A/N: Hello once again, fellow readers. I have returned with a new chapter. I had to do some cleaning in my stories and am trying this app called Grammarly. It is a great app to use. If you want to find any spelling or grammar errors, get the free version (highly recommended), but if you're going to get technical, there's always the premium one. Anyway, enough of that, so sit back and enjoy.
Disclaimer: Y'all know the routine: check the sign before reading.
Carrie sat on a chair, tending a sick Thunder in the infirmary. She lifted the cloth from Thunder's head, soaked it in a bucket of water, and wrung it before she placed it back. She sensed a presence but did not glance over her shoulder. "Hi, Orchid."
The former agent stepped inside the room. "Your sensory skills are getting better."
"Jago told me that Thunder was in this Killer Instinct tournament, searching for his brother. What happened to him?"
"Eagle was one of my recruits. He wanted Ultratech to fall because they killed his parents. I sent him to inspect the tournament, but when reports of his 'death' cropped, I learned Eagle was not dead; Ultratech was using him as a base to create the Fulgore unit. Once Thunder and I crossed paths, I informed him of what I discovered. Since then, Thunder has been hunting the Fulgore units."
Carrie shuddered at the thought of a human becoming a machine. "Is having this God-complex worth their souls?"
Pemba arrived at the infirmary before the agent could answer. "Orchid, everyone's at the dungeon speaking with Aganos."
"Okay. Carrie, you go ahead, and I'll keep watch on Thunder."
Carrie followed Pemba, but not without the former glancing at Orchid, sensing a kindred spirit. They arrived at a dungeon beneath the base, entwined with narrow streets. The room was enormous enough to fit twenty elephants or a golem. Jago, TJ, and Maya were talking to Aganos when they spotted the women.
"Care, you and Pemba came in time to meet the big guy!" TJ said.
"You!" Carrie summoned her powers, lifting Aganos.
"Please, don't send me away," the golem said.
"Set him down, Carrie!" Jago said.
"Why? That thing tried to kill you at the shrine!"
"Ultratech had attached a mind-controlling device on him, forcing him to do things he didn't want to do until Thunder destroyed it."
"What he says is true," Aganos said. "I never wanted to hurt him, but the device subdued my self-will. Peer into my mind if you want proof."
Carrie did so as visions flashed in her mind's eye. She found a memory where a fiery humanoid bested Aganos and attached the device to its head. The golem's eyes became red, and various voices shrieked to subdue those against Ultratech.
"You're…you're telling the truth." She set Aganos on the ground, relieving the gang from the tension. "Forgive me if I shoved you away."
"You were protecting Jago, so I understand. Instead, I should thank you. If you hadn't pushed me to Devil's Landing, I would've never met Thunder and remained a slave to Ultratech. I also heard that you helped in saving him."
"I did nothing except stopping the blood loss."
"Exactly the point. Thunder would've died if not for you," Pemba said.
"I must agree with her," Aganos added. "I've done so much to keep Thunder alive."
TJ patted the golem. "It's okay. We're glad Pemba and Maya brought y'all here before Thunder kicked the bucket and with perfect timing. We're planning to strike Ultratech."
"Why? Thunder and I had dealt with them."
"Doesn't mean they could retaliate, and the raid that happened last year?" Maya said. "Ultratech murdered my friends and family and releasing Kan-Ra. If only I weren't so reckless in my past missions."
"Don't blame yourself for their actions. I told Thunder I'd help him find his brother since Ultratech had changed him into a machine, so I was already against them until Kan-Ra returns."
"I don't think you should worry about Kan-Ra since I hurled him into a portal after I confronted him."
"A portal will not hold him. That sorcerer is many things, but he's not stupid."
"So, what you're saying is, Kan-Ra might return. Then I must find him."
"We don't know if he's back. Even if he is, what do you gain from it?"
"The visions when I peered into the portal, he could tell me what they mean how to prepare ourselves, although I don't trust him. Perhaps doing guard checks can give me a methodical mind. Oh, and TJ, don't forget we have cardio in the morning."
TJ cursed under his breath while Maya departed from the dungeon.
"What's wrong? You love training," Pemba said.
"I do, but the latest run was two thousand feet straight to the top, leaving me tired and breathless."
At the sickroom, Orchid sat next to Thunder, reading her father's journal in silence. The flames on the torches crackled but never deterred the agent until Thunder awoke. She closed the book and approached him.
"Thunder?" she called.
Thunder slowed his breathing and steadied his nerves. "Orchid?" He winced as slight waves of pain coursed through his stomach until he squinted at the bandages. "Where am I, and where's Aganos?"
"You're at the City of Dawn, an ancient citadel in the Andes. Aganos is fine. He's settling in the vault since it was the only place to fit him." Orchid removed the rag from Thunder's forehead and pressed the back of her hand against it. "Your temperature is lowering, but you still need rest."
