Good Lord and all his trusty angels! This sure took a while. I'm sorry if there are a few mistakes here and there but I can't wait any longer. This has to update, and NOW! Plus this chapter and the next one for my other story is a birthday present for a good friend of mine. Tsukikage1213, Happy Birthday! Well, technically it was a day or two ago but I was still working on this then. Anyway, wish her well……..THAT'S AN ORDER DAMN IT!! And thanks as always to you gracious reviewers;xStarfirexoRobinx, Sizzlin'-Starry-Night-Sky, Skyler-A-Teloiv, RoseXxxXThorn, Bella-Rose, Cartoonfire, danielle, Gespman, Tefren, Tennisgal456, Tsukikag1213, Xoroth.
Chapter Four
Chimera Unbound
Richard suddenly realized he was being dragged out of earshot by Shannon and Rachael. As soon as they let go of his arms they rounded on him.
"Are you crazy?!" exclaimed Shannon in a hushed tone.
Rachael spoke next. "They make those girls change their names, give up personal interests…..you know exactly what this sounds like and you want to send Kory in there?"
"I think she can handle it," maintained Richard.
"She will be putty in their hands!" hissed Shannon. "Things have gotten stranger but I still know these people, you cannot leave Kory alone with them."
"Then we don't leave her alone."
"What are you talking about?" asked Rachael with folded arms.
"You're about to get a notice saying that you're being transferred for a temporary teaching position here." Rachael began to speak. "And Logan will be keeping an eye on you both."
"You know good and well what's going on between me and him," said Rachael darkly. "I don't understand what you're trying to accomplish by making work together."
"He deserves the benefit of the doubt," said Richard. "You don't know what he went through. Take your own 'professional advice' for once and stop thinking of yourself." Richard pushed past them both and returned to Kory. They watched as Kory gradually accepted the job.
"I sure hope he knows what he doing?"
Shannon snickered irritably. "Does he ever?" Rachael was forced to accept the fact that Kory was in fact going to do this, thus she folded her arms and sighed dejectedly.
"Well, Kory's going to need a transcript." Shannon arched a brow as an idea came to her.
"Got it covered." She drew her cell and dialed their resident computer wiz.
AGHANISTAN………………..
Dr. Bell sat at a table within the base's mess hall, a despondent frown upon his face. His spoon stirred the now room temperature milk of his cereal. Beside him lay a series of notes he had taken shortly after settling in and beginning his work. His and Chang's efforts to identify the core material of the craft had proved to be futile, even after weeks of tireless work. As Bell had suggested, no where on Earth did anything like the craft's alloy exist. His notes consisted of a series of lines discussing their attempts to now see inside. Without warning, Chang suddenly joined him.
"Evening young one."
"Chang," he replied glumly. Chang began devouring a bowl of steaming noodles. Bell sighed and picked up his notes. "I'm beginning to fear we've just gotten ourselves into a dead circle."
"Many things hardly turn out as expected," said Chang as he slurped up a stray noodle. "Sometimes for the best but more often for the worst, this is one of the principle beauties of science."
"This discovery could prove to be the greatest in human history, are you so willing to admit defeat?"
Chang swallowed and waved his fork about. "Never, but I am willing to take our methods as far as need be. The ethics committee can discuss the means while we reap the benefits." Bell shook his head.
"We need to see inside it."
"Annnnd we have tried everything; portable MRI's, infrared, X-Ray. Nothing has been able to penetrate that skin."
"So we go less advanced," said Bell. Chang did not appear impressed by the suggestion. "Okay that wasn't as poignant as I had hoped but I stand by it. Instead of all that, let's try a simple ultrasound." Chang actually snorted this time. "I'm serious what-" His voice cut off and he moved closer across the table. "What do we really have to loose by trying?"
Chang threw down the remainder of a handful of french fries. "Our funding." He left Bell alone for the remainder of his meal. The Australian scientist couldn't care less about Chang's reactions. To be entirely honest, he felt he could do more without Chang; during the project the aged man had been more hindrance than help. He began to wonder if Chang was the reason General Hammond had requested him to begin with. However that thought was a stroke of pride he rarely allowed himself to indulge. He brushed those thoughts aside, nothing else mattered now. He decided that he didn't need Chang's approval for anything, let alone to proceed with the job of his life. Bell wiped his mouth with a napkin and fast walked back to the lab.
AAAAA
Hours later, Chang saw from an upper viewing room that Bell was indeed proceeding with the ultrasound. He and several other scientists were currently passing over the object. He snickered and took a sip of hot coffee.
"The man seems to think another approach is needed." Chang jumped slightly as General Hammond appeared next to him. After regaining his composure the old scientists merely narrowed his eyes.
"Hmph, an aspiring youngster fishing for a solution that may or may not exist."
