Chapter 5: Unexpected

The ride was long and tedious. The only thing that kept me from dying of boredom was cleaning and sharpening my dual knife. Sometimes, I thought of where me and my companion were being transported to. I was only certain that it might be one of Stargazer's bases since they had "valuable" assets with them like my companion and his arsenal of weapons.

Few hours had passed before the sound of brakes awoken me from my brief nap. The rustling of feet and shouting of men indicated that we had reached our destination. Shaking off my tiredness, I placed my knife back into the bag and crouched under the sheets, waiting for the coast to be clear.

I raised the sheet just enough for a sneak preview of the outside. Luckily, the soldiers didn't bother to check the truck that was holding me and I wasted no time in crawling out of my hiding spot and crept slowly to the doors. The sounds I heard earlier began to quiet down so I assumed that the soldiers were leaving the area. Confident, I unlocked the doors and pushed it slowly to make sure no one knew I was in the truck.

There was a huge yard, filled with other vehicles and one helicopter with lights everywhere. I glanced back and forth, checking one area and then another before jumping out and crawling underneath the truck. There were no signs of any soldiers around. So far, so good . . .

I rolled from beneath and discretely; I got to my feet and scurried across from one vehicle to another. It was apparent that everyone left the premises but I couldn't figure out where they went.

So, the first thing you do is lose everyone? Great!

I loosened a little but my chest began to fill with concern. I needed to find them and where they took my companion. I couldn't let them do what they want.

I decided to head towards the fence surrounding the area and I was surprised at what came into my view.

Over the fence, a cliffside stood tall over a forest with an enormous river flowing through. Following the river upstream, my eyes glazed over a gigantic dam that stood strong over the environment below. It was sight to behold.

Stop gawking! You have more important things to do!

My thoughts pulled me back to the reality of the situation. I had to follow where Stargazer took my companion . . . and fast!

Retracting from the fence, I turned around to look towards the ground and I noticed footprints that must have belong to the soldiers. The tracks were fresh so they weren't made too long ago. However, I didn't think it was a reliable source but it was my only one and so reluctantly, I followed them.

The tracks lead me through the area and towards a small building that looked like a simple storage unit on the outside. It was disproved when a unit of Stargazer soldiers walked through the door in a straight line. This must be it.

I kneeled down to cover my form behind a rock across from the door and observed the commander of the unit swiping his card over the lock, securing it. The only way I was getting in the building was retrieving that card but I have to do it carefully. Any alerts could potentially ruin my chances of finding out what Stargazer is up to concerning my companion.

I followed behind the unit but remained a few feet away since the commander was up front so I needed to wait for the moment when he steps away from his men. I was fortunate that they didn't go far and stopped by their truck for a couple of drinks and smokes. However, the soldiers did their 'thing' for a while longer than I thought and my patience was getting thin.

Finally, the commander stood up to make an announcement, "I'm going for a shit. Anyone else needs to go?"

The soldiers shook their heads and the commander sauntered off into the dark forest. Here's my chance. I need that card!

I moved around the unit and managed to head in the forest, following the commander's path. He didn't go far and settled near a bush. His pants were down, showing his bleached ass while he took a wiz. It made me cringe. Just get the card!

I pulled my knife from the bag and snuck behind him. He was completely unaware by my presence since he began to whistle a tune that I didn't recognize. I raised my knife high and was ready to swing it down when I mistakenly stepped on a branch, creating a snapping sound.

The commander swung around and saw the knife in my hand, widening his eyes for a moment. His instinct as a soldier surfaced and he reached down to grab the gun on the ground but I was faster.

I leaped and slammed us on the ground with me above and my knife poking at the skin on his neck. Unlike the other soldiers I killed, his eyes mirrored calmness and anger at his attacker instead of fear. He was ready for something like this but I didn't like how he looked at me with defiance so I decided to do something else.

"Well, well, well. Looks like we got some little soldier playing in the forest. I wonder how stupid you can be."

The commander breathed heavily but out of rage at being played with. "Who the fuck are you? You're just some little girl."

"A little girl, huh? This 'little girl' is going to make sure you don't come out of here alive."

The tension between us grew but I wanted to make sure he got my message before I sent him to Hell.

"Just wanted to let you know . . . You Stargazer dogs have no idea what you're messing around with. You will get what's coming to all of you. Karma's a bitch."

My words filled me with elation. I wanted his to suffer first before he died. The same way that had been done to me. I wanted them to feel my pain.

However, his next words stunned me like a bullet to my heart, "You're a monster."

Those simple words . . . They were enough for me to stop dead in my tracks. I knew that I killed many people but never the innocent. I never took a life except for those who were deemed evil. A monster would do the opposite but the words he spoke shot through me as if they ringed with truth.

