Chapter 3 - Reunions of the Feral Kind
Location Unknown...Muffled screams could be heard across the old tattered hallways all the way to the old man's office. He continued to go about his business despite the constant racket.
Knock, knock...
"Ah yes, Mr. Carver. Come in. What do you have for me?" the bearded man inquired with interest.
"We picked up an encoded transmission from Genomex. Something about an escaped new mutant. Apparently was in the safe house we destroyed," Carver replied.
The bearded man became slightly agitated. "I thought everyone was killed!"
"So did we, sir. I personally accept responsibility for this mistake," Carver was now nervous. The bearded man glanced down and saw a folder in his hands. "You have something else to tell me, Mr. Carver?"
"Yes sir. Not long after, we intercepted a secret transmission from an unknown source. A transmission containing co-ordinates, I took a team out and followed the co-ordinates and took these surveillance photos," he said presenting the folder to the old man.
"Alright", the man said as he began to study the photos. "Two GSA field agents. This must be the mutant that escaped." He continuously flipped through the photographs and came upon a photo of Brennen and Jesse. "Who are they?"
"The subjects names are Brennen Mulwray and Jesse Kilmartin. The two are members of an mutant underground group called Mutant X," Carver explained.
"Mutant X...I've heard the name somewhere before. That reminds me," The man reached for his phone and dialed out. "Yes, bring in our guest."
A door opened and a guard entered escorting a confused looking Mattius. "Ah, Mr. English. So kind of you to join us. Please have a seat. Make yourself comfortable. Where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Samuel Augustine. This is my assistant Andreas Carver. He was just telling us about your friends, Mutant X. Are the implants working?" The man standing next to Mattius nodded. "Excellent! Continue Mr. Carver."
"The only other information we could find on Mutant X," Carver presented a list with the teams names on it.
Upon glancing at the list, Augustine's eyes nearly bugged out of his head, "Adam Kane. I'll be damned."
"There is one other thing, after the two mutants disappeared, the scanners picked up a powerful atmospheric distortion in this area." Carver added as he pointed to a slightly disfigured photo of the water tower. "Possibly a cloaking device."
"A ship? Hmmm...this could work to our advantage. Mr. Carver, round up your men. I have a small errand for you," Augustine smiled. "Now Mr. English. Where shall we start? Ah yes, I want you to tell me everything you know about Mutant X."
The Sanctuary (Medical)...Adam was examining Willow as she slept, unaware of what was going on. Jesse and Brennen stood beside Willow, as Shalimar walked in with Emma who was on crutches.
"Well, look whose awake. How are you feeling?" Adam asked as Emma smiled at him.
"I feel alot better. The headaches are gone so I guess that's a good sign," Emma said still a little groggy.
Shalimar slowly approached Willow, studying her. "So this is Willow." She was amazed on how much Willow looked like her at the same age. She looked over her face, cautiously staring at her features. Willow was a cute kid, small dimples on her cheeks, the odd freckle and flowing blonde hair with dark streaks. Remembering what her father told her about the birthmark on her lower abdomen, Shalimar slowly lifted her shirt up to reveal the spider birthmark. It was now confirmed in her eyes that this was indeed her sister. Not even bothering to say where she was going, she left the lab. Running into the garden, she began to sob uncontrollably. First losing her father and now seeing her own sister...sister, that she didn't even know existed, right before her eyes. She felt a hand on her shoulder. "LEAVE ME ALONE!" She turned, but her heart softened when she saw whom it was.
"Hey, you okay?" Brennen asked concerned. Shalimar just looked into his eyes and fell into his welcoming embrace. Brennen softly caressed her hair and rocked her, quietly whispering words of comfort into her ear.
"I don't know," Shalimar sobbed as she slowly pulled away from him. "Adam wants me to stay strong, but just looking at her...this is so much harder than I thought it would be."
Brennen nodded his head in understanding, knowing this wasn't the time to be offering advice, but rather just listening to a friend in need.
"I don't know if I can do this. I'm just so confused, Brennen," Shalimar cried as she sat next to him, needing his warmth and protection. Brennen embraced her again, "Shhhh, it's okay, Shal. I'm here; I'm not going anywhere. We'll get through this. I promise you. It'll be alright."
They sat down together after Shalimar had calmed down a bit. She was now more comfortable around Brennen. Although, she was more comfortable confiding in Emma, Adam needed Emma in the lab and she needed to talk to someone right away.
"You know, growing up, I always wanted a baby brother or sister. Someone I could protect and relate to. Someone I could share childhood experiences with. I didn't have very many friends growing up, everyone just kind of stayed away you know. I mean now, the closest thing to having a sibling where you, Emma and Jesse," Shalimar looked up at him.
Brennen gulped and looked at the ground for a second, then nodded in agreement.
"When mom and dad told me that I was gonna be a big sister, it meant the whole world to me. And when I thought she lost the baby, it was like my whole world came crashing down. It devastated me," Shalimar said drying her eyes. "And then my father telling me he sold her to Eckhart and making up a whole story about how she died and then living with it for 15 years, it was like being kicked in the gut. With him dying without being able to straighten things out, it's just too much. I just don't know what to do Brennen."
