The Algorithm

Chapter twelve - Kill Count

It was plain and clean, simple and open. A bed in the corner with a nightstand and an alarm clock next to the lamp. A dresser to the side and a closet. A door in the corner held a bathroom. He took a shower, washing all the grease, ash, and sand from his hair. Feeling clean for the first time in days, he opened the dresser to find fresh clothes. He changed into jeans and a button-down shirt.

Now he was faced with the problem of not knowing where the command center was. He thought maybe he could go back up the lift to the aircraft hangar and find his way from there. He opened the door with a plan but as it would turn out, he didn't need one. In front of him was a middle-aged woman, short in stature, and holding a clipboard. "Hello, I'm Pollen. I'll be giving you the tour." She held out a hand and he shook it gratefully.

"Nice to meet you, Pollen." The most striking thing about her wasn't her incredibly ash-blond hair that almost spread as white as the walls, or her hawk-like nose, or sharp chin, but the fact that her eyes were different colors. Her left was a golden chestnut brown while the right was an icy grey-blue, creating two splashes of color on her pale face.

Pollen showed him around the dorms, there wasn't much to see, all the rooms and hallways were the same, but he was pleased to find out Marinette's room was just down the hall from his. But then the thought of her sleeping in a hospital bed instead of her room made his heart drop. He was falling in love with her, he knew, and it was too late to stop it. When he first met her, he was standing at the edge of love, deciding whether or not he liked let alone loved her. But at some point, whether it was the hand holding in the dark tunnel or the way they nuzzled together to find warmth in the cold desert nights, he had stepped over the edge and was well on the way to loving her.

The rest of the tour consisted of multiple levels of the facility. The cafeteria, training arena, weapon champers, communication tower, library, wreck room, and finally, the command center.

It was a circular room with desks arched around the walls and a giant computer screen mounted above the counters. People sat with headsets, typing away at their desks as they worked and Tikki and Plagg stood awaiting his arrival.

"Glad you found your way here," Plagg remarked.

"I had some help," Adrien said, thanking Pollen before she left to go oversee some task Tikki had given her.

"Everyone out!" Plagg said in a loud enough tone to make his point. Everyone at their desks removed their headsets and left behind Pollen. They all seemed to have a high level of respect for the grizzly man and Adrien wasn't sure if it was because of his abilities as a leader or how he appeared almost threatening.

Despite being giant in stature he appeared to be a gentleman, while he saw Tikki as more of a top dog. She was confident, had an authoritative voice, and seemed to be just as respected as Plagg even though her build and face weren't intimidating but had a classic beauty to them.

"Sorry, I'm late." A man in a suit said while walking into the room.

"Finally Nooroo, we can get started," Tikki stated while ruffling through stacks of files.

"Where were you?" Plagg questioned the silver-haired man.

"I was out for a stroll," Nooroo answered while shaking Adrien's hand.

"Nice to meet you," Adrien said.

"You too," Nooroo stated. Adrien noticed a somewhat weak handshake, drawing his eyes to the man's wrist. Silver cufflinks shined over his grey suit.

"Nice cuffs." Adrien complimented. He worked as a model so he was very observant of fashion. "Are they made to look like candle holders?" Nooroo unknowingly adjusted the cuff links now that they were mentioned.