Chapter 8
Over the course of the next week I made a second sword and we practiced man-to-man combat. It was a nice change. I hadn’t battled man-to-man since I came here. I cheated a bit by prying into her mind to see how she was going to move. She shut me out and it became more challenging and fun. Not much later a mad pounding on the door woke me up in the middle of the night. I was confused and a little groggy from sleep. Did they not lock down tonight? I answered the door, coming face to face with an extremely angry Cyclops. “Where is she?” he snapped.
I just looked at him in surprise. My mind wasn’t awake enough to grasp what he was saying. “Who?”
“Dad!” Pol yelped, running to the door.
He swept her up into his arms, looking very much relieved. “Thank God you’re alright.” He muttered.
“You’re her dad?” I stuttered, mentally cursing Pol for not telling me. Then I cursed myself for stupidity. Cyclops was Scott Summers. Summers. Why hadn’t it clued in before? Not even after Clowe had mentioned it on her first day.
“Come with us Zeff.” Pol said, ignoring the look of surprise on Cyclops’s face.
I took one look at him and knew I wasn’t welcome. I shook my head and backed slowly into the room. “I- I couldn’t.”
“Then please… don’t say anything?” She pleaded.
She looked so worried. I knew I wouldn’t tell. “All right.” I muttered, wishing dearly I could have accepted her offer.
Not long after I decided to go to my post watching Mary-Ann. At least that way I could plead absence when they asked how Pol escaped when I was supposed to be on watch. I got to Mary-Ann’s rooms and we were in the middle of a game of hide-and-seek when Clowe stormed in with several soldiers. The soldiers went over to where I was and started pummeling me with fists and feet. I curled up into a ball on the floor to protect my head and vitals. “Daddy!” Mary-Ann cried.
To my surprise she didn’t run to him like she usually did. This time she grabbed one of the soldiers and tried to pull him off me. The soldier moved to throw her off of him but Clowe’s voice stopped him. “Enough.”
The soldiers stopped all at once and stepped back slightly. I peaked out from under one arm to see Mary-Ann standing between me and her father. Her arms were flung out wide as if she was trying to shield me. “Don’t hurt him.”
I stood up at attention. “Mary-Ann, move.” Clowe told his daughter.
“No.”
“Pardon me?” Clowe looked genuinely surprised.
“Not if you’re going to hurt him again.” Mary-Ann replied.
I decided I should intercede before things got out of hand. “It’s alright Mary-Ann.” I told her. “I haven’t been very good. I deserved that.”
“No you didn’t.” she argued. “No one de-surfs to get hurt.”
Clowe sighed. “If I promise I won’t hurt him will you move?” he asked.
Mary-Ann looked up at him stubbornly. “Promise?”
Clowe nodded and she stepped slowly to one side. The soldiers came and flanked me, hands on my arms and shoulders. Mary-Ann looked like she was about to protest but I shook my head and followed them out.
We marched to an interrogation room. Here I was flung into a chair. My arms secured to the back of the chair and the chair secured to the floor. I looked up at Clowe, adapting a shamed look on my face. “I take it you found out I was teaching Polgara some fighting tricks.”
Clowe froze at the door, his back to me. He seemed to take a moment to register what I had said. He turned and glared down at me. “You’ve done a lot more than that.”
I threw on my confused look. “Where have you been today?” Clowe asked.
I started reciting a string of things. “Breakfast. Training. Mary-Ann. Lunch. Time with Polgara. Supper. Research. Snack. Mary-Ann.”
Clowe glared at me. “You mean to say you haven’t been in your room since supper tonight?”
“No sir.” I replied. “Polgara usually meditates through the night and I wasn’t tired so I decided to do something useful with my time.”
“What were you researching?”
“The layout of Xavier’s base and bios on different team members.” I replied without hesitation. It wasn’t too much of a stretch. I had been studying those things in my off time.
Clowe studied me critically for a moment. “So you didn’t hear that Polgara and X5-452 escaped last night?”
I adapted a look of shock and confusion. “What? How?” I even threw in a ‘reflex’ attempt to stand up.
“I was hoping you could tell me.” Clowe said, running a hand over his face.
I looked up at him. He looked exhausted. “How did they escape with Magneto here?” I asked. “I mean, 452 is basically all metal.”
“Magneto was taken out.” Clowe said. “They combined their strength. They attacked with their Elements. With Magneto out of the way their parents were able to get them out fairly easily.”
“Their parents got them out?” I asked.
He nodded. “Apparently their Element drains them.”
That was something to tuck into my wells of knowledge. Clowe actually sighed in exhaustion. “No matter.” He said. “We’ve posted Agents near any outside contact the Elementals may have.”
Clowe actually let me go. He trusted me enough that he didn’t think I had anything to do with the escape. He did watch me really closely after that night. With no field missions to take me off the grounds I felt very pent in. Even with my time with Mary-Ann. I started to think of escaping again. It was a little over a week after the Elementals escaped that I finally had enough.
“We need to get out of here.” I told Chimaero as we sparred one afternoon. “For good this time. I was thinking of checking out Xavier’s mansion. What do you think?”
“What do I think?” Chimaero repeated. “I think you’re crazy! They aren’t going to just let us in the front door. Especially not after we kidnapped two of them.”
I thought of the Professor still floating in Ansem’s lab and grinned. “They will if we have the right leverage.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’ll see.” I replied. “Meet me at the South doors at 2300 hours. Bring Mary-Ann… and a vehicle if possible.”
He shrugged and took off toward his sister’s rooms. I watched him for a moment and then moved to Ansem’s lab. I got there with little trouble. It was getting late so the halls were almost completely deserted. I paused at the door and listened. I couldn’t hear any voices inside so I figured Ansem and Clowe were somewhere else.
I entered the lab and looked around. There was a lab technician at the stasis tank but that’s it. He didn’t pay any attention to me. Who paid attention to soldiers unless they were being tested? That is how I got right up behind him. I placed the barrel of my gun against the back of his neck. “Release the old man.” I said threateningly.
The techie froze, his hand hovering just above the console. “Do it.” I said, cocking my gun.
The techie’s hand started to shake but he pressed the combination to end stasis and drain the tank. Once I was sure he had done what I wanted I hit him in the side of the head with the butt of my gun. As he crumpled to the ground I unloaded my gun and holstered it.
I grabbed a towel and dried the Professor off. He was not a young man. Who knew how easily he could get sick? I unattached the various tubes from his body and dressed him in one of Ansem’s lab coats. It was too big for him but it covered him up. I checked to make sure he was breathing alright and his pulse was good. Then I picked him up and headed for the door.
Luck was with me tonight. I only had to detour a couple times to avoid being seen. We hid in the underbrush outside the compound. A Humvee pulled up alongside us and stopped. I looked up to see Chimaero behind the wheel. I made sure the Professor was comfortable in the back and nodded to Chimaero to drive.
We got stopped at the gate by a soldier. “Where are you going?”
“X4-494 and X4-000, transporting Mr. Clowe’s daughter to her grandmothers for the week.” Chimaero stated calmly.
When the guard bent to check his clip board Chimaero gunned it and we broke our way through the gate. The guards opened fire on the vehicle. Fortunately it was fairly bullet proof. I leaned out the window and returned fire. Mary-Ann woke up and started crying. “It’s ok Mary-Ann.” Chimaero said. “Go back to sleep.”
She sat up and stared out the window. It took a minute for her to register what was happening. Then she started screaming. I pulled myself back in the window and stowed my gun under the seat. Then I turned to her. “It’s alright Mary.” I told her. “Come here.”
She looked over at me and then climbed over the seat to sit on my lap. She turned her head into my shirt and started sobbing. An hour and a drenched shirt later she had fallen asleep. Just then the Professor stirred. He sat up and blinked, taking in his surroundings. “What? Where am I?”
“Please sir.” I said softly, drawing his attention to me. “I just got her to sleep.”
The Professor’s eyes searching me, taking in the sleeping child on my lap. Then I felt his mind probe mine. I started to bar him out then I decided it was easier than trying to explain it to him. He closed his eyes and sighed. “When will we get there?” he asked his voice barely above a whisper.
“Probably close to 2 am.” I told him. “You should get some rest. I’ll wake you up when we get close.”
He nodded and drifted off to sleep. I placed Mary-Ann gently on the seat beside him. Then I retrieved my gun and moved up to sit beside Chimaero. Luckily there were no more problems the whole ride.
When we got to the institute I woke up the Professor. He punched in a security code that deactivated the alarms. Once we were in and parked I carried him over to a console where he reactivated it. Then, with Chimaero carrying Mary-Ann close behind, we went inside. I paused just inside the front door, waiting for the Professor to tell me what to do. “Where is Polgara?” he asked, looking around. “She’s always on night watch.”
“Professor?” I heard Pol’s voice from down the hall. Right on cue.
As soon as she caught sight of us she froze, her eyes catching mine. It was something she was not ready for. “Ah, Polgara there you are.” Xavier muttered, ignoring the surprise on her face. “Would you care to run to my room and grab my spare chair for me? I fear I may pull this young man’s arms off yet.”
“Of course.” she muttered, casting a curious glance at me.
Turning around she bolted up the stairs. In a few minutes she was back with one of Xavier’s wheelchairs. She set up the chair and I helped him into it, grateful not to be carrying him anymore. “Pol, would you show our guests to their rooms?” he asked after he was settled. “I have some calls to make.”
“Yes sir.” Pol answered, extremely confused by now.
As she turned back to the door Chimaero stepped in with Mary-Ann sleeping in his arms. “This is Mary-Ann.” Chimaero told her. “I had to get her away from Dad before he corrupted her too. She’s my baby sister.”
Pol was so shocked I was amazed she didn’t fall over. She turned and led us up to the second floor and to the right wing. She stopped at a room three doors in. Opening the door she grabbed a flashlight and led Chimaero inside. I stood waiting until they came back out. This time without Mary-Ann. Pol then led us up to the next level and off to the left. About six doors in she stopped and shone the light around. It illuminated the sleeping forms of three boys. Only one of them looked normal. He was the one who had the bed at the far end of the room. There was one who looked like a blue demon, hanging upside-down by his tail and one who was just a curtain of dragon-like wings in the corner. Chimaero barely glanced at the others before walking into the room.
Pol turned to go but I stopped her, curiosity overcoming any thought of sleep I may have. “Where’s your room?” I asked.
“In the attic.” She replied. “But I’m almost always downstairs. Welcome to my world.” She grinned and bolted, leaving me standing there staring after her like an idiot.
I did a little snoop work to figure out who we were being put with. The boy who was asleep at the far end had the name “Hunter Reid” on most of his belongings. The demon boy’s belongings were labeled with the name “Jacob Wagner” and the winged fellow was called Corbin O’Riley. I lay back on the bed that was left for me but between Chimaero’s snoring and the strange boys in the room I couldn’t sleep so I decided to go have a look around downstairs.
I walked into one of the reading rooms and found Pol sitting in a large chair with her knees drawn up to her chest and staring at the fire lost in thought. I went over and sat in the chair opposite hers. We sat in silence for a minute and I started to wonder if she was even aware that I was there. “Why did you come here?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I didn’t know quite what to tell her. I didn’t want to tell her that I had missed her company or that I felt bound to her in some way. I was sure she would laugh at me and not believe me. “Tim just went too far I guess.” I said finally. “Ever since he teamed up with the Brotherhood his schemes have been getting more and more… I don’t know, evil or wrong. But I mean, kidnapping your Professor? Where is his reason for that? It’s this Magneto person’s doing.”
“Understandable.” She muttered, half to herself, “Magneto and the Professor are old colleagues. There is a rivalry between them that has never really been stopped. But why he would even bother to get Clowe involved is beyond me.”
We sat in silence for a few more minutes. When I felt sure she wasn’t going to ask me to leave the exhaustion of the day finally set in and I went back up to bed. It felt weird sleeping on a real bed. We only had cots at Manticore and the conditions were pretty much the same at the MRA. But I have to admit it was a nice change.
The next morning I was greeted by Mary-Ann’s voice calling my name. I looked up. She ran over and wrapped her little arms around my legs. Her face was wet with tears and she looked terrified. “Zeffan were are we?” she asked.
“It’s ok Mary.” I told her. “We’re at Xavier’s school. We came here so your Daddy can’t hurt us anymore.”
“Daddy never hurt me.” She said.
“No but he hurt Chimaero.” I reminded her. “And he hurt me. We don’t want him to change his mind about hurting you.”
“That is correct Zeff.” I turned to where Professor Xavier sat in the doorway. “You are all here to keep you safe.”
“Whodat?” Mary-Ann asked from behind my legs.
“Why hello there.” Xavier called. His voice softened so that it wasn’t in the least bit threatening. “I am Professor Charles Xavier. Come on out. I won’t hurt you.”
Mary-Ann came out to stand beside me but she kept a firm grip on my leg. “Why you sit in that chair?” she asked.
“Mary-Ann, hush!” I was shocked. “I’m sorry sir. I haven’t had a chance to explain things to her yet.”
The Professor just smiled. “It’s quite alright Zefferan. Never suppress a curious young mind.” He held his hand out to her and she took it hesitantly. Gradually she let go of my leg and moved to stand in front of Xavier. “You see, Mary-Ann, I can’t use my legs so I must sit in this chair to be able to go places. Would you like a ride to breakfast?”
She looked at me for permission. Her eyes held excitement, her fear forgotten. I nodded and she climbed up on Xavier’s lap. He looked at me to follow him so I did. He told me how things went at the school and what behaviors were not tolerated.
At breakfast Wolverine took one look at Chimaero and lunged, intent on taking his life. Only the Professor’s firm voice halted him. The Professor told the teachers about us and the circumstances of our arrival. Both 452’s parents and Jean and Cyclops kept an annoyingly close eye on us. They couldn’t understand why two soldiers of our rank would change sides and they didn’t want to take any chances.
Jean asked if she could do a scan on me so that she would know how to treat me if I got hurt. I have to guess that the Professor had told her about my unusual heritage. I was surprised to see the type of machines they had in their lab. They were as much or even more advanced than Clowe’s.
I hesitated when I first stepped into the lab. Any labs made me nervous. Jean must have seen it because she smiled reassuringly. She seemed extremely interested in my bones. She said that they were made of a different substance than human bones. They were not only stronger, but lighter too. That explained how Joe was able to throw me so far when I fought with him.
Over the next few weeks our friendship with the girls grew. They were the only ones at the school who knew for sure that we had changed sides and they wanted us to feel welcome. Mary-Ann had no problem fitting in. She was young enough that they figured she wouldn’t have too strong of ties with the MRA yet. She was still too young to have powers. As such she was the youngest kid at the school and pampered beyond belief.
Wolverine seemed to verbally attack Chimaero at every chance he got. The teachers all made sure that we sat at the other end of the room from the girls during lessons, if we were in their classes at all, and they always tried to make sure that we weren’t left in a room without one of them there. Cyclops kept an annoyingly close eye on me. He didn’t trust me at all. Not that I could blame him really, I had kidnapped his daughter… twice. I could even feel his eyes watching our training sessions from the control room.
Yet despite this, I was relaxing. It was a much happier place then the MRA. The students were always pranking each other and teasing and telling jokes. I found much more to laugh at here, especially with 452. She always seemed to be getting into trouble in loud and amusing ways.
The boys we were roomed with were nice too. Hunter was smart and basically the rock of our group. He could talk himself out of any situation. He seemed to be dating Destiny. Jacob was a practical joker. He loved to prank and was usually the source of any uproar. Corbin was quiet but dependable. He was the one that always seemed aloof from the rest of us. Maybe that’s why he and 210 got along so well.
There was also a music room. It was amazing. It had almost any instrument you could possibly want to play. I found myself drawn to it. I never realized how much I missed music when I was at the MRA. Even after not having played in years I was able to sit at the piano, or with a guitar, and just play as if I had been doing it all my life. Music became my escape from my problems.
The guard of the parents only lessened about two months after our arrival when they were called away on a job. The students got a holiday, time to relax and visit family and so forth. All the guys were heading out with the girls to visit family. I steeled myself into accepting that I’d probably be left here alone. I decided to go for a walk in the garden one evening and I came across Pol sitting and enjoying the evening air. I sat down next to her. “I can see why you like it here.” I said softly, the early evening was peaceful and quiet. I hated to break the calm but I was curious. I wondered what she was up to. “It’s so relaxed and peaceful, much different than I was used to. Clowe’s is run like an army training camp. This place is like, I don’t know, a school or a family or something.”
She smiled. She looked so pretty when she smiled. It was a much different look for her then her usual slight frown and brow furrowed in thoughtfulness. “I’m glad you like it.” She said.
I turned to her. “The others are going to visit their other families. Aren’t you?”
She nodded. “I leave tomorrow.”
I felt my hopes plummet. I had hoped she was staying behind as well. I looked up at the sky. The stars were just starting to come out. I wished I could go back and see my family again. I missed Zoë a lot and I knew she missed me. Something connected us that way. It may be because we were twins. “Why don’t you come with me?” Pol asked, startling me out of my reverie. “No need for you to stay here alone. Kitty is taking Jacob to meet her grandparents, Destiny and Hunter are going to Toronto to meet Dee’s family, and every one else is returning to Cobourg.”
“I wouldn’t want to intrude on your family.” I told her, feeling hope rise in me again.
“You won’t.” she said kindly. “Zeff… I haven’t seen my mother for almost two years now. I haven’t even talked to her in that period of time. It would feel easier on me if I had someone there to talk to.” I was a little uneasy. It was her family. “Besides,” she went on as if trying to convince me, “Chimaero is going to Psycho’s and that is just down the street from my place. I’m sure he’ll feel just as uncomfortable as you will.”
I agreed, if Chimaero was going so would I. Besides, it would be nice to be getting out of the school. I hadn’t been out since I came. The next day we were both headed to her home.
Chapter 17
They attacked fast and hard. It was near impossible to keep track of everyone. I tried my hardest to keep an eye on Pol. It wasn’t easy. She knew enough of fighting to keep moving. And I had my own soldiers to fight. It got very confusing very quickly. The X-series soldiers did what X-series soldiers did best. They moved so that they were everywhere at once. Clowe and Ansem retreated inside, leaving the fighting to the trained professionals.
Pol’s voice rang off to my right. “No!” I saw Pol tackle her friend, throwing herself directly into the line of fire. I attacked the shooter, causing his shot to go wild. Instead of catching Pol in the head like it would have done, it caught her in the lower leg.
She fell to the ground and rolled quickly, moving against the wall and out of the main fighting area. I saw her use her belt to staunch the flow of blood and I knew she was going to be ok. I fought on; taking out as many MRA agents I could get before being confronted by an X-Unit soldier. My old training came back strong and fast and I was glad I had been in the top of my class. Finally Psycho had had enough. “Alright, that’s it. Everybody duck.” Psycho called. “This place is going down.”
“No Psych!” Pol called from where she fought. “It’s too soon!”
“Then help me!” she replied.
Almost as one the girls turned their thoughts and energy toward her, allowing their elements and strength to flow into hers. Me and Chimaero held off. If they managed to pull this off we’d be needed to help get them to the jet safely. “What do you kids think you’re doing?” Logan asked.
“Distracting them.” I replied.
The ground began to shake and we were all thrown to our knees. The girls’ attention never wavered. They were determined to bring down the building. There was a large crash and dust flew everywhere as the building came down around us. The girls collapsed. Before the dust could settle we grabbed the girls and ran for the jet. Scott had Pol so I made sure her Ordinary friend made it alright.
Once we got on the jet she wouldn’t leave Pol’s side. She sat there holding her hand. I grabbed the med kit and sat down next to her. Without a word I treated her leg wound. It wasn’t deep. Just grazed the surface really. But it was still bleeding a fair amount. “Is she alright?” she asked as I wrapped the bandage.
“She’s fine.” I assured her.
“But she’s not waking up.” Carol said. “None of them are.”
I looked around the jet. All the Elementals were out cold. And each one had a Protector at her side. Pol had two. “It’s just the nature of this particular power.” I explained. “It’s called an Element. It is different from a mutant power in that an Elemental’s powers come from nature. But using such power leaves them drained of all energy.”
“I don’t understand.” Carol admitted. “Are you sure she’s alright?”
I smiled reassuringly. “Trust me.” I said. “I’ll know the moment she stops being ok.”
“Is that likely?” Carol asked in shock.
“With Pol’s allergy to sleep? Anything’s likely.” I told her.
Carol was silent for a moment. She just sat there, staring at her friend. “She tried to save me.” She muttered finally. “And I almost turned her away. I was mad at her, and afraid of him. But she didn’t care. Did she know what was going to happen?”
“No. Kitty was told to be on the lookout for an Agent. Pol was not. We never expected him to send five X4’s to pick up an ordinary. It was overkill.”
Carol looked at me in surprise. “You knew that they would come for me?”
“We suspected.” I replied. “I believe Pol did too. So when Pol asked to go back to visit you we sent along someone who has fought them before and who knew the situation.”
“I thought she seemed a bit on edge.” Carol said.
I grinned. “With good reason.”
The rest of the trip went by in silence. Everybody was thinking their own thoughts. I couldn’t get my family out of my head. Chimaero must have noticed because as soon as we got the girls into the lower levels’ infirmary he followed me to the garden.
“Hey man.” He said, coming up beside me. “Mind if I join you?”
“Yeah sure.” I said, as nonchalantly as I could. “Whatever.”
We were silent for a long moment then Chimaero looked at me. “Alright Zeff, spill it.” he said. “I’ve known you long enough to know when something’s bothering you.”
“It’s nothing.” I said. “It’s just… when we were in those tanks? I saw my family Chimaero.”
“You were dreaming.” He said. “It was a dream brought on by the drugs.”
“I’m not so sure.” I told him. “They were older. Older than I remember. Cal was a teenager. He was just a baby when I left. My parents? My twin Zoë?” I shook my head as I remembered. “They were all blaming me.”
“Your twin?” he asked. “You have a biological twin?”
I nodded. “Do twins on your planet share any ties?” he asked.
“A bond that is supposed to be stronger even than that of a man and his wife.” I explained. “Twins share everything. Every thought. Every feeling.”
“But you and Zoë?”
“Our bond weakened as I got further away. I could feel her but I couldn’t talk to her. I didn’t know what she was feeling. I could only sense her.” I said. “Over time I just stopped trying.”
“And then you met Pol.” He prompted.
“And I had a bond even stronger than mine and Zoë’s ever was.”
“Is it possible that when you were knocked out your mind became free to link with Zoë’s again?” Chimaero asked. “Could you have actually talked to her?”
“It’s crossed my mind.” I admitted. “Though I don’t think so. It’s more likely that I pulled the images out of her mind than actually communicated with her. Our bond isn’t strong enough for that.”
“But it’s the possibility that is tormenting you.”
I nodded. Just then Carol came running up. “Mrs. Summers said to come get you.” She said frantically. “I think there’s something wrong with Pol.”
I reached out along our ties. She was weaker than I would have liked. By the time we got to the infirmary she was starting to glow. I grabbed her wrist and let some of my strength flow into her. I couldn’t give her all my strength. I was still too weak myself. But I gave her enough to last her for close to half a day. Scott came in then. “What’s he doing here?” he asked Jean.
“He’s helping our daughter.” Jean told him. “Like he always does.”
“I thought we decided—”
“We didn’t decide anything.” Jean told him. “You expressed your concerns and I told you I would keep an eye on things.”
“What’s this about?” I asked.
“Maybe you two should talk in my office.” Jean said, leading us to a small room overlooking the infirmary.
“Sir what’s going on?” I asked when we were alone.
“I’m just a little uncomfortable with how close you are to Pol.” He said, trying to keep his voice calm. “How close you want to be.”
“I’m afraid I don’t follow you sir.” I said.
“My daughter was wearing nothing but a towel and you wanted to carry her. How do you think that makes me feel?” Scott was really angry. It was a shame because he was just starting to trust me too. “I’m sorry if that made me a little uncomfortable.”
“No sir. I’m sorry.” I replied. This was going to take some smooth talking. “I grew up with military training. I guess part of it never really leaves you. I didn’t think. I just acted on instinct. I didn’t even stop to think about what she was wearing.”
Scott gave a disbelieving snort. “You’re her guy and you were able to not think about her lack of attire?”
“I push it to the back of my mind if I can’t get it out completely. That’s how I was able to get her out before. And she wasn’t able to help with the escape then.”
“That’s how you… what?”
Ok… this wasn’t going well. “When she got herself taken by Clowe on account of our flame throwing turncoat.”
“But you were both in uniforms when you got back here.” Scott said.
“I found one for her to change in to.” I said. “I’m not a monster or a pervert sir. I got her some clothes and when she was able to change into them I left her, armed, and checked on the status of our pursuit so she could change. You can ask her. She’ll tell you the same thing.”
“I’m sure she will.” Scott said.
“Sir, I swear to you. I would never hurt Pol or touch her in any way that is inappropriate. My people are high strung when it comes to honor. I’m no different.” I didn’t wait for his response. I just turned and left.
Pol’s friend Carol followed me. I sped up but she kept right with me. “Zeff! Wait!” she called. “Please?”
I slowed reluctantly. When she caught up to me she looked nervous and hesitant but not accusing. “What?” I asked.
“Please.” She said. “You’re the only one I know here… the only one who actually takes time to talk to me. I just want to know what it is I’ve gotten myself into. Who are these people?”
I looked her over. She seemed honestly curious. At least she hadn’t asked about what had just happened. “These people are the only thing protecting humanity from the avaricious mutants who want to consume them.”
“Huh?” she asked.
I laughed. “They might just be humanity’s only hope of survival. There are mutants, some with great influence like our friends at the MRA, who want to see humanity wiped out. They believe that mutants are the only people who should be allowed to live.”
“The MRA are mutants?” she asked.
“Of the worst sort.” I replied. “Unfortunately, we have no proof. It’s only a matter of time before the MRA takes over.”
Carol thought this over for a moment. “Pol said her biological parents live at this school. That was them in the infirmary wasn’t it?”
I nodded. “Scott and Jean Summers were two of Professor Xavier’s first students here. When they were done school they decided to stay and help teach.”
“He doesn’t like you, does he?” she asked. “Pol’s father?”
I sighed. We were back to that. “There are things about me that he doesn’t like.” I agreed.
She glanced at me sideways but didn’t comment. “Well, Pol seems to like you well enough.”
“That she does.” I grinned. “So what else would you like to know?”
I spent the rest of the afternoon showing her around the institute and answering her questions. That evening when I went down to replenish Pol’s strength Scott just ignored my presence. He didn’t even acknowledge that I was in the room. It hurt. It felt like I had taken a step forward just to fall three steps back.
That night I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes all I could see was my family and their accusations. The next day I couldn’t concentrate worth anything. My teachers noticed it. Chimaero noticed it. I’m pretty sure Psycho even noticed. She never picked on me that day. All five of the girls had woken up that morning.
That evening I had had enough. I needed to clear my head. I hadn’t seen Pol since she woke up. Jean was keeping her in the infirmary until her leg had healed up. A gunshot wound would be hard to explain away. I volunteered to take Pol her supper. I hoped she would be conscious. She was… but she wasn’t happy. “What’s wrong?” I asked her, sitting in the chair beside her bed.
“I feel so useless.” She muttered. “I feel like the weak link of the group. I always seem to have to be carried out of whatever scrap we get into.”
I took her hand and smiled at her reassuringly. “You are not the weak link.” I told her. “You are the one that holds your little group together. If it wasn’t for you Dee would not be hanging with the group. And true the other three would stick together but I’d hate to see how much trouble they could get into. Without you there they would have been captured and converted long ago. You are the voice of reason, the intellect of the group. For some unknown reason Psycho listens to you and you are able to break through the emotional wall around Dark.”
“But I’m always carried out of the fights.” She argued.
“That’s not your fault.” I replied. “You don’t have the combat training the others do so you have to rely on your element more. And as for this last fight? A gunshot wound would take down anyone. And you all got carried out of this one.”
“I guess…” she didn’t sound too sure.
“Don’t dwell on it.” I told her, placing the tray of food on a bed-table and wheeling it over to her. “Eat something. You need to replenish your strength.”
She gave a small, sad smile and picked at the roast beef dinner in front of her. I stayed for a couple hours, talking and playing cards, but it got late very quickly. I was on the evening watch that night and I still needed to study for my History test.
I visited her frequently for the next few days. It was nice to just sit and talk and I knew she needed company. She soon picked up on my own somber mood. “Zeff? What’s wrong?” she asked.
I looked away. It was silly for me to be dwelling on something that I couldn’t change. “Nothing.” I said, avoiding her eyes. “Just dreams.”
“It’s not just dreams.” She argued. “You never have bad dreams.”
She had seen right through my excuse. So I told her. I felt like an idiot. I also told her why it was bothering me. “It was a dream.” She said gently. “I seriously doubt that after thirteen years or so the first thing your sister says to you is an accusation.”
“I’m not so sure.” I told her. “It didn’t feel like a dream. It was too real.”
“You said you had a bond with your sister.” She said slowly. “It’s possible that when you were in the tank your elemental and protector bonds may have been extinguished. That would leave you free to travel mentally along the bond with your sister. I could help you reach her again. If you could just talk to her…”
“No.” I told her. “You couldn’t.”
If Zoë ever sensed the strength of our bond, I don’t even want to think of what it could do to her. Pol didn’t understand. “Yes I could.” she said. “My mind is strong enough. If we worked together it might boost your mind enough to get you within talking range.”
“No.” I said more forcefully.
“Why not?” she asked.
“Because!” I made myself look into her eyes. Why was my life so complicated? I didn’t want her to feel the way I did. “Because I couldn’t do that to her. Pol, twins on my home planet? They don’t marry. They don’t date. They don’t even think about another person in that way. The depth of their bond is such that they can’t love another. If you helped me she would feel our bond… I can’t do that to her.”
Pol flinched slightly. I knew I was bordering on blaming her. It’s not what I meant to do, but it was sort of how I felt. I didn’t know how much question-answer I could take, but it did feel good to talk about it with someone. “You said twins don’t marry. How would that work with you being the heir and all?”
“That’s why Calichial was born.” I told her. It was true. My father needed an heir willing to marry and have kids. A twin wasn’t likely to do that. “I had till Cal reached manhood to decide whether I would take over for my father, or whether I would live with my twin.” I kept my eyes on Pol. I needed her to know how important this issue was to me. “The way me and Zoë were before I left… we would have stayed together.”
“Zeff…” She looked so hurt and confused.
I couldn’t put any more of my problems on her shoulders. I rose to my feet. “I’m sorry.” I said as I left.
Despite our conversation that day I was glad when Jean finally let her out. I had been down a couple more times since then and we had pretty much gotten over our feelings from that conversation. I was walking between classes when I saw her standing under a tree and talking to Carol. Psycho and Chimaero watched nearby with interest. I suddenly got a crazy idea and snuck up behind her. “That’s great Carrie.” She was saying.
“Oh shoot! I gotta go!” her friend said, taking off down the yard. “My next class is in ten minutes!”
Psycho and Chimaero shook their heads and followed her. Pol watched them leave. Then she seemed to sense me and turned around. I couldn’t surprise her now so I did the first thing that came to mind. I picked her up and swung her around quickly in a circle. “Zeff!” She said laughing. “Put me own!”
I laughed and set her down. Her color had come back and she didn’t seem as drawn. “You look better.” I told her.
“I feel better.” she replied. “How were your classes?”
“Boring as usual.” I grinned. “Not everyone is as interested in learning as you.”
She smiled sadly and pulled away from me. Something was definitely bothering her. “Pol? What is it?” I asked.
“Nothing.” she said, attempting a smile. “I just… I’ve got a lot on my mind is all.”
I was tempted to read her mind but I knew she would tell me if it was anything important. I trusted her judgment. “Is it anything I can help you with?” I asked her.
She smiled. “I don’t think so.” She sat down against the tree and pulled her knees up to her chest. “This is something I’m supposed to figure out myself.”
“Oh.” If she didn’t want to tell me that’s fine. It was her choice. Though I couldn’t help but feel that I had something to do with it. I definitely contributed to her heightened stress. I crouched down beside her. “Well I’m sure you’ll make the right choice.”
She shrugged almost helplessly. “I hope so.” she said quietly.
I kissed her and then stood up. “You will.” I told her, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. Then I turned and left for class.
Chapter 16
I drifted in blackness, lost in my own thought. Then I found myself sitting in a chair in a dark room. A spotlight shone on the floor in front of me. It was an interrogation room. Somewhere, a door opened and closed. Hushed voices reached my ears. Voices that spoke, to my utter surprise, in my native tongue without a hint of an earthen accent.
Someone stepped into the light. I looked up and saw my father. He looked older than I remembered. His skin was haggard and pale and his eyes were sad. “Boy, what have you done?” he asked. “Why did you leave us?”
“I didn’t mean to!” I said. “It was Uncle Fremiasin who built the ship and Uncle Fremiasin who refused to take me home!”
“Enough excuses.” He said. “Do you not know what you have done? You have cast doubt and dishonor on your family and distrust amongst your people. The people don’t trust me. I couldn’t even keep track of my son. How can I lead the people if I can’t even control my own son?”
“It’s not my fault!” I insisted.
“Speak you own language!” he snapped.
I started. I hadn’t even noticed I had been speaking English. “Father, I didn’t mean to hurt you. You have to believe me!”
“Why?” he asked. “Why should I believe you?”
“Fraemiel, enough.” My father backed out of the light to be replaced by my mother. “Zeff don’t be angry with him. He hasn’t been himself.”
Something about the way she said that didn’t sit well with me. “What do you mean?” I asked.
“Your father is sick Zeff.” She told me. “A sickness of the heart that we haven’t been able to cure. He searched hard for you when you disappeared.”
“He did?”
“He did.” She replied solemnly. “He poured his whole heart into finding you for months. When Zoë told him you had been taken he was devastated. He hasn’t been right since.”
My head was reeling. It sounded like she was blaming me too. She shook her head and stepped back. A boy stepped forward. He was in his late teens. His eyes were hauntingly familiar. “Calichial?” I asked.
He grinned. “Hey bro.”
“You’ve grown.” It was lame, I know. But last time I saw him he was just an infant. I knew nothing about him.
