The three of them carefully made their way to what they presumed was de Lancre’s master suite, the nanobots creating new doorways for them as they went. De Lancre’s suite was in the center of the floor, presumably to best shield it from any outside forces. 

Latxe jabbed at the tablet again and a new door opened up in front of them to de Lancre’s suite. Just as the doorway had appeared, Kepa saw a bright light. “Duck!” he yelled, pushing Latxe to the side as he tackled Maite. A bolt of lightning flashed above their heads, smashing into the walls behind them.

De Lancre’s enraged voice echoed across the room. “Did you think to fool me so easily?” he bellowed. “I knew exactly where you were.”

Kepa peeked out through the doorway. De Lancre stood in the middle of his room. His left arm, all mangled, hung limply by his side. But his right was raised, ready to strike.

De Lancre let out a scream. Kepa saw his left arm begin to twist and contort as it was being reshaped. 

“The nanobots…” Kepa began.

“Not on my watch, you son of a bitch.” Latxe had also been peeking through the doorway and saw how de Lancre had begun healing his arm. She swiped at her tablet. De Lancre’s arm stopped moving for a moment and then began to twist in unnatural ways. De Lancre fell to his knees, screaming.

“I thought you said the nanobots couldn’t hurt anyone!” exclaimed Kepa.

Latxe gave him a cold look. “They can’t unless I hijack them.”

“You’re torturing him!” yelled Maite over de Lancre’s screams.

“Any more than he tortured us?” responded Latxe, all warmth completely gone from her voice.

Maite winced as she heard the loud snap of one of de Lancre’s bones break. This time, he barely let out a whimper.

“Gelditu,” said Kepa, firmly. “Stop.” He held out his hand. Latxe looked down at her tablet then at Kepa. Tears welled in her eyes. Her hands quivered. But, after what seemed like an eternity, she placed the tablet in Kepa’s hands.

“Sentitzen dut,” she whispered as she slumped against the wall. “I’m sorry.”

Kepa bent over and kissed her on the forehead before turning to Maite and walking into the suite toward de Lancre’s mangled body.

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