Sev just stared for a few moments, gazing out into space. She seemed to be thinking about something, before turning back towards Eva.
"Armed escort? Who were you talking to anyway?"
She blinked idly at Eva, her arms crossed protectively across her chest, as she pondered how one girl could have so many strange connections.
A million dollars isn't cool. You know what is cool? A basilisk.
In any case, we have about 15 minutes until they arrive.
Don't stand near the windows.
Soon as our ride gets within range we're taking the elevator to the rooftop.
Evangeline promptly wanders back into the bathroom, leaving the door ajar.
Kana, after processing Evangeline's words, begins waving her outstretched arms from side to side with sloth-like deliberation. She moves them from her left side to her right repeatedly, as if she were holding an invisible box of some sort.
Elevator...
Escalator...
Elevator...
Escalator...?
Kana appears lost in thought, staring at the floor with a bewildered expression across her face - for a moment. Seemingly she becomes re-aware of Sev's presence and her gaze changes to her in an instant - almost as if Sev being there was unexpected.
I know they're two different things!.... but I can't remember which one's which! An escalator is the one that goes straight up and down... right?
Kana's expression explicitly states her utter confusion in the matter.
Sec just stares at Kana for a good ten seconds.
"Uh...I think elevator goes up and down."
She draws a straight line in the air with her finger.
"Like elevation, right?"
--------------------
A low hum pierced the air over the building as Sparky dropped to the rooftop, the light assault rifle clattering on her armor. As her two comrades dropped down behind her, her helmet started filing the building- structural data, tactical files. The glimmer of a hidden assault ship reassured her that they were in control. Making a complex gesture with her free hand, The group began to set up the equipment given to them, beginning with the metal clips attached to the edge of the building's rooftop.
A million dollars isn't cool. You know what is cool? A basilisk.
Kana's expression changes once again, the girl seemingly having reached peace within herself.
I like escalators better.
Kana pauses for a moment - for reasons unbeknownst to anyone but herself.
Because an escalator can never break down. They can only become stairs.
You would never see an "escalator temporarily out of order" sign - just a sign that says "escalator temporarily stairs".
A minute later, Evangeline gently kicks the bathroom door open, stepping out into the main room with baby Sanya - sporting a fresh diaper - in her arms.
Unfortunately, Kana, I don't think this place has an escalator.
We can take the stairs though.
The rooftop of the Cosmopolitan sports a small courtyard area amidst the utilitarian features - accessible by the elevator and adjacent staircase. Although a sea of concrete with little more than a fenced-in platform with some seating whose primary purpose is an respite for guests whom smoke, the small public area offers an interesting view of the city surrounding the hotel - of course, anywhere not otherwise obscured by one of the many skyscrapers nearby.
Through the maze of designated traffic lanes, a member of Liberty's naval fleet clumsily meanders its' way towards the hotel grounds. Bearing the distinct insignia of Liberty across her hull, the aged - yet hardy - utility vessel proudly enjoys the right of way granted by the colours she flies under.
Like many dedicated space vessels, this particular craft lacks the ability to actually "fly" under atmospheric conditions - instead relying on a complicated array of vertical thrusters and computer control systems. Despite her handicap, however, the ship is capable of a not-insignificant speed through Manhattan's atmosphere.
With all of the anti-glory bestowed upon such tools-of-the-trade, the ship stalls out several meters above the hotel, down-draft from the engines kicking up the layer of dirt and debris that had accumulated atop the roof.
The impolite, blatant noise generated by the new arrival alerts Evangeline - and most everyone else in the building - to its' arrival.
Aaand... that'd be our ride out of here.
We're leaving? I haven't even packed anything yet!
The distress in Kana's voice is clearly apparent to those around her.
We're not leaving for good, Kana. Just going on a sightseeing trip.
Kana once again returns to her blissful natural state as Evangeline - with a handbag apparently retrieved from the bathroom over one shoulder - walks to the front door. She turns around and beckons Kana and Sev to follow her.
Sev jumps at the noise, her eyes going immediately to the window. After checking the expressions of those around her, it quickly turns to that of embarrassment.
"Ah...So thats our ride, then." She says quietly, following Eva close behind.
--------------------
Sparks dropped to her knees, cursing as the vessel hovered above.
"Dive, Collateral, contact that vessel. Give them the wrap" she yelled above the engine hum, while the response was easily drowned out.
Dive flicked a switch inside the cockpit. As it floated in the air, the sharp, angular edges and red, sparking engines of the gunship came into view. On he other side of the rooftop, Collateral was doing the same. The ship's sudden appearance drew a few looks, but odd sights were common enough on Manhattan that most went on with their busy days.
Opening a channel to the new arrival, Dive gave a slight sigh before reciting the phrase taped to the side of the dashboard. "Unknown vessel, you are entering the operations area of a legal paramilitary exercise of high priority. Interference will be regarded as an act against private property. Personally, I'd suggest waiting a few minutes. We'll be finished by then" He said monotonously- dropping the voice for the last sentence.
A million dollars isn't cool. You know what is cool? A basilisk.
A man responds over the radio, his voice and accent indicating him to be of an older age and very strongly Texan.
Well son, I do wonder what kind of operation you'd be performin' over civilian airspace without permission.
The mere fact yer' here is ah'nuff justification to shoot yeh down.
So unless you'd like some indiscriminate justice dealt your way I suggest you clear out.
I hope I don't need'a repeat myself.
Evangeline, with Sanya in her arms and Kana by her side, winds her way up the staircase leading to the roof. As they climb further and further, the roar of the Naval ships' engines becomes louder and louder. Evangeline eventually reaches the end of the stairs, arriving at a small internal landing. In front of her is a single door leading to the courtyard outside. The sound was now deafeningly loud, penetrating the steel-clad exit without any apparent reduction in volume.
Eva pauses just before opening the door and peers out through the small glass window, seeing not only her ride out but the other craft present as well.
Dive shifted his vessel to the side a little, pulling away from he roof.
"Our ships are well within the restrictions of craft that fly through here. Maybe you'd like to bring up the kidnappers down in that hotel?"
As he spoke, Sparks unlocked the safety on her assault rifle, walking calmly towards the staircase entrance with her two comrades in tow.
A million dollars isn't cool. You know what is cool? A basilisk.