The Sanctuary...
"My, my Adam. I must compliment you. You have quite the little operation going on here." Augustine smiled as he and his men made their way into the main hall. He looked upon the team standing before him, but suddenly frowned. "The young mutant you had with you, where is she?"
Emma cleared her throat. "She was less than co-operative with us. She ran off before we could bring her back here."
Augustine eyed her suspiciously. "Is that a fact? Well, that's too bad. She's missing out on all the fun." As he turned his back to her, she looked toward an airshaft just to the side.
"How did you find the Sanctuary?" Adam was furious.
"You'd be surprised how far a simple homing device will go," Samuel smiled at Adam as they all looked at each other.
"So the attack on the safehouse was a rouse to draw us out." Jesse concluded. Adam shook his head knowing he should have trusted his instincts.
"Indeed." Augustine nodded.
"What do you want with us you bastard?" Shalimar grew inpatient.
"My dear, Shalimar. You are in no position to demand anything. It is a long story, however, I can see you aren't going anywhere." He smiled touching her chin. She quickly pulled herself away and snarled. "You have a lot of fire. I like that. Well then, shall we get down to business? You're probably wondering about our unexpected visit. I'm here to make you an interesting proposal."
"And what makes you think we'd agree? You've killed innocent people and for what? What's this sick little game you're playing?" Adam eyed him.
"You have us all wrong, Adam. We have no personal vendetta against mutants. That whole safehouse situation was to get the GSA's attention, but I guess I got yours as well. I want to personally thank you for saving my son's life. The cancer would've eaten him alive, if it weren't for you research. Truth be known, he became 'gifted' as a result of your treatment. He acquired astonishing telekinetic powers."
"So this is some personal grudge against me?" Adam looked at him, figuring the mutation was the reason why they had come.
"My dear friend. Please let me finish my story. It's rude to interrupt. Besides, you're wrong again. My wife and I were grateful that Grant's cancer had been cured. And the power he acquired from your treatment was a side effect, but to us it was a small price to pay for his life. No, it's not you. My beef is with Genomex." Augustine turned, to catch the look on Adam's face.
"Then why did you destroy the safehouses. You killed 16 new mutants and you could've killed more, if we hadn't intervened." Brennen spoke up.
"Patience, my friend I was just getting to that." He approached the group and slowly circled around them. "Are you familiar with the Cocoon Project?"
Adam looked up at him and shook his head. Augustine smiled. "Of course not, it was deemed classified. Only the top brass at Genomex knew about it and you defected before the project came to be. The Cocoon Project was highly dangerous experiment involving new mutants. Dr. Leo McAllister proposed it to the board of directors. Are you familiar with the name?"
"Yes, he was involved with the Walker Project." Adam put two and two together.
"Correct. The proposal was to take a highly experimental drug called xenocium and inject it into a living host. The purpose of the xenocium was to increase brainpower ten fold. You see, the average human being uses about 1 percent of the brain. The xenocium increases that to anywhere between 10 – 15 percent, in some cases more, giving the subject intelligence high above a genius I.Q. The board of directors agreed to the proposal giving McAllister the go ahead to begin his experiments."
"And as head of security, you knew about the project," Adam concluded.
"Yes. It was my obligation to know everything that Genomex was doing. It was deemed highly classified by the GSA. Only the scientists working on the project and top security officials knew about it. Mason Eckhart personally signed off on the project."
"That still doesn't explain all this." Adam shook his head.
"The GSA obtained the assistance of 12 new mutants for the experiment, most of them were psionics. Grant was one of them. I was a fool. I had assurances from Eckhart, himself, that the drug was perfectly safe and that Grant had a bright future at Genomex. Believing him, I let Grant become involved. I was a different person back then, I was so sure that Genomex was gonna lead the world into a new era and I wanted to secure my future with them. If I only knew then, I wouldn't have let it happen." Augustine looked at the ground in shame. "What Eckhart failed to mention was that the drug was highly unstable. It becomes volatile once it enters brain tissue. At first, the subjects seemed to respond well to the doses. Their intelligence increased at a highly execrated rate. Their problem solving was extraordinary. Every problem, every scenario, even no-win situations, were but a speck of dust. Grant had become a genius, as well as the others."
"But they all paid the price for it," Shalimar began to understand where this story was headed.
"Yes. Almost as quickly as they acquired the intelligence, their brain tissue started breaking down." Augustine developed a lump in his throat as he struggled to continue. "Grant...lost consciousness and never woke up. The xenocium ate threw his brain tissue until there was nothing left. He died a week later as a result. All the new mutants died."
"And you blamed Eckhart," Adam added.
