Charlotte wasn't looking forward to staring at the inside of another space ship, but her relief over being locked up with Tim was so great, she wasn't tempted to complain. Her cousin had improved over the course of a few hours, but the haunted look in his eyes remained.
That weird Vaga had a more negative impact on him than the others. She wanted to ask Tim about it, but they hadn't enjoyed anything close to privacy yet. Now that they were on the fringes of "outer" space and their handlers seemed to have grown bored of them, the timing was better.
"Tim."
When he glanced up, blood-shot eyes conveyed more than words could have.
"I get that you still aren't feeling well, but I can also tell there's more to it," she said softly. "If you don't want to talk, I understand. But it seems like you know something I don't so...I'm all ears, and I have nowhere to go."
"I'm the one who doesn't know anything," he murmured. "Never realized the price you pay for what was done to you. A price our whole family is about to pay."
"But they don't have them, Tim."
"Not yet." His voice was faint, and the way he stared into space without blinking worried her.
"Tim," she repeated to get his attention. "Did you see something? Feel anything? Because you're different now, and I get the sense it's not about being injected with my blood."
"It's that Vaga."
"I thought it was. Why does he bother you so much? You can't let him see he's getting to you. Guy is a text book villain. He just wants to get under your skin."
"There are no text books about him," Tim countered. "Charlie, he's got the darkest soul I've ever encountered. Everything he's threatened, he'll do...and more. He isn't trying to scare us. They'll find a way to recreate the cells without us, and then we're finished." He looked uncomfortable instantly, but then shrugged. "You wanted to know what was in my head. Sorry."
"You don't need to apologize, Tim, but help me understand. We've dealt with evil to varying degrees our whole lives. The depth of his depravity doesn't take anything away from you. Why are you acting like he's sucked the air out of your lungs?"
"Because we can't compete with him, or any of this. You mean to tell me you're not discouraged at all? I mean...not that I want you to be."
"I don't 'experience' things as deeply as you do. I'm not putting you down, itoko. But I don't want you to give up."
Tim fixed on the floor. "Why'd he say I could figure out his wretched reasoning? Who would want to?"
Charlotte swallowed. "Getting inside his head could help our cause, but it's not something I'd encourage you to try."
A tremor took the blue-masked turtle. "Probably wouldn't survive it."
"Okay, I'm sorry. Let's talk about something else."
"I'm open to suggestions, Charlie."
She paused to think. "There's always alphabetical insults."
"You're a lot better at that game than me."
"If you weren't so scared of hurting someone's feelings, you'd have a better time, you annoying abrasive absurd antagonist."
He managed a smile. "I don't have the brain power for it right now."
"It's not that hard, especially for a brashly belligerent brute of a barbarian."
"You only pick this game because you're good at it."
"You're not even trying, you callous chaotic compulsive catastrophe!"
He snorted. "I bet you could actually come up with one for every letter of the alphabet. I don't know why I'm laughing. Feels stupid."
"It's better than crying."
"True, but...it also seems like trying to stick a band-aid over a bullet hole."
Charlotte was silent for several seconds, and almost gave up the effort of distracting him altogether. "Band-aids still serve a purpose, don't they?"
"They don't make much difference for big wounds."
"Maybe not, but they can protect an injury. They cover it up, and keep contaminates from getting in. They help prevent infection, and generally make a wound feel better, right?"
"Yeah, but they don't last either. You have to change them constantly."
"But they provide protection in the meantime. We can agree there."
"A little bit."
"And they stop some wounds from getting worse."
He nodded.
"So what's wrong with laughing if it makes you feel better for a couple minutes? No, it doesn't solve anything, but we could go crazy up here, Tim. At least we're together this time. Let's enjoy it."
"Enjoy it?"
"Okay, maybe that's the wrong term for this, but you know what I mean. Work with me here. You've just been through hell, and these last few days were terrible, but they could have separated us again...and they didn't."
Tim's head bobbed lightly in return. "I'm glad we're together too."
"Let's take advantage of it. Don't you want to play with me?"
"Only if I get to pick the next game."
"Deal, Tim. Although, it's definitely your turn. I've already satisfied three letters."
