Ω Chapter VI - In the cards Ω
Sick Puppies - Survive
Sender= Unknown Address
Receiver= GlassSarge358
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Master Control
AC3P0VCD93-GFYC52401OB1-TQV1326RD2
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Received 1/26/2181 19:58
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...
Charles reread the message again for the fifth time in the past minute. It might be short, but it held the key to everything. Though the one thing that is still bothering him. Who sent it and how did he know that he needed this code.
"The only one that I talked to this about is Sharon." He mumbles as he closes the screen down." and I know she would never speak to anyone about this."
Shaking his head clear that the thought that she would do that. He leans back in his chair. 'I can't believe it has come to this.' he thought. When he signed up with Cerberus he thought it was to help humanity. He's been questioning their reasoning for a while, but since Eric was brought on the station thing have gotten worse.
"Is it really in mankind's best interest at heart or is it to make us kings." he says quietly.
"It is the latter Charles." a soft voice says behind him. Causing him to turn his chair around to see Sharon standing behind him. Smiling he stands up quickly he walks over to her and wraps her in his warm embrace.
She pull away slightly to look into his dark brown eyes. Before reaching up and taking his face in her hands to lead him down to her level. She pauses for a second before closing the gap and letting her lips touch his.
Charles pulls her closer when he feels her lips touch his. Inhaling her sweet scent he kisses her deeply before reluctantly the embrace.
"Are we really going to do this?" she asks looking up at him as he stands up straight.
"Yes we are. We have to, what is going on here is no longer about mankind Sharon. We both joined to help make a difference, but now? Anyways i have the code now so there is nothing holding us back." he says as he takes a step back.
"What... How did you get that?" she says complete surprised at what he just said.
"Don't ask... are you ready with your part?" he asks
"Yes Charles, my friend said that she will pass on the coordinates on to the brass in the alliance." She replied knowing not to push her unanswered question. There are so many things that can go wrong. So better not question a good thing.
"Good I just hope that they get here quickly." he says as he picked up his M-6 Carnifex and places it at his hip.
"Just let me know when everything is ready Charles and please be careful I don't know do if i lost you." she says stepping behind him and wrapping her arms around him.
Placing his hand over hers. Before taking a deep breath and pulling away. He pauses when he reaches the door and turns around to look at the one thing that he could not live without.
"I will Sharon." With that he opens the door and walks out into the hallway to start his day.
"So are you still sore Eric?" Sharon asks as she slow runs her arm over me with her Omni-tool.
"No not really. I think my abs are still a little, but I don't really notice it anymore." I reply as I sit on the bed in recovery room S-2. My new room is nothing different from the other rooms, other than a large window looking down at me from an upper floor, and a way softer bed this time. Still it is just a cell.
"OK good. You might be fine, but the part that I worry about is your heart."
"Yea that might be bad, but I still feel fine." I dryly comment as I look over my shoulder at her.
"I'm going the judge of that. I'm going to have you do an endurance test." She counters with a stern look.
I throw my hand up in defeat. "OK fine doc you win."
"Good now hold still I need to draw some blood" she says as she takes hold of my arm.
"Again? Didn't you already do that?" I ask.
"It is just to make sure the gene augmentation is holding properly." she replies as she pushes the needle in my arm.
I flinch for a second as I feel prick as the needle enters my arm. That is what happens when you're a guinea pig for an evil scientist. There is no point in giving Sharon a hard. She is one of the few here that treats me like a human. Speaking of being nice.
"Sharon." I say quietly, causing her to jump a little before composing herself.
"Yes?" she answers as she presses another vile on to the needle.
"How is Sarge. I mean Charles doing? I don't get to see him anymore." I say as sorrow fills my heart. Not having my family and few friends has me latching on the few people who are nice to me. It is worse with him being the first one too. I felt her hand stop moving, so i turn to look at her. I could not help but smirk a little at the look of disbelief on her face.
"Uh...I mean. He's doing fine. They had him transferred to the nonhuman wing. He does sneak down to here now and then to see how you are holding up. Even with me telling him. He still needs to see it first-hand."
"It's nice to see that someone out there care a little." I comment as my voice drops to a whisper.
"It's going to be ok Eric.
"Somehow I doubt it." I reply as I feel her pull the needle out of my arm and press down with something soft.
"Hold this." I hear her say. Turning I see that she placed gauze on my arm. Nodding I place my hand over hers. Not pressing too hard till she removes her hand.
"Everything seems to be good, but I still want to run some tests. Mostly to make sure that your heart can take the stress."
"Guess this project Waterfire is going to be easy."
