Chapter 11

I was sent on another task from Cobra Commander – this time alone. I would eagerly do just about anything to get away from that bastard called neighbor and guardian. Normally, my mind would not permit any foul language, but this was an exception. From the way he treated me two days ago was unacceptable. I thought guardians were protectors. They care for us well, are always there to catch us when we fall, and deliver us from havoc. He held none of those qualities.

The rain kept blurring my vision and made the glass rooftops more slippery than they already were. The blinding colorful lights from the streets differed from the near-black cloudy skies filled with pouring water. That damned mask I was wearing was hard to breathe through; I will have to ask some Cobras about it later. I crouched low for support and lightened my footsteps. I could not afford to get caught breaking a glass roof or fall to my death, could I?

Many of the buildings I ran into – or rather over – have glass roofs, so the insides were visible. Steel frames and bolts stabled them. I guess glass tops were the new styles of architecture.

A triangular roof. It should not be that hard to find. All I traveled on were square buildings. I reached into my pouch and held up a silver tracking beacon. It showed a green-lined grid and a blinking red light. I should be around quarter mile to my destination. I put back the beacon and looked up. Several meters away, a building with three sides was a level lower than the one I stood on. Easy enough.

Swiftly and silently, I skipped and jumped over the many delicate-looking buildings that lay ahead in a couple of minutes. The three-sided structure was in sight. A gap in between my objective and the one I am on was a lot larger than the other spaces I jumped.

Seeing that it was nearly possible to make it to the other edifice, I gained speed. I was careful not to slip on the wet surface.

Just as I ran out of ground, I soared into the sky. Hands and feet pointed, head enclosed by arms, stomach in. Truth be told, this was a diving move. Swimming can definitely teach someone a lot of things.

My heart was racing. My whole body felt numb from the wet and cold rain. Adrenaline coursed through my veins. I shifted my weight to the front of my hands for a few more feet. My palms touched the slick glass roof as I flipped backwards and softly landed on my soundproof shoes.

I bent down on the glass panel facing the center of the building and punched it. The noise was very, very noticeable; the glass fragments fell onto the too-low floor. I fell and landed on the ground with perfection. Cobra Commander has basically sent me on a hit-and-run mission; he does not care whether I make mistakes just as long he got what he wanted.

The whole building's lights were out; some holiday in London I guess. No guards, only maximum-security technology witnessed my crime. Surely, there were cameras lurking around here, and silent alarms were going off. I scanned though my beacon again. I had to go to an underground level again. Why were most high-classified government labs built underground instead of in the building surface levels? What happens when a scienctist tests out some weapons of mass destruction? If an accident occurs, the foundation of the edifice would crumble which causes the top levels to also fall. These people would rather risk their lives on a falsified ground than an actual stabilized test level.

By the time I got to the laboratory, it was vacant. I was somehow relieved that I did not have to battle anyone tonight. There were computers formed as a circle around the glass cylinder containing what I wanted – a syringe with a neon-green liquid. Effortlessly, I hacked my way into the computer and access was granted. The glass cylinder rose, making a hissing noise. I grabbed the syringe and placed it in a specially made box for its size. Carefully, the box was put in my pouch. Now, how to escape?

I went all the way back to surface level, trying to find all possible exits without getting caught from any people that might be working late. I changed into regular outerwear for I cannot be seen with my Cobra uniform once I get outside. The PDA showed the entrance as the only route to risk and take. Quickly, I reached and fooled the lock of the entrance scanner. I slipped outside the building without anybody noticing me. There were not many people, so I would not bother much. I heard sirens and yells when I turned a block behind the structure. Police responses happened to be slow in London with traffic and holidays coming around.

A few minutes later, the car picked me up at a park nearby. Sleep came over me real fast in the past seconds I sat in the vehicle. I have not gotten good sleep since two days ago. I might as start now.

Hours after we were back in the base. Cobra Commander was very pleased of my work and received the syringe at the same time. He set to do about his scientific project; maybe Project Hercules's purpose was to build superhuman soldiers capable of everything – hence the name Hercules. But, this was only a guess. How could I know anything about the commander? He was insane, that was all, and I respected his privacy.

And, what of Destro? What of his silver face? Nanomites I am very sure. Was his face burned off before? Probably. The nanomites healed Destro, but gave control to the commander.

Zartan – from what my senses told me – was sadistic and dangerous. His disguise cannot hide that. He may even have the capacity to even kill women, opposite Storm Shadow. He also has nanomites to help put more effort in the president concealment. I wondered where was the actual president but never bothered to ask.

As I questioned the leading Cobras' personalities in my thoughts, I approached and entered my room. A long, warm shower made everything a little bit clear. I never liked hot water; it feels like it was scalding my skin.

I sank into my mattress. My arms held my head, my legs crossed. Storm Shadow interests me in both positive and negative ways. He was mildly handsome, mysterious, and… special. I do not know what made him special. Somewhere in the unknown parts of my mind knew he was important – that he plays a crucial role in my life. I forced air through my nose at that. Like that will happen.

Storm Shadow was also domineering, cynical, and brutal. Damn ninja! Always thinking he was unique – well, he is. He just boasts about it too much. His jokes were unbelievably funny, I admitted. When it comes to dark humor, they always go straight to the point. Training with him tortures me. I end up getting more bruises and lacerations than Storm Shadow. Only a miracle is what it takes to defeat him. Every time we fought, I was close to victory, but I lost. How pitiful of me. That is what I would have said to myself.

My mind inadvertently played back a memory – a memory that showed a different Storm Shadow. Back in Los Angeles, the pool, Storm Shadow closing in on me, our bodies touching closely to each other. Our lips, nearly an inch apart. The heat radiating off him left me dazed and lustful. There was no kiss.

"Mai Wan Qi, you should not be thinking any thoughts about this! It is absurd! Storm Shadow and you will never be!"

I rolled on my side facing the metal wall, covering my head with pillows. Of course I should not. I cannot. Business never mixes well with relationships. And what relationships? None.

Another mental skirmish ensued between the two sides of my mind – one that goes by the rules, the other fighting for the right to let me choose what I want. I had not realized I slept until I opened my eyes. The clock lit 12: 09 P.M. I slept that much? Never mind. I started around 2 A.M. I pulled back my covers to sleep again. I am certain no one would bother me, judging by what I did yesterday and how Cobra Commander criticized that I "look like crap".