TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY
Chapter 2 – Dangerous Game
November 12, 2012
The White House - Washington DC
"Mr. Gray, is the FBI closing in on The Marauder?" A reporter asked.
Gabriel nodded. "At this time, we are no closer to catching The Marauder than we were this morning. She and her band of rebels continue to elude authorities. But if The Marauder or her rebels are watching know that we are lowering the baton and you will be caught."
He called on another reporter. "Mr. Gray, is it true that there is somebody inside the White House tipping the rebels off which is why they have managed to stay one step ahead of the authorities?"
"If it is an inside job, we will find the guilty party and they will be punished to the fullest extent to the law." He replied smiling smugly to himself. "Ok, that's all we have time for. Thank you all for coming." He abruptly left the platform followed by several members of secret service until he got to his office.
Once inside his office, he looked up at the security camera, extending his arm and flipping the bird to whoever was watching. He sat down at his desk typing something into the computer then looked back up at the camera again. The computer showed him sitting in his desk working as he slyly changed the date. "Take that, you fucking overpaid rent-a-cops." Grinning triumphantly, he stood up walking to a door which opened into a corridor. Then carefully entering a code, he looked around him to make sure nobody saw him. The door opened to a second corridor with an elevator. He entered the elevator pressing the button to go down.
The elevator took him to a large subterranean apartment. "Ok, I'm here." He announced as he walked through the door into a large common room.
George, Claude, Noah and Nathan all turned at the sound of his voice. "Are you sure nobody followed you?" George asked him.
"The idiots in security detail think I am at my desk working." Gabriel smirked. "And I told the secret service guys who are watching my door I didn't want to be disturbed. These guys each weigh 300 lbs naked…nobody will be going in my office tonight."
Nathan looked up from a puzzle he was working on with Claude. "What about Catherwood? Isn't he working late tonight?"
Gabriel shook his head. "He is on Air Force One heading for China. Anybody else you want to ask me about? Jimmy Hoffa? The Olsen Twins?"
Noah chuckled. "If Gabriel says he wasn't followed, you can take his word that he wasn't followed."
"Good enough for me." Claude nodded.
Gabriel sat on the couch next to George. "Where's Niki?"
"Putting Jessica down for the night." Nathan replied.
"I remember that with Seth." Gabriel smiled reflectively closing his eyes. "God I miss him."
"Well you wouldn't have to miss him or your wife if you weren't an asshole and walked out on your family!" George shouted.
Everyone groaned. "Oh for crimeny sake, George! Are we going to have to listen to you bellowing all over Gabriel again about this?" Claude sputtered slamming his fist on the table.
"You will until he finally comes to his senses and goes back to his family!" George glared angrily at Gabriel who exhaled uncomfortably. "That is if you are lucky enough for her to take you back! What in the hell did you think you were doing? You had something wonderful! Something most men can only dream about! And you just walked away leaving my little girl standing there crying."
Gabriel stood up fuming. "For the last time George, it did this to protect my wife and son. Catherwood took Seth when he was six months old; and we all know he could have easily taken him again! Do you think I wanted to leave her? Do you think I wanted to leave my son? I will love Laura until the day I die! Don't you know I fall asleep every night wanting to hold her in my arms? My son is walking and talking now with a mouth full of teeth and I'm missing all of it! If I felt I had a choice, I would still be right beside them! But I had no choice, George! I HAD NO CHOICE!"
George jumped up seething angrily into his face. "And you don't think my daughter with all her powers could protect him? Or even herself! Do you really have such little faith in your wife?"
"Oh, give me a fucking break!" Gabriel shouted. "You were ready to hand me over to Catherwood to protect Laura and Brandon! We had a deal and I was ready to go if needed! And now that I have sacrificed myself for the sake of my family, now I'm the fucking asshole!"
"Do we really need to keep rehashing this same argument every time we are in the same room?" Noah shouted. "What's done is done! For God's sake you two…it's been two years! Let's just move on and get over it!"
"Here, Here!" Nathan lifted his glass. "We have plans to make and we aren't going to get anything done if we just sit here shouting at each other about something we can't change!"
"Does anybody want to yell a little louder?" Niki looked at them all irritably as she walked into the common room. "I just got Jessica to sleep and if any of you assholes wake her up, you have to get her back down. Got it?"
