"Are you alright?" Raven asked quietly as Zack stalked out of the office and into the living room? Quickly, she turned off the computer and left everything exactly as it was before she touched it and followed him to the couch. For only a brief moment she thought she saw his shoulders shake, but when she approached his body was rigid as concrete. He stood, arms crossed across his chest, with his back to her, facing the view of Seattle's skyline.
"At least Cole is alive Zack," she said to him, laying a hand on his shoulder. She tried to suffuse her voice and actions with sympathy and hope, but truthfully she did not know how. There was no need for emotion back at Manticore, and even with all the things she was learning, here in the real world, free of the rigors of being a soldier, she did not know how to handle this situation.
Again, he did not respond to her efforts and, as tentatively as she put her hand on him, she withdrew it. There was nothing else she could think to do to help him with his mourning. Instead she sat down on the couch and silence filled the room.
*****
Logan ran his hands through Max's wet hair and pulled her lips to his for what must have been the millionth time in so many hours. His shower used to seem so small, but with her here with him, he did not mind the cramped quarters. Soap in hand, Max was diligently washing his body. But he slowed her progress with every kiss. She rubbed his chest with lazy circular motions as he kissed her once again.
Finally he pulled the soap from her hand, and dropped it to the floor of the shower. He placed his other hand on the small of her back and held her body tight against his own. There were no words that could have possibly described how good it felt to with the whole length of her body so close to his own. The sensation of the soft skin of her thighs pressed to the newfound sensitivity of his legs, her voluptuous lips against his own, her deceptively delicate hands on his back holding him just as tight… The words ecstasy, rapture, and bliss fell so pathetically short.
In his fiery kiss she could feel the hunger he had for her flesh, and Max knew her own need for his body was just as intense. Both could not bring themselves to care as the water ran cold, for in each tender caress and loving kiss the only thing to exist was the heat and fire of passion.
*****
Donovan stood rifling through the mission objective the General had handed to him.
"Your first assignment is a simple assassination in Seattle. All the information you need is in the folder. And this," Mathews handed him an unmarked large brown envelope, "is the target." He waited until Donovan pulled out the large color photos and examined them. "The name is no concern of yours. All that you need to know is that the target is to be exterminated. You should be able to complete the objective before dark. A helicopter will be waiting for you in precisely one hour on landing pad G. All the necessary equipment will be given then. You should be in Seattle by 17 hundred hours. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir," Donovan said and tucked the pictures back into the envelope.
"Then you are dismissed."
Donovan nodded and left the room. Just outside the door Ty was waiting patiently. They made brief eye contact and nodded their acknowledgements and as Donovan continued down the hall Ty stepped into the office.
"Ty, you believe you have a lead on Sameera and his men?"
"Yes sir," Ty did not want to lie to General Mathews but he did not want to inform him of Raven's possible insurrection either. He would not undermine his C.O.'s authority based on a few hover drone clips and a lie. There had to be a perfectly good reason she did not tell him her true location, and he intended to speak to her first. "I believe they will be in Seattle."
"Your findings are based on…?"
"It is all explained in this report sir," Ty lifted a handful of neatly binded sheets for the General. Scenes like this were happening all over the world, but the reports concerned more trivial things like 1984 by George Orwell or the Cold War.
Mathews leafed through the report, but he need not look long. He trusted Ty's abilities. "Donovan is being sent to Seattle today as well. Meet him at landing pad G at 13 hundred hours. Is that enough time to prepare?"
"Plenty."
"Then you will be taken to Seattle with him. Dismissed." Mathews watched Ty leave the room. It was so simple leading a group of highly capable teenagers. 'How could Deck have ever failed in such a simple task?' he mused.
*****
An hour later Max and Logan, wearing robes, burst out of the bedroom laughing. They stopped short when they saw Raven and Zack in the apartment, but they could not stifle all their happiness, despite the somber mood of the room.
Without changing the expression on his face, Zack turned his head to look at them, and then looked back out onto the city. It was the first time Raven had seen him move since he stood himself there, two hours ago.
