Chapter Seventeen:

Morning rolled in faster then usual. The blaring lights lit up above the panels of our bunks. It was definitely morning, somehow I've really been annoyed by it. I was the first one up. Then when I heard grunting, it dawned on me I wasn't. Splashing water on my face, I scurry out into the main hall to see Jacob doing a workout.

"Oh, didn't expect anyone would be up this early," he said in calm tone. It was oddly different as he stood up to wipe the sweat from his face.

"I didn't mean to interrupt or anything. Enjoying the freedom I see?"

"Freedom no! But a lesser tied leash yes, but no worries, you didn't disrupt me."

A puzzled mark draw over my face. This wasn't the usual icy shank I've been watching the past few days. It was as if he was a normal guy. What is he playing at? Walking towards the table I grab a apple and a pear. Talking a bite as go back to observing him with interest, I signal for him to catch the apple. He catches it's with ease taking a relaxed bite down.

"I don't get it?"

"What's there to get?" Jacob said holding the half eaten apple, while he stares at me with confusion, his brownish orange hair, a ruffled mess.

"You!" I snap half hearrdly. "You come here spouting this bravado, act like lives mean nothing. Now your acting tame like some pet, cut the crap." I snap a bit more as I march toward him swinging my fist near is face. Yet it eventually lands inches away into the wall that's he's next to. He didn't even blink or try to dodge as we're face to face, frontal contact.

"Why didn't you take the hit? You all know I deserve it."

"Because."

"Because what? Wherever we're heading; yielding you're conviction might get you killed."

"I just don't get it?" I shouted as I retract my fist backing up slowly. Some one going to kill my best friend if I don't stop them and you of all turning your disposition. I can't get it. If I faulter not only will I die, but my friends here and out there. That would include you, but not knowing if you're with us or against us is not helping." I said collpasing to my knees buckling under this emtional pressure.

"I've had all night to think of the situation. I was never in charge, everything I did was for them. They infected me and played me for a fool, I don't know about you, but I'm not about to let that stand. There are powers at play above us. Lamenting about the past isn't going to help no one."

"It's might take a while, but show them that you're not replaceable."

"Perhaps because after all we've got to work together," Jacob said lifting me up by my hand.

"For once we agree on something." I laugh a little.

An hour later the others had awoken confused and drench in leftover sleep. We had half an hour to it was Six am. They are surprise to find me and Jacob talking civilized. Everyone starts change into fresh clothing and eat bread that was left over, refilled extra bags for water and food storage for our journey. Soc was doing the final adjustments to our weapons, Jane help Curie with her hair, Nxy and Leon wander over to us.

"You've done enough of a shift, it's my turn," Nyx said with a long yawn whilst rubbing his eyes.

"That won't be necessary, we've come to a understanding. Jacob here will be of assistance rather then a hindrance aren't you?"

"Yes, in the end this isn't something a man can do alone. If we're not working as a effective unit, then in all probability the odds be against us."

"Mathematically his theory is correct," interjects Soc.

"No way in hell!" Shouted Leon.

"I'll take full responsibility for him. I have faith in Jacob! If he does turn on us you can take my life, just like that." I add by making my voice serious."You see that Jacob, I'll be the first person to believe in you. As of now my life is in your hands. So as my best friend is in mine."

"Your serious Ross?"

"Why not. Beside his first contribution is that we should have a leader, and it-"

"Typical Jacob." Leon burst outs interrupting me.

"If you'd let me finish Leon, you've known he selected Nyx."

"Me?" Nyx said baffled, as water spews out in shock.

"Who else could do it? I sure can't and Jacob isn't that person anymore."

With some tought and taxating complaint from Leon, Nyx would come to a decision, one we hope would work. He gather us over to the table as he decides he'll do it. That was a relief I was glad to have over, Leon wasn't happy but Curie and Jane did their best to cheer him up. Jane walks over to Jacob and oddly stare at another before he stood up to say something.

"I have an confession," Jacob says calmly. "I regret making Jane keep it a secret, but it wasn't I who cut her vocal cords. Not to brag, but I'm not that precise in a battle to even do it properly without them dying of blood loss.."

"Is that true? Soc asked concerned. She nodded and soon after Nyx confirm it.

"It was Joanna you see, she wasn't like the others she was working with what I know now is WICKED. Before panic could spread I had a story spun and took the blame for it. It's why I've sent countless people to kill her, she's was danger to our society. Was at least. Ultimately when Nyx beat and spared me, she was gone as if she was never there."

