Camp Bam Bam

Chapter 9

The Clan watched in silence for the first few minutes. Mind Melds rarely took a long time, but when two minutes became five, they started to murmur nervously. Spock and Sarek looked up from where they and Amanda had been patiently watching and looked around at the filled room complete with apprehensive faces.

"Do not be alarmed," Sarek said softly. "Sometimes a wounded mind can take a long time to heal. Neither my grandson nor Juan is in any danger."

Relief seemed palpable as everyone relaxed visibly.

Doctor McCoy chose this moment to bustle his way through from the direction of the Kitchen, Teri at his side. He looked down at the two boys and tutted under his breath. "A party, and this happens." He looked at Spock and said, "Teri told me that your son had his arm dislocated. Who performed the reduction?"

Spock reached out with an arm and placed his hand on Chang's shoulder, "This is one of the top medical officers of the new Special Forces Division of the Clan, Doctor. His name is Chang."

McCoy nodded and signaled for Chang to come to him, where they conversed briefly in hushed whispers.

Adam Casey edged closer and closer to Spock, not taking his eyes off Juan's prone form. As he felt himself bump into Spock's side, and felt the Vulcan's arm lay itself lightly over his shoulders, Adam looked up.

Spock saw terror in Adam's eyes, and spoke quickly, "Your brother is going to be all right, Adam. At worst, the personality he carries inside him may remain, but both would end up stable."

Adam's eyes seemed to lose some of their tension, and he quickly looked back down at the two melding on the floor. "I don't want to lose him... I love all my brothers," Adam whispered to the Vulcan Captain, "but Juan's my first brother. I rescued him first. He might not know it, but I've always tried to protect him the most...."

Spock simply squeezed Adam's shoulder gently, and drew the teen to stand before him, Adam's back tight against his chest as they both watched.

It took another four or five minutes, then Joel breathed out heavily and removed his hand from Juan's face. Juan's eyes opened and he blinked around from his prone position, as if trying to figure out where he was. Joel whispered to him, "No more than fifteen minutes has passed since I stopped you, little bro."

Juan didn't reply; he just sat up and pulled Joel into a tight hug. Sobbing suddenly, Juan did not notice the whine of pain that Joel made, nor that Joel was trembling hard. At least not at first.

As he pulled back, he saw Joel's face twisted as the Vulcan tried not to scream. "What's wrong?" Juan whispered, but he didn't need a response for he saw that the Uniform top and shirt that Joel was wearing was open. Joel's ribcage was bruised badly and his pale scar-patterned smooth skin was mottled dark green with those bruises.

"Oh shit... what happened?!?!" Juan cried out, then got a haunted look and quietly asked Joel, "I did that... didn't I?"

Adam slipped to the floor and knelt next to them both, "No, it was him, Juan. Not you. Don't blame yourself, bro."

Juan sighed and bowed his head. "No, Adam. It was me," he said in the deathly silent room. A small sob escaped Juan again as he continued, "I wanted to kill Joel. I wanted to tear him apart... yet I didn't want to hurt him, and I loved him... but I was afraid of him...."

Adam reached out and touched Juan's shoulder. "No, it wasn't... Wha?!" he spluttered as Juan raised his head and opened his eyes.

One was black... the other was yellow.

"It was me," Juan said, as tears continued to fall gently down his face.

Will whistled as Jory just stared. Chang, still standing next to McCoy, asked softly, "What has happened, Joel?"

Joel, his hurting right arm held against his equally hurting chest, answered, "They are one. There is no 'gentle Juan' and 'angry Juan' anymore. There is just Juan. All they were apart, he is now - and he is more. He is what he should have always been. Whole. Loving. Strong. Loyal. Brave. He is Juan."

Juan sniffed at hearing what Joel said, "No one's even said that about me before."

"I've got some to add," Koth said as he to knelt down to be with his boyfriend. Juan looked up at him and his eyes softened even more. Koth smiled and rubbed his hand on Juan's cheek as he looked into those dual colored pair of soulful eyes, "Beautiful, wonderful, amazing, sexy and mine...."

With tears running down he face, Juan smiled up at the small Klingon boy, "I think it's the other way around... YOU are mine."

Everyone around started to laugh until Joel cried out in pain, "... please... don't make me laugh...."

Juan's face became concerned again. "Chang! Can you help him? Please?" his guilt ridden voice asked as he took Joel's hand.

McCoy and Chang moved over as Chang said, "Yes, we will."

"Okay, people. Show's over for now. We need room. Joel will be up and around in no time," McCoy stated firmly. Then he pointed at Cory, Sean and Kevin, "You can stay, and so can you, obviously," he added, pointing at the Unit boys. "Everyone else, get moving or I'll have you all confined to bed rest, so help me God." Seeing the grins and smirks passing between some of the boys, he amended it: "That's SEPARATE bed rest," and chuckled as smiles vanished from faces right and left.

Those gathered all smiled and scattered back to what they had been doing, while Kevin went to the nearest sofa and grabbed a cushion for Joel. The Vulcan was still kneeling on the floor and Cory and Koth were helping him out of his top and shirt. Juan was looking on sadly and started crying again as he saw the state of Joel's shoulder and ribs.

Joel sighed and then reached over to poke the crown of Juan's bowed head. "Oi," he muttered.

"What?" Juan asked thickly as he raised his eyes to Joel.

Joel pulled him over with his good arm and kissed him on the lips. "There," he stated with a smile as Juan gaped at him. "Do you think I blame you, big little brother?"

Juan shook his head slowly. "No, guess not. I still feel bad, though," he whispered as he gripped Joel's left hand tight. He looked at Chang and McCoy, "Is there something I can do to help him? Please?"

Chang smiled and whispered to McCoy, who nodded. "Yes, Juan. Doctor McCoy will show you how to strengthen the weakened ball joint in Joel's shoulder with the re-generator. Will that be okay?"

Juan nodded and a smile started to replace the concern on his face.

Joel was helped to lie down by Kevin and Sean, and Juan shuffled over so that the Vulcan's head was in his lap. Kevin giggled, "Didn't need the cushion!"

Juan grinned and shook his head. McCoy held out a small device and showed Juan how to use it, then he left the now smiling ten year old to do his job. Koth cuddled in on one side of Juan, while Kevin did the same on the other side. Cory and Sean moved to sit on the sofa with Juan's brothers, thus allowing the two Doctors to get to work.

"Does it feel better, Joel?" Juan asked as he concentrated on the boy's right shoulder.

"Uh huh," Joel smiled as the pain was slowly fading, both from his sore shoulder and his hurting ribs.

Adam was watching Juan closely as his little brother radiated peace at helping another this way. Adam was thinking to himself, and trying to work out what had really happened. Was this really Juan?

"Joel?" he asked from his seat as he sat forwards slightly.

Joel looked over at him, "Yeah?"

"What's going to happen with Juan now?"

Joel smiled, and replied honestly, "Well, logically, I'd assume that he's going to need to talk to his brother, his friends, then have a long talk with his boyfriend, then maybe sex with his boyfriend, and..."

"JOEL!" Juan and Koth gasped as they both colored up fast, and Juan nearly dropped his re-generator.

"What? What did I say?" Joel asked innocently.

Kevin was giggling, "Oh, nothing... just like you said about that possible blow job type of nothing...."

"He asked me a question, so I answered it... oh, never mind..." Joel sighed with a lost little smile. He looked back at Adam, who was trying not to break his ribs by laughing. "I think you also want to know about what I did in Juan's head?"

Adam could only nod. He didn't trust his voice.

"Well, I showed them how they got split up, and as I did, I started to knit them back together. Once everything had been seen, they sorta recombined, and it's just Juan, now," Joel explained briefly, looking up at Juan to make sure that much was okay to tell. Juan nodded with a smile.

"Oh, okay," Adam managed after he had calmed down some. "And how will Juan be now? I mean... well, don't take this wrong, Juan, but... you don't seem quite like the Juan we know."

"I am, but... uh.... Joel? Can you explain? I don't think I have the words yet," Juan asked with a helpless smile.

"Sure, bro... mmm... I like that," the Vulcan murmured as Juan ran the fingers of his free hand back and forth over Joel's forehead. He closed his eyes and relaxed as he said, "Juan is different, but only in so much as he's calmer, now. Settled."

Juan snorted, "Calm? Me?"

"What are you smoking, Joel?" Logan spluttered. "Him calm? Never!"

"Keep that up," Juan said to him with a smile so sickly sweet a girl scout would have gone green with envy, "and I'll shove your head up Will's ass...."

"Okay, I'm convinced," Will said with a giggle. "He's Juan, all right!"

Joel giggled for a second, then winced. Chang looked up at him, then patted his stomach softly, "Try not to laugh yet, little one. We are nearly finished."

"'Kay," he smiled mutely, yet his eyes registered pain. Kevin reached over and started to massage Joel's ear to calm him, and Juan watched with interest before doing the same to the Vulcan's other ear. Joel smiled up at them in thanks, then looked over at Juan's brothers. "What I meant by calm was that Juan doesn't worry about losing control anymore. He doesn't have to worry about getting angry and another persona taking over, nor does he have to worry about feeling strong good emotions and wanting to back away. The two sides of his personality are now one, so he will be able to flow from one side of his emotions to the other without a different persona needing to be in control. He can be loving Juan, or pissed off angry Juan, or cuddly Juan or... you get it? It's just him now. Both sides back together. He can just relax and be himself. He's centered. He's calm. He's whole."

"He called me cuddly! I like that!" Juan giggled.

Adam nodded with understanding, "I understand. Thank you, Joel. Thank you so much."

Joel looked embarrassed and glanced at Cory and Sean who smiled at him and nodded. He blushed, "It's only what my brothers and Kevvy did for me... help. You don't have to..."

"I know," Adam interrupted firmly and gently. "But I will anyway. If there is anything you need, ever, you only have to ask. We're in your debt twice now: for Korris and Koth and what that means for our family, and now for Juan himself."

