Narrator-

"WHAT?!" screamed Archer, causing everyone, including Vivian to jump, the fear of losing their lives evident in the wide eyes scattered around the command center.

A fuming Archer was standing in the middle, his hard, deadly and angry eyes locked onto the feeble young soldier who stood before him. And in turn, the soldier's eyes focused on studying the white tiles beneath his feet, not even daring to steal a glance at Archer's shadow.

While Mateo and his men made their way to the main center, they found the soldier entering the lab in haste, when he explained what happened in the forest, Mateo quickly escorted him to Archer.

"You ran? YOU RAN?! How dare you show your face back here without my Subjects? I should kill you where you're standing." Belted Archer, his blood raging.

He couldn't let those mutants get away.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" asked Archer, while he stared down at the pathetic human standing before him.

On the outside he was angry, on the inside Archer wanted to laugh, the kid was so close to peeing his pants, he picture was quite comical.

"I was ordered to return sir, I am only a messenger, I'm sorry." Replied the young man, Joel, as he gulped in fear, feeling extremely suffocated.

"Yes but we all know what happens to him don't we?" questioned Archer with a raised eyebrow, as the poor kid gulped once more.

Archer grunted, then breathed, an idea jumping to his brain. With another breath, he decided that he needed more friends than enemies at this point. The Subjects had gotten away, and he had no idea what happened out in that forest.

He took a deep breath and placed a hand on Joel's shoulder, who instantly flinched.

"My boy, I am not mad. In fact, I'm glad that you made it back alive." Chuckled Archer in a pleasant manner.

"You are?" questioned Joel with uncertainty bathing his words, as Vivian rose a curious eyebrow.

"Yes, I am. You have made yourself an extremely valuable member of this organization." Continued Archer.

"I have?" questioned Joel, his unease growing with every passing second that Archer's hand remained on his shoulder.

"Of course!" announced Archer, and Vivian wanted to roll her eyes.

Archer was playing with that poor kid, and Joel was taking the bait.

"You are the one who will give us every single detail about the Subjects' powers. Because of you, we will know exactly how to defeat those mutants." Explained Archer, his eyes gleaming with new hope.

"B-bu-but why?" Joel dared to ask, and everyone stopped breathing.

Archer taken aback by the Boy's bravado observed the feeble young man.

Joel feeling Archer's gaze becoming unbearable said a silent prayer, swallowed a gulp then quickly said "I-I-I-I I am so sorry sir. I apologize, I should not question your decisions."

"No, no there's no need to apologize. You're only doing your job. I'll explain." Archer pointed, and he began to look around the room, seeing this as an opportunity.

"These humans, they cannot be trusted. They have powers, which mean soon they will try to make everything go their way, and if anyone disobeys, there will be a price to pay. I know how their minds work son, which is why I need you on board to stop this epidemic before it spreads." Urged Archer, as he noticed Joel's eyes widen with comprehension.

He had him. Archer held eye contact with the young soldier for dramatic effects, and to hide the fact that he was already brewing a new, devious plan in his brain stem.

When Archer was sure he had drawn in enough attention from the people around him, he clasped his hands behind his back and began to look around again, while delivering his rousing devious speech.

"These mutant humans and these creatures, they are our creations. Our formulas. We deserve to have them in our control. We must have them in our control. We cannot let them roam free, or else our lives will be in constant danger. Think of your families, your children." pepped Archer, as he caught the eyes of his workers.

"They need you to be the hero. They need you to protect them from the monsters. If we do not stop them, these mutants will try to control your minds, and pressure you into doing their bidding. And the creatures roaming these halls will soon be roaming your streets, invading your homes, and killing the ones you love. Are you understanding my point?" prompted Archer.

"Yes sir." Replied Joel, and Archer smiled.

Gotcha!

The Head Scientist took a breath and softened his eyes. Some of the women in the room looked upon him with eyebrows furrowed in curiosity and gleaming eyes.

"If you are willing to stand with me, we will embark on a new project, to stop the Subjects before they become too powerful. With Joel's help, we will learn their weaknesses and their strength, then we will trap them, and force them to surrender. This way we will not have to live in fear. Who's with me?" encouraged Archer, and Vivian wanted to yawn and scoff.

