While I know you'll be amused; Heron, this was an absolute coincidence. I had this decided a long time ago.
Lucy woke to an empty bed. She never thought she'd be upset by that. But she'd been getting used to sleeping near or on Desmond, and now he was gone.
She sighed and rolled onto her back and pushed herself up with a grunt, rubbing her eyes. When she looked up she got a shock when Desmond was sitting at the end of her bed. "I-is this a dream?" she asked.
"No, you're awake, sweetie," Desmond said and for some reason Lucy flushed. Though something told her… this wasn't Desmond. He never called her that, and he didn't seem the guy to do so, at least not with his current mental state.
"You're not Desmond," Lucy said and now that she was a bit more awake she noticed 'Desmond' wasn't making the bed bend where he sat, and he wore no shoes.
"No, I'm not," he said.
"Who are you?"
"Venus," and though she smiled it wasn't Desmond's smile. It made the illusion horribly un-Desmond.
"Why do you look like that?"
"Because its part of my programming," Venus said, "Whoever I'm focused on, I look like the one they love," and Lucy felt her cheeks redden a bit.
"But you've broken from your programming," she said.
"Ah, well, old habits die hard," Venus said, and it was so weird hearing it come from Desmond's mouth, his voice. It was wrong. Like how Desmond's clone was wrong.
"What do you want? Why are you here?"
"I came to see you," Venus got up and walked across the bed towards her. Lucy leaned back a little and Venus sat on the bed again, straddling a knee. Because she was a being made of light though Lucy, obviously, felt nothing.
"Why?"
"I spoke with Hera," she said. "About your… condition," Lucy nodded slowly. "She doesn't know if she can do anything."
"Why not?"
Another hologram appeared on the bed with them, Hera in her mask and shimmering gown. "Because we cannot undo what is done," Hera said. "We made you with a purpose, and now you're asking us to undo that purpose," she frowned.
"I just want to know, that what I'm feeling is real," Lucy said.
"Why does it matter?" Hera asked and reached out, Lucy held very still when Hera's form brushed against hers, like a mother gently stroking her child's cheek. "We made you to be happy, to give happiness."
"And to trick," Lucy said.
"Ah, but the proeathans counted on that," Hera said, "I am the luck of the blood moon," Lucy could hear a smile, "But they didn't count on what else I did."
"Which was?" Lucy demanded.
"They wanted a tool to deceive and placate him," Hera said, "So we made them one," and Lucy turned red in anger. She was not a thing. She was a god damn person! She was tired of everyone acting like she was somehow disposable or that her existence was simply to be used. Synthetic she might be, but she was still a person, and she wanted to be treated like one. "But the involvement of the blood moon means that there must always be a balance between what you want, and what you get. They wanted a tool, we provided it, and they assumed the counter to your existence would be that you were a synth on a short life cycle-
"Woah, wait, say that part again," Lucy interrupted.
"You have a shortened, accelerated, life cycle," Hera said.
Lucy stared at her, "So what's that mean?"
"It means you will die young," and Lucy paled, "And the proeathans knew this, and knew that once you were dead they'd have no tool and Desmond would no doubt rebel." Hera paused, as if giving Lucy a chance to digest her sudden, brief, mortality.
"But that wasn't your counter," Venus said with Desmond's mouth and voice.
"Not the only one," Hera said.
"More bad news?" Lucy asked.
"No," Hera said. "All synths exhibit only small measures of free will. They are built with the ee'din within them that makes them obey any proeathan without question, no matter the task. To make you, someone who was supposed to be perfect, a synth who could not only pass as human, but a specific human it required more than a limited counter. Most synths are left to develop their own personalities, memories. You needed specific ones to appear to be Lucy Stillman in more than just appearance. You had to be her in memory, personality, and thought. Your counter, is your free will," Hera said.
"So that means-
"We did not build you with the ee'din within you. We did plant specific memories in your mind, and a certain disposition, and they can't be changed."
"And my feelings for Desmond?" Lucy asked carefully.
"They were suggestions not given by us," Hera scoffed. "I couldn't tell you how the proeathans gave you them. They could have been programmed when you were young with a—" Hera looked at Venus abruptly, pausing mid sentence, "with something similar to an… Animus?" Hera gave Venus a questioning look from behind her mask. Venus nodded. "But they are not our doing. We gave you free will because that was the price of your perfection. Whatever the proeathans might have done, it isn't something we had any play in, or something we can change. Memories stay."
