Heathen Series - Changed

Chapter 34

Bash Pov...

I waited for everyone in the arena while I busied myself with setting everything up. It was now the only place we could get ANY sort of privacy. We didn't have anyone watching us or any cameras – hidden and seen around every corner. I had made sure to check every part of the arena. 

Today was the last day left before the show tomorrow, which meant we had a day to get all our affairs in order should anything go wrong.

Ash arrived with the rest of the Heathens trailing behind her. Raphael had mentioned that she would be late. I hoped she knew what she was doing.

Just as the thought ran through his mind, Raphael flew in a few seconds later, apologizing for not getting here sooner. I nodded my head then looked at them knowing that there was a chance I would never see any of them again; in war, death was always guaranteed.

"Where is Temptress?" I asked looking around to make sure I didn't overlook her.

I didn't like her, but she was a part of the team in her own way...

"We can't find her." answered Ash sadly.

"She chose her side, but we still wish her the best.
Okay, we have a few hours left before this day ends. And I think I have a plan." I began quietly as to not be overheard by anyone that was not a friend.

I rolled out a map and placed chess pieces on top representing each of us including the students left behind. I looked at Dash who ran around checking if they were being spied on; as the General had a habit of doing it, just to watch Her. I had come to realize what the General's true intentions were when it came to Raphael. I had never felt more disgusted and ashamed.

"All clear, surprisingly. There are no cameras watching us anymore. At all. They have all been removed." reported Dash confused.

"I removed some of the hidden ones." I explained quickly.

"And I removed the rest that were left behind. I watched the others get taken down by the General's men.
The only ones left are what the General wanted to leave behind to keep an eye on things temporarily. The security that was put on them is tight. The General wanted to make sure that there wasn't a chance the cameras could be hacked into and used as leverage." explained Cyber; "But I don't think he thought of someone hacking them from the inside, I put up monitors within those cameras to know where and when the General goes about; he won't suspect a thing. If there is any other movement too, I will get a notification on my smart watch – which I tweaked out - and we will know when and where to go as well as what's happening around us that the General neglects to say if you know what I mean."

"How fortunate for us then. 
Now, this is a map of the whole compound which includes the different habitats the General had built. I recently found out that most of the habitats have been destroyed. Nothing is left to say that they have been there at all.
The killing arena is at the end of the compound near the marina habitat, which is also the only habitat left. I did some digging and found out that the site was built above old mines shafts that are riddled with explosives in every direction.
I'm thinking that if the General wants a quick get-away he can just blow up the whole place. It destroys any evidence that may be left behind. He can always claim that they were just testing a new military weapon – the usual excuse." I informed slowly.

"Are those explosives still active?" asked Ripper curiously.

"I'm not sure, probably. All I know is that they are connected to the main computer and knowing the General, he doesn't use or do anything without having a good reason for it. 
That's where you come in Cyber. Hack into the computer and access the data frames. See if it can be set off manually or by any local computer. If it can, make sure it is ours and only ours to use. I don't want the General to get an upper hand in any way." 

"I'll do that now and let you know within the hour." stated Cyber rushing to her computer lab.

"Good. 
The rest of us will be here doing what the General expects us to do.
Dash, your job is to disable all the guards, make sure we can get the kids out so keep clearing the patrol guards out of the tunnels but be careful. Especially with the east wing, they lead directly to the jet strip so there will most likely be more guards there than anywhere else.
When the kids are out, keep the soldiers off the take-off strip, we will need to make a clean get away." 

"Got it, I guess I will have to get some rest then before the show so that I can perform at optimum levels; can we bring Lectrix with us? She is like family to me." muttered Dash and sped off as soon as I agreed.

"Alright. Dagger and Blade will be in the Jet, keeping it up and running so that it can be ready for when we leave; we don't want any problems with getting the jet started and since you are the only two fighter pilots; that will be your job. The second everyone is on that jet we take off." I said looking at the twins who threw their heads back and moaned.

"Why do we miss out on all the fun?" started Dagger sounding like a child.

"Yeah, why can't we take out the guards or fight in the arena or something more exciting?" finished Blade fiddling with his new staff.

"Because you do not move at the speed of light, nor do you have the abilities of flying directly out of the killing arena if need be...
And you two are the only ones that can fly the jet. No one else here has those skills.
Any other complaints?" I asked annoyed but proud of their rebellion side.

"Nope, I think we're good... for now." replied Blade and Dagger simultaneously with a wicked smile.

"Good, now. Angel and Demon, your job is to disable all security measures. I don't want to run into any locked doors at all; it will just waste our limited time. It must be a smooth escape and done as quickly as possible. Also look for any traps that might be set up around the jet and arena itself – take them out too if you can. Then when it is done get yourself to the jet immediately – don't let anything get in your way." 

"We got it. I hope you haven't lost your touch with computer-lock-picking geek." teased Angel lightly while playfully pushing Demon to the side.

"I should say the same to you with your old-school lock picking, but since that will be a waste of my time, Bring It On; Nerd!" challenged Demon while he plucked a fluff off her pink jersey gently.

Raphael cocked her head to the side and smiled; we all suspected that Demon might have a thing for Angel. 

"While you two do that, Ghost and Shadow will be looking for any files that contain any information on what the General is really doing. He is old school, so he will be keeping hard copies, no computer data. So, look around and get everything you can then move to the jet; take the important ones with you. Do not get caught up by anything or anyone. Bring our files too." 

They nodded and floated off to the other side of the training arena with the hint of sadness emanating out of their eyes.

I looked at all of them and saw that same sadness. Each had their own back story, and it all had the General right in the center; could he have been good to them at the time?

"The rest of us will fight in the arena. Those failed experiments will have to be killed; we can't run the risk of them getting out at all. Now according to Ash's surveys, they show that most have been killed except for the 'fun' ones – as they put it.
All we have to do is do what we do best. Exterminate them all." 

Ash grabbed my arm compassionately and pulled me aside. Time to go and enjoy the time we have left. Tomorrow was not a guarantee.

"Enjoy the rest of the free time you have now. Do what you need to do." ended Ash gently.

***

Raphael Pov...

I flew to my beam as everyone stood huddled together; Bash with Ash, Ghost with Shadow, Dagger and Blade, Angel and Demon, Ripper and Oblivion flew right to me. Having them near gave me a great deal of comfort that I was truly grateful for. I smiled at them as they nodded at me. We watched everyone from the beam in silence.
Dash came back and ran straight to me too. How he managed to run up things was beyond me. He laid his head on my lap as I ran my hand through his hair and smiled. If I had a little brother, it would be him. This was the first time I saw them as they actually were; a family that could count on each other despite their differences. And I would always protect my family – both families.

'General, you will pay for all of this!'