The ARC and then MHA #16 - Friday Afternoon

[itsananomaly]

It had felt like forever but it seemed that Becker and Lester had been able to work out a plan that could get Connor and Cutter back to Fandom. The stories hadn’t let up in the press and it seemed Christine had gotten even bolder in her attacks and had started to lend her name as the trusted source, which only seemed to encourage the press more. They were in Lester’s office where Lester and Becker were briefing them on the logistics for how they planned to get them to the portal for Fandom. It was going to be risky but it was the best window of opportunity that they’d had for the last couple of weeks. “I can’t believe that we really get to go back to Fandom,” Cutter was anxious but he was also excited about getting to go back to his apartment and being in Fandom. [preplayed with the amazing anomaly_research_nerd. That Connor and Cutter arrived back at Fandom is okay for broadcast but the rest is NFB due to distance. To be continued in the comments.]

Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I know, it's going to be good to be back!" Connor said before looking over at Lester and Becker somewhat apologetically. "Not... not that we haven't appreciated everything you guys have done for us while we been stuck here!" "Don't worry Connor, we understand" Becker said with a small grin from where he stood beside Lester at the desk. "You guys need to get back home. Right now it is where you belong and frankly where you will be the safest until things calm down."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Now I have booked your portal back to Fandom but we are working within a very tight timeframe," Lester told them, "Captain Becker and his men will be taking you and there's a chance that the press will get wind of your location, we need to move quickly so they won't find out about Fandom," Cutter nodded, "I understand ... we know there's risks in getting us to Fandom, thank you James, Becker for making these arrangements for us,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Aye, we... really appreciate it. We know it hasn't been easy on all of us lately. We appreciate you doing this for us and putting yourselves at risk" Connor said softly. Becker simply nodded and looked between them and Lester as he spoke. "I have mapped out a route for us to take. Very indirect, lots of backroads and backtracking. We have to make sure we are not being followed if anyone does pick up on our movement."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded, "hopefully we don't encounter the press, the last thing we need is for any of them to find out about Fandom and how to get there," he bit his lip, "or that Christine will find out about Fandom," It was bad enough that Helen knew, at least she didn't know how to get to Fandom itself.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Blood suckers all of them" Connor said with a bit of bite to his voice, He REALLY was not fond of the press after the last few weeks. "My respect for Jenny has increased ten-fold this past week or two!" Becker had to give a small chuckle at that as he leaned over Lester's desk and looked at the map that was laid out there. "Now the portal location is in this area" he said, pointing to fairly isolated are just outside the city. It will take us some time to get there, especially with the route we have planned. And once we are there and the portal opens, we have only a few minutes. We gave specific instructions that the portal was to remain open for no more than five minutes maximum."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter gave a small smile over at Connor, he also respected Jenny's job a whole lot more after dealing with the press these last couple of weeks, "what happens if we don't make it?" he said quietly, he knew there was a real chance that even with all this preparation something could go wrong. "Is this our only chance to get to a portal site?"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Only chance for a while" Becker said firmly. If we can't get to the site in time or something happens, we'll have to wait for another lull in the media to try again. Could be another week till we are able to try again... so we have to do our best to make this work!" "We'll make it work! We have to make it work!" Connor said with a determined nod. He didn't want to think about being stuck in the ARC for another week!
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter really didn’t like the idea of being stuck at the ARC for another week so he nodded, “okay, so this is our best chance,” he tried to not look so worried about the idea of not being able to make it to the portal this time, “when are we going to try and make it to the portal?” He bit his lip as he looked over the map again.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"The plan is to head out this evening. Be harder for the press to follow us when it's late" Becker said hoping the cover of darkness did help them some. "The portal is scheduled for 8pm. It will be at least and hour and a half drive provided we don't have to actively shake anyone tailing us" he said studying the map again. "So we better get our things packed and ready" Connor said glancing over at the map. "Travel as light as we can so we can just grab what we have and make a run for the portal when it opens."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"We just have to hope that there's no press following us," Cutter said softly, even though he knew the odds of them being that lucky weren't high, "it would be nice if we could have an easy trip without worrying about press chases, but packing light won't be a problem I don't have much to pack with me to Fandom," he nodded.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Same- can get most of my stuff in the duffle and the backpack so shouldn't be too hard to be quick when we need to" Connor agreed with a nod. "Is... is it just going to be the three of us going?" "The three of us in the one truck" Becker said with a nod. "I'm thinking having two of my men follow us in the SUV. Don't want a big procession to draw more attention to us but I don't like the idea of being caught on our own without some sort of backup if we do have issues with the press?" Becker considered as he looked over at Lester.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Lester nodded, "I don't want the three of you being out there by yourself, especially with the idea that the press can follow you and we all know how vicious they can be," he looked down at the map, "take backup but only one other car, it's risky enough as it is and I don't want to tempt fate," Cutter tried to stop the nervous feeling growing in his stomach, "is it going to be enough if we do have issues?" he looked up at Becker, he didn't like the idea of having a big procession of cars but he was very weary after his experiences with the press these last couple of weeks.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I hope it is enough" Connor said worriedly as well. He really just wanted this over and done and the waiting was killing him. "We'll make it work" Becker said with an encouraging nod.