"Oh, fine. If you're going to be a delirious deficient delinquent, I guess I have to play along. You're pretty good at this for an exhausted eccentric extremest."
"Yes! See, I said you're better than you thought."
"I'm not too bad for finicky faltering fanatic."
"Well yeah, but you're not supposed to insult yourself, you gawky gutless grisly goof!"
"That's why I never win the game."
"Oh, all right. What do you want to play?"
"I think I'd like to tell a story."
"If you're narrating, I get to set the scene," she insisted.
"Deal. Where are we starting?"
"You're in a deep forest."
"Real or mythical?"
"You pick."
"What about my character?"
"He's an archer. But he also has the ability to control or freeze large bodies of water."
"Interesting. Does he have an objective?"
"He's got to unite humanity under one leader to face a larger threat."
"Is he supposed to be the leader?"
"You tell me, Tim."
"All right. Let me get into character." He hesitated for a long beat, and then continued. "Dante was far from comfortable in the tree he'd chosen for a perch, but experience told the young man he'd spend the night safer off the ground."
"How old is he?"
"Seventeen. Do you want me to tell this?"
"Sorry – no more questions."
"You're good. I'll let you have input later. Anyway. The slight breeze ruffled changing leaves, creating what could have been a peaceful atmosphere, if Dante were able to relax. A full day of running had left him exhausted, but not weary enough to fall asleep without fear. His green eyes slipped close several times, only for him to startle himself awake again.
"Every time he did, he was greeted by the sight of familiar stars peeking through the branches of his tree. 'Too familiar,' he thought. 'I haven't covered enough ground. If they choose not to stop tonight, if the hunters keep looking for me...this evening could be my last. Would it be such a bad thing? What's the point of trying to outrun Immortals?'"
"Are they literally immortal?" Charlotte had to break her promised silence.
"No, they can be killed, but it's difficult. A lot of the villagers where Dante came from insisted they had multiple lives. Even if one was taken down, he'd rise up stronger than before. That's why they call them Immortals."
"And they want to get their hands on Dante?"
"Since when have bad guys liked anyone else having power?"
"Do others know about his abilities? Does he still have a family?"
"You'll find out, Charlie. You will get to enter the story too, but you have to let me lay the groundwork, since you set the universe."
"Okay. I won't keep interrupting you."
Tim gave her a half grin. "You need a little patience. As for Dante...The idea of simply giving up was tempting. It would certainly be easier than evading the monsters out for his blood. He was also left with the dilemma of not knowing where he would end up, or what he'd do when he got there.
"His supplies were few, limited to the clothes and cloak on his back, the bow he and his father had carved when he'd advanced to an adult size, a baker's dozen of arrows, and a flask for water which had long been empty. 'I will have to find something to drink tomorrow, first thing,' he told himself. 'If I'm even able to sleep tonight, that is.'
"To rest required surrendering to the elements around him, regardless of the possible danger. 'I don't have a choice anymore,' he realized. 'I have to trust that I'll be all right, just for a little while.' When he closed his eyes that time, he willfully kept them shut, and conjured up the images of his younger brother and sister. 'Hopefully, she can keep them safe until I get there'."
"She?" Charlotte repeated.
"Yeah – your character. But she isn't around yet. Dante has a ways to go first."
Charlotte was startled to realize how much she'd relaxed over the last few minutes, but it took the door hissing open for her to recognize it. The purple-masked turtle scowled at the familiar figure who'd entered. "You need something else? Or would you rather try and kill us again?"
Varij smiled mockingly. "I didn't try to kill either of you."
"You allowed them to push me too hard-"
"And yet, you still draw breath, terrapin. I don't see what you have to complain about. As for why I've come, we are about to make a jump. Which means it is time for both of you to be suspended."
She wasn't as nervous when he strapped the mask over her eyes as she'd been the first time, but Charlotte couldn't pretend to like it. "Tim, are you all right?"
"I am not hurting your 'cousin', terrapin. And if I wanted to, there's nothing you could do about it."
You think what you want, she fumed silently. But we're not going to be tied up forever. I can't wait to show you exactly what I can do about it.
