Chapter 8
"I never imagined I would miss you so much! Please never leave me again, I love you!" Attia cried falling face first into the snow the moment she stepped off the Interceptor. Visibility extended only a few feet further than arm's length due to the wind swirling the snow violently across the location. Everyone exited the transport sliding their bags out of the cargo containers. Attia was still lying face down in the snow moving her arms back and forth happy to be back on the ground.
"She ok?" A Pandora asked as she approached the transport.
"Don't mind her just a rough flight. She'll be fine." Varen said reaching out and shaking the girls hand.
"Follow me we have a ground vehicle waiting to bring you in. We'll get your transport to the hanger to stay until the storm passes." The girl said pointing behind her and walking away.
"Come on Attia." Varen said grabbing her by the back of her jacket, picking her up. A thin layer of white snow clung to the entirety of her front as he half dragged her forward.
"Such a child." Andre commented jokingly and Elizabeth elbowed him.
"Says the guy who was clinging to me crying." She said.
"Weren't your knuckles turning white from grabbing onto his uniform?" Chiffon asked Elizabeth who looked away ashamed.
"We'll bring you to the main facility and show you to your living quarters." The Pandora said as a large treaded vehicle came into view. They filed into the back of the transport through the drop down ramp it had taking their seats. They held their bags on their laps as the engine came to life and they began moving. The Pandora who had met them on landing was seated with them and she pulled a folded paper from a pocket on her jacket. The colors and insignias on her indicated she was a Chevalier Pandora.
"You are the members from West Genetics correct?" She asked.
"That's correct, thank you for welcoming us." Chiffon answered. The Pandora looked over the paper carefully her eyes looking up a few times.
"So, you are the Nightingales we've been hearing about?" She asked at last looking over each of them. Her eyes lingered on the red band around their left arms as well as the insignia on their shoulders.
"That's us." Attia answered for everyone her face still wet from the snow that was now melted off of her body.
"You're all very young." The Pandora commented and everyone looked around at each other.
"I thought everyone invited was of the same age more or less?" Andre asked and the Pandora nodded.
"Correct, but I didn't expect the Nightingales I've heard about to be 3rd year Pandora. Figured you were ex Chevalier or something like that?" She answered.
"Disappointed?" Arnette asked and the woman shook her head.
"Just surprised is all." She answered. The vehicle traveled along a roadway that without the bright light poles stationed every dozen feet or so would be impossible to see given the weather conditions. When it finally came to a stop their escort opened the gate and they filed out into what looked to be a large hangar. A few other of the transports they had just exited from were stopped nearby with their engines idling. Groups of genetics Pandora and their Limiters were filing out of the vehicles.
Varen glanced over not recognizing any of the markings they wore on their uniforms. He had never taken the time to look into the other schools and their symbols let alone the colors of their attire. He caught a few of them looking back in his direction probably thinking the same thing. Everyone who came from West Genetics wore their black and silver Nightingale uniforms as opposed to the standard purple and white uniform the rest of the school adopted.
"That's De Orleana Genetics." Ticy explained standing beside him motioning towards one of the groups of students walking. At the head of the group was a small Pandora with short blonde hair that reached just below her chin. A pair of white headphones wrapped over the top of her head. Physically she reminded him a lot of Attia.
"Charles Bonaparte." Chiffon said following his gaze.
"Who's she?" He asked watching as the Pandora led her team around a corner into the facility.
"One of the world ranking Pandora. The Tempest Phoenix, Charles Bonaparte. Her mastery of the tempest turn is unrivaled." Chiffon explained.
"This way please." Their Pandora escort beckoned. They were led through a doorway and into a long hallway. For a few moments the hallways and general décor seemed more akin to a naval ship or factory as opposed to what they were used to at West Genetics. After a few turns and up a flight or two of stairs, however, the exposed piping and steel riveted walls gave way to a more upscale facility. The hallways were carpeted with a fine deep red cloth with cream colored walls. Every so often a sconce holding an elaborate lighting device was attached to the wall.
"Wow, feels like we're at a high end hotel." Ticy said looking around.
"It's important to make you all feel comfortable here. It's a great help to the project to have you all come out." The Pandora escorting them responded.
"Certainly spared no expense." Elizabeth remarked. They passed by numerous doors with name plates outside. Each one seemed to be assigned to guests that were staying at the facility. At last she came to stop in front of a few of the doors and turned holding out a set of key cards.
"Ms. Phenyl, Ms. Simmons and Ms. McMillan, these are your keys. You are here. Mr. Askiligar and Ms. Fairchild to the right, and Ms. Mably and Mr. Francois on the left. Get settled in and unpacked. In an hour if you would please head towards the main auditorium we will be welcoming everyone formally. You will find a map of the facility on the desk table in your rooms. Thank you again." The woman said bowing slightly before heading back the way they came.
"Sorry again about Abel, Ticy. Paperwork takes time and Chevalier isn't always the fastest for reassignments." Varen said and she shook her head.