"It's the 'may' that myself and the pentagon are interested in doctor, instead of talking to me why don't you go give him a hand?" Chang cracked his neck of some forever present stiffness. The General simply stood watching the procedure while Chang's ego took heavy anti-aircraft fire. With a massive amount of reluctance, Chang set his coffee down and made his way downstairs.
Below in the containment chamber, Bell continued to move his ultrasound over the craft's surface. All around him other researchers measured the radiation being emitted and ensured that it remained within the realm of safety. Chang stepped inside, clipping a radiation badge to his breast pocket.
"I seem to remember giving you some pearls of wisdom regarding this procedure."
"Uh huh," replied Bell. "And I seem to remember that your 'pearls of wisdom' amounted to just laughing at me."
"I am a seasoned military scientist and only thought-"
"Are you here to help?" interjected Bell. He could truly have cared less if Chang was offering his assistance or simply adding another grievance. Bell moved his tiny sonar around a curve then suddenly backpedaled. "I've got something!" They all gathered around Bell and tried to get a look at his small screen. On it, through the grainy black and white resolution, they vaguely saw what looked like an arm. Chang slowly removed his glasses. Bell slowly smiled. "…Sometimes for the best."
HOWARD UNIVERSITY…………………..
"Well this is a little unexpected," said the councilor who had identified herself as Serena. "I mean, when I was suggesting people attend this school I meant next semester." She sat down at her desk where Kory and Rachael sat before her. Rachael shrugged.
"We're dedicated."
"You understand we still need a transcript and letters of recommendation." Rachael's mouth hung open momentarily, only for lack of said documents. She then felt her phone buzz in her pocket and a small smile returned to her face.
"It should be in your system now." Kory turned a perplexed look to Rachael. Serena turned her attention back to her computer. There was a moment's pause, during which time she checked the status of Kory's transcript. Just as the dark haired therapist had guessed, the counselor's eyes widened slightly.
"Well, someone works quickly." Rachael made a mental note to thank Danielle the next chance she got. It was all Kory could do to keep from fidgeting, the whole operation just made her feel so nervous. The more the counselor looked over the transcript the more impressed she appeared. "This is very impressive."
"I….I do my best," said Kory meekly trying to remain in character.
"She's just being modest," said Rachael.
Serena nodded agreeably. "…Fluent in several languages, all honors and AP courses, majored in International Diplomacy, and-" The last item forced Serena's eyebrows upward. "-And you helped raise money to fund the surgery for a young boy's cochlear implant." Kory had to admit, it did have a nice ring to it. She too would offer friend Danielle many thanks. With a warm smile that nearly infected the counselor, Kory then stood up excitedly.
"Am I then too assume you will accept me?"
"There are a few placement exams that are required for most applicants but……" She protruded her lower lip pensively. "I don't see any reason why someone with scores as stellar as yours wouldn't test out of them." Kory was absolutely ecstatic. In her unbridled jubilance she lifted Rachael from her chair and hugged her tightly.
"Is this not wonderful news?!" Serena gawked at the two of them oddly but still amused. Rachael softly padded Kory's hand and through a slightly oxygen deprived cough asked to be released. Kory returned to her seat as applying her joy not only to her act but also feeling genuinely happy. "When can I begin?"
"Next week, I think would be best," replied Serena. She stole a quick glance at her monitor. "It also says here that you qualified for a number of student grants, more or less it would seem that tuition doesn't stand in your way either." Kory could only shrug happily. "For living quarters we have a number of dorms and sororities available." She drew a brochure out of her desk. "Have you given any thought as to-"
"Geisha House," said Kory….perhaps a little too quickly. Serena paused. Kory nodded as though she had made up her mind a second time. "I would like to stay in Geisha House."
"Ahh, I see." The counselor stowed the forgotten brochure away. She seemed to regard them both with a more mysterious tone. "You certainly fit the bill. I'll need to run it by Marika first, she's the current leader. Just a moment please." With that she stood and excused herself from the office. Once the door clicked shut Kory turned to Rachael.
"How am I doing?"
"Fine, just remember to keep tabs on your portrayal; be eager but not too eager." Kory nodded seriously. "You also realize that while you're in you're going to have to find some way to contact us with any information."
"I do, yes."
"Kory." Rachael grabbed her complete attention by taking her shoulders. "You know you don't have to do this." Kory's deep green eyes wandered away from Rachael. "If Richard was here he would agree…..at some point. It's entirely up to you."
"I know this, yes friend Rachael. But I cannot bear the disrespect of poor Emily's memory were I to do nothing, especially if action is within my power." Rachael smiled and nodded at Kory's determined steadfastness.
"Okay." Not a second after Rachael spoke, Serena returned followed closely by Marika. The lead Geisha stopped at the sight of Kory. She eyed the red headed Tamaranian up and down and slowly smiled sweetly.
"So this is the eager recruit Serena told me so much about." Kory nodded and stood up to present herself.