Archer was feeding the lab a plate of bullshit, and they were all happily gulping it down. Vivian could tell that they were all already convinced, it was better for them to be at the right hand of the devil versus in his way, or so they believed.

"I am sir!" saluted Joel.

"Anyone else?" questioned Archer coolly.

"Yes sir." Came a few scientists.

"ANYONE ELSE?"

"We are sir!" saluted the lab.

"Then let's get to work." Archer clapped enthusiastically.

"Recruits, I need you to obtain the subjects' families. Joel, go with the doctors and scientists, I will need a full report of the subject's powers within the next hour. Mateo round up your men and bring me those creatures. Do not kill them, work with the scientists find an antidote and bring them to me."

"Yes sir." Saluted Mateo as he sent a look towards Vivian, before being ushered to Melissa's workstation with a few of his other soldiers.

Meanwhile in the forest.

"I say we sleep here." Volunteered Matthew.

"I'm with you on that." Backed Khairo.

"And risk being spotted easily by Warlord's men? No thanks." Argued Jackson.

"Okay, so what do we do?" asked Lauren.

"Let's go into the forest, find a couple of tall trees, rest for the night, and decide what to do tomorrow." Suggested Adina, and it was quiet.

So quiet, the real crickets and every other night critter could be heard around the forest.

"Yeah... no." disagreed Lauren.

"Do you have a better idea?" challenged Adina.

But before Lauren could reply, Khiran spoke up and said "actually, her idea is not so bad. The treetops can cover us from any helicopters patrolling up top, and if we get far enough from the ground, the soldiers who are on foot may not be able to detect us so easily."

"Yeah, but if they have night vision goggles, they will be able to see us from anywhere." Pointed Matthew.

"We'll take turns keeping watch. If we feel anything is amiss, we start moving." Proposed Jackson, and once again, everyone went quiet.

"Okay, so what are we waiting for?" tested Adina, and everyone shook from their thoughts as Matthew stated, "lead the way."

With a smile, Adina began heading in a random direction, though opposite from where they initially came from, with her fellow Subjects alongside her.

Khairo provided light as they ventured further into the thick forest. Valerie's hand squeezed Adina, as the night life around the forest made itself known around the human intruders. Lauren found herself absentmindedly walking closer to Khairo, as Jackson, Khiran and Matthew kept an eye out.

When they felt as though they had walked far enough from the clearing, they began searching for trees that could support their group of seven.

Eventually, after much wasted debating time, they finally agreed on a giant oak tree with long branches that seem strong enough to support their bodies.

Adina used a dry piece of wood, and with Khairo's fire, she made a torch and flew up to where all the major branches fanned out, leaving a clear area between the branches. As she flashed the fire over the area, she noticed various bugs and insects scurry to hide from the light, and she was beginning to rethink her idea of sleeping in a tree. She hated bugs and insects. She especially hated roaches and spiders, and now, she had to make bed with them.

With a shudder, Adina flew back down to the ground, and reported what she saw. She described the area to Jackson, who was able to teleport up there. After he assessed the area and realized that the bare branches were probably a better idea than the moss-covered clearing.

One by one, Jackson teleported each member of their team up the tree, and Adina flew up with Valerie.

"Gross." Muttered Lauren, as she shook the mud from her shoes.

"What? No need for a moss facial today?" taunted Khairo, and Lauren rolled her eyes.

"There has to be a better way to do this." Thought Adina, then she said "okay, Khairo, what if you were to burn the moss away, just enough fire to clear this area so we could all sit comfortably, versus taking our chances on the branches."

"Yeah, I can do that, but you guys have to stand on the branches for a few seconds." Replied Khairo.

With that, Jackson grabbed Valerie, Adina and Lauren stood on one branch, Khiran stood on another, as well as did Matthew.

Khairo also stood on branch, then with arms extended, he began drying out the moss with his power.

Bugs, critters, insects, and everything else that crawled, screeched and chattered as they all scurried down the tree trunk to escape the invading danger. The moss sizzled and wilted, until they were dry, and the last of the bugs crawled away.

