Rapture's Ascent

Chapter 7 – Can of Worms

Johann Decker was not a patient man. Tall and lanky, he had short, spiked blonde hair, he often acted before thinking. Prone to small irrational outbursts, he never remembered being so before the machine. Johann was the first that Clerkwell had approached about the machine. Both of Decker's parents were scientists in Rapture, and were recorded with ADAM use. Given to unstable genetics, Clerkwell had hoped that the machine would cause Decker's body to manifest into a power. He had been correct. Gifted with remarkable agility, his speed was accentuated with the electricity his body controlled. He had not quite bought into the "Those with power must rule" mentality, but now it somehow seemed infallible. Perhaps it had something to do with Richard, the man with the bigger brain. He was the second to be inducted, and he gave Johann the chills.

He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel of the car, waiting outside of another candidate's house. He adjusted the mirror, then looked back to the house, tapping his foot on the floor.

Finally, Clerkwell emerged from the house, an older man behind him. He followed Clerkwell closely as they approached the car. The door opened as both men slid into the back seat. Clerkwell tapped the glass between the front and back seat of the car. As Johann rolled the glass down, Clerkwell whispered, "To the warehouse."

***

Michael sat next to Isabelle, his eyes drooping with lack of sleep. He slumped in his chair, drifting off to sleep. When he awoke, Tenenbaum was sitting on the other side of the bed, gazing at Isabelle. She noticed Michaela and smiled.

Michael rubbed his eyes, sitting upright. He stretched out his arms, "She seems to be doing better."

Tenenbaum nodded, "Yes, she is stable. She should be waking soon."

Michael stood, "I just needed to sit for a while."

"I take it you stayed the night?" Tenenbaum smirked up at him.

Michael pulled on his jacket, "Yeah. I couldn't sleep." He grabbed his cap off the shelf, then turned to the door, "I need to speak with Biggs, then I'm going back to speak with Jackson."

"Alright then." Tenenbaum turned back to Isabelle.

Michael opened the door when a small quake shook the apartment. A resounding echo sounded through the corridors of an explosion somewhere deep in Rapture. He turned to Tenenbaum, nodded, then disappeared.

Biggs stood in the lobby, poised for attack at an unforeseen intruder. Michael appeared beside him, frost clinging to his jacket. Without moving, Bigg's metallic voice sounded, "I think it's near the entrance." Michael nodded as both entities disappeared.

***

Clerkwell stood in the warehouse as the older man slumped out of the machine, clutching his chest. Much to Clerkwell's disappointment, the man dropped to the ground, his eyes glassy as his heart stopped beating. Clerkwell waved to the man with the enlarged cranium, "Get rid of him, Richard." He turned to Johann who stood at the generator, sparks jumping from his hands.

"That's the third time this week," Johann sounded concerned at the number of candidates that could not handle the machine's energy. Richard stood over the body of the man, then began telekinetically dispersing his molecules apart, causing the body to disappate into the air. Richard scratched his chin, then waved the rest of the body away into dust. He glanced at Johann. Johann could feel him prying at the edges of his mind.

Clerkwell shook his head, "We need to build our numbers quicker than this." He looked up at the ceiling, "Which means our scanning process needs to be tuned up." He stared at Richard who was using the splicer to teleport the dead man somewhere far away. "Perhaps we should place Richard in the machine again; it could enhance his ability to read the genetic potential."

Johann sighed, "We could. Or we could find people that already have experience with having their genes toyed with."

Clerkwell looked at Johann, "There aren't enough Rapture survivors up here."

Johann grinned, "Not up here there isn't. But down there…"

Clerkwell frowned, "I don't know. There may not be many down there left, and most of them are out of their minds." He gazed at the machine, "I'll journey there with Miser," He gestured to the splicer, "I want you to stay here with Richard and the others. If I can't get any out of Rapture, we need a way to better find those that can join us."

Johann nodded, but secretly growled. More time with Richard. Great.

***

Eric Jackson walked down the halls of Rapture, exiting the bathosphere that had transported him and a select few military officers down. His mind was overcome with awe at the magnitude of Rapture's size and grandeur. He stepped onto the marble tile, inspecting the shadows about the hallway.

Suddenly, Michael appeared before him, a giant monstrosity next to him. The dozen soldiers around Jackson froze, training their weapons on either Michael or the giant. Jackson shouted, "Stop! Lower your weapons!" he looked straight at Michael, then at his men, "Now!" They slowly lowered their guns, their eyes never leaving the pair.

