Code Lyoko: Revolutions and Evolutions

Chapter 15

John and Maria opened the door to the hideaway and sat down inside. John sighed as he looked over where his prior wounds were. They had healed perfectly. Luckily both shots were through-and-through. His muscles had healed perfectly, and his flesh had sewn itself shut. He looked as if he hadn't even been scratched.

John patted his leg and said, "Damn, the compression tablets work wonders, and I'm glad she made it more flavored, the old plant strain tasted just awful."

Maria nodded, "You weren't going to give the bitch the tacs were you?"

"I honestly would have, Marie." John said, "I am a man of my word, you know that."

"But why would you do that? She was pointing her pistol at you, and she was ready to shoot, and you offer her candy."

"It is because I knew she would vehemently reject such a gesture because well, it wasn't to quote Emilio, "Situationally Appropriate." John said with a smile, "Man, I could go with some ramen, this work does build up an appetite."

Maria chuckled, "Out or In?"

"In, of course. I'm hungry, but I'm no dope." John said.

"I'll put the kettle on," Maria said getting up.

John reclined in the lazy boy in which he was seated and said, "You know Amy's view on this little fly in the ointment, don't you?"

Maria put the kettle on the burner and said, "Yeah, I know. But she's far overcome that, we both know it."

"True—but I kinda' gotta' think that every time it's not as easy as we'd like to think."

"Well, you could look at it like our immune system. With a sickness, our body adapts, so it's not as bad next time."

"Talking to Londie again?" John said with a laugh.

"Hey, she's a smart girl. She's learned a hell of a lot since this all began, with help from you, I might add."

"I helped her as best I could. Ah, but we've all had our struggles. You with your wreck, me with the displacement until I could find the right functions, Enrique with drugs and Emilio with the death of his mother. We all have a reason for being here and doing this stuff. But what makes it all the better is that when these things come to fruition, it's a very good thing."

"And what about Kaori," Maria asked, "What's her part in this?"

"Kaori is old money and always has been. Her family and select others have always been the technology moguls. They've been on a steady upgrade since she was grafted in several years ago. Amy needed a significant element by which to produce our offense weapons, and Kaori's family did the very best. Thanks to her we have kept a substantial degree ahead of the police forces the come across. From the old firecracker of the Kremlin to some of our more pristine cousins."

"I'm aware of that. Since we came here, Kaori set up shop before Amy took the helm. That was a good few years ago—the better part of two decades, and now well, it's turning out for the best. Of course, as with anything we have some exceptions. Emilio and his love of blades when we have military hardware that is perfect for what we do. By the way," Maria went over to a crate and opened it, "this came for you today. Your trusted sidearm and primary weapon."

John went over and inspected the crate, "Ah, excellent. The scalpel and the hammer, just what we needed." He examined the military hardware and then checked the ammunition, "Good ammunition too. I'll be keeping these here until the operation launches into full-swing."

John put the weapons in a safe place, one in the magazine fold of his lazy boy and the other in the dropdown over his bed. He then said, "Do you know why Kaori's family's better technologies never went to the police?"