Rei awoke, and the first thing she felt were broken bones. Or rather, the bonds that held them. They had not set her broken leg; there was no support for it; they had merely tied her to a chair, unsympathetic.
Why should they care? she thought. Her hands were bound behind her back. Useless. She also felt something around her neck. It was cold, metallic. A collar was her first thought. Then: Why? The movement was limited to her head and shoulders. She felt a wetness on her cheek. Tears?
She remembered suddenly the grinning armour and the tornado of manna, which slammed the first of the threatening armours aside like a tinker toy. Juan had been so protective, and she had felt so safe in his arms as if nothing could touch them…
Yet something had, and now she was alone again. "D-Bee," said a voice. There was a click, and suddenly, lights were upon her, blinding her. She wished she could shed her robe; the lights were so warm.
"Hey bitch," demanded another voice. A hand appeared from the darkness, collided with her face, then disappeared again. "Answer the man." He stressed the word; man.
"Wh-wha…" she gasped, feeling her splintered lip pulse sharply.
"You got a name there, D-Bee?"
Silence. A stocky man stepped out into the silence, and the light hit her again, palm open.
"Every time I don't get an answer, you get another one of those," the voice behind the lights said. "Okay, let's start from the top…"
Rei kept her split-lipped mouth shut as she jutted her chin defiantly, a clear expression of hatred souring her features. "Get vaped, losers," she snarled.
"You're not very smart, are you," said the voice as the hand snapped against her face again.
That was not a question.
"What are you called?"
Silence broken. A whimper.
"Uhh…"
"Clearly no intelligence here," the voice stated coldly. "What do they call you?"
Silence once again.
"No name? Really?" Followed by a gesture and the taste of blood. "Too bad. You know what? 'Bitch' sounds pretty good to me."
"It fits. She's a real tough Bitch. Real quiet, too," a more robust tone growled as she felt a closed fist snap her head to the side.
"Uuuhk…!"
"That's enough," the voice said, "let her fry for a while."
They were all too soon gone. The lights did not relent in their warming stare. She was sweating, close to tears; all hope fled. After a time of silence, she heard a barely audible hiss. The lights went out. Falra flinched numbly when she felt a cool cloth dabbing at her face.
"Uhh!" she grunted, at first unable to think to speak or to make her sore mouth obey.
"Hey there," a calm voice said. This one was different; it had a calm, trusting tone. "How are you doing, Rei?"
"Huh-h-how do you know my name?" she whispered, mollified.
"I'm a friend."
She was silent.
"I know you can't trust me, but you're in no position to refuse any help I offer. For Your Information, I have as much an interest in your life as I do that of your friends." He wiped the blood from her lip and pressed a finger to it.
"Yes, I know about them. We've found Mina, but we're still looking for the rest of them."
"Are…' she swallowed, tasting unpleasantly sweet blood as her tongue worked at the unusual mass of her split lip. "Are you going to free me?"
"I can't, not just yet. I need some time. I'll be able to in a couple of days once I've got the people I need." She felt something, a vial, pressed against her lips. "Drink this."
Rei hesitated.
"It'll dull the pain. I'd give you something stronger, but they might suspect interference if you don't react. I'm sorry."
Understandably reluctant, she hesitated several moments before deciding to trust him. Once there, she realized she was thankful for any help. She tipped her head back slightly as he held the vial. She breathed a slightly pleasured groan at the calm, soothing liquid warding the burning in her throat. As he stood to leave, a warmth gradually fogged her mind.
"Wait," she said, "what do I…"
"Silver," he replied, still cool as ice. "I'll see you in a couple of days."
Only moments later did the two men return with their words and violence.
"Okay, let's start from the beginning…"
When her eyesight quit on her, she was not sure. All she felt was the searing scars of pain. Since they returned, she only vaguely recalled the questions they asked. Names, something about names… A name? She groaned, unable to move as she lay face-first on the white floor. They had wanted to know about someone. Who… Her? What? They finally called her a name. Mostly curses, angered, taunting words. Where did she come from? Who was she with? Who was her boyfriend?