"Is there a way to tell if they're real?"
"Nothing about you is real," Venus said. "That is your nature. You aren't real. As it is I'm surprised you could fly a numia at all-
"I'm a person!" Lucy snapped at her. "Synthetic or not I'm a fucking person, and I am real!" she was suddenly breathing heavy, her heart racing.
Hera and venus exchanged looks, "Our machines do not recognize synthetic life forms as sentient," Venus said, "Its why flight is so taxing, more so than it would be on a human. You are very strong for flying a numia for so long without a developed sixth sense."
"Thank you," she said, though her voice was weak. "I just… want to know that the feelings I have for Desmond are real."
"Does it matter?" Hera asked.
"Yes."
"Why?" Hera cocked her head at Lucy, "You make him happy, and if Venus is in this form, you love him."
"But how do I know these feelings I have are real?" she asked desperately.
Hera blinked at Lucy, "Do you think they are?"
"I want them to be… but I'm not sure," she confessed.
"I gave you free will," Hera said, "the proeathans decided your purpose, but you've changed that for yourself."
"But I didn't want to do that-
"Then make yourself stop loving him," Hera said plainly, "There's nothing stopping you, and he isn't here to remind you of him. You changed your destiny once, my dear, if you want; do it again."
All at once Pluto appeared at the end of Lucy's bed. "Ah, you're awake, good," he didn't even seen to see Venus or Hera.
"Is something wrong?" Lucy asked.
"Its nearly noon. The others were getting worried as to why you weren't awake," he said.
"Oh…" Lucy hadn't realized it was so late. "I'll be right out," she said.
"Very well," and then he finally seemed to notice Venus and Hera, "Don't break her, she has a sim to pilot," and then he vanished again.
"Goodbye," Venus said with Desmond's mouth and voice and for some reason it hurt. Then she too vanished. Hera however didn't leave.
"We'll talk again," Hera said, "We like talking to you."
"Why?" Lucy asked.
"We don't remember any of our other creations, the other synths we made, but we… remember how they made us feel, because our husband was so disloyal," Hera paused here. "We think of you as our daughter. Perfect in every way." And that made Lucy flush, but also slightly uncomfortable. "We're as close as you'll ever get to a real mother, Lucy. You have no claim to the original's family," and Lucy looked down, of course. "Be safe, and don't worry about if what you feel is real. It doesn't matter. And if you don't like it, change it. That was our gift to you," and then she was gone.
Lucy stared at where Hera had been before making herself get up and look for clothes. A set of drawers came out from the wall, both with clothes similar to the ones she'd been wearing since they'd left Pluto the first time. She changed methodically, Hera's words bouncing around in her head. She could change it. If she wanted to. She wasn't some mindlessly programmed slave. She had a choice, she had her own free will.
Once she was dressed she reached around and grabbed her hair to pull it back. "Pluto?" she asked, holding onto the ponytail she'd made.
"Yes?" he replied, but didn't show himself, his voice coming from everywhere and nowhere.
"Can you cut hair?"
—
She was not so secretly pleased when it took the others a while to notice. She'd gone and eaten without mishap and then Pluto had shown her to where the others were waiting. Well rather, where Hawk and Jake were waiting, as well as, to her surprise, William. She didn't like him. She'd never liked him. He was a snake and as much a liar as Andrew. A few other Assassins were loitering around since they were in the armory and training area and it took her to be standing right in front of them for them to notice her.
"Lucy?" Jake asked, confused, staring at her.
"Who else?" she asked.
"Its just…
"Wow," Hawk said.
"You cut your hair," Jake said. "Holy crap its really short… can I touch it?" he asked suddenly excitedly.
She laughed a little, "Sure, I guess." Jake instantly reached over and ran his hand through her short hair, which was… very short. Neither she nor Lucy Prime had ever cut it this short before. It was almost a pixie cut, but longer, with bangs. "Fuck how do girls have such soft hair? I call hacks," Jake said as he ran his fingers through her hair a few times.
"Because girls are better than boys," Lucy said.
"Pft, works for me," Jake shrugged. "Oh my god you're so cute," and he suddenly hugged her, burying his nose in her hair, making her laugh.
"I have to say Blondie," Hawk said, "I almost didn't recognize you." Lucy shrugged as best she could being hugged.
"So you were waiting for me?" she asked, glancing up at Jake's neck.
"Yes," Hawk said.
"C'mon Jake, let go," she said and gently pushed him off "What's he doing here?" she pointed at William.
