Chapter Three

The Plans

"Piggyback, Kai!" Georgie exclaimed, excitedly.

"Yeah, Kai! Piggyback!" Riku exclaimed, happily.

Kai remembered those days well, as he looked at a picture of him and the girls when they were toddlers.

They didn't worry about people like Nathan Mahler or Chiropterans because they didn't think that they would have to. Now Georgie was somewhere… he didn't know, with someone who was probably going to use her for things… he didn't want to think about.

He looked around the table. Riku's hair was down and disheveled. She hadn't had much sleep the night before, and Kai hadn't left her side for even a minute. Everyone looked so grim, and worried. "We have no clue so far as to where they went?" Joel asked.

"No, sir. We don't know," David replied, "Lewis and DJ are still out scanning the area where they were last seen, asking questions trying to find anything that might be useful."

"Has he tried to contact you at all, Kai? David?"

"No, he hasn't called," Kai replied, "I kind of wish the bastard would."

"How are you, Riku?" Joel asked, in a caring tone.

"How do you think I am?" she sniffed, "I'm worried sick. I don't know where my sister is, and I'm pissed. He was obviously stalking us, and we didn't even know it."

"How could we asses this situation so badly?" Julia asked, annoyed, "He called that morning, and we assumed we had time."

"I hate to say it, and I know how against it you are, but… Riku may have to have a Chevalier. Extra protection at this point is a necessity," Joel told them.

"How can you ask me to put someone through that?" Riku asked, wide eyed, "I know what it takes to create a Chevalier. That person's life will never be the same. I can't do it."

"You may not have to," Julia sighed, "There may be a way for you to have a Chevalier without having to ask a human to be one."

"Julia?" Joel looked confused.

"After Karl Fei-Ong attacked Saya and she killed him… David, Lewis, and Kai brought his remains back here. They're still in the lab, untouched. We have the information and the technology it took to create the corps corp. They created them using Moses' DNA. We can use the same technology to clone Karl."

"Why him?" asked Kai, "He was crazy."

"Because he's the only one we have. We couldn't get Solomon or any of the others. I don't think he'd be a threat to Riku," Julia told him.

"He could be threat to the rest of us," David said.

"I…" Kai began.

"I want him," Riku interrupted, "Do it."

"Riku," Kai said, surprised.

"I've heard every story from the past. I've heard all about every single Chevalier my… her… ever had. His story is so sad. If you can give him a second chance, I honestly don't know why you haven't done it already. Do it. I want him," Riku nodded.

"You may not be able to control him, Riku," David told her, "This is a huge chance."

"Control him? I never assumed I could control him," Riku sighed, "I hope that maybe I can befriend him, David. From what I've been told, he never had one."

"Feeling sorry for him won't change him, Riku," Kai sighed.

"Dad, it's my choice, right? Do it. Please. I want him. Julia…"

"Alright. I may take some time, but… alright."

II

David was waiting for Kai after the meeting. "I know what you're going to say, but she was right. It was her decision. You know… I tried to keep Georgie home last night by force. If I had just explained to her a little bit… I'll regret that..."

"This is a little different. This is Karl we're talking. AKA… the Phantom. He's very dangerous. I don't know if we've made the right decision."

"We won't know until we actually have him back. We have to put some faith in Riku, David. Have a little faith in your wife. I'm sure Julia knows all of the precautions."

David shook his head. A small smile came to his face, "She was awfully passionate about this… Riku."

"I know it was probably a mistake… but… when the Red Shield searched all of the houses that Diva and her Chevaliers had stayed in, we found some journals. You already know this, but I allowed the girls to read them. We had no secrets when it came to that life. One of Riku's favorites was in fact Karl's journal. She said it was the saddest thing she'd ever read. I have no doubt that the fact that she'd read a piece of his life had a huge influence over her decision to say yes. You know, David… I'm proud of her for having so much compassion. She's always reminded me so much Saya, while Georgie…" Kai laughed, "Georgie reminds me of me. The way she acts… I was just like her when I was young. Remember?"

"Do I?" David laughed, "Of course I remember."

"If he can keep my little girl safe, and help me save my other little girl… bring him back."

"Yeah… alright. Julia and the other scientists will get started on it right away. You have to know, though. It could take a couple of days, or… it could take months."

"We don't have months."

"No, that's why… while this is underway, we're still going to everything we can. We're not only depending on this. DJ, Lewis, and I are going to see Argiano. Do you want to go?"

"Of course I want to go. Count me in. If that bastard knows anything about Mahler…"

"Yeah. We're leaving right away. Be ready."

"Just say when."

III

Age had not been kind to Van Argiano. He was thin, and pale. His grey hair was greasy, and fell into his dull eyes. 'It's no more than he deserves,' Kai thought, bitterly.

"David!" Argiano smiled, "You're looking well. Is this boy your son?

"Quiet, Argiano," sighed David, "We'll ask the question."

"Very well, David. I don't know what I could possibly tell you that I haven't already."

"Nathan Mahler… what do you know about him?" Lewis asked.

"He was a strange on, that Nathan. He loved the stage, and he always seemed to love Diva in a different way than the others."

"We know that you studied their blood, Argiano," Kai began, "Why isn't he dead? Why isn't Nathan dead like the others?"

"So, he is still alive?" Argiano smiled.

"I think you know he is," DJ narrowed his eyes, "Tell us how?"

"Collins would know more about it than me. All I can really tell you is…" Argiano laughed, "Things are not always as they seem."

"What do you mean?" Kai asked, annoyed.

"Just that. I'm a tired old man. I know nothing."

"Is that all we'll get out of you?" Lewis asked.

"It's all I can give you," Argiano sighed, "You may not believe it, but it is the truth."

"Lets go," said David, shaking his head.

"Find Collins, David," called Argiano, as they were walking out the door, "If you can find that crazy fool."

"What now?" asked DJ.

"We find Collins," David replied.

"Do we have any idea where he is?" Kai asked.

"No, but we'll find him. Let's report to Joel, and then we'll go from there," said David.