Disclaimer: I do not nor will I ever own any of characters depicted below that you may recognize...they belong to forces higher then me, and I respect them and applaud them for their beautiful creations.
Canvas
Morris' phone rang twice while he was distracted speaking with a group of transients. Steve's rang four times while he was chasing down a burglar he'd come across, and Will's phone rang exactly once before he was bringing it up to his ear.
"Stop everything you're doing and listen to the sound of my beautiful voice!" Will made a face, hitting Jake lightly on the arm and motioning for him to stop walking.
"Scott?" Will asked slowly. "What's the problem?"
"Well. After we found Finley's cabin I continued to do some digging, and you know how his records say he had an ex-wife?"
"Right." Will said slowly. Jake motioned to Avery and Dave and the group moved into an empty alleyway. Will put the phone on speaker.
"And they had no kids together?" Scott continued.
"Because who would want to have kids with that guy?" Jake added. "Yes, I remember this conversation."
"Well, I was bored, so I continued to do some digging on this guy to see if maybe he'd lead us to the mastermind, and I found out the ex-wife currently has three kids."
"Okay, she remarried. This is important why?" Dave pressed.
"Because her oldest son turned 26 this year, which means that he was conceived while she was still married to Finley!"
"You think Finley's ex-wife had his kid but didn't tell him?" Avery asked.
"Oh no…Finley knows." Scott said somberly. "When the kids was 16 he ran away from home, and the mom reported him missing, but then dropped the complaint."
"He came back?" Will furrowed his brows.
"The report doesn't say. "So I got in touch with her, and the way she tells it, Finley jr. was a menace from the time he could walk. He showed classic psychopathic tendencies; he couldn't emotionally connect, he started fires, killed small animals, transformed during a full moon,"
"What?" Will interrupted, and Scottie laughed.
"Okay, not the last one. But this kid was full on psycho, which daddy probably cultivated after the kid moved in with him."
"What do we know about junior currently?" Avery asked, and Scottie huffed.
"Well that's the bad news, bears. Artie Jr. currently works in the same public works office as dearest daddy does, but he works in delivery services."
"Which means he has access to their vans." David grimaced. "So Finley's not working alone and Junior has to know by now that his cover his blown."
"So do we think he's in the wind?" Jake tried.
"Nah, he's a psychopath." Will thought for a moment. "He's going to try and end with a bang." Will nodded, and looked out towards the crowded streets seriously.
"Which means these streets have just become his hunting ground."
Morris and Steve were deep in discussion with a worried Beckett when Avery found them.
"Rogers!" He barked out, interrupting with a frantic expression. "We have a problem."
"More than one, apparently." Morris shook his head. "Beckett's entire crew is missing."
"Finley had a partner." Avery nodded when Morris' eyes widened. "His son; who has access to public works delivery vans. We think he's making one final run."
Steve shook his head. "Where's Harper?" He demanded.
"Dave went back to the morgue to warn her." He assured. "We need to inform the canvassers that the threat isn't over."
"And the others?" Morris asked.
"Will and Jake are spreading the word." Jake nodded.
Steve's phone went off and he answered it as quickly as he could.
"Rogers." He snapped.
"Harp isn't here." David wasted no time on pleasantries. "She bolted about 20 minutes ago, the coroner she was working with said she was heading to the tower."
"She found something." Steve assumed, and David huffed.
"Yeah. She found our mastermind."
"What?!" Steve's eyes widened. "Who is it? How'd she figure it out?"
"That," David said after a moment. "Is the complicated part. Leave the canvassing to the pros, you guys need to get over here….NOW.
Scars
"Why did you drag us over here when we should be looking for Harper?" Will snapped the moment he stormed into the morgue.
Dave's face was pale and he shook his head.
"Because you need to see this."
Dave stood in front of a white sheet, and when team two, Morris, and Steve were positioned around the body, David moved the sheet just enough so that the victims right hip was visible.
Team two went still as statues, but Steve and Morris leaned forward for a better look.
"It's a circle shaped scar." Morris said after a moment. "What's the significance in that?"
Instead of answering, David pulled up his shirt and lowered the side of his jeans and Steve winced at the identical scar on David's body.
Steve turned to the other boys, surprised.
"We have the same scar." Will nodded abruptly. "Anyone Connors tested on he took extensive skin samples from; and he always took from the same place."
"So Connors has had access to these bodies." Steve shook his head.
"I have no idea who that is." Morris said after a moment of silence. "Should I?"
Steve shook his head. "Dr. Connors is an ex-IAS scientist who specializes in DNA modification."
Morris nodded slowly. "He's the guy who messed with Harper's DNA."
"And ours." Avery added. "Connors escaped during the showdown, and we haven't seen him since."
"But the man, even when we were under his charge, was never content to test on animals." Jake huffed. "We never asked where he got his test subjects, but it's obvious he took them from the same place he took us."