"No right now the only one to survive project Waterfire was Mr. Hues, and All it did was make him more unstable. His muscles would not stop growing. We had to keep injecting him with hormones to slow the process but it only slowed it, not stop."
"Oh well that sounds downright pleasant. Sign me up for that." I say with my voice dripping with sarcasm. I heard her sigh letting me know that she was not happy with this either.
"I'm going to get Dr. Sauiole allow me to run a few stress tests on you. Don't worry I'll not be injecting you with anything." she says as she start grabbing her things to leave.
"I will be back shortly. Oh before I forget." she says turning around to face me. I watch as she pulls an apple from the pocket of her lab coat and tosses it to me. I catch it one-handed and take a quick bite. I didn't realize how hungry I was till I saw the shiny red apple.
"Tamkh yofm." I mumble as I start chewing the juicy fruit. All the response i received from her was a laugh as she walked through the door.
"More tests. I guess that is better than what they could do to you my Lov." Selina says as she appears standing before me. Wearing a very skimpy nurse outfit. Her top is covering just the bare minimums and it looks like it will pop at any moment. Her skirt does not even cover the lower half giving me a perfect view of the pink thong that is covering the rest of her, if you can call it that. The sight of her causes me to choke on a piece of apple that I was in the midst of chewing.
"Guess you like my outfit then. I thought it is fitting. Don't you?" She says spinning to show me her backside and the small strip of pink fabric in between her ass cheeks.
I just look at her speechless for a moment. As dirty thoughts start clawing their way into my mind. Shaking my head clear of them. I force myself to continue eating.
"Don't be mean Lov tell me what you think." She says slowly walking toward me. "You know I can no longer can hear your thoughts, and hurts me that I don't know what you are thinking." She says giving me an innocent look.
I just shake my head at her words. It is good that bit of time that she could hear my thoughts wore off in a few hours. Though it did give her a lot of time for some interesting conversions.
"Don't you think things are bad enough without you playing sexy demoness." I comment as I whip the apple core through her. Just to have it splat against the far wall.
"It is to keep you from thinking about the hell that you are in. That is all Lov. It is all in good fun."
"Well I cannot find any fault in your reason. As it is a good distraction. I just can't believe that is you only reason for doing that" I says coolly as I lean back against the cold wall. She is right her dressing like that is keeping my mind off of things. Though it is making me miss a few different things.
"I just want this crap to be over with. Maybe if I'm lucky I will die in during the processes. So I can get out of this hell." I say as I try to shake off the thoughts that she just brought back to the surface.
"Sorry Lov, but I don't think that is in the cards. You are just not that lucky." She says walking over to my bed. Yes it is a bed not a cheap cot. It might not be the best, but it still better than what I had.
"I'm offended that you think that in your greatest time of need that I would be against you. Right now Lov I'm all that you have, and you are all i have. I have learned from you that something might be not always right." she says smiling at me slightly as she sits down next to me.
"So you are not trying to kick me out then?" I say smugly. Knowing what her answer will be.
I hear a small sigh, giving me all I need to know. "Yes. I'm still trying to kick you out. Figurative speaking of course."
"See I kne...Awww…Fuck it. It doesn't really matter anyways. I'm going to die here one way or another. Either physically, or mentally, and I don't think The Illusive Man will like having a hitchhiker in one of his toys." I comment shooting her a glance. I watch as her face darkens with an expression that I have not seen on her before. Its fear mixed with sadness. She looks over at me. Giving me a sad little smile before disappearing into red ash.
Who would've thought that she could give me a look that would make me feel bad?
Shrugging at the thought I turn back around and lay down on my bed. Now all that's left it to wait for Sharon come to back.
…
"You're doing good Eric just 10 more minutes." Sharon says over the sound of the treadmill. "Now I'm going to raise it from a 15% incline to 25%. Try to keep up the same speed."
I feel the machine start to lift with each step. I strain my already over taxed legs. As it gets harder and harder to keep.
"Come on Lov work those sexy muscles." Selina says from the chair that is directly across from me. I glare back at her only to watch a mischievous smile come to her lips.
Then seductively she slowly uncrosses her legs. Giving me a perfect view of her pink thong. The sight causes me to stumble on the treadmill. I manage to stop myself from being whipped backwards by the fast-moving belt. Once i regain my footing I noticed that Sharon is looking at me with a confused look on her face.
Shrugging I push the speed faster. As my frustrations grows at the knowledge that Selina did that intentionally. She knows that she is able to get that type of reaction from me, and that bothers me. I continue to running as the burning in my legs reach an all-time high. Just as I think my legs are about to give way I realize that the speed is rapidly decrease pulling me out of my daze.
