Chapter 18: Martial Law (6)

Nathaniel opened his eyes, blinking his vision into clarity. By his side was Diana, forcefully shaking him into consciousness. The blurry form of Diana smiled as she realised he was waking up.

"Hey you," she said, "you're finally awake."

"Dia-?" Nathaniel began, about to question his companion but silenced by her rapid explanations of the current situation.

"We're busting you out. Michael, that soldier you beat up but thankfully didn't kill, is helping us. He wants to try and find his wife. There's not enough time to explain fully. You'll feel exhausted but you are fully healed thanks to one of Michael's comrades." elaborated Diana, the rushing river of words swirling around Nathaniel's foggy mind.

"Wha-?" tried Nathaniel again, rubbing his eyes into forced alertness. His body ached deeply as though he had run a marathon. However his bones no longer hurt and full mobility had been restored despite the immense stiffness of his muscles. Vision restored, the former FBI agent gazed down at his hands - uncuffed and unrestrained by the chains that tangled down the sides of his hospital bed.

"How did you get the key?" asked Nataniel, brow furrowing. Even if Michael was helping Diana, there would be no way he had access to keys for prisoners . Especially one which he had some, although short, history with. The man hoped she had not done anything dangerous. He dared not pray. After all, the Gods were the reason why any of this was even happening.

Diana smirked and flicked stray strands of fading blue hair out of her eyes. "My ability lets me open and close locks, handcuffs have locks inside them so therefore I can control them. And the actual locks on the chains are locks too obviously" she replied with a beaming smile.

"Ingenious," admired Nathaniel as he sat up and shuffled forward until his dangling feet touched the cold floor. With a heavy sigh and a deep groan, the former FBI agent stood up. The dull pain of exhaustion weighed down his mind, body and soul - tempting him with true rest. [Fuck I'm tired], thought Nathaniel as he stretched before walking over to a nearby table containing his belongings.

"Nuh, uh." called Diana over Nathaniel's shoulder while reloading a handgun. "For an FBI agent you're rather silly. Michael gave me one of his spare uniforms so you can somewhat blend in while we sneak out. It's literally hanging on the end of your bed."

Nathaniel sheepishly mumbled an apology and picked up the uniform - standard urban combat fatigues. It was the perfect disguise. Diana turned to face a wall while the man changed into the uniform and put on his glasses. Finally, once dressed, Nathaniel turned to face Diana and said "Basic Appraisal". Instantly a translucent blue window popped up in front of him, displaying the following information;

=========================

[Enhanced Appraisal]

Name: Diana Keene

Title/s: None

Essence: 6

Favour: 16

Reserve: 6

Power Level: 28

[End Appraisal]

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"What is it?" asked Diana as she crossed her arms impatiently, "unless my stats have suddenly doubled I don't want to know right now. We need to get out of here."

"Your Favour and Reserve have both increased since I last checked a few days ago," remarked Nathaniel, "your Power level is now 28. The average normal everyday unarmed human before the apocalypse has an average Power level of 22. You're getting stronger and quickly. Not only that but your Essence increased dramatically. That's very impressive, you should be proud. You're numerically stronger than most people. They'll get stronger too but so will you - you got a great headstart kiddo."

Diana smiled before uncrossing her arms and replying, "Thanks. I had to kinda step up a little and save your butt, remember? Glad you're using those fancy glasses of yours, I almost forgot they existed since you never use them. Anyway, let's get going."

Sighing, Nathaniel agreed, "Yea I do need to use my glasses more, thanks for the tip Diana. And thanks again for saving me."

"You're welcome and uhh.." Diana paused for a few seconds, looking away briefly before facing Nathaniel once more, "my friends call me Dee."

"Well then," smirked Nathaniel, "let's get outta here Dee."

