Track 13 - Cellmates
"I didn't do anything."
It'd been a rough morning for Agoti. But, despite everything that happened he kept his head up. He had fully expected that any moment he would be shown to Nikusa and bound again to the void. The difference this time was that he would try to woo her. And if that failed, he knew Sol, Aldryx or Tabi would find him. Just a matter of time.
He sat in a holding cell, bars surrounding him on all sides in the middle of the precinct. The other officers paid him no mind as everyone went about their business. He caught a few looking but none seemed keen on him for the moment.
As time passed he realized Nikusa wasn't coming. She would never be late to something like this.
While he tried to keep optimistic there was a slight worry bubbling in him. When he pushed for his lawyer the first time they said they were unable to contact him. He did so not for himself but rather to keep Sol at bay.
Once Solazar would find out he knew there would be no stopping his rampage.
The other part though, that kept him on edge was that in that first meeting they didn't called him Agoti, instead introducing him as "Bebe Panzu". The cop insisted it was a mistake but after nobody coming to rescue him he started to believe it not a mistake.
It should have been evident to him when he presented his wallet too. The cops merely sucker punched him and took his money, further claiming his ID fraudulent.
They denied him a phone call too, stating that their lines were busted today. He was deep in thought thinking about the fates of everyone else. He swore he overheard a cop mentioning something about a shooting at Flashpoint and another murmur about a former cop and a serial killer but he figured they had to have either been screwing him or that none of the attacks were successful. None of those guys would go down that easily. He thought.
He was so lost in thought he barely registered the detective trying to speak to him, the cop having to bang his nightstick on the grate to snap him out.
"You listening? Can you freaks even hear?"
Agoti pretended not to hear the last part. "What do you want?"
"You're being transferred. Get up and stand back so we can open the doors."
Agoti did so without any hassle. He maintained his innocence and would not agree to sign anything until his lawyer was present. He knew he was innocent. The only thing he didn't know for sure was that who exactly was behind the arrest.
He considered floating your name around but it would have been a gamble. And he wanted to make sure no connection could be made in case the cops put two and two together.
Cuffs on he followed the police into some prison transport bus. He didn't speak much, nor pay any attention to the other prisoners. For know he knew to bide his time and tongue.
He wondered if he should mention the Family, accuse them of this farce. No. With the cops corrupted all he had was himself. No way to reach outside, phone calls denied and lawyer 'not found'. He knew he could make a run for it, but not until he saw a good enough opening.
He also knew that being what he was IRIS or TGG would pick him up. He was, after all, an abomination.
There was a bit of chatter as to why everyone was in the bus though Agoti paid little attention to it. When it was his turn he just muttered 'bs charges' and that he didn't do whatever they were charging him with.
It was a bumpy ride and went longer than he thought he would. As he listened to the other inmate’s one thing became clear to him. These people had already been sentenced. It was only then he realized what the arrest had been for. Arrested and charged, forgotten and placed in prison under a different name. Sol would never find him. And if Sol never did, he would go on a rampage and/or blame the Carnival. And then Sol would eventually figure out the crew's true purpose. And then Tabi would be screwed.
Agoti shook his head. No need to get lost in hypotheticals. There were two options, either make a break out himself or establish contact.
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There was always the option of staying put be he was too active. Plus, he guessed it was their intention for him to die there.
His hypothesis was outright confirmed when all the guards from then on referred to him as 'Panzu'. He argued that his name was really Agoti Andromeda but they wouldn't hear it. Apparently they had been tipped off that the prisoner would say his name was wrong. After one particular argument a guard beat him, after which he decided for his safety to just accept Panzu for now.
They were all in on it. Agoti decided. It was either establish contact or run.
One remote possibility did remain. Agoti was a celebrity. The chance of running into a fan of his was higher than normal. He hoped.
None of the prisoners seemed to recognize him which hurt his ego more than anything, saddened that he wasn't as popular as he thought.
He didn't say much to the other prisoners, mind still focusing on the arrest and fates of everyone. There wasn't much to say anyways. Most of the other prisoners were murmuring amongst themselves.
The prisoner beside him was a small pale-silver coloured squirrel who was passed out drunk. That much was obvious by the way he smelled of booze. He was slumped against the window of the bus murmuring swear words.
The bus came to a halt and inmates were escorted out by armed guard. At some point they had herded them all into stalls and had them change to orange jumpsuits. They took Agoti's clothes and wallet
and put them in a box somewhere. He'd been arrested before but never placed in a full-on prison.
