shorterpass | man your battle stations, we'll have you dead pretty soon

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!mafia au

man your battle stations, we'll have you dead pretty soon

[Panic had run straight through his core when he knew someone had found their safe house. It'd been the best one yet, they had managed to stay there for months now, but it really was too good to last. They still had so much to find and clean up, he wasn't ready. He grabs his bag, the one he kept packed for if they had to run fast, and made for the door but stopped just outside.

It was them. It was the Six, they'd found him and Callaghan. He's not sure how, Callaghan's mods to his collar had jammed their trackers so... It must be something else they used. But if they're here then they could help. They could take over this mess, and he could go home.

Maybe.

Tadashi's throat's gone dry with the dirt and dust kicked up from their landing and scuffle with Callaghan off to the side and he stands watching, swallowing the lump in his throat. Callaghan, that's right, he-- He'd done so much to get them out, he couldn't let the guy just be taken back to prison, he'd be killed from the inside --

He makes a run towards the group, waving and trying to call out but any sound he makes drowned by the shouting.]

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[better their safehouses than his own. as Fred - 'Four' - approaches, Callaghan only nods and lets himself be maneuvered how he will. he tries to keep his movements deliberate, especially since he's not resigned to prison, and there is, perhaps, a glimmer of hope.

at Four's method of transport, however, there may be a bit of nausea. if Fred is doing this on purpose to make him sick he's doing a fine job of it. by the time they arrive at the safehouse- actually a guest house on the grounds- he's far too wobbly to do much more than let himself be led inside and collapse on the couch, making a few vague sounds of acknowledgement at the not-quite-suggestion to stay inside. he knows his position, he knows where he stands, he knows that he's on thin ice right now but maybe how about a bit of rest right now...

when he recovers, he does a bit of exploration, and finds it more comfortable than anything he's had since...well, even before his old condo. there's not much in terms of changes of clothes, but he can get clean, at least, and the armored coat is hung up in the closet. metaphorically removing his few remaining defenses, but...

you know what, no. he takes off everything. if they're going to trust him, then he has to show trust in them, and that involves disarming himself completely. the closet remains open, displaying as such; the simple mechanics of the devices weren't damaged by the EMP, but then again, that wasn't his only EMP. the armory is spread out on the table - the dart-launcher, the bracer-jammer-interface-unit, the few other 'grenades', a pair of small knives...

and that's just what he can throw on in a hurry. to be fair, the coat has pockets.

nonetheless, once that's all out for perusal, he settles back down on the couch with a notepad and begins jotting some things down. mostly trying to organize his thoughts, and how to phrase the things they Need to know as opposed to the things...the things he's only so certain about.]

Edited 2015-04-23 23:52 (UTC)

[ Well. His brother sure isn't wrong. Hiro still blames Callaghan for everything, and not without cause. Yama just happens to be the bigger jerk in this situation. And Callaghan did surrender, if only after threatening their secret identities and (obliquely) their lives.

It's that last sentence that catches Hiro's attention most of all. Is that why Tadashi and Callaghan were nowhere near the usual mob headquarters? Why Tadashi hadn't returned home yet? He still bristles at the reminder that he had to come rescue his own brother when Callaghan had him safe and sound. ]

Fix things? Why couldn't you do that from here?

[ It's late in the day by the time Hiro visits. Of course Fred's been by since then, and Heathcliff has made sure that their "guest" has plenty to eat and drink, so it's really quite pleasant. Fred sending in his manservant sure does shred the last bit of secrecy about where Robert is being housed ... but really, does he want to go anywhere else right now?

Hiro knocks once, impatiently, before opening the door to come in. He looks tired but not despairing, so Tadashi must be as fine as he can be, given the circumstances. Now that he's no longer wearing his armor, the effect of the past few years is a lot more obvious. He's taller, for starters, nearing 5'5" and gangly as all hell. Short hair, cut in a way that was probably neat at first but now a mess again. Some small amount of muscle development, though of the Six Hiro's the one with the least amount of physical demand inherent in his role. Still: older. More scarred. And there's that stiff arm too.

He takes a look around the room to make sure Cal hasn't escaped - and his gaze immediately falls to the arsenal sitting out in front of him. Where - dammit, Fred. He should have reminded him to check Callaghan for weapons. ]

Is that everything?

[Something threatens to crumble beneath him at that question; he'd thought about it so much, had wondered about it but ultimately decided it was best not to risk his family's lives until they were done. The hand over Hiro's tightens and he swallows back the lump forming in his throat.]

It wasn't safe to come back here. Not yet. There was a lot of stuff out there we had to get back.

[Had to go get their own tech back so it couldn't just be replicated. Had to make sure any schematics and blueprints were mysteriously destroyed.]

