The meeting with the Dowager loomed over them. The Reds was a hive of activity. Everything Nike saw scared her. Crates of equipment were being brought in under the cover of night. Walking around on the streets, marked by Reds' colour was a sure way of getting attacked. Raids had made the remaining groups band together. The Slums was never a safe place to begin with, but Nike knew what to expect. Follow the unspoken rules and one was mostly fine. This was chaos, one that was meticulously planned and carried out. From what she's been observing, Frank was pleased with the results.
"Nike, tomorrow is fight night," Frank said assembling the inner circle in his room.
The others were perched on various furniture or leaning against the crates that cluttered his office. Tenner was glaring at Krycek who had sat on top of the scattering of datapads on his desk. Her lips twisted, noting at the addition to Krycek to these meetings.
"I've proven myself," she declared. "I don't need the Red Sand."
Frank glared at her, grey eyes burning with a fanatical fire. She flinched and Krycek chuckled. "Not for tomorrow. But after? You can go without the Red Sand," he said, the flash of anger pulled back into the depths of Frank's soul.
It was whiplash every time he alternated between the two moods. Nike clenched her jaw. "Promise?"
"Yes, I never break a promise have I, Nike?" his voice dangerously low.
She shook her head, knowing there was no other answer he'd accept. Frank's attention slid from her over to Scars. "Tomorrow I'll go with Nike for the fight. I'll need to answer the Dowager's summons after all," he said.
Scars nodded, his face paler than usual.
"You will handle the others with Cutter. Make sure you have them all in place," he went on, his gaze darting between Cutter and Scars.
"Got it boss," Scars said, his voice pitched high, a fragile grin split his lips. "We'll dine like kings tomorrow."
"Or our heads will roll," Cutter growled, rubbing his hand over his knuckles. The skin was all red and raw.
Nike swallowed. Cutter was worried. It was never a good sign. "So what's happening?"
"You just worry about winning. You'd know what you need to do when the time comes," Frank shot back.
A flush of cold ran down her face. The rest nodded sagely like they knew what was planned. It was only then she realised how much she was a part of the inner circle but yet she remained apart, untrusted in the crucial details. Krycek grinned, eyes dancing with vindictive mirth.
"I want the younger ones to be our eyes, they can go where the others can't," Frank said.
"We have two new ones. Nike," Scars said, pausing for a bit, "recruited them a while back."
Frank nodded. "Yes, the girl and the boy—"
"No," she blurted before she could think better. "Keep them out of this." The dread in the pit of her stomach was churning and roiling, making her sick. All eyes turned to her.
"Why not?" Frank asked. "They are perfect for our purposes."
"They are too young, they will screw up," Nike offered. Even she could hear how weak these excuses were. They were no older than she was when she was first recruited to the Reds. There was such thing as being too young.
"You've been training the girl, Cutter. How's she?"
Cutter shrugged. "Fast learner."
Her guts tightened.
"Then it's settled," Frank said, "Tomorrow is show time. Nike, you're dismissed. I have a couple more plans to run through with the others."
She nodded and turned to leave. Her mind kept conjuring up ways things were going to go wrong. As she crossed the threshold, she heard Frank said, "Scars, I'll need you to go pick up something extra special for me. It will ensure Nike wins tomorrow."
Her blood ran cold. There was never a time she felt she needed to run from the Reds like she did now. Alex and Tiny couldn't get involved with whatever the fuck Frank had planned. She knew a big operation when she saw one. Frank was gunning for the Dowager.
Crickets and frogs were out in force after the rain. The night air was filled with sounds. Humidity lingered, hot and sticky in the air. Nike was waiting for the base to wind down. Alex and Tiny had monopolised her bed, snoring away. Sleep was far from her mind. She needed counsel, and there was only one place she could get it. Eyes keen, ears pricked up, most of the activities were confined to Frank's office. The leader of the Reds was energised, eager for his plans to be put into motion in less than 24 hours.
She waited. Hands shaking, she reached into her pocket and pulled her pack of cigarettes out and lit a stick. The hot glow from the end of the stick was the only illumination as she watched. One by one the rest turned in for the night. Tomorrow was a big day after all.
One stick, two sticks, three sticks. She burnt through them in quick succession. The calming effect of smoking was lost on her this night. Taking a fresh stick, she fished about her pocket for her lighter. Cool metal seared her hand. She paid it no mind. Stuffing the stick into her mouth, she ran her thumb over the wheel. Her shaking hands, combined with the infernal gnawing at her guts proved to be too much. The lighter fell to the floor. She held her breath, waiting, watching. There was no noise, just the faint snores of people sleeping.
