[scikaiju]

A/N Takes place after the movie

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<Episode 31>


*Opening Theme – Ana – We Are*


“Noooo!”, somebody yelled out.

Rachel woke up startled, looking around for the source of the scream. Then she realized who it was and looked over at Jack. He was sitting up in his cot breathing hard as usual. Again with that nightmare. She laid her head back down on her pillow knowing he wasn’t going to talk about it. Rachel looked back at him. He swung his legs over the edge of the cot, his head down and his hands holding the back of his head. As usual he looked terrified at what he dreamt. She knew he wasn’t going to talk about it, he never did. She started to ask anyway, “Jack…?”

“I’m fine,” he said cutting her off. “I’m… I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine,” she told him bluntly. Rachel cared for Jack but this was getting out of hand.

“It’s nothing alright, just let it go and go back to sleep.”

“Why don’t you take your own advice,” she shot back. He didn’t exactly argue. “And it’s definitely not nothing if you keep waking up screaming every night.”

“I said it’s nothing,” he snapped at her. “I told you that I’d tell you when I couldn’t handle it.”

“Oh yeah,” she said sarcastically, “you’re handling whatever it is great. I can’t wait to see what you can’t handle.” He didn’t reply so she lay her head back down and turned her back toward him. Rachel listened for a few moments. She heard him start moving and turned around to see him getting dressed. “Where are you going?”

“Business,” was all he said as he put his shoes on.

“Business?”, she asked not getting it.

“As in none of yours,” he said sharply and headed for the door.

Rachel just turned back over while he left the room. If that idiot didn’t want to tell her what’s going on, so be it. If he wanted to suffer through this alone, then it was no skin off her nose. So what if his nightmares were slowly getting worse? So what if it got amped up since he had to…? She quickly got out of bed and pulled on her jeans and shoes and went to look for him. Seeing hardly anybody in the hallway she asked the first person she saw, “Did you see where Jack went?”

“Yeah, he stormed past me going that way,” he pointed behind him. “He looked pretty pissed, you two have a fight or something?”

“Something,” she said as she hurried past him. Rachel found him in no time. He didn’t even look like he knew where he was going, just walking around. “Jack, wait up.” He ignored her. “Would you talk to me,” she said in frustration.

Suddenly he turned around and shouted, “Leave me alone!” She took a step back in surprise from his outburst. People in the rooms around them came out to see what was happening. Then she noticed he wasn’t looking at her. Jack was looking at something to his right, but there wasn’t anything there but the wall. After a moment he finally looked at her. She wasn’t sure but it looked like he didn’t know she was there until just now. He walked off again silently as everybody watched them. She had no idea what to make of that.

***
Melissa had wanted to put this off for as long as possible. She was willing to ignore him screaming in the middle of the night. Hell, she had a few nightmares recently herself. But from what the others were telling her about last night she knew she couldn’t put this off any longer. Dusty told her he was going through some things, she should have pushed him a little harder for info back then. Finding him in an empty cafeteria she slowly approached him. He looked up with an annoyed look on his face, “Great, now the emotion reader wants to psycho analyze me.”

“I just want to talk Jack,” she said ignoring that comment. “You want to tell me what happened last night?”

“Nothing happened last night,” he answered sounding even more annoyed.

“You yelled at Rachel last night. Something had to have happened.”

Jack turned away looking embarrassed, “I didn’t yell at Rachel.”

She sat across from him, “People are telling me you did.”

“Then they saw wrong,” he snapped. A little more subdued he asked, “Did… did Rachel say I yelled at her?”

“No,” a wave of relief washed over him, briefly covering the turmoil inside him. “She said you were yelling at something, but she was pretty sure it wasn’t her. But you had to be yelling at something, so what was it.”

“Nothing,” repeated.

“Jack, you don’t yell ‘Leave me alone’ at nothing.”

“There was a fly buzzing my head and I got pissed,” he said really sounding annoyed now. “You got an answer, are you happy now?”

“All that for a fly?”, she asked not believing a word.

“I couldn’t swat at it, it could have been somebody’s cousin for all I knew.” Now he was trying to hide behind humor. This was going no where fast. “Do you want me to apologize to Rachel in front of everybody now?”

“If you think you need to go right ahead.” Jack turned his attention back to the floor. “I know we’re not the best of friends, but I like to think you would trust me enough to tell me what’s going on.”

“There’s nothing going on,” he said getting up from the table and walked away from her.

Not leaving her seat she said, “You’re apparently the only one who thinks so. Everybody can see something is bothering you.”

He turned around and faced her, “The only thing bothering me is that nobody around here can mind their own damn business and leave me alone.”

She watched him leave, the emotions coming from him were such a jumble she couldn’t make sense of them. Whatever was going on was not going to be good when it finally hit the ceiling. Melissa thought back to when he first arrived. She could definitely see a difference in him as time went on. If she had to be honest she saw a difference from the first time she saw him and then. Back then she put it down to the stress of being on the run. Except he never really seemed to recover. Occasionally she saw a spark of the man who saved her, but they were getting few and far between. At the moment she was doubting if they could get him out of whatever hole he was digging for himself.

***
Jack sat by himself in the common area trying to fight off the tiredness he was feeling. What a joke he became over the last few months. Here he was a grown man and he was getting his ass kicked by a nightmare. He’d have no problem getting a handle on it of the damn thing stopped getting worse. Just about every Drakan he fought and killed was showing up.

And he would kill at this point if they stopped showing up when he awake. He just happened to look up and saw a blue mantis looking at him from across the way. As usual nobody else was acting like they saw him. Jack closed his eyes and willed it away. When he opened them again not only was it still there it was closer too. He squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his hands to his face, why wouldn’t they go away? This was the fifth one in the past hour and they won’t go away.

“Mister Davidson?”, a small voice spoke to him.

Jack opened his eye and looked up. The mantis was gone but a little girl was in it’s place. Her human form shifted a bit as he startled her. “Sorry kid,” he said trying to calm down. Jack recognized her and her bear from the first day he was here, “Is your brother threatening to throw Polly in the rafter again?”

“No,” she answered while shaking her head.

“Was there something else you wanted then?”, he asked trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice.

“No,” she repeated and retreated back a couple of steps. Ok, he failed that one.

“Then what are you doing here sweetie?”. He finally got himself under control enough to sound normal. She took a couple of steps foreword.

“You looked sad,” she answered.

“I looked sad?”, that took him by surprise. “So you decided to come over and cheer me up?”

“Polly wanted to cheer you up.”

“Oh she did?”, Jack replied acting surprised. “Then you and Polly already brightened my day,” he smiled at her but she didn’t return it. Slowly she came foreword and put the bear in his hands, “You’re giving me Polly?”

“Polly wanted to stay with you until you stopped being scared.” Now she started looking upset. Yeah, this was going to work out well.

“So Polly,” he said to the bear, “why did you want to stay with me?” Jack put the bear to his ear and used his finger to bob it’s head up and down like it was talking. “Why yes, I am a good looking man but… what was that?” The little girl watched him intently. “Oh I see, we got to tell her.” He put the bear in front of him and looked at the kid. “Polly didn’t want to tell you but she’s sad too.”

“Why is Polly sad?”.

“She doesn’t want to leave you,” he answered. “I don’t want Polly to be sad, do you?”. Jack handed the bear back to her. She looked confused but slowly took the bear back. “If Polly’s happy I’ll be happy.”

“Ok,” she said.

“Jennifer,” somebody called out. A woman Jack guessed was the girl mother walked toward them. “I’m sorry she’s bothering you.”

“She wasn’t bothering me,” Jack told her. To the kid he said, “No you keep Polly safe now, you hear?”.

“Ok,” she said. Before she left he gave her a quick hug around the neck. When she reached her mother Jennifer put the bear to her ear. Jack had to smile as she made it’s head bob. “Polly says she hopes you feel better.”

“Thank you Polly,” he gave her a small wave. The girl waved back and went off with her mother. “Thank you too kid,” he whispered.

“Some children do have a way of brightening one’s day don’t they?”, Emily said behind him.

Jack didn’t bother turning around, “She’s a sweet kid.”

“She has a bright future ahead of her,” she commented. “As long as nobody puts any additional roadblocks in her path.”

“Is that your way of telling me to get my head back in the game?”, he said sounding a little bitter.

“No child, I just know fate has a way of throwing something at you when you least expect it.” He could feel her staring at him. “You should know that better than anyone.”

Before he could say anything something caught his attention. An owl Drakan was sitting on one of the rafters staring at him. They were always staring. “I got to go,” he said hastily as he got up and walked away. He made it to a hallway when it hit him. He felt so dizzy he had to stumble to a wall for support as images of Drakan he fought rushed through his head, a bull, the crab, the vulture and the dolphin all came at him before they went away. Jack stayed there for a long time shaking and breathing hard. When it felt like he could move again he made sure nobody saw him spazzing out and continued on his way. “What the hell is going on?”

***
“Are you quite certain about this?”, Anderson asked as he put down the report Perez gave him. If it was true then it was quite disturbing.

“I’m positive sir,” he answered. “A mole inside the organization has been supplying information to the rebels for the past month.”

“How did this supposed mole get past out background checks,” he demanded. That thing was designed to keep the rebels out of his company, not let them waltz right in.

“The rebels are getting better at forging information and creating histories,” Taylor answered as he put another file on his desk. While Anderson opened it and scanned the contents Taylor explained what it was. “This was a line of references given to us. When the initial calls were made the information was verified. With all of the Davidson sighting lately I had Mr. Perez do a little investigating on his own. All the numbers were traced to the same building.”

“An abandoned building,” Perez added.

“But why in just the past month?”, Anderson asked. “Davidson appeared unannounced at our operations before. It seems to me that if we did have a mole he or she would have been here longer than a mere month.”

“We did a check on everybody in the system,” Perez said. “Only one person profile proved to be false. And he hired in as a trucker a little over a month ago. Now it’s possible that there’s another mole here, it’s also possible Davidson had a pipeline to the rebels in those other cases. But this man is the only sure lead we have now,” he tapped his finger on the file before him. Anderson raised an eyebrow slightly and Perez quickly removed his hand from the desk.

“And record show he was one of the drivers who hauled supplies to Parker’s lab,” Taylor added. “And I saw him on the docks when Armstrong went on his little tirade about the second mark one.”

“So we have to take this one down now before he does us anymore harm,” Perez insisted.

“I agree Mr. Perez,” Anderson said thoughtfully, “but he might be able to supply us information as well.”

“I’ll send some men down to take him into custody now,” Perez said.

“Just a moment Mr. Perez,” he said. “This might also be a chance to capture a couple of rebels as well. A bit of a risk I realize, but we have an opportunity we can not pass up. Not to mention keeping any more potential conflicts from happening inside my building. We’re still repairing the damage from last time.”

“We could,” Taylor offered, “get word to the docks of another lab we’re trying to start up. And we do have some property in the industrial sector we’re not currently using.”

“I think I know the area he’s talking about,” Perez said. “If the rebels are looking for an ambush spot that would be the spot they’d be wary of.”

“Unfortunately we already used the Trojan Horse with one of our trucks so they would be looking for that as well,” Anderson told him. “I feel this is our best option. Have both R&D and medical involved as well. The more convincing this looks the better.”

***
Emily wasn’t surprised to hear the knock on her door. Despite her saying her door was always open they always knocked out of respect. Who the person was on the other side, however, took her a bit by surprise. “Rachel, please come in.”

“Thanks Emily,” she said. She looked a bit unsure of herself as she entered.

“What can I do for you child?”, Emily asked and offered her a seat. Rachel politely declined.

“I wanted to talk to you.” Quickly she added, “Not about me. God, how often do you hear that,” she was flustered about something. Emily had an idea why though.

“You want to talk about Jack,” Emily said sitting down. Rachel nodded, “He seems to be the topic of many conversations lately.”

“I know, I was wondering if you could help.”

“Do you think I can read minds child?”, she asked amused.

“No,” she replied quickly. “I mean… I know something wrong with Jack. There has been for a long time now. I was hoping you had some ideas on how to get him to open up and talk about it

“That is easier said than done child,” she told her. “Jack is a very open person, but he keeps his pain to himself. He has gotten so used to it he can hide it at a moments notice in most cases. Earlier today he was having one of his ‘episodes’. A little girl walked up to him and I could see him push his pain down so he wouldn’t affect the girl.”

“He can’t keep doing that,” Rachel said finally sitting down.

“I know child, but we can’t force him either.” She could tell from Rachel expression she didn’t want to believe that but knew it was true. “If Jack wants you or anybody to know his pain he’ll say what it is when he is ready. We have to stand by and wait until it becomes too much for him to bear on his own.”

“I can’t…,” she corrected herself, “I don’t think we should do that.”

“I realize that is not the advice you were looking for child. Unfortunately that is the only answer I have for you at the moment.” She looked unhappy but said nothing. Emily thought back to her vision, he was getting close to that state. Last night she had a dream of him falling, his darkest days were coming. The only real question was how far and how much of him could they save?

***
Jack was holding his head when Rachel found him in the garage. He was looking much worse than when she saw him this morning. Reluctantly deciding to follow Emily advice for now she tried to look normal as she walked up to him. “So this is where you been hiding,” she said keeping her tone light.

He looked up and quickly glanced at his motorcycle, “I was going to work on my bike when a headache hit me.”

“You want some aspirin or something?”

“I already took a couple,” he said, “I’m just waiting for them to kick in”

She nodded and sat next to him, “So, do want a hand with the bike?” He looked at her like she grew a second head. “What? I’m good with my hands. You’ve seen me work when we were helping Dusty.”

“Yeah but you never offered to help with the bike before.” They looked over to the door when it flew open. Melissa and the others came through looking around, “And that can’t be good.”

“Jack, I know…,” Melissa started before pausing. She looked at him strangely, almost like she was caught off guard. It took a moment for her to find her footing again, “I know I’ve been asking a lot of you lately but I think I need you for something.”

“World Inc. related right?”, he asked not looking at her but the ground.

“Unfortunately,” she admitted, “we got word they’re setting up a new lab. We don’t know what it’s for yet but Friedman able to get us a partial list of what being delivered.”

“It’s mainly medical supplies,” Arron added. “We’re not low on anything but it doesn’t hurt to stock up. And we can spread out a lot of it among the cells.” As they continued talking Rachel watched Jack out of the corner of her eye. He put a hand to his mouth and yawned.

Sparky caught it and smirked, “We keeping you up man?”

“Yes you are,” he snapped angrily. Everybody looked at him, nobody expected that reaction from him, not even her.

“Sorry man,” Sparky said a bit unsure.

“We can,” Melissa cautiously started, “ask somebody else if you’re feeling a little under the weather.”

“I can do it,” he said emotionlessly.

“You don’t have to do anything Jack,” Rachel told him. “Nobody is going to say anything if you don’t want to do one of these things.” Melissa and the others agreed. Jack looked unmoved, she rubbed his shoulder. “Come on, we’ll go get a late lunch or an early dinner.”

Jack brushed her hand away, got up and walked away saying, “How hard can it be. Show up, find out what they’re doing. Blow up whatever Drakan working for Anderson that’s obviously going to be there. You work for one side they tell you to blow up Drakan. You join the other said and what do you do? Blow up Drakan. Drakan Killer R’ Us, open twenty four seven.” He continued his rant as he left the garage. Everybody looked at her.

“What the hell was that?”, Sparky asked for them.

Rachel only had one answer for them, “I wish I knew.”

***
They gave him a wider space than usual when he got back. Good, he wanted the extra room anyway. Rachel even decided to ride in the van for this one. He really didn’t want to alienate her but he was not in the mood right now. But he did see her peek out of the van back window every so often to see if he was still there every so often. Where was he going to go if he did decide to split? Even if he did Drakan would still come after him from the whole smelling like death crap. Yeah, like he had a whole lot of options right now.

He didn’t know how long it took when he got there, all he knew was that he wanted to get this over with as fast as possible. Jack took off his helmet and froze. There were Drakan all over the place. All of them staring at him. Rachel poped out of the van and the other followed, none of them noticed. Sweat started to form on his forehead as he tried to make them go away, why wouldn’t they go away? “Jack,” Rachel said, now they decided to disappear, “we got to get into hiding. The truck going to be here soon. And we have no idea what building he’s going to go to. Arron and a couple of others went ahead to scout things out just in case.

“Right,” he replied. When she turned around he looked around quickly, not one dead Drakan was popping up. Maybe they decided to give him a break for the moment. They quickly hid the vehicles as best they could and waited. Not long afterwards a World Inc. supply truck came rolling in and stop. About then Jack realized there were an awful lot of places to hide in this place. A fact confirmed as Arron came running around the corner like a bat out of hell. “Fido get down!”

“It’s a trap!”, he yelled. He hit the ground as soon as some gunfire sounded. Jack, Rachel and the others looked up. There were shooters in the windows above them. The guy in the truck got out of the cab and started to run. He was in mid transformation as a bullet pierced his leg. Jack looked on horrified as he rolled on the ground clutching his leg. Then somebody dressed in World Inc. assault team gear calmly walked toward him. Jack saw Arron sniff the air in that direction., already knowing what he was going to say. “That’s a Drakan! Jack you got to stop him.”

He wanted to protest, but he knew he was the only one there who was technically bulletproof. “What’s one more?”, he muttered. Jack stood up and raised his left arm across his chest and the belt appeared. Another wave of dizziness rocked him as he struggled to stay on his feet. Images of the bat, octopus, mantis, hippo and goat raced at him so fast he couldn’t react. When the dizziness faded he looked over at Rachel. He knew she was saying something but he wasn’t hearing any sound come out of her mouth. Shaking his head to try to come back to his senses he got his left arm back up, swung it to the side and raised his right arm up. Before he could activate the system another wave hit him. The images wouldn’t stop. A dark green tiger, a rabbit, an elephant, a frog, Max…

…Richie…

Jack slowly lowered his hand his right arm and looked at the back of his right hand as something inside of him gave away.

***
Rachel knew something was wrong, just by the look on his face. Before she could go to him he fell to his knees looking at the back of his hand. “Jack!”, she yelled as she found her voice. Sparky looked over and saw Jack in his state and quickly helped her get him under cover. “Jack talk to me,” she said as she checked him over. It didn’t look like it he was hit, so what the hell was wrong with him? “Jack talk to me please,” she pleaded. He just stared at the back of his hand. “We need to get out of here now,” she told Sparky who didn’t argue.

“We got to cut and run!”, Sparky yelled. Arron put his head down for a moment before transforming into his wolf form and leaped in their direction. Sparky tossed him Jack’s helmet as she and him tried to get Jack into the van. Arron jumpstarted the bike and rode out of there first with them following soon after when they got Jack aboard. As they hung on for dear life, Jack was curled up into a ball next to the van’s side. Sparky crawled over and put a hand on his shoulder, “Hang in there buddy. We’ll get you fixed up as soon as we can.”

Rachel wished she could believe that but she tried to make sure Jack didn’t have any doubts. “We’ll call Dusty and Dr. Friedman. They’ll help you out.”

“Blood,” he finally said.

The first thing she did was check him over again, “Where you hit? I don’t …”

“Blood on my hands,” he said trembling. “Their blood, I killed them. I killed them and they won’t go away.” He squeezed his eyes shut and covered his head. “Make them go away.”

“Jack,” she said softly as tears started to form in her eyes. What was happening to him?


*Ending theme – Papa Roach – Sometimes*

[scikaiju]

<Episode 32>


*Opening Theme – Ana – We Are*


He stared at the report in his hands for a long time, trying to comprehend what he was reading. It was a standard ambush, everything went according to plan. They were even able to capture the mole Perez had detected. The rest of the rebels were able to get away, but the mole was the primary objective. Still there was one thing that was not making any sense. He looked at Perez, who was standing in front of his desk, from over the folder. Raising an eyebrow slightly he asked, “He dropped to the ground?”

“I saw it myself Mr. Anderson,” he answered. “Davidson was midway through activating the system, then he just dropped to his knees.”

“Was he hit by one of our shooters?”

“That was my initial thought too. I even had even had the men search for any trace of blood. But I knew they wouldn’t find any.”

“And why were you so sure of this Mr. Perez?”

“It was the way he fell sir. He didn’t drop like he was shot from a bullet. He just dropped to his knees. In fact from what I saw he stared staring at the back of his hand.”

“His hand,” Anderson asked slowly. His head of the assault team just nodded in response. Anderson closed the report and leaned back into his chair, concentrating. What happened to Davidson? Perez coughed to get his attention. “Yes Mr. Perez?”

“I was wondering how soon until we can start interrogating the mole sir.”

“Ah yes, him,” he leaned foreword a bit. “I’m having medical fix up his leg a bit first. No point in giving the rebels a chance to paint us as barbaric after all. Torturing a helpless, injured captive and all that. We have a very tenuous relationship with the Drakan community as it is Mr. Perez. So don’t put any undo stress on it.”

“In other words,” Perez stated, “don’t target the wounded leg when we finally get the ok for the interrogation.” For a human he caught on pretty quick.

Anderson nodded, “Exactly Mr. Perez.”

“It’d be easier to get something out of him if we did.”

Locking his fingers together he told him, “Think of it as an opportunity to be creative Mr. Perez. Mr. Taylor will let you know when it’s your turn with the captive, so you may want to start thinking of ways of making him talk.” Perez said he would and left the office and him alone with his thoughts.

Anderson stood up and faced the window behind his desk. Clasping his hands behind his back he looked at the people below. Slowly his head turned and his gaze came upon the file on his desk. Once again he was left with the question, what happened to Davidson?

***
“They’re treating him pretty well,” she heard Friedman say beside her. “Anderson ordered he be given full medical care. He actually looked really surprised he was being treated so well. Well surprised but a little cautious,” he amended. Then he was quiet for a few moments. “If you want I can try to get a message to him. Security is pretty tight around him but I think I can do it without being caught.”

“I appreciate the offer Dr. Friedman,” Melissa said absentmindedly, not looking at him.

He nodded, “That being said, security has been amped up all over the place. You can’t even walk two feet without a security guard eyeing you. Anderson sent down an order that you had to stay in your sector unless needed elsewhere. If you’re caught somewhere you’re not supposed to be you will be taken in for questioning. I’m not sure when I’ll able to get you any information again. They found one mole, now they’re shaking the place down trying to see if there is another one.”

“Thank you for letting me know Dr. Friedman,” she said softly, still not looking at him. “But I hope you understand if we have more than one concern at the moment.” He nodded sadly and looked at the other behind them. Dusty, Lance and Sparky were looking at the same thing she was. Friedman started looking too. In front of them was a pane of glass. On the other side was a brightly lit room. Usually the room wasn’t used, more times than not those who were really sick were kept in here to keep them from contaminating the others. She wished that was the case this time around, it would explain everything.

No, right now they were looking at Rachel kneeling down trying to look calm and doing everything not to freak out. She was trying to talk to Jack who was sitting as far as he could in the corner. Sweating and shaking slightly, a blank and wide eyed stare currently replacing his usual expression. Melissa had talked to just about everybody involved in the fiasco and nobody could tell her what happened. Now she had to deal with the effects of what whatever happened. Not that there weren’t plenty of signs that something was wrong. But she never dreamed that something like this could happen. After a few more moments Freidman spoke up again, “Are we sure it’s a good idea to let her stay in there?”

“I know where you’re coming from Harry,” Dusty answered him. “But right now I’m convinced Rachel’s the one person he won’t hurt,” he paused before adding, “at the moment.” She could tell how much trouble he had saying that. “Besides, it’s gonna take a team of wild horses to drag her out of there.”

“I’ve seen something like this before,” Lance spoke up. “In the middle of a fight, every so often a guy just stops. There’s no rhyme or reason, they just get tired of fighting. Sometimes there was a sign sometimes there wasn’t.”

“I think that’s only part of it,” Friedman said.

“I gotta agree,” Dusty added. “Jack might have gotten tired of fighting, but there was something else messing around in his head long before now.”

“Why did we ignore it for so long?”, Melissa asked, mainly to herself.

Dusty answered anyway, “Probably because it was easier to believe it wasn’t something worse than he was letting on.”

As they talked Jack expression finally changed. Looking frightened for a brief moment he snapped his eyes shut and put his hands on top of his head. Slowly rocking back and forth he was muttering, “Go away. Why won’t you go away?”

“Easy Jack,” Rachel said in a soothing voice trying to keep him calm. “Who won’t go away?” He just kept rocking. “I’m trying to help you, please tell me who won’t go away.”

He started hugging his knees as he opened his eyes and concentrated on a spot in the room. Finally he said, “Drakan. The Drakan I killed, they won’t leave me alone. I go to asleep they’re there. I stay awake they’re there. I can’t get away from them. There’s one here now. That spider I killed in the alley, standing right there. Staring at me. That’s all they do, stand there and stare. Staring right at me.” The frightened look on his face slowly turned to anger as he stood and stormed across the room. To nothing but the air he screamed, “WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!”. Tears falling down his face and dropping to his knees he sobbed, “What do you want from me?”

Glancing over at Rachel Melissa didn’t need her gift to know she was about to lose it, “Sparky…”

Nodding he entered the room in a flash. “Rachel,” he said softly, “the boss needs to see you about something.” She quickly left the room as Sparky sat next to Jack. “Hey there buddy, Arron wanted me to tell you that he’s not letting anybody near your bike.”

Rachel closed the door behind her and stood there shaking a bit. Nobody knew what to say to her. But as soon as Dusty took one step toward her she ran into his arms and started crying. “It’s alright darlin’,” he told here, “this is tough on everybody.”

“I saw something was wrong,” she said, “I should have made him talk about it.”

“Now, you may have known Jack longer than I have little lady, but even I know that if you would’ve pushed the matter eventually he would’ve started pushing back.”

Melissa walked over and put an arm around her and said, “We’re all guilty of letting this happen. So don’t go shouldering all the blame for this. Only thing we can do now is help him get out of this,” silently she added, if that was possible.

