A/N: Merry Christmas everyone. I'm sorry for the loooooong delay but there
it is. I'm glad to announce that I've got the ending nailed down and now
just have to work on it. So soon no more suspense or waiting. Again Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year.
***
Dr. Curzon
'I ought to shoot that annoying bird.' Groaning I tried to sit up and found that something sticky had attached my face to the counter. 'Ick.' With an effort I peeled my face off the tiles. Using my fingernail, I scraped most of the stuff off. Then I looked at the brown gunk that had collected under the nail in disgust before wiping it on a napkin. 'This is the last time I fall asleep in the kitchen.' I looked around in confusion. 'Why did I fall asleep in the kitchen again? Oh yeah too tired to move.' I heard a tip tapping coming from my living room. I sighed and rubbed my eyes. My life was a lot more complicated than I ever imagined it becoming. Doctors are supposed to fix 'um up and send 'um home. End of story. At least I always thought so, till I met this family. Sandoval, the most hated man on the planet, was right now doing Lord knows what in my living room, and I had no idea what to do with him. 'Oh, you have plenty ideas what to do with him.' My mind betrayed me. 'That's not what I meant.' I scolded myself. Putting aside my ridiculous attraction I had no idea why I wasn't putting him out on his arse. Attraction had never gotten in the way before. Maybe it was the hurt I saw in his eyes, the same hurt I'd seen so often in his son's. They were so much alike. It had hurt me so to see Liam have to dance around his father, never letting him know their true relationship when it was obvious that all Liam wanted was for Sandoval to love him just a little. With Liam dead maybe this was my way of hanging on to Liam. Maybe deep down I thought if I kept his father alive I hadn't totally failed him. I knew Liam really loved his father. The way he risked himself time and time again to save him made that clear. He even revealed himself to me, an unknown with possible loyalties to his worst enemy, in case that self same enemy had a relapse and needed something more than a patch up. 'God that man dug into your heart and stayed there.'
Pushing away from the counter I staggered to my feet. My old bones creaked. I felt old, older than I ever imagined feeling. Trying to get some movement, back I stretched my arms up above my head. After all, I had a dangerous fugitive in my living room. No use not being able to fight for the whole of five seconds I figured I'd be able to. The tapping continued. 'Oh hell. What am I going to do? I'm a doctor damn it, not God! I can't wave my hands and make this all better. I don't even know where to begin. I sure hope Sandoval's got some clue as where to go from here. ' I glanced at the wall separating me from the source of my concerns. 'Or we're in deep trouble. Well deeper trouble anyway.'
'That clicking is really starting to got on my nerves.' I turned to look at the door separating the living room from the kitchen. 'I wonder what's going on in there.' I took a step forward and raised my hand to the knob then faltered. Angry at my fear, I berated myself. 'This is my house damn it! If I want to go in my own living room I can damn well do it!' Straightening my shoulders I turned the knob and stepped through the door only to stop short at the sight of a towel clad Sandoval seated at my computer. He'd jerked up at the sound of me entering and his eyes locked onto mine. In that first second when his eyes met mine I almost didn't recognize him. The pain and confusion that had clouded them last night was gone along with the hard aloofness I normally associated with the Companion Agent's gaze. They were replaced by an acceptance the likes I had not seen since the cure of cancer. Tearing my eyes from that frightening peace, I took in the rest of the man. Sandoval was always lean but now he looked like a malnutrition case. I could clearly count each and every one of his ribs. There wasn't an extra ounce of fat on him anywhere. Sandoval's hands looked huge connected to his bony wrists. The hollows in his cheeks and under his eyes that I'd attributed to exhaustion and dirt last night were more prominent and clearly not from dirt since it had all been washed off. "Sandoval." I started but I didn't know what to say. The man was dying by inches. I looked back up to find him gazing steadily at me.
"I didn't have anything clean to put on." It wasn't an excuse. It was a statement. Confronted with his calm gaze I found myself nodding dumbly.
"I'll - I'll go and get you something to - put on." I turned dazed by my emotions. 'God. My God.' My mind stumbled over what I'd seen as I gathered up some of Kevin's forgotten clothing. 'What's going on?' I couldn't make what I'd seen fit with what I knew. My mind was going around in circles stumbling along as it went. Finally it gave up, I couldn't make reality real.
Numbly I started back to Sandoval. I found he hadn't moved since my departure but his face had taken on a dreamy look. I stood holding the neatly folded clothes in my hands as he started talking. It was like I wasn't even there.
"I'm a walking dead man. My CVI is failing." My heart lurched. He was right. It was his death sentence. "I'm going to fix some of it before I go. I didn't have to guess what he was talking about. Sandoval's exploits are well known and sordid. I winced once more at the fact that I was harboring him at my home. " There's a spy in the Resistance, an Atavus," My breath caught at that, I knew the people in the Resistance. I didn't want to see them hurt, but he kept on talking like nothing had happened. "She is at outs with the current leader. He's setting up a trap to kill her." Sandoval gestured to the computer screen. "I'm going to help her. She knows how to contact the Resistance. I need to get to them, to tell them what I know, but if I try and go directly to them they'll shoot me before I can tell them anything." His reasoning was sound. I know personally the contempt most of the Resistance feels towards him. I can't help him. I was new and not particularly trusted, whatever contacts I had went up in smoke months ago.
