Yeah, it's been a while since I updated I know. Sorry about that. i won't bore you with the details of the delay, but if you really want to know, you can contact me and I will gladly fill you in. Now, without futher ado...
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Chapter 6
Karai walked down the hallway portraying an air of calmness and confidence that she did not feel. She has just had a disturbing conversation with Hun, concerning a group of his purple dragons, (why the Shredder puts up with those poor excuses for fighters she'll never know, but it wasn't her place to question her master). Apparently they had an interesting run-in with the turtles.
During the skirmish, one had the sense to play possum. He overheard something that could put an end to the Shredders plan and it was her duty to inform him of this development.
Karai hesitated outside the doors to her masters' private room, but only for a moment. He was not going to receive the information with favor. At least she would be the one to deliver the news, thus sparing some unfortunate soul the Shredders wrath.
Karai took a deep breath, opened the door and stepped inside. Saki was sitting in meditation. Karai kneeled, facing her adoptive father and waited respectfully.
"What is it Karai?" His eyes were still closed when he finally acknowledged her presence.
"Master, there has been an unexpected development that may cause interference with your plans."
Saki's eyes snapped open.
Not needing further prompting, Karai continued, "The subjects' partner was seen with the turtles. The informant claims that they have teamed up and are aware of your plans and intend to rescue the boy…"
Saki released a cry of pure, absolute rage and slammed his fist on the floor. 'Wait...maybe I can work this to my advantage.' He thought after his sudden outburst.
"What exactly is the relationship between the two?" he asked.
"From what I saw of our reconnaissance mission, they are very close Master. Perhaps even closer than just friends and partners." Karai replied.
"Hmm. Do you know of any way of contacting this boy, without alerting the turtles?"
"Yes Master. He has this device he carries on his back, an artificial intelligence, I believe, that he communicates with through his helmet." What did her master have in mind?
"Do you have its frequency?"
"Yes Master."
"Excellent. Bring me Dr. Stockman. I have a job for him. If this works, not only will my original plan succeed, but I will finally be rid of those menacing turtles as well." Karai bowed and retreated to do her Masters' bidding, leaving Saki to resume his meditation in a better mood than that in which he had started in.
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The five teenage boys crawled down a manhole just as the sun was peaking over the horizon, casting the sky in a reddish hue. An old adage popped into Richie's head at the sight, 'Red at night, sailors delight; Red at morning, sailors take warning.' Richie had a bad feeling, but he couldn't do anything about it right now. Batman said to wait, and no one in their right mind disobeys Batman.
Richie paused before lowering the manhole cover and disappearing into the sewers. He watched as people walked past the alley and as cars drove up and down the busy streets. The people of New York were starting a new week. They were worried about getting to work on time or getting everything on that to-do list done, but Richie couldn't help but think how lucky they were. They didn't know of the danger they were all in and they weren't the ones who had to try and stop it at all costs, even if it meant losing your best friend, your brother, your lover. But Richie wasn't going to give up on Virgil. 'Hold on V, just a little longer…'
Once they got back to the lair, everyone was too exhausted to do anything but seek their beds. Richie changed out of his costume and crashed on the couch. It was lumpy and not very comfortable, but it would serve his purpose.
Three hours later Richie woke up. He gave a small sigh when he saw the time. Ever since the Big Bang, his need for sleep had been getting less and less, which gave him more time to spend on other things, like his inventions. His 'lab' in Dakota (the Abandoned Gas Station of Solitude, aka Static's and Gear's headquarters) was littered with unfinished gadgets. Most of the things he builds make it into his and Statics' arsenal.
Richie listened for signs that the others were also awake, but he heard nothing. Everyone was still fast asleep. He got up and gathered his things. He needed to make a trip to the surface to call his parents and Virgils' dad. He had to come up with a good excuse to tell them. Richie was thinking so hard that he didn't hear someone coming up behind him,
"Where're you heading off to?"
Richie jumped at the unexpected company. He turned to see Leonardo crossing the living room and into the kitchen. He fixed himself a cup of tea, "Care for a cup?"
"Uh, no thanks. I'm just gonna give Virgils' dad a call. Don't know what I'm gonna tell him though."
"Does he know about the hero thing?" Leo asked.
"Yeah, he found out a few months ago and he's still getting used to the idea. I don't wanna freak him out if it isn't absolutely necessary."
"What about your parents? Do they know?"
Richie was silent for a while, as he slid Backpack in his bag. He wasn't looking at Leo but he could feel the turtles gaze upon him.
