A/N: As we hit the 20th chapter, things are taking a turn and the threat is starting to be more than a passing fancy. Alex and company will have to rely on each other and instincts to make through these trials in one piece.
Chapter 20 – Founder's Weekend Gone Horribly Wrong Pt.1
Alex isn't able to go back to sleep, even though he tries. His mother's video and the feeling of the destabilization wracking his body concern him. At four a.m., he takes a run. He reviews in his mind all the people he has met or talked to over the previous day. Even though, he knew many of them from his own time. However, playing this role, he treats any meeting like an actual first meeting. Only one stuck out with any kind of irregularity. That is Dallas Turner, the other intern in the genetics lab. At first glance, he seems like a good sort. He is kind and polite to everyone he meets. Elise gives him high praise for helping her and his mother find the wounded when the drones attacked GD. So he wants to mark it down as just another good guy. Though, there is something about his face that sticks with him. It is something unsettling though familiar…
Within the hour, Alex returns home then pours over the eye witness reports. These are for each of the time jumps that deal with his father's murder. For the first attempt, the reports give a vague description to the killer's identity: tall, light complexion, with short brown hair. Further reading determines each witness account that the perp has Jack at gun-point then walking down the halls towards the lower level elevators. It also included that Allison follows close behind the two. She is forced to keep her head down and her eyes covered.
"He didn't want her to see at first, but why?" Alex muses.
He also didn't understand why the perp would simply walk down major traveled hallways gathering such attention? Unless, this is a diversion for someone like himself or anyone else coming along with him, to assist. The report goes into detail of an explosion in the infirmary. Where a one, Alex Carter; the nephew to late Jack Carter is the main casualty. Jo's report suggests the bomb that takes his first self out, is sloppy in design and execution, which is no comfort what so ever.
Closing the first file, he moves to the next two. Each gives more details in the ways he is found dead. Alex leaves his seat then pace the room as his brother enters. Kevin's eyes could see the stress in his brother's stance.
"Hey Alex is there something wrong?" Kevin asks.
"Oh hey Kevin I did not see you come in…There is nothing wrong…Thanks for asking, though." Alex says as he believes this will be something that Kevin seems to be determined to find out in the near future.
As the rest of the house wakes up then prepares for Saturday breakfast, Alex closed the widows on the computer.
"SARAH, would you please compile these reports to check for any correlations?" Alex asks.
"Of course Alex" SARAH responds.
Soon breakfast is underway and everyone is busy with different activities. Alex sits then goes into detail explaining what new evidence that is discovered in the lab incident. He explains the vials and their contents, as well as the test results that had been running before Alicia was attacked and the computer destroyed. What gets everyone attention is how the killer is able to gain access to sensitive info that only chief department heads have access by using Allison's user name and password.
That point is heavily discussed. Especially by Jack who goes into explaining how Beverly once kidnapped Allison and used her to access the GD command protocols. This was an attempt to steal all of the company's research secrets. Allison shudders a little when recalling this event. Alex tries to steer the conversation in a new direction. Alex also reveals how this individual uses Allison's credentials to access the drone's sub-routines then sent orders to attack Martha, GD, and the Carter picnic along with going for any other noticeable AI signature.
Jack sits back in his chair quietly, as Allison leans into him. This attacker is indeed clever and methodical as he has apparently tried to kill his target twice already and from all the data, suggests more attempts to come. They have learnt what he has done so far and the reports Alex is looking into could suggest other possible attempts too. No one understands who this guy is and his beef with him for that matter either.
"So how do we find out who this jackass is? It's not like he's advertising himself." Jack asks.
Alex thinks for a moment and responds.
"Actually Dad, he did just that. If I'm right about that blood sample along with that vial of the serum, we might be able to get the guy's identity then we have something to use." Alex expounds.
