Chapter 6 – Grievance
"You will forgive me, Mr. Alderman," said Healer Long Rivers as he watched the other Humans on the floor gather for lunch. He had chosen not eat any of the food he had helped prepare, instead choosing to watch the others enjoy his efforts. "I know little of your people's history or your efforts of governing yourselves. I didn't mean to insult you or dismiss your recommendations."
"It's alright," replied Scott with a shrug. "I guess I was playing devil's advocate on handling laws." With a self-conscious smile he continued, "I'm hardly an expert."
"I am a Healer, I scarcely count as an expert either," replied Long Rivers.
Scott shook his head and said with gentle disagreement, "You're a part of your Souls' Quorum. That's your peoples' government. It should count for something."
"I fear our peoples' form of governance isn't up to the task of building a lasting co-existence with humanity," said the Healer with a sad expression on his face.
"There is a saying - If men were angels, no government would be necessary," stated Scott as he finished with his sandwich.
"Who said this?" asked Wanda after she carefully wiped her mouth with her napkin. She had been listening carefully to Scott's and Long River's exchange.
Next her, Ian leaned back in his chair and considered for a moment. "Thomas Jefferson?"
"Close," replied Scott, "It was James Madison."
"I'm not sure I know these men. Who are they?" asked Wanda.
She had asked Scott but before the young man could reply Dry Sands on the Plain spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. "They were both influential leaders at the beginning of the nation state that would come to occupy this region of the continent."
"Fathers of our country," added Ian with a smile.
"My apologies," said Wanda looking a somewhat chagrin. "Neither Melanie or Pet had much interest in human history so I don't have many memories to draw on. Before I came to this world, I had only a basic overview of your peoples' history."
"I guess our history was a bit violent for you guys," mussed Scott.
Wanda managed to give Scott a weak smile but nodded her head yes. Across the table, Long River gave the same small gesture in agreement. Only Dry Sands on the Plain did not. Around the table eyes turned to the young woman, curious about her apparent knowledge of humanity's past. The attention of everyone made the Soul shrink down in her chair.
"It's alright Dry Sands," said Wanda with an encouraging smile.
The Soul woman looked meekly around at the gathered Humans and forced herself to straighten in her chair. "I've read some of your history books. Not in great detail, but I was interested in certain events in your past."
"Like what?" asked Scott, genuinely curious what the alien Soul Dry Sands on the Plain would find interesting in human history books.
"I…I… was reading several works by different human writers. I didn't understand the context in some of the stories and went to investigate the historical periods," explained Dry Sands. She was beginning to turn very red in the face.
Seemingly unfazed by Dry Sand's discomfort Scott continued to press for details. "Which books?"
Now dropping her head, Dry Sands spoke almost imperceptibly. "Uhh…Gone with the Wind, Wuthering Heights. Umm…Several by Jane Austen." Her voice trailed off to be completely inaudible.
A puzzled expression came over Scott's face. The young man tried to make sense of the books the Soul had listed and her obvious discomfort at his questions. Still confused he turned towards Ian and Wanda with the hopes of understanding what he was missing. Although Wanda's face clearly showed she didn't understand her fellow Soul's unease, Ian's radiated sudden comprehension.
With wonder in his voice, Ian said, "Those are all romance novels, pretty famous ones, in fact." Ian paused as he considered the alien's reasons for reading such books. "You're studying human romance?"
"Really?" asked Wanda now interested as well. Dry Sands look up at Wanda, her face still cast in an embarrassed anxiety. At seeing how distressed Dry Sands was becoming Wanda immediately grew compassionate for her fellow Soul. "Please don't be upset Dry Sands," said Wanda kindly. "No one here is trying to humiliate you. They're just curious." Dry Sands look about the room, her eyes still filled with doubt. Wanda added helpfully, "We can talk later about it in private." This seemed to help relax the skinny brunet and she nodded meekly.
