Chapter 12 – Possibilites
A/N: Hey y'all, thanks much for the encouragement. I was needing it……….. R.
Time passed slowly in the dimly lit holding area. Jesse, Lana, Chloe and Dr. Bryce continued to alternate between trying to rouse Brennan and Frank, and between looking for a way out. Dr. Bryce examined the two unconscious mutants and Jesse and determined that there were at least two implants in the men's skulls and necks.
"They look horrible," Chloe commented to Lana, running a hand along the rock-like mass that was Brennan's face and chest. "By the way," she added, blushing, "sorry about the nasty comments in the elevator."
Lana avoided her eyes. "I think you need to be apologizing to Dr. Bryce."
Chloe stared frustrated at her friend. Lana hadn't indicated any forgiveness for the Clark comment. "You still think I'm a loser, don't you?" Chloe asked, baiting her.
Lana sighed irritably. Throwing her hands up into the air she said, "I don't know what to think any more, Chloe. We were all drugged in there and said and did some pretty horrible things. I just keep thinking that those words and actions wouldn't have come out unless they were already hidden inside of us." She sighed again. "I just don't want to think about it!"
Chloe grimaced. She did feel bad about what she said and wished that she hadn't let out her inner demons back there. "So you think I'm a loser. I'm sorry, Lana," the blond said again.
Lana shrugged dismissively. "Don't worry about it."
Chloe stared at her. "You're still not yourself are you?"
Lana glared back at Chloe. "You keep dredging up my past. I'm not fragile. I don't lord my tragic past over anyone, and I'm not a Princess. Now shut up about it. OK?" Lana's eyes glittered with suppressed rage. She grasped one of the metal joists that supported the table that Brennan was strapped to and twisted it, leaving her hand print in it. Chloe stared open-mouthed at her friend then closed her mouth resolutely.
"I guess I'm not messin with you, Lana." Chloe said, staring at the tortured metal, then at her friend. Lana stared at Chloe then at her hand in astonishment.
"Dr. Bryce?" Lana called in alarm.
Helen Bryce and Jesse had been discussing the metallic inserts in Jesse's head. "My guess is that they are some sort of control devices. Do you feel any pain, Jesse?"
"Only when I try to think a certain way," Jesse said evasively. Dr. Bryce looked at him skeptically.
Leaning toward him confidentially she told him, "I know about Dr. Kane's experiments and I'm aware of Brennan's unique morphology. You can trust me, Jesse."
They turned toward Lana at her cry of alarm. Just then, Brennan began to moan and convulse. As Jesse and Dr. Bryce ran to them, Brennan started crying "AHHHHH" through the grotesque, open hole that was his mouth. Moments later, Frank also began convulsing and crying out in pain. The metallic bands that held them to the table held firm. Dr. Bryce hovered cautiously nearby, wanting to help, not sure that the retraints would hold. The rocklike ridges and formations began to slowly melt away. Their faces became less distorted; eyelids and eyes became visible, lips grew back over the vacant holes that had been their mouths. Although the arms and torsos were still rocklike, the mass seemed to recede a little. The two men quieted down and seemed to sleep.
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A LABORATORY IN LEXCORP….
Emma was under control again. Adam's eyes inevitably stole over to Queu's computer which displayed a photo of Mr. Warren. Adam's expression darkened and he approached the thin, gray-haired man.
"Excuse me, Mr. Queu, do you know who this person is displayed on your screen?" Adam asked.
"Oh. I was running a cross-check on the voice recorded on Lex's phone, Dr. Kane. The phone threat, ya know." Queu responded. "Is this anyone you know?"
Adam frowned thoughtfully. "How is it that you have such an advanced database? Are you hooked up with the government database?"
Lex stepped in. "I provide only the best possible equipment for my employees, Adam," he said firmly. "Is this someone you know?" he repeated Mr. Queu's question.
