One
The Bargain
In a manor house in England, a paraplegic scientist watches news footage on his laptop and is talking to a contact of his.
"Well, how bad is it?" he asked.
"It's very bad, Dr. Haynes. I thought Providence would've solved the EVO issue in East Africa by now. But you're right, the EVOs in Africa are different," the contact answered.
"And that's what got me worried. It'll be a matter of time before Providence or Special Projects come after me." He closes the internet and shuts down his laptop. A Special Projects squad bursts into the office. "What took you lot so long?" he asked.
He turns around and looks at them. "You proved to be hard to find, Dr. Jarrod Haynes. We have a warrant for your arrest for your involvement in the Nanite project, its sister projects and crimes against humanity," the squad leader answered.
"I see, I might be willing to cooperate. In exchange, I want immunity from prosecution," he said.
"That remains to be seen," she said.
"Really, it's apparent I need to speak to your boss. There's a crisis brewing in the East African country of Sommai and it's a problem both Providence and him under looked," he said.
In New York, everyone was packing their bags as I enter the main office of Providence Tower. "Eh, what gives?" I asked.
"We're moving out," Agent Six answered.
"Already? But we got the power issue sorted," I said.
"That was two months ago and you already know the rest," Agent Six said.
White Knight enters the room. "I've spoken to some politicians, the President and Eli this morning. Both I and them agreed on one thing," White Knight said.
"Oh yeah, what's that?" I asked.
"That Providence Tower will be renamed Guardian Tower. This tower will serve as a base of operations for your team," White Knight answered.
"I'm speechless, I don't know what to say," I said.
Dr. Holiday enters the room. "Think of it as a reward for not only saving the world, but also the multiverse. In the next few months, both Providence and Special Projects technicians will be coming in and out of tower to remodel and repurpose the building. Starting right now," she said.
"That's not all; we brought a certain individual in to consult. Assuming if he's been good or not," White Knight said.
Caesar then enters the room and I'm surprised. "Caesar." I hugged him. "How's the trial going?" I asked.
"Bad, I never knew there were so many charges. But at least I got a good legal team," he answered.
Clay Jenkins arrives. "The reason why we decided to bring Caesar in to consult is because of his intellect. And Gen. Moss sends his regards," he said.
I notice the electronic tag on his foot. "What's with the tag?" I asked.
"The tag is designed to keep Caesar in line. If he's much as sneezes, it'll send out a signal to us and we'll be able to track him and capture him," Clay answered.
"Seems harsh," I said.
Clay's cell phone rang and he answers it. "Hello sir. Yep, got it." He puts his phone away. "Eli wants to see all of us. It's regarding a matter of national security and EVOs," he said.
Sometime later at a Special Projects base, we arrived at the detention level and met up with Gen. Eli Jamieson Moss. "Eli, it's been a while," White Knight said.
"It sure has," Eli said.
We made our way over to the cell. "Why did you bring us here?" Dr. Holiday asked.
"We got a situation that requires both our attentions. Sometime ago, my team capture one of the scientists involved in the Nanite project," he answered.
"I don't suppose you know who the scientist is?" Caesar asked.
"His name is Dr. Jarrod Haynes," he answered.
"Haynes, I know him. He was one of the lead scientists involved with the African branch of the Nanite project," Caesar said.
"He was, until he vanished off the radar while we were busy dealing with Van Kleiss and the Consortium. After you cured the EVOs, I formed a taskforce specifically to track down the Consortium and any surviving scientists from the Nanite project. And this is what we found," he said.
They stood outside the interrogation room and notice Jarrod sitting there in the room. "How come he's in a wheelchair?" Bobo asked.
"Years ago when he was young, he and a group of backpackers he was travelling with were involved in a bus crash. Jarrod was seriously injured and became paralysed from the chest down," Dr. Holiday answered.
Eli enters the room. "It's about time, I want to talk," he said.
"That depends what you got to say," Eli said.
"I got information regarding a crisis in Sommai. You and I both know the country is in the midst of a civil war for years. Recently, both sides of the conflict have acquired and began using EVOs for their battles," he said.
We were shocked to hear this. "How's that possible? I cured every EVO on this planet. How can there be more?" I wondered.
