Unfortunate

"Sergeant...I am sorry."

Those were not the words that now Sergeant Cass of the Corpus Special Forces had hoped to hear when Nurse Lissandra reentered the room. She had been shy and reserved when he had arrived, but while he had been in this place, however long he had been here, she had opened up a bit with him. She was a bit on the naive side, having been raised by the Clergy after her parents had died in an industrial accident but she was no wilting flower and she was a lot of fun at times.

She was very good company. His only real company. For lots of reasons.

"They said "no', didn't they?" Cass asked as he lay down the book he had been perusing. It wasn't that interesting anyway. It was odd, to say the least, to hold a piece of wood in his hand and call it a book, but the oddity had worn off after the first week or so he had been in here. It blurred.

"You are not healed, Sergeant." Lissandra said quietly. "We need to-" She broke off as Cass sat up. "Sergeant, please." She pleaded as Cass swung the remnants of his legs to the edge to the bed. "Please don't!" She begged as he quickly and efficiently disconnected himself from all of the medical paraphernalia yet again. He had gotten good at that, if he did say so himself. None of the monitors would see a thing if he didn't want them to.

"I won't make you carry me back to the bed again." Cass promised as he teetered a bit. His equilibrium was still off. Not that surprising after all of his injuries. He hadn't expected to survive what had happened, truth be told. Then to be promoted for basically being the only one to make it back? That stung. He was as he always had been. He was a computer jock. Things might have changed a bit, but he was still a soldier and tech. The monitors told the docs what he wanted them to, no more, no less. That was one reason he was in here. Regular healing facilities couldn't hold him. He patted the bed beside him. "I won't bite, Lissandra. I want to know what they said."

"Don't tell me you were not listening." Lissandra crossed her arms as Cass tried to look innocent. It didn't fool her. It never did. One thing he liked about her. "You know that Security will catch your hacking their cameras sooner or later. You know this."

"Security couldn't catch a cold." Cass smirked at the nurse's scandalized expression. Then he slumped. "I just want to talk to the Commander, Nurse. Is that so wrong?"

"I didn't think so, but he is unavailable." Lissandra moved to the bed and sat beside Cass, her face worried as she looked him over. "You know you cannot stay detached from the systems, Sergeant. There is too much damage. You need to take time to heal. Please?"

Cass did not move as she covered his hand with her own. He knew she felt for him, but he would not take advantage of that. That was not altruism or some silly kind of nobility. He had done so once with a young girl while a recruit into the Special Forces and what the Commander had done to him had been educational in so many ways. He would never stray across that line again. Even Violet's rage paled compared to Commander Horatius'. He did not move. He did look Lissandra in the eyes.

"How long have I been here, Lissandra?" He asked softly. She pursed her lips and Cass shook his head. "I do not think you have lied to me. Why not?" He asked.

"I was specifically told not to lie to you. I did ask for this. I need to become better at dealing with people." Lissandra said weakly. "I was so sheltered before. And now? I see you hurting but pushing past it and I can only admire that." She slumped a bit. "As for how long? Two and a half months. The first three weeks, you were unconscious and not expected to survive even with Special Forces augmentation and training. Then you were not lucid for a week." Cass nodded and she stared at him. "You knew."

"Computers do what I tell them to and that is what all the records say." Cass said quietly. "Especially now. You have been here day and night. I am sure you seen things you cannot explain." Lissandra stilled and Cass slowly shook his head. "And you have not told anyone. Have you?" Lissandra shook her head. "Why not?"

"The Clergy took me in." Lissandra said quietly. "After the Corpus killed my family." Cass sighed and nodded. "Did you-" She broke off as he shook his head.

"No, I didn't know that." Cass sighed deeper. "Such files are sealed beyond my abilities to open at the moment. That said? Such is not uncommon at all. Special Forces and the Clergy both take the broken souls that are left after the executives are done with them. I ran after my own family was downsized for debts that they had no power over. I survived however I could and learned how to do what I do. I was the best at what I did." He scoffed. "Or I thought I was until I was dumb enough to try and hack a Special Forces server." His smile was a bit weak. "I won't make that mistake again. I know when I am cut off. I am. I cannot access anything beyond this med facility's systems."

"Sergeant..." Lissandra started to move, but Cass laid his free hand on hers. He did nothing more, just left it there and she stared at it. "I… I asked for privacy. I told them..."

"You told them you wanted to try and make me happier." Cass said quietly. Lissandra went even more still and Cass shook his head as her cheeks heated. "Girl, I am not a good man for that. I am not practiced and frankly? I am not whole. I may not even be human anymore after all this."

"You are more human than Nef Anyo will ever be." Cass stared at the nurse as hate colored her voice. That was the first time he had heard her angry. Even when he had thrown tantrums, she had been calm and gentle. Whatever had happened, it was deep seated and despite clearly being in the past? Still painful. Familiar painful. So… Very… Cass froze.