Looking at Selina I see her point over to Sharon, who in turn is looking back at me with a worried look. I look back at Selina who just waves at me and disaggregates into ash. I keep pace with the belt as it slows to a stop. I notice Sharon walking over to me with a bottle of water in her hand; I quickly grab the cold bottle out over her hand and start to guzzle the water down. When I had emptied the bottle I look back at her to see a look of surprise on her face.
"Oh... Sorry about that. Thank you." I say as I feel my face start to heat up. Why am I'm embarrassed by that.
"I did not realize how thirsty I was." I comment as I weakly step off of the treadmill, and almost collapse to the ground as my knees gives out from under me. Luckily for me I'm still holding on to the support of the treadmill and Sharon was close enough to catch me. Once I had my knees back under me, Sharon helps me over to a chair.
"Well I can say that your heart has healed very well. I did not detect any fluctuations or abnormalities from the procedure you underwent. So at this moment you are at the pinnacle of perfect health."
"Yea till Dr. Sauiole gets a hold of me."
"Yes till then." She says looking down at the floor
"What are they expecting to happen?"
"I shouldn't be telling to you about this." she say starting to walk away.
"Please." I say as I reach out grabbing her hand. She freezes as soon as I touch her. Slowly she turns back around to look at me. Again I can see sadness in her eyes. As if I'm going to be sacrificed to Lucifer himself.
I let go of her hand as I start mentally pleading with her to continue, but I'm too scared of what she would tell me. She closes her eye as I watch her shoulder slump in defeat. Letting out a low sigh she opens her eyes and walks over to chair that Selina was just occupying minutes before. Pulling it closer to me, she sits down and stares at the ground for a few moments before speaking.
"Project Waterfire is to increase the density of your muscles. In hopes that it will increase your strength without increasing your girth." she finally says looking up at me. I lean back in my chair as she continues to talk.
"We are expecting or I should say hoping to get a 25% increase on you with about 2% increase in physical size. As I said that is the hope. So far your genetic makeup is the only one that is not having adverse side effects t-..."
"What are the side effects that you have come across?" I quickly snap interrupting her mid-sentence. I sit up as I feel my heartbeat start to increase as the fear and anxiety of the unknown takes hold of my mind. I start flexing my right hand out of nervous habit as I wait for her to answer my question.
She just looks at me for a second taken back by my bluntness. A grim look over takes her features. "Mr. Hues was one of the extreme side effects. His muscles mass increased, but so did his girth. Also he was more prone to anger outbursts and fits of rages. Subject 17... Anna I think was her name seemed fine till all her muscles start to spasm ripping themselves off of her bones, and tighten them to the point where they bursts out of her skin."
My whole body just freezes when I finally put what she just said to what I saw on my first day here. The girl in that lab was Anna. Oh shit that can happen to me. I fight to keep from throwing as the image that I had suppressed from that day comes rushing to the top.
"Does not look like you are out of the woods yet my Lov." I hear Selina whisper in my ear.
"Sorry Eric I did not want to tell you. Because now you will be stressing about what could happen." Sharon says.
"It's fine I'm the one who wanted to know. I should know by now some things are better unsaid." I weakly say as I get my involuntary stomach actions under control.
"So I'm expecting it to hurt again. Correct?" I say as pull my gaze off the floor and back on to Sharon. Who just nodded back with a sorrowful look. We both sit there for a few moments not talking just looking at each other. I don't know what to think. I'm about to undergo another procedure that will be rewiring my genetic makeup, and on top of it it's going to hurt worse than anything I have experienced. I'm just guessing on that last part, but with how my bad luck is going. I'm going to be right.
"Chin up my Lov. Now I will be able to take out people more efficiently."
I close my eyes and groan at the sound of her last comment. She just has the perfect timing to take things from bad to worse, and I know that she is not even trying. I feel a something touch both my shoulders. Startled I jump a little and open my eyes to see Sharon kneeling in front of me. With her hand on my shoulders.
"It's going to be ok." She whispers as she pulls me down to her level.
"I know that you don't trust me but its going to be ok." she says looking be directly in the eye. There is something about how she looking at me. I just get this feeling that I could trust her. She hasn't done anything that would make me not trust her. Giving her a little smirk I nod at her words. I watch as the most genuine smile come to her face.
Without a word she stands up and walks over to the door. She opens it and gestures to one of the guards to come in. He guard walks in giving me a quick look, but as quickly as he looked at me. He looks away and back to Sharon.