"You do realise that's nuts, don't you? Rex cured all of the EVOs," Eli said.
"True, but he only cured all the Alpha and Omega level EVOs. You see, the EVO both sides are using are Beta and Delta level. When the event occurred, the Alpha and Omega cloud affected the Northern and parts of the Southern hemisphere of the planet. While the Beta and Delta cloud covered the entire African continent and most of Asia," Jarrod said.
"What makes the Beta and Delta Nanites different?" he asked.
"When the project began, it was split up. The main branch's purpose was to find out if the nanites can be use medicinal uses. While the African branch's purpose was find out if the nanites can be militarised," Jarrod answered.
"So you're saying is that the Beta and Delta Nanites were originally meant for military use?" he asked.
"Correct and I fear the more we talk. The more the violence occurring in Sommai will escalate further," Jarrod answered.
"What is it you want?" he asked.
"I want immunity from prosecution. In exchange, I'll be happy to help you lot clean up the mess in Sommai and testify in both Caesar and the Consortium's trial," Jarrod answered.
"If you excuse me, I got some thinking to do." He leaves the room and walks back to us. "So, what do you think?" Eli asked.
"He's telling the truth. But how come we never heard of Beta and Delta level Nanites?" Agent Six asked.
"Let alone Alpha and Omega level?" Bobo asked.
"You already heard of the Alpha and Omega level Nanites and we seem most of them action. But now, there's a new threat and its right across the Atlantic. I'm not convinced Rex's curing ability will be enough. After all, you cured all the Alpha and Omega level EVOs. This will require some research and samples," Caesar said.
"What I like to know is how did both the rebels and the government got hold of these Beta and Delta EVOs," White Knight said.
"So do I." Eli enters the room again. "All right, Jarrod. You got yourself a deal. If things go south, I'll pull the plug," he said.
"That's understandable, but I'm going to need a lab," Jarrod said.
"Don't worry, you'll get it and you won't be working alone. Pack your bags, Rex. You're heading to Sommai," Eli said.
Days later, I was in the capital city of Gaim, I was with an entourage of security guards as we enter the city centre. "Okay, this city has seen better days," I said.
"We'll be heading into the city centre sometime soon. So don't expect a warm welcome. The Sommaili don't take kindly to foreigners in their land," a guard said.
We arrived outside the city hall and we got out of the transport. "What happened here?" I asked.
"The building became the victim of last week's car bomb attack. Before that, there was a skirmish involving a lot of EVOs," the guard answered.
"So I notice the battle scars. How has this civil war gone on for?" I asked.
The President and his aide come out of the building and they met up with me. "The war has been going for nearly fifty years now. Since the British handed the territory back to my people. As you can see from the damaged buildings, things are from perfect. I'm President Nambu and this is my aide, Cali," he said.
"Why don't we go inside? I feel kind of exposed out here," I suggested.
"I agree, but I must ask your armed security escort to remain outside. The last time an armed security escort entered my building. It turned out to be an assassination squad from the rebels, no offence," he said.
"None taken, Mr. President," one of the guards said.
I, the President and his aide entered the building; we entered the office and sat down around the coffee table. "So, what brings a Providence agent to my country?" he asked.
"I've been getting conflicting reports about EVO activity in Sommai," I answered.
"But that's impossible, you yourself cured every living EVO in this world," he said.
"That's what I thought, but I recently got some intel from a informant that says otherwise," I said.
"Your intel must be misplaced," he said.
"Yeah I figure. If you see any EVOs, do give Providence a call," I said.
"Will do, it's a pleasure to meet the kid who saved the world twice," he said.
I left the office and waited for a moment. His aide leaves the office, I placed my finger on the wall and I used my powers to listen into Nambu's conversations. "I thought I told you not to call me at this hour," a mysterious voice said.
"I know, but it's urgent. Providence may have caught onto us. About us using the EVOs to wage the war," Nambu said.
"Hmm, it doesn't matter. What's more important is our arrangement, I supply you the EVOs, while you pay me the cash," the mysterious voice said.
"What I like to know to is how the rebels caught on to our secret?" he said.