"Well, the only thing I can tell you now, is that your opportunity is here right now. You've just gotta take the bull by the horns and live in the present. She's here Shalimar. She's there in the lab. I think you know what you have to do. Just so you know, I'll always have your back," Brennen said as he took her hand in his.
She smiled at him and gave him a kiss. Time slowed as their eyes met, "You're right. I've just gotta do what I've gotta do. Thanks for being there. I don't know what I'd do without you." As she got up and straighten herself and walked back to the lab. Brennen sat there for a moment soaking in what just happened. He then took a big breath and exhaled and got up to join his friends.
"Well she checks out alright. She's got trace elements of the drug still in her brain cavities, but other than a slight case of malnutrition, she's okay," Adam said satisfied.
"God she looks so young. Are you sure she's 15? I mean she's so tiny," Emma said in astonishment.
"Yeah well judging from the shiners on those GSA agents, there's more there than meets the eye," Jesse responded.
"Could possibly be the drug. Nicholas said the drug had some unusual side effects. Well, I think it's time we move her to a more comfortable place to sleep. Jesse take her to the spare room down the main corridor..." Adam was just about to finish.
"No wait..." Shalimar interrupted, "I'll take her."
Adam looked at her and smiled, "Okay."
Shalimar looked at Willow and caressed her forehead. She gently picked up Willow into her arms and walked to the main corridor to the spare room across from hers.
Genomex..."No wait a minute let me guess. There were...complications," Eckhart was getting rather flustered and Larkin could tell, even through the videophone. "And may I venture a guess that Mutant X was that complication?"
"We'll get her Mr. Eckhart," Larkin reassured, "They can't keep her hidden forever."
"You understand Mr. Larkin, with Mutant X now involved, things have gotten a little bit more...personal. I want that mutant, no more excuses," Eckhart barked.
"Understood, sir," Larkin responded.
"Any word on the safehouse attackers yet?" Eckhart asked.
"Not yet sir. We're still conducting our search," Larkin said rather nervously.
"Time is of the essence. And I am getting rather impatient with your apparent lack of process, Mr. Larkin. Keep on the situation and let me know immediately of any developments. Don't fail me this time Larkin," Eckhart warned just as he cut Larkin off.
Sanctuary..."Adam, I've picked up an transmission on a unprotected channel," Jesse reported. "It looks like our terrorist friends are moving in on another safehouse."
"Which one?" Adam said looking at the transmission. "It's the one a the factory down on 5th Avenue. The question is why are they transmitting on an unprotected channel."
"They could have technological limitations," Brennen jumped in.
"Even so, how are they finding the locations to all these safehouses. I don't know, something here doesn't make any sense. Alright, Jesse, Brennen take the Helix and check it out, but be careful. I don't what's going on and I'd wager something isn't right with the situation."
Willow's room...Shalimar sat beside Willow's bed keeping vigil. Feeling mostly anxiety, she anticipated her waking up anytime soon, as it was over six hours since her arrival.
"She isn't awake yet?" Emma asked coming into the room.
Shalimar shook her head, "No not yet."
"I can tell you're really anxious. You haven't really left her side since she was brought in here," Emma smiled.
"I guess you could say I'm nervous. Don't know what she's gonna do when she wakes up. I doubt she knows though," Shalimar confessed.
"Have you thought about telling her?" Emma asked curiously.
"Yeah, I have. I keep rehearsing it in my head. But honestly I don't think now would be the right time. I mean it had me shell-shocked and with everything that's going on, I think it would be best to wait till this is all over," Shalimar reasoned.
Emma took Shalimar's hand in hers. "I'm sorry about your father, Shal. I know you were just starting to build a relationship with him. I'm sorry that got taken away."
"Thanks, I'm glad that you're alright," Shalimar said, hoping Emma wouldn't notice the subject change.
"Well you know me, takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'," Emma joked. Shalimar laughed quietly as Emma took a seat next to her.
Shalimar rolled up Willow's shirt and stared at the birthmark. She gently caressed it...just then a deep intake of breath startled the two women as Willow frantically rose from the bed and immediately took a defensive position at the corner of the room. Her eyes flashed red as she readied herself for a fight. Shalimar flashed her eyes back.
"Adam! We need you right away," Emma shouted.
With that Willow started to climb the wall of the corner up to the ceiling, never taking her red eyes off Emma and Shalimar.
"Willow! Willow! Stop we're not gonna hurt you," Emma said trying to calm down the confused girl.
Adam came running into the room. "Willow, please come down. We mean you no harm."
"You're gonna take me to Genomex aren't you? You're working for them. I'm not gonna let you take me back to them," Willow shouted down at them.
"Stop Willow! We don't work for Genomex. I'm Adam Kane, we're part of Mutant X," Adam explained.
Just then Willow calmed down a little and slowly crawled back down the wall. She kept her distance. "You're Mutant X. You're the ones the others were talking about."
"That's right. I'm Shalimar and this is Emma. We here to help you," Shalimar interrupted walking slowly towards Willow.
