Chapter Ten: A Vault Full of Regrets
The team resumed the path at a faster pace and soon reached the area below the East Side waterfront plant. The underground network was efficient once more. As they approached the tunnel's exit, Ekko stopped and turned around to face the team.
– Everyone, boards ready?
The Firelights nodded. Vi took it as a signal to put on the gauntlets.
– Caitlyn, you'll go to the nearest rooftop as planned. Take this –he handed a rudimentary walkie-talkie–. It's a radio. I have one, and Vince has another one as well. You'll be the eyes in the sky. If things get shady, let us know ASAP.
Caitlyn nodded with a serious face expression. Ekko continued with the checklist.
– Abyss, explosives?
– You got it.
– Alright. Taric, you'll be joining Vince and his team. I'll stay with Abyss and the second team to prepare the structure for blow-up.
He turned to address the entire gang.
– Whatever you do, do not let Jinx see you. Let Vi talk and wait for her signal. Once Jinx is contained, we secure the gemstone and destroy the plant. No casualties, no unwanted attention. Understood?
The group nodded sharply. Finally, Ekko turned to face Vi, and with a softer tone, he said:
– You better know what you're doing, Vi.
– I know what I'm doing.
The Firelights leader huffed to get in the zone. His hand reached his mask to pull it down.
– And Ekko –the boy turned towards her–, thank you for coming along.
The time bender gave her a half smile followed with an endearing look. Vi had a glimpse of Little Man's innocent look. She still remembered the vivid eyes of that kid to which she developed a true sense of affection. Now that she got to see the man that kid was becoming, she couldn't help but to feel the type of pride an older sister would. He slid the mask down to cover his face, ready to get the party started.
[Play "Chasing Daylight" by Scott Buckley]
The whole team made their way out, their attention peaking. Looking left and right, one by one exited the tunnel and quietly moved to the side walk, crunching. Since this was an area far away from the dazzling entertainment and busy commerce of Zaun, there was barely anyone in the streets. And the ones who were around couldn't care less about other people's business.
Stealthily, the squadron all reached the wall of one of the buildings closest to the perimeter of the shimmer plant. It seemed to be unusually quiet. Ekko made a hand signal, and the Firelights teams split up: one moving towards a ladder that led towards the rooftop of a nearby building, the other one walking along the building's wall towards the facility's fence.
– See you inside.
The Firelight's leader bumped his wrist against Vi's. She nodded. Ekko also made eye contact with Caitlyn, who was standing a couple of meters behind Vi. The couple watched him leave with the second group and waited for them to shear through the metallic net that guarded the shimmer plant.
But then, the cracking noise of several footsteps approaching alerted the enforcer. They were coming from the opposite wall. Vi also heard it, and made a gesture with her hand to tell Vince to hide. In the blink of an eye, the team jumped on their hoverboards and disappeared from the scene. Bewildered, Vi realized she also had to think fast.
The footsteps were followed by a rowdy crowd of what sounded like drunken goons of Silco. Caitlyn looked left and right trying to find a place to hide. The only spot that seemed convenient was a narrow alley across the street, discreetly disposed behind a dumpster full of smelly trash. She didn't think twice.
Vi was mentally preparing for a fight when a sudden pull on her arm made her lose balance. Confused, she was dragged across the road. The brawler was about to protest when the avid shooter almost shoved her into the alley. It was so narrow they barely fit one in front of the other.
– Caitlyn! What the hell? –Vi whispered.
– Shhht!
Caitlyn kept an eye out towards the street. In effect, a horde of armed men showed up, rumbling obnoxiously with bottles of liquor in their hands. Vi now understood Caitlyn's move, thus she adopted a more quiet behavior.
– And boom! The building went off! –a man shouted, like a storyteller would–. I see why Silco has put up with Jinx all this time. She might be a bit out of whack, but she's got the nerve.
Scowling, Vi clenched her fists. She wanted to break all of his teeth for that commentary. But she kept herself in place. They were too many to take down, and a loud distraction would for sure draw unwanted attention they could not afford right at this time.
– Nah, who cares! –another drunk man said– What matters is that we don't have to stay put anymore. And that tonight we're celebrating Zaun's independence!
– For the Nation of Zaun!
