Notes: In this chapter, Zack's going after Tinga ('Hit a sista back').
Renfro's got a lead on Noah. read and review please!!!
Chapter V: .As we're not in the best of all worlds
Renfro's POV
"What's his name?" I coldly ask.
"Vitali Mam but we don't know where he is" one of the technicians answers.
"Then we'll have to play along. Can you put me in contact with him? Pretend I'm a potential buyer"
"That I can do but it'll take me several minutes. I have to make a phone call to the contact that's warn me of this," he says.
"Make it fast. I don't want another of those little brats to get away," I say walking back to my office.
I didn't have to wait long. A few minutes later, the phone on my desk rings. I answer.
"Renfro" I say.
"I've got Vitali on the other line"
"It's about time. Try tracing the call" I say, turning my screen on.
"Who are you?" an Italian voice asks me.
The guy on the screen seems about fifty, maybe sixty.
"My name's Elizabeth Renfro. I work for a Mid Eastern country's government. We're interested in buying your 'transgenic killing machine' but we need proof" I say.
"Which mid Eastern country?" he asks.
Why the hell does he care? I'm a potential buyer. That's all he needs to know.
"Have I asked you where were? Now, about those proofs"
"I have a video that proves it plus pictures"
"Show me" I say.
He starts by showing me the pictures. Nothing special really: an about twenty year old black girl, pretty. that can be just about any girl in the country. Then, the video he's been talking about goes on my screen. OK, so the same girl's kicking a guy and at the same time destroying the camera.
"Is that it?" I ask smirking.
The Italian nods.
"You expect us to invest a nice some of money just because you've got some girl that knows how to kick. I'm sorry but we're gone need more than that"
"We've broke into her apartment. We've found tryptophan," he says.
This guy knows a lot about our experiments. Her apartment? That means he hasn't got her yet. We've still got a chance to double cross him if I can find out where he is.
"So what's that suppose to tell me?" I fake.
"She suffers from seizures and needs tryptophan, a neurotransmitter she can't do with out"
"Oh! And you've found some in her apartment. I've only got you're word for it" I say.
"I'm gonna need more than that. You say she's capable of extraordinary performances, get me a video a bit more persuasive"
"I'll contact you as soon as I get it," he says.
"No, I'll contact you in two weeks" I say before hanging up, "So, where's he?" I ask the technician.
"We still don't know. This guy's got high material. We didn't expect this. We'll get him next time"
"Jerks!" I bark out.
Noah's POV
I've just got back from work. I step into the apartment. Everything's quiet as usual. Tinga's asleep in Ginna's room like she has for the past few weeks. Zack's supposed to be sleeping on the couch but he's not. He rises up as soon as he hears me stepping into the living room. So, I walk up to the couch and sit next to him.
"Why aren't you sleeping?" I whisper not to wake up Tinga.
"Every time I close my eyes, I feel like I'm back there," he says looking down and closing his eyes.
I know he's talking about Psy Ops. I've never been there but from what I know about it, it's the last place you'd wanna be in your dreams. I gently pass my hands through his blonde hair. He opens up his blue eyes and looks at me.
"I was so scared I might've compromised you too" he whispers.
Wow! Zack scared? It's like two words I've never associated.
"It's all right. It's over now. We're all doing fine" I say, sitting closer to him.
A silence falls between us.
"By the way, have you heard about the others? Have they told you their new location?" I ask him.
"Jondy's left me a message. She's in Santa Fe, New Mexico for now. It's really not far from here"
Wow! This is getting weirder by the minute! Why's he telling me where Jondy is? He's never given me such information before. I look straight into his blue-green eyes, feeling kinda uneasy.
"What's wrong Zack?" I ask.
"Tinga couldn't wait for you to get home to say good bye"
"What? Tinga's left?" I ask, standing up and running to Ginna's room.
I open the door. The room's empty. Yes, Tinga has left. I walk back to the living room and stand right in front of Zack still sitting on the couch.
"I'm going to follow her when the morning comes though I told her I wouldn't and I'd rather stay here" he says gazing at the air.
