The Price We've Paid

For Research Purposes Only

Trigger warning: Blood, Death, Violence

Sometimes we forget that not everything in life is set in stone.

In fact, generally speaking...nothing is.

Not our path, not our plans, certainly not the people.

Everything can change. And everything will change.

So how do we deal with that change when it comes? How do we say goodbye to the paths, the plans, the people we leave behind?

You want my honest answer? We don't. We just keep moving forward and don't look back.

Easier said than done right? Well...when you've lived as long as I have...you get pretty good at it.

...

After Tyler pulled the van into position, he and Hunter immediately got to work on hacking security. Hunter wasn't the biggest help, as he knew little about computers and even less about hacking, but he was able to follow the directions Tyler gave him.

Tyler had dropped your team over the sewer entrance a few blocks from Khryste's Headquarters. It wasn't the most ideal situation, moving through New York waste system to get into the tunnel access, but it was the only way to get to the underground entrances undetected.

Luckily, New York's sewers, as smelly they may be, had a nice set of tunnels that rose above the runoff for their maintenance crews. So even though you had to smell the sewage, you didn't have to trudge through it.

"How much further?" Booker called to you as you all rounded a corner.

"Almost there," you called back as you studied your data pad. Since Tyler needed the tablet and most of the other more expensive tech to hack security, you'd taken only the bare minimum in terms of tech; which included your data pad, a signal jammer, and your cell phone. It wasn't much, but in a pinch, it would do.

As you rounded the corner, you followed the guide map that was highlighted on the pad, eventually leading your group to a ladder.

"Okay, up here is where we're going to split." You said, as you held out the map so they could see. "This corridor above us splits into four; and each path leads directly to an entrance. Once we reach our doors, we'll have to wait for team one to let us know when we're clear to breach. Then we go in, clear out the lab security and scientists, and cover team two so they can get the serum and scrub the computers."

The group nodded before Andy started up the ladder, followed by Joe, then Booker, and finally you. After all four of you had ascended, you all turned to your corridor and began making your way to your doors.

"Alright Ty," you said, as you approached yours a moment later. "Team three is in position."

"Okay, we're almost through security," he replied in a focused tone. "It should just be a few more minutes."

"Team two has landed," you eventually heard Nicky say on coms. "We're making our way into the elevator shaft now."

"And Henley?" You asked.

"He's inside," Nile answered.

You nodded. "Alright. Team two, let us know when you reach the basement and when you're ready to breach the vent in the lab. We'll try and have everyone mostly cleared out before you get here but it'll all depend on when Tyler breaks through security."

"I'm through!" He interjected excitedly before Nile could answer. "Team three, you're good to go."

You smiled. "Nice job kid. I'll let you know when it's time to hit the fire alarm."