"No. They don't. My dad is…well, he's not the most, understanding person. He would go ballistic if he found out that his son was a Bang Baby. He thinks that they're all freaks and should be locked up along with all the other criminals. Not to mention he already disapproves of my hanging with Virgil."
A silence past between them. Leo didn't really know what to think of Richie's statement. It sounded as though Richie's home life wasn't very pleasant. It made Leo appreciate Splinter that much more for giving him a safe place to call home and being an understanding and caring father.
"Well, I should go make that call." Richie said breaking the silence.
"You want some company?"
"Nah, I won't be gone long." Leo nodded in acknowledgement and Richie grabbed his bag and left the lair. He walked through the sewers, retracing his steps from earlier and climbed up to street level at the nearest manhole. He casually walked out of the alley and across the street to a payphone. The line rang twice before it was answered,
"Hello?"
"Hey Mr. H"
"Richie, thank goodness. Do you know where Virgil is? He didn't come home last night."
"Yeah, it was late when he got back from Gotham and he was tired, so we just crashed at the gas station. Sorry we didn't call, we forgot."
"That's all right son. May I speak with him?"
"Oh huh, he's, um, in the shower. You know, getting ready for school and all." The excuse sounded lame to Richie as soon as it left his mouth.
"Okay," 'Yes, he bought it.' "just tell him to be home before dinner…" Richie's high spirit fell crashing back down to earth. He didn't know when they would be able to get Virgil out, or what condition he'd be in, but he definitely knew that they would not make it back to Dakota by tonight.
"Actually Mr. H. we have …er, a test tomorrow that Virgil was going to help me study for. He was going to call and ask you if he could stay over at my place tonight."
"That's fine with me Richie, just have him call me. Have a good day at school son."
"Thanks Mr. H. Bye."
Richie hung up the phone with a sigh of relief. He decided not to call his parents. They would just think he was staying the night at Virgils' when he didn't show up for dinner anyways, so it was easier not to call. Just then his stomach gave a large rumble, reminding him that the last time he ate was yesterday morning. He looked up and down the street as he stepped out of the phone booth. He smiled when he spotted a bakery not to far down the street.
Richie entered the lair to see that Donatello had joined Leo at the table sporting a cup of coffee. He set four boxes of doughnuts on the table in front of them,
"Hope you guys are hungry." He said with a smile.
"Richie, you didn't have to…" Leo began but was cut off,
"Do I smell doughnuts?" Michelangelo popped his head into the kitchen taking a big whiff, "Mmm, doughnuts" Mikey said in an all too Homer-like fashion as he rushed to the table and reached for one covered in chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles.
But Leo smacked his hand away before it reached the much desired sweet.
"Ouch, what was that for Leo?" Mikey pouted, rubbing the back of his hand.
"Raph isn't up yet and…"
"RAPH! Rise 'n shine!" Mikey yelled at the top of his lungs. Everyone in the kitchen heard a loud THUD coming from Raphs room, followed by mumbled curses.
"Okay he's up. Can I eat now?"
Leo scowled at his little brother but Mikey only shrugged, "What? I'm a very, hungry turtle who needs sustenance."
Just then a bleary-eyed Raphael entered the kitchen and plopped into the last empty chair, reached for a doughnut.
"Wha 'ime izit?" Raph asked around a mouthful of maple bar.
"10:30" Richie supplied.
Raph groaned and glared at Mikey for the early wake up call, but the orange clad turtle wasn't paying attention. He was too busy licking the crumbs and frosting his latest pastry left on his fingers.
Everyone finished their breakfast in silence, and soon all the doughnuts had been consumed except for one, plain and unfrosted.
Mikey reached for it,
SMACK
Once again Leo slapped his hand away.
"Ouch!"
"Splinter hasn't eaten yet." Leo said before Mikey could complain again. Mikey pouted but left the doughnut in the box. The dull thunk of wood on stone announced that Splinter was awake and heading their way.
"Good morning my sons."
"Morning Sensei" Chimed the four turtles.
"And good morning to you too Richard."
"Morning sir." Richie replied as a slight blush flushed his cheeks. Only his mother called him Richard. Splinter offered him a warm smile, which he happily returned.
"Did your venture to the surface heed any results Leonardo?" Splinter asked as he made himself a cup of tea.
"No master, but we have met another ally who has promised to help us."
Splinters ears drooped slightly and he gave an almost inaudible sigh, "Another knows of our existence? You think that is wise my son?"
