Disclaimer : Even if I want to, I don't want anything and never will.

Chapter 9: Never-ending troubles

Trent Easton woke up from an agitated sleep. He heard strange noises coming from the institute. Everyone was running everywhere. Something was wrong…and he wanted to discover what was happening. He was isolated in a kind of chamber for a few days. He wasn't able to see what was happening but he could clearly hear through the cheap walls form the Carrington Institute. He placed himself nearer to the door. Two people were talking.

"I'm not lying! It's the truth! Samantha killed everyone on the same floor as Joanna's and her sister Cassandra De Vries suddenly disappeared while we were working. I don't know how she was able to flee but something is sure…we're in big trouble", said Suzan that was very panicked.

"Are you really sure of what you're saying, Suzan. Maybe Velvet and Nathaniel just wanted to do some kind of jokes", answered Grimshaw with a very desperate tone.

"DO YOU SEE ANY ONE IN THIS INSTITUTE THAT SEEMS TO BE JOKING GRIMSHAW!!! I'M TELLING THE TRUTH!", hurled Suzan that began to be very irritated by Grimshaw's behavior.

"Alright alright…do you know how Joanna is going? I hope nothing happened to her", said Grimshaw.

"It seems that she's okay", answered Suzan in a calmer tone.

Trent couldn't believe what was happening. It was almost sure Samantha was the one who was responsible of Cassandra's freedom. He was furious; they escaped without him. Only one reason would have convinced them to forsake him. Cassandra De Vries wanted to take control of Datadyne Corp again. This was terrible. She abandoned him because she wanted to make an alliance with the Skedars. She always knew Trent hated to collaborate with those green creatures. When he was leading Datadyne corp., he didn't mind to have some contact with them but if they would have proposed him to make an alliance, he would have refused. This was understandable after all; he was nearly killed by one of them. Trent wasn't surprised by Cassandra's plan. She always feared to die. To keep her own life, she would have been volunteer to kill her entire family. Trent Easton was betrayed by his only true friend that was alive. He didn't have any choices now. His once enemies will become his only allies and his once allies will become his worst enemies…

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Jonathan silently ate his breakfast. Joanna didn't wake up yet and he didn't want her to. She needed and deserved some rest. He wasn't sure if he truly wanted to go to the Institute right now. He was almost sure that Samantha had prepared something to make Cassandra escape. Yesterday, he could have run to the Institute and pursue her for miles but he didn't wanted to. He felt like only two people truly worked to this institute: him and Joanna. Before he would have say Carrington and Joanna but now that he was dead, he had to work very hard to replace him. Jonathan was only replacing Carrington for a few days and he was already bored. The work in an office alone to organize important things on a computer wasn't his type of job. Today, he only wore normal clothes; his suit was stained with blood because of the events of yesterday. This day…so horrible and wonderful at the same time… He left a message for Joanna on the kitchen table and left his home. Today was going to be a hard day… He didn't have any idea of what was going to happen in a few hours…

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Jonathan was right when he thought that today would be a rough day. When he entered the institute, Herbert ran to him and told him the terrible news. He was more shocked by the news than Jonathan. He could not believe his Samantha had done such things. She had abandoned him like he was a piece of junk. He was depressed and very nervous. Jonathan told him to go back to his home. Jon was scared that his father would do a heart attack with all these terrible news. After this was done, Jon thought it would be a good idea to interrogate Trent Easton. Maybe he knew some things about what was happening. At the same time, he thought it could be a good idea to ask him why he wasn't arrested when the president learn that he was alive. So he entered to the room where Trent was kept.

"We need to talk", calmly said Jonathan.

"I was sure you would come", answered Trent that had a very strange tone…like he was happy and angry at the same time.

"Something terrible happened in the institute", said Jonathan.

"Yeah I know, I can hear a lot of things from here", answered Trent.

"What did you heard exactly", asked curiously Jonathan.

