Nathen

"This is what happens when you do things without my orders. You look like a corpse." Nathen spat to Tom after going into the nearest bathroom. "You know you can't underestimate him. Especially now since that failed car stunt of yours."

"I really didn't intend to do anything." Tom tried to explain, "I was headed to the lunch room when I saw Carly and she dropped her ID. Then KP showed up and I thought I'd just mess with him. I didn't think he'd have anything on him at school."

"You were affected earlier when you spoke to him in the hallway, and then again just now. Whatever he had on him, he put it on that ID. I felt it when it fell on the table and hit my arm." Nathen looked at his arm again to see if it was okay.

"You should know firsthand that he has the abilities to lace just about anything with his different types of shock waves and poison. You're weak and haven't built up a tolerance yet. With you in this condition, you'd just be in the way. Get home and get some rest."

"I will."

"Once you get better, I need you to get that reactant labeled C so we can try and sterilize that ID. As long as that's with her, you'll have a hard time getting close to her. There's only a small amount, so be careful when you get it. If we can't get close to her, then all of our efforts will be for nothing. We have to confirm if she's the one that'll help us break down the barrier between you, me, and leaving Midtown."

"I will do my best." Tom was slowly starting to get his color back.

"Um, what's going on out there?" A troubled voice slowly spoke out from one of the stalls. Nathen looked over to where he heard the voice. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his little hand made knock out box and slipped it under the door of the stall the person was in.

"W-what's that?!" He said in a panic. Nathen walked back over to the exit and snapped his fingers. He took a glance over his shoulder and saw a flash going off with a soft pop as the little black box exploded open. Smoke seeped out from the top and bottom of the stall. It only took a couple seconds before he heard a hard thud hit the wall.

"These new gas bombs really do work well. Much better than the one I gave you to use the other day with KP. That one requires a trigger. This one simply needs my command." Nathen rubbed his fingers together as they walked out of the restroom, "Now go. You're still not well enough to do anything." Nathen watched as Tom simply nodded and walked off.

Every day, Nathen wonders how he went from making formulas and helping out in the labs proving to Ace he had what it takes to create the newest chemically fused weapons to eliminate the needs of shells and bullets to a simple hacking mission gone wrong, and getting stuck in a rundown town with a rescue on the other side of the world. Always needing to be ready for an altercation with KP that always manages the upper hand.

KP is from River City. Their labs hold more secretes than Area fifty-one. In attempts to takeover their database, he managed to chase Nathen to Midtown and put up that impossible to penetrate barrier around the town.

The only reason KP hasn't just killed Nathen like he wants to do to him is because he needs him alive. Just like he has info he wants, he has info KP needs. That's why the game of cat and mouse continues. Nathen wants nothing more but to end this game.

He took an early leave from school like Tom. Except he's not going home. It was still lunch time. Which meant it was easier to slip out of the school. There were three ways to get to their base. One being through the school. It wasn't wise to use that entrance sine he wasn't sure of KP's whereabouts. So the second way was his option as he left out the side door.

It was right behind the school underground. The idea of 'hiding in plain sight' was Nathen's goal when putting it together. It was a success seeing as it hasn't been discovered. It's hard to expect the brown brick abandon house he approached to be anything but an abandon house.

That is, until you go inside the torn apart living room, move the broken green pot that sat on top of the dusty mantle and place a hand on the unusually clean surface underneath it. The heat sensor only recognizes his and Tom's hand.

When the surface turned red then green accepting his print, he turned to the black couch that had rips all over it and saw them separate showing a large hole in the ground that was not accidently placed there. He walked over to it and stepped on to the grey ladder that descended to what should've been the basement, but instead, a narrow path to his base of operations.

It took them three months to create it. It should've taken three months for them to leave the town. Two years later, he's still sitting in his chair and logging on the main computer.

Now that Carly is here, he can begin again planning the best use of her body and mind. She was from upscale Uptown. Meaning her test results can prove to show she was born gifted, or strong enough to use as their power source. Several failed attempts in using Midtown residents proved they're too weak to use. This was his last option. He went to his email and opened the one titled 'TEST REPORT'.

