Chapter 7
Ed leaned up against the wall in his cell with his head resting on his forearm. He waited.
Darien lay curled up in a ball in the center of his cage. He waited.
Claire sat at Ed's desk as she stared out the window. She waited.
Hobbes walked into the lab only to see Claire who sat in Ed's office. He took a deep breath and promised himself that he would not upset her. He tapped on the door frame, "Hey, Keepie."
Startled, Claire turned around quickly, "Oh, Bobby!" She ran to him and put her arms around him, "Are you okay?" She broke the hug to give Hobbes a quick physical exam with her hands.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just a headache," Hobbes grabbed her hands and held them, "I promise, Bobby Hobbes doesn't go down injured that easily."
Claire managed a light chuckle, "No, I guess not."
"Any word yet on the missing Doublemint twins?"
Claire shook her head, "Bobby, you always know how to make me laugh in tough times." She looked into his eyes, "Walter found out that his boss was the one who took Darien."
Hobbes became angry, "You mean the broad in the fancy car?"
"Yes," Claire watched as Hobbes paced back and forth. "Bobby?" Claire said in a concerned voice.
"I have to call the Fat Man on this, maybe he could do something."
****
'Why do I hate this? I've been in smaller cells then this,' Darien thought to himself. The room was still dimly lit and the scientists were no longer in the observation room. Darien sensed loneliness deep inside him coupled with the feeling of confinement. Now he knew how a caged animal felt.
Darien looked at the cell door and mentally slapped himself, 'I don't friggin' believe this.' He looked around and saw a security camera, 'Hope you don't have thermals.' The quicksilver coated his body. He rose off the floor and went to the cell door. Darien studied the cell door, there was a key hole on the outside. Using his sense of touch he found what he was looking for. Darien allowed the quicksilver to flow off his finger and into to the key hole. The locking mechanism inside froze immediately.
'I hope this works,' Darien thought to himself as his pushed hard on the cell door. With a crack the locking mechanism broke and the door swung open. He walked outside of the cage and ran for the door. He used his dominant senses to see if anyone was around. There was no one. 'I've got a bad feeling about this,' he thought to himself as the door opened too easily.
Darien stepped outside in the empty hallway. He looked around suspiciously, 'This has trap written all over it.' Cautiously he took a step and then another, 'Okay, time to out fox 'em.'
As he slowly made his way down the hall he passed several doors. He noticed several security cameras and an opened gate at the end of the hall. 'Like a prison,' Darien thought to himself, 'Except for the open gate.' He stopped at a door; curiosity got the best of him. It was unlocked and the door opened to reveal a poorly lit room. It was illuminated enough for him to see that steel cages the same size as the one he was in filled the room.
Darien stood there, staring. 'What is this place?' he thought to himself as the door slowly closed. 'A prison.this is a prison.they couldn't?' Darien thought to what Ed was working on, the serum to turn to dominants' DNA to human DNA.
Darien decided to open up other doors and what he found shocked him.more cages. 'They can't do this,' Darien walked through the gate. He saw what resembled a guard's station in a prison. There was a large window which Darien presumed was unbreakable. Lining the desk were monitors and one of them showed the room that Darien had been in. He looked around and quickly bolted out of the control room.
Darien came to a room at the end of the hall. He was about to push the door opened when he heard an unfamiliar voice in his head, 'Watch this, its really going to hurt.' Darien stopped and looked around, "Aw crap, they can see me." Out of the corner of his eye he saw something move. Darien looked up and saw what resembled a camera move in his direction. 'What the.'
Darien became dizzy. He looked down the hall and didn't see anybody. Darien leaned up against the wall and used it as support. He walked as fast as he could down the hall in another direction. The dizziness left him and he felt surer of himself. Darien ran down the hall as fast as he could. He had no idea where he was going. The halls were numbered, but that didn't really help him. He looked on the walls for any evacuation notices but there were none.
Darien turned another corner and was hit with another dizzy spell, this one a little more severe than the first. He looked up and the hall was spinning, the quicksilver flaked off. "What is happening to me?" Darien closed his eyes and tried to fight off the effects to get his senses back. He staggered along the wall as his senses slowly came back to him. He nearly took off again when he lost muscle control in his legs and fell to the floor. He was on his hands and knees, panting. He looked up and saw a camera pointed right him.
Darien struggled to get to his feet and was able to take a few steps. He watched as the camera followed him. He heard another voice say, "Try Level Five and let's see what happens."
"I'm still a freakin' lab rat." Darien tried to run again, but this time he became disorientated and spun around a few times. "Hobbes!" He called out. Darien's arm reached out to touch the wall, "What are you doing to me?"
"Next level."
"No." Darien stumbled down the hall sideways before falling.
"Level Seven."
Darien tried to get up. All his muscles became paralyzed and he fell to the floor. He heard a door open. Footsteps came closer to him. Darien was barely able to move, "Why?"
"You already know. We needed to test our security." The man looked up and spoke into the air, "Level Eight."
Darien's head spun and hurt worse than any hangover he'd ever experienced. The scientist watched Darien as he slid into unconsciousness. He looked up towards the mini version of the new weapon. "It worked looks like he thought it was a camera. Well done."
Another scientist came out, "We were far enough away so he couldn't sense us, but obviously he could still read our minds, very interesting. Let's hope we never have to use it. I'd say this detention center is ready to go and when Dr. Tate perfects his serum .we can get to work."