Elise and Allison both agreed to look into the blood sample along with the serum based sample at GD. This would take a few hours and Alex needs to look over the Section Five vault. He needs to see where the bridge device is along with any other devices that could have the same effect. Jack and Henry would head to the garage, to look into any possible scenarios on catching the perp when they discover his identity.
Alicia Westvalhen is walking the halls of GD with her clipboard in hand. She asks everyone about their attendance for the Founder's Weekend BBQ at Lake Archimedes later that evening. Many are planning to attend. She is still looking for a few faces she hopes to arrive. She pauses at the infirmary watching Allison and Elise do some work. She doesn't want to pry into their business since that didn't pertain to her. Though, Elise has become a good friend since her arrival. It is always better to have many young faces as possible.
"Afternoon ladies, how goes the search on the mysterious attacker?" Alicia asks smiling and a bit reluctant to know who did knock her out.
Allison sighs then adjusts the settings on the analysis device. She is not too sure on how to explain that they are looking into the found blood sample. Elise steps in before her mother gets too nosey as she would always be curious what Elise is doing while growing up. Alicia would have had a heart attack, if she learns of her and Alex sneaking out for a camping trip before he leaves for basic training.
"So Alicia how goes finding people for the attendance list for the BBQ party tonight?" Elise asks trying to divert her mother's attention.
"It looks to be a good turnout. I haven't had a chance to ask you or your fiancée though. How about you Allison, can I add you and Sheriff Carter to the list this year?" Alicia asks as she looks on the sign in sheet.
Allison is more concerned about the task at hand.
"Alicia, I would love to go but I have my responsibilities to GD to contend. I am sure you understand." Allison responds without taking her eyes off her reports. "I think Elise, you and Alex should go. It is your first time. I know Kevin is wanting out of the house too. So have a good time. I think Alicia, you should go find him and check too. I think I saw him in Section Five talking to Dr. Parrish. Maybe he would like to go too."
Alicia swallows a bit harshly at the mention of Isaac's name. Since the attack, she is thinking maybe she has been too mean to Isaac on the matter. They have been happy before she panicked upon exiting the drug induced coma from the replicant abduction.
"Alicia, if you want company, I will go with you to find Alex. I am not needed here right now." Elise volunteers. "Besides, it might be fun trying to find anyone else that has not yet been asked."
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In section five Alex seems to be making some head way with Isaac upon opening up about his feelings and his history with Elise's mother since the Founder's day event yesterday. Granted he has been talking to him before, but it seemed like Isaac was opening up a bit more now. The doors to the lab open, and Elise with Alicia enter then heads over to them. This elicits a few sharp swallow from two out of the four individuals. After brief hellos, Alicia looks to Alex, with Isaac in her corner vision.
"Elise and I are looking for you" Alicia starts.
"Hmmm…Found me you have!" Alex says in a Yoda voice which elicits a smile from Elise and a frown from Alicia.
Isaac looks at Alex with a smirk on his face. This causes Alicia to briefly smile at him before bringing her attention back to Alex.
"Oh yes anyways, I want to see if you are planning on coming to the BBQ party tonight at the lake. We have several people from GD plus the town attending. It's usually always a lively event." Alicia continues as her gaze goes back to Isaac.
Isaac jumped slightly when Alicia turns to face him with a heart-warming smile.
"You are also welcome Isaac. There is no sense in hiding from all of us most of the time." Alicia says beaming with a huge smile.
Elise could not believe her eyes. Her parents were actually flirting. Alex appears unconcerned over this fact. Internally however, he is jumping for joy. Something has caused Alicia to thaw toward Isaac. This could be the chance they need.
Isaac nods then smiles back for a moment before resuming his work. Alex sensing an opportunity moves between the two women to escort them out.
"So Alex, Allison wants us to pick up Kevin and Zoe then supervise them at the BBQ tonight." Elise says as they near the door.
"Ok Elise, it sounds good I am almost finished here and I will meet you back at home. You two have fun signing up stragglers." Alex says as he stops to kiss Elise on the cheek.