“Come on little lady,” Dusty said while moving her toward the other door, “Let’s get you some air.”

She backed away, “No I can’t leave him.”

“Nobody asking you too darlin’. It’ll just be for a couple of minutes so you can compose yourself a bit, alright?” Reluctantly she agreed and left the room.

Melissa looked back at Jack who sat there saying, “I tried to feel guilty I really did.”

Chewing on a knuckle as she heard that she mumbled, “Emily I pray this was part of that vision you had.”

***
News of Jack’s state of mind spread quickly. Sometimes she doubted she would ever stop being surprised at how fast that type of news would spread. Emily just assumed it was part of the natural behavior, Drakan or human. As she walked down the hallways she could hear them talking about him as she passed. Some came up and asked her if Jack was going to be alright. Answering them honestly she replied, “I haven’t been able to see his immediate future as of yet.” Some of her fellow Drakan looked depressed as she said that. A small testament to Jack’s character, he was able to establish a few small friendships here and there since he’s been living here. Not many, but a few. Some of the children seemed hurt by the news, especially young Jennifer who was holding her bear Polly tightly.

Of course there were those who were overjoyed at the new. Some celebrated privately, most openly, the fact the Drakan Killer, for lack of a better term, broke. Jason seemed particularly pleased at the news. They had to stop Arron from jumping him at one point. That didn’t stop them from exchanging some heated words. She shook her head sadly at those who were happy with the turn of events and continued walking.

“Drink this darlin’,” she heard Dusty say. Emily turned a corner and saw him try to give a cup of something to Rachel.

“I’m not thirsty,” she told him softly. Emily’s heart went out to her, she was taking this harder than anybody.

“Drink, you’re not going to do Jack any good if you’re depriving yourself.” He put the paper cup into her hands when she wouldn’t take it. Cupping her face between his hands he told her, “Now I don’t know what going through that head of yours, but I’m telling you now we’re going to do everything we can to get Jack back to the way he was. You got my word that’s my main priority right now.”

“As we all will child,” Emily said as she came into view. “Jack is too strong a sprit to do otherwise.”

Usually when she said something like that people looked grateful for the encouragement. Rachel just stared at her saying nothing. Emily was expecting this so she was already braced for it. “You knew this was going to happen,” she accused. “Didn’t you!”, Rachel crushed the cup in her hand as Emily simply lowered her head. “Why didn’t you tell us?!”, she demanded as she got in her face. “We could have been prepared for this! We could have stopped this from happening!”

“Rachel,” Dusty tried to calm her down. He even put a hand on her shoulder that she pulled away from.

“Why didn’t you tell us?! Did you want him to go through this crap?! Is this how you get your kicks?!”

“Rachel that’s enough,” Dusty told her sternly. She walked away cursing in French. Dusty rubbed his eyes, “I’m sorry Emily.”

“It is alright Dusty,” she told him. “The child just needed somebody to lash out at. Much like Jack did awhile back.”

“Still doesn’t make it right.”

“At least she’s directing her anger at somebody other than herself.” Dusty couldn’t argue with that point. “Jack needs her to be strong right now.”

“You did see this coming, didn’t ya?”, Dusty asked while looking at her funny. “I have to agree with the little lady, you should have warned them.”

Sighing Emily told him, “It wouldn’t have made a difference Dusty.”

“You don’t know that Emily.” Then he closed his eyes and looked very sad. “Look at who I’m arguing with.”

“I know it is hard to hear but Jack was meant to go through this,” she explained. “It was just a matter of when, not if. No amount of preparation was going to stop it.”

“Might have made the blow a little easier to take if we did know.” He looked very tired as he sat down. “I know I told her I’d do everything I could to help him, but I don’t think I can get him back to the way he was.”

“I have faith that you will Dusty. You are the only person stubborn enough to believe he could do so.”

“Maybe, but I’m pretty sure his fighting days are pretty much done.” He expected her to agree, but she remained quiet. “You don’t honestly think I’m going to agree to let him do that again? That’s what got him in this mess to begin with. I’d be a damn fool to let that happen.”

“I want to agree with you Dusty,” she told him honestly, “but I know his part in this particular drama isn’t over yet.” She continued on her way adding, “And ultimately the final say on the matter doesn’t belong to you I’m afraid.” Emily felt Dusty stare at her but he said nothing in return. When she exited the room she sighed to herself, “Even I don’t know what choice he will make at this point.” As she remembered the vision that was responsible for him being here she added, “I don’t think I ever did.”

***
Standing outside the door leading to the room Jack was in Rachel just stared at it for a long time. She went to the cafeteria to grab him something to eat, but she couldn’t open the door. What was stopping her? She promised herself that she was going to everything in her power to get him through this, yet she was staring at the door. Rachel had to be honest with herself, it was hard to see him in that condition. He was so full of life, to see him like this…. Taking a deep breath she opened the door and relieved Arron, who looked sympathetic as he patted her on the shoulder and left the room. Alone with Jack huddled into the corner, part of her prayed that stupid little sly half grin of his would cross his lips and he say “Gotcha.” That part of her was disappointed real quick.

“I brought you a sandwich,” she said as she sat down on the floor and placed the tray in front of him. “They only had diet pop left, I hope that’s alright.”

Glancing at the tray he mumbled, “I’m not hungry.” At least she was able to get him to say something.

“Come on Jack, I know you have to be a little hungry.” She pushed the tray toward him a little. He was staring at it but he wasn’t pushing it away either. “Just half a sandwich… please.” Looking at her briefly he slowly reached out and took one of the halves. Rachel watched him as he ate. Every so often his eyes would flicker around the room. Seeing those Drakan he killed or looking for them she couldn’t guess.

After he finished the sandwich half she felt a little better that she got something on his stomach. Now for the hard part. Reaching into a pocket she pulled out a small plastic bag that contained a couple of pills. Like she thought his eyes locked on the bag. She might as well get this out of the way. “Dusty told me to give you these.”

“What are they for?” he asked looking a little more nervous, if that was even possible.

“He said they would help you relax,” Rachel told him. She didn’t see a point in lying to him. “Maybe you can finally get some sleep….”

“No,” he cut her off and tried to get further into the corner. “No sleep. They’re there when I sleep.”

“Jack calm down,” she said in a soothing voice as she could muster at the moment. Rachel knew this was going to be hard. “Dusty wouldn’t give you anything that would hurt you. Just take the pills and swallow them… please.” He didn’t look like he was going to do it. “I’ll stay with you the entire night. Please, for me.” Jack looked her right in the eyes then held out a hand that was shaking. Dropping the pill into his hand he popped them into his mouth and swallowed. “Jack I need to see if you actually took them.” Her heart jumped a bit as he got that annoyed look that crossed his face every so often. But he opened his mouth, he even lifted his tongue and showed her his hands, “Thank you.”

Rachel sat next to him and gently pulled him down until his head rested on her lap. Without thinking she started stroking his hair to calm him down. She didn’t know why she started doing it, it just felt like the right thing to do. After a few moments of silence Jack spoke up, “Rachel.”

“Yeah Jack?”

“Why… why are you doing this?”

“Because I…,” I love you. “Because you’re my friend and I care about you. Like you told me I take my friendships very seriously.” He nodded in response and was quiet for a couple more minutes before speaking again.

“Rachel, do you remember me asking why World Inc. needed something like me?”

She had to think for a bit but she remembered. He asked her that right before they left World Inc. and went on the run. “Yeah, I told you they needed someone like you.”

“Mitchell said they needed a thing like me.”

That made her a little angry. Rachel had a similar conversation with him bout Jack. The way Mitchell thought still made her blood boil. “Mitchell is an idiot,” she told Jack. “You are the most human person I know. Don’t you ever forget that, do you hear me?”

“I wish I was still human,” he mumbled. Rachel heart broke but she said nothing. After awhile the pills took affect and Jack was asleep soon after. Rachel patted his head gently and tried to get comfortable. She also tried to find a position to get some sleep herself that wouldn’t wake him up. This could be a long night, but it would be worth it.

After a couple of hours Melissa came into the room. Rachel put a finger to her lips to tell her to keep quiet. She nodded and closed the door behind her as quietly as she could. Kneeling down a few feet away from her she softly asked, “Do you want me to watch him for awhile?”

Rachel shook her head a bit, “I told him I’d stay with him the entire night. I don’t want him to think I broke my word.”

“I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want you to run yourself ragged.”

“I know, but I owe it to him.”

“You and everybody else Rachel. I told you all of us let this happened. If anybody is guilty of anything it’s me. I had him do things that added to his problem.”

Both of them went quiet when Jack stirred slightly. When it looked like he wasn’t going to wake up Rachel said, “I’m going to have to apologize to Emily later.”

“She already told me about,” Melissa informed her. “She totally understands why you blew up at her.”

“It doesn’t make me feel any better about it.”

“Trust me Rachel if she felt insulted her cane would’ve let you know,” Melissa said with a smile. Too bad Rachel didn’t feel like returning it. Melissa started staring at Jack, but it wasn’t a look of concern. It was one of confusion. Before Rachel could ask what was wrong Jack started twitching slightly, almost like he was dreaming. She remembered seeing him doing this a couple of times when they were on the run. His twitches started to get a little more violent.

“Jack,” she said softly. A little louder she repeated, “Jack,” and nudged him slightly.

His eyes opened suddenly. A second later he got up yelling, “NOOOO!”. Scrambling away from them he turned toward them with another look she never seen on his face before. The look of somebody ready to fight for their very life if they had too. Melissa got between them and changed into a light green tiger with dark green stripes. Rachel tried to get in front of her when he lost the look and became more aware of his surroundings. “Please,” he said in between breaths, “please don’t do that.”

“That was my fault,” Rachel told him she approached, “I shouldn’t have startled you like that.” She shot a look at Melissa behind her as she reverted to her human form looking ashamed of herself.

“I over reacted,” she told her. “Friedman put something in my head… sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Rachel said as she put an arm around Jack. It took a few minutes but she finally convinced him to lie back down. “Could you hand me his coat over there?”

“Sure,” Melissa grabbed it from the corner and handed it to Rachel, who placed on top of Jack to cover him up. “I’d better go… something going to pop up that needs my attention before I know it.”

“Ok,” Rachel told her. She guessed Melissa was thinking the less people in here the better it would be for Jack. Rachel found herself agreeing with it. “We’ll see you in the morning.”

When Melissa left them alone Jack said, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” she told him. “Just try to get some sleep.” Jack said nothing as he stared at the wall.

***
The next morning Anderson walked into the World Inc. lobby and found Taylor waiting for him. After saying good morning to the receptionist he motioned for Taylor to follow him. The elevator already had several people inside who held the door for them. For what seemed like an eternity listening to the humans and their small talk they were finally alone when the last one slowly exited. Making sure they wouldn’t be disturbed Anderson hit a secret switch the senior Allen had installed that would turn off the call buttons for this elevator on the other floors. “How did the interrogation go?”

“Not well sir,” Taylor said,” Perez and his… *ahem* ‘specialist’ worked on him the entire night. But so far he hasn’t been talking. He won’t even admit the name he gave us is his real one.”

Anderson smirked, “I would be highly surprised if that was his real name.”

“True,” Taylor agreed. “But Perez is asking permission to use some more, shall we say, persuasive tactics to get the information out of our guest.”

“He is rather impatient, isn’t he?”, Anderson commented. Taylor didn’t respond. “Mitchell would have come up with some more creative means before asking permission. Tell him to wait a couple of days before getting a little more aggressive, we still have to keep up appearances.” Taylor said he would pass it on. One more thing was still bothering him. “I’m assuming no one still has no idea what happened to Mr. Davidson.”

“No sir, we’ve been listen to the feeler we have to the rebels and so far nobody is talking.”

Anderson thought it over as the elevator doors opened. “I have often found money can loosen a tongue or two in some cases. Put an offer out there for Davidson condition, and only his condition. I have a feeling somebody will bite sooner or later.”

***
Rachel fell asleep before he did, again. He tried to fall asleep, he really did. But the nightmares kept coming back to him no matter what he did. Jack sat against the wall still shaking against the heat of the room. His eyes darted around the room as various dead Drakan came and went as they pleased and he couldn’t do anything to stop it. One of them did something different that caught his attention. The dolphin Drakan stood in the middle of the room and stared at Rachel who was still sleeping. Feeling an anger grow inside of him Jack stood up to confront the ghost. “Leave her alone,” he demanded. It looked at him and disappeared as Jack fell back to his knees.


*end theme – Papa Roach – Sometimes*

[scikaiju]

<Episode 33>


*opening theme – Ana – We Are*


She could hear the usual noise and commotion coming from the common area as they walked through the hallways. Looking over at Jack she watched for a reaction. Much like she feared he started to shrink back a bit. Good thing they weren’t headed that way, it would have been too much too soon. Gently she took his hand and guided him foreword, he still tried to hesitate. Especially when a couple of Drakan passed them. She gave his hand a quick squeeze when it looked like he was going to take off. “Easy Jack,” she said, “we’re almost there.”

“I shouldn’t… I shouldn’t be here,” was all he said while he scratched his beard he’d grown. He started looking around like he was searching for something, or someone. Rachel quickly grabbed his face and made him look at her.

“We’re all alone,” she assured him. Subconsciously she started stroking his cheek until he calmed down. It’s been little over a month since it happened, and right now all she wanted to see some of that progress Dusty said he was making in public. “Like I said we’re almost there and I know you have to be hungry.”

“I shouldn’t be out,” was all he told her. “I shouldn’t be here.”

“Dusty said it’d be alright for you to get out and walk around for a little bit,” she explained to him again. “Just as long as we didn’t overwhelm you on your first time out. And Melissa said the cafeteria is pretty quiet this time of day.”

“I don’t know,” he said quickly. “They’re going to be there.”

Do not go backtracking on us now. “Our friends are going to be there. Sparky and Arron are waiting for us. Even Emily said she might join us.” She was trying very hard to not sound like she was talking to a child, but was worried it was coming out that way any way. “We can do this some other time if don’t feel like it right now. Just let me know alright.”

Jack looked unsure of himself then he replied, “I... I want to do this. I need to do this.” Rachel wasn’t sure but if it was her imagination or not, but she would swear on a stack of bibles some of his old determination returned to his eye briefly.

Rachel smiled slightly, “That’s the spirit.” Taking his hand again they walked the rest of the way. She stopped by the door before entering, just to give him a couple of moments to prepare himself. When he was ready Rachel led him in. Arron and Sparky were at the table both with a big smile on there faces. She glanced at Jack who suddenly found the floor very interesting. One step at a time she reminded herself. The cafeteria wasn’t as empty as she would have liked, but you couldn’t have everything. At least most of them weren’t staring at him.

“Hi there buddy,” Sparky greeted him.

“Hey man,” Arron said.

Jack returned it with a slightly weak, “Hey.”

“How’s the food?”, she asked as they sat down.

“About the same,” Sparky told her. “I don’t know what it is but the quality has been dipping for the past couple of weeks.”

“Dude, we’re living underground,” Arron said. “What kind of quality are you expecting?”

“Man you’re the rich kid,” he shot back.

“Here we go again,” Arron sighed.

“I’m just saying you should be with me on this one. You’ve gone from the finer things in life to this. I say you demand some better food. For morale if nothing else.”

“Leave Fido alone will ya.”

All three of them looked right at Jack. For a brief moment he looked liked his old self, although to Rachel it looked a bit forced. But Hell, right now she’ll take it. “I have to agree with these two,” she told Sparky.

“You just asked me hear so you can gang up on me didn’t you?”, he joked. “Usually I’d be a tad tee’d off, but I’m just glad my best bud is out of that stuffy ass room. This hole hasn’t been the same without you around.”

“I’ll go grab us some food,” Arron said as he got up.

“Thanks Arron,” Rachel told him.

“The kid’s been taking real good care of you bike,” Sparky told Jack. “Just like it was his own baby,” Jack just nodded. “Hell I think you might have a hard time getting it back.” She was certain he was trying to get a rise out of him, but apparently he wasn’t biting. Then he added, “Of course it’s a shame to just let it sit there. I mean a machine like that needs, no, wants to be out on the streets.”

“You’re not racing my bike,” Jack told him plainly. Sparky looked s little hurt, then he gave her a quick grin. There was a little of his old self in there. And she would wait as long as it took until they were able to pull it out of him. Now if they can get him back fully or not was a question she wasn’t ready to think about yet.

Suddenly he put his hands in front of his eyes to try to hide the fact he was squeezing them shut. He was seeing “them” again. Sparky recognized that motion and looked a little uncomfortable. Over the past months these episodes were of various lengths, right now Rachel was hoping this was one of the shorter versions. Rubbing his shoulder lightly she said, “Just let it pass.” Slowly he removed his hands from his eyes and tried to get his breathing back to normal. “We’re going to beat this,” she assured him.

“I don’t think we can,” he told her while holding his forehead.

“Hey man,” Sparky cut in, “that defeatist talk. You are going to whip this like nobody business.” Rachel was glad he was there trying to raise his confidence. Arron came back soon after with a couple of trays. Jack picked at his food but occasionally he took a bite here and there. Like they planned they started up a conversation, and while they weren’t forcing him to talk every so often they leave him an opening to say something. More times than not he wouldn’t, but when he did he at least appeared normal. Again it looked forced to her but at least he was trying. How did Dusty put it, he didn’t lose his fight he was just hiding it somewhere.

“I don’t believe it,” a new voice said. Rachel didn’t need to see Sparky and Arron’s face to know it was Jason. This was the last thing they needed right now. “I mean I heard, but I didn’t believe it. The all mighty Drakan Killer decided to come out of his hiding hole. It must be a miracle,” he said sarcastically.

“Lay off of him if you know what’s good for you,” Arron said, with a bit of a growl edging his voice.

“So the green whelp,” Jason spat, “think he has teeth. I’ll prove you wrong some other time.” He pushed Arron to the side as he sat right in front of Jack. Rachel motioned for Arron to stay where he was while Sparky put a hand around his arm to hold him back. Then she gave her entire attention to Jack, who was staring at a spot on the table. But she did notice that the hand he had on the table started to ball up only to stop a few times. “So this is what became of you,’ Jason taunted. “You came barging in here all high and mighty, now look at you.”

“We were invited to stay here,” Rachel reminded him.

“Shut up you worthless human,” he snapped at her not taking his eyes off Jack. The corner of his eyes start to crinkle as something flashed in them briefly. “What are you going to do Bug?”, Jason challenged him seeing it too. He shot his head foreword, like he was going to come at him. Jack flinched away and Rachel gave the Drakan a look that could kill. He ignored her as he slowly got up and leaned over Jack. Getting right in Jack’s ear he said, “And to think we were afraid of you.”

Sparky surprised all of them by nearly jumping over Arron and punching him in the mouth. “I think it’s time for you to leave,” he said in a warning tone. Jason smirked as he held his jaw. Then he stood up, shot a last look at Jack and left.

After a minute Sparky sat back down as Arron stared at him. “You actually punched him.”

“Eh, you’re a bad influence,” he said looking mildly embarrassed. “I think I hurt my hand.”

“Somebody had to have told him Jack was here,” Arron looked around before getting up. “If you guys will excuse me.”

“Arron don’t do anything stupid,” Rachel warned him.

“Just making sure the hallways are clear.”

“I’ll make sure he stays out of trouble,” Sparky told them while he got up. He looked confused for a second then added, “Did that just come out of me?”

Rachel shrugged her shoulders and watched them leave. Jack looked like he didn’t know what he was going to do. Rubbing his shoulder again she asked, “You have enough for one day?” She noticed he was looking at his hand, it was still trying to make a fist. “Come on Jack let’s call it a day.”

“I,” he started to say, “I should have… I should have said something. I should have done something.”

“There’ll be plenty of time for that later,” she told him. Of course one of these day she was going to make sure Melissa wasn’t around at the wrong time.

***
Anderson walked through the hallways of the World Inc. Building. Barely acknowledging anybody who crossed his path he was deeply entrenched in his own thoughts. He had walked these corridors many times, with the late senior Allen and by himself, so he had these paths committed to memory. So he could walk any hallway on autopilot and still arrive at his destination. Of course there were times such as now where he was trying to clear his mind, and it was rather busy with one particular subject. After awhile he noticed a person that was now walking with him. Very few people would be this bold, “Mr. Taylor.”

“Mr. Anderson,” his VP answered in return.

“Still no word I assume.”

“I’m afraid not sir. The offer has been out there for a month and no one taken it yet. Maybe they’re afraid.

“Of what Mr. Taylor

“That this might be a trap to find out where they’re hiding.” A possibility he had considered himself more than once. “Or…,”Taylor trailed off.

“I hate when people leave an unfinished thought hanging in the air Mr. Taylor.”

He started slowly, “Or the reason why haven’t heard anything is that Davidson might be dead.”

“He’s alive,” Anderson stated firmly. “I know word of the Drakan Killer death would have spread like an uncontrolled wildfire. Up the reward for information on his current condition. And keep raising it until we have some sort of concrete information on his condition one way or another.”

Taylor stopped in his tracks looking dumbfounded, “Why?”, he ended up asking. Anderson slowly turned around to face him and said nothing. “Why are we going to so much trouble to find out? Davidson is a traitor. If he’s out of the way, even temporarily, shouldn’t we be finding out a way to use this to our advantage?”

Waiting a few moments before answering he said, “Honestly Mr. Taylor, I do not know. I suppose part of me feels responsible for Davidson. I was the one who green lighted him for the Fusion project, because something in my gut told me too. He was the guinea pig that proved that the effort we put into the project was worth it. But mainly I want to know why, because the man I saw here does not sound like the man Mr. Perez saw.” Turning back around he added, “Raise the reward once a week. The information is out there, it’s just a matter of finding the right price.”

***
Emily watched through the window as he sat against the wall. Rachel was still in there with him just talking away. Occasionally he’d say something in return. She stopped when an episode hit, judging from his reaction this one was particularly bad. Rachel held him until it passed then made sure he was alright. Emily saw Melissa’s reflection in the window and nodded. “I can’t believe she’s still in there,” Melissa said out loud.

“The child determination is fueling her at this point,” Emily pointed out.

“It’s getting to the point that we have to force her to take a break. I think Dusty would make more of a fuss about it if Jack didn’t respond to her more than anybody else.”

“The experiences they shared created a bond between them child. I would’ve been surprised if it wasn’t her he was reacting too.” There were a few moments of silence, “But it still troubles you to see him like this, doesn’t it.”

“How can I not be troubled? I know I’m partially responsible for this happening.” After another moment of silence Melissa added, “Usually this would be the place people would say I’m wrong.”

“And I would truly like to tell you that child. But circumstances beyond our control forced us into this situation.”

“Close enough,” she said with a small smile. Emily returned it and went back to watching Jack. “Emily,” she said, “I know your visions are never wrong but from what you told me I think that boat’s been missed for this one.”

“I don’t think it has,” she said after thinking it over.

“I don’t want to argue with you but,” Melissa glanced at Jack and Melissa before continuing, “but he suffered a mental breakdown. If he was going to talk to you he would’ve done it before it happened.”

“And nobody said he was going to talk to me before it happened,” she corrected her. “I just know he will talk to me when he’s ready.”

“I don’t think he’s going to be talking to anybody soon while he’s in this state.”

“I this state no,” she agreed. “But it is a sign he’s going to get better, if even just a little. It all depends on how you look at it,” Emily gave her a light tap on the leg with her cane, “you should know that by now child.”

***
Why wouldn’t they go away and leave him alone. Fading in and out like they didn’t have a care in the world. Wasn’t there anybody else these ghosts could bother for once? All he wanted was for them to leave them alone, how much more of a price did have to pay? Yeah, he’s killed a lot of Drakan since they altered him and he probably deserved this. But when was it finally going to be enough?

Actually what he really wanted was to hit one of these things right in the nose. Just to see if he got any satisfaction from it if anything else. He felt his hand start to close but something inside stopped it… again. Well at any rate it gave him something to think about when the ghost weren’t around. Of course if he did start swinging away at them he’d be freaking the others out even more. He might be out of his mind but he could see how uncomfortable the other were, even Rachel. She might be hiding it better than the others but he could see it.

“Seriously man,” Sparky said as he walked around the empty room, “what do you do in here all day. If it was me I think I’d be planning my escape on day two.”

Leaning his head back against the wall he said, “See ghost, go nuts, plan to take over the world. You know the usual.”

Sparky gave him a nervous grin, “I swear that was almost a joke.”

“OK maybe the take over the world part was a bit much.” He closed his eyes for a bit. When he opened them Sparky looked like he was bracing himself. “No spooks this time, just a little bored.”

“How can you be bored with Mr. Personality around?”

“So I’m not the only one out of his mind then.”

“You’re lucky you’re sick or I’d kick you butt.”

“You’re really far gone ain’t ya?”, he said with a grin.

“Alright Mr. Ha-ha,” Sparky said sounding annoyed, “why are you so funny in here when out there…”, he stopped. From embarrassment or not sure what to say, he wasn’t sure.

Jack answered any way, “Because in here I know who’s real and who’s not.”

“Make sense,” Sparky said absentmindedly, you never know when a Joker going to pop out in his Drakan form. Then I’d have to stop Arron from kicking his ass and that would cause a whole different mess entirely.”

Rachel walked in a moment later carrying a box of some sort. She waved Sparky over to the door. She whispered something to him, but Jack could hear it anyway. “I heard you two talking.” Sparky stated to say something then Rachel added, “Thank you.”

He smiled and looked embarrassed, “Just glad to help out where I can.” Rachel patted him on the shoulder as he left.

She looked over at him and plastered that smile on her face that she had for the past month. He didn’t have the heart to tell her how fake that looked. Then again he was half out of his mind so what did he know. “So what’s with giving Sparky a hard time?”

“It’s Sparky,” he answered.