"Still unstable. But managed to move for half a day.

Miku still needs a lot of work and reprograming."

The last report he received on Miku still said malfunctioning upon activating. Within a week, she's now moving. It'll get Nathen a lot further even if she's still faulty.

He turned to the wall of weapons and grabbed the necessities for a small fire. If he could temporarily set KP back, he'll be able to buy enough time until the next Miku report.

It was no secrete where KP lived. He's dared them to show up at his place many times. And now, Nathen stands in front of it. His house was the only decent one on the block. The grass was trimmed, the bushes were even, and there were security cameras everywhere covering just about every angle of the perimeter. But once Nathen is done here, there won't be any footage to run back.

KP was still at school. There shouldn't be anything to stop him. Once he stepped foot on the porch, he hear a sound that said, "BODY RECOGNITION ERROR." He  looked around not able to find where it came from.

"BODY RECOGNITION ERROR." He heard again. Nathen quickly stepped off the porch. There was a body scan at the door. The security KP has around his house was tight. Nathen wouldn't be surprised if he got an alert for an intruder.

He quickly went to the side of the house to see if there were any openings. His windows didn't have a lock on them, but he probably didn't think he could see the translucent rays going across.

He really had the placed wired. Nathen reached into his bag and went to plan B. He pulled out a mini fogger and went back to the front. It's estimated he'd have about ten seconds before the body recognition switches modes to adjust to the fog.

Nathen pulled out a small black universal key maker from his bag and threw the fogger. The air quickly became thicker with grey clouds of smoke billowing out. He made a run for it and pressed the key matcher against the lock. He could hear it scanning the inside of the lock making a memory of the groves for a key.

"BODY RECOGNITION ERROR." Nathen heard the voice again. He needed to hurry before he triggered the alarm. A light appeared trying to see through the smoke.

The key made and turned. He finally felt the knob turn and the door opened. There were no signs of sensors or hidden cameras inside as he looked around the living room. He didn't want to chance there being something sending notes to KP, so he took out his lighter and got started.

There's no better destruction than those caused by an accident. It would've been nice for Nathen to try and find his chemicals and elements, but they were probably locked behind a metal wall somewhere.

He walked over to the outlet where he had a lamp plugged in sitting on a small glass table. He took out some alcohol and poured it over the socket. He then grabbed a candle and placed it sideways on the floor after lighting it. Sparkes and flames came out fast. He turned and headed back out the door.

He wasn't sure if the door sensor was still active since the door was opened, but he had to keep going making sure he wasn't around when someone calls the fire department. This was the one and only, and probably, the last time Nathen would visit that house.

By the time he got rid of everything he had, it was about time for school to let out. He headed back to school to find Carly. By now, she should have seen KP again. That would let him know if he's had the chance to see what happened at his house yet or not.

"I'm headed back to school and will probably be a while. You should head home. There may be some suspicious activity going on around here. Just make sure you're careful with who you talk with." Nathen looked up ahead and heard someone talking. To his luck, it was both Carly and KP. He's been at school the whole time.

"Like I talk to anyone anyway." Carly said to him.

"Even the people you already know." KP said under his breath.

"What?"

"You're not talking about me, are you?" Nathen decided to join in on their conversation, "I couldn't help but over hear your conversation just now. If you're worried about her safety, I can make sure she gets home safe and sound. What do you say to that Carly?" He looked to her and smiled. There was something different about her from the other Uptown people that have come. That being a good thing or not was still a question that needed an answer.

She looked to KP first before she answered, "That's fine I guess. Although I don't need all this protecting you think I need just because I'm a girl."

"You're probably right. But it's better safe than sorry. Plus, there's going to be a massive heat wave. Don't want to be out and faint on the street." He said to KP. He didn't really pay attention to what Nathen said, but he knows he heard him. He nudge Carly for them to get going home.