"Andrew asked me to watch, and keep tabs on you-
"Of course," she rolled her eyes.
"We've just elected to ignore him," Hawk said.
"Good idea, so, what first?" she asked.
"Pluto said that this room will simulate the numia we'll be flying," Hawk said, motioning to the room off the main armory. "Two copilots, same as before and since you didn't get along with that girl from before, I'll be back on."
"Well it isn't that we didn't get along," Lucy said as she followed Hawk into the room. "She just… doesn't like me."
"Really?" Hawk asked. "Why?"
"What a stupid question," William muttered, just loud enough for them to hear.
Hawk stopped and turned and looked at William, "And why would that be?" he asked.
William scowled at Hawk, "Isn't it obvious? The girl's a traitor. She betrayed the Assassins, and while I have no idea where she came from I can only guess the proeathans had something to do with it. No doubt she'll betray you too." Lucy was trembling with rage at William's words. Hawk and Jake exchanged looks but didn't do anything when William kept talking. "I'm surprised she hasn't already, especially if she's involved with the proeathans. We know better now than to trust her. Once a turn coat, always a turn coat-
Lucy punched him, as hard as she possibly could. It sent William to the ground in an unflattering sprawl. She was about to kick him too but Jake stopped her. "Let go," she hissed, she wanted to hit William again.
"Watch," Jake said, still holding onto her arms so she couldn't break away.
Hawk crouched down next to William. "You okay?" he asked.
"Fuck no! That crazy bitch just punched me!"
"But are you injured?" Hawk asked in the same tone, calm, but with a hint of anger.
William touched his face, he was going to have a bruise from that, "No, doesn't seem so, just a bruise."
"Good," and then Hawk grabbed William by the throat and stood up, taking William with him. Hawk was shorter than William by a lot, but when he dragged William up he made his knees lift off the ground. William grabbed onto Hawk's arm and wrist so he didn't choke to death. "Now listen well," Hawk growled, "You do not get to talk about our Heron like that. Understand? She's been through hell and if any mortal here deserves our respect, it isn't you fuckers, its her. Without her you wouldn't even be here since none of us can fly one of these proeathan craft or even know half of the things we now do because of her forced involvement with the proeathans. So I want to make this very clear now," Hawk pulled William close so that their noses almost, "If you ever talk to her like that again I'll fucking kill you, you worthless sack of flesh."
William nodded, terrified, and Hawk let him go. Lucy was staring at Hawk, awestruck. No one had ever done that because of her or for her in her life, or in Lucy Prime's life. She was always expected to protect herself, stand up for herself, and take care of herself. She wasn't used to people doing it for her.
Hawk turned back to Lucy and Jake, "Lets go," he said and stepped into the simulator, which was in the room with them.
"See," Jake rubbed her arms a moment and then followed Hawk. Lucy stared at William, who was still on the ground and she realized he'd pissed himself. She at once was disgusted in him for being so spineless, and yet felt sorry for him since she knew just how terrifying the immortals could be.
William looked up at her, "What?" he snapped.
"To think people are jealous of you," Lucy said, "Just as much a failure as the rest of us, I'm sure Andrew will love that," and then she followed after Jake and Hawk. The sim door closed after her. "Hawk-
"Don't mention it," Hawk said.
"But-
"Heron," Hawk turned and looked at her, "Don't," was all he said.
Jake leaned over to her, "You got a bird name, He likes you now," he grinned and winked at her.
"Pluto, how the hell does this thing work?" Hawk demanded.
"Well if the others would sit where they're supposed to I would be happy to explain," Pluto said, his face appearing on all the screens in the sim. "I take it the human isn't welcome?"
"No," Hawk said.
"Good, I don't like them anyway. Now, we can get started if you'd take a seat," he said. Lucy went and sat in the pilot's chair. Instantly several holographic screens appeared around her in place of windows. "This is a ko class numia, it works similarly to the one you all piloted before."
"Its a freight plane," Lucy said.
"Yes, it is," Pluto said, "more or less."
"What do the proeathans use it for?"
"Moving food," Pluto said, "and equipment."
"And humans," Lucy said, "they used to fly over Juno heading for the sub Sahara or the Great Plains and the plantations there. Most of heir cargo were humans to work the fields."
"Yes," Pluto said stoically, "Ko class numia are used for that purpose as well. Its also the only numia in my hanger that can perform a transatlantic flight without an actual proeathan pilot. You're very good Lucy, but you're still only human, and even then to a numia just barely," Lucy's hands clenched on the arm rests.
