He stood at the helicopter, watching it land. His cheek was still warm from the kiss 453 had given him for good luck. 494 sighed as the plane pulled to a halt, watching it as the door flew open. He turned to the director. "Ma'am."
She nodded curtly. "Remember to check in, 494, or we'll be forced to send in reinforcements."
"Excuse me, ma'am?"
"Precautionary measures, 494. Who knows what the rouges have been corrupted into thinking? It's for your safety."
"Thank you ma'am. You need not worry."
"I'll remember that, 494. You'd better keep your word…. Dismissed."
He paused, brushing his hands down his tight jeans. "Ma'am?"
"This better be good, 494."
"Do you think that I should be more wary of corruption than I was told?"
"494, the only thing you need to know is that fear is death. Dismissed."
He turned and boarded the waiting helicopter.
***
Syl and Brin emerged from their room, yawning. They stumbled down the stairs to the kitchen, greeted by a tired hello from Krit and a distracted wave from Jondy.
"Zane!" Max was yelling. "Calm down—Tinga, give him some—oh, god." She gave up and collapsed into a chair. Zane went back down onto Tinga, attempting to get the last pop tart she had shoved into her back pocket.
Syl blinked. "Zane?"
He looked up for a second. "Hey, guys."
Syl reached behind her. "You are aware there's another box, right?"
Zane grinned sheepishly and stood up. "Oops." He held out a hand to help Tinga up. "Sorry, sis."
She grinned. "Hey, just because you're oblivious doesn't mean I am." She shoved the broken pop tart package at him and grabbed the box.
He stared at her. "You knew there were more?"
"Yes."
"And you didn't tell me."
"You didn't ask."
Syl stared at her now empty hands. She plopped down into the nearest chair… which just happened to be where Tinga was sitting.
Tinga yelped. "Up, Syl!"
Syl stood up and plunked down on the floor, content with her box of pop tarts. A rare silence fell over the house.
The 6 stared at each other. "Um…" Brin spoke up. "Who wants to go rent a movie?" The silence continued. Brin held up her keys. "I'll drive and we can stop by Starbucks."
They all stood up, shuffling out of the kitchen to find shoes, pants, and makeup.
An hour later, after much screaming, fighting, and a bit of blood (Syl now sported a band-aid on her left forearm) they were ready to leave.
Brin opened the door as Max sprinted down the steps, pulling on a sweater.
The five who could see froze. Max ran in to Krit. 'The hell, Krit! What's your-" she looked out the door as she straightened her sweater, and joined the others in their shock.
"Ben?"