Summary: Four years after the flock supposably defeated Itexicon, someone has picked up on the research and created a whole new breed of Erasers. Stronger, faster, smarter and more aerodynamic than ever before. But what happens when this new breed- starts to rebel? Ari is dead... or is he?
Some M/FX (Max/Fang) and maybe Nidgy (Iggy/Nudge)
If any one reads I'll Be Gone, i'm writing it, its just really difficult to do this chapter. sorry! reveiw me!
"Sir, a call for you."
Jeb nodded and put down his pen. He reached for his office phone, but the man standing at his door interrupted him.
"Sir, it's on the private line in the Directors office."
The taller man frowned. The Director was on an official business trip in the north. All her private contacts had been informed; anyone else would use the reception line. Jeb looked up at the man.
"Did they say who it was?" he asked, timidly.
"No sir. He said you were expecting him."
Jeb looked down at his notebook blankly.
"Sir, would you like me to tell him-"
"No. I'll take the call. Thankyou," Jeb murmured, jumping out of his seat. He followed the man out of his office and out into the hall. He knew the path instinctively. He'd been there on so many occasions.
As he neared the light wood stained door, he drew his Area Access card from his pocket and swiped it across the pad. He then placed his right index finger on the gel pad and held it there briefly. The machined let out a small 'beep' and the door opened smoothly.
'Welcome, Professor Batchelder," a metallic voice sung out from somewhere over head. Jeb strolled over to the desk, and heard the door close quietly behind him. Sitting down, he looked over to the phone. A little red light flashed slowly. Frowning again, he lifted the receiver to his ear.
"Hello, Jeb Batchelder speaking."
"Dad, you've been looking for me. What's up?"
Jeb let out a sign. He was relieved but also a little disappointed. He'd wanted to do this in person. He'd been looking for his son for some time now, and had started to fear the worst.
"I-ah… Ari…" he muttered, lost for words, "How'd you get this number?"
There was a small chuckle from the receiver. "I'm your son, remember."
The tall man smiled, a glint of pride slipped over his face. "Right. Ah- Ari, I have been looking for you. How are you?"
"Can't complain." Jeb nodded, feeling a bit dazed.
"Why'd you want to see me dad?"
"I-ah- wanted to tell you... that your most recent… counterpart- passed its expirery date."
There was silence on the other end.
"Ari, I know how you feel about the program-"
Ari's smooth voice cut across him. "Do you, dad? You keep making these...copies- I mean what do you make them for?"
Jeb looked around the office and back to the clean desk in front of him.
"Son, I'm doing it for your protection-"
"What do I need protecting from?"
"You know I can't-"
"Can't tell me what I'm in danger of?"
"No! I mean yes-"
"You keep making these copies of me, for my protection! What makes me so god damn special?!"
"You're my son!"
"But why would I need protection?"
Jeb let out a frustrated sigh.
"This is why I wanted to do this in person-"
"You know I don't trust anyone from the company-"
"You trusted Max-"
There was a long silence, and Jeb knew he had made a huge mistake. He tried to rectify what he said but Ari cut him short.
"I'll call again soon. Take care, dad."
Ari hung up the receiver, and stepped out of the phone booth. He cursed the, and stood, staring moodily at the little corner shop in front of him. He shoved his hands in his pockets and kept walking, heading towards the parked AGUSTA F4 1000.
Max. The name was rarely brought up between father and son. Maxine. The girl that had changed everything. Ari had met her when he was only a young boy. He'd been fascinated by her fluffy wings. 'Like a child at the zoo' he'd later thought, bitterly. Jeb had explained to him then, that she was 'special'. Ari worked out later, that 'special' meant experiment. Max was a human hybrid. Unlike any other avian/human experiment, she was born with her wings, to a human mother. As far as he knew, the rest of her group had their wings graphed onto their backs as infants. She was one of only few that survived his fathers' early experiments. Max and the 'Flock' as they had called themselves, had been Jebs pride and joy. Although he knew they would never accept him as a friend, Ari had looked up to the older strange looking children. After all he'd grown up around them.
Ari mounted the bike, pulled his riders helmet down over his head and dropped the face shield down. He let the bike roar into action, the sound alien to the surrounding town outskirts. As he kicked off and flicked down through the sleeping suburban streets, Ari thought not about Max or his father, or even the experiments that'd made their escape to live in the 'real world'. Ari thought about the families living in the small houses, happily ignorant, unaware. The teen was brought back to a time when he was just as happy, just as innocent. His mothers smiling face came into his mind, and he smiled behind the chin guard of his helmet.
She seemed to be glowing, getting brighter and brighter until he was blinded by the light.
Ari cried out as the screech of heavy tires and the roar of the cabin of a truck ploughed into his conscious.
Bang.
Enjoy your days boys and girls!
oxoxoxo!
