Cadets

Arksas was blank. He looked at the guards then he looked at the rest. Those four... All they wanted to do was leave. Get out of there. They wanted to be free. He looked at sandra. Sandra tell the others to go. I can not leave. I must do something. I am sorry please let them know. I hope you all understand that I have to carry out my orders. And of the first time. He smiled. He smiled at all of them. And walked with the guards.

He went through the check-ups and he didn't now why they bothered. His eyelashes were the only thing. Singed by the flames. He walked out and stood at position of attention. Awaiting Dr. Bombay's orders and what he had to do next. His mind. He was trying to fight it in his mind. But he knew he couldn't. So he accepted his fate and what he would have to do in the future. And he had but no choice but to accept it.
 
"Wait, what orders?" Gia was shaken at the words Sandra relayed to her. "We have a change to leave and he's going to OBEY Her? For WHAT?"

Sandra tried to help Gia up and concentrate on her connection to Arksas, trying to figure out the answer to her friend's question. But, there was a heavy block leading to the answers, one she wasn't sure came from Arksas, or another source. "I can't get through, but one thing I can say, he's not acting like himself... Almost similar to how Lacy was just an hour ago."

Greg and Lacy met up with them and they watched as Arksas went with the first group of guards. Gia shook her head, "We can't leave him behind...there's no way." She gave Sandra a quick note for the others, relaying her plans and the timing required to make it all work, "but we have to figure out to get Arksas before...before he does whatever he's so determined to do." Just then, a guard grabbed her and led her down for her check up. The others followed with their own escorts. Before Gia was taken down to the lower decks, which were all laced with their security, she quickly knocked out more of the same strand of codes she'd attacked earlier before her systems were completely locked down again.

They were all set. One one's detected her tinkering yet. Therefore, they had time... but was it enough?

*****

"Gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to our most successful soldier yet, Arksas!"

The group of officials applauded as Arksas and his band of security guards entered the meeting room. They were all smiles, chattering at the amazing skill the prototype held. In each of their eyes, they saw possibilities - whole cities being destroyed, countless enemies washed out with one solitary soldier. They would give anything to have a soldier such as him in their mist, and that's exactly what Bombay wanted them to think.

Giving Arksas a glance, she smiled and sat at the end of the long executive table, indicating for the others to sit. Arksas was positioned behind her with his entourage of guards. It was an intimidating vision - the mistress and her knight.

"Today, gentleman, you will have the opportunity to lay claim of this one-of-a-kind soldier, a complete package with everything your heart desires... only for the highest bidder. Before you, just tabulate the amount you wish to bid on the tablet. Once all bids are in, we will showcase them. The highest shall have Arksas as their elite fighter, and all others can choose between our other highly successful prototypes - Greg, Lacy, Gia, or Sandra; very worthy in their own rights, as you've seen." They all nodded in agreement, but knew the better choice was the leader. Bombay's eyes gleamed with devious vigor as she politely smiled, "You may begin bidding."

The men all picked up their tablets and began discussing their choices with the other dignitaries in their group, deciding how high they should go. Bombay glanced towards Arksas with a motherly smile, almost shivering at how much money he was about to give her - more than the meager amounts these government officials were giving away now. She was calculating the amounts she would gain for the unprecedented assassination attempt she's about to spread across the world...attaching the name Terrorist upon it and the good old U.S of A. The amount of capital her weapons company will gain in the makings of a new world war will be more than any human has ever known in their lives. And she'll be able to collect from the comforts of her private hideaway - while the leaders of the world crumble above her. In the end, she'll be the only one capable of rebuilding the world - and all will come begging for her to do so.

It's all in your hands now, Arksas. Their lives...for your friends...

******

Sitting in the quiet office of her caretaker, Gia watched the time, waiting for that one moment. Just when the time was right, Gia slipped towards Dr. Kooper's tablet that he'd left nearby. The guards were outside the door, so she had to keep quiet. Quickly, she opened the registration on his computer, already knowing his password easily, and slipping through the hold she made in the security coding, she severed the server connected to her, and then tore into the mega computer networking the entire compound. Without is connection to her, the security had no clue what she was doing, or was able to attack her if it felt the need. But, it searched for the cause of its new problems, trying to figure out what was attacking it. Gia's cyber mind was far too fast for the mega computer, and she easily shut down the entire system.

