Author's Note: Hello, all! It's great to be back! I had a very long and wonderful vacation that lasted longer than planned, so I apologize! But hey, I'm back now and ready to continue on with this delightful story! I'm sorry I worried some of you with my hiatus. And please know that I plan on getting married at the end of April. I'll try to update when I can, but I can no longer write as much as I used to. We'll see, though. I really want to finish this story at the most. Oh! Plus, I changed "Gary Foxworth" to "Liam Foxworth". I went back and corrected everything that I saw, but if anyone sees the name "Gary" anywhere, let me know and I'll change it accordingly. Thanks!
Unexpected
By: Mad Betrayal
"Most people are enduring a marginalized isolation. One of the great obstacles to modern friendships is the 'religion of rush.' People are rushing all the time through time. Friendship takes time…"—John O'Donohue
Chapter 32 ~ The Expedition
"This is stupid," Lloyd heard Brad mutter again, and the green ninja looked over at the one sitting beside him. Like the rest of them, Brad had been coerced into wearing a large, bulky, and absolutely cumbersome orange decontamination suit. Under the regime's orders, it was the precautionary standard for venturing up to the surface. Even though Brad had once again pleaded to the higher-ups about the spores being hazardless to humans and animals alike, sensibly the regime could not go by word-of-mouth alone, especially from someone who had never even been exposed like Jay and Cole had.
Though he still fretted over his mother-figure's condition, Lloyd tried not to linger on the thought of Jay and Cole holed up away and cut off from the rest of them in quarantine. His dad and uncle had stayed behind, and Aaron seemed reliable enough too. Thus, he felt he could breathe easy on that front. For now, however, he had to focus on the matter at hand: calming his childhood friend down. Wordlessly, he took Brad's thickly-gloved hand in his, and the other male turned to him with a furrowed brow and downturned lips.
Lloyd looked at him through the clear visor of his helmet, calm and patient. "Within the three days we're up here, all we have to do is prove that they're harmless."
"But I don't like the fact that the military brought all those weapons," Brad said, glancing over Lloyd's shoulder towards the front of the van. Lieutenant Steiner and Nya were occupying the mid-seats while two military personnel manned the front. Both women looked engrossed in a conversation between themselves, thus it seemed certain that they paid no heed to Brad's pensive comments. Having exited the bullet train twenty odd minutes ago, the expedition team commandeered a total of three vans and set out through the devastated and demolished New Ninjago City in order to assess the damage as well as study the alien plants. Though Brad dubiously believed that "study" was an operative word.
"It's only for their protection, Brad," Kai said from across the two beside Zane. He shifted, looking downright uncomfortable in his decontamination suit. "And yours," he added, seriously. "We don't know when the Seven Blowhards are gonna come after you, so if anything the guns can serve as a distraction while we go in close and kick their asses."
Zane frowned worriedly. "Let us hope that it's too early for them to make a move." He held out his hands and wiggled his copiously-covered fingers. "In these suits, we are horribly encumbered and may be more in the way than the military if the deities attacked."
Kai huffed. "Well I'll tell you one thing, if those assholes do show up, then I'm stripping this damn thing off regardless of what anyone says." His golden-amber eyes narrowed dangerously. "Those fucktards attacked our brothers, so I'm gonna be gunnin' for them for payback."
Lloyd silently agreed earnestly. For the deities to attack Jay and Cole while they were helpless and fleeing the climax of the meteor shower was beyond cowardly and dishonorable. How they survived the encounter was a mystery, but he could wonder about that later—perhaps even hear it directly from his kaasan's mouth when they returned. But one thing's for certain, he would have no qualms about releasing all of his power against the deities. They were going to pay for what they did first and foremost, and they weren't going to land a single finger on Brad. Lloyd solemnly swore this.
"Ugh…Lloyd, you're—you're hurting me. Let go."