"I'm sorry Niki." Gabriel smiled softly. "It was part my fault."
"No, it was my fault." George interjected. "I need to learn to keep my temper in check."
"Gabriel." Niki smiled embracing him. "What happened in the raid today?"
"The raid was a huge success." Gabriel reported proudly. "They freed all of the prisoners but seven."
"Yes!" Noah shouted victoriously, then seeing Niki's glare, he awkwardly sat down. "Sorry."
Gabriel pointed to his watch. "Ok…I don't have much time. My sources tell me there is a defunct army depot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that has been a pet project of Catherwood's. He supposedly has somebody special locked up there…somebody he is afraid of."
Noah removed his glasses stunned. "There is somebody Catherwood is afraid of? Who…or what could frighten Catherwood."
"I know." George replied grimly looking up at Niki. "And so do you."
"I do?" Niki asked in confusion. "Who are you talking about?"
"Addie Dawson." George replied.
"Who? You mean Nana?" She laughed. "DL's Aunt from New Orleans? I haven't seen her in years!"
"Yes. She was one of the original twelve." Noah replied. "Though I have never been quite clear what her ability is."
"There are very few who do know." George shook his head. "She is a dear sweet woman, but she plays her cards close to her chest. But if Catherwood is frightened of
her, then that's good enough for me. He's keeping her prisoner for a reason. If you can free her, do it."
"Ok…so Baton Rouge in three days." Gabriel nodded. "I'll send a signal to the rebel forces. Ok…I need to get back. Do you guys need anything?"
"Yeah, our freedom!" Claude answered him spitefully.
"You know I would if I could." Gabriel answered him bleakly. "Don't think I'm not spending every waking moment to find a way out of this for all of us. I may not be locked up, but I too am a prisoner."
"You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave, isn't that right." Nathan added.
"I'll be back in a few days." Gabriel started for the door.
"Gabriel." George called after him as he turned around. He approached him slowly with his hands in his pockets. "I'm sorry about everything I said back there. You know how I feel about you."
"It's ok George." Gabriel half-smiled. "It's nothing I don't say to myself at least a dozen times a day."
"I know this is hell on you." George blinked back tears. "You were a good husband to my daughter and an absolutely wonderful father to Seth. And you have brought us hope. You deserve much better than the way I treated you today."
Gabriel reached out and embraced him. "It's ok." They pulled away nodding at each other. "Well, I better get back before Seneca decides he wants to pay me a visit."
"The day that bastard dies will be the height of my existence in this life." George sneered. "The biggest error in judgment I ever made was not burying that pile of shit alive after I shot him."
Gabriel grinned maliciously. "Well, if he continues to his current path, he may just warrant a visit from an old friend of mine."
"You just be careful, Gabriel." George replied with a warning tone. "Seneca is not the man you want to piss off."
"Neither am I." Gabriel reminded him. "Don't worry, I'll be careful. Goodnight Dad."
"Good night Gabriel." George nodded worriedly as he returned to the common room.
Gabriel headed for the elevator followed by Niki. "Gabriel!"
"Yes, Niki." He greeted her softly.
"Have you talked to Peter?" She asked tearfully. "How is he?"
"He's fine, Niki." He told her gently. "But he misses you like crazy and he is scared to death wondering if you are dead or alive. I wish you would let me tell him where you are."
"No!" Niki shook her head fearfully. "He would be walking right into a trap, and you know it, Gabriel! You can't tell him!"
Gabriel laughed spitefully. "There's an irony here if you think about it. Peter has been talking to me and not letting my wife in on it, and I know exactly where you are and I can't tell him. I just hope someday we can all get together and fight this out, then go out drinking like we used to."
Niki's eyes grew tearful. "God I miss them all so much. I wish he could see his daughter. She looks just like him."
"But just like Seth, she has her mama's eyes." Gabriel's voice choked up as Niki hugged him tightly.
"You be careful." She told him firmly. "You are playing a dangerous game and if Catherwood finds out, you are going to be in a world of shit."
Gabriel shrugged. "Hey…this is me! I used to be Sylar, remember?" He turned and walked out the door.
Niki smiled softly as he left through the door.
