Shao (Little Dragon): Part Five

by Tyna

DISCLAIMER: Marvel owns all the characters. No money is involved (story of my life). Thanks to a slew of people (especially Chi_Kokoro, Ken Barnes, Amy Hunt) who helped me with their suggestions so some of the ideas weren't mine also.

SUMMARY: At a party Jubilee gets to see people she hasn't seen in years, but something goes wrong. It's up to Logan to try and fix it. He tried to warn them that forcing company on her might be bad but you know as the saying goes some learn the hard way....

FEEDBACK: Please send feedback of any kind (praise, flaming, constructive criticism, etc.) to [email protected]

NOTES: Any bordered by triple characters (e.g. |||) means telepathic speech. Each telepath has a different signature. Phrases bordered by parenthesis mean the person is speaking in Japanese. Phrases bordered by * are thoughts. Any questions see feedback for my email address and I'll answer as best as I can. Archive at will.

The new students sat in hushed awe under the watchful eye of Storm. Lyka was playing with the fibers of the table, weaving them into intricate patterns when Matt and Myrial appeared before her, plunking heavily down onto the bench. It bounced almost knocking Keeri, the youngest of the new brat pack, to the floor. Her startled cry caught Storm's attention.

"I suggest you two calm her down and if you are not careful you will miss this party." Ororo said sternly. It seemed odd coming from a lady who wore an ice pink mid-drift top and white, skin-tight capris. They had the temerity to grin and moved to comfort Keeri.

Ororo closed her eyes and tried to remain calm. She hadn't seen Jubilee since they brought her in from Canada and was quite frustrated when Forge or Moira wouldn't let her visit the girl.

She slowly opened her eyes and took a good look at the assembly. Sean, Emma and the rest of GenX were breathless from running. Their arrival had been less than easy but they all seemed okay. Emma arranged her hair and fluffed the ends, smoothed down the front of her blouse, and tugged at the bottom of her skirt. This repeated every five minutes or so.

For someone so unemotional, Emma Frost was a nervous wreck. Sean placed his hands on her shoulders and held her arms at her sides. He drew her into the circle of his arms and bent to whisper something in her ear. She gave him the briefest of smiles and relaxed a little. They took solace in each other and turned toward their team, away from Storm's view.

*Had it really been three years for those two* Storm wondered, still bewildered by their marriage.

Bobby and Beast walked Remy over to Rogue and left towards the kitchen arguing about the bucket Bobby clutched to his chest. Rogue was laughing as she leaned into her husband's kiss hello. She had their two-year old boy propped on her hip and shifted him into his daddy's arms. Storm felt her heart skip a beat and had to blink rapidly to prevent tears from forming in her eyes.

Six months after Jubilee's disappearance, Leech had been playing in the courtyard with Lyka and was accidentally flung to the ground. As he got up and dusted himself off, one of the larger scales on his arm sloughed off. Without thinking, Lyka picked it up and put it into her pocket just before they were called back in for powers training exercises.

Twenty minutes later 5 students, among them Artie, grumbled in frustration. Their powers didn't seem to be working. Artie wrote Leech's name on his tablet but when they searched, he couldn't be found anywhere in the classroom. Lyka's eyes suddenly went wide and she brought out the scale from her pocket. Beast, the teacher on duty, took it and ran some tests, after receiving Leech's permission. The conclusion; his scales maintained the neutralizing effect Leech had on powers within a certain area.

Storm remembered Rogue's very special Christmas gift that year from Remy. A single scale, courtesy of Leech, sat in a circle of diamonds and hung from a white gold chain around her neck. The only time Storm saw her without it was in battle. After so long, Rogue could touch and be touched by people and was happily married. So many changes their group - no family - had been through and now they were whole again.

More people filed into the cafeteria milling about in response to the increasing levels of anxiety. Scott looked strangely relaxed, crouched by Xavier, but Jean's hand kept rubbing gentle circles at the small of his back soothing him, breaking the calm fa¡¦de.

```Jean, would you be so kind as to find out where in the Goddess' name they are. The children are getting tired of waiting``` she sent to Jean hoping the telepath was scanning the crowd. Never taking her hand from Scott's back, Jean turned her head towards Storm and smiled.

|||The children are getting tired, or perhaps, a certain Wind Rider is the one, hmm?|||

```No comment``` Storm heard Jean's mental laughter as she broke contact and chuckled softly - she should have known better than to try and fool that woman. They were closer than sisters and knew each other sometimes better than themselves. She watched Jean's eyes lose focus for about two minutes and met her gaze when they refocused again. Jean gave her the thumbs-up signal, then opened her hand indicating the time. It shouldn't be long now.