My hesitation was enough for the commander to knock me off and I landed with my back on the ground. He started to crawl towards the gun. Instinctively, I raised myself and ran onto of him before plunging my knife into the center of his back.

He screamed but I silenced him when I drew my knife from his back and back down through his skull, ending him for good.

I'm not a monster . . .

Forgetting what happened recently, I pulled my knife from the body. I wiped it down with the commander's shirt and placed it back into my bag. I began to search for the keycard and found it inside the pocket of his shirt. I had what I came for and I rushed to get back.

I returned to the place where the unit was and still drinking and smoking. I noticed some of them were drunk, acting like animals and trying to show off. Although I didn't like the sight before me, it gave me a running start since they won't be looking for their commander anytime soon.

Going around the drunken unit, I managed to sneak past and reach for the door I saw earlier. I prayed that the card would work and I held a breath when I placed it over the lock. I signed a relief when it flashes green and clicked open. I darted through fast and shut the door before anyone else noticed.

I was surprised that the door leads to an empty, concrete room filled with lights on the ceilings. It didn't make sense at all. Didn't the whole unit just come out of here?

I twisted around to gaze at every wall but soon a keypad caught my attention. I was half expecting that the keycard would get me in but the other half told otherwise. I figured that Stargazer would put in extra security since they were so paranoid. But, I always come prepared for anything.

It wasn't my first-time lock picking a keypad; experience with banks and ATMs proved useful but it wasn't something I was proud of. I had no choice in order to survive.

I snapped the cover of the keypad off with my dual knife and pulled out some wire out. It didn't take long for me to rehook them and upon doing so, the light on the keypad turned green. Immediately, the whole room shifted and I stiffened with worry but it quickly dissipated when I noticed the room was shifting down like an elevator.

An elevator in a storage building?

I couldn't fathom it. Stargazer's paranoia was turning into something worse that there was no word for it. I paced around the room since it was taking forever and I couldn't find anything to keep myself occupied.

Only moments passed by and the room came to a screeching halt, shocking me out of my pace. The door that I came through earlier, moved across and opened to reveal a long, white corridor. At first, I was suspicious about the new surrounding but I pushed myself to cross the threshold and stepped into something familiar.

The walls were pale, devoid of any color while the floor was cold underneath my feet, even with my shoes being thick as a tree trunk. In fact, my skin tingles from the cold air being pumped into the corridor.

I've should have known better. The memories of my time in the same, cold feeling flooded back into my mind.

FLASHBACK . . .

It's cold . . .

Lying on the floor in a fetal position, I turned back and forth from the last "session" of pain and torture. I wondered why they had kept me alive for so long. Every day I wished for death to take me away. It was better than this . . .

I was interrupted by the sound of footsteps and doors opening from the other side of my prison. Two scientists in white coats and one soldier approached me while I turned around with my back facing them. I wanted nothing to do with them.

I could only hear muffled voices from them and I tried to zone them out from my mind, ignoring when the soldier poked the head of his gun in the middle of my back. I tightened more into my fetal position.

No sooner did the soldier grab me on my shoulder and swung me across the floor. I grunted in pain from the impact but didn't have time to recover as the soldier pinned me on my back with his foot.

The scientists conversed with each other and nodded towards the soldier. The last thing I saw was a fist flying into my face, knocking me out . . .

I snapped out of my memory when the sound of beeping radiated in the corridor and I realized that I spent too much time just standing around, knowing that someone may have seen me.

Quickly, I opened a door panel near me and I ran inside before two soldiers walked out into the corridor and passed by, speaking about some nonsense until I heard something interesting.

"We had a great night. Not only did we find alien technology but also caught a live specimen. This might be our change to make a difference."

The other one snorted, "Don't be overconfident. Until we hear new developments from our scientific team, we need to wait and be ready."

I popped my head out a little to hear well. One of them sighed and then asked a question, "By the way, where did they take our specimen anyway?"

"Probably in the main lab section. They are not sparing any equipment that can use on it. We will see what happens."

After they left, my eyes widened with disturbance. They're going to torture him!

I couldn't let that happen. The pain from my past resonated inside me and throughout every part of my body. I couldn't imagine anyone else going through that. I convinced myself that my reason wasn't for my companion's well being but for anyone put in the same situation. It could have been an animal or another human. There was nothing special about "him". I just need to get to the main lab section now!

When the coast was clear, I scurried out from the room and hustled through the corridor until I saw a sign that displayed the room locations. I narrowed on the words reading "main lab section" and took off where it pointed the way.

I rushed as fast as my body would allow, causing me to lose breath very rapidly but I didn't care. I pushed my body harder as I turned swiftly around corners, dodging soldiers on the way. I skidded to a halt when I made it to a huge, two-door panel that as unlike the others I've seen so far. It had a sign above reading "main lab section" and knowing that it is what I was looking for, I frantically pried at the cracks of the panel with no avail. I had to find another way inside.