The whole compound lost electricity, but there was no alarms going of anywhere. People were confused and scattered. With only a split second of time before the emergency lights kicked in, Gia rushed the door as the two guards entered. She'd already disengaged their weapons. When the first one ran into the room, she closed lined him with her arm, flipping him onto his back. The second guard was shocked but quickly turned his gun on her to find it useless. Gia sent a spinning heel kick to his head to knock him out cold. The first guard had gotten up and slammed the butt of his gun into her injured shoulder, dropping her to her knees. Gia didn't slow down, she sent a back kick to his gut and as he fell backwards, overcharged his gun to explode in his hands.

Getting up as fast as she could, she rushed out the room and connected to Sandra, Are you guys out?

"Yea, and heading to Arksas' location. He's in the main meeting room on the 8th floor."

"Alright, I'm heading to the East Bay. If anything happens and I can't get to the helicopter, I'll alert you."

Just then, the red emergency lights kicked on...and the game began. Everyone was running around trying to figure out was what going on. Gia grabbed a lab coat to conceal her fighting gear, and slipped through the chaos, blowing out the video systems and keeping tabs on the guard's communications to learn what they learn as she ran.

******
 
Arksas's eyes were glowing now. They swirled as they captured the gaze of the Prime minister and there magistrates of other countries. He gave them specific orders. Each of them doing a different thing. attack the US military compounds in Iraq, Egypt, and South Africa and also ordered the attacking of the Naval vessels sitting in European waters. He was horrified by what he was doing. But he couldn't stop it. He had just given them an order that soon. Would be carried out. The only thing he could do was let a single tear drop. And that tear was for every person that would die in the war. In the war he will have created.

Thats when the lights went out. He muttered something very foul under his breath. He knew only one person who could have cut off all the electricity. The same person who had been breaking down codes for a very long time now. Gia. Gia and the rest of them were trying to get them out of there. But when the time would come when they would get to him. He wouldn't be able to even look anyone in the eye. Not after what he had done. No. He didn't jet betray everyone he knew. But he betrayed the whole entire world. And he knew he would never be able to repay the debt. He could only think to bombay. Happy now? Are you satisfied, Knowing that you may have brought the end to not just one nation but many. I have done what you have asked. So, is that all? Are you happy now?​
 
So, is that all? Are you happy now?​

Thrilled, Bombay responded before capturing Arksas with her mind, restraining his body while she assisted the government officials out the door with the guards surrounding them.

"Take them through the emergency bays and to their rightful vehicles. We're done with them here." As she shouted orders, she collected her tablet and secured the bids they had entered...along with their security passes to their Swiss Banks and government bank accounts. Another extreme smile cut through her features.

"Oh, I'm so, so happy now." Turning towards Arksas, she tightened her restraints on him, giving him full eye contact as she did. "Are you...wanting to leave with your friends, ummm? Or, better yet, why don't you stay with me...while I force Gia to blow up the helicopter they'll be traveling in soon." Bombay moved in close, mere inches from Arksas, and caressed his cheek with a supple touch. "I could...make it worth your wild."

****

Sandra covered her head with the black hoodie she'd confiscated off of a dead laboratory worker leaving work. She lead Greg and Lacy through the congested hallways towards Arksas's signature. "We're getting close," she reported. "And he's not alone... Dr. Bombay is with him."

Lacy rolled her eyes in a huff, "That woman freaks me out. There's no way we can beat her with her super-hyper bitchy psychic skills. Sandra, I don't think you could stop her with a mental shield if she throws a full-push on us."

Greg agreed, not caring to see Sandra under the woman's clutches again, "But, there is a way. We will all have to work together on this, but with Sandra and Arksas's connection, and your lightening attacks, we can possibly subdue her in order to get Arksas out of there."

Lacy nodded, "It's worth a shot. But we have to agree, if we can get him out, then we leave without him. That's what he wanted anyway, right?"

