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]

"Also possible, I suppose," Yamato says. "Unrelated, but remember that you need to rest at some point. Give that wound some time to heal, get back some of your energy reserves. Camera Commander doesn't seem to be moving, and he's presumably got no idea that you have accelerated healing, so we've got time."

Besides, if he does move, that'll be the perfect time to grab him.

[run_barry]

"It's doing alright," he says, looking down at his arm and lightly touching it. "If I ever get brave enough to tell Caitlin what happened she's going to be disappointed she didn't get to monitor me while it healed."

She has data on other injuries like broken bones and poisoning, gunshot is a new one.

"I put away some meal bars and ate at Joe's, I should be good. I'd like to move on this guy as soon as you have a plan laid out."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"How quick do you heal, anyway? I don't want to risk making it any worse," Yamato says, frowning.

He pauses for a moment, then brings up a few images on the main display -- aerial photographs, blueprints.

"For what I've got so far, though: It looks like he's holed up in this factory. It used to build drones -- the scientific, research-y kind for flying around and taking photos and stuff, but I'm sure if he's built anymore he's decided to attach guns. It got shut down a few months back, so I guess he moved in and made it his hideout," he says, and gestures at a room in the basement level. "Chances are he'll be hiding out down here, in the control room, and I'd guess he'll have some heavy security in these areas."

He fiddles about on his wrist computer, and lights up a few sections of the blueprint in bright red blotches, covering every entrance on the ground floor, every elevator, and most of the major corridors.

"Luckily, there's a disused maintenance shaft up at the top of the building, just barely big enough for a person. You get in through there, make your way to this room here," he taps a room on the top floor, "and use the computers there to give me access to the cameras and security systems. I can't seem to get in from the outside, but with someone on the inside, it should be pretty easy."

[run_barry]

"Still working that out," he says, moving in closer to get a better look at the images Yamato brings up.

"Nine months in a coma was a pretty long time to recover from the lightning, but right after that I broke my arm and it healed in three hours." He rubs his wrist, remembering that particular episode of pain. "But I'm getting faster all the time, and that seems to correlate with how my body functions. Caitlin has noted differences in efficiency within my system, including faster healing. And believe it or not, I'm actually needing to eat less than I had to in the beginning."

The science on Barry is all new, and changing every day as well.

"That said, you might be right. I guess I should at least wait until the ache in my arm goes away. Especially if you want me to pull a Santa Clause to get into this guy's place."

A maintenance shaft, for real?

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"... Wow, you really do heal fast."

Three hours for a broken arm? That's just unfair.

Yamato shakes his head, turning back to the monitors. "Well, this way is a little awkward, but at least you don't get riddled with bullets going in, and it puts you right near the computer room. Giving me access is important -- it means I can see what's going on, open security doors for you, and set up fake security alerts to draw any drones he's got guarding corridors to other parts of the factory."

He takes another sip of his coffee, and just barely fails to stifle the betrayed puppy noise he makes at it still being hot.

"There's risk involved. He might try to get back into our systems, and if he cuts me off this time, you're screwed," he adds. "But the only way to get around that would be for me to personally be in that top floor room, doing all this stuff in person, and that carries risks of its own."

After all, Barry isn't any less screwed if Yamato ends up unable to open doors and set off false alerts by way of being killed.

[run_barry]

Barry cracks a grin and shrugs one shoulder.

"Well, faster than most." He still wouldn't mind having X's healing abilities which kind of put his to shame.

Listening to Yamato talk, and looking over the diagrams and all the danger spots Yamato has marked out, Barry frowns.

"Not getting riddled with bullets would be great," he says. "But it's only good so long as it last. This place looks like another maze."

And if Camera Commander has been holed up here for awhile chances are he's got plenty more traps than he had set up at the other locations before.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Apart from the wide open factory floor, it is basically one huge maze of cramped corridors," Yamato says. "And between that and the various security doors, it's kind of the perfect place to stop you building up momentum. Which I guess is part of the point."

He shuts his eyes for a moment, taking a sip of his coffee. "Our big advantage is that I'm guessing he can't monitor the entire place on his own. He's probably relying on sensors, traps and drones to alert him if someone's inside," he says. "Once I'm in the system, I can distract the drones and get them to move out of your way, at least, maybe even pick up on some of the other security measures before you run into them. Then I guide you down to the factory floor, and there's a ventilation shaft that'll take you straight down to the control room."

More shafts!

"So, that leads us to the other problem: The more doors I open and fake security alerts I set off, the more likely he is to figure out someone's in his system and retaliate. And as soon as he figures that out, he's going to know you're there, too."

[run_barry]

Barry keeps looking at the layout, and his brows knit with worry.

