Disability diaries: Unconventional tactics (Sammie)

Execution of “The Plan”.

“Hello everyone I've called this meeting for a very important reason.” Eno Hallu, the grandmaster of Morrowind's infamous Morag Tong says calmly as Valan, Yuuri, Takayama, Neloth, and I stand around a table listening. “Now this contract is different to our usual ones as we’re using a bit of uncommon tactics. We’re not actually killing anyone if we don't need to.” He explains drawing a sarcastic remark from Neloth per usual. “The plan is to rescue a person friend of ours from some form of facility.” Eno begins as he looks over a piece of paper “A facility for eating disorders to be exact.” Valan adds with a less than pleased look “And a horrible one at that.” Eno continues to read the paper detailing the contract, payment, people to be on the lookout for, and so forth. “Valan, you and Sammie will be in charge of finding Steve and actually getting him out. Yuuri you'll find and deal with the lady Mark keeps telling you about. Takayama and Neloth you'll watch the perimeter and assist as needed. You'll be important once the other three are finished inside in terms of safe transport and healing if needed.” Eno explains going through each step of the plan. “And where will you be?” Neloth asks as he made no mention of himself “Where I'm needed. Whether that be with you two or Yuuri or continuing to scout the area. We’ll figure that out once we get there. The plan is a go for tomorrow night. I'll see you all here. Now get some sleep.” He bids us goodnight and walks off with Takayama, the two of them talking quietly. “But you don't need sleep.” Valan jokingly pokes Neloth “No I do not though it is welcome and it is also welcome to be away from your infuriating jests.” Neloth responds to him though having known him long enough I can see through his displeased expression he enjoys having him around. “Sammie do keep him under control.” He gives me a tired expression as Valan wanders the room aimlessly “I try Master Neloth. I try.” I say keeping an eye on Valan as he inspects a bookcase. “Goodnight. Both of you.” Valan waves goodbye and I bid him goodnight as he walks up the stairs leaving the two of us. We stand looking over the map for a few more moments figuring out the best way to enter and exit the building with Steve in tow before heading to bed.

THE NEXT NIGHT

“Everybody ready?” Eno asks making a last equipment check, not that we’re carrying much, mainly just a few daggers and things of that sort. Yuuri paces around the room reading an article and formulating a plan for his part of the job. Within an hour we’re on the outskirts of the facility. It's a run down place, it looks even worse than I'd imagined from Marks description. Eno has Neloth send a reminder to the facility we’re to bring him to after he’s out of here that we’ll be coming. “Stay quiet, don't get caught, and try not to kill anyone but if you do make sure it's the right person to do so.” Eno warns us and sends Valan and I off with a nudge toward the sector of the building where Steve is being kept captive. Takayama does a similar thing with Yuuri but steers him closer to the main entrance.

“Can we get up there?” Valan whispers as we stand below a window to the third floor accessing how to get in. “We’ve done it before in similar situations so I don't get why we can't now. Let's do it.” And so be begin to climb reaching the windowsill and silently opening the window, climbing in. It's a dimly lit hallway only moonlight illuminates the area. Further down the hallway we hear a familiar voice, though a sad and pained variation. “Let's go.” I gesture to Valan as we move through the shadows. “Are you going to leave me to die here?” Steve asks someone on the phone. “Psst. Hey, Steve.” Valan whispers and steps out of the darkness pulling off his hood. “It's me. We’re getting you out. Come with us.” Steve looks at him in awe and has a similar reaction when I too reveal myself. Steve wipes his tears and asks why Yuuri isn't with us. “Oh he's dealing with that lady Mark keeps telling everyone about. Now...how are you with climbing through windows?” Steve shrugs “Not very good I suppose. What kind of question is that?” He asks and Valan says takes words right out of my mouth. “A very necessary question.” He grins slightly before walking over to the open window. “This is the method of escape!” He whispers to avoid drawing unwanted attention. Steve and I walk over to the window. “We’ll help you down. I'll go first, then you, then Sammie.” I give him a look “Why are you going first?” I ask as he sits on the windowsill “Because, 1. I'm fragile, and 2. We're going in reverse alphabetical order!” And on that note disappears over the ledge. Steve goes next and finally myself and I close the window behind me.