Outside section five Elise splits then heads back towards the infirmary as Alicia goes to the genetics lab only to find Dallas busy working before she heads home to get ready.
Alex finds Elise a bit later at the infirmary. He has just finished speaking with Isaac and pointed out Alicia is still into him. Isaac decides it is time to get ready and shoos both of them out the door.
Alex comes up then whisks her away from the lab. Allison waves as they leave together.
Alex and Elise speak quietly to each other about how positive it is to see her parents being civil and smiling to one another.
"Maybe tonight is just what they need to get thing back on track." Alex hopes.
"Me too Alex" Elise says as she is in high hopes that this evening would jumpstart her parent's lost feelings again.
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By six o'clock, the party is getting into the early stages of activity, with many guests arriving and the cooking well underway. Vincent is manning the outdoor kitchen as Zoe and Kevin offers drinks to all and conversing with everyone. Alex's eyes pans the crowd looking for Parrish and seeing where Elise has disappeared. Turning around, Alex collides with Dallas. The two almost spills their drinks.
"Sorry Dallas, I didn't pay attention to where I am stepping. My mind seems to be wandering tonight." Alex apologizes.
Dallas chuckles at the comment, but silently he is trying to figure out if his hunch about this Alex Carter is correct. If it is he then he is here to get in the way of his plans. It is best to play along until his aunt's diversion arrives to silence him. He doesn't need trouble getting in the way, not this time… being it is his last attempt.
"Its ok, I was admiring a young lady when I turn into you. So we'll call it even? Where is your lovely lady tonight, she did come out for this; right?" Dallas asks cordially.
Alex looks around then spots her talking with Jo and someone from Anthropology. That is when Isaac comes into view. He has slowly walked past Alicia. The two exchanges a long quiet gaze as he makes to the drink table. Elise noticing Isaac too is hot on his heels. Alex is being amused. He returns to say something to Dallas. He too is gone. A feeling of uneasiness comes over him. It is like something bad is waiting in the wings. It is coming fast too. Alex wants to cuss at his survival training for making him stay on edge when things seems like they could hit the fan at any moment.
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Mikalya Wen sits in her car overlooking the party happening down the hill. She waits for the evening's entertainment to arrive. She has been planning this for decades. Ever since, she has first seen her older self in a visitation at the Federal prison. The idea she is told is far-fetched at the time. All the details her older self explains are plans to help her escape. Then following that plan she finds the child. She raises it to enact this revenge that seems to have been waiting years to pull off. She has made a promise that if it is necessary for her to enact the plan, she would do knowing all the failed attempts in the past and how to correct them.
Now she is in the moment that would kill the man responsible for not only ruining her life also the life of a young man. She has raised him as her own. He is the unknown son of the late Nathan Stark. He has just as much hatred for Jack Carter, as she does, maybe even more so. Her thoughts are so involved in reviewing the plan. She doesn't hear the sound of motorcycles stopping nearby. Three sets of boots walk over to her convertible.
"You're late; I don't pay for tardiness…" She states.
The first of the three biker thugs stands next to the vehicle. He looks at her with an icy glare that would make hairs on the back of your neck stand up. He stands about five foot ten with a body builder physic and red facial hair, due to Irish upbringing. It is his evil clown tattoo on the back of his shaven head that makes most people's skin crawl.
"We're here to do a job, not cater to the rich and snobby. So who are these jokers you want us to kill?" He menacingly says.
If it was one thing Wen likes it is someone ready to get down to business. These three as she searched for a word to describe for gentlemen, are here to deal. She hands one of them three images of three individuals. These are the targets. Two are down at the party below. He studies the images to memorize the targets. Their names are written on the bottom of each images, Alex Carter, Elise Donavon, and Jack Carter.
A/N: Sounds like the party has some crashers coming… What is Wen's endgame move. There is more to her part of the tale coming and how with the Carter family deal with this blow. Until the next chapter…