For you
"Max." Lydecker gently held her arm effectively keeping her in the armory room. "You may not like her but you need to be careful." He warned.
"Why?" Max glared stubbornly setting her jaw and crossing her arms. "I can take her." Hadn't she gotten the upper hand over Sam even with her extra years of training?
"She's black ops Max." Lydecker sighed partly annoyed at her dismissal of his warning and partly proud that she felt so capable. "I doubt it would be as easy as you think." He shook his head trying for a placating tone. "Look, Nÿx obviously has different talents than the X-5's or even the X-7's. I've done some digging…" he turned as Logan went to stand next to Max.
"Well?" Max questioned obviously ignoring Lydecker's glance at Logan. She tapped her foot impatiently. He barely nodded acknowledgement before continuing.
"There's a couple of high profile assassinations, two to be exact. The first in Tokyo, March of 2012. A high powered executive, the Vice President of Yoshiro Corporate, was murdered."
"This is important how?" Max questioned playing stupid in the hopes he would go away. Lydecker turned to Logan hoping the other man might guess his train of thought.
"He was electrocuted, found in his bath."
"So he accidentally dropped his blow-dryer, oops. Murder solved." Max quipped; she had no interest in what the colonel had to say and it was difficult for her to look at him without feeling anger or hate.
"He didn't." Logan interrupted. "I saw this on TV. It made a big splash because the entire block lost power."
"VP had a thing for young girls. Nÿx would've been the right age…" Lydecker trailed off watching as Max had to consider he was telling the truth, that his concerns were valid and that she would have to do something about it, if not now, then eventually.
"You think she did it?" she glanced at Logan who nodded slightly, looking almost apologetic to be agreeing with Lydecker, especially with how she felt about the colonel. "You're bent."
"There's another one. An oil magnate in the Sahara-."
"Who went to the Sahara?" Alec asked glancing at each one with a smile.
"Your girlfriend." Max retorted with a roll of her eyes.
"My who?" Alec asked frowning. For a moment he was a little apprehensive thinking they'd found out.
"Nÿx." Logan confirmed but before Alec opened his mouth to put his foot in it the ordinary rescued him. "Lydecker thinks she may be a spy."
"I don't know that." Lydecker defended himself. "But she's definitely black ops. A special operative-."
"Come on!" Alec guffawed with a grin. "She's an itty bitty thing." they just looked at him varying in expression from annoyance to questioning and plainly an 'Are you that stupid?' look from Max. "She doesn't even remember being trained!" he exclaimed in defense.
"So she says." Max retorted before turning to Lydecker. "Are you sure?"
"No. No, this isn-."
"What about the second murder?" Logan asked.
"The body was charred-."
"See? It wasn't her." Alec waved a dismissive hand interrupting them.
"From the inside, as if they'd been hit by a massive electrical shock." Lydecker glared at the young Transgenic.
"How do you know it was her? How do you know this guy didn't just put his finger in a socket or get hit by lightning?" Alec asked.
"You ever see anyone struck by lightning?" Lydecker glanced at each one shaking their heads no. "The body is charred from the inside; it shuts down from the electrical overload. And, there's an exit wound. Which the Sheik did not have."
"Stormy weather." Alec shrugged. "Guy probably thought he could harness electricity and flew a kite or something."
"In the desert?" Logan asked incredulous.
"Hey, it rains there too." At least he thought so.
"Not during the dry season, son." He turned to the others. "Now these two events take place in two different continents not to mention they are about five years apart."
"She would've been what? 11? 12? In Tokyo and about 16, 17 during the Sahara mission." Logan calculated.
"About the same time Krit found her." Max added.
"Woa, woa, you're jumping to conclusions based on some theories. Where's the proof?" Alec asked. He was a little surprised he was sticking up for Nÿx when she obviously would rather have nothing to do with any of them.
"Kid, sometimes all you have are theories." Lydecker patted his shoulder and Alec for once felt some hate towards the older man.
"So she's black ops, top secret, hush, hush. Now she's here." Max stated.
"And deciphering the Minoan markings on your skin." Logan added.
"She can't be a spy." Alec repeated again. "Dude!" he exclaimed at their incredulous looks. "She's-."
"Alone with Krit." Max said wide-eyed.
"Spying on the Conclave." Logan glanced at Max both thinking the worst.
-X-
He had decided they should go in separate directions, not that she'd had much choice in the matter. She'd never experienced Krit being mad at her- well not like this- and it felt awful, like she'd eaten something bad and now her stomach was telling her what an idiot she'd been. It was the worst feeling she could ever imagine.
'He's probably mad because I said those things to Max. Or maybe cuz I shoved her? Ok so it's all of the above and then some. I wouldn't blame him if he started regretting ever finding me.' Nÿx thought, quietly moving through the underbrush. It was dark when they finally arrived at the school. Both bikes had been left behind in preference of a small car, which they'd left in a shallow ditch covered with branches.