I went to the hallway by the side of the panel and followed it, hoping it would help me in some way. Sure enough, clear windows covered the walls and for the first time, I could see what showed behind them.

The main lab was enormous. It wasn't any typical lab that I've known. Dozens of men and women in clear, lab uniform moved about in uniform, working together at different stations near the walls. My sight enlarged with dread and my breathing stopped for a moment when I gazed in the center of the room.

Lying on a raised, steel mat was my companion. He was strapped on it with thick, metal bands that stretched over his legs, torso, arms, and neck. I observed that he must be sedated due to the darts that were shot into him from our last encounter. Also, I was sure that he would fight back if he found himself in a situation like this.

Still, I had to find a way inside to help him escape but I had no idea until I noticed some scientists were swiping their cards on a small door on the other side of the room. I recognized the card as the one I stole from the commander and realized that I potentially have my ticket inside. There was one problem: I would be apprehended if I got near them and all my efforts would be in vain. I needed to find some sort of disguise.

I crept closer to the same door and I noticed that there were some lab uniforms hanging close by on a rack.

I could use one to pass myself as a scientist . . .

Never in a million years would I imagine dressing up as one of those maniacs but I swallowed my pride. Either way, I'm getting inside.

With no one looking, I sprinted to the rack and grabbed one, making a beeline to an empty room to get dressed. I striped off my bag first and soon my jacket, shirt, jeans, and underwear followed until I was naked. I replaced my clothes with a white tank top, pant and covered myself with a see-through lab coat. I checked over myself, making sure I wasn't missing anything and I was beginning to build confidence that this plan will run smoothly.

Reluctantly, I had to leave my bag in the room, hiding it under a desk but I pulled out my knife and stuffed it between my pants and shirt for emergencies. I grabbed the keycard and placed it in the pocket of my uniform.

I slowed down my breathing in the hope of getting rid of my nervousness, "Okay. Hope it works."

I emerged into the hallway, striding along as if I was just doing business as usual. The other scientists just tipped their heads down in greeting. I'm glad that one recognized me but they were scientists and not the soldiers I encountered hours ago.

Once I was at the door, my hand reached into my pocket and gripped the keycard, removing it and waving it over the key code. A green flash lit up and the door slid open, filling me with joy that I managed to pull a stunt like this.

I walked a few feet forward and stopped to look around. The other scientists were so focused on their own work that I was practically invisible. It didn't bother me much. In fact, it was better for me to move about without being asked about my being here.

I gazed over to my companion in the middle. I was only a few feet away but once I began to move my feet, I saw Traeger move around him and I stopped in my tracks.

Shit! If he sees me, it's all over!

I decided to wander to an empty station and make myself look like I was working on something important. I kept my head down low but enough that I could see Traeger pacing back and forth with that irritating smile of his. URG!

I observed for a while until a door opened across from me and two scientists, a male and female, emerged and that was when Traeger strolled towards them with excitement. I was curious why he would be happy to see them. I could only guess that they were important.

He shook the female's hand first and introduced himself, "Dr. Brackett, thanks for coming. I'm sure you have a few questions."

The female named Brackett was interesting. She had black hair pulled into a pony top and was a little shorter than Traeger but she didn't seem like Stargazer material. She was more like a teacher who should be lecturing to students about biology.

She spoke inquisitively, "I only have two questions actually."

I listened carefully about their conversation.

"Why do you call it the Predator?"

Predator?

Traeger replied, "It's a nickname."

I puffed in annoyance at that statement.

"You know . . . Data suggests that it tracks its prey . . . like a game. Seems to enjoy it."

Brackett's face changed in confusion, "That's not a Predator. That's a sports hunter."

"Sorry?"

"A predator kills it prey to survive. What you're describing is more like a bass fisherman."

Traeger just smirked and corrected Brackett, "Well, we took a vote. Predator is cooler."

The other scientists agreed with Traeger and shouted out approvals towards the name. Oh my God.

Brackett leaned closer towards my companion and spoke like she was having a conversation with him, "You are one beautiful motherfucker."

I rolled my eyes. They had no idea who or what they were messing around with. If he could, my companion would gut and skin them alive without a second thought.

I had enough of their voices and I moved from my position and strolled around them but carefully so Traeger wouldn't see my face. My opportunity came when Traeger, Brackett and the other male scientist moved away and met together at a table nearby.

Okay, Anya. It's now or never.

I walked casually so I wouldn't cause a scene but everyone was still immersed in their work and pay no attention to me. After moments passed, I was standing over my companion, gazing at the features that eluded me the last time I saw him.

Without his mask, his face was revealed to me and I was in utter shock. He had four crab-like mandibles covering his inner mouth that was rowed with sharp teeth. The areas where his eyes should be were like black holes that sunk into his skull. His head looked like a crest while it had ridges on the edges where his dreadlocks protruded out. Tracing my gaze over his bare chest, he was built like a tank. His muscles popped out with distinction while being covered with a crocodile-like texture. I couldn't help but look down at him with amazement.