Disguised as a soldier in the 110th Division, Nathaniel gripped the handles of Diana's wheelchair and rolled her out of the room. Other soldiers, [real soldiers] thought the FBI agent, rushed passed them towards the sounds of distant gunshots and explosions. Using his glasses, Nathaniel used Basic Appraisal on them all. Being soldiers they were stronger than average humans, but not by extreme margins. The highest Power Level he noticed was forty-three but that soldier was also covered in tactical riot gear and jogged past Nathaniel with a shotgun. Twenty-three was the lowest. Uniformed members of the 110th who likely specialised in administrative or support roles rather than combat. [Weaker than Diana], thought Nathaniel with a mental smirk.

Being a military compound, the signage of the 110th Division's base was excellent. Nathaniel and Diana headed for an exit on the North side of the base - opposite where Michael was staging his distraction in the South. Dozens of soldiers jogged pass the duo, most with weapons already in hand. The duo were within sight of Northern chain link fence around the compound when a lady wearing a navy-blue military uniform stepped out from a room.

The woman looked Nathaniel up and down before asking, "What are you doing Corporal?"

Nathaniel swallowed and looked down at Diana before making direct eye contact with the lady. Her navy uniform was adorned with military ranks and insignias, clearly an officer of some kind rather than a regular soldier. The name "Atkinson" was embroidered in bronze-gold thread above her left breastpocket.

"I'm talking our guest to a safer position per my orders, Ma'am." replied Nathaniel, gesturing towards a nearby unmarked tent.

"Really?" questioned Officer Atkinson, "I find that hard to believe. Who gave you such an order, soldier?"

"Uhhhh.." began Nathaniel searching his brain for any kind of believable answer. Michael was the soldier who had saved them and was causing the distraction, but what was his last name? Michael Chord? Michael Lord? Michael Bore-

"Sergeant Ward did." interjected Diana before Nathaniel could answer himself.

"Sergeant Ward?" replied Officer Atkinson as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Yep, wanted me to stay on the opposite side of the base since I'm not particularly mobile," answered Diana with a meek smile while gesturing to her wheelchair.

Officer Atkinson whipped out a pistol and a pair of handcuffs from within her officer's jacket and aimed the gun at the duo. [Must have crossed her arms to sneakily grab her gun], realised Nathaniel as he straightened his stance. She smirked slightly before saying, "Neither of you thought your disguise and cover story through, did you?"

"What do you mean?" asked Diana as Nathaniel slowly took one hand off the wheelchair's handles and reached towards the handgun holstered at his side.

"Well," began Officer Atkinson, taking a step forward before continuing, "First, you were already in the safest section of the compound. Second, Sergeant Ward does not possess that kind of authority presently. Third, the soldier escorting you has a very obvious American and not British accent. And, finally, he looks exactly like that prisoner who almost broke out of the medical bay. I sincerely hope this plan was made by the American imbecile and not you Diana."

Officer Atkinson, Diana and Nathaniel all stood in silence for a moment, processing the extremely poor planning.

"Fuck it," said Nathaniel reaching down for his handgun, "Mark Of Judgement."

As the FBI agent went for his gun, Officer Atkinson attempted to squeeze the trigger of her own pistol. However her finger almost seemed paralysed - locked into place. Struggling, her hand began to tremble as she tried to pull the trigger before Nathaniel drew his handgun. The soldier even tried using her other hand yet was still unable to fire a single round.

"Wha-," stuttered Officer Atkinson as she struggled and failed to shoot Nathaniel, "have you d-done to me?"

"I'm afraid I can't say," said Nathaniel, "even an american idiot like myself knows to never give away an advantage."

Gesturing with his handgun, Nathaniel directed the officer into a nearby tent. He proceeded to handcuff her to a heavy steel crate full of supplies. Diana took Officer Arkinson's pistol while Nathaniel searched the soldier for the handcuff's key. Once found, he threw it across the room - out of Officer Atkinson's reach.

"Fuck you," spat Officer Atkinson, "you will not get away with this."

"Too late," mocked Diana, "because we already did."