[Instead of doing the reasonable thing and apologizing, Accelerator clicks his tongue. Maybe he's screwing things up for the other boy, but it's a situation that he can at least improve. That he has to improve, because the thought of leaving and letting himself be complicit in the experimentation of yet another child isn't an option.
The thought causes him to pause typing for a few moments, and he stares down at the screen in silence. He doesn't even know this person, but no one deserves a life in a facility like this one.
Exhaling slowly, Accelerator focuses his mind, and resumes typing.]
There's a shuttle waiting in the launch bay. The problem isn't getting out, but making sure nothing important gets broken in the process.
[His ability isn't really made for stealth, and it takes a lot of effort on his part to keep it constrained. As large as this laboratory is it's still in the middle of space, so one wrong move and they're all goners.
He's fairly sure he has the malware downloaded, so he finishes up and unplugs the drive, putting it back into his pocket.]
Yeah, but I prefer not sticking around until they start shooting.
[ Being a good shot is a requirement for being an Elan Ceres double! Not that he was aware of what he was getting into when his scores came back with top marks in piloting and marksmanship. ]
If it's important to them, all the more reason to break it, but we don't exactly have time. The launch bay is the first place they'll lock down once they realize we're trying to escape. So let's scram.
[ Five has no love lost for the lab, and having no idea what Accelerator is capable of, he thinks busting up their precious machines would feel pretty damn good, actually, but if given the choice, he'd pick escaping over getting back at Peil.
The Haro is going to sound the alarm any minute now, and Five gives it a pat on its covered head and and nudges it out of the way as he moves for the door. ]
So it looks like my labs have been moved up the schedule! Dr. Winston authorized it, and this fellow is going to escort me.
[ Dr. Winston did no such thing but while its robotic little programs are validating that, they'll be on their way, and if Belmeria Winston catches flak for letting them escape, he won't feel too sorry about it. ]
[This is excellent news! While there is only one gun between them Accelerator isn't bothered at all. He has his ability he can rely on, which means he can free the gun up and give — Elan? — a means to defend himself. In turn, that gives them a slightly better chance of getting out of here unscathed.
He clicks his tongue as he walks over to the door, eyeing the covered Haro briefly. It sounds like the launch bay will be the most dangerous part of this escape, then. Makes sense, and he keeps that in the back of his mind, ready to plan appropriately.]
Here. [Removing the gun from his belt, he holds it out.] I won't let you die, so stay behind me and you probably won't have to use it.
[Accelerator's expression is one of fixed determination. There isn't any immediate danger right now, but they aren't out of the woods. He knows that it's likely things are about to get dicey because of him, so keeping the other boy safe is entirely his responsibility and he is taking that very seriously.]
[ Taking the gun, Five checks it's locked and loaded. Although now he's wondering what Accelerator will defend himself with, because unless he's concealing a weapon in his clothes, it doesn't look like he's armed. The teen sounds so sure of himself though, and it's no fluke he made it this far, he must have something up his sleeve.
Five can't help but grin at how seriously he's taking it. Like he's said something funny. He adopts a casual tone in comparison, despite the severity of their situation. ]
Want to fill me in on something? Why stick your neck out for someone you don't know?
[Meanwhile, at that question Accelerator's already serious demeanour takes on a somber edge. He has a reason, a very good one, and he's reluctant to voice it. It's deeply personal, and despite everything he's been doing they're still practically strangers. It would be easier to just dismiss the question, claiming that it isn't the time or the place.
At the same time, he deserves an answer. Accelerator knows that. He rests his hand against the switch to open the door, refraining from doing so as he hesitates. Biting his lip for a moment, his voice is quiet.]
... I've been in your situation before. I know what it's like. You don't deserve to go through this.
[ Well, that recontexualizes everything Five knows about the guy and shuts him up. The intensity behind Accelerator's every action starts to read a lot like anger, a feeling he understands too well. It's just that Five has always concealed how he really feels behind a flippant and mocking attitude...but now there's a subtle shift in his expression, his grin less facetious and more grim.
The Haro's alarm cuts through the silence. Time to go. ]
...You should have taken your freedom and run for it. It'd be a pointless if you escaped one lab only to wind up dying in another! Come on, I know the way.
