Hey there...



update soon? Make it a New Year's gift for all of us eager readers?

There'll be an update soon. Sorry to keep everyone waiting. I've gotten a bit side-tracked as of late (work stuff) and I haven't gotten the chance to fill-in the missing scenes that I need to complete the story.

The end is done, and I just need to add some more material in order to bridge it to the rest of the story. When the rest of chapter 12 is ready, I'll post it, along with chapter 13, since they both go hand-in-hand.

Thanks to everyone for your patience with me and your interest in the story. It makes it all worth-while.



-SQ



P.S. -- Maybe by the weekend...

EIAAOIFs





CHAPTER 12b



“What’s going on down there?”



“The last report form the team commander says that they’re still trying to soften the area, sir,” Agent Mittal informed her supervisor after consulting the display of her info-tablet. “They have one unconfirmed kill and six casualties.”



“Dammit!” Barry Schon kicked the ground, sending a spray of dust and gravel against the side of a nearby helicopter. He turned to his subordinate, “Why didn’t they used the sleep agent? I didn’t want anyone hurt.”



Silence elapsed.



“Well?!” Schon demanded of the short woman.



“I don’t know at this time, sir.” Monia Mittal gulped after delivering the disappointing answer to her Director. “There isn’t any intelligence available on that right now, Director Schon.”



Barry’s expression softened a little. “I’m sorry, Monia. I was unprofessional.”



“It’s understandable, sir.” Her expression was blank.



“Can we get a video feed from one of their helmets?”



“No, sir. The base is beneath too much rock for anything other than low-band data.”



“Where’s the unit’s com engineer? I need to know what’s going on down there.”



“He may be one of the casualties,” Mittal bit her lower lip after answering.



“Let’s pray that this doesn’t turn into another Emerald Canyon.” Schon shook his head, closing his eyes.



#



The Spy made short work of the three that followed her into the tunnel. She emerged from her cover, checking the area for any stragglers. Once she was convinced that she was again alone, she prepared for another descent into the main chamber of the base.



She crept down the ladder, pausing with each rung, listening for any sounds below. She reached the bottom, rolling away from the glow of the emergency light above the opening, remaining concealed in the shadows.



She scanned the darkness finding no sign of the commandos, other than the ones that she had left crumpled and lifeless on the cold concrete floor. Simone sighed, understanding that the unit had infiltrated the lower levels. She plotted the best way to draw them back up, away from the others. With stealthy quickness, she made her way toward the passage that led to the vertical access tunnel.



Leaning into the opening of the shaft, she held her breath, listening for any sound that would betray the soldiers’ position. Hearing nothing, she descended the ladder, making her way to the floor below. She lurched behind a pillar, hiding herself from view after seeing the group of remaining commandos opening the heavy steel doors that gave access to the four vaults that were built into the center of that level.



The Spy made her way back up the ladder, quiet and careful, to begin searching for the Warrior.



#



Claire held Aki tight against her as she witnessed the sparks of the arc-cutters flashing as they penetrated the vault door. Aki buried her face against Claire’s neck, nuzzling, crying with a soft resignation as the cutters hissed and snapped through the heavy steel. The Healer held the Seer close to her, caressing the murmuring blind woman as she waited for the inevitable. The Chemist had balled up on the floor, rocking herself back and forth, reciting a quiet lament in Italian.



What remained of the door fell into the vault with a deafening clamor. Bright beams from flashlights affixed to rifles swept through the pungent smoke, scanning the room’s huddled occupants. A tall figure in a trench coat stepped in behind the soldiers. Claire opened her eyes, still clutching Aki as she stared into the blinding brightness of the lights that sat atop the guns that were trained on her and the rest.



“At last, Ms. Galloway,” The trench-coated man spoke. “Our paths have finally crossed.” He stepped toward Claire and Aki as he continued, “Let go of Ms. Nashumara. Release your hostage. Give her back the freedom that she deserves.”



Claire realized the opportunity that had made itself evident. Whether genuine misunderstanding, or intended as a gesture of good will, she saw it as Aki’s only chance to escape persecution. She released her hold on the smaller woman, placing a discreet, gentle kiss on her forehead as she pushed her away. Aki sniffled, looking back to Claire, sad and confused as two soldiers took her away, leading her by both arms out of the room.



“A very wise choice, Ms. Galloway.” The man nodded. “We will return her to her family. They’ve been terribly worried about her.”



Claire nodded with tears filling her eyes and droplets trailing down her cheeks as she blinked in the unrelenting brightness of the gun-lights.



“I have good news for you and your sisters, Ms. Galloway.”



“You’re going to kill us, right? This is some sick game that you’re playing, isn’t it?” The Healer blurted, still holding Cecilia close.



“Have you ever heard the tale of the goose that laid the golden egg?” The man asked. “There’s a moral to that story.”



“Shoot me now.” Claire rolled her reddened eyes, sniffling.



“Am I boring you, Ms. Galloway?”



“Yes,” Claire replied.



“I think that you should try your best to pay attention. All of you.” The man knelt in front of the Healer and the Seer. “This is a whole new beginning.” The man stood, approaching Claire as he asked, “You have dreams, don’t you?”



“Like having thirty pounds of dynamite taped to my ribs right now? And my thumb on the detonator?” Claire asked.



Guns from around the room trained on her in an instant. She stared back at them in quiet defiance.



“I mean the kinds of dreams that you had before we broke up your little clubhouse.” The man knelt in front of Claire, “Dreams of happiness, luxury, pleasure-drugs, premium cigarettes…” He looked to the Healer and the Chemist, “…gel-beds, fine clothes, lots of beautiful jewelry…” He returned his gaze to Claire, “…beautiful women…” He looked to the others, “…or men.”



The sisters remained silent.



“The Federal Government is happy to accommodate your wishes, ladies.”



“why?” The Healer asked.



“We know a little about your collective talents. We want to nurture them.”



“And if we say no?” Claire raised an eyebrow.



“You see, that’s the thing, isn’t it?” The man began to pace the room. “I have been given a job, ladies. That job is to help you to make the right decision.”



“What decision?” Claire huffed. “Become your slaves or die?”



“Yes,” The man said in a level tone. “Exactly.”



“Can I speak to you in private Mr.…?”



“Schon. Barry Schon, Ms. Galloway.” He grinned, “No, you may not.”



#



“Oh fuck,” The Spy said as she crouched next to the body of the Warrior. She started to tear, trying to restrain herself, and failing as the sad reality overtook her. She released the cry, loud, jagged, and wet, echoing through the length of the corridor. She heard the boots scuffling up behind her. She could not bring herself to react. She decided to accept whatever fate awaited her at the hands of the soldiers. Her only friend was dead.









Chapter 13 is on-the-way.

And again with the cliffhangers.



I liked this line

Quote:

---

“Like having thirty pounds of dynamite taped to my ribs right now? And my thumb on the detonator?” Claire asked.

---

Though with both the judge and warrior dead I don't see many of them getting out of there, unless Claire can do some fast talking



Looking forward to Chapter 13

If you have any trouble sounding condescending, find a Unix user to show you how it's done. - Scott Adams

EIAAOIFs -- Happy New Year!





CHAPTER 13





They stood shackled, lined up in the cold wind, waiting on the mountain’s side. Dozens of helicopters were landing and departing the area, adding to the frigid, dusty turbulence. Motionless soldiers passed by on stretchers, most of them with their faces covered. Claire closed her watering eyes, hiding from the grim spectacle of the procession. She cried for the Judge. She cried for the Warrior, and her heart stung at the knowledge that she would never see Aki again.



She and the others were ushered into waiting aircraft, guns trained on them at all times. They complied with silent resignation; their hearts were heavy for the loss of their two sisters. They did not care what awaited them in Nebraska. None of them were left with reason to care about anything anymore. Hope was gone.



#



After landing at the military base, they had been separated. The Seer had been taken first from the lineup, wheeled away by white-coated medicos. The Healer was next, dragged off by two burly soldiers. The Chemist and the Spy were taken before finally, Claire.



Armed guards pulled her across the airfield into the low, featureless building where they had dragged the others. They led her down a lengthy corridor to a small windowless room. The walls, floor, and ceiling were metal. There was a bed built into one wall, and a steel toilet and sink built into the other. The room’s heavy door had only a narrow horizontal opening at eye level. Once inside, one of the soldiers removed the shackles that bound Claire’s wrists and ankles while the other pressed the barrel of his rifle against her bowed head. They left her, without a word, slamming the cell’s heavy steel door behind them.



Claire stood motionless for a few minutes, closing her eyes, trying to contain her overwhelming sadness. Her chest was heavy with a radiating emptiness, her arms and legs weak, her thoughts an endless loop of despair. Overtaken by her unrelenting fatigue and hunger, she lay her weary body down onto the bed. Her aching frame was relieved. She was surprised by the comfort and luxury of the bed’s firm mattress. The blankets were smooth and soft, nicer than anything she had ever bought. The pillow was also more extravagant than she had expected. She closed her eyes, wanting to sleep but unable to stop the crying spells that kept her from slumber. Her mind hungered for comfort and affection the way her body required food and rest. She yearned to hold Aki just once more.



She was startled into wakefulness by a loud electronic buzzer echoing through the hallway, outside her door. Her mouth was pasty and her eyelids heavy. She had no idea how long she had slept.



The slit in her door opened, and a generous tray of plump fruits and steaming slices of fresh bread passed through. The quality of the meal surprised Claire the way that the comfortable bedding had. The delicious aroma of the delectable fare overpowered her melancholy. She brought the tray to her bed and sat, eating the high-grade food with abandon, eager to fill the gnawing emptiness of her stomach.



Claire had sickened herself from eating too quickly. She groaned, holding her distended belly in her palms, seated on the bed, her back against the wall. An hour passed, and sleepiness began to overtake her again. Most of the meal had settled. She felt well enough to lie down.



As she curled into a comfortable position, the door to her cell opened. Barry Schon stood outside, flanked by two guards. The soldiers stepped in first, shackling Claire’s wrists and ankles before escorting her out of the cell. Their firm hands guided her way down a long corridor.



They pushed her into a dimly lit room. She had been seated at a table. The soldiers left. One of them locked the door once they were out. Across from her, Schon pulled up a chair. He spoke to her with a gentle, quiet tone.



“I know all about Sarah, Claire.”



Claire perked up upon hearing the sentence. Her eyes met Schon’s.



“She may be charged with sedition if you don’t help me. We both know that she’s innocent, of course, but the people above me have no trouble at all making an example, innocent or not.”



“Innocence is a relative term.” Claire’s head lowered, her shoulders sank.



“I’m intrigued.” Schon raised an eyebrow, “Please elaborate.”



“She’s innocent, as in not having complicity. She’s guilty as in being unable to prove her innocence.” Claire smirked. “I’ll bet that you think you’re innocent, Mr. Schon.”



“Claire, I am anything but innocent. None of us are. Not you, not me, not your special-needs sister, not Nashumara. We are all born guilty, and waste our lives trying to prove to ourselves otherwise.”



“That’s a rather dark philosophy for a G-man.” Claire chuckled. Her expression remained grim, her eyes continued to avoid contact with Schon. “So, you think you know all about her?”



Schon nodded.



“Tell me, then. What does the wife of a wine-maker have to do with us?”



Schon smiled, looking away from Claire. “It wasn’t a very good bluff, was it?” His eyes met Claire’s. “I don’t know what she is to you and the others. I really don’t care either. I can keep her safe from all of this. I’ve already broken a lot of rules to protect her. If you want to keep her association a secret as well, you’ll cooperate.”



“You’re lying.”



“Claire, you’re an intelligent woman,” Schon started. “I have my reasons, motivations, and agendas. You may disagree with them, even perceive them as evil or heartless, but the ends justify the means. In this case, and in every case.”



“What do you want from me… us?”



“You want to end war. We want to end war. You have the technologies that we need to make that happen.”



“So, you agree with our purpose, but oppose our methodology?”



“I don’t care about what you do. It’s above me, it’s above all of the cattle in the pen, and their so-called legislators. My superiors care a great deal, though.”



“Who are they?”



“Have you ever wondered why there is always hunger? Why poverty always pervades, even in the wealthiest nations? Why the schools cost so much, but students can’t construct a decent sentence after twelve years?”



“That’s nothing to wonder about. It’s incompetence. It’s greed, waste, and laziness.”



“That’s the ‘how,’ but have you ever wondered about the ‘why?’”



“Because there’s an evil shadow government that controls the populace through sustained need, fear, and ignorance.”



“Not so. There’s a group of concerned, enlightened individuals who want nothing but the best for the people of this planet. They have the will to elevate our people, but never the means. Until now.”



“What, exactly do you want?”



“My superiors need your help, Claire. You and your sisters… You don’t have to stay in this swanky little prison, you know. Have you ever heard of Lorelei Hills?”



“I read the extremist newspapers from time to time,” Claire chuckled. “That’s the fictitious community for scientists that the government exploits for their abilities. That’s where you’re supposed to put all of the enemy scientists that you capture when you invade a country.”



“It’s far from fictitious. It’s a marvelous place. Do you like fishing, Claire? They’ve got some great fishing.”



Claire sighed, shaking her head.



Schon pulled something from inside his jacket. A glossy pamphlet printed on thick paper. He flattened it across the table, in front of Claire. “You could even have your parents visit. Once a year, a supervised visit, of course.” His well-manicured finger pointed to a photo of a large condominium, its reflection romanticized by the faint ripples on the surface of a placid lake. “This could be yours. You could sit on this balcony, with all the heroin that you’re little nose can inhale, watching the sun set.”



Claire shook her head.



“Maybe not heroin. Maybe Hyprocet. Or Birzalone. How about a single-malt scotch?” Schon continued to gage the stoic woman’s reaction as he continued, “There could even be the possibility of a visit from a certain young woman whom I’m sure you’d love to see. A supervised visit, of course.”



“I don’t believe you.”



Schon laughed, “I don’t care whether or not you believe me, Claire. I want you and your sisters to be happy. If you all cooperate, you go to Lorelei Hills. If you don’t, then you lose your chance at living in luxury. Either way, you’ll give us what we want. What do you say?”



“Why do you want us to be so… comfortable?”



“We’ll get what we need from you much faster that way.”



“I can’t speak for the others.”



“How about yourself?” Schon stood, pacing as he continued, “twenty-six hundred square feet, five rooms, a fireplace, a big gel-bed, endless liquor and the finest drugs, every need that you can think of.” Schon stopped next to Claire, craning his head down next to her right ear. “Escort services too. You’ll never be lonely.”



“Will someone read to Cecilia?”



“Anything she wants, Claire. Television, books, music…”



“Will the others be allowed to see each other?”



Schon resumed an upright posture before answering, “I don’t see why not. Supervised visits, of course.”



Claire closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath before responding, “Alright.”



Schon pulled his M-lync from his belt, smiling. He pressed a sequence of buttons and snapped the device closed. “You’ve made the right choice, Genius.”



“Congratulations are in order,” Claire started. “You’ve just made a sale, right?”



Schon flashed a broad smile to Claire. “Very clever, Genius.”



Claire half-smiled as she regarded the man. “Can I ask you something?”



“Anything.”



“What happened to Aki?”



“She’s home.” Schon smiled again. “She’s safe. She’s out of the picture.”



“She’s lucky.”



“It’s more than luck.” Schon shook his head. He tapped at the glossy brochure again. “You and your sisters are the lucky ones. Just look at that view.”



#



Aki’s eyes remained closed as rode in the rear of a black limousine. Two well-dressed ODHS agents flanked her in the back seat. The car sped from Newark Liberty airport, across the Pulaski Skyway, high above the brown waters of the Passaic River, as it cruised toward the shining glass and steel towers of Newport.



She had not spoken since Claire had pushed her away, down in the vault. The female agent had tried to start a conversation with her on the plane ride, but Aki could not bring herself to respond. She felt too broken-up inside for words. She feared for Claire and the others. She mourned the death of the Warrior and the Judge. Her throat clamped and her chest ached whenever thoughts of Claire broke into her mind, shattering the meditative resolve that she fought to maintain in the hours of company with strangers.



The two agents escorted Aki to the main entrance of her parent’s home. Aki’s father pulled the door open and wrapped his daughter in a tight embrace. The two agents watched quietly from the hallway. Thomas Nashumara rocked his daughter within his embrace, his cheek resting against the top of her head, his eyes shut. He released her, looking down, into her eyes as he spoke.



“Aki, little princess, we’ve been worried sick about you.” His hands rested on her shoulders. A warm smile curved his mouth and raised his cheeks as he said, “Mike and your mother are in the garden sweet-pea. Go to them, and I’ll join you in a few minutes.”



Aki nodded, closing her eyes, wishing to speak, but unable to find words through her mix of sadness and relief.



Mr. Nashumara watched his daughter’s slow walk toward the garden room. When she had disappeared behind the hidden door that led to the halcyon place, he turned to face the two agents.



“So, everything is in order?” He asked in a low voice.



“Yes, Mr. Nashumara. All of the pieces are on the board,” The male agent replied.



“What about her friend, Galloway, what will she cost?”



“I’m sorry sir, I don’t have prices. Your contact will,” The man replied.



“She wont be cheap, I’m afraid,” The female agent interjected. “She’s in very deep right now.”



“How deep?” Nashumara asked.



The woman sighed. “She’s been classified as ‘interesting’ by the Authority. They won’t let go of her for less than ten billion, I’d imagine.”



Nashumara’s features sank. “Thank you. If you’ll excuse me, my family is waiting.”



“Of course, sir. I am sorry about this inconvenience,” The man said, nodding to the Asian gentleman before turning to leave the doorway.

Edited by: StrangeQuark at: 1/2/04 11:36 am

That was a great update



I have to say I really do not like mr Schon. What with his everyone's guilty type mentality, then referring to everyone as cattle



Still this Lorelei Hills sounds like a nice little prison camp. He doesn't mention where it is, so would I be far out in guessing Guantanamo Bay?



Still it sounds lovely. Why worry about not having your freedom and only being able to see the person you love during supervised visits when you can have all ther drugs you want, and hot and cold running hookers. Oh yeah and can't forget about the fishing. :P



Then there's the last little twist, just to keep us on the edge of our seats. Is it naive to assume that Aki's father is paying out ten billion dollars just to make his daughter happy?



It is? Oh well then what's he up to?

If you have any trouble sounding condescending, find a Unix user to show you how it's done. - Scott Adams

Mr. Schon... Well, he's a middle-man, eager to reach an agreement that will please both his superiors, and the girls. The better the outcome for both sides, the better he looks. He has to do something to make up for the failures of his operation. After all, two of the prized rarities are dead, and many of the ODHS troopers lost their lives as well. Not that any of that is his fault, really. The Spy took the first shot, but only because she sensed a little hostility on the part of the soldier that was taking aim at one of her sisters. Isn't that illustrative of the futility of war? It ceases to matter who fired the first shot once the bodies start accumulating.



Mr. Nashumara... He's got a lot of money, but Claire's price-tag is akin to a foreign-aid grant, so I doubt that he'll be able to come up with that kind of cash. He feels an obligation to try to help Claire since she did save his daughter, and Mrs. Nashumara and Mike both like her a lot.



I wonder what Aki's going to do? She's no genius, but she is a very clever and often resourceful girl. Maybe she's clever enough to realize that there's nothing she can do. Or isn't there? She does know one of the most deceptive, conniving, shifty creatures ever created... Maybe she can solicit some help from her. I wonder what the Spy's price would be for such a daring inside-operation...



Cecilia's been awfully quiet despite all of the trauma that she and her sisters have been through. Maybe it's her mind-reading ability that has clued her in to a reality of the situation that the others aren't aware of. She's listening to thoughts, and maybe she likes what she hears. Hmmm...



Simone is no stranger to the organization that's keeping her captive. She's at a much greater advantage than the rest when it comes to understanding her captors. Maybe this is what she wanted all-along. Or will the ODHS treat the traitor a lot worse than her sisters?



I'll bet that Claire is going to have some trouble adjusting. She can be very co-dependent. Aki learned that early-on with the pills and the affection.



Claire wants the best for Cecilia, but is this the best for the others? The Chemist and the Healer are very eagerly consumed by their work, maybe they'll be wow-ed by the high-tech high-budget lab that they get to work in. Maybe they'll be working on something other than what they're directed to by the Authority...



More soon. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate it a lot.

I've finally caught up and you have left me open mouthed at some of the twists and turns! *sighs* I miss the Judge of Jaded Judgement (loved that) and I'm worried about Sarah and Claire. Aki's father's involvement is intriguing. Here's hoping that Schon gets what he deserves, and soon!

~*@.......We are the weirdest person in the world.......@*~

Okay, it's 6:45 am and I've just powered through all 13 chapters in one sitting. Brilliant writing, you are quite the wordsmith, SQ. I'll get caught up on some sleep and give myself a chance to process everything you've given us and perhaps string a few slightly more cogent sentence together after the next update. For now I really just wanted to let you know that I love your writing. SciFi with a queer protagonist -love it!!!



Cheers!!

Patches

You know I've heard about people like me. But I never made the connection. They walk one road to set them free, And find they've gone the wrong direction. But there's no need for turning back 'cause all roads lead to where I stand. And I believe I'll walk them all No matter what I may have planned

Vix--



Glad you like it. Mr. Schon will get something, maybe what he deserves, maybe more...







Patches--



Wow. All thirteen chapters in one sitting. I hope that your neck isn't sore from following the convolutions of the plot(s).



I'm glad that you enjoy the concept, and its characters. I'm thinking of writing a series (once I finally get chapter 14 to the point at which it doesn't suck) featuring Claire and Aki, and their adventures in the future. They have both been spiced up with the serum that the Healer and Chemist created that stops cell-aging, so they have at-least a couple of hundred years of future history to witness/influence. Some (facetious) ideas for sequels:



"Claire and Aki and the Curse of the Silver Monkey"

"Claire and Aki and the Cave of Lost Souls"

"Claire and Aki and the Shanghai Caper"

"Claire and Aki and the Horror of Barnegat Light"

"2201: A Claire and Aki Odyssey"

"There's something about Claire"

"Romancing the Aki"

"La Femme Galloway"

"A.K.I. -- Love Robot"



And so on...





All—



Thanks for your patience. I hope to finish the missing chapter (#14) today, and post it, along with the conclusion, and the previously promised outtakes.



-SQ

At long last, I've found some time (only a little) to edit the concluding chapters of the book. This is the first part of the second-to-last chapter and I hope to post the second half soon. Thanks to everyone for all of your patience, feedback, and support throughout this endeavor. I sincerely apologize for the delays that have been plaguing this thread for the past 2 months.



Here's Chapter 14a



EIAAOIFs



Thanks again,



-SQ







CHAPTER 14a



        Claire released a weary sigh, attempting to distance her mind from the flurry of events that comprised her days at the research center. The lakeside home was as luxurious as promised and served as an adequate refuge from the hectic pace of her most recent barrage of assignments. After setting the home’s media center to play some music, she flopped onto one of the sleek leather sofas. The living room itself was larger than her apartment in Jersey City, complete with real wood flooring, hidden light fixtures, and tall windows that reached from the floor to the ceiling, allowing her a view of the setting sun over Lorelei Lake. Claire leaned to her left, selecting a drink from the auto-bar next to the couch.



