Lien's Lies

In the research lab, Lien worked quickly.

Her gloves on.

Movements precise.

She lifted the crystal carefully, transferring it from its larger container to a smaller one.

This new container had a long rope attached and a top that closed. It resembled a cooler.

A precaution, to prevent it from “running away”.

She sealed it tight.

Her eyes flickered toward the corner of the room.

Dr. Martinez’s body.

His eyes still open.

Lien’s chest tightened.

She walked over and kneeled beside him.

Slowly reached out and closed his eyes.

"He was a good man."

A voice cut through the silence.

Lien’s breath caught and she shot up straight.

Victor stood in the doorway with a calm face. Controlled.

Lien swallowed.

Victor stepped inside. Walked toward Dr. Martinez’s body and stared down at him.

"He saved the world," Victor murmured. "And now, he’s dead."

His voice was measured. Even.

"It’s as if he completed his life’s purpose and then left."

Lien’s stomach twisted.

"Yeah," she whispered. "I’m sure he’s in a better place."

Victor exhaled.

"Is that fair? He had more to give. Is that how destiny works? We complete some task, unknowing that it was the only reason we were still alive? Would we even do it if we knew that were the case? We should make sure his family gets something. Emma’s too."

"I don’t think we can send them flowers right now."

Victor smiled faintly.

“That’s true. Where’s the crystal?"

Lien hesitated.

Then she nodded toward the container.

"It’s over here."

Victor followed her to the sealed box.

He reached for the lid.

Lien’s hand shot out.

She grabbed his wrist.

His body stilled.

Her voice was firm.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

A long pause.

Then—she let go.

"You need gloves." she said.

Victor and her just looked into each other. The tension in the room thick as fog.

"Oh. Right." Victor finally said.

Lien handed him a pair.

Victor slipped them on.

Opened the box.

The crystal glowed with brilliance.

That impossible blue light reflected in their eyes.

Victor smirked.

For a moment, they just stared at it.

Then he shut the lid and locked it.

"Finally." His voice was quiet. "Everything is in order."

Lien nodded.

"Did you and Akira fix the communications tower?" she asked.

"Yes. We did."

"Great!" She let out a breath. "So we can finally send out the signal."

She turned toward the door.

"I’ll go get Tucker out of med bay."

She then paused.

"Where’s Akira?"

Silence.

Victor's mind raced.

Searching.

For a lie.

Any lie.

Fuck it. There’s no need for that anymore. He and Tucker were supposed to be on the same team.

"There… was an accident." Victor said plainly.

Lien’s face shifted.

"Oh…" she said.

She knew what he meant. The only real thing she wanted to do now was go get Tucker. He’d help her. Afterall, They’re supposed to be on the same team.

"He slipped and fell." said Victor.

"That’s awful," she murmured. "I hope it wasn’t painful…I guess I’d better go get Tucker out of med bay."

"Yes. Why don’t you do that?"

Lien backed away.

Slow. Measured.

Victor didn’t move.

Didn’t blink.

She turned.

Her muscles tensed.

She made a break for the door. Running as fast as she could.

Victor pulled the gun from his pocket.

***

Tucker moved fast down the corridor to the main lab.

His boots pounded against the floor, breath ragged.

His voice echoed down the corridor—

“Lien? Where are you?”

Nothing.

Was she alright? She was the only thing he could think about.

At this point there were four of them left. He wanted to talk to her about everything.

Who was she really? Could they have a future?

Just the distant hum of the bunker’s air system.

Then—he passed the large window.

And froze.

His stomach turned to stone.

Outside—half-buried in the moon’s dust—

Was Akira.

His body was twisted.

Face-down.

Helmet cracked.

A dark stain of frozen blood spread beneath him.

Tucker’s hands curled into fists.

His chest heaved.

His heart pounded.

Slowly, he let the scene sink in.

He knew what this meant. He’d seen enough death in the past few hours. The only ones left were Victor and Lien.

He had to do something.

Anything.

That would stop the two most important people he cared for from killing each other.

Maybe he could–

BANG!

The sound of a gun rang through the halls

He took off sprinting.

***

He rushed inside the main lab to see Victor propped on the wall bleeding from his side.

Tucker ran over to him.

“What happened to you?” asked Tucker.

“What do you think happened?” said Victor, “That Lien is crafter than she looks. She must know we’re allied together. I pulled out the gun, but before I could capture her, she took a shard of the shattered glass from the axe box and threw it at me. I dropped the weapon and she shot me.”

“Lien? That doesn’t sound like her. Although recently I feel like I don’t know anyone anymore.”

“Yeah I know what you mean.”

“Do you?”

Victor’s nose curled in a snarl. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I know you murdered Akira. You did a terrible cover up job.”

Victor snorted. “Yeah, well, it was either him or us. I chose the only good option.”

“But now your bleeding out anyway…”

“Haha, life is funny that way ain’t it?” Victor’s eyes started to tear up. “Jesus. Who knows what they’re going to do to my siblings. I guess I don’t have the power to stop that now.”

“It’s not over yet.”

“It is for me… Go. Find Lien. She was looking for you. End thins fucking madness.”

Tucker nodded. “I’d say hang in there, but you’ve seen how well that works.”

Tucker ran out of the room.

He couldn’t bear to see it.

It was time to do what must be done.

To face a woman he thought he knew.

If she’s looking for him, there’s only one place to go:

His room.

Hopefully she decides to agree with whatever he says.

For he wasn’t sure he could bring himself to hurt her…