The drunken men shouted in hooray as they continued to take several large sips of the bottles they shared. Caitlyn stuck her head out to check where Ekko's team was. There was no trace of him nor of his team, which was a good sign.
– I think they made it in –she informed Vi, who could not see further than the dumpster in front of her.
The horde continued to walk by in the same manner hooligans would take over a street. One of them was wielding a gun, and annoyingly started showing a mix of nonsense and random threats. The few pedestrians that were around quickly ran away from the scene. But then, he landed eyes on the shiny golden buttons of Caitlyn's outfit that reflected the light of the nearest street light.
– Oooooohhh, what's that?
The enforcer pulled backwards instantly, sticking her back against the brick wall. Panting, her eyes met Vi's.
– What happened? –the brawler asked, keeping her voice down.
– I think he saw me.
Unintentionally, Vi put her arms side to side on Caitlyn's body in order to lift herself over the dumpster, trying to get a view of the man. But then she realized the blue light the gauntlets exuded was too bright, so she quickly removed them and placed them on the ground, leaning the back of the gauntlets against the wall in order to cover the bright blue light. She leaned again on the wall Caitlyn was against, and saw the drunken goon walking goofily towards them.
– It's just one, I can take him down –she whispered.
Vi was ready to step out of the alley when Caitlyn firmly grabbed her by the jacket and pulled her back in.
– No! –she yelled in a whisper– You're going to draw everyone's attention.
– Then what do you suggest? –Vi inquired, also whispering.
Caitlyn tried to think fast, for she could hear two more voices talking to their curious comrade.
– I-I can… try to persuade him.
– With what? Positive talk? –she snorted in a whisper.
– It's called diplomacy! –Caitlyn corrected her outrageously, her accent coming off strongly as a result– Maybe he will walk away if…
– He won't –she interrupted–. Once he hears you speak, he'll know you're from Topside right away.
– What? How?
Vi scoffed in disbelief.
– You have a strong accent.
– I do not have an accent! –Caitlyn didn't hide her indignation.
The two continued to argue in between whispers while the pressure grew in every breath. Slowly, the goons realized it wasn't something but someone who was hiding behind the dumpster.
– Hey, who's there? –another man's voice inquired– Whoever you are, you better come out!
Vi crunched slightly, instinctively covering Caitlyn who got pinned against the wall. She could hear them right behind the dumpster, which was the only thing that kept them from being exposed.
– They're right onto us –Vi uttered in a whisper, adrenaline flooding her veins–. What do we do?!
But then, Caitlyn had a sudden epiphany.
– We kiss.
Vi turned around at once.
– We what?
– We kiss! –Caitlyn repeated, this time panicking– If we pretend we're just fooling around, they won't see us as a threat.
Clumsily, the drunk man began fidgeting with the dumpster, but quickly realized it was too heavy for him to move in that state. There was no more time to look for other options. Awkwardly, Vi gulped and decided to follow as Caitlyn suggested. She leaned towards her and their lips touched, delivering the most possibly stiff kiss. Disturbed, Caitlyn slightly pushed her off.
– The heck are you doing?
– I-I'm sorry, It's hard to pretend to kiss someone! –Vi apologized, her cheeks blushing.
Two more men came to help move the heavy dumpster, their voices loudly directing harassments towards whoever was hiding behind it. With her hands tightly holding on her red jacket, Caitlyn looked at Vi straight into the eyes.
– Then let's stop pretending.
The brawler's heart skipped a beat. Suddenly, all the built pressure left at once. Right there, just for an instant, that whole situation dissolved into mere background noise. Caitlyn's eyes gained a distinctive brightness, and this time Vi didn't quiver. She placed her hand on Caitlyn's jawline and boldly shortened the distance. Her lips gently pressed onto the enforcer's, who drew her in towards her chest. Vi felt the heat rising. Her shoulders dropped, her muscles relaxed. They leaned into each other as the kiss went deeper, inviting both of their arms to embrace one another.
The sudden flare of a flashlight abruptly interrupted the kiss. Caitlyn lifted a hand to cover her face from the intense white light while Vi squinted her eyes and turned around with a fist mid air, threatening to punch them.
– Well, would you look at that –the drunkest man said, taken aback.
– Get lost before I break your face –Vi barked.
The men laughed and turned off the flashlight.
– This ain't no place to mess around, ladies.