"So what first?" Jake asked. Pluto smiled just a little bit and for once he didn't look like a self satisfied douche bag.
—
Lucy ached. Her entire body felt like it was made of gelatin. Flying the ko class numia was difficult, but yet also easier, than she was expecting. The strain wasn't any less than their old numia, but it was different. It taxed her will more than her concentration. But at least the simulations were over.
They'd crashed a lot.
"Well that could have literally been worse," Jake said as the two of them walked to the cafeteria for dinner.
"How?" she asked.
"You could have let me fly the numia," and he laughed.
"Heh, yeah that would have been worse," she agreed. "You're in a surprisingly good mood today. Like… all day."
"What? Can't a guy be in a good mood?"
"Yes," Lucy said slowly, "but usually you're annoyed with Hawk at some point during the day."
Jake shrugged, "I was annoyed with him while you were asleep. So what's for dinner?"
"No idea," she said as they arrived at the meal dispensers. "I want corn I think…"
"Corn? Ew, gross," Jake made a face.
"Hey, I like corn."
"It gets stuck in your teeth and gives you the runs," Jake continued to make a grossed out face.
"Shut up Jake," she said, "I'm from corn country, corn is good."
"Really? Where you from? Well, I mean-
"I know what you mean," she rolled her eyes. She was from Juno, but it sometimes didn't feel like that. She still had all of Lucy Prime's memories, her childhood and awkward teenage years where she was too smart for her own good. "I grew up in Iowa, in the middle of nowhere, on a farm, between acres of soy beans and corn," she said. "So, I like corn." She found something that looked good, that wouldn't require too much work on her poor, aching, body to eat it.
Jake picked out his own food and they waited for it to appear out of whatever it was that Pluto made their food out of. "You're from Iowa? Fuck what the hell was in Iowa that your parents did that to you?" Jake asked once they were sitting.
She looked at him, "How much do you know about the Assassins?"
"More than I care to," Jake said, "they're crazy. Also the entire thing sounds so horribly… cultish. No offense."
"Its okay," Lucy sighed, "They basically are a cult," she agreed. "From the moment you're born you're one of them, and you never get a choice if you want to be or not. You live and you die for the Order, and most people know nothing else. Abstergo might use the Animus to brainwash people, the Assassins don't even bother. They just start when you're young and spoon feed you propaganda until you're too afraid not to do as they do."
"That seems a little harsh," Jake frowned.
"You don't know," she said. "You're just a guy. I was born into it, just like Desmond was."
"So what was in Iowa?"
"A training facility, like one Desmond grew up in," Lucy shrugged. "We live off the grid, away from everyone. We had running water and electricity, but by our own means. I… Lucy was born there."
"You can say you," Jake said. "I mean, you're her. And the only one here with a me/him distinction should honestly be me," and he rapped his knuckles against his head. Lucy giggled a little.
"I lived there, with my family. I had a brother, and my parents. My father died when I was little on a mission. He just… left for 'work' one day, and never came home."
"And your mom? Your brother?" Jake asked.
"Abstergo found us. Back then, before the Purge, we'd fight back. The compound fought back. My mother died, and my brother lost both his legs."
Jake looked a bit pale, "Shit… I'm so sorry," he said.
"Its okay," but she was glad he cared enough to know. No one knew about her past really, or the past she remembered. "But that's why I was living in Iowa."
"Still… what a fucking shitty state."
Lucy laughed, "Yes! It was a shitty state," she grinned.
"There you two are," Ezio suddenly had his hands on Jake's shoulder and was leaning over him, "Do you know what's up with Altair?"
Jake looked up at Ezio, "Uh… what's he doing?"
"He's being nice. He didn't even yell at one of the Assassins today or threaten to kill Andrew."
"I don't see how this is a problem," Jake said.
"Its weird," Ezio said. "You sure you don't know anything?"
"Uh, no… just cause I got Malik in my head doesn't mean I can read that idiot's pea brain."
Ezio snorted, "Well, worth a shot, enjoy your dinner," he patted Jake's shoulder and left them. Jake looked after him and had the weirdest look on his face.
"You so know something," she said.
"Huh? What? No, nope, nothing," Jake said. She gave him a look. "What? I'm just an innocent bystander here. I don't know why Altair's being nice. Really though Ezio should be glad Altair's being nice, especially since he's been so fucking moody lately. Guy needs to get the stick out of his ass."
