I'm back! Yes, I know it's been about two years. I'm so sorry for that, I honestly lost the motivation to continue this for awhile even though ideas still popped into my head I just wasn't writing them down. And this year was also good and bad for me, and you would think that with COVID-19 I would be updating more, but no I've been super lazy. But, I decided that I was going to finish this story it, no needed to finish this story so I could finally start working on Season 2. Now, I'm letting you guys know now that I will update when I'm ready. I promise you won't have to wait another two years for the conclusion of this story. I know this is short, but I'm really not all that great with writing action scenes.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter for those who are still reading! I'm done rabbling on with the story!
Chapter 18 eXtraction?
Clarice wakes up the next morning to find Zingo facing away from her with her tail wagging in her face. Clarice laughs and gets up today the Frosts were coming to discuss how they are going to take down the Hound program. She grabs her clothes for the day and heads to the showers. Once she's fully dressed, she heads downstairs to get some food she doesn't have to worry about feeding Zingo because someone else does that. While she sips her coffee, she sees Lauren and Wes on the steps not too far away. They kiss and Wes heads upstairs and Lauren in her direction.
"Hey." Clarice says. "Wes is going back to Fairburn." Lauren says. "I see." Clarice says. "I just wish he could stay." Lauren says. "Hey, it's not forever." Clarice says as she places her hand on top of Lauren's. "I know I just wish he could stay a bit longer." Lauren says with a weak smile. "Hey, I bet if you leave now you may catch him before he leaves." Clarice says.
Lauren nods getting up quickly and running upstairs. Clarice laughs to herself and continues on her way to the mess hall to eat.
"What's so funny?" She looks up to see John. "Lauren left to say bye to Wes." Clarice says. "What's funny about that?" John asks. "She going up the stairs pretty quickly nearly tripping over herself." Clarice says. "Now that makes senses." John says with a smirk. "Hey I have something to tell you." Clarice says. "What is it?" He asks. Before she could open her mouth, Shatter comes over.
"The Frosts are here." He says to them and then leaves. John sighs and gets up. Clarice downs the last of her coffee and places her dirty dishes in the sink. She follows him to the monitor room. Lorna, Marcos and the Frosts are waiting for them.
Clarice leans on the bars closest to the Frosts. John sits on the table next to her while Lorna and Marcos stand.
"I just want to make something clear. We're working with you on this because the Hound program is a threat to all of us. But if any of you think that being here means-." Marcos is cut off.
"We're friends now?" Phobe says.
"Oh, you made it clear we're not." Sophie says.
"We're just here to get a job done, same as you." Esme says.
"Marcos, they're right. Stay cool." John says.
"I don't see a move here. The Hounds are already out there. They're kicking our asses." Lorna says her arms crossed.
"It's a secret program. We can kill it, but it has to happen soon. Our sources tell us Dr. Campbell is working his political connections to take it national." Esme says.
"What do you mean?" John asks.
"He's attending the Humanity Today Summit in Charlotte, tomorrow." Esme says.
""Humanity Today"? Is that seriously what they call it?" Clarice asks.
"Mm." Lorna says with an eye roll.
"I guess they thought it sounded better than "Kill the Muties." Every major anti-mutant figure will be there. Politicians, business leaders." Esme says.
"Purifiers." Phobe and Sophie both say while looking straight at Clarice.
"Security will be massive. All right? There's got to be a better-." John is cut off by Esme.
"We're out of time. This is our chance to grab Campbell and use him to smash the program." Esme says.
"So, we're kidnappers now? I thought we're supposed to be the good guys." Clarice says. She sees John and Marcos nod and Lorna rolls her eyes.
"Let's not get so high and mighty. I don't suppose you've shared your criminal past with everyone here?" Esme asks. Three pairs of eyes look at Clarice, confusion written all over their faces. "Do they not know about your old friends? Because we do." Esme continues and then shrugs. "But the past is in the past. Right now, we have work to do."
"Grab whatever you need." Phoebe says.
"We'll be back in an hour." Sophie says. Then the trio leaves.
Marcos and John both leave quickly. Lorna stays behind.