“It’s been a long time.” He said. His grin had vanished. “You put a lot of strain on us ya know? Zoë never wanted to be heir. True, she’s good at it. But it’s put a damper on her life. And mom and dad… they never laugh Zeff. They barely ever even smile. And they all look at me funny. I look too much like you. I have the knack with hunting and machinery that you did. But I’m not you. And it hurts them. It hurts me.”
“I’m sorry.” I couldn’t even look at him. “That was never my intention. I never meant for any of this to happen.”
“Yeah, whatever.” He said as he left. I put my head in my hands. I couldn’t believe it. Everybody, my whole family, blamed me. My disappearance was entirely my fault and it hurt them so much. Zoë came forward to take our brother’s place. “Zeff?” I looked up at her. “Zeff why didn’t you come back?”
“I couldn’t.” I told her. “The ship was ruined in the crash. No one here has the technology to create a spaceship.”
“Except you.” She said pointedly.
“What?”
“You were gifted when it came to electronics.” She said. “With Uncle Fremiasin’s notes? You could have remade the spaceship.”
“No I couldn’t.” I told her. “I was under the humans’ control from the moment I stepped out of the ship.”
“And now?” she asked.
“Things have changed.” I said.
“I know.” She shook her head. “Zeff, I don’t even know who you are any more. I don’t…”
“Zoë, you are still my sister.” I said. “My twin sister.”
“But that bond broke long ago didn’t it?” she asked. Her eyes glistened with tears that she refused to shed. “I just… there’s so much I wanted to do, ya know? So much that I can’t do now. You weren’t supposed to leave.”
“I’m sorry.” I said as she too drifted into the darkness. “I’m so sorry!”
The darkness swelled up once more to consume me. I was left with my thoughts and my memories. And they weren’t pleasant company. It seemed to last forever.
Suddenly I felt arms wrap around my torso and heave me from the tank. The cords and wires stung as they were pulled off my skin but I barely noticed. I looked up to see Hunter handing me my clothes. “I never thought I’d be so glad to see you.” I told him with a weak grin.
I struggled into my clothes and it hit me. We were still alive! How was that possible? “But – we’re alive.” I said to Jean who was standing nearby. I brushed my wet hair away from my face. “Our Elements?”
Jean gave me a curious look and replied. “They will be unreliable and maybe even unusable for a while but they are still there.”
I frowned and glanced down at my hands. They felt cold and tingly as if I had lost the circulation in them. But outwardly they looked fine. I looked up to where Pol was wrapped in a blanket in her father’s arms. I took a step forward and nearly collapsed. Jean grabbed my arm and steadied me. “Well. We’re gonna have our hands full gettin outta this place.” Rogue said from where she was helping Chimaero. “These kids can’t hardly walk.”
“Lucky we brought the boys along.” Kitty’s mom replied.
“Who brought who?” Corbin asked from Dark’s side.
“Shut up and let’s move.” Logan insisted.
He took the lead as we moved out. We followed him through the halls, around many corners and past many closed doors. Finally he called a halt. “It’s too quiet. I don’t like it.” He said. “We need to scout it out.”
“What? And leave the kids?” Scott asked shock. “Look at them Logan. They’re in no shape to run.”
“Better to find out what we’re running into without them slowing us down then huh?” Logan asked.
“We’ll be fine.” I said, pulling out of Jean’s grip so that I could lean against the wall and not her. “Give us weapons of some sort and we’ll protect ourselves here. We are in a small turn in the hall with both ends easily defendable.”
“And where are we going to get weapons?” Scott asked.
“Knew I brought these for a reason.” Kitty’s mom said as she pulled some guns out of the bag she was carrying.
She tossed one to each of us. I glanced sideways at Pol as she caught hers. She looked it over hesitantly. “Just don’t stand behind me when you shoot that ok?” I asked as the adults moved off down the hall.
“Why?” Psycho asked.
“Cause she’s never used a gun before.” I told them.
“Ok. Note to self, don’t stand near Pol.” Chimaero smirked.
“Ha, ha very funny.” Pol said sarcastically. “Don’t worry. Chances are I won’t even use it.”
We waited for almost fifteen minutes before we heard someone approaching from both sides. “The parents?” Carol asked.
“No.” Chimaero replied. “The stride is too heavy and too similar to be the parents.”
“Combat boots.” I nodded in agreement. “We have company.”
“I’m beginning to really hate this place.” Psycho muttered.
“Beginning to?” Dark asked.
“You’re right.” Psycho grinned. “I’ve always hated this place. I’m just feeling it right now.”
We ducked behind walls and in doorways to keep out of the line of fire. We had just gotten to our positions when the first soldier came into view. Chimaero took aim and fired and from then on it was chaos.
Bullets flew back and forth for many minutes. My gun got hit by a stray bullet. It sparked, burning my hand. “Goddamn piece of shit!” I muttered as I tossed it, sparking, at the soldiers. “Pol?”
She tossed me her gun and then ducked quickly behind the wall as bullets ricocheted off the walls around us. They were aiming to injure, not to kill and that was to our advantage. I took careful aim and shot with deadly accuracy. We didn’t have many bullets to waste. It was difficult to see the soldiers though and not many of our shots found their targets. We took shot back and forth for many more minutes. Suddenly Pol turned to me. “Give me that.” She said, indicating my gun.
“What are you thinking?” I asked in surprise as I handed it over. “You’ve never used one of these before.”
She ignored me. She just stood up and let loose five shots in rapid succession. She hit and killed four of her marks but the fifth shot went wild, just grazing a soldier. We all just looked at her in shock for a moment before the return fire made us duck for cover again. “What the hell was that?” Psycho asked.
Pol looked at her. She looked as surprised as I felt. “I – uh…” she blanched suddenly as the full effect of what she had done hit her. “I think I’m gonna be sick.”
“Not on me you’re not.” Carol gasped, pulling away from her.
Pol shook her head. She nearly dropped the gun out of her hand before I grabbed it from her. She backed against the wall and her legs collapsed underneath her. “We’re running out of ammo here.” Dark called from the right end of our hiding place.
“Gone here.” Hunter called from the left.
Pol and I traded worried glances. “We’re in a hell of a lot of trouble.” Corbin muttered.
Just then a blast of red light could be seen from the right hallway and the enemy guns fell quiet. “Dad!” Pol cried in relief.
The adults came running back, Scott and Logan continuing on to take out the soldiers on the other side. Pol tried to stand but she was too shaky. I came over and helped her up. I was just moving to pick her up when Scott came back. “Uh… Zeff! I can… I can take her.”
“It’s alright sir. I’ve got it.” I replied, my grip tightening involuntarily on her arm.
Scott scowled at me. He was not going to let me take her no matter how much I felt it was my job. “I really don’t think that it’s appropriate.”
“With all do respect sir–”
“Dude!” Psycho grinned as the other two burst out laughing. “She’s only wearing a towel!”
I felt myself blush and let Kitty and Carol step in and take her. “You boys can talk this out later.” Kitty grinned.
“God Pol! You’re heavy!” Carol groaned.
“I’m sorry.” Pol told them. “I’d make it easier on you if I wasn’t so exhausted.”
“If you weren’t so exhausted we wouldn’t have to carry you at all.” Kitty pointed out.
Just then, Rogue came running toward us, a bundle in her hands. “Here sugar.” She said tossing it to Pol. “We’ll let the men folk wander up ahead for a minute.”
Pol grabbed the bundle and unfolded it. It was a lab coat that buttoned down the front and belted at the waist. I followed Chimaero and the other men as we scouted ahead. It was all clear for now. That was what worried me the most. Where were all the soldiers? “They are evil Carrie.” I heard Pol say as they caught up with us. “They’re military.”
“Who’s evil military?” Chimaero asked.
“You are.” Kitty told him with a grin.
He punched her playfully on the arm. Pol grinned at them and shook her head. I looked at her in concern. I hoped she’d be able to fight in the inevitable fight we had ahead of us. Pol looked from me to Scott and burst out laughing. I looked at Scott and grinned as I saw his worried expression. I wasn’t the only one who cared for her. Scott frowned slightly and then shook his head sadly. Just then we caught the sound of boots behind us. “Come on.” Scott said, picking up the pace a bit. “Up ahead is clear for now.”
We took off running down the hall. Every step took us closer to the doors and freedom. Jean mentioned that the jet was hidden close by. I knew better than to get my hopes up. Clowe hadn’t given up yet. As if on cue the alarm started wailing.
We were running full out now but when we burst out the doors to the outer compound we were confronted by Clowe, Ansem, and Hannibal’s X-4 unit. Pol moved closer to Carol to protect her. I stood still, ready to spring into action if needed. “Well, well, well.” Clowe said, raising an eyebrow. “What have we got here?”
The parents moved in front of us, figuring that they had more strength than we did. “Do you really intend to fight us?” Ansem asked. “Come on Ororo. I always thought you were smarter than that.”
“Do you honestly think that we are insensitive enough to let you continue experimenting on our children?” she replied, her eyes going white as she prepared for battle.
Ansem smiled his repulsive smile. More X4s and a few X5s filtered out of the base. “This is just insane.” Clowe said. “Do you honestly think you can win?”
“Well we sure gonna try.” Remy replied, pulling some cards out of his coat pocket.
Clowe laughed and gave a signal to attack.
Chapter 15
I don’t know how long I was strapped to the chair for, or when I finally blacked out. But when I awoke I found myself in a solitary room in the barracks. For days, though I went for training in the common compound and had “lessons” in one of the common classrooms I saw no sign of the others.
Then, all of a sudden I felt Pol’s presence. She wasn’t near me. It was as if someone had broken down her mental barriers. She felt so weak. :Are you alright?: I asked.
:Fine.: she replied. :They are just testing my sleep allergy. Nothing to worry about yet.:
:Just don’t shut me out again Pol, please.: I begged, :What would you do if you shut me out and then they knocked you out long enough for your element to try to take control? It’s happened before.:
:I hadn’t thought of that. I was just worried…:
:You don’t have to worry about me.: I told her. :It’s what I’m here for.:
:I would never be able to live with myself if I got you killed.:
:You won’t. I promise to be careful.: I replied.
That night a soldier came up to me and told me I was being transferred to a new cell. I frowned slightly. What could this mean? They don’t usually transfer people without a specific reason. When I went to the new cell the next day it was to find Pol laying on one of the benches.
She looked really weak. I ran over to her and helped her sit up. “Are you ok?” I asked, feeling her forehead.
She had a high fever and looked ready to pass out. I enveloped her in a hug. I never wanted to let go of her. I knew that Clowe would come for her again in the morning. Who knew how much more she could take? Who knew what else they would do to her? All I knew was that she was in rough shape. “I’ve been so worried about you.” I muttered.
She shuttered slightly, tightening her arms around me. “I’m reaching my breaking point Zeff.” She said. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I don’t know how much more I can take of this. Every day I grow weaker. Every day I can feel the element inside grow more restless. It will take me Zeff. I can’t hold it back much longer.”
Her voice cracked as she burst into silent tears. I felt a little awkward. She was usually very put together. The treatments must be real hard on her. I didn’t know what to tell her. There was little we could do. “Shh.” I said, holding her close and comforting her the only way I knew how. “You don’t have to worry about that right now. Just relax, rebuild your strength. I’m here now.”
We sat like that for a long while, both of us hanging on to each other, neither of us wanting to move. We had no idea what tomorrow would bring, only that we wouldn’t like it whatever it was. After a few minutes I realized that she had slipped into meditation on me. I lay her back on the bench and moved to the second bench in the room. I leaned back against the wall and watched her, making sure she didn’t actually fall asleep on me again.
The next thing I new I could hear footsteps coming down the hall. Many, booted, footsteps. Apparently I had dozed off. I stood up, swiping the hair that had come out of my braid out of my eyes, and moved over to Pol. Whoever was coming was going to have to go through me to get her. She scrambled upright and I moved in front of her, placing myself between her and the door.
I had barely done that when the door whisked open and Ansem walked in, followed by about a dozen X-series soldiers. I backed up a pace to be able to protect her better. I wasn’t about to just hand her over. “As touching as this is Zefferan I am very short on time today.” Ansem said as he moved into the cell.
I felt Pol grab the back of my shirt in sudden fear. “I can’t go… not today.” she whispered into my back. “The element is restless today. It will take me. I’m not strong enough.”
I surveyed the soldiers and Ansem, weighing the threat in my mind. There was no way we could stop them. The most I could do is get Pol thinking straight again. I turned around to face her, grabbing her shoulders and looking her right in the eye. “Don’t.” I told her. “Don’t discourage yourself like that. You are strong.”
She glanced worriedly over my shoulder and shivered slightly. I gave her shoulders a light shake to gain her attention. “Look at me.” When she turned back to me I continued. “You are not weak. Do you think you would even have an element if you were? Come on! Where’s the Pol I know? Just get a tighter grip on your fear. You’re usually so good at that.”
Half of the soldiers circled us, their guns trained on me. Pol was so frightened she was crying. I needed to comfort her quickly. “Just don’t shut me out again alright?” I asked. I wanted to make sure I would know if she needed help
She nodded slightly and two of the soldiers grabbed her arms. I leaned forward and kissed her forehead, offering her reassurance. “I will protect you.” I whispered in her ear. “I will come if you need me.”
Half of the soldiers accompanied Pol and Ansem while the other half stayed in the cell, their weapons fixed on me. Just before the door closed Pol looked back at me. I could only pray that it had worked.
Around an hour later I suddenly got the feeling Pol was in trouble. I tried the door but it was locked. I paced the room, trying to think. I had to get to her. If I was just on the other side of the door!
Suddenly I was. I stood in the hall for a second, trying to figure out what had happened. When my mind finally grasped the concept that I was free I ran towards the lab. I didn’t know what I might find in there but I did know that it wouldn’t be good.
By the time I reached the lab Pol was covered in blue flames and convulsing as she fought the internal battle with her Element. Both Clowe and Ansem looked unsure about what to do. Then I noticed that their hands were both burned and blistering. I didn’t stop to think. There was no time. Instead I ran over and grabbed her wrists.
I used the power in me to send some of my life-force into her, feeling the muscles and other cellular structures that were worn and tired and rejuvenating them. I gave her my strength and helped to fight back her element. As soon as I felt her regain consciousness I opened my eyes and stepped back.
Then the after-shock of having fed my strength into Pol washed over me and my knees buckled out from beneath me. Two soldiers rushed in and grabbed my arms before I hit the floor. Pol was looking around in confusion and Ansem, Isaiah and Clowe were all looking at me in surprise.
Isaiah glanced briefly at the computer and back at me. Then his head shot back to the computer. “Vitals are reading normal.” He said in shock.
“Did it work?” I asked as the soldiers lowered me into a chair.
“Zeff, what did you do?” Pol asked from the table.
“Yes Zefferan.” Ansem said. “What did you do?”
I closed my eyes, thinking about how much I wanted to say. I felt myself start to drift off before a soldier nudged me with the butt of his riffle. I opened my eyes and glared at Ansem. “You almost killed her.” I felt so angry. It was all I could do to try and keep my voice calm and quiet. As it was I could hear it shake.
“How were you able to touch her?” Ansem asked.
I glanced at Pol and caught her eyes. I gave her a reassuring smile. I would answer both her and Ansem’s questions. I turned back to Ansem. “I’m her protector aren’t I?” I asked. “What good is it being a protector when you can’t touch them when they are in element form? I needed to help her regain consciousness.”
Ansem frowned at me as he assessed what I had just told him. “You did more than just bring her back to consciousness. I know you did. Now I want to know exactly what it was you did.”
I hesitated, glancing to Pol then back to Ansem. I didn’t know how much I wanted to tell him. It would mean trouble for us all. Ansem saw the hesitation and grabbed a surgical knife from the table and held it to Pol’s throat. She shrank back against the table. I tried to stand but the soldiers on either side of me held me down. This was getting out of hand again. “I do not like it when things happen that I don’t understand Zefferan.” Ansem said, holding the knife a shade closer to Pol so that it just nicked the skin. “I am not a patient man. Care to test me?”
I glanced at Pol and resigned myself to tell them what I could without causing trouble for the others. “I was feeding my life-force into hers.” I explained. “I have the ability to rejuvenate people. I feed life into them reviving dead or dying cells and giving them the strength they need to pursue life again.”
“A living fountain of youth.” Isaiah said, his mouth hanging open in awe.
“Can all your people do this?” Ansem asked.
“No.” I sighed. We were back to the Alien Questioning thing. “In this I am unique. You see? Your problem is you think the Elementals are a group of five.”
“There are more of you?” Ansem asked, glancing from Pol to me.
Pol looked just as confused as the others. “Yes. There are more.” I replied. “But who or how many I can’t say.”
“No. You can’t.” Ansem said thoughtfully. “But I bet Destiny can.”
Oh shit. What had I done now? I needed to try to turn him away from Dee. So I turned to my natural ability to lie and bull-shit my way put of a tough situation. “I doubt it.” I said. “If any of us was in danger of losing ourselves to our element it is Dee. Time is infinite. That leaves an infinite space for her mind to wander to find clues to the answers you seek. She may delve into time and never come back.”
“That is a risk I am willing to take.” Ansem said. “I believe we have done enough for today. Take them back to their cell.”
They unstrapped Pol from the table and we were taken back to our cell. The guards had to half-drag me as I couldn’t get my legs to work.
When we reached the cell we were shoved through the door and left alone. I let my legs give out and collapsed on the floor just inside the door. Pol fell to her knees next to me. “Are you ok?” she asked, helping me up.
“I’m fine.” I replied, cursing inwardly at the fact that I had to lean against her to get back to the bunk. She looked so worried so I tried to add a bit of levity to the situation. “Why didn’t you tell me what a pain the Elemental backlash was?”
“I never thought you’d actually experience it.” she told me as I lay back on the bunk and closed my eyes. I just wanted to rest. “You are such a mystery you know that? You know everything there is to know about me. But every time I think I’m beginning to understand you, you throw something else at me.”
I smiled weakly but did not open my eyes. I was just so tired. Pol sat down on the bunk and let me rest my head on her knee. It was almost as if we had switched roles. She was now the protector and I was the power-drained elemental.
“You are an idiot you know that?” she asked, running her fingers gently through my hair. It was soothing and I relaxed, slipping into unconsciousness.
When I came back around Pol was still sitting there. I frowned up at her. “Have you been sitting here the whole time?” I asked, sitting up.
She shrugged. “I had a nice chat with Dee.” she said.
“Oh shit.” I swore. I had completely forgotten about her. “Dee. Is she alright? I tried to warn him away from using her but he cut me off. I didn’t have enough time to talk him out of it.”
“I know Zeff.” She said quietly. “I managed to warn her before Ansem came for her but I haven’t been able to reach her since.”
Just then the door slid open and a group of X5’s entered the room. “Sorry to interrupt your little chat.” The leader said sarcastically. “Your presence is required in the lab… both of you.”
We traded worried glances. This could only mean something bad. The soldiers marched us to a new lab, one I hadn’t been to before. This one was much larger and had many tanks and machines in it. They had brought in the others as well. This was not going to end well. “What’s going on?” Pol asked.
Kitty looked as confused as we were. Dark and Psycho had their usual sarcastic smirk, as if planning on challenging Ansem on whatever he had planned. I wouldn’t put it past them to try it. Only one person seemed to know what was going on and that was Dee. Her face was pale and fear was written all over her features. She seemed unable or unwilling to voice what was happening. At least she was alright… for now.
Just then Ansem entered, followed by a handful of scientists. Among them was Isaiah, no surprise there, and Clowe himself. It was odd to see him in anything but one of his hundred-dollar suits. Now he had on a lab coat over his suit. He obviously didn’t want to ruin it. Ansem turned to us, looking us each over. “Any of you want to venture a guess as to what these are?” he asked, gesturing to the tanks.
None of us came forward with the answer so Chimaero took a guess. “Extraction tanks sir.” He said.
No shit! Why hadn’t I thought of that? They were planning to try to extract the elements from us! Pol started to shake and I couldn’t blame her. What they were doing would probably kill us. “What the hell are they for?” Psycho snapped.
Ansem smiled his evil smile at her. “Why don’t you ask Polgara, or maybe Destiny?” He asked, looking at them. Neither of them spoke. “No? Well then. Zefferan, care to enlighten your peers?”
I started in surprise. Not really. I thought. “I – uh…”
“What is it elf-boy?” Dark snapped.
Clowe hid a grin behind his hand. I hated her right then. I really didn’t want to say it. It would make it feel more unavoidable. But the others were all looking at me expectantly. “I… they… they’re gonna try to extract our elements from us.”
“Oh no… not try… we are going to extract your elements from you.” Ansem assured us.
“But… that’ll kill us.” Chimaero argued.
“What?” Clowe asked, turning to look at Ansem. “You neglected to mention that little detail.”
“What’s the matter Tim?” Isaiah asked. “Getting cold feet?”
“Neither of you will lose kids out of this.” Clowe said in defense.
“I will lose a niece, and Isaiah an adopted daughter.” Ansem pointed out.
“Some father he turned out to be.” Pol muttered.
We all turned to look at her, not sure which man she meant: Clowe, Ansem, or Isaiah. The men exchanged glances and Clowe shook his head. “I am losing two sons out of this deal.”
“Two?” Isaiah asked.
“Hannibal is Chimaero’s protector.” Clowe remarked.
“Harsh.” Psycho grinned.
Ansem looked closely at Clowe. “Are you backing out of this operation?”
Clowe glared at him. “You know I can’t.”
Chimaero glared at his father but kept his mouth shut. One of the soldiers behind us shifted nervously. “Sir?” he asked, gaining the attention of all three men. “What should we do about the Ordinary?”
Clowe looked up at him in annoyance. “She has served her purpose. Get rid of her.”
“No!” Pol pulled away from the soldiers holding her.
She bolted for the door with such determination that she didn’t even notice when the soldiers trained their guns on her. Someone had to knock some sense back into her before se got herself killed. I tried to get to her but the soldiers near me grabbed my arms, holding me back. “Pol!” I called, trying to get her attention.
“No!” Clowe shouted, “Not until we get her element!”
Ansem moved in front of her, blocking the door. Her guards caught up with her and grabbed her arms. It took five of them to drag her back into the line she was so determined to get away. I couldn’t understand how she could put her life on the line for an Ordinary. “No…” she pleaded as Clowe moved to stand in front of her. “Please. She has done nothing to you. She is just an innocent girl!”
Clowe looked her in the face and smiled. “She knows too much. She has become a liability and a threat to this organization. She must be eliminated. Your friends have it easy you know. They will be put under for the procedure.” He nodded and one-by-one the scientists in the room injected us others with something. Just before I lost consciousness I heard him go on. “But you… no, you can’t be knocked out.”
Chapter 14
I was exhausted. It had been a long day and I hadn’t really had a chance to rest except for a short time in the jet. I needed to sleep but I felt obligated to stick with Pol while she gave her report. She told him that the boy had in fact been taken by Clowe, and taken to the exact facility outside Seattle that us Prototypes had been brought up in.
The Professor didn’t even react to the news. He just listened to her quietly and then dismissed her. She seemed disappointed but she did as she was told. It was a clear signal that she was stepping back and letting him make the decisions.
I turned to follow her out but the Professor halted me with a glance. “You didn’t stop her.” He said.
“I couldn’t.” I said. “Besides, it wasn’t a dangerous mission and she is friends with the girl. If the girl had disappeared I wouldn’t have let her chase after her. We are both tired sir. We’ve been through a lot… Pol even more than me. She’s beyond rational thought. It’s too personal.”
“I agree.” The Professor said. “Which is why she must not be allowed to continue in this way.”
“I’m sorry sir.” I said. He moved to leave but I had to ask. “Sir? What are we going to do now?”
“I am going to find out more. Then I’ll send a team in. Though at this point it may already be too late.” He said. Then he laughed. “Go to bed Zeff. You have done enough for now.”
“Thank you sir.” I said.
When I went up to my room Chimaero was there. He was reading a text book and looking all too interested in it. “Test tomorrow?” I asked.
“Yeah.” He said without looking up. “Classics with Ororo. Brutal.”
“I dunno.” I said as I started getting ready for bed. “I actually find human history fascinating.”
“You would.” He laughed. Then he looked at me and his smile vanished. “Shit Zeff! What happened to you?”
I looked down at my chest. I had forgotten how beat-up I was. There was a solid bruise that ran all the way up my left side and the bullet wound on my arm. Not to mention all the minor bruises and cuts that covered my body. “Clowe had some Manticore Prototypes attack me.” I explained. “Wanted to keep me from being able to help Pol.”
Chimaero raised an eyebrow at me.
“I’m fine.” I insisted. I climbed into bed, wincing a little as my side cramped slightly.
“Right.” He clearly didn’t believe me. “You gonna get that arm looked at?”
“It’s just a scratch.” I said.
“Whatever you say man.” He said, turning back to his book.
I lay down and was asleep almost before my head hit the pillow. I didn’t rouse again until Hunter woke me up the next morning. “The Professor wants us.” He said.
“He found Josh?” I asked as I threw on some clothes.
“He… didn’t say…” Hunter noticed my wounds. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”
“Absolutely.” I said as I threw on my outer shirt. “I met this kid personally. He’s not Clowe’s type. We need to find him before something happens to him.”
We went down into the lower levels where the others were waiting. All except Pol anyway. The Professor seemed determined to cut her out of the operation. He also seemed a little unsure about what he was asking. “Josh is being held in the Manticore facility outside Seattle.” He said. “I need a team that knows the facility to go in, find the boy, and get him out.”
“You’re sending us?” Psycho asked.
“Makes sense.” I said. “Who better to take on Manticore than Manticore soldiers?”
“My source tells me that he isn’t being held in a cell. He’s being kept in one of the labs. They are questioning him and putting him through some behavioral modifications. Chimaero, you and Zeff are heading the team. I’m sending you in with Ondraya, Kyra and Destiny. Kitty, I need you to keep an eye on Pol. She’s gotten into enough trouble lately.”
“What about us?” Hunter asked. I could tell he didn’t like being left out.
“I need the rest of you here.” Xavier said. “We need a back-up unit. If something happens you and Corbin will know. Then I’ll need to send you in to get them out.”
“Wait a minute.” Something about the way the Professor was giving the briefing didn’t seem right. “Your source?”
“Yes.” He looked right at me. “An MRA informant named Richard Cameron.”
“The MRA agent posted at Pol’s house?” I asked.
The others looked at me and the Professor in shock. “Yes.” He admitted.
“And you trust him?” Psycho asked.
“Entirely? No.” he said. “But enough to send in a team that knows the area.”
“How can we be sure that Clowe’s not gonna be waiting for us?” I asked. “That it’s not some sort of trap.”
“We can’t.” Xavier said. “But we have to get this boy back. It was on us to protect him and we failed. We need to fix this.”
So, an hour later we found ourselves in the chopper on our way to Seattle. Kitty and Pol had gone to see Pol’s friend. Pol was told that it was just to visit, but Kitty knew that the Professor was worried about the girl. She knew he expected Clowe to send someone in to kill her or bring her in.
As we were getting off the chopper Scott, who was helping pilot, placed his hand on my shoulder. “Hey.” He said. “Be careful out there.”
“Always.” I grinned as I jumped out.
Getting into the base wasn’t hard. We got out easy enough, and they were looking for us then. We knew how to get back in. we worked our way to the lab area. We had to backtrack and dodge cameras to keep from being seen.
When we finally got to the lab area we heard some technicians coming toward us. We ducked inside a storage area, watching the area to see how many people came and went and from which rooms. We observed for a few hours before we prepared to make our move. Suddenly I heard Pol’s voice in my mind. :Zeff? Can you hear me?:
:Pol?: her voice sounded loud in my head. That usually meant we were close. But what was she doing here? She was supposed to be visiting her friend. :Pol, what are you doing here?:
:Long story.: she replied. :Where are you?:
:Close.: I told her. :We’re hiding in a storage room. Where are you?:
“Above you.” She said out loud. Her voice sounded loudly in our hiding spot, echoing through the air vent she was hiding in.
The others jumped and turned to look up at her. “Pol?” Dee asked.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Dark asked.
She lifted the cover off the vent and jumped down, landing neatly beside Psycho, a wide grin on her face. She looked horrible. She had a black eye and cuts and bruises all over her body… the parts that were visible at least though I wouldn’t be surprised if the rest of her was too. She looked emotionally drawn as if she had been through a lot in a short amount of time. “My god Pol!” Psycho exclaimed. “What happened to you?”
“Had a little run in with some X4’s.” Pol said. “Remind me I want to start doing combat training when we get home. They have Kit and Carol.”
“Shit.” Chimaero swore. “This makes it a little harder.”
“And it doesn’t stop there.” She went on. “They had me but I got away.”
“How’s that harder?” Dee asked.
“Cause if I got away, that means they’re going to sound the –” Suddenly we were assailed by a loud blaring noise. “Alarm.” she finished lamely.
“Ok. This may not be that bad.” I said, trying to reason it out in my mind. “Who’d they have guarding you?”
“X4’s called Kya, Joe, Lillian, Shalimar…”
“Damn. That’s Hannibal’s unit.” Chimaero cursed.
“And Hannibal… You know, you should really let me finish before you butt in.” she chided him.
“Well one thing’s for sure.” Dee muttered, glancing out the door. “We gotta get out of here fast.”
“Where to first?” Pol asked as we moved out into the hall and took a left.
“Well Kit and your friend will probably be the easiest to get.” Psycho reasoned. “So let’s go find the fire starter.”
“Josh.” Pol reminded her. “His name’s Josh.”
“Whatever.” She replied.
We took off down the hall, avoiding cameras and guards the best we could. Psycho and Chimaero took the lead with Dark bringing up the rear. I moved close to her and touched her arm lightly. I couldn’t understand how she could have gotten so beaten up without me realizing it. “How come I didn’t know?” I asked her. “Why didn’t I feel it?”
“I had you closed off remember?” she asked.
“I didn’t realize that it went as far as our connection.” I said.
“Neither did I.” she admitted. “But it was better that you didn’t. If you had you wouldn’t be here to help now.”
Psycho signaled us to stop. She listened intently and pointed at the door to her left side. We split to either side of the door. “Why are we stopping here?” Pol asked. “These aren’t the cells.”
“He’s not being kept in the cells.” Dee told her. “He’s being held for questioning and some sort of behavior revision or something.”
She frowned. Chimaero glanced at us. He held up two fingers and pointed to Pol and me. Then, using the military hand signs we learned in Manticore, he motioned that he wanted us to stand guard. Pol shook her head. He frowned and turned to me. I shrugged and pointed to Dee. Pol was going to be difficult and now was not the time to argue with her.
Chimaero looked at Dee questioningly. She nodded. Then he pointed to Dark and Pol and pointed left. They’d go left through the door. Pol nodded and pulled out a couple of her throwing knives. Well, that settled that then. She just wanted to go in after the fire-starter. Chimaero pointed to himself and Psycho and motioned right. Then he looked around at all of us. With a nod he kicked the door open.
They went in as quickly as they could, and me and Dee took up our positions at the door. We heard a brief sound of struggle then it was quiet. I heard the sound of metal on metal and Pol saying, “Joshua! Joshua, get up! We gotta go.”
“What the fuck is that?” Dark’s voice asked.
I sensed another, older, life form nearby. Before I could turn around Clowe had snuck up behind Dee. “Make one noise and she’s dead.” He had her arms pinned between him and her back and was holding her chin tilted up, a knife pressed against her throat.
I caught her gaze and went to reach out telepathically. “Not even that way Zefferan. You know better.” Clowe said, motioning to the door. “Inside… now.”
“They made me human again.” Josh was saying as I turned to the door. “They gave me what I wanted… in return for one thing.”
“What is that?” Pol asked him, her voice sounded suspicious.
“That he turns you in.” Clowe said, pushing me and Dee into the room.
I went over to stand beside Pol. If we were going to fight I wanted to be close enough to protect her. Around Clowe there were now at least a dozen MRA agents, all with guns trained on us. Clowe looked us over, his gaze lingering slightly on Chimaero before moving to Pol, taking in her battered shape. “What happened to you?” he asked amused.
“Why don’t you ask your son and his batch of X4’s?” she snapped back.
Clowe just grinned. “No matter, you are here now. We can finish our little project. I know how much Ansem’s been wanting to see you.”
I felt her reach out and grabbed my hand. I felt a slight stab of fear in my chest and pushed her slightly behind me to protect her more. That little move was enough to tell Clowe we’d fight and die before we let him take her back to his lab. “Don’t worry Zefferan.” Clowe grinned. “We won’t kill her. You kids are way too valuable for that. But now I not only have you two,” He turned and grinned at the others, “But my little runaways as well. I believe with some re-indoctrination you’ll be powerful assets.”
Psycho, Chimaero and Dark all got similar determined frowns on their faces. I could tell they weren’t going to make this easy for him. Chimaero had been through Psy-ops before. He knew how bad it could be. Clowe just grinned at us all. “Get them.” He said, leaving the room.
We all braced ourselves for the onslaught of soldiers but they never came. Instead a group of X-series soldiers entered the room. “Oh shit…” Dark muttered.
“We’re screwed!” Psycho groaned.
The soldiers came into the room and they just kept coming! There were way too many of them. There was no way we could fight them. They swarmed us, skillfully subduing us. I was pulled away from Pol. “No!” I heard her shout as my hand was tugged from hers. “I won’t go back! I won’t!”
I cursed and struggled, trying to get back to her. She was in no shape to fight. She was so beat up I was surprised she was still going. They were too strong and too many for me. As they herded me toward the door I reached for my laser-sword at my belt. I managed to unclip it just as they got me to the door. “Pol!” I called, tossing it toward her.
I never even got to see if she caught it before I was marched away to a holding cell. I groaned slightly. This meant another week or so in Psy-ops… once was quite enough.
As I was marched through the halls I was joined by Joe and Hannibal. “Back so soon Zeff?” Han asked. “You miss us that much?”
“I missed kicking your asses that much.” I muttered. They were here to gloat and taunt me. They knew that Pol had found us. So they knew that I knew what they did. And they knew that I hated their guts.
“That girl of yours is weak.” Joe said. “Haven’t you taught her anything?”
“Pol doesn’t need to know how to fight with her hands to take you out.” I said. “She knows a different kind of warfare.”
“Mental right?” Han asked. “Psychic warfare? Then why didn’t she use it?”
