So this is the first time the Typhon are physically present instead of only being mentioned. If you have no idea what they look like a quick search of the specified type will fill in any details. Sorry I didn't include them but I was writing from the prospective of someone who already knew what they looked like. I only realized this once I was ready to post. Oh well. Maybe I'll try to go back and add details later.
To that guest reviewer who finds the human protagonists horrible, I can see where you're coming from but humanity will always do what they can to survive just as anything else will. Also, it's just a story meant to entertain. It isn't meant to be taken so seriously.
Only those who were necessary for the mission showed up this time. Andre stood by Jade with Tori on her other side. Beck stood in front of them, posture rigid.
"I've got the device," Tori said, holding it up.
"I got us a pistol each. Best to travel light and accurate," Beck informed them, setting the weapons on the table.
"Jade and I made a breakthrough. She tapped into the Typhon neural network and got a location," Andre spoke up when Jade didn't look like she would say anything.
"How did you do it?" Tori wondered, genuinely curious but also suspicious of the methods. When Andre fidgeted uncomfortably her eyes narrowed.
"Andre," she warned, hands on her hips. The tone and stance brought an amused smirk to Jade's lips.
"Well, you see, something had to be done-" he tried to explain. Jade beat him to it.
"He effectively pissed me off. I attacked him, he shot me. The injury called in some help that created a link to the neural network," Jade stated factually. At the sound of Jade injured Tori rounded on Andre. She lunged but Jade effortlessly intervened, holding her back.
"As he said, it had to be done. I'm fine, see?" Jade assured her. Tori looked her up and down, scrutinizing. Eventually, she relented.
"Fine. So where is it?" she asked gruffly.
"That way," Jade answered, pointing off to the right in a general direction. The three humans stared at her, puzzled.
"So you don't know the actual location?" Beck demanded.
"I can only sense the direction the signal is coming from," she explained. Beck sighed at the inconvenience but holstered a pistol, ready to set out.
"Let's go," he ordered. Tori picked up the second pistol but Jade turned away from the third.
"I don't need one," she said, noticing Tori and Beck giving her a look.
"Being able to sense the network isn't the only thing I can do now," she hinted, unwilling to go into detail. She didn't like how far removed from them she felt. She almost wished she could go back to her previously lost state of mind. At least then she could pretend she was more human than Typhon. Beck gave Tori a disapproving look but she shrugged it off, worried for Jade. She could see the conflict in her expression. She was just as unhappy with the change as Beck was.
Tori held out her hand, waiting for Jade to take it. Jade stared at it a moment, deliberating. It was a simple gesture but it meant so much more. She placed her hand in Tori's and enjoyed how well they fit together. The heat coming through Tori's gloved hand on her cool one gave her some peace of mind.
"We have to get moving. Lead the way," he pressed. Jade strode ahead, Tori at her side. Her presence alone kept her clearheaded. It reminded her that not only was humanity in danger, but Tori was too. Something foreign within her raged at her betrayal but it wasn't as strong as the need to keep Tori safe at all costs. Two instincts, now even more at odds than before. They passed through corridors, rooms, and halls until Jade stopped them at one of the many wide windows looking out into space.
"If we take a shuttle out in that direction we'll find it," Jade informed them. Tori and Beck exchanged a look Jade didn't understand.
"That's the direction of the destroyed Talos I. When the outbreak happened Morgan thought the best course of action was to blow up the station. It only destroyed years of work. The Apex Typhon didn't survive the blast but others did. They reached Earth and summoned a new Apex. That and the many Nightmares easily outmatched our firepower. It didn't help that they multiplied so efficiently. When one of us fell two of them were born," Beck spoke up, hate clear in his words. Hate that was justified. Jade didn't know how to feel so she concentrated on moving forward.
"Where are the shuttles?" she inquired. A short trip to the shuttle bay and they were ready for takeoff. Trina gave them the go ahead to launch and in no time they were traveling through outer space. Beck navigated around the various pieces of debris when they got closer to the ruins that was Talos I. Jade leaned forward.
