Chapter 14: The Unexpected Benefactor
"Sir, we've located the target." A burly man walks up to Colonel Jackson and salutes. His badge reads E Summers, but the Colonel could care less, really.
A glare is sent Summers' way. "It really took you fools this long to find the girl, even though we knew exactly where she was?" The incompetence of his people always seems to surprise him, even though he sees it more and more often that he'd like.
Summers pales. "It took time to hack the Tower, Sir. I was told that they have developed an undetectable virus that leaked into their system that basically piggybacked into their surveillance and security systems. We can see and hear everything that goes on, and they're none the wiser."
The Colonel pushes his fingers together in a contemplative pyramid. "Excellent. What is the status of the target? Has she exhibited any signs that her body has fully accepted the change?"
Summers tenses. "There has been no record of her exhibiting any powers, Sir. It seems that she has just been undergoing similar training to what we have cataloged as Robin's styles. There's defensive and offensive martial arts, meditations, and some strength and endurance training. It seems that all they're doing is equipping her with mundane talents and enhancements so that she may join them."
The Colonel rubs his chin, thinking. "She's already gained their trust, then. The original plan will have no effect. I suppose that we'll have to move up our operation. Tell the men that they will be ready within another month. I don't care how they achieve their goal, but it better be quick." He turns away from the man in dismissal just as another man walks into the room. "Ah, Sir, what are you doing here?"
The man frowns. "It's been leaked, Jackson."
The Colonel furrows his brow. "What has, Sir?" Of course, the Colonel isn't stupid. He knows exactly what the man's talking about. He just doesn't know who would dare jeopardize his operation so callously. It's like they don't value their lives at all. As soon as he finds the leak, he will be liberated of his life and soul. His eyes glow red for just a second before turning back to normal.
"Don't play stupid. I know you know." The man slowly walks around the room, taking in the various accoutrements of the makeshift lab. "I hear that the president himself has ordered this little project to be terminated."
Jackson snorts. "This place is virtually undetectable and indestructible. Our security is top notch, and there's no one who can get in or out, or even wipe their asses, without our knowing."
The man stops and does an about face to look Jackson in the eye menacingly. "And yet, here we are, having this conversation."
The Colonel shakes his head. "Consider the bastard dead. I will not stand security breaches or treason within these walls."
"Excellent. Just what I wanted to hear." He looks at the files spread across one desk to the Colonel's left. "I see you've found her."
Jackson looks down swiftly at the files and then back up at the man. "Yes. I was informed only moments ago that they have infiltrated the Tower's systems to allow monitoring."
The man's lips turned up in one corner. "Bravo, though I was expecting it to much sooner. How is she doing?"
"Is that concern in your voice, Sir?" Jackson couldn't hide the amusement in his voice.
The man shakes his head. "Honestly, Jackson. I thought you knew me better than that. I was the one who suggested her, wasn't I? I was only feigning curiosity for the sake of the project. The more I know, the better funding you have."
Jackson sighs. "Indeed, Sir. Though she hasn't exhibited any superhuman traits, we believe that she will start to come into her powers very shortly. Something has locked them within her, aside from her ears and fangs. I wouldn't be surprised if we find out what she can do very soon." Jackson's face lights up in an evil smirk.
The man strokes his chin. "As you say. I await results, Jackson. I didn't invest millions for this to go under in less than half a decade."
Jackson nods. "As you wish, Mr. Silvia. I promise that this investment will be what you expect and more." His eyes flash once more before watching his gracious benefactor leave. That man is so gullible. Jackson can't believe how easy it was to manipulate the bastard. His end goal is so near. He can taste the victory from here. The demon within him roars, and a blood lust and power hungry apparition appears in the shadows, seeming to whisper encouraging words to the man hosting him.
A/N: Didn't expect that... I didn't even expect that until I was like... anonymous benefactor... who has a lot of money... and supports metas... Silvia! Yes, I made those very small and horrible connections in which a man makes an experiment of his own daughter and order her to be hunted. *gasp* The indignity! The horror! The total unpredictability! Or is it?
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