Heroes: 5 Years Gone
Volume One: "Repercussions"
Chapter One: "Allegiances, Part Two"
Department of Homeland Security Facility
November 8th, 2011
Matt Parkman heard voices. Not the usual whispering type voices, but actual voices. He couldn't make out who's; his head hurt too much. He couldn't even remember where he was, and his eyes barely opened. Then the pain came.
"You have to make a decision", he heard, before giving a slight groan and pushing whatever was on top of him off. It budged a little. He could feel it crushing his chest and he pushed it again, harder this time. Whoever was talking must of heard that one, as it went quiet. The DHS facility. That's where he was. He pushed again, but yielded no results. He found his head splitting and he picked up a random thought.
I'm with you.
Sylar? Peter? Who was thinking that? What happened to them? Questions flooded into his head. He scanned the area telepathically again, and found no one there. Frustrated, he managed to push the piece of debris off of him with a quick shot of adrenaline through his body. He looked and found no one.
He wondered is he could pick up on anything. He had been able to do that a few times, pull out thoughts from a place where someone was. Just another way his ability had grown, and Matt figured it must have something to do with brainwaves. But he couldn't get anything. What had gone down?
"Mr. President?" he called out. Speaking of Nathan Petrelli, he had done some weird things. Matt always knew he could fly, and apparently he had done so from the ceremony, which Matt learned via his walkie talkie before everything blew up. But Nathan, he had phased Peter through the door, and then made his hand all...blue and cold.
"Mr. President?" he called out again. No one answered. He wanted to have faith that Nathan may have just gained more abilities or something. Like he had said earlier, anything seemed possible these days. But something was up. He found a SWAT member, lying on the ground and his pistol gone. Matt bent down and checked his pulse. Dead.
He damned Peter for a moment in his mind. And Hiro. He whipped around quickly. He had killed Hiro. Where was the body? Where was the President? What was going on? He shook his head and cursed before making his way down the hallway and stairs. Emergency vehicles could be heard in the background, but he didn't have time to wait and be debriefed. He needed to go to headquarters now.
He took a step into the outside world, and the afternoon sun blinded him for a moment. It was such a nice day for such a crazy event, and Matt knew that as he walked to the street and waved down a taxi. The yellow cab pulled up against the curb and the driver leaned forward.
"Where to?" the man said in his Middle-Eastern accent. Matt nodded and helped himself into the car slowly. The driver gave an amazed look as he looked at the decrepit building Matt had just emerged from, as well as Matt himself, covered in dust and a torn suit. Matt didn't have time for him, and he didn't bring his wallet.
Take me to 23rd and Fullerton. And give me a free ride. Matt commanded the innocent man with his mind, who nodded and blankly began to put the car into gear. Matt looked forward, reeling in the little pang of guilt he had. He had become accustomed to it, blocking out his conscience, and had even taken advantage of the fact he learned how to. Giving a look at the driver as they continued, he gave one last command.
And don't talk.
New York City Street
November 8th, 2011
Claire hurried down the street, passing people quickly and looking for any sign of a taxi. This is why she hated New York. It was so...quick. In the south, she had been able to slowly begin her life and enjoy it, and now here she was again, in the middle. She wondered if she maybe should have helped Peter. Stayed with him. But a brief flash of Andy, waiting and worrying about where she was, made her confident in her choice.
"This is Rick York, leave a message." Her dad's fake name was so fake. And his message so...simple. But it was comforting to hear his voice. Her dad wasn't her number one concern right now, but it still worried her that he wasn't getting back to her. What had happened? She pulled out her phone. Matt had let her keep it when he took her.
Claire poured coffee into the man's cup. She was just so grateful Andy had agreed to run with her. She was going to tell him everything. No more lying, no more visits from "creepy glasses guy". Nothing could bring down her mood.
"Coffee?" she asked the last man at the bar. His newspaper flew down.
