Dark Inheritance

Warning: Mature themes discussed

Jasper pulled up a block from the warehouse. The sky was getting dark. JC sat in the backseat, nervous about the operation. Hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew he thought to himself.

"Master JC," Jasper said, looking back at him. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes." JC said semi-confidently. "I need to get to the bottom of this."

"I'll pull back to the main part of the city. Diana will be in contact. Alice insists that we extract you the second things get hairy."

"I guess I better not screw up." JC said sarcastically.

"I certainly hope so." Jasper quipped. "Best of luck, young Master."

JC exited the car. Jasper pulled away. Taking a deep breath, JC headed towards the warehouse.

…

The warehouse looked a lot creepier in the fading light. JC reminded himself to stick to the shadows. His outfit would help with that: Dark blue hoodie and cargo pants, black gloves, dark hiking shoes. He pulled out the mask Jasper made for him and slipped it on. Jasper's work was impressive; he could see perfectly as if with his own eyes. He approached the fence surrounding the building and noticed the "Private Property-No Trespassing" sign on the gate. Like I'd listen to them at this point. He climbed over the fence and approached the warehouse. He slipped on his earpiece and checked in. "Diana, do you read me?"

"Loud and clear." came her response. "Are you okay so far?"

"I'm on the grounds. No sign of anyone just yet." Not that JC was surprised. Security would be minimal on the outside. They couldn't risk drawing too much attention to this place.

The building was two stories high, and as big as a city block. A lot of ground to cover. JC circled around to look for an open window. It made no sense walking in the front gate. Near the corner, he though he heard movement. Peaking carefully around a stack of boxes, he turned on his enhanced sense. He saw a figure, humanoid, outlined in red, patrolling near a truck. He smiled at his new ability; he'd learned to 'upgrade' his enhanced vision so he could see auras. Alice told him it would help identify targets more effectively, whatever that meant. The man he saw – he was certain even in the poor lighting – was taking a smoke break. He tried to edge a little closer and accidentally nudged one of the boxes.

"Hmm?" the figure turned toward the sound. JC slipped back and froze. Footsteps began to approach. Bracing himself, he waited. As soon as he rounded the corner JC sprang and jabbed him in the throat, cutting off his scream and leaving him gasping for breath. A knee to the forehead put him down completely.

JC quickly looked over the man. He was young, maybe twenties. Dressed in camo pants and an olive muscle shirt, and carried an assault weapon. Why is a soldier guarding this place? He recognized the weapon, a FN P90, a 5.7mm assault weapon, equipped with a silencer. A set of plastic dog tags was around his neck. This was no ordinary soldier. "Diana, I'm sending you a picture." He reached up and clicked a picture of the guy with his mask lenses.

"What the…!" came Diana a moment later. "Is that one of the guards?"

"Probably one of the younger ones. See if you can identify his tags or anything else." JC didn't voice what he suspected already. Mercenary. Well-armed and likely well-trained. He dragged the unconscious form behind a stack of boxes. The weapon was stashed in his backpack of holding before he continued his search. He lucked out. A ladder leading up to an outside catwalk was further down, and he climbed up. A series of windows framed a door on the second floor. One was opened, so in he went.

"Diana, I'm inside on the second floor. Any chance you can get the layout of this place?"

"Hold on." A moment passed. "Found some public records for when it was operational. I sent it to you phone."

JC took it out and compared to what he saw. "Looks good. I'll keep you posted." He was in a dark office. The desk and some file cabinets still remained. Carefully opening the door, he peeked out. His enhanced vision showed a series of catwalks crisscrossing the upper floor, with some office boxes along some of the sides. No one else was visible. One of the offices was larger than the others, so he headed into that one. It looked the same as the first one: desk, file cabinets. One the desk was a note, recent by the look of it.

Johnson, stop forgetting the elevator code. One more time and you can stay up top while we do the real work. The code is 0451. This is you last warning.

"Diana, does this place have an elevator? I found a note about it."

Diana was silent for a bit. "There was a freight elevator on the north side of the first floor. But why would it be working at this point?"

