Alex paced outside the detention area. A Chrysalis.here? She could hardly
stomach it. She kicked the wall. Why wouldn't Hobbes and Fawkes let her
into the room? It wasn't as though she would do anything.that she'd
regret. This entire situation was just disgusting. Helping a woman from
Chrysalis with a man from Chrysalis. She just couldn't take it. Alex
looked up as Bobby came out of the chamber, scratching his head. That was
one of his more endearing qualities. She caught herself and straightened
up, crossing her arms.
"What's up, Hobbes?" she said as calmly as she could.
"I just don't get it, Munroe," Bobby said.
"Exactly," Alex said, throwing her arms into the air. "How can Darien even
think of helping them?"
"Actually," he said, "Darien got them to cooperate.but I still don't trust
them."
"You mean they're coming out?" she said.
Bobby only nodded. Alex shook her head.
"I can't be here for this," she said.
Hobbes looked at her. He had a feeling how she felt. After everything
with her kid.
"C'mon, Munroe," he offered. "Let me buy you a drink. I'm supposed to be
off duty anyway."
Alex nodded. Bobby put an arm around her shoulder and walked her down the
hall.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"She needs methadone," Tobias said, looking at Trinity writhing on the floor in pain. "It should ease the pain." Claire nodded her head and went to get a syringe. Darien walked up to Tobias. He looked at the man sideways. "Well, Tobey, what did you do to her?" Darien asked. "What is she?" Tobey sighed. He really didn't want to say anything, but he had to.for her. Claire joined them. Trinity was now asleep in the demented dentist's chair. "She is Project Trinity," Tobey said reluctantly. "She was always a trained assassin. One of our very best from our China branch. We implanted an invisibility gland in her head--" "Wait," Darien said, "I thought all the glands were destroyed.I mean.I do believe I remember exploding cows." "Yes," Tobey said. "All of the cloned glands were destroyed. We implanted Arnaud's gland." "That's impossible. Arnaud's gland could only worked with his adrenalin.He was Mr. Energizer rabbit.I mean, bunny." "That is true," Tobey agreed. "We fixed that. Her injections aren't just a narcotic drug. The solution carries a disabled virus. That virus contains DNA with the gene for Arnaud's adrenaline." "You mean, you used a plasmid to alter her very genetic make up?" Claire interjected. "Only in her adrenal glands," he said nodding. "Uh," Darien said, raising his hand, "I'm sorry I don't speak scientist. Could I get a translation here?" "Well, Darien," Claire said, "They basically gave her gene therapy. They changed her DNA so that she produces Arnaud's adrenaline." "Wow, that's icky." "Unfortunately, it wasn't permanent," Tobias said. "The altered cells would be replaced by her own. Hence, we needed a way to get her to come back for the shots." "That's why you got her addicted to drugs," Darien said, finally understanding the situation. "But that still doesn't explain why you did it." Tobias looked down. He wasn't sure if he should go on. Well, he was already past the point of no return. "Chrysalis originally commissioned the project to replace Alianora, starting with the training of our assassin. Once Arnaud's gland became available, we integrated it into the plans." Darien cringed at the thought of Alianora. Tobias continued. "Then, when Mr. Stark found out that he was to be replaced; he changed the project for his needs." "Replaced?" Claire asked. "Yes, the board said that he had failed too many times, because of a single man.You, Mr. Fawkes." "So," Darien continued the thought, "Mr. Stark was out for revenge. That's why all the murders lately." "That's correct," Tobey nodded. "Those C.E.O.'s were a part of the Chrysalis founding board. They were responsible for Mr. Stark's dismissal." "And then he came after me.the reason for all his failures." "Correct again, Mr. Fawkes." "So," Claire added, "then you must know how to remove the gland." "I'm afraid not," Tobey sighed. "I was not placed on the project until after the gland was put in. I can't really help either of you." "Well," Darien said, "Then why did she choose you? If you can't help, why bother?" "I don't know," Tobey said looking down. "Maybe because I was the first person she saw when she woke up. She was placed in stasis for reprogramming. I was in charge of her revival." "No, no, no," Darien shook his head. "She said that you were the only one who was ever kind to her. and that just doesn't sound like Chrysalis." Tobias sat silently. Claire decided to intervene. "Darien," Claire