"I don't know Claire", Matt said as he was revealed. Claire wasn't sure whether to run or scream or face him. He just sat there, looking at her for what seemed like an eternity. Matt and her had had a few run ins before, like the time when her father first put her into hiding. He came after her, but stopped. Claire had always wondered why.
"Let me make this simple for you", he said as he pulled out a gun and pointed it at her from under his newspaper. "You come with me, get in the car, and we go to the airport. We fly to New York, and you see your dad. Well, Nathan." Claire glared at him. She wanted to punch him in the face.
"I have to say goodbye...", she started before being cut off.
"No, Claire, you can take your phone and call your boyfriend later, okay? Now follow me to the car", Matt ordered. Forgetting his ability, Claire set the coffee pot down and began to walk away. He wouldn't make a scene in here.
No, Claire, but I don't need to. Now follow me to the car, okay? Now. She found herself stopping and turning, exiting the bar and following Matt out to his black, shiny car. She was going to kill him.
Claire opened her phone and dialed a number. A number she said she would never dial. But she was going to anyways. The phone bleeped at every number, and Claire pressed call.
"Hi? Mom?."
Las Vegas Parking Lot
November 8th, 2011
Niki wondered if she made the right decision. She hadn't talked to him in years. But she was lost. Alone. Jessica was back. Peter dead. If she wanted to do the right thing, she would need the opinion of someone else. Someone she at least knew. Even if she didn't trust him.
Nik, you know, I never thought YOU of all people would go to him. I never thought you would let it come to this. Niki looked into the rear view mirror. She could see Jessica in the back seat, but she cleared her mind, ignoring her. She was just a mind game. She had gotten rid of her.
Niki! Listen to me.
"No! You listen to me! Your are not in control, understand?" Niki yelled, turning to face Jessica in the back seat. No one was there and Niki rolled her eyes. Why was this happening to her again? Niki, you know you have to do it. You have to help her. You can't just run. Jessica let out a last opinion before the car door opened and he sat in the passengers seat. Niki looked at him.
"Hi Niki."
"Hi." She wasn't sure how to ask him. He had never been there before for her to lean on, and she was surprised when he actually helped her and DL hide when Nathan started all of this. Ever since then, she had kept in some sort of contact with him. But the fact of the matter was, he was still him. Jessica was right not to trust him.
"I...need advice", Niki managed to say. Pride was her main feature nowadays. She had come so far. The death of her son and husband. Capture. Peter. He looked at her blankly, but she knew he was surprised.
"Yes?" he asked. Niki nodded.
"Peter...is dead." Niki let that thought sink into herself before continuing. There was no way he was alive. He hadn't found her yet. He hadn't called. He was dead. Niki nearly puked thinking about it.
"And I need to know...if I should run or go help someone I know needs help", she asked. He looked at her, concerned.
"Niki, I would...I would run. And you should too", he explained. "There's nothing left here for you." Niki huffed and put her arm on the door to her red convertible, and her head on her hand. He was confused.
"You asked my advice, Niki, I just gave it you", he explained. Niki closed her eyes.
"I don't know, I just expected it might be something different", she retorted. He chuckled.
"I know you would like to think I am some changed man, Niki, but the fact of the matter is that I am not. I am still the same man I was five years ago, and ten, and twenty. I helped you, and I'm helping you now. At least, I'm trying", he said. Niki nodded.
"Fine. Fine. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have bothered you, I'm sorry", Niki said, starting the car and waiting for him to get out.
"Wait. Who says you can't do both?" Niki looked at him in confusion.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I mean, you get whoever you're talking about and then run. I don't know your business and honestly, I don't want to know. It's better if I don't. But do what you think is what you need to do, Niki", he offered. Silence came between the two of them.
"Thank you", Niki said, after flipping her hair back and mustering up enough humility. He nodded and got out of the car.
So, Nik, are we going to help her or not? Jessica was staring at her in the rear view mirror again.
"We're going to get her. But it's not going to be pretty", Niki explained. She ignited the engine and sped away, leaving her father, Hal, left walking back to his car.
