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What If? - U.M.R.(FYL) - We Can Make This Work

Coming back at this AU and exploring more Hybrid!Bradford AU and more Chosen!Commander x Hybrid!Bradford. Can say the original premise did a 180 with what I had originally planned.

Also almost 16k words was not planned. The brain just said WRITE.

Obligatory possible spoilers for other fics, but I’m constantly playing with ideas. And there are a lot of ideas I’m throwing around here.

Warnings for blood, violence, death, and some romantic stuff.

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Down in the Resistance Ring, Bradford and crew were finishing up a long meeting with the other leaders. A lot had happened in the last few months for Resistance. A lot had happened to XCOM again. Taking down more ADVENT facilities. Countering a few retaliations of the Chosen. Disrupting the Elders’ plans; especially anything dealing with that AVATAR project which was really making Them squirm. Besides that, XCOM had more people join them. The usual rebels, engineers, and scientists that wanted to provide their aid. They had impressed some aliens with how much the Resistance was thwarting those god-like Elders. And a few more PROXIES joined their side once they were free of their programming. But there was one that was quite different from the others. Rather special compared to the rest. They were Jax-Rai Ri’vi. The Assassin. A Chosen.

“I trust Mox’s judgement and, in turn, trust Jy-Sol’s judgement. And same with yours, Bradford and Asaru.” Betos said earlier during the meeting when Bradford informed all of them that said Chosen wasn’t dead after they assaulted her Stronghold.

That still didn’t sit well with several of the crew, especially the Skirmishers that had personally encountered the Assassin and were some survivors that barely escaped her cleansing campaigns. They wanted her dead for all their sisters and brothers she had killed. But Mox kept them, and some of the XCOM crew, from attacking Jax-Rai as the doctors worked on once she was aboard the Avenger. The man even volunteered to be her bodyguard until they could get her to Raal’Maker’s for proper treatment.

“I’m an example that one’s nature can be changed. I was a Krasad to the Elders. She was too. We all seek freedom from Their grasp.” Bradford repeated what Mox said to him shortly after they got the room they were keeping Jax-Rai in re-secured. Hearing that made Betos let out a hearty laugh and smile. Though part of her was conflicted with how much her people had suffered by Jax-Rai’s hand, the fact that Jy-Sol was able to break through the indoctrination the Elders inflicted on the Chosen gave her hope that Jax-Rai’s nature could change and there was room for some forgiveness.

Then the discussion shifted to the Hunter.

“You’re telling me that the Hunter is — was — our brother in arms, Tomoko?” Volk’s disbelief at the evidence was papable. He didn’t want to believe it, but it just made sense on how Kon-Ris knew how they worked. Their movements, tactics, where they preferred to camp, how they hunted, and so much more. And then explained some of his more ’sane’ mannerisms and why, at times, he talked liked a Reaper. “And then Jy-Sol wants to free him next? Is she out of her mind!? There’s not a sane thought in that thing’s head.” And he truly couldn’t believe that once it was brought up.

“I want to give it a try, Volk.” Elena said, stone-faced as ever. But a sigh slipped from her lips as her head shifted to the side and looked down. “She got through Jax-Rai, I believe she can get through to him. And…” She paused, fingers dug into her biceps. “She’s said she’s done it before. Accidentally in the past. She brought forth that remnant of him, of Tomko when she heard a small voice crying out.”

“Elena…” Volk shook his head. “You can’t let past feelings cloud your—“

“I want to give it a try!” She snapped at him. There were glimmers in her eyes. Tears were forming. “Even if she can bring him back for a second, at least I can say goodbye!” And she never got that chance to the day they lost him to the Elders’ forces invading their camp.

Volk rolled his eyes and held back a sigh. “Fine. But you better put a bullet through his brain the moment he steps out of line.”

“Already made the promise… long ago.”

Then the discussion eventually shifted to the Warlock.

“Even she’s hesitant if she can break through that maddened mind of Dhay-Vol? Heh, I am not surprised.” Geist chuckled at that. It was something that had Jy-Sol stumped for the longest. She never did have to do a great deal of planning to convince Jax-Rai since they were already close and her initial defection shook the Chosen to her core. She had a few ideas for Kon-Ris and was slowly ironing out the details with their Reaper on-call, Bones and his people; the man had been working on a way to bring back Tomko himself and had many ideas to share. But for Dhay-Vol. He had her stumped. The two rarely got along, and even when they did, they still butted heads. Even if she could show him the truth to dismantle the lies of the Elders, his mind would quickly discard everything as blasphemy. One idea popped into her mind for a second, but she quickly discarded it. She would not be getting that questionable Weaver involved. Even if Ea’Njall-Vai’miti struck a deep fear into her brother’s heart and could most likely sever the Elders’ connection to him. She did not want to take the risk. It was just too great.

“He and the Elders have a bond the other Chosen do not share. He was the firstborn, a child plucked away and subjected to untold horrors to infuse him with their essence and embolden his already exceptional psionic powers at such a young age.” And Geist pitied the child Dhay-Vol once was. Robbed of having a ‘normal’ life by the Elders. “I believe severing that connection so suddenly by breaking the Sarcophagus may cause a psionic backlash that will kill him before his wounds do. And then that psionic backlash may erupt outwards and harm your soldiers.”

That was something else Jy-Sol had brought up. She wasn’t sure how to get around that. She knew she wasn’t powerful enough to go up against the entire Collective on Earth to sever that connection; and she knew ALL of Them would act to keep Their connection with her brother. Perhaps bonded to Asaru, she would stand a better chance, but the two were still working on several issues with bonding that probably wouldn’t be corrected until Maker was done preparing another treatment for her.

“But!” Geist dramatically paused, eyes glowing a bright purple as he smiled. “I may have a solution. My acolytes and I found a few ways to break his connection to the Elders over the years. And a few ways to cut off his psionics. The Earth wants what they corrupted and stole from her back.” He clinched his fist. “Give me and my people some time and we can create what is necessary to break Dhay-Vol’s power and connection. It will be a spectacular trap.”

It astonished Bradford with what he was hearing from everyone. Just about all of them were somewhat keen on the idea of having the rest of the Chosen defect to the Resistance’s side. And this was all coming together because XCOM had to kill Jy-Sol. Temporarily, of course. All because those Elders got a hold of her again. To say it was a rough time, and everything leading up to destroying her link to Them, especially for Bradford, was an understatement. And now, just about everyone on the Avenger knew his true feelings for Jy-Sol because of those events.

And he no longer denied it. He had come to terms with it; even more so during her recovery from those events. It would have been a fool’s errand for him to continue to deny his feelings. To continue to put on a facade of somewhat tolerating the Chosen. It was no longer needed. Of course, some thought he was mad and wondered if the hybridization Maker did to him caused a few screws to come loose in the brain of his. It didn’t… To a point. It may have thrown his hormones off for some time — especially that damn libido. But it helped him come to terms with his conflicting feelings that had been plaguing him since Jy-Sol had joined him. And then those little “touch and talk” sessions Jy-Sol proposed helped. After a few weeks, they miserably failed at not kissing or cuddling. They quickly realized the proposed rules were pointless to follow, as Bradford was quickly coming to terms with his feelings. From then, they were semi-dating. His quarters quickly became hers, too. Like it was originally meant to be, it they had found her before she had been converted into a Chosen.

“I’ll make sure to get in touch with Bones so we can… ‘discuss’… how we’ll be dealing with the Hunter. I will have my people send over the latest intel we’ve gathered on the whereabouts of his Stronghold.” Volk said. He was about ready to cut his feed. “And I still can’t believe you look like this now, John.”

A few meetings ago, Bradford had finally revealed his hybridization to the other faction leaders since the Elders knew after They had possessed Jy-Sol about a month ago. No use in keeping it a secret anymore with his new face popping up in the Network. It would have been a matter of time before the others factions found out.

Bradford shook his head and shrugged. A little chuckle slipped out. “I’ve still have some issues, but I’m used to it by now. And I may get my old face back once this War is over.”

“Mhm. Contact you soon.” Volk cut his transmission.

Shortly after Volk left, the other leaders had a few more things to say before they also ending their transmissions.

“Well, that went better than I thought it would.” Bradford mumbled to himself. He knew there would be a lot of planning for the future, but he was looking forward to the challenge. Especially since he knew the loss of the other two Chosen would just get under the Elders’ skins. The more They lost, the more riled They became; it seemed like They became more reckless with striking back against the Resistance, even putting civilians in Their golden cities in danger as They unleashed some of Their more dangerous alien forces.

As the crew wrapped up things in the Resistance Ring, Bradford got up and stretched. A few grunts slipped out as he made that stiff back of his limber once more. They really needed to upgrade the chairs in there.

“Everything about done here?” He asked as he did one last stretch with his hands over his head.

“Nearly done sending the intel to the rest of the ship so each team can get to work, sir.” A worker said.

“Good.”

With his last stretch over, he shook his head, causing that scale-mane to click and clack. He then gathered his stuff off the table.

“I’ve got a few things I need to take off. Corvo, make sure everything gets done right.” He said to him.

“You got it, John.” Corvo nodded. Though the man raised his brow, noticing his friend was oddly giddy to leave. “Going to go visit your girlfriend?” A devious grin took over his face. He noticed there was a particular sway to his friend’s tail. Then that fan portion near the tip was twitching.

Bradford was in the middle of picking up his tablet before his head quickly swiveled to look at him. There was a glare for a second before he rolled his eyes and let out an annoyed snort. “Maybe.” Then a chuckle slipped out. Even with the secret fully out, Corvo still loved picking on his friend.