She heaved a silent sigh of relief. The lighter snatched up, and she lit her cig. Taking a deep inhale, she grimaced. She had lit it at the wrong end. "Fuck," she breathed, scrubbing her face. It took the rest of the pack before she felt safe enough. With a fresh pack in her pocket and the gaping maw of hunger for Red Sand in her guts, she left the base.
Insect sounds filled the air as she made her way outside. A couple of look outs were stationed at the gates. A few others were patrolling the perimeter. Everything was fine. Nike zipped up her hoodie, making sure her red hair was hidden. A quick boost by her biotics and she was over the barbed wire fence.
She walked, keeping to the shadows. The Slums was her home, the only one she had ever known. The tension that rode in the air was foreign and unwelcomed. She hated how it made her constantly vigilant and tense. Shoulders riding up to her ears, shaking hands ached at how hard she was gripping her pistol, biotics buzzing ready to lash out in an instant. "Fuck, what the hell is Frank thinking?" she muttered under her breath as she walked.
Being recognisable usually brought more perks than problems. Now, it was downright deadly. What was usually a 15 minutes walk was fast turning into a 30 minutes careful trek across the Slums. It was only at the sight of the familiar door she relaxed a fraction. How different would her life be if she hadn't stopped here.
For a moment, memories of Burger and Meg ran through her mind. The old ache returned before she shoved it away hastily. She stepped up and rapped once on the door. Sucking on her sixth stick, she exhaled. Cigarettes tend to calm her down but this was something beyond what mere nicotine could help her with. Please open the door, please. Making herself small, she hunched against the corner and waited. There was no noise, no light, nothing. She kept her eyes on the door, contemplating if she should leave or knock again.
The entire trip was a risk. If she was by herself, she would have just up and left, but this wasn't the situation any longer. She had to look out for Alex and Tiny. They needed to eat, they needed shelter. She couldn't just leave.
A click caught her attention. The door slid back a couple of inches and Meg peered out. As Nike peeled herself off the wall and the pump action of a shotgun rang out. She froze. "Who's there?" Meg growled. "Show yourself! I have a shotgun and I'm not afraid to use it."
The small alley way was lit only by a single street lamp. Its light cast everything in yellow. Insects collected and buzzed around it. The retreat of the rain brought them out in full force.
"It's me," Nike hissed, stepping into the light.
"Fuck, girl, are you trying to scare the shit out of me?" Meg growled, lowering her shotgun. "Where were you? You just disappeared off the face of the Earth."
Nike glanced at the mouth of the alley. "Can we do it inside?"
Meg grimaced and nodded, beckoning at her. Nike stepped in, taking care to remove her shoes and placed them on the designated mat. Inside was a small one room apartment. The bed was shoved right against the wall, a small wall mounted TV hung precariously at one end. The kitchen had space only for a single hob stove and a sink, right next it was a small table fit to sit two people. To complete the cramped space was a door leading to the toilet. The place was cluttered with scraps. Things Nike used to trade Meg for but also there were shelves of media stored in disc form. Many of them were missing their covers, labelled only with a hand written paper shoved in place of proper cover art. Music was playing softly in the background.
Meg gestured towards the table and Nike perched on the stool. "What happened?"
Nike rubbed her face. There was so much to say, too much to cover in the time she had, but once she started speaking it was a deluge. She couldn't stop. Words poured from her mouth as tears streamed down her face. Everything came out like she was purging herself of the poison. The murder of the three boys, the rescue of Ross, the death of Burger and the suicide of Emma. Nike couldn't bring herself to meet Meg's eyes. The older woman was puttering around. Clinks of metal against ceramics and suddenly a mug was shoved in front of her.
"Drink," Meg said, plucking the cigarette from her fingers. She took a puff before snubbing it out.
Nike wrapped her fingers around the hot mug. They shook harder than before, her knuckles whitened.
"I'm scared," she confessed. "I don't know what Frank wants but he's getting Alex and Tiny involved in something they don't understand. And…" She took a shuddering breath. "I don't know if I can protect them. I can't even protect myself."
Her hand want to the back of her neck and rubbed. Eyes trained to her mug like it was all she was allowed to look at. There was a scrape of chair against floor, Meg went behind her and pushed her hand out of the way, brushing her hair back. Meg hissed. Nike could guess the mess that was at the back of her neck. Needle track marks bruising her skin, marking her for the Red Sand fiend she had become. No… I'm not, I'm not. Her shaking hands and the gnawing hunger gave lie to her thoughts.