With no special guards arriving, Agoti ruled TGG and IRIS out. They were going to put him with general population.
He grimaced at the excited guards, unsure if they knew who he was really was, and/or corrupt as those that arrested him. Eventually he was separated from the group and led down some into a large enclosed area.
Two floors, with steel railings on the second, walls lined with prison cells. Loud from the various murmurs inmates speak of but none were too interested in Agoti. Though, as he passed a few he could have sworn he heard some callouts from people calling him Agoti. He hoped they were just fans and not haters.
For the first time since his leave at the station he was addressed directly. "So Panzu, you're gonna like your cellmate." The first guard said.
"They call him the Exorcist. He's on his fourth cellmate in the three weeks since we caught him." The second said.
"Hehe, yeah. They don't put him in solitary since he can just walk out. Got the whole prison terrified."
It was a cheap shot at intimidation.
"Shouldn't even be in this prison but the warden made a special deal with his original captors."
"He's some insane cultist. Burned down a building, killed hundreds you know."
"I'm sure we'll get along just fine." Agoti said.
"Didn't ask you Panzu. Can it."
"Either way, enjoy being able to speak. Won't be able to when The Exorcist is done with you."
"I give him an hour." One of the guards said.
"I give him half one."
"Ha, you're on. Don't worry. I already gave him the casefile. Saw his eyes twitch when he read those crimes."
They continued hyping up 'The Exorcist' until Agoti was brought to a cell about in the middle of the second floor. He didn't immediately see his cellmate but he could tell there was someone large lounging on the top bunk. They held a large book which concealed their face.
As he stopped he caught sights of the cells next to his, excited looks on their faces. Either way, his 'neighbours' were giddy to see how the 'Exorcist' dealt with Agoti.
"Got a new one for you, o exorcist." One of the guards called. The person atop the bunk shifted slightly but otherwise didn't respond.
The guard opened the door. "Alright, Panzu. Nice knowing ya." Taking his cuffs, they shoved Agoti in and closed the door, grinning at him as they walked off.
Agoti readied his fists. He knew that this was going to get violent and if he was going to survive he needed to take down 'The Exorcist'.
"You are a monster." A cold, stoic voice called. He had a distinct Russian accent, one that Agoti picked up immediately. Instantly familiar though he couldn't place who it was exactly.
"I didn't do anything. Whole thing's a sham. My name isn't even Pazuzu or whatever the hell they call me." Agoti said, keeping his fists up.
"Lying is a sin. I've heard what you done...vuh?" The figure shifted and got up, placing the book aside. Agoti watched as he slowly arose and kicked off the bunk.
He glanced at Agoti, eyes narrowing in interest. They locked, the familiarity found.
They had met weeks before, during a confrontation Agoti knew as Earthquake. He remembered his large appearance, and though he wore in an orange prison jumpsuit he still wore his ushanka. Right eye was covered in a streak that hid it, various white symbols sewn on it. And he still had the same purplish tattoo that went around his left eye. He wasn't human though Agoti never learned exactly what he was. He would have described him as a stickman, with how round his head was.
Not human, like Nikku he was a 'stick figure', humanoid with all white skin, often with heightened strength.
But despite his remembrance he still had no clue what this man's name was. All he knew was that he knocked Dalia into the stratosphere during their battle.
He had the same blank expression as he did that day.
"I do not recall your name. But I do recall you being present then. They had said it was Panzu. But I know that was incorrect." He said as he jumped off the bunk and landed with an audible thud, shaking the cell.
Agoti lowered his fists, figuring there would be no fight.
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The cell was a bit different than what he was expecting. On the left were a bunk and cavities in the concrete wall for personal belongings. The opposing side contained a sink and toilet though both were obscured by a bookshelf filled to the brim with books. There was a small desk present, a chair atop it upside down. In the legroom of the desk poking out some sort of exercise equipment, tucked in to save space.
At the far end the wall had a huge map of Russia on it, along with a LOT of empty vodka bottles just sprawled out onto the ground.
Judging by his imposing status this man had; and the sheer amount of contraband, Agoti figured the guards appeased him. He now realized some of the hype the guards said was right. Just what the hell was he even doing here?
"Agoti. Uh, what were you called?." Agoti held a hand out to which his cellmate shook, taking care not to harm him.