****
Karl stood by as his men got inside the military vehicles. They were all dressed as US soldiers. Lewis came out to hand some papers to Karl.
"Here," Lewis held out the papers.
Karl took them and looked at them, "They look official enough."
"They are official," Lewis smiled. Karl was giving him a questionable look, "It's best you don't know how I do things. After all, how do you think Dr. Copeland got all of his equipment? You better get moving, my inside person says that Agent Fawkes is doing poorly." Lewis started to walk away.
"How am I supposed to know who this person is? So that they don't get killed," Karl questioned.
Lewis turned to face Karl again, "I really don't care, this.*person*.has done their job. I don't need him anymore, kill them all. Just bring me Fawkes alive."
Karl smiled with hunger when he heard the orders, "No problem." He turned and walked to the lead vehicle. He got inside and the military convoy drove off.
****
Tom, Ray and Hobbes set off to meet with a contact about a possible location where Darien is being held.
Claire and Sloan sat on the stools in the lab. They tried to keep working on Ed's research but neither of them could concentrate.
"I can't do this right now," Claire took of the safety glasses and nearly slammed them on the counter.
"I know what you mean, but I think they would want us to continue." Sloan said sympathetically. She was worried about Ed and Darien. She saw that Claire was an emotional wreck. "Why don't you go and get some rest. I'll stay and wait for word and as soon as I hear, I'll call you."
Claire half smiled, "Thanks, Sloan."
"If it means anything, Ed is pretty tough, he may not show it, but.he'll be okay." Sloan tried to sound reassuring. She thought to when he escaped the dominants in Alaska and spent the night in the Tundra. How he fought off the Spanish Flu and survived. She had to believe that he would find a way again to beat the odds.
"Yeah, Sloan, when he has to be tough I've seen it," Claire started to walk out when she stopped to look at Sloan, "Darien is too you know.tough. I've seen him get out of more situations then you can count on your fingers. He took care of himself for years, not by all legal activities, but still he did it." Claire smiled at Sloan.
"Thanks, Claire." Sloan watched as Claire left the lab and she went back to peering inside the microscope.
Claire never made it to her car.
****
Hobbes eyed the black man known as Mark Ward. With news that Walter's boss was behind Darien's disappearance, he had very little reason to trust anybody, let alone a dominant.
"You still don't trust me do you, Agent Hobbes?" Mark said straight faced.
"I've been in this business long enough, my friend. Bobby Hobbes trusts no one but his partner." Hobbes said as he deliberately pulled back his coat to show his weapon.
"You'll have no need to use that on me," Mark said.
"We'll see." Hobbes shot back. He stepped closer to Mark and turned his head slightly to glare at the tall man.
"You will." Mark countered. He took a step closer. Tom looked on worried.
"I hope so, for your sake." Hobbes concluded. He was practically chest to chest with Mark. Even though the dominant was nearly the same height as Darien, Hobbes didn't back down.
Tom looked wearily at the two men and then at Ray. Mark smiled at Hobbes, showing that he respected the shorter man's behavior. He was impressed that a human would be so brave to stand up to him like that. With humans this courageous, co-existence is the better solution.
Ray rolled his eyes after the exchange of words and glances were done. Hobbes and Mark reminded him of two young male lions fighting over territory. He was just glad it ended when both men silently agreed to back down. To Ray, it also show how determined Hobbes is to find Darien. If only all partners had each other's back like that. Ray would have enjoyed having a partner who was so loyal like Hobbes.
Tom glanced at Mark, "You have any word on where we can find Darien?"
Mark, still glancing at Hobbes answered Tom, "Yes, I do." He turned his gaze to Tom, "Here's the address and directions, but you have to hurry. My informant tells me that Lewis has sent Karl Hunter to rescue Darien. Karl is working for Lewis now."
Tom raised a brow at the mention of Karl's name. "Thanks, Mark."
"Who's this Karl person?" Hobbes asked.
"Only one of the most highly trained dominants in the military," Ray remarked.
"He was in Alaska working for Dr. Copeland when Ed was kidnapped. He was in charge of the guards at the time. He was arrested by the human military, but he was able to escape with a few others. If he's working with Lewis now, this makes finding Darien even more of an imperative." Tom said.
"Then why are we standing around talking. Let's go." Hobbes said.
****
The cell door opened and Ed tensed and panicky, he looked up. He had expected to see Connor and he wasn't sure if Stark's sudden appearance was going to be any better. "Well, are you here to get my punishment over with, cause this wait is worse?" Ed asked in a bitter tone.
"You scientists hate to wait don't you? Too persistent, must have the answers right away..." Stark pulled up a chair and sat down in front of Ed. "Well I for one am very patient."
"So, is this some sort of a torture social visit?" Ed asked cautiously.
"Well, I do know what files you sent to your computer, I knew the scientist in you couldn't resist." Stark smiled.
"I've heard that one before," Ed sighed. That's nearly the same thing that Copeland said to him about the Spanish Flu. "Look, lets not beat around the bush.what the hell do you want?"
"Direct approach, I like that."
"I'm a scientist; it's the only way I know how to be." Ed said rancorously.
"Maybe you are related to Darien Fawkes after all." Stark sneered, Ed raised a brow and smiled back. Stark stood up, "I'm going to give you one last chance and this time I don't think you'll be so quick to play the hero."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Ed said.
