"Sir! There's an unidentified shuttle approaching."
"Who is it?"
"It looks like a Preventor armored shuttle sir. Should I order it to be shot down?"
"No…confirm it first."
"I've tried sir, they're not responding."
"Hm, try again then."
"Yes Sir." The young Neo Zion soldier contacted the shuttle once more, until finally a face popped up. She was bloody and bruised and looked pretty tired. The soldier didn't recognize the face, but the officer did.
"That's Major Brittney!" He cried.
"Who, Sir?"
"You idiot! That's the General's daughter! Get someone out there to take care of her immediately!"
"Yes sir," The soldier went to work getting another shuttle out there for her, as well as a medical team.
"And while you're at it," The officer stated. "Contact General Norris as well."
"Yes, Sir."
~~~
Armand Norris sat at his desk listening, slightly amused, to the ruckus the woman next door was making.
"You can't keep me here forever!" She screamed. "I want out! How could you do this to me…?"
The angry cries continued until he had to do something about it. "Now, now, my dear, what are you screaming about?" He asked as he pressed the intercom button that connected him to her cell.
"You know what I want," She hissed, "I want to see my daughter!"
"I don't know where she is," He replied honestly.
"You're lying!"
"No, I'm serious. She's not here."
"What did you do to her? I want to see her!"
"You remember the deal, my sweet, you can see your daughter when you decide to cooperate."
"You're sick!" She screamed.
"Thank you,"
"I'm not going to help you with this!"
"Hm, well then I guess your daughter will have to pay the price for your stupidity."
He heard something beep on his desk. He pressed a button and listened to the message he received. He grinned. "Very good," He rewarded the young soldier with a promotion and signed off. "Well, speak of the devil. You'll never guess who just arrived." He said to the woman.
~~~
Brittney felt herself being lifted up and carried out of the transport shuttle. She was moved onto another one, she could hear voices speaking, but she couldn't open her eyes.
"What about the shuttle sir?"
"Destroy it."
"But…why? It's still in perfectly good shape."
"Don't be a moron. The Preventors put tracers in all their shuttles. We don't want them getting any closer to the base."
"Right,"
Brittney groaned. She had led them to Armand. He would not be happy, but at the moment she didn't care. She just wanted to sleep.
~
When Brittney woke again, she was being carried out of the shuttle. They were in a huge hanger full of Armand's mobile suits. She smiled, knowing that she was back where she belonged. Her wounds had been treated, and she didn't feel as dizzy. Still, she was attached to an almost empty blood bag. She groaned and ripped the needle out of her arm. She wanted to stand up, but a nurse in a crisp white uniform pushed her back down again.
"We're taking you to see General Norris now," She said, "So try to stay awake, but don't get up. You've lost far too much blood."
"I can stand," She protested. When they stopped outside of Armand's office she slid off the gurney and walked inside herself. The nurse tried to stop her, but Brittney would not have it. She would show Armand she wasn't weak. She could handle herself just fine.
The door swung open and Armand grinned. "Brittney my dear, I was just about to came and get you, but it looks to me as if you can handle yourself."
"I need to talk to you," She said.
"Of course, of course…" He cooed. "There are a lot of things we need to talk about."
"It's about my mother."
Armand's eyes got misty; "She was a brave woman. She never gave up on her cause, and neither will you, will you Brittney?"
"No," She promised Him.
"Good…"
"That's not what I wanted though,"
"Oh?"
"My mother, she wasn't killed by the Preventors, was she?"
"What are you talking about? I told you this a long time ago, the Preventors shot her…"
"But she didn't die…"
"What are you babbling on about?" He sighed.
"My mother was only captured, she died last year of natural causes." Brittney said sternly. She saw something flash in his eyes, was that fear? Disappointment maybe? His face became incredibly serious and he stared her down.
"She didn't die last year…"
"What do you mean…?"
Armand pressed a button on his intercom, "Bring her in," He said. There was a buzz in response and Brittney snapped her head towards the door, waiting for this visitor.
But then she heard a click from behind her. She froze on the spot.
"I'm very sorry Brittney," Armand sighed, "But it’s the only way she’ll help me. You understand don't you? Anything for the cause, right?"
Brittney sucked in her breath and kept her eyes fixed on the door, however her thoughts were everywhere but in the office.
She was remembering the day she found out her mother had died, how Armand had looked, she knew every single detail, every line in his face. She remembered her training, and all her birthday presents, and her father casually dismissing her and his affair with her mother. She remembered Seth's words: "Your mother wasn't killed by the Preventors…she died last year in a prison of natural causes."