"Ruv. Of the Lightbringers Church." As he let go he continued. "They told me what you did. And you claim it lies? I want the truth. All of it."
Agoti nodded. He kept quiet about the team's true goal, though found it increasingly difficult to not mention the Family. He had no idea what Ruv knew and even less if the guard's were listening in, instead just referring to them as 'our true haters'.
He explained what he guessed happened last night, adding in Displo, Kapi and you possibly not being alive. He added, rather depressively that he didn't actually know who in the group was still alive. "I know (Y/N) and Tabi gotta be alive, but if they targeted Pomona. I don't want to think about that."
"Pomona was that child yes? They would target her?" Ruv asked, flatly.
Agoti shrugged. "They're ruthless." It was just the reality of the situation. "They want us gone. Either ‘cause they know or cause they're scared. I already know they hate me. That's why they gave me a fake name. They don't want my dad or my friends to find me. Get it?"
"I believe that is the truth. But I can see you have not done what they claim. But who was it you angered to cause such misfortune? Who are these 'haters' you speak of?" He spoke with the same inflections Tabi had when he first met him. While Tabi's accent had faded somewhat, Ruv's was still present.
"..." Agoti looked around, unsure if 'they' were listening.
"This place is safe. They would know better than to go against me." Ruv waved.
"T-the Family?"
Ruv shook his head. "I do not know this Family."
"Well, they're a nasty bunch. Buncha demons."
"Demons?"
"Yeah. From Hell. Red eyes, purple skin."
"I see. So then what you do is just."
"I guess, yeah. I mean, they locked me up before this, stuck me in a void for a year. Nearly went crazy."
Ruv's eyes narrowed. During the whole of the conversation Agoti saw anger gradually build. He especially didn't like hearing them go after Tabi or Pompom.
"Any who anger the unholy is a friend of mine." He nodded.
"We're cool?" Agoti asked. He felt emboldened, finally able to relax.
"Yes. I will make sure no one harms you."
"Thank you man. Appreciate it." Agoti breathed a sigh of relief. "May not be a four-star hotel." He looked around. "But it's better than the void. So what do you got to read?" It was a rhetorical question. Agoti walked up and looked at the bookshelf.
"You still speak with that Russian man? He's written to me a few times."
"Tabi?" Agoti nodded, a little more hope returning. "Can you get in contact with him? Goat-headed guy?" Agoti breathed a sigh of relief. If he was cool with Tabi then he was definitely trustworthy. It made him take Ruv a little more seriously.
Ruv shook his head. "No. It is he who sends the letters. I only reply."
"Hrm."
The top two layers contained nothing but various religious scripture and Russian language books. The shelf under had nothing but romance novels. Agoti shrugged. It was better than nothing. He didn't look further down, instead turning his attention to the bars. From his cell he couldn't see much. There were the cells directly across the floor from him and more on the lower floor. He could see into them but there wasn't anything of note. Just empty cells and some occupied ones.
As Agoti inspected the bars a question arose. He recalled how strong Ruv displayed during the fight. Why would they just have him in a regular cell?
"Are these bars special or something?" He asked, poking at them.
"No."
"So can't you just break them?"
"Easily." It was becoming clear Ruv was a man of few words.
"You can just leave?"
"Yes. They cannot stop me."
"But...why you still here then?"
"I am here to serve my penance. I put those people in harm's way back then. Like my wife I will serve my time and seek forgiveness. Until then I shall remain here, doing good."
"Are you able to contact people outside the prison?" He was figuring he'd have to wait and get Solazar on his visiting list but if Ruv could then his time here could be short.
"No. I only have contact with wife, son and his caretakers."
"And she's in jail, right?"
"Yes." Ruv had climbed back to the top of his bunk and resumed his book, leaving Agoti alone. It was impressive how the bunk didn't react under Ruv's weight, must have been made out of steel.
"What about your son? You think he can deliver a message? I need to get in contact with my dad."
"He is being watched by the cloud man." Ruv said. "I can summon him if you'd like."
"That works." Agoti only vaguely knew Updike but he was better than nothing. Maybe he can reach through to someone on the team. Maybe Displo if he's okay.
"Okay. That can work, we're getting somewhere. You got a pen and paper? I gotta write this down."
