Chapter Five

Every day was the same. Routine. Jack always knew exactly what to expect. Wake up, be inspected by the Chosen or by the strangers in black and then get to work doing the tasks that had been assigned to him. He would get one break at noon for half an hour then it was back to work again until what he reckoned was six or seven at night. Then they would be herded into the mess hall where they would eat their one and only meal for the day, then sent back to their cells where they were ordered to go to sleep.

It was a hard life but Jack had adjusted to it, had almost grown to like it. It was nice always knowing exactly what you were supposed to be doing and where you were supposed to be. Though the one meal a day was a bit harsh, there had been times with the Mall Rats that Jack had eaten even less. And despite their cruel reputation, the Chosen guards would occasionally take sympathy on the prisoners and feed them extra.

But then everything had changed. It had started with the man in black addressing him, making a motion to his goons and then moving on. Jack had pushed the event to the back of his mind, focusing on the old computer the prison lieutenant had messed up again. Jack had stopped counting how many times he had been summoned to the lieutenant’s office just to fix the same stupid computer.

Forty-five minutes into his repair, however, two men wearing the same black uniform, their faces masked in silver appeared in the office. They said nothing to him, just exchanged a look and seized him. He demanded to know where they were taking him, yet when their silence prevailed he stopped. He learned long ago it benefited nothing to fight these people.

Moments later Jack was shoved into the back of a black motor vehicle that could only be described as tank-like. There were others in the tank, but Jack could not see them in the pitch darkness, just feel their bodies pressed close to his own. They rode in hushed silence for well over an hour and then suddenly stopped. The prisoners were viciously taken out of the back of the tank and practically hurled onto the rocky ground.

“What’s going on?” A young girl demanded, her expression set. “Where are we?” She addressed one of the women in black. The woman only smirked and said nothing, moving on to the next prisoner.

“Relax.” Jack smiled at the younger girl. “I’m sure they’ll tell us soon enough.”

“Who asked you?” The girl scowled at him, then shuffled down the line of prisoners to avoid being near him. His reputation as a Mall Rat must have spread. For some reason they weren’t too popular with the majority of the prisoners.

The prisoners were ushered inside the tall slate gray building Jack had noticed the moment his eyes had adjusted the bright sunlight. It didn’t appear to be a prison, though it didn’t look too friendly either. Jack tried to take in as much of his surroundings as possible, but the uniforms kept them moving at a steady pace. Anyone caught dragging their feet was immediately shoved forward so hard that they nearly caused a domino affect with the rest of the prisoners.

Once they were finally inside the imposing building Jack was able to get a better feel for what it had once been. The first room they entered was obviously a reception area. Marred marble floors and a couple of worn looking pieces of furniture that had once been very nice. There was a reception desk as well, equipped with a computer and a receptionist dressed in the black uniform of his new captors.

‘Interesting.’ Jack mused as he tried to shoot a glance over his shoulder to see what it was that she was working on in the computer. It looked like a map – a map to a city that Jack recognized all too well.

“Move along, Mall Rat.” A man came up behind him and hissed.

Jack forced himself not to roll his eyes and continued to follow the rest of the prisoners down a long room that looked as if it had once been an office space with many cubicals. “So it was a prison.” He chuckled to himself, not caring if anyone heard him.

As they continue through the office building the line of prisoners slowly began to dwindle in numbers as several were ushered to one part of the building and others to another. Soon Jack was one of the three remaining prisoners, all who were being carefully watched by the nasty woman in black and the man who had rushed Jack while he was snooping.

“This is where your quarters are.” The man stated, his voice gravely. “You two,” He pointed to the two females Jack was accompanying, “In there. You,” He pointed directly at Jack, “Will be sharing a room with the dead girl.”

“D-dead girl?” Jack gulped nervously, his palms growing sweaty.

“Relax, Mall Rat.” The girl scoffed. “She’s not really dead. Yet.”

With that she pushed Jack forward into a room that had obviously once been an office. It had been made over, the desk removed, two cots taking its place. There was no closet, dresser or any other niceities that made a room comfortable, just the two cots, some planets and the most beautiful creature Jack had ever laid eyes on before in his entire life.