She stared, waiting for the person on the other side.
Suddenly, the door swung open. A small woman with short, dark brown hair and torn clothing was shoved inside. She had a slight figure and petite frame, she looked visibly worn, her eyes were unnaturally huge and her deep brown eyes were lifeless. Those eyes were so haunting; they told stories of all her past hurts. It was almost unbearable for Brittney to look into those sad, sad eyes.
But as the woman looked up, Brittney felt something get caught deep in her throat. She knew that woman!
"Good evening Cheryl," Armand cooed, "I believe you've met my darling Brittney haven't you? Now, I believe we can work something out…"
~~~
Helen stood outside the door in ward 3 and gently tipped the Styrofoam cup in her hands, watching the black liquid inside swirl around the edges. She had been standing there for three hours already. She had seen people come and go, but no one said anything to her. For that she was grateful. She didn't want to give up what was left of her dignity by explaining what she was doing there.
She swirled the coffee again and sighed. He was still inside sleeping. She would have gone inside to talk to him, but she had a reputation to maintain. She wouldn't go in until he woke up from his fevered, drugged sleep.
She remembered how Jasmine had come in and said something to him before she stuck the needle in his arm and watched him fall asleep. Even the usually unfeeling Chinese girl could show sympathy for her friend. Helen felt a little guilty, but wouldn't let that feeling control her. She could wait.
She heard a moan from inside, followed by a sniffle. She smiled and turned, opening the door expertly with her elbow.
"Jason?" She asked softly. He was lying on his side with his back to her, but she knew he was awake. She sighed and approached him, knowing that she would have to be the one to start a conversation. She sat down on the edge of his bed and placed the cup on the table next to it.
"I uh…brought you some coffee." She said.
"Thanks," he mumbled.
"No problem," Helen leaned against the back wall and stared forward. Jason rolled over and sat up himself.
"I mean…thanks for everything…"
"Hun?"
"For not being a cold, selfish brat for once."
Helen snorted, "Don't get used to it."
Jason managed a smile.
"What are you doing here?"
"Just making sure you're OK."
"I'm fine, you should be worried about yourself." He looked at her bandaged arm, resting in the sling.
"Not like I've never been injured before." She grumbled. "It's nothing really, only a flesh wound."
"Do we always have such superficial conversations?"
"Most of the time."
Jason laughed. "We should work on that,"
"Hun," Helen snorted.
"I can't believe he did that…" Jason sighed. Helen glanced over at him and nodded. "Yeah…he must have flipped his lid."
"Obviously. But I'm glad you were there…"
"Why, so I could get shot!" Helen cried good-naturedly.
"No, just to…to be there for me…"
Helen managed a weak smile. "Well, what are friends for?"
"Friends? So we're friends now?"
"Acquaintance," She corrected herself. "But at least it’s a step up from 'mortal enemy'…"
"Really, I would have thought it's a few steps down from 'major love interest'."
Helen glared at him and smacked him.
Jason laughed.
"I guess I was a bit too soon in assuming that you weren't going to use this situation to make a pass at me."
"Come on Helen, when don't I make a pass at you?"
"Good point," She picked up the cup from the table and took a long sip.
"I thought that was mine."
Helen looked at the cup and shrugged, "Mine now,"
Jason glared at her and then sighed. He flopped back down on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
"Do you have any idea how nice it felt for you to hold me?" He said casually.
Helen glared dangerously at him and dumped the remainder of the hot coffee on his chest. "Ah! Helen! It was a joke!" He cried as Helen stood up angrily and stormed off. When she reached the doorway, she turned to face him. "I should have known you could never be more than a pervert." And then she disappeared down the hall.
"Oh yeah," Jason grinned, "She digs me…"
~~~
Brittney stood, stunned, and stared into the woman's eyes.
"Brittney," she gasped. "I…I never thought I would never see you again."
Brittney could only blink at her. "Now, now Cheryl, I told you I would let you see her if you would help me." Armand said calmly.
"Forget it!" Cheryl's eyes shifted from Brittney to Armand. "I'll never help you with this insanity!"
"Why not? Your daughter was more than willing." Armand patted Brittney on the shoulder. The man suddenly repulsed Brittney and she shrugged away from his hand.
"He said you were dead," Brittney choked. "He…he said…Oh God, even Seth said that you were dead…mom…" She couldn't believe it! After all these years, her mother was actually alive! But why had Armand lied to her? And Seth too? Was it possible they were in on something together? Or maybe they both truly didn't know. She shook her head; that wasn't a possibility. Her mother was here, and Armand obviously knew. What she couldn't figure out was why he would keep something so important from her.