Wanda was still looking thoughtful, and after a moment of consideration she asked, "Perhaps I could borrow some of these books?"
Ian frowned at Wanda. "Why do you want to read those books?"
"You keep saying I should learn more about human history, that it will help me understand Humanity better," replied Wanda matter-of-factually.
Ian snorted. "Not going to learn much about anything from reading Jane Austen."
As more people drifted into the kitchen area to pick up food some stayed to listen to the discussion while others continued out into the hallway beyond. Scott and Ian began to discuss high school, swapping various stories about English teachers and some of the terribly boring book they had to read. Wanda enjoyed watching little Alexis barrel into the room, in search of food while Kate tried energetically to keep the girl in check.
Long Rivers watched all this in a quiet, reserved manner. This group of Humans wasn't much like his people, he reflected. If his people were here now, they would all be softly speaking, in neat, orderly lines as they went about getting food. Not the hectic disorder as Humans vied for food while the young Alexis tried to stuff an entire sandwich into mouth at once. And yet as Long Rivers watched he saw there was a genuine harmony among these people. As chaotic as the meal was, no one would go hungry and there would be little waste. Smiling to himself, Long Rivers decided as difficult as it was in finding a co-existence with Humans, it was worth the effort.
His eyes drifted to the doorway and then Long Rivers froze. Standing in the doorway was Annie Jansky with husband Simon. Upon seeing Healer Long Rivers in the room, Annie's body went stiff and her eyes widened in near panic. At seeing his wife's sudden and growing fear Simon quickly scanned the dining place for the source. His eyes settled on Long Rivers and they tightened ever so slightly in anger. Long Rivers felt a nervous strain rise in his body.
Others in the room started to see the silent exchange between the two Humans and Soul. Conversations quickly died away as Annie continued to stand ramrod stiff, her eyes full of fright. Simon's gaze began to turn from a weary stare to an outright scowl. Long Rivers began to sweat fearfully.
At last Simon broke the silence. "Com'on hon," said Simon as he took Annie's hand, "we'll come back later." He took her hand gently but had to pull on her to get the young woman to move.
There was a long silence after the two left down the hotels outside passageway. The Healer let out a long shaky sigh, his eyes still cast towards the doorway. It was Wanda who first spoke, her voice soft and gentle as she observed to Long Rivers. "You have not talked with Annie yet?"
His voice was oddly strangled as he replied to the question, "I had not wanted to force the issue. I had hoped Annie would seek me out."
"I see," said Wanda with a slight frown. She hesitated but then added reluctantly, "Perhaps you should go after her."
Healer Long Rivers gulped but then nodded at Wanda's informal request. As he stood, Wanda touched the bearded Healer on his arm. "I will go with you, perhaps I can ease any tension," she added helpfully.
"No, thank you, Wanderer," answered Long Rivers after a moment of consideration. "I have put this off for too long."
Several of the Humans blocked his way and Long Rivers could see they glanced over at Scott, looking to see if the man agreed to let him pursue the couple. Scott looked conflicted but then finally gave a small nod in agreement. The people quickly moved out of Long Rivers' path and with quick strides he was out the door.
Both Simon and Annie were not far down the hallway. Annie was leaning against the old stucco wall of the passageway while Simon was trying to calm her. Long Rivers did his best to slowly and calmly approach the couple. But Annie once again saw him and let out a nervous squeak and she hurriedly looked away. Simon was quick to turn around, his eyes narrowing and his expression growing hard at seeing the Healer.
"What do you want!?" growled Simon.
Long Rivers worked hard to keep his body from shaking. He succeeded with his body but not his voice. "P…P..Please may I speak with you…Annie?"
Simon reply was biting cold. "You want to have your little meetings here where you discuss how to share the world you stole from us, fine." The doctor jabbed an accusing finger towards the Soul and continued, "But I told Marc to leave us out of it. To leave my wife in peace."
