What 'ave I done?

A women was hunched over on the side of her bed. She was visibly distraught. Her head was in her hands, her short hair falling in front of her.

I'm an idiot! All zat Papa had been telling me about being on ze wrong side of judgement, and now I do zis?

Natalie threw herself back on the bed. She stared hopelessly at the ceiling.

"Nat, I think you need to hear this," Wraith had said, coming into the room with Makoa traling behind her, looking serious.

"'ello Wraith," she had said, smiling. "What happened?"

"Look at this," Makoa had said, putting the phone in front of her. It was an audio file.

"Press play," Wraith said. It wasn't a request, but a demand.

Natalie had tapped the play button with her finger, and started listening.

"-as a mind of pure, natural genius. Anything that distracts from her work does a disservice to us all. It is within my power to protect her time and energy for the greater good. So I take the necessary steps."

Natalie was interested. It was definitely Dr. Nox. But who was he talking to? And was he talking about...her?

"She didn't ask for your help."

Natalie's eyes widened, and she glanced at Makoa who was staring at her, gauging her reaction.

"But she asked for yours?"

"Protection is one thing. Manipulation is another. What you're offering is the last thing she needs."

"Interesting, coming from you. A sworn protector of the innocent, competing in a bloodsport."

"This isn't about me. It's about you pulling strings that don't need pullin'."

"I am nothing more than an observer. A man of science - and THAT is what I wish to preserve. Crypto's influence on her had to be stopped, so that she may continue on her path to greatness. A loss of her life would be a loss for science itself."

"No."

It came out as a whisper escaping Natalie's mouth. The picture was being painted in her mind.

"You told Revenant what we were doing, just to keep Crypto away from Wattson?!"

"I told Revenant everything because Loba Andrade was digging into our pasts and unearthing skeletons best kept buried. When I saw the bond forming between Crypto and Ms. Paquette, I took action to cement my innocence and ensure she stays the course. Multiple birds, one stone."

Natalie swallowed. The picture was almost done. It was ugly, but it functioned as the missing piece of a ten thousand piece puzzle.

What had she done..?
"You require confession? Here it is: I did it. I'm the mole. Are you satisfied now?"

"How do you sleep at night?"

"I still wonder how," Makoa quipped, trying to lighten the mood at least a bit. Natalie evidently didn't think much of this attempt and looked down. Wraith came to sit next to her, allowing Natalie to lean on her.

"Soundly, I assure you. She stays focused on her work, and technology continues to progress. I'm sure you can appreciate that. A temporarily broken heart is a small price to pay."

"You're hurting innocent folks."

"Those who contribute less. Who ARE less. You can try to protect them, but in the end, they will fall, and you will be left with nothing."

"We're all worth something - even you, bruddah. I know we're stronger together."

"Do you? Perhaps you should look at the evidence laid before you, rather than ascribe blindly to your own banal fantasies."

There's a small pause.

"They're all gone, Gibraltar. Off on their own separate ways. Alone with no one to protect them. And I hate being the bearer of tragedy, but they don't give a damn about each other. They never will."

"I ain't gonna stop lookin' for the sunshine - no matter what cloud gets in the way. Gibraltar will bring them back. They'll come."

"Faith? Hm. Fascinating."

The audio file ends there.

Natalie was holding back tears.

"We were planning to go show this to Crypto, and then call everyone to the bar and show them," Wraith explained.

"It was good that I arrived in time to record the whole thing," she added.

"Best luck I've ever had with somethin' like this," Makoa said.

"Just so you know," Wraith said, her tone soft. "You don't have to come to the bar meeting."

Natalie it over.

"I' will-," her voice cracked. "I will zink about it

Wraith nodded at me with sympathy in her eyes.

"Take care, Nat," she replied.

"Take care," Makoa echoed.

Natalie sniffled in response. Makoa, hearing this, paused at the doorway.

"We'll take him down, sistah," he reassured. "I promise."

Natalie nodded.

"I appreciate it, Makoa."