PROGENESIS: "Crossing The Styx". Chapter Thirty Six: "The Final Countdown".
Peter followed close behind as Pacey And Astrid were taken into the darkest depths of the earth. It seemed that was only one way out of this place and it was by an old fashioned elevator type system. Peter leant against the opposite wall watching and keeping note of the guards and how they seemed self assured and arrogant at how they had managed to spring their trap with ease.
"You can either tell us what happened to the fourth member of your party and believe me, it would be in your best interests to tell us or we hand you over to the boss. He's got a knack of getting information out of people. Methods which defy description!", one of the guards taunted their prisoners.
Astrid and Pacey looked at each other grimly but did not say a word, they stared straight ahead and ignored the guards and their psychological taunting.
"Well, let's just say you were warned!", another guard commented, "We're almost there. Sure you haven't got any intel for us?!".
Again, they ignored the guard and kept looking straight ahead.
"Your loss!", shrugged the guard and opened the elevator doors which led out to a stone stair case, "Move!", the guard motioned for them to get out, "Slowly, hands up and no tricks!".
Peter quickly exited the elevator and found a safe place to observe the unfolding drama, last thing he wanted was to re-appear out in the open, losing his element of surprise. The tech was still humming away and showed no sign of wanting to switch off yet. Perhaps September was also nearby, but Peter surmised that he had probably had helped as much as he could. The rest was down to him.
He saw his friends being led at gunpoint to the bottom of the stone staircase and one of the guards going up to a man dressed in dark colours and wearing a trench coat. Peter's fists clenched up. Although he could not see the man's face, he knew it was the man that he was here to stop. "Jones!", he cursed every letter that made up the man's name under his breath.
It was just as well he was hidden from view as in that moment Peter's face betrayed his inner emotions and a fire burned deep within. Peter reached for the gun that he kept in his jacket, the standard FED issue that Agent Taylor had issued them all with before embarking on their journey. He looked at the gun and towards that shadowy figure wishing he could just pull the trigger and get it over with. But he knew it wasn't as simple as that.
If he wanted to shoot the man then he would have to disable September's tech and even then, with the guards joining the other men down here and with Olivia and his father and the rest of the "Cortexiphan" subjects in the way….even he realised there would be casualties if not fatalities.
Peter gritted his jaw as he took aim from his vantage point and saw the man step out into the flickering torchlight. The features of the man were scarred by a long scar running down his face, but it was the eyes that made Peter pull back on the trigger of the gun and aim. Those cold and unemotional eyes, so like that of his mother and his grandfather. Memories flitted through Peter's memory of his captivity at the hands of Erica Jones and her son ten years ago. His finger tightened on the trigger as they came fast and furious just like the blood coursing through his veins…
"I start to boil and to concentrate.
On images of anger and of hate.
These are the lights that burn too late…"
"You'll never know that I had you in my sights this close Jones!", Peter muttered through gritted teeth, "But your time is limited, mark my words!".
"ASTRO!. PACEY!", Walter's voice rebounded off the depths of the cavern they were in and echoed for a good thirty seconds afterwards.
"ASTRID?!.", Peter's finger slipped off the trigger as he heard his father's voice and he lowered the gun as he heard Olivia's voice and she added, "Pacey?. How on earth did you find me?!".
Peter hung his head and put the safety catch back on the weapon and shut his eyes letting Olivia's voice soothe his temper. No, he couldn't open fire even if he wanted to. All he could do was see how this situation was going to play out before committing himself to a particular course of action. He put the gun back in his jacket and watched this strange reunion take place not too far away.
Rob Jones was actually taken by surprise but he had managed to hide it well. He expected some sort of rescue to take place but he expected that Peter Bishop would be leading the charge and to find instead that fate had cheated him of one man but rewarded him with the other was bittersweet indeed. Still, it served his agenda well that he had the troublesome Detective Witter delivered to him on a plate, the other captive was of no consequence and he had no quarrel with Agent Farnsworth as far as he was aware but that didn't mean that she wouldn't be useful to him…
"Sir, we had four targets in site when we captured them. One was a Fed, he's being questioned as we speak for intel purposes. If there's one Fed here already sir, others are bound to be following close behind."
