Chapter 7
Trigs in Seattle
Authors note: I changed my mind. I decided to write more on this story. It's too much fun to
give up. This chapter deals with Trigs, and her memories of Manticore. It will give insight into
my X5.
Thanks to those who gave me feedback. You people kick a$$. More reviews! I'm
review hungry! And to icestorm, who signs Ja at the end of her reviews, this one's for you, cause
you asked.
Now onto Trigsie.
Trigs left the Manticore compound as fast as she could. She wanted away from
Manticore, away from Lyedecker, away from Renfro, away from everything. She debated going
back to see Max and Zack, but decided against it. She knew that Renfro would not keep her
word, that Renfro would come after her. She knew she had to bounce. Trigs knew that the open
road was the only way.
Trigs took out the one thing that kept her in touch with her real family, with Carn and
Renz. Ben had her number, so did Tinga. Tinga had called Trigs before she had been caught.
She called Trigs from Max's house, told her to watch over her kid. Trigs had. Trigs kept her
promise, and had made sure Case was safe in Canada.
Trigs called Carn's cell phone, and told his voice mail she was bouncing. She knew he
would be mad, but he also knew she would be back to him. Trigs needed to get away, but Carn
would find her, and she would be his again.
Sometimes, Trigs prayed she would wake up and be a normal person. She hoped one day
she would become pregnant, and give birth to a child. Her child, and Carn's. When she thought
about that, she smacked herself. She could not have children with Carn. Carn was an X2. X2's
couldn't have children.
The road outside Manticore was cold, and Barren. Trigs walked on, shivering as the
wind whipped against her bloody cheek. No one would be on the road for a while. It was two
am, according to her watch, and she knew the guards switched places at four. She would have
two hours to move before anyone would find her footsteps in the snow.
Trigs remembered how much Brin loved snow when she was a child. She wondered if
Brin was already being taught that she was better off free. Better off in the real world. Better off
with her family outside Manticore. Better off in the real world.
Trigs often wondered if they were better off in the 'real world'. The World outside the
walls of Manticore. Manticore was where she was born, where she was raised, where she was
taught. Manticore had been her home.
But Trigs knew that she was not a person to be held at Manticore. She knew that she was
better than Manticore. So what if she never had the shakes, never was the first one up for breath,
always the first one across the line in a race, always the best fighter. It didn't matter that she was
better then Max, or Zack, or anyone else. It didn't seem important anymore how much money
they spent on her, or what they did to her to make her worth so much. Trigs was different.
Trigs knew that out of all the Manticore X5's, she was the first to really have a soul.
Trigs knew Tinga had a soul. She fell in love. You needed a soul to love, in Trigs mind.
Ben had a soul too. He was devoted to the Blue lady. Max, she thought, has a soul. She's in
love with that guy. The guy who's legs are all weird.
It was then that Trigs knew why she couldn't go back. It was then it all sunk in. It was
then that she realized what was wrong, why she didn't want to go back. It was something Renfro
had said to her. Something that stung her ego.
She had a brother.
He had no soul.
Trigs never thought Zack had a soul. He was a soldier. He was different. He and her
always had their differences. They had never gotten along, nor had they ever seen eye to eye on
anything. He had his missions and his promise to Eva. She had the Blue Lady and her music.
Music, it was hers. She was the only X5 to ever truly understand music. She remembered how
Zack responded to music the first time.
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Zack, Peeps, Trigs and Jack were all together that night. It was a training mission, and
they were a squad. Their job was to set up a camp and stay away from Lyedecker. Jack had
already set out dinner; the cold rations they were given spiced up with berries she had found.
Zack was studying a map of the Terrain, while Peeps checked over the guns. Trigs was guarding
the camp, and walking casually.
Zack was NOT happy having Trigs on his team. He and Trigs' personalities clashed.
They had issues getting along. She often would talk about her special friend, the reason she
missed lessons. She always seemed to know what the lessons were after though, which bothered
Zack. Trigs was a better soldier than Zack, which bothered him.
Trigs was walking along the edge of the clearing, watching and listening for Lyedecker
and his men trying to sneak up on them. Trigs never could sit still. She was worse than Kiri and
Tinga. Zack was glad he only got one of those three girls. He loved them each, but they were
not the kind of soldiers he wanted to work with. Tinga and Kiri tried hard, but were weak. Trigs
was too good.
Trigs decided that it was time she let the others in on her newfound talent as she guarded
the camp. Penny had been teaching her so many new things in the months she had spent time
with her little Trigs. Each day, for one hour, she would teach Trigs whatever she thought could
help her. Penny had plans for her Trigs. She didn't want her to end up a common soldier, like
the other X5's. Trigs had always shown individuality. She enjoyed colour, enjoyed music. Very
odd traits for an X5.
Penny had submitted a proposal that X5 631 be given to her to train. She had been
denied. She then asked to be allowed to supplement her training. They allowed that. Lyedecker
did not like watching his little soldier walk away form the class each day to sit in Penelope
Renfro's office. There, Trigs could be herself. The bright child could ask any question, talk
back, yell, shout, question, and be, as she wanted to be, not as Lyedecker wanted her to be.
About two months into her time with Penny, Trigs found a CD and found music. It was a
beautiful song called Iris, by a band called the Goo Goo dolls. Trigs laughed at the name, then
listened to the song. Penny was late that day, and walked in as Trigs began to sing along with
the CD. Penny stopped before entering, and thought about the consequences. She should have
taken the CD away and given Trigs back to Lyedecker, but she didn't. She didn't know why, but
she liked Little X5 631, a girl who was given the name Trigs just after her first exposure to
Music. Penny didn't find out until it was too late that the child she had given birth to was Trigs.
