The Jailhouse Scene 5: Break-in
“I still think we’d be better off waiting a day or two, so Alex can figure out more about that tool of yours,” Jason said for the nineteenth time as the rebels moved through the streets, guns hidden in their coats, trying to look like any other bunch of young folk out for a walk.
“It’s not my tool, it’s the Doctor’s. And I told you,” Camille said for the twentieth time, “that he won’t last that long.”
“Why do you care so much?” he sighed. “You met him for, what, all of fifteen minutes?”
“It wasn’t very long; you’re right. But in that time, he helped me escape, at great personal risk and no personal benefit. And now he’s going to suffer, because of me.”
“Please. You could handle it, why can’t he?”
“No, Jason, I couldn’t handle it. The only reason I’m not curled up in tears is I have a mission to complete. I don’t know how long it will be until I really feel like I’ve washed Vargas’s filth off me. And he just did his business and left. Tirlene is different; she likes to hurt people.”
“If this man really is a spy, he’s been trained to handle torture.”“Maybe. But he was so open and defiant; I know he won’t just sit back and let her have her way. And the more he fights, the harder she’ll try, because she’ll see it as payback.”
“Why would she do that? She’s known him for less time than you have.”
“Because, Jason, one year into her nursing career, she…”
“Hey, you two!” snapped Deirdre. “Keep it down! We’re almost there!”
They stopped just outside the entrance. There were other groups, similarly armed and acting nonchalant, and they exchanged signals. The first group would try to bluff its way in, with the others on standby. Camille had had to argue extensively to be part of this group, because the game would be up if any of the guards recognized her. In the end, she’d gotten her way, on the condition that she dye and braid her hair and wear heavy makeup to hide her freckles.
“Greetings,” Jason announced as they entered. “I’m from the central office, here for a surprise inspection.” He held out the psychic paper, and Vargas came forward to inspect it. His eyes flicked between the paper and the faces of those in front of him. Camille tried to turn away without drawing attention. Meanwhile, the rest of the group had their eyes on the two other guards, their hands ready to draw guns, and their breath held.
“Inspector Jason Burns?” Vargas asked. “I don’t think so.” He stepped over to Camille. “I think I know this one. Yes, I know her very well.” He grabbed her face, and she immediately pulled her gun on him.
“Get back, scum!” she growled.
The guards snapped to attention, aiming at the rebels, who drew their guns in return. For a moment, it was four against two, with Camille’s attention focused on Vargas with his hands in the air.
“Where’s the Doctor?” she demanded.
“I’m afraid he’s a bit… tied up at the moment,” he grinned. “Except for the little technicality that fugitives aren’t eligible, I’d say you could have him tomorrow, when my sister is finished.”
Furious, she smacked him with the butt of her gun. One of the guards squeezed his trigger in response, and Jason cried out as his arm was grazed. Then another rebel group burst in, and suddenly, the room was filled with gunfire. Both guards fell, along with three of the rebels. Camille drove Vargas back toward his console.
“Where’s the Doctor?” she screamed, holding the gun to his forehead. “Tell me!”
Vargas began to chuckle. She cocked the gun.
“Camille, no!” Jason snapped. “We might need him alive! Deirdre, restrain him. Alex, call in the others.”
As Deirdre came up behind with the locking straps, Camille’s eyes fell on the console. Here were the feeds from the monitors in all the rooms. She began to search them, praying that Tirlene had not turned hers off.
Scene Selection
1. Delavega 5. Break-in 2. Room Twelve 6. Rescue 3. Sentencing 7. Escape 4. Testing Commentary