The reluctance does serve him right, if he gotten anything from an adversary, he'd definitely have the same look on his face. Having the tag is the last resort if she wants to get out. Not like they will, Rael does think they have a chance in getting her out of her and the country, but everything is up in the air. It's difficult to predict what could happen even with some potential possibilities being laid out.
"Think of it as a flare in some sense. If they'd catch you, you'll be sent to General Officer Han.", he explained,"You show him that tag and he will bring me in. I will tell them everything then will get the worst of the punishment. They won't kill you, they'll just give you random charges or hold you for ransom."
Well that is the simple gist of it more or less. The general officer would probably force her to undergo worse forms of torture, but not anything lethal. Maybe not worse forms, although they would send her up to the north and not back into this prison. Holding her for ransom or some exchange is just another guess. You never see Bajhe do that with Outhila especially sending back on their people let alone a spy. On the other hand, Rael would be charged with treason and abandoning duties. They'll remove his title then, likely, either give him solitary confinement or death. Chances of escaping after already being caught are less than point one; it all will be over for them.
She listened silently as he talked, wrapping the chain around her hand and letting the tags rest in her hand. It would take her a little more convincing to put them on, but for now, she would keep them. If only to have something she could turn into a weapon.
"Ah, so I'll be stuck back in here? That time with any moves watched and no hope of escape at all?" Nym asked with a raised eyebrow, knowing either way that she would take the chance of escaping with the possibility of getting caught, "I suppose that's better than instant death."
Any chance of survival was one that she was going to take, clearly. That much was true from the fact that she was teaming with an enemy in the first place, and now had a dog tag of protection from him.
Rael replied instantly with a head bow. Her assumption was primarily right for the most part. There would be more than just two guards, probably twenty or thirty within a mile radius. "9/10 yes, but you would be sent to one of the prisons up in the north; no one ever wants to go there." On the other hand, the two of them should not think much about getting caught. The more you think of it, there more chances it will happen.
A knock came from the door then a small creak appeared with one guard standing in front. Rael nodded but motioned for the guy to close the door. Time must be up for the day. Briefly, he checked the time replying with a nod in disapproval. "I'll see what I can do to get those papers and passport in by Thursday.", he promised,"Don't do anything stupid till then." He ambled over to the door with his hand in a pocket touching the piece of paper. Carefully, he pulled out a zip-tie handing it the to the guard. "They'll just try out a simple stress-position, nothing to worry about. I will have it removed the next time I meet you.", Rael said while moving his head over his right shoulder to look back at Nym.
Nym gave nothing more than a curt nod in reply. She had heard of the prisons up north, and they had a reputation of being worse than death. No one got out of them alive once they were sent there, especially a spy. If this was torture enough and she was working on getting out, that would be literal living hell.
"You're the one that has to deal with keeping your stupid decisions to yourself," She called after him as he left, glaring daggers at him once more at his command to the guard, "Ah fun. Exactly how I wanted to spend the remainder of my day." Nym glanced at the zip-tie he handed the guard, then called out after him, "I'll make a suggestion that maybe bringing me food will be a good idea eventually."
She could handle waterboarding, and stress positions weren't any more worse than that. But that didn't make it less painful, especially if she was staying in that position for who knew how long. It was almost worse to be stuck in a position she didn't want to be in. Waterboarding she knew at least ended after a short while.
Just as his feet stepped between the cell and outside, he turned around again. Rael raised his eyebrows in amusement while his lips pursed back. Well, she's just never going to give up isn't she? Thank the gods, they did not pair his fate with a coward at least. No way in hell, he'd help one. "Don't worry, meals are delivered at 17:00 sharp. These two will remove the restraint and let you eat for an hour or less before putting it back on.", Rael delineated. After, he just said nothing but got one more glimpse of Nym and the place. He shifted his head to get a glimpse out the hallway before heading out.
With the notepad in his hand, he flipped the cover reading everything he wrote. Later on, he'll need to find a way to get other notes on paper without leaving anything behind. The paper with the list still sat in his front pants pocket. It felt like it was heating up ready to turn into a flame. Rael would have to send every word of that once he leaves this miserable place. Passport, belongings, disguise, getting out…. They only have a few days to prepare in order for it to work. He can only hope.
Nym rolled her eyes at his reply, stepping back away from the guards as she slipped the dog-tags over her head. She didn't want to have to wear them, but her current clothing didn't have pockets, and she didn't want the idiots to take it back to Rael. The metal tags were her only hope of survival if they got caught. Which she was sure they weren't going to be.
