The Great Escapes

[run_barry]

Since Yamato offered to come to Central City and help with the epidemic crisis, things have been crazy, but handling them has been a whole lot easier now that Barry isn't operating alone.

He even got some rest in, on Yamato's orders, and they've got a bit of down time as far as emergencies in the city go so they're using it to work on other problems.

While Yamato recalibrates the S.T.A.R. Labs satellite to track the new meta they suspect is behind a whole bunch of the crime, and a death-trap or two set for Barry, Barry is getting his science nerd-amateur virologist on, trying to find a cure to the bug that has so much of the City down; including his team.

Sitting at a desk in the Cortex, Barry works away with a microscope taking notes on a tablet. Beside him are several boxes of chicken nuggets which he's working through, with a few empty ones already in the waste bin nearby.

In the middle of the space on the floor GP the porg is munching on shrimp treats while bopping around an inflatable S.T.A.R. Labs beach ball.

Comments

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Good. I'm counting on you for that route, then," Yamato says, flashing a quick smile and nudging Barry's shoulder with his fist.

He gives a quick nod at what Barry says next. "That's true, we don't want anyone else getting hurt. Think you're fast enough to get them all to a safe distance before Camera Commander gets their guys out? I can track anyone making a run for it, but if they all get out and scatter, then it's going to be difficult to catch them all."

[run_barry]

"Yeah, I mean, I think so," he says, scratching the back of his head.

Studying the map and imagining where the transport might be, he nods and comes back more confident, "Yeah, no, I can do it. Two guys... three tops if they put an officer in the back, I can do it."

He would have to, if they wanted everyone out of there safe.

"The thing we have working for us is only some of them will be armed and coordinated. The guys on the transport won't be coming off with weapons or able to communicate with the leader right away."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato gives Barry a quick nod, nudging his shoulder again. "Good. That's our first priority, then."

He turns in his chair slightly, opening up the display on his wrist computer and starting the process of breaking into CCPD's servers as he talks. There is a little, brightly coloured cartoon image of a red and black ladybug Digimon hacking at coloured blocks with its legs in the corner of the display.

"Right. We have a window of opportunity when the ambush first starts where disrupting it will be a lot easier," Yamato says. "Even better, Commander won't be able to control the terrain this time around. Every other time you've faced them, they've drawn you into a place that's advantageous for them -- somewhere with security systems, plenty of cameras, easy hiding spots. This time, they don't get to control the when and where. We're the ones baiting them instead."

[run_barry]

Barry rocks a little with the nudge, smiling a bit now, glad for Yamato's confidence in him.

"Okay."

Turning to eating another burger, because fueling up before all of this is probably a good idea, he watches Yamato working on his computer.

"You got that hooked up here?" he asks, nodding at the device, impressed.

"And hey, that's a good point, out on the streets they can't trap me anywhere." Not when Barry can course every road and run up buildings when one gets in the way. "If we can track where they're at we totally have them this time."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Yeah, I got it connected up to the Cortex just before that first bank heist you dealt with. It's just a little easier for me to work with," Yamato says, typing at the holographic keyboard beneath the display. "And, you know, Alternan processing power comes in handy."

He smiles, arching an eyebrow. "You'll be in your element. Free movement, while their manoeuvrability is way more limited. Obviously that doesn't mean you can relax, this still won't be easy, but it gives you an edge."

[run_barry]

"Awesome," he says. "You know if Cisco finds out he's going to want to dig into your tech and see what makes it work."

The idea of having the upper-hand on the meta and their cronies is a big boost, and Barry is suddenly eager to take them on.

"Alright, well let's do this. Once you get in we'll see if they do have a transport scheduled and then go from there."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"I got this at Milliways anyway, and I have barely any idea how it works. If I ever run into another Alternan there, I'll send them Cisco's way." With, you know, the proviso that he'll probably want to see all of their tech. "I guess I could let him take a look at my digivice, if he promises not to actually try to take it apart. Might be a good way of paying him back for the stungun."

He keeps working, and eventually the lines of code and the cartoon insect vanish, replaced with what is definitely the CCPD's computer system.