"What did I heard? I heard that I've been betrayed by my only friends because of some insane plan! Now that you let escape these two psychotic women, you'll probably encounter a lot of trouble until they get what they want", responded angrily Easton.

"Do you have an idea of what they want", asked Jonathan.

"Of course that I know! They want the head of your beloved Joanna Dark so the Skedars will be able to annihilate the entire human race without any problems. You tried to do the same thing with them after all! You get what you deserve: a big fat war!", answered Trent with an almost happy tone.

"Even if we wouldn't attacked them, they would not stop to cause us trouble", replied furiously Jonathan.

"You tried to completely erase this problem but this caused just more danger than there never was before on planet Earth. You cannot deny what you've done. In trying to save the world, you brought apocalypse. If you aren't able to get us out of this mess, no one will be able to. You must deal with your own problems…I don't have any power to decide what Datadyne will do anymore…Cassandra is probably already taking the control of it again", calmly said Trent Easton.

Jonathan was hopeless. He knew that their escape would bring problems but he never thought they will be in such troubles. Trent was right. When the two women escaped, they probably took control of Datadyne Corp. the quickest they could. The Carrington Institute didn't have any allies anymore. They could not ask help to the authority, this would only bring more panic. Jonathan sighed; he didn't know what to do or what he was going to say. Herbert wasn't of any use. It's almost sure he wouldn't be able to take important decision. He's probably too depressed to work correctly. One last hope crossed Jonathan's mind: Elvis. 

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When the employees of Datadyne Corp saw who entered the building, they all seemed horrified. Their worst nightmare was home: Cassandra De Vries.

"Okay everyone! I don't know what Trent Easton has done to you when I was gone but forget everything of him. Your old boss is back and you'll work like you've never work before", said Cassandra. 

No one knew what they were going to do. Some didn't seem to have the intention of doing anything, others have determined look on their face. One of the elite guards approached her, with a hateful look in his eyes.

"A question for ya, miss boss. What will ya do if we tell ya we don't care about a bitch like ya anymore and that the only boss we'll have is Mr Easton.", asked the elite guard.

"First of all, I'm going to ask to my none-traitor-guards to handcuff you, after I'll ask my lovely sister to imagine you as her son and torture you until you promise me you won't tell insanity like you said anymore", said Cassandra with a grin.

"Ya cannot do this because I'm not the only one to hate ya. Come on everyone! Show her how you love her way to make ya suffer! Everyone who agree that Cassandra De Vries should get out here…Raise your hand. The old woman who's next to her won't be able to kill ya, I'm sure of it", the elite guard shouted.

No one dared to move. They were all scared that Samantha would to something terrible to them. They all knew how crazy she is. Like they expected, she took out a DY357 magnum and she pointed it on the elite guard. To defend himself, the guard took out his K7 avenger and do the same thing she had done. They glared at each other. Some other elite guards, who probably know the one who was challenging Samantha, seemed to approve what their friend was doing. They took out their guns and pointed them on Cassandra and Samantha.

"IF YOU KILL OUR FRIEND, WE'LL KILL YOURS BITCH!", one of them shouted to Samantha. 

"We won't let you kill Cassandra. She's the best leader we ever had", said one of Trent's bodyguards that was once Cassandra's bodyguard. 

"Yeah! If you dislike Cassandra, you'd better leave this place or be killed", said another of her bodyguard.

Every employees were slowly deciding with who were their true allies. Only one of Cassandra's bodyguards disagreed to approve Cassandra's return. In the 'dumb guards', some joined the elite, others stayed by Cassandra's side… probably too scared to be killed if they do something else. A real war was beginning inside Datadyne Corp. Trent's partisans against Cassandra's partisans… 

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"Jonathan to Elvis, can you hear me Elvis?", asked Jonathan through the strange radio Carrington used to communicate with the Maians. There were no responses.