"I'll look into it. In the meantime, I suggest you don't mention anything about Providence during this time. Have a nice day, Mr. President," the mysterious voice said.
I left the building and head back outside. I met up with the armed escort. "So, how did it go in there?" one of the guards asked.
"The President is hiding something. I overheard him talking to someone on the phone. An arms dealer perhaps," I answered.
"It's a start, but we need to find the rebel leader. Maybe they can shed some light about how they acquired the use of EVOs." An explosion then occurred and we see the smoke. "What was that?" another guard asked.
"It looks like an explosion has occurred in the Old District." We then see civilians fleeing the area. A guard grabs one of the civilians, he speaks the dialect, he asks him what's going on and he lets the civilian go. "He says there's a skirmish between the government forces and the rebels. He also says that monsters have been sighted," the guard answered.
"Well, let's check it out," I suggested. We head over to the Old District; we then saw both government and rebel forces engaging in a skirmish.
"Well now, this is not what I expected." We then saw both sides using EVOs in their battle. "I guess the Doc was right. Both sides of the conflict are using EVOs," a guard said.
"I say we get in there and end this," I said.
One of the guards stops me. "Hold on, cowboy. We were sent here to confirm the sighting of EVOs. If we intervene now, the United Nations will see this as an invasion from a foreign country and you could be labelled as a terrorist or a war criminal. Plus, it may increase your brother's chances of going to prison for life," a guard said.
We pulled out of the area and left the city. Sometime later in the evening, we headed over to a camp Doctors Without Borders have set up. "What is this place?" I asked.
We got out of the jeep. "This is a Doctors Without Borders camp. They're set the camp up twenty years ago when the violence got a lot worse." We met up with the head doctor. "Ah, this is Dr. Jacques Claude, he's the head of the camp," a guard said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Rex. Seeing you here might give these people a glimmer of hope," Jacques said.
"I'm only here to confirm the sightings of EVOs. Nothing more, nothing less. Until then, I'm stuck behind political red tape," I said.
"When did you get stuck behind red tape?" a nurse asked.
I recognised the voice and it was Circe. "Circe? What're you doing here?" I asked.
"I'm about to ask you the same question," she answered.
"I'll leave you two to it," Jacques said.
We both left the tent and we began to talk. "So, how's life since I cured the world's population from the EVO threat?" I asked.
"After we were cured, we went our separate ways. I decided to enlist with Doctors Without Borders as volunteer and hoped to move on. I can't watch these people suffer. I heard about the attack on New York. Are you okay?" Circe asked.
"I'm fine." Circe immediately sees through the lie. "No I'm not. I got a lot of worry about, my brother's trial and I've been having trouble sleeping since the invasion attempt and the worldwide cure," I answered.
"I'm really sorry, I really am. You know that this road you're walking on wasn't going to be easy. But I know you can make it to the other side. Good night," she said. She heads over to the nurse's quarter, while I head over to the guest quarters. I slept, but I have nightmares. It felt I was back in New York when the invasion attempt occurred. I was in the middle of a battle and I see people fleeing the streets. A dead child crawls up to my leg and it terrified me. I woke up, left the tent and got some fresh air.
Jacques soon joins me. "I see you're having trouble sleeping," he said.
"You can say that, Doc. You have no idea what I saw. I've seen EVOs in the streets for the first time in two months. When I cured everyone, I thought I would be free of this nightmare. But when the Dark Gods came, I found myself in the line of fire again, but I wasn't alone. I have friends, people like me who share a common goal for saving the multiverse. Now, I find myself getting involved in a war I shouldn't be involved," I said.
"Sometimes we do things we don't want to, but there are times we must be called to arms," Jacques said.
A aide rushes up Rex. "Rex, you got a call from Eli. You might want to hear this," she said.
We head over to communications tent; I picked up the phone and talked to Eli. "I've seen the news footage," Eli said.
"Let me guess, you're going to give a earful about how I should've intervened during the skirmish?" I asked.
"That's not it, I've spoken to the United Nations Security Council sometime ago. They've made their decision. You got authorisation to go in there, clean up the mess and find out who's supplying both the government and the rebels their EVOs. I'm sending a team, plus Caesar and Jarrod to provide support," Eli said.