Michael's composure was calm, "What are you doing here, Jackson?" He held out an arm at Biggs who was beginning to move forward.

"I-I'm sorry, Steinman. President's orders." He shrugged pitifully.

"That doesn't answer my question, Jackson."

Jackson dropped his gaze, "The President has ordered us to covertly harvest the science left here and… And destroy Rapture." Jackson reconnected his stare with Michael, "This isn't my choice, Steinman."

Michael looked at the men, "This is my home. This is our home." He didn't just mean the monster and him, and Jackson knew it. He meant the abundance of people left, the citizens left. He would fix Rapture one day, once her demons were recaptured.

Jackson stood straighter, "I'm sorry, I really am. Unfortunately, an order is an order. I have a job to do, Steinman."

Michael's composure began to falter, "I can transport objects anywhere I wish at will. You really think that a handful of soldiers is going to take this city?" His fists were clenched, ice growing around them.

Jackson's voice broke, "I don't want to use force, but I will if it is necessary."

Michael looked at each man individually as he spoke, "So this is what happens? I come to warn you of something terrible and you attack my city?" Michael sighed, "Fine, then. We will bring the fight to the man you say is responsible."

Before Jackson could protest, Michael raised his hands. Jackson was suddenly overcome with a feeling of extreme cold, as if he was plunged into a freezing pool. He thought he could see his breath, feel a shiver. He looked up to see he was in the oval office, the feeling of cold leaving him as quickly as it had come.

President Brown leapt up from his desk, "What the hell is going on? What the hell is that?!" He pointed up at Biggs. He stared at Jackson, "What are you doing here?"

Michael stepped in front of the Secretary of Defense, past the soldiers, "This," he motioned to Biggs, "Is my friend Biggs." Biggs gave an awkward bow. "And we are citizens of Rapture, the city you just ordered to be demolished." He sat at the desk across from the president, "Have a seat, Mr. President."

***

Isabelle's eyes fluttered open slightly as she reached up to rube her eyes. She gazed up at Tenenbaum then smiled, "Mama Tenenbaum?"

Tenenbaum smiled, "Yes, dear. It's me." Tears rolled down her cheeks as she brushed Isabelle's hair out of her face.

"Where's Papa?" She sat up slowly, looking about the room.

"He's with your protector; he's dealing with some things." Tenenbaum sat back in her chair, "Are you feeling alright?"

Isabelle nodded, "I'm feeling fine, actually. I feel a little funny, I guess, but nothing major."

Tenenbaum nodded, "That's good. You may feel a little different; we don't know what the machine did to you."

Isabelle's eyes began rolling back on her head as she swayed. Tenenbaum rushed to her, holding her up, "Isabelle?" Isabelle trembled slightly before bolting upright, her eyes flashing open. Sweat beaded her brow as her lips trembled.

"Someone is here." Isabelle whispered. Tenenbaum looked at her quizzically. Isabelle stared straight ahead, her eyes losing focus, "He's here, the man. Clerkwell." Tenenbaum turned, gazing across the room to her monitors. She laid Isabelle gently back into her bed. She hurried across the hall, scanning the monitors.

Finally, she found him. Clerkwell was stalking around Arcadia, his splicer pet stalking behind him as they searched through the gardens. Tenenbaum frowned, leaning forward, analyzing the situation. Clerkwell stalked through the tall grass, his eyes wandering across the vegetation as his form shuddered occasionally, insects buzzing about him. Suddenly, another splicer jumped out from behind a tree. A shot rang out, but Clerkwell had dispersed to a cloud of insects, his pet was gone in a burst of flames. The splicer looked around wildly, waving his pistol in various directions. Without warning, the upper body of Clerkwell appeared in front of the splicer, grabbing him and throwing him through the flaming portal. As the portal closed, the splicer pet appeared once more as the two continued their journey.

Tenenbaum turned to Isabelle across the hall. She was lying down, but her eyes were open. Tenenbaum hurried to her side, "Isabelle, how did you know he was here?" He grasped her hand as Isabelle turned to her.

"I can sense him. His mind." Tenenbaum frowned. "I think I can read minds." Isabelle's voice was quiet as she turned to Tenenbaum, studying her. Her eyes fluttered, "You're worried for me."

Tenenbaum nodded, "Yes I am, dear." She tightened her grip on Isabelle's hand, "Can you sense Michael?"

