Sparks for a Fire [Part 1]

From that long and mayhem filled night, Chima has returned to the only family he has. Sitting on one of the operating tables at their base, overly dejected with failure and disappointment. As his limbs were replaced with meek, underpowered substitution limbs since the ones he had were toxified with radiation, akin to a spare tire than a functional body part. Heavily patched and bandaged, Chima, still struggling to come to terms with an enemy of his past is just a few doors away from him. Thankfully, he can forget these estranged feelings and turn his attention to what’s important, his partner for life and partners in survival. Now huddled closely to the love of his life, gently touching one another head to head.

“Nevaeh? Can you gather the others into the main room…? There’s a lot to discuss this morning.” Carmen asks, still fighting tears.

“Yeah, of course, Carmen.” Nevaeh agreed with care, and made her way to group the others.

⧮ ⧯ ⧮

Properly detained is Zuma located in one of the holding rooms for guests of extreme interest or threat. Interestingly, one of the few times they’ve ever used the room, meaning that this room has been used as storage for harmless tech such as old TVs, ovens, dishwashers, and furniture. With the assistance of Yollohtli, Josefine did what she could to obtain as much information as possible from one of the few leads she had for her mission.

“You won’t get anything out of me, so just let me go and no harm will come to you or your new friends.” Zuma proclaimed, seemingly resting on a comfy chair.

“Your arms and legs are completely inoperable, there’s no way you are trying to threaten me.” Josefine remarked, marking the fact that Zuma’s positioning is essentially disabled.

“It's not me you should be threatened by, Cyber Witch, there are forces far out of your hands that would have no trouble ending you.” Zuma retorted with spite.

“‘Cyber Witch’? I kinda like the sound of that…” Josefine remarked, ignoring Zuma’s threat. “What do you think?" She then turned to Yollohtli, but they just looked at her in confusion. “Well, in any case, what strikes me as interesting is why are you so adamant about your employer’s anonymity? Most people like you would have ratted them out in a heartbeat… And from that statement you just made, I’d say you know some pretty high value people.” She speculated, to then pull a chair next to Zuma. “Come on, why does your employer really need the boy?” She calmly asked.

“Do you have any idea how long Nanotechnology like this has been fully realized…? Decades. But because some AI recommended that humans would abuse it, so they kept it hidden.” Zuma asserted.

“Go on…” Josefine smiled slightly, but after several moments of silence, Zuma refused to speak further. “Very well, this is only the first day of interrogations, so be sure to sleep on what we discussed.” She then declared.

“Yollohtli? Was it?” Josefine suddenly asked as Yollohtli provided a quick nod of confirmation. “Do you think you provide me with a list of the locations where your elite clients were being stowed away when they were kidnapped and found.” She quickly requested.

“Sure, it will probably take a little bit, but, for what purpose?” Yollohtli questioned.

“Well, I think I can get at least a name for the guy that made a science experiment out of that kid of yours.” Josefine explained.

“And that will help you find Zuma’s employer?” Yollohtli then asked.

“Maybe… But I did say I was going to help you the best I can.” Josefine smiled as she walked to the door. “Oh, how are you doing, little queen?” She smirked once the door opened to reveal Nevaeh, darting her eyes around the room for a moment at Josefine’s presence.

“Um, surviving.” Nevaeh slowly answered with a shrug of the shoulders.

“Keep it up.” Josefine smiled, providing an encouraging tab on Nevaeh’s shoulders.

“Uh, anyway, Carmen wants us to meet up in the main room.” Nevaeh slowly relayed.

“Perfect, we just finished things up here for the day.” Josefine beamed as she walked to the main room.

⧮ ⧯ ⧮

“Hey…”

“Hey…”

Izel and Nevaeh slowly greeted one another as Nevaeh entered the main room with the others, walking to Izel. The two kept silent for a moment as they along with the others were certainly tired from the arduous night.

“How’s Chima?” Izel quietly asks Nevaeh.

“Sad… But better. He honestly looks like shit.” Nevaeh and Izel chuckled at the remark. “I think Carmen is actually taking this the hardest.” She then added.

“Why is that?” Izel naturally asked.

“I don’t know… Come to think of it, I don’t actually know a whole lot about Carmen’s past beyond meeting Chima.” Nevaeh explained in a low tone. “Before today, I’ve never seen Carmen even come close to crying.” She softly mentioned.

“Wild, I guess everyone has their Kryptonite.” Izel compared with sympathy.

“I’m not sure what you mean?” Nevaeh questioned.

“Oh, it's from an old comic—Never mind, I’ll tell you another time.” Izel paused, realizing that there is somehow more to explain than his usual yapping.

Seconds later Carmen and Chima walked in the main room to brainstorm thoughts and ideas for their latest acquaintance. Along with introductions.

“Chima! My man! You looked like the good god Cizin just shit you out, HA-HA!” Tenoch harshly cackled at Chima’s expense with Cash holding back her laughter.

“Not the time, Tenoch.” Chima growned.

“Oh, come now, you honestly think I’m going to give you slack just because you got your ass beat.” Tenoch howled.

“Yeah, by the same person that hacked your old ass eyes.” Carmen swiftly interjected, easily shutting Tenoch’s mischief. “Alright everyone, gather around, we have a lot to discuss.” She then announced, accompanied with the Team’s trademark: Heard. As they so often say.