Ex animo, p.22
Ex/Animo, page 22
part #1 of Ex/Animo Series
“The CRISP base,” Aron clarified. “If you are done resting, we can have a tour of the place.”
Aron turned toward the closed door.
“I know you are there, Roxxer,” Aron called out loud. “Come on in!”
The door swung open, and Roxxer presented himself.
“Meet Roxxer,” Aron said. “He’s the one who saved me. I owe him one.”
“Nah–we were even when you helped us save the others,” Roxxer grinned. “Hey, good morning, fellas! Hope you had a good sleep!”
“So, you were the one who knocked us out with darts, eh?” Selena scowled.
“Uh, no,” Roxxer raised his hands in defense. “That was the soldiers. We knocked them out as they carried you outside.”
“Don’t jump the gun, Sel,” Aron said. “Maybe you should listen when I say something.”
“Oh, I lose myself when you look at me,” Selena flirted.
“Pretty sure that’s just the lack of attention,” Aron said.
“Hmph!” she pouted.
Roxxer scratched his head, laughing nervously.
“Lemme guess,” Aron said. “Breaker wants to have a chat with me.”
“That’s right,” Roxxer nodded. “They’re waiting in the common room.”
Roxxer led Aron and the others around the base. Martyn, Sherry, and Selena gawked at their surroundings. Roxxer laughed.
“He had the exact same look when he got here yesterday,” Roxxer grinned, pointing at Aron.
“Ha-ha,” Aron rolled his eyes.
Martyn and the girls smiled. Roxxer swung open the door to the common room and held it for them.
“That’s!” Martyn stared at the man standing in front of them.
“Yeah,” Aron sighed. “The Prophet–in the flesh.”
“Huh,” Martyn murmured. “So, he’s a good guy?”
John stared at the group silently.
“Hey, kid,” Breaker greeted Aron.
“Why is he out of his cell?” Aron pointed at John.
“Now, now,” Breaker said. “He has proven us useful. He swore he’d help us take down the other churches.”
“But what he did was all kinds of messed up,” Aron said. “We wouldn’t have been in this mess if it wasn’t for this asshole!”
“Me?!” John was wide-eyed with disbelief. “You can blame the bossman for that! He forced me to do everything! I was just an underling. It would have been anyone if not me!”
“Yeah, an effective underling,” Aron scowled. “Those videos don’t lie. The fact I had to learn from them still disgusts me.”
“What can I say?” John looked smug. “I’m a natural!”
“Hmph,” Aron muttered. “Make sure he stays in the cell if he screws up–even once!”
“I guarantee that,” Breaker laughed. “Uh–we haven’t met your friends yet.”
“Oh right, sorry,” Aron faced his friends. “Guys, meet the CRISP.”
The three introduced themselves to the CRISP members while Breaker and Aron chatted.
“Aron told us so much about you,” Jamie said.
“He–did?” Martyn looked skeptical.
“Last night,” Jamie said. “Breaker threw a party in celebration of our victory. He spent the whole night narrating your tale.”
“Wow,” Martyn looked surprised. “He isn’t one to talk much about anything!”
“Well,” Jamie said. “He is a terrific guy. Not gonna lie, I might have a tiny crush on him.”
Selena casually approached Aron and threw her arms around him. She stared at Jamie like an NPC that demanded a Pokémon battle.
“What’s this now?” Aron narrowed his eyes.
“Nothing,” Selena pouted. “Just felt like it,”
Aron sighed.
“A competition!” Jamie nodded. “Not a bad idea!”
“If it was, I’d win by a landslide,” Selena said. “Isn’t that right, Aron? You love me, right, Aron?”
“Nope,” Aron shook his head. “I don’t date old people.”
Selena was crestfallen. “I’m only twenty-one!” she whimpered.
“Aron!” Sherry scolded.
“Not cool, dude,” Jamie shook her head.
“Yeah, bro–that was lame,” Roxxer shrugged.
“Classic Aron,” Martyn shook his head too.
“Hey, come on!” Aron looked around in disbelief. “It was a joke!”
