A Genetic Defect

Chapter 5

by deadkitty1

Caine stalks the outside corridor while continually looking over the seal with a conflicting expression. He grips it tight and readies his arm to throw it across the room only to retreat it back into his view as he returns to pacing the hallway once more.

Jupiter didn't want to talk or see anyone after the incident in the chapel. She only saw Caine once and it was to give him back his job in the Legion. The girl has had enough playing queen. She wants to go home. The bright curious glint in her eyes faded to be replaced with a cold glare. That look had the Lycanton eat his words as he took the seal and agreed to her request.

There is so much he wants to tell her after gaining his breath to live, but after the Aegis set a course to Earth, it's becoming clear that his feelings will be repressed. There are more pressing matters to attend to then the heart which he can barely understand himself, so he needs to concentrate on the business ahead. Letting such a thing as the heart get in the way will only distract him from protecting her.

The apprehended Prince Titus has been escorted in containment for charges on plotting to murder the new queen. Even though they have failed to capture Famulus, who has access to many of Titus' secret dealings and plans, the skilled tracker can find her within a week. One job he'll easily accomplish once he feels safe enough to leave the girl on Earth. Even if Titus is safely behind bars, there still leaves one brother lurking in the darkness to claim back what was once his. It's surprising he hasn't made a move yet.

To better protect the queen from Balem's attack, Caine motions to speak with Captain Tsing. The captain gladly grants him an audience because like the others on the ship who has gotten used to their oddball queen, they were thrown aback by her silent brooding. She was such a ray of sunshine so when the mood shifted, so did the the rest of the crew turned sad-faced moping around like ghosts. They're charged with upholding justice, but they also care tremendously for the young lady who has become so much a part of the crew within such a short time.

"Captain, I propose once we check her majesty back on Earth with her family, we form a perimeter around the house or even the area to ensure Keepers and Balem's henchmen aren't within reach. Afterwards, we can keep track of her movements using her cellphone. If she strays out of her normal routine, it's safe to assume the enemy may have her. I've marked the place of her work and her family's jobs. We need to protect them too. I doubt Balem would go so far as to harm anymore of his merchandise to get to her majesty, but just in case, I also mapped out a few of her friend's locations to – "

Captian Tsing raises a hand to stop him before he goes any further. She perches a strict look on her face as she raises her voice. "Mr. Wise, that is all very well planned but have you gone over this plan with her majesty?"

"No. She wouldn't see me," he replies gravely.

"I see. She has relayed to me one thing and one thing only. Her wish to go home to her family," the captain said as clearly as Jupiter did.

He purses his lips and nods, "I know. She said the same to me too."

He cringes at the memory and unconsciously clenches his fists. It's much too careless to leave her by herself with her family. She needs people around her. There can be no other way. The captain clears her throat as he turns his attention back to her.

"Well, her majesty has agreed that after she's reunited with her family, we escort all of them back in the Aegis for safety until we can confirm Balem Abrasax's intentions."

The look on the half-breed drops as he turns to her in shock, "Jupiter agreed to that?!"

The captain smiles as she shakes her head. "No. She didn't, but once we convince her of the dangers she and her family will be in, she will agree."

The smart captain marches out as the ex-soldier stares at her in awe. She must had her share of stubborn refugees and hostages to convince them that her way is not only the best course of action but the only course. Her reading of people is fairly accurate and she has definitely read Caine and Jupiter like a book. It won't be long until they catch a hint of it themselves by the way they worry about each other so much. It's almost sickeningly too sweet for the captain.

4

Caine excuses himself as he returns to his room where his friend waits anxiously. Stinger sits on the bed squeezing his hands against one another until the wolf-splice walks in. They meet gazes then the tired man proceeds to remove his equipment and hops into bed. He lets out a big sigh then turns to face the old man who's observing him closely. The criminal should be in a hold, but Caine decided to take responsibility for the guy. He doesn't deserve to be alone and locked up for what he did. It's the fault of a father's love. Anyone would have done the same thing in any give situation if it was their child.

"So what did her majesty say? Does she hate me for betraying her?" Stinger ask as his eyes cast down in shame.

