The next day we took precautionary procedures to place Gambit under the most protected security we could while we tracked where Sean's blueprint instructions could be located. Gambit was to remain in the unit at all times, and us adults took turns babysitting and searching- even Thad and Lizzie joined the efforts while staying in our home! Uzi and I, after hearing Marrisa's story, promptly quit our positions for the Worker Defense Force, and focused our time and energy into spending the last two days we have searching for Gam's solution. There was NO way we were going to work for that murderer any longer! Khan was persistent in trying to sway Uzi to his reasoning, but she stood like the great wall of China, never wavering in the slightest bit as her father pleaded, threatened, bargained, ANYTHING he could for her to get rid of our child. I fell in love with her even more from the strength she had possessed-not to say she was weak before but this strength felt different from the usual strength Uzi carried, and I adored every bit of it as she continued to tell dad off. Even Marrisa would send us secret messages deciphering any kind of questions we asked, or discretely giving us instructions on where to access for any of the WDF restricted case files to see what we could dig up. Fortunately, Sean was the only sketchy case that Khan tried to cover up, and we were disturbed to discover that there was a secret branch of the WDF that Khan had cultivated to keep.... Well.... Drones like V and myself off of the planet by quietly taking them down, and covering it up as a dissapearance.... THAT'S why we didn't know of Sean's whereabouts..... THAT'S why Marrisa was so frightened to talk to us.... Just how many more went unnoticed and undocumented? Was he ever going to do that.... To US...? Uzi would constantly be hugging, playing, and talking to Gam whenever she got the chance, but instead of it becoming a bond between mother and daughter, it felt like she was obligated to make up for what our dad did to hers; taking a toll on Gambit and Uzi both as the two tried to look past what was said, but I knew that now there was no going back to the way things were before.... There WASN'T any room for ignoring and pretending...! It was near noon, and V set a book that Marrisa had given her titled "Quantum Circulation" down beside her as she sighed, "Well, I've learned that there are seventy calculated ways to loop and redirect a circuit, but it DOESN'T get us ANY closer to finding out the secret to Mr. Ol'Rig's blueprints, OR help Gambit in the slightest! WHY did Marrisa wait until we had exactly THREE DAYS to tell us this information!?" "Because we basically kept Gambit a hermit from those who actually KNEW..... WHAT were we thinking..?" Uzi groaned, looking out into the gray, snow ridden sky from the window. "Well, all that matters is that we take what information we acquired, and what time we have left, and use that to our advantage! Speaking of, has anyone talked to Marrisa in a bit?" I asked, placing a printed file beside me of worker history in this secret organization of Khan's. "I tried contacting her, like, an HOUR or so ago, but she just kinda, y'know...." Lizzie replied, holding her hand to the light to look at her nonexistent fingernails. "Know, what?" I asked frustratedly, a little burnt out from researching and fearful of losing the one thing Uzi and I had always wanted! "She's M.I.A, dork. I sent her a text, but never got anything back! Ha, so much for "Hourly Help" huh?" "Man, I don't know what's more stressful: the high-school finals essay about the compound makeup of cheese, or this!" Thad complained, rolling up a random K-9 design that I had come up with to present to Khan while I still worked for the WDF. "What's more, the KIDS are terrified! Gah, could this week get ANY worse?!" Uzi exclaimed, kicking the wall. "If we don't settle this problem down there won't BE a week. Keep looking- I'll see if I can somehow reach Marrisa!" I commanded, sliding the files across the kitchen table before taking Lizzie's phone from her, and glaring at her to warn her from crossing me, which her eyes widened in response, telling me she received the memo. I took the phone into the hallway, sighing as I thought to myself, "Why am I acting like this?! This is SO not me at all... Is.... Is THIS what it feels like to be a dad..? Am I doing the right thing..?" I held the phone up to my ear, awaiting the ringing to end when I suddenly heard a deep, soulless tone say, "All she had to do was stay quiet.... What a shame Marrisa had to meet her end like this..." my oil ran cold, and I could hear my gears churn as I asked, "Wh-Who is-" "We'll meet soon... VERY soon, in fact.... Khan will be pleased to finally be rid of JC Jensen scum like you, and that little brat of yours too, N Doorman..!" "N-NO!" "Goodbye..." the phone hung up, and I dropped te device to the floor in terror before blasting it to smithereens with my blaster gun hand. They got Marrisa, and now we were next! I ran inside, and began to pack whatever I could get into the backpack I took with me to see Marrisa as I panicked, "We gotta leave the unit! NOW!" "N?! Wh-What's going on?!" "The secret organization KILLED Mar, and now they're coming for US! Please, PLEASE grab the kids and meet me at the bunker portion of the colony! I rerouted the doors, so they only open with a code I made." I took my wife into my embrace, and whispered the password into her ear before kissing her on the mouth. She was terrified, and pulling away from her, I saw tears run down her cheeks as I consoled gently, "Please, Uzi, I'll be fine. Take Gambit, and you two be careful, okay?" "N.... Why is my dad doing this...?" She sobbed lightly, and I could only look to the floor in response... I held her hand to my cheek