10640/Meanwhile, Belle Reve

Meanwhile, Belle Reve
Date of Scene:	05 January 2020
Location:	Belle Reve Penitentiary, Houma, Terrebonne, Louisiana
Synopsis:	Fantomex visits Yokai in his cell-lab. Ideas are exchanged
Cast of Characters:	Fantomex, Yokai (Callaghan)

---

Fantomex has posed:
Although Fantomex has recently become an operative of Task Force X (more popularly known as the Suicide Squad) he is not a convict, and he is supposed to come to Belle Reve only when Amanda Waller calls him. Maybe if Rick Flag calls him, too.

He was not given the grand tour. He was not given a pass card. Technically he was never allowed into the prison areas, just some of the secret rooms that form part of the Squad operations center, some civilian facilities and the hangars.

To say the truth he probably would have strongly objected to be 'invited' into the prison. But since he invited himself, that is okay.

Belle Reve has very good security. Maybe the best in a government facility in America. It was a challenge he couldn't resist. Besides, it might be good to know the layout in the case Ms. Waller decides to change the conditions of their deal.

So he went exploring. Or sneaking around. Both.

Yokai (Callaghan) has posed:
    Unlike Fantomex, Robert Callaghan /is/ a convict. A recent transfer from San Francisco's prison system, no less, and 'in' for somewhat less...prolific crimes than some of his peers. Still, murder and arson - among other deeds - are what they are, but the staff has noticed that, in general? He's somewhat more tamer than the others...not that really leads them to keep a lesser eye on him. Far from it, really; it's always the mild-mannered ones, and the guards, in general, are professionals. Just because someone acts mild-mannered doesn't mean they don't have a temper when set off.
    Still, good behavior has its perks, and combined with his role on Task Force X, it's only so difficult to convert time reserved for R&R in to an opportunity for R&D. Supervised, yes, but with the argument that he has to test out what he builds before putting it in the field? It's not like he minds much. Callaghan ignores them for the first part, working in a formerly-empty cell that's been converted in to a temporary lab - one that can be easily taken down just as easily as set up. But it's got the equipment he needs, and he sits at the table with a safety mask in place, silently working on soldering something in to a kabuki mask. The one thing that really ties him with Yokai, considering he's not exactly wearing the rest of the outfit right now - just his standard prison apparel.

Fantomex has posed:
After a couple hours of sneaking around Fantomex is convinced the one that called the prison Belle Reve had a great sense of humor. Also, the convict crew is fascinating and he will be returning to chat with a few of them.

Particularly down here, in the high security areas. Where a cell has been turned into a lab. Of course the scientists and engineers employed by the prison have their own labs. But those are quite dull. This one might be more interesting.

Cloaked in misdirection, the faux-French thief is hard to spot by man or machine, so he spies Callaghan a few minutes before realizing he is actually on of his so-called teammates. Body language reading comes handy for this. Then he spots the kabuki mask. "Bonjour," he greets, slipping on the cell using a pickpocketed pass card. The security system weirdly confuses his inhuman bio-signature with that of a complete human guard. "We meet again. Although I have to mention, orange is not your color, monsieur Yokai."

Yokai (Callaghan) has posed:
    The mask is definitely the greatest tell, as about the only thing the body language has in common is a relaxed sort of focus. As if getting in the zone, so to speak, comes easily. But it does turn in to startlement as the head snaps up, clear surprise on the man's face as he takes in the sight of Fantomex. The tools are immediately switched off when his attention leaves them, and he reaches up to half-lift the face-shield as his eyes dart briefly towards the door. No surprise from the guards - which either means this isn't something to be worried about, or, well. Something else.
    Even so, he seems to calm down quickly enough, arching his brow as he lowers his hand. "Can't say I don't agree with you," he admits, "but it was the only thing in the wardrobe. Something I can do for you...Fantomex?" The slight question seeks confirmation of the name, if nothing else.

Fantomex has posed:
"Ah, I very much doubt it," replies the white-clad thief. "I am merely familiarizing myself with the environment and stumbled upon this place." He picks up a half-dissembled circuit board and seems to give it a quick inspection. "Brand tech. Most of the technology here is Lexcorp, they are giving you the scraps."

He steps away, and moves. Constantly. Like a predator, but he is hard to follow, as if the eye didn't really want to keep track of the man. "I am also curious, I have never had 'teammates', not really."

Yokai (Callaghan) has posed:
    For all that the man behind Yokai seems at ease, there's a few other connections that can be made. The way he takes Fantomex in without seeming to, for example; he seems to be a master of watching out of his periphial vision, even if he does blink and reach up to rub his eyes after a moment. "Not one of the conscripts, then?" he drawls, turning back to his work. Fantomex is right - it's certainly subpar from what he's used to - but if it works for what he needs, well. He'll take it.
    The comment about teammates does make him pause, however. As if it jogs something in his memory. It's only a moment of hesitation, because he shrugs a moment later. "They can be useful, so long as nobody's trying to kill one another." He briefly thinks of the late Boll Weevil.

Fantomex has posed:
"Yes, quite," agrees Fantomex. "It should be the first rule. But I think I missed the briefing, I am sure Waller was properly intimidating." There is a tsking sound. But he also missed Boll's incoming betrayal because he wasn't paying any attention.

"Oh, I am a conscript, but not a convict. At least not one from this prison," he comments. "We all have our jails, of course. But some are less visible than others. Waller still offers an Out of Jail Free Card of shorts. I suspect it is her specialty."

Yokai (Callaghan) has posed:
    "She seems to be a formidable woman." Neutrally said. "That is, when she has everything in place." Unconsciously, he reaches up to scratch at the back of his head - where the 'welcoming gift' was implanted. Fantomex was also not privy to the...demonstration Boll offered, both of the lesser and extreme uses of the device. As for the clarification between conscript or convict...
    "Finding people who are desperate? Probably." Now the man glances directly back towards Fantomex, frowning slightly. "Especially if they have use. I'd be interested to find any 'graduates' from the team, just for my own peace of mind as to whether or not they actually exist." As opposed to simply being discarded when they're done.

Fantomex has posed:
"Isn't hope the greatest bribe?" Offers Fantomex, smiling under the mask. "I am quite sure Flag is good to his word, but I don't know Waller enough to judge yet." And he suspects that if the woman knows of his abilities he will never get a good reading of her.

"I'll see what can I do about finding... graduates, you brought a good point," decides Fantomex. Then one of the guards peers inside, frowning. His eyes scan the cell, passing over Fantomex without seeing him.

The Frenchman index finger rises to his mouth, or where his mouth should be behind the mask. "Seems I am about to overstay my welcome," he adds quietly. "But we will be in touch."

Yokai (Callaghan) has posed:
    Isn't it. Callaghan actually quirks a sad sort of smile at that - seems Fantomex hit on what the bribe was for him, at least, in part. But the smile falters upon the glance from the guard, and he isn't such a fool as to nod read that and Fantomex's own actions. He doesn't even address the thief, looking at the guard with a cocked head- "My time up already?"
    It isn't, of course. But it's just that much more of a distraction for Fantomex to do what he needs to - as much an agreement as he feels he can safely offer for the moment.

Fantomex has posed:
It is always harder to manipulate the wary, but Fantomex manages to deceive the guard and slip out of the cell without being spotted. Or even making a noise. There is little evidence of his passing, but if someone scrutinizes very carefully there were a few glitches in the system. A case or two of security guards being in two places at once, and a couple missing mementos. Because kleptomania is a thing.