Episode Three - Super Power (Part 1)

Chapter Song Suggestion "Miracle by Time Travel"

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*note : all dialogues like so {example} are spoken from the predator's perspective

THE PAST | Eira

She felt wretched, lying in a pool of her own vomit.

What have they done to her?

For three days, they locked her inside this tiny cage, her body contorted to fit uncomfortably. She remembered being held down and injected with something that felt like thousands of tiny needles travelling through her bloodstream, followed by a burning sensation in her gut. Her body wasn't her own, her mouth bloody with foam.

Someone — a boy — had tried to save her before she passed out.

"Here, drink this." A voice disrupted her thoughts.

He was back again. She didn't know his name but, every night he risked his life to share his ration of meals. "Why are you…he-helping me?" Her damaged throat hurt to talk.

Fierce, golden eyes stared back at her, reminding her of the old era wolves her ancestors revered. Something about him whispered that she could trust him. Lifting her head, she let him drip the water onto her parched tongue. When she had enough, he moved to retreat but she stopped him. "Eira Ulva. My name." It was strange to speak the common tongue. She had only spoken Qeathan in her entire life.

"Lars Verhelst," he grunted and disappeared into the night.

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PRESENT DAY

The team returned disappointed and weary, an indication that their search had been futile. Lars unstrapped his reaper and approached Eira and the sleeping child. Bending on one knee, he whispered. "How is she?"

"She's a tough one," Eira returned fondly, gently stroking the child's hair. "It didn't take long for her to go out like a light. I'm glad that she feels at ease with us."

Her tenderness was at odds with her bloodstained suit and the violence surrounding them, underlining their fragile lives. And yet, it was at times like this that kindness was needed to strengthen one's soul. Lars watched her intently, puzzling what to make of her. "You like her."

"She reminds me of myself," Eira admitted, emerald eyes twinkling. "Any luck outside?"

He let out a heavy breath, the slight furrow of his forehead indicated his disquiet. "There's no sign of the child's mother, not even a body. What's left of the village are half-eaten corpses and even if there are survivors, they would be long gone." Based on his experience, this mission itself was abnormal. They had arrived within the expected timeframe and yet, the village was a ghost town. "I refuse to believe that everyone simply vanished into thin air."

Eira tilted her head questioningly. "You don't think they're all dead?"

Over the years, savagery and despair had turned him into a cynic but sometimes, he still held out for hope. "I can't say that they're alive either, but I hope we'll find something." He gestured to the sleeping girl. "Did you have any luck with her?"

Eira mentally debated whether or not to confide in him. Trust was one issue, but she also didn't want to make wild guesses. She wasn't naive to believe that they were still the same people, and she didn't want to build a relationship based on lies. This would give her the perfect opportunity to see what kind of man Lars had become. "There's something I need to tell you. But not here. Can we talk in private when we return to base?"

Lars guessed that Eira's trust issues ran deeper than his, not that he blamed her. He trusted no one in Ataxia but his unit members, and his mentor Mickael Strauss. It was good that she was being cautious. "Of course. Once we've settled with this child, come and meet me in my quarters."

"Jade," she said immediately.

"Pardon?"

"Her name is Jade," Eira repeated staunchly.

For whatever reason, Lars felt that names were important to her. In their line of job, people and names became a blur when they faced death every hour of every day. Even so, he found himself saying, "Once we've settled with Jade, come and meet me in my quarters."

Though it wasn't anything special, the answering smile on her lips roused a tingling warmth, as if he had done something good. "Thank you, Captain."

It rattled him enough to send him back out into the open.

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Taking a deep breath, Eira knocked on Lars's door. Hours earlier, after they had returned, she took a long, hot shower, scrubbing off the remnants of the day before settling into her new quarters. Not surprisingly, Anaelle was her new roommate.