a bit longer, lightly squeezing before letting her go so she could collect Gambit. "Lizzie, you and the kids go with Uzi and Gam! I'll stay here to help N get what he needs." "O-Okay.." "I'm staying with you!" V exclaimed, beginning to shove books into a purse. I shook my head, and grasped V's shoulder as I pleaded, "Please, V, I need you to go with them. Lizzie can't defend herself like we can, and Uzi's going to need to keep Gam with her at all times, so she can't afford to use the Solver! I'm entrusting you with my most precious possessions, V. Please, Please go with them!" V thought about my words over, and with a worried gaze, she gently took my hand as she replied, "I'll protect them with my life. Especially Gambit!" I smiled wryly, feeling relieved that mine and Thad's family would be more than protected by someone whom I trust with my heart. "Papa? Are we going to be okay?" I heard my sweet daughter ask, making V and I turn to face Uzi while Gambit looked down solemnly. Trying to put on my bravest face, I approached the two, and caressed Gambit's face as I assured, "V is the strongest one I know besides your mom. With her, I know you'll all be alright! I'll be with you and mommy soon- just after I finish up here, okay?" "But what if they find me? I don't want anybody to get hurt..." "They'll be the only ones hurting, kiddo. Don't you worry about a thing!" V consoled, holding up her arm to mimick showing off her biceps and making Gambit giggle a little in response before frowning again. After hearing what her life was to be, her lively smile, and brilliant personality sort of diminished along with her positive thoughts, and it pained me. I WILL reverse the clock if it meant I DIED for it! Once the ladies and children left, Thad and I continued to rush around, grabbing unread documents and potentially important files and plans before cautiously peering out of the unit door. Looking both ways, I directed Thad to stay behind me as we made our way through the back hallways quietly. Staying to the shadows was our only chance for survival, and we couldn't afford to trust ANYONE lest they were part of that cult..! "I wonder if Khan knows they're after his daughter.... Why wouldn't he STOP them..?" "Because he doesn't care, Thad... He NEVER cared, even when he had the desire TO care! I firmly believe he LIVES to make his daughter's life a living tar pit, and would go to extents like THIS to achieve it! I mean, he never so much as came to visit Uzi to see what she was up to during her self proclaimed banishment- I'd be surprised if he ACTUALLY meant to support her EVER! If Nori were here to see all of this.... Robo God, help us all...." I prayed, not even WANTING to hear the words Nori would say to Khan should she have figured out about his plans. She was in the same boat as I, Uzi, V, and now..... Now my little Gambit was stuck in the boat as well.... At least I was GIVEN a choice, but Gambit's fate seemed to be written from the day she was born! It wasn't right... "N, look!" Thad exclaimed quietly, grasping the back of my shirt before pointing to a couple of Drones before us through an opening. Taking a closer look, I noticed the WDF logo on the backs of their coats, but above the abbreviations was an odd looking insignia.... The insignia depicted a circle of white dots, interlocking lines with each other while green dots surrounded the white ones, and in the center, three black dots..... Like the three in the center were trapped by the ones interlocking lines.... what's more, the white dots had gold rims around them like halos.... Who were they? "The targets seem to be missing, sir.... What do you want us to do now....?" The lady on the left asked, toneless and soulless. "Find them.... They know too much...!" "And Uzi...? What of her...?" "Khan wants her brought to him IMMEDIATELY....! We can't afford to lose sight of ANY of the social terrorists...." the man beside her turned to face the shadows we were in, and the lady seemingly joined him which made my jaw drop as I stifled a horrified gasp. They both sported bleak, beige colored eyes, and their hair seemed to be a murky shade of brown.... what HAPPENED to them?! "We need to go. Come on!" Thad ushered fearfully, and I continued to lead him down the shadowed hall. Were they ALL like this? What did Khan DO to them!? We twisted and turned, keeping strictly to darkness to avoid being seen by my dad's goons; finally making it to the bunker door as I quickly imput the code and shoved Thad inside. "N!" Uzi exclaimed. "Papa!" Gambit cried, the two running to embrace me as Thad ran to greet his family. "About time you showed up. What TOOK you?" V asked, placing her hands on her hips as I replied, "Khan isn't working with spies alone- he's got these insane, void Workers at his side and I believe they're the most dangerous of all of them! You didn't run into any on the way here, did you?" Eyes going wide, V simply shook her head in response, and I could feel the panic set in as I replied fearfully, "S-So you don't know what I'm talking about!?" "I-I'm sorry, N. If anyone were to attack there would be bodies to the ceiling in the corridor!" This was the most disturbing bit of information yet, and I quickly shook the fear and shock from my core long enough to thank my friend for keeping her word. "Tell us about the insane Drones my dad has." Uzi demanded, eyes filled with worry as I explained every detail of the void, sketchy beings, and their ultimate goal. At this point, Uzi settled herself onto the floor with a distant gaze affixed to her knees, and she replied, "I..... I don't know what to think or feel anymore....." "How do you mean?" "Just all of.... THIS! One part of me TRUSTED him, and doesn't want this all to be real, but the other half KNOWS it's real, and I don't know