~ SASHA ~
Sasha's skin crawled at the images blooming in her mind of her baby, wrapped in so kind of silicon bag and… growing. Without her. Without his father. Without anything but people in white coats and clipboards.
She shuddered.
She'd always wanted to sing to her baby.
Tears pricked her eyes and she blinked them back. "How can you know that's when they'll… deliver him?" she asked.
"Because the process is very precise."
"And when he's out of this… process?"
"He'll be raised like any of the Chira—fed, watered, bathed… but he won't have parents unless I take you to him."
"But they'll grow him, right? Grow him faster than usual?"
"They try not to do that because it causes a dissonance between the mind and body," Nick said, then blinked. "Wait, how did you know—?"
"My questions, your answers, Nick. How do we get our son out of there?"
"You'll need my help."
"Specifics," she hissed. Zev put a hand on her back and leaned into her so she'd feel his warmth there.
Nick sighed and cleared his throat again, but his voice was no less hoarse when he spoke. "I'd get you inside during the evening. The only ti that particular lab is vulnerable is when Nathan has his ti in it. Which he does even night after dinner when he's on base."
"What? What's he doing?"
Nick shook his head, sneering. "He has this weird ritual. He's convinced that the Chira bond with him in their subconscious and that will keep him safe. So every evening he's there, he goes and sits with any of the babies or invitro… so they can get comfortable with his voice."
Zev gave a sharp intake of breath and Nick's eyes jumped to his. "Yeah. He did it with you, too."
Zev muttered a curse. Sasha put a hand back and grabbed his, holding onto him, reminding him that she was there.
Nathan's cold, cunning face appeared in her head and Sasha began to shake. "How does he… bond?" she asked faintly, terrified to hear the answer.
Nick shrugged. "He touches them. Just… strokes their arm or head. He's nice to them. If they're old enough, he gives them treats. Makes a nice mory for them."
"Why?"
"Because he doesn't want to be at risk that they'll want to kill him for his role in making them and putting them there. He wants them to trust him. And… he has this weird conviction that the Chira are kind of magical. He thinks if he touches them it'll rub off."
Sasha opened her mouth, but Nick raised one hand off his chest. "Look, Sasha," he cleared his throat again. "The only ti you can even hope to get a baby out of there is during those hours. And you'd have to take Nathan down to do it."
Zev growled. Sasha didn't take her eyes off of Nick, but she spoke to Zev in his head.
Do you think it's a trap?
I don't think he's lying, but could it be a trap anyway? Absolutely.
Sasha bit her lip. I think we have enough information, though. We could be specific with the Gateway
—we have to show up in that lab, at that ti. It sounds like there's no ti when it's ever empty.
Zev sighed. Nick was looking at both of them expectantly.
Don't give him any clue that we're talking, Sasha said in his head.
Of course not.
Then she looked up at him and smiled a watery smile. "Whatever happens, we're doing it together." It seed like she felt his chest squeeze when he looked down at her. She put a hand up to his face. "We can do this," she whispered. "No matter what he's put you through before… we're going to win this."
Zev's face crumpled and he closed his eyes, turning his face into her palm and kissing it.
"This is all really sweet," Nick croaked. "But the fact remains, you can't win this without ."
Sasha took a deep breath and stroked Zev's cheek one last ti before turning to face the man. Then she knelt down where he was sitting, nearly at his feet.
Nick watched her warily, but she didn't miss that his breathing was virtually normal. She wouldn't give him a chance to get his hands on her, because she knew if he was planning anything, getting leverage against Zev was what he needed to get himself out safely.
"You aren't going anywhere," she said quietly.
Nick frowned. "I an, of course not. Not right away. But I'll need to go back before you go. I have to position everything."
"Position what, exactly?" Zev growled.
Nick sighed. "They need to think that I've been unsuccessful here. Or that there's a reason for to return. I'll need to be back there and back into a normal routine before the ti. Because Nathan needs to get used to seeing around so I can be close enough to get you in at the right ti."
Sasha and Zev looked at each other. Sasha was the one who turned to Nick. "You'll forgive if I'm a little skeptical about sending you back there with a plan where you know the date and ti we'll arrive and… that's just a no, Nick. I'm sorry."
"How else am I supposed to help you get in?"
"We'll have to work sothing out," she said. "But for now… you're staying here. Until I figure this out, you're staying here."
Nick shrugged like it didn't make a lot of difference to him. "We have weeks before he'd be ready anyway. Just have in mind that I should be there two or three weeks ahead."
Sasha nodded, though she didn't say anything.
Zev's upper lip curled back and she put a hand on his arm, so he sucked in a breath and looked at her.
She was about to suggest that they go when she had a thought. "Give your device, Nick," Sasha said suddenly.
Nick glared at her. "I hid Zev's login from them if that's what you're worried about."
Sasha had to work hard not to reveal her surprise.
Do you believe him? She asked Zev in his head.
I don't know, Zev replied and his voice was dark and flat. I just don't know.
Sasha gave Nick a bright smile. "That's good, thank you. Now give the fucking device."
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