Head Trip - Chapter 14 "Welcome"
She raised her head and smiled.
"I've been waiting for you."
Fifth took a step back and tried to comprehend this greeting. He had expected Carter to cower in his presence. Yes, she did not reveal her mind to him during the last probe, but he knew, from his own exhaustion, that the ordeal had been physically grueling and painful. Why was she smiling at him? Didn't she realize the danger?
Sam extended her hands, motioning to Fifth to help her up. He hesitated, and then slowly reached forward, grasped her arms, and pulled her from the floor. Before he released her, she had managed to grab both his upper arms as she balanced herself. Her touch was not aggressive, nor angry. It was he who was feeling off balance ….
He did not take his eyes from her as she spun around and asked "What is this really all about? How do you have the power to create human life from these metal blocks?"
She seemed strangely excited by her surroundings, and, this, in turn, excited him. It was as if he were standing here, once again, with his beloved. But, no … those hopes were dashed on the planet Earth … her commander saw to that.
As if reading his mind, Carter touched Fifth's arm gently, looked deeply into his eyes, and asked: "What happened to your sister? Was she a product of your love for me?" Her eyes shone with tears as she softly added: "Did you want me that much?"
Fifth was speechless. He could feel his anger and hatred dissipating under her tender touch and caring eyes. The woman who had captured his heart from the first moment he had entered her mind on Halla seemed to be returning to him … reaching out to him in compassion ….
He looked away, and, as his mind tried to fathom what was happening, the Replicator's darker emotions regained control. A sudden rage possessed him as he turned and threw Sam against the wall.
"Stop! What are you doing to me?!" These were the last words Sam heard before she lost consciousness, as Fifth, once again, plunged his hand into her head.
The game now began in earnest.