A Note From the Author~ After I finished my last story, I realized that I
was spending half of my life on fanfiction.net. I resolved to take a break,
cut down on the time I spend on ff.net and read only a few select fics.
Well, less than a month later, I'm back and writing more. *sheepish grin*
This is not a sequel to the Eta Project, however (although if you haven't
read it, I'd love you if you did! ^^). This particular fic idea came to me
while re-watching Wired Part 2 for the millionth time. It's an AU
(Alternate Universe) fiction, and it's promising to be a lot darker than my
last fiction. Just realize that this particular AU completely disregards
almost everything we learned in Hologram Man, and several other details may
be different as well, although that will come later.
I write these fics mainly for my own enjoyment, and post them because I can't bear to see it sitting on my computer desktop with nothing to do. However, I love reading reviews, so if you do take the time to read, would you mind dropping me a note? The Zeta Project fan fiction section is generally a very friendly section, from what I've seen, but I'll put it here just in case. . .
Constructive criticism is welcome and encouraged, but flames are just cruel. I have an incredibly thick skin when it comes to people criticising me without giving any reason, so I will ignore you. Constructive criticism is much more effective. Wow, this note is long. Without further ado. . .the disclaimer! ^^
Disclaimer~ Just in case you thought the Zeta Project belongs to me, it doesn't. Wish it did, especially Zee, but it doesn't. Consider this chapter and the rest disclaimed. Now for the actual story.
Chapter 1~ Search
Somewhere, in this place, somewhere, he was here. The one he had to find at all costs, the one who meant so much more to him than just freedom, but a sense of need that he could not understand. Somewhere, waiting, nearby-
"Zee!" came the urgent whisper. Zeta was startled out of his strange thoughts by the blond girl who crouched next to him in the cold, metal lab, hidden behind his hologram meant to look like a box of old computer parts.
"Yes?" he said back, not in a whisper, but in a tone so soft that none but she could hear.
"You've been staring out there for hours, and my legs are starting to cramp. Haven't you found anything?"
"No. But I know Dr. Selig will be here. He had a meeting with Dr. Giannichi here today at 7:00. I wonder why he's late."
The sound of footsteps filled the hall. Too many footsteps, moving too fast. Three figures in dark suits entered the room. There were more following. One raised a pair of what looked like green lensed binoculars to her eyes.
"We'd better get out of here," whispered Ro again, tugging on his holographic blue coat sleeve.
"But. . .Dr. Selig. . ." said Zee, strangely against leaving even though it meant capture. He wanted to find Selig- with every day this desire became stronger, more powerful. But it wouldn't do to be caught, he decided finally. He let down the outer hologram around him and Ro, and lifted her up. She frowned at him, not liking to be carried, but trusted him enough to let him do it.
The NSA spotted them immediately, and the red-headed agent in front frantically began firing his sidearm, to the exasperation of his partner. Zeta's fist that did not hold Ro smashed the window, and still holding her, he jumped from the second story, throwing his free arm out for balance as he landed perfectly on his feet.
Once on the ground, stepping out of the deep imprints he had left in the ground on landing, Zeta realized escape might present a problem. They had just left one of the governments notorious hidden labs, this one minimum security but still troublesome. The guards were already working to activate the gate that would close the security field around the perimeter. Not to mention that the lab was located deep in a supposed wildlife preserved in southern Maryland. There was only one road in and out, so the NSA would catch up to him very quickly.
Zeta processed this information in less than a second, and chose the best method of escape, stealing a security truck nearby. He ripped open the door and tossed Ro into the passengers' seat before connecting to the Truck's computer and starting it up. Ro brushed herself off and glared at her friend in annoyance for tossing her around, but fastened her seatbelt hastily as he veered through the closing security gate, and made it through just in time.
She was glad of her seatbelt a few seconds later when a small blue car turned onto the entrance ramp as they sped out of it, and crashed headlong into the truck. The two cars slammed against the wall violently. Ro slumped down in her seat.
"Ro, are you alright?" Zeta shook his friend's shoulder gently, in concern. She coughed and opened her eyes, groaning mildly.
"Wha' happened?" she muttered thickly.
"We crashed into another car."