"I'm curious to know more about the dominants DNA. Do both parents have to be dominant or does it really matter?"
Ed spied Stark suspiciously, "Why do you ask?" Ed paused, "You're not thinking.no.you wouldn't?"
"Why wouldn't I, Dr. Tate? If you are going to defeat an enemy you have to think like them, and eventually become them."
"Look, you better make damn sure you know what you're getting yourself into. Dominants are aggressive by nature, it's an instinct. You can rework with the aging process, but I don't think you can alter instinct," replied Ed.
"I'm sure my scientists can figure out a way to curb their appetite." Stark smirked.
Ed stared deeply into Stark, "You know the answer already don't you? That's why Lewis was so interested in you. He knew what you were planning and wanted to stop you. That's why you're such a threat to him?"
"And now I have the geneticist who knows everything there is to know about dominant DNA." Stark smiled as he motioned towards Ed.
"This is why you hacked into the computers at the lab to get all my research."
"I needed to see how clever you were and you didn't disappoint me at all." Stark said to Ed with a twinkle in eye.
Ed thought for a moment, "You'll need DNA samples, you could use blood or hair but that's not what you have mind is it? You're not going to use a female dominant to supply you with eggs because they only release four a month. A man like you would want fast results. You need to build your new breed pretty fast.you're going to use dominant spermatozoa. You can fertilize thousands of eggs at one time."
Stark smiled, "Very close, Dr. Tate. We plan on only extracting the dominant gene and encoding it into our own. This is where you come in. Your work in genetics and immunology will come in handy for us. We won't be altering a large amount of our sperm, but we will have a few test subjects."
"I'm not going to help you create a genetically altered dominant." Ed stopped, alarm spread across his face, "Darien.you plan on using Darien?"
"Of course, who else would I use? His abilities are far greater than any dominant we've seen." Stark stood up, "He has two things I want, his DNA and quicksilver and I know how to extract both."
Ed stood up, "Wait, you've tested dominants, for how long?"
"Let's just say my organization has known about them for as long as you have. But your work has exceeded our own. You have been a great help to us, Dr. Tate."
Ed looked away a little infuriated, "So, why now? Why kidnap me now and force me to work for you?"
"We are very patient, Dr. Tate, and we have a lifetime to wait. We wanted to see what would happen, to see what we were up against." Stark said.
"I don't believe you. What you want is an all out war so we could wipe each other out and leave the planet to you. Your organization would just sit back and watch the entertainment. And when it was over, you'd have the place to yourselves without ever having to lift a finger." Ed said.
Stark glared at Ed.
Ed shook his head, "Uh-huh, men like you, like Lewis, you always have a hidden agenda. What'd you do? Got demoted and now you're trying to show, what was that woman's name? Sharon, you're trying to prove yourself again to Sharon by creating a *master race*" Ed smiled, "Excuse me, I mean *master species*. You're treading on thin ice here, Stark. You have no clue as to what you're getting yourself into by tampering with boundaries of nature and science."
"Like you and your gene therapy? Isn't that what you're doing by altering dominant DNA? You're tampering with the natural course of evolution, Dr. Tate." Stark answered back.
Ed looked down, "I'm trying to prevent an extinction of our species."
"Are you? You need to rethink that, doctor. You will be causing an extinction of at least one species and doesn't that go against all you're taught? Doesn't the extinction of a species disrupt the balance of nature?"
Ed glared at Stark, "I guess then we're in the same boat. You've gone to great lengths to try and wipe out humanity. So don't lecture me about ethics."
Stark nodded, "Fair enough."
Ed ran his hand through his long hair, "You do realize if you remove the gland you'll kill Darien."
Stark smiled and walked towards the door. He opened it and looked back at Ed, "I don't plan on removing the gland, just the quicksilver."
"You sick son of a."
"Careful doctor, that language is unbecoming a person of your stature."
"Yeah, well maybe, but you are one deluded person," Ed sneered.
Stark motioned for one of the guards, "Take him to room 5." Stark looked at Ed, "No tricks this time."
Ed was escorted out of his cell. 'Stark has seriously lost his mind,' he thought to himself as he walked in between the two guards.
****
Darien woke up with a major headache. He moaned in pain.
"I can give you something for that," a voice said.
Darien didn't bother to look up; it hurt to bad to move, "But."
"You know the routine don't you?"
"I'm a professional lab rat, I know all the routines." Darien hissed.
"We have to know how long the effects last."
Darien winced, "Yeah, yeah. What you use on me.a neuralizer or something?"
The scientist laughed, "Something like that. But I need for you do something for me?"
"I think I've done enough.your little weapon works." Darien sneered through his pain. His head felt like it was about to explode.
"This is easy, quicksilver your hand."
"Want to make sure you didn't damage the government's 17 million dollar baby." Darien held up his hand and it disappeared. He tried to read the man's mind but couldn't, 'It must be the headache. Wonder how long that will last?' Darien stopped the quicksilver and his hand reappeared.
"That's good, any pain when you did that?"
"No."
"Can you read my mind?"
"Ah, what makes you think I'd tell you?"
The scientist smiled, "You can't can you? The pain is too intense for you to focus. That's something unexpected."
"Isn't that what these little tests are for?" Darien looked at the scientist, "What are you going to do here?"
