a few, I'm going to cover your asses. Now move!" Fox hurried them along.
She watched the last girl descend, and seeing her run beside the fence, Fox unclipped the detonator, savoring the victory of the moment. She placed her finger on the button, and shattered the stillness shouting - "For you Dad!"... the night burst into flames.

"The security deposit is non-refundable and will be retained by management as liquidated damages."
*******
Angel's Cheap Eats, and the children's mission attached to it, were in a respectable, safe side of the settlement. Populated by tradesman, many of the buildings here were still intact, or had been restored after the bombing. Highballers, feeling generous would eat here now and again, mixing with the working class, thinking they would earn some credit with Karma by supporting a bunch of waifs. Assholes.
Sometimes, despite the Mission's influence, they enticed a child into becoming a slag, and for that offence Fox declared war on them for as long as she was breathing. Her hatred had solidified, its talons piercing deep, with the death of her father by Highballer hands, some six years before. In retaliation, she harassed their 'businesses' by stealing from them as much, and as often, as she could.
Fox, decked in full derelict gear, took the back alley. The eatery was appreciably cleaner than the places Fox ordinarily frequented, and she didn't need to attract unwanted attention by using the front entrance. Not to Angel's. There would be no surviving the guilt if she caused the Mission any trouble.
Fox needed to visit Sister Sarah, the self proclaimed 'nun' who ran Angel's, to retrieve clothing for the rescue attempt tonight. Last thing she needed was transporting a frightened gaggle of naked girls through the tunnels. First time a rat scurries across a bare foot - the screaming would start. (Sometimes Fox was truly ashamed for her sex.)
A bucket filled with cement propped the back door open, so Fox was able to slip silently inside. Hectore, glancing up from his dishwashing began to greet her, but before he could, Fox placed a finger to her lips, shushing him.
Sister Sarah (or Sarah to Fox) a smallish woman with black hair, a decade and a hand full older than Fox, had her back turned to the door, putting together plates of food. Fox crept behind her and covered the Sister's eyes with her hands.
"Hmm, now who could this be, I wonder? Must be someone sneaky. They certainly smell bad, (Hectore sniggered)...and also have the bad manners to try scaring me!" Sister Sarah clasped Fox's wrists and in a smooth motion twisted around to fiercely hug her almost daughter.
"Nice to see you Fox. I worry when you don't come around, especially when I know you're taking on a Highballer like Rodrigo. You do know he runs that club right." Sarah asked, planting a kiss on Fox's forehead.
Embarrassed, Fox pulled away "Yes, Mother Hen. I do know. Trust me Sister, if I didn't think I could pull it off, I wouldn't be taking it on. I have been casing Rodrigo's joint for days now. Everything is in place." Fox paused, resting a hip against the counter. "Could use Newt though." She finished with a rush, while watching the Sister's eyes, and seeing their blue darken, she quickly continued,
"Just to point the girls in the right direction and to help escort them to the tunnels. I'll lead them through to here. Newt's good at sticking to the shadows and I trained him myself. Please?" Fox petitioned.
Sister Sarah stood back, crossing her arms as she earnestly searched Fox's face. Finally, breaking the tension with a sigh, she threw up her hands. "Bah, as if the mongrel child doesn't know you're here already and I could keep him from going." She said, exasperated. "You WILL stop the rescue if it's not safe won't you? No reckless moves, you'll keep Newt, and yourself safe..."
"SISTER! Stop! I won't take any unnecessary risks, you have my word!" Fox declared, wrapping the older woman in a hug. "I'm not ready to die just yet and I'm certainly not going to sacrifice Newt or allow him to become a slag. I just want to take some of their 'investments' away is all. We'll be careful, I promise."
"Hmmph. I'll keep you to that, Fox. I'm quite fond of Newt, and..." rumbling from Fox's stomach rudely interrupted her. "...What in the world?" Questioned Sister.
Fox, flashing her a wicked grin asked "Oh yeah, can I get a sandwich?"
*******
The sliver of moon was clouded, leaving little light to see by. The red brick building was pitch black in the night,and Fox wearing head to toe black and slinging a small backpack, became one more shadow.
This worked to Fox's advantage while skulking her way along the fence line. Previously she had cut some links, giving her access to the building's basement window. She'd scored a hole through its glass, in anticipation of her use tonight.
