Catalyst

Chapter 36

warnings: language, violence

Part V:
Totality

Chapter 36:
402 A.V; Month 11; Day 15

I rolled over, wanting to roll over into Andon, but he wasn't there. Lying there like a lump, I let out a breath.

"Andon!" There was some noise in the kitchen and he popped into the doorway. He looked me over and frowned.

"What?"

"I wanted to know where you were, that's all."

"You didn't have to call out my name in alarm, though, you could've gotten up." I gave him a smile and pulled myself out of bed. When I walked over to him, my arms outstretched, he turned back around and walked into the kitchen. Still smiling, I followed along and when he was back over by the stove, putting the pan on the burner, I wrapped my arms around him.

"I will burn your breakfast," he stated.

"I'll stick my hands down your pants."

He let out a short laugh and flipped the bacon he was cooking. I did let him go so he could move around and went into the living room to flop onto the couch. He let me lay there in silence and I even felt myself falling back to sleep again when he told me breakfast was done.

"So, what do we have planned for today?" I asked while walking over to the table.

"Well, we should really gather Storm and your brother and make sure this plan is foolproof."

"Why does Jamie have to be there?" I asked.

"Because he is a valuable asset." I poked around the French toast on my plate a moment.

"And then we destroy the generator building," I said. He nodded slowly.

"Yes." We both went quiet and I knew we were finally moving forward, coming to an end with all the bullshit. I glanced up at him.

"How many more fights do I have left?" His eyes met mine and he let out a breath.

"Three. Against who, I can guess Viria and Zevi Takka because you've confronted them and the people will want to see that. At the end it'll be Elario because he's who you have to beat to win." I sat there for a moment, looking at my plate.

"And after I win?" His face became pained a moment, as if someone had hit him in the gut, but then let out a resigned breath.

"Nikola is always there in person for the last fight. He's confident that Elario will always win. The presidential box is surrounded in glass, but he steps out onto the speaking podium to congratulate the winner. In that moment, you kill him."

"In theory, easy," I said.

"In reality, not so," Andon responded.

"What happens after he's dead? Who takes control?" He shrugged.

"I was thinking we'd get the hell out of there while we could." I sat there feeling doubtful and responsible for what happened after.

"Andon, I have to do something. I can't just kill him and leave. Knowing my luck someone else would step in and be just like him."

"You realize what'll happen when you shoot him right? This place will descend into utter chaos. People will go mad, Officers will be trying to get to you, and if you don't make sure Nikola is completely dead, they'll manage to bring him back." I let out a short breath and bit my lip.