"What is going on?" I ask raising my voice.
"Her husband and her son were looking for her. They've drawn Lydecker to them without knowing" he sighs finally looking at me.
"Her husband? Her son? Why didn't she ever talk about them?" I ask frowning.
"Because I told her not to. I've always thought it was a mistake. She disagrees. No use putting you in the argument" he says standing up in front of me.
We're really close. I look up to him; really not understanding what the hell is going on and why doesn't anybody ever feels like letting me know anything. He looks down on me, smirks and with his hand caresses my arm.
"I don't see anything funny," I say.
"I've got a bad feeling about all this Noah," he says still slightly smiling.
I'm horrified by the way he's taking the whole thing.
"I don't know how we're gonna save Tinga, her husband Charlie and little Case. We can't save them all" he sighs.
"What are you saying Zack?" I ask holding my breath.
"I know you need a family. I know it and well, if I don't come back. I don't want you to be lonely and feel lost" he says.
"Wow, wow! Stop it right there! What are you telling me?" I almost yell walking away from him, "How can you even think you know what I need and what I don't need? You're not planning on going back to Manticore again?"
"If it's what I have to do to help Tinga, I will" he says determined.
"What? I thought you went back to Manticore for Max and." I stutter as things in my head are getting more and more mixed up.
"What I did for Max, I would've done it for any of you." he says.
I feel like I've missed something again. When did we, the other eleven, ever become equal to Max?
"Now, let me say this" he says, "I know you and Jondy were close. That's why I've told you where she was"
"Does it make you feel better? Is your conscience OK with leaving me now?" I scream out.
"My conscience's telling me to save you all and that's what I'm trying to do" he says walking closer to me, "But my heart feels really bad leaving you"
"Then, don't go or at least, promise me you'll be back" I yell trying to hold back my tears.
"I can't Noah, I can't" he says in a calming voice, "I gotta leave now" he says looking at the window: the sun is rising.
"Keep low Noah" he ads looking straight into my eyes as usual.
Then, he slightly leans forwards, kisses my cheek and as he straightens back up, his lips stay for half a second in front of mine. During this half second, I can feel his warm breath on my face.
"Good bye Noah" he whispers before slamming the door behind him.
Zack's POV
It was about time I showed up. The girls were in trouble. OK, so we've got all three of them safe and sound at Logan's. The kid's not doing to good and we all know Lydecker's got something to do with it. I knew it was too easy.
"We have no choice" Max tells me.
"You go through with this and you're on your own. I won't have anything to do with him" I tell her.
"Big surprise"
"She made herself vulnerable and now she's paying the price. Don't make the same mistake" I say walking away.
I really feel like going now. I've done my job; I got all three of them back together. It's Tinga's fault anyway. She put the three of them in danger! If only she had listened to me from the beginning!
I wanna go back to Phoenix. I know Max's mad at me for leaving them when things got rough but I really wanna see Noah. I can't leave tough. I have to save Tinga. Damn those irresponsible sisters!
"With us, you're always X5 599" Tinga told me.
That's right Ting, I'm X5 599 and I have no other mission than to keep an eye on all twelve of you.
"And you ought to get a life!" Noah had told me.
Maybe later. If we ever get through this.
Anderson's POV
More proof, more proof, he'll get more proof that grumpy old Italian jerk. Let's see what he thinks about a shooting raid. Wish he would be our aim! The five thugs she's put out a few weeks ago said she was really quick, so fast that she could elude bullets.
All we need is to make sure her and a couple of her friends are stuck in an alley, put a few cameras on the roofs, make a car drive by and shoot at them. A kid could pull it off. It'll pass for another gangs fight; no one will ever suspect a thing.
Nice thinking Anderson! Really, you can be proud of yourself!
Noah's POV
"I think you need a ride home, Ron" I tell him holding his arm as he can barely walk alone.
Feria's closing. Time for me to head home and he should've got home to his girlfriend a long time ago. Ron Stevens is not a bad guy. He's just a little lost and way too naïve. He's a musician. But, life's always been tough on artists, especially these days and for Ron, money's become a serious issue. His girlfriend's tired of him spending all her money on alcohol but hey! The guy's looking for inspiration where he can.