Once more I couldn't think of anything to say. I handed him the clothes softly as if trying to pass him a lifeline. Sandoval took them with the same reverence.
"I sold my soul long ago trying to get revenge,' He looked me in the eye, "I don't believe this will buy it back. I don't think it will make me the hero I always dreamed of being. I wasted my whole life, did so many things to hurt, I just want my last act to be something to help." He got up slowly and headed to the bathroom. I closed my eyes and tried to keep the tears from spilling down my cheeks.
Sandoval
Memories haunt me. I've lost all control of what's left of my CVI. One moment I'm touching Dee Dee's face, the next I'm torturing an anti-Taleon speaker. I didn't tell Curzon the reason it took me so long to find the message board. I couldn't remember the web address. I didn't want her to know just how far gone I am. She is one of the few people that has shown me any kindness lately, I don't want her knowing that what I'm doing equates to suicide. Even if I was at top form, with no weapon that works on the Atavus what I'm doing is quite insane. But what I told her was true. I have to try. The odds of it working are slim to none. Cair'an might be the most trust worthy Atavus, but in all likelihood she'll turn on me if I do manage to rescue her.
Augur
In my mind I always saw skrills as, well, like dogs. Cute pets but be careful with them around the furniture. To have one talk at me, that was like having your pet poodle sit up and go "Please sir. I want some more." Startling experience to say the least. The fact that the skrill in question was attached to the kid's wrist at the time, now was a little disconcerting as well. Come on who ever heard of talking to a person's forearm? Chest sure, feet possible, but wrist? Still after a while we really got going. It didn't matter that Marggie was an alien attached to my best friend's wrist cause hell, she knew her computers! Being kept in a lab for heaven knows how long gave her a lot of time on her hands and a lot of opportunity to absorb what was going on around her. Result: she had knowledge of Taleon engineering I would kill for. But since Marggie was perfectly willing to share, murder was avoidable.
"They what? Hmm that would affect the energy curve." I muttered to myself as I typed away.
"It did. Fortunately it also caused a feedback loop several times before they were able to balance the flow correctly." Marggie had a real vengeful streak; an explosion of that size would have undoubtedly cost lives, even Taleon ones.
"How'd they comp-" A soft snore interrupted me. Surprised I looked over to find Liam face down, arm sprawled towards me, fast asleep. I smiled faintly. It was a very Kodak moment. "I think we bored him to sleep."
"Our friend has been overexerting himself lately. I engaged in this conversation in the hope that such a thing would occur."
I nodded. The kid kept pushing himself. "You're sneaky. Wish I'd thought of it."
"He's out like a light." I stifled a curse and spun around.
"Jesus Will! Don't do that!" I glared at Boone who maddeningly didn't look at all penitent. He just pulled over a chair and sat down with a thud.
"Well I'm done distributing our new toys," He held up his hands making the skrill on his arm visible, "no offense. But even the veterans are acting like this is an early Christmas."
I snorted. "What do you expect? The Taleons were feared because of their tech. The Atavi now they're fighters, ones just about impossible for most," I glanced at Liam, "to kill. This is the first time in a long time they've felt like they can do something. Everyone likes to feel useful." He opened his mouth. Then shut it. Boone worked his jaw as if fighting against an invisible enemy. 'Oh oh.' I knew that look.
"Renee sent a message." He continued sounding resigned. 'Yep. I was right.'
"She still thinks you're the one in charge?" I could tell Boone felt something for our erstwhile blonde. I just wasn't too happy with her myself.
He exhaled noisily. "We're still working on a need to know basis. Her cell's got more leaks than a rusty boat. We both know it; she just doesn't want to admit it. I don't want to give the Atavus any more knowledge about us than they've got already. They've been hitting more of a dead wall than us. However they got to a couple nests before How'lyn could."
"That's good. I-" Boone got the strangest expression on his face then blinked.
"What's that?" He pointed behind me. Spinning my chair around again I faced my computer to see a blinking red skull in the right hand corner of the screen.
A supreme sense of satisfaction spread through me. "Gotcha." I whispered to myself. I called up the web page with a click. To Boone I said. "Oh nothing. Just a little message from our resident spy."
"Really?" Boone drawled. Our losses from this spy weren't terribly bad but they still had hit us where it hurt. I began reading the message and whistled.
"Boone you think our new friends would mind a little test run?" He got up and looked at the message over my shoulder. I was answered by a feral grin. It was at times like these I remembered why Boone is considered one of the most dangerous men on the planet. 'They really should have left him dead.'
