I sat with my fingers laced together, resting on the table as we had a stare off. The Sabrina who had tried to rob the bank glared at me, occasionally pulling back her lips to bare her fangs at me. "How are you alive?" I asked her in a blank tone, never blinking.
"Well you see, when a man loves a woman…" I clenched my jaw.
"You know what I mean. I watched Sabrina die in my arms. She had a bullet rammed into her chest. Now you tell me what's going on and you tell me right now."
"Why should I?" She challenged, ears twitching with her tail in anger.
"Because right now, I'm the only one who's keeping the government away from you." I leaned forwards and lowered my voice. "You see, you're not technically human, so all human rights do not apply to you. Which means they can do whatever the hell they like to you. Now you can either tell me what's going on or you let someone else ask you, only they'll torture you for it, in every way imaginable." Her lips curled into a cruel smile.
"You wouldn't let them. I'm Sabrina. The one who roamed the streets with you. You used to buy me chocolate cake on my birthday and on Christmas." I didn't move but I didn't flinch either, just continued to look at her.
"She's dead." I replied curtly. "Whoever you are, you aren't her."
"What makes you think that?"
"You smell wrong." That made her eyes widen slightly with fear. I smirked. I had her scared now.
"What do you mean?" I leaned back without answering. Slowly she glanced to the one sided mirror where Hawk stood on the other side with Scarlet, Breaker and Heavy. "Is he there?" I arched an eyebrow at her. "The ninja. The black suited one."
"Why? You fancy asking him out for tuna?" I asked coolly, making her hiss.
"You care about him." She informed me with a vicious gleam in her eyes as she tried to make me feel uncomfortable. I brushed it off.
"I care about all my team."
"Specifically him. You sounded afraid when I was choking him."
"I owe him my life." Keeping things simple and secret I sighed, tilting my head back to click it. "So, is there anything you want to tell me?"
"Only that you're going to die." This didn't surprise me.
"Of course I will. Everyone dies." I returned easily. "I meant specifically about what your plan is. Who do you work for?" She smirked then looked away. "You know, I heard they've found these old pliers." Slowly she turned her cat eyes back to me. "Yeah, they've figured that they could use them to yank off your claws." I demonstrated, pretending to pull my nails off. "One. By. One." She shuddered then looked back at the mirror. "And I heard that breaking a tail is like breaking your spine. Excruciatingly painful and once it's broken, you lose all balance."
"Stop that." She hissed.
"Did I mention that they're also bringing in some scientists? Since you're not human, they're allowed to dissect you." I lowered my voice and whispered spookily. "Whilst you're still alive."
"Stop!" She screeched, leaping up but the shackles kept her restrained as she tried to claw at me. I sat their calmly, smirking. "You can't let them take my claws! Or my tail, not my tail!" She whined, sniffing as she sat down with a thud. "I can't tell you anything."
"Sure you can. It's like walking, only you use your mouth and you make sounds. One word after the other." I replied sardonically then leaned forwards again. "I can guarantee you safety, if that's what you want."
"What about freedom?" She spat at me.
"Not so much. But hey, at least you'll still be alive." I replied cheerfully. Sighing she growled at me before answering.
"You were right." I arched an eyebrow. "About the clones."
"How many are you?" She shrugged.
"I don't know. I didn't ask, he didn't say."
"He?"
"That's all I'm saying." Well it was a start. Getting up I nodded.
"Alright. I'll leave you to your salmon and milk. Guess what though? We get to do this all over again tomorrow!" She yowled as the door swung shut behind me. Glancing to the other door I waited until Hawk had stepped out with the others. "She wasn't lying. We really are dealing with clones." I informed. "Want me to go interrogate the other one now?"
"Take a break. You look frustrated." True, I did feel frustrated.
"Yes sir." I nodded then walked away with Scarlet. "So what do you think?"
"The only person with the mind to even have a chance of successfully cloning someone is Cobra Commander and he's a little washed out." I chuckled at her attempt at sarcasm. She was leaning well. "But…" She stopped walking.