        Guilt filled her mind as she reveled in the pleasure of the fine furniture, music, and premium liquor. She took another belt of smooth, sweet vodka as the distraction of work faded and difficult thoughts crept back into her awareness. Her mind filled with echoes of the Judge’s voice, ghost-like images of the fallen Warrior, and the warmth of Sarah’s kind smile. She gulped some more of the clear liquor, trying to anesthetize herself against the ache in her chest that always accompanied thoughts of Aki. She reached for the touch-panel with a haphazard, drunken gesture, trying to make the music loud enough to drown-out the sweet sound of Aki’s small voice as it threatened to dominate her thoughts.



        After minutes of concentration, Claire managed to narrow her focus to the centuries-old beauty of the Strauss opera that wove through the air around her. She crossed her legs after stretching them across the length of the sofa. A twinge from her right ankle reminded that she was far from paradise. It was the octagonal band of black powder-coated steel, affixed to her on the first day. A simple, rugged device allowed her owners to track her whereabouts. She leaned forward, pulling up the leg of her trousers so that she could inspect the homing device.



        A knock at the door startled her. She whipped the pant leg down, alarmed that she may have upset her keepers. She rose, staggering to the door, opening it to find Simone standing on the other side.



        “Claire, honey. You got the nicest place of us all.”



        “Come in.”



        The Spy shifted her eyes to her left. “I brought some company. Her name’s Vivian, but I call her shithead.”



        “Oh. Come in Vivian.” Claire’s body stiffened as she addressed the young gray-uniformed woman who stood next to the Spy.



        The woman gave no response other than proceeding through the doorway, never more than a meter from Simone. With no trace of subtlety, she scrutinized Claire’s living room, taking more than necessary care to notice detail. Her eyes contacted Claire’s for a moment and then darted back to Simone.



        “What’s with the Mozart shit? Have you become classy all of a sudden?”



        Claire walked to the touch panel, her arms extended for balance, and lowered the volume of the music. “It’s Johann Strauss. Die Fledermaus, the overture” She rested her hands on her hips looking to the Spy. “You’re the authority on class and culture?”



        “So what’s your assignment?” asked Simone as she plopped onto on of the leather couches.



        “Alternative power.” Claire’s head lolled as she continued, “It’s really a weapons program, in disguise.” Claire looked to Vivian. “You can sit down. S’okay with me.”



The Spy glared at the ramrod posture of the soldier standing at-attention next to her. She looked to Claire and said, “This is what I have to deal with. She doesn’t cook, won’t clean, and I can’t get her to put out; it’s like being married. She follows me around and buts into my business.”



        Claire smiled uneasily at the soldier, slurring, “She doesn’t know… I’m sorry about the way she talks…”



        “Don’t apologize to her!” the Spy shouted. “She’s one of them, remember?”



        “I’m sure that Vivian has a job to do, just like the rest of us.” Claire paused to light a cigarette. “God knows I don’t envy anyone who has to be with you all day.”



        The corners of Vivian’s mouth twitched, her eyes darting from Claire’s gaze as she cleared her throat, hiding the digression.



        Simone leaned forward, shouting, “That’s really cool, you know. Siding with the guard-dogs like that.”



        “I’m siding with decency, which I’m sure you would also find to be an adversary.”



        Simone leaned back, smiling. “Listen to you… drunk off your ass, listening to some dead guy’s music, smoking…” Simone’s brow furrowed. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that you’re in heaven.” She grinned to Claire. “But wait, something’s missing… where’s teriyaki?”



        Claire took a drag and blew the smoke into Simone’s face. “Shut up.” She turned away.



        “You want a spanking, don’t you?” The Spy sat up. “Come here little girl.” She patted her lap, sneering. “I’ll make your ass glow red.”



        “Shut the fuck up.” Claire half-shouted, modulating her tone for the presence of Simone’s guard.



        “Come on. The discipline girl here would probably love to watch.” Simone winked to Claire, patting her knee.



        Claire’s shoulders drooped. She sighed, “What do you want?”



        “Your ass under my hand -- Now.” Simone raised an eyebrow, smirking.



        “Get out of here.” Claire looked away, shaking her head.



        “You don’t mean that.” Simone sat back against the sofa, stretching her arms across the back. “I came here because I thought you wanted some company… now that your little friend is gone.”



        Claire narrowed her eyes. “You’re just delighted to know that, I’m sure.”



        “I’ve heard worse news.” The Spy shrugged. “Like Evelyn…” she trailed off.



        Claire bowed her head upon mention of the name. “Or Dianne,” she added in a near whisper.



        “Touché, Genius,” Simone sighed, frowning. “I’m sorry I brought it up.”



        Vivian’s eyes followed Claire’s movement as she walked to stand by one of the room’s large windows. She then scrutinized the Spy’s approach to where Claire stood, gazing out over the frigid waters, toward the white-capped mountains that flanked Lorelei Lake.



        Claire turned to the hand that came to rest on her shoulder, looking to Simone. “So, what’s your assignment?”



Simone did not answer.



Claire gave a weak smile to her duplicitous sister. “Can you tell me?”



        “I have to go away soon, Genius.”



        “What?”



        “I’m going to China. I can’t tell you any more than that.”



        “For what?”



        “Stuff. They didn’t buy me a round-trip ticket, if you get my meaning.”



        “Dangerous work, I guess.” Claire raised her head. “When?”



        Simone shook her head. “I’ve told you as much as I can.” She latched onto Claire’s upper arms, turning the Genius to face her. “Take care of the others, Claire.”



        Claire nodded, blinking slowly, trying to comprehend the implications of Simone’s words.



        “Good bye, Claire.” Simone pulled away and turned to leave. “Remember that I loved you.”



        “Wait,” Claire called out.



        Simone shook her head, continuing to walk toward the door, Vivian close behind her. She stopped after opening the door, turned, and blew a kiss to Claire before slipping outside.



Claire sauntered across the empty room, dropping to one of the sofas. She fidgeted, lighting another cigarette, eyeing the touch-panel that controlled the numerous systems in her home. As she shifted forward to activate the fireplace, a strange sound emanated from beneath the sofa’s cushion.



After placing her smoldering cigarette in the ashtray next to the command panel, she crouched in front of the sofa. With as much casual attitude as she could manage, she slid her hand discreetly between the cushion and the frame of the couch, her fingers grazing something smooth and papery. She fought the urge to look around the room, knowing that such a gesture would alert anyone watching on the cameras that she believed hidden throughout the home. She curled the paper into her palm and withdrew her hand, seating herself once again.



        An hour had passed. Claire took the time to enjoy some liquor from the auto-bar while listening to Mussorgsky. The richly textured music and the sweet vodka martini provided the distraction she needed to keep from indiscreetly looking at the note that Simone had slipped beneath the sofa’s cushion during her spanking tirade.



        Claire left the music loud and full as she stood to retrieve a book from the small, sparse shelf next to the stone fireplace. She pretended to peruse the pages as she slipped the folded paper in between them. Snapping the book shut, Claire walked back to the sofa, pretending to read.



        She had managed to unfold half of the small paper, wedging it into the book’s binding. She was careful to shift her seating position as to foil any surveillance cameras, but also mindful of what may appear as suspicious to any who may be watching. Her heart sped as she started to read the small, neat handwriting of the Spy’s message.



        “G,

I know how. We can do it tonight. Leave your lights on until

23:45 if you’re in. Big risk, big reward. I won’t wait.

Love, S

Wear something tight.”



        Claire coughed, sliding the note into her right sleeve as she did. She pretended to fumble for a cigarette, pulling one from the box before her on the table. Her mind had sobered since discovering the note, yet she feigned inebriation for the sake of anyone who may be watching, as she let the yet-unlit cigarette fall from her lips and onto the hand woven rug beneath her feet. She bent forward, sliding the thin paper of Simone’s note from her sleeve and swiftly wrapping it around the cigarette that she had picked up.



        Claire acted as casual as she could when she lit the smoke. The foul taste of the burning paper and ink that surrounded it made her sick, but she continued to smoke through the note, desperate to destroy it without anyone noticing. Dizzy and with throat burning, she looked to the touch panel for the time. Claire sighed, drawing her heels onto the cushion. Her head lowered, coming to rest against her knees. She closed her eyes, curling her palms and fingers around her toes as she waited for the next two hours to pass.



# # #



        Onitsuka Nashumara tapped against the door of her daughter’s bedroom. She waited a few moments before tapping again. A stirring sound on the other side of the door kept her from tapping a third time. The door opened slowly, Aki stepping from behind it, still tying the sash of her silk robe, her eyes blinking against the lack of darkness in which her mother and the rest of the world were living.



        “Time to wake, Aki.”



        Aki rubbed her eyes, staring at the pale skin of her bare toes against the honey-colored faux-tatami floor. “What?” Aki grumbled.



        “I have guests for dinner. Special ceremony.”



        Aki squeezed her eyes shut as she heard the words. “I don’t… I can’t see anyone right now.”



        “You are going to help me get ready.” Onitsuka’s expression was stern.



        Aki looked to the floor, shaking her head. “Mom, I… I can’t.” She looked to her mother. “I’m sorry.”



        “You haven’t left the house in weeks, Aki. You sleep in the days, sneak around nights.” Onitsuka reached out, smiling, caressing her daughter’s face. “I want you to see Doctor Frazer. He can help you.”



        “I’m fine…” Aki’s hands balled into fists at her sides.



        “You hurt, Aki. I know that.”



        “I… It’s… A doctor can’t help me.” Aki relaxed her arms, lowering her shoulders.



        “What’s wrong, then?” Onitsuka raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, waiting.



        “Mom, I… I… Claire… We…” Aki started to tear.



        “Your friend is trouble, daughter. Your father told me about it. You’re safe now.”



        Aki started sobbing. “She’s not my friend. She’s more than that.”



        Mrs. Nashumara’s eyes widened. She stood, head cocked, shoulders tense. Her voice was faint as she asked, “You love the white girl?”



        Aki nodded, sniffling, tears oozing from the corners of her clamped eyes.



        Onitsuka chuckled.



        Aki’s eyes opened wide. She stared at her smiling mother. “What’s so funny?” she asked, sniffling.



        Onitsuka wrapped an arm around Aki’s shoulder, pulling her daughter close. “It’s part of my gift. I felt it, when you shared the tea with her.” Onitsuka started walking, her encircling arm leading Aki toward the kitchen. “Come with me, Aki. You need food. I need my daughter.”



        Aki followed, her insides undergoing a strange onslaught of tension, relief, and confusion. She hoped that some home-cooked food would settle her turbulent innards.



-TBC in Chapter 14b

Edited by: StrangeQuark at: 3/2/04 11:25 am

You don't have to apologise for any delays. This story is more than worth any waits.



So the surviving members of the magnificent seven are planning a break out? I have a horrible feeling that it isn't going to go well.



I'm curious if there is a particular reason why Aki's mother wanted her at dinner that night. Maybe she's planning something.



Looking forward to more

Postel's Prescription: Be generous in what you accept, rigorous in what you emit.

Here's another section of chapter 14. It's definitely in-need of some severe editing, but I think it's a fun read, overall.



EIAAOIFs



-SQ







Barry Schon released a sigh, staring through a one-way mirror. He raised a cup of black coffee to his lips, his eyes still fixed on the blind woman sitting in the large steel-walled room on the other side. Around him, technicians and scientists checked and readied their instruments for another session with the extraordinary woman.



“Unless Mujapmantal can reach her, more of the same tonight, I’m afraid.” The black-coated lead of the science team stood next to Schon, sharing the view of the test chamber. “There has been some progress with the others,” he said, adjusting where his glasses rested on the bridge of his nose. “The Italian and her partner showed my people how to easily manipulate amino acid structures yesterday. Really remarkable stuff.”



Schon huffed, taking another sip of his coffee. “They’d better get their asses in gear. I can’t justify all of this expense without some real results.” He took another sip before his eyes focused on another entering the bright room on the other side of the glass.



        Sindra Mujapmantal crept into the steel room, her eyes scanning the bare furnishings, her neck and shoulders stiff. She lowered herself onto gray a metal folding chair opposite the Seer. Her fingers fumbled, adjusting her communicator’s earpiece. She cleared her throat, shifting in the hard metal seat as she waited for the project lead’s signal. After a few minutes, she looked over her shoulder toward the gold-tinted mirror that concealed the control room.



Behind the mirror, one of the scientists leaned forward, bending toward the microphone on the console before him. “One more minute Sindy. How are you doing in there?”



“I’m alright. A little nervous,” she replied.



“Just stick to the script and you’ll do just fine.”



Sindra nodded and turned back to the Seer.



Barry continued to stare through the mirror at the Seer.



“I am pleased to see that you’re working late, Mr. Schon,” came from behind Barry.



Schon turned around to face a group of finely dressed, individuals, a tall white-haired man in the center of the group contacting his eyes, a slight, polite smile across his thin lips. The tall gentleman stepped from the center of the group, approaching Barry.



“I would like to speak with you for a moment.” He smiled to Barry. “Please, will you join me in the hall?”



Barry stiffened and nodded. “Yes, sir.” He proceeded to the door.



They stepped out of the control room and into the vacant hallway.



Barry drew a breath. “I think that we’re making progress with the mentalist.” He grinned, rubbing the backs of his hands.



The older man looked to him in silent patience for several moments.



Barry grinned, adding, “It’s been very difficult, trying to get our mind-workers to understand her. I think they’re starting to develop a good relationship though.”



The older man continued to look to Schon, silent.



“The others are doing better, but I’m afraid that they’re still settling in. They probably just need some more time to…”



“Mr. Schon,” the old man interrupted, “the Authority is going to abandon these processes. There is a buyer.”



Barry raised a hand, rubbing his forehead, closing his eyes. “But they’re… I just need a little more time.”





“The Authority is unimpressed with your find. They are unimpressed with you and your agency.” The older man reached forward, resting a hand on Schon’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Mr. Schon. Have them prepared for export in twenty-four hours.”



Barry nodded, closing his eyes.

                                                                                        # # # # #



Sindra’s skin tingled and her stomach churned in the presence of the blind, palsied young woman sitting before her. She counted backwards from one hundred, reverting to the mind-guarding tactic that she had been taught in the ODHS mind-worker’s institute. She focused on her thoughts, imagining the sound of her own voice reading each number as she envisioned the shapes of the nemrals behind her clamped eyelids. The concentration that she fought to maintain was further undermined as another voice joined hers in the declining sequence.



Sindra shuddered at the subtle power of the invasion and continued, trying to wrest her mental privacy. Her limbs began to gyrate, her body squirming in silent protest to the onslaught of the Seer’s innocent, prevailing curiosity.



# # # # #



Schon had reentered the room, resignation tugging down on his features. He looked through the glass and then to the scientists, questioning.



“What’s going on in there?”



A white-coated woman looked from her display to Schon and said, “There’s nothing measurable happening, sir. We’re still looking at the detector circuits, for malfunction, though.



Schon leaned in between the scientist and technician seated at the main console. He reached forward, bending the microphone toward his mouth.



“We can stop now if you want, Agent Mujapmantal,” Schon offered. He watched the woman’s strained gestures through the mirror, anxious for a response. “Sindy?” he asked.



Sindra drew a deep breath and exhaled, “I’m okay.” She paused for several seconds and continued, “Cecilia wishes everyone a pleasant… pleasant evening. She also would like to compliment your tie, Assistant Director Schon.”



All eyes in the control room turned to Barry’s tie, and then back to the instruments for which they had been trained.



“She's seing through Mujapmantal,” one of the scientists whispered to Schon. “It’s the only explanation.”



Sindra’s voice sounded again through the console speakers, “No more tests.”



Schon’s eyes widened. “Sindy?”



“No more tests. I t-tire of these tests. Mu-music.”



Technicians scrambled to check their instruments, looking for the readings that they had hoped to find. Scientists huddled together, softly postulating the best method to detect the new, powerful activity from their blind subject.



Barry released a sigh amid the flurry of scientific activity that erupted around him. He leaned toward the microphone again, saying, “No more tests, Cecilia. There won’t be any more.” He shook his head.



# # # # #



Claire spread her knees, peering between them to check the time on the display panel. She held her breath, waiting for the clock to shift from 23:44 to 23:45. Her lights were on. She hoped to be ready for whatever Simone had planned. Her ears tuned into a faint sound that crept around the corner, emanating from the kitchen. The clock advanced to the next minute. Claire stood, heart pounding, tiptoeing over to investigate the unusual noise.



She rounded the corner, entering the kitchen. The shining tiles were cold and hard under her bare feet. The sound continued from one of the cabinets across the chilly expanse. She padded over, taking a cautious step back as she opened the cupboard door. Claire peered in to find Simone, a finger across her lips, an angry look on her face.



“What the fuck, Claire?” the Spy whispered, scowling. “I said to wear something tight. At least put some shoes on for goddess’s sake.” She rolled her eyes, sighing.



Claire lowered her head, embarrassed by Simone’s harsh criticism. She opened her mouth to respond, but stopped as Simone started waving her hands in violent circles, shaking her head.



“Just go get changed, dammit. Bring your boots, but leave them off.” She hissed. “Hurry.”



Claire nodded, walking briskly to her bedroom. She pulled some clothes from her armoire that she hoped would meet Simone’s demands. She slipped into them, grabbed her boots, and headed back to the kitchen.



Simone smiled. “Better.” She whispered before disappearing into the under-sink cabinet. “Give me your foot.”



Claire turned around, her back to the counter as she extended her lower leg into the cabinet. She fought for balance as Simone clutched her ankle, pulling it deeper into the cupboard.



“The other one, Genius, the one with the fucking tag.” Simone spat, pushing Claire’s calf from the cabinet.



“Sorry, I didn’t…”



“Less talk, more leg,” came from below the sink.



Claire shifted to the left and bent her knee, extending her right leg into the cabinet. She fought for balance once again, enduring the other’s rough handling. She felt her foot clamped tight in the warmth of the Spy’s thighs.



“Hold still.”



A loud crack accompanied a stinging sensation around Claire’s ankle. She struggled to contain a yelp.



“It’s off,” the Spy said in a weary sigh. She released Claire’s foot.



Claire winced, stepping away from the counter. She shifted her weight to her left leg, rolling her dangling right foot in circles for the sake of her sore ankle.



“Come on, dammit. Quit fucking around,” came from under the sink.



Claire turned and stepped back to the counter, slipping into her tall black boots and lacing them tight. She pulled a glass from the sink and dropped it to the floor. She opened the door to the cabinet to retrieve a dishtowel. She half-smiled to Simone as she attempted to gather the fragments into the cloth and then rose to walk them to the trash compactor.



“What are you doing?” Simone hissed, her eyes wide. “Come on, get the fucking show on the road. They could be in here any minute.” She gestured frantically from under the sink.



“Cameras,” Claire whispered.



“Fuck the cameras, get in! Now!” The Spy retreated into the darkness of the small opening in the rear of the cupboard.



Claire crawled into the tiny opening, following her sister, fighting to wedge her body into the dark passage. She became short of breath; the cramped space allowed just enough room for her chest to draw in small breaths as she clawed her way through, following Simone. Claire became light-headed. In a panic, she protested, “I can’t…”



“Come on, sweetey. You can do it. Just fifty more feet and you’ll be outside. If you stop now, they’ll catch you. You don’t want that. Come on, please, sweetey. Be brave for me.” Simone whispered.



Claire fought the paralyzing panic and hyperventilation of the overwhelming claustrophobia. She continued through the cramped darkness, her body shimmying, wriggling through the smooth-walled duct, motivated to find its end and be in the open once again.



“It goes down from here.” Simone whispered back. “Grab onto my ankles.”



Claire obliged, gripping tight around the Spy’s boots. She yelped as her body jerked forward through the darkness with sudden, violent speed.



They slid down an incline, their velocity building as they plummeted. Light ahead of them grew brighter. Simone tumbled away first, Claire losing hold of her ankles. She landed facedown on a hard, concrete floor.



Claire fell through the opening to land full-force on top of Simone. She rolled away, clutching her stomach, the breath knocked from her chest by the impact.



Simone leapt to her feet, pulling Claire by the shoulder, dragging her through a labyrinthine maze of noisy, steaming machines, pipes, and ducts. She stopped at a branch in the path through which they had scurried. She handed a paper to Claire.



“Take this. Find him. He knows who you are. He will help you.” She smiled, panting. “Go to the left, open the grating in the floor, and follow the cold air. Don’t stop until you’re outside.”



“What about you? Aren’t you…”



Simone’s mouth muffled the rest of Claire’s question. The Spy reached behind Claire’s head and forced a brief, passionate kiss. She broke away quickly, smiling at Claire’s dazed expression. “Go, Genius. Go.”

       

Claire felt a mix of revulsion, gratitude, hatred, and love as she watched the Spy sprint away from her, heading to her own escape.



She hurried to her left, lifted the iron grate that the Spy told her about, lowered herself into the tunnel, and slid the heavy grille in place over her escape route. She bounded through the cold, dark conduit, trying to make sense of what she was doing, and sense where the cold air inside was coming from.



# # # # #



Aki trudged into the kitchen, alongside her mother. The scent of fresh coffee stirred her senses and raised her spirits a little. She stopped short at the sight of Sarah leaning against the stone counter with a steaming mug in her hand.



Sarah put the drink down. She did not smile as she approached, her eyes locked on Aki’s. She stopped in front of her, her lips moving, trying to say what she had been rehearsing during her long flight.



Aki lowered her head and fell toward Sarah, wrapping her arms around the woman’s waist as she went. Sarah wrapped her arms around Aki, turning her head to rest her cheek on the shorter woman’s head. They tightened their embrace as Onitsuka looked on.



“Sarah,” Aki said, her words muffled against the woman’s chest.



“Aki,” Sarah replied. She pulled back to look into Aki’s eyes again. “Your brother called us. He said that you weren’t doing too well. Josh and I have been worried. Your family is worried.”



Aki turned to her mother, looking uneasy. “Mom, could you excuse Sarah and me for a minute?”



Onitsuka nodded, a frown crossing her face before leaving the room.



“Sarah, I… I’m guilty.”



Sarah smiled. “That’s silly. What for?”



“When I… I was pretending that you were Claire just then.”



“Oh.” Sarah maintained her smile. “That’s okay. I understand, I…” She drew a breath, leaning back slightly. “Yes, I understand, I think,” she added emphatically, nodding to accentuate her conviction.



Aki looked to her feet, biting her lower lip. Her voice was soft as she spoke toward the floor between her and Sarah, “I miss her… I more than miss her. I… I need her.” Aki looked up to meet Sarah’s gaze. “I… She’s everything to me.”



Sarah rested a hand on Aki’s shoulder, closing her eyes and drawing a breath before saying, “Ask your mother to come back in here.”



Aki obliged. She and Sarah sat atop bamboo and leather stools next to the antique cherry breakfast table in the center of the kitchen. Onitsuka drew herself to the table facing the other two.