Lucy eyed him. Jake wasn't that good of a lier, and she knew he was lying. She leaned forward, "You take it out for him?"
"W-what?"
"Oh my god!" she suddenly cried, and now she got why Jake had seemed so… cheerful all day.
"What? What oh my god? What's going on?" Jake asked quickly, confused.
Lucy covered her open smile, "That's so cute," she said.
"What?" Jake asked desperately.
"You totally slept with him-
"What!?" and Jake turned red all the way down his throat.
"You so did oh my god!" Lucy cried and laughed. Jake put his head in his arms on the table with a whine. "Now I know where I've seen that stupid look you've had on all day. Desmond gets the exact same one-
"Oh my god Lucy, waaaaay too much information."
"Shut up. You know what look I mean anyway."
Jake peered up at her from his arm, "He told you?" he asked her pitifully.
"Well… yeah." And Desmond had done it out of his own free will, because he felt guilty, for some dumb reason, for having sex with Jacob. She'd been completely flabbergasted that Desmond felt that way and had assured him that there was nothing wrong with that.
"Oh god now I'm even more embarrassed," he groaned and plopped his head back into his arms.
"Everything all right over here?" Lucy could not help her smile when Altair showed up. Jake's head shot up and he looked up at Altair. "I heard yelling."
"Everything is fine," Jake said way too quickly.
Altair rose his brows at him, "Are you sure?"
"Yes Altair, I am very sure, now go away holy shit."
Altair looked at Jake, then at Lucy, looking very confused. Lucy had her hand pressed over her mouth so Altair couldn't see her giant, amused, smile. "Are you okay?" he asked Jake.
"Altair," Jake hissed and it sounded different like it sometimes did when 'Malik' did the talking. Jake said something in Arabic.
"Fine," Altair rolled his eyes and left.
"What are you smiling about?" Jake demanded once Altair was gone.
"Nothing," she said.
"I hate you," he hissed. She just snickered.
"So should I just assume Altair is the big spoon or-
"Shut up!" Jake cried. Lucy laughed. "Fuck," he put his arms over his head.
"I don't know why you're so upset about it," Lucy said.
"Because its Altair," Jake whined.
"Yeah? And? He's fucking hot, good job," Lucy said.
"Seriously?"
"Hell yeah," she grinned. "I mean at least some of us should be getting some action, despite the end of the world."
Jake stared at her, "You're like the coolest girl ever, fuck Altair and Desmond we're getting married," and Lucy laughed. "No but really I know Ezio and Hawk would have thought I was crazy for… you know, I mean its Altair. I'm glad someone appreciates my struggle."
"Well someone should," she said, "Those three don't remember what its like, you know that."
Jake groaned and sat back, "Oh trust me, I know. I spent five years with them, alone, hunting down Desmond. I know how fucking… not right they are," he sighed. "And honestly you probably saw Desmond more during that time I did," he huffed.
"… In a sense," she agreed.
"His clone for sure, I know you knew him." Lucy nodded. "Why's he hate Desmond so much?"
"Its… complicated."
"Would you tell me?"
"I'd really rather not," she held her elbows.
"Okay. So, wanna see me kick the shit out of some Assassins?"
"What?"
"Some guys were talking shit earlier about me cause I'm not a 'Master' and think I'm not cool enough to hang out with the others. So I said that once dinner was over I'd be happy to feed them their own feet," he grinned.
"Yes," Lucy said, "I'd love to watch you kick their asses. If I'm up for it I might even help."
"Excellent," he looked down at their plates, "We should probably eat though first."
Lucy snorted, "Yeah, probably."
—
Lucy didn't feel up for the fighting when they arrived at the armory and practice area. From the main foyer there were several, large, open, rooms that included a range, a flying simulator, and a large melee combat area. She followed Jake to the melee area.
"There he is," Lucy heard someone say and then louder, "Eh Nasir, finally showing your face," Lucy didn't recognize him. He was big though and looked Assassins born and bred.
"Sorry children, I was busy having dinner with a cute girl," he winked at Lucy. "No need to be jealous."
"You going to live up to your big talk?" they asked.
"Sure am, what's your name again buddy? So when I have to tell Andrew one of his men needs assistance getting his head out of his ass, I know who to tell."
The man bristled, "Jackson," he said through gritted teeth.
"Okay Jackson, give me a few minutes to warm up and we'll play," he winked at Jackson too and Jackson looked confused and a little weirded out.
"You're the worst," Lucy said as Jake went to find an empty place to do his stretches.
