Rapture's Ascent

Chapter 12 – Mind Games

Clerkwell stood in the Oval Office, his desk cluttered with papers. He paced quickly, the buzzing still barely visible as his anxiety physically manifested. He fidgeted with his private cell phone in his pocket, waiting for it to quietly buzz. As his hand twitched, the call came in. He quickly flipped it open, holding it at his ear.

"Speak." His voice was quick and sharp.

"Decker is in position." Richard's voice sounded through the speaker.

"Is he fighting it?"

Richard paused. "Yes. He's fighting it hard." He sighed, rattling the phone, "I don't know how long I can keep a hold of him before he breaks through my control."

Clerkwell rubbed his eyes, frowning. "Well then, perhaps we need a demonstration." He gazed out the window, blinking quite a few times. "Send Martin." He took a deep breath, "The cover: Decker being captured is a threat to their plan. He needs to be disposed." He sat in his chair, leaning onto the desk. "We can't fight an enemy that doesn't exist. And as far as the public knows we don't have a defined enemy yet. And we need one." He paused, exhaling sharply. "So let's continue creating one."

Richard paused a moment, "So we are going to kill Decker?"

Clerkwell laughed quietly, "Of course not. Martin is."

The line went dead as Clerkwell pocketed the phone. His body shuddered as he retook the form of the President, just in time for the door to open, revealing Rikt. The Chief of Security crossed to the chairs opposite of Clerkwell, seating himself as he placed a folder on the desk.

"The files from Decker." He leaned back. "I took the liberty of interrogating him myself. FBI head isn't really stoked about it, but he can kiss my ass. I need to know who we are fighting in order for me to do my job." He crossed his leg as he stared down Clerkwell/Brown.

The President glanced over the interrogation notes, the DNA analysis, and the debrief of the Sacramento incident. He flipped through the pages before finally setting the file back onto the desk. He crossed his hands, looking at Rikt. "So what is your analysis?"

Rikt sighed, "It's new. It is definitely new. We've got what looks like to be homeland terrorists, bent on weeding out those with superhuman abilities from those that have them. They are looking for control, either gaining it in the government or otherwise. As for the superhuman abilities part, we have undeniable proof that Johann Decker shot electricity from his body, causing the Capitol building to erupt from immense amounts of pressure and heat."

There was a pause that hung in the air for quite some time as Clerkwell drummed his fingers slowly. He rubbed his temples as he spoke, "How afraid should we be, Hector?"

Hector leaned onto the table, staring directly at Clerkwell, "Frankly, sir? We should be terrified."

***

Tenenbaum sat in her chair, observing the many screens that covered the activity of Rapture. She hunched over the monitors as he winced, clutching the shallow cut in her abdomen. He looked up as Michael entered her office, quietly closing the door behind him.

"How's the cut?" Michael asked, stepping next to Tenenbaum, staring at the screens from over her shoulder.

Tenenbaum sighed, "I think it might be healing, but it is definitely infected."

Michael shook his head, "I figured that would happen." He began scouring over the monitors, watching the splicers crawling from the woodwork, the sane ones slowly meeting with the unstable ones. Big Daddies wandered the halls, searching for the rogue Little Sisters that still hid from everyone, even Tenenbaum.

"I'm sure it will get better with time." She looked down at her hands, "Though I have noticed that the rest of my health has improved." She turned to Michael, "Do I look younger to you?"

Michael smiled, "A little, I guess." It was true: Her hair seemed slightly darker than the usual white. Her wrinkles were not quite as deep and her age spots had diminished. "Yes, you do look younger."

"Well, thank you." She turned back to the screens, her hand clutching her abdomen tightly. "It's the pain. It's churning my insides." She settled back into her chair.

Michael turned to the door, "Well if it gets significantly worse, just let myself or Jenkins know." He opened the door, "And I wouldn't bother Isabelle right now. In addition to attempting to locate Jack, she's trying to keep an eye on Clerkwell and his agents. She is stretching her mind to its limits." He took a step out before turning back, "Just between us," He paused, "I'm worried for her."

Tenenbaum sighed, "So am I."