Max said something to Logan who nodded, and left for the kitchen only after a quick peck on the lips.
Raven stood and left for the kitchen as well, understanding Max wanted to talk to Zack. Maybe Max could help Zack…that is, if he decided to tell her what they had discovered about Cole and Kat.
With both of them gone, Max hugged her robe closer to her body and approached Zack. "What's wrong?"
After a slight hesitation Zack answered, "Nothing." He had chosen not to tell Max, he had brought enough pain to her life. She had been miserable for so long and she had finally found her smile again with Logan. Now was not the time to tell her that Kat was dead, and by Cole's hand. There was nothing they could do about it anyways short of breaking into Manticore. But if they were forced to fight Cole…they did not stand a chance.
"Zack, you never had many emotions, 'cause you aren't that skilled at hiding them." Max knew this conversation would infuriate her, but she tried to stay calm. Zack was never the one to open up, and she expected no less from him now.
"It's nothing I can do anything about…"
"Zack, you were the one who told me to go to him. You can't make me feel guilty—"
Zack looked at the floor and shook his head. A sad, soft laugh left his lips. "Don't flatter yourself," he said, still not turning his head to face her.
"Wha—"
"What makes you think this has anything to do with you? Despite what you may have heard, you aren't the center of my world."
"I…" Max had just assumed, and she blushed with embarrassment.
The awkwardness between them was so palpable it coated the back of their throats.
"I need to go for a ride." Zack turned away from her and left the apartment, grabbing his jacket and helmet on the way.
*****
Dressed in casual clothing for their missions, Donovan and Ty pedaled their unassuming bikes to the gates of the Seattle Manticore base after being dropped off by the helicopter at 16 hundred hours. They looked like kids just out of school with the knapsacks on their backs. No one could tell at first glance that the bags held such deadly weapons meant for deadly purposes.
"Enjoy your first mission little brother." Ty said as they both waited for the gates to open. It was the first time Ty had ever referred to Donovan with a more familial title, and it swelled his chest with a sense of pride.
The gate finally opened and they both went their separate ways.
*****
Raven and Max perused the marketplace. Sellers stood at their booths trying to sell off the latest catch or the freshest harvest. The experience was new to Raven, as she had never had the need to actually enter a market before. Her slightly more sensitive nose was assaulted with smells from all sides and she had to resort to breathing through her mouth. Overall it did not help as she could almost taste the air it was so thick with scent.
As they walked through the busy market, one could not help but bump into a large heckling woman, man burdened with parcels, or small mischievous child, picking pockets no doubt.
Raven stood by Max's side as she picked up a head of lettuce and began the haggling process. Before Raven would have thought such an interaction a waste of time, but now she was amazed how Max was able to negotiate eight dollars off the original price. Flashing an innocent smile to the vendor probably helped with that, but it was still a skill.
"We gotta check that out over there." Max pointed to what must have been a booth, though no actual booth was in sight. All one could see was a huge crowd of people, the small street urchins robbing them blind right under their noses. Many backed away as the bidding was too rich for their blood. "This guys says they got some chicken and steak."
When they reached the crowd Raven stood back as Max batted her eyes and strong-armed her way to the vendor. A skill Raven assumed was only mastered after years of practice. As she watched the crazy bidding for the meat Raven felt a strange chill up her spine.
It felt like, even among all these bustling crowds, that she was alone. No, more like singled out. She could almost feel someone's eyes wrap around her and the sensation was unsettling. The world around her became silent as she focused all her senses to finding who was watching her. Most rushed past her, busily studying the ground, avoiding things they might trip over, young pickpockets, rich from the latest haul skipped by happily, the elderly talked and walked by lazily, reminiscing on how the world used to be.
Finally her eyes settled on a face so rigid and cold she could barely hide her surprise. Ty stood alone in an alley, standing arms crossed and staring straight at her. How could he have known she was here? Her answer came as a few hoverdrones zipped by. She knew a confrontation like this would have to come sooner or later and she turned her own façade to that of stone. If she was to convince him she were still on a mission she would have to act it.
