so you feel entitled to a sense of control

[tagential]

Edwon hadn't been given many details in preparation for this mission. He never was. That information wasn't necessary, supposedly. A name, a location, that was it, with the clear instruction to extract that person. And it was true that he didn't strictly need to know more, but he wasn't an agent because a lack of information satisfied him.

He'd done some digging, and realized that Zareeth had the recipe for a neurotoxin that the Empire wanted their hands on. Stealing the recipe wouldn't be sufficient, of course, since the Empire tended to prefer any knowledge to be exclusively theirs. He'd considered going against direct orders and negotiating a deal with Zareeth and his group, instead, just to show his bosses that brute force was still the boring solution... But sadly, there was no time for that. He wasn't the only one after the neurotixin.

Which was why he was now appearing out of thin air in front of Zareeth, blaster pointed directly at him as he switched off his Stealth Field Generator. "I'm afraid you have to come with me," he said, almost sounding sorry, too, even though he wasn't. "And we're in a bit of a rush. You'll have to excuse the methods."

Comments

[tagential]

He was too close to dodge that blade completely, and he winced as it cut his arm. He ignored it, though - he'd patch it up later, he didn't have time to worry about that now. He pulled Zeereth's hood out of the way, and quickly snapped the collar shut around his neck, before stepping back giving him some space. He hadn't really wanted to do that either, but there was actually some satisfaction in it, by this point.

"Come with me." He'd have to choice now, but Edwon still kept his tone light, like it was a normal conversation. "Before we're attacked again."

[blooddrunk]

The alchemist cursed when he felt the collar clamped shut around his neck, yanking back as a hand went to his throat and he tried to remove it even though he knew it was futile to bother. While he could feel the effects of his mutagen beginning to wear off he still felt the lingering bits of defiance even though didn't try to lash out and attack again. Instead he just frowned, staring Edwon down warily.

"Why? Because whoever wants me this time is paying you more if I'm in good condition?"

[tagential]

"Well, if they wanted you dead, there'd be no need for me to go to all this effort." Actually, he might have anyway, because he really wasn't very good at following orders. But in Zeereth's case... Well, maybe he would have let him get himself killed by their many attackers.

He started walking. The slave collar would force him to follow. "I could let you fight these people until you exhaust yourself, and then carry you with me. If you prefer, of course."

[blooddrunk]

He gritted his teeth even as he felt the effects of the mutagen beginning to weaken a little, the rush of adrenaline and speed it had given him fading as he was forced to follow Edwon. The loss made him feel empty and drained, a sensation that definitely wasn't helped by the bitterness of being recaptured. Clearly this man had either been given knowledge on him beforehand or was just much more well-prepared than others had been in the past. Unless he was overwhelmed by numbers he generally didn't have too much trouble evading someone or just killing them if it came to it, so this was... Far from ideal.

"... I would prefer fighting, but not being carried," he mumbled, mostly to himself.

[tagential]

"I could have you dragged." Not by himself, of course. He was stronger than he looked, but still a small man, and he wouldn't be able to both drag Zeereth as well as fight off their attackers. Thankfully he could call for help if he decided he needed it.

But this was an easier solution. He had secured a safe house nearby, and the plan was to get Zeereth there, and then plan for how to get him safely off planet. This time, he did decide to switch his stealth tech on, turning the two of them invisible. Personally, he wasn't in the mood to fight.

And it would only take them about five minutes of walking to get to the safe house.

[blooddrunk]

Zeereth just snorted softly but didn't bother to retort, instead just falling silent as he was forced to follow along after his captor. He wasn't talkative under the best of circumstance and obviously the situation made him even less so, so he reluctantly went to the safe house without another word.

While some part of him was itching to try another escape attempt the rest of him knew better than to bother, especially after getting a glimpse into Edwon's resourcefulness. At this point his best bet would be to try and barter some way or hope for a longer diversion.