"Good work!. But you say "four targets?", why then only three prisoners?. Where is the fourth?. Escaped?. Injured?!" Jones looked at the guard and frowned concerned that Peter Bishop could be at large and somewhere outside or even inside the complex.
"That's just it sir. One minute he was there, next…simply gone…like vanishing literally into thin air!".
"Hmm…" Jones looked at his captives and added to the guard, "Go back to the surface and scout the area again just to be sure. You've done well!", he clapped the guard hard on the back. He turned back and faced the two prisoners that he had and saw that Agent Dunham and Dr Bishop had come over and the group were talking in hushed tones.
"Olivia, Dr Bishop, I'm sure you are pleased to see your friends safe and well but there is the matter of what I said earlier to be taken into consideration. I did warn you did I not that if any attempt was made to rescue you by your friends that there would be consequences!", Jones stood with his hands on his hips and a nasty self-assured smirk flashed across his features.
"Except that this isn't a rescue Jones. As you can see we're your prisoners and we walked right into your trap, totally unaware of what you had planned for us!", Pacey mocked and added, "Oh and nice to see you again by the way. I really have a bone to pick with you regarding what you did to the precinct in Capeside but I'll get back to you on that one Jones. ONCE YOU'RE BEHIND BARS WHERE YOU BELONG!".
Jones shook his head and tutted, "Really Detective!. And I thought you had really missed me!. I did so enjoy our last conversation that we had. As you know, there is NO cell that can hold me for very long. Your empty threats are futile!. Childish even at the best of times. Now tell me, Detective. Where is the fourth member of your party?", Jones stepped closer and glared at Pacey. "If you do not tell me then I will get my friend Aaron here to question Agent Farnsworth and he has a specific talent which I would rather not have to use…".
"Okay Jones. I have to admit it!. You've a flair for the dramatic!. But let me tell you one thing. I HAVE NO IDEA what you're talking about. Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you. Astrid will tell you the same thing. Right Agent Farnsworth?!", Pacey turned to her and suddenly noticed Astrid's features contorting as if in pain.
Walter and Olivia suddenly caught her as she fell to the ground and Aaron stepped forward from behind Jones with a smug look on his face.
"STOP IT!. MAKE IT STOP!", Astrid's voice sounded strained and in obvious distress, "PLEASE!".
"DAMN YOU JONES!", Olivia threw a look at him and suddenly with all her strength, she lashed out with her mind and sent Aaron flying into the cave wall behind them with considerable force.
"Astro!", Walter cradled her in his arms as the spell cast on her was broken and she fell unconscious, Walter's face looked at Jones with a mix of pure hatred and also horror. "BEAST!", he cursed, "You aren't worthy of the blood that flows in your veins!".
Pacey gritted his jaw and looked to Olivia, "Nice one Olivia!", he congratulated her on that move but forced himself not to linger too long on her concerned face, he had to believe that there was a way out of this for them all. So much for him and his big, smart mouth!.
Jones it seemed was in no mood for humour and the stakes were being complicated by the fact they were dealing with a room full of enhanced humans. Pacey swung around and saw that Aaron had dusted himself off and took his place back at Jones side.
"Hey Olivia, you obviously didn't throw this guy hard enough against the rock!", he glared at Aaron and added, "Maybe if this guy actually would stop hiding behind his powers and proved himself then I'd take him seriously!", Pacey knew he was playing with fire, but wanted to prove a point that he wasn't afraid of Jones or his second in command.
"I might take you up on that one…" Aaron threw a look at Pacey, "Cops don't scare me one bit. Maybe when Mr Jones here has finished with you, I'll get to play and finish the game!".
"Look forward to it…" Pacey held the man's stare and smiled icily in reply.
Aaron dusted himself off and turned to Jones, "Something weird happened boss. I got a flash of someone vanishing into thin air. The guy looks like him but he's not related.." Aaron pointed over to Pacey and added, "There's something more but I couldn't reach it, looks like in a manner of speaking, these two are telling the truth".
Aaron glared over at Olivia, "Good shot Miss Dunham, you caught me off guard. Let's just say we're even huh?!".