Nÿx grimaced feeling the thorns scratch at her bare legs. She was regretting having worn the skirt at all and not having brought a change of clothes with her to Terminal City.
This was the 2nd time she'd missed work and that meant Normal would require another believable lie when she showed up for work tomorrow.
'If I even make it to work.' Nÿx thought that was likely not going to happen. She wondered how Max had managed to juggle being the hero, the cat burglar, the spy and the messenger. Phew! That was a lot even for a genetically enhanced super soldier.
The school loomed into view and Nÿx crouched among the shrubs letting her eyes focus on the far end of the field. She surveyed the area searching for the Familiars or guards but there were none. Maybe she was just lucky?
'Doubtful.' Nÿx thought feeling that nagging tingling between her shoulder blades. This was not a good night to play spy's but Krit didn't want to listen even though he knew she was usually right about these things. It just proved how upset he was with her. He hadn't even spoken to her on the way to the Conclave hide out and it had been a long drive to begin with.
-X-
Krit was understandably upset with Nÿx and unwilling to voice how much so soon. For that reason he cut her attempts at conversation short giving clipped one-word answers and after an hour of that she finally gave up. Nÿx turned to the window and he glanced at her every once in a while seeing her reflection in the glass. She was biting on her lower lip, that little nervous habit began to worry him. Nÿx was usually right even if she couldn't explain how she knew… if she said something bad was gonna happen it was best to just prepare or scratch the entire operation.
'So why didn't I listen? Why not turn back?' his inner voice asked but the truth wasn't pretty.
The way she'd come in, how she'd spoken-. How could Nÿx undermine him that way in front of Max? In front of Lydecker? Hadn't she been paying attention to their stories? Didn't Nÿx care she'd make him look the fool to the others? He was supposed to be in charge, the one Nÿx deferred to.
Nÿx did care and he knew it. Just like she knew this wasn't his normal behavior, she probably thought he was being careless and was genuinely worried something would happen to him. It's why she'd come in the first place. That still didn't excuse her outburst, which is why they were currently spying on the Conclave.
Krit hugged the wall making his way to the lower windows; unable to duplicate Nÿx's ability to blend in with the shadows. It was nothing extra the lab coats had put in her cocktail. She couldn't remember being trained but she knew that was an old samurai trick, one she was exceptionally good at and had tried to teach them. The only one who'd managed to come close to mastering it was Zane.
"Grease Monkey." He muttered.
The objective was to get into the basement where Lydecker said he'd been held. He'd check the area for anymore Transgenic's before getting any information on the Conclave or White, 'EyesOnly' could use to expose them.
He slipped in easily. "Too easy." Krit muttered glancing around the room. His eyes adjusted quickly to the darkness noting the two doors at opposite ends of the room and the boxes scattered about. There was a table and cabinets on the far wall, which gave him the impression it was used for file storage. Krit checked the cabinet wincing as the metal screeched and listened to see if anyone had heard. He tried again but the piercing wail was more than he wanted to risk and settled for rifling through the files he could reach.
"Patient notes, graphs… test subjects?" he asked low voiced. His brow furrowed as he pulled out the file and glanced through it. The little he read sickened him and quickly shutting the manila folder he folded it, stuffing it in the biggest pocket of his vest. He glanced at the cabinet and deciding to leave it open he went to the closest door. He listened quietly opening the door a crack in order to see inside. Krit opened the door wider scanning the empty room. The far corner was barred and the cage door stood open, the keys still in the lock.
Krit's eyebrows rose in question but went to retrieve them anyway. The situation was becoming ridiculous.
"How helpful of them."
-X-
Now I know what the character on her hip means. It took me awhile to figure it out mainly because I couldn't really ask anyone nor did I know where to start looking. Good old Lydecker helped me out, spilling on the Tokyo job.
How could she? Has everything outta her mouth been a lie? How can she not remember the tattoo? She certainly wasn't born with it, not like a barcode…
So what the hell is she doing with the Japanese WAR character branded on her hip?
I can't very well mention this bit of information to the others because they'll want to know how I know this and well… I just-. It's not even the point! The point is they'll consider it proof she's a spy and want to question her. Somehow I don't see them asking nicely.
No, I don't believe she's a spy. Maybe she is black ops like the colonel says; Nÿx certainly went after him with murder in her heart. That's typical Manticore psy-ops right there. Someone wants Lydecker dead badly enough to send a special make Transgenic to get the job done. Only the mission is incomplete. I doubt Nÿx is going to let it stay that way, not if they programmed her right. Unless she's stronger than that?
Is it possible? Hell I couldn-. I wasn't. I folded, gave in after th-, went along…
I followed orders like a good soldier.