"Fuck Frank, fuck the Reds," Meg growled, rummaging through her tiny fridge.
Nike flinched as an ice pack was pressed against the back of her neck. "Hold it there," Meg instructed as she rounded to the front. Hands cupping Nike's face, they lifted it to meet Meg's eyes. "Listen to me Nike. You're not safe with the Reds. Staying there will not end well for you."
"But—"
"Bring the kids over to the cinema, they can hole up there. They can find work somewhere else. You must leave the Reds too. Maybe you can come work for me or something—"
Nike shook her head, dropping the ice pack to the table. "No, it won't work," she whispered, dropping her head into her hands. "I'll just bring trouble to you. Just like I did with Ross, Emma and Burger. I won't do that. You can't hide me, this is the Slums. Frank is not going to just let me go."
Her breath quickened as she fought against the rising tide of panic. She shook, tremors running through her body as her lungs refused to work. Warm arms wrapped around her, hugging her tight, rubbing her back. It broke the walls she had held up. Nike weeped and sobbed, each one shaking her body harder and harder. She lost herself in Meg's safety as she went through the slow process of shoring up her walls again.
"You can take Alex and Tiny," she whispered. "I can get them away, you can hide them. I'll try to get credits to you. Maybe I can set up a dead drop somewhere in the Underbelly or Midtown. Maybe…" Voice cracked, resolve broken, she bit down on her lower lips as she fought back tears.
The music in the background thumped with solemn piano keys. A voice sang.
When the lights go out and
Leave you standing in the dark
"Hush, girl," Meg whispered, planting a kiss on her forehead before releasing her.
No one ever told you
This would be so hard
"We'll do this one step at a time. First get the kids to me, we'll think of something. I promise, I'll keep them safe."
I know you think your fire is burning out
But I still see you shining through
Nike lifted her head, tears standing in her eyes, blurring her vision.
You got it in you
"Thank you," she sobbed, choking on the lump in her throat. "Thank you."
Meg leaned against the door, her shotgun propped against her leg. White gathered at her temples, streaking through her hair, her smile tired but determined. "Take care of yourself, Nike," she said. "I expect to see you back here again tonight or tomorrow. Don't make me come and get you."
Nike nodded, her eyes red rimmed and swollen. She felt lighter, the problems didn't feel so big in the grey light of dawn. With Meg's support bolstering her, she didn't feel quite so hopeless. "I will. Thank you, Meg, for everything."
"Go, keep your head down. Do whatever that fucker wants and stay safe."
She offered a wave before taking off down the road. It was a race against the sun, she had to sneak back into the base, avoiding the sentries.
As she neared the base, the sky was lightening at an alarming rate. A quick check to make sure the coast was clear and she leapt over. Knees bent, she landed with practised ease before raising to her feet and jogging into the base proper.
The early rising members of the Reds nodded at her. She ignored them, opting to make a beeline to the supply room. Grabbing several packets of biscuits, she started munching on them, as if she was just having breakfast. Satisfied that her night excursion wasn't discovered, she sauntered back to her room hoping to catch a cat nap before the festivities really began.
Alex looked up the moment she opened the door. The words out of her mouth made Nike's blood ran cold. "Where were you? Frank was looking for you," she said.
Nike's mouth went dry, her brow broke out in cold clammy sweat. She swallowed, trying to work up the words to speak. "When?" was all she managed.
"Hours ago," Alex went on, eyeing her curiously, exchanging glances with Tiny.
"I'll go get Frank," Tiny announced and skipped out of the room.
Nike's heart slammed against her ribs. Time had ran out and she didn't even realised it. Her jaw ached at the intensity she was gritting her teeth. Get a grip, focus on what you fucking need to do. With a great breath exhaled, she forced herself to let go of the tension. This wasn't the time to fall apart. She had a mission. Only when the door was firmly shut behind her did she closed the distance between herself and Alex. Sinking onto one knee, she gripped Alex's arms.
"You ok?" Alex asked, eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"Frank's plan is going to get you into a shit load of trouble. He is going up against the Dowager. There is no way this is not going to end with a hail of bullets. I can't protect you or Tiny if I'm not with you."
Alex bared her teeth, wrenching her arms out of Nike's grip. "I don't need your protection. I've seen what your protection looked like. I saw the blood, I saw Emma!"
Nike pressed her hand over Alex's mouth, muffling her voice. "Shhh... not so fucking loud. I don't care if you don't like me, or even hate me. One way or another, you're not going to the Underbelly. Take Tiny and get out. Go to Meg's. She will hide you. I will send credits. You will be safer there."