"How did I come to this place? I was facing this Fulgore at a factory; it possessed my brother's spirit. It stabbed me. I kept slipping in and out of consciousness. Aganos carried me in his arms, and we were in the sky amid rough weather, as though something was carrying us. Before I fainted, I saw a giant white bird with amber eyes and a woman riding it."
"It must've been Pemba and Maya; they brought you both here. The former is a shapeshifter."
"By that, you mean she's…I don't want to say the word…"
"No, she's not that."
"That's a relief." Thunder propped himself on the bed.
"Wait! You're still not well to be standing!"
"Relax. I only want to sit up." Thunder did so, drawing deep breaths to lessen the pain from his wounds.
"Maya briefed me through the comm device after they had finished talking with Aganos. I know you're searching for your brother, but what the hell were you thinking? That Fulgore unit you fought could've killed you."
"No less than you sending Eagle to that deathtrap." Thunder calmed his temper once Orchid's eyes widened, and her lips quivered. "Forgive me. I didn't mean—"
"No, I hold part of the blame. Had I known of ARIA's intentions earlier, I would've never sway Eagle to enter the tournament."
"Can I ask you something? Does 'Project Carrie' ring a bell?"
"No, it doesn't. Why?"
"Aganos and I discovered this project involving a girl named Carrie White and Black Prom. He claimed to have seen her, but I was uncertain because she had supposedly died."
"I see. Well, Carrie is with us, and she's alive."
"She is? This Carrie, you must keep her close. If Ultratech captures her—"
"We're aware, and we're not letting that happen. We'll check on you now and then. Until your strength returns, you rest."
"I have no complaints, for my body must heal."
"Goddamnit!" TJ plopped on the floor. He had lost another game of backgammon to Jago in the dungeon, with Pemba, Aganos, and Carrie as the spectators.
"You shouldn't use the Lord's name in vain," Carrie said.
"Sorry." TJ sat up, scratching his head. "I'm trying to figure out how Jago slipped past me."
"What's going on here?" Orchid arrived after she visited Thunder.
"Your brother bested TJ in backgammon for the second time," Aganos said.
Orchid glanced at TJ before she shook her head. "You've been the heavyweight champion for twenty years but can't beat a humble monk in a board game?"
"You should try it, O. This shit is a mix of poker, chess, and checkers."
"I don't mind, and I excel at two of those games."
"Be…my…guest." Once TJ offered Orchid his seat, Jago reset the board, and the siblings played their round.
Maya returned from her guard checks when she spotted the spectacle before her. The game lingered until Jago bested Orchid, though by a slight margin.
"You're a worthy opponent as always, sister. You did well on your first try," Jago conferred.
"When you're in the military, it pays to have a smart mind."
TJ yawned as he stretched his arms over his head. "Well, I'm heading to sleep. See ya."
Carrie rubbed her eyes while TJ headed to his quarters.
"You should rest. Tomorrow, we'll resume your training," Jago said.
Carrie nodded and headed to her quarters, with Pemba after her.
"I'll do a final guard check before turning in tonight," Maya said. "Aganos, would you like to come?"
"Of course." The golem arose to its feet.
Jago pointed at the game. "Are you sure you don't want to try, Maya?"
"I'll take a rain check for now." Maya and Aganos departed for another guard check.
"Let's go for another round, Orchid." Jago reset the pieces on the board, starting a new game. "How's Thunder doing?"
"He's awake and determined to find Eagle, but I advised him against it until he was better. I wanted to ask you something since you and Pemba brought Carrie to my old hideout. How did you get her, especially with ARIA searching for her?"
"I was unaware that Ultratech was after her until those raptors came, and even then, I had to help Carrie. After freeing myself from Omen, I visited a retreat for recovery. One night, a creature arrived in my dream: a fiery tiger skull. At first, I assumed it was another of Omen's tricks, but I sensed nothing evil. The creature spoke of a tormented soul coming to the shrine and that I must help that person."
"Don't you find it strange? First, this tiger creature tells you to help a tortured soul. Then, out of nowhere, Carrie appears."
"It is unusual, I'll admit. Carrie was cautious around me, but I earned her trust once I rescued her from Omen. That demon wanted to sway her to join Gargos, like hell if I let that happen. Once I witnessed Carrie sending Aganos away with her powers, my mind reflected the battle against Omen. I knew I had to protect her."
"Damn, you have your work cut out for this. Thunder mentioned we should keep Carrie close."
"Aganos informed me of 'Project Carrie.' I can't imagine what damage they'd do if they captured her."
"Agreed. If our father were alive, he'd be proud of what you did for Carrie."
When Jago shifted his head, Orchid planted her hand against her head. Shit. I keep forgetting that he never met our father. "Jago, I didn't mean…"
"You don't have to say it. Now let's finish this game so I can beat you."
"Ha, you wish! I'm here if you need help with Carrie's training. I researched her powers, and I'll apply the training father did with me."
"Thank you, sister."
A/N: Thunder is now on the road to recovery, Carrie and Aganos made peace with each other, and Orchid offers assistance regarding the telekinetic's training. What does Orchid have in mind? Well, time for my brain to rest, so I'll see you later.