David reached the top of the stairs, fury coursing through him. He did not appreciate having orders barked at him like a rookie. The sudden need to punch something brought him up short on the top step. He frowned. When did he start wanting to hit things? This type of reaction was not typical. Not normal.

He had lived through raising a sister on his own, a military career that had caused more than a few frustrations, before moving onto covert ops. That part of his career hadn't been a picnic either, and neither had Darcia's lab. Until this moment, he had never had the desire for unprovoked violence.

Dread sliced into him ... until this moment.

Raising his hand, he felt the area of his chest where the necklace had lain, the skin still tender from the almost constant injections. Until now, he had been wearing it. Could he be experiencing supposed side effects from Darcia's experimentation and incessant prodding? Side effects she did not and would not want near her. Side effects she must have been controlling for her own safety."

"Huh"," he crossed his arms over his chest, leaning his back against the wall, "she isn't as invincible as she wanted everyone to think."

Sounds of grunts, groans and various voices filtered to him from below. He listened, a group of ten to fifteen people. The female voice talking to Breanna caught his attention. He knew that mellow, brash tone. The last time he had heard it, it was hurling vocal accusations of betrayal and other things at him. Keeping to the shadows, he moved down the stairs. A cluster of milling people filled the basement area, low voices coming to his sensitive hearing. Training took over as he recognised this for what it was, a sudden extraction of a military unit that had been hit by the enemy. Intrigued, he eased into deep shadows to listen, learn and hopefully strategise.

Breanna handed out water to the new arrivals while directing the uninjured to rest or clean up areas.

"What happened, Clio?" Breanna spoke as she approached a slender, average height woman with spiky black hair, handing her water.

"They came out of nowhere"," Clio sighed, taking the water, opening it and drinking deeply. "Bre, we didn't even know they were inside until Reilly suddenly motioned for us all to stay still and quiet. It was moments later that the gunfire started. None of our alarms went off. We lost three people while trying to get out. We would have lost a lot more if not for Reilly blending us into our surroundings. We barely made it through the escape hatch; when Fiona told us to run, she heard the frequency of an activated bomb. They knew exactly what was going to happen before we could do anything."

"It's okay," Breanna said, easing up to the edgy woman "do you remember how many were there? Did any of the attackers live?"

"I think there were about five … maybe six of them, heavily armed," cocking her head to one side, Clio thought, "don't think any of them went unharmed, as for their status of life or death, couldn't say. No one else but the three newcomers got shot. Some of the others got injured from the blast, but nothing more. All I know is that every one of us was sporting level five abilities by the time we got out onto the beach. The welcome party topside didn't survive. After that, we couldn't risk being above ground, so Oran found a cave to hide in. While discussing requesting an extraction, Cara went … nuts… totally nuclear. She started moving along the back wall, dragging her hand and humming. She stopped, the humming got louder; she reached out to the wall and … pow… the sand and stone exploded. We know this is a new ability that started a week or two ago but not on this level. Never seen something like that. She got us through so quickly to the tunnel leading here. The intense use of her new ability tired Cara to exhaustion. She isn't even conscious at the moment. Oran won't leave her until she is okay, and Hana is anxious about her"."

In unison, they looked over at the group. A crouching raven-haired, muscled man hovered over a slender, fit-looking raven-haired woman sagging against the basement wall, her eyes closed. It wasn't difficult to understand why there was a connection. Identical twins in a pigeon pair were rare. To have the same colouring, features and mannerisms had never been heard of before. The unnerving sight of two halves of a whole made Breanna blink twice. An athletic brunette knelt next to Cara's side, feeling the side of her neck and looking down at the dusty watch on her arm. Hana looked well, a little stressed and worried at the moment but well."

"I hope Cara will be okay," Breanna sighed, "Valencia is here somewhere with medical supplies, food and drinks, and the kitchen is well stocked. There is a makeshift med bay in the dorm area if you need it, Clio."

"Thanks," Clio nodded, swallowing hard, "with everything that has just happened, I just feel so … angry but mostly helpless."

"You did good, Clio," Breanna said, gently resting her hand on her shoulder, "you can only do what you can at the moment. We like to believe we are capable of the impossible, but sometimes we can achieve something resembling okay."

"Words of wisdom," Clio shook her head, a slight tug of a smile on her lips.

"I know you have been through a lot, but can you tell me what the attackers looked like?" Breanna asked.

"Sure," Clio rubbed her grimy forehead, "they were wearing black fatigues, held automatic weapons, their footwear was high tech. Never made a sound, not even a thump or a squeak. Five or six of them were at the house, but the reception crew at the beach was about another ten or eleven. There was the smaller group of four or five we spotted before hiding in the cave."