I don't think it's an excuse though. Ron seriously needs to reevaluate his priorities in life otherwise; he'll lose everything he has, that includes his girlfriend and his hands if he doesn't stop borrowing money from illegal guys like the three thugs I beat up last time.
Well, there he is, drunk and about to throw up for the third night this week!
"You should really stop doing this to yourself Ron!" I say a disgusted look on my face, pushing him towards the back door as Karen is closing the front door.
"You gonna take him home on your bike?" she asks me.
Karen's really nice. We've been friends long before I started working at Feria. She's been in this bar for years so the boss trusts her enough to let her close the bar every once in a while, like tonight.
She's the Asian type of girl: smaller than me, slim, long dark perfectly straight hair. She reminds me of Brin sometimes.
"I don't know" I tell her, "Depends whether or not he's gonna puke first"
"I can take him home otherwise, it's on my way!" she says walking towards the back door too.
Karen has a car. The chances that he'll throw up on my bike or in her car are just the same. So, it doesn't really solve the problem.
"Come on pretty boy, let's getcha outta here!" I tell Ron lifting him up with just one hand.
Karen's holding the back door open for him to step outside. Ron stumbles but manages to make it outside. Then, I step outside and Karen closes the door, coming out last.
"Maybe we should call him a taxi" she proposes.
"He ain't got no money to pay for it," I say looking down at Ron, on his knees next to me.
"I think I'm gonna be sick" he says right before throwing up.
"Great! Make it quick" I say rolling my eyes, "Haven't got all night. I'll take him," I say facing Karen, "You just be careful on your way home!"
"No problem!" she says walking down the alley.
Her car's parked a few steps away. I turn back to Ron and say:
"Better not be putting any on my jacket otherwise I swear I'll throw you off the." I stop hearing a noise behind me.
I can hear a car rushing towards the end of the alley where Karen is. It's coming really fast. 'Probably another bozo just in the same state Ron is', I tell myself. I frown, using my hyper visibility to see it come. Why the hell are all it's passengers armed?
"Get down" I tell Ron still on his knees, pushing him down.
'Shit Karen!' is all I'm able to think. The car stops near hers. The guys in it are drawing out their guns. I can see Karen; she's terrified, staring at them, unable to move. Was that the last look Ginna had on her face? I'm not letting this happen twice.
I hear the first shot. I'm running towards Karen using everything that's in my killing machine DNA. Bullets are everywhere and one's about to hit her. 'No, not twice! I'm sorry Ginna!'
I put one arm around Karen, spin her around and drag her to me. First bullet avoided plenty more coming. I push Karen behind the huge trash container in iron and take a look at Ron. That geek's just got back on his knees! He's gonna get hit for sure!
I leave Karen safe behind the trash container and run towards my drunken friend. Reminds me of this game we used to have in Manticore: eluding bullets. The thing is that it was a game because we knew we could elude them, but Ron can't, so tonight's the real thing! I understand now why Zack's always told me not to get attached. At least, if I hadn't, I wouldn't feel guilty leaving him die! He'd just be another drunken hobo puking up.
I grab him and jump as high as I can with him still in my arms. In the air, I grab the first thing coming up. In this case, the last step of some fire escape ladder. I stay hanging up in the air for a few seconds, till the shooting stops. Then, I wait till the car gets away as fast as it came. I'd like to run after them but I think I've done enough for tonight. I let go and land on my feet still holding Ron. As soon as I let him go, he collapses on the floor and starts throwing up again. Karen's already giving me a funny look as she runs to us.
"What was that? How did you? It's like several feet high." she stutters.
"I'm taking him home. See ya tomorrow" I interrupt her and walk towards my bike, dragging our dear musician along.
I start it and make sure Ron's holding on to me.
"Noah" she calls out.
I turn my head around to look at her, my motionless face on.
"Thank you Noah"
The engine throbs and I drive away as fast as I can.
