4. Dark Sides: Rise of the Anacondrai

Chapter 16 - New Objective

A/N: I have now combined chapters 16 and 17 here, since they originally belonged together. The chapters are getting longer, which is always nice, I think. 

Also, I didn't even realize at first, but I guess we're now halfway through this book! Wow, time sure flies.

. . .

Just as Pixal had thought, it took all night to finish the tracking device. But by the next morning, they had what they hoped was a working model. Soon it was time for the girls to get back to their friends.

After Pixal gave a heart-felt goodbye to her creator – as heart-felt as a girl without a heart could manage, that is – she and Nya set out to regroup with the others. However, they soon parted ways as Pixal convinced Nya to go ahead without her. Pixal still had one more thing she needed to do.

Finding Zane would have been a good way to test the new tracking device, but Pixal didn't have anything of his to use. Instead, since she now knew that he was an android, she was able to extend her own search parameters and locate him through signals that he probably didn't even know were on. It didn't take long before she locked onto his location, near the edge of town. 

The streets weren't very busy this early in the day. Pixal could imagine that the civilians were confused by the number of people running around the city in ninja attire. Yet humans tended to keep their thoughts to themselves about such matters, and it may not have even been the strangest thing they had seen in this city.

When she drew nearer to Zane's location, Pixal almost thought she had lost the signal because she didn't see him anywhere on the streets. But then she caught a glimpse of movement high above and realized that he must be on the rooftops. She scaled the nearest building and came over the top to see Zane and his friends a short way off.

"Wait!" she called out. They paused just before making a leap for the next building. Pixal had to jog to reach them. They were surprised to see her, and each one of them were showing visible signs of weariness from running over the rooftops all morning. All except Zane, of course, whose breathing was steady.

"I've come to inform you that we are regrouping at the docks and require your presence. We have new information in regards to the search for Master Chen."

Cole nodded. "I'm glad to hear it. I don't want to waste another second while he gets stronger."

He moved to lead them back the way Pixal had come, but she stayed put.

"Zane, may I speak with you?" she asked. "Alone?"

Zane hesitated as Cole took a step towards her. "If you have something to say, you can say it to all of us."

Pixal ignored him, her green eyes fixed on Zane as she waited for his answer.

He turned to Cole. "It's alright. If there's anything you need to know, I'll tell you," he promised, knowing that Pixal would never divulge sensitive information to him. Their relations began and ended with their similar physiology, and they were still on opposing sides.

Now it was Cole's turn to take pause as he glanced between the two of them. "Don't forget whose side you're on," he said to Zane in a low voice.

"I could say the same to you," Zane answered evenly. He could understand Cole's concern, given what he did not know. But Zane had seen the way Cole interacted with the Master of Teleportation. Even if he thought Zane and Pixal were getting too close, he had no room to speak.

Cole pursed his lips. After another moment, he backed away. "Don't be long."

Zane nodded and went to Pixal. As Cole led the others away, Pixal brought Zane into the shadow of the roof access. Pixal paused by the door and said, "Your arm."