tristanacer

[tristanacer]

He pretended to look offended. Which never worked on her, but it didn't stop him from doing it.

"I'm not that much of a menace...only when I find the place a bit boring." He sat upright and smiled at her. "So...coffee good?"

Because you always do.

She eyes him getting comfortable, maybe a bit too comfortable. Part of her questions if he's trying to put on an act to make himself look innocent. Which only causes her to become more suspicious. ❝ I'm having a hard time believing that. When has there ever not been some sort of prank up your sleeve? ❞

[tristanacer]

Tristan scoffed and plopped down on the chair in front of her desk. "You say that like I regularly get into trouble or something." Well, she may have a few examples to toss that claim of his right out the window.

"I mean, I did nothing wrong." He was slouching a little in the chair, but was looking relaxed and not bothered by a thing. Usually she found out about him being a shit. Good thing she didn't know all the coffee was actually decaf...yet. He did have an exit strategy though.

@tristanacer asked: "You're upset with me, aren't you? "

❝ Why would I be upset with you? ❞ Hands pulled away from the keyboard, taking a pause from her typing in order to give him her undivided attention. ❝ Unless you did something stupid that I just don't know of yet, then no, I'm not upset with you. ❞

[tristanacer]

Just as he was about to close the door, the roar of her bike came passing by and he saw Shi take care of business instead. He raised his arm at the side like "what the fuck?" but just rolled his eyes and responded. "That was attractive as fuck but really?" Making sure his scoffing could be heard over the radio before hopping back in and driving closer. He hopped back out and walk towards the building. "Thank you, showoff." He chuckled and ran up the stairs and into the building. What he found was a recording revealing how Kyle and Emmett ended up infected. The good thing was this Dr. Gregory Ballard didn't want to do it but of course Coleman had forced him.

"Son of a bitch." He quickly called Mads and told him a quick version of what he just watched. They also needed to find out where this Dr Ballard was.

He exited and walked back down the stairs. "You know anything about a Dr. Gregory Ballard?" Tristan kept his distance even though they were out in the open. No way he was taking any chances.

"Fat chance, Acer, you are stuck with me right now." Well figuratively, she wasn't getting in a vehicle with him until he was in the clear. Shiloh stuck at a distance from the vehicle just in case of fun sudden stops.

She had stopped a distance behind him, not wanting her bike to be an alert. Seeing the checkpoint ahead. They would have a laptop hooked up that could probably read the drive. But he was taking his time getting out. Well, she had a plan, and he would yell at her later about it. Better to ask for forgiveness.

She backed the bike up a few more steps. Driving around his vehicle and well him. Three men at this checkpoint, that wasn't going to be too bad. Shiloh really wanted to do the cool walk-off-the-bike thing people did in movies. But it's very much not plausible. Instead, opting for a surprise!

Which is what happened. The noise had them turning their heads and looking. But the sudden stop of the bike had apparently baffled them enough to not move. Giving her enough time to pull out her handgun and shoot all three. Having to shoot one of them twice just because he moved at the last second like an asshole.

Looking back over her shoulder towards the vehicle. Going over the radio. "It's clear." A smile on her face.

[tristanacer]

Tristan paused and looked at her as she hopped out. Fuck. She was right. If they let Kyle go then this fucking thing was an airborne transmitted virus for sure. That also meant- "I'm fucked." He mumbled to himself before hopping back out. "Don't go near Erewhon. In fact, just go to a whole other region."

If she got sick he wasn't going to ever forgive himself for agreeing that she join him. They didn't know a virus was involved but he should have just told her no. Would she have even listened? Probably not.

Without wasting more time he hopped into the driver's side and drove off. No time to waste. He didn't know how long before he was a danger to others if he did get that shit in him. Either way, there might still be time.

He managed to get Mads on comms and told him the most important details. Getting Kyle and others that came in contact with him into isolation. Yep big surprise, a fucking virus. As Mads said himself, a Trojan horse.

There was a checkpoint with only a few fuckers but he came to a stop far enough from it. He could just drive through or take them out and use one of the computers to check what was on the drive and send that shit to Mads. Time was ticking either way.

What if he was lucky and somehow didn't get infected but only to go to Erewhon and get infected there then be useless and unable to help when he got sick. Chances are that Mary had to be isolated because Kyle's her brother. That meant Mads could also be infected. It could be long enough for even him to be contagious with little to no symptoms. Well, if Tristan was already infected then all of that didn't matter either way.

"Fuck!" He yelled out as he slammed the bottom of his fist against the steering wheel out of frustration.

