The iciness of the white tiles seeped through their jeans. Birgit sat crossed-legged on the floor. Valencia wished they had a pillow to break the hard, unrelenting surface nagging at their butt cheeks and joints. Although uncomfortable, she attempted to keep her edginess contained, allowing Birgit time to focus even though the feeling of being watched crawled over their skin.

Valencia was beginning to understand the differences between now and before stabilisation. Birgit would be distracted by the slightest emotion or thought; now, they seemed able to separate their thoughts and feelings, allowing the other half access if required. It was easier living this way and definitely less volatile. The hard-hitting realisation they had all been ticking time bombs without the process astounded and frightened Valencia. She was amazed they had made it this far with reasonable sanity and good health.

"You need to keep your thoughts quieter," murmured Birgit, "it's getting a little loud in our head."

"Sorry," Valencia replied, watching everyone around them before Birgit closed their eyes and hummed as she returned to focusing on finding the collection point.

Valencia heard the murmurs but did not open their eyes. Instead, she allowed her sensitive hearing and abilities to gather information about those around them.

"What is she doing?" someone whispered.

"Hush," a man replied, "do you want to get out?"

"Stupid question," the first person answered.

"Then let her work," another whispered, "I've seen what this girl can do."

"If you've seen her work and know her abilities," Jacob said, "then shut up and let her focus."

"It looks like she's meditating," a woman whispered, "can we trust her."

"Do we have a choice?" a man murmured, "I don't want to be here another day."

"Neither do we," a woman huddling with two young children whimpering against her shoulders whispered, "I'll do anything to get out."

"We intend to get everyone out of here," Valencia said, "Birgit will return everyone's energy, so be prepared. It may feel something like an intense sugar rush."

"Forewarned is forearmed," Jacob sighed, "I know where I'm using my sugar rush."

A few chuckles floated around the room before total silence fell.

"B, the energy container is above us," Valencia whispered.

"Yep, I found it, but it's shielded by something," Birgit said, "I almost have the exact location. How far are the team?"

"They have a secondary entry point," Valencia said, "Jasmine will lead them through the tunnels. I'm sure they would be happy for a diversion or direction. Perhaps both."

"They will get it. I have the exact location," Birgit murmured distractedly, "but I need to find a way to dislodge the container." Birgit said, focusing harder, "shall we do something subtle or extreme?"

"Hmmm, why not both" Valencia chuckled, "let's make the destruction spectacular, but the return of the energy subtle."

"Cannot give any guarantees, but I aim to please," Birgit grinned.

"I think we're about to get our sugar rush," Jacob murmured, "Prepare yourselves, everyone."

"Yes, it is coming," Birgit said, focusing on the energy in the containment unit, "oh ... that feels exhilarating," she whispered. "I want to suck it dry ... now ... to manipulate it ... hmmm ... it needs to break."

Valencia shielded the others in the room while Birgit worked; the charge crackled in the air. Birgit's obvious delight at having her abilities mingle with so much energy caused Valencia some concern. Reminding Valencia of a child in a toy store getting something they longed for. Birgit's abilities didn't need the distraction of any other energy sources. For this to work, they needed to focus in the correct direction.

"Are you having fun?" Valencia asked, slowly feeling the vibration of the container as Birgit played.

"Yes," Birgit whispered, "it's beginning to work. Something is going to break."

Suddenly shattering glass was heard, followed by sizzling electrical sounds drawing gasps from those gathered in the room. The air crackled and snapped with energy. Birgit rose, stretching out her arms, breathing in and tipping her head back in exhilaration.

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"Lower the barrier V," she said, her voice warbling," I need to return the energy to the correct sources."

Lowering the barrier, Valencia watched as the groaning turned to gasps as energy returned to the original sources. Birgit waved her hands as though placing large imaginary puzzle pieces correctly around them.

"You know what you doing?" Valencia asked.

"Not a clue," Birgit answered, "I'm following instinct."

"Fair enough," Valencia nodded, "let me know where I can help."

"You already are," Birgit said, "just being aware of those around us and any other threat helps a lot."

"Happy to be of service," Valencia chuckled, "let me know when you're finished," she said, "I have a plan to get us out of this room."

"B, did you notice some are getting energy and others aren't," Valencia murmured, "it could mean a secondary containment unit."

