(Eight)
It was early morning when Kyle landed his group on the lawn of the Baltimore safehouse. The sun was just peeking up on the horizon. They were all exhausted from the flight and wanted nothing more than to just crash and sleep the rest of the day away.
This place wasn't a safehouse so much as a training camp that Cameron used for his people when he wanted to get out of the city. It was located outside of the city proper in a more rural area. This place was spread out over seventy acres, had several buildings and was disguised as a school for wayward teens. A large dorming house was centered around several small outbuildings that were training studios and a small farm. Cameron used this place to break in the toughest of his recruits, the unruly and the ones too powerful to stay in control. It was private and small disasters caused by any reckless kids could easily be covered up. Kyle clicked his tongue and they all walked up to the house. 'Shay was in front and sulking badly, Kyle had to keep shoving her along.
'Shay wasn't happy about this at all. She was all put out that Zander had made her look like an ass in front of Cameron. She'd had no idea until then that he was the one who actually controlled their power, she had thought all three of them had free access. This was something she was going to have to change and quickly. She wasn't about to sit back and lose face like that again. Maybe she could get Zander to fall back like Kimble had. It would be nice to have complete control. It would be so easy to die then, yes. She wanted to see her father again so badly she could taste it. Looks like she would have to wait, hopefully not for long.
They went inside and met the Headmaster here. He was a jovial man named Nate. He had been the Headmaster here for a long time and seemed thrilled to have some fresh blood in the place. He had seen it all and Cameron trusted him completely to clean up any messes that might arise. This place was mostly empty now, Cameron hadn't picked up as many new people that needed it. Nate showed them around and up to their quarters.
One of the first things 'Shay noticed was that this place was full of cats. They followed everyone around meowing happily and rubbing against their legs. She smiled when they purred loudly against her. She could see their bright tiny shines and feel their vibrations of love and welcome. It was unexpected and made some of her anger dissipate. Leon wasn't so happy. He despised cats and kept kicking them away with snarls until Kyle shushed him.
Nate brought them all to their rooms. Kyle told Leon he was bunking with Kimble and they should both settle in and get some rest. Leon wasn't too thrilled when he first learned about his new roommate. No one had mentioned this pairing to him. He hadn't liked the soft spoken Lover and was fearful the pilot would make a move on him. He was startled by the change that had occurred seemingly overnight. Lakotashay entered the room, her small box of clothes in her arms. She said nothing, but tossed the box on the floor with a pout and then lay on her bed. She turned her back on him and stared at the wall in silence.
Leon was stunned. This he had not expected.
"You okay, Kim?"
"Don' call us that. Kim ain't here no more."
Leon couldn't be more pleased. He had been told Kimble had suffered some kind of breakdown, but not the specifics. He knew Kimble was split but hadn't seen much of it for himself at the Club. He wasn't crazy about this new voice, it didn't fit the body, but he was hopeful that this personality wasn't so icky sweet like the other.
"You want to play a game?"
'Shay didn't move, but asked, "What kinda game?"
"You do what I say. If I like it, I'll give you some plasma."
She rolled over to look at him. "What do ya wants me ta do?"
He tried to think of something soft little Kimble would hate. "Hmm...Hit yourself. Hard."
'Shay didn't even think twice. She smashed her own fist into her face.
"Hey!" Zander howled in protest, waking. He had been caught completely off guard.
Leon squealed with laughter. This was too good.
'Shay ignored the protests of her sibling and sat up, dripping grey gel from her nose. She hated this place and everything in it besides the cats. What was a little pain to her? In fact, she found it wasn't that bad at all. In fact, she kinda liked it. "Wuz that good enough fer ya?"
"Sure!" Leon said happily and tossed her a ball of plasma.
You sick little cunt! Zander howled from within, rattling his chains in his fury.
