Mission: Four
Dr. Mitchell showed Sonia around the facility before bringing her to the room she waited for.
"This is our main laboratory." Dr. Mitchell said, leading Sonia in by her elbow. "Very high tech, all state of the art. It may not be quite what you are used to, but it's definitely better than any other non-government facility is currently using."
"It's very nice." Sonia said, looking around. "And your test subjects?"
"Ah, patience, Dr. Rhodes." Dr. Mitchell said. "Please, this way. This is Dr. Ferrule, she's in charge of the lab, as well as the research."
"Dr. Ferrule." Sonia said, shaking the woman's hand. "I'm Dr. Sonia Rhodes."
"Yes." Dr. Ferrule said. "Please, call me Jenny. Come right this way. I'm so eager to have a Manticore alumnus here. You can't imagine the problems we're having."
"In creation or dissection?" Sonia asked, uncaringly.
"A little of both." Jenny said, "Let me show you the tank." The two women began to walk toward a long hallway; "We started working on this project fifteen years ago. A little later than Manticore, we're not government funded, so we're probably not as far along. But, our oldest Chimera is thirteen, male, very small for his age. We've had little luck with him. He can speak, though is difficult to understand, and is a little gruesome to look at." She said, as she opened a solid steel door. "This is Ten. He was our tenth trial subject, the first to live. Ten, come here Ten." She called as a husky boy came to the gate. "Good boy, Ten." She patted him.
"Hi, Ten." Sonia said, placing her hand on the boy's face. "I'm Dr. Rhodes." Sonia smiled at the hairy boy. His arms dangled to the floor and were large and heavy at the forearms. His body was humped over and his legs bent in an odd fashion.
"Docrhodes." Ten said, smashing her name together.
"You can call me Sonia." She said, rubbing his face.
"Our first attempt was small, we used primate DNA, chimpanzee to be exact." Jenny said. "We thought that would be easiest considering the similarities in the DNA strands."
"Hmm." Sonia mumbled. "Is he the only one?"
"No." Jenny said, "Come this way. This is fourteen; she's a mixture of human and panther. This is twenty-three, he's a mixture of human and wolf. And this, this is thirty-seven. He's a mixture of human and python. And of course, we do have the animals as well. We haven't always used human embryos as our chimera subjects."
Sonia listened as Jenny spoke of the animals used for experiments; she cringed as Jenny spoke of mixing human DNA into the female's unborn cubs or intravenously attaching a human embryo into an animal's womb. "Are you telling me, all of these children were born from various animals?"
"Of course." Jenny said, "Unlike Manticore, we refused to place a potentially hostile fetus into a human woman. The only difficulties we had were with the egg laying animals. Those mixed with various birds and reptiles. In fact, thirty-seven is the only hatched child to survive. But we've done more than just change the unborn cubs; we've actually begun to change the adult animals as well. But, before we get there. We have a few Manticore chimeras of our own."
Sonia followed Jenny to the end of the hall. "How many of the Manticore transgenics have you obtained?"
"Only four." Jenny said, "Our last attempt to acquire more was unsuccessful. And unfortunately, we only got two of them alive. Here, these two; Subjects Alpha and Beta come to the front of your cages." Neither complied. "Now!" Jenny shouted, neither complied. "They are awful."
"Please, let me." Sonia said, moving herself to the front of the cage, "Soldiers at front!" She barked and waited. Like clockwork, the two soldiers came to the doors. "Identify." She said.
"Ma'am, X6-602, ma'am." The first barked.
"Ma'am, X7-757, ma'am." The second buzzed in an unnatural voice.
"He can speak." Jenny said in awe.
"Of course, ma'am." Sonia said. "Manticore doesn't make stupid soldiers." Sonia positioned her body to wordlessly communicate that she was undercover and there to help. Both soldiers nodded.
"We've been trying to get them to interact for weeks. We've begun to study the deceased, but the live specimens would be so much more informative." Jenny said. "But they are uncooperative and violent. The female more so than the male."
"It's the difference in the subspecies." Sonia offered. "Each transgenic, or Chimera as you called them, has different properties. The female is more aggressive because she was trained that way. She is also more in tune with her emotions and can use them to her advantage. The male on the other hand was trained to obey, track and kill. Frankly, I'm surprised he hasn't killed yet."
"We've kept them sedated when we bring them from the cage." Jenny said.
Jenny continued to give Sonia the tour of the facility, showing her the employee break rooms, cafeteria, bathrooms, etc. Finally, Jenny led Sonia to the main level and showed her the entry points from her assigned parking space. By the end of the day, Sonia was eager to return home.