"Hey, whatever your criminal past I won't judge and neither will Marcos." Lorna says giving her a small smile. "Good to know, thanks." Clarice says and begins to walk away the Lorna catches her arm. "Just give him some time to cool off." She says then releases her heading in the direction that Marcos had gone. Shaking her head, she makes her way to her space and beings to pack.
She fines Zingo on her bed chewing on her toy Dino Clarice smiles then she grabs a backpack and puts a day's worth of clothes in before she gives her a hug. Slinging her pack on she leaves her space. She heads upstairs to grab some water and a few protein and energy bars for the road.
She sees John heading in the same direction that she is with his bag in hand. She has to tell him, so he doesn't get some warped idea that she was a bad guy. Sighing she walked over to him.
"John, we need to talk." Clarice says. "Hey, listen, whatever the Frosts said about your past, I don't-" John is cut off. "No, it's I-I need to explain." Clarice says nervously. "Clarice, we got a lot to do right now, okay?" John says. "Will you please just listen?" Clarice asks. John places the water bottle in his bag with a sigh.
"Back in Clarke County, I had trouble with some Purifiers. Basically, got run out of town. I was pissed. Started looking for people who felt the same way. I found some mutants who were pushing back. And it turned out that they were part of the Brotherhood." She watches his face as she finished. "You joined the Brotherhood?" John asked in a low whisper. "I didn't join anything. I helped them with a few things, and when they asked me to do stuff I wasn't down for, I bailed." Clarice says. "Why didn't you tell us?" John asks his voice still low. "Sage asked me what I was arrested for. Nothing I did with them-" Clarice is cut off this time. "That's not how it works, and you know it." John says. "I know I shouldn't have worked with them, but-" She is cut off once more. "It's not about that. It's about hiding it from us." John says. "As if you don't have secrets." Clarice says with an eye roll. "This is not about me." John says. "Look I didn't tell you this before, but ever since we got separated there were very few places that I felt safe. I just did want to lose that." Clarice says. "You know, when you ran off, and I went to look for you, I did that because I thought you were one of us. I don't know. Maybe I was wrong." John says zipping his bag and leaving Clarice with an anger and pain expression. Taking a breather, she too zipped up her bag and headed downstairs she ignored John as he was talking to Reed about some notebook and waited outside for their ride.
After about 30 minutes Marcos, Lorna and John joined her outside just as car the Frosts drove pulled up. They all get in and the only people talking are Lorna and Esme or whichever one it is. The rest of the ride Clarice, Marcos, and John stay silent for the whole ride to Charlotte. When they finally arrive, the safe house looks like a rich people house.
"I thought we were coming to a safe house." Marcos says when they are all out of the car.
"It is safe." Sophie says.
"And it's a house." Phoebe says.
"Hence the term." Esme says.
"It's just so….bougie." Clarice says.
"Well, if it'll make you feel more at home..." Esme starts.
"We could bring in some mold..." Phoebe says.
"Smash some holes in the floor." Sophie finishes.
"Don't worry about it. It's fine." John says looking at Clarice and then shakes his head.
"I'll see them inside." Esme says to her sisters and they follow her inside.
"There's a full security system, and we're set up for a variety of interrogation methods. Although, I should be able to extract any information we need." Esme says as her blue eyes glow briefly then go back to normal.
"And you have a fully stocked bar because...?" Clarice asks.
"Breaking Campbell could take a while. Why live in squalor? The X-Men started your little crew before they vanished. Our founders, they left us with more than a pat on the back and encouraging words." Esme says.
"You're talking about the Brotherhood." John says.
"So, he's pretty and clever." Esme says stepping a little closer to John. Clarice rolls her eyes. "In half an hour, our ticket into the summit will be driving down a road near here. We best get ready." Esme says then she points to the rooms that Clarice, John and Marcos will be using and shows Lorna hers.
Shaking her head, she places her bag on the made bed and sighs. She leaves her room after she finds Lorna outside and they pile in a van with Esme to the spot where they will be picking up their target. Marcos, Lorna, and John wait on the side of the rode while Clarice takes the driver's seat and Esme in the passengers.
On the side of the rode...
