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Chapter 61
Fresh start
Vai'dqouulth landed his ship on the roof of Katja's communal dwelling. He was surprised her status did not allot her better living arrangements. She was a decorated elite, after all.
"Quick in, quick out. Everyone should be asleep. No tangos, only guns are our biceps. Should be easy," Adrien summarized, cracking his knuckles.
Regardless, Vai'dqouulth engaged his cloak. Humans were unpredictable, and there was no reason to assume that at least one wouldn't be prowling the halls after hours.
Their first obstacle, though, was the padlock on the roof access door. Old technology, but effective unless Vai'dqouulth used his blades.
Before leaving any marks of his presence, he would first allow the humans to demonstrate their ingenuity.
"Adrien?" Katja prompted.
The marine warrior pulled out what seemed to be a featureless handle; but with a simple button press, a blade folded out. More Yautja inspired technology.
The human male fiddled with the lock before it opened.
"Ladies first," Adrien gestured.
"I coulda done that, too…" the runt grumbled – in Russian, as always.
Ignoring him, they all stalked down the stairs quietly, like the hunters they were. Well, all but the runt, who dragged his feet in the loudest manner possible.
"I'm tired, and don't feel good–" Alexei began, but Katja didn't let him get any further.
"Hush."
She turned after a few flights into a hallway. It seemed she was reading door numerics before stopping at one.
"Dammit," Katja whispered, folding her arms.
"What?" Adrien asked as he pasted his back against the wall, darting his eyes left and right.
"My keys are at the base," Katja sighed.
"The one in Moscow?" Adrien asked hopefully.
"No, the one back in Siberia, the FOB." She pulled at her braid. "I do have a spare in my locker at my real base but…I can't show up there."
Scratching at his elbow, Adrien wrinkled the hair strips above his eyes. "No, guess not. And not to be blunt, but are you sure the locks are even the same? What if your dad already told the landlord you were dead, and your stuff isn't even in there anymore?"
Katja threw him an unblinking look. "You couldn't have brought that up before we came here? Anyway, I already thought of that. But my rent is paid out for the next two months, and my landlord is incredibly lazy. He wouldn't have cleaned it out yet or changed locks, even if my dad did report it to him. He'd wait at least until the end of the month, at the last minute."
Vai'dqouulth didn't understand why they were even having this discussion. Adrien had demonstrated he could open locked human doors. Why hadn't he begun on the one before them now? Katja could then determine if a new human had overtaken her residence and swiftly dispatched them.
Having had enough, even if he might be leaving evidence, he sliced a single blade through the hinges on the other side. Before the door could hit the floor, Adrien managed to catch it.
"Thanks for the warning, you ass," Adrien grunted and hissed through grinding teeth. Gently, he lowered the door so as not to alert the building residents.
Stepping in, Katja turned on the lighting fixtures. "Ok, just clothes and sentimental items, nothing else. I should still have some boxes I got back from… Alexander."
His Earth mate stepped away to a room further in the back. Meanwhile, Vai'dqouulth took the opportunity to try and glean information about her from the living space. At a glance, he would say, humble.
She was truly of modest means. No unnecessary items decorated her dwelling. Just colored still video frames of her and presumed associates. One was a large group frame of her and her fellow warriors. Vai'dqouulth picked out Petrov's face, and perhaps the human with the crooked nose who had helped challenge him on the Siberian rooftop; but he hadn't seen any of the others long enough to recognize them.
Katja did not stand out among them in any particular way. Surprising, since decorated warriors in his society would be just the opposite of modest.
"The photos are sentimental. Will you please gather them?" Katja whispered, holding out a brown pulp box. How he loathed square shapes now.
"Sei-i," Vai'dqouulth answered, taking the storage unit.
"I call underwear," Adrien broke their conversation, trying to grab a box. To Vai'dqouulth's auditory organs, he did not sound serious.
"Fine, you got it; pack my clothes. Don't bother folding," Katja rolled her eyes and ceded the container.