"The people here have been using it. I'll check it out." The rest of the place was a bust, no people or clues. The elevator was where Diana said it was, looking rather new compared to the rest of the building. "I'm heading down."

"Be careful." Diana replied.

…

The elevator slowly traveled deeper into the facility. JC could see out the small door windows. There was at least one more level below the main building. It opened into a large loading area. Several crates were stacked about. JC activated his enhanced sight. Other people were down here operating some of the loading equipment. He gulped. His outfit wouldn't really help here, it was lit normally, few shadows. He snuck over to one of the crate sets and peered out. Along one wall were some garage doors with trucks parked in front being loaded. Probably lead to the surface. He took some pictures. When no one was looking, he headed over to the other side of the room and carefully slipped through another door.

The next room had two levels, with him on the upper walkway. Several offices were along the walls. Unfortunately, several people were here as well, mostly on the lower level. Some were dressed like the soldier up top. Others JC recognized as the 'simulacra' that had attacked him at school. He zoomed in with his mask and turned his vision on. The soldiers were lit up in red. The drones, however, were a pale blue. Now I can tell them apart. The soldiers were clearly in charge, ordering the others around the area. JC looked up. Cameras were along the walls. He needed another way through. Spotting a nearby vent, he carefully moved the cover away and crawled through.

Keeping track of his orientation, he headed towards one of the nearby offices. It was empty. A terminal was open on the main console. He tapped a few keys. "Diana, I think I'm in some security checkpoint. There's a control terminal in one of the offices. Can you access it?"

"Bring up your phone. I'll try to connect though it." JC's phone scanned the terminal and watched as lines of code sped past. "Okay, I'm in. You should be able to use it." JC brought up some of the applications. This office must have been one of the main control centers; he could access the cameras from here. The views showed other equipment, as well as other doors leading out of the area. None of the cameras were inside, he couldn't access them. He deactivated the cameras. This should make it easier to move about. He looked out the office windows. The cameras were off and the occupants didn't seem to notice, but he couldn't risk one of them getting lucky and seeing him. Thankfully, there was another vent leading out. This place must be connected by vents he thought as he crept through.

The next office wasn't far away, and was bigger than the last. This one actually had some storage lockers and a network computer. He jimmied the locks and managed to scrounge some ammo for his weapons. A first aid box on the wall contained some small adrenalin shot syringes, the kind used in the field to treat injuries. He took those too. The computer was easy to hack with Diana's app. JC found some e-mails left on the network. Most were updates and reports that made little sense, but at least one talked of 'security issues' and 'operational situations'. One in particular caught his attention.

There was another instance where a subject got loose

and made a break for the elevator. Your security in the

area is a joke. Keep an eye on the people and tell the

troops to stop slacking off. Any more incidents and they'll

find themselves scrubbing the medical disposal area.

JC was shocked. Subjects? Security troops? Medical disposal? What the hell were they doing here? His mind raced with unpleasant possibilities. It was clear he needed to check out the medical section. He checked the area and was disappointed that the vents didn't go to the ground – or bypass the door leading out of the area. Going back to the computer he found another e-mail that looked useful.

In light of last week's escape attempt the door

leading to the medical center will have its code

changed AGAIN. Try and keep the place secure

this time. The code is 0119. Don't forget it.

Jackpot! It was time to move. Fortunately the few people there were a good ways from the door. He quickly punched in the code and slipped in.

…

The medical area was similar to the security checkpoint: Metal walls, floors and ceiling, fluorescent lighting. Unlike the security checkpoint, there was no one in the medical area, even when JC used his enhanced sight. Just as well, as he wanted to check things out quickly and get out. The first area was a small office area with a terminal and bunch of lockers for personal belongings. He checked the drawers of the desk and found a key on a chain. Acting on a hunch, he tried the lockers. They opened. He'd found the master key. Why is this still here when no one else is around? Something told him he needed to wrap this up. The lockers were mostly barren, but one had a small, red card with a swipe stripe. A keycard? This was getting weird. He checked the terminal and found it unlocked. Very weird. At least it had a map of the area and a link to the cameras. A quick check showed them already offline. Must be clearing this place out already. The door leading out was opened by a button next to it, no doubt another security measure.