Department of Homeland Security Headquarters
New York CityNovember 8th, 2011
Matt entered the building. He had always hated it, as it sort of had a dark tone to it. No light and sparsely windowed. He nodded to the security guard as he flashed his badge and walked through the metal detector after putting his gun in a bucket. He retrieved it on the other side. His colleague approached.
"Well, Parkman, it's been a long day", he said. Matt nodded. He didn't want to deal with this guy. He was a one step below him on the authority level. He was arrogant. He was biased. However, he was capable, and in this business that's all that mattered. Something wasn't right though.
"What's the situation with President Petrelli?" Matt asked. The man looked at him as they headed to the elevator. People rushed by, busy with whatever they needed to do.
"I don't know, Parkman. He flew from the ceremony. Spotted by the Department Facility a mile away. And now that was attacked by the terrorists Peter Petrelli and Hiro Nakamura, decimated, and as far as I'm concerned, Peter was announced dead by Nathan almost two years ago", his colleague explained.
"Which leaves us where?" Matt asked. He still didn't feel right with this guy.
"Which leaves us with a missing, lying President, and our country in shambles because of posthumans, apparently people like Nathan Petrelli. Vice President Withers is acting as President for the next twenty four hours, and if Petrelli doesn't show, he'll be sworn in." Matt continued walking as the elevator opened on his floor.
"I think it was an imposter", Matt explained, eying the man down. Nathan had never been his friend, but they had agreed to work together. To stop people like Peter and Hiro. And now Nathan was missing and exposed. Everyone was missing and exposed. Except for him. He had to protect Nathan, or stopping posthumans might not be top priority.
"Well, Parkman, as far as we're concerned, we want to know exactly how that facility blew up. Why we have almost 100 men dead. So...the story?" he asked. Matt nodded. He had to think of a story. Quickly.
"Peter and Hiro tried to break in, I don't know why. Maybe for me. Maybe to go out with a bang. But they killed and then Peter exploded. And that was it", Matt explained. He wasn't sure if this guy would buy it, but if he didn't Matt could make him.
"Right." Matt hated this, Being question and eyed down. He had better things to do, he was the Head of the Department of Homeland Security. Something still didn't feel right. I wonder whens the best time to tell him. Matt cocked his head.
"You got something to tell me?" Matt asked as the man walked away. He stopped.
"Right. You're out. Well, not out, but down. Withers doesn't understand or believe this story, and he thinks your not capable of this right now. I'm in charge." Matt let this revelation sink in slowly before he would react.
"I don't believe..."
"No, you don't need to but feel free to contact Withers to confirm it. Oh, yeah, and we got unconfirmed sightings about a girl...apparently she isn't as dead as reported. Funny, because Nathan Petrelli said she was. Claire Bennet." Matt felt his heart drop, his mind race. He was going crazy. He didn't want to go by her at all. Not after what he did to her father. Her adoptive father.
"Then I'm going to need access to Level 5", Matt said. The man stopped again as he was walking away and turned, suspiciously looking at Matt.
"What?" he asked.
"Don't play stupid with me, I know about Level 5. In the sub basement. I never agreed with keeping people locked like that, minimal survival necessities. But Petrelli always did think it was a necessary evil, and he knew you were ruthless enough of a man to take care of it. The most powerful and dangerous posthumans, right?", Matt asked. He felt a little better knowing he had turned the table a little bit.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because one of them may be able to help me."
"Parkman, I can assure you none of them are capable of finding someone."
"Do you want me to find Claire or not?" Matt asked. The man thought for a second before making a decision.
"I'll give them a call."Matt nodded.
"Thanks Danko."
Marvin White's Apartment
New York CityNovember 8th, 2011
Marvin sat, watching the TV. 24 was a damn good show. Plus, it drowned out the intense guilt he had suffered over the past few days. A knock at the door startled him, but he got up to go answer it, his figure towering over the floor. He straightened his shirt and threw a beer can out as he made his way to the entrance. Another knock.
