His feet felt like they were made of lead, each step was more difficult than the previous one. His throat felt parched and he felt hot, so hot. He stopped and bent over, panting. A Slade-bot opened an ice cold water bottle and poured it over his head, briefly lowering his fever. Another droid opened a second bottle and handed it to him, and he quickly chugged it down. He then turned to his captor.
"How much further, Slade?"
"A few more miles. The sooner we get there and you perform the favor the sooner you'll have the antidote."
Logan dropped the empty bottle and resumed walking. After taking a few steps he stumbled and fell, landing face first on the ground. He rolled over and looked up at Slade.
"I can't take another step. I'm … dizzy"
Slade nodded at one of his robots. The android bent over and in a swift motion he picked up the young man and carried him.
"You don't need to walk. You are deteriorating faster than I anticipated."
A smirk appeared on Gar's face. "If I die too soon you won't get what you want … what is it Slade?" He rasped.
"You will learn once we get there." Slade then injected him with a hypospray. Gar gave him a puzzled look.
"What was that?"
"Gamma globulin."
Logan shook his head. "That won't help; I know that won't stop the Sakutia."
"It will buy us time. You're of no value to me dead, Logan. Plus I have no desire to earn Raven's ire should you die."
"Then you might as well give me the serum now."
"I will let you die if you don't cooperate. I would rather avoid Raven's revenge, but I will face it if I must."
Slade took off running, followed by his droids. The ride in the droid's arms was a series of jolts, each one inflicted serious pain on the young man, who gritted his teeth as his body felt as if it was on fire. The group disappeared back into the jungle.
-( - )-
The path was narrow and there wasn't much headroom either, so Raven had to run along it. She was sweating profusely and fatigue was beginning to set in. She had neglected to bring some water with her and she was beginning to regret it. She almost didn't see it as she jogged down the path, but see it she did. She slid to a stop. The water bottle was lying in the mud and she knelt as she reached for it. As soon as her hand touched she saw him. His aura was imprinted on the bottle and she didn't like what she saw: he was sick, very sick.
"What did you do to him, Slade?" She murmured as she pressed the bottle to her chakra stone. The vision of the green monkey appeared in her mind. She gasped and dropped the bottle.
"No." She whimpered before resuming her run.
"Hang in there, Gar; I'm coming."
-( - )-
Gar had closed his eyes and tried to rest as best he could in his bumpy ride, which seemed to last forever. Suddenly and with no warning, the droid stopped in its tracks. He slowly blinked as he raised his head.
"We have arrived, Logan. It's time to sing for your supper."
Gar stared as the scene slowly came into focus. A small concrete structure, which reminded him of the old Titan's safety bunker stood before him. Slade pointed to a small keypad on the exterior wall.
"Now, Logan; if you don't mind, the password please."
"Password? What password? Where are we?"
"This is your parent's secret bunker."
"Secret bunker? What are you talking about? They didn't have a bunker."
"They most certainly did, Logan."
"Why would they need one?"
Slade chuckled. "Do you have any idea of why your parents were in Lumumba?"
Gar's head felt like it was on fire. Even with the Gama Globulin shot he was fading and fast. He needed the serum, and soon. But Slade wanted something inside that bunker, and he couldn't get it without his help.
"They were doing vaccine research."
Slade chuckled. "Yes, that was their cover."
"What are you talking about?"
"Your parents were agents of the US government."
"What?"
"Dear boy, they weren't doing vaccine research … just the opposite."
Gar's eyes opened wide. "No! They would never!"
"I'm afraid so, they were weaponizing the jungle's viruses, including the Sakutia virus."
"That's a lie!" Logan snarled with unexpected vigor.
"Doesn't it strike you as convenient that they had the serum on hand to save you the first time you were bitten? We both know that the virus is fatal after 24 hours. They had already made it, just in case one of you became infected. Of course, your dear parents had no idea of the amazing side effect the serum would have on you."
Gar looked at the door. "You could blast your way in."
Slade shook his head. "Too risky, the vials could be destroyed, and I can't guess the password. Three wrong guesses and the lab will self destruct."
"Let me guess … that's in my dad's notebook."
"Correct, and it also says that you know the password."
Gar shook his head. "If I did, I forgot it a long time ago. Sorry, Slade, I can't help you." He paused as he coughed violently. "I need that serum, Slade … now!"
Slade shook his head. "A pity, you see, I don't have the serum on me … But I know there is some inside the bunker. So, Logan; the password if you please. Believe me; I don't want you to die."
"No way, even if I knew it, I wouldn't tell you. If you get your hands on it, you'll use it for evil."
"My dear boy; there is no other use for what's behind that door. And don't forget who created it."
Gar coughed again. "Go screw yourself."
"You'll never see her again." Slade replied in his monotone. "Because you will die."
"Wanna bet?" Another monotone shouted.
Raven flew out of the bushes and demolished the robots in one fell swoop of her dark energy. Slade watched calmly as she landed.
"You're going to pay for this, you bastard."
"You can still save him, Raven."
"He doesn't remember the password, you idiot! And there is some kind of dampening field inside, I can't teleport in." She screeched as she balled her fists. "He's gonna die, Slade." She began to sob. "And it's your doing." Her teeth became serrated and her crimson four eyed glare appeared. "When I'm done with you, you'll wish you had never been born."
Slade remained unexpectedly calm. "There is something else you could do."
"And what is that?"
"You could enter his mind and locate the password."
Raven's eyes widened.
"Of course, I will take my leave while you search for it."
Raven clenched her teeth. "You always find a way to escape."
"Yes, I do; but that's not important at this time. Tick tock, Raven. You had better hurry, time is running out."
Her face was screwed with anger. "If the serum isn't in there, I will hunt you down and make you pay, even if I have to summon my father's fire demons."
"I am aware of that. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to leave."
Suddenly, the sound of a hovering helicopter was heard. Raven looked up and saw a rope ladder drop. Slade hopped onto it and the chopper lifted off and flew away.
Raven turned to her beloved who was leaning against the locked door. She cupped his face and kissed him.
"Gar, I'm gonna enter your mind. We need to find this password ASAP."
"Go for it." He gasped for breath.
"I need you to recall any childhood memories you have of your parents. It's our only hope of finding the password. You should be in there too, as your younger self. I'll guide you … oh Azar, I really hope that password is in there."
He grabbed her hand.
"Rave?"
"Yes?"
"Just in case I don't make it."
"Don't say that, you're not gonna die."
"Just in case … " He swallowed as he gathered his breath. "Will you take me as you lawful wedded husband?"
Her eyes widened. "I will." She replied as she choked back a sob. "Garfield, will you take me as your lawful wedded wife?"
"I will." A small smile appeared on his face. "Do I get to kiss the bride?"
Raven leaned forward and kissed him. His smile widened. "I guess that means we're married."
"And it's going to be a long, happy marriage." She replied as she sat in the lotus position. "I'm coming in now, so think about your parents."
He nodded as Raven's soul self emerged from her body and flew into his.
He became limp and toppled over.
-( - )-
Sorry to keep you waiting, dear readers and I apologize for the short chapter.