Jones looked deep in thought and pondered the situation, "It seems we may have an intervention of an "OBSERVATIONAL" nature to contend with!", his voice emphasised the word "Observational" and it echoed off the cavern walls, "I know you're here Observer. Hiding Mr Bishop from me will make no difference whatsoever to the outcome of this venture!. You cannot win!".
He stood looking around, almost daring September to show himself, but was rewarded with nothing but silence. Jones sighed, "It would seem our bald friend doesn't want to show himself, it is of no consequence anyhow…"
Olivia and Walter managed to carry Astrid over to the other "Cortexiphan" subjects where Annie and Tessa reassured them that they would look after the unconscious woman.
"Olivia, take care. You and your friends are on dangerous ground. Don't antagonise Aaron any further, nor Jones. Play it safe!", Annie whispered to Olivia as Tessa managed to put a makeshift pillow under Astrid's head and let her rest after her ordeal.
Olivia nodded, "Will Astrid be okay?. I know when Aaron did that to me, I was out for a while and Astrid isn't one of us…" Olivia looked for reassurance from her classmates.
"We'll keep an eye on her Olivia. She'll be fine", Tessa smiled, "Just watch yourself and Dr Bishop. Watch your backs!".
Olivia looked to Walter, "Come On Walter, we'd better try to contain the genie in the bottle for a little longer!", it was a weak attempt to try and keep Walter's spirits alive as he held Astrid's hand and looked as if the life had been sucked dry from him. "She'll be fine…" she added and Walter nodded sadly and left the side of his most trusted companion to join Pacey and stand with Olivia and to confront Jones.
Jones had been communicating with the guards on the surface whilst Astrid was being attended to. Aaron just kept giving Pacey evil looks and Pacey had held his own with the "Cortexiphan" renegade and there was a nasty atmosphere building in the cavern.
"Pacey, how are you?", Olivia smiled as Pacey broke off his staring battle with Aaron to re-unite with the blonde agent. "Don't blame yourself for the kidnap. I know you'd be kicking yourself for leaving but you couldn't have prevented it. In a way, this was the best thing that could've happened to me.", she smiled, "The others are keeping the reaction in me from progressing any further."
"Nice to see you again Olivia", Pacey replied, "If we weren't in the middle of something with "Magneto" here and his mind bending side-kick…I'd give you a hug…but that wouldn't enhance our "law enforcement" tough guy image would it?!", he joked despite the seriousness of the situation.
Olivia bit back a smile. "Same old Pacey!", she replied and tried to keep her composure.
"Pacey, my boy, glad to see you got past the front entrance without a scratch!. I must apologise for my rash decision to get captured. I fear even with the best intentions that it has jeopardised any conclusions for the matter at hand!", Walter apologised humbly.
"You actually saved us back there Dr Bishop. And what do you mean about jeopardising conclusions for this situation?!. I don't see how on earth it can get as any worse as it is already!", Pacey protested in reply.
"THAT DETECTIVE!", Jones announced, "Is exactly what you are about to find out!", he motioned to two of the guards to come over and restrain Pacey brutally forcing him to his knees and binding his hands behind his back with cable ties.
"JONES!", Olivia called out in alarm. "What the hell are you doing?!".
"Dr Bishop, Miss Dunham, as you are probably aware, we are going to create a new world. Like any human birth, and I must use a quaint comparison, this is not some movie where new life is brought into the world and all that is needed is hot water and clean towels!. Hollywood would make you believe that all births are viewed through "rose tinted" glasses and the minimum of effort!. Indeed new life is brought into the world through pain and blood!.
It would seem that I have been blessed with YOU Detective Witter as a sacrifice to the cause and that YOU have been chosen to give up your life in return for the chance of birthing our new baby world!", Jones walked over to Pacey and held his jaw forcefully in his hand.
"YOU!. You robbed me of my mother, Detective, all those years ago. You and Dr Bishop's son. THIS is how I am going to repay the both of you with that debt which has scarred me ever since that morning up at the temple ruins!", he brought his face close to Pacey's. "Look at me Detective and see my mother reflected back in my eyes!", he hissed as both anger and a deeper scar opened up inside him.