Adam looked gravely at Lex and at Mr. Queu. "Yes it is," he replied. "Lex, remember what I told you about the Tribunal and the lead I received about this group of fanatics? This man was the Prosecutor. If they decide to make you stand trial before them, you are on a one-way ticket to a death-sentence. I fear that your father may have been taken captive by this group." Queu looked at Adam with a compassionate, pained expression on his face then looked down in order to hide the glee in his eyes. Adam's previous run-in with the Tribunal undoubtedly left a lasting impression. He composed himself and looked up, suppressing a sigh.
Lex had a mild, interested expression. "Looks like you may have had some personal experience with these people."
Adam continued, "Lex, do you have any projects or research pertaining to human genetics? Any meteor rock experiments? My sources have informed me that the Tribunal has already determined that LuthorCorp and LexCorp are manufacturing meteor rock products designed to produce unnatural, enhanced humans and they are determined to terminate these alleged operations. These are powerful, but seriously sociopathic individuals who will stop at nothing to eliminate those who they perceive as dangers to their perception of a perfect society. These self-righteous vigilantes intend to try and convict you and Lionel for tampering with human genetics." Adam shook his head. "I can't imagine what set them against you, that's why I sent my people here in the first place- to warn and protect both of you and to keep you out of the Tribunal's mockery of a trial."
"Your story has a thread of consistency, Adam." Lex replied seriously. "Although I can buy into the concept of powerful individuals manipulating the economy for their own gain, I find it hard to believe in a Conspiracy of said individuals against the Luthors. I would be more inclined to believe that the Luthor family has membership in this elite group." Lex smiled skeptically. "And to think that you and your associates are trying to save us, Adam?" he asked pleasantly, glancing over at Clark who was listening quietly to the conversation. "Forgive me for my skepticism, but I can't help but think you're here for something more than rescuing the powerful Luthors from a secret vigilante group. Are you sure my father hasn't put you up to this little visit in order to see what research or extracurricular activities LexCorp may be involved in?" A fertilizer plant shouldn't be all that profitable, wouldn't you agree?"
Adam shrugged, his dark eyes unreadable. "These are people more powerful than you can imagine, Lex. All I can do is render assistance. I have had the dubious 'pleasure' of encountering the Tribunal. They must be dismantled. My group and I fully intend to apprehend and put a permanent stop to their activities. The fact that you and Lionel somehow became subjects of their witch hunt makes it all the more urgent that we stop them."
Mr. Queu pursed his lips thoughtfully and looked at Lex Luthor. Lex returned the look with a slight frown. The unspoken dialogue did not go unnoticed by Adam. He wondered what kind of research Lex Luthor had employed the graying scientist for. Mr. Queu shrugged deferentially and started to walk away, jingling his pocket change.
"You have an air of familiarity where my father is concerned," Lex commented dryly. "Perhaps this explains your interest in the Luthors?"
Before Adam could answer, Clark yelled out an alarm. Lex looked past Adam with alarm and pulled his gun. Simultaneously, Shalimar shouted a warning while waves of Tribunal soldiers wearing gas masks filed into the lab through the main and back entrances. Gas poured into the lab through the air vents. Clark ran to help Shalimar. For a moment it looked as if they were going to stop the never-ending file of soldiers, but suddenly the effects of the gas overcame the small group of defenders. Lex saw Queu breathing heavily then collapse. Shalimar and Clark, overcome by the gas were dragged away by the soldiers. Adam had staggered toward Emma, trying to help her but collapsed after a few steps. Emma had valiantly taken down 3 of the several soldiers that surrounded her but weak from the insidious gas, was now struggling weakly against two men who were holding her down. Lex saw a third approach her with a gun in hand, push her head forward, and press the gun against the exposed back of her neck. There was a click. Emma looking stunned, felt at the back of her neck then fell forward.
"This is the last one," the soldier told the commander.