“H-hey there.” Jack stammered nervously, smiling at the pretty brunette who was laying on one of the cots, her eyes open staring vacantly at the ceiling above her. “Nice, erm, place you’ve got here.”

She said nothing. Just continued to stare.

Jack frowned. “Um, my name is Jack. I just arrived here a few minutes ago. W-what’s your name?”

Again she refused to speak. She hadn’t even acknowledged his presence in the room, just kept on staring up at the ceiling almost as if she couldn’t do anything else.

Jack shrugged his shoulders and walked over to the other cot, his thoughts buzzing. This place was definitely different than the prison he had just come from. There were no bars, no locks. Just a bunch of people dressed in black ordering them around. He had hoped to glean some information from his roommate, but she seemed rather uncooperative and Jack began to feel a distinctive dislike for her, no matter how beautiful she was.

He sat there, contemplating his strange situation wondering if perhaps Sam had ever been there when suddenly the door burst open, a man dressed in the same dark uniform standing there.

“Jack I presume?” He asked with a slight smirk. “Of the Mall Rats?”

Jack gulped and nodded. “Th-that’s me.”

“Figured. You Rats always seem to be someplace underfoot.” The man stated coldly, eyeing Jack up and down like he was a piece of meat. “My name is Simon and you and your girlfriend there have been assigned to me. I suggest you get plenty of rest tonight. You’re going to get quite a workout tomorrow. I will not fall behind the others just because one of you is incapacitated.”

“E-excuse me? What do you mean?” Jack asked, not liking this man but hoping that he could get some answers out of him.

“Your girlfriend.” Simon gestured to the girl who was still staring at the ceiling, unblinking. “We call her the dead girl.”

“Wh-what’s wrong with her?” Jack asked, finally beginning to grasp the situation.

“Who knows. Who cares.” Simon shrugged his shoulders. “She’s been like that since as long as I’ve been here. She was one of the earlier experiments. Obviously it didn’t go so well.”

“Experiments?”

“No more questions, Mall Rat.” Simon scowled. “You lot were always too nosy. Get some rest. Tomorrow you will get your first taste of reality. Virtual reality, that is.”

~*~*~ 

Ram had known. Jay was absolutely certain of it. He had known and yet he had still allowed Jay to walk into it completely blind and ignorant to the fact that the city leader was none other than Ebony. His Ebony. The Ebony that Ram knew Jay had never been able to get completely out of his head, the one who captured his heart then crushed it – twice.

Ram knew how difficult it was for Jay to live with the constant reminder of Ebony, her near mirror image being reflected in her two older sister’s faces. They had talked about it, on several occasions, though Jay had never exactly bared his soul to his superior. Ram still knew how Jay felt and yet he had played his little game, just to see Jay’s reaction.

Jay gritted his teeth, his hands clenched at his sides as he strode down the long corridor in the direction of Ram’s office where he knew Ram, Java and Siva were all waiting for him to report back, probably laughing at their private little joke.

“Not this time.” Jay growled as he suddenly veered right taking the passage that led to his own quarters rather than Ram’s posh office. They had their bit of fun and now they could wait until he composed himself, replaced the mask of indifference and fell back into the natural role of Jay, Techno general before he told them how it went.

Withdrawing his room key, the only key to that particular room, Jay quickly unlocked his door and relocked it behind him. He ripped off his headset, communicator and zapper and tossed the instruments on his bed, hesitating only a moment before he made his way to the small dresser he had been provided with to hold his Techno uniforms and his one set of street clothes that he was allowed.

The top left-hand draw slid open easily, revealing the sturdy black trousers of his uniform. He shuffled past the first two pairs then pulled out the third. He reached inside the back pocket and retrieved what he was looking for before he neatly folded the pants and replaced them in the drawer.

A letter, still bearing the postmark from where it was mailed only weeks before the entire world had been turned upside down, though Jay’s world had suffered that fate the minute he read the letter so many years before. He had been expecting it, hoping for it, running to the mailbox every single day in anticipation of its arrival, yet when it finally did come it had crushed him, more than he could ever admit to anyone, not even himself.