-X-
"Stupid Max and her dumb ideas." Nÿx grumbled slipping over the 2nd floor balcony. "Send your brother into the mouth of the beast." She continued crouching beneath the window. "That'll show him how much you care." She looked over the edge through the slit in the curtains but didn't see anyone. Nÿx slid her fingers along the windowsill but found no currents warning of an alarm. She stood prying the window open and silently slipped inside, quiet as a cat. She closed the window behind her, scanning the dark room noticing the empty bed.
'Empty bedroom and I'm that lucky.' She thought heading to the door. Nÿx opened it slightly peering into the empty hallway.
"Nobody."
It should've made her happy, easy as pie so far and that was the problem. Her eyes checked for cameras but found none so she slipped into the hallway. At first she employed her stealthy cat burglar walk, half crouched and tiptoeing sideways, listening to the sounds of the building. Three hallways later Nÿx walked calmly down the center of the hall still silent and aware but no longer keeping up the pretence of sneaking around.
She listened at various doors and opened them to find half the rooms empty. Those that were occupied had kids, boys to be exact, of varying ages, sleeping peacefully.
'What is this place?' she wondered heading down to the first floor. She found the office easily and immediately began searching file cabinets but they yielded no useful information. Not unless the world would like to know how much the parents paid to keep those boys at a private school.
"A fake private school." Nÿx murmured turning to the computer. "Hello." She said smiling warmly as she sat in the old leather chair. It quickly warmed around her, conforming to her small build, which she just loved. Her hands caressed the arms liking the way the old leather smelled but sighed sadly as she bent to the computer. Once again she employed her skills with the technological part of her training to gain access. She scanned through the school files, students, staff and that's where it got interesting.
"Where, where?" Nÿx looked around for a disk or something she could use to copy the files. She rummaged through the drawers and in the bottom left hand cabinet she found the funny looking staff with the snakes and beneath it an old leather bound book.
"Oh, you are mine." Nÿx crowed setting them on the desk then slipped the cd into the computer and copied the files. She went into all the folders she could find scanning through each one. Nÿx had to use another cd after the first one was full. An hour later Nÿx left the office with four cd's, the Hermes staff and the old tome. In the outer office she noticed a handy black bag hanging by the door. She dumped its contents in the trash bin and put her newly acquired items in their place; then grabbed the wallet from the bin casually flipping through it, pocketing the cash and the ID before pitching it back in with the rest of the trash.
"Now to the basement."
-X-
There was no one down there, not anyone he could find and Krit had searched the entire basement even slipping into the catacombs beneath the school. In one of the tunnels he'd found what looked like an archaeological dig. There were lights and a mound of dirt. Looking closer he'd seen the skeletons, one of them obviously an adult, the other two, children. He'd gotten a cold feeling being down there and left as soon as he'd taken pictures of the area. Down another tunnel he'd found a drawing looking very much like the Manticore logo. He'd taken pictures of that as well before searching the next tunnel. Krit had no idea where he was going because this hadn't been in the blue prints they'd managed to get from the city. He went on instinct alone coming into the cavern he assumed they used to perform the ritual Max had described. He took the small camera and snapped some pictures before slowly filming the entire cavern.
The altar was draped in crimson, whether they were preparing for a ritual or they had completed one he couldn't tell. At each end of the altar stood a torch dimly lit at the moment but casting enough light to be able to film. There was a pit in front of it and Krit went to look. It was full of something; he bent to take a closer look when the surface was disturbed. He quickly sat back not wanting to anger whatever swam in that pool.
Krit turned at the sound of skittering pebbles. The sound was muffled but clear enough he shut the camera off and hid behind the embroidered tapestry.
The steps came nearer until he clearly heard them stop in the cavern. Who ever it was began to move in his direction. Krit tensed slipping his hand inside his vest to the CQB Wilson Combat pistol at his side.
"I can hear you breathing." Nÿx's voice brought a sigh to his lips, though he scowled as he stepped from behind the tapestry.
"Nice hiding spot." She quipped hooking a hand on the shoulder bag. "You ready?"
"How did you find me down here?" Krit asked turning away from her to search behind the other tapestry.
"Oh, you know me." Nÿx said watching him. "I'm really good at tracking. Besides, you still wear the same cologne. I wasn't sure it was you though so I was ready." She slipped her hand back in the bag and pulled out her Smith & Wesson, a small cs45 model that she liked. He guessed it was easy for her to conceal then again she had two baby eagles strapped to her back under the black shirt.
Krit glanced at her over his shoulder wondering how she could look so at ease in the armory and now here when he felt more than a little uneasy. "You could smell me in all of this?" he asked surprised she remembered his cologne.
"What can I say? You have a unique scent, besides you smell better than all these musty moldy rocks." Nÿx peeked at the pit walking around it cautiously completely missing his pleased smile. "Is there something in here, Krit?"
"Yeah but I don't know what it is so be careful." He ordered gently.
