[ video - anti-U.E. encryption courtesy of Steph ]

[hostage]

Yo, listen up. I dunno how close you guys been paying attention to the intel coming in about where the U.E.'s holding our people, but there's something really important we gotta remember before we rush in there:

You can't go in there if you got superpowers or magic or anything. They got alarms and shit. The second you step in there, they're gonna know about it, and then we're totally blown.

Which sucks, right? 'cause if you're like me, you wanna be with the rest of the group busting in there to save your friends.

Okay, here's the thing though. I got a superpower. And it's one I ain't talked about before, but I'm talking about it now, 'cause it's important. 'cause we're gonna need as many people as we can get on that rescue mission.

[He takes a deep breath. This is hard for him, okay, coming out like this.]

I can, um... I can take away powers. And I can give 'em back. And it don't hurt or nothing. You just turn regular, okay, like a normal human. Norm is what we call it where I come from. Or "non-powered".

So... So if you need to rescue somebody and you can't because you're superhuman or whatever, I'll be there and I can take your power right before you go in. And then I'll give it back as soon as you come out. I swear to god, I will.

If you got any questions about it, I can talk to you right now. So you're ready for it and everything.

Comments

audio

[vaccination]

Fuck, that's cool.

[Ahem.]

Uh, I don't have any powers or anything, so, just--good luck.

[hostage]

[IT'S NOT COOL IT'S DANGEROUS AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HATE HIM]

Y-Yeah, thanks.

private; video

[controlledvariable]

[That's an interesting fact to know about Jesse, but...

just... one little thing....]

Should you be announcing that we know about the alarms?

private; video

[hostage]

[Fuck. Fuck, did he just fuck up?]

Well - I mean - I mean, they're gonna know when we get there, right? Isn't it better, so nobody trips 'em by accident..?

Video;

[of_the_lake]

I thank you for the warning.

[If Berserker sounds tense, more to lend fealty to his name than anything else, it's probably because he's getting more and more angry as the seconds tick by.]

Now--I'll make use of your abilities, lad.

[hostage]

[They're all a little tense here. Jesse, especially.]

Okay, yeah. We won't need to do it 'til we're close to the Compound, and it's probably better you keep your power 'til then just in case we're attacked.

Audio;

[cracking_shot]

That's pretty generous of you. I don't usually work prom escorts, but if you're lookin' to dance close to those unruly kids down in the U.E., I could keep an eye on you.

[hostage]

[But did you have to put it so gay, buddy. Did you.]

Mostly planning to stay outta sight, 'cause if I get hurt using my power then some crazy shit could happen. But, I mean, I wouldn't mind somebody having my back.

still video

[lazyinlove]

Can I talk to you about that after this is over? Like, if we're not dead.

[hostage]

Um... Yeah, I guess we could.

[ensorceler]

I ought to be brimming with envy, to know you would tell a whole world before myself.

[ She is teasing, but the lightheartedness is forced. She knows this is a serious situation. ]

You invite a great burden upon yourself. Many burdens.

[hostage]

Sorry, I didn't - I didn't mean to keep it a big secret. I just. Yeah... Burdens.

[Video]

[small_berserker]

[The part about taking away powers gets Lily's attention.]

What happens when you take someone's power? Can you use it, too? ...um, and do you take any problems that are a side-effect of that power?

[hostage]

Nah, I can't use anything. And, um... I don't really know what you mean. If you mean like how vampires can't walk in the sun, then yeah, that goes away when I take their power and they turn human.

video

[hyanaimne]

[she looks tired and she looks angry. She's not even going to try to pretend she's not, but it is no way directed at Jesse]

Will you need protection of any kind?

[hostage]

[He hopes it's not directed at him.]

I'll be okay. I'll have my gun.

[Video]

[trustycrowbar]

Really?

Hm.

Can you take away powers gained by Initiative tampering of weapons and equipment?

...Temporarily, of course.

[hostage]

Yeah, all that stuff. Yeah.

video;

[yourdistraction]

[ Wow that's...amazing. And scary. Super scary. Hm. ]

This is the only way we can go in to save our friends ourselves, if we have magic, isn't it?

[hostage]

Yeah. But it's only for a little. Just while you're inside.

[Audio]

[strategic_guile]

Damn, that's pretty useful. I thought you came from a world where no one had powers.

Well, that we knew of. [He should stop assuming things, he guesses.]

[hostage]

Yeah. It's complicated.

[kneecaptain]

You'd think we could disable the dampeners if someone could get in there.

[ ... ]

Does it hurt?

[hostage]

[If it's anything like his previous experiences, then the "dampeners" are probably just people like him, and you disable them by shooting them in the head. Which isn't a thing he's about to suggest.]

N-Nah, it don't hurt. Most people can't even tell I did something to 'em.

voice, private

[anklets]

I.




Maybe.

private

[hostage]

I promise, you'll get it right back. And it won't hurt. You probably won't even feel it.

[the_human]

Dude. That's awesome! Do you need any help? Does it hurt? Are you gonna go in and rescue people, or does this count?

[And then, remembering how Jesse had been before:]

Are you okay?

[hostage]

[Wow, Finn. Chill, chill.]

I - um. I'm fine. And it, um, it doesn't hurt. I can't go in, though. I gotta stay outside or I'll set off the alarm.

[candystar]

[SLIGHTLY NERVOUS LAUGHTER HERE]

Wow, um. That's kind of a scary power, really - do they have to agree first, or can you just... take it?

[hostage]

[Oh, he is aware.]

I wouldn't do that.

[Wait, no, he totally would. Except he sounds so sincere right now. Look at those sincere eyes.]

voice;

[debtor]

[There may not be another way...]

...What happens to you... when you take them? The powers, they won't affect you?

[hostage]

They won't, at all. It's impossible. I'm like immune.

[unholy_rebirth]

[THIS IS RELEVANT TO THERETH'S INTERESTS but she does have a question.]

What of us who are non-human?

[hostage]

I can do that, yeah. Sometimes you'll turn into a human, sometimes it'll just mean you'll turn weak as a human. I can't really say how it'll go 'til I do it.