cascade | kotlc

18. US-1

tw: burns

"You'll do great," Fitz promised from the helicopter. Easy for him to say. He was safe from combat, positioned almost a mile above the White House below, where human shooters would rally and attempt to assassinate the current American president. At least fifty of them would gather, and they have two fighters.

Faye wiped sweat off her forehead before she lifted her tiara and placed it over her head. It clicked with a soft golden glow, and gentle electric sparkles shot out from the end. Her face turned indistinct and blurry from the implemented addler.

"Well? Let's get on with it."

June reached for her own crown and hesitated slightly before she gulped. Fitz helped her place it on her head, and she gasped at the sudden rush of warmth. When the Councillors said the gadget would boost their abilities, she hadn't expected it to be this much. She cautiously channeled some energy into her right leg and it easily lifted off the ground.

"Alright," she breathed, reaching down to the spool of rope. Faye clicked a discreet button on her tiara and activated their intercoms. Meanwhile Fitz helped them unravel the descent mechanism, three vertically descending lines. June fussed with her harness, attaching the carabiners tightly and locking them shut. The device would operate mostly safely. "Is it time to go yet?"

"A minute and thirteen seconds. Keep in touch." Fitz gave her one last peck to the cheek before she strode over to the open bay with Faye. Her sword Kamizuma hung from her waist and June checked to make sure her gun and sword were strapped tightly to her shorts.

"Are you ready for this?" Faye asked, kinder than her usual self. "It'll be dangerous. A bunch of men, all holding very powerful guns and very sharp pocket knives... if you need anything, well, I'm here, and very approachable for the time being."

"Tell me something I don't know. Wait- no. I- uh, thank you." Wind blew at her hair and she flicked them out of her eyes. "I'll be fine. This is what I'm trained for."

Faye nodded absentmindedly, turning and glancing down at the overhanging clouds. They were grey and stormy. A thunderstorm would be coming.

"It's time," Fitz called from the cockpit. "I'll do my best to track you, but these storm clouds are an issue. Five seconds."

"Wait," Faye interrupted before June could lean out the bay. She offered her a hand. "In... in case you need it."

June stared at her for a second before she took it.

"Three, two, one."

They pitched from the bay. The strings snapped at their waists as the carabiner rollers took action, friction-stopping their fall and keeping their speed manageable. They still fell fast, incredibly fast, and the wind whipped at her body and hair. It was thrilling, quite like her 'base jump' from that airplane, except the air wasn't as freezingly cold. It was strangely refreshing and particularly exhilirating, and honestly June wanted to do it again.

Their specially prepared Lamborghini glittered before the White House. June had specifically requested bulletproof casing and windowpanes. Additionally, the doors were built to open immediately and slide up over the sunroof.

"I'm driving," Faye said immediately when they slid to a stop. She unbuckled her carabiner and stumbled over to the driver's seat, throwing up the door and jumping in. She gunned the engine and June hopped into the back row, grabbing the AK-47 the Council provided.

"Let's go," they muttered at the same time, and the Lamborghini swerved off the road and over the grass, taking an exit onto the highway US-1. Faye's driving was reckless and she weaved between cars, constantly honking and drifting across a turn. The president's vehicle was on the highway, flanked by a motorcade of seven cars. Another swarm of different vehicles trailed behind them.