Omega 17

(Chapter Four) A New Home

*The Meta-humans and humans once prisoner of Blackwell move into the warehouse escorted by Dipper and Ryan. Shaoun and Jake hang back slightly as they walk behind the others. Shaoun speaks first*
"Jake...what was that back there? I know i have seen you lose control before but that...that was beyond anything I have ever seen....are you sure your fit for duty?"
*Shaoun speaks kindly trying to be gentle but Jake stiffens and turns to him*
"I am perfectly fit for duty Shaoun and i don't care what anyone else thinks"
*He stalks off and Shaoun sighs hurrying to catch up. they both enter the warehouse. inside the rest of the Meta-humans and normies stare in awe for it is not a normal warehouse but really a luxury suite on the inside: couches and beds line the walls there is a quartered off area that resembles a makeshift kitchen with two large fridges and a stove complete with a counter. sitting in another quartered off area sits a large living room like area with television and various game consoles and hundreds of games. the young children run off in excitement and Dipper smiles. Ryan starts showing the older refugees around and pointing out where they can sleep and showing them the food in stock and what not. Shaoun hurries off towards the younger kids as they begin to start up the television and game consoles trying to play all at once. only Jake stays back his anger eating away at his insides and he looks away leaning against the wall. the young girl Violetta comes up to him her violet eyes turned on him her purple hair swaying softly*
"Why do you stand so alone sir?"
*her voice is soft her frame slightly thin showing malnutrition. Jake looks at her and his anger seems to fade away and he sighs*
"first my name is Jake..Jake Brackson..and second...i stand alone because people who get too close to me tend to either end up dead or get taken"
*he speaks bitterly but she doesn't flinch or stray away but instead seems to gaze even more intently at him*
"you know Jake you say one thing yet your actions speak another. if you truly feared company and getting too close then why did you rescue us? why do you do any of this?"
*she waves her arm around the warehouse and Jake simply gives a grim smile*
"why do i do it? because no one should have to suffer for something that was not their fault but the fault of another...i don't have to get close to somebody to rescue them..go on..get something to eat Violetta you look hungry"
*she goes to argue but her stomach rumbles. blushing furiously she takes off toward the kitchens and Jake simply shakes his head smiling. Shaoun comes over carrying a plate of food and hands it over to him and he nods his thanks and starts eating*
"you know Jake this was a good day....we managed to get every single one of those prisoners out and not a single one was killed...a few injured but not too badly and they seem to be happy"
*it was true. only a few were hurt and they now lay on beds as some of the other older people take care of them and the younger children were laughing and playing gleefully or were watching TV and laughing. even with all the anger he felt Jake couldn't help but smile a little*
"yea i suppose your right....Shaoun i need to tell you something"
*his tone turns deadly serious and Shaoun looks at him and nods*
"i found out where Amara is being held...you remember Garvon six?"
*At these words Shaoun freezes and his muscles tense as he stiffly nods*
"yea i remember it....i wish i could forget that fucking place....not even the Twelve of Shogun could make me forget that hellish place....and i gather from this that is where Amara is being held....you do realize if she is being held there and Derrickson was telling the truth...there is only one place on the gods forsaken planet she would be"
*Jake nods and lowers his place onto a small table side*
"shes being held in The Fortress of Galgug....maximum security Meta-human prison"
*Shaoun nods and sighs rubbing his eyes*
"look...i know you want to rescue her as soon as possible....but we need to plan and we need to tend these guys first...we need to help them first"
*he looks at Jake anxious looking at his face for some sign of understanding. after several moments Jake nods and Shaoun breathes easier*
"Thank you Jake...and know this...when it is time to get her back...we are behind you a hundred percent"
"Thank you Shaoun...."
*Jake becomes distant and Shaoun takes his leave. i don't want to leave her there...but i can't just assault a flying fortress...ill come for you soon love...soon. his thoughts wander off again as he sighs and takes his plate and steps outside. sitting on the ground he eats in peace until the warehouse door opens again and a large burly man steps out. short cropped red hair covers his head deep green eyes and a bushy beard make up his other features with a slightly young but yet wise face and knowing look. sitting down he holds out his hand*
"Names Maklar lad...i neva got to properly thank ye for my rescue"
*his accent suggests he is Irish. taking his hand Jake shakes it and nods and goes back to eating. Maklar studies him and smiles*
"you seem troubled"
*Jake looks up again and cocks an eyebrow*
"i am always troubled Maklar....names Jake by the way"
*Maklar nods and looks up into the sky the light fading as it slowly turns to dark*
"you know i was once always troubled....then i learned something"
*Jake stares at him unsure of what to say and Maklar continues*
"i was once a great warrior on earth...i fought fer me country with the Blackwell incursions....i am no Meta-human but a normie as you call us...i thought i was doing good for me people making my homeland proud....until a few years ago when we raided a suspected hideout of Meta-humans. i was put in charge of the initial strike and we went in full force gunning down any who tried to attack us...then....then.."
*his voice starts to choke*
"there was a little girl...couldn't have been more then eight years old...she was throwing my men around like ragdolls...some sort of telekinesis....she was scared..screaming and crying for her mother....i couldn't..i couldn't kill her....i tried to calm her down...but nothing i did worked....i got the order to open fire but i..i couldn't do it....it was my commanding officer who killed her....i have been haunted by that ever since then...haunted by the sight of that child's body and the bullets that killed her...i left Blackwell after that went on the run before they could court marshal me...for years i could never wake up and not feel such deep guilt i wanted to die for it....but then someone came along....a wonderful man by the name of Haggins...American if i recall....he was Blackwell once as well....and he helped me....he told me this -if you always blame yourself for the misdeeds of another you will never be free and in the end it is your own chains that will drown you before you can do some good-....those words i have carried with me for years...it may not mean much for the crimes i have done...for my mistakes....but that little girl...i have worked everyday of my life since his words to make a difference for the Meta-humans rescuing those i could and disrupting Blackwell in the process....its for her i do this....but i don't let her death drag me back"
*he stands up and wipes off the seat of his pants*
"remember those words Jake....you may find greater meaning in them then even me"
*and with that he goes back inside and Jake is left to ponder what was said in peace. sighing softly he watches the sky darken and eventually go out*