Chapter 7
The Lesser of Two EvilsThe Double Helix...
"That was some pretty impressive work you did back there Willow." Brennen looked at her approvingly, thankful he'd been proven wrong."Thanks, but it was nothing really." Willow modestly looked at him.
"Really?! I couldn't have done that. What did you do to the door?" Shalimar looked back at her.
"I just removed the access panel and input a new code. It's a very simple technique I learned at Genomex," Willow winced at the Genomex reference.
"Well, whatever you did, we owe you one." Shalimar smiled as she approached Willow and kissed her on the head. Willow blushed. She wasn't accustomed to this kind of affection, especially from people she didn't know. Shalimar laughed at her innocent reaction and sat back down. She smiled at Shalimar. In her mind, these guys were starting to grow on her, especially Shalimar.
"Alright, Adam. I'm shutting down the Sanctuary's main frame and transferring it to the other safehouse. Shouldn't be a worry anymore." Jesse sighed with relief knowing the worst was over.
"Good job, take us there." Adam smiled as they could all rest easy for now.
Sanctuary..."What do you mean the main frame has been shut down?!" Augustine was beside himself with the recent developments.
"I mean, wherever they went, they shutdown the main frame and transferred the database over to where they're going," Carver answered nervously. "I'm sorry sir, there's nothing I can do. It's gone."
"Worthless piece of shit!! Keep trying. I want that fucking database, you hear me! And don't quit until it's done. Otherwise, you'll be joining the likes of Elvis and Lennon." Augustine was now beginning to lose it.
"Sir?" Carver questioned.
"You heard me Carver," He looked at him. "No mistakes this time. I'm really starting to get annoyed with failure."
"Yes sir!" Carver quickly recovered and set a charge on the computer panel.
"Once you have the computers online, I want you to track the Helix's last known trajectory. I want Adam Kane!" Augustine was now beginning to become obsessed with Adam.
"And the mission, sir?" Carver wondered if Augustine had lost his focus on the task at hand.
"We'll proceed with phase two. Once Mutant X is out of the picture, taking down Genomex shouldn't be a problem." He turned and left.
Safehouse... Mattius tried to move but his head was pounding a drum. "Oh god. Damn.""How are you feeling?" Willow came into view as Mattius smiled and relaxed a little.
"Like someone dropped an anvil on my head." Mattius groaned as he held his head.
"Well, Adam said it's from the effects of the implants." Mattius grew nervous at the mention of the implants. "Don't worry, he removed them. You're just feeling the after effects."
"I feel like such a jack ass." Mattius shook his head.
"It wasn't your fault. The implants were pretty intense. I don't think anyone would've been able to resist them."
"Yeah, well, doesn't make me feel any better." Mattius looked at her. "I'm glad your okay. I didn't think anyone made it out alive."
Shalimar came towards the door, but stopped short and listened to their conversation.
"I barely escaped. But Landon and Jade..." Mattius grew sad at the mention of their names. Both of them sat there in silence.
"You know I loved her. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever met," Mattius thought back. "I was so close to asking her out, but I was just too nervous."
"She liked you. I think she would've said yes," Willow smiled at the thought. Although she was only with them for a short time, she felt some kind of a kinship with them. "I miss them."
"Me too. I wish they were here." Mattius lied back down and a single tear ran down his face.
"Shalimar." Willow turned and saw her standing in the doorway.
"We're planning what to do next. Adam wants us all there," Shalimar came to her side.
"Okay." She got up from her seat and kissed Mattius on the forehead. "I'll see you later."
"Thank you." Mattius smiled and fell asleep.
Moments later... "No! No! Absolutely not! We can't do that!" Willow shouted in protest."Willow, I'm sorry. We don't have much of a choice. This is the only logical course of action," Adam said as Emma tried to calm Willow down.
"But joining with Genomex!? Adam they can't be trusted!" Willow cried as she tried to plead her case.
"I agree but desperate times call for desperate measures. And at times like this, sometimes it's best to have a necessary evil on your side. Look I you don't like this..." Adam put his hands on her shoulders.
She quickly moved away from his grasp and stormed out. "No I hate it!"
Shalimar turned and looked at Adam. "Are you sure this is necessary?"