“Not her way.” I replied.
By then we had reached Psy-Ops. I was led inside and Han and Joe went back to the barracks. “She’s like me that way.” I muttered to myself. “Too damn noble.”
They strapped me to the chair and focused the laser on my eye. Then I was once again lost to the pain and mental overload that was Psy-Ops.
Chapter 13
I was dragged down the hall toward Psy-ops. Soldiers and X-series stopped and stared. Hannibal grinned as I passed. “Finally caught up with you did they Zeff?”
I didn’t have time to answer and before I could blink I found myself strapped to that god forsaken chair with a laser burning into my eye. I wanted to fight them but I couldn’t. They had Pol. Luckily they didn’t try to fully convert me.
I was put back with my old unit. I trained extra hard to perform at my old standards once more. I was always prompt in my responses, working hard to make it so they couldn’t pin anything on me. It didn’t take me long to find out that they were trying to psych me out and lower my hope of escape. Every chance the got my fellow soldiers and supervisors told me about how they had upped security since the last escape. It was impossible to get away now, they said.
My good streak couldn’t last, however. I hadn’t exactly had the best record with them even before I left. One day, about three days after I had left Pol, I was sparring with Hannibal and Joe. John and Michael watched from the sidelines, as well as a couple X5 males. I suspected something was up when there were no females nearby. Sure enough, as I fought they started goading me. “So where’s that girl of yours these days pretty-boy?” Joe asked. “Was kinda hoping she’d be around. She ain’t hard to look at that one.”
“Yeah she’s pretty good looking.” Han said. “Even for a mutie.”
I traded blows quietly, not letting their words get to me. “I heard Clowe’s saving her for himself.” One of the X5’s said.
“What a waste.” Michael grinned. “I wouldn’t mind a piece of her for myself.”
I threw Han to the mat, trying not to let my anger show. “Can you imagine?” John asked with a chuckle. “I bet she’s good ain’t she Zeff.”
“I wouldn’t know.” I said through clenched teeth.
“What?” John exclaimed in disbelief. “You ain’t never tried her? Even better!”
“I say we have some fun once she’s converted.” Han grinned. “What do you say?”
In response I threw him to the ground again and tripped Joe, causing him to fall right onto Han. It was still a perfectly legit move. I was sparring with both of them after all. As I straightened up I barely missed the signal from the supervisor. All of a sudden, all of them were on me. They taunted me as they punched and kicked me.
I had to do something or they would kill me. None of my brothers and sisters had the adversity to killing that I did. Without thinking I grabbed Joe and threw him into the others. He was the biggest person there so I took out most of them just with him. He hit one of the X5’s, knocking him back into an X5 training at the next mat.
She turned and started fighting him and before I knew it there was a full out brawl in the compound. After about five minutes the supervisor called out, “Soldiers!”
I winced and looked up at him as the compound snapped to attention. To my deep dismay I saw Clowe standing beside him. “Well done Zeff.” He said to me. “You finally screwed up.”
I felt a sense of panic fall on me as he turned and left, undoubtedly heading for the lab and Pol. I felt a sharp twinge of guilt lance through my chest. :Oh god Pol!: I called out. I couldn’t believe what I had just done. :I’m sorry!:
:You couldn’t help it.: She told me. :They planned it. They want to –:
She cut off abruptly as if she had been blocked or distracted by something. The next thing I knew I was laying on the mat, my ear wringing from the force of Joe’s punch. The soldiers around my mat set on me, punching and kicking again until I almost blacked out. Then they dragged me to my cell and left me.
I was too worn out and beat up to do anything, which I’m sure was their plan. I just lay there, curled into a ball, and let the blackness take me.
When I awoke it was to a throbbing head and stiff and aching body. I had no idea how long I had been unconscious. I reached out with my mind toward Pol. She felt distant and weak, much like she had when I first met her. I frowned. Something wasn’t right.
I reached out through our link and felt her confusion which changed quickly to anger. I rushed to my door. It was unlocked. I moved quickly and quietly toward the lab, doubling back to avoid any personnel in the area. When I got to the lab I could hear Clowe and Ansem inside. “It didn’t work.” Isaiah said.
“I know.” Ansem sounded frustrated. “Move. I need to put her back on the table.”
“But it should have worked.” Isaiah insisted. “The scan’s showed that it worked.”
“Something triggered her memory.” Ansem said. “Or should I say, someone?”
“The boy?” Isaiah asked. There was a brief pause and then he said excitedly, “Well what if we used it on him first? You’d get your perfect soldier back, as well as an Elemental.”
“That’s not a bad idea.” Ansem said. “You, and you, go get him. Bring him here.”
I waited until the door handle turned and then kicked with all my might. The door flew open, hitting a soldier in the face and snapping his head back. He went down, blood gushing from his nose. I punched the second soldier in the stomach and then brought my fists down on the back of his neck, knocking him to the ground as well.
I heard a gun cock and dodged behind a tank in the room as a bullet just missed my head. “Don’t kill him!” Ansem said. “He is valuable property. We can’t afford to lose him.”
I grinned slightly. Couldn’t afford to lose me? I could use that to my advantage. I peered around the tank. There was only one solder left. I rushed in, dodging to the side so that the bullet aimed at my side just grazed my arm. I grabbed the soldier’s gun and elbowed him in the face, knocking him out cold.
I threw the gun at Isaiah. It hit him square in the forehead. I knew how to take people out quickly and efficiently. Ansem moved toward where Pol lay unconscious on the table. I kicked out his knees just before he reached her and then choked him until he went unconscious but not long enough to kill him. Then I turned to Pol.
She was out cold. The pinprick in the side of her neck explained why I couldn’t wake her. She was covered with a thin blanket from her knees to her chest. I looked at the soldiers. One of them was around her size. I stripped the clothes off him and threw them in a bag. Then I grabbed his gun and spare clips. I threw the clips in the bag as well as those from the other soldiers and threw the bag on my back.
Then I turned and picked Pol up, wrapping the blanket around her as I did. Then I ran. I went out the nearest door and was well into the woods behind the compound before the alarm sounded. I ran for miles before I felt Pol stir slightly as she woke up. “Zeff?” she coughed slightly, her voice coming out in a croak.
I stopped and set her down under the shadow of a tree. “Pol?” I leaned over her, the worry I had been feeling seeping out of me. “Thank god. I’ve been trying to wake you up for the past hour. I don’t know how long you’ve been asleep.”
“Where are we?” she asked groggily.
“In the woods, just outside MRA headquarters.”
“For real? I mean, I’m not dreaming this?”
“No.” I assured her. “What did they do to you?”
“Tried to wipe all my memories of life after grade eight. They nearly succeeded too.”
I smiled and enveloped her in a hug. She still felt so weak! “I’m just thankful that I got you out of there before they could do anything else to you. I’ve been trying to reach the others but we’re to far away. I couldn’t find your watch either. Clowe must have it.”
She gazed around the forest in confusion. She took in the trees and the fact that I was still dressed in my MRA attire. Then she seemed to realize that she was still wrapped in a blanket and barefoot. I reached into the small bag I was carrying and pulled out the smaller set of MRA clothing I had grabbed for her. “Are you strong enough to change or do you want to wait?”
She grinned weakly. “I think I can manage now.”
“Well then I’m gonna go scout around to see if they’ve got people out looking for us.” I said, handing her the clothes and a small handgun. I felt worried leaving her but I knew she wouldn’t change with me there and she needed to be ready when they came for us.
“Be careful.” She said softly as I slipped away.
I slunk through the trees for a few minutes until I heard the sound of four wheelers. Hoping Pol had had enough time to change I ran back. When I got to the tree I found her changed and meditating. She snapped out of it as I approached. “Are you strong enough to walk?” I asked quickly. There was no time to lose.
“Maybe.” she answered. “Depending on how fast and how far.”
“Then that’s a no.” I muttered.
I scooped her up in my arms as if she were a child. She might as well have been for how light and weak she felt. “I went to look,” I told her, “And they’ve got full teams out looking for us. We have to get out of here now.”
“I’ll try to reach the others.” She said.
I felt her reach out with her Elemental ties and find Dee’s mind. :Pol? Thank god! Where are you?:
:In the woods outside Clowe’s Headquarters.:
“His British Columbia one.” I muttered.
:Zeff says it’s his British Columbia base.: Pol told her.
:BC? Man Pol, he really didn’t want us to find you. I’ll tell the Professor. We’ll be there as soon as we can.:
:Thank you. And Dee? Please hurry. I’m not in the best shape for keeping ahead of them.:
“Incoming.” I said as the sound of the four-wheelers grew louder.
I set her down in a sheltered rocky outcropping. She pulled out the gun that I had given her and I felt a sudden sense of unease wash over me. “Have you ever used one of those?” I asked quietly.
“No.” she admitted. “I prefer my knives. A lot quieter. I’m guessing I’ll have to buy more of those.”
I shook my head slightly and took the gun out of her hands. Then I handed her my laser sword. “At least with that I know you won’t accidentally injure yourself or me.”
She grinned at me and took the sword. “I really gotta get me one of these.”
I grinned back. “Remind me later and I’ll show you how to make one.”
She struggled to her feet and leaned against the rock wall to keep upright. The four wheelers stopped just out of gun range and Clowe himself hopped down off one. “If you really wanted to avoid that operation Polgara, this was not the way to do it.” He said calmly, taking in the fact that she could barely stand. “And you, Zefferan, should know better. You know we’ve upped security since the last escape. You’ve been told enough times over the past few weeks.”
I tightened my grip on the gun. “I won’t let you take her back.” I told Clowe venomously. “I won’t let you hurt her again.”
“Is that so?” he asked. He took a step closer, keeping one hand on his gun and raising one hand as if trying to coax me. “Put the gun down Zeff. I don’t want to kill you.”
I raised the gun defiantly and took aim at his head. I wasn’t about to let him talk me out of this. “Put the gun down Zeff.” Clowe repeated, taking another step forward. “Put it down and come quietly and we won’t hurt her.”
“Can you move back further?” I asked her, not taking my eyes off of Clowe for a second.
“I’d be backing into a corner.” Came her whispered reply. “There’s only one way out.”
I swore under my breath. This was going to be harder than I would have liked. At least we were in a semi-defensible position. “Come now Zeff,” Clowe said calmly, coming closer with each step. “You won’t shoot me.”
“You want to bet?” I asked. I seriously wanted to kill the man. It would be so easy. “Just wait until you are in range.”
“I won’t go back.” Pol whispered behind me. She sounded very weak and very frightened. “Zeff, I can’t go back.”
“Come out now and I won’t release your siblings Zeff.” Clowe said, stepping within firing range. My hands shook. Just squeeze the trigger Zeff. I told myself. It’s easy. One shot and he’s out of your life forever. But my hands wouldn’t co-operate. I couldn’t bring myself to kill the man, even though I wanted to. Clowe knew what he was talking about. “You won’t kill them. You were always too honorable for your own good.”
That was the last straw. I couldn’t bring myself to kill them in cold blood. But I could defend myself. I wasn’t helpless. I was a soldier. “I may not kill them.” I told Clowe. “But I can injure them enough.”
With that I fired the first shot. Clowe anticipated my move and dodged the bullet, rolling into the trees as his soldiers returned fire. I ducked behind the rocky entrance of the cave. Pol followed suit as bullets whizzed by us. I traded bullets with the soldiers for hours, thankful that I had packed spare clips for my gun.
Then Magneto lost patience. “Enough games!” he said, pulling my gun from my grasp and flinging it into the forest beyond.
Pol wasted no time in tossing me my laser sword. The X4s backed away slightly as I ignited the familiar weapon. “Zeff this is pointless.” Clowe said as he came to stand just behind his precious soldiers. “Drop the blade. Now.”
Before I could even blink my siblings started firing again. It was all I could do to deflect the bullets away from me and Pol with my blade. Then, Hannibal had a lucky shot and hit the handle of my sword, causing it to lose power.
Pol and I exchanged fearful glances. “I won’t go back.” she told Clowe. She stood up straighter, no longer leaning on the wall. “I won’t be your lab rat anymore.”
“Come on Dee, where are you?” I muttered in frustration.
Clowe just grinned and moved towards us. The hum of jet engines could be heard approaching from the west. “He brought reinforcements.” I muttered, wondering when this nightmare would end.
“No…” Pol said, almost in a whisper. “That’s our ride.”
Clowe realized it just moments before she said it and the soldiers stormed toward us in full force. I stood between them and Pol, fending them off as best I could with just my hands. It wasn’t as hard as it might have been. The week spent with them had revamped my fighting skills. Just as they over powered me and were moving toward Pol time stopped. I wrenched my arms out of the soldiers’ holds and Pol leaned against the rock in relief. “About time.” I muttered. “I thought we were done for.”
“I came as quick as I could!” Dee said defiantly. “It’s a long way from New York to BC and you didn’t exactly give me advanced warning. Now let’s get out of here before I get a nosebleed from holding time for too long.”
I went over and scooped Pol up again. “I can walk!” she complained, trying to break from my grip.
“Not far,” I argued, “And we’re not that close to a clearing that she could have landed in.”
“And I need to release my hold on them soon so we may have to run for it.” Dee told her, trying unsuccessfully to hold in her laughter.
“Oh, shut up and get moving.” Pol said, relaxing into my hold.
I grinned and took off after Dee. A few seconds later I heard shouts from behind us. Dee stumbled and almost fell. She quickly regained her footing and ran on. “I had to let them go.” She told me. “It was draining me.”
“They seem to be more and more resistant to our elemental powers.” Pol said quietly.
“Well, they’ve already found a way to control mutant powers. His next challenge is elemental ones.” I replied.
“Shit.” Dee muttered.
They caught up with us just as we broke through the clearing. We dodged bullets as we ran to the jet. “Dee, get us out of here!” I shouted, setting Pol down in one of the seats and running to the weapons cabinet in the back.
Bullets ricocheted off the hull and the ramp. I grabbed a gun and began to return fire, keeping them from getting on the jet. Dee sat in the pilot seat and powered up the jet, closing the ramp as soon as was possible. I went and sat in the co-pilot seat with a breath of relief. “You came alone?” I asked in surprise.
“I was the only one there.” She replied as the jet took off, leaving Clowe, swearing and yelling at his troupes, behind us. “There was a field trip today to the statue of liberty and Manhattan. I decided to remain and keep looking for you. You two picked a hell of a day to finally reach me.”
“I tried to reach you sooner but Clowe blocked my mind.” I told her, leaning back in the chair and donning a headset. “I don’t share any elemental ties with you girls.”
“I was in no condition to talk to anybody.” Pol told her weakly as she shut her eyes and slipped into meditation.
I shook my head, grinning. She had just told us ‘I don’t want to talk about it’ as effectively as if she had said it aloud. I spent the rest of the trip back explaining exactly what had happened to her. Dee was horrified at the things I described. It was one thing to hear about the things Clowe did. But it was quite another to hear that he did them to your friend. By the time we had gotten back to the institute Pol had woken up.
She followed Dee and me out of the lower levels and up into the cafeteria. I was starving from the lack of food Clowe had given me. I needed some food, and so did Pol, before we even thought of answering any questions. We ate our way through a medium pizza and salad and were starting on desert when the others piled in. Apparently they were back from their field trip. They took one look at us and froze. They stood there for a minute, their mouths hanging open, and then they ran over.
They immediately started asking questions. Pol just leaned back and let me answer them. It wasn’t till Chimaero asked me how I had gotten there that she started to listen. “I mean,” Chimaero said, “You sat up so suddenly and the look on your face… I thought you were having a nightmare or something. Except… you never have nightmares. Not even when we were kids. Then you just sorta disappeared. Nobody knew where you went.”
“I guess it’s that Protector thing.” I told him. “I suddenly knew that Pol was in trouble. Then I could suddenly see what was happening to her. Then I was suddenly there to help. Who knew that they would be ready for me?”
“I was wondering why you never answered us when we called you.” Chimaero said.
“Yah.” Jacob agreed. “It vas as if you coulds not hear us.”
“I couldn’t.” I said, vaguely remembering hearing Chimaero’s voice say something. “All I was aware of is what was happening to Pol.”
“What did they do to you?” Hunter asked, he was one of the only ones without first-hand Clowe experience and didn’t know that he shouldn’t ask.
Dee grabbed his arm and pulled him away. “I’ll explain. Come on.” She said and the others followed her out.
Pol smiled thankfully at her retreating back and picked up her tray. “Well, I guess we should go talk to the Professor.”
I followed her and deposited my tray on the cart, then we went to find the Professor. We found him in the lower levels just exiting Cerebra. From the look on his face he was very glad we were back. He reached out and took Pol’s hand in his. His eyes roamed over her face, checking to see if she was well. Suddenly I felt her close off her mind. It was as if she was suddenly not there anymore… as if we had never met. I froze, frowning slightly. I didn’t like this feeling. It made me uncomfortable.
“What happened to Josh?” she asked quickly, staving off any questions we might ask. “Do we know where he is?”
“I was hoping you knew.” Xavier said. “I went to get him the day you disappeared but he was gone… as well as the Executive President and one of the volunteers. I tried to trace them but so far I’ve been unable to find them. The girl hasn’t moved from her house.”
“Carol?” She asked her face perking up. Then she groaned slightly. “Oh shit! Carol!”
“She was a friend of yours?” Xavier asked.
“From way back.” She told him. “I promised to call her. I better go talk to her.”
“No.” The Professor said, halting her as she was about to turn and leave. “I don’t want you involved in this Polgara. Not anymore. I’ll send Destiny and Hunter. They are the most personable.”
“But Professor…” she started.
“No Polgara—”
“It’s Pol.” She interrupted. I was surprised. Pol never interrupted people she admired. And I knew she held the professor in highest regard. It was a mark of how frustrated she was. “Professor, she’s my friend! I have to make sure she’s alright. I don’t want to lose her again.”
“That is precisely the reason you must stay here.” Xavier said. “You are more inclined to act rashly. Stay here. Rest, relax, think things over, but stay inside. Zeff, make sure she does not leave the mansion.”
I looked up, shocked. She looked absolutely furious. She turned on her heal and fled. I looked at the Professor. “Well, that could have gone better.” He said, turning back to cerebra.
I realized I had wasted enough time for her to leave if she had wanted to. I cursed and ran upstairs. She was just opening the front door when I caught up with her. I pushed the door closed with one hand, pinning her between me and the solid oak wood. A couple passing students stopped and looked at us. I glared back at them until they left. I took a few more minutes to gather my thoughts. She was behaving irrationally. When I finally trusted myself to speak I kept my voice was deliberately soft so as not to attract any more unwanted attention. “What do you think your doing Pol?” I asked. “You were told to stay here.”
“I can’t.” She said, her voice firm with resolve. “Not when one of my friends might need my help. The way I see it you have three choices. Back off and tell Xavier that I gave you the slip. Stay the way you are and force me to make you get out of my way. Or follow me to make sure I don’t do anything stupid. But I am going.”
I was shocked! Surely she didn’t mean to fight me! Suddenly I felt myself fly back a few feet. Apparently she did. I was hurt. She hadn’t used force against me outside of training sessions since I left the MRA. She glanced at me briefly before slipping out the door. I followed her to the garage and walked up just as she was climbing into a car. I didn’t say anything, just climbed in next to her. During the whole drive from Westchester to Newark I just sat looking out the window. It wasn’t until we reached Newark that I had to ask her… “Do you even know where you’re going?”
“Not a clue.” she replied. “But I’ll find it.”
“How?”
Instead of answering me directly she just pulled over next to phone booth and hopped out. She went into the phone booth and picked up the phonebook. By looking up the name she was able to get her address. I frowned slightly. Why didn’t I think of that? I asked myself slightly. Duh Zeff. You’re a soldier. These things are usually handed to you.
She climbed back in the car and drove to the address. It was one of those big apartment buildings in the city. We went into the building and looked up the number of their apartment. When we reached the floor I knocked on the door. “I’m sorry.” A male voice rang from within, “We’re not receiving people today. We’re too busy.”
“Mr. Mitchell?” Pol called softly through the door. “It’s me. Pol. Can you let me in? I need to talk to Carrie.”
“Pol?” the door opened to reveal Mrs. Mitchell. “Thank goodness. Maybe you can get her to talk to us. She hasn’t said a word in weeks. Hasn’t even left her room except to eat and use the washroom.”
“I’ll do my best Mandy.” Pol told her.
She left me standing in the doorway, looking at the Mitchells and went to talk to Carol. I smiled nervously. “Um… hi.” I said.
“Do you know what’s wrong with our little girl?” Mrs. Mitchell asked.
“All I can tell you is that she’s gotten in the middle of a mutant situation.” I told them. “Nothing too major. Just that one of the boys at your work was kidnapped. We think Carol might know something. That’s why we’re here.”
Mrs. Mitchell’s hand was covering her mouth as all the things that could happen went through her mind.
“Are we in and danger?” Mr. Mitchell asked. “Will they come for her?”
“They probably don’t even know that she knows.” I assured him. “Don’t worry, I’ll talk to the Professor about getting someone to watch out for you. These things happen all the time. No one’s died yet.”
They offered me a drink but I declined. Just then there was a knock on the door. I jumped slightly. Surely they wouldn’t be here now! Then I chided myself. It was just Dee and Hunter coming to do their job. Before Mr. Mitchell even got to the door to see who was there Pol was at the door and flinging it open. Dee stepped back, a shocked look on her face. “Pol?” she stuttered, “Why are… what are you… weren’t you supposed to be at the school?”
“As if!” She scoffed. “You really think I’d stay there when one of my friends needed me? I know where they’ve taken him. Now let’s get out of here.”
I stepped out behind her. Dee looked up at me and raised an eyebrow, as if asking why I didn’t stop her. All I could do was shrug helplessly. “She can be very determined.”
Pol grinned at me and we all went back to the school.
Chapter 12
We moved as quietly as we could through the base. However, they noticed before long that the prisoners were missing. Alarms sounded and soon the pounding of many booted feet could be heard coming toward us. I groaned. There was no way we’d be able to stop them all. “Can you?” I heard Pol ask Dee.
“Well I’m sure gonna try.” She replied. “Just hang on to my hand. You’re gonna have to guide me out of here.”
I groaned again. This would mean I would have to be ready to catch her when her power failed. I just hoped we would get to Hunter before it did. “Let’s go.” Dee muttered.
“Now!” Pol agreed.
We all ran toward the door. Every single person we passed, every single camera, was frozen. They would have no clue how we got out. As we passed through the gate I heard Pol mutter under her breath, “Come on Dee, hang in there.”
We met Corbin, Hunter, and Jacob just inside the shelter of the woods. Hunter noticed Pol dragging Dee and was about to rush over when I stopped him. “Is she alright?” he asked anxiously.
I glanced over at them. They were both slowing down slightly and Dee had blood flowing from her nose. “She’s working.” I told him. “All you can do is be there for her when she’s done. Run with me.”
He nodded and we ran behind the girls. About ten minutes later Dee stumbled, her hand wrenched from Pol’s, and they both fell to the ground. I scooped Pol up as I passed, barely slowing down as I did so. Hunter followed my example and picked up Dee where she had suddenly passed out. Pol leaned against me and watched, her eyes half closed, and barely comprehending what she saw.
When we got to the jet we set Dee and Pol in seats near the back wall so that they could lean against it and rest. The parents took the seats in the cockpit while the rest of us sat in the back. I went over and sat next to Pol. She laid her head on my shoulder, seeming to draw on my strength. I wrapped my arm protectively around her shoulders and she looked up at me. “You got pretty protective back there.” She whispered quietly.
I tensed up, not sure whether it was a compliment or a reprimand. She smiled as if laughing at me. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t like the look he was giving you.” I told her honestly. “And I knew of him. He has a reputation.”
“I didn’t like it either.” She told me, and then she grinned weakly. “Neither, apparently, did Psycho.”
“You got that right.” Psycho said from across the jet. “He’s a perverted creep. Don’t worry Pol, I got your back.”
She smiled, closing her eyes and relaxing. She fell into a light meditation. I just sat there and held her close, listening to the conversations going on around me but not actually joining them. It scared me when she got this weak. There was no telling when she might slip into actual sleep and make matters worse.
When we got to the institute I tried to move so I could pick Pol up without waking her but I found I was stiff from sitting in the same position for so long. Scott came over and scooped her up in his arms. I sighed slightly as her weight was lifted off of me. “It’s alright.” He told me. “I’ve got her.”
I watched as he carried her up the stairs to her room. I didn’t realize how long I stood there until I felt a hand rest softly on my arm. I looked down to see Jean. “It’s ok Zeff.” She told me. “He’s her father. Come. Have a drink with me.”
I followed her up to the kitchen and she put on a pot of tea. A few minutes later Scott came back down. He sat down across the table from me and Jean handed him a cup of tea. “She tells me there’s a reason you changed sides.” Scott said, looking intently at me. “I knew there must be but I could never figure it out. Care to enlighten me?”
“Not particularly sir.” I said. The reasons were personal and I didn’t really feel like explaining them again.
“I thought you were a soldier.” Scott said. “Aren’t soldiers supposed to be obedient?”
“I guess you’ve done a good job of changing me sir.” I couldn’t help but grin.
Jean rested her hand on my arm. I turned my head to look at her. “It would put our minds at ease.” She said. “Help cease any doubts we might have.”
“Couldn’t you just read my mind?” I asked. I knew I was being difficult but I was exhausted and tired of explaining myself to people.
“It’s much better if you tell us.” She said. “It’s always more effective to hear it directly.”
I sighed. I knew what she said was true. I looked from Jean to Scott and back again. “Fine.” I said, taking a sip of tea. “By now you know that I’m not human. I’m not even your typical Manticore Prototype.”
“I was wondering about that.” Jean said. “You biological make-up is just too different to even be a regular mutant.”
I grinned slightly. I was unsure as to how they would take this. “To say I’m not from around here would be an understatement.” I said. “I come from a little planet somewhere in the Andromeda galaxy.”
I waited for their reply but they didn’t say anything. “Go on.” Jean said.
I went on to explain about my people. I told them about our growth rate and the imprinting years. I told them about our people’s strong ideals about health care and space travel and the reaction of most people to leaving our planet. I put a strong emphasis on how highly our people value their honor. The more I spoke the more Jean seemed to accept me as who I am and the more Scott seemed to dislike.
When I got to explaining about the Elemental-and-Protector relationship I had with Pol Scott seemed to reach his breaking point. Without saying a word he got up and left. Jean tried to reassure me but I could tell she was just as unsure of her husband’s reaction as I was. “It’s alright.” She told me. “You aren’t the first being from another planet that we have had contact with. It just hits too close to home for Scott. He’ll get used to it.”
It wasn’t quite the reaction I wanted but it would have to do. Despite their initial misgivings they trusted me more after our little chat. They had come to realize that I wouldn’t hurt Pol. I think they already assumed my true feelings for her but they never asked me. It was enough that I was there to keep her safe, I think.
By the time Pol was out of bed I was starting to relax and be myself around them. Scott was still protective when he was around but he seemed to trust me to watch out for her when he couldn’t. He and Jean finally gave up watching our Danger Room sessions and they didn’t even fuss when the Professor sent us out on simple errands together.
It was on one such job that Pol became reunited with yet another friend. We were sent to investigate a possible situation at the Covenant House in Newark. Pol had no sooner walked through the door when an excited voice called her name. “Pol? Oh my God! I can’t believe it’s you!”
She turned around fast and was almost knocked off her feet when a young woman threw her arms around her in a hug. “What’re you doing here?” the woman asked. Her words were rushed and breathless with excitement. “I tried to call your new home but your mom said you hadn’t been there in weeks! That was years ago! Where have you been? Why did you never call?”
Pol laughed. It seemed as if they knew each other well. “One question at a time Carrie!” Pol told her, “Easy one first. I’m here on official business for Professor Charles Xavier, from Xavier’s Institute for Gifted Youngsters.”
“No way!” she said in amazement. “That school you mailed way back when?”
“The same.” Pol laughed again. “My turn. What are you doing here?”
“My parents work here now. We moved to Newark last year.” Carrie said. “Why are you here exactly?”
“I need to talk to Mr. James White.” I told her. “Could you show me where to go?”
I couldn’t help it. They were so excited and talking so fast they reminded me of squealing teenagers. I laughed at them. Carrie turned and looked at me. “You two take the question-answer thing seriously don’t you?” I teased.
Pol grinned. “Sorry, my bad. Carol this is Zeff. He’s… he’s a friend of mine.”
“Zeff? That’s an unusual name isn’t it?” Carol asked, shaking my hand. “Sorry, Mr. White’s office is this way.”
We followed Carol through the building, past the gym where a bunch of kids were playing basketball, to an office marked “James White, Executive President”. Carol knocked on the door and stuck her head in. “James?” she called, “You have visitors.”
She showed us in and was about to leave when Pol stopped her. “Don’t go far Carrie. I might need you.”
“You may stay Carol.” Mr. White told her. “I know why they’re here. I shall just go get Josh.”
“Oh that’s what this is about?” Carol looked at Pol curiously. She seemed to be wondering how Pol could be connected to this situation. “I’ll go get him. You do whatever talking needs to be done. I have my own questions to ask later.”
As she left we sat in the chairs opposite Mr. White’s desk. He was a jolly sort of man with black hair that was littered with grey and laughter lines creased around his pleasant brown eyes. We exchanged greetings and showed him our id cards. When he saw Pol’s power level his eyes rose slightly and a small smile formed on his lips. “I guess I should try not to anger you then.” He joked. “You might just bring down the house.”
She laughed slightly. “I try not to damage other people’s property.” she said with a mischievous grin. “I save that for the school. But honestly, I’ve been told I have amazing control for somebody of my age and level. It must be genetic.”
He seemed a little comforted by this and was just about to sit down when the door opened and Carol came in, leading Josh. He was a tall boy of about sixteen. His dark hair was stuck to his forehead with sweat. He had been one of the people in the gym that we had passed. “Ah, Josh.” Mr. White greeted him, “This is Miss Summers and Mr. Sellora. They go to the school I was telling you about. Why don’t you tell them your story? I promise they will not flinch away from you.”
“What makes you so sure?” he asked, looking us over.
“Trust me.” Pol said. “I’ve witnessed things that would make your skin crawl.”
I let him sit in my chair as he reluctantly told us his tale. It was a typical fire-starter story. The boy had gotten mad and burned down the house. Only with Josh he had burned it down with his family trapped inside. Now he viewed his mutation as a curse, and he was afraid he’d be tried for murdering his family. Pol explained how there was a loophole for mutants who are just developing their powers. Accidents happen that they can not control.
She went on to explain how there were a few fire starters at the school… and there was the added bonus of everything having a mutant-proof finish on it. At the school he would be taught how to control his powers and by the time he graduated he’d have such a good grasp that he’d be able to control the strength of his power as well as just turning it on and off. He would be able to rejoin the world as an educated young man. No one would be the wiser.
Josh sat there eating up every word she said. The school must have sounded like heaven to him. Carol just sat there with her mouth hanging open. We gave Josh a few days to think about it but I was pretty sure what his answer would be. When we left Carol followed us. She stopped us at the door. “I have a lot of questions Pol.” She said, looking Pol in the eye.
“And I will gladly answer them.” Pol replied. “But now is not a good time. I’ll have to call you or something. We have to get together.”
She nodded and they hugged each other. “Just don’t disappear again ok?” she asked. “Don’t leave me wondering again.”
“I promise.” Pol told her as I led her away.
When we got back to the institute we made our report to the Professor and went to get some supper. That night I had trouble settling down. I felt as if something was wrong but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. When I finally fell asleep it was a sleep troubled by nightmares.
I never have nightmares. I didn’t even have them as a kid, and God only knows I had enough reason to have nightmares then. My dream started in a familiar place and then went downhill fast.
I was standing in the washroom in the institute, except I wasn’t me. I was someone else. “Who are you?” I asked out loud.
I didn’t know who I was talking to but a voice answered me. One that was familiar but strange at the same time. :We have the fire starter boy.: the voice told me. :If you want to see him unharmed come to the mall. Come alone, and tell no one.:
I hesitated. This was obviously a trap. In reality I would never play into the hands of the enemy. It went against everything I was taught. Yet my dream self did. I grabbed my coat and threw on my shoes. Except they weren’t my coat and shoes… they were Pol’s. I paused at the door, my hand resting on the handle and a feeling of apprehension soaring through me, and glanced around the foyer. There was no one to see me or stop me. I took a deep breath and slipped out into the night.
I walked quickly and silently out past the gate and down the road. The dark air seemed to close in around me. It was stifling and the feeling of apprehension increased. I knew something was about to go really wrong. As I neared the mall I slowed, my ears alert for any unusual sounds. I could hear a muffled voice talking but I couldn’t make out the words. I rounded a corner and saw Josh, tied and gagged and sitting in a shadowed corner of an alley. I abandoned all caution and ran to him. “Josh! Are you alright?” I asked as I pulled the gag from his mouth.
“Miss Summers! Behind you!” He cried as a hand holding a wet cloth was held against my face.
I breathed in a familiar smell and new right away that I was in trouble. I jabbed behind me with one of my knives, struggling to break out of my captor’s hold. They were ready for me. They wrenched the blade out of my hand and tightened the cloth so that it covered both my mouth and my nose. The last thing I saw was Josh’s look of shocked horror.
Suddenly the dream changed. I was strapped to a surgery table in some sort of lab. My eyes finally focused and I looked harder at the charts and file folders. There, written across the front of one of the folders, were the words “MRA Classified” in bold black letters. I tugged at my restraints but I was too weak and the bonds were mutant proof. The door whisked open to reveal a man in his late forties or early fifties in a white lab coat. As he walked closer he smiled and something clicked in my mind. “Hello again Pol.” He said calmly.
There was no mistaking that voice. It was Isaiah McQueen, the Manticore technician who had opposed to my collar. He took out a needle and a vial of some fluid. My mind screamed that something was wrong. “What’re you going to do to me?” I asked.
“Oh nothing much.” He replied, looking over the label on the vial. “We are told you hold the key to returning one of our AWOL soldiers to us. They want to use that to their advantage. I was just wondering whether to give you anything to numb the pain or not as we obviously can’t knock you out.”
I felt a stab of fear in my chest. “Numb me from what?” I asked nervously.
