Christian
Christian tried in vain to get the collar off, but knew nothing would work. He needed another alien. One who would use their atom manipulation.
He gazed across at a nearby telephone booth longingly, hiding in the night's shadows whenever someone would walk past. He wasn't afraid - he just didn't need to be recognized.
Pulling himself together, he made his way across the street and stepped in. He picked up the reciever, hesitated, then dialled.
He spoke a Dathrian code, which allowe dhim to be transferred through to the space station.
"To whom is this call?"
"Ah... Tanya, thanks. Telepathic Temptress."
"I must advise that you are calling rather late, and she may be unavailable..."
"Just put me through to her, it's urgent."
Tanya
Tanya muttered something when she heard the buzz that told her there was a call for her.
"Hello?" she yawned.
Christian
Christian closed his eyes, a small smile creeping onto his face at hearing the sound of her voice.
"Hey... Tanya..." he began softly.
"It's ah..." he chuckled quietly, "it's good to hear your voice..."
Tanya
Tanya was silent for a moment.
"Christian?" she gasped. "Are you okay? Where are you?"
Christian
"I'm... somewhere in Nevada," Christian's brow crinkled a little, watching his surroundings carefully.
"I... I don't know where. I just got away from Blakesley a couple of hours ago. He has Varian again."
Tanya
"Oh dear, the poor thing," Tanya said.
She shook her head.
"You okay? Blakesley didn't tear you up too badly, I hope."
Christian
"Yeah," Christian sighed.
"And umm... well, he did. But Varian healed me somehow."
He scratched his head.
"I was pretty weak before that, so once my strength returned I was pretty much able to break out. The only thing hindering me is this damn collar. It blocks my powers and electrocutes me if I try to use them. Twice I managed to pour acid over the damn control box and got my telekinesis back, but otherwise... I don't know. It's adamantium."
Tanya
"Adamantium?" Tanya repeated. "I'd say your best bet to get that off is a metal manipulator."
She paused for a moment.
"Do you think you're in the clear - as far as your escape goes?"
christian
"Well, anyone with atom manipulation would do at the moment," Christian chuckled.
"As for that... ah... I honestly have no idea. It'll take something for him to get me back again, but... there's someone helping him."
He frowned to himself.
"Some goddess named Ashtoreth apparently likes this asshole and has some chick watching over him. Half mutant half alien. Some kind of magic worker. I don't know her that well. She could be a problem if he gets her involved."
Tanya
Tanya laughed as well.
"Sometimes I get so caught up in specialities I forget about atom manipulation," she admitted. "Hmm... supernatural stuff, huh? I could talk to some people. See what we can find out about this... Ashtoreth person."
Christian
"Cool," Christian nodded to himself.
He hesitated, twisting his hand around the phone cord.
"So... how's the pregnancy coming?"
Tanya
"It's progressing quite well, actually," Tanya replied. "Thanks for asking. I've taken on teaching Ga'Revali on the station. Well, I suppose it was one of those inevitable things. I'm afraid our other Master... well, he's getting old, and you know how it is with all older people - their powers start dwindling in strength."
Christian
"Yeah... it happens," Christian sighed.
He watched as a homeless man began scrounging in a dumpster down the street.
"So, do you know if it's a boy or girl yet? Or is it too early?"
Tanya
"Mmm, I think I could find out if I wanted to," Tanya replied, "but I'm interested in being surprised."
She paused for a moment.
"But I've decided on first names, either way. If it's a girl, she'll be Christy. If it's a boy, Christopher."
Christian
Christian's eyebrows rose.
"Ah... woah. I mean, yeah..."
He scratched his head, then chuckled.
"I... don't know what to say. Umm... yeah. Ah... is Leroy around?"
Tanya
Tanya chuckled.
"Yes he is. He almost as excited about this baby as I am. I guess he might have wanted to be a father one day, just didn't think he ever would be - his work being what it is. Or was."
Christian
Christian felt a shudder coming, but held it back.
"Ah... 'was'?" he asked.
Tanya
"He's not a field agent any more," Tanya explained. "He's the commander of the space station."
She paused briefly.
"And I retired from service. I've taken up tecahing Ga'Revali full time."
Christian
Christian's eyes widened.
He looked around the neighbourhood, then scratched his head. Leaning his elbow against the glass, he put his head in his hand.
"Well... I'm glad you have. You need more time to spend with the little guy."
He took a deep breath.
"Ah... when's it due?"
Tanya
"May," Tanya replied. "And you're right... being a field agent is no way for a child to grow up."
Christian
"Exactly," Christian insisted.
He gazed down the street a little, noticing a gang of about five men headed in his direction.
"Ah look... I've gotta go. If I don't call you by next week something's happened, ok?"
Tanya
"Okay," Tanya replied. "Please be careful, Christian. And if you have a chance, you might want to call Chloe."
Christian
"Chloe?" Christian frowned, confused.
"Ah... ok. I'll talk to you soon, but I really gotta go. See ya."
He hung up, then slipped out of the phone box and made his way further down the street - back to the alley.
Tanya
Tanya hung up, her mind reeling over what had been said. It took her awhile before she was able to get to sleep.