Adam shook his head. "I don't think we have much of a choice."
Shalimar smiled in understanding. "Well, this wouldn't be the first time we would've had to call a truce."
"I just hope she learns to understand." Adam sighed.
Shalimar turned and left the others to find Willow.
Safehouse rooftop...
Willow sat on the rooftop, staring blankly out towards the city. The lights looked so beautiful at night and sometimes she couldn't help but get lost in them. Her senses heightened when she sensed an approaching presence from behind her. She turned and acknowledged Shalimar's presence.
"Mind if I join you?" Shalimar inquired.
"It's a free country." Willow didn't look at her, but continued to look out on the city.
"You climb roofs often?" Shalimar asked sitting down beside her.
Willow nodded, avoiding eye contact. "Yeah, it's really peaceful up here sometimes. I would usually climb the sides of the buildings and sit up on the tallest roof. Sometimes I would stay up there for hours and just listen to the sounds. It was the only place I truly felt safe."
"That must have been hard for you. Not having anywhere to go, no one to turn to. I felt like that once and then I ended up with Mutant X. It seemed to give me a sense of purpose. A place I could feel accepted for what I was and be with people like me." Shalimar stared out as well and understood Willow's sediment. She turned to Willow and put her fingers under her chin, turning her eyes to meet hers. "Adam would never put you in danger if there wasn't a way out. We've beaten the GSA before, we can do it again. I promise you, I will never let them have you."
Willow looked into her eyes and saw the truth in them. She looked down and nodded. She looked back up at her. "Alright. I'll go with it. But you owe me."
Shalimar smiled. "Big time."
Willow giggled and Shalimar put her arm around her. "You know back at the Sanctuary, I startled you pretty good there. Sorry about that."
Willow smiled shyly and looked at Shalimar. "Actually, it's not that you startled me. I sensed you were there when I was waking up. It actually tickled me. I don't like being tickled."
Shalimar looked at her and laughed. "Oh it did, did it? So that's what that fuss was about?!"
Willow laughed and settled in Shalimar's arms. The two looked out at the city skyline, enjoying the quiet moment.
Genomex...
"Adam." Eckhart was surprised by his visit. "To what do I owe this honor?"
"Spare me the pleasantries Mason, you know why I'm here." Adam snapped swallowing his pride.
"Augustine." Eckhart nodded in agreement. "I trust, judging by the look on your face, you've renewed his acquaintance."
"Let's just cut to the chase, shall we? I know you want him out of the way. He's been causing you just as much trouble as he has with me." Adam sat down, staring down Eckhart.
"You were never one to mence words. Yes, I must say his presence has caused a disruption in business. He has been rather slippery and the longer he's allowed to go about his business, the more dangerous he'll become." Eckhart rose from his chair. "So what exactly is it you're proposing?"
"A temporary truce. A seizure of hostilities for the time being, until Augustine is put out of business for good." Adam's eyes never left Eckhart.
"I'm not gonna pretend I don't know that Ms. Fox is in your possession, Adam. You have something I want. Turn her over to my custody and we have a deal," Eckhart reasoned.
"No deal. She's made her choice and I will have no part of it," Adam turned to walk out.
"Wait!" Adam paused and turned when he sensed Eckhart had no choice. "Perhaps we can clear up the Augustine matter first, then we can discuss Ms. Fox. Please sit back down. Now, what exactly did you have in mind?"
The Double Helix...
"Alright, you know the plan. The idea is to draw out Augustine and his men. I have a feeling he's a bit angry at our sudden escape and the temptation to find us might be to great for him to hold back."
"You're certain this is gonna work." Brennen was unsure as to whether or not Augustine was that desperate.
"If they take the bait, like clockwork," Adam reassured him. "Willow's gonna hack into their computer and try to download their network. The idea is to make it traceable so they'll pick up on it right away. If Augustine is that desperate enough, he'll take the bait and they'll fall into our trap."
"And then the GSA takes Augustine into custody." Emma added.
"A man like Augustine is too dangerous to have around. I think Eckhart will want to take him out permanently," Adam was sure he knew Mason's intentions.
"And what about Willow? She'll be in a very vulnerable position. The GSA might try to make a move on her," Shalimar looked at Adam.
