The Game
Edited by Karen Leigh
David/666 had waited patiently for Marita Covarrubias to do whatever she willed with Wraith. But he couldn't do so any longer. The pull he felt from One was growing stronger and more insistent by the second. Were he not in Wraith's vicinity, he would call his idealistic colleague's attention to the demands he was projecting at a relatively deep processing level. The fact that One tended to do this only when he wanted information desperately brought a smile to David's lips. This could be interesting.
With a sigh, the android moved toward the woman and the hybrid. When they both turned to him, Marita in annoyance and Wraith with hatred in his eyes, David began.
"If we are going to take Wraith to One, we must do so immediately. They are already waiting and will become suspicious if we do not arrive forthwith. That will only make our arrival more dangerous, particularly for Wraith."
Neither said a word, but both appeared to be listening, so David continued, "I suggest that we administer a common sedative to Wraith. It will both make it easier for him to come into proximity with the gathered Mac27s and allow the Mac27s to adjust to him before facing the disturbing juxtapositions that they will perceive in his conscious mind."
Turning to Wraith, he added, "I imagine you will be more comfortable if Marita administers the sedative."
After handing the syringe to Marita, David retreated. "I'll carry him to the car when you're through, Marita."
As he slipped into unconsciousness, Marita held him, and looked at David.
"He's an old and dear friend. You better be on the level with this stuff."
"He isn't that old and dear friend anymore," David corrected, noting the surprise in the woman's eyes at the gentleness in his tone. "But he might be again, if he wants to be."
Even unconsciousness couldn't completely dull down the thrum in the back of Wraith's head anymore. An uncontrollable stream flowed through him.
He sensed fleeting considerations of the methods of building cyborgs. A glimpse of someone who looked like Wraith himself staring back at him with a seductive smile brushed him. He felt a man's graceful foot in his hands. The scent of dogs overpowered him briefly. Horrid creatures, dogs. Wraith always shot guard dogs whenever they were encountered. He should have shot Krycek at first glance. The first time he'd ever heard Krycek's name it had been in a fearful whisper in Dr Sawyer's lab. Why didn't they dispose of the bastard?
Navigational satellite feed, annoyance at disrupted plans, the taste of chocolate, howling wind, the rattle of a jackhammer and the tickle of a bristly beard passed through Wraith's head. His arms hurt, everything hurt. Wraith moaned and tried unsuccessfully to hide in the darkness.
Nodding to David as she stood up, Marita said, "Help me get him to the car, then?"
She wondered how they would get to where One was... and how they'd be received.
"I'll carry him, Marita; you lead the way."
Turning so David couldn't see her, she checked to see that her gun and neural disruptor were in working order. They were. She looked at David again. "All right."
David/666 had felt a twinge that could only be caused by an operating neural disruptor. He frowned, but chastised himself for doing so immediately. Of course, she would be armed against those of his kind. And his defenses of his neural net would either withstand the operation of her weapon or they would not. No further augmentation was possible at this point. Marita noted his frown. Had he seen her after all? Ah, so. He had to expect she would be armed...
Feeling Marita's eyes on him, David picked Wraith up, cradling him to his chest like a child rather than dropping him over his shoulder as would've been more comfortable. The small sound of approval that the woman made told him that his analysis of what she would prefer had been correct.
In moments, Wraith was safely ensconced in the car, cuffed hands secured to the doorframe with stout rope. David saw that Marita's lips were pursed in disapproval once more, so he explained, "I can't bring him to One, even unconscious, without taking what will be viewed as proper precautions. This one killed our kind with rage and took pleasure in it. You cannot expect him to be received with anything less than distrust and barely contained malice."
She climbed into the passenger's side of the car; inwardly cringing a bit as she felt the need to keep some control over things - even as a part of her reckoned they'd have an easier time getting to One if another Mac 27 was driving.
She said, "He was -- influenced to do that. Told to. I... he had blank mind; I don't think he knew what he was doing. If he had, he... I don't believe he would have - hurt anybody."
Pausing a moment to wonder whether this woman actually knew Lauren, had convinced herself that she had or was a consummate actress, David regarded her closely, even as he plotted the quickest route to the compound where One was. Recognizing the delay as just that, he added, "For those reasons and others, I will have to ask you to dispose of your weapon before we reach our destination."
Marita nodded. "Understandable. But can you not also understand my innate survival instinct, fear of being unarmed around others not of my kind?" She realized that probably sounded hostile, and maybe she should explain herself.