"There," she pointed out, leaning over Beck's shoulder. He shifted away from her but looked where she directed. Within the middle of the shattered main tower was a bright yellow light surrounded by smaller filaments that spiraled and arced out in all directions. He pressed forward in that direction, careful not to crash into anything on the way. He tried to avoid the Coral but it was impossible.
"It won't hurt you to go through it," Jade reminded him.
"I just don't like touching it. It feels weird," he complained, flinching just as they passed through a large concentration. Tori had to agree that it did feel weird, but that wasn't a bad thing. She was oddly quiet, eyes closed as if she could tap into the complex network structure. She opened her eyes to Jade staring at her, smiling softly. Tori blushed, knowing Jade figured out what she was trying to do. In thanks for trying to understand her kind Jade caressed her cheek with such care Tori swore she was her Jade. Beck averted his eyes to the destination, a sick feeling churning his stomach at the sight of the humanoid Typhon getting a bit too cozy with his teammate. They really could mimic just about anything, and anyone it seemed.
"We'll have to continue on our own here. There's too much debris," he announced, standing up. They activated their helmets and prepared for the feeling of navigating a zero-g environment.
"I hate this," Jade growled, clinging to the side of the shuttle.
"Add it to the list," Tori remarked, joking. Jade took offense a moment, aware that she was making a jab at the many things the real Jade hated. But that wasn't her, was it?
"I'll let that slide," she decided.
"It's not like you can do anything about it anyway. You look like a newborn horse trying to stand for the first time," Tori observed. Jade scowled, truly offended now. She pushed off the shuttle, launching herself at Tori only for her to dodge. Jade flew out ahead of the two, unable to stop until she remembered the Artax Propulsion System. She brought herself to a stop and turned to see Tori laughing at her, clutching her stomach. Beck didn't look amused.
"It's hard to believe she's not human, huh?" Tori asked him.
"Unfortunately I'm aware at all times," he responded evenly.
"Buzzkill," Tori muttered under her breath, not caring if he heard or not. She pulled ahead of him to help right Jade then took her by the hand to give her more stability. Beck stayed behind them, keeping a closer eye out for danger than they were.
"Andre used zero gravity against me. I think Phantoms are ill suited to it," Jade mentioned.
"Are you trying to find an excuse for how uncoordinated you are out here?" Tori questioned with a giggle.
"No. Just saying," Jade grumbled.
"Well, so you know, Jade was always terrible in zero gravity. In fact, it's already on the list. Just saying," Tori teased. Jade frowned and pushed Tori away. She lost direction as soon as she did but regained it quickly enough. She smirked at Tori for the accomplishment and Tori smiled back, finding it endearing that she had to brag. It was such a Jade thing. Beck moved past them at that moment, stopping to rest at the crack of the destroyed station. He armed himself and looked back at them.
"There's a Weaver and Cystoid nests in there. The radiation is off the charts," he relayed, referring to the warning clicks coming from all their suits' sensors.
"We could shoot at a distance but they're fast and we'll most likely run out of ammo before properly clearing them out," he reasoned.
"I can do it," Jade volunteered. Beck was just about to disapprove, busy trying to plan a way for him to take care of it, when Tori cut him off.
"She's been on our side this whole time! Cut her some slack! You'll have to start trusting her if you want to pull this off," Tori yelled at him. Both Jade and Beck were taken aback by her outburst but they recovered shortly. Jade felt a surge of pride and gratitude while Beck looked grudging. Eventually he nodded and retreated from the crack.
"Get rid of them," he told Jade. She moved past them and into the torn apart ruin. She listened to the clicking increase as she drew closer but she felt no affects from the high level of radiation. She waited for the Weaver to align with most of the nests and then sped up to the maximum speed. She shut off the propulsion so that she could continue at top speed and readied herself. The shadows hidden just underneath her skin misted around her and then burst into flame. Well placed tosses of superheated plasma struck the nest, scattering the Cystoids inside. She took them out then trained her shots on the fleeing Weaver.