Adrien grabbed it and disappeared into the room in the back without another word. Some coughing and sneezing could be heard from the doorway.
Katja began taking down the photos and placing them into Vai'dqouulth's unit. "Thanks for helping. I'm sure there's probably many things you'd rather be doing right now."
Vai'dqouulth did a mandible flex before responding. After all their time together, did she not know there was nowhere else in the galaxy he'd prefer to be than by her side? "I am where I am needed."
They moved along the walls, putting the 'photos' in the box carefully.
Alexei had turned on the room's motion capture recording display on low volume and had placed himself in front of it, he thought it a waste, but realized the runt was watching Katja's clan report on the battle zone they had just left. Suddenly it was Adrien's voice from the back room that got both Vai'dqouulth and Katja's attention.
Katja glanced at him with that scrunched-up confusion of hers before moving toward the noise. He decided to join.
"What time is there?" Adrien asked over the phone.
"Late afternoon, four or five." Chloe answered. "I think. I was emailing something to my boss and lost track of time."
"Yeah? What's for dinner?" Adrien prompted.
"I haven't decided. It might be a McDonald's night," Chloe answered.
He could hear Mackenzie whooping in the background at the prospect of fast food.
"…Do you want to talk to her?" Chloe offered, cautiously.
"No. I'll… no." Adrien sputtered a bit. "Later." Out of the corner of his eye, he could see an audience gathering. Fantastic.
"Please tell me this doesn't involve that weird meteor in Russia that everyone keeps going on about," Chloe whispered.
"I don't know what you're hearing on the news about it, but this job is over. It's done. I'm uh, on my way home," Adrien said. This was the first time he revealed operations to her. And from her perspective, it must be terrifying to hear your husband, separated or not, was in an area considered an enemy nation.
"When will you get in?" Chloe asked. He could hear her voice break just a bit.
"Not sure. I'll contact you," Adrien answered, just in case someone was listening in. But this was a foreign phone, not something Bob could track. And he wouldn't bother tapping his wife's phone when they were separated.
Lazy ass was probably at home already anyway, whereas Adrien had to stay late most of the time.
"Adrien, what's wrong?" asked Chloe.
Ah, the question that always led to a fight. Not because he didn't want to tell her, but because he couldn't, and it ripped him inside out to lie to her.
"It's been a hard week. Lost some good people along the way," he finally shared, looking the ever-nosey Katja right in the eye as he did.
Katja looked away from him.
"Oh… honey…" Chloe began sympathetically. Adrien checked the stopwatch on his phone. Damn, he was out of time. "You know, I'm… really glad you called. I was worried."
"I know, me too. Look, I gotta go. I'll be in touch. Don't believe anything the CIA tells you," Adrien said, ending the call before she could say goodbye. It was like a knife cutting into him to hang up like that, but he had to.
"Hope you hate your landlord, cuz I just made an international call and he's gonna be charged for it since you're dead," Adrien stated.
"I'm… indifferent to him, I guess," Katja shrugged.
"Whelp, I figure we've got about six minutes before FSB is crawling around your room," Adrien deduced, grabbing the box of clothes. Rags, really. Clean, but worn and very basic. In spite of his Hornet-like attempt at humor, he hadn't actually spent any more time grabbing clothing than he had to. He'd have to get her something decent to wear once they were in America.
"Federal Security Bureau?" she gasped. "Why? You don't think my father…?"
No, it's because they'll monitor the living space of their expensive weapon. Adrien thought it, but didn't voice it. He looked past her and at Blue, who was impassable, as always.
"They'll be on alert for any survivors that slipped through the cracks," Adrien answered in a roundabout way that wasn't fully a lie.
She nodded and went back to grab a box. Alexei, who had finally joined them, whined about carrying a box of his own; but they hustled him out of the apartment and made their way down the hall.
As they walked, a door suddenly opened in the hallway and they all froze. Well, this must be a sight. An American, camouflaged Blue with the floating box, Alexei, and a Russian Spetsnaz Captain.