Cair'an
The alley was dark and dingy. Fog swirled around my feet. My reinforced heels clicked ominously as though heralding my departure from this world. When I read my orders I knew I would die today. Never once had How'lyn ordered a face to face before. I knew my omissions and decrease in reported information would eventually lead to this. The thought of running crossed my mind, but only for a moment. I knew that inevitably I would die. How'lyn could not permit me to live. If I continued to live I would become another sign of his weakness. How'lyn hoped to find an ally in me, in sending me away from Tau'erds he hoped to gain my gratitude, but it was now clear to him I had no intention of helping him. 'You could plead with him for your life. Offer him everything he wants.' I slammed that thought down and crushed it as soon as it formed. I would die with my honor. Not live as a sniveling coward who would betray her friends to save her skin. Something whispered in me. One of those half formed memories. It felt like I had done that before and regretted it. 'All the more reason not to.' I would not die without a fight though. Instead of my usual alluring attire, I was wearing a sensible loose pair of jeans and T-shirt. My three-inch heels were reinforced with steel rods. I had found wearing other types of shoes, such as sneakers, was uncomfortable for me because of my anatomy. I must stand on my toes. So I asked around for ways to make my shoes more useful in a fight. The result was steel heels. Still I imagine I will go down with a whimper. How'lyn is at least my double in strength.
I have put my mask back up. If I am to die, then my enemies shall not see fear on my face. I will be the implacable foe they could not terrorize into cooperation. 'Pretty words, mon chere, but you are here.' Sighing I swatted the voice away. 'I knew I shouldn't have let Tom talk me into that film.' The rich voice of the Cajun costar had been popping up in my thoughts ever since. In the end the voice was right though. I had reached the meeting point. All that is left is to wait.
After ten minutes I concluded it was fortunate that cold did not affect me as severely as my fellows, as the air had taken on a decidedly chill feel. I also felt glad that I did not require respiration. Seeing mist come out of my mouth did not fit with the image I'd been building of my last moments. Abruptly I felt hands roughly gripping my arms, pulling me back. Both my arms were fastened behind me before I could move. 'Cowardly, they come from behind.' Maybe it was foolish of me but I expected more from How'lyn. I knew that my ambushers were holding me for him though he had not yet put in an appearance. I had no intention of waiting for the cretin to show up and pass judgment on me. I went limp in my captor's arms. "The oldest trick in the book" Tom told me when he showed me some basic self defense that first week "but an effective one." I had quickly learned all the tricks Tom could add to my repertoire. As they scrabbled, trying to regain their grip on me I did a sweep kick with my right leg knocking the one on my right side to the ground. The left one was now supporting all my weight, admittedly not much compared to the hulk holding me up, but it had him off balance. I gave him a shove to the middle with my now free right arm. As he was forced to let go of me, I went down, rolled with my fall, and scrambled to my feet. I took in my first holder, Gorth. I believe we had an argument once about bedding space. He had already gotten to his feet. The second I knew for sure was Kwr'uit, a wretched male who loved nothing more than making others hurt. He was already regaining his balance. Both of them could make two of me easily. 'How'lyn has picked his brutes well.' Warily watching them, I was once more caught from behind.
Liam
Using the night vision binoculars from my kit, I focused on the alley. 'Shit.' I watched as a woman shook off two Atavus restraining her and then backed away slowly; only to see her get shoved from behind straight back into their arms. She struggled for a bit then stood motionless as the third Atavus stalked towards her. "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" I asked in a whisper through the radio.
"Yeah," Boone whispered back, "Think that's the leak?"
I nodded, then remembered it was too dark for Boone to see me without taking his eyes off what was happening below us. "I think so. Looks like she's having a falling out with her employers." I shuddered as one of the Atavus' hands trailed down her face then began moving lower. "Also looks like they're pretty well distracted." I winced again as the woman bent over, taking a blow to the stomach. "Move in." I ordered the people set up around the alley. I heard the clicks over the line in confirmation.
Cair'an
"Tau'erds." I took pride in the even tone of my voice. 'How'lyn finally lost control. Along with everything else I imagine.' I had expected my death but now I expected my torture. I looked Tau'erds in the eye, standing straight before him, no longer fighting my captors. He would not get the satisfaction out of seeing me cowed or squirming. He said nothing as he slowly caressed my cheek but I could see the lust in his eyes, and the hate.
"You know you are not a true Atavus." He voice was husky with cruelty. Inwardly I was taken aback. I'd always felt like I didn't really belong but. Outwardly nothing slipped through my mask. I could tell by the disappointment that flashed across Tau'erds' face. He reminded me much of How'lyn. Same build, slightly taller, hair a little darker, face a little narrower more defined, but both of them had no skill at masking their emotions. Tau'erds hand moved down my neck towards my chest. I struggled with my instincts to keep still. I was restrained and if he wanted, Tau'erds could easily do far worse than grope me. He leaned in close, lips brushing against my ear. "The true Atavus had laid asleep in that chamber for eons. The only good thing that your kind did was wake us up. You filthy product of Taleon, Jaridain, and human DNA. " His hand reached my breast. I barely controlled a gasp as he crushed it in his hand. "You're a smutty mix of our weakened and contaminated descendents. All we had to do was run a check for human DNA on your things. Right now we're rooting out your kind. You're the first, my pretty. But we will be pure again. Then we will conquer these humans without the pathetic Kimera taint that has been holding us back." I couldn't resist any longer. He was pressed up against me, so close. I brought my foot up and stomped down with all the power at my disposal. I heard something crack as my steel heel landed on the top of Tau'erds foot. He staggered back and I spat in his face.