Juan was not her boyfriend. Not anymore!
Oh, Juan… Tears failed for lack of strength. What happened?
Who taught you magic? Who taught you? Was it Lazlo? Are you a criminal of the State? Yes, you are. Never forget that. Never.
Finally, she lost consciousness. Even then, the words rang in her mind, in her dreams. She screamed at them and managed to avoid the striking hands. Darkness consumed them. The darkness gave way to light.
Pain flared in her stomach. "Wake up, Bitch."
She scrambled away from the source of the pain, gasping. Something caught her hand. Her eyes opened, perceiving distorted images of a man dressed in white. She also saw a pair of black towers behind him. No, those were men, too. She felt a pulling at her arm, dragging her to her feet. She stumbled, still half blind, one eye swollen shut. Clothes were a thing of the past; they had relieved her of them before the beating.
"Come on!" he cursed. "We want you to see someone."
Rei was afraid to ask, even if her throat had not been too dry to let her. She just followed him, stumbling and falling twice. Some doctor had come in and set her leg so she could walk. Every step brought a new variety of pain to her already beaten form. She wished she could remember the doctor's name. He had been so lovely.
It was… was… Dr.… Silt… No, Silver. Dr. Silver. He had not said anything, but he'd smiled. The smile felt familiar. How…? I've never seen him before! He was so gentle…
"Hey Bitch," the man snapped, pulling her forward with a jerk. "Keep up, will ya!"
Rei flinched. He grinned.
"They got ya pinned real good, huh," he laughed callously. He stopped.
"Well, here we are, Bitch!" He jabbed a series of buttons. "Go on."
He pushed her through, and the door closed automatically behind her. Rei fell forward and landed on her face. She just lay there for a while, not really caring who they were talking about. Finally, she staggered to her feet. Her eyes blurred. Adjacent to her was a girl, shorter than she. She wore the same as Rei, a collar and what appeared to be a band of metal strapped to one hand. The other arm looked somewhat strange, a little discoloured, but Rei took scant notice of it. She was slightly built and had harsh blue eyes and shoulder-length blue hair.
"By Lazlo's good name!" Rei muttered, her voice cracking. "Ami!" she cried, finding strength to run towards her. Rei hugged her, and the girl just looked… confused.
"Well, aren't you friendly!" she said. "Have we met?"
Rei froze, emotionally as well as physically. "You don't remember me, Ami-chan? I'm your friend, Rei!"
"Ami-chan? I ain't heard that name before…" she blinked. "You seem kind, but… no, I don't think I know ya." She gazed down at this strange black-haired girl. "Oh my!" she said, voice sounding shocked. "What've they done to you? Poor girl."
Rei dissolved into tears.
"My name's Sarah," she cooed, holding Rei gently. "Sssh, darlin', I know. I know what they did. It's going to be okay."
Several minutes passed while Rei cried. Hope had fled into some distant shadow after the previous night's beating with her only seeming friend, "Sliver." Even with his actions of the night before and the meticulous binding of her shattered leg, she trusted him about as much as she did a rogue Fury Beetle. Sorrow welled within her, for living to see the next day suddenly became very uncertain. Slowly, her tears ebbed, and she calmed.
"You going be okay now?" Sarah asked. Rei looked as if she had been asked if she would survive the world ending. She shook her head and said nothing.
"I'm sorry, I don't remember you. You seem so nice. Were we good friends?" She seemed genuinely curious.
"I don't know. I might be wrong," Rei said as she stepped away. "She and I were, yes."
This can't be right. Carl said it was her… but they almost looked nothing alike! she lamented in thought alone.
When she went to put her hand on her shoulder, she noticed a split in the skin where Sarah's arm visibly joined her body at the shoulder. Under it was…
"Oh, mercy," she whispered.
