Gritting my teeth, I focus beyond the pain, beyond the red haze of fire that blazes in my head. I concentrate on pulling away from Kage. In my mind, I see a web of razor wire attached to us, stretched so thin it's practically transparent. Glistening in the dull light, so sharp and dangerous. I just have to cut through it. Sever it and free myself.
Tears stream down Zen's face as she yells at Dabria to stop Specter. Brutus holds Zen back, placidly ignoring her attempts to fight against his hairy arm. His dull eyes fix on me, and I can almost hear his guttural words.
Fight, Enigma. Crush your enemy.
Specter roars, eyes wide, staring somewhere beyond the physical world. I join in, a feral scream ripping from my throat as I pull away from Kage. The world flashes electric-white, an electric storm flickering along with my consciousness, and I feel it. One last sharp stab and then… nothing. It's only when my breath raises a cloud of dust that I realize I've fallen, lying prone on the broken concrete.
Zen rushes forward, dropping down to try to help me up. I wave her back, slowly pushing myself up to a sitting position. My head feels like it's been used as a battering ram, but I don't even concentrate on the pain. I can feel it. The sensation that's been in my head every day since Cyber Corp captured me, the needling feeling like a nest of wasps burrowed in my skull is gone. I glance over at Specter, who leans against a column of a shattered building as if his bones have melted. He gives me a weary nod of confirmation.
"It's done."
Kane lies on his back, his pale face nearly obscured by a mask of blood. Eyes staring sightlessly, body convulsing. His lips tremble, teeth clacking together as if trying to speak. I have to step closer to hear.
"H… how does it… feel, Enigma?"
"How does what feel?"
"F-f-f… freedom." His chest heaves, and soft laughter ripples from his mouth. I can't tell if it's mocking or relieved.
"Crush you," Brutus growls, dropping down on all fours. His massive paw slams into Kane's head, crushing it like an aluminum can. One of his eyes explodes from the socket as his body flies several yards before landing in a flaming pile of debris. I watch as the lights in his ruined head wink out, followed by his remaining eye. His skin blisters and peels as it catches on fire. Somehow, he still seems to stare at me, teeth clenched in a sardonic grin. I can't help but think that it's not over. Kane always has the upper hand. Can I believe that he's actually finished for good?
"We have to go," Dabria says.
She helps me to my feet, throwing my arm over her shoulder. Supporting me. I glance at her, face unreadable behind the heavy black helmet. But see the slightest hint of a smile on her lips.
I feel the tears slide down my cheek. "You did this for me. I… gave up on hope. I thought you abandoned us."
Her hand clutches mine, squeezing hard. "You should have known better, Enigma. I taught you how to fight. How to survive. Let this teach you one last thing. You are my family. As long as you and I draw breath, I'll never leave you behind."
Soldiers join us as we make our way through the rubble. Dabria's squad, moving efficiently in a protective formation around us. I wonder what happened to Agent Rogers and his team. I hope they made it, that they were able to get away. Somehow, I don't think they did. They weren't the type to leave a fight. They were soldiers. Warriors. But for a brief time, we fought side-by-side as teammates. I don't want to have to kill them now that we're on opposite sides.
As we turn around a corner, the dilemma is taken out of my hands. Agent Roger's dead body greets me; eyes still open as if shocked by his last moments. The rest of his squad lie scattered around him; limbs broken, bodies desecrated by stab and bullet wounds.
Kilgore sits nearby, waiting for us. He doesn't even look as if he's broken a sweat after taking out the entire unit. Catching my eye, he grins like a wolf.
"Told you that you were fighting on the wrong side, girl."
I can't take my eyes away from Agent Roger's corpse. "You didn't have to kill them. You could have let them go."
He shrugs indifferently. "No point leaving enemy agents behind. Consider this the price of your freedom." Ignoring me, he looks at Dabria. "You got what you wanted. I'll expect you to give me what I want in return."
"You'll get it," she says.
He nods. "I'm done here, then. You better get to your ship. Reinforcements are minutes away. We'll regroup when the dust settles. I'll send word." Dropping to one knee, he plants a fist against the ground. In a flash of crackling light, he vanishes, leaving only floating sparks to mark his passage.
Specter looks as shocked as I feel, staring in shock at where Kilgore disappeared. "What… what just happened?"
Dabria gives him a meaningful look. "He's an atavist."
"Like us? He has… abilities?"
"Yes. Only he's far more powerful than you or I."
I look at her. "What does he mean by that? What does he want from you?"
Her jaw tightens. "We'll talk about it later. After we get you to safety and remove that device from your skull. Come on."
I take a last look at Agent Rogers. For the first time, I wonder if he had a family. A wife, maybe even children waiting for him at home. Hours away from finding out he'll never come home again. All because he received an impossible assignment.
Consider this the price of your freedom.
I allow Dabria to lead me away from the scene of carnage, pushing the thoughts out of my mind. Because I have no time for regrets or mourning. I have no time for celebration. Because I know that the Collective predicted this moment. They knew this would happen. No matter what I do from this point, I know any success will only lead to bitterness. Because even with Kage dead, they'll be watching. And if I don't betray the people I love, they will strike. I know the actual price of my freedom, and it's far more precious than Agent Rogers and his crew.
I look back at Zen. She hangs on to Brutus' hairy arm; face etched with grief as she passes by the dead bodies. Her eyes meet mine, reflecting the conflict I feel inside. I don't know how much more she can take, but I know I have to protect her. Because this is just the beginning, and if I fail, she dies. I have to make sure that doesn't happen.
No matter what the cost.
Chapter 15: 5P3CT3R
Tonight, I dine with the enemy.
It's been two weeks since the battle with Cyber Corp. Two weeks of running and hiding, dodging heavy surveillance and pursuit by law enforcement. Strangely, the time on the run has been good for me. Unable to focus on the crippling need for hibernation, I start to feel normal again. Like a real person instead of the anxiety-filled, sick individual that crawled out the Deep Sleep pod just a month ago. I still think of Hel every day. Every night I find her in my dreams. But the constant need isn't quite as strong as it was. There are times when I can go for several hours without even thinking about life in Elysia.
I'm surprised by how good that feels.
We're in a dilapidated Japanese diner in Reno, eating Champon ramen bowls and drinking ginger beer. It's a celebration of sorts. Cyber Corp forces have left the region, convinced that we departed from the area. On top of that, Enigma's surgery was a success. The minder was successfully removed from the base of her skull, ending any chance of Cyber Corp tracking her or remotely activating the device. She's now a completely free woman. Or as free as she can be while in Dabria's thrall.