Chapter 28: Sins of the Father
Illuminati Base 7:30 PM
Gill followed Kolin to the computer lab of the base as Kolin sat down and inserted the flash drive into the computer she was stationed at. Kolin began to click through the files of the flash drive. As Gill's eyes roamed through the documents and blueprints that were layed out on the monitor in front of him, a grimace crossed his face as he began to realize some of the things his brother was doing through numerous bases around the world with the aid of the Illuminati members that he had converted to his side.
"As I had thought, Urien is utilizing the mind control probe that my father had initially planned to use in his scheme. But from what I'm seeing, that's not all," commented Gill.
"You're quite right, he's also experimenting on people through genetic modification too, much like Necro, Twelve, and Oblique, as I can see the blueprints for Oblique here, you don't suppose he's planning to build on this blueprint for more mutated minions of his own," chimed in Kolin.
"That seems obvious, I don't see what else he would do with these blueprints," replied Gill.
"Master Gill! Our base in Ho Chi Minh has been destroyed!" exclaimed an Illuminati agent as he ran into the computer lab.
"Another base destroyed, has anyone recovered anything from the wreckage?" inquired Gill.
"Nothing of note to recover sir, although apparently, Urien was using this base for genetic experiments Rumors are one of them escaped captivity and blew up the base upon escaping," informed the agent.
"Hmm, if that's true, then we don't know if this person is working for or against Urien, all we know is we have a genetically modified specimen roaming the landscape," stated Kolin.
"See if you can find this specimen and keep tabs on them, I need to know more about this before I take any serious action on that front," ordered Gill.
"Right away sir, we'll continue to comb the area and inform you of any findings!" affirmed the agent before he took off to relay Gill's orders to the other agents. Gill let out a heavy sigh as he once again eyed the cylindrical container holding his father's powers inside of them.
"My love, are you sure about this?" asked Kolin.
"At this point, this may be a gamble we have to take, I just hope it doesn't come back to haunt us," answered Gill.
Picking up the container, Gill immediately headed off for the dungeon where Zephyr was being held, a look of determination adorning his face as he made his way through the corridors of the base.
Bangkok, Thailand, 2:12 AM
Vicki Small, Scott Wagner, Amy, Datta, Gyorgy Kaminski, Yang Lee, Yin Lee, Quock Xie, and Kaoru Miadama had touched down in the capital city of Bangkok a few hours ago and after getting their bearings around the area, the nine warriors decided to comb through the city to see if they could find someone that knew of the Illuminati's operations in the country of Thailand.
"Where on earth do you think we would find a clue as to where we'll find out the Illuminati's operations here?" pondered Wagner
"My instincts tell me we should examine some of the underground fight clubs around here. Usually the seedy underbellies of a city are hot spots for information," suggested Datta.
"As a former criminal myself, I can attest to that, let's find us one of those fight clubs and ask for information around there," chimed in Gyorgy.
"I'm just hoping we can find a way to free Yun of his mind control," stated Yin.
"I'm sure we will, maybe if we can find this base we'll get some answers to that regard," added Quock.
"Or if not, where to go next after we're done with our business," said Amy.
Not wasting any more time, the group made their way towards a run down part of the city and found a bar that seemed to bustling with lots of activity. The nine all turned towards each other and nodded in agreement to check the place out. Upon entering, they saw a large crowd gathered around what seemed to be a stage for fights to occur in the bar as some of the people sat at the flanking tables drinks in hand cheering on the fight that was going on in the dingy arena that was stained with the sweat and dried blood of the day's past competitors.
"I feel a strong spiritual presence here, we may what we're looking for after all, keep your eyes open everyone," stated Datta as him and the others walked down the staircase leading to the main floor of the bar.
Some of them gazed at the fight that was taking place in the middle of the ring, or rather had just ended as one of the men lay unconscious on the ground as a couple of others walked towards the ring to drag the loser away as the winner of the brawl stood triumphantly with a satisfied smirk on his face. He was a Thai man that stood around 6 foot 7 with scruffy black hair that resembled palm tree leaves as well as a neatly trimmed goatee. He had a red ascot tied around his neck and his hands and feet were taped with sports tape and was dressed in a black vest with no shirt underneath as well as black Muay Thai shorts. Displayed prominently on his chest was a tattoo of what appeared to be a panther's paw and underneath that was some Thai lettering.
