Chapter 21
A knock at the door made Varen look up from the papers he had been working on. It had been a few weeks since the surprisingly short meeting with the Chevalier command force of Asakura. He had gone in expecting the worst, and came out with everything he'd asked for and more. It made him uncomfortable in many ways because he knew Chevalier would not give him everything without some sort of strings attached. Exactly what those strings were, was the real question. For now, it was important to focus on what he wanted to accomplish.
"Come in." He said looking back down at the requisition form and scratching his signature on the bottom. Dr. Elize Schmidtz walked in and looked around the room.
"Seems like just yesterday you spent every day in my hospital and sat discussing your medical issues with me awkwardly. Now you have your own office within your own building." She said sitting in the chair that was placed in front of Varen's desk.
"Things have moved fast Dr. Schmidtz, and things are different these days. I haven't heard from you in months, what can I do for you?" Varen asked setting his pen down. Elize could see Varen was not the same man he had been when she first met him. The shy, slightly introverted person showed no signs of existing anymore. Now, just from his speech and demeanor she could tell he was confident, calculated, and very serious.
"I want to apologize for taking so long to get back to you about the testing we did months ago. I wanted to make sure I had all the answers I could before we spoke again." She explained.
"So, what did you find?" He asked resting his arms on his desk. This building was one of two Varen now controlled on the campus of West Genetics. One was dedicated to their living quarters and social environment, whereas this one housed a few offices as well as a combat training room, armory, and meeting rooms. In all her time here she had never seen Chevalier give so much to one person. It was unheard of and a little suspicious. An area behind the buildings was cleared to even include a smaller tarmac with two Interceptors parked.
"Did you know I am also a Pandora?" Elize asked and Varen nodded.
"Of course I can tell just by looking at you." He responded.
"You know I live with Yumi Kim as well?" She asked.
"I do, what does this have to do with anything?" Varen asked.
"Everything. Yumi told me everything about the West Genetics Nova Clash and what you did. That is why I decided to come to you now with what I had. You left a profound impact on her that day with what you did and how you inspired everyone. In less than a year you have gone from a nobody to the most influential person in this facility. You have developed extraordinary abilities and now you even command a small group of the strongest Pandora here." She said.
"Dr. Schmidtz did you have something to discuss with me about the testing performed or are you here to remind me of my past? I strongly dislike these conversations because it tempts my ego and I refuse to become someone whose pride cannot be controlled. I have a job I need to do and I devote my time to that so you can understand that I try to avoid conversations that revolve around raising me up on a pedestal." He replied and Elize sat back a bit.
Varen was vastly different than their last meeting and it took her aback. He spoke like someone who had been in a position of leadership for years and his tone commanded respect. She understood then why Yumi had found it difficult not to salute the man she now sat before. For all his power and position he now had, he retained his sense of honor and duty to his fellow students. He still just wanted to be treated as an equal to everyone else, without the stories of his accomplishments. She had never met someone who seemed to work so hard to keep his own pride and ego in check and not let it get the better of him.
"I know why you are the way you are." She said. Varen leaned forward slightly giving her his full attention.
"Continue." He said.
"Stigma cells are present in your body. This is a separate series of cells than the stigmata Ms. Fairchild implanted on you. Unique stigma cells found only in your body." She answered.
"These cells are what you believe is fueling the changes in me?" He asked and she nodded.
"I'm certain beyond any degree of doubt. Varen, these cells are present in your entire body. Your cellular structure is infused with genetic material similar to that of the stigmata we use for Pandora." She explained.
"Maria Lancelot's genetic material." Varen said and Elize blinked in surprise.
"How do you know that?" She asked.
"It's not important how I know, but I'm very much aware of where the material comes from that created a Pandora. Are you saying my cells contain cells similar to that of Maria Lancelot?" He asked. Varen didn't know if anyone besides himself knew that Chiffon was the biological daughter of Maria Lancelot and therefor decided not to elaborate on where he learned such classified knowledge from.