The woman, who'd emerged in nightwear, looked alarmed; but Adrien distinctly made out the name Jekaterina. This lady knew her, then. Would it make things easier, or more difficult?
Katja moved to the woman quickly, speaking in Russian all the while; but with a reassuring tone. Ushering her back to her apartment, Katja disappeared inside with her.
A few moments later, their girl emerged. "Inessa, my neighbor," Katja motioned.
"Is it a problem?" Adrien asked.
"No," Katja assured.
And why, Adrien thought, would it be? Inessa would do what Katja asked. As they all did.
The ragtag group continued, and returned to the roof without incident.
Once at the top, they looked down and saw the promised FSB agents swarming in. Katja seemed confused. Either by the fact that Adrien was right, or had underestimated her own importance.
With the boxes loaded, Adrien grabbed her shoulders and pulled her toward the ramp. "C'mon. Let's get off this fucking continent," he hissed lowly.
Once aboard, the ramp closed. Seemed Blue wasn't going to take any chances.
"I'm sorry. About your phone call. I didn't mean to eavesdrop," Katja apologized preemptively. Frankly, Adrien didn't care. It was just nice to hear his wife's voice again. And Mackenzie…
"S'fine," he assured quickly. "I better go talk to Blue. Show him where I live."
That seemed like the mother of all bad ideas, but beggars couldn't be choosers.
Katja nodded. He could tell she wanted to follow, but it seemed something held her back, and she just plopped her perfectly rounded ass down on the sofa-thing.
Alexei dropped his box, snuffling, and went for the fruit, asking Katja something.
"I'm really sorry Alexei, but I don't think so," Katja said grimly. "I didn't know about the FSB. They might already be staked out at your apartment. We can't get any of your stuff now. I'll help you replace it in America, okay? I'm sure Adrien will let you borrow some clothes in the meantime."
Ugh. He'd be sure to burn those clothes after.
"I'm sure Adrien will put a foot up the kid's ass if he tries. Why me, God?"
Deciding to leave the room before he started yelling, Adrien headed for the cockpit
"How is your mate?" Blue greeted as soon as he walked in. Based on the front view, they were already above the clouds.
"Still separated, but worried. So, progress I guess," Adrien said.
"She needn't be," Blue said.
How did scale-head figure? "I think it's perfectly warranted," Adrien argued.
"You are still among the living, yes?" Blue prompted.
"I guess," Adrien conceded.
"Your pup is equally well?" Blue finally swiveled the command chair around to him.
"She sounded fine, yes," Adrien answered.
"Favorable status, then," Blue dipped his head.
"Yeah," Adrien agreed. Yeah. Goddamn, they had actually done it. He was going home.
"Where is your dwelling?" Blue promptly moved along.
Adrien went to the hologram of Earth and spun it around, using a hand to stop it when America was in front of him. He kept tapping on Virginia until he was in Langley, then he zoomed in on the CIA facility.
"This is the building where I am… garrisoned generally," Adrien disclosed. The hunter stood and observed. He tapped the location. Probably dropping a marker, or something.
Adrien dragged the image down the roads until he hit his allocated CIA townhouse. "This is the one where I will be living."
"The female, too," Blue deduced with a head tilt.
"Temporarily, anyway," Adrien clarified. Whether Blue took her back, or she just moved on with her life, he figured his place would only be temporary.
"Then I will chart our course," the alien advised.
Adrien ran a hand through his ever-growing hair, now convinced the healing pod had somehow accelerated its growth. He hadn't been in Russia that long. He didn't think so. Mackenzie probably wouldn't even recognize him if she saw him now.
Shaking his head, Adrien got back on track. "We'll get Katja's shit inside my place, and then we need to go after my boss before he gets wise to my survival and escapes," he warned.
"A hunt? That, I shall enjoy," Blue said.
"Not as much as me," Adrien assured through tight teeth.
"You want revenge?" Blue inquired.
Adrien considered that. Yeah, he did. Not for just himself, but because Bob got Katja's men killed, and tried to deprive Mackenzie of her father.
