Loyalties

Agent Issac returned a few minutes later with two syringes of tranquilizers. Soren went back to the room where RJ and Madelyn were still wandering aimlessly. When he walked in they turned to look. Soren smirked as he held up one of the syringes.

"Time for your shots! After this, we're going on a little trip. Though the accommodations there leave a lot to be desired, I think you'll like it."

RJ did not fight when Soren walked up and administered the tranquilizer. When he turned to Madelyn she growled and stepped back. Soren chuckled and continued to walk toward her, when she hit the wall he let out a low growl and administered the tranquilizer.

Madelyn blinked repeatedly as her body slowly slid down. She did not break eye contact with him until the tranquilizer knocked her out. RJ had already collapsed and lay unconscious on the floor.

"You've got a lot of potential, I have high hopes for you."

As for RJ, Soren was not certain. The only thing he felt that the commander's son had going for him was his ability to follow commands. While Soren admired fighters like Madelyn, there was a place in the new world for those willing to follow.

Once Soren cleared the room Agent Issac and Commander Hayes came in. The commander went to his son immediately and picked him up with the help of Agent Issac. Seeing this, Soren shrugged and threw Madelyn over his shoulder, and followed behind them.

Commander Hayes had sent word ahead and only a few people were seen in the halls as they made their way to the main floor. Soren could not help but count how many people were in each room they passed, wondering how quickly the two unconscious evolved could break through a door and take down the humans within.

Agent Issac's car had been moved to the front door so that outsiders would see very little of what they were doing. Agent Issac opened the back passenger door and they carefully placed RJ in the seat, his father even took the time out to pull out the seat belt and buckle him in. Soren rolled his eyes as he went around and practically threw Madelyn into the backseat.

Agent Issac came around to buckle her in, knowing that Soren never used a seat belt himself. Commander Hayes crouched down and looked at his sleeping son. The look on his face softened, eyes glistening with unshed tears. He reached out and caressed his son's face.

"I'm sorry, RJ."

Commander Hayes drew back his hand and blinked, his face once again holding a neutral expression. He blinked a couple more times to erase the moisture in his eyes. When he stood and turned away he was the same Commander Hayes that he had always been. He closed the door and walked away, not looking back once.

Soren, who had been standing by the passenger door, had heard what the commander said. He could not decide if RJ was lucky to have a caring parent, or if he wanted to be sick. The latter was winning.

The first thing that Soren did after he sat down, and closed the door, was to pull out his pack of cigarettes and take one out.

"No smoking in the car."

Agent Issac said as he started the car and shifted it to drive, he glanced over at Soren to make certain that he was complying before releasing the brake and pulling out. Soren smiled and put the pack again, though he kept the cigarette out.

"While you were giving them the tranquilizers Commander Hayes told me that I'm being reassigned. Your guards will be removed as well. They've decided that you're no longer needed so you're on your own."

"That's good fucking news. I have a van I need to recover and I can't with people watching. I will miss you, though, Agent Issac."

Agent Issac rolled his eyes, "You'll miss having someone to annoy."

Soren sat up in his seat and turned to look at Agent Issac. There was no hint of sarcasm or joking in his face or demeanor.

"Seriously. If you ever get tired of working for the government, come find me."

"What's the catch?"

Soren shook his head, "No catch. You're a good man, loyal to a fault. Loyalty should be rewarded, Agent Issac, and I don't see them properly rewarding you for it."

Agent Issac was not enough of a fool to believe that there was no catch. Those who stood next to Soren were not human. Maybe he doesn't even realize that there is a catch, but I can see it. I'm not to the point of being willing to give up on my humanity.

"When I came in to write up my report yesterday I was informed that it was Agent Gill who sold you out. Agent Gill had anger issues, but he was just as loyal as I am. He would not have done anything that he wasn't ordered to do."

"What did your partner say about that?"

Agent Issac snorted, "Nothing, he's dead. They made it sound pretty; he opened fire when they went to question him, there was a firefight and a stray bullet caught his femoral artery. He bled out within minutes. The case is now closed since the leak was found."

"That's nice and clean, and awfully convenient."

Soren moved back to his slumped position in the seat and stared out the window. The cigarette in his right hand moved casually from finger to finger. He was trying to work things out in his head, figuring out what chess pieces to move and where.

"I went out last night with Avery and we ran across two mutated. I could sense quite a few within the city. The virus is spreading faster than I anticipated, I don't think we have much time left."

"Who's Avery?"

Soren chuckled, "He's one of the mercenaries. I think you saw him yesterday, he was the one who was awake and watching everything. He's now my personal assistant."

"How is that working out for him."

"Better than the other four left alive."

Agent Issac shook his head and chuckled. His imagination was not able to conjure images of what life would be like for Avery or the other four, but he doubted it was easy. After a moment, Agent Issac let out a sigh.

"I have a sister who is five years younger than me. She lives in KC, on the Missouri side, and I've been trying to convince her to come here. I can protect her while she's here. I can't do a damn thing for her when she's almost an hour away.

"Her idea of a compromise was to stay at a friend's house in Raytown for a week."

Agent Issac's eyes narrowed as he remembered the conversation with his sister that morning. She had casually dismissed his words that something bad was about to happen. She had claimed that she would be fine with her friend.

"I would feel a little better about it if we were passing out vaccines. So far the only ones who have been given it are those in charge and the scientists."

"Oh, so that means Dr. Reynalds won't be mutating? That's a shame."

Agent Issac turned to look at Soren and nearly drove off the gravel road.

"They can still spread the virus?"

"No, once they evolve using my blood they are no longer contagious, but that was a good look you had there." Soren laughed, nearly doubling over with it.

"I am armed. I doubt anyone will charge me if I shot you."

"As if it would do anything. Now, if you wreck the car, your odds are good that they'll wake up and break free from the seat belt. Your ass will be stuck, though."

"And you'll be fine?"

"Ha, that windshield won't do much to me."

Agent Issac shook his head and Soren could have sworn that he saw the faintest hint of a smile on the man's face.

When they turned onto the gravel road that led to the house the car that had been sitting there earlier was gone. The commander had not been slow about pulling the guards. The first thing Soren did when they parked in front of the house was to get out and light his cigarette. He also sent a mental message for help moving the two unconscious bodies.

"I've got help coming, they're taking care of these two. Wanna come in for a bit?"

Agent Issac shook his head, "I'd better not. I'll head out once RJ and Madelyn are out. I don't want to give the commander any ideas."

"Understandable."

It wasn't long before Fry, Ethan, and Jordan appeared. Soren directed Fry and Ethan to carry a body and Jordan followed to assist with doors. When they went inside Soren smacked the roof of Agent Issac's car and stepped away. He gave the agent a salute before turning away and heading inside.

Agent Issac sat there for a moment, watching Soren walk away, and wondered how long it would be before he would be back. With a long sigh, Agent Issac started the car and pulled away.