Rex's comm beeped to life as he flew over the city.

"Rex, how's the sweep going?" A reserved voice asked.

"Pretty good, Six, but I'm tired of these small fries. You know there's a fifty-foot magma-breathing EVO in Alabama? I should be taking care of that, not playing exterminator." Rex suggested.

"Listen, we need to work outward from Headquarters. If it or the area around it is compromised, there's no hope for the rest of the world. Concentrate on your job. That's an order."

"Yeah yeah." Rex rolled his eyes.

"Now, have you been observing the interactions of the Red Ones and the 'normal' EVOs?" Six asked.

"Yup. Every time I've seen them near each other they've been fighting. I see one scuffle now, actually." Below him, a few small red EVOs were attacking what looked like reptilian ones. He also saw a girl running away from something a block over.

"Investigate." Six ordered.

"I can't. There's a girl in trouble." Rex began flying toward her.

"Listen to him Rex. He gave you an order." White Knight's voice could be heard.

"I don't think so." Rex said.

"Six, hit him with the weapon. He needs to learn to follow orders."

"I can't do that. Rex is my friend as well as an agent." Six said.

"Fine, I'll do it myself."

Rex lost control of his flight as his wing's fell apart and he plummeted toward the ground. He bounced off of a car and onto the sidewalk. "Aw man... what was that?"

"A concentrated EMP pulse. It doesn't work on nanites, but I've modified it to use against your mechanical creations. Now, observe those EVOs. White Knight out."

Red stood up and walked from behind the car. The Red Ones were picking up the reptiles and throwing them into buildings. He brought out the pocket camera Doctor Holiday had given him and began filming the skirmish. "Six, did you know he had that?"

"I did. I'm sorry, I didn't know he was going to use it on you. Maybe I can make it up to you. It has a twenty minute recharge time." Six informed him and turned off the radio link.

"Good to know." Rex smirked and put the camera back into his pocket. He ran around the corner to help the girl. When he got there all he saw was a Providence team.

"Agent Rex, be careful, there's an EVO around here." Their Captain said.

"Yeah I know I was just looking for it."

"Don't worry sir, we've got things handled here. You've got more important things to do." With that they continued down the street, searching under cars and in shops. Rex was prepared to go back and observe the EVOs more when someone climbed from under a nearby car.

"Can you help me?" it was the girl he had seen earlier. An agent down the road noticed her and began running back. "Please?" she asked Rex.

"I'll keep you safe, I promise." He said.

The agent ran up to them and raised his gun, the others followed. "Sir, please move away from the target." He said to Rex.

"What are you talking about? Why are you pointing your guns at an innocent person?" He moved between her and the agents.

"Sir I don't think you understand. Look at her neck."

Rex looked back, there was a red patch on her neck. "Ma'am, I don't understand. These people can help you, why were you running from them?"

"When I went to them, they tried to shoot me!" She said and stared at the agents. Rex looked back at them.

"The Red Ones cannot be cured and are too difficult to contain, sir. If we have a chance to control their population, we need to take it." He said.

"You're not going to do the right thing because it's difficult? Is this how Providence does things now?" Rex grabbed the girl, created his Boogie Pack and flew away. He landed on a nearby building. "I'm sorry about that. Providence has... changed."

"It's okay. That was very kind of you. I'm Anna, by the way." Anna had long black hair and brown eyes. She wore a black top and mini skirt. The red on her neck had grown since he last looked.

"Rex. Nice to meet you." He shook her hand.

"Well of course I know who you are. You're always on the news, the miracle boy who can cure EVOs. You've got quite the fanclub."

"Really? Wow. Look I know I can't cure you but maybe I can help control the spread? It's not taking over as fast as usual." He put his hand on her neck. The digital marks that appear when he cures EVOs stayed on over the red. "There. I think I've stopped it for now."

"Thank you, Rex. Can I... come with you? I've got nowhere else to go." She looked out over the city.

"I'd love that Anna. There's just one problem."

She looked back over to him. "Yeah?"

"I don't know where to go myself."


Dexter stood with Martinez a few feet away from his brother. Doctor Holiday and the other scientists were looking over Conrad.

"So how come the city is so empty?" Dexter asked.

"Well, Providence sent out an evacuation notice to all towns nearby Headquarters, including this one, through the use of cell phones and computers. There's a refugee camp outside HQ now." Martinez told him. Doctor Holiday walked over.

"Your brother is very brave. He's hanging in." Holiday told Dexter. "I just have to go get some equipment out of storage, I'll be right back." When she left a man walked over to the door and locked it.

"What are you doing?" Martinez asked.

"Know your place, Cadet. Keep that kid quiet too." He said and walked over to a nearby counter. The other scientists strapped Conrad down to the examination table.

"Dr. Edwards, what are you doing? Do you have Holiday's permission?" Martinez questioned.

Edwards grabbed a medical saw from the counter and walked over to Conrad, who began to struggle weakly. "We have permission from the top. Now follow orders and make sure that kid stays put." He started up the saw.

"Get away from my brother!" Dexter jumped toward them but Martinez grabbed him and kept him back. "Conrad!" He yelled.

Martinez looked sorrowful. "I'm sorry. I have to follow orders." She said. Outside the door, Holiday came back. She tried to open the door and dropped her equipment when she saw what was happening inside.

She slammed against the door and yelled, "Let me in! Stop what you're doing this instant!"

"Oh shut it, Holiday. I'm in charge now." Edwards said with smile. "We need to see how the infected area reacts when it is detached from the main body. You dismissed the notion, White Knight didn't." He began to bring the saw down. "Now all of you be quiet so I can concentrate. Wouldn't want to miss." The moment the blade got near Conrad's arm he broke though his straps and knocked the saw out of Edward's hands. He yelled and knocked away the other scientists.

He ran over to the door and slammed through it, knocking Holiday to the side. Martinez and Dexter ran over to help her. "I'm fine," She said. They could hear gunfire and roaring down the hallway. "I've just got to get Rex down here. He'll be able to handle this."

Dexter listened to the roaring as he helped Holiday up. "I hope so."