Mojave Desert Outside of Barstow California
November 12, 2012
Peter and Laura stared fearfully at the men holding them at gunpoint. As Laura stood up smiling, Peter began to worry as she approached the younger of the two men. "That's a mighty big gun you got there." She smiled flirtatiously. "I'll bet you sleep with it at night, don't you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" He replied defensively as he looked at her in awe.
"Gates…" The older man addressed him with a warning tone. "She's trying to rattle your cage. Stand firm."
He racked the rifle aiming it at Laura who put up her hands smiling. "Ah…Laura…" Peter grimaced nervously. "I don't think their kidding here."
"Now is that anyway to be?" Laura tilted her head pouting. "I'm just trying to be friendly."
"What are you people doing in these parts?" The older man sneered attempting to intimidate them.
"The last I checked this was free land." Peter retorted.
"Oh, we have a wise-ass among us!" The older man laughed. "Ok, just because I'm such a nice guy, I'm giving you thirty seconds for you hippies to pack up and get the hell out of here! You got that?"
"Oh common now…" Laura appealed to the younger man who continued to stare at her approvingly. "There's plenty of room for all of us out here. We don't have to fight."
"Well, she does have a point, Dad." The one named Gates said to the older man who rolled his eyes in exasperation.
Laura took the opportunity to kick him in the chest and take his rifle. "Now look what you did! You just couldn't walk away and let it go." She racked the rifle in his face as he stood staring at her with his eyes wide with fear.
"You idiot!" The older man shouted at Gates. "You never underestimate your opponent."
"Your father's right." Laura smiled motioning for them to sit on the rock. "Now why don't you start by telling us who you are? Which one of you is Tweedle Dumb, and who is Tweedle Dumber?" Peter bit the inside of his cheeks to keep from laughing.
"Dad, I told you I'm no good with guns!" Gates shouted. "I can do anything with a computer, but I'm just not like you!"
"Oh, I get it…" Peter circled him with his arms folded. "You brought your son out here for a little male bonding to make a man out of him."
"This is our home!" The father shouted. "We live out here!" He rolled his eyes in defeat. "Look, if you're planning on leaving her and reporting that you found us, you might as well kill us!"
"Why?" Laura cocked her head skeptically.
"Look we don't want no trouble." The father said. "We live out here with our families; nobody bothers us, we don't bother them. We only want to be left alone to our own business."
Laura lowered the gun. "That's all we want too."
The man quickly grabbed the rifle from her shoving her next to Peter. "Nice going ace." Peter groaned as Laura glowered at him.
"Like I said, we don't want no trouble." He told them regretfully. But you know where we are…we can't take any chances."
"Dad, we can't kill them!" Gates implored him.
"I have no intention of killing them…we are just going to keep them as our guests for a while." He smiled just before he felt a kick to his groin. He looked at Laura who was standing in defense mode, the rifle lying on the ground. He went to grab for it, but Peter extended his hand melting it.
"What the hell?" The man whispered awestruck looking up at Peter and Laura. "You two are vols!"
"He catches on quick, doesn't he?" Peter smirked. "We don't want any trouble either. We're just spending the night her and tomorrow we'll be on our way. We won't tell anybody about you if you pretend you never saw us."
"Holy crap." Gates whispered looking at Laura. "It's you! Dad, it's her!"
"Her?" He looked at Laura. "Her who?"
"The Marauder!" Gates shouted excitedly. "I can't believe it's really you!"
"Your reputation precedes you." Peter jested her.
"There's a million dollar reward on your head!" The man nodded.
"If you even think of trying to collect on it, the deals off." Laura snarled at them.
"Are you kidding me?" Gates grinned. "You're my hero!"
Laura shook her head sadly. "I'm nobody's hero. I just want the world to be sane again so I can raise my son the way he should be raised. He deserves to be sleeping in a normal bed with children to play with." Laura's eyes began to tear up.
"You mean there are more of you out here?" The man inquired.
"Just my brother and his son Jake, our friend Hiro, my son and Peter's step son." Laura replied. "Like I said, we'll be out of here tomorrow and we won't bother you again."
"Look, why don't you come and stay with us tonight…as our guest." He grinned. "Your son can sleep in a normal bed and so can you. We even have an LCD TV."