"Diana, you copy?"

"Yes, finally." Came her exasperated reply. "You were silent for a while there. What's going on?"

"I'm in the medical center. Looks like they're clearing things out. I'm going to look for any files that may be left." JC entered the next room and stopped, stunned. The room wasn't very large, but was lined with small cubby hole rooms on both sides. Each room had a small cot and was enclosed with a clear acrylic wall with sliding door. All were open, and a faint smell of bleach emanated from some of them. Moving quickly but silently, JC went past them to far end of the room. Another door lead out, locked. He noticed the card reader next to it and took out the red card he found. The reader beeped. Entering the next area, he found the nexus of the med center.

A hallway lead down past several rooms, each significant. One was a standard medical checkup office, similar to the one he saw in Judith's facility. He shuddered at the memory. Further down, a more advanced surgery center was set up. A couple of surgery tables with mechanical arms with surgery equipment remained. The smell of bleach mixed with formaldehyde was present. Across the hall was a small office area. Three desk cubies were set up, each with some personal effects. No nameplates were left. One was empty, but the other two had some pictures left. JC saw with great surprise that the pictures were of him and Judith when they were younger. He quickly left and headed further down the hall.

A large medical examination and storage area was next. A large terminal was alongside some scanning equipment. Tubes and containers were sitting on tables. One was a small rectangular container with several vials sitting in it. Each contained a red liquid, most likely blood. They were labeled with numbers and indicators that made no sense to him. "Diana, I'm sending you pictures of some blood samples I found." He clicked the switch on his mask. A moment later Diana chimed in.

"JC, those labels indicate they came from the hospital Shaun was at. Those must be the blood samples they took during the vaccine!"

"Then I know what to do." JC took the case, sealed it, and placed it in his bag. He checked another table and found another case. It was filled with pills that looked like the ones the men who attacked Alice used. He stashed those too.

Even more vials were held in standing containers on the counters. They were larger, about six inches long and sealed. One type was a deep red and looked almost like Kool-Aid. The packs were labeled "Lifeblood Elixir". Another set was blue and labeled "Spirit Remedy." JC rolled his eyes at the names. They act like this is video game. Nevertheless he took both sets. If I can't stop their work I can at least rob them blind. Finally, he approached the terminal.

"Diana, I found a large computer terminal here. Any chance you can get this too?"

"Okay, check the large transmitter I put in your pack." JC took it out as she continued. "Plug it into its USB port and I should be able to connect to it." JC did so and watched as code sped across the screen. "Jackpot! I'm in. Let me see…" she was silent for a bit. "Oh my God. There's all kinds of files listed here."

"What do they say?" JC asked.

"There's too many to examine right now. I'll need to download them so I can sort through them later. This may take a while." JC stood at the terminal patiently. Diana was silent as she worked. The silence was unnerving. JC wanted to leave ASAP. He thought he heard a soft thud in the distance. He turned on his sight and scanned the area. Nothing. Must be my nerves.

"All set." Diana finally chimed. "I'll look over what I can. Try to find a way out of there, you've done enough." JC removed the transmitter and exited the room. He headed for the door opposite the one he entered. Looking to the side, he saw one last room. Despite his urgency, he checked it out. Inside was a scene from a horror movie.

Empty body bags lined the walls. Various gurneys littered the floor. Surgical tools were set up along the walls and on tray tables. A conveyer belt led to an oven-like unit. The whole room smelled like bleach and formaldehyde, with an underlying scent of burnt meat. He felt nauseous. But the sight at the center of the room made him freeze: A gurney, sitting quietly, was occupied, covered by a blanket.

I should just leave he told himself. Morbid curiosity got the better of him. Slowly walking over, he carefully lifted the blanket and gasped. A male body lay motionless there, his face half-burned with the flesh looking pulpy and deformed. He suppressed a gag reflex. "Diana, I've got a body here."