Image: https://www.deviantart.com/odaocer/art/Cellmates-1006154553
Agoti and Ruv in a jailcell chilling. [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/5347fd06-56ca-4d36-8584-e8dd38de8e12/dgn1dtl-5d397419-6d8d-4e0c-b79f-b813be108e31.png/v1/fill/w_1192,h_670,q_70,strp/cellmates_by_odaocer_dgn1dtl-pre.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9NzIwIiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvNTM0N2ZkMDYtNTZjYS00ZDM2LTg1ODQtZThkZDM4ZGU4ZTEyXC9kZ24xZHRsLTVkMzk3NDE5LTZkOGQtNGUwYy1iNzlmLWI4MTNiZTEwOGUzMS5wbmciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTI4MCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.qQsxGsmYRlAvv0mVVhV8Ce6lDiv5yOhM8-5buiwAJ18]
The rest of the day was spent waiting. Waiting S to find Agoti's whereabouts. Waiting on Updike to receive Ruv's call. While it was still the weekend nobody felt like relaxing. There was much work to do.
When nightfall finally did hit it brought with it rain. After some minor stuff at TGG she left, wandering the streets with S. He departed sometime before the evening, wishing to go catch up on some more news.
Nikku returned to the safe house only to find it shuttered. Doors were locked, lights were off and there was nary a clue that anyone even lived there. Even the light that stood above the door had been shutdown, leaving the whole building nothing but a black outline against a blacker sky.
She still had her laptop with her in the carry-on she kept close.
After knocking for minutes she sighed and sat down in front of the door, keeping from under the rain. It wasn't coming down hard but it enough to annoy her. She turned her laptop on. No internet. They hadn't given her a phone or really any way to communicate with IRIS. It was through Displo that she requested things and now he was gone.
Next, she opened the satchel and pulled out the photograph Updike gave her. She still didn't recognize any of the people in it aside herself. No new memories had come back to her. Shuttering the laptop back in the bag she clutched the photo and satchel tightly and tried to get some sleep as she lay against the brick wall.
She managed to fall asleep but didn't last too long till someone had approached her. She was nearly invisible, all huddled in the corner of an apartment incess.
A bearded man, wearing plain clothing and a raincoat nudged her. "Excuse me, madam." He said in a French accent, though she didn't know what that was. "Are you Nikku?"
She startled, nearly hitting her head on the brick wall.
"Easy. I am a friend." He said calmly.
"W-who are you?" Nikku said, using Tabi's voice. She coughed, quickly changing back to Tess'.
"My name is not important. I was hired by your friend to seek you out. Here, this is for you." He handed her a phone. A new one, only having just been powered on. If she was aware she would have noticed it was also a very expensive one, top of the line.
It was lit up, a call on it. Nikku put it to her ear. "Hey sleepyhead. What are you doing sleeping like an animal?" It was S, sounding perplexed.
"W-well the place was closed. I didn't know where to go."
"I can see that. Tried contacting you but the whole place is a ghost zone. Had to get this guy just to buy a phone and then find you. C'mon. I bought a better place for you, better than these IRIS losers too." S said gleefully. "Just go with him."
Nikku got up, the soreness kicking in. She reckoned she had a cold by the way her throat felt. She stumbled but S' hire helped her.
"You feeling okay?" S asked.
"Y-yeah."
Not speaking much Nikku, S and the hire got into his taxi and they drove off.
S and Nikku continued talking, the hire keeping to himself. He had no complaints. It was only a hour ago that a mysterious person calling himself 'S' had called him to action, demanding he purchase a phone, three-star hotel room, and then drive to some abandoned building to pick a girl up.
He thought the request ludicrous but when S transferred thousands of dollars into his bank account did he realize S wasn't some prankster. So, no matter how odd the request was, the hire did it according to instruction. He didn't know why S had such an interest in the girl but also didn't care. This was far more money than he could have made in a single day.
All money of which S had stolen, though to the bank it looked like a generous donation to some random charity.
The hire was a little curious but as Nikku and S spoke, there was little room for him. He had driven for about 10 minutes before an armoured van darted in front of the small taxi. The hire came to an immediate stop. Before he could reverse out of the blockade, another vehicle swerved behind him.
Out poured a few armed soldiers. Not wanting to keep anonymous they identified themselves immediately.
TGG.
Nikku saw them, anger bubbling up. There was a small bout of protest, as well as the hire standing up for his client but it was no use. In the end Nikku found herself herded into a van and driven to TGG. When she brought up her status as IRIS they ignored her. S kept her company, continuing to talk to her, threatening them nonstop.