"The streets." Dave rubbed his face wearily. "Harper saw the scars and figured it out,"
"And she was coming to warn us." Steve shook his head. "So where'd she go?"
"Best case scenario she's at the tower." Will input.
"And worst case, Junior got her."
"It's worst case." Beckett thumped into the room.
"What do you know?" Morris narrowed his eyes and Becket sighed. "A few of mine saw Miss Harper and Carly get into a public Works van. They thought it was suspicious, so they followed it as far as they could."
"And?" Steve pressed.
"A warehouse." Beckett informed. "I can take you there."
Morris nodded and turned to Team Two and Steve…and he sighed. "I'm compromised," he admitted. "I can have no part in this."
"I'm equally invested." Steve added. He turned to the four teens in front of him. "This can't be our case. It has to be yours."
Will looked to his friends, his teammates, and when they simply waited for instructions, he nodded.
"Steve, Morris, get to Scottie. We'll need you on observation if nothing else. See if Scottie can pull the video feeds surrounding," He turned to Beckett,
"The alley between the coffee shop on fourth and the comic book store." Steve snorted, ad Will shot him a look.
"I know the place." He explained. "We'll see what we can find." Will nodded and continued, "Beckett, you'll take the rest of us to the warehouse." Beckett saluted, and Will turned to Steve and Morris. "We'll find Harper." Steve's arms were crossed, and he smiled wanly.
"See that you do." He advised.
Will turned to his team and grinned.
"Looks like we're in charge."
Mastermind
Beckett led them to the front doors, but that's as far as he dared go. From that point on, it was Will, Jake, Dave, and Avery.
Avery held tight to the hammer Thor had left behind, David wore his navy suit, Jake's eyes gleamed blue and green in turn, though he'd yet to change, and Will shifted uncomfortably underneath the weight of the Shield Steve had seriously loaned him.
For Team Two, it was game time.
"Avery, with me." Will whispered final instructions. "We're to find Connors and get him to spill where Harper is. Jake, Dave, keep an eye out for the van and Junior. Harper and the other victims are priority, but Connors and Junior are a close second. Copy?"
"Understood." Jake nodded.
"Over and Out." Dave grinned slightly, and Will nodded.
"Move out."
Will was the first through the door, Dave second, Jake and Avery taking the rear. After a close examination of the dark and empty building, Dave and Jake broke off to slip through a nearby doorway, and Will and Avery shared a nod and moved in the opposite direction.
The warehouse was dilipated and dirty…and nearly empty.
"Oh, how the mighty have fallen." Avery muttered mockingly, and Will sniffed in agreement.
"After IAS fell, Connors didn't have the luxury of a grant or any real buyers interested in his work." Scottie informed over the comms. "He's revenge driven, and probably spent whatever income he has paying the Finley's to find his victims."
"They probably don't even get paid." Steve muttered. "The psycho's would probably do it for free."
"Yeah, I can see that." Will muttured as he continued to canvas the building. "Connors doesn't look like he's rolling in the green."
"More like the opposite." Avery added. "This is probably Connors last ditch attempt to recreate the serum." Will and Avery entered an office, empty except for an ornate desk that clashed with the condition of the room. Avery began to shuffle through the papers, and Will went through the drawers.
"But 300 hundred guniea pigs?" Morris asked slowly. "In ten years, okay, maybe, but the last few months the disappearances have skyrocketed. Why would he be stealing more test subjects when he has less to test now than ever?"
"Uh…I have a guess." Avery handed Will a sheaf of papers with a grimace, and Will read the forms with dawning horror.
"What would that be?" Scottie asked, interested.
"He's selling them." Will whispered in shock.
"What?" Steve demanded.
"He's selling the transients." Avery repeated. "That's why he's stealing so many."
"These people are his income." Scottie said with finality.
"Who's he selling to?" Morris asked urgently, and Will flipped through the forms.
"Overseas." Will shrugged. "That's all these forms say." He turned slightly and pressed his hand to his ear piece. "You hear all that, Dave, Jake?"
"Unfortunately." Jake answered. "Does this change things?"
"Slightly." Will admitted. "This is both good news and bad news."
"Good how?" Scottie asked confused and Will grimaced.
"Connors may not have caught sight of Harper if he just plans on selling his new batch."
"But it also means she's probably not here." Avery finished. "It's been three hours. She could be on a boat by now."
"Let's hope that's not the case." Jake tried, but a loud shout interrupted him.
"We have eyes on Junior." Dave informed. "We're in pursuit."
Will and Avery shared a look and moved to the door. "We found Connors' office." Will said. "He must be close."
And when the door swung open and a pale faced Connors stood in front of them, eyes wide, Will smiled grimly.
Connors tilted his head….and then he was running. Will and Avery followed, in pursuit of their own psychopath.
On the other end of the Comms, Morris sat stiffly, leg bouncing, Steve paced nervously, and Scottie typed furiously, humming under his breathe.
The chase was on.
Connors led Will and Avery to the roof, pausing inches from the edge. He whirled around, eyes bright with crazy, and Will and Avery paused.