But then, the somewhat sober one pulled the other two away from the alley.
– I'm so sorry, ladies! Come on, leave them alone. You've interrupted the fun.
– You're just jealous they didn't invite you in –the drunkest one giggled.
The two drunken men brought down their weapons with an obnoxious laughter. All three began walking away to catch up with the rest of the group with no questions asked. The couple exited the alley and watched them make fun of what had just happened like five-year-old misbehaved children.
Perplexed, Caitlyn couldn't believe that ridiculous, panic infused idea had actually worked. On the other hand, Vi sighed with a half smile on her lips. She bent over to pick up the gauntlets, then stood beside Caitlyn who was still processing the way that kiss felt.
– Well, that turned out to be a smart idea.
– It did, innit?
The two shared a smile, staring at each other with genuine affection. Vi felt a sort of relief the moment she accepted the truth about her feelings and surrendered to it. An inner barrier had finally fallen, like the release of a burden she hadn't been fully aware of. But it felt right; it felt real. And now she had a softer expression on her face, one that Caitlyn hadn't seen just yet. The enforcer's heart was racing, beating strongly inside her chest. She smiled at the light grey eyes that were still looking at her; she took a step forward and embraced her partner. The sensation of having their bodies pressed against each other felt deeply comforting.
As the hug ended, Caitlyn placed a hand on Vi's cheek and softly kissed her lips. The Undercitier was taken by surprise, but she closed her eyes and reciprocated the kiss unhesitantly. The first kiss felt rushed, even hungry, but this one was soft and caring. The gentleness which Caitlyn pressed her lips against Vi's with was something new for the brawler, who quickly got used to the lightness of the enforcer's pure heart.
– Caitlyn, you copy?
Ekko's voice through the radio burst the bubble of romance and reminded to the couple that they were in the middle of something. Even though the second kiss was short lived, the connection was deeply felt. Vi let the enforcer reach out for the radio while resting her free arm around her waist, keeping their bodies together.
– Yes, copy –Caitlyn answered after clearing her throat, although the butterflies in her stomach didn't leave.
– Are you in position?
– Uhm… Not quite.
– Then what are you waiting for?!
The scolding from the bossy teenager would have triggered her at any other moment, but given the current circumstances, Caitlyn simply complied. She put the radio away on her belt and rested her hands on Vi's forearms.
– Please, be careful.
– I will.
Vi gave her one last peck before they hurried in opposite directions. While Vi made her way towards the shimmer plant, Caitlyn returned to the building she was supposed to take position on. But once she was about to climb up the ladder, she felt the urge to get a little bit closer to the action zone.
The brawler found no resistance on her way in. The interior of the shimmer plant was quiet, yet the lights were on, indicating someone was in there. However, there were no guards. Could it be that the horde of goons she had just seen was the official laid-off men march? She quickly discarded the idea, for the few slurred words she overheard let her know they weren't even aware of their leader's death.
Vi kept her eyes open, scanning her surroundings for any impending threats. She contemplated the idea of calling out her sister's name. Nevertheless, she wanted to avoid surprises, so she continued to walk across the shimmer plant, observant. There were multiple metallic containers the size of a ship cargo lined up along the south wall, occupying most of the rectangular space. Vi wondered If they were empty, for they were left unwatched.
The brawler checked her surroundings once more. She approached one of the containers and opened it up. To her surprise, the container was filled with at least twenty barrels of shimmer. She closed the container and checked another one. Same layout, same quantity. The scowl on her face expression portrayed the revulsion she felt at that moment, imagining the large amount of liters that was stored right in front of her eyes.
Discreetly, Vi turned her back on the large set of windows that invited the moonlight to enter the infrastructure and made sure she could be clearly seen from them. She put her hand behind her back and brought index finger and her thumb together. Several meters away, Caitlyn clearly saw her sign thanks to the upgraded scope Heimerdinger had created for her. She picked up the radio and pressed on the "talk" button.
– Ekko, we've got confirmation. The containers are full.
– Copy that.
Ekko let Abyss know it was a green light to silently set up the explosives. But then, a familiar voice echoed across the empty space of the shimmer plant.
– Well, well, look who is here.