Brittney was only slightly aware of the gun being pressed to her temple. But Cheryl saw it, and her eyes widened. She knew Armand would do it.
"Please don't hurt her…" Cheryl begged.
"You don't leave me much of a choice, my love. All I asked was for your help…but you betrayed me…"
"You betrayed us!" Cheryl screamed, tugging at her restraints.
"I had to!" Armand argued. He glared the woman down. "Now, here's the deal. You finish my mobile suits, and I'll let you be with your daughter again."
Cheryl looked at Brittney and shook her head sadly. "I could never do that. What you want is far too evil."
"You would put your cause before even your own daughter?"
Cheryl looked Brittney straight in the eyes and nodded. "Yes," She said grimly.
Armand shrugged, "Very well then," He pulled back the safety on his gun and began to squeeze the trigger.
Brittney felt panic boiling up in her, as well as on overwhelming feeling of betrayal. Her mother was giving her up just for a chance at ruling the colonies? She had always dreamed of seeing her mother again, and in their meetings they were both happy and complete. Like they were the other half of each other's lives. Now Brittney knew that she had been lying to herself. If that was the case, then Brittney didn't want to live anymore. Let Armand kill her; let her mother have her wish. It was suddenly clear to Brittney that the only person she could ever rely on was herself. It was just too bad she had realized that too late. She closed her eyes tightly and waited for the blow.
She could feel Armand's breathing as he pulled the trigger; and then she felt herself being knocked off her feet. She landed with a hard thud on the ground, but strangely she didn't feel anymore pain other than in her already wounded arm.
"Stupid woman!" She heard Armand cry. Brittney opened her eyes just as her mother was pulling her to her feet.
"We have to get out of here!" She cried. Brittney was stunned and confused, but she allowed her mother to help her to her feet and lead her down the hallway.
"Stop her! Someone!" Armand screamed as he chased after them. Neo Zion soldiers were pouring in from every direction, and they were being cut off.
"We're trapped," Brittney cried hopelessly.
"Not yet, we aren't." Cheryl pulled a tiny explosive from her pocket and tossed it to the ground in front of them.
"Get down!" She ordered. They two women fell to the ground and protected themselves from the blast. When they got up again, all the soldiers were either dead, dying, or protecting themselves from the flames.
"Hurry!" Cheryl ordered. Brittney was too scared and confused to do anything but oblige. Cheryl grabbed her arm and dragged her towards the hanger. Brittney could feel the dizziness returning, but she forced it down.
They arrived at the hanger, only to face another swarm of soldiers.
Cheryl pulled yet another explosive from her pocket and ducked behind some old mobile suit parts.
"When this thing goes off, I want you to cover you nose and mouth and run for that shuttle over there. Do you understand?"
Brittney nodded numbly. Cheryl pulled the pin out of the bomb and threw in into the swarm.
"NOW!" She screamed. Brittney jumped up, covered her face, and ran for the shuttle. The bomb had released some sort of gas into the air, and the soldiers were soon blinded. Brittney coughed and had to feel her way to the shuttle. She found the hatch and let herself in. She fumbled for the controls and quickly turned the shuttle, looking for her mother.
It was only about 30 seconds before Cheryl had climbed into the shuttle and collapsed onto the bridge floor.
"Get us out of here," She choked. Brittney said nothing as she expertly blasted out of the hanger and through the large hanger doors. She had no idea where they would go now, so she pointed the shuttle towards the Mars colony and put it on autopilot.
She turned to Cheryl lying on the ground in exhaustion. Cheryl opened her eyes and grinned at her. "Hey Bippy,"
Brittney almost wanted to cry. "It is you!" She gasped. She fell to the ground as well and pulled the woman into a suffocation hug.
Cheryl laughed and eagerly returned it.
"They said you were dead. They all said you were dead. Even Seth said so…"
"I wasn't dead, Armand rescued me from the Preventor prison."
"But then…why…?"
"Armand can't be trusted." Cheryl sighed, "I was better off on that Penal Colony."
"But he took care of me when you were gone…"
"Just a trick,"
"So what really happened?"
Cheryl took a deep breath. "You remember when you were young right, when we traveled around a lot, and there were always soldiers around?"
Brittney nodded.
"Those were my soldiers. I was the leader of a rebellion against the colonies and against the ESUN. I didn't like the idea of a unified planet, and they wanted to pull the colonies into that as well. It would never work, you see…"
"I know that much," Brittney said. "Armand used to tell me stories about you. About how brave you were."