The wolf bodyguard did explain the circumstance of Stinger's betrayal and a bunch of other information when he walked the queen back to the Aegis. Granted, he may have gotten tongue-tied from seeing her in a wedding dress and there was also the issue of keeping his anger for Titus in check. Not used to the conflicting emotions bouncing in his head, his training took over as he relayed information to her as he would to his commanding officer, so it's clear his message got through. It's odd though how he ended up talking up a storm when she would usually be the one unable to keep her mouth shut. He tossed it aside as her being traumatized over almost being married to some backstabber who was intent on killing her. Afterwards though, it seems her thoughts were beyond the arrogant royal. She seems to be mad at everyone, even him.

"Caine! What's wrong? Did her majesty say something?" the concerned old man voices in worry as he moves closer to force him to meet him eye to eye.

He breathes out once again and digs the heavy seal out of his pocket to hand over.

"She got us our jobs back. We're in the clear," Caine responds with no feeling as his commander's face breaks into a smile.

"This is wonderful! We can go back to the crew and I can take Kiza home! We'll have our lives back! It's been so long. I thought I was gonna rot into one of those big fat marshals that can't even work a proper weapon. Kiza even made a joke that I gained weight. Look at this. What do you think? Do I still have what it takes to be part of the Legion?" the self-conscious father comments while patting his gut jokingly.

"You're made for the Legion, Stinger. They'll be lost without you."

"And without you, mate. Their track record plummeted the minute we got expelled. It's time to show them how us old-timers run the game."

"Yeah."

The pumped up future Legionaire commander finally takes a good look at his soldier and notices the strain of worry etched across his face. This seal is the one thing both of them wanted out of the mission. They bet their lives on it. So why was he the only one celebrating?

"It's her majesty, isn't it? Don't worry. We'll keep her safe," the bee-splice said.

"I know. She just looks like she has a lot on her mind and when she gave me the seal, it felt like a goodbye. Like she's relieving me of my duty," he explains while going through the scenario once again in his head.

The father figure toys with the seal as he ponders over the possibility of what Caine said.

"So you mean, we can head down to the Legion after we drop her majesty off or we can stay to protect her?"

Caine stands abruptly, "We can't stay. She doesn't want us here."

"Then let's go home," he suggests simply.

"I... I can't. Not yet," the bodyguard insists then lets his hands falter to the sides, "I don't know what to do."

"Well it's not the first time we defied orders but seeing as she's the forgiving type, she might not report us if we save her life again."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Caine worries as his thoughts drift to new dangers awaiting them on Earth.

"Caine, after the second round of saving her royal tush, there's bound to be a third," Stinger said as he pats his friend sympathetically on the back, "But don't think about it so much. She has you, me, and the entire ship. She's far from any danger."

The bee-splice knows trouble will follow as long as they stick by the new queen's side since she attracts a variety of people by her. She's gained the trust and loyalty of a military ship with a line of splices and cyborgs ready upon her command. On the opposite side, the Abrasax family would not leave the poor child alone because of her inheritance and is willing to see her properly hanged by breaking the law. Had it been any other Reoccurance, he doubts Caine and him would have extended a helping hand this many times. Only because it's Jupiter that Stinger also felt the need to help her out until the end. If only to see the conflicted expression she manages to bring to his dear friend.

Not once has the Lycanton been so tormented with feelings he couldn't understand until she came into the picture, the ex-commander thought he'd never see it happen. He even betted with Kiza against it, but it's becoming plain as day. His tough warrior has found a partner who he's willing to follow through the ends of the universe for.

Stinger lies down and blows back some air just as loud as the boy. He didn't even think about the possibility of a woman walking into the picture. They may have been separated for years, but the two best friends share a bond like no other. The only woman standing between them has only ever been Kiza, who they spoil and pick on to no end. It'll be a entirely different situation with an Entitled involved. Out of all the women in the universe, the boy falls for a queen. The old man imagines their relationship will be a tough one, though the Lycanton is hardly someone that gives up, considering he's taught the soldier better than anyone he's come across.

Wait. Just what will happen with their hangouts when a queen is dragged into the picture? Is she cool with him taking Caine out for dinner? Those television dramas on Earth always have the girlfriends nagging their boyfriends and his friends on their nights out. The poor wolf will be kept on a tight leash with barely any time for brotherly bonding time. He'll turn into one of those whipped men that won't risk doing anything out of concern for their girl. No no no! That won't do at all!

"Now what are you worried about?" Caine suddenly interrupts the commander's thoughts.

"Caine, when did you grow up to be such a man? Why didn't I see it coming?"

"What?!"

