I llliivvveeee -zombie noises-
Long time no see guys...like...2 years. -cough- yeah sorry about that...being an adult sucks? Well regardless I'm going to try my damnedest to post more on here. I forgot how much I freaking loved prototype and especially Mr. Mercer -le sigh- SO! I will try, optimistically I would like to post 1-2 chapters a month minimally but more of course would make me feel like a winner.
So this chapter was actually 90% done for the last 2 years but I got stuck when it got to the very end. Finally managed to cap that ending though and hopefully it will be smooth sailing from here on out!
PS- really wish FF would allow emotes/ smilies. Tis quite annoying they don't.
"I am sorry to the people of New York for the events that transpired over the last 4 years. I had my hand in the unfortunate catastrophe as did many other people. I just hope that now I can do my part in returning the city to its previous glory. I ask for forgiveness, not only from the city, but from all those affected by the horrendous events that took place there. I understand that I will have to earn that apology and your trust." Alex was reading the lines off the paper like the nutritional facts off snack food. There was hardly any emotion in it and that alone was killing the speech. Morgan was standing off to the side with Sam who was trying to coach Alex as he spoke. She had written the speech herself which explained why it was just so out of character for him. It was also why his voice grew drier with every sentence. To make matters worse the members of the press who had shown up to the event weren't buying it. Their whispers were starting to spread amongst the crowd.
The subtle sounds were beginning to eat at Alex's last nerve as he did NOT wanting these bastards to talk over him…. He glanced to the girls, a twitch in his brow as he spotted them. Morgan looked apologetic but pleading, not wanting him to do anything brash. Sam gave him a weak smile and thumbs up, thinking it was going well….sorta. He groaned, looking back to his speech as he prepared to drone out the last bit but the press decided to cut in.
"Sir, you actually expect us to believe that Gentek, a company known for inventing and funding many of the beneficial medical products we have today, is behind the NYZ attack?" They hadn't prepped for Q&A in the slightest. Sam had told everyone explicitly that there were to be no questions before, during or after this conference but, as Morgan suspected, that wasn't stopping them. Sam looked to Alex, waving her arms no as well as mouthing the word but…Morgan knew he wasn't going to let that go.
"They fucking made the virus so yeah, I do." He snorted with a glare.
"And yet you claim to have worked for them, with the very virus yes?" Another reporter asked as Alex became on edge. He hadn't….told them exactly how it had gotten out nor did he plan to.
"Yeah I did. That's how I know how fucked up all their experiments were, what they were doing…" He growled. Sam was still waving for him to stop but in an act of defiance Alex balled up the speech and threw it right at her. As more reporters stood to throw questions at him the man leaned himself over the podium he had been standing on, using it as a brace.
"Yeah but who the hell are you? Why should we care?" Another reporter snorted. Alex glared, Morgan letting her head fall into her hand. Well shit….
"I told you…my name is Alex J. Mercer. I worked for the company! They have fucking papers on me, you can find them by looking through their public records unless they destroyed them! Which wouldn't surprise me…"
"You claim to be infected but you don't look like you are." Yet another man pointed out. "We've seen the images of the infected from NYZ and you look normal." Oh god…they were asking him this?! Morgan groaned again but looked up through her fingers in time to see him smirk.
"Oh…you want to know?" Shit. He shifted slowly back from the podium and let his arms stretch out from his sides. With an overly content smirk he did it. He phased right in front of them without a second thought. One arm became the long blade while the other hand rose, each finger like fine knives.
The panic spread like wildfire, people leaping out of there chairs, some of the women screaming and scrambling to get out. It was a sheer madhouse of fear and panic.
"WAIT! WAIT!" Sam rushed out from the side lines, pushing Alex from the podium as they tried to save this. "He's not dangerous! Please wait!"
"Yeah if I had wanted to end you lot I would have already!" Alex cackled as Morgan groaned more. She moved out though, grabbing his arm that supported the clawed hand and pulling him back some.
"You aren't HELPING." She hissed, several people noticing her…she had touched that and been okay? Some people calmed, starting to slow their rapid race for the exit… One women who had stalled near the front dared to raise her hand before just deciding to speaking.
"And who are you?" She asked. Sam assumed she was asking her so she pointed to herself. The reporter women shook her head and Sam moved back to see who she was referring to. With Sam out of the way it was clear now she was asking about Morgan. She was too busy fussing at Alex phase back to normal to notice. He was freaking people out! This had not been their objective! Sam rushed over to get Morgan's attention and pulled her right up to the podium. The girl froze, eyes wide and her breath stuck in her throat. Shit. She was horrible with speeches and especially in front of large crowds…there were so many people staring at her.
