Chapter 29
A Secret No More

For the first hour they tried to get the door opened but the armored door resisted everything they could think of.

Jared: Well I hate to say it but we're really stuck this time.

Kim: Do you think it was Ricardo?

Jared: No more like over-zealous fans that could use good shrink.

They made themselves comfortable or at least as comfortable as one could get with only bullets and gauss slugs, Kim then brought up a delicate topic.

Kim: Jared I was wondering how you survived... you know the administrator.

He sighed heavily but showed no sign of resistance to the subject.

Jared: I survived by numbing my body and mind. For five years I didn't hear anything, didn't taste, and didn't feel... the only thing that I didn't numb was my sight. I saw the darkness and my own blood, that's how I survived... but now the question is how did you survive physically?

Kim: What do you mean?

Jared: The abuse that you took would have killed a normal person, but you aren't normal are you?

Kim knew that she couldn't keep it a secret from him much longer, slowly breathing in she told him the truth.

Kim: You're right you know I'm not exactly normal. Like you I was born with a degenerative disease, it was your father who recommended the operation seeing how you survived. My father took it I went through it and survived, I never spoke about it because I didn't how people would accept me. Even after he died I never told anyone except for myself, I didn't think I could trust many people it... I hope you forgive me for not telling you the truth.

It was quiet for a moment as they waited for one of them to react; Jared finally did by wrapping his arm around Kim and saying.

Jared: It's your secret and it's your choice whether or not to reveal it. But I thank you for telling me it shows that you at least in some way trust me. And I give you my bonding word that I will keep my mouth shut in front of everyone short of god himself and you know...

Kim whispered

Kim: That your word is your bond.

She rubbed a forming tear out of her eye hoping that Jared didn't see it. Then in an attempt to cut the tension Jared changed the subject.

Jared: Hey Kim tell me something, how long has it been since you have broken into a building?

Kim: Almost 2 maybe 3 years why?

Jared: I was just thinking how we can find out if Ricardo is behind the mines and anything else. If we get Davion's blessing on this idea we go sneak into his house check his computer and plant a few bugs around his house.

Kim stared at him in disbelief before cracking up laughing.

Kim: Jared you realize of course that if we are found then we are screwed right?

Jared: Well IF we are found then I plan to take out every single human being in the building and somehow pin it on the terrorists. Then in order to give a plausible reason for the break in we will hijack his Danshi.

Kim: Can you hot wire a mech?

Jared: Gone in 60 seconds what about you?

Kim: I'm wondering how long you have been planning this break in.

Jared laid down on top of a pile of Heavy gauss shells before answering.

Jared: I have been planning this since the match. Well we will see if Davion will approve it in the morning until then we should try to get some sleep.

The ammo room was basically an armored meat locker with the temperature hovering at 40F but it did little to stop the two of them from getting some sleep although Kim kept close to Jared keep warmer.

At about 3 in the morning Kim woke up after hearing what she thought was the door opening, calming down she realized it was the slugs they where on top of shifting under them. She couldn't help but look over at Jared's silent sleeping mass; they had been friends since she had gotten to Dune almost a year and a half ago. And a lot had changed since then but one thing had remained the same, Jared looked out for her but never expected or asked for anything in return.
She thought out loud.

Kim: If he watches out me then what do I do for him in return?

Too much shock he answered.

Jared: You know that already. You have stuck by me and have put even a small amount of trust and respect in me. That is what you do in return.

Kim: ... thanks for everything.

Jared: No problem at all Kim, now we have 3 hours until the door unlocks so we matter wise get some more sleep.

Kim nodded in response and laid back down. Jared wrapped his arm around her slowly and lightly in order to keep the two of them as warm as possible.
For the first time in years for both of the teenage mechwarriors they actually slept, not the light restless sleep that they had practiced since they were young but true restful sleep.

3 hours passed and a series of loud metallic bangs came from the door as it unlocked itself stirring the two trapped mechwarriors. They moved quickly out of the room past some sleeping fans and didn't stop running until they had reached the hummer and started for home.

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