"NO!" Lex shouted. He aimed the gun at them, but his vision was blurred. He felt lightheaded and he didn't want to risk hurting his friends. Suddenly he heard a shrill high note in his head as his vision went black. He felt himself falling then felt his body thud onto the floor.
"Bring them to the holding cell, but keep that one apart for the Prosecutor." He heard a voice direct someone.
"Keep who apart? Why?" Lex wondered as he lost consciousness.
Moments later, Queu/Eckhart opened his eyes. He was alone in the lab except for the Tribunal's military commander. He stood up.
"The Prosecutor requested that you be kept apart. He will question you himself."
The man settled into an alert but relaxed stance as Mr. Queu shrugged and settled himself in a chair and toyed with the computer. Hitting a download sequence, Mr. Queu called up and initiated the holographic sequence he had designed for his laboratory. The door appeared to open and the white-haired Mr. Eckhart strolled in. With a curt nod, he dismissed the commander to stand outside.
"Mr. Queu, I presume," the holographic Eckhart said as the door closed.
Mr. Queu allowed his voice to drop to his normal tone, mimicking that of the hologram. "Of course," he replied. Queu/Eckhart walked slowly around the lifelike hologram of himself, Mason Eckhart, and appraised his work. Standing in front of the computer, he placed his hand on a panel that slid out of the hard drive.
"Download files," he commanded. A green light fluoresced briefly as the computer interface fed him the information obtained from the holographic program. Queu/Eckhart closed his eyes to better visualize the input and smiled. Removing his hand, he finished the program and murmured to the waiting hologram, "Nicely done."
Queu/Eckhart sat back in the chair and put a small wafer in his mouth. "Carry on," he quipped in his higher pitched accented voice. His head lolled backward as the drug in the wafer took effect. The holographic Eckhart strode deliberately to the door and opened it. The waiting soldier walked in. "Put him with the others," Eckhart told him in a flat, disgusted voice.
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In the cell, Brennan and Frank Thorne continued to lose more of the rocklike quality and return to their human form as the injections wore off. Dr. Bryce, Chloe, Lana and Jesse hovered nearby, wanting to keep them comfortable, wanting to watch this fascinating recovery process closely. The men were soon able to turn their heads and talk with each other within the limits of their restraints.
"Man, you sure pack a punch Brennan," Frank commented.
"I could say the same for you. When does Lionel Luthor's minion get a chance to work out?" Brennan asked conversationally.
Frank half smirked at Brennan. "Good benefits," he replied lightly.
The conversation was interrupted as a bright floodlight shone in the middle of the room. A white-haired man wearing dark framed glasses in a black suit stood there watching them.
Eckhart! Jesse hissed with loathing.
"Who's Eckhart?" Lana asked. The white-haired man, unpeturbed started to speak conversationally, as if continuing a conversation.
"So we meet again, Mr. Thorne. It's a shame that you parted on less than pleasant terms. You could have had a promising career at Genomex but you threw it away." Turning to Brennan and Jesse, Eckhart said, "Ah, Mr. Mulray and Mr. Kilmartin. I hope you find your stay comfortable. I expect your colleagues to join you soon. It shan't be long."
"This has nothing to do with them," Jesse said, pointing at the ladies. "why keep them when you have us?"
Eckhart pulled his glassed down slightly in order to peer over them at Jesse. "Mr. Kilmartin, this has everything to do with them. It's no longer just about your organization and Adam. The disease is spreading."
Eckhart turned as if to leave. Chloe impulsively tried to grab the white-haired man by the arm. Her hand passed through the image. Eckhart turned slowly to face the astonished girl. "Miss Sullivan, what a shame you and Ms. Lang became involved with Adam's law-bending lab experiments." He stared gravely down at Chloe and sighed deeply.
"But what about Dr. Bryce? You didn't mention her," Chloe persisted.
The hologram image looked sharply at Dr. Bryce. "Like yourselves, she will stand trial. I fear that she will pay the same price as the family she is marrying into." Eckhart sighed. "Family loyalty is such a fickle quality, is it not?" The lifelike eyes gleamed.
