Dead Leaves, New Roots

I was called away suddenly on business. I can't and won't detail the circumstances, but the adventure had me stuck away from home for more than two weeks. In that time, oh how so much can change.

All that's left of my wife is a frizzled hologram projected from her mind..

Somewhere in my absence, several Ashagi employees from our branch had been attacked, Adagio included. But she wasn't just attacked..oh no..whatever harmed her left no body. Just a head, left for dead to wither away. If not for the fact Adagio had done those tests on herself to alter her brain, I swear I'd be a pregnant widow. I feel like that now to be honest.

I felt like I'd lost her all over again, an immediate repeat of the first time Adagio died. We weren't even married yet when that happened, and it took a great deal of faith just to believe that her new clone was in fact the likeness of my dead lover.

That fear never left.

Now there's talk of a fully cybernetic body.

What now? Do I kiss a tin can every morning? I can't cook for her, work out with her - all of that's gone. God, can I even hug her again without being reminded that this is my wife's second resurrection?!

Arwen took this better than me, likely because she was the one that let slip Adagio's being injured in the first place. I am ashamed to say that I'm more upset with Adagio for this than anything else she'd done. Stupid of me yeah? Blaming my injured wife for being half dead. Lana, Temp, and the others had time to prepare also, seeing as this happened several days ago; witnessing their nearly dead coworker's projection was a little easier than seeing her wife's reaction.

It was not all bad. Upon my return, there were some good moments. Ayr's healthy now. He was even about town in Madre's. What was interesting though was who else I met there with him. Leigh, one of the MCMC's more diligent security staff. She's a lot more qualified than she lets on, but it was a joy to see her again. The conversation was almost rather quirky. What defines a lady and was Leigh one?

Frankly, my definition of a lady defend on confidence and how she carries herself. The way she dresses and how her curves fill her top don't interest me. Listening to myself now, I think this is why I put up with and am attracted to Adagio. For all her narcissistic ways and egotistical notions, it's always geared towards something better than what's in front of her presently. She's not here to flirt her way to the top, and neither is Leigh.

Ayr's definition was a little more...plain. Standard requirements for a lady were boobs, a vagina, and otherwise clear anatomy matching that of the female species. I actually expected some deep thought out analogy to what made a proper lady, but Ayr was not in the philosophical mode. Somewhere in the midst of that conversation, he asked me to take over as Beta to the Pack, succeeding the seat from Gage. I was honored really; when I first came to Midian and joined this family, being a useful doctor was pretty much my mini life goal. Now I was asked to handle being second only to the Alphas- Ayr, Angela, and Shiro.

It didn't take long before I had to get in to swing of things. While I had been away, violence tensions had erupted between the Judges and the other groups within the veins of the ruins. Since being ousted from City Hall, the Judges have taken residence in the tattered streets of Apoc. Before they were harmless, fighting more with the Midian City Civil Guard for the right to protect the city than with us. Now, they've turned into bullies and the dwellers of Midan's ruined wild wanted them gone.

The Pack had grown over time, including more hybrids with a learn towards the militia style. Unlike in the past though, intelligence was not drummed out, but taken into account. The upcoming Midian Day was in our favor as the ideal time to keep the Judges out of our areas. Like last year, the former MPD would be patrolling the city to keep festivities pleasant. In the meantime, the Pack, Dregs, and Neferal groups plotted a blockade. It was wonderful to see so many behind this effort, but also terrifying if we failed.

The Judges won't rest until they get payback.

Cut to Midian Day itself the next morning. Being the equal of three to four months into my gestation, I couldn't be a part of the blockade. A pregnant female has no place on a battle field. The rest of Midian was blissfully unaware of what was to unfold, and enjoyed the many booths and events near the beach.

I spent most of the time at the Art Society's booth helping with the blood drive. It's quiet work but was equeally for a great cause. As the night fell though, things got weird.

Very weird.

I don't we were aware of what was about to fold ourselves, but this was a good hint. Psycho super heroes gathering for the ball.