Inked Wings (16+)

Eighth Event - Crossing Paths

"If I've learned something from video games, it is that when you meet enemies, it means you're going in the right direction."

The whole team gathers inside the garage.

Linda pushes Scaramouche in a tank on wheels. Cosmin walks in parallel with Lusa, eyeing her then and again.

Loek eventually pushes and shoves him into her, who puts her arm around him.

Lusa smiles.

It was decided they will go rescue Noel as a group. Alexei and the Doctor will remain behind.

Martha goes into one of the ships. She sets course for Grant City. The screen interrupts itself and the AI sends her a message.

'Is everybody present?' Loek looks around. 'Where's Angel?'

Linda purses her lips when a piercing howl fills the garage: 'Motherfucker!'

Martha slides out of the ship she previously entered.

'Alexei, check the status of all engines! Now!' She calls, anger clearly present.

Alexei checks, then announces in a casual manner: 'They've been disabled not long ago. Also, a ship's missing.'

Martha throws down her fists. 'Motherfucker!!'

The missing ship is currently on its merry way. Angel checks again the last position of M.E.A'S mother ship. Public position, since their systems are built to oppose tracking attempts. His hand scrolls to infinity.

'Rash execution but very well.' The Doctor remarks from behind.

Angel halts. 'You saw it coming.' His hands drop down onto the panel.

He only listens, steering away from facing his father.

The Doctor hums in approval. 'May I inquire about the reasoning behind this escapade?'

Angel deeply sighs.

'Don't answer with a stupid excuse, please.' The Doctor reminds him.

Angel focuses on the screen in front of him. It is the camera surveillance placed at the ship's beak. They are passing stars. Falling. They are dying.

A common sign that there must be Eldritch-ez nearby.

Angel presses a control to open camouflage and autopilot.

Only in case.

'Honestly, I never would've agreed you guys to come...' He smiles, head pointed down. 'But y'all were so insistent that for the first time in forever – I thought I had so much control and enough talent to...to get you all through this, without any real risks – consequences, I mean.'

'You did, we've disabled tens of bases with little to no concern, no -'

'Except Hashem's dead. And by now the kid's probably too, melted in a Oven room.' Angel's wings squirm. 'I thought I was ready to take the risk, to handle the consequences this brings – but I'm not.'

A raspy breath. 'I'm a coward.'

'You're not.' Doctor insists. 'Lungelo, look at me.'

Hesitant, Angel does.

His dad smiles softly. 'I love you. Do what you have to do...but no more.' He enters the escape pod. 'It's all right to simply – move forward.'

The gates close. The pod is launched into space, coordinates set within its AI.