The moment Trigs sang, she became different, and stayed that way.
"Trigs!" shouted Peeps, sitting on the rock near her bedding.
"What?"
"Get your Dinner," Zack said, "Time for chow."
"Thanks," Trigs said, taking the cold rations. She took a few bites of the cold mush she
had been brought up to eat.
"So what's going on with you and that lady?" asked Jack.
"She's a friend. She's been teaching me."
"Teaching you?"
"Yes. She helps me understand complicated issues."
"All we need are orders," said Zack.
"We need more," Trigs said, "Much more."
"That's why I'm your CO."
"That's why you're baked!" said Trigs, a look of defiance and anger in her eyes.
"Baked?" said Jack.
"Backed. Unintelligent. Lacking any mental aptitude."
"Did you make up that word?" asked Zack.
"No. I did not!"
"You're so weird!" shouted Zack, settling down to his dinner.
"Oh fine," she said, sitting on her bedding, and beginning to hum the tune to one of the
many songs Penny let her listen to. Zack turned his head quickly, and stared at his sister, as she
opened her mouth, and began to quietly sing a song about freedom, and liberty, and life.
Zack looked at his sister, wishing for a split second he was like her. She was young. She
was not expected to be the best, to lead the siblings. She was a free spirit. She had a mind of her
own, her own way of doing things. Zack wished her could.
As Trigs lifted her voice, Peeps and Jack stood in awe watching, both wishing they would
be there with Trigs when she went to see her friend. Neither of them knew they would be dead
within a few years.
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Trigs thought back to her siblings as she walked along the cold road. Peeps died less than
a week after Trigs sang to her. Jack died about seven years later. Death seemed to haunt Trigs
life.
As Trigs walked, she wondered where she would go. She considered Canada, but knew
that she needed to go to Seattle. Manticore was offline until the DNA lab could be fixed. Renfro
was off her back for a few months. Max would go to Seattle. She would take Zack with her.
Kiri would likely go with them. Igen would too. The four of them would work together.
And so would she. She had an old friend in Seattle. Someone who had once been there
when she had been sick. He knew her and Carn. He would help her. He might even get her a
job. She hoped her remembered her.
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Days later, Trigs reached a small town, and decided to eat. Being an X5, she didn't need
to eat, or sleep every day. After nearly killing her sister, she decided to find a friend and keep
moving.
She walked into the diner, and headed straight for the bathroom. She pulled out a small
compact, and took out a cloth. She ran warm water over it, and quickly began to run it over her
wounds, cleaning each out. When she felt clean, she walked out, and headed for the back of
building. A middle aged man, with glasses and short hair, sat there and watched her walk.
"Eva," he said. She forgot she had been Eva the last time she was in Seattle. It had been
a long time since she had been Eva.
"Thank you for coming."
"How did you end up here. Alone. Without partners in crime."
"I just did. What did we tell you."
"Don't ask questions. I know."
"Well then?"
"Sorry I asked."
"You know me," Trigs said, pushing her hair back and behind her ear, "International
Woman of Mystery."
"Who can jump higher than a rabbit."
"That's what you get when you splice DNA."
"You are coming to Seattle."
"I am. I need to take care of my sister and brother."
"Names?"
"No."
"Do I know of them."
"Do you need to?"
"You and your secrets. I'm going to get you to Seattle, and you can crash at my place."
"Kent and Dirk aren't going to back me up."
"I understand Eva. You're on your own."
"Thanks Reagan."
"Everyone calls me Normal."
"Normal?" asked Trigs, her eyes lighting up and her mouth curling into the little smile
she allowed.
"Yeah. Bad nickname."
"How's Theo and the rest of Jam Pony?"
"Theo died, months ago Eva. Jacinda was heartbroken when I couldn't find you to get
you to come to Seattle."
"She should know better."
"Listen Eva, she doesn't know you're a Guns Trafficker. She doesn't know you like I
do."
"You think you know me?"
"I do. I know that you have a sister named Tinga, and one named Brin. I know your
favourite brother was named Ben, and you little brother Jack died when he was nine."
"Jack was older than me."
"He died from a genetic disorder."
"True."
"You never knew your mother. You were in an orphanage till you were thirteen. You
escaped with them, and ended up with Kent."
"That I did."
"You also have a brother named Zack, who you don't like to talk about. He thought you
were crazy. You loved him but her thought you were absolutely insane."
"Who told you that?"
"Kent. He and I were friends. I owe you three a lot."
"You just drove out here to get me after I simply said the words, Ragmen, it's Eva, I need
you."
"You would have done it for me."
"Yeah."
"You three saved to start Jam Pony."
"Would've done that for anyone."
"You gave me the money to make it bigger."
"We didn't need it."
"You didn't need ten thousand dollars. Yeah right. You were just kids. Your hair was so
short back then."
"You didn't wear those ridiculous glasses and look like a nerd."
"I AM NOT A NERD."
"Yes you are. You always have been. Kent knows it. Dirk knows it. I know it."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Sorry Reagan."
"S'Okay," Normal said, taking a sip from his coffee, "So, you still got that Tattoo?"
"Yeah. I like it."
"Yet you hide it."
"Why are you bugging me?"
"Cause I can. I've missed you Eva. I miss Kent too."
"I left Kent in Gillette, Wyoming, a month ago."
"You left him?"
"I had too. It wasn't safe for me to go back to him."
"You left him, just like that. He's probably out of his mind looking for you."
"Military Protocol," Trigs said, repeating the words that were drilled into her head as a
child.
"You never mentioned you were in the Military."
"Things are different now. So many things have changed in my life. My sister Tinga is
dead. My brother Ben is dead. My sister and brother may be dying. I left Carn in Hell, as far as
I know."
