Chapter 11
"On the surface, Project Argus was a means of advanced surveillance. Using modern technology, the United States could spy on anyone, anywhere." Dr. Strauss began. The group set up inside the steel mill. Eleven was standing off to the side, looking out the window. Mike was looking at her, trying to keep himself from staring. In his heart, she believed she was still beautiful. When he looked away he caught mostly everyone smirking at him. Mike blushed and continued listening to Strauss.
"The real reason for Project Argus was one man's obsession with immortality. Dr. Brenner has been using the federal government to use their resources. His plan involves transferring brain waves. His first experiment was Miss Eleven here." Strauss said indicating to Eleven. "He used a prototype of wireless waves to hijack her mind. For five years, he had been studying how he could permanently move into a new body. Older people are harder for him due to our own will fighting them off. So he started testing younger prisoners." Strauss said looking away. Mike noticed a few tears in both Strauss's eyes and Eleven's.
Max was remaining as calm as possible, but she was worried. Mike looked down and realized his leg was shaking. He tried to calm it down, but it wasn't working. Jericho noticed and handed him a piece of gum.
"I find chewing gum helps when I get worried." He whispered. Mike nodded and took the strip. He began chewing. He found his anxiety starting to lessen, but thinking of Harrison alone and scared was hurting him. Mike looked over at Max and saw she was gripping Lucas's hand for dear life. She was trying to keep her face brave but when she looked at El, she realized that fate could befall Harrison.
"What do you mean, 'using younger prisoners'?" Suzie asked. Strauss looked grim. "He started with Eleven, but found both her own powers and her strong will would eventually remove him after a few hours. Then a boon came. Saverio's wife was leaving him and so he brought both her and his ten year old daughter. Brenner tested his machine on her. Saverio's daughter, he was able to stay inside her mind for a week before her body began shutting down. When it was over….." Strauss trailed off.
"I knew Saverio was a sick fuck, but his own kid?" Jericho said. Strauss nodded. "His cruelty was enabled by Brenner. But that's not even the worst part of his plan. Right now, he has the building blocks to upload his mind to a series of machines. But he needs a few months to incubate. His own body won't handle the strain." Strauss said. Suzie picked up the theory. "He needs a young body to keep his mind alive. But why now?" Suzie asked.
"He is dying. Use of the machine to take over minds and his own advanced age has given him a month to live. The machine won't be ready for a few months. A child as young as young Mr. Wheeler would keep him alive long enough for him to be uploaded. Then, the real terror begins." Strauss said.
"He will be everywhere. Uploaded into the internet, he will then start his next phase. He wants to take over the world." Eleven said, still looking outside. Everyone looked around slightly shocked. Dustin broke the silence. "So we have to stop a mad scientist from taking over the world?" He asked, slightly incredulous. El nodded. "Ya'll do realize this sounds nuts right?" Jericho asked. His men all nodded. Even Mike thought this was slightly crazy. But having seen what Brenner was doing to another person, it was in the realm of possibility he would also do more nefarious things
"So, what do we do?" Will asked. Mike looked up to his friend. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I am going to get my son back. I won't ask anyone to come with me." He said getting up. "Hey, dumbass!" Max called. Mike turned around and saw most of the party following him. "You are not doing this lone paladin horse shit. Besides, he's my son also. I'm also getting him back." Max said. "And I am shoving my foot up Brenner's ass." Lucas said. Mike smiled as his friends came together into a group hug.
"That's all well and good, and the kumbaya is a nice touch, but do any of you think your plucky attitudes are going to get you through the day." Jericho said walking out. His men followed him as well. "I told my men, once our job with you was done I was going to spend time screwing Brenner over." He said. Mike smiled. "You sure you don't wanna join the group hug?" Mike asked. Jericho merely flipped him off.
One of Jericho's men entered the mill, he was one of the mechanics. "Boss, command center is ready to roll." He said. Jericho nodded. "We need to take multiple vehicles. We are all assaulting Project Argus." He declared.