"What?" he asked.
"The worst," she said, "You just had to egg him on didn't you?"
"You honestly expected any different?" Jake asked. "I've had to live with three aggressive, alpha, dick heads, for three years. You don't make them back the fuck up until you show them what you're made of."
"Really?" she rose her brows at him as he took off his shoes.
"Well I never beat the others. But they're impressed that I'm sort of on par with them for only doing this fighting thing for about five years," he yanked off his shirt and flopped down onto the floor to stretch. "Helps I already know all the moves up here," he tapped his temple, "Was just a matter of regaining the muscle memory and relearning how to fight with two arms. Which lemmie tell you, sucked."
"Yeah?" she asked.
"Like all my basic fighting knowledge I can recall easily comes from Malik. Malik had one arm most of his life. Can't tell you the number of times I've dropped shit because of him," and then Jake said something in Arabic. "Stop that," he said.
"Stop what?"
"Sorry, not you," he waved her off as he finished his stretches. "You up for fun?" he asked her.
"I don't think so, I still hurt from that sim."
"Fair enough. The shit you have to go through… I'm glad I don't," Jake made a face and then started to do jumping jacks. He did ten then threw himself onto the ground and did ten push ups, then to Lucy's surprise did a summersault and did ten sit ups.
"So I take it the others got you into this?" she asked as Jake finished his sit ups and got up.
"Well we had a lot of down time. Might as well have done something," and Lucy watched with interest when Jake bent down to grab his ankles and held it before putting his hands on the ground and did a handstand.
"You're literally just showing off now," Lucy scoffed.
Jake laughed a little, "Oh this isn't even the worst of it. You should see Altair do a hand stand and then do thumb push-ups, makes you want to slap his smug ass face," and then he started to do pushups in a hand stand.
"For the record, you should be on fire right now from how hard Jackson is glaring at you."
"Good," Jake laughed and lost his balance, he fell but recovered and hopped back up, doing jumping jacks again. "He's jealous of my hot bod."
"Well I'm jealous of your hot bod too," Lucy said blithely and Jake snorted as he fell to do push ups.
Lucy watched him do his routine five times total, the last two he did normal pushups with one hand, changing hands each rotation. "All done, now where's that meat head?" Jake looked around. "Hey Jackson," he called, "Ready to eat your own ass?"
"Fuck you Nasir," Jackson called back.
Jake grinned and cracked his knuckles, "Ready to see what it looks like when one of us fights one of them?" he asked Lucy with a smirk.
"I await to be impressed," she said. Jackson and a few others came over to Jake. Lucy sat with a groan, her body happy she was resting it.
"Going to make me embarrass you in front of your girlfriend, Nasir?" Jackson sneered when they got close.
Jake looked at Lucy, "What do you think?" he asked her.
"I've seen scarier holograms," she said.
Jackson growled, "All right there Jackson, we'll have a go. Also what sort of name is Jackson? Did your parents have gay porn in mind for your future?"
Jackson threw the first punch and Lucy laughed when Jake dodged and kicked Jackson in the gut, scooting him back. It was literally over in five seconds. "That's it? Shit and I warmed up for this? How disappointing. I bet Lucy would give me a better fight and she currently is at half strength from learning how to-" Jackson tried to tackle him. Jake stepped right out of the way and shoved Jackson on the ass with his foot. Jackson took a header right into the floor with a cry.
"Well that's disappointing," Lucy said and leaned back, "I was honestly expecting a show."
"Fuck you," Jackson spat, getting to his feet. "Be serious."
"Oh? You were being serious there? Well then by all means," and Jake assumed a fighter's stance, getting low, fists up. "Show me what you got country boy," and Jake stuck his tongue out at Jackson.
Jackson came closer and then kicked. Jake blocked this time. Jackson threw a few punches, Jake blocked them all. Lucy grinned in amusement when jake took two pot shots on Jackson, jabbing at his chest and then his face. Jackson staggered backwards. "You hit my face?"
"Yeah? So?" Jake asked, "This isn't play time country boy. We're at war. The enemy is going to punch you in the face, and shoot you there too. So man the fuck up and try again, you might learn something."
That didn't please Jackson, he attacked harshly and Lucy winced when Jake blocked him and then tore apart his guard using his momentum to twist Jackson around and flip him onto his back. Jake stood above him, hands still up, "You going to show me something good yet?" Jake asked.