"Damn, I didn't think of that," Birgit muttered, "I'll have to look for it once I'm done here."

"If we're all getting out of here, we may need to work on different parts of the plan," Valencia noted, "for instance, that door has an anti-energy lock on it."

"We'll pick it," Birgit said, "how far are the others?"

"They landed, but for some reason, they are still in the entry cave," Valencia muttered, crouching to look at the lock on the door. "Wonder if I'll have to do this manually, or can we manipulate it mentally."

Jasmine looked at the chosen array of arms for deployment throughout Madden's Facility. If her father saw her now, he would wonder at her temper, but he never took the time to really get to know the women in the family.

"Will this do the job?" she asked, looking between Tania, Scott and Jesse.

"You wanted destruction," Tania said, looking over the ordinance, "this will give you close to annihilation."

"Good," Jasmine nodded, happy her plan would end Madden's insanity. She would be satisfied if she could be sure he didn't come out of the carnage. Perhaps settle for simple heavy-duty explosions crippling his plans and hopefully bringing his actions to the attention of decision-makers and those with the power to end the rest of his dreams.

"Don't count on everything being put to rest in a nice bow," Cara murmured, "just be happy this part of the plan cannot be repeated."

"Tania, you have memorised the map of where these need to go?" Jasmine asked, pointing to part of the pile of ordnance.

"Does a puppy bark?" Tania asked, before sighing, "I do. Jasmine, you need to relax. I've done this a million times. You'll get your revenge in the sweetest way possible."

"Good enough for me," Jasmine nodded, "Jesse, you ready?"

"Present and awaiting orders," he quipped, "we have this pile, correct?"

Jasmine nodded, "Now we just need a diversion of some sort to draw Madden's guards off in another direction."

"Your wish is about to be granted," Cara called as blaring sirens sounded above and around them.

Looking around, lips turned up into grins.

"Birgit must have accomplished her goal," Jarred chuckled, "Madden will have his hands full."

"Yes, he will," Jasmine smiled, "let's move out and get these planted."

"The teams coming with me," Breanna called, "find the hostages and get them to safety. I don't want anyone splitting up and trying to be a hero, understand. Stay together in teams and watch each other's backs. Be careful when coming across Madden's or Darica's men. Trust no one but the people on your side, and don't die. Everyone understand the mission parameters?" she waited for acknowledgement from each before continuing, "Then let's do our thing. See you on the other side."

"We sound like assassins," Oran muttered.

"Today we are," David said, "and our objective is to take out those who don't want others to have a choice."

"We have our distraction, Jasmine, Tania and Jesse are doing the destruction part," Breanna called, "now let's give them the surprise of their life."

Jasmine phased the three of them out as the other began following the underground tunnels toward the sounds of sirens. After some time and consulting the maps a few times, Breanna slowed at the unexpected sound of fighting.

"I don't think they're expecting us," Clio muttered, "ready for a fight?"

Grins spread as they rounded the corner in unison like gleeful children searching for a treat. Up ahead, Jesse and Tania took on a small search part of six while Jasmine added a punch or kick wherever she could. Spinning, she landed in a fight stance before realising who she was facing.

"Jasmine," Breanna said, "have you laid your retribution already?"

"It didn't take as long as we thought," she grinned, "especially with orbing in and out of the required areas. Jesse assisted in placing the party favours," Jasmine said, "it's within the walls of the mansion and can be activated however I would like them."

"Good job," Breanna nodded, "how did this happen?"

"We orbed into this tunnel hoping to meet up with any of the teams," she said, looking over her shoulder, "and found these guys staring at us." "Huh," Breanna nodded as Cara and Oran joined the fray, "I'm sure they thought it was fun to take on six to two."

"We thought it would be fair that way," Jasmine smiled, "besides, I helped where I could."

Sudden thumping in the sand drew everyone's attention as Tania turned to Cara and Oran.

"Thanks for the assist," she said, "but we had them."

"Couldn't let you have all the fun," Oran smirked, "can we get on with the job at hand and extract the hostages."

"Don't forget Valencia and Birgit," Jesse added, dusting his hands over his pant legs. "Something is nagging me that she will require our assistance soon."

"If everyone is happy with their work here," Breanna took in the unconscious, bound and gagged group of Madden's fanatics. "Put the bodies in that small cave over there, and let's get our family and friends out."