4

The Aegis arrive undetected by the Teracies as they land close to Jupiter's home. It's night time and only a handful of people wander around the area with nothing to do. Although her majesty suggested to walk the short few blocks herself, Captain Tsing reiterates her near death experience to remind her on how precious her life hangs in the balance.

Caine checks the perimeter as a few Teracies flash him an odd look. After confirming it's safe, they walk along in a silent stroll. As they get closer and closer to the house, the Lycanton feels the tug of his chest squeeze up with a jerk. He resists the temptation to look back at her face at the risk of exposing his own emotions. He didn't want to let her go after he suffered dying to never seeing her again. It's wrong to keep her away from her family. She obviously has had enough of an adventure after being forced to bungee jump off very high places. If only for a little while, he can at least confirm she's happy living with her family even without him near, then he can live with the pain crossing through his heart. For now, he's doing everything to take in her scent to stain his memory before she leaves him forever. He would never want to forget her. Never.

4

Gone. Lost her again.

The poor bodyguard stares helplessly at the chaotic mess of red gases crashing towards each other. She's down there in that mess along with her family and Balem Abrasax. He warned her. She didn't listen and now he can't fix it. It was wrong of him to lash out against he captain for taking them to safety. She would not jeopardize the lives of her crew for one woman, even if she is an Entitled, but the thought of never seeing her again kills him. Every second he wastes is time he could have used to storm in and get her, but something is stopping him. A different and entirely frightening thought crosses his mind. Her death. Her still body. Her vacant eyes. Her pale skin. Her dry lips. He's frozen in fear within the likes that he's never felt before. Death never intimidated him, but the appearance of an entity that he can't protect her from puts him in a horrible state. He's useless.

Footsteps echo behind him and he avoids it knowing exactly who it is. The persisting figure has been standing there behind him for the longest time he's been weighing his conflicting thoughts without saying anything. The old man knows him too well. This may be their first mission that they have done in a while and failed at the same time. The commander must be disappointed in him.

"I know because of who and what you are, you're unable to say this, so I'll say it for you," Stinger comes out from the darkness to face the young emotional soldier with a grave expression on his face, "You lied at the Common Wealth because you're a hunter who's been searching for one thing his whole life."

Caine glares ahead knowing that lying about his feelings ensures Jupiter stays out of harms way. He did no wrong in that but Stinger continues as he reveals his true feelings out in the open.

"You survived so long without it that the fact you may have found it, terrifies you, but not as much as the fact she's down there, buried in several tons of hurricane and if you want to see her again, you take my advice. You get down there and you start digging."

The Lycanton's conflicting thoughts disperse as he jumps into gear and activates one of the robotic fighters on the ship. Stinger is right. He's always right. The wolf-splice didn't know why he had to even doubt himself before. If he knows where she is, he just needs to go down and get her back. He always has. He won't let the thought of what ifs pull him back. She will be alive by the time he gets there. She'll probably let him have it for arriving there so late. Now that wouldn't be such a bad thing.

With terrifying speed, he plunges straight into the heart of the warring atmosphere as he tries to dodge the incoming lighting and squint through the low level of visibility. The heat flaming outside squeezes the pressure inside as a crack pricks on the windows. Caine pushes the controls forward to the highest setting, despite the blaring alarms going off. It's reckless, but there's not stopping him. The ship starts vibrating against the strain as pieces of important parts start chipping away. Almost there! He crashes through the shield breaking through the refinery. Before he can celebrate, the fighter tumbles through uncontrollably into the refinery, damaging one building after another in a mass of explosions. Bright sparks ignite along with red hot fire feeding off the atmosphere. Way to make an entrance.

Caine rises above the rubble miraculously surviving the crash with only a few scratches and aching bones as he sniffs out Jupiter and her family. The guards surround him at the entrance as he proceeds to jump kick them into oblivion. Many of the workers line up in escape ships as the destruction of the refinery becomes imminent. He shoots a Sargon on the head before closing in on her majesty's location. It's a rush job as one enemy after another charges in after him. The sound of his Mauler cuts through along with the growls of his enemies, but not before he picks off a faint voice in the distance. It's her.

As fast as his feet take him, he makes eye-contact with her and gets into action. The whole area fills with the bark of his gun as one enemy after another goes down. He plugs in a device that opens the roof and catches her back into his arms once again. His body warms by her touch alone as her hands grip on him tight. He shoots a couple more shots to defend his position before looking upon her lovely face. Their eyes lock and he finds it impossible to turn away.