"Some good news at last," I said.
"Seek out a CIA agent named Frederick Wells, he's knows both factions inside and out. You can find him at Old Ivy Arms, it's a bar located in Inner Town," Eli said.
"I'll look into it, sir." Morning came as I arrived back in Gaim; I head over to Old Ivy Arms bar. I sat at the bar and looked at the bartender. "I don't suppose you know where I can find Frederick Wells?" I asked.
Frederick then sits next to me. "You're looking at him. I saw you in the Old District yesterday and you made the right call. Intervening would've worse than invading. I take it the United Nations gave you authorisation to clean up the mess?" he asked.
"Yeah, you've been here for a long time," I said.
"Thirty years to be exact. I was sent here to monitor the situation. As you saw from yesterday's skirmish. Everything is far from perfect. Years ago, both sides were fighting with guns and tanks. Now, they fighting with EVOs, it's a real game changer," he said.
"So, what can you tell me about civil war?" I asked.
"The war has been going on for fifty years, ever since the British handed the country back to the natives. During the early years, they tried to form a government, but not everything went according to plan. In 1963, a tribe outside the city discovered oil in the plain lands and things got messy. The government committed genocide by wiping out the tribe and claiming the land for themselves. Thus the civil war began, over the years, the change of command has changed and the war got bloodier," Frederick said.
"I've seen worse," I said.
"Yeah right and I'm the king of Sweden. Let's get down to who's who in this civil war. There's the government, you already met President Nambu yesterday, right. If you're wondering why there isn't a vice president. Well, just two months ago, he was assassinated while giving a speech at the Pavilion in Century Park. The President has full control of the army, navy and the air force. So don't go asking them for help," he said.
"What about the rebels?" I asked.
"The rebels are led by a young ex-soldier named Sgt. Leon Masi. He used to be in the army until the government opened fire on a student protest outside the Presidential Palace five years ago. It was a downright mess, bodies everywhere, blood spilling onto the street. This is kind of stuff you don't want to hear. After the event, Leon defected and has led the rebels to a series of successful victories. As for their base, it's hard to pin down. They move area to area every now and then to avoid capture. They first started using this tactic after the government raided their former base back in 2002," he answered.
"Tracking down the rebels won't be an easy task," I said.
"I agree, but I might know someone who can help." We then footsteps stomping pass the bar, we looked outside and notice the soldiers passing the area. "I wonder what's the rush?" he wondered.
"Let's take a look," I said. We left the bar and we followed the soldiers. We head to the city centre where the soldiers were engaging the rebels who ambushed a convoy.
"Well now, it looks like we stumbled onto a rebel ambush and it's a battle for a convoy," Frederick said.
I put the goggles on and I use them to detect nanites. "Bad news, I'm picking up traces of nanites in the convoy," I said.
"You're sure?" he asked.
"Definitely and it's time for me to introduce myself." I jumped in and defeat both the government forces and the rebels. "Hi, I'm Rex, Providence agent, Guardian and the kid who saved the world twice." I look at the convoy and the cargo. A container burst open and a gray skinned EVO steps down and looks at me. "Okay, you're big." It attacked me, but I tried to counter it by curing him, but to no avail. "What, how is this possible." He picks me up and tosses me across the street. "Ouch, not good." We fought for a while, the EVO was about to defeat when I sudden arrow hits the creature's back and it exploded. "No way," I said.
The Guardians arrived to back me up. "Yes way, Rex," Carter said.
The Gauntlet leaps into action and attacks the creature. "It was your brother who raised the alarm. Sadly, the others weren't available," Dania said.
"In other words, it's just you, me, Gauntlet and Dania," Carter said. Just like old times, we defeated the EVO.
"Wow, it took part of a superhero to take down a EVO," I said.
"Wait, that was a EVO?" Carter asked.
"It's complicated, I'll explain once we get back to camp and we're going to need some transport to get him out of the area before the rebels and the government get any ideas," I said.
Sometime later at the camp, Jarrod and Caesar inspect the creature and Jarrod looks worried. "Hmm, it's definitely an Ajax," Jarrod said.