… the cold sheen of metal.
Sarah barely noticed Rei's reaction.
"Oh yeah, my arm. Nothing special, just prosthetic."
Rei was frozen, not moving, not even breathing. Sarah took her by the shoulders.
"Hey. You okay?" She shook her slightly. "Darlin'?" Sarah shook her again. She swore, then drew her hand across her face quickly. Rei gasped, eyes jammed shut for a moment.
"Better?" Sarah asked, carefully studying the black-haired girl's swollen eyes.
Rei sank to her knees and sat down, head bowed. There was a hiss as the door opened. A white lab coat man and a black armoured grunt entered. The man gestured for the grunt to wait. He approached the two. Sarah snarled protectively, noting the needle in his hand.
"No, no, it's me, Dr. Silver. I'm just here to give you your shots," he said reassuringly. Rei's head snapped up to him. She mouthed, 'You helped me,' and smiled slightly.
"That's right," he crooned, "that'll just take a second."
Rei put up as much fight as her strength would allow, which was not much. He kneeled close as if he was holding her down.
"I can't stay; they suspect me," he whispered, "I promise you, I'll be back as soon as we can shift the blame."
Sarah also feigned putting up a fuss but eventually took the needle. Then, with a snarl, she pushed him roughly towards the grunt. He fell against the armoured guard, who cursed.
"You bastard human," Sarah snarled at the doctor as she got her feet. Something told Rei she enjoyed playing the feral aggressor.
Play along, her gaze told him for not much more than an instant. She snarled and leapt at the grunt, who knocked her aside. Dr. Silver cried out in mock terror and pounded at the door. Rei lay there crying, listless, and lost. Sarah continued to snarl at Dr Silver, who appeared scared as he scrambled against the door, hoping to claw his way out.
The grunt punched in the door combination as he eyed the Amazon warily. The doctor flew through the door like the pearly gates, leading to his salvation. The grunt seemed in no hurry to leave. Sarah decided he needed some convincing. She dove at him, aiming to wrench the weapon from his black gauntleted grip. At the last instant, the grunt stepped aside. She sailed into the wall, face first, her nose snapping like a thin twig. As she impacted, she felt a jolt of pain, and a numb sensation began to spread through her back. She felt limp to the ground, paralyzed.
"That'll teach ya," the grunt chuckled.
If I weren't so weak, he'd not hit me!
Sarah's mind fogged as she watched the grunt approach Rei, still consumed by her tears. The grunt raised the mace, and Sarah could not get her voice to work. She could only watch as he stunned and carried her over his shoulder.
She feared for that kind of girl.
—
"Careful, careful!" he cried. "I don't want any unnecessary bruising!"
"Yeah, yeah," the grunt replied, letting her fall with no particular care to the examination table. "Do you think I give a flying frag? You do yer job, I'll do mine. Okay?"
The doctor's scrawny features assumed an unpleasant expression, making him look like a dissatisfied vulture.
"Moron!" he snapped. "I ask for elite guards, and what do I get? Simpletons like you!" he almost spat at the grunt.
"Listen you," replied the black-suited grunt grumpily. "I didn't ask for this lousy job, so why doncha just mind yer own crap!"
"Oh, go on, haven't you got a Dog Boy to associate with?"
The grunt departed, muttering about apes and the doctor's mating habits.
"Philistine!" the doctor croaked as the door slid smoothly shut. He shook his head and sighed, muttering curses under his breath. A smile began to warm his face as he neared the young woman the grunt had unceremoniously dumped on his lab table.
"Why… Aren't you a pretty one," he observed appreciatively. "Hardly any fat at all. All muscle. It's too bad they won't let me do Juicer conversions on your kind. You're so strong already," he said as if she were awake and a child requiring nurturing. He began the task of binding her to the table. He hummed as he did so, some nameless tune without direction or key.
