One month ago...
Location. Check! Time. Check! Equipment. Check! Objective… Unknown.Viktor found himself within the team jet looking over at the control panel to familiarize himself with each button and switch as he'd always done before a mission. Arriving fifteen minutes prior had its perks.
Finally, a solo mission. I need this… He had his standard equipment loadout with his helmet tucked comfortably under his arm. All there was now was to wait for his briefing or so he thought…
Soft, resolute footsteps announced a second presence on the bridge. Kassandra stepped up, chugging a bottle of water and checking her gear one last time. She turned toward the back of the jet without acknowledging Viktor at all, though it was absolutely impossible to miss him.
“What are you doing here?” Viktor scanned over her with just his eyes, doubling down on his question concerning Kassandra's presence aboard the jet.
Kassandra uncapped a second bottle of water.
"Waiting for Kila's arrival so we can begin the mission." Her voice was soft, but the tone was slathered with a clear layer of contempt. She tipped the bottle to her lips and chugged it dry within seconds. Once it was empty, she crushed the plastic flat between her palms. Only then did she fix a cold gaze on Viktor.
"If there are no more asinine questions, I will be meditating for what's ahead." “No need, you can exit and calm your mind elsewhere. I'm not sure who misinformed you but this mission is mine alone.” He nodded his head toward the bridge, his facial expression dull as ever.
Kassandra ignored his gesture for her to leave. Instead, she stuck a hand into an inside pocket of her surcoat and retrieved her comm device. It looked quite similar to a cell phone, but it was far more sophisticated. Each team member had one, locked with an individual password along with a host of other measures that none of them had clearance to know. Kassy unlocked hers and read from the screen.
“Y06 - Report to the Hangar at 1200 hours. Full gear. Details to follow. - 13.” She turned it around to show Viktor, who frowned upon reading.
“I wasn't aware you outranked Black Canary. Congratulations on your advancement.” Her lips lifted in a smile, but the expression was all teeth and no pleasure. Viktor raised an eyebrow but grabbed his own device while Kassandra continued.
“As I was saying - don't bother me with your nonsense. When our leader arrives and we are all gathered, there will be answers.”“Y07 - Report to the Hangar at 1200 hours. Full gear. This mission is explicitly a solo operation. More details to follow. -13.” Viktor sighed as he knew something strange was occurring with the different orders being given.
“Your leader likely isn't coming. Even if he did hold the title, which he does not, he'd be here by now. Especially before you. We're being played.” “Good observation. Now both of you, take a seat.” Black Canary entered, appearing slightly more stern than usual. She hadn't caught all of Viktor and Kassandra's exchange but didn't need to in order to identify the tension between the two. The team's debriefing and therapy sessions after the mission in Atlantis made it apparent that Viktor and Kassandra were at odds, even if subtly. The former consistently had issues with team cohesion and sympathy for his fellow teammates while the latter had gone through great turmoil and an acutely stressful event generated by the reemergence of past trauma.
"Ah, there you are, ma'am. Our leader for today." Her gaze cut to Viktor, sharp enough to flay him open like the knife at her belt. The young man appeared to be more unamused than usual. At Black Canary's command, she settled back in the chair. Honestly, Kassandra wondered if Viktor had suffered a concussion or something. It wasn't like she was talking in riddles; all he had to do was listen and think. Who else would be leading them but the person who had signed off in the first place?
"I would love to know what this is about." The fact that Viktor was told something different irked her. Why was he told he'd be alone, and not her? Her mind produced an answer quickly, and she let out a faint, mirthless snort.
"Kila isn't coming, is he?" She addressed Black Canary, bearing respectful, but a steady fury beginning to bubble behind her eyes.
"This is about us."“Good observation.” Viktor mocked before shaking his head and taking his seat. Whatever this was, Viktor wanted to get it over and done with.
“It is about you both, Kassy and Viktor…” Black Canary trailed as her sights centered on Viktor.