"There were three groups? What did Darcia think she was going to have to deal with? Anything else?" Breanna prodded, "emblems, headbands, necklaces?"

"Not that I can focus on now," Clio shook her head. "I got the sense Darcia was expecting more than she got. It seemed as if she was expecting ... you."

"Why would she be expecting me?" Breanna frowned, "I wouldn't have gone near the safe house."

"Perhaps she thought whatever she was doing on this end would drive you our way," Clio said quietly, "Is everything okay here?"

"Apart from the bullet hole guy," Breanna said, "not something that would send me to a hideout. These attackers … you sure there was nothing else to link them to Darcia?"

"I'm not sure"," Clio sighed, "I'll try to focus on this a little later."

"Were they wearing black balaclavas over their heads and red armbands?" the soft question came from the deep shadow near the base of the stairs.

Clio swung in a blurring motion toward the voice, raising a gun. Breanna carefully eased between Clio and that voice in the shadow. She didn't need to see the person to know who it was. If he was looking to score points, it wasn't working. Damn him for disobeying an order. The man was so frustrating she had to fight the urge to shoot him herself.

Breanna blinked at the thought, where did that come from? Slamming down on the impulse, she held tight control over herself. Shaking her head to dislodge the random thoughts, she focused on what was happening.

"If you don't want a bullet in the middle of your forehead, I suggest you step forward," Clio's voice came quietly but held a deadly edge.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you did," David stepped out of the shadows into the hazy light.

The scene struck a chord in Breanna. Glancing around, she was reminded of something out of those old detective movies. All they needed was a seedy bar and someone crooning in the corner. Clearly, she was had watched too many films and was beginning to live in one. It could be the opening scenes of her worst nightmare, and she was living it. Closing her eyes, she shut down her thoughts. They needed her now. Present. Inhaling deeply, she opened her eyes slowly.

"You didn't answer the question," David said, never looking away from Clio.

It seemed like he wasn't blinking. The combination was unnerving.

"You can stop with your covert ops techniques and be real for once," Clio ground out, aiming the gun higher. "They wore what you described," she whispered, "how did you know?"

"Clio, meet David, the bullet wound guy," Breanna said, trying not to smile at the incredulous look sent her way. "David is or was one of Darcia's experiments. I haven't decided which yet. I found bugs all over him. Let me know what you find.""

"He is the bug," Clio said menacingly, "everything about him doesn't feel right. Why is he here? How does he know about what was being worn by the attackers?"

"Why don't you find out? If you feel you still need to shoot him… go ahead," Breanna said, walking toward an assembling group. Sensing the two needed time alone.

"We debrief in thirty," she said generally.

General acknowledgement scattered on the air, Breanna stopped next to the twins as Cara's eyes fluttered.

"Is she okay?"

"She will be," Hana said, "she took a lot of strain getting us through that quickly. Never seen anything like it."

"Hana is right?" Breanna said, "we'll look after her." Breanna gently touched Oran's shoulder, noticing the flinch.

"You are safe here. We will make sure of that."

"Thank you," they both murmured.

"If you need somewhere comfortable, use the dormitory," Breanna indicated the room, "Val has put packs in there if you want to freshen up."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Moving through the group, Breanna looked from face to face, all of them scared, cautious, careful. Couldn't blame them. Standing alone, gazing into space, a slim, tall woman seemed very distant near the table. Breanna stopped next to her. No reaction. Moving in front of her, she stared into glazed, unblinking hazel eyes. Still no response.

"Hi," Breanna whispered.

Nothing. Digging through memory logs, Breanna found a name that went with this face, Fiona.

"What's your name?"

"Fiona," the woman blinked rapidly, breathing in deeply, "are we…" she swallowed hard "please...." tears silently slid down her cheeks, unchecked.

"You are safe, Fiona," Breanna whispered, folding the woman in a gentle embrace "come sit with Hana and Cara."

Slipping her arm around Fiona's shaking shoulders, Breanna led her towards Hana, Oran and Cara.

"Sit here"," Breanna eased her to the floor, meeting two watchful gazes "shock, I suspect, can you assist her? I need to lock the basement down."

"No problem, Fiona will be okay with us," Hana smiled.

Breanna moved to a bank of computers. Checking security measures. It looked like they were holding. Typing in the security code, the tunnel door started closing, locking and sealing the house. Breanna glanced over the panel again and waited for the door to finish closing. Valencia stopped next to her while watching the busy space.

"What do we have"?" Valencia asked.