*****

Logan thought he had a little time and veered towards his room. He couldn't go to the party half dressed and there was something he needed to do first. Jubilee tugged on his arm as soon as she realized he was going the wrong way.

"Unless you guys did some major reconstruction while I was gone, but isn't the caf¡¦that way?"

It was strange to be at eye level with her. One eyebrow lifted slightly and her eyes snapped in annoyance. He pointed to his naked chest and gave her a wry grin. "You don't want me to catch cold do you?"

"Yeah right!" The words dripped with sarcasm as she motioned him to continue. A few minutes later she sat on his bed while he excused himself, arms full of clothes. Five minutes later he stepped out of the bathroom through a puff of steam in a clean white shirt and new blue jeans. "Wow, you actually bought new jeans," Jubilee teased and was rewarded with one of his famous 'don't go there' growls.

|||Where are you!!!|||

Logan winced at the harshness of Jeanie's mental call and shrugged into his leather jacket. He rummaged through his dresser drawers and found four boxes wrapped in royal blue paper. One by one he placed them beside Jubilee and asked her to open them in the sequence they were put on the bed. Each one was done up in a lighter blue bow and had a yellowing envelope slipped under the ribbon.

"I remembered your birthday," he mentioned simply to explain why there were four presents.

Jubilee gaped at him for once at loss for words and opened the first card. She had forgotten that he was the only one who knew when it was. Soon she became engrossed in her task and didn't notice Logan's distant gaze.