She fell into pursuit, chasing it into a nearby crevice. Beck and Tori followed, careful of any remaining Cystoids. Jade cornered the signaling Weaver and took it down. With it nothing more than smoldering bits she backtracked. She came out of the jagged crevice just in time to see Beck and Tori take cover behind a chunk of debris. A passing Technopath had been flagged down by the Weaver as it drifted past. It was now set on obliterating the threats with the twin turrets it controlled. It steadily chipped away at their defense until Jade launched toward it. For a second it froze, attempting communication. She felt it in her mind, questioning. She answered with a burst of an electromagnetic blast. The turrets went offline and the two humans took advantage of the ceasefire to escape toward the heart of the Coral. Jade followed closely.
The Technopath soon regained mobility and started up the turrets. Jade sensed its intended target, and without hesitation, blocked the attack. Beck turned at the sound of Jade's pained cry. She had saved him. Tori shouted for Jade but Beck was already on the move. He flew forward, secured her, and returned fire. Well aimed shots at the glowing blue eye destroyed it. The turrets fell still once more and they were safe. Tori made her way over, taking Jade from Beck.
"Jade? Can you hear me?" she called, her hand pressing at the wound. She didn't get a reply. Jade was in the middle of recovery but woke minutes later.
"I'm fine," she muttered, pushing away Tori's hand.
"We need to repair your suit," she tried again.
"Tori, she's a Typhon, remember? She'll be fine," Beck told her. He didn't call her an 'it' this time, but she still glared at him.
"He's right," Jade admitted, though it bothered her to do so. She didn't like to be reminded. Even more so from Beck.
"You're okay, right?" Tori checked again for her own peace of mind. Jade nodded.
"You could have left me to die but you didn't," Beck stated, looking at Jade with some disbelief.
"I wanted to," she replied in a mix of honest and taunting.
"I wouldn't put it past you," he acknowledged.
"This is the part where you thank me," she continued to taunt. Beck's agitation showed but he kept it in check.
"I'm glad you're a traitor. It's the only reason I went back for you," he commented, as if he was describing the weather forecast.
"That isn't a thank you," Jade responded, her own temper ruffled.
"It's the best you're going to get. It's all you deserve," he snapped back, turning away. Jade and Tori watched him propel away from them. Tori rested a hand on Jade's arm, calming her, and then together they continued to their destination. They approached the mass of lights, cautious. Tori took out the device and looked to Jade.
"Right in the middle of the cluster," she directed. Tori placed it so that it was cradled in the middle then returned to Jade's side.
"All that's left is to activate it," she said. Jade nodded, already leaving. They were quiet on the way back, each silent for different reasons. Beck could taste victory and couldn't wait to return. Tori worried over how Jade was feeling. Was she sad? Angry? Conflicted? They wanted to bring an end to her kind and she helped. That had to make her feel something. Or maybe they didn't see it the way humans did. Maybe all they knew was existence and nonexistence, but didn't care how each came to be.
Tori couldn't help but think that this was probably how Jade felt all the time, questioning everything. She glanced at the humanized Typhon to find that Jade was already gazing at her. She smiled and Jade mirrored it. Tori loved Jade's attention. Always had and always will. It was no different now. She wanted this Jade to know that but felt it could wait until Beck wasn't there to hear. They regrouped in the captain's loft as soon as they landed.
"How did it go?" Andre questioned.
"The device is in place," Tori answered.
"With a bit of trouble," Beck added. Tori rolled her eyes.
"I keyed it to the console here," she said, looking through programs.
"Do I get the honors?" Trina spoke up, excited. Tori held her back.
"Why should you?" she denied.
"I'm the captain," Trina responded, like it was obvious.
"I think Jade should do it," Andre voted.
"Agreed," Tori, Cat, and Robbie added in unison. Beck didn't agree or disagree. He only waited for the outcome. Trina crossed her arms, disappointed.