Vi lifted her head up at once, her chest tightening. On top of the sealed double door, there was a platform that extended across the plant. Leaning on the railing, there was Jinx. Her eyes looked tired, but her demeanor and body language clearly stated she was emotionally disconnected. Vi noticed the machine gun's band across her small chest, as well as the glowing blue light emerging from the pocket of her belt.
– Powder, can you come down so that we can talk? –she asked politely in a soft tone.
In the blink of an eye, a bullet hit the floor right in between Vi's legs. Her reflexes were quick and immediately jumped backwards. She could tell this was just a warning shot, which was unsettling nonetheless. Caitlyn's finger twitched on the trigger of her sniper rifle. She took a deep breath in to calm her nerves, her eyes locked on the scope's window. Ekko's team also got startled, but they stayed put and remained invisible in the shadows.
– I told you, already. My name is Jinx.
Vi clenched her fists but said nothing. The teenager began strolling towards the side where the metallic stairs connected the main floor to the platform she was walking on.
– I knew you'd end up coming. The question is, what are you here really for?
Slowly, she started to descend each of the steps until she reached the main plant.
– You blew up a building, and some people died because of it. Topside is about to attack the Undercity, nothing like we've seen so far. You need to give the gemstone back before that happens.
– So that's the real reason why you came.
Vi's stomach tightened. Jinx was laughing under her nose, her eyes locked on the floor while casually walking around with the gun in her hand.
– It's not the only reason, though. I came because I still care about you. And I don't want you to die. You're my sister, and I love you.
Jinx stayed silent for a moment as she continued to stroll side to side, thinking. Vi's breathing was agitated. She wasn't sure if Jinx would let these words sink in, so she just stared, expectantly, hoping a positive outcome would result from it.
[Play "Wanderlust" by Ben Berkenbosch]
– You see –Jinx began to say–, in this city, everyone is a liar. Liars, liars, and more liars! I am fed up with that.
The teenager stopped moving a few meters away from Vi, standing right in front of her, now making the gun in her hand spin playfully.
– But you, I'm not sure if you're a liar just yet.
– Then ask! –Vi yelled with frustration.
Jinx frowned, but her inner child did want answers. Her tone shifted from threatening to showing some hurt.
– Did you mean what you said about leaving?
Vi recalled the moment she evoked those words. It was at the macabre dinner table, when she had been tied up to a wooden chair. She remembered coming up with that solution on the spot in order to save Caitlyn's life. But did she mean those words? Her chest tightened. The thought of leaving Caitlyn was painful enough to see clearly she didn't mean to leave, even though she would have if that entailed saving Caitlyn.
However, she was also aware of how important it was that Jinx surrendered, or at least turned in the gemstone. Her soul knew this war had to be put to an end before it spread. And then, the fainted voice of her second father figure appeared as a distant echo in her conscience. She knew what he'd advise her if he was by her side: "you've got a responsibility with those who look up to you. When your people need you, you don't get to be selfish."
A deeply felt sigh left her mouth. "I'm sorry, Cupcake" she thought to herself, her mind fully coming to terms with the decision that had to be made for the benefit of all. And with a half smile on her lips, she looked straight into the eyes of her little sister.
– Yes, I meant it.
Jinx seemed surprised by that solid answer. It threw her off, for she could intuitively feel she was indeed telling the truth. Parallel to this, Caitlyn felt a stabbing pain in her heart, realizing that the tough choice she had been so afraid of turned out to fall onto Vi's shoulders instead. A deep sense of regret took over her being from head to toe. The reality that she might have to let Vi go for good in exchange for peace struck her like the unforgiving waves of a tidal sea. And worst of all, this was a choice that wasn't even hers to make.
A genuine smile got drawn in Jinx's lips, her body language showing she was now relaxed and starting to trust again. She put the gun away and began to walk towards her sister who was only a few meters away.
– Then, we'll leave. As you said, we will put this behind us. Can we… hug?
The formality of that request felt odd to Caitlyn, who was able to have a first row seat to the conversation thanks to the magnified scope of her rifle. She frowned, watching closely every move.
[Play "The Death of Night" by Ben Berkenbosch]
– Uhm… yeah –Vi answered with a bit of confusion.
