Valor, Variant - 2: A Dark Genetic Manipulation Romance, page 4
Lethal thought about all Valor had finally confessed. “Is this the same female you dreamed of while we were captive?” he asked.
Valor nodded.
“I don’t believe that you would still dream of the same female with the same face if she wasn’t someone to you.”
“Makes it worse,” Valor said quietly.
“When given the opportunity to find out who we were, most of us decided to leave our identities behind. We opted not to pursue it.”
“Except you. The general knows you,” Valor pointed out.
“I still have no desire to know. My point is, I can tell Roscoe we need to know your true identity.”
“I know my true identity! I’m Valor, a Variant male! I have no history or ties to anything other than my Variant brothers!” Valor snapped.
“And yet, you are the only male whose past haunts him to the point of threatening who you are today. We can research it. See if we can even identify you. Find out if there is a woman in your past and if so, see if she matches the face in your head,” Lethal said.
“And then what? Choose between my life here and whoever I used to be? No! I belong here!” Valor shouted.
“I know that. But, maybe you’re just remembering some female from a prior failed mission. Maybe she means nothing to you at all. If you learned this is all she meant to you, wouldn’t you more readily be able to let her go and move on with who you are now?” Lethal asked.
Valor sat down on the edge of his bed again. “I don’t know. Yes, if that’s all she is. But, if she’s mine… my girl? My wife? What do I do? Snatch her off the street just like the rewards were treated? Force her to come back here with me? Because I’m not going back there. I’m not leaving my brothers for this shit that won’t get out of my fucking head!” he shouted, as he used the heel of his palm to slam against the side of his own head.
Lethal shrugged. “Maybe she’s remarried and she’s happy. Maybe that could let you walk away knowing you’re no longer responsible and she’s happy without you.”
Valor snarled and his lips pulled back displaying long, sharp incisors.
“Or not,” Lethal added.
“Look, you don’t have to agree to find out who you are. You don’t have to stay here if you choose not to. But, you do have to find a way to rest. You have to find a way to sleep at night, or you’re no good to us. You will put not only yourself, but this team in danger if you’re not on point at all times. You need to find a way to put this to bed once and for all, in more ways than one,” Lethal said.
“I know. I know that,” Valor said.
“If you decide you want to do something about it, let me know. I’m at your side through whatever it is you choose. You tell me and I’ll make it happen, whatever it is, but do something, before I’m forced to. I can’t put us all at risk. I’ll have to replace you temporarily until you can sleep, or I’ll have to permanently replace you if it goes much further. I don’t want to do either. Make something happen, Valor,” Lethal said. “Or tell me what to do for you.”
“Fucking drug me so I can sleep without dreams,” Valor mumbled.
Lethal had stood to walk out of the bedroom, but he stopped and turned back to Valor. “I can do that.”
Valor looked up at him. “You think it would work?”
“It’s worth a shot. All kinds of shit that can help people sleep. Surely something will knock you the fuck out and keep you from dreaming.”
“Maybe I’ll go to medical, see what they say,” Valor said.
“If you want company, let me know. If you decide you want to go another direction, let me know that, too. I’ll put into motion whatever you want to happen,” Lethal promised.
“Thanks,” Valor said.
Lethal nodded and left the bedroom. He walked into the living room to find Steel, Scorn and Nina all sitting around on the couch and the recliners eating burgers and home fries.
Nina pointed to the coffee table where another plate loaded with two huge burgers and a load of fries swimming in ketchup sat waiting for him.
He picked up his plate and took a seat beside Nina.
A few minutes later Nina looked at him. “He okay?”
“We’re going to make him okay one way or another,” Lethal said quietly.
“It’s those fucking dreams,” Scorn said.
Lethal shook his head. “They’re not dreams. I think they’re memories.”
Chapter 4
Becky threw back her covers and got out of bed. She was flushed and her heart was pounding. She padded barefoot over to the small twin bed that sat in the corner of her bedroom and looked down at her daughter. Smiling to herself despite the anxiety she was feeling, she covered Skylar gently with the blanket she’d managed to kick off yet again. She was so much like her father. She even slept with one foot out from beneath the covers, just like he did. It was amazing to see such simple similarities, especially since they’d never met. Aiden had been declared missing in action, and then dead, before she’d been born — some secret mission he’d been sent on, and never heard from again.
The military had sent her a small box of bones and ash along with his dog tags to bury, and they even sent an honor guard to give him all the recognition he’d earned at his funeral, but all Becky wanted to do was force them to leave. She blamed them for his death. She knew Aiden was a well trained, special forces operative, giving his heart first to his country, before even her and their unborn daughter, and if he had to go he’d want it to be in service to his country. But, like a jealous wife, blaming her husband’s mistress for the fault in their marriage, she couldn’t help but blame the military for his death. She’d never even claimed the death benefits that were available to her and to Skylar. Not that there were many, but anything was in theory better than nothing. But to her, accepting their help with anything meant accepting that they’d put him in danger, and she just couldn’t make herself do it.
