Ch. 9 Copperhead Road

[Philulhu]

“It has limited power, admittedly,” said Brophy. “It can introduce torpor or limited suggestibility in a victim. It might induce you to go somewhere or to ignore things happening before you. With it, we might keep one guard occupied while you take care of the second.”

[HoneyDog]

Howard snorts derisively.

"That's a lot of 'mights', Brophy".

He shrugs and turns to the others.

"I don't want to go along with this, but if you're all in favour, I'll help."

[Mr. Handy]

"You said it would hopefully cause no longer-lasting damage," says William, his lawyer's ear having picked up on the loophole. "What sorts of things can go wrong?"

[Philulhu]

“The process relies on a psychic link being made between James and yourself. It won’t be like linking to a fully-grown avatar as its thoughts would be completely alien and some victims have been driven mad through such exposure. There is a small chance that you will see what James is seeing and feel what he is feeling, which you could find upsetting, but he is your friend and he will mean you no harm,” explained Brophy.

“I must hurry you for a decision,” Brophy continued. “The process will be tiring for James and we will need him rested before we can escape.

[Mr. Handy]

"Are you sure you're up to it, Howard?" asks William. "I can do it if you'd rather not."

[HoneyDog]

Howard looks alarmed.

"I didn't mean I'd help like that!" he protests. "I just meant I wouldn't oppose it if you all decided on this course of action. There's no way I'm letting that creep mess around with my mind!"

[peper757]

"I don't think we should trust him." Thomas says. "This seems too much like a trick."

[Philulhu]

Brophy glared at Thomas. “To what end?!” he snapped, leaning through the bars to stare down the young policeman.

“How would me tricking you help me escape?! James is weak and will need help. Think logically; can you overpower the guards and escape on your own? No. Can James and I? No. Therefore we have no option but to work together!”

[Mr. Handy]

"I don't like it," says William, "but I don't see that we have much choice. If nobody else is willing to do it, I'll take the chance."

[Bullfrog]

"I'll do it." Lawrence calls out. This time, he would take one for the team. "It's a risk I'll take, even if I don't want to. If things go wrong and I go crazy, Brophy will lose his chance to escape, anyways. He needs us if he wants to get out of here alive."

[peper757]

"Try anything, Brophy, and you'll be sorry." Thomas shouts back.

[HoneyDog]

Howard unconsciously rubs the spot which was impaled by the monster's spine as his mind considers their options.

He turns to Lawrence and nods.

"I'll keep a close eye on Brophy" he says.

[Philulhu]

”Thank you,” snapped Brophy tersely, glaring at Howard and Thomas. To Lawrence and William he said “Go about your business, as it were. I will instruct James in what he needs to do.”

Over the next few hours, they heard Brophy talking quietly to James in that strange, harsh language he had used before. Parts were rhythmic chanting; other parts seemed like a rambling discourse. He stopped abruptly as the guards came in with some food and water, one of whom stood and watched carefully as the other pushed trays of food towards the cell doors where they could be retrieved by their occupants.

Another half hour passed and Lawrence and William felt a tingling sensation at the backs of their necks. For William, the sensational was momentary, but for Lawrence it lasted longer and he felt a momentary link with James but it faded quickly away.

”We will try again shortly,” said Brophy quietly. ”In the meantime, we need a plan to get out of here if this works...”

OOC,Lawrence - [dice]0[/dice] William - [dice]1[/dice]

[Bullfrog]

"That was... Not pleasant." Lawrence says, somewhat put off by the odd sensation. "I digress, though. When we make our escape, we should cause as little disturbance as possible. It would be best if they didn't even know we escaped until it was too late."

[HoneyDog]

Howard is regarding Lawrence looking for anything amiss.

"We can't get out of these cages without the keys. We need to take on the guards somehow."

He looks at Brophy.

"How exactly are you thinking of using this mind control, Brophy?"

[Philulhu]

“Did you observe the guards?” asked Brophy with dry sarcasm. “One watches from the doorway while the second comes closer with the food. James and I will distract the one by the door, leaving the other to the four of you.”

[HoneyDog]

"He won't come in though" says Howard. "We'll have to try to grab him through the bars somehow, and get the keys. We need to stop him shouting too. We'll all have to grab him."

[Philulhu]

“The guard with the food is the one who approaches you most closely. At best, two of you may be able to grab him; the space between the cells precludes any more being directly involved. When James subdues the second guard, you will only have a few seconds to deal with the other one,” said Brophy. “You must act quickly.”

[Mr. Handy]

"All right," says William. "We'll do it when he brings the food. Maybe when James disables the other guard, that'll distract him too. That's when we'll strike. If only two of us can reach him, I'll leave that to the others. I'm not the best at fighting."

[peper757]

"I'll do it." Thomas says. "Shouldn't be too much trouble if they're distracted."