Stones taught me to fly
Love taught me to lie
So come on courage... teach me to be shy
'Cause it's not hard to fall... when you float like a cannonball
-Lyrics to 'Cannonball' performed by Little Mix

Crimson Bonds Part 36

The roar in the main atrium of Septum's lair was deafening. But the scientist tolerated it happily as he smiled and bowed his head to the cheering crowd stretched out before him. He was not at all surprised by this reaction to his announcement that his elusive Hybrid had been captured. The hunt had been a long and engaging one, but the efforts had paid out in the end.

Raising his arms to wave them, Millers's voice was picked up by the podium microphone to ring out through the PA system and over the noise, "Now, now. Settle down, everyone. There is still much to discuss. Even though the search is over, out work is far from finished."

Slowly but surely coming down from the high enough to calm themselves and still the air, the Hunters and lab associates listened in keen interest. But none more so than Broderick. Standing at the back of the crowd, the tall young man was still mentally reeling at how anyone could have managed to find and capture the Hybrid when the Vampire registration was only due to be uploaded the following day.

It wasn't as though Dawson cared who got to the target first, or how they successfully brought him into their lair. He was far too busy with his background checks into the Barton-Yuy Clan to be bothered. But he was still curious to who was able to piece together enough of the shambled puzzle that they had in order to know where to locate him.

A thought coming over him, the handsome Hunter began to turn his head so that he could take in the smirking young woman at his right. Lucie had been notably absent for the entirety of the day prior. Not once had she painted Broderick into a corner to insist on holding a conversation with him. And he had wondered what could have possibly been preoccupying her...

"Now, though the reward for the captor of the Hybrid has been claimed," Septum went on,

"That does not mean that you all will not receive handsome bonuses into all of your accounts for your dedication even in light of some very pressing challenges. As I had mentioned at our last meeting, the real test in protecting our home has only begun."

Gesturing to the old man standing in the front row directly before him, Millers stated, "There must be enough time spared to Doctor Berg and his team to find out everything they can possibly know of our subject before we can reap the benefits and live comfortably for the rest of our days."

The Boss rested a hand on his own chest, vowing, "I take my responsibility very seriously in how the dealings surrounding our prisoner are dealt with so that you are all taken into account. But I need to know that you will see to it that nothing will jeopardize what we have all sacrificed thus far."

At that, the researcher took hold of the only sheet of paper propped up against the podium to hold it up as he announced, "I have here the location of the Yuy-Barton Clan. Who will go off now to guarantee that they will not be of any trouble to us? Who will return to the field to continue hunting them down, if you must?"

Throughout the room, every Hunter's hand rose as another explosive roar of voices rose.

"Excellent!" Septum laughed loudly. "We will begin to assign stations immediately!"

*   *   *   *   *   *

"So how the hell were they able to find glass strong enough to hold a Hybrid in?" Duo mused in a half-grumble as he sent another punch into the wall that did not so much as shake.

Celeste shook her head, "From what little Solo and I have been able to understand about Septum, he only had the best of the best. The best Hunters, the best scientists, the best engineers, designers and weapons experts. Most of what he had at his disposal isn't even known to the public at large yet. He's the first to get his hands on every prototype."

Uncrossing her legs to dangle them over the edge of her bed where she sat, Anna corrected, "He doesn't have the best weapon expert out there." She smiled across to her brother, "We have that in Catherine." Maxwell couldn't help the endeared smile he gave her... his first real grin in over twenty-four hours.

From his own mattress where he lay on his bed with his arms folded behind his head, Solo stared up at his patch of ceiling as he groused, "A whole lotta good that does us when no one knows where to find us."

Her gold-and-blue eyes blinking widely, the Irish Infected peered over to him and smirked, "He does speak. It's been so long since you've said anything I was starting to fear that you had lost your voice, little brother." Duo and Celeste bit back their snickers, allowing whatever was about to happen to play out.

With a fiery glare, the blonde Hybrid pushed himself up to snap, "I am *not* your brother. Get that through your thick head. I don't give a shit about either one of you, the same way none of you gave a rat's ass about me! Nobody came back to look for me when the dust settled to see if maybe I had survived."

Lifting a trembling hand, he pointed over to his lover and shouted, "I'm responsible for Celeste never getting to her Chosen when he died while she was under my influence... and she still saved me!"

The Hispanic Companion gritted, "Solo! That's enough! I was being patient with you to see if you would come around, but I can't stand it for you to not even give your own family a chance! Duo and Anna are the only friends that we have in the world right now! Don't throw that away!"