"I wonder those characters mean, I don't read Thai," pondered Yin.
"It means Bloodstained Panther, that's this fighter's nickname, and he's earned it I'd say" answered one of the spectators.
"Muay Thai, it is quite a lethal martial art when put in the right, or wrong hands," commented Kaoru.
"Does anyone else wish to take on the Bloodstained Panther? Are there any challengers that think they have what it takes to declaw him?" inquired an announcer in the middle of the ring although no one seemed to be stepping in.
"I guess this guy is quite fearsome if no one wants to challenge him," remarked Vicki.
"Makes me want to see a match between him and Brock," added Wagner.
"You did not just mention who I think you did," said the Bloodstained Panther with his back still turned to the group. From the tone in his voice, he sound obviously perturbed at Wagner's words. He soon turned around and glared at Wagner and company with his piercing brown eyes, his mouth contorted into a scowl while he eyeballed the heroes.
"You just mentioned Brock Irvine didn't you?" asked the Bloodstained Panther.
"You know him?" questioned Yang.
"Not personally, but to think that the Emperor of Muay Thai Sagat would choose that Australian surfing piece of elephant dung as his student as opposed to so many worthy Thai practitioners still pisses me off to no end! That's why I, Humlae Tong, also known as the Bloodstained Panther will one day meet this Wild Dingo and show him that he's not worthy of being a practitioner of this art!" growled Humlae.
"You're mad just because Sagat chose to train someone who wasn't from Thailand? A bit xenophobic there aren't ya?" inquired Wagner.
"What if I am, what are you gonna do about it? You wanna throw down with me?" asked Humlae.
"I don't have time for this," grumbled Wagner as he turned to walk away.
"A shame, I have a feeling I know why you're here soldier boy, you're investigating the Illuminati," boasted Humlae which caused Wagner to turn back around and face Humlae.
"This guy knows something, tell us all you know!" exclaimed Amy.
"Not so fast there! You want the info, I want some action. So one of you has to take me on, and not leave me bored, it's win-win for both parties," replied Humlae with his arms folded defiantly as he sneered at the others.
"Fine then, any of us would be glad to take your punk ass on!" shouted Kaoru.
"I like the spirit, but I don't think you would be much of a challenge, I want to fight the good little soldier," retorted Humlae.
"I'll knock the xenophobia right outta you!" stated Wagner proudly as he stepped towards the ring to fight Humlae who took his fighting stance.
"All right, that's what I wanna hear, I'll send you into the wild blue yonder, without a jet!" exclaimed Humlae as he cracked his knuckles.
Before the fight could start though, a loud crashing sound was heard and numerous bodies went flying through the walls of the fight club as one of the waitresses screamed as an unconscious and bloody form crashed down right in front of her.
"Bozhe moi! What the hell is going on now?" gasped Gyorgy.
At that moment, Yun as well as Seth and another cloaked figure leapt through the hole that was blown into the side of the building along with a legion of Illuminati grunts and a handful of monitor cyborgs.
"Why did these assholes have to ruin my fun?" groaned Humlae.
"Brother, we're gonna do what we can to save Yun this time around!" exclaimed Yang.
"I'm right behind you on this one," added Yin.
Running down the stairs of the club though were some faces familiar to Wagner and company though as eleven people in total ran into the club to chase down Urien's enforcers.
"We're not done with you yet!" exclaimed the voice of Yosef Moiseiwitz as the barrelled down the stairs along with Wilfred Black, Ian Black, Pietro Omakovski, Hans Van Bratten, Isabella DiMarino-Leone, Ezinma Blue, Unoka Muir, Skye Hawk, Leonora Palini, and Abel in tow.
"Well aren't we lucky, we ran across some more of our friends, this will definitely help us out big time," remarked Quock.
"Oh hey everyone, it's jolly good to see all of you again, but we'll have to exchange pleasantries later," chimed in Wilfred.
"Yeah, I can see that, we got an ugly blue cockroach to squash," replied Kaoru.
"As well as one of our friends to save from his brainwashing, what Urien is doing with them is unforgivable!" exclaimed Unoka as he kicked away a random Illuminati grunt that tried to charge at him.
"Get out of my face and let me get back to my fight!" roared Humlae as he delivered a sharp knee to the chin of another grunt.
