She left the parking lot, her bladder feeling much smaller than before. The building was tall and looked just like a regular office. In the front was the words, Time Scape Magazine.
It was a cover. It was why the outside looked so plain. The brick, the door…everything. The windows were frosted to where people couldn't look in. But even if they did, they would see nothing out of the ordinary.
Mina walked up the sidewalk, her Demonia boots giving her the extra few inches in height needed to give her a small boost of confidence. It had been a few months since everything that happened in Crusa. Her body had completely recovered, and all that was left was the mental scars and the grief of losing her sister.
Her palms were sweating, and she could feel her heart pound. She reached up and placed her fingers over the necklace Ace had given her when she left the military hospital. It was a moonstone, in the shape of a heart, wrapped in copper wire. She swallowed hard again; Ace worked so hard to make their life…livable. They couldn't leave the base unless they were told they could.
Only because of what she was.
And the fact Ace had the mutagen in his body. He was the walking antidote, and he was already used as a blood bank. Several thousand antidotes were being made day in and day out because of his blood.
And he refused the three-million-dollar payment.
He wanted to make a difference, and she couldn't blame him one bit. She walked through the doors and was greeted by the sterile smell of a place being over cleaned. Just like the labs…her stomach tightened, and she caught a glimpse of herself in the reflection of the tile floor.
Her hair grew out passed her shoulders, it was still that deep mahogany color, and her eyes long since returned to their normal viridian green. She had gained a little bit more weight, but it made her look fuller, healthier.
Her cheeks were on the plumper side, and she still carried herself with confidence. She reached into her purse and felt for her wallet.
"Ma'am. I must ask you to remove your hand from your purse and place it on the scanner." The voice came from behind her, and it nearly made her jump out of her skin. The whole place was as quiet as a morgue, there was no music, nothing that would make it seem like people worked there.
She turned to the guard and gave him her purse. "I'm here for an interview with the captain."
The guard furrowed his caterpillar like brows, "You?" He looked her up and down before scoffing, "What do you have to offer?"
Anger crawled up her spine, and she was about to argue when a door opened from the far back, and a lilting female voice carried through the empty corridor. "Are you Myrna Locklear?" The female was petite, blonde, with brown eyes and a soft round face. She wore the typical office uniform. A grey skirt, with a grey long sleeved shirt. Her eyes were cold.
The guard made another noise in his throat before giving Myrna, her purse back. "You should've just told me who you were. I wouldn't have questioned you."
Myrna took her purse back and gave him another look, he wasn't much to look at. A plain white male, with busy eyebrows and bald. He was a little bigger around the stomach, but he was bulky everywhere else.
"Nort, leave the girl alone. She's probably nervous as is." The female called from the doorway.
Mina gave the woman her attention again and walked over with her shoulders squared and her chin high. She feigned confidence with the best of them. She worked better alone, by herself. Working as a team was out of her comfort zone.
The woman kept the door open for her, and she walked in.
That’s where everything changed.
The floor was marble, scarlet red and obsidian black in a checkered pattern. In the center of the floor was a symbol of some kind. The tiles were shined to perfection, there were comfortable looking chairs that lined the wall, and a single desk, made from oak. A typewriter was off on the left of the desk as decoration while a very new—fancy—computer was in the center.
"My name is Sharon, I'm Captain Normandy's secretary. It's nice to meet you." The woman closed the door, locking it behind them before she went to her desk. "He will be in shortly. Please have a seat."
Mina couldn't keep her eyes off the symbol. "What is that?" She nodded to it.
Sharon gave it a quick glance, "It's what we stand for, and what we fight for."
The symbol was a broken biohazard, with a dove in the center. Mina looked away and to Sharon, "Why me?" It fell from her mouth before she could stop herself. "Why can't Ace and I go back to our normal lives?"
Sharon who had started typing, paused, then continued. "I can't discuss it with you. I'm sorry. I'm sure once you speak to the captain, he will give you everything you would need to know. Now please sit." She gestured to the chair.