"What is it Scarlet?" Her eyes widened.
"What if he did manage it?" The cogs ticked in my head. I got nothing. "And he cloned himself?" My eyes widened.
"You mean…" She nodded her head then turned around. "General!" She called out, racing back the other way. "General, what if Commander cloned himself? He's the only person with the technical ability to be able to achieve this sort of scientific discovery, what if he managed to clone himself then replaced a fake one at the fort we stormed?" General Hawk's face paled.
"We just can't seem to get rid of this guy." He groaned. "Alright, put all resources into this new lead. I was cameras running as far as our eye can see. I want face recognition programmes to every feed to match with faces from Cobra, primarily Commander." His voice dropped into his leadership tone as his assistant wrote everything down on a pad. "Alert all countries to the possibility of an inflation attack, leak out photos of Sabrina Anderson and make sure they know to guard their banks and computer systems." The list went on and on until I finally zoned out.
With a gentle sigh I planned on a new tactic to get Sabrina to talk to me. I went to the kitchen then asked to be let in. "Robyn? What are you doing here?" Wallaby asked in surprise. I never came in here unless it was my chore. I hate wash up duty.
"I was wondering if I could bake something?" I asked him politely. "You see, the girls they brought in. They love chocolate cake. I was hoping to go for a different tactic with the second one. Try get her to warm to me." Wallaby smiled then nodded his head.
"Sure, go on right ahead, use whatever you want."
"I'll wash up after." I promised then found a little corner to work in where I was out the way. Right now I was thanking the lord Annie-Marie had taught me how to make amazing chocolate cake when I was little. Neither of my parents could cook very well so my education was handed over to the nice older ladies who looked after me from time to time.
After mixing all the ingredients I placed it in the oven, cleaned up after myself then began to help with dinner. Today was spaghetti bolognaise. Yum! Once my cake was done I left it out to cool but by then it was meal time, so I stuck around to help out further. "Alright get your butts up here! Only the best spag bol in this kitchen. What you waiting for boy? Give me that plate!" I called, making everyone smile and laugh as I hammered on, filling up their plates until I was starving myself.
"Go eat something. Thanks for the help." Wallaby said to me and I grinned, taking off my hairnet.
"No problem. I'll ice the cake after dinner. That okay?"
"Sure. I'll make sure no one eats it." He promised then pushed me outside with my dinner tray in hand. I walked over to the others and sat down next to Duke.
"How's Anna?"
"They got the nanomites out." I chocked on my food, coughing and spluttering until Rip slapped me on the back.
"That's great!" I beamed at him, my eyes watering before hugging him. "Where is she? Is she okay?"
"She's in recovery but she's going to be fine. She's going to join the analysts team here." Duke said to me. "So that we'd be close more often."
"Isn't that romantic?" Rip asked, fluttering his lashes mockingly so both Scarlet and I punched him in the arm. "Ow! Damn that hurt."
"Sorry." I flinched. "Didn't mean to hit you that hard."
"I was just kidding man." This time I meant it. I didn't join in conversation much further, just sat and ate my meal. Once I was done, I returned to the kitchen, frosted the cake then poured a glass of milk before taking it with me to the interview room. Hawk nodded to me before stepping inside the other door. I quietly slipped inside then placed the plate and glass on the table before me.
"Here. You must be hungry." I said gently, pushing them towards Sabrina who eyed them suspiciously. "I made your favourite." She frowned, puzzled before slowly leaning forwards and sniffing curiously. She licked her lips. "Go ahead." She picked up the cake then shoved as much as she could cram into her mouth, practically inhaling it before washing it down with the milk.
"Why are you being nice to me?"
"Why wouldn't I be? We were once friends." I replied, remaining relaxed and casual. "I still care about what happens to you, Sabrina."
"Enough to throw me into a lake full of water and nearly drown me?" She had me there.
"You were threatening the lives of civilians. I had to get you off the road. You were never in any danger, I'm good at what I do. That's why I do it." I paused then smiled weakly. "Water based rescues seem to be becoming my specialty." Sabrina looked at me closely but wasn't glaring, which I supposed was a good thing. "I know that you don't do what you do because you're bad, you're a good person inside. I know it." I said to her softly. "I saw it every day for a long time."
