Disclaimer: Noblesse isn't mine.


I am Tao (Part 52)

"What is the experiments' present location?"

"Still stationary. I believe they have reached their destination."

"Send me the coordinates."

Yuriy typed out the information immediately. "What action would you like me to take?"

"Remain on standby. Now is the time for observation."

Crombel disconnected the call and poured himself a drink. Now was not the time to act. No, he had already fulfilled his intentions perfectly. He had damaged M-21 significantly enough to require repairs and gave him the opportunity to leave. Catch and release. When the time came, he would collect him again. After all, just because he let M-21 run loose didn't mean that he was free. He still owned him.

He smiled over his glass, inhaling the scent of alcohol. Now was the time for observation. Let M-21 run back to that wildcard blonde. Let that man save him. Let M-21 continue to grow in power, and after his wounds had been mended, after he believed himself to be secure, Crombel would swoop in once again and claim what rightfully belonged to him.

But not before. Not before M-21's body held new information to be studied. Crombel tipped his glass in acknowledgement. Let M-21's current caretaker rise to this challenge. May the better man win.

[-] [-] [-]

"Where are we going?" Takeo hurried to keep up. He was fast, but he always seemed to be a step behind Frankenstein. "I need to go to—"

Frankenstein paused just long enough to shoot him a glare. "I seem to recall telling Tao not to go to the blood bank."

"Well…" Takeo pulled at his tie. It suddenly felt too tight. "There was… And you weren't there…"

"No, I wasn't." He said a little more softly. "How is the boy?"

"You knew?"

"Of course I knew. Yuna contacted me before she called you, and if you're defying my orders to be here, I'm sure his condition is critical."

"He…" Takeo felt his feet come to a stand still. "He kept getting worse. I think he sucked too much of his own blood... I couldn't just let him die. I just thought that if I could replace it..."

Frankenstein also slowed to a stop. "Did you give him any of your own blood?"

"I tried, but it—"

"Orally or by injection?"

Takeo slowly shook his head. "It didn't work."

"This is why I warned Tao not to give the infected child blood until I arrived. Have you not considered the side effects? Your blood is not the same as a human's. Enhanced blood contains incommensurable levels of different antibodies, proteins, hormones..." Frankenstein pinched the bridge of his nose as he mentally processed all the divergences. "Injecting your blood into a human that is already fighting the infection could be detrimental, even lethal."

"What about… What if I… I tried to pour the blood in his mouth?"

"The risk of simply digesting the blood is somewhat unsubstantial. There are possibilities, but those are unlikely. The danger of giving blood orally lies in its effect on you." He lowered his hand and met Takeo's eyes. "Did you give him the blood directly from your body? Did he bite you?"

"I cut my hand. There wasn't any contact."

"That is the best that can be hoped for. At least you haven't been infected as well." Frankenstein motioned to a door at the end of the hallway. "This is your destination."

"But this is the blood bank."

"Yes, I am aware. Now, gather blood bags. I am sure that is what you came here to do. Be certain to select from a variety of sources. Take as much as you can, and have Tao adjust the footage."

Takeo pressed his lips. "Yeah, Tao…"

"He doesn't know you're here?"

"I acted alone."

"We'll discuss this later." Frankenstein sighed. "Just get the blood and go home. Don't give it to the child until I return."

"You're not coming?"

"No, I just need you to perform this task for me. There is something else that I must do. There are more lives at stake than just one, and in any case, I was called here."

"What?"

"The hospital contacted me to request an appointment for Regis regarding the clinic, and being the concerned guardian that I am, I set up a time."

[-] [-] [-]

Tao took the elevator to the ground floor and crept down the hallway on his tiptoes. He didn't want to disturb Rai, but even with this precaution, he knew that his presence had not gone unnoticed. Rai made no acknowledgement of him, no motion other than the periodical raising of the teacup to his lips. How long had he been there? He had never set off any sensors. He had never turned on the lights. And as quiet as he was, it was nearly impossible to notice him until the moment they had come practically face to face.

"No. 1, you there?"

"No. 2!" Tao's hand flew to his ear and cupped over the earpiece so that he could hear the voice of his comrade with even more clarity. Rai looked over at him, and Tao immediately lowered his voice. "Where are you?"

"I'm at the blood bank."

"You didn't." He dashed down the hallway and crashed into his computer chair, instantly pulling up the footage. "The boss told me not to go there. There has to be a reason. You need to leave right now."

"It's alright. Frankenstein's here—"

"Let me talk to him. Regis and M-21 are—"

"They're back? That's a relief!"

"They're in trouble. I don't know what to do for them. Let me talk to Frankenstein."

"No. 1…" Takeo hesitated. "He went to the clinic."

-Vapor


A/N: The next chapter is already written, and I'm working on the one after that. See you soon!