"Yeah, I want to be a petty dick, to be honest," the marine nodded with a cold grin.
"Is your leader worthy prey?" Blue further questioned.
Worthy. All Bob was worthy of was a quick execution. He'd gotten people killed, betrayed his country, and Adrien was certain this wasn't the first time for either. But that wasn't what Blue was wondering. "Bob saw combat, technically. So, yes," Adrien confirmed.
"Then allow me to drop him into a Yautja hunting preserve planet, as game for one of our excursions. It will leave no evidence, and you can revel in his demise," Blue pitched.
Interesting. While he didn't fully understand what that all entailed, he understood enough to get the gist. And that would be sweet revenge. Bob could run around a desolate environment where everything wanted to kill him. Poetic justice.
"Deal." Adrien held out his hand, and Blue shook it.
A knock sounded on the cockpit door, and a moment later Katja opened it. "How close are we?" she asked, craning her neck to see out of the pilot's window.
"Only just leaving," Adrien answered.
Langley – Virginia
For the ride duration, the three of them stayed in the cockpit and made idle conversation. Alexei did not attempt to join them.
The trip was fast, not allowing for much more than that. After all, it wasn't like a typical airport. They didn't need to wait for boarding, taxi to a runway, or stay within the atmosphere to reach the destination.
Once landed – in a relatively isolated area – they grabbed the boxes and departed. It was a short walk to Adrien's CIA allotted 'townhome', as he called it.
Alexei, for once, was not lagging; he even remarked favorably on the more temperate weather.
Adrien unlocked the door with a cleverly hidden spare key. Katja walked in, cat carrier banging against her leg. She looked around as the lights came on. There wasn't much inside, but it was much bigger than her place back in Russia.
"Excuse me," Alexei said, squeezing past her and dumping a box on the floor. Immediately after, he found a sofa and lay down on it.
"Sure Alexei," Adrien said sarcastically, "just make yourself at home."
Katja took note that Adrien never really seemed to have truly 'moved in' to the home. Most of his stuff was still in boxes, but it was decently neat overall. Unlived, much like her apartment.
Blue and Adrien began setting her stuff with Adrien's boxes, and soon, even though her attention hadn't shifted, Katja wasn't sure whose was whose.
She set Mishka's crate on the floor, while spotting the jug of litter Blue had left by the stack of boxes. She'd let her fluffboy out of the kennel after she got his pan set up. So far, Adrien hadn't objected to the idea of her bringing him inside, and she hoped it stayed that way.
"It's uh, no American McMansion, but at least it's shelter," Adrien suddenly said awkwardly. He seemed to have misconstrued her staring as judgement.
"Did you see my place? This is practically a castle by comparison," Katja assured lightly.
For a while, they stood around, recollecting their time out in Siberia. Blue discovered his helmet's targeting lasers made for an excellent Mishka toy. The contemplation turned to entertainment at the cat's energy.
"I should be departing," Blue announced after a while. "This area is heavily populated."
"Back to the clan?" Katja walked over. Blue nodded. "I'm going to miss you so much," she said, embracing him tightly. And it was true. As different as they were, as much as she disliked some things about his culture, he was a loyal friend. A true brother-in-arms.
"Your absence will be noticed as well," Blue said as he kneeled, petting her back.
Wordlessly, she reached around and undid the tubes to his mask. Since he didn't stop her, she peeled it off with care next.
Glowing teal eyes stared back at her with intrigue. Using a thumb, Katja turned his head slightly before leaning in and planting a kiss on his cheek. He looked away after, like he wanted to say something. Something important to him. She waited patiently for him to decide what he was going to do.
Ultimately, he responded by rubbing said cheek against her's and she gave him a hug. She hoped it wasn't the last. Whatever he needed to say, she was confident he'd tell her in time.
Adrien cleared his throat. "Blue, I'll walk you to your ship, and then get the rest of us some food while I'm at it. Katja, just hang tight here for a bit. Make sure Alexei doesn't ruin my house, please."
