9
As the car pulled away Evie suddenly grabbed Jacob and pulled him into an embrace, which he returned gently
"I'm glad you're safe" she said quietly as she squeezed harder
"I'm glad to see...well, hear you.." Jacob replied smiling
Evie pulled away gently and placed a hand on his cheek, noticing the bruises.
"What have they done!" she growled
"I don't know" he shrugged "but that bright light made it a thousand times worse..."
"I'll take a look when we get back" Rayna called from the driver's seat "I'm guessing they've administered something to dilate your pupils"
"you two have the vision if I'm not mistaken" Kairen added
"Yes" Evie answered "What of it?"
"let's just say it's a good job you two got out when you did...the few Assassins they find with heightened senses don't last long..." Kairen then looked at Jacob in the mirror "how on earth did you get out anyway? That place is a fortress"
"because I'm bloody brilliant" Jacob quipped which caused Kairen to frown and Rayna to giggle slightly
"Well, Jacob, it's nice to see the Templars haven't bruised your ego at least..." Evie smiled
The grandmaster Lance Conri stood staring at the huge precursor machine when his sister entered the room
"The subject has escaped..." Trudy started
"That is...unfortunate" Lance replied quietly "can we not use this machine and pull both our missing guests back from a few days ago?"
"If only it was that easy..." Trudy sighed "We tried something similar before when my team first begun testing. It seems that, for whatever reason, a subjects DNA can only be accepted once. Perhaps it puts too much strain on the body or mind" she surmised
Lance looked at the machine curiously
"I wonder, what was the purpose of this thing if it could only be used once?" he questioned aloud
"I believe the precursors possibly created this machine to double the lifespan of the more skilled members in their human workforce, which could be why it's only compatible with human DNA and that could also possibly explain why the Assassin's heart stopped" Trudy answered
"explain" Lance said
"Well" Trudy began again "we've read from his file that our subject possessed the rare heightened senses that the Assassin's call the eagle vision. From Dr. Carter's research I discovered that these certain individuals posses faint strains of the enhanced DNA that the precursors gave to a select few many a millennia ago. That, brother could very well explain why pulling him through with this machine stopped his heart, his DNA is tainted!"
Lance nodded then turned to Trudy
"So, why are we waiting? Let us bring Crawford Starrick back tonight, his DNA is pure is it not?"
Trudy suddenly looked concerned
"This is only a theory my brother. If we are wrong and Crawford was to die...our only chance of bringing him back to greatness would be lost"
Lance sighed and turned to leave
"No more delays!" he suddenly demanded "the notorious Frye twins are now running around London due to your repeated failure. Figure it out! And quickly...I want Starrick brought back as soon as possible!"
The next morning arrived and Jacob rubbed at his sore eyes whilst he admired his new outfit in the mirror. The twins had taken breakfast and then Evie had shown him the extensive wardrobe, guessing her brother would want to change out of the now slightly torn and blood stained scrubs he'd worn for days. He'd picked out a black leather jacket worn over a dark brown hoodie, with dark jeans and a pair of sturdy hiking boots. He flicked his new hidden blade making sure it didn't catch the sleeve of the leather jacket.
"it feels too light" he complained
"you'll get used to it" Evie grinned
"Pistols? Knives?" Jacob questioned
"No pistols brother. Master Arden has already informed me its best not to be seen carrying in this day and age..."
"pffft...I could hide one under this jacket easily" he smirked
"Well, there aren't pistols stored here anyway!" Evie scoffed as she passed him a few throwing knives "Jacob, we are very much in uncharted territory, so please, just for once have a care and LISTEN! You've already nearly been killed once as it is!"
"That wasn't my fault!" he sulked as he followed her down the stairs into the dining room where Kairen was watching them both and Rayna was sitting eating breakfast
"Good morning" Rayna announced "how did you both sleep?"
"Well enough, despite the dreams" Evie trailed off as Jacob frowned and glanced at her curiously
"Excellent" Kairen then announced "then, let's get down to business shall we? I think I speak for us all when I say that machine must be destroyed at all costs"
"yes" Evie agreed "before they drag Crawford Starrick back from hell"
"Starrick?" Jacob growled
"Yes brother, unfortunately that is our enemies plan. We have to stop them and quickly but the question is, how?"
Jacob then smiled at his sister
"I have an ally inside who's just as determined to destroy this machine as we are" he placed the small piece of paper in the centre of the table "she passed me this address and told me she would meet me in two days time"
"Can you be sure we can trust her?" Kairen asked
"you asked how I escaped last night" Jacob replied "I wouldn't of been able too without her help"
"I guess that definitely proves she's an ally" Rayna chirped
"it seems from the call I received last night she's not the only one who assisted you" Kairen continued "now I must uphold my end of the bargain and go and pay our friends"
"Your hacker friends?" Evie questioned and Kairen nodded
"Well" Jacob started "I think I'll tag along and come and thank them in person, let's take a gander at futuristic London shall we Evie?"
"I don't think that's a good idea" Kairen replied as he stood "it would be best if you and your sister stayed here and learnt about the era you have suddenly found yourselves in until we meet with your friend"
Jacob suddenly looked annoyed
"Stay in this house? For two bloody days!"
"Jacob..." Evie warned
"Yes" Kairen continued "use your time wisely...you nearly got killed by a BUS for crying out loud! You WILL stay here"
"And you're going to make me, are you?" Jacob growled as he also stood. Rayna suddenly looked worried as the Assassin's glared at each other across the table
"If I must..." Kairen threatened
"ENOUGH!" Evie interrupted "if you two are quite finished with this cock fight maybe you'll both take a moment to remember we are all on the SAME SIDE! Master Arden I believe you have business to attend to, Jacob, a word please!" Jacob shot one last look towards Kairen and exited the dining room with Evie following behind. Once in the hallway Evie took her brother by the arm
"Jacob, please, I really need you to stem your impetuous behaviour here...this isn't 1870!"
"Evie, I've been locked up like a bloody animal the past few days, and now, some whelp is telling me to stay locked up for another two" he then sighed "I just need some air, and maybe a drink..."
Evie calmed a little now as she noticed her brother's distress "I understand" she said finally as she sat on a small chair "I miss Henry... I miss sitting on top of the train and feeling the wind against my face when my mind was tangled up like it is now... I doubt I can do that here..."
Jacob looked back at his sister
"I'll bet you a pint pubs still exist" he grinned " let's go and find one and have a drink" Evie looked at him unsure, he noticed
"Come on! What harm could it possibly do?"
"alright" she finally agreed "but only if, you agree to try and get on with Master Arden, he's not "some whelp" he's a Master Assassin in a very trying time, and he deserves our respect"
"alright" Jacob shrugged "come on, let's go" he said suddenly excited