“The surgery of course.” He replied. “We want to see what makes a non-Manticore elemental tick.”
Suddenly I was no longer the one stuck on the table but watching the whole thing from the doorway. The one on the table was Pol. She had been dressed in a tank top and short shorts. The tank top was cut so that it just covered her breasts but left the ribs and stomach exposed. It was typical MRA surgical wear.
Pol was talking to him but the words were not clear. I figured it was because it wasn’t something I needed to know. I felt my heart leap to my throat as he put the vial back without using it. They bantered with words a bit more before he grabbed the surgical knife. “No!” I gasped, sitting up.
“Zeff?” Chimaero’s voice barely registered. I could still see Pol lying there, helpless and prone in the lab. My heart was pounding in my chest and I felt the coolness of a blade against my stomach. Suddenly, pain erupted in my stomach and I felt myself flying through time and space.
The next thing I knew, I was standing in the lab. Within seconds I realized what was happening and wrenched the blade out of his hand and away from Pol. Neither of them seemed to have seen me arrive. He gasped and they both looked at me. I stood there with the bloody knife in my hands, unsure of how I got there or what to do next. “He always knows.” Isaiah smiled.
Before anyone had time to think or act there were soldiers streaming into the room with tazers drawn. I looked at them in recognized defeat. There were too many of them for me to get Pol and myself out of there alive. I let the knife slip grudgingly from my suddenly limp fingers. Clowe walked in, followed by Ansem, his bright amber eyes glowing with anticipation. “Well, I though we might actually get to go through with this for a moment.” He smiled coldly at me before turning to Pol.
“Polgara.” Clowe smiled, only dimly registering my shock and hatred for all three of the men in the room. “This is Ansem Gill. I guess you could call him Ondraya’s adoptive father and uncle.”
“I’ve heard of him.” Pol muttered, glaring up at him and wincing slightly from the pain of the wound. “Doesn’t take to kindly to you does she? Can I please get off this table now? I’ve served your purpose.”
“Not quite.” Clowe sneered. “You need an attitude adjustment. Ansem is going to oversee the procedure.”
“You can’t be serious!” Pol gasped. I felt like my heart was going to burst through my chest. I wouldn’t let them do it!
Clowe grinned widely. “Oh but I am. At least, I will be if your boyfriend here doesn’t do exactly as I say.”
My eyes widened and I glance at Pol, unable to keep my eyes from straying to the incision. It was deep and ugly and looked really painful. The dull throbbing in my own stomach suggested it was. :Why us?: I asked.
Ansem smiled, intercepting my thought as only he could. “Because you are the easiest to catch and manipulate.”
“That makes me feel so much better.” Pol winced.
Clowe’s mouth twitched as if he was trying not to smile. I glared at him. I had enough of him when I worked for him. His sense of humor never ceased to amaze and disgust me. “You have nothing to be concerned about.” He assured her. “I have great confidence that Zeff won’t let anything happen. But if he screws up once, I turn you over to Ansem.”
“And then we’ll have some fun.” Isaiah added.
Me and Pol exchanged worried glances and then they led me away.
Chapter 11
We left him feeling exhausted but satisfied. All in all it had been a good training session. Pol and I wanted to be by ourselves that night. We both didn’t feel like joining the loud conversations that would be happening in the cafeteria so we went out for dinner. It was kind of like a date I guess. We found a nice peaceful restaurant where we could chat without interruptions. “So that man was your father?” she asked.
“Well… a rendition of him anyway.” I replied, picking at the salad on my plate. I had no clue what my father would look like know. For all I knew Cal could have turned out to be more of a menace then I had ever been. My hatai could be wrinkled and grey-haired by now for all I knew.
“He looked important.” Pol remarked, taking a bite of my own salad.
“He is… the leader of my people.” I admitted softly. “Losing me, his first born, would be hard for him.”
I frowned. Suddenly, being royalty seemed stupid. It felt as if I was boasting or something. I felt incredibly silly and knew I was blushing. I shoved the feeling aside. If there was one thing Manticore was good for it was teaching you to hide your feelings and emotions. Pol glanced at me, studying my face for a moment. “That language you were speaking… it was beautiful. Hatai.” She seemed to be savoring the word, as if getting a feel for the sound. “It means ‘father’ doesn’t it.”
“Yes.”
“How have you managed to remember it after being away from your people for so long?” she asked.
I smiled grimly. “Clowe made me teach him so I couldn’t say things about him behind his back. He used it often when speaking to me. Just to prove that he could.” I looked up at her and grinned. “His accent was horrible.”
She grinned back. “Does anybody else know it?” she asked.
“Just Chimaero and a few other high ranking soldiers.” I replied. “Clowe would give orders in it when he didn’t want the foot soldiers to know what was said.” Then a thought hit me and I grinned all the wider. “Why all the questions? You want to learn it?”
“Only if you want to teach me.” she replied. “It is a very pretty language.”
So we spent the rest of our dinner working on the language. I enjoy speaking it more than I do English. It’s a little bit of home that I have managed to hang on to in spite of everything. I gave her the book I had made for Clowe and the others. She actually picked it up fairly quickly. Then again, she was a genius. She was even working on the writing when the Professor called on us the next morning.
“I have narrowed the search down to a small area around where we lost contact with them.” He told us, showing us an island off the coast of Washington. The Island zoomed in on a forest area with a lake. “I finally lost contact with Jean right around that lake. I will send you to a point near the lake. You must locate your parents and the Blackbird and get back safely.”
“How are we getting there, Professor?” Pol asked. “I mean, our parents have the jet and we won’t all fit in the helicopter.”
The professor smiled. “I’m calling in a favor that an old friend owes me. You don’t need to worry about that. And do not worry about taking down Clowe. Just get your parents and get out of there. Understand?”
“Yes Professor.” We all agreed quietly.
Outside we could hear the sound of chopper blades whirling. “That would be your ride.” The professor grinned. “Good luck.”
We went out into the yard to see a military chopper, the kind used to transport troupes, waiting for us. Psycho froze. “Military?” she muttered, “The military owes him?”
“Are you the kids what I’m supposed to pick up?” the pilot called. We nodded, Dark pulling Psycho’s arm to get her to move. “Kinda young aint ya?”
“We’re older than we look.” Pol replied.
He looked her over critically. He could tell she was the youngest… and that she was lying. I had to smile. Pol actually looked young for her age so he probably thought she was much younger than she claimed to be. “Yeah, ok. It’s not my place to say I guess. He’s just getting more reckless is all.”
“It’s not like we gave him a choice.” Dee muttered.
The pilot shrugged and we were off. It took us a few hours but finally the island came into view. I felt as if I was back at the MRA doing some sort of joint retrieval mission. I had not been in a chopper since then. I didn’t enjoy it then and I didn’t now. “I dunno why you kids are going to this old place. It’s an abandoned military base. Nuthin there now but plants and animals.” The pilot told us as we swooped down lower over the trees. “Ok. This is as far as I go. I’m gonna make another pass. You kids be ready to jump.”
As we swooped by the trees again we jumped out of the chopper. Some just jumped but the ones who couldn’t fly grabbed parachutes first. The chopper roared off, leaving us to our search. We landed in an open clearing near the lake. Most of us landed fine, but Hunter’s parachute got caught on something… something large and invisible.
He hung in the air like an abandoned puppet, strings and all. We all laughed as he struggled to free himself. Finally Chimaero and Jacob helped him out, untangling his limbs so he could slip out of the harness. “I think we found the Blackbird.” Pol said, grinning.
Suddenly a ramp lowered, seemingly out of thin air. I glanced over at Pol. She was just coming out of the slightly preoccupied phase she went into when using her powers. She walked up the ramp without hesitating and Dark and I followed. While Pol did a full systems check I checked to see if the parents had sent any messages before they disappeared. There was none. “No. nothing.” I muttered. “Of course, that would be too easy.”
“Well the jet seems fine.” Pol told us. “They weren’t shot down.”
“Well now that we know how we’re getting out of here, let’s go find them.” Dark said, heading for the ramp.
We followed her, shutting the ramp behind us. Then we all spread out, looking for signs to help us. We hadn’t been looking long when Chimaero ran by. Pol and I were looking around the jet. “Ondraya’s at the lake.” Chimaero called to us. “There’s signs of a struggle and she found her dad’s tags.
As he took off to find the others we went over to where Psycho was scouring the shoreline. She looked up when we approached and threw something at Pol. She reached out instinctively and caught it. It was Scott’s visor. She gulped visibly. I could almost feel her heart beat increase as she weighed what this might mean in her mind. Psycho pointed out the spots where people had fallen and been dragged toward the lake. “They must have gone by boat.” She said.
“We’ll have to go by land.” I muttered, scouring the shoreline with my eyes for signs of a boat hidden in the underbrush or something. “A lot slower than by boat.”
We turned as we heard the others approaching. Suddenly there was a yelp and a splash behind us. Turning back to where Psycho had been just a moment before we found only Logan’s dog tags. Wasting no time, Pol tossed Scott’s visor to me and dove in after her, drawing her knives as she went. I didn’t know what to do. Before I could think of something Dark and Kitty dove in after her.
Minutes past before we could see any sign of them returning. I felt as if something was wrong. Suddenly there was a splash as Dark broke the surface, supporting Pol. Dark dragged her over to the shore where she collapsed, coughing and sputtering and looked up at Dark who stood over her, frowning slightly. “Thanks.” she managed to say between coughs.
Dark looked down at her in concern. “You ok?” she asked.
Psycho and Kitty suddenly re-emerged. Psycho came to stand beside Dark while Kitty remained at the shore, bent over as if talking to something. “I’m fine.” Pol muttered, raising herself to her elbows and looking about. “How’d you get away?”
“It was a squid.” Kitty replied from the shoreline. “A water creature. I just asked it real nice and it let her go.”
Pol shook her head in disbelief. “I never thought of that.”
Suddenly she groaned and lay back on the wet grass. “Pol?” I all but ran to her side, reaching out to feel her forehead. I frowned, she had a high fever. “She’s burning up.”
“What happened?” Kitty asked her.
She almost seemed to try to reply but then thought better of it, fighting just to stay awake. “She swallowed some water…” Dee said speculatively.
“So did I.” Psycho pointed out. “I feel fine. In fact I feel like I’ve had an extra four hours…” she petered out, looking at Pol in horror.
We all looked at her in confusion. She turned to face us more fully. “The water made me feel like I had an extra four hours sleep.” She said.
Pol was losing it. She seemed to be on the verge of sleep. The only hope for it was to get her to the jet. I lifted her up, surprised at how weak she felt, and carried her back to the jet. I set her down on one of the back benches and shook her shoulders, trying to wake her up. “Pol!” I said, trying to help her to focus. “Pol, listen to me. You have to stay awake.” She seemed almost to hear me before sinking back into sleep. I shook her again with a little more force. “Pol! We have to get her out of here.”
That seemed to wake her up. “No!” she gasped, grabbing my arm. “No. I won’t go back. I need to see this through. I just need to rest for a minute. Not sleep, just rest.”
She glanced around, as if seeing where she was for the first time. I wrapped her in a blanket, feeling her hand shiver where it rested on my arm. She was in no shape to rescue people. She could not even stand. She had to see reason. “Pol, be reasonable.” I said softly. “You are in no shape to go anywhere.”
“You won’t be able to get me out of here and still get back to save the others.” she argued. “As soon as this jet takes off he’ll send people out after it. If we leave without rescuing the others first he will be ready for you when you return.”
“Then we’ll wait here for the others.” I insisted.
“No.” she argued. “I need to find my dad myself. I must see this through.”
“Pol– ”
“Give it up Zeff.” Chimaero said from behind me, humor in his voice. “You won’t win. We can wait a few hours. If she’s not better we’ll head out without her.”
Pol nodded. “I’m fine with that. Give me an hour and I’ll be fine.” She slipped into meditation without waiting for my reply.
I hesitated, staring down at her still form, hoping that she wouldn’t slip into actual sleep by accident. Then I turned and followed the others down the ramp and into the trees.
Half and hour later Psycho went up to check on her. “Wow!” we heard her gasp.
“What?” Chimaero asked, following her. Then he laughed. “Dude!”
“What?” I echoed him following them up the ramp.
“She’s levitating!” Psycho laughed.
And she was. She was glowing with a soft blue glow and hovering a foot or so above the seats. It was nothing new to me, having been her room mate back at Clowe’s but apparently no one else knew. “Hey! Ya think if we wake her up she’ll fall or float back down?” Kitty asked, smirking.
“Cool! Let’s wake her up!” Psycho laughed.
She leaned forward as if to do it. Chimaero and I both reached forward at the same time, grabbing her by the back of her coat and pulling her back away from Pol. “It might interrupt her healing process!” Chimaero told her.
“You guys suck! Spoil all my fun!” She glared, sitting down beside Dark by the cooking fire. A while later we pulled out the hotdogs and started to roast them up, Pol finally snapped out of her meditation around the hour mark.
“Smells good.” She smiled. “Any for me?” Dee handed her a hotdog and she sat down to eat.
“Did you know you levitated when you meditate?” Kitty asked looking up at her.
“What?” Pol asked. “No way. Stop joking around.”
“She’s not.” Hunter said. “You were floating at least a foot above the seats.”
“We had to stop Psycho from waking you up.” Corbin grinned, Psycho glared at him. “She wanted to see if you’d float back down or just fall.”
“And you guys, being the nice people that you are, told her that was a bad idea?” Pol asked, grinning and faintly amused.
Chimaero shrugged. “We figured it would slow down your healing process.” He said. “We want to leave as soon as possible.”
“Well, I’m ready to go when you are.” She told him, finishing her hotdog.
We packed up our stuff and made sure the jet was secure. Then we headed off, following the river that flowed into the lake. We knew they had left in boats and there was only one way they could have gone. As we walked we discussed possible ways of entering the base. Each suggestion squashed almost as soon as it was made. Underground tunnel? We should be so lucky. Scale the walls? To high, well watched, and there’s searchlights. Show ourselves? Get thrown in separate mutant proof cells.
In the end we decided that the four ex-soldiers would play captors and the rest of them would play the captives. We decided to leave Hunter, Corbin, and Jacob outside as a backup plan. If we really got caught it would be up to them to save us. Of course they grumbled about this but common sense won out. Four captors couldn’t bring in six captives. It just wouldn’t work.
We had to back track a couple times when we came across a road. We didn’t want to be seen until we got to the base. As we neared the gates the three protectors hung back while Kitty, Dee, and Pol put their hands in the shackles that I pulled from my endless stash of MRA equipment. As we neared the gate I grabbed Pol’s arms. She pretended to struggle. She was darn good at it too… almost had me convinced. As we passed through the gates we were intercepted by a group of soldiers. They looked at us curiously. “Who are these?” One of the soldiers asked.
“We found them snooping around the lake.” Chimaero answered, adapting the leadership role easily. “We think they came to save the adults that are here.”
“Way to go man.” Another of the soldiers said, obviously impressed.
“You seem vaguely familiar.” The first one said.
“I am X4-493.” Chimaero told him.
“The ‘twin’ to Clowe’s son? Wow.” He said sympathetically. “You must have it hard. And who are these?”
“X5-453 and X5-209.” Dark answered, giving Dee a slight push.
Dee glared at her but didn’t comment. The soldier turned to me. “And you? What is your designation?”
I decided to add some interest to the conversation. I had kept my hood up to hide my face because I was easily recognizable, so I played up the fact that this was typical MRA behavior and not so for the Manticore soldiers. “I’m not one of you Manticore replicas. I am an original MRA agent. My name’s Kyle.” I tightened my grip on Pol’s arms.
She shuddered slightly but I ignored it. “Chill dude.” The soldier said, raising his hand in defense. “I meant no offence. You agents always take things the wrong way.”
“Maybe if you just let us do our job we wouldn’t.” I snapped, letting the bitterness I felt towards Clowe and his people seep into my voice. “You Manticore lab rats think you can just waltz in here and take the jobs of us original soldiers.”
Suddenly, Pol yanked her arms out of my hold and took off for the gate. I let her take about three steps before I caught her again. I spun her around to face the base. “If you don’t mind.” I said sarcastically. “I would like to take this scum to a cell where she belongs.”
“Sure thing.” The soldier said, his eyes roaming the length of her body. “But personally I don’t know why you’re in such a hurry to be rid of her. Don’t you Agents like to have fun with your captives? I had heard that somewhere.”
My grip tightened on her arms involuntarily. This guy was definitely a creep and a soldier who liked to take advantages. “She’s not my type.” I told him.
“Whatever you say man.” The soldier agreed. He turned to the others. “We’re just getting off duty. Come join us in the mess hall when you get rid of these girls.”
“Sure thing.” Psycho agreed, pulling Kitty toward the base. “I’m starved.”
We pushed and pulled them into the base, halting just inside the doorway. “Now what?” Psycho asked. “Which way to the cells?”
Dee closed her eyes slightly. “Left.” She said after a moment.
We went left, the three of them still pretending to struggle, until Dee guided us to a set of winding stairs. We went down the stairs and found ourselves in the cell area. The guards looked up as we approached but as soon as they saw our “prisoners” they paid us no more mind then they would anyone else. “Dee?” Pol muttered. “Could you freeze them? And the cameras?”
“I’ll try.” She answered. A few seconds later she nodded. “Done.”
They shed their shackles and we started checking each cell for our parents. Dee stood very still in the center of the hallway. She seemed to be glowing slightly. I moved up the rows checking each cell. “Pol!” Psycho called from a few cells away.
Pol ran to her and looked in. A few minutes later she returned, followed closely by Scott. They walked out into the hall where Dee was still standing perfectly still. Scott looked up at me and frowned slightly. I turned away quickly and continued checking cells. “Is she ok?” Scott asked, looking at Dee.
“Yah, fine.” Pol replied. “Just keeping our friends here occupied.”
“I always forget that you five have those additional talents.” He said softly.
He stayed with Dee and Storm who had just come from her cell. Psycho was already on to the next cell. Pol caught up to her. “Seen Jean yet?” she asked.
“Not yet.” Psycho answered.
“Jean is at zee end.” Remy told me as he, Dark, and Marie walked by.
I nodded at him and followed Pol to the end. Kitty and her mom walked by. Pol barely even acknowledged them. I gave them a small smile. Pol reached the last cell and opened it. Jean was chained to the wall, a weird device on her head. Pol took it off and she looked up at her. “Pol?” she seemed to relax slightly. “Thank god.”
“What is this thing?” Pol asked as I freed Jean from her chains.
“A Neural Inhibitor,” She replied, “To hold psychic powers.” She almost fell over as she tried to stand so I grabbed her arm to steady her. “Thank you.” She said before turning back to Pol. “That’s why I was cut off so suddenly from Charles.”
Pol nodded in understanding and we headed back toward the others. When we reached them Scott enveloped Jean in a grateful and loving hug. Pol just smiled and hung back with me, not wanting to intrude on their relief. “Ok,” Chimaero said softly. “Our next challenge is getting Dee out without breaking her concentration. We need these guys to stay frozen.”
We went back and shut all the cell doors, and everyone moved to the stairs except for Pol. Something passed between Pol and Dee and a few seconds later they caught up with us. We were almost to the top of the stairs when we heard a set of feet approaching us from in front. “Dee?” Pol asked.
“I can’t Pol. I haven’t got the strength.”
Jean reached out with her hand and froze the soldier just as he appeared in front of us. His mouth opened in shock as he looked at us. Chimaero, Psycho, Dark, and I moved to the front. He looked at each of us in turn, his eyes pausing at me before locating Pol in the group. “I can’t believe I was so easily duped.” He muttered, turning to Chimaero. “You’re not John at all. You’re Chimaero.”
“Smart boy.” Scott muttered.
I felt a grin tug at my mouth. The soldier looked at Pol again and then turned to me. “And that would mean you’re not Kyle, whoever that is.” I shook down my hood and glared at him. “I should a known. Zefferan.”
Jean extended her grip so that he couldn’t talk anymore. We all moved passed the now completely immobilized soldier. I really wanted to punch his face in but I resisted the urge. It would not benefit our situation at all. I heard him grunt in pain and turned around. Psycho and Jean exchanged looks and then Psycho shrugged and spit on the soldier. “That is for looking at my friend the wrong way.” She growled and left.
Chapter 10
I ended up in Pol’s room. I felt really nervous sleeping in a room near a known enemy. I shrugged and tugged off my shirt and pulled my hair back into a braid as I usually did when I slept. Then I slipped my laser sword under the pillow and climbed into the bed. I slipped into a light sleep with my hand on my sword. I wasn’t asleep long before I was woken by the sound of the doorknob turning. I was sitting up with my laser sword ignited before I realized that it was only Pol. :A little edgy are we?: she grinned.
:I trust you didn’t wake me up to tease me.: I answered, a little ticked that she would tease me at this time of night.
Her grin faded as quickly as it had come. :The Professor wants us back right away.:
I was up and throwing on my shirt as soon as she mentioned the Professor. He would never bother us this late at night unless it was urgent. :What happened?: I asked.
:He didn’t say.: she told me. :But he sounded worried.:
We grabbed our bags and the disk and left without making a sound. By the time we got back to the mansion everyone was in bed. I felt that sounded like a good idea so while Pol took the disc downstairs I went up to bed.
I woke the next morning to Hunter shaking my shoulders. “Hey man, get up!” he said, giving me a final shake. “The Professor called us downstairs. We have to go now!”
I groaned and sat up. I hadn’t had near enough sleep. I got up and changed and then followed the others down to the lower levels. Just as we reached the briefing room we were met by the girls. Hunter knocked on the door to announce our arrival and we went in. Pol was already there. We gathered around the Professor as he told us that the girls’ parents had disappeared and he needed to get them back. “You’re sending us?” Corbin asked in surprise.
“Well I know I won’t be able to stop these five young women from going, short of locking them up.” The Professor told him. “And I’m pretty sure you young men won’t let them go off into danger without you.” We nodded. It would go against everything we lived for. “However,” He continued. “There is one more training session I want you to do before I give you the details of the mission. Meet at the danger room in one hour. It is very important.”
A chorus of “yes Professor” could be heard as we went to change into our practice uniforms. As promised we were all standing outside the Danger Room and waiting anxiously when the Professor rolled down the hall. He looked at each of us in turn, his expression impossible to read. “You will each have to do this individually. The rules are simple. You must keep your powers under control and stay in the room for the allotted amount of time.” He said turning to Psycho. “No matter what you see in there… you must stay calm.”
He rolled away to the control room. A few minutes later his voice ran out in the hallway. :Alright Miss Worthington,: he called, :You’re first. Go on in.:
Destiny walked, pale faced and trembling, into the danger room. I couldn’t blame her for being afraid. When the Professor gives only a few rules you know that you won’t like what is going to happen. If you weren’t used to that sort of thing it could be overwhelming. Yet true to the rules she stuck it out for the full twenty minutes. When she re-emerged her face looked even paler and she walked away without saying anything.
Then it clicked in. One of Clowe’s most strenuous training exercises was to put you into a room and use one of his mutants to make you face your fears. The reasoning behind it was that he needed fearless soldiers… or at least, soldiers who would keep their heads when in fearful situations. :Mr. Clowe.: The Professor called.
Chimaero and I exchanged knowing glances as he entered the danger room. He too lasted for the full twenty minutes before coming back. He passed us by with a shrug of his shoulders and a slight nod at me, confirming my suspicions. Then he left without talking. :Miss Howlett.: The Professor called.
Psycho didn’t seem to hear him. Dark turned to her and motioned to the door. She glanced at us all briefly and entered the room. Not five minutes later there came the sound of something exploding and the door whisked open in a cloud of smoke. Psycho stumbled out and collapsed, trying to catch her breath. “Th… the walls…” she muttered. “Th… close… can’t escape…”
She shuddered and glanced back at the danger room. She groaned and got up and bolted from the room. The Professor’s voice rang through the hall once more. :Due to Miss Howlett’s performance I must ask you to wait for a couple hours so we may repair any damage done. Just sit tight and relax. Don’t leave this area.:
We all glanced at each other nervously. “I wish he’d just tell us what we’d be fighting.” Hunter grumbled. “By Psycho’s reaction, I’d say I won’t like it.”
“Psycho reacts that way to everything.” I couldn’t help but quirk. Then I fell serious. “But I won’t tell you not to be afraid.”
Pol’s nerves seemed tightly wound. She was clenching and unclenching her fists so tightly that I was surprised she hadn’t drawn blood yet. I went over and sat down beside her, taking her hand in mine. She looked up at me in confusion. I smiled reassuringly. “You were clenching and unclenching your fists.” I told her softly. “It was driving me nuts.”
“I was?” She looked down at her palms in surprise. She looked back up at me. “I didn’t notice.”
“I know.” I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
She studied me for a moment. “You know what’s in there.” She said. “You know what we’re up against, don’t you?”
I hesitated a moment, not sure I should tell her. But it was too late now. She knew I knew and she wouldn’t stop bugging till I told her. I nodded slowly. “It was possibly the hardest training for most soldiers at Clowe’s.” As I said this every head turned toward me in interest. I suddenly felt incredibly small. I hate being the center of attention. I faltered and stalled. “It never affected me much…”
“But now you think it will.” she pressed, eager to find out what was in the room.
“I had no fear at Clowe’s.” I told her, giving in and ignoring my nervousness. “It was almost as if I wasn’t alive. I had nothing else to lose. I didn’t even value my own life.” I looked up at her face. I didn’t know how much she suspected or even if she felt the same way about me that I did about her. When I spoke again it was barely above a whisper. “Now I do. Now I have a lot to lose.”
“So,” Kitty piped up. “We’re going to have to face our fears?”
“Your utmost worst fear.” I replied, once again addressing the whole group.
A thoughtful silence filled the room. Everyone was thinking about their fears and how to face them. I just shrugged. No amount of planning would help them. Nothing ever worked out the way you planned anyway. Finally, after what felt like ages, the Professors voice could be heard again. :Miss LeBeau, we are ready for you now.:
Darks wings quivered slightly as she entered the room but other than that she showed no outward sign of fear. That’s Manticore training for you. Around the twenty minute mark she burst out the door and ran down the hall to the bathroom, looking like she was going to be sick. Corbin went next, followed by Kitty, then Hunter, and then it was my turn.
I went into the room and stepped into a circle of light on the floor. :Alright Zefferan.: The Professor’s voice boomed and echoed all around me. :I trust you know what is happening. I trust your vast Manticore and MRA training will help you. Your objective is to last twenty minutes without causing too much damage to the area around you. Begin.:
Suddenly, a vast forest sprang up before me. It was unnervingly familiar. The bark was a deeper brown than anything on Earth and it was harder than rock. I reached out to touch one of the trees. “These are Zerethi trees.” I muttered. “Why are these here?”
Zerethi trees are native to my home planet. I looked up to see a figure coming towards me. It was an older man, maybe in his late forties, with blonde hair that fell to just above his shoulders… my Hatai, my father. He was dressed in one of his ceremonial robes. As he got closer he looked me over with bright green eyes. This was something new. Usually it was my sister I saw. “Zefferan.” My father said. “It is time for you to come home.”
I shook my head in confusion. What was going on? I realized he was speaking in my native language and so I answered him in the same language. “I am home Hatai.” I replied. “My home is with Pol.”
“Nonsense Zefferan. You are a Sellora! You belong with your people.”
“Hatai–” I began.
“Nonsense!” My father cut me off.
Just then, a noise in the woods behind me caused me to turn. It was Pol. Before I realized what was happening my father raised a hand and pointing at Pol. Energy crackled down his hand and shot out of his finger. Pol dropped to the ground. She looked up at me in confusion. “Zeff? Who is that? Why is he trying to hurt me?”
“Hatai!” I yelled. “What are you doing? Stop it!”
“This girl is the only thing keeping you here. If you don’t come home I will kill her.” He told me. “Then you will have no reason to stay.”
“I have more reason to stay than just her.” I argued as his hand crackled again and Pol blanched visibly.
“I don’t believe you.” He said. “You are bluffing.”
With that he pointed at Pol and fired. The blast went right at her. “No!” I shouted in English just as the scene faded and the danger room came back into view.
I stood, shaking and sweaty, as the Professors voice rang down on me. It seemed both sympathetic and amused. “Well done Zefferan. You may go.”
I left, giving Pol a shaky smile as I passed. I went out to the garden and sat beneath a tree. Chimaero came out and knelt beside me. “It really got to you this time huh?” he asked. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. “Hey man, it was only a matter of time before you found something that scared you shitless.”
I smiled sadly. “It just wasn’t what I expected.” I told him. “I was completely unprepared.”
“You’ll have to tell me sometime.” Chimaero said, standing up. “After you calm down a bit.”
I nodded, knowing full well I would never tell him, and he left me to think. I stared up at the sky, thinking about what this was about… thinking about my family. Zoë would be a young woman by now. Six years into her majority. I wondered if she had a sweetheart or not by now. I wondered whether father would arrange a marriage or not for her. Cal would be just entering his majority. He would have to go out on a solo hunt. I wondered if he was as talented in that area of life as I was.
I wondered how my parents were doing, and if old Seriad was still the Arms Master. After a few minutes I realized Pol had come out to sit beside me. I turned to look at her face. She seemed paler than usual. “How’d you do?” I asked automatically.
“Five minutes short.” She replied, looking at my face. “I blew up the central controls. Was it bad?”
I smiled absently. “If faced with an illusionist I’d survive.” I turned back to the sky. “If faced with the real thing I would not.”
She studied my face for a moment, seemingly searching for something. “What’s the matter?” She asked. “Is it your family?”
I looked at her and smiled sadly. “Calichial would just be passing into manhood amongst my people.” I told her quietly. “Zoë would have long ago taken my place as the first-born child.”
“Do you think they’ll come find you? Is that it?” she asked anxiously. “Would they want to take you home if they did? Would you go?”
She was so cute when she worried about things. Without thinking I leaned in and kissed her. Time seemed to stop for a moment and I felt my heart beating wildly in my chest. When I finally pulled away I looked at her face, afraid of her reaction. She seemed shocked, but not angry, so I smiled. “No.” I told her. “I belong here now. I would stay.”
She leaned against me and smiled. “I would hate to lose you.”
We sat there together, each thinking our own thoughts, until Destiny came to find us. “There you two are.” She grinned as we pulled away from each other and I got to my feet, helping Pol to her feet after me. “I’ve been looking everywhere. The Professor wants us. Downstairs.”
We grinned and followed her downstairs. The others were all there and getting impatient when we arrived. “Finally!” Psycho burst.
Pol grinned at her apologetically. Xavier came out of the back room and looked at us each in turn. “I am seriously debating whether it is a good idea to send you out on your own.” He told us. “The only ones that passed that test were our ex-MRA agents.” He glanced at me and Chimaero. “True, for the most part you were… successful. But two of you have failed horribly.” He glanced at Psycho and Pol.
Psycho returned his glance with a glare of her own but Pol just turned my eyes to the floor. “With all due respect sir.” I interrupted, eager to defend. “True they failed on their own. But when we’re out on the field we won’t be alone. There’s safety in numbers sir. Chances are there will be at least two of us together at all times.”
“True.” Xavier admitted. “Very well then. I want you all to go have something to eat if you haven’t already. Be back here in an hour when you will all go in again.” There was a collective groan from the group. “Now don’t complain. You all know what you’ll be facing this time. After all…” he turned to look me in the eyes and smiled. “‘There’s safety in numbers.’”
We went to the cafeteria to try and put some food into our stomachs and regain some strength. “I’ve really made a mess of it this time.” I muttered as we stood in line to get our food. “Haven’t I?”
“I’d say you have.” Psycho snapped from behind me. “Now we’ll have to do it again!”
“Vell, look at it zis vey.” Jacob told her. “Now vee gets more practice.”
Psycho scowled at him and took her lunch tray to a table. Pol and I exchanged glances. Pol shrugged and followed her. I went and sat with Chimaero and the other guys across the room.
I sat down beside Chimaero and dug into my sub. I wasn’t really hungry but I knew I would regret it later if I didn’t eat. “Well, that was an interesting session.” Hunter said as he sat down across from me. “Never had one quite so challenging before.”
“Vat vas your fear ‘unter?” Jacob asked. “Mine vas being publicly exposed and persecuted like mines fazer. ‘E tried to become a priest.”
We all chuckled at the thought. A priest that looked like a devil. No wonder it fell through. Hunter shrugged. “I’m agoraphobic.” He said.
“Afraid of crowds?” Chimaero asked.
“That’s a common misconception.” He told us. “I can’t be someplace I can’t easily escape from… thus, crowds are not good. What about you Corbin?”
“Heights.” Corbin said shortly.
“But you have wings!” Chimaero exclaimed.
“Doesn’t mean I use them.” Corbin snapped.
“Ok man just calm down.” Hunter told him. “Chimaero, what’s your fear?”
Chimaero just looked at him and didn’t answer. I couldn’t help but grin. His fear of the authoritative people in our past ran deep. “Come on man.” Hunter pressed. “We told you ours.”
Chimaero shook his head and glared me into silence. “All right then.” Hunter shrugged. “Zeff?”
I shook my head. “No way man.” I told him. “It is too new and too harsh.”
“Come on.” Jacob argued. “You soldiers are so stiff. Vee told you ours, now it is your turn.”
Me and Chimaero exchanged glances. I shrugged. After lecturing Pol on fairness it was time to eat my own words. Still… it was hard. “I fear that my father will come and kill Pol.” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Why would he do that?” Hunter asked.
“She is one of the only things keeping me from returning to my people.” I replied.
“Your people?” Corbin asked, his curiosity overcoming his silence.
So I spent the rest of the time telling them about my past from before Earth till arriving at the Institute. By the time I had finished the professor called us for our second trip into the Danger Room. We all went in rather hesitantly. No one really wanted to be found afraid of something in front of the others.
When we went in we spread out in groups of two as would be likely to happen if we were scouting around. Then the Professors voice could be heard, booming around the room. “All right. You know what to do. The time limit has been changed to one hour or when all of you have faced your fears and overcome them. Begin.”
We were plummeted into sudden darkness. I grasped Pol’s hand to catch her attention. “We need light here Pol.” I told her softly.
“Right.” she called a small moonlike orb to glow over our heads.
