First Mutant
By David D. Amaya
Chapter 24
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Third floor, Victor Garrand Building,
Seattle University School of Nursing
Seattle, Washington 1404 EST Day 21
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Oz consulted the pocket watch Cyrus sent as his last Christmas gift to his best friend last year.
The platinum timepiece engraved with the Presidential seal said it was just after 11 a.m. in the North Corner.
Two hours had elapsed since the 12-year-old had received a distress call from the President's son and had been 20 minutes since President Parkman had last called, telling Oz he was sending the King County Sheriffs to take the youngster home.
Then Oz realized that with all the excitement, the time to take the medication that allowed the young Japanese-American to sit through a day at school, had just passed.
Yea, great test for the new meds, Dr. Kline! the Seattle-native thought. I barley sit down and I'm no longer in school any more!
At least I'm in college now, the pre-teen chuckled. Yea, get a GOOD look, Oz. You ain't ever gonna see the inside of any of these classrooms.
Digging into the deep pockets of the 5XL-sized emerald green jacket that almost touched the floor on the youngster's small frame, Oz opened the pillbox that the doctors had said must be taken three times a day.
"This is one thing I wouldn't mind forgetting." The 12-year-old grunted while walking toward the end of the hall looking for a Coke machine to take the medication with.
After washing down the much-hated meds, the kid passed a classroom, which had a TV tuned to channel 5. Behind the on-air reporter was a graphic of the Secret Service insignia.
"Once again for those of you just tuning in. Reports from Washington, DC have told KING News that the Secret Service was involved in a shootout with unknown terrorists in the streets of the Nation's Capital.
"Debbi Lockhart in our sister station, WRC-TV in Washington, has the latest."
The scene switched to a reporter outside the District Building in DC. Oz could clearly see behind her the Director of the Secret Service bellowing into a cell phone. As the reporter droned on about the possible connection to the abduction of Cyrus Parkman or the hearings going on that morning, Oz strained to read the Director's lips.
BECAUSE, I WAS HERE INVOLVED IN THE SHOOTOUT WITH HIM AND THE X-MEN, THAT'S HOW I KNOW! ....
NO! THERE ARE MOLES IN CROWN ...
I'M SENDING IN SHIELD, RON. KILOWATT AND NICHOLS ARE ALREADY INSIDE CENTER STAGE BY NOW, HE'LL GET HIM TO KNIGHT, BUT ...
The scene changed back to the studio in Tacoma before Oz could learn more. Just then the phone the President had been calling from started to ring.
As Oz turned around to answer, Oz saw two men and a woman in dark suits, flashing badges and showing a color photo of Oz and Cyrus to a few SU students.
The photo they were passing around was taken on Bainbridge Island the day they had discovered Cyrus was a mutant.
Only me and 'Watt have copies! thought Oz. These guys got to be dirty!
Oz then ducked into a janitor's closet until they passed, then ran for the ringing phone.
"Oz it's me, Anthony. How are you holding out?"
"Sir, did you send some MiBs to get me?"
"No, why?"
"There are three 00-Zeros here flashing my picture."
"I DIDN'T send them, where are they?"
The answer came as someone called Oz by the given name even Oz's parental units have stopped using. Since no one in this state uses it, Oz knew there had to be a one in three chance of figuring out who it was.
"Hi! I'm Deputy Gloria Henning, United States Marshals," she said as she showed Oz her badge and a 1,000-watt smile. "The President sent us to escort you home."
"Just a sec, Deputy, I have my dad on the phone, he's at work. 'Dad,' " Oz said into the phone. "A Federal Marshal is here, send by the President, do you want to talk with her?"
"Put her on the phone and RUN!"
"Here ma'am, it's my dad, Hiro."
As the woman reached for the receiver, Oz cracked her over the head with it, then unleashed every jeet kung do punch and kick in the youngsters repartee with all the strength the 12-year-old could muster, then ran out via the fire escape stairs.
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Washington Convention Center, Downtown Washington, DC 1408 EDT
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"Sir, did you send some MiBs to get me?"
"No, Oz." President Parkman told the 12-year-old over the phone from Washington. "Why?"
"There are three 00-Zeros here flashing my picture."
"I DIDN'T send them, where are they?"
The President then heard nothing but silence for several moments.
"Oz, are you still there? Oz?"
" 'DAD,' " came the reply. "A Federal Marshal is here, send by 'the President.' Do you want to talk with her?"
"Put her on the phone and RUN!" he yelled into the cell phone. Then he could hear a loud thud followed by several martial arts battle cries, as his son's surrogate twin apparently attacked the oblivious phony federal officer.
"Jon, open a channel to SHIELD!"
"But, Mr. President, may I remind you..."
"Open the damn Football, NOW!"