“But let me be clear. Another hint of that passive aggressiveness and this could be your last time seeing the inside of this jet. Understood?” “Yes.” Viktor forced out as he tilted his head down to hide the slight clenching of his jaw.
Kassy’s mouth closed over the nasty dig she'd been readying for Viktor, so fast she almost bit her tongue.
"Yes ma'am, understood."“With that out of the way, we need to talk. More importantly, you both need to talk to each other about what occurred on your mission to Atlantis.” Black Canary's tone lightened and took a seat across from them, having garnered their full compliance.
“Your individual debriefings raised some flags, which is partly why there was not an assigned team leader for the follow-on mission. The trouble between you two affects everyone else, and based on both of your personality traits, it won't be resolved unless it is brought to the forefront.” She motioned toward Kassandra, keeping her expression soft so her following words wouldn't sound like an order or a demand.
“Tell me, Kassy, when did it start? What was the first instance of Viktor upsetting you?”Kassandra's expression had completely shifted. She'd been angry before, but that feeling had done a full 180. Despite her chin being lifted and her eye contact being firm, there was fear under the surface.
"Atlantis. During Atlantis."Viktor wouldn't know it, but Black Canary had worked with the young Atlantean long enough to know the girl's subtleties. When she was burying her emotions - or burying the root of the truth. He glanced at her, wondering what she might say next. Viktor preferred to avoid revisiting the events as much as Kassandra did.
“And what was it that he did? You can be honest here. You owe it to yourself… and your teammate.” Black Canary leaned in resting her elbows on her thighs while clasping her hands, deliberately closing the space even if it was only slightly.
"He went against my orders." It was a calm statement of fact. Way too calm. Too detached to be the core issue. Her body stayed poised, as if reading off a page.
"It undermined my authority during the mission, and caused confusion between team members." Black Canary refrained from digging into Kassandra's answer. Her many sessions with the young woman gave her a good deal of insight into her social cues.
“That would be something that would upset any leader for a time.” Her words were deliberate yet her intention remained just below the surface. She shifted her body to face Viktor who stared blankly back at her, reading every expression.
“And Viktor, do you understand why she would be upset because of what you did?”“What I didn't do.” He replied immediately, darting his eyes to Black Canary without shifting the rest of his body.
“I understand her initial reaction, yes. She believed that I had pushed the button and killed the creature… but it was revealed by Dr. Bingley that he was the one who fired the weapon. If Kass is still upset about something I never did, then I will never understand.” His voice remained level and cold.
Kassy’s calm wavered.
"It isn't- it wasn't just about the squid. These things don't just happen - you were ready to snatch command the second you saw an opportunity! The squid's death was a result, not the start." She folded her arms, her jaw clenched.
Viktor released a sigh, being very close to letting a less-than-favorable remark leave his tongue. Instead, he chose to shoot Kassandra a glare.
“I have my own theory. That Kass is only upset because, unlike the others, I never stopped seeing her for what she truly is.”“Stop. We're not here for theories, Viktor.” Black Canary raised her voice slightly.
"No, I want to hear this." Kassandra fixed Viktor with a stare, chin raised in challenge.
"Stop circling what you really want and strike." Her words were clipped, but her voice had taken on an even tone that would be eerily familiar to Viktor. He balled his hands and clenched his jaw but he wouldn't be a coward about this.
"Say it."And so he accepted her challenge, his emerald eyes on her once again. There was a slight furrow of his brow but he retained his level tone.
“I will. Kassandra, you're a liar. A deceiver. You said I caused confusion amongst the team, but what do you think you did that day?” He raised an eyebrow matter-of-factly.
Kassandra's reaction was… odd. Instead of becoming upset, or even seeming insulted, she just smiled. She actually seemed to relax somewhat.
"Okay! Now we're getting somewhere. Still a bit of a guppy bite, but whatever." She looked back and forth between Black Canary and Viktor.