Lloyd immediately loosened his hold on Brad's hand in shock and turned just in time to see him wince and cradle his hand to his chest. Appalled at his lack of self-control, he apologized to his friend profusely. "Damn, I'm sorry, Brad. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine…" Brad lowered his hand and flexed it. "Don't worry about me so much."
Lloyd at once closed his mouth at this, remembering Brad's declaration from last night. He could empathize with Brad's desire for strength and independence, for he had felt the same once upon a time during his early training days. But in spite of this, Lloyd still wanted Brad to depend on him—not to the point of codependency, mind you. But as partners, best friends, and…and… Lloyd wavered. There was something else, wasn't there? There was something else he wanted Brad to see him as. But why couldn't he say it? Those mixed and burning feelings from before surged frustratingly through him like water and fire fighting to cancel the other out. Lloyd felt himself tense and abruptly turned away, unsure of what to say or do. His hands clawed over his knees and a bump in the road jarred him enough to glance up and meet Kai's inquiring gaze.
Golden-amber orbs shifted quickly towards Brad in question, but Lloyd just shook his head at the elder, unwilling to unload his troubles unto his closest friend. "As for the Mana Cetra," Zane interjected smoothly, "if they are indeed sentient as Aaron reported from Cole, I doubt the military will be trigger-happy enough to shoot them on sight. All we need is common ground."
"Or, maybe it would be safer for them not to interact with us at all while we're here," ventured a new voice. Everyone turned their attention to Liam, the young lime-eyed private that had journeyed with Jay to the surface during the three relay mission. He was one of the few soldiers other than Steiner and Hawkeye that had come to respect the Ninja and valued them as comrades. After receiving everyone's focus, Liam sheepishly tried to run a hand through his vermillion-pumpkin curls. But upon realizing the futility of it because of the suit, he quickly stopped and lowered his hand. A tinge of pink ghosted behind the sprinkle of freckles along his cheeks and nose as he cleared his throat and looked kindly at Brad. "I mean, even if we were to prove them to be harmless that probably still wouldn't stop the scientists from trying to capture and/or dissect them. It may be best to observe them from afar and that's it."
Kai leaned forward to better see Liam on the other side of Zane. "So you believe Brad—just like that?"
"After the way he talked to the board," Liam shrugged, "yeah."
Brad smiled gratefully, while Kai smirked. "Doesn't take much to impress ya, huh?"
Liam sputtered, embarrassed. "I-I just go by my gut a lot, that's all. It's hard to ignore words said with such passion and conviction."
Brad blushed deeply, making Lloyd frown. "Oh? Is that why you developed such an infatuation with Jay?" Zane questioned, curiously innocent.
The corner of Lloyd's lips plunged down even further, thwarting Cole's patented grimace with its level of brutal intensity. They all had heard Jay's last transmission when he got to Liam's name. Something about the private doing "better" than Jay, with the latter calling him a "cutie"? From that, it was easy to deduce that Liam had come on to Jay in some form or fashion. Blood-red irises narrowed and zeroed-in on the young soldier's scarlet face.
"Ja-Jay? Oh…that was—umm…" Liam rubbed self-consciously at is neck. "…That was…just a crush. I knew right away that he was strong and wasn't to be taken lightly. And in the CCC, he proved how smart he was too—coming up with that plan and all. But I guess what really got to me was how wholesome and optimistic he was." A soft, reflective smile suddenly curved his lips. "He's amazing. Even when facing peril or certain death, he persevered bravely. And…and he's just so beautiful…"
Something inside Lloyd snapped. "You know he's not up for grabs, right?" Liam's infatuated visage immediately crumbled away as he looked wide-eyed at Lloyd's scowling face. "So you can take your unwanted crush somewhere else."
Liam recoiled as if slapped, hurt and disbelief overtaking his features. But then he pursed his lips angrily. "I already know that, Lloyd. You didn't have to remind me."
"Tch! Apparently I did."
"Lloyd!" Zane snapped in an admonishing tone, frowning disapprovingly at the green ninja.