Project Argus
Dr. Ryan was called in the middle of the night, he was told by Brenner's assistant that it was time. Hugh merely acknowledged the call and headed for the facility. One the surface, Project Argus looked like a state of the art hospital, but underneath, it housed a state of the art prison and lab complex. The top five floors were used for the research while the two basement levels were for testing. Dr. Ryan parked in his usual spot as he made his way past security. He also noticed there were more guards. Dr. Ryan put it out of his mind as he headed for Dr. Brenner's office.
He made his way to the sterile office, finding Brenner now in a wheelchair and dressed in a suit. "I see you are not taking bedrest." He said amused. Brenner smiled at him from his oxygen mask. "We had an exciting night. We lost Subject Eleven, but we did manage to procure a child. When Saverio brings it here, you will begin the preparations." Brenner said. Ryan nodded.
"With the loss of Subject Eleven, what are the odds it won't come back and claim revenge?" Ryan asked. Brenner chuckled softly. "It will indeed come back, and Mr. Wheeler will also come. We took his child for the experiment." He said. Ryan could feel a headache coming, For all of Brenner's brilliance, he still had the very human fallibility of arrogance. "I don't see our guards protecting us if they come." Ryan said.
"Saverio will keep them busy while the upload is prepared." Brenner said. Ryan nodded, he was indeed getting a headache. "So your trusting our safety to that guy?" He asked. Brenner nodded. "He is as loyal as a dog." Brenner said.
"He may be loyal as a dog, but he is as effective as a chihuahua." Ryan said. He didn't like Saverio. Hell most of the staff hated him. But Brenner kept him around. "Saverio has his uses. He will keep us safe while I am uploaded to the child. From there, we will head to the other facility to wait completion of the machine." Brenner said.
"What about the other machine you have here?" Ryan asked, looking out on the testing area. Brenner shook his head. "I can stay in that one for a while, but its not yet ready for me to fully move in." Brenner said. Ryan put on a pair of gloves and examined Brenner. He was as fit as ever for the experiment.
"How long till Saverio arrives?" Ryan asked. "He reached the airfield fifteen minutes ago. He should be here with the subject in a short while. Will preparations take long?" Brenner asked. "It should take me four hours to get ready." Ryan said. "Then assemble your team, Saverio is landing soon." Brenner said.
Command Trailer
Most of the Party was inside the massive RV, special made for to serve as Jericho's mobile command center. It had two large trailers, the second used for sleeping quarters. The only ones not coming on the rescue mission were Joyce, Will's boyfriend Chad, Robin and Steve. Robin and Steve needed to handle things in town while Joyce and Chad were making calls at the Mayor's residence. Hopper was going on the trip come hell or high water.
The inside was rather cozy, it was fairly large, enough for everyone to sit comfortably. El sat with Mike toward the back. Both just sat together, not speaking. El could tell Mike was worried. He often had a far off look when he was worried, thinking of ways to fix a situation. She remembered when he had that look before she went to shut the gate down. He also had that look when Starcourt burned down. She knew he was worried about his son.
El placed her hand in his and squeezed it. "We will get him back Mike." She said, trying to be confident. The truth was, even she had no idea how this would work. She spent fifteen years being tortured and experimented on, she hoped she could have the strength to go inside and finish Brenner off. Mike merely nodded, not trusting his own emotions.
Dr. Strauss was sitting by Lopez, the young soldier taking a shine to the old man. Lopez was building a small cattle prod into his cane. "So, what are the odds we can shut that place down?" Lopez asked. Strauss shrugged. "Brenner got where he has by doing many favors for important members of every administration. Destroying the facility is the first step. His political friends will be another problem." He said. Lopez nodded, he knew all about well connected bad guys. "Why did Brenner want you?" Lopez asked.
