O Positive - Chapter 7

 O POSITIVE

The Rangers moved swiftly through the main living area of the hacker's domicile and office, where chaos reigned supreme. Debris littered the floor, and the collapsed ceiling blocked access to the hidden door beneath. The General's face contorted with fury as he realized Sam had escaped, while Wallace looked torn between loyalty and doubt. Amidst the frenzy, a Ranger picked up Lenora's tablet, a valuable piece of the puzzle.

—--

Emerging from a maintenance hole at the edge of a cemetery, Lenora and Sam stepped into the fading light, the echoes of squealing rats still resonating in the sewer tunnels.

"Schedule a video chat with a therapist! I’m going to be emotionally scarred for life," Lenora exclaimed, visibly shaken.

"I need five hours in a hot bath," Sam retorted, her mind set on simpler matters.

Lenora turned to Sam with a serious expression. "I’ve been following Gray Hat for years. Both professionally with the Rangers and personally."

"Consider me ex-Gray Hat. Especially since they tried to kill me," Lenora replied, her voice tinged with bitterness.

Sam's interest was piqued. "The biopunk who called me was the guy in your billboard cry for help, Ti Yu?"

Before they could delve further, Lenora asked, "What’s with the bigger balls contest back there between you and Captain Crazy?"

Sam's expression darkened. "I’m a Genepunk; born without fear. I stepped on the wrong toes, snooped in the wrong places, and the General murdered my parents."

Lenora expressed her sympathy. "I’m sorry about your folks, um--"

"Call me Samantha. Just Sam," she interjected, cutting her off.

Lenora introduced herself. "Lenora. People call me ‘Nora. No last name, it’s just another way the establishment keeps tabs on you."

"Let’s go back and get it," Sam suggested, referring to the tablet.

Lenora smirked. "You really are fearless, aren’t you? Fearless and stupid. There’s probably a hundred Rangers there now. Besides, it’s too late."

"Too late? Why?" Sam inquired, intrigued.

With a mischievous grin, Lenora replied.

Back at the Biohacker hangout, the General was mesmerized by the flickering image of  Lenora on the tablet that was beaten to hell. Lenora's holographic image blinked on the tablet as she delivered her message with defiance. 

"A hacker’s got to know his limitations,” Lenora’s avatar began, “You just reached yours. Suck my dick!"

The General's fury boiled over, and he hurled the tablet against the wall, shattering it into pieces.

—--

Back on the streets just outside the cemetery, the sun was just beginning to set.  Walking aimlessly among transients and derelicts, Sam and Lenora discussed their next move.

"I need to find out what your friend Ti Yu was talking about when he said you could help me," Sam stated firmly. "I’m not looking for a partner or a friend. Just revenge, pure and simple."

Lenora nodded. "Okay, you’re angry and you’re a bully. I get it. You’re pissed about your parents. I would be too."

Sam turned abruptly, confronting Lenora. "They weren’t my parents."

Lenora was taken aback. "Huh? Can we reboot this convo?"

"I saw my chart. Barry and Gayle Wright had O positive blood types. I’m AB negative. There’s no way either one of them could be my biological parent," Sam explained.

Lenora's expression softened. "And the good news just keeps on coming. You’re a Genepunk orphan. Seriously, I’m sorry."

Sam's gaze hardened. "Put all the cards on the table now. No secrets."

With a guilty look, Lenora relented. "Um-- No. Nothing comes to mind."

"Good," Sam responded sharply. "This is a fresh start."

As they walked on, Lenora couldn't resist a quip. "Yeah, this could be the start of a beautiful relationship."

Sam scoffed, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "How long have you wanted to say that?"

Lenora grinned. "Since you told me you followed Gray Hat."

Sam stopped, giving Lenora a pointed look. "Now that you’ve got it out of your system and I don’t have to listen to dumb puns like that again."

They continued walking, together. Their paths remained uncertain but their resolve unyielding.