Rachel sat across from him and he got a good look at the box she was carrying, a game of checkers. “You would not believe how hard it was to find a complete set down here, “she told him. “I mean I found a piece being used to straighten out a table. Then again you really can’t be that choosey about the quick fixes around here I suppose.” She opened the box and started setting up the game, “In case you were wondering why I brought this I thought you could use something to do. You know get your mind off things for awhile. If you’re up to it that is.”

Jack started smiling as a memory came to him, “I’m guessing you’re afraid I’d kick you butt in that wrestling game again.”

This time a genuine smile crossed her lips, “I seem to recall I had you on the ropes when time ran out.”

“And people think I’m crazy.”

She leaned in a little, “The moment I can convince Dusty to find away to hook that system up down here I’ll show you who was kicking who’s butt.” There was a small glint in her eyes for a moment, he wasn’t sure what it was. “So,” she said as she returned to setting up the game, “do you want to be red or black?”

Almost on cue all the red Drakan he’d killed came at him, quickly he told her, “Black.”

***
Despite all his wondering about Davidson he did have a company to run, and a group of rebel he had to lead back into the fold so to speak. Why couldn’t they see what they think they wanted was wrong? One would think they would eventually realize all of this would stop the moment they came to their senses. But every society had its trouble makers he supposed. That’s what made programs like the Fusion system a necessity. Speaking of, he was long overdue for an update.

Walking into R&D he scanned the room for Armstrong. His head researcher was busy going over a set of plans with his assistants, not even noticing he was in the room. Several of the developers got out of his way as he made his way toward the group. Armstrong finally saw him there and said, “Tim, why don’t you take the others and test it out some more.” Breaking away from the pack and met him half way, “What can I do for you Mr. Anderson?”

Getting straight to the point he said, “I wanted to ask about Mitchell. I haven’t received an update in quite a while.”

“Well the bonding process takes time. With Davidson…”

Anderson cut him off, “You originally gave me the impression the Mark two would make the process easier, therefore faster.”

“I do realize that Mr. Anderson, but something unexpected came up. Come with me if you’ll please.” Armstrong lead him to his desk, surprisingly there were some MRI images of a spinal cord on it. “The damage to Mitchell spine was more severe than the medical wing originally thought. While the Mark two would help correct the problem, we’re not sure how much additional work is going to be needed at this point if the legs aren’t getting the signal properly. It’s entirely possible he may have to learn to walk again.”

“Considering who paralyzed him to begin with I’m sure Mitchell would be properly motivated to accomplish that task. If the need arise that is.”

“I’m sure he would,” Armstrong agreed. “Also we came up with an upgrade for the system I was going to run by you.” He unrolled another set of blue prints and gave the non technical explanations to him. Anderson raised an eyebrow in interest in what he was hearing. “Granted, putting it in now would lengthen the bonding period, but we feel it would be helpful in case Davidson got in a lucky shot.”

“I agree with your assessment Dr. Armstrong. Add the upgrade to Mitchell’s system. “I’m sure he would hate to be defeated by a ‘lucky’ shot as you put it.”

***
In what almost become a habit she waited in the common area for the team she set out to come back. Christopher would wait for them in the garage, and she tried to do that a couple of times. It never felt right to her. Then again he could inspire confidence just by standing there. Her, she was lucky she’s been able to hold this thing together for this long. Even now, when nobody thought she was around, she’d hear whispers on how Chris would do such and such this way. Melissa said she wasn’t her brother and had no plans to be like him, but every so often she wished she had a bit of whatever he had.

A growing sensation of satisfaction brought her back to the here and now. A successful raid if she had to guess, but it was edge with something else. She wasn’t sure what it was at this point. It was bad enough when they told her the resistance they’ve been encountering lately had been human, no Drakans. Like Anderson decided to hold off on using those under for now or something. Melissa wasn’t sure if she could handle something else right now.

“The job is complete,” Jason boasted as he entered the common area. A look at the face of some of the others, including Sparky, said something else happened. “We got the supplies you wanted and hurt Anderson at the same time.” That statement could not be good for them in the long or short run.

“You were just suppose to grab what we needed and leave,” she reminded them. Sparky and the others looked right at Jason.

“What did you do?” Nathan asked as he made his way through the crowd.

“I got what we needed,” he said looking smug, “and then I did what we needed to do.”

“And how is blowing up the warehouse something we needed to do?”, Sparky shot him. Melissa and the other around her looked at him. She turned around and rubbed her hands down her face.

“Are you out of your mind!”, Nathan exploded. “Are you trying to attract undo attention to us?”

“Why not?”, Jason challenged. “Let us show the world what we’re willing to do for our cause.”

“And Anderson can and will use that to paint us in an even bigger negative light,” Melissa informed him. “We do not need to give a alpha who secretly agrees with him an opening to come out publically. We are barely holding our own as it is, the last thing we need is for Anderson to get a fresh supply of troops.”

“Then we show them why it was a mistake to join with Anderson to begin with,” he shot back. “What would you have us do, stay hidden in the shadows? Along with being afraid of being discovered by accident?” He looked at the crowd around them and continued his argument, “It’s time we showed them we are not afraid, that we are willing to fight back and take what we want.”

“And give Anderson a bigger target,” Nathan counter angrily. “How many times have I told you, taking him on directly is a sure way to get us wiped out.”

“And what do you suggest old man?”, Jason challenged him. “That we place all our hope and prayers on the metal bug? We know how reliable he is don’t we? Right now you apparent savior is cowering in a hole afraid of his own shadow.” Sparky had to be held back but Jason didn’t see it.

The emotion from the room was so overwhelming she didn’t know something was going to happen until it did. The only clue Melissa had was Sparky seeing something behind Jason and a brief flash of blond hair. All of the sudden a metal pole whipped up between Jason legs and nailed him in the crotch. He went down holding himself and Sparky and a few of the other had a big grin on their face. Rachel was behind him holding one of Jack’s battle staffs with a hateful look on her face. After a moment she said, “You’re lucky I couldn’t find the boomstick,” and walked off.

“Do something,” Jason said in pain as he looked at her.

“You so had that coming,” Sparky said as he stepped over him as Nathan and a few other nodded in agreement.

“Is there something more to this that I need to know about,” Melissa stopped and asked him.

Sparky thought it over for about a second, “Nah, not really,” and continued on his way. “But somebody might want to tell her to disinfect that staff before too long.”

She looked over to Jason who was still on the ground, “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” and walked away in another direction. Despite Sparky’s claim there was something more to that than what she saw. She told herself she would check on it… eventually.


*ending theme – Linkin Park – What I’ve Done*

[scikaiju]

<Episode 34>

*opening theme – Ana - We Are*


Once again he was in the mountains facing the one person he hated more than anybody else in the world. As always they fought and he killed him with his bare hands. Walking away the monkey came back to life and kicked the crap out of him. As before the monkey waved around his waist and the belt appeared around it’s waist as the armor faded disappeared. On more time it waved an ever growing number of dead Drakan from the surrounding fog as the system activated on each of them. Again he started to run but was held in place by Richie and Max. All he could do was watch in fear as the Drakan turned the right pod while other hit the button that used to be there under the belt. They jumped as one and he woke up screaming, “NOOOO!!”

Jack quickly looked around the barren room trying to figure out where he was. Then he focused on Rachel hovering nearby and remembered. A few seconds later she wrapped her arms around him and tried to calm him down. She never did anything as soon as he woke up, always waiting a moment or two. Jack knew why, he overheard them talking about it, as Sparky put it he was in attack mode as soon as he came out of the nightmare. And Jack wasn’t sure if he would hurt anybody or not at the moment.

“It’s ok Jack,” Rachel said as he breathing went back to normal. Slowly she pulled away and sat next to him. After all this time in this room she was finally able to get him a mattress to sleep on a month or so back. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her staring at him. “Talk to me Jack,” she said after a few moments of silence.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” he said as his heart finally stopped beating in his ears.

“And don’t tell me that,” she told him plainly. ”This is the only area where you’re not making any kind progress. Was there anything different about the nightmare this time around? Anything, something small, something you usually wouldn’t have noticed.”

“The only thing different is the number stopped getting bigger,” he told her, talking about the amount of dead Drakan coming at him. A tear fell down his check, he wasn’t sure how much more of this he could take, “Why won’t this go away?”

“I wish I could tell you,” she said honestly, “but you’re the only one who can do that. Or at least that what Dusty says.” Rachel brushed some of the hair out of his eyes, “One of these days we’re going to have to get you a haircut, maybe a shave. You’re looking like Grizzly Adams.”

Jack smiled weakly, “So you don’t go for the rugged looking type?”

Rachel smiled back, “You couldn’t even begin to guess my type.”

“Don’t tell me you and Sparky are spending a little quality time in one of his hiding spots.”

Rachel looked annoyed for a brief second before smiling again, “And to think I was missing those lame jokes of yours.”

“I can go lamer, I’m just out of practice.”

“And that’s a really scary thought,” she told him. Patting him on the knee she said, “Try to go back to sleep, we got a long day ahead of us.”

“And more people watching to see if I’m going to crack again,” he said out loud without thinking.

“Now don’t talk like that,” she scolded him. “Nobody wants to see you have a relapse.”

“Tell that to the chimp,” he said darkly.

“Yeah well,” she hesitated, “Jason a jackass to begin with.”

“According to Sparky a higher pitched one after you were done,” he teased her.

Rachel looked embarrassed, “Like you said Sparky says a lot of things.”

“And Arron and Angie and I think I overheard Melissa say something…”

“Alright wise guy, save some of that for later.” She kissed on top of the head, “Now try to get some sleep.” Jack nodded and laid back down. He closed his eyes and tried to relax before finally drifting back off again. But it didn’t seem like no time before he was back in the mountains fighting Jason again before everything went to hell.

***
When he wasn’t waking up screaming in the middle of the night everybody was amazed at the progress Jack had made. A few commented that he was almost like his old self. Of course people like her and Dusty knew him a little better. Every so often Rachel would catch him with his eyes closed for an extended period of times. He was still seeing his ghost, but at least they didn’t seem to appear as often as they did. Either that or he’s gotten better at hiding the spells. If it was the latter they were going to have a talk.

Later though, right now they had to get to the garden center. Rachel didn’t believe how long it took her to convince Dusty that this would be a good idea. She saw his point when Jack was seeing ghost every other minute, he might have tried to run or something. But now seemed like good a time as any to see how he would react in a larger group setting. She watched him hesitate for a second before they entered the underground garden the rebels had set up. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw as he looked around the area with a worried look that he tried to cover up. Apparently she was the only one who saw it as Sparky and a red and purple haired girl she learned was named Angie ran up to them smiling like nothing was wrong.

“Buddy I’m glad to see you down here,” Sparky told him.

Rachel and Jack looked at each other totally confused. Then Jack asked, “What in the blue hell are you doing down here?”.

“Without a gun pointed to your head?”, she added.

“What are you two talking about,” he said laughing. “I love coming down here.”

“Since when?”, they asked in unison. Sparky gestured toward Angie without her seeing. Jack sighed and walked toward the tool rack as Sparky followed him.

Angie smiled at him and turned toward Rachel, “I know he’s full of it but I love watching him act. Oh Jack,” she called out, “anytime you want to lop that hair off let me know. I do more than just makeup and wigs.”

“I told you needed one,” Rachel said. Jack waved her off.

“You really ought to think about it,” Sparky told him. “How do you think I stay looking so pretty?”

“I’m a stylist not a miracle worker,” Angie said then walked off.

Sparky quickly went after her, “Now was that necessary?”

Jack leaned on the rake he picked out and watched them, “Either he’s trying to hook up with her or I’m crazier than I thought.”

“Nobody that’s crazy,” Rachel told him. He nodded after thinking about it a bit and she picked out a hoe and they started working. It wasn’t long before she became aware of somebody hiding in the corner. From the look of things Jack hadn’t noticed yet so she made her way over. Sounding a little irritable she said, “I had him convince nobody was going to be watching him.”

“Just here as a doctor and a friend little lady,” Dusty told her. “Still say this is a bit much too soon.”

“And you know how much he hates being babied,” she countered. “Especially now since he’s acting more or less like normal.”

“I hope you don’t mind if I point out the word ‘act’ there.”

“Look I know he’s faked a couple of reactions since this happened to look normal. I’ve known him long enough to realize that. But this is him, I know it.”

“I know you want to think that darlin’…”

She cut him off, “What, you think I so desperate that I’m seeing things?” That came out a little angrier than she intended.

Dusty didn’t look fazed but sounded apologetic, “I didn’t mean it like that little lady, but I caught myself doing it a few times too.” Putting a hand on her shoulder he added, “We all want him back Rachel, so bad we can taste it. But sometimes we have to step back and take a more critical eye about things.”

Before she could answer they heard Jack say, “Would you quit it.”

“Come on man,” Sparky said while playfully jabbing the handle end of a shovel at Jack. “Let’s see if you still have the moves.”

“I don’t do that anymore Sparky,” Jack told him while trying to grab the handle or trying to knock it away.

“That part still gotta be in you somewhere.” He kept jabbing away, “You just have to find it again.”

“Quit it Sparky,” Jack started to look annoyed and a little angry.

“Sparky that’s enough,” Angie told him.

“Just having some fun,” was all he said as he continued doing it.

Before Rachel and Dusty could run over and stop him Jack finally had enough. “Would,” he used his rake to knock it away, “you,” he blocked a return swing, “quit,” Jack tripped him and stood over him, “it!”He raised the rake over his head and she ran faster. Everybody stopped what they were doing and watched. She saw his eyes change before the rest of him did. He started looking lost and confused a second before his hands opened up and the rake dropped to the ground. Looking at his hands he backed away sputtering, “I’m… I’m sorry I… I don’t…”

“Dude seriously, my bad,” Sparky said as he stood up. “I should have stopped when you said so.”

“You better believed you should have stopped,” Rachel snapped at him. Jack just slowly backed away from them staring at his hands.

“Rachel I’m…”, Sparky started.

“Not know Sparky,” she said sharply, by now Jack was already leaning against a wall with that confused look on his face. If she wasn’t so mad at Sparky she might be sharing that look. She had no idea where that came from either.

***
Jack had a vague idea what was going on around him. Most of the others went back to what they were doing ignoring what happened. A few were pretending to do that while glancing his way. Rachel and Angie were both giving Sparky a piece of their mind. Frank stormed over demanding to know what the hell was going on while Dusty tried to calm him down. At the moment he was bothered by something else. It wasn’t even the fact he started to fight back against Sparky, violently at that. No, something in his head screamed stop and his hands opened on their own.

Now he couldn’t even get his hands to close again, like something was stopping them. If it was a glitch in the system he could understand, but only his left arm was reconstructed. His right still had some of his original “parts”, so why was it doing it too? Why has it been doing it for that matter? Jack tried to force his right hand to make a fist but it was resisting him. He was trying so hard to make it close beads of sweat starting to appear on his forehead, “Come on, close damn it.”

“Careful son,” Dusty said catching by surprise, “you’re gonna break something.”

Glancing at Dusty briefly he said, “I guess I wasn’t ready for this.”

“Actually I’m thinking Rachel might be right and you’re almost back to being yourself.”

“I almost attacked Sparky,” he said sounding a little bewildered.

“But you stopped yourself, showed a little self restraint. Hell, I would have just kicked his ass.”

Jack looked at his hands again, “But how much of it was actually me?’

“I’m not gonna lie to ya, I’ve seen your hand… well I don’t want to call it a problem, But it might be a symptom that you just don’t realize you have yet.”

“And what part of that is supposed to make sense?”

“It’s medical side talk son, it’s not suppose to make sense,” Dusty said with a chuckle. “But the answer to that,” he pointed at Jack’s hand, “is in that open space you call a head. The moment you figure that out is the moment you clear that last hurdle, then you’re in the home stretch.”

“What if I can’t figure it out?”

“I’m sure you will. And I’m pretty sure it has to deal with that guilt you been feeling, or lack of according to you.” He was quiet for a few moments. “You’re the only one who can make that last jump son. A lot of people want you back the way you were before. Hell I’m one of them. But it’s up to you if you want to go that way.”

“Never knew I had a choice in the matter,” he said idly as he looked at the Drakan around them.

“You always have a choice son,” Dusty patted him on the shoulder, “No matter what some people might tell ya.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time somebody told me that.”

“Then it’s gotta be true then doesn’t son,” Dusty smiled. “Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a couple of runny noses and a cracked oil pan that’s come to my attention.”

Dusty patted him on the shoulder again and walked off to whatever was closest. After a few moments Frank came storming past him saying something like, “I have half a mind to take them up on that offer.” Jack started at him for a few moments wondering what that meant, then he looked down. There were a few weeds at his feet, but between them there was a plant of something, it looked like some kind of flower. Without really thinking he knelt down and started pulling the weeds away from the plant.

“Well that didn’t quite go according to plan did it?”, Rachel said as she walked up to him. Jack just grunted as he continued pulling the weeds. He could feel her staring at him. “So you ready to go?”

“Not yet,” he said not looking at her.

“Well there’s not much left to do around here. The next shift already here.”

“Good for them.”

Rachel got down to a knee and watched him, “What are you doing?”

“Rachel,” he wasn’t sure how to explain it, he really didn’t know himself, “I’ve killed a lot of these people. I just,” he finally looked at her, “I just want to help something live for a change.”

She looked at the plant and smiled softly, “Alright, do you want some help? I sent you after a few of them after all.”

“I don’t suppose you know anything about growing plants? Because I have no clue.”

***
“What can I do for you today General?”, Anderson asked as Rhodes walked in unannounced. Usually he would ask to see him first so something must be bothering the man to more or less barge in like this.

“The good Senator,” he replied, “is starting to make some noise again.”

“Persistent for a human, isn’t he?”, Anderson sighed.” Very tricky as well, he waits just long enough that the turmoil he cause if almost back down to normal before rattling the metaphorical saber again. If he was a Drakan I’d almost respect him.”

“Well he starting to talk to people around me now,” Rhodes informed him. “People with as much pull as I do. At least one with a somewhat negative view of this company.” Looking a little nervous he leaned on the desk, “He’s bringing up rumors that a mark two system is being bonded to somebody right now.”

“Humans do love to gossip, don’t they General,” Anderson mused. “I suppose that’s how they get some of their information, a human who can not keep quiet.”

Rhodes straighten up, “You’re being awfully nonchalant about this. This could be trouble.”

He opened a drawer on his right side and started rummaging through the files inside. “I did not get this far by worrying about thing before they happen.” Finding the right file he pulled it out and handed it to the General. “Give this to him, just a reminder of a previous conversation he has obviously forgotten.”

The general flipped through the file then looked at him, “Is this true?”

“Enough of it is to be plausible,” he told him. “The best lies always have a hint of the truth to them. Something I remembered after Davidson’s defection. Perhaps he would still be working for us if I remembered that back then, or perhaps not.”

Tapping the folder against his hand Rhodes commented, “It might be easier to replace the Senator on that committee rather than drag stuff like this up and spin it.”

“Perhaps,” he conceded. “It’s something I already looked into. Unfortunately anybody else on that committee does not have the same political stroke Henning does, so we must put up with him for the time being. We just have to remind him of his place in the order of things. Speaking of which, inform the Senator that there is more where that came from.” He let a small smile slip through, “For a man so upstanding in his community he does have a rather shaky past.”

“If you don’t mind me saying so,” Rhodes said,” you do seem unusually happy today.”

Anderson leaned back in his chair, “There is a reason for that General, for the first time in months we may finally have word on Davidson’s condition. To find out one way or another does take a load off of one’s mind.”

***
The old man put that green bitch up to this, Jason just knew it. Why else would he be put in a “grab and dash” operation with a group that had the green whelp and his blue haired lackey? This had to be some sort of punishment for speaking his mind. Yet months ago that worthless human assaulted him and they did nothing. The injustice of it all. They even had the nerve to search him for explosives before they left. It was almost as bad as being under Anderson’s rule.

“The shipping yard looks clean,” the group leader said while looking through his binoculars. “Looks like their info was right on the money.”

“So why ain’t they doing this one?”, Sparky asked.

“For once me and the blue haired freak agree on something,” Jason said smugly.

“Blame the guy who took over for Drake,” the green whelp said. “He wanted a show of, and I’m quoting here, ‘good faith’ from Melissa.”

“Is that why that particular cell been keeping their distance from us after Drake died?”

“And the others too according to Lance,” the whelp told them. “The way he tells it the other cell leaders are starting to miss Drake, at least he understood they wouldn’t be able to survive on their own.”

“Somebody who thinks they can do it all by themselves,” he could feel Sparky stare at the back of his head. “Sound like anybody you know?”

“Keep the metal bug out of this,” Jason shot back. He smirked when a couple had to remind the whelp they were on the same side. The group leader waved them on and the silently crossed the street to an area of the surrounding fence that was darkened due to the lack of lights. The whelp wisely picked up a few pieces of stray gravel and tossed them at the fence to see if it was electrified. It wasn’t so Jason and Sparky started in with the bolt cutters. Jason was actually amazed that they were ahead of schedule for once.

“According to their information the target on the first floor.”

“Guess it’s too much to hope that it’s near a window,” Sparky said before everybody hushed him. They found a door Sparky quickly unlocked. Two of the group stayed outside to guard their exit while the rest of them went inside the building. All of them felt uneasy about this assignment, the show of good faith was a file on a computer in a particular office. The best they could they could get out of this cell was that the file contained the troop placement for Anderson personal army. Even Melissa said this was foolish to attempt, but it could be useful information if they could get their hands on it. Arron found the office and the door was unlocked, that raised a few alarms in his head and the others were apparently smart enough to be alerted by it as well. The whelp quickly put a disk in the drive and looked for the file. Like that new cell leader said it was encrypted but he also supplied the password. Surprisingly it worked and the file started downloading.

“Remind me later to wonder how they got the passcode,” the whelp said after the download was complete and took the disk.

“If these guys are that good I can see why Melissa wants to keep them happy,” Sparky commented.

“If they’re that good maybe they already know Jack’s with us,” the whelp said. “It would explain why they been keeping their distance lately.”

“I’ve been saying that bug been more trouble than what he’s worth,” Jason said, partially to get under their skin. He and a few of the other realized something was wrong the moment they saw the door they entered from was ajar. Jason knew he closed it after the entered. Suddenly it swung open and a black clad World Inc. shock trooper barged in. Jason, who quickly dropped his human disguise, grabbed the human by the head and slammed him to the ground. The other changed forms while the whelp sniffed the air.

“He’s the only one by the door,” he said after a moment, “but there definitely more out there.” Carefully they peaked round the door and saw shock troopers manning the fence. The two that were guarding he door was lying on the ground by them. The lack of smell of Drakan blood told them they were still alive. “Oh God we were set up.”

“This is why we should be armed,” Jason spat.

“Right know I settle for an armored dragonfly,” the group leader said. “Scatter as best you can. Try to meet up at the old arcade. We’ll regroup from there. And hang on to that disk, something good better come form it after all of this.”

A couple of them went out the door. A few ran down the hall and crashed through the window at the end. Jason and the rest broke through the closest office and exited through the window within. Their reflexes were the only thing keeping them ahead of the gunshots. Although one or two went down because they were too slow. Jason saw a dart stick out of one that was hit. Apparently Anderson wanted them all taken alive, at least it gave them a chance.

He saw an idiot charge right at the shock troopers, apparently trying to give them an opening. That idiot only gave them an easier target. Right now it was every man for himself as far as he was concerned. Jason quickly saw where the gunmen weren’t located and headed in that direction. So far none of them had noticed or he was out of their firing range. Then a shock stick came out of no where and struck him in the stomach. He bent over from the pain but refused to go down. He wouldn’t give the human the satisfaction. Another one came out of hiding and jammed another shock stick into his side. He was vaguely aware that they were taunting him as they continued to jab at him. Jason tried to fight back, even came close to grabbing one of their disgusting faces, but the other one stopped him short.

“Gangway!”, a eel said as he ran a shoulder into one of the troopers. Turning his attention to the other one he shocked him when the human tried to attack. Finally Sparky stopped playing around and took the shock stick from the human and used it against him, shocking him unconscious. “Guess that what happens when they have this set to Drakan all the time,” he joked. Behind him the other human tried to sneak up on him. Then the wolf whelp flew in with a kick that knocked the trooper into the wall. Sparky watched him slide to the ground with an ear to ear grin and said “Boom.” The wolf gave him a look, “You got that from Jack and you know it.”

“That was a flying side kick,” the wolf said as he hauled Jason to his feet. “Standard martial arts.”

They started running as Sparky said, “Then how come I never seen you do it before now?”.

“Why did you help me?”, Jason asked in total confusion.

“And deny Jack the chance to kick your blue hairy ass?”, Sparky answered. “He’d never forgive us.” Jason silently fumed as they ran into the night.

***
Rachel was already up watching Jack lay there sleeping. As sad as it sounded she had his nightmares more or less timed out. Occasionally he’d miss one or have an extra one but for the most part they were like clockwork. Almost on cue he started twitching. Slowly she sat up and got ready. It wasn’t long before he stopped twitching and his eyes snapped open and he shot up, “NOOOO!!”

It was getting harder and harder not to go to him immediately, but he still needed those first couple of moments to realize where he was. Then she went to him and tried to calm him down, “It’s ok, I’m here. It was only a nightmare, remember.”

Jack clutched her arm that was different. There must have been something new to the nightmare. “A couple of them went after somebody else,” he started without any prodding from her. “I don’t know who… I couldn’t stop them.”

“It was only a nightmare,” she told him. “They can’t get anybody.” He just sat there shaking in her arms. But the nightmare, after all these months, finally changed. So what did that mean?


*Ending theme – Linkin Park – What I’ve done*

[scikaiju]

<Episode 35>


*Opening Theme – Ana – We Are*


“I can shave myself you know,” Jack protested as he sat in the chair. Rachel and Sparky stood by as Angie used an old barber razor across his cheek. “I should know, I’ve done it before. I’m kinda good at it.” He tapped his foot impatiently the entire time.