"Sorry about that buddy, right now you're not a top priority," replied Wagner as he turned to face Seth.
"Screw that, I don't care about these freaks, I'm only here to deal with you American scumbag!" retorted Humlae as he lunged at Wagner and tackled him to the ground.
"Xenophobes...they sure are a bloody pain in the arse," muttered Ian under his breath as he swatted another Illuminati grunt away with his cricket bat. A monitor cyborg lunged at Ian while his back was turned however Hans intercepted and with a clothesline and while the cyborg was on the ground, Hans stomped on its chest with such force that the automaton's chest caved in making it short circuit.
"I'm really getting tired of fighting these things," grumbled Hans.
"I know that feel, but until Urien rears his head, we won't be able to really put a dent in his operations," added Skye as she smacked a group of Illuminati thugs away with her Tomahawk Buster.
Yun lunged forward with his Zesshou Houhou as Leonora spun out of the way to avoid the rushing punch from Yun and leapt at him with her Leaping Scissors attack, Yun parried the series of kicks and retaliated with his Kokubushi palm strike which Leonora promptly parried. Yang charged in from behind Yun and smacked his brainwashed brother from behind with a rising kick attack called the Senkyutai. Yun quickly rolled back to his feet and turned to face Yang.
"Your brother's rhythm is quite an intense one, and graceful as well, I expected that much out of Chinese Kung-Fu," remarked Leonora.
"It is intense for sure, it's gonna be a hard battle to save my brother," grumbled Yang as he dodged a diving kick from Yun and threw out a chop which Yun flipped away from. As Yin rushed over to help out she felt something smack her from behind as she stumbled and turned to see the cloaked figure had tossed a projectile at her.
"No way...please don't tell me that's who I think it is," gasped Pietro.
"Don't just stand there subject 185-1325! Lend us a hand!" roared Seth as he spun towards Vicki and Gyorgy with his Tornado Hook attack.
"Subject 185-1325, Urien has another brainwashed minion on his side?" pondered Isabella.
At that moment, the figure removed its cloak revealing a slim built man with long bluish-green hair and clothed in a black jacket with the omega symbol in the middle of it as well as red pants and black shoes.
"Remy, he got you too...that motherfucker Urien is gonna get this hockey stick up his ass if it's the last thing I do!" hollered Pietro as he fired a Puck Shot towards Seth. Remy leapt in front of the projectile and parried it though making Pietro growl with anger.
"You have a Frenchman on your side, what's he gonna do, surrender like all those pussies do," scoffed Humlae.
"Will you shut up already!" growled Wagner as he grabbed Humlae and slammed him to the ground with a suplex that he called the Ultra Slam.
"Please someone find his off switch already, he's pissing me off," groaned Amy.
"He is irritating for sure, but he's of no major concern right now, right now we must continue to subdue Seth and his lackeys," chimed in Datta as he teleported away fired a Yoga Blast at an Illuminati grunt that leapt at him for an aerial assault.
"Which shouldn't be too much of a problem, as we do outnumber them drastically comrades," said Yosef as he slammed another grunt to the ground with his Get On Your Face attack.
"I agree with you Colonel, these grunts, while great in number, are sorely lacking in skill," added Wilfred as he spun through a few more Illuminati grunts with his Manchester Black.
"Remy, come here, I'm gonna knock the brainwashing right out of you!" screamed Pietro as he charged towards his friend who threw out a low travelling circular projectile called the Light of Virtue. Pietro swatted his stick at the projectile and sent it back toward Remy who leapt over it and threw out an elbow towards the Canadian hockey player as Pietro grabbed the kick and quickly retaliated with a powerful head butt that he called the Moose Head.
"I'd hate to admit it, but the old fogey of a Colonel is correct, I didn't expect them to rendezvous with another group, we'll have to make a retreat for now," commented Seth.
"Don't think we'll let you, you're not getting away from us!" shouted Abel as he tossed away a grunt with his Tornado Throw and then rushed at Seth.
"If you wanna get blown away, by all means," replied Seth as he threw a monitor cyborg at Abel who jumped back to avoid the explosion as yet another cyborg was tossed towards the heroes.
"Let's get outta here before he buries us alive!" shouted Ian.
"Same cowardly tactics from Urien's men as always, I'm really getting tired of this," sighed Unoka.
