Disclaimer: JQ not mine. Non-JQ characters and storyline mine. No money made. All for fun... Category: Alt, RE, Angst Rating: This entire series is for mature readers with a tolerance to slight netiquette language violators, implied violence (You have been Warned!) Archivers: If you want it... note: Do not attempt to read this part if you haven't read the earlier installments. Well, you can, but I don't advise it... I'm pretty sure you'll get the gist of the storyline, but it's not the same as reading it from the beginning... So if you wanna know the whole story... check out Suze's site. Or you can send me a note, demanding to send you the copies of the parts you want at: inachan2@ican.net ******************************************************************** Geneva, 1987... it started when the world's most ambitious effort for global peace ended in a massacre. A tragedy that lead to the rise of the "New Order"... the Zin Empire. Ten years later, in the year of our Lord 1997, the children of the fallen generation has come of age. Now it begins. The brave journey to bring light... Into the Valley of Darkness Chapter 8 Act 3: The Gifted Ones They're talking about me... The logical side of his mind bristled It's rude. I want them to stop. Of course I want to. The logical side of his mind demanded authoritatively. It was so forcefull that an ache he had long forgotten had started to tingle along his left shoulder and down his left arm. He closed his eyes and did what he has done many times in the past. He willed the pain away until all that was left was blissful numbness. He instinctively ran his fingertips in the collar of his shirt, feeling the ragged flesh underneath. A feeling, somewhat close to surprise ran through as he realized that his hand was shaking. He raised his hand in front of his face and watched it curiously. His mother's ring resting around his index finger glistened dully in the room's light... along with the rich scarlet stain that won't go away. The pungent smell of burning flesh. The nauseating metallic taste in his lips. No matter how hard he tried to wash them off, the sensations stayed. Forcing the numbness to flow through him usually takes them away. The logical side of his mind chided arrogantly Trying to forget won't make it go away either. None of it won't go away until... Until I fulfill my promise. The logical side of his brain snorted, *** "N432 plastics." Race frowned, "They were banned after the Geneva incident." "Were there any other incidents that happened in Geneva after the bombing?" The young commander tapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully, "Aside from the worldwide political tension?" "Back in the embassy," Hadji began quietly, "I stumbled upon some old files. They were about the N432 plastics. When oxidized and inhaled at certain amounts, they literally re-wire the human brain chemistry and development." Race stared at the young man in disbelief, "Are you saying that Zin has developed a mind-altering gas?" Hadji shook his head, "I do not know. All I know is that this is based on a number of observed subjects exposed to the oxidized plastic as a result of the Geneva bombing. " "What are the effects?" "In theory? It ranges from becoming a superhuman genius to obtaining brain damage. In the most of the cases in Geneva, the subjects' brains literally shut down within a year after exposure." Race frowned again, "I was in Geneva around that time, why wasn't I affected?" "That is one of the unexplained mysteries of the this phenomenon," Hadji replied, "All those affected were children less than five years of age." "My God," The older man whispered as he slumped back on his seat, "Why was this never publicized?" But he already knew the answer to that, and he couldn't help the guilt stabbing his soul. The world was too busy grieving and pointing fingers. He turned to the boy once again, "Did Zin ever develop this technology?" "I do not know," Hadji repeated truthfully, "But there were myths." "Myths?" Hadji simply made quick glance at the blonde boy sitting on the floor, an isolated distance away. "Is he an emulator?" Race asked quietly "I do not know," Hadji said no more. Race nodded, but he knew exactly what was running through the young man's mind. The same thought has crossed his. It made perfect sense. How else can a traitor be granted full protection and privileges? Why else would a child, with virtually no past, be made ward of the crown? Race watched the younger boy's profile as his forehead crumpled, deep in thought. Were you there when Jade tried to assassinate Lady Harcourt? Were you the reason why Jade tried to assassinate Lady Harcourt? But... why is Jade trying to protect you now? As if sensing his questions, the mysterious child lifted his face, and once