Michael nodded, then exited the room, closing the door behind him. He walked across the hall, opening the door to Isabelle's room, watching her as she sat silently on her bed, her eyes closed, her body frozen. Michael smiled and closed the door, continuing out of the apartment complex.

He exited the building, his shoes clacking on the marble tile as he gazed out at the blue sea. He came closer to his lab building, watching the hustle and bustle of scientists, splicers, former splicers, and others. He cut through the small crowd, easing in the door to meet with Jenkins.

Jenkins stood at the machine, staring at control panel intently. His collared shirt was open a few buttons, his tie was loosely threaded around his neck, and his sleeves were rolled up. He wore small reading glasses, beaded with sweat.

Michael passes Jackson and Ellist, both locked in conversation as they debated the future of an attempted resistance. They both nodded at Michael as he walked by. He approached Jenkins as the scientist stood from the machine.

"How's the good doctor?" Jenkins pushed his glasses up onto this bald head.

Michael shook his head, "Well, the cut is infected, but not too bad."

Jenkins nodded, "That's good to hear." He motioned to the scorch mark in the floor, "On a good note, we just finished vacuuming up the splicer that cut her." He closed the cover of the control panel.

"Well that's a good thing." He turned to Jackson and Ellist, "I need to talk to the two of you." He walked to the table and seated himself next to Ellist, Jenkins next to Jackson. The men turned to face each other as Michael cleared his throat. "I am going to be brutally honest."

"What a novel idea!" Jenkins leaned back in his chair.

Michael gave Jenkins a sideways glare before continuing. "Clerkwell controls the most powerful nation in the world. This is not new." He sighed, resting his hands on the table. "The only people who know about this are those in this city. He is heavily guarded, both by our government, and most likely by his own followers. Multiple sites in the country have been attacked. It can be assumed that these attacks came from his followers, but-"

Jackson cut in firmly, "But we don't know why. The only reason we have been able to hypothesize is he is attempting to create an enemy to fight."

"A country in turmoil is easier to manipulate." Ellist said, his voice raspy. "The President is either relied on or crucified during a time of crisis. If he plays his cards right, he can gain the former."

"Right." Michael leaned onto his arms. "If he is creating an artificial enemy, he can get the country in enough perceived danger to convince the government and citizens alike to grant him more power."

"This isn't pre-World War Two Germany. Are we comparing Clerkwell to Hitler?" Jackson's voice rose slightly.

Ellist nodded, "Somewhat. He is highly intelligent." He sat back, crossing his arms. "You push a group of people far enough and they will become desperate. Those people become desperate enough; they will do anything to quell the desperation." He looked up at Jackson, "And if that means granting emergency powers to the President, an act against everything this country stands for, and then it will happen."

Jenkins raised his eyebrows, "So if we go back up there, we could find ourselves in the middle of a dictatorship?"

Ellist nodded, "Theoretically, yes. I don't think we should be surprised by anything. When we return, we could be facing an empire."

"Well that's a cheery thought." Jenkins shook his head, "So when do we go back?"

"As soon as possible." The table grew silent as Jackson gave his answer. The peculiar part was at the same exact time Michael also said the words, "Not for quite some time." Jenkins and Ellist looked from Michael to Jackson and back again.

Jackson frowned, "We're going to give the bastard more time?"

"He's already the President, Eric." Michael said, "It's a plateau. His power spike is going to flatten somewhat, and his manifestation of thorough domination is going to take some time. There is not much more we are going to lose by taking the time to fully prepare ourselves for an assault against Clerkwell."

"The longer we wait, the more loyal the citizens will be to the leader of the country."

Michael shrugged slightly as he sat back, "Yes and no. Depending on how well of a leader Clerkwell becomes dictates how loyal his countrymen will be."

"I don't know, Michael." Jackson stood, turning now to the still-glowing portal to his office aboveground. Accessed through the closet in his room at the White House, the portal allowed for quick escape and transportation between the surface and Rapture. "Something makes me want to charge through that portal."

"Well I'm sorry to hear that, because I am closing the portal." The light shuddered before dissolving into separate lights. The light eventually dissipated. "We cannot afford someone happening upon it and I am not going to have anyone venturing up there before we are ready."

Jackson turned to Michael, "Are you kidding me?" He took a step towards him. "So now we're trapped? Is that it? This is your plan now?"