For the first time since the history of modern warfare, the briefcase housing the launch codes for the largest nuclear arsenal in the world opened.
VOICEPRINT IDENTIFY.
"Parkman, Anthony Harrison - Codename: Knight"
VOICE PRINT ID CONFIRMED. PREPARING FOR DNA SCAN.
Inserting his left ring finger in a small slot inside the Football's computer console, the instrument designed to begin or retaliate a nuclear strike removed a minuscule skin sample and processed the identity of the Commander-In-Chief.
DNA SCAN CONFIRMED: PRESIDENT ANTHONY H. PARKMAN. WAITING ORDERS.
"Secure uplink, Priority One to SHIELD Helicarrier UNN Alpha, commanding officer. Authorization Bravo-Rio-Bravo."
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Communications Station, Helicarrier UNN Alpha Operations Deck, Location: CLASSIFIED
For a Thursday, things are so quite on deck you could almost hear a pin drop, thought Corporal Omar Sied as he scrolled through the morning satellite intelligence log for the Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistic Directorate;
Five terrorist threats made in the Middle East.
Four Human Rights demonstrations in Southeast Asia.
Three Life Model Decoys self-destructed, one in Modivia, two in Genosia.
Two military coups in Central Africa.
"... And a partridge in a pear tree!"
Jumping out of his seat, Cpl. Sied snapped a smart salute to the large man who was singing slightly OFF key.
"Another slow day, Corporal?" He asked.
"YES SIR LIEUTENANT DUGGAN!"
"At ease Corporal, before you sprain something," replied Lieutenant Timothy "Dum-Dum" Dugan, preforming his duty as acting Executive Officer of the Alpha."What do you have, kid?"
"SIR, Intel report for this afternoon."
"Only 14 Hot Zones today? Yep just another stroll through the daisies, Corporal. I only wish the President would let us look for his little boy. We'd have him back by 1800 hours. At least it would give the troops something to do than play Janga.
"Sometimes Corporal I'd used to wish that, just once that POTUS would have lost it and opened the Football, just to see the look on Colonel Fury's face."
Suddenly every alarm in Ops went off as an alert was coming in through the Comm station.
"Priority One message coming in, what's that sir?"
"That son, is the Football. Computer," Colonel George Washington Bridge ordered. "Decipher Priority One message. Authorization Bravo-Rio-Bravo."
The face of President Anthony Parkman appeared on the Com screen.
"Colonel Bridge, Where's Col. Fury? I need some men for a rescue mission on a matter on critical National Security."
"He's at Castle. We just received a message from the Director to take over security of you and your family. He's handling Staircase personally. What's the target, sir."
"A 12-year-old," the President started as he gave Colonel Bridge a complete rundown on the situation in Seattle and described his son's best friend.
"Sir, with all due respect..."
"No time to argue, Colonel you are ordered to steer that overgrown bathtub to Washington. Lt. Dugan you are to extract Oz from whoever stands in your way. That child is under Federal Protective Custody. There are three persons posing as US Marshals, apprehend them on charges of kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, the abduction of my son, impersonating federal officers, jaywalking and anything else you can think of.
"Bring that kid onboard the Helicarrier, secured and under heavy guard, and return to The Capitol." Continued the President. "That 12-year-old is a material wittiness in the abduction of MY SON! THAT'S AN ORDER!"
"You heard the man boys and girls!" bellowed Col. Bridge. "Time to save the day and earn your pay!"
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The Green, Seattle University, Washington 1409 EDT
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Bolting out of the Garrand Building like a green bat out of Hell, Oz flew across the Green to the Chapel of St. Ignatius. Knowing that the lady the youngster dumped like a bad habit would be up quickly and would probably come out shooting, put more than a spring in the kid's stride.
The President said that he didn't call out any MiBs, so the 12-year-old knew they were looking to tie up some loose ends in the kidnapping of Cyrus Parkman and the young hacker was expendable.
Oh damn it, snap out of it!! Oz thought. But if I live through this NO MORE Ian Flemming or Tom Clancy for you, Oz. It's strictly Harry Potter books from now on!
If what Cyrus had once said about Secret Service agents was true for Marshals, they were in all likelihood not from the Emerald City and might not know the campus layout.
Oz and Cyrus loved going on field trips to the university when they were both enrolled at Puget Sound Elementary and they both knew the school like the backs of their hands and the youngster hoped that knowledge would help save both their lives right now.
As Oz ducked behind some bushes near the Lynn Building, Oz spotted those three 00-Zeros barging out of the nursing department. The one Oz busted up looking like she was out for blood as they all had their weapons drawn with something attached to their guns. Something Oz only saw in spy movies...
...Silencers. Meant to silence a 12-year-old that knows way too much.
