Once she'd heard about the boomer attack and Jacobs efforts to kill it when it began to make sense. His goals were admirable but most likely had cost him his life. She was prepared to except the reality of his death. She knew him for was only a fleeting moment. Jacob Martin was dead. Irene was silent as Linna sat besides her in comfort. Linna was the most distraught in leaving at his order. Priss felt the same now with understanding why he took her pistol, she was still a bit mad about that however. Sylia looked out the window as she contemplated her next move. Her suspicions were on a factory where a truck had hauled away too from Genom. It was shortly after Irenes fiancé had killed in a lab accident. Jacob's death hung infront of her like a cloak, he deserve it that fate but he rushed into it facing it like a hero. Crazy man, She thought taking a drag from her cigarette. He could have been something much more.
"I saw he hit those bastards hard and fast!" Priss said, with venom. "We don't even give them a chance to react we take out the whole lab!"
Sylia didn't agree but remained silent. Linna surprisingly agreed with her however and voiced it.
"Let's give Genom a punch to the gut they'll really feel!" She said, more bitter than anyone in the room.
Sylia looked to her disapprovingly, it was all too reckless. Then there's the fact that may be a trap. Without any evidence to support that it was on shaky ground.
"Wasting them won't solve the problem. Mason is who masterminded it all..." Sylia chided.
"No shit, he causes nothing but problems for everyone. He's a slimy rat!" Priss replied coldly.
Sylia was about to responded when suddenly there was a knock at the door. The girls looked only to hear a familiar voice.
"Pizza delivery!" Jacob said, jokingly.
Priss raced to the door throwing it open. There he was on the other side right in front of her. Jacob smiled but it quickly faded as a hand collided with his right cheek. Priss then grabbed the gun from his pocket and yanked him in. Closing the door she locked it.
"Yeah I deserve that" Jacob admitted.
Priss wasn't done however.
"I'm soo pissed at you, but i'll let it slide thanks to what you did for Irene" She said, before embracing him in a hug.
Jacob's fear faded and he hugged back.
"I really couldn't do nothing" He admitted, softly.
Sylia turned and looked at him as he and Priss broke apart. Jacob took a seat remaining silent as he acknowledged Irene's presence. He smiled weakly at seeing her alive, a bit shaken but alive regardless.
"Sylia I know you got a lot to say to me but here's the fact" He said, looking her in the eyes. "I acted to protect life, as long as I stand I will help out those who don't deserve to suffer like I did. Gene did it for me, no matter the cost to him and I'm gonna do the same whether you approve it or not"
Sylia looked at him seeing the determination on his face. She knew he was telling the truth. She made up her mind on what she would do next. It was clear to her now. He had an unmistakable value for human life, Someone who knew it all to well.
"Alright, would it be better if you could do that with a hard-suit" She responded, calmly and slightly smiled.
Jacobs face lit up as Linna hugged him. He was stunned by what he heard, it was so hard to believe but yet he heard it. Am I dreaming?. He asked himself. Never had he thought of this!.
"Surely you joking?" Jacob asked.
"I'm dead serious and don't call me Shirley" Sylia replied. earning a shocked expression from Jacob.
"You ok Jacob?" Linna asked him.
He nodded as his shock faded out.
"Yeah, my rib is just acting up" He lied. "Don't we have a lab to crash?" He added.
Sylia shook her head at him. Jacob looked at her puzzling as she explained.
"No your staying here with Irene, after what you did you'll need a rest" Sylia replied.
Jacob chucked lightly and smiled.
"Leaving me here to explain it all, should've seen that coming" Jacob said with a grin.
Sylia patted him gently on the shoulder before the girls (including Mackie) exited the room to begin the assault. Jacob looked to Irene who looked both nervous and unsure. He wasn't sure if she feared him or not.
"They'll be fine, just a little pay back that's all" Jacob stood. "Do you want anything to drink?" He asked her kindly.
"Water please" She replied softly.
Jacob nodded walking to the kitchen. Grabbing a Pepsi for himself he grabbed a water bottle for Irene. The moment wasn't lost on him. She now lived past the time she was supposed to die. Her sister will most likely never come unless something else to draws her out. Jacob found it a mystery which nobody could solve. He would just have to wait it out.
"Your japanese is really good. I take it you're from North America?" Irene asked him.
Passing her the water bottle he nodded.
"Canada actually, used to be a librarian" He responded.
Taking a seat he took a sip of Pepsi. Let's do it straight. He told himself. Irene looked at him before sipping on water. Jacob bit his lip before beginning.
"It all started a few years ago, I was 16 at the time"
Pirss gasped deeply and removed her helmet, inside the truck she leaned on the wallas Mackie drove them away from the flaminglab. The satellite had fired multiple times on the lab and the irony was not lost on them. The apology earlier today was null and void. Priss found it to be karmic justice in a sense. Nene was surprised as she removed her heavy armour. She hadn't expected such a massive boomer to destroy but it ironically caused it's own destruction.
"I'm gonna need a long shower after this" Nene said, wiping the sweat from her brow.
"Me too" Linna agreed.
Priss only nodded. Her mind was moving from place to place at a madding speed. She could barely keep up with herself. She felt like she was about to crash and burn!. Sylia gave her a water bottle and warmly smiled.
"You ok?" She asked Priss.
Priss nodded.
"Just tired, I wonder how Jacob's handling with Irene?" Priss wondered.
"I'm sure he's got it under control" Sylia responded.
Jacob got a bewildered look from Irene as he finished under a minute ago. Of course she found it unbelievable, he had expected it and only wished Sylia was here. He had been nothing but calm and kind to her and when he told her about her death (which she prevented) she was shocked to put it lightly. She was even more shocked to hear what her sister had done. Jacob was treading in unknown waters now.
"So your from another dimension?" Irene said puzzled.
"Yes" Jacob replied softly. "But I'm not sure if there's anything for me to return too...never had the best of luck"
She picked up on the dry but very present pain and leaned towards interested in hearing more. Jacob looked and inwardly smiled.
"Not even your family?" She began. "How can someone have nothing?"
Jacob grimaced and broke eye contact. Now he was beginning to feel uncomfortable. All the memories begin flooding back to the surface, before he was 16.
"I think it would be best if you were to go back to your family, for your own protection of course" He said in an attempt to dodge the question.
Irene looked offended and shook her head in complete disagreement. Jacob looked to her again and gave her a sympathetic look.
"No I wanted out and I have no intention of going back there" Irene argued.
Jacob took a sip of Pepsi and collected his thoughts for a minute. Luckily he had a card up his sleeve. Even though he would have to fib just a bit.
"If you don't go your sister will become a murderer, be arrested and lose her life" He paused for a second. "Would you want her to do that?. What do you really want your beloved sister to suffer?"
Irene looked at his stone expression and leaned back. Reflecting on what he just said, she begin thinking.
"Can't Sylia do something?" Irene inquired.
"You can ask her but she'll agree with me on this" Jacob replied.
He honestly didn't know whether she would agree with him but he hoped so. He had to pressure her into taking the suggestion, he knew it was for the best for her right now. Looking her in the eyes she sighed.
"I'll think about it" She relented.
"That's all I ask" Jacob replied.
End of chapter