“Mrs. Nashumara…”



“Oni, Mrs. Berman.” She smiled.



“Sarah, Oni.” Sarah returned the smile before continuing, “Aki is in love with my sister.”



Oni nodded, grinning. “I felt that long ago.”



Aki rolled her eyes. Her cheeks reddened a little.



“My husband has deep connections with Claire’s current… employer.” Sarah looked around, frantic to find the cup of coffee that she had set down earlier. She twisted in her seat, taking still-steaming mug from the counter. Her eyes darted both ways before continuing, “My husband has information that Claire might not be working out the way that they had hoped.” Sarah gulped some coffee after ending the sentence.



Aki’s head whipped to face Sarah. “So they might let her go?”



Sarah shook her head, closing her eyes. “If she doesn’t shape-up… it could be really bad.” She took another swig of coffee. Staring into the dark brown depths as she continued, “She’s been having some trouble… adjusting.”



“Can we help?” Oni asked, sliding a plate of cookies toward Sarah and her daughter.



“Because of Josh and his connections, I’ve been given the opportunity to pay a visit.” Sarah turned to Aki. “I will be allowed one guest.”



Aki looked back to Sarah, her expression blank. “Why… I mean…” Aki dropped her hands to her lap, head hanging. She mumbled, “What’s the catch?”



Sarah looked to Mrs. Nashumara, then back to Aki before answering. “They want me to give her a pep-talk so that they can try to salvage what’s left of her usefulness.” Sarah reached to Aki, lifting her chin with a pair of outstretched fingers. “You, dear Aki, are the catch.” Her lips spread into a broad smile.



“Hugh?” Aki’s eyebrows rose.



“You, specifically, have been requested.” Sarah smiled. “There’s a certain genius who has been, to quote a noted official-- pining.”



Onitsuka smiled, looking to her daughter. “That’s sweet.” She held her hands together below her chin as she grinned.



Aki blushed, looking away from her mother and Sarah. She composed herself, looking to Sarah with a raised eyebrow, asking, “Pining, really?”



Sarah nodded with a wink.



# # # # #



Claire’s boots crunched through the snow, her legs weary, and her throat raw from gasping cold, thin air for hours. She had emerged from the service tunnel to find herself on one of the distant shores of Lorelei Lake. She followed the remaining sliver of moon that shone down through the clear, cold sky of late autumn. Her numb ears listened for any sign of her supposed pursuers, or any hint of a nearby highway. Exhausted, she pushed herself further, trying to place as much distance between her luxurious new home and her beleaguered body.



Weary of the small hills and valleys, she headed for a long, flat, snowy expanse. She began to catch her breath as she made her way across the level ground. Beneath her boots, Claire felt an uneasy sensation accompanied by a muffled snapping noise. She stopped, looked around and released a curse just before plunging through the snow-covered ice and into the shallow freezing water below. Her body convulsed against the permeating cold that soaked her clothes and filled her boots. She managed to slide herself out of the hole and onto the thin sheet of ice, spreading her weight as evenly as she could manage to avoid another collapse. Using her arms, she clawed at the firm snow, pulling herself toward the bank of the frozen river.



She collapsed into the dry snow. The night air was far too cold for even her waning body heat to melt it. She lay, panting, gazing at the spinning stars above, her chest pounding, her limbs numb and unresponsive. Her ears caught a sound in the distance, through the trees. The sound re-energized her mind. She struggled to her numbed, clumsy feet and staggered in the direction of the slow steady thrumming.



She clambered to the top of a small hill, lost her footing, and slid down the other side. Small tree trunks caught her legs and arms as she went, sending her helpless body into a spin, then a tumble. She stopped just a meter from the wheels of the slow-moving freight train. The locomotives struggled to pull a miles-long string of cars up the steep grade of Lorelei Pass. A deafening clanking and rumbling sounded from just above her head as the mighty machine and its cargo lumbered by, oblivious to her presence.



A pair of hands hooked into her armpits, lifting her from the ground. Her numb feet and lifeless legs dragged along the edge of the tracks, bouncing over the uneven ground as she was hoisted into one of the creeping freight cars. Once she was fully inside the car, she heard the heavy metal side door slide to a close.

That was a great update



So it seems that Claire has gotten away, or has she? it depends on who it was who pulled her into that train.



Even if Claire has escaped there's a problem. What happens if Aki, not knowing that Claire's escaped, goes to the prison to visit her. They could very well take her hostage in order to get Claire to return.



Looking forward to more

Postel's Prescription: Be generous in what you accept, rigorous in what you emit.

Hi SQ

I just read your story and Wow that is amazing. I hope you get this published, it has been a wonderful read and I can't wait for an update. I need to know if in fact Claire was grabbed by Spy? Who Sarah really is and what her deal is, cause something feels off with her visit to Aki. (Of course I could be reading stuff into that) This is one of the best fictions I have read on the net I am hooked!



Arron

just one q though what does

Quote:

---

EIAAOIFs

---

mean?

She walks in beauty, Like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright. Meet in her aspect and her eyes.

~ by Byron ~

Justin,



Thanks for the kind words and the interesting questions. Always appreciated.



Arron,



I'm really glad to see that you dig the story, world, and characters. I hope that you'll continue to enjoy the rest.



--EIAAOIFs--



Well, that's a kind of signature that I've coined for this story. It's the product of a self-critical wanna-be writer trying warn potential readers that they're viewing a very rough first draft.



It's an acronym for -- Enjoy It And All Of Its Faults



All,



More updates soon. We're getting really close to the end, so I'm trying to tie up as much as possible with as few words as possible. Not the easiest task, but (hopefully) I'm up to it.



Cheers,



-SQ

I'm teaching myself some basic drawing and composition so that I can bring a new dimension to the telling of my story.



Here are two drawings that I recently cranked-out. I hope that you can find some semblance of order in these awkward, twisted piles of lines from this rank amateur.



The Spy



Seer and Aki



Let me know what you think, specifically: do these images coincide with your mind's perception of the scenes and characters? I worked pretty hard at getting the body language and expressions to reflect what I see in my mind's eye, but I lack the objectivity to know whether-or-not they are a success...



More drawings soon, and also the rest of the story.



Thanks to all for your patience and support. It is the greatest (and only) compensation that I have recieved for all of this effort.



-SQ

I like these pictures. They do help with picturing the characters.



The one of Aki and the seer is especially good.



The only question is, where is the picture of Claire?

There's more than one way to do it. - The Perl mantra

Did you draw thoses wow

I have to see how you pictured Claire now.

Yeah I could totally tell by the pictue wich sister it was.

Wonderful job

But I like need an update I just re read it again and now I am hooked more.

Arron

Two more... Both with Claire.



www.deviantart.com/view/6934151/



www.deviantart.com/view/6906611/



Story update soon. Really soon. Maybe by Wednesday.

Chapter 14c for your enjoyment.



EIAAOIFs



Thanks for the comments, everyone. They are always welcome and appreciated.



Chapter 14c...



        Claire could not open her eyes. Breathing steadily required all of her available energy and resolve. Her limbs were nonexistent. Above the steady groaning and clanking of the railcar, she could hear a voice, just above her head.



        “Can you hear me?”



        Claire struggled to make out the words over the clamor of the lumbering train and the gusty rush of her own labored breaths. She clung to consciousness, her mind desperate, but tissues too weary for the task. Icy blackness and high-pitched ringing enveloped her mind as time congealed and finally stood still.



#



        Aki and Sarah waited for their flight to Idaho. Sarah sat, watching the passers-by in silence. Next to her, Aki shifted against the stained vinyl of the waiting area seat. Overhead, garbled announcements crackled through the vast expanse of the gate area, their words obscured by the din of shuffling shoe leather and rolling luggage.



        Aki looked to Sarah’s purse, alerted by the muffled vibration of an M-lync. The buzzing continued for some seconds more, and Sarah did not respond. Aki cleared her throat and said, “I think you’ve got a call or something.”



        Sarah opened her purse, reaching inside for her communicator. She paused and removed the device from her purse, holding it just out of Aki’s view. Sarah shook her head. “Not mine… You must have heard someone else’s.”



        Aki stiffened a little and shifted in her chair. She turned to Sarah, smiling. “Sometimes, I imagine things. Sorry.” Aki shrugged and resumed her vacant forward gaze.



        Sarah turned, looking down to Aki’s hand clutched around the end of their shared armrest. She lowered her own hand to cover the Asian’s, caressing the visibly distraught woman with a gentle squeeze.



        Aki looked to Sarah, forcing a smile.



        “I thought you’d be a lot… cheerier, honey,” Sarah said, smiling.



        Aki shook her head, looking toward her lap again. “I’m afraid.”



        Sarah squeezed Aki’s hand tighter, saying, “Don’t be. She’ll be okay. We’re going to make sure of that.”



        “That’s not what I’m afraid of.”



        Sarah remained silent.



        “I mean, I’m afraid of that too.” Aki looked again to Sarah. “I’m just nervous, you know… about seeing her.”



        Sarah smiled. “Nervous? Why?”



        “She might be… I don’t know… different?”



        “You’ll find out in a few hours. She’ll be very happy to see you. I’m sure.”



        Aki smiled at the assurance and then looked away. She drew a deep breath before asking, “Um, Sarah, do you know where you fit in? In all of this?”



        Sarah raised an eyebrow. “I’m Claire’s sister. I guess that I’m a sister to all of the rest.”



        Aki shook her head. “You’re an Ace.”



        “An Ace?” Sarah’s brow furrowed.



        “One of four.”



        “I thought there were seven…”



        “Plus four Aces.”



        Sarah smirked. “One or eleven…”



        Aki twisted in her seat, to face Sarah more fully. “Why are you doing all this?”



        “She’s my sister.”



        “No, I mean you’re part of this, you should be hiding, but your dealing with them, and…”



        “I tried to hide from all of this, Aki. I shut them out, denied everything, just to protect myself.”

        Aki shrugged. “Why wouldn’t you?”



        “Aki,” Sarah sighed, “I had the opportunity to make all of this happen differently… better.” Sarah stared into the distance of the terminal. “I turned it down because I wanted safety and security. I wanted my husband and my home. I wanted to be what I used to be— Sarah Berman.”



        “Used to be?”



        “Like you said, I’m an Ace. Two of my sisters are dead because of my selfish weakness. I’ve begun to realize my power in all this.”



        “Power?”



        “I was given lots of talents. I happened to marry a man with the connections that I need to help my sisters. I denied all of that before, and now two of them are dead.”



        “But you didn’t know… I didn’t know… most of them didn’t even know…”



        Sarah shrugged, her features turned grim. “I should have taken the risk. I could have stopped the raid, the killing…” Sarah’s voice quivered, becoming breathy and faint. “Do you realize that nine people died that day, because of me?”



        Aki shook her head, reaching to clutch Sarah’s forearm. “Don’t say that.”



        “It’s true.” Sarah lowered her face into her palms, concealing her welling tears.



        Aki squeezed Sarah’s arm. “Something else would have happened- fate.”



        Sarah composed herself and looked to Aki with a faint smile. “Thanks for saying so.” She sniffled, forcing a brighter smile as she wiped the growing dark stains under her eyes with the back of a knuckle. “What’s really bothering you?”



        “I… um,” Aki looked away before continuing. “In the last couple of minutes there, I was given a drug.”



        “A sedative? Truth serum?”



        Aki shook her head. “Maybe not a drug… more like a vaccination.”



        “Against?”



        Aki sighed. “Aging. Claire got it too, and the Seer, and the Chemist, and the Healer.” Aki lowered her head, “And the Judge.”



        “Aging?”



        “The Chemist and the Healer made it. They said it would slow down my aging for a couple of hundred years.”



        Sarah’s eyes widened. “My sisters did that?”



        “When you said that they might do something to Claire, I got kind of sick. I mean, I took the stuff because I wanted to be with her for… forever. Then it was like I’d never see her again, but there was still that hope that we could both live long enough for her to get out, and now…”



        “That’s why you and I are going to pay her a visit.” Sarah reached to Aki turning her face into view. “She’s going to hang in there.”



        “For what?”



        “Hope, Aki. There’s still hope.” Sarah stood, stretching her limbs before saying, “My mascara’s probably wrecked. I’m going to the ladies room to freshen up.” Sarah bent down, reaching for her purse.



        Aki slid her hand in front of Sarah’s pocketbook. She looked up to Sarah, shaking her head. “Please don’t leave me here alone.”



        Sarah paused for a second before responding, “I won’t ditch you, Aki.” She forced a smile at the awkward protest. “I’ll be right back. You keep an eye on our stuff, okay?”



        Aki relaxed and nodded.



        Sarah smiled, turned, and headed to the other side of the gate area, toward the restrooms.



        Aki waited for Claire’s sister to disappear from sight before lowering her fingers to the fastener that held Sarah’s purse closed. She quickly, smoothly unzipped the bag and fumbled through the contents. Her gaze remained on the distant door of the ladies room while her fingers located the smooth, hard plastic of Sarah’s M-lync. She curled her hand around the sleek object and started to remove it from the handbag, when it began to buzz, causing Aki to leap a few inches off her seat.



        She released a breath, heart still pounding from the unexpected sensation. Aki’s eyes darted to the display of the vibrating M-lync. She saw Josh’s face in the small, glowing display. Without thinking, Aki opened the unit, answering the incoming call.



        “Aki!” Josh exclaimed, his brow furrowed. “Where’s Sarah? What are you doing with her M-lync?”



        “Sh-she’s in the ladies room. I-I…”



        Josh’s tone was sharp and angry. “Where are you? I’ve been trying to reach Sarah for almost twelve hours.”



        “We’re at Liberty International. We… We’re going to see Claire.”



        Josh sighed, “Aki, will you do me a favor?”



        Aki nodded to the display.



        “I need to talk to Sarah. She and I had a little fight earlier, and…” Josh released another weary breath before continuing, “…I need to talk to her.”



        “No you don’t.” Sarah snapped from above Aki’s shoulder, startling the Asian. She reached down and pulled her M-lync from Aki’s hand, sneering at the image of her husband in the unit’s small display. “Goodbye.”



        “Sarah, wait!” Josh’s voice pleaded, thin and metallic through the M-Lync speaker.



        Sarah stopped herself from closing the cover. “What?”



        “I…” Josh faltered, “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. Please come back… come back home.”



        Sarah closed her eyes as she replied, “I have important business to take care of.”



        “Honey, you’re going to get hurt. You don’t know what you’re up against. Please, come home?”



        “I know more than you think, Joshua Berman.” Sarah snapped the M-lync cover shut, ending the call. She looked down to Aki, sighing.



        Aki gave a weak smile as she tried to formulate the best apology for her invasive actions. “I… I needed…” Aki faltered.



        “Forget it.” Sarah said in an even tone. She circled around from behind Aki and sat down next to her. Sarah sighed, saying, “Josh didn’t want me to come out here. He doesn’t want me to go there either. He’s afraid for me.”



        “Maybe he’s right, though.” Aki said softly, staring at the floor in front of where they sat. “Maybe we’re walking into something really bad.” Aki looked to Sarah, her tone urgent, “Maybe we could exchange our tickets… it’s not too late.”



        Sarah’s forehead wrinkled, her eyes narrowing. “You seem eager to back out of this. What’s really bothering you?”



        Aki looked to the floor again, her mouth tight, her gaze distant and vacant. After some quiet moments, she spoke, soft and timid. “I don’t know if I really want to see her.”



        “Of course you do.” Sarah reached out, touching Aki’s forearm with her fingertips and then suddenly puling them back. “There’s someone else, isn’t there? That’s why you’re all weird about this.”



        Aki closed her eyes, shaking her head. “There’s no one but her… for me.”



        “Then why are you so… reticent to see her?”



        Aki inhaled deeply before struggling to force out the words of her reply, “I’ve been through a lot in the past few weeks.” She looked to Sarah again. “I’ve realized a lot of stuff that I couldn’t before. I was so swept-up in everything that I didn’t think things through. I thought that I was happy. I thought that everything could work out okay between Claire and me. Now, I’m not so sure.”



        “Do you love her?”



        “Deeply.” Aki said with a strange, sad and dreamy tone to her voice.



        Sarah smiled as she replied, “Then your heart will tell you what to do.”



        Aki shook her head. “It’s not that simple…” She frowned. “Claire was trying to tell me something, back at the base. She’s different than me. Her brain doesn’t work like everyone else’s.”



        Sarah started to speak and stopped, thinking about what Aki said.



        “She’s, like, missing some components. She doesn’t have the same needs, the same wants.” Aki shifted in the seat, turning to face Sarah more fully. “She’s so delicate, confused, vulnerable… desperate- like a crippled airplane searching for the safest place to crash-land. I’m taking advantage of her… neediness. I’m trying to turn it into something bigger than it really is.”



        Sarah’s expression faded to a blank. “You don’t think that she wants you… in her heart?”



        Aki’s head shook. “She doesn’t know what she wants. I don’t think she ever will.”



        Sarah leaned closer to Aki, a small grin returning as she said, “Don’t be so sure, Aki Nashumara. One thing that I can tell you about Claire is that she doesn’t do anything that she doesn’t want to. And if she really wants something, nothing can stand in her way.”



        Aki’s lips curved into a faint smile as she pondered Sarah’s observation of the Genius. “How can we get her… um, them out?”



        Sarah gave a fiendish grin. “I’m going to threaten to bring a suit against the government for their wrongful arrest, enslavement, and discriminatory exploitation.”



        “What chance do you have against the government?”



        “We’re going to have the mass media on our side. All matters of state are won or lost in the court of popular opinion. We’re going to present them as the hapless victims that they are, exploited for their abilities, imprisoned against the law.”



        “But they’re clones, I mean, isn’t that breaking at least some laws?”



        “The law defines a clone as a replicate person. Under that definition, the DNA of the suspected clone would have to be identical to that of either their parent, or cloned siblings.”



        “So they’re…” Aki’s expression brightened.



        Sarah completed, “Just normal people according to the law. Normal people who have been arrested, imprisoned, and enslaved by their government.”



        Aki grinned. “How did you figure all of this out?”



        Sarah leaned back, her mouth cocked in a sly half-smile. “Research.”



#



        Claire awoke to burning pain radiating from all over her skin. Encircling warmth was offsetting the gnawing ache and insistent chill of her limbs. Her nose and cheek rested against rough cotton, her naked body surrounded by arms and legs, wrapped snugly within a coarse, foul-smelling blanket. She opened her eyes, finding darkness amidst the fast, insistent thrumming of the galloping railcar. She tried to shift within the cocoon of ragged cloth, prompting the person wrapped around her to tighten their hold on her frigid body.



        “Claire?” Simone’s voice asked above her upturned ear.



        “Simone?”



        The Spy tightened around Claire again. “I was worried about you. You must be starting to thaw. Can you feel your hands and feet?”



        “They’re killing me,” Claire groaned, writhing against the waves of pain from her extremities.



        “Good. That means they’re still alive.” Simone kissed her sister’s forehead.



        “Where’re my clothes?”



        “Frozen to the floor.”



        “How did you find me?”



        Simone chuckled, “Luck, my dear. “You missed the highway by a few miles. I thought that one of the patrols spotted me, so I jumped this train. I was keeping a lookout, making sure that they weren’t following me and I spotted a poor little drowned rat tumbling down the hillside.”



        “Thank you.” Claire spoke against Simone’s chest.



        The Spy remained silent for a few moments before saying, “I’m making you uncomfortable, I’m sure… holding you like this…”



        “No. I-It’s okay.” Claire muttered after realizing the close physicality of their arrangements, remembering the brazen kiss from before their flight to freedom.



        Simone chuckled. “You’re not the great-escapist, are you?”



        “I just need some more practice.”



        Simone pressed her lips against Claire’s forehead, saying, “No. This will be the last time. No practice.”



#



        Sarah and Aki arrived in Idaho just after sunrise. A pair of dark-suited ODHS agents met them at the small airport and escorted them from the gate to a waiting black sedan. One of the agents opened a door, motioning Aki and Sarah to enter the car. They slid in and the door closed behind them.



        Aki’s unease increased as she noticed that the windows of the Statesman were blacked-out, preventing anyone from looking in or out from them. She slid closer to Sarah on the plush leather seat, resting the edge of her thigh gently against Sarah’s.



        Sarah gave Aki a thin smile, attempting to allay the Asian’s obvious distress. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”



        Aki nodded, forcing a smile.



        The two agents assumed their places in the front seat, the doors locked, and the car sped from the airport. The long quiet ride to Lorelei Hills began.



#

       

        The Spy steadied herself against a stack of boxes in the rocking and pitching railcar. She slid out of her boots and trousers, tossing them to Claire. She pulled off her outer shirt and threw it next to where the Genius sat.

Claire unwrapped from the tattered cargo blanket and slipped into the garments as fast as she could, desperate to cover her exposed skin and hide the shame of her own nudity. As she pulled the black fatigue shirt over her head and down her torso, Claire noticed several irregular patches on the skin of the Spy’s legs and back.



        “What are all of those marks?”



        “They’re from my treatments. I had to get some medicine after we got taken in.” Simone replied in a matter-of-fact way that commanded an end of discussion.



        “Medicine?” Claire’s voice rose. “What did you have? Bio-weapon symptoms?”



        The Spy was silent for several minutes. She sighed, “A different kind of medicine, Claire.”



        Claire remained silent for a long time. She chewed her bottom lip, trying to stop the intense feeling of sympathy that was clouding her mind and blurring her vision with tears. She asked, her voice full with sad instability, “How long did they torture you for?”



        Simone turned to face Claire, her expression blank, eyes distant. She sighed, “They all took turns, Genius. It took a while.”



        “I’m sorry.” Claire swallowed, closing her eyes.



        “Don’t be,” Simone snapped. “You weren’t standing in the circle, laughing as my arms and legs twitched, making bets on when I’d wet myself or how much juice to my temple would make me a vegetable. You weren’t guffawing when I bit through part of my tongue or when they posed next to me, one at a time, to have their picture taken. You have no reason to feel sorry. They should.”



        Claire stared in silence.



        Simone moved closer to Claire, her voice clam again. “I didn’t give them the satisfaction, though.”



        Claire looked back to Simone.



        “I never made a sound. I never dropped a tear. They never got what they wanted from me.”



        Claire’s eyes watered as she stared into Simone’s eyes for a moment before saying, “You’re brave. I’m… proud to have you as a sister.”



        Simone smiled to Claire. “Thanks, Claire. Now you know how I feel.”



        Claire frowned. “You’re proud of me? Why? Because I keep getting into trouble and having other people bail me out?”



        “Because, just a minute ago, I saw it in your eyes. You looked away, to hide it from me, but I saw your compassion. I felt your empathy, your love.”



        Claire swallowed, looking away.



        “You must have learned it from sukiyaki. She’s so fucking adorable with that, isn’t she? All of that innocent compassion and kindness, but she’s not trying to get anything with it. She just…”



        “Is,” Claire interjected, nodding.



        Simone nodded. “Just the cloth that she’s cut from. I think a few of her little threads have worked their way into your weave as well. She seems like a good influence on you.”



