Meet the BODYGUARD (continued)

"Hey, put us down!"

"Don't say that! We'll fall to our deaths!"

Scout and Assassin had no other option but to see where the robot would take them. They flew over the giant chasm, constantly passing columns and bridges. It took at least a few more seconds until the giant robot reached a gigantic flat stalagmite the size of a baseball field. It landed on a helipad and took a stroll towards the center of the vicinity.

Still in the grasp of the mechanical beast, Scout turned around and spotted, from a distance, the BLU Soldier and BLU Demoman and BLU Outlaw watching and waiting for their arrival. Their mutated appearances stayed the same.

The robot drew closer towards the BLU trio. Scout waved and yelled, "Hey, guys! Remember us?"

His sarcasm didn't seem to have an effect on them. They just stood still and watched as the giant robot carried him and Assassin to their master.

In the middle of the enormous stalagmite stood a knee-high platform with a giant computer screen. The giant robot opened its wrists. Scout and Assassin dropped down to the floor, almost landing on their feet.

Assassin yelled, "You could've done it a little more easily!"

Scout and Assassin looked up to see someone standing in front of the computer screen. It was a slim man wearing a black-colored lab coat. He appeared to be in his early to mid 40's.

Scout didn't know what to say to him. "Uh…hello."

The man spoke with a French accent. "Welcome to the Cave of Wonders."

Assassin stood up and asked, "Isn't that from an Arabian myth?"

The man laughed. "There is no need to worry about copyright infringement, my lady."

Scout blurted, "Who the hell are you?"

The Frenchman took a few steps forward. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ethan Fortier. I am a biochemist."

"Does that mean you're the one who's making all these BLU guys go cuckoo?"

"Yes…in a way."

"How'd ya do it, man?"

"It's a rather long story."

The BLU trio drew closer towards the RED duo. Assassin asked, "Are you sure we even have time for a bedtime story?"

Ethan nodded. "Yes, I am certain of it. But don't worry. My companions will not harm you. That is, if you don't do anything stupid."

Scout replied, "Oh, believe me. We won't."

"You see, my BLU friends have undergone an incredible mutation."

"Yeah, we can see that."

"It's unbelievable, my friends. Their DNA had been altered. They have become much more powerful than what an ordinary human being should be."

Assassin asked, "How did this happen?"

"I've come up with a powerful elixir."

Scout asked, "And what'd ya put in it?"

"The usual formula to bolster health and stamina. But the main ingredient was an amazing discovery. And it would explain why the BLU Team created this underground lair in the first place. A new substance had been found at the bottom of the earth's crust."

Assassin appeared fascinated already. "What is it?"

I don't know, but it is something that I have never seen before. I myself decided to call it 'Tara-lorium'. Catchy, isn't it?"

Scout wasn't amused. "Yeah, sure."

"This liquid substance has been resting under the earth for generations. At first, I thought it was oil, because of its black color. But then, when exposed to light, it gave off a bright blue glow. It lit up the entire cave when I pointed my flashlight to the surface. I began to examine it even further. It became clear to me that it was a special form of liquid. When injected into the bloodstream, the entire human body begins to change. Can you imagine the military obtaining it and perfecting the formula?"

Assassin asked, "Can we see this liquid substance?"

Ethan just happened to have a glass jar of Tara-lorium on a computer desk. He showed it to Scout and Assassin. The black liquid looked normal inside the jar.

Scout commented, "It's not even glowing."

Ethan replied, "I shall demonstrate."

He turned on a flashlight and pointed the beam of light to the jar. Suddenly, the liquid began to glow a bright blue. Assassin was amazed.

And so was the Scout. "Can I have some of that?"

Ethan took the jar away. "It's still being tested."

Assassin asked, "Then why did the BLU Team take it?"

Ethan chuckled. "They were willing to become my subjects for large sums of money. Now, it's obvious that Tara-lorium hasn't been perfected."

"No kidding."

Assassin looked at the BLU trio behind her. Their white eyes and drenched uniforms had become such a common sight.

"But why are their clothes wet?"

"It's still a mystery to me."

Scout cleared his throat. "So…uh…can we get out of here?"

Ethan gave a smile. "I've run out of test subjects."

Assassin already figured it out. "You got to be kidding me."

"I still need to perfect this formula of mine."

Scout asked, "Why don't you use rats or somethin'?"

"It's much easier to use humans of below-average intelligence."

"Hey!"

Assassin took a few steps back. "I don't think you should mess with our DNA. We've got friends on the other side, you know."

"I know."

The giant robot picked Scout and Assassin up again. This time, they didn't try to escape its grasp.

Ethan asked, "Would you like to see the lake?"

Scout grew nervous. "Uh…sure."

Ethan took a stroll on a bridge connected to the stalagmite. The giant robot followed him from behind, its RED captives held firmly in its hands.

All of this happened while the Rocketeer hid behind one of the computer desks. He had heard everything that came out of Ethan's mouth. He felt astonished when he heard about Tara-lorium. But then, he realized that he had to rescue Scout and Assassin as soon as possible. He took a peek and watched as BLU Soldier, BLU Demoman, and BLU Outlaw waited for their master to return from the "lake." Rocketeer tried to figure out how he should do this.

The rest of the RED Team had reached the BLU Base. They looked everywhere for their enemies and for their youngest allies. Weatherman and Engineer checked the barracks. Soldier and Pyro checked the kitchen and bedrooms. Femme Fatale and Spy checked the storage rooms.

Heavy, Medic, Sniper, and Bodyguard teamed together and checked the outside corridors. They searched for every door that would lead to a possible laboratory. One door behind a warehouse looked pretty peculiar.

Heavy asked, "Shall we open it?"

Sniper replied, "It's just a door, mate."

Bodyguard raised his eyebrows. "Or is it?"

Medic slowly turned the knob. The door opened. They found a long flight of stairs that led to an underground chamber.

Bodyguard smiled. "It is time for another adventure."

Heavy, Medic, Sniper, and Bodyguard walked down the stairs and closed the door behind them.

TO BE CONTINUED…