She worked every single day, leaving Skylar first with daycare, and now with a head start program for kindergarteners funded by the town she lived in. She’d moved across the country after Aiden’s death and settled in Texas, hoping that a change of pace where no one knew her or anything about her, would help her forget — but it hadn’t worked. She was still plagued by nightmares of Aiden, and they always ended the same. With her screaming for him to take her with him, running after him and never being able to catch him, until she woke up sobbing, covered in sweat, her heart breaking like she was just learning of his death all over again. The lack of sleep was beginning to weigh heavily on her. She always felt like she’d actually been with him when she woke from the dreams, and the mourning would have to start all over again. Luckily, Skylar slept like a log and hadn’t yet been awoken by Becky crying out in her sleep.
Sighing, Becky went into the kitchen to start the coffee, then went to the bedroom to get in a quick shower before Skylar woke up for the day. She had work today, and Skylar had head start, too.
~~~
Valor left the house he and his team shared and headed off toward the clinic. He’d been taking sleeping aids for the last week and a half and had finally been able to get some rest.
He was still in emotional turmoil, but his instincts were back. He was able to perform to his usual level of expertise and no longer put his team, or himself at risk by not being focused.
He walked confidently down through the middle of the green, park-like center built into the middle of the community as he moved toward his target. Today was his checkup. He had to have blood drawn regularly and his vitals checked and recorded. Because of the lack of knowledge of all they’d been exposed to and all that had been introduced into their bodies while in captivity and enduring testing from Dr. Waller, no one was quite sure how their bodies would react to any standard medication that the average person wouldn’t have a reaction to.
Valor didn’t really care how much testing and care they took with him. As long as they continued to administer the sleep aids he’d been taking, and he was able to rest, they could take blood every damn day if they chose to.
~~~
A few minutes after Valor left the house, Steel walked into the living room. “Valor gone?” he asked.
“Yeah. Went to have his blood test done,” Feral answered.
“How is he?” Steel asked.
Feral raised an eyebrow. “Fine,” he said with a tone in his voice, and a condescending look on his face.
“Don’t get all shitty with me. We are alive today because we are all important pieces of one unit. If one of those pieces stops functioning correctly, we’re all at risk. There was a time I didn’t give a damn if I got blown away. I’m a little partial to breathing lately,” Steel snapped.
“He’s fine. He’s resting. He’s not waking up every fifteen minutes anymore. He’s better than he’s been. I have no issues going out on mission with him,” Feral answered.
“Good,” Lethal said, walking into the room.
“Hey,” Steel said. “We still going to represent at that meeting tomorrow?”
“Yep,” Lethal answered.
“Still think they should have sent Law,” Steel said.
“Law’s too balanced. I think they want us to represent us. Law has smoothed his edges in order to be better accepted by those he meets with regularly,” Feral said.
“Exactly,” Lethal agreed.
“I’m glad you got Valor some help. I didn’t want to leave him behind, but I was finding myself watching his six and mine,” Steel said.
“Brothers support brothers,” Lethal said. “Let it be a lesson. I can’t help what I don’t know about. If you need, tell me. I’ll fix it or find someone who can. But this team is non-negotiable. We are successful because of who we are. If we lose one, we become weaker,” he said.
“Damn straight,” Steel answered.
“Speaking of team… where’s Scorn?” Lethal asked.
“Said he was going swimming,” Steel answered.
“Been swimming a lot lately, hasn’t he?” Feral asked with a hint of sarcasm and a grin.
“What’s wrong with swimming?” Steel asked defensively.
“Nothing. If you’re swimming,” Feral said.
“He’s swimming!” Steel insisted.
“Okay, then,” Feral said, rising from the couch to go put his cereal bowl in the dishwasher.
“He is!” Steel insisted.
“Fine! He’s swimming,” Feral said. “Let it go, dude.”
Lethal watched the interaction between Feral and Steel. He’d taken his team off rotation in order to give Valor some time to get himself together, and to give them all a break. They’d not stopped for years… first in service to others, and now in service to their own kind of their own volition. But, it seemed that too much time on their hands had them nitpicking each other.
“I’m moving us back to active rotation next week,” Lethal said.
“Thank fuck,” Feral said.
“About damn time,” Steel answered.
“Glad you agree. Now I’m going back to bed,” Lethal said, grabbing two bottles of water and going back to his bedroom, kicking the door closed behind himself. “Brought you a water, Nina,” he said, handing it to her as he launched his body to land beside hers in their bed.
“Thanks,” she said.
“What’s going on out there?” she asked.
“Scorn’s off for his secret meetings again, claiming he’s going swimming. Damn fool never takes a swimsuit, so if he’s swimming it’s naked regardless of the time, and thinking nobody realized he’s full of shit about where he’s been. Steel is offended that nobody believes Scorn’s story… they’re buds ya know. Steel is asking about Valor because everybody noticed Valor slowly coming apart at the seams, and Feral is defensive on that account, seeing as how they’ve gotten close since Feral joined the team. And they’re all just on the verge of punching the fuck out of each other because they’ve got too much pent up energy because they’ve had more than enough downtime.