Ved had spent weeks talking to him, trying to convince him that he should give Ebony another shot, that Kevin really wasn’t anything to her, just some obsessive ex-boyfriend. Jay hadn’t believed his little brother until the full story had come out – how Ved had plotted behind his back to get Jay and Ebony to break up, how he enlisted the help of their next door neighbor and how together they had contacted Kevin and asked him to show up on Ebony’s birthday. They had been certain Kevin’s arrival would drive the nail in the coffin of Jay’s relationship with Ebony. They had been right.

Jay could still remember ever emotion that had coursed through him when Kevin arrived with the Hazzen’s that day. Kevin had stuck out his hand and introduced himself as Ebony’s boyfriend, a smirk on his lips. Jay had felt betrayed, lied to, manipulated and used. Everything that he had always been afraid of feeling again, Ebony had brought anew into his life. As he saw it at that moment, he had no choice but to leave.

He hadn’t even said goodbye to Ebony. Hadn’t given her a chance to explain. He had let her sleep blissfully unaware in the room across the hall as he quickly packed his bags, said his goodbyes to Jared and Elaine and informed Ved that he would send for him as soon as he got settled. He had then gone to apologize to the Hazzens, saying he was sorry he could not remain for the celebration and then he had gone, desperately trying to block out the memory and taste of Ebony on his lips.

Tears stung at the back of Jay’s eyes as he struggled to control himself, to keep himself from slipping the sheet of paper out of its envelope and reading its contents, renewing the pain, rubbing salt in the still open wounds. He was never strong when it came to Ebony, or rather resisting Ebony, and before he could even think to stop himself he had removed the letter and began to read.

Jay,

Wow. I can’t believe that you’ve actually written after all this time. I was shocked when Mum gave me the letter, even more shocked when I read what you had written. That’s probably why it’s taken me awhile to get back to you. I just don’t really know what to say, Jay. I guess its time I told you the truth. I’ve been playing this game far too long.

You were right, Jay. I used you. Straight out used you. When I left the City Kevin told me he couldn’t wait around for me to come back so to punish him I got with you. I never really cared for you. You were always just someone to pass the time with. It’s Kevin that I love, Kevin that I want.

I know I should probably say that I’m sorry I hurt you, that I never meant to use you like that, but I can’t. I’m tired of the lies. Its best to be honest and upfront with you at last then to try and lead you on any longer.

Forget about me, Jay. Believe me, it’s best for both of us that you do.

Ebony

Jay squeezed his eyes shut tight, trying to hold back the flood of tears that threatened to fall. The letter had already seen more than its fair share. Jay bit down on his lip, his heart heavy and hurting. It was no wonder she had pretended she didn’t know him, didn’t recognize him, even worse hated the sight of him.

Java had been right all along. Ebony was a sick and twisted individual. Her only joy in life was torturing and manipulating others just to get ahead. How could he have fallen for someone like that? Somehow who stood dramatically opposed to everything he believed in. And yet…

“Oh Ebony.” He crumpled the letter in a ball as he felt the tears slowly slip past his eyelids. He still loved her. Seeing her today proved it. He loved her with the same intensity and ferocity as he had so many years before. And yet it was obvious she still despised him. How on earth was he going to survive the next six months?

~*~*~

The city was so still and quiet, quite unlike the city Zandra remembered from when she had packed her few belongings and left the city for her new home in the Gaian village. When she had left the city streets had been bustling with activity, campaign posters going up, fights breaking out and people trading their precious belongings for food and other necessities. Now there was no evidence of this place being the center for all trade and activity in the Northern Province.

Zandra sucked in a deep breath as she pushed the thick suede hood of her cloak away from her face. She had covered her brilliant sapphire blue hair with the hood as she traveled from the demolished Gaian Village to the city, hoping to avoid being seen by the invaders and alerting them that someone was about to spoil their surprise attack on the city. Apparently, she was too late.