"The doctor will have to remove this collar," he singsonged tunelessly, "it will interfere with the tests."
His eyes fell on her long black hair as he moved to her neck. "Such pretty hair," he muttered, running his sinewy fingers through the thick strands. "Dr. Ravelli is going to have to shorten it. A pity."
After he was finished binding her, he idly bandaged her bloodied nose, cleaning the scarlet substance from her face and carefully securing a strip of gauze which contained a metal band. He then sat on one of his stool chairs and spent some time admiring her. The scanners did their work, querying the anatomy of the young woman, gathering the scores and details of her body. An hour must have passed before he noticed her eyes fluttering open.
"Oho! She awakens!" he piped cheerily, hopping down from the stool so he could stand next to her.
Her gaze, confused, fell on him, making her face look fear-filled. He could see the muscles of her body tensing as she tried to move, as she realized she was restrained.
"No, no, you dear beauty, don't panic. It wouldn't be good for you to panic."
She relaxed somewhat. He smiled, the sags of flesh on his face tightening into lines.
"Good, good, that's it. Relax." He reached for something out of her line of vision. She felt the tips of fingers on the inside of her arm and tensed again. There was a sharp spike of pain as what she recognized to be a needle slipped into her arm.
"No!" she cried. He flinched, digging the intravenous too deep into her arm. Blood began to trickle from the wound.
"Now that's no good," he said softly, "can't have you startling me like that!"
He proceeded to a wall of vials, beakers, and other scientific equipment.
"No talking," he whispered, returning with a gag, wrapping it around her head while she struggled.
"See?" he mocks as he picks through several heated IV bags. "Isn't that better? I much prefer the silence, myself. Life is much too loud."
The doctor finally settled on not the green bag, not the blue one with red spots, nor the neon one, but the gruesomely coloured rainbow one.
"Ah-ha," he smiled, "Hell In A Needle. Just what the doctor ordered!" he chuckled. "Will you listen to me? I just made fun!" He laughed for several moments, not seeming to notice the wideness of Rei's eyes and how they watched the bag he held in utter horror.
He set the bag on a hook on the wall nearby with great precision, then hooked the tube to the IV in her arm.
"Oh," he gasped, noticing the blood on her arm, "my little goof up is making a mess everywhere. I guess I'll have to do something about that." He disappeared from her sight for a moment, then returned.
"Here," he slapped a bandage on the 'oopsie.' Rei gasped loudly into her gag. A solitary tear travelled down her cheek.
"Is that better now?" he smiled at her as the rainbow sludge mixture drained slowly into her bloodstream. Eventually, his eyes began to wander. Rei watched those eyes, wondering what it would be like to crush them in their sockets. She also wondered how far you had to open the mouth to slip a knife in and carve out the tongue. Considering how would be the most painful way for him to die, her mind raced to the fire.
The fire; it had always guided, helped her, in her time of need, and when the Senshi had needed to know of the evil that the Negaforce unleashed. Even before, as a Priestess, it had never failed her in her times of need. Her mind saw his flesh boiling under the extreme heat it could produce. She saw him being consumed by the fire and heard him screaming, pleading for mercy. Anything for mercy, please!
Her mind waded and stood amongst death, knowing that these thoughts might be her last. She wondered what could possess someone to
(kill)
Why would you
(crush someone's skull, sending pieces of bone-deep into)
Her mind faded, blurred, and hurried at the reality that hers was changing.
A silent vow came to her, a reaching, a probing, a lost hope:
If I survive, I will kill him. I will use the fire to fry him alive!
Then, her reality ended.
—
He paced; only a few minutes remained. She would come out of the coma in less than ten minutes. Dr. Ravelli fidgeted furiously in expectation of his latest creation. It is such beauty to be transformed into such power!
What will manifest in my black-haired beauty? If nothing, then she would have to undergo further treatment. He almost had to wonder how much more she could take; she had already endured a week of exposure to the drugs. No matter. She would come into her own. She was too much of a wonder not to survive.
