Chapter Thirteen

-Fight-

Since his return, Callaghan had never mentioned a word about the chase to Tadashi.

He reasoned that the news would only cause the latter's spirit to shatter completely or even turn against his plans, which would then be an unnecessary trouble for him to deal with especially at this moment when they had only a day left to the opening ceremony.

Time is now of the essence, Callaghan reminded himself before he looked up from his watch to glance at Tadashi who was busy configuring the settings for the portal. The two men had also encountered a problem a few days ago: they discovered that the portal required constant power and manual control to operate.

To solve this, Callaghan had installed a battery in the portal to ensure that it has a constant supply of electricity for power while Tadashi proceeded to create a programme chip that can enable the portal to activate and operate automatically with the desired settings once it receives power. After which, with the problem solved, a portion of his plans' success would be secured while the rest would depend on his execution on the day itself.

Which shouldn't be difficult, Callaghan's lips curved slightly in a smile. He could feel his heart starting to swell with triumph and thrill as he began to anticipate the moment when he would capture Krei and make him watch helplessly the destruction of his techno-business empire.

"Err…Professor Callaghan, there is an alert from the laptop."

"What?" Callaghan snapped in surprise as he was pulled back to reality, "Where and what is it?!"

The professor had not expected any problem to arise after their current one. With haste, he hurried over to Tadashi's side and read the alert on the screen with worry.

"Someone's coming…" He breathed fearfully, "Click on it."

Tadashi obliged and clicked on the alert. A video footage from the exterior of the facility appeared.

"Who on earth…are they?" The young man raised an eyebrow in bemusement as Callaghan leaned forward to have a closer look. A group of six people had gathered outside the entrance, all of whom were dressed in suits that were either sleek or downright bizarre to look at.

And why did they come here in the first place? Callaghan wondered. Other than Krei Tech and the Coast Guard, no one in their right mind would choose to visit such a desolate island. Unless…

Callaghan's eyes widened in realisation. No, it can't be.

"Professor Callaghan?" Tadashi called his name upon seeing his curious reaction before the professor barked, "Quick, Tadashi, hide in the room! I will deal with them personally."

"What?"

"I said HIDE!" Callaghan's voice echoed across the empty hall, to which a puzzled Tadashi quickly tucked the laptop under his arm and scrambled off to a place to hide himself. Afterwards, Callaghan proceeded to put on his mask and summoned his microbots to hold his weight again as he moved from the control centre to the chamber below where he planned to observe the intruders from the shadows.

Or rather the walking dead, he thought of a more fitting description. He could barely believe that they were still alive after having confirmed their deaths by person.

They must have made it out before they could be drowned, Callaghan eventually figured. He then clenched his fists tightly in anger. It was careless of him to overlook such a crucial factor as time in their survival, and now with their return, his plans were ever so close to the brink of failure.

"What do you think it is, genius?"

Callaghan hid closely behind a pillar in caution. The group of six—no, five and one robot to be exact, had arrived at last.

He then listened carefully to their footsteps directly above him, which stopped as they stood to stare at the remains of a portal before they continued to sound towards the direction of the control centre. Following which, Callaghan commanded the microbots to slowly hoist him up to the edge of the platform above where he would observe their actions more closely.

"That's right. We were asked to do the impossible."

Krei?! Callaghan nearly reeled back from shock. That man's voice had suddenly sounded aloud from their location and spoke a line that seemed very familiar to a part of his memories…

The professor commanded the microbots again to lift him closer to the control centre, in which he saw the group watching a series of clips on a large screen.

What are they watching? His eyes squinted. Each of the clips seemed to be a video footage of separate locations from an earlier time when the facility was still occupied and properly maintained unlike its current derelict state. He soon caught sight of a familiar brunette conversing with a grey-haired man in one of the clips.

Isn't that me and Abigail? His eyes widened in surprise.

Abigail was wearing a white skin-tight suit in the clip—which was exactly what she last wore on the day of her disappearance, as far as Callaghan could remember.

And that means…

"I present to you Project Silent Sparrow!"

NO! Callaghan shouted in his mind. They must not know about this!

He retreated back to the chamber in hurry. They had been watching clips from the time of the accident, and now he had to stop them quickly before they could discover anything that might hint at his plans and spoil them in anyway possible.

Especially at this moment! Callaghan gritted his teeth in fury. He must not let anyone stop him from getting his revenge, especially when he was finally close to realising it.

He then glanced around at his ruined surroundings and saw a large chunk of wall lying at a far corner of the chamber. He ordered the microbots to carry it towards his side and slowly lift it up into the air.

Everything will end here, Callaghan's lips creased with determination as the boulder approached the desired height. After which, he commanded the microbots to hurl it without hesitation.

GOODBYE! He watched as the boulder flew towards them before it crashed with a resounding boom, seemingly crushing the group in an instant blow.

Then, convinced that they were truly silenced at last, Callaghan turned to resume his plans when another crash sounded.

What?! He swirled around to see a red rocket fist bursting from the boulder, which soon returned back to its master—who was still functioning well along with the rest of the group.

"Take out the neurotransmitter behind his mask!" A member in purple, who was apparently Hiro, then shouted as he pointed at him.

Looks like they never learnt their lessons…Callaghan frowned again before he sent a wave of microbots to swarm them, hoping to gain an advantage as he prepared himself for the ensuing fight.

-End of Chapter Thirteen-