Once he had everything, Bradford left. And there was a spring in his step. After he finished his other duties, he would be paying Jy-Sol a visit. And he was looking forward to it.

“Wonder how her bonding with Asaru is going?” He mumbled to himself as he finished his last task and made his way to his room. He had something he needed to pick up. “Just hope all the preparations are going well for the next ‘infusion dip’ Maker will put her through.” Since being liberated, Jy-Sol’s time on the field was limited. Her body was still recovering and Maker was making adjustments and replacing the DNA that was irreparably damaged once that Sarcophagus was destroyed.

“If you had more Elder DNA in you, like the other Chosen, things could have been so much worse.” His mind thought of how rough Jax-Rai was doing before they got her to Maker. Just a few hours after they got her stabilized after the Stronghold assault, her body began to rapidly deteriorate. Her skin dried and flaked, all her wounds reopened and profusely bleed. That could have been Jy-Sol. But Maker had Jax-Rai stabilized at this point. Like her sister, he was going to have to make drastic changes to her genetic makeup to purge it of all Elder DNA and other damaged DNA that was rapidly degenerating. She would be getting a new look, just like Jy-Sol.

“So glad that didn’t happen to her.”

Once in his room, he set his things on his desk and opted to take a quick shower. It had been a long day and some hot water would wake up his tired muscles. Once freshened up and he had some new clothes on, he went back to his desk and retrieved a little dark blue box. With a quick flick of his thumb, the lid popped open. Sitting in a bed of red, puffy velvet was a ring. It was a simple gold, dark silver, and black mokume gane bypass-styled ring, the two sides — lined with circle cuts of black opal —, swooping around a dazzling cut of boulder opal. Shimmering blues, greens, and reds were future enhanced by the dark matrix the opal was surrounded by.

“Hope those guys are right on she’ll like this.” He didn’t find this ring on his own. He had a little help from Maker’s workers. Serenos. Odd cephalopod-like beings that hide their bodies behind masks and cloaks. Somehow they picked up he had been thinking about getting a ring and finally asking Jy-Sol the question. He wondered if he had accidentally let it slip out, if he was mumbling his thoughts. Either way, they were more than eager to help make him a ring, as they had known Jy-Sol for a long time. Despite his protests, somehow the eager octopuses convinced him. He told them to keep it simple. He wanted nothing overblown or extravagant. And then he had a clear memory from back in the day when the staff would have time to sit around and chat. Someone was showing a picture of the ring their sister had got fiancé and the diamonds were ridiculously huge. “Hey the world’s ending, and he super loves me, so why no splurge,” was what the sister had said. Jynn shook her head at that. “I’d rather keep it simple if I ever get married. Don’t need a huge rock to prove your love. And I feel like I’d smash a rock that size against everything.” He kept that in mind.

They reassured him they wouldn’t do anything extravagant. Jy-Sol did not like that. They knew that well. They just asked him about some inputs and any details from what the human her liked before her conversion. He gave them what he knew and what he could remember. She was indifferent about the color of metal and style of the ring. He knew she liked opals, sapphires, aquamarines, and topazes — more preferable for the last three to be in the turquoise color range. And… he had nothing else to give besides hammering in to not go overboard. They again reassured him and with his input — and stealing a few chunks of scales from that neck mane, which pissed him off and confused him equally — they went to work to make him the ring.

And they were quick little things. By the next time he visited, which was just a few days later, they had the ring made and it was exquisite. He was speechless. They went on about the different colors representing the both of them and then the mixing and twisting of the metals representing their union. Explained why they stole some neck scales. They had more things to say about the gemstones and other things, but his brain tuned them out. Otherwise, he thanked them and asked them what the payment would be, realizing that never came up in their previous conversation. They said it was free of charge. They enjoyed making things like that and wanted to see Jy-Sol happy. And they made a few mild threats, most being jokes, that he shouldn’t mess up or else they would sick Maker on him for breaking his daughter’s heart.

“Still weird aliens, but they did an amazing job.” He smiled. His eyes lingered on the ring a little long before he closed the box and quickly pocked it. With that with him, he made his way to Jy-Sol’s room.

“I wonder if Kon-Ris and Dhay-Vol will have to have additional modification when we get to freeing them?” His mind drifted back to how Jax-Rai was doing. “Probably since they all have the Elder DNA. And with how much Warlock uses his psionics…” He shook his head. He wondered how much work Maker would have to do with him. If the zealot would even allow Maker to touch him. The future was going to be interesting.

As he closed in on her room, his mind thought back to how all these major changes happened. Just so much happened in such a small span of time.

“That was… hard… watching you die so many times. Watching those Elders puppet you around whenever they could get a hold on you… And then once that Sarcophagus was destroyed, and you were finally free... He showed up.” A slight growl slipped out. “Thought we were going to lose you again.” And that moment scared him the most.

“And to think we’re going to have to do this song and dance with Kon-Ris and Dhay-Vol.” A chuckled escaped his lips as he shook his head. He knew Dhay-Vol would be the biggest headache and destroying his Sarcophagus would probably match how Jy-Sol’s had gone. The Elders would most likely possess him to keep him in Their fold.

“Probably just like how it went for her.” He closed his eyes as he chuckled. But a sigh slipped out as his ears fell. He was remembering the day that kicked everything off. The day the Elders wormed Their little voices back into Jy-Sol’s mind and ensnared her. The day those parasites learned several secrets. It was all so frightening.

As he opened his eyes again, he was just a few halls away from Jy-Sol’s room. He really needed to move her out of the cell block. Move her to their quarters permanently, but she was insistent that she stay down there to keep the peace as there were those in the crew who would probably raise hell if they found out the two were sharing a room.

“Just got to be patient.” He mumbled to himself. As he got closer, he could feel Asaru’s power. Just made all the recent events play in his mind more. He rubbed his knuckles. “Just got to be patient. We can make this work.”

———————————————————————————————————

About a month or so before XCOM executed their attack on the Assassin’s Stronghold, they encountered a problem. The Elders reestablished Their connection with her. And They finally found out how Bradford survive Their little virus ploy to make her bring him and Asaru to Them.

It was just another day and a rather calm week for XCOM. They were stationed at a swamp in Indonesia and were helping a few local havens with medical treatment and supplies. Besides that, they had some scans going on and had a few supply raids they were conducting with the local cells. Everything was going well.

Later that day, Bradford had the Bridge cleared of all non-senior staff. An important meeting was about the take place. Dr. Tygan, Shen, and the others had finished their research on the Blacksite vial and needed the ship’s main computer to finish it. Once all the Senior staff, Jy-Sol, and a few others were there… they finally learned the dark secret that vial contained. As the hologlobe disappeared, portraits… portraits all those missing people they had been searching for appeared in its place. It wasn’t just the ones they had files one, there were countless, millions, more, that appeared as data from the Gene Clinics was cross-references. All of them had been broken down into that green slurry. Carefully selected and down for their genes.

“This is what that project was about.” Jy-Sol was nearly speechless as she watched the various portraits of thousands flash before her eyes. And all had names attached. She told them how the Elders never truly let her know about the project. Her siblings knew more, but for some reason, They kept her out of the loop. But she quickly theorized if she knew the Elders were processing so many humans, even model citizens, would have deeply bothered her. Then it struck her; eyes growing wide as she thought back to why Raal’Maker always had those human shells. Why his Brethren would chastise him for not focusing on the most important task.

“I think… I think the Elders had finally found what They have been searching for… for so long time… in humanity.” It didn’t take long for her to explain what she meant by that. She used Maker and his human shells as an example. The Elders were dying. She knew that for a fact and They could never hide that from her. She could sense it within Them and then knew of Maker’s condition all too well — though his issue had become unique. But humanity would be the key to the Elders’ survival. We had robust bodies and power minds that could handle psionics. They would build new bodies to transfer Their minds into, using human DNA as the base. After great refinement.

That left the room speechless. The Invasion and subjugation of Earth for 20 long years was all because the Elders needed new bodies.

Someone asked if she was serious. Another asked couldn’t the Elders have just asked for from human DNA instead of invading the Earth and wrecking it and humanity.

“They’ve enslaved hundreds of races before They came to Earth and will continue to do so once They are done here.” Jy-Sol harshly glared at them. “They have a god complex. What makes you think They would stop now and ask kindly? They think of and see everyone else as lesser beings. Barely any of Them have redeeming qualities. And I can count the septs of the more rational, the benevolent ones like Maker, on a single hand.”

That shut them up.

As discussions continued, one being another skulljack attempt into the Network to get more information on the Avatar project, Jy-Sol quietly excused herself and made her over the wall. There was a lot going through her mind. So many the Elders had murdered in Their selfish quest to extend Their lives and prepare for a battle yet to come. They were beyond forgiveness.

Just as the meeting was about to wrap up, Jy-Sol let out a sudden cry of pain. As every looked to see what was wrong, they saw her she grabbing at her head and stumbling blindly towards the wall. Her psionics suddenly erupted around her and lashed out at any who came near her.

“Jy-Sol!” Bradford and Asaru exclaimed as he rushed over to her and reached out to help her.

“Stay away from me!” She threw out her hands, which barely made him stop. “Don’t cross my eyes! Don’t let Them see you!”

“Don’t let who?” The two continued to move towards her, but Asaru suddenly stopped him.

“Something’s off with her psionics.” Asaru pulled himself and Bradford away from her as he sensed something terribly wrong. A second later, the ship’s AI went off warning of increasing psionic activity.

