I wanna stand up, I wanna let go
You know, you know - no you don't, you don't
I wanna shine on in the hearts of men
I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand
-Lyrics to 'All These Things I've Done' performed by The Killers
Crimson Ties Part 99
TJ and Rachel were sniffling, silvered eyes shimmering, as they ran up to the stunned Other across the throne room. Wrapping his arms around their guardian's leg, the empath asked softly, "Did Master hurt you real bad, Dorothy?"
Quickly jolted from her shock at his little voice, Catalonia lowered her hand from her bruising cheek and peered down at her young charges. Smiling, she knelt down to pull them into her arms as she reassured, "I'm fine. I was more shocked than hurt. All things considered, I got off easy considering his state at the moment."
She left out the fact that there was always the possibility that worse could still come. The Reformer was tied up at the moment, but that did not mean that his mood would improve by the time he returned. Solo could always pick up from where he left off, if he truly wished to release more of his growing frustrations and tensions. But the children were better off not thinking about that right now. for the Seer, however, there would always be that fear until this nightmare was finally over.
Pulling back, the Seer grinned to the little ones as she brushed away the tears from their faces. "So," she began while sitting herself comfortably on the floor, "now that you've had time to think on it, have either of you decided what arm you want your Companion bands to go on when you're old enough to bond with your Vampires?"
This had become a bit of a game between them ever since they had their talk with Duo. The prospect of being a Chosen to an Infected excited the kids especially since they had gone their early years not belonging to anyone. And they had been absolutely captivated by the glistening link of gold that was laced by a crimson embellished thread on Maxwell's arm. It had become a bit of a beacon of hope to the little ones.
With a giggle Rachel ducked her head shyly, whispering while she nodded, "Duo said that Heero put his band on his left arm because it's closer to his heart. I really like that idea."
"I want it on my right arm 'cuz 'm right-handed," TJ beamed, raising his right hand to open and close it in a demonstration. "I'll see it all the time."
Dorothy nodded firmly and chuckled, "Both very fine choices. I know that they'll suit you well. And I have every faith that your Vampires will love you more than any other creature ever could." Knowing the inquiry that was about to come, she shrugged, "I haven't quite settled on where I want to have my band placed yet."
It wasn't a lie, so Rachel wouldn't pick up on that. However, she hadn't 'settled' because she hadn't even given the notion real thought in the first place. After everything that she had witnessed and endured, she was afraid to dream that there might ever be a happy ending for her. Looking back at how things had turned out up to that moment, there was still so much doubt that everything would turn out well.
But the children would never know that. This was Dorothy's burden to bear and no one else's... as it should be for Solo's most trusted Seer.
* * * * * *
Trent scanned the room to see that all of his trainees were present and seated, the Companions following him with their eyes in a sign of respect and readiness for whatever reason it was he had called them to order. Lining the walls of the Bartons' basement, the Vampires and Hunters took of up all the remaining space available in the massive area that had become very crowded with the dozens upon dozens that were present.
Just like the Yuy and Barton clans, everyone there was armed and suited up, a precaution that had come into play after Solo's unwelcome visit. For one, it was a measure of comfort should there be another such surprise, but then it also served well to always be prepared to spring into action on a moment's notice.
Excitement was running rampant through the large crowd gathered as they whispered amongst themselves in voicing their wonder if this would be the news of moving in on Solo that they had all wished to hear.
At the front end of the room, Treize and Lady Une stood at either side of a large projection screen while Wufei typed away at his laptop a few feet into the crowd to have his digital slides ready. Seeing that all was in order, he gave his Commanders a small nod that he was ready when they were.
Seated at the table to flank him, Noin and Zechs were at their own computers and patching into the communication lines of the camps spread throughout the world. "We have all of our teams listening in now," Merquise announced to his cousins over the murmurings once he and his wife wrapped up their frantic typing. As they turned their laptops, split screens of the faces watching from around the globe were peering out from the monitors.
