Sanctify
Chapter 15 - Old Friends

Jenna drove to the Towers, Hayden sitting passenger, as Noriko sat in the back. She kept watch outside, despite the armored vehicle, and wondered how much the world had changed since her last time outside. She didn’t feel any desire to test her knowledge but knew that, soon, she’d likely happen upon unpleasant circumstances that would need to be handled.

“My Origin’s family has quarters in the Towers we can access. It has been cleared and we will do what we must,” Hayden added, putting away his communicator line.

“Tell me about your Origin’s family. What type of people are they?” Noriko asked calmly.

Hayden scratched his head and replied, “They’re decent folks. A bit too normal and quite settled. They only agreed to allow me entry because having me near puts the Origin-Mother at ease.”

Noriko frowned, turning to look at the back of Hayden’s head. “What happened to your Origin?”

There was a moment of silence before Hayden replied, “He was a casualty of war. He couldn’t survive the separation process. It,” Hayden searched for the right words, “tore him apart.”

Jenna maintained a steady speed while driving. Hayden didn’t say more but Noriko understood well enough. The organization had always explained to her that, she was a casualty of war if she didn’t make it. Her contributions were her Shadows that would serve in her place until the end of their time. If for some reason she were unable to accept the idea or deal with what it meant, she would become a liability, and terminated. Just because she had dormant abilities, it didn’t mean she was necessary once Shadows with active abilities were extracted. Well, for that part of the program, at least, that’s how it worked.

Noriko looked out the tinted windows and sighed. She considered herself lucky, to be in the protection of two very capable Shadows, one of which was her own, the other reminded her of something she couldn’t quite remember. It was tough attempting to access memories that were fresh but had been so long ago.

Jenna entered the parking garage through a secure access gate that Hayden punched in the numbers for. When she parked, Jenna surveyed the area before securing the door. Hayden got out and waited for the signal before he walked for the open door leading into the Towers. He knew security was rarely seen, but always felt, until the person entered the private quarters. It was daunting but affective.

Noriko followed Hayden through the garage. At the door, Hayden stepped aside, allowing Noriko in first. About to step through, Noriko stopped at the door Jenna held open. She looked to her older Shadow and asked, “Where will you go?”

Jenna shrugged, “I’m going to search for a friendly and bring him to the lab. Hopefully, we can maintain contact from the outside, especially once you’re in the Tower’s system.”

Noriko nodded in agreement, “I’m sure we’ll see each other again, soon.”

Jenna half smiled but Noriko had already walked past. She stopped Hayden and glared heavily at him. “I’ll leave my Origin in your charge. If anything happens to her, I will hold you responsible.”

Hayden rolled his eyes, smacking her hand away, “You and Dr. E ought to be connected, the things you guys say.”

Jenna watched them move quickly and quietly before shutting the door and getting into her car. She didn’t like the idea of being so far from Noriko, and could sense the unease in Noriko, as well, but she had no choice. They needed Oren. Going back to the safe house was, probably, the most unsafe thing to do, but Jenna needed somewhere to start.

Michel peeked around to see that he was, indeed, alone in the room. He opened the document and typed in, ’I’ve secured a backdoor that is open for, at most, three minutes.’

Diem’s reply was labored but she put down, ’Enough time for you to contact your friends?’

Michel sighed and looked over the grid. It wasn’t the easiest system to bypass, but it was the only thing he could do to reach out. Before he had a chance to change the settings that kept him in, he heard the shifting of wires and turned to see Rayner rearranging cables in the room.

Diem seemed to notice and put down, ’It might be better for you to try when he is gone. Friends are only out of convenience for Sanctus.’

Michel’s blood ran cold. Although he had figured it out on his own, he hadn’t been ready to hear the old man who came to him as Uncle called that hated name. He knew it was true and Diem only watched out for him, but he couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.

Rayner noticed Michel and hurried over, “You’re still here? What’s he got you doing?” he added, peering over to the computer screen.

Michel shrugged, “Some firewall maintenance. His system is weaker but those are some hackers he’s got, eh?” he added, leaning back, casually, in his seat.

Rayner nodded, “Some disgruntled CIA and other intelligence office’s lackeys looking to make a name for themselves. Not bad if you ask me. I started out here, too,” and then he stopped. Sharing was natural and Rayner had gotten used to seeing Michel as his friend, but that’s where things had to stop. There was no longer the pure and blind trust between them.

From Michel’s expression, Rayner understood that he understood as well. The friendship was over, betrayed the moment Rayner brought Michel in at the request of Sanctus. Rayner nodded once and hurried out of the room, not wanting to dig his own grave deeper.