"I wanna outrace the speed of pain for another day…
I wish I could sleep but I can't lay on my back
Because there's a knife for everyday that I've known you…"
Pacey looked into Jones eyes and realised in that minute that he was in trouble. SERIOUS trouble. The man had eyes like that of Olivia and of Peter Bishop. He recalled Dr Bishop's lecture on why these "Cortexiphan" children had been originally chosen for the trial and what made them special and powerful. He also recalled the final moments of Erica Jones and he realised that she was indeed one of those special individuals.
Wherever Peter Bishop was at this minute in time, it seemed that fate was going to throw them together again in trying to defeat their common enemy.
Peter was watching the drama unfold from his vantage point. His heart leapt as he saw poor Astrid being subjected to Aaron's mind control powers and his hands clenched into fists as he saw Pacey being forced on his knees and listening to what Jones had in store for them both.
"You sick, twisted son of a bitch!", Peter breathed out, "There's no way in hell it's gonna happen!", as he heard Jones and his master plan. He knew that he had to put a stop to this and it had to be sooner rather than later.
"It is not time yet Peter. You can only act when the final event begins. Your actions will only result in futility and your capture and blood will be spilled." September appeared opposite him,
"Jones was right, you have been watching all this!", Peter looked at the Observer and unzipped the bag he was carrying. "So I take it, you're my guardian angel sent to watch over me in case I screw this up?", he ventured wryly.
September cocked his head quizzically, "Ah, "Guardian Angel", I recognise the term.", for a moment there seemed to be some emotion registering on his face.
Peter wondered if it was amusement or recognition. "Never mind!", he replied as he saw September trying to register his statement and come up with a suitable answer.
"You will know when the time is right Peter. Timing is crucial in this matter as you will see."
Before Peter could answer, September had vanished once more and Peter was left alone in his own private limbo. He took the opportunity to take out the object that had travelled with him from their home universe and stared at the beauty of what was before him. By torchlight and the flickering flames it seemed to give off a strange ethereal glow and Peter hoped that his plan was going to work. At least the bio-gel that the object was planted in was still working and there was no sign of any deterioration or spoilage of any kind. It seemed that inter-universal travel had no effects on it and Peter wondered if he had been in one of his old con-man disguises that a research paper on a subject such as this would've won him a deluge of funding!. However his old days of pretending to be a college professor were way behind him.
He looked back over to see that Astrid was still unconscious with the other "Cortexiphan" subjects keeping tabs on her condition. Walter looked pensive and was trying to keep Olivia from doing anything rash after Pacey's harsh treatment. Peter admired her attitude and smiled wryly. After all he had been on the end of some unforgiving looks from Olivia in the past and he wondered if Olivia had her way, she wouldn't have found some way to have used her powers to the maximum to wreak her own vengeance on Jones.
Peter could do nothing but continue to watch the scenes that were continuing to unfold from his vantage point. He only hoped that September was right and that he would know the right time to act. Checking his watch he realised that it was coming up for 2 am.
Whatever Jones was planning…he hoped it would be coming soon…
Jones knew that the Feds were coming. As he checked the time on his watch, he knew it was going to be a close run thing. Having radioed up to the mine entrance, the news was that the estimated time of arrival for the Feds was give or take an hour. The captured federal agent hadn't really given much information away but enough to piece together what the time table would be. He looked around at the scene before him, it seemed the Feds had sent these people ahead possibly to try and stop his plans.
He knew that there was one missing piece of the puzzle, namely Peter Bishop and that troubled him greatly. There was no sign of him above ground, suggesting that he was here in the complex and possibly using some form of tech like his men to remain covertly hidden. Jones grudgingly admired him. Ten years ago he had managed to assert his dominance over the man as his mother kept him chained and had overseen his "stay" with them. Half or little rations of food or water seemed to make the man more dangerous by the hour and still he refused to give in and accept his fate.
Perhaps if indeed the Detective and himself looked very much alike then indeed, that may be a chink in the man's armour.
He surveyed the scene around him and whispered to Aaron beside him, " I'm going to question our Detective Witter here. A little nudge Aaron here and there wouldn't go amiss. Not too much though, we must make him suffer but not give him the escape that unconsciousness would offer him!".
"It would be a pleasure boss!", Aaron grinned and followed Jones over to where the two guards were standing.