"I just want to…have an opportunity to speak…" began Long Rivers.
"To what?" snapped Simon, angrily cutting off the Healer. Long Rivers began to retreat, his feet clumsily backpedaling. Frightened by the increasingly angry Simon.
"Simon," whispered Annie, "stop it. I'll talk to Long Rivers."
Simon whirled back around to Annie, his anger momentarily derailed. "You don't have to," he argued. There was a great deal of anguish in his voice.
Annie's eyes now turned from the floor up to the Soul. Her eyes held no anger or fear, just a quiet resignation. She looked back to Simon and squeezed his hand. "It's okay," she began as she turned back to Long Rivers. Taking a deep breath and letting it out she added, "I need to do this."
There was a long stare between Simon and his wife, which he had only gotten back a scarce three months ago. For the better part of four years, Annie had been the host for the Soul Crystal Spires. Only by trading the cure for the plague with the Souls had Simon gotten her back. He looked back down the hallway, everyone else had cleared out. Giving the three of them space to talk in private. Finally, he said, "Alright, go ahead then."
"Just the two of us," said Annie, again in a near whisper as her eyes never left Long Rivers. The Healer shifted uncomfortably under the slim woman's steady gaze. When Simon began to argue, she said simply, "He's a Healer, he can't hurt me."
"I very much disagree with that statement," replied Simon tightly. But Annie just shook her head and in the end Simon relented. Keeping his eyes on both his wife and Long Rivers he drifted down the corridor. "Annie, I'll be nearby, when you…need me."
And then Annie Jansky and Healer Long Rivers were entirely alone. For long seconds they both stared at each other. Letting out another tumultuous sigh, Annie shrugged. "Well, you wanted to talk Riv, what did you want to say?"
At hearing Crystal Spires's old nickname for him, Long Rivers felt his mouth form a smile. He quickly pushed the expression off his face. This wasn't the time for a jovial attitude. At one time Long Rivers had rehearsed what to say to Annie, making sense of his feelings. But now standing here before her, every single word was forgotten. He cleared his throat awkwardly and managed out a few words. "Annie, I wanted to say…I wanted to apologize for what I did to you."
Annie was silent for a few moments and then shook her head. "No," she replied in a weak and trembling voice, "don't just rush over it by saying 'what I did to you.'" Her voice grew firmer, "Say all of it. Out loud."
For the second time, Long Rivers felt his body quiver. Now he took his own steadying breath. He began again, "Annie Jansky, I am sorry I was the one who inserted the Soul Crystal Spires into you. That I'm responsible for your capture and the years you lost."
"Okay," said Annie faintly after another silent pause, "that's better." She closed her eyes and her face took on an expression of concentration. It was for a few seconds when they popped back open. She pushed herself away from the wall and approached Long Rivers.
Annie tapped her head with her hand and said, "You know what's messed up? I've got all these memories of you and her." She stopped in front of Long Rivers. Annie was shorter than him, the top of her head only coming to his chest. But as she stood there glaring up at him, Annie now seemed to tower over the Healer. He retreated from the Human. "So when I look at you I can't help but think – there's my friend Riv."
"I would be glad to be your friend," replied Long Rivers earnestly.
His pronouncement produced a deep scowl from Annie. "I'm not Crystal Spires, got it? I'm not your friend. She's gone."
"I'm sorry," said Long Rivers automatically.
"I know," said Annie with agitated groan. "Everyone is sorry. Wanda's sorry, Dry Sands' sorry, you're sorry. Hell we've even got two Seekers who feel awful about the whole genocide. How many Humans are even left on the planet? And we still have to hide, desperately hoping we aren't found and completely erased."
"Please, Annie," begged Long Rivers, "I'm trying. I really am trying to make it better. I'm doing all in my power to save what remains of your people."