"I knew his name wasn't Kent."
"What did I say?"
"Carn. He's called you Trigsie a few times. You called Dirk Renz."
"So? We changed our names?"
"Is Eva your name?"
"No, but it's the name I enjoy using the most."
"Why?"
"Because it's what my first real friend called me."
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Trigs was wandering around Seattle in awe. Manticore thought the three X series
children were dead. Seventeen year old Carn, Sixteen year old Renz and Thirteen year old Trigs.
The three kids were fresh out of Manticore, and lost in the large city of Seattle.
Trigs had wandered away from her friends twice during the first week. Carn, a natural
leader, worried sick about his little girl, whose red hair was just growing out of the Manticore
Buzz Cut. She wore a Bandanna, a sky blue one that kept her hair out of her face, as she was
accustomed too after thirteen years at Manticore.
The three kids had found adapting to life outside Manticore harder then they thought.
There was so much they didn't know and understand. They had managed to steal enough money
to pay the rent on a small apartment. They had stolen what they needed, and had agreed not to
steal anything unnecessary. They made a pact they could each buy one thing that wasn't needed,
just wanted. Renz picked up a puppy, a big Rotweiller which Trigs named Krit. Carn bought a
Car. Eva bought a Stereo, and played it constantly. She filled the small grungy apartment with
all the music she could get her hands on.
On that particular day, Trigs had gone off to find a job, a real job. She could steal, and
she was good at stealing, but she didn't want to. She wanted to be normal. She wanted to feel
like a person.
She heard about the messanger service from a woman who ran a bakery where Trigs
hung out. She told her they were hiring, and that Trigs should try to get a job. Trigs agreed, and
left her apartment that morning, praying she could get a job.
Jam Pony was inside an old wearhouse. Trigs walked in, expecting to see a bunch of
people busily rushing around. Instead, when she stepped around the corner, she saw a bunch of
people being held hostage. Her training kicked in, and she whipped around the corner, and saw
her companions, Carn and Renz, walking up to her. She put her hand to her mouth, indicating
quiet. They came up beside her, and looked around the corner, then each pulled out their guns,
and Trigs did the same. Trigs made a few gestures, and they agreed.
The three of them slipped into the building with no sound, as they were all taught at
Manticore. There were a few large men with big guns holding a few scared looking people
hostage. Trigs went to one side of the room, while Carn and Renz took the other.
Trigs came out first, landing a good, solid punch in the face of the biggest guy with the
biggest gun. She whirled around, her Bandanna flying off, and kicked the second guy in the
stomach, sending him flying. Carn took his gun away, while Renz held him. The first guy shook
his head, and grabbed Trigs wrist, and whipped out a second gun.
"Bitch!" he said, "You little Bitch! I'm gonna kill you."
"Rip him!" yelled Carn, noticing Trigs wasn't look at him. Trigs ducked under his arms,
and grabbed both of his arms just past the shoulders. She took a breath and pulled. A crack,
loud and satisfying, followed by a scream, told Trigs she had managed to pull both the mans
arms out of their sockets. The man let out a whine, and fell forward. Trigs pulled her hands into
fists, and looked around, looking for more, but it was only the two men. Renz let the guy go, and
he started shaking at the sight of the tiny red haired girl with her hands in fists. He grabbed his
still moaning partner and got the hell out of Jam Pony. Trigs watched them leave, then nodded
to her friends.
"You saved us," came a voice from behind. All three of them turned around to see a
young man with spiked hair and dorky clothes looking in awe at them.
"It was what he had to do," said Trigs.
"That was amazing!" said the man next to him, "Where'd you learn to do that?"
"Our Parents were involved in the Military," said Carn, "It's where we met."
"So what are you doing here?" asked the first man.
"We don't like fighting for anything we don't believe in," said Trigs looking up into the
mans eyes, her big violet eyes obviously hiding the terrors she had seen."
"Well thank for that!" said the second man, "I'm Theo. This is Reagan. You've found
Jam Pony Messengers."
"I'm Kent," said Carn, "This is my brother Dirk, and our friend…"
"Eva," said Trigs, "Eva Renfro."
"Well Dirk, Kent and Eva Renfro, thank you. Anything you need, we'll do."
"We're all lacking jobs," said Trigs, "And I think we'd get along fine in this place."
"Considor yourself having a job," said Normal, "Anything else? I mean, you just saved
Jam Pony."
"You could be okay with the fact none of us have any ID," said Renz, "Cause we're not
into the whole being part of the system."
"It's okay," said Theo, "Understandable."
"I think I'm gonna like it here."
"I know I'm going to like it here," said Trigs, taking the Papers Reagan gave her.
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Normal looked over at his old friend quickly eating the hash browns and eggs he ordered
for her. It had been five years since she left Jam Pony, five years since the spunky red haired
angel he loved had walked away from him. She had said she needed to bounce, and she got into
Carn's car and left.
She had always been Normal's favourite messenger. She was strong, stronger than any of
the other girls who worked at Jam Pony. She had always been punctual, and polite, and able to
pull off more runs in one day than his current ones, Max, Cindy, Herbal and Sketchy put
together. She was a bright child, and Normal loved her.
She ate quickly, as she was taught at Manticore. If the children didn't eat their meals fast
enough, Lyedecker would take it away from them. Trigs ate quickly, knowing that sooner or
later, someone from Manticore would walk in, and she would have to take Normal and run.
"So you are coming to Seattle?"
"Yes Normal. I have too. I need a place to crash."
"My place is always open."
"I was going to go bug Jacinda. I know you treasure your privacy."
"I don't mind."
"I need to see her anyway. I think she might want to know where I went."
"She does Eva. Everyone does."
