Feb 22nd – 04h00

Jonathan stared at Daisy. He knew she was a clone and looked identical to four other women, but she seemed to have a sparkle about her. Leaning against the wall, watching her move around the dim kitchen, preparing herself a sandwich, Jonathan took a moment to appreciate her grace and ability to attract trouble. He wasn't sure she knew he was there. Stifling a sigh, he made to push away from the wall as she looked up. Her smile was immediate and soft.

"Hi," she said softly, "want a sandwich? I'm making one for myself."

"No. Thanks though," Jonathan smiled as she returned to sandwich making, "have you settled in yet?"

"That is a difficult question," she sighed, slicing onion, cheese and carrot. "It feels strange to have never grown up in the conventional sense but to have all the memories and sensations without the emotional baggage."

"Is that what it's like for you?"

"A little," she placed the carrot on top of the cheese and onion; a blush brushed her cheeks as she met his questioning look. "I like the sweet taste and crunch," taking a bite, he watched her eyes flutter closed; her soft moan hitched his breath in his throat. She was simply beautiful.

"Want a bite?" she asked, offering her sandwich to him.

He shook his head.

"You look hungry," she said, taking another bite.

"Not hungry for food," he muttered.

She must have heard him. Her eyes widened over the bread. Slowly she put her sandwich on the plate.

"Jon, I don't even know how to clean my teeth properly," she eased onto a nearby stool, "why would you find me attractive …" her hand fluttered, "that way."

"I know there are five of you," he moved toward her, "but there is something about you. I find fascinating, genuine and beautiful."

"Oh," she swallowed hard, "am I supposed to feel like I do?"

"How is that?"

"All fluttery and warm inside," she said.

"Does it feel good?"

She smiled and nodded.

"Then you're supposed to feel that way," he stopped next to her chair, "Daisy, you're an amazing human with a soft and loving heart."

"How can you tell?" she whispered.

"You care so much about everyone," he slowly picked up her hand, "you are powerful, yet you choose to be gentle. That understanding can only come from the heart."

"Do you talk to all girls like this?"

Jonathon blushed deeply, "I don't usually talk to … um … well …" he cleared his throat, "I don't really ..."

"You don't talk to girls, do you?"

He shook his head, "Not ones like you."

Her soft hand squeezed his gently, "Thank you for seeing who I am."

Quick steps and the brush of fabric popped the bubble they had created. Jonathan took a step away from Daisy and turned to see Trevet walk into the kitchen.

"There you are," he nodded acknowledgement to Daisy, "Craig is looking for you. Time to move out."

Acknowledging with a nod, Jonathan smiled at Daisy, "Enjoy your sandwich."

With a long backward look, he followed Trevet out of the kitchen.

Daisy stared into the open space, absently picking up her sandwich and taking a bite. Since she had arrived, she had hoped Jonathan would talk to her. He seemed to be sensitive, kind and delectably handsome.

"What is wrong with me?" she muttered, shaking her head.

Crouching in the field behind a structure that could be mistaken as a barn, Breanna, David, Craig, and a subdued Clio looked over maps, and information gleaned from the internet.

"That looks like the house we located above the bunker," Breanna muttered, "where did Kyle say the external entrance was?"

"Over there," Craig said, pointing toward the grove of trees and an ordinary-looking log, "apparently, its the log."

"Are we going to open a log now?" Clio asked, raising her eyebrows questioningly.

"If it's the correct log," David said, "then yes."

Clio grinned, "This is getting ridiculous," she shook her head, "every time we go after this woman, there is a log involved. Think about it, a device in a log. A tracking gizmo in a log or an entrance in a log."

Looking at each other, grinning before they laughed at Clio's words.

"It seems you're correct, Clio," David grinned, "but however ironic it seems, we still have to get into that bunker … through the log."

"Maybe she has a fetish about logs," Clio said.

A chuckle rippled through the group.

"Everyone knows what to do?" Breanna said.

"Get in. Set the charges. Get info. Get out. All without being seen or heard," Craig smiled.

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"Then let's go," Breanna said as they broke formation, moving toward the entrance in the log. Breanna had to grin.

Clio was observant about the constant presence in a tree log. Perhaps she was correct about Darcia and a fetish. Maybe it was something else.

In a crouch position, the four reached the log. Craig attached the decoder for the entrance code while the others vigilantly scanned the area for threats.

"We're in," Craig muttered, "be ready for anything. We don't know what is inside. Let's go."

One by one, the small group dropped through the large round external opening.

Silence met them.

Pulling out the map they had printed, moving down the passageway.

"There is no one here," Breanna whispered, "its empty."

"How do you know?" Clio asked, rounding a corner, "it could be a trap set to appear that way."

"Stop moving and listen," Breanna whispered.

Everyone stopped. Silence drummed against their ears.

"There is literally nothing," Craig said.

"Including no electrical hum," David said.

"No one is here," Breanna said. "Keep alert, I don't think we'll find a problem with resistance, but Darcia could have anticipated us coming."

Nodding, they lowered their guns but kept moving. Having gone down two corridors, they discovered private sleeping quarters.

"Holy crap," Clio whispered. "Is this someone quarters or a shrine to you, Bre?"

"Excellent point," Breanna said, turning in a circle staring at the walls, countertops and even the bedding. Everything had her face or name or something about her on it, "this feels … creepy."

"Yeah, it does," David said, "let's get what we can and move to the next room."

Securing a circular scanning device to the room entrance, they moved to the next room. Doing the same. After passing empty exam spaces, labs and other strange-looking rooms, they came to a sizeable open plan area with computers and similar set up to their own conference room.

