---------- Brimstone Patient Authority By Josh Nolan and Sylvana Lorrdain -------------- Sylvana limped down the corridors, half leaning onto her pole as she tried to look over the multiple non human, and human, people who blocked her view. "What we need to do right now is stay calm," said a voice from near the middle of the crowd. "We're all real nervous right now, but if we stick together we'll do okay. Now, I want all the orderlies here to raise their hands." Some of the figures around Sylvana raised their hands. "Okay," said the voice. "Now, you know the patients better than I do, so you keep an eye on them and let me know of any special needs they're having, okay?" Sylvana masked calm to her face, making her way toward Josh's quarters. "'Scuse me, there, Missy! Uh, Missy?" One of the blurred figures approached, coalescing into the figure of a soldier. "Missy? Are you all right, there?" Sylvana half squinted, and nodded, "I am. Just going to my partner's quarters to make sure he's okay." She kept walking, hoping he'd let her be, her jaw setting in determination. "With respect, Missy, I can't let you do that. It's dangerous round here, and we'll all be safer if'n we hang together. We'll only be a few moments to get ourselves here formed up, and we'll be looking for your partner straight away. Is that okay, Missy?" "First off, it's Agent Doctor," Sylvana said, still moving. "And I'm well capable of handling myself. I'll stay out of your way. Trust me, I know how dangerous it is...." "I can see that, mi - Agent Doctor. But if'n you don't mind me bein' so rude to observe, you seem to be wearing an awful lot of blood as a decoration, there; an' what with your limp and all, wouldn't you be better off with us?" She tried to hold back the rage that bubbled within her. "The blood is from the landshark I just killed... and the man it had destroyed moments before. Please, take care of the others, you need all the help you can get. As for the limp - it doesn't make me any less capable," she snapped. He drew back, blinking. "If'n you killed a landshark with your walking stick, I gotta say I'm not of a mind to get in your way, Ma'am. But I would feel awfully reassured if you just waited a few moments for the rest of us." "Syl?" came a voice from behind her. Sylvana half turned. "Thank Heaven," she sighed in relief. "I was just going to look for you, but this gentleman," she glanced at the guard, "sought to detain me. We have a few other people we have to find," she told him. "I was just trying to make sure the Agent Doctor would be safe, was all," said the soldier. "Wait - I know you, don't I?" "We've met, if that's what you mean," said Crispy, nodding, then turned to Sylvana. "And what happened to you? Looks like you went dancing in an abbatoir." "Landshark. Fegrin's dead, it came right through the door." She shuddered, gritting her teeth. "We have to find the others, Solun and... well, another person I'm friends with here." Crispy bowed his head, and put his hand on Syl's shoulder a moment. Then he raised his head and addressed the soldier. "What's our situation?" he asked. "We're still assessing. I got a bunch'a orderlies here and a few nutj - a few patients, too. Trying to form 'em up and seek safety." "What about those explosions? What's gone?" Josh's manner was direct, brusque - and his delivery was rapid enough that the soldier didn't seem to be able to stop himself from answering. "Communications at least - I can't raise the barracks, and most of the systems seem down. Maybe main power as well. And... given the Agent Doctor's state, sir, I'd say the shield's out too." The soldier's expression went puzzled for a moment - possibly trying to figure out why he'd said 'sir'. Sylvana spoke up. "I was outside when it started, Captain," falling into military mein quickly, unsure just why. It helped with turning off the tumultous feelings, though. "It's an invasion of sorts. Shields were taken out with arial bombardment, as well as most of the soldiers barracks." "Then we need to move," Josh said. "Do you know where there are real weapons, not just stunners?" "There's a locker near the prison," replied the soldier. "Then take us there, Corporal." He turned to Sylvana. "You need any help moving? We have to hustle." "I'll make it," She told him. "I'll also be keeping an eye out for Solun and... my friend." "Yeah, I'll be keeping an eye out for Sol, too. I don't know where the droids got to, either. If you see your friend, make sure to point 'em out." "I will, She's got dark hair, fighter's build..." Sylvana bit her lip. "Let's go, I'll take rearguard." "Okay. Don't fall too far behind. And if you do, holler." He clapped her on the shoulder once, then began to walk towards the soldier. He paused. "And if you see anyone with guns coming up behind us, yell louder and drop, okay?" "I'm not stupid," she shot back, a smirk gracing her features momentarily before she quickly followed them. Pole, running hop... it carried her along almost as fast as she could run, and she was able to keep up, keeping her eyes peeled.