"Indeed, I am Kory Anders and I am pleased to meet you." She held out her hand, which Marika shook enthusiastically.
"…A sense of propriety and manners, I like her already. We would be happy to have you." Kory and Rachael exchanged smiles. "You've come at a slightly inconvenient time but it can be managed. Our trip to Vegas is so soon that we will need to wait until afterward in order to perform the…….necessary initiations." Kory's smile was snuffed out faster than a light bulb.
"I-I beg your pardon?"
"They have to be done, not a single Geisha ever became one without going through the proper rites. Don't worry its not to get too worked up about." Kory gulped. "So!" Marika said clapping her hands together. "Serena tells me you can't start classes until Monday but you can go ahead and move in with us."
"Very well," said Kory quietly.
"Great, I'll tell the others you're coming."
Rachael led Kory outside and back to her car. Richard and Shannon had already gone so as not to be seen with Kory. It was clear to Rachael that Marika's mentioning of 'initiations' had somehow upset Kory. One of the reasons why Rachael took the job she did was because she always seemed to have an almost empathic ability to read people's feelings.
"So you're really ready for this."
"I am," said Kory silently. "I wish to see Richard."
"Is it about what Marika said?"
Kory traced her finger along the material of her seat. "…Among other things." She bit her lip then with a little more resolve turned back to Rachael. "Richard is unaware that I know……….that I know we approaching the anniversary of his loss." Rachael's mouth parted slightly and her eyes drifted to Kory for a split second. "No matter what operation I am involved in, I wish to be with him on that night."
"I'm…I'm sure that-" Kory shook her head and leaned back.
"Please do not worry Rachael; I am unsure as to what I will say myself."
TRINITY HOSPITAL…………….
"Its called 'complete cellular deterioration'," said Richard. He sat before his partner's bed on a stool with a raised table before him. He set a queen of hearts down upon a king of spades. "At least that's how I'd describe solitaire, if it was any more boring they might as well call it……Death."
Victor Stone watched his long time friend, Richard, through one eye. Nearly the entire left side of his face was covered with bandages. The seasoned FBI agent breathed slowly and swallowed.
"Dick…..I'm really not in the mood." His voice was soft and scratchy; no doubt weathered away by his ordeal. Richard hopped off the stool and limped over to a chair at Victor's side. "Hey, what about the girl…" Richard regarded him strangely.
"There's no way she survived."
Victor's only visible eye rolled. "Yeah I know that….did you find out who she is?" Richard had to raise an eyebrow and chuckle.
"Are you serious? You're lying here, half dead, and all you want to hear about is how the case is going?"
"The only thing I can move besides my head is my eyeball, Dick. If I don't have something….anything..to think about then I'm gonna go nuts. Please, what's going on?" Richard tapped his cane against the floor and heaved a long breath.
"Her name is, or rather was, Emily Regan. She was a college student at Howard U. We've linked her to a sorority and a face in Vegas but so far that's it. If the trail goes cold half across the county this one may end up in the dead case cabinet." A weak smirk played across Victor's face.
"That thing's got an inch of dust in it, it's so empty. You've never lost a case, Dick." Richard looked him square in the eye with a straight face. "There's no way you're gonna go down easy."
"Probably not."
"So how's Kory taking it?" asked Victor now looking away.
"She's confident you'll be back in no time, the trained medical professionals on the other hand are less optimistic."
"No man I mean…I mean how's she deal'n with going undercover?" Needless to say the ill-tempered cripple was mildly surprised. "Come on man, you're not the only detective here. You said this Regan gal was…connected to some sorority right? You'd either send Kory or Shan in there, and Shan doesn't like you enough to say yes."
Richard shrugged. "But she's still delightful. But yeah, you're right. I did ask her and she said 'yes'."
"You think she's read?"
"She thinks she is, that's all that matters. I almost surprised myself. After the incident with Serviacc I never wanted to put her in danger again."
"Whoa, Dick Grayson giving a hoot about someone else?"
"Cheap shots will get you no healthcare," said Richard rising to his feet. "Speaking of which, I'm here mostly to tell you what's going to happen with you." If Victor could shrug he would have.
"I'm going to be fine, right?" Richard slowly shook his head.
"You're dying." Victor pursed his lips together. "Toni has looked over every possibility to exhaustion. You only have one hope for survival."
"Well? What is it?" asked Victor. Richard hesitated to answer; this only heightened Victor's anxious curiosity. The cane wielding agent moved to the doorway in order to get a good view of Toni. She stood at a nurse's station reading over patient data. Richard took careful aim and tossed a pencil in her direction. The projectile scratched across her page and made her jump slightly. She sent him a fleeting look of annoyance; it melted when he motioned for her to join them. Not a second after she walked in Richard told her to shut the door and lock it.
"What's going on?" persisted Victor.
"I suppose Richard has discussed our plan," said Toni.
