"And in the darkness I saw it…a light that pierced the shadow. But it brought me no joy, for as I drew closer, the light did not blind me, but made me see. Not joy…not happiness…but the horrors that had been hidden in the night, that I had knew there but never given face."
-Mohinder Suresh
(1 Month Later)
(Morbius Headquarters-Paris)
"What do you mean, I can't see my husband?" Madrid asked sternly, tapping her foot.
Carter's secretary, a dark skinned metrosexual man, gave her a weak smile.
"Mr. Daniels orders." Marcellus said, knowing full well he was caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, Carter Daniels could fire him. On the other…Madrid would kill him. "…let me get the door opened."
Madrid nodded, Tina smirking slightly. "I knew there was a reason I liked you, Nico Robin." She commented.
"I don't get that reference." Madrid said as Marcellus unlocked the door.
"Well, there is this pirate manga about this guy named Luffy…"
Tina was cut off when the sounds of a marching band burst through their ears. The two stared at each other, before pushing themselves into the office.
The two of them ignored the fine furniture, the heavy mahogany desk, the amazing view of Paris…and instead focused on Carter.
Yes, he was also just as richly made up as the office, in his Italian suit and perfectly groomed hair. And, much to Madrid's thanks, he'd finally shaved that damn beard he'd grown a few months back.
No, what they were more interested in watching was Carter moving about the room, pumping his fist and singing to the music, Vally, dressed in a yellow t-shirt and blue jeans, mimicking him as Hank and Kelly watched on.
"Hail! To the victors valliant! Hail! To the counqor'ng heroes! Hail! Hail! To Mighigan the champions of the west!"
Vally grinned. "GO BLUE!"
"Carter…" Madrid said sternly, tapping her foot.
Carter turned sheepishly. "Uh…hi there, oh dear and sweet wife o' mine."
"Can the cute talk…why are you teaching our daughter the University of Michigan Fight Song?"
"Uh…because its fun?" Hank offered, only to receive twin glares from Madrid and Tina.
Madrid turned her eyes to Carter. "Lee is waiting for you…"
Carter sighed. "I'll be there in a minute." Under his breath, he muttered, "Not letting you corrupt her with your UCLA garbage…"
His wife rolled her eyes, before shooting him an amused look. "Did you hear the news? Your sister's dad, that Petrelli guy…claims he spoke to God…that he was sent to do God's will."
Carter glanced at her, sharing a smile with his bride. "We were doing that before it was fashionable. People need to stop stealing our bit."
Madrid nodded, heading out the door, only to hear Kelly say, "One more time…for luck."
As the singing began again, Madrid turned to Tina and sighed. "We are dating 12 year olds."
&
Linda and Marshal looked over the maps, considering what was being presented to them. Since taking over Morbius INC, one of the many front companies for The Alliance, Linda had found herself in the position of being Carter's go to agent when it came to fieldwork. Her brains and her powers meant that she could handle pretty much anything. And with Marshal helping up, Linda had been learning the ropes quickly.
Currently, the two of them were looking over the technical readouts of the Primatech, Helana and Vic laying out the key points.
"Security locks on doors here, here and here…" Helena stated.
Linda frowned, holding up a hand. "Mind explaining to me one more time why we are hitting a paper company?"
Vic shook his head. "Not a paper company. This is one of the major strongholds of the company, their many office for their top agents. Including Noah Bennet…their number one superhuman hunter."
Helena nodded. "During my time with the company, I formed an Alliance with Bennet. We each wanted to protect our children, the son and daughter of Meredith Gordon. Bennet wanted to hide Claire…he thought that's what I wanted too. He never knew my real goal was to bring Carter in and take over The Company, for the two of us to be its commanders." She gave a weak smile. "Plans…changed, in part, with my husband."
It had taken a while for Vic to earn back the trust of his wife. To find out that the man you married was in fact immortal did tend to cause one to question what else he could be hiding. In the end, Helena had forgiven him.
Carter however…
Once the family had settled down, Helena and Vic had found themselves on the outside. Carter had, within the span of 4 months, learned that his parents weren't mild mannered, caring people that had adopted him purely out of kindness.