He looked at me in shock. I gathered my dignity around me like a cloak. Staring straight into Tau'erd's eyes I delivered the longest speech I ever had spoken to one of my fellows. "I brought no weakness to you. You are your own weakness, Tau'erds. Beaten by a female and afraid to fight her alone again." No emotion tinged my clipped words, I was glad to hear. It was more a strain than usual. Enraged, Tau'erds fell upon me. The reference to our earlier fight and the cowardly measures he had used to handle me caused him to lose his fragile control. He jabbed his claws into my stomach, yet drew no energy. He just let them slide into my flesh. This time I was unable to stop the gasp that fell from my lips. Pain burnt through me and I fought to stay on my feet.
Boone
Liam gave the order and started moving in. I dropped my line and started repelling down right behind our fearless leader. I heard the crack of an energy weapon below. 'No way that was one of us. Liam just gave the order, besides the Skrill people are supposed to get first crack cause this is a test run.' Twisting my neck, I saw a man had shot the Atavus with his fist in the girl's stomach along with one of her holders. She was being held in a headlock, as a shield. I could see the other two were rousing and I speculated that the shooter could too because, as I watched, he took careful aim and fired. The shot was perfect and the last Atavus crumpled, leaving the girl to sway in place until the mystery man grabbed her elbow and started dragging her off.
There was a click as my headset came back on. I glanced over at Liam as his voice spoke into my ear. "Okay people, Team Alpha finish off the Atavi," I knew that they must have been disappointed, they were expecting a fight not clean up, but no one actually groaned over the line, "Team Beta, after our leak." I shook my head. 'Great, I get to lead the chase.' The cut off click got me started again. A couple more drops and my feet were firmly planted among the filth of the alley floor. I signaled to my team and we headed out after the rabbits. Behind me I heard the Skrills firing. I couldn't help the feeling of bitter satisfaction that fell over me. Shaking it off, I focused on the hunt.
'This place is a maze of alleyways and condemned buildings.' The worst part of town to be looking for anyone. Still our prey didn't have much of a head start and one was injured. It didn't take long for one of my guys to spot them. I gave the order to surround them. The man was crazy enough to attack three Atavi when he obviously knew his weapon would have no lasting effect. I hoped that surrounding him would be enough to show him it was hopeless. After all, my people wouldn't get up again if he shot them. When I joined my team in leveling my gun at the duo, I got maybe the biggest surprise of my second life. The pretty girl was holding on to Sandoval's arm for support. 'What's going on here?!' The dark and my mask covered my shock as Sandoval surveyed our hidden faces. Slowly he raised his hands, letting his gun dangle from his finger, then dropping it. It landed on the pavement with a clatter. I glanced down at the weapon, finding it hard to believe that he'd just surrendered to us. Then I looked back up at Sandoval and almost believed I was hallucinating when I saw the half smile playing on his lips.
"Take me to your leader." You could have knocked me over with a feather when he said that. To my further amazement Sandoval turned to the girl clinging to him and said, "I always wanted to say that." She looked at him with an extremely confused look on her face that I was sure mirrored the one I would have found on my own. 'Oh boy.'
Liam
I glanced over at my handcuffed father and spy and found myself tremendously grateful that Boone had insisted on the masks. I couldn't face the man, not now, maybe not ever. With the mask hiding my face, I could avoid the questions, and my turbulent emotions.
Taking care of the fallen Atavi had been easy. They'd been wounded and not thinking lucidly when they attacked us, enraged. The boost of morale that came from that victory quickly evaporated when faced with the Resistance's most longstanding enemy. Now everyone was restless and at loose ends. Sandoval had apparently surrendered and while most of the people around me would love to see the ex-agent to his final resting place, they couldn't bring themselves to kill an unarmed man.
I turned back to Boone, conflicted about what to do. I wasn't impartial and I knew it. Apparently so did Boone. He nodded. "I'll take Sandoval. You take the spy." Relief flooded through me and I nodded back.
"Agreed."
Boone waved to his team who were standing guard over the prisoners they'd captured. I looked to Vincent, who turned on the temporary portal. Boone's team and the prisoners went through first. I waved my people through next. I was suddenly all alone in the alley and for a moment I entertained the thought of running away, leaving the mess for someone else, but even as I thought it I knew I couldn't. It wasn't in my nature.
*We never grow old enough to stop desiring the approval of our parents, Liam. All will be well.* The soothing thrum of Margsath's words didn't disguise their mothering context. I never spent much time being mothered, but I recognized the tone. 'I forgot. I'm not really alone anymore.'
"I've been fighting him my whole life but I'm still afraid of what he thinks of me." I shook my head ruefully at myself.