"You're smart, Agent Fawkes, I'm sure you can figure it out." The scientist turned and walked out.
Darien rested his head on his arm and waited for the pain to subside. He wondered what the next test would be. "Hobbes, where the hell are you?"
****
Karl and his men stopped just short of the compound. He radioed back to his men, "Get ready and remember, don't start shooting until I give the word." Karl signaled for the driver to move towards the guard tower.
****
Hobbes and the others were on their way to the compound. He turned to Mark, "How did you find out where we could find Fawkes?"
"We have people in places you don't even know about. Not as spies, but as watchers." Mark said.
"Spies, watchers.all the same to me, my friend."
"Our watchers are not spies, Agent Hobbes. How do you think we found out about Agent Fawkes? My people not only watch humans but dominants as well. Our goal is to prevent war and the only way to do that is to keep an eye out on what both camps are doing."
"Well, your intel better be correcto mundo. My partner's life is at stake here."
"And so is the idea for co-existence. Agent Fawkes could play a valuable role towards peace between our species. He can't fall into Lewis' hands."
Hobbes looked at Mark. The man had a genuine concern for Fawkes, but he was still suspicious of his motives, "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts."
"What was that Agent Hobbes?" Mark asked.
"Oh nothing.nothing at all." Hobbes watched the scenery go by. He hoped they were not too late.
****
Ed was brought back into the room again with the computer, "Ahh.again!?"
"This time Dr. Tate, I will get the information I want." Stark motioned to one of the guards.
"What makes you think I'll still help you?" Ed asked.
"Because I don't think you would want someone you love getting hurt," Stark looked towards the door as it opened.
Ed's expression changed to complete horror when Claire was pushed into the room, "Claire!?! No!" Ed charged at Stark but was stopped by two guards.
"Now, now Dr. Tate, that won't help," Stark sneered.
"Ed? Oh my God, Ed!" Claire exclaimed when she saw Ed. "What do you want, Stark?"
"Well, hello to you too Dr. Keeply and what I want from you is information about the gland." Stark turned his gaze towards Ed, "Now, are you going to help me?"
Ed looked at Claire, he couldn't let anything happen to her and he couldn't help Stark either. Sadly he bowed his said, "I'm sorry, Claire," Ed looked up and glared at Stark, "But I'm not helping you with anything."
Claire sighed in relief. Stark smiled, "I thought so, Dr. Tate. I'll just have to try another way to persuade one of you." Stark nodded his head and again the door opened. Something that resembled a very large coffin was brought into the room.
"What is that?" Ed said. He was alarmed and fear gripped him.
"You wouldn't?" Claire cried out. She had recognized the cryopod right away.
"I wouldn't? You don't know me very well, Dr. Keeply." Stark walked over to Claire, "I lost two scientists and Adam Reese because of Fawkes. He owes me and I plan on settling that debt one by one." Stark moved away from Claire and put his hand on the mysterious object, "This Dr. Tate is what we call a 'cryopod'. It's something we've developed. I'm sure you've heard of cryogenics."
"Well yeah, sure.wait, you aren't going to.?" Ed asked. A large lump formed in his throat.
"You've left me no choice." Stark opened the cyropod.
"No! Wait! I'll help you; just don't do this to Claire." Ed said. He found it hard to swallow his throat was so dry. His stomach sank as he thought of Claire in the cryopod. He couldn't let Claire suffer. He would just have to take his chances with Stark.
"Ed!" Claire shook her head, "Don't help him with anything." She pleaded with Ed. She saw the fear in his face. He was risking way too much to save her.
Stark laughed and turned towards Claire, "Oh my dear, this isn't for you."
"What?" Claire asked.
"What?" Ed asked.
Stark turned to face Ed, "It's meant for you."
Horror-struck, Ed pleaded, "Wait, you said you needed my help with genetically altering dominant DNA!?!"
"That's right, and I will need it. But first, I need some leverage in order for my plan to work." Stark nodded and Ed was injected with a red substance.
"NOOOO!" Claire yelled. She tried to struggle but she was held back.
Ed didn't have a chance to react. The drug worked quickly and Ed sagged against the guards. One wrapped his arms around Ed's chest while the other grabbed his legs. Together they lifted him up and placed him in the cryopod.
"No, please, not him." Claire watched as the lid closed. Stark pushed the buttons and the cyropod was filled with the freezing vapors. She closed her eyes. A single tear slid down her face.
Stark walked over to Claire, "Dr. Tate proved to be intelligent and resourceful. We like that in our scientists. If it wasn't for the dominant situation he would have slipped through our fingers."
Claire glared at Stark with distain in her eyes, "You bastard. You can't do this!"
"I believe I just did. Now as you well know, you have 48 hours to get him out of there before its too late. I suggest you think about your situation." Stark motioned to the guards to let Claire go.
Claire ran over to the cryopod, she brushed the ice away that had already formed on the top of the glass lid. She peered through the glass and saw Ed. He looked peaceful as the cold slumber took over. Her tears fell on the lid and formed into ice right away.
"Show Dr. Keeply her room," Stark ordered.
"You won't get away with this, Darien will find us," Claire said spitefully even though she didn't know where he was.
"I'm counting on it." Stark watched as Claire was taken from the room. He looked at the cryopod, "Sleep well, Dr. Tate."