The sound of the NSA van charging up came to their ears, so loud that even Ro could recognize it.
"Let's go," she commanded, more alert.
"Wait! There's someone in that car- they may be hurt!"
"Zee! There isn't time!" she complained, knowing it was useless. Zeta had already forced open the car door.
"They still have to open the shield before they can get here, and- Ro! I don't believe it! It's Dr. Selig!"
"What? He. . .he's okay, right?"
"He's hurt. Head injury, but I believe he'll make it. We need to get somewhere safe."
Zeta lifted the unconscious man, thinking that it might be best to leave him for care here, but wondering if there even was a hospital nearby. He began to run into the woods, keeping to a north-eastern direction. Ro followed, legs aching as she struggled to keep up with his superhuman pace.
Zeta kept running through the forest, having no idea where he was running to. All he knew was that he had to get Dr. Selig to safety, and he somehow felt that this way would provide a safe haven.
The forest was deep and wide, he had been running for over an hour and was still in the thick of it. His keen senses picked up that the footsteps behind him were falling heavier and slower. He turned his head around to see Ro, clutching her side, panting so heavily she could barely speak.
"Could we stop for a sec?" she finally spat out. He frowned. Everything told him not to stop, to keep running, that he had to go on. Something terrible might happen if he didn't continue.
"Let's keep going. We may find someplace soon. . ."
"Can you still hear them?" she asked, preparing to start again as she registered Zee's concern and realized they may not yet be safe.
"No," he admitted, unable to explain the sense of urgency that pushed him on.
"Okay then." She sat down on the ground, inhaling deeply.
"Ro. . ."
She shot him a nasty look. "Well I'm sorry if we can't all be perfect like you, Zee, but humans need to rest every once in awhile!"
"I'm sorry."
"S'ok," she muttered, laying back down on the ground and closing her eyes, though still awake. Zeta lay Dr. Selig down next to her, and examined his vital signs. He was still breathing, and his heart rate was normal, not to mention his eyelids moved slightly. He didn't seem to be in danger of death anymore, but instead in a semi-conscious sleep. Zeta left him and walked for a bit through the bushes, following the sound of running water. He found a small stream, and cupped the clear liquid in his palms, pressing them tightly together to avoid spilling as he walked back to Ro. She pulled herself up using his shoulder for support and drank out of his hands.
"Mmm, cold. Thanks, needed that. And, well. . .sorry. For making you stop."
"It isn't your fault. It's mine, I haven't been thinking of you. You can't travel as fast as I can, but we can slow down our pace. Dr. Selig won't die, even if delayed from the hospital for awhile. But we need to get to Spring City, it isn't too far, and we'll be safer."
"Oh, yeah, Spring City, real safe. Not like it's the crime capital of the world or anything."
"It isn't so bad. There is a large gang issue, but the crime rate is lower than in Gotham City. And we'll be able to hide there."
"I know, it just isn't exactly my favourite city in the world. Holds too many less than joyous memories. But hey, at least in Spring City we won't look out of place carting around some guy's body," she said darkly, gesturing at Dr. Selig.
"Are you ready?"
Ro stood up and brushed the dirt off her clothes, then gave him a less than enthusiastic grin.
"Follow me."
Zeta lifted Dr. Selig once more, and began heading steadily northwards, slowing down and checking over his shoulder occasionally to make sure that Ro was still following.
It was night now, and the new moon offered no light to the fugitives. It didn't matter- Zeta didn't need light, he could see in the dark, and the route to Spring City was programmed into his Global Positioning System. Ro didn't need much light, the glow reflected from the stars allowed her to see her companion's tall form several feet ahead of her.
The trees surrounding them dissipated and gave way to flat farmland and the lights of houses. These lights grew more and more populous as they walked. Soon enough, Ro was able to see a mass of dazzling light far in the distance- the busy Spring City. She watched for awhile, not noticing how long she was taking, having mixed feelings about the lovely sight which held so many lonely memories. The cold grasp of Zee's hand on her arm jolted her out of her thoughts.
"Look. . ." he pointed not towards the city, but behind them, to a small house a ways down a road, and a shiny black car in the driveway. "We'll go much faster by car. . ."
"You're going to steal it?" asked Ro, surprised.
