Kat,
They are letting me write this letter before we go. I don't know where they're taking me or why, but I'm in no position to fight back or argue with them. I hope you find this and that you are okay. Don't worry about me. My life isn't important anymore. I have no way of knowing where I'm going or if I will ever see you again. I only ask that you find a way to be happy without me in your life. When we started this marriage, we both knew that I wouldn't live much longer anyway. I'm just glad that I was able to sell you to a good owner before I died. Jarred will take care of you and I trust him to be your protector, teacher, and owner. I will always love you, Katarina. No matter where I go, no matter how far across this galaxy I am taken, I will die happy knowing that even for a few weeks, my heart belonged to an amazing woman like you. You have brought nothing but joy to my life and I thank you for that. Stay strong for me. I'll see you in heaven, sweetheart.
Your loving husband,
Byron Erikson
She places the note on the table and wipes the tears from her eyes. No. She has to be strong for everyone else. This isn't the time to be weak. They need her to be a member of this resistance, rebellion, or whatever they want to call themselves at this point. It's not about her.
Jarred will be looking for her so she decides to push it all into the back of her mind then leave the room and go to the lounge where everyone else is gathered. They look exhausted and worn out. Katarina does smile when she sees Zach propped up on the sofa beside Jayce and drinking a cup of hot tea. She had been worried that he wouldn't pull through, but now at least that bit of anxiety is lifted from her mind. She pulls up a chair beside the sofa so she can be close to someone who she trusts. "Hey, Zach."
"Hey, baby."
Jarred shakes his head and sits on the arm of the sofa then puts his arm around Jayce. "Good to see you join the land of the living yourself, Kat. I trust you feel better now?"
"Yes. Thanks for letting rest. I don't know what made me so-"
"No need to apologize." Isidore says as he flips through a stack of papers at the table that they managed to repair with duct tape and PVC pipes. "We've all had a trying past couple of days."
She turns back to Zach and takes his hand. "You don't look very happy to be alive."
"I lost so many people who were important to me. Over the years of working with him, Kazimir became almost like a father to me. He accepted me, even knowing what I did to my brother, you, and so many other people. I was a troubled child to say the least, but I hope that I have grown to become at least a somewhat respectable man. I owe my life to my cyborgs. They're gone. They all sacrificed their lives for me. They fought until the end. I know you probably think they were slaves, but that's not true. We were friends and I provided everything they needed. We'd joke around and work on projects together. You only saw it from the outside."
"Can you make more?" Katarina asks.
"That would require there to actually be people left alive in this city. Besides, not many will consent to being modified like that. While becoming a living computer caught on and became the fashionable thing to do, outward physical alterations aren't big yet. And yes, every single cyborg volunteered. I didn't force any of them into it. The Inquisition will try to tell you otherwise, but they're just a bunch of hot-headed judgmental purists."
"Katarina, I guess you know about Byron?" Isidore asks.
"I found a note that he wrote to me before he was taken."
"They took Doss as well." Blice says.
Jarred looks puzzled. "Why would the IGR take Byron?"
Blice laughs. "Really? You don't know? He has the omega code and the regeneration ring in his body. They want them."
"For what?"
"A weapon." Zach says and sips his tea. "I don't know much about it, but I remember my father always talking about it. Vladimir Evans was insane."
"Oh, that's right." Katarina says. "I always forget he was your father. That means Byron and Blice are your brothers, right?"
"Half brothers, but yeah. I'm not gonna let them hurt my brother."
"Why didn't they just extract them from his body?" Jarred asks as he helps Jayce take a drink of water. "Why take him with them?"
"I know that the nanobots in Byron's blood are killing him and they can be easily transmitted to another host body, but I doubt the IGR cares. So, beyond that, I have no idea. With Kazimir gone, we have no way of knowing."
"What are we going to do?" Katarina asks.
"With Byron and Doss both missing, there's only one thing we can do." Zach says. "Someone is going to Himmel. There's a crashed IGR space drone over in sector two that Ben's forces shot down. If I can get over there and make some extreme modifications to it then get it up and running again, we'll be able to send one person to rescue Byron and Doss, if they're still alive. We'll have to send the smallest one of us."