"Awwww, ma-an!" Joel muttered, his face now bright green. "You're making me feel funny."

Juan giggled and showed how supple the Genesis kids really were by bending almost double to kiss Joel's forehead as he cradled the boy's head in his lap. "You make us feel 'funny' too, Joel. You said nice things about me and about others. I've heard you. Just accept the nice things we want to say about you too, okay?"

"'Kay," he whispered before looking down his chest at what his uncle and Chang were doing. It was not much now, for they were about finished.

"I think that's got it," McCoy stated with a smile. "No more fighting with freight trains, okay, Joel?"

Joel giggled, and it didn't hurt, so he let himself giggle more. Then, "Okay. No fights. I'll just tickle the one that attacked me whenever I can!"

Juan snorted and giggled, "You'll have to catch me first, shrimp!"

Joel continued to giggle.

 


 

Ten minutes later, and they had all gone back to their food. Joel was feeding Kevin again, as per normal, while Koth was doing the same for Juan, who was laughing at him. Adam, Logan and the others were just watching Juan in wonder as he just opened up and played. It was simply wonderful.

Joel, however, began to feel strange. It was that same feeling from the Enterprise. As Kevin would say, he was feeling 'horny', so after giving Kevin another mouthful of spaghetti, Joel started to nibble on Kevin's neck.

"Do you two need a room?" Logan giggled as Kevin's eyes rolled back in his head.

"Hummm?" Joel hummed as he looked up. A blush soon followed, "I did it again... sorry, Kev...."

"I'm not complaining, but after we've finished, we'll need to calm you down a bit," the brown haired boy giggled before kissing Joel softly. "You can't miss your entire birthday 'cos you're turned on, can you?"

Joel grinned, then looked up when Spock walked over to them and handed both him and Kevin their shakes. "Thanks, Daddy!"

Spock's eyes twinkled as he nodded. He was about to move away when Jason ran over. "Pop! I need a word quickly?"

"Of course. In private, or will it be acceptable to do so here?" Spock asked.

Jason shrugged, "Here's fine. It's about Sammy."

Joel's attention perked up quickly, and his horniness seemed suddenly forgotten. He kissed Kevin again before rising to stand with Jason and his father. "I know too, Daddy! I'll go and get Sammy while you talk with Jace!"

"Okay, my son," Spock said as he bent down to hug and kiss his boy.

Joel turned back to the table, "See ya laters! I got another brother to help!"

They watched him zoom off on his mission before looking at each other. Kevin smiled and shrugged, "That's my Sa'ren...."

 


 

It wasn’t too much later that everyone started to head away from the room. First was Juan and Koth, Juan saying he needed some time to figure shit out. Then, in singles and pairs, everyone else left, till it was just Adam and Logan, both of them wondering what this "new" Juan would be like.

"Come on, Adam, lets go take a walk." Logan said while getting up, and pulling Adam to his feet. Both boys needed a break from all the tension going on.

Once they got outside, and started to walk around, they saw many kids; most of them younger then they were, out there running around and generally having fun. They both stopped and watched for a bit. "You know, Logan... It’s times like these that I’m really conflicted."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, at the same time, I’m really upset ‘cause I never got to be a kid like that. But then again, if things didn’t happen the way they had, then how many kids would we have not been able to help?" Adam spoke wistfully while looking out at his younger brothers; both Kent and Jimmy, playing with a bunch of other kids.

Logan was about to respond when they saw Jimmy run off towards two people walking up, one was a teenager, the other looked to be in his early twenties. Adam wandered who they were for a brief instant, then when Jimmy ran into the arms of the younger one, it came to him. They were the guys that rescued his little brother.

"Come on, Logan, that’s Skipper and Bobby." Adam started walking over with Logan right behind him.

"Oh that’s right... we got something for them." Logan grinned, still not believing what Adam had pulled off. But as Adam said, ‘they saved my brother, there’s nothing too good for them.’

"Hey guys!" Adam said as he walked up to the group. Jimmy turned around and grinned up at Adam.

"Skipper, Bobby... this is my big brother Adam." It was such a change in Jimmy that both Bobby and Skipper had bemused smiles on their faces. Jimmy had almost said more about himself in that sentence then in all the time he was staying with them.

"Hey guys.. nice to meet you." Adam said after shaking hands with both of them. "I’ve heard quite a bit about both of you."

"None of it good, I assume." The younger, Bobby, said with a grin.

"Well, some of it was." Adam said with a mile wide grin as he pulled Jimmy into him in a hug. "This little guy almost talked my ear off about you guys. Once I got him talking, that is."

Logan couldn’t help but jump in... "Yeah, now we can hardly shut him up."

"HEY!" Jimmy said indignantly, but laughed with everyone else.

"But, since you guys are here, I figure now would be a good time to give you guys a little something from us. Consider it a thanks for helping my little brother." Adam said as he pulled out a card from his pocket.

"You guys didn’t..." Skipper started to say, but Adam stopped him with a hand.

"Skipper, there is nothing more important to me than my family. You went out of your way and helped my little brother, and what we did for you in return is no where’s near enough... in my opinion." Adam said emphatically.

When Bobby opened the card, he looked perplexed, then read the card to Skipper. "This is for two guys who we could never thank enough. What we got for you could not be put in this card, so you’ll have to wait till you get home for it. Don’t worry... you’ll know it when you see them."

Both guys looked at Adam questioningly, and Adam just grinned. "Bobby, I hear you’re the youngest EMT in the state of Maine?" When Bobby just nodded, Adam went on. "Well, if you want to, you may end up being the youngest... something else too. But... you’ll figure that out later."

Bobby was trying to say something, but got interrupted by Adam turning Jimmy around and looking at him. Adam taking on a very serious tone. "Jimmy, I want you to listen to me closely. I know that you’ve been having your nightmares still, and I think I’ve found a way to help you. Will you let me help you?"

Jimmy’s smile faded, and quickly his eyes turned from joyous and happy to scared and panicked. Adam sent as much love and comfort as he could through his eyes, but it didn’t really seem to work - until someone else walked up and took Jimmy’s hand. Almost instantly, Jimmy seemed to calm down a bit.

Adam looked over to see a boy about eleven years old, sandy brown hair, and Adam could tell right away that this boy was shy, and reserved. Adam smiled deeply. "Thanks, I’m still learning how to do the empathy stuff."

"Well, me too," the newcomer said. "Back where we came from, I could feel what other people felt, but I couldn't DO anything about it." He looked pained at saying that, as if it was a fault in himself.

"Thanks, your doing a good job now." Jimmy said quietly as he squeezed the boys hand in thanks. "I’m Jimmy..." He struggled to say what he wanted, until he looked into Adam’s eyes again. He knew he didn’t need to be afraid with his big brother around, but it was still hard. He took a deep breath and turned to the boy. "I’m Jimmy, and Adam wants to help me with my nightmares. But... but I’m scared... could... would... can you help me?"

"Of course I'll help," the boy said. "I'm Galen, by the way. I know you're Adam and Logan, but, um, you're *really* Adam's brother -- by blood, I mean, not brothers the way we all are brothers now?"

Adam nodded as Jimmy looked to him. "Yes we are. Jimmy and Kent have the same mother as I do. Jimmy was also ‘experimented’ on like I was, but he is different. Jimmy can control fire as easy as we can breathe. But he’s afraid of it. We need to help him get over that fear, or else he will always be afraid of it and of himself." Jimmy nodded and was pulled up close to Adam, trying to be strong; but still needing to feel the comfort of his big brother.

"I’ll... I’ll try. If you guys will help me." Jimmy said while looking not just at Adam and Galen, but also to Skipper, Bobby, and Logan.

Logan noticed something in Bobby's expression -- it was what he saw in the mirror when he was holding in his own temper by main force. "Okay, spit it out Bobby," he said to him. "You don't think we'd ever hurt Jimmy, do you?"

"It's not that," Bobby said. "You didn't see him when we first found him. He's got that same panicked expression on his face and I don't ever want him to be that scared again." This last came out with some force, almost defiance, a "Don't fuck with his head" tone underlying it.

"Whoa, dude!" Logan said. "We're looking to do the same thing you are -- we want to help him get past that fear, so he'll never have to feel that way again! But in order to do that, he has to FACE that fear. That’s what Adam wants to do here." Logan was restraining his own temper, knowing what was eating at Bobby. Skipper reached out and put a firm hand on Bobby's shoulder.

Jimmy was almost in tears, but he spoke up. "Bobby, Logan, touch Galen. You'll *see* he wouldn’t hurt me. I can *feel* who he is inside me somehow, and I *know* it. Just touch him. You'll see."

"You don't mind?" Bobby asked Galen. Wordlessly he shook his head no. Hesitantly, Bobby reached out and touched the side of Galen's head. Logan followed suit.

Slowly everyone there touched Galen, and then nodded in agreement. They all knew they had one mission right now, and that was to help Jimmy. "Okay, little guy," Adam started, "this is what we’re going to do. The best way to help you get over your fears is for you to use your abilities."

Jimmy started to look really scared, and Adam rushed on. "You don’t have to worry, we’ll all be right there to help you through this. None of us will let anything bad happen to you okay?"

The young boy almost had tears in his eyes, but he looked up at his big brother and tried to be strong for him. Adam put his arm over Jimmy’s shoulder, and walked him out to an unoccupied area of the Short Compound, Then he, along with everyone else there to give Jimmy support, got a first hand exhibition of just how strong Jimmy’s control of fire actually was.

All during the display, Adam and Galen were helping Jimmy deal with the memories that came up because of what he was doing. Slowly, Jimmy began to get more comfortable with his powers, and as a result, more comfortable with himself. It wasn’t long till Jimmy was smiling and showing off what he could do. It was Bobby asking him a few questions that really made Jimmy work it out, but shortly, not only could he make fire, but he could also put it out.