No…beneath the love, beneath the good will…his mother had found him because she was spying on him, trying to find a new "project" for The Company. And his father had abandoned his first wife, Carter's grandmother, and only returned to his life because he believed that his grandson/son was destined to stop Vic's insane father, Adam Monroe.
He had told them he loved them, that he was thankful…but suddenly his parents found themselves watching on as their son married a woman he just met and raised the daughter none of them knew he had. And while already Carter was proving to be a wonderful father and a attentive, loving husband, his parents longed to once again have their son back fully in their lives.
Thus, because it was secrets that had torn them apart, they turned to a new, secret mission.
"Bennet may have some of my records still in his computer…and I do not want a single piece of information about Carter leaked to the Company."
Marshal shook his head, the former Company agent remembering Bennet well. "Assuming Bennet was stupid, which he wasn't, if the Company hasn't already found the files…why care? Things have changed so much…"
Vic turned to a television screen, displaying the image of a destroyed building. "Pharatech…destroyed several months ago by Ted Sprague at command of Hana Gietelmen."
"We know this." Marshal said, quieting when a new image appeared.
"Elctrotech…known as a alternative fuels factory, a front for the training school for field agents…destroyed 4 weeks ago." Another image appeared, Vic gesturing to it. "The Company's Alaskan Prison…destroyed 2 weeks ago…same method." Several more images appeared. "Other buildings, all with ties in some way to the Company…either safe houses or allies…gone."
Helena nodded. "A new player is targeting The Company. Each building is destroyed the same, the databases stolen…" She pulled up a final photo, Linda turning her head in horror at the image of a body, the head blown clear off. "No survivors. The Company is not letting ANYONE know of this…we only know because of my built in behind-the-firewall measures." She locked eyes with the two. "This threat is right now to the Company…but it could turn to us…to my son. I want you to go to Primatech, get the files…and find out who is attacking those buildings. DO NOT ENGAGE! If whoever this is can take out Company buildings like this…I don't think any of us could stand up to him or her."
&
(Paris Streets)
"Its too much, Hank."
Hank Delpine smiled, shaking his head as they looked about the jewelery store. Biddy Bargo was at his side, examining a case filled with gold and silver trinkets. "Nonsense…you deserve this." He kissed her forehead gently, running his fingers through her hair.
Biddy smiled softly, her eyes drifting shut. "Are we moving too fast?"
Hank chuckled. "Lets see…Carter and Madrid slept together after only knowing each other for 2 months. We were a week…but I think that can be forgiven." He nuzzled her cheek, "How could I resist you?"
"You couldn't." She murmured.
"Damn straight." Hank whispered. "Carter and Madrid got married 2 weeks after they got back together, after Flint." He held up the engagement ring he'd selected for her, slipping it on her finger. "And they had a daughter before they even met…"
Hank swiveled Biddy's chair, running his fingers down her sides before lifting her shirt up and pressing his lips to her tummy.
"…so they beat us on that too." He whispered.
&
(Morbius Headquarters- Paris)
Lee looked over at Carter, who was waving goodbye to Vally. "Ya wanted to see me, boss?" He quipped.
Carter sighed. "Don't do that. I get enough of that crap from the secretary."
"Couldn't find a hot one with nice cans?"
"I could, but Madrid wouldn't take the job." Carter said with a smirk. He clasped his hand on Lee's shoulder. "I need your help with something."
"You always do, nowadays." Lee commented.
Carter nodded, leading Lee to a folder, not realizing he was doing exactly what his parents had been doing just moments earlier. "Lee…you remember Isaac Mendez?"
Lee nodded sadly, remembering well his old school buddy. He thought back to their last meeting, when Lee had gotten on Isaac's case about him going back on heroin. Isaac had…snapped back, and the two had left on bitter terms.
Several months later, Isaac had been found dead…his head cut open and brain removed.
Lee trembled as he thought of the man that he now knew killed his friend.
Sylar.
"Yeah…I remember."