        After a few silent seconds, Claire blurted, “She wasn’t always like that you know.”



        Simone’s eyebrows rose. “Hugh?”



        Claire paused and said, “She and I were like enemies. She was just another snobbish little bitch, making fun of my clothes, or my hair, or my scar, or any other shortcoming that they could find.”



        Simone shook her head. “Come on, you’re exaggerating. She made fun of your scar? That’s despicable. The teriyaki I know wouldn’t do that. What happened to her? Why did she stop?”



        “I saved her from being raped, or maybe worse.”



        “Why did you bother? If she was such a bitch-wad, why did you go out of your way to do anything for her?” Simone’s eyes lit up. “You had a crush on her.”



        Claire shook her head. “I’m not… I didn’t have those feelings for her. I just… had to do something. It didn’t matter that it was her. It could have been anyone. I couldn’t just walk away. I… owed it to her to try and do something.”



        “Owed?” The Spy’s head pivoted back, her brow wrinkled.



        “Not owed, that’s not the right word.” Claire shook her head. “I needed to help. If I didn’t, then I would have failed. I can’t explain, really. It was like an obligation that I had, even to a stranger, even to an enemy.”



        “Maybe it’s your threads that made it into her cloth then.” Simone was silent for a moment. “Claire?”



        “Hmm?”



        “You’re a remarkable person.”



        Claire shook her head, trying to squelch a reflexive smile from the compliment. “I’m nothing special, believe me.”



        “No, really. You’ve done so much for so many people, and you don’t want anything in return.” Simone’s eyes widened. She pointed to Claire, inhaled sharply and proclaimed, “You have a soul!”



        Claire grinned, shaking her head, looking away.



        “That’s why you’re in love. That’s why you’re so easy to love. You’ve got a soul. That’s why you keep putting yourself out to help other people. You’ve gotta have a soul to do that.”



        Claire shook her head. “I don’t… I can’t have a soul. I’m an artifice, like you. Our Creator wore glasses and ate breakfast and-”



        “Our Creator came from their Creator.”



        “I… I never thought about that. I-”



        “Mother was delivered to the world so that we could be delivered. Don’t you see?”



#



        Sarah walked into the darkened office first; Aki followed a few steps behind her. Sarah sniffed the air in the small, windowless space and fixed her gaze on the slumped figure behind the desk in the room’s center. A quarter-full bottle of whiskey and an empty glass lay next to the unaware figure resting next to a glowing terminal.



        Sarah looked to Aki and looked back to the man. She cleared her throat, loud and deliberate in order to gain the attention of their semi-conscious host. Seeing no response, she cleared her throat again.



        Barry raised his head, eyes squinting as he took in the scene. After a moment, he smiled to his visitors and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. He straightened his loose tie and unbuttoned collar before speaking. “Good evening, ladies.”



        “It’s morning.” Sarah replied, her tone even and her expression blank.



        Schon smiled, leaning back in his chair. He peered over to Aki, grinning. “Ms. Nashumara… so nice to see you again. There’s going be a happy Genius today.”



        A corner of Aki’s mouth rose as she looked away to hide her reddening face.



        Sarah folded her arms. “You start your day with scotch. How surprising.”



        Barry chuckled, his head listing toward his right shoulder. “How rude of me. Would either of you lovely ladies care for a drink?”



        “Lets cut to the chase, Barry. Aki and I are here to free Claire and the others. You don’t stand a chance of keeping them in your custody once we present our case. You’re going to be drummed out of office once we show our evidence.”



        “Take them.” Barry interjected.



        “You’ll be lucky to be emptying garbage bins in the Pentagon cafeteria by the time we’re through. You and your agency have abused the people of this country for the last time and…”



        “I said take them.” Schon snapped.



        Sarah unfolded her arms, resting a hand on her hip. “So this is just an amusing little game to you? You’ll take me seriously when I get this story to the press. They’ll devour it like a school of piranha. There’ll be camera crews in your face twenty-four hours a day…”



        Schon rose from his seat, extending his arms to brace himself against the desk. “Sarah?”



        “What?”



        “I said take them.”



        Sarah looked into Schon’s eyes, connecting with the sincerity of the statement. “You mean…” Sarah turned to Aki, a grin curving her lips before turning back to Barry. “You mean we won?”



        Schon shook his head. “Take them. Get them out of this country. Hide them under the heaviest, darkest rock so that no one can find them, ever. I’ll authorize their release into your custody right now.”



        Sarah fell silent, thinking about what Barry had just told her.



        Aki looked from Sarah to Barry and back again, her face contorted in confusion. “Why is this so easy?”



        Schon walked from behind the desk to stand in front of Aki. He rested a hand on her shoulder, looking into her eyes as he spoke, “Ms. Nashumara, I assure you that there’s nothing easy about any of this.” He turned, looking to Sarah. “My influence is coming to a hasty conclusion, Sarah. My time on this Earth may be coming to an equally swift end.” Schon released his gentle hold on Aki’s shoulder, pacing a slow circle a circle around the two as he continued; “I have faith in the Genius. I have faith in the Healer. I’m terrified by the Seer.” Schon smiled. “They and the others may be the last hope for this sick and dying world.”



        “I don’t… What do you mean?” Sarah asked.



        “Remember when I told you that thoughts can be dangerous, Sarah? When you slammed the door to your more-than-modest little home in my face?”



        Sarah nodded.



        “It started before we were born. Words were being deleted from the language; not because they were offensive, but because they phonetically resembled offensive words.”



        “Yeah, well people can be stupid. That’s always been the case.”



        Schon shook his head. “That’s not the problem, it’s just a symptom. When I was in college, I realized that there was a deeper problem when the civil libertarians were selectively condemning things that they purported to uphold. The same groups who demonized the military for insensitivity when they shelled a mosque in some godforsaken place were zealous about removing Christmas from the calendar. The world was full of blatant ideological hypocrisy. That was when I realized that thoughts and ideas were under fire more than ever in the civilized world. I felt angry. I felt alone in my understanding of the systematic destruction of civilization. I wrote a thesis on the subject for my masters in public policy. The professor tore it into pieces right in front of me. Ideas, my ideas, your ideas, they’re not allowed to be expressed. If they can’t be expressed, they cease to exist.”



        Aki walked toward where Barry had stopped. She cleared her throat before asking, “Why are you doing all this then? All the prisons, the fighting, the raids? Aren’t you being hypocritical too?”



        Schon looked down to Aki, smiling. “What’s it like to infiltrate something that you were never supposed to be part of? Can you influence things to your own ends?”



        Aki narrowed her eyes, nodding to Barry. “I’m beginning to understand.”



#





        “Come on. This way.” Claire motioned to Simone from a narrow alley between two abandoned factories near the freight-yard where their train had stopped. She watched her sister scurry and skulk her way across the filthy gravel and rails of the blackened industrial area.



        Simone slid into the alley next to Claire. She put her arm around Claire’s shoulder, pulling her down into a crouched position. “We need to get some cover.” The silver cloud of her breath shone in the early morning sun. “I need to get some more clothes. We could both probably do with some food.” She grinned to Claire. “Which do you want to get?”



        “Shelter,” Claire answered without pause, her face and hands stinging in the frigid breeze of the cold morning.



        “Okay then. I’ll get the rest.” The Spy cupped her hands together, forcing her breath through them in order to warm them up. “I’ll find out where we are while I’m out.”



        “How long do you think you’ll be?”



        “Give me about ninety minutes, and I’ll be back here.”



        “You’d better wear the boots then. You’re probably freezing in just a trench coat, underwear, and socks,” Claire said as she started untying the laces to the boots that the Spy had given her. “I’ll find us a spot in one of these buildings.”



        “Keep an eye out for me.” Simone stepped into the boots and tied them. She placed a quick kiss on Claire’s temple before standing to scurry away.



#



        “Individual thoughts, Sarah. Thinking. That’s what’s come under fire. The most heinous, irresponsible behavior is rewarded and lauded by the same mass media that you say you’ll turn to in your hour of need. Voices that dare to challenge the wanton, irresponsible celebration of depravity and violence are censored not by law, but by ridicule. People who voice strong opinions of dissent are branded racist, homophobic, or fascist, regardless of the label’s relevance to their argument. Any of the good citizens who agree with those opinions are too scared to express their beliefs for fear of association. It’s almost poetic, almost beautiful the grand design of our destruction.”



        “So, it’s okay to be a hateful, snide, purveyor of discrimination in your book?” Sarah asked.



        “Of course not!” Schon snapped. “It’s wrong on every level. But the free exchange of ideas should never be reduced to emotional, reactionary dismissal though. Free speech is impossible in such a climate, such as ours.”



        “I understand.” Aki said softly, looking to Schon.



        “Good. I hope that you can convince the Genius.”



        “So, let me get this straight… you’re letting them go?” Sarah asked.



        Schon shook his head. “I am releasing them to your custody.” Barry smiled to Sarah. “It will be my last official order.”



        “Why though?” Sarah’s forehead furrowed. “You worked so hard to get at them, capture them, enslave them.”



        Schon sighed, “I am merely an instrument… you’ve said it yourself. The Authority is unhappy with the results, and they’ve sold them to a foreign power. It’s a tremendous cost that I have to pay, but I don’t want to see that happen. For their sake as well as the sake of the nation, the planet.”



        “What cost?” Aki asked.



        “My life, Ms. Nashumara.” Schon replied with grim solemnity. “I may be able to escape, myself, but I doubt I’ll get far.”



        Aki’s eyes turned down, gazing at the dull carpet of the office floor. “I’m sorry.”



        Schon paused for a moment and said, “Don’t be.” He pulled his M-lync from his belt and began tapping its buttons. “I’ll have them assembled here. I’ll get you a van. Hide them. I mean really hide them. Scatter them across the globe of you have to…”



        A knock at the door interrupted Schon.



        “Come in.”



        The door crept open. Josh craned his head from around its edge. His features lit upon seeing his wife. “Sarah.” He rushed into the room, pulling Sarah into a tight embrace, kissing her forehead between sentences. “I’m so sorry… please forgive me… you’re okay.”



        Sarah’s body relaxed into her husband’s embrace. She closed her eyes, sighing, “I’m sorry too.”



        Josh released his wife, turning, looking to Aki and Barry. “Barry, I’m sorry about this. I know you told me never to come here, but I had to…”



        “It’s okay, man.” Schon half-smiled. “I won’t be working here much longer anyway.”



        Josh’s expression turned grim. “You’re in trouble? Big trouble? You’re getting fired?”



        Schon snickered a little before replying, “Fired, no. Trouble, yes. With a capital T.”



        Josh shook his head. “I probably don’t want to know.”



        Aki chimed, shaking her head, “I don’t think you do.”



        Schon’s M-lync vibrated in his palm. He retracted the earpiece and stuffed it into his right ear. “What?” He listened to the other end of the call for a moment before responding, “Both of them? Is she okay?” He looked to Aki, Josh, and Sarah for a moment and then returned his attention to the M-lync display. “Have the rest brought up here immediately. Have the campus scoured.” He clapped the cover of the communicator shut, ending the call.



        “That didn’t sound… good.” Sarah said.



        Schon shook his head. “The Genius and the Spy seem to have disappeared overnight.”



        Aki’s eyes widened. “W-what do you mean, disappeared?” Her body tensed, her nostrils flared.



        “Disappeared as in escaped.”



        “Can’t you get them back? Don’t you have cameras, or tracking devices, or something?” Sarah’s voice rose.



        Schon shook his head. “Their tracking anklets were found in their apartments. We don’t have the budget or desire for in-room cameras… I’m afraid that the Genius and the Spy may have outsmarted themselves.”



        All heads turned to the sounds of gathering motion and activity outside the partially open door. Schon swung the panel open, revealing the Healer, Seer, and Chemist flanked by guards. The Healer smiled to Aki, acknowledging her with a small, shy wave of her hand. The Chemist stared at Sarah, a smile of recognition beginning to spread across her face. The Seer moaned softly, her left arm craning with clumsy determination toward where Aki stood.



        Aki walked to the Seer, kneeling in next to her wheelchair.



        Cecilia ran her fingertips down Aki’s cheek, alongside her nose, and brushed against her lips before reaching up again to tug gently on a few wisps of the Asian’s hair. She rolled the black strands between her fingers, her movements calming and becoming gentler from the reassuring sensation.



        Barry, Sarah, and Josh looked to Aki and the others in silence for a few moments.



        Schon cleared his throat before speaking, “There will be a van waiting for you. You should hurry. Someone’s going to pull the plug on this little reunion very soon, I’d imagine.”



        “We can’t leave without Claire or the… Spy.” Sarah protested.



        Cecilia released a loud moan, her head lolling toward Aki’s, her fingers still busy with the lock of hair.



        “We have to.” Aki interjected. “We have to go… now.” She turned back to Cecilia, holding the Seer’s hand tight.



        Josh started, “But Aki, they could be…”



        Aki’s head snapped to Josh. “Now. We have to hit the fucking road.”



        “Now just a minute here,” Josh started, resting his hands on his hips.



        Schon interrupted, clutching Josh’s shoulder, “She’s right. Get out of here.” He turned to one of the soldiers. “Take them to the van. Help them with the wheelchair. Ride with them to the main gate, and return to your post.”



        “Yes, sir.” the soldier replied.



        “Goodbye, good luck, and God bless.” Schon turned from the group and walked away from his former office, down a long white windowless hallway. He stopped briefly to look back upon the group, but the soldiers had already ushered them out.



#



        Claire used a sleeve to clear a spot on one of the smudgy windows of the loft in the abandoned factory in which she hid. She looked down into the alley anxious for any sign of her sister. After a few hours, her tensions decreased as she spotted the Spy enter the alley, her arms full of bags. Claire headed from the window, carefully negotiating the rickety, rusted three-story staircase that led to the littered floor of the fallow mill. She leaned into the alley through a broken window, snapping her fingers to get the Spy’s attention.



        Simone looked around before moving toward the window from which Claire was leaning. She smiled to her sister as she handed heavy bags of cargo to her. She stepped in and followed Claire up the rotted stairs to the relative cleanliness of the loft.



        “How did you get all this stuff?” Claire asked in wonder, opening some of the bags to look at their contents. “You didn’t kill anyone, did you?”



        Simone gave Claire a half smile. “What if I did?”



        Claire stopped, letting the bag that she had been holding drop to the floor.



        Simone flashed a devilish grin. “I didn’t kill anyone. I just convinced the nice people at Jacy’s that I needed a few things, and that I’d pay them later.”



        “You stole all of this?” Claire looked to the five stuffed bags in disbelief.



        Simone shook her head. “Do you know what a sleeper hold is?”



        Claire shrugged. “Not really.”



        “Neither did the store detective.” Simone grinned. “I got you some nice stuff, anyway. And I got us some food.”



        Claire pulled a pair of rugged-looking boots from one of the boxes. She then produced a pair of warm-looking flannel-lined trousers and some heavy wool socks. Claire nodded to Simone approvingly as she busied herself unpacking the other bags. “You got some good stuff indeed.”



        “I’m glad you like it. Maybe I can have my clothes back now?” The Spy smiled.



        “Sure.” Claire dropped everything and began stripping out of her sister’s black fatigues. She threw herself into the new clothes as quickly as possible to fend off the painful chill of the surrounding musty air.



        “I got some Chinese food too.” Simone said, pulling some clear plastic containers from a plastic bag. “I know you’d rather be eating some Japanese.” She raised an eyebrow, anticipating a harsh reaction.



        Claire reached for one of the steaming containers, cradling it in the cold skin of her hands, soaking in the luxurious heat and aroma. “This smells so good. Thank you.”



        Simone tilted her head back, trying to adjust the angle of her vision as if to make better sense of her sister’s non-reaction. “No snappy comeback? No vulgarity?”



        Claire shook her head, rolling her lips in between her teeth and clamping down to keep them shut. She pried to lid to the container open and drew in more of the delicious aroma.



        “So that doesn’t bother you?”



        “I guess we have to eat with our hands?”



        Simone paused for a moment, eventually snapping back to reality, “Er… no. I got us some plastic forks.” She reached into the bottom of the bag and dug a few of the utensils out, handing one to Claire.



        Claire accepted the implement and began digging into the still-steaming pan of fried rice. She loaded her mouth with the savory, starchy fare, unashamed of her animalistic appetite and manners.



        Simone looked on, quietly enjoying her own nourishment as she watched Claire, wondering about what was going on in her complex, brilliant mind. She finished another forkful of Moo Shoo Beef before asking, “So, do you miss her?”



        “This is really very good.” Claire responded, her mouth half-full.



        Simone sighed. “You’re going to avoid the subject, eh?”



        Claire put her food down, dropping the fork into the pan, taking a moment to thoroughly chew and swallow before responding to the jibe. “I don’t know. I should probably move on. She’s a lot safer away from the likes of us.”



        The Spy snorted. “Bullshit. If I don’t believe that lame excuse, how can you?”



        “It’s not an excuse.” Claire shook her head. “I’ve had the chance to do some serious critical-thinking, and I’ve come to that conclusion.”



        “Critical-thinking?” Simone raised an eyebrow. “Like thinking without feelings, just arguing facts?”



        Claire nodded. “It’s a skill that I learned at Lorelei. My project leader coached me in it. He showed me that my emotions could keep me from making the best decisions. I applied that to my… personal life and…”



        Simone laughed, interrupting Claire’s sentence. When her amusement subsided, she said, “You removed all of the emotion from your personal life… don’t you see a slight flaw in that approach?”



        Claire was silent for a few moments. “That’s my whole point.” She locked eyes with Simone. “I’m too weak… because of my emotions. I’m…”



        “Scared?” Simone offered.



        “Confused.” Claire corrected.



        “What confuses you, my dear?”



        Claire started and stopped a few times, trying to find the right words to say. “She’s so much to me. Too much, sometimes.”



        Simone nodded. “Too much? How?”



        “It’s complicated. She’s like… my child… in some respects, and like my mother in others.”



        Simone smiled. “Your child?”



        “She wants to emulate me. She tries to dress like me. She comes to me for comfort. She looks to me for protection. I have to shelter her, explain things to her, make sure that she’s taken-care-of… like she’s my child.”



        “And like your mother too?”



        “She’s always trying to read me, find my needs, comfort me, clean up my life, solve my problems…”



        “And this is a problem for you why?”



        Claire sighed, “She makes a great child, and a great mother, but she doesn’t want to be either to me. It’s not fair for me to make her be those things for my benefit. She wants something different.”



        “Claire, can I ask you a very personal question?”



        Claire shrugged. “Okay.”



        “Have you ever been in love?”



        “Of course.”



        “Who with?”



        Claire paused, stammering.



        “I thought not.”



        Claire stayed silent.



        “I’m going to tell you something, my dear. You should listen and listen well,” Simone started. “This whole daughter-mother thing… it’s normal. Two people who are in love with each other act that way. They assume roles. They exchange roles. They fill-in what’s missing from the other’s life. They give them what they need and when they need it.”



        Claire closed her eyes, listening to her sister.



        “What do you think Aki would say about you? Do you act like her child sometimes, and her mother other times?”



        Claire looked to the stained, dusty floor, remaining silent for a while before speaking. “Checkmate.”



        Simone cleared her throat, “Come on, finish your food before it gets cold.”



        Claire chuckled. “You’re trying to be my mother now too?”



        Simone smirked, shaking her head. “No, dear, I am succeeding at being your sister.”



        Claire smiled, shoveling in another forkful of the still warm meal.



TBC in Chapter 15...



More drawings on-the-way as well. Thanks to all for your patience while I struggle to put-out the highest-possible quality of work... for all of you, and for free!

That was a great update



That was quite a turn around from Mr Schon. The way it seems to me he had joined the DHS with hopes of changing it from the inside but had instead got pulled into doing the things he was trying to prevent. Allowing Claire and the others to leave being his last attempt to change things for the better. Though I have to wonder if he would have made that decision if his superiors hadn't decided to sell Claire and the others to a foreign power.



The description of Simone's treatment sounded familiar. I take it this was inspired by the recent events in Iraq. As Schon said, they have been a bit too clever for their own good. I wonder how Sarah and Aki are going to find Claire and Simone, given the fact that they're going to be doing everything they can to avoid being found. I also wonder why Simone didn't make arrangements for any of her other sisters to escape.



The conversation between Simone and Claire was nice and Simone was right that she was succeeding at being a sister. Though given the fact that she's a psycopath I'm a bit surprised at just how much she knows about love. I do agree with Simone that the way someone is conceived shouldn't have any bearing on whether or not they have a sould.



Looking forward to more

There's more than one way to do it. - The Perl mantra

Justin,



Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.



Simone's not stupid. She knew that the only two of the remaining five who could escape would be Claire and herself. They are certainly the most rugged and physically-capable of the remaining sisters. We'll have to wait and see what her designs were for rescuing the others...



Simone's ordeal at the hands of her former employer does, unfortunately, resemble the recent news stories. I was thinking of cutting the bit because of that, but, obvoiusly, included it anyway. I wrote that scene about 3 months ago. It was inpried by true events, but not the most recent shameful exercise in depravity.

Years ago, there was a raid of a separatist compund in the US. The attorney-general ordered the BATF (beaureau of alcohol, tobacco, and firearms (yes that is a strange amalgam of jurisdiction, isn't it?)) to advance on the small house that was the object of the siege. They used more-than-deadly force to take the compound, and when it was over, many of the top-officials posed for photos next to a BATF flag that one of the agents had staked into the ground in front of the burning remains of the house and it's immolated occupants.

That idea stuck with me for all of these years... the sheer unmitigated glee of those who had to perform the raid. I'm all for being proud of what you do, but- as recent events have illustrated- there is a line that seems too easy for most to cross. Enough on that gruesome topic...



Barry Schon... has he had a change-of-heart, or are we just learning what his true intentions were all along? We may never know. He did the right thing in the end, though. He knew that the sisters would not be so well taken-care-of by anyone else. I don't know if you could feel it or not, but he's developed a sort of attachment to them, and the- although misguided- admirable intention of their purpose.



Simone may be a ^tad^ psychopathic, but she has actually been in relationships before, and she's also very good at reading and responding to people. Maybe that's why the Genius befuddles and fascinates her so. Claire can be hard to understand... just ask Aki



Josh seems to have a real problem with anyone acting without his consent. He has an even bigger problem taking orders from Aki... Then again, she was very curt with him. She can be such a little firebrand sometimes. I'll bet that she gets it from her mother Or, maybe it's just from growing up in New Jersey



So, we have a Spy and a Genius somewhere off a railroad line and the rest of the group fleeing Lorelei Hills. They have no way of knowing each other's status, or whereabouts... or do they?



Cecilia has some very special abilities. There is another in the group who may have a similar sequence in her genes as well...



Wow, there sure is a lot of 'latent' stuff going on in this little tale



Thanks again for taking the time to read and comment.



More story and more drawings soon.



-SQ

Edited by: StrangeQuark at: 5/7/04 8:36 am

This was a really tough one because of the poses -- and lack of models to get them right-- but it's a sweet scene overall. I'm hopeful that you can get some of the tenderness and fleeting contentment that the girls are holding onto.



