Chris III:

“Captain Chris Moore, do you understand and accept the risk of this proposal?”

Director Serge knew his answer, everyone there knew his answer. Chris was the first to advocate for this, his mind remained unchanged. Now and always.

“I do.”

Chris stood in the middle of the directors room. Chaplin regarded him, he offered no words but his eyes held that intrigue. Intrigue that hid an undeniable ambition. Chris didn’t like that.

“Then I name Jaene Porter to the custody to you, and Commander John Miller. She will work on serum, and assist our researchers needed.” Serge said, his one good eye reflected the honesty.

Chris nodded, the terms were fair so far.

“Additionally, at the first sign of treachery on her part, she will be handled accordingly.” Chaplin added, the grey haired man met Chris’s gaze. A heat spiked within the room, two fires lit with their own purpose.

Chris didn’t forget that despite his current role, Chaplin was CIA through and through. The way they had followed his team on their mission, their attempt to get to the virus first. Chris was willing to bet a whole lot that Chaplin had sent them.

Chris glanced to Serge. He wondered if the man was aware of his fellow directors escapades. Calling him out would be foolish.

Chris nodded again.

“That’s fine by me.”

It wasn’t.

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Chris had seen the opening to this cell many times. He only opened it once. On the other side was a fantasy, a cozy looking home complete with an illusion of the outside world.

Even with his team beside him, Chris couldn’t escape the sense of dread. On missions he always expected it to go wrong. And right now, surrounded by his close allies, he felt more anxious about opening that door than any of his missions.

John approached from his left.

“You alright?”

“Yeah.” Was his immediate response. It always was. When was the last time he had a cigarette?

He scanned the room. Emma sat on a stack ammo boxes, her face was eager, the glint in her eyes doused his doubts just slightly.

Benjamin was beside her, his gaze told Chris he wanted this as well. A few feet across from him Ada leaned against the wall, a shield of indifference isolated her from the rest of the group. Even with the terms, Chris could tell she didn’t like this. This would undoubtedly create a rift between them.

John still looked worried for his sake. Chris gave him a not so convincing nod, and placed his hand on the scanner. The blue print shined green, and the door opened. He took a step inside, his feet carried him instinctively to where he felt she’d be in this prison.

There she was. On the couch, her eyes were glued to the book in her lap. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, there were dark circles underneath her eyes as if she hadn’t been sleeping.

He wanted to call out to her, but the words were caught in his throat. They’d come up, and go right back down. This was supposed to be a good thing right? He was fulfilling his promise.

‘Not completely.’ His conscious said. Chris pushed the thoughts back down into the abyss.

“Director Serge said he’d be the one to deliver the news.” She said suddenly. Her gaze never left the book.

“He couldn’t make it.” Chris replied, thankful his voice was even. What was happening to him?

She waited a few moments before she spoke again.

“And? What’s the verdict?”

“You’re no longer a prisoner. You’ll stay here, work on your serum and help out in the lab if you want. Until the case is over we can’t let you in the outside world yet.” The words left him robotically, like he was reciting a script. It didn’t feel real.

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To his surprise, she hummed in understanding. No argument in sight. Perhaps she realized the risk of being out there.

“How much trouble did you get in for doing this?” Jaene asked, her attention finally shifted to him. As he suspected, she was exhausted.

Chris shook his head.

“None at all. Not everyone likes it but they’ll have to deal with it. I told you I’d get you out of here.”

A small smile formed on her lips. He felt the urge to return it.

“You did, thank you Captain Moore.”

The urge disappeared at the formality of her words.

“You know you don’t have to call me that right?”

She nodded.

“I know. I just want to.”

Somehow that hurt more than any of the blows he had ever suffered. He didn’t even know if it was her intention.

“Suit yourself. Let’s go.” Chris made his way to the exit, he turned to see her giving one last look to her prison.It was a big step, even if all she had to do was walk forward.

Slowly she did. Emma clapped from her seat, her grin was wide. John gave a polite nod of acknowledgment. Ada did nothing.

Ben surprisingly hooked an arm around Jaene’s shoulder, he too grinned like an idiot.

“Welcome aboard.” Ben said. Jaene clearly didn’t expect such a welcoming, the exhaustion on her face subsided to the smile she let out. Chris hadn’t realized his gaze watched longingly at that.

This was what she looked like truly happy.

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John II:

John waited for everyone else to take their leaves before he approached his fellow commanding officer again. Emma decided to take Jaene on some tour, to get the fellow researcher integrated. Ben followed closely behind, his howls of laughter echoed in the halls. Ada as expected remained silent, her face hidden behind the mask of indifference.

Chris hadn’t moved from his spot, even after they all departed. John took a seat ammo boxes. Chris moved to join him.

“So..she’s out.” John started.

“Yeah.” Chris reached in his pocket, the familiar cigarette box in his hands. John shook his head when the captain offered.

“How do you wanna handle this?” John asked.

“Exactly as discussed. She stays, works on her serum and that’ll be that.” Chris’s unreadable expression made interacting with him the equivalent to speaking to a wall. None of John’s training or experience helped him read the man.

“That simple huh?” John pried.

“It’ll be hard. With all the tension here. That’s why I want you all to help me keep an eye on her.” Chris took a long drag from his cigarette, the smoke left his lips in the exhalation.

John nodded, he expected such a request. It was only natural for some in the base not exactly accepting Jaene’s stay. She’d have to keep a low profile.

“You got it. But what about her? Do you think she’ll be content just working in the lab? After doing all she could to escape the last one she was holed up in? She’ll want to leave eventually.”

John knew better than most that no human being could stay cramped in one space for too long. It was a miracle in itself that she hadn’t gone insane in her confinement.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Right now we just focus on getting her situated, and look into our next plan of action. We can’t sit around much longer. Something’s wrong. I don’t know what, but I can feel it.” Chris put the cigarette out against the wall, the small ember being put out instantly under the pressure.

“What makes you say that? Or I guess..feel it?” John was well aware of his captains..hunches by now. It came with the experience. You could tell if someone was armed. Someone being held hostage. Someone’s motives even. Most of the time at least.

“Ada told me about the reports that came in from Mexico. They’re getting worried. I hear they might even call us in to investigate.” Chris explained, he stood from the ammo box. The wood creaked from the relief of the weight.

“I heard about it too. To me it looks like they’re rerouting their plan. Probably because they’ve lost a valuable asset.”

“Maybe we can ask Jaene. See if she knows anything.” John added.

Chris contemplated that, his furrowed brow the only insight to what was going on in his head.

“I’ll ask later. I have to tell her a few things anyway.”

“Sounds good.”

It seemed the conversation had ended there. They left the area same as their teammates did prior, but their paths eventually diverged.

“Captain.” John called out, halting Chris. The latter turned to his commander expectantly.

“Not that it means much, but I think you did the right thing.” John offered, the air of professionalism broke for a moment. Instead of speaking as his squad-mate, he spoke as a friend.

The tone shift seemed to surprise Chris. His expression changed just slightly for John to notice. He fixed it almost instantly, instead he opted for a curt nod.

“Thanks John.” He said, before he turned back around.

John watched him go, and only one question filled his mind.

“Who are you Chris Moore?”