"No!" exclaimed Victor. "Nobody's told me anythin-ing…" He became so agitated that a wave of pain shot threw him. Toni instantly flew to his side to administer another dose of morphine. The pain faded into numbness and his breathing slowed to a steady rhythm.
"Bruce's R.N.D. calls is Project Arcturus," said Richard.
"Bruce…..you mean Wayne?" asked Victor. Toni hovered over him still with her stethoscope. Richard nodded affirmatively.
"It's a state of the art reconstructive technology incorporating the latest in cyber robotics," said Toni as she draped her stethoscope around her neck and straightened. "In fact it's so advanced that there are many in the upper echelons of our government who don't know about it."
Victor once again swallowed hard. "How do you?"
Toni smiled humbly before answering. "I helped design it." To this Victor was not the least bit surprised for shocked. Having been mentioned honorably many times in numerous journals, he knew no more brilliant a doctor than Toni Monetti.
"As I understand it the augments would increase your strength and endurance ten-maybe twenty fold," said Richard. Victor turned a suspicious eye at him.
"Sounds great, what's the catch?"
"The catch," said Richard uneasily. "Catch is…..whoever performs your surgery is going to replace almost ninety-two percent of your body." Victor's mouth slacked open and it began shaking.
"W-What?!"
"The explosion cause several pieces of shrapnel to lodge themselves in various areas of your body," said Toni. "Your bloodstream carried smaller pieces to sensitive organs; I was able to put a stop to it before it reached your heart and lungs……but the rest have to be replaced."
"Nnno!" mumbled Victor.
"We need your consent if we are to proceed." Victor was beside himself.
"Consent? I-I can't even lift my hand-how am I supposed to sign a damn form!" His intense emotions clouded his memory of the fact that he had made Richard his medical proxy. Toni calmed him before he could cause himself more pain. However this time she didn't step away, she remained close and held the visible side of his face.
"Victor please….you only have another week at most before this is no longer a viable option for you, and the procedure itself will take three days. There a lot of people who don't want you to die." She sniffled and took in a sharp breath. "And I'm one of them." Richard studied them both closely. Victor closed his eye and nodded.
"Can you gimmie a second with Dick." She stood up and quick as lightening she was out of Victor's room. Richard peeked through the blinds to see Toni disappearing into the women's room. "Dick…" Richard returned to his friend's side. Victor stared at him past the bandages. He stared at him with a sincerity and a bond not shared with many. "What do you think?" Richard arched a brow. "Should I do it?"
"If you don't, you're dead. I don't think you have a choice."
"I know it's the logical thing to do but that's not what I asked."
"It's risky."
"Not an answer," said Victor.
"Toni knows what she's doing-"
"Still not an answer," interjected Victor. Richard looked at him with a 'well-what-do-you-want-from-me' face. "Come on Dick, quick stalling and tell me; what do you think?" Richard put his full weight on his cane.
"You should do it."
"I should do it?"
"You should do it," repeated Richard. Victor nodded. His eye wandered to a random spot on the wall.
"So….I get to go in, and come out the Six Million Dollar Man."
"Nope," said Richard. He leaned forward. "You get to come out as The Terminator." Victor began quietly laughing. Richard smiled and shifted about. Victor tried to talk between fits.
"You…you only say that cause I was him for Halloween one year."
Richard laughed quietly. "You're probably the only black Terminator that ever was."
"Yeah and don't you forget dude." Richard took one hand off his cane and balling it fist pumped Victor's wrapped left hand. Victor closed his eye and took a heavy deep breath. "Okay……okay, I'll do it." Richard nodded and quite casually he said;
"Okay, good." He began to take his leave.
"Richard." The aforementioned halted. He craned his neck to look at the bedridden FBI agent. "If this thing goes south……..don't you dare hesitate." Richard nodded and finally left the room.
Outside, beside the nurse's station, Toni stood vigilantly waiting for Richard to emerge. He stopped beside her and waited a moment before giving her the answer she had been hoping for.
"He'll do it. Give me the forms you need."
Toni chuckled ironically. "How do you give consent for a procedure that doesn't exist?"
"Good point." He drew his medicine and Toni's eyes locked on to the pills.
"Could you possibly spare one or two of those?" Without answering Richard let three of them fall into her open palm. He raised his own to his mouth and toasted to his friend's health.
"Cheers." They both downed their painkiller cocktails and Toni took her leave in order to prepare.
Malcolm Bell stood beside Chang in a conference room filled with highly decorated and esteemed military personnel. They all stared up at the pair with eager albeit stony faces. Bell cleared his throat.
"Gentlemen, thank you for seeing us."
General Hammond nodded to another man sitting across from him. "Dr. Bell, allow me to introduce General Norton Swartz, Chief of Staff of the Air Force." As if the sight of so much honorable authority wasn't unnerving enough.