"I suppose it's natural to distrust what you don't know. Just as Mac 27's aren't sure of humans - we're not sure of Mac 27's." She bit her lip, and thought aloud. "Of course, Mac 27's aren't the ones who created another life form to do their will, and be slaves... you know, I've said it before, I'll say it again... humanity sucks. Sometimes I hate that I'm a human being..." She looked at David. "But, as you know, not all humans are free, either."
"How'd you come to work for Spender?"
--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--
Ryan looked from one of the androids to the other before making his decision. "Help me up," he demanded.
Romeo and Jules looked at each other and then both regarded Simms skeptically.
"Look," Ryan began. "I may not know much about what Luke wants in bed, but I do know Luke. If he ran from you, then he's got some idea in his head about either punishing himself or fixing whatever he thinks is the problem. I don't know about you two, but I shudder to think about what Luke thinks the problem actually is. So, help me up, will you?"
Romeo nodded, grabbed Ryan under one arm, slid his other around his waist and hoisted Simms onto his feet. Ryan swayed for a moment, but Romeo held him until he steadied.
"Could one of you ask One where Luke is?"
Jules seemed shocked by the suggestion, so Ryan pushed a little, "I know he's busy, but Luke is ... well, he's important. We've got to find him before he does something more stupid than me trying to get out of bed earlier."
Romeo mumbled something that sounded like, "Or getting out of bed now," but Ryan didn't really hear him.
"Please communicate with One and ask where Luke is. And One too for that matter. I've got an idea."
Romeo nodded at Jules and the two androids fell silent as they moved through the corridors. Ryan felt dizzy but was determined not to slow down. Romeo was propping him up, but Simms did the best he could as well. Suddenly, Romeo spun Ryan 270 degrees. His surroundings kept spinning and Ryan groaned, but managed to force his legs to walk more or less in step with the android's.
"Where are we going?" Simms muttered, but Jules was already opening a door and One, Baines, Ricky, the longhaired guy whose name Ryan couldn't remember and two serious looking Mac 27s were inside.
One glared at Jules and Romeo angrily. Grateful for their help and not wanting to get them in trouble, Ryan quickly interjected, "I asked them to bring me. It's Luke; he's missing. It's a long story, but the upshot of it is --."
"Why is Luke seeking to leave the compound?" One demanded harshly, eyes refocusing and body rounding on Ryan.
"It's complicated, but I think I can fix things, if your people can get him back in here."
"He isn't a prisoner, Ryan."
Simms fought for calm. It didn't come. "I know that, but if he goes, I'm going. Even if I don't get very far without passing out and wrapping my car around a tree, I'm going to try."
One looked at him closely. Ryan knew he probably looked like shit, but he didn't care. "You've got people on the perimeter. Round him up, please. I'm afraid he's going to do something ... ah ... unwise."
"Go back to bed," One said firmly.
At that moment, Ryan learned that there was a thin line between defiance and desperation. Shaking off Romeo, he stood as straight backed as he could and stated, "Not until I see Luke."
Trey-Trey selected the sleek Aston Martin that Ricky had driven to Mulder's. His companion had rather liked the Bond movies...the Sean Connery version, of course, although the new guy was passably pretty and charming as well. Trey-Trey's "Master" had resembled Sean Connery and had doubled for the man in the "Highlander" movies. He even had the dress kilt from the London scene in his closet.
The garage was huge, but half of it was now converted to manufacturing armor and weapons for the coming battle. A steady flow of argument came from the busy impromptu factory. A Scottish brogue sounded, "Ay, Captain, the metal cannot take the pressure. She's gonna blow."
Climbing into the auto, Luke sat down, sadly cupping his groin as if already parting with his finest toy. Trey-Trey said, "I think this is a mistake. Luke, your problem is that you are throwing yourself at Ryan. You should play hard to get. Having yourself decanted to a female body might just confuse the matter and you will have a hard time adjusting to the change."
Sniffing, Luke said, "I watched Deep Space Nine. If Jadzia-Dax can do it, so can I!"
Frowning like Worf, Trey Trey started the car and headed for the gate. He had decided to play Ricky Caruso for the duration and flirted outrageously with the guards. Everything went fine until they reached the main gate. A glaring nearly seven foot tall pair of twin guards, both of whom had dyed purple hair, lip rings, nose rings, and earrings stopped him.