They all turn to look at Blice who crawls inside an empty coffee cup to hide. "Why me?"
"Because only you will fit." Zach says.
"But I'm a butterfly. What do you expect me to do?"
Isidore picks the purple butterfly up and holds him in front of his face. "I believe in you, Blice."
"It will be programmed with the autopilot coordinates so all you'll have to do is keep in contact over the radio with us." Zach says. "Don't pretend that you can't hold your own in a fight. We all know what you're capable of."
Then Katarina remembers that there were other people here besides the cyborgs. "Did Michael kill all the refugees as well?"
Zach shakes his head. "They were out doing some scavenging for medical supplies in the destroyed hospital in sector one. They should be returning any minute now."
Everyone turns to the door when the front door opens and slams shut. Shuffling footsteps come down the hall until they stop.
An older-looking archon with dull silver wings and black fabric covering his eyes is standing in the doorway. He holds a golden staff in one hand and holds out the other to the people in the room. "Greetings. My name is Raphael."
"Oh hell no!" Zach stands, holding his back and wincing in pain. "Who are you? Go away before we kill you. No archons are welcome here."
"Forgive me. I am only searching for my friend. He is naive and innocent so I have been the one to guide him. I don't mean harm to anyone, be you human or android. I only ask that you let me see Remiel. He's like a son to me. If you have hurt him, do not be afraid of my wrath. I harbor no ill feelings and revenge is not in my nature. I wish only to speak with him. You may search me for weapons, but I assure you that I have none."
"Remiel is dead." Isidore says. "Michael killed him then the IGR took his body."
Raphael nods his head. "I see. Thank you. I'll be leaving now."
"Wait." Jarred calls after him. "Sir, are you blind?"
"Why do you ask?"
"My husband here just lost his eyesight and I was wondering if you could help him in any way. I have no one else to ask. I don't know what to do and I'm willing to pay."
The elder archon waves his hand dismissively. "Money has no importance to me, Jarred Cunningham."
"How to you know my name?"
"You are one of the only humans I have been observing." Raphael says. "I was stationed above Western Europe for many years where I watched Jayce's creator's family before they moved from France to Common Ground. It saddens me to know Jayce has lost his sight. However, if the hostilities cease among us, I will gladly speak with him."
"No way." Zach says. "All of you archons are crazy homicidal maniacs."
"Shut up, Zach." Isidore snaps. "As president of this country, I decide who can stay. Raphael, you are welcome here as long as you do not pose a risk to anyone."
He holds out his thin hand. "Ah, Isidore Williams. Please surrender the vial of nanochems. Yes, I know you are still taking them. Years ago, Kazimir managed to get in touch with me, but he thought that I didn't hear his transmission, but I did. He was begging me to help you, but I was preoccupied with my own obligation
s."
Isidore's embarrassment shows on his face as he digs in his pocket then hands the vial to Raphael. "Kazimir knew I was taking them?"
"From the very first time." Raphael says as he slips the vial in his pocket. "Where is he, anyway?"
"Dead." Isidore says sullenly.
"By Michael's hand?"
"Yes."
"Senseless violence is Michael's primary vice." Raphael says. "My soul is saddened by this news. I had high hopes of making amends. Now it is too late. Anyway, on to the ones who are still living. Where is Jayce? I will speak with him."
Jarred goes to the archon and leads him over to the sofa where Jayce is bundled up in a blanket. "Right here."
Raphael hands Jarred his staff before kneeling beside the sofa and taking Jayce's hand. "Hello, Jayce."
"Hey."
"How are you feeling?"
"Awful, worthless, lost." Jayce says.