Chloe's eyebrows furrowed suspiciously but she refrained from saying anything. Helen Bryce raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"Don't believe anything he says," Brennan raged from the table he was strapped to. "I know this man and he is a liar."
The pale, white-haired man stared at Brennan with an almost hurt expression.
"Mr. Mulray, you surprise me. Not even a thank you for curing your severe torso wound that you sustained from your accident? You must admit that Adam's treatment only got you over the edge."
Brennan involuntarily looked down at the place where the metal shaft had pierced his chest. The area was smooth except for a jagged scar. "What do you want, Eckhart?"
"Your cooperation, of course."
Brennan could feel the itch of the subdermal governor implant at the back of his neck. "You have some insurance to see that you get it, I'm sure." The white skinned, white-haired man gave him a grave, ghoulish smile. "don't fight me, Mr. Mulray. Work with me. I can make it worth your while."
"Too bad you're still in business, Eckhart." Brennan retorted. "I aim to put you out of it."
Eckhart nodded toward Brennan and Frank Thorne. There was a click and the metal braces that strapped them down suddenly retracted, freeing them. Jesse tossed their clothes to them. The women discreetly kept their gazes focused on Eckhart.
"The restraints were necessary to keep you from harming yourselves and the others while your bodies withdrew from the effects of the meteor rock products." Eckhart told them benevolently. "I can also release you from the subdermal governors, but doing that would release you to a more deadly fate." Eckhart said.
"What do you mean?" Jesse asked.
"You are certainly aware of the metal implant in your skull, Mr. Thorne, you have two. The implants are called Controllers, a primitive device created by the Tribunal to study and control their, ahem, Mutant subjects. They operate in two phases. First they are activated by your inevitable attempt to use your powers. Once activated, any additional attempts to try using your powers will randomly activate the next level of the device. It is not unlike Russian Roulette." Eckhart stared at the group meaningfully.
"What happens at the next level?" Dr. Bryce asked quietly.
"Your powers escalate quickly out of control. Mr. Thorne experienced this with the first controller device. Fortunately for him, the device was defective and inactivated itself before his Telekinetic powers escalated out of control sufficiently to destroy himself and the surroundings he was in."
Frank Thorne thought about that time not too long ago and remembered how the farm boy had done something to the device, supposedly with his pocket knife. Remembering how the mansion walls shook and how objects flew about, Frank exclaimed softly, "We're walking time bombs!"
Eckhart nodded benevolently. "By submitting to the sub-dermal governors, you will be safe from the deadly effects of the Controller. My studies show that while you New Mutants can control the use of your powers, you constantly access them. If implanted with a Controller, without the benefits of the subdermal governor, you would be in the Phase 2 meltdown possibly within minutes, destroying yourselves and those around you."
"We'll never work with you, Eckhart!" Brennan shouted. The white-haired man looked inquiringly at Jesse and Frank.
"The same goes for me," Jesse replied. Frank stood, silently defiant.
Eckhart shrugged. Pointing a remote at them, he said pleasantly, "well, have it your way, gentlemen. Let's see how well you can control your natural tendencies to access your powers." He turned to face Frank. "Mr. Thorne, I think I will save you for something very special."
"Why have you created such a horrid device? What right do you have to control the free will of individuals?" Lana asked angrily.
Eckhart's eyes gleamed. "First of all, Ms. Lane, I did not create this device. Adam Kane did. Now let me ask you this. Why should good law abiding citizens live in fear of having their homes or lives invaded by people endowed with unnatural powers? It is bad enough that our society is fraught with 'normal' criminals and psychopaths with a law enforcement system that is severely taxed with the task of controlling them. Imagine a world made incredibly more complex with the addition of people with mutant powers and more powerful than any law enforcement organization."