Notes: Stay with me readers, action's coming up I promise. In the next chapter, Noah has to deal with both Manticore and the Mafia. Review and brighten up my day people! Thanks. BO
Chapter V: .As we're not in the best of all worlds
Renfro's POV
"What's his name?" I coldly ask.
"Vitali Mam but we don't know where he is" one of the technicians answers.
"Then we'll have to play along. Can you put me in contact with him? Pretend I'm a potential buyer"
"That I can do but it'll take me several minutes. I have to make a phone call to the contact that's warn me of this," he says.
"Make it fast. I don't want another of those little brats to get away," I say walking back to my office.
I didn't have to wait long. A few minutes later, the phone on my desk rings. I answer.
"Renfro" I say.
"I've got Vitali on the other line"
"It's about time. Try tracing the call" I say, turning my screen on.
"Who are you?" an Italian voice asks me.
The guy on the screen seems about fifty, maybe sixty.
"My name's Elizabeth Renfro. I work for a Mid Eastern country's government. We're interested in buying your 'transgenic killing machine' but we need proof" I say.
"Which mid Eastern country?" he asks.
Why the hell does he care? I'm a potential buyer. That's all he needs to know.
"Have I asked you where were? Now, about those proofs"
"I have a video that proves it plus pictures"
"Show me" I say.
He starts by showing me the pictures. Nothing special really: an about twenty year old black girl, pretty. that can be just about any girl in the country. Then, the video he's been talking about goes on my screen. OK, so the same girl's kicking a guy and at the same time destroying the camera.
"Is that it?" I ask smirking.
The Italian nods.
"You expect us to invest a nice some of money just because you've got some girl that knows how to kick. I'm sorry but we're gone need more than that"
"We've broke into her apartment. We've found tryptophan," he says.
This guy knows a lot about our experiments. Her apartment? That means he hasn't got her yet. We've still got a chance to double cross him if I can find out where he is.
"So what's that suppose to tell me?" I fake.
"She suffers from seizures and needs tryptophan, a neurotransmitter she can't do with out"
"Oh! And you've found some in her apartment. I've only got you're word for it" I say.
"I'm gonna need more than that. You say she's capable of extraordinary performances, get me a video a bit more persuasive"
"I'll contact you as soon as I get it," he says.
"No, I'll contact you in two weeks" I say before hanging up, "So, where's he?" I ask the technician.
"We still don't know. This guy's got high material. We didn't expect this. We'll get him next time"
"Jerks!" I bark out.
Noah's POV
I've just got back from work. I step into the apartment. Everything's quiet as usual. Tinga's asleep in Ginna's room like she has for the past few weeks. Zack's supposed to be sleeping on the couch but he's not. He rises up as soon as he hears me stepping into the living room. So, I walk up to the couch and sit next to him.
"Why aren't you sleeping?" I whisper not to wake up Tinga.
"Every time I close my eyes, I feel like I'm back there," he says looking down and closing his eyes.
I know he's talking about Psy Ops. I've never been there but from what I know about it, it's the last place you'd wanna be in your dreams. I gently pass my hands through his blonde hair. He opens up his blue eyes and looks at me.
"I was so scared I might've compromised you too" he whispers.
Wow! Zack scared? It's like two words I've never associated.
"It's all right. It's over now. We're all doing fine" I say, sitting closer to him.
A silence falls between us.
"By the way, have you heard about the others? Have they told you their new location?" I ask him.
"Jondy's left me a message. She's in Santa Fe, New Mexico for now. It's really not far from here"
Wow! This is getting weirder by the minute! Why's he telling me where Jondy is? He's never given me such information before. I look straight into his blue-green eyes, feeling kinda uneasy.
"What's wrong Zack?" I ask.
"Tinga couldn't wait for you to get home to say good bye"
"What? Tinga's left?" I ask, standing up and running to Ginna's room.
I open the door. The room's empty. Yes, Tinga has left. I walk back to the living room and stand right in front of Zack still sitting on the couch.
"I'm going to follow her when the morning comes though I told her I wouldn't and I'd rather stay here" he says gazing at the air.
"What is going on?" I ask raising my voice.