He did not signal anything to her. He didn't need to, for she found her feet moving to him despite herself. With Max busy trying to get them dinner she would be too preoccupied to notice. When she reached him, he did not bother with informal greetings.
"Why did you lie?"
"They were watching over my shoulder when you messaged. I had to lie to satisfy them."
"Why did you not correct yourself later when you were alone?"
"I am rarely alone, brother. They still have a lingering distrust for me. I have yet to fully gain a position with them. When that is accomplished I will have all of them to return to Manticore. In fact giving you that fake message helped me gain some of their trust."
"Make me believe you."
"What more do you need than my word." She battles his own icy eyes with her fiercest glare. Had she lost her dominance so quickly? But Ty was right to question her. That pride she felt before when one of her siblings excelled in something returned to her. It was odd.
Ty softened, becoming, once more, the brother she knew when there were no other superiors there to bear witness. "I didn't want to doubt you, Raven, but we are all concerned. Working so closely to those rogues," he poured such disgust in the word Raven almost winced. Almost. "We were afraid they may have filled your head with unfounded anti-Manticore propaganda."
"They have tried and they have failed." Outside she remained calm, but Raven's mind was reeling. What had she been doing all these past weeks. Why exactly was she changing? She never left Manticore with the intention of leaving it forever. She had been satisfied with life. She had her family, her missions, her training… What exactly did freedom offer her?
"The others will be happy to hear."
"Trust is a delicate thing to build. It may still take me a while, but my objective will be completed."
"I'm not sure you will be given that time."
"What are you talking about?"
"There are rumors that the advance to Stage three is being stepped up. The Triumvirate even promoted Mathews to General and put him in charge. If the rumors pan out they will be wanting X5 subjects to test on soon, and seeing as we are short…"
"I…I understand." She could not help but hesitate. Raven knew of stage three, she had seen some of the gruesome failures which far outnumbered the successes of the X4. Despite the advantages of shared thoughts, Raven also knew what kind of control that would give Manticore. To be able to shock a soldier from within as punishment was something one couldn't run from. To be able to shut down a soldier unconscious with a simple press of a button…
"It was good to see you Ty, tell the others I am well. But I must be getting back, if they were to see me with you, the last weeks would have all been a waste of my time."
*****
After a brief hug, Raven turned back to the marketplace. As he watched her walk away, Ty felt an anger rise in his throat. He heard it in her voice, saw it in her eyes. 'They have turned you sister, but we will bring you back home.'
*****
It was hard for Donovan to try and ride at a normal human pace, so used to using his inborn speed in strength he felt unnatural and clumsy. But he made it to the appropriate building nonetheless. He flashed his fake messenger identification to the doorman who let him in with no hassle.
'So simple it's pathetic.' Donovan thought to himself as he tucked the id back into his pocket. He easily made his way to roof of the building and kneeled on the east end. Within seconds he assembled his sniper rifle. And chose his most comfortable position. Though he could have easily just used his naturally enhanced long distance vision, he liked to look through the scope instead.
The apartments across the way were lush compared to the dismal state of the city around them. The building seemed barely touched by the economic woes of the time. He aimed the cross hairs into the penthouse suit of the building. The wood was a deep red and the furniture actually matched. In fact the whole apartment had a new aged crisp and clean sort of appearance. Behind a screen that passed for a wall he could see the silhouette of a person who looked to be sitting in front of a computer.
Pressing his cheek to the gun, Donovan trained his sight on the head of the person. He wondered playfully how the glass and the translucent obstruction would deflect the shot, if at all. It was never something he would actually try as a clear shot was always best. Maybe under desperate circumstances, but with this assignment he had all the time in the world.
The shadow moved to stretch, then stood, making its way out of the office. With a steady hand Donovan kept the crosshairs on the head. The subject paused to examine something on what was probably another table or desk. He wanted to laugh. He found it almost hilarious that someone could be so unaware of their own impending death. Or maybe it was the giddy feeling of knowing they would die at his hand, that he controlled their lives.