"Cara has exhaustion. She got them through the underground passages in less than twenty minutes," Breanna whispered. "Fiona is in severe shock. I suspect she experienced something the others didn't. Clio and David have met and are not getting on. There may be shooting if he says something she doesn't like. I sense they know each other ... can't put my finger on them," Breanna looked among the group "that is what I have so far. Oh, I saw Reilly in a makeshift med area with what looks like a fast healing or problematic bullet wound."

"Problematic?" Valencia frowned.

"Yep, the problem may be that the bullet could still be inside, and it's healing quickly," Breanna nodded.

"Wow, never mind dealing with the dead," Valencia shook her head. "I'll do my best."

Leaving Valencia to work through the list given and helping out with anything new, Breanna moved toward the kitchen, checking on supplies making notes of anything needed. She noticed Clio was still talking with David. Extending her truth-seeking ability, Breanna waited.

She had been correct, they definitely knew each other, but they were hiding something. There was more to their relationship. Where did they know each other from? Was it with the current situation, or was the tension between them from their past? Her mind felt like a puzzle where the piece didn't fit correctly.

Looking around the basement, Breanna wondered what Darcia wanted with everyone here. If Darcia was targeting this group, Breanna wondered why? Since escaping Darcia's facility, each had developed further in their abilities. Some had developed new skills, or their level on their current skills had extended to new heights. Breanna doubted Darcia knew about these changes.

Breathing in, Breanna exhaled her frustration. Her sister was up to something more than currently discovered. Exploiting the innocent, whether for good or evil, bringing gain to others who didn't care about the damage done to the lives involved, angered Breanna. Exploitation was Darcia's signature on everything she touched.

Breanna used breathing techniques to control her rage while observing each person; a rhythm could be seen as they assisted each other. These people may depend on her for survival. She realised they relied on each other even more; they were a family. Their security had been taken away, their home and belongings lost, there was nothing but each other, and that was all they needed. Each of them would heal and live.

That still left her with questions.

What was to be done now?

Where did the group go from here?

What if this group met the same fate the group Breanna couldn't forget? All due to orders commanded by men who had forgotten what it was to walk into a war. She had accepted the order carried it out with those she led, those who trusted her. Swallowing hard, she batted the throat clogging terror aside.

Hana called, asking for assistance; Breanna moved in her direction without hesitation. There would be time to battle the past demons. Right now, she was needed.

In the middle of the activity, David stood chatting with Clio, answering her seemingly endless questions. Breanna's distrust rippled over his senses. Technically orders had been followed, perhaps not the way given, but at least he wasn't out of the game entirely. One thing drummed into him during training by his Commanding Officer .... in any group, finding the leader and following those orders, within reason, generally meant acceptance. While standing in the shadows, he watched each player. No defined leadership held this group together except the actions of one person, which stood out. Breanna. She had simply taken command of a potentially volatile situation. Her efforts were quick, clean-cut, and decisive. Each person had been attended. No one was forgotten or uncomfortable.

No matter how they viewed him, David was curious about this group. Who were they? He was surprisingly concerned that more help may be needed. It was Clio's voice that had caught his attention, bringing him down against orders.

"Were the men extremely aggressive, or were they just going through the motions?" he asked, taking in the others.

"What?" she stared at him "shooting some of my group is just going through the motions?"

"I'm sorry," he sighed, finally meeting her agonised gaze. "I didn't know there were fatalities, but you know what I mean."

"Yes," Clio frowned, begrudgingly putting away her weapon. "They seemed to be looking for specific people. The rest of the time, it seemed like we were being flushed or perhaps herded."

David stared at her as the choice of words struck a nerve in him. Instantly going cold at the recollection of the exact words uttered when his teammate had gone missing.

The sudden vision of rain falling. Waiting for the return of Stuart's team. Some were injured. One had seen Stuart go down but thought another teammate had retrieved him. Their description was chaos. Shaking his head, bringing himself back to what Clio said.

"Are you okay?" Clio's soft question surprised him.

"Yes," he cleared his throat, "I'm... fine."

She stared at him, gauging his response but saying nothing more.

"What does Breanna do down here?" his question a diversion from her attention.

"Exactly?" Clio edged away, watching him. "You'll have to ask Breanna. Usually, a lot of this," indicating the activity around them, "Breanna is the reason everyone here is alive and sane. She understands who we are. We have a chance in a world that has changed since the last time we saw it. Whatever her story maybe, she is the reason we survived and feel safe."

"She's the external contact," David watched Breanna move around tending needs or simply talking "she seems an incredible person."

"She is. Nothing like her sister," Clio whispered, "are you going to take her in for Darcia?"

"Did Breanna say something?" David's gaze snapped to Clio's.

Clio smiled cunningly" "You just did."

