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24-X: SORIAN OUTBREAK
By The Infiniator
Disclaimer:
I do not own anything relating to either 24 or The X-Files. This includes characters, places, etc. All rights reserved.
Spoiler Warning:
For those of you who have not seen 24 or The X-Files, there will be major spoilers in this story from both shows. Just letting you know ahead of time. This story takes place after Day 6 of 24, and after Season 9 of The X-Files.
- PROLOGUE -
Cox Arena
San Diego State University
San Diego, California
Struggling through the masses of roaring fans, Julie Summers was feeling a little disoriented. Up on the stage, James Hetfield, lead vocalist of Metallica, was making his way to the front of the platform, guitar in hand. Julie, however, was not paying any attention to the heavy metal legends that were preparing to perform their next song, instead focusing on reaching her friend and roommate, Cynthia, who she had just spotted up ahead. Pushing and squeezing her way through drunken college students, Julie found Cynthia with a group of her schoolmates, each of them attired in full Metallica garb and screaming wildly.
Three weeks ago, Cynthia revealed to Julie that Metallica was on tour and would be performing at their school. Cynthia had managed to acquire a few tickets and offered one to Julie. At first, Julie had declined for the sole reason that she was not a fan of heavy metal, but after being pressured by the rest of her friends, she had agreed, having nothing else better to do that weekend anyways.
But now that she was here, in the middle of what she could only describe as complete insanity, Julie wished she was still back in her dorm. Plus, she had been feeling ill for the past few hours, her head drenched in cold sweat, and her vision slightly impaired. She wanted nothing more than to lie down and get some rest.
She placed her arm on Cynthia's shoulder. "Hey, I'm getting the hell out of here!" She had to yell into Cynthia's ear in order to be heard.
Cynthia did not turn around immediately. When she did, it was more of a leaning of the neck in Julie's direction. "What! Why!"
Julie had to take a breathe before speaking. "Why! I don't know if you've noticed, but this is fucking crazy!"
"I know!" answered Cynthia. "And it's only gonna get better! I think they're about to play Puppets!"
Julie turned to the stage, just as James Hetfield stepped up to the microphone. "Alright people," he shouted. "I know what you guys want, but if we're gonna do that shit we gotta get some fucking energy going back and forth here."
"Thanks, but I'll pass!" With that Julie turned to walk away, but before she could even take a step, a sudden surge of pain in her chest stopped her in her tracks. A moment later it was gone. Not wanting to cause it again, Julie remained still.
"I'm gonna need everyone to repeat after me loudly! Oh yeah!"
The crowd repeated the phrase just as another wave of pain struck Julie, this one sending her to her knees.
"C'mon people, louder! Oh yeah!"
The crowd roared. By now Julie was lying on her back as the pain was becoming more frequent and severe, and was now reaching towards her head. All around her, people were cheering and jumping and none of them seemed to notice her on the ground. After about a minute, her body began to jerk violently and she began to convulse. Her vision began to fade just as Cynthia rushed over to her. Julie could see her lips moving, but could not hear what her friend was saying. The only thing she could hear was James Hetfield's voice reverberating throughout the stadium.
"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Master! Of! Puppets!"
The last thing Julie remembered was the look on Cynthia's face just as the heavy drums and fierce guitar signalling the intro to the famed Master of Puppets began. A few seconds later, Julie Summers was dead.
Los Angeles
Four Hours Later
"The trial is complete," spoke a woman into her cellphone. "I'd say we're ready to begin."
The man on the other side of the call replied, "What about the body?"
The woman stepped out of a black sedan onto the tarmac of a private runway, where a small jet awaited. "Medical examiner's office. They'll most likely run a preliminary analysis tonight, but a full autopsy normally isn't conducted for at least a week. However, once her symptoms become...visible, I'm sure they'll get the message. From there it'll only be a matter of time before they sound the alarm. Plenty of time for us to prepare."
The man seemed pleased. "Good. Have you arrived at the airfield yet?"
"I'm boarding the plane as we speak." She climbed the stairs and entered the cabin of the aircraft. "What about Adam?"
"I have him running another errand," answered the man.
The woman took her seat and signaled the pilot to take off. "Will I be seeing you tonight?"
"No," was the immediate reply. "I still have to prepare for the formal introduction. I'll call you in the morning with further instructions."
"Then it's begun," stated the woman, as the jet began to move.
"Yes. We will bring the United States to its knees, and there is nothing they can do to stop us."