"That's not me anymore."
"Then why do you pause at every window and look in longingly at the things you wished you had?" Her mouth fell open then closed again, pursing her lips slightly. She never answered. "I need your help, Sabrina. I need to understand what's going on. You have…no idea. No idea how much it hurt to watch one of you die in my arms, then see you again alive. I need to understand. Who is buried in the woods of my home?" She watched me for a very long time, contemplating her options.
"I'm saying nothing. Only this. That girl you buried, whoever she is, is not the real Sabrina." My heart leaped to my throat with hope.
"Is she still alive?"
"Possibly."
"Where is she?"
"I don't know."
"Then why did that other Sabrina die for me?" Sabrina paused, reflecting before sighing.
"I'm guessing you know we're clones." I chuckled.
"It's a little too obvious to miss." She smiled weakly before leaning forwards.
"Well, when we wake up, we wake with all of the original's memories. We literally believe we are Sabrina. A few of us figured out the truth but some grasped at the dream of really being human. Or at least, as human as we think we are." She lifted her claws to show me. "That's all I can say." Realising that this was all I was going to get today, I nodded my head.
"I'll make sure they don't hurt you. I promise." Taking the plate and glass away I headed to the door.
"Thanks for the cake. I haven't had chocolate in ages." I turned a smile over my shoulder before leaving her behind. Hawk met me and walked at my side as I headed back to the kitchen.
"We need to know more."
"I'm working on it. I'll play two different tactics, see who will crack first." I said to him. "Cuddle up to one, irritate the other. One's bound to work."
"You've done well but we still need more. How were they collapsing the economy? Who are they working for?" I nodded my head.
"I'll get the information. In the meantime, I think it might be best if I don't go on anymore missions if they involve other Sabrinas." I swallowed then lowered my head. "I don't know how much I can take."
"Understood." He rested a warm hand on my shoulder before breaking off and heading to his office. I washed up plate and glass, put them away then carried the cake to the rec room. When I walked in, Rip pounced on me.
"Is that cake?"
"No, it's tofu." I answered sarcastically then let him run off with it to cut up slices.
"How're you holding?" Scarlet asked me gently, smiling as she rubbed my arm comfortingly.
"I'm pulling at the seams but I'll hold." I informed her, rubbing my temple. "This is crazy. I've just learned that the real Sabrina, the original, is still alive. Maybe. The cloned Sabrina said she wasn't sure." I dropped my hand and it slapped my side. "I have to find her."
"We will. We'll help you." Jaye said through a mouthful of cake. "This is so good!"
"I want some! Save some for me!" Breaker called then dived forwards for a piece. I blinked in surprise.
"Perhaps I should cook more often?" Roadblock nodded his head as he licked the chocolate icing from the sponge. I smiled, laughing to myself with a shake of my head. "You guys." I looked around, ignoring Jinx who was scowling at me. "Where's Snake?"
"Don't know. Training? Room?" Duke frowned before shoving the last of his cake into his mouth. When he reached for another I slapped his hand away. "Leave some for the ninjas." I reprimanded him then put the wrapped the cake into Clingfilm. Suddenly I felt Jinx prodding me in the side.
"Let's go train."
"Right now?"
"Now." I looked up at the clock.
"But it's nearly bed time." I complained but followed her nonetheless, sulking all the way. Why did she want to train now? Shrugging and holding back a yawn, I followed. As I entered, the yawn came out anyway. "Why are we training now?"
"Because I want to." Jinx said, striding forwards then turned on me, tossing her jacket aside.
"Can't we do this tomorrow?"
"No."
"Please?"
"Are you afraid?" Of her? Ha! Not likely. Scowling I kicked off my shoes then slid from my jumper, folding it neatly then placed my shoes on top of it. When I faced Jinx, I held up my hands in defensive position, knowing that she would attack first.