It was his final display though that made everyone there gasp in shock. Jimmy tuned to them all, grinned, took a few steps back, then wreathed himself completely in flame. He could only hold it for a few seconds, but it was more than enough to make everyone there stare in shock.

When the fires went out, a grinning Jimmy was standing there. Of course, he couldn’t figure out why everyone was laughing. "Uhhh.... Jimmy... Next time you do that, dude, you may want to think about your clothes." Jimmy looked down, and for the first time noticed that somehow he had managed to burn all his clothes off.

"The Human Torch never had to worry about that in the comics," Bobby giggled.

Skipper laughed. Thinking of the porn comics he'd seen in the Navy, he said, "Well, not in the ones they sold to kids!"

Will, who along with the rest of the core Unit, along with Riti, Viccy, all came over right before Jimmy erupted himself into flames, reached into his pack and pulled out a flight suit, then tossed it to him. "Here, it’s a bit big, but at least you won’t have the bird boy thinking it’s worm hunting time.

"Cheep?" Riti giggled, eying 'little Jimmy' with hungry eyes...

That of course got everyone laughing again. Finally Logan couldn’t help himself any longer. "You know, Adam," Logan said while throwing his arm over his lover’s shoulder. "I think you're right. The insanity of this place IS worse than at our place... but I think I like it." Everyone laughed as Juan and Koth came back up to them. Adam couldn't help but think, again, how nice it was to see Juan smiling. He had smiled before, but it was almost always a feral grin, this time Juan was smiling with amusement.

"So how are you feeling?" Will asked his little brother, as they came into the group. Juan didn’t say anything; his smile and the nods were enough.

About that time, Danny Shavers, one of the Unit’s younger members at seven, was pulling on this older boy’s arm, towards the group. Once he got there, Danny looked up to the big kid, "Well Daniel... ask them."

Daniel smiled as he looked around at the group, "Danny said you guys are really cool when you fight with swords. He... he said you had an amazing sparring match once. Do you think you could do it again... I wanna see that... PLEASE!!!!" He hit them with a full dose of the puppy dog eyes.

Chang was actually the first one to speak. "I think that would be a good idea. I have worried as of late that Adam might be getting rusty."

There was stunned silence for a moment as everyone registered that Chang made a joke, but then the group erupted into laughter and taunts directed towards Adam. Finally, Adam just raised his hand and the group fell quiet. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the modified cell phone that he carried so he could reach Daileass.

"Daileass, could you please transport our training swords to my location. Please make sure they’re the sturdy ones. Also please ask Khan to report to my location as well. It’s time to give my uppity little Samurai brother a lesson in humility."

Daileass was laughing so hard they could barely make out what he said. "Of course, Adam. Good luck.... you’ll need it. Juan... I got fifty bucks on Chang, and under seven minutes."

Juan grinned and nodded as he pulled out a little book and started to write. When he looked up, all eyes were on him, including Khan who had walked up with the four swords. "What... I always take the bets. Of course, very few people ever bet on Chang losing, so I’ve started taking bets on how long his opponents will last. Daileass is down for seven minutes. Obviously he thinks Chang’s gonna play with you guys a bit."

Of course, it was on then. The three boys spent a few minutes warming up while Juan was busy taking bets. While Adam was busy, even Logan walked over to Juan. "You breathe a word of this... you're dead. I got a hundred bucks on four and a half minutes." Juan broke out laughing, but put it in his book. From there, they all made their way over to the soccer field.

The game was settling down, and cries of fun and laughter soon filled the air as the kids either played in the two teams or watched. They were soon joined by Adam Casey, Logan and many from the Special Forces Division.

Once Matty had scored his final goal, Adam pulled Cory to one side and explained what he and his brothers wanted to do. Soon, the pitch had been vacated of players and the kids all settled down in a large ring shape; leaving a nice open space in the middle for the Unit kids to show off their skills.

Tristan and Donna were not paying attention to the duels when they started, however, but were both chatting intently with Riti and Victoria.

The three boys arranged themselves in the center of the group that had gathered and then made them all move back by about twenty feet. Amur Khan and Adam looked at each other. The gaze spoke volumes. The two of them had obviously worked on a plan to defeat their brother.

"You're going down this time, Bro." Adam teased.

"Yes, my brother. Today is the day you lose!" Khan growled.

Chang for his part seemed to take no notice of what his brothers were saying. He went over to Korris and said to him, "I would put your money on seven minutes thirty and a half seconds." Chang made sure that both Khan and Adam heard what he said.

Juan looked up as Korris made his bet. "My stop watch doesn't do tenths of a second."

"Well, let Daileass keep the time then," was the reply from Korris.

"I would be happy to keep the time, but I am sure it won't be necessary. If Chang says that seven minutes thirty and a half seconds is what it is going to take, that is what it will take," came the amused reply from Daileass. Juan looked up and his eyes widened with surprise as a rush of people wanting to change their bets, and some placed new bets rushed him.

"Hey! Back off will ya. ALL BETS ARE CLOSED! Jeez! Thanks a lot, Daileass!" Juan was disgusted.

"Always ready to help, bro."

Juan stuck his tongue out into the air, like was always done when gesturing to Daileass. The Unit’s AI might not have as many cameras here as he does at the Unit base, but everyone who knew Daileass knew he had probably hijacked some US government satellite so he could watch. Possibly even broadcast the fight to the TV’s in the Unit base.

Adam scowled, but couldn't keep the corners of his mouth from turning slightly upward."Remember, Daileass, WINDOWS ME! And I have a boyfriend that can make it happen!"

"You wouldn't. How could you even say such a thing. I am telling Mom on you."

From the tone of Daileass' response, it wasn't a stretch to imagine him standing there sticking his tongue out at Adam.

"You shouldn't dish it out if you can't take it my AI brother. Besides you would be cute as Windows ME," Khan said with a wicked looking toothy Cheshire Cat like grin.

"How can you say that. You don't love me..." was all Daileass could get out before, Adam smiling at the banter, loudly shouted out.

"Daileass, call it!"

Khan suddenly became all business. Chang for his part seemed to be oblivious as he stood talking quietly with Korris, while facing away from his brothers. Suddenly Daileass called out to the combatants. "Is everyone ready?"

Upon receiving a "Yes" from Adam and Khan, and an almost imperceptible nod of the head from Chang, Daileass called the start of the match, his voice ringing out from every Unit cell phone/communicator in the area.

"Gentleman. Start your engines! In this corner we have the ever inscrutable 'Little Samurai Brother' Chang." This made the people watching snicker. "...and his opponents for this match..." Daileass made a dramatic pause. "It's the Lover Boy in charge Adam and his partner Amur 'the Kitty Boy' Khan!"

"LETS GET IT ON!"

Khan and Adam spread themselves apart by about twenty-five feet. Both were holding their katanas in one hand, still in the sheath, directly in front of their chests horizontal to the ground. Chang moved slowly towards the center of the ring created by the crowd. Khan and Adam kept their distance from Chang about the same as they followed him to the center of the ring.

Chang appraised the situation, and slowly drew one of his two katana from its sheath. He was looking at the strategy that his brothers had chosen and he grinned. They had obviously been working on this quite a bit. They were in synch with each other. Chang was excited. This would be something new. He loved to push himself, but without Master Takamura around, that had proved next to impossible.

Suddenly both Khan and Adam made for Chang. He sprang into the air nearly twenty-five feet to avoid them, but apparently that is what they expected him to do; for Khan left the ground to meet Chang in the air while Adam placed himself in a way to make it difficult for Chang to come back down again. Both drew their katana and held the sheath in their other hand. Chang grinned to himself. 'I am not that easy to trap, my brothers.'

As soon as Khan was close, Chang thrust the point of his blade at Khan's wrist. While Khan countered, Chang did a little twist of his arm and pushed the blade wide. Khan made to strike Chang's head with the sheath he was holding, but Chang was faster. He grabbed Khan by his wrist and twisted his body around so he was over Khan's back, who now found himself facing Adam. Chang threw a kick and sent him flying straight at Adam. Chang used the force of the kick to change his own position, and was now coming down the length of a katana to Adam's left.

Adam, instead of moving out of the way, sprang straight at Khan. They grasped each others wrist and spun around, with the result being Adam and Chang colliding sword to sword. As soon as Khan hit the ground, he threw himself into the mix with a ferocious growl. Chang was being pressed hard to defend himself from both his attackers. A gasp and then a cheer escaped from the crowd.

Chang still only had one of his katanas drawn. His feet remained absolutely still as his upper body twisted fluidly. Both Khan and Adam were raining blows down with ferocity and force. This was a "friendly fight," but they were not pulling back one bit. To do so would be an insult. The swords were moving so fast that most of the kids watching could not follow. All they saw was a flickering blur of the swords and they heard a ringing of the blades that sounded like the continuous ring you get when you run your wet finger around the top of a crystal wine glass.

Oaths could be heard from everyone watching. Some of the children had tears in their eyes, not because they were frightened, but because they were feeling truly safe for the first time in their young lives. These were some of the people who had rescued them, and had promised to protect them. These were the leaders of the Clan's Special Forces Division: the Clan's Strong Right Arm. These people put their all into what they were doing and the example was truly inspiring. For the first time in a long time, many of the kids felt truly safe, and they all truly believed in the 'U.N.I.T.' and their union with the Clan.

Suddenly, Chang changed the flow of the battle. He tagged Khan on the side of his head with the sheath, pivoted on one foot and sent a lightning fast kick to the solar plexus of Adam, who managed to just barely deflect it by crossing his arms in front of himself. It was all the distraction Chang needed. He quickly bent backwards and thrust the sheath a good ten centimeters into the ground and used it like a pole to vault himself into the air, just as Khan and Adam both thrust their blades at him.