Treize raised his voice slightly to catch their audience's attention as he opened his mouth to speak over the clamor of voices in the room when Trent rose to his feet and scanned his trainees. Putting on a serious frown, he called in a forced slipped tone, "Alright, you maggots! Shut your yappers and listen up. The Commander's about to speak." Snickers came from the Companions as well as the whole lot standing by as they laughed at the put-on officer demeanor.
A lopsided smirk curling his lips, Greyson winked to his charges before turning to bow his head to Khushrenada. Clearing his throat as he bowed his head to the grinning Vampire and he shrugged, "They're all yours, sir." That said, he lowered himself back down to the floor with the chime of more quiet laughter in the air.
"Thank you, Trent," the Original chuckled deeply, his head shaking in amusement. Panning his golden eyes across the room to take in everyone, he informed, "Friends, we leave for Solo's base within the next two hours."
His smile returned, making its way as far across his face as it could at the loud cheering and applause that filled the room. Over the speakers of the computers, the audio feed echoed with the accolade coming across from those camps conferencing in.
Raising his arm to politely call for quiet after allowing his agents a moment to react, Treize took a deep breath to resign himself. "Our goal is a simple one- taking Solo," he declared. "We would prefer to have him alive as there may yet be a chance for him, however if death cannot be avoided then so be it. When he has been captured, he will be forced to release his Others so that they may be able to link with their Vampires."
He frowned deeply, "Now, this is not going to be an easy fight for either side. There are going to be losses taken by both the Others as well as from us. But we are going to take every step possible to prevent as many casualties as we can."
Nodding to the scaly Infected at the table deep in the audience, Khushrenada introduced, "Wufei Chang, an experienced and wise solider of many decades, has devised the plan of how we will be able to accomplish that. Recently, he and Trowa Barton were brave enough to test out this idea and returned with wonderful news to share. Because of that, it is only right that they be the ones to go over out plan of attack."
All of those gathered around in the basement had already come to know the Chinese Vampire well and so most cheered, whistled and applauded him as he rose to his feet.
Smiling shyly, Chang ducked his head and waved on his way to the front of the room while Trowa took up his seat to work the projection. "Okay, everyone," he opened up to have the noise settle, adding with a smirk to the Companions gathered around Trent, "Maggots, if you prefer." Easing at the laughter that earned, he straightened himself and relaxed into speaking to so many.
"We have a big challenge ahead of us thanks to the landscape of the island that we're going to be transporting to," Wufei shared, the grin on his lips slipping away. He stepped aside the screen as he nodded to Barton. Operating the overhead lights to dim them with a remote in one hand, the Latin Original typed with the other and brought up the sketched image that Noin had drawn up, displaying it for all to see.
At the sight of the foreboding cliffs and ridges, the mood of the lot looking on instantly dampened. Eyes widened and jaws opened as faces paled. "My God," a voice could be heard breathing from the back of the room. Those Companions sitting by their Vampires leaned heavily against their lovers. Even the particularly proud amongst the Hunters swallowed roughly.
Moving before the image, Chang held a hand up to cast a shadow over the impressive rock formation and said, "This is exactly what we're going to see when we arrive on the isle. It's as close as any Teleporters will be able to get to Solo and his base which is stationed somewhere on top of these cliffs."
He gestured to his friends, commenting, "And, as I can see many of you are already imagining, there could be an overwhelming number of Others crawling in these caves and rocks. It's exactly what I would do if I had an army like Solo's. They're going to be throwing literally everything they have at us while we're scrambling on the low beaches to try and scale this bastard."
In the dim glow from the projection beam, the scaly Vampire could see faces paling and eyes filling with panic at the mental image that presented. Taking a deep breath, he went on, "Fortunately, there is a bit of luck on our side. My cousin, Trowa, was crazy enough to travel with me to the island and together, we discovered a glimmer of hope in the form of a fissure in Solo's protective shield."
Blinking and slowly brightening, his listeners leaned forward like buds stretching out for a beam of sunlight. Only the life-giving brilliance for these creatures was hearing what might save them all.
Only wanting to reassure them, Wufei was quick to continue, "Sight is what is going to be what gets us through this. Teleportation will be possible so long as we have some of our own ahead of us. They'll act like the anchors we need because in seeing them, they can be focused on for that ability to take hold. If we have enough brave souls make their way through the line of fire, we can transport dozens upon dozens of our numbers, preventing all of us from having to make the treacherous climb and likely failing in the attempt."