"Well, have a goodnight, Dr. Rhodes." Jenny said. "I'll see you here at seven and we can start on the Chimeras. I don't know about you, but I can't wait."
"Yes." Sonia said flatly, "Have a good evening Dr. Ferrule."
*
"You paged?" Max said to Logan as she entered his apartment.
"I've been paging. Look Max, we really need to talk." Logan said. "About the other night."
"What about it?" Max snapped, "I don't really want to talk about it."
"Max." Logan said softly, "It wasn't what it looked like. I mean, it was, but I don't know how it happened. Asha and I were talking, and one thing led to another. Look, I stopped it. I just wish you hadn't seen it."
"You wish I hadn't seen it?" Max shouted, emphasis on the you, "Look, let's just forget it. I don't want to talk about it. I just...I just think it's better left alone."
"Yea." Logan muttered, and turned to his computer. "Look, the reason I paged you is I've been keeping an eye on Arkham and you should see this." He pointed to the screen.
"Yea, it's Sonia talking to a Doctor. You knew she was there, you helped Alec get her papers." Max said, as she sat on the edge of the desk. "Jessie's there at night, too."
"Not Sonia." Logan snapped, "That." He pointed to a picture on the back wall and used the computer to zoom in. "The Manticore symbol."
"That's not the Manticore symbol." Max grunted. "That doesn't even look like the Manticore symbol."
"And this?" Logan asked, zooming in on the Doctor's clipboard. "He's looking at information on a Manticore soldier. I think you're in trouble here, Max."
"They've got at least two, that we know of. I haven't spoken with Sonia yet, so I don't know what else." Max snapped. "I was on my way to the debriefing when you paged."
"So, you don't know what information you have yet." Logan stated.
"What's it to you?" Max snapped, then lowered her head, "I mean...Why do you want to know?"
"Look, they took Asha and the S1W and used them to get to me, to get to you." Logan said, "That means someone there knows that the S1W is working with Eyes-Only and that Eyes-Only is working with you and your family. It puts us all at risk."
"Fine." Max said. "Why don't you come to the debriefing. I'm sure Alec won't mind."
"Fine." Logan snapped, "I'll drive."
"No." Max said. "It's still a secure location. I'll send a driver for you."
"Max, I've been there before." Logan said.
"Do you remember how to get there?" Max asked.
"No, it was dark." Logan said.
"Point taken." Max replied as she turned to leave, "Don't worry, I'll send a good driver."
*
"I don't understand why he has to be here." Sonia said. "I don't like him."
Max rolled her eyes. "Sonia, if I can forgive, you can forgive."
"You're too easy to forgive and forget. He hurt you." Sonia said.
"I know." Max frowned, "But I have to see how this plays out. He wants more than he's telling me. I don't think it's just the chance at the antigen and me. I think he's worried about Arkham."
"He's afraid if they find him, they'll find you." Sonia said, pointing as the car drove up the hill.
*
"Okay." Alec said, as the meeting came to a close. "We have a full blown map now, between Jessie and Sonia, we have a good idea at what we're looking at. How many more days of security do we have."
"My barcode is already starting to show." Jessie said. "I've been keeping my hair over the mark, but my skin is healing faster than anticipated."
"Great." Alec said. "Sonia?"
"My barcode will be back tomorrow, if I'm not mistaken. When they experimented in the lab with barcode removal, it took 48 to 72 hours for my barcode to return, depending on my health. But I can burn it off again, my skin will be fine."
"If needed." Alec said. "I don't want to start burning and re-burning people."
"Well." Max started. "With the information you've obtained, we should be able to get in, get the captives and get out in under an hour."
"What about the guards? The security?" Jessie asked.
"We all go." Alec said. "Every last one of us with a mission in hand. If we start abandoning our own now, who knows what will happen later."
"Plan." Max asked.
"Simple. There are almost thirty-five of us now, including Joshua." Alec said. "Sonia, tomorrow morning, you're bringing Joshua to work with you. Get him in with those kids, communication will be easier. You're also going to start working more overtime. I want you in there as much as possible before the barcode comes back. What about their... creations, you think they'll help?"
"No." Sonia replied. "I don't think they'll help at all. They seem, I don't know how to put it, almost docile, like pets. And they aren't as advanced in the brain area as we are."
"So, we go in, full force and then what?" Max asked.
"Wait, wait." Logan said. "Do you really think this is a good idea? You don't know what you're dealing with. The last time a strike was lead into Arkham, you guys almost didn't get out."
"We wouldn't have been there if it wasn't for the S1W." Jimmy barked.