"I guess that makes sense," she reluctantly accepted. They looked to Jade who nodded and pulled up the activation screen. She stared at the button, finger hovering. What made her hesitate, she didn't know. But the feeling of Tori's hand resting on her back was enough to touch her finger to the screen.
There was a far off pulse that swept closer, a force Jade was sure only she felt. Seconds later an intense pain carved at her brain. She screamed and fell to her knees, gripping her head. Shadows misted from her skin, parts of her limbs and hands losing shape. Black claws lashed at the console, destroying it, but it was too late. The device was in effect and doing what it was made to do. She stumbled to her feet, staggered off balance, and promptly collapsed on her side. There was muffled voices screaming around her, adding to the wavering tones in her head, until everything went black.
Coming back into consciousness was not something Jade expected, but she started to wake up all the same.
"Hey, I think she's waking up," Andre remarked. She opened her eyes and saw him waving Tori over. She leaned over Jade and stroked her cheek.
"How are you feeling?" she asked. Jade only shook her head and closed her eyes. She still remembered the waves of pain, a dull ache now mimicking it. She was surprised that she was even alive.
"The device worked. The Typhon were disabled and a dispatch team was sent out with the last of our military forces to destroy any that remained," Andre told her. She didn't mourn the loss. She was glad they were gone. Maybe now she could pretend to be human now that the threat of their invasion wasn't hanging over everyone's head.
"I didn't die," she stated, relieved.
"Obviously. It seems that the Typhon part of you bonded strongly with the memories we implanted in you. It was strong enough to keep you alive. Better yet, the blast killed off most of your Typhon DNA. There's only about ten percent left. You're now a stronger, faster, human with above average sensory abilities. Congrats," Andre explained, trying at levity.
"Everything hurts," she groaned, pressing a hand to her head then to her middle, right where she had been shot twice.
"The injuries left behind scars. Just like any other human would get when injured. Your shapeshifting ability is nonexistent along with the ability to regenerate. Probably because there's no source to help you so let's not push the damage just yet and let you rest," he recommended. Jade had to agree with him. There was no such thing as pain when she could regenerate instantly, less so when she stood in the gray area between, but now she had to be careful. It was only then when she noticed the lack of whispering in her mind. It was nice to hear nothing but the various sounds of electrical equipment around the medical room. She rested her gaze on Tori. She grinned back, excited to see that Jade would be okay. Andre smiled at them and conveniently became absent to give them time alone.
"When you're feeling better I thought we could…you know, hang out more. I can tell you stories. It could help bring back more memories," Tori proposed.
"I'd like that," Jade agreed. They shared a smile.
"Then I'll let you get some rest. I'll visit when I can," Tori said, taking a step back.
"Wait," Jade requested, gripping her wrist. Tori froze in place, meeting Jade's eyes. She waited patiently but Jade only stared, struggling with something. Tori was just about to ask her if she was all right but she was suddenly pulled forward so spontaneously that she fell forward. Jade steadied her so that she ended up leaning over her. Tori's heart rate sped at the close proximity and Jade smirked, challenging. Tori leaned in the rest of the way, capturing Jade's lips with her own. She pulled back with an idiotic grin.
"You aren't Jade, but everything that makes her who she is, is right here. It's like she's reborn, not recreated. And I think…I think I can love you just the same," she confessed. After all, to Tori she felt the same, smelled the same, acted the same, talked the same, and even thought like her. The only difference was how she came to be. It would be interesting to discover new aspects while enjoying what she already knew.
It took Jade a few days to recover, but when she did she was released to freely wander. Everyone knew that she played a part in their victory. She wasn't keen on trusting anyone she didn't know just yet, seeing as they only seemed to change their opinion on her based on the fact that she was more human than alien. She wanted to be liked for who she was not what she became. Which was why she only placed her trust in those who were with her from the start. Beck was still up for debate, but she didn't feel bad for returning his dislike. Tori didn't really like him either.