“Alright, everyone!” Breaker clapped twice. “Chow time!”
“Yessir!” they shouted in response.
***
“Can’t believe you’re leaving after all!” Roxxer said. “I thought it was just a ruse.”
“We were on our way to Colorado when we got dragged into all of this,” Aron said.
“Colorado? Any reason?” Roxxer asked.
“We-” Martyn began.
“Confidential stuff,” Aron interrupted him.
“C’mon, dude,” Roxxer grinned. “I thought we were friends!”
Aron shook his head. “It is for your own safety,” he picked at his meal.
“A cautious guy, I see,” Jamie said.
“Impossibly,” Sherry added.
“That sucks,” Roxxer said. “Thought it would be easier with you guys around, you know? Now that we’re full-on burning down evil churches.”
Selena bumped into John as she got up to grab a bottle of water. The open book fell off his hand. They both held their heads in pain.
“Ow!” John shrieked. “I’m so sorry about that!”
“It’s alright,” she rubbed her head. “It’s my fault I didn’t look where I was going.”
John appeared visibly upset and terrified when he found Selena stare at the photo that fell off the open book. She bent down to pick up the items.
“Who’s this?” she studied the photo of the little girl. “She’s pretty!”
John’s expression turned soft. He smiled at the photo of the pretty girl with the golden curls.
“Didn’t take you to be a pedo-priest,” Aron shook his head.
“Hey!” John scowled. “That’s my daughter!”
“What?!” Roxxer exclaimed. “You had a daughter?!”
“Well, I wasn’t a ‘priest’ my whole life,” he rolled his eyes.
“What’s her name?!” Selena asked him.
“M-Marianne,” John spoke reluctantly.
“She’s so cute!” Selena gushed.
“Yeah,” John smiled sadly. “She takes after her mother.”
“What happened to them?” Martyn asked.
“Her mother died giving birth to her,” John said.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Martyn apologized.
“Don’t be,” John shook his head.
“And your daughter…?” Selena asked.
John paused for a moment.
“Please,” John reached for the photo.
“Yeah, sure,” Selena handed it back.
John carefully placed it back inside the book.
“I bear–a great sin,” he said. “I wish to set things right.”
“Is that a front for gaining their trust?” Aron narrowed his eyes at him. “To stab them in the back later?”
“No!” John frowned. “I was under the control of those dogs. But now that I’m a free man. I’ll make sure to right every wrong I’ve done.”
“How’s the foot, by the way?” Aron asked.
“Healing, no thanks to you,” John muttered. “Psychopath.”
“What was that?” Aron demanded.
“He may not be so wrong to call you that,” Roxxer laughed nervously. “That was… unexpected.”
“What are you guys talking about?” Martyn asked.
Aron cleared his throat.
“I’ve noticed the numbers increasing,” Aron turned to Breaker. “Are you sure you’ll be able to manage resources for all?”
“No worries, kid!” Breaker smiled. “We can salvage whatever we want now the church is gone. I’m planning to try a hand at cultivation. You know, small steps for a new beginning.”
“I like the sound of that,” Aron nodded.
“You gave us a fighting chance, kid!” Breaker nodded.
“No, that was all you,” Aron shook his head. “These people around you are your strength. They are the reason you won. You’re a good leader, Breaker. And they know it too.”
Breaker was surprised to hear those words from Aron. He looked tall to everyone in the room.
“A praise from Aron?” Martyn smirked. “Now that’s something.”
“Don’t speak like a stranger,” Breaker placed his hand on Aron’s shoulder. “You’re one of us now, don’t forget that. And… if things ever go south in your venture–we’ll always be here to welcome you with open arms. Remember that, kay?”
“Thanks, Breaker,” Aron nodded. “I appreciate that.”
Aron and his team found themselves standing in front of the black RV. The morning air felt refreshing against their skin. Martyn yawned.
“Should you guys be still using that?” Aron asked. “I believe it’s traceable.”
“Not anymore!” Roxxer’s head popped through the roof. “Shocker flipped the entire thing inside out. A darn good mechanic he used to be.”