“I know you can,” Rachel said,” but I don’t want you to have a razor in your hands in case you have another episode.”

“I’m haunted and she sounding like it’s a TV show,” he mumbled. A little louder he said, “A couple of extra scars aren’t gonna make that much of a difference. What, you think I’m gonna cut an artery or something?”

“Of course not,” she told him. Even if it was a major lie. “But you’re always doing things for yourself. Sometimes it’s nice to sit back and let somebody do it for you. So enjoy it or I’ll tell Angie to get rough with you.”

“Relax would you Jack,” Angie said joining in. “You should feel lucky. I don’t do this for just anybody you know. Otherwise I never get anything done around here.”

“Good to have connections,” Sparky said beaming.

“Yeah,” Angie agreed, “and it it’s a good thing Rachel asked so nicely.” Sparky stopped smiling while Rachel put a hand over her mouth to cover hers. “Trust me you’re face will be smooth as a baby’s butt by the time I’m finished.”

Sparky started smiling again, “Probably not the only things she…”

Angie pointed the razor at him, “You even think about finishing that sentence and I’ll cut something off.”

He quickly backtracked, “I was talking about your legs, Damn.”

Jack got that familiar twinkle in his eyes, “If I give you twenty bucks will you do it anyway?”

She thought it over for a second, “Make it thirty and I’ll let you name the part.”

“Alright, alright,” Rachel cut in, “stop threatening poor Sparky.”

“Yeah,” he quickly agreed.

“No matter how much he deserves it.”

“Yea… hey!”

“So where’s Arron?”, Jack asked changing the subject. “I’d figured he want to be here. Somebody has to defend Sparky after all.”

“He’s with Melissa and Lance,” Sparky told him. “That cell leader coming in today. Melissa wants to have a few choice words with him about that job he sent us on.”

“Was that the same job Arron was saying ‘We were set up’ over and over?”, Jack asked. Sparky nodded, “Should be a fun meeting.”

“It took forever to calm him down,” Rachel said thinking about the commotion after they came back. “I’m surprised they want him there.”

“I’m sure they have Fido on a short leash,” Jack said absentmindedly.

“Jack go like this,” Angie said making a motion with her lip. He did and she started in on his upper lip. “You sure you just want the shave? It won’t take me that long to grab my scissors and stuff.”

“I’m just tired of my food getting stuck in there,” he said plainly.

“I’m surprised you’re not doing this,” Sparky leaned on and whispered to Rachel. She really didn’t comment. “What you don’t think you can do it, it’s not that hard you know.”

“Well a couple of people have commented I’m becoming a little overprotective,” she admitted. “After I thought about I can kind of see why they would think like that. I guess I’m trying to prove to myself that I can trust Jack in other people’s hands. Especially now that he’s not being as ‘visited’ as often as he was.” Now if only that nightmare of his would show some signs of slowing down.

“I wasn’t talking about that, I just figured something like this would bring you guys a little closer.” Then Sparky grinned a bit as he slyly said, “Unless you guys have other ways to get closer at night.”

Her face not betraying any of the annoyance she was feeling she leaned in a little closer and said, “I know where he keeps his money.” Sparky backed away and crossed his legs. She looked over at Jack who was looking right at them with an amused look on his face. Rachel didn’t want to but she ended up smiling too.

***
She was finding it hard to remain calm with Arron standing so close with his emotions streaming off him. Lance was fortunately a calming source to concentrate on, despite the small edge she was getting from him. Not that Melissa could blame them if this turned out to be true. She really didn’t want to believe they were led into a trap by one of their own, but everything was looking that way. Oh she really wanted Chris there beside her, for support more than anything else.

The door to the “war” room opened and she got her first look at Trent, Drake’s replacement. The first thing she noticed was how well dressed he was for somebody supposedly to be in hiding and on the down low. Then she noticed his eyes, blue but very suspicious, looking everywhere as fast as they could. Then he spotted her and looked her over like he was sizing her up. He gave her a warm looking smile, the only thing that was betraying it was the contempt she was getting from him. “Melissa,” she said like he spotted a long lost friend, “it’s nice you can finally see me. I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for a long time.”

“Really,” she said neutrally, “this is the first time I’m hearing of it.”

“Well,” he said as he sat down, “I’d imagine the message gotten lost along the way. You know how subordinates are.”

“No I don’t,” she told him.

Lance agreed, “Neither do I.”

“Yes,” he looked unaffected, “I guess it’s all in how you look at it.” Chuckling he said, “I suppose this is about that snafu from the other night. Bad business that.” The fact he wasn’t even trying to act sympathetic was getting on her nerves. Not only her as she held up a hand at Arron behind her so he’d keep quiet.

“Snafu wouldn’t be the word I’d use,” she told him.

“Oh,” he looked surprised, “and what word would you use?”

“How about ambush,” Lance cut in, “trap, set up.”

“I do believe that last one was two words,” he chuckled. Was he enjoying this?

“I’m glad you’re finding this funny,” Lance snapped.

“Easy Lance,” she whispered.

“I swear I didn’t know Anderson’s little army was going to show up,” Trent said holding a hand over his heart. Melissa eyes narrowed a bit. For as long as she had her gift she knew there were several emotions connected to lying. She was reading several of them right now. “If I even suspected there was a chance they would have showed up I never would have sent you after the disc.”

“That was five months out of date,” she informed him. “As of last year to be exact.”

He gave her a smile she’d only seen on con men and shady used car dealers, “I only said the disc was there. I had no way of knowing how accurate it was going to be.”

“You knew the password to the file easily enough,” Arron told him. “And you knew where the file was and in which office. So how could you not know how up to date it was?”

“No piece of information is perfect.”

“Your piece of imperfect information cost us five people,” Melissa said doing everything to stay under control. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing that.

As he slowly stood he finally lost the smug look, replaced by something that looked like borderline rage, “And we lost Drake! And from what we have been able to gather your men are still alive. Drake is dead because your people were too late to act.”

“We did everything we could to save Drake,” Melissa told him realizing were this rage was coming from.

“You didn’t do enough,” he said coldly. “Christopher’s supposed successor just stays here and does nothing.”

“And what did you expect me to do if I was there?”, she asked flat out. He wasn’t expecting her to fight back from the look of things. “Just stand there and be a target as Anderson’s men realized who I was? Even Drake wouldn’t have stood for that after what happened to Chris.”

“You’re right,” he begrudgingly admitted, “he wouldn’t have.” He straightened what he was wearing as he calmed down. “Sorry this is a bit of a sore spot with me. Especially with all the conflicting reports from that night. Our people, well my people now I suppose, the ones who got away were saying something like there were two Drakan Killers there that night.”

She felt the sudden nervousness emitting from Arron. But Trent was looking right at her and she was betraying nothing. “I heard the same thing. It was rather hectic that night from what I understand.”

“Yes, especially after Drake died. In fact,” his eyes just burrowed into her, “some of mine, after Drake died, were swearing a couple of yours was dragging one of them off.”

“Really now?” She looked at Arron, “You never told me you brought in the Drakan Killer.”

“Slipped my mind,” he said.

“That’s a pretty big slip.”

“Yes,” Trent cut in. “It is rather strange that neither one hardly been seen since then.”

“Maybe they took each other out,” she offered. “It’s long been rumored the Drakan Killer left Anderson.”

“Always a possibility,” he admitted. “There is a rather strong scent of death around here, isn’t there?”, he asked almost casually.

“I stopped noticing al long time ago,” she said flatly. “We’ve been jumped on a lot of raid or took on the Drakan Killer. Not all of them come back, especially when Anderson men are shooting to kill.”

“I’m sure if I walked into your cell I’d smell a bit of a death scent,” Lance added.

“I’m sure you would,” he agreed. “But it does seem a little heavier around here for some reason. Almost like there somebody particularly good at killing Drakan as it were.”

“It’s a larger community,” Melissa aid. “We just take people in. We don’t know what they did before, all we ask is they don’t cause any trouble while they’re here.”

“Right,” he didn’t look or feel like he was convinced. “Well thanks again for meeting with me.” They shook hands and he left. Melissa revisited the urge to wipe her hand on her jeans.

“Does he know Jack’s here?”, Arron asked after a moment.

“He suspects it,” she said. “But he can’t prove it and it’s eating at him.”

“Good going keeping your cool kid,” Lance told her. “I think Chris would have went off on him the moment he saw him. Trent is just the type of guy he loved putting in their place.” She said nothing as she listened to him. Most of her attention was at the door. “Do you think he did it?”

Looking back at all the emotions she read off him she had her answer. “I just can’t prove it.”

***
Emily sat alone in her room trying to meditate. She had a very bad feeling after Trent came by and paid his respects. Nothing concrete nor a vision of anything. Just a feeling that overcame her for whatever reason. Best leave the feelings to the like of Melissa or some other child who knew them better than she did. Breathing in slowly she held it for a second before letting it out and felt her old bones relax considerably. Then she felt that familiar moving sensation she grew accustomed to.

When she opened her eyes she was greeted to a familiar sight. She was in her room and yet not in her room at the same time. Emily knew this because it happened before. And it was some what surprising she was there again. She looked at herself and Jack sometime in the future sitting on the floor of her room. He still had that look in his face and eyes that he had the first she had this vision, so nothing changed there. This time she looked around the room trying to find something to give her some kind of time frame. Anything that would give her an idea of when this was happening. She saw nothing as she felt the moving sensation again.

Opening her eyes one more time she was in her real room, sitting in the chair she was in when it started. Emily looked around her room. She had seen the past, she had seen the future. She had talked to the dead that were willing to speak and helped others do the same. But not once in her life has she ever had the same vision twice. It unnerved her more than anything she had experienced before. Mainly because she wasn’t sure what it meant. Was it going to happen soon? Was it something she had time to prepare him and the other for? What did it mean?

***
Although she didn’t want to admit it out loud, it was good to see Jack looking like his old self. Now if he would only cut his hair. Not that she minded the long hair, she just kind of missed how he used to look. Rachel caught herself staring when she noticed Jack was looking at her. “What is there something in my teeth?”, he asked.

“No,” she said quickly. Thinking fast she added, “It just a little weird seeing your entire face again.” That wasn’t a total lie.

Jack kind of grinned, “Is it weird my face feels a little colder?”

“I think it’s in your head. Come on, our shift is about to start.” Ever since they started letting him go to the garden center it was almost impossible to get him to skip a day. She felt part of the reason was it got his mind off of things, even if it was only for awhile. And she had a feeling he didn’t trust anybody with his own personal project down there. Granted it was a couple of stray flowers, but he looked at peace while he was tending to them. Even if he barely had any idea about what he was doing.

When they arrived the place was busier than usual. Arron waved from the other side when he saw them. Then she noticed something about the tool rack. Picking up one of the shovels she studied it before looking for Frank. “When did we get new tools?”

“Today,” he answered. “I… uh… ran into a guy who owed me some money who finally decided to pay up. I figured it was about time we got some new equipment.” Then he went to another part of the center yelling at somebody for not doing something right. Jack was staring at Frank scratching his chin slightly. She grinned, “That would look a little better if you still had the beard.”

“What?”, he was startled until he realized what he was doing. He eyes caught something and he sighed, “Alright who’s idea of a joke?” Rachel turned around to see what he was looking at. Somebody had cordoned off his flowers with some stakes and rope.

“That was my idea,” Arron said as he came up to them. “Well, mine and Sparky’s. Neither of us wanted them to get stepped on or something by accident. Actually I’m amazed Frank agreed to let us do it. I guess coming into money put him in a good mood.”

“Getting money suddenly does that to you,” Jack said glancing back at Frank.

“That was very thoughtful of the two of you,” she said. “Wasn’t it Jack?”

“Yeah, thanks Fido,” he said picking out a spade. “How did the meeting with what’s his name go?”

“Don’t worry about it man,” Arron told him. “Nothing big happened.”

“That bad huh?”, Jack said.

“Worry about it after your done here,” she told him. “This stuff isn’t going to pick itself you know.” Rachel grinned to herself, “And somebody has to do Sparky’s workload.”

“Thought that’s why we had Fido here?”, Jack actually reached up and patted Arron on the head.

“Would you stop it,” Arron knocked his hand away. “I have half a mind to bury my foot in your ass.”

Jack had the nerve to look hurt, “But I’m sick.”

“In the head,” Rachel said. “The rest of you is perfectly fine.”

Arron grinned like a mad man, “So you’ve done a few personal inspections to verify this?”

Rachel face went warm almost immediately. Jack walked by with his head lowered muttering, “You so walked into that one.”

***
The common area was busier than usual as several of the adults looked over the place. Emily looked over what she could as well. This was one of the few times she wished her particular gift could be turned on when she wanted without any delay or preparation. But if she hasn’t figured it out by now she never would. She was so obsessed on her search she nearly ran into Jack who was coming around a corner, “Excuse me child.”

“It’s ok,” he said. “But I’m starting to think I did something because that the third time I’ve almost been knocked down in the past ten minutes.”

“It’s nothing you’ve done child,” she assured him. “One of the children is missing.”

Concern immediately etched his face, “Which one?”

“Jennifer,” she answered and continued her search.

“The one with the bear?”, he asked following her. “How come nobody told me? I’d help look for her.”

“I assume they didn’t want to add to your burden.”

“Screw my burden, a kid’s missing,” he told her. “When was the last time anybody saw her?”

“That was the first place everybody looked and we found nothing. Nobody could pick out her scent among those present.”

“Isn’t there a bloodhound around here?”, he muttered. He joined her as they looked around the complex calling out her name. After awhile he asked, “Is there any chance she went outside?”

“Possible, but we have people looking by the exits.”

“All the ones you know about,” he said. “Trust me, as a former sneaky little kid, there gotta be a couple around here that you don’t know about. Come on.”

“Where are we going?”

“To find a kid who’ll talk.”

She was amazed at how tight lipped the children when it came down to finding any other way out of the habitat. Jack called it the code of the playground. You don’t screw up a good thing you’re not supposed to know about by telling an adult about it. After a few more children said nothing Jack stood there with his hands on his head and his eyes closed. Emily thought he was having another one of his episodes until she heard him whisper, “Think like a kid, think like a kid, think like a kid.”

“I think I know where Jennifer went,” said a boy who looked like he was barely a teenager.

“Where?”, Jack asked immediately.

“There this pipe by the garden center,” he began. “A lot of the smaller kids use it to play outside. Jennifer keeps starting out but stops because she’s scared. The other kids make fun of her because of it. I told them to stop… I didn’t think she actually go.”

“It’s alright child,” Emily said, “you’re doing the right thing. Now where does this pipe lead?”

“A construction site that’s close by,” he said. “I think it’s abandoned, nobody been seen working there.”

When Emily turned toward Jack he was already gone. She smiled to herself, “You’re close to figuring out child. The moment you do I’ll be there waiting for you.”

***
“Jennifer!”, Jack called out. He looked around trying not to get nervous. The kid was right, this place hasn’t been used in awhile. Plenty of places for somebody to get hurt or… Just concentrate on finding the girl, “Jennifer!” Why did he go alone? He didn’t even think about grabbing some of the others to help look. No, he went straight to his room, made sure there was still some foil in the hood and left. What was going through his head? “Jennifer! This ain’t funny anymore,” he looked around and saw something on the ground. He hurried over and picked up a white teddy bear, “Polly,” she had to be around here somewhere. He saw something out of the corner of his eye and hurry after it, “Hey!”

He caught up quickly enough and his heart nearly stopped. Jennifer was being held by a guy in some ragged clothes with his hand over her mouth. Finding his voice he demanded, “Let her go.” The guy looked nervous, then he started sniffing the air. Jack went cold as his stomach tightened. Oh God, not here not now.

“Drakan Killer,” he was getting all excited. “You can help me. This is a rebel brat, I know it. She won’t tell where they are. But you, you can find them. Make her talk. Then I can show them I am worth something.”

“Anything, just let her go.” Why, did he go out alone? Some how Jennifer was able to get her mouth free and bit him. The guy let her go and she ran toward him. Jack pushed her behind him and started backing away. The guy started to look derange as he turned into a matted haired blue panther and charged at them. Jack grabbed Jennifer as the Drakan flew over them. Then it bared its claws and started swing away at him. Jack barely dodged each swing. He sidestepped one attack and spun around and without thinking he put his left arm up across his chest and the belt appeared.

The panther backed away but he was breathing hard and his heart was pounding away a mile a second. He couldn’t do this, not any more. Then he saw Jennifer and finished the movements and weakly said, “Henshin.” He took a step back as the armor formed around him. He was praying the Panther would turn tail and run. No such luck as he had to block when it started attacking again. Ducking one swing he reared his right arm back on instinct as he popped back up, fully intending to plant his fist into the cat’s face. Again something stopped him from making a fist. He hesitated just long enough for the panther to kick him away. Then it pounced on him.

He covered up as the Drakan wailed away at him. Then it picked him up and threw him into one of the steel girders. Jack had no where to go as it jumped up and kicked him in the chest. He fell to his knees as the wind left him. The panther picked him back up and punched him again turning him around. Jack came back around with what should have been a vicious back hand, then he stopped a inch from the panther’s head. What was wrong with him?! The panther had a disgusted look in it’s eyes as it punched him in the gut. Being picked up and tossed he landed hard. Looking up he saw Jennifer huddled against a pillar watching them looking frightened. Staggering to his feet he never took his eyes off of her as he weakly pleaded, “Run.” But she was frozen by fear.

“Weak!”, the panther shouted. “Soft! You’re soft. Just like the other, just like Anderson.” He started ranting, “He has the right idea but he doesn’t go far enough. He says kill those who don’t come to their senses, but only the adults. No he says the children can be saved, brought back to the right path. But he’s wrong, oh yes he’s wrong. They’re already contaminated with false ideas. If they want this stopped they have to eradicate all of it. Kill every last man, woman and child. Start with her to prove my point.” Jack never took his eyes off of Jennifer as he listened to that mad man. Slowly, ever so slowly, his fingers started to curl and make a fist that started shaking.

A primal scream escaped his throat as he whipped around and charged the Panther. He wasn’t even aware his fist flew until it made contact with the Drakan’s nose. He didn’t let up after that, letting this new burst of anger drive his actions. No, it wasn’t anger, it was something else but it was damn close. The Drakan tried to fight back but he reached around and grabbed it by the neck and repeatedly drove his knee into its head. Then he started hurling it into the pillars, it begged for him to stop and for mercy. Jack didn’t find any. He threw it to the ground as the meter started flashing. He stalked the panther as he grabbed the pod and twisted it up, only thinking about what the Panther was saying only minutes before. The charge from the belt went up his side and down his arm as he waited for the bastard to get to its feet. When it did he ran in screaming and tried to drive his fist through the Drakan’s chest. The panther flew back and exploded.

Jack was breathing hard as he took a couple of steps back and looked at his armored hands. Breathing even harder he clenched both hands into fists as he dropped to his knees. Tilting his head back he let loose another scream at the sky above him. It was not a cry of sorrow. It was not a cry of desperation. It wasn’t because he killed another Drakan. It was one born of frustration and confusion. Because something in his head clicked together and for one brief shining moment everything in his world made perfect sense. Then he lost it just as fast as he got it. Jack knew if he was ever going to be able to function again he had to get that moment back. And he thought he knew where to start. Or who to start with.



*Ending Theme – Linkin Park – What I’ve Done*

[scikaiju]

Episode 36

*Opening Theme – Ana – We Are*

He was still on his knees when Rachel, Sparky and the others came running through the construction site. As the other quickly got Jennifer back to the underground Rachel and Sparky went immediately to him and tried to get him to talk. Finally he powered down the system and left without saying a word. Jack didn't head back to his room, or the room they put him in after he broke. He headed for the garden center and sat right by the flower he'd had been trying to help grow. He studied it for a long time, the buds just starting to open. Then he looked at his hand, he wasn't sure if he wanted to try to close it again or not. He thought about going postal on the panther, he needed, no he wanted answers.

And right now there was only one person he could think of that could have those answers. Getting up he ignored the thank yous for saving the kid and the concerns for his own well being. He even passed by Rachel and Melissa when they wanted to talk to him. The person he wanted was in her room. He got to her door and started to knock, then stopped. What was he thinking? He didn't believe in this stuff. Jack started to walk away but again he stopped. How else was he going to get any answers nobody else seemed able to give him? Jack started to knock, stopped, started to walk away, stopped and went to knock again.

"It's alright child," Emily called out from the other side of the door, "you may come in."

"How did…?", he wondered out loud. Looking at himself he went, "Oh yeah, Drakan blood." That had to be it. Entering he saw Emily sitting in a chair smiling at him. "Uh… hey."

"Hello," she greeted him. "I do believe this is the first time you've visited my humble dwelling." Jack didn't know what to say, he was trying not to look around. But he couldn't help looking at the plant on her table. She noticed him looking, "I hear we now have one similar interest. Although," it was like she was looking through him, which unnerved him a bit, "I doubt you've come to me for gardening tips."

"I guess not," he admitted. "Honestly I don't know why I'm here… I just knew I had… or I'd… do you mind if I take this jacket off?" She said she didn't so he quickly took it off and sat at the table. "Something happened when I was looking for the kid."

"That bit of news, as always, travels fast child."

"But I couldn't fight him, something kept stopping me when I tried. Then… then he started talking and…"

She finished for him, "You felt something. Something you didn't think you would be capable of feeling again." Not sure what to say he nodded. "Anger perhaps?"

"I don't know," he ran his fingers through his hair. "Then something else happened. I…," he paused. "I don't know why I'm even telling you this."

"Don't stop now child," she urged him. "Tell me what happened."

"I don't know how to describe it, things made sense then they didn't," he got up and walked around the room. "I just knew things had to make sense again or I'm never getting out of this."

She smiled softly, "I do believe I can help you child, or at least help you in the right direction."

"I knew the mumbo jumbo as going to start somewhere."

"Say what you want but I will do my best to help you. Help me to the floor child." Jack gave her a weird look but he did as she asked. Emily motioned for him to sit on the floor as well. She smiled again, "Sorry child, just remembering something." She reached under the bed and pulled out a square metal box, then she reached behind her and started putting pieces of wood into the box. "Tell me Jack, have you ever heard of a spirit quest?"

He thought about it for a few seconds, "I thought that was an Indian thing."

"Occasionally you humans have a good idea," she said with another smile. "This may sound strange child but I do believe this is the first step on your new journey." Emily lit a match and threw it into the box. Slowly smoke started to come from the burning wood, it almost had a sweet scent to it. "This is a journey you must take alone, but not alone." Her skin went all leathery and scaly as she changed into a red crocodile before his eyes. "I will be here, but you will be guided by somebody else. Now relax, clear your mind of all thought and close your eyes," she said soothingly and he followed her order. "Now slowly inhale the smoke, let it fill you body, mind and soul."

Inhaling deeply he felt the tension quickly melt away. He was actually starting to fell sleepy. Outside of a slight moving sensation he was totally at piece, but he wasn't getting any answers. "When am I going to know this is working?" Emily didn't answer so he opened his eyes. "Whoa!", he exclaimed as he shot to his feet.

He wasn't in Emily room anymore. He wasn't sure where he was as he looked around. A heavy fog surrounded but he could make out some various shapes of rocks and boulders around him. Jack touched one, it felt real enough. "Emily I don't know if you can hear me or not but whatever that wood is you could probably get a good street price for it. Great I'm starting to think like my Uncle's friends."

Then he noticed something else in the fog. Shapes where roaming round beyond the boulders. Looking closer he noticed the shapes were a mixture of human and animals, Drakans. Then he got a better look and realized he knew these Drakans. He killed them. "So know what?" he asked the ghosts. "I'm here so what do you want?" They ignored him as they moved around. "Do you want me to say I'm sorry, is that it?", he asked. "I'm sorry alright. I'm sorry, I'm sorry I killed you," he said pointing at red octopus, "I'm sorry I killed you," he looked at a red kangaroo, "I'm sorry I killed you," he turned to a blue scorpion, "I'm…," and he trailed off.

Standing right in front of him was a green shark, with four scars running across it's chest. He was looking at Allen. Slowly he shook his finger at the ghost and thought it over. "Actually I think I'm glad I killed you, because this is the first time I've seen you since then. Is that why it happened? I'm actually glad I killed one of them."

"The answer is not that simple," a voice said startling him. Jack looked around trying to locate the sound. He tried to remember what he had heard about this, there was usually an animal there as a spirit guide. Find the animal and you find the voice. He looked around the area several times and found nothing. Then out of the corner of his eye a small hint of movement on one of the boulders caught his attention. Jack looked closer and saw a dragonfly sitting on top of the boulder.

"You," he said after a moment, "are my spirit guide?"

"Yes I am," the fact the thing that little was talking with that deep of a voice wasn't blowing his mind still amazed him.

But he did start laughing, "Oh it is official." He turned around and looked at the foggy sky above him as he yelled, "Whoever running this thing has a sick sense of humor!"

"This is no joke Jack Davidson, I am here to help to help you through this."

Jack held his head, "How helpful are you going to be when I know you're gonna say something to tick me off and I get the urge to squish you?"

"I am aware of this possibility. Which is why I've brought along someone you'll be more likely to listen to."

Jack could hear footsteps in the silence around them, and they were getting closer. He turned his head to see a new image come through the fog. The closer the shape got the more he recognized it. Curly hair and glasses came into views the shape stopped a few feet away and Jack was lost for words. The newcomer spoke, "No offence bud, but you look like hell."

He stared for a long time before going, "Richie?"

Rachel was dumfounded when Jack just walked right past her and Melissa. Not to mention a little hurt when she realized he was heading straight for Emily's room. By the time she caught up he had already entered. She was going to check on him when Melissa dragged her off in the other direction over her protest. Right now they were in a quieter area and Melissa just sat by as she ranted, "Why couldn't he come to me? That's all I'm asking. This entire time I've been with him through everything. All the high, all the lows, all the normal points who was there? Me. And he has to be in a weird spot in his head right now, so who does he go too? Emily. The person who hid this from him!"

