Disclaimer: I do not own Storm Hawks or any of its characters. I do, however, own my own character and plots.
Chapter 11
Luckily, it wasn't as boring as Repton thought it would be, but it was still too confusing.
One thing that Repton appreciated during his watch was the dinner he was given that night, on Cyclonis' orders. Her minions brought him a meal worthy of aristocrats, and he indulged himself in the pleasures. The meat was succulent, and the liquor was satisfying. But he couldn't get drunk enough to dismiss the boredom of the majority of his job.
Once or twice, he failed to report to Cyclonis every detail. He wasn't sure if she was aware of this fact, but he wasn't going to show anything that would suggest it. He had no interest in Dr. Luchas' research or the happenings of the facility enough to take note. Was it really that important?
After a few close calls with Cyclonis, he decided to actually document anything he thought was important, or anything he was confused about. It was a low blow to his ego—to write questions he had no answers to—but he needed to do his job well, in order to win Cyclonis' favour back. He wrote the questions down throughout the afternoon, evening and night.
He found that he asked more questions about Nakoto than anything.
Nakoto had disappeared from the building for the rest of the day, and Dr. Luchas would inadvertently ask a few of the doctors where she was. They remained cryptic about it, either because they didn't know or they thought her business wasn't his. During her absence, the only real trace of her was the blood she left behind to be tested, and Repton started realizing how truly different the Raptoress was from him.
Being a researcher, Dr. Luchas was one of the people who worked with the blood. Samples upon samples of Nakoto's DNA were stored, tested, and preserved, and not like a typical patient's blood either. They'd mix the samples with various other things, as if it was a variable for some experiment. The reactions the solutions exhibited, be they violent or mild, the doctors recorded them. Dr. Luchas started his duty and took part in the trials, seeming like he knew exactly what he was doing. Whether he really did know or not escaped Repton.
Nakoto returned, and Dr. Luchas was lucky enough to find her in the Children's Ward. The joy of the children was overwhelming, and it was astonishing by how much they showed it, just because Nakoto was there. Since there were already doctors moving in and out of the room, Dr. Luchas wasn't given any heed.
The story of "Draco and Nakoto" seemed to be very popular among the children. Repton heard Nakoto narrate to the kids and found himself listening intently to her words. She was really good at it, and her expressions added to the story. The story itself was simplified, in a more 'fairy-tale' kind of way. What that meant was she started at the moment the Vulca-Bats came in, and she ended it with Draco disappearing without a word. She didn't include anything about "Draco" threatening her. Perhaps she thought that wasn't rated G.
Then she told the story involving Maia, and although he grew distasteful at the mere mention, the plot was pretty good. Repton regrettably admitted that Maia had some smart —and crazy— ideas. He heard of his exploit of The Condor in full detail, and it made him wonder: had gossip survived with that much intact? Naturally it would've changed a little when they reached Nakoto's ears, but that wasn't the case. Perhaps she asked many people, and managed to collect a much more accurate story. As he listened to Nakoto's story-telling, he momentarily considered Maia as fictional, and he had forgotten his anger for the time being.
And so, Repton listened to Nakoto's storytelling more closely than any other time of his observation, and he immediately dubbed it the highlight of Cyclonis' stupid job.
"Will you tell us more tomorrow night?" the Wallop child asked, yawning. It was late, and the children returned back into the covers of their beds. Nakoto had been tickling the human boy with her normal hand, and when the Wallop asked, she picked the human up and carried him on her hip to his bed.
"I'll be heading out tomorrow morning, so no," she said. The children groaned, and some of them started begging her to stay, but she shook her head. "You know how it goes. I can't stay here for long."
"You love the Atmos too much, right?" The Blizzarian girl said. She got a dreamy look on her face. "I probably wouldn't leave it either, if I got in it."
"And that you will, very soon, when you get better."
The Blizzarian boy stretched his arms and sighed. "But then you get homesick, and you come back, eh?"
"Homesick..." When Nakoto finished tucking the human boy in, she froze for a moment. She then reached down and ruffled the boy's head. "I admit I miss you little rascals from time to time."
The children laughed softly, but then sleep started filming their eyes more and more.