He needed to see what was on the drive. Erewhon can't send people out anyway with them pretty much under quarantine and if he did go there he would need to leave again anyway to sort shit out. He pushed the door open with more force than necessary and grabbed his silenced and scoped rifle. Find a computer or laptop, check the drive, contact Mads.

Shiloh looked at him, looked him up and down. Getting out of the vehicle. He just told her about a virus. Someone was allowed to leave freely from the hospital carrying said virus. They were hoping for it to spread. If they weren't monitoring him, there was a good chance it spread easily. She leaned down from the open driver's side. "We should probably take different vehicles, seeing as you just told me about a virus. What's the chance the room you were in wasn't contaminated before you arrived?"

She stood up and looked around, not really wanting to spend the time breaking into another car. Seeing a dirt bike sitting there. Not really that hard to hotwire. "Take the vehicle. I will take that dirt bike...Why don't you call someone right now, try and get them a warning."

Leaving the driver's side door open, she bounded over to the bike and got to work on it.

[tristanacer]

"Hang on. I'll meet you soon." He needed to double-time but they required more intel on this damn virus. Fuck my life. How he always managed to find himself up shit creek would probably remain a mystery.

Finally, after getting intel, he made it out, jogged the last few feet, and hopped in. "Let's get the fuck outta here." He looked behind them and made sure they were still clear. "Kyle didn't escape. They released him. They fucking knew he would head back to Erewhon."

He had to hand it to Coleman. It was a strategic move that could actually work if they can't find a cure for it. Hopefully, it wasn't some Level 4 virus that can't be cured. One problem at a time.

Shiloh sighed in defeat. He was dead set on going alone, and she wanted to argue. But this needed to get done; the sooner, the better. She eyed the vehicles in the parking lot as he made his way into the hospital. Maybe she could hotwire one to get them going faster when he came out with Emmett.

She had gotten into one of the vehicles towards the railing. She could easily hide in the grass if anyone got close. But it was an easy hotwire. She sat in the tinted window vehicle with the air-conditioning on. Waiting, her eyes watching the main entrance of the hospital in the rearview mirror. She was watching for anyone coming and going that looked off. She also had a pretty good view of the entrance he had used from here.

She really wanted to say something snarky once he started talking. His tone and his words. She caught herself. "Get your ass out here then." She replied rather quickly. Barely giving any time for him to finish speaking. "If Erewhon is in danger, we need to get going." She hadn't spent enough time there to know the easiest ways to contact anyone for a warning. "I have a vehicle out front. Hurry up."

[tristanacer]

Tristan glared at her as she made it clear that Parnell was as good as dead if she had her way. He shook his head and turned away from her.

"Let's go, Parnell." He pointed for him to walk then gestured for Kal to fall in. He didn't even bother looking back at Shiloh. He needed to walk off his frustration.

Oh, how badly she wanted to lie. No, Tristan, you have nothing to worry about. Shiloh stared at him, keeping herself from looking at Parnell. Quelling the rage she currently felt as long as she didn't look at him.

"Yes. The first chance you give me, I will take a shot at him." She would have to be locked up or knocked out. Nothing was gonna stop her from trying to take him out.

[tristanacer]

He took in the damage after making sure she was at least okay. Physically she looked alright with no clear injuries that needed attention but she did not look happy. He couldn't blame her. If his bike got fucked up by anyone, including the cops, he would probably get arrested.

"I dunno what to say, babe." He stopped next to her. "Condolences." He placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "We'll get it fixed and if that doesn't work...we get you a new one. Reyes will help with that."

“…But did they really need to do that?” Shiloh had tears welling in her eyes. Her poor motorcycle! Looking at her companion, she pointed back at the bike that lay in the dirt, slightly smoking.

“That was just cruel!” The scene that had played out not even 5 minutes earlier had left her a little shocked. She had come in looking for a missing vehicle and came across some NCPD fighting against maelstroms. She had assisted in the fight. Just for the NCPD to yell at her, get in their vehicle, hit her bike, do a donut, and leave. "They are on their own from now on, what the fuck...My poor bike."

[tristanacer]

Tristan glared at her as she refused to calm down. He looked at Kal and pointed at Parnell. "Watch him. If he moves his ass you bite him." His dog gave a bark and growled at Parnell. Before the other man could protest Tristan shut him up real quick. "Shut up! Not a word out of you." Tristan walked towards Shiloh. "Am I gonna have to worry about you taking him out from a distance when we leave here?"

"Because he is supposed to be dead! I killed him!" Well, she obviously hadn't killed him, he was standing there. Somehow, he had found a perfect body double who even tricked ISAC into believing he was dead.