*I know.*
I sighed at the unfairness of it and stepped through the portal, which sparked and disintegrated behind me.
Dr. Curzon
'I ought to shoot that annoying bird.' Groaning I tried to sit up and found that something sticky had attached my face to the counter. 'Ick.' With an effort I peeled my face off the tiles. Using my fingernail, I scraped most of the stuff off. Then I looked at the brown gunk that had collected under the nail in disgust before wiping it on a napkin. 'This is the last time I fall asleep in the kitchen.' I looked around in confusion. 'Why did I fall asleep in the kitchen again? Oh yeah too tired to move.' I heard a tip tapping coming from my living room. I sighed and rubbed my eyes. My life was a lot more complicated than I ever imagined it becoming. Doctors are supposed to fix 'um up and send 'um home. End of story. At least I always thought so, till I met this family. Sandoval, the most hated man on the planet, was right now doing Lord knows what in my living room, and I had no idea what to do with him. 'Oh, you have plenty ideas what to do with him.' My mind betrayed me. 'That's not what I meant.' I scolded myself. Putting aside my ridiculous attraction I had no idea why I wasn't putting him out on his arse. Attraction had never gotten in the way before. Maybe it was the hurt I saw in his eyes, the same hurt I'd seen so often in his son's. They were so much alike. It had hurt me so to see Liam have to dance around his father, never letting him know their true relationship when it was obvious that all Liam wanted was for Sandoval to love him just a little. With Liam dead maybe this was my way of hanging on to Liam. Maybe deep down I thought if I kept his father alive I hadn't totally failed him. I knew Liam really loved his father. The way he risked himself time and time again to save him made that clear. He even revealed himself to me, an unknown with possible loyalties to his worst enemy, in case that self same enemy had a relapse and needed something more than a patch up. 'God that man dug into your heart and stayed there.'
Pushing away from the counter I staggered to my feet. My old bones creaked. I felt old, older than I ever imagined feeling. Trying to get some movement, back I stretched my arms up above my head. After all, I had a dangerous fugitive in my living room. No use not being able to fight for the whole of five seconds I figured I'd be able to. The tapping continued. 'Oh hell. What am I going to do? I'm a doctor damn it, not God! I can't wave my hands and make this all better. I don't even know where to begin. I sure hope Sandoval's got some clue as where to go from here. ' I glanced at the wall separating me from the source of my concerns. 'Or we're in deep trouble. Well deeper trouble anyway.'
'That clicking is really starting to got on my nerves.' I turned to look at the door separating the living room from the kitchen. 'I wonder what's going on in there.' I took a step forward and raised my hand to the knob then faltered. Angry at my fear, I berated myself. 'This is my house damn it! If I want to go in my own living room I can damn well do it!' Straightening my shoulders I turned the knob and stepped through the door only to stop short at the sight of a towel clad Sandoval seated at my computer. He'd jerked up at the sound of me entering and his eyes locked onto mine. In that first second when his eyes met mine I almost didn't recognize him. The pain and confusion that had clouded them last night was gone along with the hard aloofness I normally associated with the Companion Agent's gaze. They were replaced by an acceptance the likes I had not seen since the cure of cancer. Tearing my eyes from that frightening peace, I took in the rest of the man. Sandoval was always lean but now he looked like a malnutrition case. I could clearly count each and every one of his ribs. There wasn't an extra ounce of fat on him anywhere. Sandoval's hands looked huge connected to his bony wrists. The hollows in his cheeks and under his eyes that I'd attributed to exhaustion and dirt last night were more prominent and clearly not from dirt since it had all been washed off. "Sandoval." I started but I didn't know what to say. The man was dying by inches. I looked back up to find him gazing steadily at me.
"I didn't have anything clean to put on." It wasn't an excuse. It was a statement. Confronted with his calm gaze I found myself nodding dumbly.
"I'll - I'll go and get you something to - put on." I turned dazed by my emotions. 'God. My God.' My mind stumbled over what I'd seen as I gathered up some of Kevin's forgotten clothing. 'What's going on?' I couldn't make what I'd seen fit with what I knew. My mind was going around in circles stumbling along as it went. Finally it gave up, I couldn't make reality real.
Numbly I started back to Sandoval. I found he hadn't moved since my departure but his face had taken on a dreamy look. I stood holding the neatly folded clothes in my hands as he started talking. It was like I wasn't even there.
"I'm a walking dead man. My CVI is failing." My heart lurched. He was right. It was his death sentence. "I'm going to fix some of it before I go. I didn't have to guess what he was talking about. Sandoval's exploits are well known and sordid. I winced once more at the fact that I was harboring him at my home. " There's a spy in the Resistance, an Atavus," My breath caught at that, I knew the people in the Resistance. I didn't want to see them hurt, but he kept on talking like nothing had happened. "She is at outs with the current leader. He's setting up a trap to kill her." Sandoval gestured to the computer screen. "I'm going to help her. She knows how to contact the Resistance. I need to get to them, to tell them what I know, but if I try and go directly to them they'll shoot me before I can tell them anything." His reasoning was sound. I know personally the contempt most of the Resistance feels towards him. I can't help him. I was new and not particularly trusted, whatever contacts I had went up in smoke months ago.
