53: Reunion

Flurry crossed her arms, expression somewhat petulant, and blew her bangs out of her eyes. "Can we run or something?" she demanded impatiently. "It'll take forever to get there at this rate!"

Tourian cast her a sideways glance. "Oh, that'll look really good, Flurry. The four of us just take off running right in the middle of town -- drawing the attention of every single security device Diane's got running!"

She stuck her tongue out at him, pulling a rather rude face. "Well, if you and Zero hadn't gotten stupid and followed Zephyr straight into the Company --"

"Look who's talking, Miss 'Crashed into a Residential Area,'" he retorted.

"Shut up!" she barked. "That wasn't my fault!"

"Who was driving?" he asked acidly.

"Have you seen how much space there is in there?" she growled.

"So?" he shot back. "You should have been paying attention!"

"You try paying attention when somebody's elbowing you in the ribs every time you twitch an inch in either direction!"

"You're just a lousy driver!"

"You've got a big mouth for somebody who doesn't know what he's talking about!"

X and Zero exchanged pained looks as the fight escalated. Flurry's voice rose an octave as they listened, and Tourian was on the verge of bellowing in her face, and they were both waving their arms in a very distracting manner. Zero absently turned his head, casually pretending that he simply happened to be going the same direction as they were. He heard a startling noise and turned back again.

Flurry was standing with her back to her 'brother,' arms crossed and chin tilted up in a superior manner. Tourian was staggering about with his hands to his head.

"Do I want to know?" he asked of X, who was staring at the two with the look of someone dealing with five-year-olds.

"No," X replied. "Absolutely, positively, categorically no."

Zero continued to look ahead, where Tourian had taken his helmet off and was groaning in pain with his hands to his head. Flurry smiled scornfully as she turned to face him, but she didn't say a word, walking on in the direction of the forest.

Tourian put his helmet back on, gritting his teeth. Zero walked up, asking casually, "What did she do to you?"

"Nothing."

"That's why you were staggering around like a drunk? Because she did nothing to you." He grinned in the most annoying way he knew how, and Tourian rewarded him with a glare.

"She bashed me over the head -- satisfied?"

"Tourian, you're about a foot taller than her."

"She jumped!" Tourian yowled, shoving him away. "Go away!"

"Right, right." He walked on past Tourian, who was trying to figure out a way to get in touch with someone a little more sympathetic. "Nice trick," Zero announced to Flurry upon catching up.

"He had it coming," she said flatly. "Insult my driving? He's never even touched a stupid mech." She tossed her head, flinging her long hair into Zero's face. "What do you want?"

He shrugged. "Nothing. I'd kind of like to know where we're headed."

"The forest. Duh."

"I knew that." He yawned. "Specifics."

"What makes you think I'm telling you?"

Zero looked at her steadily. "Flurry, I'm not Tourian, and I'm not going to put up with your attitude."

Up in front of him, her head bowed slightly. "I'm sorry," she said contritely. "I'm just worried is all. I -- Dr. Kreyin -- oh, you know what I mean."

"Sure I do," he said generously, "but that really doesn't give you a reason to take it all out on me."

"Of course not," she said absently. "I don't really want to noise around where they're staying, though. Diane could --"

"Yeah," he agreed. What a mess, he thought. It was much simpler when I was just dealing with Sigma. Now I've got squabbling siblings, missing scientists, an enslaved world. He didn't realize he'd spoken aloud until Flurry turned to him with a tiny smile.

"I'm sorry. You do realize that this whole thing made a mess of our lives, too." She shoved her bangs out of her face, explaining. "Before we stole Zephyr, all we had to do was look out for Dr. Kreyin -- make sure he was okay -- and help around the lab. Look after the -- Tourian! Where are the animals?"

Tourian blinked at her, still sour over their argument. "I dunno. Guess they took off."

Flurry glared at him. "Where could they go?"

"Maybe," he suggested flatly, "they're already found Doc and the others and -- I don't know. They can take care of themselves."