"No, it is different from that of the Nova and of Maria's DNA. It is a unique strain which is why you have developed such unique skills. You are a natural born inheritor of DNA from wherever the Nova comes from. A Novaborn is the word we use to describe people like Maria and yourself." She explained.
"I see. Thank you for this information Dr. Schmidtz I appreciate that you looked into it with such dedication." Varen said reaching out a hand.
"That's it? You don't want to know more, or why? It doesn't concern you that you were born with a DNA structure that is alien to this world?" She asked incredulously.
"No, that doesn't concern me. I'm sorry, but what's important to me is what is ahead not what is behind. I know that may seem strange, but for me I don't have the luxury to worry about things like that. I want to do right by the ones I care about. Until that is done I cannot take time for myself. I apologize that I have become so distant and cold, but for us here we cannot return to how we used to be until our mission is complete." He said. Elize waited a few moments before reaching out and shaking his hand.
"I hope you all find what you're looking for. Morrison and Mark were good Limiters and they were good to their Pandora. You don't want to become self-absorbed, but make sure you are careful to not be consumed by revenge. You're a good man Varen, I knew that when I met you. Don't become someone you're not." She said. The corner of his mouth rose a little.
"Thank you again Dr. Schmidtz. It was nice to see you again." He answered and she bowed slightly turning to leave.
"Hey, may I ask a question? What does that stand for?" She asked pointing to a large symbol that was painted on the wall behind where Varen sat. He didn't turn around to look at what she pointed to, but lowered his eyes.
"Chevalier required us to create an operational name for our team to apply military requisition and supplies to. I left it up to Arnette and Attia as to what they wanted. They both agreed on The Nightingales." He explained.
"The Nightingales…I like it." She nodded and opened the door leaving. Varen turned and looked up at the symbol for a long time. They had named their group, but Chevalier had created the symbol that would accompany the name. The very same symbol he had seen in his dream when they flew towards De Orleana months ago. He had seen it on himself in that dream stitched onto the arm of his and Arnette's uniform. A black field with a silver bird clutching a sword.
That evening Varen sat with his team eating in silence. Most evenings were spent like this amongst them. After the events of the Nova clash things had been different between them all. Just a few months ago they laughed and poked fun at each other smiling, but now there was only grief. Arnette and Attia had lost their Limiters in that clash and it was still an unhealed wound. Their pain drove Varen to avenge the deaths of their Limiters. Shortly after the incident they had both approached him together and begged for his help. Elizabeth had told them about the Novitiates bringing the Nova into their world. It started a chain reaction of events that would lead to today when they all were together as a team.
The last few months had taken its toll on them all mentally. Elizabeth had expressed her desire to be a part of whatever Varen was planning. Arnette and Attia were two of her best friends after all and she wanted to see things through to the end. Her Limiter, Andre, Varen had never met, but in the short time since meeting him he had proven to be the most capable and loyal Limiter he had ever known. His dedication to Elizabeth was honorable. Varen had to admit that having another male around was comforting so there was no hesitation when Varen agreed to bring Andre into the fold of the Nightingales.
Chiffon and his relationship had been the hardest these past few months. He was overcome with the desire to bring Kyle Monroe to justice that it became his sole focus. Chiffon supported him in every way she could, but Varen could see she was stressed. His convictions to give Attia and Arnette peace by bringing their Limiter's murderer justice changed him. He couldn't remember the last time they smiled together. Her playful attitude had long disappeared when it was clear Varen had become something different. It was something she struggled with every moment. She wanted nothing more than to go back to how they once were, but knew that it wasn't the time.
Varen felt guilty about Chiffon and his relationship since Morrison and Mark had died. He never knew if Attia and Arnette were romantic with their Limiters, but he did not want to pour salt in their wounds. After the Nova clash the first time she tried to be intimate with him his heart rate had increased to dangerous levels as anxiety became too much for him. He had broken down in tears falling asleep in her arms as she held him. It was then she knew that this was a time when he needed her to be stronger than him. He apologized continuously as she reassured him of her understanding that night. Even though her body craved physical contact she found comfort in the fact that Varen did not hide his weaknesses from her. It only served to reassure her that although times were tough now, they were as strong as they ever were.