They didn't like the idea, but had to agree. Quickly moving in, knowing their time was quickly running out, they reached the meeting room door. Sandra lifted mental blocks as they did, and Lacy charged up. When the time was right, Greg smashed through the door. Sandra, already connected to Bombay and Arksas, threw out a wallop of an attack, one that threw Bombay back from Arksas and clear across the room. Sandra knew she had the advantage at the time because the Doctor was a bit too distracted trying to block Arksas. When Bombay was clearly away from Arksas, Lacy threw a raging force of fire lightening at the woman's body, keeping her held down by it and setting the room on fire.

"ARKSAS!" Greg called out, as Sandra and him began to move towards the door. Lacy nodded as they passed, she wasn't going to leave until they were all out the door.


*****

The fire alarm suddenly sounded, which made Gia jump in her seat. She had silently made her way to the Apache helicopter and entered the cockpit. Connecting her mind to the control panel, she adjusted all the necessary toggles and gadgets for flight without actually starting the full sequence. She wanted to wait until she gained confirmation from Sandra that they were ALL on their way to the East Bay. But, when she routed her connection to the building's system to find the fire starting in the same meeting room Sandra indicated earlier where Arksas was being held, she held her breath.
 
Arksas was un able to move. If he could have responded it would have been with an uncomfortable blush. He couldn't even feel the strength to respond to her touch. He could only look at her in disbelief. Thats when the door busted open and Bombay flew away. He felt his restraints be relieved. He quickly followed the others in a daze. He paused, He remembered something about making Gia blow up the helicopter. "Wait! We need to get gia out of there! Bombay is going to destroy the helicopter!" The he paused.... With Gia inside of it.... Oh no.. GIA!! He ran. Ran past the others to where the helicopter was. He didn't have much time and he needed to save her.
 
Gia, you've got to get out of there!

She jumped in her seat again, not realizing she was dozing off. Are you guys heading this way? Is Arksas safe? Gia began to start the engines, hoping no one was close enough to stop her.

We're right out the door, but you have to stop. Bombay...

Suddenly, Gia's connection to Sandra was broken. She shook her head and called out loud to her, turning back to look through the side windows to see all four of her friends running at top speed towards the vehicle. Happy as all get out, Gia began to set the components for liftoff...but she didn't open the side door to admit her friends, even though she thought she did. She didn't set the rotary blades to spin, even though she could have sworn that she did.

Her thoughts and her actions were not in sync. What she saw herself doing was a complete opposite to what she was doing.

Unaware of who was puppeting her actions, Gia switched on the weapon's targeting system, setting the rocket's sights on the helicopter. And then, flipped the firing switch.

The helicopter shook abruptly as the rocket shot out the open bay and into the bright sunny sky, only to turn back around...

Greg grabbed Sandra and headed for the flash shields on the far side of the bay area. Lacy began to run to the open door...charging up! "Get her out and take cover!" She had to time this just right, or everything would go up.

Just then, a large group of guards armed to the nail rushed into the bay area. Greg just whistled out to them and pointed towards the rocket heading their way. The guards didn't need to be told twice, they all started to fight their way back through the narrow doorway.
 
Arksas Saw he missiles fired. He saw the rockets turn around. At his current speed he wouldn't be able to make it. He pushed himself harder. He watched as the rockets got closer and closer. He could only think Move Arksas. Move Arksas. You are going to watch Gia die right in front of your eyes if you don't. Suddenly it was as if a voice in the back of his head changed. I Said. MOVE! And that's an order!!! Something clicked. The only thing he thought of was Gia. He ran. Like, Ran. He ran at amazing speeds. Only a blur. He jumped and crashed through the flexi-glass windows in the front. He opened his eyes realizing he had Gia in his arms a small distance away from a blown up Helicopter.

He looked down at her. He had not yet realized he was covered in his own blood and flex-glass shards. "Are you alright? Gia?" He shook her a little bit for good measure. He looked very worried. He stared down at her in the hopes of her being okay. He didn't hear the guards hat slowly marched upon him. He didn't hear the others call out. He was still looking at the only thing he was concerned about. Gia.
 
Lacy knew she wouldn't be able to stop all of them, but she threw her lightening as quick as she could, detonating a few of them before they reached the door. One slipped passed her... She didn't even have a moment to blink.

*****

She was being jerked around and shaken, but didn't register anything that happened around her until she heard his voice.

Everything was a complete blur to her, all except Arksas's eyes...they were the only thing she could focus on. "We're...all set to depart...just need to...lift off..." Gia smiled, but it was weak and distant.