"Emma and I will be with her. She'll be fine," Adam reassured her.
"I just don't understand why she can't use the computer in the Helix to hack into the system," Shalimar shook her head.
"Because Helix's computer system is untraceable. With the computer main frame she'll be using, the Helix would scramble the trace. It would all be for not if Augustine can't trace the signal to its source," Adam explained. "Don't worry, it'll be fine."
"Okay, because I'll kill anyone who comes within spitting distance of her," Shalimar said with certainty.
Brennen laughed at her protectiveness and hugged her. Just then Mattius came into the room. They all smiled and Adam approached him. "You're looking a lot better."
"I feel better thanks. Thanks for everything." He looked at Adam and paused. "I was just wondering if you guys could use another hand."
Adam nodded and welcomed him. "We could always use more help. Okay guys, let's go."
The Factory...
It took sometime for Willow to set up. The general mood was one of anxiety and anticipation hoping that the plan would work. She sat down at the console and began her work.
"Alright. I'm attempting to get into their system." Typing frantically, she finally found the password for their interface. "Bingo! Guys, I'm in."
Sanctuary...
"Sir? I've picked up a signal coming from a source not far from here. It seems, whoever it is, is trying to access our network." Carver turned to Augustine.
"Locate it!" Augustine demanded.
"Ten miles south of New York. The mill factory," Carver replied.
"You just don't know when to quit Adam do you? Let's saddle up," Augustine ordered.
"Sir, may I interject a thought? They're operating on an old system. Now judging by the detection of the hack and the trace, I would say they're trying to lure us. Judging by the technology they've employed, I'd say this was bait," Carver's theory was immediately scoffed at by Augustine.
"I SAID SADDLE UP! If Kane wants to lure us into a fight, well we're gonna give him one he'll never forget." Augustine was now consumed with sticking it to Adam.
"Yes, sir." Carver shook his head in an I-told-you-so manner.
The Factory...
"How long before we know they took the bait?" Emma was starting to become overwhelmed with the emotions running through everyone.
"The trace should've been picked up right away. Judging by the connection, they're not too far away. I think we'll know fairly soon." Willow sat looking at Emma. "Where's Adam?"
Emma looked around a little confused. "Hmmm, I don't know. Adam are you there?"
"Yeah, I'm on my way up." Adam responded.
They heard a noise coming from the hallway. "Something's not right here." Emma grabbed her crutches and when to the door. She went around to the door, and got knocked over the head. Willow immediately rose from her chair and backed up towards the window.
"Well done, Ms. Fox. You've made me proud and proven yourself worthy," Willow turned to saw Eckhart and Larkin standing in the doorway hold an unconscious Emma at gun point. "Any attempt to escape and Ms. DeLauro dies."
Willow stood and stared down Eckhart, as several GSA agents entered the room and grabbed her.
"It's unfortunate you won't be able to enjoy the fruits of your labors with Mutant X," Eckhart said as she was stunned by the agent.
Downstairs...
"Anything?" Brennen was pacing back and forth.
"Not yet." Shalimar replied as she tried to sense any activity.
"Brennen, will you stop that, you're making me nervous," Jesse sat nervously.
"Sorry, man. I can't sit still at the moment. This whole setup is making me nervous." Brennen stopped temporarily, but resumed his pacing.
"Yeah, well, I think we're all a little uneasy with this," Shalimar added. She stopped and sensed something. "Something's coming this way guys. I think this could be it."
"Adam. We've got something headed this way. Could be Augustine," Brennen said.
"Right. I'm just on my way up to get Emma and Willow. We'll head to the Helix," Adam replied through the com ring.
"Gotcha. It's game time," Brennen said, as the others left got up to prepare with the GSA agents waiting along with them.
Upstairs...Adam felt eerie as he approached the room. As he entered the room, he found an unconscious Emma lying on the floor. He ran to her side.
"Emma! Emma!" Adam held her in his arms. She started to stir a little.
"My head." Emma she looked around the room to clear her head.
"Take it easy. You have a nasty bump. What happened? Where's Willow?" Adam looked around for any signs of Willow.