TBC.
Ed leaned up against the wall in his cell with his head resting on his forearm. He waited.
Darien lay curled up in a ball in the center of his cage. He waited.
Claire sat at Ed's desk as she stared out the window. She waited.
Hobbes walked into the lab only to see Claire who sat in Ed's office. He took a deep breath and promised himself that he would not upset her. He tapped on the door frame, "Hey, Keepie."
Startled, Claire turned around quickly, "Oh, Bobby!" She ran to him and put her arms around him, "Are you okay?" She broke the hug to give Hobbes a quick physical exam with her hands.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just a headache," Hobbes grabbed her hands and held them, "I promise, Bobby Hobbes doesn't go down injured that easily."
Claire managed a light chuckle, "No, I guess not."
"Any word yet on the missing Doublemint twins?"
Claire shook her head, "Bobby, you always know how to make me laugh in tough times." She looked into his eyes, "Walter found out that his boss was the one who took Darien."
Hobbes became angry, "You mean the broad in the fancy car?"
"Yes," Claire watched as Hobbes paced back and forth. "Bobby?" Claire said in a concerned voice.
"I have to call the Fat Man on this, maybe he could do something."
****
'Why do I hate this? I've been in smaller cells then this,' Darien thought to himself. The room was still dimly lit and the scientists were no longer in the observation room. Darien sensed loneliness deep inside him coupled with the feeling of confinement. Now he knew how a caged animal felt.
Darien looked at the cell door and mentally slapped himself, 'I don't friggin' believe this.' He looked around and saw a security camera, 'Hope you don't have thermals.' The quicksilver coated his body. He rose off the floor and went to the cell door. Darien studied the cell door, there was a key hole on the outside. Using his sense of touch he found what he was looking for. Darien allowed the quicksilver to flow off his finger and into to the key hole. The locking mechanism inside froze immediately.
'I hope this works,' Darien thought to himself as his pushed hard on the cell door. With a crack the locking mechanism broke and the door swung open. He walked outside of the cage and ran for the door. He used his dominant senses to see if anyone was around. There was no one. 'I've got a bad feeling about this,' he thought to himself as the door opened too easily.
Darien stepped outside in the empty hallway. He looked around suspiciously, 'This has trap written all over it.' Cautiously he took a step and then another, 'Okay, time to out fox 'em.'
As he slowly made his way down the hall he passed several doors. He noticed several security cameras and an opened gate at the end of the hall. 'Like a prison,' Darien thought to himself, 'Except for the open gate.' He stopped at a door; curiosity got the best of him. It was unlocked and the door opened to reveal a poorly lit room. It was illuminated enough for him to see that steel cages the same size as the one he was in filled the room.
Darien stood there, staring. 'What is this place?' he thought to himself as the door slowly closed. 'A prison.this is a prison.they couldn't?' Darien thought to what Ed was working on, the serum to turn to dominants' DNA to human DNA.
Darien decided to open up other doors and what he found shocked him.more cages. 'They can't do this,' Darien walked through the gate. He saw what resembled a guard's station in a prison. There was a large window which Darien presumed was unbreakable. Lining the desk were monitors and one of them showed the room that Darien had been in. He looked around and quickly bolted out of the control room.
Darien came to a room at the end of the hall. He was about to push the door opened when he heard an unfamiliar voice in his head, 'Watch this, its really going to hurt.' Darien stopped and looked around, "Aw crap, they can see me." Out of the corner of his eye he saw something move. Darien looked up and saw what resembled a camera move in his direction. 'What the.'
Darien became dizzy. He looked down the hall and didn't see anybody. Darien leaned up against the wall and used it as support. He walked as fast as he could down the hall in another direction. The dizziness left him and he felt surer of himself. Darien ran down the hall as fast as he could. He had no idea where he was going. The halls were numbered, but that didn't really help him. He looked on the walls for any evacuation notices but there were none.
Darien turned another corner and was hit with another dizzy spell, this one a little more severe than the first. He looked up and the hall was spinning, the quicksilver flaked off. "What is happening to me?" Darien closed his eyes and tried to fight off the effects to get his senses back. He staggered along the wall as his senses slowly came back to him. He nearly took off again when he lost muscle control in his legs and fell to the floor. He was on his hands and knees, panting. He looked up and saw a camera pointed right him.
Darien struggled to get to his feet and was able to take a few steps. He watched as the camera followed him. He heard another voice say, "Try Level Five and let's see what happens."
"I'm still a freakin' lab rat." Darien tried to run again, but this time he became disorientated and spun around a few times. "Hobbes!" He called out. Darien's arm reached out to touch the wall, "What are you doing to me?"
"Next level."
"No." Darien stumbled down the hall sideways before falling.
"Level Seven."
Darien tried to get up. All his muscles became paralyzed and he fell to the floor. He heard a door open. Footsteps came closer to him. Darien was barely able to move, "Why?"
"You already know. We needed to test our security." The man looked up and spoke into the air, "Level Eight."
Darien's head spun and hurt worse than any hangover he'd ever experienced. The scientist watched Darien as he slid into unconsciousness. He looked up towards the mini version of the new weapon. "It worked looks like he thought it was a camera. Well done."
Another scientist came out, "We were far enough away so he couldn't sense us, but obviously he could still read our minds, very interesting. Let's hope we never have to use it. I'd say this detention center is ready to go and when Dr. Tate perfects his serum .we can get to work."