"No problem." Nÿx agreed moving towards the altar. She fiddled with the material draped over the stone wondering why these freaky cults' always used red. "Like blood." She whispered.
"What?" Krit asked glancing over his shoulder at her but she didn't answer. He turned back to the wooden chest he was having trouble opening and he'd already tried the keys from the cell. "Nÿx, you got your lock picks on you?"
"Uh-huh." She nodded dropping the cloth and going to him. She pulled the black leather bag from her back pocket ready to hand it over when she saw the chest. It was large and elaborately carved. There was the Hermes staff clearly etched onto the lid. "That is… wow." she breathed getting on her knees next to Krit.
"Yeah but I can't open it." He said sitting back. He glanced at his watch checking their time. "We need to hurry. I take it you found what we needed?" Krit nodded at the bag she had slung across her shoulder.
"Hope so because it sure took a while to get everything copied." Nÿx replied working the lock. It clicked and the heavy metal lock fell open. She grinned turning to Krit, pleased with herself. "So, you love me again? Or you still mad at me?"
Krit knew she was teasing him, knew she meant nothing by the wording but he wanted to answer truthfully only this wasn't the time to have the conversation he wanted to have with her.
"Yeah." He replied which left Nÿx wondering which question he'd answered. "Let's see what's inside." He said before she could ask him. Krit lifted the lid and both Transgenic's jumped back in alarm. Nÿx clamped both hands over her mouth stifling the scream in her throat stumbling away from the hiss of angry snakes. Krit bit off his own cry reaching for Nÿx; he grabbed her arms and pulled her to his chest turning her face away from the chest. The snakes hissed spiting at them, slithering around inside, some spilled out moving in their direction and revealing the small body.
"What?" Nÿx asked trying to look but Krit forced her to the exit as the snakes got closer to their feet. "Krit what-."
"Let's go." He said pulling her. "Now." He ordered when she tried to look back. From the tone of his voice she knew better than to argue. Whatever it was he thought she shouldn't have to deal with it.
'So like him. So like a male. Why do they all think I'm made of glass?' Nÿx fumed inwardly as they ran through the tunnel. Krit made a left turn which led them to the dig site.
"It was supposed to be a right, Krit." Nÿx grouched looking for another exit but there was only the way they had come.
"I suppose you know how to get us out of here?" Krit griped out of sorts. 'What kind of people were they?' he thought seeing again the small body, skin tinged blue green as the snakes-.
"Yeah, I do. You wanna follow me or keep goin in circles, cuz, you know that's fun too." Nÿx's sarcasm was a clear sign that she was getting nervous. "Especially in the lions den. Yep, loads of fun…"
"Which way?" Krit asked glaring. Nÿx didn't need anymore prodding. She took off at a fast run blurring around the corners just ahead of the best of times he had trouble keeping up with her but right now it didn't seem to be a problem considering he wanted to get as far away from the school, the Conclave and their catacombs as possible. He couldn't get the image of the baby out of his mind.
"It's locked." Nÿx's voice was laced with alarm. "Krit, it's locked, the door's locked and I didn't do it." She whispered looking to him for answers only he didn't have any.
"Keys!" He said fumbling to get them out and open the door to the basement of the school. "I have keys." If he'd been nervous before Krit felt a shiver of fear run down his spine. It wasn't the snakes or the body anymore that had him feeling on edge. The fact that the door had been locked was a sure sign that they had been discovered. There could be a dozen Familiars on the other side of the door ready to capture or kill them. Either option was a bad one since they both would inevitably end in death.
"Nÿx," Krit turned nodding towards her bag. "Get ready."
Nÿx nodded pulling out the baby eagles and standing aside.
-X-
She couldn't breathe and that was saying a lot considering she could hold her breath a little over 6minutes. Which meant the Familiar had a good hold on her, though not good enough to break her neck. Nÿx struggled once more to gain at least an inch of breathing space and suddenly she was free. On her face on the floor but she was free and her ears were ringing. She drew in a harsh breath as she was pulled to her feet. She brought her fist up intent on knocking the bitch down but it was Krit.
"Move!" he ordered handing her the baby eagle she'd dropped. Nÿx took it nodding and suddenly he was yanked down while she emptied the gun. Krit came up behind her aiming but the Familiars were laying awkwardly, one choking on its own blood.
"Now we can go." Nÿx said running to the window Krit had used to enter the school. He helped her get out and once on the grassy field Nÿx scanned the area hoping they wouldn't run into anymore Familiars knowing that was impossible considering they'd just shot three of them. Nÿx stood, turning at the sound of the noise when a blinding pain shot through her head. She stumbled back hitting the brick wall of the school where a blurry figure rushed at her. Nÿx ducked out of the way feeling pebbles rain on her head. Reaching into the bag she pulled out the Smith & Wesson 45, hapzardly aiming at the figure reaching down. She felt her face sting were the Familiar struck then pulled her up. Nÿx shoved the muzzle into its chest firing twice.
