Chapter 4: Enter: The Chipmunks!

As the months went by the boys and I were told to help look for some new 'recruits' for the Founders to collect for their cause. We went through some of the high graded students from schools around the world on the computers they put in our lab. It didn't take long before I discovered excellent test scores and high grades from the more unlikely type of students - Chipmunks.

When the Founders got wind of this, they wanted to find more information and recruit them as soon as possible. I'd to admit that it seemed to be an interesting project to try. It could be that these Chipmunks might come in handy for their cause.

Or ours.

Either way, these Chipmunks could be trained to be warriors.

Before the Chipmunks arrived I looked through their personal files, even I wasn't allowed to know much about to begin with. Each one was interesting and unique.

Tom Relic was the oldest and the first to arrive to the Island. His father Nathan was a widower. Tom's late mother, Gracie, was killed in a car accident just a year before he had been chosen for this project. After his mother died, Tom began hiding himself in books. His other main focus was his studies at school. It was his way to avoid showing his emotions. As the others came to the Island he subconsciously became the protector of the group. Secretly he always wanted siblings and he found the family he always wanted with the rest of the Chipmunks.

Renee Soyer was the second to arrive. She has two younger twin brothers, Jake and Kyle. Her parents are Adam and Maggie. Growing up she was cheerful, but often quite shy and loved to take gymnastics. Renee didn't really know many friends in school. Even though she had a few friends, she pretty much kept to her self. After arriving to the Island she kept close to the rest of the Chipmunks, she could sense that the other kids could not be trusted.

Brenda Asprin arrived against her will thirdly. Before coming here she lived in England with her parents, Bruce and Lily, and sister, Courtney. Brenda had a fixation over sculpting. Her dream one day is to fly an aircraft or space shuttle. She was naturally smart and understood most of what the schools were teaching. When she arrived, Renee and her became roommates and fast friends. The two of them reminded me much of Emily and me when I first came to the Island.

The fourth one that arrived was Brian Malton. He lived with his parents, Frank and Cindy, and twin sister, Ashley, in Ontario, Canada. Brian, as a child was usually very quiet and wouldn't really talk to anyone, unless it was with his sister. Both he and his sister mostly studied, but he would still end up with the higher scores on his report card. Ashley would actually end up having a more social life; then he did because of it. As for Brian, if he wasn't studying, or hanging out with his sister, he would write in his journal. Out of the five Chipmunks chosen, Brian seemed the most dangerous. In him I could sense a time bomb that could go off at any given moment. The only time this chipmunk ever opened up is when he is with the other Chipmunks.

Last was Simon Seville. I actually recognized him from a singing group with his brothers, Alvin and Theodore. Their group called 'Alvin and the Chipmunks'. He was the middle bother of the trio. Their father, David Seville, managed their singing career and started them off as the first singing animal group. From what I read from his file he would sometimes feel out of place in his family. His brothers were so different from him and being the smartest member of the family he was counted on to help with homework and even when his dad was doing the taxes. Out of the five chosen, Simon is the youngest. I can tell that this has become quite a culture shock for him. For once, he has older chipmunks looking out for him, instead of him looking out for his brothers. The more I studied these Chipmunks the more I noticed that they stayed close together. Whenever you saw one, others were certainly not far away.

For the first few weeks, the Chipmunks did as told and kept quiet. There had been a few incidences first with Brian. During the first week he arrived, he failed to make it to class in time. The Founders showed no mercy towards tardiness. He was quickly introduced to the Whipping Room where he received his first beating on the wrists.

I have been keeping an eye on them as often as I could. Almost every night I would spot them sneaking around and exploring the campus, much like I did when I was younger. One night they discovered Adam Manor's music room. Unfortunately, I wasn't the only one following them that night. The Dean caught wind of their nightly expiates, and ordered a team of followers to join in retrieving the innocent Chipmunks. When they arrived to the room that was when Simon was heard playing music on the piano. Something Founders don't want anyone on this Island to do, because it promotes creativity and independence. If they have that then there isn't any hope of full control of anyone.