"Allow me to tell you something about myself. I have always been inspired and driven to observe the blind. Without vision, their minds are allowed to flourish. I'm not truly blind. I live blindly so I am able to focus on my mind and thoughts instead of being unnecessarily distracted by the world around me. Let me help you find the same serenity I have discovered. It's not easy and many times I miss seeing the world, but after I stopped watching people, I knew I no longer wanted to see the pain and destruction down here. There is something about you that draws me in. If you swear to continue fighting against the evils of the IGR, Gabriel, and Michael, as well as allowing me to stay here with you, then I offer you a proposition. Allow me to bond with you and become your guiding guardian. I realize that you don't know me, but I do know about you. Don't worry. I have a negator solution with me that will nullify my nanobots." He turns to Jarred. "If I have your owner's permission, of course."
"You don't need his permission." Jayce says. "I make my own decisions. You're the first person outside of Jarred who has expressed genuine concern about me in my lifetime. If you think you can help me, then by all means, I'll take it. I'm in no position to refuse help."
Zach's voice reflects his anger. "There is no way that I'm letting an archon stay here. After what Michael did, I'm banning all of them."
"Then I'll leave." Jayce says.
"No. Fine. We need you, Jarred, and Kat to combat the enemy forces."
"Then we shall make this official." Raphael slips a small knife from his pocket and makes a thin incision on his wrists then on Jayce's. "Jayce Pierre Cunningham, I swear with blood that I will be bound to you and only you as your protector, defender, and stalwart defense that will stand strong against your enemies. My life is yours to command. Will you accept me as your guardian archon?"
"Yes."
* * *
Later in the day, after they have gone over the plan countless times and everyone has retired to their rooms, Katarina is still awake from sleeping for so long. She meanders into Zach's bedroom at the end of the hall. Why? She honestly has no clue. There is something spurring her forward. She needs to check on him, to talk to him, to be around him. The door slides open and she goes to the bed where Zach is reading a book by lamplight. "How are you doing?"
He sets the book on the bed and smiles warmly at her. "In some pain, but the morphine and your father's regeneration magic is helping. I'm just glad that Michael got me once and left me alone."
"Do you need anything?"
"Having a beautiful woman to look at doesn't hurt. There is . . . one thing that would make me feel a lot better."
Oh, Zach, always the forceful charmer. "Coming on pretty strong, aren't you?"
"Is that a problem? I can't help myself in the presence of an angel."
Is he really proposing this? She can't. "Zach . . . I can't be with you."
He rubs her arm. "I'm not talking about a committed relationship or anything like that, baby. You're married. That's cool. I'm not trying to break you and Byron up, but you heard him yourself. You're free to do whatever you want with whomever you want. Right? I know you want me, so stop denying it."
She quickly tries to think up any excuse she can. "But Jarred doesn't want me to get pregnant. I can't risk that."
"Bedside table, top drawer."
"Zach-"
He places his finger against her lips. "Shh. Baby, you know I'm always prepared. We're alone. Everyone else is asleep. Jarred and Jayce are having some alone time so your owner won't be needing you. Nothing's going on until tomorrow afternoon when I'll get to work on that crashed IGR drone. You don't really want me to sleep alone tonight, do you? I know you and Byron haven't been intimate in a while. He'll understand and actually be glad that you're getting the loving you need. Let me take care of you."
Katarina can't control her attraction any longer. With slightly trembling fingers, she pulls Zach's shirt over his head, taking extra care to not hurt his bandaged back.
"Kat, I can't move much."
She unbuttons his pants and slides them off before straddling his hips. "Then don't move. I'll take care of you. Just relax and look into my eyes."
* * *
Jarred dries his blonde hair after his much needed shower and tosses the damp towel on the table. He goes into the kitchen area, opens one of the cabinets above the sink, and pulls out a bottle of Jayce's red wine and two wine glasses.
"What are you doing?" Jayce asks softly from where he's lying on the bed, partially hidden from view by a mass of blankets.
Jarred pours the two glasses full to the brim and sits on the bed next to him. "I figured we could both use a drink after everything."
"I don't feel like drinking anything, Jarred."
"Hey now, none of that." He sets the glasses on the table and unwraps the blankets from around Jayce. "What happened to your talk with Raphael? I thought you were feeling better after your three hour conversation earlier."