She closed her eyes, inhaling the city air wishing that the sounds of children’s voices would come to her, carried by the wind, but there was nothing but silence. Everyone had either been captured by these strange invaders just as the Gaians had or they had gone into hiding. Either way, there was only one thing left for Zandra to do.

She made excellent timing as she traveled from the edge of the city towards the center where the mall was located. No one stopped her to barter or hit her up for a smoke or drink. She was left alone… Completely alone. It was so different than the last time she had been in the city, Zandra would not have known it was the same place she had once called home so long ago if it were not for the familiar buildings and surroundings guiding her way.

When at last she arrived at the Phoenix Mall she was not at all surprised to see that it, just like its city, seemed vacated. Normally Mall Rats, former Gaians and other allies to the tribe meandered freely about the main entrance of the mall, coming and going as they pleased. Not so any more.

She drew her lips together in a thin line and slowly shook her head, her heart quivering inside her. It was too late to help the city, too late to warn them. There was really only one place that she could do much good now. Without a moment’s hesitation, Zandra quickly spun around and hurried back towards the outskirts of the city, back towards the wilderness that had become her home and back towards the man who held her heart.

~*~*~

The day had been long and emotionally exhausting. Amber was dead on her feet as she silently trudged alongside her best friend as they made their way back to their home, the mall, after the rather disastrous meeting with the Technos. Ebony said not a single word as they walked, her eyes clouded and her lips pressed together in a firm line. Amber did not have to be a genius to figure out that their city leader was none too pleased with the outcome of the meeting.

Deep inside Amber couldn’t help but think that things might have been better if Ebony and the handsome Techno general had gotten off on the right foot. He struck Amber as a reasonable guy, even if he seemed a bit arrogant at the same time. However, Amber trusted Ebony’s judgment of character and since she instantly despised the blonde Techno, Amber was hesitant to say anything different.

They were less a block from the mall now and up ahead Amber could make out the tall concrete structure she had made her home – again. Lex had still been unconscious when they left and since they did not want to leave both he and Panther alone and defenseless, Minxy had remained behind to stand guard. Thanks to the preparations for their huge meeting with the Technos, Amber had barely the chance to think about Lex, but now that she was weary and exhausted she found thoughts of the handsome raven-haired man rushing back to her unrelenting.

She had been such a fool to think that maybe Lex would be interested in her, could be interested in her. He was still very much in love with Zandra, that much was obvious from his mutterings the night before. She was an idiot to think any different.

Her thoughts turned dark as she reflected back on a time in her life where she had actually believed in the power of love. Together they had been unstoppable, just he and her against the world. She had loved him and he had loved her. Yet in the end their love had not been strong enough. They had been ripped apart by life and reality and it was that day in the hospital that Amber vowed to herself that she would never ever allow herself to fall in love again.

That was why she had fled Eagle Mountain. Fled Eagle Mountain and Bray, the man who expected her to make a commitment to her, who thought she loved him too when she could barely get him out of her thoughts. That was why she had pushed Pride away while she was at the Gaian village, that was why she had allowed herself to hurt the tall Gaian. So why had seen been so weak when it came to Lex?

Lex had slipped past her defenses, wormed himself into a place in her heart and now that he was there Amber could not get him out, try as she might. She could still remember exactly how it felt to be kissed by him, how they had stolen those precious few moments together in the Gaian camp, how suddenly she realized that her life had become very, very complex.

Yet the entire time that Amber had been falling for Lex he had been pinning away for someone else, someone else he thought had perished on Eagle Mountain. She should have known. Should have known but didn’t.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid.” Amber muttered quietly to herself as she crossed the threshold of the mall directly behind Ebony. 

“Hope you’re not talking about me.” A playful voice interrupted her thoughts – the very voice she was trying to banish from them.

“Oh, it’s you.” She looked up at Lex, her expression icy. “I see your feeling better.”

Lex nodded, his expression darkening at the reminder that he had been bedridden during the vital meeting with the Technos. “How’d it go?”