"Her husband and her son were looking for her. They've drawn Lydecker to them without knowing" he sighs finally looking at me.
"Her husband? Her son? Why didn't she ever talk about them?" I ask frowning.
"Because I told her not to. I've always thought it was a mistake. She disagrees. No use putting you in the argument" he says standing up in front of me.
We're really close. I look up to him; really not understanding what the hell is going on and why doesn't anybody ever feels like letting me know anything. He looks down on me, smirks and with his hand caresses my arm.
"I don't see anything funny," I say.
"I've got a bad feeling about all this Noah," he says still slightly smiling.
I'm horrified by the way he's taking the whole thing.
"I don't know how we're gonna save Tinga, her husband Charlie and little Case. We can't save them all" he sighs.
"What are you saying Zack?" I ask holding my breath.
"I know you need a family. I know it and well, if I don't come back. I don't want you to be lonely and feel lost" he says.
"Wow, wow! Stop it right there! What are you telling me?" I almost yell walking away from him, "How can you even think you know what I need and what I don't need? You're not planning on going back to Manticore again?"
"If it's what I have to do to help Tinga, I will" he says determined.
"What? I thought you went back to Manticore for Max and." I stutter as things in my head are getting more and more mixed up.
"What I did for Max, I would've done it for any of you." he says.
I feel like I've missed something again. When did we, the other eleven, ever become equal to Max?
"Now, let me say this" he says, "I know you and Jondy were close. That's why I've told you where she was"
"Does it make you feel better? Is your conscience OK with leaving me now?" I scream out.
"My conscience's telling me to save you all and that's what I'm trying to do" he says walking closer to me, "But my heart feels really bad leaving you"
"Then, don't go or at least, promise me you'll be back" I yell trying to hold back my tears.
"I can't Noah, I can't" he says in a calming voice, "I gotta leave now" he says looking at the window: the sun is rising.
"Keep low Noah" he ads looking straight into my eyes as usual.
Then, he slightly leans forwards, kisses my cheek and as he straightens back up, his lips stay for half a second in front of mine. During this half second, I can feel his warm breath on my face.
"Good bye Noah" he whispers before slamming the door behind him.
Zack's POV
It was about time I showed up. The girls were in trouble. OK, so we've got all three of them safe and sound at Logan's. The kid's not doing to good and we all know Lydecker's got something to do with it. I knew it was too easy.
"We have no choice" Max tells me.
"You go through with this and you're on your own. I won't have anything to do with him" I tell her.
"Big surprise"
"She made herself vulnerable and now she's paying the price. Don't make the same mistake" I say walking away.
I really feel like going now. I've done my job; I got all three of them back together. It's Tinga's fault anyway. She put the three of them in danger! If only she had listened to me from the beginning!
I wanna go back to Phoenix. I know Max's mad at me for leaving them when things got rough but I really wanna see Noah. I can't leave tough. I have to save Tinga. Damn those irresponsible sisters!
"With us, you're always X5 599" Tinga told me.
That's right Ting, I'm X5 599 and I have no other mission than to keep an eye on all twelve of you.
"And you ought to get a life!" Noah had told me.
Maybe later. If we ever get through this.
Anderson's POV
More proof, more proof, he'll get more proof that grumpy old Italian jerk. Let's see what he thinks about a shooting raid. Wish he would be our aim! The five thugs she's put out a few weeks ago said she was really quick, so fast that she could elude bullets.
All we need is to make sure her and a couple of her friends are stuck in an alley, put a few cameras on the roofs, make a car drive by and shoot at them. A kid could pull it off. It'll pass for another gangs fight; no one will ever suspect a thing.
Nice thinking Anderson! Really, you can be proud of yourself!
Noah's POV
"I think you need a ride home, Ron" I tell him holding his arm as he can barely walk alone.
Feria's closing. Time for me to head home and he should've got home to his girlfriend a long time ago. Ron Stevens is not a bad guy. He's just a little lost and way too naïve. He's a musician. But, life's always been tough on artists, especially these days and for Ron, money's become a serious issue. His girlfriend's tired of him spending all her money on alcohol but hey! The guy's looking for inspiration where he can.