A feeling of guilt came over me when the Dean took Simon to the Whipping Room. But what could I do? If I lead on that I am against the Cause, then I just might end up just like that boy. I was in no mood to become food for these monsters. Casually, I headed back to my quarters. In my mind I could hear the painful screams coming from young Simon. I remember that night I barely got any sleep.

TWO YEARS LATER…

Gradually I discovered, and unfortunately so did the Founders, that the Chipmunks would have an unusual side effect of the chemical enhanced to their brains. Everywhere these Chipmunks went they started to cause trouble. One of the big issues the Founders had was when the five Chipmunks threw Cherry Bombs in the water pipes. The explosion created such a big mess. Not to mention a lot of stress on everyone on the Island, including myself.

I had a hunch that their animal instincts were trying to reject the mind control. The Guardian convinced the rest of the Founders and the Illuminati that the Chipmunks would eventually be controllable. When that would be possible they should prove to be great warriors to their Cause.

Eventually, the Chipmunks started to use this rebellious energy to develop plans for escaping the Island. As usual this worried me when anyone would attempt this act; my thoughts drifted again back to the young boy in the underground cavern. I wondered if these Chipmunks would end up facing the same fate. There were a few times they were nearly spotted. The Chipmunks aborted their plans before they were fully caught and punished. I really started worrying when the Chipmunks befriended a boy in their age group. What the unsuspecting Chipmunks didn't understand was one very important rule, 'never trust anyone on this Island', especially if they come up to you and ask questions about escaping.

For months I carefully watched them build a boat they built with the Founder's young spy. The day came when the Chipmunks would attempt their escape. I knew the boy would not meet them. On this the day the Founders caught them and dragged them to the torture chambers. The chambers were located at the other end of the Island. I felt bad for them this was a fate worse then death. For a week the Founders starved them and beat them. Not only that, but at the same time brainwashed them into believing that there is NO escape off the Island.

A week had passed, and the Founders need to have a meeting in order to figure out what to do with the Chipmunks. I just happened to be walking by the door of the room where the Founders were having their meeting. I over heard them planning to make a feast out of the five Chipmunks. That was when I felt I couldn't sit aside any longer. Quickly I calculated a plan. Before I really knew what I was doing, I opened the door and walked right in.

"Sorry sirs," I remember starting my plan. "But I couldn't help but to over hear your decision over the Chipmunk Project? If you may, I have a suggestion on a better solution to the problem. The boys and I have been studying these Chipmunks carefully and analyses a plausible program that might work."

I stood nervously as the Founders whispered with the Illuminati senior members. The Guardian eyed me carefully as I maintained focus to hide the trembling all over my body, that was fear. What seemed to take minutes, only took a few seconds for the seniors to make a decision for me to continue with my idea.

"Go on…" The elder at the head of the table said in a deep voice.

Before I could continue I swallowed a lump that somehow formed in my throat. "Well, perhaps by starting them up on a habit, like smoking, this might help calm down the hyper response to their chemically enhanced brains." I began suggesting. Again, the Founders and seniors whispered amongst themselves over this idea. One of them looked up at me. He nodded for me to continue. "Um, w…we could pose as role models for the Chipmunks and gain their trust. The boys and I could train these Chipmunks ourselves. This way, the Project can receive a faster result to your Cause. If you would all agree I would take full responsibility for the Chipmunk Project from here on end. I believe the boys and I have proven our worth to you to take on this greater challenge."

I stood there with patience as the Founders talked it over naturally the Guardian stayed as calm as ever. No doubt he has had many practices in situations like this. A sense of pride came to me when the Founders agreed to my proposal. I did a respectful bow and thanked them before I made my leave of the room.

We allowed two weeks to pass for the Chipmunks to recover from their week of torture. That gave the boys and me time to plan a strategy on how to convince the Chipmunks to trust us. It would be no surprise that after their recent experience it would be difficult getting them to trust us. It didn't take them long to find out that the boy they befriended betrayed them to the Founders.

We carefully watched the five of them and discovered that the oldest, Tom would be acknowledged as the leader, so to speak. As soon as we got the opportunity, the boys and I organized a plan where we could confront Tom when he was alone. With a quick announcement over the PA system, we were able to get Tom to believe he had a special assignment waiting for him behind the building, and by the shed.