With knots in her stomach, Mina sat down on the chair putting her purse on her lap. She reached inside and grabbed her wallet—she had changed it out for something cleaner—and pulled out the photo of her sister. I'm doing this for you Nadine…Alfred needs to be stopped, and I will stop him. I'm sorry I couldn't save you. She rubbed the photo with her thumb. All the experiments that they put us through, what they're putting everyone else through needs—
A sudden bleating noise of a phone startled her out of her thoughts. I survived the attack on Crusa…I've fought tooth and nail to get this far. And yet I still jump at a sudden noise. She put the photo back into her wallet, what did the psychiatrist call it? PTSD? But how could a weapon like me have it? She leaned back against the chair, listening into the conversation Sharon was having over the phone.
"Yes sir, she's here. Early, but here. Do you want me to send her back?"
Mina tapped her fingers against her purse, bouncing her foot.
Sharon hung the phone up and stood, "Follow me."
Standing, she went to Sharon who was already walking down the hallway. The lights changed, from being a nicely lit area to a darker, more sinister looking hall. She held onto her purse even tighter, getting ready to reach inside for her weapon. The only gun they allowed her to keep.
Her uncle’s revolver.
Sharon stopped, and turned to the wall. She touched a pad, typing in a number faster than Mina could see. There was an unlocking sound, and she grabbed a handle that she didn't see at first. "Go on in. He's waiting for you."
Mina watched the hidden door open, and for the first time since Crusa, she felt uncertain about her choices.
◆◆◆
There was a deep masculine smell as she entered the office. The door closed behind her. The office was lit much better than the hall, and she was greeted by the man she saw on the roof at Crusa. He just didn't have his gear on.
He was a large man, bulky, with salt and pepper hair. His jaw was chiseled, and she could tell he worked out. His biceps were on the bigger side, but he still had a lean face and from what she could see, a leaner lower body. But her view was obscured by the large desk.
There was a lamp on, and a yellowed folder in front of him.
It looked like the one from the police department. It had her name…her…project name on the front. She kept standing there, watching him flip another page.
"Myrna Locklear. Project Yellow Cat…" His bass voice traveled over her skin, and she felt herself shiver. "Man made weapon, used for destruction." He lifted his face and looked directly at her.
His eyes were like molten gold, and she could see the haunted look behind them. His lips were deep and his jaw tight. "Your 'parents' created you specifically to destroy anything that didn't work. Or…an escaped weapon…like yourself." He turned another page, "Born in a tube, your genes made for perfection…muscles full of hidden strength." He closed the file.
"You had a sister by the name of Nadine, who was a failed weapon. Am I correct?" He crossed his arms across his chest.
She could feel him look her up and down, and she moved a little uncomfortable. Being looked at so closely made her feel like she was back in the laboratory. "Yes…uh, yes sir."
"You've had combat training b
y a 'Vincenzo McMorran' owner of Vinnies Clips and Arms? He was a former Marine, and combat specialist." It was more of a statement then a question.
But she answered still, "Yes sir."
"And who taught you, your thievery?" He leaned back, watching her.
That made her look away. Being under his eyes reminded her of Ace. There wasn't any judgement in them, but pure curiosity and honest wonderment. She didn't want to lie, so she told him the truth. "Captain Normandy, I trained myself. With the combat training my…Uncle gave me, I used that and taught myself how to break and enter. It took a couple of years and training myself on my own house, and his shop, but I became the best. I had a few other people who wanted to learn, and they got caught." She lifted her chin and kept her eyes steady on him. "I became the best in the business. I had made quite a bit of money through it."
He pulled something else out, "Well over three hundred grand in a year." He lifted the piece of paper and waved it, "I know. I found the pawnshop records that you worked with. He was a good fence…and knew what he was doing." He sat upright, going around his desk.
She took a step back, her muscles tightening ready to defend herself.
