Chapter 7- Enter Zeno
You've entered our world now. The people, they all think you're dead. You must hide in the masses. No one can know who you really are. You will talk like us, walk like us, act like us. You must become one of us. This is truly the only way to prevent chaos and confusion within our world. There is already enough chaos above ground, you know that firsthand. We don't need any down here. Good luck, Gohan.
It had been a full year, by Gohan's count, since Suren had said those words. Gohan still hadn't gotten used to the nickname given to him by Conrad. The large man had dubbed the demi-Saiyan as Zeno.
"Everyone's gotta have a cool nickname, man. You definitely look like a Zeno to me." the massive man told Gohan. The name, much to Gohan's dismay, stuck. Suren and Bulma began calling him that to help him keep his cover and many of the citizens Gohan encountered knew him by Zeno, as well.
Leaning back in his chair, Gohan took glanced around his messy room. Living in the shabby building in Avedis was fine with Gohan, especially since some of the citizens were sleeping on the streets. He looked around the room, taking in everything that was in it. Pictures. At least five on the wooden desk Gohan sat at, three on the nightstand next to the bed and various snapshots were scattered and hanging on the cold, concrete walls. Gohan leaned forward and carefully studied the photos on the desk. The largest one caught his eye. It was a picture of himself at four years old, his father and mother. They were sitting outside, under the large tree in the yard. Gohan remembered this picture, he remembered it clearly. And he remembered the past. The days when he had a home and a family. The memories collided with him hard. Gohan sank down in his chair, lay his head down on the desk and wept. It wasn't long until the boy fell asleep, dreaming of the way things used to be.
-Just outside Gohan's room-
The crying subsided less than half an hour after it started. Suren removed his ear from the door and turned to face Conrad. The large man was leaning against a concrete pillar, arms crossed.
"Well?" he asked as Suren looked at him, "He ok?"
Suren nodded, "He's fine. I was beginning to wonder whether or not he would break down like this. He's strong, I'll give him that. I hope it lasts."
"Hell yeah. He may be the only shot we got in beatin' the androids." Conrad said. Suddenly, a phone rang. Suren reached inside his coat and pulled out the ringing cell phone and flipped it open.
"Yeah? What is it?"
He paused.
"It's WHAT?!" he yelled into the phone. Conrad wore a look of confusion on his face, watching Suren. Suren calmed down slightly and spoke again.
"We'll be right there."
Suren closed the phone and gave a Conrad a grave look.
"Shade has been compromised."
Conrad's eyes grew wider, "Oh shit!"
Suren nodded, "Hoffman wants us back at base ASAP."
"Don't gotta tell me twice."
Conrad opened the door leading out into the street, holding it open for Suren.
"Let's go." he said, closing it behind him. The pair began to sprint towards the large, black building at the end of the street…
AN: Ok, guys. I know, I know. I suck. Football is over and I still don't update. Well, that's because I've been playing Gears of War. It kicks ass, so shut up. Anyways, I'll promise yet again to try and update more often and all that jazz. I've also been thinking about starting another story after this one outside of the DBZ genre. Something survival horror, perhaps?
P.S.- to James, AKA thestinger12- Ok, I know you didn't like this chapter. So, shut it.