****
Karl stood by as his men got inside the military vehicles. They were all dressed as US soldiers. Lewis came out to hand some papers to Karl.
"Here," Lewis held out the papers.
Karl took them and looked at them, "They look official enough."
"They are official," Lewis smiled. Karl was giving him a questionable look, "It's best you don't know how I do things. After all, how do you think Dr. Copeland got all of his equipment? You better get moving, my inside person says that Agent Fawkes is doing poorly." Lewis started to walk away.
"How am I supposed to know who this person is? So that they don't get killed," Karl questioned.
Lewis turned to face Karl again, "I really don't care, this.*person*.has done their job. I don't need him anymore, kill them all. Just bring me Fawkes alive."
Karl smiled with hunger when he heard the orders, "No problem." He turned and walked to the lead vehicle. He got inside and the military convoy drove off.
****
Tom, Ray and Hobbes set off to meet with a contact about a possible location where Darien is being held.
Claire and Sloan sat on the stools in the lab. They tried to keep working on Ed's research but neither of them could concentrate.
"I can't do this right now," Claire took of the safety glasses and nearly slammed them on the counter.
"I know what you mean, but I think they would want us to continue." Sloan said sympathetically. She was worried about Ed and Darien. She saw that Claire was an emotional wreck. "Why don't you go and get some rest. I'll stay and wait for word and as soon as I hear, I'll call you."
Claire half smiled, "Thanks, Sloan."
"If it means anything, Ed is pretty tough, he may not show it, but.he'll be okay." Sloan tried to sound reassuring. She thought to when he escaped the dominants in Alaska and spent the night in the Tundra. How he fought off the Spanish Flu and survived. She had to believe that he would find a way again to beat the odds.
"Yeah, Sloan, when he has to be tough I've seen it," Claire started to walk out when she stopped to look at Sloan, "Darien is too you know.tough. I've seen him get out of more situations then you can count on your fingers. He took care of himself for years, not by all legal activities, but still he did it." Claire smiled at Sloan.
"Thanks, Claire." Sloan watched as Claire left the lab and she went back to peering inside the microscope.
Claire never made it to her car.
****
Hobbes eyed the black man known as Mark Ward. With news that Walter's boss was behind Darien's disappearance, he had very little reason to trust anybody, let alone a dominant.
"You still don't trust me do you, Agent Hobbes?" Mark said straight faced.
"I've been in this business long enough, my friend. Bobby Hobbes trusts no one but his partner." Hobbes said as he deliberately pulled back his coat to show his weapon.
"You'll have no need to use that on me," Mark said.
"We'll see." Hobbes shot back. He stepped closer to Mark and turned his head slightly to glare at the tall man.
"You will." Mark countered. He took a step closer. Tom looked on worried.
"I hope so, for your sake." Hobbes concluded. He was practically chest to chest with Mark. Even though the dominant was nearly the same height as Darien, Hobbes didn't back down.
Tom looked wearily at the two men and then at Ray. Mark smiled at Hobbes, showing that he respected the shorter man's behavior. He was impressed that a human would be so brave to stand up to him like that. With humans this courageous, co-existence is the better solution.
Ray rolled his eyes after the exchange of words and glances were done. Hobbes and Mark reminded him of two young male lions fighting over territory. He was just glad it ended when both men silently agreed to back down. To Ray, it also show how determined Hobbes is to find Darien. If only all partners had each other's back like that. Ray would have enjoyed having a partner who was so loyal like Hobbes.
Tom glanced at Mark, "You have any word on where we can find Darien?"
Mark, still glancing at Hobbes answered Tom, "Yes, I do." He turned his gaze to Tom, "Here's the address and directions, but you have to hurry. My informant tells me that Lewis has sent Karl Hunter to rescue Darien. Karl is working for Lewis now."
Tom raised a brow at the mention of Karl's name. "Thanks, Mark."
"Who's this Karl person?" Hobbes asked.
"Only one of the most highly trained dominants in the military," Ray remarked.
"He was in Alaska working for Dr. Copeland when Ed was kidnapped. He was in charge of the guards at the time. He was arrested by the human military, but he was able to escape with a few others. If he's working with Lewis now, this makes finding Darien even more of an imperative." Tom said.
"Then why are we standing around talking. Let's go." Hobbes said.
****
The cell door opened and Ed tensed and panicky, he looked up. He had expected to see Connor and he wasn't sure if Stark's sudden appearance was going to be any better. "Well, are you here to get my punishment over with, cause this wait is worse?" Ed asked in a bitter tone.
"You scientists hate to wait don't you? Too persistent, must have the answers right away..." Stark pulled up a chair and sat down in front of Ed. "Well I for one am very patient."
"So, is this some sort of a torture social visit?" Ed asked cautiously.
"Well, I do know what files you sent to your computer, I knew the scientist in you couldn't resist." Stark smiled.
"I've heard that one before," Ed sighed. That's nearly the same thing that Copeland said to him about the Spanish Flu. "Look, lets not beat around the bush.what the hell do you want?"
"Direct approach, I like that."
"I'm a scientist; it's the only way I know how to be." Ed said rancorously.
"Maybe you are related to Darien Fawkes after all." Stark sneered, Ed raised a brow and smiled back. Stark stood up, "I'm going to give you one last chance and this time I don't think you'll be so quick to play the hero."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Ed said.