"No. I'll leave a sufficient amount of money to pay for the car."
"Yeah, but Zee, they still aren't gonna like it. . ."
"Why?" he remarked curiously.
"Never mind, we'll go faster. . ."
They took the car, laying Dr. Selig carefully down in the back. Ro stretched against the soft leather passenger seat.
"You'd better have left plenty of money, 'cause this is a pretty schway car. You've been spending too much time around me, Zee, I still can't get used to you stealing."
Zeta blinked impassively, and she grinned at him to show that she was kidding. The corners of his mouth lifted in an imitation of her grin, and the hand that had not tapped into the wheel of the car rested on her shoulder. Suppressing an exhausted yawn, Ro laid her head on Zee's own shoulder. She resolved not to sleep until they were in Spring City, to watch the road and help if Zee needed her, but her eyelids felt heavy and she couldn't help shutting them for just a few seconds.
She awoke much later driving through Spring City. Even though it was very late, the lights were still on in most buildings and traffic was still gliding above the streets, speeding and honking. They were driving through a part of town near the girl's home where Ro had lived a few months after being kicked out of her latest foster home. This had always been a poorer, crime ridden part of town, and Ro could recognize the various hideouts and graffiti symbols of all the local gangs.
"Zee?" she asked gently of her friend. He turned his surprised dark eyes towards her, not having known that she was awake.
"Hello. What is it?"
"Where are we going? Shouldn't we take him to Spring City Mercy Hospital, on the south side of town? Most of the hospitals around here won't really be much good."
Zeta frowned, not out of annoyance but speculation.
"I'm not going to a hospital."
"Why? Doesn't he kinda need a doctor, he's been out for how long?"
"I can't explain, but something seems wrong. I don't want to endanger Dr. Selig's life. I'm trying to find a safe hiding place."
"You shoulda woke me up. If anyone knows Spring City, especially the bad part of town, I do," she remarked cheerfully, a dark edge to her voice.
"I know, but I'm trying to find something specific. I think. . .here."
He pointed to a dingy high rise hotel on the corner of the street. A large neon sign proclaimed "The Spring City Day Hotel."
"Uh. . .it looks. . .interesting, Zee. . .but why?"
"I don't know. But I think it will be safe."
Ro took in the boarded windows, peeling paint, flickering sign, and glass scattered across the ground in front, as if a gun shot had broken some of the windows. "Whatever you say, Zee. . ." she remarked dubiously. He ignored her and parked in the lot next door. Ro stepped out, and was thankful for her sneakers as she crunched a sharp piece of glass beneath her foot. Zeta lifted Dr. Selig out of the back, whose eyelids fluttered softly.
"Zee, he's waking up."
"Yes, of course. He hasn't been truly unconscious for hours, but his body is still resting itself. A head injury can be quite tiresome, especially at his age. I haven't had a chance to talk to him," he added, seeing the look on Ro's face.
Zeta opened the door to the hotel. Several people sat in the lobby. All three were large, muscle bound men wearing grimy clothes and a murderous look. As soon as Ro and Zee entered, they turned their gazes on the pair and the man that Zeta carried. Ro stuck out her chin defiantly, ignoring the sidearms they all carried. Zee's face showed no sign of emotion, but his hand gripped Ro's arm very tightly. Otherwise, he ignored them and steered Ro towards the elevator. The doors opened, and Zeta automatically instructed the elevator to take them to floor 13. Ro glanced back into the lobby as the door closed them inside the lift, but the men were gone.
They reached the 13th floor, and stepped out onto a landing that was decorated rather lavishly in comparison to the run down lobby. Zeta looked behind him sharply, his aural sensors picking up the sound of people behind them that Ro had missed.
The men from the lobby stood there, having somehow caught up to them, and were blocking the elevator. Some other, better dressed men approached from the other direction. Three took Dr. Selig from Zee's hands, and the other four removed Ro from the synthoid's side.
"Zee!" she cried indignantly at being handled against her will, struggling impatiently against her captors. To her surprise, Zeta did not move to help her. He stood there silently and allowed the two to be taken from him without a fight, although not completely impassively- his gaze shifted protectively from Ro to Dr. Selig and instantly back to Ro. Again, some strange feeling told him not to resist these men.
