#sa maya

Lukas was wandering the halls of the Witherstorm base, still trying to take in the sights and learn the routes. It was all so confusing, and even after a nearly a week of nothing but sleep, he still felt exhausted. He would occasionally check up on Ranger and Trevor, who, in Orion's absence, were tending to the Hacked soldiers and trying to run the operation on hold.

Lukas visited Orion sometimes, only to make sure he wasn't being dumb and trying to overwork himself again. He always assured him that everything was alright, but the Leader was always stressed out if he wasn't working. He hadn't done this in a while though, maybe a few days, and decided that now would be as good of a time as ever to stop by.

Making his way to the infirmiry wing, he passed by Aiden and another soldier. Seeing Aiden again left him uneasy, and seeing him so robotic didn't help much either. Aiden had showed up back on the job after a week of what Ranger called 'procedure'. He seemed physically fine, however he showed no emotion, just like all of the other soldiers. Lukas figured this had something to do with this world's PAMA, and even though he still had yet to discover what this PAMA was, it still felt eerily similar.

He kept trying to push back the questions, but every time he saw one of the soldiers the question would pop back up again, seeming to intentionally grind away at him. The mention of PAMA in general spiked up terrible memories and sent chills down his spine. He could feel ghost pains in the back of his head, he could hear PAMA's voice again. He couldn't seem to stop the memories from flooding back to him, reminding him of the horrors he'd gone through.

Inevitably, the horrors came back to him once again, and for a moment he was stuck in a sort of shock until a couple more soldiers pushed past him as if he wasn't there, snapping him from his trance. He recognized both of them, Gabriel and Maya. He had to quickly remind himself that they weren't the same Gabriel and Maya he knew, and watched them go without them even batting an eye. Lukas figured he could ask Orion about PAMA later, just not now. For now it was best to forget about it, there was too much to think about. Lukas told himself to ignore the ghost pains pounding in the back of his head and continue on.

He continued down the hallway, stopping in front of the infirmiry door. He tugged it open before walking inside, only to find it completely empty, with Orion nowhere to be found. Lukas sighed, knowing exactly where he'd gone. He left the infirmiry, shutting the door again and walking further down the hall. He took a right, coming up on a large open hanger. The Ender Dragon was lying tilted lightly to its right in the center of the hanger, holes still scattered along its hull. As Lukas walked closer, he spotted the familiar sight of Orions feet poking out from underneath the large U-boat.

He kneeled beside him, grabbing onto his foot and tugging him out from underneath. He wasn't surprised when he was greeted by a pistol to the forehead and showed no shock this time, it'd happened so many times before. Lukas simply moved it aside lightly with two fingers. Orion scrunched his nose underneath his mask and tugged his goggles up off his eyes.

"You can't keep doing this, Orion. You'll never heal this way," Lukas signed to him, giving him a look of scolding concern.

"I feel fine."

Orion tried to slide back under the Ender Dragon, but Lukas stopped him. He tugged him back again and quirked an eyebrow.

"You may be slightly more healed now than before, but you're not alright yet."

Orion hesitated for a moment before responding.

"What if I let you assist me? I can show you how to build along with me."

Lukas was caught off guard this time, and glanced up at the massive Uboat above him.

"I forgot to ask-- Did you really build this all on your own? Ranger mentioned something like that. Is it true?"

"It is."

"And you could... Show me?"

Orion nodded, picking up one of the wrenches from off the ground and holding it out to Lukas.

"... Fine. But only for an hour. Then you're going back to rest."

"You know I can very well take care of myself, yes?"

"Your actions prove otherwise."

"You're ridiculous."

"I'm right."

Orion scoffed lightly, but Lukas could tell there was a bit of amusement in his eyes. Orion got up, and for the next few hours, Orion taught Lukas about the Ender Dragon. Together they fixed massive holes, reconnected circuits and put everything back together. Lukas was too fascinated by all of the information and complexity of the machine that he lost track of time. At the end of the day, the Uboat was completely fixed, done by the two men alone, and Orion had dropped against the freshly fixed Ender Dragon in pure exhaustion. Lukas was just as near worn down, covered in grease and sweat, sitting beside Orion and catching his breath.

"How do you do this on a regular basis?" Lukas signed to him, his hands shaking slightly from exertion.

"I have experience and patience. With that a man can do anything."

Lukas noticed very quickly the shudder in Orion's sign, and after a few more minutes got up.

"Alright, back to bed with you."

Before Orion could sign a protest, Lukas lifted him off the ground and over his shoulder. Once again Orion was left in shock, letting out a few questioning grunts before just going limp. Lukas carried him all the way back to the infirmiry, shoving the door open and setting him down on another bed. Once his hands were free, he signed again.

"You just finished repairing a massive boat, that's enough work for a while. Rest now. I lost track of time, I apologize.."

"You are fine. I'm alright, there's no need to worry."

Lukas didn't believe him, but wouldn't argue any more. He turned to leave, and hesitated for a moment.

"Would you like me to stay with you?"

Orion gave him a shocked, yet questioning glance.

"Why would you want to? Are there not- other things?"

Lukas sat next to the bed, leaning against it.

"I'm sure Trevor and Ranger have that all under control. It must get lonely in here without anything to do or anyone to talk to."

"It is just.." Orion hesitated this time, as if he was faltering on words, "Normal. It is normal.. I don't understand. Where is this coming from? What is it? I've never felt-- this before.. No one's ever--"

He trailed off, folding his hands and looking away. For once, the Leader looked to be showing quite a bit of emotion. Lots of confusion, almost sad.

"It's just.. Decency. Kindness-- you've never felt kindness? You've never had someone-- take care of you?"

Orion didn't reply at first, and there was a pause before either signed anything.

"Is that... Normal? You are not from here... The people I have encountered-- full of hate and evil. There was no kindness there... I only knew one person kind, besides my brothers. That was my mother, and she was shot and killed by yet another person of evil. Not even my father... All he showed was hatred, just as well as everybody else."

Lukas paused, just in light shock. This explained so much, and there was a new pang of sympathy for the terrorist. Lukas sighed before replying.

"I don't know lots of people here either, but I know there are others like me. Not everyone is evil."

Orion wanted to believe him, but remembering everything that happened, it was difficult to believe.

"I can't change my plans. I know you may not agree with them fully, but this is important. They need a reminder. A reminder that they are not as powerful as they think they are," Orion's light expression quickly switched to a faint glare as he finished, "I will be ruled over no longer by anyone. I will leave a dent in their society and leave them in ruin. That will be my legacy.. The Witherstorm continues whether or not there is good."

"I know, and I know I won't be able to change your mind. I don't agree with it, no, you're right, but I'm not turning against an ally. I'll still stay with you... You're bitter now, that doesn't mean you don't deserve kindness."

The glare faltered. Once again the word kindness caught Orion off guard. Lukas's kindness caught Orion off guard. He still didn't understand why Lukas seemed to care so much, but he was thankful. There was another pause before Orion went to sign again.