Once more I couldn't think of anything to say. I handed him the clothes softly as if trying to pass him a lifeline. Sandoval took them with the same reverence.
"I sold my soul long ago trying to get revenge,' He looked me in the eye, "I don't believe this will buy it back. I don't think it will make me the hero I always dreamed of being. I wasted my whole life, did so many things to hurt, I just want my last act to be something to help." He got up slowly and headed to the bathroom. I closed my eyes and tried to keep the tears from spilling down my cheeks.
Sandoval
Memories haunt me. I've lost all control of what's left of my CVI. One moment I'm touching Dee Dee's face, the next I'm torturing an anti-Taleon speaker. I didn't tell Curzon the reason it took me so long to find the message board. I couldn't remember the web address. I didn't want her to know just how far gone I am. She is one of the few people that has shown me any kindness lately, I don't want her knowing that what I'm doing equates to suicide. Even if I was at top form, with no weapon that works on the Atavus what I'm doing is quite insane. But what I told her was true. I have to try. The odds of it working are slim to none. Cair'an might be the most trust worthy Atavus, but in all likelihood she'll turn on me if I do manage to rescue her.
Augur
In my mind I always saw skrills as, well, like dogs. Cute pets but be careful with them around the furniture. To have one talk at me, that was like having your pet poodle sit up and go "Please sir. I want some more." Startling experience to say the least. The fact that the skrill in question was attached to the kid's wrist at the time, now was a little disconcerting as well. Come on who ever heard of talking to a person's forearm? Chest sure, feet possible, but wrist? Still after a while we really got going. It didn't matter that Marggie was an alien attached to my best friend's wrist cause hell, she knew her computers! Being kept in a lab for heaven knows how long gave her a lot of time on her hands and a lot of opportunity to absorb what was going on around her. Result: she had knowledge of Taleon engineering I would kill for. But since Marggie was perfectly willing to share, murder was avoidable.
"They what? Hmm that would affect the energy curve." I muttered to myself as I typed away.
"It did. Fortunately it also caused a feedback loop several times before they were able to balance the flow correctly." Marggie had a real vengeful streak; an explosion of that size would have undoubtedly cost lives, even Taleon ones.
"How'd they comp-" A soft snore interrupted me. Surprised I looked over to find Liam face down, arm sprawled towards me, fast asleep. I smiled faintly. It was a very Kodak moment. "I think we bored him to sleep."
"Our friend has been overexerting himself lately. I engaged in this conversation in the hope that such a thing would occur."
I nodded. The kid kept pushing himself. "You're sneaky. Wish I'd thought of it."
"He's out like a light." I stifled a curse and spun around.
"Jesus Will! Don't do that!" I glared at Boone who maddeningly didn't look at all penitent. He just pulled over a chair and sat down with a thud.
"Well I'm done distributing our new toys," He held up his hands making the skrill on his arm visible, "no offense. But even the veterans are acting like this is an early Christmas."
I snorted. "What do you expect? The Taleons were feared because of their tech. The Atavi now they're fighters, ones just about impossible for most," I glanced at Liam, "to kill. This is the first time in a long time they've felt like they can do something. Everyone likes to feel useful." He opened his mouth. Then shut it. Boone worked his jaw as if fighting against an invisible enemy. 'Oh oh.' I knew that look.
"Renee sent a message." He continued sounding resigned. 'Yep. I was right.'
"She still thinks you're the one in charge?" I could tell Boone felt something for our erstwhile blonde. I just wasn't too happy with her myself.
He exhaled noisily. "We're still working on a need to know basis. Her cell's got more leaks than a rusty boat. We both know it; she just doesn't want to admit it. I don't want to give the Atavus any more knowledge about us than they've got already. They've been hitting more of a dead wall than us. However they got to a couple nests before How'lyn could."
"That's good. I-" Boone got the strangest expression on his face then blinked.
"What's that?" He pointed behind me. Spinning my chair around again I faced my computer to see a blinking red skull in the right hand corner of the screen.
A supreme sense of satisfaction spread through me. "Gotcha." I whispered to myself. I called up the web page with a click. To Boone I said. "Oh nothing. Just a little message from our resident spy."
"Really?" Boone drawled. Our losses from this spy weren't terribly bad but they still had hit us where it hurt. I began reading the message and whistled.
"Boone you think our new friends would mind a little test run?" He got up and looked at the message over my shoulder. I was answered by a feral grin. It was at times like these I remembered why Boone is considered one of the most dangerous men on the planet. 'They really should have left him dead.'
