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]

[Callaghan does, but it's not the answer Hiro wants to hear. it's not the answer he wants to share, it's not one he wants to consider- his eyes fall to Tadashi, and he wants to stay quiet, wants to hold his silence and not discuss this here but this is something that...that...]

...because of...the fire. They found him as a John Doe.

[because of Callaghan's fire. because of him.
this is all because of him.

he swallows, manages to get his voice steady again, then proffers some more necessary information]

He'll recover in a few hours. He'll...need someone with him. I'll stay wherever you put me, as long as it's safe, and I'll tell you all I can.

[it's not that he's unwilling to talk, but that he didn't want to talk here; not when its safety had been compromised. and not when he was trying to buy time for something that's no longer an option. with it off the table...]

[microbrobotics]

[ Now he has no choice. Now he needs Callaghan's information, because he needs it to get his brother's collar off and he needs it to undo as much damage as he can. Somehow that realization only makes him tired instead of angry. Another mess caused by Callaghan.

He just bows his head, kneeling down by his brother's side. How dare they. How dare they just take his brother, when Tadashi had a family - when they knew the Hamadas were mourning him - ]

Four, take him to one of our safehouses. [ It's just the one, actually, but Fred's mansions has enough rooms they can put him somewhere quiet and pretend. At least until they figure out whether they can trust the guy or not. ]

[pushtheboundaries]

[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.]

[microbrobotics]

[ 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?

[pushtheboundaries]

[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]

[microbrobotics]

[ 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.

[pushtheboundaries]

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.

[microbrobotics]

[ 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.

[pushtheboundaries]

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.]

[microbrobotics]

[ 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. ]

[pushtheboundaries]

...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.

[microbrobotics]

[ 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.

[pushtheboundaries]

[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.]

[microbrobotics]

[ "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?

[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?

[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.

[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.]

[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. ]

[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.

[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.

[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. ]

[pushtheboundaries]

[it's not all the things he wanted to hear - hearing she's working at Krei Tech, for example, has him swallowing down a bit of bile that threatens to come up - but he does nod. ironically, the thought of a visit isn't what first comes to mind.]

I...appreciate you keeping an eye on her.

[Callaghan's considered himself unable to look his daughter in the eye for some time, however desperately he misses her.]

She's clever; I'm sure be able to offer some insight, if she hasn't already.