Scoped Remington 700 in hand from his garage weapon safe, Adrien opened the garage door and found Blue waiting for him, his cloak engaged.
"We've got a bit of a drive to Annapolis. You want the front? Back?" Adrien gestured to his truck.
"Why not use my ship?" Blue crossed his arms.
"Let's just play this safe. I'd hate to come this far just to have some fluke occur while flying your ship."
"Very well," Blue agreed.
While he fit in the backseats better than the Russian truck, Blue opted to ride in the box with his invisibility engaged. It was sorta… hard. Adrien wanted to talk to someone, even if Blue didn't care for conversation. A way to process the events that occurred.
It seemed it would have to be bottled a little longer.
Adrien came to a stop long before reaching the house. Opening the back seat, he de-cased his rifle, and then wrapped cloth around the barrel end as a makeshift suppressor.
"I need to do this part by myself," Adrien told Blue.
"Go; reclaim your honor," Blue acknowledged.
Taking up position on a sand berm, Adrien panned the scope over the house. Bob was having a glass of expensive wine after his (more than likely) equally expensive meal on the patio overlooking Eastern Bay. He knew Bob wanted this property to brag about having an ocean view house. An extreme stretch to call Eastern Bay 'ocean view'.
What an elitist piece of shit.
Pulling out a burner cellphone, Adrien dialed Bob's number. He watched the man reach for his own cellphone and answer it.
"This is Bob Lang," Bob greeted.
"I told you the next time we spoke, it wouldn't be over the phone," Adrien stated before firing the rifle.
The bullet penetrated Bob's leg, rendering him crawling on the floor in his own bloody mess while howling.
Adrien stood and slowly made his way to the man. When he reached him, Bob turned around.
"Guess I lied," Adrien said as he threw the now compromised phone into the ocean.
"Pierce! You're alive! I was so worried when we talked. Weyland threatened me. I, I, had no choice–" Bob groveled, panting, face sweating.
"Save it, Lang. Our mutual friend Fedor Mikhailov showed me your corruption," Adrien said.
"What are you going to do, Pierce? Weyland will come after you no matter what," Bob sneered, dropping the façade.
"Well, we thought of that too," Adrien retorted, and the smirk on Bob's face dropped. "Let's take a drive."
He and Adrien stood at the foot of his ship. The light projections from the human terrestrial vehicle shone on their prey.
"Wake up," Adrien delivered a boot stomp to the bad blood human's gut.
The human groaned, coming to consciousness and Adrien propped him up to his knees.
"We– we can negotiate something," the human begged.
Vai'dqouulth chuffed. Monetary offerings in exchange for prolonged life. How pathetic. Even more so than the runt.
"Oh, I did Bob. You see, this is Blue," Adrien began, grabbing the hair on the back of Bob's skull and jerking it around to look at him. "Blue has been kind enough to take you off-planet while I expose you in court, thus making it look like you fled in the face of overwhelming evidence."
"You– you can't be serious!" Bob protested, the gaps in his knowledge now falling into place. "That is a–"
"Yes," Adrien cut him off coolly. "War makes strange allies – and even stranger enemies, apparently."
"I got you back on your feet, Adrien. Surely, I deserve better than this," Bob pleaded in a much lower, apologetic tone.
Adrien sat on his haunches and placed a capsule in the bad blood's hand. Bob looked at him in horror.
"Cyanide capsule. Standard issue for CIA operatives. I bet you make it a whole day wherever you end up before you consider using that," Adrien said.
Turning, the marine regarded Vai'dqouulth. "When should I expect to see you again?"
"You will not expect me when I reappear," Vai'dqouulth answered as he injected a sedative into the bad blood human.
"Story of my life," Adrien nodded. They both stared long and hard at one another.
"Take care of yourself, Blue," Adrien said simply as he mounted his vehicle once more. With nothing else, he drove off into the night.
Vai'dqouulth regarded the unconscious being at his feet. The next time the bad blood awoke, it would be in free fall…