cubelixa1: I'm so glad you're enjoying this! Thank you for reading and taking the time to write a review!
stargazingfromearth: Wow, thank you for the long review and the kind words! I'm glad you liked the descriptions. They were my favorite part of writing this chapter. I think the mental connection is very intriguing and hopefully you'll like where I go with it. And I'm so glad the characters are more or less in canon!
Tori LMX: To answer your question, here's the next chapter! I apologize for how long it's taken. This story probably won't be updated as quickly as any of us would like, but I've got lots of ideas for it and I really want to continue so I'll try and update as quickly as I can!
Hope everybody enjoys. More notes at the bottom.
"You heard a voice," said Hal, looking to Ben for confirmation.
"It was a girl's voice. It was cold. It said something about accepting an offer."
"You think it was hers?" pressed Hal, nodding to the girl.
She remained on the table, sitting up with her arms drawn around her legs, which were gathered to her chest. To Anne's surprise and Hal's discomfort, the girl had broken the strap restraining her when she had reached out for Ben's jacket. She had torn the others off of her, but she hadn't tried to get up, possibly because she recognized the threat of Hal's gun. She wouldn't make eye contact with any of them, but she watched them warily. Anne had tried to get near her but the girl shrank back each time and when Anne got a little too close she took a swing at the doctor. Hal had immediately pulled Anne back and stuck his gun in the girl's face, but Anne shook her head at Hal.
"She's scared," Anne had said to him. "She's defending herself. It was my fault for provoking her. She just needs some time to recover from whatever trauma she's gone though."
Hal gave the girl a warning look. "Don't do that again," was all he said.
The girl gave no indication she heard him, but just drew her arms more tightly around her.
Now, in answer to Hal's question, Ben shrugged. "I suppose it's possible," he said. "But…"
"But what?"
Ben seemed to struggle for words. "I felt like I was watching something. Something that had already happened."
"You think the voice belonged to someone else. Someone she was talking to?"
"Maybe. I just didn't get the feeling it was hers. I mean, why would it be? She didn't want to come with me. She fought to stay in there." He paused, a thought occurring to him. "She didn't want to face that memory," he suddenly realized.
"Why do you think it was a memory?" asked Hal.
"It would make sense," replied Ben. "She was trapped in that moment, and to come back she would have had to go though it all over again. Something happened. Something painful enough to block out."
"Could you tell what it was?"
Ben shook his head. "It was blurry. But I thought I heard a mech. As well as the other person, the one who was talking."
"Maybe it was the moment she was harnessed," suggested Hal.
"There's more to it," said Ben, dwelling on the emotions that had been hurled his way. "But I don't know what."
"You said she turned the connection off," said Hal slowly. "How did- I mean, is that even possible?"
Ben shrugged. "Apparently."
"Do you think she could turn it back on?"
Ben looked uncomfortable but before he could answer, the door opened. Tom, Weaver, and Maggie walked in, the two men talking to each other about the western border.
At the noise, Ben and Hal looked up with apprehension. Anne still stood by the table, though she remained far enough away to keep the girl as calm as possible. Maggie was the first to notice the girl sitting up and she stopped in her tracks, causing Weaver to quickly step around her.
"Hal?" she said uncertainly, her hand going to her gun.
"It's fine," he reassured her, watching his father closely to gauge his reaction.
Anne stepped forward before either man had a chance to speak and said, "She came out of the coma about 10 minutes ago. She is severely traumatized and if you're here to conduct an interrogation, I won't allow it. She needs time to become accustomed to her surroundings so that she will feel safe. If she doesn't and you make her feel cornered, I can't predict what she will do."
"Is she posing a threat, Dr. Glass?" asked Weaver, his voice even.
"No," said Anne, with a quick glance at Hal. "She hasn't spoken or tried to move, other than to take off the straps."
"And you let her get away with that?" asked Weaver, turning to Hal.
"With all due respect, Captain, I wasn't going to shoot her just for removing the restraints. But if she had tried to leave that table, I would have stopped her."
Weaver turned back to Anne. "Can I talk to her?" he asked. He might have been the captain of the 2nd Mass, but this was Anne's territory and as long as she respected him, he respected her.
Anne fixed him with a piercing look. "You can try, but if she becomes agitated I will ask you to leave."
Weaver nodded and stepped closer to the table. "I wouldn't move too close, Captain," advised Anne.
Weaver stopped but he continued to look at the girl. Maggie and Tom stood behind him, watching and waiting. Hal and Ben were on the other side and both brothers observed anxiously.
"As long as you don't pose a threat to us, we don't mean you any harm," said Weaver in his gruff voice.
The girl refused to look at his face but they could all see her keeping him in her sightline.
"Dr. Glass here wants to help you," continued Weaver. "Tell us your name."
The girl made no response. Maggie watched her warily, Anne watching Weaver. Ben still looked disoriented and he couldn't shake the disturbing feeling that he had just witnessed the girl's darkest memory.
"Tell us who you are," pressed Weaver. "What happened to you?"
Silence filled the room. Then Tom stepped forward.
"Captain, perhaps we should come back later. Hal and Maggie can stay here to make sure she doesn't get into any kind of trouble."
Weaver looked like he wanted to say "no," but another moment of thought seemed to change his feelings. Still casting a suspicious eye upon the non-responsive girl, Weaver backed away slowly.
"Dr. Glass, I want regular updates on how she's doing. I want to know her every move, is that clear?"
"Understood," said Anne quietly.
Weaver turned to leave and Tom looked at his sons watching silently.
"Let's go, Ben," he said.
Ben looked at him. "I need to stay here," he replied.
Tom shook his head in return. "You've had enough for one day," he said firmly. "Hal and Maggie will make sure nothing happens."
"I need to stay," repeated Ben.