"You can take him back to S-2 Private. Do be careful I think he might have overdone it. He is walking a little funny." she says giving him my cuffs and gives me a quick wink. I shift uneasily at that. Then I remember that I had the remote still with me. It has not been easy but I managed to keep it hidden. Sitting up off the back of the chair I wait for the guard.
He stands to the side of me and gives me the head gesture to stand up. Quickly downing the rest of my water I shakily stand up and turn around. Placing my hands behind me. Quickly but yet gently he places my wrists in the cuffs. A loud beep cuts through the stillness of the room. Causing me to jumps and pull one of my hands out of the guard grasp.
"Sorry." I whisper as he grabs my hand and get my wrists locked in cuffs. I look over to Sharon and see that she has her back to me talking to someone over the comms. Even in the dead silence around me I still can't hear anything that she is saying.
"Disregard that Private Dr. Sauiole wants him brought up to his office." she says as she turns around to face us.
"Ma'am" I hear the guard say from behind me.
"Come on." he says as he places a hand on my shoulder. "Let's go." With that he lightly pushes me out of the room. As I'm led out of the room I shoot Sharon the warmest smile I can muster. Before I lose sight of her.
...
I don't know how long it took but soon we are standing in front of the mirror door way and in its reflection I can see I really need a haircut. My hair is almost touching my shoulders and my goatee is now a full on beard. I also see that I have bags under my eyes and my skin is paler than usual.
God I look like shit.
"Sorry but the whole mountain man look does not look good on you Lov." I hear Selina chuckle.
It does not take long before the door opens quietly and the guard pushes me into the now luxurious office of Dr. Antwon Sauiole. It seems like he has done some redecorating. As I look around I notice that all the furniture was replaced. In its place are nice big comfy chairs. A wooden coffee table and the desk looked like one from a CEO's office from my time. It was huge and made of wood.
God I can't stand this guy.
"Looks like someone got a rise." I mutter to myself, but one of the guards must have heard me because he smacks me in the back of the head. Not enough to knock me down, but to tell me to shut up, and I listen. Behind the overly large desk is the man who is now the center of all that I hate. He doesn't even turn to acknowledge me or anything. He just stands there looking out into the vastness of the stars before him.
"You can leave us." he says without turning around.
"Sir" both the guards behind me say and without another word they quickly disappear from my side.
We both stand there, me glaring into the back of his head. Willing it to blow up into a beautiful display of gray matter and blood, and Dr. Sauiole standing like a statue staring out the window filled of stars. I shift my weight from one foot to another as each take turn hurting. Damn when is he going to move or something.
At the moment I hear what sounds like heels or something behind me. I straight up as the clicking of heels start moving from behind me to the right of me. I turn my head slightly to see who this newcomer is. What I see is a dark brown-haired woman who just has this aura of superiority around her. She slows her steps as she rounds me, giving me a quick once over. I watch as a small sly smile comes to her light pink lips. That smile sends a shiver down my back. It is the smile of someone who just found a new plaything.
"Well I did not expect her to look like... that." Selina says in my head with her voice dripping with disgust
She gives me a quick wink before she continues her walk toward Dr. Sauiole. I watch as she sways her hips ever so slightly. Why do I get this feeling like i have seen her before? From the back I can guess that she is about 5'7, maybe 150. Her outfit looks like a cross between a suit and a dress. It's cut like a dress on the top with a low neckline and an open back. The bottom looks like the pants are painted on her. They are so tight on her I can see her leg muscles flex as she walks. There is a strip of fabric or something in the back that covers her ass and the backside of her legs. Again I can't believe how tight-fitting it is. It shows every curve of her perfect body.
"Dr. Lawson how nice to finally meet you." He says as he finally turns around and looks at the only other person in his office.
"I hope your trip out here was without incident. The pirates are getting bolder now you know." He continues as he steps around his desk and offers her his hand.
I just stand there with my mouth agape. That's Miranda, she doesn't look nothing like she did in the game. She looks... well real, but the game is right about one thing. She is perfect, everything is flawless. From her proportions, to her ass. There is nothing that one would want to change. Shaking my head clear of the school boyish thoughts I focus on what they are talking about. Doing my best to keep my eyes from wandering.
"-e did not have any problems. And thank you for waiting to start the procedure. I know that you are under a lot of pressure from the Illusive man, and this will not be overlooked."
"Thank you Dr. Lawson. I do anything to keep The Illusive Man happy and if showing his representative will keep me on his good side. It is the least I can do." he says releasing her hand.
"Is there anything I can get you? Brandy perhaps?" he says walking over to a small cabinet with a few bottles on it."