Lissandra gave a small squeak as he reached up and pulled her close. She was smart enough not to resist. Even hurt, he was far stronger than she was. When he spoke into her ear, it was soft and musical. Singing?

"Cold the air and water flowing. Hard the land we call our home..." He sang and then let her go as she gasped in shock. She stared at him, horror mixed with awe as he smiled at her. Then she took up the words.

"Push to keep the dark from coming,..." She sang quietly and without any skill, but it didn't matter at all. Cass smiled and joined her words. "...Feel the weight of what we owe."

'This: the song of sons and daughters,
Hide the heart of who we are.
Making peace to build our future,
Strong, united, working 'till we fall.'

Finally, as both knew it had to, the song ended. For a long moment, they both just stared at each other. Then Cass smiled a bit more naturally.

"I left a long time ago." Cass said softly. "My family was gone. Yours?" He inquired carefully. She bowed her head and Cass slumped. "I am sorry. I shouldn't ask."

"Anyo went nuts." Lissandra said weakly, her face desolate. "My..." She swallowed hard and Cass just held her as she shuddered. "My mom was a nurse and my dad..." She all but collapsed in his arms as he held her.

"I don't know all of what happened." Cass said very softly as he held her. She started to cry and he gave her a hug. "I didn't ask. Didn't go beyond what our briefings said, which was bad enough. I had nothing left there, so I left, stowed away on an outbound freighter. I had a way with computers even then, but I was lucky to survive. To wind up all but a slave again. For a very long time, I did bad jobs for bad people, then I wound up in Special Forces. You?"

"I..." Lissandra was sobbing hard now. "I can't..."

"It is all right, Lissandra." Cass said quietly as he stroked her short hair with his free hand. "You are not alone. I am not your family and we are never going to sleep together, but I do remember." His tone shifted to a soft but insistent whisper. "Push to keep the dark from coming."

"Feel… Feel the weight..." Lissandra's sobs faded and she slumped in relief. "Feel the weight of what we owe." She nodded, brushing her tears away. "Thank you."

"Anyo is a stupid asshole." Cass said with a growl. "That is never going to change. You are better than him. Better than me."

"No." Lissandra said weakly, staring at Cass through tear streaked eyes. "I… I am not. I am so weak."

"You think I am strong right now?" Cass asked with a small smile. "It is all I can do to stay sane cooped up in here, locked away from all my tech." Lissandra stared at him and he shook his head. "You are the only reason I am sane, Lissandra. You know that." She nodded. "Did you volunteer?" She nodded again. "Silly girl." He gave her another squeeze and winced as pain flared deep inside him. He hid it, but she had very good eyes.

"Lie down, sergeant." Lissandra said with a sigh. Cass looked at her and she shook her head. "Sergeant, don't make me watch you fall unconscious again!" She begged. "I know you are tough, but Holy Profit, sergeant!"

"What happened to you?" Cass asked as he lay down. He did not release her hand as she lay down beside him, brushing his long hair away from his neck. The tubes extended as they always did, connected to his neck for hers. He didn't look to see the others connect as well. It had creeped him out for a while, until he realized that it helped. Somehow, she filtered toxins out that his body produced. It never hurt. It was just really, really weird even for him.

"Everyone died but me." Lissandra said sadly. He gave her hand a squeeze and she relaxed a little as the filtering mechanism did what it did. "I woke up… Somewhere else. Like this. The Clergy found me there. They were upset."

"I bet." Cass said dryly enough that Lissandra chuckled a little. He looked at her and then he shook his head slowly. When he spoke again, it was not aloud and she stiffened. Do not move. I was not sure I could trust you, but I have little choice. We usually lie for quite a while like this while you filter the toxins that build up in my system. I do not know what is going on, but we are likely both in grave danger. He warned her. They told you that the Commander was unavailable. That the Reverend Mother was unavailable. Lissandra nodded very slightly.

Yes. Her reply was hesitant. How can you do this?

I do not know. Cass admitted. There is a lot I do not know. More than even I knew until just now. What I do know is this: This is not a Clergy facility. They want us to think it is.

But it is. Lissandra said weakly. You were hurt, vacuum exposure and radiation and- She broke off as Cass gave her hand a warning squeeze.

That was some time ago. What is the last thing you remember before waking here? Cass asked.

I… Lissandra paused and then sighed. Anne J-45 was sick. I was helping her, but then Mitchell D-29 came. He was so angry. I… She paused as Cass did not react. That is the last thing I remember. What is wrong?

That was quite a while time ago. Cass replied. Two years if I am not mistaken. Lissandra stared at him, dumbfounded. Do not move! He said savagely in her mind. There are surveillance devices in here I cannot identify or access! I had to be sure you were not involved. I cannot be totally sure, but I cannot get out on my own. I need your help and I think you re just as hurt as I am, if not more.

This is a Company facility. Lissandra swallowed hard.

Maybe. Cass replied. I have seen some very weird stuff recently and I hope this is not connected to any of that. He lay back, eyes on the ceiling. I do not think it is. It feels like Corpus tech, but that makes no sense.