“Don’t let Them see… Don’t let Them se—…” Jy-Sol struggled to speak, her body contorting like a broken puppet, as she tried to put distance between her and the others. “Don’t let US SEE WHAT NOW?” Her voice faded as several distorted voices took over. She suddenly stopped. Those blue psionics of hers were swiftly confused by purple. “YOU WAYWARD CHOSEN.”

“Oh, crap!” Garette exclaimed as his eyes flashed purple. He could feel that Chorus growing more and more by the second. “It’s the Elders!”

As he exclaimed that, a bright purple light appeared around Jy-Sol. The silhouette of one, all four arms were out, appeared just behind her as that light dimmed, just as she turned to face the group. Purple energy completely consumed her eyes. She raised a hand and pointed at Bradford and Asaru.

“SO, THE ONE CALLED BRADFORD LIVED AND SAME WITH THE ASCENDED ONE.” The Elders spoke through her. “BUT THE HUMAN HAS BEEN CHANGED.” They noticed his appearance. A Hybrid, but not like the servants They had created to control the Earth. “CONVERTED. BY WHOM? THESE HUMANS CANNOT MATCH OUR PROWESS TO SAVE HIM FROM THAT VIRUS. BY WHOM DID YOU TAKE HIM TO YOU WAYWARD CHOSEN? WHICH ONE OF US HELPED YOU.”

Bradford quickly gave orders to for the staff to quickly gather all nearby personnel onto the ship and to warn the others at the Haven they made be stranded for a bit. He then told Shen to boost the ship’s psi shielding and get them in the air as soon as possible. And for someone to get the gold helm of Jy-Sol’s. She had been wearing it less as the Elders lost Their grip on her over the months. But she needed it now more than ever. He just had a feeling the Elders were scouring Jy-Sol’s brain. He just hoped some of those locks on her mind would hold for all crucial information for XCOM and the Resistance. Everyone quickly got to work and away from the potential psionic battle that was about to happen.

“Garette, we’re going to need you.” Asaru looked at him.

“I’ll see what I can do.” Garette said, though his voice wavered. There was a hint of fear in his eyes as his throat trembled. He flexed his fingers, causing several psionic strings to appear between them.

“John we need to—“

“I know.” Bradford cut off Asaru, but nodded to him. The Ethereal quickly slipped back into him as the man raised his hand as he let their psionics flow out. “RELEASE HER!” They exclaimed, voices entwined.

They let out a hiss of pain as Bradford and Asaru connected to her. “INSOLENT CREATURES.” But as quickly as they struck, the Elders struck back. A beam of purple energy fire out from Jy-Sol’s hand towards them.

“Argh!” Bradford was expecting the lash back, but this… this was something else. It was like They were channeling everything They could muster to break through her barriers and grab a hold of her and They still had power to spare. Even Jy-Sol’s psionics didn’t feel like this when she was ticked. He quickly brought forth his other hand and Asaru brought all his arms and they pushed back. Garette worked his strings to reinforce Bradford's and Asaru’s power.

A sickening growl come from the Elders and reverberated through the room as the three fought back against Them. The room was flooded with blue and purple as their beams were equally matched.

“YOU WILL BE OURS!” They would not have that. They Elder raised its arms, causing Jy-Sol to raise her other arms. “SUBMIT!” Three more beams fired forth.

Purple slowly took over the room.

“SUBMIT AND WE WILL SHOW MERCY TO YOUR MEASLY RESISTANCE AND THEIR DEATHS SHALL BE SWIFT.” The Elder forced Jy-Sol to march forward. “CONTINUE THIS FUTILE FIGHT AND WE WELL SHOW NO M—“ Their voices sputtered as Jy-Sol froze. Her eyes blinked quickly. One returned to normal as she wore a pained face. “Nn—NO!” For a moment, Jy-Sol regained control, stopping the flow of power to two of her hands.

“NO!” The Elders cried out.

“LET HER GO!” Just as the Elders tried to reassert Themselves, Bradford and Asaru unleashed more of their power. Their energy beams quickly overpowered and consumed Jy-Sol’s. She and the Elders let out a sickening cry as the energy struck and threw them all back. Jy-Sol slammed against the wall and flopped to the floor. The Elder’s form dissipated, but purple energies still swirling around her.

“Quickly! Before they reform, we need to purge them from her!” Asaru yelled in Bradfrod’s mind.

With little hesitation, Bradford quickly rushed over to her. Once there, he and Asaru placed their hands on her head. All of Bradford’s eyes light up a bright blue as their psionics poured out like flames. “LEAVE HER BE!”

Blue waves of energy quickly coiled down their arms and wrapped around Jy-Sol’s head. Her face and body contorted as grunts of pain slipped out.

Suddenly, her head jerked towards them as her eyes flew opened. Completely purple. “NO!” The Elders snarled, causing her to bare those shark-like teeth. They made Jy-Sol grab him.

Bradford snarled right back, bearing his own set of sharp teeth. “BEGONE!” He and Asaru tightened their grip.

Throwing caution to the wind, they let more of their power flow out, causing it to wrap around Jy-Sol’s entire body. She and the Elders howled in pain. They howled and howled, cursing them that they were making a mistake until not a trace of Their voices was left and it was just Jy-Sol crying in pain. Crying in pain until she suddenly went silent as her eyes rolled into the back of her head.

“She’s stopped breathing!” Asaru gasped. He forced their powers to stop. “And her heart’s slowing!”

“Jynn!” Not something Bradford was expecting. Temporary frying her brain? Yes. Stopping her breathing and same with her heart? No. Quickly, he scooped her up into his arms and before he knew it, Garette had teleported them down into the Infirmary.

“SHE NEEDS HELP!” Bradford exclaimed as he set her down on one of the advanced gurneys. The doctors quickly got to work and started asking questions. He did his best to explain everything that had just happened.

As the doctors worked to get her breathing again and stabilized, Bradford stayed, but kept his distance. One, just to be there if the Elders returned and needed to be purged again. Two, to be there for the woman he loved so deeply. He was sure of that now.

Garette left for a moment and quickly returned with that golden helm, intercepting the original courier. He quickly placed it on Jy-Sol’s face. Hopefully, that would give them some extra security.

Feeling the familiar shudder of the ship taking off, a mild sigh of relief slipped from Bradford’s lips. But he knew that didn’t guarantee safety. He quickly sent out a mental order to all Bridge staff to return to their posts and start scanning for any UFOs that could be in the area and for them to warn everyone onboard to be prepared if they were shot out of the sky. The Communications staff had to warn the Havens to be prepared for any retaliations. He had a feeling the Elders would be in a rather vindictive mood after They had been forced out of Jy-Sol. Finally, he had someone send a message to Maker. A warning to let him know his secret may have been out. He just hoped the Elder truly knew what he was doing and could face his Brethren. Just facing Them through Jy-Sol was harrowing.

Eventually, Bradford had to leave the Infirmary to fly the ship as he got a report a UFO was inbound and then a few priority messages were coming in. Garette told him he would watch Jy-Sol and call for him if the Elders returned. Once Bradford got to the controls, he was able to lose the UFO and find a spot for the Avenger to hide out for a while. Then he had those calls to answer. ADVENT activity was ramping up in the area they just left. He had Communications staff call in a few favors from the various Resistance Factions to help out all Havens that would be in ADVENT’s crosshairs and get their people they had to leave behind back to them safely. The rest of the evening and night was going to be a busy one for everyone.

It wasn’t until the next day that Jy-Sol finally came to. She looked horrible. That blueish purple skin of hers had taken on an ashen appearance. There were prominent purple veins running up and down her arms, and then her skin looked more wrinkled, especially around her face. Like her brother, Dhay-Vol.

As soon as Bradford heard Jy-Sol was awake, he was down there in a heartbeat. He didn’t care that this could have made some of the crew suspicious. He was just worried sick about her.

“Jynn…” He muttered under his breath as soon as he entered the Infirmary. His shoulders and ears dropped and that tail of his froze. Seeing her condition made his heart hurt. He approached her and gently touched her arm. She barely acknowledged him with a slight glance. “How are you doing?”

She didn’t respond.

“Jynn? Jy-Sol?” He gently gripped her arm. Asaru emerged from behind him. His tendrils touched her and quickly went to work. Her mind was fine, if not shaken. But something about her body was off. Something he couldn’t quite figure out. That concerned him.

“Take me to Maker…” She finally said something. She closed her eyes and sighed. “… I believe it’s finally time.”

“Time for what?” Both asked.

“Just take me to Maker.”

They tried to pry for more answers, but she stayed silent.

“I’ll stay, you go contact Maker.” Asaru said to him. He gently placed a hand on Jy-Sol’s shoulder and with another, he grasp one of her hands.

“Just… Just contact me if anything happens.” Bradford was hesitant to leave, but he knew Jy-Sol would continue to stay tight-lipped until they were at Maker’s.

He headed back up to the Bridge and sent a message to Maker; he filled him on Jy-Sol’s current condition. It took a few hours for the Elder to reply and a few more for him to give them the okay to teleport to his favorite mountain. He was having ‘fun’ dealing with his Brethren. After double checking everyone and everything was onboard the Avenger, they teleported to the mountain base. Returning to the Infirmary, Bradford picked up Jy-Sol and they and Asaru left the ship. Maker was at the bottom of the ramp, ready to great them. Though the Elder had a smile on his deteriorating face, what was left of his nose wrinkled as it quickly turned to fury as he laid his eyes on Jy-Sol.

