Effecting an Escape

"Our problem is that we need to get everyone out and distract Niles in the bargain," Lucy said, gingerly holding Niles Jr.

It had taken a little searching to find the gaggle of girls giggling over her little nephew. Dawnie had brought him back triumphantly, Leilani and Sabrina trailing in her wake. Dawnie hadn't wanted to take any chances with running while holding the little tyke.

Lucy swept a glance around the little group surrounding her. Aarti and her mom were holding a fierce, whispered conversation a few feet away. Lucy was disinclined to see if she could key Aarti's communicator on to hear just what they were talking about. If it was truly important, Aarti would mention it to her later.

Niles Jr. giggled in her arms. Lucy looked further afield, trying to locate his parents. At least she assumed that the brown-haired hussy hanging onto her brother was the child's mother. With Niles, you never quite knew. From the angry side-eyed looks San and Don kept tossing her way, she could infer quite a bit.

"Niles is just as sister obsessed as he's ever been, probably worse," Dawnie agreed. She shivered. "That means that his attentions are going to turn our way soon."

"Which is why we need to figure out how to get everyone out of his line of sight. Out of sight; out of mind," Lucy added. "He and our dad share a lot of similarities."

"If only they both shared a hard-on for Mr. Scary," Court muttered. He held up his hands defensively as the girls glared at him. "What? It's true!"

Lucy was distracted by her communicator vibrating on her arm. A quick look showed that it was Cassidy calling.

"What now, Cassidy?" Lucy asked. "We're sorta busy trying to figure out just how to get everyone out of here."

"I know. I'm thinking that we can use my drones," Cassidy replied, her voice low and tinny as if she was trying not to be overheard.

"Continue," Lucy said as the rest closed in protectively. Dawnie relieved her of her burden, cooing at the baby nervously.

"We can have the drones destruct or just bring in pieces of metal. Put them together and then pretend that the result is some weird thing I concocted," Cassidy continued.

"That might work, and take any heat off of us," Court agreed. He lifted his head and stared in the direction of Niles and his brown-haired baby-mama. "If Niles even got a whiff…"

"Forget Niles. If the overlords even got a whiff," Don said. He shivered. "Me and San can distract Niles. We even know just how."

"The lab?" San frowned. "That might work. He doesn't seem to have anything on him at the moment…well, other than that girl."

"Jealous?" Court grinned. "Just think of this as hazard pay. We just need those two distracted for a few seconds. A minute would be best if you can manage."

"I think we can manage," San said as he and Don drifted in Niles' direction, looking unwilling.

"This might backfire badly," Lucy cautioned the others.

"I'm getting stronger, and Sabrina's here," Leilani finally piped up. Beside her, Sabrina stared at Lucy with wide, solemn eyes.

"And I'm here as always," Court said, giving her a quick one-armed hug.

Lucy glanced in Niles' direction to see him talking to San and Don. There was a blur, and Don and Niles were gone, leaving San alone with the girl.

"Cassidy? Send in the drones," Lucy said.

"Thought you'd never ask," Cassidy quipped as Lucy's communicator fell silent.

"Gather everyone towards the hole, on the outside part," Lucy hastily added as they started dispersing. She frowned at San still talking to the girl.

She dismissed any errant thoughts as she exited through the hole. The edges were still hot enough to singe flesh. Lucy thoughtfully patted one side with her fingers, slightly fascinated by the weird colors her fingertips turned for a few brief seconds.

"Enough of that," Court said, capturing her hand and giving her a tug in the direction of a growing crowd. "Ella?"

"Yes?" Ella said, popping up next to Lucy. She squinted at Lucy's fingers with disapproval. "Lucy!"

"I was just experimenting," Lucy said guiltily as she folded her fingers closed. "It doesn't hurt."

"That's the problem." Court took her hand and unfolded her fingers. He sighed and pulled out a pair of backless gloves from his pockets. "Here. These will keep you out of trouble for now."

"I can't—," Lucy began.

"—I know. That's why I said for now," Court sighed as he tugged a glove onto her hand. "Though a choker would be better, right?"

"More visible," Lucy argued.

"I will keep her safe," Ella promised as Court slid the other glove onto Lucy's free hand.

"Keep each other safe," Court said before disappearing into the crowd.

"He's going to 'liberate' some tech, isn't he?" Dawnie asked, appearing back at Lucy's side. She frowned at the gloves. "Where did you find gloves?"

"Court," Ella said, making silly faces at the baby held in Dawnie's arms. "Where did you get a baby from?"

"Niles," Dawnie said, causing Ella's eyes to widen.

"Is it a real baby?" Ella asked, taking a step back. "It's not going to explode or anything, right?"

"It's Niles' baby. I doubt it's going to be destructive until it starts walking," Lucy assured her.

She looked up as a horde of drones descended, toting multiple shards of flat metal.

"Are you sure about this," Dawnie asked quietly. Ella glanced between them before wandering away. "We've got the package. We can just walk away. They can fend for themselves for a change."

"And that's not how you treat your troops," Lucy replied with an amused chuckle. "We're all going to get out of here. Just watch."

"I have been watching. And I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop," Dawnie argued. "Where are the overlords? What are they waiting for? I know that they can't just have those few guards."

"They're waiting for the right time," Ella said as she wandered back. "Look what Trolli gave me!" She held up a glittering blue lollipop.

"Looks tasty," Dawnie said, sharing a dubious look with Lucy as Ella wandered away again. "Should we worry about Jebediah experimenting on people?"

"Not yet," Lucy assured her. "He's busy trying to detox Rena. Trolli is probably emptying wherever she keeps all that stuff."

"I did see her pull out a chocolate chip cookie bigger than her from somewhere once," Dawnie said thoughtfully.

"You should hurry up. They're getting agitated by the little flying things," Ella said. This time Leilani and Sabrina were with her, all of them eating the glittery blue lollipops.

"Carol's gonna be so mad when she realizes where these lollipops went," Leilani said, looking remarkably unperturbed by the idea.

Lucy shook her head. She could feel a headache coming.