Chapter 4: quick decisions

"It's been three days!" Core yelled "They couldn't just have vanished into thin air!"

Core picked up a small statue like object from his desk, his assistant walked in ducked just in time to miss it and watch it shatter into the wall behind him.

"My Lord?"

"What!"

"Roth is just outside the door….he wishes to speak with you."

Core rubbed his eyes "this better be good."

The doors opened and Roth stepped in "I have good news."

"Go on." Core said going to his chair.

"The resistance are hiding underground."

"Underground?….Underground!"

Core stood up as if a light bulb went off in his head. "It makes so much since now. How did you figure this out?"

"Lets just say a little birdie told me. And when he didn't tell me where they were exactly I derezzed him."

"That's alright…they cant be hiding too far the way they've been attacking us…we'll find them. Order all guards to search for entries. Your team will alert me the second any trace of the resistance is found."

"Understood." Roth turned to leave

"Oh and Roth."

Roth turned around.

"I have in interest in prisoners, bring Remy to me then get rid of the rest."

"What about the user?"

Core looked at Roth, a gleam of disgust in his eyes.

"Kill him."

Three days ago Shelke had agreed to stay and work with the resistance to over throw Core. But now, she is starting to regret that choice. The headaches were getting worse, ever since she had absorbed Sam's memories she was seeing more of his as well as her but not enough to tell her anything. She couldn't believe that she was this person a long time ago. Every memory went against everything she was now, it all seemed like a dream. The worst part was she was beginning to feel again, but they weren't hers…they were his. She could Feel everything Sam felt, when his father first left, all the was up to now. It was getting so bad that she couldn't even be in the same room with him. But, his feelings against her weren't hatred or anything she was used to seeing…he actually liked her. He thought she was strong and fearless and he admired that. Shelke couldn't admit that she was prideful for that, these memories were making her get in contact with her own feelings including new ones she never felt before… that just put a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She could never give in to her emotions, they would just slow her down and make her weak. She forced herself to focus on her goal…think strategy.

The headache was just to unbearable, she had to visit Willow, she was the medic of the group, she had to have something.

"Hey." Sam said coming up next to her

She ignored him and continued on her way.

"Where are you going?"

"what's it to you?"

"I'm curious."

"you know what curiosity kills."

Sam stepped in front of her, blocking her path

"I'm not a cat."

Shelke exhaled "I have a headache…you're giving me a headache."

"Me?"

Shelke went around him and grabbed her arm.

"ever since I absorbed your memories my brain has been acting like a computer off the frits."

"You going to be okay."

"I do not want you empathy user."

She yanked away from him and walked off, he followed her and cut her off again.

"My name, is Sam Flynn." he said pointing to himself. "Stop calling me that."

"I could care less…user."

"And why do you talk like that, so…monotone."

"I do not like to show emotions."

"Why?"

"Because…they cause weakness, I cannot let my feelings get the best of me. I can't let my guard down."

She remembered core putting a knife in her back, it made her blood boil that he would betray her, and Roth just smiled…she thought he was the closet thing to a friend she had…but no. She clinched her hand into a tight fist.

"sometimes…feelings can help you survive."

He laid a hand on her fore arm, his fingers gentle brushed across her skin as he moved down to her wrist. It made her heart jump hyper speed. His touch was so warm, warmer than anything she had ever felt. She felt like she was about to break…she couldn't lose control.

"Strategy, will help you survive."

She yanked away from him and went to the infirmary.

Willow put two small sticker like things on her forehead and put Shelke back into the incubator, Shelke exhaled as she was moved into the machine. The light went dim as another set around her head.

"Are you sure this will work?" Shelke asked

"I really don't know…but it's the only thing we've got."

"Great." Shelke groaned

Willow sighed "Just, try and relax."

Remy went through some books looking for anything that would help when they failed she went through the devices she stole from Cores line. There had to be a way to take him down…someone on the inside. She was getting frustrated, just thinking about core made her want to kill him even more. Codec touched her hand, she looked up at him. He took her hand and pulled her away from work.

"What are you doing?" she said

"nothing."

He pulled her close until their faces were just inches away.

"you work to hard."

"I have to free us from Core."

"Really…or is it to free yourself from his shadow."

Remy sighed "that too…I feel like he has taken everything from me."