“If I suddenly stop talking or there’s increased growling and hissing in my voice, I’m dealing with Them.” He gave them a warning and that hushed voice he spoke with had a subtle growl to it that was never there before. Bradford wondered if he was having a mental fight with the Others or a fight with one of his shell bodies. But that really didn’t matter at the moment. Jy-Sol’s health did.

Maker lead them to one of his treatment labs and had him place her in one of those infusion tanks. Once she was settled, Maker got to work scanning her to see what damage was done. He beckoned Asaru over to help monitor her psionic levels.

“Maker,” Bradford paused as an annoyed, but worried, sigh slipped out, “she hasn’t spoken a word since—“

“Maker…” Jy-Sol finally spoke. Hesitantly, she turned to look at him. Her eyes met his for a moment before she looked away and down. “I believe it’s time we finally severed my connections to the Elders.”

“Hm.” Maker gave a pensive, despondent nod. “Yes, it is, my child.”

“Time for what?” Bradford and Asaru asked.

“Its—“

Maker raised a hand to silence her. “I’ll explain, Jy-Sol.” He looked at Asaru and then at Bradford. “What we speak of is severing her connection with the Collective. Freeing her from Their grasp.”

He continued to explain the source of the Chosen’s immortality. Deep within their Strongholds held their Sarcophaguses. Pylons that channeled the Earth’s psionic energy combined with Their own. That energy not only empowered the inhuman beings but also allowed for the Chosen to survive even the most fatal of wounds. On the verge of death, they would be recalled back to their Strongholds, back to those pylons of power to regenerate. And in little time, it would make the Chosen whole once more. Like they had never suffered damage.

“So the Chosen, in a way, live between life and death. Deeply intertwined by the powers of my Brethren.” Maker shook his head. “But breaking that Sarcophagus would free them from Their influence.”

“That explains… everything.” Asaru commented. Quite intrigued by the secret being shared. “Especially the times Dhay-Vol would regenerate on the battlefield… with consequences.” He mumbled the last part. “Really, that must be an immense amount of power for the regeneration to be that rapid. But there has to be drawbacks to have such psionic power repair the body after each ‘death’.” He just kept thinking of those times Dhay-Vol would regenerate, he would enter a frenzied state which was quite something as the Chosen was already mad.

“There are. Kon-Ris’ split-mind madness. Dhay-Vol’s psychosis. It’s only a matter of time before my Brethren’s insanity inflicts a curse onto Jax-Rai.”

Bradford opened his mouth to speak, raising his hand, but something deep within made him stop. He ran his hand through his fingers as he turned around. His brows twitched and his tail flicked around anxiously. A minute later, he turned around and looked at Jy-Sol and then Maker. “Why are you just telling us this now!?” There was a hint of irritation in his voice.

There had been a way for them to free Jy-Sol of the Elders’ influence? And they could have done it ages ago? That would have truly secured her trust with XCOM and the Resistance ages ago if this information was shared.

“Because there are risks!” Maker growled. But it wasn’t directed at him. “To free her is not so simple, I must state. To free her, you must—“

“Kill me.” Jy-Sol said in a monotone voice. “Repeatedly.”

Bradford’s eyes widened. “What?” He looked at her. “What did you just say?”

“Our Sarcophaguses are protected by the very psionic energy that courses through it. Too even have a hope of damaging it, you must kill us.” She hugged herself, body and voice trembling as she told him. “Once we are recalled to heal, it focuses a majority of that psionic energy with in the pylon, leaving it vulnerable. A design flaw. One the Elders believed They would never have to correct as no one would find Their children’s great secret.”

Bradford looked at Maker. Was it true? The Elder nodded. “What the hell…” He raised his hand to his mouth. “What… what happens once that Sarcophagus is destroyed?” He looked at Maker. “Besides severing their connection to the Elders?”

“The Chosen will lose most of their abilities connected to their psionics. And they will become mortal.”

“And their wounds?”

“None are healed. What they sustain will leave lasting wounds.”

His throat trembled once he heard that. He glanced over at Jy-Sol. She had her head turned away from him. So this had to be the reason why they never mentioned this. To free her could very well die once that Sarcophagus was broken.

“Is ther—“

“I have plans. I’ve been planning for this for a very long time. There is no other way.” Maker turned his attention back to Jy-Sol. “First, I will prepare her body for all the damage she will sustain that day to prepare her for the negative psionic feedback would happen once that Sarcophagus was destroyed. Reinforce her body and mind, for I know my Brethren will not take kindly to what will be done. They will try to ensnare her and force her back in line, as she is the brains behind how ADVENT works. But once all is said and done, she will be free. But…” He paused, shaking his head. “But… what comes next is the true test.”

“She’ll be near death.” Asaru said.

“And you’ll have to fix the damage.” Bradford added his guess. Maker nodded at the two.

Maker projected his thoughts, showing images of Jy-Sol’s genetic makeup. “Her body will start to break down. There will be degeneration to her DNA. Especially all traces of the Elder DNA residing in her. As I repair her wounds, I will have to replace it all with something more stable and compatible.”

“Hm…” Bradford let out a throaty grumble as he looked at the Elder’s thoughts.

“I see we will have to get her back to you as soon as we free her.” Asaru noted.

“Yes. With great haste.”

Bradford rubbed his face. So much to take in. So much at risk. To risk. He glanced over at Jy-Sol again. She was still looking away,

“Jy-Sol…” He softly said as he went over to her and kneeled down. Raising a hand to her head, he moved a few misplace strands away from her face. She flinched under his touch, slightly pulling away from him. “Jy-Sol… Jynn…” It hurt him to see that. “I’m… I’m not angry at you. With… everything being explained. I understand.”

She was still silent. That made him sigh.

Partially hampering Maker’s work, he pulled her into a hug, tightly wrapping his arms around her. He planted a kiss on her head. “I’m not angry.

At first there was silence, but soon there were sniffles. He could feel her fidget in his arms before he felt her press her head into his chest. He stroked her back and gently hushed her.

“I… I thought of telling you long ago, a few months after I joined. But your hostility concerned me. You heavily doubted who I was. Would have been too eager to rid yourself and the world of an undying nuisance.” She sent a thought to him. “And then… when you started to believe and those feelings of yours… and then everything that has happened up to now… I was afraid of how you would react. You’ve already lost me once. Twice with what the Elders did to me.”

His eyes tightly closed hearing what she said. He probably would have done that long ago. He hated her and refused to believe she was once the Commander he knew. It had to have been a twisted trick of the Elders. She had to be a clone. But no, she was her. Broken and twisted to serve Their will. “I’m… I’m willing to take the risk if you’ll be free of Them. And Maker seems to work miracles.” He chuckled, thinking of how Maker saved him.

“R-r-really?”

“We’ll have to discuss all the details, but… I’m willing to risk it to see you free of Them. We can make this work.”

After consoling Jy-Sol for a little longer, he let her go so Maker could begin treating her. While her treatments were going on, he head back to the Avenger and let the crew know what was going on and what they would be doing soon. Several thought he was crazy. Some asked if it was worth it. The Elders would probably have her Stronghold crawling with forces to intercept any attempts to free her.

“Because she’s my friend, dammit! We are saving her from Them!”

The risk was worth it to him. Even if they somehow failed, they could use the information for when they had to take on the other Chosen once they found the locations of those Strongholds. Some found this sudden determination to help Jy-Sol to be odd. Didn’t he want this Chosen dead several months, if not a year ago and even more so since he was hybridized? He told them he was mostly over that, having worked through the denial of not wanting to believe Jy-Sol was his old friend and the Commander. And he knew he would have to live with his modifications for the rest of his life and couldn’t let a sour attitude affect how he lead XCOM forever. A few didn’t buy it, there had to be something more. And then a few knew why, but kept that to themselves, but spoke with him in private to make sure his head was in the right place. He truthfully told them no. But he would bite the bullet for that day and deal with the consequences later. If his true feelings slipped out, they slipped out.

When they met with Maker again, he provided them with the location, layout of Jy-Sol’s Stronghold, and the location of the teleporter within that would take them to the Ascension Chamber that held the Sarcophagus. He strongly warned them not to teleport to her Stronghold. The Elders would monitor for that. And he warned against any PROXY being placed on the mission. If his Brethren ensnared Jy-Sol, and They would, They could use her to get them in a matter of seconds. After that warning, he also gave them details of all the forces still stationed at her Stronghold.

“I don’t think you’ll have to worry about resistance from them once Jy-Sol works her magic. Their chips are similar to the ones that work under me. My own design that gives them a little more ‘free thought’ and just needs the right nudge to fully disable their connection to the Network and my Brethren’s voices.” That was one less headache for XCOM to deal with, and maybe they could get some help for the mission. “But for all that will surely be called into the Ascension Chamber when you begin the assault, they will not be of Jy-Sol’s forces.” And there was the catch.

Once Jy-Sol’s treatment was done and every part of the plan was finalized, including raiding the place once they were done, they left Maker’s lab and made their way to the Stronghold. On the journey, Jy-Sol kept to herself, staying in her room. To prepare herself for what would happen soon. And then to avoid Bradford. The man didn’t like that, but he gave her space. Asaru was able to occasionally check on her. She seemed to tolerate his presence more than anyone else.

Then the day came. They were in the region. The squad, mostly XCOM operatives but they were bringing along Skirmishers and Templars, was ready, waiting at the Skyranger. But Jy-Sol wasn’t there. There was some irritation, but Bradford got everyone to shut up. He and Asaru would go get her.