When Michel returned his attention to the document that resurfaced upon Rayner’s leave, Diem put, ’That couldn’t have been easy.’

Michel smiled, ’As you’ve said, friendship is a convenience to some people.’

Michel was surprised by Diem’s pause and her next comment, ’To others, friendship is the world and the purpose of life. I knew someone like that, once,’ she added. Michel felt the sadness and hurried over to the capsule. The tears that fell from Diane’s eyes were confirmation of Diem’s claims to Michel. And though he couldn’t wipe them away, he simply leaned against the capsule, willing his presence to be comfort enough.

He knew, to Jenna, friendships were confirmations of a life well led. Her existence was proof of that. And he found a gentle swell of emotion when he remembered her. He didn’t like being so far from her, but knew it was necessary for getting back to her side.

Hayden opened the doors and Noriko followed him in. She smiled, feeling a gentle warmth the moment she entered. It was familiar and she had missed it. The feeling of people being home, a family waiting; her through strayed to Naomi Egas. Hayden sighed and walked towards an inner room where the scents and sounds of an older couple dining were heard. Family waiting for them, what an odd feeling it was.

Hayden opened the door and stopped at the door and Noriko stepped up next to him and froze, seeing a 50-something Mavis Toppercani seated with his wife, Shani Toppercani, at the dinner table. The sight of Noriko made Mavis drop his fork. His blue eyes, ever the same, were wide with surprise. With whispered horror and fear, Mavis stood, “Riko, is that you?”

Noriko swallowed and turned to Hayden, “Now I know why you look so familiar.” She forced a smile on her surprised face.

Shani looked from Mavis to Noriko, and then replaced her glass of wine on the table. She stood and asked, “Hayden, will you and your friend be joining us for dinner?”

Hayden shook his head, “No thank you, Origin-Mother. We have some stuff to do,” he added and grabbed Noriko’s hand, dragging her to his quarters, on the further side of the apartment. When he shut the door, he demanded, “How do you know the Origin-Father?”

Noriko swallowed and replied, “I, kinda, dated Mavis Toppercani, in a way, 10 years ago?” She shook her head, “Technically, 50 years ago. And it wasn’t really dating,” she added quickly, seeing Hayden’s horrified expression, “I mean, we were kids and he was just extra sweet on me.”

Hayden opened his mouth to speak and then stopped. He looked at the door and then back at Noriko before he asked, “So, wait – your, somewhat, ex-boyfriend is my Origin-Father?”

Noriko shrugged and walked further into the room, looking at the walls of photos of Hayden’s Origin with his parents, “I guess you can say that. Wow, there are a lot of photos.”

Hayden raised his right hand and demanded, “How far did you guys go?” Noriko turned to Hayden and then he stopped her, “Actually, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. Let’s get down to work,” he added, and hurried over to the computer on the desk by the window.

Noriko smiled, noting the gentle flush that crept down his neck from the face he so carefully hid from her. She didn’t like seeing the conflicted look on the face of her old and dear friend, so she looked around and asked, “Can I get some water?”

Hayden didn’t look over but replied, “Sure.” He didn’t stand and Noriko understood that he got the message.

Noriko slipped from the room and walked down the hallway. She turned the corner and saw Mavis waiting, sitting on a long seat against a wall. He had aged well, from what Noriko could see, and so she walked over and sat down next to him.

When Mavis sighed, Noriko asked, “Have you been well?”

Mavis closed his eyes, “How is it possible that you have barely aged in the past four decades?” He eyes were gentle as he turned slightly to her, unable to stay still.

Noriko sighed and replied, “I’m not sure of all the details myself. I just know that, Evelyn was there when I woke, and your Shadow-Son. I did think he looked familiar,” Noriko added with a sad smile, “he looks a lot like you.”

Mavis nodded, “Most people think he looks more like Shani, but you have to know where to look, I guess.”

“He has your eyes,” Noriko agreed.

“And a bit of my personality,” Mavis nodded. He chuckled to himself and stood, “It’s interesting that we have similar tastes in women.” Noriko looked away, not wanting to dignify that comment with a response. Mavis knew she wouldn’t and added, “So long as you need it, my home is yours. I only ask that you tell me before you leave again.”

Noriko stood and walked down the hall, not willing to answer that request. She knew she couldn’t make any promises she couldn’t keep. Worst was that she knew Hayden stood just around the corner, listening, and down the hall, Shani stood in the shadows, listening. Noriko had no intentions of breaking apart a 40-year marriage nor Hayden from the only family he knew of. For all she knew, she’d only cause everyone grief. She needed to finish her work and leave as much as this future in tact as she could.