Melissa wasn't helping anything as she sat there smiling the whole time, "My God, you're actually jealous of Emily."

"I am…," she started before subduing herself, "I am not."

"Try hiding that from somebody else," she told her. Melissa looked like she was thinking something over. "Look, I have to be honest about something here."

"Now what, your Grandfather supplying the Drakan fighters for your cousin?", Rachel snapped.

"You do realize that something Jack would say right? But he's not here right now so I guess somebody had to say it. You might not believe this but Emily is the reason why the two of you are here."

Rachel finally sat down, "So she 'saw' us here?"

"She saw Jack," Melissa explained. "Nobody even knew you were in the picture."

"I remember Sparky saying nobody was expecting two of us," Rachel told her.

Melissa nodded and continued, "But Emily didn't know what was going to happen to him. All she knew was that at some point Jack was going to come to her for help. With that she started to convince me that having him here was a good idea."

"I always thought that invitation was a little out of the blue," Rachel commented.

"Oh I didn't agree right away," she said. "Honestly I was dead set against it when she brought it up. Not just the idea of the nightmare it would cause if the other cells ever found out I was harboring the Drakan Killer. Just the idea she was asking to invite the man who killed my brother to live here with open arms. I though she lost her mind."

"Then why did you make the offer?"

"Because in her own way Emily is very persistent," she said with a smile. "She won't badger you out right, but she has her ways. Like the note she left me detailing her vision. I figured she wasn't going to let it go so I started thinking of the possibility of a small alliance. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, that sort of thing. Then I gave the note to Lance to get his opinion." She laughed a bit, "Actually I was hoping he'd tell me I was crazy for even considering it." Rachel laughed along despite herself. "No the idiot said the idea might be a good idea, if we where careful. So the three of us got together and planned this out.

"Then I threw in the monkey wrench," Rachel added.

"Don't get me wrong, Friedman told us you left with him. Nobody informed us you were that close. Well at least not until Dusty fought for you to stay here with him. And trust me I'm glad I did agree because you have been a God send."

"I didn't do that much. Actually there were a few times I thought I was more of a hindrance than anything else."

"There I am disagreeing with you. People were watching the two of you those first couple of week. And from what I've heard you have definitely been a calming influence."

"Everybody was a little on edge. I knew Jack was just waiting for somebody to start something."

"But you calmed things down. Well except for that time with Jason, which took just about everybody by surprise," she laughed again. "But you're right, people were on edge, and I think some people were just itching for a fight. Your first night here I went to check on the two of you to see if you were settling in alright and I saw Jack standing outside your door. Then I heard a couple of mine coming around the corner planning on getting some revenge on him or you. I got the feeling if I didn't make my presence known there would have been a fight right then and there."

"I wondered why he wanted me to head back with Dusty the next day," Rachel said remembering. "He never told me there was a problem.

"He didn't want to tell me either, he tried to make it sound like something else entirely." Melissa looked her in the eyes for a long time. "Look, I know how you feel about him. And I've kept that trust you placed in me. And these past few months I've watch you run yourself ragged trying to shoulder the entire situation." She reached out and placed a hand on hers, "I'm saying this as a friend, it's time to let somebody else helped him. Believe me, I doubt Jack would have gotten as far as he did as fast as he did without you there every step of the way. But if something is telling him he needs to talk to Emily right now you should let him. I know it's hard but I think it's for the best."

Rachel conceded, "I know you're right. Another point of view would be a good thing right now. Maybe I care about him too much, I don't even think he feels the same way."

Melissa just gave her a knowing smirked, "Some how I doubt he'd be standing there outside you guy's door that night if he was just worried about himself."

Jack circled Richie totally stunned at what he was seeing. Richie stood there patiently waiting for the shock to go away. Without thinking Jack started poking at him as he walked around him. Until Richie reached out and finger flicked him between the eyes. "Hey!", Jack cried out in protest

"Do you have any idea how annoying that is?", Richie asked him. Jack punched him in the shoulder, "Ow." Richie started rubbing his shoulder, "You're not suppose to hit the dead you jerk."

"The dead's not suppose to be able to hit you at all," Jack shot back. Rubbing between his eyes a little he said, "Alright, I believe it, it's you." Jack took a moment to flex the fingers a few times. "I guess that answers that question."

"And it's about time you got over that block of your man. You just needed the right trigger to get over it."

"I need to sit down," Jack said and sat on the nearest boulder. "Ok, you're suppose to help me out here right?" Richie nodded as he sat on the next boulder. "Can you at least tell me why me? Why am I the one going through this crap?"

Richie leaned in, "Because you're a cynical son of a bitch."

"Did a dead man just… where did you go?", he asked looking for the dragonfly. It was nowhere to be found. "Some spirit guide you are!"

"He probably thinks there's going to be a fight," Richie chuckled. "Too bad nobody gave me a two by four to knock some sense into you. But it was you all along, the moment we were caught in that avalanche this is what you were suppose to do."

"I'm not cut out for this," Jack argued, "that should be pretty obvious. It should have been you, all this stuff is right up your alley."

Richie started shaking his head, "Sorry man, but I am not the right guy for this particular job."

"What are you talking about? You ate this stuff up growing up."

"And what happened when I was living it? As you put it I had my head up my ass. And somebody had to be able to see through Anderson's lies and that wasn't me. You grew up seeing people who weren't who they said they were. You never took anything at face value. You're always looking for that little something that'll prove your assumption right. That's why you automatically suspected that girl you're with twice when you found out Anderson had something like us up his sleeves. And on a side note, what taking you so long? She's hot, for what ever reason likes you and you're into her. Before this happened you wouldn't have thought twice about asking her out."

Jack got real defensive real quick, "Keep Rachel out of this." He walked around, "Alright then if this was suppose to me all along why did I have that breakdown? If I was suppose to be this great warrior this never should have happened."

His best friend looked sympathetic, "Because you're still human, and part of you was refusing to feel the guilt."

"I was feeling guilty," Jack said suddenly. "I was just feeling less guilt as things went on."

"Part of you head was forcing yourself to feel less guilt each time. Part of you was convinced you wouldn't be able to live with the guilt that you were shoving it down, getting a little more each time. But it was coming out in other ways after awhile. Remember how tired you were getting some times? Then the nightmares started to happen. Seeing the ones you killed while you were awake. That was the guilt making itself known. And as much as I hate to tell you this you should have gone through this a lot earlier."

He wanted to demand when but deep down he already knew. "When I fought Christopher." Richie nodded again. "After I killed him the other surrounded him and howled. I remember being overwhelmed with all these emotions. I remember thinking I had to get out of there or… If I was suppose to go through this then what happened?"

"You know what happened," Richie said sadly. The fog around them changed into a version of the arena. He was seeing himself and the other Drakans looking at the upper level. Anderson men had them surrounded and were about to fire. "This stopped it. This one event filled you with so much rage it basically patched that break inside you. And I'll give you credit for being so stubborn because you held it together for so long through sheer force of will. But you kept pushing down the guilt and the pressure kept building. It was like having a damn with a two foot crack in it and patching it with Band-Aids. No matter how many you put on eventually the crack is going to win."

"So now what? And how is this suppose to help me? I realized something when I was rescuing Jennifer and I can't remember it now. That's why I'm here. I can't keep feeling rage every time I fight a Drakan if this is what I'm supposed to be doing."

"You weren't feeling rage that last time," Richie informed him. "And deep down you know that."

"Then what was it?", Jack demanded.

"Would you believe righteous fury?" Jack walked away feeling disgusted. Richie followed him, "Do you want to know why you had that moment? For a brief moment you found your reason to fight. You couldn't keep fighting for revenge. You couldn't keep fighting for survival. Those reasons got you here. Because when that bastard was talking you found out a way you could live with the guilt, even if it was just for a moment. It's the same exact thing when you discovered that other bastard sent you after those kids. You realized she needed a protector, you realized they needed a defender."

Jack interrupted him figuring out where he was going, "You start in on that champion of justice crap and I'm kicking your dead ass right now."

"You know I'm right," Richie told him. "You had flashes of it a few time now. When you didn't even think twice about going after the girl. When you were willing to let the wolf and the kids go. When you saved a person who turned out to rebel's future leader. When you went to save her friend no questions asked. Letting the monkey live the second time you fought him. Protecting Rachel when you thought the wolf was going to go after her. Deciding to save Rachel over killing the monkey when you had the chance. Forcing yourself to move to stop that elephant from hurting her. Are we seeing a pattern yet?" He started smiling, "Especially with those last three."

Jack turned away muttering, "Now the dead poking into my love life." Turning back around he demanded, "And how do you know this stuff? You were floating in goop for most of it."

"Do you really think I'm going to brought in to help my best friend and not be given the ammo to back me up? And I think 'Lack of a love life' were the words you were looking for. Look man everybody has a path they take in life. That path get's altered by the decision we make and the decision other people make. The avalanche that happened to us set you on a certain path. Unfortunately the path was harder on you than anybody wanted."

"Does this path have a destination?"

"Anderson," Richie answered. "This path ends the moment you face him."

"Then I'll head to World Inc. tomorrow and knock on the front door."

"It doesn't work like that Jack. Look fate won't be denied but it hates being rushed too. You are not ready for that fight, even before you broke you weren't even close. You have to go through a few more battles before you are."

"If I choose to go through those battles," Jack said suddenly. "You and a couple of other have told me I have a choice. I can walk away and leave right now."

"Yes you can," Richie agreed. "But you'd be always looking over your shoulder. Always worried if you're going to get caught or of you're going to slip up. Not to mention any Drakan you likely to come across. Like you told me not all of them are willing to over look the smell of Drakan Blood. And that would put you back on Anderson's radar." Part of the fog parted revealing the Fusion armor. "No matter what you do now this is your life now. This is you."

"No. This is not me," Jack said, the word tipped with the anger he was suddenly feeling. He rushed in to push the armor down. The armor fought back. Giving into his rage he tackled the armor, both of them going through the Drakan ghosts walking around. Jack unleashed fist after fist on the armor trying to drive it away. The armor ducked his last swing and stated punching back. He was vaguely aware of Richie just sitting back with his arm crossed watching the whole thing. The armor surprised him with a kick to the head but he didn't go down. Jack caught a punch and flipped it over his shoulder.

The armor got up and went for another kick as Jack went for the same move, essentially blocking each other. Jack spun around for a backhand and hit the fore arm of the armor as it did the same. They continued to fight as their moves mirrored each other. Jack didn't really notice until he reared back his right hand and held it there as the armor did the same. Slowly both of them lowered their arms as Richie looked at him, "Yes, I do believe it's finally sinking through that thick skull of his."

Staring at the armor he said, "I don't want this to be me."

Richie looked sympathetic as he walked up, "I don't want it to be you either, but it is. The final decision is your, it always has been. But listen to me for once, the people around you need a defender, a champion, be it. Think it over." Richie had a far away look on his face for a few seconds, When he came back he looked a little sad, "I think my time almost up. Before I have to go I have to tell you one thing. This path may take you to Anderson but there's no guarantee you'll make it. Nothing is written in stone. You could make a misstep during a fight, you could react a little late to an ambush." He shrugged, "Somebody could push Anderson in front of an oncoming bus. But either way they need a champion. I'm feeling a bit of a tug here so I guess this is goodbye again."

Jack was almost overwhelmed by the sadness he was feeling, "Richie, I'm sorry I…"

"Don't be, you did what you thought you had to do. No grudges on my part."

Tears filled his eyes, "I miss you man."

"I miss you too bud," Richie pulled Jack into a hug. Pulling away he added, "But it better be a long ass time before I see your ugly mug again."

"I'll do what I can." After a moment he said, "I'm still killing the monkey."

"Do you see me talking you out of it? Go, blow him to hell. If it wasn't for him neither one of us would be in this mess." Richie started to fad away as the fog got thicker. He was almost gone when Jack heard, "And you better take good care of her. You don't and screw this up I will haunt you for the rest of your life." The fog got so thick Jack couldn't see him or his hand in front of his face. Then he felt like he was moving while he was standing still.

Emily watched him as he slowly open his eyes and came out of it. He looked around not sure if he actually experienced what he did. A common look for first timers. She returned to her human form and waited. After a few moments he said, "I was not expecting anything like that."

"Nobody sees what they expect child," she told him. "Nor in the same way they experienced others." Jack sat there, from the look of things he was still trying to wrap his head around it. "Hardly anybody can fully process what they saw right away. More time that not they need time to process it all completely. Take that time child, as always I am here for you if you need somebody to help you through it." He still looked unsure of it all. "I am sure you have your answer. It is up to you if you want to accept it or not."

"I'm sorry," he said getting up. "I… I need some air."

"Of course child," she said. "Melissa needs to do the same herself after some of her more intense visions." Jack grabbed his jacket and left. She watched him closely the entire time, particularly his eyes. For a long time now they were almost lifeless. Now she was sure there was a small spark in them that wasn't there before. Time would tell if that spark would die out or grow into a roaring flame. The choice was his one way or the other.

*Ending Theme – Linkin Park – What I’ve Done*

[scikaiju]

<Episode 37>


*Opening theme – Smile Empty Soul – Who I am*


Jack sat there trying to get his breathing under control. It had been a week since he had that… experience with Emily. His ghosts were slowly disappearing for awhile now, especially since he told Rachel and Dusty where they apparently came from. It was almost like talking about why he was doing it was what they wanted. They even let him start sleeping in his own room and cot again. The nightmares on the other hand… no they were still there in full force. He still didn’t even know who they were going for after it changed.

“You’re up?”, Rachel asked from her bed while propping herself up on a elbow.

“I’m fine and no change,” he said anticipating the next two questions. “I’m going for a walk.”

“Want some company?”, she asked. “Or is this one of those ‘need to think’ walks?”

“Guess I’ve been going on those a lot huh?”

“Whatever it takes to get your head on straight. Just let me know if you have a breakthrough,” she told him as she lay back down.

“Unless I have one so exciting I tell the first person I see you’re next in line.”

“That’s nice,” she said. Jack stood there by the door for a second and just watched her lay there before leaving.

He walked the halls not really paying attention to where he was going. He absentmindedly greeted anybody he came across but he never stayed longer than that. Before long he was standing in the common area, which was still kind of busy despite the time of night. Jack watched them for awhile. They looked and acted happy despite the fact they were living underground. One particular group was laughing loudly. Nobody was paying him any attention, even with him reeking of Drakan Blood. Would they still be acting like this if he wasn’t around? Would any of them still even be around if he never showed up at all? Would they be dead or captured by now if he never took Melissa’s offer?

“It’s almost like you’re seeing things for the first time isn’t it?”, Emily said walking up behind him. “You’re up kind of late,” she commented when he didn’t answer.

“Had a nightmare,” was all he said. “I just wish I knew why they were still coming.”

“Did you think your problems would go away after your journey?”

Not sure what to say for a second Jack just went, “Kinda.”

“They always do,” she said tiredly. “Injuries to the body, those will heal, although some will leave lasting reminders.” She gesture to the scars visible on his arms. “But injuries to the mind and spirit, those take longer to heal. And rarely heal fully.”

“So your saying I’m stuck with these sleepless nights for God knows how long?” Emily didn’t respond but she did lower her head slightly. “I better get used to taking naps during the day again.”

“It’s good to see you in high spirits child,” she told him. “Walk me back to my room?” He said he would let her take his arm. After awhile she said, “You never answered my original question.”

“I don’t know what to think any more. I don’t even know where I’m should be going.”

“That’s funny,” she said thoughtfully, “I was under the impression your friend gave you a very definite direction to go in.”

Jack stopped looking confused as Emily kept on walking, “Wait, you over… how did…?”

She stopped and turned to face him, “While you went on your journey on your own, I was the anchor point to make sure you didn’t go so far that you become lost. And while I never intend to intentionally eavesdrop occasionally something slips through, depending on the strength of the connection. Child, I have rarely seen a connection as strong as what you two had. The only question is, why aren’t you listening to him?”

He didn’t even try to cover up the annoyance he was feeling,” You’ll forgive me if I have a hard time swallowing the idea that my only way out of this mess is to add to it.”

“No one said this would be easy child,” Emily said calmly. “But your friend was right, they need you to be there as their champion.”

He pointed behind him at the common area, “They won’t accept me as their champion.”

She walked up and put a hand on his shoulder, “A champion doesn’t do what he does because he wants to be accepted. He does it because he knows it is the right thing to do and he’s the only one who can.”

“I don’t deserve to be their champion,” he said walking away. “I’ve killed these people. I’ve killed their friends. I’ve killed their family. I killed Melissa’s brother for Christ sakes!” Hanging his head a bit he said a little calmer, “He should have been their champion, not me.”

“He was their champion child,” she told him softly. “Much like yourself he was reluctant to take the role, but they would have not gotten this far without his voice guiding them. But as with all thing as time passes, needs change. He was who they needed then. You are who they need now. Christopher helped them to their feet to start the fight. You need to help them fight.”

“Melissa…,” he started to say.

“She has her role in this and she is fulfilling it now,” Emily cut him off. “In fact Christopher would be proud at how fast she took to the role despite her fear and reluctance.” She looked him in the eyes, “There is a spark within you child, and only you can decide if it dies out completely or grows into something larger. If you want to fulfill your destiny you must be forged in the fires of your upcoming battles to become something stronger. Nobody can force you to choose, but all I ask is that you think it over before that spark dies out completely.”

“That’s a lot to put on one guys shoulders,” he informed her.

“Christopher told me something similar,” she said as she took his arm again. As they headed back to her room she added, “There are times I’m surprised at how many similarities you two have.”

“So, what, you’re saying we would have been fast friends?”

“Oh child no,” she chuckled and patted his arm. “There is no doubt in my mind that the two of you would have been at each other throats after a week.”

***
Rachel wasn’t sure why Melissa wanted to talk to her alone. It couldn’t be for an update on Jack. She talked to her, Arron, Dusty and Sparky almost daily and Jack usually comes up at least once. And it had been months since she whacked Jason in the nuts with the staff. It would be kind of strange to reprimand her now. Well she’d find out when she got there. Like she said she would be Melissa was in the cafeteria. “Rachel,” she greeted her friendly enough. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“No, I’m fine,” she replied as she sat across from her. “So what did you want to see me about?”

She actually looked embarrassed, “I know the timing of this is going to seem strange but after our last conversation I couldn’t remember the last time I asked to see how you were holding up with all the things Jack was going through.”

“It’s a little late to be asking me now isn’t it?”

“I know and I feel horrible. I was so worried about the spot I put Jack in I forgot about you. Even while you were trying to shoulder the entire thing.”

“As you can see I held up pretty well,” Rachel said. “My sanity is intact, probably a bad choice of words considering the situation.”

“And trust me there were a few times I worried about that,” Melissa admitted. “They way we had to fight to get you to take a break, even if it was for five minutes. Dusty was even worried about you.”

“I never really noticed to be honest.”

“I’m surprised you noticed anything else. Not that I’m trying to undermine your determination or anything. Like I told you last time, I doubt he would have gotten as far as he did as fast as he did without you.”

“I’m sure if somebody else was his mission operator for this long they would have gotten the same results.”

“You’re cutting yourself short. There’s a reason why Dusty didn’t argue all that much when you basically became his primary provider.”

“Dusty has a habit of seeing things that’s not there,” Rachel countered. “Trust me, Jack and me compared notes about this. We’re pretty sure he was trying to get us to get together.”

Melissa just looked at her, “But you do want to…”

“I know what I told you,” she said suddenly. “And I also told you if anything was going to happen it would have before now.”

“And as long as you sit in idle nothing going to happen. How do you know what’s going to happen if you don’t try. Why don’t you make the first move?”

Rachel started getting irritated, “Why are you pushing this?”

“I’m just curious,” Melissa admitted. “What is the reason why you’re not doing anything? And don’t give me that excuse you gave me last time about him thinking you’re too high maintenance. We both know better.”

Rachel debated to herself for a few moments before answering. “You seen those looks he gave me every time Anderson threw a new twist at us. I just get the feeling part of him still sees me as part of World Inc.”

“Rachel…,” Melissa said, looking unsure on how to continue.

“We worked things out after Richie. I’m just afraid that if we did get together and Anderson threw something new at us it would start all over again.”

“After everything that’s happened do you really think he’s going to do that again?”

“I don’t know… I,” she trailed off. “Is that all you wanted from me?”

“There was one more thing,” Melissa said as Rachel started to get up. “It also occurred to me I barely know anything about you. With deal with each other just about every day and outside of the occasional snippet here and there you’re pretty much a blank slate.”

“And I can say the same about you,” Rachel told her.

“Maybe it’s time we changed that, she said. “Like how did you get involved in all of this to begin with?” Rachel started to laugh slightly. “What’s so funny?”

“It might only be funny to me, but after we moved in with Dusty Jack finally got around to asking me that same question. As to how, let’s just say I walked into the middle of a skirmish.”

***
Anderson looked at the map on the Command Center wall with interest. Williams was marking out a spot she and Perez discussed after they went after the information they were given. Perez looked apprehensive, “You sure we can trust this information?”

“Not particularly Mr. Perez,” He admitted. “But it was given as a show of good faith. An attempt to prove their trustworthiness.”

“By selling out their own?”, Williams asked.

“That thought did cross my mind Mrs. Williams. Normally I would turn down there offer, but the supposed target is a little too good to pass up.”

“So this would hurt the rebels if we get her?”, Perez asked.

“More morally than physically,” Anderson informed him. “Sometimes the gain is worth the risk. Although that doesn’t mean we have to be stupid. Do you have a plan in place Mr. Perez?”

“Well that’s going to depend on what kind of security she’s going to have around her.”

Ah, the daily juggling act he had to perform when he was around humans. Exactly how much information should he give away and in what manner and not appear suspicious. “I already spoken to some of our Drakan contacts,” he started. “She likes to travel with as a small an entourage as possible. At most she’ll have a guard and a driver. So resistance should be light.”

“How were you able to get all of that?” , Perez asked, obviously impressed.

“As tactfully as possible. There no need in angering our allies unnecessarily after all. And as long as we are careful with the target.”

“Right,” Perez looked a little disappointed. “So a small task force then. Maybe about three or four. And, if you will agree, a larger force that will be held back, just in case it is a trap.”

Anderson thought it over, “I would say that would be agreeable. You paid my attention to my words Mr. Perez, I am impressed. Prep the right people for the job and have them waiting at the target area in advance. And I must point out as little violence as possible. As I said there’s no point in angering our allies.” Not to mention a more powerful alpha. That was the last thing needed at this point.” And might I add, any unnecessary violence that harms the target and the consequences will be harsh and dealt out by me. Is that clear Mr. Perez?”

“Yes sir it is.”

“Good, “I’ll let you do your job then.”

***
Melissa got into the habit of walking around the habitat, just make sure everything was alright with those under her. She could never just hang back and give orders, she just had to see how everybody was. Melissa was too connected to these people to do otherwise. Although she was a little surprised to find Jack sitting by himself and looking at the ceiling. He gave her a friendly wave and said hello. But right before she overheard him mutter, “Champion? I don’t even know what the hell that’s supposed to mean.” Melissa really wanted to ask what that was about. But she figured it had something to do with his thing with Emily, so it was best to leave it alone. Just for his privacy if nothing else.

“Hi Melissa,” Rachel said as she joined her. “Doing your nightly rounds I see.”

“I never told you about these,” she informed her.

“’I’ve seen you do it before a couple of times,” Rachel said. “I have very good observational skills. It’s why I insisted on going out in the field. I figured I could help out if I was able to spot something out of the ordinary.” She sighed, “Too bad I didn’t see the obvious right before my eyes a couple of times.”

Here were at least two things that could have been about. So Melissa went with the one that surprisingly bothered her as much as it did. “Despite at how proud my cousin is of who and what he is he is very good at hiding what he is from the, and I’m quoting, ‘lower species’.”

“No offence but the more I learn about your cousin the more I learning to despise him.”

“Hey at least you quit, I’m still related to him. So why are you joining me on this particular ‘round’ as you put it.”

“Honestly I enjoyed our talk earlier, and I noticed you looked a little anxious. Thought I could come over and see what was wrong.”

“Emily been requested to do what she does at another cell. I always get a little nervous when she leaves the habitat.”

“Then why doesn’t the person come here?”,” Rachel asked. “She does have one of those tracking chips in her head.”

“Normally they do, but every so often she takes a trip to their cell. She calls it an itch to stretch her legs. She does so much around here it’s hard to tell her no when she makes the request. Well that and she a wicked shot with that cane of hers,” they shared a laugh. “It does her good to get out every so often I guess. Nobody wants to stay cooped up down her all the time.”

“You don’t have to tell that to the kids down her,” Rachel commented.

“Well to be honest I knew there were a few ways out of here that the children were using. Not the one leading to that construction site though. I would have had that sealed off the moment I found out about it.”

“I guess that would explain the wielding team in that pipe. The kids looked really disappointed. I was afraid they would take it out on Jennifer. I think they were before Jack gave them that look.”

“If you think his look is something you should have seen the one Chris used to give them. I wanted to shut up and behave.”

“Then you should see my Mother’s look. My Dad swore the kids down the street started acting right. But that’s nothing compared to my Aunt’s. She actually made a gator stop coming at her.”

Melissa shook a finger at her, “Now you’re pulling my leg.”

“Heart to God it happened,” Rachel said. Melissa was still shaking her head in disbelief. “I was there I saw it happen. Nobody believes me when I tell this story.” Rachel stopped and held her arms out, “Look, I’m giving you permission, read me and tell me I’m not telling the truth.”

“I’m sure you believe you seen what you think you saw at whatever young age you were.”

“I was seventeen.”

“Did you tell this story to Jack?”

“And Dusty and they both laughed in my face.”

“Well it a ridicules story if you think about it.” A strong sense of anxiety made her stop and look back. Arron came running toward her. Even Jack got up to see what was so important. She tried not to think of the worst scenario possible. “What is it?”