"I don't know. We heard a noise coming from the hall. I went to check it out and then everything went black." Emma tried to shake the bugs out.
"Take it easy. It's alright. Come on let's get you to the Helix." Adam sighed, helping Emma to her feet as they slowly made their way out of the room.
Downstairs...Brennen, Shalimar, Jesse, Mattius and several agents hid in the shadows of the factory as Augustine and his men came flying out of their vehicles.
Augustine stood in front of the factory looking it over. "Adam! I know you and your people are in there! Come out, come out wherever you are!"
Brennen looked at the others. "Let's go, come on." They all followed him out of the front towards the boiler room.
"Alright. Let's move in gentlemen. Kill the others, but Kane is mine." Augustine said as the others followed him into the factory.
Looking around, one of the soldiers approached Augustine. "They're not in here, sir."
"They're around here somewhere. Follow me."
Augustine approached the boiler room. Cautiously, Augustine entered the room. "Spread out."
Brennen and Shalimar were hiding behind a giant kiln as several soldiers where headed in their direction. He turned to her and nodded. The two of them jumped out from behind the kiln attacking the soldiers. "NOW!!"
Just as he said that, the GSA agents opened fire on the soldiers. Augustine turned with surprise "Well, well. You're just full of surprises aren't you Adam." He ran to take cover from the gunfire and search for Adam.
Mattius threw fireballs at oncoming soldiers as Jesse deflected gunfire. The heat in the boiler room became almost unbearable as steam rose everywhere. Augustine ran up a set of stairs, looking around. A GSA agent came running at him firing frantically. Augustine rose his arm and sent the agent flying over the rail. "Where are you Kane?!"
Shalimar and Brennen fought back to back as Brennen fired electricity to prevent the soldiers from getting a clear shot at them.
Augustine ran on the second level, frustrated at having no success at finding Adam. He saw a door at the end of the corridor and ran towards it, but he stopped dead in his tracks. Mason stepped out from behind the door with a gun in his hands.
"Well, well. Mason it's been a long time. Until now, I was beginning to think that you didn't have the guts to show your face in public." Augustine approached him with fire in his eyes. "You know I was looking for Adam Kane, but, this even better. You're what this little operation is all about."
"I'm honored Samuel. Unfortunately the train stops here." Eckhart cautiously approached him.
"Yes, here indeed." Augustine smiled as he lifted the gun from Eckhart's hand and raised Eckhart above the rail. "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."
He through Eckhart against a wall, as several GSA agents came to his aid. "What coincidence, so have I." Augustine turned around as Mattius held two fireballs in his hand. "This is for Landon and Jade!"
He shot them at Augustine. Augustine caught them both, but as he was distracted, Brennen came up from behind and shot electricity at Augustine sending him over the rail. Mattius looked over the rail. Shalimar and Jesse joined them at the top looking down at Augustine's lifeless body.
The surviving GSA agents helped Eckhart to his feet. Mason stood for a moment staring at the group. "Let's go." They looked on as Mason and his men disappeared out of sight.
The Double Helix..."Adam! Good news. Augustine's out of the picture and the few soldiers left under his command are fleeing." Brennen, Jesse, Shalimar and Mattius came running into the Helix to see a disorientated Emma and a solemn Adam.
"What happened?" Shalimar went to Emma's side. "You alright?"
"Yeah, I just got knocked over the head, but I'm fine." Emma looked at her slightly dazed.
Shalimar searched for Willow, but frowned when there was no sight of her. "Where's Willow?"
"I think the GSA's got her. Emma was attacked, when I went up to the room, I found her on the floor and Willow was gone." Adam sat down sensing Shalimar's growing anger.
"We need to get her back. If what Augustine told us about the xenocium is true, they could end up killing her," Shalimar had a sense of urgency in her voice. All she could think about was getting to Willow.
"I thought it was kind of weird that Eckhart showed up." Brennen looked at Adam.
"Eckhart was here? Dammit, I should've known better. I should've known that he would use this situation to his advantage," Adam sat beating himself up. He looked at Shalimar and approached her. "We'll get her back. I promise."
Shalimar looked at him. "I know."
End of Chapter 7
Phewwww, that was a long one. Took me forever to write. Let me know what you think.