|||You are being selfish||| Jean scolded.

~~~Yep. Now leave it alone Jeanie. We'll be there when we're there.~~~ He vaguely heard Jubilee ask to borrow his bathroom and nodded.

"Jubes, get a move on darlin', or there won't be anything left from lunch," he called after 5 minutes of waiting. He'd never been a patient man and it had gotten too quiet in that bathroom. "Hope yer decent," he warned and entered.

Jubilee was standing in front of the full-length mirror, covered in black leather trimmed with royal blue pinstripes down the seams of both legs and arms. His eyes swept over her body and frowned. The uniform wasn't supposed to look like it was poured on. The sleeves were about three inches too short and the pants hem clung to a few inches below her knees. And there was no possible way the front zipper would go up. He was glad she'd kept the halter top on underneath it but the amount of cleavage she was showing was disturbing.

"I had that made for you just before you decided to leave for the Academy. I thought you were going to stay with the team. Not that I wasn't proud of you for making that decision and part of me knew I had to let you go, but..." he let the sentence die before things got too uncomfortable. "I guess it's too small now. Give it here and I'll have..."

"Not on your life, Wolvie, it's perfect. Don't look at me in that tone of voice. I'm a big girl now. Might as well dress to kill." She gave him her best 'innocent but not' smile, reached across the counter for her other presents and overtaxed her unpredictable balance. Her momentum carried her right into Logan.

He knew if he made an attempt to catch her, they'd end up in a heap on the floor. Training took over and he deepened his stance to brace for impact. A black canvas trench coat slapped across his face while silver rings dug into the base of his neck as Jubilee flung her present-laden arms around his neck in a desperate attempt to remain upright.

"Fancy meetin' ya here, darlin'. Come here often?"

"Nope, must be your magnetic personality," Jubilee shot back and felt the muscles under her arms tense as he held her full weight by his neck. She felt for the ground with first one foot and then the other. When she was certain that it would remain under her she relaxed her grip on his neck and lay her head upon his shoulder.

(You are my mountain, my rock. No matter how the world changes, you remain the same)

Time stood still for a hand full of heartbeats. It was the very same phrase Mariko had used when she told him she loved him. Once upon a time anyone saying it would have been gutted, no hesitation, but coming from Jubilee it seemed to take a whole new light. The pain and heartache he used to associate with those words never came. He was left with a liquid fire that flowed from her and filled every ounce of his being. There was only one response he could give.

(You are my sun, my light. No matter how dark the world gets, you remain pure)

They stared at each other for the longest time. Neither of them wanted to put into words what saying those things meant. They were saved from actually facing it for the time being by Professor Xavier. His astral projection appeared over their heads. He didn't look too pleased. :::We are waiting::: he scolded and disappeared.

"Geez, you'd think the Prof had a stick up his..."

"Jubilee"

"What?" she grinned and stepped away to try on her new coat. It scratched a little but a couple of washings would take care of that. In her right hand she held a pair of bracelets. Each one had five rings fastened by thin silver chains. She slipped a ring on each finger and placed the bracelet on her wrist. The chains lay cool on the backs of her hands. Carefully she made a fist and opened her hand rapidly to make sure the chains wouldn't break if she used her hand. With the other bracelet in place Jubilee turned back towards Logan and posed. "Well what do ya think?"

"Something's missing darlin'" He set her final present on top of her head and brushed back her bangs. "Now let's eat," he urged and guided her out of his room.

*****

Emma Frost pushed away from her husband and stalked out the double swinging doors before he could stop her. They heard her heels pounding an angrily against the marble tile floor, then suddenly the noise stopped. Everyone in the room could hear her yelling at Logan.

"How dare you bring a date to Jubilee's party. I..."

Silence. Someone had cut her off in mid-sentence and the gathering strained to hear more. Instead they watched Logan walk through the doors with a woman dressed in black leather, a trench coat and cowboy hat clinging to his arm.

Emma came running after them determined to get an answer. "Don't you walk away from me, I DEMAND..." she pulled up short as they rounded on her.

"What got yer corset in a twist, Frosty?" The words echoed, cutting through the stunned hush. Jubilee had never seen Emma Frost caught completely off guard and was about to tease the poor woman when she noticed that the cafeteria was full but no one was eating. They were all staring at her.

No one knew who started it but soon the entire room was laughing, except Emma. Sean rescued her, hugging his wife from behind. "Lass if ye could see th' look on yiur face. That be her, no doubt about it. Dinnae just stand there woman. Say hello," he whispered in her ear.

Jubilee watched their exchange intently and caught a glimpse of gold on their left hands. "Wolvie?" It was more a question than his name.

After picking up on her confusion Logan gave her a half smile and answered, "Yeah, darlin'. They were hitched three years ago, along with them," he finished and pointed towards the kitchen. She followed the gesture and saw Remy toss a toddler in the air. He giggled loudly when Rogue snatched him into the safety of her arms. The boy had blood-red eyes and brown hair with a very thin white stripe down the middle. There was no questioning who his parents were.