“We just got a call from Emily’s driver,” he said between breaths. “They were ambushed by Anderson’s men. There last location was one of the back roads outside of town.” Melissa tried not to panic, that was one of the scenarios racing her head. She knew they needed to get a rescue party together now. Then she saw Jack running for the garage. Please do not let him be late for this one.

***
Her captors took her age into account as they sat her in the van, although still tied and gagged. Her escorts were on the ground tied together as Anderson’s men guarded them. “How long to we have to stay here?”, the one by her asked. “We could have had this old bat back at HQ by now.”

“Anderson’s orders,” a second one spoke. “Perez said he wanted to escort her back personally.”

“She’s just a Drakan, and an old one at that. Why even waste his time or risk his safety?”

“I don’t know, something about keeping our Drakan contacts happy or some crap.”

“I still say we should just shoot them all, bunch of freaks.”

“Don’t let the boss hear you say that. He gets a… bit testy.”

“Whatever,” he waved him off. This had been going on for a while now. It was starting to test her patience. Emily closed her eyes to find her center and calm herself. A sound of an incoming engine broke her concentration. She didn’t know much about cars but that sounded a little fast for it to be Anderson. Opening her eyes and looking around she saw a single headlight coming toward them. Her guards took a defensive position as the bike turned sharply and skidded to a stop. The rider took his helmet off, “Holy crap it’s Davidson.” Emily held her head up, not in relief but to show she was proud. She looked in his eyes and saw a fire within them. He made his choice.

***
Jack looked around quickly as he got off the bike. He was damn lucky they didn’t open fire yet. Sadly he recognized one of them from that party at that bar from awhile back. Might as well get this over with while they were still in a state of shock. “You have until I activate the system to let them go,” he told them. Without any hesitation he got his left arm up, the belt appeared and he finished the movements, “Henshin!” He stood there as the armor formed around him. The next move was theirs.

The moron from the party decided to lower his weapon and walk toward him. “We got nothing to worry about. Didn’t you hear? He’s not right in the head. Lost the will to fight and all that crap. What are you going to do Davidson? Send your ghosts after us?” Jack waited second before punching him in the nose. He felt it give and it started gushing blood as the moron backed away. Jack was hoping he do something that stupid.

Looking at the other two he went, “Next.” God, he hadn’t felt like this in a long time. Another one came at him with a shock stick in hand. Jack kicked him in the gut and he went down immediately. The third one went into a fighting stance as a pair of fin like wings grew out of his back as he transformed into a red stingray. “Of course one would show up when I’m around,” he muttered as he got ready and waved him on.

The stingray wasted no time in rushing at him. Jack followed suit, jumping up at the last second and jamming his knee into its chest. The Drakan backed up a step and came back at him. Jack quickly found himself on the defense as the Drakan started swinging away. The armor on his forearms absorbed the blows and waited for an opening. He saw it and kicked the Drakan in the stomach. But the stingray saw it coming and backed away so the blow only grazed it. Then it spun around and Jack had to jump out of the way to avoid its tail coming at him. When it turned back around Jack rushed in and smashed his forearm into the Drakan’s face. The Drakan tried to swing widely and Jack quickly blocked the blow. But it left him open as a knee smashed into his back. Another club like blow smashed into his neck stunning him. Before Jack knew it he was air born and slamming into the side of the van.

Pulling himself up he gave a quick glance to Emily to make sure she was alright. To nobody in particular he mumbled, “Think I’m a little rusty.” Clearing his head he looked up and dropped back down, “Whoa!” and a fist flew over his head and smashed the window behind him. Jack popped back up catching the stingray around the waist and ran foreword before driving him to the ground. Jack started punching away until its tail smacked him in the back. It didn’t hurt, just distracted him long enough for the stingray to get a shot in. Then another and another until he was forced off. Jack sat there just long enough to get the cobwebs out of his head and kick the Drakan’s legs out from under it as it tried to get up. Both of them scrambled to their feet and continued to pound at each other.

The meter started flashing and he wasn’t seeing a chance to do anything. Time to make one. Jack ducked a right cross and doubled it over with a fist to the gut. Grabbing one of its fins he tossed it away from Emily and the van and ran in with a shoulder block to knock it further away. Quickly backing up he twisted the right pod down. The turbines in his belt started spinning and the energy was redirected as it ran down his leg. As the Drakan got to its feet Jack ran foreword, jumped up and extended his right leg. His foot connected with the Stingray’s chest and it flew back and exploded. Going down to a knee and breathing hard he said, “Ok, maybe I’m a lot rusty.” A pair of familiar vans pulled up shortly afterwards and Rachel, Melissa and the others piled out. “Oh, now you show up.”

“Jack!”, Rachel and Melissa both cried out.

He pointed toward the other van, “Emily over there, don’t worry about me.” Melissa and the others did that but Rachel still checked on him. Standing up he tapped Sparky on the arm and motioned to the moron from the bar, whose nose was still bleeding, “That guy a human or a Drakan?” He had an idea but he just wanted to be sure.

“Does it matter?”, Sparky asked.

“No, not really.” Jack walked over and hauled him up by the front of his shirt. Staring into two very frightened eyes he said, “Tell Anderson that if he has a problem with this to grow a set and deal with it himself. Because they are defended.” God that sounded corny as hell, but strangely enough it felt good. He still didn’t know what being a champion meant but saying that still felt good. Dropping him he turned around and deactivated the systems.

“Thank you,” Melissa said as she ran to him and hugged him around the neck.

“Just doing what I thought I had to do,” he told her.

“I wasn’t sure what was going on,” Sparky said. “You came in the garage demanding to know what route she took and shot out of there like a bat out of hell.”

“Don’t you mean a dragonfly out of hell,” somebody joked.

“Cute,” Jack said. Emily came up to him, “Are you all right?”

“I am fine child,” she said, “but you may have a problem.” She looked at the World Inc. trooper.

“Now what he’s going to go through?”, Rachel asked looking at both of them.

“That goober,” he said pointing to the one from the bar, “mentioned my ghosts. We were the only one who knew about that so somebody had to tell Anderson about it.”

“Who would have told him?”, Melissa wondered out loud.

“I think I got an idea who.” He looked at Rachel who looked away with a hurt expression on her face. Melissa was about to say something but he spoke first. “We go those new tools about a week or so ago right?”

“What…,” Rachel was shocked for a second, “yeah we did. Wait, you don’t think…?”

“Just keeping our options open.”

***
Anderson sat at his desk as the phone rang. Picking it up he didn’t have a chance to speak as he heard, “So was my information accurate?”

“Yes it was,” he said. “But unfortunately Davidson made a surprise appearance.” Not that he would say it out loud but part of him was actually glad Davidson apparently got out of his troubles.

“I had a feeling he might,” he sounded triumphant for some odd reason. “So do we have an agreement?”

“I see no reason why not. What is this deal you propose Mr.….”

“Just call me Trent. And all I want is all the information you have on the Drakan Killers you created and the condition of the last one you sent out.”

Anderson did not see that one coming. He was suspecting some sort of immunity when the rebels eventually lost. Or at least asking for the job with his company. “And if… if I give you this information what do I receive?”

“I can tell you where your lost Killer is.”


*Ending theme – Linkin Park – What I’ve Done*

[scikaiju]

<Episode 38>



*Opening Theme – Smile Empty Soul – Who I am*



Jack sat there waiting patiently for him to show up. Silently going over the clues he saw in his head and kept hoping he saw all of it wrong. The guy could be jerk at times but he seemed like a decent enough person, just a little rigid in how he thought things should be. Jack looked at his plant as he heard footsteps coming his way. Glancing over in that direction he saw it was him, “Hey Frank.”

He jumped slightly, “What are you doing? You trying to give me a heart attack or something?”

“I thought you would’ve smelled me before you saw me.”

“My sense of smell isn’t that good,” he informed him. “Now what are you doing in my garden?”

“How did you get the money for those new tools again?”

Looking annoyed he started, ”I told you I ran into…”

“You ran into a guy who owed you money. Right,” Jack said as he got up. “Did you hear about what happened to Emily?”

“What is this twenty question?”, Frank demanded

“I just had a unique experience, that’s all. It’s weird you know,” Jack said as he started walking around a bit, “I haven’t thought or seen things this clearly in a while now. It’s been what, seven eight months since it happened? From what I understand word spread like wildfire down here that I went a little crazy. Of course I can’t say I as all that sane to begin with,” he chuckled a bit. “Now that I’m more or less back to normal you think I’d be relieved. But as strange as this might sound I got used to the ghost being around so now I’m feeling kinda lonely. Hell in one of my more inbetween moments I actually nicknamed one of them Chuck.”

“Is this going somewhere?”, Frank asked sounding even more irritated.

“I’m getting there so hold your horses. Did you know Emily told me everybody was talking about my ghosts? Particularly down here so I know the entire place knew about them. So you could imagine that I was a more than a little surprised when one of Anderson’s men seemed to know about them too.”

“Obviously somebody told them,” Frank said

“Obviously,” Jack agreed, “but who?”

“I wouldn’t past Jason to sell you out.”

Jack smiled sadly, “You know normally he’d be the first one on my list too, but something else happened. About a month or so again, right before I discovered those flowers over there you stormed right past me. I don’t know if you saw me but I heard you. You were saying you had half a mind to take them up on that offer.” Frank paled slightly as he stepped a little closer to him, “Just out of curiosity, who are they and what was the offer?”

“That’s a private matter and none of your business,” he tried to put warning tone in his voice.

“Oh I think it is,” Jack said getting into his face. “I hear you talking about taking an offer. The next thing I know you have money and the World Inc. goon squad knows about my ghosts.”

“It’s not what you think,” Frank pleaded.

“I think it’s exactly what I think it is,” Jack said making him back up. “So why did you do it Frank?”

“I didn’t…” he started to protest. Then he broke down, “Anderson wanted to know what happened to you. He was curious about what happened during that night, that’s all. I swear it is.”

Jack really wanted to punch him right now, disgusted he walked away. “Well Frank I have some good news and some bad news for you. Good news is I asked around and you don’t turn into a mole. So I won’t have to beat you silly for being that obvious. Bad news… Sparky’s right behind you.”

“Wha…?”, was all he got out before he jolted slightly and some of the others came out of hiding to drag him away.

Looking at Sparky Jack went, “Please tell me you didn’t enjoy that.”

Fingering some of his hair that was still shorter than the rest he said, “He cut off one of my dreads man.”

“And I thought I had issues,” he said walking away.

“Hey Jack,” Sparky said after him. “You named one of your ghosts Chuck?”

Shrugging his shoulders he answered, “He looked like a Chuck.”

***
Melissa didn’t try to hide her disappointment as Frank sat in front of her. Of all the people who crossed her mind he wasn’t even near the top of the list. “Why did you do it Frank?”

“I already explained why I did it,” he answered softly.

“How much money did they offer you?”

“Nobody talked to me personally. He sent word that he was willing to pay for information on what happened to Davidson. What we were using was going down the crapper. I was trying to help us out. It wasn’t hurting anything if Anderson knew what was wrong with him.”

“You betrayed Jack,” she told him.

“Do you think I was the only one who thought about it? I’ve heard people talk about what they would do with that money.”

“I’m sure some where, but it still doesn’t change the fact you took Anderson up on it,” Melissa said sharply. Frank went very quiet. “Exactly how much did they offer you for information on Emily’s route?”

“What?”, he went bug eyed. “I’d never betray us like that. I did everything I could to make sure none of Anderson’s men could follow me here. I got lost a couple of times I was trying so hard. So why would I tell them where to find Emily. I didn’t even know where she was going until after they left. So when was I going to have a chance to tell anybody anything?” Melissa wanted to call him on a lie, any lie, but she knew he was telling the truth.

Sighing heavily she said, “Unfortunately I still don’t think I can trust you at the moment. But I don’t know what to do with you either. So until I do I’m relieving you of all your responsibilities. And don’t be too surprised if the people down here start acting differently around you. Like Emily keeps telling me news like this spreads rather fast.”

“I was just trying to help us out,” Frank repeated weakly as she left the room.

In the hallway she found Rachel standing there and Jack leaning against the wall. “He wasn’t the one who told Anderson about Emily.”

“Then we still got a leak somewhere,” Rachel said. “Even Emily said they were ambushed. There just no way Anderson’s assault team just ran across them.”

“Everybody starting to look at each other too,” Jack added.

“I know,” Melissa said pinching the bridge of her nose, “and until I have something concrete to show them they’re going to keep doing it.”

“I don’t suppose Emily has an idea who did it?”, Jack asked. “With her second sight and all that.”

“When did you start believing in that?”, Rachel asked him. Then she said, “Even if she did ‘see’ it why did she go out if she knew there would be trouble?”

“She knew Anderson was coming to put one of those tracking bug in her head,” Jack informed her.

“Emily a big believer in changing the future as little as possible,” Melissa said anticipating Rachel next question. “Besides I already talked to her about it. She told me she had a bad feeling about the trip but nothing more.”

“Maybe we should parade some of the more suspicious ones in front of her and see if she picks up anything,” Jack offered. Melissa and Rachel both looked at him. “I’m just saying… it’s an option.”

“So what are you going to do about Frank?”, Rachel asked gesturing toward the room he was in.

“I honestly have no idea,” she replied looking at the door. “I can’t send him out in case he decides to spill our location out of spite. And I can’t send him to another sell in case he tells them about him,” she pointed at Jack. “I have to think about this one.”

“Either way me, Arron and some of the others are going to look for the old tools,” Rachel said. “I don’t feel right in using the new one now. I’ll see you guys later.”

“See you in a bit,” Jack said as she left. Melissa watched him watch Rachel go for a few seconds before returning his attention her. A second later she noticed Rachel glance back at Jack.

She just had to ask. “When you said you had an idea who did it, did Rachel ever cross your mind?”

“Why would I have considered Rachel?”, he asked a little bewildered.

“Well you do look at her funny, usually when I mention that Anderson has another Fusion operative in the works.”

“Ok,” he admitted, “I have mainly because she kept some things from me. Like how I have one of those bugs in my head too. And we worked past that. But sell me out like that, there’s no way she would do it.” Jack got real quiet and raised an eyebrow at her, “You didn’t think…?”

“Of course not,” she assured him. “I was just curious, that’s all.” Jack kept looking at her funny as he turned to leave. Melissa smirked to herself, there was some hope for those two yet. She turned to leave herself when she remembered something else she wanted to ask him. “You named one of your ghosts?”

***
“I do not like this,” Perez said as he stood slightly behind Anderson as he waited behind his desk. In a rare occurrence he found himself agreeing with the human. This could very well blow up in his face before he knew it. Particularly if their incoming guest decided to divulge his secret to those under him. Anderson was sure none of the human would believe it. But there would be those who would start to ask questions, which would lead to even more questions. That headache he didn’t need. A light on his desk blinked on and his secretary announced he had arrived.

“Send him in.” Not even a second later an extremely well dressed rebel walked in confidently and took the seat in front of the desk without it being offered. Years of practice allowed him to hide the disbelief of the sheer gall the rebel had. “Can I get you anything Mr….?”

“Trent,” he said nonchalantly as he looked around the room. Then his gaze fell upon Perez, “Although I was expecting a bigger welcoming committee. Just one guard? I’m practically insulted.”

“Mr. Perez is the head of my assault unit. I assure you he’s more than capable of handling the situation.”

“I’m sure he is,” this Trent gave him a knowing grin. “Do you have what I asked for?” Without a word he opened a drawer, took out a rather sizable file and slid it across the desk. Trent looked it over, grunting something every so often. Suddenly he started clicking his tongue, “You’re holding out on me.”

“I gave you all you requested,” Anderson said plainly.

“Then where’s the information on the mark two you’re cooking up?” Once again he found himself being surprised by the man, and again years of experience kept that from showing. If this man wasn’t a rebel he would have made every offer possible to get him in his in his company.

“What mark two?”

“Don’t be coy with me Anderson. My cell has tabs all over the place. I know you have a new Killer in the works, just like I know your Mr. Perez is not the original head of your shock troopers.” Trent leaned back and looked confident. “Now about that mark two…”

Anderson leaned foreword slightly, “You said you wanted all the information on the ones we had created, past tense. If we were working on this mark two like you claim then it would be in the creation phase. Therefore we have complied with your wishes.”

He sat there simmering before he regained his composure and started smiling, “You are a sly cat, I will give you that. Fair enough, you’ve kept your end of the bargain so I will keep mine.” Reaching into his coat he pulled out and placed an envelope on the desk. “The location of your lost Killer and, as an added bonus, the so-called leader of this rebellion. I would mention where the entrances and exits are but you never requested that.” The look on Trent’s face made it apparent that he thought he just evened the score. “Pleasure doing business with you.”

“I wish I could say the same,” Anderson said after he left. Waiting a few minutes he looked at Perez who nodded. He turned away and started speaking into the microphone hidden in his vest. Anderson opened the envelope and studied the contents, a plan already forming in his head.

***
“I am not hearing things,” Jack stated to Arron. They were in the garage looking over his bike’s engine. At the moment they were in a heated discussion about it’s current condition.

“You are hearing things,” the youth shot back.

“And last night was the first time I heard this ping. So you weren’t taking as good of care of my bike like everybody said you were.”

“You are crazy.”

“Hey,” Jack pointed a wrench at him, “I know crazy and this ain’t it.” Jack looked up and saw one of the locals coming his way. The confused look on his face told him exactly what he was going to ask. “He looked like a Chuck,” he snapped. Turning back to the engine he muttered, “I knew I should have kept that to myself.”

“You probably listen to the part of your head that said you heard a ping from this high tech hunk of junk.”

Jack patted the side of the bike, “Don’t listen to him baby, he’s just an obnoxious teenager.”

“Does Rachel know you’re cheating on her?”, Arron asked. “Or are you cheating on the bike with Rachel?” Not saying a word or looking up Jack smacked him on the back of the head, “Hey!”

“Chuck did it,” was all he said. When he did look up he saw Melissa walk through the doors with a very stressed look on her face. “And I know that can’t be good.”

“Everybody stop what you’re doing,” she said loud enough that everybody in the garage heard her. Tensions felt like it grew when everyone saw her. “Anderson knows where we are.” There was a lot of gasps, cursing and the beginning of some panicky chatter from that announcement, but she didn’t let it go that far.”Trent, the man who took over for Drake after he died, was the one who informed him. Most of his cell called us the moment they found out and Dr. Freidman told us almost as soon as he saw him in the building. So we have to pack up and evacuate now.”

“How long until they get here?”, Arron asked.

“I don’t know,” she said softly. Finding her voice again she told them, “So I want every vehicle we have packed with the essentials and ready to go as soon as possible. Those who aren’t with Trent are going to help us, Lance and his cell are hurrying over to help out as well.”

“Where are we going to go?”, Jack asked. “There a lot of people down here.”

“We have some unused safe houses close by and Lance said he’d take in some of us for the time being. But we do have a ‘B’ site to go to. Every cell has a back up habitat for cases like this, known to just the cell leader and a few select others. Which brings me to the other reason why I’m here. I need some people willing to fight in case Anderson men get here before we’re ready. Jason and Sparky are heading this up so if anybody wants to volunteer step foreword now.”

Everybody looked around to see who would be dumb enough to take what would be a potential suicide mission if it came down to it. Then everybody looked right at Jack as he took a step toward her, “I’m in.”

“Jack you don’t…,” she stated to say.

“Yes I do,” he said flatly. A couple of more took his lead. Then Arron stood beside him. Glancing over to the kid, Jack looked at Melissa and slowly shook his head.

She nodded in agreement, “Sorry Arron I need you for something else. For those of you who volunteered, thank you and I pray to God that we don’t need you.”

“What the hell was that Jack,” Arron demanded. “I can make my own decisions you know. And you’re going to need all the help you can get.”

“Would you shut up for a second Fido,” Jack cut him off. “I need you to promise me you’ll make sure Rachel gets out of here.”

“But Jack…”

“Promise me,” he repeated a little more forcibly.

Arron looked him in the eyes then started nodding his head, “Sure thing man, you can count on me.”

“Good,” he said. Reaching into his pocket he handed Arron the keys to his bike. “Throw her on the bike if you have too, just get her out of here. And if there’s another pinging sound when I take the bike back I’m kicking your butt.” Jack rushed off to throw his stuff in his bag before he did anything else. He was getting a little ticked that he forced to leave what was basically home again.

***
Hectic didn’t even begin to describe the habitat at the moment. Everybody was running just about everywhere. Only a few were actually stepping up and trying to control the chaos. And Rachel was finding herself in her element. “Get those kids to the garage now!” she shouted at an adult watching over a group of the younger ones. “The first couple vans are leaving in a few minutes.” Turning in another direction she mumbled, “What part of children out of here first is that hard to understand.”

“Rachel where do the medical supplies go again?”, somebody asked.

“Second exit on the east side. Dusty has Bessie and a trailer already parked there to take them.”

“How are things going?”, Melissa asked avoiding getting run over by a couple of people.

“Ask me after we get to the new place,” she responded. “I said east exit, that way!”

“Is everybody just taking the essentials?”

“I don’t think I could call them on it if they did,” Rachel admitted. She kept looking down a particular hallway. She was dumb for even considering it under the circumstances.

Melissa looked down that hallway and realized where it headed and what was on the other end. “I’m sure Emily can be convinced to take it with her. Go, I got this covered. But you got five minutes.” Rachel took a second to make up her mind and ran town the corridor.

***
Anderson took a deep breath of the night air. He really should make the time to leave the city limits more often, it was so invigorating. Stepping away from his limo he watched as a black unmarked van pulled up. The side door open and rather disheveled Trent was unceremoniously dumped to the ground. Perez and his team quickly exited the vehicle and surround the two of them as he calmly walked toward the bleeding rebel. “I do hope you appreciate choice of a meeting place Mr.”, he smirked as he sarcastically said, “sorry Trent. This is the same area you told us that would be the perfect spot to ambush the old woman.”

“You son of a bitch we had a deal!”, he spat. “I gave you Melissa and Davidson on silver platter.”

“And I fully intend on following up on that lead. In fact someone I trust completely is heading there right now to look thing over. But after discussing the matter with Mr. Perez we felt it would be best if the men went after a smaller more insignificant target first. How did you put it Mr. Perez, a ‘warm up exercise’ I believe. So I must thank you personally for leading our scouts to such a target.” Trent started to get up but Perez and his men aimed their rifle at him.

“So why did you have your dogs drag me out here?!”, he demanded.

“Because I felt a very strange urge to explain exactly why I did this, believe it or not.” Anderson walked foreword and spoke low enough that only the two of them could hear. “I wanted to tell you personally. My late cousin and myself had very, very few things in common. However the one thing we did see eye to eye on is that we detest traitors. And you Trent are a traitor to a group of traitors. So you are worthless in my eyes.” Anderson turned away and left the rebel seething on the ground.

“You green son of ….!”, he began to shout as Anderson tightened his coat.

“Fire!”, Perez ordered. Gunfire dominated the night momentarily before fading away. Perez caught up with him a few moments after the smell of Drakan blood did, “He started to change sir.”

“You had no choice,” he finished for him. “I understand it perfectly.”

“What did you say to him?”

“I told him the truth. That our contacts demanded that we bringing him to them. I thought we at least owed to tell him what he could expect from them since he helped us find the rebel’s main camp. Apparently he felt it would be easier to take his wrath out on me rather than them. Although I am sure our contacts will eventually be grateful that we took this potential problem off their hands. The wording will be rather important when I tell them of course. But in case they don’t, allow me to say thank you to you and your men Mr. Perez for protecting my person during this particular lapse of judgment.” Perez looked proud as he saluted and Anderson entered his limo. Anderson smiled to himself as the door closed, that went exactly like he planned it.

***
“So how much longer to we have to wait?”, Sparky asked. Him, Jack, Jason and about four others waited in the common area while some more were in the garage guarding things in case the assault came in from that direction. Lance even decided to join in and help them hold the fort while the rest headed for this “B” site. Of course Melissa decided over everybody objection to stay until the last of them left, so they had something else to worry about. At the moment Jack had an extra thought racing through his head, this champion thing sucks.

“Last couple of loads,” Lance answered him, “should be heading out in the next few minutes. That last van leaves as soon as we’re on it.”

“Maybe the bug should leave now,” Jason said. “I don’t even know why he’s even here.”

Jack spoke before anybody could stop him, “Because this is my home too and unlike some people I could mention I actually have friends here I want to protect. Besides I said we’d finish it after we took down Anderson. And I can’t kill you if somebody beats me to it.”

“I like to see you try bug,” Jason challenged him.

“I had you dead to rights twice chimp,” Jack shot back.

“Save it for the shock troops,” Lance said as he pulled Jack away. “We don’t need to be doing their work for them right now.”

“Maybe we’ll get lucky and they won’t show up,” Sparky offered. A second later him and a couple of others started sniffing the air and tensed up.

“You just had to say it,” Jack told him as he looked around to see where they might be coming from. Then they heard the footsteps echoing in the air. Jack looked down one of the hallways and saw a lone female figure walking toward them. Wearing a tight bodysuit, her dark hair in a bun and a device on her right wrist she came closer, walking like she owned the place.

Sounding nervous Sparky asked, “We’re in trouble aren’t we?”

“It’s a lone World Inc. operative,” Jack said feeling his left arm twitch, “we’re in it deep.”

“Oh my,” she said stopping and looking each of them over. “Looks like we have some naughty little boys. I’m going to have to do something like that and teach you a lesson.” She grinned as her eyes became more bug like and some transparent wings grew from her back as she turned into a green wasp. Raising her right wrist up to her chest a metal blade popped up, “And I do love making naughty boys scream.”

Sparky changed into a blue eel, Lance a red wolverine, Jason a blue monkey and the other dropped their human disguises. Jack did the arm movement needed to prime the system and shouted, “Henshin!” and the armor formed around him.