The scowl on Annie's face faded to be replaced by one of curious confusion. "That's what I don't get. Why are you helping us? You were never some great champion for rights of a host race. How many thousands of insertions did you oversee? Did you do yourself? As much as Humans despise the Seekers, the Healers were right there beside them." Annie's eyes closed and she shuddered as she continued, "Inserting your kind into children…disposing of those who weren't suitable…"
"I never did that!" exclaimed Long Rivers. Annie's eyes opened to see the Healer shaking his head fervently. "I never agreed with disposing of anyone. I don't support that philosophy."
"You inserted kids," retorted Annie and then her voice cracked, "…and babies." Tears pooled in her eyes and threatened to tumble down her face.
"I did," whispered Long Rivers. All of a sudden he felt very weak and weary, his body sagged against the wall. "I did the operations and never gave it a second thought. I was sure I was doing the right thing."
"Then why the change of heart?" asked Annie and she wiped away her tears.
"You aren't like the other races. You keep fighting…No matter what you keep fighting. Even against impossible odds your kind keep trying to push forward." Annie's brow came together in confusion, not understanding what the Healer was attempting to say. Long Rivers looked up to the cracked plaster ceiling of the hotel as he tried to find the right words.
"When I first met Marc, Scott, and Kate I made the mistake of bringing along a young Soul couple and their newborn child. They had wanted to see the Humans who had saved them and their child. I only saw this as a moment of joy, parents with their newly inserted baby. I was foolish, your people only saw it as destruction of the infant." Long Rivers paused and saw Annie nod her head in agreement.
"Marc was furious and I feared his wrath. I assumed the worse of him, that he'd strike me down, beat me in his rage." Long Rivers looked down to the ground, his expression hard to read. He continued, his voice growing softer, "But he didn't. He was still so angry, but he pushed his rage aside and continued to try to find a way forward."
Both they drifted off into silence, lost in their own thoughts. Breaking the stillness, Annie said absently, "Finding a way forward."
"I am trying," replied Long Rivers in a weary but determined tone.
The ghost of a smile formed on Annie's lips. "I guess…I can understand that…even appreciate your help."
Long Rivers felt a trace of a smile on his lips. His body felt like he had just run a mile. With an effort, he pushed away from the wall. "Thank you, Annie."
There wasn't much else for the two being to say to each other. Long Rivers realized the two of them would never be friends, but they could at least be civil towards each other. A minor miracle in its own right given their past history. But before Annie left she had one last thing to say.
"Long Rivers," began Annie, "don't take what I'm going to say as me being vindictive or being said out of spite. Think of it as an observation from one species to another."
Perplexed the Healer asked, "What do you mean?"
Annie folded her arms around her and she looked very small and tired. In sad and resigned voice, she said, "What your kind does, all the races you've taken under this assumption you Souls know what's best for everyone. It's not going to work forever. On some other planet, somewhere, you're going to try this," and she stuck out her arm and made a sweeping gesture to indicate the entirety of the Souls' invasion and occupation of Earth. "And it's going to fail."
Long Rivers contemplated Annie's warning. "Perhaps you are right. But we are very careful when we move to a new world. We would not easily fall into a trap."
"Doesn't matter," said Annie with a shake of her head. "Call it the law of averages or just some type of cosmic karma. You'll invade and it will go bad. The race, whoever they are, will hit back and I know your kind. You're not fighters, you're not up to a real protracted fight."
Now Annie's eyes were distant, perhaps in sadness or maybe even a little bit of fear as she finally finished. "And it will end in blood and death."
####
The midmorning sun shined down brightly on the Healing Center in Banning, California. The squat two-story San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital was neat and tidy, its glass and sandstone were utterly spotless. The word EMERGENCY written in big red letters on stone facade leading to the facilities entrance. Just outside these doors the Seeker patrol vehicle smoothly came to a stop.
Switching the ignition off on their patrol car, Seeker Rush ran a hand through his short bristly hair. Glancing over at his partner, he saw Seeker Madison was reviewing information off her small personal computer.