Eckhart looked at Chloe, Dr. Bryce and Lana. "You have experienced first hand the disruptive effects of LuthorCorp's attempt to take advantage of mutagenic materials. Tell me, how did you feel in the elevator? You were subjected to a modest amount of the mutagenic material in question."
"I felt totally out of control," Chloe mused. "I said things that I would never say or mean, yet in that environment, I felt as if my evil twin took over."
"Me too," Lana agreed. Jesse frowned. The man was certainly making his point.
Dr. Bryce mused thoughtfully. "It felt more as if our natural feelings and tendencies were enhanced. I had difficulty controlling myself. But this effect can be caused by use of certain drugs. How do we know that this is caused by Mutagenic material?
"My point exactly." Eckhart replied. "The Tribunal used you to make the point that tampering with human nature with seized materials from LuthorCorp's R & D materials does NOT enhance the quality of human life. The data which you have provided proved that humans cannot deal with enhancements in their nature. It seemed to have brought out the animal nature in you. Had not the experiment been terminated, I fear the worst may have happened." The pale man's lips twisted in a parody of a sneer. "The Tribunal is prosecuting LuthorCorp with the intent to enforce a total cessation in the research, manufacture, and distribution of their Mutagenic Products. It has been touted to enhance physical performance, yet as you have observed, it's not that simple." Eckhart looked down gravely.
"We know that isn't true in all cases, Eckhart." Jesse objected. "There are gifted people who have learned to control their gifts and use them for the good of society. What about those individuals?"
Eckhart bowed his head for a moment. As he looked up at them, his glasses glinted in the floodlight that he was standing in. "You must be referring to the New Mutants that we have placed sub-dermal governors on for their protection and ours."
Brennan interjected, "we know you're not a saint, Eckhart. What do you plan to get out of this? More control over innocent people? A perfect race of humans? We know first hand the type of benevolent control you intend." Brennan spat at Eckhart.
"You really should try some anger management, Mr. Mulray," Mr. Eckhart suggested, his eyes straying to Dr. Bryce. Helen's mouth dropped open in quiet alarm. That man knew everything.
"Yes," Eckhart gloated softly at her reaction before turning his gaze back to Brennan. Brennan glowered and backed down. "You New Mutants were artificially engineered by Adam Kane. You must be artificially controlled for the good of society." Eckhart said simply. Chloe looked at him in horror.
Brennan threw his hands up in disgust. "There is no changing that psychopath."
Lana looked up at him neutrally. "But what he says does make sense."
Jesse gently took Lana aside. "He puts forth bits of the truth and manipulates it with lies to present reasonable arguments. Don't trust him, Lana. Think about what he's saying. This man wants to enslave people who are different from the rest of the population."
Eckhart stared gravely at Lana. "Or perhaps, Ms. Lang, there is a gifted segment of the population who think they are above the law and are soliciting followers? Interesting perspective, is it not?" The pale man sighed. "Alas, I would continue this interesting discourse, but I have more pressing matters." With that Mr. Eckhart closed his eyes and faded out of sight.
"He freed us", Frank said thoughtfully. "I wonder what kind of entertainment he has in store for us next?"
"Now that Jesse and I are free, I think he's waiting for us to make a break for it," Brennan replied.
"We have to carefully watch the use of our powers," Jesse reminded him. The dark-haired man nodded.
A few moments later, the small group heard the rumbling noise of a moving elevator. After the noise stopped, Jesse, Brennan and Frank cautiously approached the elevator. The doors remained closed.
"Here, let me try." Jesse pulled the doors apart with his bare hands.
"Where'd you get that ability, Jesse?" Brennan asked in amazement.
"A little souvenir from my last trip in that elevator," the Molecular replied, shrugging. "I didn't think it would tip off the Controller."
"Well looky what we have here," Frank said musingly.
"Adam! Shalimar!" Brennan exclaimed at seeing their limp bodies on top of a pile of bodies.