“Fine.” Amber replied in a clipped tone, very uncomfortable with the intense way he was watching her with his eyes. She pursed her lips together in a fine line, looking down to study the subtle patter in the tile beneath her feet, then replied without looking back up to meet his mesmerizing gaze, “They won’t leave, obviously. The general, I can’t remember his name right now, but he seems quite stubborn, though I think he might be reasoned with. I don’t think Ebony shares my thoughts, though.”

“Oh really? Why is that?”

“I don’t really know.” Amber sighed, shifting her weight from one foot to the other while watching the rest of the Mall Rats slowly cross into the mall, casting sideways glances as she and Lex who lingered in the doorway. “She didn’t really take to him.”

Lex nodded slowly his brow furrowing. “I’m sure Ebony has her reasons. She’s a pretty good judge of character. I mean,” He paused for a moment, capturing Amber’s gaze with his eyes and freezing her to the spot, “Ebony always knew who wasn’t really loyal to the tribe from the moment she laid eyes on them. It didn’t always make her too popular with the rest of the Mall Rats, but she was right, you know?”

“Yeah, I know.” Amber felt her heart go out to her braided friend. There were times she almost forgot how cruelly Bray had treated her. Not only Bray, but almost all of the Mall Rats. They had refused to listen to her when she really did only want what was best for them. If they had bothered to listen to Ebony so long ago they Chosen would never have snuck up on them like they did.

“Amber,” Lex broke into her thoughts, a smile quirking up the sides of his mouth. “I was wondering if we could talk… You’ve been avoiding me for weeks now and there’s something important I want to tell you.”

Annoyance flicked in Amber’s eyes as she studied Lex skeptically. It was about Zandra, she could just sense it. He was going to go after her, hunt her down at the Gaians and he needed directions back to the village. That or needed a guide. “That would be just peachy.” She snorted in disdain.

“Amber?” He looked at her curiously, obviously confused by her sudden change of mood. Normally Amber would have checked her attitude, but at that moment Amber no longer cared. Her mind had suddenly filled with images of Lex and Zandra dancing so intimately that night of the party. She had thought for certain she had lost any chance with Lex that night. Now she really didn’t want to hear him confirm those suspicions.

“Look, Lex,” She snapped coldly, “I don’t really want to talk right now. I’m really tired and I just want to lay down, okay?”

Lex said nothing, just watching her peculiarly, as if he were trying to see past the armor she had erected. “Amber, I—“

“Just leave me alone, Lex.” Amber spat, her voice sounding cruel and heartless even to her own ears. “Leave me alone forever.” And with that she spun on her heel and stormed off, not even carrying that she was not heading in the direction of the safe haven of her bedroom.   

~*~*~

Lex watched as Amber stormed off, his heart hammering wildly in his chest. He had been so close to telling her, but she was obviously not in the mood to hear anything he had to say at the moment. He knew right after the meeting with the Technos was not the best timing by a long shot, but Lex was sick and tired of waiting for the right moment. They had wasted so much time already…

“Lex?” Lex heard Minxy’s soft voice from behind him. He turned around and smiled at the petite Gaian who was watching him with worried eyes. “Are you alright? You shouldn’t be up already. We don’t know enough about this weapon you were shot with to—“

“I’m alright, Minx.” Lex cut her off, forcing a smile on his lips. “I really am. Just a bit discouraged right now.”

“Discouraged?” Minxy furrowed her brow for a moment before realization dawned on her. “With Amber you mean? I saw you talking to her a moment ago. Did you, well, did you tell her?”

“I tried.” Lex admitted with a wince. “She just didn’t want to listen. She stormed off telling me to leave her alone.”

Minxy’s expression turned to one of shock. She quickly shook her head, causing her silky black hair to swish back and forth across her face. “That’s not possible, Lex. I know she likes you. I know she does. It doesn’t make sense for her to reject you like that.”

“Well, she didn’t really reject me.” Lex shrugged his shoulders, his eyes shifting back in the direction that Amber had headed. She had gone outside – out where it was dangerous. He couldn’t allow her to leave just like that but he was still so weak. “She just didn’t want to talk. Look, Minxy, I’m going after her.” He stated without a moment’s hesitation. “It’s still not safe out there and she shouldn’t be alone.”