Strauss took a deep breath. "I worked in Germany in the 1930's. I was a young scientist when Hitler came to power. I was gullible and listened to the madman." Strauss said. He rolled up his sleeve and revealed an old swastika tattoo. "I was assigned to work with Dr. Josef Mengele. I helped him with his experiments." Strauss said. "One of the prisoners at Auschwitz was an old neighbor of mine. She was not Jewish, just a political dissident. I tried to save her, but Mengele had her executed. I became disillusioned with everything. I secretly started helping prisoners escape. But it wasn't enough. I was still assisting Mengele. Eventually the Soviets were due to arrive and Mengele ran off. The prisoners helped me escape as well. That was how I met my wife. We went to America we're we flourished for years, until thirteen years ago when Saverio and his men took my family. Brenner told me he would return them to me if I helped with his cyber soldier program. The VR training was something I built. I also built many of the devices used by Eleven." Strauss said. Lopez nodded, his heart breaking for the man. "I kept Eleven in my lab, treating her wounds, and also educating her. Brenner and Saverio left me to my duties as they felt they had me in control. " Strauss finished.
"Well, we can handle things. You just worry about not getting shot." Lopez said. Strauss nodded, turning his attention to Eleven and the young man she told him about.
El looked up to Mike. "Tell me about him." She asked. Mike smiled softly and pulled out his wallet. Inside was a picture of the two at the zoo. Mike was sitting him on his lap while Harrison had on a monkey hat. El smiled at seeing them. "He is a little ball of energy. Hates to sit still. When I have him at my placehe just lights everything up. He loves monkeys and I have a stuffed monkey at my apartment…." Mike said as tears began to burst out. El put her arms around him as he cried. "I just miss him so much." Mike said.
"Well, suit up. Because you're not getting him back dressed like that." Jericho said. Mike looked up to find black BDU's thrown at him. "Get yourself cleaned up. We will be there in an hour." Jericho said. Mike nodded and headed into the bathroom.
Jericho walked away and resumed his planning session with Hopper. El watched the room and saw the girl hanging with Dustin show an interest toward her. She was dressed in scrubs while also wearing a bulletproof vest. El gave her a slight smile and the girl walked over to her. "Hiya, I guess we never got to meet. I'm Suzie." She said extending her hand. El took it and was struggling to remember the name. "Dustin and I met at science camp years ago. I think he might have mentioned me?" Suzie asked. Realization dawned on El as she remembered. "He kept calling you on the radio….He called it Cerebra." El said.
"CereBRO, gosh El, get your references right." Dustin called back with a laugh. El smiled slightly. "Max and I always wanted another girl in our group." She said. Suzie smiled at her. "It will be good." Suzie said. She didn't have much to say, mostly because all she ever heard about El was from stories. "We are here if you need us." Suzie said as she walked back to Dustin, who was having an animated conversation with Smiley about computer networks.
Will sat down next to her. She never got a good look at him since she regained her mind. His bowl cut was long gone, replaced by longhair kept in a ponytail. "I need to be honest. I didn't think I would ever see you again." Will said. El was glad he was still blunt. "I didn't think I would either." She said. "Mike never really gave up hope till we raided a lab in Chicago. To think you were moved somewhere else." Will said. El nodded. "This lab is more heavily defended. The one in Chicago itself had limited security, but I was kept drugged a lot." El said. Will nodded. "I am sorry I gave up on you." Will said. El shrugged her shoulders. "Mike is an eternal optimist. I can forgive you for being realistic." El said. Will smiled slightly and pulled El into a tight hug. El returned it, happy to be with her brother.
Jericho sat with Hopper, going over most of the plans they had. "We will scout the facility from the edge of the woods. Hopefully their security is lax." Jericho said. Hopper shook his head. "They know we are coming, they would be fools to not expect us." Hopper said.
Project Argus
Saverio entered the medical center looking like a conquering hero. Granted he was bruised and bleeding from his interrogation earlier, but he still had a smug look on his face. Two men entered behind him, carrying the carrier for the toddler. He was awake and crying, demanding his mommy. Saverio laughed. "You ain't seeing your bitch mommy ever again." He mocked to the child. Dr. Ryan rolled his eyes as the man was mocking a toddler.
"Well Saverio, if you are quite done mocking the toddler, we can begin work." Ryan said. Saverio gave him a winning smile and directed the men to bring the screaming toddler into the prep room. "I trust you don't need medical attention?" Ryan asked Saverio.