She may have sided with working with Rael, but that didn't meant she was going to make the guard's jobs easy. That much could be found out as she fought against them while they zip tied the life out of her, leaving her tightly bound in one of the stress positions the interrogator had mentioned. Gosh, days of this was going to leave her with little patience for any screw up from Rael. If he wanted to not be hauled off and smacked by her, he had better make sure everything was perfect. All she had to do now was wait things out.
Rael fought the urge to drag his feet along the concrete floor. Every inch of his body felt like he just got out of another battle. Getting from the cell to the main office is such a pain; he won't be surprised if he manages to get lost. Easiest thing to do right now is just go over, drop the notepad off, and try to pick up some of Nym's possessions. Attempting to take all of it seems like too much. The arresting agency would not happen to have those things, would they? If he has to do so much paperwork just to get an identification tag, a small knife, and a jacket, he will probably have a field day with the guy in charge; or the excuse is going to be evidence.
The whole walk over was dead silent except for the murmurs of people that he'd pass by. Nothing out of the usual was happening outside the cell Nym is in. He had almost completely forgotten that there was a whole war still raging on just miles away. If he manages to get the agent out and back to Outhila, something better happen with this disastrous mess.
As he turned the corner to the main office, his eyes was able to get a good sight of who was inside. Outside of the office, there was side windows that could look inside and outside of the room. Just in perfect timing stood the general and his aid who were talking to someone that Rael does not know. They most likely were asking about the agent. He stood still staring through the window. I hope they do not go back and talk to her…
When the general came through the door, Rael hesitated before springing into attention. He stared ahead while giving a salute. In his peripheral vision, he watch the older man carefully who gave him a respectful nod then left. To get out of here, him and Nym are going to have to be quick before the whole army starts closing in.
(Shall we do a quick timeskip? Or do you plan on having the general visit Nym in her cell?)
(A quick timeskip sounds good if you're cool with it.)
(Sure, any particular time? Just to the next day/whenever Rael visits next?)
(I suppose the next day would work.)
(Alrighty. Imma go with the idea that Rael hadn't stopped by at all and Nym is still zip-tied to hell. I'll get a response up shortly)
Time Skip
Nym was pissed once again by the following morning. Screw any deal she had made with Rael, that bastard hadn't checked by at all to clip these zip ties. She had spent all night in them, only getting a break for food last night, and she was sure they were tightened when they were put back on. Even that small break wasn't enough. She couldn't get comfortable at all in them, and while sleep wasn't something she would even consider in here, she wasn't even able to get comfortable enough to think about it.
If that damn interrogator didn't get here soon, she was going to resort to worse means to get these things off of her. Gods, she was going to beat him senseless. If he had her knife, she would resort to just stabbing him a few times, but right now, beating him sounded quite fun. Torture like this was definitely the stupidest way a country like this could even attempt to get any information out of a spy. If anything, she would work better with someone who actually was nice to her. Maybe convince her to join their side, not give her every reason not to help them.
Her thoughts and anger made the time go by faster, but it did nothing to die down the murderous glare in her eyes as she glared at the door.
Rael prayed that what happened yesterday was nothing but a fevered dream. Instead he found himself trudging down the bare hallways of the prison again. Just being here was torture in itself. Going AWOL sounds more tempting than suffering the consequences for one miscalculation. He should've done that right after hearing the news rather than thinking about it right now. Making a promise to the enemy is much more different compared to desertion.
The night before he managed to have gathered the identification tag, small knife, and jacket; that's it. Directions from the superiors said that Nym's equipment along with whatever else has to be remained locked, even they can't get it without going through a long process. Next was the passport and other papers which were much feasible to get over. Any forms needed through a system is uploaded, but they have to wait today and the next day to get the passport and ID.
As he got closer to the cell, he snapped his fingers watching the guards stand up straight. One on the left opened the door while the other one went inside. Rael had his arms crossed behind him as he stepped inside. "Morning Sunshine.", he cheered giving a short smile. He only stood a couple steps in waiting for the guard to remove the restraints from Nym. This is going to be a fun day, he can already tell.
She glared at the door for what seemed like hours before she heard footsteps, though it more than likely had only been minutes. It hopefully was Rael though. As much as she wanted to think up a nickname worthy of the anger she had, she would take getting out of the zip ties over humiliating by now. It was music to her ears to hear the cell door open. Screechy, annoying music, but music nonetheless.
"Insufferable morning to you too, you worm of a human being," Nym snapped back without hesitation, glaring at him once more, "You're lucky I didn't decide to use the other greeting I had."
The guard seemed reluctant to remove her zip-ties, and for good reason. She hadn't exactly cooperated last night when they had put them on after all. She was still as he removed them though, jerking forward a tiny bit just to spook him once the final one was removed and she could feel the blood rushing to her limbs once more. Rael had better have her supplies, or he was going to hear just how much of a sarcastic potty mouth she actually had.