Logan was impressed. He knew that Khan and Adam had been working hard to come up with ways to defeat Chang. He had been working out with them for a while now, and was witness to their sessions. They would work with Logan on his sword skills until he was exhausted, then they would continue on, sometimes for another three to four hours. To see the result of all that hard work was personally satisfying to Logan.

Before Chang landed, he had his other katana drawn. He was moving in on his opponents as they checked their forward movement so as not to cut each other and they fluidly turned in unison to meet Chang's attack. They were beaten back by the furious assault. For the next ten or fifteen seconds, it was all they could do to keep Chang from cutting them.

"One Minute!" was called by Daileas.

Juan was getting excited. His blood was pumping hard. It was all he could do to restrain himself from joining the battle. His eyes were shining with the light of a warrior. Daileass of course had made a base wide announcement and almost everyone not on duty was hastily making their way to watch the fight on the closest TV set. It was a special thing to see the original U.N.I.T. members fight with each other, especially Chang.

Koth had made his way to Juan's side and took his hand in a tight grip. The young Klingon warrior was feeling the same thrill of battle as his beloved. His brother Korris, for his part, was starting to growl. He was so turned on by his lover's strength and incredible skill. He knew from experience that he would not be able to last against Adam and Khan, and he was no slouch. Korris doubted that any of his Klingon instructors could have lasted against any of the three warriors in front of him. He felt no dishonor at this. There could be no shame in falling to a superior warrior. To fall in battle was all a Klingon needed. 'Today is a good day to die' is more than just words to a true Klingon.

His beloved was a Klingon Warrior in every way imaginable, and their hearts beat as one. Without even realizing it Korris began reciting the origin myth of the Klingon race...

"With fire and steel did the gods forge the Klingon heart. So fiercely did it beat, so loud was the sound, that the gods cried out, 'On this day we have brought forth the strongest heart in all the heavens. None can stand before it without trembling at its strength.' But then the Klingon heart weakened, its steady rhythm faltered and the gods said, 'Why do you weaken so? We have made you the strongest in all of creation.'

Somewhere along the way he was joined by Juan and Koth as they shared the feelings of their brother.

And the heart said... 'I am alone.'

Adam and Khan had shifted their tactics again. They were moving in seemingly random patterns and trying to press Chang. Their bodies had become like reeds twisting in the wind. Chang was grinning from ear to ear with a fierceness that would chill the heart of the most battle hardened Klingon. 'My brothers have gotten much better. A month ago neither of you would have been able to pull this move off. I am impressed but you will have to do much better than that if you wish to even press me.'

And the gods knew that they had erred. So they went back to their forge and brought forth another heart.

Almost as if they had heard what Chang was thinking, they increased their speed and began weaving drunkenly around Chang. The grin on his face became, if anything, more fierce. A calm spread through his entire being and he shut his eyes.

But the second heart beat stronger than the first, and the first was jealous of its power. Fortunately, the second heart was tempered by wisdom.

A kid in the crowd noticed what Chang had done, and let out a cry.

"Look! Look! Chang doesn't even have his eyes open!"

Several others in the crowd took to making similar exclamations.

'If we join together, no force can stop us.'

Adam and Khan continued to press forward, but it seemed to have little effect on Chang's defense. Soon Chang was weaving and bobbing in the same fashion. Juan, Korris, Koth, and those with the training and the senses to see it realized that Chang was not blocking with his katana, as were both Adam and Khan. Chang was effortlessly avoiding their attacks while using his blades and feet to press his attack on his brothers.

With a sudden increase in speed and ferocity, Chang destroyed his brothers' defense as Korris, Juan, and Koth finished the legend. He kicked Khan hard in the side of the head and sent him flying, using one katana to shave the fur off of his tail as he flew by. Adam, for his part, caught the hilt of the other katana on the side of his head. It only missed his temple because of Adam's incredible reflexes.

And when the two hearts began to beat together, they filled the heavens with a terrible sound. For the first time, the gods knew fear. They tried to flee, but it was too late. The Klingon hearts destroyed the gods who created them and turned the heavens to ashes. To this very day, no one can oppose the beating of two Klingon hearts."

Another cheer went up from the crowd. They were swept away by the display of skill from Chang and the words of the legend. Many were thinking to themselves something along the lines of...

'Could anything better describe the boys of the U.N.I.T. Their creators were destroyed by the coming together of the five of them, and all who joined them since would overcome all obstacles in their path!'

Just being around these boys inspired you to do your best and become better.

"Two minutes," came the call from Daileass. The excitement in his voice was palpable.

Chang opened his eyes to see his brothers slowly circling him.

"My brothers. I am impressed that you have learned this technique in such a short time."

Khan suddenly realized that his tail had been shaved on the top and let out an earth shattering roar. Chang continued as if nothing had happened.

"But if you wish to even give me a work out, you will have to do much better than that, or I will shave the fur from your entire body."

Comments from the crowd were mixed with laughter. Most thought that Chang had no sense of humor. They saw him as all business, and basically like a Vulcan, emotionless, even though that is not an accurate description of the Vulcan race. To hear him taunt his brothers was a shock for most.

Khan seemed to loose himself to anger for a moment, but then locked eyes with Adam and they synced almost at once.

'Good. My brothers have learned some self control.' Chang was pleased. It meant so much to him that his brothers respected his skills so much that they would put this much effort into trying to defeat him.

Juan, for his part, had become so excited that he was literally shaking. He was squeezing Koth's hand so hard that if he had not been a Klingon it would have been crushed. As it was, it was causing Koth pain, but they were both so excited neither noticed.

Korris was grinning with the same ferocity as Chang. He had never been more aroused by his beloved. Korris was making all sorts of guttural noises, and his arousal was plain for everyone to see, if they hadn't been so caught up in the fight.

"Three minutes," was the call from Daileass.

Khan sheathed his blade and thrust it through the belt on his uniform. He crouched down on all fours and began to slowly circle Chang. Adam immediately pressed forward again. He charged and met Chang head on. Khan used his speed to come at Chang from behind. He leaped in the air and drew both his katana and the sheath. Suddenly Chang wasn't there anymore. It happened so quickly, at the last possible moment, that Adam and Khan collided.

This did not throw them though. Adam quickly pivoted grabbed Khan by the shoulder and used him to change direction and vault at Chang. Just as suddenly as before, Chang was not there. He had stepped under Adam and attacked Khan with his feet while his swords flashed upwards at Adam, who just barely moved out of the way with a mid air twist. As Adam landed, the right side pant leg and the left side of his shirt fell open where they had been slashed by Chang's katana. Khan had taken two shots to the head and one to the chest. Before Chang's feet touched the ground, he sheathed one of his katana he had previously stuck in the ground as he tumbled over it. When he landed on his feet he quickly whirled around to face his opponents.

"So far you have used several different styles including Capoeira mixed with some variant of Drunken. While interesting, it will not do much to help you. I think I will use one sword to give you some help, as two just seems to give me too great an advantage."

Adam and Khan paused for a moment. The last exchanged had thrown them. They were both painfully aware that Chang had only used his sword to deflect theirs when it was being used to further an attack. For the most part, they had yet to come close to hitting him with their blades, while on the other hand, it had been all they could do to deflect his attacks with their blades. Both Adam and Khan had defeated master swordsman with as much as twenty plus years of experience, but no one came even close to what they were facing in Chang. He was the archetype of the Scholar Warrior that Master Takamura spoke about.

Chang wasted no time and flew at Adam slicing him open across his belly as he connected with a foot to his head. As Adam went down, there was a small spray of blood. If Adam hadn't been so quick, he would have received a very nasty gash from the blade. As it was he went down hard.

As Daileas called out "Four Minutes," a frantic scream filled the air, and fireballs suddenly rained down on Chang. Jimmy had lost it. He was panicked that his brother was dead. His whole body was aflame and he was floating above the crowd. Chang, for his part, never lost his composure. He deflected the fireballs with his mind and sent them flying off into the distance where they would hurt no one. Chang disliked using his telekinesis, he felt very shy about it, but he would not let anyone get hurt over a sparring match.

Adam sent a simple message mind to mind to his little brother.

"Stand Down, Soldier!"

Jimmy came to his senses realizing that his brother was fine. He fell from the sky like a brick. He sat on the ground and blinked for a moment, then realized he was naked because he had burned all of his clothes off. He let out a little yelp and his hands flew down to cover himself as he looked around franticly . Joe, was sitting in his chair just a few feet away and threw the blanket that he had across his lap to his newest son. Jimmy quickly used it to cover himself, still blushing furiously. Adam sent him some reassuring thoughts as Jimmy covered himself. Adam was relieved to find mostly embarrassment at his nakedness, and his foolish action, as well as relief that Adam wasn't dead.

Khan took advantage of the distraction and came at Chang like a bolt of lightning. One second Chang was in front of him, and the next he was behind him. Khan barely got his sword in place to block the downward slash of Chang's blade. The blow was so forceful it took him to his knees.

Khan knew he was in real trouble as he rolled onto his back. There was no time to get up. Chang was pressing his attack and he knew he couldn't defend against it for long unless Adam intervened.

Adam suppressed his urge to comfort his little brother and saw the predicament that Khan was having. He moved with incredible speed at Chang's back. As he tried to bring his sword down on Chang, he found it deflected by Chang's foot. Chang never let up on his attack on Khan. Without even looking, he used his feet to keep deflecting Adam's sword. Khan was as frightened as he had ever been in his life. He had always known that Chang held back when they sparred, but the display today made him aware that the gap was much further than he had previously thought. Both himself and Adam were breathing hard, and Chang wasn't even sweating.

Adam jumped back and used his feet to propel two rocks the size of a head at Chang.

"Six Minutes," was the call from Daileass.

With a fluidity and grace that a dancer would sell their soul for, Chang pivoted around through the air in the middle of his attacks on Khan, sliced one of the rocks in half with the katana. He caught the other rock with his foot like a soccer ball. He continued around with the rock balanced on the crook of his foot and shot it back at Adam, who narrowly avoided catching it full in his face as he charged at Chang again.