"What's going on back there?"
Everyone turned to see both the lieutenant and Nya looking back at them. Steiner frowned at the obvious tension. Kai placed his hands behind his head and sat back with all the grace of a slipshod devil. "Don't worry, lieutenant. It's just Lloyd being crabby." He cocked a wry eyebrow at the younger master. "Must've not gotten much sleep last night."
Lloyd's expression darkened further as he met the other's pointed stare. Just what was Kai insinuating exactly? Yes, he and Brad shared a bed last night, but that was it. They didn't stay up late talking or anything. Maybe because you didn't want to hear any more of what Brad had to say, an insidious voice sneered in his head. You just wanted him to stay in your arms, undermining his own feelings. It was all about you. Breaking eye contact with Kai, Lloyd's heart throbbed soundly—guiltily in his chest. He wanted to furiously deny the sinister, disembodied voice. But how could he possibly refute the inner musings of his subconscious? Especially when he knew it was right.
Lloyd snuck a peek at the one beside him, and was shocked to see Brad's profile painted in misery and vexation, the long strands of his bangs giving him an even more forlorn appearance as he bowed his head. What? What happened? Did he do something wrong? Or did Brad just realize how truly selfish and unfair Lloyd was being towards his feelings of wanting more independence?
Steiner's honey eyes flashed from behind her specs. "Then he simply should've stayed behind," she said sternly. "You all know what we discussed before leaving: For the duration of this mission, all of you will be counted as a part of my unit. Therefore, I expect no insubordination or disruption to the team's unity throughout. Now, is this a problem, Lloyd?"
Lloyd felt a flicker of his elemental powers surge from his core, but he quickly quelled his anger, remembering his training. "No, ma'am. I'm sorry." He knew he had to be more careful. All of them were representing their clan. He couldn't afford to make them all look bad due to his temper and over-protectiveness. What would his uncle and dad think?What would Jay think? He just couldn't bear to disappoint them.
The crease in Steiner's brow ebbed, if only slightly. "Affirmative, just bear in mind—"
"Sorry to interrupt, Lieutenant," one of the soldiers up front interjected, "but we've run out of road. The vans won't be able to traverse any further with all the fallen debris and concrete in the way."
It was at that moment when Lloyd realized they had indeed stopped. "Looks like we're near the shopping district of the Rosewyvern area," the other soldier reported. "This might be the best chance we'll get in investigating the stores and seeing if we can salvage anything."
"As well as finding a suitable place to set up camp," Steiner put in. "Affirmative. Brooks, radio the other vans and tell them to get as close to us as they can before disembarking and rendezvousing with us. The expedition begins now."
Not needing anymore incentive than that, Brad was the first to move. Opening the van's back doors, he leapt out just as the other two vans flanked theirs. Lloyd swiftly followed after him. Stepping down unto solid ground, he looked around the demolished city. The sky seemed blanketed in a haze of ghostly silver, making it difficult to see more than twenty yards out. But regardless, the destruction was apparent. The once prosperous city had been reduced more or less into an ashen crisp.
"Damn…it's even worse than I thought…" Lloyd heard Kai mutter.
The winter wind blew in a howling cadence, but Lloyd felt not a lick of cold. Huh…I guess these suits aren't all bad… After all, he had retained some information from the debriefing, like how the suits had built-in thermal padding and would keep them warm while they traversed the ruined city. More orange suits clambered from the vans on both sides. Some carrying firearms while others brandished clipboards and laptop shoulder bags. Lloyd deadpanned. It was frightfully easy to distinguish soldier from scientist. Each of them was taking in their ravaged city with varying expressions: The soldiers, all clean shaven and square-jawed looked grim and hardened (save for Liam who looked more melancholic), and the scientists, most young and fresh-faced as far as Lloyd could tell, looked fretful and wary. Though there was one man in particular who surveyed the toppled buildings and mangled traffic lights with almost passive indifference. Behind the clear visor was a pale, oblong face. Thin lips set into a stoic line while sallow, almond-shaped eyes peered inertly at their surroundings from behind circular frames. Even with the bulky, orange suit on Lloyd could tell that the man had a very tall and lean frame, almost unhealthily so. Not to mention that his face looked a little too thin, like someone had sucked the air right out of it.
