Obake didn't have a lot of time.
He wasn't sure of the exact amount but he knew he needed to act quickly before his body gave out on him.
He hurried as fast he could to one of his secret lab locations. He was relieved to find supplies that would be useful to him within it.
A set of dry clothes, a hoodie in particular to conceal his face, gloves, sunglasses, a backpack, a laptop, a USB and most important of all, a first aid kit that had a few doses of painkillers in it.
Obake quickly changed into the dry set of clothes before doing what he could for injuries with what tools he had in the first aid kit before administering the pain killers. He was thankful for the relief they brought him, allowing him to think straight.
Thinking straight… When was the last time I was even able to think straight? Least, be able to think straight with a working moral compass?
Obake shook his mind of it. He could ponder over that later.
He had bigger matters to attend to.
He made sure to save one more dose of painkillers just in case, stowing it safely in the backpack with the laptop. He looped the USB around his neck with a lanyard. He took one last scope around the location to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything.
Obake's eyes landed on a fridge, his stomach giving a slight growl.
Not sure if I have anything in there but it's worth looking.
He opened it, surprised to find two well preserved contents inside. A burger from Joe's Diner that was in a plastic container and a wrapped up blueberry scone from the Lucky Cat Cafe.
When did I get these…?
Obake thought back for a moment till it crossed his mind exactly where these had come from. They were from Trina. Globby had requested her to make a food run since he was tired of eating Noodle Burger Boy's… well, Noodle Burgers, and she was the most normal looking of the bunch and Momakase was out doing an errand for Obake. She had brought back food everyone, even for him, which he hadn't requested at all.
He frowned a bit at this.
As much as she wasn't my real daughter, she really did try to impress me all the time.
Obake shook his head, taking the content out of the fridge, making his way out of the lair. He bit into the burger as he made his way out into the public streets of San Fransokyo. He didn't care it was on the cold side, it was something to eat and his body appreciated it. Plus, it was a way to look… well, "normal".
Least I hope.
He could see some people giving him odd looks here and there as he passed through the streets but he paid them no mind. While blending in was a concern, he had his mind set on where he needed to be.
He finished his burger as he came upon his destination, stashing the scone in the plastic container in his backpack to eat later.
It'll be a victory meal.
Obake narrowed his eyes as he looked up at the tall intimidating structure that was the Sycorax facility. While it was blurry, he could still remember glimpses of the last time he was here. He knew what he needed from this place. And he knew he had to be fast if he was to obtain all that and not get caught.
Just hope the implant hasn't malfunctioned entirely.
Obake made his way into the entry lobby of the facility, trying to be as discreet as he could. He made it look like he was heading to the guest center but as soon as he was sure the person at the front desk couldn't see him he made a break for one of the main elevators, shutting it quickly.
He took a deep breath, closing his eyes, the left side of his face glowing purple. Electrical buzzes and pulses sounded off in his ears. To anyone else, it was static, to him, it was a language.
He focused on the sounds, hovering his hand over the elevator controls.
"Take me to level 10. I need to access the private filing computer."
There was a beep and a click before the elevator began to move. Obake grinned at this before focusing again. Information coursed through his mind of names of the employees that worked in the facility. He only needed one to ensure he could get into the computer system.
I just need someone with high level access.
One name came up that matched what he needed, inputting it into the system.
The elevator stopped, opening to the level he had requested.
"Welcome, Chris." The system voice said.
I don't think I recognize that name. Didn't know Liv trusted anyone that much.
Obake shrugged it off, heading to the room that had computer system, quickly getting to work. Hacking was a breeze and before long, he was sorting through millions of files.
It has to be in here somewhere… Aha!
Obake smiled as a set of blueprints appeared on screen. Blueprints for an implant designed for a skull.
MY skull.
Obake quickly inserted his USB into the computer, downloading the blueprints. It was done within moments. Before he ejected the USB, he pulled something from it, putting it on the desktop of the computer.
Won't cause damage but nothing like a little chaos with organizing to cause a headache.
He removed the USB before clicking the icon of the item he left behind, his monster insignia appearing on screen. He grinned as he saw files being moved about randomly in the system, some being encrypted in the process.
Okay maybe a little damage. Can't be helped.
Obake made his way out of the room. He was about to head back to elevator but stopped as he saw someone was about to step out. He quickly dove for another hallway, booking it to one of the neighboring rooms, hiding in the shadows.
He steadied his breathing, doing his best to keep quiet as he heard footsteps coming his direction. He took note of the room he was in, a chill going through his spine.
It was one of Liv's personal operating rooms.
While he wasn't tapped into the system, he could still hear the electrical buzzes and pulses coming from the technology in the room. He knew their purposes.
Take apart… Put back together… Change… Mutate…
"What… What have you done to me!?"
"Relax, Bob." Liv gently stroked his cheek with the back of her hand, not even flinching at seeing him cry out in pain. "This all for the investment of mine and your future. And trust me… it's a good investment. As long as you do exactly as I say. Now… hold still. There will be a slight… shock."
Obake shook away the memory, bringing a hand over his mouth as two people entered the room.
One of them was Liv and beside her was…
Obake's eyes widened.
Momakase!? What is she doing here!?
"Ah… fancy lab." Momakase commented, looking around. "And this is where all the magic happens?"
"Yes." Liv smiled. "I can give you exactly what you want, in exchange for a small favor. Sound ideal?"
Momakase nodded.
"Just tell me exactly what you need me to do."
"Liv?"
Both looked to see a man enter the room. He had blond hair and hazel colored eyes… and had an oddly symmetrical face. Obake raised an eyebrow at this.
No human is that perfect.
"Yes, Chris?" Liv asked, turning to him fully.
"I have a message from E. Bailey. It's important."
"Ah." Liv looked to Momakase. "Meet me back in my office. We'll discuss matters over dinner."
Momakase nodded, leaving the room.
Soon as they were sure she was gone, Chris handed her the tablet he was holding, letting her see the message.
"Ah, I see she has made progress in her studies with the fire mutant in Saga. Very interesting…" Liv smiled. "I'd assist but I'm a little busy with some other matters at the moment. Do tell her to continue her research and send her my regards. I will speak with her once I'm available."
Chris nodded.
"Right away, Liv."
Chris left without another word, Liv being left alone. She smiled at the information she read over, chuckling.
"We'll understand you eventually, Bird Boy. Got plenty to do right now but don't worry, I'll get to you in due time."
Liv soon left, Obake now the lone occupant of the room.
Fire mutant…? What is she going on about?
Obake cringed, feeling at his side. The pain from earlier was coming back. He hissed a bit, quickly grabbing the painkiller out of his backpack, administering it.
I'll have to worry about whatever this fire mutant is later.
Obake waited for the painkillers to take hold before starting to make his way out of the room. Before he left, he eyed some of the tools that were out on display on a table. He recognized some of them, wincing a bit.
He made his way over, picking one of them up. It was a tool designed to help with the implantation of circuitry to organic matter. The very circuitry that was in the right side of his face.
… I'm sure she won't miss these. She probably has dozens of them.
Obake quickly grabbed a few of the tools, stuffing them into his backpack before booking it out of the room.
He would've caused more damage but he figured he had done enough. He got what he needed. No need to make a scene…
…
Well, maybe a little one.
As he exited the facility, Obake tapped into the system one last time, sending a signal to the security mainframe.
He smiled as he walked away, hearing the alarm system of the facility go haywire.
For it had no proof that he had even been there.
Nothing but a ghost.
Just like you wanted me to be, Liv.