[ Hiro bows his head a little at that. The selfish part of him wants to scream you could have done that from home, I would have helped you - but he can see where Tadashi's coming from, at least. He already keeps so much from Aunt Cass in the name of keeping what's left of his family safe. ]

Is it still out there? You're not - you're not going back out, are you?

No.

[That at least gets an immediate shake of his head. Far as he's concerned, the Six can take over the rest of the clean up now. He's home, finally, after almost three years, he doesn't want to leave. Something he's learned in all this time is how to be selfish, and right now he just -

He just wants to stay home.]

No, I'm not going back out there. I think they - the Six - got enough when they found me they can probably find the rest.

[Heathcliff's politeness is right on the edge of frigidity, but he's professional enough to not get on Callaghan's nerves. in turn, Callaghan is sure to say 'thank you', and to keep his questions to the neutral sort, the kind that doesn't require any sort of information being risked; is it possible to get another shirt. a book, if he'll be staying long. where the pens and paper were in the first place....

he's comfortable, physically, when Hiro arrives. mentally he's fretting and concerned and, yes, has already considered a few escape plans- but all of that is pushed aside as he looks up and gets his first really good look at Hiro, sans armor. he's seen him from a distance, seen him in that armor, of course, but...

Callaghan himself seems to have aged ten years in two, at least in his face. plenty of new lines, and some of them are, in fact, scars. one by his eye, record of a narrow escape- another at his chin. and yet he is fit, with a body the envy of someone half his age. the lifestyle has reduced what fat he has to muscle, and he's far leaner than he was...and he looks old when he shifts on the couch, leaning forwards while remaining seated]

Everything I had on me at the time.

[sans his own body, but not much to do disarming that. please note that he's chosen things that the arsenal is far closer to Hiro than it is him; he could try for some of it, but it's doubtful he'd reach it before Hiro could.]

How is...?

[no points for guessing whom he's referring to]

Edited 2015-04-24 00:09 (UTC)

[ Hiro's shoulders slump in relief. Oh thank god. He's not sure his heart could take a Tadashi who wants to throw himself straight back out there, with Cal and the mafia and everything else ready to snatch him away again. Hiro will sleep better too knowing that his brother is here and safe.

He nods, finally. Gratefully. ]

They probably do. And - and I want you here too. Just stay and be safe.

Edited 2015-04-24 00:11 (UTC)

[ Hiro may be smaller than Callaghan, but he has his youth and his speed on his side. Plus - well, a couple other tricks up his sleeve in case something goes horribly wrong, but there's no visible evidence of that on his person right now. He just snorts a little and makes a note to take all of that garbage with him. The trust being exhibited here isn't lost on him either, though quite frankly it seems to him that that's the least Callaghan can do in this situation.

He looks the professor up and down, seeing those new lines. He frowns faintly, almost concerned. As much as he hates Callaghan, it's strange seeing him look so old. It reminds him of Tadashi, those mental scars being so bad that they've left a physical impact behind as well. Speaking of which. ]

He's fine. As fine as he can be. Baymax is monitoring him 24/7.

Good.

[and he does seem pleased with that, or at least satisfied, by the way some of the tension seems to bleed out of him. Tadashi's old creation, his old healthcare companion...hell, it makes all the notes Callaghan's taken seem superfluous. he looks down at them for a moment, turning them over, then back up, intent again]

The mob will be looking for him. You either need to not broadcast he's alive, or be prepared for some attempts on his life. Or both, and more.

Edited 2015-04-24 00:22 (UTC)

[Tadashi nods at that - another command he can follow. A habit he'll have to keep trying to break, but for now it's one he can agree with fully. He thumbs along Hiro's knuckles before easing himself away. He desperately needs his space again, but it's his brother and he doesn't go too far. Just scoots an inch or two away on the bed, reaches to idly pick up and bite on some bacon he'd passed up.]

So- So tell me about you? I probably missed a lot, how're you?

[Anything to keep from talking about himself, but also to help him feel normal for a little while, until Hiro inevitably has to leave or he has to face Aunt Cass and go through this song and dance of "you're alive! where were you! why didn't you come home! what happened to you!" all over again.]

[ He's in good hands for sure. Plus, Baymax has Tadashi's vitals routed straight into Hiro's phone, so the first moment something seems wrong Hiro will be rushing back to his house. For now, though, everything is relatively normal. He's extremely serious, facing Callaghan like this. Almost grave. Certainly graver than a kid his age should be, but then again it's been a long two years. ]

You think I don't know that? They've been surveilling the cafe ever since Yama's little battlebot takeover failed. I've got defenses in place.

[ Right. Give him space. He leans back into his chair and moves to clean off his part of the breakfast tray. He ... ate most of the leftovers, sorry Tadashi. Between the superheroing and puberty, he's eating absolutely everything. ]

Me? I dunno where to start, I guess. [ School? School is safe. ] I took over your old lab.

Then consider this reinforcement of the fact that until Yama's taken down, your family is not safe.