Wufei cast a worried sidelong glance at Anna as she stood just off to the side next to Heero. Clearing his throat and facing the whole of the crowd once more, he took a deep breath and said, "We're going to have runners shoot ahead of the rest of us being protected by our Shield gifted as the first to go into the fray, climbing as high as they can in the cliffs so that they can be the transporters' anchors."
"These runners will consist of the fastest and most daring Vampires that we have while those that can transport sit back for their chance to bring in reinforcements to them. They'll be the most in danger at first, but the risk that they take is a necessary one if we hope to prevent as many losses as possible."
Already, he could see his co-Commanders mentally making their picks for those best suited for such a responsibility. Well aware of all their agents' abilities, they had their ideas of who to deem the runners by subconsciously having their eyes fall on their picks. There was Amara from Greece. Perry of the English trio that had traveled to bring Josh into their clan was next to catch their gazes. One-by-one, more Vampires were chosen...
...their attention falling lastly on Anna.
'Fastest and most daring,' Chang thought to himself. His wife fit both of those criteria. He already knew that she was in strong consideration by the way Treize and Lady Une had looked over at her when he spoke those words. They were aware that she was one of their fastest and boldest agents that they had to offer. Already clearly knowing that she was going to be one of the runners, Anna rolled her shoulders back with a small, mischievous smile on her lips.
As best he could, the scaly Infected forced his concern back and concluded, "From there, the rest of the attack will be easy enough- keep fighting and try not to get killed. We'll be up against Wilds as well, and they'll prove to be the most difficult to take down. Those of you armed with guns will have your settings on stun, but you may switch that over to lethal if you absolutely must. Once we are over the cliffs, we can descend on the oil refinery to find Solo and hopefully bring him in without much of a challenge. Any questions?"
Scanning the group, Wufei took in the shaking heads and muttered negatives. "Very good," he smiled sadly before moving for the table to the sound of more applause. Throughout the room, the atmosphere had returned to one of anticipation thanks to his well-thought out strategy.
Lady Une took over from there, wrapping up the meeting by announcing, "Treize and I will be assigning the runners within the next few hours. After that, we are going to conduct one last feed to all of our camps just prior to our leaving for the island. That would put us at just after dawn in England when we arrive. In the meantime, everyone do what you must to prepare and be ready for the attack. You are dismissed."
That said, the lot rose to their feet or pushed off the walls they were leaning against to filter from the room. Anna shot straight for her husband, throwing her arms around his neck. Pulling back so that their eyes could meet, she beamed, "When this is all over, we'll have you to thank for it, love. Your plan is absolutely brilliant." Swallowing past the lump that formed in his throat, Wufei looped his arms around her waist and held her silver bodice-protected body against him.
It was a bittersweet thing for the immortal warrior. To be able to come up with a way into Solo's lair was a great honor for any soldier. But then there was the pain of knowing that what was of his own device put his beloved and their growing little one in danger, since he already knew what was coming next.
"Anna," Lady Une called quietly, as if on cue with Chang's thoughts. As the couple turned, they found their co-Commanders standing by the stairwell along with Perry, Amara and the dozen others that they had subconsciously selected during the meeting. The lovely Original bowed her head, requesting, "Would you come along with us, dear?"
The reactions from the family standing by were almost immediate at the realization of what was coming took hold. Heero's entire body tensed, a hand falling onto his sister's shoulder to grip it. Trowa lowered his head with a soft sigh. Wufei bit his lip and closed his eyes as his arms tightened around his wife.
Anna's smile grew as she looked on their leaders, her gold-and-blue eyes sparking with excitement. Quickly pecking her husband's lips, she uncurled herself from him and danced off behind the assembled team in their ascent up the stairs.
When the redhead was no longer in sight, Wufei stared up at the door she had disappeared through as his shoulders drooped heavily at his sides. Glancing at his worried brother and cousin as the last ones standing in the basement, he shrugged, "We better start getting our own affairs in order."
