With this clarification, Lucius opens his mouth just enough to ■■■■■ his jaw forward and position his teeth underneath his lips. He tightens his top lip into a similar position with those teeth and then, still keeping jaw slightly extended, brings his mouth back to a close. Essentially sandwiching his lips inside his mouth, making a “-_-” face while thinking this over, head slightly tilted. Even crossing his arms by slipping the arm into the opposite sleeve at some point during this process.
“Could I have a list of what chemicals and stuff is used for the room cleaning?” Lucius eventually asks.
“What do you mean ‘technically none’?” Lucius asked.
His head shifted its lean to the other side as he processed this. Most would pick up inorganic item removal as something to worry about. What if they took away your electronic device and bugged it? Or took its data, wiped its files, reimaged the thing? And of all the things to question in this new life Lucius found himself in, questioning of cleaning methods may seem the most odd.
But not to Lucius.
“No all-purpose-cleaner sprays, no blue-liquid glass cleaners that kill talking crows, no alcohol wipes, not even bleach? There’s no way this place is cool enough to just use water and microfiber. Come on, what sort of corpo contract are we being killed - er, “cleaned” with?”
Veronica was immensely uncomfortable with the flammable, well, everything. Books, beds, etc. Clearly this place was not made in mind for her. And while the boy made of smoke would probably be fine if she committed accidental arson, she didn’t seem to enjoy everyone else’s chances.
“Is there somewhere else I could stay?” Veronica asked. “Somewhere less flammable?”
Dr. Huber’s smile buckled on itself as he tried to stifle a laugh.
“Please, sir, no one on our staff has any intent to kill anyone else.” He turned the impromptu laugh into a chuckle. “Perhaps you would like to meet our cleaning division?”
The Doctor looked at the bedroom in confusion, as the walls were concrete, but with Veronica’s exact capabilities unknown, it was quite possible even industrial concrete was not strong enough to withstand something involuntary.
“Your status is… Significantly more potent than the last person here with abilities akin to yours.” Dr. Huber scratched his ear. “If you can suffer one night, I promise we will have something a bit more durable prepared for you tomorrow.”
“Ah,” Huber paused, looking at his watch. “The General has surely had enough time by now. For those of you desiring to aid in his military activities, I will escort you to the landing pad. The rest of you may go where you please and do as you like. If you have any questions, either the staff or the established residents will be able to assist you.”
One of the rooms emitted a muffled but still rather loud laugh. , prompting the Doctor to sigh. “Willing is up for debate.” Beckoning with one arm, he turned and marched towards the door.
Veronica thanks the doctor for his assurance. “I just don’t desire to be a liability. I have already dealt enough with that.”
Veronica follows the doctor, for she was most certainly interested in helping with the military activities. At least, to ensure none of the other patients here got into too much danger. She knew she would feel guilty otherwise.
“I don’t think the staff would on purpose, but the–egh, maybe later.” Lucius answers.
He waits a bit to see which of the others leave for the General’s mission. Somewhat curious if others than the volunteers from earlier would join. Though once they’re away, figures it was probably best to try and find his room first. A need that increases as he realizes that he has been who knows how long away from the internet. Surely any followers he had left would have completely abandoned him by now!
Dr. Huber lead the party outside, across the courtyard, and to the landing pad, where numerous individuals in military attire stood around, some at sharp attention, others of higher rank shifting their weight in impatience. General Trent was with them, and as he turned to meet the approaching group he motioned to some of the men, who began opening extremely durable containers.
“I believe that’s everyone, then?” The General began, noticing Violet Carla approaching from the side at a breakneck pace. “Good. Please gear up with the provided armor and weaponry as we go over the details of the mission.” The durable containers revealed military vests, helmets, gloves, boots, and knee pads, all of varying sizes. There was a suspicious lack of weaponry present, but the helicopter behind the group was quite large and no doubt had something else inside.
“Your operation will be as reinforcement to the main branch of the attack, which is intended to draw all attention to the front of the base as they rescue the hostages.” Another man spoke, presumably the Major Phillips referred to before. “Your objective is to recover the material already mentioned to you by General Trent. Should it not be in a form easily transported, you will be asked to destroy it.”
“Are there any questions about the details of the operation?”
Wen geared up, ignoring the helmets, as they would not fit his grotesque head, along with putting on the glove on his right hand, the claw tearing through the fabric. The vest was put under his jacket, the boots tied tightly, and the kneepads secured. He took out a battery from his pocket, and exchanged the old one in his prosthetic.
“Your group will rendezvous one quarter mile to the west of the southern exit.” The Major replied, his voice much less casual than the General’s, full of the flawless rigidity of military perfection. “It will be imperative that you do not travel any further north than what is directed, as this would place you directly in the face of the main attack.”
Violet had been prepping her attire as the Major spoke, and raised her hand as he finished replying. “Got a question. Uhh, she asked about heat.” She pointed a finger at Veronica without actually looking to see if she was pointing in the right direction. “Will this stuff we’re picking up get blown up if it’s shot?”
“No.” Came the reply.
Both Phillips and Trent looked at Wen in surprise, the latter having not heard him sign up in the initial call and the former finding the question offensive. Seeing the Major’s hesitation, General Trent stepped in to answer.
“The opportunity to serve your country and preserve and promote peace globally.” He folded his hands behind his back. “This material is dangerous stuff, and its remaining in the wrong hands puts countless lives at risk across the globe.”
“I take it the guns are in there?” Silas asked casually as he pointed toward the helicopter. He selected a bulletproof vest with some room in the front for mags, and a standard set of kneepads, elbow pads, boots, and gloves.
“Will anyone else be accompanying us inside the facility, or will it just be us special folks.”
The Major kept his lips tight, the muscles of his cheekbones tensing slightly. Observing the silence, the General again took over.
“Part of the U.S. Military’s arrangement with Mansao Enganoso is that no armed parties set foot on the island aside from emergency intervention. You’ll be properly armed once we’re in the air.”
If Silas’ quick-fire mind was paying more attention to the helicopter than the General’s response, he night notice something black quickly dart behind it.
The amount of comments in relation to her fire abilities as well as her flare-up during their first meeting made the General raise his eyebrow in reply, the Major responding as matter-of-factly as he could given his training.
“You are welcome to any number of concealing cosmetics we have,” Phillips motioned to one of the men, who plainly wore a mouthless ski mask under his helmet. “However should the mission be successful, all surveillance footage of your participation will be destroyed regardless.”
The General turned casually towards the back of the helicopter with raised eyebrows, but the Major’s reaction was more useful, snapping his attention towards the vehicle before motioning with one hand. Two of the men quickly darted around the back of the helicopter, but neither of them found anything.
“You don’t happen to have any bats or other nuisance on the island, Doctor?” General Trent asked, although it was more in jest than actual curiosity.
“Nothing lives on Mansão Enganoso.” The Doctor replied, his eyes traveling to Silas. “We have no native fauna whatsoever.”
For the General, that was good enough, as he shrugged and moved to board the helicopter. Only after he was securely on board did the Major motion for the rest of the crew to embark.
“Did you see that though, Doc?” Silas chirped as he ducked his head toward the underside of the helicopter obviously still not satisfied, thoroughly scanning for any clue as to what he had seen.
Veronica shrugs, and just gets on the helicopter. Though… It’s probably not safe for any of them at all. I hope we don’t have any gas leak from this thing, she thought, or we are in bigger trouble.