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

[tadeadshi]

[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.]

Comments

[pushtheboundaries]

[at that, Callaghan nods. they're simple things, but they'll go far. he's glad Hiro didn't at least snap at him regarding how it's obvious - it means they've made progress - but the follow up question has him pause.

...he doesn't want to talk about himself. but he knows that he's not been unaffected through this either, just in...different ways.]

...most of it was what I did to gain their trust.

[and he leans back, figuring that it's best to keep it out in the open- if Hiro thinks he's lying by omission, it won't help him at all.]

Most of the weapons were my design.

[microbrobotics]

[ It helps that they're talking about Tadashi. Hiro's willing to put up with a whoooole lot if it means finding out things that could help his brother.

But that response ... Suddenly he's rigid again, fists clenched against his sides. ]

You designed them. Why? I get why Tadashi had to, but you - why didn't you stand up to them?

[tadeadshi]

Hiro, that's--

[His mind flashes to the things he'd had to design and make, the kind of hurt they likely caused. And then to his little brother working on things that could repair the damage.]

That's amazing.

[microbrobotics]

[ What an uncanny coincidence, huh? He ducks his head, flushing just a bit. Brother approval. ]

I had to live up to you, bro.

[tadeadshi]

I--

[Ow.

Ow.

That hurts him, right in the heart. After the things he's done, had to do, the levels he's stooped to... There wasn't much to live 'up' to, only ways to go down for him. He never wanted Hiro anywhere near following those footsteps.

His jaw tightens and he goes to wipe his eye, still got some sleep crusties in the corner obviously, he's not about to break down on his brother. Maybe when he leaves. But not at this moment, he'll fight it off.]

Doing great at it. Passed me somewhere I think.

[microbrobotics]

[ He'd meant it as a compliment, of course; he doesn't expect the near tears in his brother's eyes. But - maybe he should have expected it? Tadashi had been forced to make weapons, something he can't picture his brother wanting to do ever. Damn it. He definitely said the wrong thing, then. ]

No way. You built Baymax. And - and I found your messages too.

[tadeadshi]

My messages?

[He didn't leave any messages did he? He can't remember, it feels like a lifetime ago.]

Which ones?

[pushtheboundaries]

I did, at first.

[perhaps he hadn't held out long enough, perhaps he'd been to quick to think of something else, perhaps, perhaps...

he gets to his feet, but not to move towards Hiro. this is a restless discomfort, moving to try and keep from fidgeting ]

Have you ever heard the term, 'silver or lead'?

[microbrobotics]

[ Hiro frowns a little. Clearly he's not familiar with the phrase. ]

No idea.

[microbrobotics]

Your recordings? The ones you made while you were making him?

[tadeadshi]

Oh.

[Oh, wow.]

How'd you even find those, they were half-buried in Baymax's memory discs.

[microbrobotics]

... He pulled them up. I was having a hard time after you were gone, so...

[pushtheboundaries]

Semi-historical. It applies more to the drug cartels down south, but one of them- they started offering influential figures a choice. They could either accept the silver as a bribe, or they'd be given lead in the form of bullets. And...I'm not saying these are identical circumstances, but...

[he's not looking at Hiro. he's- not quite pacing, but close. this is not an easy subject for him, and it's hard enough explaining what went on, but he did promise to talk. some of it is talking with his hands, but...]

At first, they figured an opportunity for 'revenge' would be enough. [that 'hnh' explains what he thinks of that] I declined. Then they assumed that I needed convincing regarding my 'place'- I endured. Then a couple of them thought I was obsessed with the 'kid'-

[and he swallows, because that led to other things he really, really hopes Hiro doesn't press him about]

-and before they could really start looking for lead, I convinced them it was a matter of that whole 'place' nonsense, and that what I required was a decent position.

[really, it was only a matter of time before they found they could use Abigail to have him do anything.]

[tadeadshi]

[Tadashi watches his brother, knowing exactly how that likely felt. He remembers the pain from their parents, and then Hiro had to go through it for nothing.

He... Good he wants to hug his brother, but that means contact and he freezes st the thought.

But he has to do this, this one simple thing. Shaking, he moved to carefully out a hand on Hiro's shoulder.]

Hiro,I.. I'm sorry.

[okay. Okay he moved in, motions deliberate and calculated and hugs his brother.]

[microbrobotics]

[ Ah. Hiro forces himself to relax slowly, to keep from just leaning against his brother and squeezing until he pops. He makes himself settle for gently, gently putting a hand on his brother's back. ]

It's not your fault. They're the ones who...

[ He's going to burn them to the ground. Everyone who ever hurt his brother. ]

[microbrobotics]

[ That concept he understands immediately. And he even gets what Callaghan didn't say about Abigail. Better to accept something long before that point, than to risk someone really important ...

He stays silent for a long moment, trying to think through all this. He understands, now, but that's not the same as forgiveness. Not by a longshot. ]

Obsessed with the kid who took you down, huh? ... Good thing they didn't know about Abigail or they would've known better.

[ Fortunately for Callaghan, Tadashi was never ever a "kid" in Hiro's eyes, so he doesn't make the connection. ]

[tadeadshi]

[Perfect. Nailed it. This is the best kind of contact he can do right now, this is what he can handle until he gets settled again.

Oh. Wait. Crap.]

Does everyone else know yet?

[microbrobotics]

[ Of course they do. But Hiro shakes his head. ]

I was gonna send them a message once you're ready. Figured me and Aunt Cass and Baymax would be enough for now.

[pushtheboundaries]

[Callaghan considers correcting Hiro.

he things better of it, and does, at least, glance back since it seems like Hiro's not about to press]

If they knew about Abigail, then I'd have been theirs completely.

I...hope you can understand why I couldn't let it get to that point.

[tadeadshi]

[The tension bleeds out of him at that and he nods, giving him the gentlest squeeze.]

Thanks. Grew up a lot while I was gone.

Finally reach the top shelf, huh.

[microbrobotics]

I understand.

[ But he doesn't offer anything more than that. There's still residual resentment in his eyes. A glance down at his left arm. He knows all too well how bad their tech arms race got on his side of thing, especially once Cal came into the picture.

After a long moment of silence, though, he relents a little. Just a fraction. ]

Abigail's doing well. We catch up sometimes.

[microbrobotics]

[ It helps that they've already seen him and know how bad the damage is. All of them know to keep their space for now, and Hiro has first dibs. He snorts a bit, almost a laugh. ]

It's not all it's cracked up to be. Aunt Cass makes me grab more stuff now.

[pushtheboundaries]

[and even that tiny allowance has a noticeable effect on Callaghan's mood. he actually smiles, some of the tension dropping out of his shoulders as he rests a hand on the couch]

Can you tell me about her?

[microbrobotics]

[ He's not sure if that makes him feel good or not. Callaghan smiling about anything. ]

She's fine? She's still employed at Krei Tech, but I think it's mostly Krei paying her and then not really using her. That's boring, so ... Mostly she comes over to SFIT to help out with student projects. We've worked together a lot on my prosthetic project.

[ There's a hint of ... something in his tone. Not a promise, but possibility. If Abigail is close with Hiro's group, then arranging a visit isn't out of the question. He's not quite cold enough to offer it as a bribe, but he knows the effect it might have. A tactical suggestion - for a more willing prisoner. ]

[tadeadshi]

Told you so.

[And - yep that's about all he can handle of physical contact. He thumbs a little circle against Hiro's back before pulling away, his own kind of signal that he's done for now. He moves back to lean against the wall, almost cornering himself there so he can see everywhere clearly.]

Should've built her a - remote grabber or something.