Minxy opened her mouth to protest but Lex was already gone, wrapping his long black leather jacket tighter about him as he stepped into the chilly night evening air. He had no idea where Amber had gone, but he logically knew that there were only a couple of places that would still be open after the Techno invasion. The sorts of places people went when they were hiding. Hiding or running.

~*~*~

Siva made a face as she zipped her puffy medium blue vest that would have kept her warm and safe from the City’s cold weather if it had any sleeves. Ram had rewarded she and Java for their exceptional performance during the invasion by giving them the night off from their regular duties. Java, ever the suck up, had requested to remain with Ram, but Siva gladly took up the opportunity to escape his suffocating presence.

She knew Ram would not want her going out into the City, especially since it hadn’t been completely secured yet, but Siva couldn’t stay in the stadium a moment longer. Every time she saw a Techno with his mask on her heart leapt. She had been told that Ravenscroft had been captured by the Virts, but she didn’t believe that for a minute. He had deserted. She had always known in her heart that the moment Ravenscroft arrived back in his City he would leave. He did not belong to the Technos, just like he didn’t belong to her, no matter how much she wished he did.

Siva bit down on her lip to control the tears that had begun to fill her eyes. She hated the fact that she had never perfected the art of being master over her emotions like her sisters had. She hadn’t seen Java cry since they were very, very little. The last time Ebony had shed any tears that Siva knew was on her thirteenth birthday when she learned Jay had left.

Guilt washed over Siva as she remembered that day. She had felt so terrible for both Ebony and Jay. She had known even back then that something had not been quite right, that Kevin showing up like he did had been in Ebony’s plans. Siva still had the letter from Ebony that her little sister had sent her only a few days before they surprised her at the ranch for her birthday. Ebony was head over heels for Jay. There was no way she was using him just to get with that scumbag Kevin.

“No use crying over spilled milk.” Siva told herself as she flicked her braids over her shoulders. She was outside one of the few ‘hot spots’ in the City, a casino that looked as if it had seen much better days. There was a bouncer outside but he barely even acknowledged her as she slipped inside hoping that the interior was in better shape than the exterior.

“Good evening!” A perky looking young man smiled at her the moment she entered the casino. He reminded her of someone but she couldn’t place who. “You’re new in town, aren’t you?”

“What?” Siva paled, worrying that she had already been discovered. Ram had warned her that if any of the city’s inhabitants knew that she was a Techno they would probably kill her. Not even being Ebony’s sister could save her.

“You just have that out of town look to you.” He shrugged his shoulders. “That’s all. Pretty bad timing, though. The city’s just been attacked… Again. Real vicious tribe, carting off all our friends… Again. Who knows what they’re going to do with them.”

“Oh.” Siva felt her cheeks color as the greeter referred to the Technos. She couldn’t really correct him and tell him that they were not a tribe, that they were an elite force sent to better the city. He wouldn’t understand. They never did. At first. “Yes, I’m from out of town. I’m, uh, visiting family.”

“Family, eh? You have family living in this City?” He studied her carefully, “You found them yet? Because if you haven’t, the nasty Technos probably got them.”

“Um, yes.” Siva nodded quickly. “I found them. I just needed to get out for awhile. Look, I could really use a drink. Do you serve alcoholic beverages here?”

He chuckled as if that was the funniest thing he had ever heard. “Do we serve alcoholic beverages here. Now that’s funny. Of course we do. It’s our own home brew but it’s pretty good. I take it that from wherever it is you’re from they don’t have any of the good stuff left, eh?”

“Not exactly.” Siva made a face. Ram did not allow them to drink. He said it clouded their minds and made them do stupid things. Half the time Siva suspected the only reason he banned drinking was because he could not drink while taking his numerous medications.

The greeter continued to talk to Siva, but she ignored him as she scanned the crowd looking for someone who might buy her a drink. She did not know what these Virts used as currency and she did not have much of value to trade with. Just a few Techno belongings and Ram would have her hide if she traded one of them.