"That won't happen again."

"how do you know that?"

"Because you are a strong, and proud woman who I a m happy to call my soul mate."

Remy smiled "you always know what to say."

"I know you well."

Codec lifted her chin and pressed his lips softly against her. It has been a while since she had been kissed by him. It seemed recently it was to dangerous to even blink anymore.

"I'm really sorry." Willow said

"Its not your fault…it was a miscalculation on my part."

Shelke had no idea what to do now, the headache did not ease to stop. She decided to go to Sam room, maybe there was something in there that could trigger a memory. Perhaps learning a lot more on her memories would help her understand more. She opened the door to find Sam sitting on his bed. Shelke stopped and tried to leave.

"Wait."

Shelke stopped

"do you still have a headache?"

"unfortunately...no."

"I'm sorry."

"What are you apologizing for…I did it to myself."

"Why did you take my memories anyway?"

Shelke exhaled "I took your memories because you were Kevin Flynn's son, you had the information I needed. You're connection to your father allowed me to open the door to the portal."

Sam jumped to his feet "Wait! The portal's open."

"No…the door to the portal is open. It needs an extra power boost to re-open the portal."

"The stone."

Shelke's head snapped toward "how much do you know about the stone?

"Not much…we've been searching for it but so far its been nothing but a rumor."

Shelke got distracted by something, a rumble, a strange vibrations in the floor and it was getting worse.

"Do you know where it is?"

"Silence user."

"Stop calling me that!"

An explosion hit home and the ground shook.

"What was that?"

"Come on!"

They ran to the main room and met up with the others.

"What's going on?" Willow panicked

"They've found us!" Remy said

Everyone drew there weapons, the soldiers broke down the doors. There were way too many.

"Follow me!" Codec yelled

Everyone followed codec down the hall to the secret exit.

"Oh no!" Willow said "My drive!"

Willow turned back and ran towards the infirmary

"Willow!" Sam yelled running after her

"Sam!" Remy said but it was too late they were gone and the soldiers barged in. they didn't see them slip by so all their focus was on the remaining three.

"Now what?" Codec asked

"We hold them off." Shelke said pulling out her swords

"Okay then!" Remy said

She held her arms in front of her, the two braces latched to her fore arms shot two blades. The blades were curved, they shot like a bomber ring across the room, killing about five soldiers before coming back right into her arms. When they did she shot them again. Codec had the usual disc battle, he took the front and challenged many at a time. Him being a famous disc warrior, it should be easy. Shelke ran right into the crowd of soldiers and went close combat, destroying all that was around her.

"Willow what are you doing?" Sam said meeting her in the infirmary

"I just need a view seconds." She typed quickly on the incubator.

A light pad lit up and she placed her hand on in and absorbed the light, when they light disappeared the machine died down.

"What did you just do?"

"I shut it down and took the information records…I don't want Core using my machine for anything."

"Let's go!"

They ran into some soldiers in the hall, Sam took out his disc and threw it. It went straight through three of them, shattering them. Willow took the lead running in front of him and extending her arm, slashing through the crowds.

Shelke continued to fight like the warrior she was, showing no one any mercy. A blade swung by her nearly getting her face.

"HEY!" she snapped at Remy

"Sorry, can't always control where they go."

Sam and Willow entered the room fight but it wasn't just them, Roth entered the room as well. He saw the user and went for him. Sam knew this and pushed Willow away.

"go Willow!"

She ran in the other direction and fought off the small army, Sam fought him with disc in hand. Shelke turned around and Saw Roth swinging his hammer, Sam constantly moving to dodge it. Roth shoved his foot into his chest, him being a big guy his foot was about the size of Sam's torso. Surprisingly Sam was knocked back but he was still on his feet, but the kick startled him, causing him to drop his guard. Roth then took the chance, he rammed the top of his hammer into Sam knocking the breath out of him. Something snapped in Shelke as she saw him slam into the ground. Seeing his the pain in his eyes, feeling the hurt and fear…she didn't like it, she didn't like seeing him get hurt. Sam was moving slower now, while desperately trying to get to his feet Roth raised his hammer ready to crush the user. Shelke went into action, ignoring the soldiers around her she ran to Sam. She wasn't going to get there in time, she watched the hammer coming down, it was like slow motion for her. She raised her arm and swung her sword, when she did the sword's blade broke into sections and extended, becoming like a whip like weapon. It latched around Roth's swinging arm and caught it, with her whole body she pulled, pulling the hammer away from Sam.