"That's part of my mission directive, but it was never something I was going to act on. In the last twelve hours, I have decided it is not viable," indicating the activities around them "this is more worthwhile than anything Darcia is doing. Besides, the information given was faulty."

"You've been at the tender mercies of Darcia?" Clio asked, "that wasn't just something Bre said?"

"Breanna wasn't lying. I know what it's like in The Madhouse," David sighed "that is a place no one should return to, and I don't think anyone else should be there either."

"None of us wants to go back," Clio said "if we could get rid of Darcia," her words trailed off, "… we wouldn't think twice about it."

"Then why don't you?" David said, "look around. Most of you are military, enhanced and have well-developed abilities."

"What do you want out of it?" Clio asked, narrowing her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest, "what do you get out of that kind of action?"

David knew the truth was required this time. No more stories or scenarios. Clio knew him too well, trusted him less and didn't need much of an excuse to take him down.

"Before I was convinced to join the programme," he shifted uncomfortably, clearing his throat, crossing his arms over his chest, "Tina went missing."

"No," Clio gasped, her hand covering her mouth, "not Tina. What happened? Where is she, David?" his agonised, silent look told Clio all" "No. Please tell me it's not true. Tell me Darcia does not have Tina," his silence continued, tears filling Clio's eyes falling silently. "Darcia has Tina?"

"Yes," David couldn't meet the tearful gaze of his sister's friend, "that was the leverage Darcia used to get me to … volunteer."

"Have you told Breanna?" Clio asked.

"Yes," he nodded, "we are negotiating at the moment."

"Negotiating? What is there to negotiate. I'll talk to her. She has to do something about this," Clio made to move away, but David stepped in front of her.

"No, you won't," he spoke through gritted teeth, "I will deal with this myself, without interference from you. Not this time."

Clio opened her mouth to speak but closed it when David raised his eyebrows, challenging her unspoken response.

"Fine," she muttered, rolling her eyes heavenward, "but if Tina dies because of your egotistical view of the world, I will hurt you."

"You'll have to stand in line"," David winked at her before stepping aside.

Watching Clio move toward a small group. David looked around the secured basement, his gaze clashing with intently watchful green eyes. The red-haired woman Breanna had called Valencia simply stared at him unblinkingly, leaving him feeling exposed and weirdly unnerved. Clearing his throat, David moved toward some men working on something that looked like a wooden stretcher. He introduced himself and offered his help, happy to have an extra pair of hands; the men accepted. Those green eyes continued to bore into his back, and he continued to ignore them.

"Hey," Valencia appeared next to Breanna, who vigorously washed her hands, "did you know they already knew each other?""

"I guessed they may know each other"," Breanna said.

"Did you know they know each other very well," Valencia said, "so well that Clio knows who Tina is."

"What?" Breanna looked at Valencia "are you sure?"

"One of my enhancements is being able to cover that I'm' enhanced," Valencia shrugged "to him, I'm a normal, albeit nosey human. They have nothing to hide when I'm' around them."

"What do you know?" Breanna asked, drying her hands.

"It may have been some time between meetings, but they don't trust each other. The feeling is definitely mutual," Valencia said. "If I were you, I'd be careful who you speak to about anything. Oh yes, they just had a heated discussion about something Clio intended to talk you about, and he stopped her. I saw him mention Tina, and Clio became very upset. She must know his sister well."

"That is interesting," Breanna said quietly, "do you have any feelings about the others?"

"Not directly," Valencia looked at Breanna, "the normal stuff … concern, fear of the unknown, anger, worry, but nothing that stands out as abnormal. Tell me, how much have you told David?"

"Told David?" Breanna was confused at the sudden turn of conversation, "you mean about what we do. Nothing. We have only scratched the surface, and it was all about him," Breanna sighed, "do you think he is the bug as Clio thinks?"

"Can't be sure. There's a lot of emotion flying around at the moment," Valencia sighed, "everyone is scared. Darcia wasn't supposed to have found them. Cannot blame everyone for being nervous and asking questions. The main one is how Darcia found them?"

"Are you sure that was Darcia?" Breanna asked.

"I picked up a mental image," Valencia's eyebrows rose, "Darcia's uniforms, armbands, style and firepower."

"What do we do?" Breanna sighed, "what is she trying to achieve?"

"For now, stick with protocol," Valencia said. "Jesse reports there is no activity at Reilly's house since the explosion. I'll run these two places as alternate safe houses while overseeing any needs of the group and our homes." Valencia indicated their joint homes "Please watch your back until we have answers and options."

Nodding, Breanna went back to the large table in the centre of the room. It was time to debrief. A small group already gathered chatting. Sliding into a seat, she watched Valencia like a switch go back to being human.