"No, but thank you." she says as she turns around to face me. The look on her face suddenly makes me nervous. She looks like a cat that just saw a mouse. I quickly swallow the lump that has formed in my throat as her eyes burn into mine.
"So this is the key to all your hard work." she comments as she tilts her head from one side to another. "I was expecting something...bigger." she says turning to look at Dr. Sauiole who was pouring himself a glass.
"You'd be surprised on what I can do." I quickly comment before Dr. Sauiole could say anything.
He turns around so fast that he spills some of the brown liquid on himself earning me a few swear words to come from his mouth.
That was priceless.
Miranda on the other hand just stands there as the look of satisfaction slowly comes to her face. Like I just passed a test or something.
"Sorry Dr. Lawson subject One-zero-seven has not learned that one is not to speak until spoken till." he says as he finishes brushing himself off.
"It is quite alright Dr. Sauiole. I have read about a few of his exploits. I must say I find it very intriguing that someone of your size took down subject 85." She comments as she start walking toward me. For some reason I feel like I should be backing away from her. She almost looks like she is going to pounce on me or something.
I hold my ground as she makes her way around me. I feel her grab my arms and squeeze as she walk around me. I'm surprised on how warm her touch feels against my bare arms. When she releases her grip, a part of me urns for her warmth to return. I close my eye as I hear the beating of my heart grow stronger in my ears.
I can feel the longing for the touch of someone in my heart and it grows stronger with every beat. I feel a light touch on my cheek causing me to open my eyes and I instantly look down into a set of steel-blue eyes. I can feel them peering into my soul as if they are looking for something.
I continue to look into then as I feel myself being sucked in to them. I hold her gaze till the pain of my eyes drying out cause me to blink. When I do I hear a soft chuckle coming from in front of me. Opening of my eyes I see Miranda with a smug look on her face.
"That bitch was playing with you and you let her do it. Are you really that Pedantic that you fell for it?"
I let out a low groan at her words. She's right, Miranda somehow knew just the right way to play me, and I went along with it. I watch as she turns back around and walks over to the desk. I don't see any point in that other than some way to show me that she is better, more perfect.
Yea that must be it.
Letting out a slow breath I watch as the two doctors' talk quietly among themselves. I don't remember much on how Miranda looked like in the game but I know it's not anything like this. I do remember that I always thought that they made her cheekbones too prominent, but this Miranda is nothing like that. Her face is smooth; her lips are full and slightly pink. Hell I can't tell if she even has makeup on.
"Will you stop looking at her? I would smack you right now if I could..." Selina says angrily causing me to look away from the two doctors. God why is this so hard for me. I never acted this way before at the sight of a pretty face.
"Are we ready to proceed Dr. Sauiole?" I hear Miranda say causing me to focus my mind on what is going on around me.
"Yes we are, just let me page Dr. Anders, and Dr. Novakovsky." He says as he reaches over his desk to his console.
"Dr. Anders and Dr. Novakovsky please meet Dr. Lawson, and I in Lab 7. Thank you."
"Well Subject one-zero-seven time to see if all of this hassle with you is worth it. Private will you step in here." he says as he turns around.
A moment later I hear a set of footsteps come up from behind me and walk to my left. When I see the guard in the corner of my eye. I start fumbling around with the remote that was still wrapped up in my shirt.
It's now or never.
"Private please take-." I press down on the device through my shirt and I feel the cuffs release with a soft click. I look to see if anyone notice it, but it is drowned out by Dr. Sauiole voice."-subject one-zero-seven down to lab 7; do be careful he seems slightly rambunctious today.
I watch as the private salutes the doctor showing me a knife that is hanging from his belt. I let the cuffs drop from my wrists and side step behind him. I grab the knife with my left hand, spinning the blade in my hand so it is pointing up. I bring the blade directly under the guards chin. I use my right hand to hold him tightly against myself. So he couldn't slip away. When I peek my head around from behind his I see that Dr. Sauiole is standing there with his mouth open obviously stunned at what I just did.
Miranda on the other hand was not. She somehow is now holding a small pistol of some sort in my direction, and the look of superiority is now replaced with that cold uncaring look that I remember from the game so well. A movement to the right of Miranda causes me to shift my vision to Dr. Sauiole who now is pulling out the remote from his coat pocket.
I tighten my grip on the knife and my human shield. As I ready myself for the shock that is sure to come. I watch in amazement as Miranda quickly snatches the remote from Dr. Sauiole hand.
