In the city, on the 23rd floor of a beautiful apartment structure, with the windows open and the sun shining in, Alexander Garland awoke and brushed the sleep from his eyes. It was a warm Saturday morning, although actually it was more like afternoon by now. Delicious smells wafted in from the kitchen. Stirred from his slumber by the scent of food, Alex pulled himself out of the king sized bed and slipped into a beat up pair of house shoes that laid faithfully at the foot of the bed.

"I thought that might get you up!"

A light cheerful voice floated to Alex's ears and it was all he could do not to smile like a fool. His girlfriend Cheryl Sunderland was at the stove, making what appeared to be a late breakfast. She was in a pair of sweatpants and a tanktop, and was greeting him with a warm grin.

Alex chuckled quietly to himself and took a seat at the kitchen table, sipping from the coffee cup that was waiting there for him.

A moment later, steaming yellow eggs were on a plate in front of him and he was staring happily into the soft face of his closest friend.

After mumbling a thanks, he stuck a piece with his silverware and popped it into his mouth. It was soon followed by a quick gulp of the pitch black coffee.

"So," Alex started, rubbing his face to clear the last remnants of the night's effects on him, "How long have you been up, sunshine?"

Cheryl was eating her own food, and took a second to swallow before responding.

"Oh, just a little while. I was up late."

Alex's eyes dropped down.

"I see."

He took a bite of the toast.

"I thought I told you not to wait up for me when I have to stay late at work."

Cheryl put down her fork and gave Alex a sort of withering look.

"I thought I told /you/ that I couldn't do that."

Alex made a half grunt, half sigh noise and continued to eat.

"I mean," She began nervously, "I get so worried. I'm not always sure you're coming back..."

Alex looked up from the newspaper that he had just opened.

"What do you think I'm doing? I work in accounting, not in the military."

She picked up the empty plates, and moved to the sink,

"I know, but I have a terrible feeling whenever you're not home..."

Pushing away from the table, Alex folded the paper and moved to her side.

"What sort of nonsense is that? I call you every time I have to stay late. It's not like it hasn't happened before, either." His arms made their way around her body.

"Don't be such a worry-wart."

Cheryl brightened a bit and turned off the faucet, " You're right. And it's not like the extra money hurts, either."

Alex smiled down at her and gave her a peck on the lips.

"That's the spirit."

With a playful pinch to the rear, Cheryl left into the living room.

"Oh, and thanks for breakfast, it was good!" Alex called after her.


"No problem!" came the reply over the noise of the television.


Alex leaned back on the counter top and took another sip of coffee.

Maybe she could smell the blood. Or perhaps the fumes from his flame thrower. Every time Alex stayed late at work, he was doing exactly that, but instead of crunching numbers, he was often crushing skulls.

More and more often, the strapped Apath Underground were calling on their servant's services. It was becoming more than a little bit of a strain on his relationship with Cheryl.

/I hope she doesn't think I'm having an affair or something,/ He half joked to himself.

The Cyborg, AdvancedType 10 Alexander Garland, downed the last of the coffee and joined his girlfriend in the living room, enjoying the ability to share this wonderful afternoon with the woman he loved.

It might be the last chance he would have in a while to see her. He and the green haired girl would be in washington on Monday.

After that, the world would soon belong to the Underground.