"Just because we're roommates doesn't mean we're going to be friends," Anaelle warned, her tone a perfect match with her ice blonde hair and wintry blue eyes. "I don't care if you know our Captain, but you have to respect the way things work around here. Everybody knows how you got into our unit and personally I don't want you here." Their gazes clashed. "One wrong move and I'll report you to the Captain."

Eira sighed inwardly. Her teammates' animosity was exhausting to deal with. She transferred to Ataxia to be by Lars's side, nothing more or less. "I don't know what kind of person you think I am but I'm not here to cause trouble. And contrary to what you believe, I came here by my mentor's recommendation." Her dearest mentor and friend, Freya Aridottir had said to leave everything to her. What had Freya done to get her into Ataxia?

Anaelle's expression was a portrait of doubt. "As long as you stay out of my way, we'll coexist just fine."

"Come in." Lars's voice reeled her back to the present.

The door opened and Eira walked into his private quarters — a loft room dominated by shades of rustic brown and gunmetal grey. It was masculine, cosy and impressively tidy. As Captain, he was entitled his own apartment, equipped with a living room joined to a minibar and a spacious workout area. Rows of books lined in-built shelves with a reading chair and floor lamp to complement the relaxing decor. A flight of wooden stairs led up to his bedroom, the frameless glass rail giving her glimpses of a king-sized bed and worktable.

The man himself descended in a pair of sweatpants riding low on his hips. His hair was damp, telling her he had just finished showering. It was amazing to witness the changes of his body from a mere fifteen-year-old to an adult male. Eira swallowed inaudibly at rippling muscles over the plane of his stomach and bulging biceps.

Earlier today, she didn't have the chance to scrutinize his physique. Taller than the average male, Lars had heavy, well-cut hair, black as midnight and a tan complexion that bespoke his time under the sun. Strong brows sat atop golden eyes, his nose straight and defined, complete with a brooding mouth. And that scar running over his eye lent him a fierce visage. Eira couldn't shake the air of hard-bitten worldliness about him, a sense that he had seen enough of predation life to cease being surprised. She also remembered he was dependable and a protector in her eyes.

"Make yourself at home and I'll get you a drink." Lars paced to the minibar. "What did you want to talk about?" His voice low and husky.

Eira joined him, taking a seat while he poured her a glass of lemon water. Sliding it over, he refused to look away until she had taken more than a sip. "It's important to rehydrate after a mission," he simply said.

She hid a smile. It was a relief to see his nurturing ways haven't changed. "Kaaqa. Thank you," she murmured. "Honestly, I wasn't sure if I should tell you this but, Jade was bitten by a mandrillus."

Lars stiffened. His light air died in an instant. "You know that omitting details could lead to treason. Why did you not tell me before?"

"I do know," Eira interjected hastily. "But I need you to hear me out. There are some things I can't disclose in public, not when there could be eyes and ears everywhere. That's why I'm here. I never intended to hide it from you."

"I'm listening." He crossed his arms and leaned against the counter, trying to reserve judgement.

"Jade mentioned there was a man present at the attack, and I believe he led the mandrillus into the treefolks village. What I found strange was how Jade's bite marks completely healed in less than the time it took for us to arrive." Her gaze levelled with his. "Do you remember the time when the soldiers injected me with Cell II? I was so ill I wanted to die right then."

How could he forget? Lars thought wryly. It was the starting horror of their lives and his unlikely relationship with her. He wouldn't call it friendship and, it certainly wasn't love. It was something... more. Something visceral and deep-seated.

"The side effects vary for every individual, but Jade had none," Eira continued, amazement in her inflection. "Whoever orchestrated this incident is attempting to create a race of super soldiers with extraordinary capabilities, rivalling kill hunters. Whatever technology is being used, it's more advanced than Ataxia's." This was her opportunity to tell him. Drawing in an unsteady breath, she said. "It's possible that Jade's like me."

"Elaborate, please." Lars's voice remained unchanged but the hard command was clear. She sensed his tall frame brimming with renewed tension. Perceptive, golden eyes imprisoned hers.