She spotted an extremely good-looking young man speaking with the bartender, looking a little frustrated. The bartender shrugged his shoulders and the man slammed his open palm on the top of the counter, causing those drinking in the immediate vicinity quickly move.

“Calm down, Sheriff.” Siva overheard the bartender say as she drew closer. “I’m sure your friend will show up. They all will, once we drive these no good Technos out of town. Let me get you a drink. Help you relax a bit.”

“Fine. Whatever.” The man called Lex scowled as he turned away from the bartender, his eyes roving over the gamblers as if looking for someone. “I’ll have a sector seven slammer.”

“Coming right up.” The bartender nodded.

“Make that two of those.” Siva quickly chimed in as she settled onto the barstool next to Lex. “Our friend here owes me a drink.”

The bartender smirked and nodded as Lex shot her a surprised look. “Excuse me,” He frowned, “Do I know you?”

“Not yet.” Siva flashed him her prettiest smile. “But I was thinking we could remedy that. My name is, um…” She hesitated, her hand out in front of her awkwardly as she tried to come up with a name, “My name is Amber.” She said quickly.

Lex rolled his eyes. “How convenient. I’ll buy you a drink, ‘Amber’, but if you’re looking for more you’ll have to look elsewhere.”

Siva let out a heavy sigh of relief, partly because he was actually going to get her that drink and partly because he didn’t expect nor want anything else from her. “Thank you.” She smiled gratefully at him, all pretense dropping. “I just really needed a drink and well, you looked like the only guy in this entire place nice enough to buy me one.”

“You’re welcome.” Lex took the drinks from the bartender and handed Siva one of them. She took a dainty sip and was pleasantly surprised to discover the connotation was quite tasty, almost like a Baby Jane without the ice cream.

They said nothing to each other for several long minutes as Lex continued to watch the casino carefully, his eyes not missing a single thing. He frequently looked towards the door and Siva was convinced he was waiting for someone to come in.

“Who are you looking for?” Siva asked, hiccupping a little. It had been a long time since she had drank. “A girlfriend?”

“No, not really.” Lex’s lips twisted up in wry smile. “Though I kinda hoped she would want the job. She’s just a friend, though.” He turned his attention back to Siva, taking a sip of his drink for the first time. “Strange enough, her name is Amber too.”

“Really?” Again Siva felt the color rush to her cheeks. She could tell just by looking at Lex that he knew she was lying about her name.

“Yeah, her name really is Amber.” He winked, though thankfully did not press the issue further. “Look, I really need to get going. I’ve gotta find her. Could you do me a favor though? You know, in payment for that drink.”

“Sure. Anything.” Siva quickly gushed.

“If you see an absolutely gorgeous young woman wearing a black jacket, blue shirt and black leather pants with blonde hair tied up in Zulu knots, could you tell her I was looking for her? Please?”

“Alright.” Siva nodded, her thoughts immediately going back to earlier that afternoon when she, Ram and Java had sat crowded around the video camera watching for Jay’s reaction when he learned that her sister was the city leader. She had gotten bored of Java’s and Ram’s sick joke, however, and spent the majority of her time studying those who were in the crowd with Ebony. A woman fitting Lex’s description of Amber had stood out to her and now Siva wondered if they were one in the same. If they were, then no doubt this Lex would know Ebony as well.

“Look, Lex,” She stated impulsively, “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea, but I’m pretty new in town and I could really use some friends. Is there any way I could see you again? In a strictly platonic way?”

Lex seemed started by her question but at last he shrugged his shoulders and nodded. “Alright. Sure, why not. Though if you’re around the city for long I’m sure we’ll bump into each other a few times. I’m the sheriff here and I like to keep tabs on all the comings and goings, though the Technos have suddenly made my job a lot more difficult.”

“I see.” Siva nodded. “Well, then I guess I’ll see you around, Lex. It was really nice meeting you, though. I hope you find your Amber.”

“Believe me, so do I.” He smiled at her then drained the last of his cocktail then motioned for the bartender to bring Siva another before he made his way through the gambling teenagers and children and out the door, leaving Siva completely alone once again.