"I…u-um…" Alex smirked, phasing back to normal before pushing her forward which bumped her right into the microphone. Dick.
"I'm…M-morgan Miller…" She said, voice shaking. "I'm a medical genetist for Gentek…well…was." That got some peoples attention.
"Was?"
"I was recently let go…" Ah crap this was not the thing to bring up. She knew they would ask her why she had been let go and there was no media friendly answer for that.
"Why was that?" Of course. She bit her lip, stalling out as her face burned red.
"Because of me." Alex jumped in to her rescue, Morgan looking to him with surprise. "I came to Ms. Miller close to 7 months ago looking to find a cure for…what's happened to me. This city sports the closest, functioning Gentek to the NYZ location which made it convenient for me. Unfortunately, thanks to bounty on my head courtesy of Gentek and Blackwach, her work has had to be conducted in secret. When Ms. Miller's research hit a snag due to a mechanical malfunction, which I was I was to blame for, she was let go. " That seemed to satisfy most of the reporters but that one from the beginning spoke up again.
"Top scientists all over the world have been working on a cure for four years. Why the hell did you think she would make a difference?" Morgan shrunk back some, looking to Alex in hopes that he had something. She had a feeling it had to do with how easy she had been to scare and her resources but it wasn't something, again, they should share. Alex took the half truth route.
"Her resources were top notch and were what I thought would be needed to get the job done. Her records showed diligence and a hard work ethic which I knew would be important." That was probably the biggest compliment he had ever given her. Her shock showed which the reporters mirrored. This guy had appeared so brass and cold…
Things were cut short when the lights suddenly went out, cameras turning off as people gasped and started to look around. Morgan froze, having a good feeling this was Blackwatch about to bust in on their little…announcement. She was half right, flinching back into Alex as the doors flew open and men with guns came swarming in. They didn't look like Blackwatch…hell they looked like normal military but it didn't change the fact that it had Morgan's heart in her throat. Alex put his arm around her, keeping her close as he growled lowly at the men. He was keeping his promise…they would not be separated.
Sam stuck with them too, at least until the men made it on stage and stood glaring at the pair.
"Miller and Mercer?"
"Who the hell are you?" Alex glared.
"Classified, but we're going to need for you to come with us." The man said roughly as Alex snorted.
"Oh FAT chance in Hell!" He hissed as he pulled Morgan against his chest more.
"Don't make this more difficult Mr. Mercer." The solider hissed as his two friends behind him raised their guns.
"Wait…please just wait." Morgan gasped as she earned the men's gazes. "We'll go just…please don't separate us…"
"Otherwise how do I know you people won't pull shit and torture her again?" Alex growled back as the men showed honest surprise.
"Torture…no I think you're both mistaken. You're wanted for questioning by Lieutenant General Flint in New York." It was hard to misconstrew such a naïve voice. Alex and Morgan still shared a look of surprise before looking back to the men.
"Who is that?" Morgan asked before Alex could hiss something rude.
"He's the US Marines Lieutenant General for the NYZ clean up operation." The solider continued. "He wishes to speak with you both before Blackwatch can fuck things up." He admitted with a chuckle.
"Corporal…" One of his men started to scold.
"Off record." He added to him as Alex dared a smirk.
"I think I like this guy…" He admitted as the Corporal raised an eye.
"Well if you would both give me an easy day and please come with us? No funny business it's just…sort of protocol to enter like that." He explained as he jabbed a thumb over his shoulder.
"If corporal has his way we'd come in with poppers and disco music."
"Shut up Heath." Morgan had to suppress a giggle at the exchange before looking up to Alex. They seemed…really nice actually and had no intention to separate them…
"I guess, when you don't exactly give us any other choice..." Alex sighed as they started to move with them. He kept Morgan tight to his side as they were lead out of the room while other soldiers held back the press. It was blur after that, the group rushing through hallways to the back of the news station. There was a fat Blackhawk waiting for them when they reached the parking lot. They were hurried onboard and given headsets before they took off. Alex kept Morgan close through the flight, her head even turned into his chest to avoid looking out the open door. He stayed vigilant to see where they were taking them and was relieved when he saw them arriving at a private airport. No bases, no lies or tricky business. Once they touched down they were hurried along and into a hanger that had several military vehicles around it. It was the first evidence that there was anything actually going on here involving the military. An observation that was both a minor comfort and worry at the same time.
