CHAPTER EIGHT: PROJECT AT HARXXINI
"Want to be dropped here, Random?" the female voice crackled over the flyer's intercom.
"Thanks, Doctor. I'll do my best to keep the teleportation technology out of the hands of the vampires."
"I know. Take care of yourself."
"It's not me you have to worry about."
The carrier touched down, and Random rolled himself down the ramp.
I'll have to see my father again. It's been…nearly two years, now...
He knew, however, that his first stop would be the organization he was on a mission to protect, and at exactly the arranged time he knocked with his claw on the large metal door protecting the facility.
After a camera scanned him and he had identified himself, the door opened by itself, and Random rolled himself through the corridor, noticing that further scans were operating on him, to make sure he was exactly whom he claimed to be. He understood the need for precautions; in an eighteen-year-long career as a Lightning Knight, he'd encountered a surprising number of shapeshifters.
At the end of the passage, another metal door slid open, and he found himself in the main laboratory.
The room was filled with various complicated gadgets, gleaming in silver metal, and several Harxxini bent over them. Despite his years of experience as the resident technological expert of his team, Random couldn't begin to figure out the precise purpose of some of them. There were two large glass bell jars, easily large enough to fit several people, on either side of the room, and Random guessed they were the foundation of the experiment.
Teleportation tech…we've known the principle of portals and interdimensional travel for years, though the system and our knowledge of it are far from perfect. What's more difficult is to take that principle, and use it for more flexible teleportation. Looks like they've made some progress, but I think it'll be a long time before they can duplicate powers.
One of the Harxxini looked over his shoulder, and seeing Random Virus came over to him. He was a short man with rather nondescript features, but these features were not noticeable to the casual observer: what stood out was the bright silver metal that covered most of his body. He walked on three long metallic tentacles extending from his body, and extended a silver-coated hand to greet Random.
"Good afternoon, young Virus," he said. "So you've come back to protect us?"
"The teleportation technology is…impressive. It'd be a real asset for any of our enemies in battle though. I'm here to make sure nothing happens to it."
The older man sniffed. "We have the finest security tech in any dimension. Normally we wouldn't need you Knights to help…but considering you're one of us, we'll live with that."
"Hilde!" he called to a younger woman, wearing a lab coat over a form apparently unaugmented by technology.
"Yes, master Terminal?"
"Give the Virus the full tour, then show him to his quarters."
She nodded. "Some of the areas don't have access ramps, but I'm sure we'll manage."
"That'll be fine," Random said. It was obvious that she wasn't Harxxini both from her accent and the lack of cybernetics, and he glanced at his old acquaintance.
"She's one of the humans we've hired from the Sixth Dimension," Ambrose Terminal explained. "A third-level gopher."
Hilde smiled. "If you'd follow me, master Virus…"
Random was impressed at the size and scale of the research project, and rolled along gleaming ramps and hallways for what seemed like hours, taking in countless information about the technological resources stored in this place. He stored Hilde's data in his memory banks for future reference.
"We have a security staff of fifteen, not including you," Hilde said, her voice cool and neutral, "and after lockdown they patrol regularly. Our doors leading to sensitive areas open either from the inside, or at a command from the three project heads, Terminal, Ether, and Shock. Do you know them?"
"I've met them all before," Random said, "although I'm not on close terms with Masters Ether and Shock."
"They're brilliant scientists," Hilde said. "I did my thesis on their chemical biomodification project." Her expression had changed to one of enthusiasm. "It's an incredible privilege to be working under them…"
"Where did you study?" Random asked.
"Londres University," she said. "I know I can't begin to match up to Harxxini standards, but it's good to simply be here." She looked embarrassed for a moment. "Getting back to security, we have at least one camera in every corridor, full three-dimensional tracking, and scan the tapes regularly for unrecognised visitors. We have complete bodymaps of all our staff, and use retinal, fingerprint, and DNA scans. It's as secure as we can get it."
"It sounds like it. I'll need schematics of the camera layouts, though, and the patrol schedules. Lists of every staff member would be useful, so I can run security checks using the Lightning Knight database."
"Of course," Hilde said. "This is our main security centre— " she ushered him into a large room, with bare steel walls, one giant computer on the wall, and two security men lounging around a table—"and the database here should have everything you need."
"Thank you."
Hilde took a card from the pocket of her lab coat, and handed it to him.
"This should give you access to all the information you need. Tell me if you have any problems."
-
Later, as he sat in his quarters, Random activated the screen on the wall, and dialled a number.
The face of a woman stared back at him, and smiled.
"Settled in all right?" she said. "Looks like you're living in technological luxury."
"This place has more complicated tech than I've ever seen before," Random said. "I don't think I'll have much of a problem helping them with security."
"That's good. Try to get the rest, as your doctor I'll say you need it." Dr Grey smiled. "Your family's here, aren't they?"
"Yes. I'll be going to see them tomorrow," Random said. "I don't know how they'll react to seeing me again. I've…changed a great deal, and done evil." He gestured to the metal half of his body.
"You've always been good on the inside, and that's what counts," Dr Grey said. "And since you've recovered you're as good as ever. Just focus on the positive."
"I'll try," Random said, sounding none too optimistic.
"You're not responsible for your parents' response, any more than you are for what Lord Fear had done to you," Dr Grey said fiercely. "Your parents love you. You'll be fine."
"I hope so," Random said.
Dr Grey yawned. "I'll leave you to it. If you're half as tired as I am, you'll need rest. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
-
Meanwhile, another conversation…
In Headquarters alone, figuring out just how she was going to fix the Flash with the parts she had available, Sparx heard a loud ring, and left her contemplation to pick up the phone.
"Hello?"
She recognised the voice on the other end. "Ace isn't here at the moment, he's on patrol. Sorry."
"Oh. Tell him to call back, then. Actually I have something to say that concerns you."
"Okay, fine. What is it?" Sparx was curious but not concerned; she had once hated the woman she was talking to, but since they'd had to save the world together they'd learned to get along. And Elspeth was still seeing Sparx' best friend, which helped.
"I'm in the First Dimension at present. Working for a Lord Reinhard. Do you know him?"
Sparx gasped. "We've...met. Say what you have to say."
"Princess Amandine? He still has your portrait around, though you've aged quite a bit since then."
"Okay." Sparx was breathing more quickly, but she was surprised at how easily she was taking the knowledge that her secret was out. "Have you told anyone?"
"No." The voice on the other end sounded vaguely insulted. "It's your business."
"Then why are you bothering to bring it up?"
"I was wondering. How much do you earn as a Lightning Knight?"
"Enough. How much do you get paid as a mercenary?"
"Not nearly enough. There is a reward out for you. I could turn you in, we split the money, then get you out again. Leaving out the 'links with the Lightning Knights' thing of course."
"I...don't know. You didn't tell Ace, did you?"
"As I said. Your business. And I thought you might have already told him."
"I...don't want to go back to my old life."
"Fair enough."
"Look, I'll...I'll think about it. And tell anyone and I'll kill you."
"You've tried to kill me countless times, and I still live. Empty threats."
"Promise me..."
The voice on the other end sounded amused. "Agreed. Don't think you're the only one with a past, Sparx."
"Okay. Hey, Princess beats Lady." Sparx brightened.
"And Dark Elf beats human." She still sounded amused.
"I've...gotta go. See you."
"It's quite likely."
The phone clicked off.
A/N: YES, all feedback is appreciated. Please review. Thank you Hyperpsychomaniac!