[closed] Kree hybrid vs. Last Son of Mars

[usaf]

On the surface, it seemed like any other op. The big brass had uncovered a Resistance safehouse, and sent The Captain to bash some heads in. All in a day's work. Carol's been a busy woman since the Porter started up again, bringing in vigilantes left, right, and center. Some more bloody than others. So she doesn't expect this op to go any different.

As soon as she arrives at the safehouse, she busts open the door with a well aimed photon blast, flying in, ready to fire more blasts at anyone who tries to run. Only... There's nobody running. There's nobody there.

"It's a trap!" She calls out on her comm to her team of native soldiers outside. "Search the back of the building, they could have gotten out another way."

It's then that she realizes she's not as alone as she thought. Her computer readout on her modified Starforce suit is showing one sign of life. Carol stills in the center of the room, peering into the shadows.

"Show yourself. Resistance scum."

Comments

[lastsonofmars]

"I know you may not be ready to hear this, but it is not you. There will always be people who are machining, villainous manipulators, and no matter how good you are, how smart you are, how strong you are, anyone can be broken down, and anyone can be beaten."

J'onn's voice is gentle and kind.

"You did nothing wrong. I know it is hard to accept, but you were victimized. Not through your fault, but through the skill and evil of another."

[usaf]

He's right. Carol isn't ready to hear this. She's too deep in the hole, blaming herself.

"What do I do now? They'll be expecting me to report back. If I don't go, they'll come looking for me." She finally looks up, looking J'onn in the face with scared eyes. "I don't know where to go."

[lastsonofmars]

"You are not alone, Carol." He steps to her, one hand gently touching her shoulder. "We'll get you to a safe house, a place where you can recover an take time to deal with this. And I will be there, so you do not have to face it alone."

J'onn nods.

"Let me get you somewhere safe, please. You need rest."

[usaf]

Carol shakes out a breathy laugh. "I step one foot into a rebel safe house, they're going to think I'm there to arrest them all."

She shakes her head. "All the blood on my hands... Everything I've done... How can I come back from that?"

It seems like an insurmountable task.

[lastsonofmars]

"Because you are not the first."

And out of the shadows step two more people, flicking off shields as they step out.

The woman smiles, eyes full of tears as J'onn gestures at her.

"This is Angela. You may have known her as Angela Morning, a former member of the regime, also brainwashed, and also broken free. She has been through this as well. "

The man bobs his head, nervously, eyes downcast. "This is Ted. He was a prison guard for those captured. He was also of those forced to be other than he wished. He understands."

J'onn gently squeezed Carol's shoulder.

"You are not alone, Carol. Come with us. Come home."

[usaf]

Carol looks up from her crouched position against the wall, recognizing Angela immediately. Ted, she doesn't know as well, but Angela and Carol had worked side by side.

"...I had wondered whatever happened to you."

After Angela had gone AWOL, Carol had been sent out as part of the search party. They always just assumed rebel forces had killed her.

Finally, Carol takes a deep breath, and stands. She isn't going to let this defeat her. She's stronger than her fear.

"Okay. Let's go. I... I want to be anywhere but here right now."

[lastsonofmars]

"Angela. Open it."

The woman named Angela opened a small box and put it down and it bloomed upward into a door. She and Ted moved through immediately and J'onn held out his hand to Carol.

"Let's go. Its time for you to rejoin your life, Carol." And he led her through, smiling gently, and hopefully.

[ ooc: And fade? ]