There wasn't much that fit him. Only pants and a shirt. Ironically that was usually his main outfit. In total he found two sets of clothes. It wasn't bad by any means but he felt like he could've done better. However his mind was at other places. His mind racing from one possibility to another and only a blink of an eye. Most of it involved Irene and her sister...if he saved her that whole escapade would never happen...or would it?. So many possibilities and it was hard to keep track of all of them. It was enough to drive a man mad!. He had to make a choice before it was too late...he could either leave her to die or save her life. There was no way you could deny not knowing she was going to die, The girls are smarter than that. Pushing it all aside for now and he decided to focus on the exercises. Clearing his mind of the junk and slipping into peace for just a few hours.

The boomer was at a loss, confused even. This Jacob Martin didn't exist in this world so asking was useless and would only attract attention to itself in the process. It was at a crossroads. Then their was the thought of the target being with the Knight Sabers which was a dangerous combination of elements. The mecha shuddered at the electronically processed thought and continued to walk. It would have to remain vigilant and keep its wits about it. The creature grunted as it continued shuffling down the street, turning at the corner it knew it needed info. An information terminal would be much help. Now a new priority came up. Finding information which will lead to its target.

Irene was such an innocent soul and it only made it harder on Jacob who held her fate in his hands. Being introduced to her as Linna's roommate only made it harder. Never had any held the power of fate but now here was with that power. It was madding to put it lightly. With today's exercise is over it was the best one Jacob had gotten in a long long time. Now the 3 sat a table drinking various drinks. Jacob had picked a coke out of reflex.

"We we're supposed to be married. We were gonna leave this apple behind once and for all" Irene said looking at her ring reminiscently.

Linna took her hand saying.

"I sorry for your loss. That's a hard thing to live with" Those were sound words to Jacobs ears.

"And in the end, The love you take is equal to the love you make" Jacob added.

Linna was surprised and Irene smiled sheepishly. His words had effect on her after all. Jacob shrugged and took a sip.

"That was beautiful Jacob. Did you come up with it?" Irene asked him.

He shook he head. He figured he might as well be honest. Hopefully she wouldn't go looking them up. If so he was in for a wild ride

"John Lennon and Paul McCartney...1969" He replied.

"Oh I've never heard of them" Irene admitted.

Jacob looked to the window for a second and then back to Irene. Now he was forced to bend the truth again.

"A little band from Liverpool England. Never took off unfortunately" He muttered softly.

He was comfortable saying that. Calling the biggest band in the world a failed act was off putting. He didn't like saying It but he had no other option. He'd tell Linna the truth once they were alone.

"Oh I see. Too bad" Irene said disappointingly.

Jacob uncomfortably stood and excused himself. Walking out of the building he walked to a nearby payphone. Stepping inside he closed the door. Dread come over him as he slumped against the side. Tears running down his eye as he dove deep into his thoughts.

Irene looked from the window to Jacob who entered the phone booth and outta sight. Something was wrong with him. He looked at her as if she was about to die. Keeping it too herself she turned her attention back to Linna.

"So where did you two meet?" Irene asked her.

Linna now in the hot seat quickly came up with an explanation. All it had to do was convince her.

"2 years ago actually. It was a one night stand and we became friends after. He moved away and he only got back to town recently" Linna responded calmly.

Irene nodded taking it as fact. Never had she ever heard of anyone becoming friends with a one night stand. There's a first for everything isn't there. Irene thought to herself.

Jacob stepped into Priss's place after fiddling around with the lock for a few minutes. He felt dirty but the urging in his mind kept him moving. Looking around he sighed. Where would she keep a gun?. He thought in question. She would be passed but He'd confess later once it was done...he just needed a gun and ammo. What he was about to do was by far the stupidest thing he'd ever done.

"I'm gonna get into soo much shit with this" He muttered as he began to look around.

Priss reached home to find a note on the door. She looked at it and pushed her hair from her eyes. She gasped as her eyes went wide!. It read. I'm sorry but I had to grab your pistol. I've made a choicethat will save us all much grief I cannot say it now but I will explain once I am done. She finished and felt a coldness suddenly come over her.

"Oh god" she whispered in shock. "What are you doing?"

Back to Linna who was now worried about Jacob's disappearance. She didn't show it as she and Irene ate dinner in a small restaurant on the opposite side of town. For some reason she had the feeling of being watched. She couldn't quite place it but it was as if a pair of eyes watched them for what seemed to be hours now. Irene didn't have such a feeling and was luckily blissfully unaware. Lucky her. Linna mused glancing to the window.

"So what ever happened to that Jacob fellow?" Irene asked pondering on the question.

Linna looked back to Irene and shrugged.

"At times he can be busy. Wouldn't surprise me he was called in for something" She replied.

Irene nodded.

"That's most likely it. Poor guy is probably working like a dog" Irene said.

Jacob watched from the opposite side of the street in a brown trench coat and large hat. He surprisingly didn't look too out of place much to his surprise. He was beginning to feel like Sam Spade. Watching the two though the window he looked up and down the street. All he had to do was follow and wait.

"Let's hope this goes well" He muttered to himself.

End of chapter