Flurry looked momentarily doubtful, but she continued talking to Zero. "Then I got this brilliant idea that we could save the world," she laughed scornfully. "And look where it's landed us. On the run, out in the cold, in danger --"

"Can't say its boring," grinned Zero.

"No, I can't say that."

They were silent for a moment, and X walked up, dragging Tourian with him. "We'd better hurry," he said in an undertone. "Somebody saw your handiwork up at the Company."

Flurry turned to him. "What do you mean?"

"He means," Tourian growled, "that there's somebody following us."


Juniper narrowed her eyes. They were bunched up in a small group now; perhaps they had seen her coming. She whistled to Vengeance, who nodded from across the street, and the two of them sprang neatly to the next alley.


"Where are they?" Flurry's tone was hushed.

"Right behind us," X answered. "On either side of the street."

"Robots?" Zero asked.

"Robots," X confirmed.


"They know," Joon muttered into her communicator. "Those aren't humans."

"Look at the armor," Vengeance snapped, "I could have told you that."

They had been training under Diane Holcomb's supervision when the front alarms went off. Vengeance had been suspicious when the guard on duty said they'd 'gotten away.' One didn't simply 'get away' from the front guns. Holcomb had sent the two out after their intruders.

"Where are they headed?" Juniper asked, deciding to ignore his comment.

"Looks like -- Kreyin's lab." He looked up at her. "Let's report back. Diane didn't say anything about capture."

Juniper looked uncomfortable with his suggestion. "But --"

"No. We don't need to dent our armor just to prove we've accomplished something." The words sounded strange to Vengeance, especially coming from him. He shook his head. "Let's go back."

She nodded in agreement, casting the group one final, uncertain glance, and they warped away.


"They're gone," Tourian announced.

"I don't like this," Flurry muttered, and the others quietly echoed her sentiments.

Zero cleared his throat. "I think it's really pointless to hang around here anymore." He took a step forward. "Let's run for it."

Flurry nodded. "For once," she said to them, "I almost wish we had those horrible bikes."


"We have intruders approaching at high speed," Turb announced, tapping the intercom. "Should we move to intercept?"

Kreyin sat very still in the living room, staring at the three guests who had appeared on their doorstep only an hour earlier. He reached out to pat the dog again, as if unsure that it was real. "No -- let them come." He looked up, tears filling his eyes. "I think I know who they are."

Scott smiled at him. "They did come back."

Maelstrom and Turbulence looked at each other uncomfortably. "I'm watching the front door," muttered the red-armored one.

"Yeah."


Flurry blinked uncertainly, staring around at the silent forest. Her mouth compressed into a small frown as she considered what she'd seen so far. "Okay," she said to her companions, walking forward with her hands spread in confusion, "I've spotted two remote cams and six of what appear to be air cannons."

Tourian, leaning against a tree, tossed his helmet lazily into the air. "I spotted seven air cannons," he announced to no one in particular.

Flurry ignored him, continuing. "And from the positioning of the cannons, I imagine we should have been hit a couple of times on our way -- if they were operational."

Zero nodded slowly from where he sat on a boulder. "Then they know we're coming."

X looked uncomfortable, scuffing the toe of his boot through the dirt. "I don't know if that's good or bad, Zero," he muttered. "Those two 'bots they have -- well, we didn't exactly get off on the right foot."

"'Didn't exactly?'" Zero said flatly.

"We sorta blasted at 'em."

"'Sorta.'"

"Ripped up a pretty good bit of forest."

Zero sank his face in his hands. A moment later, he looked up, weary resignation on his face. "I'm not going to like the answer to this," he decided, "but I'll ask anyway. Why?"

A long pause. X looked at Flurry for support, and she burst out, "They attacked us first!"

Zero looked at his long-time partner, who met his gaze a little guiltily. "We should have looked before we shot, I know," X muttered.

Flurry glared at Zero. "Oh, look who's chewing us out about self-control!"

Zero opened his mouth to respond, but decided that the conversation would get him nowhere. "Drop it," he muttered.

Tourian glanced around boredly. "Well, we've got to get there, one way or another -- so let's go, all right?"