With the man out of the office Donovan saw his face for the first time. He wore simple glasses, his hair was spiked and messy and by the look of the scruff on his chin, he was the sort of man who would get so wrapped up in his work he would forget to shave for a day or two. Donovan squinted as he recognized the face. With a lover's touch beyond his years, he caressed the trigger.
"At least Cole is alive Zack," she said to him, laying a hand on his shoulder. She tried to suffuse her voice and actions with sympathy and hope, but truthfully she did not know how. There was no need for emotion back at Manticore, and even with all the things she was learning, here in the real world, free of the rigors of being a soldier, she did not know how to handle this situation.
Again, he did not respond to her efforts and, as tentatively as she put her hand on him, she withdrew it. There was nothing else she could think to do to help him with his mourning. Instead she sat down on the couch and silence filled the room.
*****
Logan ran his hands through Max's wet hair and pulled her lips to his for what must have been the millionth time in so many hours. His shower used to seem so small, but with her here with him, he did not mind the cramped quarters. Soap in hand, Max was diligently washing his body. But he slowed her progress with every kiss. She rubbed his chest with lazy circular motions as he kissed her once again.
Finally he pulled the soap from her hand, and dropped it to the floor of the shower. He placed his other hand on the small of her back and held her body tight against his own. There were no words that could have possibly described how good it felt to with the whole length of her body so close to his own. The sensation of the soft skin of her thighs pressed to the newfound sensitivity of his legs, her voluptuous lips against his own, her deceptively delicate hands on his back holding him just as tight… The words ecstasy, rapture, and bliss fell so pathetically short.
In his fiery kiss she could feel the hunger he had for her flesh, and Max knew her own need for his body was just as intense. Both could not bring themselves to care as the water ran cold, for in each tender caress and loving kiss the only thing to exist was the heat and fire of passion.
*****
Donovan stood rifling through the mission objective the General had handed to him.
"Your first assignment is a simple assassination in Seattle. All the information you need is in the folder. And this," Mathews handed him an unmarked large brown envelope, "is the target." He waited until Donovan pulled out the large color photos and examined them. "The name is no concern of yours. All that you need to know is that the target is to be exterminated. You should be able to complete the objective before dark. A helicopter will be waiting for you in precisely one hour on landing pad G. All the necessary equipment will be given then. You should be in Seattle by 17 hundred hours. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir," Donovan said and tucked the pictures back into the envelope.
"Then you are dismissed."
Donovan nodded and left the room. Just outside the door Ty was waiting patiently. They made brief eye contact and nodded their acknowledgements and as Donovan continued down the hall Ty stepped into the office.
"Ty, you believe you have a lead on Sameera and his men?"
"Yes sir," Ty did not want to lie to General Mathews but he did not want to inform him of Raven's possible insurrection either. He would not undermine his C.O.'s authority based on a few hover drone clips and a lie. There had to be a perfectly good reason she did not tell him her true location, and he intended to speak to her first. "I believe they will be in Seattle."
"Your findings are based on…?"
"It is all explained in this report sir," Ty lifted a handful of neatly binded sheets for the General. Scenes like this were happening all over the world, but the reports concerned more trivial things like 1984 by George Orwell or the Cold War.
Mathews leafed through the report, but he need not look long. He trusted Ty's abilities. "Donovan is being sent to Seattle today as well. Meet him at landing pad G at 13 hundred hours. Is that enough time to prepare?"
"Plenty."
"Then you will be taken to Seattle with him. Dismissed." Mathews watched Ty leave the room. It was so simple leading a group of highly capable teenagers. 'How could Deck have ever failed in such a simple task?' he mused.
*****
An hour later Max and Logan, wearing robes, burst out of the bedroom laughing. They stopped short when they saw Raven and Zack in the apartment, but they could not stifle all their happiness, despite the somber mood of the room.
Without changing the expression on his face, Zack turned his head to look at them, and then looked back out onto the city. It was the first time Raven had seen him move since he stood himself there, two hours ago.
Max said something to Logan who nodded, and left for the kitchen only after a quick peck on the lips.
Raven stood and left for the kitchen as well, understanding Max wanted to talk to Zack. Maybe Max could help Zack…that is, if he decided to tell her what they had discovered about Cole and Kat.