"I still do. He took my son away from me! Everything I believed Genomex to be was a lie. But naturally, as all government agencies tend to do, they tried to compensate for the loss, by buying me out and giving me their most sincerest apologies. It destroyed my wife. I tried to explain to her what happened, but she went mad. She left. Not more than two weeks later, she took her own life." Augustine stared blankly at the ceiling. "Not that I blame her really."
"What happened after that?" Emma asked.
"Money. There comes a time when the green loses its luster and all that's left is a father's love for his child." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vile. "This small vile is what killed my son. Just this small amount. I stole a sample of it before I left Genomex. I keep it as a reminder of what came to be."
"These powers that you have. You're a new mutant?" Jesse and the others looked confused.
"Ah, yes. Another interesting outcome. Several years after the incident of the Cocoon Project, I went into seclusion. I was at the end of my rope. On the anniversary of Grant's death, I honored him, by drinking the xenocium, hoping that it would do to me what it did to him. It appears the xenocium has a less deadly impact on none mutated genes. My mind expanded, I acquired powers unheard of. I was reborn. I heard my son cry out from beyond the grave for vengeance. I found myself instilled with a new purpose, to see that Genomex was brought down and Mason Eckhart made to pay for his crimes. I spent many years building up a team of soldiers, friends and officials that owed me. They gladly joined my cause. And now you see before you, the end result." Augustine motioned to the soldiers surrounding them. "Which brings me to my proposal. I know of your exploits against the GSA, valiant indeed. Join us in our crusade. All of you would be valued assets."
"We can't do that Sam," Adam shook his head, knowing that Augustine had become twisted.
"I beg you not to be so hasty with your decision. There is no other option. But since I owe you for saving my son's life, I will allow some time to collect your thoughts and come to a more rational decision." Augustine turned to Carver as he approached them. He showed him a piece of paper and Augustine smiled. "Ah yes, that will do nicely. Take them. Make sure they're well guarded. I advise you to think about the future Adam and chose your allies carefully."
The soldiers escorted them away.
Somewhere in the air ducts...
Willow was stunned completely by what she heard. She sat there for several moments trying to process Augustine's story. Is this stuff inside me? she thought to herself. She shook off the thought and tried to figure out a way to get out. She watched as the soldiers led the others away and noted the direction they were being led away. Her thoughts were interrupted by something unexpected.
"Well Mr. English. I have to thank you for all your help. You have proven yourself to be a valuable commodity." Augustine said as Mattius came into view.
Willow was taken aback. "Mattius?" She shook her head in disbelief. No, how could this happen she thought.
"What if they don't agree with your proposal?" He asked as he approached him.
"Well, you did didn't you? I would've rather hoped that they would've agreed willingly, but if all fails, I will acquire their services one way or another. The implants we used on you will take to them just as well. The only one I'm concerned about is Ms. DeLauro. I sense that she has a strong mind. It will difficult for her to take to the implants." Augustine shook his head as he turned to Mattius. "If the implants don't take to her, she will have to be disposed of."
Knowing she had very little time to waste, Willow began to make her way through the air duct towards the area that the soldiers took her friends. There was no way she was backing down from this one.
Inside the holding cell...
"Augustine. I wouldn't have thought. He was a well-respected man when I was at Genomex. He's a retired general, very respected among his peers. Which would conceivably put him into a position to select men who were willing help him in his cause," Adam sat there feeling somewhat defeated. He knew they were in a holding cell that was rigged to hold in any kind of mutant. "The only way we're getting out of here is if someone were to let us out."
"Which brings me to my next question, where did Willow take off to?" Shalimar was concerned as to her sister's whereabouts.
"She took after after Augustine answered through the com ring. My guess is she found a way outside of the Sanctuary," Adam sighed.
"No. She's still here. I sensed her presence in the room when we were taken," Emma said. "She's somewhere in the air ducts."
"Well, even if she were to escape from here, it's unlikely she would be able to bust us out of here," Brennen concluded.
"Don't sell her short Brennen. This little mutant's full of surprises, I just hope that she does what she has to do," Adam responded.
The air duct outside the rig...
Thanks to her feral senses, Willow was able to track their scents to the holding rig. The air duct was sheltered from the guards by some fuel tanks just parallel to the door. Now she had to figure out how to dispose of the guards before they were able to alert Augustine of her presence.
Quietly she opened the air duct and without making a single peep, she slipped behind the fuel tanks. Ducking behind them, her eyes frantically searched for a solution. Looking down she found a stone lying quietly at her feet. She picked it up and kissed it. She slowly peaked over the tanks and planned her next move. Taking the rock in hands, she instinctively threw and heard it land on the other side of the corridor.
"What was that?" One of the guards looked, as he left his post to follow the sound.
With the guard's backs turned to her, she saw her opportunity. Her eyes flashing red, she used stealth to sneak up behind the guards. She snapped one's neck and kicked the other in the groin before he could radio for backup. Taking a second shot, she punched him knocking him out cold.