"Glad to meet you General." He took a small remote in hand and clicked on a table projector. Upon a retractable screen, their observations displayed for all to see. "Now initially our task was to identify the metal the craft is composed of. That revealed itself to be impossible; the metal clearly bears no resemblance to anything found on Earth." He moved on to the next slide. "We then moved on to trying to see inside."
"I assume you succeeded," said General Swartz.
"Eventually, yes. The material repelled almost all of our scanning equipment save for ultrasound; with it we were able to discern this." At Bell's cue Chang displayed the grey and blurred image of its occupant; it was of a slender female. "As you can see she appears humanoid and we have designated her an estimated age of nineteen. Further study has also revealed the presence of nine individual stomachs."
"Perhaps a high metabolism is needed in order to fuel powers we cannot even begin to imagine," said Chang almost hungrily.
"We've also determined the low levels of radiation being emitted from the craft are actually coming from her."
"Meaning what, precisely?" asked Swartz.
"That Chang could be right, she could possess incredible abilities. Since we have been unable to conduct any kind of PET or CT scans it's unclear as to what stage of evolution her mind has reached. So far this has been all we have been to gather or deduce." Swartz finished taking notes then nodded up at the scientist.
"Thank you Dr. Bell, do you have anything else you would like to add?" Just then it hit him. Everything about this project had been making him feel uneasy, but it had nothing to do with the large military presence. In truth, they were the only reason he felt the least bit safe. The more he studied their visitor the more he began to question the reason it landed in the first place. He set his remote down and clicked off the projector.
"Sirs, I'm not sure how to describe this but……I've been having a bad feeling about this as of late."
"What do you mean Dr?" asked Hammond.
"Yes Dr, what do you mean?" said Chang irritably.
Bell pointed to Swartz and Hammond. "Can you two swear on your honor as soldiers that you have never once encountered anything extraterrestrial?" Swartz and Hammond glanced at one another and Hammond nodded.
"Yes, we can."
"Well then, it just makes me wonder; we have never had first contact before, so why now? And why just this one random landing?" He paced about the area in front of the large desk filled with seasoned officers. Chang's eyes followed him uneasily. "And further more, why didn't she disembark when she landed? The crash seemed pretty violent and she's still alive, why didn't she leave the ship?"
"What are trying to say Dr?" asked Hammond.
"Her heart rate has been slowed to just a single beat per minute, which suggests she has been placed into state of metabolic stasis. Sirs I don't think she can willfully exit the craft, or that it was supposed to have a destination. Wherever this was launched from they certainly made sure it would be far away from them before it hit anything."
"Dr. Bell," interrupted Swartz. "Are you suggesting that this craft may actually be a form of imprisonment?" Bell knew Chang wouldn't like his answer. There was simply no way to avoid it.
"That is a strong possibility Sir, yes. We could have an intergalactic criminal on our hands." His final statement left the room in an uncomfortable silence. Swartz sent a fleeting glance at Hammond, as though he were communicating with him telepathically. Hammond then stood up.
"Thank you, if you could give us a moment please?" Chang and Bell quietly took their leave.
AAAAAAA
Outside Chang wasted no time in rounding on Bell. "Have you completely lost your mind?!" he spat in a hushed tone.
"I'm not a born liar, Chang." Said Bell defiantly. "If we keep a single fact from them we could find ourselves in some very troubled times." Chang paced about almost madly, quite beside himself.
"Damn it boy you don't know the military as I do. Do you have any idea what you have done? All you accomplished with that little honest speech of yours is ensure the closure of this project. They will sit on it for decades!"
"That's their prerogative," replied Bell. "If you read our contracts more closely you'll see we were hired on as mainly consultants. The fact that we've taken the project this far only points to the amount of leeway they've allowed us."
"And thanks to you we may never finish it!"
Bell stepped closer to Chang. "Are you angry because of what I said or because your days with the Russians are beginning to catch up with you?" Chang's demeanor changed from acrid to nervous. "Oh yeah I know all about the 'experiments' you allegedly performed."
"That's the past-"
"The past matters!" hissed Bell. "At least, it does to me." At that moment the conference door was opened and officers began filling out. Generals Swartz and Hammond were last to exit and they stopped before the two scientists. Swartz remained in silence for a moment, and then cleared his throat.
"We have passed on your observations and thoughts to the President, and based on our recommendation he has decided that the project will be shelved for the time being." Chang mentally swore up a storm. "You both have provided this project with invaluable insight and a substantial merit will be credited to your private bank accounts. I don't think I need to remind you of the details of the nondisclosure agreement."
"No sir," said Bell.
"Crystal clear," said Chang through clenched teeth. Swartz shook hands with them both and send a nod to Hammond.
"George." Chang followed after the Chief of Staff trying to convince him to reconsider, completely ignoring the fact that it was no longer his decision. Hammond hung behind along with Bell.
"Look son, I'm sorry about this."
"I wish this could have amounted to something better," lamented Bell. Hammond felt determined to offer something to console the disappointed scientist.