“I still am!” Shocker growled. “Would you believe me if I say there was a freaking bomb sitting in there, chilling?!”
“Yep,” Aron nodded. “Part of the self-destruct mechanism, I believe.”
“The self-destruct what?!” Roxxer looked shocked.
Aron turned around to see the hulk of a man approach them. “Berserker!”
“Hey,” Berserker greeted. “Breaker said you were leaving. I came to say goodbye.”
“Oh,” Aron looked surprised. “That’s–nice of you!”
“Another thing,” Berserker pulled something out of his pocket.
He handed Aron the USB stick.
“You’re giving it to me?” Aron asked.
“We had the tech guys take a look,” Berserker said. “They couldn’t make heads or tails of it. Breaker suggested maybe you’d find a use for it.”
“Alright,” Aron nodded. “He decided on what to do with those spies?”
“Well, for now, they get to spend time with their buddies we captured along with John,” Berserker said.
“I see,” Aron thought for a while.
“And as for John,” Berserker said. “Breaker assigned me to him–to make sure he doesn’t get out of line.”
“Well, that’s nice,” Aron grinned.
“And about yesterday,” Berserker leaned in close. “Don’t–get so cold-blooded, okay? It’s easy to lose yourself to the feeling of power. Take it from someone who has had his share of bad deeds.”
“Relax, Berserker,” Aron smiled. “It was just to scare him into talking, that’s all.”
Berserker appeared unconvinced but took his word for it. Martyn and Sherry looked at each other and shrugged. The team saw a UAZ turn around the corner and pull up to them.
“Finally,” Roxxer rolled his eyes. “What took you so long? You’re one to call me irresponsible!”
He hopped off the RV.
“Sorry I kept you guys waiting,” Jamie winked. “Couldn’t resist taking it out on a spin before saying goodbye to it.”
Jamie approached Aron and dangled the keys in front of him. He reached for them, but she pulled back before he could have them.
“This is a gift from Breaker,” she said. “CRISP thanks you for everything.”
Jamie handed the keys, and before Aron could say something, she gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
“And that’s from me!” Jamie backed away quickly. “I better run before your girlfriend kills me or something! Boys, Breaker’s asking for you!”
Jamie took off with Roxxer and Shocker hurrying after her. Roxxer turned around and gave Aron a two-fingered salute. Aron nodded and faced Selena to catch her fuming over Jamie. He smiled and tossed the keys to Martyn. He patted her on the head, and she forgot about Jamie.
“Let’s go, guys,” Aron smiled. “The road’s waiting.”
“Roger that, boss!” the others replied in unison.
The team hopped onto the UAZ, and they made their way to the front of the buildings.
“My knives!” Selena hugged her bag in glee. “I missed you!”
“Too bad the soldiers took the stuff you had on you,” Aron shook his head.
Martyn hit the brakes suddenly.
“Anything the matter?” Aron asked him. “We can always go ‘shopping’ if you want.”
“No, not that,” Martyn pointed to their left. “That!”
Aron followed Martyn’s hand to see Breaker and other members of CRISP standing in front of the main base. They stood in a straight line facing the UAZ. Several others stood watching them by the entrance.
Aron, confused, got out of the UAZ.
“CRISP class 1, salute!” Breaker’s voice was heard out loud.
They did as Breaker instructed and saluted.
“Huh?” Aron’s jaw dropped.
“It’s for you, dude!” Martyn smiled.
“But why?” Aron’s voice broke off.
“FOR THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS, YOU HELPED US SAVE!” they shouted as if in reply.
Tears rolled down Aron’s eyes without him realizing it. Aron stood up straight and threw his left hand in a salute.
“Goodbye!” they shouted and waved. “Come visit us soon! Take care!”
The people in the UAZ waved back at them. Martyn got the engine running again. They got past the check post and were once again on the highway. Selena stared at Aron with concern.
“It must be raining,” he said, wiping off the tears.
“No, it isn’t,” Martyn frowned, looking up at the sky.
“Okay.”