"They actually do have a transport scheduled. Six in the morning tomorrow, to Iron Heights," Yamato says. A few minutes of typing later, and a bunch of extra names have been added. "And now Camera Commander's goons are all on it."

[run_barry]

"Wait so this is what like, alien tech?" he asks, grinning. "That's so awesome."

While Yamato works on getting them into CCPD, Barry gets back to the microscope. He's just wrapping up the last of the observation notes he can make when Yamato announces there's a transport set.

"Great. Alright, so check it." Stepping up to the large monitor with the pulled-up map of Central City showing, Barry uses the touchscreen to lay in the route the transport is likely to take.

"That early they won't be worrying about rush hour traffic, but they'll still avoid going straight through downtown so they don't get any calls from ticked off rich guys or politicians."

Drawing it out on the map, Barry shows the route all way out to Iron Heights.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"All right, let's take a look," Yamato says, skimming his eyes over the route. "We need somewhere where there's good enough sightlines to see the transport coming, but where it'll be easy to corner them and block off their escape, preferably while still allowing people on foot to get away."

After a few moments of concentration, he picks out about four spots on the route, bringing up aerial photographs of them. One gets dismissed immediately, another one shortly afterwards.

"How's the virus treatment going? Made any breakthroughs?" He asks as he goes through the images. One last one gets dismissed, and he brings up the one remaining photograph: A stretch of narrow road with several even narrower alleyways connected to it, with a T-junction at the end. "There. They'll probably use a vehicle to block off the road on the west end, and then have people waiting in the alleyways."

[run_barry]

Barry covers a yawn with his hand as he watches Yamato work through the route map.

"Not really, but I think I've mapped it out pretty well. Hopefully Caitlin can take that and work something out from it the next time she gets up enough energy to take a look."

Looking at the spot Yamato picks out, Barry nods.

"Yeah, I can see that. The transport would be boxed in. If they've got guys in all of the alleyways, though, where am I going to take the officers to get them out of the way?" There didn't seem to be a whole lot of cover to be had in the narrow space.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Good work. If being a CSI doesn't work out for you, you could definitely go into virology," Yamato grins.

His expression sobers slightly as he turns his attention back to the route.

"We don't know that they'll have all the alleyways covered, but we can't be sure they won't. They'll most likely block the route from the front first," he says, tapping the map, "and they'll block off the rear last. My suggestion would be taking the officers backwards to a point where the road opens up again."

He traces his finger down the route, back the way the transport would have come, until it gets to a wider road with more roads leading off it.

[run_barry]

Barry gives a chuckle. "Yeah, well I guess it's always good to have options."

Looking at the path Yamato suggests, Barry nods. "Alright, yeah, I can do that. They'll probably be less likely to backtrack themselves, too, so they shouldn't run into the officers trying to make a getaway." On the chance that Barry doesn't get them all taken care of before they have a chance to flee.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"This is another time where I'd love to go into the field," Yamato sounds a little rueful about that, because even if this is their best option, he's still nervous about sending Barry out there on his own. "But I'd be a liability, and even if that wasn't true, someone has to stay here to run the scan anyway."

He grimaces a little, then shrugs. "More immediately, you need to sleep some time before then. Sleep, fuel, all that stuff. If you get shot because you weren't at your best, I won't ever let you live it down."

[run_barry]

"Maybe next time," he says, patting Yamato's shoulder. "When Cisco is back in the saddle on comms."

Because Barry would be thrilled to have Yamato out there with him, but without Yamato's powers it is risky, and with so many potential players, having someone on the monitors was going to be important.

"But, I'll be fine," he assures Yamato. "It's our setup this time, we've got these guys."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"I know. Doesn't mean I don't worry about you," he says, knocking his knuckles lightly against the hand on his shoulder. "But you can handle this, and I'll be in your ear helping you out the whole time."

Even Yamato's not sure whether he's trying to reassure Barry or himself at this point, but it also doesn't really matter.

"And I meant what I said about sleep. I will knock you out myself if I have to, you need to recharge your batteries. I'm pretty sure we have the stuff to make hot chocolate here, too, that might help you get to sleep."