Khan took advantage and executed a back flip, landed on his feet, and quickly put some distance between himself and Chang. He needed to collect himself, but Chang was not having any of it. As soon as his foot touched the ground, he seized Adams wrist, twisted, causing him to drop his sword, and hurled Adam straight at Khan.

Chang had maneuvered his opponents in the direction of his other sword. Chang threw his other katana into the air and let it stick itself next to his other blade. He allowed Khan and Adam to compose themselves for a moment. Adam quickly retrieved his sword. He and Khan began to circle the now sword-less Chang. The circling lasted until Daileass made the Seven Minute time call.

Chang made his move before Khan or Adam had a chance to even react. He flew in and proceeded to drive Khan straight at Adam. His kicks and punches literally caused all of Khan's muscles to turn to rubber. With a kick, Khan's sword flew into the air just as Adam made stab at Chang with his.

Chang grabbed Adam's blade as he twisted out of the way with his fingers and threw it in the air as well. He executed several blows to both his opponents who fell to the ground unconscious. As his brothers fell to the ground, he leaped up seizing both swords. He landed between the unconscious bodies and jammed both swords up to the hilt into the ground next to their heads.

Chang casually stood. The crowd was stunned. No one was saying a word.

"Time please, Daileass."

Daileass called the time out in a voice that spoke of disbelief.

"The swords were thrust into the ground to the hilt at exactly seven minutes thirty and a half seconds."

The crowd went absolutely ballistic. They all rushed forward but were stopped by Daileass calling for a halt before they trampled Khan and Adam.

Chang was about to check on his brothers but never got the chance. He was seized by Korris in a fierce hug. Korris planted a kiss on his lover and before he could protest dragged him off toward some unknown room in the Short Compound. He was singing a Klingon song at the top of his lungs as he went.

 



Qoy qeylIs puqloD.Qoy puqbe'pu'.yoHbogh matlhbogh je SuvwI'Say'moHchu' may' 'Iw.maSuv manong 'ej maHoHchu'.nI'be' yInmaj 'ach wovqu'.batlh maHeghbej 'ej yo' qIjDaq vavpu'ma' DImuv.pa' reH maSuvtaHqu'.mamevQo'. maSuvtaH. ma'ov.
~Klingon lyrics (by Mark Okrand)

Literal translation
Hear! sons of Kahless.Hear! daughters.The battle blood perfectly cleansthe warrior who is brave and loyal.We fight, we're passionate, and we kill perfectly.Our lives are not long, but they're very bright.We certainly die, and we join our fathers in the Black Fleet.There we always really continue fighting.We won't stop. We continue fighting. We compete.

*The Warrior's Anthem is a traditional piece of music sung by Klingon warriors on their way into battle.
From http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Klingon_warrior%27s_anthem

 

 

 


 

"Captain Spock, might I have a moment of your time?" Chang asked formally as he approached the Vulcan man who had just left CIC following his son and Kevin Thompson.

"Certainly, Chang," Spock nodded, "but there is no need to call me 'captain' unless it is on official business. My name, with or without a honorific such as 'pop' or 'uncle', is acceptable."

Chang nodded. "Thank you, uncle," he said. "I have a request to make of you."

"Proceed," Spock gestured to some of the chairs that had been left out to take advantage of the sun while still being in sight of the children playing.

Chang sank into a seat and said, "I gave a trillpa'morov that I had crafted to your son as a Birthday and 'thank you' gift. He then started to used it in the forms of Suus Mahna that I recognized - and did so very well, I must add. My betrothed recognized his forms as that of a master - yours, to be precise."

"That would be understandable. We did meld, and my knowledge and skills seemed to pass themselves to my son. Unusual, but he has an eidetic memory of a type uncommon in the vast majority of Vulcans," Spock explained. "How came you by the knowledge of Suus Mahna?"

"Master Takamura. He taught me martial arts and also transferred much of the knowledge I needed by telepathy. Including training in metalwork."

"That is how you were able to forge a trillpa'morov?" Spock asked.

Chang nodded, yet his eyes showed some small surprise. "Correct, uncle. Why are you not surprised that a human taught me Suus Mahna?"

"I know Uncle Takamura very well. He met my father in the 1930s and was a regular visitor to Vulcan when I was a child. He taught me judo, karate and jiu-jitsu," Spock explained with a small smile. "As I recall, he gave most acceptable 'hugs'."

Chang smiled briefly. "I remember having only a few from him, when I was younger. It was discouraged by those in charge of the facility I was in," he said, a hint of sadness in his voice. "I did wonder where he had gained the knowledge of Vulcan metalwork from, as well as martial arts," he added, "and it is regarding Suus Mahna that I have come to you now."

Spock nodded his understanding, "You would like me to assess your knowledge of the art and help refine your skills in it?"

"Yes," the Asian boy nodded. "Joel has asked that I teach him how to use the trillpa'morov correctly. He has the forms, or at least those he showed us earlier, but not the muscle memory. But before I dare teach him and help him, I must be sure that I too, can do the forms correctly."

"Logical," Spock said with approval. He stood and gestured towards the duel area that was now being vacated after the most recent match. "I believe most of the children are now engaged in the activity of 'raiding and pillaging the fridge', so we seem to have the ring to ourselves."

Chang walked down to the ring area next to the Starfleet captain, and once there, Spock told him to warm up. Chang did so, and then stripped to the waist.

"First, please run through all the forms that you know," Spock instructed, "and I shall assess your current level of ability."

Chang nodded and moved to take his blade from where he had left it, but Spock stopped him.

"I do not wish to cause offence, but until I know you can do all the forms correctly, you should use this instead," he said as he handed a wooden training sword to the boy. "The last of the defensive forms have a tendency to cause injury if done incorrectly."

"I know," Chang said with another slight smile as he took the training sword. "It is only due to my healing ability that I even attempt those forms."

Chang then began to move through all two hundred of the forms, and only when he reached the last four did Spock find areas to improve. "If you were not enhanced, and if that were a real blade, you would have crippled yourself then," he said gently.

"I know," Chang agreed, "hence why I wanted to be trained before I train another. Especially little Joel. When Korris said that you knew Suus Mahna, and when he told me after our meal that you were a master - I would really appreciate all the help you can give me."

Spock smiled softly, "Normally, with only one or two exceptions in my memory, this would take years. However, you seem to have all that Uncle Takamura knows. You, as he, just need to refine those last forms. He left Vulcan before he could complete his training." Spock then removed his jacket and polo neck shirt and joined Chang in the ring. "I shall have to guide your motions. As you are Human, this may seem unusual - I shall be standing behind you, and you shall be pressed against my body. That way, your movements and mine are one. Is this acceptable to you?"

"It is," smiled Chang. "Korris mentioned it. I trust you, Uncle Spock."

Spock nodded and moved around behind the boy. After spending a moment to get Chang's feet into the correct placement, Spock grasped Chang's wrists with his hands and started to move through the last four forms himself. As he did so, Chang's body also moved at the same time.

"Here - this is the critical moment - move your wrist thus," Spock said as he moved Chang's wrist in the prescribed movements, "and you shall complete the form correctly, and be ready to flow into the next without injury."

"Ah," Chang murmured, "it seems so simple now that I have seen it done."

"As are most things to those with ability," Spock said.

They continued through the moves, all the while a quiet flow of instruction came from Spock's lips. Once they had gone through the four forms three times, Spock backed away.

"Yourself. Start," he said, and Chang did so.

Again, after three times, Spock spoke. "Faster."

Soon, Chang was running the last four forms at the correct speed.

"You have mastered it, Chang," Spock said in approval. "Now, we shall Ascend the Forms."

"What does that mean, Sensei?" Chang asked respectfully.

Spock raised an eyebrow at the name, then smiled. "You shall start from Form One and go through until Form two-hundred. I shall start at two-hundred and go through in reverse to one. Form one is an attack, and its counter is Form two-hundred. Form two has its counter in Form one hundred and ninety-nine. And so they go. Once you have reached two-hundred, you start flowing them in reverse. One hundred ninety-nine, two-hundred, one hundred ninety-nine , one hundred ninety-eight, and so on back down to one. I shall always be opposite to you."

Chang nodded, internally excited by the prospect of this challenge. A movement to the side of the ring made him turn to see almost his entire family there watching, minus Jory. Joel and Kevin were also there, and Joel was a little inside the ring and topless as well.

Spock turned to his son, "You may copy us for now, Sa'ren, but do not try the last four Forms until either Chang or I have trained you. I must insist upon that, my son."

"I won't, Sa'mi," Joel smiled as he picked up a small training sword. "I'll only do Forms 1 through 50 and 101 through 150. They are the easiest."

Chang smiled at his newest brother, "Take your time with them, Joel."

"I will!" Joel giggled as Korris came up to him to do them with him.

Chang shot a look at Spock, who said, "Korris is an Adept at Suus Mahna, and is covered to train the first two levels. As are you, Chang. That is clear to me already. If you Ascend the Forms to the level I already expect from you, I will call you as Trainer. From there, we shall see."

While Korris started teaching Joel some of the finer points of the Forms he was wanting to practice, Spock and Chang took their positions to begin the Ascent.

"Begin," Spock said, and those who had gathered watched in fascination as the two opponents began to seemingly fight each other.

Adam whistled softly before they had even gotten a quarter of the way through the Forms.

More and more children started to gather around the duel ring and all began muttering to themselves at the spectacle being presented.

There was a fine sheen covering both Spock and Chang as they completed the last Form after both Ascending and Descending them. "That was exceptional," Spock said, his eyes showing an emotion clearly - pride. "I name you Suus Mahna Trainer. I would not normally do this, but do you wish to take the last step?"

"What is the last step and what does it involve?" Chang asked while breathing deeply and winding down his arm muscles.