Once the smoke cleared, Adina and Lauren were the first to check the area, once the others noticed it was safe, they all made their way down from the branches.

As soon as Adina sat down, Valerie made her way and sat between her legs.

Jackson though keeping his distance took a seat next to Adina. Given the area was a small circle, Khairo sat next to his twin, followed by Matthew who sat between Adina and Khiran, and Lauren sat between Jackson and Khairo.

At first, they were quiet. This would be the first time they were alone, with no lab, no scientists, no guards, and they had nothing to say.

Adina took a deep breath, smelling the fresh air, then she sighed happily closing her eyes.

Jackson smiled at her gesture but said nothing.

Valerie laid her head against Adina's chest, feeling sleepy.

"So, who will be the first to stay up and be our guardian?" asked Khairo, then he and his twin looked at each other then they said in chorus "Not it" followed by similar laughter.

"Yeah I'm out too." Shrugged Matthew, and everyone knew what Lauren was thinking before she even said a word.

"Okay, I guess I can take the first shift." Shrugged Jackson.

"No siree," argued Khairo, "we don't need you alerting your friends back at the lab just for them to ambush us in the morning."

"Khairo, don't be ridiculous. It's too late to start this argument." Pushed Adina.

"Okay, if you don't trust him, why don't you stay up with him?" advised Lauren with a smirk.

Khairo looked over at Lauren and sneered as he said, "I don't think so."

"Because you need your beauty sleep, right? Yeah, I can't argue with you there." Continued Lauren.

"Oooh." Commented his Twin.

"BURN!" stated Matthew as he and Khiran sniggered in the background.

"Whatever." Scoffed Khairo.

Adina rolled her eyes and shook her head as she said "listen, it wouldn't be fair for only one of us to stand guard anyway, I'll stay up with him you guys get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

With silent agreement, the others settled in.

Khairo tucked his hands into his jacket, Khiran crossing his arms over his chest and leaning on a branch which crossed behind his and Matthew's head. Matthew also laid his head against that branch, but he made sure to lean and turn his face away from Khiran, not needing to either breathe in Khiran's face or vice versa. Lauren pulled her legs to her chest, resting her head on her knees.

Eventually, they were all sound asleep, Valerie turning to her side, as she cocooned her hand under Adina's arm.

"She seems to have taken a liking to you." Mentioned Jackson quietly while looking at Adina.

The light of the moon above provided a dim light for them to see in the dak forest.

Adina looked down at Valerie smiling as she said, "she has, hasn't she?"

"I never got the chance to say thank you." Stated Jackson a while later.

Adina turned her neck to Jackson curiously as she replied, "for what?"

"For standing up for me multiple times. Had it not been for you and Matthew, gosh knows if we could've been here now." Explained Jackson.

"Don't mention it." Smiled Adina, then she added "I don't think it's fair that they tag team you all the time. I understand their fear I just won't put all the blame on you."

"Thank you." Nodded Jackson.

"And Thank you." Adina returned with a smile.

"For what?"

"For helping us get out of there. Had it not been for you, we probably would've never left the quadrant." Clarified Adina.

"Don't mention it." Chuckled Jackson.

"So, what's your plan after this?" asked Adina shyly.

"Oh, you mean if the twins don't kill me tomorrow?" teased Jackson.

"Yeah." Giggled Adina.

"I don't know, since being recruited by Warlord, my life has been nonexistent, once we're in the clear, maybe I'll buy a truck and go live on a farm far outside the city or something. I heard that there's something rejuvenating about that lifestyle." Visualized Jackson.

"Right..." doubted Adina, but she couldn't help the smile that rested on her lips, neither could Jackson.

"You don't think I'd survive?" questioned Jackson, feigning shock.

"No, it's not that, I just can't imagine you sitting on a porch on a rocking chair with a cowboy hat, straw in your mouth, and a house on a large land." Spoke Adina.

"Well yeah, you're missing the tractor in the front yard, and the horses and pigs and cows and chickens scattered around my land." Explained Jackson, and Adina laughed.

So, Jackson had jokes.

"Okay missy, since you're criticizing my plans, what are yours?" asked Jackson.

"Well, I'll travel. I've always wanted to do so, and with everything that's happened, I don't think I should put it off any longer you know? So, that's my plan." Nodded Adina.