[ He hits the switch and steps through the door, side by side with Accelerator. It wouldn't be fair to let him take on all the risk after learning they were the same. ]
[While Accelerator has already made peace with the likelihood that his eventual death will be horrible (and probably deserved), having it happen in another laboratory is something he would like to avoid. This is dangerous, yes, and there's a chance he could die here, but his stubborn desire to help someone else out of a situation he's all too familiar with is overriding his desire for survival. It's reckless, and Accelerator is prepared to be on the receiving end of a lot of smarm for the choice he's made. There's a little, but less than he's expecting.
That could be because the Haro's alarm is interrupting any more. Either way, he takes the sincerity for what it is and nods. After stepping through the door, he reaches up to switch modes on his choker. The limited amount of time he has to use his esper ability should be more than enough to make sure they get to the launch bay safely, and as vector data floods into his brain he automatically begins sorting and analyzing it. Beginning with the movement of air molecules in the hall, to pick up on any unnatural shifts that would indicate bodies moving towards them.]
[ Five moves quickly and quietly down the hall. He's kept tabs on the lab's layout over the course of his stays, having entertained thoughts of making a getaway as early as the day he'd woken up with a new face and muddled memories and decided the sketchy company he signed on with was damn creepy. Unlike the Enhanced Person before him, he possesses a keen sense of self-preservation.
Before turning the next corner, he checks the coast is clear before waving them onwards, though he won't know what's happening beyond his line of sight. The Haro would have alerted every drone in the facility to come looking for them, and the guards can't be far behind. ]
[Accelerator follows quietly, this attention split in several directions: his immediate surroundings, the air in the hall behind them, and the air down the hall ahead of them. Mathematical calculations run through his brain and he adjusts and re-adjusts them as they move down the hall.
Further down and around several corners something large, dense even, causes an unnatural movement of the air molecules he's sensing, and he freezes.]
Hold on. [He reaches out, quickly running the calculations to whitelist Elan(?) from his reflection, so that he can grab his shoulder without accidentally breaking any bones or causing any internal organ damage. Keeping his voice quiet, he shakes his head] Something's coming this way. Likely a security drone. Is there another route we can take?
[ He stops in his tracks when he's grabbed, glancing at Accelerator and murmuring sharply under his breath. ]
We can take the stairwell to the lower level and keep out of the way, but are you sure? How do you know it's coming?
[ They're on the quickest and straightest route and Five sounds reluctant to take detours. Plus, it's not apparent to him where his buddy is getting his second sense from. ]
[A stairwell puts them in tighter quarters, but it's better than running headfirst into a security drone. Accelerator gives a nod, and at the question his answer is blunt.]
I'm psychic. [Super helpful, not offering any further explanation.] And I'm sure, so let's take the stairs.
[ Five doesn't sound convinced, but he starts towards the stairs anyway. More of an explanation would have helped, but there's no time to argue. He can choose either to trust him or not, and he's pretty sure Accelerator isn't trying to get them killed. If the guy really had been part of some messed up experiment, it wouldn't be impossible his senses were sharpened or something. Hadn't he called himself an esper? Five didn't believe it at the time, but he also didn't believe the kid would come looking for him.
The stairwell is thankfully clear on their way down a level, though the stairs stretch even deeper, down to the lowest levels where Peil tinkers with their mobile suits. Five hits the switch to open the door and peers around it to check the floor. ]
[If he wants to remain skeptical that's fine, they aren't exactly in a position for Accelerator to give a full explanation anyways. That can happen once they're somewhere safe.
He follows him down, splitting his attention even further. It's harder to track any potential enemies in the stairwell, the doors block a lot of molecular movement he can sense and the stairs split off into way more levels than a hallway, giving security more routes to ambush them. Accelerator does his best, retracting the cane portion of his crutch into the forearm crutch so it's easier to move down the steps, his gaze constantly glancing around.]