With both of them gone, Max hugged her robe closer to her body and approached Zack. "What's wrong?"
After a slight hesitation Zack answered, "Nothing." He had chosen not to tell Max, he had brought enough pain to her life. She had been miserable for so long and she had finally found her smile again with Logan. Now was not the time to tell her that Kat was dead, and by Cole's hand. There was nothing they could do about it anyways short of breaking into Manticore. But if they were forced to fight Cole…they did not stand a chance.
"Zack, you never had many emotions, 'cause you aren't that skilled at hiding them." Max knew this conversation would infuriate her, but she tried to stay calm. Zack was never the one to open up, and she expected no less from him now.
"It's nothing I can do anything about…"
"Zack, you were the one who told me to go to him. You can't make me feel guilty—"
Zack looked at the floor and shook his head. A sad, soft laugh left his lips. "Don't flatter yourself," he said, still not turning his head to face her.
"Wha—"
"What makes you think this has anything to do with you? Despite what you may have heard, you aren't the center of my world."
"I…" Max had just assumed, and she blushed with embarrassment.
The awkwardness between them was so palpable it coated the back of their throats.
"I need to go for a ride." Zack turned away from her and left the apartment, grabbing his jacket and helmet on the way.
*****
Dressed in casual clothing for their missions, Donovan and Ty pedaled their unassuming bikes to the gates of the Seattle Manticore base after being dropped off by the helicopter at 16 hundred hours. They looked like kids just out of school with the knapsacks on their backs. No one could tell at first glance that the bags held such deadly weapons meant for deadly purposes.
"Enjoy your first mission little brother." Ty said as they both waited for the gates to open. It was the first time Ty had ever referred to Donovan with a more familial title, and it swelled his chest with a sense of pride.
The gate finally opened and they both went their separate ways.
*****
Raven and Max perused the marketplace. Sellers stood at their booths trying to sell off the latest catch or the freshest harvest. The experience was new to Raven, as she had never had the need to actually enter a market before. Her slightly more sensitive nose was assaulted with smells from all sides and she had to resort to breathing through her mouth. Overall it did not help as she could almost taste the air it was so thick with scent.
As they walked through the busy market, one could not help but bump into a large heckling woman, man burdened with parcels, or small mischievous child, picking pockets no doubt.
Raven stood by Max's side as she picked up a head of lettuce and began the haggling process. Before Raven would have thought such an interaction a waste of time, but now she was amazed how Max was able to negotiate eight dollars off the original price. Flashing an innocent smile to the vendor probably helped with that, but it was still a skill.
"We gotta check that out over there." Max pointed to what must have been a booth, though no actual booth was in sight. All one could see was a huge crowd of people, the small street urchins robbing them blind right under their noses. Many backed away as the bidding was too rich for their blood. "This guys says they got some chicken and steak."
When they reached the crowd Raven stood back as Max batted her eyes and strong-armed her way to the vendor. A skill Raven assumed was only mastered after years of practice. As she watched the crazy bidding for the meat Raven felt a strange chill up her spine.
It felt like, even among all these bustling crowds, that she was alone. No, more like singled out. She could almost feel someone's eyes wrap around her and the sensation was unsettling. The world around her became silent as she focused all her senses to finding who was watching her. Most rushed past her, busily studying the ground, avoiding things they might trip over, young pickpockets, rich from the latest haul skipped by happily, the elderly talked and walked by lazily, reminiscing on how the world used to be.
Finally her eyes settled on a face so rigid and cold she could barely hide her surprise. Ty stood alone in an alley, standing arms crossed and staring straight at her. How could he have known she was here? Her answer came as a few hoverdrones zipped by. She knew a confrontation like this would have to come sooner or later and she turned her own façade to that of stone. If she was to convince him she were still on a mission she would have to act it.
He did not signal anything to her. He didn't need to, for she found her feet moving to him despite herself. With Max busy trying to get them dinner she would be too preoccupied to notice. When she reached him, he did not bother with informal greetings.
"Why did you lie?"