"They remember me. I'm shocked."
"No one forgets girls like you Eva."
"Thanks."
"So how's your family? I know of your siblings, just not much about them."
"It's been a bad five years Normal."
"The one in Portland? Tina, was it?"
"Tinga. Tinga died from a medical expiriment gone bad."
"My apologies. Did you ever get to meet her?"
"Yes. I found out where she was and got a job at her son's school. I met her when she
came in to get her son."
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"Miss Smith is here to see you Eva," said Mrs. Kariko, one of the teachers at Case's
school. Trigs, still going by the name Eva Renfro, was only twenty years old, but with her
intellegence, had managed to get a job working in a day Care, specificly, the one where Tinga's
son Case was. Trigs worked hard getting to know Case, and found him to be brighter than the
average child, much like the kids at Manticore were.
That day, Trigs was dressed normally for her. She had developed her own sense of style
while living in Seattle. She always wore a blue bandanna, even thought it clashed with her long
red hair. She never cut her hair, because it reminded her of what she went through in Manticore.
She wore black Combat boots, because they were comfortable, and they were what she thought
she should wear. She laughed at herself for that, realising Manticore had taught her something.
She liked her pretty blue dress, because it made her feel like a Princess. It was a short dress with
wide straps. The dress was the colour of the sea, with little sparkles all over it. Trigs loved it.
As Trigs stood there, a crash was heard in the next room. Shw rushed over, and saw tat
Case, the last child left there that night, had toppled his tower over, and was crying. Trigs
walked over slowly and knelt down next to him.
"Case? What's wrong?" she asked, not knowing Tinga had entered.
"I toppled my tower Eva," he said.
"I think we can fix it."
"I don't want to."
"Why not?"
"Because it'll just break again."
"You're a bright little boy Case."
"Can you tell me a story Eva?"
"What story?"
"Then one about the Princess in the castle."
"I don't know that one."
"Can you tell me one about you?"
"No, but I'll tell you one about a princess in a castle."
"The same one as my mommy?"
"I guess. Did the one your mommy tell you have lots of children in it?"
"Yes. The princess had lots of brothers and sisters."
"Well, there was one little princess named Trigsie. She was a very special little girl. She
liked to laugh and play, but the evil wizard wouldn't let her."
"Wjat happened then?"
"He threw her in the deepest, darkest dungeon because she wouldn't do what he said."
"Did she get out?"
"Yes," said Trigs, hearing Tinga's breathing in the background.
"She did?"
"She escaped, but not until after her brothers and sisters got out. She ran away with two
knights, and they lived in a big city, happily ever after."
"Did Trigsie ever find her family?"
"One day, she was wandering around a big city, and she saw her sister!"
"Did she say hi?"
"No. She asked her sister to meet her on top of the tall bank building a few blocks away
from where they met. She said that she wanted to talk to her sister."
"Did her sister come?"
"I don't know. What do you think?"
"Yes. Her sister should go."
"Well then," said Trigs, looking back at Tinga, "Look, you're mommy's here Case."
"MOMMY!" said Case, jumping away from Trigs and to his mommy.
"Goodbye Case," said Trigs, waving her hand at the little boy. Tinga looked back once at
Trigs, and walked away.
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Hours later, Trigs stood alone atop the tall tower, looking out over the city. She had
changed her clothes, choosing to dress in black pants, a black leather jacket and a black tank top
underneath. She had a feeling Tinga was going to attack her. She would have attack Tinga if
she thought she was going to hurt a child of hers.
As she stood there, she heard Tinga come up the stairs. It could be no one but Tinga.
The children learned each others' breathing rate back in Manticore, and Trigs never forgot it.
She feared one day she would have to fight them, and she wanted the advantage of knowing who
she was fighting.
"Don't mess with me Tinga," Trigs said loudly, "I may be small, but I'm an X5, same as
you."
Tinga held her breath.
"You wanna see my barcode? I'm not a spy. I came here to see my sister. The one who
left me behind. The only female out of all of them I can forgive!" Trigs yelled, moving her hair
aside and showing off her barcode, "Look familier."
"You're dead. Zack said you're dead," whispered Tinga.
"I am certainly not dead Tinga. I should think that Zack would think I was dead. It says
on all the reports I'm dead. You know me though. You remember me. Was I the kind of girl to
EVER give up? No Tinga. I fought them. I escaped. I faked my own death."
"It's not possible."
"Tinga, listen to me. This isn't Eva, or Brin, or Jace. This is Trigs, your Trigsie. Do you
remember all the times you and I stayed up at the high place until we were so drowsy? I do.
You used to love to hear me sing. You loved music Tinga. They never got it out of you. You
went down into the containment unit with the Nomolies rather than betray that I knew how to
sing, and I knew about music."
"Trigs…"
"Good. You understand. You know I can hear you. You know me still. Just come out
here and see me."
"No… It's a trap."
"Damnit Tinga. You think I would trick you? Why would I?" Trigs swore, then
suddenly began to sing, "This bloody road remains a mystery. This sudden darkness fills the air.
What we running for? Won't anybody help us? What we running for? We can't afford to be
innocent. Stand up and face the enemy, it's a do or die situation. We will be invincable. And
with the power of conviction, there is no sacrifice. It's a do or die situation. We will be
invincable."
"Trigs," said Tinga, walking out of the shadows and facing her little sister. Trigs, with
her long curly red hair and big violet eyes stared up at her sister, and smiled, really smiled, for
the first time since she had been dragged down to the cellar with the Nomolies.
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"Eva!" said Normal, "We really should be going. I do have to work."
"Sorry Normal," Trigs said, "I was thinking about Tinga."
"My car's outside. Shall we go to Seattle?"
