Race. [TMNT 2012]

17. Plan 3; Raphael

We hide behind a structure just down the road from the laboratory. The moon is very low in the sky, warning us that morning will be arriving soon. We need to get in and out before then, otherwise we run a higher risk of getting caught.

   "What's the plan?" I ask Donatello. I don't bother leaving it up to Leonardo to make the decision. I'm not prepared to hear more of his negativity.

   Donatello looks uncomfortable that I put pressure on him. He glances at Slash and Leatherhead. "You two should wait out here," he suggests. "No offense, but it will be hard to sneak in if you guys follow us. But we could certainly use your help to break us out if we get caught."

   Slash nods once, while Leatherhead says, "As long as you destroy the Kraang tech, I will do anything to help."

   Donatello looks at April, Casey, Elizabetta, Charlotte, and Lucy. "If you five could disguise yourselves in lab coats, it would help us sneak in."

   Elizabetta frowns. "That's a great idea, Donnie, but where as we going to get the lab coats?"

   "Knock a dude out and steal his clothes!" Michelangelo blurts out happily, as if it's the nicest thing in the world.

   Lucy looks horrified.  "But that's mean!" she protests in her soft voice.

   "The Shredder isn't being too nice to us," I remind the blonde girl sharply, who flinches at my coldness.

   "I am not wearing some old guy's filthy clothing," Charlotte mumbles in agreement.

   Casey nudges Charlotte's arm with his elbow. "C'mon, sis! It'll be fun!" he encourages.

   "No," Charlotte disagrees stubbornly.

   I growl and hold a fist up towards her. "You'll do what Donnie says, or we'll leave you behind for the Shredder to take again!"

   Charlotte looks appalled. She slaps my fist to the side angrily.

   "Raph!" Casey breaks in to stop me from retaliating. "Leave her alone. It's not like she's done this before."

   Donatello shoos us all away from each other. "Yeah, uh, can we stay on topic, please? We don't have much time before the morning shift arrives. We should get in and out while there aren't many scientists around."

   Lucy lets out a small puff of air, clearing giving in.  "Stay here, ok?" she whispers to Lilac, who wags her tail and sits down obediently.

   We all look at Leonardo, instinctively waiting for him to give the order. He stares at us blankly for a moment, before saying, "Uh, go."

   We all follow Leonardo. We stick closer to the shadows as we creep up on the building. Four scientists are walking out of the front doors, chatting about something too technical for me to understand.

   "Grab 'em!" I whisper.

   Michelangelo and I leap out of the darkness and take them all down in one swift movement. We stash them in some bushes and rip off their lab coats. We hand them to Casey, April, Elizabetta, and Charlotte.

   "Just need one more," Donatello says. He glances at Leonardo. "You want the next one?" he asks.

   Leonardo just shakes his head.

   I exchange glances with Donatello and shrug. If he doesn't want the chance to knock someone out, then I won't force him.

   "I got it, then," Donatello volunteers. He readies himself as another scientist walks out. He puts the guy out quickly, hides him in a bush, and tosses the lab coat to Lucy.