"Well," he said as he worked on his seatbelt, "that was a bit of a drive. But we're finally here."
"I don't mind," replied Madison, not looking up from her reports on her computer. "It's nice to get out of the city once in a while."
Reaching for the mic to the patrol car's radio Rush paused. With a mild shake of his head, he said, "I'm surprised you noticed, you've had your eyes on your computer the entire drive out here."
Turning back to the radio Rush began speaking into the mic in his always present calm voice, "Dispatch, this is Seeker Rush and Madison in Patrol Unit 6. We've reached the Healing Facility in Banning." He made a quick scan of the nearly empty parking lot. "No sign of any activity. Has there been any further communication from the staff?"
There was a moment of static on the radio and then the voice of Seeker Wind Rider came over the speaker. "No. There was only the initial message of a problem, we've heard nothing since then."
Madison and Rush exchanged a glance. It was troubling the lack of communication, but not necessary worrisome. Rush again spoke into the mic, "Understood Dispatch, we'll investigate and maintain contact."
"Excellent. Hopefully this is just a miscommunication," came Wind Rider's mild response.
"I hope so," returned Rush as he sat the mic back into the holster. He worked to release his seat belt as Madison continued to review her computer's screen. He cleared his throat gently to get Madison's attention.
Madison blushed slightly, "Sorry," she said apologetically. "I'm just trying to keep up with the reports coming out of other cities," explained Madison as she worked to unbuckle herself and open her door with just one hand. She continued to scan over information on the small screen with the other. "Some of it is…disturbing."
"I know," said Rush with a nod of his head. There had been far too much troubling news in recent weeks. In effort to lighten the mood he added softly, "But so far none of it has touched the Los Angeles area."
"True," came Madison's response as she put her computer away. "But we must remain vigilant." Both Seekers nodded and pulled out their side arms. This was not something Seekers generally did unless there was confirmed threat. But with the ever-growing list of threats to the Seekers found in other parts of the country, neither Seeker was taking a chance.
Entering the building through the doorway beyond the red-lettered sign the Seekers found themselves in Emergency room lobby. There was no one in sight. A neat row of chairs sat in the waiting room, all of them empty, seemingly waiting to be used. The front desk sat unoccupied and vacant, only an office phone and a computer monitor on it. An oppressive silence filled the area.
"Hello?" called Seeker Madison. No response.
Walking over to the front desk, Seeker Rush examined the office phone. He tentatively picked the receiver up and held it to his ear. He listened for a second and then put it back down firmly. Shaking his head at Madison's inquisitive expression, he said, "No dial tone."
At the end of the room stood a double swing doorway which lead deeper into the hospital. Seeker Madison peered through the glass window in the door. The hallway beyond was lit up brightly by overhead lights, but there no one there. Again both Seekers exchanged trouble expressions, something was clearly wrong. Even if there was no one in need of a healer the front desk would always have been staffed.
"Alight," said Seeker Rush as he examined a small laminated map on one wall by the reception desk, "let's see if anyone is at the nursing station down the hallway." He took one more look around the empty lobby, it was so quiet. "If we don't find anyone we'll call in some backup."
Moving through the doors the entered the emergency wing of the Healing Center. On both sides of the hallway there were small rooms, each with an examination table. All of them empty. Seeker Rush again called out, announcing their arrival and asking if anyone needed help. Silence was his only answer. He looked over to Seeker Madison, she had a hand on her stomach and an unpleasant expression on her face.
"Madison?" asked Rush with worry in his voice. "What's wrong?"
Madison stopped and let out a pent-up sigh. "Does your host body ever…react to a situation when you don't have enough information to judge it dangerous or not? But somehow it has sensed there is a danger?"
Rush's confused expression was the Seeker's only reply. Madison's face grew pensive and she added, "I think it's called intuition."
"I see," replied Rush as he glanced around the empty corridor. Still finding no one he turned back to Madison. "What does your body's intuition tell you?"