Jackson growled and flipped to his feet and attacked Jake. Jake just kept blocking and dodging Jackson. "What's that?" Jake suddenly asked, pointing up, and Jackson looked up. Lucy laughed when Jake punched him in the face again and then kicked him in the gut. While Jackson was doubled over a bit Jake just swept him right off his feet and Jake put his foot on his chest and pushed down hard enough to make Jackson grunt.
"So," Jake said, "Are there any other stupid questions or equally stupid statements about my ability against the Masters?" he asked. None of the guys, who Lucy assumed had also been with Jackson in dissing Jake, said anything. "Excellent. Lets not forget this important information then. My pretty face isn't the reason I'm higher up on the food chain than you. Its cause I'm better than you." He took his foot off Jackson's chest.
"How was that?" he asked Lucy and offered her a hand.
"Disappointing," Lucy said. "I'd really hoped Andrew had gotten some actual fighters to work with him. Guess not."
"Fuck you lady," Jackson spat.
Jake kicked him again, "Learn some respect, brat," he said. "This amazing girl right here in the only reason we're here in one piece." He turned back to Lucy, "I know melee isn't really your thing though. I have been itching for you to show me what you can do with one of those crazy proeathan guns," he said as he pulled on his shirt again.
"I think we can do that," Lucy grinned.
"Awesome. Later loser," Jake said to Jackson and Lucy grabbed Jake's wrist and pulled him away before he could, inevitably, start another fight.
"Don't you know how to not pick fights?" Lucy asked.
"Hell nah, I'm a kid from the Bronx," and for a moment he made his accent come through purposefully thick. "We don't know how to not pick fights," he grinned.
Lucy sighed, "Well I will say one thing then; you and Altair make one hell of a pair then-
"Lucy!" he cried petulantly. Lucy laughed at him. When they arrived at the gun range Pluto appeared.
"Hey Pluto," Jake said.
"Hello," but he wasn't looking at Jake, he was looking at Lucy. "What do you think you're doing?"
"I was going to shoot," she said.
"Mmm, no," he said, "After the strain of your simulation, I'm banning you from the range," and a wall of light appeared behind him, separating them from it.
"What? C'mon Pluto, its just guns."
"Yes, and the ones I know you favor could compromise your bodily integrity after the G-forces applied to you during the sim. No."
Lucy sighed, "Well at least let me show Jake. The others mainly taught him hand to hand and he's going to need to know how to shoot a proeathan weapon for when we take the plantation in Chad."
Pluto eyed her, "Fine, if I see you shooting one don't think I don't have the power to lock you in your room."
"Yeah yeah Pluto, now drop the light wall," she waved him off. Pluto scowled, but did so. "C'mon Jake, it's time you learned how to shoot," and she pulled him onto the range.
—
The numia was, somehow, larger than Lucy expected. It was about as big as a commercial jet, possibly bigger, but looked like a sleek bird of prey, while most jets looked like awkward geese. It had incredibly small wings for its size and like the last numia didn't seem to have any seems, but had rather the black material that made up its hull had been poured into place.
"Well, that's impressive," Ezio said.
"It certainly is," and Altair looked down at Lucy, "You can fly that?"
"I can," she said, and she hoped she didn't sound nervous.
"All right then, lets get everyone on board and get going," Altair said.
"Lets go get ready," Lucy said and she left Altair to organize the Assassins and she, Hawk, and Jake climbed up into the numia. The pilot set up was what they were used to, except for a strange sphere next to Lucy's chair.
"Uh… what's that?" Jake asked.
"Me," and Pluto appeared. "This base is being abandoned by us. As we speak I am sabotaging most of my systems and the life support systems that would make this place livable to proeathans. But this," he reached down and put his hand on the sphere, "is my core, well, a smaller version of it at least."
"So what's that mean?" Hawk asked.
"It means I am coming with you. Our old bases are in danger of being overrun. They know we have Desmond, and that Mercury is awake, and that somehow, we're coming for them. They're going to be trying to take us by force, especially after what happened at Mercury-
"What happened at Mercury?" Lucy asked, her heart jumping up into her throat.
"The air-force came," Pluto said, "And blew open the tower and took it over. We were long gone though. The only way they could use that tower now is to create another one of us."
"Can they do that?" Hawk asked.
Pluto grinned, "No. They need a high priestess to perform the sacrifice. They killed their last one when they sacrificed Hera."
"Shit," Jake said.
"And what about Desmond?" Lucy asked.
"He's fine," he said.
"Where is he then?"