"I assure you sensei, that he is a man of honor and knows how to keep a secret."
"Very well. I expect the four of you in the dojo in five minutes for training. You are welcome Richard of course, to wait or watch while my sons train."
"Uh thanks, but I think that I'll go fly around the city and scope it out." Richie answered.
Splinter nodded and turned to leave the kitchen. He paused, turned back and grabbed the doughnut before leaving for the dojo.
Richie helped his friends to clear the table before they had to head for the dojo. Once they left, Richie changed into his super hero persona, Gear, and once again went up to the surface.
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He was flying high above the city lost in thought. Thoughts that always found their way back to Virgil, were they seemed to linger. Usually he was the one to get kidnapped, both as Gear and as Richie, to be used as leverage to get to Static. Static was the one to find and rescue him while simultaneously teasing Richie about always being his 'damsel in distress'. It always bothered Richie to be seen as the 'damsel' of the duo, but he would give anything right now to switch places with Virgil.
'Is this how V always feels?' Richie thought to himself, 'Of course it is you dope.'
Richie swore to himself that once he had Virgil back in his arms he would never let him go. Well, okay, maybe he would after a day or two…
Gears lustful contemplations were abruptly cut off when an ear piercing noise sounded from his intercom systems. The sound only lasted for a second, but it left Gear confused. He only used the intercom systems to communicate with Static when their patrols forced them to separate. It was only hooked up to intercept the Shock Voxs' signal. He didn't even use it to communicate with backpack anymore, he used the implants Brainiac left behind to do that now.
"Backpack run a diagnostic on the…"
"That will not be necessary." Said a voice that sent shivers down Gears spine.
"Who is this? And how did you get this frequency?" Gear asked as he descended to a rooftop while silently instructing Backpack to record and trace the signal.
"You may call me the Shredder."
'This is the guy who has Virgil' "What do you want?"
"A trade."
"A trade?" 'Is it possible that he's been after me all along?' "What kind of trade?"
"I believe that we have a mutual acquaintance…of the mutated variety."
'Shit, I know where this is going…'
"Bring all four turtles and their rat master to me."
'Ding, ding, ding, ding, I'll have I told you so for 500 Alex.'
"And in return?" Richie didn't really need to ask, nor did he intend to agree, but he needed more time for Backpack to trace the foreign signal.
"I will return your electric friend."
Richie couldn't even begin to consider giving up anyone to a madman like this guy. "Do you really expect me to believe that you would just give me Static? I know what you need him for and I also know that his chances of surviving are zero, so don't take me for a fool."
"If you bring me the turtles and the rat, I will guarantee that your friend will be returned unharmed."
"What if I refuse? I stand a better chance of getting Static back with their help than trusting the likes of you!" Richie was starting to get angry. The nerve of this guy, thinking he would willingly sacrifice innocent lives…
"Are you willing to stake your friends' life on a chance?" When Gear didn't respond, The Shredder continued, "If you refuse my generous offer, I will proceed with my original plans and your friend will most likely perish. Either way, I win…"
'And either way I loose.'
"…the choice is yours."
Richie's brain was working double time to find a solution where he could get Static back without forfeiting anyone else's safety. He couldn't in good conscience sacrifice five lives for one, but he couldn't give up on Static either. Especially if giving up Static meant the end of the world as he knew it. But the world needed Static, hell, he needed Static. But then again, both Virgil and Richie knew that being a hero meant that knowing that the needs of they many outweighed the needs of the few.
Richie knew he was beaten and the sigh he released mirrored his thoughts, "I accept your offer."
"Excellent." The Shredder said, sounding very pleased.
"Bring them to this address," an address flashed across Gears visor, "by 7 pm tonight, or the deal is off." The connection was severed and Gear was left feeling utterly defeated. For the first time since realizing his abilities, Richie had no answer.
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Saki terminated the transmission with a rare triumphant smile on his face.
"Good work Dr. Stockman."
Stockman waved off the compliment, "It was child's play sir, any competent fool could have…"
"The testing is to continue as planned." Shredder cut off Stockman's' egotistical ramblings, "You are to get what I require, at all costs. Understand?"
"Yes sir."
"You are dismissed. I have business to attend to."
Stockman turned and irately mumbled to himself, "…like a common telephone operator…doesn't understand my genius…take me for granted…simpleton…"
Stockman was so focused on his own thoughts that he did not even notice the man until after he had already bumped into him outside Saki's office. The man was dressed in an expensive black suit, crisp white shirt and a classy silver tie. With the man standing at a towering 6'6'', the doctor had to look up, into piercing blue eyes when he addressed the man,
"Watch where you're going!" He growled.
