Thrive in Catastrophe Chapter 96

After a few minutes they discovered an entry to a channel that led them to the next level of the base. They could do nothing but move forward and enter the pa.s.sage.

"It seems Valentin is herding us! I am starting to think that those clones were sent to direct us." Winn said as he continued through the corridor.

"Don't worry, I will go first. Valentin won't kill me." Jane turned back to the group and flashed a big smile toward Xiao Yan.

His smile was complicated and contradictory, a hidden pain belied his jovial expression.

The front of the pa.s.sage forced them deeper into the base. The only plus side was that Casey's scan did not find any laser weapons affixed to the wall.
Rows of rooms lined the side of the pa.s.sage, leading to a disturbing and tense feel as they walked through the hall. Xiao Yan glanced over at Casey, if any of those rooms contained a research lab, perhaps they could locate a terminal.

Heine grabbed Xiao Yan's shoulder to prevent him from moving forward and then lifted his hand to indicate that the whole group should halt. He gestured to the first room and looked through the the gla.s.s. There was nothing but a small bed inside. A young man sat on the side of the bed and picked up something they couldn't see. He seemed to be screaming something and had a terminal on his head. The terminal line did not seem to attach anywhere, its connection was impossible to determine.

Jane reached Heine's side and watched his expression as he took in the scene in the room.

"Ah. Welcome to Valentin's training room! This is where his clones discover their freedom. When they put on the terminal, it simulates various scenes for them, such as a forest or park, then can even enjoy the love of their father through the terminal. They are conditioned to crave Valentin's attention. Some people will be shocked to learn that they have never truly experience any love or affection from this father they have been conditioned to love so much."

"That means that this child's terminal must be connected to a system."

"In theory."

Jane had barely finished speaking when Heine removed his gun and aimed it toward the lock on the door. He fired the condensing agent and then slammed his blade into the lock, bending and warping the strong metal until the door began to slide open.

"Take care. These children can be deceptively ferocious." Jane unsheathed his blade and a.s.sisted Heine in widening the gap in the door. They worked to together and combined their strength to gain access to the room.

Suddenly the child, who appeared to be picking up an imaginary ball, suddenly turned toward them. His eyes were full of ice and he moved so fast his actions seemed to blur. The boy grabbed a blade hidden by the bed and rushed toward Heine. Jane threw his sword and his blade easily pierced the boy's chest impaling him against the wall.

Jane continued forward and the child still stared at them with his chillingly detached gaze as he tried to pull Jane's blade from his body.

Xiao Yan and Casey rushed toward the door and watched as Jane raised his arm, he swung his blade in a decisive arc. The boys head was cut clean off and his blood splattered against the back wall.

Xiao could not even spare a saddened expression. He is too aware of the danger and atrocities of these seemingly harmless teenagers. They were already an extension of Valentin, their lives seemed far more sad than any of the humans living within the Shire.

"Um...that seems a little too b.l.o.o.d.y." Mark remarked, rubbing his nose.

"I thought you needed the terminal on his head?" Jane dismissed the decapitation entirely.

At Jane's words Mark noticed that the terminal line penetrated his skull to directly connect to the boys brain.

Xiao doesn't spare any tentativeness for what they must due. Both him and Casey removed the terminal line from the boys remaining brain matter. Casey then connects the line to their portable terminal pack. Xiao Yan quickly invaded the system. In an instant his thoughts expand and spread throughout the base. He burrows deep and wide until he locates Jerry's brain.

Xiao removes the terminal and looks over at the group with a somber expression.

"I have located Jerry's brain. The problem is, I am pretty sure that Valentin has stationed an entire army there." Xiao Yan's wireless terminal instantly displays the entire base layout directly to his mind.

When they reach the next level, Xiao senses life signs. He a.n.a.lyzed the data and calculated that there was probably thousands of Valentin clones inside the base. He a.s.sessed their vitals; all signs point to viable clones, meaning they most likely have combat abilities.

He relayed this information to the group and everyone fell into a tense silence.

"The problem isn't fighting his army. I have searched throughout the entire base. Jerry's brain is at the lowest level. If Valentin is there then he will be with Jerry. The only way to get to him is to swim through the nutrient solution transport channel."

"What? Swim through the nutrient broth?" Mark winced. "That is just too disgusting."

"It won't gross you out for too long. The broth cycles at regular intervals. We just need to wait until the beginning of the cycle to enter the pipeline, then it should only take three seconds to reach the bottom. If we don't we will just continue along an endless loop around the base."

" I have no problem with the plan." Winn nodded.

"No problem here." Liv looked over at Mark. "Hey, move quickly, no one can hold you."