I think we're okay —
[Aaand a door above them in the stairwell opens and the high-pitched beeping of a security drone can be heard. Spoke too soon! Without hesitation Accelerator grabs the other boy and with a surprising amount of strength shoves him through the doorway, at the same time stomping his foot on the floor. Doing so allows him to manipulate the metal comprising the stairs, and there's a hideous crunch and screech of metal as the entire stairwell starts to twist and crush itself unnaturally, like a piece of paper being balled up.
RIP to that security drone, it doesn't stand a chance.]
[ Although he's safe where he is, Five still takes an inadvertent step backwards when the metal begins screeching. He watches incredulously as the stair is ripped off its hinges and crumpled, taking the drone with it. ]
[ He exclaims in a low voice. Okay. Well. Cool. What the hell, but cool. Having an esper on their side is definitely an advantage. He can almost believe they'll make it out of here in one piece. ]
And here I thought chairmen only pushed papers! Got any other tricks I should know about? [ His face flicks from shock to amusement, his go-to attitude when uneasy or caught off guard. ...but not to get distracted from the task at hand! Five motions down the hall. ] There should be another set of stairs to the bay. Try not to crush that one or we'll have to take the long route!
[Okay, it's kind of satisfying getting to bust up a little bit of the facility, even if it's only the stairwell. Accelerator allows himself a brief grin before turning away to follow.]
If we weren't out in space I'd just punch a hole through the roof, that'd be a hell of a lot easier than this.
[Being careful sucks sometimes, but they both still need to breathe so the endless vacuum of outer space isn't an option. And unfortunately, destroying part of the facility is going to cause alarms to start going off in the halls, which makes Accelerator click his tongue in annoyance.]
Guess the entire place knows something is up. Be on your guard.
Not that I don't like the idea, but yeah, save it for when we find ourselves a ride!
[ As satisfying as it would be to blow a hole in the place, he agrees it wouldn't be the wisest course of action right now. Five starts moving again, not bothering to tiptoe anymore now that the alarms are blaring overhead. The stairs are a straight dash down the hall, only —
A metal gate comes down, sectioning off the corridor ahead and behind them and stopping them in their tracks. Figures a space station would have airlocks as a failsafe against equipment failure, or in this case, unprecedented esper attacks. ]
Think you triggered more than just the alarm! Can you bust it open?
[Well, maybe this is better than having to sneak around? More dangerous, sure, but Elan(?) seems to be handling all of this remarkably well. Credit where credit is due, he isn't freaking out or terrified.]
Yeah. Stay behind me, there might be some shrapnel.
[He steps up to the gate and taps it. It's a light motion, but it may as well have been the equivalent of a punch from the way the gate is ripped from its locking mechanism and sent flying down the hall. The calculations for that are simple for Accelerator, so he looks a bit smug as he glances back.]
[ You don't have to tell him twice. After seeing what the esper did to the stairs, Five is quick to steer clear of the way! ]
Show-off.
[ He remarks after the dust has settled and Accelerator stands looking smug in the gate-less corridor. The calm Five projects is mostly a mask. His heart hasn't stopped pounding since he broke out, but he would sooner make light of things and pretend this escape is mere entertainment than let anyone catch on to his fear.
Anyways, time to book it. As he breaks into a run, his gaze shifts back to see that Accelerator is keeping up on his crutch, because damn. It's reckless enough he stormed the place. Even more so to do it at a physical disadvantage. ]
[Accelerator can only give a small shrug. Yeah, he probably could have broken through in a less flashy way, but where's the fun in that? If he can't crush everyone associated with this damn laboratory then he can at least break the place a little.
Sticking close isn't an issue, now that he's using his ability. Running more calculations in his brain, he takes control of various vectors in his body to enhance his muscles and keep up.
The alarms blaring are irritating, and he tries to ignore them as he glances over.]
Are we close? They're probably going to concentrate a bunch of security at the bay.
[ The stairs lie ahead, but so does trouble. Turns out, the lab's already shored up security and three guards spill from the stairwell before they've reached it. The guards train their gun on Five, since he's the one visibly armed, yelling 'freeze' and 'hands up!' Considering their numbers, and the fact that they've incorrectly identified him as the real threat, Five actually lowers his gun and makes to slowly put his hands out in a feigned gesture of surrender. ]
[Accelerator skids to a halt at the sight of the guards. Guns aren't an issue for him at all, but Elan(?) is, unfortunately, very squishy and susceptible to being injured, and when he sees the guards training their weaponry on the other boy he doesn't hesitate to act.