Greg and Sandra fought off the remaining Guards, yelling to Arksas that they've found a plane in the next bay. Sandra rushed towards them, but stopped abruptly. "Lacy..." There wasn't much left of her body. She looked away and continued on; there was no time to mourn when other lives were at stake. They gathered their friends and helped them rush to the next hanger.

Inside the small plane, Sandra tried her best to figure out what was wrong with Gia, "I hope someone knows how to fly this thing, cause she's grounded... I think Bombay's done some more damage to her system."

Greg jumped in the pilot seat and began to start it up, "It's been a while since flight school, but I've got this!"

****

Bombay had already detached herself from her, but before she left she made sure the girl wouldn't cause any more trouble until she could round her prototypes up. The hallway toward the hangers was filled with smoke. She yelled and barked at the remaining guards who were trying to get away from the flames. A few of them she tossed back in there to stop the others. Chard and injured herself after what Lacy did to her, the doctor was too weak to fully attack the group, and Dr. Kooper was no where to be found.

Damn you, Kooper. What the hell are you doing? STOP THAT PLANE!"

He watched as the plane rushed down the runway through his office window. He smiled and finished packing his bags. He was content to watch them escape, happy that Gia was free from Bombay's control.

"All is not lost," he thought to himself as he left his office and headed towards the stairwell leading to topside. "I'll find her again, and take care of everything...just the way I want it."
 
Arksas was slowly removing the shattered pieces of flexi-glass from his shoulders and chest. How he broken through it he had no idea. When greg asked him he only shrugged, stating he had no idea. He was too busy fixating himself on Gia. Lately he felt. Protective. He did not know how to describe it. At first he thought it was like a brotherly notion. But now, he had no idea. He was slightly shocked when he saw Lacy in pieces. He seemed distant. All those things and people he killed. But now. Now when he had so few friends left it was horrible now when he lost one. He promised he would keep them all safe. What good was that promise now. It was broken. He failed himself, Lacy, and everyone else. He finished removing the flex glass. Still bleeding.

He had refused Sandra's help. He didn't need help. He felt fine now. He kept himself away from everyone. He wouldn't even let himself look at anyone. THis was him punishing himself. Making him stay in solitude. He occasionally felt himself glance towards Gia's direction but turned away his head all the quicker. He finally spoke. "Greg, How long before we land?" He said. Still not looking at their direction.
 
"Well, depends on where we're going..." Greg glanced around the group. "We've got enough fuel, but nowhere safe we can go, not with this plane. They've got to have some tracking system on this thing, and Gia's out of commission."

"Take us to Alaska then," Sandra stood up and leaned carefully against Greg's soar shoulders. "I know someone in Anchorage that might can help us - that's about a four hour flight from here. Besides, we can dump the plane if needed, unless Gia's able to emerge and tear its system down. But, at least we can get some help and food..." Sandra could sense Arksas's frustration with himself, and quickly connected.

There's no way one man can change the will of another...especially when they're not in control of that will themselves. Lacy was being influenced, you know that. She did what she did...because she regretted everything else she'd done. Sandra turned from where she stood and patted Arksas's shoulder. Don't knock yourself down about this... We need everyone focused. Um, sound's familiar, does it? Giving him a dose of his own medicine before stepping away to check on Gia.

Gia was awake, feeling those nasty nanos working overtime to reconstruct her system. It was sickening, to say the least, but she was grateful for the little buggers. Still lightheaded and weak, she sat up and began to tear away at the already disfigured padded jacket that was once her training gear. Tossing it aside, she sighed at the sight of herself. Her tee shirt was filthy with soot, dirt, and blood. There was still a holes ripped in the shoulder were she was shot. And the grime coated her arms and chest like a Swinish mud bath.

"Ug, I feel like a cavewoman, or something..." she mumbled to herself as she began to run her system through a check-up and slowly regain her focus to her surroundings. She wasn't in the helicopter, which was odd... and she wondered where the soot and blood came from, it was a lot more than one could consider normal.

"Ah, you're finally awake," Sandra entered the back and sat down beside her, a wet towel hanging from her hand. "It was all I could find for you, right now. We'll be landing in Alaska soon."