She's alive. She's fine.

Jupiter trails the profile of his face, from his neck, chin, lips and then into his eyes. She seems equally relieved to see him too.

"In case we don't get this chance again..."

She said as she moves in with her eyes close and swoops in for a kiss. Caine meets her and inhales her sweet soft lips into his. He hungrily pushes back as she reacts to him by tightening her hold on his face. It's a wonderful moment that abruptly gets cut short as the enemy closes in. The soldier breaks the kiss as he entrusts his gun into her hands. He absorbs her face once more before going out into battle. They will be fine. They'll get out of here because they have each other.

Jupiter scrambles to assemble her floating Russian family into a corner where the building isn't falling apart as Caine battles the main Sargon into submission. This one in particular is bigger than the others with an amazing advance in agility that catches him off-guard. Just as the Lycanton confidently mistakes his own winning streak, Jupiter tumbles off one of the cracks in the building.

"Caine!"

"Jupiter!"

A tail whips out of nowhere, clinging around his neck as the lizard takes flight. The more he struggles, the less air he gets. He begins to lose strength in his arms trying to prevent the tail from squeezing him even more. Before he weakens, a spire comes into view. Stretching his arm out and yanking the sharp point out, he sticks it through the annoying tail. The lizard wakes the heavens with a deafening roar. Caine uses the momentary distraction to hover away only to be taken back into the brunt of a grapple. Bodies crash with debris flying around. Jupiter screaming his name lodges itself in his mind. Suddenly a wing swings at his head. In one quick movement, the Lycanton in him reacts instantly, weaving through each oncoming strike. He needs to concentrate on the fight. Although his concerned about Jupiter, he can't do her any good if he dies in this fight. The dragon's arrogance steams out with each step forward towards Caine, left troubled on the ground. The enemy charges in great speed roaring loud and he bangs the creature upside down to grab the device that opens the floor and activates it. It closes around the Sargon's neck, fitting the poor creature's demise.

The soldier can feel the fatigue cringe in his muscles even as adrenaline punches his senses alive. His body has endured a space ship crash and a thorough beating from one of Balem's number one men, but the work isn't done yet. Aegis connects with him. Seems like his crazy stunt helped them find a find a safe route through the gas hurricane. It also helps that many of the workers abandoning the refinery gave them an opening on the inside. He quickly reports the location of her majesty's family as he helps load them inside.

He pauses on one of the Teracies, Jupiter's mother. The scent of the gene is unmistakable. Several wrinkles curve around the corners of her eyes and lips as a certain worry encapsulates her face. As much as Jupiter has expressed her need to go home, Caine didn't consider the worry her family endured during her absence. He needs to reunite her majesty back with her family. Her real family, not the delusional Abrasax siblings.

Just as he loads the last member of the family on the Aegis and goes off to search for Jupiter, Captain Tsing warns him of the limited time he has. She can't risk staying the ship in a failing environment for more than it's allowed or all of them will die.

"Spare any second you can," he gasps as be grabs a suit pack and launches out of the ship.

It's near impossible to trace her DNA among the smoke and fire. With only minutes to spare, he'll have to count on his ears to hear her voice. She's here somewhere. Amidst the destruction, she's here because like him, she's a survivor. He races through the buildings to check where she would land in that fall when a murmur of voices register in his head. Sounds like fighting and the creaking of steel breaking apart. A loud scream pierces his ears. A call he's instinctively learned to answer. With no hesitation, he swoops in, braces the body, and slides on the grates of a nearby platform. The space suit takes effect and wraps the girl in breathable oxygen. He meets those gorgeous brown eyes filled with relief as they embrace in joy. The power in her hug urges him to never let her go ever again. An explosion rips nearby as he jumps back into the chaos filled with renewed energy back to the Aegis.

"My family!" she pleads.

"They're safe," he confirms.

Caine feels her grip on him tighten and he understands her gratitude. She need not worry no more. She will see them again. With every step closer, they seem to stray farther and farther away. Flames lick at their heels as the trained soldier activates his shield to protect them from the burns. Floating sharp debris lag their speed as it gathers towards them in bad luck. He jumps off to push forward willingly, but the distance between him and the ship is too much to reach. His own body whines from the pressure as he proceeds to push it to the limit. The pain would be torturous for the untrained, but the energy bursting inside him has numb the pain.