The brawler opened up her arms slightly and took a step forward towards Jinx, who mirrored Vi's movement. Caitlyn zoomed in to the maximum the scope allowed, and then she saw it: there was a dark gooey substance on the edge of Jinx's fingers. She gasped, and immediately reached out for the radio. But then, she stopped herself. She had no idea what that thing could be. Was it a real threat or was it mere paint stains? Fortunately, she became aware of self-doubt creeping in, which was a sign not to be tricked by Jinx's games of playing innocent. There was nothing innocent about Jinx.
– Vince, you copy? –Caitlyn spoke through the radio in a concerned tone.
– Yes. What's up?
– Jinx has something in her fingers. I believe she is up to something. Is your team in position?
– Yes, we're ready. Are you sure, though?
Caitlyn observed Jinx meeting Vi, and when her hands were about to wrap around Vi's neck, she noticed the teenager glancing at the area and about to apply the mysterious substance in it.
– My intuition is never wrong.
She took a deep breath in, and out. *BANG!* A bullet hit right beside the teenager's foot on purpose, which startled both of them. Vi jumped to the side as a reflex and, in doing so, Jinx's hand hit the collar of her jacket. A cold sensation on her shoulder made Vi bring her hand to it, and when she did, she touched the gooey substance that had stained her clothes and a bit of her lower neck. Wondering what the heck that was, the deception in her eyes was evident.
– What were you about to do?
Jinx growled from the depth of her soul, for not only her plan had been frustrated but now her sister saw she was about to trick her. Shocked and in disbelief, Vi felt the tears sliding down her cheeks. Jinx couldn't stand her sister staring back at her like that, and suddenly got engulfed by the loud voices in her head. The pain, the sorrow; it all intensified drastically in the blink of an eye. The shimmer in her system got activated, and just as if someone had turned on a switch, her head turned towards the direction the bullet had come from, her eyes landing on those of Caitlyn.
– YOU!
Jinx immediately picked up the machine gun and she fired it mercilessly in her direction, forcing Caitlyn to take cover. The window she was standing by exploded into a thousand pieces, and she had no option but to run for her life. Jinx followed her trail, shooting in her direction non-stop. The windows were getting shattered one by one as Caitlyn ran along the rooftop, getting several scratches all over her right side due to the flying broken glass.
– Go! –Vince shouted.
Him and his team of Firelights dropped from the ceiling and flew on their hoverboards right above Jinx in order to catch her attention. Vi was about to strike her fist on Jinx's machine gun when a sudden dizziness made her stumble. Her vision went blurry, and the need to hold onto something made her fall on her knees, hands on the floor. The fire ceased, but Jinx immediately reached out for one of her grenades, pulled the pin with her thumb and threw it right in the position she anticipated Caitlyn would be in. The enforcer saw it coming, slammed the breaks and jumped through one of the broken windows inside the plant. With a painful landing, she rolled on top of one of the containers. The grenade went off at the same time she landed and left a remarkable big hole in the infrastructure.
– Now!
Ekko's voice gave the signal to the other team of Firelights to come out from in between the cargos to ambush Jinx, who was completely taken by surprise. She turned around and ran back towards the stairs she had descended minutes ago. The Firelights threw freezing bombs at her to try to immobilize her and capture her alive, but the skillful teenager managed to dodge them and even hit some of them, thus opening the freeze bombs mid air.
Starting to feel numbed, Vi looked where the grenade had exploded. A cold sweat was letting her know something was definitely not well. She tried to move, but she could not.
– Hold on.
Taric appeared from behind a corner and kneeled beside her. He hovered his hand over the brawler's neck and detected a substance he had no awareness of. Frowning, the healer focused all of his energy in connecting with Vi's fascias. He could feel this unknown substance attempting to merge with Vi's nervous system.
Scared and enraged, Jinx continued to shoot at all the Firelights that crossed her path. But then, a red siren went off. The loud and obnoxious alarm sound echoed through the entire plant and Jinx couldn't help the laughter. Suddenly, everyone was prompted to find stillness. The double door slit open, and the gigantic shape of a beast appeared on the other side of the door. With two green glowing valves plugged on its shoulders, sharp huge claws, and wearing nothing else than a pair of ripped pants, the silhouette of a werewolf appeared amongst the mist. Everybody's jaw locked, bewildered.
– Meet Warwick, everyone! –Jinx introduced, kooky and gallantly at the same time.
To be continued…