Enjoy...



Aki comforts her frazzled Genius with thoughts of home.



Chapter 15 will be up soon. Thanks to all for your patience, understanding, and enthusiasm.



-SQ

I love this fic your killing me with the teasing chapters. But I actually wanted to comment on the art work I loved the Clairs profile one but the one with the girls you completly captered the emotions in that drawing it shows love strenght and understanding but it shows trust I like that one the best. Great job and I'll go back to pretending I am paient now lol

Arron

Thanks to everyone for your feedback and patience. Here's another 9,000 words for your enjoyment.



EIAAOIFs









CHAPTER 15



        A black, windowless van wandered toward the interstate, Joshua Berman had the wheel. His eyes struggled to keep ahead of the alternating curves of the twisting country lane that wove through the narrow gaps between the towering, snow-covered mountains. On the straighter stretches of the road, he chanced to glance over his shoulder to the vehicle’s strange payload. Next to him, Sarah knelt in the passenger’s seat facing backwards, sharing a stilted, quiet chat with the Healer and the Chemist. On the rearmost seat, Aki sat close by Cecilia, reaching up to stroke her cheek on occasion, sometimes leaning closer to whisper next to the palsied sister’s ear.



        Josh faced the windshield again, addressing Sarah as he drove on. “We’ll be at the vineyard in about nine hours.”



        Sarah turned away from her identicals in the back and looked over her right shoulder, staring through the windshield, taking a moment to ponder their options. “You think they’ll be safe there? Barry didn’t seem to think that hiding them would be very easy.”



        “You...” Josh glanced to his wife for a second before returning his eyes to the road. “We’re hiding you too.”



        The Healer’s head popped in between Sarah and Josh. “Do you think we should leave the country? Or maybe it’d be safer to hide in plain-sight, so to speak. We could use disguises... Like wigs and sunglasses.”



        “No way.” Josh shook his head, eyes still glued to the unpredictable curves of the snow-dusted road. “We're going to the vineyard. That's final.”



        The Healer's eyes opened wider, her mouth tightened into an angry scowl. “Who the fuck are you... Telling me what's final?”



        “I have the wheel, young lady.” Josh's forehead furrowed.



        The Healer turned to the Chemist, huffing, “And don't you wish he didn't?”



        The Chemist lowered her head, turning her shoulders and the rest of her body away from the tense situation.



        Sarah glared at the Healer and snapped, “Maybe you should drive then?”



        The Healer turned back to Sarah, narrowing her eyes as she retorted, “I don't know how to... But that shouldn't mean that this primate can put all of us in danger.”



        Josh's mouth twisted. His jaw clenched. Veins protruded from his neck and forehead. He jerked the wheel, sending the van to the side of the road, and brought the vehicle to an abrupt stop in the soft, snow-covered sand. The passengers gathered their senses and resumed upright positions. Josh opened the driver's door, slid from his seat, and the slammed the door shut.



        Sarah twisted to face the Healer. “Look at me,” she commanded.



        The Healer refused.



        “I said look at me!” Sarah shouted, causing the others in the now silent vehicle to cringe.



        The Healer turned to Sarah, her eyes narrowed.



        “Don't ever say anything like that again.” She pointed to the Healer. “Understand?”



        The Healer continued to stare from beneath her brow. Her sides and chest heaved in measured, angry breaths. Her mouth a tight, crooked scowl.



        “Joshua is my husband. You got that?” Sarah withdrew her finger. Her voice calmed. “No one calls my husband names. Understood?”



        The Healer refused to respond, maintaining her defiant, stoic anger.



        “Stop this, both of you,” Aki pleaded, crawling up to the middle of the van, next to the Healer.



        “Stay out of this, Lover,” the Healer muttered from the corner of her mouth, still glowering at Sarah.



        “No, dammit!” Aki threw her hands to her sides. “We can't waste our time fighting like this. We need to get out of here-- now!”



        “Aki, please...” Sarah's eyes pleaded with the small woman.



        “Cecilia knows. We have to hurry.” Aki's eyes softened, her voice full of urgent desperation. “How about we fight later, at the vineyard?”



        Sarah unfastened her seat belt, turned and opened the passenger door. “Yes,” she glanced at the Healer, “later.” She slipped down from the passenger seat, her fashionable shoes sinking into the powdery snow. “I'll be right back.”



        Aki winced as Sarah slammed the door. She turned her attention to the rear of the van, hearing a soft, insistent moan emanating from the Seer.



        “This is bullshit,” the Healer grumbled.



        Aki squirmed to the back seat, dropping next to the Seer, stroking her cheek. Her head turned forward to the Healer. “Please stop? You're upsetting Cecilia.” She turned back to the blind woman, whispering, “It's going to be okay.”



        The Healer rose, ducking against the vehicle's ceiling as she turned to face Aki. “It's not okay. The Ace and her... thing are going to get us taken again. If we get taken again, it won't be all luxury and games like at the Lake.”



        Aki opened her mouth to respond.



        The Healer interrupted, “It's going to be torture, pain, and deprivation. They're going to--”



        “Stop!” the Chemist pleaded, waving her hands in anxious arcs. “We need to go, like-a the Lover say.”



        The Healer turned to the Chemist, her eyes slits. “You're taking her side?”



#



        Sarah groaned at her predicament. Cold dampness was beginning to seep past the thin material of her stockings, signaling the ruination of her favorite, most expensive shoes as she trudged through the shallow carpet of snow along the road's edge. Her eyes scanned for a sign of Josh's whereabouts. His footprints led to a small patch of trees at the base of the mountains between which the road had been carved. She followed the fresh tracks into the tangle of frosty brush and limbs to find her husband kneeling, head down, breathing through his teeth, his palm melting into the snow next to his knee.



        Josh looked up to his wife, eyebrows rising a little. His mouth was a taut, thin line. Seconds of silence passed before he spoke through his clenched jaw. “Why did you go after me? I want to be alone.”



        Sarah sighed, folding her arms. “You're my husband. I love you.”



        “For how much longer?!” Josh shouted. “You love them. They're your family. They're superior beings, right? You're a superior being too, then. You shouldn't waste your energy on a simple man like me.”



        “Joshua Berman,” Sarah's voice was firm. “Stop the dramatics right now.”



        “What dramatics? I'm just telling it like it is, and you don't like the sound of it.”



        “Please, honey,” Sarah's eyes pleaded with her husband. “I know that your ego can be delicate. I know that you feel your authority, experience, and abilities are being questioned, I understand how all of this can be overwhelming. I-”



        “No, you don't!” Josh interrupted. “Don't even try to give me that condescending fragile-male-ego crap! You think that you understand everything, but you don't.”



        “Josh, I-” Sarah blinked, offering her upturned palms, searching for the most delicate way to rebut.



        “Am I the same person that you married?”



        Sarah paused, closed her eyes and nodded. Some seconds passed before she exhaled, “I'm sorry.”



        Josh rose to his feet, taking a moment to brush the snow from his wet knees with a few quick, angered strokes. “Now you understand?”



        Sarah nodded, her eyes squeezed shut, straining to hold back tears. She stepped closer to Josh, her arms reaching toward him. “Yes, now I do.” Her voice softened further as she added, “I'm sorry.”



        Josh shook his head in a quick, dismissive gesture. “I don't want you to be sorry. None of this is your fault.” He paused, stepping closer to Sarah. “I just wanted you to understand... You're different now. But I'm not.”



        Sarah allowed Josh to pull her into his arms. She released a soft sigh, settling into the familiar comfort of his embrace. She spoke against the rough fabric of his outer coat. “Please be patient with me. Please be patient with them. They're all just children.”



        “I'm trying.” Josh patted his wife's back, leaning his cheek against the side of her head.



        “They raised each other from puberty. The world is frightening and hostile to them. They don't understand that you're not a part of that world.”



        Josh sighed, “Aren't I?”



        Sarah smiled against Josh's shoulder. She slid her face up, placing a kiss on his neck. “No, you're not.” She kissed his neck again, longer and with more force. “You're a part of something bigger. You're here to help.” She shifted within Josh's arms, facing him, forcing her mouth against his in languid kiss.



        After nearly a minute, Josh broke the contact. He looked to his wife, managing a smile, holding her eyes with his own. “Let's, as Aki put it, 'hit the fucking road.'”



        “You're the captain.” Sarah grinned back.



#



        Claire and Simone sat side-by-side in the quiet, moldy air of the gaping abandoned building. They basked in a shaft of late morning sun that poured in through a hazy, smudged window. The warmth and light were welcomed by both of them.



        “So where are we?” Claire asked.



        “Still in Idaho.”



        “Where is that guy that you told me to find?”



        “Germany.”



        “And you didn’t, by any chance, use that sleeper-hold thing to get some plane tickets to Germany, did you?”



        Simone looked away, shaking her head, grinning.



        They sat in silence for a few minutes more.



        Simone asked, “What do you know about small planes?”



        Claire shrugged. “Not a lot.”



        “Tell me what you know.”



        Claire pondered the request for a moment before responding, “They're usually made of aluminum, single engine, propeller, two sets of controls, vacuum-driven instruments and gadgets, like an antique Vorcette...”



        “What kind of engine do they have... usually?”



        “I'm not sure.” Claire shrugged.



        “An opposed four. Air cooled. Like a certain Genius' motorcycle.”



        Claire's eyebrows lifted. “You aren't expecting me to build one, are you?” She grimaced. “Because I'll have to disappoint you.”



        Simone cackled, bending toward her knees. She straightened up after her laughter waned, smiling to Claire. “No, silly Genius. We're going to borrow one.”



        Claire's heart sped. “You mean steal one?” She fidgeted, eventually rising to her feet so that she could pace the moldy floor. “I don't like the... It sounds risky... I mean-”



        “Come on, Claire. I know how to fly, and you can, ahem, persuade the engine into running.”



        Claire shook her head, still pacing a nervous figure-eight. “I don't know if I can-”



        “Claire!” Simone barked, causing the Genius to stop short. “You can fix anything. You know that you can steal anything too. Now stop the innocent bullshit. You couldn't be in any more trouble than you already are.” Simone huffed, smiling. “Unless you piss off Aki, that is.”

       

        Claire sighed and then nodded to the Spy. “So what’s the plan?”



        Simone stood, walked next to Claire and draped an arm around her shoulder. “There's an airfield on the other side of the rail yard. It's pretty quiet there.”



        “Isn't quiet bad, if we're going to be stealing a plane?”



        Simone shook her head. “You are going to steal the plane, I'm going to keep the people in the office... occupied.”



        Claire's shoulders sagged. She gulped. “You won't kill anyone, will you?”



        The Spy rolled her eyes. “You really want to nurture my creativity, don't you?”



        “If it means that no one gets killed...”



        Simone sighed. “Fine. I'll improvise. No one dies.”



        Claire thought for a moment and blurted, “But I don't have any tools-- We should probably come up with another plan.”



        Simone turned at the waist, bent down, and reached into one of the shopping bags behind her. “How about this?” She handed a small rectangular metal object to Claire.



        Claire took the device, sighing as she regarded it.



        The Spy pointed to the shining implement. “It's got pliers, two knives, screwdrivers, scissors... anything that you'd need.”



        “I don't know... It's more of a gimmick than a toolkit. There's a reason why the pros spend thousands of dollars on huge sets of tools.”



        “By the skilled hands of the Genius, it can do anything. This, Claire, is no toy... It's made of titanium for goddess' sake.”



        Claire unfolded the expensive gadget, evaluating its array of available implements as she pondered the details of the operation. “What do we do, once we have this airplane?”



        “Fly somewhere safer, like Aztlan, gather some resources, rescue the others, and get them to safety.” After some thought, Simone added, “We’ll know exactly what to do when the time is right, Genius.”



        “Was this your plan all-along?”



        Simone shook her head. She considered the question for a moment before saying, “I had one item on my agenda, but something more important came up— a frozen Genius to be precise.”



        “Sorry.” Claire looked away.



        “It’s okay. I think you’ve led me to a nobler calling anyway. I was going to rescue the others and then exact some biblical revenge on the government. I probably would have ended up dead.”



        “So what’s your agenda now? Forgiveness?”



        A corner of the Spy's mouth pinched into a half-smile. “I still have a few things to take care of… old, unfinished business... nothing too dirty.”



#



        Barry made his way across the compound, neglecting to bother with a coat, protected from the frigid air by only his expensive wool suit and silk tie. He braced himself against the blasts of morning wind that rolled down the slopes of the surrounding mountains, every bitter moment bringing him closer to one of his last goals before leaving.



        He found refuge from the biting gusts as he entered the barracks of the compound's elite agents. He flashed his badge to a soldier minding the entrance to the quarters. The guard nodded and the door in front of him slid open, allowing Barry into the long hallway, its perfect white-coated walls interrupted by precisely placed rectangular doors, dozens on each side. He proceeded to number forty-three, stopped, and knocked at the frame of the half-open door.



        “Come in,” a dismal voice crept through the partially-open door.



        Schon stepped in, a faint smile came to his mouth as he regarded the soldier sitting on her bunk, legs tucked against her chest, back against the wall. “How's my number-one girl?”



        Vivian's nose twitched and her mouth twisted before she gave her reply. “Permission to speak freely, sir?”



        Barry nodded.



        “I'm ashamed. I don't deserve to be referred to as number-one.” She looked to where her hands rested on her knees, releasing a quiet sigh.



        Schon moved closer, turned, and sat on the edge of Vivian's bunk. He crossed his legs, folding his hands around his topmost knee. “You know who my number-one girl was before you?”



        “Sir, please don't make me say her name,” Vivian muttered, shaking her head. She struggled to swallow an impending wave of tears.



        “What happened, Viv?” Barry shifted a little closer to the dejected soldier.



        “I turned my back on her for a second, and... don't ask me how she did it, or where she got it... she snuffed me out with chloroform. I was so stupid...” From the grim admission, Vivian lost her battle with the wave of tears and began crying in earnest.



        Schon reached over to her neat, spartan bed table, pulling a box of tissues from it, and presented them to his crying lieutenant. “Did she hurt you?”



        Vivian shook her head, accepting the box from Barry. She blew her nose wetly before continuing the account of her ordeal. “I could only struggle with her for, like, a second. She had me in a head-lock. I could feel her skanky mouth against my ear. She whispered to me as I started to black-out.”



        “What did she whisper?”



        Vivian paused, trying to find the most dignified way to admit, “She said that I was... her bitch.”



        Barry leaned back, gathering his thoughts as to the best way to comfort his bravest agent.



        “I woke up, tied to her bed.” Vivian's tears increased as she continued, “My boot laces were tied together, her tracking anklet was on my arm... she yanked a cord from a lamp and shorted it to weld the fucking thing on me.”



        Barry raised his eyebrows. “Simone can be a little twisted, but that's... elaborate... out of character. She's always been all business. Did you do something to make her angry with you?”



        Vivian shook her head, staring at the far wall of her quarters, tears still trickling along the sides of her nose. After some moments, she wrested control of her crying and an edge of menace and disgust began to replace the previous shame in her voice. “The guys found me there, tied to her bed, that fucking tag welded to my arm, and... and her underwear stuffed in my mouth.” Vivian's hands knotted into fists in her lap. “She didn't just escape, she stole my dignity. She humiliated me.” Vivian looked to Barry. “None of the guys will ever let me live it down, sir.” She sniffled, adding, “I understand if you want to transfer me out of here.”



        Barry's eyes lit up at Vivian's last sentence. “Transfer... yes.” He thought some more, rubbing his chin. “Do you love your country, Lieutenant Teixeira?”



        “Yes, sir.” Vivian nodded, her posture stiffening, emphasizing her conviction.



        Schon looked into her eyes. “Almost six years ago, I made a promise to your father.” He drew a breath before continuing, “I told him that I'd keep you out of trouble. I won't break that promise, but you can.”



        Vivian's forehead wrinkled, her eyes narrowed.



        “Are you willing to lie for your country?”



        “Of course, sir.”



        “Are you willing to use extraordinary measures to protect your country?”



        “Yes, sir.”



        “Are you willing to risk your career in order to protect your country?”



        Vivian paused, her shoulders drooped a little. “I-I don't understand, sir.” She swallowed audibly.



        “Viv, I'm asking, not ordering, you to help me.”



        “What can I do? I already failed you... big time.” Her eyes lowered.



        “Nonsense.” Barry shook his head. “You performed your duties as directed. I'm to blame for Simone's escape.”



        “But sir, my incompetence led to her escape. I wasn't strong enough, or fast enough...” Vivian stopped, lowering her voice in shame, “Or smart enough to keep her.”



        Barry flashed a half grin. “Lieutenant, Simone is no ordinary operative. She is the best. The best of the best.” His expression grew more somber. “I put you at great risk, assigning you to guard her. I didn't overestimate your abilities, though. I underestimated Simone.”



        “But sir...”



        “I never guessed that she'd fly the coop with her fellow hens still trapped inside.” Barry shook his head. “We need to find her.”



        Vivian squirmed a little, her mouth twisting into a grimace.



        “Maybe we can find out why she's so, apparently, upset with you.”



        Vivian stiffened, her face transforming to a blank expression. “I don't really care anymore, sir.”



        Barry's brow furrowed. After a moment, he shrugged, saying, “Regardless, we need to find her. And the Genius.”



        Vivian looked up to Schon, asking, “Sir, could I just transfer somewhere else instead?” Her eyes pleaded with Barry. “I just want to put all of this behind me.”



        “If that's what you want, soldier... I was hoping that you'd help me. You feel pretty low right now... Maybe you can redeem yourself.” Barry narrowed his eyes, smiling, his voice lowered. “Maybe get some revenge?”



        Vivian swallowed.



        “It's your choice, Viv.”



        Vivian looked to her lap, nodding.



        “You and I are both transferring. Right now, soldier.” He smiled. “Pack your stuff, take the black briefcase that's under my desk, get us a truck, and pick me up at the bio-lab in fifteen minutes. Oh, and grab my coat while you're getting the case.”



        Vivian looked up to Barry, her eyes questioning.



        Barry stood, turned and faced Vivian, leaning down over her. “Now, soldier!” he shouted. He smiled, adding in a soft, polite tone, “Please?”



        Vivian straightened her posture, reassembling the broken pieces of her professional demeanor. Her mouth hinted a small smile as she replied, “Yes, sir.”



#



        The airfield stood before them, calm and still. The squat building on the far side beckoned to Simone and the rows of small planes lined across the distance intimidated Claire. They split up, each heading for their appointed role in the heist.



        Simone entered the office, closing the door behind her to keep the steady, cold wind out of the tiny lobby. She approached the counter, leaning on the decades-old stained mica top. She called out, “Hello?”



        After a minute, an old man with a leathery, wind-worn face emerged from the back. He blinked his eyes as though he had just been sleeping. His voice crackled as he asked, “Yes, young lady, how can I help you?”



        Simone batted her eyelashes, jutting out her breasts as she turned her profile to the man. “You certainly know how to charm a girl. I was afraid that good manners were long gone in this day and age.” She smiled to the old man. “What's your name?”



        “Laszlo, my dear.” He returned the smile. “How can I be of service?” His hands straightened the slight wrinkles in his faded denim shirt in a hurried gesture.



        “Laszlo.” Simone blinked slowly, continuing to smile. “That's a very distinctive name.”



        Laszlo sighed, absently scratching his head, “It's an old name, I'm afraid.” He gave a weak smile, suddenly more conscious of his appearance.



        “It's not old-- it's distinguished.” Simone leaned onto the counter again, propped on her elbows. “I know the difference.”



        Laszlo flashed a broad smile. “Would you like a scenic flight, my dear? I'd be happy to take you up?”



        Simone shook her head, a seductive grin still glimmering from her mouth. “Maybe later, Laszlo. I want to get to know the distinguished Laszlo a little better. When did you decide to become a pilot?”



        Laszlo cleared his throat. “I was in high school, my Junior year...”



        “High school?” Simone interrupted. “How could you have had time to fly back then?” Simone narrowed her eyes and whipped a finger out, pointing to the old man. “There must've been scores of girls fighting over you...”



        Laszlo cleared his throat again, releasing a nervous chuckle and looking around the room before fixing on Simone's eyes. “Well, I did manage to find a little time.”



        Simone cradled her chin in her palms, looking up to the man, her eyes dreamy. “Do continue...”



#



        Claire found an older-looking craft far from the office and the fuel depot. She climbed to its left wing, crouching to avoid detection. Her stomach boiled as she fussed with the cockpit door's small, inconsequential lock. Her head darted from side to side as she worked, eventually managing to coax the lock's barrel into turning with a small piece of wire and the multi-tool that Simone had given to her. She swung the door up and dropped into the left seat, ducking once she had closed the cockpit.



        She turned herself upside-down and slid her head under the instrument panel, looking for the wires that led from the key-switch to the battery. As Claire's eyes traced the multicolored ropes of bundled wires beneath the dash, her stomach lurched a few times in protest to its fullness and the reversed pull of gravity afforded by her position. She spotted the rear of the master key-switch and took a moment to ponder the best way to defeat it. After pulling, stripping, and shorting a few wires, she was rewarded with a few whiffs of ozone and a dim glow from the backs of the instruments above her inverted head. She swallowed hard, trying to ignore her digestive problems as she used the pliers of the survival tool to short a pair of contacts, sending up a flare of sparks. She felt some relief upon hearing the satisfying groan of the plane's starter. She turned right-side up again, slouching low in the seat, grappling with her nervous stomach, and marveling at the apparent ease of stealing a small airplane. She chanced to peer up on occasion, anxious for Simone's appearance.



#



        “That's fascinating, really.” Simone continued to indulge the older man's long story. “Laszlo, I'd hate to interrupt, but could I trouble you to use your restroom?”



        The old man flashed a half-smile. “Of course, um...”



        “Bridgette,” Simone offered. “How rude of me, not introducing myself.”



        “That's okay. Really,” Laszlo volunteered. “Right through here, ma'am.” He motioned around the far side of the counter.



        Simone followed his gesture and accompanied him into the rear of the small office.



        “It's the last door on the left.” Laszlo gestured ahead.



        “Thank you.” Simone proceeded to the lavatory. Once inside, she closed and locked the door. Her eyes scanned the small space, searching for a suitable obstacle. She opened the small cabinet beneath the sink, grinning as she discovered a large pipe wrench leaning next to a few rolls of toilet paper and some pornographic magazines.



        She set to work tightening the wrench around the door's round knob. Once she was certain that the doorknob could not turn, she grabbed two of the Playhouse magazines and slipped them under her coat. She waited another moment before calling out, “Laszlo, dear?” She listened for the shuffling of his old-man's shoes down the hall.



        “Yes, ma'am? Is everything okay in there?” came through the door.



        “This is so embarrassing,” Simone started, “The toilet won't flush... is there a trick to it or something?”



        “Um, you could try pulling the chain inside the tank, dear.”



        A moment passed. “No, go, I'm afraid. I'll let you try it.” Simone jiggled the doorknob, grinning to herself. “How does this lock-thingy work?”



        Laszlo chuckled. “Just turn the knob, and it'll unlock for you.”