Saverio shook his head, he took worse lumps before. "I'll be fine. I just wanna see how this kid melts later." Saverio said. Ryan rolled his eyes. "You might want to work on that later. Dr. Brenner wants you to mount a defense of the lab." Ryan said. Upon hearing Brenner's orders, Saverio got serious and nodded. "I'll get things locked down." He said and he exited the room.
Outside Project Argus, one hour later
Jericho had the trailer parked a few miles up the road. He sent a few men ahead to scout the lab while he got the weapons ready. Most of them changed into black BDU outfits. Jericho was putting black paint in a stripes over his face. The Party did no such things. Jericho walked up to Mike, who was putting a holster around his waist. "You still have that gun I gave you?" He asked. Mike nodded and moved to hand Jericho the revolver. He put a hand up. "Keep it. I have a few more like it." Jericho said. Mike nodded and put the revolver back in the holster. He then picked up an MP5 machine gun. "Glad you're not grabbing something you can't use." Jericho said.
"Better for tight corridors. Also I am pretty good at using this." Mike said as he put the strap around his shoulders. Jericho nodded as he grabbed his M4 carbine. He had it modified with an underbarrel grenade launcher and red dot sight. He was quite impressed with it.
El looked over the guns, grabbing a glock 19 modified for automatic fire. She also grabbed several throwing knives. She could use these easier than any firearm. Upon inspection, she found a large curved knife. She picked it up and was impressed with the weight. Lopez came up to her as she inspected it. "That's a kukri, knife from India. It's a handy little blade." Lopez said handing her a sheath for the blade. El accepted it and placed the blade on her belt, then wrapped herself in her trench coat.
Max walked up to Mike. He nodded to her as she approached. "Is it weird that honestly I am scared to death right now?" Max asked. Mike shook his head. "I'm scared to. But we are getting him back. And I am putting a bullet between that fuckers eyes for touching him." Mike said, his eyes blazing with fury. "Save some for the rest of us." Max said s she hugged Mike. El walked up to the two of them. "Max, do you mind if I can talk to Mike for a minute?" El asked. Max smiled at her and nodded as she walked off.
El walked behind the trailer with Mike following her. When she was sure nobody was around, she turned to Mike. "What is it El?" Mike asked. Before he could react, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. It was a passionate kiss that El hadn't felt in her soul in a very long time. They felt like they were getting back to knowing each other. Mike broke the kiss off and kept looking into her eyes.
They were interrupted by hoots and hollers. The pair looked and saw everyone staring at them. El glared at the group wile Mike flipped them off. "Bunch of assholes." Mike said. El nodded. Ford returned a moment later with his rifle. "Got the news. That place is a fortress." He said. The group gathered around as Ford laid out the lab.
"Snipers on the roof and in a guard tower overlooking the road. Only way in safely looks like a parking garage, but that's locked down." Ford said. "That won't be a problem." El said. "The problem is the Abrams out front." Ford said. Jericho merely nodded. "Let's go look for ourselves. We can handle whatever issues we have." Jericho said. They nodded and headed out, grabbing their gear.
It was a short walk to the lab, the five story hospital that had been El's prison for fifteen years. El glared at the facility. Jericho and Hopper observed the place with binoculars. "Lots of assholes at the front. Tht tank looks to be guarding a solid wall." Hopper said. El shook her head. "The entrance is concealed. Saverio knows that's a better entrance." She said. "If we can get a bead on those snipers, we should be able to take them from above." Jericho said. El merely nodded and took flight. Hopper tried to stop her. "Still does this shit." Hopper growled as he looked on with his binoculars.
El floated slowly down, the snipers covering corners. El smiled as she realized they didn't look up. She pulled out the kukri and lowered herself near the first sniper. She threw the blade and used her abilities to guide it into the back of his head. She looked over and directed the blade right at another sniper's eye as he turned around. A third sniper saw the commotion and before he could reach for his radio, his neck snapped as if an invisible force grabbed him.
