December 25, Brockton Bay general hospital
Christmas has come to Brockton Bay, and Kane could care less. In the past, when he was James, it was a warm family holiday. At the same time, Christmas was just a date without any meaning except a free day from study and worked in his previous life. Still, there is a horrible feeling inside his heart that can not be satisfied.
"Speak with the director. He should have received the payment and prepare the car. I will wait in my sister's palate." said Kane and left the elevator. The door closed behind him with a click.
It would take maybe less than an hour to arrange all documents for transportation. Usually, it takes longer, but two hundred thousand dollars as a bribe to the director make things easier. Money is the greatest motivator to break the law, after all.
Brotherhood of Nod has a lot of money money, thanks to Clarke. Instead of making fake money as Kane wanted, Clarke suggested creating gold bars from Tiberium and sell them in the black market.
Waller made a deal with Number Man, a cape who helped criminals with their finance. Kane didn't ask for details. Amanda knew a lot of people, heroes and villains alike. So far, her connections were good for them. Still, for now, they need it to bribe people and acquire property legally.
It took him few minutes to reach the palate. The room itself was lovely, with a window that had a nice view of the nicest part of Brockton Bay. The last of James savings were spend on ensuring his sister had an attractive place to rest. Maybe the boy thought his sister would wake up sooner if her's surroundings were comforting.
Surprisingly, someone else was also with her in the palate. It was a girl with wavy dark-blonde hair. If Kane could guess, she would be around twelve or thirteen years old. Her outfit included blued jeans and a sweater with a high collar. Considering her age, Kane expected some Christmas ornaments on it, but there was nothing. Her green eyes widened in surprise to see him.
"Can I help you?" she asked with uncertainty.
"Well, you can start with an introduction and telling me if you knew my sister", answered Kane after getting inside the palate and stand in front of his sister bed. The girl was on the opposite side, keeping a bed between him and herself. Kane noticed she tensed a bit when he got closer to the bed.
"Jessica's family died during the battle between Empire and ABB. So if you can't prove that you are really her brother, I am going to call security." said the girl and tried to intimidate him.
Kane didn't expect that, especially from a young girl. After few minutes of considering her request, he decided to satisfy it. Taking his ID from his inside pocket, he handed it to her.
After checking it, the girl lost her aggressive attitude and looked a bit embarrassed.
"Sorry, it's just strange that someone visited Jessica for the first time since she got here. I am Missy, Missy Biron."
"James Reiner, but I guess you already know it", answered Kane and then looked at the ID, which still was in Missy hands. Following his eyes, Missy got more embarrassed and fast handed the ID back to him.
"So, how do you know my sister?" asked Kane, deciding to find out more about the connection between Missy and Jessica. Taking a chair nearby, he sits down and offers Missy to do the same.
"We are classmates. She is my friend," answered Missy, which didn't tell Kane a lot. James memories didn't help either. There was nothing about Missy, or at least James didn't memorize moments when Jessica mentioned Missy.
"Sorry, I do not remember if she ever mentioned you, but again older brothers don't listen to what their young sisters say about their friends," said Kane with a nostalgic voice. It was James emotions. He could not control a reaction like that even if he wanted to.
"Oh, I guess it is something older brothers do," answered Missy and smiled to defuse the situation.
Kane chuckled.
"I am thankful for your visits. At least someone took care of Jessica while I was away. I hope it didn't bother you."
"Oh no, not at all. As I said, she is a friend," said Missy and looked away when Kane smiled at her. It was nice to meet a selfish person for the first time since he got in Brockton Bay.
All members of his inner circle have personal interests to achieve, including himself. He didn't remember when the last time he did something kind without a second intent behind it.
"So, what are you doing here during Christmas? Not that I am not thankful for your company, but you should spend it with family and friends. Not in the hospital." Kane had noticed how Missy face changed when he mentioned family.
"My friend is dating Glory Girl. While he is getting her and Panacea, I decide to visit Jessica. We would go to eat something after," she answered and took a look at the door, checking if someone had come.
"What about you? After what happened with Jessica and your parents, it must be hard to adapt to a new life."
'Yea, especially when you are not James and live in the world with Kaiju and psychos with powers', thought Kane
"I manage. It wasn't easy at first, but nothing I can't take care of."
After Kane answered, there was an uncomfortable silence between them. Thankfully their silence was broken by Carver. He wasn't alone. There were also few nurses with him: one man and a woman.
"We can come later if you need more time, sir," said Carver and looked at him. Kane could tell Missy was confused by Carver and the nurses who stood behind him.
"Few seconds, please. I think Missy would like to say goodby," said Kane and Carver just nodded and closed the door to give them some privacy.
"What is going on?" asked Missy with a frown on her face.