"None shall pass," rumbled the first guard.
"Oh, my," exclaimed Trey-Trey.
A voice spoke in his head. One sounded pissed off even on this mental level. "You are supposed to have a grain of sense. Luke is disturbed, but I'm disappointed in you for helping him. "
The huge guards picked up the androids and plunked them onto the lap of one of them while the other drove.
Shortly thereafter, Trey-Trey and Luke were dragged into the temple by the scruff of their necks. Trey-Trey recognized Ryan Simms who looked rather pale and put upon. The man demanded, "What were you doing?"
Ryan suspected that his outburst was a mistake the moment he made it.
Refusing to answer, Luke collapsed onto the floor when the guard let him go.
Damn. Think first; talk second, Simms
Trey-Trey said, "He wanted to go and find Pendrell, a former lab mouse who was kidnapped by Innobotics after they faked his death and made to manufacture Mac 27s and other androids. Luke wanted to be decanted into a female body to please you. I told him that was poor dramatic scripting, but he wouldn't listen. I was just going along to protect him when these ruffians grabbed us and dragged us back."
Glancing at the emoting Mac 27, Ryan's mouth opened but nothing came out. His mind was not so idle. Thoughts of what Luke had intended to do and where he had planned to go to get it done swirled around in Ryan's head. His knees buckled slightly, but Simms kept himself upright by leaning on the table next to him.
An aborted snort of amusement, most likely from Ricky, convinced Ryan that he had to do something. But what?
The moment he felt steadier, Ryan slowly walked over to Luke who was still sitting on the floor, a picture of dejection. Crouching next to the android, Ryan put a hand on Luke's shoulder almost as much out of necessity for his own balance as to try and connect with the obviously hurting Mac 27. "Luke," he whispered.
He didn't speak and he didn't look up, but Luke did react slightly to his name. Recalling Romeo's words, Ryan continued softly, yet urgently, "You didn't make me do anything that I didn't want to do." The slight relaxation in the shoulder under his hand demanded that Ryan proceed. "And ... I ... I mean, you did ... um ... please me. You pleased me so damn much that I got scared of what I was feeling."
One mused, "Interesting idea though. If Pendrell is still alive, he could help us defend ourselves. We might need to explore this later."
One smiled at Luke and said, "At least, one of us knows exactly what they want. No one is angry with you, Luke. Besides, your idea is valuable, but we'll want to plan carefully. None of us are expendable."
At that moment, Ryan could've kissed One (well, shook his hand, anyway)- he had cut through Luke's misery and given the android something to take pride in.
No, if you can only manage to build on that instead of tearing it down. The tiny voice in Ryan's mind had exacted its revenge for the earlier stifling.
A quick glance over his shoulder revealed that the others had returned to whatever business they'd been engaged in with the exception of the Mac 27 who had been with Luke. That was good but far from optimal. Squeezing the android's shoulder, Ryan said, "We need to talk and this isn't the place for it. Will ... will you come back to the blue room with me?"
Holding his breath, Ryan waited for Luke's answer.
Remembering what Trey-Trey had said about playing hard to get, Luke thought he should pretend that he wasn't thrilled at the chance to talk alone with Ryan. However, he just couldn't. Deception seemed to have been left out of his program; a true defect in a Krycek copy.
Ryan bit his lip at Luke's hesitation, but he'd already decided that he wasn't going to take no for an answer. Not if Luke was contemplating stunts like this.
Nodding, Luke picked himself off the floor and offered Ryan his arm. He said, "I'm sorry if I upset you. It just seemed as if I had the perfect plan."
"It's okay," Ryan tried to reassure Luke even though his head had started to throb again.
It felt warm inside to be praised even if he had only been considering his own needs. Luke made sure that Ryan was supported by his strong arm and took the first step toward privacy and what ever Ryan wanted to say to him.
Meeting Ryan's eyes with some difficulty, Luke felt his eyelashes grow heavy. It really would have been easier to face the danger outside and the perils of the laboratory than to have to hear Ryan dash his hopes forever.
He looks terrible. What does he think I'm going to do? This time Ryan got the mental shut up out before the tiny voice in his mind could respond.
--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--
Five hundred yards from a massive gate, David pulled the car over and parked. With a sigh, he leaned back and concentrated on providing a visual image of their precise location to One.
