It was almost time for Richard to go to sleep when I heard the sounds of soft moaning. Raising a brow, I looked over to see my newest protégé sitting up on the couch slowly. She was holding her head and blinking slowly to clear her vision. "I was right," I said as I approached her. Once I got close, her onyx eyes looked up at me in dazed confusion. I cupped a hand under her chin and grinned. "You look much better in red, baby."

She gasped softly before looking down at herself. She let out a few shocked squeaks as she observed how her once-blue membrane was now a bright red. She ran her hands through her hair before pulling it in front of her face to observe it. "What... What did you do to me?" she asked.

"I just passed on some genes. Made you more like me. That ain't a problem. Is it?" I asked her with a creeping grin. This was obviously a test. No dutiful, Immunity cell would be able to stand the thought of being infected. Let's see just how much you want to work with ole Thrax...

After a few seconds, she pouted a bit before standing to check herself out from all angles. "I'm gonna miss the blue. I kinda liked it," she said before placing her hands on her hips. I smirked. At least she didn't fail the first test.

"Trust me, sugar," I said as I slipped on my shades and walked over to the windows again. "Red's a much better look."

"Well then... What's the plan?"

"Wait until it gets dark. Once Immunity's patrol calms down for the night, I'll make my move on the hypothalamus," I said.

"No can do, Hun."

I narrowed my gaze before turning to her menacingly. "And why is that?"

"The mayor's been especially paranoid these past few months with all the potential infections from viral attacks. He's got Immunity posted all over the brain, spinal cord and other vital organs," she told me while she stretched out on the couch.

I ignored the way her breasts strained seductively against the fabric of her shirt and instead turned away with a growl. "Aw, spit!" I cursed. My shoulders hunched as I glared down at the city lights. If it wasn't one thing, it was another!

"You need to cool down, Hun. Luckily for you, I know the head of nervous system security," I heard Katerina say as a pair of hands rested on my shoulders.

I allowed her to straighten out my shoulders before smirking. "Oh really?"

"Mm-hmm. White blood cell that joined the force a little before I did. He's real sweet on me. I can get you in to the hypothalamus. I've got a plan," she said with a sly smile.

I couldn't help it. I liked that devious look. I have to say that it suited her. Chuckling darkly, I turned to face her fully. "Tell Big Daddy Thrax all about it, baby..."

~:~

I hummed softly to myself as I strolled through the streets of Richard with my shades on. The streets were relatively empty tonight. Not many cells dared to venture out after night in Richard. Everyone was all about proper rest, plenty of fluids, exercise... I nearly scoffed. None of that would save them after tonight. After spending nearly a month in Richard waiting for the right moment to strike, I would be taking care of business tonight.

I slowed to a stop when I approached the back of Cerebellum Hall. I hid in the shadows in an alleyway and eyed the backdoor. Just like Katerina said, there was one guard posted out back. It was a white blood cell of a massive build with a serious expression. Now that looked like a cell ready to die for his body. I smirked when I saw Katerina finally enter the scene. She approached the guard with a sway of her hips, her hair swinging behind her as she walked. The guard's serious expression morphed into one of an excited dog as he grinned at Katerina.

"Hey there, Randy. They've got you on security detail tonight?" Katerina greeted with a small smile.

"Unfortunately," the guard replied with a sheepish shrug. "I didn't know you were posted in the brain tonight."

"I'm actually not. I came to see Marcus. I'm supposed to be undercover right now so don't tell," Katerina said while placing her index finger over her lips with a grin.

The guard grinned. "I won't tell. I was wondering what was up with the new color. I almost didn't recognize you."

Katerina shrugged before going over to the security pad. I watched her slide her badge over the screen, only for it to flash red. She tried it several more times before sighing. "Come on. Why aren't you working?" she groaned.

The guard quickly turned to face Katerina before placing a hand onto her shoulder. "It's okay. You probably don't have clearance since you aren't supposed to be here. Don't worry. I'll let you in," he said and took out his badge.

Katerina's face lit up brighter than any light ever could. "Oh thank you, Randy! Your such a sweetheart," Katerina said while rubbing her hand along the large man's back. I narrowed my gaze before smirking. She was good. Suddenly, she made a "come here" motion with her finger behind the guard's back. I grinned slowly before moving out of the shadows while heating up my claw.