"That something is wrong here and we should call for reinforcements now," replied Madison.
"Agreed," said Rush with a firm nod of his head. He wasn't sure about his fellow Seeker's 'intuition' but there was certainly something amiss. Touching the small radio control clipped to his shoulder, he activated his communication with Seekers headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. Wind Rider or one of the other Seekers at the Dispatch Center should have answered, but soft static was the only response.
Madison tried hers as well, with the same results. Seeker Rush was beginning to feel an apprehensive stress build in his stomach. Rush's host body might not be able to sense 'intuition' but it most certainly knew fear and trepidation. He was about to tell Madison they needed to leave right away when a loud call came from the end of the hallway.
"Hello!" came the cheerful voice. Both Seekers spun around in alarm, Rush didn't raise his weapon, but his grip deftly tighten on the gun. Madison, on the other hand, brought her pistol up, her body going into an automatic defensive stance at the figure before them. A tall, well-built man with close-cropped hair stood near the doorway they had just come through. He had a full smile on his face as he stood watching the two Seekers. His happy expression didn't waver at all when he saw both Seekers welded guns.
"Oh my," said the man as he continued smiling at the two. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
Seeker Rush took a breath and took a second to calm his body, but he didn't relax his grip on his weapon. "Who are you?" he asked in a commanding voice.
The man cocked his head with an odd expression on his face. "Well, my name is Pale Light Gleaming. What's yours?"
"Pale Light Gleaming," said Seeker Madison slowly. "I am Seeker Madison and this is Seeker Rush. What is going on here? There was a report of a disturbance early this morning and then this facility went silent."
"Ah, I understand now," replied Pale Light Gleaming with a return of his broad smile. "I was a little concerned when I saw you had weapons." He clapped his hands together and approached the two. As he walked, Rush could see Pale Light Gleaming's bright blue eyes and their silvery reflection in the hallway's lights. Rush felt himself relax and nearby Madison lowered her weapon.
"You see," explained Pale Light Gleaming as he stopped in front of the Seekers, "one of the Healer's medical devices has been malfunctioning. It's producing a lot of EM radiation. I'm afraid I don't understand the machine very well. All the Healers are working to get it fixed."
"Is it dangerous?" asked Madison with a return of concern in her voice.
"Oh, no, not to us. Not us Humans," replied the man with his happy-go-lucky smile as he walked past the two Seekers and down the passageway. He stopped and looked back. "I mean it's not harmful to our Human hosts." Rush and Madison exchanged slightly confused looks and then followed after the odd Soul.
Catching up with the man both Seekers listened as he continued to speak. "But it does play havoc with our phones and computers. Made it very difficult today for the Healers. Must be why your radios didn't work either."
"Are you a Healer?" asked Rush as he eyed Pale Light Gleaming. He wasn't wearing the typical Healer's scrubs, instead a simple black shirt with dark gray pants. It made Pale Light Gleaming almost look like a Seeker. "We were told there should be a Healer Many Leaves working here today."
"That's who I'm taking you to see," explained Pale Light Gleaming, not answering Rush's original question. He looked back at the two Seekers, his sunny smile dropping to a faint frown. "I'm so sorry that you had to come all this way. This has been such a terrible misunderstanding and I'm sure the Healer will be able to explain it all to your satisfaction." He looked down at noted the Seekers still had their weapons out. Giving them an apologetic smile, Pale Light Gleaming said softly, "Would mind putting your guns away? It will bother the Healers if they see you with them."
Madison still looked wary, but Rush put his gun back into its holster. While this Pale Light Gleaming might be a little eccentric, he had been nothing but friendly since they had met him. Seeker Rush felt tension begin to ebb from his body. Seeing her partner's trust, Madison shrugged and also returned her weapon to her holster. Pale Light Gleaming's smile was practically radiant.