The demand for preparation time that he received seemed distracted, harried and uncharacteristically tense and devoid of the calm optimism that One generally projected. When his assent didn't garner the habitual, "Thank you, David," the android was forced to reassess his view of the situation - it had clearly degenerated past the point to which he'd thought it had.
A near snarl and clear anger regarding Ryan Simms and the android Luke made David smile. "Are they together yet?" David mentally inquired with unfailing politeness. The rash of images that flooded his awareness provided some insight. An attempt to decant into a female body to increase one's appeal seemed sufficiently self-sacrificial to soften the hardest heart. "Matter of time," he projected confidently.
As expected, One proposed a "discussion" once the prisoner was settled in the compound.
"Not tonight, I'm afraid," David muttered, not realizing that he did so aloud. "I have some business to attend to. Perhaps you could fit me into your schedule tomorrow or the next day."
Sending the gate guards after him? One was tired. "And leave the gates unattended? That isn't sound. Why don't you establish a rest cycle after Wraith is secured? It sounds as though you need one."
David tuned out the denials and turned to Marita. "That is your destination," he informed her, pointing at the gate. "Your weapons, please."
She looked puzzled but asked no questions, handing him her conventional and unconventional weapons with a small sigh.
Slipping out of the vehicle, David muttered, "Remember what I said and you'll do well for yourself and the best you can for your friend."
Tossing the keys at her, David disappeared into the night.
--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--
Just as Baines had hoped, One went off to deal with Sypher taking the ebullient Ricky with him. He felt it really was important that One handle her problem before having to deal with Wraith. Turning to Alexei, Sasha and he said, " We will go out to meet Wraith and those who brought him." The two androids nodded and fell into step just behind Leigh and Michael as they headed for the front of the house. Everywhere Leigh looked there were ninjas and Mac's poring over maps of the grounds and helping each other with weapons. Baines knew the perimeter was already guarded and these were the back up groups getting ready to head out. Things moved quickly around here. One must be organizing the resistance through the Mac's. It was unlike Skip to give over control of his compound so Baines assumed that at some point they had agreed on a division of command. Checking his weapons, including a knife coated with a drug that would subdue Wraith if such a thing were necessary, he led his group out the front door. He could see down the long driveway and saw the gates opening slowly and a figure climbing out a door and moving off down the road. "Alexei, do you see the man leaving the car? Is it a Mac?"
Alexei focused on the rapidly moving figure and winced. "Yes, it is David, Mac number 666. One was expecting him to come in with Wraith."
--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--
David rubbed his eyes, a gesture that had no true meaning for him but that he'd picked up from humans with whom he'd interacted. It was going to be a long night. While he'd trotted, searching for a place where he might hire a cab or catch a bus or subway back to his home, David had remotely linked into his network and began analyzing the data that his contacts had fed him. They had no idea what the samples were that he had given them or their significance, but they'd done the sequencing and other testing he'd asked for with their usual efficiency. There was a lot of information to review. By the time he was through, he'd arrived home, after having had the cab stop at a high-end grocery store. He'd settled in immediately. Six or seven Steinlager's and a box of Godiva chocolate later, he had his answer. Now, all that remained was finding out what it meant. Getting another beer and a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, David settled in for an extended session of intelligence gathering. This was significant. It had to me. And One would give him no rest if he told him the news without more. Ryan Simms wasn't a clone. His DNA was too different. Every chromosome deviated by more than 20% at a nucleic acid level from the primary sequence of the original and minor variations of the human clones. Far fewer differences were observed at a protein level, but they were, or should have been significant. So what was he? David smiled when he thought of One convincing Luke to inquire into Ryan's history for the good of all Mac 27s. The silver tongued android leader could do it; David was certain of that. But those ethics programs that One enjoyed running would no doubt give him some trouble over it. Trying to spare One that problem, David bent over his keyboard and went hunting for information.
Baines started to jog faster towards to slowly moving vehicle. "Well, I hope that does not spell trouble. David/666 was supposed to come in with them. We have to get Wraith and his companion into the house and settled until One can deal with him." He came to a stop with Michael and the two androids standing blocking the oncoming vehicle. He kept one hand resting unobtrusively on his weapon and watched the car approach. It slowed to a stop in front of his group. Indicating the three to remain he approached the driver's window.
The window rolled down and Marita looked up into his eyes. "We've met?"
"Yes, in the bar." He looked past her at Wraith who stared back with something like anger before he focused on Alexei and Sasha through the windshield.
