Woo Hoo! Finally! Man college has been keeping me busy. But I have managed to finish another chapter! So please every enjoy. :)
~*Cat's Out of the Bag*~
After a good night's rest, they were finally ready to make the descent into hell. Turns out Tonya had led them to that building for more than just its sound structure and stocked up supplies. It connected directly with the underground lab. Spencer had snuck over early to her room to do some last minute checks on Tonya before allowing her to lead the charge. She seemed coherent and looked much better than when he'd found her yesterday. And even though it wouldn't do much good, he gave her a couple shots of antibiotics and something to dull the pain. Tonya thanked him as she began to strap on her gear as Spencer just eyed her. While he didn't feel safe letting her have all that firepower on her, knowing the madness could strike any minute, he knew that it would be pointless to argue. Once she was ready, she met them all in what was left of the main lobby.
"You all know the stakes. And I appreciate the support you're all giving me regardless. So why don't I skip the sappy speech and save us all some time?" She grinned as they all laughed in response.
Without another word they all followed her down the hallway, around a few corners, and to a set of stairs that led down deeper into the building. It was surprisingly calm as they walked down the two flights of stairs in what dim light was provided by the glow sticks they all had cracked open. For all they knew, this could be the last moment of peace they would get to enjoy. So instead of filling the silence with talk they just enjoyed it as they all slowly moved further down into the complex.
Eventually they hit the ground floor and all stood around a metal door. Nothing impressive about the door. Tall, dark, no dents, no bullet holes, in perfect condition. Yet all of them couldn't help but stare in awe at the door that separated them from either freedom…or death. Not wasting any time Tonya reached inside one of the holsters strapped to her leg and pulled out an I.D. card. Again they wondered how she had access to all this stuff, but didn't question it as she swiped the card. A series of clicks could be heard as the red light flashed green and the door slid open. She replaced the card, unlocked the safety on her gun, and stepped forward. As the last one filed in, the door slid shut and the locks clicked back into place.
"I thought you said this place ran on a separate power system?" Garland snipped as he clicked on a flashlight.
"It does. But all power was shut off when the bastards from BIOVOLT couldn't control their lab rats anymore. Some had gotten free and started killing off staff at a fast rate. So the only way to contain them was to shut down all power. It's a fail safe system. Glass panels fall from above, sealing off every passage way in and out. From there on it's like a maze to find your way to the control room to reboot everything." Tonya sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair.
"And how exactly do you know all this?" Brooklyn asked as he stepped forward. "As a matter of fact, how is it that you seem to know so much about BIOVOLT? You knew it was BIOVOLT who exterminated the city, yet that information was never released to the public. Even our uniforms don't say who we work for. Just the symbol. Even then only those within the company are the only ones who know what it stands for. And better yet, you conveniently know where the location of the base is and don't even say anything to your friends?"
They all fell silent as they stared at Tonya's back. While all had been wondering the same thing, they hadn't wished to bother her with such trivialities. Especially in her state. She had enough on her mind without them pestering her. Despite how much their curiosity was bugging them. But since Brooklyn had voiced what they all wanted to know, the burning for answers arose within them. A smirk graced her lips as she turned to face them.
"Does it really matter? After all once we get the message out and you all hopefully make it out alive, I'll be out of your hair. Hell I may even let you live and just shoot myself before I completely turn. So I'll ask again, does it really matter?" A twisted grin appeared on her face, causing Brooklyn to step back.
Spencer tightened his grip on his gun as he looked at her. A soft touch on his shoulder caused him to turn away to see that it was Michael who'd placed a hand on him. He shook his head as he motioned back to Tonya. Spencer looked at her again and could tell that while she looked deranged, she was in full control. Her eyes were calm, her breathing was even, her posture relaxed. It was all an act to scare them into shape. Gradually, the soldier relaxed his hand as he allowed his gun to just rest in his hands.
"If there are no more questions, shall we boys?" She arched a brow as they followed her down the dark corridor.
All snapped their lights on as they walked in two lines side by side down the dark ways. First thing they noticed as they turned the first corner, it would be nearly impossible for them to navigate without Tonya around. Almost every wall was made of glass. It wasn't see through, but not entirely blocked out either. They could make out vague shapes on the other side of the panels. Desks, chairs, computers, stacks of papers. Sometimes organized, other times scattered everywhere. There were some blood smears on the glass, some pools on the ground that had dried out, but no bodies. All knew that it couldn't be a good sign.