"I decided to transport my sister to another hospital. Privat one with better medical health. Maybe they would help her there," said Kane and looked at Jessica. She was thin, lifeless. Kane could see a scar on her head on the right side where one of the Keiser's swords wounded her. Her long brown hairs couldn't hide it.
"But..." Missy bit her lip. She didn't know what to say. He was Jessica's brother, and he had a right to transport her to another hospital.
"Can I visit her?" she asked in the end with a bit of hope.
"The new hospital is in another country. But if she gets better, I am sure you would be the first person she calls." Kane tried to cheer up Missy and hoped she wouldn't cry.
"Thanks," said Missy with a watery smile and looked at Jessica. She should be happy that Jessica received better help. It would be something adults would do.
"I guess it is a goodby for now Jess, I am sure you will get better soon, and then we will have a girl night as we planned," said Missy and hugged Jessica. She would wake up, and when she came back, Keiser and Lung would be behind bars. She will make sure of it.
Kane led Missy from the palate and let nurses with Carver take Jessica away. Before he could follow them, someone called Missy.
Kane turned around to see a boy with blonde hair and brown eyes. The teenager has an average height and is in good form like he spends a lot of time training. His clothes looked expensive, maybe and elegant. He could guess that boy was from a wealthy family.
He could also see an attractive blonde girl who was holding a boy's hand. It was a Glory Girl if he remembers correctly. Behind them walked Panacea, who tried to look as small as possible, which wasn't hard considering everyone kept looking at Glory Girl.
"It wasn't easy to find you. This place is huge." said the boy when he and Glory Girl got close enough, then he looked at him. "Hi, Dean Stansfield. This is Vicky and her sister Amy. I hope Missy didn't give you a lot of problems."
"Hey," said Glory Girl while her sister just looked at him. When Kane looked back, he felt shame. After few seconds, he remembers why. He had meet Panacea in the past. She was the one who healed him, but when she couldn't do the same to his sister... Well, James wasn't moderate in what kind of words he chose.
Kane put those memories aside. "James and Missy was good company. I am glad she was here" after his words, Missy just looked away. It almost seemed that she blushed.
'Probably not'
"I think we should go. It is almost evening," said Missy and gave Dean a look.
"I also need to leave, and it was nice to meet you," said Kane and looked at Dean, Glory Girl and Panacea. While Panacea ignored him, Glory Girl was looking at him strangely. Without receiving any response, he left.
Soon after Kane was gone, Glory Girl looked at Dean who's face changed. Now it was more serious, like he was in deep thoughts.
"What's wrong?" asked Panacea after seeing that her sister shared a look with Gallant. Honestly, she shouldn't be here with Vicky but working. There were still some patients she might assist. It would be a good PR if Panacea saved a few lives during Christmas. At least she believes Carol might see it that way. Instead, Vicky decided to take her from the hospital to join Wards for dinner.
"He didn't pay attention to me", said Vicky, unsure.
"What do you mean?" asked Missy, now paying full attention to Vicky.
"My aura usually attract people to me even when it is weak. But this guy just ignored it like there was nothing. What was his name again?"
"James Rainer, he is Jessica's brother," said Missy, now looking at the direction where James go. "Do you think he is a cape?"
" I am sure there could also be another explanation," said Gallant. He still was in deep thought, like there was a puzzle he couldn't solve.
"What is it then?" asked Glory Girl and crossed her arms on her chest.
"When I looked at him, I tried to see what emotion he felt when he talked about Missy."
"Dean!" Missy raised her voice. She knew that Dean meant well, but she didn't need his protection, especially in the hospital and from the non-cape.
"Sorry, but it was strange to see you with an unknown adult," said Dean and raised his hands in apology.
"He is sixteen years old, and I could take care of myself."
"Huh, really?" Dean looked surprised. "I thought he was older." before he could continue, Vicky interrupted him.
"Dean, we can continue this talk in a different place, and others are waiting for us."
"Yes, you are right. It's just I never felt such strong emotion from anyone," said Dean and took Vicky hand. Slowly they begin to walk to the lift.
"What emotion?" asked Amy, joining the conversation for the first time. Missy also was looking at him, waiting for an answer.
"Rage"
December 26, Sanctuary
The ride to the Sanctuary wasn't long. Kane could see people on the street celebrating Christmas. Families with children or young couples enjoying sweet moments with each other. Soon enough, they reached Sanctuary, and he was left alone with Jessica in his lab.
Kane looked at Jessica and grabbed her hand gently. It was strange. She wasn't his sister, but at the same time, she was. His merging with James didn't happen without consequences. Yes, Kane was in control, but James left parts of him that influenced Kane. It took Jessica's broken body to realize that finally.
"Are you sure about it?" Waller voice broke him from his thoughts and forced him to look at her.
"Yes, this is the only way I can help her somehow", answered Kane and connected the last cable. The machine was finished. Soon enough, it would scan Jessica's brain and create something which would help Brotherhood more than any weapon could.