"Look, sometime down the road someone will undoubtedly become interested in this project. If and when that happens, I promise, if I'm still in a position to do so, to get you back in charge. But that's the best I can do."
Bell smiled with a nod and shook the General's hand. "Well, that's more than enough. Thank you sir."
RICHARD'S HOME……………………
Richard finally returned home after taking all day to make the arrangements for Victor's operation. As he walked down the hall he slowly came to stop as the sound of music reached his ears, the sort hear from an old fashioned record player. He let his backpack rest against the wall in the hallway leading to his room. He stepped inside and saw Kory contently listening to an angelically female voice sing Ave Maria. Richard leaned against the doorframe and the resulting creak drew Kory's attention. She let out a slightly startled 'oh' and switched off the record player.
She stood to her feet. "I hoped you would not mind, the title of the piece roused my curiosity."
"Naa, I like your taste in music. That was Barb's favorite." She stepped further inside. "So, I heard about the transcript Danielle cooked up for you, sounds…..good." Kory laughed at his words.
"Yes, I must admit that many of my accolades sounded quite unbelievable." Richard shrugged and sat down on the bed.
"Well that's what people like them enjoy. They like parading insanely beautiful people around with equally insane and impossible accomplishments. All you have to do is act like a know-it-all and that everyone with less money than you is dirt." He looked her up and down for a moment. "You may need to take acting lessons." Again Kory let out an amused chuckle and sat beside him. "I suppose Rachael kept telling you how much you don't have to do this." He twisted his head to look at her, and how he greatly enjoyed the simple action. She smiled delicately. "She's kind of a freak like that."
"Indeed, and I continually told her that I am more than ready to undertake this mission." He looked away and nodded.
"Good."
"Now, what of friend Victor?" she asked, taking hold of his arm in the process.
Using the head of his cane, Richard scratched the back of his neck. "We've prepared a very radical and dangerous operation that will leave him with less than ten percent of his home grown flesh." One of Kory's hands nearly made it to her mouth. "Instead of lungs, heart, and a brain he'll live off a brain and a battery. But he'll still be the same ol' jolly black giant." Now both of Kory's hands took hold of Richard.
"There is a substantial chance he will survive, yes?" Richard opened his mouth but his voice faltered. Kory's wide emerald eyes stared at him intently. The two orbs saw the object of their affection turn worrisome, though anyone who knew him less would mistake the expression for calm. Richard let his cane fall to the floor like a freshly cut tree.
"I hope so."
AAAAAAA
That night was the last Kory would spend with Richard before her undercover work began. The two of them lay side by side, except Richard was the only one of the two not lost in dreamland. Kory on the other hand, slept quite soundly with one over her arms draped over his chest. Every now and then her fingers would curl slightly, slightly tickling him through the fabric of his nightshirt. Richard's eyes were open and he was wide awake. His mind was far too restless to allow itself to lazy off into slumber. The feeling brought back memories of nights past before he met Kory. He gently took hold of the hand over his chest and her fingers naturally curled around his. Richard continued to look about with his straight yet restless eyes. Soon they wandered back to the red head lying next to him. Very carefully Richard eased himself out from under Kory. An idea had come to him.
Several loud knocks rang against the front door of a suburban home. The occupant sleepily moved through the darkened halls, possibly still asleep in some ways. As soon as she reached the door, Danielle looked through the peep hole and saw the distorted image of Richard waiting on her doorstep. For a moment she thought that perhaps her dream had turned into a nightmare. She unlatched the locks and opened the door just enough to lean against it.
Richard raised an eyebrow. "Nice nightgown, your boyfriend give it to you?"
"I can only assume you're well aware of what time it is, or you wouldn't be here," said the forensic expert drowsily.
"I need help," said Richard.
"That's obvious."
"There is a chance that one of my best friends could be dead in a few days," said Richard. Danielle's eyes fell away from him, she was well aware of Victor's situation. "Kory is about to take on a job which I pushed her into, I don't want the same chance to fall on her."
Danielle shrugged. "So what do you want me to do?"
"I need an edge…….a smart edge." Danielle's fingers drummed against the door for a moment. She disappeared back inside momentarily then reemerged clutching a black USB jump drive. She placed the tiny device in hands then pulled the fabric of her nightgown closer to her person.
"It contains a Trojan Horse program, within it is a mutating algorithm which will allow give you complete access to every computer within range of their wi-fi bubble. All you have to do is have Kory plug it into computer in the house." Richard arched a brow.
"Cool." He pocketed the USB key. "This feud of ours-"
"Look I realized a while ago that our jobs are more important than a petty squabble," said Danielle. "For now you can make it up to me by leaving and letting me get back to bed."
Richard nodded agreeably. "Sounds fair, only don't get too comfortable. I'm probably going to need you again soon. Convincing Whitman to let me run off to Vegas for the weekend may take some tinkering." He turned away and began making his way back to his car. Danielle began moving back to her house when her face broke into a crooked smile.