Jayden groaned audibly when heavy footsteps disturbed the deep sleep he'd finally achieved. He raised his head to glare at the owner of the boots, and saw the annoying figure of the Major standing over his father.
"Up! I need you up now, this is important!" the man commanded.
The older turtle didn't look half as tired as Jayden expected. "What is it, Major?"
"Do you have some means by which your people can track you?"
Donatello blinked, but successfully revealed nothing by his expression. "What are you talking about?Is there a problem?"
"I need to know right now if your people are capable of tracking you here!"
Don peered at the man closely. "Why would you ask me something like that?"
"Because our equipment is experiencing glitches that our tech can't explain."
The older turtle rose swiftly. "And you think the rest of our family has something to do with it? Major, even if our people were attempting something, which they already told me they wouldn't, they couldn't possibly be in position this quickly. They're nowhere near here, and you already have our group's pilot and copilot locked up."
"Hey, you're teaching me to fly too!" Jayden protested.
Don sent over a swift look to silence him. "And the junior copilot. Point is, whatever's interfering with your equipment, it's got nothing to do with us."
"I was afraid of that," Stewart murmured.
"Major, what's actually happening?"
"I can't explain it," he answered. "We're experiencing technological black outs. They only last for a few minutes at a time. The feed clears up, but then the signals are lost all over again. Cycle has repeated every thirty minutes for the last three hours."
"That doesn't sound random," Donny agreed. "Any idea where the interference is originating from?"
"That's what I'm telling you! There isn't an opportunity to get a fix on it. Surveillance goes dark, stays that way for about ten minutes, and comes back. Only to repeat in the same time frame during the next half hour."
"It is Vagari transmitters," Bahri spoke up. "That is the same technology they apply within your atmosphere, to prevent your satellites from detecting their ships when they come near."
"What are they doing?" Will demanded.
"They are searching for us," the elohim stated. "We told you they want the terrapins. The Vagari will not stop just because their last attempt failed."
"But why would they repeatedly shut down our systems? Are they screwing with our heads? Do they like to play with their prey before they take them out?"
"It is more likely they are performing a general sweep of the area with their drones, which in turn affects your equipment," Bahri explained.
"Then you don't think they've found us?"
Donatello crossed his arms. "Major, if they'd found us, the aliens would be here already."
"Will they find us?"
"If we stay here, yes," the elohim acknowledged. "You were warned against remaining in the area."
"Yes, I recall that, but how are we supposed to leave the premises without being seen by whatever is out there?"
"First, we need them to believe we're not here," Don said thoughtfully. "Don't you employ reverse radar technology?"
The Major seemed startled by the question. "Well, yes. But it hasn't had any effect on the encroaching signal."
Jayden bit his lip to contain a snicker. His father's third prototype had taken off in the last year within military circles, although the man speaking couldn't have a freaking clue he was dealing with the designer.
"Would you mind taking us to your control room?" Donny suggested casually.
"To do what exactly?"
"We might have some insight. You never know." Donatello motioned to Bahri, and the elohim went to his side.
Jayden rapidly searched out the other cots for stirring family members, but saw no sign of his red-masked uncle. Must still be with Leo. Guess I'll have to be ol' dad's backup for now. He got to his feet, and was faced by the Major warily.
"What are you doing?"
"I like watching my dad work, Major. You could learn something too."
"I don't see why you need to go anywhere."
"If you want us to trust you, you've gotta start trusting us," Jayden challenged. "It goes both ways. I'd like to stick with my dad, and see what's happening too."
Stewart grunted something indiscernible, but didn't prevent the sixteen-year-old from joining them. He did however hold up both hands when Brandon and Greg began rising together. "I've got a full house on this field trip. Rest of you are staying here."
Jayden grinned smugly to himself at not being left out for a change, but didn't boast about it in front of everyone. The Major led the way briskly down the first corridor, through a heavy set of steel doors, and into another bunker which reminded the teen remarkably of where they'd come from. With the exception of a technical-looking bank of equipment which formed a semi-circle against the far wall, the room could have been an exact replica of the other.
"It's just starting over, Major," a man called over. "We're getting the static. If it follows the same pattern, we'll lose everything in the next three minutes."
"And your reverse radar has no effect?" Don asked.