Xiao Yan led the group to the end of the channel, where they reached the nutrient reaction device. Xiao raised the regulator to calculate the time. The broth continuously flowed through the line and the roar of the fluid reverberated through the lines.

Jane clasped his lock onto Casey and looks back. "I am sure I can make it to the correct place."

Heine said nothing, he merely connected his rope to Xiao's. Winn and Liv looked at each other and hung their slide ropes around Mark's waist.

"Ah are you guys worried that you will be washed away with the solution. No matter what happens I will hold on to you both."

Winn's face slackens in shock at Mark's words. Liv roughly punches Mark. "Idiot. We are afraid that you will be washed away. It will take both of us to tether you."

"Time to go." XIoa Yan jumped with Heine.

Seeing that the filter was about to push down, the others rush to jump behind them.

If the average person were to fall into such a thick solution they would struggle to even move their arm, and instantly be sapped of strength, but this group is different.

As the pump moves down, a powerful force pushed the fluid and the weight presses them down as though they were being forced into the lower depths of h.e.l.l.

Xiao's arm was smashed by the immense force. He heard the sounds of cracking and saw that Heine hung from one hand along the broken duct. He picked up Xiao Yan and when Xiao was able to reach to the edge, Heine pulled him upward with one hand.

The nutrient solution continued to push downward and Liv and Winn struggled to hold onto Mark, who was nearly washed away. The broth was too slick and Winn struggled to anchor himself by pushing his blade into the floor.

Heine and Jane both grabbed the rope and they were finally able to haul Mark up against the flow of the thick liquid.

Mark coughed strenuously and collapsed on the ground.

Everyone sighed in relief. Suddenly Liv harshly kicked Mark. "Idiot.

Xiao wiped the broth from his face and wearily stood up. He looked at the holographic image and using simulation data to calculate their location. He invaded the wired Valentin clones and determined that they should be in the main control room.

But... where was Valentin?

Just as Xiao Yan was about to connect the terminal, Jane grabbed his shoulder.

"Perhaps Valentin is waiting for you to access this system."

" He doesn't know me. He may not be able to successfully deceive me mentally. Not to mention that his interface is not necessarily faster than mine." Xiao removed Jane's hand and merged with the main system.

"I am going with you." Casey connected as well and they both searched through the base until they found Jerry's signal. Jerry's thoughts immediately flooded through. What are you doing here! Leave now! Valentin is not here. This is all just a trap for Jane.

Suddenly Xiao realized that the node in the main control room was activated. He immediately attempted to close down the channel only to discover that it was a manual lock. Xiao realized that the culture room had been opened and the teenager inside had opened the pa.s.sage up.

Xiao used the connection with the control system to lock down all the pa.s.sages.

"We must evacuate immediately! Someone opened the upper level!"

"I need more time. I have to free Jerry." Casey shouted as he stared desperately at Xiao Yan.

Jane said nothing. He simply took the terminal device from Xiao Yan. "I am coming. Casey does not have the heart to do it."

Immediately a neurotoxin is injected directly into Jerry's brain.

Jerry's brain activity gradually weakens, his thoughts begin to disintegrate as though he were falling into a gentle dream.

"Good night my friend. You deserve the rest." Jane spoke the words softly.

Thanks, good night

Casey grieved with a slackened expression. Jane immediately grabbed him and yelled "Let's go"

Their only option was to go up through the transport pipe, but the nutrient solution had drained and the slick coating on the walls offered no friction. Their could only jam their blades into the walls of the pipe and gruelingly climb upwards in that way.

When they finally reached the top, they noticed that the filter pump was gradually descending.

"s.h.i.t." Mark cursed loudly.

Heine said nothing, he merely pressed an explosive against the pipe wall. Everyone crawled down, away from the blast and when the pipe wall blew out, they crawled out to the next floor.

Xiao barely had time to take a breath when a blade swept overhead. He grabbed his own and swung in the direction of his opponent. Xiao saw a group of teenagers from the training rooms. Their faces were void of expression and they readied their weapons as they moved to descend upon them.

"Holy s.h.i.t. So many... They're endless."

These teenagers by no means are as skilled as the special forces, but their lack of attachment to their own lives laces their attacks with a desperate madness.

There is no emotion in the fight in front of them. Cold metal echoes along the hall and blood sprays through the air. Eventually a pile of bodies litter the ground in front of them.

"I don't want to have to do this a second time. I never want a mission like this again." Mark let out a heavy breath.

Suddenly they heard the faint sound of footsteps drift in from deep in the pa.s.sageway.

Xiao's pupils constricted briefly. He knew that those teenagers sole purpose in life was to prevent them from leaving. Heine rushed forward and picked up Xiao Yan.