"Yeah."
Trigs in Seattle
Authors note: I changed my mind. I decided to write more on this story. It's too much fun to
give up. This chapter deals with Trigs, and her memories of Manticore. It will give insight into
my X5.
Thanks to those who gave me feedback. You people kick a$$. More reviews! I'm
review hungry! And to icestorm, who signs Ja at the end of her reviews, this one's for you, cause
you asked.
Now onto Trigsie.
Trigs left the Manticore compound as fast as she could. She wanted away from
Manticore, away from Lyedecker, away from Renfro, away from everything. She debated going
back to see Max and Zack, but decided against it. She knew that Renfro would not keep her
word, that Renfro would come after her. She knew she had to bounce. Trigs knew that the open
road was the only way.
Trigs took out the one thing that kept her in touch with her real family, with Carn and
Renz. Ben had her number, so did Tinga. Tinga had called Trigs before she had been caught.
She called Trigs from Max's house, told her to watch over her kid. Trigs had. Trigs kept her
promise, and had made sure Case was safe in Canada.
Trigs called Carn's cell phone, and told his voice mail she was bouncing. She knew he
would be mad, but he also knew she would be back to him. Trigs needed to get away, but Carn
would find her, and she would be his again.
Sometimes, Trigs prayed she would wake up and be a normal person. She hoped one day
she would become pregnant, and give birth to a child. Her child, and Carn's. When she thought
about that, she smacked herself. She could not have children with Carn. Carn was an X2. X2's
couldn't have children.
The road outside Manticore was cold, and Barren. Trigs walked on, shivering as the
wind whipped against her bloody cheek. No one would be on the road for a while. It was two
am, according to her watch, and she knew the guards switched places at four. She would have
two hours to move before anyone would find her footsteps in the snow.
Trigs remembered how much Brin loved snow when she was a child. She wondered if
Brin was already being taught that she was better off free. Better off in the real world. Better off
with her family outside Manticore. Better off in the real world.
Trigs often wondered if they were better off in the 'real world'. The World outside the
walls of Manticore. Manticore was where she was born, where she was raised, where she was
taught. Manticore had been her home.
But Trigs knew that she was not a person to be held at Manticore. She knew that she was
better than Manticore. So what if she never had the shakes, never was the first one up for breath,
always the first one across the line in a race, always the best fighter. It didn't matter that she was
better then Max, or Zack, or anyone else. It didn't seem important anymore how much money
they spent on her, or what they did to her to make her worth so much. Trigs was different.
Trigs knew that out of all the Manticore X5's, she was the first to really have a soul.
Trigs knew Tinga had a soul. She fell in love. You needed a soul to love, in Trigs mind.
Ben had a soul too. He was devoted to the Blue lady. Max, she thought, has a soul. She's in
love with that guy. The guy who's legs are all weird.
It was then that Trigs knew why she couldn't go back. It was then it all sunk in. It was
then that she realized what was wrong, why she didn't want to go back. It was something Renfro
had said to her. Something that stung her ego.
She had a brother.
He had no soul.
Trigs never thought Zack had a soul. He was a soldier. He was different. He and her
always had their differences. They had never gotten along, nor had they ever seen eye to eye on
anything. He had his missions and his promise to Eva. She had the Blue Lady and her music.
Music, it was hers. She was the only X5 to ever truly understand music. She remembered how
Zack responded to music the first time.
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Zack, Peeps, Trigs and Jack were all together that night. It was a training mission, and
they were a squad. Their job was to set up a camp and stay away from Lyedecker. Jack had
already set out dinner; the cold rations they were given spiced up with berries she had found.
Zack was studying a map of the Terrain, while Peeps checked over the guns. Trigs was guarding
the camp, and walking casually.
Zack was NOT happy having Trigs on his team. He and Trigs' personalities clashed.
They had issues getting along. She often would talk about her special friend, the reason she
missed lessons. She always seemed to know what the lessons were after though, which bothered
Zack. Trigs was a better soldier than Zack, which bothered him.
Trigs was walking along the edge of the clearing, watching and listening for Lyedecker
and his men trying to sneak up on them. Trigs never could sit still. She was worse than Kiri and
Tinga. Zack was glad he only got one of those three girls. He loved them each, but they were
not the kind of soldiers he wanted to work with. Tinga and Kiri tried hard, but were weak. Trigs
was too good.
Trigs decided that it was time she let the others in on her newfound talent as she guarded
the camp. Penny had been teaching her so many new things in the months she had spent time
with her little Trigs. Each day, for one hour, she would teach Trigs whatever she thought could
help her. Penny had plans for her Trigs. She didn't want her to end up a common soldier, like
the other X5's. Trigs had always shown individuality. She enjoyed colour, enjoyed music. Very
odd traits for an X5.
Penny had submitted a proposal that X5 631 be given to her to train. She had been
denied. She then asked to be allowed to supplement her training. They allowed that. Lyedecker
did not like watching his little soldier walk away form the class each day to sit in Penelope
Renfro's office. There, Trigs could be herself. The bright child could ask any question, talk
back, yell, shout, question, and be, as she wanted to be, not as Lyedecker wanted her to be.
About two months into her time with Penny, Trigs found a CD and found music. It was a
beautiful song called Iris, by a band called the Goo Goo dolls. Trigs laughed at the name, then
listened to the song. Penny was late that day, and walked in as Trigs began to sing along with
the CD. Penny stopped before entering, and thought about the consequences. She should have
taken the CD away and given Trigs back to Lyedecker, but she didn't. She didn't know why, but
she liked Little X5 631, a girl who was given the name Trigs just after her first exposure to
Music. Penny didn't find out until it was too late that the child she had given birth to was Trigs.