"Welcome to Shangri la. You will be safe here. All your questions will be answered. Are you armed?"
"No. David took my weapons. He promised that Lauren would not be hurt in any way."
"Baines looked at her and smiled his most reassuring smile, which did not particularly reassure Marita who knew Alex only too well. "Marita...it is Marita is it not?"
She nodded.
"We are not an offensive group. We are merely preparing to defend against any danger to any one who has come to us for safety. You have come for safety and brought ...Lauren," he hesitated briefly over the name, "who needs help. One says he is in distress. We cannot allow him to hurt anyone here and we wish to help him. Alex is bringing Hobbes and Mulder. Once everyone has arrived and been tended as necessary we will hold a conference."
"Drive slowly enough that we can keep pace with you. Park in front of the front doors. I will escort you inside alone. I should warn you, however, that the house is filled with Mac 27's. "
Marita held his gaze steady. "I'm not afraid of Mac 27s." She swallowed.
For what the humans did to them, she wondered if they deserved it though. Deserved to and should fear them. Sometimes she really felt the world needed a Mac 27 rebellion, kill them all, and wipe the slate clean.
The Mac 27s were so innocent.
Created children, they'd done no wrong.
Yet the humans had created them. Still... what gave them the right? If all they wanted was a machine, why create a learning, thinking, and, damn it, feeling one?
Oh, yeah. So they could act more like humans.
Every day, Marita found herself thanking God more that they did not. And felt increasingly saddened that they might feel they had to.
Wraith had been listening and watching out of the corner of his eye as Baines spoke. He was calm enough now to read the man's voice patterns and body language. The man was like Krycek, a dangerous creature but he was speaking the truth. Or what he believed was the truth. He had put his trust in Marita. He waited for her decision
"There is a lead lined bedroom on one of the lower levels where any emanations from the Mac's will not reach your companion. You may view it and decide if it is suitable to give him a respite from the constant leakage from the Mac's." He stepped back and waited as the window rolled up and Marita turned to her companion.
Marita nodded to herself. She would stay with him, though. Not lock him up alone, and if she could help it... she turned to Wraith, knowing by his expression he understood what had been said.
"Another cell." Wraith observed in a low tone.
Marita reached over and took his hand.
His attention shifted continually, taking in the surrounding defences, looking for flaws, plotting the most likely escape route, judging the staff he could see all about them. "They assume too much. I will not allow them to contain me away from you." It pained him to voice it, but he whispered a request. "Don't let them separate us, Marita. I can't protect you unless we're together."
"Stay calm." Her smile was both weary and indulgent. "It's all right, Lauren. We'll stay together." She rather thought that it would be her who may need to protect him - he was of two kinds, truly belonging to neither. Again she was reminded of man's inhumanity to man, and again she cursed CGB Spender. And herself. She'd been so damn ambitious and power-hungry that day so long ago. So shortsighted, she'd sold her soul for a glass of water. Crushed the glass, shattered it in her hand.
If only.
Oh, but.
Blood running with the water...
This place looked military enough. A simple tenet of his training spoke to him more loudly than some others. Kill the officers first. It would put the men into disarray. If it came down to it... the clone Baines had to be among the first to disabled. The files Dr. Sawyer had uploaded identified Baines as a special ops soldier. He was one of the most dangerous of the clones.
Marita drove through, to where Baines indicated. Stepping out of the car, she murmured to Wraith not to get out just yet. He ignored her.
She stepped out, and walked over to a short brunette who stood beside a tall blonde with a cat. Two Mac 27s stood with them. She held out her hand to the brunette, who seemed to be looking at her with more than a hint of a challenge. "My name is Marita Covarrubias. My companion is Wraith."
"Jessica Leahs," she said curtly, shaking the other woman's hand. She was uneasy about Covarrubias. Jess was reminded for some reason of the people who would visit the scientists overseeing her. She bit the inside of her lower lip, suppressing an urge to growl.
Not knowing what to say next, Marita waited for a reply, noticing that the blonde took the hand of one of the Mac 27s as she approached.
Baines moved to stand with Marita and smiled at the two women. He spoke first to Alexei and Sasha. "Please go and find One and let him know that Marita and Wraith are here." He then addressed the other androids. "One wishes Wraith to be comfortable as possible. The presence of Mac's this close is aggravating his control. I think some food might be in order. If you ladies could escort Wraith and Marita to the dining room, perhaps you could get acquainted over lunch." He watched the reaction of all three women carefully. He was not sure the two or their androids would take his suggestion. He did not want to make it an order. Turning to Marita he said, "the room I recommended only locks from the inside and is more of a suite than a room so you can share it with Wraith. There are, of course, other rooms available if he would prefer. One is overseeing something critical at the moment and cannot meet you immediately; so food and rest is the best idea I can come up with at present."