"They were watching over my shoulder when you messaged. I had to lie to satisfy them."
"Why did you not correct yourself later when you were alone?"
"I am rarely alone, brother. They still have a lingering distrust for me. I have yet to fully gain a position with them. When that is accomplished I will have all of them to return to Manticore. In fact giving you that fake message helped me gain some of their trust."
"Make me believe you."
"What more do you need than my word." She battles his own icy eyes with her fiercest glare. Had she lost her dominance so quickly? But Ty was right to question her. That pride she felt before when one of her siblings excelled in something returned to her. It was odd.
Ty softened, becoming, once more, the brother she knew when there were no other superiors there to bear witness. "I didn't want to doubt you, Raven, but we are all concerned. Working so closely to those rogues," he poured such disgust in the word Raven almost winced. Almost. "We were afraid they may have filled your head with unfounded anti-Manticore propaganda."
"They have tried and they have failed." Outside she remained calm, but Raven's mind was reeling. What had she been doing all these past weeks. Why exactly was she changing? She never left Manticore with the intention of leaving it forever. She had been satisfied with life. She had her family, her missions, her training… What exactly did freedom offer her?
"The others will be happy to hear."
"Trust is a delicate thing to build. It may still take me a while, but my objective will be completed."
"I'm not sure you will be given that time."
"What are you talking about?"
"There are rumors that the advance to Stage three is being stepped up. The Triumvirate even promoted Mathews to General and put him in charge. If the rumors pan out they will be wanting X5 subjects to test on soon, and seeing as we are short…"
"I…I understand." She could not help but hesitate. Raven knew of stage three, she had seen some of the gruesome failures which far outnumbered the successes of the X4. Despite the advantages of shared thoughts, Raven also knew what kind of control that would give Manticore. To be able to shock a soldier from within as punishment was something one couldn't run from. To be able to shut down a soldier unconscious with a simple press of a button…
"It was good to see you Ty, tell the others I am well. But I must be getting back, if they were to see me with you, the last weeks would have all been a waste of my time."
*****
After a brief hug, Raven turned back to the marketplace. As he watched her walk away, Ty felt an anger rise in his throat. He heard it in her voice, saw it in her eyes. 'They have turned you sister, but we will bring you back home.'
*****
It was hard for Donovan to try and ride at a normal human pace, so used to using his inborn speed in strength he felt unnatural and clumsy. But he made it to the appropriate building nonetheless. He flashed his fake messenger identification to the doorman who let him in with no hassle.
'So simple it's pathetic.' Donovan thought to himself as he tucked the id back into his pocket. He easily made his way to roof of the building and kneeled on the east end. Within seconds he assembled his sniper rifle. And chose his most comfortable position. Though he could have easily just used his naturally enhanced long distance vision, he liked to look through the scope instead.
The apartments across the way were lush compared to the dismal state of the city around them. The building seemed barely touched by the economic woes of the time. He aimed the cross hairs into the penthouse suit of the building. The wood was a deep red and the furniture actually matched. In fact the whole apartment had a new aged crisp and clean sort of appearance. Behind a screen that passed for a wall he could see the silhouette of a person who looked to be sitting in front of a computer.
Pressing his cheek to the gun, Donovan trained his sight on the head of the person. He wondered playfully how the glass and the translucent obstruction would deflect the shot, if at all. It was never something he would actually try as a clear shot was always best. Maybe under desperate circumstances, but with this assignment he had all the time in the world.
The shadow moved to stretch, then stood, making its way out of the office. With a steady hand Donovan kept the crosshairs on the head. The subject paused to examine something on what was probably another table or desk. He wanted to laugh. He found it almost hilarious that someone could be so unaware of their own impending death. Or maybe it was the giddy feeling of knowing they would die at his hand, that he controlled their lives.
With the man out of the office Donovan saw his face for the first time. He wore simple glasses, his hair was spiked and messy and by the look of the scruff on his chin, he was the sort of man who would get so wrapped up in his work he would forget to shave for a day or two. Donovan squinted as he recognized the face. With a lover's touch beyond his years, he caressed the trigger.