The double doors on the end of the room opened, and a heavy, nearly bald man stepped out. He grinned, flashing a row of chipped white teeth, and spoke in a light, East Gotham accent.
"Welcome back, Zeta. Name's Sweete. Congrats, on finally bringing us Selig. We owe ya one."
I write these fics mainly for my own enjoyment, and post them because I can't bear to see it sitting on my computer desktop with nothing to do. However, I love reading reviews, so if you do take the time to read, would you mind dropping me a note? The Zeta Project fan fiction section is generally a very friendly section, from what I've seen, but I'll put it here just in case. . .
Constructive criticism is welcome and encouraged, but flames are just cruel. I have an incredibly thick skin when it comes to people criticising me without giving any reason, so I will ignore you. Constructive criticism is much more effective. Wow, this note is long. Without further ado. . .the disclaimer! ^^
Disclaimer~ Just in case you thought the Zeta Project belongs to me, it doesn't. Wish it did, especially Zee, but it doesn't. Consider this chapter and the rest disclaimed. Now for the actual story.
Chapter 1~ Search
Somewhere, in this place, somewhere, he was here. The one he had to find at all costs, the one who meant so much more to him than just freedom, but a sense of need that he could not understand. Somewhere, waiting, nearby-
"Zee!" came the urgent whisper. Zeta was startled out of his strange thoughts by the blond girl who crouched next to him in the cold, metal lab, hidden behind his hologram meant to look like a box of old computer parts.
"Yes?" he said back, not in a whisper, but in a tone so soft that none but she could hear.
"You've been staring out there for hours, and my legs are starting to cramp. Haven't you found anything?"
"No. But I know Dr. Selig will be here. He had a meeting with Dr. Giannichi here today at 7:00. I wonder why he's late."
The sound of footsteps filled the hall. Too many footsteps, moving too fast. Three figures in dark suits entered the room. There were more following. One raised a pair of what looked like green lensed binoculars to her eyes.
"We'd better get out of here," whispered Ro again, tugging on his holographic blue coat sleeve.
"But. . .Dr. Selig. . ." said Zee, strangely against leaving even though it meant capture. He wanted to find Selig- with every day this desire became stronger, more powerful. But it wouldn't do to be caught, he decided finally. He let down the outer hologram around him and Ro, and lifted her up. She frowned at him, not liking to be carried, but trusted him enough to let him do it.
The NSA spotted them immediately, and the red-headed agent in front frantically began firing his sidearm, to the exasperation of his partner. Zeta's fist that did not hold Ro smashed the window, and still holding her, he jumped from the second story, throwing his free arm out for balance as he landed perfectly on his feet.
Once on the ground, stepping out of the deep imprints he had left in the ground on landing, Zeta realized escape might present a problem. They had just left one of the governments notorious hidden labs, this one minimum security but still troublesome. The guards were already working to activate the gate that would close the security field around the perimeter. Not to mention that the lab was located deep in a supposed wildlife preserved in southern Maryland. There was only one road in and out, so the NSA would catch up to him very quickly.
Zeta processed this information in less than a second, and chose the best method of escape, stealing a security truck nearby. He ripped open the door and tossed Ro into the passengers' seat before connecting to the Truck's computer and starting it up. Ro brushed herself off and glared at her friend in annoyance for tossing her around, but fastened her seatbelt hastily as he veered through the closing security gate, and made it through just in time.
She was glad of her seatbelt a few seconds later when a small blue car turned onto the entrance ramp as they sped out of it, and crashed headlong into the truck. The two cars slammed against the wall violently. Ro slumped down in her seat.
"Ro, are you alright?" Zeta shook his friend's shoulder gently, in concern. She coughed and opened her eyes, groaning mildly.
"Wha' happened?" she muttered thickly.
"We crashed into another car."
The sound of the NSA van charging up came to their ears, so loud that even Ro could recognize it.
"Let's go," she commanded, more alert.
"Wait! There's someone in that car- they may be hurt!"
"Zee! There isn't time!" she complained, knowing it was useless. Zeta had already forced open the car door.
"They still have to open the shield before they can get here, and- Ro! I don't believe it! It's Dr. Selig!"