        Simone jiggled the knob again. “It won't turn.”



        Laszlo reached for the knob, grunting with effort as he attempted to open the door. “Man, that's really stuck. You wait there, Bridgette. I'll get some tools from the shop and we'll have you out of there in a jiffy.”



        Simone sighed. “Thanks, Laszlo. I know you're the right man for the job.”



        “I'll be right back.”



        Simone did not wait for his departing footsteps to fade before pushing open the narrow window above the commode. She hoisted herself up and through the portal, sliding down to the snowy grass outside. She ran for the rows of planes, hoping that Claire was waiting for her with one that was ready to be flown.



#



        Barry rounded the outer corridor of the main science complex, wriggling his thumb into a tan rubber cot before ending his brisk walk upon reaching the entrance to the Bio-lab wing. He pulled a blank ID placard from inside his jacket and held it against the glowing panel on the thick wall next to the heavy steel doors that confined the laboratory from the rest of the large building. He pressed against the red plastic pad beside the card-panel forcing the special print molded to the rubber sheath that covered his thumb to verify his fake identity. The lock bolts clanked and he pushed against the door, entering the research wing.



        He passed the division's large conference room, glancing at the assembly of scientists, lost in their discussion of the previous day's progress. He strode to the storage vaults and used his fraudulent card and print to enter. The facility was almost empty; all of the research leads and their teams were gathered at the daily assembly. He scanned the shelves of the refrigerated room, looking for the most dangerous specimens. Upon finding them in a padlocked cage, he pulled his auto-lockpick from its nylon belt sheath and injected the instrument into the hefty padlock. A few clicks and snaps later, the hasp opened, allowing Barry to open the steel grating of a door that protected the vials of deadly organisms and chemical agents. He studied the names written on the triple-walled glass tubes that contained the nerve agents.



        He then headed for the rear door of the giant refrigerator, pushing it open with quiet caution. He crept into the vacant lab and scanned the room. He walked to one of the benches on the far wall and looked over the assortment of glassware in the rack on the table's top. He found a similar vial to the kind used to store weapons-grade chemicals and pulled a marker from one of the workstation's nearby drawers. He wrote one of the memorized chemical names on the vial and looked around the room for a suitable substance to play the role of undiluted Hefludan-seventeen.



        He darted to a first aid station on one of the lab's walls and whipped the cabinet open. His fingers rummaged through the contents, stopping when they found a large bottle of eye-wash solution. He dispensed some of the clear liquid into the vial and replaced the bottle. He then pulled a tube of burn cream from the chest and squeezed a small squeal of the white paste into the vial. He replaced the ointment and closed the cabinet.



        Barry walked back to the refrigerated room, shaking the contents of his hoax to a cloudy white consistency. He opened the cage and dropped the vial of toxin-impersonating sludge to the hard surface of the enamel coated concrete floor.



        The glass safety-tube did its job all too well, bouncing a few times without breaking, its contents still safely contained.



        “Shit,” Barry muttered.



        He looked around the room for something to break the safety vial. Nothing appeared up to the task. He sighed, bending down to open the vessel's rubber stopper and peeling up a corner of the cylinder's innermost seal.



        Some of the liquid began to ooze from the vial and onto the pristine white coating on the great refrigerated room's floor. He closed the cage door, snapped the lock shut and headed back out to the main corridor. Once he had closed the storage room door behind him, he reached for a nearby emergency panel, opening the cover that concealed a ringed red and white pull switch. He drew a breath, yanked the ring, and sprinted for the heavy steel doors that led to the mammoth building's outer corridor. Strobes flashed, alarms echoed throughout the complex as he passed through the imposing safety doors, just before their automatic bolts sealed them shut.



        He scurried around the outer ring to the nearest exit, bursting through the doors, gasping for breath from his extreme exertion and excitement. He panted, smiling as he saw Vivian pulling a rugged, black truck around to where he stood.



        She skidded to a stop next to Barry and lunged across the ultra-wide front bench of the large, powerful combat vehicle. She fumbled with the latch and managed to swing the door open, allowing Barry to climb onto the seat next to her.



        “Drive,” Barry panted, “North gate.”



        Vivian stomped the accelerator, lurching the truck forward, speeding to the location that Barry had indicated.



        Barry sat back in the seat, reaching for his M-lync, still catching his breath. He called the facility's central command post. “What's going on?” he asked the soldier who answered the call.



        “An alarm from Bio-Lab Juliette-one-one, sir. We've mobilized to contain the building. All responders have been dispatched.”



        “Excellent work. Keep me updated. Prepare to evacuate all science guests and their families. Notify Sunday River Hollow command to arrange for their reception.”



        “Understood, sir.”



        Vivian glanced away from the road and over to Barry, her eyes questioning.



        “I'll explain in a second, soldier. There's no real danger.”



        Vivian resumed her forward gaze, speeding the all-terrain vehicle through the rolling gravel roads that led to the base's north gate.



        Barry opened his M-lync again, placing another call.



        “Yes, Mr. Schon?”



        “There's been an accident, at the Hills. I don't have many details right now. The facility has been locked-down. The compound is transitioning to Exodus-phase.”



        “What sort of accident?”



        “Early word is a radiological situation in the physics department. I'm still in the discovery phase myself.”



        “I will inform the others. I trust that the sell-ables be ready for export tonight?”



        Barry shook his head to the face on the other end of the call. “They're being evacuated with the other guests to a temporary location in Maine.”



        “A delay will not be received well by the Committee of Five, Mr. Schon.”



        Barry sighed, “I could use their help. This looks like a real mess that I've got at the Lake.”



        “I will relay that request to them, Mr. Schon. I'm sure that it will not be well-received. Please try to handle this situation as best you can with your own resources.”



        Barry snapped, “That's why I'm calling you, dammit! I don't have the resources!”



        “Please, Mr. Schon, calm down.”



        “Calm down?” Barry glared at the stoic image of the called party's smug face. “I have a level-two emergency here.” He took a deep breath and lowered his voice before continuing, “Please excuse me, I have urgent business.”



        “Understood, Mr. Schon. Please refrain from further contact until you have better control of the facility entrusted to your questionable expertise.”



        “I will, thank you.” Barry snapped the communicator shut, ending the call. He muttered, “Dick-wad.” He turned to Vivian, saying, “It's a big hoax, lieutenant. No one's in any danger.”



        “Except us,” Vivian added.



        Barry nodded, a dark grin twisting his mouth. “Let me see your Tac-Com, soldier.”



        Vivian clamped the steering wheel in one hand and reached to her belt with the other. She unlatched the device and passed it to Schon.



        Barry touched the unit's screen, navigating its menu interface with rapid thumb presses against the soft red glow of its oval-shaped input pad. After a few moments he declared, “They're in Washington, probably heading to Josh's house.”



        Vivian raised an eyebrow. “We removed their tags, sir.”



        Barry smiled. “Yes, you did, but they're borrowing one of our wheelchairs.”



        Vivian glanced to Barry. “That's very clever, sir.”



        “Please, Viv, you're going to inflate my already colossal ego.”



        Vivian grinned, fixing her eyes on the well-fortified north gate in the distance.



#



        Through the plane's acrylic windscreen, Claire heard urgent footsteps approaching. She popped her head up, relieved to see Simone. She lifted the cockpit door, the Spy saw her and bounded for the plane.



        Simone hopped onto the left wing, an orange-flagged object in her left hand, her voice urgent. “Move over. Get in the right seat.”



        Claire obliged, squirming across as quickly as she could. “What's the orange thing?”



        Simone closed the cockpit door. “Pitot tube cover.” She turned to Claire, panting. “Did you get the starter to turn?”



        Claire nodded.



        Simone reached to the center of the panel, turning the switches for the magnetos and avionics. ”Excellent work, Genius.”



        “Not really, I need to short the starter manually.”



        “Do it now, sweetey,” Simone said between breaths.

Claire wedged herself into the small space between the seat and the panel, reaching below with the pliers of the multi-tool. The starter groaned, the engine chugged and sputtered, then the cockpit shuddered with a deafening roar from the engine.



        “Put on the headset!” Simone shouted over the gut-churning noise. Put the mic against your lips!”



        Claire righted herself and slid into the right seat. She grabbed the headset that hung on the yoke in front of her, squeezed it onto her head, and bent the microphone boom to accommodate Simone's orders.



        “That's better, hugh?” Simone's voice interrupted the relative quiet of their large,snug-fitting earphones.



        Claire nodded. Her stomach had been uneasy during her break-in, turbulent once the plane's engine started, and now it was near convulsion with fear, excitement, and anxiety.



        Simone pushed the throttle, revving the motor, pulling the plane onto the taxiway. “It's a good plane, Claire. You did great.”



        Claire nodded, her face turning pale.



        “You okay?”



        Claire nodded again. Her cheeks ballooned-out, her eyes clamped into a squint, and she looked away from Simone.



        Simone's eyes darted around the cockpit as her feet steered the plane to the base of the runway. She found what she had been searching for in one of the map pockets below the left hatch. She whipped the bag free and pushed it in front of Claire's face. “Here.”



        Claire opened the bag and her mouth at the same time, transferring the contents of her upset stomach into the container in the second-least dignified manner imaginable. Sweat beaded on her pale forehead, she breathed slower and deeper as her sickness began to wane a little.



        Simone stepped on the brakes, checked the flight surfaces, and pushed the engine up to full throttle. She released the brakes and the plane started hurtling towards the end of the runway.



        Claire closed the bag with it's metal tabs and lurched back against her seat as the craft built speed. She looked to the floor, trying to ignore the uneasy feeling of the fits and starts of lift under the wings of the accelerating plane. Her bottom sank into the seat by the craft's sudden upward climb.



        The motion smoothed. Simone turned the yoke and they began to circle back around the field. “Look at that view!”



        Claire's head was between her knees.



        “Come on, Genius, your tummy's gotta be empty by now. Have a look.”



        Claire obliged, raising her head and peering out the side window. She flinched, seeing the ground at her side, rather than beneath.



        “We're banking. It's cool,” Simone said.



        Claire nodded, her sickness evaporating at the overwhelming sense of thrill and wonder of low-altitude flight. She marveled as the buildings, cars, and trees appeared to shrink. Large lakes looked like deep blue mirrors that shined from between the green and white hills, draped in a thin, furry blanket of trees capped in snow.



        Simone looked over to Claire, smiling at the obvious wonder and marvel of a first-time aviator. “It's beautiful, isn't it?”



        Claire nodded, still fixated on the ever-shrinking landscape to her right side. “It's...” Claire trailed off, unable to complete the sentence. She wanted to tell Aki about the invigorating wonder of her airborne adventure. She wanted desperately to share the experience with her. “I wish she could be here. See this.”



        Simone smiled, squinting at the fierce sunlight that poured into the cockpit from above. “You can tell her all about it someday, Claire.”



        After some minutes, Claire broke her entranced gaze through the right window, turning to face Simone. “Maybe you could take us up sometime?” She smiled.



        Simone nodded, her eyes busy checking the instruments. “Here, I brought you some in-flight magazines.” She reached into her coat and handed the two Playhouse magazines to her sister.



        Claire looked at the voluptuous, nude model on the cover for a second and then closed her eyes, dropping the magazine to her lap. “Thanks.”



        Simone checked the altimeter, airspeed, and engine readings before responding. “Not your cup of tea?”



        Claire sighed, “No.”



        “How about if I had nude pics of Aki? Would you look at them?”



        A corner of Claire's mouth rose. She stared at the ground far below, shaking her head. “I won't dignify that with an answer.”



        “I'll take that as a big Y-E-S.” Simone turned to Claire, grinning.



#



        “Don't you worry, Miss Bridgette. I'll have you out of there in no time.” Laszlo knelt in front of the lavatory door, brining his old eyes to the level of the troublesome knob. He started to dismantle the assembly. “Just a few seconds more, ma'am.”



        Laszlo stopped turning the screwdriver for a moment.

        He asked, “Miss Bridgette?”



        More seconds of silence passed.



        “Are you okay in there?” Laszlo's voice rose a little.

        Nothing.



        He set to work on the handle again, his fingers moved in a fevered pitch, twirling the screws that held the knob and lock together. The assembly fell to the floor on both sides of the door. A loud clank sounded from inside the bathroom. Laszlo pushed the door open, peering inside. He saw no sign of Bridgette, only an open window and a pipe-wrench with a doorknob clamped in its jaws. He picked up the wrench and looked to the high, narrow open window.



        He looked from the wrench to the window again, shaking his head. He muttered to himself, “Way to go, you old fool.” He regretted leaving her alone, knowing that the gracious and pretty young woman must have panicked, using the wrench to try to turn the doorknob while he was doddering around the tool shed. He pondered going outside to find her and apologize, but abandoned the idea, ashamed of his failure to rescue the young damsel in time. He sighed, trudging to the back of the office again to resume his pre-lunch nap.



#



        Josh had been driving for hours, putting as much of the interstate highway between the sisters and their former prison as he could manage while avoiding the unwelcome attention of the highway patrol that wanton speeding was certain to produce. Sarah sat in the middle seat, between the Healer and the Chemist. Aki had moved to the passenger's seat, trying to help Josh by navigating with a map that she had snatched from a rest-stop that they had taken hours earlier.



        “How many more miles to the junction with the Five?” Josh continued to hold the rain-slicked road ahead in his fatigued gaze.



        “Hmm.” Aki looked at the map for a moment, turning it sideways, running her index finger along the crooked lines that represented major roads. “Maybe another hundred-twenty? We're on one of the big blue lines, right?”



        Josh managed a smile as he turned to Aki. “Thanks for coming up here with me.”



        Aki returned the grin, shrugging.



        “You and I are the only two boring, normal people in here.”



        Aki chuckled, looking back out the rain-spattered windshield.



        “What was it like? When you found out that Claire was... exceptional?”



        Aki sighed, closing her eyes as she thought about the topic which she had not given much energy to previously. “I felt really small.”



        Josh nodded.



        “It felt like I was in the way. Like an intruder... an annoying intruder.”



        “You don't feel that way anymore?”



        “Claire put a stop to that. She tried not to make me feel like that. She wouldn't let any of them treat me like that. She protected me.” Aki closed her eyes again, her mouth sagging into a frown.



        Josh looked over to Aki again. “She's going to be fine, Aki. She's resourceful, cunning, and strong. The other one that she's with is a damned lioness according to Barry. They'll be fine, I'm sure.”



        Aki smiled after giving Josh's words some thought. “We need to find them.”



        “Once the others are safe. We need to do this in stages.”



        Aki nodded, turning back to glance at Sarah. She turned back to Josh. “I think that Sarah figured it out.”



        “Figured what out?”



        “Her role.”



        Josh raised an eyebrow. “What's her role?”



        “She's their new mother.”



        “Hugh?”



        “Symbolically,” Aki corrected. “Sarah took charge. She was firm. She laid down rules. She's the only person who's ever talked to them like that. She put them in their place.”



        “What do you mean?”



        “When the Healer was giving you a hard time before, after you left.”



        “Oh.” Josh smirked.



        “Sarah went right for the discipline. She made Heather eat her words.”



        Josh raised the corner of his mouth that faced away from Aki. “Really?”



        “She's giving them the authority that they've needed. They're still children in a lot of ways.”



        “I've noticed. Kind of like Claire.”



        Aki narrowed her eyes, looking to Josh. “Claire's not a child.”



        “You don't think?”



        “She's the most grown-up of the lot.”



        “Come on, Aki. She's popping pills, getting drunk, threatening elderly men with needles, traveling across country on a motorcycle... She's a renegade.”



        “No, she's not.” Aki shook her head, feigning a smile.



        “How so?”



        “She's in pain. She's lost. She's not well. It's the way she's ... built.” Aki shifted in the seat.



        “Regardless, she needs someone to look after her,” Josh sighed. He turned to Aki, smiling. “Good thing that she has you.”



        Aki blushed a little, looking toward the road ahead.



#



        Sarah's voic was soft as she spoke facing the Chemist, “I was in my last year of college. I met Josh that summer. My parents were invited to a huge outdoor party, and his parents were hosting it. We sat on a blanket, talking under the shade of a big old tree for hours.”



        “So, you met him by accident?” the Healer asked.



        Sarah thought for a moment before responding, “Kind of. That's how a lot of people meet, though.”



        “Why him?” The Chemist pointed ahead to Josh's seat.



        Sarah smiled at the innocent frankness of the question. She shrugged. “He's smart, and handsome, and respectful, and he just happens to have a lot of money.”



        The three giggled.



        The Healer smirked to Sarah. “I-I'm really sorry, about before.” She looked toward her hands, folded in her lap. “I didn't realize how much he could mean to you. I'm-”



        Sarah stretched her arms across the back of the bench seat, circling them around the Healer and Chemist, pulling both of them close to her. “It's alright. You just need to learn a few things about men and women.”



        The Chemist spoke in a soft voice, “When do we-a get the husband?”



        Sarah chuckled, grinning to the Chemist. “I don't know.”



        “It must be nice, having someone to be your servant like that.” The Healer's expression turned wistful.



        Sarah shook her head. “Oh no. He's not my servant. He's my partner.”



        “But I already have a partner.” The Healer's forehead wrinkled.



        “Who?” Sarah's right eyebrow lifted.



        The Healer looked across Sarah to the Chemist. “Nat and I have been working together for more ten years.”



        Sarah shook her head. “Not that kind of partner... Well, kind of, I guess.”



        The Healer's mouth twisted as she considered Sarah's idea.



        The Chemist lilted, “Like-a the Genius and the Lover?”



        Sarah nodded. “Much more like that.”



#



        “Where are we?” Claire spoke against the microphone of her headset.



        The Spy glanced over to the bank of instruments on the panel in front of them. “Somewhere over northern Oregon, I'd imagine.”



        “Isn't it dangerous to fly in the rain like this?”



        Simone shook her head. “Just a little rough. Wait'll we climb above some of these clouds.” She shifted in the left seat before asking, “How are you feeling?”



        “Better.” Claire frowned.



        “Come on, everyone gets a little airsick. Don't worry about it.”



        “It's kind of embarrassing.”



        “You feel well enough to take the wheel for a little bit?”



        Claire snickered. “You're stupid enough to trust me at the controls?”



        Simone shook her head. “Of course I trust you. You can handle it, sweetey.” Simone reached over, stroking Claire's left forearm. “I've seen you in action... I believe in you.”



        Claire blushed a little, shrugging. “I-I don't know how to fly.”



        “It's easy...” Simone reached across for Claire's right hand. “Put your right hand on the yoke. Rest your feet just below the pedals.” She pointed to one of the numerous instruments in the cockpit. “You see that needle?”



        Claire nodded. “The Vertical Speed one?”



        Simone smiled. “Exactly. Just keep that needle on the zero. Keep the compass on that bearing. If that little bubble moves left or right, reach your toe up and put a little pressure on the pedal from the same side.”



        Claire gripped the yoke, her eyes glancing over the various instruments, trying to read as many of them as she could.



        Simone reached across Claire again. “No, sweetey. Relax that right hand. Just make little, subtle corrections. Don't get all uptight about compensating for every little drift.”



        Claire tried to ease her tension through the new, nervous, invigorating experience of piloting a plane. She relaxed her hold, sending mere suggestions to the craft through slight, measured pressure on the yoke and pedals. After a few more minutes she settled a little deeper into the notion of piloting the craft. She could not contain a wide grin.



        “It's a lot of fun, isn't it?” Simone flashed a half smile.



        Claire continued to drift from nervous wonder, easing deeper into relaxed enjoyment. Her eyes darted across the array of instruments, analyzing the readings of some, guessing the function of others. “I have to get one of these. This is too fucking cool.”



        “I'll make a pilot out of you yet, Genius.” Simone snickered. “Where are my magazines?”



        Claire reached next to her right, eyes glued to the dials and displays of the plane's helm. She pulled the lewd material from the map pocket below the right hatch and handed them to Simone.



        The Spy opened the glossy cover of the topmost picture-book, ogling the contents. “Let me know if you get into trouble.”



        Claire nodded, her mind and body now occupied with the enjoyable task of piloting.



#



        Cecilia began to moan. With no one responding to her, she started to shriek. Aki clambered over the engine-hump, clawing her way to the back of the van. Sarah and the other two turned their heads and watched, frozen in panic from the extreme display of their challenged sister. Aki slid next to Cecilia, touching her face, murmuring reassurances. The Seer continued, her pleas a little softer, but still insistent.



        Sarah had turned herself around on the middle bench, digging her knees into the space between the seat's bottom and back. “What's the matter?”



        Aki continued trying to comfort the distraught woman, her face tense with panic. “I-I don't know...”



        Sarah reached to Cecilia, resting the tips of her fingers on the woman's non-flailing left forearm.



        Cecilia quieted at once. A tear had rolled down one of her cheeks, now hanging from her chin.



        “What's the matter, Cecilia?” Aki asked, her tone tender as she stroked the palsied woman's hair.



        Sarah's head drooped. Her chin came to rest on the back of the seat in which she knelt. She shuddered. She groaned.



        Next to her, the Healer and Chemist doubled over, their torsos hung suspended from their seat-belts.



        Aki's desperate eyes contacted Josh's in the rear-view mirror.



        At once, Josh pulled the van off the road onto the rain-soaked grassy patch that flanked the travel lanes. He unbuckled his seatbelt and contorted his way to the middle of the vehicle. “What's happening?” His voice carried more agitation than Aki had ever witness from him. “What's wrong?”



        Aki's eyes darted back to Cecilia. “I don't know.” She panted, her limbs tensed. “I think that Cecilia's talking to them.” Aki gulped. “I think she's really upset.”



        Josh's face froze. “Can she talk to Claire and the other one?”



        Aki turned to Josh. A look of horror spread across Aki's small face.



        “I'm wrong, Aki. I'm wrong,” Josh offered in an urgent, immediate retraction. “It's something else. It has to be.”



        The others began to rise from their twisted, anguished positions. Josh and Aki stared at them in horrified silence.



        Sarah spoke first. “They're coming.” She gulped, squeezing her eyes shut as she struggled to speak. “Claire and Simone are coming.”



        Aki's eyes brightened.



        Josh's worried expression diminished a little. “Are you okay?”



        “We're fine, Mr. Berman,” the Healer reached out, brushing her hand on the sleeve of Josh's coat.



        “Cecilia felt them, they're in the sun. Above the clouds.” Sarah opened her eyes, regaining her composure. “She needed me to show her.”



        Josh knelt on the floor behind Sarah's seat, resting a hand on his wife's back. “Show her what?”



        “La vigna bella,” the Chemist said, cradling her forehead in her palm. “Is-a yours, no?”



        Sarah gave the Chemist a small grin. “Si, Natalia.”



        Josh scrambled to the front of the van. He pulled the transmission into drive and launched them onto the highway once again. “Tell Cecilia that we'll be there in three hours. Everyone, put on your seat belts.”



#



        Simone felt the plane accelerating. She opened her eyes, taking a dazed appraisal of the instruments and the silver gray blur that sped around the windows. She felt the yoke pushing toward her hands, and the pedals sinking beneath her feet. She looked over to find Claire struggling with the craft's controls.