"I'm curious to know more about the dominants DNA. Do both parents have to be dominant or does it really matter?"
Ed spied Stark suspiciously, "Why do you ask?" Ed paused, "You're not thinking.no.you wouldn't?"
"Why wouldn't I, Dr. Tate? If you are going to defeat an enemy you have to think like them, and eventually become them."
"Look, you better make damn sure you know what you're getting yourself into. Dominants are aggressive by nature, it's an instinct. You can rework with the aging process, but I don't think you can alter instinct," replied Ed.
"I'm sure my scientists can figure out a way to curb their appetite." Stark smirked.
Ed stared deeply into Stark, "You know the answer already don't you? That's why Lewis was so interested in you. He knew what you were planning and wanted to stop you. That's why you're such a threat to him?"
"And now I have the geneticist who knows everything there is to know about dominant DNA." Stark smiled as he motioned towards Ed.
"This is why you hacked into the computers at the lab to get all my research."
"I needed to see how clever you were and you didn't disappoint me at all." Stark said to Ed with a twinkle in eye.
Ed thought for a moment, "You'll need DNA samples, you could use blood or hair but that's not what you have mind is it? You're not going to use a female dominant to supply you with eggs because they only release four a month. A man like you would want fast results. You need to build your new breed pretty fast.you're going to use dominant spermatozoa. You can fertilize thousands of eggs at one time."
Stark smiled, "Very close, Dr. Tate. We plan on only extracting the dominant gene and encoding it into our own. This is where you come in. Your work in genetics and immunology will come in handy for us. We won't be altering a large amount of our sperm, but we will have a few test subjects."
"I'm not going to help you create a genetically altered dominant." Ed stopped, alarm spread across his face, "Darien.you plan on using Darien?"
"Of course, who else would I use? His abilities are far greater than any dominant we've seen." Stark stood up, "He has two things I want, his DNA and quicksilver and I know how to extract both."
Ed stood up, "Wait, you've tested dominants, for how long?"
"Let's just say my organization has known about them for as long as you have. But your work has exceeded our own. You have been a great help to us, Dr. Tate."
Ed looked away a little infuriated, "So, why now? Why kidnap me now and force me to work for you?"
"We are very patient, Dr. Tate, and we have a lifetime to wait. We wanted to see what would happen, to see what we were up against." Stark said.
"I don't believe you. What you want is an all out war so we could wipe each other out and leave the planet to you. Your organization would just sit back and watch the entertainment. And when it was over, you'd have the place to yourselves without ever having to lift a finger." Ed said.
Stark glared at Ed.
Ed shook his head, "Uh-huh, men like you, like Lewis, you always have a hidden agenda. What'd you do? Got demoted and now you're trying to show, what was that woman's name? Sharon, you're trying to prove yourself again to Sharon by creating a *master race*" Ed smiled, "Excuse me, I mean *master species*. You're treading on thin ice here, Stark. You have no clue as to what you're getting yourself into by tampering with boundaries of nature and science."
"Like you and your gene therapy? Isn't that what you're doing by altering dominant DNA? You're tampering with the natural course of evolution, Dr. Tate." Stark answered back.
Ed looked down, "I'm trying to prevent an extinction of our species."
"Are you? You need to rethink that, doctor. You will be causing an extinction of at least one species and doesn't that go against all you're taught? Doesn't the extinction of a species disrupt the balance of nature?"
Ed glared at Stark, "I guess then we're in the same boat. You've gone to great lengths to try and wipe out humanity. So don't lecture me about ethics."
Stark nodded, "Fair enough."
Ed ran his hand through his long hair, "You do realize if you remove the gland you'll kill Darien."
Stark smiled and walked towards the door. He opened it and looked back at Ed, "I don't plan on removing the gland, just the quicksilver."
"You sick son of a."
"Careful doctor, that language is unbecoming a person of your stature."
"Yeah, well maybe, but you are one deluded person," Ed sneered.
Stark motioned for one of the guards, "Take him to room 5." Stark looked at Ed, "No tricks this time."
Ed was escorted out of his cell. 'Stark has seriously lost his mind,' he thought to himself as he walked in between the two guards.
****
Darien woke up with a major headache. He moaned in pain.
"I can give you something for that," a voice said.
Darien didn't bother to look up; it hurt to bad to move, "But."
"You know the routine don't you?"
"I'm a professional lab rat, I know all the routines." Darien hissed.
"We have to know how long the effects last."
Darien winced, "Yeah, yeah. What you use on me.a neuralizer or something?"
The scientist laughed, "Something like that. But I need for you do something for me?"
"I think I've done enough.your little weapon works." Darien sneered through his pain. His head felt like it was about to explode.
"This is easy, quicksilver your hand."
"Want to make sure you didn't damage the government's 17 million dollar baby." Darien held up his hand and it disappeared. He tried to read the man's mind but couldn't, 'It must be the headache. Wonder how long that will last?' Darien stopped the quicksilver and his hand reappeared.
"That's good, any pain when you did that?"
"No."
"Can you read my mind?"
"Ah, what makes you think I'd tell you?"
The scientist smiled, "You can't can you? The pain is too intense for you to focus. That's something unexpected."
"Isn't that what these little tests are for?" Darien looked at the scientist, "What are you going to do here?"