Roth spun around just to be greeted by Shelke's blade whip, it cut him across the side of his face. He touched the spot as few tiny particles fell off like glass. He glared at her but she didn't give him the time of day to strike again. She ran at him, jumped and plunged her knees into his chest knocking him back landing right next to Sam.

"Get up user!"

He did as he was told, embracing his left side ribs and breathing harshly.

"Come on."

She swung her whip, striking soldiers and clearing a path for them. When they got close to Remy and began their escape to a rock like tunnel. When everyone was through Remy pushed a few button hidden in the wall. A large 12 inch thick door closed, separating them and the soldiers. They ran down the tunnel until they were outside at the edge of the city. Spotlights shined down on them from above, it was Core. Remy and Shelke glared at the slyest grin on his face…he hasn't won yet.

"Stop now and give us what we want!"

"What do you want?" Willow yelled using her hands to shield her eyes from the bright light.

"First, Shelke, give me what you owe me and second, hand over the user and no harm will be brought on you."

"You can go to hell!" Remy growled

She shot her blades at him knocking out the spotlights and the next time Core looked down, they were gone.

The ran into the city and hid amongst the people in an old vacant building, only going out when they needed to and wearing cloaks when they did so. Everyone was tired, they rest on the boxes and whatever mattresses were left in that place. Shelke put away her swords and when she turned around Remy punched her in the face. Shelke lost her footing and fell to the ground.

"This is your fault!"

"Remy!" Sam snapped grabbing her arm

She yanked away from him.

"It's not her fault." willow said siding with Sam

Remy ignored him and Shelke got back to her feet and dusted herself off as if the punch never phased.

"What do you owe him?"

"I owe him nothing…and you're one to talk."

Remy smacked her again, Shelke didn't care.

"Stop bringing that up!"

"then stop threatening me!"

Shelke shoved Remy and left the room and went upstairs.

"she's only trying to help." Willow said "She hasn't hurt us."

"You don't get it!" Remy snapped " this whole thing is because of her."

"she's not perfect." Sam shouted "And neither are you!"

"Who's side are you on!"

"My side!"

Codec grabbed Remy's arm before things got out of hand.

Sam ran upstairs to get away from the drama, he passed the room Shelke was in and stopped. She sat in a window from looking at the city around her. Sam invited himself in moving softly trying to alarm.

"what do you want now user?"

He didn't like being called that, he would've scowled her for it if it weren't for the change of pattern in her voice. She sounded tired and in someway sad. She had told him that she no longer felt emotions, but Sam thought differently.

"What are you doing?" he asked "We're on the run and your sitting in a window where people can see you."

"No one is around and I could care less."

"You should care we could die."

"I could care less about that as well."

"Liar."

Sam joined her and stood at her feet, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on the window seal.

"humph, think what you want."

"If you don't care then why did you save me."

"I…just."

Shelke avoided his gaze…why did she save him?

"Come on now I'm curious."

She looked at him and he smiled at her.

She sighed "why are you so drawn to me user?"

"why won't you call me by my name?"

"you know why, having friends mean having feelings for someone…that means-"

"You don't have emotions" Sam interrupted "and having them is a no no."

"do not mock me."

"I'm not."

She looked back out the window, at Cores tower on the other side of the city. She longed to go back to them, eve though it wasn't the best lifestyle with Core she felt like she had a purpose but now….

"What does your kind do? When you no longer have a purpose. When you have 'fulfilled' it?"

Sam looked at her his eyes curious, why the sudden change in subject. Was she actually trying to have a conversation with him? Something she desperately hates. Sam thought about the first time he landed on the grid how he found new goals that had to be completed…even though he wished some things when differently. Shelke stared at him waiting for him to find his words.

"when you have completed what you needed to…when you just fulfill your purpose you just find another one until you reach your dream and when that is fulfill. You find a new dream."

"You just…find another one."

Sam nodded "Yep, what ever you want."

Shelke stared at her hands, the hand that had been through so much. What did she want? Or more over what did she have to do now that she was on her own?

A crash came from down stairs both of them turned and looked towards the door.

"What now?" Sam said.