The Familiar let go of her, stumbling back as he glanced at his chest. Blood oozed out of the wounds spreading over the gray shirt. Nÿx didn't lower her arm, waiting for him to fall. Instead the Familiar straightened slightly and came at her again.
"Why don't you just die?" Nÿx groaned plugging another round, this time, to its head.
"Because we are the superior beings." Was the harsh reply on her left. Nÿx was taken off guard; the gun flew out of her hand even as she blocked the kick aimed at her head.
'These guys are fast.' Nÿx thought feeling that shiver of fear slice through her again. She'd known the night would end badly she just hoped Krit would make it back safe. Nÿx kinda hoped she made it back in one piece as well but she had tagged along to watch his back.
"Really?" Nÿx taunted though she was clearly the one at a disadvantage. "I thought that's why I was made. You saying they lied to me?"
"You're nothing but junk DNA." The Familiar sneered.
"Junk? Hey, I- Aah!" her feet got swept out from under her and Nÿx found herself struggling to keep her neck from being broken, yet again. The Familiar smiled coldly bearing down on her with a very long syringe.
'I hate needles. I really hate needles!' Nÿx thought panicking. She could feel her arms begin to tremble under the strain. The more she tried to push him off the closer the needle got to her face. She found herself turning away, grunting with the effort of keeping the syringe from being plunged into her body. Nÿx couldn't even use the EMP to incapacitate the Familiar because she had to relax in order to make one.
'I relax for the EMP and I'm dead or captured, poisoned -whatever; I'm dead!'
Nÿx felt the sting in her shoulder as the needle pierced her skin. She screamed, more form anger than pain though her shoulder burned. In one motion she pushed the Familiar far enough away the needle came out of her body dripping glowing lavender liquid. The wrist in her hand snapped as she forced it left. Nÿx shoved it towards the Familiar plunging the syringe into its neck and breaking the needle off. Suddenly Nÿx was free and she could see Krit kicking ass.
She sat up holding the syringe in her palm glowing lavender. Nÿx did wonder what was in it but more than that she wanted to kill that thing because after that she had no idea what was going to happen.
'If I die tonight then that thing is going first.'
Nÿx got up and helped Krit knock the Familiar to the ground. Once there she rained blows on the figure without mercy. She was beyond angry and somewhere in her head she heard the mantra again. 'Kill, Terminate, Execute, Destroy…'
"Kill, Execute…" Nÿx mumbled with each blow. Another one came out grabbing her from behind. Nÿx resisted at first but quickly relaxed and when the EMP hit lights flickered in the building before everything shut off. Nÿx turned, expecting to see the Familiar twitching on the ground but he was standing, a bit wobbly but otherwise unaffected. If it were possible, that infuriated her more.
"Terminate." Nÿx stalked towards the Familiar. "Destroy." That was exactly what she had in mind. "Execute." She turned with a spin kick catching the Familiar's face who fell down. "Kill." Nÿx stomped on its back hearing the satisfying crack of bones breaking. "Annihilate." She straddled its back, placing her hands on either side of its head, relaxing. Another wave sliced into the Familiar sending the body beneath hers into spasms. Nÿx grabbed the head slamming it into the soft ground twice without satisfaction. "You are going to die." She whispered into the ear then relaxed again. Nÿx felt herself grow warm as the last EMP tore through the Familiar, she could see blood begin to stream out of its ears, bubbling and slowly got to her feet.
Nÿx wiped her forehead watching as Krit smacked another Familiar with a shovel. It went down and he used the shovel to chop its head off. It rolled thrice before stopping a foot away from her. Krit dropped the shovel quickly picking up the bag she'd dropped, slipping the strap over his head.
"We gotta go. Come on." Krit grabbed her arm pulling her along as he ran to the trees. Once in their cover he slowed down letting go of her. Nÿx began to feel dizzy, her skin felt as if it were burning and her shoulder hurt. Suddenly her body spasmed, tangling her feet and she fell. Nÿx groaned pushing up on her arms.
"Nÿx!" Krit hissed when he realized she wasn't with him. He turned back finding her a yard away. She was curled on the leafy forest floor rocking back and forth. "What's wrong?" he asked in a whisper, falling to his knees.
"Go. Get back to Terminal City." Nÿx spoke through her teeth and he noticed she kept her jaw clenched, her arms were tightly wrapped around her knees.
"Get up. We have to go." Krit ordered yanking her up. Nÿx couldn't keep her body from twitching violently and almost knocked Krit down. He held her up as best he could not understanding what was going on.
"Cant stop." Nÿx managed and raised her trembling hand to give him the syringe. He took the vial from her hoisting her up as she began to slide down his body again.
"You're making it to the car." Krit stated but Nÿx shook her head. He lifted her again, wrapping an arm around her waist and roughly turned her face to his. "You are going to get to that car. Do you understand me?"