"Eww." came her disgusted reply. "Stay away from it."

"Something happened to his face. I might be a side effect of that drug. Can I send you a picture?"

"Fine. Just get it over with."

JC zoomed in with his mask lens and snapped a photo of the unfortunate victim. "Ugh." Diana said. "Crap, the face came in wrong. Can you…" she gulped. "Get a closer shot?" JC sighed and moved in for a closer shot – and was shocked when the "corpse" reached out and grabbed his arm tightly, gasping for breath.

"Help…me…" came his strained plea.

"Calm down." JC said, as much to himself as the man. "Who did this to you?"

"Doc…tors. Took me…gave me drug…made me feel strong…but got bad. Body…burns…doctors leave…left me…to die…" The man's grip weakened.

"Diana, call an ambulance for…" the man went limp, his breathing stopped. "Never mind."

"What happened?"

"Nothing. I'm done here." He headed for the other door. Another cargo/loading area was here. Various boxes were stacked creating towers. Pillars supported a walkway around an upper floor. At the opposite end was another large elevator, probably used to bring in supplies. He started to walk but a noise ahead made him take cover. Two people, a man and a woman, carrying large duffels, crossed from the left side towards the elevator. The woman was in the lead. Both wore camo attire similar to the soldiers he'd seen earlier. JC snapped some pictures from his cover…then was violently lifted off the ground as a muscular arm wrapped around his throat.

"This must be the boy scout whose been poking around in our business." growled a gravelly voice. JC was pinned against him.

The other two saw this as they entered the elevator. "Deal with him, Bruno." stated the woman as the door shut.

'Bruno' flung JC hard against another crate tower, sending him sprawling. JC got a good look as he struggled to his feet: Tall, over six feet, with a broad build packed with muscles. A blonde crew cut sat above a rock-jawed face twisted in to a sneer. Same camo fatigues as the others. The man pulled a combat knife and moved in to take a swing. JC ducked and moved in for a punch to the chest. With a grunt the man brought his knee to JC's gut, driving him back. He barely dodged another knife swing before kicking the man's midsection. The man stumbled back. "Feisty one, aren't you?" The two circled. JC had to think fast; the man was tough and only marginally weaker than he was. The man charged again. JC stepped in, deflected his thrust, and connected with a head butt (mask butt in this case) to the man's face, followed with a heel kick to his diaphragm. The man fell back and dropped to his knee. JC approached to press the attack – and sped off as the man pulled his pistol and fired at him. A shot got him in the arm before he could get to cover.

"Had to make this difficult, didn't you?" The man got to his feet and slowly approached JC's hiding spot gun at the ready. JC looked at his arm: minimal damage, as he expected, he could already feeling the wounds fading slowly. But he couldn't risk that again. He debated pulling his own firearms but stopped. He needed this guy alive and able to talk. Moving carefully, he went from cover to cover, keeping obstacles between him and the soldier as he did. He felt the man had lost track of him…before a clatter of a grenade nearby forced him to move. He sped towards another set of cover as a loud BANG and bright flash knocked him forward…and took a burst of gunfire to his right side. Flashbang grenade. The guy had flushed him out. JC stumbled into cover with his side feeling on fire. He was pinned. He heard him closing in. I need a distraction he thought, as a cold shiver went through him. The footsteps got louder. The shivers increased as a mist started to fill the room. Where's this coming from? Soon the whole area was filled. JC scrambled out and tried to move. Surprisingly, he could see despite the fog. He expected the man to tag him again but nothing happened. Dropping into cover again, he carefully looked out. The man was clearly confused, looking all over the place: He couldn't see. The fog was too thick. JC knew this was his chance. When the man turned his back to him, he moved in. From behind, he clapped his hands over the man's ears, disorienting him. Spinning to his front he struck his throat, silencing him. The man swung wildly in front, JC blocked and one-two power punched his abdomen. Spin kick to his head spun him around. His back to him, JC low-punched his kidney. Final maneuver, hooked the man's arm and flipped him face first to the floor. The fog dissipated as the man groaned in pain. The fight was over.