"Duel with me," Spock said. "Your task is to use the Forms as an alphabet, yet create the 'words' as you see fit. Any and all forms of Martial Arts may also be employed within the use of Suus Mahna. We duel until one disarms the other, or until the other yields."

"I shall limit myself to your level, Sensei. Could you tell me an approximation of your strength and speed, please?" Chang asked curiously.

"Most Vulcans are, on average, three times stronger and faster than humans. I, however, am hybrid. I am stronger again by about fifty percent or four and a half times that of a human," Spock replied. "However, do not limit your strength, for Suus Mahna is neither about strength nor speed. It is about skill. Your opponent's strength can be turned against them, as can their speed. That is what the Test looks for - your skill."

Spock paused for a second as Chang nodded, then he added, "The only limit I will impose is on mind powers. I shall not use my own abilities with touch to numb your nerves and senses, and you shall not use your own telekinesis and telepathy against me nor to bolster yourself. In all other fights in your future, of course, use them. For this Test, however, it is just what you can do to and with your body as it stands."

"Are you sure, Sensei?" Chang asked with a hint of worry in his voice. "Since I am genetically enhanced, I'm likely more robust than you, and a lot faster. You are stronger since you are an adult, but... Are you sure?"

"Quite sure. Are you ready?"

"Yes," Chang nodded as Nathan came up to them both and handed them real Vulcan Duelling blades.

Spock looked at Jason, "Master Jason, you are Test Master in this instance."

"Yes, Master Spock," Jason nodded formally. He took a place just by the ring and said loudly, "Begin."

While Spock could not jump quite as high, nor run quite as fast as Chang, Adam, Juan and Will could see that their brother's speed meant very little in this case: Spock sent him flying more often than not. Then again, Spock's greater strength meant just as little, for Chang also sent the far heavier Vulcan to the ground just as many times. Both meant very little here: this was a case of pure skill.

And it frightened Adam how much his brother seemed to be learning. "Oh my God," he whispered as Spock thrust a lethal blow at his brother, yet his brother simply flowed around the oncoming blade and sent the Captain to the ground heavily. Adam looked at Will and Juan, "Chang's more dangerous now than ever before."

Juan looked like he had suddenly had the wind taken out of his sails. "So, you're not going to fight him anymore?" he asked, looking miserable.

Adam chuckled, "Of course I am! You'll get your betting fix in, little bro! Jeez!"

Juan looked much happier. "Good! I made a... nice profit, earlier," he giggled, catching himself.

Koth sniggered, "And the rest, oh-you-with-the-cutest-butt!"

"Hush, Koth!" Juan blushed, then giggled. "JESUS!" he yelled as Chang literally threw Spock up into the air.

Joel's heart was in his mouth as his father came back to the ground, but he needn't have feared. Like a cat, Spock landed on his feet; then swept Chang's out from under him while disarming him in the same movement.

"End!" Jason called loudly, and those watching cheered.

"Fuck!" Juan hissed with disappointment, and turned to Cory. "Here!" he said ungraciously as he dumped a credit chip into the Patriarch's hand, "not betting against Joel's dad again!"

"Did Captain Spock just beat Chang?!" Khan hissed softly to Adam, not believing his eyes.

Adam nodded then whispered back, "I saw it, but I don't believe it."

Chang rose to his feet with Spock's help and said, "Could you have done that at any time, Sensei?"

"I was unsure. However, after that vertical throw, I felt it best to end the fight before my son lost his father, so I attempted it," Spock said dryly as he held his hand over a deep gash running down his forearm. "You are remarkable, Chang. I am honored to be counted as A'nirih to you."

"I already have a father, Sensei," Chang said softly, looking at Joe who was seated with Janet watching them.

Spock nodded, "In my culture, a child can have many fathers. Your father," he nodded towards Joe, "is your Sa'mekh. Any others you gain are your A'nirih. It does not mean you should call me father or 'dad', though. You seem to like calling me 'uncle', and that humbles me as it is."

Chang smiled softly as he checked the few shallow cuts he had received in the duel, and watched as little Antonio Barnes ran up with a regenerator for Spock. "I thank you, Uncle Spock," he whispered. "I understand."

"Also, other than my pride, you have my respect," Spock added as he watched the nine year old boy fix his bleeding arm. "I name you a Master at Suus Mahna. You have the right to train any that wishes it." He bowed respectfully to the Asian boy, who copied him. Then, Spock added, "I shall have a trillpa'morov made for you, as is the custom."

"I can make one myself, Uncle," Chang replied with a smile.

"I know you can. However, it is tradition for one to be made for the new Master," Spock said as he laid a hand on Chang's bare shoulder. "Fight with logic and honor, Child of Suus Mahna."

Chang smiled and nodded his head, "Live long and prosper, Master Spock."

Spock nodded again before going and picking up his uniform shirt and jacket. As he started back for CIC, Joel was suddenly in his arms, chatting quickly to him. The last Chang saw, Spock had stopped by the doorway to the building and kissed his son.

"Hey, bro!" Adam chuckled as he picked up Chang in a bear-hug, "Congratulations! But, I'll tell you something... don't think your new title will stop me from kicking your ass next time we fight!"

Chang rolled his eyes, but showed no other sign of emotion.

Juan didn't need any other sign.

That single one was enough...

 


 

Later:

Chang and Korris had only just sat down with the others when Ambassador Sarek came up to them. Adam stood and nodded formally, "What can we do for you, Ambassador?"

"Nothing, Adam. Rather, I may have something for one of your number; for Chang," Sarek answered as he returned the nod.

Chang stood to his feet. "For me?" he asked curiously.

"Yes," Sarek said as he addressed the Asian boy. "Master Takamura sent a message to me on Vulcan eight months ago, asking for a particular piece of armor to be made for him. He supplied the measurements and the design, yet asked that it be created with the method and technology of the old T'naehm Fo-wein - Battle Armor. At the time, such had not been made in over five hundred years. There was an issue with the information that he sent us, however, that we were never able to work out. I tried contacting him, but I have not been able to raise him since that last message; not even to tell him that the armor is ready."

"How does this affect me, Honored Grandfather?" Chang asked curiously. Juan raised an eyebrow at the term his brother had used, but said nothing.

"For three reasons: one, the armor has been made in the style of the armor once worn by the Japanese Samurai; two, the armor is in your size, Chang. I checked against the measurements Daileass has for you. The armor is exact to them," Sarek said softly. "For the third, come with me. I brought the armor with me to earth, hoping to locate Master Takamura here. However, now that I have discovered who you are, I may have the answer to this puzzle."

Chang nodded, his curiosity piqued. He and the others all walked with Sarek towards Teri Short's large house and entered into the guest area.

"Here it is," Sarek said as he led them into the sitting room of his quarters.

In the corner, on a stand, was the most beautiful example of Samurai armor that Chang had ever seen. In the centre of the chest-piece, a symbol was engraved.

A Japanese katakana symbol.

Chang's name:

"This is the third reason, child," Sarek said as Chang's mouth opened in wonder. "Master Takamura never told me for whom this armor was made, but these three 'clues' - its form, size, and your name on it - give a probability of 99.835% that it was commissioned for you."

"It is beautiful," Chang whispered as he ran a hand over the chest-piece.

"Take it, my pupil," came a voice from the door.

Chang turned to find Takamura standing there smiling at him. "I had it made for you Chang. Of all those humans I have taught, you are the most worthy - it is yours."

Chang looked again at the armor, then back at Takamura. He walked over to the man he had always thought of as 'father'; thought of as such long before having been adopted by Joe. He came to a stop less than a foot from him and looked up into the Japanese man's eyes - and tears came to his own. "Thank you... F...father," he murmured hesitantly.

Takamura had not expected this reaction. Since he was not capable of fathering children, he had long felt that his heart would break if any child called him that. It was for that reason, that he had asked Sarek at Spock's birth to simply be 'uncle' to the child. Sarek had named him 'a'nirih', but he felt it would hurt too much for young Spock to call him that.

Now, without any outside prompting, a child had claimed him as 'father'.

His arms flew out and surrounded Chang, then pulled the boy tight to his chest.

Chang suddenly broke out into tears and cry’s of joy at the complete acceptance.

"Son..." Takamura whispered, tears flowing down his face from those ageless seeming eyes. "Son."


**Logan’s Perspective**

Finally the party was over, and we could head back to base, but more importantly we could head back to our room, I thought as the transport took us.

I almost yanked Adam from the transporter room as I whispered hoarsely, "Come on"

I got my love as far as the doorway, when I suddenly came to a halt as Adam turned back to Alvin, who was in command this shift, and said sternly, "Alvin, we are NOT to be disturbed unless the world is coming to an end. Is that understood?"

The little chipmunk squeaked, "Y-y-yes SIR!" as Adam tried to hide a smile and turned back to me.

Just as I thought we might be going to go, he stopped again and once again turned and spoke to Alvin, "Make sure it's really ending and not just someone thinking it is"

With that he turned, and while I, along with the rest of the command center, stood there with our mouths hanging open. Adam now yanked on my arm, pulling me out and down the corridor, almost growling "Come on."

Wow, he must have been taking lessons from Khan.

We had been trying to find some much needed time for one another since the funeral, and it looked like we were finally going to be able to get some as we got back to our room.

We really needed some loving without any of the worries that had been plaguing us these past few days.

Adam slammed the door and pushed me against the wall, crushing his lips to mine as the fire swept us away. So it was with some surprise when he suddenly pulled away, leaving me there with nothing in my arms as he quickly walked back to the door, and I watched as he locked it.

"No little visitors this time," he said with a grin as he came back to me and resumed where he had left off.

For all the hurry in getting here, now things slowed down as we touched, held and loved one another slowly, putting all the love we each could into every movement to one another.

Finally, though he whispered "Shower," and smiling I began to remove his clothes as he followed suit on me.

The relief was so intense as the last of my clothes were removed that I almost popped just from that, and when he reached out and wrapped his hand around it, I fell back against the wall, almost passing out from the pleasure, it seemed.