Snorting, her partner turned onto his side so that his back was facing her. "I'll be quiet for your sake," he conceded. "But I don't have to be happy about this little reunion."

Celeste's shoulders drooped with a sigh. "So damned stubborn," she muttered sadly. Facing the others, she frowned, "I apologize for his behavior. Solo's been through... a lot."

Empathetic as always, Anna nodded. Duo, however, was still bristling with frustration.

All too anxious to change the subject, the lovely Companion centered her attention back to the redhead as she asked, "So... how was it so easy for that Hunter to take you?" Ducking her head, she smiled sheepishly, "I don't mean to pry, but I've never seen a Vampire lose consciousness like that before."

The brother and sister exchanged nervous glances and a wordless conversation when their eyes locked. "Are those cameras able to pick up our voices?" Maxwell asked, turning his chin up to hint at the moving video lenses that were following them.

"No," Celeste replied, shaking her head. "Solo and I tested that many times by confiding in each other. I don't think that they know we're aware that they're only recording our visuals. But I wouldn't risk their being able to read lips."

Sure to have his braided head facing the camera high behind him, Duo chewed on the inside of his cheek in consideration. Trust needed to be built. And by the way Anna was not moving to say anything, she had purposely put the ball in his court to play as he wished. An offering to get him in good favor with his fellow Companion and a showing of respect for him in the knowing that it was his child in question.

Drawing a deep breath, the half-breed informed softly, "Anna's pregnant... carrying mine and Heero's baby as a surrogate."

With a gasp, the Hispanic immortal shot her widened gaze back across to the redhead. Almost unnoticeably, Solo raised his head up to stare in disbelief at the Infected on the other side of their connected prisons. Chewing on his bottom lip in deep thought, he lowered himself back down.

"Hold onto that little secret for as long as you can," Celeste breathed in warning to the Siren. "Septum and the Mad Doc are going to make your existence here miserable as soon as they know about it."

This baby was one of Maxwell's greatest joys along with his meeting Heero. And now the thought of that gift posing a threat to their beloved sister was too much for him to bear. His husband would be beyond devastated if anything had happened to Anna... Wufei would be lost... the kids...

A reassuring smile curling her lips as she carefully positioned herself so that her face was not being captured by the cameras, Anna insisted, "It's alright, Duo. We have time before they figure this out." Shrugging, she promised, "Besides, I can handle whatever they might throw at me. I won't let anything happen to your little one."

Pressing a hand against the glass wall, the Hybrid whispered, "I know that you won't, sis... but..." His violet-and-silver eyes watered over as he stifled a whimper.

Mentally grasping onto her nerve, the redhead soothed, "Aw. No need for that, little brother." Winking, she giggled, "Septum's up against the Dream Team, remember? We'll be able to hang on more than long enough for Wufei, Heero and the others to find us. No worries."

That quiet confidence in themselves and their loved ones helped Duo pull himself together.

Rubbing away the tears from his eyes, he snickered quietly, "You're right, Anna." As he lowered his hand, he gave her a firm nod and a loving smile. "No more worries."

She was right, anyway. Heero and Wufei were undoubtedly already doing everything within their power to rescue them... and they would...

...they had to.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Existence in the Barton-Yuy cluster of homes was a whirlwind come the first light of the following morning. Already buried by prospects over how best to go about searching for their Chosen, Heero and Wufei were besides themselves with appreciation to Trowa, Midi and Treize's family for seeing to the little ones that had stirred... only to wake realizing that their mother and uncle were still missing.

Quatre rushed into the back patio where Khushrenada and Merquise were typing furiously at their laptops to send the latest updates to the Preventers throughout the world. In a different scenario from only hours before, it was Yuy and Chang who were pacing around the table where the Councilmen worked.

"Um... I hate to be the one to bring this up," Winner opened up with a wince as he faced his friends. "But has anyone given any consideration that maybe this is the last place where you and the kids should be? What happens if and when more Hunters come now that they know where to find you?"

Stopping in their tracks to take the scientist in, Heero and Wufei chuckled wearily in amusement. "That has already been discussed, Quatre," the Original replied. "Once we have tied as much down here as we can, we'll be looking at the prospects available to us."

Chang shrugged, "No one wanted to even think about leaving until we know for certain that every Preventer has been alerted and is on the lookout for Anna and Duo first." Smirking, he added, "But we are grateful for your diligent concern."