"What? He. . .he's okay, right?"
"He's hurt. Head injury, but I believe he'll make it. We need to get somewhere safe."
Zeta lifted the unconscious man, thinking that it might be best to leave him for care here, but wondering if there even was a hospital nearby. He began to run into the woods, keeping to a north-eastern direction. Ro followed, legs aching as she struggled to keep up with his superhuman pace.
Zeta kept running through the forest, having no idea where he was running to. All he knew was that he had to get Dr. Selig to safety, and he somehow felt that this way would provide a safe haven.
The forest was deep and wide, he had been running for over an hour and was still in the thick of it. His keen senses picked up that the footsteps behind him were falling heavier and slower. He turned his head around to see Ro, clutching her side, panting so heavily she could barely speak.
"Could we stop for a sec?" she finally spat out. He frowned. Everything told him not to stop, to keep running, that he had to go on. Something terrible might happen if he didn't continue.
"Let's keep going. We may find someplace soon. . ."
"Can you still hear them?" she asked, preparing to start again as she registered Zee's concern and realized they may not yet be safe.
"No," he admitted, unable to explain the sense of urgency that pushed him on.
"Okay then." She sat down on the ground, inhaling deeply.
"Ro. . ."
She shot him a nasty look. "Well I'm sorry if we can't all be perfect like you, Zee, but humans need to rest every once in awhile!"
"I'm sorry."
"S'ok," she muttered, laying back down on the ground and closing her eyes, though still awake. Zeta lay Dr. Selig down next to her, and examined his vital signs. He was still breathing, and his heart rate was normal, not to mention his eyelids moved slightly. He didn't seem to be in danger of death anymore, but instead in a semi-conscious sleep. Zeta left him and walked for a bit through the bushes, following the sound of running water. He found a small stream, and cupped the clear liquid in his palms, pressing them tightly together to avoid spilling as he walked back to Ro. She pulled herself up using his shoulder for support and drank out of his hands.
"Mmm, cold. Thanks, needed that. And, well. . .sorry. For making you stop."
"It isn't your fault. It's mine, I haven't been thinking of you. You can't travel as fast as I can, but we can slow down our pace. Dr. Selig won't die, even if delayed from the hospital for awhile. But we need to get to Spring City, it isn't too far, and we'll be safer."
"Oh, yeah, Spring City, real safe. Not like it's the crime capital of the world or anything."
"It isn't so bad. There is a large gang issue, but the crime rate is lower than in Gotham City. And we'll be able to hide there."
"I know, it just isn't exactly my favourite city in the world. Holds too many less than joyous memories. But hey, at least in Spring City we won't look out of place carting around some guy's body," she said darkly, gesturing at Dr. Selig.
"Are you ready?"
Ro stood up and brushed the dirt off her clothes, then gave him a less than enthusiastic grin.
"Follow me."
Zeta lifted Dr. Selig once more, and began heading steadily northwards, slowing down and checking over his shoulder occasionally to make sure that Ro was still following.
It was night now, and the new moon offered no light to the fugitives. It didn't matter- Zeta didn't need light, he could see in the dark, and the route to Spring City was programmed into his Global Positioning System. Ro didn't need much light, the glow reflected from the stars allowed her to see her companion's tall form several feet ahead of her.
The trees surrounding them dissipated and gave way to flat farmland and the lights of houses. These lights grew more and more populous as they walked. Soon enough, Ro was able to see a mass of dazzling light far in the distance- the busy Spring City. She watched for awhile, not noticing how long she was taking, having mixed feelings about the lovely sight which held so many lonely memories. The cold grasp of Zee's hand on her arm jolted her out of her thoughts.
"Look. . ." he pointed not towards the city, but behind them, to a small house a ways down a road, and a shiny black car in the driveway. "We'll go much faster by car. . ."
"You're going to steal it?" asked Ro, surprised.
"No. I'll leave a sufficient amount of money to pay for the car."
"Yeah, but Zee, they still aren't gonna like it. . ."
"Why?" he remarked curiously.
"Never mind, we'll go faster. . ."
They took the car, laying Dr. Selig carefully down in the back. Ro stretched against the soft leather passenger seat.