Lakotashay didn't care. The plasma healed the injury from her self abuse and she lay back on her side, buzzed now. There was nothing like a good plasma high to take away the pain. She closed her eyes and let the warmth of it drift her off to sleep.
Zander paced in the circle of light, unhappy. He disliked 'Shay intensely, especially her violence. He was rough, to be sure, but she was reckless and mean about it, without purpose. At least when he hurt people, he had a reason. The thought of that made him remember Logan and the mean things he had said. That stupid asshole. He was owed some serious payback. If it wasn't for him, Kim would still be out here and not that sick bitch 'Shay. This was all Logan's fault and if Zander had the chance, he was going to make that fucker pay. That was a promise, as good as truth.
Zander looked over at Kimble a felt a stab of concern. The pilot was balled up tight in his chains, turned away from everything. Kimble he tolerated because Zander understood all cruelty had to be tempered with love. Kimble was necessary and he was missed. He had tried to rouse the pilot, but he refused to wake, still too hurt to want to face the world again. Zander sighed. He would have to build his strength and try to keep 'Shay under control. He hoped it wouldn't be too difficult.
(break)
The next day brought the first of some big changes for Lakotashay. When she woke, the first thing she tried to do was smash the mirror in the bathroom and cut herself with a large shard of glass. The noise of the shattering glass was louder than she thought and Leon had come running on the double. There was gel gushing out of her everywhere and she laughed with glee. She saw him coming and fled, phasing through the wall into the next room in an attempt to get away from the one guy who could heal her. Oops, her mistake. It ended up being Kyle's room. One quick shout from him brought out Zander and he shut off all of her power, keeping her from phasing away again. Unable to defend herself, she was easy to take down. Kyle contained her with a shield while Leon tossed some plasma at her and that was the end of that. When Gambit had said that Lakotashay was trapped, he hadn't been kidding.
Kyle forced the uncooperative Siskan down the stairs and gave her a thorough chewing out. He hated to do it, but was forced to remind her of her promise the Master not to kill herself. The idea of the whole Master thing turned his stomach, but there was no mistaking her response to it. She bowed her head and didn't argue. Her further punishment was to sit through an hour long lecture given by Headmaster Nate on the evils of suicide. If she tried to tune him out, he smacked her head with a ruler. Zander just laughed.
Kyle informed her that she was now going to be trained as she had agreed. The camp had small shacks and each one was a mini-classroom. 'Shay was hauled out to one of the training shacks and found Joshua waiting there, a sword in hand. He was dressed in a black Freedom King's uniform, looking strange without his robes. The fact is one cannot teach the sword in that kind of dress, he wanted the freedom of movement a regular shirt and pants would provide. He wore small sunglasses to protect his pink eyes from the bright morning sun. He twirled his sword with casual ease and raised a hand in invitation.
At first 'Shay was all over it. Here was another chance at destruction, if she could get Joshua to strike her with the sword, she might achieve her goal. Her hope was short lived. Joshua had brought swords, but they were dull and for practice only, they wouldn't cut butter on a hot day. Joshua wasn't so stupid as to give an edged weapon to a beginner.
She snarled in protest, but Zander shoved her out of the way and stepped up to his new teacher. He took the offered practice sword and they went to it. It was a difficult lesson. 'Shay kept trying to win control of the body and would jump in front of Joshua's blade, trying to make him to at least bruise or scrape her. Zander just phased, not letting the body get damaged. It wouldn't have mattered, Leon had been forced along as well. He sat in the corner just in case 'Shay pulled something stupid and another repair was needed.
Joshua was pleased with the progress of his student, the interruptions from 'Shay not withstanding. They didn't last once she figured out she wasn't going to get her way. Zander learned quickly, having some experience with swords himself. He made up for lost time quickly and sparred with enthusiasm. Joshua gave him some tapes to study on swordplay and he was released.