He needed the work... the distraction. And so he led the way back upstairs, all walking in an unsettled silence.
* * * * * *
Duo hadn't really prayed in some time. But he prayed this late evening.
Kneeling in the middle of his cell's floor, the braided Reformer had his head lowered and eyes closed with his folded hands against his chest.
Silently, he prayed for Heero and his family by name- Anna, Wufei, Trowa and Midi. He prayed for the Khushrenadas that he had come to consider the closest of friends. He prayed for Trent, Doctor J and all of the Hunters. He prayed for the Vampires and Companions that would be coming to stop his brother.
And perhaps most importantly... "God, please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference... especially when it comes to Solo," Maxwell whispered. Sighing, he concluded with a soft 'Amen' and blessed himself with a sign of the cross.
Of all of those requests, the hybrid wished for the right guidance when he had the opportunity to act. Fully aware of what he was capable of thanks to Shinigami, he could only hope that he would be able to control his dark abilities to do what was necessary without losing himself. What had happened to his brother was a tragedy. However, he also had to be stopped by whatever means if he continued to prove how little he cared for anything but himself.
The storm was coming soon. Duo could feel it. All he could do now was wait and ride it out as best he could.
* * * * * *
Not long now. Solo was convinced of that.
With his Others in place and his lair as fortified as he could make it, the blonde half-breed hurried back to his throne room. It was time to tie up the loose ends that he felt slipping between him and Dorothy. Difficult as it was, he contained his building rage enough that he knew he could keep from striking her again. She needed to be harnessed but not broken if he hoped to have any relationship salvaged between them when the fight was over.
Rachel and TJ were in their corner of the room with their toys as always when Solo entered through the door that was opened to him by his guard. Their game forgotten in that instant, the little ones huddled close.
Meiran had been standing at the large hole in the wall to watch the moonlit waves that came crashing into the shore far below them. At the sound of the door opening, she spun to watch the hybrid set his gaze right onto the Seer by his tall-backed seat.
Being the clear target of the ire radiating from her former 'Master', Catalonia's back straightened rigidly.
Never pausing in her rushed footsteps, the Reformer took Dorothy's wrist into an iron grip and pulled the startled Other behind him. Shouting over to the Vampire as she watched him with blinking eyes, he ordered, "I'm trusting the children to you. Do. Not. Let anything happen to them, or I'll make you sorry you ever exited."
Meiran's eyes grew before she came out of his surprise to smile. Up until now, she had tried to concoct a way to be alone with the little pests. And here the opportunity had been presented to her on a silver platter. Putting on a silky smile, she called after the retreating hybrid, "I'll only take the best of care of the dear ones."
Her little silver-and-brown eyes widening with a gasp, Rachel shivered at the sensation that ran like a cold chill down her back. Spinning towards the door as it closed after her creator, she began to shout, "That was a li-!" A cold hand slapped around the red-headed girl's mouth to silence the rest of her desperate cry.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Did you know?" Solo demanded, continuing to pull his Seer behind him as he stormed along the rickety catwalks.
Struggling to keep up, Dorothy stammered, "K-know what, Master? You're scaring me." She winced at the tightened hold on her wrist, groaning through her panting breath, "And you're hurting me!" Once they were alone around a bend, the beautiful Other gasped when she was suddenly pinned against the wall that they had just rounded. "M-Master?" she croaked past the thick knot of fear that filled her throat at the glowing, narrowed violet irises that bore down on her.
His hands gripping her shoulders in place, Solo gritted through his teeth, "Did you find out that I'm dying when you went to see my brother?" That last sentiment of a word was spat out in disgust. Her skin paling, Catalonia let out a whimper as she struggled to free herself as she shrunk before her captor. Incoherent words sputtered out of her, but there was nothing to be made out from the shocked mutterings.
"Well, maybe that bit of information is news to you, but now I know for certain that you did go behind my back to talk with him when I specifically demanded you stay away," the Reformer growled. "Your reaction tells me as much. That's why you dared to disrespect me earlier by not calling me your Master before your peers." Every word that he spoke, his face reddened all the more while his hands dug all the harder into his prisoner's flesh.