"Emma, Adam and Clark are here too," Jesse added.
"as well as Lex and Mr. Queu," Dr. Bryce added, checking their pulses.
"It looks as if they were just like…dumped there," Chloe commented distastefully. "Are they all right?"
"Hey, wake up." Jesse lightly patted Emma's face.
Lana cautiously approached Adam and shook his arm. "Hello, please wake up, sir."
Helen Bryce gently touched her arm. "I'll take care of him, Lana."
"Adam," Dr. Bryce whispered, shaking him gently. She placed her head on his chest to listen for a heartbeat.
Through a haze, Lex heard his fiance's voice. He felt someone lying across his chest and opened his eyes. Shalimar was sprawled over him, still unconscious. "I could almost like this," Lex thought absently, then shook himself out of the drugged languor. Helen was kneeling next to him, her attention focused on Adam at the top of the pile; Brennan and Jesse had extricated Emma, dragged her to one of the cots in the cell and were now returning. Chloe and Lana had assisted Clark to the nearest wall within the elevator. The farm boy looked horrible. Lex wondered what 'they' might have done to him. Frank was at the other side of this odd pig-pile of humanity, trying to rouse and move the unconscious Mr. Queu out of the elevator into the holding room. Upon hearing Lex stir, Dr. Bryce left Adam and turned toward her fiancé.
"Can you move, Lex?" she asked, stroking his face gently.
Mr. Queu complained softly to Frank as he dragged him away from the cluster of people. "Yeah, as soon as we move some people around," Lex answered, gently shaking Shalimar. The blonde opened her eyes suddenly, assessed where she was in a moment, then cringed as if seized with a headache. She sprang up quickly, glancing at Helen. "Sorry," she said to Lex a little self-consciously, straightening her clothes. She suddenly reached for the back of her neck. Her hand stopped there and a look of anger mixed with horror crossed her face.
"No problem, is there something wrong?" Lex asked Shalimar who was standing there with a look of furious disbelief written all over her face. Lex automatically extended his hand to Helen, who grasped his hand and pulled him up. Unfortunately, the intended hand up resulted in Lex flying across the room.
"LEX!" Helen shouted, horrified at what she just did.
Chloe stared in horror at the flying figure and like the others, willed him not to hit the wall. Lex Luthor stopped in mid-air inches from the wall, about ten feet off the ground.
"Um, can someone get me down from here?" Lex asked uneasily, not liking to dangle so helplessly for all to see. As Jesse and Brennan tried to pull Lex out of the air, the revived Mr. Queu was sitting next to a semi-conscious Adam. The graying man stared with unbridled amazement at his employer. Lana looked at Chloe, who was also staring transfixed at the amazing sight.
"This would be an amazing story," Lana half joked. Chloe continued to stare, feeling a distinct connection with the dangling man. Coming to her senses, she willed Lex to slowly descend and he did. Lex looked around suspiciously. Helen ran to him.
"Oh Lex, I'm so sorry, I didn't know I had this amazing strength." The beautiful brunette tentatively took his hand. Lex covered her hand with his other hand.
"It's all right, Helen. There is a lot we don't understand right now, but we will." His light eyes had a steely, determined expression. He gazed around at the group. The two scientists were sitting together across from him- Adam was still trying to clear his head while Emma spoke earnestly with him. Clark had crawled away from the group and huddled by himself, obviously feeling under the weather. Lana sat near him, trying to help him feel more comfortable. For a moment, Lex smiled at the irony of the situation. The Mutants, Frank, Shalimar, Brennan, and Jesse stood further away in the holding room, watchful, but engaged in their own quiet discussion. Chloe stood uncharacteristically off by herself. She had been looking down but now her gaze met his and he understood in an instant how he avoided the collision with the wall.
Chloe looked at Lex thoughtfully. Her blue eyes had an eerie greenish glow. She had a strange new power. Chloe swallowed. The possibilities were endless.