They went next to another shack where they were to be taught hand to hand combat. Back at Cameron's hideout, this course had been offered to Kimble but he had always declined, not wanting to do anything that might hurt someone else. Zander had no such reservations. Zander was tired from working out with the sword, however, and he left 'Shay in charge, cautioning her not to do anything stupid and lay down in his chains, exhausted.
'Shay didn't want to do anything. She resisted, just standing there in cool defiance until Kyle threatened her with another lecture, this one on the evils of sloth and underachievement. Kyle was not teaching this class himself, 'Shay was supposed to learn and spar with the instructor, a man who was introduced to her only as Texas. He was a large man, capable, and had no idea what he had just gotten himself into with his new student.
'Shay put up a token fight, but soon found a fun game. She deliberately turned into the blows of her opponent, making Texas hit her. She wasn't using any power to spar, so Zander couldn't really do anything about it, just as he had been unable to stop her from hitting herself. 'Shay found she liked the pain, it fueled her anger and newly hatched masochistic tendencies. Texas did his best to try and work around his uncooperative student, but she was a dancer and quick on her feet.
Kyle watched her misbehave with growing ire. He snapped at her to stop screwing around and she lashed out in anger. Her instructor had been standing by, waiting patiently. She reacted to Kyle's shout viciously, not at Kyle, but at her unsuspecting instructor with fury and broke Texas' nose with one bold strike to the face he never saw coming.
Texas gripped his face and bowed out, backing away with bloodied hands. He wanted nothing more to do with her.
" 'Shay!" Kyle howled in anger and stepped out onto the mat, protecting her victim with a shield. "Quit that shit!"
"Makes me!" she hissed and Kyle raised his fists, he couldn't help it. She just smiled at him until he lowered his hands and then she walked out, turning her back on his angry words. She was blocked at the door by a shield Kyle had raised, he wasn't going to let her dominate the situation. Zander held up his end and wouldn't allow her to phase through it, so she just stood there, her chin high with defiance. Kyle saw he was getting nowhere and then dragged her up to her room where he had her locked in. She smiled in the darkness as she heard Kyle screaming into the phone at Cameron.
(break)
Two more weeks passed by. Lakotashay was untrusted and escorted from class to class, never left alone for a minute. She soon realized that temper tantrums on her part only earned her boring lectures or an extra day's academic class. She learned it was best to just go along with things for now and wait for an opportunity for disruption to offer itself.
Lakotashay missed her girl skin and tried her best to feminize this body. She kept her hair loose and free and covered up as much as possible. Her movements were grossly exaggerated and her voice shrill and high. Sometimes she braided her hair to keep it from her eyes, but not always. When she had packed, she had taken some of Gail's things left behind. She had tried to wear some of Gail's clothes, her sports bra shirts in particular, but Leon threw a fit and destroyed all the things she had taken. 'Shay flew into a violent tantrum and they fought bitterly. Kyle had to come in and forcibly separate them, again with Zander's assistance. With the clothes now gone, 'Shay was forced to wear just the simple black uniform of the Kings and be quiet.
She practiced with the sword and watched the tapes Joshua had given them, making up for lost time quickly. Zander had eagerly embraced the craft, her memories were his, and it was clear it wouldn't be long before a more talented instructor would be needed. Joshua watched this with sharp amusement, happy to see his predictions of this ShaRain warrior being theirs come true. He never spoke the word Channeler again, but it hung in his eyes like a promise. 'Shay wouldn't look at him, she hated that look of adoration in his eyes. It was like she was a whore, an object to be used. If he had approached her sexually, things might have been different. He made no such move and so he repulsed her.
Michael was teaching her as well. He drilled her on the guns, rapidly making up for all the time Kimble had lost, and wasn't happy until she could build and disassemble any weapon he gave her. It wasn't long before she knew all the guns and what they were best used for. He set up a target range and she became a perfect shot. She made up for all the lessons Kimble blew off in no time, making sure to learn all she could about laser sights as well. He taught her grenades and small explosives. He co-ordinated with Kyle in teaching her how best to use telekinetic shields in defense against an armed opponent, showing her how the knowledge of guns helped her to protect her people.