"Hey…" Attia said as they ate. "I like this."
"The food?" Chiffon asked. It had been her night to cook and her skills as a cook had never been described as very good.
"No, I mean this. Us living together and being here." She responded. Varen didn't look up from his plate and continued to eat quietly.
"It's been easier being together like this. I don't know what I would have done if we weren't together." Arnette added.
"We never said thank you to you all. I know you all are here doing this for us." Attia said.
"Hey, we're here doing this for everyone. To prevent something like this from happening again. You sound like you are a burden." Elizabeth said.
"But, if Mark and Morrison hadn't died…" Attia started and she trailed off as tears fell from her eyes. Varen dropped his hands on the table causing everyone to look up.
"Enough. I won't listen to you both blame yourself. We all know the risks of being Genetics soldiers. Mark and Morrison knew those same risks and still faced death like heroes. They died for you, and I promise you they will not die in vain. From this night forward we do not blame each other or feel burdened by one another any longer. We trust each other implicitly and without hesitation. This is our family now and there is nothing stronger than family." Varen said and Attia wiped her eyes.
"Yeah, you're right. Then please let's get the bastard who did this." Attia said.
"We will. Chevalier has been sending me all the intel they have and I'm close to figuring out a course of action. Just give me a little more time alright?" Varen asked and they all nodded.
Hours later Varen sat in front of their fireplace in the common room of the building they all shared as living quarters. Everyone had gone to bed some time ago, but he found sleep difficult tonight for some reason. It was hard to think of anything other than Kyle Monroe and the Novitiates. He felt like Chevalier was close to nailing down his location and this time Varen was doing his own research on it as well. He wanted to be sure this time that when they got there Kyle was present.
"Can't sleep?" A voice said and Varen looked up seeing Arnette slowly walk down the stairs. She wore a thin t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Her hair was down instead of tied up like usual.
"No, not really." He answered and she sat on the couch next to him.
"I'm glad you are here. Without you I don't think we'd ever have the chance to avenge our friends." She said leaning back on the couch.
"Don't credit me with everything Arnette. I'm just one guy." He responded. She laughed softly and it was the first time in a long time he'd heard her laugh. He looked over at her as she leaned back her hands up over her head.
"Hey? What am I to you?" She asked and he looked back at her quizzically.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"We haven't been alone since that day in the hospital. We've been through alot together since then." She said.
"Yes, we have, but I still don't know what you mean." He replied and she laughed again leaning forward.
"I am not your Pandora. We have never had a baptism together. Yet, when we are alone or when we are close I can hear you. I can feel everything about you. So, Varen, what am I to you?" She asked again. He had kept this hidden since that night in De Orleana, hoping that it was only him who had noticed it. Now that Arnette had confirmed that she too could sense him it brought to light something different. Was it possible for him to create an Ereinbar Set with a Pandora without the transfer of stigmata? It was impossible to consider until that night when he dreamt of Arnette and when he got angry with her.
"I don't know." He answered honestly.
"You can wield my weapon, I know you can feel me as much as I can feel you, and you are risking everything for Attia and me." She said.
"It's not just you. I think I can sense all of you. I never focused on it, but I think Attia and Elizabeth are the same." He answered finally. It was the last thing he had kept to himself for months now. He had not even told Chiffon about it out of fear of how she might react.
"Attia knows too Varen. She's too shy to approach you about it, but she knows. I think we all do and that's why we have declined to take on new Limiters. Talk to Chiffon about this and let's get it out in the open." She said.
"Yeah, alright I will talk to her about it, but I can't guarantee she will be happy." He said and she laughed again.
"No, probably not, but it looks like it's just part of being the Justicar. I'm going to try to get some sleep now." She said standing and walking back towards the stairs.
"Thanks Arnette good night." He said watching her walk away.
"I know you're looking at my butt." She giggled and he laughed shaking his head.
"Idiot." He said out loud leaning back again. Perhaps things were finally moving towards a brighter times after all.