"I will handle this Dr. Sauiole. Clearly you have underestimated your prisoner here." She says as she pockets the remote in to her dress or whatever she is wearing. I don't care what it's called I'm a guy after all.
"Dr. Lawson!..." Se starts to say before the coldest look I ever seen come from a woman glared at him.
"I said that I will handle this." She says in a tone that you know not to question. I watch with a little bit of joy as Dr. Sauiole just nods sheepily and back away from her.
"Damn she's good."
"So subject One-zero-seven what is it that you want?" she says bringing her sidearm to bare. I duck my head back behind my guard. I know that she is a crack shot and this would be no problem for her to cover the back wall with my blood. I guess that project Waterfire means a great deal to Cerberus, and that is the only reason why I'm still standing.
"I want to see Maia." I growl as I peek an eye around the guards head. I notice her expression change just for a split second. I guess that she was not expecting that for my answer. "And in person, none of this holo screen shit."
"Who?" Dr. Sauiole asks
"Subject one hundred you fucktard." I snap as I press the tip of the knife a little deeper into the guard's throat. A part of me hates the fact that I'm using this guy like this. He's just doing what he's told. Most likely for something he believes in, in a way I respect that. Hopefully he will walk away from this.
I watch as Dr. Sauiole glares at me before opening his Omni-tool and begins typing something on it. Once he finishes typing. He looks up and gives me a small nod. Funny I would have thought that he would not care about a lowly guard.
"Why?" Miranda asks as she lowers her gun just slightly.
"Yes Lov. Why. Why are you helping that girl when you can be escaping with our life?" Selina says as she appears next to Miranda wearing the same thing. I just stare blankly at the two of them, and how closely Selina resembles Miranda. There are only a few slight differences that I can tell. Selina is slightly taller and has black hair and tan skin, compared to Miranda brown hair, light skin and blue eyes
"Well?" Miranda says knocking me out of my stupor.
"Umm..." I mutter as I sort through all the thoughts that are filling my mind.
"She ...she accepted my help without really questioning my motives." I say softly I still don't understand this need I have to help her. Maybe in some way I'm still trying to hold on to who I once was.
I stand there watching Miranda as she contemplates my answer. I don't know why Miranda wanted to know my reason; maybe it is to help her get control of the situation. A sound behind me makes me turn my head, but I can't see what caused it. Due to me holding on to the guard. I decide that I'm going to have to turn the both of us a little so I can see. I pull the guard closer as I start walking backwards widening the space between Miranda, Dr. Sauiole, and myself.
As I walk backwards I'm able to finally see what made the noise and what I see makes my heart stop. I see is Samual holding a bloody and bruised Maia. He looks at me and narrows his eye in anger, but he keeps his mouth shut.
"Please come in and place subje-... I mean Mara over there." Dr. Sauiole says pointing over to a couch to his right.
"No." I shout. "Right there is fine and then you are going to turn around and leave." I finish angrily.
I watch as Samual looks over to Dr. Sauiole who just nods. I have to fight the urge to drop my shield and bury my knife into his neck. When i watch him drop Maia on the ground roughly and leave in a huff. When the door closes behind Samual. I look back over to Miranda, and Dr. Sauiole.
I'm kind of surprised to see that Miranda is shocked at what she sees. So shocked she doesn't even notice me looking at her. Dr. Sauiole on the other hand just has a smug look on his face, like he is proud at what was done to her.
I hear Maia moan in pain causing me to forget about everything else. I let go of the guard and quickly take a step back. As I do I grip the handle of the knife in both hands and slam the handle as hard as I can into the back of his head. Dropping him instantly to the ground. Turning toward her I run over to see the damage. I drop the knife as I fall to my knees. Reaching over I gingerly turn her over and my blood runs cold at the sight.
She looks like they beat her half to death. There are cuts scattered all over her face, one of her eye is swollen shut, and both are badly bruised. I notice that some of her hair plastered to her face with blood that came from a cut on her forehead.
"Oh god what did th-" I croak out as I try to keep from breaking down at the sight of her. I move my hand to brush some hair out of her eye, but just as my hand reaches her head. I feel something press against the back of my head.
"Subject one-zero-seven you are really starting to test my patience." I hear Dr. Sauiole growl from behind me. I lift my head to see Miranda looking in our direction and from the look on her face. I can tell that shes conflicted with what is going on in front of her.
The fear and sickness that filled my mind is now being quickly pushed aside by my anger. The man who allowed this to happen, hell encouraged it all. Is this close to me and now I'm not restrained. Slowly I turned to face the man who is pressing a gun to my head. As I did I let my right hand drop to where my new knife is. I smile as my finger grazes the handle that is still warm.