"High definition?" Peter asked hopefully as Laura scowled at him.
"With satellite." Gates grinned proudly. "Pirated of course."
"Your pirating satellite signals and you expect not to get caught?" Laura asked incredulously.
"If they haven't caught us in five years, I don't seriously think they are going to find us now." The older man laughed. He held out his hand to Peter. "Hank Rogers is the name. They call me Tank."
"Hank the Tank." Laura giggled. "Something tells me you are a Vietnam vet who got shafted when he returned from the war and you said 'piss on the government'. You live out here free of government rule. You have raised your family and over the years others have joined you. How did I do?"
"She's good." He smiled at Peter. "This is my son Jason."
"Why do you keep calling him Gates?" Peter asked him.
"Because he knows everything there is to know about computers and electronics." Tank grinned proudly. "As you can see, we have tried to conform him to be like us, but he has a college degree and a high IQ. However he has proved useful to us in many other ways."
"But why do you call him Gates?" Laura asked them baffled.
"My dad says someday I'm going to be rich like Bill Gates." Jason rolled his eyes.
"Ok, so help me understand." Peter stared skeptically at Tank, his arms folded. "You say you live out here free from the government. You have your own laws. Yet you don't seem to have a problem taking advantage of our education system and borrowing satellite signals. Do you think it's owed to you or something?"
Tank stood smiling arrogantly at Peter. "And what did you think you were doing by murdering the first lady? Community service?"
"Depends on how you look at it." Laura smiled sarcastically then lowered her eyes. "Besides, I didn't kill her. I was set up."
Tank nodded. "You don't have the face or the eyes of a killer. I did three tours in Nam. You're no killer."
"So if you didn't kill her, who did?" Gates asked softly.
"The President." Laura replied walking past them as Tank and Gates slowly looked at each other stunned.
Gabriel picked up his briefcase and put his coat on to leave for the night. As he was locking up, he was met at the door by Seneca Jones.
"What in the hell do you want?" Gabriel stared disdainfully at his visitor.
"A moment of your time if you will, Secretary Gray?" Seneca smiled militantly at him.
"Well, if I had my choice I'd rather drink horse piss, but I suppose I can spare a minute or two." He replied setting down his coat and walking back to his desk. "It's not like I have anything to go home to anymore."
"You mean you don't have that actress waiting at home in your bed like the tabloids say." He grinned menacingly.
"You don't seriously believe everything you read, do you?" Gabriel snarled sitting down behind his desk. "But I'm sure you aren't here to discuss my private life, so tell me what you want and get the hell out of my face."
Seneca laughed tauntingly. "Well, for a man who has nothing to go home to, you're sure in a hurry to get rid of me." He smirked. "But, you know…I find it quite interesting how each time there is a televised press conference, within a week, there is a raid at one of our holding facilities."
"What a coincidence!" Gabriel grinned superciliously.
Seneca sat down in the chair resting his feet on his desk. "And your ex-wife is the leader of the resistance party. Another coincidence?"
"It must be fate." He shrugged then reached over swatting Seneca's legs off his desk. "And she's still my wife; legally anyway."
He shook his head. "It must be hell to think of that deliciously hot woman running all over the place, just knowing that at any moment, she could meet the one who will make her forget all about you."
Gabriel seethed inside, but remained outwardly cool. "I hope we're getting close to a point, because this is getting boring."
Seneca laughed at his impertinence as he stood up. "I don't know how you're doing it…but somehow you are sending messages to the rebel forces. Just know that I am watching you."
Gabriel shook his head complacently. "Your life must be excruciatingly boring."
He leaned over his desk sneering with malevolence. "We'll just see how smug you are when I catch you…and I will."
Gabriel stood up staring across his desk at him. "And just what in the fuck do you think you can do to me?"
Seneca only laughed arrogantly. "You best just pray you never have to find out."
"I have had enough of you for one night." Gabriel sneered. "Get the fuck out of my office."
Seneca nodded. "I'm leaving." He turned towards the door then stopped, looking back at Gabriel. "You know, I remember your wife's mother. She was every bit as tasty as her baby girl is. Her father was my partner, you know. I wanted a piece of her ass in the worse way, but it was only out of respect for my partner that I stayed away. But I'm a different man now…and that little filly is just so sweet and ripe. I think I'll be having me a taste of George's little girl."