"Conflict and derision… We must remain vigilant amongst these people, brothers…" Zane whispered low enough for only him and Kai to hear. What? Did Zane have misgivings about this expedition? About the people? Lloyd already knew and witnessed the animosity between the soldiers and them, but surely with Lieutenant Steiner here… A sudden chill seized the marrow in his bones. Zane's sixth sense was never to be taken lightly. And more than that, it was always right.
The Master of Energy thought he could actually hear the murmurs of scorn and distrust from the strangers surrounding them. The heavy footfalls and crunch of rubble underfoot seemed almost deafening to the ninjas as scientist and soldier alike meandered and conversed with their own kind, ignoring the four outsiders. Well, excluding Liam at the moment. The friendly soldier tapped Lloyd on the soldier and nodded towards Brad.
"Is he okay? He looks kinda distracted."
"Distracted" was a sheer understatement from where Lloyd was standing. Brad looked completely unaware. His attention seemed fixated above and nowhere else. Curious, Lloyd followed his gaze, but could see nothing but the half-skeletal remains of a shattered building. A boulder-sized whole having pulverized the top left of the structure, creating splintered beams that seemed to stretch crookedly towards the heavens as if reaching desperately for salvation against the ruin. Lloyd glanced over at Brad again, but the other still hadn't moved—his gaze still locked skyward.
Now more than a little worried, Lloyd bridged the gap between him and his childhood friend. The others crowded around the rooted and distant raven as well. "Brad?" Lloyd called softly. No response. Not even a twitch. Something was definitely wrong. Upon closer inspection of the other male, Lloyd could see a slight glaze over the aquamarine depths. It wasn't quite like those instances back on the Bounty, but they were eerily similar. Lloyd tried again, this time reaching out to rest a hand on Brad's shoulder. "Brad."
The raven released a quick exhale, his breath making a small puff of white against his visor. His body loosened from its suspended animation and he moved to put his hand against his temple. But his face immediately darkened into a scowl once he felt the obstruction of the suit once more. "So stupid," he growled.
"Brad, what's wrong?" Yeah, everyone knew he didn't like the suit. But the glaze veiling over his eyes was still there—it hadn't gone away.
"Lloyd? No, not here. Not now. Can't call attention. Not here." The words flowed from Brad's lips in a tense whisper of discombobulated tandem. He clawed at the neck of his suit in agitation, but then quickly stopped, his eyes shifting warily from left to right. "Nya will come. Nya will bring good news. Then we move. I need—I need to keep him away. Can't allow him to—won't. Won't allow him to…"
"This is kinda creepy…"
Lloyd ignored Liam and spoke assuredly to his visibly distraught friend. "Alright, we gotcha, Brad. It's okay." Lloyd's arms itched to hug him—to pull him into his arms like he had last night. And all the nights before that. But he hesitated. As was the norm now.
"Nya will come… Nya will bring good news…?" Zane reiterated slowly.
"Nya's bound to come. She's just with the lieutenant," Kai said. "But what's this about good news—"
"Guys, guys, guys!" Kai was cut off by the shrill voice of his sister. Nya pushed passed two soldiers and sprinted towards them, her face beaming through the visor. "Ada just received a call from Aaron. Jay woke up! He made it through the night! He's still weak, of course, from the surgery, but he's coherent. He really is going to be okay… They both are…" A shadow of confliction flitted across Nya's face before it gave way to a small albeit relieved smile.
Kai pulled his sister to him and hugged her. "Well that's good news… Oh…"Attention is back on Brad then, who in turn rubs his arm and looks away, eyes averted and pensive.