“Hey.” Bradford announced himself as he gently tapped on her door before opening it. There she was, sitting in the middle of her room, meditation. She was in her full armor and made sure to have that golden helm on. He quietly entered, making sure the door closed behind him, before he headed over to her. Asaru split from him once they were close.

Asaru reached out to her. “Jy-Sol.”

“I’m… I’m okay.” She hesitated to answer. Her eyes fluttered open and looked at the both of them. “I’m just… making sure Maker’s work is still holding.”

“Everything is fine. As it has been since he finished his work.” Asaru said. His tendrils gently touched her. Nothing had changed. But he could sense fear deep within her.

“Hey.” Bradford softly said as he kneeled down to meet her eyes. He raised a hand to her face and soon caressed it. She closed her eyes and sighed. He leaned over and kissed her, letting it linger for over a minute before he pulled back. “I won’t say everything will be fine,” he just knew once the ball was rolling all hell would break loose, “but I have a feeling this will go in our favor.” He put on a smile.

She sighed again, but forced a smile onto her sullen face. “I hope that feeling is right, John.”

The two kissed again. It took Asaru reminding them the squad was waiting for her for the kiss to come to an end.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

They said their goodbyes, perhaps their last goodbyes, before heading their separate ways.

Once Jy-Sol joined the squad, they boarded the Skyranger and were on their way to her Stronghold.

Arrival to the Stronghold went well. There was no trouble from the guards station at the shipyard as the Skyranger dropped them. The ADVENT guards seemed more surprised to see Jy-Sol was there and barely paid attention to her XCOM cohorts.

“Shouldn’t they be attacking us?” Hotwire voiced his concerned at how confused the guards looked.

“As we were coming in, I reconnected to the Network here. I’m currently scrambling all connections to the Elders and freeing their minds.” Jy-Sol said. Her eyes were glowing blue. She led the way in. “They won’t bother us.”

“Ain’t that gonna tip off the Elders?” Harley didn’t like that. They needed those Elders not knowing they were here yet.

“Doesn’t matter. They’ll eventually know I’m here once we reach the Ascension Chamber.”

“Don’t ask questions. Just follow her.” Bradford popped into the comms.

“Quickly now.” She picked up her pace.

In little time, she lead them to the teleports, freeing the minds of many in her Stronghold. She gave orders to one of her Captains to send a few squads about eight minutes after they use the teleporter. Once there and everyone was on the platform, she activated and took them deeper into her sanctuary. To where she would frequently commune with the Elders when she was Their brainwashed slave.

A few seconds later, they were there. And they could feel it. Just chills running down their spines and tingles in their brains. Whispers and chatters. There was a heavy psionic presence flowing through the room. The massive room. Black and gray walls and massive pillars reaching high to the elevated ceiling and it was all decorated with golden curved filigree.

“The energy in this place is… colossal.” Titan, one of their Templars, said.

“Them Elders sure like their gold!” Harley shouted, voice echoing in the massive room, as they took note of the gold.

“Jy-Sol.” Bradford came back onto the comms as he noticed something in the distance. “Is that it?”

“That’s it.” She started making her way to the ‘end’ of the room.

At the end of the room, on its own gilded platform, was the Sarcophagus. It was massive. A golden, rectangular plinth that was floating several feet above the platform. Purple energies flowed through it and around it.

The squad, and those on the Bridge, gawked at the sight as they closed in on it. Jy-Sol had them stop back by the barriers as she continued to and up the platform.

She eyed the pylon, eyes squinting as her nose wrinkled. Her prison.

“So, how is this supposed to work again?” Raven asked as she doubled checked her shard gun.

“I believe we’re supposed to kill her. Had a whole bunch of meetings on that.” Falcon said, voice laced with sarcasm, as he pointed his shard gun at Jy-Sol. Raven just glared. “No offense, Jy, but I’m going to enjoy this after you nearly bisected me when we first met. Still have to best your dog in a 1on1 fight for the scars on the face.” Jy-Sol chuckled hearing that. Something to expect from at least 5 of the 8 soldiers selected for this mission. She needed that lingering anger and hatred, so she knew they would do the dirty deed.

“We start… Like this.” Jy-Sol said with an eerily calm voice.

She turned to face them, whipping out two of her daggers. The next second, she plunged them deep into her chest. That threw everyone off and even made Hotwire shout out of shock. Bradford winced as he watched. He swallowed hard. He knew he could endure it. This was going to happen several times, no matter what.

She grunted, holding back any cries of pain as she twisted the blades, jerking them around, before bringing them out letting orange and red blood gush out.

“Attack… once… I… go.” As she dropped to her knees, a pillar of psionic energy surrounded her. The next second, she was gone.

There was a harsh hiss as the psionic energy around the Sarcophagus suddenly dissipated.

“You heard her!” Bradford barked, noticing they were still stunned by Jy-Sol ‘killing’ herself. “Shot the thing!”

That bark made them snap too, and they got to work. They only got a few volleys off before that psionic energy suddenly returned and deflected their attacks. Then that hissing pillar of energy crashed down in front of it. Jy-Sol was back, like she had never stabbed herself. But something was off. There was a prominent glow in her eyes. A purple glow. And then where were hands, boney hands, around her shoulders and head.

“Here we go.” Bradford bit his tongue.

“INSOLENT CREATURES. YOU DARE TO— NO!“ The Elders had her for a moment before she came back. But she was struggling. Her eyes switched back and forth between purple and blue. “DoN’t heee-esitate to… sHOOT… ME!” She struggled to keep control. “SILENCE! YOU WAYWARD CHILD. YOU WILL BE PUNISHED FOR YOUR TREACHERY. PUNISHED ONCE THESE MISCREANTS ARE DEALTH WITH.”

Several psionic pings rang around the room. They had company.

“Everyone, get to work and don’t hold back!” Bradford yelled. The slightest bit of hesitation and this endeavor would be a failure.

The squad quickly retreated into cover. Half of them focused on the ADVENT soldiers the Elders had called in while the others focused on the possessed Jy-Sol. Neither were an easy fight. Though Jy-Sol was putting up a tremendous fight to keep herself from cleaving the operatives in half, loading them with bullets, or striking at them with her psionics, the Elders were tapping into her aura that allowed her and nearby ADVENT allies to become “in sync” and work as a cohesive group. Flanking and strategic grenades became a fun and irritating game for the operatives. At least one of the few saving graces was that everyone was required to wear a mind shield. If they didn’t have those, the fight would have been over the second the Elders got control of her.

As the battle raged on and they had barely scratched Jy-Sol, more psionic pings rang out. >“As Jy-Sol commanded! Provide XCOM support!<“ Back up had finally arrived for them. The tides turned. With their help, they were able to eliminate the ADVENT forces and focused fire on Jy-Sol.

The Chosen and the Elders cried out before a pillar of energy consumed her. The pylon was vulnerable again.

The song and dance repeated. The Elders threats increased as They called in more and more of Their forces. Bringing out some of Their most dangerous creatures each time Jy-Sol was killed. And in turn, more back up came for XCOM and held off ADVENT so the operatives could focus on their task.

Bradford was doing his best to keep his cool, to keep a level head for everyone as he gave out orders when needed. And Asaru was helping calm his nerves, but the Ethereal was also worried with how relentless the Elders were being. They did not want to let her go. Loosing her would set back ADVENT and so many of Their other plans. But They wouldn’t have her.

“Just one more time! I see the cracks in that thing! It’s ready to break!” Bradford shouted. His tail whacked the ground hard. He was ready for it to be all over.

“AAAAAARGH!”

The twisted union of Jy-Sol and the Elders rang out a sickening cry as a point blank volley of shrapnel to the chest put her down. She disappeared into a pillar of energy again and the pylon was down.

They focused fire on it.

A loud ping reverberated through the room as a massive crack ran down the Sarcophagus. Then more appeared and spread out like a broken web. Several more pings rang out as the psionic energy swirled around wildly until…

CRACK! PING! BANG!

Psionic energy erupted through the cracks and shattered the pylon. The erratic energies that still flowed barely held together the pieces.

A pillar of energy crashed down in front of it once more. Jy-Sol had returned. She stumbled forward, quickly stabbing her glaive in the ground to give herself some support. But her hands slipped from the blood-soaked grip and she fell to the ground. A profuse amount of blood dripped from her. Her wounds were no longer healings.

“Finally.” Jy-Sol said, letting out an exhausted breath. It was just her voice. As she raised her head to look at them, that purple glow was gone. Her eyes were just… blue.

“Finally…” Bradford muttered. His fingers, white knuckles, were still tightly gripping the console. He knew things weren’t fully over yet.

“Don’t… don’t approach yet.” Jy-Sol warned them, raising a hand.

Just as she said that. A few more psionic pings and crackles went off as the pylon shattered further. A mass of energy swirled around it, sucking in several shards until it suddenly erupted, sending out several waves of psionic energy. The remains of the pylon were found out. Several pieces crashing into the walls and floors, destroying the delicate architecture.

Barely any psionic energy remained where the pylon once was. It was all slowly fading away in the room.

“Brr… hate how that feels.” Raven shivered as some psionic energy washed over them.

“At least we go the shields on or else we would be hurting right now.” Hotwire laughed as he went over to her and playfully poked her head.

“Man, that was rough.” Harley sat down and caught their breath.

“I… I can hear it.” Jy-Sol suddenly spoke. Her eyes were glowing blue, and so were the ones on her neck. But the shade didn’t look right. “I can hear it.” She repeated again, reaching out for something. “See it. It’s beautiful. The Abyss calling to the ocean.”