"Maybe you'll meet Draco again," the Wallop yawned. Nakoto looked over to him. "Then you'll have more stories to tell."
"Maybe I will. After all, it is a small world." Nakoto sighed. "I just don't know if it'll be a good story."
"All of them are good, Nakoto."
Repton had a feeling that Nakoto was speaking about "good" in a different context, like she thought that the story would end badly. She was rather reflective, remembering and considering what Repton told her when they parted. She sounded sad about it.
Nakoto, along with some other doctors, dimmed the lights, and the children eventually fell asleep. But Nakoto did not leave. Dr. Luchas, still looking over the children's charts, saw her sit at the bedside of another child, who was asleep the whole time. Repton deduced that it was an Aquanosian, and Nakoto had often gazed at him while she told her stories, hoping he would open his eyes. Perhaps she feared that he would never wake up at all.
His breathing was rough, passing through the gills just below his ears. Nakoto reached and held one of his hands and watched over him. The curled fingers of Nakoto's Dragon Claw unfurled and flexed themselves, one at a time, and Repton saw the violet glow grow within them, the same glow that cut down the Vulca-Bats. But this time, they had no violent feel to them. It seemed comforting. A light in the darkness.
Repton assumed that this child was whom they called "Adam", and he was the one who was the most ill of them all. Repton didn't feel anything for the kid, and seeing Nakoto worried about him raged many questions in his mind. Why did she care? Why would she care? He was of another species, and dying was a natural part of life. Only the strong survived. Repton wasn't sure if Nakoto was concerned because she knew the child personally or if she was just compassionate to those who suffered.
The hours went on. The doctors dwindled and started turning in for the night while others came in for the night shift. Dr. Luchas left the Children's Ward so that Nakoto wouldn't realize he was spying on her. He was told by others to turn in for the night as well, but he didn't. He stuck around in the laboratories with a few of his notes cluttered on a desk. The purpose of those notes were unknown to Repton, and he didn't bother to pay attention because slumber was knocking on his door, too. He had to slap himself a couple of times to stay awake. If Cyclonis found him napping, he didn't want to imagine what she'd do. He forced himself to be more alert when Dr. Luchas left the lab, even though there was nothing more the spy could do.
The man returned to Sector A, and it just so happened that when he approached the Children's Ward, Nakoto stepped out. Her spines were drooped back, almost flat against her head and neck, and she was rubbing her eye groggily with her normal hand. The Cyclonian crashed into her and stumbled back. She looked unfazed, but also out of it; it took her a moment to identify the person who bumped into her. When she did, she considered him under a tired gaze. Repton wasn't sure what other emotion lurked under her composure, but it wasn't a positive one.
"Oh... so you're still here, then," she noted. She tried to stifle a yawn, but couldn't hide her maw entirely. Repton knew Dr. Luchas was looking warily at her serrated teeth.
"Well, I was looking over some notes I'd taken today, on the current conditions of our patients. I wanted to know exactly what it is I'm supposed to do." Dr. Luchas paused. "You should be resting."
"Resting?" Nakoto repeated the word as if it wasn't in her vocabulary. But she didn't look confused, so there must have been some sarcasm hidden somewhere. Dr. Luchas was trying to come out as kind and concerned as he could, but she wasn't impressed.
"You'll be leaving tomorrow, I imagine. Wherever you're going, you must be at full strength. Additionally, the blood you gave yesterday, and the wound on your shoulder..."
Nakoto grunted. "I'll be just fine."
"I mean no offence. I'm sure you will be. I'm sorry for my curiosity, but where is it you're...?" Nakoto's pointed glare stopped him with his words, and he backed down. If Repton had any empathy for Dr. Luchas, he would have acknowledged Nakoto being an unpleasant wench. But he didn't have the empathy. "Well, I bid you good night."
Dr. Luchas passed Nakoto, but he didn't make it far.
"I do hope you know... you aren't fooling me."
Dr. Luchas turned around to face Nakoto again, but she didn't turn to face him. "I don't intend to."
"There's something wrong with you. I can't prove it, but I know."
Repton leaned forward in his seat. What was she going to do now?
Dr. Luchas hesitated. "I know that you don't trust me. I'm sure it's hard to trust someone new. Right now, I'm an intruder here, but I'm here to help. I'm not here to hurt you."