"Anything for you, Kat. There you go. Just head on up," Randy said while smiling down at Katerina and holding the door open for her.

"We will. Thanks," Katerina said with a smirk.

"What?" Randy asked just before I pierced his chest with a glowing claw. Randy's eyes bulged as he stared down at where my appendage was poking out of his chest and overheating his cytoplasm. I watched him splatter onto the ground in a blue puddle before shaking out my coat.

"Let's get going," Katerina said as she entered the building. "I assume you don't need help finding the hypothalamus from here?"

"Nah, baby. I'm good. I'll catch you on the flip side," I said with a low chuckle and strode down a hallway. There was only one way to go to get to the hypothalamus: up. If Katerina was right, there would be guards at every elevator but the stairs would be nearly barren. Pushing open the door to the emergency stairs, I grinned. Humming to myself as I climbed the stairs, I couldn't help but rub my hands together impatiently.

The hypothalamus was being guarded by two, low level cadets. They stood posted outside the door with their guns drawn and serious expressions on their faces. I nearly rolled my eyes at them. They screamed newbies. Suddenly, an older officer walked up and nodded to the cadets. "I'll take over here. Go take a break," he said.

"Yessir," one of the cadets said before they both scurried away.

I waited for a few more seconds. The officer was relatively young, a slight five o' clock shadow on his face and a lean build. His shaggy hair was a bit unkept. He was about to slide his badge over the keypad, but a voice called out to him in time. "Marcus!"

Katerina jogged over to the officer with a bright smile on her face. It almost looked like she was running in slow motion from where I stood. What was she pulling trying to run in those heels? No sooner than I had thought this, Katerina was tripping over her own feet. I nearly rolled my eyes at her clumsiness until I saw her fall right into the officer's arms. I smirked. She was really good.

"Oh. What's up with me? I'm such a clutz tonight," Katerina said in a breathy voice. From where I stood, I could hear all the seductive undertones.

"K-Katerina? W-what are you doing here? You weren't posted at the CNS tonight," Marcus said.

"You're not happy to see me?" Katerina questioned as she straightened up and folded her arms.

"No! I mean... I'm always happy to see you. I was just wondering why you were here," Marcus said and rubbed his arm nervously.

"Well, I was on my way to Tremors for my assignment when it just hit me," Katerina said with a bright and loving smile. "I know you asked me out a while ago and I didn't have an answer for you then, but I have an answer for you now. It just made so much sense that I had to tell you right away!"

Narrowing my gaze, I silently made my way out of the stairwell. I wasn't sure what she was planning, but as far as I was concerned the guard was distracted.

"You... Are you saying yes?" Marcus asked with barely hidden glee. Katerina nodded enthusiastically. "That's great!"

Before I could take out the officer, Katerina's eyes widened in shock. She pushed Marcus to the side and shouted, "Look out!" My claw only slashed air as Marcus fell to the ground. I shot her a threatening glare. Her eyes widened slightly before she attempted to back away. Before she could, I quickly grabbed her by the arm and held her to me. "Hey! What do you think you're doing!?" she shouted as she struggled in my hold.

"Let her go! You're under arrest!" Marcus shouted and brandished his gun. With an irritated growl, I sliced his gun in half with my claw. Marcus balked.

"Marcus, run!" Katerina shouted from my arms.

"No way. I'm not leaving you," Marcus said before putting up his fists. I rolled my eyes. When his fist shot out towards my face, I gripped it in one hand and squeezed.

"How cute. You wanna play hero, lil man? Let's go," I said with a chuckle before touching the tip of my claw to his membrane. It didn't take long for the heat to spread up his arm and through this system. He didn't last long.

"You can let go now."

Glancing down at Katrina, I saw her shoot me an expectant stare. I shot her an unamused stare before releasing her. "And tell me why I shouldn't fry you alive for that little stunt?" I questioned with a sneer.

She dusted off her clothes with a roll of her eyes. "I was in character. Sue me," she said before picking up Marcus's fallen ID and opening the door.

I followed her inside and the door slid shut behind me. Approaching the spinning helix at the center of the room, I grinned. "Now, that's a thing of beauty right there," I said before piercing the casing around the helix with my claw. The casing sparked and fought back for a few seconds before giving out and glowing red. "There you are," I said with a grin before plucking the glowing, blue ball from the structure.

"All done?"

"I'm all done here, baby. Let's blow this joint," I said before approaching Katerina. Suddenly, an alarmed blared over the speakers.