A new record. Rael laughed at the pleasant insult. "I guess I do deserve that.", he mumbled pulling the chair over to himself. Turning it towards himself, he placed his right foot on top leaning forward.
He pitied the guard for a second. That one and other both look scared despite having a job requiring to see the most vile things in the world. Nym is just another force to be reckoned with for them. Giving them a hard time is giving them more work to toughen up so with that, he guesses that he doesn't really pity them at all. No wonder why they never were on the battlefield.
Following the guard with his eyes, he waited till the door was closed. "Good news, I managed to get your tag, knife and jacket!", he chirped in a mordant tone,"Bad news, everything else is locked and owned by the government." Right now he did not have those things on him, just the notepad. Rael cannot even get through the main entrance without being cleared for anything suspicious three times. They are hidden from any concern till needed, he can guarantee it.
Nym was on her feet and leaning against the wall within a few minutes of being let loose, carefully and precisely stretching and rolling her joints. She scowled at Rael, looking him over and raising an eyebrow as she replied, "And where are my jacket, tag, and knife?" Without the rest of her gear, it was going to be a pain in the ass to get back to Outhila safely, but she could manage. At least she had the most important things. Her tag and jacket were essential to getting back as they both identified her, but the knife was purely sentimental, and one of the only weapons she was attached to.
Rael would get to go unharmed for another day it seemed.
She turned back to her stretching as she waited for an answer, raising her arms towards the ceiling and doing a full-body stretch to ease the soreness out of her joints. Stress positions always made her so sore, especially being stuck in one for so long. She was due for a good massage as soon as she got home. If she did get home.
Tilting his head, he scrunched up his lips. What was with the concerned look this time. Glancing over his shoulder, there was nothing. Rael threw the notepad down then opened up his arms after realizing why. "They're in a backpack hidden in my apartment. You'll get it Thursday evening." Hidden in a dresser that has nothing but bags and uniforms in it. Really was the only place an exhausted first-time interrogator and turn-coat could hide anything.
Seriously, there is no way they could try to hide anything here; it'd be as stupid as it is impossible just like anything else with this plan. Guards at the gate entrance check your vehicle upon arrival as well. And why would he give her the knife now? Nym looks like she's about to murder him anyways.
"Ah. So I have to once again trust you to give them to me? As I also have to trust that you're actually helping me and that these dog tags aren't more than just tags," She replied, raising an eyebrow and clearly looking unimpressed, "You couldn't have at least tried the excuse of using them as bait to get something out of me? Maybe wear my jacket under or over your uniform? I don't know if I'm more disappointed in your stupidity or my blind trust."
Gods protect her, this was going to be a long day.
Nym stretched once more, taking the time to crack her knuckles and maybe spend a brief moment stretching all of them besides her middle finger. Then, she was back to her pacing. At least now she was chain free, and zip tie free, meaning she could walk in silence, without anything bothering her. Or at least nothing besides Rael.
"To be honest, it's both; they compliment each other nicely.", he smirked before staring off to the side. Mother of deities. What the hell did he do to deserve this? Stalling for time, creating excuses, and are what he is the worst at. When something has to be done, he just does it. Now, is not the time to slide into anything irrational. This scenario in itself is a battle yet Nym the spy, out of any other person with a position in the two countries, is the one making him bite the inside corners of his lip.
Rael rubbed the back of his neck. Tipping the beret to the side, he tried to let go of all the energy building up inside. All the warmth making his cheeks turn a flushed pink. The strain in his shoulders plus the jaw clenching; he kept exhaling wishing it'd disappear. "Trying anything is a death sentence waiting to happen. I am very sure your parents and family would love to see officials knock on their door to tell them that their daughter or sister died behind enemy lines.", he retorted,"I am gathering up things for you in order for you to blend in; I am doing what I can to gear you up for this hell goddammit!"
Shaking his head, he mumbled a few words that managed to slip out. The time is only 08:24 yet there's still a long way to go. An even longer way till Thursday.
(What day are we going to say it is rn?)
She turned to face him, pausing in her steps and snorting in response, "You think I have a problem blending in? I'm a damn spy. it's my entire job to blend in. You should be the one preparing for this." Nym rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "Gods above just kill me now."
Rael was getting on her nerves quicker than she realized. Did he not realize she was trained in situations like the one that would happen when she got out? She worked entirely on hasty plans and excuses, anything set in stone ended up falling apart anyway. If she had her way she would've had him stash her clothes somewhere near the prison, cause a commotion and let things go to hell enough that she could escape. But instead, she was stuck trusting this idiot. He and his worry about this being a death sentence. She was a walking death sentence with her position in the Outhila army, and yet he was the one worried about it.