"I think I will just mak-" he does not even finish as use my elbow to bash gun away from my head. I hear the gun discharge as I feel a burning sensation on the back up my head. Knowing it I think about what is going on, I'm dead. So I let my body move on autopilot, I slice with my right hand at his legs. I feel the knife hit and hear him scream in pain, before he hits me in the head with his hand. I shake the stars out of my vision, and see the gun that he was holding laying across the floor. Not thinking twice I make a dive for it.
I don't even really know what I'm doing. I'm just doing anything that comes to me to survive. As I reach for the gun I hear a shot ring out and the gun just inches from me explode into pieces. Not thinking I jump up and take off across the room. Trying to put as much distance between me, and the person that fired that shot, and I know damn well who it was. When I reach the couch, I go to jump over it. As I almost clear the top of it, my left foot catches the top sending me tumbling over it.
"Like a fucking gazelle." mutter as I scramble off the ground and press my back agent the couch.
"You know that her gun will go right through this. I hate to tell you this but... you're fucked Lov" Selina says as I see her come around the corner of the couch.
"I-."
"Dr. Lawson clearly you have underestimated him as well. Will you give me my leash? It is time to get this dog under control." I hear Dr. Sauiole yell.
"Ouch did he really just call you that."
"Shit." I mutter. Thinking fast I start looking around for something to throw. I spot something on an end table by the couch. Crawling quickly I reach up and snatch it from the table. To my surprise I'm now holding a stone ashtray.
"I hope this thing can fly. Or I'm screwed." I say as I gather my wits.
"Thank you." I hear from across the room. At that moment, I jump up and throw the ash tray like a Frisbee, snapping my wrist at the very last second. I hold my breath as my only chance of not getting shocked again, flies across the room. Miranda quickly tries to take a shot at it and misses. With all the skills that she possesses she just a little too slow and all she hits is vase across the room. The ashtray on the other hand fairs better. It hits Dr. Sauiole in the forearm, sending the remote flying across the room. I watch as it lands and slides under a bookshelf in the corner of the room.
Dropping back down behind the couch I let out my breath. I look down at my hand and see it shaking clenching it tight I try to calm myself down. Its harder than it sounds. My body is filled with electricity from all of this. I feel the adrenalin pumping through my veins, the excitement in my mind. I can't help myself, but smile at all that's transpired and I'm still alive. Maybe, just maybe luck is on my side after all.
"Nice throw there, and to think you never played sports. Pity"
"Dr Lawson will you just shoot him and be ov-...What is it private. I'm a little busy… What…! What do you mean by that?" Dr. Sauiole says as his voice continues to rise. Curiosity gets the best of me and I slowly peek my head around the corner of the couch. To see Dr. Sauiole with one hand on his ear and the other on Miranda's shoulder.
"How can this happen…well then stop it …what do you mean you can't? How long do we have….Fine pull all essential personal. Leave the rest." he says as he starts to pull Miranda by the door. I watch as she pulls out of his grasp. Causing him to grab her arm and whisper something in her ear. As I watch I feel the ground under me shake. Like someone had the bass up too high for a song. Looking around briefly I see nothing out-of-place. Glancing back to the two doctors to see that Dr. Sauiole is by the door punching in a code and Miranda is looking around in what I could only call horror.
Again I feel the ground buckled under me but this time I really felt it. I place my hand on the ground to catch myself from falling, as I watch Miranda's eyes go wide and she runs to where Dr. Sauiole is standing. Getting to my feet I stand behind the couch confused on what is going on. I'm greeted by the sight of Miranda pointing the gun at me. Our eyes lock for second and somehow I know that she is not going to shoot me.
Next to her Dr. Sauiole finally gets the door unlocked and quickly disappears out the door. Leaving Miranda, Mara and myself in the room. Miranda glances at the open door and then back at me. I watch as a look comes across her face that I don't remember seeing in the game but I know it from real life, the look of sorrow. She holds my gaze before mouthing a simple word that makes my heart stop
"Sorry" and with that she too disappears behind the door frame and the door close instantly behind her.
"Well that was unexpected…."
I run around the couch only to be knocked to the ground by a stronger tremor that is now shaking things off the shelves. Gaining my footing I make it to the door and start pressing buttons on the control panel only to get a message flashing across the screen
INVALID CODE.
Slamming my fist into the door in frustration I step way. As this sinking feeling in my gut grows stronger. What would cause the doctors to leave in a hurry? Thinking of something I run over to the console on Dr. Sauiole desk.