The fire.
The flames licked at her soul, teasing her. She felt the warmth and knew that the fire was there. It was there for her. It was going to help her take her revenge.
You have known the fire most of your life. Use it. Use it to take back that which has been stolen from you.
Her eyes snapped open. Awareness flooded her senses. Colour. Light. The lights in the ceiling shone above her. She felt the coldness of the table, her bare skin against it. The air was warm in her dry mouth. Listening to the sound of her world, she heard nothing. Nothing.
Movement in the corner of her vision brought her attention to him, The Hated One, as he entered the room. The door closed, and she saw his mouth move. Silence was his only comment. He reeled as she screamed. Rei felt the vibrations in her throat as her voice tumbled forth in terror and anger. The Hated One drew near as the noise ceased.
The fire!
Anger coursed through her. Rei felt her hand suddenly free from the bond that held it. That hand was on fire. The Hated One's mouth opened in a mixed expression of pleasure and stark amazement. She reached toward him with her flaming hand and sent the fire towards him, to let it burn, to destroy him. The fire took him, holding firm though he scrambled and ran through the door, leaving it open. She willed that the fire help her so that she might be sure of his death.
As the fire of her hand consumed the rest of her body, she felt the power of it fill her soul. Never again would he take anything from anyone. His life was hers. She flew out to the blackened body of the doctor; she knew the truth of the fire. It would never forsake her. Never.
Soon, others came. They wanted the fire. She cried out again and struck down those who came. They would not steal the fire from her. She was the fire now, and she would not be taken. She flew through the open door, going somewhere. She was not sure exactly where. Away? Away from what?
The pain.
As she sped down the white halls, she noticed cells like the one she had been held in. The thought that she might be able to free them did not even occur to her. Her hatred for the Coalition consumed her. Then she saw them as they ran towards her. They had weapons. The first stopped.
A cry of rage left her throat as she struck the first of the five. His helmet exploded in a plume of smoke. The second merely stepped over the body and pointed a strange-looking gun at her. A white foam issued forth from the weapon's nozzle, and as it struck her, it caused…
My fire! No…!
…a violent wash of pain took her as the flames of her body dissipated. She landed on her knees, coughing and cursing. Her voice rang out in uneven curses at her attackers.
She felt a hand pull her hair, forcing her to look at one of them. She watched his mouth move, her anger only growing as he spoke. Though she could no longer hear him, she was starting to understand the words that his mouth formed when it moved.
'… Gonna pay Bitch…'
Then, a hand hit her in the face. She bit the hand that slapped her, drawing blood. His mouth moved again, and so did the hand. Rei felt her arm snap as he twisted it violently behind her. She gave out in pain. The next thing she felt was a needle, then the welcome bliss of the veil of unconsciousness.
—
Rei could no longer tell night from day. She slept whenever the opportunity presented itself, which was not often. Between those restless periods lay more questions, beatings, and examinations. At times, the directing Doctor, Cassandra Analeek, would submerge her in a glass tube. It was discovered that Rei no longer needed to breathe. She could also cause an aura of fire to surround her at will. This, and other things, led Dr. Analeek to install cybernetic hearing implants in Rei so that she could explore her interests on a more intimate level.
Rei had only been awake for a short extent of time. The length of which she failed to recognize, not that it mattered. Being able to hear again was something she did not revel in. What was there to listen to but the curses of her captors as she continued to rebel in what few ways she could?
At least when deaf, she could pretend to ignore the name 'Bitch.'
She had been told to expect to meet the senior doctor. Dr. Silver's kind words were always welcome. He had also elaborated on the condition of 'Sarah,' a.k.a. Ami Mizuno. The mental stress was too much for the young woman; she had spontaneously developed amnesia. Every fact from the point of birth had been conveniently forgotten. The doctor sympathized with Rei's tears and said she shed none at the end of his recollection.