Alexei and Sasha had obeyed him and gone directly into the house. The other two androids had not moved.
Johnny's first response was to obey the human's request, however he did not think it wise to be separated from Jess at this point. She was tense and showing signs that her control was becoming more and more tenuous. If she were to lose control, he would need to be on hand to try to talk her back down. Also, this was the cyborg that had killed innocent Mac 27s with no mercy. There was no way he would turn his back on Wraith.
Nodding to Michael, Leigh moved towards the door and then stood by the steps and waited for the others to make their decisions. He really did not want a confrontation between guests when the enemy was practically at the gates. Trying to maintain civility in a large group with too many egos and personalities in a relatively confined space was like sitting on a bomb and he had done that once too often. Wraith was dangerous and the last thing Baines wanted was him to feel more threatened than his paranoia already had him feeling. He knew that Wraith was taking his lead from Marita and if she were threatened, or even appeared to be threatened, there was no telling what damage he could inflict. One wanted Wraith intact and on their side.
Baines would do all in his power to protect both sides. When no one moved, he spoke up once more, "Wraith is inherently a danger to >the Macs. He has come here voluntarily. We do not wish to give him even the impression of a threat to his well-being. Marita is part of his well being." Again, he waited.
"As I am a part of Jess's," was Johnny's response. He laid a comforting hand on her shoulder, which she immediately knocked off with a sidelong glare at him.
That was not a good sign. Jess had little tolerance for people invading her personal space to begin with, but normally she'd allow Johnny touch her. Now Johnny was concerned. She was acting like it was sunset of the night of the full moon, about to trigger the transformation process. That was tomorrow night, and if she was this tense tonight...
Wraith would never understand the reason people fussed over house pets. Cats might not be as horrible as dogs but animals in general gave him the creeps.
Shifting so that his shoulder shielded Marita, Wraith stared at the women and the units. Neither of their faces matched up with any files he had access to: and the Macs were, of course, interchangeable. His fingers flexed, testing to see how much of the drug was still left in his system, just in case he had to defend Marita. "We do not want to be imprisoned in your dungeon. I am in perfect control," Wraith lied.
Jess eyed Wraith suspiciously. Something about him wasn't making sense to her, something her instincts were processing but her brain hadn't caught up with. Uncertain if her sense of unease was coming from Marita or Wraith, she curled her fingers into fists, wincing when her sharpening nails dug into her palm. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to relax.
Not to be left out, Mac Brown glared at Wraith and said, "And I will not leave Allison." He wished he were capable as Johnny. A lot of good his training would do unless Wraith was interested in the "Modern Modem Compendium of Exotic Sex Practices." Of course, it was entirely too bad that world conflict could not be resolved by Olympic like screwing events. Mac prided himself on his technique. There was nothing much someone had not asked him to do. He would have at least earned a gold medal.
Allison smiled, squeezing his hand. She was finding herself strangely attracted to Mac Brown, and she liked it in one way, but in another... it frankly terrified her. Almost of its own volition, her thumb began running idly over the back of his hand. Of course, the one time that Mac had a good reason to fight, Allison has been very upset with him when he had been desperate enough to fight a human. Mac brightened. He realized that he probably could defend Allison in this case. He angled to get between her and the deadly cyborg. However she appeared to be trying the same thing.
"Mac... Mac." She kept trying to edge around him, but every time she did, he bumped back into her.
She began to laugh, and playing, turned it into a game. She would try to get around him, and he'd prevent her. When she bumped straight into him after a few go-rounds, she threw her arms around his neck, laughing, and kissed his cheek, softly, gazing up at him with a wicked smile on her face.
Obviously not understanding how dangerous Wraith was, Allison was turning the attempt to protect her into a game. Analyzing the situation, Mac was nervous about Jess suddenly. She had seemed so calm and capable that it had been a relief to let her and Johnny make all the decisions. Now Mac could see the hairs on her neck standing up. Her body chemistry was changing and there was something in her scent that his olfactory processor did not even recognize as human.