Victoria Vega. Hearing her full name struck a cord in her the first time she heard it. The name was beautiful. Perfect for the woman she was sure she was falling in love with. Surely having Jade's memories made her bias, but as it was pointed out many times, she wasn't Jade. She was something else, a combination of a new conscious merged with an old one. The result still loved Tori.
She especially loved when they had down time. It was hard to come by, what with the reconstruction of their civilization down on Earth. They already talked about moving there but they both agreed that they would remain on Talos II. Currently, they were in their shared room, lying in bed. They were watching a movie Tori managed to save and take with her when she evacuated. It was playing on the computer across from them. She claimed it was a favorite of theirs, a tragic tale that made both women cry without fail every time. Jade kept an open mind as she watched, highly aware of Tori curled up in her arms, their bodies in full contact.
As a Typhon there was nothing as distracting or persistent as the desire humans were able to feel. Tori was careful to ease her into intimacy. It was a gift and a curse. When traded equally it was the greatest feeling in the world, but should Tori feel like teasing her it was pure torture. The end of the film arrived with tears welling in Tori's eyes. Seeing Tori crying was sadder than the movie's ending. Tori wiped at her eyes but stopped altogether when she saw no tears in Jade's eyes. Just furrowed brows and sadness prevalent in her gaze.
"You don't think it's sad?" she asked, disbelief coloring her tone.
"It's sadder to see you cry," Jade responded softly, honest. New tears sprung to Tori's eyes at her honest words.
"You're crying again," Jade lamented, wiping away the tears.
"I can't help it with you," Tori admitted. She reached up and touched Jade's cheek.
"I miss seeing you cry. You were a secret softie. Acting all tough in front of everyone. But with me you weren't afraid to show how you felt," she mentioned. Jade recalled not wanting to show vulnerability with others. She could remember the intense sadness, the way it felt like daggers in her chest and put a knot in her throat. The warmth of tears building and then falling down her face wasn't missed because of what it brought but because what it signified. Had she lost emotional range when she went through the transition from an unemotional creature to a mostly human being? Things like the ability to cry constantly made her second guess herself. Tori saw her conflict and sought to fix her misgivings.
"It'll take time. Don't worry. Just because you don't cry doesn't mean you can't feel. I know you do. I can see it," she reassured.
"Thanks," Jade murmured.
"Besides, that actually might be helpful. There are so many people out there looking to hit you where it hurts. You might have the upper hand if they they can't make you hurt like that," Tori pointed out. Jade shook her head.
"I actually miss it," she confessed. Tori smiled with renewed affection. Jade dug deep, looking for anything and everything that would cause tears, but none of them had an effect on her now. She wasn't close enough to the situation. It was beyond her, attached with feelings she never personally felt. And then a memory came to her.
"There's one memory," she divulged, chest aching already at the thought. Tori witnessed the change and waited.
"It was when we- you and Jade, were being evacuated. She put her life on the line to make sure you survived, because she loved you with everything she had. She was so afraid, but not for herself. She was terrified of losing you. Life meant nothing if you weren't in it. The pain…it tore her from the inside out. It was the most excruciating thing to experience, but if it meant you would reach safety, she endured it. She endured it all for you, even if she would never see you again," Jade shared, voice breaking towards the end. The tears finally fell and a new wave overcame Tori.
"That memory is the most painful one I recalled. Nothing hurt me more than that. It makes me want to live up to it. To do anything to keep you safe," Jade vowed, turning to look at Tori. They each took in their tear stained faces but smiled at the mutual feelings that grew from it. Tori was fully and utterly convinced that her Jade was with them now. She would always be there, the base and structure of this new Jade that was both different and the same.
"I'll always love you, Jade," Tori whispered, pulling her closer.
"Nothing could stop me from loving you," Jade mumbled against her lips. This kiss wasn't rushed and new, like the first had been. It wasn't methodical and exploring like the many after it. It was familiar, full of devotion. It signified a love rekindled, one that would outlast even the coldest reaches of space.