Chapter Thirty-Four: Pernell
"Computress, let Mr. Green know we found Pernell Mine," said Ben into his comm unit. "Tell him there are some funky EVOs guarding the entrance. We've counted five so far."
To his surprise, Dexter's tutor and not his computer replied. "I copy that, Ben. Don't engage until the others get there."
"But -"
Indignant, he looked at his companion. He was Ben10. Wielder of the Omnitrix. Savior of the Universe. He was backed up by Providence's secret weapon, Generator Rex. They could easily take out a few freaky EVOs without even breaking a sweat.
"This is from Chip, Ben," warned Kilroy Green as if he sensed rebellion. "Take them on without backup and you'll both be in detention with me."
To Rex's obvious surprise and amusement, Ben clammed up instantly. The Latino leaned in close and ribbed, "What, afraid of staying after school?"
Tightly Ben whispered back, "With Green, yes. Torture is authorized and he's got this really unnatural thing for the molecular structure of fiberglass."
"Sounds like you know."
"Not me." Ben shook his head, not at all curious and more than willing to wait. "Rumors."
"We need you to find a landing site for the C-57D and the Martian Maggot," Green was saying. "Somewhere those EVOs won't see."
Rex leaned in toward the Omnitrix. "Hey, Mr. Green, tell Six if he wants to drop in, I'll pick him up and we'll handle the EVOs. That way we'll be able to land both ships right here. There's plenty of room." He elbowed Ben for support, and the brunet hastily added,
"He's right, Mr. Green. We've got a perfect landing strip right in front of the mine."
A little dubiously, Green said, "Hold on."
They waited in hopeful anticipation, their fatigue forgotten in light of a chance to beat up on some EVOs.
"Rex, Six and Sgt. Morton agree. They're almost at Pittston now. Open a channel on your comm unit and they'll be able to rendezvous."
"All right," Rex crowed quietly. As he spoke he generated his Boogie Pack in anticipation of flight. "Coming?"
"Like I'd miss a second of this," Ben replied, already dialing the Omnitrix.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
This creature had an intensity about it that had exceeded expectations to the point of disturbing. Van Kleiss had anticipated something highly intelligent and thoroughly evil, but this Fusion Dexter was more than that - it was an abomination against nature that was offensive even to an EVO. Its shameless and brazen conduct toward its human counterpart left no doubt as to its intent for Dexter, and even Van Kleiss was put off by the notion of such wantonness in a form so young. He had sent Breach to find out how the Fusion had arrived silently and so deep underground, and she reported a tunnel of dissolved rock connecting to the chamber that had not been there earlier. Whether the Fusion had somehow walked here or had a vehicle waiting a distance away she could not say, but its escape was already planned.
While it was a shame to lose an asset as valuable as Dexter, Van Kleiss genuinely hoped the boy would yet change his mind and remove the disruptor. With some discipline and respect (forced upon him if necessary), Dexter would possibly be the most useful of his servants. Certainly the most intelligent . . .
He had no compunction about leaving the boy with Biowulf. Of the two, Biowulf was in much greater danger at the moment, given the threat leveled against him. He spared a few moments' thought for his lieutenant and quickly concluded that if it came to it, there was little he would do to protect the EVO from the Fusion Dexter's wrath. The value he placed on his minions was limited, and with the exception of Breach, they were not irreplaceable.
He had not counted on such a remarkable degree of stubbornness out of Dexter. Granted servitude in Abysus would not be without certain . . . sacrifices and concessions on the boy's part, it seemed to Van Kleiss a better life than what the Fusion Dexter had in mind. Van Kleiss, at least, was familiar with the concepts of subtlety and persuasion, and the Fusion had made his wants known. There was a history - clearly an ugly history - between the two Dexters that set them at the far ends of the spectrum between desire and loathing. He didn't much care what had happened between them, but it would be interesting to know.
The small green Fusion was waiting by the vat of Fusion Matter. Dexter was right - it was alien in every way, and it repulsed Van Kleiss' senses as much as it intrigued him. How much of it was Dexter? A twisted, perverted, reflection of the fiery young genius? He knew perfectly well that Dexter was frightened, though presenting a remarkably bold front. Was this creature capable of fear?
It was looking at the controls for the force field, barely glancing at Van Kleiss as he strode up. Certainly Dexter's arrogance had carried over to it.
"So," he began coolly, prepared for a verbal fencing match.
"What will it take for you to hand him over unharmed?" demanded the rough voice.
Van Kleiss had to keep himself from smiling. So much for discussion. This thing had no concept of subtlety. It was a weakness its human counterpart didn't share. Dexter's bluntness had been deliberate, he knew, a tactic that hid its own brand of cunning.
"So you can harm him yourself?" countered the EVO. "Not that I care, mind you, but there are much better ways to get what you want than through violence."
"Nothing else will work with him."
"Well, neither will that, but that's your affair. Nevertheless, our original agreement stands: Dexter for Fusion Matter. This," and he gestured at the vat of pearly green goo, "is hardly Fusion Matter."
"I did not wish to transport fully activated Fusion Matter in the manner you proposed," lied the Fusion. "Now that I see the unit used to secure what I sent, I can augment it in order to give you something more viable."
"How viable?" demanded Van Kleiss, willing to let the lies slide to get what he wanted. He let his displeasure with their bargain thus far come through in his tone.
A slow smile twisted the Fusion's thin lips, and there was a gleam of amusement in those glowing red eyes as it said, "Extremely."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
"Professor?"