"ALASKA?" Gia gasped, "It's too freaking cold out there. Why all the way out there anyways?" Unconsciously, she pulled the blanket around her arms.

"I have a friend up there, retired Marine. He'll be happy to help us out. Oh, while you're checking your stats, knock out the tracking on this plane."

"Oh yea," Gia connected to the plane's computer and did what she asked. "Hey, why aren't we on the helicopter? I had everything ready to go."

Sandra gave her a nod, "Yea, and Bombay puppeted you to sent the thing up in a ball of flames. If it wasn't for Lacy and Arksas..."

Gia looked dumbfounded at her friend, "What?" Looking over herself one last time, it finally registered. "Are they okay? Who blood is this on me? Where's Arksas?" Frantically, Gia tried to stand up, but her knees buckled underneath her. That's when she'd realized the extent of her injuries went beyond her healed shoulder. Her pants legs were burnt all the way to her knees and her legs were chard... The explosion... she was still in the cockpit when it happened. "Damnit!" was all she could say as she fought back her anger.
 
(Lol When i read "Marine" I laughed out loud. I am in a marine core ROTC Uniform right now xDDD.) He heard Sandra send him her thoughts. There's no way one man can change the will of another...especially when they're not in control of that will themselves. Lacy was being influenced, you know that. She did what she did...because she regretted everything else she'd done. He looked down. But... But.. I could have saved her!!! I could have saved them both!!! But in the end i let lacy die. Her blood is on my hands..... He bit his bottom lip. He bit it so hard it bled.

Then he heard her again.Don't knock yourself down about this... We need everyone focused. Um, sound's familiar, does? Arksas laughed slightly. What Irony layer out before him. Hearing his own words repeated back to him. He sighed laying back. He let the blood from his wounds seep down his skin and through his wounds. There was blood stains all around his clothes. He finally decided to remove the shirt. It was clinging to him too much. He looked around. He felt a little guilty about Lacy still. But that soon vanished when he heard the sound of Gia.

"Are they okay? Who blood is this on me? Where's Arksas?" He heard her say. He walked up to where she was. He was a little distance away. He looked at her, glad she was ok. "Glad to see your a little bit better, Gia." He smiled warmly. He looked up and spoke up at the cockpit. "Hey greg How we doing up there?" He smiled and said in a low voice. "Hey um sandra? Would you mind treating my wounds?" He seemed actually up and lively. He had just escaped the facility he was held at for so long. He felt like he could relax and calm down now.
 
((Ahhh! That's cool! I did Air Force ROTC in high school... never got accepted for the real thing though.. .That's fine, I was born a Navy brat anyways lol! My dad's twice retired. So, there ya go!

Um, just a forewarning, Gia's on the floor with burnt legs...and Arksas's going to just say 'glad to see you're a bit better' and then walk over her to have Sandra tend to his wounds? LOL! She's about to explode...well no, not really. Gia's far too hard to anger. That's won't last too long though... ))



"A bit better...really, is that what you call this?" Gia gestured at her damaged legs, only realizing that more and more feeling was coming back (those damned, happy nanos). "Arksas, you have some fraking nerve! Nevermind, I'll get up myself!"

She was a bit flustered, upset about what happened to Lacy, to herself... Man, she did it again, being the vulnerable one in the mist of two psychotic techno scientist made her the unfortunate weak link they can use to manipulate and cause her friends problems. They could had all been killed because she was clueless to Dr. Bombay's contact with her. How stupid was that? But to see that Arksas was more concern with his own issues, so much so, to just consider her physical and mental state of mine as 'a bit better' was a breaking point. Gia had no clue why she was so upset at him, but she was. She was upset about everything!

With Sandra's help, since Arksas decided to ignore her state, Gia was back on the cot. Her excitement for finally finding a way to escape had died down hours ago. She was fuming for no apparent reason, and it all had to do with Arksas. Sandra the emotions thickening the room far more than to two who held them. She stepped away to the back to grab her medical kit and search for other items of use in the storage area of the plane - just to give them some time alone before returning.

Gia covered her slowly healing legs with the blanket, sick of seeing another reminder of her mistakes. It was hard to say that she was happy no one else was killed, but Lacy was... She wrapped her hands over her arms as she continued to scan through her system to assess the damage in her legs. The nanos were reconstructing most of her muscle mass and skin tissue. At least, it wasn't worse than that.
 
