So, I guess I owe y'all an explanation, and an apology. I had originally intended for the hiatus to only last a few months, not nearly half a year, but during said hiatus, I found myself unable to find time to write, because school(ugh), personal tragedies, etc.

Now, I'm not trying to sound pitiful or anything, but after looking at the stats, and lack of reviews, it makes it difficult to write, especially when I already have what I can only describe as chronic writer's block(huh, is this a new thing I've just created?)

So yeah, I see you, ghost reader. I'd really appreciate some feedback, considering these last few chapters have been pretty shit.

So, for you few people that still follows this little story of mine, thanks.

Sorry, this has stretched on for far too long, and you're probably just here for the chapter, so here.

Chapter 15: Escape

Jay P.O.V., 5 hours following "Escape"; 5:15 PM

It's not everyday you get to meet the ninja.

Kenshi's final words continued to ring in my head. Could he really be trusted? Sure he gave me better stuff, but it could just be a trick to gain my trust.

Suddenly, a siren started going off in the cell, and the lights began flashing red. A lockdown? Most likely, but who would have the balls to try to break in here?

Kenshi burst in, sword at the ready. He glanced around the room quickly, his eye finally resting on me. He grabbed my arm, yanking me out of the cell. He looked down both ends of the hall, searching for other mercs, before turning to me.

"Look, your ninja buddies have finally come lookin' for you. i'm gonna turn you loose, so you run your ass out of here as fast as you can, ya hear?"

"W-wait! What about you? The Overlord's gonna have your head if he finds out I escaped, especially if he finds out you helped me! He'll kill you, or worse, torture you then kill you!" I could feel my heart rate rising quick. I was not going to just leave Kenshi behind like that! Instead, he smiled softly. "Don't worry kid. I'll hold out, assuming you and your pals make it out, and that I have something else to blame."

"You're sure you don't wanna just come with us?" I asked one more time, hoping he would oblige.

Kenshi shook his head quickly. "Sorry, no can do kid, now go, get your ass out of here!"

I nodded, quickly turning on my heel, and running, running, running, not bothering to look back for anything, until I ran into a wall, or at least what I thought was a wall, until I looked up.

"Cole? Is that really you?"

Cole looked down on me, shock plastered on his face. "J–Jay? B–but how? The intel said that you were stuck in a cell!"

I pushed myself up, brushing the dust off my gi. "Yeah, well long story short, the commander of Atlas let me go free, something about a lotta them feeling bad for us or something."

Cole nodded, hopefully understanding me, until his fingers snapped, panic on his face. "Shit! Zane and Lloyd are near your cell! They said they were gonna bust you out there! We've got to get to them, and fast!"

Immediately sprinting, Cole grabbed his mic, frantically yelling for them to get out, and that he had already found me. Judging by the expression on Cole's face, the other two were not taking very kindly to the new proclamation.

"No, listen to me Zane! Jay is right next to me, seriously! You need to get out of there, and get back to the Bounty!" A slight pause, and then, "no, I am not hallucinating, I swear! Yes, I'm sure that I'm not dreaming! My hand is literally on his shoulder!"

Finally, Cole set aside the mic, turning to me. "Alright, we're gonna meet up with Zane and Lloyd at the Bounty, then discuss what our next move is."

I nodded, relieved that we were finally headed home. Man, what I wouldn't give for my Starfarer comics, and a nice, warm, comfy bed.

Lloyd P.O.V., 6 hours, 19 minutes following "Escape"; 6:34 P.M.

"Do you think that Cole really found Jay?"

Zane sighed, probably annoyed, which was a fair reaction considering this was the seventh time I had asked him the same question(well, ninth if you counted the times I asked while making our way back to the Bounty).

"Lloyd, as I have already said multiple times, yes, I do believe Cole found Jay."

"But how did he get out? I thought it was practically impossible for anyone to break outta there?"

"As Cole has already said, we have reason to believe that someone in Atlas freed him, and told him to run."

"Alright, but what of it's another clone? Then what?"

"Do not worry, my brother, I have installed a software that should allow me to determine whether or not he is truly our brother. In addition, I am prepared to ask him questions only the real Jay should know."

I sighed. "Okay, okay, I'll stop bugging you."

Zane smile slightly, the first I had seen in a while. "It is quite alright, I do not mind your rambling or questions at all."

Suddenly, the door flew open, revealing Cole, who was carrying a smaller, limp form slung over his shoulder. He trudged over to the infirmary, finally depositing the body, now identified as Jay, onto one of the cots, conveniently right next to Kai.

Both Zane and I rushed over, checking vitals, blood pressure, and running various medical tests.

"Lloyd, would you please pass the thermometer?"

"Sure. Here ya go."

"Cole, as much as I know you worry for Jay, I must asked you to please leave the room. Please, go get some rest, or food. I believe we still have some cake if you so desire some."

"Cole nodded, worried but understanding that he was just in the way. "Right, okay then, uh, I'll see you guys later, I guess. Just, take care of him, would ya?" He asked sheepishly.

I nodded. "He's our brother just as much as yours. Don't worry, Zane and I'll have him patched up in no time."

Cole nodded once more, before backing off, probably in search of that leftover cake. With Cole gone, Kai finally pulled the curtains, seeing for the first time what had happened to the Master of Lightning.

"My god. . . Did, did they really saw his hand off and replace it with a robot hand?" He asked, clearly horrified.

Zane only nodded, his face one of grim determination. "I am afraid so. Despite the most ideal solution being getting rid of the prosthesis as soon as possible, I am afraid we will have to risk keeping it, since we do not have any other readily available."

Kai only stared on in what could only be described as morbid curiosity, eyeing Zane as he cleaned wounds and treated scar tissue. As Zane worked, his mouth set tight in a thin line, he occasionally muttered a quiet curse, often so quiet, that even Kai, who was leaning right next to him, could barely hear it.

Recovery would not be easy, but it sure as hell was better than losing one of our brothers.

So, I know I say this a lot, but hopefully this year updates will come once every other week, or at the worst once a month.

If anyone has ideas, feel free to let me know in a review, or PM.

For now, have a good day/night

~The Titan's Shadow