"Wow." Stated Jackson in mocked marvel.

"You think it's stupid." Laughed Adina.

"Uh I said no such thing." Defended Jackson, raising his hands.

"Yeah, doesn't mean you're not thinking it." Pushed Adina, as she tapped her shoulder to his, and they quietly laughed.

As the two awake subjects chatted into the night, the lab was bustling with activity.

Back at the command center, while Archer was being called left and right by his lab rats who breathed to please him, Vivian found a chance to approach Mateo, not caring for the prying eyes which loved to study her every move.

Vivian approached Mateo, who had an ice pack pressed to his head, as Melissa stepped away.

"I see you got your butt kicked out there general." Greeted Vivian.

"Yeah, not one of my finest moments." Replied Mateo as he smiled, but then winced his headache intensifying.

"For a second I thought you had finally met you match and was taken out the game for good." Stated Vivian, a small smile lingering on her lips.

This would be the first time Mateo witnessed a different emotion on Vivian's face so openly, versus the cold mask that everyone had learned to fear and respect.

"Would you have missed me? Aww I'm flattered." Stated Mateo, placing a hand on his chest, with an adorable frown on his face.

"In your dreams." Chuckled Vivian, surprising a few of the workers who lingered nearby.

It was the first time anyone heard Vivian make a sound which sounded like laughter.

Archer was not pleased. His eyes scrutinized the couple from distance, his teeth grinding.

Mateo noticed his boss' glare, and cleared his throat, his friendly demeanor gone.

"Excuse me Ms. Vivian." He nodded, then stood and went to another section of the Command center.

Vivian sighed quietly, pulling her shoulders back, the mask falling back onto her face. She sharply turned to the nosy workers who whispered of her exchange with Mateo, and with a simple glare, they scurried away to work.

Archer was pleased with her power, but he hated the fact that Mateo was becoming comfortable enough to converse with her.

Vivian knew that Archer was going to be an asshole when it came to her. But she had made it clear since the beginning that if he was to hire her, their relationship would be strictly professional at all times. Archer initially took her words lightly, but when he realized that she was not into his advances, he played the understanding card, but Vivian knew men like Archer.

It was their way or no way.

With nothing else to do besides watching Archer lose control over the Test Subjects who managed to escape him, Vivian logged onto her computer to see what was happening in the outside world, and obviously the Warlord was the main point of interest in the World.

He had managed to fool everyone on earth, except of course those who refused to listen.

Vivian's eyes had eventually glazed over with boredom, when her laptop suddenly chimed with a notification.

It was a message from Mateo.

"You should smile more often, it suits you." It read, and Vivian found a smile crawling to her lips.

Her eyes flashed over to where Mateo sat, and his eyes met hers.

"And how would you know what suits me?" questioned Vivian, a smirk playing on her lips.

"I don't, I just know beauty when I see it." Was Mateo's reply, and Vivian felt her cheeks flush with a warm blush.

"Right, how often do you use that line?" Tested Vivian.

"Once." Typed Mateo.

"Oh yeah? And how did that work out for you?" Teased Vivian.

"Well by the looks of it, she's blushing, so I think it worked pretty well. ;)" Replied Mateo, his eyes falling on hers once more.

Vivian smiled, a sudden flutter dancing up her stomach, she prepped herself to reply, when she noted one of the engineers, Samantha, approach Mateo. Vivian noticed Samantha whisper something in Mateo's ear, while she smiled down at him, then she caressed her hand on his chest and neck as she walked away.

Vivian's smile instantly fell, so did her heart. Well Ouch.

Mateo looked back at her, his eyes guilty, but she didn't give him the time. She logged off her computer just as he was typing something, and she turned her back on him.

To hell with men. Vivian was over them.

 
________________________________________

Hey guys!

Here is the update!

Sooo... couples, couples, couples! Lets talk couples! By far, who do you think would make the cutest couple: Adina and Jackson, Lauren and Khairo, Vivian and Mateo, or Matthew with a female character that has yet to be introduced?

Let me know what you think by VOTING, COMMENTING, and SHARING!

Lots of ❤❤❤

-Tania.