Finally, after about an hour of running, I reached the required point, leaving the Arklay Mountains far behind. This was the very town I had pulled from Vector's memory—he had studied all the nearby(and not so nearby) settlements around the infection site. Just in case. I tip my hat to him; Alex and Nathan definitely wouldn't have thought of that.
Imagine my surprise when, in terrain hidden by hills—an area I never would have discovered if I hadn't needed to pass through it—I saw a military helicopter and a lone figure standing beside it.
Notably, the figure had no glow.
As for the fact that I had not lost this ability—even after absorbing Nemesis and surviving the shockwave of a nuclear blast—I had already confirmed it on the patrol I devoured. I approached that patrol with the same purpose: to test the ability's effect, and to feed—the hunger was dreadful. Thankfully, I don't actually have to bite—and therefore infect—someone. The blood comes to me on its own.
"You took your time," Yamata said when I approached, pushing herself off the helicopter she had been leaning against.
"I was running," I shrugged.
"I see." She replied just as calmly, not showing a hint of concern. Yeah, good composure. She must have figured out where I'd been—and if she hadn't, the DNA would tell her soon enough. Still, her attitude was correct, as Vector's memories suggested. Besides, it's not entirely clear what we are to each other anyway, so there would've been little point grieving if I hadn't come back.
Especially since I did.
"Where are Carlos and Jill?" I asked, not noticing any glows nearby.
"When we landed, I said goodbye to them. And the helicopter—well, it's my battle trophy now. By the way, I did manage to get my revenge on Zinoviev for setting me up at the mayor's office." Yamata flashed a predatory grin.
"I see. So, ready to receive a sample of my blood?" I hinted, referring to our earlier conversation. This could either strengthen my partner or partially revive her—both options had their advantages. And now that we weren't in immediate danger, we could finally conduct the experiment.
"Yes." Yamata's expression shifted slightly—probably reflexively.
Afraid? Quite possible. Who knows what changes might occur, especially now.
"But first, let's see what's going on with you right now. Stick out your tongue. And I take it you're not planning to lecture me about flying off and leaving you behind?" The girl herself stepped onto the slippery subject as she unlatched her suitcase.
So that's why you've been so quiet. You couldn't gauge my reaction, so you've been tense the whole time. Well, what if the increased aggression scrambled my brain and I decided to settle the score?
"No. I would've done the same thing myself. If there's a chance for one person to survive, why should both die? Especially when the second person also had a decent chance of making it." I snorted.
That line was definitely from Vector—practically quoting the mercenaries' code.
"Excellent. And how long am I supposed to wait?" The girl relaxed immediately and then promptly snapped at me.
I stuck out my tongue because even my claws, which have grown shorter again, can't pierced my skin.
"Like that. Let's see what kind of nasty stuff you've got in your blood."
"So?" I finally asked, unable to endure six minutes of prolonged silence.
"You know, it's actually even better than before. At least in terms of stability. All the genotypes you absorbed are still there, but they're still just drifting around, not really integrating into your genes. I'd even say they're like powder sealed inside a shell that can only be broken open by a powerful virus—something comparable to yours, the Progenitor virus, or the G-virus. By the way, the latter clearly managed to take something from one rather interesting creature. But…" Yamata paused, sounding surprised. "When did you manage to clash with Nemesis again?"
"You won't believe it…"
"Judging by the start of that sentence, I already don't," she cut in, not very politely.
Fine. I'll chalk that up to nerves. This time.
"I rode out the explosion inside him. And ran around a bit while I was at it—first through the base you'd already left, and then through the city. But we can talk about that later. We've got plenty to deal with ahead: renting a place, figuring out what to do with the compromising element—" I glanced at the helicopter, "—and deciding what we're actually going to do next. On top of that, we need to prepare to meet Ada here in a couple of days. Who knows how that might go—or whether it'll even happen?"
"Yeah. Ever since I met you, it's been nothing but trouble for me. I still need to show myself to my parents, at least incognito (for others), or they'll start worrying. And I don't want to upset them either. The news is grim enough as it is. I can just imagine it: Hello, dear Mom and Dad. I've become a little bit of a zombie—but don't worry!"
(End of Chapter)
P@treon: /SadRaven
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