“Central, we have a problem.” Jowd said. The Templar could sense another presence entering the place. And smell of salt permeated the air.

“I think what Nav was worried about is happening.” Titan said as he and another Templar started moving towards Jy-Sol with haste.

“Bradford!” Asaru said.

“I know.” He could see it with his own eyes. “One of you guys GET HER TO MAKER’S NOW!”

“We’re already on it!” Titan said.

A teleport here and there and the two Templars were by Jy-Sol’s side. They quickly laid hands on her as they let their psionics loose. The energies swirled around and engulfed them. A second later, they were gone.

“Damn… I hope Maker can deal with him.” Bradford hoped that Weaver wouldn’t sink its hands into Jy-Sol too deeply. She was just freed from one set of Masters and didn’t need to be enslaved to another.

“Navla’s there, remember? She should be fine.” Asaru said, trying to reassure him. But deep down, he too was worried.

A few minutes later, the Bridge received a message from Maker’s.

>Jy-Sol received. Transferring to infirmary as this message is being sent. Navla and her fellow Templars are keeping the Weaver at bay. Maker will send further updates once Jy-Sol is stabilized and in the tank.

A slight sigh of relief slipped from Bradford and Asaru. But they knew it would be hours before they would receive another message from Maker’s.

For now…

“Okay people,” Bradford turned his attention back to the screens, “you all don’t have a lot of time to lot the place so get back to the main Stronghold and get to work!” He turn turned his attention over some workers. “Orion! Pixil! Decker! Let the local Skirmishers know they are clear to come in and help with the cleanup.”

With the assistance of Jy-Sol’s forces, the XCOM operatives made their way back to the main Stronghold and got to work looting the place. They made sure to get all the non-combatant personnel out of the via the Skyranger and the Skirmishers once they arrived. In a few hours, they had a majority of the place cleared out and were gone before the dropships arrive. A majority of the freed ADVENT forces went with the Skirmishers, but a few came back with XCOM.

Once everyone was back, they didn’t immediately head to Maker’s. They already had to deal with a retaliation from one of the Chosen. The Elders were having the Warlock lash out for them in territory Jy-Sol once control. So they headed over to that region to deal with him.

The fight with the zealot was grueling, but they killed him, and knock him down several pegs as a Templar delivered the killing blow. They helped evacuate the civilians to another Haven and helped up their detection and security.

Bradford barely noticed the hours pass by, which turned into a day, as he made himself busy to keep his mind off of how Jy-Sol was doing. Which was made easier by the Elders having ADVENT crack down on various regions besides having the Chosen be nuisances whenever they regenerated. XCOM was busy.

“Central! Got a message from Maker’s!” A worker yelled to him. That made his ears twitch and heart skip a bath.

“Send it over!”

It was a message from Maker and not one of his workers.

>Sorry for the delay. My Brethren haven’t been too thrilled about your victory the other day. Let’s just say, my ties to Them are more or less severed. Just making sure those that I have persuaded to join me are not found out. Now, Jy-Sol. It took some time to stabilize her. Ea’Njall presence still lingers, but the Templars are keeping most of him at bay. She is the infusion tank now. It will be a few weeks before she will be ready. You are free to visit at anytime.

“Hm…” His throat rumbled, and the scales shivered as he read the message. Positives and negatives. The biggest thing being that Weaver that just wouldn’t leave her be. He sent a message back, glad to hear things were going okay, minus the unwanted visitor. He also told him to keep him updated if anything else happened. Right now, he didn’t want to visit her. He knew he would be a mess the second he got near her. He kept his cool watching her die repeatedly, but in bothered him deeply. Even more so when she came back that last time, once the Sarcophagus was shattered. Her armor in tattered and wounds all around. Especially that gapping wound in her chest. He wondered how much Maker had to repair.

XCOM continued to bounce around the globe for the next few weeks to deal with the Elders’ tantrum and to avoid any UFOs hunting them. Asaru tried to convince Bradford to pay Jy-Sol a visit, but the man shot him down. He needed to work. He needed the distraction. The second they stepped foot in Maker’s mountain base, the second they stepped foot into that infirmary of a lab, he knew his emotions would get the best of him. He rather wait until Maker told them Jy-Sol was done than preemptively go. He just knew if they went too soon, he wouldn’t want to leave her side. The Resistance needed him right now. He knew Jy-Sol would understand that.

————

Another message was received from Maker.

>Infusion process has completed. Jy-Sol is out of the tank, but she has a long road to recovery. She will not be at her same strength and has lost access to some of her psionic abilities. It will take her sometime to regain them as she reclaims her powers. Also, Ea’Njall presence still lingers, but has lessened greatly. But she has new marks….

Finally, time to pay a visit to that mountain base.

Bradford was in the loading bay, tail swaying back and forth, as he impatiently tapped his foot. He knew the ship was almost to its destination before they could teleport to the base, but it was taking far too long. He ignored Asaru telling him to be patience. The Ethereal was eager to see her too, but was trying to make sure the man kept his emotions in check.

He did his best to try and stay calm, but a few rough snorts would slip out, which would grab the attention of the workers. And in turn would lead to him giving them death glares. Shen did her best to keep her people busy so less glares would be aimed their way.

Closing his eyes, he crossed his arms. Fingers were tapping away just as fast as his foot. Suddenly, his eyes opened up as he felt a jolt of electricity shoot through him and a familiar ping rang through the ship. And then the ship settled. “Finally!” They were there.

As soon as the ramp opened and began to lower, Bradford was moving. He didn’t even wait for the ramp to touch the ground and just lept off of it and made his way deeper into Maker’s base. With the amount of times they had visited the place, he knew the way to the infirmary Jy-Sol was most likely at. He speed past guard patrols and workers, nearly crashing into them several times, as he made his way through the base.

His ears twitched when he heard that familiar hushed voice of Maker’s. His heart raced when he heard Jy-Sol’s. Almost there.

Another corner and he was just outside the room. Maker was talking to one of his Fragmenta friends, Hera’tius, near the entrance and on the other side of the room was Jy-Sol. In a medical gown and hair down. He couldn’t quite tell how she was doing as her back to him and then there were several workers pouring over her and taking notes on her health.

“Ah!” Maker’s face lit up. He clasped his hands. “I see someone is quite eager to get here. Didn’t even wait for an escort.”

“Maker.” Bradford let out a slight growl as he entered the room. That only made Maker chuckle. Bradford glanced at him for just a moment before he looked back over at Jy-Sol.

“Greetings, Maker.” Asaru said as he split from Bradford. “Hera’tius.” He nodded at the Fragmenta.

“Asaru.” Maker warmly smiled at him.

“Ect’esltial Asaru.” Hera’tius nodded their head towards him.

“How’s Jy-Sol doing?” Asaru asked as he looked over towards her.

“So far, quite well.” Maker gestured for them to follow him and he lead them over to a few screens. He showed them her health logs and details from the infusion. “All the new DNA has been integrated into her genetic structure and is holding well. I have a few more tests to run and possibly a few more treatments before she is ‘free’ to roam around with you all once more. But, again, she has a long road to recovery.” He explained. “Also, Asaru, when you bond to her again, you shall find that strange resistance you felt will no longer be there. All the Elder DNA has been purged from her system. And the DNA I selected should be compatible with your species.”

“He made sure to ask for some advice on that.” Herat’tius let out a chuckle full of metallic twangs.

“That is good to hear.” Asaru nodded at as he took in all the information. “Ah!” Asaru slammed his fist into his open palm. “I wonder with that gone if we can finally access those memories that continue to remain distant.” He couldn’t wait to test that out. If so, then he could finally establish a proper bond with Jy-Sol.

The two continued to discuss things, going into detail about the DNA he used to repair Jy-Sol. Restored some of her human DNA. Increased the Ackarak DNA. And any gaps that were left were filled with Weaver DNA intertwined with one species they had benevolently touched.

Bradford was barely listening to them go at length about how all the DNA was manipulated and how they would all work together. He was looking at Jy-Sol. Though her back was still to him, he could tell something was different about her. And smell it. He noticed something twitch around her head, causing a few strands of her hair to sway. “Wait…” His eyes narrowed as the twitching continued. Then something swayed out further before quickly snapping back. “She has ear ears now? Still not human… they look kinda like mine.” He muttered as he rubbed his chin, thinking of what he just glimpsed. Just how much of Maker’s work had changed her?

“Can I go… talk to her?” He turned back to the group, looking at Maker.

“I don’t see why not.” Maker chuckled, as the starlight in his black eyes twinkled. He gestured for him to go. “You are her life mate. She had chosen you to be.”

Bradford was about to say something until he heard that. His brow twitched. He raised a finger towards Maker. “Never say that, again.” That just made Maker smile more. A sly one at that.

Bradford bit his tongue, as he knew he would say something stupid, and made his way over to Jy-Sol. He couldn’t lie to himself. He knew he was anxious. As he approached, his heart was racing, and he was barely keeping his breathing in check. Even more so, as he noticed a few more changed features as he came closer. Those neck scales fully covered her neck now. The exposed skin he could see had some two-toned fur he had going on, but looked as is some of her human skin tone was coming back. So far he hadn’t noticed a tail, but wouldn’t be surprised it if was just hidden under the sheets.

As he came around that bed, and a. Few of the workers moved aside, he stopped in his tracks. A hushed gasp came from him as his eye trembled. She looked so different. Still recognizable, but she had a face just like him. All of that Akarak DNA was fully expressed.