"Take the men and go to the entrance, we will be expecting guests within the hour and I have no wish to be disturbed whilst I will be conducting certain business matters!", Jones told them.
"Detective Witter and I have so many old times to catch up with!", he grinned at Pacey, "I invited Aaron along to help with some basic memory recalling. Hope you don't mind Detective!", the smile that went along with the sentence was quite chilling.
"You think my memory is that bad Jones?!. Obviously you're mistaken. I can recall EVERYTHING about that day your mother died. Would you like me to tell you that it was me that pushed her into that device and killed her?. I can remember the feeling I got when she got what she deserved…YOU REALLY WANT ME TO RECALL THAT JONES?!", Pacey dared the man to show what he was capable of.
Jones emotions betrayed him and he sent forth a look of pure and unadulterated hatred towards the man who had killed his mother. "Detective, I was thinking of other memories in particular…", he nodded to Aaron, pulling back his wrath…"Perhaps something of a more teenage nature…"
Aaron in that minute caught the confusion in Pacey's mind and found the memories that Pacey hid from view in his subconscious. The teenager who was unsure of his place in the world, the town "joke", the boy who failed at everything in school…
"My, my Detective…" Aaron boasted as Pacey felt those old, familiar feelings boil up from the darkest recesses of his mind, "You're not such the big guy with a badge and a gun now are you?!".
Pacey glared at both Aaron and Jones, a trickle of blood suddenly running out of his nose as he fought to contain the emotions that those memories brought out in him. The pain in his head was worse than any migraine and his eyes were swimming with tears.
"I'm still better than you guys.", he managed to spit out, "You can't scare me with my childhood short comings!".
Olivia could not stand to see this happening and broke free out of Walter's grasp. Walter wanted to keep Olivia safe and knew that provoking any childhood memories of her own mental cruelty at the hands of her stepfather could easily unravel this delicate situation.
"Olivia!", Walter pleaded, "Don't torment Jones!. Please!".
Olivia's eyes blazed in anger as for the second time in the space of a few minutes, she sent Aaron flying back onto his butt and turned her wrath on Jones.
Olivia unleashed the force of her hatred on the man, but it had no effect. He wasn't launched into the air like Aaron nor did Olivia's pyrokinetic ability have any effect either and he didn't burst into flames or get any kind of electrical burn or discharge. It seemed to have no effect full stop and he merely stood there laughing.
"Miss Dunham. I have to give credit where credit is due, but you do have to remember that your weakness is in your genetics. REMEMBER that I have the "Histidine" red genetics and you and your companions are merely not as rare as that!. ONLY someone else with those same genetics can be of any threat to me and I certainly see no-one about that can possibly challenge me!", he gloated. "If your Detective is so precious to you, then I do not wish to incur your wrath and use of your powers any further than I have to!", he sighed. "I should also do my best to keep Aaron on his feet too!", he chuckled as the man got up from the cavern floor and rushed towards Olivia, eyes blazing in fury!.
"You really want to go flying without a safety net for the third time in as many minutes Aaron?!", Olivia folded her arms and raised an eyebrow, daring him to lay on finger on her. "Or shall we call a truce?!", she taunted dangerously, "Save us both slugging it out for Jones amusement?. His lap dog and his star prize?. You really wanna do this Aaron?".
Aaron gritted his teeth and glared at her, "It's not over Dunham. You, me and that Detective are gonna have a good chat when this is all over!", his voice was low and dangerous as he turned back to Jones and knew that this wasn't the time or the place for unfinished business.
He took his place over by Jones side once again as Pacey found a brief respite from the pounding that had taken place in his head.
"Where the hell are you Bishop?", he muttered under his breath, "I could do with your help just about now!".
Peter shook his head and wondered if he was hearing right. WHAT HAD JONES JUST SAID?!. He winced as he could sympathise with Pacey's plight at the hands of some interrogative mind probe and recalled the time when he had been kidnapped by that kid Tyler and had trouble overcoming the hold that the young teen had over him. Peter wished he could help but was aware that Jones was only trying to force him out into the open and reveal his hand.