[run_barry]

Barry bobs his head, touched by the concern but also unable to help teasing just a bit. "Mother hen."

Smiling, he gives Yamato's shoulder a shake before pulling back.

"Who's also violent, by the way. You threaten me to take care of myself a lot." Bemused but relenting, he says, "Hot cocoa and a nap sounds great. 6 AM is pretty early to be up and running."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"I am not a mother hen," he grumbles, shutting his eyes. After a moment, he adds, with a slightly awkward clearing of his throat: "Sorry for all the threats."

Knocking someone out is a terrible way to try to get them to have a restful sleep, after all. Other, more effective methods are available.

"All right, I'll make you some hot chocolate. If you want a bedtime story, though, you're going to have to ask someone else."

[run_barry]

"It's fine," Barry assures him, laughing. "Can't really complain since you've never followed through on any of them."

And Yamato isn't the first one to threaten Barry in one way or another to try and make sure he makes good decisions.

"You don't have to, I can get it," he says to the cocoa offer. "And I'll get right to sleep after, promise."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato grins for a second, ducking his head.

Then: "Good. I'll be here if you need me, just monitoring the city and finishing up these calibrations."

[run_barry]

"Alright. But you should try and get some rest in, too. Call me if anything comes up."

With that Barry heads back downstairs to tidy up the room he destroyed in crisis mode and then have some cocoa and a few Zzz's before it's time to take down Camera Commander.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato keeps working until the satellite's calibrations are finished, then eventually (if also somewhat reluctantly) finds himself a blanket, sets an alarm and puts all the alerts to the noisiest they can be, and dozes off in his chair.

[run_barry]

Going into catching some sleep, Barry would have said all he needed was a quick recharge. Getting up awhile later, he could definitely stay horizontal a lot longer if that was a possibility.

There isn't time for that now though, they have a meta to catch and a bunch of bad guys to keep in custody.

Whether Yamato is awake or not, the Cortex is hit with momentary windy conditions. The first gust that hits the room brings with it a tray with two large to-go coffee cups and a bag of donuts, while the suit on display across the room disappears. The second gust brings back Barry, now wearing the suit, the cowl pushed back to rest like a hood between his shoulders, with one of the coffees in one hand, and a donut in the other.

"Man, I forgot Jitters doesn't open until six. Who even gets up this early?"

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato is still mostly asleep when those gusts of wind arrive, but he's a light sleeper, and he jerks awake sharply as Barry arrives with the second gust. There's a momentary look on his face of somewhere between disorientation and alarm, and his digivice has been pulled off his belt and into his hand before he's even completely straightened up.

It takes a few more seconds, during which time he looks very much like he expects a giant monster attack at any second, but he does relax after a moment, as he groggily realises where he is and that the wind was just Barry.

"I usually get everyone up at five when we're on a mission, 'cept Jyou and Hikari," he supplies, helpfully, if not also somewhat groggily. "Ugh. Thank you for bringing coffee."

He's guessing that he was more tired than he thought he was, because after a little bit of sleep he just feels like his head is full of cotton fluff.

[run_barry]

Barry stands back regarding Yamato as he gets his bearings.

"Sorry, just me," he says. "You alright?"

Barry takes a glance around, just to make sure they aren't under immediate threat, then relaxes when Yamato does.

"Just gas station stuff but it's fresh?" he says, taking a sip of his coffee. "And I'm so glad we don't generally keep hours like that."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"I'm fine," Yamato says, shaking his head and clipping his digivice back onto his belt. "Waking up is always an experience."

Alarm clocks produce a not wholly dissimilar fight-or-flight response, and Hiroaki Ishida learned shortly after Yamato got back from his first adventure in the Digital World that trying to nudge him awake was an excellent way to get a broken wrist.

He takes a gulp of his coffee, despite how hot it is. "Ah, you get used to it. It means everyone can get breakfast, clean themselves up, and get the camp mostly packed up to travel by six or six-thirty. Doesn't take long to fall into the rhythm of it."