"Busy. You worry about you have to do, as he is worrying about what he has to do," Pluto said. "Now, I believe you were going to run start up procedure," he motioned to them and they took their seats. Pluto shrank and stood on the arm of Lucy's chair. "You can't fly across the Atlantic," he said and Lucy knew only she could hear Pluto. "Not that you won't try, but your body won't be able to handle the stress… not alone."
"What?" she asked, looking at him, and hating that he was right.
"You won't be able to take the mental strain," he said. Next to her a pair of wings appeared on the headrest. "So I'm going to help you," he said.
"How?"
"Everything cool up there Lucy?" Jake called.
"Yeah, fine," she called back. "How does that work?"
"Let me worry about that," Pluto said and she gasped when he pricked her in the back of the neck. "Pluto," she hissed.
"Relax," Pluto said gently. "It won't hurt." Lucy frowned, "Now run your start up procedure so we can get out of here." Lucy nodded and went about flicking through the screens checking the engines, the navigation, their weight and overall capacity.
"Why are we taking such a huge numia?" she asked, "And why is it so heavy?" the weight didn't make sense.
"I'm bringing important things we'll need," Pluto said. "With just you I had resigned myself to destroying most of it. But since you have so many, I picked a larger numia. Demeter has no real defenses herself other than her cloaking ability. I'm having you take her some."
"So… munitions?"
"What I have available yes, its nothing compared to what Venus or Artemis or Mars contains. But it will suffice."
"We're all good back here Lucy," Jake called.
"Right, almost done," she looked down at the little Pluto. "You do it, finish my preflight."
Pluto scowled at her, "And done," he said.
"Good. One of go check on everyone in the back." She heard one of them get up, but didn't turn to see who it was.
"Everyone's on board," Hawk announced and sat.
"This thing have a comm?" Lucy asked.
"Here," Pluto pulled up a screen with a red button on it. Lucy 'tapped' it and it turned green. "Hello everyone, once again this is your pilot speaking. We're about to take off, so please stay seated. We might have a bit of turbulence as we leave the hanger as there is currently an ice storm going on outside, but it should be fairly smooth flying. Estimated arrival time to Lake Chad is six pm local time. Everyone get some rest since I have a feeling you'll be moving everything in this numia out of it when we arrive. If you have any complaints you can bring them to Altair," meaning there would be none. "Here we go," and then she turned off the comm. "Ready boys?" she asked.
"Yes ma'am," Hawk called and she could feel the numia come to life under her, her hands on the yoke which was a half sphere shape that rested more or less in her lap, the control column connecting it to the floor and the electronics around her. She pressed a button on the sphere and the numia lifted right up off the ground.
"We good to go, Pluto?" she asked.
"I'm opening the bay doors now," and she pressed several more fingers to the yoke and the numia moved forward slowly at first. More power was delivered to the engines and they started to accelerate down the long hanger that led up to the surface. Lucy tilted the numia back as their accent started to pull upwards and very quickly they were rising at a nearly ninety-degree angle. She hoped everyone was in their seats and buckled in.
Then they burst through a huge hole in the earth and up into the ice storm. She kept them on the assent even as the numia shook and rattled as wind and snow and ice battered against the sides. She felt the strain all through her arms and down the line of her spine. "Hawk," she called.
"I got it," and a path was shown to her on her left screen. She abruptly 'changed lanes' riding another line of electromagnetism up and into the clouds. The turbulence was rough up here and Lucy nearly took her hands off the yoke.
All at once they were above the clouds and the numia ceased its shaking. Lucy leveled them out, the huge, open, sky above the clouds laid out before them. It was still light now, and the sun made the storm below look bright and cheerful. "So, which was?" Lucy asked Jake.
"Hold on, its beautiful," he said.
"Jake," she snapped, "You want to come do this? Because I would love it if you did. Till you're in the captain's chair, you give me what I need when I say. Now where are we going?"
"Right, right, sorry," Jake scrambled and a flight path appeared on her screens.
"Its going to be a long night," she said.
"Yeap, but we'll keep you awake," Hawk said.
"Could you have made that perhaps a bit less creepy perhaps?" Jake asked. Lucy laughed a little.
"I'm sure your terrible jokes will do just fine in keeping me awake," and she gently guided the big numia into an elegant bank along a one of the invisible earth lines. Then she shifted her hands on the yoke and they rapidly gained a whole lot of speed, leaving a wake of clouds behind them as she flew them towards the Atlantic and their final destination in Africa.