"Is it really going to be a heat wave this late in the day?" She asked.

"Well, there could. Who's to say for certain in this weather that's unsteady?" Nathen said to her.

"So you were lying? Why are you and Tom so mean to him? Has he really done something so bad to you?"

She looked to him waiting for an answer. He could easily just tell her he's holding them hostage. But then he would have to take her in now, and his lab tables aren't set up yet.

"He knows we're just joshing. It's just a little banter between student and student security. He sometime thinks he can do whatever he wants since he helps the school out."

She looked as if she didn't believe him, but then her face rested from the suspicion. There's definitely something different about her. The other Uptown people that came were so quick to believe everything Nathen and Tom told them. She second guesses everything.

"Why don't you help out then?"

"Me? No, I don't have what it takes to handle that kind of responsibility." He laughed and said.

"Then, if he has more power than you, you shouldn't take him so lightly." She said. She was only joking, but she doesn't know what they've been through up until now. For her to say something like that so casually sent Nathen's blood boiling.

"I think someone has a liking for someone." He settled and said. He couldn't let his anger get the best of him. He has to be patient.

"No, that's not it!" She lashed back, "Who's thinking about relationships right now? I just want to graduate and move on with my life." She said. If things go according to Nathen's plan, unfortunately her plans won't be completed.

They continued their walk in silence. Every day, He's noticed a bigger gap between them whenever they walk together. Just to see if it's coincidence or not, he moved over a bit. He saw her take a glance in his direction when she suddenly stumbled.

"Watch out."  Nathen reached out for her. As soon as he grabbed her arm, he had to let go and she fell to the ground.

"Ow!"

"I'm so sorry. Are you alright? I... I lost my grip." Nathen said looking from his hand to her wrist.

"That's alright." She picked herself up and dusted herself off when she took a look to a bracelet she was wearing.

"Some good luck charm this is." She said.

"That's supposed to be a good luck charm?" He asked with slight disbelief.

"KP gave it to me. But he did say I should say something for it to actually work. I can't remember exactly what that was. If I think long enough, I'll remember. I don't really believe it anyway." Nathen looked at the bracelet as she spoke. He only hopes she couldn't see the cold sweat running down his face as he put his hand behind his back.

"You alright?" She asked watching him.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Maybe that heat wave is a real thing after all. I'm feeling a little light headed. You should probably go in and make sure you get some AC going." Nathen told her.

"Alright, I guess I'll see you around." Carly went inside. He watched her in before running to his house and quickly called Tom.

"She has something else on her." He didn't even give Tom the chance to say hello, "Not only did he lace her ID card, he gave her a highly active band."

"What kind of band is that?" Tom asked.

"It's new. He got that straight from River I know it. I've only recently heard of it. It's an offensive and defensive weapon. It has to be fused with the same component as liquid Nitrogen. I think I'm getting a cryogenic burn on my hand." He looked to his hand that has become completely white. The band wasn't even activated yet. This was just its defense. If it's used as an offensive, he probably would've lost that hand already.

"I want you to get the switch."

"Are you sure? That could be dangerous! We're still working some bugs out of it." Tom reminded him

"We can work the bugs out as we go. I'm also going to get Miku. Once she's ready, we'll need to keep moving since that should be all we need to get things done."

"That's even more detrimental! Miku is not even close to going live. And you just said you were hurt. You can't do it!" Tom shouted.

"Are you suspecting my ability to be able to surpass him?" Nathen couldn't get what Carly said out of his mind. It was like she was mocking him and didn't even know it.

"That's not what I meant at all. I just don't want you to get hurt."

"I don't think you should be worried about me. You should worry about getting what I asked you to get. I'm going to get Miku and want you to start planting the pods."

Nathen intended to wait until they did more test on Miku, but Carly just made him realize that waiting really isn't an option. Looking at the things KP were using, keeping him alive may not be a necessity anymore either.

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Things are slowly but surely picking up from here on out. Your votes and feedback are much appreciated if you have anything. I hope you look forward to more in the next coming chapters!