When he came around, she got a better look at him, he was tall. The same height as Ace, and his eyes were cold. But when he looked at her, there was some warmth that surfaced. He stood in front of her and gave her a once over. From her feet to her head. Mina tried to read him, but he gave nothing away. "There's potential in you, I can see it." He backed up and went close to his desk. There was a single photo on it. "We work in teams, and I know from your past experience, you prefer to be alone. That's not going to fly."
"I…I know Sir." She straightened her shoulders, "I'm not this soft spoken, I'm—"
"You're microchipped Myrna. They know where you are, and every move you make. Taking you on is suicide, the moment you are activated again you alert them." He had opened the file and flipped through it again, "Taking it out could possibly kill you, it's lodged in your heart."
Surprised, Mina gasped, "What?"
"Yes. You have a microchip in your heart. Each time you're activated they know where you are. Taking it out could possibly kill you. The operation is up to you. With your healing abilities you'll be up on your feet within a matter of hours…" He grabbed her attention, and locked eyes with her, "I know you want it out, but I'm not going to let you. We need that microchip, and we need you tracked. It'll help us find the Company."
Her legs grew weak, and she reached out to the chair that was against the wall. She sat down; a cold sweat trickled down her spine. "Why?"
He let out a light chuckle, "Because Alfred has one of my people. Her name is Agatha." He grabbed the photo on his desk and turned it over. She was dumb founded when she saw it. She and the captain were close together, tossing up peace signs. "She went undercover and hasn't been heard from again. She went alone." He put the photo back down and crossed his arms. "It's why I changed that real fast. She's been gone about four weeks now, shortly after we rescued you, she begged me to let her go undercover. Agatha has a way of feeling bad for people. Like you."
Mina was trembling.
"Will you work for us?" Captain Normandy asked.
She let out a nervous chuckle, "Not like I have a choice."
"Actually." He uncrossed his arms and approached her, "Yes you do. We're not like that Company; we give our people a choice. But I want you to know once you do agree. You can never leave. The secrets you find out, the truth…it'll haunt you."
Mina slowly blinked, surprised. "I really do have a choice?"
"Yes." He gave her a slight nod, "Though it would be a little difficult since your handler is with us already. Ace is one hell of a shot."
She gave it little thought, "Alright. When do I start?"
He smiled, and it caught her off guard, "Today." He went behind his desk and grabbed his phone. "Sharon? Take her to the training grounds. It's time."
Chapter Three
Before leaving the office, she turned to him. "What's your name captain?" She asked.
He gave her a quick look, before glancing at Sharon. "My name is Emmett Normandy. Alpha." He relaxed his tense shoulders still holding the door open, "There are extra clothes in the locker room. You'll be training underneath Ace; he'll guide you through everything you need to know. Make sure you're not late. He already knows you're coming."
In the same breath she asked, "Where's Ace?"
A light smirk, "He's getting his new arm. Now go. Knock yourself out kiddo."
She crinkled her nose at the insult. "I'm twenty-seven you know?"
"Still a kid…I'm forty-three."
Mina turned from Emmett and followed Sharon, it was a long walk and down three more floors with an elevator. She was close enough to the woman she could smell her perfume. It was light, and floral. It was her who broke the silence, "The captain likes you."
She looked at Sharon, surprised. "What?"
"Ever since we lost Agatha he hasn't smiled. When he first saw you, there was a look in his eyes. He sees something in you. Don't disappoint." She had stiffened her back, "I can't work on the field anymore." She reached down and lifted her skirt.
Mina didn't even realize it when she first saw the young woman.
She was missing a leg.
"Your handler—Ace—is going to get one just like it. It’s one of the most advanced technologies in the world. Made by our corporation." She lowered her skirt, fixing it.
She moved slightly uncomfortable, it looked so real she couldn't believe it at first. "W…what is our corporation called?"
"The Scarlet Corps." The elevator opened. "This is your stop, Myrna."