"Hmph…I will excuse your lack of decorum, miss, if you would kindly repeat yourself in a more civilized manner."
Lloyd didn't think one person could sound more pretentious. And who else would the voice belong to other than the tall, stoic, tight-faced scientist that he had singled out earlier. He towered over his fellow intellectuals—and even some of the soldiers—like a stubborn, unruly strand of hair, his thin lips pursed so strenuously as if he sucking out of an imaginary straw.
He took a few steps towards them and his flock moved with him, like some kind of demented herd. Lloyd felt Brad immediately tense. Cold, sallow eyes looked down a sharp nose at Nya. "Were you perhaps speaking about the two quarantined men?" He asked pointedly.
"Yes, I was," Nya replied. Despite the obvious height difference, she stood unimpressed and unflinchingly against the man, with Kai hovering close by. "Ada just got a call from—"
"Ada?" The man cried, indignant. "Do you not know how to address a senior officer of military status? Hmph…I guess it can't be help from the uneducated… But displaying such disrespect is intolerable when living outside your caves."
"Excuse you?" Both Nya and Kai snapped, fury showing in their eyes. "Listen, you don't know us," Kai sneered at the man, his voice low and intimidating enough to cause some of the scientists to shrink back in fear. Even the man looked slightly apprehensive as Kai stepped forward and stood nose-to-nose with him. "So for you to just assume that we're "uneducated" is only proving how uncouth and unsophisticated you are, chief! So I suggest you slow your roll before you get knocked the fuck out!"
The tall scientist went from pale to red in an instant as he sputtered and floundered in rage. It was quite a comical sight to Lloyd, even some of the surrounding soldiers were grinning a bit. "How dare you speak to me so crossly!? Do you have any idea who I am!?"
"No, but keep talkin' to me like this and we're all gonna find out really soon."
"You heathen!"
"You asswipe!"
"Enough!" Lieutenant Steiner's commanding voice struck out through the crowd, silencing everyone, including the wind. She came from betwixt two of the vans with two other soldiers flanking her. Upon seeing their superior, the other soldiers saluted Steiner in respect, but she paid them no mind, her sharp honeyed gaze hardened into topaz as she entered the circle. The scientists scattered like roaches to let her through. "Back away from each other. Now."
Kai didn't budge, but the tall scientist seemed more than willing to turn his back to us. "Dogs need better training…" he muttered scathingly, and Kai again looked ready to snap out a retort.
"I said, enough!" Steiner ordered, scowling. "Dr. Heinz, such behavior is uncalled for. And Hayabusa, you shouldn't be so easily provoked. It is better to just ignore stupidity and ignorance."
Dr. Heinz whirled on Steiner. "I was defending your honor, lieutenant!"
"You were making a scene," Ada corrected sternly. "And I am telling you all right here, right now that I would have no qualms about sending any of you back, for I would rather work with dignified adults than squabbling children. Is that clear?"
Everyone responded right away, though some a bit begrudgingly. "Good. Now our course of action—"
"Before you begin, lieutenant," Dr. Heinz interjected smoothly, seemingly back to his pompous self. "There was word of the two quarantined. And I believe such important information shouldn't go unshared. After all, it is one of the main reasons we are all up here to begin with."
Lloyd rolled his eyes. Nya had been trying to tell the idiot before, and would have if he hadn't snapped at her about superiority and all that. Ada frowned at Dr. Heinz, obviously not liking to be interrupted. "I had asked Dr. Walker to keep me updated accordingly since the two quarantined are closely affiliated with Miss Nya and the others. It was a menial report. Their conditions have improved, and the ninja called Jay Walker is now coherent. That is all."
"So you say. But aren't the two Walkers related? Cousins was it? So how do we know Dr. Walker isn't withholding any crucial information about the quarantined males? What if his…familial relations curve his better reason and logic?"