Kyle did his share, too. 'Shay wasn't allowed to harm another sparring partner in hand to hand combat as she had the first day. He had taken over the hand to hand combat teacher's role permanently, letting Texas leave with his dignity, and used his powerful shields against her. She actually didn't mind all that much, it made her crafty and skillful. She still found ways to make Kyle hit her. It enraged him which made her happy and she gloated loudly, pissing him off even more.
Leon watched all this with amusement. He was never far from her side, being there to repair her of she tried anything, and he had grown to like Lakotashay very much. He found her cruelty amusing and loved to watch her get a rise out of Kyle. It made all this worthwhile. He was bored to tears here at the camp, there was no decent television reception and he wasn't allowed to leave to go to the movies or anything. They didn't dare have him gone in case 'Shay injured herself purposely or otherwise. That was okay, he had thought of a new game to help pass the time.
(break)
One night, on the beginning of the third week here at the camp, Leon opened the door to their room and shut it tightly behind him. He had brought Lakotashay a little surprise. She would be here soon, he couldn't wait. He carried a sealed cardboard box and shoved it next to his bed, away from where the pilot would see it.
Lakotashay came in, sullen and somber as always now. She set her books down on her desk and sat, ready to do some homework. With no Club here to amuse her, this was the only thing that occupied her time. She was breezing through the academics now, hoping just to get through them so she would stop having to go. She had swiftly completed Michael's course of weapons and he only required her to keep up her Marksmanship. Her shooting was excellent and Michael was pleased. 'Shay could have cared less. It was all bullshit to her. Her wishes and desires meant nothing to anyone here.
She said nothing to Leon, she never did, and went right to work.
"Hey, 'Shay. I got somethin' for ya."
"I ain't in no mood." The "hit myself" game had worn thin long ago. "I gots work to do."
"You'll like this. C'mon."
"This had better be good," Zander growled, his frustration spilling over. He disliked Leon intensely, but his vow to the Master held. Plus, he wasn't so stupid as to alienate his food supply.
Leon shuddered nervously. He was fearful of Zander and his anger, but not enough to stop. He knew 'Shay was stronger and would do as he wished. "C'mon."
Lakotashay sighed and came over. Leon took out the box. "You know how they say we've got to be ready for anything? We have to be ready to do what we have to protect the team?"
"Yeah?" Her disinterest was plain. She had heard this line from Kyle too many times to count.
"I got the idea maybe you didn't take that vow so seriously. I want you to prove you'll go all the way," Leon said, his eyes hard.
"I ain't gots no time fer yer stupid games."
Leon held a good sized ball of plasma. He had been holding back more and more, building up her need and making her ever more his servant. It had been a while since he had dosed her this high. He saw her eyes open wide with desire. She wanted this, oh yes. He had her complete attention. "You do as I say, and I'll give you this."
"As big as that?" Leon was prone to teasing her. She wasn't going to be toyed with this time.
"Yes, I promise."
His shine told her the truth of his words. "All right."
Leon opened the box. One of Headmaster Nate's many cats slithered out. It hadn't been that hard to catch one, they were all over the place and most of them were overly friendly like this one. He had lured it over with some food that had some drugs in it. The sedatives had worn off but the feline was still a little high. She was a friendly beast just the same. She went right up to Lakotashay and rubbed herself on the pilot, purring. 'Shay grinned and petted her. She loved the feel of her soft fur and the heat from her tiny body.
"Pretty, isn't she?" Leon said with a sly grin.
"Yeah. Is she yers?"
"No, 'Shay. She belongs to you now."
Lakotashay's smile grew wider. "Thanks, she's really nice."
Leon crouched down low. He made the plasma ball come back. 'Shay focused on it immediately and forgot about the cat.