"Spit. Officers will be flooding the floor before you know it," Katerina cursed.

"Relax, baby. Big Daddy Thrax has everything under control," I said before pulling her to me and storming over to the door. Just like she'd said, there were a few guards outside the door when we walked out.

"Freeze!"

"Put your hands in the air!"

"Let her go!"

Slipping the DNA bead into my pocket for safekeeping, I held my glowing claw under Katerina's neck. "Drop your weapons or she dies," I threatened.

"Stop him!" Katerina yelled and struggled a bit in my arms for show.

"Aw, spit. Kat, is that you?" one of the officers said with a grave look.

"It's me! He killed Marcus!"

"And she dies too if you even think about following me," I said again before walking backwards to the stairs. Keeping a watchful gaze on the officers, I opened the door to the stairs before moving through it. Once in the other side, Katerina pulled away before running towards the stairs. I followed behind her quickly while keeping an ear out for cops.

"They'll be calling all officers to the brain. Every major highway will be flooded with cop cars," Katerina said.

"So what do you suggest?" I asked.

"We can try to get out through the sewers-"

"Ain't gonna happen," I interrupted.

She rolled her eyes. "Well then, we can take I-45 down to the ear," she suggested with a roll of her eyes.

"Wouldn't the mouth be a better exit? What about the nose?" I suggested.

"The ear is closer. The only things closer than the ear is the eye, but Richard is asleep right now. Having a shoot out in the eye will wake him up and make things more complicated," she said as we made it onto the 25th floor. "This way. This leads to a garage. We can get on the streets and out in the highway."

As soon as she pushed opened the door, I heard the sounds of guns cocking. Moving quickly, I pulled her towards me. She gasped loudly, not expecting the sudden grab. Once we were out in the open, I spotted five cops cars and at least ten cops surrounding us in a semicircle. "Spit," I cursed.

"Release the officer and put your hands up!"

Staring down at my claw, I grit my teeth. My most trusted weapon... Heating up my claw as hot as it would go, I sunk it into the nervous tissue I was standing on. The floors cracked and bled red before hissing and steaming violently. The cracks spread out towards the cops, causing them all to stare down in shock. Moving quickly, I lifted Katerina off her feet and took off as fast as I could for the nearest car.

"He's getting away!"

Reaching out for the handle to the car, I nearly cursed when my claw nearly burned the door off. Door or not, I needed to get out of here. Sticking my hand into the door, ready to yank it off, my eyes widened when I saw the car transform into a red hot rod. Now that's styling. Grinning, I pulled the door open before tossing Katerina inside and slipping inside.

"Hey! Watch the merchandise!" she shouted at me.

"Sorry, baby. But I'm in a bit of a rush," I said as I used my claw as a key in the ignition. The car started with a roar before peeling off. We plowed into two cop cars before pulling onto the street. Watching the cars overturn in the rear view mirrors, I laughed loudly and smacked my hand against the steering wheel.

"You're a lunatic!" Katerina shouted at me before laughing as well. "Take this next street on the right. It'll take us onto the highway."

"What would I do without you, baby?" I asked rhetorically.

"Get arrested and flushed out of Richard the next time he takes a piss?" she answered with a knowing smirk. I rolled my eyes. "Whew. It's getting a little warm."

Glancing down at the dashboard, I smirked. "It's 102 degrees, baby. Just the way I like it," I said and stepped on the gas. We tore through the nearly empty highway, mowing the cop cars out of the way with ease.

"Take the next right. We're headed down to the ear. Be careful. The cleanup crew hasn't cleared the roads of wax yet," Katerina said and pointed at our exit. I took the right and skillfully handled all the twists and turns in the road. More than once, Katerina fell onto me with a grunt before sitting up only to be tossed into the passenger side door. "Feel free to drive at a normal pace at any time!"

"Come on, baby. Where's your sense of adventure?" I asked with a deep laugh. Katerina shot me a glare before shaking her head.

"Pull over! We have you surrounded!"

I rolled my eyes with a disgusted groan. Sticking my arm out the window, I allowed my claw to drag along the street as we drove past. Glancing at the rear view mirror, I watched the highway crack behind us before falling apart. "So much for Richard's finest..." I said.

"We're almost there," Katerina said in relief. She grinned before flashing me with her brightest smile. I smirked in return.