“Hmm. Sounds like it’s time to go back on rotations,” Nina said.
“It certainly is,” Lethal agreed. “Now, hurry up and drink that water, your male needs,” he said, ending with a growl and rumbling in his chest as his eyes flashed from their unusual hazel to black and back again.
Sitting in the living room flipping channels, Feral laughed when Steel walked past him in a skintight swimsuit. “Where are you going dressed like that?” he asked, still laughing.
“Swimming,” Steel answered. “And I look good!” Steel insisted.
“Okay. If you say so. You ought to take your boy one,” Feral said.
“One what?” Steel asked.
“A swimsuit. I’m sure whoever else is at the pool today would appreciate him covering his naked ass since he’s never left here with a suit.”
“He’s probably got one under his jeans,” Steel said impatiently.
“Yeah, that’s it,” Feral said.
“What is with you?” Steel asked, losing patience.
“Nothing. Just see no reason to lie about hooking up. You got a woman that wants to see your ass on the regular, why you gotta lie to the team that stands with you when you go see her?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because it’s none of our damn business. If that is what he’s up to,” Steel said. “And for that matter, why don’t you practice what you preach?”
Feral put down the remote and looked at Steel. “Well, for starters, I don’t see one woman regularly. I see many, from time to time. Ain’t nothing to write home about.”
“Whatever,” Steel said, rolling his towel and tucking it around his neck. “I’m going swimming,” he said.
“Don’t forget your sunscreen,” Feral called as Steel shut the front door behind himself.
Moments later the sounds from the bedroom started.
“Yeah, I’m out, too,” Feral said, turning off the T.V., and grabbing his phone. He walked out of the house and headed toward the recreation building.
~~~
Steel brought the black Suburban to a stop just to the side of General Ferriday’s house. He turned off the ignition and got out of the vehicle as he slipped the keys into his pocket. Scorn got out of the passenger seat, Lethal and Nina out of the second seats, and Valor and Feral out of the rear seats. They took their time making their way to the general’s front porch, and when finally assembled there as a team, Lethal knocked on the door.
Very few moments passed before the general opened the door, dressed casually in a pair of khaki slacks, a button down shirt and a cardigan sweater. On his feet he wore house slippers instead of the military boots he usually sported. “Gentlemen, Nina,” he said, standing back and extending his arm toward the inside of his house, “Come in.”
The team entered, and waited for him to escort them to his kitchen where he had been working before they arrived.
“Appreciate you agreeing to attend this meeting in my stead,” General Ferriday said.
“Least we can do,” Lethal answered. “Besides, I prefer to have the powers that be a little nervous when it comes to dealing with us.”
General Ferriday smiled and nodded. “As do I. No one makes them more nervous than you and your team,” he said, taking his seat and gesturing toward the other chairs at the table. “Sit, please.”
As they all got settled, General Ferriday began to take papers out of one of the folders he had in front of him. “This meeting is simply a formality. They want to meet with us, determine just how much — or how little - our attention and assistance to the Variant people has actually contributed to their reintroduction to society. In short, I believe they are disappointed that none of you have shown an interest in rejoining their ranks.”
“Because very few can do the things we can do,” Scorn said.
“Exactly,” General Ferriday answered. “I feel that you can very clearly make them understand why none of the males here has a desire to recommit themselves to the very entity that betrayed them. And while not all the entity was involved, some were. Until we take them out, it is very important that we hold our cards close to our chests. Feel free to make them understand why you’re not interested, but let’s not go in guns ablazing. Let’s make them sweat it out instead of making ourselves crystal clear. We are not sure yet of all those who are fully involved. So, watch your step, gentlemen.”
“We can do that,” Lethal said.
“In addition, I feel that you are our lead SOT team. You are the voices and representation of the Variant people since the press conference when we announced ourselves. It’s important that you garner the respect you deserve. You will lead our community, gentlemen. Present yourselves as such.”
“Why not send Law?” Feral asked.
“Law is the head of our governing body, and he’s damn good at what he does. But he’s far more interested in the scales of justice and insuring that all is a well balanced dance that serves us well, than convincing them not to fuck with us and keeping their distance. When dealing with men of the caliber you will be dealing with today, I think you, Lethal, and your team will serve us far better,” General Ferriday said with a sly grin.
Lethal chuffed a rare laugh, but said nothing.
“Anyway,” the general said, handing first one photo, then another to Steel who sat closest to him, “This is General Howard, and this,” he said, handing over the next photo, “is Colonel Bates. They are both on our side and as diligent as we are on chasing down all our Variant and seeing them freed here beside us. They can be fully trusted. The other attendees of this meeting today, may or may not be on our side. Use your gut to determine which you think is which, but be especially wary of all but these two.”
Lethal and his team passed the photos around the table and each took a good look so they’d remember the men they were able to trust.