It lit up a small area around us revealing the same forest as before. I groaned. I knew what this meant. I was gonna have to face my fear first. “Does this have something to do with your fear?” Pol asked, confirming what I had just thought.
I tightened my grip on her hand, confirming her suspicions. I reached out to touch one of the trees and shuddered. “These are Zerethi trees.” I told her. “Native to my home planet.”
We looked up to see my Hatai coming towards us. He was dressed the same as before and the look in his eyes was the same. “Zeff?” Pol asked quietly. “Who is that?”
My grip on her hand tightened even more so that it was almost cutting off her circulation. I didn’t even notice. “It’s my father.” I replied, almost under my breath. I was shaking slightly.
“Zefferan.” My father said. “It is time for you to come home.”
I shook my head. It was happening exactly the same as before, only this time, Pol was already here. Again I answered him in the same language. “I am home Hatai. My home is with Pol.”
“Nonsense Zefferan. You are a Sellora!”
“Hatai–” I began.
“Nonsense!” My father cut me off, raising a hand and pointing to Pol.
She didn’t wait to see what would happen. She wrenched her hand from my grip and threw herself behind a tree just as a bolt of energy flew right where she was. “What the heck’s he doing?!” she asked incredulously.
“Hatai!” I yelled. “Hatai, Stop it!”
I felt Pol reach out with her mind to my father. “Zeff! This isn’t real!” She told him, ducking another bolt of energy. “He’s not really there!”
Well duh. He would have died before he reached Earth. “Doesn’t stop him from shooting at you does it?” I asked, anger at this illusion for trying to kill Pol making my voice sound cold.
“Maybe if your mind accepts that it isn’t real it will stop being real.” Pol suggested.
“Easier said than done.” I muttered, turning again to my father. “Stop it Hatai!”
“Calm down!” Pol told me, grabbing my hand and pulling me behind a tree. “Just relax.”
She calmed herself down and sent some calm into me. When we peered around the tree again he was gone. “There, you see?” she asked. “It works.”
“Says the girl who failed last time.” I muttered, more than a little embarrassed.
“Funny how that works isn’t it?” she teased. “Let’s go find the others.”
We didn’t have to look far. Within a few minutes we came up to Psycho and Chimaero. Chimaero was just getting Psycho to calm down. “I hate this fucking test.” Psycho was saying softly. “I already know what my worst fear is. I’m never gonna be able to control myself. This is pointless.”
“You did just fine.” Chimaero told her.
“Yah cause you were there.”
Chimaero looked up and saw us approaching. He noted my pale face and Pol’s calm expression and grinned. “She show you up Zeff?” he asked.
I smiled feebly. “What about you? Face your fears yet?”
Chimaero’s grin disappeared. “No.”
“Then you can’t talk.” I told him. “Mind you. They should get a real kick out of it.”
“Shut up.” Chimaero snapped.
Just then, a cold wind blew by. “Speaking of which.” I arched an eyebrow in amusement. I couldn’t wait to see their reactions.
Chimaero whirled around. Three figures could be seen through the misty woods. As they drew nearer their features became more apparent. Psycho actually burst out laughing, but Pol just stared. I couldn’t help but grin. There, coming towards us, was Clowe. And he was flanked by Renfro and Ansem. “You’re afraid of your parents and Ansem?” Psycho blurted. “Of all the things…”
“Well, Renfro and Clowe did give him to the Manticore project when he was just a baby.” I told her in his defense. “And your uncle was the head scientist.”
“Like I needed a reminder.” Psycho shivered. “Come on. Let’s get away from here.”
Chimaero nodded and took off away from his fear as fast as his legs would take him. The rest of us looked at each other, shrugged, and followed. We didn’t stop until we came up to Destiny and Hunter. “You two been tested yet?” Pol asked.
“Hunter has.” Destiny shrugged.
Just then a soft hissing noise could be heard coming toward us. We all turned in the direction of the sound. There was a large crash as the largest spider I had ever seen fell from the treetops and landed in front of us. Destiny screamed and fell backward into Pol. They both landed in a heap on the ground. A huge shape reared up behind it. It was a large cobra over twenty feet long. Suddenly the danger room changed back to its normal appearance. I glanced around to see the others not twenty feet from us.
We waited for the Professor’s judgment on how we did. Nothing happened. “That’s odd.” I said. “I wonder why he’s not saying anything.”
“I didn’t hit him hard.” An honest declaration, but said by Pol, Dee, and Dark.
“Shit.” Dark muttered.
Dee and Pol took off at the same time toward the control room. They returned a few minutes later with the Professor. He seemed fine, if a little shaken. “Well,” he said, addressing us all. “Now that that little shock is over I do not feel as apprehensive about sending you out. I am going to study the information we have received to see if I can get more exact coordinates. You should all relax and get some rest. You will be leaving within the next few days.”
Chapter 9
When we reached her home something clicked in my mind. Clowe had mentioned something about posting an MRA worker in each household that the elementals might return too. Surely this made the list. I was going to say something to Pol but at that moment she walked up and knocked on the door. There was no answer. She looked at the driveway. There were two cars there. She seemed to only recognize one of them. She knocked again and again there was no answer. She tried the handle. It was unlocked so she opened the door and went in. “Mom?” she called softly.
The house was dark and quiet. I could hear muffled voices from the back yard. I steeled myself for the worse and hung back, letting Pol greet her mom without me darkening the situation. “Mom?” she called louder, moving into the kitchen as I closed the front door.
The voices hushed. “Pol?” her mom cried running into the house and enfolding her in her arms. “Pol honey I’m so glad your ok.”
“I’m alright mom.” she assured her. “Really!”
“Well you surely look like they’ve been taking care of you.” Cynthia held her out at arms length. “You never write or anything! The only news I’ve had of you is report cards from that school you go to and assurances from your Professor. Oh, and those news articles in the paper. You totaled a mall? Why? That doesn’t sound like you.”
“I’m afraid that was my fault.” I said, coming into the kitchen and making myself known for the first time.
Cynthia started in surprise and glanced from Pol to me and back again. “You must be Zeff.” She said cautiously. “I’ve heard all about you. The teachers all seemed a bit wary of you. Why would that be?”
“I’m afraid I didn’t make a good first impression is all.” I said shrugging. “The Professor trusts me. I don’t see why they shouldn’t.”
“Cynthia?” a voice called from the garden. “Who’s there?”
Cynthia released her hold on Pol’s arms and turned to the door. “It’s Pol, Richard. She’s finally come home.”
The door slid open and a man stepped in. He was tall, with brown eyes and his brown hair stuck to his sweaty forehead. He had a hammer in his hand and his shirtless back gleamed with sweat. He wiped a hand on his jeans and stretched it out to Pol in greeting. “I’m pleased to finally meet you. Your mom has told me all about you.” He smiled and shook her hand.
Pol froze in shock and surprise. I didn’t know what was going on. Then I noticed the Restriction symbol branded on his right shoulder. “And who is this?” he asked quickly, turning to me.
“This is Pol’s friend Zefferan.” Cynthia replied as we shook hands.
:Why would you let her come back?: he asked me silently.
:I figured I could handle one agent.: I told him. :And she deserves to visit the woman who raised her.:
:Foolish risks Zefferan. I wouldn’t have thought it of you.:
Cynthia turned to Pol and frowned slightly. “Pol? Is something wrong?”
She let out the breath she had been holding slowly as if to calm herself. “Yeah, no, I’m alright.” she smiled. “I just need a little rest is all. We just finished our midterms and I’m bushed. I’m just gonna show Zeff around a bit alright?”
She grabbed my hand without waiting for a reply and led me toward the stairs. As we reached her room I heard Cynthia apologize, “I’m sorry Rick. I don’t know what’s happened to her. She used to be more sociable. Now she seems–”
Pol closed the door and sank down against it. She seemed to be suddenly devoid of strength or something. “Pol?” I crouched down beside her. She wasn’t taking this too well. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
She sucked in a deep breath and tried to relax. She was shaking like a leaf. “No, not here.” She muttered. “How could there be one here? That fucking son of a–”
Before I realized what she was doing she bashed the back of her head against the door. I felt a sharp pain on the back of my head. What the? Then it clued in. The mark on my shoulder matched the one on her wrist. If she was an element that must mean I’m what Ansem called a “Protector”. I looked down at her and realized she was crying. I knelt down beside her and put my arm around her shoulders and gave them a reassuring squeeze. “It’s ok Pol.” I said gently.
“No it’s not ok!” She glared up at me. “How can you say it’s ok? A Restriction worker is dating my mother Zeff! That is not ok!”
“Just calm down Pol.” I said, trying to help her relax. “Let’s have a talk with this ‘Worker’. He obviously didn’t want you to come back. Maybe there is something we don’t know. Maybe he-”
“Don’t you dare say that he actually loves her. No ‘Worker can possibly love my mother. She’s his assignment and that’s all.”
“You never know.” I argued. “Maybe he’ll pretend we aren’t here.”
“And what if he doesn’t Zeff?” She asked, willing herself to calm down. “What if he won’t?”
“Then we’ll fight.” I insisted, I wouldn’t let Clowe have her again that’s for sure, especially not if we were linked in some way. “I won’t let them get you again.”
“I won’t go back.” She insisted, almost as if to herself.
“I know.” I assured her, kissing her soft red hair.
She smiled sadly and leaned against me. “Why won’t they just give up? I’m dead tired of it Zeff. I don’t want to run anymore. I don’t enjoy hiding like a two-year-old afraid of the bogie man. It’s stupid and inhumane. All I ever wanted was to live a normal life and be like other kids. The powers aren’t so bad anymore but I just can’t take all this running and hiding.”
I squeezed her shoulder gently. I wished I could make everything better for her but I couldn’t. All I could do was try to help her get a grip on the “here and now” that she had to deal with. “I know Pol, I know. Maybe someday soon you’ll be able to stop running, but that day isn’t today.” I stood up and pulled her gently to her feet. “Today, we need to confront this new problem.”
A knock on the door startled us both. “Mind if I come in?” Richard asked from the other side of the door. “I believe there is something we need to discuss.”
Pol and I looked at each other. “Come in.” she replied, steeling herself for the worst.
The door opened slowly and Richard stepped into the room. He had put his shirt back on and was now smiling as if nothing was wrong. He took one look at Pol’s face and his smile fled. “You probably want to know what I’m doing here…”
“No actually. I think I’ve pretty much figured that out.” She said venomously. I had never heard her so angry… even when Clowe had the Professor.
“Just hear me out Pol.” He insisted with his hands raised in a peaceful gesture. “I don’t want to hurt you or your mother. Especially not your mother.”
“Leave my mother alone.” she muttered, clenching her fists tightly. “Anything you do will inevitably end up hurting her.”
I reached down and grabbed her hand before she hurt herself or him. I felt her calm down slightly as if relying on my strength to help her if she needed it. Richard sighed and sat in my computer chair. He leaned forward and ran his hands through his hair. “Just let me explain.”
She tightened her grip on my hand. I could feel the bones inside start to crack under the pressure. :Pol, remember your strength.: I reminded her silently. :You’re crushing my hand.:
Her grip lessened slightly as Richard continued. “I was approached by Mr. Clowe personally to take on this assignment, and you know how Mr. Clowe is, you can’t say no to that man.” He looked up at us.
“No, you can’t.” I agreed, remembering the times I had tried. His punishments were always severe.
Pol glanced over at me and studied me for a minute. Then she seemed to come to a decision. She turned her attention back to Richard who was still talking. “My mission was to find your mother and befriend her. You were bound to show up sooner or later. When you did I was ordered to bring you in. I would never see your mother again.”
“Yet you ended up dating her.” she retorted. “You must have known that it wouldn’t work. She doesn’t know anything of my other life yet and I want to keep it that way.”
“I know this is hard for you to hear Pol but…” he looked up at her face anxiously wanting her to understand. “I love her. I would do anything for her. I don’t want to see her get hurt again.”
“Your just being here hurts her! What do you think Clowe’s gonna do when he finds out you’ve gone AWOL? And he will find out you know. He’s not going to just forget about you. He’s Clowe for heaven’s sake!”
Her voice had been getting steadily louder. I don’t think she realized that her mom was right below us. I reached over and clasped my hand over her mouth. It was the quickest most effective way to quiet her. She looked at me and I put a finger to my lips and pointed down. There was silence for a few minutes. All we could hear was the clanging of pots as her mother got things out for supper. “He doesn’t need to know that you’re here. I could cover for you.” Richard suggested.
Pol pushed my hand away from her mouth. “Trust me. He knows.”
“Mr. Clowe is far too busy right now to pay attention to anything that happens in a small town in Canada. I’m supposed to report to him.” Richard insisted.
“He’ll have had you watched.” she persisted.
“You don’t think I haven’t thought of that?” He asked. “I’ve been very careful with my actions. He suspects nothing.”
“You have to at least tell Mom what’s going on.” she told him. “She deserves that much.”
“Pol–”
“If you won’t then I will.”
“Let’s make a family meeting of it.” I suggested. I had never had a family meeting before so I had no idea how nerve racking it could be.
“Fine.” Richard agreed. “Though if I may ask one question of you Zefferan?”
That caught me off guard and I wasn’t completely sure I wanted to answer it, but we were discussing things so I felt it was only fair. I nodded slightly and Richard continued. “Why would you, someone who is more than just a number and second only to Clowe himself, throw away your career overnight? I have worked for years to gain the position you held and haven’t achieved more than a nod from Clowe before this assignment. You could have been great!”
“There are things more important than power Richard.” I told him, my voice barely above a whisper. I had never really been interested in power anyway. I gave it up the moment I started skipping lessons and then getting on that stupid, god-forsaken spaceship. I was interested in something more, something fulfilling. All power got you was fear from others and a thirst for more.
“Human life, be it homo-sapient or homo-superior, is more precious then anything else on this earth.” I told him, “It took a willful prisoner to show me that. There were people dieing Richard. Children were being taken from their homes and families to be trained as killing machines, as soldiers to some maniac bent on mutant superiority. At first I thought they were joining up willingly. It was the escape of ’05 that first got me questioning what I was doing. I had nowhere to go when Clowe found me; I just thought it was the same with everyone. Ask no questions right?”
Richard just shook his head. “You have stronger morals than I ever did. The Restriction changed my life for the best. At the rate I was going I would have been in jail long ago.” He stood up with a smile. “Well, I guess I should go help your mother with supper. I love her dearly, but she is the worst cook in the world. We’ll have our chat later.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Pol told him. “We are going to talk about this tonight. I don’t want another day to go by before you tell mom what’s actually happening.”
“Not another day.” He assured her, closing the door behind him.
She turned to me. “Well, what do you think?” she asked. “Has he had a change of heart?”
I stared at the door thoughtfully. Was he for real or were they just playing up to the fact that I left the MRA for Pol? He seemed to be telling the truth, but I wasn’t exactly the most adept at reading these things. I was a liar not someone who detects lies. I could only say what I thought. “He seemed sincere.” I said, looking at her, “He spoke from his heart.”
“I thought so.” she muttered half to herself.
“Are you alright?” I asked, giving her hand a slight squeeze. This was a lot for her to take in, let alone accept.
“I think so… I mean, you changed right? Who’s to say he’s any different?”
“Who’s to say their not using our situation to their advantage?” I asked. I hated to add doubts when she was clearly indecisive already.
“I don’t know,” she muttered, “How do we play this out?”
“See what’s said tonight and work with it.” I told her. I am good at thinking on my feet. It’s one of the things we’re trained to do at Manticore. “Think on your feet and it’ll work out fine. If we have too we’ll bring your mother back to the school.”
“Right and there will be no tension there. Birth mother and adoptive mother in the same house.” she scoffed.
“We’ll worry about it later.” I told her, opening the door. “Now, are you going to give me the tour or do I show myself around?”
She showed me her home, adopting an attitude of nonchalance. It wasn’t too long before me and Pol were seated beside each other on the couch across from Cynthia and Richard. “What’s going on?” Cynthia asked, “Pol, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong as such.” Pol told her. “Richard just has something to tell you. I want to make sure he tells you everything.”
“If I must tell her everything so must you.” Richard said.
:That wasn’t part of the deal.: Pol complained.
:It’s only fair Pol.: I reasoned. :She has a right to know about your life. That is, if you still think of her as your mother.:
:Life’s not fair.: she told me. Then she turned to Richard. “Agreed.”
“Somehow I’ve got the feeling I’m not going to like this much.” Cynthia muttered.
Richard looked from Pol to me and then at Cynthia. “Cynthia, Honey, I’m afraid I haven’t been completely truthful with you.”
“What?” Cynthia asked with that warning tone in her voice.
“When I met you I told you that I worked for the government… that much was true. But what I told you I did for a living is not.” He glanced up at Pol and she nodded for him to continue. “I belong to something called the Mutant Restriction Agency.”
“Wait,” Cynthia interrupted. “I’ve heard of them. They are the people that rescue dangerous mutants and rehabilitate them right.”
“Not quite.” Pol muttered.
“Nothing so glorious.” I muttered at the same time.
Cynthia looked at us in confusion. It was Richard who clarified. “The MRA is just a front. It is run by a man named Timothy Clowe. He’s a mutant who is bent on mutant superiority. The mutants he ‘liberates’ get enlisted into his growing army. The only ones who stand any chance at defeating him at his game are five teenagers called the Elementals and their protectors. That is the reason I came to this town. I was to look out for one of the elements.”
He was well trained. He said this without his eyes flicking to us even once. His eyes never left her face. “What makes you think they’d be here?” she asked.
“Our intelligence shows that they have family in the area.” He told her.
“Are we in any danger?” she asked. “I mean. They’d have to be pretty powerful wouldn’t they?”
“Um… Mom?” Pol looked hesitantly at me, looking for encouragement. I nodded for her to continue, giving her hand a slight squeeze. “I have something I should have told you long ago.”
Cynthia’s attention shifted to her very quickly. “What?”
Pol pulled up her sleeve and unwrapped her wrist. She showed Cynthia the elemental symbol. “I am an Elemental.”
Her mother stared at her wrist in shock. “What? How could I not have known?”
“I never told anyone. Not you, not Carrie. It wasn’t until I met others like me that I said anything about it.” Pol told her. “I know you knew I was a mutant. I just never told you how powerful I really was.”
“How powerful are you?” Cynthia asked.
Pol hesitated, glancing at Richard. She still wasn’t completely convinced he wasn’t planning to turn us over to Clowe. “Very.” She told her.
“I’d say at least a level 4.” Richard guessed.
“Out of how many levels?”
“Five.” I told her. “Level five mutants are usually pretty obvious. They usually look somewhat inhuman in some way. I speak from experience.”
“Are you level five?” Cynthia asked me.
“No.” I replied, I hadn’t had to explain myself in years and I wasn’t about to start now. “I’m something else entirely.”
There was an awkward silence and we all just sort of looked around at each other and waited for someone to say something. “So, let me get this straight. Rick was sent by this MRA thing to track down and capture one of these elemental kids and my daughter just happens to be one of these elemental kids. Did you know this when you met me?” she asked Richard.
“Yes.” He admitted. “At first I was just going to befriend you to get Pol. But I fell in love. I can’t turn her in now. I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want to destroy this family any more than it has been already.”
Cynthia didn’t know what to think about this. Pol looked from her to Richard and back again. “It’s alright Mom. Really! Richard loves you, that much is obvious, and there have been Restriction Workers in the past that have turned against Clowe. It’s not unheard of.” she told her.
“Is that so?” She asked, slightly surprised. “And who do you know that has done this?”
“Me.” I said matter-of-factly.
Cynthia turned to me very quickly. The look she gave me was withering but I was used to such looks. You don’t track down and confront 452 (Ondraya! I had to remind myself) without being prepared for those looks… or worse. “I was a top MRA agent when I left.” I went on. “You couldn’t get much higher without taking over for Clowe. It was Pol that opened my eyes and made me see what I was doing.”
“And you changed sides just like that?” she asked dubiously.
“Well no.” I admitted, “There was a little more to it than that. I took a good look at how I was working and living and I realized he was using me. After meeting Pol I felt he’d try to use me more. I was sick of being used at the expense of others.”
“Why would he try to use you more?” Richard asked, reminding us that there was an agent there.
“Yes. Why?” Cynthia asked.
I glanced from them to Pol and back again. I knew I’d probably regret this later but I rolled up my left sleeve, revealing Pol’s elemental symbol on my upper arm. “I’m her protector.” I told them. “Clowe took down each of their elemental symbols in their files. Identifying marks, you understand. I knew that if he thought to check my file he’d realize there was some sort of connection between us.”
Pol looked at me in shock. “You never told me this.” she said.
“It never came up.” I said evasively, I really didn’t want to have this conversation right now. “Besides, I knew that if I told you that you were the reason I left Clowe’s you would have been less likely to accept me as part of your team.”
She grinned. “Well that’s for sure.” She teased, letting me off easily. “I would never trust somebody who loves me.”
I grinned back, “Of course not, why would you trust them of all people?”
Cynthia looked at us in weary confusion and raised her hand tenderly to her temple. “This is a lot for me to take in at once. It’s giving me a headache.”
“You don’t have to accept it all now.” Richard told her gently, “It’s getting late. Why don’t you go sleep on it? Maybe something will settle during the night.”
It was well after twelve. Cynthia was sure to be exhausted. She smiled gratefully at him. “One last thing before we call it a night. Where is this young man going to sleep?”
“There is another bed in the guest room.” Richard said.
I shot him a look. I did not like the sound of that. There was no way I was spending a night in a room with a known enemy. Being in the same house was bad enough. “I’ll just camp out on the couch.” I told him.
“You could always sleep in Pol’s room.” Richard suggested. “She doesn’t need it.”
Pol glared at him. “We’re telling everything.” He said.
“What now?” Cynthia asked.
“We have in our files that your daughter is allergic to sleep.” Richard told her.
“That is the most pathetic lie I have ever heard.” Cynthia said.
“It’s true mom.” Pol assured her, “Remember how, shortly after I changed, I fell sick?” She nodded slowly, “And you took me to the hospital and they put me under?”
“And your condition worsened.” Cynthia muttered. “They could find nothing wrong with you… besides a strange cell in your blood stream. One they had never seen before.”
“One that sped up my body’s natural healing rate and enhanced my immune system.” Pol told her. “Yet despite that I fell sick at least once a week.”
“Until you started those meditation classes at Serena’s.” Cynthia concluded. “I never thought that sleep was what made you sick.”
“It’s not something that is humanly possible.” Pol told her. “Only mutants may develop it. There are maybe ten of us with it at school.”
Cynthia yawned. “Well, unlike you I need my sleep. I’m going to bed. You can figure out the sleeping arrangements.”
As she got up the rest of us stood up as well. Pol gave her a hug and she and Richard left. Pol sat back down on the couch. When I sat down beside her she turned to me. “Why did you never tell me?” she asked, indicating the symbol on my arm.
“I didn’t want you to think that was the only reason I changed.” I looked up into her eyes. I really needed her to understand. “Elemental ties or not, you are the first person besides Chimaero who has treated me like a human being and an equal. The more I got to know you the stronger I felt that I might like you.”
She smiled and nestled against me. “I know just what you mean.” she muttered.
I wrapped my arm around her, feeling her warmth against my side. Something about it just felt right. Something about this girl made my yearning for my family die away. We sat there for several minutes before a creaking on the stair made us jump. It was Richard coming back down the stairs. Pol pulled away from me rather quickly, as if afraid to be caught in a tender moment. He came and sat across from us and looked from Pol to me and back. “I just want you to know that I will not tell Clowe anything.” He assured us. “Everything said tonight is just between the four of us.”
“Thank you.” Pol said unsurely. “We appreciate it.”
“I want to help. I can give you information about upcoming projects and missions, you know, keep you on the heads up.” He offered.
“A spy?” I asked, raising an eyebrow in doubt. I had never heard of spies in the MRA, just for it. “That is a dangerous job.”
“How else are you going to get your information?” He asked, “And from such a ready source? If I can’t just quit I want to do my best to bring him down.”
“Our first Restriction spy.” Pol muttered. “Of course we’ll have to run it by the Professor.”
“I’m sure he’d love to have help.” Richard said. “I mean, it’s a lot to expect of an old man to have him collect the information himself.”
“He’s always gotten the information before.” she told him.
“Yes well,” Richard argued. “He’s not getting any younger is he?”
She frowned at him. She seemed to be weighing what he said in her mind. And she didn’t seem to like the conclusion she came to. She didn’t seem to like it one bit. “I’ll have to ask the Professor.” she said again.
“I understand.” He said. “I’m going to bed. I just wanted to give you this.” He pulled a disk out of his pocket and handed it to Pol. “Edited MRA files. I’m sure you’ll find a use for them.”
With that he rose and left the room.
Chapter 7
The next year and a half was spent training and trying to figure out how to get at the Elements again. I still had my daily time with Mary-Ann and the girl was starting to grow on me. I managed to swing by for “visits” more often then just my two hour time slot.
Craig loved it because it took some of the responsibility off of him. Mary-Ann loved it because she got to play with me more. And I loved it because it was relaxing and a nice change from the soldier’s life I was living. In fact, Mary-Ann became like a little sister to me. I even managed to get Chimaero to come with me some times. Mary-Ann loved her older brother and he loved her. Their bond grew as well. She was our refuge. We would go to her whenever we needed to escape from the MRA. We went after particularly hard training sessions or if we got injured.
Then, finally, word came to us that the girls might be leaving the institute for a “Free Day” at the mall. Chimaero and I were assigned a surveillance detail that included grabbing the girls if possible. Clowe had already put up wanted posters in hopes that the Ordinaries might help.
We watched as a group of five girls left the institute. At first we thought that it was just a random group of students. They looked like a group of Goths. Except they didn’t all hold themselves like Goths. I looked closer and noticed that one of the Goths had bandages on her wrists. Remembering where Pol’s symbol was located I smiled. They were good but they weren’t that good.
I motioned to Chimaero and we followed them. We watched as they shopped around for a bit. No one bought anything and they stayed in the more densely populated areas. Then they passed the security booth by the food court when one of them stopped head in her tracks. She pointed to the wanted posters. “Cool! We’re wanted!” she said loudly.
I looked at Chimaero and grinned. “452.” He said, confirming my thought.
Suddenly her tail unwound from behind her as whatever she was using to disguise herself malfunctioned. Her tail seemed to take on a life of it’s own as it looped back and tapped her on the shoulder. “Ah!” She yelped. “That’s not mine!”
A group of passing security guards stopped and stared for a moment before it clicked in. “That’s Miss Howlett! Get her!”
“Ok. It’s mine.” 452 yelped and took off running.
As the girls ran we followed. Chimaero took a small device out of his pocket and when he activated it they all transformed back into the forms we knew. We followed them through the crowded mall, only steps behind the security. One of them threw books back at their pursuers with their mind, setting off security alarms. Then a stack of DVD players followed. 452 definitely ran full tilt into a marble stand, aiding their escape with her clumsiness. The X5’s oldest friend, Holly, created a flood and 210 spread her wings wide and plunged on, bowling people out of her way as she went.
Chimaero and I ducked out a side door and ran to cut them off. The girls ran in the direction of the Institute. But shortly after, when there were no further signs of pursuit, they slowed to a walk and started to window shop.
Chimaero and I split up, taking different alleys, and waited for the right moment to strike. I waited until Chimaero had grabbed 452, adding just the distraction I needed. I reached out and clamped one of my hands over Polgara’s mouth and wrapped the other around her waist, grabbing her wrist and pinning her to me. “Wait! Where’s Pol!” 210 exclaimed.
They started calling out her name and I felt her take a breath to answer so I tightened my grip on her mouth. “Don’t you dare make a sound.” I told her, as I searched in my cloak for the chloroform covered cloth I had brought to knock her out.
Finally finding it I switched it to the hand I had over her mouth. She struggled briefly until the chloroform kicked in and she passed out, sinking back against me. I bent a little to get a grip under her knees and picked her up, carrying her out of the alley. The sight that greeted me was one I’ll never forget. Chimaero had managed to get 452 into shackles but she was still putting up one hell of a fight. 452 glanced towards me, her eyes widening in horror as she took in Polgara’s still form. “Pol!” she gasped. “What have you done to her?”
“Relax, she’s just asleep.” I assured her.
I had no idea what the big deal was. She looked at me in horror. “You idiot! She’ll die if she sleeps.”
“Interesting.” Chimaero said with a grin.
She turned around and lunged, knocking him off balance. They struggled for an hour and a half. I was quite amused, though Polgara was getting heavy. She stirred slightly and woke up. She glanced around in a daze, taking in her surroundings and 452’s struggle with Chimaero. Then she realized where she was. She cried out and tried to push herself away from me but she was too weak. Where I had seen her lift things no ordinary person could lift, now her push had about as much force as a three-year-old’s.
Finally the truck used for prisoner transport pulled into the ally. 452 was led, kicking and punching, to the back of the truck. Her struggles drew some onlookers but I assured them that they were highly dangerous and that we were taking them to a rehab facility. I climbed into the back of the truck with them and Chimaero climbed up front.
“I’m going to kill you.” 452 muttered, glaring at me. She really didn’t like me.
“I wouldn’t try it if I were you.” I told her sternly, pulling out my tazer. “This is a tazer. It sends out a large electric shock and will put your muscles out of commission for hours.”
Polgara stared at me in disbelief. “Who are you?” she asked me weakly.
“Don’t worry,” I grinned, looking from her to 452. “You’ll be home soon.”
I heard Polgara groan as she noticed the camouflaged Restriction symbol on my cloak. 452 huddled up in a corner, determined to get away before we arrived at MRA headquarters. However, she was still there when we pulled into the base. We took them to the main chamber. Polgara stood shakily beside 452, she was still very weak and could barely stand. I made a mental note to include this in my report that I made to Mr. Clowe later. Chimaero and I moved slightly between them and Mr. Clowe. We were petty confident that 452 wouldn’t try anything with her friend in such poor condition.
“Girls.” Mr. Clowe nodded to them. “Allow me to introduce my son Chimaero!” Chimaero nodded and lowered his hood “and his friend Zeff!” I followed suit.
The door across the room opened and in strode Magneto. Magneto had been working with Clowe for a while now and in my opinion he was a bad influence. “Ah, Magneto.” Mr. Clowe grinned, “Allow me to present Ondraya Howlett and Polgara Summers.”
Magneto looked toward them. “Summers. Scott and Jean’s daughter correct?”
Polgara nodded slowly, as if weighing the gravity of her situation.
Mr. Clowe turned to Chimaero and me. “Take them to a holding cell, we will deal with them later.” Then he turned to Magneto. “You wanted to speak to me Erik?”
I led Pol to a nearby cell, Chimaero following close behind. After making sure the girls were locked up securely we went to the mess hall to a long overdue meal. We sat with the other X4’s at the long table just inside the door. “Where have you two been all day?” Michael asked. “Field work?”
“You bet.” Chimaero answered. “The best kind.”
“Chimaero managed to recapture X5-452.” I clarified.
“Way to go Chimaero!” Han grinned. “Finally living up to snuff huh?”
Chimaero just grinned. Then he dove into his food. We all knew by now not to talk to Chimaero while he’s eating. However, the average MRA soldiers hadn’t figured that out yet. “Holy! Did they starve you or something?” One Agent asked as he walked past.
“Nah, he always eats like that.” I answered, laughing.
Chimaero graced us all with a little one-fingered salute and just kept eating. We fell into a normal discussion of missions and training and what the MRA agents did today that was so amusing. I had just finished my supper when a soldier came and told us that Mr. Clowe wanted us. I groaned inwardly and we went to see what he wanted. He ordered us to take two MRA agents each and bring in Polgara and 452. As we were heading to the cell Chimaero turned to me. “Well Zeff, you ready to play soldier?”
I grinned. “All the time. The game’s never over.”
We walked into the cell and got a shock. While Polgara was sitting calmly on one of the bunks, 452 was standing in a corner, surrounded by claw marks. There were marks on the walls and the floor and even some on the ceiling though I have no clue how she could have done that. They both looked towards us, Polgara with nervous apprehension and 452 with murder in her eyes. “The boss would like a word with you.” I said as we led them out of the cell.
Polgara’s strength was back and it showed. She struggled this time, she was definitely not as calm as she appeared when we entered the room. We managed to get them into the chamber and stood them behind the two chairs facing Mr. Clowe. “Leave us.” He ordered.
All the guards left except Chimaero and me. We had explicit orders to stay put until told otherwise. Mr. Clowe turned to the girls. “Sit, both of you.” He ordered, motioning to the chairs. “Boy’s? Remove the restraints if you will.”
I was confused. Why did he want to increase their chance of escape? None the less, I follow orders. As soon as 452 was free of her bonds she jumped out of her chair and moved to run away. Magneto materialized from behind Mr. Clowe, lifted his hand and made her sit back down. He was manipulating the metal on her bones. “So like your father you are.” Magneto smiled.
Mr. Clowe grinned down at them in the way that only Mr. Clowe can. “We are in a bit of a dilemma as to decide where to put you two. All the girls have already been paired up in pairs that work well. You see, unlike you two, they all want to stay here.”
“And you weren’t about to pair us up with those who don’t were you?” Polgara snapped.
I tried to hide a grin. Point for Polgara. I thought. She had spunk. Not many people had the guts to talk back to Mr. Clowe. I glanced over at 452. Well, a least she travels in like company. 452 has never been known for keeping quiet. Mr. Clowe’s eyes strayed to Polgara. “You’re a bright one.” He said, “You would have done well here.”
She glared back. “I’d die first.”
“It would be my pleasure.” Mr. Clowe sneered, she knew exactly how to annoy him.
“Tim – ” Magneto started but Mr. Clowe continued on.
“Unfortunately, Magneto has another use for you.” He turned to Chimaero and me. “Zeff? Chimaero? I am placing you in charge of these two. You will each be given a room with an adjoining cell. They must stay in their cells and you are to watch them. Understood?”
I nodded. I didn’t particularly like this new arrangement but there wasn’t anything I could do about it. Magneto looked at the girls and cleared his throat. “Chimaero? Take young Miss Howlett and go.”
After they had left Mr. Clowe motioned Polgara forward. “Magneto has requested that we fit you with these.” He said, handing me some metal bindings. “For his benefit.”