Michael stood from the table, "It was my plan from the start, Eric!" He pointed to Jenkins, "Our machine is going to help the surface. I don't need the surface! I could have stayed here forever and never cared about your world." His voice was loud and ringing.

The two stared at each other for a moment before realizing there was another person standing near. Michael turned to see Hailey, her face still holding a look of concern. "Uh, Michael?" She motioned to a television screen near the door. It had been newly installed to allow the news to be broadcasted down under the surface using satellite feed linked from a satellite installed on the aboveground sea locked entrance to Rapture. It now showed a reporter with a picture of the blonde man on screen. "I think you better see this, guys." Hailey turned the volume up.

"…after causing the destruction of the Sacramento Capitol, the suspect, Johann Decker, has been apprehended and questioned thoroughly by White House Chief of Security Hector Rikt and Federal Bureau of Investigation head, Mulgan Sadents. The suspect has revealed a terrorist threat that is based out of the very homeland of the United States. These terrorists are led by a man named Michael Steinman." To the room's horror, a police sketch of Michael appeared next to the reporter's face. "A claim that Decker was able to manipulate electricity to create the explosion has been confirmed by Rikt and Sadents. The terrorists have all claimed to have superhuman abilities, and their motives are to apparently gain control of the country through-"

The TV shut off as Hailey turned to face the stunned and silent table of men. Michael stared blankly at the dark screen. Jackson began pacing around the table, rubbing his head. Finally, he stood over the table. "This is… I can't… God DAMNIT!" His fist slammed through the table as the table shattered in a resounding shockwave. Jackson turned his fist over, frowning as the cuts in his hand from the wood began to heal in a matter of seconds.

Jenkins smiled, "Well now we know what the machine did." He placed his hands behind his head.

Michael sighed, "We don't have a choice. We need to stay here and prepare for some time. We need to fix this city and its people in order to be able to launch an attack against Clerkwell."

Jackson rubbed his hand, "Fine. We wait and prepare." He looked at Michael, "And how do we go up and get supplies until we stabilize food production and water recycling? You're a wanted man and William and I are state officials."

"Oy! You could send me." Miser stood at the door in his old Fontaine Fisheries uniform, his voice thick with his English accent. "I can hop there and back in a tick."

Michael smiled, shaking his head, "Problem solved."

***

Johann stood in his holding cell, his head a mess of swirling thoughts. Richard! He would scream in his own head, desperately searching for the person he knew was responsible for the mess he was in. He pounded his head, his short spiky hair matted in places.

Suddenly, the room grew dark as Richard appeared next to Johann. "You called?"

Johann jumped slightly, backing up. "Hey!" He called out to the officers down the hall. "Someone's here!"

Richard held out his hand, "No one can hear you, Joe." He stood close to Johann, "You're lying in your bed, mumbling to yourself. This is all in your mind." He sat on the bench in the cell. "It's merely a physical manifestation of our minds combating."

"Combating? Jesus Christ, Richard! What the fuck is going on?" Johann felt an electric current flowing through him.

"Clerkwell needs an enemy to fight as the President. That enemy had to be you."

"Me? What the hell? So you're helping him by taking control of me? By making me the bad guy?" He began walking towards Richard, "You manipulative son of a bitch!" He felt the heat in his hands.

Richard began looking uncomfortable, backing away from Johann slightly. "It had to be done, Joe, and you know it. If he was going to control this place, he needed someone to take the fall."

"And that person is me?" Sparks crackled around his hands.

"You need to calm down, Johann. Nothing good is going to come of this. If you somehow find a way to blow me out of your brain, and then manage to escape, you will be hunted by anyone Clerkwell and I control."

"And hunted by my own government. Either way I am royally fucked, man!" An arc of lightning sprang from his hand, lancing into the wall behind Richard. He began closing in on Richard, "You get the fuck out of my head." His hand gripped Richard's throat tightly as the electricity began surging through Richard's form. Lightning shot from Richard's form as his body began convulsing. His body crumpled, then deteriorated as Johann sat up from his bed.

Johann wiped his brow, which was beaded with sweat. He stood up and looked about his cell. Aiming his arms at the wall, a bolt of energy exploded the wall in front of him.