"Yes, Roy?"
"Requesting clearance to tap into DexCorp's petty cash."
"What are you buying?"
"Nothing yet."
"How much?"
"I'm estimating in the area of about three million dollars, less if I can manage it. If we don't have it in petty cash I can hit up my Pay Pal account for it."
"You have that much in Pay Pal?"
"Don't you?"
"No. What are you buying?"
"Mmm . . . Let's call it insurance."
"Yeah, go ahead, Kilroy."
"Thank you."
Holiday frowned, a little surprised at the exchange. "What was that about?"
Utonium shook his head. "No idea, but I trust him."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
"Took you long enough," criticized Bobo Haha as he strode down the C-57D's ramp on bowed legs and surveyed the carnage. The bodies of half a dozen EVOs littered the ground around the mine's entrance, and inside the dilapidated building were three more.
Six whipped sticky brown fluid from his blades, folding and sheathing them in a smooth, practiced motion as Morton and Calan joined them. As a matter of course Six disregarded Bobo's comment, though he watched with interest as Ben Tennyson switched from a blob of green slime back to a teenage boy as naturally as Rex went from human to machine and back.
"The Maggot is coming in now," said Morton, staring at the mine entrance. His eyes narrowed as he took in the conditions: dirt, bugs, darkness, unfiltered air – this place was Dexter's every nightmare come to life. He looked over at Tennyson, quietly asking, "You okay?"
"Yeah," Ben said. "Sorry I had to leave him."
Morton shook his head. "You did the right thing. Let's just hope they haven't moved him."
They all looked up and then shielded their faces as dust and grit was kicked up by the arrival of the other gunship. The Martian Maggot, looking so bright and flashy compared to the C-57D, set down gracefully a hundred yards away. Moments later the passengers hurried out, and already Number Four was talking a mile a minute while Dearborn, carrying a small comm unit along with the rest of his gear, patiently ignored him. Walking close together and sharing what was obviously a private conversation, Holiday and Utonium brought up the rear.
Standing beside the ninja, Morton couldn't help but notice a tiny shift in the man's stance. The night air, already chilly, suddenly seemed frigid and Six's mouth was set in a rigid line as the scientists approached, breaking off their discussion only when they reached the others. Immediately the dark-haired scientist looked to his son's best friend.
"Ben, you're all right?"
"Yeah," he said again. "Uh, Professor, this is Rex Salazar."
Utonium reached out to shake Rex's hand. "A pleasure. I want to thank you for all your help."
Rex gave him a crooked smile. "Don't thank me yet. We gotta get Dex back."
The Professor blinked, rather shocked, and Morton knew it was because Rex had used the diminutive of Dexter that Ben Tennyson alone had claim to. Usually anyone that tried to use the nickname 'Dex' was set to rights with all the tact of a nuclear salvo. Recovering quickly, Utonium gestured at Dearborn and said to the group at large, "Roy has something to show you."
"We need to get moving," snapped Six, and by the surprise he registered in the Providence agents, Morton could only assume such an outburst was atypical. Number Four frowned fiercely, but said nothing as Chip cast him a sharp look.
Utonium, who was at least as impatient as the ninja, said with stern authority, "And you need to see this first. Adrian," he ordered sharply before another word could be said.
Holding the comm unit steady, Dearborn hit a button on it and immediately a 3D image of Kilroy Green appeared. "Go ahead, sir," said the sergeant. "We're all here."
"Pernell Mine," Green said without preamble. "Anthracite mine opened in 1899, closed in 1960. The tunnel in front of you extends a tenth of a mile into the mountain before connecting to the main shaft that reaches straight down for a distance of 1,763-plus feet. It branches off the main shaft to form at least twelve levels. Based on Ben's report, Gat is at the very bottom level."
Ben nodded. "I saw a few side tunnels, but nothing as big as the main one connecting to the shaft."
"The mine was closed because of hazardous working conditions. Essentially, the planners didn't leave enough ground between levels and several of the middle tunnels collapsed, similar to what happened in the Knox Mine disaster." The teacher in him shone through even in a tiny hologram. "It's been standing empty for over forty years. We have no way of knowing what condition it's in at this point. So, lady and gentlemen, tread lightly when you're down there. Be aware – it's coal, it's flammable, and an explosion or two could bring the house down."
Chip gave the demon a narrow-eyed look. "That a suggestion?"
"A precaution," Green replied in kind, smiling as he recognized Morton's brand of humor.
"And possibly the world's biggest fly swatter," Wallabee Beetles said in appreciation of the smack-down potential being presented. "Ripper."
"How'd you get all this intel so quick?" wondered Calan.
"Owner's manual. Apparently I just bought it," Utonium replied dryly.
"Anything else?" asked Six.
"No," the Professor replied softly.
"Let's go."
As the warriors conferred, the scientists drew back a little for a quick talk.
"Did I do something to offend Six?" Utonium wondered, leaning close so they could not be overheard.
"What do you mean?" Holiday asked, glancing at the ninja.
Utonium gestured helplessly, at a bit of a loss. "He wasn't snappish before, and now . . ."
Drawing in a breath, Holiday opened her mouth to reply and then stopped as she realized something. She released her breath in a huff, exasperated. "No," she stated. "It's not you or anything you've done. Don't worry. I'll set him straight."
He smiled. "Thank you."
Trying to reassure him, she returned the smile. "We'll get your son back."
"That's all I want. Be careful down there."