Nÿx managed a slight nod through her spasms, responding to the authority in his voice. Krit glared at her, afraid to show her he was extremely alarmed. He had never seen Nÿx experience the seizures the X-5's had developed early on. He had assumed Nÿx had been made without that defect but these seizures were much more violent than the others.
'It's in the syringe. Has to be.'
-X-
Getting her to the car had been a mission in and of it self. It wasn't quiet, wasn't stealthy and there had been Familiars trailing them. Once in the ditch he'd left Nÿx to uncover the car and open the door. An hour later she still hadn't stopped convulsing, instead she'd gotten worse. Her skin felt hot, as if she were burning with fever though it was impossible she could be sick. Her face was flushed and she was perspiring heavily. He'd checked her pulse and was anxious about her fast heart rate. It wasn't normal, none of her symptoms were normal for a Transgenic.
'We don't ever get sick.' Krit glanced at Nÿx again.
"Where's your cell? Nÿx, your cell phone." He asked patting her pockets as he drove and found it. He slipped it out of her skirt pocket none too easily and scrolled through her numbers glancing at her uneasily. This wasn't how it was supposed to go and again Krit wished he'd listened to her warning and damn his pride.
"Nÿx?" Krit brushed strands of inky hair away from her face as she tried to hold herself still. He smoothed a gentle hand down her clenched jaw feeling the tension in her body give way to another spasm.
"Almost there." He whispered trying to sound more confident than he felt. "Hold on a little longer, Nÿx. Just a little more." He murmured soothingly. The phone lay on his lap ignored and he kept his hand cupped over her cheek and jaw. She didn't have any phone numbers for Terminal City. She had no numbers besides JamPony; even her out going list was blank.
'Good soldiers don't leave a trail and everything we've taught her she's learned well. Am I any better than Lydecker? She wouldn't be here if it weren't for me.' The guilt would weigh heavily on him for a long time, of that he had no doubts.
-X-
"Max!"
She turned quickly hearing her name, still worried about Krit, thinking that everyone was going to bring her bad news.
"It's Krit." Katia said meeting her at the foot of the stairs. Logan could see by the look on her face Max was expecting the worst. That somehow the girl her brother rescued, the girl he obviously held some attachment for had finally betrayed him.
"Is he hurt?" Max heard her voice sounding very calm and wondered how she could keep it steady when her mind kept flashing back to Tinga.
'Not again. Please not again.' She prayed though to who she didn't know.
"No-yes. It's Nÿx." Katia shook her head getting the words right before she spoke again. "He brought her in just now, took her to the clinic. Krit said they were attacked but she's- it looks like the seizures got her." Katia's face showed her worry even as she held out the black bag Krit had sent for Max. "He gave me this for you."
Max didn't care what was wrong with the Transgenic but she cared about Krit. Taking the bag she threw it over her shoulder to Logan who quickly handed it off to Kade and Dill.
"Where is he?" Max questioned heading to the door.
"I sent him to Doc." Katia slowed watching as Logan brushed past her and they both got in his truck.
"She didn't even ask about Nÿx." The Transgenic murmured, slightly frowning. Granted they had only known each other a couple of days but they'd immediately liked one another. The way Nÿx had looked a couple of minutes ago had definitely worried Katia. She'd never seen a Transgenic that bad with the seizures. It wasn't normal.
"Nothings is."
"What's nothing, Kat?" Alec asked looking in the direction she was staring. Katia glanced at him noting his signature smile, the one he used to charm everyone.
-X-
"What happened?" Doc grouched as he got Nÿx onto the gurney.
"I'm not sure." Krit answered with worry as he tried to keep Nÿx from twitching off the bed.
"What do you mean?" Doc glared pointing at the writhing form between them. "Transgenics never get seizures this bad." He flinched away from Nÿx as her leg came very close to his face. "And that's not what this is!" he exclaimed turning his glare on Nÿx.
Doc grabbed her ankle and yanked off her boot. Krit followed his example then watched as Doc placed the restraint on her foot.
"N-n-NO-o!" Nÿx yelled jerking to a sitting position. She reached for her foot but Doc slammed her back onto the bed holding her as she continued to struggle.
"Strap her in! Now!" he ordered. Nÿx silently begged him not to do it, her dark-hazel eyes shining feverishly. His hand loosened her ankle then she broke free of Doc's hold. Nÿx shoved Doc, still convulsing, and tried toget off the bed. Krit wrapped his arms around her, pinning her to his chest and holding on tightlybefore she could fall off the hospital bed.
"N-no-o!" Nÿx stammered but she couldn't get her body to as she wanted and Krit had her back on the bed, her arms pinned between them. He smoothed her hair down her back running a gentle hand through the tangled mass and listened to her try and speak; she gave a frustrated yell as more spasms shook her body. Krit held her steady cupping a hand to the back of her head like a child until the worst passed.