“You guys,” Lance said pointing some of their own. “Get to the garage and tell those vans to get out of here now and form a secondary line. We’ll hold her off for as long as we can.”

“A confident boy,” the wasp sounded excited. “I love breaking boys like you.” They surrounded her as she eyed her blade. “Oh who to start with?” The wasp struck out at Sparky with a kick. Jack and the other went in but the female Drakan was holding her own. It ducked and made Jason hit Lance. Jack grabbed her blade arm and tried to knee her in the stomach. She blocked with her knee, twisted in such a way that her arm was free then jumped up and kicked Jack under the chin. Lance came at her but he was thrown on top of Jack. Sparky tried his luck while the wasp attention was on them. She saw him and swung her blade, Sparky backed away with a long cut on his arm. Right then Jack figured out who they were facing, a warrior queen. Great, just freaking great. Knocking Jason down the wasp licked some of the blood off the blade. “Fear laden blood, always delicious.”

“God I hate talkers,” Jack mumbled as Lance got off of him. She came at him and he rolled out of the way. Jack tried to sweep her legs out from under her but she jumped up to avoid it. Sparky and Lance tackled her to the ground. Jason came in to punch her but a well place kick stopped that. Head butting Lance in the face freed up her left arm which she used to start striking Sparky repeatedly. Jack grabbed the arm and pulled the wasp to her feet. She forced him away before he could do anything. Then she swung her blade low and slashed through the bodysuit and into his left thigh. Jack grabbed it and backed away, “Ugh.”

“A special metal,” she announced holding the blade up. “One that can cut just about anything, even your precious armor. And I bet you thought you were invincible. “Sniffing the blade and licking it again she looked at him, “There’s no fear in this blood. I’m going to enjoy putting it there.” Jack refused to back up from her again, then Lance and Jason went at her again catching her by surprise. He joined in as best he could but his leg was bleeding and killing him. The wasp kicked him in the leg forcing him to a knee. Lance and Jason forced her back allowing Sparky to sneak up behind her and grabbed her shoulders to shock her. She jolted slightly from the charge he was generating. The wasp started throwing elbows behind her and threw her head back smashing him in the face. Thrusting the heel of her palm into Lance’s chest knocked him down. Jason was able to hold his own until fast punch to the gut dropped him to his knees as the wind left him. Holding the blade up for a killing strike the wasp said, “This naughty boy learns the hard way first.”

“The monkey’s mine!”, Jack shouted as he ignored the pain and ran at them. Jumping off of Jason he rammed his shoulder into her. Trying to keep the advantage as they got to their feet he started throwing rights and lefts, connecting with most of them. He missed one time too many and the wasp took over. Giving him a taste of his own medicine she grabbed Jack by the back of the head and started throwing knees in his face. Grabbing him by the neck she threw him back Jack fell against one of the post and tried to hold himself up. The meter started flashing and he twisted the pod up.

“Now die for Momma,” she said right before she charged him. Jack ducked and the blade impaled itself into the post. She struggled to free her weapon and he cocked a fist back.

“Go boom for Daddy!”, he said as he punched her in the gut. The wasp screamed as it flew back and exploded. Jack dropped to the ground with a plop, “I need a drink.”

“I think I need a cigarette,” Sparky said as he came over and offered to help him up.

Jack looked at it, “Yeah I’m not touching that hand.” Getting to his feet Lance and Sparky asked if he was all right and he responded with a nod.

Jason walked up behind him, “That was… mildly impressive bug.” Jack whipped around and decked him catching all of them by surprise.

“Jack what the hell?”, Sparky asked. He deactivated the system. They saw him glare at Jason for a few moments.

“That’s for calling her worthless,” he told Jason. Jack started to limp away before Lance demanded to check on his wound.

“It looks superficial to me,” he announced after a few moments.

“Still hurts like hell,” Jack told him.

“We’ll check it a little closer in the van. Let’s get out of here before any reinforcements decides to show up.” Jack leaned on Sparky for support as they headed for the garage.

***
The “B” site was an old subway that one way or another feel off the map. So they should be relatively safe for the time being, well until Anderson decided to intensify the search for them. People were settling in best they could giving the circumstances. The place need a lot of work to make it livable but there was plenty of people willing to do the work necessary. Jack, after he got patched up, more or less disappeared when he arrived. Rachel found him in one of the side tunnels sitting against a wall and looking up. She walked a little closer to see he was looking past a grate and at the stars in the night sky. When he looked at her he stared at the pot of flowers in her hands. “You did not risk your neck to dig those up.”

“You worked hard on them and I wanted to save them,” she explained. “Besides Emily had the same idea. She had a couple of guys digging them up by the time I got there. She said they brought you peace and didn’t want to leave them behind. You may not like it but I agreed with her at least.”

“You’re both idiots.” After a few moments of silence he took the pot and set it by his feet, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Sparky told me about the fight, so are you all right?”

“You’re like the eightieth person to ask me that,” he told her.

“So are you going to tell me what you told those seventy nine others,” she stated as she sat beside him, “or are you going to tell me the truth?”

Jack went back to looking at the night sky. Softly he answered, “I don’t know.”

“Well don’t keep it to yourself this time,” she told him. “That’s what got you in that mess to begin with. You have a lot of people around you ready and willing to help out the best they can when it feels like things are getting to be too much for you. Do you hear me?”

“I hear you.” Another moment went by before he added, “Thanks for being there for me when I was in it.”

She smiled at him, “You’re my friend, where else am I going to be?” He smiled back and returned to the night sky. She rested her head on his shoulders and joined him at watching the stars.



*Ending Theme – Linkin Park – What I’ve Done*

[scikaiju]

<Episode 39>


*Opening theme – Smile Empty Soul – Who I am*


After insisting very strongly Anderson took a tour of the rebels’ hideout. He always knew it was an underground movement, he was just slightly amazed they were actually underground this entire time. Perez, despite his position, still demanded he’d only be in the sections he and his men had actually secured. Not that he had a problem with the request, but the way the human was acting like he was the one in charge annoyed him. Fortunately Taylor was there to keep him in check, so to speak. Perez looked happy there was a buffer but he could care less, he just wanted to see where Christopher, and Melissa apparently, had their people living.

And how they had their followers living. Artificial lights strung all over the place above them. The air seemed stale to him now, he didn’t even want to imagine what it must have been like full of their followers. Taylor walked with him as he wondered about. “It says something about my cousins, does it not Mr. Taylor?”

“What does sir?”

“That they were able to convince so many to live under these condition.”

“Conditions seem to be better than the initial view would indicate,” he said. “Some of the men have seen hallways lined with rooms with beds in them, some look like they would fit a family of four comfortably. One of these corridors leads to a garden of some sort. A room that could be described as a meeting hall or dining area looked like it could fit a hundred with some elbow room. Perez himself spotted a room that looked liked it was where they planned their raids based on the maps left in the room.”

Anderson slowly nodded his head as he listened. The rebels were a resourceful bunch after all. Avoiding being captured for so long he shouldn’t have been that surprised. But one thing still bothered him, “Why is it nobody knew this a place like this existed?”

“I’m not sure,” Taylor admitted. “I had people going over old city plans and blueprints as soon as Trent told us about this place, and they couldn’t find a trace of it. I contacted Rhodes and he seemed to recall some of the older Generals back in the day talk about a bomb shelter for the politicians that fell off the radar. I’m assuming this is that shelter.”

“Have him go over what he can to see if anything else fell off the radar,” Anderson ordered. “There has to be some kind of record of places like this somewhere. I doubt the rebels just stumbled across this location, and they have to be someplace like this now.”

“He is sir, and I’m having our people go over the public records as far back as they can find. If they have another location like this one we’ll find it.”

“I hope so Mr. Taylor. It is a metaphorical black eye on my reputation that the rebels have been able to hide for so long in my city, and I will not tolerate it any longer.” They came to a stop at what Perez called the central hub of the hideout. Anderson could just see the rebels in his mind standing around the space, acting like they were in the right. The he set his gaze on the charred remains of the woman he sent here. Slowly he walked toward the remains as Taylor waved off the people guarding them. Standing over them he said, “A pity.”

“Did you know her personally sir?”

“Well enough Mr. Taylor,” he answered. “I almost made her my personal bodyguard, but her rather unusual quirks made me rethink that position. No, she worked out much better as one of my personal assassins. She never let me down once, and always came back with a smile on her face. She was disappointed I waited so long before sending her after Mr. Davidson actually, one of the few times she ever begged for a particular assignment.” Silent for a couple of moments he spoke again, “I want her remains properly taken care of. I will perform the ceremony as soon as we return.”

“I’ll take care of it sir.”

“Good, good. May I have a moment alone?”

“Of course sir,” Taylor said and left.

Anderson looked at her remains and lowered his head. Despite the small spark of sadness he was feeling a smile escaped his lips, “Welcome back Mr. Davidson.”

***
“Damn it, another dead end,” Jack muttered. Rachel tried to remain patient, they had been here a week and he still had no idea where he was going half the time. Of course he was still a little ticked he had to spend a day in the homemade goop, as he put it, to fix that gash in his armor. So this wasn’t helping his mood any. “This place is a freaking maze. I thought you said it was this way.”

“I told you two lefts and a right,” she said. “You went left, right, left.”

“Why didn’t you say something sooner?”, he demanded.

“You learn better this way,” she shot back. “Come on follow me.”

“I still say they should have handed out maps to this place.”

“That’s a security risk,” Rachel reminded him, “and you know that.”

“And I’m tired of getting lost down here.”

“So are a lot of people. Melissa’s gotten turned around a couple times down here too. We just need to get used to the place.”

“If we get used to it,” Jack said. “A lot of the stuff they brought in is still packed.”

“People are still jumpy from the evacuation. Even I’m looking twice at the nearest entrance or exit every time I hear a strange noise.” They came to an intersection and they paused. She didn’t remember this being here. Rachel could feel Jack staring at her as she looked down each one. “Well come on, don’t just lean against the wall,” she said hoping he didn’t notice.

No such luck, “You had no clue which way we had to go for a second.”

“Shut up,” she told him. After a few minutes they found the others in Melissa’s new war room. It was a small group, just them, Melissa, Lance and a couple of others standing around. “Sorry we’re late.”

“I just got here myself,” Melissa admitted. “I have to start thinking about putting up some street signs around here or something.”

“I second that motion,” Jack said as he hoped on top of a crate.

“I might as well third it,” Rachel said, knowing she was going to regret it the moment she did.

“I knew you got lost,” he grinned.

“Bite me,” Rachel told him. Jack stuck his tongue out at her and she did the same.

“Children,” Melissa said sternly.

“She started it,” Jack said trying to sound innocent.

“Did not,” she played along.

“Don’t make me separate you two,” Melissa looked serious before turning away to hide her smile. Before long she was getting back to business, “I figured I should update you guys on what’s going on. The other cells are slowly learning what happened thanks to Lance.”

“Certain details left out of course,” he added looking at them.

“Of course,” Rachel agreed.

“So far it still looks like Jack is still our dirty little secret,” Melissa took over.

“What do you mean ‘little’?”, Jack cut in. Rachel slapped him on the knee.

Melissa continued like he never spoke up, “The survivors from Trent’s cell implied they had no idea why he set us up. So it looks like he was the only one in his cell that knew he’s with us. Speaking of Trent, they found his body in the wood shortly afterwards. It looks like he was shot several times.”

“Can’t say I’m shedding a tear over it,” Lance commented

“I can,” Jack said. “I wanted a piece of him.”

“You and everybody here,” Melissa told him. “I’m assuming Anderson took the matter out of our hands. One some other news, I’ve been asked to inform everybody not to worry about getting a new garden center going.” She paused and looked like she was steadying herself, “Sparky said he was going to take charge of it.”

The group gave out a collective, “Sparky?”, at the news.

“I know, it took me by surprise too.”

“He’s going a little far to impress Angie, isn’t he?”, Jack commented.

“Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt,” Rachel told him. Then she thought it over, “But you’re probably right.”

“Which brings me to our next order of business, we might have to find a new meat and food stuff supplier.”

Lance and the other looked concerned, “Did Anderson find out about them?”

“No,” she said. “A human is putting the squeeze on us if you can believe it.” Everybody looked at each other. “And he wants to talk to us about ‘protection’. I don’t know who this Harrison guy is but…”

“Wait,” Jack interrupted her, “’Pitbull’ Harrison?”

“You know him,” Melissa asked. Rachel’s interest was piqued too.

“Through my Uncle unfortunately,” he told them. “He was a pretty small time wise guy too. Even before I was caught in that avalanche he was a small fish pretending he wasn’t in a big pond.”

“Well he’s apparently grown some since then according to a couple of the other cell leaders. He took over one of our major suppliers a little over a month ago. I have no idea how he found out about us though, we have a couple dummy fronts in place.”

“You’d be surprised,” Jack said. “I’ll go with you to meet with him.”

“Are you nuts?”, Rachel asked him.

“I had no plans on meeting with him,” Melissa informed him. “Even if I was I wouldn’t risk you getting caught.”

“Do you have another supplier set up?”, Jack asked. To Rachel and the others dismay she wasn’t saying anything right away. “Look, he owes me a couple of favors. I’m pretty sure I can work something out.”

Melissa was actually thinking it over, finally she said, “We’ll give it a try, but I still don’t think this is a good idea.” She broke up the meeting to go get ready. Lance and the other looked at Jack as they exited.

“Do I want to know why a small time mobster owes you favors?”, Rachel asked once they were alone.

“Nothing major,” Jack answered as he hopped off the crate.

“You’re risking everything on ‘noting major’? You’re crazy.”

“Hey, I know crazy and…,” he trailed off, “and this is pretty much it actually.” That did not fill her with confidence.

***
The meeting place was just outside Harrison’s old neighborhood, the same place he tried to run like a big time operation. Jack thought he was kinda pitiful back then too. With Melissa riding behind him, which was a little weird because he was used to Rachel being back there, he pulled up between a couple of small buildings. Harrison, wearing the same Hawaiian shirt Jack saw him in the last time, sat on the hood of a dark blue Lincoln Continental with a couple of his boys standing on either side. Taking off his helmet Harrison looked surprised, “I don’t believe it, little Jackie Davidson.”

“Hey Mortimer,” Jack shot back using his real name. His guards started snickering until “Pitbull” shot them a look. “Let me handle this,” he told Melissa.

“The way you’re handling it now making me nervous,” she whispered back.

“I got to say Jack,” Harrison said as he got off the hood and they walked toward each other, “I’m a little surprised about you. The little punk I knew as a boy becoming the most wanted man in the country, who would have thought it. What would your Uncle say? What would your mother say?”

“Things happen,” he told him plainly. “You wanted to talk to the woman behind me. She’s letting me speak for her.”

“And why should I let you?” Jack only reply was to look up which caused Harrison to do the same. On the roof to their left Arron was holding the unconscious body of one of Harrisons’ men. On their right Sparky had another one by the neck as he waved at them with his free hand. “Looks like we’re discussing business then.”

“I’m not really here to discuss anything,” Jack informed him. “You owe me two favors. I’m calling one of them in.”

Harrison tugged at his ear, “My memory may be a little hazy at times but I don’t see how I owe you anything.”

Jack was all too ready to explain, “Back when I was eight. You were on the run from the cops and begged my Uncle to let him hide out in out in our basement, even made me promise not to tell anybody you were there. The police tracked you down anyway, I lied to them and said I never saw you.”

Scratching his chin he said, “I can see how that could be seen as me owing you something, but I don’t see two.”

“My mom came home right after you left. She heard the police were there and asked what was going on. I looked her right in the eyes and told her the same exact lie.”

“And that’s definitely two.”

“Boss how is that two?”, one of his guards asked.

“If you ever met his mother you know he took his life in his own hands there,” he started rubbing his chin where Jack vaguely remembered his mom decking him. “So what can I do for you?”

Here’s goes nothing, “From what I hear you’re putting some pressure on these guy’s food source. I want it stopped.”

“Done,” Harrison said without thinking it over.

“Boss!”, his guard cried out.

“A favor is a favor boys, you should always honor them,” Harrison told them. “I’ll tell you what, I’ll even forgot I saw you tonight. That should make us even.”

“Fine,” Jack agreed, “and I sincerely hope I never see you again.” Jack turned around and headed for the bike. He knew it was too easy and knew the other shoe was about to drop any time now.

“You know,” here it comes, “I always thought the infamous Drakan Killer would look a little tougher.”

Jack froze in his tracks totally caught off guard. Looking at Melissa he saw her state of shock too. He mouthed the words “Did he just say?” She nodded slowly. Turning back around Jack saw an evil grin on Harrison’s face.

“One of the benefits of being seen as small time, you can find out things when people don’t notice you. Made it easy to find out about these freaks and you, and with a little digging what they did to you. I’m willing to forget all of it, if you do a little something for me. You see I got this Drakan trying to muscle in on my territory. I want you to get rid of him.”

“No deal,” Melissa told him after she found her voice.

“Gee, it would be a pity if the news about the Drakans got out to the press, with evidence might I add,” he smirked.

Jack looked him in the eyes, “Have you ever heard of Matthew Anderson? He’s like the main guy around here and he is very protective about it. If you actually did your research then you’d know he has a small army under him. If word about the Drakans get out don’t be surprised if he gets a package the next day. One containing info about where you live, who you associate with, where you hang out and anything else I can think of.”

“That’s a pretty good threat there Jackie,” Harrison laughed. “But what would your mother say about it?”

“Leave her out of this.”

“I can’t Jackie, you see I know where she is. And you really should have saved that second favor.”

Jack grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him close, “Leave her alone!”

“You think that favor you called in from Nick covered everything when you moved her?”, he taunted. “Relocating people ain’t cheap and the money had to come from somewhere. And I was more than happy to chip in. Before you get any ideas Jackie boy, I figured a day like this would come so I have one of my boys watching her. And if you do anything to me…”

“Don’t listen to him Jack,” Melissa told him, but she sounded nervous to him. He also noticed she wasn’t exactly saying he was lying either.

“Can you take that chance Jackie?”.The only thing he wanted to do was wipe that look off of his face. But he let go and backed away. “Good boy. Now I’m not a total hard case so I’ll give you a day to think it over. And it’s a simple choice Jackie boy, the Drakan or your mother. Meet me back here when you made your choice.” He patted Jack on the cheek before heading back for his car. Arron and Sparky jumped down and asked what he was going to do. He couldn’t answer, he just stood there shaking.

***
Once again Melissa wished she could turn off that window in her head that let her read the emotions of others. The anger radiating off of Jack was splitting her head open. And the commotion that resulted when they returned wasn’t helping it any. She tried to calm things down and get back some order. At least Jack was fuming in the corner and not adding anything to fuel the fire. Still the commotion around her was grating on her last nerve and she snapped at them, “I don’t remember putting this up for discussion.”

“All I’m saying is after all he’s done for us,” Sparky continued his argument, “why can’t we look the other way this one time?”

“And how many more times after that?”, Arron countered. “Do you really think this guy going to stop after this one?”

“You been watching too many movies,” Sparky told them. “Besides what does it matter to us? We don’t even know the guy Harrison wants Jack to whack.”

“And that makes it alright?”, Arron demanded. “As far as we know this guy is outside this stupid war. Would you really be ok with Jack killing somebody who was basically an innocent?”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Jack finally spoke. Everybody looked at him.

“And where did that end up getting you?”, Rachel asked suddenly. He said nothing as he left the room. Then everybody looked at her. “When Jack started talking about what lead to his… episode, he kept going back to a couple of times he was forced to kill a Drakan that he couldn’t say for sure was involved in this. He always talked about the first time he had to, it was a frog who confronted us on the street and challenged him. That was the first time he realized he wasn’t feeling as guilty as he thought he should have been, and was worried about what kind of monster that made him.”

“At least you agree with me,” Arron said. Rachel didn’t reply right away, in fact she looked undecided. “Don’t go flip flopping on me now.”

“I don’t want Jack to do this either,” she said, “but this is his mother we’re talking about.”

“We’ll think of something,” Melissa said. “But we can’t do what Harrison wants.” Sparky started to protest, even Rachel began to join him. “We’ll think of something,” she repeated. “I have a hard enough time sending Jack out on jobs where I know he might be forced to fight a Drakan working for Anderson. I am not going to be ok with anything where an innocent has to die to appease some hood. And I know nobody here wants to send Jack down that road again. We’ll think of something.” She just wished she knew what it could be so it wouldn’t affect Jack’s Mom.”

***
A pitiful night sleep didn’t improve things. The conflicting bits of unwanted advice wasn’t helping anything either. Rachel tried to get his mind off of it but she gave up after a couple of hours. He just wanted to avoid people and think. The only he place he could find was the still under construction gym area. The heavy bag was up so he took off his jacket and started pounding away. His mind kept going back to the “innocents” as Arron called them. The frog who wouldn’t back away from the fight because tradition demanded it. The hippo who just wanted the glory of being the one who took down the Drakan Killer. Max, who he was forced to fight because of that damn dart. Those three always waved heavily on his mind, and two of them were usually some of the first to show up in his nightmare. Could he really add another one to his conscious?

Holding onto the bag he closed his eyes and sighed heavily. Why was he acting like he even had a choice? Grabbing his jacket he headed for the garage. On the way there Sparky caught up with him, “Where you going man?”

He knew where Sparky stood but he couldn’t take the chance and only told him, “Out.”

“Want some company?”

“No,” he answered.

“I’ll make sure your bag is packed when you get back,” he said.

“Look,” Jack stopped and snapped at him.

“Don’t go preaching to the choir,” the blue haired Drakan told him. “I know what you gotta do. I understand where Melissa is coming from, but I know deep down she and the others know you don’t have a choice in the matter. Do what you gotta do to protect your mom.”

“Thanks Sparky,” Jack told him gratefully.

“Hey, I’m your boy I got your back,” Sparky grinned. Jack nodded and continued on his way. Hopefully Dusty would put up with him after this was over.

***
She really should have asked Jack where this Nick guy was, buy she didn’t want to risk him trying to talk her out of it in case it backfired and hurt his mom. Not that those thought didn’t already entered her head, but this was the only option she could think of. Amazingly enough Melissa knew who he was and what he did on the side. Apparently in the past they had to get a few Drakans out of the city when things got too hot for them. She should have been worried about getting further involved in the mob thing, but at the moment she was more worried about being recognized out in the streets despite the red hoodie and sunglasses she was wearing. At least Arron was backing her up for this one. Entering the shop once they found it she saw a guy standing behind the counter with the nametag Nick on his shirt. He looked like she thought he would: tall, lanky and wearing glasses. “Can I help you?”, he asked.

“Yes,” she said as she took off the sunglasses.”I hear you have an outside business moving people.”

He recognized her almost instantly, “Sorry but not you, you are way to radioactive to even think about.”

“Actually I’m here about somebody you already relocated,” she explained, “Helen Davidson.”

“Oh no no no no,” he said while backing away from them. “Pitbull warned me that somebody might be coming in asking about her. He said he’d break my legs, wait until they healed and break them again if I ever told anybody where she was.”

Looks like it was time for the back up plan. “You know,” Rachel said calmly, “you could worry about what Pitbull would do to you. But maybe you should be worried about what I’ll have my young friend here do to you a little more. Arron,” she said and stepped aside. He took a step foreword and started at him. His eyes went wolf-like as he gave out a low threatening growl. The wide eyed expression in his face and the growing wet spot on the front of his pants said she got her point across. Rachel leaned on the counter, smiled and pleasantly said, “Now, about Helen Davidson.”

***
“I knew you’d make the right choice Jackie boy,” Harrison said as he pulled up. “Now be a good boy and follow us. I’ll explain when we get there.” He got in his car and drove off and Jack did as he was told. Jack found himself wishing that one of Anderson assault units would show up. It would give him an excuse to ditch these guys. Of course that never happened as the pulled next to a chain link fence of an old junk yard. “Now listen up. Mullen, that’s the freaks name, is using this place as a base to take me down. I was able to bribe his guards that were supposed to be here, so you got an easy in. Here’s how it’s going to go down, my boys will take care of his boys and you take care of him. And if you do a good job maybe I’ll give you mom’s new number so you can talk to her.” If looks could kill Harrison would have been incinerated on the spot by the one Jack was giving him. Harrison backed up a little, “Remember what’ll happen to her if anything happens to me.” Jack said nothing as he got off the bike and climbed the fence.

After he got in it didn’t take long for Harrison to make his move. Gunfire began to fill the air as he made his way toward the center, if this Mullen didn’t already run. If only. Again he didn’t get his wish as he found a guy wearing a white suit looking worried. Jack didn’t get close before he was noticed, “Who the hell are you?”

“Somebody who really doesn’t want to be here but doesn’t have any other choice,” Jack said as he kept walking. He did the movements necessary to activate the system and said, “Henshin.” Mullen started to back away as the armor formed around him.

“The Drakan Killer,” he gulped. “Look whatever he’s paying you I’ll double it, I’ll triple it.”

“Unfortunately you can’t raise what he’s offering,” Jack said sadly. He ran at him but got batted away when he got close. Mullen sprouted antlers as he turned into a blue moose. Looking around he grabbed a pipe out of a pile of junk and came at Jack with it raised over his head. He got a forearm up to stop a blow directed at his head and kicked him away. The moose went back in swinging forcing him to back away. Grabbing the pipe in mid swing he pulled and threw the Drakan to the ground. He looked at the pipe before dropping it. The Drakan took advantage of that moment to quickly get up and clock him with a left cross. Jack ducked another one and countered with a right of his own. He kicked it behind the knee to force it down and punched it in the head again.

The entire fight he wasn’t thinking about what he was doing. He wasn’t thinking about what Rachel and the others would were going to say about his decision. Jack was thinking about his Mother. And not her reaction to his choice. No, every possible thing Harrison could do to her was running wild through his head. As much as those thoughts disgusted him he had to let them fuel his actions. It was the only possible way he could do this. The moose started to fight back and didn’t let up. It jumped up suddenly and kicked him in the chest and forced him against a hood of an old car. The Drakan ran at him, Jack bent down and flipped the moose over his head and sent it flying. Jack climbed on top of the hood and jumped on top of it. He was forced off and kicked in the head hard.

