"Do you really need me that much?"
The girl decided to bargain? Yes, you figured it out quickly—but you're no longer in a position to play such games. Back there, next to the corpse of the real Vector, you could have flexed your muscles. Now that moment has passed.
"You?" I let out a short laugh. "No, of course not. I need a scientist and a partner. You just happen to combine both roles—but they can be found separately. For example, I could go with you and wait until only one of you is left. I don't think same Bertha would hesitate to accept my offer. And I could find a scientist among the survivors down there, beneath the city. Or among the Echo-6 squad sent here to deal with you. I'm sure there's at least one 'brainy' guy among them. Oh, you didn't know about them? I did—overheard special forces. (I'm lying. I pulled it straight from memory.) You are dead, you just don't know it yet. I am dead, but I know it and I refuse to accept it. Funny, isn't it?
That's right, girl. You're valuable. Very valuable, in fact—even though I deliberately underestimated your worth. But you're not irreplaceable.
"So what do we do?"
The irritation was replaced by the soldier's clear voice. Good. Another small miscalculation on my part—but that only made things better.
"As soon as Lupo finishes her conversation, we'll get rid of the ballast," I said evenly. "At the same time, we'll eliminate your competitors for the vacant position, so I suggest you don't hesitate. After that, I'll take a look around from above—or rather, we will—and you'll guide me to the nearest descent. I need a proper virus sample—the one you couldn't obtain. And you'll be happy to study it, right? The equipment down there is clearly better. While we're scouting, you'll run preliminary analyses on one magnificent monster."
I paused.
"Still, I'm curious about what they made me into, what it means for me—and whether the process can be reversed."
Heh. Cured…. Since I'd already started lying about that back there, I might as well continue. Though, in truth, I would like to get rid of the thirst for blood and the hunger. And maybe become a little more alive? I don't enjoy being undead—even if I'm not decomposing, still part of my senses are gone. But I don't want to give up my power either. I just can't even imagine how I'd survive as a human—especially among the infected.
"I understand," she said quietly.
Our conversation ended just in time for the final transmission from headquarters.
"Proceed with the task," came the voice on the other end of the line. But there wasn't much authority left in it.
"Yes," Lupo replied.
Yes. With this long delay in communication and the refusal to extract us after completing the job we'd been hired for, our employers had shaken any remaining confidence in a normal outcome.
"So what are we going to do?" Bertha snorted.
"Die," I said before the commander could answer.
My army knife slid neatly between the shoulder blades of the squad medic's suit. Still, my speed was something else.
"Ouch!"
With a sharp burst from her gun, Foue Eyes knocked the weapon out of Lupo's hand just as the commander tried to shoot me.
I told you—her senses would fail her.
Yamata, already primed for action, was half a second faster than the stunned Lupo.
The commander of the now-dead squad tried to use her machete. The attempt ended with her left arm broken—and me acquiring a decent blade.
"What does all this mean?" Lupo demanded. "Why are you with her?"
She wasn't in shock—but the betrayal of her chain dog had clearly caught her off guard.
"It's not me with her," I said, removing Vector's mask and letting my red eyes show. "It's her with me. Your lover is already dead—and has been for about half an hour."
That was the last thing Lupo heard.
Foue Eyes shot her cleanly through the temple, deciding not to waste any more time.
"I understand she's no longer a threat," the girl said calmly, "but we have a lot of work to do. And unlike you, I do get tired, so there's no point in wasting time."
"Accepted," I grunted, pulling the mask back on. After all, I could only use the optical camouflage mode while wearing the full uniform.
***
Interlude
In the room where the Lickers had recently prowled, only a single figure remained, methodically devouring the remnants of the infected.
The young vampire longed to meet her father as soon as possible—but she did not wish to appear weak before him. What if, seeing her weakness, he decided he no longer needed her? A brief delay was more than compensated for by the strength she gained from her feast.
Yet her instincts soon began to urge her onward, whispering that her progenitor would soon require her help.
She could not afford to linger over her meal.
(End of Chapter)
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