The Price We've Paid

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TRIGGER WARNING: Blood, Violence, Self-Mutilation, Death

You, Andy, and Nicky all looked at each other as a new voice came on the com.

"Hey guys," Booker's voice rang out. "It's been awhile."

"Booker," Nicky hissed. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Booker as in the Booker who shot Andy?" Tyler whispered. Collectively, the rest of your group, minus Hunter, nodded.

"Quynh's here too." Nile said.

"Where's Joe?" Andy asked.

"He'll be fine; he's currently just trying to stop himself from killing Book," Nile answered.

"I need you all to focus." Andy said, as she heard shouting in the distance. "Nile, Joe, we need to get rid of these men and get out of here before backup gets called."

"Can I get a gun please?" You heard Book ask on coms.

"Oh, hell no! Do not give Booker a weapon. That little shit can use his fists like a fucking caveman." You said.

"Cavemen also had spears," Booker hissed back.

"Then make one yourself," you growled.

"Enough," Andy said, as she laid her hand on your arm. "We've got other shit to deal with right now."

You huffed, about to make a snarky comment back, but were interrupted as armed men came around the corner. Nicky grabbed Tyler and Hunter, pulling them around to hide behind the artillery van; meanwhile, you handed Copley your automatic from over your shoulder and grabbed your handguns.

"What the hell do these people want?" You asked Copley, as you dashed for a vantage point. Nicky had begun making his way back to your van, so it was just the three of you left.

"They know what you are," Copley answered in a somber tone.

"How?" Andy asked, as she shot two guards that had just come around the corner of the building.

"Ask your fellow immortals," Copley spat as he peeked out from cover and shot a third guard. "They're the ones that reached out to Khryste in the first place."

"You've got to be shitting me," you heard Joe's voice come through the coms. You could also hear the screams of what was likely someone Joe had just sliced with his sword. "Zo, give me some of that death serum, I have a traitor to kill."

"Now is so not the time," Nile said with a huff as bullets echoed in the background. "How many are left?"

You ducked behind the corner to check the drone's feed. "Nine," you said. "Seven of them are still in that room."

"Scientists," Booker groaned into the com system. "Hired to experiment with our DNA. To try and replicate the serum, and improve it."

A wave of realization washed over you. "You went to Khryste to try and replicate what I did so you could die?"

Your anger and rage radiated across the earpieces. Everyone could feel it.

"Do you understand what you've done?" You asked, venom lacing your voice. Your body was vibrating; seething. Andy grabbed your arm, shaking her head. "We can talk about this later. For now, we need to get out of here."

The last two guards came around the corner, and at this point, all you saw was red. Without a second thought, you stepped out into the open, your handguns outstretched and fired one shot from each gun. 

Pop!

The guards dropped to the ground; a single bullet piercing each of their skulls.

"Nicky, where are you?" Andy asked, as she and Copley stepped out to join you. You were standing frozen, your breath heavy, and your guns dropped at your sides.