Looking for a place to hide Oz looked over to the Chapel of St. Ignatius. Throwing a nickle towards the front entrance, Oz bowed deeply twice, clap hands twice, bow deeply once more, and prayed.
"Kannon, sacred Goddess of mercy. I know you're aware of the gaijin chipitamas that are chasing me. Could You like, You know, dial up a miracle or two and buy me some time? I haven't seen watashi no atarashii mei and I'm not quite done with my will yet, okay?"
Movement startled the young child. Looking around the Green Oz saw a black and brown calico cat emerge from Student Center, raising it's left paw and took this as a sign.
"Just saw your Maneki Neko!" Oz stood and bowed once more. "Arigatou gozaimashita, sacred Kannon."
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Transport Room Delta SHIELD Helicarrier
Location: One Mile above the Pacific Northwest 1410 EDT
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"Target acquired, sir," A SHIELD technician called out. A 12-year-old's jacket filled the transport room screen. "Subject is hiding behind a shrub near the Northwest corner of the campus."
"Good work Private," Lt. Dugan checked his weapon. "Now beam the kid aboard."
"Sir, we are having a transmission glitch, we can't transport up for three minutes."
"Make that 90 seconds!"
"Sir, Three tangos, 300 Meters from target and closing," Another technician called out. "Computer reports they are all armed with Berettas."
"If those are US Marshals, I'm Navy," quipped Lt. Dugan.
"Colonel, I Graduated from Seattle U. before joining SHIELD," Cpl. Sied spoke up. "Target is heading Northwest, they are rushing new pledges this week so the subject will most likely head for the Student Center."
"Private Daniels, can we beam down."
"Yes sir, Lieutenant!"
"All right Kiddies," the general bellowed. "Corporal, you and Dum-Dum beam down 100 meters away from both subjects, extraction of target is your primary goal. Meet resistance with extreme prejudice! Sargent Finn and Captain Del Vecchio will lead two flights down in full cyber-gear to assist as necessary. NOW MOVE OUT!"
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Student Center, Seattle University, Washington 1412 EDT
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Oz removed the oversized green varsity jacket and sank deep into the large television couch hoping that the Evil-MiBs wouldn't think of trying to drag a screaming 12-year-old in front of so many students.
Looking around the Center there wasn't too many people that seemed out of place in the packed room. Despite the almost 12 inches in height difference, Oz seemed to blend in with the guys hitting on co-eds, and frats and sororities rushing news pledges. Even several grandmotherly types grinning at Oz from across the room.
Probably 'house moms,' Oz thought as two men entered the room from the back entrance that were definitely out of place here. The man with the bowler hat was built like a fright train and look liked he ran over his share of road kill, while the younger one was ...
"OUCH!" Something sharp had pricked the 12-year-old from behind. Turning around to see what it was, the youngster saw a small syringe being held by one of the grandmotherly types, who dropped it in her purse, then grabbed Oz's arm in a vice-like grip.
"OK YOU LITTLE SHIT!" She grunted in a volume only Oz could hear. "Listen very hard! I just injected you with 10-cc's of a very powerful neurologic agent. In twenty minutes your nervous system will collapse and KILL YOU.
"Even if you scream for help," She continued. "While the EMTs are rushing you to Virginia Mason's Trauma Center, the chemical will begin to shut down your autonomic functions, including your heart. You'll be DOA, regardless of what they give you."
"What... What do you want?"
Again the voice in Oz's ear. Quite, steady, threatening...
.... And in control.
"You are going to follow me outside without hesitation. I'm headed to Madison Avenue, where the other agents are waiting. We'll inject you with an antidote there. If you are not right behind me when I open the car door, we'll leave immediately -- with the antidote. You WILL DIE, flopping around on the pavement like a fish, with your eyes wide open, helpless and truly pathetic. And given your medical jacket, even your parents will say it was natural causes. Do you understand?"
"Visual on target, sir," Cpl. Sied pointed to the child described by the President, nodding to some old lady and walking out of the Student Center. "Who the hell is that?"
"I don't know Corporal" Lt. Dugan replied. "But you heard the President, all that kid's living relatives are accounted for." As they followed the pair out of the room, he called in the cyber-unit back up as they headed towards a black Buick Skylark.
Oz's short life was flashing before the 12-year-old's eyes;
Birth;
Lying next to Councilman Parkman's new son, Cyrus;
Their first day of school together;
Staying up late the night 'Watt's dad won the Presidency;
Crying the day he and his family left for the White House;
That day on Bainbridge Isle...
Sacred Kannon? Anytime with that miracle will be okay, Oz thought as the back door opened.
Inside the back seat was the lady Oz had beat up, with an ice pack on her head, grinning an evil grin as she waved a small syringe in front of Oz.