"I'm coming", he yelled, reaching the door. He unlocked it and swung it open. No one. Only the dimly lit hallway with it's green walls were there. He shook his head and cursed, turning around and slamming the door behind him. Grunting, he made his way back for the couch but another knock came. Louder. He turned around suspiciously, and slightly more angry. He repeated the same ritual, finding no one there. Stepping out into the hall, he only found an open window at the end of the hallway. Nodding, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one up. He reverted back to his apartment, but this time waited. Knock. Knock.
He threw the door open with fury. He was going to catch the bastard who was messing with him. At least, he thought that. But he threw open the door to no one again. It was only a quiet thud that alerted him, but the problem was that it wasn't from the hallway. It was from the living room of his apartment. Quickly, he slammed the door and ran that way.
"Hi...nice...place?" Jason asked, looking around at he mess.
"Who the hell are you?" Marvin inquired angrily. "Was that you doing that?"
"Uh, yeah. Well, I don't know, I thought it might give, I guess, ambiance to the situation, you know?" Jason explained. Marvin's eyes widened even further.
"How the hell did you get in here?" Marvin yelled.
"Well, you wouldn't believe me if I told you, but it doesn't matter."
"You're one of those...those posthumans, right?" Marvin asked. Jason affirmed this.
"Yeah."
"Well, you picked the wrong person to screw with, buddy." Jason waited. Marvin just stood there, drunk and staring at him. Jason widened his eyes and arched his head forward.
"Aren't you, uh, aren't you going to swing at me? It would make this so much easier. Too much guilt if I just beat the crap out of you", Jason said. Marvin chuckled.
"Is that what you think you're going to do?" he asked. Jason nodded.
"Yeah. So..." Marvin stepped closer and closer to Jason, finally reaching a breaths length from him.
"Show me." A fist flew at Jason's face, and he caught it with ease before crushing it in his hands. Marvin groaned a bit and Jason let go. Marvin fell to the floor and looked up at him. "What the..."
"I'm sorry. Like, I don't really want to be doing this to you, believe me, but I guess it's for the greater good or something so...", Jason was cut off by a yell and Marvin charged at him. "Sorry again!" Jason warned before grabbing Marvin in midair and throwing him across the room into a bookshelf. Jason gritted his teeth shamefully. He walked over to the poor man and knelt before him.
"So, like, I guess this can go one of two ways. You continue fighting me until I hurt you so bad you'll confess, or you just turn yourself in and confess and don't get hurt. Either way, it's lose-lose for you, Marvin", Jason told him. Marvin looked up groggily at Jason and smiled.
"Confess to what?" he asked. This comment worried Jason. This was the right Marvin, right? He was guilty, right? This all meant something, right? "Did the cops send you? The cops sent a 20-year-old kid to do this? Wow", Marvin exclaimed.
"Uh, Mr. White, I..." Jason was cut off by Marvin charging at him. "Guess it's the hard way", Jason said, his confidence in his actions renewed.
Level 5, DHS Headquarters
NYCNovember 8th, 2011
Matt just passed security. He went through various security measures. And now, he was walking down a hall, looking at dozens of people in solitary confinement, alone. Some innocent, some not. Matt was still letting the fact he had just been fired sink in. Well, more like demoted. Obviously he was suspect of something in the eyes of other people, and Matt guessed it was because of him protecting Nathan. But as soon as he got his hands on the bastard, he was going to figure out what the hell was up with him. Exposing himself, his weird display of abilities. Everything.
"Here we are", a guard said, motioning to room Matt had asked to be led to. "He's no danger to you, as you can imagine, Mr. Parkman". The guard finished unlocking the room, and turned on a light before leaving. Matt just stood at the entrance, breathing in the fact that they had someone chained to the ground.
"Dylan Forester. Age 38. Former social worker. Single. Ability- Supercharging", Matt asked. Dylan looked up as Matt closed the door. His long hair fell into his face and he struggled to get up.
"Why are you here?"
"Because, Mr. Forester, I need your help", Matt explained. Dylan raised an eyebrow.