"And we wouldn't have had any problems had the inside team not had to abandon their objective and return for the S1W captive." Timmy added.
"And it really isn't your concern." Sonia said, sweetly. "It's not you're one of us, it's not your life on the line here. But if we don't act, they are just going to keep collecting our people. And it's not like Manticore in there. There are no barracks, no training, no missions; those kids are just locked in a cell and drugged before experimentation."
"She's right Logan." Max said. "I'm sorry, but we can't leave them in there. We can't abandon our own people just to keep a handful of us safe. But thirty-five of us isn't gonna to cut it against the hundreds of soldiers they have inside. It's risky."
"We need more." Alec agreed. "Everyone get out on the streets, find as many of us as possible. Max, see if you can't drum up the other '09 escapees. They've got to be somewhere. And more than likely know what's going on."
"Which mean they'll be deeper in hiding." Max said. "Zack never told me where they were."
"But he did leave his personal belongings after the raid on Manticore. Krit took his phone, but everything else is still here." Logan said.
"And that helps us how?" Sonia said. "Do you know the number for the phone?"
"No." Logan said solemnly, "But maybe Eyes-Only can get a message to them."
"Maybe, we can get a message to them all." Max said, smiling at Alec. "Logan, can you tap into a satellite and send a transmission other than Eyes-Only?"
"Yea, but what would be the point?" Logan asked confused.
"We can send out a message." Alec said. "Something that only a Manticore bred soldier would understand."
"Like a SOS to regroup." Max said. "And a message not to trust anyone but our own."
"Morse Code." Alec said, "We need to get the red beacon transmitted. Let's get on it people; we need to do this a.s.a.p. I want to be ready to move by the weekend."
"And what about me?" Sonia asked. "Am I supposed to play doctor. That doctor wants to start experimenting tomorrow. Am I supposed to cut up my own people?"
"No." Alec said, "And yes. See if you can work on the deceased first. Hold off on the live subjects. But if needed, Sonia, you're going to have to do it."
"Fine." Sonia said. "But I'd rather not. And how am I supposed to bring Joshua with me work?"
"Well, you're going to order him there." Alec said. "We need to make you invaluable, just incase we can't mount an attack. I want you to be the most important person there. And I'm willing to bet if they see the others listen to you, that the other doctors will back off."
"And let me do my own thing." Sonia said. "They won't push me to dissect."
Dr. Mitchell showed Sonia around the facility before bringing her to the room she waited for.
"This is our main laboratory." Dr. Mitchell said, leading Sonia in by her elbow. "Very high tech, all state of the art. It may not be quite what you are used to, but it's definitely better than any other non-government facility is currently using."
"It's very nice." Sonia said, looking around. "And your test subjects?"
"Ah, patience, Dr. Rhodes." Dr. Mitchell said. "Please, this way. This is Dr. Ferrule, she's in charge of the lab, as well as the research."
"Dr. Ferrule." Sonia said, shaking the woman's hand. "I'm Dr. Sonia Rhodes."
"Yes." Dr. Ferrule said. "Please, call me Jenny. Come right this way. I'm so eager to have a Manticore alumnus here. You can't imagine the problems we're having."
"In creation or dissection?" Sonia asked, uncaringly.
"A little of both." Jenny said, "Let me show you the tank." The two women began to walk toward a long hallway; "We started working on this project fifteen years ago. A little later than Manticore, we're not government funded, so we're probably not as far along. But, our oldest Chimera is thirteen, male, very small for his age. We've had little luck with him. He can speak, though is difficult to understand, and is a little gruesome to look at." She said, as she opened a solid steel door. "This is Ten. He was our tenth trial subject, the first to live. Ten, come here Ten." She called as a husky boy came to the gate. "Good boy, Ten." She patted him.
"Hi, Ten." Sonia said, placing her hand on the boy's face. "I'm Dr. Rhodes." Sonia smiled at the hairy boy. His arms dangled to the floor and were large and heavy at the forearms. His body was humped over and his legs bent in an odd fashion.
"Docrhodes." Ten said, smashing her name together.
"You can call me Sonia." She said, rubbing his face.
"Our first attempt was small, we used primate DNA, chimpanzee to be exact." Jenny said. "We thought that would be easiest considering the similarities in the DNA strands."
"Hmm." Sonia mumbled. "Is he the only one?"
"No." Jenny said, "Come this way. This is fourteen; she's a mixture of human and panther. This is twenty-three, he's a mixture of human and wolf. And this, this is thirty-seven. He's a mixture of human and python. And of course, we do have the animals as well. We haven't always used human embryos as our chimera subjects."