It wasn't long before Tom showed up. He had a look of suspicion written all over his face as soon as he saw the four of us waiting for him. After what he had gone through with the other Chipmunks, I really don't blame him.

Jeff decided to speak to him first. "Hello Tom. It is good to see that you and the other Chipmunks survived the Founder's torture chambers."

"Look, let's cut the chit-chat." Tom held up his hand to indicate that he isn't interested in hearing us make small talk with him. "What do you want?" He had gotten right to the point. This had impressed us. We knew that this would be a good choice to take these Chipmunks under our wings.

I first looked over to Rob and Mark before looking over to Jeff. Our thoughts melded with each other to see if we all agree on the same solution. We all nodded at each other before I stepped up to the young chipmunk.

"It is obvious that you are quick learner in not to trust anyone on this Island." I told him.

"Gee. What could have spawned that idea?" Tom sarcastically responded.

"Listen," I continued to talk to him. "My name is Mary-Anne, and these are my friends; Jeff, Mark, and Rob. We know what you Chipmunks are going through. We can help."

"You'll forgive me if I choose not to believe you." He said as he started backing away from us.

"We do forgive you," Mark began to say. "But how long will you and the other Chipmunks survive?"

Tom stopped to turn his head slightly to look back at us. His ears perked in interest of what Mark had to say. "What do you mean?" He asked.

This was it, now is the time we would tell him. "I hate to say this but you and the other Chipmunk's numbers are up." I told him bluntly. "The Founders and Illuminati cult are not willing to support you as part of their project anymore. They are planning to terminate you all by the end of this semester."

"I-I don't get it." The young chipmunk looked worried. "We already learned our lesson. There is no escaping from this Island we know this now. Why would they want to put an 'end' to us?"

"Simple," Rob stepped in. "You and the others have become a risk to the Cause. The trouble you five have created for the past eight months has done a lot of damage, which caused delays in their projects."

"Ok," Tom trembled as he attempted to keep a brave face. W…W…What if you say is true. How is that going to prevent me and the other Chipmunks becoming, um, 'extinct'?"

"We can't make any guarantees," Jeff plunged in the conversation. "But, if you five stick with the four of us your chances of survival might increase by 40."

"H…How do I know we can trust you?" Tom carefully eyed us to be sure what we were saying is true.

"No one can be trusted a 100." Mark stated clearly. "But we know the ins and outs around this Island that no one else knows, including the Founders."

"Information we can share will most certainly become very useful to you and the others." Rob finished.

"Why would you care, what happens to us?" The young chipmunk asked suspiciously.

"Lets just say the boys and I are one of the only few that still have a conscious. We would like the opportunity to start saving more lives around here then allowing them to become victims to the Founder's brutality." I firmly stated.

Tom thought about what we said for a moment before looking back up at us. "Ok." He said. "But how will I explain this to the others? How and where would we ever meet without the Founders becoming suspicious?"

"Simple," Jeff smirked. "Have you ever thought of taking up smoking?" He said handing the young chipmunk a package of cigarettes.

"What?" Tom had become shocked when Jeff suggested that.

"You heard him." I said, crossing my arms. "Smoke breaks are but the only kinds of breaks we can get from these so-called classes."

"All you need to do is wait a few minutes while you are in your next class. Then get the other Chipmunks to come with you down to the eastern path. Follow that path directly to where we call the 'smoking pit'. There we will explain more." Jeff instructed.

"Now go, you don't want to be late. The tone will go off soon." Warned Rob, while Mark and I nodded in agreement.

Tom took two steps back towards the door before turning to face us again. He still felt a tad uncertain about our plan, but also I can read inside his mind the need to want to believe. With a simple nod, he turned and went back into the building.

Now all the rest of us need to do is go to our Smoking Pit and wait for the Chipmunks to arrive.

"Wow" Rob said in shock, after reading about the secret lair of the founders.

"I take it as you weren't told." When Rob shook his head, Simon continued, "Now you do." and grinned.

Narrowing his eyes at his friend, "What's that suppose to mean?"

He shrugged, "Nothing." Simon said and took another of the chapters to read.