Chapter 35 – Some Things Are Better Left Hidden

As Ajay laid awake in bed that night she couldn't wrap her mind around what Bloodhound had told them. She wouldn't have put much thought into it but Natalie had said her piece. "She's right." Her right shoulder and chest ached with the thought about what had happened. She got out her bottle of pills from her backpack that laid next to her on the bed. She took two pills out and put the bottle away. She got her phone out as she took the pills. She wanted to call Octavio and tell him everything but she couldn't risk anyone else finding out. She sighed as she put her phone away and turned on her side, trying to fall asleep.

The ground was cold against her back. She heard voices around her. She tried to stand up but she could hardly move her body. The only thing she could manage to move was her left hand. She gasped in pain as she touched the right side of her chest, it was wet. She brought her fingers in view and saw red; it was blood. How was she bleeding again? She heard gun fire and watched as Natalie fell to the ground beside her, blood dripping from her mouth as she coughed. Ajay tried to reach for her but her hand fell limp against the pavement. Natalie's eyes went blank as life escaped her body.

Ajay woke up, her breathing was labored. She reached for her chest as she sat up. No blood, just scars and her bra. She looked around the room as she slowed her breathing. She wiped sweat off her forehead. The sun was peeking through the window. She threw the blankets off and got up. "I thought I was done with these fucking nightmares." She got some thin black legs out, black shorts, a black shoulder shirt, a hoodie, a bra, and panties. She laid everything out the bed and got into the shower. She braided the right side of her head, from hairline, down behind her ear, all the way down to her neck. She put a small hair tie in it and let the rest hang free. She got dressed and headed to Natalie's room.

Ajay knocked on the door and was surprised when Natalie answered the door so quickly, "Ready to go on an adventure Ajay?" MRVN was standing behind her. Ajay stepped out of the way so that Natalie and MRVN could leave Natalie's room. "I have a few ideas. What's MRVN doing here?" Natalie smiled, "He is my friend. He was scared to be by himself. I told him he could power down in my room." Ajay nodded as they made their way outside. "What adventure did you have in mind?" Ajay looked around. "Do you know where they are going to have this big meet and greet for the party of Saturday evening?" Natalie pointed to a building in the distance. "Okay. Well, can ya take me on a tour of this entire place? Or some of it today and more tomorrow?" Natalie jumped up and MRVN clapped. "Of course I can!"

Natalie began to leading them out of the city. Once they were out of the city and Ajay was sure they were out of earshot of anything Apex, she pulled Natalie aside. "Is there still guns on this rock?" Natalie smiled, "Why but of course." Ajay thought for a moment, "Do you have access to them without anyone finding out?" Natalie tapped her chin, "Oui. Follow me." Ajay and MRVN followed Natalie to a place that was named Lava Fissure. The area was hot in places but not as hot as Thermal Station. The area was lined with platforms that were suspended in the air. The platforms had upper and lower walk ways, with circular areas that had rooms with stairs. The surrounding area had a few houses with more than one story to navigate.

Natalie led Ajay and MRVN underneath the building area to the depths of the Lava. There were small platforms areas made up of volcanic rocks that had formed into flat land. Some of those areas had bins. Natalie popped open the bins to reveal weapons. There were Prowlers, RE45s, R99s, Alternators Wingmans, and two weapons that Ajay had never seen before. Ajay picked up one of the weapons. It almost looked like an assault rifle but it was a little on the small side. She saw that there was a few of these weapons in the bin. "What is this?" Natalie smiled as she pulled the same gun out and unloaded the magazine to show Ajay, "It's a Volt submachine gun. It is IMC technology and was left here. There are only a few of them left. It uses energy ammunition." She popped the magazine back in and set the gun down. The gun felt good in Ajay's hands. She looked down the sight before setting it back in the bin. Ajay pointed to the other massive weapon in the box, "What's that one?" Natalie looked to the weapon that Ajay was pointing at, "That's a Charge Rifle. It's a sniper rifle." Ajay nodded.

Ajay thought for a moment. "Tomorrow night, I need you guys to hide these weapons around the city near the meet and greet. We can't let anyone know or see them. Do ya think ya can do that Natalie?" MRVN clapped, "Count me in friend." Natalie smiled and clapped as well, "Of course!" Ajay closed the bin and leaned against for a moment. Natalie gave her a concerned look, "What's wrong?" Ajay looked down towards Natalie, "I am just worried that somethin is goin ta happen. Saturday evenin. Do da Legend's abilities work here yet?" Natalie shook her head, "I know that some of Elliot's abilities work, and I think that MRVN's abilities work as well. It's hard to tell. I don't have control over these things." Natalie looked down at her hands, twiddling her thumbs. Ajay smiled at her cute quirks, "It's okay. You have done more than enough." Natalie smiled, "Shall we see the rest of this place?" Ajay nodded and followed her, with MRVN right on her six.

Natalie took the two through sorting factory, which was a huge building named for what it was used for, sorting. There were boxes on a conveyor belt in one building. There was a large building that was used for a train station so that the train could make stops. The rest of the area was littered with other buildings, platforms, huge crates, and a crane. Most of the rooftops in the area were low; easy to get over. The sun was starting to set and Ajay didn't even ask Natalie if she knew how to get back to Skyhook. "Hey Natalie, we should get going. I need to get up early and have a look around Skyhook in the morning." Natalie nodded and skipped along, taking Ajay and MRVN through the other side of Sorting Factory and down between and small area with water just on the other side of Fuel Depot.

The group ended up on the east side of Capital City. Natalie pointed out Epicenter in the distance and barely beyond that some factor called Refinery. Ajay could pretty much figure out the where they were. The map was quite big and nightfall had graced them with its presence. The stars looked magnificent; nothing like the polluted city sky. "What's the plan Ajay?" Natalie sounded a bit concerned. Ajay felt Natalie's concern, "We'll, hide da guns at da party. If tings get rowdy then we pull da guns out and fight or we run." She really didn't know what else to say to the electrical engineer. "I trust you Ajay."

It took the better part of the night to get back to Skyhook. MRVN was still scared and wanted to stay with Natalie again; she gladly accepted the robot's company. They seemed like they were best friends already. Ajay retreated to her room with only a few hours left until day light. She wasn't really in the mood to sleep anyway. She was afraid that she would have nightmares again; she couldn't bear to see Natalie like she did the previous night in her nightmare. Ajay laid in bed and checked her phone. She wondered when Octavio would arrive. He must have had one hell of a job to get done. She gazed out the window and watched the night change into day.

Ajay finally got herself out of bed. She felt tired but knew it was pointless to try and sleep now. She got changed into some similar clothes as the previous day; she wasn't trying to impress anyone. As she opened up the door she was surprised by Natalie and MRVN who were waiting for her on the other side. Natalie smiled, "Perfect timing Ajay. I was just going to knock. Are you ready?" Ajay smiled back and set off with Natalie and MRVN to mark spots for them to hide guns later that night. She didn't know if she wanted to inform any of the other Legends of their plans because of the risk of them getting caught. However, she did know that she wanted to talk with Bloodhound about everything.

Ajay sent MRVN to get Bloodhound from their room or wherever they might be. She figured if she sent MRVN it would be the least obvious way to get ahold of them and draw attention to them. Surprisingly Bloodhound met her quite quickly. She didn't exactly know how to tell them about the plan without being overheard. So Ajay began to walk and Bloodhound followed. Ajay pointed to places that the group had marked to place guns. MRVN turned to Bloodhound and tapped on his screen. MRVN flashed a play gun with a flag that came out of it with the words Bang! written on it. Ajay assumed that Bloodhound understood when they left, at least she hoped they did.