Rogue met her gaze and winked. She settled her son higher so that Jubilee could get a good look at him. Remy encircled them possessively and smiled; he was a very proud daddy.

"How?"

"Later, Jubes," he interrupted before she could fire away with the questions. There would be time for explanations and stories later. It was time for some wounds to be healed. He pushed her closer to Emma, who froze like deer in headlights.

For one who had had enough time to figure out what to say when Jubilee was found, Emma couldn't find the words. The icy exterior she maintained melted as she pulled Jubilee in for a long overdue hug and tried to convey how sorry she was for everything. Emma had promised herself that she wouldn't cry, but that promise went the way of her exterior showing a side only Sean has ever seen. With Jubilee home safe, it was worth a little 'show and tell'.

"Now Em, ye must share." Sean gently pried Jubilee from Emma and engulfed her in his arms. The rest of GenX refused to wait their turn and joined Sean in a group hug. It was so good to see them but Jubilee had been alone for so long she began to panic. Too many questions were being thrown at her all at once.

Clawed hands appeared out of the crowd to bodily move Paige and Monet aside. Their startled protests went unheeded as those hands descended on Jono and Angelo as well. Ev, Emma and Sean took the hint and backed off as Hank strode forward.

"This enchanting vision couldn't be our little Jubilee?"

"Blue!" Jubilee rushed to meet him and buried her face in the soft fur of his chest.

He felt the fierce strength in her lithe arms and couldn't help but notice just how much she'd changed as he pressed her firmly into against his chest. He felt his cheeks flush, his face turning an interesting shade of purple, his tongue seemed to be tied in knots and he almost forgot the gift he'd brought for her. Gently prying her away he pulled her to his side by the waist and beckoned her into a private huddle.

Curious, Logan opened his senses wide tuning in both hearing and smell toward the pair. His ears told him absolutely nothing except that Jubilee was excited about something. Her heartbeat all but thundered, then the wind shifted, swirling the room's scents around him. He sorted through them quickly, singling out Jubilee's and Beast's, and caught the distinct smell of plastic with undertones of cake and sugar.

Beast led her to an empty place at one of the tables and helped her remove the trench coat with an excessive amount of care. Logan snorted. He didn't have to see them but he knew that the pockets lining the inside of the trench coat were stuffed with Twinkies.

The special catering staff began to distribute lunch filling the air with tantalizing aromas. Jubilee's stomach rumbled so loudly that it put one of Logan's growls to shame. Beast eyed her with a mixture of mock shock and amusement.

Now that Jubilee was occupied, Logan made his was to Xavier. Scott and Jean stood by his side grinning.

"That is a sight I thought I would never see again," Xavier said. As one, they turned to watch Jubilee engaged in animated conversation. It made them smile.

"I hate to admit it but maybe this wasn't such a bad idea," Logan mused, leaning against Xavier's chair.

"Did I just hear the 'Great Wolverine' admit that one of my ideas was good? Shall I call Guinness?" His cutting edge sarcasm frayed the last of Logan's nerves.

"Stuff it One Eye. Don't ruin this for me." Logan forced himself to calm down. His claws had emerged two inches, just enough to pierce the skin and be visible. The slid back in allowing the wounds to close instantly.

He turned his attention back to Jubilee's table. Gambit was handing the sword bag he'd commissioned for her. Even at this distance Logan saw her relax as she opened the bag to examine the swords, then slide them back to explore her new acquisition.

Logan was about to rejoin them, but the kitchen door opening a fraction at a time caught his attention. Bobby's blonde head poked into view. He slipped quietly into the main room, tip-toeing his way towards Jubilee with a large bucket behind his back.

"You and yer ideas. This is going to go badly, 'fearless leader'. She's been trained as..." he started to say over his shoulder to Scott but realized there wasn't enough time to explain. Bobby was nearly to Jubilee, who seemed oblivious to her fate. Logan didn't get a chance to shout his warning. Considering her training he should have known.

Involved in conversation, no one at the table saw her tuck her legs until she could rest her chin on her knees. She leaned forward as if to ask Gambit about the bag, shifting her balance onto the balls of her feet. Gambit was more than happy to give a detailed description of the bag. He deposited both swords into Jubilee's waiting arms and began his story. He had no clue as to how well he was being ignored.

Jubilee thumbed open both swords, leapt up, and drew them out of their sheathes.

"Popsicle, get yer sorry hide out of the way," Logan roared, breaking into a full run.

Bobby stood there not comprehending, fascinated by Jubilee's movement, until he finally registered the swords. Halfway through her back flip, Jubilee extended the swords and arched her back to bring her feet around.

Without the luxury of time to be gentle, Logan shoved Bobby out of the way just as Jubilee landed. Her legs locked around his waist and her scent was laced with a smell he knew all too well, mindless rage.

She brought down both swords, slicing straight through the muscles in his shoulders and back until the points hit metallic bone. His blood-curdling roar shook Jubilee back to reality. Her front and arms were splattered with more blood as she pulled them out. He fell to the ground taking her with him. While his body healed itself he was unable to move.