El grabbed the rifle and pulled the scope off. She looked at the guard tower and saw a lone sniper. She grabbed a throwing knife and quickly sent the blade down to hit the man in his eye. The man fell off the tower. El slowed his fall with her mind as he fell and landed in some bushes. El reached for the radio in her ear. "Snipers handled." She said. "Next time warn us when you go off on your own," Hopper growled. El smiled to herself. "No promises." She said. She could practically see Hopper rolling his eyes.
She looked down on the tank. One man on top manning the machine gun. El narrowed her eyes. "Anyone got a plan?" She asked. "Yea, can you see if anyone is in that tank besides the gunner?" Jericho asked. El nodded and pulled the man out of the tank quickly. The man was brought before El and she sealed his jaw with her mind. "You have friends in the tank?" She asked quietly. The man nodded. El saw the truth in his eyes and dropped him on his head onto the ground. Seeing the opening of the tank, she dropped in quickly, loading her fingers with knives. As she landed in the hole, she saw the three men looking confused. She then threw her knives at all three of them. "I have the tank, anyone know how to drive it?" El said as she threw the dead men out of the tank.
"I think me and Ford can drive it. But, I dunno if we should be firing weapons of that size just yet." Jericho said. "We could use a distraction later though." El said. Jericho thought about the idea. "That's an idea." Jericho said.
A few moments later, Mike, Jericho, Hopper, Lucas, Will, Suzie, Nancy and Dustin were by the tank. The main door couldn't see them. "We go in teams. There is a sub basement that is where they most likely took Harrison. We can get there from here." El explained. Everyone nodded. El lifted the concrete barrier up a few feet, barely struggling to do so, and everyone crawled under as they entered. El went right behind them and shut the barrier quietly behind her.
Inside the small parking garage, El saw the lone guard still at the bottom of the ramp. He didn't seem to notice the group arrive. Max pulled out her rifle and took aim. She fired and the loud bang from the rifle resulted in a dead guard. "Yea, lets hope there aren't any guards here." Hopper said. Mike nodded. "We don't go loud till we need to." He said to the others. El could arrange that.
They made there way in and saw several cars down there. "This is Dr. Ryan's team." El said simply. She remembered them from the other experiments. "Who the hell is Dr. Ryan?" Lucas asked. "One of Brenner's cohorts. We need to hurry. He is preparing Harrison for mind transfer." El explained.
The group rushed to a door she vaguely remembered being brought through. Using her mind, she broke the door off the hinges. "This way, the sub basement lab is large. But I think we can get to the hospital wing quickly." El explained.
The group walked in and let El guide them. They walked through into what looked like a group room, with patients around. They all looked lost, like they didn't realize they were there. "What the hell is this?" Hopper asked. "This is where Brenner keeps prisoners he has no use for but wants to punish. He had them all lobotomized." El said. Jericho looked around and saw one prisoner. "I know this guy." He said as he looked at the man. He was about Jericho's age, but looked emaciated from lack of exercise. "He ran a crew that I did business with. They vanished several years ago." Jericho said. El looked at him and recognized him as well. "They were brought in to train me. When I was made to kill a few of them, they turned on Brenner. Saverio captured them and Dr. Ryan lobotomized them." El explained.
Jericho looked at her in shock. He wondered if that was a possible fate for him and his men. There were more men walking around, and a couple of women. "Who are these?" Will asked as he pointed to one woman. "Two of those are Saverio's ex wives. I think the others might be some nurses who objected to how they treated me." El said. "The rest look like the men who came to Hawkins fifteen years ago. There enlistment ended and I guess Brenner wanted to keep this all a secret." El said.
"I always knew Saverio was a sick fuck but this just takes the cake." Jericho said. The man he was staring at looked up and stared back at him. "You ain't seen anything yet." The man said. It surprised Jericho as he stood up. "I knew you would come this way. And I had this prepared for a few years." The man said. Suddenly everyone became active and aware they were in the room, and began speaking at once.
"This is the LEGION project." They all said in unison. "You will not be making it out of here."
AN: I know I left this on a cliffhanger, but I gotta build tension somehow. Read and review. Tell me how you liked it.