He has to make it. He needs to make it. In the final seconds, he considers throwing Jupiter towards the ship so at least she'll have a better chance. Whether she read his mind or not, her hold on him locks where tossing her would require too much effort for his weakened arms. He uses his remaining energy and just sprints for it. Just one more step and then another. A bright light engulfs them. Darkness enters their eyes. Sound is absent but one striking view captures their attention. Earth. The bright blue planet. They made it! They are back... home.

4

A lot of things have happened within the week as Caine recounts them in his head. He waits patiently on the rooftop of a building back in Chicago for his date. Many events look promising for the future while some decisions could have been handled better. For one, Stinger and him were reinstated back into the Legion and while their own buddies welcomed them back with open arms, the newbies and same old enemies tested their patience by placing them at the bottom rank. The two partners didn't mind in the least. While the Lycanton and the bee-splice questioned their abilities in the beginning of the mission, it's clear after rescuing her majesty from the Balem Abrasax that they can topple the top dog if they so much as wish.

Caine was equally relieved with Stinger to see Kiza safe. After she returned back with the groceries, she was welcomed with several dead bounty hunters and a huge gaping hole in the house. It didn't stop her from frothing in rage even when Stinger managed to message her on what happened. It's not their fault they were late at coming back home; Operation Rescue Jupiter took way more time than they thought. Besides, she was fine and single-highhandedly set the Terecies at bay while the Keepers repaired the broken home like nothing had ever happened. But the minute the two soldiers set their foot back in the house, they received a thorough trashing that had them on their knees begging for forgiveness by the end of the day. They know better than to leave her to clean up after their mess.

As for the Abrasax siblings, the Aegis monitors their movements daily. Even with Titus in jail and Balem assumed dead, Kalique remains a mystery. While it seems she has not made any plans to communicate with Jupiter, they will not fall to the trap that she may have given up. She's only biding her time and that spells trouble for everyone. Caine understand Jupiter will eventually have to make contact with her again as the Aegis have persuaded her about it, but he'd rather save that type of worrying for another day.

Speaking of the queen of Earth, she has grown to live each day in wonder. Not one complaint has raised from her lips about dirty toilets or annoying spoiled kids. She takes comfort in each moment, seeing the days as exciting instead of boring. Even her family grew concerned at her strange new behavior. They had all their memories erased of the Sargon kidnapping. While Jupiter would have loved to tell them of everything she's done or even show them what's out there, she's taking Stinger's advice to heart. The universe's secrets remain hidden for a reason because the knowledge would be too much for them. The day may come where she'll reveal who she is and what she's seen, considering Caine will be an important part of her life from now on. For the time being, she'll imagine her mother's reaction to the amazing things she'll reveal as she's sure her father would have loved to know.

The winds blow faintly, brushing his skin to itch his back in anticipation. He glances once again at the boots, hoping they're the correct size. The Lycanton realizes that although he's only been on Earth a handful of times, he's grown rather fond of the place. He can imagine why Stinger, for all his whining, thinks of Earth as a good place to settle down. There will always be a fighter raring to go inside him, but if the day comes when he's ready to put down the sword, he'd rather do it here than anywhere else. Besides, she's here and will unlikely move to another planet in the near future.

He heard her footsteps before he saw her. He leaves the quiet scene of the city as he turns his attention on the steal door. The sounds of her steps agitate quickly until they stop within the twist of a doorknob. Her hair that usually remains tied back now flows carelessly by the pull of the wind as her smile widens in glee.

"You'll never guess what my family did today," she said as her eyes continue to dance hypnotically.

He offers her a small smirk as he gestures for her to sit down. "Okay. I won't."

"That's not what I meant!" she frowns but the playful gaze in her eyes doesn't erase.

As she continues to go on and on about her story, Caine listens attentively while keeping the gift in the corner of his mind. He hopes she stays a constant his life. Though life may be short, he's realized that even with the shortest amount of time, connections can be made with instant memories created. While it many not be ideal like a solution that buys one time, for him, forever means living in the moment with her. The past can't be changed and the future is unpredictable, so the present is all they have faith in to live while air still flows in their lungs. Their time will be cherished, not bought to take granted for. That's how people are supposed to live. That's how everything lives and it's just fine with Caine and Jupiter.