Shiloh took several steps back. "Fine! I will step back, but I am not calming down."

[tristanacer]

Tristan was crouched as he took in the hospital. She was not wrong. "Yeah...they are." And they were mixed in with the staff of the place too so he needed to be careful of them as well. Of course, there are drones too.

"Definitely way more going on in there with how secure they have this place." He mumbled and scanned the place through his binoculars. He stashed it and reached for his M4A1.

"No. Stay here." If something happened in there then she could at least still help assist. "You can tell me if more of these assholes arrive." Tristan reached up and reversed his cap.

He made his way down after checking all his gear and comms with her as he got further away. With the patrols and other locations in mind, he made it inside. Here and there he had to take a few out because there was no way for him to get where he needed to without giving himself away.

Slow and steady. A few close calls and threatening a few staff here and there if they dare say anything. A few were even helpful in giving him the location of Emmett

Eventually, he made it to Emmett's room. On his way there through the lab, he noticed a few details that had made him nervous. A few warning labels indicated that they were working with infectious agents but this was a hospital. Of course, labs would work with these kinds of things, right?

Tristan found Emmett and he looked sick. The man wasn't responding so Tristan made his way towards the door, which was surprisingly not locked in any way. The moment he entered, Emmett opened his eyes and full of panic managed to stop Tristan from getting closer to him. Tristan stepped out and listened through the observation window.

A chill went through his spine when Emmett explained what was happening and what had happened to him and Kyle. They were so royally fucked! A damn virus...and Emmett and Kyle were both infected. The worst part was that Kyle was already at Erewhon. He watched Emmett through the glass as the man passed out again. Death would soon take him and there was nothing Tristan could do for him.

He needed to get the word out to Mads. He reached up to get Shi on comms.

"We got a huge fucking problem. Emmett is as good as dead. He and Kyle, yes Kyle, as in Maria's brother, are both infected with a virus." He went quiet a moment when he heard voices. Letting them pass. "Kyle is already at Erewhon." There was the little detail where Kyle hadn't escaped but got released instead.

It didn't take long to trek to the location from where they had been. Shiloh crouched a bit back. Taking another look at the hospital this time, actually looking. She noticed the sentinel security crawling all over it. "Jesus, they are like roaches..."

Looking at Tristan, she narrowed her eyes. "This isn't just gonna be a sneak and go Acer." She pulled out her binoculars, watching them for a few minutes. "I can take the lead, and you can clean up behind me. Or are you dead set on doing this alone?"

[tristanacer]

Tristan stared, blinked...then stared some more. She was bullshitting him for sure. Just the way she was continuing to give him shit for it gave it away. Where she got that term from was definitely something he needed to know and if she really just pulled that out of her sexy ass.

"You are fortunate that I love ya, babe, or this would have been a red flag." He teased as he moved his hands from her shoulders to cup her cheeks, squeezing them playfully before pulling her in for a kiss.

"What's a funyarinpa, Macauley? Educate me, for I am apparently uncultured." He pouted all dramatically.

She was completely fucking with him. But she could not admit that. This had to keep going. Still pretending to be surprised by him not knowing what a funyarinpa was. "I am not bullshitting you!"

Shiloh placed her arms on his forearms. "You must have had a very sheltered life to not know what a funyarinpa was." She patted his arm. "It's okay. We all can't be cultured."

[tristanacer]

Why was she being weird? Should he be worried? Making fun of a short person wasn't always wise now that he thought about it. Of course she chooses that to get back at him.

Tristan raised a brow at her and crossed his arms, pretending to be offended. "Well....that's quite rude, innit?" Serves him right.

@tristanacer asked “I won’t make fun of your height. I wouldn’t stoop that low.”

She looked up at him. Started giving him a quizzical look. Tilting her head left and right. Watching the confusion on his face grow. "You should trim your nose hairs, old man."

[tristanacer]

Tristan blinked and stared at her. A Funya- was she having a stroke?

He looked at the painting...then back at her. He slowly lowered it, stepped towards her, and placed his hands on her shoulder so she was facing him.

"What is happening right now?"

Tristan was making quite an effort to keep his amusement from giving him away. He has quite a fondness for this side of her.

"You're bullshitting me, right?"

@tristanacer asked "Sooo...I did someone a favor and they gave me this portrait as payment. Apparently, it is valuable. No idea what the fuck it is though." He held it up for her to see.

"Oh my gosh, you have a Funyarinpa!" She beamed, looking closely at the painting. The last time she saw this painting was on a cruise ship several years back. She looked towards Tristan, who looked really confused, eyes going between her and the painting. "You don't know what a Funyarinpa is?" Shiloh gasped. "Apologize to the Funyarinpa right now, you horrible horrible man."

