Dan


It's almost funny really. Of course, I'm not laughing, but still, looking back, my life can easily be organized into the layered circles of Hell.

Getting ghost powers at fourteen and forcing myself to save the day as a pathetic hero was the first circle. Watching everyone I once cared for, and Lancer, die in a explosion... probably the third or four circle. Being shielded and beaten out of my former hometown by that obnoxious little pest, Valerie, the fifth or six. Being beaten by my ignorant teenage self easily the seventh, maybe eighth, if I added being left to rot in a damn thermos for the rest of eternity as part of my unsettling defeat.

Which circle am I in now? The ninth and final circle that resides only in the deepest, darkest hole one could imagine. How do I know? I breathed a heavy sigh, shaking my head ever so slightly, lips parting to show sharpened fangs as I thought the answer. All those years of absolute domination of all opposition, all those years of complete freedom, they were gone with no hint of ever returning. That and wherever I'm being transferred to will most likely be another artificial mockery of my 'natural habitat' that would double as my cell.

I was congratulated and thanked by my so-called 'handler' for 'going quietly', disregarding my very direct statement "There is no way in Hell I'm going without a fight". He knows as well as I that I don't have much of a choice what they do to or with me. Even with all my strength and experience, this race of scientists constantly find new way to control and contain me.

The first thing I remember them strapping on me was a simple electric collar, which is still clamped securely around my neck. I've stopped feeling the twin prongs on either side digging into my flesh, just as much as I've taken every opportunity to try to get this damn thing off!

When I started fighting back, they built a giant claw-like device called the "Ectoplasmic Siphon" that literally feeds off my energy to keep me weak. After a few explosions, both metaphorical and literal, they upgraded to a more invasive device. I've only heard it referred to as the Converter and I recall my former parents developing a similar device that, despite their best efforts, was more humane then this one.

I was drugged, or more precisely, intentionally overdosed by the scientists with some kind of gaseous anaesthetic. Upon waking, I fell from the upright stasis pod flat on my face straight onto the cold linoleum tiled floor where I remained until I could feel any part of my body beyond the intense pain just above my left hip and throbbing numbness the rest of me felt pulsing through my entire being like a wave.

When I finally managed to regain enough sensation to bring myself to my knees, all but him left the 'observation quarters' which was more or less the same like the glass tank exhibits in reptile house at the zoo, only much larger to hold much more powerful creatures.

He lectured to me that the device strapped around my waist penetrated a full four inches into my body, and was draining my powers directly at the source, and converting it into energy to help power the laboratory complex. In short, I was a living battery.

Now, I find myself getting my first view beyond my cell at Veneficus Science. I know that's the name of this hellhole because it's emblazoned on the back of the four robotic sentries that stand guard during my unwanted tram ride. If it was only them, this would be exactly the kind of break I would need.

Ripping the guards to shreds would be effortless and this race of brainiacs and techies have offhandedly stated that they are even weaker then humans! The only problem is that not even in my future, where anti-ghost technology evolved dramatically in response to my threatening existence, was there anything anywhere near as advanced as their's.

My arms were bound together in front of me with steel shackles, my hands forced into fists so they fit into the semi-circular shield that stops any ectoplasmic attack dead. Believe me, I've tried. From the slightly-elevated levitating platform I was confined to, a beam of green energy generated from the floor in front of me seems latched to my collar like some electrical leash, preventing me from leaning back. Considering I can't lean forward either means another energy leash is attached from behind me. On top of the already excessive measures against me, a thick transparent dome surrounded both me and my restraints.

The metallic tram-car slowed to a stop at a dead end of a concrete hallway near a station populated exclusively by more of the heavily armed and armored bipedal mechanical guards. In fact, I hadn't seen a single living thing since the transfer begin. All the living personal of this place probably wouldn't come within a hundred miles of me if they could help it. Only one dared to come in close contact.

A faint humming flew down from above, some cat-sized hummingbird-like robot zipped down in front of the door, pausing only until the semi-transparent force field across the only doorway vanished, before it burst into the tram car. It scanned the two guards that stood in front of me from top to bottom with a red gridded laser, before it quickly zipped over to me. The metal bird flashed the red light in my eye, making me wince slightly, before scanning the other two sentries and exiting with a cheery beep.

The guard answered with a deeper, mechanized grunt and the shield flashed back into place. Thin white beams shot down from the ceiling, connecting with the tram's corners, before the car starts to descend, the red flashing hazard lights all the proof I need to know it is taking me to the ninth circle of Hell.