said. "I just remembered I need to run some more tests on you. You know.just to be safe." "But-," Darien began. "No buts," Claire said smiling. "Let's go over here." She grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to the other side of the room. "Hey, ow!" Darien protested. "What's the big idea?" "I think we should leave him alone for a while." "What makes you say that?" "Just woman's intuition," Claire said. "Besides, I still want to check your gland.besides, you've been injured recently." "Don't remind me," Darien said, rubbing his shoulder. "Anyway, I feel alright." "I just want to make sure nothing's gone awry." "Huh?" "Just let me check for any anomalies." "Who's it what's it now?" Claire shook her head. Maybe it would be best to change the subject. "You know," she began. "I think there's going on between those two.I mean, Tobey doesn't act like Chrysalis." "Well, ya, come to think of it," Darien nodded. "He didn't put up much of a fight.and he kept saying he was doing this for Trinity.What are you suggesting?" Claire smiled slyly. "I think there might be something going on between them." "Hmm," Darien said, stroking his chin. "What?" "I didn't think Chrysali could love."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Hobbes and Munroe sat in a seedy bar, just a few blocks from the Agency. They sat on barstools next to each other. Jazz music blared from the jukebox. Alex downed her tequila and signaled the bartender for another. Bobby sipped on his beer and looked at her. Man, she could really hold her liquor. Alex looked despondently at the wall. "Do ya want to talk about anything?" Bobby began. "What's there to talk about?" Alex said, slightly drunk. "Listen, I can imagine how you feel, but you shouldn't bottle things up like that.I mean it isn't healthy." "Listen, Hobbes," she said angrily, "I don't need a lecture on mental health.especially from you." "Ouch," Bobby said with a certain charm. "That's hittin' below the belt. I know you don't like Chrysalis, we all don't, but completely shutting down won't help anything, my friend.. I mean, I don't know if this guy is a palooka or what." "Whatever," Alex interrupted. It was nice of Hobbes to try to cheer her up, but she didn't want to hear it. She downed another tequila and signaled for another. She hated Chrysalis with every fiber of her being. She downed her tequila again. It stung as it went down. Her vision was beginning to blur. She didn't care. She signaled for another. "Hey, Munroe," Hobbes said. "I think you'd better hold off on anymore." "I'll do whatI damn well please," she said curtly. She downed another tequila. "Now, I'm definitely sure you've had enough. C'mon, Munroe, I'll drive you home." "I dontneeda ride home," she said, slurring her words. "Imfine." "You kidding me? You're totally fishniked." "Imnot drunk. Besides, how doI know yournot drunk." "Hey, I've only had half a beer, and I ate some hot wings," Bobby said, putting a hand on Alex's shoulder. "Now, c'mon. I'll take you home." "Fine," Alex said, getting up unsteadily, "but Ican walk by myself." Alex began to walk and immediately fell into Hobbes' arms. She laughed tried to stand again on unsteady legs. Bobby shook his head. He shouldn't have let her drink so much, but what could he do? She was really taking this Chrysalis thing hard. Maybe a night in a drunken stupor wouldn't be so bad. Hobbes loaded her into the car and started the car. Alex stared at Bobby in the moonlight. She'd never really noticed him before. He was really in very good shape for a guy his age. His profile wasn't really that bad either. Wait a sec.was she just thinking this because of the booze? Alex thought as she watched Hobbes drive toward her house. He glanced at her with concern. He had beautiful brown eyes. No, it wasn't the booze. He really was quite attractive; she'd just never given him much thought. After all, he was rather short in stature.and bald.and he did act a bit immature, especially around Fawkes.but, now, she realized, those seemed to be more assets than drawbacks. There was definitely something there, she'd never seen before. "Alright, Munroe," Hobbes said, parking Golda. "Do I need to help you inside?" "Bobby," she said, still very drunk, "Youknow.you are quite a hunkyhunk, hunk.person." She smiled, trying to be seductive. Alex leaned up against him and attempted to stroke the side of his face; she actually slapped him lightly on the cheek. Hobbes shook his head, pushing her back slightly. "Remind me never to let you get hammered again." "Oh, Bobby," Alex said with a slight hiccup. "Youare so considididerate." He helped her up the front steps to her house. Bobby pulled out her keys and opened the door. Walking inside, he set her down on the couch. "Bobby, Bobby, Bobby," Alex said. "Youknow, this is whyIlove you." She puckered her lips and tried to kiss him. Hobbes pushed her down on the couch, avoiding her onslaught. "Goodnight, Munroe." Calmly, he walked out the door. Once inside Golda, Bobby sat back. "Oy," he sighed. "If Munroe was comin' at me like that, maybe I should get Claire drunk." He chuckled to himself and drove back to the Agency. He had better check on everyone.