Through the pain and terror that consumed her, Dorothy found her own voice that had been silenced during the years of her imprisonment. Within seconds, her face was as red as the one inches from her own.
Each breath coming in long pants past her clenched teeth, the Seer's shimmering eyes narrowed and she screamed at the top of her lungs, "I hate you, you bastard! You're nothing more than a monster, you-!" Those echoing words were silenced when she cried out at the cold fingers that brutally pinched her bruised cheek.
Craning his smirking face close enough that their lips brushed when he spoke, Solo's fangs grew in as he whispered, "Ah, yes, but I'm the monster that can also destroy you where you stand right now without a second thought. In the end, you're no less a puppet than any of my other creations. Forget about any kindness I've shown you after all this time and make another outburst like that if you wish to test me."
Tears streaming down her face, a sob broke from Catalonia and she shook her head shallowly against the hand gripping it.
"Very wise choice," the hybrid breathed and took a step back. Appraising the trembling girl, he announced, "Since I can't trust you at the moment, I'll simply have to keep you with me by force. That way, you can watch with me as Duo's precious Vampires and friends are crushed by the army that you helped me build. What comes from my victory today was born out of your aid. Most of the blood on my hands is and will always be on yours as well."
Sniffling, Dorothy threatened to crumble to the floor but she never reached the ground before she was dragged behind Solo once again.
* * * * * *
//"Abide with me... fast falls the eventide... The darkness deepens... Lord with me abide... When other helpers fail and comforts flee... Help of the helpless... O abide with me."//
Using her ability to calm the large group of Vampires that had officially been deemed the Runners, Anna sang softly as the Preventer Commanders stood before the team to give a layout of what lay ahead. Tensions and fears had grown amidst the agents and so the Irish Infected sang her favorite Catholic hymn to ease their troubles the only way that she could as a Siren.
Calmly, Treize went on to tell the lot, "You were all picked for this dangerous mission because you are the fastest and the best that we can offer to see through our only good plan of attack. Along with that, we no longer have Duo's blood to offer that we can create more Shields in our ranks."
Running a hand through his short hair, he sighed, "Even with Wufei staying on the beaches to mimic that dome protection of every Shield we have, much of our masses will still be exposed on the beaches. I know that this is not going to be an easy task and so not one of you is being forced into making this decision. We simply wished to express why we came to you first."
Under her breath, the redhead sang, "I need Thy presence every passing hour.... What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power... Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be... Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me."
Even as the words came from her, Anna shivered. No one present would deny what was being asked of them. They would all be the first into the fray. And if they were not fast enough or strong enough to fend off their attackers, they would be the first to fall.
// "Swift to its close.... ebbs out life's little day... Earth's joys grow dim.... its glories pass away... Change and decay in all around I see... O Thou who changest not, abide with me."//
Lowering a hand onto her abdomen beneath the surface of the table where she sat, the expectant mother thought of her growing baby inside of her. The outcome of the battle was bigger than her, Wufei, Duo, Heero... any of them. If there was any hope for the future of Vampire and living alike, failure in this test was not an option.
"You know that we love every one of you," Lady Une whispered, the tears that she would have had falling down her face nowhere to be found thanks to the sweet song that was enchanting her and everyone in the room. Shaking her head, she frowned deeply, "This is an incredibly impossible thing that we are asking of you, but we would never have resorted to this if we did not believe you were up to the task."
//"I fear no foe... with Thee at hand to bless... Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness... Where is death's sting... Where, grave, thy victory... I triumph still, if Thou abide with me."//
Their gazes falling on their redheaded and long-term friend, the co-Commanders paused. "If there are any questions, concerns or wishes to decline, speak up now," Khushrenada stated, giving the Irish immortal a chance to get out now if she wished.
//"Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes.... Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies... Heaven's morning breaks... and earth's vain shadows flee... In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me."//
That last stanza in particular resonated in Anna's mind. Smiling brightly, she shrugged, "Only thing I have to say is count me in."
//' In life...
...in death...
...O Lord...
...Abide with me.'//
TBC...
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