"I am a liar. It's true." The smile was less off-putting, and wearier as she looked at Black Canary.
"I know you call it a symptom of my condition."The expression faded.
"Look at it from the team's angle. I have not been truthful to them from the start. However-"Her gaze went back to Viktor.
"I have apologized. I am making amends. I don't expect immediate forgiveness, but… you act like I cut you on purpose. Why? You don't even like me. You don't like any of us, and you never have." A biting bitterness snuck into her tone. The barely masked emotion sounded like it belonged to a war veteran, chewed up by battle and spat out again. It didn't sound like a 17-year-old girl.
"So what's the problem? Just keep acting like you're mister perfect, and move on."Another sigh escaped him as his almost dull expression displayed a hint of frustration.
“Because I can't. I can't move on.” Viktor averted his gaze from Kassandra. She was the source of some of his recent nightly anguish.
“How can I forgive someone who haunts me? Who makes the hairs on my neck stand when I think of them? I tried to trust you… I tried to keep you from hurting anyone else when you snapped. All it got me was time in the infirmary and nightmares every night. But even then, I don't hate you, Kass.”"Seven seas, you are such a-"Her lips closed over the last word as her hands gripped the arms of the seat. Kassy was trembling subtly, but her voice didn't get any louder. Instead of volume, it was as if each word was a sharp fish bone, choked up and spat from her lips.
"Seriously? If you really trusted me, you would have listened to what I asked of you. But nooo! Even though you'd never been in the situation or the environment, you knew better. And the only thing you did in Atlantis is try to hurt me. Just like the squid, anything that isn't doing what you want is an enemy to be defeated."“False!” It was rare for him to snap back in anger like this, but after what happened to Alisa, his emotions flew more loosely.
“Anything that is a threat to my team is to be eliminated. By any means necessary. If the rest of you thought that way, Alisa might still be here. Instead, you allow for situations to unfold. Why? Just end it. Swiftly! What difference did that creature's life make considering our mission? It was simply an obstacle. Don't blame me for someone agreeing with my methods. I didn't pull the trigger, even though I wished for it.”"Because, you id-" She snapped her teeth over the comment just in time, taking a breath.
"Because it was a protected species under Atlantean law, and unauthorized hunting is illegal. Don't you get it? Every action has ripples, every 'obstacle' has depths." She stared at him, eyes unreadable.
"Did those boys in Arizona deserve to die for their actions? They were a threat to the team. What about-" There was the tiniest hitch in her voice before she pushed through.
"What about me? I threatened everyone with my lack of control. Did you want to kill me, too?" Viktor's eyes narrowed at the question momentarily before subtly shaking his head.
“.....That's not the same.” He turned away from Kassandra as if the topic was dropped with simply that statement before a voice cut through the conversation.
“Why's that?” Viktor glanced at Black Canary, feeling like a critter that had realized they were caught in a spider's web. She had been strategically quiet, so her input caught him off guard.
“Because the boys were the objective. Their condition was the problem. So, we chose to neutralize them.” Viktor shrugged not feeling he was wrong in his thinking. And so he continued, now with his focus on Kassandra as he addressed her.
“Same thing I thought I could accomplish with you. The squid called for something else. I watched how you handled it. Sloppy and ineffective. Daph was dehydrated, Aleen'a had already used her reserve power source, and Kila's status was questionable. That's half the team you risked for your endangered friend. You made the right call… but with the wrong people. You were using a butter knife on steak and Dr. Bingley had the illegally purchased machete. He may have been wrong, but he damn sure was effective.”Kassy listened to Viktor, her face set. Some of the anger had faded from her expression, but her body was telling a different story entirely. She was turned away from Viktor. Her broad body was hunched, almost curled inward. The tremor had increased as if she were freezing cold. She simply let him speak.
“I don't like him either, but his actions at that moment aided us.” He didn't falter from his position in the matter. There was a brief silence in the confines of the jet before Black Canary cleared her throat.