I took the bindings from him and clasped them around each of her ankles next to the skin, one around her neck and one around her right wrist. I thought the neck binding was a bit harsh but I held my tongue. When I got to her left wrist I paused. She had a device on her wrist and I couldn’t figure out how to get it off. Magneto lifted his hand and grabbed control over the metal in the device. “That will do Zefferan.” He said, looking curiously at it.
I handed the spare bindings back to Mr. Clowe, trying not to let my annoyance show too much. Not even Mr. Clowe called me by my full name anymore. I turned and led Polgara to the new cell. The room was a typical MRA style room. The only difference was the cell at the back. I led her to the cell and shut her inside. However something stopped me from locking the cell door. I went and lay down on my bunk and was asleep almost instantly.
I left early the next morning. When I glanced over at Polgara I noticed with slight amusement that she was hovering about a foot above her bunk. And she didn’t even seem aware of it. I shook my head and went to give Mr. Clowe my report on yesterday. First thing I did was go to my normal room and change into some different clothes. Then I went to the breakfast hall and had some of the hot porridge that they were serving the soldiers. Then I decided I should probably go give my report.
I knocked on Mr. Clowe’s office door and waited. “Enter.” He said from within. I opened the door and walked in, giving him a quick salute and standing at attention as taught. “You have something interesting to report Zeff? Reports are usually given to others before me. You know that.”
“Yes sir.” I told him. “I know sir. But this seemed like something you might want to hear directly.”
“What is it Zeff? And it better be good.” He said, rifling through some papers on his desk.
“It is the Summers girl sir.” I told him. “I believe we may have discovered a significant weakness.”
“Indeed.”
“Yes sir. I believe she has something like an allergy to sleep.”
He looked at me sharply. “If this is a joke Zeff, it is not funny.”
I shook my head firmly. I wouldn’t have believed it myself if I hadn’t seen it for myself. “No sir. She was unconscious for nearly an hour and a half when we caught her and when she woke up she could barely raise a hand let alone try to escape. 452 mentioned that sleep may cause her to die.”
Mr. Clowe shook his head in amusement. “Only 452 would let slip such valuable information.”
“Yes sir.” I grinned.
“Very well Zeff. You may go. Use the next few weeks to try to divulge more information from Polgara.”
“Yes sir.” I said.
I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to, or if I wanted to, but I would at least pretend to try to. I spent the rest of the morning in hand to hand combat training with the X4’s. If you want to forget about your troubles, kicking ass and getting your ass kicked is the way to do it. When the bell sounded for lunch I grabbed some of the files I was supposed to read over and two trays of food and headed back to the cell-room.
I entered the room to see Polgara sitting on her bunk and staring at the door. “You don’t have to stay in there you know.” I told her, a little amused that she wasn’t trying to sneak out.
She came out of the cell and took one of the trays I offered her. Then she backed up against the wall, her eyes monitoring my every movement. She reminded me of some nervous animal. I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m not going to hurt you.” I told her.
I looked her in the eye. I felt something inside me leap towards her. I just wanted to comfort her, take away her nervous fear. She seemed as if torn between two decisions and she couldn’t decide. She backed further away from me. I was confused, I’m not that scary. She could have been caged in with Joe. I shrugged. If she didn’t want to come away from the wall I wasn’t going to make her. Besides, I had work to do. I leafed through the files on my lap. They were Intel on Xavier’s fabled group known as the X-men. I read up on a few of them.
The one known as Beast was interesting. He was a scientist with experience with alien technology. I was shocked to learn that the Wolverine was actually 452’s biological father. As I flipped to the next one, Cyclops, I heard movement behind me. Polgara was finally coming over. She peered over my shoulder at what I was reading. When she saw which file I was reading she looked from the documents to me and back again, all the while moving slowly back to her cell. I felt a smile tug at the corners of my mouth. She really was afraid of me! “You’re a lot quieter when you’re cooped up with an actual employee than with a student.” I teased her.
She sat in her cell in silence for the rest of the afternoon. I read through the entire stack of files, keeping the interesting facts and the info on how each X-man fought and acted burned in my mind and dismissed the rest. I left at one point to go get supper. As usual it was something that could be more interesting. It was just soup. On my way back to the room I was stopped by Mr. Clowe and Ansem.
They looked me straight in the eye and I knew I wasn’t going to like what was going to be said. “Zeff, we are taking you off field missions.” Ansem told me.
“What?” I asked. “Why?”
“Orders from higher up.” Mr. Clowe replied. “Apparently field missions are too dangerous. We can’t risk losing you.”
“Have I ever messed up a field assignment?” I asked. “Why now?”
“We have our orders.” Mr. Clowe snapped. “And now you have yours.”
“Yes sir.” I said. I returned to the room in a bitter mood. Field missions were what made this place bearable for me. I sat down with my soup and thought about my lack of luck.
Polgara took her soup bowl to her cell to eat. She watched me intently while she ate as if searching for something just out of mind’s reach. “You look familiar.” she muttered, almost as if to herself. “Have I seen you before?” I smiled, amused. Would she be able to figure it out or would I end up telling her? “I’m sure I’ve seen you… wait a minute! You caught me last time didn’t you? You used the same sleeping herbs then that you did this time!”
I grinned. She got it! “Yes. I caught you last time. But Mr. Clowe let you escape while I was out.”
She looked at me in confusion. I mentally kicked myself. I had said more than I meant to. “Me and Mr. Clowe don’t exactly see eye to eye.” I told her. I thought back to the day that he had tried to cure my neck problem. I ran my fingers over my scar thoughtfully. That was really when I started to question his rule. “His methods are… well… old. And he goes all the wrong way with his students. Many a student wouldn’t object to him dieing. Even though they wouldn’t kill him themselves.”
“Why don’t they just leave?” she asked.
That was absurd. Where would we go? The few who had been on the outside and then were brought back in just said how shitty it was out there. “They can’t… even if they wanted to.” I told her, turning to face her. “Besides… where would we go? Nobody wants us around. They’d think we were spies… or worse. Clowe doesn’t exactly keep quiet when he captures a student. Most of the general public would know we’re mutants.”
“You could come to the institute.” She said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “You’d be welcome there.”
I shook my head sadly. Welcome? Yeah right. “We’d be watched very closely and we don’t like that kind of attention.”
I was tired of the way this discussion was headed so I left, making sure that the door was locked behind me. It was not a good time for her to be putting thoughts into my head. I went to the training compound and did some weapons training and then I went for a run. I love to run. It makes me feel for a moment as if I’m back home. I used to spend days just running from people and to people. By the time I went back to the room Polgara was deep in meditation.
Over the course of the next week I felt something of an attraction grow between me and Polgara. I found that I couldn’t lie to her. I couldn’t keep secrets from her. In the same way she seemed to open up to me. I found myself telling her about my past and how Ansem took me in and trained me as one of his kids. I told her some of the more interesting missions I had been on. In turn, she told me about the things that happened when she manifested her powers and how she struggled to keep it from her mother. She told me how she found her biological parents when she went to the Institute. She never did tell me their names though.
I found talking to her quite calming actually. It was a nice way to relax after all the training I went through during the day. I even started teaching her some hand-to-hand combat. It was a new and fun experience, sparring with Pol. She was sneaky and talented, but in a way different than what I had seen at Manticore or here at the MRA. Then one day while I was out training Mr. Clowe sent some MRA workers to bring her to him.
When she came back she was shaking in anger and I could see some sort of electricity sparking through her hair, though she appeared not to notice it. I couldn’t understand what could have happened. She was always very put together and in control of her emotions and actions… freakishly so at times. I tried to calm her down enough to learn what had happened. It took nearly half an hour for her to finally calm down enough to make any sense. She told me how Clowe had kidnapped her Professor and had him in some sort of stasis tank. I couldn’t believe it. “He’s gone too far this time.” I told her. It was not the way things are done here. We are more the sneaky attack and destroy type.
I went out that night and sure enough, I found Xavier in a tank in Ansem’s own lab. I decided then and there to teach her things that she could use to escape. I couldn’t aid her in an actual escape but I could give her the skills she would need. A few months passed but Clowe didn’t call on her again. It was perfect for teaching her things. I even decided to teach her some laser-sword skills. Not even Chimaero had used one before. I owned the only one. “You hold it in your hands like this and up slightly. This is both a defensive and an offensive position.” I put my arms around her, folding my hands over hers and positioning the laser-sword.
I felt her tense up. I knew she would. I liked to tease her in any way I could. It was fun to see her reaction. I looked down at her and grinned. “Relax,” I said, “You’ll never learn properly if you’re tense like this.”
It’s hard to relax when you’re in the arms of your enemy. It was a private thought, but one I intercepted anyway. I couldn’t help but smile at her. “But am I really the enemy or is Clowe?”
“You work for Clowe don’t you?” She asked, her voice a little irritated.
“Depending on how you look at it.” I replied.
I managed to teach her both offensive and defensive moves. She was actually a very quick learner. As we practiced I felt her relax into the movements. I have to admit I enjoyed it a bit too much. But it was calming and relaxing. When we finished practicing I let go of her as quickly as I could. I didn’t want her getting the wrong impression. “Am I teaching you to fight for Clowe or against him?” I challenged her. “Think about it.”
Chapter 6
That night I lay on my bunk, going over what had happened that day. All and all it went rather well. But still one thing was bothering me… I rolled over and looked at Chimaero. “What did you mean earlier?” I asked him quietly. “When you said they’d done a number on me?”
“I mean you’re different dude.” He said. “Since we escaped. Now you’re all ‘Yes sir’ all the time.”
I didn’t understand what he was getting at. I did my job. That’s all. He picked up on my confusion. “You were more relaxed and more fun before. I mean, it was your idea after all.”
“I was wrong.” I told him. “It… I… I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Is that you talking?” he asked me. “Or them?”
“I don’t understand your question.”
“Psy-ops man.” He replied, tapping his head with his forefinger. “They messed with your head. Made you more obedient.”
“And they didn’t do anything to you?” I asked surprised.
“Course they did.” Chimaero replied. “But I gave in quick enough that they didn’t wipe away my personality. I’m not some sort of robo-soldier like you.”
I looked up at him. “You think I’m a robo-soldier?”
Chimaero grinned. “Face it Zeff. Since the escape when have you ever wittingly toed the line? Have you ever crossed it?”
I stared at him for a second and then I brought my thoughts inward. Had I? What had happened to that curious little boy who crash landed on this strange planet? Had they wiped him from me entirely? Was I just another soldier? No. I couldn’t accept that. I wouldn’t! But was there any sign that it wasn’t true? You talked to her didn’t you? Your mark? Isn’t that against the rules? I shook my head to clear it.
“I talked to her.” I said quietly.
“What?” Chimaero asked, sitting up on his bunk.
“Polgara.” I looked up and saw the look on his face. “She didn’t know it was me. I spoke telepathically. But still… I made contact with a subject.”
“Dude!” Chimaero laughed. “Maybe you’re not as reprogrammed as I thought. But still… was that wise?”
“I don’t know…” I muttered. “Pro’ly would have made my job a heck of a lot easier if I hadn’t.”
Silence fell between us as we each weighed what the other had said. Chimaero lay back down on the bunk. I stared up at the ceiling for a long moment. :I talked to her using our link.: I said.
“So?” Chimaero asked.
“She heard me.” I explained. :Chimaero, I think she’s linked to us somehow.:
:How?:
:I don’t know.: I thought back to the blue symbol she had on her wrist. I had only seen it once but I recognized it at once. I had one that matched. :I think I’m linked to her somehow. I saw her almost a year before I got the assignment folder.:
“You saw her?”
“In a dream. In every dream I had.”
Chimaero was silent for a moment. “You did seem a might edgy.” He said thoughtfully. :You really think there’s a connection?:
:Just think about it. You and Han are connected in a way that is different from anyone else in our unit.: I told him. :And you have matching symbols. Then there’s my other symbol. It’s not from my people. I was born with it too. What if there are more than five Elementals?:
:And we’re one of them?:
:It’s possible.: I told him. :I, for one, am going to keep an eye out for any new powers I might have. I’m not a mutant so I’ll know if I possess an abnormality. But I know one thing I’m not going to do.:
:What’s that?:
:I am not going to tell Ansem.:
We agreed to keep the conversation we had that night to ourselves, at least until we figured things out. The next day we fell back into routine. However, my routine was soon interrupted again by a summons from Mr. Clowe. I went to his office and knocked on the door. “Yes?” Mr. Clowe asked.
I opened the door and entered with a salute. “You wanted to see me sir?” I asked.
“Yes, Zeff. Just wait there for a moment while we finish up.” He said as he turned to Ansem and the man they called Magneto. “You were saying Erik?”
“I think we should test these girls.” Magneto said. “You have records on four of them but Miss Summers is still something of a mystery. We know her powers, if you trust your source, but we don’t know the extent of her powers. Or that of any of them for that matter.”
I glared at his back. Was he calling me a traitor? Mr. Clowe shot me a warning look. When Magneto turned to me I had on my soldier’s mask and was staring straight ahead. “We had one of our top agents watching her. But testing the girls is a good idea. I believe even X5-452 and X5-210 have grown in power since we saw them last.”
I gulped. I could still remember when 452 had leveled an entire building as a mere child. And they thought she was now stronger? I struggled with my inner thoughts and emotions. Somehow I felt that if they experimented on the girls, mine and Chimaero’s links to them would be discovered. And for some reason I felt that this would be a bad thing. I figured I should mention something to try to deter them from that route. I cleared my throat.
“Not now Zeff.” Mr. Clowe said firmly.
I clamped my mouth shut but something inside me told me I would not like what would happen if they did experiment on the girls. I stood in uneasy silence. I was kept my ideas to myself, until they started talking about experimenting with their elements. That caused something in my stomach to churn. I mustered up my courage and cleared my throat again. “Ah, Sir?”
Magneto turned and glared at me. “Now is not the time Zeff.” Mr. Clowe growled at me.
“But sir―”
“Shut up Zefferan.” Ansem snapped.
I knew then I was not going to get a word in edgewise. I clamped my mouth shut and listened with growing concern as they discussed what they could put the girls through. I was a bit relieved however when Magneto left without them coming to any firm conclusions as to what they were going to do. It would be a while before they got the clearance from the government to try anything on them.
Mr. Clowe turned to me and was about to say something when he saw Ansem’s disapproving stare. “What is it now Ansem?” He asked.
“I don’t like the idea of one of my kids playing nursemaid to a worthless little brat.” Ansem said.
Mr. Clowe actually went red in anger. “Just because she’s not one of your kids does not make my daughter worthless.” He kept his voice quiet but it shook with cold fury. “She is very precious to me Ansem. Not every child would make a good soldier.”
I tried to mask my shock but I’m not sure how well I succeeded. Who would have thought that this man was actually capable of compassion for his children? He certainly didn’t show any to his sons. He looked up at me and motioned with his finger for me to follow him. I hesitated, looking from him to Ansem.
When Ansem didn’t argue I followed him to a briefing room. When we got there he closed the door and looked me over. He frowned slightly as if there was something about me he didn’t like. “So.” He said, his face once again becoming its unreadable mask. “You can probably guess what I want you to do from that exchange.”
“Yes sir.” I said. “You want me to guard your daughter.”
He smiled slightly. “You are the only one of Ansem’s kids who has had family experience outside this program. You’ve proven yourself effective and as loyal as the next man. And you haven’t shown any dangerous powers.”
I could almost feel his trust. And for some reason it made me uncomfortable. I just nodded. I didn’t know what to say. Luckily he didn’t wait for me to say anything. He went on to explain, “It is not for very long as you still need to keep up with training but for a few hours each day. Her regular guard has expressed a need to have a break in order to stay vigilant. Am I understood?”
“Yes sir.” I said.
“She is four years old. She takes an energetic guard.”
I nodded. I knew how energetic four year olds can be. Me and Zoë were absolute terrors when we were younger. “I think I can handle it sir.”
Mr. Clowe smiled at me with his evil smile. That smile told me I’d better be able to handle it or he’d know why. “I’m sure you can.” He said. “This way.”
He led me down a secluded wing to a group of rooms at the end. “She doesn’t know what this place is.” Mr. Clowe told me. “We make sure she is asleep whenever we bring her in or out. She has enough space that she doesn’t get bored and the view from her windows is of outside the compound. She is an innocent and I want to keep her that way as long as I can.”
“Yes sir.” I said, wincing slightly as Chimaero’s words from before hit home. I really did only reply with ‘yes sir.’
He stopped at the last door and typed in the combination to unlock it. It whisked open and we entered a bare grey room. When the door closed behind us the walls shimmered and we appeared to be standing in a long, fancy hallway of a mansion and in front of a pare of large wooden doors.
When we opened the door we were greeted by a shriek of delight. “Daddy!” A small girl with long, light brown hair ran towards us.
Mr. Clowe laughed and picked her up in his arms. “Hey Mary-berry.” He said, kissing her cheek. “How are you?”
“Daddy, look!” she said as he put her down. She grabbed his hand and led him to a doorframe nearby with scratches made in it. “I growed!”
“You grew?” he asked as he inspected the marks. “Wow, you’re getting big!”
She giggled. “Mr. Craig said I’m a big girl now.”
“Mr. Craig said that did he?” Mr. Clowe asked, looking at the guard who was standing nearby. “You may go. Zefferan is going to give you a few hours leave.”
The soldier looked at me with gratitude. Mr. Clowe just turned back to his daughter. “This is Zefferan. He’s going to play with you for a while. You two have fun ok?”
“Ok Daddy.” Mary-Ann said as she gave her father a hug.
Mr. Clowe turned to me. “Craig will relieve you at 2100 hours.” He said as he left.
I turned back toward the girl to see her staring at my hair. It was all messy from the combat practice I had been doing earlier. She grabbed a brush from her dresser and pointed at a child-size stool. “Sit Zeffan.” She said.
I looked at her for a moment. “Sit!” she commanded.
I sat down and she moved behind me. “Didn’t your mommy ever tell you to brush your hair?” she asked.
“No.” I replied honestly. My hair was always brushed for me before I came to Earth.
“Well I’m saying it.” She said as she brushed out my hair. She wasn’t very gentle.
She giggled as I winced. “That’s what you get when you no brush your hair.”
She went back to her dresser and grabbed a small box and brought it back over. “I’m gonna make you pretty.” She said.
I can’t believe I actually sat there and let her do it. By the time Craig came back my hair was all done up with clips and elastics and we were sitting having a tea party in the middle of her toy room. The guard took one look at me and laughed. “Come on princess. Your time is up.”
I blushed as I stood up. He just grinned. “Do you have to go Zeffan?” she asked.
“Yes I do.” I told her as I took the clips out of my hair. “But I will be back tomorrow.”
“Really?” she asked. “Most peoples don’t come back.”
“I promise.” I told her.
I left the room and went out to one of the compounds to get some air. The new mutants from the MRA were out running laps. The Elementals were with them. As I watched, Polgara’s head turned toward the east wall. The Elementals were up to something.
I watched them closely and sure enough, at break, they went to the wall. I knew that there was a way out over there so I pulled on my cloak and followed them. Sure enough, they found the hole, just big enough for someone to crawl through. I walked up to them, catching them off guard. I kept my hood pulled up to hide my face. “Can I help you?” I asked, adopting my soldier voice.
“Um, no thanks.” Destiny said. “We’re fine.”
“Then I suggest you don’t loiter around here. Mr. Clowe doesn’t put up with that kind of nonsense.” I warned them, staring at Polgara.
452 went to open her mouth but Polgara cut her off. “We’ll just be going.” She turned to the others and muttered, “Now.”
I smirked softly as they strode away. Mr. Clowe was not going to be impressed.
Sure enough, the next day the word spread that the Elementals had escaped. What really made Mr. Clowe mad was that they made a clean get away. They made it all the way to Westchester, New York and into the safety of Xavier’s Institute for Gifted Youngsters. Xavier’s was a school, a safe-haven for mutants. And it was the one place on the continent that the MRA couldn’t penetrate.
That night Chimaero brought it up as we lay on our bunks. “I just can’t believe they got away so quickly.” He said.
“It’s amazing.” I agreed. Then I added silently, :I’m actually relieved.:
:Why?: he asked.
:I didn’t like the thought of them experimenting on the girls.: I told him. :I know what it’s like going through their curious experiments. I don’t want to go through that again. If they start to experiment on them we won’t be far behind.:
Chapter 5
I was called to Clowe’s office one day in the year of 2001. At first I thought it was just for some new test or something. However, when I was almost there I heard Clowe’s voice ring through the hall in a cry of pain. I ran the last few steps to the door.
When I got there I stopped. He was talking quite calmly, as if nothing had happened. I stood outside the door and listened. “We have them. All of them.”
“All?” Ansem asked.
“I was searching out our runaways’ power levels and what I found…” Clowe petered out.
“What man? What did you find?” Ansem asked.
“I found more.” Clowe replied.
My breath caught in my throat. More people as powerful as 452? “What do you mean?” Ansem sounded excited. “How many? Where are they?”
“There are three more.” Clowe replied. “Ours are still in Seattle if you can believe it. Along with one more. Another one of them is in Millville, New Jersey.”
“And the last?”
“Therein lays a problem. The last one is in Canada.”
I whistled slightly. That could potentially be a problem. “We have no jurisdiction in Canada.” Ansem said thoughtfully.
“Not yet.” Clowe said determinedly. The way he stressed the second word promised that that would soon change. “Where is that boy? He’s usually prompt in his responses.”
I decided I had snooped long enough. I stepped out in front of the door and knocked. “Come in Zeff.” Clowe’s voice called.
“I’m sorry sir.” I said, standing at attention in front of him.
He nodded absentmindedly and motioned to a lab chair. “We think you are ready to be sent out into the field.” Clowe told me. “We just need to test your reflexes.”
I must have looked confused because Ansem explained. “Not your physical reflexes. We already know you are as fast as the others if not faster. We want to test your mental reflexes. You need to be able to change tactics on a dime and never be outwitted and be able to lie convincingly.”
I suppressed a grin. I already knew I could lie convincingly. I had even fooled Clowe from time to time and that’s saying something. They spent the next few weeks testing my survival skills. They gave me scenarios to follow and then threw in twists to see how well I adapted. They tested my observational and tracking skills. They tested pretty much everything they could think of testing.
Some days went worse then others. Not only did they give me little time to sleep, when I did sleep my dreams were haunted by a strange figure. I could never see who it was. There were just little things that were always out of place in the dream: a soft laugh, a whiff of peach-scented shampoo, a flash of red hair, a glance from black rimed-silver eyes.
The dreams haunted me for over a year. I started to feel a bit worn and I started, once again, to question what we were doing. The first time I voiced it was on one of my first short term missions.
It was shortly after we gained jurisdiction in Canada. We had been hunting for the other people with 452’s power level. Ansem called them Elementals. I didn’t know what the name meant but it set them apart as different from our usual marks. We had finally located one in the city called Toronto.
Destiny Worthington was the thirteen year old daughter of an esteemed geneticist named Warren Worthington II. Warren was in the lead when it came to mutant research. I was surprised he wasn’t with the MRA or the Manticore project. He worked mainly in the USA though he and his family lived in Canada. According to our Intel he had moved to Canada shortly after Destiny was born.
We moved in, surrounding the apartment building where the girl lived. Chimaero and I stood with Mr. Clowe as the others moved into place. We had gained rank over the past few years and were fast becoming the ones Mr. Clowe relied on most. “Tac-teams surround the building and wait for my signal. Take no chances. I want her alive.” Mr. Clowe lowered his com device. He surveyed the scene and then turned to us. “I want you two to head this operation. We can’t afford to mess this one up.”
“Yes sir.” Chimaero answered, with a bow of his head.
I hesitated. Something wasn’t right about this. We were stealing a young girl from her home in the middle of the night. She wasn’t even really that dangerous. Her powers were mostly internal. “Permission to speak sir?” I asked.
“Permission denied soldier.” Mr. Clowe replied. “You can speak after you bring her in.”
“Yes sir.” I replied sullenly as I followed Chimaero out.
There was no use arguing with him. He knew what he wanted and we had better get it for him or he’d know why. We joined the others and took up our posts outside the girl’s bedroom window. “Alpha Team in position.” Chimaero said into his radio.
We waited as the other teams checked in and then we got our permission to move in. We cut through the window glass and caught the pane so that it didn’t shatter and alert the parents. We moved in and before the girl woke up I had my hand over her mouth and had her pinned to the bed. Chimaero stuck her with a needle and she passed out completely.
We were in and out in five minutes. The parents would never even know we were there. They would just wake up in the morning and she would be gone. We took her back to the states that night. By the time she awoke she was in a secure facility under MRA jurisdiction.
Our guy in Toronto mentioned that she had been accused of knowing things before they happened and knowing things she couldn’t have known. He said that he had overheard her talking to her father about strange dreams she was having. Clowe had her kept under constant surveillance to see if these dreams had anything to do with her Element. Over time she grew accustomed to the way we did things and cleverly found a way to fit in without sticking out.
But while she was thriving, I was not. My dreams were getting more troubled and the mysterious figure was haunting me more and more. It wasn’t until a year later, when I opened my first long-term field assignment folder and saw those same silver eyes staring up at me from the page that I learned who she was.
Paulina McQueen was a girl in grade eleven at Millville Senior High. She was what the Ordinary’s had termed a New Mutant. My mission was to watch her and bring her in if she was discovered.
The very day I went to leave on my mission two X5’s and a New Mutant escaped. 452 and 210 were two X5’s with mutant abilities. They had been in and out of Manticore for the past few years… always just evading capture. I was given a side task on my way to Millville. I had to find out where they disappeared to.
I was to dress as an Ordinary, take one of the Ordinary vehicles and give them a lift to wherever they needed to go. I threw some spare clothing and my few personal belongings into a duffle and went to the briefing room. There I was told to select the best weapons for the job.
I picked a small, concealable hand-gun and my usual laser-sword. Neither 452 nor 210 had ever seen it before so I didn’t have to conceal it… if anything they’d just think it a replica from the various Star Wars movies. When it came to com devices I froze. “X4-000!” the sergeant called. “Pick up your communication device.”
“No sir.” I told him.
“Repeat?”
“If I have a com-link stuck in my ear the X5’s will bolt before we even know they’re there.” I told him.
“I have to check with the commander.” He said, pulling out a walkie.
“You check with the commander.” I said. “And while we wait here getting clearance because you are too stupid to see common sense the X5’s will have found a different route out of here… one that doesn’t include an Agent.”
It took him all of two seconds to change his mind and let me out. Besides, X4’s know best when it comes to tracking other X-series soldiers. It’s in the genes, as they say. Of course, I don’t share those genes. But that isn’t common knowledge. I picked up my designated vehicle in the yard out back. It was a beat up, rusty old thing but it worked for our purposes.
I parked the truck at the gas station and waited. As predicted, 452, 210 and their friend showed up a few minutes later. I timed it just right waiting until I saw them surveying the area before I left the store and walked to the truck. I kept my back to them so as not to give away the game. I reached out and opened the door just to have 452 slam it shut. I jumped and adopted a look of shock. I was always a good actor, one of the best. Even Clowe had trouble telling when I was lying and that was his specialty. “We need your help, please?” 452 asked.
I looked them over and smiled. This was working perfectly. “All right, I’ll help you. Get in!” I told them. I climbed into the cab as they ran around to the passenger side and climbed in. “Where are ya heading?” I asked.
“Seattle.” They answered, looking nervously out the windows.
“You’re in luck!” I laughed, this was way too easy. “It’s thirty clicks from here.”
I laughed again, receiving a glare from 452. I played the Stupid Ordinary and pretended that I was making fun of their army get-up. I put the truck into gear and started heading towards Seattle. We entered the city a few hours later and they guided me first to Miss Bluesummers’s house then to 452’s. They really had no clue what they had just done. All except 210. She seemed suspicious and hopped out with 452. “I’ll walk home!” she said, turning her back to me.
I caught a glimpse of her hands moving as she signed something to 452. 452 nodded and went into the lobby of the building as 210 took off down the street. I reached under the seat to the hidden radio and relayed the addresses back to Clowe. Then I headed to Millville to my new mission.
I set up watch outside the high school and it wasn’t long until I saw her. Her orange-red hair and silver eyes were unmissable. She and another teenage girl walked together every day. But where Polgara looked normal her friend seemed to rejoice in being abnormal, if only in looks. Their school uniforms acted as uniforms usually do in making everybody look similar but this girl had dyed the front part of her hair a bright neon green color. I watched her for a few minutes but quickly dismissed her. She wasn’t a threat. However, the longer I watched the more I felt that Polgara was. At least to her self.
She seemed to be just growing into her powers, which was unusual. Powers were supposed to manifest at puberty and she was well over that transition. I had seen her make many foolish mistakes, mistakes that a “mature” mutant wouldn’t make. She had “jumped” six feet in the air to catch a baseball, floored boys three times her weight, commented on things that people hadn’t said aloud, made a soccer ball soar into the net without touching it … little things, but enough to get her caught if anyone paid close enough attention.
I guess that was my job. To watch and keep tabs on her whereabouts and powers, but also to report as soon as she made an obvious screw-up. I watched her as she snuck out of her apartment at night to go to a friend’s house. I watched as she sat through her classes, bored stiff. I was sure she was purposely making mistakes in her work. I didn’t know the reason behind it but I was sure she had one. She was smart… too much so at times.
I watched her when she went to the library after school and on the weekends. She would pull out books on things way beyond a high school student’s reading level. She was interesting to watch. She seemed full of surprises. I did my job well, staying out of sight. Until one day about a month into observing her.
She was being chased by a gang of local thugs through the street. Apparently they were a street gang and they wanted her “talents” for their own use. She phased herself out of their hands effectively enough and had taken off for town… and straight toward me. I turned to a CD rack and pretended to be interested in the music there. Though to be honest I never adapted a taste for hard metal. Not too long after she ran right past.
“Sorry.” Polgara muttered as she all but ran into me.
I felt a brief electric jolt down my arm as she brushed against my coat. She jumped slightly. My arm was tingling slightly and I could tell she was about to turn back to look at me. Her pursuers were catching up to her. I shook my head slightly and sent out a telepathic message to her, using the special link I had with Chimaero. :Idiot, does now seem like the time for that?: I asked her.
To my surprise she actually seemed to hear me. She stumbled and nearly fell to the ground. I used this time to slip away, moving out of her line of sight but still keeping my eye on her. As I watched her run I found myself wondering whether she realized that she had phased out of her pursuers hands or if she just thought she was quicker then them.
I snuck into her room one day while she was at school and her mom was out. I went to her memories chest and riffled through the piles of papers she had there. She had notes and problems she had worked through from when she was only eight years old. Some of them were so complicated I didn’t even know what they were.
I found her old diary from the third grade and flipped through it. There was little that caught my attention until I found a passage, dated shortly before September. She seemed to be mulling over how bright she was.
I don’t know why I know these things. Sammy can barely do her two times tables, even Mommy can’t keep up with me. Dad seems to be able to, but he’s a scientist, had years of school. I am seven, in third grade, doing astrophysics and such. I know I can’t let the teacher know. I would be plunged into a world of tests, media, and scientists. I don’t want that. I have to make sure I make mistakes in my work so I don’t seem so far ahead. I don’t want to be moved out of Sammy’s class. I am happy here.
It was reading that diary that I felt the first twinge of guilt. She had worked so hard to stay under the meter in everything she did and I was out to expose her. I shrugged the feeling aside. I couldn’t let my emotions compromise the mission. Besides, there was no reason for me to feel guilty. I was just doing my job.
Still, I felt relieved when Mr. Clowe lost patience. She was too careful where it mattered. He decided to take matters into his own hands. He gave me a vile of clear liquid. He said it was a truth serum but I knew better. It was something used to induce a death-like state in a subject. But that was his cover story. All I had to do was give it to the vice principal and whisper a few words to one of the gang members at the school and then sit back and wait.
Things unfolded quickly. Polgara’s powers flared up in the middle of the school, causing the gang member to become comatose. However, before the vice principal could get her with the serum her mother came to the rescue and before I knew it she was packed up and moved to Canada. Now the only thing to do was return to base and wait for further orders.
I watched this case closely over the next little while. She amused me, this human girl. It was uncanny how an ordinary girl could slip between our fingers so effortlessly. It was almost as if someone else was watching out for her. What amused me even more was that she ended up moving next door to 452’s mutant friend in Canada. She even wound up at the same school, in some of the same classes.
When I heard that the MRA was making a sweep of the school I signed myself up. The look Mr. Clowe gave me confused me. He looked amused, impressed, relieved and thoughtful all at the same time. Mr. Clowe checked their class schedules and discovered that they were all in the same class last period. He made sure to be there at that time.
When we got to the school Mr. Clowe had us take up positions in the classrooms that the girls were least likely to go into and await his orders. Not five minutes after the second bell for last period we received the signal to move. I ran out into the hall just in time to see 452 and Holly split up, running in opposite directions.
Ansem was in hot pursuit of 452 so I turned to follow the other. “Zeff! Chimaero!” Mr. Clowe’s voice came through my earpiece. “I want you to come with me. The other two are on the move now. I want you here.” I turned back and went to the room in which he was waiting. Chimaero was already there. “They went out the side doors.” He told us as he led the way.
We followed him out of the school and I surveyed the scene. There were agents everywhere and still the girls hadn’t been taken down yet. Mr. Clowe nodded and we charged after them. Chimaero went after 452 and I went after Polgara. :This is actually fun, chasing 452 down!: Chimaero said telepathically.
I grinned and then had to duck quickly to avoid Polgara’s bag which narrowly missed my face. I struck while the weight of the bag had her attention. Catching hold of her arm I clasped a rag covered in Chloroform to her face. She struggled for a moment more and then passed out. I carried her over to the prisoner-transport vehicle and set her inside. Holly and 210 were soon caught and thrown into the truck as well.
452 had managed to escape somehow and before I realized what was happening Ansem had selected me and Chimaero to help bring her back. We looked at each other quizzically and shrugged. What’s one more mission? We climbed into the car with Ansem and headed out. When we got to the designated address Ansem turned to Chimaero and me. “Stay here until I give the word.” He said, heading into the house.
As he disappeared inside the house I turned to Chimaero. “What kind of recon mission is this?” I asked, honestly perplexed.