JC grabbed the back of the man's head and pulled it up. "This boy scout has some questions. What is this place? What is Genetech up to?"

"Genetech?" the man grunted through a bruised jaw. "You think Genetech is behind this? That's just the tip of the iceberg. *cough* You've got bigger enemies than Genetech, mister."

"Who? What's going on?"

"I'm not paid to care what's going on. You want answers, maybe you should ask those stuffed shirts at Genetech yourself. But I doubt you'll make it that far."

"Thanks for the help." JC snarked, knocking him out with a blow to the neck. Patting him down, he confiscated his ammo and knife. Took some flashbangs and some kind of gas grenades as well. Rolling him over, he snapped a picture before heading for the elevator the others had used. This had a card reader, which his red card unlocked. He stepped inside –

Black tendrils wrapped around his ankles, pinning him in place. He struggled but to no avail. More began to wrap around him, bringing him to his knees –

JC shook his head. He pressed the button and rode the elevator up.

"Diana, I'm exiting the facility. Tell Jasper I'll be over shortly."

"JC! You were silent for a while. I heard a struggle –"

"I'm fine. I'll tell you more later. Is there a way to get the cops over here? They need to see this."

"It's private property and off the beaten path. They'd only come if some disaster occurred."

JC thought for a moment. "Leave it to me."

…

Judith quietly walked about the facility. It was night time and few people were up. She'd snuck out of bed and was still in her pajamas. Most of the doors were locked. One office was open and she checked it out. Near the desk was a shelf full of books. She scanned them using her power and found one that looked useful. Opening it showed a series of strange symbols and arcane writings. Waving her hand over them, she concentrated and felt a surge of power. Replacing the book, she looked through the desk. A notepad held the PC's password. She shook her head with a smile. Accessing the computer, she scanned the files and e-mails. After a few moments she logged off and replaced everything. Exiting the office, she snuck back to her room. As she was getting ready to turn in she heard some voices arguing outside down the hall. Cracking open her door, she heard her mom and dad.

"How did this happen?" Her mom's voice.

"Someone got into the facility." Her dad. "Apparently they took some of the compounds."

"And beat up one of the mercs protecting the place? Who could do something like that?"

"I don't know, but we'll have to wash our hands of the place. The cops can't find the connection. It would ruin everything."

The two moved away down the hall. Judith smiled as she climbed back into bed. She touched her pendant, the one JC gave her. Well done brother she thought as she drifted to sleep.

…

Alice, JC and Diana watched the late news. JC has changed into his street clothes while his outfit was being repaired. A breaking news story was on the screen.

"…Authorities are not clear as to the cause of the fire, however it was contained quickly. A closer inspection, however, revealed another story…"

"…Not sure who was behind the facility, as most of the structure was heavily damaged. There is evidence of underground medical research being conducted. No clue as to the nature of the experiments…"

"It's a start, I guess." said JC. "They lost the facility, along with some of their merchandise."

"I gave the info and some of the chemicals to my father." Diana said. "His people should come up with something."

"I'm proud of you, JC." said Alice. "But you still took a huge risk. That soldier could have killed you."

"I had to, Alice." replied JC. "I needed to find out the truth. The files I got should help us out."

"I know. But please be more careful. We're up against some powerful people. People who don't like to lose."

Jasper entered the room. "Master JC, your outfit is repaired. Would you like to turn for the evening?"

"I should." JC yawned. "I'll be more careful, Alice. Again, thank you." He headed for his room. Diana came up and hugged him.

"Thanks for not getting killed and forcing me to go through therapy."

JC smiled and hugged her back. For a moment, he could pretend it was an earlier time, before the crazy project, when he was just a student hanging out with his sister…and then he was sad again.

Alice came up and touched his shoulder. "It's been a long night and we got plenty of info. We'll get a fresh start in the morning."

JC let go of Diana and headed for his room. I'll get to the bottom of this. Then I'll take them all down. I swear it.

~To be continued