        “You okay, Claire?”



        Claire's eyes squinted, she drew labored breaths in through her flared nostrils. “Yeah. I've got it.”



        Simone exhaled, “Where the fuck was that?”



        Claire did not respond until she had pulled the craft to a gentle cruise once again above the cloud cover. “Josh's vineyard, I'd imagine. That's where they must be headed.”



        “Where is it?”



        “Somewhere south of Seattle. Maybe north. I'm not sure.”



        Simone fished along the floor near her feet, recovering her magazines, returning them to her lap. She looked over to Claire. “You pulled us out of that dive pretty well, Genius. I'm promoting you.”



        Claire cracked a bemused smile. “Promoting me?”



        “You're the new captain of my air-corps.”



        “You have an air-force?”       



        “I will.”



        Claire chuckled. “I'm honored and all, but I don't think that I'd make a good flying-ace.” She studied the instruments again before continuing, “Maybe Mother made an actual flying Ace.”



        Simone rubbed her forehead, chuckling. “My dear, silly Genius, there's nothing you can't do, is there?”



        Claire smirked, blinking in the harsh light of the high-altitude sun which did little to allay her throbbing head. “There's quite a few things, actually.”



        Simone's eyes slid right as she regarded her sister. “Can't do, or just haven't tried?”



        Claire rolled her eyes and the plane to her right, circling the machine to head northwest.



-TBC in Chapter 16

That was a great update.



To start off with I was a bit annoyed with the Healers attitude, but as Sarah pointed out in a lot of ways they are still children. Children who all their lives have been taught they're better than everyone else, so it's no wonder they've got a superiority complex.



I was a bit surprised at the way Simone humiliated Vivian, but then I remembered that Simone had been tortured. I take it that Vivian had been involved in that, in which case she got off quite lightly. From the way Barry kept asking what Vivian had done to piss Simone off it seems he didn't know about the torture.



I wonder who the previous number one was and why Vivian wouldn't say her name.



Well it seems they're all heading in the same direction. As long as they meet up safely they just need to worry about finding the remaining three aces, should be easy



So is their anything that Claire can't do?



Looking forward to more

"To mess up a Linux box you need to work at it; to mess up a Windows box you just need to work on it."

wow.. just.. wow.. this story is so awesome. Cant wait to see more of it.



-Sky-

Here's another 12,000 words. It's full of holes and gaffes, but I think there's a lot more emotional stuff going on in here, some of it to be followed-up on later...



EIAAOIFs



Thanks for your patience, everyone. I hope that this installment proves a suitable reward





CHAPTER 16



        Vivian and Barry barreled down the rain slicked interstate, riding together above the noisy tires and powerful motor of the all-terrain truck which they had commandeered for their expedition. Vivian's eyes were fixed to the glossy black stripe of highway which vanished into the cold gray mist ahead. Barry reclined as best a person could in the fixed-upright bench seat of the military vehicle, his eyes closed, shielded from the bright glow of the gray overcast as he contemplated their options.



        During the past two hours of silence Vivian's mind raced with flashes of guilt and doubt; her misgivings matching the furious pace of the speeding truck trusted to her control. The welcome comfort of following orders faded soon after they had left the base. She volunteered for this secret mission to allay her feelings of inadequacy and find redemption for the shame of her failure, but she was far from settled by the emerging events surrounding the endeavor. Her stomach gurgled with emptiness, uncertainty, and doubt. She needed answers, but feared that asking questions would expose her naiveté. She gathered some courage and forced her voice loud above the thrumming of the speeding truck, asking, "Mr. Schon?"



        Barry raised his head, turning to her, drawing his eyes open. "Yes, soldier?"



        "What are we going to do?" She chewed her bottom lip, still squinting toward the road ahead, gripping the wheel a little tighter.



        "What do you mean, Viv?"



        "We can't go back..." she paused, "...Even if we do find them."



        Barry's sighed, "We won't be going back, Lieutenant. We have a new duty to fulfill."



        "But..."



        He shook his head, interjecting, "They're our responsibility now. Not the ODHS's, not the Authority's... ours."



        "Sir?" Vivian glanced to Barry for a moment and then back to the highway ahead. Her shoulders drew in, tensing. "Why?"



        Barry lowered his eyes. His voice was filled with calm certainty and conviction as he replied, "I knew that I needed to get them out. I knew that Sarah would take them. I didn't think that Galloway would make a break for it without the others. This whole situation's been nothing but trouble since the beginning. Most of the blame for that rests on me."



        "You're not a fortune teller, sir."



        Barry smiled. "Thanks for saying so, Viv, but I still owe it to all of them to make things right. In our custody, they were safe. In anyone else's custody, the whole world is in danger. By now, every little shit-bag intelligence agency around the globe knows that too. Without our help, they will be killed. When they die, any chance of us saving this country dies with them. I think that Sarah's beginning to grasp the concept, and Ms. Nashumara may be able to sway Galloway. With her, the others will follow."



        "Galloway..." Vivian said, smirking.



        "You think she's going to be hard to persuade."



        Vivian shook her head. "She's the only one of them that acts like a human being. She didn't resent me like the rest. She even defended me in front of... that other one."



        "Really... She stuck up for you? In front of whom?"



        Vivian gulped. "I'd rather not say her name, sir."



        "Oh... Her," Barry snorted. "Well, by your observation of our Genius, that part should be pretty easy, then. Just a matter of keeping things nice and quiet until we're ready to make the jump. The Committee of Five are going to figure out what we're doing eventually, and when they do, we'd better be invisible... Thin-air invisible."



        "What can we do, though, sir?" Vivian started. "I-I mean, there's just us against the Authority... They control most of the world. We don't have a chance."



        Barry grinned. "Maybe not, Lieutenant." He smirked. "But we have to try. We're going to make some enemies in the next couple of days, but I've also made a lot of friends through the years... Friends who can help us."



        Vivian forced what she hoped would appear as a confident smile. She nodded. "Understood, sir."



        Barry laughed, "If you really understood, Viv, then you wouldn't be smiling."



        The soldier forced an uneasy laugh as she continued to stare at the road ahead. "Good one, sir."



        "You get us to the girls, and I'll figure out how to make all of us disappear. In fact..." Barry reached to his belt and popped his M-lync from its holster. "...Call this Phase One," he said, flipping the unit's cover open and setting his thumbs to work on the small keypad. The M-lync's screen glowed with the message 'Alerting...' before the image of a uniformed man appeared in place of the white text. "Jack, it's Barry."



        The gray buzz-cut officer in the screen broke into a sudden wily smile. His gritty voice sounded through the unit's small internal speaker, piercing through the road noise, "Barry Schon! How the fuck are ya? What's it been... Two years?"



        Barry gave a half smile to the distant party. "Something like that... Listen, Jack, I need a favor."



        Jack chuckled, "I didn't think it was a social call... seein' as you're working with Dimitri and the gang now."



        Barry nodded to the display. "Jack, I hate to put you out man, but I need to thumb a ride on one of your birds."



        "You blow your travel budget on hookers er something?"



        Schon laughed. "Different budget, Jack. I need to get some cargo from Fairchild to Langley... Very precious cargo. No questions, no return trip, no record of the flight."



        Jack narrowed his eyes. "You in some kind of trouble, mister?"



        "I will be if you can't give me some wings by tomorrow. Whattaya say, Rip?"



        The officer paused, looking off-screen to his sides before replying, "Just this once. And only if you promise to keep my tail away from the fire."



        Barry flashed his perfect smile. "Of course, Rip. Just have something for me by tomorrow morning, and I'll be out of your hair forever. No blisters. No Burns. No chafing."



        Jack sighed, "How big do you need it?"



        "Not too big... Maybe a One-thirty-two. There's just ten pieces that need to be in Virginia by tomorrow afternoon."



        "Alright, you've got yourself a plane, mister."



        Barry grinned. "Thanks, Jack. I owe you one."



        "You mean one more, right?" Jack smirked. "Or do I have to remind you of a certain G-man who would have got the snot beat outta him by twelve pissed-off Marines if I hadn't shown up?"



        Schon chuckled, "Those were good times, eh, Rip? I was hung over for, like, a week."



        The face on the small M-lync screen beamed with a cordial smile. "Just bring me something really expensive and we'll call it even, okay?" Jack lowered his voice, checking to his sides, and added, "The Misses has a thing for diamonds... Big ones."



        "You bet, Jack. Two carats minimum, flawless." Schon snapped the communicator's cover shut and turned to Vivian. "How are we on fuel?"



        "One quarter tank, sir."



        "Let's take the next exit and gas up." He patted her shoulder. "I'll buy you lunch, Viv. What do you feel like having?"



        Vivian shook her head, giving a shy smile. "I'm not hungry, sir."



        "Come on now, I won't have my soldier running on empty either."



        Vivian rolled her eyes. She decided to take the opportunity offered to gain some comfort through food. Her smile broadened as she remembered what her mother always made for her when she was feeling down. "Pancakes. Blueberry pancakes... with whipped cream."



        "Pancakes it is, then." Barry sat up, straightening his collar, pulling his tie into a neat knot, and running a hand through his hair. He turned to her adding, "Oh... and we need to find a good jewelry store too."       



                                                                                        #



        Above the clouds, in the striking sun of the late-year afternoon, Claire had the yoke, keeping the plane on a steady course toward Seattle. Next to her, the Spy was snoozing in the left seat. Claire's routine check of the cockpit's instruments led her to rouse her sleeping sister.        "Hey... Simone?" She reached over, grabbing her sister's shoulder, giving it a gentle shake.



        Simone stirred. She opened her eyes a little, squinting, turning from the bright white sun to their left. "What is it, sweetey?"



        "The fuel gages are getting a lot closer to the red. I don't know how much further we need to go, but we might be pushing our luck with the gas."



        The Spy leaned forward, blinking, gazing at the two dials for a moment. She flicked a fingernail against the instruments' thin glass bezels causing the little needles to bounce and settle back to their indications. She sighed, "We need to get this thing back on the ground... sooner rather than later."



        "Where?"



        Simone reached to the navigation radios and twisted a few of their ridged little knobs. She pulled a map from the door pocket next to her seat and studied it for a moment, running her fingers along its surface. "I think there's a VOR north of here. It should be near an airfield where we can park this gnat."



        "Should be?" Claire's eyes widened. "What if it isn't?"



        "Then we'll just have to find a nice, long, flat place to land."



        Claire's pulse quickened. "That sounds kind of... um, dangerous."



        Simone shook her head. "It's not the safest thing to do." She looked up from the map to face Claire. "But we don't have a lot of options... I've done it before and managed to walk away."



        Claire relaxed a little. "You'd better take the controls then."



        Simone nodded, reaching for the yoke. "Let's go downstairs... We may luck-out and get a visual." She pushed forward, starting their descent, dipping the plane's flight path into the tops of the clouds.



        Outside the windows, the bright sun above vanished as they sank into a thick soup of dark silver. The wingtips juddered and pitched at the varying density of the moist air passing around them. The sisters buffeted and jiggled in their seats, enduring the rough descent through the pillows and tufts of darkening gray around them.



        Claire stared out the right window, watching the shroud of moist air dissolve into a thinner consistency. Rain streaked along the windscreen, jets of moisture coned-out from the wingtips, and the ground was almost visible through the haze, though still far below the descending craft.



        "Keep your eyes peeled for that VOR, sweetey."



        "What'll it look like?"



        "A short round tower, painted in red and white, flashing lights, the top of a gigantic bowling pin sticking out from the middle of it."



        "A bowling pin?"



        Simone grinned. "You'll understand what I mean when you spot it, sweetey."



        Claire twisted in her seat, her eyes performing a slow, careful scan through the cold mist, looking for any sign of the navigation beacon. She grew weary of the intense search after a few minutes, but reached a sudden reward with a promising sight off to their left. "Is that what I think it is?" she asked, pointing across Simone's field of view to two parallel rows of faint blueish lights piercing through the misty haze that shrouded the ground below.



        Simone squinted into the direction of Claire's indication for a few moments, then her lips curved into a satisfied grin. She nodded. "Thank the Goddess. Good eyes, Genius." She reached forward to flip a wheel-shaped switch at the bottom of the instrument cluster. A mechanized groan issued from beneath the craft as the landing gear crept into their down and locked position. Simone pulled back on the throttle, slowing the engine to begin their final descent.



        Claire pulled her seatbelt a little tighter, preparing for the landing as best she knew how. Her heart-rate increased as her seat plunged from beneath her on occasion, sometimes taking her stomach with it, in the rough yet steady decline of their approach. Her breaths became huge with thrill and excitement as Simone slowed the motor to a near-idle and the rain slicked runway widened beneath them, their tiny craft racing toward it. She held her breath, anticipating the impact of the landing gear against runway.



        A few rough bumps resonated through the floor. The plane's wheels settled onto the runway. The sister's shoulders tapped as their torsos swayed from the craft's shaky cruise along the wet stripe of black tarmac. They pressed against their seat belts, bodies pitching forward as Simone applied the brakes, bringing the rolling plane to a slower speed.



        Simone veered the craft from the base of the runway and taxied over to a row of vacant idle airplanes. "We need to be quick when we get out, sweetey. Grab your shit and run for the fence."



        Claire nodded, her heart still racing with thrill from their landing. "That was a great landing." She smiled.



        "Thanks," Simone said, reaching forward to turn off the magnetos, stopping the motor. She pulled her headset off and draped it over the yoke. "You've got everything?" she asked, eyes scanning their surroundings.



        Claire nodded. She then pointed over her shoulder with her thumb indicating what she instantly understood to be the VOR station off in the distance. She smirked, announcing, "Giant bowling pin, three o'clock."



        The Spy broke into a grin, nodding. "Roger that, sweetey. Now let's get the fuck out of here before someone gets a good look at us." She popped the cockpit door open, glancing out, squinting through the steady gusts of rainy wind which peppered her face with cold droplets as she surveyed the sleepy little airfield. "Let's go."



                                                                                        #



        Josh wound the van through the alternating curves of the long, tree-lined driveway that led to the loading dock of his vineyard's main building. The Healer and Chemist crowded next to each other, squeezing between the front seats, fighting for the best view through the windshield as they marveled at the unaccustomed beauty of the damp sylvan paradise through which they were being chauffeured. On the rearmost bench, Sarah held a snoozing Aki in her right arm, and the Seer in her left. She squeezed both after the van had come to a stop, rousing them from their rest.



        Aki drew a deep breath, squinting as she raised her feet from the floor to stretch her legs. She blinked a few times, focusing her eyes, sharpening on the image of Sarah's smiling face. She leaned away at once. "I'm sorry... I-I must have-"



        Sarah shook her head, drawing Aki close once again. "I didn't mind, honey. Besides, you looked so peaceful... You were dreaming about her, weren't you?"



        Aki's eyes dropped to her lap as she nodded. "A little, maybe?" She looked up to Sarah again, a corner of her mouth rising to a half-smile. "The way you smell, it reminds me of her... Except for the perfume."



        Sarah continued her warm smile. "She knows where we are. She'll be here soon, honey."



        Aki nodded, forcing a weak smile. She pulled free of Sarah's hold as she lifted off the seat to stand. She shimmied to the center of the vehicle and followed the Healer and Chemist through the side door. Once outside, she circled around the back of the van to find Josh unfolding Cecilia's wheelchair as he lowered it to the shining wet asphalt.



        Josh planted the chair and locked its folding parts in one concerted motion. He glanced from the chair to Aki. His eyes narrowed and his mouth twisted into a scowl. "Trying to steal my wife? I saw you getting all snugly with her in the back... Get your own."



        Aki's mouth hung open a little, she shook her head, backing away, stammering with incredulity, "I-I... N-No... I-I just-"



        Josh's mouth transformed into a sly, crooked smile. "I'm teasing... It's a joke, I guess a very bad one... You know, soul-mate with a clone humor?" He paused. "I figured that you'd be the only appreciative audience for my material."



        Aki grinned back, giving a small giggle as she considered the notion.



        "You holding up okay?"



        Aki stretched, extending her arms and lifting to her toes, before relaxing again with a sigh and a nod. "Just a little groggy... And you?"



        Josh's eyes shifted, sweeping their surroundings before answering, "Okay, for now... It's going to take some getting-used-to." He swiveled the chair to guide it around to the side door of the van. "Come on, let's get them inside."



        After Aki, Sarah, and Josh managed to maneuver Cecilia from the van and into her wheelchair, they joined the Healer and Chemist in the vast, high-roofed shipping facility next to which Josh had parked their ride. Far beneath the blue-painted girders of the huge structure, the group shuffled through the unoccupied building weaving through a course of palette-jacks, forklifts, and tall stacks of wine-cases as they made their way to the offices in the rear. The sound of hard rain against the steel roof underscored the relative silence of the vast space with a soft, rolling rumble.



        Josh lead the way, leaning forward as he pushed Cecilia's wheelchair across the polished concrete floor. He looked over his shoulder to his wife, asking, "Maybe we should order some food? You and the girls are probably starving."



        "I don't eat animals," the Healer blurted. "Neither does she." She pointed her thumb to her left, indicating the Chemist.



        Sarah stopped and turned to face the pair. "How about pizza, then?"



        The sisters stopped. The Healer's face beamed as she said, "Did you say pizza? We love pizza!"



        The Chemist gave a weak smile and then looked away.



        "No pizza, Natalia?" Sarah asked, trying to meet the evasive eyes of the quiet one. "What would you like, dear?"



        "She'll have pizza," the Healer said, nodding with vigor.



        "Pizza is-a fine," the Chemist sighed.



        Sarah paused for a moment before half-smiling, saying, "Pizza it is." She gestured with her head, nodding to the direction of the others' egress. "Come on, girls. They're leaving us behind."



        The three scurried after Josh, Aki, and Cecilia, eventually catching up to them across the wide-open space. They followed through a doorway in the rear of the warehouse, around a corner, and into a long and narrow corridor lined with numerous metal doors on each side.



        The Healer stopped short, looking through the narrow window of one of the doors. "Nat, come have a look."



        The Chemist turned and walked back to where her sister had stopped. She peered through the glass and her mouth spread to an eventual smile. "Laboratorio," she whispered.



        The Healer nodded, flashing a devilish grin. She whispered, "Probably for quality-checking or something."



        The Chemist's eyes brightened. "We can make-a the serum... for Simone."



        The Healer sneered. She huffed, "For that bitch? She doesn't deserve our help."



        Natalia narrowed her eyes, uttering in an angry whisper, "That's a terrible thing to say."



        The Healer shrugged. "She's a terrible sister. Remember when she locked us in one of the vaults for two days? With no food or water?"



        Natalia nodded, her eyes pointed to the floor. "Si."



        "Or when she broke my finger because I told Evelyn about her stash of filthy magazines?"



        Natalia shook her head. "That was a long-a time ago. She's older, I'm-a older too. I think she should-a have the chance."



        The Healer reached to the Chemist, gripping her sister's shoulders, shaking her a little as she hissed, "She ditched us, Nat. She escaped and didn't even say goodbye to us."



        Natalia shook her head, replying in a timid, hushed tone, "So too Il Genius... They work-a together to rescue us."



        Heather huffed, "The Genius is Simone's slave... They're probably headed for some little island paradise right now. They couldn't care less about the rest of us."



        Natalia wrenched her shoulders free form the Healer's grasp. She backed away by a step, her eyes narrowing. "I donn-a want to hear you say this no-a more."



        The Healer's nostrils flared. Her forehead wrinkled as her face clamped into a scowl. "How dare you, you little ingrate. Have you forgotten, Nat? All the years we've worked together? Who taught you English after all the others gave up?"



        The Chemist's eyes lowered.



        "And who held you every day for hours, listening to you wail, mopping up your tears after you were rescued from your fake parents?"



        "You."



        "And who still sleeps next to you, sacrificing her own rest, ready to hold you close when your night-terrors act up?"



        "You."



        "Who loves you, Nat? More than Simone or Claire ever could?"

        Natalia's eyes shut, squeezing tears from their corners. She spread her arms and leaned forward.



        The Healer wrapped around her sister, rocking her a little, closing her own eyes as her hands stroked the Chemist's back.



        "I'm-a sorry," Natalia said, sniffling.



        The Healer released from the embrace, giving her sister a little grin. "It's okay, Nat. You've been through a lot... We all have. I forgive you."       



        "Come on, you two..." Sarah's voice sang out, echoing from a distance. She was looking back to them from the other end of the corridor, with the rest of the procession.



        The Healer grabbed Natalia's wrist and pulled her along, breaking into a jog to catch-up with the others. "Sorry."



        "It's okay," Sarah said as the Healer and Chemist came along side her. "Josh would love to give a tour later, I'm sure." She reached around the two, pulling them against her sides. "Let's get some dinner in you two first."



                                                                                        #



        Claire trudged just behind Simone, her boots crunching through the amalgam of wet gravel and pine needles that fringed the crumbling country road that they had been following for over an hour. Her drenched hair clung to her face an ears. Her shoulders and back were beginning to dampen as the insistent rain permeated her clothes, adding further to her misery. "We need to get a car."



        Simone maintained a determined pace, seemingly oblivious to the harsh elements through which the sisters trekked. "Yes, sweetey, we do." Her eyes widened and her shoulders sank as she appraised an oncoming set of headlights.



        Claire checked too, peering into the mist with her keen eyes. "Another log-truck."



        "Come on, into the woods before it gets here."



        Claire nodded and pushed her way into the dense trees and undergrowth on the side of the road. Simone filed after her. They crouched, waiting for the truck to speed past.



        Once the sound of the tractor-trailer faded into the distance, Simone set toward the edge of the road again, resuming their westward journey.



        Claire followed for almost a mile further before speaking again, her misery building, her stomach growling, and her body aching more and more. "M-My leg is really starting to bother me," she panted, her breath visible as thick puffs of fog in the chilly dampness.



        Simone stopped and turned to face Claire. "Do you want me to carry you?"



        Claire stopped, bent at the waist, resting her hands on the wet fabric above her knees, panting. She shook her head. "I just need to rest for a little bit."



        Simone sighed. "Okay... Just for a few minutes." She reached around Claire, untangling the dripping knapsack from the Genius' shoulders. While heaving the rain soaked pack over her shoulder, she pointed with her thumb. "We'll go into those woods over there. You can catch your breath."



        Claire looked up, still bent at the waist, nodding. "Minutes?"



        "We've only got about five more miles until Redwater according to the sign that we just passed." Simone's eyes darted to each side before continuing, "We have to get there before sundown."



        "What do we do once we're there?"



        "You're going to borrow us a car, Genius."



        Claire nodded, lightheaded, looking to the soaked gravel between her sopping boots. She sighed, "That actually sounds like a good idea."



        "Shit." Simone hooked an arm around Claire's waist, yanking her toward the wet tangle of brush along the roadside. "Duck!" she shouted, shoving the Genius into the thicket, descending over her, spreading the black billows of her coat to conceal them both.