Nakoto scoffed softly, as if in disbelief. Her head tilted, and she turned her face, looking over her shoulder. Her eyes narrowed at him.
"Have we met sometime before?"
Dr. Luchas said nothing for a long moment. He was probably caught off-guard. The Raptoress continued.
"I've heard those words. "You", not wanting to hurt "me". I've had bad experiences with them. Those... why, those are lying words."
"I assure you, mine are genuine."
Nakoto shrugged after a moment. "We'll see. I'll expect you to hold your word, especially when I'm gone."
"I just want to help. And I've started with looking at Adam's condition..."
It seemed Dr. Luchas tread on delicate ground, because Nakoto turned away, and her back loosened, slumped. It was like her spirit crumpled a little. Dr. Luchas waited for her, probably wondering what she was going to do next. She reached her Dragon Claw up, scratched the back of her neck, then kept it there.
"It's sad," she muttered. "Kids are meant to run, play, and be kids."
"I understand that," Dr. Luchas replied softly.
She turned around. "Really? Then promise me results. Save the kids, Adam —save every patient in this building. Prove to me you're not who I think you are."
That was a rather high expectation. But was Dr. Luchas to resist? Nakoto refused to come onto friendly terms with him, as well as inadvertently threatened to blow his whole cover.
The spy nodded.
"I'll try my best."
He lifted up his hand, beckoning for Nakoto's hand, but she flinched and stepped away from him. She had a startled look to her eyes. Realizing this, she grimaced, said nothing and left. Dr. Luchas stood for a moment longer, looking after her with his hand still held up, until he dropped it and left himself.
Repton realized that he leaned so close to Athene's Eye that his snout was close to touching it. He forced himself back and looked down at his memos, his questions. None of them seemed that important now, because he wanted to know what was going on in Nakoto's mind.
Why did she spare him, instead of kicking him out of the facility? Why was she so indecisive?
What exactly did she mean when she bitterly regarded Dr. Luchas words, I'm not here to hurt you? What was this bad experience? Why was there fear in her eyes?
What—
"I expected you to be dozing off," a monotonous voice said behind him. He would have most likely jumped if he hadn't been so exhausted. A start of the heart was all that his body could muster.
He turned his head and saw Cyclonis standing there with her fingers knitted. She was in a different kind of getup, most likely her nightgown, but looking nothing like one. It looked more practical than comfortable. All it lacked was her traditional hood of doom. It was a wonder why she was up at this hour. Or maybe the morning wasn't that far away?
Recovering, he lowered his head. "You gave me a job, Master Cyclonis. And I plan to do the jobs I get well."
Cyclonis hummed. She looked past him and at Athene's Eye. Repton didn't know if she missed that exchange Luchas had with Nakoto. Although, since Repton didn't even hear her approach, it was possible she saw it afterall.
"So what do you think of dear Nakoto?"
The way she said "dear" sort of disturbed Repton, but he ignored it. "She knows that Luchas is an impostor, I know that much. Ever since she met Luchas earlier, she's been giving suspicious and agitated body language."
"Does she think he's a Cyclonian?"
"She wouldn't say it out loud, but she kept hinting something. And she shows signs of fear, but I'm not sure if that's caused by Luchas or if it's just in her nature."
"Interesting." Not once did Cyclonis look Repton in the eye while he spoke. The disrespect was deep, and Repton felt the heat of anger in his gut briefly. She walked up and looked down at the table. "What is this?"
"Questions. Perhaps you can answer them."
"You wrote down questions, as if I would be bothered to indulge you? Come now, Repton. You don't need to know anything to report me the happenings."
Repton growled, but he forced himself to speak civilly. "Knowing more will allow me to give you my complete opinion on the... matter. As you said, I am a Raptor, and only a Raptor will know the mind of another. I need to know more about Nakoto before I can help you."
Cyclonis was silent for a long moment, and Repton was surprised that she was actually considering the idea. However, he knew not to get his hopes up.
"I will answer one question," she said, and Repton wasn't surprised by that. "The rest of whatever it is you want to know, you'll just have to find the answers on your own. You have to work for what you gain."