“J-Jynn?” He asked, almost in a hushed tone as he slowly approached her. He noticed her eyes were closed, almost as if she was sleeping.

“Hm?” Her eyes slowly fluttered open. “Oh!” Though new ears flipped up and then down, she put on a tired smile. “I didn’t even know you were here. All my senses are shot.” And even more tired and hushed laugh slipped out. She looked exhausted.

“How…” He paused as he reached her. He raised a hand to touch her face, examine her new features. “How… how are you feeling?”

“Like one of my usual spats with Dhay-Vol plus being blown up by one of Errol’s elerium-juiced grenades and some Reaper claymores, times a hundred.” That got a chuckled out of him.

“So…” His voice trailed off as his fingers and eyes explored her face. No more of those chitinous growths on her cheeks. She had a set of eyes there, like him. Nearly all the wrinkles were gone. She was looking much healthier than her siblings. And he could see some nodules on her forehead. Looks like she would be getting a set of horns later. He wondered how Maker would modify that helm of hers. “How are you feeling after… everything?” His eyes glanced down at one of her arms. He noticed some scars. Scars that had never been there. He didn’t want to image what her chest looked like.

“Hm…” She closed her eyes. “Relieved. Like a massive weight has been lifted.” She opened her eyes, and there was a hopeful glimmer to them. “I barely feel the Elders’ touch on me. Barely hear them.” She softly laughed. “And from what I can hear, they are angry.” That made him chuckle. He could only imagine how much They were seething.

“So,” Bradford finally removed his hands from her face, but then gestured to her entire body, “how are you going to adjust to this?” He had a feeling she would have a better time than him.

“Like Maker said, he was going to have to replace all of my damaged DNA, purging the last bits of the Elder DNA, with something more compatible. And there still a few more treatments to go as I recover.” She was more than happy to get rid of all traces Elder DNA from her system. “And,” she paused, twiddling her hair between her fingers, “I asked him to enhance the Akarak DNA first. I… I just wanted to match you.”

He raised his brows hearing that. Really? He wanted to ask her that and so much more, but a smart part of his mind sealed his mouth shut. Instead, a silly smile crept across his face. His tail swayed at an increased pace as he leaned down and pressed his head against hers. It didn’t take long for the two to kiss.

They were so engrossed by the kissing, they barely heard the growing voices from outside the infirmary. Nor did they hear Asaru sending them a warning to their minds.

“What the— WHAT THE FUCK, BRADFORD!?” Royce’s British voice boomed through the room and halls.

Seemed that some of the important crew members had finally arrived. Looked like their secret was out.

———————————————————————————————————

“Hmph.” A chuckle slipped from Bradford’s lips as the memories ended. “Pretty sure Royce thought some mind control was going on and wanted to slug me right in the face then and there to break it.” His worries that he would throw some reason to the wind once at Maker’s was correct, but he didn’t think that’s when his secret would be found out. “Should have been patient, like Asaru told me. Guess they got worried I was going to do something stupid with how fast I rushed off the ship.”

Word quickly got around. There was a lot of explaining he had to do. Just exactly how long had he been kissing the Chosen? He sheepishly admitted sometime after his hybridization, the two had started dating. That had some livid and questioned his sanity. But most of the crew, especially those that knew, got over it rather quickly. Jy-Sol was one of them now. Had been for a long time. Especially after everything she had done to prove her loyalty, to reclaim her past, and then what she had just gone through. She was finally free of the Elders and could be herself once more.

Finally, at Jy-Sol’s room, he keyed in the passcode and entered once the door slide open.

There she was. Sitting in the middle of the room meditating with Asaru floating just behind her. Since her newfound freedom and changes, the Ethereal found bonding to her to be less troublesome; allowing him to help her dig deeper into her lost and broken memories to retrieve and repair them. There still were some issues with their bond, but he felt like that would correct itself once she had fully recovered. But he still had some questions for Maker.

Bradford felt his body bristle with excitement as he set his eyes on her. His fingers tapped his back pocket. The box was there. He then made sure the door closed behind him and stayed locked.

“Hm?” Hearing the clicks of the locks, Jy-Sol peeked through one eye. Bradford was still standing by the door. And that tail of this was twitching. She closed the eye. “To what do I owe you for this visit, John?” There was an obvious teasing tone to her voice.

The smile on his face turned to a little smirk as he began his approach. “Oh, you know.” He replied in roughly the same tone.

Once he reached her, he sat down next to her, said her real name (as she was preferring that more and more), and leaned over and kissed her. She returned the kiss.

“How’s the session going?” He asked the both of them.

“Good, if a bit tiresome and depressing.” She leaned onto him. He raised a hand and stroked her face.

“Bad memories?” He asked. And she nodded.

“We have recently discovered she actually has more memories of her capture and experimentation.” Asaru explained. “Jynn was much more lucid during them than initially thought. Otherwise, progress on reestablishing our bond properly is going well.”

“Ah.” Not something he wanted to hear, but it was all part of the progress. At least part of it was going well.

“And we have some questions for Maker later.” Jy-Sol said.

“When does that ever stop?” He shook his head and laughed. So did they. It seemed like they always had new questions for the Elder.

Hearing Jy-Sol grunt, followed by her shifting, he noticed her hand going up to her chest. She was rubbing the center of her chest. Her human-toned brown skin was riddled with scars there. Scars from the last shrapnel-ridden blast that brought her freedom. Ever since then, she had been wearing open and loose tops. She hated anything that could rub against the area.

“Hm.” His throat trembled. He felt so sorry for her. She had so many new scars because of the day, and that had to be the worst one. And, somehow, Ea’Njall’s palm mark was unaffected. Three parts were was just as pristine as the day it was bestowed onto her. It was in its inert state, which was a golden white. And to think she had new marks. “How is this feeling?” His hand went and joined hers. Feeling the thickened and rough skin. Some areas had softened.

“The pain still lingers. It’s numb most days.” She slightly sighed.

“How about the other scars?”

“Roughly the same, but a lot better than this one.”

“Hm.” That was good. He hoped they would all stop bothering her soon.

The two didn’t need to continue talking. They didn’t need words. Touch was enough. With her hands guiding his, he explored more of her new scars and those marks he hadn’t fully seen yet. She guided his hand across her chest, down to her right hip. His fingers traced a white sliced that arced out like branching lighting in some places. Scars received from the Templars psionic weapons and abilities; they nailed her a good few times. It looked more faded than the last time he glimpsed it. Which had to be a good sign, showing she was healing. Without her guidance, his hand drifted down to her lower stomach and found another scar. The affected skin was raised, but the area was small, about as long as his thumb. The culprit was another blade. Her own shifting blade. During the fight, just as the Elders were about to cause her to strike an operative, she regained control at the last minute and plunged the blade into her guts.

Her hand joined his a second later and gently squeezed it. She had a faint feeling why he went there. Children. A silly idea they entertained sometime after they had started dating. Little what if here and there, especially if they found her before her conversion. Now.. who knew if that was even possible for the both of them; especially for her. So much tampering done to her system by the Elders; it was practically standard for Them to control of the population and birth rates of a majority of the races They subjugated. Even with the ones that had Their favor, reproduction was highly regulated. Everything had to be just so. It was… depressing. They inflicted Their madness on so many.

“I believe I should be able to fix that issue for the both of you. For you, Bradford, it will be little work having you original template to make corrections. Jy-Sol’s will be more work, but I strongly believe once I’m done, she will be whole again.” Bradford chuckled to himself as he remembered a comment Maker had made to them Maker had he noticed to two of them getting too close after a recent treatment for Jy-Sol. Probably the first time the man blatantly said something about their budding relationship. Got both of them red faced.

“They’re a lot of orphans in the world…” Jy-Sol quietly mumbled as she squeezed his hand again. As she had been regaining even more of her memories since her freedom, what the Elders had done to her had been bothering her more often, slowly provoking a depression spell within her. Just so much of it seemed unnecessary.

He kissed her head. “I know.” Something they had agreed on, and he was fine with that. He was already a ‘dad’ and ‘uncle’ to kids at several Havens he was close to around the world. “We’ll make this work. Even then, I… I believe Maker can help us.”

The little kiss brought some sunshine to that sullen look of hers. Something she needed to hear. “I hope he can.”

They continued to explore more of her scars, slowly shifting to her back as she slipped her top off. She had a few plasma burns dotting her back along with more psionic scars from the Templars’ blades. Then her new marks from the Weaver. That black around her neck swept down her back, down her spine, like a waterfall accompanied by trickling rain.

“Hm.” His nose wrinkled at that. Just what was that Weaver’s full game besides his hatred towards the Elders? So far, he and Asaru had avoid his touch. He shifted his eyes to her right shoulder and one burn there. “Looks like we have matching shoulder burns.” He cracked a little joke to get his mind off of the Weaver’s mark.

“Kinda karma for me when you think about it.” She chuckled, but a hint of sadness peaked through.

“Hey now…” His hands slipped down to her waist and soon rubbed her sides. He pulled himself closer to her. “That wasn’t you. You weren’t yourself. That was them.”

A deep sigh slipped from her lips. She still felt so guilty that she caused him that injury so long ago. But he was right. She wasn’t herself when that happened. “You’re right… you’re right… Was just a puppet back then, running tests to see how the early stages of my conversion were going.”

“And you still had enough of you back then that forced them to recall you because you started to recognize me.” He grinned as he rested his head on her shoulder.