Z Day+4; The Mad Scientist and His Old Pal
“No more side missions,” Aron said. “Straight to Boulder now!”
“Speak for yourself!” Martyn scoffed. “I don’t remember anything past the ambush. Stupid darts! I think I hate needles now! Can anyone keep an eye on the GPS for me?”
“On it!” Sherry readily accepted.
“You think that scientist would still be there?” Selena asked. “I mean–it has been a while now, hasn’t it?”
“You’re right,” Aron nodded thoughtfully. “Welp, no choice other than to have your fingers crossed, right?”
“I see,” Selena grew thoughtful.
Without warning, she lay her head on Aron’s lap.
“Sel,” Aron narrowed his eyes.
“Payback time, boyfriend!” she grinned as she closed her eyes.
Aron sighed.
“Yeah, we’re on the route,” Sherry confirmed. “We’re passing through Raton again.”
“Except this time, there will be no ambush!” Martyn sighed with relief.
“Amen to that,” Aron nodded. “How long before we get there?”
“About four hours,” Sherry said.
Aron sat back and relaxed. He stared outside the window for a while and felt his eyelids getting heavier. He let himself drift off to sleep.
“We gotta do something about the arm,” Sherry stared at Aron.
“It’s in the back,” Martyn said. “But you said it is useless, right?”
“No!” Sherry shook her head. “We can totally sew it back!”
“What?” Martyn looked eager. “For real?!”
“Of course not, dummy,” Sherry rolled her eyes. “I was talking about his wound.”
“Ouch,” Martyn grinned.
“Sorry,” Sherry sighed. “It’s just, I feel so frustrated and useless–unable to help the guy who has saved me twice in a row now!”
“No need to apologize,” Martyn nodded. “I know that feeling,” he smiled. “He had been this way his entire life.”
“Huh?” Sherry looked at Martyn.
“On the surface, he may look like someone who doesn’t care much about anything,” he said. “But once you become someone special to him, he’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.”
“I can tell,” Sherry smiled. “It’s just that I couldn’t repay that kindness!”
“Well, you’re not alone on that,” Martyn grinned. “But don’t beat yourself up over it just yet. We’ll find a way to repay him!”
“You’re right,” Sherry said. “I’d better give it my all then.”
“I believe in you, partner,” Martyn grinned.
“Okay–partner,” Sherry smiled sheepishly. “I hope this Zeke guy is as good as Aron takes him to be,”
“Mm-hm,” Martyn nodded.
Sherry thought for a moment.
“Hey, do you–feel he’s hiding things from us?” she asked.
“All the time,” Martyn laughed. “I’ve gotten so used to it that I don’t bother asking anymore–and he never tells. But I’d be lying if I say it doesn’t bother me not knowing what goes on inside his head sometimes.”
Sherry paused for a while.
“He doesn’t trust us?” she asked.
“No,” Martyn shook his head. “I believe he wants us to trust in him.”
“Is that so?” Sherry stared at the couple sleeping peacefully. “I don’t understand why he’s pushing Selena away.”
Martyn stared ahead.
“Is it the age?” Sherry wondered.
“I don’t know,” Martyn shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Hm–do you have any criteria when it comes to seeing someone?” Sherry asked reluctantly.
Martyn looked at Sherry. Sherry looked down when their eyes met.
“I do,” Martyn confirmed. “But I’m already seeing someone.”
“Huh?” Sherry sounded surprised. “You are?”
“Yeah,” Martyn smiled mischievously. “She’s sitting right next to me.”
“Huh?” Sherry looked skeptical. “You’re talking about me, partner?”
“Uh, yeah?” Martyn had a kick of anxiety.
“Oh,” Sherry exclaimed. “I’m so sorry–but I have a boyfriend.”
“Really?” Martyn appeared embarrassed and disappointed. “I never knew.”
“You might know him actually,” Sherry said.
“A-Aron?” Martyn looked puzzled.
“Nope,” Sherry shook her head. “Over there.”
Sherry pointed to the mirror, and Martyn found his reflection staring back at him.