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I suppose there's only one way to make sure this works right?" Cutter said, fidgeting slightly, "we won't know until we actually leave this evening," he glanced over at Connor, wishing he didn't feel so nervous about this.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded, noting the worried look on Cutter's face and feeling his own worry bubble up as well. He reached over and pulled Cutter into a hug, trying to comfort and treasure him. "This is going to work" he said, as much to reassure himself as to reassure Cutter.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I know, it's going to be good to be back!" Connor said before looking over at Lester and Becker somewhat apologetically. "Not... not that we haven't appreciated everything you guys have done for us while we been stuck here!" "Don't worry Connor, we understand" Becker said with a small grin from where he stood beside Lester at the desk. "You guys need to get back home. Right now it is where you belong and frankly where you will be the safest until things calm down."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled as Connor pulled him into a hug and he wrapped his around him, “it has to work,” he said softly, “I don’t want to spend another week at the ARC,” he looked sheepishly over at Becker and Lester, “no offence,” he added.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"None taken" Becker said with a small grin "I think we all are getting a little tired of seeing each other every day" he added with a glance over at Lester and gave him a small smirk. "My men and I will go over the route and find some backup routes in case we need to change things up last minute. You two should get your things packed and ready and then try and rest if you can. Gonna be a hectic and stressful night for us all."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded at that, “I don’t know how much sleep I’m going to end up getting though,” he admitted as he looked at Connor and Becker.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Same here but I'll try"Connor said with a nod. He then stood and looked at Cutter and offered him a hand to help him up. "We'll get packed and ready and will be waiting for you to come get us Becker?" "Sounds good. I will come by about an hour before we need to be on the road so we can take care of the last minute details and everything" Becker said.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Several hours later and they'd been able to make their getaway from the ARC, thankfully no press had picked up their movements and they were able to make it to the portal site with several minutes to spare. "I can't believe we were actually able to make it here with no incidents," Cutter marvelled as Becker pulled up to the site.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I know, I can hardly believe it" Connor agreed as the stopped and he got out to start getting their bags out and ready for when the portal was scheduled to appear. "That was a really good call there Becker, leaving at night and all." Becker just nodded as he got out of the car and spoke to his men who had pulled up right behind them, instructing them on where to stand guard in case anything should try and interrupt them getting through the portal. He was surprised as well at their turn of good luck but he was not about to let his guard down until Cutter and Connor were both safely through and the portal closed behind them.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter got out and started to help Connor with the bags, "thank you Becker, for getting us here", he said softly as he turned to face him, "and for putting up with us these last couple of weeks, I know we have been the easiest people to get along with, "
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Anytime Nick, Connor," Becker said with a small smile and nod. "We had a rough patch there but we got through it and we're not going to let Christine win." With a couple more quick orders to his men Becker figured out where the portal was supposed to be and they waited. "You got everything ready? We should be a go anytime now" he said glancing at his watch. He was glad all the team goodbyes had been done at the ARC before they had headed off. He knew as it was it was going to likely be a tearful goodbye this time around and he didn't want to drag things out any longer than needed, especially since they had a limited time window to make this happen.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded, "we have everything ready," he glanced quickly at the portal site and then he went to give Becker another quick hug, yes they had said goodbyes back at the ARC but he wanted Becker to know just how grateful he was for everything he had done for them, "we'll call when we get back to Fandom," he promised.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor followed suite and gave Becker a hug as well because there was no way he was going to just walk through that portal once it appeared without a last goodbye. "As soon as we are back at the flat and safely locked in, we'll let you know" Connor promised as he clung to Becker for a moment. "You... you take care of yourself ok? And tell the team to remember we are thinking of them, always." Becker nodded as he hugged them both once more. and it was then that the portal finally opened up, the swirling light signaling their ticket back home. "Alright it's time" Becker said trying to blink back the tears that had started to gather in his eyes. With his men on high alert he walked over to the portal with Cutter and Connor.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter couldn't help but feel nervous now that the time that they had waited for the last couple of weeks was finally here, he took a deep breath as they started to walk to the portal. "I guess this is it," he said softly as he stared at the portal, he knew that they didn't have much time but after everything, he was still half expecting something to happen that would stop them from going through.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded and reluctantly let go of Becker. He looked over at the portal as he shifted the bags on his shoulders and grabbed one of Cutter's for him so he'd have an easier time. "Alright let's go" he said simply as he as he reached his hand for Cutter to take. He gave a nod to Becker as he took a slow deep breath and tried to push down the nervousness he felt. Becker nodded and gave them both a smile. "Now go, the both of ya" he said with a nod towards the portal. "We'll be talking soon."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter gave Becker as a smile as he reached over to take Connor's hand, "we'll talk later," he promised and then he glanced at Connor, "are you ready for this?"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded as he held tightly to Cutter's hand and with a final glance over his shoulder and a nod from Becker, Connor led them through the portal. He held his breath, closing his eyes without meaning to as he stepped through, almost worried that something would go wrong, that they would end up somewhere else other than Fandom when he opened his eyes.