Sonia listened as Jenny spoke of the animals used for experiments; she cringed as Jenny spoke of mixing human DNA into the female's unborn cubs or intravenously attaching a human embryo into an animal's womb. "Are you telling me, all of these children were born from various animals?"
"Of course." Jenny said, "Unlike Manticore, we refused to place a potentially hostile fetus into a human woman. The only difficulties we had were with the egg laying animals. Those mixed with various birds and reptiles. In fact, thirty-seven is the only hatched child to survive. But we've done more than just change the unborn cubs; we've actually begun to change the adult animals as well. But, before we get there. We have a few Manticore chimeras of our own."
Sonia followed Jenny to the end of the hall. "How many of the Manticore transgenics have you obtained?"
"Only four." Jenny said, "Our last attempt to acquire more was unsuccessful. And unfortunately, we only got two of them alive. Here, these two; Subjects Alpha and Beta come to the front of your cages." Neither complied. "Now!" Jenny shouted, neither complied. "They are awful."
"Please, let me." Sonia said, moving herself to the front of the cage, "Soldiers at front!" She barked and waited. Like clockwork, the two soldiers came to the doors. "Identify." She said.
"Ma'am, X6-602, ma'am." The first barked.
"Ma'am, X7-757, ma'am." The second buzzed in an unnatural voice.
"He can speak." Jenny said in awe.
"Of course, ma'am." Sonia said. "Manticore doesn't make stupid soldiers." Sonia positioned her body to wordlessly communicate that she was undercover and there to help. Both soldiers nodded.
"We've been trying to get them to interact for weeks. We've begun to study the deceased, but the live specimens would be so much more informative." Jenny said. "But they are uncooperative and violent. The female more so than the male."
"It's the difference in the subspecies." Sonia offered. "Each transgenic, or Chimera as you called them, has different properties. The female is more aggressive because she was trained that way. She is also more in tune with her emotions and can use them to her advantage. The male on the other hand was trained to obey, track and kill. Frankly, I'm surprised he hasn't killed yet."
"We've kept them sedated when we bring them from the cage." Jenny said.
Jenny continued to give Sonia the tour of the facility, showing her the employee break rooms, cafeteria, bathrooms, etc. Finally, Jenny led Sonia to the main level and showed her the entry points from her assigned parking space. By the end of the day, Sonia was eager to return home.
"Well, have a goodnight, Dr. Rhodes." Jenny said. "I'll see you here at seven and we can start on the Chimeras. I don't know about you, but I can't wait."
"Yes." Sonia said flatly, "Have a good evening Dr. Ferrule."
*
"You paged?" Max said to Logan as she entered his apartment.
"I've been paging. Look Max, we really need to talk." Logan said. "About the other night."
"What about it?" Max snapped, "I don't really want to talk about it."
"Max." Logan said softly, "It wasn't what it looked like. I mean, it was, but I don't know how it happened. Asha and I were talking, and one thing led to another. Look, I stopped it. I just wish you hadn't seen it."
"You wish I hadn't seen it?" Max shouted, emphasis on the you, "Look, let's just forget it. I don't want to talk about it. I just...I just think it's better left alone."
"Yea." Logan muttered, and turned to his computer. "Look, the reason I paged you is I've been keeping an eye on Arkham and you should see this." He pointed to the screen.
"Yea, it's Sonia talking to a Doctor. You knew she was there, you helped Alec get her papers." Max said, as she sat on the edge of the desk. "Jessie's there at night, too."
"Not Sonia." Logan snapped, "That." He pointed to a picture on the back wall and used the computer to zoom in. "The Manticore symbol."
"That's not the Manticore symbol." Max grunted. "That doesn't even look like the Manticore symbol."
"And this?" Logan asked, zooming in on the Doctor's clipboard. "He's looking at information on a Manticore soldier. I think you're in trouble here, Max."
"They've got at least two, that we know of. I haven't spoken with Sonia yet, so I don't know what else." Max snapped. "I was on my way to the debriefing when you paged."
"So, you don't know what information you have yet." Logan stated.
"What's it to you?" Max snapped, then lowered her head, "I mean...Why do you want to know?"
"Look, they took Asha and the S1W and used them to get to me, to get to you." Logan said, "That means someone there knows that the S1W is working with Eyes-Only and that Eyes-Only is working with you and your family. It puts us all at risk."
"Fine." Max said. "Why don't you come to the debriefing. I'm sure Alec won't mind."
"Fine." Logan snapped, "I'll drive."
"No." Max said. "It's still a secure location. I'll send a driver for you."
"Max, I've been there before." Logan said.
"Do you remember how to get there?" Max asked.