"And what the hell makes you think I will just help you people? After what you've done to me. What your doing now? Look at me", Dylan was screaming by the end of the sentence. Matt nodded.
"I understand. I'm Matt Parkman, Head of Homeland Security", Matt lied unintentionally. He didn't realize it until after he said it, and figured it wouldn't harm anyone to let Dylan believe that. "You know, if it wasn't the fact that you make trouble a lot, you might have a bed and not be chained".
"Screw you". Matt looked down. Dylan looked up.
"I need you to help me, Dylan, and the request is just a courtesy". Dylan stopped giving a look of disbelief and more a look of smugness.
"So you're like me, huh?" Dylan asked. Matt looked up.
"Yeah", he admitted after some hesitation.
"Then you do what you need to do, and I'll do what I need to", Dylan said. Matt huffed. He just wanted to give him a chance. A choice. Not go into another persons head and force them to do his will.
"I need to find someone, Mr. Forester. And you need to amplify my ability for me to do so", Matt explained. He just laughed. Matt nodded.
Dylan. You are going to amplify my telepathy. You are going to make it strong. As strong as you can. You're going to allow me to hear the thoughts of every person in this city. Help me find a girl named Claire. Now.
For Matt, now it was just a matter of sorting out the thoughts.
The Sands (Club) Las Vegas, NV
November 8th, 2011
The club was quiet and dark. Only a few streams of the desert sun poked in. Then they appeared. Peter and Mohinder, with Sylar and Hiro's bodies. Upon arriving, Mohinder collapsed to the ground and looked up at Peter.
"I really hate that", he explained. Peter smiled, walking over to the bar. Mohinder eyed Sylar's body, turning it over and observing the piece of glass stuck in his head. "How do we get rid of him, for good?" Peter poured some alcohol into a glass and chugged it down.
"You want a drink, Mohinder?" he asked. Mohinder shook his head. Peter set the glass down and looked at Sylar. The monster had put him through so much. Kirby Plaza, going after the Company, killing Nathan. Peter wished he could just get a few minutes with him. Ask him questions. Like why he protected Peter. Said he was dead. Why Sylar didn't kill him for his ability. "We burn him", Peter answered. "But we've got bigger problems." Mohinder glared at Peter.
"Like what? What could be more important than ridding everyone of Sylar?"
"Well, Matt is obviously still alive. And Building 26 is still running. The Linderman Act. And Nathan exposed himself. So yeah, Sylar is the least of our problems."
"So what do we do about it?" Mohinder asked, walking over to Peter. "What do we do with Hiro? How do we take down Building 26? What are your answers, Peter?" Peter could sense Mohinder's skeptical side coming out.
"I need you to trust me if we do this, Mohinder. We can burn Sylar later. Bury Hiro later. But right now, we need to figure out out plans",Peter said. "And I know just the person."
"What about your girlfriend, Niki?" Mohinder asked.
"She's gone. And for now, we'll just have to wait for her to contact me. She was pretty pissed when I left", Peter said. "But let's go." Peter threw on another overcoat. Mohinder followed him as he walked to the middle of the room.
"Where?" he asked, eying Sylar as Peter grabbed his shoulder and they teleported out. They arrived in a hospital room, and a beeping could be heard. Mohinder recovered from the queasiness of teleporting before looking up. A woman, burnt and scarred, lay on a bed, and Peter approached as she looked at him suspiciously.
"Hi mom", he greeted.
Authors Note: Okay, so how am I doing? I guess some things people might not like. (Danko, Angela, etc.) I have plans for these people though, so worry not. And yes! Jason's power is enhanced strength, I know you all were wondering. But there's a twist (see the next part). But I was going to do each chapter in 3 parts, but as you can see this is super long so I think the next chapter I will do in 4 parts. This chapter is super long, so expect it to be less reading from here on out, don't worry. And I plan on having 8 chapters, I have a basic idea of where I'm going. Expect this to slow down too, I already had this chapter basically written. Done rambling. Hope you enjoyed.