He started off through the woods, and Flurry, looking pointedly at the others, followed him. Zero and X brought up the rear in their grave procession, tracking uncertainly in the direction they knew must be correct. Perhaps fifteen minutes later, Tourian hissed sharply. "There -- a house!"

Flurry darted up beside him, eyes wide. "That's it!" she said triumphantly. "It's got to be!" Suddenly, her eyes narrowed. "X!" she growled. "Get over here and look."

The robot walked behind her. "What?"

"Are those the ones?" she asked, pointing to a pair of figures wandering casually around the house. "The ones who attacked us?"

His expression darkened slightly. "Yup."


Turbulence cast a casual glance out at the trees bordering their home. "There they are," he muttered as Maelstrom walked past.

The other paused, brushing his black hair out of his eyes. "Yeah." He walked on, pretending to inspect the window. "I wish they'd hurry up and get this over with."

Turb yawned. They were in street clothes again, slouching about and keeping an eye on their visitors, despite Kreyin's assurances that they were friends. Nobody who shot at him could be entirely friendly. Turb felt he owed them a little something for the incident in the forest. He smiled thinly, his blonde hair shading the dark expression in his eyes.


"What do you suppose they're going to do?" Flurry asked softly, gaze locked on the two robots guarding the house.

X shook his head. "I don't want to fight them," he answered her, "But they might --"

"Hey, why not?" Zero interrupted drily. "Give 'em a good thrashing and they just might not bug us anymore."

Tourian glared at him. "A little bloodthirsty today, Zero? They're on our side."

Zero leaned back, rolling his eyes. A straight fight was so much easier than all this dancing around. Flurry tossed her head at him, and he lifted an eyebrow questioningly.

"Well," she said, shrugging, "I'm going up there."

She strode out into the open, ignoring Tourian's strangled cry. Zero and X turned to him incredulously, and he shrugged, grimacing. He cast a glance up at her and saw her toss her hair confidently over one shoulder.

"She's a pretty girl," he offered lamely. "Maybe they won't attack her."

Zero glared at him. "She's a pretty girl with a bad attitude," he retorted, eyes shifting to the 'pretty girl' in question, "Maybe she won't attack them."

Flurry's step was easy -- almost too easy. The pair of robots on the porch positioned themselves on either side of the door, smiling coolly. She kept on walking, eyes boring into them, each in turn. Then, as she was halfway across the lawn, the blonde one stepped out in front of her.

"Hold it," he grinned sardonically, holding his hand out, "I'll need to see some I.D."

Eyes cold, she slapped his hand negligently out of the way. "My name is Flurry."

His eyes widened briefly, immediately narrowing again. "Anybody can say that."

A heavy hush fell over everything. The game was begun, and the challenge had been issued. Tourian's eyes bugged, and a strangled noise rose in his throat. "She's gonna kill him," he managed.

Zero crouched down against a tree with his back to them and his hands tiredly over his eyes. "I don't want to know."

X's eyes were glued to the confrontation, and as the silence continued, he made to walk out there with them. Tourian flashed him a look, shaking his head, and he sank back, gritting his teeth.

"Listen, bud," Flurry said hotly, "Bring Dr. Kreyin out here -- he'll know us. Even if you're too dumb to run an identity check."

Turb glared at her, and Maelstrom concealed a faint smile. "She has teeth," the black-haired one murmured.

"And she's cute, too," Turb smirked, trying a different tack. His grin broadened when he saw Flurry bristle. "Mm-hm. Ve-e-ery cute."

Flurry's fists clenched. "Were hormones all that got programmed into you?" she asked acidly, contempt dripping from her voice.

Turb, sensing a possible victory, refused to be annoyed with her. "Matter of fact," he grinned, taking her chin in his hand and tilting her head up as if he hadn't heard a word, "I'd ask her out -- if she wasn't already taken."

Flurry's mouth tightened, meeting Turb's blue-eyed gaze with dark ice. Maelstrom tensed, waiting for her to make a move. Before she could, however, Turbulence released her with a jerk and turned his back to her, tossing a lazy glance over his shoulder. Maelstrom shook his head. It was wearing very thin.