“So the problem is a disagreement in how a situation was handled and some issues concerning trust… For the first issue, why not just agree to disagree? The second can be mended. Problem solved, right?” Her eyes were focused on Kassandra.
Kassandra looked right back at Black Canary. It was disrespectful not to look a superior in the eyes in Atlantis. She'd learned young how to aim a firm gaze with nothing behind it. Typical - one glance at the surface and people thought they knew everything.
It hurt to include Black Canary in that group.
Her lips moved to lie. To give up, and say 'sure' as if Atlantis hadn't been a one-time incident. As if everything had been an accident instead of an endless line of cuts that Viktor had just happened to be the last of.
She couldn’t speak. Why? She'd done it a million times. Say what they wanted to hear, play the game they wanted, because it didn't matter. Nothing would change, Atlantis or here…
“Or are you going to tell me what you think I want to hear? Kassy…” Kassy’s whole body tensed, the fear becoming obvious. She'd been caught, and pain would soon follow. Perhaps no one struck her directly anymore. But being treated like she wasn’t even a person by Dr. Bingley and then the rest of Atlantis, when all she'd done was speak her mind? That invisible wound was still bleeding.
Black Canary's expression softened. She didn't want to risk causing Kassandra to shut down.
“That's not why I wanted you two here. We're not here to check a block or to say that everything is fine. It's okay if it's not.”“You've demonstrated courage in many other areas. Don't betray that capability.” Viktor chimed though it was oddly supportive.
"..." Kassy looked up at Viktor once more. But instead of a glare from the monster she assumed everyone saw - there was just a girl's gaze, full of confusion and deep tiredness that reached beyond her age.
"I don't understand."“You're not a fool either. Don't pretend to be now… We all have our internal battles. You will never win them if you back down and overlook them.” Unlike Black Canary, there was no mercy in Viktor's tone or his body language. A young man who lacked warmth in his actions and his words.
“Viktor, enough.” Black Canary ordered sternly. She didn't want him to keep pushing Kassandra so hard but Viktor respectfully disagreed with their senior.
“With all due respect, Black Canary. This is what she needs. Kass doesn't like me or my ways but she and I are not so different. A gentle approach is ineffective for the stubborn. She needs to quit this silly game.”A noise, trapped between a laugh and a sob, slipped from between her lips. She almost seemed amused.
"It's so annoying… that you're right. It is silly, perhaps from the surface." She propped her chin up in one hand, speaking freely.
"I've been thinking, and the problem is not that I dislike you. It's that-" Subtly, she seemed to shrink inward.
"You remind me of someone I hate. That has nothing to do with you at all! It's not your fault, and you can't fix it, so... it wasn’t worth mentioning."Black Canary raised a brow at the odd development unfolding before her. Part of her wanted to delve into this but she refrained as she watched Viktor shift in his seat toward Kassandra. Viktor gave her his full attention now seeing she was beginning to open herself up.
“If it makes you feel better, I feel the same way about you. Maybe not so much now, but…” He trailed not wanting to get into it, his eyes averted for a fraction of a second. He'd keep his demons to himself.
“I guess we both remind each other of people we hate.” Kassy nodded in understanding, silently accepting Viktor's truth.
"That was what finally broke me in Atlantis, y'know? When Bingley called me a monster, it wasn't his voice I heard. It was hers." The way she spat the last word, as if hate wasn't enough to describe the feeling, was surprising.
"Everything was happening all over again. I was guilty before I had acted, prosecuted for being born… this." She started shaking, her gaze signaling her mind's rapid retreat from the present.
"I had escaped, but only to a wider cage. I had to get out, again. So, I did exactly what everyone expected - became the monster. Made their thoughts real. It worked the last time - why not now?" Her eyes spilled over with tears.