"Damn…why did he leave the institute just when I needed him…Jonathan to Elvis…please reply…ELVIS REPLY OR I'LL KICK YOUR ASS WITH YOUR STUPID ALIEN WEAPON!", shouted furiously Jonathan.

He heard some strange cries of pain. He heard light footsteps and Elvis answered to his maian communicator.

"Why did you shout so loudly?! You almost make all my friends deaf", asked Elvis.

"If you didn't wanted me to shout, you just had to answer when someone is calling you", angrily replied Jonathan.

"I couldn't! I was in another room. I was talking to one of my related. When you shouted, one of my friends came to tell me a foolish human was making them deaf so I came see what was wrong", answered Elvis with a mocking tone.

"I see…Well next time, tell to your friend that if he or she didn't want to hear a foolish human shouts, he/she just has to warn you sooner or I'll shout louder than the last time", replied Jonathan with a very irritated tone.

"Calm down Jonathan! Why did you call me anyway?", asked Elvis.

"We're in big trouble", answered Jonathan.

"How can you be more in trouble than right now? Carrington's dead and some Skedars are alive…don't tell me Joanna Dark is dead!?", asked worriedly Elvis.

"No…Joanna is in good health…but she'll die soon or later if you don't help us", responded Jonathan.

"What do you mean? Is Joanna sick?, asked again worriedly Elvis."

"No but it seems that a lot of people want to see her dead. She's in danger. It won't surprise if she's even more in danger than Trent Easton. Listen to me. At this instant, Cassandra probably already took control of Datadyne Corp. She escaped from the institute yesterday with her sister. The two sisters have one point in common: they want to kill Joanna Dark. You know what than mean, Elvis? We're alone against the survivors of the Skedar race and Datadyne Corp.", said Jonathan with a panicked tone.

"Why Cassandra would want to make an alliance with the Skedars? Weren't they supposed to kill her? Why would she want to ally with a race who already tried to kill her?, asked Elvis with a puzzled tone.

"I…I don't know. Some people like Foster or Grimshaw think that it's because she's a coward. She's sure the humans will be annihilated soon or later so she chose to betray her own race to survive. Personally, I think that there's maybe another personal reason we don't know. I agree that Cassandra is a bitch, but not that kind of bitch…", answered Jonathan.

"There's something I don't understand…Why Joanna didn't tried to stop them? She wasn't at the institute when this all happened", asked Elvis.

"No, she was at her apartment. Cassandra's sister tried to kill her when Joanna was alone and unarmed but me, Velvet and my brother arrived on time. We saved her. After, I brought Joanna to my home because it was a more secure place and she was a little bit…troubled. Nathaniel and Velvet apparently come to the institute but it seems that when they arrived, Cassandra was already gone", answered Jonathan.

Elvis sighed. Jonathan couldn't see him but he was sure Elvis was exasperated by the situation. They stayed silent for a few seconds.

"…………….I'll try to find some Maians who could do a security perimeter around the institute, it's the only thing I can do for now. I won't be there until tomorrow night. Until there, take care of Joanna", said Elvis.

"Thank you Elvis", said Jonathan.

"Good luck! You'll need it…Elvis out", said Elvis.

Jonathan looked at the closed communicator. He didn't know that Elvis will probably arrive too late…for him…

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Joanna looked at the house where Jonathan was living…she smirked to herself. The one she wished to kill was there…waiting for her. It was 1 pm now and Jonathan returned to his home for lunch. She slowly approached his home. It will be easy to find a way to enter his house…

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Jonathan entered his home. He didn't have any idea if Joanna was still there. He didn't hear anything. He went take a look in his chamber to see Joanna that haven't wake up yet. He gently shook her.

"Jo, don't you think it's time to get up. It had been 13 hours you're sleeping", said Jonathan.

"Huh…wha…what time is it", asked Joanna lazily.

'It's 1pm, I didn't wanted to go to the restaurant so I came here", answered Jonathan.