The soldier turned to him in surprise, and cast a questioning glance to the Major. "No, but the programming has been so full of bugs, we've almost scrapped it a few times."
"Bugs?" The older turtle echoed like it was a foreign term. "That's not what I've heard about ServSafe."
"What do you know about reverse radar?" Stewart scoffed.
"Oh, I get around, sir. For instance, I know that 40% of your active units are already using it."
"You do good research, stranger, but that doesn't make you an expert. Leave the logistics to my people, and give me background on the Vagari."
"Honestly, I'd rather see these 'bugs' for myself." Donatello went toward the tech. "Would you mind? For curiosity's sake."
"No civilian has any business being this near our equipment!" the man returned.
"Humor me," the older turtle suggested. "What am I going to do? You said it's about to go dark again."
"Please stay back!" the soldier insisted.
"Leave Lieutenant Samuels alone, Donatello. You're quite missing the point of why I brought you here." Will gave him a severe look. "If you're wasting my time, I'll simply take you back. My people don't need technical advice from a flipping turtle!"
Don cast a glance backward, and caught Jayden's eye meaningfully. The teen understood the request, and acknowledged it by blinking. He only had to wait for his father to move first.
At the first hint of the older turtle's spring, Jayden focused his attention on the gun strapped to the Major's side. He latched onto his target in the span of two seconds, while Donatello removed the Lieutenant from his chair, and took possession of the terminal.
The teen placed himself between his father and the two disgruntled men with the Major's own gun in his grip, though he didn't point it at them. "Let him fix it."
Stewart snapped off his radio, but he was met by nothing but static.
"Let him fix it!" Jayden snarled louder.
"Desist, or you'll both be killed!" The Major shoved Samuels toward the door, at which point Bahri stepped into his path.
"I would rather you allow my terrapin friend to show you the error of your ways before you overreact."
Jayden's estimation of the alien went up a few notches as he staunchly blocked the Lieutenant from reaching the exit.
"You're all getting locked up!" Stewart bellowed.
"Go ahead - right after I'm finished correcting this," Don called back. "I already see the problem. Someone ditched the original parameters. Now who would do a thing like that?"
"This isn't a game! You're going to get your son killed!"
"I'm only defeating the nonexistent 'bug' which is hampering the reverse radar from doing its job. If you give me a few more seconds to adjust the frequencies, I think we'll be back in business."
"Major, he could be damaging untold programs-"
"Shut up, Samuels! Donatello, you've got five seconds to remove yourself!"
Jayden held up the man's gun. "You willing to take me on without a weapon? 'Cause I don't need one."
"You think I won't?"
"I bet you'd try." Jayden chuckled. "Just like your men tried to use the program." He was determined to keep the Major's attention diverted on him for as long as possible.
"DONATELLO!" Stewart shouted loudly enough to hurt the teen's ears.
"There," the older turtle stated calmly. "Does that look better?"
Jayden shot a quick look over to confirm the clear monitor, and then stepped aside from his post.
"You're welcome." Donatello rose from the chair and folded his arms while waiting for the others to investigate.
Samuels was the first to come forward. "What...did you do?"
Don shook his head, annoyed. "Someone's been treating ServSafe like a pulse Doppler radar. Which it isn't. The military has a long history of reducing the transmitted power of the Doppler to achieve a higher rate of performance, but you can't apply the same thinking to new technology. The wave length it operates on isn't remotely similar. Long story short? You ought to stick with the parameters recommended by the creator. It's not fair to blame problems on a 'bug', when you're not using the program correctly to start with."
Bahri wandered closer. "What does it do, Donatello?"
"ServSafe is designed to deflect radar technology," he told the elohim. "The point is to trick radio waves into thinking they're not coming into contact with anything, and thereby...have no reason to interfere with our operating frequencies." Don fixed the Lieutenant with a glare. "So stick with those parameters, and you should be fine."
The Major looked utterly flabbergasted, and Jayden had a hard time not busting out laughing. "How? How did you do that?"
Don shrugged proudly. "I'm just a turtle, Major. I guess I got lucky."
The teen's grin was now irrepressible. I've got the best dad in the universe.
