We did it; not free, but our chains are looser. I can't help thinking about Lola, as I slouch against the side of the building. I rest my arm on my bent knee as I keep thinking of how he held her. My eyes instinctively narrow at the thought. Next time I won't be so lenient. I should have finished him off. I muse back to the fight. Why didn't Shea come after us? He saw the direction we were heading. Maybe he knew he wouldn't have stood a chance against all of us. No, that wasn't it. Something else held him back, but what?

"Where do we go from here?" Sloane asks. Cody is sitting on his lap leaning her back into his chest. He has his arms wrapped around her, and is resting his chin on her shoulder as he asks this. Sloane and Cody are the perfect example of a links couple. They were the first to gravitate to one another, naturally. At first the Academy kept them apart, but when they discovered that L.I.N.K.S. can be even stronger with couples, they let them be. After a while they forced others to become linked to one another, the way that Sloane and Cody were. Naturally, they gave Damien to me, being that he was the second Hybrid. I never took to him, must be his winning personality.

I appraise everyone from where I am sitting. Eight of us, nine including me, were able to breakout.

Sloane - meaning fighter - name given by his prick of a father Age: 23 6'4 Green eyes Ivory skin Shaved head - He shaved it after we escaped. He said it was a way of cleansing himself from what he did. Whatever! Thick, muscular body (even legs) Rough hands

Cody - meaning helper - name given by her mother Age: 22 5'5 Hazel eyes Black skin Brown hair with golden highlights Toned body, yet feminine, nice curves

Considered one of the most beautiful of the experiments - there were many high hopes for her. Too bad for them; Sloane's attachment to her was stronger than they had anticipated. He wouldn't let anyone near her if he could help it. They fitted one another like a glove to a hand.

Next couple, Aaron and Nadia. They didn't get together naturally. The Academy assigned the one to the other. However, they made it work. They actually paired them up nicely, shocking they did something right.

Aaron - meaning light bringer - name given by his mother and father Age: 22 5'5 Dark brown eyes Black skin Brown hair Medium build; not too muscular

Nadia - meaning hope - given to her by her grandmother Age: 26 5'0 Violet eyes Ivory skin Auburn/reddish highlighted hair, past shoulder Skinniest; not toned

Next couple, although you wouldn't be able to know it because they were like night and day, are Gideon and Sofia.

Gideon - meaning mighty warrior - name chosen by the Academy - he's an orphan Age: 18 5'11 Hazel eyes; wouldn't know that since he wears his bangs long and covers them Deep Tan skin Black Hair; shaggy; crosses over the front, not too long High cheek bones Chiseled jaw Looks lanky but is well-defined

Sofia - Wisdom (don't let the name fool you, she may be wise, but not patient) - given by her parents Age: 16 5'11 Golden brown eyes Golden brown skin Blue hair; in bob (originally blonde - but dyed it blue when we escaped. I did tell her something inconspicuous, she obviously didn't hear me.) Skinny, but packs a powerful punch

Then theirs Kellen, who would have been here with Lola but, well, anyway.

Kellen - meaning Warrior - given by the Academy, they felt Ceiro was not a good name, since we're meant to kill not love. Age: 20 5'7 Clear blue eyes Golden skin Short brown hair; a little longer than shaved Bulky; muscular Wicked smile - does he ever know it. They sent him undercover at a Medical Academy, and how many RN's resisted? How about zero. Ask him, he'll tell you ALL about it. 'Best mission eva!' Moron!

Last is Andrew…what to say. He's the reason I decided to break out.

Andrew - meaning warrior - given to him by someone who loved him Age: 24 5'7 Green eyes Ivory skin Dirty Blond Medium Build Strong despite not looking it

Then there is me…in short:

Nastusia - meaning stronger than death - name given to me by my ever-so-loving parents Age:19 5'11 Brown eyed; big, round Rosette skin Dark black curly hair, goes down to my waist but always have it up. Can you blame me? It gets in the way. Toned Curves Long legs

I'm picking at my tattered clothing as I think of what to describe myself as. Sloane asked a question, did he not. Hard to imagine that my thought processing happens so fast, that hardly five seconds have passed since he asked the question.

"We should disperse throughout the planets evenly. If any of us get a strong message or sense that they are coming we will be able to make a run for it, while warning the others." I say simply as I start to get up. "I have something I need to look into. What you want to do is up to you." I start turning to head out.

"That's it." Nadia says sadly. "Just 'see you if I need to?'" She deepens her embrace to Aaron's arm as she looks down.

"Although, I don't disagree completely with you Nastusia. I do believe that blending in will be harder for some than others. I think it wise that we stay together for a little while, that is. What we just escaped from, we can't just live like it's never happened." Aaron says, patiently and with care. I think about his words as Gideon gets up from his seat.

"We need to go somewhere where they will not look." Gideon says, in his deep voice, not bothering to look at anyone but looking at the exit.

"Half of us can go to Lunar plant and the other to Titan." Andrew says decidedly.

"They are brown-coat planets," Nadia says hopefully, musing at the thought and starting to smile.

"Obviously, not Alliance friendly," Sofia put in, rather loudly as she skips over to Gideon and runs her fingers through her hair.

"They wouldn't think to look in that part of the verse," Cody says softly.

"Fine." I say as I shrug, still heading for the exit.

"Nastusia!" Sofia cries out. I stop and wait. "Where are you going?"

"Somewhere." I say simply, as I continue walking away.

"Won't you come with us, at least till you're healed?" Aaron asks with worry in his voice. Why do you care so much?

"No, it can't wait." I respond. I stop again and turn my head slightly back at them. In the cover of the shadows I say, "We don't have a lot of time. They will find their aircraft and know we have been here. I will try to jumble our thoughts from them for as long as I can, but once I'm off planet, you have to fend for yourselves."

"We know," Sloane says as he and Cody stand up.

"Please keep in touch, we may…" Nadia starts but stops herself, looking down ashamed.

"If you need an assassin, I will know," I respond flatly. "I won't be too far away."

"SHHH." Kellen scoffs. "I can handle them. Did you see me back there?" Kellen speaks out, pumping his arms and laughing.

"That's why Lola got left behind." I state, as I turn and leave the now somber room. By the time I get to the docking bay, I know they have already found ships to take them where they need to go. No evidence of our ever being here. Ghosts in the shadows. Nonexistent. Lola. Damn it! I can't save the bloody world. That's not even what I am made for. What the hell? I walk down past some merchants and realize that I'm hungry. What the bloody hell? That much for an apple. Psst. I swipe one in one swift movement and keep walking. Like hell I'm going to pay that much. Calm down. You need to calm down. I start to even out my breathing. I head toward a building and slouch myself down and sit against it. Waiting for my ship to come.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I hear giggles, as I start to wake, but make no movement. I feel someone dragging something wet across my skin. Ugh. What is that? Startled, I get up, move behind the person, and put them in a choke hold. I hear a gun cock and tighten my hold around the victim. I look up and see Zoe.