He didn’t have time to lose the stars circling around in his vision as another punch came at him. Acting on instinct he blocked several punches before popping up with an uppercut that knocked the moose back. It tried to punch him again, he ducked and the momentum casing the moose to turn around. Thinking quick he grabbed him around the waist and threw him backwards. The moose stumbled to his feet as the meter started flashing. Jack looked at the moose… Mullen… and whispered, “I’m sorry,” before twisting the pod down. He squatted down slightly, jumped at the Drakan and extended his right foot. Hitting it in the chest the moose flew back and exploded.

“That a boy Jackie,” Harrison said as walked up with his men in tow. “That was pretty impressive. I may use you again if one of these freaks gets a little big for their britches.”

“No,” Jack told him. “That was it, I’m not doing this for you any more.”

“You sure your mom could live with that Jackie boy?”, he taunted.

“You really should have waited for me to deactivate the system before making that threat.” Jack ran at them catching them off guard. He crashed his shoulder into the nearest guard that knocked him down. Another tried to draw his gun. Jack kicked it out of his hands then slammed a forearm into his chest. A third started firing at him. He slowly walked toward him and grabbed the gun. Ripping it out of his hands he grabbed him by the shirt and not holding anything back he threw him. Then he turned toward Harrison.

“Th..think about it Jack,’ he said as he rapidly backed away, “do anything to me…”. He didn’t get a chance to finish as he ran in and grabbed him by the shirt collar. Forcing him against a pile of junk he lifted him off his feet.

“Now you listen to me,” Jack growled. “If I ever find out you, your friend or anybody working for you even looks at my mother I will make you wish you were him,” he gestured with his head toward the still burning remains, “by the time I’m done with you. Do I make myself clear!” Harrison nodded quickly and Jack dropped him. He patted him on the check before turning around and walking away more than ready to leave all of this behind him.

***
Melissa waited outside the garage waiting as it rained heavily. Nobody had seen him for hours and she was afraid she knew where he was. She prayed she was wrong as a lone headlight came toward her. Jack stopped short of her and took off his helmet and they just looked at each other. And she knew, not from any thing she was reading off of him, but from the fresh scent of Drakan blood that was in the air despite the downpour. Melissa seethed as she went up top him and punched him off the bike and to the ground, cursing herself for holding back at the last second. “You son of a bitch!”, she screamed. “If you would have waited we could have stopped this.”

“I couldn’t take that chance,” he said as he got to his feet.

“Rachel found you mom,” she informed him. She took no satisfaction as he looked away. “I know people down there and they’re getting her out of there now. I told you we would find another way. But you were so desperate to live up to your name you just had…”

“I don’t care if I pissed you off or not,” he snapped back catching her by surprise, “but I didn’t have a choice. When it comes down to my Mom and a Drakan I don’t even know my Mom going to win every damn time.”

“And what if it comes down to a Drakan you do know next time?”

“Do you really want me to answer that?” They were silent for a long time. Then he walked the bike past her, “I’ll go pack.”

“Every bone in my body says I should kick you out but I’m not,” she said not turning around. “Emily says we still need you. That and Sparky was able to convince most of the other to mutiny if I did.” Turning her head slightly she told him, “You are on a very short leash as of right now. Another incident like this and I will throw you out on your ass. Is that clear?”

“Perfectly,” he answered as he continued toward the garage.

“Explain something to me,” she said finally facing him. “When Emily was trying to calm me down after nobody could find you she told me something. She said sometimes a champion is faced with a decision where there is no right path. So he must take the one he feels he can live with the best. Champion, what did she mean by that?”

“Ask her,” was all he said.

“I did, she said to ask you.”

Jack stopped and sighed before facing her, “Honestly, I don’t know what it means either. I not sure I even believe in it yet. But it’s something I’m clinging on to, just for the sake of my own sanity if nothing else.” With nothing else to say he headed back for the garage. Melissa waited a moment before following him in. She was still royally pissed at him for making that choice. But she knew it was the only one he could live with, now if it only didn’t have to cost some “innocent” Drakan his life in the process.

***
Everybody was giving him a mix reaction in the hours after he got back, some agreeing with him and other not. Mostly they just avoided him. Jack didn’t really care either way. His mom was safe that was all that mattered to him. “You going to rip me a new one too?”, he asked Rachel as she walked up.

“I’m sure Melissa hoping I will,” she said. “But I know you thought you only had the one option. Besides as I see it I’m partially to blame for this too. Maybe if I told you what I had planned you would have waited and nobody would be arguing with each other right now, or maybe not. Look, I know how much you mom means to you. Melissa won’t like it but I know in my heart you made the right choice. Which is why I’m hoping this is a good surprise.” She pulled a phone out of her pocket and held it to her ear, “Are you still there? Good,” then she handed it to him.

“Hello?”, he said a bit unsure.

“Jack!”, a very excited and all too familiar voice spoke back.

“Mom!”. Tears started to form in his eyes, “Oh God it is so good to hear your voice again.”

“Same here baby,” she told him. “Now what is going on? Why was I moved again? Rachel explained most of it but I’m still confused.”

“That favor didn’t go as far as I’d hoped it would,” he told her. “But we took care of it so don’t worry.”

“You didn’t do anything stupid did you?”

“Would I do anything stupid? Don’t answer that.”

“I’ll take that as a yes. I do know my boy after all. But are you alright? Rachel kept a little too quiet when I asked about you.”

“I… went through some things, but I got through them. Rachel helped me get through it.”

“Good, usually you’re stubborn enough to try to handle anything major on your own. Unfortunately you take after me there so I can’t blame your Uncle Petey, no matter how much I want to.”

There was a click over the line before he could speak, “What was that?”.

“Rachel warned me about that,” she said sadly. “It means our time is just about up for now. Listen Jack I love you.”

“I love you too Mom,” he was able to get out before the call ended. Those tears started to fall as he handed the phone back.

“I’m going to talk to Dusty about working on that,” Rachel said. “That way you can talk to her as long as you want and as often as you want.”

Jack caught her by surprise by getting up and hugging her, “Thank you.”

“What are friends for?”, she said. She left him alone again with his thoughts. Would he have made that choice again? In a heartbeat, no question about it. Would he be able to live with it? That he didn’t know yet. But hopefully Rachel, the others and his Mom would help him out of it if he couldn’t.


*Ending theme – Linkin Park – What I’ve Done*

[scikaiju]

<Episode 40>


*Opening theme – Smile Empty Soul – Who I am*


Things in the new habitat were slowly getting better. After everybody realized what was where things started to feel like normal. The new garden center was coming together nicely under Sparky’s care, to the surprise of just about everybody. And once everybody gotten used to the new routine it was like they always lived there. A routine that was broken as people hanging around in the main chamber saw Rachel storm in looking furious. Quickly followed by Jack who was holding the back of his head, “What did I say?”

“You know exactly what you said,” she shot back angrily.

“Obviously not if I’m asking what in the hell I said.”

She turned around and got in his face. Jabbing a finger in his chest she said, “What exactly is going through that head of yours? After all the things I’ve done for you. After all the times I’ve fought for you. How can you even say…?”

“How about you stop poking me in the chest,” Jack raised his voice slightly, starting to get annoyed.

“Do not yell at me!”, Rachel told him.

“You slapped me in the back of the head for no reason!”, he did start yelling now. “If anybody got a right to be yelling right now it’s me.”

“Oh all the ungrateful,” she started. “Why do I even put up with you?”

“Who asked you to put up with me?”, he shot back. “I didn’t see anybody put a gun to your head.”

“You block headed,” she started to say. Then she turned around and stormed off again. This time he didn’t follow, but he did storm off in different direction. But her voice did catch his ear.

Turning around he shouted, “And if you’re going to cuss me out do it in English!” She started to swear louder in French. His hands flew up in frustration, “Gah!”

He passed Sparky and a couple of other sitting at a makeshift table. Sparky look at the others and said, “Lovers spat.”

“Shut up Sparky,” he snapped at him.

***
Melissa told herself she wasn’t going to get in the middle of it. That lasted all of five minutes before she told a couple of people to find Jack and bring him to her. As she waited she made a promise to herself, she wasn’t going to jump down his throat and she wasn’t going to go on the attack. They were going to sit down and rationally discuss what happened. After all there were two sides of every story and he did deserve to have his side heard. Then Jack arrived and she realized, based off what she was reading, rational probably wasn’t in the cards. “Sit, we have to talk.” Instead he crossed his arms. “I said sit down.”

“When I’m ready,” he said a little defiantly. Apparently he was still a little irked from the situation with Rachel.

Feeding off the irritation coming off of him her eyes went feral and she growled a bit as she told him, “I said sit.”

Looking at her for a moment or two he said, “I’m ready,” and promptly sat down.

This could have gotten off to a better start. Taking a second to calm herself she said, “I know things between us have been a little strained lately. And I don’t usually involve myself in the personal quarrels of those who live here.”

“Fine, then I don’t need to be here,” Jack said as he started to get up. She pushed him back down a little harder than necessary, just to get the across the point he wasn’t going to leave until she said so.

“But in the past few months,” she continued, “Rachel and I have gotten to know each other a little better. So I consider her to be one of my closest friends. And right now my friend in angry and hurting and I want to know why.”

Sighing tiredly he said, “If I knew why we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

“Something had to have happen Jack. Nobody has seen her like this. I heard Dusty found out and is coming in to crack your head open to find out what you did.”

“Then it’s going to be a long night because I have no idea what I did.”

She tried a different track, “Then tell me what was going on before whatever happen happened. Maybe we can figure it out and stop this fight.”

Sighing again he titled his head back before looking back at her. “Me, Rachel and Arron were straightening out one of the supply closest, and we were just talking. Out of the blue Arron, who I blame for all of this by the way, asked me if I thought Rachel would ever stab me in the back. I don’t know why it came up.” Melissa felt her gut tighten a little as she was afraid of what the answer was going to be. “I told him no, I fully expect to see it com…ing…,” he trailed off as it dawned on him what he said and dropped his face into his hand, “ah son of a bitch.” When he looked up she smacked him in the forehead, “Ow!”

“You didn’t hit yourself hit yourself hard enough,” she said.

Getting up he said, “I got to find Rachel. That wasn’t what it sounded like.”

“How can that be anything than what it sounded like?”

“Let me explain it to Rachel first then I’ll explain it to you.” He quickly turned into the hallway. She heard a, “Excuse me Emily,” that was followed by a loud crack and an, “Ow!”, before Jack came hopping back into view holding his right shin. “What the hell, is this hit the Fusion guy day?!”

“What did you say to that poor girl?”, Emily demanded as she waved her cane at him.

“I’m going to go work it out with her,” he quickly said. “If people would stop hitting me before I can find her.” He hobbled off as they watched. Melissa was hoping he found her quick because he wasn’t going to last long at this rate.

***
Rachel didn’t know if she should cry or tear him a new one. After all this time he still didn’t trust her. She hugged her knees to her chest as she sat in her bed, trying not to stare at his cot on the other side of the tiny room. Still low on space her ass. She had a half a mind to throw all his stuff out in the hallway. That way he could bunk with somebody he could trust. The doorknob shook a little then there was a knock on the door. “Rachel open up,” she heard him say.

She remained quiet in hopes he’d eventually go away. But he kept knocking and calling her name. Getting fed up she called out, “Go away Jack.”

“Let me explain,” he said, “that wasn’t what I meant.”

Rachel got up and almost shouted at the door, “So what, you expect me to stab you in the side now?”

“I don’t think your going to betray me or anything.” Then his voice went a little lower and she heard him say, “Do you mind? I’m trying to have a conversation here.”

“Whatever man,” a new voice said.

“Rachel,” he said talking to her again, “you are my closest friend right now…”

“Yeah right,” she cut him off, “some friend. You’d never say that about Richie.”

“Yes I did,” he said immediately, “hundreds of times. And he said the same thing about me.”

Against her better judgment she opened the door. Before she got out of the way and let him in she wanted to make one thing perfectly clear. “The only reason why I’m even listening to you is because I’m curious about what story you made up to make me believe that.”

“I know you’ll probably won’t believe it but it isn’t a story.” He walked in and she closed the door. He sat on her bed, “Please sit down.” Again against her better judgment she sat on the bed too, as far away as she could. He scooted away to give her a little more space before explaining. “All of this goes back to a stupid E-mail Richie got a few years ago. One that supposedly explained the differences between a friend and a real friend. One of them just happened to be ‘A friend will stab you in the back, a real friend will look you in the eyes while he stabbing you in the heart’. I don’t know how but somehow that became one of our personal mottos.”

“It’s a stupid motto,” she said softly.

“You know what? I agree with you,” he told her. “It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard and I always hated it. Besides I was pushing for a friend will help you move a real friend will help you move the body.” She almost cracked a smile but stopped it. Jack didn’t look like he saw it. Looking at her he said, “Look, what I’m trying to say is until today Richie is the only person I said that about. And when I say it I’m saying I trusted him completely. And I was saying I trust you completely Rachel.”

“Did you have to word it like that? I was thinking we didn’t get past all of that after all. Do you have any idea how much that hurt to hear?”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you like that. I was so used to saying it with Richie I didn’t think. Rachel I l…,” he stopped himself closed his eyes for a second. Part of her briefly worried if he was having a relapse. “I’m sorry and I would never intently hurt you. Sparky’s going to be disappointed when he finds out but you are my best friend. Sometimes I think you’ve been my only friend in this whole mess. You were there when it started and I really want you there if it ever ends.”

“I listened to you,” Rachel said after a moment. “I don’t know if I believe you, but I listened.”

“That’s all I wanted.”

“Can I have some time to myself please?”

“Sure,” Jack agreed as he got up, “take as much time as you want. If you want to talk to me I’ll be hiding somewhere because just about everybody wants a piece of me now. And apparently Dusty coming in to kick my ass too. The way things have been going somebody will get you a video of it before the day’s over. So enjoy.”

Alone again Rachel wondered if she could get him to repeat that in front of Melissa. It wouldn’t be the most accurate assessment but it’d be something. But then again she was sure Jack wouldn’t use Richie like that. So she didn’t know what to think. But looking over at his plant she was wondering if it could give her the same peace of mind it apparently gave him.

***
Anderson, in one of the few times in his life, was feeling confused. The rebels had been quiet since they relocated, outside the occasional small outburst here and there. But then there was a Drakan found dead in a junkyard recently. Davidson doing, there was no doubt about it. The big question was why. Normally he’d be in his office overlooking his city pondering the situation. But today he was in a monitoring room looking through a different window. “Any news on the corpse Mr. Taylor?”

“Not a whole lot Mr. Anderson,” his VP said. Looking through the report in his hands briefly he shook his head. “As far as we can tell his name was Mullen. He only just arrived in the city a few months ago and tried to keep a low profile since then. Our contacts were able to do some digging though, he saw himself as a gangster of sorts. One of there exacts words were ‘he saw one too many mafia movies’. Outside of that there’s not much.”

“Any idea if he crossed the rebels in some way?”, Anderson asked scratching his chin slightly still keeping his attention on the window.

“None that we can find,” Taylor admitted. “At most Mullen had a situation with a human named Harrison, who is a gangster himself apparently. A turf war if you will.”

“Interesting,” he thought out loud. “Find this Harrison, perhaps he knows something about the situation. Have Perez make him talk if need be.”

“He… disappeared sir,” Taylor said.

For the first time since he entered the room he looked at him, “Excuse me?”

“He disappeared sir,” Taylor repeated. “Apparently after whatever happened he left town. In a hurry from what I’ve been able to determine.”

“So we have a dead Drakan, from all signs by Davidson hands, and we have a human he was connected to him who left town for whatever reason. So how do Davidson and the rebels figure into this picture?”

“I’m not sure sir. I can keep digging if you want.”

“Put a man on it.” He quickly changed his mind, “Cancel that. It doesn’t matter in the long run. This person wasn’t part of my pack and apparently had no desire to make himself known to me. Mark it off as blip in the rebels’ usual pattern.”

“As you wish sir,” Taylor said.

“Besides,” he added, “there is an outside possibility I may get the opportunity to ask Davidson about it personally. Depending on the mood he is in when he sees Davidson that is.” Returning his attention to the window he looked down at the specialized training area below. He watched a figure dressed in a black body suit with red armor systematically take out the targets around him. The blue lenses on his helmet the only thing keeping Anderson from seeing his eyes. “And depending on what condition Davidson is in if he does.”

***
“A friend will stab you in the back, a real friend will look you in the eyes…,” Dusty repeated as he thought it over. Jack was right, he was coming over to kick his ass. He better be grateful she was able to intercept Dusty as soon as he arrived. “That sounds like something that would come out of his mouth. You happen to have him run this line of bull past Melissa?”

“He already talked to her,” Rachel told him. “According to her he was telling the truth.”

“Well I’ll be damned,” Dusty said as he sat down. “You guys really know how to take the wind out of a old man’s sails, you know that little lady. I was all set to knock some sense into that block he calls a head.”

“You can still beat him up if you want,” she said as she sat next to him.

“Wouldn’t be the same little lady,” he told her. “It still be fun but it wouldn’t be the same.” They shared a chuckle. “So where‘s that boy at anyway?”

“He’s hiding round here somewhere,” she informed him. “I thought he was joking to be honest with you, but nobody has seen him since he talked to Melissa. I’m sure everybody knows where he is, they’re just letting him think he’s succeeding.”

“He’s that afraid of the old man huh?”, Dusty laughed. “I don’t blame him, I could hold my own back in the day.” Rachel had to hide a smile as she heard Jack’s response to that almost immediately in her head. “Not that I wouldn’t fix him up afterwards. I’m still a doctor after all.”

“That’s one way to stay in business, busting up your own patients.”

“Whatever works darlin’,” he laughed again. “So how about you, how are you doing?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“Well you’re the only one who does. Nobody can tell you.”

“I now he didn’t mean to be hurtful, but…”

“He could have worded it a little better,” Dusty finished for her. “We both know he didn’t mean anything by it. And sometimes he’s not the brightest bulb out there.”

“He’s smarter than he lets on,” she said quickly, She had no idea why she was defending him.

He gave her a smile she was all too familiar with, “If he all that smart why hasn’t he hooked up with you by now.”

“Could we not go through that again,” she told him. “It’s bad enough you tried to shove that idea down my throat when we were living with you.”

“Is it my fault you and Jack are both hard sells. I swear it’s like taking down a brick wall with a hammer. So you gonna let him off the hook?”

“I’m going to follow some advice Emily gave me a while back and let him grovel a bit.”

“Good for you darlin’. Maybe that’ll teach him to think a little more in the future.”

“I doubt it but there’s always hope.” She gave the old Drakan a hug, “Thanks for listening Dusty.”

“Anytime little lady,” he said as he hugged back. “Just remember, anytime he giving you any trouble just give me a call, I’ll set him straight.”

“Actually we have his mom on speed dial now.”

Dusty’s grin got bigger after remembering some of the stories Jack told him about her, “Even better.”

***
Sometime he wondered if his uncle ever felt this nervous every time he picked a lock in the middle of the night. Of course Jack usually had people watching his back while he did it. Then again he was usually on their good side. After his last couple of decisions he was lucky Sparky was still talking to his like he usually does. The locked popped with no problem, “We’re in.”

“Alright let’s go,” Sparky said as he waved Arron, Rachel and the others into the factory they were breaking into. This had better be worth it.

“I know I’m not in the best of graces with everybody right now,” Jack whispered, “but seeing what happened the last time we did a favor for another cell why are we doing this again?”

“Because Lance’s cell heard about this and couldn’t spare the man power to check it out,” Rachel reminded him. “And if we can’t trust Lance who can we trust?”

“Did Lance himself ask us to do this?”, he went on. “Or did somebody who said they were with Lance or whatever ask?”

“When did you get so paranoid?”, Arron asked. “I’ve never seen you this jittery.”

“Since nobody could tell if we had a C site ready or not,” he told them. That and he wasn’t sure how he was suppose to be acting in situations like this now. God, this champion crap needed to come with a manual or something.

“A, it was Lance who asked us to check this out,” Rachel told him. “And B, even if he didn’t Melissa would have double checked. She doesn’t want us to move again either.”

“Too bad they may have to,” a new voice said as the lights above them came on. They found themselves surrounded by a small squad of Anderson’s shock troops. A tall, skinny guy in a dark suit with a really noticeable nervous tick was apparently in the lead. “You rebels are either really desperate or really gullible,” he said as his head twitched.

Sparky just kind of looked at him, “Is he having a seizure or something?” Jack and Rachel looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. A couple of the troopers laughed.

“I’d asked you to come quietly,” he said looking annoyed at the comment and the reaction, “but I know you rebels won’t do that. So take them by force,” he told the troops, who extended their shock sticks,

“Jack,” Sparky started.

“I know the drill,” he said as he got his left arm up. “Keep her safe.” Doing the activation movements and shouting, “Henshin!”, he slammed his right hand on top of the belt. The armor formed around him as he got in front of everybody.

“Be careful,” Rachel said in his ear, “if they found a way to turn that metal into bullets you won’t be bulletproof any more.”

“I’ll worry about it if it happens,” he told her. “By the way, please tall me none of these guys are a Drakan.” None of them were coming foreword to tell him one way or another. “Please tell me it’s not twitchy.”

“Ok I won’t tell you,” Sparky said.

“I am going to hurt you,” Jack told him. The trooper made there way toward them cautiously while “Twitchy” stood there fuming.

“Nobody makes fun of my twitch,” he said a lizard like tongue flicked out of his mouth and he changed into a red chameleon. His head still twitched as he eyes turned wildly.

“You’re just cheesing off everybody today,” Arron smirked as he went wolf.

“I’m hurting you next,” Jack said right before he went toward the chameleon. He punched one of the troopers who was dumb enough to come at him before blocking a punch at his head from the Drakan. He let loose a right cross but the Drakan was as quick as he looked as it got out of the way. Jack was able to jump over a leg sweep but was hit with a punch to the gut as he landed. The chameleon came at him with a series of punches and kicks that kept him off balance. He took an extra step back to avoid a back roundhouse than ran in catching him around the chest, picked him up and ran foreword before slamming him to the floor. Jack picked him up and started to punch him in the gut repeatedly. The Drakan was able to twist out of his grip and quickly kick to the head that rocked Jack back.

The chameleon jumped up, wrapped his legs around his head and flipped backwards sending Jack flying forewords Jack rolled out of the way as a reptile like foot came at his head. Thinking quick he swung his arm out, catching the Drakan just below the knees knocking it down to his back. Jack jumped up and planted his elbow into its’ chest. He rammed his knee into his head repeatedly before using a rail next to him to get up. Then he realized this place had a basement and that was a long way down. Kicking the Drakan in the head as it tried to get up he took a quick moment to check on Rachel. She was holding her own using his old staff. In fact she was able to knock a couple of them down. “Who have you been practicing with?”, he wondered out loud. The chameleon recovered faster than he figured and caught him off guard with a charge. Both of them hit the railing and fell over.

“Jack!”, he heard Rachel scream as they fell.

***
Melissa sat in Emily’s room enjoying a quick talk, mainly to calm her nerves as always when she sent people out on a mission. “I mean what would you do in my position? Jack told me he has feelings for her. Rachel told me she has feeling for him. But they haven’t told each other yet. I wasn’t going to say anything at first because I figured they would have by now.”

“So what have you been doing to get them to do that child?”, Emily asked as she watered her plant.

“Outside of making them roommates again and trying to convince Rachel she should make the first move, nothing,” she said. “But I keep getting these feelings off of them, especially when they’re together. And quite frankly it’s starting to drive me a little nuts.”

Emily laughed as she put down the flower pot, “And to think just a little while ago we were wondering what she saw in him.” Then she stopped laughing and froze slightly. Melissa felt a nervousness coming off her and that amped her nerves up a couple of notches.

“Emily what is it?”, she asked trying to snap her out of it. “What did you see?”

“Jack,” she gasped.

“What happened to Jack?”

“Nothing yet child,” she said trying to get herself under control. “But his next challenge is appearing faster than I expected. And I’m not sure if he’s ready for it yet.”

***
“Oy,” Jack grunted as he rolled to his stomach and slowly got up. That fall was longer than it looked. Luckily the armor absorbed most of the impact as he landed. Still hurt like hell though. He looked up to see the chameleon stumble toward him. “Oh you have got to be kidding me.” He blocked the foot coming at his head, then jumped foreword and slammed his shoulder into its’ gut. The Drakan held on tight as he did everything not to fall backwards. The chameleon stayed tight across his shoulders as Jack got to his feet. “Get off,” Jack grunted as he used his arm strength to force the Drakan up and over his head. As it fell in front of him Jack quickly brought his knee up and slammed it into its’ head. The chameleon crumpled to the ground. Jack picked him up and tossed him as the meter started flashing. Twisting the pod down he waited for the chameleon to get to its feet. Then he ran in, jumped and kicked it in the chest. The chameleon flew back and exploded.

Jack panted as he deactivated the system and looked around, how was he going to get back up there? For that matter how was everybody else doing? “Rachel!”, he shouted at the story above him. “Sparky! Arron! Anybody!” no answer came down. “Hell I’d settle for the chimp right about now. No,” he quickly corrected himself, “no I wouldn’t. There’s got to be a staircase or something around here somewhere.”

Then he heard a slow clapping sound and tried to locate it. He found somebody coming toward him in the shadows still clapping his hands. He could tell from where he was he was wearing a World Inc. assault team uniform. “I got to tell you something buddy,” the figure said. “I was worried when I found out you were having problems. But it looks like you actually gained a step or two since I last saw you.”

He stepped into the light and Jack got a good look at him, but he already recognized the voice, “Mitchell.”



*ED – Linkin Park – What I’ve done*