Looking down at the two guards, she smiled and shook her head. "Gets 'em everytime."
She quickly turned her attention to the door separating her and the others. Seeing a numerical door lock she shook her head and smiled, "Numerical lock. Great. Just another day in the life right? Sound proof too I'd imagine."
Working fast, she tore off the front panel, revealing a bunch of colored wires. She snapped a wire in half and joined it with another. She then replaced the panel and typed in a numerical code.
Inside the rig...
"Someone's coming," Emma said as they all rose, as the door opened.
The group stood there stunned as Willow entered the room, curious at their reaction. "Why are you all standing there staring at me. Do you not know a jail break when you see one?"
"Willow I could kiss you." Jesse shook his head and smiled. The rest of the group ran to the room as Jesse planted a kiss on her cheek.
Blushing slightly, Willow smiled bashfully. "Aw shucks. I do what I can."
Shalimar hugged her tightly and ruffled her hair.
"We have to get to the Double Helix and shut down the main frame before they can get access to the database. It's encrypted, but it would only be a matter of time before they figure it out." Adam regrouped and gathered the others. "It's likely it's heavily guarded so we'll have to use the secret access tunnel. Let's go."
The main control room...
"Guard unit report in. I repeat, guard unit report in," Carver barked. "Sir, there's no response."
"Something's wrong," Augustine signaled for his men, go down to the rig, see what the problem is. "Check it out and report back immediately. I hope our friends haven't gone and done something rash. Carver, what's the word on the database?"
"It's encrypted. It'll take sometime before I break the code." Carver worked frantically.
"Keep on it. Opportunity's like this don't come often," Augustine grew impatient.
"This is Daniels reporting in." A voice rang through the walky-talky.
"Go ahead," Augustine responded.
"The door to the rig is open. I've got two men down. One's dead, the other knocked out," came the response.
"Dammit! They're better than I thought. Alert every man and find them!" Augustine shouted.
Hanger bay...
"All units on full alert, I repeat full alert. Subjects are at large." The guards in the bay looked at each other and one grabbed his walky-talky.
"This is hanger unit. Message acknowledged," he spoke into the walky-talky.
The guard looked at the others. "Keep your eyes open."
One guard heard a noise coming from the corner and looked at the others. "Over here. I heard something."
Cautiously approaching the corner, he closed in on a bunch of boxes lying in the corner. Shalimar dropped behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. "Hello handsome." She punched him, with her eyes flashing yellow.
Brennen came into view and threw a burst at a couple of the guards, not before one grabbed his walky-talky. "This is hanger unit. I have a code red, I repeat a code red!"
"That's all of them." Shalimar shouted as the others came out from behind the boxes.
"You guys are just full of surprise aren't you," Willow smiled.
"You ain't seen nothing yet," Emma smiled back.
"Quickly, let's get aboard and get out of here. Jesse we need to find that tracking device and disable it." Adam shouted as he ran aboard.
"Right I'm on it." Jesse joined Adam and turned on the system. "Okay, I found it. It's just under the left wing."
"Brennen?" Adam shouted.
"Yeah, I got it Adam!" Brennen shouted as he used an electrical charge to pry the device from the wing. "Okay I've got it, let's go."
"I can't let you do that," A voice called from behind them. They turned and saw Mattius staring at them with a fireball in his hands.
"Mattius! Mattius! Please don't you recognize me?" Willow ran in front of Shalimar and Emma.
Confused, Mattius turned to her. "Willow? Is that you? You're alive. I can't believe you made it out."
Willow smiled at him. "Yes, I made it out. I'm glad you're okay."
"It's good to see you. I'm glad you're alive." He smiled, and then frowned and shook his head. "But I can't let you go."
"Mattius please. What have they done to you? You're not yourself. Don't you know what they're doing is wrong? Please come with us." She pleaded with him.
"Whatever you're gonna do, do it fast. They're coming!" Jesse shouted from inside the Helix.
"Willow! Come on!" Shalimar shouted.
"NO! I can't let you go!" He shouted just as he was about to shoot a fireball at Shalimar. Emma stepped in front and fired a psionic blast at Mattius knocking him to the floor.
"Come let's go!" Brennen shouted gathering them together and pushing them towards the Helix.
"No! We can't leave him here! We have to take him with us!" Willow shouted at Brennen. Brennen sighed and turned to look around. He ran back to Mattius and picked him up. Throwing him over his shoulder, he ran behind the others up the ramp, just as Augustine and the others came running into the hanger bay.
"Okay, Jesse get us out of here!" Adam shouted.
The Helix's engines fired up and rose with Augustine looking on. Watching the Helix leave the bay, he turned and punched the nearest soldier. "DAMMIT! DAMMIT! I WANT ADAM KANE!"
End of Chapter 6