Wraith, of course, smelled utterly wrong. He smelled of Mac 27 parts and there was a lingering hint of despair and death clinging to the intrusions into his human core. As for the human part of him, there was a complex acid molecule tainting the air from his direction. It was somewhat like the sharp, sour smell of his former master's schizophrenic pet, Gina, but not quite the same. It was as if something had manipulated the genetic code for schizophrenia and added it to someone's genome. All Mac Brown knew for sure was this was a dangerous creature.
Jess was growling softly and Johnny was sending panicked waves of energy out all over the place. The human?? Female took a step forward, her gait stiff and measured. She carried herself with confidence and pride, intimidating Mac who after all had been built to be the perfect submissive. Jess normally did not seem prone to staring anyone in the eyes, but now she glared directly at Wraith's oscillating orbs.
Okay, that was it. He wanted to support Jess, but damned if he would allow Allison to get hurt. As she leaned into him, Mac Brown swept her off, turned and ran for the house. Someone else better go try to stop the duelists in the yard. Mac Brown's life mission was to keep Allison safe. Carrying Allison and Allison carrying the cat, Mac Brown ran to safety.
Baines watched Mac Brown lift Allison up and carry her off. He did not understand what exactly was happening with the brunette Jess but he recognized the danger signals. He tried to intervene once more. "Jess. Is there a problem Jess? If there is a problem please take it somewhere else. We know Wraith's composition and what it bodes for those assembled inside. He is not yours to deal with. Jess, please follow Allison and Mac Brown inside."
"He is right, Jess," Johnny whispered. "Let's go inside and let others deal with Wraith." No such luck - Jess ignored him. He didn't like the fact that Jess had locked eyes with Wraith and was not blinking. Central processors over clocking, he thought fast and furiously, trying to determine what about Wraith was provoking such a reaction from Jess and how to contain the situation before it went much further.
The woman had no weapons but Wraith wasn't about to dismiss her as an easy takedown. Leahs was projecting far too much confidence considering their relative sizes, therefore she knew something he didn't.
"Stay behind me, Marita." Wraith planted himself square in the path of the woman and glared right back at her. Adrenaline was starting to flood his system in reaction to the possible threat and almost without realizing it, his teeth bared in a challenging half smile.
Speaking to Baines without moving his eyes from Leahs, Wraith announced, "this one is... wrong... dangerous." He wasn't sure how he knew it, but he did. Perhaps predators recognized each other more easily.
Jess reacted by bearing her own teeth in a grimace. This time her growl was louder, clearer, adding reinforcement to Wraith's words.
"Remove yourself..." Wraith ordered Leahs, "...or I *will* damage you." It was such a relief. With the possibility of a battle before him perfect focus was reacquired and the voices receded to faint whispers. Wraith felt like himself for the first time in days.
Her body tensed, crouching into a position she could easily spring from. "Brrring it ooon." Jess's voice was hard to recognize from the growls distorting it. [Stop this!] the human corner of her mind screamed. [What are you doing? You don't need to fight him.] But the wolf in her was firmly in command, and looking forward to being unleashed...
The Uzi came out almost without thought and pointed at Wraith's head. "Enough of this shit," Baines cracked out louder than before. "I have been polite but I will not allow you to harm each other. Wraith, I give the orders here, if orders are necessary. We are all *wrong* here. Why should she be any different? Now stand down all of you. This is no place for posturing or threats between strangers. Wait till you know you are enemies before trying to kill each other. I will not kill you Wraith but I can hurt you." Baines saw Wraith turn to keep both Jess and himself in view and gather himself. His voice lowered, "Wraith, if I understand your make up, the only one you can injure from your position before I take out both your legs and Marita's, is the Mac. Jess and I are human and you cannot move faster than I can pull this trigger."
Keeping his eyes on Wraith's reaction, he said to Jess, "Are you listening to me, Jess, or do you care less about Johnny than your reaction to Wraith. Many will have an adverse reaction to him. No one can be allowed to do anything about it until One has helped him. I really do hate repeating myself. Wraith will have adverse reactions to those in the house as well as yourself. How is he expected to trust us and control himself if we show ourselves unworthy of that trust? Please take note that I am holding a weapon on two guests to protect you from yourself."
Threatening Wraith with the Uzi only caused Jess to tense further.