Trying to hold my wits about me I press down on the keyboard. Thank god that there is one. I don't have time to learn anything new right now. I watch as the screen lights up and my worst fears are confirmed.
WARNING REACTOR CORE OVERLOAD
Destruction Imminent - Evacuate Immediately
All personal to Tram-Rails or Escape pods
WARNING REACTOR CORE OVERLOAD
Overload in T-14:47
"That would explain all the shutters that we have felt. Well Lov you always wanted to go out with a bang." Selina says with a dire tone in her voice. I look over as see that she is now seated in the large luxurious chair behind me.
"Yea thanks…" I say dryly. Earning a small smile from her before she disappears in a cloud of ash.
"Eric?" A soft voice calls to me from the ground. Snapping my attention from the counter on the screen.
Jumping over the corner of the desk, I run over to Maia and I kneel by her side. Reaching down with as much gentleness I can muster at this hectic moment. I lift her up into a somewhat upright position. Using my left arm for support I brush her hair out of her one eye with my right, and I'm greeted by her piercing blue gaze.
"Don't talk you really are not in the best of shape." I quietly say as I get a better look of what happened to her. On top of what I saw, I now see that her nose is bloody and clearly broken. Her bottom lip is swollen twice its normal size and some blood still oozing out of a where it split. I look down from her face to the rest of her and see that there are bruises and cut covering her. I can even see where blood had seeped and then dried on her shirt.
"If I had not intervened it would not have been this bad. It all my fau-"
"No it's not your fault..." she says as she strains against the pain." He was going to do something at one point or another. This is not the first time you know. "She finishes as a small smile comes to her lips. Well as much as one can with a split lip. I watch as she leans forward and I help her up into a sitting position, and before I can move away from her she wraps her arms around my neck. Catching me by surprise again.
Not wasting her gesture I carefully wrap my arms around her and gently pull us closer. She places her head lightly on my shoulder and I decide to copy her. Odd as it sounds at this moment it just seems right.
"I'm glad that I'm here with you Eric. I…you're the first person that seems to care." She whispers as she pulls me tighter when another shock-wave shakes the station.
I return her embrace as her words sink it, and I cannot help but smile. To know that someone else is happy to have me here. That warms my heart, even with hell erupting around us.
"I'm happy that you are here too Maia. Just wish it was a better time." I say as I feel the familiar sting in my eyes. If there is a God then he is one cruel son-of-a-bitch to do this to me. For the first time since I woke up here I have something that makes me happy only to lose it all again.
"Me too sweetie. Me too." she croaks out as I feel her body shake as she starts to cry.
I sit there holding her trying to be strong. As I wait for the end. At least I will go happy. I feel another large shockwave, but this time I hear an explosion accompanying it. I brace myself as the shaking grows stronger.
"Er.."
Update 8/13/14 Cleaned up a few things
A/N. (sorry for the long note)
Oh my god you don't know how all the reviews, Favs, and follows makes me feel. I was on a writer high for like 2 weeks. so much so that I got 2 more chapters written. I never, and I mean never write that fast, but you guys caused it. so please keep doing that, and I will love you all forever..
I hope I did not let you down with this chapter.
yes I know that Miranda seems a little different.
I wanted to show a different side of her. When she was not in control or in charge of something. She might be very high up in the chain but I do not think that she would have a part in everything that Cerberus does that just does not make sense to me.
I did my best to describe her. That is something i think still need to work on,
Here is the model that i used for Miranda in my version. Hey this is a AU right?
(www). (deviantart)comart/Miranda-Lawson-4-395129733...I think you know how to fix it to view it correctly
I like to reply to each and every review (sorry if i missed any from the beginning) so here is for my guest reviews
Blayze1000-Im glad that you find my tale different and good enough to follow. I can not ask for anything more. Thanks again.
Guest- (i wish i could call you something better then that) Your review had me smiling for days i tell you days. I'm so happy that you think that this has potential. I wanted to do something different, and what is more different then not starting out in the same place as everyone else. Yes it is a little more difficult cuz i have to think up everything myself, but i think I'm doing ok. Ha I'm glad that you think what im doing could of been in Mass Effect i was going for that and i was hoping i pulled it off. and thank you from the bottom of my heart that you think that my writing is not that bad. you have no idea how that make me feel. Thank you again. a hundred times over. thank you. Hope to hear from you again
All i ask from someone to just leave me a small review that is all. if i get more sweet, but as long as i get one i will be super happy and i will write that much faster to get a chapter done.
And per a request i will be letting you all know when to expect the next chapter to be out. it might get done sooner, but i don't know. so the next one will be up in about the end of the month
Till next chapter