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"She needs methadone," Tobias said, looking at Trinity writhing on the floor in pain. "It should ease the pain." Claire nodded her head and went to get a syringe. Darien walked up to Tobias. He looked at the man sideways. "Well, Tobey, what did you do to her?" Darien asked. "What is she?" Tobey sighed. He really didn't want to say anything, but he had to.for her. Claire joined them. Trinity was now asleep in the demented dentist's chair. "She is Project Trinity," Tobey said reluctantly. "She was always a trained assassin. One of our very best from our China branch. We implanted an invisibility gland in her head--" "Wait," Darien said, "I thought all the glands were destroyed.I mean.I do believe I remember exploding cows." "Yes," Tobey said. "All of the cloned glands were destroyed. We implanted Arnaud's gland." "That's impossible. Arnaud's gland could only worked with his adrenalin.He was Mr. Energizer rabbit.I mean, bunny." "That is true," Tobey agreed. "We fixed that. Her injections aren't just a narcotic drug. The solution carries a disabled virus. That virus contains DNA with the gene for Arnaud's adrenaline." "You mean, you used a plasmid to alter her very genetic make up?" Claire interjected. "Only in her adrenal glands," he said nodding. "Uh," Darien said, raising his hand, "I'm sorry I don't speak scientist. Could I get a translation here?" "Well, Darien," Claire said, "They basically gave her gene therapy. They changed her DNA so that she produces Arnaud's adrenaline." "Wow, that's icky." "Unfortunately, it wasn't permanent," Tobias said. "The altered cells would be replaced by her own. Hence, we needed a way to get her to come back for the shots." "That's why you got her addicted to drugs," Darien said, finally understanding the situation. "But that still doesn't explain why you did it." Tobias looked down. He wasn't sure if he should go on. Well, he was already past the point of no return. "Chrysalis originally commissioned the project to replace Alianora, starting with the training of our assassin. Once Arnaud's gland became available, we integrated it into the plans." Darien cringed at the thought of Alianora. Tobias continued. "Then, when Mr. Stark found out that he was to be replaced; he changed the project for his needs." "Replaced?" Claire asked. "Yes, the board said that he had failed too many times, because of a single man.You, Mr. Fawkes." "So," Darien continued the thought, "Mr. Stark was out for revenge. That's why all the murders lately." "That's correct," Tobey nodded. "Those C.E.O.'s were a part of the Chrysalis founding board. They were responsible for Mr. Stark's dismissal." "And then he came after me.the reason for all his failures." "Correct again, Mr. Fawkes." "So," Claire added, "then you must know how to remove the gland." "I'm afraid not," Tobey sighed. "I was not placed on the project until after the gland was put in. I can't really help either of you." "Well," Darien said, "Then why did she choose you? If you can't help, why bother?" "I don't know," Tobey said looking down. "Maybe because I was the first person she saw when she woke up. She was placed in stasis for reprogramming. I was in charge of her revival." "No, no, no," Darien shook his head. "She said that you were the only one who was ever kind to her. and that just doesn't sound like Chrysalis." Tobias sat silently. Claire decided to intervene. "Darien," Claire said. "I just remembered I need to run some more tests on you. You know.just to be safe." "But-," Darien began. "No buts," Claire said smiling. "Let's go over here." She grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to the other side of the room. "Hey, ow!" Darien protested. "What's the big idea?" "I think we should leave him alone for a while." "What makes you say that?" "Just woman's intuition," Claire said. "Besides, I still want to check your gland.besides, you've been injured recently." "Don't remind me," Darien said, rubbing his shoulder. "Anyway, I feel alright." "I just want to make sure nothing's gone awry." "Huh?" "Just let me check for any anomalies." "Who's it what's it now?" Claire shook her head. Maybe it would be best to change the subject. "You know," she began. "I think there's going on between those two.I mean, Tobey doesn't act like Chrysalis." "Well, ya, come to think of it," Darien nodded. "He didn't put up much of a fight.and he kept saying he was doing this for Trinity.What are you suggesting?" Claire smiled slyly. "I think there might be something going on between them." "Hmm," Darien said, stroking his chin. "What?" "I didn't think Chrysali could love."