"Goodnight Richard."
Bell retrieved the last of his clothes from the drawers in his room and stuffed them away into a suitcase. He determined to leave without feeling as though his time at the base had been a failure. Once so excited about what a discovery he could make, now brooding on the possible horror they stumbled across; Bell thought it best to put it out of his mind. His eyes fell on his security card on the nightstand. What was the harm of saying a farewell to his project?
AAAAAAAAA
The scanner issued a high pitch beep and turned green, allowing Bell access to the laboratory. Every time he had entered before then to work, he was forced to stop to allow himself to be checked over by two SF's posted outside the chamber. Bell's face morphed into one of apprehension when he saw the before mentioned enlisted men on the floor unconscious. Immediately Bell slammed his hand upon the base alarm but nothing happened. Whoever had disabled the guards made certain the same fate befell the alarm. Undeterred he raised the blast door covering the observation window and to his little surprise he saw Chang working before the craft.
"Chang," he mumbled. In no time flat he made his way downstairs and burst through the heavy door. Chang calmly glanced behind him and snickered.
"Hmp, the good little boy who likes to play with the military; welcome." Chang continued his work. Bell took cautious steps toward the aged scientist and caught a glimpse of what he was doing.
"You're deactivating the magnetic field."
"How very astute."
Bell rushed to his side and pulled him away. "You can't!" Chang yanked his arm out of Bell's grasp.
"Why?! Because the big bald General said so? Authority always stands in the way of progress, but not this day." He rounded back to control console. "No, this day I'll have my alien."
"You can't underestimate this creature's power," insisted Bell.
"On the contrary, my boy, I am expecting our guest to do nothing less than dazzle me." Bell looked about and saw various lights beginning to fade. It was now up to him to stop the madman from releasing a beast. He clamped his hands upon Chang's shoulders and pulled him away. The old Asian man whirled around and laid a backhanded punch upon Bell's jaw. Once again Chang stood king of the hill upon the platform. Bell rubbed a tiny drop of blood from his lip.
"You may have just killed us all." Chang shook his head; he was far beyond reason and not inclined to start listening. He now gave the craft his full attention. Just as they knew it would, the space cell began to loose his shape. Drop by drop more of the metallic liquid fell to the floor below it. Soon its shape so far-gone that not even holding clamps could continue keeping it aloft. Bell saw with fascination that even after liquid left the craft it never hardened. The lumpy mass of metal continued to roll away when finally they began to see a hand emerge from the silvery liquid. The hand was followed by the arm it was attached to, followed by her legs, which were inevitably followed by her lower and upper body. Both scientists stood but mesmerized by the sight of her. She was covered in a full body suit which appeared to look like armor in some places. Finally her head was now in plain sight. Chang was not wrong; the sight of her magnificent purple hair alone did indeed dazzle them. Bell stood up, unable to believe what he was seeing.
"Is she?"
"I'm not sure," mumbled Chang. He inched closer and bent down beside her. He turned the young alien onto her back and her serene sleeping features came into light. "Amazing, she almost embodies perfection."
"Chang-"
"AH-Uhhhhhh!" A loud gasp and a long deep breath erupted from the extraterrestrial. Chang and Bell both stared as the dark haired alien struggled to get to her feet. Chang moved forward, completely ignoring a silent warning from Bell.
"Hello! I have set you free." He steadied her as she was now kneeling. "I have so many questions which I'm sure you'll answer in due time." She brought her hands to her face, breathing harder and harder. Chang grew impatient. "The time for silence is over……TALK! GAH-" Her hand suddenly shot up and gripped his throat like a vice. A suffocating Chang soon found himself staring into two large and glowing purple eyes. She brought him close and whispered viciously.
"Heska Vo." With absolutely no effort, she threw him backwards into the solid concrete wall. His body hit the wall like a wrecking ball and the sounding crack caused Bell to grow ill. He watched as Chang's limp body fell to the floor, dead as doornail. A shuffling caught his ears. He turned and his mouth fell open at the sight of the alien inching toward him, her eyes still brightly alight.
"Uh….s-s-s-sorry for not getting you out of that sooner. It's…it's just a lot of.." Her face was unchanging and she had backed him right up against the wall. His voice was just barely over a shaking whisper. "Red tape……"
"Melloka tu bii roonaka?" The only thing that Bell understood about the words that came out of her mouth was the fact that they were definitive and demanding.
"W-What?"
Her face grew livid. "Melloka tu bii roonaka!"
"I can't understand you!" He said boisterously. Her glowing eyes narrowed. He got the impression she might x-raying him or deciding whether or not she actually needed him. Then, without warning or explanation, she grabbed his head and forced his lips upon hers. Despite almost being her hostage Bell might have found himself enjoying the action but for a strange sensation that flowed through his body like a low voltage shock. The alien girl released him and with her also went the low voltage keeping his weakened knees from giving out. Bell sank to the floor utterly out of breath. She cocked her head at him, like someone observing a small animal. She slowly knelt down beside him. Bell of course made one last feeble attempt to crawl up the wall.