Chimaero just grinned and shrugged. “We aren’t given specifics. If he wants to handle this himself let ‘im. Now is the time to relax.” He lay down on the hood of the car and closed his eyes to rest. “Honestly man, they’ve done a number on you.”
I shook my head and surveyed the house. There was a ground-level deck on the side with a clothesline stretched out across the yard. Raised voices were sounding from the house. All of a sudden a shape burst out the side door and leapt over the rail. Chimaero sat up abruptly and we watched in amusement as 452 ran right into the clothesline. Our mouths dropped in surprise. I turned to Chimaero, saying the name that was on both our minds. “Nono.”
Chimaero keeled over laughing. He laughed so hard that he fell off the car. I felt a grin tug at the corners of my mouth and chuckled softly. Ansem was standing on the porch laughing as well. He, however, was laughing at 452.
She lay there for a few minutes, completely dazed. Me and Chimaero glanced at each other and shook our heads and walked over to 452’s prone body, Chimaero still trying to calm his laughter. Ansem also went and stood over her. Then we all bent down and grabbed her. She started to struggle and she managed to get her legs free. Chimaero pulled out his tazer and jabbed it into her side.
Not surprisingly it seemed to do nothing but make her angry. I wrapped my arms around her, pinning her down as Chimaero attacked her with the tazer again. Her struggles increased so I tightened my grip. Chimaero attacked her again and again, managing to hit her three more times. “Get off me!” she screamed in anger.
“Not a chance 452.” Ansem told her.
Chimaero grabbed her arms and I tried to restrain her legs. She lashed out with her feet, knocking me backwards and knocking off my hood. She glanced over me, her eyes brightening in recognition. I grinned down at her and reached into my cloak for my tazer. Before I could manage to grab it she lashed out with both feet, catching me square in the gut. I fell backwards, hitting the ground with a groan as the wind was knocked out of me. Ansem and Chimaero kept her busy as I got to my feet
“Not bad Ondraya, I’ll give ya that, you’re not bad at all.” Chimaero smirked, looking her over from head to toe and grinning.
“Bite me!” she snapped.
“Grab her legs 494.” Ansem snapped.
He grabbed her legs so she couldn’t kick us any more. I went to the car and grabbed a needle. She twisted and turned, trying to get away, but it was no use. I managed to get her right in the neck and she passed out.
I carried her to the truck and laid her down next to Polgara. Then I climbed into the cab next to Chimaero and we headed back to the base. When we got there I went to the back of the truck with some other soldiers. A scientist (I think his name was Lucas) came out of the base and moved over to 210 and looked down at her worriedly. He went over to Mr. Clowe and spoke to him in hushed tones I could not make out.
Mr. Clowe nodded and the scientist picked up 210 and carried her into the base. I didn’t understand what had just happened but that was typical for me these days. I went over to pick up Polgara and felt a hand touch my arm. I looked up at Mr. Clowe. “Put her in with the Worthington girl Zefferan.” He ordered.
I looked at him in surprise. “Sir, is that wise?” I asked. “Is it not better to keep them apart?”
“I want them to get to know each other.” Mr. Clowe said. “It would make an interesting experiment.”
“Yes sir.” I said, picking Polgara up.
She was burning with fever and for some reason that worried me more than it should have. I carried her into the cell. She was feverish, weak and still unconscious. I felt a flash of concern. I tried to shrug it off like I usually do but I couldn’t. It just wouldn’t leave me. I glanced from her to the other girl in the cell. Destiny Worthington was looking at me with wry amusement. Her knowing gaze unnerved me. I turned and left, knowing Polgara was in good hands.
Chapter 4
I sat perfectly still. A laser burned hot into my left eye. I was tired of fighting. The images that flashed in front of my eyes made sense. We were wrong to run away. We abandoned our unit, our family, in a futile attempt to leave Manticore behind. But no matter how hard we tried we couldn’t leave it behind. It was part of us. We were Manticore. Manticore wasn’t just a name. It was our reason for being. We didn’t question our orders. We were told all we needed to know.
“Enough.” Ansem’s voice rang out from the darkness that surrounded me. “He’s come back to us now.”
The laser stopped and the device holding my eye open was removed. The tube was taken from my mouth. I sputtered and coughed, trying to get the taste of the rubber from my mouth. “Zeff?” Ansem knelt in front of me. “We are going to take you back to the others now. You will rest and report to training with the others in the morning. Do you understand?”
“Y – Yes sir.” I managed before I passed out.
When I woke up again I was laying on my cot in the dark. I could hear the others breathing softly from their own cots. “Zeff?” Chimaero’s voice called from the cot next to mine. “You awake?”
“Yes.” I croaked. My throat burned as if it was on fire.
He jumped from his cot to mine. “How’re ya doin?”
I sat up, groaning as my stiff muscles slowly and painfully responded. “Not one of my better days.”
I could see Chimaero grin. “At least you survived the re-indoctrination completely intact.” He said. “Man, that was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with. It’s worse than our memory training.”
For a while nothing happened. We went back into our routines. It was almost as if we had never left. About a year went by before any thing interesting happened. Then, one night I was sitting on my bunk, staring out over the buildings. Suddenly one of the buildings, the lab building, started to shake. Before I knew what was happening the building collapsed. All my siblings crowded to the windows. We could see three shapes standing in the middle of the rubble. No, wait, there were four. Three men and what looked like an X5 from where we stood.
Rumors spread quickly of how an X5, designation 452, had leveled the entire lab building while being experimented on. The only three people who got out of there alive and relatively unscathed were Ansem, Timothy Clowe, and Legato Bluesummers.
After that night everything seemed to change. Manticore was taken over by Mr. Clowe’s Mutant Restriction Agency. The barracks were now swamped with not only Manticore soldiers but normal human soldiers and humans with amazing abilities. Ansem called them mutants. Some of the mutants looked like the ‘Nomalies, but we were assured that they were something completely different.
Our training sessions were now mixed with the mutants. When fighting one on one this meant we had to learn to think differently. It was hard to hit your opponent if he kept teleporting around or away from you. And dodging fire or lightning or sharp projectiles was harder than dodging a fist. All in all it made us better soldiers.
One day I stood watching Chimaero spar with Hannibal. Joe came up and stood beside me. He watched for a bit and then he grinned. “Come on Chimaero! Time was you could have Hannibal on his back in a matter of seconds. Being outside was not good for you.” He glanced sidelong at me. “But I guess that’s what comes from hanging out with adopted upstarts like pretty-boy here.”
Pretty-boy? I could not believe he just said that! I turned and, without warning, punched him in the head. He staggered back a few feet and then the fight was on. Joe had grown in the past year. He was taller than me by a good ten inches and was of a stockier build. But I was faster. I got lots of punches and kicks in without him even touching me once. Then he reached out and grabbed a hold of my shirt. He threw me bodily over his shoulder. I flew past the next five mats where people were training.
Turning my body in mid air I managed to get my feet under me when I landed. I had barely felt the ground under my toes before I was running back towards him. The whole compound stopped to watch. I jump-kicked him as I approached, using the momentum as a weapon. He fell backward but didn’t fall nearly as far as I had. I kicked him again and grabbed his shirt. I hauled him up and was getting ready to throw him when a familiar voice halted me.
“Zefferan! Put your brother down!” Ansem yelled.
I let go of him and stepped back. I knew I was in trouble this time. I was perfectly ready for him to yell at me, but he didn’t. He glared at Joe, Chimaero and Hannibal and turned to me. “Follow me.” He said.
I followed him in silence though I didn’t like the direction we were headed. Sure enough we wound up in the new lab. Ansem didn’t say anything to me. He just pointed to the chair. I sat as he went over to the phone. He dialed Mr. Clowe and told him to come down to the lab. I didn’t like where this was going. “Now, do you want to tell me what that was about?” It was an order not a question.
“Just getting rid of some access energy sir.” I replied.
He looked at me sharply but didn’t press the matter. He pointed at a scale. I went over and stood on it. He looked at the scale and up at me, his eyebrow raised slightly. He wrote something on his clipboard. “Zeff, how old are you?” he asked.
“Ten.” I said as Timothy Clowe walked in.
“Why did you call me down here Ansem?” he asked, without even a glance at me.
“I just saw one of our boys throw Zeff halfway across the compound.” He said shortly. “And it’s not because of his strength. Zeff is ten years old and only thirty pounds.”
What’s wrong with that? My people never got that heavy. In fact thirty is healthy for a boy my age. “Really?” I could see the ideas racing behind Mr. Clowe’s eye.
Ansem saw too and frowned. “What are you thinking Timothy?”
“I am thinking of the potential he has for reconnaissance missions.” Mr. Clowe looked like a kid in a candy shop. “Think of the possibilities Ansem.”
“I’m thinking. But I don’t think you are.” Ansem said. “Reconnaissance missions are usually high risk. Zefferan is valuable property. The government is paying major money for us to keep him here. They are not going to like you purposefully putting him in harms way.”
“He’s not exactly out of harms way here.” Mr. Clowe pointed out. “Your routine here is anything but safe.”
“We monitor him closely. At the first sign of danger… why are we talking about this?”
Mr. Clowe glanced at me and saw me watching with interest. “We’ll discuss this later.” He said. “All I ask is for a few modifications to his training. In fact, I don’t care whether you agree or not. I’m making some changes.”
Ansem nodded and turned back to me. “You may return to the field Zeff. We are done here.”
I nodded quickly and left. After that I fell back into a routine. There was very little excitement in the next few years of my life. I continued with Mr. Clowe’s new training regime as well as continued my training with the others. What little fun we had we had to create for ourselves.
There was this one time, when we stood in line for inspection that I finally got one up on Chimaero. We didn’t know who would be singled out this time but we knew who wouldn’t be. Chimaero just never got in trouble. Any time he got caught doing something he shouldn’t he somehow managed to pass it on to someone else.
The barracks inspector walked up and down the rows, pausing briefly at one soldier or another. He stopped and stared at me, his eyes narrowing and I knew I was today’s target. I decided Chimaero needed a turn. I stared back at him and said quietly to Chimaero :He looks like Tanker did when Nono stole all his food and slept in his bed.:
He tried to suppress his chuckle but he wasn’t very successful. The inspector turned around quickly. “What’s going on?”
:But apparently he has Nono’s intelligence level. Poor man.: I said.
It worked like a charm. Chimaero collapsed, holding his sides in laughter. The inspector ordered him to explain himself but he was laughing to hard to answer. Even better was that his laughter was contagious. Everyone else in the unit started to snicker… everyone that is, except Han. He glared down at Chimaero and then up at me. I turned my eyes quickly to the front, but not before I saw him scowl. Two soldiers came and took Chimaero out. Funnily enough I got the blame. Even though I knew Chimaero wouldn’t rat me out.
Nothing happened though. I was given some hard labor and watched closely for a while so they could see if I showed any more signs of disrupting my unit. Other than that nothing significant happened until I had reached about twelve years of age. I had spent the years working my hardest to be the soldier Mr. Clowe wanted but it was never enough.
Every time he looked at me he saw something that displeased him. It wasn’t until he did something about it that I realized what it was. He called me to his private lab one day and looked me over appraisingly.
I stood in the lab in my barracks uniform. My bare feet were freezing on the cold floor but I said nothing. Something about having Mr. Clowe and his scientists staring at me and talking in undertones hushed me up. The fact that they had me here without Ansem made it that much worse. They stood there arguing for many minutes. Their voices got louder and louder until I could hear them. “I still don’t think it’s a good idea sir. Mr. Gill didn’t─”
“Mr. Gill isn’t in charge here McQueen. I am.” Mr. Clowe snapped. “And I don’t pay you to think. I pay you to follow orders.”
He must have seen how close I was to bolting because he motioned to the chair. I went and sat. He was already mad enough without me doing anything to make him even angrier. He came and stood in front of me. “I’ve found myself in a bit of a dilemma here Zeff.” He told me. “You see, I’m a military man. I like things to be orderly, right down to the uniform.”
I froze. I knew where he was going with this. My breath caught in my throat. I couldn’t let him. He frowned and nodded to the scientist. Before I could react they had strapped me to the chair. “No!” I started freaking, shouting in both English and my own language. “No! Don’t do this to me! It won’t work anyways!”
Mr. Clowe just smiled and moved back. Suddenly something closed around my neck from behind. I felt as if it had closed on my windpipe. I tried to pull away but it held me back against the chair. I struggled and gasped for breath but to no avail. I felt the thing around my neck cut into my neck and I just pulled harder. I had to get away. I barely registered Mr. Clowe and the scientist arguing.
The door burst open and Ansem stormed in. By this time I could feel the blood running down my front and the room started spinning. The last thing I remember before I passed out was Ansem rushing over to free my neck from whatever was holding it. Then the world went black.
When I woke up I was laying in the infirmary. My neck had been patched up. It wasn’t bandaged, but they had done something to stop the bleeding. I turned my head to see Ansem sitting beside me. I jumped slightly. He held his hand out in a gesture that said he wouldn’t hurt me. “Calm down Zefferan.” He said. “You’re safe now.”
I just stared at him. I was still shaken up. He tried to smile at me but failed. He was way too angry. “I had nothing to do with this. You know that don’t you? I could have killed him.”
I brought my hand up to my neck but Ansem grabbed it midway. “I wouldn’t do that son.” He said. “We couldn’t bandage it obviously. We patched you up as best as we could but if you play with it, it could become infected.”
“Why?” I asked. My voice was raspy from the shouting I had done. “He knew it wouldn’t work. Why would he put me through that?”
“He’s not as trusting as I am.” Ansem replied. “When we couldn’t find any definite proof of what you told us on the neural scans he decided it would be worth it to try. He never conversed with me beforehand.”
I just stared at him. He sighed and shook his head. “Just rest.” He told me.
I nodded. I felt the skin on my neck tug with the movement. I closed my eyes and regulated my breathing. I slipped into the trance-like state they taught us to use to forget pain. Then Timothy Clowe came in. “How is he?” he asked Ansem.
“He’ll live.” Ansem said gruffly. “But he’ll have a scar there for the rest of his life. What were you thinking?”
“We had to try.” Mr. Clowe said. “You were going by his word only that he couldn’t be changed. The word of a child. You had no proof.”
“The government and their pets at NASA are going to have a fit when they come to observe him and see a fresh scar. You get to explain it to them. I’ll have nothing to do with it.”
Mr. Clowe sighed and ran a hand wearily over his face. “How long until he’s functional again?” he asked.
Ansem hesitated slightly. It was so slight that Mr. Clowe didn’t even seem to notice. “It’s hard to tell. We need to observe him. With his healing rate he might be up in a couple days. Or, his cuts might become infected seeing as we can’t cover them. If that happens he could be here a hell of a lot longer.”
There was silence for a few minutes as the two men stared each other down. “I swear Ansem, I never meant for him to get hurt.” Mr. Clowe said. “What do you want from me?”
“I want to have jurisdiction in any decisions regarding Zeff.” Ansem replied. “Nothing happens without my clearance. He is a valuable commodity here and we can’t afford any more mistakes.”
“Done.” Mr. Clowe said a little grudgingly. “But this is off the record. I can’t have anybody thinking I’m slipping in my authority.”
“No. we wouldn’t want that.” Ansem said a tad sarcastically.
I almost faltered in my breathing pattern and that would have told them I was listening. But still! These two men normally got along so well you almost forgot that Mr. Clowe was in charge because his agency had taken over command of the project. Before that Ansem had been the chief decision maker. I never realized just how much resentment he felt toward the other man.
Mr. Clowe looked at him sharply and glanced at me. “Let’s continue this discussion elsewhere so your boy can actually get some rest. I need him better ASAP.”
They left and I drifted off to sleep. When I woke up I felt a whole lot better. My neck felt stiff but not sore. Still, they kept me there for a few days for observations. By the time I returned to my unit they had given me up for dead. They were happy to see me return. I had been ordered not to tell them anything but that night I shared what had happened with Chimaero in hushed tones that couldn’t be overheard.
He was furious, even more than I was, but he knew how to hold his tongue. Life soon fell back into its monotonous routine of drills and training. Nothing else happened until around age thirteen or so. Then our unit got split up. As soon as the first boy’s voice started changing we were given our own rooms instead of a common room in the barracks. It wasn’t bad. In fact, I liked it better.
Chimaero and I managed to score a double room to share. I think the only reason we got to share a room is because they believed it would strengthen our partnership. In fact, that’s just what happened. It was lying on the bunks one night that we discovered we were linked by something more than just both being soldiers.
We got talking about the symbols on our bodies and when they appeared. It seemed that Chimaero’s symbols where there from birth too. Like me he had a symbol on his left arm. His second symbol, however, covered his whole back. None of the other soldiers had these symbols except Han. He had a miniature version of the symbol on Chimaero’s back on his left arm.
They had to mean something. We just didn’t know what. What we did discover is that we could talk to each other using our minds in a way that was not telepathic. This was a bonus because Ansem could intercept telepathic thoughts… but he couldn’t intercept ours.
The other soldiers in our unit all started to get sent out on missions. Even Chimaero got to go out. I, however, was stuck doing work in the base. They didn’t want their precious alien KIA. At first I didn’t mind. But then they started swapping stories in the mess hall. Not only was I left out, but I was teased for being grounded as I was. I did finally get my chance though. When I was around sixteen…
Chapter 3
The Manticore nighttime routine was never the same. Sometimes, after dinner, the X4s would march down to the classroom for a tactics lecture. Sometimes, there wasn’t any dinner, and we’d have to take a midnight run through the forest or the training ground. Once, Ansem even split us up in twos, and whoever found their way back to the barracks first blindfolded got to run the morning exercises the next day. But the nights I liked best were the ones that meant only showers and the barracks after dinner.
Those nights usually meant an extra-hard training session tomorrow, but the night before was always quiet. It was nights like those when I knew I could be safe in my own cot, nights when no guards would yell at me for not staying asleep after the lights went out and the barracks door was shut. It was a night when Aeon would tell stories, and we could pretend that we didn’t live in this cold, awful place… nights when I could be alone with my ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ and not have to worry. Family nights.
As soon as the lights turned out, I heard the soft sounds of blankets being pushed back. It was the only time at Manticore when we were almost free, and we all knew it. The guards never really cared what we did on nights like this, as long as we stayed in the barracks. And we weren’t ever really loud. That went against our training.
Bare feet padded against the floor from the bed next to mine. Joe was going talk to John, probably. Springs squeaked as Shalimar leapt from her cot to Lillian’s next door. From the flickers on the ceiling, Aeon was using the light from the window to make shadow puppets of the animals we’d seen in the woods on the recon mission yesterday. And I knew by the thrashing coming from Hannibal’s cot that our biggest brother was bothered by something – maybe even by the training session today, and how we’d all screamed when the ‘nomaly down in the basement grabbed Gem.
The ‘nomaly stories still made Kya cry at night, even though we never told the guards or the doctors or Ansem. If any of us told, the adults might take Kya away, just like they took away Jen, when Jen started shaking so bad that she swallowed her tongue…
I threw off the covers, tired of lying in bed. “Where are you from?” I asked Chimaero silently.
“What do you mean where do I come from?” he asked. “I come from here. We all do.”
“Uh-uh.” I argued. “I don’t.”
“What do you mean?” Hannibal asked. “We all come from here.”
“Not me.” I told him.
“Where do you come from then Zeff?” he asked as if talking to a young child.
“There.” I said, pointing out my galaxy from the window. “That star right there.”
“Come off it.” Linda said. “You do not!”
I turned to look at her. “I do so. I came to find out about your Earth. Ansem says I will be able to see it when I’m older.”
“See what?” Onin asked.
I looked around at the fifteen faces all watching me eagerly and grinned. It was my turn to be the story teller tonight. “See your world. See all the outside people. How they live, how they play, how they think, how they act. I mean… this planet is huge! You can’t honestly think that this is all there is do you?”
“What’s out there Zeff?” Gem asked, her voice soft yet excited.
“All sorts of those vehicles that Ansem tells us about,” I told them. “Lots of buildings, forests, lakes, and people. Lots of people. Big people like Ansem, and kids. Like us but not. Kids that play all day. No weapons, no combat training, no drills, no one yelling at them all the time.”
“I would love to see that.” Vivian breathed softly. “I would really love to.”
“Yeah.” Chimaero agreed. “No training.”
“No drills.” Jesse said.
“No weapons.” Michael sat staring out the window.
“No Ansem.” Ellen said, giggling.
We all laughed and then looked about nervously. When no soldiers yelled at us or came to take one of us away we breathed a little easier. “We should do it.” Chimaero said.
“Do what?” Joe asked, his dark face barely visible in the night.
“Escape.” Chimaero said.
“It’s dangerous out there.” I told him. “Ansem said it’s dangerous for kids.”
“What does Ansem know anyway?” Michael asked. “He just wants us to stay here.”
I nodded hesitantly. I wasn’t too sure but the others seemed keen on the idea so who was I to argue. Hannibal sat up on his cot. “Let’s do it.” He said suddenly.
I grinned. If we had the will of our section leader on our side there would be no stopping us. Hannibal knew exactly how to work missions. He knew who to send where to get what results. He knew who to pair up to make up for each other’s weaknesses. I could never figure out how he got so good at it. It all made my head spin.
We planned it out over the next few nights, all huddled around the center cots. We waited until our next E and E exercise and then, instead of heading back toward the base, we started heading for the wire. Everyone that is, except for Chimaero and me. We were given different orders. We were supposed to get to the wire, check in with an OIC and then get back to the building. We were also held off for a few minutes until the others had started their exercise.
We hadn’t even gotten a few steps away from the building before the officers and Ansem realized what was going on. We had to think fast on our feet so we wouldn’t get caught. Fortunately for us, we were temporarily forgotten in the uproar that broke out at the base. Chimaero nudged my arm and pointed to the Humvees. They were being fired up to go after the others.
Using a series of hand signals we picked a Humvee and moved to it as quietly and quickly as we could. Fortunately we were good at this. We got to the Humvee and scurried underneath it. Grabbing on to various sections of the under part of the car we pulled ourselves up as close to the vehicle as we dared and let the soldiers drive us out past the wire. I smothered a yelp of pain as a rock on the road caught my back. I breathed in the meditative way we were taught and ignored the pain, pulling myself closer to the car. When the Humvee pulled to a stop outside the wire we waited, holding our breath and waiting for the chance to escape.
Ansem got out of one of the cars, followed by a man I had never seen before. I heard Chimaero’s sharp intake of breath and turned my head carefully to look at him. His eyes were fixed on the man with fear and loathing. Another soldier joined them. “Status report?” Ansem asked.
“We’ve managed to apprehend six, sir.” The soldier replied. “Most others have been spotted but then quickly disappeared.”
“Most?” Ansem asked.
“We have been unable to locate X4-494 or X4-000.” The soldier replied.
Ansem swore under his breath. “What is it?” the man asked. His voice was just as commanding as Ansem’s.
“If we haven’t found those two yet we aren’t going to find them without great distress.” Ansem told him. “As we were discussing earlier: Those two are our best soldiers. When paired together they are near unstoppable. They could be halfway across the country before we even get organized.”
“And what about Hannibal?” The man’s voice actually sounded hopeful. “John?”
“Neither quite match up to 494.” Ansem replied.
“493 has eluded capture.” The soldier replied. “He was seen heading North through the woods just before he vanished. 698 has been retrieved from just outside the wire. He shattered his leg when he leapt the wire.”
Ansem let out a slow, calming breath. “Bring them in. All of them. We will have to take certain measures to ensure that this doesn’t happen again. I need full teams looking for these kids. They must all be brought back.”
“Yes sir.” The soldier turned and left.
“This is a disaster.” Ansem muttered as he climbed back into the Humvee.
The Humvees turned back to the compound. Luckily ours was at the back of the line. We dropped to the ground and as soon as we were free from the vehicle we ran for the woods and our freedom.
We ran for hours, long after the sun had set, until we couldn’t run anymore. We collapsed on the ground in a sheltered area, exhausted physically but mentally alert and geared up. We looked at each other and grinned. “We did it!” I said excitedly. “We actually did it!”
Chimaero nodded. “Yeah.”
I looked at him, thinking back to the man Ansem had been talking to. “I wonder who that man was that Ansem was talking to. Why was he so interested in Han and John?”
“He’s my father.” Chimaero replied.
I looked at him in surprise. “Your father?” I couldn’t believe that a father would willingly put his son through the living hell we lived in. But then again, what did I know about this place?
Chimaero shrugged, shivering in the cold. “We better keep moving.”
I nodded and we took off, pushing our exhaustion to the back of our minds. We had to find somewhere warm, and fast. We moved off into the woods, silent as wolves on the prowl. My back stung like no other but I gritted my teeth and followed Chimaero without comment.
The sun was once again high in the sky by the time we found a city large enough to hide ourselves in. We were walking down one of the streets when we saw some people in camouflage clothing. We ducked into the closest store as they passed. They weren’t soldiers.
I looked at some of the objects on the shelves. They were all so neat and different from the things we saw at Manticore. “Hey Zeff! Look at this!” Chimaero called, pointing to a t-shirt hanging in front of him.
On the t-shirt was a little green head with huge black eyes. Underneath the head was the words “aliens walk among us” in big green letters. I looked at it in confusion. I couldn’t understand what a little green man had to do with the Alien Project. “That’s an alien?” I asked Chimaero.
“Must be.” He replied.
“Nah, that’s just the media’s take on aliens.” A voice said from behind us.
We turned to see a young man, maybe in his early twenties. He wore thick glasses and his hair fell in tangled masses around his head. “Err…” I didn’t know how to reply to this.
“What’s your take on it sir?” Chimaero asked.
“Oh they’re around.” He lowered his voice conspiringly. “They are walking among us. They look just like us. You don’t even know they’re there until BAM!”
We jumped slightly and he grinned. “They snatch you up in their UFO’s and you’re never heard from again.”
“Err… UFO?” I asked.
“Spaceship! Flying saucer!” he exclaimed. “Jeeze! Don’t you kids watch TV?”
Chimaero and I exchanged disbelieving glances. This guy was nuts. Then the word ‘spaceship’ clicked in my mind. The tampering they did to make me able to match English to my language paid off. “Oh!” I exclaimed. “That’s it. An alien is from another planet!”
The man walked off shaking his head. “Hey Zeff!” Chimaero grinned, taking a t-shirt off the shelf. “You gotta take one of these. It’s made just for you.”
“Ha ha.” I said sarcastically. “Then we have to find you one that says ‘fathers little lab rat’.”
Chimaero stuck his tongue out at me and we ran from the store laughing. We ran around the bend and almost knocked over an old woman. “Oops!” Chimaero said.
“Sorry Ma’am.” I said, grabbing her arm to steady her.
“That’s alright my dears.” She chuckled, patting her handbag and looking us over. “But it was very nice of you to stop. You don’t look familiar. You live around here?”
“Not really.” Chimaero said.
“No?” she looked at us closely. “Where do you live? And where are your coats? It’s much too cold for you to be wandering around with just thin sweaters on.”
“We don’t have any coats.” I replied. “We don’t need them.”
“Nonsense!” she replied. “What kind of a mother lets her boys wander around in January without coats?”
“Mother?” Chimaero asked. “What’s that?”
“What?” she exclaimed. “Certainly your father would have explained…”
“My Father?” Chimaero actually laughed. It was a bitter laugh, but still a laugh.
“That’s it!” she said shortly. “You’re coming home with me.”
She grabbed us each by an arm and steered us down the road. She led us to an apartment nearby. “I hope you don’t mind cats.” She said as she opened the door.
I stared at the apartment in shock. There were little four-legged creatures all over the place. They were on the couches and the counters and the floor. There was even a small one stuck in the light fixture. I walked into the room and before I could even get two feet it fell from the light and landed on my head. Its caws dug into my scalp. “Ow! Get it off, get it off, get it off!” I screamed, running around the room.
Chimaero keeled over laughing and the old woman dropped her bag and ran over to me. “Bird! You silly animal! Come down here this instant!”
She picked him up and untangled his paws from my hair. “You need to keep an eye out for Bird. He likes to fly.”
That freaked me right out. Not only were there dozens of these creatures, but they could fly too! Chimaero grinned and went to the couch, sitting right next to the biggest cat of them all. “Watch out for Jumbo. He likes to scratch.” The lady said as she went into the kitchen.
Chimaero turned to me, only now noticing my shredded back. “Zeff? When did that happen?”
I shrugged and grimaced with the pain in my back. “When we were under the cars.” I replied. “Hit my back off some rocks.”
“We have to get that cleaned up.” He said, taking charge of the situation.
He helped me peel my bloody shirt off my back. He poked his head into the kitchen. “Excuse me Ma’am. Where’s your bathroom?”
“In the back.” She replied. She poked her head out the door. “Down the hall and to the – oh my god boy! What have you done to your back?”
I froze. I couldn’t tell her the truth. “I’m alright Ma’am.” I told her. “I just fell.”
She moved over to me faster than I thought an old woman could move. She looked closely at the scratches on my back. “Hmm… gravel.” She said thoughtfully. She went to the kitchen and grabbed a wet cloth. “What were you boys doing in the gravel pits?”
“Err.” I couldn’t think of anything to say.
She frowned and shook her head. She and Chimaero cleaned me up and then she showed us to a room in the back. It wasn’t very big and it held two small beds and a rickety dresser. After she made sure we were comfortable she left.
She returned an hour later with many shopping bags. She brought them into our room and dropped them on the floor. “I don’t know what size you boys wear but I hope these fit.” She said, pulling out some shirts and pants and two winter jackets. “I bought some food while I was out. After you change we can have some supper.”
The first night was a nightmare. Apparently we had moved into the cats’ room. They had never seen one of my people before, obviously, and they seemed to be fascinated by me. They swarmed me, snuggling so close I was literally pinned to the bed under the weight of them. The next morning I was woken by something falling on my head.
I yelped and jumped up out of the bed. It took me a moment to figure out where I was. Once I remembered I turned to see Bird staring at me from my pillow. Every morning he would wake me up in the same way. I never got used to it.
We stayed with Miss Smith for a few months. That was when we got our first taste of Ordinary life. Chimaero got big into the sports… especially basketball. He loved anything competitive really. I found a new joy in music. Over the course of our stay there I learned how to play the guitar really well. And Miss Smith had a dusty old piano in the living room that I taught myself to play. It made her tear up the first time I played it. She said no one had played it since her husband was alive.
I liked Miss Smith. She fed us and kept us safe. The cats were an everlasting source of amusement. Especially Nono. That cat had a few screws loose. While we were there he tried to tightrope across a clothesline, got lost behind the couch, got tangled in a pile of Chimaero’s dirty Basketball clothes, got his head stuck in a coffee pot, and ran into everything. If you were ever bored, just go find Nono.
A few months later there came an authoritative knock on the door. Chimaero and I glanced at each other. :They found us.: I said telepathically.
We ran to our room and closed the door. “Boys!” Miss Smith said in confusion as we flew past. “Honestly.”
We listened at the door as she let them in. “Can I help you?” she asked.
“Hello Ma’am.” Ansem’s voice rang through the house. “I’m sorry to bother you at home. We have heard that you have taken in two boys?”
“Yes. I did.” She replied.
“May we see them?” Mr. Clowe asked.
“We have reason to believe they might be our sons.” Ansem told her. “Zeff and Chimaero disappeared about three months ago and we’ve been trying to track them down.”
“Well the names match.” She muttered. “Boys? Can you come here please?”
We hesitated for a moment. The only thing that made us go to her was the fear that she might get hurt if we didn’t. When Mr. Clowe saw us coming he ran forward and pulled Chimaero into his arms. Chimaero stiffened slightly but Miss Smith didn’t seem to notice. Ansem walked towards me and I took an involuntary step back. Ansem frowned slightly and grabbed my shoulder, leaning down and whispering in my ear. “You better act along. If you don’t I may have to shoot her.”
“Go to hell old man.” I said in my own language. I put an apologetic sound in my voice so it seemed as if I was apologizing. “I’ll just run away again.”
Ansem smiled at me but his eyes were hard and piercing. It was as if he knew what I was saying. But that wasn’t possible… was it? His smile spread to his eyes. It was a knowing smile. He did understand! I couldn’t suppress my groan. I was in for it now.
Miss Smith looked from Ansem to me, concern written on her face. I gave her a reassuring grin and turned to the room to grab my dog-tags. “Zeff?” Ansem called after me.
“I’ll come right back.” I said in English. Then I switched to my language. “I’m not going to run away when you have Chimaero and Miss Smith under lock and key.”
I grabbed my tags and my gems from under my pillow. Then I grabbed Chimaero’s tags as well and shoved them all in my pocket. I went back to the front and Chimaero looked up at me in surprise. I just shrugged and handed our tags to Ansem. I didn’t want them anyway so if we escaped later I wouldn’t miss them.
They escorted us to a waiting car and we soon found ourselves on route to Manticore. And there was nothing we could do…
Chapter 2
When I came back around I was lying in a small glass room. The creatures bustled around outside paying little attention to me. I watched in horror as they cut into my uncle and wrote excitedly on little slabs. Didn’t they know that if you cut into a person their spirit was doomed to eternity rather than rejoining the world? How could they eradicate my uncle like that?
When they were finished with my uncle they turned back to me. My heart froze in my chest. They weren’t going to cut into me too were they? It turned out they weren’t. I was released from the room only to sit in the chair again. They poked and prodded me and tested many things. They discovered how much I weighed and how strong I was as well as my sight and hearing.
They seemed pleased with their findings. They kept me in that room for weeks experimenting. Finally one day I woke on a pallet in the middle of a group of the smaller creatures. They all stared at me curiously. Voices reached my ears and it took me a moment to realize that I understood what they said. “Look at his ears.” One voice said in a whisper. “What do you think is wrong with them?”
“Probably too much cat in his DNA.” Another replied.
“I don’t recognize him. Do you?” another asked.
“It doesn’t matter.” Another said. “The commander said he was our new brother and so he’s part of our unit now.”
I opened my eyes and sat up. The creatures all scurried away. All except the brown haired one who had knocked me over earlier. “Hi.” it said.
“Hello.” I answered.
It looked at me in confusion. “What? I can’t understand what you’re saying.”
I looked back at it, equally confused. I could understand it. Why couldn’t it understand me? It grinned slightly and pointed at it’s self. The exact same way Ansem had. “Chimaero.” It said.
“Zeff.” I replied.