"You gotta be kiddin' me!", Peter let the information sink in, so basically Jones was like him. A "Histidine" red and genetically rare. If he meant that no-one down there could stop him, then that meant only one thing…
"Now I get it!", Peter realised that September's actions had been questionable at the time had actually lead to the revelation that Peter needed to hear. "I can defeat Jones somehow…but the others…" Peter realised that he was going to need the help of the other "Cortexiphan" subjects if he was to succeed. There was no way to basically prevent Olivia from doing "her thing", kick this guy Aaron into touch AND take out Jones simultaneously.
"Okay, not even the best superhero can do this alone!", Peter mused as he remembered reading all his old comic books as a kid realising that no one gifted individual can do it alone, there was always a side kick there or a group of friends or family there as support.
September was out of the question and it seemed that Walter, Pacey and Astrid were out of the equation. Olivia was being watched like a hawk. It seemed that Peter's best hope lay with the other "Cortexiphan" subjects themselves.
However, there were two pressing questions that needed answers. Firstly how would the others react to him knowing he was of the same genetic strain as Jones?. Secondly, would they be willing to help him even if he could somehow shut off this tech that was still humming away and keeping him shielded from them all?.
Peter realised that the stakes of the game had been raised and now there were shades of grey involved. Jones may have thought that torturing Pacey was going to make Peter reveal his position, but it had in fact done the opposite.
Peter was now aware of just EXACTLY what he had to do and now had the belief and a plan formulating in his mind in how to achieve the best for them all.
Jones had just made the first bad move in this chess game since the whole saga began and now Peter Bishop had the belief installed in him that he could capitalise on the situation.
"You just screwed up Jones!", a grin appeared on Peter's face, "Big Time!".
Walter and Olivia made their way back over to the others without Pacey. It seemed Jones was wanting to make the Detective suffer as much as possible by depriving him of the contact of the rest of the team. Tessa had gone over to give him some water but Jones refused her entry as Aaron and he were guarding Pacey and still questioning and taunting him.
"He's really pushing his luck!", Tessa fumed, "I have to apologise for this. We wouldn't allow this if we were in charge. It seems the rug was pulled from under our feet by this revelation of who or what his parents were!", she cursed under her breath.
"It's my fault guys," Richie clenched his fists, "I shoulda guessed or felt something!. And to think that he's one of us!".
"Richie my boy!. THAT MAN IS NOT ONE OF YOU!", Walter was adamant in his conviction. "William Bell and I set out to preserve the potential of your minds and enhance your natural gifts. You children are nothing like him and you've turned out well despite what life has thrown at you!", Walter took a long look around at their faces, "The fact that you are not like him means that Jones can never truly win. THAT is your strength and that is what you must hold onto."
"Try telling that to Aaron!", Ken added, "So how do you account for him Dr Bishop?.", he waited for an answer.
"There's always a bad apple in the bunch my boy!", Walter announced, "I distinctly remember the "Osmonds" saying something like that, although I was never much of an "Osmonds" fan…more of a "Jackson Five" fan!".
Ken looked at Dr Bishop as if the man had just lost his sanity before realising the wisdom and wit of his last statement. "That's one way of putting it, I guess!", he chuckled.
"That's the song Walter, I remember it vaguely, my mom sang it to me when I was younger…"One bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch girl!", she'd try and cheer me up when I was down…" Astrid's groggy voice drifted over into the conversation. "I guess having a mind probe kicked up some early memories!".
"ASTRID!", Walter's face broke out into one giant grin and rushed over to see how she was doing, "You're back with us!".
Astrid rubbed her temples, " Last thing I remember was a whole herd of horses running through my skull!", she looked at Walter, "What did I miss?!", her expression was still a little groggy but she carefully decided to move around and try standing up.
"Here Astrid, let me help you!", Olivia helped the younger agent to stand and get her bearings as she blinked in the flickering torch light.
Astrid peered into the half light and realised that Pacey was over with Jones and the other guy who had tortured her, she looked questioningly at Olivia.
"We can't help him Astrid. Jones has Pacey right where he wants him. I think he's trying to get Peter to give himself up. I take it Peter is somehow here with us in this cave?", Olivia had to know the truth and only Astrid could tell her what had happened to him.