"What's an Ajax?" I asked.
"It's the name we gave to these giants. They were originally prototypes, but if the trials were successful. They were meant to be the heavy artillery, given their sheer strength and near invulnerability. Luckily, its nanites weren't activated, if they were. Well, you lot could've been dead. But there were problems in the testing phase, such as nanite overload to fatal heart disease. It looks like whoever is supplying them with these EVOs somehow solved both those problems," he said.
"You seem to know a lot about them?" I asked.
"I was a consultant for the project and I assure you. I did not have any creative input into the project. Fortunately, the sample we got here is an Beta EVO," he said.
"Its code is intact and you're saying your cure ability has no effect on them?" Caesar asked.
"Absolutely and it almost killed me," I said.
"I've read the notes and that doesn't seem possible. I'm Dr. Blake Roth," Blake said.
"You read my notes?" Caesar asked.
"I did, but I discovered something in those notes and that discovery played a role in defeating the Dark Gods," Blake answered.
"It turned out that a bunch of numbers in the code contained coordinates to the antimatter universe in a parallel universe," I said.
"Hmm, interesting. Well, it looks like your job has been difficult due to the fact that your cure ability has been made redundant," Jarrod said.
"Is there anyway to get around that problem?" Carter asked.
"There is, while I was reading the notes two months ago. I and Trent theorised that was possible to create an update patch for the nanites in case the Dark Gods were to gain control of Rex. But, that theory was scrapped once we defeated them," Blake answered.
"Would this update patch include an improvement for my cure ability?" I asked.
"Yes it would," Blake answered.
"When did you become an expert on EVOs, Dr. Roth?" Caesar asked.
"Like I said, two months ago," he answered.
"Sounds like we got a plan," I said.
"In order for this plan to work, we need a Delta EVO and they're rare. Here." Jarrod gives my goggles back and I put them around my head. "I improved your goggles to pick Beta and Delta EVO energy signatures," he said.
"Thanks, I think," I said.
Frederick enters the tent. "Sorry to interrupt, my contact has found the rebel base and believe it or not. Leon wants a word with you, Rex," he said.
I left the tent, got into a car and drove over to the docks. We arrived and waited. "Hmm, for a rebel base, they feel kind of exposed," I said.
"This isn't the base; we're waiting for the contact to arrive so she can take us there." The contact arrives and gets in the car. "Were you followed?" Frederick asked.
"No, the military are on alert since this morning's skirmish," she answered.
I recognised the person. "Wait, you're the President's aide?" I asked.
"Cali has been working for the rebels as their triple agent. Working for the government, the rebels and me," he said.
"Nice job with the EVO by the way. I'm surprise your cure ability didn't work on them," she said.
"Don't worry; we got a plan in the pipeline to solve that issue. Now then, do you know where the rebels are?" Frederick asked.
"I do, leave the docks and head north." We left the docks and headed north. We left the city and headed into no man's land. We arrived at a camp where the rebels are. We got out of the car. "Leon, are you there?" Cali shouted.
Leon gets out of the camp, walks up to her and he notices us. "I thought I told you not to bring outsiders," he said.
"These two are here to help," she said.
Leon immediately recognises me. "Well, well, this night has been full of surprises. My men told me you were the one who defeated that government EVO and claimed it for yourself. It's a shame really, you could've at least give it to us," he said.
"I don't think so. You can't win this war with EVOs, it's too dangerous," I said.
"You should talk, given you yourself are a EVO and you wage war against them," Leon said.
"That was different and I've seen the damage. You should stop before this gets out of hand," I said.
"Out of hand? Things have got out of hand the moment the government declared civil war and look at us. We're forced to fight them using guerrilla tactics, but everything changed a year ago," he said.
"You're referring to your first usage of EVOs?" Frederick asked.
"That's right; a Russian man entered the camp a year ago and offered us a way out. He claimed he was representing a arms dealer, who was willing to let us use his products in exchange for a cash payment or blood diamonds," he answered.
"Do you have any idea what you done? You given blood diamonds to a arms dealer," Frederick said.
"This Russian, what did he look like?" I asked.
"He had a scar on the left side of his face. It ran across through his eye, he was missing his left eyelid," he answered.