"No, it was dark." Logan said.
"Point taken." Max replied as she turned to leave, "Don't worry, I'll send a good driver."
*
"I don't understand why he has to be here." Sonia said. "I don't like him."
Max rolled her eyes. "Sonia, if I can forgive, you can forgive."
"You're too easy to forgive and forget. He hurt you." Sonia said.
"I know." Max frowned, "But I have to see how this plays out. He wants more than he's telling me. I don't think it's just the chance at the antigen and me. I think he's worried about Arkham."
"He's afraid if they find him, they'll find you." Sonia said, pointing as the car drove up the hill.
*
"Okay." Alec said, as the meeting came to a close. "We have a full blown map now, between Jessie and Sonia, we have a good idea at what we're looking at. How many more days of security do we have."
"My barcode is already starting to show." Jessie said. "I've been keeping my hair over the mark, but my skin is healing faster than anticipated."
"Great." Alec said. "Sonia?"
"My barcode will be back tomorrow, if I'm not mistaken. When they experimented in the lab with barcode removal, it took 48 to 72 hours for my barcode to return, depending on my health. But I can burn it off again, my skin will be fine."
"If needed." Alec said. "I don't want to start burning and re-burning people."
"Well." Max started. "With the information you've obtained, we should be able to get in, get the captives and get out in under an hour."
"What about the guards? The security?" Jessie asked.
"We all go." Alec said. "Every last one of us with a mission in hand. If we start abandoning our own now, who knows what will happen later."
"Plan." Max asked.
"Simple. There are almost thirty-five of us now, including Joshua." Alec said. "Sonia, tomorrow morning, you're bringing Joshua to work with you. Get him in with those kids, communication will be easier. You're also going to start working more overtime. I want you in there as much as possible before the barcode comes back. What about their... creations, you think they'll help?"
"No." Sonia replied. "I don't think they'll help at all. They seem, I don't know how to put it, almost docile, like pets. And they aren't as advanced in the brain area as we are."
"So, we go in, full force and then what?" Max asked.
"Wait, wait." Logan said. "Do you really think this is a good idea? You don't know what you're dealing with. The last time a strike was lead into Arkham, you guys almost didn't get out."
"We wouldn't have been there if it wasn't for the S1W." Jimmy barked.
"And we wouldn't have had any problems had the inside team not had to abandon their objective and return for the S1W captive." Timmy added.
"And it really isn't your concern." Sonia said, sweetly. "It's not you're one of us, it's not your life on the line here. But if we don't act, they are just going to keep collecting our people. And it's not like Manticore in there. There are no barracks, no training, no missions; those kids are just locked in a cell and drugged before experimentation."
"She's right Logan." Max said. "I'm sorry, but we can't leave them in there. We can't abandon our own people just to keep a handful of us safe. But thirty-five of us isn't gonna to cut it against the hundreds of soldiers they have inside. It's risky."
"We need more." Alec agreed. "Everyone get out on the streets, find as many of us as possible. Max, see if you can't drum up the other '09 escapees. They've got to be somewhere. And more than likely know what's going on."
"Which mean they'll be deeper in hiding." Max said. "Zack never told me where they were."
"But he did leave his personal belongings after the raid on Manticore. Krit took his phone, but everything else is still here." Logan said.
"And that helps us how?" Sonia said. "Do you know the number for the phone?"
"No." Logan said solemnly, "But maybe Eyes-Only can get a message to them."
"Maybe, we can get a message to them all." Max said, smiling at Alec. "Logan, can you tap into a satellite and send a transmission other than Eyes-Only?"
"Yea, but what would be the point?" Logan asked confused.
"We can send out a message." Alec said. "Something that only a Manticore bred soldier would understand."
"Like a SOS to regroup." Max said. "And a message not to trust anyone but our own."
"Morse Code." Alec said, "We need to get the red beacon transmitted. Let's get on it people; we need to do this a.s.a.p. I want to be ready to move by the weekend."
"And what about me?" Sonia asked. "Am I supposed to play doctor. That doctor wants to start experimenting tomorrow. Am I supposed to cut up my own people?"
"No." Alec said, "And yes. See if you can work on the deceased first. Hold off on the live subjects. But if needed, Sonia, you're going to have to do it."
"Fine." Sonia said. "But I'd rather not. And how am I supposed to bring Joshua with me work?"
"Well, you're going to order him there." Alec said. "We need to make you invaluable, just incase we can't mount an attack. I want you to be the most important person there. And I'm willing to bet if they see the others listen to you, that the other doctors will back off."
"And let me do my own thing." Sonia said. "They won't push me to dissect."