Cair'an
The alley was dark and dingy. Fog swirled around my feet. My reinforced heels clicked ominously as though heralding my departure from this world. When I read my orders I knew I would die today. Never once had How'lyn ordered a face to face before. I knew my omissions and decrease in reported information would eventually lead to this. The thought of running crossed my mind, but only for a moment. I knew that inevitably I would die. How'lyn could not permit me to live. If I continued to live I would become another sign of his weakness. How'lyn hoped to find an ally in me, in sending me away from Tau'erds he hoped to gain my gratitude, but it was now clear to him I had no intention of helping him. 'You could plead with him for your life. Offer him everything he wants.' I slammed that thought down and crushed it as soon as it formed. I would die with my honor. Not live as a sniveling coward who would betray her friends to save her skin. Something whispered in me. One of those half formed memories. It felt like I had done that before and regretted it. 'All the more reason not to.' I would not die without a fight though. Instead of my usual alluring attire, I was wearing a sensible loose pair of jeans and T-shirt. My three-inch heels were reinforced with steel rods. I had found wearing other types of shoes, such as sneakers, was uncomfortable for me because of my anatomy. I must stand on my toes. So I asked around for ways to make my shoes more useful in a fight. The result was steel heels. Still I imagine I will go down with a whimper. How'lyn is at least my double in strength.
I have put my mask back up. If I am to die, then my enemies shall not see fear on my face. I will be the implacable foe they could not terrorize into cooperation. 'Pretty words, mon chere, but you are here.' Sighing I swatted the voice away. 'I knew I shouldn't have let Tom talk me into that film.' The rich voice of the Cajun costar had been popping up in my thoughts ever since. In the end the voice was right though. I had reached the meeting point. All that is left is to wait.
After ten minutes I concluded it was fortunate that cold did not affect me as severely as my fellows, as the air had taken on a decidedly chill feel. I also felt glad that I did not require respiration. Seeing mist come out of my mouth did not fit with the image I'd been building of my last moments. Abruptly I felt hands roughly gripping my arms, pulling me back. Both my arms were fastened behind me before I could move. 'Cowardly, they come from behind.' Maybe it was foolish of me but I expected more from How'lyn. I knew that my ambushers were holding me for him though he had not yet put in an appearance. I had no intention of waiting for the cretin to show up and pass judgment on me. I went limp in my captor's arms. "The oldest trick in the book" Tom told me when he showed me some basic self defense that first week "but an effective one." I had quickly learned all the tricks Tom could add to my repertoire. As they scrabbled, trying to regain their grip on me I did a sweep kick with my right leg knocking the one on my right side to the ground. The left one was now supporting all my weight, admittedly not much compared to the hulk holding me up, but it had him off balance. I gave him a shove to the middle with my now free right arm. As he was forced to let go of me, I went down, rolled with my fall, and scrambled to my feet. I took in my first holder, Gorth. I believe we had an argument once about bedding space. He had already gotten to his feet. The second I knew for sure was Kwr'uit, a wretched male who loved nothing more than making others hurt. He was already regaining his balance. Both of them could make two of me easily. 'How'lyn has picked his brutes well.' Warily watching them, I was once more caught from behind.
Liam
Using the night vision binoculars from my kit, I focused on the alley. 'Shit.' I watched as a woman shook off two Atavus restraining her and then backed away slowly; only to see her get shoved from behind straight back into their arms. She struggled for a bit then stood motionless as the third Atavus stalked towards her. "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" I asked in a whisper through the radio.
"Yeah," Boone whispered back, "Think that's the leak?"
I nodded, then remembered it was too dark for Boone to see me without taking his eyes off what was happening below us. "I think so. Looks like she's having a falling out with her employers." I shuddered as one of the Atavus' hands trailed down her face then began moving lower. "Also looks like they're pretty well distracted." I winced again as the woman bent over, taking a blow to the stomach. "Move in." I ordered the people set up around the alley. I heard the clicks over the line in confirmation.
Cair'an
"Tau'erds." I took pride in the even tone of my voice. 'How'lyn finally lost control. Along with everything else I imagine.' I had expected my death but now I expected my torture. I looked Tau'erds in the eye, standing straight before him, no longer fighting my captors. He would not get the satisfaction out of seeing me cowed or squirming. He said nothing as he slowly caressed my cheek but I could see the lust in his eyes, and the hate.
"You know you are not a true Atavus." He voice was husky with cruelty. Inwardly I was taken aback. I'd always felt like I didn't really belong but. Outwardly nothing slipped through my mask. I could tell by the disappointment that flashed across Tau'erds' face. He reminded me much of How'lyn. Same build, slightly taller, hair a little darker, face a little narrower more defined, but both of them had no skill at masking their emotions. Tau'erds hand moved down my neck towards my chest. I struggled with my instincts to keep still. I was restrained and if he wanted, Tau'erds could easily do far worse than grope me. He leaned in close, lips brushing against my ear. "The true Atavus had laid asleep in that chamber for eons. The only good thing that your kind did was wake us up. You filthy product of Taleon, Jaridain, and human DNA. " His hand reached my breast. I barely controlled a gasp as he crushed it in his hand. "You're a smutty mix of our weakened and contaminated descendents. All we had to do was run a check for human DNA on your things. Right now we're rooting out your kind. You're the first, my pretty. But we will be pure again. Then we will conquer these humans without the pathetic Kimera taint that has been holding us back." I couldn't resist any longer. He was pressed up against me, so close. I brought my foot up and stomped down with all the power at my disposal. I heard something crack as my steel heel landed on the top of Tau'erds foot. He staggered back and I spat in his face.