Carter nodded, knowing how hard this was for his friend. "Lee…he's in a better place…"
The artist cut him off. "I know…you said you saw him…after I…I…"
"Killed me?" Carter asked.
"Yeah." Lee whispered.
Carter opened the folder. "You made that up to me Lee…I told you that…you helped save my daughter…we are more than even. But now…now I have a way you can make it up to Isaac."
Lee perked up at that.
"Isaac Mendez could draw the future…his painting were sought after by the Company as they predicted a series of events…the near destruction of New York, the rise of my great grandfather, Adam Monroe…" Carter paused, "The Company…they thought they had found all the paintings." He pulled out a photo. "They did…but they missed the sketches."
Lee's hand shook as he looked at the photo. It captured the image of a sketch done a cover of a notepad, a drawing of a man in Carter's black duster, a cowboy hat atop his head and his eyes, the only spot of color, blood red. Under it was a simple title: Isaiah.
"Isaac produced several notebooks, but only two so far were found to be named. One, which I am still tracking, was named HEROES. It was his first notebook. The second, one he completed a month before he died, he named ELSEWHERE." Carter paused, choosing his words carefully. "The agents I assigned to investigate Isaac believe that, because of his involvement with the destruction of New York, the HEROES sketchbook refers to them…while the ELSEWHERE book refers…"
"To us." Lee finished.
"Exactly." Carter said. He locked eyes with Lee. "We need that sketchbook, Lee…we need to see if there is anything about our future in it." Carter took out a second form. "One of the spies I inherited when I got this job keeps track of auctions…this book had been sought by Linderman, but was lost…now, someone found it…and is putting it for auction in New York. Lee…you know Isaac's work…you know what his style was…I need you and Galatea to go to New York and retrieve it…make sure it is the real deal, and bring it back. We…we can't let Isaac's last work fall in the wrong hands.
Lee nodded. "Of course…"
RING
Carter held up a finger, hitting the speakerphone option on his phone. "This is Carter Daniels."
"Sir, this is Wallace."
"Another of my agents I gained through this promotion. I have him watching my sister." Carter said to Lee. "Wallace, I am here with Lee Malion. You may speak freely…is Claire alright?"
"Sir, there has been an incident."
Carter frowned. "Is Claire ok?"
"She is recovering…but…"
"Wallace…what is it…what happened?"
"Sylar."
Carter and Lee both froze in horror.
"Sylar found her." Wallace repeated.
&
(Delpine Mansion- Swiss Alps)
"It would be too easy to attack Carter right away. As much as I would enjoy crushing him like the bug he is…and rest assure, I could." Marie Delpine, the wife of the deceased Merrick Delpine, mother of Hank Delpine, and leader of the 7 Horns, looking over at the man seated before her. "Any of us could kill him…he is a weakling that got lucky. My husband was stupid, tried to take on Carter the wrong way. You can go about crushing him with brute force, just do it right. No, my husband had to get showy. I won't make the same mistake. I want showy, but I can't have that and crush Carter…so I will go with a slow death. Only fitting that it will mean I get to take care of a loose end."
Quint, the first of the 7 Horns, frowned. "Uh…whats it you wants mes to do?"
Marie sighed. "I want you to kill the tramp my son is now with." She pulled up an image of Hank and Biddy, only a week old. "I thought I raised him so well…taught him to wait for marriage, like God wanted. And he goes and impregnents the women he's been dating for a few weeks. Wonderful…oh so wonderful. Of course, I thought I had taught him to respect his mother and father, and now he betrays us…and now he dares breed with that whore…to mix the great Delpine line with her ilk…the harlot and the bastard child must be destroyed. OF course, my son will not go along with it…" She sighed. "So we have to kill him. How should a mother feel about killing her son and his unborn child? I feel...sadish…There's 22 years down the drain. Should have smothered him when he was a baby and bought a puppy instead."
&
(Moribus Headquarters)
Carter grabbed the suitcase from the maid, slipping her a 20 for getting the task done in only 20 minutes, before bursting out of his stately bedroom and marching down the hall.