Mina stepped off the elevator and looked at the blonde woman, there was something inside her brown eyes like jealousy before she stabbed the button. "Have fun." The doors closed, and Mina was left alone.
Throughout the hall, she could hear guns being shot. Men grunting, and groaning, thudding of boots somewhere else. The hall was made of cement and painted an off white while the flooring was same tile as the upper floors, just scuffed up.
Going down the hall, she looked at the signs and followed the one that said 'Locker room' she found it eventually without a hitch. When she pushed the door open, the light came on automatically. In the air she could smell sweat and feel the humidity already sticking to her skin.
She found an open locker, there were a few white t-shirts and shorts laying in the middle shelf. Mina changed quickly, dropping five inches from changing out of her boots. The white shirt reached her knees, hiding the shorts she had changed into.
She was much smaller in height then most of the men. It was one of the things that the Company wanted, to make sure she was smaller in height then most, harder for them to grab her—
Mina pulled her hair back, tying it in a tight ponytail. In her bag was her revolver. She reached down, running her fingers over the grip. It had been three months since she shot it. The holster had been cleaned and a new one made for her. She gave a warm smile.
I was eighteen, and I just graduated from high school when you gave me my first gun. It was a handgun with a very illegal mod. Three round burst. You told me to only use it when I got into some serious shit. You were an innocent bystander who knew nothing. She reached up and wiped at her face to hide the tears. Divorced, with three grown kids. You left to start fresh…but you ended up dead. I couldn't save you. She covered the revolver.
If it takes more than one shot, you're not good enough. He was hard on her, but for the better. He wanted to make sure she got away with her life, and the other person stayed down. Even more reason for her to fight with the good side and find Alfred.
"Where are you?" She whispered; her heart was still running wild in her chest. Everything was moving so fast that the world around her was threatening to tilt and take over. Mina closed her eyes and took a big deep breath, calming her fried nerves. She hadn't been the same since Crusa.
Who would? Straightening her s
houlders, she went to the door she came in through and continued following the signs. The grey walls were passing by her, and she let her mind wonder just a little bit more. Minerva and Alfred said they were making cures for some bloodborne illness. Was that a lie too? Was the whole city nothing but an experiment? Her flesh prickled a little bit, and she rubbed her arm.
If it wasn't for that antidote, Ace would be dead by now…her stomach knotted. How did I know it was an antidote? It could've been something that would turn him. She turned around the corner, faceplanting into a solid mass.
She took a step back getting ready to apologize—
"Hey, aren't you supposed to be in the shooting range?"
Mina made a face when she realized it was Captain Normandy, she backed up a step and gave a shrug. "I wasn't really given proper directions. So—"
"Sharon just pointed in a direction and said go?" He chuckled, putting his hands in his fatigues. He changed into combat training gear and gave a half shrug. "She's still…she's still recovering from our last excursion in Egypt. A monster nabbed her, and we had to take it off on the field. Thankfully science has come a long way and we were able to give her a new one." He gave her a cheeky grin, dimples rising in his cheeks.
She glanced away from him, pursing her lips. Sure, she was a survivor, and battle hardened but she was still Myrna, shy, and timid.
Emmett reached out and placed his hand on her lower back, her heart skipped a moment as he led her down the hallway, "Follow me. I'll take you to the shooting range. I need to see your accuracy before I can place you in a team." He was still professional, "From what Ace told me, you actually helped him out, out there. We got there right at the end of everything. Was it as bad in the beginning?"
"Yeah…there were so many people sick." She took a quick glance up at him before looking back in front of her. There were a few corkboards up around the hall, with signs pointing to an emergency exit. "In the beginning people were just rioting. There wasn't enough medicine. It was horrible. I had just gotten back into town from fencing my recent catch, and I had driven by this old man’s house. He had some really nice art stuff." Mina stopped as she felt her cheeks turn hot. She was about to spill the beans to her superior, sure she was a professional thief—
Myrna Page 13