~*~*~

Cloe let out a heavy sigh as she slowly began to untwist the thin wires that were holding her thick chocolate brown hair out of their complicated upswept style she had worn that day. She had what one would call a bobby pin headache if she had any bobby pins and she silently vowed that she would never again wear her hair in such a frustrating and painful style.

She had already changed out of her day clothes and slipped on the warm flannel pajamas she had discovered in the storage areas of one of the clothing shops in the mall. She had actually found the same pajamas years before but they had never fit her. Now they were just a bit too big for her but she didn’t mind. The bottoms hung loosely on her hips and the sleeves fell past her hands, but they were still much better than anything else Cloe had.

Stifling a yawn, Cloe padded over to her bed where she pulled back the warm covers and settled herself in for the evening. She knew she was going to bed a few hours earlier than normal, but she was exhausted, just like the rest of the Mall Rats. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to think on happy thoughts and not on that annoying Techno who had kidnapped her earlier. What was his name again?

“Dev?” She murmured aloud, her eyes closed. “Ned? Ted?”

“Ved.”

A hand clamped over Cloe’s mouth just as she was about to let out an eardrum shattering shriek. She struggled against her attacker, but he was much stronger than her and she only succeeded in making him laugh.

“Calm down, Cloe.” His mocking voice sounded next to her ear, his warm breath tickling her skin and sending shivers down her spin. “I’m not going to hurt you. Not unless you want me to.”

Cloe let out a low growl that he could not stop with his hand as she desperately attempted to twist her lithe body into a better position so she could have an advantage on the bothersome Techno. “Meft ‘e ‘o!” She spat out through his palm that was still firmly pressed against her lips. “’ow!”

“Stop it, Cloe.” He chided her, his voice still ringing light and teasing. “You’re going to make a very bad impression on Lord Ram if you put up such a fight. Now, you’ve served the Technos well so far, but I’m afraid your mission is not yet complete. We still have use for you.”

Cloe glared, trying to get a bit of flesh to bite down on, but Ved was clever and managed to keep his hand away from her teeth.

“You’re coming with me, gorgeous. And there’s nothing you can do about it.” He paused, “Now, we can do this the hard way or the easy way. The hard way is I shoot you and I have to carry you out of this place the easy you come with me quietly. Believe me, it will go better for you if we go the easy way. So which will it be?”

Cloe glared at him venomously. How she despised this arrogant git.

“I’m going to take my hand off your mouth, Cloe, but if you make to scream I’ll shoot you without a second’s hesitation. Now, I really didn’t want to have to do that, but if you leave me no other choice I’m afraid that’s what I have to do. Now, on the count of three. One… Two… Three…”

Ved gently lifted his fingers away from Cloe’s mouth. She almost let out a loud yell, but manage to bit her tongue as she whipped around to glare at him. “Leave me alone, Techno.” She spat angrily. “I’m not going with you. I did your dirty work and you said you’d let me go—“

“Did I?” He batted his eyelashes at her innocently. “That seems to have slipped my mind. Now, come on. Ram is waiting.”

“I’m not going with you.” Cloe folded her arms against her chest and eyed him evilly, ignoring the fact that this rather good looking Techno was the first boy to ever see her in her pajamas. Well, other than Paul, but he really, really didn’t count.

“Yes you are, Cloe. I’m afraid you have no choice. Now come on, I thought we were doing this the easy way.” Ved winked at her, causing her to blush.

“Fine.” She let out a heavy sigh, eyeing his zapper uneasily. She had seen those things in action one too many times and had seen what they did to their victims. She was not about to let him shoot her with that if she could help it. “Just let me grab a coat, okay?”

“Don’t worry, Cloe. You won’t be needing any of your Virt things after tonight. Leave the coat. I’ll keep you warm.” He smirked.

Cloe shuddered inwardly as she dropped her aqua coat onto the ground. She really hoped Ved did not follow through with his threat, but if he did, she would make him pay, some way or another.  Cloe let out a long sigh as she cast a backward glace at her bedroom. Something inside her told her it would be the last time she saw her beautiful room for a very, very long time.