"Do you now?" her voice was as domineering as it was in her native tongue. Bell swallowed a lump in his throat and nodded. "Good, now I shall only repeat myself once more. Where am I?"
"Earth…" She rolled her eyes.
"That means nothing to me, what galaxy?"
"The-The Milky Way." She sighed. The name was still meaningless to her. She rose to her feet and paced about the room. As she stood up she suddenly felt dizzy and began to loose her balance. A tray of utensils was knocked over in her effort to stay upright. Bell rushed to her side to steady her. "Careful there-"
"Leave me!" she snapped. He quickly took his hands away. In all truth he didn't think she would need that much help, it was just part of waking up from being in deep stasis for so long. He felt his courage beginning to return.
"What's your name?" The question struck her as not only odd but highly inappropriate. After all, she was never forced to personally interact with the peasantry. However she remembered that this was a foreign world.
"I am Komand'r, crowned princess of Tamaran." She paused for a moment. "You're species is….similar to mine in appearance. What are you called?"
"My name is Malcolm," he said with a smile.
"No you fool, what is the name of your species?"
"Oh, we are homosapien or human." Komand'r nodded factually.
"I see, well…human. Perhaps I could identify this backwater planet by the name its ruler. Kindly give it to me please." Bell arched a brow.
"Our what?"
"The one who wields power over this planet. X'Hal almighty, is it just you or does your entire species possess an intelligence as antiquated as your technology?" Arrogance never does well instill fear in anybody's heart, and apparently it didn't have the effect on Bell. His expression grew slightly cross.
"No, I was just confused thank you very much. No one person rules over the whole planet. There are hundreds of countries, each with their own system of rule." Komand'r brought a pensive index to her lower lip.
"Hmm, a primitive species….numbering possibly in the billions, and without a central ruler to unite them all; I am beginning to see promise here."
"What are you talking about?" posed Bell. Komand'r turned an eerie and conniving smile in his direction.
"I lost my home now I shall have a new one, and in the process I will do your people a favor by uniting them under my wise tenet." Bell's eyes bounced about then they refocused on her as realization hit him.
"Then I was right, you are a criminal. They locked you up and now Chang set your free." Komand'r shrugged.
"You only see it as misfortune because your feeble mind has yet to comprehend my power. But I can assure you; soon I will transform Earth into a wonder rivaling the very best of Tamaran. Now where is the way out?" Bell folded his arms defiantly.
"Good luck, there's an entire battalion on the surface; thousand strong." Koma's only response was a confident smile.
AAAAAAA
The battalion which Bell mentioned was indeed patrolling the surface and due to Chang's meddling remained unaware of Koma's escape. Two SF's walking side by side came to a halt as a slight rumbling began moving up through the earth below them. With each passing second it grew larger and more powerful. Just as something terrible began to dawn on the two of them, a glowing fist burst up through the ground and sent them flying. The scene easily gathered the attention of all present. With little more than a few well placed punches, Koma was stepping up onto the paved road with eyes blazing. It didn't take more than a few seconds for her to be entirely surrounded.
A voice over a loud speaker ordered. "Get down on the ground with your hands behind your head!" Koma moved her head about, after a few stiff alleviating cracks she was ready. Her feet slowly left the ground; clearly unbridled joy was not the driving force behind her flight. She continued rise into the air until she was no more than fifteen feet off the ground. Koma curled her arms and legs close to her body and a field of purple energy began gathering around her. The one operating the loudspeaker hesitantly brought the microphone back to his mouth. "This is your final warning. Get down on the ground!" Among the sounds of a building charge around Koma, the hundreds of soldiers cocked their weapons and took aim. The C.O. took one moment too long to give the final order. "FIRE!"
"ARGHHH!" Koma spread her arms and legs apart, unleashing a devastating wave of energy. All around her, as well as any heavily armored vehicles, were either disintegrated or blasted away. Survivors attempting to make their escape were soon left falling to the ground with smoldering holes blown in their chests. From her eyes and fists Komand'r rained nothing less than utter blight upon all before her. Bell made his way to the surface and gazed upon the ensuing carnage with his mouth ajar.
"Dear God….."
Komand'r kept her place in the air, laughing gleefully at the numbers trying to run and same number trying to fight back. No matter which action they chose, they were soon to be laid low and made as dust.
Well! How was that? I know Koma may have entered the story a little fast, but I wanted the alien story to develop earlier than in the first one. It's has a much more personal feel to it. Yes Logan wasn't in this chapter but don't worry, he's not taking a backseat role. He just didn't have a part this time around. Hope you enjoyed it and let me know what you think. Laters!