"I think I liked it better when there were bodies everywhere." Rick shivered as he took his eyes away from the panels. Not paying attention to who was in front of him he ran right over Ian who managed to shove the much larger boy off him, shooting him an annoyed look.
"Why are we stopping?" Kai asked as he slowly made his way to the front.
"There." Tonya pointed to the bottom right corner of the panel currently blocking their path. "See that slight marking?"
Kai had to kneel to see what she was pointing at. There was a design etched into the clear border of the glass. Easy to miss if you didn't know what to look for. It was an arrow. It went up and then pointed to the left. He glanced at the other corner and saw another arrow, only it was on the other side and it was pointing straight and at a star. He stood back up and watched as Tonya pushed up on the glass and easily slid it over her head.
"All panels that can be moved will have arrows etched into the corners. The arrows tell you how where to go in order to reach the next movable panel. Only those that are sane and capable of forming coherent thoughts know to look for them. And even if one of those creatures saw it you have to apply just the right amount of pressure on these panels in order to get them to do as you wish. You have to lean and lift to move them. This is the second line of defense. Only those that are calm and in total control can fully operate this maze. When going in, you will follow the arrows on the bottom right corner. Same goes for coming out. Though we all know that won't be easy." She huffed as she stepped across the threshold.
The walk through the maze was just as quiet as when they'd first entered. Only it wasn't as peaceful. It was eerie, almost too quiet, as they trudged along the paths that lead them every which way. Of course what Brooklyn had said earlier was still on their minds. How did Tonya know so much about this place? Their questions only increased as they noticed that not once did they hit a dead end. Nor did she hesitate for longer than a few seconds whenever they came to a split. While they kept quiet now, wandering through the dark with what little light their flashlights provided, they all knew that they deserved some answers. And soon.
"Finally here." Tonya said after an hour of wandering around below. She opened up the last panel for them as the boys all poured into the control room.
"Tonya…" a light whisper called out to the brunette.
"Who's there?" She asked aloud as she looked around. Everyone else had gone into the other room to try and get the system up and running. She shook her head as she just sank down against the glass.
"Boo!" the voice said again, only louder this time. Tonya had to cover her mouth to keep from shouting as she heard the voice laugh at her. "Little jumpy aren't you?"
The girl glanced behind the panel to see a vague outline of a woman who was only a few years older than her. She leaned towards the clear border to get a better look at the woman who was just squatting there smiling at her. The lady's hair was a blonde ratted mess. Her skin was a light grayish color and slightly dirty. A few open sores could be seen on her arms, legs, and chest, but otherwise she was unharmed. The woman was barely covered up. Dressed in nothing but a loose hanging top that barely covered her breasts and bottoms that could almost pass as a thong. The woman giggled again as she placed her face closer to the clear border. Her green eyes were bright and wild as she stared at the girl.
"Lust?" Tonya asked softly as the woman nodded.
"So you do remember us." She said in her whispery voice again as she placed her hand against the glass.
"Kind of hard to forget those who you were locked up with." Tonya wheezed as she let her head sag against the panel.
"Oh what's this? The little star project doesn't feel well?" Lust mocked as she looked over the weak girl. "Two bites from those on the outside. Hmm….I wonder if you'll survive?" She taunted.
"Long enough to get that bastard back for what he did to us." She growled as Lust just tilted her head.
"Tell me, do your friends know the truth about you?" Lust asked softly as Tonya shook her head.
"They know enough." She shook her head weakly as she glanced back at Lust. "If you're alive, then the others are as well?"
"Yes. All of us separated thank god. But if you intend to release those panels…..I can't promise that any of us will be nice." The woman giggled sickly as Tonya turned and faced her fully.
"I'm warning you now. Touch one of them and I'll kill you where you stand." Tonya promised as Lust backed away, still in her crouch.
"You're no fun." The woman whined as Tonya struggled to her feet. Lust pushed herself up and stood only a couple inches taller than Tonya. "I warn you now. Keep them all together. I'll be nice, this time. But if one strays….he's mine." Lust giggled as she disappeared into the darkness.