"You want this?" she taunted. "Get in and BEG for it!"
As a single tear began to streak down the youngster's face, all Oz could think about was the young mutant that was like a twin brother since birth.
Sacred Kannon, if your too busy then at least see my osananajimi and his bodiigaado safe. Nichols, wherever you are, get my Bro safe and sound. I'll miss you Cyrus, I hoped I'd get the chance to tell you...
Oz's last thoughts were interrupted by a large, muscled man in a bowler hat pulling the 12-year-old out and away from the car and pushed to the pavement.
"US Marshals!" One of the men in the car called out as he drew his weapon on the two interlopers. "Your both under arrest!"
Duggan and Sied then pulled out their sidearms and shouted back. "SHIELD! Drop you weapons!"
As the car tried to speed off, three cyber-troops landed in their path with their weapons trained on them. Stopping them cold.
Lt. Duggan pistol wiped the old lady with the butt of his sidearm, who was in truth a man in disguise, as two cyber-troops literally ripped the car open like a sardine can and dragging the remaining three out at gunpoint and searched the Buick for weapons.
"Sir!" Cpl. Sied called out. "This kid's heart is about to explode and is going into shock! Said they used a neurotoxin!"
"There's another needle in the back seat, Corporal! Captain Del Vecchio secure the scene and shoot any one who breaths too hard," He activated his communicator.
"Dugan calling the Alpha, is that infernal transport working yet!?"
"Affirmative, Lieutenant. We have restored all transport functions."
"Good work! You're coming with us 'Grandma!' Four to beam directly to sick bay. Get a toxicologist. Authorization Bravo-Rio-Bravo."
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Sick Bay, SHIELD Helicarrier, location: One Mile above the Pacific Northwest 1417 EDT
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The two SHIELD agents, the youngster, and their prisoner re-materialized in sick bay, where GW Bridge was waiting for them.
"Corpsman," Cpl. Sied dragged the prisoner off the transport pad and ripped a purse from his arm. "They pumped this kid with some type of neurotoxin, here is the injected needle and we've recovered the antidote as well."
"Take RuPaul here to the Brig," Lt. Duggan ordered. "Then give this kid the antidote."
As three MP's took the prisoner out of the room, a SHIELD medic started to roll up Oz's left sleeve.
"Wait!" Colonel Bridge called out. "Kid, how long did they say you had to live?"
Trying to over come the shock that was enveloping the 12-year-old, Oz tried to stammer a reply. "I . . . I Think is was . . .. Thirty . . . No, twenty minutes."
"Analyze both syringes," he ordered a Medical officer, then turned back to Oz. "Think kid, was it supposed to shut down your autonomic functions as well?"
"Ye... Yes."
"I'll bet all my poker IOUs that was no neurotoxin," The SHIELD commander replied. "They most likely injected you with something neutral like water, or at worst glucose."
"Water??"
"It's that's an old CIA trick." Col. Bridge explained. "That way they can get you to follow them out of any crowded room like a stray cat without their victim kicking and screaming."
"You mean ... I ... I'm not going to die?" Oz asked not believing the him.
"We're all gonna die some day kid. But today isn't it."
"Sir," a SHIELD corpsman reported. "the computer just finished analysis of both syringes."
"Don't just sit there like the cat who ate the cannery!"
"Yes sir! The used syringe held a high dose of caffeine, but nothing else of major concern."
"And the second needle?"
Before the tech could respond an alarm sounded in sick bay.
"Security detail to Colonel Bridge."
"Bridge here. SitRep!"
"Colonel, the prisoner is dead."
"HOW!?!"
"Sir, the prisoner committed suicide. The body smells of cyanide."
"Colonel," called out the medical tech. "The second needle has a sodium nitroprusside concentration of 18.963%"
"What does that mean?" Oz asked.
"It means it had enough poison to drop an elephant," Lt. Duggan answered. "You would have been dead before they pulled it out of your arm."
"Dum-Dum secure the rest of the prisoners and make damn sure there is enough left to question. Get Woo and Sitwell on them ASAP! Corporal, take this kid to my office and post three cyber-units on guard duty." Then Col. Bridge punched some buttons on a wall consul. "COLONEL TO THE BRIDGE! WE GOT OUR ORDERS! SPIN THIS CRATE AROUND AND HEAD FOR THE CAPITOL! WE GOT THE PRESIDENT'S KID TO SAVE!!"
As Cpl. Sied let Oz to the command office, Oz remembered to say thank you.
SACRED KANNON, YOU THE GODDESS!!
Now that I have Your attention, let's talk about some of those other miracles I need, namely a World Series in the Pac NorWest, and a cure wouldn't be so bad either!
End of Chapter twenty-four
© David D. Amaya 2007