The Raptor turned back to Athene's Eye, watching the world through Luchas' eyes. He was going through one of the Sectors (the Rogue couldn't be bothered to remember which one), while Repton sorted through all the questions. Which one would he gain most from?
After much consideration, he finally decided on one. He figured it was one where he would get a general idea, because he didn't want a question that lead to more questions he couldn't ask. Plus, it was the most frequent question that appeared in his mind to torment him.
"Why is Nakoto so special to Cyclonia?"
Cyclonis smiled.
"Well, if you didn't clue in already, Nakoto's blood is very special." She walked some way from the table, her back to the Raptor. When she arrived in the place she wanted, she turned around to face him, a smug look on her face. She threw up her hands, laughing.
"Can you believe it? A living, breathing crystal! You only hear of those things coming out of the Farside of Atmos!"
Repton stared. A... what? Was that even possible? He couldn't link the idea to Nakoto; it was just too surreal. Cyclonis laughed, seemingly satisfied with Repton's expression.
"You seem surprised! How else would you explain that deformation she has? Her hand, a defect from hatching? And then you've seen for yourself how her blood reacts!" Cyclonis looked like she was having so much fun. At the rate she was going, she was going to answer more questions than one. "When I get her and Alpha back on Cyclonian soil again, so much more opportunities will open up again. My grandmother's project on Oasium will continue, and I'll have regained my property by right!"
This was far more information than Repton could take. Of course, more questions rose in response, but he couldn't think over them at that moment. He suddenly saw Nakoto in a different light, but it seemed alien, unmatchable. If he only had his own gut to follow, he would have thought Cyclonis was lying, or out of her mind. But then again, what did his instinct have anything to do with history?
Cyclonis was out of breath from laughter, and she stared at Repton. "Nakoto is leaving in the morning, you said?" She still panted with a dark smile on her face. The Raptor was unaccustomed to such malevolent bliss from the human empress. She dropped her hands, and her eyes dropped to the ground in rapid thought. "I need Cyclonians out there, monitoring the skies. She can't escape this time..."
Repton, temporarily back-to-earth, interrupted Cyclonis in her pondering. "And what shall I do, Master Cyclonis?" he asked. "Shall I join in her capture?"
"If you so please. There is no use for you now at this moment. If you see her, you are responsible of bringing her back." She smirked, then turned her back on him. "It's actually rather pleasant that you've met her before. Now she's more likely to trust you."
Repton took that comment into consideration. He specifically told Nakoto not to expect any compassion from him. Would she smarten up and avoid him?
"You may leave now. The Talons won't be deployed until much later, when she's out in the skies."
Repton stood up from his chair and, although the empress' back was to him, he bowed. His mind wasn't in it, but elsewhere. He collected the sheet of questions in his fingers.
"A bio-weapon," Cyclonis muttered to herself. The strange, dark voice that coincided with hers rarely spoke up. "She might make a powerful soldier."
I stood up and met the morning sun. My emotions were combating against each other too much to allow me any chance of sleep. But hey, it happens. Sometimes our bodies decide to become insomniacs, even when we want to sleep.
With both Cloaking crystal and collar activated, I made my way up to the Chancellor's office when I knew he would be in. I would get my bag and letter load from the post department, meet with Tatu, then wait for the mechanic to bring Cloud Nine. Personally, I would have just gone to get her myself, but the Chancellor insisted that she was to be brought.
I walked up to the post department and shared small talk with the worker there. Her name was Jill, I think. She disappeared, off to get my bag, and it seemed like only a second later that she returned with it. My mind was completely engulfed by lack of sleep and paranoia. I smiled gratefully at her as I took my bag back, and I strapped it onto my shoulder. I'd forgotten how much I missed the feeling of it on my shoulder. It stressed the stitches, but that was alright. I would just have to alternate shoulders more often.
"Please be careful, Two-One-Four," she told me. "I heard about the Cyclonians. That won't be the last of them."
My lips pursed, cynical for a moment, before I smiled with a touch of mirth. "I was being careless, and it's nothing new. I'm sure I'll be fine."
She nodded her head, looking a little doubtful, but smiling all the same. I bid her farewell and left the department. Once I was out, I stepped aside and peeked into my bag, to get a general idea of what I had in there. By the look of things, I had quite a bit, and I was content.