A hand reaching back to rub his neck, Quatre frowned, "I just wish that I could do more than worry right now. If I had so much as a hair or more than a few drops of blood from that Hunter to go on..."

Heero grinned, "I have a feeling we're all going to wish that we could be doing more until this is behind us. You're doing all you can, which is more than we could ever ask." Taking what comfort he could at that, Winner smiled back.

At the ringing that came through Treize's laptop, everyone spun to watch as he quickly accepted the video call coming through. "Well that didn't take long," he chuckled to himself. Nodding to his agents as he moved away from his seat, he informed, "I believe it's for you."

The brothers moved in with confused frowns until the screen lit up to reveal the familiar face of their caller that was etched in worry. "Rosshe," Wufei sighed with a sad smile. "I take it that you received the message from Zechs, then?"

"Yes," their long-time ally nodded firmly in a grim voice. Flanking him, the remainder of his Clan could be seen huddled close by as he said, "My entire brood is standing by as we all want to know everything that happened and how we can help. Please spare no details or how we may be of assistance to your family."

Lowering himself into the chair before the screen, Heero replied, "Actually, your timing could not be better, friend. I am afraid that there is a cause of more concern for us that needs to be seen to first. But the solution is one that we won't be able to come by alone."

With another firm nod, Rosshe replied, "You need only name it. We'll gladly take on whatever your challenge is."

*   *   *   *   *   *

After the great exodus of the Hunters that had left in search of the Barton-Yuy Clan, Broderick was one of the few who opted out to remain as some measure of protection at the base. There were still many questions that he had around the Hybrid and his family that he intended to get to the bottom of. And he was not one who cared for any distraction when he was set to a task.

On the way to his private quarters, the handsome young man noted Lucie glancing over her digital template as she headed for him from the other direction along the catwalks. Coming to a stop, when they were little more than arm's reach apart he asked, "So how did you do it?"

Gasping, Aisley jolted back a couple of paces in her start. Scrambling to keep her computer from falling, she placed her free hand over her chest. "Broderick!" she half-shouted-half-laughed anxiously. "Please excuse me. I was so distracted I never even saw you there."

"I assume one would be distracted when they're admiring the nice amount of money in their personal account," Dawson stated, a twitch of amusement tugging at his mouth at the sputtering display that Lucie made in response when she looked down to see that the glowing tablet had the name of her bank in plain sight.

As she rushed to turn the monitor off, he raised a hand and reassured, "Don't worry. No one else has figured it out, so there won't be any resentment in the ranks."

Daintily brushing back a few loose strands of her loose hair that had fallen in her face, the blonde young woman smirked, "Well, my dear, I am flattered that it took you no time at all to realize that I was the one to catch him. Clearly you came to realize that I truly am one of the best Hunters in the world and so it had to be me."

His hands and fists discretely clenching at his sides, Broderick fought hard to not roll his eyes. "I admit I'm impressed," he accepted aloud while mentally refusing to cajole her any more than that. "So you have my curiosity to how you were able to find him without the assistance of the registration."

Pouting sweetly, Lucie chided in a sing-song, "Aw, but you of all people should know that a successful Hunter never shares their tricks... even with their own." She had to reach up to pat the top of her comrade's head for as much of an excuse to have her fingers in his hair as it was an added little jab. "You'll just have to go on wondering how I pulled off the greatest catch in history."

Nearly drawing when blood he had to bite down on his tongue so hard, Dawson turned to follow the cocky little girl when she continued on her way past him. With a wink and a wave, Aisley used her other arm to hug her template against her breast as she grinned, "I will see you in the morning for breakfast, darling." Upon the next corner she had to take, she was beyond sight once more.

Unable to hold his shudder in the wake of the endearment, the tall Hunter murmured to himself, "Oh, I'll be waiting with baited breath for that, *dear*." His pet name came out with a lot more bite and sarcasm than any that Lucie would have for him.

Only partially disappointed that he was not going to be able to get in on her secret, Broderick decided that it was best he probably didn't know her methods. No doubt she would have had to use some underhanded trickery or rely on a cheat provided to her from Septum... one of the countless men in the facility that she had wrapped around her little finger.

Content to no longer have to endure her presence, Dawson began heading back to his quarters again when he abruptly came to a halt. Peering back over his shoulder to where Lucie had disappeared, he frowned deeply to himself.

She wasn't heading back to her room, the cafeteria, bar or any of the public spots in the base. Around that particular bend she had taken the only place of interest was the laboratory.