“That was interesting comparing the memories of that day.” Asaru butted into their conversation. He wasn’t bonded to Bradford when the initial incident occurred. But he always found that memory of Bradford’s strange and always wanted to investigate it further, but the man stopped him. Then Jy-Sol came along and joined them and from one of his sessions of trying to access her old and missing memories came across the other version of that day. It was a revelation and only reinforced she was once Jynn Gresham Reeves.

Hearing another sigh slip out, Bradford ran his fingers up and down her sides, letting his nails dig in ever so slightly.

“Hey!” It felt like a bunch of ants were crawling all over her sides. “Right! Right! Stop that!” Laughing, she swatted at his hands. He laughed, but finally stopped. He just wanted that sad funk to go away. And it worked, even if his hands were stinging from the swats.

Once that irritating feeling disappeared, she leaned on him, one set of hands resting on his on her sides, and then one hand went up to his face and pulled on his ear. He winced, but chuckled. They just sat like that for a while.

“So…” Both spoke, looking away from each other. Both moved one hand away. Bradford’s to his back pocket and Jy-Sol stretched hers out towards her bed. “I’ve been thinking.” As they retrieved their respective items, they finally realized they were speaking at the same time. They looked at each other for a moment before laughing.

“Sorry, go first.” Jy-Sol apologized as she set a small box in her lap.

“No, no,” he shook his head, “you go first, Jynn.”

“Well,” she looked down, voice slightly trailing off as she fiddled with the box in her hands, “if you insist.” With that, she pulled away and then turned around to face him. She gave a quick sorry to Asaru, but he waved her off. He was used to the movement and distractions whenever the two were together.

Once she was facing him, she looked at him for a second before looking back down at the box. “I’ve been thinking… with how our relationship has been going over the months… and then what recently happened…” Her voice slightly trembled as she was hesitant to make eye contact with him. Her cheeks slowly became flushed with red and purple colors.

Bradford, at first, wondered what had her so hesitant to speak, until he noticed she was fumbling with something in her hands. A little bright blue box. Looked similar to his. At first he thought nothing of it, but those gears in his brain started to put two and two together. The box. Her hesitant to speak and nearly stumbling with her words.

“Wait… is she about to—“

“I feel believe as if… our relationship is ready to go forward.” Before he could even finish the thought, Jy-Sol raised the box and finally opened it. Sitting in a bed of red, puffy velvet was a ring. Colors — gold, dark silvers, and black — just like the one he had for her; even the same mokume gane to produce those folded and swooping patterns and rings. It was a simple ring. No gemstones or swooping shapes. Just a plain band from the looks of it. Maybe it was segmented, but it was hard to tell with the patterns from the pattern so the metal.

Jy-Sol plucked the ring from the box, putting the box to the side, and raised the ring higher. She lightly pressed down on it and the magic happened. The ring shifted, those segments slide past one another and caused it to take a shape similar to the infinity sign. Three rings in one. Hidden within on the central ring segments were cuts of black opal and white spiderweb opal.

“We are forever changing, forever moving, but we will always be together. Linked by our experiences.” She shifted the ring back into its original shape. “And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” She finally looked at him again. There was a nervous twitch to her smile upon seeing his face. He looked rather bemused that astonished. Did she ask too soon? “I’m,” her ears feel as her hand slowly dropped, “sorry if I’m asking to—“

“Wait.” Bradford stopped her. “Actually…” He raised the box in his hands and popped it open, revealing his ring. He plucked it out and raised it up to hers. “I was thinking of doing the same thing.”

Her eyes widened and her ears flicked up. He was planning on doing the same thing? Really?

“Oh!” Asaru accidentally cut his connection to Jy-Sol as he noticed what was going on. An accidental double engagement. “Well, this is a turn of events.” He did his best to stifle a laugh. This was something he wasn’t expecting to happen for a very long time.

They looked at each other’s rings. Studying their designing. Something was familiar about them.

“The Serenos.” They both said and laughed. Looked like those cephalopods meddled with both of them. The question was, who did they get to first?

Bradford raised his left hand towards her after recomposing himself. “Let’s spend the rest of our lives together.” Jy-Sol smiled with her eyes as her ears flicked up and down. She gently grabbed his hand and slipped on the ring on his fingers.

“Let’s.” She raised her left hand, and he did the same, slipping the ring on to her finger. The two kissed before rubbing heads — and horns — together.

“Congratulations, you two!” Asaru clapped all four of his hands. “I must admit, I didn’t expect this happening so soon.” He gestured to Bradford with one arm. “Even with you coming to terms with your feelings, I expected you to drag your feet. Especially after what recently happened.”

Jy-Sol snorted, quickly pulling herself back and covering her mouth, after hearing what Asaru said. Sometimes he could be a bit to matter-of-fact.

“Hey!” Bradford glared at him. “I’m… trying to be more proactive with my feelings.”

“Which I’m proud you’ve made great strides with that.” The Ethereal laughed. If he had a ‘face’, he would have been grinning.

“Sorry, sorry!” Jy-Sol let out a few more high-pitched snorts before she finally got herself back together. “He does have a point… that’s the reason why I was going to propose first.”

Bradford narrowed his eyes at her as he raised a brow. “Really?”

“You’ve been hesitant about things for a while. Sorry!” She shrugged. He just rolled his eyes.

“So…” He wrapped his arms and tail around her. “Will you move into our quarters now?” His warm breath tickled her neck.

“Maybe. Still want to test the waters with the crew.” It was tempting. Her eyes drifted down to her hand with the ring. Really tempting. “Don’t want a mutiny to start with those who still hate me.”

He rolled his eyes. “We’ll deal with them in when it happens.”

“I know, but things have become even more shaky once the crew learned of our relationship. And those that hate me are questioning if I’m truly free of the Elders and if I’m not just mind controlling you in this ‘relationship’. So,” she turned and kissed his cheek, “things can wait. We need a crew in harmony as the Elders are still lashing out due to losing me.”

“Hm…” His nose wrinkled for a moment before he let out a huff. She had a point. Things were rough right now with how the Elders were still reacting like a bunch of children throwing a tantrum. “Fine, fine. That brain of yours is always working, I see.”

“I am the Commander.”

“Mhm. Mhm, ma’am.” He nuzzled his chin, which had fresh stubble, against her neck.

“John!” A slight shriek slipped out from the sudden rough feeling, followed by a laugh. She tried to wrestle her way free from him, but ended up dragging them both to the ground. She continued to laugh as he wrapped his legs around her and started to say some of the silly nicknames he came up for her, and a few explicit things. There was no fighting his grip. He had become much more playful since every now knew of their relationship. Meant they could be less quiet as they bonded — though 90% of the time they threw up a psionic barrier to have some privacy.

Jy-Sol gave up tossing back and forth after a few more minutes of trying to get away from the prickly rubbing. She was still too weak to put up a proper fight.

“Well, since you’ve got caught like a bug in a web, Cher,” part of her Cajun accent slipped out, “are you spending the night?”

“Hmhmhm.” A deep chuckle came from Bradford as he finally stopped torturing her neck. Well, he got one last nuzzle in before stopping. He rubbed his thumb over his engagement ring a few times. His heart was just filled with excitement. “Yep. Still got,” one hand relinquished its grip only to trace the outside of a scar just at the top of her right hip heading down to the inside of her thigh, “scars to explore.”

“Tch.” She rolled her eyes. She glanced over to Asaru. “Think we’ll have to cut the bonding session short, Asaru.”

Asaru chuckled, retracting his tendrils and psionics. “I have a feeling things would go this way. Wish for some privacy?”

“I’m indifferent.” She was used to the lack of privacy because of the Elders.

“Don’t really care. We’re not having sex yet.” And Bradford had been bonded to the Ethereal for several years, so he really didn’t care. Asaru would eventually see those intimate moments.

“Very well.” Asaru nodded. “I’ll be over there. I will be going through the latest memories Jynn and I unlocked.” He told them before floating over to Jy-Sol’s bed.

“So…” Bradford’s voice tickled her neck, one hand slipped down her pants and continued to trace the scar around her right thigh. There was an indent there with the skin slightly raised. “Exactly how did you get this one? Don’t remember you gettin’ stabbed here during the fight and it ain’t a psionic scar.”

“Oh, that.” Her hand went down there and rubbed the area. “My babbling, unpredictable brother. Amazed I don’t have a plethora scars from that madman.”

“Oh, Kon-Ris? Care to tell the tale?”

“I do. As long as you tell me about some of yours.” One of her lower arms slipped their way out of his grip and moved around to his back. Bradford let out a yelp, accidentally tightening his grip on her. She snickered. “I’ve been hearing a rumor that Yorrick bit you in the thigh? Got a good chunk. And then he was just inches away from getting that fine butt of yours.”

“Ow.” He rubbed where she had just pinched. “He did. Was in one of his threaten moods and was hungry.” And Yorrick was hungry 80% of the time.

“Garette and Smoke barely saved me… You know he’s taken a bite out of a few of Asaru’s tendrils?”

She snorted, just wondering what may have happened to set Yorrick off to try and munch on him. Which didn’t take much to trigger the barbarian if he was already irritable. “Really?” She couldn’t believe that. “Wonder how that went.”

“I nearly fried his brain! He still tries to eat my tendrils.” Asaru was still rather ticked about that. Especially since the barbarian had grown an odd liking to how Asaru tasted and continued to try and snack on his tendrils any chance he got.

“I’ll… I’ll have to see — snort— if Garette and I can get that out of his brain.” Jy-Sol was doing her best to not laugh.

The two talked the night away about their scars and other things, growing closer and closer with each story.

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