        Claire felt more cold dampness leeching into the flannel lining of her jeans as Simone's weight pressed her against soggy ground. "What is it?" Claire whispered, trying not to squirm under the barrage of soggy misery that her skin continued to suffer through. Approaching from the distance, Claire could hear the growl of all-terrain tires, thrumming and hissing as they threw a wet spray up from the asphalt. The sound intensified and then blazed past in a rush.



        A few moments after the passing sound diminished further, Simone rose from on top of Claire. She slid over and crouched, looking through the cover of dense branches and undergrowth toward the hasty egress of the black military truck. "They're in a hurry... Someone must have found the plane." She turned to Claire. "We can't rest, sweetey. We need to keep moving."



        Claire rose, brushing the damp earth and yellowed pine needles from her clothes. "That wasn't an Army truck. What was it?"



        Simone stared at the fleeting sight of the truck, now a black speck in the misty distance.



        Claire crouched beside her sister. "How'd you see that?"



        Simone pointed to her right. "I heard it... When it crested that hill behind us. It's an HXX. My people drive those, not the Army.



        "They know where we are, then."



        Simone shook her head. "If they did, then you'd be in shackles... and I'd have a big hole in my forehead." She rose, clutching Claire's elbow, pulling her to a stand. "We need some wheels, sweetey. Redwater's just up the road. It's only a few miles-"



        "I have an idea," Claire interrupted. "See those pieces of that dead tree over there?" She pointed to a long string of rotted logs that extended from close to where they stood, spanning into the forest for more than a hundred feet. "We can drag some of that into the road... Create a reason for someone to slow down."



        Simone's eyes widened, she smiled, bulging pride evident in her features. "An ambush? You want to carjack someone? I could kiss you!"



        Claire raised her hands, shaking her head. "No, no, no... Nothing like that. We're being hunted by one agency too many as it is. I'm thinking that when one of those log trucks comes through here, they'll have to slow down for the debris in the road, and we can sneak onto the cargo while they're worried about getting past the crap in the road and building enough speed to make it up the next hill."



        Simone narrowed her eyes, grinning. "So simple, subtle, crafty... Aki is a very lucky girl."



        Claire smirked, muttering, "No, she isn't... I just hope she hasn't figured it out."



        The Spy rolled her eyes. "That self-deprecating crap is getting really old."



        Claire closed her eyes for a moment before replying, "And so is this soaking rain... Let's get some of this shit onto the pavement."



        Simone bent down, drawing a heavy piece of soaked wood into her arms, smiling. "I still think she's lucky."



                                                                                                        #



        "Good choice, taking these rural roads, Viv," Barry groaned, smirking as he and the soldier pitched and bumped over the rough pavement.



        Vivian's face tensed. "Sorry, sir. I thought that we could save some time."



        They both lifted from their seats for and instant as the truck bounded over another hole in the road.



        Barry grinned. "I'm only kidding, soldier. It's a great idea... It'll save us a lot of miles." He reached over and pulled Vivian's Tac-Com from her belt. His thumbs tapped at the device's input pad, the screen glowed with statistics and figures, little strings of numbers and letters that changed periodically. Schon shook his head. "They haven't moved. They must think they can hide in Josh's factory... damned fools."



        The truck's left wheels slammed into another pothole.



        Vivian nodded, her head still bobbing from the last bump. "Yes, si- y-yes, sir." Vivian covered her mouth, rolling her eyes back a little.



        Barry looked to the soldier. "Those pancakes not sitting too well, soldier?"



        The truck hopped after barreling over another piece of broken pavement.



        Vivian winced, gulping. Her right hand dropped from her mouth to her abdomen, her left gripped the steering wheel. Her face tightened as she replied, "Not really, sir."



        Barry's M-lync chirped and vibrated from beneath his coat. He pulled the unit out and checked the calling party's face before answering. He sighed, turning to Vivian. "And you wonder why it's up to us to protect them... Look at who's calling." He held the M-lync up for her inspection.



        Vivian rolled her eyes as she recognized the face. "Great."



        Barry flipped the unit open, accepting the call. He gave a wry smile. "Josh, you're a fucking moron... But I love you anyway. What's up?"



        Josh's voice buzzed through the M-lync's speaker. "I'm not calling to say hello, Barry. I think that we may have a situation starting here."



        Barry smirked. "The girls having a pillow fight?"



        "Serious shit... We ordered some dinner and then a few minutes after the kid delivered it, I heard at least three helicopters overhead. It sounded like they were circling where we are. I-I don't know what we should do next... I was hoping you'd have some advice."



        "Hold on." Barry pressed a button, muting the microphone. He reached to the dashboard and picked up Vivian's Tac-com. He handed the black, rubber-coated communicator to her. "Viv, use this thing to find out what the fuck he's talking about."



        Vivian took the unit in her right hand, manipulating its input cluster with her thumb, glancing between the Tac-com's screen and the road.



        Barry un-muted the M-lync, to resume his conversation with Josh, "Listen, here's what you need to do- sit tight. No one leaves your hiding place for any reason."



        "O-Okay... But what if they're planning a raid or something, you know, after their surveillance or reconnaissance, or whatever it's called?"



        Barry glanced over to Vivian, raising his eyebrows in question.



        Vivian shook her head, still dividing her attention between the road and her Tac-com. "Just maneuvers, sir."



        "Don't worry, Josh. You're in the clear for now. Hey, listen we'll be there in..." He turned his eyes to Vivian.



        "About one hundred minutes, sir."



        He nodded to the soldier in thanks before turning back to his M-lync. "You hear that, buddy?"



        Josh's face appeared frozen. He spoke after a few moments of silence. "You're following us?"



        "I'm guessing that you've put them to work stomping grapes already."



        "I have to go."



        The screen went blank. Barry raised his eyebrows. He turned to Vivian. "He hung up on me..." He shrugged, snapping his communicator shut and clipping it back onto his belt. "So, how are those pancakes doing, soldier."



        Vivian smirked. "They're still... combative, sir."



        "You can quell that uprising, soldier. I know you can."



        Vivian chuckled. "I'll show them no mercy, sir."



        "At-a-girl!"



                                                                                        #



        Aki took a tentative nibble from the tip of the steaming pizza slice that she held folded in her hand. She chewed a little and set the food down on a paper plate, already puddled with grease from where she had lifted the morsel. She sighed.



        "What's the matter, honey?" Sarah asked, after chewing her helping. She glanced around the facility's break room table at the others before continuing, "No appetite, hugh?"



        Aki feigned a smile, shaking her head. "Not really." She rolled a paper napkin between her greasy fingers before reaching to the can of diet cola that Josh had placed in front of her before Sarah had made her rounds dishing-out the pizza to the group. "Back on the east coast, pizza is a little... different. I'm, kind of, too nervous, I guess."



        "Eat up, Lover," the Healer started, her mouth half full as she spoke. "You need to keep your carbohydrate intake high in case we need to run some more."



        "She has a good point," Josh added after dabbing the corners of his mouth with his napkin. "The helicopters were a coincidence, but I don't know how long we can stay here. If I know Barry, then he probably put up some kind of smoke-screen for us... Otherwise he wouldn't have given us one of his vans." He stopped to take a drink from his can of cola before continuing, "I'm guessing that he bought us a couple of days, max."



        Aki smirked. "What happens when that time runs out, though? And they still haven't shown up?"



        "That's my question exactly, Lover," the Healer huffed. "We can't wait around for them. They're probably-"



        Natalia interrupted, "Probably on-a the way, in the aeroplane. They move-a fast to us."



        Heather leaned back in her chair, glowering at the Chemist's interruption.



        Aki asked, "What if they don't know where we are?"





        "Come on, honey. Claire knows that Josh has a vineyard," Sarah said. "They'll be here soon, I'm sure."



        "But she's never been here. She has to find the place," Aki said, rising from her chair.



        "And what are you proposing?" Josh asked.



        "I'm thinking that Claire is going to go to your house first. Maybe some of us should go there too."



        Josh shook his head. "Too obvious, too risky." He drew a breath and sighed, "Then again, so is this place."



        Natalia rose from her chair and stood alongside Aki, prompting a questioning glance from the other in the room. "The Lover and I can go to-a the home in case-a they come."



        Sarah rose from her chair, reaching to her sides, collecting paper plates and crumpled napkins. "I'll take them."



        "I'll go too," the Healer added.



        Sarah turned to the Healer, shaking her head. "No, dear. You stay here and take care of Cecilia."



        The Healer folded her arms, frowning. Her eyes darted to the Chemist. She huffed, "Have a good trip, Nat."



        The Chemist looked to the floor.



                                                                                                #



        Claire's body ached, suffering under the relentless flapping of her soggy clothing, agitated by the furious wind of exposed high speed travel. She used almost all of her remaining energy to sustain her desperate hold on the stack of logs in which she and Simone had been hiding. Her plan to delay a passing lumber truck and sneak aboard it's payload had worked, and now she and her sister had hitched their precarious ride for more than twenty miles by her estimation. The earlier cold rain had eased but the penetrating damp wind of fifty-plus miles per hour did nothing to dry their clothes, instead chilling their bones and stinging their exposed faces and hands.



        Claire watched the pavement below, seeing its steady procession slow and then stop. "Now!" She slipped from her tenuous log-perch, landing on the roadway and dashing for the small parking lot of a convenience store next to the traffic light which had commanded their unaware ride to a brief stop.



        Simone followed after, joining her sister, ducking behind a nearby parked car. She remained crouched next to the Genius for almost a minute before rising to appraise their new surroundings. Her eyes swept the area in a brief arc before she resumed her compact position at Claire's side.



        The Genius cupped her shaking hands in front of her mouth, forcing steamy breaths into the space between her palms as she exhaled. "Are we in civilization?"



        Simone sighed, "More so than before." She rose, pulling Claire up with her. "Lets get something to eat. There's a tavern across the street." Simone reached into her dripping coat, producing a worn black leather wallet. She opened the billfold, her thumbs rifling through its contents. "That store detective was nice enough to loan us a bit of paper money... More than enough for a good dinner, at least."



        Claire shook her head. "We need to get a car. We don't have time to eat."



        Simone sighed, resting her hands on her hips. "Listen, dearest sister of mine... I understand how badly you want to see her, but you're going to collapse if we don't stuff your little gut with some nourishment. You lost your breakfast, remember?"



        Claire rolled her eyes. "Come on... This isn't about her. It's about not getting caught. Besides, I'm fine. I've gone for days without eating before. I can survive another couple of hours."



        Simone reached between them, snatching Claire's wrist, squeezing her sister's already aching carpals hard enough to drop the Genius to her knees. "You are going to have a nice, hot, wholesome dinner with me. No one is going to catch us."



        Claire winced, breathing through her teeth as she nodded to Simone. Her eyes clamped, she strained to say, "O-okay. U-understood. Dinner. Now."



        Simone lightened her grip and pulled Claire to her feet. She shook her head. "Don't ever make me do that again, sweetey."



        "Sorry." Claire frowned, her eyes fixed in a grim stare with the pavement as the cramped, icy fingers of her right hand attempted to massage her left wrist. "I didn't mean to get you mad at me. I'm just... I thought that we were trying to stay out of sight."



        Simone shook her head, giving a slight smile. "I'm not mad, sweetey. I'm just looking out for you... In her absence. This place is out-of-the-way enough that we can catch our breaths for an hour or two. Now, lets get some food." Simone started toward the edge of the road, leaving Claire standing next to the car. A few meters away, at the road's edge, she stopped, sweeping her arm, beckoning. "Come on... Dinner time."



        Claire followed the Spy across the road and into the small restaurant. Once inside, she felt the refreshing caress of warm, dry air against the chilled skin of her face and hands. Her nostrils widened to the inviting scent of sautéing onions, sizzling steaks, and plump mounds of buttery potatoes as they were passed from the kitchen to round wooden tables, most of them empty, a few circled by small groups of people enjoying their quiet meals.



        Simone lead the way far across the dining room to a corner table. She wriggled from her wet trench coat and draped it over a vacant wooden chair before easing into her seat.



        Claire followed suit, peeling off a few layers of her soaked outerwear and then hanging it from the back of another unused chair. She settled her weary body onto the seat across from Simone's, adjusting her position a few times before releasing a long, relieved sigh. The dim lighting, the warm, dry air, the inviting aroma of fattening food, the distant chime of glasses and plates, and the dark wooden atmosphere of the rustic eatery all combined to settle her into an unexpected lull of relaxation and contentment. She looked across the old, sturdy dark wooden table, smiling to Simone.



        Simone returned the expression, sliding into a slouch, draping her arms over the back of her chair. "See?" She fanned the fingers of her dangling hands and then relaxed them. "Aren't you glad that we took a little break?"



        Claire nodded. "Yeah. Thanks for making me take it." Claire settling further into the comfort of her seat. "You're right, you know."



        "About?"



        "Her absence... She usually looks after me. Sometimes, I hate her for it, but she always tries... It's sweet."



        "She's as sweet as they come," Simone said, punctuating the end of her sentence with a half-grin.



        Claire shook her head. "I meant you."



        The Spy looked away, scanning the ceiling line of the cozy little restaurant. "Look at that." She pointed. "They've got all sorts of neat things up on those shelves... an old wooden sled, an antique ice cream-maker..." She pointed to another object, "Ooh, check out those elk-antlers... Must've been a big buck."



        Claire raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you get uncomfortable?"



        Simone looked back to Claire. She drew a long, heavy breath, releasing it as she replied, "There's nothing sweet about me, Genius. Don't forget that. I torture. I kill. I turn wives into widows, children into orphans, and soldiers into statistics. Never dupe yourself into thinking that I'm any sweeter than the noxious gray chalk that flakes away from the crumbling, rotten lump of rock that is my soul. It's a mistake that too many have made already."



        Claire shook her head, brow furrowed. "Noxious chalk? Have you been rehearsing that or something?"



        Simone shrugged. "I like to be prepared."



        "You make it sound as though you're... Evil."



        Simone shrugged. "All killers are. We have to be."



        A waiter appeared at the side of their table. "Good afternoon, ladies. Care to hear about Mr. Hollis' specials?"



        Simone gave the young, aproned man a warm smile. "Sure."



        Claire stared at the table, barely paying attention to their server, annoyed by the inconvenient distraction of his presence.



        The waiter smiled back to Simone, looking up for a moment before reciting from memory, "He's got two-inch thick prime Porterhouse with a side of mashed potatoes seasoned to perfection with a special blend of garlic and saffron-"



        "That sounds great," Claire interrupted, looking up and nodding with impatient vigor. "Two of those, please."



        The waiter scribbled onto his pad, asking, "And how would you like them, ladies."



        Simone shrugged. "Well, please."



        "Rare, thanks," Claire said.



        "And that special comes with a soup or salad. We have a vegetable minestrone with-"



        Shaking her head, Claire snapped, "We'll skip the appetizers, thanks."



        The server lifted his eyebrows for a moment, maintaining his professional, smiling cordiality.



        Simone announced, "You'll have to forgive my friend. She's very passionate about good steaks... She's been waiting taste one of Mr. Hollis' for ages..." Simone turned her head to address Claire, narrowing her eyes a little, asking, "Isn't that right, Nadine?"



        Claire's forehead wrinkled a little at the unexpected name. She sighed, nodding with vigor. "They're the best in the West, I've heard." She added in a monotone, "I can hardly wait."



        The waiter gave a polite, dry laugh before saying, "We like to think so, thank you... And what would you ladies like to drink with your meal?"



        "Vodka, tall glass, straight up, please," Claire said.



        "Certainly." The waiter turned to Simone, his pen poised to write her beverage choice. "And for you, ma'am?"



        Simone's mouth curved into a coy, friendly smile. "This might sound like a strange request..." she started, "Would you happen to have distilled water?"



        "Possibly... I'll have to check."



        Simone smiled. "If you do, then I'd like a glass, please. You can charge me for it, of course."



        "Alright, ma'am. I'll see what I can do for you." He gave the sisters a slight bow and then headed across the dining room and disappeared into the kitchen.



        Claire fidgeted in her seat, watching the waiter's departure before leaning forward, laying her arms across the table, and extending her fingertips toward Simone. She looked both ways before issuing a forceful whisper, "You're not evil."



        Simone closed her eyes for a moment, opening them as she replied, "I'm a killer, Genius."



        "You don't kill for sport... Only when it's necessary. It's part of your job, your role, your-"



        "You're romanticizing," the Spy interrupted, shaking her head. "It's my fault, I suppose."



        "I am not," Claire hissed. "You're blood isn't cold- you have a conscience. You have respect for life... I've seen it."



        Simone sighed, the corners of her mouth rising into a wry smile, "You see what you want to see, dear sister."



        "And so do you... Whose perception is correct?"



        "Mine, of course." Simone tapped her chest. "We're talking about me."



        Claire withdrew her arms from the table, folding them across her middle, her mouth tightening into a small pout. She looked up to the assortment of knick-knacks and memorabilia that Simone had pointed to before. Her eyes ran the length of the old wooden sled.



        She remembered riding one almost like it when she was little. Her grandfather taught her how to use it one snowy February morning. School had been canceled because of a broken water main and her parents had begged him to watch her while they were at work. For her eight years prior Claire had only known Bill Galloway as a grumpy, odd-smelling old stranger, but that special morning, with the filthy city covered in a blanket of pure white, beneath a dome of dusky silver, her perception of the man was changed forever.



        He had shown up early, just before eight o'clock, when her mother had just finished tidying up the apartment before scurrying off to work. She remembered following him, walking through the ankle-deep snow to the sidewalk and climbing high into his old white diesel pickup truck. If she concentrated hard enough, she could still smell the aging burgundy vinyl of the bench seat mixing with the diesel exhaust and stale trace aromas of cheap cigars and spilled coffee. He drove out from the city, heading west. It was slow-going due to the weather. He was a retired steamfitter- the kind of man who could spend hours sweating over an oily pipe-threader more easily than endure the labor of conversation with a child, much less a little girl. She recalled passing the silent time, gazing out the window at the snow-covered scenery scrolling by, sometimes made more interesting by the spectacular misfortune of others.



        "Hah! Look at that, kiddo." The old man would break into a wide smile of smug, satisfied amusement. "Another asshole flipped their SUV!" he declared on numerous occasions, pointing to some soggy, baffled motorist and their upside-down vehicle in the ditch next to the highway.



        Claire remembered asking, "Why can't they drive right?"



        "Because they're morons," he replied. "Not like us Galloways. We're made of stronger stuff. It's in our blood."



        After more silent driving, a winding ascent into the rolling hills of northwestern New Jersey, Bill brought the old truck to a gentle stop in one of the snow-blanketed parking lots of Stokes State Forest. He reached down to grab his plastic mug of lukewarm coffee and pulled in gulp. He replaced the cup, saying, "Come on, city-kid. You're going to learn about sledding."



        Claire nodded and reached for the latch of the door. She pushed the heavy panel open. A flurry of little white flakes and a gust of chilly air surrounded her, sticking to the lavender nylon of her little parka and melting against her forehead as she stepped out, sinking her small rubber boots into the calf-deep powder below the door. She grinned, smelling the cold air and its musty snow-scent as she rounded the back of the vehicle to where her grandfather was reaching into the truck's snow-filled bed.



        He pulled out a thin, spidery contraption of weathered wood and steel. "This, city kid, is a real sled. Not that plastic bullshit that they sell nowadays." He shook the snow from the sled and held it out for her inspection, smiling. "This is the genuine article. Now, let's find a nice hill."



        Claire smiled, turning her eyes up from the antique sled to her grandfather's grinning face, reddened by the cold wind, looking suddenly younger and happier with obvious enthusiasm for the object.



        They made their way along a ridge which branched from the plateau where the truck was parked. "My grandfather took me here all the time when I was your age. This is where I learned how to use a sled..." He stopped, looking down the precarious slope before them. He looked down to her, grinning. "...And now it's your turn."



        He lowered the sled onto the snow, releasing a groan as he dropped to a squatting position behind the luge, sighting over the worn wooden deck to the base of the incline. He turned, looking up to Claire. "Okay, kiddo, get on."



        Claire smiled from the glee of anticipation. She lowered onto the hard, narrow platform, adjusting the lay of her parka and then tugging at the cuffs of her gloves, making sure that her fingers were in as far as they could go.



        "Now put your feet against that bar in the front and take the rope into your hands."



        Claire obliged, smiling, eager to begin her very first ride.

        "You steer it with your feet. Hold on tight-" He shoved the back of the sled. He added, "Remember... There's no brakes so watch where you're going."



        Claire broke into a wide smile as she whisked down the hill, hearing the gentle rush of the passing air, squinting against the cold little flakes that kissed her face. The tiny craft pitched forward and its speed ramped-up even further in seconds. The skis bounded over little divots hidden beneath the snow, now rushing by in a frenzied blur of white. Claire filled with panic. She clung to the old grayed rope, pushing her boots against the steering-bar desperate to slow the uncontrollable acceleration. Through her squinted eyes, she could see a growing patch of darkness. It was a rapidly-approaching stand of thick trees. She fought with the steering bar, jerking the rope with desperate tugs as her unstoppable sled hurtled toward an imminent collision with towering, hard, immovable objects.



        She tried to focus, putting her fear aside. She released the rope and gripped the deck of the speeding luge. She leaned left, pushing her right foot against the bar with all the strength her eight year old leg could muster. The craft began drifting port-side, away from the looming trees, in the direction of her body's tilt. With the disastrous course altered, Claire broke into an uncontrollable grin, her young mind swimming with satisfaction, control, and the thrill of speed and conquest.



        The sled began to ascend the hill on the little valley's other side, losing speed. Once it lost all forward momentum, Claire put her hands into the snow at her sides, still breathing fast, charged with excitement. She rose to a stand and turned, looking up the hill that she had conquered, expecting to see her grandfather, but finding no one instead. She scanned the surroundings, uncertain and beginning to come down from her adrenaline rush. She spotted her grandfather's truck, off at the edge of the road near the bottom of the valley.



        The vehicle slid to a stop. Bill Galloway jumped from the cab, running through the snow toward Claire.



        Claire reached down for the sled's rope. She snatched it and began jogging toward her grandfather, pulling the sled behind her. She could hear his excitement from across the snow-silenced hundred yards between them.



        "You did it, kiddo! I thought you were gonna lose it there for a minute, but you did it! That was perfect!" He stopped, widening the stance of his legs, spreading his arms.



        Claire reached him, dropping the rope to her sled and falling into his eager embrace, so tight that it halted her breathing for a moment.



        "I'm so proud of you, Claire." He squeezed even tighter and then released her. "That was even better than your father's first time. Were you scared?"



        Claire smiled and shook her head, still panting from her sprint through the snow. "Uh, uh." Her face beamed with excitement. "I want to go again... please?"



        Her grandfather smiled down to her. "That's why I drove down here. I don't want you getting all worn-out dragging that thing back up. Now come on, let's get back up there."



        "Could we find a bigger hill?"



        "What's wrong with this one?"



        "I already beat it."



        He smiled. "That you certainly did, kiddo. Alright, we'll find you a bigger one. Now come on."



        It was the most fun that Claire could ever remember having. It was the first and only time that she knew that someone was proud of her. She had conquered a mountain and earned the admiration of the one person whom her mother could n