The moment Trigs sang, she became different, and stayed that way.
"Trigs!" shouted Peeps, sitting on the rock near her bedding.
"What?"
"Get your Dinner," Zack said, "Time for chow."
"Thanks," Trigs said, taking the cold rations. She took a few bites of the cold mush she
had been brought up to eat.
"So what's going on with you and that lady?" asked Jack.
"She's a friend. She's been teaching me."
"Teaching you?"
"Yes. She helps me understand complicated issues."
"All we need are orders," said Zack.
"We need more," Trigs said, "Much more."
"That's why I'm your CO."
"That's why you're baked!" said Trigs, a look of defiance and anger in her eyes.
"Baked?" said Jack.
"Backed. Unintelligent. Lacking any mental aptitude."
"Did you make up that word?" asked Zack.
"No. I did not!"
"You're so weird!" shouted Zack, settling down to his dinner.
"Oh fine," she said, sitting on her bedding, and beginning to hum the tune to one of the
many songs Penny let her listen to. Zack turned his head quickly, and stared at his sister, as she
opened her mouth, and began to quietly sing a song about freedom, and liberty, and life.
Zack looked at his sister, wishing for a split second he was like her. She was young. She
was not expected to be the best, to lead the siblings. She was a free spirit. She had a mind of her
own, her own way of doing things. Zack wished her could.
As Trigs lifted her voice, Peeps and Jack stood in awe watching, both wishing they would
be there with Trigs when she went to see her friend. Neither of them knew they would be dead
within a few years.
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Trigs thought back to her siblings as she walked along the cold road. Peeps died less than
a week after Trigs sang to her. Jack died about seven years later. Death seemed to haunt Trigs
life.
As Trigs walked, she wondered where she would go. She considered Canada, but knew
that she needed to go to Seattle. Manticore was offline until the DNA lab could be fixed. Renfro
was off her back for a few months. Max would go to Seattle. She would take Zack with her.
Kiri would likely go with them. Igen would too. The four of them would work together.
And so would she. She had an old friend in Seattle. Someone who had once been there
when she had been sick. He knew her and Carn. He would help her. He might even get her a
job. She hoped her remembered her.
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Days later, Trigs reached a small town, and decided to eat. Being an X5, she didn't need
to eat, or sleep every day. After nearly killing her sister, she decided to find a friend and keep
moving.
She walked into the diner, and headed straight for the bathroom. She pulled out a small
compact, and took out a cloth. She ran warm water over it, and quickly began to run it over her
wounds, cleaning each out. When she felt clean, she walked out, and headed for the back of
building. A middle aged man, with glasses and short hair, sat there and watched her walk.
"Eva," he said. She forgot she had been Eva the last time she was in Seattle. It had been
a long time since she had been Eva.
"Thank you for coming."
"How did you end up here. Alone. Without partners in crime."
"I just did. What did we tell you."
"Don't ask questions. I know."
"Well then?"
"Sorry I asked."
"You know me," Trigs said, pushing her hair back and behind her ear, "International
Woman of Mystery."
"Who can jump higher than a rabbit."
"That's what you get when you splice DNA."
"You are coming to Seattle."
"I am. I need to take care of my sister and brother."
"Names?"
"No."
"Do I know of them."
"Do you need to?"
"You and your secrets. I'm going to get you to Seattle, and you can crash at my place."
"Kent and Dirk aren't going to back me up."
"I understand Eva. You're on your own."
"Thanks Reagan."
"Everyone calls me Normal."
"Normal?" asked Trigs, her eyes lighting up and her mouth curling into the little smile
she allowed.
"Yeah. Bad nickname."
"How's Theo and the rest of Jam Pony?"
"Theo died, months ago Eva. Jacinda was heartbroken when I couldn't find you to get
you to come to Seattle."
"She should know better."
"Listen Eva, she doesn't know you're a Guns Trafficker. She doesn't know you like I
do."
"You think you know me?"
"I do. I know that you have a sister named Tinga, and one named Brin. I know your
favourite brother was named Ben, and you little brother Jack died when he was nine."
"Jack was older than me."
"He died from a genetic disorder."
"True."
"You never knew your mother. You were in an orphanage till you were thirteen. You
escaped with them, and ended up with Kent."
"That I did."
"You also have a brother named Zack, who you don't like to talk about. He thought you
were crazy. You loved him but her thought you were absolutely insane."
"Who told you that?"
"Kent. He and I were friends. I owe you three a lot."
"You just drove out here to get me after I simply said the words, Ragmen, it's Eva, I need
you."
"You would have done it for me."
"Yeah."
"You three saved to start Jam Pony."
"Would've done that for anyone."
"You gave me the money to make it bigger."
"We didn't need it."
"You didn't need ten thousand dollars. Yeah right. You were just kids. Your hair was so
short back then."
"You didn't wear those ridiculous glasses and look like a nerd."
"I AM NOT A NERD."
"Yes you are. You always have been. Kent knows it. Dirk knows it. I know it."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Sorry Reagan."
"S'Okay," Normal said, taking a sip from his coffee, "So, you still got that Tattoo?"
"Yeah. I like it."
"Yet you hide it."
"Why are you bugging me?"
"Cause I can. I've missed you Eva. I miss Kent too."
"I left Kent in Gillette, Wyoming, a month ago."
"You left him?"
"I had too. It wasn't safe for me to go back to him."
"You left him, just like that. He's probably out of his mind looking for you."
"Military Protocol," Trigs said, repeating the words that were drilled into her head as a
child.
"You never mentioned you were in the Military."
"Things are different now. So many things have changed in my life. My sister Tinga is
dead. My brother Ben is dead. My sister and brother may be dying. I left Carn in Hell, as far as
I know."