"It doesn't matter. None of this matters. Sure, he helped me with some stuff, but that doesn't make this okay. You can't expect me to move on from this in only a few hours. You know how I was after you became my owner. I was screwed up in the head for years because of what my creator did to me. Now, it's like I'm having to live through that emotional pain all over again. And without the world around me distracting me, I have nothing to keep my thoughts from eating away at me. No matter how much I try to forget, it's there. All of the uncertainty and anxiety are pulling me under."
"At least you can realize that you're having this problem now."
"I'm consumed by it." Jayce says darkly.
"Do you need more medicine?"
"Not yet. I will if it gets any worse. I never thought I would end up like this. Why does the world want to rob me of my most precious possessions? Everything I love is taken from me and destroyed. There's nothing I can do to stop it. Have I pissed God off that much?"
"Was that a hint at faith, Jayce?"
"I don't know." Jayce says. "I haven't prayed in years, but recently, I have had the urge to. I guess when I'm so helpless, I have to rely on something to keep me going."
"You can talk to Isidore if you want. He used to be a priest, right? I'm sure he can help you if you want to."
"Only if you do."
Jarred sighs and takes Jayce's hand. "Buddy, I'm not the praying kind. I've seen religious power be abused way too many times. Tell me one honestly good and pure thing that has happened in a church that you have personally seen."
"Our wedding."
He shakes his head and drinks his entire glass of wine then pours himself another. "Two hundred years ago, a lot of them would have hated you for saying that."
"So?"
"So . . . why support them now?"
Jayce's tone changes completely. "Stop, Jarred. People change. Why would you even bring that up? We weren't even discussing that issue. Just forget about it. Forget I said anything."
"Jayce-"
He pushes Jarred's hand away. "No! I'm not dealing with this from you. I asked you to do one thing with me and you refused. Would i
t have killed you to say one prayer? All you are doing in bringing that up is deflecting and trying to justify your unnecessary hatred for something that scares you. You're being just like the people you were trying to talk about."
Jarred stands and screams at Jayce. "Don't you dare try to tell me what I feel. You're nothing but an emotionless robot. Why do you care about your soul anyway? You don't have one. I would never have agreed to marry you if you were a human man. That's right. You heard me, 283. If you want that divorce so much, then be my guest. Get me the papers and I'll sign them in a heartbeat. You're useless to me anyway!" Jarred throws the glass across the room where it shatters on the wall above the sink, sending shards of glass over the tile on the floor.
"What did you do?"
"I'm done." Jared says. "Don't say another word to me."
"Oh, so you want your power back now?"
"Shut up!" Jarred jumps on top of Jayce and pins him down, reaches under the side of the bed, then puts his hands around his neck and closes the lock on the slave collar. "You are my slave, 283. You don't get to make your own decisions. Say one more word and I'll push the button. That's right. This is Katarina's shock collar. I don't give a damn if you pass out or have nightmares for the next century. I will put you in your place."
"Do it. If it makes you feel more like a man, then do it. Je te déteste!" Jayce shouts as he tries to breathe under Jarred's weight.
Jarred looks down at him and all his hatred and rage dies down. He can't do this to him. He moves off of Jayce and holds his head in hands. What came over him? Why is this hurting him so much now when it hasn't for years? He shouldn't have had that wine. Never, not once in the ten years of their relationship, has Jarred yelled at Jayce like that or threatened him. It's his turn to grab one of the blankets and wrap it around himself. Anything to comfort him and keep him from crying is very much welcomed in this moment.
Jayce sits up and gently rubs Jarred's back. "Who hurt you? Someone in the church did something to hurt you in order for you to feel this way."
He knows that they've never kept secrets from each other. The thing is, this isn't so much a secret as something that he didn't want to deal with again. After his parents died in that car accident, he believed that all the problems that stemmed from this would just disappear, but now it seems like it is having a much deeper influence on his mind than he could have imagined. He might as well tell him. "My mother was a nun."
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