(Well considering Arksas maybe the only one without nanos programmed to repair his wounds.... Yeah. Plus he is tough as nails. If you knew what I knew happened to him things would have been a little different =w=) He was looking at Sandra addressing his wounds on his chest. They were actually deeper then they appeared. Still not that bad. But Arksas Refused to let her treat his back. He had his reasons. He just chose not to share them. AFter a few moments of debating and her trying to force him to turn around she gave up in dismay. When Arksas did not want to do something. He did NOT want to do it. He was smiling. At least no one noticed the large amount of blood that was slowly draining from the plane. He sighed. He actually did see the burn wounds and that she was laying on the ground. When he said a little bit better he meant compared to how she was before. THinking she was saving them. When she was about to kill herself. Her burns were not as far reached as they were. She was healing. In comparison. Yes she was better. He considered anyone able to speak and e awake better. When he had first grabbed her he though she was dead when she passed out. He had to calm himself down in front of the others.

He looked down at his arms. Was he always so pale? He felt a sleepy as well. So very sleepy. He was staring out at the ceiling. Focusing on one point, He didn't notice Gia when she had called to him. He was too deep in thought. So sleepy..... And his eyes closed. He didn't hear sandra, He didn't even fee himself fall, He felt the cold onside of his face, but besides that. He fell into darkness.
 
"Gia!"

She turned around to find Sandra standing over Arksas. Gia fell of the cot instantly, crawling to his side with an instant flush of guilt turning her pale. "What's wrong with him?" She slowly flipped him over to find his face almost lifeless.

"Blood loss...why does he have to be so bullheaded!" Sandra grabbed what she needed and began to search for the culprit of the problem. "Wait, turn him back over, Gia." When she did, Sandra found the large gashes across his shoulders still draining blood. "Bullheaded, someone need to knock some sense into him one day."

Sandra stood up and grabbed a large gauze pad and put it in Gia's hand, then pressed the pad to his shoulder. "Hold that there." She rushed to the back to grab more supplies.

Gia cradled Arksas's head in her lap while keeping pressure on his wound. "Whenever someone rushes to my aid, they always get hurt," she whispered to herself. If she could just work on her skills more, nothing like this would happen. Arksas wouldn't have been injured so badly if it wasn't for her. "Still, Sandra's right...you are bull headed."
 
He had scorched marks and thick burns covering his back. She had gotten burned this was true. But when he crashed through the other side He had his back facing the explosion. He Was using his body as a human shield. Letting the glass and the burns lick and attack his back. He made sure to try to block her as much as he could. But he did this without even realizing. He only thought about one thing.... Gia.... He was only trying to protect one thing. Gia..... He was floating in darkness. His face didn't feel cold anymore. He felt a slight warmth. He heard the voices of Sandra and Gia in the distance. They sounded a little frantic. Did something happen?

He felt light shine up above. Slowly he opened his eyes. Light pouring in his eyes. He squinted a little He felt warm. He slowly turned around And his gaze met Gia's. He smiled. "Hey..." He was a little drowsy. he sat up and felt a slight pang in his back. He went to scratch it and scratched the wounds. He jumped with an Ow! He looked around. "Did I miss something?" He stretched a little. He looked around. "So... What's going on?" And he had not known that he was saying her name in his sleep.
 
He kept mumbling her name. Gia sat there and just listened, watching his features as he fought against his fatigue. She was...stunned, to say the least. "Hey...shhh, I'm right here..." she whispered and placed a hand upon his cheek. She realized what he truly did for her, how much he'd suffered...Another shot of guilt hit her, but her focus returned to Arksas when he spoke.

"Hey yourself," she responded as he slowly sat up and began tampering with his back. "No, Arksas..." He jumped at the pain he found and asked what had happened.

Gia sighed, "You fainted, big boy. Dropped harder than a brick." Gia slowly sat up on her knees, feeling more from her legs than before, but not enough to attempt to stand. "Your back is badly burnt..." she looked away, trying to hide how upset she was about that. "Sandra went to the back to get something to help with that."

Watching him as he stretched, she wondered what he was thinking that brought her name to his lips. Then, her cheeks flushed and she turned away again, grabbing the edge of the cot to pulled herself up to it.
 