Jane walked up over to Jacob and storked his forehead before flicking it. For a short while and with Nyx help he relayed her messages. All this time she knew Jacob was misguided and force to be cruel. He'd had known that one day the people with guns would eventually come back. Alone he could have not fought off armed men. The Drone was a way to make an army strong enough to defend their home and eventually explore the outside world. Yet along the way his morality got drown out but the lure of power it's intoxicating call.

Still upset about the hardships they've haven't forgiven him truly, but atlest willing to try. Will all the talking done and half sorted reconciliation, the moment of Truth slowly approach. Before it did Soc took center stage by drawing attention to his quick dispersement of valuable knowledge.

"Listen carefully I'm only going to stay this once time isn't one our side. To my right is a folded paper and pens, everyone gets one. Once we reach "open air" like that man side each one of us will have to follow in a firm yet flexible formation. You're job's are to make a map, not of drawings but locations, buildings whatever pops out at you. I can't stress it enough, WRITE IT DOWN!" He commanded before he spoke again. "This way we have a verbal layout of a map. I don't wanna get lost or turn around. Secondly you'll each have a bag of water and a blanket napsack filled with supplies. Be careful when walking it's are only life line. Thirdly everyone will be equip sharp banister from the bed's, it what I was able to do in the short time." He said sternly.

"Ok my turn," Curie beamed as she pulled out a small crafted radio, I don't even know how she even pulled that off. "This is what I call a long wave monitor. It emits a beep in different frequencies depending on a transistor you're holding." She pause to pull out enough for everyone. "I can hone in a location of each individual who removes the pin. Use only if you get separated, it's a one time deal and the transistor is meant to last four hours. Another thing is the a compass, it doesn't work yet, but I'm sure I can find the components out there to get her going." Curie spoke as if happy to contribute to the cause.

"Alright this isn't the first time I've led most of you, what ever happens we stick together cover each other blind spots, find more food and water if possible. Lastly this is something nobody has to take on. But given the chance we manage to find anyone of Ross's friends, I'll do my utmost to save them, like he's help us.

"Can't me in." Leon said.

"He did get our little ones back to us, why not," nodded Soc.

"I love a good fight, you know me," laughs Jacob.

"Jane and I will do our best, just because we're girls don't mean you can underestimate us." Curie said with a zealous smile.

"It's settled, success or failure it'll be together!" Nyx said just like a leader would.

Six o'clock a shimmering white wall appeared out of nowhere it was our time to leave. We had five minutes and no longer. Everyone had been equiped, when Nyx stuck his hand through the translucent Flat Trans. He nodded and took the step forward to set the way. Leon and Jane went followed by Soc and Curie, leaving Jacob and I.

"Nervous?" I said cocking my head at Jacob.

"Honestly it's the fear of the unknown at this point, this Flat Trans could send us anywhere possibly the moon for all I know."

"Fair point, but we serve a purpose so it's in there best Interest to give us a fighting chance."

"Fair enough, I'll go first then you follow as disappear."

Jacob took cautious steps but eventually allowed the shimmering whiteness to envelop him taking him to the others. No time like the present, Ross. I say to psych myself out and like that I let the coldness wisk me away.

WICKED Facility-

"I did enjoy you're little show, it make us still apper to hold power Janson." Ava said from her desk holding a wine glass full of Rosë.

"Why thank you." He smiled like a mischievous boy.

"Right now, you're mission is to make sure Thomas is kept away from the Right Arm, all else will play out as planned." She took a sip once more of her drink.

"I'll only act if needed, but chasing them towards the other's is the only correction, correct?"

"Indeed, Thomas can't be allowed to die unless it is ordain by the variables, as shallow as that sounds."

Janson nods swiftly and heads back to work, before she calls to him one last time. "Janson, please tell me, that if you-know-who is attached to the harvester?" Ava said with trepidation.

"I believe so, if not I'll see to it?" He said stroking his chin.

"Thank you Janson, you're the perfect man to carry WICKEDs will. He might hate you, but in the end, when this blows over, you've saved him more then once."

"But of course. If I'm done, there is a lot I must attend to."

Janson said his farewells as he left. The coming weeks needed to be carried out without error. Killzone to map out in on compacity, making sure a certain person isn't allowed to reek havock on Phase Two as well get the blood samples gather for testing. WICKED had plans and backup plans, they would fine a cure if it meant resulting to barbarism. Janson prides himself as efficient and orderly even if his motives seem vicious. He is first and foremost an enforcer, he runs a tight ship, nothing is out of order as he sits back at the monitors and plays the waiting game.

A/N: This chapter took a while to edit, but I got it done. Sought of not how I wanted to end, but I just wanted to update the story.