"Olivia, I swear to you!. One minute he was there just before we were captured, next minute he was gone!. I don't understand how but that's how it happened…I couldn't tell you if he's here or not!", was Astrid's reply.
Olivia nodded, "Maybe it was September or that tech he had on him…", she mused looking around and looked at her watch. "Astrid…we're running out of time here. I can't do anything to stop what's going to happen. If Peter is going to do something then he has to do it soon. We're coming up for 3am soon…that's when this is due to begin!".
Astrid looked to Olivia and over to the rest of the assembled group. "Olivia…you're seriously gonna do this?!", she returned her gaze back to Olivia not knowing what to think any more.
"Astrid, there's not much choice here. The reaction is only being held back by my proximity to the rest of the "Cortexiphan" subjects. If Peter isn't here and Jones isn't stopped then I'm afraid we're all prisoners. Jones won't stop or let any of us go until he gets his new world!", she replied. "If Peter can't or is unable help then I'm the only way out for us all!".
"I for one do not want to spend the rest of my life living in fear. And neither should any of us!", Walter spoke for everyone, as behind them the rest of the "Cortexiphan" subjects murmured their assent.
"So that brings us back to square one!", Olivia looked thoughtful, "Just how the hell do we get ourselves out of this mess in one piece?!".
Meanwhile…elsewhere..
Assistant Director Jeffries was on the phone with Doug Witter. The Detective's brother had contacted him to say that Andrews had left "Capeside" and said he was returning to Boston. In reality though, Jeffries surmised that the Sheriff was worried about his brother and the rest of the "Fringe" Team and although Doug was trying hard not to betray his emotions, Jeffries could hear the tension in his voice.
"We have an agent with them Sheriff but we've lost contact. I'd say that Jones has them in his custody and we've heard nothing so far. We're closing in on their position. Should be within the hour we get there." Jeffries then sighed, "Look Sheriff, first chance that comes, I'll get your brother to contact you but I can't promise you anything more than that".
Doug on the other end of the line knew that Jeffries really had no idea what was going on and guessed that the Fed was also worried. If only Pacey had just called him before leaving town with the others, his mind would be put at rest.
"I see Assistant Director. Well, I guess all we can do is wait and see. Just thought you should know about Andrews…" Doug realised that there was no point in pursuing this conversation any further and with a few words of thanks, he ended the call.
"Any news Sheriff?," Buzz looked into Doug's eyes and could see that the call hadn't answered many questions that the both of them had about Pacey's current whereabouts and welfare.
Doug shook his head, "They're on their way but don't know what's going on. Pure speculation is all they're going on Buzz. I'm afraid we're just gonna have to wait until we hear from them."
Buzz looked just as disappointed and concerned as Doug did. "I'm sure they'll all be fine, I mean to say, if they got that guy's mom and stopped her then they're bound to do the same again huh?!", he tried to cheer the both of them up with some optimism.
Doug looked at his watch and stifled a yawn, "Buzz, you should go home. It's coming up for 3am, it's already a long night. There's no point in the both of us fretting over events that we can't change!", he smiled ruefully, "Besides, it's my job to do these kind of long stretches waiting for news or events to occur, this isn't any place for you kid!".
"Sheriff, he may be your brother but he's also my friend and I'm not going anywhere until I hear different!", Buzz protested and took the nearest chair and sat down, "I think we both could use the company huh Sheriff?!", he joked.
Doug gave in gracefully. "Okay Buzz. Thanks. Pacey chooses his friends well and even though he's my little brother, at the end of the day, I still worry about him, so I guess we'll just have to worry about him together!".
Sheriff Witter leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. Wherever Pacey was, he hoped to hell that his brother wasn't knee deep in trouble as this time there was no way that he could help him out.
"Pace, you're on your own," Doug thought, "I just hope you're okay".
"Just as we practised before ladies and gentlemen!", Jones voice boomed out into the cavern and echoed into the darkness, "TAKE YOUR POSITIONS!".
Astrid looked to Olivia and Olivia looked to Walter and back to Astrid again. It seemed that this was the moment that they had all been waiting for.
"Olivia?!", Astrid looked confused and then she saw the "Cortexiphan" subjects behind her get up and walk over to the shore beside the gushing waters, "This is it huh?!".