Gabriel walked around his desk sneering with contempt, then holding out his hand, he telekinetically grabbed Seneca by the throat lifting him high into the air. Trying to free himself, Seneca kicked as Gabriel lifted him further. He stood looking up at him, his voice slow and dripping with disdain. "You have no idea who you are fucking with. In case nobody filled you in, before I met Laura, I was a psychopathic serial killer. I used to rip people's heads open to get their powers…while they were still alive! I gave it all up when I met my wife. But if I am pushed into a corner, I can…and I will…kill again. I may have lost the taste for blood, but I have never lost my killer instinct. I will do anything to protect my family and I have no problem spilling more blood if that is what it takes to keep them safe! I have killed for a lot less and it would bring me nothing but pleasure to open your fucking skull." He raised him up several more feet and dropped him to the ground. Seneca shouted in pain holding onto his arm. Gabriel slowly walked over to him, kicking him in the lower back. "Now get the fuck out of my office and don't you ever speak disrespectfully of my wife again."
Seneca stood up still holding onto his arm sneering despicably at Gabriel who stood eying him imperviously. Slowly he made his way to the door staring at Gabriel the entire time before finally leaving. Gabriel slammed the door behind him.
He quickly walked back to his desk sitting down, then closing his eyes and exhaling. Reaching into his briefcase, he pulled out his blackberry.
Hana, can you show me Laura? He typed in.
It sounds like your missing somebody special.
More than you know.
A satellite image on Gabriel's blackberry began to come into view focusing on a community in the desert. He moved the arrow keys around zooming in little by little until he found what he was looking for.
Placing his elbow on the desk, he rested his hand on his chin as he watched Laura carrying a sleeping Seth wrapped in a blanket following a group of people to a jeep. Tears began to fall from his eyes as he watched her tenderly hold him in her lap shielding him from the cold. He smiled watching Seth reach out touching his mother's face as she smiled taking his little hand kissing it playfully.
I'm sorry Gabriel…I have to end the transmission before it can be traced.
I understand. Thank you Hana.
Goodnight Gabriel.
Goodnight Hana.
He sadly watched the image disappear from his screen. Then placing the blackberry back in his briefcase, once again he picked up his belongings and headed for home.
"So let me be sure I got this right…" Tank leaned forward on the rock he was sitting on. "President Hart is really Phillip Callahan…who is really this Catherwood character who is really a five-hundred year old man…and a beast?"
"Yes." Laura nodded.
"And…you are this mortal being that was chosen many years ago on a predestined date to slay him?" He gulped feeling overwhelmed by it all. "And all of you…including these children…have super powers?"
"That's right." Laura smiled.
Tank exhaled shaking his head quickly. "I gotta say, this is a trip. I've been hearing on radio about the people like you. They make it sound like you are out to take over the world."
"That's not even close to the truth." Peter took a sip from his beer. "Most of us would just like to be normal again. We didn't ask for these powers. It's just, one morning we woke up and there it was."
Gates cocked his head inquisitively. "You weren't born with them?"
"I don't think so." Peter shook his head. "I was twenty six when I came into my powers. One day I had a feeling I could fly. And I started having all these weird dreams. But whenever I got around somebody who had powers, I could do whatever they did."
"How many powers you got?" A man named Elko asked him.
"I have no idea." Peter shook his head smiling.
"So…you can do anything these guys can do?" Tank asked pointing at Laura, Hiro and Brandon.
"Brandon and Hiro, yes." He replied. "I have some of Laura's powers, but most of hers are proprietary…they were a gift from her ancestors."
"This just gets weirder by the minute." Elko chuckled. "So, what about this beast? Does the President turn into Godzilla, or the Incredible Hulk or something?"
Brandon furrowed his brow hesitantly. "Do you really want to know?"
"Yeah…" Elko grinned. "I really want to know."
Brandon clenched his fists closing his eyes as the crowd watched him expectantly. His body began to tremor, then everyone shrunk back with terror as he metamorphosed into a man beast.
"Holy fucking shit on a shingle!" Tank blurted out horrified. "What the hell was that?"
"You wanted to know…there it is." Peter shrugged. "This is what your President looks like unmasked."