"Right this way," he said gesturing to the right handed passageway that branched off from the main. They all walked down this hallway in a peaceful silence. Their walk was short as they quickly came to a small vestibule with several tables and chair. Two men waited for them, one sitting in a chair who wore the scrubs of Healer. His face was darkly tanned and his hair short and thinning. The other stood wearing a white coat with his arms crossed. In his sitting position, the tan man looked up immediately when the three newcomers came walking into the waiting area, but the other paid them no attention. It was difficult to read the standing man's expression as he wore a pair of reflective sunglasses on his narrow face.
"Healer Many Leaves?" asked Rush as he stopped before the man.
The apparent Healer looked between the two Seekers and licked his lips. There was a sheen of perspiration on his face. He looked…frightened. Seeker Rush frowned as he looked at man sitting there anxiously. "Is something wrong?"
Now the man standing spoke. He still paid the Seekers little attention, his focus on the man who sat silently and sweating nervously before the Seekers. "Its alright Bob," he said in a calm and reassuring voice, "nobody expects you to get it right the first time."
"What are you…" began Seeker Madison when the one in the white coat suddenly moved. He lunged towards Madison, his arm twisting out from his body. There was something in his hand, a small gray cylinder. Before either Seeker could react, a puff of black smoke came from the canister. Directed right at Madison's face.
Rush gasped in alarm as the cloud enveloped Madison's head. She coughed roughly twice and then her eyes rolled back. Her body hit the floor with a soft thud. There was a very short moment when no else moved, a pause in silence. Then there was an explosion of motion. Rush went for his weapon when Pale Light Gleaming hit him from behind. Pain shot up his lower back where he had been hit and Rush staggered from the blow. He twisted to face his attacker, his body automatically going to a protective stance, ready to defend himself.
But 'Pale Light Gleaming' moved expertly. He kicked out with his left foot and caught Rush in the knee. It forced the Seeker off his balance and his attacker pressed in and hit him hard in the stomach. The strike winded Rush and he fell back. Then the man in the white coat gripped him roughly, pulling his arm and forcing him down to the floor. Fear spiked through Seeker Rush as he saw the small cylinder in the man's hand sprayed out a black mist toward his face.
Rush readied himself to end his existence. He would not be taken as a hostage. The shadowy cloud smelled like sulfur as it enter his nose. His tiny true self, the silver being controlling the human body prepared to sever his host body's brain with its many whip-like tentacles. Then the dark gas leached into his body. The Soul felt an odd coldness take hold. Everything, every thought, every movement became…frozen. His attempt to end his life and his host's became the Soul's last thought as the darkness took him.
"You see," said the man in the white coat to Doctor Bob Richards, who up until this morning had been gone by the name of Healer Many Leaves. "How fast the CURE works," as he gestured to the two unconscious Seekers. Their bodies were still, but their eyelids flickered as their eyes underneath moved in rapid fashion. A side effect of their bodies' central nervous system being rewired and rewritten.
"Yes, I see," replied Doctor Richards with a shaky breath. His eyes never leaving the man and woman on the floor. Finally forcing himself to look away, Richards gazed back to the man in the white coat. He had given no name other than Director Smith. "Well then," said the Doctor as he rose up from his chair, "shall we start with the rest?"
"Right away," answered Smith.
Above the two fallen Seekers, Agent Craig Williams crouched down balanced on the balls of his feet. His broad smile was back on his face. Looking over the latest recruits, he said happily, "I can't wait for you to be part of the team."
AN: The part of the story between Annie and Long Rivers was originally going to be part of my second story, but I cut it because I couldn't find a good way to put it in. Hopefully this gives some depth to Long River and why hes motivated to help the humans.
The Facility is starting to make their move. We now see Paz's new cure at work. We'll soon see just what it can do. Of course Williams is back. I've worked out a pretty good story line for him. And if you thought Adams was a monster, wait till you see what Williams does.
As always read and review, I love the feed back.
-Walker.