"Lay her down, kid." Doc ordered taking another strap.
"Do you have to?" Krit asked glancing at the restraints.
"For her safety, not to mention mine." Doc retorted impatiently taking Nÿx' wrist. She struggled again but Krit helped Doc tie her down. Nÿx arched off the bed but it was no use and she knew it.
"I'm sorry." Krit apologized seeing the hostile look in her eyes. He reached a gentle hand towards her cheek but she clenched her jaw turning her face away from him.
"Nÿx…" he saw a single tear roll out of her eye. Krit knew she didn't like to break down in front of anyone, not once had he ever seen her shed a tear…
'It's how we're trained. Not to feel.'
"Krit!" Max rushed in heaving a relieved sigh at seeing him alive and unhurt.
"What happened? Are you ok?" Logan asked coming in behind her. His eyes locked on Nÿx convulsing on the gurney and strapped down. Her hair was completely wet and the shirt was drenched. She looked flushed and clearly in pain. Logan had never seen Max get her seizures that bad and after she came back form Manticore this last time she didn't get them anymore. They'd done her a favor taking out that metal implant in her head and getting rid of the seizures.
"We were attacked." Krit said glancing at Nÿx. "I think they knew or they found out somehow because they were waiting. Nÿx met up with me in the basement. We shot three before we could get out." he ran a hand through his hair fidgeting. "There were two more outside." He patted his vest retrieving the syringe to show them. "They put this in her. I don't know what's in it but Nÿx started convulsing soon after. It's gotten worse." He looked worried as Doc took the syringe from him.
"Why didn't you say so when I asked?" he complained taking it to the side table.
"He's telling you now." Max retorted seeing the wounded look on her brother. He looked guilty as he went to Nÿx's side but the ungrateful girl glared at him before turning away. Max clenched her fists wanting very badly to strangle Nÿx. Instead, she gently pulled Krit out of the room. In the hall she watched him glance back in the room as both Doc and Logan moved about trying to figure out what was going on.
"It's not your fault." Max said.
"She told me it was a bad idea." Krit answered with guilt clear in his voice. "She's always right about these things. Nÿx went because of me. That," he pointed into the room. "Is all me. She listens to us Max. Does what we say because she feels obligated. She's got this stupid sense of loyalty-!"
"No Krit." Max shook her head, upset he would take the blame for her condition. If anything, Nÿx had been careless which is why she was suffering.
"Nÿx cares about us the same way I care about you, Zane, Syl, Zack and everyone else." He shook his head. "I should've listened to her." He knew it and it was his pride that kept him from doing what he knew was best.
"Krit, you don't even know her!" Max cried unable to watch him berate himself.
"Know her?" he asked in surprise. How could she begin to understand…? "I've lived with her 2years! You think I don-. You don't know her, Max."
Her brown eyes widened slightly, hurt by his words but Max wasn't going to let him keep thinking Nÿx was some innocent Transgenic. They had no idea what her mission was and they'd all taken her in as if she were one of them.
"She's black ops." Max replied softly. Krit could only stare at her. "Lydecker found out she murdered two men. A Japanese VP and some oil magnate. That would've been around the time you 'found' her." she lay a sympathetic hand on his arm. "Krit she's been spying for someone."
Krit sighed dropping his head and Max noticed his shoulders begin to shake. She wasn't sure how to console him when she heard his laughter.
"Krit?" Max questioned, looking confused. He looked up again, laughing and shook his head. He could see the animosity, the way Max would follow Nÿx, eyes narrowed… Syl had done the same thing and it too k them a while to figure out why.
"You don't like her." he stated which took her by surprise. "I can tell and I'm sorry but she's no spy." He didn't have to say anything else, bring up the animal DNA- going through it with Syl the first time was enough for him.
"Krit did you even hear what I-."
"Did you?" he said with heat, the laughter gone from his voice and features. "You're going to take Lydecker's word over mine?" he asked incredulous. Krit couldn't believe Max would side with the enemy. "He murdered Eva. Shot her in front of us!" he stopped, hearing the shot ring through his brain again, the heavy thump of her body as it hit the cold tiles and the gun as it clattered beside her slack hand.
Max was hurt. How could he not believe her? How could he think she'd let her dislike for the other girl color her judgment? And Lydecker, he hadn't proved it was Nÿx, they were only theories after all yet she was ready to convict Nÿx on that.
'Woa, woa, you're jumping to conclusions based on some theories. Where's the proof?' Alec had asked and she hated thinking he was right.
"Max, Krit. You better take a look." Logan said from the doorway. They went in glancing at Nÿx continually convulsing as they went to stand beside Doc.
"She's poisoned." he said without preamble.
"What?" Max frowned. Transgenic's couldn't be poisoned they couldn't even get sick. Transgenic's had been made immune to any chemical warfare agent, disease, neuro-toxin, pathogens, viruses, you name it they were immune to it. "How is that possible?"