He lunges at the guard closest to him, moving at a speed that should be impossible for someone who needs a crutch. Grabbing the barrel of the gun with one hand, he proceeds to twist the metal until the entire thing snaps in half. The guard barely has time to react to that before Accelerator beans him in the head with the broken half, because fuck this guy.]
[ Unfortunately, being made into an Enhanced Person did nothing to change his squishiness, and Five is not eager to get into a shootout. If he could simply talk shit and lie his way out of here, he would!
Like he'd been anticipating, Accelerator gets the jump on the guards, taking one head on with surprising strength for a skinny teen. The guards turn their attention on the esper, and that's when Five raises his gun and shoots one of them. Right in the heart, with cold precision. It's life or death and he is not fucking around. The guard staggers but doesn't drop, protected by a bulletproof vest under his uniform. ]
[Accelerator glances over in time to see the guard get hit, and from that and the disruption of the molecules in the air he can tell that would have been dead on if not for the bulletproof vest. He doesn't have time to contemplate it though, thanks to that vest, so before the guard can retaliate he lunges.
With a tap to the chest he sends the guy into the nearest wall, hard. It isn't something he'll be getting up from anytime soon, which gives him time to glance over at Elan(?).]
Thanks! How do you think I was picked to become Elan Ceres?!
[ It's a knee-jerk response, the bitterness leaking from his voice when he's usually good at keeping it under wraps, but he's a little tense right now. Normally he would appreciate the compliment, but not when committing near-murder while high on adrenaline and fear. He's thinking that could have all gone poorly if not for Accelerator's powers.
The third and last guard is backing away after seeing his partners go down, looking at them like these kids are fucking crazy. Five turning to threaten him with a twisted grin probably does nothing to help his impression. ]
You've seen what my 'friend' can do. How about you call off your drones and let us walk out?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
The thought causes him to pause typing for a few moments, and he stares down at the screen in silence. He doesn't even know this person, but no one deserves a life in a facility like this one.
Exhaling slowly, Accelerator focuses his mind, and resumes typing.]
There's a shuttle waiting in the launch bay. The problem isn't getting out, but making sure nothing important gets broken in the process.
[His ability isn't really made for stealth, and it takes a lot of effort on his part to keep it constrained. As large as this laboratory is it's still in the middle of space, so one wrong move and they're all goners.
He's fairly sure he has the malware downloaded, so he finishes up and unplugs the drive, putting it back into his pocket.]
Do you know how to use a gun?
no subject
[ Being a good shot is a requirement for being an Elan Ceres double! Not that he was aware of what he was getting into when his scores came back with top marks in piloting and marksmanship. ]
If it's important to them, all the more reason to break it, but we don't exactly have time. The launch bay is the first place they'll lock down once they realize we're trying to escape. So let's scram.
[ Five has no love lost for the lab, and having no idea what Accelerator is capable of, he thinks busting up their precious machines would feel pretty damn good, actually, but if given the choice, he'd pick escaping over getting back at Peil.
The Haro is going to sound the alarm any minute now, and Five gives it a pat on its covered head and and nudges it out of the way as he moves for the door. ]
So it looks like my labs have been moved up the schedule! Dr. Winston authorized it, and this fellow is going to escort me.
[ Dr. Winston did no such thing but while its robotic little programs are validating that, they'll be on their way, and if Belmeria Winston catches flak for letting them escape, he won't feel too sorry about it. ]
no subject
He clicks his tongue as he walks over to the door, eyeing the covered Haro briefly. It sounds like the launch bay will be the most dangerous part of this escape, then. Makes sense, and he keeps that in the back of his mind, ready to plan appropriately.]
Here. [Removing the gun from his belt, he holds it out.] I won't let you die, so stay behind me and you probably won't have to use it.