"Get back here, I'm done with your sorry asses yet!" shouted Humlae.
"Dude, seriously, let it go already and get outta here too unless you want to be the Charbroiled Panther!" shouted Quock.
"Yeah, then you won't ever get to face Brock like you want too," added Kaoru.
"Fine then, we'll postpone this for now, but next time I see you all, I'll show you the superiority of my Muay Thai!" boasted Humlae as he also escaped from the building before as the explosions started to make the foundation of the club collapse. After making sure that they were far enough away from the area of the skirmish. The twenty heroes all decided to converse with one another.
"Who would've thought we'd run across you guys here, I guess we had the same idea to go to Thailand to examine Illuminati activities in this area," remarked Vicki.
"Speaking of which, we forgot to get that information from that asshole Humlae, well that sucks," grumbled Kaoru.
"We already investigated the base here, and it was during that time that we saw Seth and the others ready to carry out an attack on the city," said Isabella.
"Did you find any noteworthy information there?" asked Yang.
"They were doing genetic experiments in that lab. We saw them working on something quite freaky, but we couldn't get a good look at the specimen and the name plate on the test tube I could only make out the word "Version Beta". I wouldn't advise going back there though," answered Skye.
"That is true, Seth could've already alerted them of our presence around here and they're either gonna be looking for us, or have already cleared out of the base with all their experiments," spoke Quock.
"Still though, first Hugo, then Elena, and now they also have Yun and Remy under mind control, how many more of our friends are they gonna get," groaned Hans.
"Hopefully no more, I just hope Illia is okay, I don't want them to target him," commented Gyorgy.
"Other news that we gathered though is that our friends are all headed towards a base in Japan. Some of our friends might be held captive there too for all we know," chimed in Abel.
"I suggest we make our way over there then too. If we all come together, then we should have no problems taking down Urien," said Amy.
"Well said, let's not waste any more time then, off to Japan we go!" exclaimed Yosef.
Elsewhere in the capital city of Thailand, Seth was communicating with Urien from inside a limousine telling him of what had just occurred not that long ago.
"I see, still our specimen in the lab has not been tampered with right?" inquired Urien's voice over the speaker.
"No sir, I just finished with some of the technicians over there, nothing has been tampered with. But they may have found out about our actions in Japan and I'm sure they're gonna head over there along with all the other groups," replied Seth.
"Let them go, I'll make sure that we have a nice array of traps set for these little flies, we'll make sure that they don't leave our base over there alive," ordered Urien.
"Another thing sir, during the skirmish in the bar, there was quite an interesting fellow there. He wasn't on anyone's side and he's quite xenophobic, but he seems to have a deep seeded grudge against one of your brother's messiahs and he is strong," stated Seth.
"Find him, I'm sure with a guy like that on our side despite his flaws, we'd be a lot stronger. The more force we have on our side, the easier it will be to overthrow my brother!" ordered Urien.
"I'll send someone on it right away," said Seth as the limo drove off into the distance with Urien's henchmen planning out their next course of diabolical action.
Illuminati Dungeon, 8:00 PM
The deity known as Zephyr continued to stare out into the distance as he gazed out of the window in his cell. No words came out of his mouth, his eyes just concentrated on the sea that stretched out before him. At that moment, he could hear the sound of footsteps approaching his cell and a sigh drew out of him.
"Probably feeding time again," sighed Zephyr.
"Father, I have a request to ask of you," spoke Gill's voice as he gazed into the cell that Zephyr was being held in.
"A request, what could you want from me?" inquired Zephyr as he walked over to where his son was standing. Gill held up the container that held Zephyr's powers and the silver haired demi-god's eyes grew wide.
"I will return some of your power to you, but I must ask you for your help in an important matter. Will you assist me in this Father?" asked Gill.
Author's Note: Yeah, I know I've been suffering a writer's block as of late, but finally I get back to some new chapters and lots of new ideas are flowing through me right now. The character of Humlae is another original of mine that will play a larger role in part 3 of the trilogy. The idea for the tattoo of the panther's paw on his chest came from the old 1990's TV show WMAC Masters in which Erik Betts (who played the character Panther) had a similar tattoo, although I don't know if that was just for the show or if he really has that in real life. At any rate, I'm off to go plan the next chapter but until then, please read and review!