again, Race found himself facing the deep blue orbs with its glassy doll-like consistency. This time, however, whatever discomfort he felt earlier didn't return. Only that vague sense of familiarity. A vague sense of... fighting... no... struggling.... struggling to see a light behind an opaque blue glassy wall... **** Footsteps echoed eerily on the quiet corridors. Carla gave the boy walking beside her a nervous glance then made a quiet sigh of defeat as her friend failed to meet her gaze. A year... only a year has passed... it only took a year to bring this persistent uncomfortable seriousness in his face. She knew that he would come back different, given the circumstances of his leaving in the first place. She psychologically braced herself on what to expect a million times... or so she thought. But she knew now that her mind still longed to see the old friend she grew up with... no her heart wished it so. She already knew that was impossible... with Becky gone. She quickly squashed the sense of jealousy gnawing at the pit her stomach. It was wrong to feel that way towards Becky. But it still nagged her that the last time she heard him laugh was because of her... She wasn't even successful on even giving him the semblance of a smile. No, it was Jessie whom he gave that privilege to. "Its not too late," John whispered as they stopped in front of the elevator Carla nodded as she reached into her pockets and clutched a small flat object inside "I made up my mind." "Thank you," John replied Carla smiled weakly as the elevator chimed its arrival and the door opened for its passengers. Her smile faded instantly at the vision of a red-haired, bearded man stood in the hoist before them. Her eyes darted in alarm at the frozen tableau before him. The man and the boy eyed each other silently. The picture of the man's unreadable expression contrasted against the growing animosity on the boy's, for what seemed like an eternity. The elevator chimed, breaking the spell. As the door closed halfway, the boy reached out and stopped its sealing. With chin up high and jaw set, the boy stepped in. Carla can only clutch the small object in her hand tightly as the elevator door closed before her, leaving her behind. Disclaimer: JQ not mine. Non-JQ characters and storyline mine. No money made. All for fun... Category: Alt, RE, Angst Rating: This entire series is for mature readers with a tolerance to slight netiquette language violators, implied violence (You h ave been Warned!) Archivers: If you want it... Wildeys: Please do not include note: This is a very important act. One of the turning points of the story. If you haven't read the earlier parts, I advise you to read it. Otherwise it'll ruin the story for you. You can check out Suze's site or you can send me a note, demanding to send you the copies of the parts you want at: inachan2@ican.net ******************************************************************** Geneva, 1987... it started when the world's most ambitious effort for global peace ended in a massacre. A tragedy that lead to the rise of the "New Order"... the Zin Empire. Ten years later, in the year of our Lord 1997, the children of the fallen generation has come of age. Now it begins. The brave journey to bring light... Into the Valley of Darkness Chapter 8 Act 3: Things Fall Apart "What's wrong?" Carla jumped in surprise at her friend's voice, "Jess! What are you doing here?" Lines of worry formed on the red head's face, "Speak for yourself? I called you three times and you just kept on walking like a zombie." "Did you? Sorry," Carla replied sheepishly, "I just had something in my mind." Jessie suddenly stopped in her tracks, causing the other girl to stop with her. The red head then crossed her arms sternly and glowered at her friend in annoyance, "All right... what are you hiding?" "Wh-what?" Carla stammered, "N-n-nothing! What gave you that idea?" Jessie's eyes narrowed, "Did John do something to you?" "NO!" Carla replied a tad louder than she intended. This time it was the red head who jumped back in surprise at her friend's sudden outburst. "I mean... nothing. John didn't do anything." "No," Jessie shook her head with a hurt expression on her face, "Something's up. You're hiding something." Carla simply silently looked away, refusing to meet the accusing green eyes in front of her. "Why do you keep doing this to me?" Jessie demanded indignantly, "Why does everyone keep me out in the dark?" "John was on his way to see his father. He met Dr. Quest in the elevator. I don't think this is a good time to see him if you still need him," Carla said flatly as she started to walk away "Carla!" Jessie called out as she grabbed the other girl's and, "Tell me what's going on!" The blonde girl turned to her with an unreadable