Ada stood stoically. "Dr. Walker is a very reliable and astute individual, Dr. Heinz. Rest assured. And in any event, all crucial information about the quarantined would go straight to the regime, not me."
"Oh? I find it very hard to believe that Dr. Walker wouldn't share anything of worth to his beloved fiancée before anyone else," Dr. Heinz insisted. "And to add to his unethical behavior, he was even given the liberty to operate on his cousin regardless of knowing the rules against such things. And didn't once receive retribution. In fact, I'd say he was rewarded and given the authority to observe the two quarantined males as well." His sallow eyes narrowed suspiciously at Steiner. "Forgive me, but I believe the entire situation simply reeks of familial privileges. What a nice, convenient web you've woven, lieutenant. How long do you plan on riding your father's coattails? Even when he disapproves of your marriage to Dr. Walker."
What an asshole… Lloyd thought angrily. Now who was being disrespectful? He pretty much just slapped Lieutenant Steiner in the face! And Jay's cousin! Lloyd surveyed Ada's calm visage from beyond the clear visor, wondering what could possibly be going through her head after being so blatantly accused, belittled and undermined.
After a few tense heartbeats and churning winds, Ada opened her mouth. "If your gossip network was truly adept, you would know that my father hasn't been a part of my life for many years. His name holds little to no consequence over here in Ninjago as opposed to overseas in Europia. As for my fiancé, though he was indeed adamant in wanting to insure his cousin's wellbeing, he was undoubtedly chosen by the regime due to his knowledge and aptitude in the field of medical sciences." The lens of her glasses caught a dappled sunbeam, obscuring her eyes from sight momentarily. "In short, the regime chose him over you."
Dr. Heinz visibly bristled. "Now, if you are quite done espousing jealous and juvenile dribble, we can officially start the expedition." The tall scientist fumed, but otherwise stayed silent as Steiner began to explain their next course of action. Lloyd, meanwhile, could only listen with half an ear as he just couldn't get over the swell of respect he felt for the female officer. She had defended herself and Aaron against verbal opposition with all the regal calm of a true leader. It was nice to know that such a person was in charge of this expedition.
"Keep your loads light. We'll return for the supplies once we've found a suitable location to make camp. Let's move."
Lieutenant Steiner led the way off the splintered road, her M4 carbine strapped to her shoulder. Her two subordinates flanked her still, while the rest of the military units quickly got into a formation around the bundle of scientists, shielding them on all sides. Lloyd and his clan were assigned as the rear guard.
"I'm going to go check on Ada. I'll be back," Nya said. Lloyd didn't think it was necessary, but no one made a move to stop her from squeezing her way through the throng of scientists and becoming just another orange body among the rest.
"Kai, are you alright?" Zane asked in-step beside the fire ninja.
"Yeah, I'm cool. No worries, Diamond."
"It's rather difficult not to, though," Zane whispered back. "I said to remain vigilant, not try to deliberately get ourselves ostracized from the group."
"Well we're not gonna keep our heads down around these guys either," Kai replied pointedly. "I'll keep myself in check from now on, sure. But we're not here to make friends."
Harsh as usual, but Kai spoke the truth. The clan comes first. Though they would do their utmost to protect everyone here if something were to transpire to a violent degree, there weren't obligated to bend over backwards trying to please everyone. They were just going to be themselves. Besides, Lloyd truly believed that Steiner could handle her men and the scientists without them having to say a thing.
A sudden squeeze to his hand had Lloyd looking to the one beside him. Brad's eyes had returned to normal, but he looked somewhat pale. "Brad…?"
"It's him, Lloyd…" Brad's voice trembled as he spoke, his eyes shifting cautiously towards the front. Behind the ocean of orange, there was one that stood taller than the rest. That one unruly strand of hair. "It's him—Dr. Heinz. We need to protect them…from him."
Author's Note: Well this expedition's gonna be fun, dontcha think! But before we continue, let's go and see how the Seven Deities are doing…