She was too arrogant, her blows thundered against me as I held them back. The only problem was, I couldn't hit back as hard as I wanted to. It would probably kill her. Although, that wouldn't be such a bad idea…no. No killing aloud. Damn. Just one person? Namely Jinx? No! Killing the good guys is bad, Robyn.
Great. Now I'm talking to myself. Blinking awake I caught Jinx's punch to my face then lifted her up with my foot, swinging her up before throwing her gently onto the floor. "You still wanna train?" She flipped onto her feet then kicked out behind her. I leaped out of the way, ducking and rolling as she scissor kicked at me then quickly jumped up, twisting gracefully before rolling my body back, springing from feet to hands then all over again as Jinx hammered down at me.
"Jinx! Calm down!" I yelled but she ignored me, growling as I leaped over another blow from her. That was when I realised she was fighting as if to kill. "Jinx! Enough!" When she went to crush my windpipe with a blow, I reacted on blind instinct, my vision going black as my body protected itself. My foot lashed out and kicked her directly in the gut, causing her to scream and fly back into the wall. The distance lowered the momentum so nothing broke, but I stared at her in shock, blinking.
She shivered on the floor, gripping her stomach as tears rolled down her cheeks. Something dark shot passed me and I watched Snake Eyes as he crouched down next to Jinx and turned her over. "Is she…" I took a step forwards but Snake turned, angrily shoving out a hand to stop me from approaching. It wasn't my fault though!
When a solid pain hit my head, I hissed and dropped to the floor, clutching my head as it spun. Not this again, I was over this. There's nothing to remember! I remembered everything! Didn't I? As my world spun I felt a gentle hand touch my back. I looked up, barely making Storm Shadow's features before finally, I was able to see again. Only this time, I saw one last memory.
I was back in the warehouse, strapped down as pain rippled through my body from head to toe. I could still see though, I was conscious enough to recognise my surroundings. I looked ahead of me and saw not one, but two Cobra Commanders. Perfectly identical. From height, build, clothes and voices, although the voices blurred in and out of recognition.
When I blinked, I was staring at the floor again. "I need to see Hawk." I leaped to my feet but my knees gave out beneath me and I dropped again.
"Be careful." Storm said, grabbing me and holding me up. "Can you walk?"
"Sure!" I said with a shaky laugh, confidently stepping forwards and walking. Why am I walking at myself? Smack! I walked into the mirror. "Okay…maybe not." I murmured, rubbing my head. "What just happened?"
"You nearly killed me! That's what happened!" Jinx yelled, wrapped up by Snake's arms. I narrowed my eyes at her.
"I know I hate you but I don't consider you worth the effort of actually killing you." I snapped at her, placing a hand on my hip. "You were the one about to collapse my windpipe." She didn't answer, merely glared at me. Storm helped me walk towards the door, glancing at me with slight worry. When Jinx called after me, however, I swear I was going to throttle her.
"It's not my fault you're the freaky, uncontrollable experiment." Storm Shadow physically restrained me, dragging me to Hawk's office where I was still shouting when he kicked open the door.
"Let me at her! Let me just kill her! Not even a black eye? Oh come on!"
"What's going on? Have you been fighting again?" Hawk asked, standing up.
"What? Oh no. Well yes but that's not the point." I turned to face him whilst Storm Shadow blocked my escape route. "There are more than one Commanders, I saw them. At the warehouse." Hawk blinked.
"And how come you've only remembered now? I thought you'd restored all your memories." I blushed with embarrassment.
"Sir there's only three things I'm terrified of. The dark, pain and Cobra Commander. I struggled to get my memories back because I was afraid of them. To remember that there was more than one Commander…I guess that was one that wanted to remain forgotten." General Hawk looked at me with surprise. I had never openly admitted my fears, though a few had guessed. I did sleep with my lamp on, after all.
"Alright. I believe you. I'll alert all authority figures involved. Thank you Agent Hood." I nodded my head then turned to leave with the intent on killing Jinx. "One more thing." I looked back at him. "Try not to kill anyone."
Damn!
If any of you haven't already guessed, Jinx is not a nice person :(