Cheryl snorted in response to that. "Well, the Preventors caught onto me, and invaded my camp. I got shot and they took me to prison. After that, my rebellion fell. Armand had enough sense to pull together a few loyalists and corrupted them to fit his own ideals. He thought the only way to keep the colonies from joining the ESUN was to destroy them. Naturally, I didn't agree. I dumped Armand and told him to stay away from us. But he was ruthless. After I went to prison I was terrified of what would happen to you. I tried to send messages to you, but Armand always intercepted them. Eventually, I gave up, thinking that you must be dead. But then, last year, Armand came to me and told me he was going to break me out. He set up an elaborate façade to get me out, and changed my records so that everyone would think that I had died. The guards don't pay much attention anyway, and it worked. Only, there were a few conditions, I had to help him build and design his mobile suits and lay out his battle strategies so I could see you."
"So did you help him?"
"For a little while. Until I discovered that he would never let me see you. Even after all I'd done for him."
"So then, the database plan?"
"That was me," She said glumly. "And I designed the new mobile suits as well. And he still wouldn't tell me where you were. So I called him on it, and he locked me up in a prison cell."
"And that's when I came in…" Brittney finished for her.
"Exactly."
"Wow, I can't believe this! I have to tell Seth! We have to help them! Armand is crazy! They all tried to tell me but…I was so convinced." Brittney pushed down her tears.
Cheryl frowned and gave her daughter a long hug. "He had us all fooled." She said.
Brittney nodded, "Well, he won't succeed! We'll give the Preventors the information they need and they'll defeat him easily."
"The…Preventors?" Cheryl was confused, but Brittney didn't answer. She was already contacting the Preventor headquarters.
Cheryl walked up behind her and watched curiously.
It was Seth who answered the transmission. "Seth!" Brittney gasped.
Seth breathed in quickly as well and then glared at her. "Brittney," He hissed, "Do you have any idea what you've done? Helen's been shot, the base is in chaos, and Jason's a mess because Gary decided to blow his brains out! And all because you decided to screw around with people!"
Brittney looked down at the floor in shame. She was aware of all this, and she wasn't proud of it. "I know," She said quietly. "I know what I've done Seth. You don't need to remind me. I've just called to give you some information."
"Information?" Seth raised his eyebrows at her. "Why should we trust you Brittney?"
"Seth you're not being fair!" Brittney shouted.
"Fair? I've been more than fair to you! I was the only one who actually listened to you, in case you don't remember. I've been nothing but patient with you, and now you've betrayed us all. I was wrong to think that you might actually have any sense in you."
"SETH WAIT!" Brittney cried, stopping Seth from cutting her off.
"I know what I've done, and Im not proud of it. You were all right about Armand, about how he lied to me. My mother is still alive."
"What? No she isn't, she…"
"She's right behind me."
Seth's mouth dropped to the floor.
"Just listen for a minute Seth, my mother and I are on the run from Armand at the moment. We're sending you the coordinates to all his major bases. I just hope you'll be able to use it…"
"Brittney?" Seth said in shock.
"It’s the only thing I can do for you Seth. You're the only person who never lied to me."
"Brittney! We've got company!" Cheryl cried suddenly. Brittney looked up and saw the missiles heading straight for them.
"Shit! Armand has found us already!" Brittney cried, lunging for the controls.
"Brit!" Seth cried anxiously. "What's going on?"
"Take the controls mom," Brittney said. Cheryl nodded and grabbed them, trying to maneuver them away from the incoming missiles.
"I'm sorry Seth, I can't talk anymore, here they are," She pressed a button on the control panel that sent the information to the Preventor headquarters. But just as she did so, her mother screamed something at her. Brittney's face shot up and she saw the missiles closing in. There was nowhere to go anymore. They were trapped. Brittney thought about how she would never know her mother now and shed a single tear. She clutched at her '5'-charm necklace and closed her eyes. A silent prayer escaped her lips and then…nothing.
~
Seth knew something was wrong, Brittney was under attack. He couldn't see much, but he could hear it all. He watched as a single tear roll down his sister's cheek before the screen erupted into static.
"BRITTNEY! NO!" Seth screamed he jumped up from his seat and stared at fuzzy screen in horror. All he could see was snow and all he could hear was static. There was nothing there anymore. "Brittney," He said again, barely above a whisper. He couldn't believe it. She was…she was gone! Seth too, began to cry.