"You're a feral," Willow said looking intrigued at Shalimar.
"Yeah. And Emma's a psionic," Shalimar introduced Emma, as she smiled at Willow. Willow bowed her head in acknowledgement of Emma.
"So how did I get here?" Willow asked.
"Well, two Genomex agents were moving in on you. We intercepted their transmissions and intervened just as they were making off with you," Adam said.
Willow breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Adam, "I suppose I owe you my thanks."
"Think nothing of it. We have a bit of a history when it comes to Genomex. If you've heard of us, you know what we're about. We keep track of most of the safehouses and the mutants taking up residence there. We like to keep tabs on everyone, make sure everyone is safe. Which leads me to the next question, do you know anything about what happened in the safehouse you were in before it exploded?" Adam asked unsure of how to bring it up.
Willow looked at him, unsure of what to say, "I...I don't remember. I can't say."
Emma could tell she was hiding something, but didn't say anything as to not cause another commotion.
"Okay, well maybe it will come back to you in time. In the meantime, you must be hungry. Shalimar why don't you take Willow to get some food and we'll be along shortly," Adam said.
"Alright, come with me sweetie," Shalimar smiled at Willow as she led her out of the room.
Adam waited until they were out of earshot. "So what do you think?"
"She's definitely hiding something. I can't figure out what though. She definitely grew uncomfortable when you mentioned the safehouse, which suggests to me she does remember something but just doesn't want to say. Do you think she might have a connection with these terrorists?" Emma asked.
"I don't know. We can't assume anything right now. I'd like to think she doesn't. I don't see why she would. If that's the case then how did she end up here? Things just don't add up here, I think we'll know more once Jesse and Brennen get back" Adam responded.
Mutant safehouse..."Everyone line up! No one move!" Carver barked. A handful of soldiers stood aiming they're guns at a group of frightened mutants.
"I don't thinks boys!" Brennen shouted from the top of the stairs. With that he shot electricity at the soldiers, disarming them, just as Jesse jumped down and started fighting. Brennen jumped down from the ledge to free the mutants from their restraints, they all joined in using their mutant abilities to fight the now overwhelmed gang of soldiers. One mutant using their telekinetic powers and started hurling projectiles at the soldiers. Two others flashed their eyes and jumped soldiers and started tossing them around like ragdolls.
Hoping he would go unnoticed, Carver slowly started making his way to the exit, as most of the mutants were already preoccupied. He quickly exited the building and turned on a strange tracking device. When it beeped profusely he took off his beluclava and smiled. "Bingo."
Meanwhile the action had slowed to a grinding hault as most of the soldiers laid unconscious on the floor. Brennen and Jesse inspected the area looking for someone who wasn't knocked out.
"There's one," Brennen said as he approached the slowly moving form. "Oh no you don't. You're coming with us." Brennen forcefully turned the soldier over and hard a strange click as the soldier fell unconscious. Brennen saw his hand clasping something. He removed his fingers to reveal somekind of a detonator. He noticed a small running from the detonator to his chest. Brennen opened the jacket and saw C4 wrapped around his chest. "Jesus, Jesse we have to get everyone out of here! Hurry! The whole place is gonna blow!"
The mutants all ran up the stairs frantically and out of the safehouse followed by Brennen and Jesse. Seconds later the whole building exploded and was engulfed in flames. "Holy shit that was close!" Jesse shouted.
All the mutants stared at the flames. Some began to cry and others just looked on. "What was that all about?" One of them asked.
"That's what we're gonna find out," Brennen said in a determined tone. "Alright everyone, we'll take you someplace safe for now."
All the mutants followed Jesse and Brennen to the Helix and took off towards the city.
Augustine's Office..."Ah Mr. Carver. Please come in. I trust your errand was successful," Augustine grinned.
"Yes sir. They didn't know what hit them," Carver bragged.
"And the homing beacon?" Augustine added.
"Secured aboard their ship," Carver responded.
"Well done, Mr. Carver. How long before we know the location of this Sanctuary?" Augustine was growing anxious.
"Several hours, sir. The cloaking device is causing some interference with the trace, but once they land. We'll have co-ordinates of their location," Carver smiled.
"Very well. Once the co-ordinates are found we'll pay a little visit to our old friend Adam Kane and his band of merry mutants. Mr. Carver, I want you and your men to start collecting their things. It's moving day," Augustine laughed triumphantly.
"What's the plan sir?" Carver asked curiously.
"The plan Mr. Carver is I have a very interesting proposition for Mr. Kane. One I think he won't be able to refuse," Augustine grinned and approached Mattius, who was sitting across from Augustine, still in a trance-like state. "Thank for you sincere co-operation Mr. English, you'll be coming along for the ride, too. A creature such as you will be useful to us."
"What do you plan to do?" Mattius asked, in a daze.
"Let's just say common enemies can become friends overnight," Augustine winked.
"And if they don't agree to our terms?" Carver asked.
"Then they're an obstacle to achieving our goal. All obstacles must be eliminated. No exceptions," Augustine explained.
End of Chapter 3