what to do! I don't want to screw something up, and us all pay the price for it...." she hid her face in her knees, and I settled myself beside her before embracing her tightly. I wish I knew what to say that would cheer her up, or at least give her some confidence, but this was life and death- the in between of Morality, and Dehumanizing! I opened my mouth to say something when a soft sobbing came from the crowd of loved ones around us, and I spotted Thatch and Fletch trying to console Gambit as she sobbed, "It's all my fault..... Mine, and my old Papa... I wish I didn't have this bomb on me, OR came to the colony!" "Gambit, don't SAY that!" "But it's true! Now Mhamaí is going to lose ALL of you, and she'll be left with a monster." "Khan's ALWAYS been a monster! He didn't become one because of you..." V replied sternly, making her sobs turn into soft sniffles as I beckoned her over to us gently. She was hesitant, but with enough encouragement from me, she finally came close enough to take her hand in mine as I began softly, "Marrisa gave you that map for a reason, Sweetheart. She WANTED you to seek us for help- albeit a really metal kind of way to encourage that desire, but it still led you to us. And I promise on my LIFE to you that I will not give up searching for a way to help you, even if I lose sleep and go crazy over it! Your dad may not be here, but I am.... And so is Uzi.... With us, you are in good hands, Gambit! So don't think that what Khan's doing is a result of you, because the only one affected truly in the end is him for his choices. Taking you in was OUR choice. Taking care of you is OUR choice, and duty! It's HIS choice to be the bad guy, and try to break apart what the three of us has built together. It's not ANYONE'S fault but Khan's." Gambit settled down a minute, looking to the floor in thought to process my words when I gently lifted her head to face me once more, and caressed her cheek carefully. It was going to be rough, but the LAST thing I wanted was for Gam to feel alone in this endeavor! According to the clock in the bunker, dusk was just setting in, and we sent the kids to bed after seeing how much time Gambit's clock displayed. The rest of us settled around a makeshift workspace, coming up with plans on how to first remove Gambit's chest plate to observe the workings keeping the clock in tact before we went on to planning out how exactly to reverse the time, and most of us came to a standstill over prying the plate while she was knocked out, or simply looking for screws bolting the plate down. "I've bathed that child since I moved in with you two- she HAS NO SCREWS!" V exclaimed as Uzi spat in response, "Prying her open is going to HURT her more! Not to mention it takes one slip for the bomb to react, and then we've just effectively killed Gambit, the colony, AND ourselves!" "Not if you do it carefully, idiot." "Lizzie, all it takes is the smallest nudge out of place, and we all go boom!" "You're SERIOUSLY taking HER side?! I'm your WIFE!" It was chaos in it's finest as I closed my eyes to think over our options, and the best plan to carry them out when my annoyance got the better of me, and I snapped, "Will you all STOP YOUR BICKERING FOR A SEC!?" The three grew silent, and I looked around worriedly for a minute- listening for any signs of the kids waking up from the loudness when Lizzie sassed, "Well we don't hear YOU coming up with anything!" "Lizzie, I said HUSH! Thad and Uzi both are right, but V and Lizzie are also correct. We have to find a solution that isn't too damaging to Gambit, but will keep our lives in tact all the same, so here's what I propose: we go about with prying the plate, but if Gambit should feel any pain, or the plan becomes a flop, we immediately quit while we're ahead to avoid devastation. To pry her open, we'll need the correct tools, and I KNOW where we can get them! I'd have to be REALLY careful, and not get caught in the process. Sounds good?" The group simply exchanged glances with each other, then turned their gazes back to me when Uzi sighed, "Fine.... But YOU get to do the prying, and NOBODY else. Got it?" "Of course, dear. I'll have everything ready by dawn tomorrow, and we can start first thing at daybreak!" I assured, taking her hands in mine gently. I could feel her quivering, and I knew what kind of fear and worry she was feeling.... The feeling every parent gets when they realize something could go wrong, and their child may become more injured than they were already.... Like fixing a stuck pig yourself rather than taking it to a vet! "Hmph! TOLD you prying her open is the best plan we got." V sneered, to which Uzi shot her a threatening glance before shouting, "BITE ME, IT WASN'T EVEN YOUR IDEA!" "Papa? Mhamaí?" We heard a small voice asked, causing all to wince in realization as I whispered, "Buiscuits...." we turned to find Gambit, standing in the doorway that sectioned off the bunker storage to the rest area as she twiddled her fingers nervously. "H-Hey sweet pea, we didn't mean to be so loud..." I stammered as she came closer to us. Confused, she raised her brow and replied, "I didn't know you WERE.... I just had a bad dream, and I was wondering if you could lay down with me?" I felt relieved that it wasn't our yelling that shook Gambit awake, and Uzi quickly took her back to the others as I breathed, "I'm going..." "Going WHERE?" "To the mechanics office.... And maybe I'll meet an old pal of mine in the process... "Uh, not without me, bozo! This bunker is sealed up tight, so the rest of the runts will be okay." V demanded, making me sigh in defeat. There was no arguing with her! "Fine! But we HAVE to be here at early dawn tomorrow to work on Gambit. NO distractions, just take what is necessary- got it?" "Agreed. Now, let's go find us some tools!"