expression on her face, "I'm sorry Jessie... you wouldn't understand." With those words, the girl pushed herself away from her captor and ran through the corridors. Jessie can only watch as her friend's retreating figure disappeared from her sight. She then turned around to the direction of the elevators. An overwhelming wave of helplessness and worry overpowered her indignation. "John... please don't do something stupid like the last time..." *** Interesting, don't you think? How a five minute trip can feel like an eternity. John was pondering at that particular mystery of life, trying to keep his mind off the uncomfortable tension hanging in the air. The thick silence made the smooth humming of the elevator's clockwork as deafening as thunder in a violent lightning storm. He knew that this situation was inevitable. Still... knowing doesn't prepare you for it. And so, that single question that haunted his every waking consciousness, now made itself more known than ever in his head. Despite it all, his conscience nagged at him. How can he hate this man? How is it possible that a body can learn to hate someone whom he has loved and admired his entire life? How can one reward compassion with disrespect? "How was school?" "Let's skirt around the small talk. We both know exactly what we want to say to each other." "Blunt and direct to the point. Just like your mother..." "Keep my mother out of this. This isn't about her." ... and with incisiveness? "I think it would be best if we discuss this in a more approria---" "Funny how you make it sound like I really have a choice." "I just meant that we will be able to discuss matters in a more civilized manner with cooler heads." "Oh, please, Dr. Quest. Use the UN negotiation tactics crap on someone who cares." "...." John closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to force his emotions to calm down. What else can you do when your opponent refuses to fight back to fuel your indignation? "I got your letter. Thank you for sending it as fast as you could." "I'm sorry the news was not very pleasant. You deserved to hear the truth... and... your father needed you." The boy smirked, "I find that hard to believe, considering my father never really gave a shit about me." "That's not true." "Oh, isn't it? Then tell me why my father continued to obsess over means of kicking Zin on the face at the time when his family needed him? The only thing that mattered to my father is his beloved propaganda movement." "Your father only wants to make a better future for you." "The only thing that mattered to YOU is your precious satellite." "And this justifies hacking into IRIS to destroy over half a century's worth of work?" He knew he finally struck a chord. He could sense it in the older man's calm voice. Though at the moment, he didn't know if he wanted to feel pleased or afraid at his reaction. But the fires of ire that has continued to grow and burn within himself the past few years was stronger than his desire to make peace. "My mother died because of your precious projects." "Nothing you do will bring her back." The boy clenched his fists, "Mom believed in what you were doing. Rebecca only had unconditional love. I left because I knew that if I stayed, I would only try to finish what I begun. I didn't want Becky to see... this... So I left for Becky's sake... and my mother's memory." Of course he knew that this man loves him. This man would move mountains for him. Rage blinds the misguided. The misguided mind sees the world in fogged spectacles. "The least thing I expected from you is that you would protect my sister." ".... I'm sorry I failed you... again..." "Saying sorry won't bring her back." It's a vicious cycle. Fogged eyes misguides the mind. The misguided mind concludes distorted perceptions... fueling rage to even burn brighter. His fury demands vengeance. "Johnny..." "DON'T CALL ME THAT! DON'T YOU EVER EVER CALL ME THAT NAME!" His fury demands destruction on everything responsible for his pain... "I AM NOT JONNY! I AM NOT YOUR SON!" His fury demands that everyone responsible must feel his pain... "JONATHAN'S DEAD! JONATHAN DIED IN GENEVA TEN YEARS AGO!" Interesting, don't you think? How a routine five minute trip can bring hell. The chimes announced the passing of the storm, as the electric tension in the air escaped its prison with the opening of the doors... The man simply stood there and listened to the fading hurried footsteps echoing in the corridor before the doors closed again. He knew that this situation was inevitable. Still... knowing doesn't prepare you for it. Nothing can stop the numbness afflicted by loss and self pity. So he simply stood there, lost in his own world. Not even noticing that the elevator had stopped humming... and the darkness that engulfed him.