"I knew his name wasn't Kent."
"What did I say?"
"Carn. He's called you Trigsie a few times. You called Dirk Renz."
"So? We changed our names?"
"Is Eva your name?"
"No, but it's the name I enjoy using the most."
"Why?"
"Because it's what my first real friend called me."
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Trigs was wandering around Seattle in awe. Manticore thought the three X series
children were dead. Seventeen year old Carn, Sixteen year old Renz and Thirteen year old Trigs.
The three kids were fresh out of Manticore, and lost in the large city of Seattle.
Trigs had wandered away from her friends twice during the first week. Carn, a natural
leader, worried sick about his little girl, whose red hair was just growing out of the Manticore
Buzz Cut. She wore a Bandanna, a sky blue one that kept her hair out of her face, as she was
accustomed too after thirteen years at Manticore.
The three kids had found adapting to life outside Manticore harder then they thought.
There was so much they didn't know and understand. They had managed to steal enough money
to pay the rent on a small apartment. They had stolen what they needed, and had agreed not to
steal anything unnecessary. They made a pact they could each buy one thing that wasn't needed,
just wanted. Renz picked up a puppy, a big Rotweiller which Trigs named Krit. Carn bought a
Car. Eva bought a Stereo, and played it constantly. She filled the small grungy apartment with
all the music she could get her hands on.
On that particular day, Trigs had gone off to find a job, a real job. She could steal, and
she was good at stealing, but she didn't want to. She wanted to be normal. She wanted to feel
like a person.
She heard about the messanger service from a woman who ran a bakery where Trigs
hung out. She told her they were hiring, and that Trigs should try to get a job. Trigs agreed, and
left her apartment that morning, praying she could get a job.
Jam Pony was inside an old wearhouse. Trigs walked in, expecting to see a bunch of
people busily rushing around. Instead, when she stepped around the corner, she saw a bunch of
people being held hostage. Her training kicked in, and she whipped around the corner, and saw
her companions, Carn and Renz, walking up to her. She put her hand to her mouth, indicating
quiet. They came up beside her, and looked around the corner, then each pulled out their guns,
and Trigs did the same. Trigs made a few gestures, and they agreed.
The three of them slipped into the building with no sound, as they were all taught at
Manticore. There were a few large men with big guns holding a few scared looking people
hostage. Trigs went to one side of the room, while Carn and Renz took the other.
Trigs came out first, landing a good, solid punch in the face of the biggest guy with the
biggest gun. She whirled around, her Bandanna flying off, and kicked the second guy in the
stomach, sending him flying. Carn took his gun away, while Renz held him. The first guy shook
his head, and grabbed Trigs wrist, and whipped out a second gun.
"Bitch!" he said, "You little Bitch! I'm gonna kill you."
"Rip him!" yelled Carn, noticing Trigs wasn't look at him. Trigs ducked under his arms,
and grabbed both of his arms just past the shoulders. She took a breath and pulled. A crack,
loud and satisfying, followed by a scream, told Trigs she had managed to pull both the mans
arms out of their sockets. The man let out a whine, and fell forward. Trigs pulled her hands into
fists, and looked around, looking for more, but it was only the two men. Renz let the guy go, and
he started shaking at the sight of the tiny red haired girl with her hands in fists. He grabbed his
still moaning partner and got the hell out of Jam Pony. Trigs watched them leave, then nodded
to her friends.
"You saved us," came a voice from behind. All three of them turned around to see a
young man with spiked hair and dorky clothes looking in awe at them.
"It was what he had to do," said Trigs.
"That was amazing!" said the man next to him, "Where'd you learn to do that?"
"Our Parents were involved in the Military," said Carn, "It's where we met."
"So what are you doing here?" asked the first man.
"We don't like fighting for anything we don't believe in," said Trigs looking up into the
mans eyes, her big violet eyes obviously hiding the terrors she had seen."
"Well thank for that!" said the second man, "I'm Theo. This is Reagan. You've found
Jam Pony Messengers."
"I'm Kent," said Carn, "This is my brother Dirk, and our friend…"
"Eva," said Trigs, "Eva Renfro."
"Well Dirk, Kent and Eva Renfro, thank you. Anything you need, we'll do."
"We're all lacking jobs," said Trigs, "And I think we'd get along fine in this place."
"Considor yourself having a job," said Normal, "Anything else? I mean, you just saved
Jam Pony."
"You could be okay with the fact none of us have any ID," said Renz, "Cause we're not
into the whole being part of the system."
"It's okay," said Theo, "Understandable."
"I think I'm gonna like it here."
"I know I'm going to like it here," said Trigs, taking the Papers Reagan gave her.
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Normal looked over at his old friend quickly eating the hash browns and eggs he ordered
for her. It had been five years since she left Jam Pony, five years since the spunky red haired
angel he loved had walked away from him. She had said she needed to bounce, and she got into
Carn's car and left.
She had always been Normal's favourite messenger. She was strong, stronger than any of
the other girls who worked at Jam Pony. She had always been punctual, and polite, and able to
pull off more runs in one day than his current ones, Max, Cindy, Herbal and Sketchy put
together. She was a bright child, and Normal loved her.
She ate quickly, as she was taught at Manticore. If the children didn't eat their meals fast
enough, Lyedecker would take it away from them. Trigs ate quickly, knowing that sooner or
later, someone from Manticore would walk in, and she would have to take Normal and run.
"So you are coming to Seattle?"
"Yes Normal. I have too. I need a place to crash."
"My place is always open."
"I was going to go bug Jacinda. I know you treasure your privacy."
"I don't mind."
"I need to see her anyway. I think she might want to know where I went."
"She does Eva. Everyone does."