"The Frost sisters are supposed to be so well-connected. This was the best way into the summit?" Marcos asks looking around.
"Look, guy's a big fund-raiser for anti-mutant causes. He attends the Humanity Today Summit every year. If we're with him, we get past the gate." Lorna says.
"Yeah, I looked him up. Guy made a ton of money in pharmaceuticals. When he retired, he decided he
wanted to contribute to society." John says.
"Oh, yes. His way of giving back was going after mutants." Lorna says with an eyeroll. She taps into her powers and catches a mini knife in her hand from her leg belt. "This should be fun." Lorna says.
"Lorna." John says.
"I will play nice if he does." Lorna says holding the handle of her knife.
In the car..
"They are on board with this, right?" Esme asks.
"Yeah. They're in." Clarice says then looks back out the window.
"We're looking for a silver sedan. Should be through here shortly." Esme says.
"You sure?" Clarice asks still looking out the window.
"Very. He has an appointment with a certain reclusive billionaire. Unfortunately for him,
the billionaire's a mutant, and a friend of ours." Esme says.
"Mm." Clarice says then looks straight ahead.
"Still angry I brought up your checkered past?" Esme asks.
"How'd you even know about that? If you're poking around in my mind, I will portal you in front of a moving truck." Clarice says slightly fuming.
"Oh, please. There was no need for a mind reading. We have quite the network, and everyone talks. I don't see what you're so wound up about." Esme says with a shrug. "My point is that we have a lot in common." Esme says. Soon a sliver sedan comes into view.
"Is that him?" Clarice asks.
"Yup." Esme says as Clarice starts the car and pulls up in front of the sedan. Causing it to come to a screeching halt.
"Let's do this." John says. Lorna uses her powers lifting all three of her knifes in front of her and easily popping the front tire. Bennett locks his door thinking that nothing was going to happen to him now. John looks at Bennett and shakes his head then he rips the door off the henges. Marcos as his hands illuminated as he gets closer.
"Time to go." Marcos says as he burns the seatbelt with ease.
John grabs Bennett's arm as he pulls him out.
"Please I have money just take it." Bennett says.
"We don't want your money." Lorna says rolling her eyes as she grabs Bennett's bag. They along with a reluctant Bennett all pile in the SUV. Once everyone is in Clarice drives back to the safe house. When they arrive the Sophie and Phoebe are waiting for them.
"That was quick." Sophie says.
"Well take him from here. You all go get changed." Phoebe says.
"Changed what for?" Marcos asks.
"We will be Mr. Bennett's new security detail for the Summit." Esme says as if it was obvious.
"When do we leave?" Lorna asks.
"In an hour." The triplets say.
Clarice looks back at Bennett as the Frost take him into the living room. She then heads to her room and looks at the outfit. Seriously? There's no way I'm blending with this. Shaking her head, she grabs the uniform and heads to Lorna's room.
On the other side of the house in John's room...
"These guard uniforms? They have our shirt sizes. These people aren't screwing around here." John says as he puts on the clean white button-down shirt. "John. All this time I've spent trying to convince you of things, I could've just bought you a nice shirt." Marcos says with a smile as he fastens the last button on his shirt. "I know that you're not about to go out and start the Frost Sisters fan club, but if someone is gonna offer me this kind of help to take down the people who killed Sonya and killed Pulse, I'm in." John says. "I'm going along with this for you and for Lorna. But... I got to tell you this, I don't like it." Marcos says as he puts on his black suit jacket. "When I was in Afghanistan, in the Marines, I had to work with a lot of folks I did not like. But you fight the fight that's in front of you. Eyes on the prize. We got to grab Campbell today." John says determination in his eyes.
In Lorna's room...
"I don't know what good this outfit does. One look at my eyes..." Clarice trails off as she puts her white button-down shirt on. "Yeah, they get close enough to see your eyes, my hair, or the fact that three of us are the same person, then it's over already." Lorna says with a chuckle.
"Something piss you off?" Clarice asks gesturing to the bent metal. "Was it the Frosts?" She asks even though she already knows the answer. "Yeah. They tried working on me, too. Their whole "we're not so different" thing." Clarice says as she puts on the black suit jacket.