Grinning he asked, "Is someone a bit fired up?"

All I could do was whisper back, "Oh, a hell of a lot more than a bit."

He just grinned bigger as he pulled me by something on into the shower room, before letting me go and starting the shower.

Once he had it set right, he motioned me in, saying sweetly, "After you, my prince."

I felt myself blushing at that because I didn't think I was all that much a "prince", it was him that was a God to me.

He entered after me and, picking up the soap, slowly began washing my back as I moaned at the feelings it brought to me.

He gently washed every inch of me in the back, then turned me around to the front and did the same, except for where I now ached.

I was leaning back against the wall in the shower as he finished the last toe on my right foot and looked up at me with his hands on each thigh.

The love I saw there almost brought tears to my eyes as I watched him slowly move each hand upward until they met at the center of all my feelings right then.

"OH JEEZ!" I almost screamed before saying, "Adam, no, stop, I can't…" but he just said "Ssssh" as his hands froze leaving me quivering.

"I don't want it over," I whispered as he laughed softly.

"Silly boy, I can last all night, remember? You on the other hand won't last five seconds unless we fix that," he said as his hands moved suddenly.

I could only cry out as suddenly everything which had been building up inside overwhelmed me, and the world went away for a time in pure feeling which flooded my senses.

When I came back to the world, it was to find myself in Adam's arms on the floor of the shower, as he was placing gentle kisses along my neck and shoulder.

A soft moan of "mmm" was all I could verbalize as he just held me tightly.

After a while of just enjoying his touch and love, he said "Two point three seven seconds actually."

It took a moment to make my brain work and figure out what he was talking about as I pulled back and looked at him, but when I did, I felt myself blushing and muttered "Bite me!"

To my shock he moved his head back down and did exactly that.

"HEY!"

"What?" he asked smiling.

"You bit me," I whined, pouting at him.

"Oh, that did so NOT hurt," he replied laughing.

"Yes it did," I said, trying not to join him.

"Big baby," he said next as his lips found mine.

When they broke and I could breathe again, all I could say was, "As long as I'm your big baby."

He just looked at me before saying "Always" and putting his lips back where they belonged.

Our lips played and our hands explored, all the while the wonderfully hot water fell on us, and it was like the world wasn't there anymore.

I could picture us on a tropical isle somewhere under a beautiful waterfall, the water streaming over our bodies, alone, just the two of us.

"Already?" I heard him ask and it brought me back to find him looking down at me.

I giggled and said "The sexual recuperative powers of a thirteen year old are actually…." But he stopped me as his lips found mine again.

"You've been spending way too much time with Mom," he said before we were lost in one another again on our island, all alone.

The touches, the love, and the feelings got more and more, better and better.

Each time when I thought it couldn't get any better, it always did, and this time was no different.

I was heading for home run number two, and I could feel Adam approaching his first of the night, when the dream was rudely shattered.

We weren't alone on that island, although I was thinking about asking Peter or someone to see what they could do to change that, as a voice came out of the speakers.

"Uhh…Adam?" Alvin stuttered.

Adam to my surprise just kept on doing what he'd been doing, I think hoping Alvin would just go away.

"Adam?" he asked again tentatively before saying "Are…are you there?"

Adam just growled and finally said loudly "NO!"

"Oh," then silence came from the speakers for a moment, before a frightened eight year old could be heard saying, "Uhmmm…Adam…uhmm"

"WHAT!" Adam now growled loudly in almost a shout, and I knew he wasn't a happy commander at the moment.

"Uhmm," Alvin squeaked out again.

"Is an asteroid about to strike the Earth, or Romulans attacking? The FCC took over a starship and is about to fire on us?" Adam was almost yelling.

"Well no," Alvin replied.

"That damn devil boy is back again?" he asked and I broke up laughing at that, which earned me a glare from my love.

"I don't think so" Alvin replied fearfully as I heard him asking quickly if anyone had seen Pablito around anywhere.

"THEN WHAT THE HELL IS IT, CAUSE IT SURE DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END TO ME," he yelled now.

I could hear Alvin shaking as he spoke, as he almost moaned out "I'm sorry, Adam, but…well…uhmm…I…ah…really think you should take this phone call."

The rush at the end to get it all out made it almost not understandable, but we did.

‘Phone call?’ I wondered.

At a glance at each other, I could tell we were both thinking the same thing, as Adam growled out, "Who the fuck is it?"

That got silence long enough for Adam to spit out. "WELL?!"

"Uhmmm….Sir….It's….well…it's the Commander of the Genesis Project...." Alvin was saying, when Adam jumped to his feet and yelled, "WHAT?!!!?

"It's…it's General Adams, sir," Alvin said in a now terrified whisper.

 

I watched as Adam turned towards me with a completely stunned expression on his face his mouth working but no sound coming out.

I got quickly to my feet and reached out a hand to his shoulder as he just looked at me finally managing to get out a strangled, "Adams?"

The man responsible for everything that had ever happened to Adam and his family was now on the phone wanting to talk to him.

"Adam?" A hesitant voice asked over the speakers

"We'll…we'll be right up," Adam managed to say, and I could hear a click as the speaker shut off.

"Adam?" I asked softly, taking him into my arms.

He fell against me, holding me tightly for a moment before pulling himself back, and once again the Commander was back as his gaze went cold and he said, "Let's go."

"Adam?" I said again, causing him to turn back to me, and for just an instant the tough guy was gone and my gentle love was there, with pain filling his eyes that spoke volumes about what was being felt inside by him, then it was gone and he just said... "I'll be fine."

He was out of the shower and into our bedroom before my foot stepped over the divider. By the time I was dried off and joined him, he was almost dressed, and shooting me an impatient glance.

I quickly donned my own clothing, and without saying anything he was out the door, not even waiting for me as I scrambled to catch up.

I was almost feeling hurt as we damn near ran towards the command center, but I also knew how much this was hurting him. All eyes in the room turned towards us as we burst through the doors.

There were a lot of them because most everyone, including all the original Unit members, were there.

It was a telling sign of how much this was affecting him, as well as how much he loved me, when he reached out his hand and took mine, holding it as he looked briefly at me.

Within that look, though, was the Adam I loved most, the one who loved me back, and in that look was all his love for me sent in a glance which warmed my heart, as he once again became the Commander. He dropped my hand before turning back to Alvin and saying; "Put him through."

I watched as he quickly checked his uniform to make sure it was all proper while Alvin completed the call, and then the fucker was on the view screen smiling at everyone.

I thought I could almost see every single one of the Unit members begin to salute. Only a conscious effort on their part not to stopped them, but they did all come to attention.

"Well, well, well, all my children together, I see, along with a couple of traitors," the General said in an almost conversational voice as he looked out at everyone in the room.

I watched Mom and Daddy Joe stiffen, and I thought Mom was going to lose it or maybe Adam, because I could see every muscle in his back tense up with effort as he calmly replied "General?" in a questioning voice.

I knew how much it was costing him to remain silent, though.

"Lesson of command for you, Lt. Adam, one which I thought you would have learned by now. One who betrays one commander will betray another sooner or later."

"I don't need any lessons in command from you, General Adams, and I hardly think standing by us constitutes betrayal, other than to your greed and the cruel plans you had to kill us," Adam replied coldly.

"Oh my boy, it wasn't anything personal. Just part of the job; you became expendable. Then again, you always were," The General said, smiling still.

"What do you want?" Adam asked, obviously with little patience right then.

"Come, Adam, lets remain cordial; I know you were taught better than this. As to Dr. Hayes and Captain Casey, they betrayed their commander, their country, and their duty. For that there can be no forgiveness nor quarter," he said to the question.

"I suppose it's in the eye of the beholder then, General," Adam replied steadily, refusing to respond angrily.

"Hmph. So how have you all been? Lost a few of your so called army, I heard?" The General asked next, smiling once again.

"Lost? No, General, we didn't lose anyone. They died fighting for their family and against people much like you," Adam replied coolly.

"Shame really, you all were destined for such great things, and now to be reduced to this existence, living in a cave amongst a band of worthless children," the General commented sourly.

That did it... Adam moved forward and in an icy voice said, "Just one of these 'worthless children,' as you call them, is worth more than a hundred of someone like you! Now what do you want?, or this conversation is over."

"Ah, the impatience of youth, and to think…" the General began, but Adam simply turned to Alvin and started to tell him to end the call, when the General quickly said, "I wouldn't if I were you."

"Give me one reason why not?" Adam asked, turning back to the screen.

"Because we have a lot to catch up on, my boy. After all, you cost me one of the most valuable men I've ever had work for me; not to mention stealing my life's work," the General said.

"We have nothing to catch up on, General. I have no idea what I could have stolen from you, since you didn't have anything I wanted. As to costing you a man, well, I only hope I cost you more than one," Adam told him with a predatory smile on his face.

"Adam, Adam, dear boy, do you not think taking my other children constitutes theft? Do you know how much was invested in their creation and forming them into what they became? Do you know how much time and effort it took to find someone like Pinkerton, and you just murdered him in cold blood... not to mention all the plans you ruined?" the General asked snidely.

"You're a sick bastard, General Adams," Adam replied softly.

The General actually laughed at this before saying, "Adam, you've been a thorn in my side for way too long, and my only regret is that it's come to the point where I've got to let you go. I just wanted to catch up a bit with my babies before I said goodbye is all," he replied.

"Well, your babies are just fine," Jory snarled before adding, "now that we're away from you."

Adam shot him a glare, but the younger boy wasn't repentant in the slightest as the general replied, "Ah, Joris, my little pyro. Do you have any idea how much trouble we went to in order to instill that 'need' within you?" he said chuckling, before turning to look at Juan and going on. "And Juan, my absolute favorite, how have you been, my sweet boy."

"Just ducky," Juan replied.

"You wound me, dear boy; you were my favorite," Adams told him.