Tourian stared. "Either he's irrationally brave or very, very stupid." He shook his head, glancing at Zero. "Nobody does that to Flurry -- unless they're running distance away."

Zero grunted sourly, remembering the incident at the hospital. X grinned at him, still watching the scene.

"Tell me," Turb called drily over his shoulder, "which one is it? The one who was with you in the mech?" His eyebrows arched suggestively. "Close quarters in there."

"Hey!" X said sharply, and nearly burst from his concealment and explained the situation to the mocking robot -- in his own terms. Tourian barely managed to hold him back.

Flurry wasn't saying a word. Her head was bowed, fists clenched so tightly they were trembling. Turbulence truly had no idea how much danger he was putting himself in.

"Or is it one of the others? The one in red armor? You seem to like him well enough."

She tilted her head up fractionally, but Turb didn't notice the look of murder in her eyes.

"A nod?" He laughed heartily. "Was that a nod?"

Zero groaned aloud. "Why me? Why is it always me?"

"Well," Turbulence continued, "I suppose it could be the other -- you two do fight like you're married."

Tourian glared. "That was your last mistake, smartmouth," he muttered softly, and rightly so.

That final statement had torn it all for Flurry. She dropped into a fighting crouch, but Turb, facing the other direction, failed to notice. Maelstrom lifted his hand sharply as the robot started talking again, but he didn't pay any attention to the warning.

"Or maybe I could hook you up with Maelstr -- ungh!"

With a feral scream, Flurry had launched herself forward, smashing Turb to the ground. He was on his feet again in an instant, but she was faster, falling on him with blow after blow to the chest and midriff. For her final attack, she brought her fist up and caught him square on the chin. He rocked backwards, tumbling through the open doorway of the lab with a yell and a thunk. Flurry stood scornfully still, fist still raised as she had punched him. Without moving at all, she called to the others.

"X, Zero, Tourian, come out now." She fold her arms coldly. "He won't be bothering us."

Maelstrom shrugged easily at her challenging look. "He is an idiot."

Turbulence was getting woozily to his feet. "She packs a mean punch, Mael-man." He walked over to her, extending a hand. She glared suspiciously, but took it. Shaking her hand, he said gravely, "I don't normally hit girls, but you don't count." A smirk tilted his lips, and Flurry had no chance to jerk away when he brought his other hand around and punched her. Releasing her hand, he let her spin from the impact and caught her shoulders from behind. That done, he kicked her solidly in the rear.

She went sprawling.

Tourian and Zero and X stopped in midstep from where they were walking, and Tourian's jaw went slack. Nobody had ever hit Flurry back before.

The silence was deadly as Flurry lifted her dirt-smudged face from the ground and staggered to her feet.

"Hoo boy," muttered Zero.

She took a halting step forward, mouth fixed in a smile of deeply enraged amusement. "That," she breathed, "was not the most intelligent move . . . of your . . . career." Her hands balled into fists, and Turbulence got ready for another round of fighting.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!"

Flurry stared at the doorway, hands dropping limply to her sides. "Doc -- Dr. Kreyin?"

Her creator stood there, glaring at her in what she categorized as deep disappointment. "Flurry, I had thought better of you."

Her eyes dropped to the ground.

"Tourian!" the man said sharply, pushing past a completely baffled Turbulence. "Why didn't you stop her? You should know better!"

Tourian backed away. "I -- I, er --"

But Kreyin had already moved on. "And you, Maelstrom? You usually have sense enough to cut things short!" The robot didn't manage to stammer a reply before the scientist was hammering at Turb. "Of all the immature, juvenile -- infantile! -- things to do!" he bellowed at him. "You -- you --"

He stopped, shoulders slumping exhaustedly.

The robots, except X and Zero, looked away from each other guiltily.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Kreyin," Flurry whispered, tilting her eyes up to meet the scientist's as he turned. "I didn't mean to."

His gaze was profoundly skeptical, but forgiving. "Never mind that," he said finally. "Come inside. I have the feeling," he laughed, "that we have a great many things to talk about."