Olivia nodded, she seemed lost for words, "I…I…look…if this doesn't work for whatever reason…" she stumbled and looked pensive, a great weight on her shoulders suddenly getting the better of her and letting her confidence lessen.
"Olive…" Walter called her by her old name, "You can do this!", he laid a hand on her shoulder, "Bellie had faith in you, as do I. Give it your best shot!", he told her.
"Good luck Olivia", Astrid smiled, "If Peter's here," her voice dropped low, "He'll know what to do…".
Olivia smiled and nodded, trying to believe that Astrid was somehow right, she began walking towards Jones but stopped to see Pacey turn his head and look in her direction.
Pacey seemed defiant although he looked a little worse for wear. Aaron and Jones in turn had taken advantage of him being unable to hit back but he could still smile and force a smart-assed comment despite his current condition.
" Agent Dunham…just don't go all "Jean Grey" on us okay?!," he coughed as his bruised ribs jarred making him catch his breath and wince, "Olivia…" he breathed and caught her eyes and held her gaze for longer than was appropriate.
Olivia's fists clenched and she tried to hold back the anger at the condition Pacey was in, but it was too late for them all to go back and stop this now. She could feel something happening deep within herself.
"That's it boys and girls!" Jones laughed, "Disengage the control that you have over the reaction in Olivia's body…one by one…let it go now...gently…Miss Dunham, if you please…take your place in the middle of the waters if you will!", Jones directed her and the rest of the subjects like some subverted conductor of this unique orchestra.
Olivia began walking one foot in front of the other towards her intended destination, with each step becoming more and more powerfully charged and feeling the change occur within herself.
Astrid and Walter looked at each other and Astrid gripped Walter's arm for support. Pacey could only follow Olivia with his eyes as she made her way onto the rock in the middle of those gushing waters.
The rest of the "Cortexiphan" subjects, Tessa first, followed by Ken, then Annie and finally Richie, slid away their psychic protective flood gates from Olivia's mind and body and all kept their eyes on her as she took her place on the rock.
Peter Bishop stood up from his hiding place and it seemed he too was under some kind of spell as even he could not tear his eyes away from Olivia.
September watched the scene unfold as he too stepped out of the shadows but still hidden from view. He took out his notebook and began to write down his observations as the event began. The outcome not yet clear to him.
"BEHOLD!", Jones dramatically announced. "THE PRIESTESS WILL NOW BECOME THE MOTHER GODDESS AND A NEW WORLD WILL BE BORN!".
The time turned to 3AM exactly… as everyone froze in the cave to see just exactly what was going to happen…
"Will things ever be the same again?…it's the final countdown…"
The Chapter Title and the last line come from the song "The Final Countdown" by the band "Europe". Sorry if it's cheesy but I love that song!.
Other lyrics I used were from the song "Hate" by Iggy Pop and from the CD "American Caesar" one of his best records and the guy is a total rock'n' roll survivor.
Then I went back to "Marilyn Manson" and his CD "Mechanical Animals" and one of his slower numbers called "The Speed Of Pain", that's the lyrics that are a wee bit less controversial than other parts of the track!. I think some artists more than others symbolise the darker emotions in their lyrics mirroring their own experiences. Sometimes they can teach us a lot about ourselves and I don't know about anyone else out there but life isn't always rose-tinted specs and falling for the image that we're supposed to believe in. Life can be a cruel, illusionary bitch at times huh?!.
However not to be a grump, there's always balance and irrelevance and I added in the "Osmonds" track "One Bad Apple" as one of those "Walter" light hearted comments. The track, some people thought at the time was by "The Jackson Five" and it sounds like it too, but nope, blame wee Jimmy Osmond and his brothers for that one!. Okay….I admit…I used to watch the "Donnie and Marie" show in my younger days…
Anyway, if you haven't read "Fusion" yet, which is my other story, then it'll fill in the blanks and keep you up to speed on what I'm referring to in these last few remaining chapters…something which I should do as well instead of relying on my memory!.
Okay then, hopefully only four chapters to go…and this next one will be the important one. Will Peter and his "special mystery object" save Olivia?. Are we looking at an alternative "Fictional world" being born?…stay tuned…answers are coming!…