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Hobbes and Munroe sat in a seedy bar, just a few blocks from the Agency. They sat on barstools next to each other. Jazz music blared from the jukebox. Alex downed her tequila and signaled the bartender for another. Bobby sipped on his beer and looked at her. Man, she could really hold her liquor. Alex looked despondently at the wall. "Do ya want to talk about anything?" Bobby began. "What's there to talk about?" Alex said, slightly drunk. "Listen, I can imagine how you feel, but you shouldn't bottle things up like that.I mean it isn't healthy." "Listen, Hobbes," she said angrily, "I don't need a lecture on mental health.especially from you." "Ouch," Bobby said with a certain charm. "That's hittin' below the belt. I know you don't like Chrysalis, we all don't, but completely shutting down won't help anything, my friend.. I mean, I don't know if this guy is a palooka or what." "Whatever," Alex interrupted. It was nice of Hobbes to try to cheer her up, but she didn't want to hear it. She downed another tequila and signaled for another. She hated Chrysalis with every fiber of her being. She downed her tequila again. It stung as it went down. Her vision was beginning to blur. She didn't care. She signaled for another. "Hey, Munroe," Hobbes said. "I think you'd better hold off on anymore." "I'll do whatI damn well please," she said curtly. She downed another tequila. "Now, I'm definitely sure you've had enough. C'mon, Munroe, I'll drive you home." "I dontneeda ride home," she said, slurring her words. "Imfine." "You kidding me? You're totally fishniked." "Imnot drunk. Besides, how doI know yournot drunk." "Hey, I've only had half a beer, and I ate some hot wings," Bobby said, putting a hand on Alex's shoulder. "Now, c'mon. I'll take you home." "Fine," Alex said, getting up unsteadily, "but Ican walk by myself." Alex began to walk and immediately fell into Hobbes' arms. She laughed tried to stand again on unsteady legs. Bobby shook his head. He shouldn't have let her drink so much, but what could he do? She was really taking this Chrysalis thing hard. Maybe a night in a drunken stupor wouldn't be so bad. Hobbes loaded her into the car and started the car. Alex stared at Bobby in the moonlight. She'd never really noticed him before. He was really in very good shape for a guy his age. His profile wasn't really that bad either. Wait a sec.was she just thinking this because of the booze? Alex thought as she watched Hobbes drive toward her house. He glanced at her with concern. He had beautiful brown eyes. No, it wasn't the booze. He really was quite attractive; she'd just never given him much thought. After all, he was rather short in stature.and bald.and he did act a bit immature, especially around Fawkes.but, now, she realized, those seemed to be more assets than drawbacks. There was definitely something there, she'd never seen before. "Alright, Munroe," Hobbes said, parking Golda. "Do I need to help you inside?" "Bobby," she said, still very drunk, "Youknow.you are quite a hunkyhunk, hunk.person." She smiled, trying to be seductive. Alex leaned up against him and attempted to stroke the side of his face; she actually slapped him lightly on the cheek. Hobbes shook his head, pushing her back slightly. "Remind me never to let you get hammered again." "Oh, Bobby," Alex said with a slight hiccup. "Youare so considididerate." He helped her up the front steps to her house. Bobby pulled out her keys and opened the door. Walking inside, he set her down on the couch. "Bobby, Bobby, Bobby," Alex said. "Youknow, this is whyIlove you." She puckered her lips and tried to kiss him. Hobbes pushed her down on the couch, avoiding her onslaught. "Goodnight, Munroe." Calmly, he walked out the door. Once inside Golda, Bobby sat back. "Oy," he sighed. "If Munroe was comin' at me like that, maybe I should get Claire drunk." He chuckled to himself and drove back to the Agency. He had better check on everyone.