"Quite simple." Doc began raising the half empty syringe. "Poison." He said pointing to the syringe then turned pointing at Nÿx. "Poisoned."
Krit looked ready to hurt Doc when Logan intervened. "As far as he can tell, whatever that is, it's shutting down her system. We'll need to run more tests in order to figure it out." Logan waited for Max's decision when Krit stepped in.
"Do what you have to Logan. Just help her."
Behind him, Max nodded surreptitiously. Logan took the syringe and left, brushing past them without a word. Neither Max or Krit spoke and finally each one turned away, Max going back to her duties and Krit going to Nÿx' side.
-X-
Alec couldn't believe what Katia had said. Nÿx couldn't possibly be that bad, not when her knight in shining armor, Krit, was there to protect her. Wasn't that why he hovered around her, always watching her, asking where she was? Nÿx was no better, encouraging him, always smiling mischievously or winking because Alec had seen her do that twice and she kissed him too!
'So why am I going to see her?'
Why was he?
Because… well she was sick for one and when people were sick, laid up in the hospital, friends went to visit.
'Who says you two are friends?' the little voice sniggered.
Alec scowled turning the corner and purposely heading down the hall to where they had moved her. Doc had said the seizures had lessened in intensity but hadn't stopped. He was more curious as to why they were so bad. Hadn't every X-series had that problem? It's why he'd always hidden his own seizures and he'd been one of the lucky ones. His seizures got him during the night, when no one was watching. He could've been dead many times over if any of the lab coats had found out.
The sounds of Nÿx struggling reached his ears suddenly and he stopped a few feet from her door. He listened as she tried not to make any sounds, tried to hold in her pain. Alec moved to the doorway and watched her quietly.
Nÿx braced her arms in the corner sitting far back on the bed. It wasn't hospital issue but they were obviously needed. She pushed herself into the corner as far as possible, her arms straining against the walls. She had one leg bent beneath her while the other stretched out, the muscles clearly straining. Her hair clung to her face completely wet, as well as her red tank. The sheets were crumpled, bunched up by her foot. She glistened and though Doc had said she was running a high fever Alec hadn't imagined it was this bad that she would be covered in a sheen of sweat.
Nÿx heard someone walk in though it was his scent she recognized. She clenched her teeth, trying very hard not to make any sound as the wave finally tappered off sand slowly managed to raise her head to look at him.
She frowned closing her eyes as if to gather some strength as Alec came closer. Her head rested against the wall and he could see her jaw clench, her throat moved as she tried to swallow even though she knew it was wasted. The bed dipped with his weight and she felt Alec's hand on her ankle slowly slide up her leg as he moved to sit beside her. That alone made Nÿx feel her throat tighten with emotion, such a simple touch and she felt his concern.
"Alec?" she managed to whisper turning her face to his. Her eyes opened showing him their dark brown depths with impossibly green flecks … they were full of emotion, the pain hiding behind her sadness, there was a silent plea in her voice as she said his name. Alec didn't know what she asked of him and the only thing he knew to do, felt he could do was hold her.
Nÿx felt his arm slip around her waist gently, while he lay a cool hand on her cheek. She didn't know how to keep from shaking, how to stop the convulsions and more than anything she didn't want him there to see her. It was the worse thing he could do yet deep down she knew he didn't think so and she wanted him there, wanted to feel comforted…
Alec saw her eyes close and instinctively leaned in touching his lips to hers. For a moment her body relaxed and he pulled her from her corner until she rested partly on his legs. Alec sat back smoothing a strand of hair away from her face. For just a second he saw her smile, felt her body relax in his arms and felt somehow satisfied he could give her some comfort.
Nÿx convulsed violently, closing her eyes she pulled her arms and legs in trying to hold herself as still as possible while Alec held her and murmured soothingly. She could've cried, screamed in rage and yet all she could do was try and hold still, try and ignore the thirst, ignore the unbearable heat and from the corner of her eye another tear slid down her face mixing with the beads of sweat already on her skin.
-X-
In the doorway another Transgenic watched Alec with Nÿx. Noticed the familiar way they moved, how he touched her and their kiss-. More than anything he'd witnessed from his position by the door, that kiss told Krit everything he needed to know.
His hands fisted and his jaw clenched, unwilling to show his pain. It should've made him angry, should've ticked him off that Be-Alec had wormed his way between them. That in 6months Alec had managed to say or do something Krit hadn't done in 2years of living with Nÿx.
'She chose. There's nothing else I can do.' He thought turning away from the door but in his mind the image of Nÿx kissing Alec was burned in. The image of her with someone else would never leave him now. It would be a reminder, a reason to do something sooner, to act immediately when the time came because he doubted Alec would last very long. He wasn't the type to commit, to be counted on and eventually Nÿx would see that. She would know…
-X-