[Accelerator's expression is one of fixed determination. There isn't any immediate danger right now, but they aren't out of the woods. He knows that it's likely things are about to get dicey because of him, so keeping the other boy safe is entirely his responsibility and he is taking that very seriously.]
no subject
Five can't help but grin at how seriously he's taking it. Like he's said something funny. He adopts a casual tone in comparison, despite the severity of their situation. ]
Want to fill me in on something? Why stick your neck out for someone you don't know?
no subject
At the same time, he deserves an answer. Accelerator knows that. He rests his hand against the switch to open the door, refraining from doing so as he hesitates. Biting his lip for a moment, his voice is quiet.]
... I've been in your situation before. I know what it's like. You don't deserve to go through this.
[No one does. That's why he's here.]
no subject
The Haro's alarm cuts through the silence. Time to go. ]
...You should have taken your freedom and run for it. It'd be a pointless if you escaped one lab only to wind up dying in another! Come on, I know the way.
[ He hits the switch and steps through the door, side by side with Accelerator. It wouldn't be fair to let him take on all the risk after learning they were the same. ]
no subject
That could be because the Haro's alarm is interrupting any more. Either way, he takes the sincerity for what it is and nods. After stepping through the door, he reaches up to switch modes on his choker. The limited amount of time he has to use his esper ability should be more than enough to make sure they get to the launch bay safely, and as vector data floods into his brain he automatically begins sorting and analyzing it. Beginning with the movement of air molecules in the hall, to pick up on any unnatural shifts that would indicate bodies moving towards them.]
no subject
Before turning the next corner, he checks the coast is clear before waving them onwards, though he won't know what's happening beyond his line of sight. The Haro would have alerted every drone in the facility to come looking for them, and the guards can't be far behind. ]
no subject
Further down and around several corners something large, dense even, causes an unnatural movement of the air molecules he's sensing, and he freezes.]
Hold on. [He reaches out, quickly running the calculations to whitelist Elan(?) from his reflection, so that he can grab his shoulder without accidentally breaking any bones or causing any internal organ damage. Keeping his voice quiet, he shakes his head] Something's coming this way. Likely a security drone. Is there another route we can take?
no subject
We can take the stairwell to the lower level and keep out of the way, but are you sure? How do you know it's coming?
[ They're on the quickest and straightest route and Five sounds reluctant to take detours. Plus, it's not apparent to him where his buddy is getting his second sense from. ]
no subject
I'm psychic. [Super helpful, not offering any further explanation.] And I'm sure, so let's take the stairs.
no subject
[ Five doesn't sound convinced, but he starts towards the stairs anyway. More of an explanation would have helped, but there's no time to argue. He can choose either to trust him or not, and he's pretty sure Accelerator isn't trying to get them killed. If the guy really had been part of some messed up experiment, it wouldn't be impossible his senses were sharpened or something. Hadn't he called himself an esper? Five didn't believe it at the time, but he also didn't believe the kid would come looking for him.
The stairwell is thankfully clear on their way down a level, though the stairs stretch even deeper, down to the lowest levels where Peil tinkers with their mobile suits. Five hits the switch to open the door and peers around it to check the floor. ]
Hey - are there more of them?
no subject
He follows him down, splitting his attention even further. It's harder to track any potential enemies in the stairwell, the doors block a lot of molecular movement he can sense and the stairs split off into way more levels than a hallway, giving security more routes to ambush them. Accelerator does his best, retracting the cane portion of his crutch into the forearm crutch so it's easier to move down the steps, his gaze constantly glancing around.]
I think we're okay —
[Aaand a door above them in the stairwell opens and the high-pitched beeping of a security drone can be heard. Spoke too soon! Without hesitation Accelerator grabs the other boy and with a surprising amount of strength shoves him through the doorway, at the same time stomping his foot on the floor. Doing so allows him to manipulate the metal comprising the stairs, and there's a hideous crunch and screech of metal as the entire stairwell starts to twist and crush itself unnaturally, like a piece of paper being balled up.
RIP to that security drone, it doesn't stand a chance.]
1/2
2/2
[ He exclaims in a low voice. Okay. Well. Cool. What the hell, but cool. Having an esper on their side is definitely an advantage. He can almost believe they'll make it out of here in one piece. ]
And here I thought chairmen only pushed papers! Got any other tricks I should know about? [ His face flicks from shock to amusement, his go-to attitude when uneasy or caught off guard. ...but not to get distracted from the task at hand! Five motions down the hall. ] There should be another set of stairs to the bay. Try not to crush that one or we'll have to take the long route!
no subject
If we weren't out in space I'd just punch a hole through the roof, that'd be a hell of a lot easier than this.