"You're smart, Agent Fawkes, I'm sure you can figure it out." The scientist turned and walked out.
Darien rested his head on his arm and waited for the pain to subside. He wondered what the next test would be. "Hobbes, where the hell are you?"
****
Karl and his men stopped just short of the compound. He radioed back to his men, "Get ready and remember, don't start shooting until I give the word." Karl signaled for the driver to move towards the guard tower.
****
Hobbes and the others were on their way to the compound. He turned to Mark, "How did you find out where we could find Fawkes?"
"We have people in places you don't even know about. Not as spies, but as watchers." Mark said.
"Spies, watchers.all the same to me, my friend."
"Our watchers are not spies, Agent Hobbes. How do you think we found out about Agent Fawkes? My people not only watch humans but dominants as well. Our goal is to prevent war and the only way to do that is to keep an eye out on what both camps are doing."
"Well, your intel better be correcto mundo. My partner's life is at stake here."
"And so is the idea for co-existence. Agent Fawkes could play a valuable role towards peace between our species. He can't fall into Lewis' hands."
Hobbes looked at Mark. The man had a genuine concern for Fawkes, but he was still suspicious of his motives, "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts."
"What was that Agent Hobbes?" Mark asked.
"Oh nothing.nothing at all." Hobbes watched the scenery go by. He hoped they were not too late.
****
Ed was brought back into the room again with the computer, "Ahh.again!?"
"This time Dr. Tate, I will get the information I want." Stark motioned to one of the guards.
"What makes you think I'll still help you?" Ed asked.
"Because I don't think you would want someone you love getting hurt," Stark looked towards the door as it opened.
Ed's expression changed to complete horror when Claire was pushed into the room, "Claire!?! No!" Ed charged at Stark but was stopped by two guards.
"Now, now Dr. Tate, that won't help," Stark sneered.
"Ed? Oh my God, Ed!" Claire exclaimed when she saw Ed. "What do you want, Stark?"
"Well, hello to you too Dr. Keeply and what I want from you is information about the gland." Stark turned his gaze towards Ed, "Now, are you going to help me?"
Ed looked at Claire, he couldn't let anything happen to her and he couldn't help Stark either. Sadly he bowed his said, "I'm sorry, Claire," Ed looked up and glared at Stark, "But I'm not helping you with anything."
Claire sighed in relief. Stark smiled, "I thought so, Dr. Tate. I'll just have to try another way to persuade one of you." Stark nodded his head and again the door opened. Something that resembled a very large coffin was brought into the room.
"What is that?" Ed said. He was alarmed and fear gripped him.
"You wouldn't?" Claire cried out. She had recognized the cryopod right away.
"I wouldn't? You don't know me very well, Dr. Keeply." Stark walked over to Claire, "I lost two scientists and Adam Reese because of Fawkes. He owes me and I plan on settling that debt one by one." Stark moved away from Claire and put his hand on the mysterious object, "This Dr. Tate is what we call a 'cryopod'. It's something we've developed. I'm sure you've heard of cryogenics."
"Well yeah, sure.wait, you aren't going to.?" Ed asked. A large lump formed in his throat.
"You've left me no choice." Stark opened the cyropod.
"No! Wait! I'll help you; just don't do this to Claire." Ed said. He found it hard to swallow his throat was so dry. His stomach sank as he thought of Claire in the cryopod. He couldn't let Claire suffer. He would just have to take his chances with Stark.
"Ed!" Claire shook her head, "Don't help him with anything." She pleaded with Ed. She saw the fear in his face. He was risking way too much to save her.
Stark laughed and turned towards Claire, "Oh my dear, this isn't for you."
"What?" Claire asked.
"What?" Ed asked.
Stark turned to face Ed, "It's meant for you."
Horror-struck, Ed pleaded, "Wait, you said you needed my help with genetically altering dominant DNA!?!"
"That's right, and I will need it. But first, I need some leverage in order for my plan to work." Stark nodded and Ed was injected with a red substance.
"NOOOO!" Claire yelled. She tried to struggle but she was held back.
Ed didn't have a chance to react. The drug worked quickly and Ed sagged against the guards. One wrapped his arms around Ed's chest while the other grabbed his legs. Together they lifted him up and placed him in the cryopod.
"No, please, not him." Claire watched as the lid closed. Stark pushed the buttons and the cyropod was filled with the freezing vapors. She closed her eyes. A single tear slid down her face.
Stark walked over to Claire, "Dr. Tate proved to be intelligent and resourceful. We like that in our scientists. If it wasn't for the dominant situation he would have slipped through our fingers."
Claire glared at Stark with distain in her eyes, "You bastard. You can't do this!"
"I believe I just did. Now as you well know, you have 48 hours to get him out of there before its too late. I suggest you think about your situation." Stark motioned to the guards to let Claire go.
Claire ran over to the cryopod, she brushed the ice away that had already formed on the top of the glass lid. She peered through the glass and saw Ed. He looked peaceful as the cold slumber took over. Her tears fell on the lid and formed into ice right away.
"Show Dr. Keeply her room," Stark ordered.
"You won't get away with this, Darien will find us," Claire said spitefully even though she didn't know where he was.
"I'm counting on it." Stark watched as Claire was taken from the room. He looked at the cryopod, "Sleep well, Dr. Tate."
TBC.