He looked around, paused then gazed at her. "You know you don't have to worry about the del being of someone who chose to do what they did. Even if it was for you." He smiled, He had been smiling a lot lately. But he was afraid. What was going on with Bombay? What was she plotting. He had a bad feeling he would soon find out.

His color was returning but his whole body ached with pain. He forced himself to stand up, He wobbled at first. Then stood up straight. He walked over to Gia. "Here...let me help you.." He was trying to be careful where he grabbed. He didn't know where to so he just grabbed on of her hands and pulled her up onto the cot. "Well it has been an.... interesting... day for me. What about you? I mean. We have escaped... We are free. I can finally relax..." He smiled laying against the wall only to stand up from the pain of the cold metal on fresh wounds. It wasn't pleasant he could promise anyone that. He decided to stand.

He looked at Gia tenderly. He wanted to comfort her.. He knew she felt bad... but what could he do? He stood away a respectable distance. He spoke after a while. "Why do you blame yourself for my actions Gia? I chose to do what I did. I wasn't hypnotized. Brainwashed. Or blackmailed. I did what I did because I wanted to save you. Yet you look like you want to shoot yourself out of guilt." He sighed. He had been trying to have her not beat herself up. He had been trying to get a nice smile out of her, but even now. When the were free he had no such luck.
 
Arksas helped her up to the cot and Gia thanked him, but her mind was on his words rather than on hers.

"Well it has been an.... interesting... day for me. What about you? I mean. We have escaped... We are free. I can finally relax..."

"Yea, that's the first thing on my list." Gia glanced over to him as he stood nearby, wondering why he was so chipper. She sat stunned for a moment, realizing he was standing shirtless. She'd never realized how toned Arksas's was, but knew his strength was more than physical. Looking away, she wiggled her toes, finding them functioning...

"Why do you blame yourself for my actions Gia? I chose to do what I did. I wasn't hypnotized. Brainwashed. Or blackmailed. I did what I did because I wanted to save you. Yet you look like you want to shoot yourself out of guilt."

Gia shot him a defensive look, but then backed it down. "Obviously, you've been learning how to read minds from Sandra." Her eyes fell on her hands and with a great sigh, she shook her head. "You wouldn't have to go to such extremes to save me, if I wasn't such a weak link." She gave him her eyes, worn and saddened. "I know Sandra is practically in the same boat as I am, but she has Greg keeping her safe. Nevertheless, she's still capable of handling her own. It seems when I'm do anything good or bad, it just cause you more pains..."
 
He stood quietly. "So thats what this is about. You think you are weak.... Hell I don't know anyone so persistent when it comes to doing something they want. And if there is anyone on this planet that can crack a code faster than you I would very much like to know." He smiled. "What you lack in one way. You make up for it in another Gia. That is what makes you strong. Don't ever forget that. You are a brave, relentless, Beautiful, and caring woman. You have your own strengths. And if you ask me. I think they could over power any weakness you may have." He cracked his neck and fingers. God he was stiff and aching.

He laughed when she spoke of him reading minds. "I don't have to be able to read a mind to be able to see the hurt in your eyes. the sorrow in how you carry yourself. You are in pain. You just don't see it." His gaze held hers. He spoke every word with out felt or stutter. And he still pressed on. "Your talents alone broke the codes down in the facility. Shutting power down. Yours alone could hack into other machines and make them fight each other. You, Gia, You are an amazing person. And I hope you remember word i am saying to you now. Because it is all true." He said with a warm smile and a gentle look in his eyes.
 
Gia smiled, truly, even through her doubts she smiled. She knew Arksas wouldn't lie to her, and she took in every word - even the one she'd wondered if he meant.

"Well, it was rather creative to have those robots attack themselves, uh? Here, sit down."

Absentmindedly, she pulled herself up on her knees on the cot, behind where Arksas sat. She could read his tension, partially from his aches and from worry. She could at least help him with that. Being careful not to hit the burnt areas on his back, she targeted his neck to find the tightened muscles that could cause problems. Carefully, she began to massage them away.

Gia couldn't help but wonder what their next move should be. She knew Bombay and Kooper would be looking for them, but was there anything they could do about that? "We're free..., but are we safe? What are we going to do with ourselves now?"
 
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