"I'd like to do more than wound..." Juan said as his eyes went yellow.

"Oh yes, the eyes, a masterpiece. Do you know the effort it took to make you what you are today, Juan? The countless hours spent going over every little thing that would be needed to make the perfect little psycho?" the General asked.

"You made him this way on purpose?!?!?" Adam asked in disbelief and shock.

"Of course. Everything we did was on purpose, Adam, everything. The perfect little killing machine... able to go from sweet little boy to psychotic in an instant. No questions, no qualms, no nothing but killing. Of course, there was always a matter of chance thrown in, but we did everything we could to eliminate that element. Do you know how hard it was to find someone with the proper scientific qualifications, yet that was also a sadistic child rapist?" the General asked laughing, before adding, "Oh, and keeping him from acting out those… 'desires' until the time was optimal?"

Several people who knew Juan's story gasped in shock now, as Juan, trembling, stepped forward and asked, "You… he… he acted upon your orders?" The rage in his voice was unmistakable.

"Of course, Juan. No one in those facilities took a leak unless it was on my orders. I ran Project Genesis, every single aspect of it. You are what you are today because of me. Oh, and with a bit of help from Doctor Drake, of course. By the way, did they ever grow back?" he said smiling.

"You Motherfucker!" Juan screamed.

"Is that any way to thank me for making you into what you are? What a shameful lack of gratitude," the General said nastily.

"I’ll show you my gratitude, all right, you sadistic fuck. How would you like to have your ass raped...with my SWORD!" Juan was literally vibrating with rage at this point.

The General actually laughed and laughed before choking out, "Perfect, just perfect, but I think I'll pass this time."

Adam had held up his hand, causing Juan to back off as he said, "Too bad, you already used up all of your 'get out of jail free' cards, asshole. So, what the FUCK do you want?"

"I see we neglected the social niceties too much with you in your upbringing," the General said, looking back at Adam.

"That’s it, I've had enough. Goodbye, General," Adam said as he began to raise his hand to Alvin.

"WAIT!" Adams yelled now.

Adam turned back around and just stared silently until the General let out a deep sigh, "Very well...."

"Very well what?" Adam asked quietly.

"To put it bluntly, I've taken a great deal of trouble to get this call through to you where even your Starfleet and Clan friends can't trace it, so I'm not worried about you finding me, although I'm sure you'd love to."

"You have no idea, General. Do you know we have dreams about you? Very nice ones too... they're all about what we're gonna do to you... once we catch up with you," Adam said with a feral grin.

The General sighed again and muttered... "Children, always so ungrateful, the ones you care about the most end up hurting you the worst."

"General!?" Adam said warningly.

"Very well. To put it bluntly, I'm well aware of your efforts to locate me. I'm also aware of those other two bastards' inquiries as to my whereabouts. I always said they were trouble; I'm just sorry I didn't get to them in time," Adams said.

"Who?" Adam asked, now confused.

"I believe you have met both of them, Larkin and that prick Reynolds. I got most of the rest, but hadn't quite gotten around to them yet. Now it seems they are turning over every leaf and bush to find me, and they're frankly getting a bit closer than I'm comfortable with."

Jeremy could be heard muttering, "Rock, you mean."

Adam smiled before saying, "I'll be sure to tell Uncle Tom and Uncle Mike, I know they're looking forward to seeing you again... real soon, even."

"I'm afraid a reunion just isn't in the equation at the moment, but you can tell them I haven't forgotten them or what they cost me. Next time you see them. ask 'em how they liked losing their team one by one," he told Adam.

"Oh I will, and you won't like the answer," Adam replied.

"It was so…so…invigorating to watch little Miguel, though, wouldn't you say?" The General asked sweetly, before adding in that same sweet tone, "To think something so small could take something so large, amazing, isn't it?"

"You mother fucking bastard!" Jeremy screamed out.

"Ah, Jeremy, how was your stay in Juvy and the home? I went to a lot of trouble to find just the right places for you," Adams said, gloating.

Tyler moved forward and wrapped his arms around Jeremy, trying to pull him back, but Jeremy was way too pissed to be moved.

"Why don't you tell me where you're at, and I'll be glad to show ya how thankful I am for all your trouble?" Jeremy growled out, while the General just laughed.

"General Adams, it's now or never, because I'm tired of this. All you're trying to do is hurt us more, and I'm not going to let you do that. Either give me a reason to keep this call open, or I'm ending it and we'll see each other soon... real soon," Adam told him coldly.

"Fine, I want to be left alone. Simple as that. I want you to let me go and I want your word, on your oh so precious honor, that you nor any under your command will ever bother me again," Adams replied.

Adam just looked at him for a long moment before bursting out laughing, which was obviously not what Adams had been expecting by the scowl which appeared on his face.

"What reason on Earth or any other place in the universe would make you think I would just let you walk away?" Adam finally asked when he could calm down.

I watched as the scowl left and the smile returned to the General's face.

"Well, I have about two thousand reasons, but I think this one will do very nicely." He turned in his seat with the camera following his movements. Everyone gasped in shock at what was revealed.

A child, a very young child, was tied inside a cage with each arm and leg going to a separate corner of the cage, in effect holding him spread eagled. The child couldn't have been more than a five or six years old at most, and he had not only the shock collar around his neck but a gag in his mouth.

Even like that, the hatred which burned in his eyes was noticeable to all present, as well as the fact that he never stopped struggling against his bonds.

"This little hellion is from our last Genesis base, Adam. Not very smart, as you can see; he won't stop struggling, even though it's impossible to break through those bonds," the General said as he turned back to face Adam.

"Let... him... go." Adam said, barely suppressing his rage.

"Your word, Lieutenant... Your word of honor you'll leave me alone and stop trying to find me," Adams said, looking out just as coldly at Adam.

Adam looked at the other members of the Unit, conferring with them briefly, before turning back to Adams, drawing himself up to say what needed to be said.

"For your crimes, General, I can't give you that promise, even for one of our own. You will be brought to justice. His death will just add to the list of crimes you have already been sentenced to death for," Adam replied sadly.

I watched the look on Adams face and was worried when he began to smile.

"Lieutenant, you just don't learn, do you? Do you think this is a bluff? Do you think I don't have the advantage?" Adams asked softly.

Then, shocking all of us, he turned again, only this time he had a gun in his hand, which he fired once into the cage. The bullet struck the boy in the head, killing him instantly as everyone cried out in horror and anger.

"That's one, Lieutenant," Adams said, as suddenly there was a new picture filling the screen of thousands of what were obviously Genesis kids, all standing at attention in Parade formation, and all wearing the shock collars upon their necks. It was obvious that they were at a second location than where the General was right then.

"Should I give the order for the rest of them?" Adams asked now as he returned to the screen.

I watched as Adam stared at the screen for a full minute, a look of utter disbelief etched on his face. Standing there in formation was a group of our brothers and sisters, a group easily ten times larger then all the other Genesis kids we’ve been able to rescue... combined.

I knew Adam well enough to know there could only be one answer. I couldn’t imagine what this was doing to him inside. I know for damned sure I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.

It was almost three minutes of absolute silence, no one daring to utter a word. I could feel that Adam was talking to his brothers. He didn’t need to talk to me; he knew what I would say.

Finally he squared himself up, and stared directly at General Adams. "You know I can’t let them die, General. I will give you my word of honor, even though you're not even worthy of it. But know this, General. If even one of them get the sniffles between now and when I come to get them, I WILL hunt you down, and I will do things to you that not even Juan would think about. Is THAT understood?"

"Your word, and I'll give you the co-ordinates of the base." The General said, smiling triumphantly, ignoring the threat Adam made.

"Neither I, nor anyone under my command, will pursue you any longer, General," Adam finally said into the silence. I knew, deep down, how much every single one of those words had to hurt Adam to say.

"Got em..." Alvin said quietly.

"Well, I suppose this is good bye then, my children, but I do have one final thing to say. You see, part of your thinking you are so superior to us regular humans is that you underestimate us. I don't suffer traitors well, Lieutenant, and I've been planning this for a very long, long time."

"There's not much you can do, General, just go before I change my mind," Adam said softly.

Adams laughed as he said "Chang, my most noble child, my true warrior 端は始めあるが、始めはあるが、その間端および方法は生命を作る、すべてに名誉を与える端 彼らのマスターを裏切る人に1つの運命だけ可能である。 ヘイェズ博士およびCasey大尉はコードの方法で彼らの運命に遭わなければならない。

(The end is but the beginning, The beginning is but the end and the way between is that which makes life and honor all. To those who betray their master only one fate is possible. Doctor Hayes and Captain Casey must meet their fate in the way of the Code.)

**End Logan’s POV**

Adam and the rest understood what he said, yet didn't at the same time. They didn't know what had been done to Chang and the rest of them.

In a split second, at super human speed, Chang moved, drawing his sword, and executing his moves flawlessly ,first one stroke then another, over before anyone realized he had even moved. Once they did, though, the screams began.

Those screams were upon seeing what the beautifully choreographed movements resulted in, as Chang came fully to a stop once again two bodies began to fall with strangled choking gasps.

Logan called out "MOM!" at the same time as Juan screamed "Dad!"

Chang never moved or even looked at what was going on around him.

It looked like he wasn't even there.

Adam stared stunned at the scene before him, both his parents dead before they hit the ground.

"And now the rest, my brave warrior," Adams could be heard saying as Chang suddenly began to move again.

Author’s Notes: Well that was a bit unexpected. Oh... Thomas Sent me a PM a while ago asking that I heal up "Daddy Joe." Well Thomas... It’s often said that death cures everything... so thanks for the idea.

Now if you will all excuse me, I need to make a mad Dash for Str8’s Castle, as mine I don’t think will be safe.

I do want to end with this little note though. This chapter, as well as the next few are my doctoral thesis for the Evil Author Academy. Please feel free to tell me what you all think.