"Full disclosure Iiii'm not really the sneakiest guy there ever was. I mean, I've done zero spy guy... special ops... infiltrator type training." Hell, he didn't even know what to call it.

"If he cuts us off again I am definitely toast. I might be toast anyways trying to creep around this place. I don't know if I can do this alone."

For all Barry's tendencies to run headlong into a situation, seeing it laid out beforehand is lending itself to some honesty here.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Pragmatic thing to do, then, is take the riskier option and bring me on-site," Yamato says, cocking his head. "That way, at least we know he's not going to be able to cut us off from each other, and I can respond quicker to open or close doors for you."

He gestures at the computer room on the top floor again. "I can coordinate you from here. The risk involved is that he might send someone up there to interrupt me, but I'll deal with that if it happens," he says. "And as for you and sneaking -- I'll handle the security, so most of it is going to be moving fast and being precise, taking advantage of whatever windows of opportunity you get. I know you can do that."

[run_barry]

Barry worries his lip, considering the option.

He's never had the others out on the ground with him before, except for the one time Cisco, Caitlin and Felicity showed up of their own accord, and that's definitely not a situation he would count on working again. Up against someone who has proven themselves dangerous, and without any powers, Yamato would be risking a lot.

But then, Yamato isn't exactly a stranger to dangerous situations, given what he and his friends have faced in his world and the Digital World.

Yamato has confidence in Barry, so he tries to return that confidence and trust. Pushing back his own reservations, Barry decides to leave it up to Yamato, asking him simply and seriously, "Are you sure?"

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"I'm sure," Yamato says, flicking his gaze away from the monitors and over to Barry. "Otherwise I wouldn't have offered at all."

He turns in his chair, nudging Barry's shin with his foot. "But if you're distracted by worrying about me, you won't be giving all your attention to the mission. So if you want to veto this, say so."

[run_barry]

Moving his foot back, Barry nods, surprised to feel more relief than apprehension.

"No, I know you know how to handle yourself, and I think having you there will make a huge difference."

Maybe the deciding difference against their bad guy.

"Just... promise not to get hurt? Or die. Don't do that, either."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Please, I can't die yet. After all, I still want to see what's so great about Jitters," Yamato says, flashing a grin.

[run_barry]

"Great," he replies, clapping Yamato on the back. "Then as soon as these stitches are ready to come out, we'll go."

For now, Barry will study the floor plan of the warehouse, hoping if he does get caught somewhere he'll be able to figure a way out.

"Are you going to need anything to take with you?"

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Nothing comes to mind. At least nothing that I don't already have with me, anyway," Yamato says.

[run_barry]

"Alright. Well you know we got all kinds of stuff here if you think of anything."

A beat, and Barry grins at Yamato.

"I bet we've even got a mask or something. Of course, if you suit up Cisco is definitely going to want to give you a name."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"I'm not suiting up. Or wearing a mask. Or letting Cisco name me anything, ever," Yamato grumbles. "Just because I'm going out on the ground with you that does not make me a superhero."

[run_barry]

"Mmmmm... it kind of does," Barry argues, smirking with glee now.

"You could be like... The Incredible Yams. Or... Yam-Man. Sailor Yams."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Die in a fire," Yamato growls, standing up and giving Barry a light shove to the chest. "You know, I'm starting to see why you're not allowed to name any of your villains."

[run_barry]

Barry rocks back a step, laughing before turning mock indignant.

"Hey, I lost those privileges because of you and 'Turns-Into-Gas-Guy'," he replies. "In fact, I think that means you owe me letting me name you. How about Digi-Dude?"

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"'Turns-Into-Gas-Guy' was a great name," Yamato says, just a touch petulantly. "You're not naming me. I'd rather let Cisco name me, that's how bad you are, and I'm not letting him name me either. Nobody's giving me a superhero name."

[run_barry]

"Okay fine," he relents.

A beat, and then he adds, "Can't stop me from calling you one, though."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Don't even think about it," Yamato growls, giving Barry another shove. "Especially not if it's something stupid like Digi-Dude or Sailor Yams."

[run_barry]

Just as that shove starts to press into his chest Barry backs up, zipping away.

Suddenly standing at the other console instead of in front of Yamato, Barry gestures at Yamato.

"It'll be something great, I promise. In the meantime we should at least get you a vest or something."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

There's the tiniest chuckle at Barry zipping away, because that's -- that's frustrating, but admittedly also cool.

"I hate you. You're the worst person in the entire world," Yamato grumbles, without much actual rancour. "The guy in Milliways who made my wrist computer also gave me an armoured jacket, I can use that."

It's fairly light armour, but it's also fairly light armour from a hyper-advanced alien civilisation, made via what may as well be magic as far as Yamato can tell. Yamato's not sure how well it will hold up to a sustained assault, but at least he can move around in it fairly easily.