"You pushed Matthews out the window." Connors yelled, smiling widely. "Care for a repeat?"
"This is it, Connors." Avery yelled back. "You've been caught."
Connors shook his head. "I don't think I'll even give you the chance." He snapped at Will, and though Will didn't completely get the statement, he ignored it. "You'll never finish that serum. It's over."
Connors laughed hysterically. "It's been over for months!" He screamed, face contorting. "Harper was my only success and she was an accident!" Connors frowned suddenly. "Where is Harper?" He spat. "I think she'd rejoice in seeing how far I'll-" Connors snorted, "fall!"
Will's jaw twitched, and Connors eyes narrowed. Then he laughed.
"The Great Harper is missing!" He crowed. "I can't believe it!" He laughed a little longer, and then when he calmed, spread his hands. "Well, I don't have her." He informed brightly. "Unless…." Connors bit his lip, watching for a tell…and Avery turned his face away.
"Oh…." Connors said gleefully. "I DO have her then?" At their silence, Connors began to laugh. "Well I hate to break it to you boys, but if Harper's really under the care of an associate of mine….you'll never find her!" Will stepped forward, arm outstretched to grab Connors, but Connors was too far away…and before Will could get close enough, Connors had turned, spread his arms…And jumped.
"No!" Will and Avery ran over, wincing as they looked down at Connors crumpled body.
"Connors is dead." Will informed weakly. "If we want to save Harper, it's up to you, Dave and Jake."
"Great." Dave huffed. "Jake…maybe now's a good time to level hope."
A roar broke through the silence, and Will and Avery shared a look.
One down, one to go.
Junior
Dave flew through the hallways; worried.
Junior was their last chance to find Harper, and he was nowhere to be found.
A roar and a gunshot had Dave freezing, and then changing direction, speeding towards the sounds.
He smirked slightly when he found Junior trying to drive off in a public works van, tires squealing loudly as he went nowhere, impeded by the large green Jake that sat indifferently on the back half of the van.
Dave shook his head and flew over, breaking the windshield and grabbing Junior's shirtfront, tossing him out of the van. Jake stood slowly and moved to where Junior lay, moaning weakly.
"You're fine." Dave said dismissively once he'd made his way over. "Stop whining."
Junior did as Dave asked, going from moaning lightly to glaring fiercely.
"What do you want, David?" Junior sneered, and David reared back in surprise.
"Oh I know who you are." Junior said darkly. "You're the Stark replacement."
Dave frowned. "Whoa, son. I'm my own person. I'm not stuck in daddy's shadow…not like someone I could name." Dave raised his brows and Junior hissed.
He looked a sad state, blood on his face and clothing rumpled. "I'm not the one in prison." He snapped.
"No, you're the one with some serious explaining to do." Dave retorted. He shot Jake a look, and Jake went from green to naked in less than a second.
"Impressive." Junior scoffed. "Did Banner teach you that?"
"I taught HIM that." Jake corrected. "Now tell us where the transients are."
"Oh sure thing!" Junior sat up slowly. "Let me just give you their exact coordinates while I'm at it."
"That would be great, thanks." Dave crossed his arms and met sarcasm for sarcasm. Junior rolled his eyes.
"They're in…deep waters, if you will." Junior began to laugh, and with a grunt, Jake backhanded him. Junior's face swung to the side from the force of the blow, and he gingerly licked his lip as he turned back around.
"Bad idea." He said grimly. "I was going to be nice about this…"
"Were you?" David asked wryly, and Junior cocked his head.
"Well yeah." He said innocently. "You see, I wasn't going to do THIS." Junior pulled a gun from nowhere and shot David in the chest.
Because he was in the suit, it didn't penetrate his skin. But Junior was unfortunately a good shot, and he perfectly hit the necklace David wore, that housed the suit's mainframe.
The suit began to short, and flew backwards, into the wall. Jake shouted when David's head, unprotected because his helmet wasn't on, hit the wall and knocked him unconscious.
A gunshot had Jake whirling back towards Junior, who slumped to the ground, dead and bleeding from his headshot.
Jake stood frozen for a moment. Then…
"Shit!"
"What?" Steve snapped. "What's going on?!"
"David's unconscious." Jake explained. "Junior shot his suit mainframe, and the suit hotwired and slammed David's head into a wall. Then Junior shot himself in the head."
"Well…." Scottie began.
"Shit."
"That's an understatement." Morris broke in, voice tight.
"You're telling me." Jake shook his in the direction of the body at his feet. "Junior is dead, but not before he vaguely hints that Harper's on a boat headed who knows where." Steve's head dropped, and Morris angrily punched the side of his chair. Jake sighed and moved towards Dave.
Scottie shot Steve and Morris sympathetic looks. "Well." He winced.
"It looks like Harper's going to have to save herself."
DUN DUN DUN...
Alright, last two chapters up in a moment!
~CLC~