"Wolvie...I didn't... I mean... I...Oh God!"

In her heart she knew he'd heal but at the moment rational thought gave way to emotion. She dropped the swords and lay across his chest. Tears streamed down her face as she told him to be okay over and over.

When the attack had become apparent, Jean had no choice but to put the children to sleep telepathically. She couldn't let the children suffer for their mistake. They should have listened to Logan.

Paige was helping Bobby off the ground. He was trying to explain that he was only returning Jubilee's bucket to her, not pull a prank. It was supposed to be a surprise. He began to shake uncontrollably and had to be escorted back to his room. The prospect of dying never shook him before but somehow an attack from a friend and teammate seemed different.

The rest of Generation X helped Storm with the sleeping children. Rogue flew in ready for battle after taking her son to her quarters, but settled next to her husband when she realized what had happened.

There wasn't anything else to do but wait. A couple of minutes passed by and soon Logan began to stir. Although it looked extremely painful they saw his arm curl around Jubilee's sob-ridden body. She quieted instantly and looked up. Her tear stained face saw nothing but his. Trembling hands brushed through his sideburns and stroked his cheeks. Jean had to turn away or she'd start crying too.

With effort, Logan pushed himself to sitting position still holding Jubilee to him. Beast was able to examine the closing wounds. They were almost gone. Jubilee pleaded silently with the doctor. He smiled and gave her the thumbs up. Logan was going to be okay.

(I should have never come back. I could have killed you) she said and tried to push away from him but the attack had sapped her remaining strength. Still bemoaning her actions, Jubilee fought to keep her eyes open. Her self-depreciating sentences died mid breath as she fell against Logan into deep sleep.

***** Pain speared up her legs each time her feet hit the ground. She ran blindly into the pitch-dark forest until her lungs felt like they would burst. The very forest seemed to be against her, their branches leaving long welts across her face, arms and chest. Fear and anger pushed her to keep going but no matter how hard or fast she ran they kept coming.

Suddenly an oriental dragon rose up from the gravel-covered ground blocking her escape. Weaponless and powerless, she screamed her defiance and launched herself at it, hands clenched into claws.

The beast roared and quickly wound itself around her, entangling her legs. Powerful muscles contracted forcing her arms down to her sides. It brought its massive head down to look her in the eye and snarled, flashing sickeningly long fangs. Unable to escape, Jubilee steeled herself for the bite, screaming her defiance to the very last...

Bright, piercing light startled her back to reality. Jubilee blinked back tears and tried to orient herself. Memories of the nightmare lingered making it difficult for her sleep-fogged brain to function. As they faded she could make out pieces of broken furniture scattered across the living room. Somehow she had made her way down a winding staircase, through a twisting maze of hallways, then finally ending up here - all in her sleep. Her vision finally cleared allowing her to realize that she wasn't alone.

Bobby, Remy, and Hank had been blissfully asleep when labored breathing drew them back to consciousness. As they opened their doors, Jubilee ran past them, not acknowledging their greetings. They shrugged at each other and thought that perhaps it was too dark and she didn't see them wave. Screaming snapped them to attention; it was coming from the direction Jubilee went. Confused they followed her only to find her fighting some unseen assailant.

"What in the flamin' heck is going on?" Logan asked the trio, who jumped at the sound of his voice. He searched the wall for the light sensor and pressed his palm into the pad. Lightning quick reflexes helped him avoid the lamp that had been flown from across the room. The others scattered to avoid other incoming projectiles. All movement died when the lights came to life.

Jubilee stood in the middle of a huge mess in a half-crouched fighting stance. She appeared disoriented and dazed, her chest heaved in great gasps. Her eyes finally showed some sign of recognition. They flicked about the room for several moments before settling on his face.

"Ease down darlin'. No one's gonna hurt you." He approached her cautiously with his arms spread to show her that he wasn't hiding anything.

Narrowed sapphire orbs followed his every move. In the fragile calm of the next few minutes full awareness spilled into her eyes. She drew up from her stance and smiled. Tension leaked out of her, out of the room, and peace returned if only for a moment.

"Oh my stars and garters," Beast whispered under his breath.

Remy had never seen Hank completely dumbfounded was intrigued. He rose from his hiding place behind the couch and froze. He thought he'd seen quite a few sights in his relatively full life, but nothing like this. "Mon Dieu!" was all he could say.

Bobby simply stared. He'd understood the fact the attack on him was partially, okay mostly his fault. He could even accept that his best friend and 'partner in crime' had changed, but this was too much for his poor brain to handle.

Jubilee wore nothing but her tattoo and didn't seem bothered by her nakedness. Sweat glistened on her skin, making the scales seem to shimmer. Her waist length hair stuck around her body slicked down by the sweat. Logan tried not to stare but her breathing caused an interesting wave of motion from head to foot. The tattoo danced while she stretched to ease the remaining tension in her muscles.

