Mission gone Wrong

The mission was a simple one. Infiltrate a building owned by Extensive Enterprises, get proof there was a genetics lab under it, and bust the operation. It was actually going just fine. Panthera was on the top penthouse type floor, going through papers in the safe, and everyone else was down stairs.

She straightened, having found the correct file, and put it into a hidden pocket in her jacket. Then someone rushed her from the shadows.

The building next door was undergoing renovation, and was currently empty. Well, it had been Empty, but two combatants crashed through a wall, destroying the quiet peace.

Panthera flipped her attacker, dimly noting how tall the person was. "Hello, One. Or is it Intimidator now?" One was Seven feet tall . . .maybe even a couple inches past it, but Panthera didn't really care.

"What do you think, Little Animal?"

"Original much?" She put some distance between the two. "What do you want?"

"Oh, just to bring you home. Moreau wants to finish what he started, and you escaped before he could activate the rest of your powers." He looked at her. "You were a fool to escape . . . even Ten could beat you in this weak state."

"I'm not going back!" She growled. "You'd have to kill me first."

"Very well." Intimidator turned metallic, and spikes grew from his chest. "But you haven't a chance to beat me as you are."

As painful as it was for her to admit it, he was right.

Panthera had quick healing, the strength of, say, a tiger, claws, denser bones that didn't break easily (but could still break) and the ability to survive extreme temperatures.

Intimidator had metallic skin, Strength that could rival the juggernaut, spikes, energy blasts from his eyes, a healing factor, (though not as good as hers) and a psychic ability of telekensis.

In a battle of who would win, the odds were not with Panthera. And, as the two went at it, she was flung around like a rag doll, her claws barely even scratching the metal skin.

"You know, I always wondred how you could fight us. We're supposed to be programmed to be unable to fight each other. Then I realized, you don't consider us a pack at all." He pinned her to the wall with a spike through her shoulder. "And that's all it took. You see us as betraying you, by deciding Cobra had the right of it. Ten and Twelve were the only packmates you cared for, only ones that followed you completely. Therefore, they are the only ones you can't hurt." She ripped the spike out, and threw it at him. He caught it. "I imagine that's why you automatically made that pack for yourself, you have to have something to protect."

"You're imagination is surprising, I don't need anyone." She spat blood as he slammed her into a metal beam and pinned her with his arm.

"That's where you're wrong. You're a pack animal, Animal. As long as you have that pack, You'll fight Cobra and us. But once they've been stripped away . . . You'll be ours again."

"Won't happen." She surged, pushing him back, the two grappling again. Finally, she was slammed through a wall, and fell a story to be buried in wood and debris. Barely conscious, she managed pressed the button that would bring help to her. Then, mostly through a stubborn force of will, she stayed in the realm between conscious and unconscious. Someone cleared debris off her head, and she barely focused on the face. A glint of metal turned her attention to the collarbone. Somehow, she managed to focus on the X.

"Ten . . ." she wasn't sure if she managed to say it or not.

"I'm sorry, Four . . . I'm so sorry . . ." Time got confusing for Panthera, and she slipped into a memory . . .

"I'm sorry, Four, I'm so sorry!" The (currently) young man was apologizing frantically as the girl woke up. "If I hadn't gotten beaten by Three, you wouldn't have been hurt."

"Stuff it. And stop calling me four, it's Naomi." She pulled her still aching body up, into a ball with her back against the wall. Ten curled next to her. "I'd love to know how this is considered conditioning."Tired, her instincts, and her animal personality, were currently in the back of her mind.

"Pain builds character?"The two cuddled to stay warm in the cold cell. "What's with that insanity act, anyway?"

"It's not an act . . . It's how I survive." She put her head on his. "And someday, I won't have to struggle with the animal inside."

"Love you Naomi." He murmured, ready to sleep.

"Yeah . . . Likewise." She kept a weary eye on the door, not quite believing they were going to be left alone, and not wanting to be caught napping.

"Hate you, Ten . . . you left me . . . Twelve . . . to die . . ." She muttered, back in the present.

"I know . . . I'm sorry . . ." She grayed out, her next glimpse of consciousness had Long Range and Leatherneck pulling her out, then all went black.

"Dio, Panthera, what went wrong?" Long Range muttered.

"Someone did a real number on her." Leatherneck shifted her weight so he could carry her out. "She's got bruises that aren't healing."

"Wish I knew what happened . . ."

Not too long later:

"Lifeline, what's going on?" Leatherneck wasn't in a real good mood.

"I got some of Panthera's blood when she got cut by that murmasa blade."

"Oh?" Leatherneck looked at him. "And that is supposed to be important how?"

"Easy, Leatherneck."

"I thought I could run it through the missing person's database."

"Why do I suddenly know there's going to be something bad?"

"Her DNA doesn't match. What's worse, I know why." He looked at him. "Someone took a virtual hammer to her DNA and put in other types."

"Types?"

"She has human DNA, some parts don't add up as being part of the same person. I also have some parts that remind me of Iceberg."

"What's he got to do with it?"

"He got turned into an Orca, remember? He still has stray DNA from that. She's got animal DNA, I think."

"Any toxins?"

"Yeah, Airtight's looking at it right now. Panthera's still out."

"Who's with her?"

"Doc. He wants to try to talk to her."

"But she wouldn't let any of you near."

"Doc never tried to talk to her, one on one." Bree piped up. "He thinks it's more Lifeline and Psyche Out than us as individuals."

"I hope so."

Moving right along . . . heh. Next: Doc and Panthera have a talk, but what will the outcome be?