"Maia!"
I looked up and saw Tatu striding in, in his normal attire. He looked just as he did yesterday; clean-cut suit with buttoned cuffs and polished shoes. He smiled at me and made his way toward me, with—regrettably— Mr. Ion trailing behind.
"Good morning, Chancellor, sir," I greeted. I turned to Mr. Ion, who stood behind Tatu like a shadow. "Good morning to you as well, Mr. Ion. It's nice to see you."
"Likewise."
He didn't even bother a fake smile this time, but that was fine by me.
"On your way, are you?" the Chancellor asked me. "Are you feeling alright? Get enough sleep?"
"Of course," I lied. Lizards don't get bags under the eyes, and even if we did, the Cloaking crystal didn't stay true to it. "I'm fired and ready to go."
"That's good to hear." He paused, fixing his collar. "Remember everything I told you."
The Chancellor and I couldn't share casual words in public, so he remained very vague. Essentially, when I went to visit him yesterday, I discussed all of my thoughts with him. About returning to the Atmos, Adam, Luchas... the good thing about it was that he took me seriously. He was resistant to the first idea, but he knew I couldn't stay away from my job. Plus, I had to go out and research about Luchas, to find out if anything was out of place. He assured me that he would look into Luchas as well while I was gone. The "everything I told you" bit was just the words of caution he gave me.
I nodded my head. "I will."
"And don't worry about what happens... here. Everything will be under control."
I smiled. "I have no doubt in you, Chancellor."
Tatu smiled in return, and he offered me his hand. I took it and shook.
"Come back safely."
He and Mr. Ion made their way to their offices, and I stepped out of the building. The air was crisp against my scales, starting to chill my blood a little. It was then that I decided I would stop at Terra Saharr when I was finished with my work and research. That was one of my favourite Terras to visit.
It turned out that the mechanic was just pulling Cloud Nine in when I stepped out. He looked up at me, straightened up, and then grinned, gesturing to my ride like revealing a surprise.
"Tada!"
"She looks beautiful," I said when I reached him, hardly taking my eyes off my vehicle. She looked good as new. Her windscreen was replaced with a new, smooth one, and my remaining exhaust booster got a new companion to make up for the last. All dents and scratches were mended. It was just so exciting to see her so whole again. I finally ripped my eyes off of her to meet the mechanic's eyes.
"Thank you so much. How much?"
"The Chancellor already took care of it." He tipped his greasy hat to me, grinning. "Just bring her back to me if she needs any more tinkering."
"I sure will. Thank you."
He left me gazing at Cloud Nine again. I took hold of a handle, running my fingertips down the length. I hopped onto my ride, getting comfortable, and then I kicked her to life. It felt like the easiest thing in the world, and she responded so quickly, I laughed.
"It's great to see you, girl," I whispered. I looked forward and saw that the place was vacant of anyone. I pretty much had a runway in front of me, and I was going to take advantage of that before anyone walked through. I revved the engine and clenched the clutches. Cloud Nine shot out on demand, and when I gained enough speed, I smoothly deployed her wings, and we were off, into the air, into the Atmos.
When Terra Atmosia was far enough, I decided to switch up my disguise. I reached up and pinched my Cloaking crystal, and in the blink of an eye, I transformed into an Aquanosian female. I still maintained a slight reddish hue, but it was much more saturated. I had to switch up my disguise from time to time, as a precaution... but the reason why I wanted to take on this form was because of the first trip I would be making.
Adam's fate loomed at the back of my mind. He had his father on Aquanos, and I knew he was worried beyond belief. Dreading is far worse than knowing, if you ask me. To me, the best way to put someone at ease is to inform them, even if it's the grim, possible truth.
End of Chapter
A/N: RAAAAR!
Exams! Are almost! Here! D:
I need to study and prepare for an in-class essay, but I decided to write this instead. Don't worry, be happy!
Can't wait to write the next chapter, but it'll just have to wait. When next semester comes around, I'm sure I'll be able to write more comfortably. :)
Hope you like! And be sure to review! I like hearing what you guys have to say :D And please, PLEASE catch my grammar/spelling errors!
~Vixen