"Where are you going?" Helena called out, giving chase.
"I'm going to America." Carter said sternly.
Vic rushed towards them both. "Carter, you can't go running off now! Morbius needs you…we have agents to do this."
"You run it for a few days…I need a vacation."
Helena shook her head. "They want you dead, Carter! The Company, the United States Government, the members of The Alliance that have not come to stand behind you as their new leader…they want you to do this!"
"Then let them come!"
"What do you expect to do?" His father demanded.
Carter never broke stride. "I am going to find Claire, make sure she is ok…then I am going to find Sylar and kill him."
Helena shook her head. "You're not thinking clearly…"
"He tried to kill Claire, mom!" Carter roared, flashes flashing along his skin. "He murdered Eden! Should I wait for him to go after my other sisters? For him to go after my wife? My child?" He scoffed. "And don't give me that crap about him being my cousin…apparently there is some debate who is mother actually is." He chuckled at Vic's stammers. "Yeah, I did research dad…I was going to be a reporter, remember?"
"Carter…don't do this…" Helena pleaded. "He's immortal now…he can survive any attack…maybe even your whammies…"
"Then I'll have to crank it up…or find a way to shut his powers down." Carter said, heading towards the elevator.
"I don't want you killed again!" Helena shouted.
Carter stopped at this.
"I'm…I'm not strong enough." Helena whispered, tears in her eyes. "I can't lose you…not again."
Carter turned, walking to his parents and placing a hand on each of their shoulders. "And I'm not going to…but I need to stop him…its my duty. I am the Metatron…I can't let evil continue to exist." He smiled softly, squeezing their shoulders. "I'll be back…I promise."
Neither said a word as Carter walked into the elevator, the doors shutting tight.
3 minutes later, the doors opened to reveal Madrid and Vally standing next to a limo in the garage, each holding a suitcase.
"If you think you are talking us out of coming…think again." Madrid said sternly.
"Yeah!" Vally pipped in.
Carter smirked. "Well…I know better than to argue with you two."
&
(Odessa, Texas)
Click click click
Joseph held the guard close, looking down at the mutilated bodies that lay around them. "You know…I think it is funny. I work for this Company for…what was it…oh yes, 18 years …and when I come back to, 10 long years later, to visit my old friends…do you guys say hello? Do you wave and ask me how I am?" He laughed, holding the guard tight, clicking his tongue. "NO! You shoot at me! Shoot!" He reached down and plucked a bullet from the sandy ground. He clicked his tongue. "Little good that did you."
Click click click
The guard shuddered. "Please…not that…"
Joseph tilted his head. "Why so scared? We all have to die sometime…I just like sending people out in style." He paused, adjusting the collar of the heavy bomber's jacket he wore, fingers tracing the spots where dry blood, a decade old, still clung. "They didn't get to go out in style…oh no…they didn't at all. Did you ever hear about them…about why I am the way I am?"
Click click click
"Y-y-y-y-yes."
The man grinned. "Wonderful!" He pulled the guard close, so their lips were almost touching. "Then I won't have to repeat it." He clicked his tongue again. "You know, I'm secure in my masculinity. I love women…but hey…if it's good enough for the Eurotrash…how about a goodbye kiss?"
"N-mmmm!" The guard screamed, cut off as Joseph slammed his lips to his, forcing the guard's mouth open.
CLICK!
Joseph rolled his head, wiping the blood from his lips, staring at where the guard's head had been moments.
"Parting is such sweet sorrow." He mused, dropping the body and hold out a hand, snapping his fingers
BOOM!
The amplified soundwave tore through the fence, revealing exactly what he was looking for…
"May it ever be so humble…" Joseph whispered as he entered the Primatech property.
Snap snap snap.
&
Auhtor's Note: Carter's line about stealing bits is a dig at the show. I had the first guy die and talk to God. I also had 'the light' long before Hiro came up with it (Though, if Tim Krieg would like to feature Carter and Vally and the rest of the cast, do so freely and with my fan boy glee). And if that blue flame guy's fire turns into silver whammy energy….