Once on the ground we lead Steve over to Neloth “just a warning if he’s snarky and/or hostile that's honestly just how he is don't take it personally.” I whisper in Steve's ear and he nods in understanding. Neloth possibly cast a healing spell on him while reading a note from the facility at the same time. “Thank you.” Steve says and gets a dismissive wave of the hand and a grumble in return. Why am I not surprised? Yuuri walks over to us with a mischievous glint in his eyes, I don't know what he did in there but it must have been amusing. “Evil lady has been dealt with.” He says and proceeds to tell Valan the story quietly. Eno Hlallu goes up to Steve then, bows and offers his hand “I don't believe we’ve met. I've heard of you though. My name is Eno Hlallu I am the grandmaster of the Morag Tong.” He Introduces himself and they shake hands. “Um. I'm Steve. If you turn on the TV you'll probably see me.” Eno gives him a small smile. “And you probably know the rest of this rabble. Except for perhaps Master Neloth, one of the powerful Telvanni wizards.” Steve shrugs “I mostly know him by the other three’s descriptions as snarky mad scientist.” He replies drawing a death glare from Neloth toward Yuuri, Valan, and I. Takayama on the other hand finds it amusing. “Alright let's go.” Steve says glancing anxiously at the facility. “Sounds like a plan let's do it.” Takayama says in agreement and we begin to walk in the direction of our next location. Except...for Valan who attempts to drag and push Neloth into moving and eventually succeeds then running to catch up with us. Sure the plan itself employed some unconventional tactics, but at least we did it. We safely transport Steve to the other facility and judging just by the exterior it's a much better place. “I know some of the doctors here if you ever need anything talk to them or call me.” Yuuri gives Steve a piece of paper and brings him in to check in leaving the five of us laying on the grass outside looking at the stars. “What are we doing after this?” Takayama asks. “Dinner?” Eno suggests getting agreement from the rest of us. “Can we go get noodles?” Valan asks as we’ve yet to discuss what to actually have for dinner. “I'm up for that.” I say, “Noodles are delicious so why not.” Takayama responds. Neloth simply says “Yes.” And Eno agrees with Takayama. Yuuri comes back saying all went well, they'll take good care of Steve there, and Mark can visit as many times as he wants. “We’re going to get dinner c’mon. Let's go.” Valan grabs Yuuri’s arm and begins pulling him with him. “Dinner?” Yuuri asks Eno. “It's well deserved. So why not.” He explains that we also haven't eaten yet despite Yuuri having already had dinner. Eno and Takayama walk behind Valan who continues to excitedly pull Yuuri along with him leaving Neloth and I to bring up the rear. “It's as if sometimes he's solely motivated by food.” Neloth sighs as we watch Valan. “That's because he is.” I explain. “He's trying his best, sometimes to make him do something you just have to use some unconventional tactics.”

A FEW DAYS LATER

“So whatever did you do to Irina Helpmann, Yuuri?” Mark asks over coffee. Yuuri remains silent for a moment, takes a sip of his drink and responds clearly lying “Nothing.” I roll my eyes “He won't tell us either Mark.” And Yuuri snickers to himself “Just tell us. please?” Mark takes a sip of his coffee “you didn't kill her did you?” Yuuri shakes his head “No but I thought about it.” He sighs “Fine I'll tell you. I tied her up and locked her in a closet.” Marks starts laughing “That's awesome!” Valan pokes his head into the room “So that's what you wouldn't tell us?!” Yuuri shrugs “Important trade secrets you know.” He jokes. “Thank you for doing that. And for helping Steve, I'm sure he appreciates it. I know I do.” Mark finishes his coffee and says goodbye, he's going to visit Steve.