8: CAPTURE

He takes her to where doors are uncertain.

Tiresias had decided to remain at the Oracle's overnight, whilst he accustomed himself to his abilities. Seraph seemed agitated about something, and insisted on escorting them back to the car. Aerial could not stop watching him. Outside it was dusk. The traffic in the street had lessened to only intermittent cars flying past. The Oracle's cookie turned acidy in her mouth, and she only managed to eat half of it, before...

'Hey, wait! Aerial's not well!'

Sphere stopped and backtracked, resting a hand on Aerial's back as she vomited against the wall. She panted a little, feeling her stomach settle down. 'Uunh…' She wiped her mouth with her sleeve and closed her eyes.

'Come here…' Sphere twisted her around and felt her forehead, 'Jeez, you're boiling up.' She flipped out a phone and pressed the speed dial.

'Operator.'

'Phoenix? Is there anywhere you can drop me some aspirin?'

'Erm... No, not nearby. Is Aerial okay? Tell her she's sicked up all over herself in reality.'

'Thanks, Phoenix,' muttered Aerial, having heard the conversation with her acute hearing. Sphere hung up. Mimic had come back as well and was standing nearby. Seraph continued his watchful gazing of the street. Suddenly his head stopped swivelling and locked onto a dark car speeding down the road towards them.

'Captain Mimic. We need to move swiftly.'

'What?' Mimic joined him, and the program pointed. 'Oh shit.' She turned back, 'Sphere, we have to get to the car now. I think we've got company.' Sphere looked up as well and swore. 'Are you okay to run, kid?' demanded Mimic. Aerial nodded, breathing deeply. She felt freezing cold.

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The Twins were not having much fun. They sat, One driving, Two staring, whilst the bird program sulked in the back. The ghosts really did not see the point in Fake Angels. Why did the birds get to keep their wings and the gift of flight, when other programs such as flies did not? At least they did not have to hear that detestable American accent; that was one blessing of working with a bird. Two made a mental note to encourage the Frenchman to employ more Englishmen.

'There they are,' said the bird. 'The freebies.'

'We know,' replied Two testily. 'We saw them before you did.'

'Hey, remember whose eyesight you've got there, spook.'

' "Hey",' mimicked One. 'Turning American, are you?'

'Sod off.' Ah, another soft spot, noted the ghosts. Strange how similar the two programs were: the same proud streak, the same thread of patriotism, the same arrogance. 'Get ready,' warned One, as Two followed the thought and loaded his gun. The bird unclipped his seatbelt and shuffled over to the side door.

'I hate American cars.'

'We agree.'

'Did we just agree on something?' The bird's voice held a tone of mock surprise.

'We believe so. You are irritating us now.' The Twins did not like being exploited. Especially not for the bird's purposes. One put his foot down, and gunned forwards. As they swooped past the band of rebels, Two fired a burst from the machine gun through the sunroof.

'Ah shit!' cursed the bird, swivelling his head and staring out of the rear window. 'We missed him!'

'You are joking.'

Two swivelled and faced him. 'Don't tell us you failed again?'

'How is this my fault?' the bird shot back. 'The last communication the Merovingian received, he was with them!'

One sighed heavily. 'Now what?'

'Well...' The bird sank into the thought for three seconds exactly. One pulled the car into a U-turn and paused. Two saw the bird's face split into a grin. 'The girl may be of interest to him…'

'What do you mean?'

'She can do exactly what I can do.'

'You are joking,' repeated One.

'What do you think I am? Human?' The bird scowled at One. 'If we get her instead, maybe he'll like me more,' he added in an undertone.

One and Two leered. One floored the accelerator again, but twisted the wheel sharply as they bumped onto the pavement. The car swerved out into the middle of the road again, narrowly missing a lamppost. There was a thunk sound and a curse as the bird hit his head on something. 'It's Wingless,' informed Two.

'What is he doing here?'

'We don't know.' Two turned around to the bird again. 'You'll have to distract him.'

'Me? Why me?'

'It will be a chance to prove yourself. Not many have defeated Wingless in combat,' added One, eyeing the bird in the rear-view mirror.

'Jesus… All right, I'll go. You two get Aerial.'

'Who?'

'The girl!'

'You know her name?' Two smirked again.

'Shut it!'

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'Move!'

Mimic led her band onwards as the car behind them revved up again. Seraph dropped to the back of the group, ready to protect them if needed. The car swooped past again, and something shot from the back door in a blur of navy. It barrelled into the group, knocking Aerial to the floor. Sphere stood over her and kicked the thing hard. Aerial struggled up and saw Falcon reeling from the blow.

The car had stopped in front of them, straddling the pavement, and the albino twins stalked towards them. Aerial swallowed, then winced at the acidy taste in her mouth. 'How far away is the car, Mim?' she asked.

'Two more blocks.' Mimic drew her guns, and Sphere did the same. Falcon recovered and launched himself at Aerial again. Sphere kicked him again and fired. The program phased, becoming green and incorporeal, and the bullets passed through harmlessly. Sphere shouted in surprise, and Falcon took the opportunity to kick her back. Sphere crumpled, doubled over.

Mimic had her hands full trying to keep the Twins away from Aerial. Their razors flashed, and Mimic went down clutching her face. Aerial could see bright blood in between her fingers. Seraph leapt in front of her and beat Falcon into submission with a lightening quick combo that sent him sprawling. Aerial started as a ghostly pale hand seized her shoulder, but Sphere attacked from the side. The ghost phased again, and Aerial slipped out from under his insubstantial grasp.

Seraph snatched her away and twisted her behind him. One of the Twins looked at Falcon pointedly. The bird hauled himself up, spitting a sticky globule of crimson onto the tarmac, and launched himself at Seraph. Her Chinese bodyguard deftly dealt with the inexperienced program for about two minutes, then Falcon appeared to get a grip on himself. He flashed into duplicate and attacked Seraph from two sides.

Sphere threw herself at the first Twin, but was easily repelled and crouched against the wall, feigning submission and bleeding from several slices and cuts. As soon as the albino's back was turned, she poured the last of her bullets at him. Once again he flashed incorporeal, and Sphere moaned a curse.

Her bullets had ripped into Seraph instead.

The program jerked with each hit, blood spattering the pavement and Aerial. Mimic was still down, bleeding profusely. Seraph faltered, fighting to gain control of his codes. His programmed body was not designed to take this kind of battering, and in that split second of hesitation, the Twins struck.

One of them grabbed Aerial. She kicked and struggled, tearing at his hands, but he held grimly. His brother stalked up and clubbed her over the back of the head with his switchblade handle. Aerial slumped as darkness took her. Falcon deleted his copy and was immediately hard pressed to deal with an enraged Sphere attacking him furiously. Unfortunately, her rage and panic restrained her skills, and even Falcon was able to fend her off. He leapt and performed a two footed kick, sending the rebel sailing into the brick wall. He dusted his hands off and hopped in the back seat of the SUV. The car roared off into the night, leaving the two injured rebels and a dying program alone in the street.

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