Inside the control room, Tonya's presence wasn't missed. Everyone was busy checking everything out. Some panels were smashed, others completely torn apart. Screens were cracked and broken. Blood was smeared on the floor. Clearly a struggle had taken place here. But luck was with them. Kenny was able to hack the system and get the room up and running. Whatever wasn't torn apart or broken rebooted as light flooded the room. It took them all a couple of seconds to readjust to the light after being in the dark for so long. Garland and Kai worked with Michael and Kenny to clear up a channel to try and get a message out, while the others just looked at the computers.
"Bryan, what are you doing?" Rick asked as he looked over the soldier's shoulder.
"Trying to get some answers." Bryan responded without looking up.
"Man why can't you guys just leave things alone?" Ian snapped as he glared at Bryan.
"Don't tell me you aren't as curious as the rest of us?" Bryan snapped back as Ian just locked gazes with him. "She's hiding something major from us. I personally want to know who I've been walking around with all this time."
Ian was about to protest again, but this time Rick stopped him. As much as he hated to admit it he knew Bryan had a point. Up until now he hadn't cared about what Tonya had withheld from them. But the more they'd gotten into this, the more she'd dodged their questions. His curiosity had gotten the better of him and he had to know. The others were silent as Bryan searched through file after file until finally one came up with Tonya's information.
Test Subject 121: Tonya Shadray
Body has accepted the other strains. Scheduled for new injection today. Shall be placed in isolation to observe results.
"Is that it?" Spencer asked as Bryan tried to hack the rest of the file.
"The rest is wiped. Probably when this place went under." Bryan sighed as he leaned back.
"Being nosy I see." Tonya called out as the small group turned and looked at her.
"Well since we've been caught, might as well ask. What exactly are you? And how do you know so much about BIOVOLT?" Bryan asked as he stared at her.
"Why do you care?" She asked as Garland turned around, annoyed with this all.
"There you go again, dodging questions." Garland snarled as he pointed a finger at her.
"Big words for a coward." Tala quipped as Garland turned his gaze on him.
"I may be a coward, but at least I'm honest." The soldier spat as he glanced back at Tonya. He was expecting her to fight back, but she just sighed as that twisted smile came back.
"Very well. Since I'm going to die anyways and you all don't have a choice but to help me now since I have the only key out, I'll tell you. I know so much because I was one of the rats that managed to escape from here." Her smirk only widened as she let her head tilt to one side.
All eyes widened in shock as they just stared at her. Michael was the only one who didn't seem surprised. He just remained silent as he watched everyone else's faces, wondering what they thought of her now. Tonya didn't really care what they thought. But she was curious as to what they would say next. Or rather, who would speak next.
"Why?" Kenny finally asked since no one else would speak.
"Why did I not tell you or why did this all happen?" Tonya countered as Bryan cleared his throat.
"Why….How, did this happen?" Ian managed to spit out as Tonya leaned against one of the broken panels.
"I, like the rest of the test subjects, was pulled off the streets. Just going about my business one day until I get attacked. Next thing I know I wake up in a cell dressed in a white shirt and pants with pin pricks on my arms. Weaker strains of the virus were injected into all of us. Some died, others formed slight mutations, while the rest of us unlucky people with no deformations were subjected to more testing. To keep us sharp, they trained us like soldiers. Treating us harshly when we failed, rewarding us when triumphed. Honestly, it was hell. Those of us that had accepted the virus into our bodies, slowly began to change. Each time we succeeded we were injected with a little more of the virus. It slowly warped our personalities, destroyed others completely, and changed our bodies. Those that could be trained still were to be used as soldiers. Those that weren't necessary were disposed of." Her voice grew soft as the boys all listened in silence.
"So where did that leave you?" Kai asked as he kept his eyes on her.
"I was scheduled to have a new strain injected into me. That's when I heard of a few of the others escaping and massacring the scientists here. They'd been driven mad from the virus and just killed anyone that they could. A few had even escaped into the city. So that's when the decision to release the virus was made. The base was shut down to keep the strong mutations from leaving here. Giving them the perfect reason to create new subjects, kill off those who weren't necessary, and just sit back and watch their creations in a natural environment." She shook her head as they all remained silent.
"You've been walking around with the disease in you for that long?" Tala asked softly as she glanced at him.
"Yup. At any rate, we can't worry about that now. The seven, or should I say six, know we're here." She sighed as they all looked at her.