[Being careful sucks sometimes, but they both still need to breathe so the endless vacuum of outer space isn't an option. And unfortunately, destroying part of the facility is going to cause alarms to start going off in the halls, which makes Accelerator click his tongue in annoyance.]
Guess the entire place knows something is up. Be on your guard.
no subject
[ As satisfying as it would be to blow a hole in the place, he agrees it wouldn't be the wisest course of action right now. Five starts moving again, not bothering to tiptoe anymore now that the alarms are blaring overhead. The stairs are a straight dash down the hall, only —
A metal gate comes down, sectioning off the corridor ahead and behind them and stopping them in their tracks. Figures a space station would have airlocks as a failsafe against equipment failure, or in this case, unprecedented esper attacks. ]
Think you triggered more than just the alarm! Can you bust it open?
no subject
Yeah. Stay behind me, there might be some shrapnel.
[He steps up to the gate and taps it. It's a light motion, but it may as well have been the equivalent of a punch from the way the gate is ripped from its locking mechanism and sent flying down the hall. The calculations for that are simple for Accelerator, so he looks a bit smug as he glances back.]
Let's go.
no subject
Show-off.
[ He remarks after the dust has settled and Accelerator stands looking smug in the gate-less corridor. The calm Five projects is mostly a mask. His heart hasn't stopped pounding since he broke out, but he would sooner make light of things and pretend this escape is mere entertainment than let anyone catch on to his fear.
Anyways, time to book it. As he breaks into a run, his gaze shifts back to see that Accelerator is keeping up on his crutch, because damn. It's reckless enough he stormed the place. Even more so to do it at a physical disadvantage. ]
no subject
Sticking close isn't an issue, now that he's using his ability. Running more calculations in his brain, he takes control of various vectors in his body to enhance his muscles and keep up.
The alarms blaring are irritating, and he tries to ignore them as he glances over.]
Are we close? They're probably going to concentrate a bunch of security at the bay.
no subject
[ The stairs lie ahead, but so does trouble. Turns out, the lab's already shored up security and three guards spill from the stairwell before they've reached it. The guards train their gun on Five, since he's the one visibly armed, yelling 'freeze' and 'hands up!' Considering their numbers, and the fact that they've incorrectly identified him as the real threat, Five actually lowers his gun and makes to slowly put his hands out in a feigned gesture of surrender. ]
Okay, okay! I get it, don't shoot!
no subject
He lunges at the guard closest to him, moving at a speed that should be impossible for someone who needs a crutch. Grabbing the barrel of the gun with one hand, he proceeds to twist the metal until the entire thing snaps in half. The guard barely has time to react to that before Accelerator beans him in the head with the broken half, because fuck this guy.]
no subject
Like he'd been anticipating, Accelerator gets the jump on the guards, taking one head on with surprising strength for a skinny teen. The guards turn their attention on the esper, and that's when Five raises his gun and shoots one of them. Right in the heart, with cold precision. It's life or death and he is not fucking around. The guard staggers but doesn't drop, protected by a bulletproof vest under his uniform. ]
no subject
With a tap to the chest he sends the guy into the nearest wall, hard. It isn't something he'll be getting up from anytime soon, which gives him time to glance over at Elan(?).]
... You're a good shot.
no subject
[ It's a knee-jerk response, the bitterness leaking from his voice when he's usually good at keeping it under wraps, but he's a little tense right now. Normally he would appreciate the compliment, but not when committing near-murder while high on adrenaline and fear. He's thinking that could have all gone poorly if not for Accelerator's powers.
The third and last guard is backing away after seeing his partners go down, looking at them like these kids are fucking crazy. Five turning to threaten him with a twisted grin probably does nothing to help his impression. ]
You've seen what my 'friend' can do. How about you call off your drones and let us walk out?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
this seems like a great time to get shot
it's never a good time to get shot! also sorry about him
I loled
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)