"Yeah, well, uh... they might have a point with that." Lorna says. "What are you talking about?" Clarice asks. "They, uh... they talked about the guy they think is my birth father. Said he was a part of all this." Lorna says rubbing her arm. "So, what if he is? Lorna, I know about this. You don't get born looking like me without having major X-Genes in your family tree." Clarice says then she pauses.
"You know, for a while, I thought that mattered. I thought that all the bad guys in my family's past made me one, too. Took me too long to realize that a tiny speck of DNA, it doesn't take charge of who you are. I really hope you realize that sooner than I did." Clarice says looking over at Lorna who hand her head down. I really hope she does or this will get bad really quick. Before Clarice can ask, they hear a scream coming from downstairs.
Clarice and Lorna race downstairs with John and Marcos not far behind. Once they get to the living room, they see the Frosts towering over Bennett their eyes blue and his mouth shut.
"Hey. That's enough."
"What?" Esme says.
"You think torturing some sad old bigot's gonna make our job any easier? Cut it out. Now." Clarice says.
"You're no fun." Esme says with a scoff as she Sophie and Phoebe stop their attack. Bennett gasps heavily. The Frosts go get ready while the rest stay with Bennett. After about 15 minutes the Frost return dresses identical to everyone else.
"Let's go." The triplets say as they all head out the door. Taking two SUV's they make to the Summit in half an hour. At the gate the guards check ID's. Once inside and when everyone around them enter the building they pile out. Marcos stands talking to the Frosts and Lorna while John does a quick scope of the perimeter.
"All right we got to make this quick." Clarice says when John returns. "Hey." He says but he can't say much else. "Yeah, yeah, but I want to say something first. What you did earlier, when you stopped the Frosts from torturing Bennett, that was the right thing to do. Okay, I think maybe I was too hard on you earlier." John says. "No, you weren't. I should have been more honest about that part of my past." Clarice says. "It doesn't matter, doesn't matter. What matters is who you are now. That you're one of us. You always have." John says. Clarice looks away for a moment. John places his large hand on her cheek so she's looking at him. He leans in and she does as well.
"Let's do this." Marcos says the pair pull away arms at their sides. Marcos looks between the two then shakes his head.
Clarice opens up a big portal John goes in first then Marcos and finally Clarice. The portal closes the trio makes their way inside. They wait on the stairwell for Lorna to knockout the power. Clarice opens her burner and nods. It was time.
John taps into his powers hearing if Campbell was coming up.
"He's coming up, with a few guards in the elevator." John says. Marcos nods getting ready to move, but John stops him. "Wait. Sounds like there's three more in a suite down the hall."
"Then let's stay the hell away from that suite." Marcos says as he and John make their way towards the elevators. Clarice stays back since they'll need a quick exit once they grabbed Campbell. Once they were in position the elevator doors opened and Campbell as well as his guards headed towards Clarice.
"Hey, Dr. Campbell." Marcos says
"Yes." Campbell and his guards turn around as Marcos blinds them temporarily. John deals with the other two guards while Marcos struggles under the third that turns out to be a mutant. Once John takes out the other two, he deals with the mutant who has Marcos on his knees bleeding out of his nose. John throws him against the wall. While they were distracted Campbell picked up one of the fallen guns. The elevator opens and some kids come out.
"Children! We're under attack." Campbell says picking up a little girl and hiding the gun in his suit jacket. "We're under attack. Just stay with me. We don't want anyone to get hurt. Get back in the elevator. Hurry!" Campbell says the kids listen and with the gun only in view for the duo Campbell smirks. "Your move, Sunshine." Campbell says as the elevator doors close.
"Behind you!" Clarice says as the suite doors open and three guards come out.
"Get down!" John says as he and Marcos run towards Clarice. Marcos slides down and gets cover from the wall. John grab Clarice wrapping his arms around her as bullet fusillade his back. Clarice holds on to him.
"Clarice get us out of here!" Marcos says frantically.
Okay so let me know what you thought, I know that I took away the kiss that happened in this episode, but I have a reason for that and you will see why in the next and final chapter. Everyone stay safe!