[tristanacer]

"Since when do you give a shit about what some pansy ass nerd has to say?" Kal growled behind him and he looked to see Parnell making way too much movement for both his and his dog's taste.

Tristan raised a brow, close enough to hear her mumble but he remained quiet. Better not test her further.

"He did and that is why you are going to step back and calm down." He completed his missions but he did have loopholes he used now and then. He had to get Parnell from point A to point B. What happens towards point C...well...that is none of his business.

She looked from Parnell to Tristan. "I legit will kill him." Dead serious tone. "That little shit has been sitting behind his little tablet. Telling me my work has been shit, that everything I worked to clean up was shit."

Shiloh looked even more annoyed. "Shut up ANNA..." She mumbled, looking back at Parnell again. Eyes narrowing. Nobody really said anything about bringing him back alive. Just that they needed to locate him. "Did he fuckin pay for your protection?"

[tristanacer]

"Just a bit." He admitted and just watched her go through the drawers. Chuckling and shrugging. "Hey, I ain't judging." She wasn't the only one who loved to loot random places. One can find interesting and useful items.

His attention was drawn to her phone, waiting for her to finish while he rechecked his gear.

"Alright. I don't mind being behind you." A hint of a smirk in place. He had flirted when she had a knife to him earlier, may as well follow up on that before they had to face the dangers out there again. Time was ticking but he grasped any opportunity with her firmly.

"You are rushing." Folding the map back up and putting it into a pouch. She rummaged through a few drawers. Finding some batteries and pocketing them. She saw him staring at her. "What - homesteaders will trade food for them."

The phone dinged, showing it was done. She picked it up, sliding it into a pocket. "Alright, well guess I will lead the walk there. Seeing as I know approximately where to go."

[tristanacer]

Tristan was taken by surprise. He thought she would just give him some sarcastic response, but she didn't. "I'm not rushing." He paused a moment. "Am I?" Yeah, he was and she picked up on it easily.

"If you have no other pressing issues then sure." He knew he couldn't dissuade her when she made up her mind.

"Yes, I am." Very blunt answer from her. "You are rushing. You don't rush. You never rushed in Bolivia." It was a different predicament here, but still. Acer planned at least a half-baked plan was still something.

"I guess I am coming along if anything to just radio if I see anything going on."

[tristanacer]

Thankfully she seemed to calm down just a little. That was at least enough for him to relax a little but he was still more than able to react quickly if she decided to go at the lil' bastard behind him.

Tristan looked back at Theo and raised a brow then looked back at her. Of course the fucker decides to be quiet now.

"Well..." He sighed and stepped closer to her. "If you promise not to kill him...then I will leave you to get what you need from him." Tristan knew a lot more about Parnell's role but it was no one's business how he found that out. If she found out then he was in for some serious trouble.

She stared at Tristan. Looking back at Parnell, she could easily run around him. He was big, and yeah, if he got ahold of her. He could stop her dead in her tracks. All she had to do was just keep her movements low. That could work.

Shiloh let out an exasperated sigh. She wouldn't do that. She wouldn't be that big of a pain in the ass. Not today. Pointing around his arm towards Parnell. "That little fucker has had me running all around the city for the last twelve weeks. Playing his fuckin little games. Apparently, I got what - another four weeks or so of his bullshit."

[tristanacer]

Tristan was the only thing standing between the annoying shit behind him and a very pissed-off Shiloh. It was not the ideal spot to be that's for sure. "Just calm down for a fucking second!" It was rare for him to raise his voice at her. Not only did he have to listen to this motherfucker behind him the entire time but he was not in the mood to deal with Shiloh's anger directed at him.

He glanced back and saw the smirk on Parnell's face. He nearly gave him a smack for even daring to do that, but Shiloh's threat had the same result.

"I am really not in the mood to guess why you are so pissed off so enlighten me." She practically took them both by surprise when she came at them like a damn storm cloud.

@tristanacer asked “I’m not stepping aside until you back up.”

Shiloh took three steps back. Holding her arms out at her sides. She looked between Tristan and over his shoulder. The look on her face was annoyance and anger. She was ready to rip someone apart after the week she had.

Tristan was playing that guardian angel role he held so tightly to his chest. Innocent till proven guilty he would most likely say. She wouldn't say it out loud but man it annoyed her. He still stood there blocking her path. The man behind him a scrawny nerd looking dude. Fuckin glasses. He was smirking in her direction and that irked her even more. "Either you move or I shoot him. I won't fuckin miss." The smirk disappearing from his face as he looked down at his tablet.