Holy Wars

[Gifted]

"You're supposed to call me the Director over the radio, Maine." I responded back fairly promptly.

[Raven]

"Director, you're not a director of anything, and the people we're dealing with already know your name," Francis pointed out. "Where are you?"

I heard the talk and went to listen, though I didn't really think I'd gain any new information, it reminded me of the riddle I'd been given what felt like ages ago.

[Gifted]

"Oi, I'm the Director of the team and I like the codenames, bite me." I said playfully, but then I sighed again.
"Seriously, Director, where are you?" Joan asked.
"...I'd rather not say on the radio."

[Raven]

"Well, it's a bit hard to tell us in person when we can't find you," Francis said.

[Gifted]

"I'll tell you in twenty minutes?" I tried.
Unfortunately Joan saw right through me. "Director, are you even in the building?!"
I did not immediately answer.

[Raven]

"What were you thinking?!" Francis asked, and immediately exited the building himself, intent on finding Gifted despite not having fully recovered from Adrian's poison.

[Gifted]

"I was thinking that I've been cooped up in that tiny fucking building for over a month, there's only so long I can stay in one place before even I go mad. I didn't want word getting out to anyone dangerous that I left, so I kept quiet about it, and then you had to go shout it out on the radio." I grumbled. "I'm not saying where I am, people could hear this. I'll be back soon. I've just about made it to where I want to be." I entered town and went in the direction of the meeting place.

[Raven]

I jumped up and ran to find Xander. "Gifted, our friend, is out of the government building somewhere. If you and Kailen can find her, we could have a major step towards beating them, and if we can fix whatever brainwashing she has going on, we could keep Kenny from switching sides, even if we can't really trust him."

[Gifted]

Xander looked up. But- "Kailen is passed out, Raven. He way overexerted himself pulling this off, there's no way I can ask him to do more right now. But I'll take a look. Maybe get Olivia to help as well. Do you have any idea where?"

I found it. I made my way through the crowd, past the scorched earth and the firetrucks trying to put out the flames Xander had so callously left. I passed the damage of the fight and there it was. Just laying there on the pavement, still sheathed. I picked it up and drew it, recalling the time I had ordered it made. This was the right sword, alright; I'd recognize it anywhere. Did this prove anything? Could that have really been my friend?
I still had the blood test to wait on. What if he came back natural? Would I believe him then? Could I feel safe believing him then?
I checked over my shoulder. Francis just had to ruin my walk. Now I was paranoid about Xander knowing I was out here. About being overheard. I needed to head back.

[Raven]

"Uh... All she said was that she went on a walk," I said. I had no idea that Kenny had left his sword, I hadn't been paying enough attention during the fight to notice he hadn't had it at his hip, and I hadn't been able to face him since. "She said she'd be back in twenty minutes, so it must be within a twenty minute walking distance from the government building. She could have overestimated slightly if she wasn't there yet or if she wanted to throw us off, she knows I have the radio."

[Gifted]

"I don't know how far the government building is from here exactly, I've never risked getting that close to it." Xander said. "I know it's close. The city is twenty minuts, half an hour out from here."

[Raven]

Kenny had stood straighter when I came in, and debated for just a moment, then said, "I know where she's going."

[Gifted]

Xander looked to him immediately. "You do? Where?"

[Raven]

"If I tell you, you have to promise you'll let me talk to her," Kenny said. He knew that Xander wouldn't hurt anyone, so he didn't bother adding that as a condition.

[Gifted]

"Fine. You'll be in the same cell, not like I can keep you apart anyway. We only have one."

I was hurrying uncomfortably back towards the office, clutching the sword in my hand. "Dammit, Maine, now I'm paranoid. This would have been fine if you hadn't mentioned I was out on a communication line our enemies can hear."