Up until then, Broderick had been under the impression that none of his associates... none of the Hunters had access to the lab.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Closing the laptop at the end of Rosshe's long call, Heero let out a deep breath. "Well, that's a large weight taken off for the time being," he shrugged while he rose to his feet and stood close to Wufei. "We'll have to alert the rest of the family to what is going on soon." Chang nodded somberly.

"All of the Preventers have received their notifications of the case and are willingly participating to find anything they can in their corners of the world," Zechs announced as he sealed up his own computer.

Standing, he frowned, "I'll take charge on checking in regularly with them, but I am afraid that there is nothing more that I can do at this point. Until we have something more solid to use in this case, we're stuck in a waiting game. The chances that the bastards responsible for this left the tracking device on Anna is pretty slim, but we'll wait and see what the registration upload has to say in a few days."

Chang smiled sadly, "Unfortunately, I think you're right about not getting our hopes up with that. Heero and I have been preparing ourselves for this part of the search. What your whole family has done in organizing everyone has gone over and above anything we could have accomplished on our own."

He had to wait a moment to clear his throat as he eyed the Councilmen and breathed sincerely, "Thank you." Unable to trust his own voice, Yuy bowed his head out of his own gesture of gratitude.

"To echo Quatre's earlier sentiment, we all only wish we could do more. We may not share the same blood, but you all are still considered members of our Clan. Duo and Anna are loved as no less than our own," Treize told his friends, his own deep sense of loss beginning to mar his face.

Righting himself, the head of the Preventers rolled his shoulders back and declared clearly, "We're going to find them and bring them home. Do not lose faith in that as I am certain neither of them would ever give up on us."

A poignant remark that really took hold in Heero and Wufei. Even if they were separated, they had to remain as strong as their Chosen were unquestionably being in their predicament.

One-armed embraces were exchanged between the hosts and guests before Treize and Zechs tucked their laptops into their briefcases and led Quatre from the room to check on the others... and to give the brothers some time alone to come to grips with everything.

Sighing deeply, Heero propped his hands on the edge of the table in a deep lean forward. From the corner of his eye, he glanced at the scaly Infected. Arms folded across his chest, Wufei was staring out the large, glass doors of the patio to the bright world outside.

"How are you holding up?" the Original heard himself ask before he even knew he was speaking.

For the last few hours, everything that he had said and done felt out-of-body to him. 'Shock,' Yuy thought to himself. Panic... Disbelief... Rage... They were all the same monster since they all seemed to be working together so closely they were easy to confuse.

Snorting, Chang continued to focus in on the forest behind their house... the angle suggesting that he was peering out in the direction of where the attack had happened. "Actually," he began in a slow, quiet manner, "Please do not be angry with me, but I was just thinking that all things considered... I'm relieved that Duo's with Anna. I couldn't imagine her being out there alone in her delicate state."

A tear that Heero had completely missed rolled down his cheek as he laughed. Reaching up to wipe it away, he nodded, "You know, I was thinking the same thing, only the other way around. I am glad that Anna is with Duo. She'll keep him together."

His scales dampened by the few drops that he rubbed away, the Chinese warrior snickered as he nodded, "Well, they always did make a great team. Right from the beginning." After a long pause, he shook his head, "They won't let anything bad happen to each other before we can get to them."

It was a statement made to reassure himself as much as his brother. Yuy was all too aware of that. Of course Duo nor Anna would stop at nothing to protect their sibling. But the people holding them were still unknowns to anyone outside of wherever they were trapped. About the only sure thing was that there were Hunters involved who were more than apt to contain a Vampire and a Hybrid.

Only one of those livings managed to do that practically on her own. That did not bode well if there were many others like her involved.

What was known of Solo's hellish existence at the hands of the scientists that brought him up was enough to cause endless worry over what that meant for Duo. Then there was the additional stress of what was a very probable end to Anna at the end of her pregnancy.

Time was ticking against them. And there was nothing to go on yet as to how to even begin searching for their whereabouts.

Forcing those thoughts from his mind, Wufei swallowed roughly and took in a deep breath. "I'm going to have a talk with the kids so that they know what's going on," he decreed. Turning on his heels, he slipped out of the room without a sound.

"Let's just pray things don't get any worse before they get better," Heero muttered to himself as he moved to follow his brother.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Thousands of miles away, a greater danger than any that the Barton-Yuy Clan had expected so soon took to the skies in jets and other means of flight bound for Virginia. And they were flocking by the dozens.

TBC...

 

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