I don't think it's an excuse though. Ron seriously needs to reevaluate his priorities in life otherwise; he'll lose everything he has, that includes his girlfriend and his hands if he doesn't stop borrowing money from illegal guys like the three thugs I beat up last time.
Well, there he is, drunk and about to throw up for the third night this week!
"You should really stop doing this to yourself Ron!" I say a disgusted look on my face, pushing him towards the back door as Karen is closing the front door.
"You gonna take him home on your bike?" she asks me.
Karen's really nice. We've been friends long before I started working at Feria. She's been in this bar for years so the boss trusts her enough to let her close the bar every once in a while, like tonight.
She's the Asian type of girl: smaller than me, slim, long dark perfectly straight hair. She reminds me of Brin sometimes.
"I don't know" I tell her, "Depends whether or not he's gonna puke first"
"I can take him home otherwise, it's on my way!" she says walking towards the back door too.
Karen has a car. The chances that he'll throw up on my bike or in her car are just the same. So, it doesn't really solve the problem.
"Come on pretty boy, let's getcha outta here!" I tell Ron lifting him up with just one hand.
Karen's holding the back door open for him to step outside. Ron stumbles but manages to make it outside. Then, I step outside and Karen closes the door, coming out last.
"Maybe we should call him a taxi" she proposes.
"He ain't got no money to pay for it," I say looking down at Ron, on his knees next to me.
"I think I'm gonna be sick" he says right before throwing up.
"Great! Make it quick" I say rolling my eyes, "Haven't got all night. I'll take him," I say facing Karen, "You just be careful on your way home!"
"No problem!" she says walking down the alley.
Her car's parked a few steps away. I turn back to Ron and say:
"Better not be putting any on my jacket otherwise I swear I'll throw you off the." I stop hearing a noise behind me.
I can hear a car rushing towards the end of the alley where Karen is. It's coming really fast. 'Probably another bozo just in the same state Ron is', I tell myself. I frown, using my hyper visibility to see it come. Why the hell are all it's passengers armed?
"Get down" I tell Ron still on his knees, pushing him down.
'Shit Karen!' is all I'm able to think. The car stops near hers. The guys in it are drawing out their guns. I can see Karen; she's terrified, staring at them, unable to move. Was that the last look Ginna had on her face? I'm not letting this happen twice.
I hear the first shot. I'm running towards Karen using everything that's in my killing machine DNA. Bullets are everywhere and one's about to hit her. 'No, not twice! I'm sorry Ginna!'
I put one arm around Karen, spin her around and drag her to me. First bullet avoided plenty more coming. I push Karen behind the huge trash container in iron and take a look at Ron. That geek's just got back on his knees! He's gonna get hit for sure!
I leave Karen safe behind the trash container and run towards my drunken friend. Reminds me of this game we used to have in Manticore: eluding bullets. The thing is that it was a game because we knew we could elude them, but Ron can't, so tonight's the real thing! I understand now why Zack's always told me not to get attached. At least, if I hadn't, I wouldn't feel guilty leaving him die! He'd just be another drunken hobo puking up.
I grab him and jump as high as I can with him still in my arms. In the air, I grab the first thing coming up. In this case, the last step of some fire escape ladder. I stay hanging up in the air for a few seconds, till the shooting stops. Then, I wait till the car gets away as fast as it came. I'd like to run after them but I think I've done enough for tonight. I let go and land on my feet still holding Ron. As soon as I let him go, he collapses on the floor and starts throwing up again. Karen's already giving me a funny look as she runs to us.
"What was that? How did you? It's like several feet high." she stutters.
"I'm taking him home. See ya tomorrow" I interrupt her and walk towards my bike, dragging our dear musician along.
I start it and make sure Ron's holding on to me.
"Noah" she calls out.
I turn my head around to look at her, my motionless face on.
"Thank you Noah"
The engine throbs and I drive away as fast as I can.
Notes: Stay with me readers, action's coming up I promise. In the next chapter, Noah has to deal with both Manticore and the Mafia. Review and brighten up my day people! Thanks. BO