Disclaimer: I don't own any of those characters, except for the character of Jane.
This is my fist ever fanfiction, so all the reviews will be welcome! I hope you'll enjoy the story!
CHAPTER ONE
The new secret lair was as efficient as the last one. Maybe the entrance was on the surface of the planet, but no one could suspect that all the equipment was actually several levels underground. The location itself, a remote region, uninhabited, arid and freezing, was, at the very least, unwelcoming to anyone who would be crazy enough to venture in the vicinity.
In one of the many sublevels, Scarab and his gang were gathered around a series of equipment. A round, transparent container, big enough to contain a humain being, stood in a corner of the room.
« So, with this, I will finally be able to achieve my biggest goal in life: immortality.
- What is it, exactly? » Glove asked, annoyed as usual by his boss' ideas of grandeur.
The fat man shook his head, unable to believe Glove had asked that question.
« Don't you recognize it? It's obvious! It's a genetic cell accumulating accelerator.»
Madame O stepped in the conversation.
« Isn't it what you used to create that monstrous female version of yourself, darling?
- Exactly. However, now I have perfected the technique. You see, I will use this to transfer genetic material from a « donnor » onto me, creating cells that can duplicate themselvers on and on forever! Hence: immortality!
- Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't « donnor » imply some sort of compatibility?
- Yes, of course, my dear Glove, and that's the tricky part. The donnor must be genetically compatible with me. And in order for it to work properly, that donnor must also be quite younger than me.
- Well, here goes your plan, Scarab. You don't have any family besides your brother. And as far as I know, neither one of you have any children.
- Oh, but I do have family. »
Everybody looked at him, surprised. Scarab went on.
« I had a cousin. He was stupid enough to kill himself along with his wife in a car accident fifteen years ago, but he had a daughter. She was placed under my brother's care when her parents died. Can you imagine: she even called him « Uncle »... Anyways.
- Well, where is she now? »
The impatience in Glove's voice was obvious.
« I don't know. I tried to find trace of her but she could be anywhere in the States, or abroad. I need at least some indication to narrow my search. My stupid cousin named her «Jane». Do you have any idea how many «Jane Sharp» there are in the U.S.?»
Mechanic started to think, counting on his fingers, an absent look on his face. Scarab turned around and slapped Mechanic behind the head.
« That was a rhetorical question, you moron!
- What about your brother? Surely he must know where she is.
- If I could find him, it would be easy. No, I need someone not protected by the Bionic Six or the government, or anything else.
Scarab started searching through piles of papers and books until he found what he was looking for. Seating back in his chair, he smiled a victorious smile. Madame O followed his every moves, brows furrowed.
« What about telling us what this is all about, darling?
- Simple. I'll start at the beginning. »
He opened the book he had retrieved and started turning the pages frantically, explaining himself as he went.
« You see, when my stupid cousin died, along with his no-good wife, Sharp sent the girl to live for a while at a friend's and his family.
- So? You said that was like ten years ago.
- Twelve to be precise. But they must have kept in touch since then. The children were all about the same age as the girl.
- How can you be so sure they kept in touch?
- I'm not, you fool. But it's a good start. »
Once again, he scanned the pages at the beginning of the book. Glove was getting annoyed.
« And what exactly do you expect to find in this phone book?
- Your lack of deduction will never cease to amaze me. I'm looking for members of this family. Then, I will take one of them and «convince» him to tell me where Jane is. Now, let's see...»
His fingers ran through the page.
« Bellarmino... Belley... Ah! Here it is! Bennett. Well, this could take a while. Might as well get started right now. Madame O?
- Yes, darling?
- Get on it.
- And what do you expect me to do, exactly?
- Start at the beginning. I want you to call all the numbers I'll give you until I find one of those family members.
Madame O rolled her eyes and sighed.
« But it could take days!
- Then I suggest you start right now. Now, it's a chance I have a good memory for first names otherwise you would have to call all the Bennetts listed in this directory.
- Great... »
The search began. Starting in alphabetical order, they called about everybody listed under «Bennett B.» in the directory, since none of the first names listed corresponded to those Scarab remembered. After several unsuccessful attempts, Madame O sighed angrily, hanging up the phone.
« Are your sure this is worth anything?
- Of course. Patience, my dear. Carry on.
After two other unanswered calls and having spoken with a certain Barbara, whose words could barely be heard over her baby's cries, Madame O was about to give up. She dialed the last number of the «B» list without much enthusiasm. The phone rang three times, and she was about to hang up when a cheery voice answered.
« Hi! This is Bunji. I'm not here, so you know what to do!»
Scarab smiled, victorious.
« Glove! Madame O! Mechanic! Get your butts to that address and follow him everywhere he goes. And when you see the right time, take him and bring him to me. »
He smiled again, more confident than ever.