"I didn't know it would get so out of control."“Then… Embrace it. It is you, is it not? You'll never grasp control over who you are if you let others do it for you. Take your strength and tame it. Don't cage it like everyone else has and don't let it run wild either. You, yourself, are your most valuable asset.” Viktor folded his arms across his chest as he shifted his body forward again.
“Own it. And if you can't do it alone, you have us.”Kassy subconsciously moved backward, shaking her head.
"I know you mean what's coming out of your mouth. But - you saw what happened in Atlantis. They all turned on me the second they knew." She scrubbed her arm across her eyes.
"For the sake of the team, and the safety of others, I will learn to control it completely." Silently, she pulled her arm back, eyes locked on the rune-engraved bracelet that held her power back. Kassy's shoulders lifted as she inhaled deeply.
And then everything seemed to warp, shimmering like asphalt in summer. At first, the eerie distortion only surrounded her, and then it spread, approaching Black Canary and Viktor like a flood. The two instinctively braced themselves as the environment around them changed, their attention on Kassandra. They were wary if only for a moment.
There was a loud crackling pop, as if the world's largest moth had met a bug zapper. The illusory distortion vanished instantly as Kassandra said something in Atlantean that only she could translate. But it sounded very much like a swear word regardless.
"...ow." She slumped, rubbing her forehead. Despite being around her wrist, the sensation of her mental magic being caged was akin to cymbals crashing into both sides of her skull. It was like she'd been hit with a force just as strong as the magical energy she'd put in.
“Hmm… One day at a time, Kass. I'm sure you can accomplish it.” His words were the softest they'd been since being on the jet. They were words he often told Daphne during his daily visits.
“We're both sure as well as the rest of the team.” Black Canary almost wanted to excuse Viktor but she also knew his presence and words invoked something within Kassandra. She was sharing things she hadn't been privy to, even after their several sessions.
“Kassy, you made mention of another time. Another time where you lost control as you had during the mission in Atlantis… What was it that happened?”Kassy curled into herself, fear in her eyes, ready to retreat into her mind again.
"It was earlier. Before I went to Tritonis and met the King. Where I grew up. My…" She trailed off, fear stealing her voice. And then, oddly enough, she looked up at Viktor for a moment. His eyes were focused, almost piercing. Her jaw tensed and she straightened up. Resolution had returned to her when she started fresh.
"My aunt. She hated me. Maybe for what I was, maybe because she had to take care of me. Maybe she hated my mother instead, and hurt me for it." She took a steady breath before continuing.
"I will save you the sob story. Suffice to say, I was going to wait until I was an adult, and just leave. Find my own way. Apparently, that wasn’t enough. One night-" Shutting her eyes, she swallowed past a lump in her throat.
"I don't remember what set her off, but she kept hitting me. Over and over. She wouldn't stop, no matter how much I begged. I knew that it would never stop unless - unless I made it stop." Her voice took on a flat edge, colder and flatter with every word.
"I used my power. I wanted her to experience every last drop of pain and fear she had forced on me. I made sure she did.""...she was still unconscious by the time I had packed my things. I left and didn't look back."Her words left the jet unsettlingly quiet for a time.
“Kassy…” Black Canary wished to find a way to console her after hearing her traumatic story, but Viktor cut in first.
“I might have done the same.” Viktor simply shrugged, attracting a glare from Black Canary.
“Viktor, that's not appropriate. Not now. Do you hear me?”“Yes… but you would have also done the same, correct? It was self-defense in the only way she knew how. Heavy-handed, yes but how can we tell someone how to defend themselves at that moment? No one was there to teach her or assist her. Why do you think I've never held what she did to me against her? It was always the lie…” He hated the nightmares but in a twisted way, he thought they were deserved. He couldn't blame the flower because he got pricked by its thorns. Not when he was trying to pull it from its place.