Regardless, S threatened them, identifying himself only as "The Voice in the Phone".
At least slightly grateful of the hire, S told him to just go enjoy the hotel for himself, that 'Nikku's new place would be the smouldering ruins of TGG'.
He remarked that he had quite a story for his kids and sped off happily towards the hotel, none the wiser.
The only reason S didn't start hacking and unleashing hell was that the guard's insisted they were on her side, not meant to bring her back to any prison.
To Nikku's surprise they didn't blackbag her either. She felt less a prisoner and more of a 'guest'. They were at least far more kind to her this time around, one guard even having a row with S about Mobius.
Then sure enough, she found herself sitting in Updike's office as she did during earlier today, Updike in front of her.
He had thrown one of the hologram emitters onto the other chair, where S now sat. With how late it had become, Nikku couldn't believe Updike was still up. In her time at the safehouse, most agents crashed as soon as they got there. She got used to being the only one awake.
"I apologize for not telling you earlier. I didn't think this would happen so soon. I'll be frank." Updike said. "Your employment at IRIS has been terminated, the safehouse has been shut down." He was adjusting papers on his desk. "First, would you like some coffee?"
Nikku shook her head no. "I don't like it."
"I'll have some." S said sarcastically.
"I wasn't asking you."
"And I wasn't telling." S said has he materialized a cup of coffee in the hologram.
"The spy in IRIS had was one of their senior members. As a result of this shakeup IRIS is in complete disarray. Nominally I would have used this opportunity to push Displo to lead but alas that is not an option. My comrades are dealing with the investigation."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Well, during the investigation they found quite a bit of material indicating that the spies were planning on using you. For what exactly? I don't know, but I presume it would have involved the Family in some way."
Nikku didn't trust Updike. Not for a second. Even after what they had been through she still wouldn't let go what he did to her. So whether or not this plot was even real she didn't believe him.
"So?"
"The safehouse has been shut down as a result, as those people restructure and figure everything out."
"You're lying." S said, picking up on Nikku's tuition.
"Believe what you want. I don't care. What matters is this." Updike shuffled some papers. "You will be put back under my supervision until further notice."
"What?"
"That's right." He said, slight dominant smile appearing. "You can relax though. I will be stationing you at a TGG safehouse. You will not be returning to prison. You have shown yourself capable. Consider it a gesture of good will." He concluded, the smile disappearing. Nikku glared at him.
"No way man! I got her a good hotel room and everything! Don't need no stinkin' safehouse."
"Yes. You've stolen several thousand dollars and nearly blown Nikku's cover. There is no guarantee that their spy or spies aren't actively looking for her. You set off enough alarms just picking her up. We assumed she had been kidnapped." Updike shot back.
"Pfft. Whatever cloudy."
"Regardless you can keep going about your usual days...whatever you do. It is just in a different location. The agents stationed there shouldn't give you a hard time but inform me if they do. I will deal with them accordingly."
"Not if I get to them first." S said, authoritatively. Updike didn't respond but nodded in agreement. "Any questions?"
"When are my memories going to come back?"
"I meant related to your new home but fine. Probably another few weeks. It's a gradual thing as you know."
"Can you tell me anything about myself?"
He glanced at his desk as he looked for a pen. "Fine. You are entitled to some things anyway. You are 23 years old, heir to Morioka throne, daughter to Matzushii and the late Incognimus; the alien who attempted to kill you back on that farm was named Xigmund. He is under our custody. You are a Polygurian and your birthday is on May 24. During the memory wipe you asked us to tell your new self that you liked empanadas. Does this satisfy your request?"
"So you're a princess?" S asked, bewildered.
"She is."
"Wow. You're just like Sally!" S remarked, excitedly.
It was a bit to take in and after a few seconds Nikku spoke. "That's it?" She didn't feel any more knowledgeable than before.
"Yes. For now, anywho. And going forward." Updike waved a finger to Nikku. "Don't tell anyone who you are. I'm working on a cover for you Nikku. There are a lot of people who want to control you. I'd rather you not enter their hands."
"And you." Updike pointed to S. "Watch over her. You can see things we can't, can see there are people looking."
S crossed his arms. "Fine, but not because you asked."
With that Updike dismissed them, Nikku shepherded to the new safe house.
The first thing she did upon entering the room was put up that photograph. She wasn't certain those were her parent’s names, or if they was even her parents in the photo but it made her feel more right.
The next chapter will be called Red Sun At Night.