"Go…pick some berries or whatever you do in your free time," She huffed out after a minute, shaking out her hands that she had clenched into fists, "Or better yet, get me food. I need to think."
(Would Thursday be alright? It's just what I thought, but we can go with whatever you want.)
"I am the one that should be preparing? Me? You're out of your mind!", he seethed,"There's absolutely nothing for me to be scared of! They haven't dared to kill me after losing two h-" Rael stared straight ahead at the wall. His lips trembled with hesitation. Is this really what a first sergeant should be doing? Getting his blood boiled over a spy? Holding his head up with one hand, he gazed over at Nym.
Oh, what the hell is this? Part of him feels like he's back on the battlefield in a fox-hole screaming over the sounds of gunshots and explosives. The ringing settled in his ears taking over his train of thought. Rael turned his chin to the right as he slowly let his jaw loosen. Even in a cell, getting under each other's skin is useless as much being furious right now. Foolish. Admitting she's right about anything is like a knife digging into his lower abdomen.
He supposes that he can bring the bag over tomorrow. Everything they need will be ready by 21:10 tonight or 05:00 the next day. There is not many places he could hide it besides the locker-room or in a corner of the cell; as long as there isn't any inspections taking place. Telling her this right now serves no gain. Nym looks like a grenade ready to set off at any second.
"I won't be going anywhere, so go ahead, think out loud. I can see your knuckles turning pale."
(as in there's a week before they leave?)
"Thinking aloud will most likely end up with you being cursed out verbally or you being used as a punching bag, so I'll pass. As tempting as it is, I don't really want to spend any more time in those lovely zip-ties," She retorted, her hands clenching into fists once more, "If you refuse to leave, at least shut up."
Gods she was going to flip out on Rael. He was an interrogator, and from the looks of it, a soldier. Not a spy. He didn't really expect her to believe his lies of nothing to be scared of, did he? Rael was used to this and war, not the constant fear that accompanied her when she was working. He had no clue what it was like to feel his heartbeat erratically while hiding behind a thin wall, not daring to breathe as a house was searched. If she really could speak her thoughts, she would be telling him just that. He would have to do more than just prepare once they were out of here, stuck up arrogance or not.
Nym shot him a murderous glare as she released her fists, letting out a silent breath before starting to walk again. Just a glance at him confirmed that he was just as pissed off at her as she was at him, but she stayed resolutely silent. He could grind his jaw all he wanted, just as long as he would shut up. At least long enough for her to decide that she could punch him without repercussion once they were out, but in here she would be in trouble.
(Yeah, it works for me. Really I think it is more up to you, so I say we'll go with whatever you decide. :) )
Just taking a simple request to be silent is almost nerve-wrecking for him. While his posture became less rigid and more fluid, he could feel his left hand shaking a little. A small ringing sound kept fading in then out every couple of seconds. Doing a simple thing just to keep Nym at a distance is flat out senseless. Ask Rael to dart through No Man's Land, he'll gladly do it. Having to work with the most idiotic recruits serves him more purpose than this.
Whatever strings of words he had for defense were forced to go away. Keeping the rising tensions along will not do both parties any well. They already have been at each other's throats more than once in the last day. How would the two work with each other without a moment of pestering one another? Oh it just hurts him having to think about all the probable times they'll be stuck in a dilemma yet can't get out of it due to them butting heads.
Rael pulled out his pen and began to click it incessantly. Either this will make her talk or go off like a bomb; any reaction will be of use. Suddenly he began to recall the fun times from the day before with the chains leading up to now. Not being able to talk out of will only leads to another form of communication. "You're holding something back.", he said in Morse code,"Why? Is me just being here this agitating?" Immediately, he went back to just tapping the top of the pen; this time at random intervals. He kept his chin low only gazing up every few seconds waiting.
(That works for me!)
Nym had been enjoying the silence before Rael started with his damn pen. The clicking was enough for her to want to walk over there and break it in half, maybe throw it at him if she felt like it. Her hands formed fists again as she let out a long breath, struggling not to do just that as she tried to tune it out. At least until she heard a pattern in the clicks that was.
"You really do like testing your luck, don't you?" She asked, glaring at him while stopping to lean against the wall. If he was talking to her through Morse code, the least she could do was use the same code to talk back. And so, quickly she tapped out a message with her foot against the floor. "Wouldn't you like to know? At the moment I'm holding back the urge to strangle you." It was all she bothered replying with, shooting another nasty glare his direction.
If this was the torture she had to endure before she was allowed to get out, she would be tempted to be waterboarded again. At least then she could get some silence and could properly think through just how she wanted to get back at Rael. Starting with this same thing. Not giving him any silence or time to himself that wasn't torturous.