They ran madly through the channel and Mark glanced back over his shoulder almost falling to the ground at the sight.

Numerous clones of Jane, dressed in the same combat uniform, are running toward them.

With that many Jane Wallaces, they will have no chance to win!

They reached the end of the channel, only to realize that the door was locked down.

Everyone quickly unsheathed their blades and with their combined efforts, they pried the door open. When they ran up, they finally reached the next level.

"Listen. The entrance door will be closed, we won't be able to open it." Jane shouted to the group.

Xiao connected to the terminal and scanned the base structure, attempting to find a weak spot they could exploit.

"We have to head toward the area where they handle the failed clones.From there, we can blast through to the base's flight path. Then I can access the terminal and open the platform door."

"I hope they have already cleaned those bodies up."

The group ran wildly toward the disposal room. Winn pulled out his condensation gun and took down a killer that was close at their heels. The first row of killers were shot down, but the ones behind did not hesitate to step over their own bodies to catch up to them. Even if one of the killers were stomped to pieces, it didn't slow their pursuit in the slightest.

"They really are a group of monsters." Winn sneered.

Eventually they reached the failed clone waste area, as they entered the light gleamed over the shiny floor. There were no traces of the bodies that formally littered the room.

Everyone removed an explosive and set the time to ten seconds. They threw them to Heine and he quickly tied them together with a rope. He ties the bombs to rivet and attaches it to the top of the intended blast site. Everyone looked toward the directions the killers were coming from and counted down.

"five four three two one!"

A huge explosion rocked the structure and a crack gathered along the wall. Heine threw his blade toward the center of the crack and as soon as it hit, there was a m.u.f.fled sound and then a portion of the wall crumbled- Enough s.p.a.ce for one person to pa.s.s through.

"Xiao Yan! Go!"
Xiao Yan shot out a line and quickly pulled up.

One of the killers throws his blade toward Xiao. Heine throws his at nearly the same time, and knocks the blade off its path.

Xiao Yan climbed onto the next floor and looked down to see that the killers had rushed into the room. Heine was completely surrounded. He moves instinctively, his attacks are increasingly unpredictable and the killers are constantly forced to retreat.

Xiao realizes in that instant that their goal is Jane. None of them attempted to hurt Jane. Instead they all try to seize him and drag him away.

"Liv Climb up!" Heine's cold order pierced the chaos.

Liv stepped onto Marks shoulder and jumped onto the rope.

Xiao Yan tightly gripped his condensation gun. Any killer that attempted to attack Liv, Xiao would shoot down.

After Liv made it up safely, Jane shouted 'Casey. You climb up too!"

In less than three seconds Jane had cut through three of the killers. Xiao lowered his head to see the strong line of Jane's back as he swung his sword, etching death into the air.

"I won't. You go first."

No matter how many killers they took down, more headed toward them.

"I can't finish this and protect you at the same time. Don't you want to see Ervel again?" Jane pushed Casey toward the rope. "Climb up. Protect Xiao Yan. Think about it. They won't kill me. Think about our goal. Think. Think about Clair and Jerry. Don't let their deaths be for nothing."

Jane fierce and impa.s.sioned roar finally spurred Casey on and he abandoned his emotions. He grabbed the rope and jumped up.

"Mark you idiot. Get up the rope. " Winn yelled out.

"I will go last!"

"Stop wasting time. You are the biggest of us. Go now. If you wait too long you won't be able to go up." Winn ferociously slammed against Mark's side. Pushing him toward the rope. "This is an order. Don't forget, I am a major and your are just a lesser."

"s.h.i.t s.h.i.t. " Mark cursed loudly and reluctantly grabbed the rope. "You always use your rank to oppress me."

There are only three of them left in the room. Taking down the killers becomes increasingly difficult.

"Hey Boss, lets go." Win shouted.

"Climb up and protect Xiao Yan. This is an order." The swing of Heine's blade doesn't slow in the lightest. Rather his movements gain speed. HIs tone leaves no room for protest.

Winn grits his teeth and reached for the rope but made no effort to climb it. Suddenly Heine reached out and pressed the b.u.t.ton to retract the rope. Winn was lifted up to the next floor.

Now there is only Heine and Jane left to defend against the whole group of killers. Back to back they fight as they killers close in of them from all sides.

"Heine! Jane! Come up!"

At the same time, Heine and Jane shot their lines up overhead. At that moment a killer jumped up and grabbe onto Jane's leg. A blade flew through the air and cut Jane's rope.

With a low roar, Heine hooks Jane's rope to his struggling to take Jane with him.

More and more killers move in and grab at Jane's legs. Heine's voice grows low, cold and hard.