"You'd better have left plenty of money, 'cause this is a pretty schway car. You've been spending too much time around me, Zee, I still can't get used to you stealing."
Zeta blinked impassively, and she grinned at him to show that she was kidding. The corners of his mouth lifted in an imitation of her grin, and the hand that had not tapped into the wheel of the car rested on her shoulder. Suppressing an exhausted yawn, Ro laid her head on Zee's own shoulder. She resolved not to sleep until they were in Spring City, to watch the road and help if Zee needed her, but her eyelids felt heavy and she couldn't help shutting them for just a few seconds.
She awoke much later driving through Spring City. Even though it was very late, the lights were still on in most buildings and traffic was still gliding above the streets, speeding and honking. They were driving through a part of town near the girl's home where Ro had lived a few months after being kicked out of her latest foster home. This had always been a poorer, crime ridden part of town, and Ro could recognize the various hideouts and graffiti symbols of all the local gangs.
"Zee?" she asked gently of her friend. He turned his surprised dark eyes towards her, not having known that she was awake.
"Hello. What is it?"
"Where are we going? Shouldn't we take him to Spring City Mercy Hospital, on the south side of town? Most of the hospitals around here won't really be much good."
Zeta frowned, not out of annoyance but speculation.
"I'm not going to a hospital."
"Why? Doesn't he kinda need a doctor, he's been out for how long?"
"I can't explain, but something seems wrong. I don't want to endanger Dr. Selig's life. I'm trying to find a safe hiding place."
"You shoulda woke me up. If anyone knows Spring City, especially the bad part of town, I do," she remarked cheerfully, a dark edge to her voice.
"I know, but I'm trying to find something specific. I think. . .here."
He pointed to a dingy high rise hotel on the corner of the street. A large neon sign proclaimed "The Spring City Day Hotel."
"Uh. . .it looks. . .interesting, Zee. . .but why?"
"I don't know. But I think it will be safe."
Ro took in the boarded windows, peeling paint, flickering sign, and glass scattered across the ground in front, as if a gun shot had broken some of the windows. "Whatever you say, Zee. . ." she remarked dubiously. He ignored her and parked in the lot next door. Ro stepped out, and was thankful for her sneakers as she crunched a sharp piece of glass beneath her foot. Zeta lifted Dr. Selig out of the back, whose eyelids fluttered softly.
"Zee, he's waking up."
"Yes, of course. He hasn't been truly unconscious for hours, but his body is still resting itself. A head injury can be quite tiresome, especially at his age. I haven't had a chance to talk to him," he added, seeing the look on Ro's face.
Zeta opened the door to the hotel. Several people sat in the lobby. All three were large, muscle bound men wearing grimy clothes and a murderous look. As soon as Ro and Zee entered, they turned their gazes on the pair and the man that Zeta carried. Ro stuck out her chin defiantly, ignoring the sidearms they all carried. Zee's face showed no sign of emotion, but his hand gripped Ro's arm very tightly. Otherwise, he ignored them and steered Ro towards the elevator. The doors opened, and Zeta automatically instructed the elevator to take them to floor 13. Ro glanced back into the lobby as the door closed them inside the lift, but the men were gone.
They reached the 13th floor, and stepped out onto a landing that was decorated rather lavishly in comparison to the run down lobby. Zeta looked behind him sharply, his aural sensors picking up the sound of people behind them that Ro had missed.
The men from the lobby stood there, having somehow caught up to them, and were blocking the elevator. Some other, better dressed men approached from the other direction. Three took Dr. Selig from Zee's hands, and the other four removed Ro from the synthoid's side.
"Zee!" she cried indignantly at being handled against her will, struggling impatiently against her captors. To her surprise, Zeta did not move to help her. He stood there silently and allowed the two to be taken from him without a fight, although not completely impassively- his gaze shifted protectively from Ro to Dr. Selig and instantly back to Ro. Again, some strange feeling told him not to resist these men.
The double doors on the end of the room opened, and a heavy, nearly bald man stepped out. He grinned, flashing a row of chipped white teeth, and spoke in a light, East Gotham accent.
"Welcome back, Zeta. Name's Sweete. Congrats, on finally bringing us Selig. We owe ya one."