He looked at me in shock. I gathered my dignity around me like a cloak. Staring straight into Tau'erd's eyes I delivered the longest speech I ever had spoken to one of my fellows. "I brought no weakness to you. You are your own weakness, Tau'erds. Beaten by a female and afraid to fight her alone again." No emotion tinged my clipped words, I was glad to hear. It was more a strain than usual. Enraged, Tau'erds fell upon me. The reference to our earlier fight and the cowardly measures he had used to handle me caused him to lose his fragile control. He jabbed his claws into my stomach, yet drew no energy. He just let them slide into my flesh. This time I was unable to stop the gasp that fell from my lips. Pain burnt through me and I fought to stay on my feet.
Boone
Liam gave the order and started moving in. I dropped my line and started repelling down right behind our fearless leader. I heard the crack of an energy weapon below. 'No way that was one of us. Liam just gave the order, besides the Skrill people are supposed to get first crack cause this is a test run.' Twisting my neck, I saw a man had shot the Atavus with his fist in the girl's stomach along with one of her holders. She was being held in a headlock, as a shield. I could see the other two were rousing and I speculated that the shooter could too because, as I watched, he took careful aim and fired. The shot was perfect and the last Atavus crumpled, leaving the girl to sway in place until the mystery man grabbed her elbow and started dragging her off.
There was a click as my headset came back on. I glanced over at Liam as his voice spoke into my ear. "Okay people, Team Alpha finish off the Atavi," I knew that they must have been disappointed, they were expecting a fight not clean up, but no one actually groaned over the line, "Team Beta, after our leak." I shook my head. 'Great, I get to lead the chase.' The cut off click got me started again. A couple more drops and my feet were firmly planted among the filth of the alley floor. I signaled to my team and we headed out after the rabbits. Behind me I heard the Skrills firing. I couldn't help the feeling of bitter satisfaction that fell over me. Shaking it off, I focused on the hunt.
'This place is a maze of alleyways and condemned buildings.' The worst part of town to be looking for anyone. Still our prey didn't have much of a head start and one was injured. It didn't take long for one of my guys to spot them. I gave the order to surround them. The man was crazy enough to attack three Atavi when he obviously knew his weapon would have no lasting effect. I hoped that surrounding him would be enough to show him it was hopeless. After all, my people wouldn't get up again if he shot them. When I joined my team in leveling my gun at the duo, I got maybe the biggest surprise of my second life. The pretty girl was holding on to Sandoval's arm for support. 'What's going on here?!' The dark and my mask covered my shock as Sandoval surveyed our hidden faces. Slowly he raised his hands, letting his gun dangle from his finger, then dropping it. It landed on the pavement with a clatter. I glanced down at the weapon, finding it hard to believe that he'd just surrendered to us. Then I looked back up at Sandoval and almost believed I was hallucinating when I saw the half smile playing on his lips.
"Take me to your leader." You could have knocked me over with a feather when he said that. To my further amazement Sandoval turned to the girl clinging to him and said, "I always wanted to say that." She looked at him with an extremely confused look on her face that I was sure mirrored the one I would have found on my own. 'Oh boy.'
Liam
I glanced over at my handcuffed father and spy and found myself tremendously grateful that Boone had insisted on the masks. I couldn't face the man, not now, maybe not ever. With the mask hiding my face, I could avoid the questions, and my turbulent emotions.
Taking care of the fallen Atavi had been easy. They'd been wounded and not thinking lucidly when they attacked us, enraged. The boost of morale that came from that victory quickly evaporated when faced with the Resistance's most longstanding enemy. Now everyone was restless and at loose ends. Sandoval had apparently surrendered and while most of the people around me would love to see the ex-agent to his final resting place, they couldn't bring themselves to kill an unarmed man.
I turned back to Boone, conflicted about what to do. I wasn't impartial and I knew it. Apparently so did Boone. He nodded. "I'll take Sandoval. You take the spy." Relief flooded through me and I nodded back.
"Agreed."
Boone waved to his team who were standing guard over the prisoners they'd captured. I looked to Vincent, who turned on the temporary portal. Boone's team and the prisoners went through first. I waved my people through next. I was suddenly all alone in the alley and for a moment I entertained the thought of running away, leaving the mess for someone else, but even as I thought it I knew I couldn't. It wasn't in my nature.
*We never grow old enough to stop desiring the approval of our parents, Liam. All will be well.* The soothing thrum of Margsath's words didn't disguise their mothering context. I never spent much time being mothered, but I recognized the tone. 'I forgot. I'm not really alone anymore.'
"I've been fighting him my whole life but I'm still afraid of what he thinks of me." I shook my head ruefully at myself.
*I know.*
I sighed at the unfairness of it and stepped through the portal, which sparked and disintegrated behind me.