The True Lion

Chapter Four: Proof of Purchase

*sigh* Life goes on miserably as usual. Only things are even worse now. Word about the transgenics is finally hitting the streets. We expected it to, especially after the release. See, my sister Max recently escaped Manticore again and took the place out completely. Every transgenic in Manticore is now out in the world somewhere.

This is the problem, we've got a little friend who decided to bring us out to the public as best he could. Now, people are in a freaking frenzy about it. We're all over the news. I can't look anywhere without seeing something about it.

I'm in more danger than ever now. Manticore was bad, but the public is worse. The public will beat us to death without a second thought. They've been convinced we are murderers seeking their children. It's absolute crap, of course. They don't know the truth.

And the fact that some transgenics look weird is even worse. Not all the experiments worked, and there are some strange folks running around. That really scared the public. It's even worse that they know some transgenics look like they do.

Of course, I'm not a huge suspect, being the Commander and all. People automatically assume I must be normal. That gives me an upper hand. Being a tranny (as the public calls us), I do associate with others like me. Some look human, some don't. They've got a hideout near the mountains, it's a small place. But being Commander, I have access to weapons and all kinds of other goodies. Lots of the stuff is being smuggled out to the main transgenic hideout in Esthar.

In Esthar, there is a small abandoned city. Dr. Odine screwed something up over there. Anyway, a radioactive spill went through the city, and now people can't stay there without getting sick.

But we transgenics don't react to the radiation. So this place is a safe house for us. Pretty convenient. I figure I'll move out there if things get worse.

Work sucks too. I hate sitting at a desk all day, I just want to move. But I have to deal with it.

***************************

Another boring day at my desk. It's about four in the afternoon. I have absolutely nothing to do, but I have to sit at this stupid desk anyway.

Someone knocks, breaking my bickering and complaining.

"Come in." I sigh

Zell comes bouncing in-high energy as usual. Gosh, he's really annoying.

"Hey man!" Zell cries, and gives me a slap on the back

I kind of sigh in annoyance. "What?"

"Just stopping by, jeez."

I roll my eyes.

Then I feel his hand by my neck. One thought flashes into my mind. The barcode, I still have it. He could see it. I actually think he's trying to.

I just spin around to face him. "So, is this important?"

He seems a little surprised. "No…"

"Can you leave?"

Zell looks disappointed, but leaves quietly.

Good, less threat. Zell's been trying to look at my neck for awhile. If he sees the barcode, I'm in huge trouble. I try to keep it burned off, but it comes in so fast that it isn't easy. I can't just go to a tattoo parlor and remove it now. Accessing tattoo removers is not easy.

I pick up my cellphone (so nobody can trace me) and call the transgenics. They sound worried.

I can't stay in this position much longer, I have to move fast.

See, they don't want me getting killed. I'm pretty important. I'm an X5, and a powerful one. Plus, I can give great military command. I have to stay.

So I jump on the computer in front of me and start my hacking. Shipping materials, weapons, that stuff. I have to do this now.

Then, I pick up a noise nearby. Someone's hiding in here. Crap, I hope they haven't seen my work.

I act calmly and ease my way over to the noise, grabbing the offender by the neck.

Zell.

"Hi." He chokes

I glare at him, "What are you doing here?"

"Heh, umm."

"Are you spying on me?"

"Well…I just got in here. It's not like I…"

"Shut up."

Gosh, I'll bet he knows by now. He hasn't seen much, but he's seen the hacking. I can't let him out of here.

"You…can let…go of my…neck now."

"Sorry, Zell. That isn't happening. I don't like being spied on. You aren't leaving."

He looks surprised, "W…What?"

"I can't let you leave."

Then, someone comes in. Rinoa.

Her eyes widen and she closes the door quickly. "What's going on."

Zell squirms frantically, "Help me…"

"Zell?"

I look at her. She knows what's going on.

"Spying, huh?"

Zell grins sheepishly.

Rinoa rolls her eyes, "You know better."

"Wel..l…can you…just get..hi..m..to..le..t..me..g..o?"

She looks at me and sees my disagreement. "No."

He looks angry

"See, you can't see some things here. I have to be careful." I reply, "If the headmaster knows that someone got top secret info, I'm dead. I don't know what you know. You have to be kept quiet."

"Wai..t! Those…aren't…the..rules!"

"Oh, they are."

Rinoa grabs a chair and I move Zell into it. We tape him and tie him until he is immobile.

"Hey! This isn't fair!"

"Gag." I say

Rinoa hands me a bandanna and some tape. (Where am I getting this stuff? It's all in the office for emergencies.) Soon after, Zell can't talk.

"Thanks."

She smiles, "No problem."

Zell makes a few inaudible noises.

"Where shall we put him?"

Rinoa helps me move Zell into a big closet. I lock the door and say, "Don't worry, you'll have food and water."

Rinoa looks at me, "This is bad."

"No kidding."

She sighs, "What do we do?"

"We have to leave, fast."

"Esthar?"

"Yes."

She looks at me, "I can't take the radiation."

"You can with my blood."

"Transfusions?"

I nod at her.

She smiles, "Let's go!"