"Alia, do you have any idea how much trouble you're in for this?" asked Signas.
"Sir, please, she didn't do anything to harm me," pleaded Alia. "Besides, I didn't let her in. She got in herself."
"There's still the problem with not reporting it to anyone!" replied Signas. "Besides that, are you sure you can really use that disk on our computers? For all we know, it could easily be infected with the Maverick Virus. If that thing gets into our system…"
"What if I were to use it on my personal laptop, sir?" offered Alia. "It won't be hooked up to our own equipment. That way, if there's something wrong with it, the rest of the base won't have any problems."
Signas thought over this for a second.
"All right, but it will have to be monitored," he said. "It will also have to be done far away from base."
A good distance away from base, the equipment was all set up for the test. Signas had gathered with several Hunters to see what effect the disk would have on Alia's equipment. Alia had her laptop all set up.
"All right, start it up," said Signas.
Alia inserted the disk into her laptop. Almost immediately, the laptop sputtered and broke down. The Hunters careful place in the laptop in a quarantine box and carried it away. Signas didn't say anything, but just let some air out of his nose and headed back to base. Alia sat there for a moment in disappointement, then followed him back.
Jewel returned again that night. After their usual hug, Alia told Jewel what had happened that morning. Jewel was quite upset.
"I…I should've know that would've happened. I tried my best to avoid having it become contaminated, but I failed. I'm sorry," she said. "However, I'm afraid I have some worse news."
"What could be worse?" asked Alia.
"My program can't handle the stress of containing the virus anymore," explained Jewel. "I don't have any more time. Before long, I'll completely become a Maverick. I came tonight to say good-bye."
"Jewel…"
"It's okay, Alia," said Jewel. "Just being able to see you again has made everything better for me. You're the only one left in this world who cares for me. I'll always treasure these final few days we've had together. So, it's time I said good-bye."
Jewel turned to go, but as she prepared to leave, she stopped.
"No, maybe I don't have to say good-bye…" she said.
"Why's that?" asked Alia.
Jewel turned around, her eyes blazing a dark purple. Before Alia could react, Jewel reached out and grabbed her by the neck. She smiled.
"I'll make you a Maverick too!" she declared. "Then, we'll never be apart again! C'mon, let's go!"
Jewel reached over to Alia and ripped out her communicator, then she pulled her out the window into the night. Alia tried to pull free, but as she did, Jewel used her free hand to slam her hard on the back on her head. Alia blacked out.
When Alia came too, she found herself into an old apartment, bound and gagged on a couch. She struggled for a bit, only to find she was too tightly secured to get out. Jewel soon came out from another room.
"Oh, you're finally up," she commented. "Nice to see I didn't hurt you too bad."
Alia didn't say anything.
"I suppose you're wondering why I haven't already infected you with the virus," mused Jewel. "It's simple, really. I want you all to myself, so the best thing to do is to destroy your old connections to the base and the best way to do that is to kill X."
Alia's eyes widened with fear as she made several muffed remarks through her gag.
"Please, it's so obvious how much you care for him," remarked Jewel. "Look at how you reacted just as soon as I mentioned that, for instance. Besides, I've been watching how you act around him at base. You try to act all cool and casual, but you always end up all nervous and blushing. You two are so in love."
Her look became much sterner.
"I despise him for that," she continued, her voice cold and hard. "Once they find you I kidnapped you, he'll be the first one to come to me. If I kill him, you'll lose all heart for the base. You'll be mine and mine alone."
Alia violently shook her head no, still making protests despite her gag. Jewel, fed up with her motions, grabbed her neck again and lifted her off the couch. Alia immediately shut up.
"Say and think what you will, I intend to kill X," she declared. "When he's dead, you'll only be able to run to me. Now, be a good girl and don't make me kill you unless I absolutely have to!"
She threw Alia onto the floor in disgust.
"Get some sleep," she said. "Tomorrow, someone you care about dies."
She stomped off into the other room, leaving Alia alone.