Chapter 7

Politico







Creed received word early in the morning around 3 AM. While he had to attend a function in Washington D.C. at 9 that morning. Creed had been used to days of little sleep. For a politician or anyone steeped in government sleep was something that was put on the back burner. Although too little sleep can ruin your reputation. The fact was that you had to be ready for anything. Many couldn't handle the stress but Creed was one of the few who thrived on it. He had a mission, a goal, an objective that he wouldn't stop til either he was successful or dead. That was to keep mutants either in hiding or even dead. Some see him as a monster, others as a savior during these perilous times. He was sure he could push the anti-mutant legislation at this time of mutant violence on both sides. After Magneto had used the Sentinels to take over the Capital and had left the President naked and cowering in fear on the White House lawn. Creed's ideology was in very high demand. Some figured he would run for president in the next election.

He came into the laboratory that was deep under the compound. Dewey was waiting for him in front of the elevator. The both of them walked down the hall towards the lab that held both symbiotes.

"I received word that he was brought here." Creed said to Dewey

"That's correct we received him about an hour ago."

"Is he secured?"

"Yes the team used the standard sedative. He'll be out for another couple of hours."

"Good, I hope the method of extraction is ready."

Dewey nodded. "It is."

"Have the volunteers been readied?"

"Yes, they're in quarantine before we continue."

"Excellent"

They walked past the large safety glass window where several scientists worked. Creed noticed that both the Vengeance symbiote and Spider-man resided in ultra secured containment vessels. Creed noticed both of them and watched as the symbiotes skins' shimmered and shifted in the light.

"Fascinating" Creed said

"It really is." Dewey replied

"Anyway bring to where I can speak to the volunteers."

"Yes, sir"

Dewey led Creed down the long hallway and then approached a specially locked door that required both a code and retinal scan to open. Dewey went over and did both things as Creed watched. After both tasks were done the door opened and allowed the both of them to continue.

They went down another hallway, this one was completely anti-septic white.

"There right down this way." Dewey instructed Creed.

They approached two cells that had a special window that allowed viewing and a microphone set up for communication.

Creed went down and eyed the volunteers. He didn't personally recognize either of them. They were part of the militant section of the Friends of Humanity. Both men were ex-military and a deep and passionate hatred for mutants.

The first man was Tom Mallory a man in his early 20's who was devoted to taking down mutants. His reason was that six years his family out in the Pacific North West was killed by a band of nomadic mutants. These were bloodthirsty and feral Mallory learned that this group of mutants were suspected in at least ten murders. With such rage and passion, Mallroy went hunting for the group until he was recruited by the Friends of Humanity. In less than a year he had personally be involved in the execution of those mutants.

The second man was Edward Peters. He was in his late 20's and a more seasoned man in the FOH. He volunteered for their experiment because he believed fully in the cause of mutant extermination. He felt that this was the way to make the process go faster.

Creed went over and spoke into a small speaker. "Gentlemen, I want to let you know how proud I am of your devotion to our cause. It truly makes me proud that you'll be making streets safer for every law-abiding human in this country. I want you to know you have my respect and admiration. I thank you and you'll be rewarding after all this is over. That is all."

Creed stepped back from the speaker and walked back to the viewing area with Dewey.

"Tell me in laymen's how this is going to happen." Creed asked Dewey as he watched the scientists prep the area.

"Basically we're going to take a piece from both symbiotes and then transfer them to the volunteers."

"What about their abilities?"

"Well that depends on how the symbiotes react to their new environment. But we do know that the symbiotes augment any number of worth while attributes: Strength, agility, speed, and others."

"I see."

Creed didn't say anything else as he watched the volunteers being brought into the lab. While the symbitoes were kept in specially designed containment units. The volunteers were to be secured onto tables and monitored in case anything were to happen. It took about half an hour for the volunteers to be prepped and secured.

Then the scientists went over and produced two small vials. Creed could see that each contained a black and gold substance in each vial. The material from both vials were drawn into syringes and then were injected into a pair of IV systems that were attached to the volunteers.

"There was less chance of rejection than injecting it into their skin." Dewey said

"Interesting" Creed said

Everything was quiet in both the viewing area and the lab itself. With the exception of various scientific instruments that were working constantly to monitor what was going on.

Time seemed to have stood still as Creed watched for any change. He checked his watch and found out it was about 4:30 A.M. He gave it another fifteen minutes before he would have to leave and get himself ready for his morning meeting in Washington.

Nothing appeared to be happening until several pieces of medical equipment began to sound their alarms. Several scientists went over to Mallory and began to work.

"What's going on?" Creed demanded

"Apparently something is happening with the symbiote."

Then suddenly, Peters began to have a seizure. He thrashed about on the table and the scientists scrambled to figure out what was going on.

"Now the other volunteer is having a seizure. I need to get down there." Dewey said to him

"Go" Creed instructed

Dewey ran towards the lab and Creed watched as two of his own men were losing a battle with an alien being. He knew there were great risks with a project like this. But the cause he championed would cause him to deal with casualties.

Both volunteers were seizing and the scientists were working on losing battle. Creed could hear the shouts of medical jargon and the franticness of the scientists as they tried to save the men.

Suddenly Peters began to be enveloped by a jet black substance. The symbiote he had been given was starting to take over. But not in the way Creed had ever expected.

A long piece of pseudo-podia shot out from the body at a rapid rate. It punched through the glass, splintering it into pieces. Some of the glass fell onto Creed and made small cuts on his skin.

He dove to the ground and tried to get to safety. The security alarm blared and several armed security guards swarmed into the area. A couple of the guards picked up Creed and took him out of the area. Another guard pulled out his side arm and began to fire at the symbiote when he hit the host body causing the symbiote to collapse onto the floor.

"Shut it down!" Dewey exclaimed

The guards nodded and then activated the containment system put into the lab.

Heavy steel doors came down and sealed off the area. Various health, security, and fire precautions were put into use. In just a few minutes all of the work put into the project was destroyed.

To Be Continued