The rivet above begins to sway and crack, it pulls from its anchor point on the wall.

At the moment when the rivet head fell, Xiao moves to grab it. Mark held his waist as Xiao followed the slide.

Winn and Liv immediately move forward to help Xiao in holding the rivet head.

The sharpest part of the device pierces his skin, cutting into his palm. The blood slides down the rope and intermingles with the fibers.

"Casey! My Gun! The tracking bullets." Xiao gritted his teeth tightly, afraid that the ropes would break.

Casey removed the gun and aimed at several of the killers. The minute their heads blew apart, everyone pulled them up. While Heine's arms were supported

more and more Surge killers were filling the room, they occupied every bit of s.p.a.ce on the floor. In such huge numbers they began stepping on each other, the pile of replicas beneath give them added height and ,like frenzied ants toward honey, they moved in to swarm their goal.

"Up here...Jane..." Xiao's hands clasp Jane's wrist as his legs were pulled down by the killers beneath him. The force was immense.

Xiao clenched his teeth and struggled to hold on to Jane. He bones pulled from his sockets and Heine reached out to stabilize Xiao's wrist and help pull him up. Mark went to grab Xiao's waist.

But the tower of Janes was growing. They watched as more killers stepped on another, until they were holding Jane's waist.

"Last time you were desperate to get away from me...this time you try so hard to keep me. It is really overwhelming."

Jane's lips curved into smile. The expression is heartbreaking, it reminded him of when he first met Jane at the Central Academy of Sciences. He knew that smile well.

The moment drills deep into his chest. The pain swells and tightens his lungs.

Frivolous... as if noting mattered.

"Heine Burton. You taught him combat skills, but not what it takes to fight-- The ultimate law."

Jane is gradually extricating himself from Xiao's grip and he begins to slide down toward the ma.s.s of killers.

"Jane Wallace! What are you doing? You b.a.s.t.a.r.d. What are you going to do? I know that stupid s.h.i.t rule...Never look back. But that is not what I am doing." Xiao realized that he couldn't help Jane, he looks desperately to Heine for help. "We have to get him out of there!"

"Don't look at Heine! Look at me." Jane suddenly swung hard against Xiao's grip wrenching his bones and straining his shoulder. "You have to be decisive and have the courage to let go. This is what you must learn. Casey, you remember what you promised me?"

"You can't change the character of a b.a.s.t.a.r.d." Casey gritted his teeth and squatted next to Xiaos. He began prying Xiao's fingers open with so much determination he was breaking his own as Xiao fought against it.

"Casey! Casey! What are you doing?!"

Xiao Yan cannot believe what Casey is doing.

"Didn't you hear Jerry? Let go. Valentin is not here. Even if they catch Jane they must take him alive to see Valentin. " Casey's eyes were wet, but not a single tear broke free. "If you fall with Jane then everything he has done will be meaningless."

What is the meaning?

Suddenly Jane broke away from his hold and the tower of killers piled up, ready to consume him. He smiled up at Xiao Yan and his lips moved. It appeared he was saying...

Goodbye.

Heine grabbed the back of Xiao's neck to lead him back.

Jane was now completely swallowed by the horde of killers.

Xiao Yan couldn't bring himself to leave. Heine's hands pressed against his cheeks and forced him to meet his eyes and focus.

"Major Xiao Xiao! Tell me, you are now planning to jump after him, or head to the shutdown channel as planned!"

Heine's gaze is like a scorching sun, the heat burns through Xiao's eyes and his nerves almost tear open.

His gaze intensifies further, unleashing a ma.s.sive gravity. Under the weight of Heine's eyes Xiao's thoughts collect and coalesce to form an explosive force.

"Shutdown channel!"

After that Xiao turned around and continued forward.

They had to leave as soon as possible and meet up with the support team. When they take Jane they must use a craft to meet up with Valentin. As long as they can connect to the terminal on the craft then Xiao is perfectly confident that he can track their destination.

Once they made it to the flight path, Xiao invaded the system and accessed the door. A craft was already waiting for them.

The cabin door opened and they heard Lauren shout. "Hey come on."

"Lauren... What are you doing here?!" Winn looked up in shock.

******************Thank you to the people that tipped and donated to my GFM. This is the only way I know to say thank you.  I finally got a computer so I hurried to finish this chapter and get it up. Honestly these last few chapters are a bit difficult so I hope that they make sense. Also, Word is ridiculous now, as far as price goes, so I downloaded a free writing program. I hope that the spell check holds up and it transfers well to wattpad.

Soooooo......Jane!!!! Right? I love him so much.... Any tears for our conflicted second lead?

I am sorry for the wait. I hope to get the next chapter up much quicker. I hope you enjoy!