"Damn lot of good that did," Rei snarled faintly, getting to her feet. Her violet eyes travelled the wall, hoping some weakness would present itself. Of course, none did.
She shivered. Most of the time, the room's climate was bearable, but sometimes, like just then, it was like a warm evening on Mount Everest. She still wore the collar since they replaced it. No more since they did not care for any dignity that might have remained within her. Despite her bruises and scars, the evidence of her blossoming into womanhood was unmistakable. Her form had been filled out, mainly in the hips and bust.
Being a woman in captivity was no better than being a teenager. It presented her with nothing she could use.
"Be that all ye see of it? Mayhap there be more, my dear, than first appears," queried a deep, faintly pleasing male voice.
Rei gazed around sharply. "What?" She stared sternly at the wall as if trying to perceive something other than the whiteness of the ballistic plating.
"Quite right," the voice said, sounding amused. "Thou hast been less alone than thou hast thought for a long time."
Rei swore darkly. "What the hell is it you want?"
"I want ye, love." The conviction of his voice stunned her into silence and brought her anger to a halt. As the moments passed, she began to sense more than just his voice. His presence gradually became clear to her and his emotions, mind, and soul.
Over seconds, his life played itself out in her mind. The collar did not seem to restrain the flood of memories that ensued. He was a True Atlantean of some one hundred years of experience. He had known of her existence since birth and sought her out from that point forward. He was a powerful mage schooled in many magic arts, including the element of fire, temporal mysticism, and the delicacies of dimensional travel. He was considered by many a force to be reckoned with and respected. She also read in him that she was his first and only love, that he had not fallen for another over the century of his life. The strength of his passion took possession of her heart until she replied with intensity and potency. Rei found herself crying tears of insurmountable joy.
As the bond tightened between them, a humanoid figure trickled into existence. He had the seriousness of a raven written in the gorgeous features of his face, the muscular build of a mighty warrior, and midnight-tinted waist-length hair smooth as silk. He was clothed in deep shades of silken black as if in mourning.
Immediately, she was in his arms, mumbling softly, wordlessly. Emotions and thoughts flooded her mind to the point of confusion. She knew not what to say first.
You need to speak not. I know. I have read in your beauteous heart all you offer me, he uttered gently in her mind.
"But…" Rei whispered. "It's just so much… to be loved like this… um, to have you, everything…"
Speak with thy mind. They cannot block the passions we share.
It seemed incredible, even for its honesty, she felt for an instant. We must escape, Rei started, her telepathic words hesitant at first. We must… I… It's not safe here.
Aye, my sweet. However, thou needs must speak first with Cassandra.
Rei recoiled. Why?
She means to free thee, tagged that she might track you to your home and kin. Ah, blessed heart, listen. Though my powers are great… Do you know what it is to be mystically exhausted?
Hai, Adolphus, I understand, she replied, feeling calm for the first time since she knew not when. What about you? Indeed, you weren't so reckless… as to spend all your manna?
Oh, I have a tid-tell little spell that will need a touch more'n I've got a-yet. He leaned forward, planting his lips firmly to hers. Silence drifted idly by as immeasurable passion was shared. He then smiled softly, stepping back from her. Until then, I will be invisibly yours.
She nodded, a warm smile radiating on her face. His eyes narrowed in a rare expression of hatred. Immediately, Rei understood; she was sharing his hatred for their abuse of her. As much as she appreciated the direction of his emotion, she would think he was not angry. It darkened his face so unpleasantly!
They come! he thought bitterly. It would be wisdom itself to play your anger out now, aye?
In response, she pushed her feelings down into the core of her soul, forcing what little animosity remained to come to the surface. The focus of Adolphus' feelings became darker, she felt, and it helped her to concentrate on the matter at hand. As the door slid smoothly open, she brought a scowl to her face.