"He gots it too?" A man called Jester gasped with horror.
"It's a long story." Laura shook her head. "But yes…my brother unfortunately shares the curse."
Brandon's appearance normalized again as everyone stared at him speechless. "Are you sure you still want us to stay here with you?" He asked uncertainly.
Tank stood up. "Well Preacher, I admit I was a little shaken by your little display there, but you people ain't been nothing but good, honest folks. So as long as the rest of my
people don't mind, as far as I'm concerned, you can stay here with us as long as you like." He turned and looked at the rest of his group. "Anybody got a problem with that?"
"Not me." Elko grinned. "I can't wait to see what else these guys can do." Then looking at Laura. "And it's nice to see a pretty face for a change instead of looking at all these ugly mugs! You, can stay!"
"Thank you." Laura smiled slightly embarrassed.
Everyone clamored in agreement as Peter, Hiro, Laura and Brandon were received into the community.
"Ok…it's settled then!" Tank nodded. "Welcome to the tribe! So, the first order of business…each of you gets a nickname. In our family, we all have our alter egos that we take from what we are."
"Like you drove a tank in Nam…Elko comes from Elko Nevada…Hippy once owned and operated a pot farm…" Laura shrugged. "Am I close?"
"Hey, I didn't operate the pot farm!" Hippy replied defensively. "I paid good money for my flunkies to do that for me." Laura and the others laughed.
"I think I have an appropriate handle for each of you." He looked at Brandon. "From here on out, you, are Preacher."
Brandon shook his head. "No. I've lost my faith. After my wife and son were killed and I found out Catherwood was my father, I'm just not interested in preaching the word."
"Yeah, well you have one happy and healthy son left, and from what I can tell an amazing sister by your side." He chided him. "And you get up every morning with two perfectly good legs that touch the ground." He demonstrated by removing a prosthetic leg as Brandon's eyes widened. "You got a lot to be thankful for, boy. And if you ain't, then you need to lower those standards of yours."
Brandon only stared thoughtfully blinking his eyes, not quite sure how to respond.
Tank turned to Hiro. "You, are perfect just the way you are. You are a true hero...therefore we will call you Hero." He bowed to Hiro. "Welcome to the family, Hero."
Hiro smiled proudly bowing in return. "Arigato, Mr. Tank."
Laura giggled as Tank stared at Hiro confused. "He just said thank you. Consider it an honor."
"I will…and I do." He grinned with a gleam in his eye. Then looking at Peter he stood in front of him. "You son, after today will be called Rogue."
Peter's face fell. "Um…hasn't that already been done? X-men anybody?"
Tank chuckled. "Ok, you caught me…I'm a huge fan of the comic books and from the way it sounds to me, your ability just screams out Rogue. So as of today, you are Rogue."
Peter shrugged. "Ok…Rogue it is. Why the hell not."
"Why the hell not indeed." Laura grinned then turned to Tank. "Well thanks to the media, I guess I already come pre-configured with an enigma, so I'm good."
Tank shook his head. "It don't fit. You are hardly what I would call a scavenger or a savage. No, you lovely lady as of today will be called Willow."
Laura laughed incredulously. "And how did you come up with that by looking at me?"
He sat down beside her gently. "A Weeping Willow is one of the most beautiful trees given to us by nature. From outward appearances it is beautiful, yet sad frail. But it it's wood is strong, yet pliable and it's vines are virtually unbreakable. All of the elements I see when I look at you."
"You really see all that?" She half-smiled.
"All that and more." He smiled. "I can see you are a woman of strength and character. I'm glad to have you all aboard."
Laura shrugged laughing. "Ok, I guess I've been called a lot worse."
"Ok men…let's give a warm welcome to Willow, Preacher, Rogue and Hero to our clan!" Tank shouted as the clan shouted with approval as Laura, Peter, Hiro and Brandon all smiled.
Later that night, for the first time in months, Peter, Hiro, Laura, Brandon and the children slept in real beds. As Laura slept, she held Seth next to her tenderly.
But somewhere far away, he lie awake that night thinking about his wife and son. "I love you Laura Grace." He whispered as he drifted off to sleep.
"I love you, Gabriel." Laura smiled in her sleep.
END OF PART 2