"That sends my alarm bells into overdrive," Clio said, "we could be looking at our own setup."

"It only tells us the same department set her up," Craig said, "but I agree. We'll need to be very careful."

"David put the devices where we need to and get the information," Breanna said. "There is something about this place that creeps me out."

"Is there anything we can get from here?" Clio asked.

"If there is, get it quickly," Craig said, "we need to leave."

Breanna felt him glance her way. She couldn't help feeling that they were being watched. Something wasn't right about this place. They could be missing something, but she wasn't sure. Her heart rate increased. Her breathing became quicker.

"We need to move quickly," Breanna panted, "don't feel right here."

The world began to swim in front of her eyes. The walls warped as she tried to turn and go back the way they had come. Her eyes refused to focus, and her head felt extremely heavy.

Craig watched as Breanna struggled to stay upright. This was the trap. The whole place was rigged to incapacitate Breanna.

"You two finish setting the charges," Craig spoke urgently, moving toward Breanna as her eyes drifted close, "I'm getting Bre out of here."

Clarity came to Breanna as Craig clamped on her arm, forcing her to move toward the entrance. This was a trap by someone who had anticipated her every move. She had walked right into it, and now it depended on others to get her out before she lost all conscious thought and deliberate action.

"Hurry," Breanna gasped, "fighting the urge to black … out … no ..."

She stumbled after her brother, trying to stay upright, but her legs felt heavy and disobedient.

Craig muttered a curse as her body began to sag. Lifting her bodily across his shoulder, he ran for the entrance. Breanna's tight grip became slack as he raced to get her out. She panted from her position over his shoulder, fast and shallow.

Suddenly there was fresh air and a swimming hazy blue sky. The earth met Breanna's back as she opened her eyes to see Craig crouched next to her. Grabbing under her arms and pulling her toward the cover of the trees and undergrowth on one side. Breanna registered green above her head as the swimming darkness folded around her. The rising, sucking night pulled her under as she heard Craig cock his gun and cover her body with his own firing. Then darkness.

"Are the charges set?" Clio asked, checking the area.

"The explosives are a go when we say other devices are already online," David muttered. "Info is downloading fast."

"We move on your mark," Clio glanced over her shoulder, "I want to get out of this place."

"Makes two of us," David said, tapping Clio's shoulder, "let's move."

The two ran for the entrance and made the open air as shots were heard.

"Breanna," Clio muttered, "over there under the trees."

Loading rounds into their chamber, David and Clio moved toward their position, finding Craig lying over the still form of Breanna.

"We're here," David muttered, "where did the shots come from?"

"Between the trees," Craig pushed himself to a kneeling position, "I think it was meant for me."

"Keep low," Clio said, "we'll cover you."

Finding the gleam of metal through the trees, they took aim.

Craig knelt next to Breanna feeling her neck, "Bre, come on … breathe."

The words seemed to be uttered on a soft breeze brushing against skin, but the sight coming toward them caused the most alarm in both David and Clio.

"David," Clio whispered, indicating the group of men moving toward them.

"Oh crap," David hissed, "there are too many even for you. We need a miracle."

Breanna felt detached yet still connected. She saw the trees through a mist. The sky of brilliant blue. The breeze brought words to her about breathing and David needing a miracle. Looking down at herself, she flexed her hands; they felt … strange yet usable. The crunch of foliage brought her gaze to a group of armed, black-clad people with various small and large firearms. Why wasn't anyone engaging this oncoming group?

Looking around, she saw Craig bending over her begging her to breathe, to live. Clio and David prepared to protect her brother and her body; this felt surreal. Familiar anger rose deep within. Breathing in, she raised her hands to the side before jerking them in front of her. The black-clad group preparing to attack the trio fell like dominoes.

"What the ..." David muttered, "Clio did you...?"

Clio shook her head, looking over his shoulder, "I think Bre did."

David followed Clio's stunned gaze, meeting Breanna's hovering, ghost-like, wavering gaze a few feet from the ground. Slowly Breanna felt her eyes close. The grass rushed up to meet her once again.

Craig sighed in relief as Breanna's chest expanded deeply. Scooping up her body, he ran toward the nearby vehicle. Clio and David close behind.

"We need to get her back to base," he said, laying Breanna on the back seat. Gently handing her into David's arms.

"I've got her," David nodded, cradling her against him, whispering close to her ear, "stay with me."

Craig slid into the driver's seat, turning the key and punching the pedal to the floor as the vehicle sprang forward.

"Blow the charges, Clio," he said.

"How is she?" Clio asked, pressing an obscure button, "I still can't believe she did that much damage."

"It wasn't really her. Something made her separate from her body," Craig said, glancing in the rearview mirror as David checked the vital signs of the unconscious form. "She passed out as I got her to the surface."

A rumble underground could be heard as the vehicle shuddered, the facility was destroyed.

"Darcia set that entire area up as a trap," David said, "one that would work specifically on Breanna," he shook his head, "why?"

"Bre is the only person who can stop Darcia," Clio said. "With someone as unknown in strength and power as Bre, it makes sense that knowledge of what level you're facing is necessary."

"True," David said, "Why?"

"We won't know much until we get the information we need," Craig muttered, "we are five minutes from our location?"

"We need to get there fast," David said.

"Phone Fiona and tell her to meet us at the entrance," Craig said, "I want her to scan any possibility of something being in Bre. Then we'll need to get Hana and Rose working on this."