It was the first time the guys had seen any part of the Hand's handiwork. The fact that they saw it and Jubilee in its full glory was a little much. They stood transfixed, eyes huge with utter surprise. Jubilee looked down at herself as if finally realizing their preoccupation. Still not terribly bothered by her current situation, Jubilee casually walked around the room picking up the mess she'd made.

Four pair of eyes followed her every move. Logan was proud that she wasn't ashamed of what the Hand did to her but this wouldn't do. Sighing he pulled of his shirt and stepped in front of Jubilee, blocking her from view. "This is becoming habit," he scoffed and shoved the shirt into her hands.

"Oh come off it Wolvie. I didn't ask for the shirt off your back," she retorted shoving it back into his hands. Truth was, Jubilee knew how much of a common occurrence these nightmares were becoming. They had started about a week after the cafeteria fiasco. Usually Logan was the only one who tagged along to make sure she didn't hurt herself and - she suspected - hurt anyone else. It always ended peacefully until tonight.

Now she had an audience but continued to affect an air of indifference. She was naked in a public place with other members other than Logan looking on. She could either be embarrassed make it their problem. Option number two appealed to Jubilee's darkened sense of humor.

Smiling wickedly she left Logan standing there with his shirt and stalked over to Bobby. He didn't dare move and his eyes widened further. Jubilee kept her laughter in check and watched his breathing increase until she thought he would hyperventilate. When she touched his shoulder he flinched as if bitten. He stammered his way through a weak attempt at protest, squirming when Jubilee stepped as close to him as possible and put her arms around his neck.

Leaning forward carefully so that their bodies didn't touch, Jubilee whispered, "I've missed you 'Ice'. You don't have to keep avoiding me. I'm still 'Fire'." She ignored Logan's scolding and released Bobby. He stumbled into the hallway towards the refuge of his room. At least things made sense there.

Jubilee giggled softly and spun on her heel toward her next target. Beast was slightly more coherent and put up a hand to halt her advance. He captured her wrists and held her at arms' length searching her face. "Perhaps you should seek professional help my dear. You don't seem yourself lately."

"Someone's finally noticed. I'm not myself; not the person I was four years ago, but everyone expects me to be strong. I'm tired of fighting these darker impulses. I don't want to pretend to have a child's mind in an adult body. I've never really been a child." To her disgust she started to cry. She jerked her arms from his grasp and back peddled towards Logan.

She broke into a run, snatching the shirt from Logan's hands as she passed him. He called her name a few times, then told Beast and Remy to go back to bed. There was nothing else they could do.

"Was is something I said?" Beast asked Remy down the hallway. They were out of earshot before Logan could hear the Cajun's reply.

It took an hour to straighten the rest of the living room. The heavy labor helped him to clear his mind while he tried to come up with answers to several unvoiced questions. The early morning air was unusually humid. A dip in the lake sounded like a very good time. Logan stopped by his room for a towel and considered looking in on Jubilee. Quickly he threw that notion away. She wouldn't be there. In her present mood there was only one place her would find her.

"Acknowledged," the computer announced its cold monotonic voice echoing in the small confines of the room. Jubilee nodded to herself, keying in a sequence of codes, angrily pounding on the keyboards of the Danger Room's control center.

"Voice command access only, password..." she paused to calm down when she realized she was yelling at something that couldn't care less if she was upset. "Tadatsuke," she called out in a tightly controlled voice. She resumed her hacking - oops sorry - calculations.

"Acknowledged," it repeated. There was another pause before it added, "awaiting level and sequence confirmation."

Jubilee looked down through the observation window, eyes unfocused and distant. *I have to do this but if...* "Computer, print out estimated nanotech regeneration in relation to a three centimeter per second structural dissolution."

Again she found herself close to screaming and drew in a deep cleansing breath, listening to the soft clicking of the gears of the printer while it spit out a series of graphs and calculations. Blowing the breath out slowly through her nose, Jubilee studied them, jotting notes down on the side. If she survived this, the information would be useful.

Satisfied, she folded the long sheets into a neat pile and brought her sword bag around. After setting both swords on the ground, Jubilee shed Logan's shirt, stuffed it into the empty bag. She donned her halter-top and slipped on her thong. Trembling hands fumbled with the buckles as she snapped them into their housings along her sides. Her wrist and ankle wraps were missing but she decided they were unnecessary. She used her traditional methodic breathing to steady her nerves and knelt beside her swords.

It was time to face her fears. The dreams were getting worse and Jubilee felt this was the only way to gain some peace. For the first time since she acquired her swords, she didn't take pride in their beautiful construction. She said a silent prayer and cracked them open. Resolve set, she stood, walking without a look back into the lift. Before the door slid shut she remembered to give the computer its final instructions. "Computer, level Omega, sequence Destiny. Load and commence in two minutes. Initiate personnel lockout, password Shao Lung."

"Acknowledged."

*****