Episode 28: Resurrection


Leon and Daley came running up to the large crowd that had gathered in a ring around whatever action was taking place. The crowd was too thick for them to see what was happening, but they could hear shouting from inside the center of the mob. Leon pulled aside a young woman who was standing at the edge of the crowd.
Ma'am, I'm Detective McNichols, he said, showing her his badge. Could you tell me what's going on here?
The woman's voice shook as she spoke. It was clear that she had seen far too much violence recently.
They were arguing, she said. The man was drunk, and he started beating up on the little boomer girl that has been hanging around here for the past two weeks. This lady started yelling at him, and she and her American friend tried to pull him off the girl. Next thing we know, the man is attacking them, and the American is bleeding all over the place.
said Leon, thank you. We'll get the situation under control. Leon and Daley started pushing their way through the crowd, shouting and showing their badges in an attempt to get through faster. As they approached the center of the ring of people that had formed they were able to make out four figures. One was a man, obviously intoxicated, standing at one end of the open circle left by the crowd. At the other end, a woman with dark brown hair stood in a defensive stance, clutching a crowbar. Next to her, another woman who had red hair sat on the ground, blood gushing from a wound on her right shoulder. She had her arm around a small girl.
All right, break it up! shouted Daley. Police! Break it up!
Leon and Daley pushed their way into the open circle.
Drop the knife, sir, shouted Daley to the drunken man, as both he and Leon pulled out their pistols and pointed them at the man.
Are you ladies ok? Leon asked over his shoulder. He glanced at the women long enough to notice that the one with the crowbar had dropped her weapon and was gaping at him.
Is there a problem ma'am, he said. He turned to face the woman, suddenly noticing a pair of familiar cat-like eyes staring back at him.
Leon gasped, dropping his gun. Leon stood frozen in shock. Daley turned to see what was going on.
No way! Daley exclaimed.
Priss gave a slight smile.
It took Leon a while to collect himself. He was filled with feelings of surprise, joy and confusion. When he finally was able to pull himself together he lurched forward on an instinct, catching Priss in an embrace and pulling her lips to his.
Your alive, he whispered as he pulled away.
No shit, Sherlock, Priss replied, smiling faintly. Despite her harsh words, her tone was loving and playful.
the red-headed woman intervened. What exactly is going on? Priss and Leon immediately pulled away from each other, suddenly aware of the crowd gaping at them.
Leon, this is Jean, said Priss. Turning to Jean she added, Leon is a...uh...friend of mine.
I can see that, said Jean. You didn't tell me you had a Priss glowered at the comment, turning crimson. She was suddenly all too aware that in the surprise of seeing Leon she had let herself go.
said Daley, grinning at Leon, I guess I'll call in and tell the captain you'll be taking the rest of the day off.


* * *

Sylia sat gazing at the new hardsuits with satisfaction. In her hand was an elegant glass filled with red wine. She sipped the red liquid delicately and smiled at Nigel who stood in the corner of the room, lighting a cigarette.
They're perfect, Nigel, Sylia said.
They're basically the same as the previous ones, said Nigel casually, I just added a few of features. They can jump about twenty percent higher than before and are a little lighter and more durable, but besides that...
Well I think they'll be just fine, said Sylia. Thank you Nigel.
It's my job, said Nigel.
Sylia's smile faded, and her expression showed that she was hurt by the comment. I know it's your job, Nigel, but I'm just grateful, that's all.
I know, said Nigel, still remaining in his corner. There is a problem with your suit. I've had trouble making it safe for you. I would seriously recommend not using it for the time being.
Nigel, I– Sylia started but was interrupted by her phone. When she answered she found Linna frantic on the other end.
Linna screamed. There's a rogue boomer in sector 32! I've never seen anything like this before! It's as if it... feels . It seems to hate people. It actually seems to have made the choice to go rogue! I mean an actual choice!
How is that possible? cried Sylia, leaping to her feet. Boomers don't just decide to go rogue! Sylia hurled the wine glass clear across the room, shattering it beyond recognition.
I can't explain it, Sylia, but that's what's happened! Linna's voice was shaking as she spoke.
Can you get here, Linna? Sylia asked.
I'm on my way right now, said Linna, but I don't know if Nene and I can handle this.
Then I'm going with you! Sylia shouted.
Nigel dropped his cigarette and ran up to Sylia. He grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him.
I can't let you do this Sylia, Nigel protested, looking her straight in the eye. His expression was full of intensity.
What else can I do? said Sylia.

* * *

Leon, and Priss sat on the floor in the small apartment in which Priss and Jean had been staying. Jean came in from the kitchen with three mugs and a pot of coffee. In the corner, the boomer girl sat staring at Priss. Her face was hidden under her long black hair, but her red, cat-like eyes were still visible. Those eyes, Leon noticed, were very much like Priss', with the exception of color.
said Jean, pouring Leon a cup of coffee, how do you and Priss know each other? I mean, cops never really seemed like her type.
Leon laughed at the comment. I suppose not, and I used to be in the A.D. Police, so that makes the whole thing even more unlikely.
You two certainly have career clashes, said Jean, but what I really want to know is what happened to Priss before she ended up alone in the desert. What happened when she was in space? She hasn't really told me anything about it.
That makes two of us, said Leon. All I know about it was that I was left behind to just hope and pray that she would come back. What happened when she was up there is a complete mystery to me.
Leon looked over at Priss and noticed that now she was staring back at the boomer girl. Their eyes were locked in a bizarre gaze, almost as if they were communicating telepathically. Priss seemed to be considering the girl.
asked Leon. Are you ok?
Priss ignored him. Instead she addressed the girl.
Are you who I think you are? said Priss.
The girl smiled. Yes, sort of.
The life, death, and the resurrection, said Priss in realization.
replied the girl.
said Leon, now I am completely lost.
Join the club, said Jean.
The girl turned to them and laughed. Priss gave birth to me as I am now, she said. She is, therefore, in a sense my mother.


* * *

Thanks for taking me out to lunch, Macky, said Nene as she took another spoonful of ice cream.
Macky smiled. You don't have to thank me, Nene. You know I love to take you places. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
said Nene, but it's still nice of you. I mean, you always pay for stuff. You should let me pay every once in a while.
Oh I don't pay, said Macky, grinning. Everything I do goes on Sylia's bill.
said Nene. Well then, you can just go ahead and keep taking the bill, then. Nene and Macky laughed.
This has been great, Macky! said Nene. You know, I really like spending time with you. I admit, I've been kinda lonely at work. I just don't have any friends to talk to. I still talk to Daley, but Leon just doesn't say much anymore since Priss went missing. He's been really depressed, and Daley has been busy, so he only talks to me a little. And today he was really busy because he had to do Leon's job. He came back from an assignment without Leon, saying that Leon was taking a personal day', whatever that means. Nene stopped talking when she noticed that Macky was no longer paying attention. He was staring out into space, expressionless.
said Nene, suddenly concerned. Are you ok? Macky?
Macky didn't respond, and before Nene had a chance to say anything more, she received a phone call.
shouted Sylia on the phone. Get over here quickly! We have a rogue boomer, and it's bad!
I'm on my way, said Nene. She hung up, then turned to Macky. Macky, I have to go. There's a rogue boomer. Are you gonna be ok?
She's returned, said Macky, still staring at something unseen.
asked Nene, somewhat frightened by his behavior.
Macky smiled. My sister.