Newt, her nimble, pint-sized sidekick for this venture, she had left hiding in an alcove two blocks away. His job- keeping the rescued girls quiet in the alley while waiting for Fox to arrive. He was to give her fifteen minutes. If she no-showed, he was to continue on, leading the girls through the tunnels to the Mission. Sister Sarah would take over from there.
Fox's fingers felt along the chainlink, and finding the breach she gently pulled the fencing back. She flung the bag in while carefully maneuvering her body through, letting the links drop back into place. She crouched, ducking her way along the wall, and located the lone window. She thrust her arm through, unlocking it and eased it slowly upward.
Tossing the bag down she slithered into the basement. She already knew this was the boiler room. Deftly unwrapping C-4 from her gear, molding it and attaching some wires, she tagged the boiler, clipping the remote detonator to her belt.
Greasy yellow light was spilling from under the room's only door. Fox reslung the bag on her back and stood listening. Not hearing anything, she cracked the door slightly, and using a small hand mirror checked the hallway. It was clear on the left, but there was a slag at the end on the right. Fox, rolling up to him from behind, tapped his shoulder. She gave him a wide smile, catching him by surprise, and bashed his temple with a piece of pipe. He slid bonelessly down the wall and Fox tied and gagged him before moving on.
She navigated her way through the corridor, checking rooms until she came to a stairway. Silently making her way to the next floor, again she employed the mirror. So far so good, there was no one in the immediate vicinity. Fox, investigating every room and finding them empty, kept on.
Another hallway found her inching past an open doorway where two slags had their backs turned, watching their Highballer bosses gamble and negotiate their illegal doings. Idiots, Fox thought, slinking past, leaving them unsuspecting of the thief in the hen house.
She rounded a corner, coming to the final staircase, and took the steps two at a time. The longer she took the higher her chances were of being detected. So far it had only been a few minutes, but Fox didn't want to dally. She slowed at the third floor landing, flattening herself against the wall.
The view to the left was unobstructed, so far so good. No slags there. A glance to the right told her that now - now was time to get serious. Two brawny slags were guarding a door, and judging from the muffled sounds behind it, this was where the girls were housed.
"Well, when all else fails, go bold." her father said, and with that in mind Fox drew a knife from her boot and stepped into the hallway. She rushed forward, throwing her knife and striking the first slag in the jugular. Choking on blood, he went down.
The second slag turned to face her as she drew another knife from her vest. His arm came up holding a stun gun, and using a roundhouse kick, Fox knocked it from his hand. He gripped Fox by the throat, raising her off the ground and slammed her against the wall. Fox reared, pushing her shoulders back and knees up, thwacking him square in the family jewels. He loosened his grip long enough for her to headbutt him, and reflexively he let her fall. Another roundhouse kick to the head, brought the fight to a close.
Fox made short work of securing the slag, turning her attention to the door. She picked the lock, slipping inside. Five frightened faces were staring dumbfounded at her, as she dropped the bag in the middle of the floor.
"Alright chickens, quick, get dressed now! You've got five minutes." Fox said with quiet authority. "Then you're going out that window there. On your left will be a rope ladder. Climb it and wait for me on the roof. I will NOT leave until the last one of you is through and climbing. You got that chickens? I'm breaking you out of here! Now move."
Their voices murmuring with disbelief, they dressed quickly, darting out the window and climbing upward, anxious to get away. Fox, jamming the lock to hold off any pursuit shimmied up after them, bringing the ladder up when she reached the roof.
"Alright chickens, round two, now you're jumping next door. It's a four foot jump and three foot drop. Get a running start, tuck and roll when you land! No bullshit, no tears, just do it. Everyone ready? Yes? Ok, line up... aaaannd go!"
One by one the girls all leapt out and down without making a fuss. Fox following closely behind, felt proud of them and she let them know.
"Good job chickens! Hard part is over! Now, you'll be taking another ladder down to the street, you'll find it on the other side of this roof. When you land, run two blocks along the fence line, then turn left. First alley you reach on the right, turn in and wait until you're all together. I have a young friend waiting there for you. No need to tell you to be quiet right? Ok- let's move! I'll catch up in a few, I'm going to cover your asses. Now move!" Fox hurried them along.
She watched the last girl descend, and seeing her run beside the fence, Fox unclipped the detonator, savoring the victory of the moment. She placed her finger on the button, and shattered the stillness shouting - "For you Dad!"... the night burst into flames.