[and if Callaghan can understand anything, it's Family. he pauses for a moment to let that sink in, then continues;]

I've got notes on the collar here, along with what tweaks were my own. And- before you even ask, no, I wasn't the on to design that thing. I just did what I could, and I'm hoping you can do better.

[he rips off the paper and then considers. he's not sure if Hiro wants to approach him directly, so he's making to set it down on the coffee table and nudge it forward. still a bit of a walk, but if Hiro wants a barrier, there it is.

in all truth, Callaghan doesn't mind having such.]

[It's fine, all he wants is this one piece of bacon, it'll take him a while to eat it.]

Yeah? It's-- it was the best lab space on that floor. Best light.

[ He knew that - had been subtly messing with their tapes and had already set some loops to play until he could figure out some better ways to make Tadashi invisible to their cameras - but it's still hard to hear. All of this over one bot fight. If Yama ever found out that the little punk that humiliated him and the armored superhero dismantling his mob empire were the same person ...

Hell, if they even found Tadashi again. Going down this train of thought too far just makes everything hurt.

So, that collar drawing is a welcome distract. He eyes it suspiciously - and Callaghan makes the right move in not bringing it directly over to HIro. They're not close enough for that. And as much as Hiro needs to not be friendly with his brother's "murderer," Callaghan prooobably doesn't need to see the kid who tried to kill him get close either. ]

... Why? Why do you care?

[ That sentence almost makes it past his mouth without any bite to it. Almost. ]

...because Tadashi didn't deserve any of what happened to him.

[he didn't deserve to go after someone who hadn't thought anyone would try and save him, he didn't deserve to nearly die in the process, he didn't deserve to be picked up by the mob and forced to make weapons, he didn't deserve...anything...that happened in there, and he deserved far better choices than Callaghan made in the name of getting them out of there...

Callaghan swallows, reaches up, and rubs his forehead]

And...I suppose I was hoping that I could bring back your brother like you did my daughter, just...not in this condition.

Right? I guess they don't normally give that room to first year students, but they made an exception for me. I kind of got a late start, so ...

[ He searches for any evidence that Callaghan's lying to him, that this is all some kind of trick - but he can't see anything. And he's not sure if it's because he's not looking in the right place or if Cal is, in fact, telling the truth. Maybe ... Maybe he could be. The professor had done plenty of terrible things, but he just didn't seem the type to play his daughter as a sympathy card.

Slowly, the tension in his shoulders begin to ease. ]

... He's hurt real bad, isn't he. Not just physically.

... They usually reserved it for upper classmen or students with high scored projects.

[Like Baymax.]

Had to work hard to get it, I bet.

[that's progress. Callaghan lets out a breath as he lowers his hand, nodding in reluctant agreement]

If Baymax is with him, then he'll pick up on some of it, and he's far more equipped to diagnose it than I am, but...I've seen PTSD in others, mostly when I was still the army. And believe me, even career soldiers would buckle under what he's gone through.

[even Callaghan buckled, in his own way. absentmindedly, he reaches to rub at his inner elbow, by the vein. there's no scar there, but that hurt isn't physical, either.]

The most I can say is don't crowd him, don't back him in to a corner, and if he gives you a negative reaction...give him space. He wasn't...Yama's men didn't like 'no' as an answer.

[from either of them. at least, until Callaghan made them think he was a peer.]

'course I did. I built the microbots. And I've been doing a lot of things since then. Prosthetic limbs, mostly.

[ And powered exoskeletons. ]

Really?

[He sounds hopeful at that. His brother making prosthetic limbs? Sign him up for that newsletter.]

Tell me about them? They've got to be amazing if you're making them.

[ "PTSD." "What he's gone through." It doesn't surprise Hiro to hear that, given what he's seen already, but it's still confirmation of his worst fears. That his brother was tortured, or at least put through conditions extreme enough to resemble them. And being forced to make weapons ... That was the antithesis of everything his brother had stood for. ]

I can do that much.

[ He's doing that now, in fact. Baymax can be a silent, non-humanoid presence, and Aunt Cass, while certainly more emotive than her nephews, has a great sense for when to intrude into her charges' life and when to leave them alone. She dealt with Hiro well enough while he was depressed, after all. Who knew going through that would serve Hiro well now.

His gaze flicks to Callaghan's arm, briefly. ]

What did they do to you?

Edited (oh my god I can't spell tonight) 2015-04-24 01:15 (UTC)

[ A bit of that good ol' lopsided grin. Hiro still loves to show off, okay. And he hasn't even gotten to do it in front of his brother yet. ]

Well, duh. I'm making them so that they interface directly with a neuro-cranial transmitter. And I did some extensive sensor work, so the prototypes I have almost feel the same as real limbs. Almost makes me wish I were missing something.

[ It had been close, with that arm. He'd sure considered the possibility for a while there... ]

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man your battle stations, we'll have you dead pretty soon

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