"The six what?" Kai asked as all work came to a stop.
"The Deadly Seven. Six of the most vicious monsters ever created." Michael answered as all eyes turned to him.
"And you know this how?" Brooklyn asked as Michael tightened his grip on his gun.
"Because they tried to turn my son into one of them." The man growled as all fell quiet.
"See, Michael here had his son stolen from him out on the street. He and his son were to become test subjects as well. The two were separated and his son was thrown into my cell block. Poor kid never had a chance. Died as soon as the second strain was injected into him." Tonya said softly as Michael began to cry. "So when the massacre in the lab broke out he managed to slip away in the chaos. Barely making it out. But when they released the virus, it took her too."
"So that's how you two know each other." Rick finally said as he looked at the two of them with a whole new sense of respect.
"Wait, you said 'Deadly Seven'. Yet you corrected yourself and said six afterwards. So what's the deal with that?" Kenny asked, speaking for the first time since all this started.
"The Deadly Seven was BIOVOLT's latest project. To create super human creatures capable of causing mass destruction." Michael said, finding life within him once again.
"Only six were created correct?" Kai looked at Tonya who nodded. "What happened to the seventh?"
"Hey! Power's working!" Kenny called out as all attention turned towards him.
Spencer turned from the happy group towards Tonya. She looked like she was struggling to stay on her feet as she stumbled towards the other end of the room near an old set of elevator doors. She was sweating and breathing hard. Tala noticed it too. The two moved towards the girl to check on her as Kenny managed to get out a message and coordinates as to where they could pick them up. When he was done he looked at the others who all nodded in approval. But some things just weren't meant to last. Something above them short circuited, causing a chain reaction to occur. For some reason the doors to the elevator shot open. Already unstable, Tonya easily tumbled over and began to fall down. Spencer reached out to grab her, but was only able to snag the pouch on her leg and delay her fall. The band ripped and this time there was nothing that could be done. Acting on instinct alone Tala jumped down after her as the two fell into the darkness, leaving the others behind.
"No!" Spencer hollered as he desperately peered into the darkness, searching for the two. Listening to see if their bodies had hit the bottom yet.
"What happened?" Kai asked as the others all rushed to the shaft.
'What's this?'
Brooklyn thought to himself as he picked up the discarded pouch that had once belonged to Tonya. He opened it up to reveal the key card that they required to leave this underground place. A plan already began forming in his mind as he stood up.
"We can't just leave them behind. Someone has to go down there and look for them." All were surprised to hear Brooklyn say something like that as he joined them. He took his pack off and handed it to them as they wondered what his game was. "There's climbing gear in there you can use to get down that shaft and find them."
"And what will you be doing in return?" Bryan challenged as Brooklyn held the card up for them.
"I can go meet the helicopter at the rendezvous point and make sure all the others get out safely." He said as he gazed over all of them.
"I doubt it! He's just going to grab his buddy and leave us all for dead!" Ian snarled as he trained his gun on them.
"How about this? Part of you search for them, part of you come for us. That way even if you don't make it back in time your friends can send for more help. Sound fair?" Garland asked as he stepped up next to his friend. He even shrugged his pack off and tossed it over to them for them to have.
"Fine. But I'm going." Michael volunteered after a few minutes of thought.
"Me too." Rick said as he held his gun at the ready. "Fair warning now. We will shoot you if we think you're going to cross us in any way."
"Fair enough." Garland nodded as held his hands up.
"Kenny, you go too." Ian said as he gave the boy a small push.
"No! I want to help you guys look for Tonya." Kenny protested as Ian shook his head.
"Asides from those six wandering around down there, there are still the other mutations that we don't know about. You're not the best with a gun. You'll do us more good on the outside. Besides, you know Tonya would be telling you the same thing." Ian grinned as Kenny reluctantly nodded.
"We won't wait any longer than two hours." Brooklyn warned as Kai shrugged.
"Very well. Don't worry, we won't take too long." Kai smirked at the two soldiers as Bryan began rigging up the gear.
So exhausted. I had to stay up late just to finish this. But as I've said before I refuse to allow this story to die! So stay with me folks cause it's far from over! Review, or not, I'm about to crash. Till next time!
P.S. Don't forget to check out the homepage. I'm currently trying to get contests going. If people join in them it'll motive me more to get more stories done.