"1 pm! Why didn't you tell me before…I'll go to the bathroom and after I'll join you in the kitchen then", said Joanna as she yawned.

"Alright, I'm waiting for you then", said Jonathan.

He kissed her on the cheek and left the chamber. Joanna was first very confused and then she remembered the events of the day before. She blushed slightly as she remembered what she told to Jonathan. This wasn't supposed to be like this, she thought to herself…Velvet was going to have an heart attack when she'll know about the answer Joanna give to Jonathan…

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Jonathan happily went to the kitchen. He began to take some things from the refrigerator but he was very surprised to see who suddenly appeared in the kitchen.

"Joanna!? Weren't you supposed to be in the bathroom? What are you doing with your CI uniform, you didn't bring it yesterday", asked a very confused Jonathan.

Joanna was very surprised to see this human in front of her. Of course, he's probably the living being who own this house. She smirked. It will be easier than she thought to eliminate the one who caused her so much trouble.

"I'm so glad to see you, come in my arms", said Joanna with a strange tone.

"What do you mean? We see each other a few minutes ago", asked Jonathan who was even more puzzled.

She threw herself in his arms. Jonathan didn't know what to do. Before he could push her away, he felt a sharp pain in his arm. It was so painful that he fell on the floor.

"What…what have you done?! It hurts!", cried Jonathan.

"Poor fool! Fear your own death…it'll come soon…", answered calmly Joanna.

She took him a few hair and smirked. Jonathan was feeling weaker as the seconds were passing. He closed his eyes. When he reopened them, he a copy of himself smirked at him.

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Joanna heard a loud noise coming from the kitchen…like if someone fell on the floor. She quickly get dressed and got out from the bathroom. When she opened the door, she saw Jonathan in front of her. He was emotionless and very calm, like nothing had happened a few seconds ago.

"Jon are you alright? I was sure I heard you fall", asked Joanna.

"I'm alright…miss Dark", answered Jonathan with a smirk.

"Are you sure everything's okay…You seem very different…Why did you call me miss Dark?", asked Joanna with a puzzled tone.

"How am I supposed to call you", asked coldly Jonathan.

"Usually, you call me Joanna or Jo…Jonathan are you sure you didn't damaged your brain when you fell on the floor", asked Joanna with a panicked tone.

"Those are stupid nicknames that I would have used if I loved you", replied Jonathan.

"But…but…you're supposed to love me Jonathan…Don't you remember", asked an extremely panicked Joanna.

He punched her straight into her face. Joanna was totally caught off guard and didn't avoid it. She fell on the floor. Jonathan was stronger than he was before. To make Joanna fall , you must be incredibly powerful. She looked at him with disbelief.

"Don't you understand poor fool? I never loved you and never will", responded Jonathan with a smirk.

Joanna couldn't believe what she heard. Ten minutes ago, he loved her and liked to take care of her. Now he told her he never loved her and seemed to want to kill her. He couldn't be the real Jonathan… couldn't he?

"No…this can be", Joanna desperately murmured to herself.

              She didn't know that the real one was dying in the kitchen…

End of Chapter 9

Hello everyone! This chapter was shorter than the others. I couldn't resist! I had to do a cliffanger! To make you suffer even more…I must tell you it's possible next chapter won't come soon. I have three very important exams in a row and I don't think I'll have a lot of time to write it this week. To make the situation even more dramatic…the week after I also have a lot of exams…but don't be afraid! If everything happens like I expected it to be, next chapter will be done next weekend. I was just warning you that there will be less updates until the first week of March. After, I'll have a lot of time to write this story.

Peachrocks: I didn't explained why Trent wasn't pursued by anyone yet and I know it's a little bit illogical. I'll probably talk about it next chapter…or in two chapters I'm not sure yet… Thanks for your review; it's always very appreciated!

Spider-bear: I see that you discovered how it is funny to laugh evilly like I often do J…Thank you for your support!

ESAELP WEIVER ! (subliminal message) J J J