"Oh no, not him, not Nikolai Kraft," Frederick said.
"You know him?" I asked.
"He used to be a KGB operative, but now he works as a middleman. He sets up the connections between the client and the suppliers. His services are in high demand these days. Where can we find him?" he asked.
"That's the problem, he left after we concluded our business," Leon answered.
"That's Nikolai all right. Appears in one location, the next he's gone," he said.
"Before he left, he left us a parting gift." Leon gets a briefcase, opens it up and there were small container. They contained mutated parasite and we were disgusted by the site of them. "What the heck are those things?" he asked.
I put the goggle and contacted Jarrod. "Doc, you're there? I'm sending a video of the some mutate plant creatures," I said.
"Oh my gosh, stay away from them. They're the Merciless, they're mutated fauna created from the nanites," Jarrod said over the radio.
"Nikolai asked one of my men to eat the plant. He did, but what happened next was monstrous. He mutated into a EVO and he brought more containers containing them," Leon said.
"Hmm, this Merciless had a Delta wave signal. If you don't mind, I like to have a sample," I said.
"No, we need these things to fight our war," Leon said.
"You don't get it. It'll be a matter of time before you or the government loses control of the EVOs. I have six years experience fighting EVOs and they were never meant to be control. This civil war has been going on for fifty years. By now, you could have a voice in international politics. Is this what you want your children to remember you? A man who uses a creature to fight his battles. This isn't worth it, let me take a sample and I can end this. For both our sakes," I said.
Leon gives him a container, they get into the car and they left the camp. At the Presidential Palace, Nambu is speaking to his supplier over a headset phone while attending a party. "This is unacceptable. I gave you those Ajax units as a token of our partnership and you mean to tell me that you let the enemy capture one of them?" he asked.
"It's not the rebels, a group of foreigners have taken the Ajax and one of them is Rex. One who cured every EVO worldwide," Nambu said.
"Interesting, this changes things. I'm forced to give you the big guns. But I must warn you, this creature I'm about to send you is a bit uncontrollable," he said.
At the camp, Jarrod, Caesar and Blake were making progress with the update patch. "With both Delta and Beta EVO samples, we can move forward with the patch. How will it take?" Blake asked.
"Given the research I got is six years old, it'll take time. It's something we don't have," Jarrod answered.
"Normally slow and steady would be appropriate, but in our case. It's not," Caesar said.
"I've read the notes on your research and the event should've wiped out the world's population by 60%. What did happen back then?" Blake asked.
"It's no secret that the Consortium wanted eternal life. The Consortium were made of some of the richest men in the world. Then one day, some of us began to notice a change in goals and that's where the event happened. All the Project facilities within the African continent went offline and so did our China facility. Everything went chaotic the moment the EVO problem occurred. Some of our scientists tried to keep a low profile following the events. However, we underestimated some individuals. In time, my colleagues were captured, tried and sentenced. I on the other hand monitored the Sommai situation and realised how man made EVOs can become a threat," Jarrod answered.
"Is that why you decided to sell me out?" Caesar asked.
"It wasn't never about selling you out; it's been about making peace for what I did all those years ago." The computer beeped. "Ah, it appears the update patch is complete. Get Rex here and prep for surgery," Jarrod said.
Meanwhile, onboard a offshore base, a man watches from his computer screen the news headlines from the globe about Sommai's civil war. "So a new player has entered the war. I wouldn't expect Rafael's son to be involved. I thought he would've died," the mysterious person.
"It seems you underestimated him and the Guardians," the computer said.
"Perhaps, but I'm forced to play my trump card. Begin shipping the second phase Delta and Beta EVOs to both the government forces and the rebels," he said.
"But sir, the second phase material isn't ready. They haven't been tested for combat scenarios," the computer said.
"I know, it'll give both forces the opportunity to test them," he said.
"Also, I discovered some new information that can raise new problems. A Special Projects aircraft was spotted landing near the Doctors Without Borders camp. The plane carried two passengers and they are Caesar Salazar and Jarrod Haynes," the computer said.
"Well now, I guess the sinners have returned, this could prove problematic," the person said.