"You like lots of things I give you, yes?" Leon said suggestively.
"Yeah."
"I need to know how much you want this, 'Shay." This was how the game was played. Leon always wanted something in return.
"I wants it...I always wants it..." Lakotashay reached out for the plasma, but Leon kept it away.
"Show me how much."
"How?"
"Kill the cat."
Lakotashay backed away in horror and grasped the animal protectively. She was mean, she was cruel, yes, but not like that. "I cain't do that! She didn' do nuthin ta me."
"If you don't, I'll walk out that door and you'll never have this again. You know I'm the only one who can do this for you, only me. I have the power. I know you want it." He rolled the ball around in his hand, watching her mesmerized eyes with glee.
"I-I-I cain't..."
Don' even thinks about it, 'Shay, Zander growled.
"You want this or not?" Leon asked impatiently. "I ain't got all day."
Lakotashay didn't immediately answer. She held the cat close to her chest and petted it. It was loving the attention and purring loudly now, winking its large green eyes up at her with joy. 'Shay was torn, nowhere near as calm as she looked. She was coming apart, torn by self loathing and her desire for the hot plasma rush. The plasma was winning.
"Well, I guess it's goodbye then," Leon stood and walked over to the door, taking the plasma with him.
"Wait!" Lakotashay said with a small sob as Leon's hand touched the door knob.
Leon turned slowly, dragging out the moment. He was loving this like nothing else. What a wonderful new game he had devised. "Yes?"
"Cain't I do sumpthin' else? I'll do anathin!"
"I don't want anything else." Leon came back and crouched down in front of her. He held the ball of plasma right under her nose. She could smell it. Feel its warmth. Her body shook and cried out for it. She gripped the cat tightly, deciding.
"Please...Don' makes me do this..."
"You have to. It's what being a protector is. If you can't do this, you can't protect us. If you can't do your job, the Master will lock you up someplace you can't get out of and you'll be kept alive forever. You'll never get out, never be free."
Lakotashay shook with unconcealed terror at the thought. Leon had found the mark, the right thing to say. She didn't care if Cameron liked her or not, but she was horrified at the thought of being locked away without a way to die.
Don't be so stupid, 'Shay. This boy is playin' you, Zander complained. He couldn't believe she had been suckered so easily.
'Shay said nothing more. In one swift movement, she snapped the cat's neck, just as Zander had done to a poor unsuspecting Clansman all those years ago. She had used her hands, not her power, and he had been unable to stop it.
Geez, 'Shay. Yer one sick bitch, Zander said and turned away from the screen in the Black Room, not wanting to see any more. This was so out of control. He was going to have to do something, the sooner the better.
Kimble had seen none of this. He was still balled up in his corner, unmoving.
Leon grinned at the pilot. "Well, that wasn't so hard now, was it?"
Lakotashay was her usual silent self. She cradled the dead cat's body in her arms now like a baby, and smiled slightly as all her emotions drained away. This hadn't been so hard, not really. Why, the poor beast hadn't made a sound. She petted it gently and watched as its tiny shimmer faded away. "You owes me some plasma," she said after a moment.
Leon smiled and tossed the plasma at her. She took it greedily and laughed as its heat spilled into her, washing all of her sins away. She fell over, instantly high and giggled insanely, happy now. She closed her eyes and slipped away.
Leon stood over her, his grin wide. That had been fun, truly. He couldn't believe she had given in so easily. It made him wonder just how far she would go. This was a large farm with many different kinds of animals, there were plenty of potential targets. He lifted the dead cat from her limp and unresisting arms and carried it away. It wouldn't do for this to be found, he couldn't afford for his new game to be discovered, not when there was so much more fun to be had. He slipped away, leaving her there on the floor, twitching slightly in her fevered plasma dreams.
"Father..." she whispered softly. "I'm comin'. Won't be long...won't be long..."
To be continued in Channeler Rising.