"Feh," the grunt said. "In a bad mood tonight, hey Bitch? Well," he hefted his standard-issue CS energy rifle. "It doesn't matter to me. So long as yer not too loud."
He grabbed her shoulder, pulling her out into the hall with him. "Dr. Analeek said she wanted you."
Rei remained silent for most of the trip, caring for a change whether or not she was brutalized.
"Why so quiet, fire-hussy? Did we finally beat the fight out of you?"
Rei snarled under her breath, fully prepared to turn and fight.
Please love, not as yet! Adolphus' mind explained soothingly to her. She knew he was walking beside her; she could feel him. She wanted to look at him, to hold him, and it hurt her so that she could not. Besides, ye have seen only the one side of yon coin.
"Huh? I guess we got it! I never figured you for a quitter," the grunt said, seemingly surprised. "The doc said you'd never let up, if ya know what I mean…"
Rei stopped and cast a measured glance back at the armoured man.
"Hunh… Just you keep moving Bitch!" He slapped her, his hand cupped for effect more than pain, knocking her to the floor. He spoke in hushed tones as he knelt down to help her up.
"Sorry, I hafta do that. Dr. Silver said he'd be back real soon with the others. He said he'd gotten word 'n Usagi and Mina. All of you be gettin' out of here soon." He shoved her away roughly as he finished and uttered another loud order.
She nodded ever so slightly in his direction, thanking him. The passing of a pair of moments saw them to Dr. Analeek's office and the entry of Rei into her presence.
"Radiant! Radiant!" a soft, sultry voice exclaimed gently. "My sweet heavens, you are beautiful. Dr. Ravelli did have glorious taste if nothing else."
Rei glanced upward at the woman, challenging her with distinct ferocity. The sun-bleached blond stood and returned Rei's gaze evenly, maintaining the altercation. It instead seemed to Rei that the amply built woman would make a better prostitute than a scientist. She hardly fit the stereotype: wide dark green eyes, full, firm lips, a slender hourglass figure, and a graceful, sensual look about her. If not for the fact that her hair had been done up elaborately on her head, it would have quickly fallen in full pale gold lengths to her svelte waist. She wore a simple khaki business suit, which somehow accented her figure rather than concealed the generous curves of it.
She is, as she is, a tool to you now. Bide time at this moment.
Rei felt the warming of emotions in Adolphus and fought to conceal her reaction. For a moment, there was the flicker of an oddity at the statement and another pang at the loss of Juan, but both were stifled by her new love's complete understanding and sympathy.
"What do you want?" Rei began, making a point of simplicity for the complication of emotions within her soul.
"That, my dear, is - for the most part - up to you. I know what I want, but the real question is, do you?" The woman raised a sleek eyebrow.
She's playing with me, Rei stifled a flare of rage. She's toying with me!
Blessed heart, there will be no trespass upon you. None that I will allow, Adolphus stated. I am one with your fear.
Rei sighed. "I want to leave, Cassandra."
Cassandra smiled; she was winning. "That makes two of us, my angel. I tire of the Coalition. They tire of me. I find the concept of being an enemy of theirs tantalizing."
Rei looked nonplussed. "I don't get it."
Cassandra nodded seriously. "Of course you don't. To put it plainly, I have two problems. First, how do I make an enemy of the political power I have served my entire life? Leave. That, my luscious creature, is my second problem. How do I leave so that I must occupy a body bag to return? You are my means. So far, breaking the standards of experimentation upon you has meant nothing. Why? Merely for the reason that your angelic frame refuses to expire. You have survived the most brutal exploratory surgery, drug exposures, and physical abuse."
Rei shuddered plainly at the references made by Cassandra to her. Each time she did, the blond woman smiled, pleased.
"Stop it!" Rei snarled. "I am not your angel!"
Cassandra merely looked satisfied. "I knew you wouldn't hold back. I was counting on it." She stepped around her white desk and stood before Rei, studying her closely. "You are too much the Firebrand. I am glad I chose you."