I.. Lissandra sighed and shook her head. "Sergeant, you need to sleep now." Cass looked at her and her mind was resigned. Whatever else is going on, you are still hurt. I will help you as I can.

Call the Clergy. I know you can call them like this. Cass replied as he closed his eyes, but did not let himself relax.

I can't. Lissandra said weakly and Cass stared at her through slitted eyes. I filter out the nanobots. They cannot merge me with them. They tried many times. I hoped… But I am all alone.

You are not alone. Cass raised an arm up and encircled Lissandra with it. She shivered, but then relaxed a bit. I do not know what is going on, but whatever it is, it isn't good. Don't get any ideas. He warned as she snuggled a bit closer. You are too young for me, girl.

I am so afraid. Lissandra said weakly. I am always afraid.

Hold tight to that. Cass said firmly and she stared at him. You think I am not afraid? Fear is a survival instinct, Lissandra. Fear of the unknown is harder to face than any known fear and neither of us know what is going on. The odds of us both being here… Cass slowly shook his head. And both of us lost souls of Fortuna? This stinks.

You need far more healing than I can possibly give. Lissandra said sadly. All I can do is keep you stable. Try to keep you on an even keel.

That helps. Cass replied and then he sighed. It was very hard to concentrate with a pretty girl nestled against him. Damn. Okay. He took a deep breath and then spoke aloud. "Lissandra? I need you to close your eyes."

"What?" Lissandra asked, incredulous. Cass just looked at her and she screwed her eyes shut tight enough that her face paled. He patted her hand and then he opened his mind in away that he had been told about once, but had never actually dreamed of doing. It did as he had hoped, the ice blue code shimmering in front of his eyes, but then it faded. He was not actually surprised. Only a complete fool surrounded by total idiots left a Special Forces soldier loose in any way.

A familiar hated voice had both of them stiffening. Cass turned his head to where a hologram appeared on the wall. Nef Anyo was smiling. Lissandra buried her face in Cass' shoulder, but Cass did not move.

"They were not sure they could reproduce it." The madman gloated. "I see the Void is with us today."

"Well, something is with you." Cass replied, trying for a dry tone. He could feel Lissandra's incredulity beside him but he kept his eyes on the holo. "You are still an idiot, but something is with you. What is that I smell? Oh." He snorted as Anyo glared at him. "I smell stupid."

"You are a tool." The madman snapped. "You will know your place."

"I do know my place and it has nothing to do with you." Cass replied, but then he stilled as something touched him. A feel that he didn't know. Did he? Yes! He did! The feel was familiar and worried! He pressed Lissandra's hand with his own as he braced the madman. He was only slightly surprised when a wall opened and the walls of a Corpus facility shone outside. He was not surprised when three armed and armored goons stumped in. "Ah, a decent fight. Lissandra, disconnect, please."

"Do not damage them!" Anyo commanded as Lissandra quailed, but did as directed. Cass sat up and smiled grimly at the goons.

"You do realize that I have little to lose here, right?" Cass asked snidely as the three soldiers looked at each other and then at Anyo who sputtered. "So, I think I should tell you to shove your Void into your interior Void. The one in between your ears."

"Stun him, you fools!" Anyo snarled.

"Oh sure. Go right ahead." Cass smiled but it held little humor. "After all, stun weapons couldn't possibly harm a badly injured human, now could they?" The smile he turned on Anyo's hologram might have turned out the Sun. "You have no idea what you just did, do you?"

"You are the key to controlling the Sentients!" Anyo snapped. "And you will serve me!"

"No and no." Cass replied, his tone disinterested now as the touch on his mind solidified and the feeling now was rage! "You had better hope you are not in this facility."

"Are you actually threatening me?" Anyo demanded. "You? A debtor descendant? Whichever of the fools you were related to, I will have that out of you and many other things."

"Will you now?" Again, Cass was disinterested as the three soldiers stepped forward, Prova stun batons in hand. "Guys, you really might want to run now."

Whatever Anyo was going to say was cut off as a woman who seemed to be made of solid silver metal appeared standing beside the bed.

Marlena was pissed.

"You know that won't help." The being once known as Marlena Smith said coldly as all three soldiers took a step back and Anyo started to sputter again. "And here I thought I had to be angry at you, Cass. I see it wasn't your stupidity this time."

"The day is young." Cass said quietly as three more Sentients appeared beside Marlena. All seemed angry. None paid him or Lissandra any mind at all. "We need intel."

"That we do." Marlena agreed as her form morphed into a silvery green Sentient shape. Lissandra gasped in fear and shock, but Cass just held her. She turned to Anyo's hologram, but it faded, leaving the thee hapless Corpus to face four angry Sentients. "Don't go anywhere."

"We need intel." Cass tried to sit up but his strength faded and he slumped. "I… Please? Not for me. For this poor girl." Marlena turned her form to look at him and then at Lissandra who did not move. The Sentient heaved an all too human sigh.

"As you wish, Cyberlancer."