Johnny watched Jess flinch at Baines using the word 'human.' Her hair grew .2 mm longer and then stopped. She was maintaining control, but barely. Anything could set her over the edge at the moment, and Johnny wasn't certain he could stop her from hurting either Wraith or Baines. Hating to do it, he broadcast a plea for help. //To anyone within this broadcast,// he transmitted on the emergency frequency, //I am Johnny, formerly known as Unit #5. I am in need of 20ccs of an animal tranquilizer, four feet of chain, and a pipe between 2 and 3 feet long. Bring them to my coordinates ASAP.// She'd wouldn't like what he had in mind, but she'd forgive him when she was back in her right mind, he hoped.
"Listen to him Jess. Walk away, this isn't our fight," Johnny urged.
Jess was hearing everything, but not listening. She was perfectly focused on the cyborg in front of her. The tensions from her earlier confrontation with Jake and life on the run were finally catching up to her and were about to explode. She was balanced perfectly between human and werewolf, unable to start the Change, but unable to back down from it until someone tilted the balance one-way or the other.
Baines' eyes widened as Jess appeared to change ever so slightly in some fashion. His mind took it in but he did not understand what he had seen. He put the Uzi down at his side and stepped closer to the group slowly. Addressing Johnny softly he asked, "Johnny, what is happening to Jess? How can we help her?" He stopped a distance away recognizing that coming closer might trigger whatever was happening. He really wanted to end this without anyone injured. "Everyone please stand very still."
The gun was down, which left Leahs as the most immediate threat in the area. Wraith shifted his body accordingly. Baines was wrong, Leahs wasn't human, not entirely.
Examining the stance she'd taken, Wraith guessed her hands were major weapons, although the way her expression was shifting suggested teeth might be a factor. The woman wasn't exactly the same as she was a moment ago. More changes might be possible. The revelation hit him, dropping a multitude of files into place and flooding him with details on unarmed combat against a non-human.
"You..." Wraith concluded with a hiss of profound disgust, "...are some kind of animal. Animals are expendable."
The expletive that went through Johnny's mind at Wraith's pronouncement had no true equivalent in human terms. It had to do with the inability to compute an equation requiring division by zero and the associated errors displayed by his math co-processor when attempts were made. Things were about to come crashing down around their heads, and he wasn't sure he could minimize the damage. "Just stay where you are, and don't make any fast moves," Johnny replied. "Wraith, would you be so kind as to take one step backwards." Being polite to someone who would kill him as soon as look at him galled Johnny to no end, but any further expression of hostility would push Jess over the edge. There was some sort of dominance test going on between the two, and even if Wraith didn't truly submit to Jess, her wolf instincts would accept a movement away from her as a submissive posture. Hopefully that would be enough to snap her out of it and they could work through it from a human perspective and determine why she was having such a bad reaction. However if Wraith took a step forward or Baines came much closer...
Baines slowly raised the gun again. "Wraith, none of us are completely human, even you. She is not expendable any more than you are." At this distance, Baines had more chance of hitting only Wraith but it might end up being a kill shot. Jess appeared to be holding herself under control by the thinnest of margins. Wraith did not appear to be making any attempt to control himself. Who the fuck programmed him with hatred, contempt, and disgust for everything walking.
Marita looked sharply at Wraith. "Lauren, that's not like you. What would make you say such a thing? These are friends -- "
The gun was what finally pushed Jess over. It wasn't pointed at her, but the movement, combined with Wraith's words triggered her Change. Her breathing became harsher and her growl louder as she felt her spine lengthen and legs lengthen, clothing tearing to accommodate her new form. Black fur sprouted from her skin as her jaws and teeth reworked into fangs and a long muzzle. Her fingers, as well toes, were sporting three-inch claws. Now standing at seven feet tall, she glared down at Wraith ears flat against her skull.
Marita's jaw dropped. She wasn't a woman to spook easily, but this... she was reminded of stories she had heard, growing up in Eastern Europe. She suddenly had a question or two for Fox Mulder, rather than the other way around. She stepped in front of Wraith, staring up at the creature. Then she remembered that direct eye contact with a dog was a challenge, and lowered her eyes. "Don't look into her eyes," she told Wraith. "Don't try to stare her down."
"Jess! No!" Johnny made an attempt to grab the loose skin of the back of her neck, but she knocked him away. The wolf in her was in control, and was more than ready to fight Wraith.
Marita looked uneasily at Johnny, and took hold of Wraith, trying to force him to turn his head. When he wouldn't, she put her hand over his eyes. He easily ripped her hand away, though.
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