"She is your sister" if Kane didn't know Waller, he might believe there was concern in her voice.
"She is dying. Her brain is dying. With this, part of her would live." Kane couldn't save Jessica without turning her body into something from a nightmare, and in the end, it wouldn't even be here. GDI, NOD and Scrin technology could save lives, but the result would not be a life worth living.
"If you are sure. I will be upstairs with Price and Clarke," said Waller and was ready to leave, but Kane stopped her.
"Also, you were right" now, Waller was looking at him again.
"My plan is too aggressive. We can use Squiler better and Mush too. Tell Price to readjust the plan. Squealer should be taken alive. Do whatever you want to ensure her loyalty and do something with her addictiveness. Mush could be bought with money or bribed with technology if he refused. Kill him"
"What changed your mind?" asked Waller. Kane could see a small smile on her face. Sure she would be happy. New criminals for her to experiment with.
"I was angry and didn't think clearly. I wanted to hurt the gangs. Like a moron with power, I saw the only way is to start a war. There will be a war, but not now. We should use our time and stay in the dark for as long as possible." Kane again looked at Jessica. "We could avoid pointless suffering. Strike once and strike hard when time is right."
"I will speak with Price. I am sure he has plan B," said Waller. "What we should do with Skidmark?"
"Kill him. I have no desire to associate him with Brotherhood of Nod even as a member of your squad X."
"Take care, and I will send Carver with food for you," said Waller and left.
Kane clicked on the last command stroke and let the machine work. Jessica's body would stay here, with all medical care she could desire.
Kane didn't know how much time had passed. Few hours at least. Carver came once with a tray of food and left soon after. Kane ate some of it. He wasn't hunger, so half beef and a salad were left alone on the table.
"Where... am...I?" said a voice from the machine, and Kane smiled.
"Hello, you are in Sanctuary. Don't worry, you are safe here," said Kane with a calm and friendly voice.
"It is strange. Like I am dreaming, but I do not know what is dreaming. I could not remember something, but I just think..." voice changed from electronic into feminine one.
"It is alright, use the cameras. You will see me, and we can continue to talk."
A camera nearby started moving and soon enough concentrated turned to his direction. Then it takes a look at Jessica's body.
"I know her. She was in my dream. Who is she and who are?"
"My name is Kane. I created you," said Kane, "and this is Jessica. She is a part of you. I used her brain to create a fundament of your conscience."
"Then you are my... father, and she is my mother." said the voice, unsure.
"I didn't think about this in that manner," said Kane surprisingly. It was creepy and a little bit gross.
"What is my name, father?" she asked and turned the camera to look at him.
Kane took a moment to think about it. Something wasn't right. He expected to create AI with Jessica's personality. Not a new AI who consider him father and Jessica a mother. Still, Kane did the deed, and now the only way to stop it would kill the machine and kill this new AI.
'Hm, well, there is a name which might suit her', thought Kane. After all, he has a war to wage.
"Your name is Athena, and you will help me to save this world."
"Yes, father"
Well, new chapter! What do you think about our new AI? Sure there are some problems, but I am sure everything will be 'alright'. In this chapter, I wanted to help Kane become more mature, gain back some of his or my way of thinking, and introduce some of the wards to Kane. After all, it is a bit of SI, and so far, Kane acted not like I would some of the time, which is logical after Kane is not only me but also James. Merging two minds should have consequences, in my opinion.
-Thank you. I am glad someone like my story and can read it through my poor grammar. I promise to improve it, at least I hope. Thanks for review
Blaze1992-You have no idea how hard it was for me to keep a secret what I have planned next after your comments. In no way, in hell, I would seek a direct confrontation with PRT and other gangs until the last moment. James would but he is a 16-year-old boy who lost everything because of the gangs and PRT. He wanted revenge and influence Kane decisions until now. Kane is back in charge or at least partly, from time to time James emotions would influence decision making. I will not say if it would be a good or bad decision, I am trying to avoid spoilers.
Mohammad 'the truth' S: Oh boy, can't answer that without spoilers but it is a shard. There is a catch of course. I think people will be surprised when I reveal it if we ever get there. Kane's wrath is one of my favourite games in the CC series. I will use it Tech tree a lot of time if not most of it unless I merge technologies together and create something new.
S1m0nWr1t3: Partly, she can use it but the result would not be what she entirely wanted. Against Kane path becomes distorted but Contessa can use it against him in she needs. The question is would she do it?
Dragon0905: Yea, I found the reason why. I hope now it comes back at a previous level which is not perfect but better than in the last chapter.
Shadefyre: I am still not sure about Taylor role in all of this, but her fate has changed. For the better or worse I can't say right now.
I am sure you all have questions, which I might answer in the next chapters, so don't be afraid to ask or just tell me what you think about the story—still searching for the beta. If you know someone, guide them to me.