"I understand, we were a little discouraged at first, but once we're back everything should be completed and he can get settled." Ticy responded.
"We got each other!" Arnette said wrapping an arm around Ticy and dragging her into their room. Varen and Chiffon entered theirs dropping the bags on a bench right inside the door.
"Arnette used to hate her." Chiffon said kicking her shoes off and walking over to begin unpacking her clothes.
"Yeah?" Varen asked opening a drawer against one of the walls to begin filling with his own clothes.
"Mhm, Arnette was a very different girl a year ago. She had a reckless and impulsive drive to be the best. The one hurdle she could never overcome was Ticy. Now, I see them and that rivalry has disappeared. Arnette still wants to be the best, but she's not reckless." Chiffon answered.
"I saw a little of that when I first came." Varen said and Chiffon nodded.
"Exactly. She's had to grow up a lot faster than most. Everything with you couldn't have been an easy pill to swallow. It brought out the worst in her and forced her to see it. Then, to lose her partner…" She trailed off.
"Yeah…" Varen replied quietly.
"She won't take another. Nor Attia for that matter. I don't think they want to risk the pain they've already felt." She said.
"Were they more than just partners?" Varen asked and Chiffon thought about it a few moments.
"Attia has always been a smart girl. Smarter than many think and smarter than she may even realize. She's quick, calculating, and able to manipulate people easily if she so chose. Mark was just like her in nearly every way. I think that together they found common ground with similar personalities, but it never went much further or deeper.
Arnette as I said was brash and a force of nature. Violent and tempestuous, prone to outburst that typically left someone injured. More or less she bullied Morrison into becoming her Limiter. Between you and me, though, I think she liked him and it was her way of showing it." She explained.
"I really feel bad Abel wasn't able to join us you know? For a long time, it was just Andre and me. Once we started taking on more people it got better, but still." He said and Chiffon cocked her head a bit.
"Is it really that bad for two boys to be surrounded by beautiful women?" Chiffon asked playfully, but Varen's face did not change.
"I'm serious Chiffon. There's just us two here again with five Pandora at our sides. Regardless of my unique abilities I'm still a Limiter and it's our job to protect the Pandora. What if Andre and I aren't enough one of these days? Abel should be here…" Varen said, a hint of irritation in his voice.
"You and Andre have protected us just fine for this long. Abel will do the same without fail. Andre is an amazing Limiter. His devotion to Elizabeth is something admirable. I don't think he would hesitate a single moment to stand between her and certain death. I've already seen you do the same so us girls have nothing to fear." She said resting a hand on his shoulder.
"That's what worries me. One day we may have to stand between you and certain death. When the time comes I have no doubt we can do it, but without us you will be left defenseless. With no one to activate a freezing field…" He said without finishing the sentence.
"Then how about we make a promise. I promise I won't die. You do the same." She said with a smile. Varen eyed her suspiciously sighing.
"That's ridiculous how can I promise that? This is childish." He said and she kneeled down in front of him grabbing his face. She stared at him with her glowing eyes her smile gone replaced with a stern look.
"Promise me." He stared back at her for what felt like forever.
"Alright, I promise I won't die." He said at last and she pulled him forward kissing him. She stood back up and grabbed a small bag out of her luggage bringing it into the bathroom.
"Bathroom's huge!" He heard her shout from inside the room. It made him chuckle hearing her so excited about something so little.
"You can put those there Andre." Elizabeth said pointing to the chest of drawers against the wall. Andre had carried in both of their luggage and began unpacking both his and her clothing.
"Yes ma'am." He responded as she walked over the desk retrieving the map of the facility.
"What do you think?" She asked out loud making her Limiter look up at her.
"It looks nice. Nicer than a genetics facility should look." Andre answered to which she nodded.
"I thought the same. What they are doing here seems like a great idea, but there's a lot of pomp and circumstance." She said and Andre took a seat on the edge of the bed.
"Presentation is everything my lady. You know that better than most. This project is still in its infancy so there is a lot riding on its success." He said and she sat beside him.
"That man's pessimism is rubbing off on me." She said with a sigh shaking her head.
"I don't think he's pessimistic. Just cautious. He just wants to make sure we aren't exposed to unnecessary risks." Andre answered.
"Our very job means unnecessary risks will always be part of our lives." She countered.
"Yes, but he tries to limit them to the best of his ability." Elizabeth laughed lightly at what he said.
"You boys just like to stick together." She smiled.
"Us boys have a job to keep you safe Elly." He answered seriously and she looked her Limiter in the eyes.
"I know, thank you." She said with the same serious tone of voice.
"That one's mine!" A female voice yelled loud enough that Elizabeth and Andre could hear it through the wall.
"Back off shorty I saw it first!" Arnette's voice responded and Elizabeth shook her head.
"When did I deserve to be part of a such a dysfunctional family?" She said sadly while Andre patted her arm encouragingly.