Before we could do anything else the door swished open and Ansem entered the room. All the smaller creatures moved quickly to stand in a straight line along the pallets on the floor. I scurried after them, sure that whatever they did they did it for a reason. I looked over at Chimaero who stood beside me but it just stared straight ahead. I turned to the creature next to me but it was doing the same thing as Chimaero.
Ansem stopped right in front of me and turned to face me. “Zefferan. These are your new brothers and sisters. They are your family. Do you understand? Just nod.”
I nodded, wondering how these creatures could be my family. Ansem just means my family for while I’m here. Ansem means they will take care of me. I was comforted by this thought so I straightened up and smiled. Ansem smiled back. “Follow me. We have a few more tests to do before you can stay here.”
I did not like the sound of that but I followed Ansem out the door anyway. Ansem led me back to the room I had been taken to before and sat me in the chair. This time, however, I was not strapped in. I took that to be a good sign so I sat up straight and watched as Ansem grabbed some sort of plastic tube or wire or something and attached it to my head.
I yelped as I felt a slight prick from where it entered my skin. “There you are.” Ansem said. “Now we will understand you. I’m going to ask you some questions. If you answer them all truthfully, and without a fuss, I will let you ask some questions. Am I understood?”
I nodded. “Where are you from?” Ansem asked.
“A planet far away.” I replied. “I don’t know what it’s called. My uncle built a ship, which is illegal, and kidnapped me.”
“Your uncle kidnapped you? Why?”
“Because I snuck onto his ship. But when he found out he wouldn’t take me home.”
“Why is building spaceships illegal?”
“Because my people can’t go into space. They get sick and die. So my father decided to make it illegal so people wouldn’t die.” Was Ansem stupid? Everyone knew that.
“You didn’t die.” Ansem pointed out.
“I’m special. I have blue eyes.”
“None of your people have blue eyes?”
“Nope. All green.”
“Amazing.” Ansem looked at the Isaiah creature.
“My turn?” I asked tentatively.
“Go ahead.” Ansem smiled.
“What are you?” I asked. “Where am I? How come I can understand Chimaero but Chimaero can’t understand me?”
“We are humans.” Ansem told me. “This is an army base on the Planet Earth and you can understand Chimaero because during our tests we made it so you’d be able to understand our language, which is English. It’s just going to take a few days for you to be able to speak it. Chimaero will help you. He is a good boy.”
So Chimaero was a boy. That must mean that Ansem was too. In fact, I was staring to see a difference in some of the body shapes of the humans. I assumed that because they looked like my own people the difference between males and females must be the same. He hadn’t really answered my last question but at the moment I didn’t really care. My mind was swimming with the things I was learning. “What is going to happen to me?”
Ansem smiled again. His smile scared me. “You are now part of the X4 unit of soldiers. You are going to stay here and be raised with them. We will take care of you.”
“But… there is so much to see on Earth.” I argued.
“Earth is a dangerous place for a boy of your age. You can go see it when you are older.” Ansem told me. “How old are you anyway?”
“Seven years.” I said. “But I’m smart and fast and strong for my age.”
“Perfect.” Ansem said. “You will fit in perfectly.”
Ansem pulled a set of grey camouflage pants and a grey shirt out of a closet and handed it to me. “This is your uniform.” He said. “Everybody wears the same thing here.”
I pressed a hand against my shirt. It was a soft, shiny material similar to earthen silk. My mother had made it for me. The neck was cut just low enough that it wouldn’t bother me. “Zefferan. Take it off.” Ansem ordered.
I stripped down and pulled on the new pants. I looked at the shirt before I put it on and I knew right away that it wouldn’t do. “I can’t wear this.” I said.
“Oh?” Ansem cocked an eyebrow at me. “Why not?”
I felt my face go red. “The neck’s too high.”
When I was younger I had been with my father when he had made his rounds of the food storages. A large Habat, a creature resembling a mammoth, had wrapped it’s trunk around my neck and tried to pick me up. Luckily, my father and the animal’s keeper had been able to get me down before I suffocated. I was three at the time and it had left a scar in my life. I wasn’t afraid if things touched my neck… I just found it difficult to breathe if anything came higher than my collarbone.
I explained myself to Ansem. I went on to explain how my people were imprinted during they’re first three years of life. Anything that happened in that time stuck with us all our lives. That’s why we were watched so closely in that time frame.
Instead of growing angry or laughing at me Ansem just nodded. He took a pair of long sharp things that I later learned were scissors and cut the neck into a V shape. From then on all my shirts were modified to stay away from my neck. He gave the shirt back to me and I put it on. “Now, let’s go back to your room and rest.” He told me. “Your brothers and sisters are out training right now. They will be back later.”
A soldier took me back to the barracks. I lay on my pallet until the others got back from their training. They all looked tired and grumpy and most of them went right to sleep… all except for Chimaero and two others. One of them was the oldest one of the group. “Zeff, this is Hannibal and John.” Chimaero told me. “Han is our Section Leader. John is my twin.”
“Twin.” I said, trying the sounds out this time, not just worrying about the meaning. “Zoë’s my twin.”
“Zoë?” Hannibal asked. “Who’s that?”
I struggled to find the right word in English but it wouldn’t come so I just shrugged. The three boys exchanged glances. Then Chimaero grinned. “Whoever it is, they’re not here now.” He said. “We should get some sleep. The Colonel will want us up bright and early tomorrow. I overheard one of the guards say it’s another aquatics day.”
One of the girls on the other end of the room groaned. “You’ll get better Aeon. It just takes time.” Another girl comforted.
“No Vivian… I’ll never get better. I hate aquatics.”
“You’re not alone.” The dark-skinned boy next to me mumbled.
“That’s Joe.” Chimaero supplied. He went around the room, pointing out each person and giving their names. “Kya, Aeon, Gem, Vivian, Linda, Jesse, Ellen, Onin, Michael, Lillian, and Shalimar.”
I took in each name but I knew it would take me awhile to put each name to the appropriate person… especially with them all having the same style of haircut. Their hair was cut so short that it was barely there. I learned later that this was a military standard buzz cut. I didn’t know what aquatics were but the general reaction was one of varied degrees of contempt.
The next day Ansem drew me to the side on the way to our Aquatic Endurance training. Joe gave me a resentful look as I was led down a separate hall from the others. Ansem led me into a control room with a large window that looked into some sort of pool deck. There were multiple pools with decks surrounding each one. On the bottom of the pools was a long line of hooks. “This is the aquatics area.” Ansem told me. “I felt it only fair that you should see what it is about before you partake in it.”
I watched as the other kids went into the pool. Around one ankle they had a large strap. This strap was secured to the hooks so that they could not remove it. They sat down by the hook they were strapped to and held on. Suddenly the pool filled with water and Ansem started a stopwatch. I watched as the minutes ticked by but the kids in the tank didn’t move. They just sat there, holding their breath.
A minute went by… two… three… Suddenly, one of the kids (I think it was Aeon) started to move. The air was leaving her mouth faster than the others. As it drew nearer to four minutes she was in panic, trying to reach the surface for air. Then Joe joined her. By the time four minutes was up they were both panicking and the others were trying to help them get free. Finally, Ansem signaled the soldier in the control room to release them. As soon as the hooks opened Aeon and Joe broke the surface, coughing and sputtering. Ansem frowned and pressed a button. “X4-310 and X4-596 need more work in aquatics. They barely make the required time.”
Aeon and Joe were separated from the rest and had to go through more training to make sure they are up to the same level of endurance as the rest of us. Clowe nodded his approval at the others and turned to me. “Do you think you could do that?” he asked.
I thought back to the time I had tracked a salimari surf lizard to its cave. It was about a year ago and I had spent at least a quarter of an hour tracking it. Surf lizards only nest in deep water. I nodded, tucking a stray hair behind my ears. Ansem noticed and his frown deepened. “We need to cut your hair.” He said.
“No.” I told him, crossing my arms. My people always grow their hair long. I wasn’t about to go against that. I wanted to maintain as many links to home as I could.
“No?” Ansem asked, arching an eyebrow in amusement.
“No.” I shook my head determinedly and my hair fell in my eyes again. It was just at the stage where it was too short to tie back and long enough to get in my eyes. “My father never cut his hair. Nor did his father or his father or his father. I won’t either.”
“Is that so?” Ansem almost laughed. “Alright then. We will never cut your hair for you. You will soon wish we had though. It gets hot here in the summer.”
Just then a soldier came in. “Sir.” He said, snapping a salute.
“What is it?” Ansem asked.
“Sir. There is a Dr. Legault here to see you in regards to the Alien Project.” The soldier replied in a short, clipped, voice.
Ansem sighed and ran a hand over his eyes. “Very well. Take this young man to the training compound.”
“Sir?” the soldier asked, glancing at me.
“You heard me.”
“Yes sir.”
The guard led me to the compound where the others were practicing hand-to-hand combat. They sent me in and paired me up with Chimaero. He grinned as we faced each other across the mat. “You ready?” he asked.
“For what?” I asked. I had never had training in this fashion. “Is it a game?”
“Game?” Chimaero asked. “No. This is training. Fighting.”
“Oh.” I looked up at him to see that he was grinning. “Is it fun?”
“Fun?” Chimaero asked, genuinely confused.
“Yeah, fun.” I said. “You know… fun. You were smiling. Do you like fighting?”
“Hey!” A guard called. “Get moving!”
Chimaero lashed out and I barely had time to think I just brought my arm up and blocked it instinctively. We traded blows for the next half hour before the instructor called a halt. It wasn’t the last supervised fight we had, and it was probably the easiest. In fact, Chimaero and I were so evenly matched that we became our own little team. It was always a contest to see who would win when we fought and we always ended with a tie.
The next two years my life became a routine of tests, training, and field practice. I was watched closer than the others because of my heritage and it wasn’t easy. I had lots of blood work and scans of my brain and body to see how I functioned differently or the same as humans. I had basically the same anatomic make-up with the exception that my internal organs were all clumped in slightly different spots and had better protection than a human’s had. My bones were stronger and some were shaped differently (to protect my organs) but still held the general shape of a human.
It was all quite interesting. My people didn’t have the same technology as humans did. I wasn’t even sure that our doctors knew what the skeleton of one of our people looked like. They were big on ceremony, respect, and honor on my planet. Any studying of a dead body was forbidden and any writings made from such studies were burned as soon as they were found.
Life at Manticore wasn’t easy. There were many different training exercises we went through. At first, training with the others was fun. I was using all the same skills I had been using back home for hunting and tracking. And I was learning a new language and about a new species at the same time. I was enjoying myself. Until, during weapons training, one of the kids in our unit was killed. They had startled another soldier and the soldier fired without even thinking. That’s when it sank in that what we were doing was not a game.
One part of training with Chimaero’s unit I had trouble with was the class-like lessons we had. We sat at our desks, our backs were straight, our arms were flat on the desks in front of us and we stared at the blank screen ahead of us. Onto this screen were projected both images and words that helped us to understand the ideas of the Manticore Project. Apparently the process was started when they were able to sit upright in a chair and continued on past our first few missions.
Memory Removal and Retrieval training was the worst. For this training we were taken one at a time into the area that housed the Psy-Ops division. The first time I went there they told me that the most dangerous part of a mission for any soldier is being captured by enemy soldiers and interrogated for information pertaining to your current or future missions.
I sat on a chair and they hooked a device up to my eye, holding it open. Then they hooked a laser up to it and injected something into my arm. Over time I learned to bury information about myself, my missions and my superiors so deep in my mind that I couldn’t remember it myself.
Once I mastered that they started on the retrieval process. That was when I was debriefed and forced to pull all the stored information back into use. They were surprised at how smoothly I was able to transition from one stage to another. Apparently they weren’t even sure it would work on me.
Another thing we were trained to do was operate under sleep deprivation. This wasn’t too hard for me as the days on my planet were actually longer than those on Earth. And back home I had been able to go for days without sleep. During the night we were lined up into two lines and made to march throughout the facility all night. That was when we met the ‘Nomalies.
The ‘Nomalies were weird creatures kept locked up in the basement. Aeon told us stories about the ‘nomalies sometimes… about how they were the bad soldiers that didn’t obey their orders and were taken off in the night to become monsters. It was enough to make you take special care to obey every order given. She was very knowledgeable. She always seemed to have an answer for everything.
We had to undergo intense cardio vascular endurance training as well. They had to make sure our stamina, speed and strength were kept up to par. We had to spend several hours a week running in place on a machine called a treadmill with a breathing tube in our mouth and wires attached to our foreheads. It not only enhanced our natural abilities, but it also gave the scientists information on each of us. Charts were kept on all of us on our improvement over the years.
The combat training exercises were fun. We were trained in all forms of hand-to-hand combat. Some of us were better adept at hand-to-hand combat than weapons training but I found it all fun. We were encouraged to master all forms of fighting, whether physical, mechanical or otherwise.
We underwent weapons training to learn how to fire a variety of weapons successfully and accurately. We also learned how to assemble and disassemble each weapon quickly and efficiently. Through this training, we learned the mechanics of our weapons as well as the most effective ways to use them. We learned the physiology of a human being and the difference between a wound shot and a kill shot.
Along with learning how to fire handguns, automatic rifles, machine guns and missile launchers, we are taught how to effectively handle knives, Chinese stars, crossbows and a large variety of other weaponry. I even showed them how to use a lasersword though they were unsuccessful in duplicating my unique weapon. Eventually any thing we got our hands on had the potential to be a weapon.
We went through many phases of training. At first, we were given guns which did not fire live ammo, giving us a feel for the weapons. Once we reached a certain comfort level with our weapons, we were taken out to the field for live ammo ordinance drills.
During these drills we were taught to fire in combat situations without flinching or hesitating. We were also taught to mend the wounds of others and a variety of other activities while in enemy fire. It was one of the most dangerous training sessions as there’s always the threat of death by stray bullet and we were able to put our senses to work avoiding bullets by intuitively knowing where they were coming from.
Reconnaissance was fun cause it used a whole different set of skills. We had to quietly and discretely gather intel and return it to home base unharmed. We were taught exactly what to look for, where to look for it and how to obtain it without incurring any enemy fire in the process. We were given training in computers, and other technology and became skilled “hackers”. We were also taught several languages, which I found exciting, as well as perfect accents from other countries for long-term missions outside of the US. We became experts in decryption and information gathering as well as espionage, having been trained in all spy-ware.
My favourite training sessions were the Field Training Exercises. I was usually paired with Chimaero as we worked well together. On Search and Retrieve exercises we were usually the first ones to reach our target and bring it back. On Escape and Evade we were like ghosts both in the building and outside. We would have to do very little evading at all. On Search and Destroy I had a little difficulty at first. My people’s beliefs were ingrained into me. This included the belief that killing or working with the bodies of the dead was wrong.
The first time I killed a man it was completely by accident. I didn’t know how fragile normal humans were. I had never fought one before. I snapped his neck when all I was trying to do was drop him to the ground. I couldn’t believe what I had done. I felt physically sick and broke down into uncontrollable tears. Ansem had to come and take me away.
He asked me what was wrong and I told him. He frowned and explained that the people we killed had to be killed. He said if we didn’t kill them they would go on to kill hundreds more. I didn’t entirely believe him but what could I do? My order was to kill so kill I must. At least I was sort of able to justify it now.
Once I overcame my reaction to killing enough that I could do my job effectively Chimaero and I became the most lethal soldiers out there. We took down our targets so quickly I think it even made Ansem a little nervous.
E and E was definitely my favourite. It usually didn’t involve weapons but relied almost entirely on our instincts. It almost made me feel like I was home again and hunting a particularly ferocious animal. Not to mention the number of times it took place at night under the stars. In fact I distinctly remember one such exercise when I was about nine. It was the night we decided to escape.
Chimaero and I finished first as per usual and were sent to try to catch the others as they did their training. We were split up by this point to make it fair for the others. As we were trudging through the forest I actually took time to look at my surroundings as well as for the others. The area was strangely familiar. It wasn’t until I got deep into the underbrush that I realized why.
This was the crash site. It was the first I had seen of this planet. The ship had been towed away but the grass was still charred where it had crashed. There were bits of metal and the odd piece of paper that had been left behind when they emptied the ship. I felt tears come to my eyes as I realized that I would never see home again. The ship was my only means of getting there and it was gone.
I brushed the tears away angrily. There was no use crying. Tears never got you anywhere. A glimmer of blue to my left caught me eye. I went over to an area that was thick with brush. Reaching down I grabbed the blue thing and picked it up. It was a Cimeryl… a Sky Crystal. I reached in further and pulled out three more. Somehow I knew that if they were found they’d be taken from me. I slipped them into my boot where they would be safe. There was one more thing under the brush. I grabbed it and pulled it out. It was my uncle’s old notebook.
Just then Chimaero appeared. “What’s that?” he asked.
“It was my Gewin’s.” I said, unable to find the right word in English.
Chimaero reached out and touched the roughly bound spine. “Soldiers!” A voice called from the forest.
We looked up to see a drill sergeant walking towards us. “You will release that contraband and return to base.”
Chimaero stepped back slightly but I froze. This had been my uncle’s. Surely that meant it’s mine now. The sergeant stared me down until I let the book drop. He walked over and picked it up. He looked at the cover and then at me. “Return to the mission.” He said, taking the book and walking away.
It didn’t take us long to find the others. Within a few hours we were all lined up in our lines. Muddy, exhausted, and full of left over adrenaline. “All right you lot.” The drill sergeant yelled. “Showers. Now.”
The others all headed in. I hesitated, glancing up at the night sky and at all the stars you could see. It looked so different from the sky back home. And yet, it looked the same. I felt along the twin-ties I had with Zoë and the ties I had with my own planet. I was glad to see they were still there. I would hate to lose that last connection with home, no matter how faint it was. “Zefferan.” Ansem’s voice was always softer when he spoke to me. “What are you looking at?”
“The stars.” I replied. I smiled as I felt Zoë reach out in response to my mind.
“Do you remember where you are from?” he asked.
I turned to look at him. There was a man in a white lab coat next to him. This man was older than the others I had seen here, and his coat was different from the genetics lab coats. I nodded hesitantly. Then I remembered who it was I was speaking to. “Yes sir.”
“Can you point it out to me?” he asked.
I looked back out at the sky, looking over all the stars I could see. The sky really was different here. I found the twin-ties again and followed it with my eyes. “That one.” I said, pointing to it.
“Andromeda.” The scientist muttered. “He’s Andromedan! Not even from our galaxy! This is incredible Mr. Gill. A remarkable discovery.”
“Andromeda?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“That is our name for the galaxy your planet is in.” the scientist replied.
“Alright Zeff.” Ansem said. “You are dismissed. Go have your shower and then it’s time to bunk down.”
“Yes sir.” I replied, hurrying after the others.
As I left I heard the scientist say, “This is amazing. And you say he’s only a child?”
Chapter 1
I remember little of my life before Earth. Most of it is hazy but I remember names, faces, images, some voices. I remember the tall Zerethi trees and the palace where I lived. The language has stayed with me through my whole life, as if it is ingrained into my very being.
I remember slipping away from my tutors, letting Zoë take all the notes and memorize all the boring history and political things that I, as my father’s heir, should have been learning. By the age of five I could give any of my elders the slip. I remember my father saying how it was almost uncanny how good I was at the tracking and fighting arts. I had the right mind for it; sharp in the right ways, but careless in others.
I was my father’s headache. He was constantly disappointed in me, and he was often puzzled. Little things about me just annoyed him greatly. The strange marks (one on my upper left arm, the other on my upper right arm), the fact that my eyes were a dark blue rather than the brilliant green of our people, and the fact that I cared nothing for my lessons were at the top of his list. I remember him telling my mother that the only way to teach me was to tie me to a chair in the middle of an empty room “And even then he would somehow escape.”
I drove my caretakers absolutely crazy. I remember one woman who would raise her hands above her head and yell like a mad man when I was needed somewhere and was found filthy and in a precarious spot. “Master Zefferan! Master Zefferan! What are you doing? Come in quick! Your father wants you!” she would say. If she found me on top of the wall (my favorite spot as I could see the stars better from up there) she would just scream until I came down out of sheer annoyance.
I had a knack for adventure, and an even bigger knack for trouble. It was perhaps for this reason that I discovered my uncle. Space travel was forbidden to our people. It had only led to disaster before. The few times our people had been into space they would contract mysterious illnesses or get caught up in some war. It had almost meant the destruction of our people at one time.
Very few people wanted to go into space, but my uncle was one of them. He was a mad inventor and was working, not only on a space ship, but on a space ship with the ability to travel to distant galaxies in a matter of minutes. He would spend weeks in his shop working on it.
When I found out about it I told Zoë. She was mortified, quite a funny expression on a seven-year-old. The thought of our father’s brother disobeying one of the oldest laws of our people scared her. I found it fascinating. I would slip into his workshop and watch him for hours. He never even knew I was there. Then the day arrived when he was going to take it into space.
I told Zoë that I was going to sneak aboard and see what happened. I wanted to see space. Once I had seen it I would surprise my uncle. He would have to return or risk the wrath of our people and the punishment for kidnapping the heir to the throne. That my people couldn’t touch him once we left atmosphere never crossed my mind.
Zoë wrapped her arms around me and begged me not to do it. Somehow she knew that it would end badly. I just grinned at her, making a joke out of it. “Well if I do get lost out there you’ll have to stop being so scared and come find me.”
“Stop it!” she sobbed. “It’s not funny Zeff! I just know something awful is going to happen. If you go I’ll… I’ll tell Father!”
“Don’t be such a spoil sport.” I frowned at her. “I’ll be fine!”
I detached myself from her and went to my uncle’s workshop, waving as I slipped inside. I hid in one of the crates in the back of his ship. From my hiding spot I could see my uncle’s back bent over the controls. I could hear him muttering to himself as he tapped various buttons and pulled various levers but I couldn’t make out the words. The ship shuttered and shook as it took off. I felt a slight thrill as I realized that I was no longer on my planet.
I was no longer one with my world. How could I go back to being the heir to the throne after being up in space? I suddenly realized that my feet were no longer touching the floor. An unnatural whirring noise sounded and I heard my uncle mutter “Bloody Artificial-Gravity System.”
There was a loud beep and I was thrown to the floor. The ship gave a sudden shudder again and an alarm sounded somewhere behind me. “I know!” my uncle shouted, clearly angry. “I know! Where’s the bloody button? Why are there so many buttons? I don’t remember creating so many! Ah, there.” The alarm died and the shuttering calmed to a soft vibration. My uncle started to mutter random things that made no sense to my seven-year-old mind. “Five to the ten-oh-one; six to the seventy thousand; Galactic quadroon eight; solar system twenty thousand; planet three.”
I suddenly decided I didn’t want to be here any more. I wanted to be back home with Zoë. I climbed out of my hiding spot. “Uncle Fremiasin?” I called.
He turned in surprise. His face lit up momentarily then clouded with sudden suspicion. “Zefferan! Is Zoenia back there with you?”
“No uncle.” Zeff told him. “It’s just me.”
His uncle’s face lit up once again. “Perfect!”
“Uncle, I want to go home.” Zeff told him. “I’m sorry I snuck onto your spaceship. I won’t do it again!”
“Why I’m afraid it’s too late for that my boy!” Frem’s face was split by a wide grin. “The coordinates are set! There’s no turning back now! Oh, my brother will be so mad at me.”
He didn’t seem too worried to me. In fact, he seemed quite amused. “You take me back now or Dad will have you arrested and killed for kidnapping!”
Frem actually laughed at me! “My dear boy,” He said, whipping a tear from his eye. “How will your father catch me? I’m not planning on returning home. Come on! You are the adventurous one! Don’t you want to see new worlds?”
I felt a shiver in my spine. “No!” I told him with a frustrated stamp of my foot. “I want to go home! Take me home right now!”
My uncle’s smile vanished. He walked up to me, picked me up and set me down in a chair. “Sit. And buckle up. I cannot take you back. This ship only goes forward.”
I was shocked! No one ever forcefully handled me before. I was used to getting my own way or being yelled at or pestered into doing something. Before I could say anything the ship accelerated into hyperspace, plastering me to my seat. The force held me in my chair for a good ten minutes before it let up. My uncle looked at me and grinned. “Well my boy.” He said, a huge smile lighting his face. “No choice now. What you just felt was our ship leaving this galaxy and your home. Goodbye.”
“Left… the galaxy?” I asked confused. “Uncle, what is a galaxy?”
My uncle smacked his head in disbelief. “What do they teach you in those schools? ‘What is a galaxy?’ My boy, your planet is part of a solar system, correct?”
“If you say so uncle.” I replied, honestly perplexed.
He heaved an exasperated sigh and searched for an appropriate metaphor to use in explaining it. He undid his seatbelt and crouched in front of me. “Picture your planet as being like a leaf. A leaf is part of a branch right?”
“Of course.” I replied, not sure I was getting it.
“And a branch is part of a tree, correct?”
“Yes sir.”
“And a tree is part of a forest.” I was extremely confused by now. Heck, I was only seven. “In the same way your home world is part of a solar system, a group of worlds. A solar system is part of galaxy. And a galaxy is part of the universe, what you call ‘space’.”
“I think I get it.” I said, a sinking feeling growing in my stomach. “Uncle? What’s bigger than the universe?”
“What?”
“Well if a world is like a leaf and a universe like a forest then there must be something bigger… I mean, forests are part of the land which is part of the world.”
My uncle gave an exasperated sigh. “I think you’re missing the basic point here.”
“If you say so sir.” I was extremely confused but I understood enough to know that if we had left our galaxy there was no way my father would be able to come and rescue me. A galaxy sounded huge. And space was even bigger.
The ship gave a shudder and my uncle gave a hacking cough. When he noticed me watching him curiously he waved it off. We sat in silence for many minutes before my uncle rose with a sigh. “I’m going to go rest. Be a good lad Zeffy and watch the ship for me. I’ll be out in a bit.”
He left without waiting for my reply. I sat in the pilot’s chair, waiting for him to return. Eventually I dozed off. When I woke up the next morning he still hadn’t come back. Curious, and a little hungry, I went to find him. He was still in bed and he didn’t look to good. He was pale and sweaty and shivering. “Uncle?” I called from the doorway.
“Zeff?” Even his voice sounded weak. “Come here my boy.”
I was hesitant. Like most children I was afraid of something I had never witnessed before. When I went to his side he grabbed my hand in his and looked me in the eyes. “I thought if I could get a ship to go fast enough I would be able to get farther before the sickness set in.” He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. “I was wrong. I wasn’t strong enough. But you…” he traced a weak finger down my face near my eyes.
“You are not bound to our world. The sickness will not find you. It’s up to you now my boy. The world you will land on is the next habitable world in our database. No one has ever landed here. No one knows anything about it. You need to find out everything you can about the world, and then you need to find a way home. Alright?”
“Yes uncle.” I replied, not sure what he meant. Surely he would get better. He couldn’t leave me.
“I do not know what I will say in the next few days.” He smiled sadly at me. “Pay no attention to me. Just read and know my boy. The books are through… thr… th… thick! The books are thick! Read on landing the ship. Do not worry about the screws.”
“Screws?”
“Schematics boy, schematics!” he roared. “What screws? You better not get sick on me. I’ll have to send you home. Trees tall as grass and shadows are light!”
I backed out of the room. He was raving! I didn’t know what to do. I searched through the ship until I found something to eat. Then I went back to the cockpit. I sat in the pilot seat, staring at the blackness that was hyperspace. We were traveling so fast that not even stars registered in my brain.
I sat for maybe ten minutes before I got bored. I was never one to sit still. So I went snooping around a bit. I found a thick old book in my uncle’s handwriting. I opened it up and found details about different parts of the ship. I glanced through it quickly. He had recorded the functions and layout of every piece of equipment on the ship, from the engines down to his laser-sword. I remembered his feverish warning. “Don’t worry about schematics Zeff.” I told myself. “Worry about the landing.”
Landing… landing… there it is! My finger found the right heading on the page: Landing Procedures. I never knew my uncle’s writing was so messy. I couldn’t make head of tail of it. I sighed, the sigh of a bored child, and I glanced toward the room in which my uncle slept. Somewhere in my child’s mind I wanted him to come out and just show me how to land the ship. Then I remembered his ranting and I thought better of it.
I poured over that book for hours, memorizing the landing procedures. When I had them completely memorized I went on to memorize how to make a laser-sword, and how engines worked, and what each of the buttons did. Every so often a scream would sound from my uncle’s room. It scared me so much that I decided not to go in there until absolutely necessary. I took turns reading, reciting, eating and sleeping until a loud beeping on the consul shocked me out of it.
I looked it over and discovered it was the hyper-drive button. We would be coming out of hyperspace in a few minutes. I decided now might be a good time to get my uncle. I crept back into his room. It was dark and he seemed to be asleep. His back was facing me and he wasn’t moving. “Uncle?” I called softly but he didn’t stir. “Uncle!” I called a bit louder… still no response.
I crept over to him and shook his arm. He didn’t even stir. “Uncle we’re here.” I called again.
I reached over and touched his cheek. It was cold. My heart skipped a beat. I realized what had happened. Our world had called him home, leaving me here to land the ship by myself. I reached shakily under the pillow and grabbed his laser-sword. He would no longer need it, and I had always wanted one. I had only been allowed to use them for training purposes. I wasn’t old enough for my own yet.
Then the fact I had realized before finally registered in my brain. My uncle was dead. I was standing in a room with a dead man. I ran out of the room as fast as my legs would take me. I had barely gotten to the cockpit when the ship automatically came out of hyperspace. I was thrown against the consul with the ship’s sudden decrease in momentum.
I picked myself up and sat down in the chair, taking the controls. I surveyed the planet below as I brought the ship down. The land would have been a beautiful green place if not for the large patches of silver and lights. I assumed that this was where the inhabitants lived. There were large objects that spewed off smoke and many smaller objects moving along grey tracks in two directions.
I was so caught up in what I saw that I didn’t even notice the communication system blinking until the ship patched it through automatically. A loud and authoritative voice came over the com system but I couldn’t understand what it was saying. It sounded angry. Suddenly it stopped and the whole ship shook as something hit it.
I looked around in confusion. What was happening? The ship shook again and an alarm went off. I glanced toward the alarm. Something had damaged the rear thrusters badly. The ship shook again and the alarm got louder. “I know!” I shouted at it. “I don’t know what to do!”
The ship stopped responding to my commands and plummeted to the ground. I frantically threw on the safety belt so I wouldn’t go flying through the front window and die. The ship crashed into the ground, skidded for a moment, and topped. I powered it down. There was no point in having it running now.
I unbuckled my belt and climbed out of the seat. I went to the back and grabbed a bag, threw food into it and went to the door. I kept my uncle’s laser-sword clenched in my hand. I opened the door and dirt spilled into the ship. I let the dirt run through my fingers but I felt no life in it like I did back home. I sighed and crawled out of the ship.
Something crashed into my side. I fell to the ground under the force of the blow and rolled until I came upright again. I looked up to see what had hit me. It was a creature around my size. It stood on two feet like me and had two arms and a head like me. But its hair was a dark brown and its ears round, not pointed like mine. Its eyes were brown and had an intelligent look to them.
Suddenly there were lots of these creatures. Most of them were the same size as the first one. But one was tall… taller than my uncle even. This one had long white hair and amber eyes. His kin was slightly darker than the first one. I decided he must be the oldest and the one in charge.
The smaller creatures circled me, looking as if preparing an attack. I brought my uncle’s laser-sword up in defense. One of them jumped at me from behind, trying to knock me down again. I spun, igniting the laser-sword as I went and chopped as I dodged its attack.
They were fast… faster than I expected. The blow, meant to sever an arm, just took off a few fingers. Still, the figure screamed and backed out of the circle, the others closed in around me, filling in the space that the attacker had left. Another one came at me, trying to wrestle the sword from my hands. They were surprisingly strong. I couldn’t help but grin. This was going to be fun. I hadn’t fought anyone at my level since I beat up Seriad’s grandson over a year ago. And he was three years older.
As I wrestled with the first one another came behind me and kicked me in the back of the legs. I screamed in pain as I heard my bones crack but I dared not give in. I threw my body sideways, throwing the boy I was wrestling off of me. The laser sword flew out of my grasp and into the woods. I no longer had a weapon, but at least they didn’t have it either. I tried to get back to my feet but my legs wouldn’t hold me and I fell to the ground with a cry of pain. Three of them set on me, kicking and punching me. All I could do was curl up and protect my head with my arms.
Finally, a harsh call from the leader called them off and two of them grabbed my arms and they dragged me into the huge grey building. I tried to pull out of their hands but it was no use. I couldn’t support my own weight so they half-carried half-dragged me to a large room in what felt like the center of the building.
They dragged me to a large room with a hard metal table in the center. Another of the bigger creatures came into the room and lifted me onto the table. It strapped me down so I couldn’t move. I lay there and looked around. The room was full of all sorts of strange objects that were scary to look at. One of the creatures grabbed something with a long thin point at the end of it and filled it with liquid. It was just about to jab it into my arm when the big one from earlier came into the room and shouted at it.
Suddenly the table shifted and bent until it was in the shape of a chair. The big creature came over and looked me in the eye. I stared back at it. It said something to me that I couldn’t understand. I shook my head and glanced around. I saw shapes moving behind the creature. Some more of the big creatures had come into the room, these ones carrying the body of my uncle. “Stop it!” I shouted. “What are you doing?”
The creature patted my arm and smiled. Its eyes held none of the sympathy its smile implied. They looked at me with an almost excited anticipation. It held something up in front of me. It was my uncle’s laser-sword. “Give that back! It’s mine!” I said, trying to pull my arms from where they were strapped to the seat.
The creature smiled and set the laser-sword aside. “Ansem.” It said, pointing to it’s self. “Ansem.”
I looked at it quizzically, trying to decide whether it was telling me its name or what kind of creature it was. “Ansem.” It said again, pointing to its chest. Then it pointed to the creature standing next to it. “Isaiah.”
Ok. So it was a name. It waited a few minutes then shrugged its shoulders and turned away. “Zeff.” I said quietly, causing it to turn around.
“Zeff?” It asked, verifying what it had heard.
I nodded. “Zeff. Zefferan Hethroth Sellora.”
It smiled. “Zefferan.” It said as something pricked my neck and I passed out.