Rei's open palm moved before she could think to stop it. Cassandra gasped and wiped a bit of blood away from her lip as it curled somewhat angrily downwards.
"Mind your temper. I have limited generosity, my dear."
Rei growled, her fury growing. Thoughtlessly, she grabbed Cassandra by the neck and squeezed lightly. "You came to me. You do what I say. Got it?"
Cassandra gagged and gasped. "Y-yes… ugh… yes! Okay! What d-do you want?"
"I want you to free Ami Mizuno."
Cassandra looked shocked. "The half-cyborg?"
Rei tightened her grip on the woman's neck. "Agh-gh-all right…!" she coughed.
Rei dropped her and, with a dark scowl, stated, "I won't hesitate to kill you. Don't forget that."
Cassandra coughed, rubbed her neck with her hands, then said: "Perhaps. Were I you, I would endeavour not to forget that if you kill me now, you will never escape."
Rei's eyes narrowed.
"Ah," Cassandra smiled. "I see you do not favour the idea. Good. Shall we go?" She gestured towards the door.
How much longer, Adolphus?
No longer than my patience, blessed heart.
—
Ami, or Sarah, did not seem attached to the idea of departing.
"Damnit, Sarah, why not?" Rei asked, uncharacteristically trying to restrain her frustration. Sarah gazed calmly and steadily at her, her blue eyes serene and challenging at the same time.
"Listen, honey, I'm glad yer fine, but I can't go. Shyanne needs me."
Her eyes widened, "Who?!"
"A ten-year-old girl in GECA. Unless I kin find a way ta get 'er out…"
Adolphus?
It is the same to me when I am ready.
Okay. "Alright, Sarah, I'll get her out for you. Where is she?"
Skepticism washed over her face. "How?"
Rei leaned forward and whispered as she spoke. "A mage. He's… Um, he can get her out."
"Magic!" she exclaimed aloud.
Rei! Cassandra has betrayed thee! Suddenly, his form became visible. He took Rei's hand and pulled her to him. "Needs must we leave, now!"
Sarah got to her feet.
"Rei…" she started. Her face said the rest: come back for me…
"All right," she said, looking at Sarah and her raven-faced love. "Let's go."
—
As the grunts burst through the cell door, they noted a blue-haired girl falling, her soul pouring out through her eyes.
"What the hell is this?" snapped an angry-sounding, Dr. Desmond Bradford, following closely behind, stern glare cast upon the sobbing young woman.
Cassandra appeared beside him, eager to answer his question.
"Case 211-A, Sir. She seems to be crying."
The man issued a dangerously intolerant sigh.
"Is that a decisive reasoning based on your thorough understanding of her physiological condition, Doctor?"
Cassandra walked about the room momentarily as if looking for someone. Dr. Bradford's hawk-like eyes scrutinized her actions. "Sir," she started, "we seem to be," she hesitated. "Missing one of the experimental cases."
"Must I continually stand witness to these failures!" he boomed, turning away from Cassandra briefly. "Arthur, Drake! Go! Take a squad and search the entire level until this creature is found! Now!"
"Yes sir!" one of the two grunts barked before exiting hurriedly.
"You, Cassandra, have a great deal of explaining to do. Come," the Administrator decreed as he departed the scene. With only a single regret-filled glance, she glanced back upon her failed ploy and exited the scene. Some moments after her tears had dried, Sarah heard a small voice.
"Mom…?" As this word was uttered, two forms faded slowly into existence.
"Come, Sarah, we cannot tarry!" Adolphus asserted swiftly. In his arms, he held a small grey-winged blond-haired girl. His face appeared somewhat pale, though Rei knew plainly why. A mystic talisman had given him the manna needed by drawing from his physical stamina. As a result, he leaned on her ever so slightly. He had been kind enough to provide the young girl with a robe, which was more than she had worn during her interval of residence at Lone Star. Sarah ran over to him, and they were gone.