Lou Hanover
Promises were empty offer to Lou, yet as Conner promised to bring Andrea home, Lou forced himself to believe him. They had to bring Andrea home, it was either that or Lou would die trying. There was no way Lou would return to Utopia without his daughter. Sighing, Lou put away the picture, shaking his head. "I sure hope so."
A large duffel bag was tossed onto the table, and Lou belatedly noticed the entrance of the slight yet threatening Katerina. His eyes lit with surprise and appeasement. "The warehouse was where you said it would be boss...."
Of course Lou was right, he always was. With so many lives depending on his decisions, he had to be right. Pulling the bag in front of him, and as the woman continued to speak Lou rummaged through the goodies. A smile scrawled across his lips, Lou looked to Katerin with approval.
Her request for another job made Lou tilt his head in confusion. Then it dawned on her, Kat had been gone when Andie had been taken. Zipping up the bag, Lou pushed it aside and gestured Conner to the door. "Go ahead, I know you don't want to have to sit through this again." Lou said with a half smile. Once the man left, Lou looked back to Kat with a grim expression. "Tomorrow we head south to the border of Kansas. I have a friend that will help us sneak onto a train that transports coal that we can take most of the way out but I have to tell you, this is the most dangerous mission we've done yet.
"My daughter was taken, but those who returned from her team relayed enough information briefing us on an attack. It will be the first detention center we've raided and it will be a milestone in the Rebellion. You can come or you can stay here, you've done a lot for us and I will respect whatever choice you may make."
Lou stood to his full height, an intimidating mass of muscle pushing 6'7". The children would jump on his back, asking for rides, he remembered when Andie used to do the same thing. It seemed like everything reminded him of her. Shaking his head, Lou looked to Katerin with a subdued expression. "You can have some time to think it over, join us in celebration tonight! We will drink spirits and pretend like we aren't fighting for survival!" Grabbing the bag effortlessly, Lou put his hand on the small of the woman's back leading her out.
"If you decide to come with, meet us just at the waterfall, we will leave before noon." Lou added, walking away with a wave. Although Lou was the boss of the operation, he never enjoyed ordering people around. He felt as if forcing someone to do something was useless when someone who could do a better job would do it willingly. With Big Brother hoping to dull all human brains to little more fight to what they are told than an infant, Lou preferred to let people make their own decisions.
So with that Lou left Katerin to mull over her options, taking a detour through the watering hole. Some soldiers had already began horsing around, cheering as their leader joined them. Raising his arms in amusement, Lou grinned. "Sorry guys, not here to stay - just passing through." Foul torments were called out, all in good fun. It was rare to see his men so carefree, Lou couldn't be the one to ruin it. So instead of reprimanding them for their overly casual banter, Lou just laughed and entered the corridor that lead into the healing ward.
There were thankfully no one inside the makeshift infirmary, everyone was preparing for the festival. Leaving the bag on a table, Lou made a mental note to tell Nizhoni of the new supplies. Perhaps she could grab some in the morning of what she might need. The woman had many talents, and on the journey to save Andie, Nizhoni would be the only person with healing capabilities going along. He needed her to have the essential supplies.
Making sure to leave everything how it was when he walked in, Lou left the supplies at the ward and finally started heading to the festival. As if his thoughts had summoned her, Lou ran into Nizhoni just as they entered the mouth of the celebrations. "I was just looking for you," he said with a half smile, looking to the huskie that followed the Native American woman. "We got some supplies in, you would know better about what we might need than I would. Would you mind stopping at the healing ward before we leave tomorrow?" Lou knew that as loyal that Nizhoni was, she would oblige to an order given by Lou, so before she even finished answering Lou continued. "Thanks, Ni-Ni." He said, using the name the children would call her and winking before making his way to the podium that looked over the whole festival.
Drew Hanover
Quirking an eyebrow at the oddball, Drew chuckled. "Samurai pants huh? Your brother must've been the shit in his day." Sarcasm dripped from Drew's voice, a stale grin worn as he spoke. Drew always found the man entertaining, also from the get-go his name had been a comical relief. It took serious dedication to commit to an alias, and Drew had to hand it to the man - when people said 'Mr. Bojangles', they understood who that was.
As the topic switched to siblings, Drew slumped at Bojangles question. "Hopefully soon, seriously," picking at his hair, the man shrugged in contemplation, "the sooner the better. I saw what losing my mom did to my dad...I don't think he could take losing Andie too." Drew never pretended to be ignorant that his father favored Andie. It was strange because the two would persistently bump heads, yet the next minute Andie would cuddle up to their father apologizing and asking for a favor or Lou would be giving Andie a gift - buttering her up. They were like kids, truly.
But Lou had grown depressed, Drew could see it in the way he carried himself. It was subtle, something only someone very close would notice, but Drew knew his father kept most of his pain buried. It was what they had to do to keep pushing on.
At the mention of women, Drew perked, eyes alert. He may have been grieving the loss of his sister, but men had needs. Serving himself a plate, Drew motioned for Bojangles to follow as he found himself a seat. Digging into the food, Drew spoke with a full mouth. "Bo-Bo, you wouldn't be able to pick up a chick if she thought you were her long lost cell phone." Drew joked, punching Bojangles in the arm lightly. "If you get laid tonight and I don't, I'm killing myself."
Before Bojangles could respond, Lou's voice boomed across the crowd. As if sensing their leader had something to say, the people hushed, watching Lou intently from where he stood behind a podium.
"Americans..Latinos...Asains...Blacks..." He paused, staring over the crowd. Continuing to shovel food into his mouth, Drew had to resist the urge to snort with laughter at the reactions of those around him. Too many people within the rebellion looked up to Lou as if he were a God, which to Drew was absurd. He was a normal human being, just with a little extra muscle mass. Lou had faults as well, but people had the tendency to see past it. If only that's how it worked for me. Drew told himself.
Lou continued, "We are all human, and together we stand as the people. Many people want us dead, because we like to think for ourselves. Most people don't even know what we're doing for them..tomorrow we leave for one of the most batshit crazy mission I've ever conducted. To my men - it will be a damn good time for a damn good cause. Remember the Angels are on our side," he allowed a pause of reverence to resonate through the room before continuing, "but tonight we rejoice out liberty and our free will." Raising his goblet, others did the same, heartily drinking up the alcohol. Cheers erupted through out the crowd, and Drew shoveled the last bit of food in his mouth before scanning the room for Conner. The man was a total chick magnet, and if tonight was his last night in Utopia, Drew was going to get laid.