Isabelle closed her eyes. She fell silent for a few moments as her eyes rolled under her eyelids. Suddenly, her eyes sprang open, "I see him." She turned to Tenenbaum, "He's with other men. He's angry. So is the man he is talking to. It's the President." She gasped as if being plunged into cold water, then regulated her breathing. "He's alone now. Just him and the President. They're-"

"Right here, Isabelle." Michael spoke, kneeling by her side. "You're awake." He felt her forehead, "The fever is gone. How are you feeling?" He rubbed her arm gently.

Isabelle smiled weakly at him, "I'm a lot better now, Papa Michael." She blinked a few things, then looked at President Brown, "You're afraid."

Michael stared at Tenenbaum quizzically. Tenenbaum spoke quietly, "I think the machine may have affected her genetic code." She sighed, glancing sideways at Brown, then whispered, "I think she has telepathy."

Michael nodded, then looked back at Isabelle, "I'm very happy that you feel better, Isabelle. I just wanted President Brown to meet you." He motioned back to the President who was standing awkwardly at the foot of the bed.

Brown smiled down at Isabelle, "Hello, young lady." He nodded sharply at her. He turned to Michael, "Do you mind if we step outside? We should probably wrap this up before my security launches a massive search party." He smiled at Michael, then glanced at Tenenbaum, "Bridgette. Long time no see." Brown stepped out of the room, waiting for Michael.

Michael nodded at Isabelle, then at Tenenbaum, before walking out with Brown. They stepped out of the building into the walkways by the tram station. For a while, the two men stood in silence. Michael turned to Brown, "You see that in there? That little girl? Are you prepared to be responsible for her death?"

Brown cleared his throat, "Son, I've been responsible for my share of deaths. I was in the Navy." He gazed around at the wall of glass that separated the wall of water from them. "This looks like nothing to me but an abandoned science experiment. If it would make you feel better, I can offer you safe passage to the surface and reintegration to the life."

Michael shook his head, "This is where we belong, Mr. President. This is our home." He turned towards the massive apartment complex. "This was a demolished building, destroyed by decay, psychosis, and corruption." He raised his arms in a majestic stance, "We rebuilt it. Soon, I could rebuild this city." He turned to the President, "I didn't have to warn you. I could have stayed here, hoping he wouldn't come back, and leave you to fend for yourselves."

Brown scoffed, "So why did you?"

Michael sighed, his body deflated, "Because I thought it was the right thing to do. A redemption for the horrors that this city is responsible for."

Brown shook his head, "So what do we do, Steinman? With this force that we are not prepared to battle? Assuming, of course, you're not just making this up."

"He's not." Tenenbaum jogged out of the apartment complex, clutching at her jacket. She looked at Michael, "I'm sorry, I wanted to wait until Isabelle went to sleep." Her breathing was ragged as she nodded at Brown, "Clerkwell is here. In Arcadia."

Michael rubbed his eyes, "Damn. What is he doing here?" He turned away, towards the sealed door to the next corridor.

"It looks like he is kidnapping splicers." She pulled several photos from her monitors, handing them to Michael. Michael looked them over, then handed them to the President. "I can only assume he wants to use the machine of them."

"And if they don't want to join him?" The president spoke. Tenenbaum seemed surprised, but she assumed Michael had filled him in on the events as of late. Brown handed the photographs back to Tenenbaum.

Michael glanced at Tenenbaum, "We think that one of the men with him uses his telepathy to force them to siding with him if they refuse. It seems that way with the splicer that teleports him everywhere."

Brown sighed, "What do you need from me?"

Michael turned to President Brown, "I need resources. I need a lab, I need hands, I need help. The biggest thing you can do is not meet Clerkwell with force."

Brown frowned at Michael, "Are you saying that I just start handing land over to him? Are you out of your mind?"

Michael shook his head, "You'll only loose men if you face him. I need time to try and build another machine, to gain numbers." He looked back at Tenenbaum as he spoke. "If Isabelle does in fact have telepathy, she may be able to find a way to free Clerkwell's men." He turned to the door, "Or these men. She could cure their insanity." He turned to Brown, "I'm going to send you to the surface, I will join you soon."

Brown held out his hand, "Wait." He turned to Tenenbaum, "I want to send a team here. I think your lab should be here, with the girl, and with Bridgette." He glanced back to Michael, "If you're down here, it will be out of public eye and can be kept a secret until we are ready to fight."

Michael nodded, "That's a good idea." He turned to Tenenbaum, "Are you comfortable with that?"

Tenenbaum spoke quietly, "Yes. I am."

Michael looked back to Brown, "Alright. I am going to stay here for a little while. I want to get Clerkwell out of here."

Brown smiled, "Does that mean you're getting that damn monster outta my office now?"

[End of Chapter]