Alex squirmed and bucked, smashing her head against Nike's forehead. "Ok, ok, I'm going to let go, just keep your fucking voice down," she hissed.
Alex glared back angrily. Nike relaxed her grip, and Alex ripped her hands away. The furrow on Alex's brow was so deep it looked it was going to stick around forever. "I'm happy with the Reds. I'm learning so much. Cutter is going to teach me how to shoot. You are not going to take me away from a place I belong now. I'm taking care of Tiny, not you. We don't need you. You only wrecked my life. I was happy with Ross. Now I'm happy with the Reds."
Every word slammed into Nike like a bullet. She knew, she knew she had destroyed everything Alex and Tiny knew like a wrecking ball taken to a building. There was nothing but rubble left of their previous life, but she was trying. Why couldn't Alex see that? Teeth bared, she turned away for a moment, taking deep breaths to calm the rising anger and frustration.
"The Reds isn't as good as you think it is. You're not safe here. You and Tiny are just going to be used against me."
A snort, disbelieving and scoffing, came from Alex. "You think you're still the Champion? No, you've fallen. Krycek is going to beat you soon. You'll see!" Alex shoved Nike hard, snarling her words, wielding them like blades.
Nike took a couple of steps back, rocked to her core. "Fine," she growled, anger getting the better of her. "Fine, if that's what you want, so be it. Tiny is going to get out of here. Don't you dare get him involved in this operation."
"What's that about Tiny?" someone asked behind her.
She whirled around to see Frank at her door, Tiny was peeking around his body to look in. "Where were you Nike? I was looking for you earlier," his voice was even where his questions were anything but. Each one was pointed, needle sharp. "You weren't in your room. Hell, you're not even on base."
Without warning, Frank reached behind him and dragged Tiny to stand between them. Tiny's eyes were wide with fear. "Do you want to tell me Nike? Or will I have get that answer out of your strays?"
"Leave him alone," Alex yelled, rushing forward only to be blocked by Nike's outstretched arm. Baleful eyes glared up at Nike only to flinch back when she saw the intensity of Nike's gaze on Frank.
"Frank, let's go have a talk in your office. We don't need the boy to get underfoot," Nike suggested.
Frank grinned. "Why don't we bring the girl along too? You're just so attached to them."
A quick jerk of his head, Scars walked in. The space in the room was rapidly turning crowded. Nike bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smashing a fist into his face. Alex, on the other hand, had no such compunction. As he neared, hands reaching to grab at her, Alex stomped on his foot. Scars yelped, staggering backwards. Nike couldn't help giving Alex a thumb's up. The smile on Alex's face was vicious and she basked under Nike's approval before realising who she was receiving it from and clamping down on it.
Frank drew his pistol and pointed it at Tiny's head. A strangled cry erupted from Alex's throat and Nike held her back. Tiny whimpered as he struggled in vain. "Come on now, let's all behave." Frank said calmly, the grin never left his face. "No biotics, Nike. Otherwise I'm blowing the boy's head wide open. I might need you, but I don't need the boy."
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Her palms were sleek with sweat, her mouth bone dry as she tried to figure a way out of this. Nothing came to her, all her ideas involved biotics and all she saw were Ross' and Emma's still bodies as Burger's whines echoed in her head. She was fucking useless.
Alex screamed, yanking her attention back to the present. Scars had caught her, but she sank her teeth into his arm, biting down hard. "Stop it stupid girl!" he yelled, smashing a fist against her head.
Nike snarled, her body reacting before she could hold herself back. She punched, connecting solidly against Scars' nose. She could feel flesh sinking, bone crunching and eventually giving way under her fist. Blood sprayed as he clutched his face, screaming.
A shot rang out. Blood drained from her face as she turned towards Frank. One arm wrapped around Alex, biotics already blazing, ready to go. The pistol was smoking, but thankfully it was aimed at the celling. Tiny was weeping silently, trembling in fear.
"Are you quite done?" he growled. "Do not make me repeat myself again."
Frank jerked his head. A sharp prick at her neck made Nike whirled around. All she saw was an empty syringe in Scars' hand. Red Sand? No, it wasn't the same. For a moment, she felt fine, contemplating retaliation. The next, her knees gave out. Her head slammed onto the floor as vertigo swept over her. Her vision swarm. Alex tugged at her shirt, screaming her name, but everything was far away.
"Night, night," Scars growled. "Bitch."
And darkness claimed her.
Lyrics taken from Got It In You by BANNERS