Wow . . .

That's was all I could think of at that moment. Even my inner voice couldn't speak, which it normally would and to no end.

Forgetting what I came here to do, Hesitantly, I moved my hand to reach out towards him, wondering what he felt like. I was caught in a trance; unable to pull away and lose all train of thought except for wanted to feel him. Nothing else seemed to exist.

However, my hand came in contact with his bare chest but I was stunned by an immense wave of emotions. Anger, fear, and joy jolted across my body and my hair stood up violently. All of a sudden, memories that I thought I kept deep inside me surfaced with a vengeance.

Please, leave me alone!

I could hear my child-like voice echoing inside me.

Why are you doing this?

My head pounded like a drum, threatening to explode.

Stop it! I don't know anything!

Enough . . .

STOP!

ENOUGH!

The voice stopped but my vision turned dark and I was pulled into another dimension like some out-of-body experience. Nothing was around me but pitch black and I began to tremble in despair. I was about to lose my mind until a vision played in front of me.

An old woman appeared in front of me with dark, black hair with greyish strands flowing over her shoulders. She was dressed like one of the scientists but no anger emerged from me, only sadness and fear. She rushed towards me with a worried look on her face, screaming something but I couldn't hear her.

I tried to lean forward but my legs were stuck, glued to the abyss underneath me. I decided to speak out to her but someone's voice took over mine.

"What's going on?"

It was my child voice again but it came from my own mouth and I couldn't understand why. When I tried to speak out once more, another person emerged from me like a ghost passing through me but to my utter shock, it was me. It was myself when I was a child more than ten years ago. I realized that I was looking into my past but was confused as to why I was seeing this now.

My child-self raised her voice more clearly, "What's happening? Please, tell me!"

Soon, I was able to hear the old woman's voice this time.

"Not right now sweetheart! We need to get out of here!"

She grabbed my child-self and tried to pull her, indicating that she should follow.

"No! I want to know! Please!"

The old woman stopped with a look of pleading in her brown eyes, "I'm a sorry sweetheart but we need to get you somewhere safe. You're in danger!"

My child-self started to break out in tears, "I don't want to go! I want to stay with you!"

"No! I can't go with you. I need to give you a chance to escape. Just listen to me and run!"

Their forms began to dissipate and I desperately reached out to them but I couldn't move.

"Just run Anya!"

I opened my mouth in an attempt to call out to her.

"RUN!"

"MOTHER!"

I was pulled suddenly into the arms of a soldier and my vision returned, seeing the main lab once more but I realized that scientists and soldiers alike surrounded me. Also, I felt water running from my eyes and flowing down my cheeks.

I was dreaming about my past. Why?

I didn't have a chance to process what happened as the soldier wrapped me in a vise grip and pulled me up in a stance. I began to struggle but it was useless as the soldier behind me kept his lock around my shoulders and chest. Guns from others were pointed at me, ready for any sign of retaliation but I was still shocked and was breathing heavily.

Once I stopped struggling, Traeger strolled towards me with a 'got you' look, knowing that I was trapped.

"Well, look what we have here. The same person who fought us in Mexico."

Anger returned to me swiftly and I tried to contain it.

"So, how did you track us all the way here to California?"

I gave no response but glanced at Brackett who was behind Traeger, watching me with concern. Traeger snapped his fingers in front of me, filling my body with aggression.

"Not out of your trance yet? Guess you had some nightmare since you were screaming out loud."

I raised my eyebrows in confusion. Did I really do that? What I was seeing was happening in reality too?

I turned my head to face Traeger but he slapped me hard across my cheek, causing a burning sensation afterward. "I hope that might wake you up." He laughed along with his other men.

I wanted to scream in defiance until an alarm sounded and red lights flashed all around us. Traeger shouted out, "What the fuck is going on?"

One of his pals calls out, "Sir! Something is coming towards us! Looks likes it's emerging from the sky!"

Immediately, Traeger ordered his men, "Send out aircraft to deal with it! Report back to me when it's done!"

The soldier acknowledged and ran out of the room.

Traeger directed his gaze towards me, wondering how he should deal with me until a gasp from Brackett alerted us about something else.

I looked where Brackett was gazing and my eyes expanded as my companion on the mat began to stir and clicking noises soon followed. One of the scientists confirmed what we all feared.

"He's awake!"

Soon, his eyes opened and I couldn't help but observe them with such detail. His golden eyes looked like they were glowing and it almost felt like they were human, showing anger just like everyone else I've seen before in my life.

The soldier pulled me away and some scientists scrambled frantically to hold my companion down on the mat but it was useless.

At that moment, I knew that hell was breaking loose.