He refused to look at his brother for help, but he did hope that Hal would speak up, though it would probably be because Hal had more questions he wanted answered. And sure enough:
"Dad, maybe you should let him stay. We could use the company."
"That's the best you've got?" muttered Ben, out of the corner of his mouth. Hal elbowed him and Ben resisted rolling his eyes.
Tom still shook his head. "That girl is dangerous. We don't know anything about her. She's volatile and I don't want you around her."
"You're letting Hal stay!" protested Ben.
"Hal is older than you, he has more training than you, and frankly I have no say in what Captain Weaver does and doesn't order. You, on the other hand-"
"Would you stop treating me like a child!" Ben shouted in frustration. "I'm not Matt!"
"Dad-" Hal tried again.
"We'll make sure nothing happens to him," Maggie added, attempting to diffuse the escalating situation.
But Tom ignored them. "Ben, I am your father and you will do as I say," he said sternly.
Ben gazed at him furiously.
"Ben, your father is just concerned for your safety," said Anne gently.
Ben continued to look at his father with a look border lining on hatred. "Concern is touching," he replied coldly. "But it didn't stop them from taking me."
Tom stared at Ben. "Ben. Outside. Now."
Ben looked like he wanted to refuse, but Hal muttered, "Just go. Listen to what he has to say, keep your mouth shut, and come back in when he's not looking."
Ben seemed to realize Hal's solution was much easier than arguing with his father. He also knew he probably wouldn't even win if he continued said argument. So with a stony face, Ben pushed past his father and went outside.
Weaver, who had remained silent during the exchange, said, "Let's go, Tom," and exited. Tom gave Hal a look that said he if he had his way Hal wouldn't be there either, before saying, "Be careful," and following Weaver.
Anne, Hal, and Maggie turned to the girl. She was still sitting there, her arms wrapped around her legs. But for the first time, she locked eyes with Hal. He felt a chill run down his back as he stared at her. She had a tough look on her face, but her eyes were fearful. Wondering if he was doing the right thing, Hal slowly sat down in a chair near the table. Not too close, but close enough that he could speak to her. Maggie and Anne watched silently. Hal put his gun down slowly, keeping eye contact with the girl. Anne gave a slight smile, realizing what Hal was doing. He was giving himself a non-threatening appearance in the hopes it would be easier for the girl to trust him. Even so, they weren't really letting their guard down because Maggie still had her guns out and Hal could get to his in a few seconds, if need be.
But for the moment, Hal succeeded in relaxing the atmosphere.
"I'm Hal," he began. "That's Maggie, and Anne is the one who took care of you. My brother, Ben, was here a few moments ago. He was the one arguing with my dad. The other man, the one who tried to talk to you, was Captain Weaver. He's supposed to be in charge here, but…"
For a while, Hal's voice was the only thing to be heard. He talked about nothing and everything. He didn't look at the girl anymore, his eyes moving around as he told story after story. Anne and Maggie were silent, listening to Hal recount life in the 2nd Mass. Sometime during one of Hal's endless tales, Ben slipped back in unnoticed. He sat in one of the chairs nearby and listened to his brother talk. The stories were new to him as well, for most of them had occurred before he'd been rescued. The girl remained alert though her guard seemed to be going down. She didn't take her eyes off Hal but her face never betrayed emotion. Except for once.
Hal was in the middle of telling the story of when they first formed the 2nd Mass. His younger brother's birthday was coming up but in the midst of the chaos there was no time for a celebration. To help get Matt a little closer to his birthday wish that everything go back to being normal, Hal had found a ripstick to surprise his brother with. As Hal described Matt and the other kids taking turns riding it, Ben thought he saw a wistful look cross the girl's face. Her eyes left Hal and she seemed to be remembering something, perhaps a fond (or not so fond) memory. But the moment soon passed, her expression returned to normal, and her eyes returned to Hal's face.
Sometime during the afternoon, Maggie eventually lost track of how long Hal had talked. Anne slipped out quietly and returned with Lourdes, bringing food from the canteen. Lourdes had obviously been filled in on the situation, as she came in quietly and didn't seem surprised that the girl was awake and listening to Hal tell stories. Anne silently handed Maggie some food, Lourdes giving Ben and Hal each a plate. Anne had brought another plate but seemed hesitant on how to handle the situation. But Hal had already figured it out. He slowly and carefully took his place and held it out to the girl. She was much more calm then when Anne had reached towards her but she wouldn't take the plate. Hal laid it on the table next to her and continued his story as if nothing had happened. Lourdes then gave him the extra food, which he accepted with a smile.
Hal talked as he ate, his hunger, which he had forgotten, coming back with a vengeance. Anne, Lourdes, and Maggie had all taken chairs now, and Hal's voice became one to either listen to or treat as background noise. Ben, Lourdes, and Maggie hung on to his every word, while Anne half-listened as she began preparing for the next day.
Well, there we go! Hope everyone enjoyed it.
I finally started watching the 1st season. Man, the pilot is incredible. The writing is phenomenal and the characters are so fleshed out. I thought Drew Roy was in particular was really good, with all his underhand jabs and side comments concerning his father or brother, but then showing his devotion to his entire family despite all that. I also loved Tom throwing out history stories and everybody rolling their eyes. Maxim Knight: wow he looks different. Though he looked like he really could be Connor Jessup's little brother more than ever.
Also, in watching the first episode, I realized some things in my story weren't as original as I thought they were! There really was a stream near the 2nd Mass (where Hal first spotted Ben). Hal really did have to be physically restrained (though by Tom, not Weaver) from going to rescue Ben without a (good) plan. There really was a child found where someone had tried to cut off the Harness (though who knows if the situation was the same as what I have planned...hopefully not).
Anyways, let me know what you think of the chapter! Thanks for reading.
~moviegal101~