“It wasn't her fault. Of course, anyone would agree with that, but she needs comfort, not someone telling her she was justified in her actions.” Black Canary was firm but scowling at the young man now. She was beginning to regret not dismissing him earlier. He on the other hand was more engaged in the conversation than ever as he leaned in toward the center and spoke freely.
“Why can't it be both? Why can't justification be her comfort? What she did wasn't out of the ordinary. Kass doesn't need a hug or soft words. She needs someone to not view her as a monster for what she's done. Perhaps that's why she's lied all this time, because she didn't believe anyone was ever going to give her this truth. You weren't going to give her this truth. She can tell us herself.”Kassy’s voice cut through the argument.
"She is still here and her ears still work." She looked downright exhausted.
"Viktor's right. The time for comfort was when I was a child. Whatever remained of that little girl died the same moment I used my power on purpose. It's too late." She buried her trembling hands in her hair.
"I am very good at packing my things very fast. If you would at least let me say goodbye to-" Her voice cracked, slipping into a soft defeated tone.
"To Kila, I would appreciate that." Kassy stood swiftly, face to the ground as she gathered her gear.
“Kassy, you don't really intend on leaving, do you? No one wants to see you go. We can work through this.” Black Canary shifted back to concern when addressing Kassandra, shaking her head to show her she didn't want to think of departing.
"No, I don't want to leave. But do you really think they'll allow me to stay after I just admitted to attacking someone of my own free will?" Her arms wrapped around herself.
“Of course, they'll keep you.” His face contorted, almost disgusted by what Kassandra predicted might happen.
“Do you really think their standards are that high, Kass? They recruited Daphne of all people. Talon, Kila, and myself are reformed but to what extent? We receive more therapy sessions post mission than active duty infantrymen.” He scoffed at her.
“Quit assuming and be rational.”“Viktor. That's enough. I will handle this. If we need your input again, we'll ask.” She gave him a nod before addressing Kassandra again.
“What you shared is something I may have to inform a small circle of. As you can imagine, something like that can't go undocumented. If there's a decision to be made, it'll be made in deliberation. Until then, you are still a member of this team, Mirage.”Kassy’s head jerked up at Viktor's tone, as she turned to stare at him. The derision she was expecting, but the target was all wrong. She wanted to speak but waited for Black Canary to say her piece.
"Yes ma'am. I understand." She turned to Viktor, momentarily silent. Then, she held her right fist to her chest and swept a bow. The team had seen this gesture before; she'd always described it as an Atlantean salute. A gesture of respect for one above her station. Or one worthy of respect.
"You've been very truthful this whole time. Thank you. I'm out of practice, so I might as well start now. I'm sorry for hurting you, Viktor. You were wearing my aunt's face at the time, but that doesn't excuse my actions. I don't expect your forgiveness, but I hope to earn it in time." Viktor was about to reply but looked at Black Canary from the corners of his eyes for permission to speak. A simple nod from her was all he needed before his gaze met Kassandra again.
“Already accepted. All I want from you is your honesty. Not just to me but to the others and yourself.” He finally stood up from his seat.
“Own who you are and own what you're capable of…” As Viktor spoke he looked down at her, his expression not dull, but serious. It almost appeared as if he really cared despite how cold he was being with the rest of his body language. His eyes remained on hers for a moment before darting toward Kassandra's dampening bracelet.
“... perhaps when you finally get that thing off your wrist.”She raised her arm, gaze narrowing at the offending device.
"Yes. One day. And sooner than you think. Nothing makes me want to prove myself more than being challenged." For the first time since Atlantis, she smiled at him. Not a tooth-baring threat, but a soft little grin.
"It's your turn, next time. When you're ready to tell me what nasty person I remind you of, I will listen." “Sure. Next time.” Viktor nodded, cementing the idea presented. Though still very weak, Kassandra and Viktor's bond was mended.
Member
PapaOso
Half Pint
princess
Tpartywithzombi
CitrusArms
Izurich
Shin Ghost Note
SilverPaw
DClassified
13org
