Exhaustion was familiar to Viktor. Whether it was his weak constitution, his unhealthy work hours, his extreme introversion, or some combination, he so often felt like he was approaching collapse.
The experiments with hexcore were demanding and time consuming, but he was eager to see what fruits they could yield. Perhaps it could help diffuse the animosity between the Undercity and Topside. Jayce and I haven't done enough to help them there. Not yet.
"Am I interrupting?" a woman's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Viktor startled slightly and was glad he wasn't interfacing with the hexcore. He looked over and saw Councilor Mel Medarda at the door. She held a pot with a few tiny bulbs poking above the soil.
He shook his head. "No," he lied politely. "If you were hoping to see Jayce, he's already left for talks with the rest of the diplomatic committee." But she must know that. So why is she here?
Nodding, Mel moved in. "I suspected as much. I would be glad to speak with you, if you have time to spare."
I don't. "Go ahead. I hope you won't take it as rude if I continue working during it though."
Mel kept her expression neutral and Viktor took it as acquiescence. He examined the notes Jayce had made against his and what he had learned since they were written.
"That is the hexcore, correct? Would it risk contamination if I set the seedlings near it?"
He made an awkward thumbs up. She placed it down and maneuvered just beyond his personal space. "You had a great insight at the meeting. You know some of the brilliant people in the Undericty who could turn the hexgem into a weapon."
She's phrasing it as a question but making a statement. "Correct, but no. I'll not name them or show you where they are or actively collaborate with your military committee."
"Hmm." Mel had a curious expression that he caught before turning back to the papers. "I may both know less and more than you think. Despite sponsoring hextech for all these years, I do not know much about the quieter, indefatigable Hextech Partner."
Not as subtle as you think. Appealing to my ego by how I don't have a big ego? "No. I don't have my face on the sides of dirigibles and I don't want to. Certainly not Topside."
"I imagine that doing all that industry and being solitary is difficult even for a wallflower. But, as I have heard is said in the Undercity, 'loneliness is often a byproduct of a gifted mind.'"
What the hell?! Viktor snapped up from his papers. She'd have had his full attention and a long conversation if something far more pressing wasn't happening behind her.
"Get back!" he shouted and stumbled up precariously to get between her and the hexcore on instinct. The hexcore had pulled in the nearest seedling. Fortunately, it didn't explode or project it out at high velocity. At contact, the rosebud grew and blossomed into the great carnation rose.
With the adrenaline already leaving, Viktor was quickly losing balance. Mel stepped in and offered her hand. He took it until she passed his cane back to him. "Incredible," he said.
Sadly, the flower was short-lived. It wilted and decayed as fast as it grew. Still, an unparalleled breakthrough.
"Are you sure it is safe?" Mel asked with her gaze also fixed on the hexcore and its work.
"Of course not. But with time Jayce and I will–"
"Councilor Medarda!" a woman exclaimed and rushed into the room.
Mel took a deep breath of frustration. "What is the emergency, Elora?"
Her assistant glanced at Viktor nervously. Mel closed her eyes for longer than a blink then turned back to him. "Congratulations on this discovery. May I discuss your findings with you and possibly Jayce later?"
Viktor nodded as the two left. It responds to organic matter. But there is clearly a stability challenge. I will need to recheck the symbols.
It wasn't a couple of hours of diligent work later that Viktor heard another voice.
"Shall I leave your breakfast which is probably your supper here or place it in the icebox, Viktor?" Sky Young asked.
Viktor sighed. Ordinarily, Jayce would have made a point of meeting with him and could be helping him with this discovery, at least until he would have to leave for some promotional event. It is important for hextech to have its face be prominent. Still…
"Here. Though Jayce will not be joining me. You know why?"
"I do." She set down the tray. "Viktor…"
Viktor sanitized his hands. "Yes, Ms. Young."
She was looking down and had a hand behind her head. "Would it be okay if I joined you for the meal?"
"That would be fine," he said. She made a quiet sound he couldn't place.
"Thank you. I'll be right back with my tray. I have something to tell you when we're done," she added and dashed off.
Viktor sat down and waited for her to return. And waited. "Is everything okay, Ms. Young?"
His already ashen face turned a shade paler as he saw four men turn the corner, one of them holding one hand over Sky's mouth and the other holding a blade to her throat.
"The lesser known Hextech Partner, I presume," the likely leader of the group said.
Viktor clenched his cane. "Let Ms. Young go."
The leader made a tssk gesture with his finger. "We need some things first. We've heard a friend of a friend already made off with that hexgem. But what do you have over there," he asked, pointing to the hexcore.
Will delaying them give more time for security? Were they evaded, subdued, or paid off. "Something very dangerous."
The leader was moving closer to the hexcore. "As a weapon?"
"In the wrong hands," Viktor answered simply. Just be a little stupider and it should give Sky and me an opportunity to flee.
"Any Piltie or Piltie sympathizer is in the wrong hands. If Finn had–AAAHHH!" the leader screamed as he touched the hexcore. The magical device began its consumption as his gang forgot their mission and moved to help their boss.
One tried to pull him away, but she was disintegrating too. The third, who had been restraining Sky, was now looking around the lab. The fourth had fled.
"Run," Viktor said as he moved to Sky.
She shook her head. "I'm not leaving without you, Viktor."
He saw out of the corner of his eye the third had grabbed a row of tubes with highly volatile chemicals. He was bringing it to the hexcore.
"No! Don't use those–"
The explosion was catastrophic. The gang members were destroyed. Viktor and Sky were thrown on the ground by the blast. The sounds of breaking walls and the cracking ceiling told him they had little time.
He tried to push himself up and realized he was too hurt and weak too. He checked on Sky, who was still down and looking at him. "Sky, please save yourself."
"I think my right leg is broken. Viktor, I have to tell you. I love you," she confessed.
Is she delirious? No, she's sincere. Somehow, she loves me.
Parts of the floor above were falling down. Sky extended a hand to him. "I've loved you for a long time."
I wish I could reply in kind. But I can't. I can't lie to her moments before our death. But she does deserve consolation. A stingy trade, but the best I can offer her. He reached out and their hands interlocked. They shared a bittersweet smile as he crawled closer. A few moments later, the last of the support failed and the upper levels broke through.