"Pardon me." The man said.
And even though the man had a passive expression of his face, Stockman got goose bumps when he looked into those blue eyes. They seemed to penetrate down deep, into his very soul. He broke the gaze immediately and walked away without further conversation, not aware of the tracking devise planted on his person. He heard Saki invite the man into his office before he was out of ear shot,
"Ah, Mr. Wayne, it has been a while. Please come in."
"Good morning Mr. Oroku." Wayne responded politely as he closed the door behind him.
"You honor me with the correct usage of my name. You would be surprised at how many business associates do not understand the Japanese tradition in which the family name is spoken first. Please," Saki gestured to a set of comfortable looking arm chairs by a window with a view over looking the city, "have a seat."
Wayne nodded his appreciation, "I believe it is good business sense to know those who you are considering in going into business with."
"Could I take that to mean that you have reconsidered my previous proposal to Wayne Enterprises?"
"Is the offer is still on the table?"
"It is." Saki couldn't believe his luck. Wayne couldn't have come at a better time.
"Then I believe that negotiations are the next step…"
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Dick sat in Bruce's office of the New York branch of Wayne Enterprises, drumming his fingers on the desk in absolute boredom.
"I don't see why he brought me along if all I'm gonna do is sit around and do nothing. In fact, I'm surprised that he let me skip school for this. I might as well be in school, it's just as boring." He grumbled.
Dick continued to look around the room for something to distract him until Bruce was finished with his recon when his communicator buzzed from inside pants his pocket…
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Saki stood with Wayne following suit, and offered his hand. Wayne readily grasped in apparent gratification.
"Well, you've given me a lot to think about Mr. Oroku, and I thank you again for taking the time from your busy schedule to see me." Bruce said, trying his hardest not to let his utmost distrust for the man before him show.
"You are welcome, Mr. Wayne and I hope to do further business with you and your company in the near future."
"You can expect to hear from the Board of Directors within the week." Bruce said as Saki escorted him to the door.
"I look forward to that call. Have a safe trip back to Gotham."
Saki closed the door and turned to see his adoptive daughter and most loyal soldier standing by the desk.
"I still do not understand Master," Karai quarried, "why do you seek domination over this planet if what you truly seek is vengeance on your former captors and enemies the Utroms?"
"Because Karai," Saki was beginning to loose his patients at the incompetence that surrounds him, "if I can control Earth, then I control its resources which I can have at my disposal to do my bidding in finally having my revenge!"
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Once outside, Bruce let his schooled expression change from that of businessman playboy to that he usually saved for when he donned the cape and cowl. He really did not trust Oroku Saki and only feigned interest in opening negotiations to scope the place out. It was pure luck that he over heard the exchange between Saki and Gear. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Dicks' number, "Suit up, we have work to do, I'll be there in five."
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Virgil was granted a brief respite from the testing when Stockman was called away. He was very grateful for the reprieve because testing that was being done on him was very painful. He was essentially being electrocuted, but where as his powers would normally absorb the electricity, the chip prevented it. So the electricity just passed through him. Virgil over heard talk of compatibility or something but he couldn't focus to put much thought or importance into it.
Another test Stockman performed was very different. This time, Virgil was allowed, or rather, forced, to absorb the electricity. This test wasn't so bad until Virgil had reached his absorption limit, then it became painful as more and more electricity was building inside his body. Without being able to release it, the power had no where to go. He felt like a balloon that was filled with air to the point of exploding. Virgil could feel his cells begin to burst. He practically screamed with relief when he felt the incoming flow cease. Almost immediately he was aware of the power being siphoned out. It was sucked out to the extreme, until he felt that his internal organs would soon follow suit. He was left gasping for air.
But he soon realized that this respite wasn't really a respite at all because in the absence of the 'good doctor' he no longer had anything to distract him from the pain racking his body. He filled the room with the noise of his groans and whimpers. He feebly twisted and strained under his restraints in a useless attempt to get loose. He was exhausted physically and mentally and, despite the hurting and throbbing, he started to fall asleep, but before he did, he made one last plea even though he knew it wouldn't be heard,
'Better hurry Rich. Don' know…how much longer…I can…hold…on…' And Virgil lost the battle and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
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Does anyone know how tall Batman is? I just guessed so if I was off I apologize. Please review!