Chapter 27

"I've never seen you without your mask Shadow." Ashe says,

"What happened?" Toni asks,

"We found out what they were planning, they were making a robot army." Atlas says,

Selina shakes her head, "Thousands were ready to move....we dropped a building on them all."

"What about May?" Neo asks,

Atlas looks at Selina and back, "This been so many secrets, I trusted only Shadow to go with me."

Selina gives him a soft, quick glare as Neo and Ashe stare at him giving offended looks.

"No you didn't. It's hard for me to trust people, with everything going on, I'm keeping a watch on everyone, closely. Atlas I trusted almost as much as Toni. I wanted Toni to stay in case something happened here. I asked Atlas, he didn't ask me."

"What the heck Shadow!? You could have both died!" Ashe spits,

"You don't trust us? Even a bit?" Neo asks,

"Trust you, not enough with secrets like this. Don't take it personally, Atlas and Toni are special circumstances."

"Sure-but we aren't."

"Neo-"

"Shut up Atlas. You lied to us." Neo spits,

She gets to her feet, death staring Selina. "Yes, I lied. I trust you more now. Your reactions here are enough. I needed to be sure."

Neo scoffs and walks off, "Eff you Shadow."

Ashe watches Atlas put his shirt back on and hangs her head. "I thought you always trusted us shadow."

"I'm sorry Ashe. I wish I had."

She nods, "Me too...are you both okay?"

Atlas nods, "we're fine. I'm sorry Ashe."

"Will you trust us now Shadow?"

"Yes. More. I have my reasons Ashe."

"I know Shadow."

"Please stop calling me Shadow. I'm tired, it's been a long day. I just want to be Selina. This is something I don't trust anyone with."

"You two go rest, I'll make a video about the building drop."

"I'll help. Atlas, you go rest."

He shakes his head, "I'm good."

Selina looks at him, he can see the conflict in her die, she wanted to correct him, but she let it die. So Selina is looser huh?

"Don't push yourself." She smirks,

Toni sinks to her knees and lightly hugs Atlas's side. "I'm glad you're okay." She whispers,

He hugs her back and lays his head on her shoulder. "Me too." He whispers,

He then presses his lips against hers, she jolts a little, but pushes into it. She grabs his neck softly and deepens the kiss.

Selina smiles and walks away to the studio where Neo and Ashe are setting up.

Toni pulls away and grins, "Careful Atlas, you'll make me fall faster if you keep kissing like that." She teases,

He smiles, "Worth it."

She snorts, they stand and walk over. They turn the camera on and go.

"Tonight, was the first act. We searched, you know what we found? Armies, of machines, ready to hunt me and my people down! We always stayed out of the way, we've always tried to run! Though the SGA has convinced you we are open terrorists, seeing that tonight, that was the last straw. We will no longer respect your blows with another cheek. If you're with us, we'll except you as family, we will protect you and fight with and for you! For all the others, we are your nightmare that will not end until you either give in, or are dead. I can't speak for the rest of the syndicate, me personally, I'm not sure I have a preference."

They wait a second and shut off the video.

"Wow Ashe." Toni says,

"It was good." Neo says,

"Showed them who we are, now, if you all feel the same, we have two options. Wait till Thomas comes, protect those that rebel, if there are any. Or we again, if any, help those that rebel and keep up our...demonstrations." Selina says,

"Will you tell us about them?" Neo asks,

Selina sighs, "Yes Neo. I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you."

"Let's lie low, help those that rebel. They know where we stand now." Toni says,

"I agree with that." Atlas says,

"I'll update Thomas tonight."

Neo rolls her eyes, "Let's just decide in the morning, I need to sleep." She says,

"Neo?" Toni whines,

"No she's right, it's been a hard day for all of us, let's just get a good nights rest."

They shower and get ready for bed, Selina makes sure she's the last to shower. She carefully makes sure everyone is in their rooms before she walks to her window, slides it open and stares at the stars.

She looks away at their Sat phone. She dials the numbers and waits.

"Hey, it's Shadow. I got an update. We found something, big. Thousands on robots, ready to go against us. Well right now, thanks to Atlas and I, it's under an entire building. Leveled. Yes sir. I agree, if we hadn't been here, we probably would have died in the invasion."

She shakes her head in surprise, "You want to move it up? When? Okay. No, I'll tell them in the morning. It's been, a long, strenuous day for all of us sir. We need to rest tonight. Yes sir. Out."

She sets the phone on her nightstand and sighs. Jeez.

She paces for a moment and looks out at the stars again. They contain so much beauty, this world wasn't meant to have heartache and pain.

"Gah I wish smoking wouldn't kill me." She mutters,

Her sister's smile flashes in her mind. Selina smiles, "I'm sure you're happy Margo. You deserve it."

She hangs her head, tears drip onto the floor. "You deserved to live longer than me." She cries softly,

The memory haunts her, how Margo had fought so hard, but the effort she put in got shoved beach in her face again and again. Selina shakes softly as she cries.