"They remember me. I'm shocked."
"No one forgets girls like you Eva."
"Thanks."
"So how's your family? I know of your siblings, just not much about them."
"It's been a bad five years Normal."
"The one in Portland? Tina, was it?"
"Tinga. Tinga died from a medical expiriment gone bad."
"My apologies. Did you ever get to meet her?"
"Yes. I found out where she was and got a job at her son's school. I met her when she
came in to get her son."
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"Miss Smith is here to see you Eva," said Mrs. Kariko, one of the teachers at Case's
school. Trigs, still going by the name Eva Renfro, was only twenty years old, but with her
intellegence, had managed to get a job working in a day Care, specificly, the one where Tinga's
son Case was. Trigs worked hard getting to know Case, and found him to be brighter than the
average child, much like the kids at Manticore were.
That day, Trigs was dressed normally for her. She had developed her own sense of style
while living in Seattle. She always wore a blue bandanna, even thought it clashed with her long
red hair. She never cut her hair, because it reminded her of what she went through in Manticore.
She wore black Combat boots, because they were comfortable, and they were what she thought
she should wear. She laughed at herself for that, realising Manticore had taught her something.
She liked her pretty blue dress, because it made her feel like a Princess. It was a short dress with
wide straps. The dress was the colour of the sea, with little sparkles all over it. Trigs loved it.
As Trigs stood there, a crash was heard in the next room. Shw rushed over, and saw tat
Case, the last child left there that night, had toppled his tower over, and was crying. Trigs
walked over slowly and knelt down next to him.
"Case? What's wrong?" she asked, not knowing Tinga had entered.
"I toppled my tower Eva," he said.
"I think we can fix it."
"I don't want to."
"Why not?"
"Because it'll just break again."
"You're a bright little boy Case."
"Can you tell me a story Eva?"
"What story?"
"Then one about the Princess in the castle."
"I don't know that one."
"Can you tell me one about you?"
"No, but I'll tell you one about a princess in a castle."
"The same one as my mommy?"
"I guess. Did the one your mommy tell you have lots of children in it?"
"Yes. The princess had lots of brothers and sisters."
"Well, there was one little princess named Trigsie. She was a very special little girl. She
liked to laugh and play, but the evil wizard wouldn't let her."
"Wjat happened then?"
"He threw her in the deepest, darkest dungeon because she wouldn't do what he said."
"Did she get out?"
"Yes," said Trigs, hearing Tinga's breathing in the background.
"She did?"
"She escaped, but not until after her brothers and sisters got out. She ran away with two
knights, and they lived in a big city, happily ever after."
"Did Trigsie ever find her family?"
"One day, she was wandering around a big city, and she saw her sister!"
"Did she say hi?"
"No. She asked her sister to meet her on top of the tall bank building a few blocks away
from where they met. She said that she wanted to talk to her sister."
"Did her sister come?"
"I don't know. What do you think?"
"Yes. Her sister should go."
"Well then," said Trigs, looking back at Tinga, "Look, you're mommy's here Case."
"MOMMY!" said Case, jumping away from Trigs and to his mommy.
"Goodbye Case," said Trigs, waving her hand at the little boy. Tinga looked back once at
Trigs, and walked away.
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Hours later, Trigs stood alone atop the tall tower, looking out over the city. She had
changed her clothes, choosing to dress in black pants, a black leather jacket and a black tank top
underneath. She had a feeling Tinga was going to attack her. She would have attack Tinga if
she thought she was going to hurt a child of hers.
As she stood there, she heard Tinga come up the stairs. It could be no one but Tinga.
The children learned each others' breathing rate back in Manticore, and Trigs never forgot it.
She feared one day she would have to fight them, and she wanted the advantage of knowing who
she was fighting.
"Don't mess with me Tinga," Trigs said loudly, "I may be small, but I'm an X5, same as
you."
Tinga held her breath.
"You wanna see my barcode? I'm not a spy. I came here to see my sister. The one who
left me behind. The only female out of all of them I can forgive!" Trigs yelled, moving her hair
aside and showing off her barcode, "Look familier."
"You're dead. Zack said you're dead," whispered Tinga.
"I am certainly not dead Tinga. I should think that Zack would think I was dead. It says
on all the reports I'm dead. You know me though. You remember me. Was I the kind of girl to
EVER give up? No Tinga. I fought them. I escaped. I faked my own death."
"It's not possible."
"Tinga, listen to me. This isn't Eva, or Brin, or Jace. This is Trigs, your Trigsie. Do you
remember all the times you and I stayed up at the high place until we were so drowsy? I do.
You used to love to hear me sing. You loved music Tinga. They never got it out of you. You
went down into the containment unit with the Nomolies rather than betray that I knew how to
sing, and I knew about music."
"Trigs…"
"Good. You understand. You know I can hear you. You know me still. Just come out
here and see me."
"No… It's a trap."
"Damnit Tinga. You think I would trick you? Why would I?" Trigs swore, then
suddenly began to sing, "This bloody road remains a mystery. This sudden darkness fills the air.
What we running for? Won't anybody help us? What we running for? We can't afford to be
innocent. Stand up and face the enemy, it's a do or die situation. We will be invincable. And
with the power of conviction, there is no sacrifice. It's a do or die situation. We will be
invincable."
"Trigs," said Tinga, walking out of the shadows and facing her little sister. Trigs, with
her long curly red hair and big violet eyes stared up at her sister, and smiled, really smiled, for
the first time since she had been dragged down to the cellar with the Nomolies.
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"Eva!" said Normal, "We really should be going. I do have to work."
"Sorry Normal," Trigs said, "I was thinking about Tinga."
"My car's outside. Shall we go to Seattle?"
"Yeah."