There was no guarantee that this wasn't some sort of trap and now, as they approached the door, Morgan was starting to feel like they had made a HUGE mistake. She glanced up to Alex who tightened his arm around her some and met her eyes. His were glowing orange which showed he was more than prepared for anything unexpected. The Corporal who had made such a funny impression on them led the way and opened the door to the temporary base. Inside it was like a hive of bees, temporary desks all around with computers, phones and touch screens. What exactly they were doing wasn't clear and none of them even spared a glance to Alex or Morgan. It was a welcome change from just 45 minutes ago when an entire room of people had been staring them down. They were rushed through the base without a second to breath, Morgan almost tripping a few times. Alex saved her there and actually picked her up when he felt her starting to trip. She blushed at that, hoping that no one else had noticed but him. Tripping was the least of her worries as they started to round a corner and faced a door into a private room.
"The Lieutenant General is in here…now I do want to let you know there are some armed men as well. For protection obviously." He nodded as did Morgan. She did elbow Alex as he started to snort, they did not need to think he would pull shit here!
"Thank you Corporal." She added with a weak smile as he inclined his head and opened the door. Inside was a large, beautifully carved oak desk. The man inside had been looking over papers but as they came in he looked up and over his glasses.
"Ahh, yes…Ms. Miller and Mr. Mercer. I appreciate you coming to see us after all." He chuckled weakly. "Please, sit." He gestured to the plush chairs in front of him. Morgan started to but her eyes did take in the men behind the desk. There were three of them, all very heavily armored with guns that didn't seem to be traditional military issue. It frightened her a little and her eyes went to catch Alex's reaction. He didn't seem the least bit worried so she tried to slow her heart as they sat. He kept a hand on the arm of her chair just to prove he wasn't going far.
"I apologize for the rude introduction to my men; we weren't sure how to approach you." Flint admitted as Alex snorted. This time Morgan wouldn't cut him off in time.
"Yes because kicking in the door with guns pointed at our heads is a GREAT attempt at a hello." Surprisingly it got Flint to laugh. It wasn't just a forced one but a deep and hearty chuckle.
"Damn right, guess I should have thought that one through. Excuse the old man." He hummed as Morgan smiled some.
"General Flint…I …excuse me but…why are you here? Why did you want us here? Who are you?" Morgan asked. They were being so nice when everyone knew Alex was dangerous. Hell they were both wanted criminals! Yet here sat Flint treating them like normal people.
"We asked you here, well brought you here, because we want to take you up on the offer Mr. Mercer made." Both of them looked to the general in shock.
"What?" Alex growled, not sounding the least bit amused.
"You said you wanted to help the city, to assist in the clean up efforts no? Well we could, in fact, really use you help." The look that Alex shot Morgan was so toxic it could have stopped her heart had she locked eyes. However she chose to look at the ceiling which was the strangest texture and lacked a ceiling fan. It could have really used one too, the air was just so still in that office…
"That wasn't…exactly a serious offer." Alex snorted as Flints eye quirked up.
"Oh? It wasn't…?"
"Alex!" Morgan hissed softly. This was not the time to have an attitude or try and back out of things. They had discussed this that morning in fact, the second Sam had handed him the speech...
Flint chuckled again at them and waved a hand.
"If you both require a moment..." He began as Morgan shook her head.
"No, no...it's fine just...I hope you understand that this is all rather foreign to us. The last few months haven't, exactly, been easy..." She sighed, rubbing her head. "Blackwatch has had a target on our backs from the start and it's been a rather unsettling experience." For her it had been at least. Alex seemed fairly used to people shooting at him. Her? Not so much.
"It's alright Ms. Miller, really. We understand." He smiled as Alex continued to watch the man. He was studying his every word, every movement he made in search for deception or some sort of trap that they could have walked into. So far he hadn't seen anything which was more frustrating than it was relieving.
"But if Mr. Mercer here has any second thoughts about keeping his earlier promises then we may have to work out other plans." Flint sighed, sounding concerned.
"And what the fuck does that mean?" Alex snarled as the air around him shivered. Morgan peeked over, hand touching the hand that had sealed itself around the arm of her chair.
"Alex...breathe..." He was making this situation worse than it had to be. The guards behind Flint that had sent her on edge from the get go were still quiet, unmoving despite the air of hostility that Alex was insisting to put out. Then again, Morgan wasn't sure why she felt like she could trust the Lieutenant General. No one up until this point had proven to be very trustworthy and every time she had put her faith behind someone it had ended in agony. Yet, here she was, again, feeling like she could. Perhaps Alex was right though, that there was something to fear in this man?
"I was simply trying to explain to you both that, while I am more than happy to facilitate your goals and especially your research-" He nodded to Morgan then. "-my fellow associates would not be so quick to offer their aid. I'm not the only man working on piecing New York back together after all. I'm a Marine Lieutenant General, as far as Marine operations go I'm the highest on the metaphorical totem poll. But I don't work alone."
Alex's grip on the chair tightened and as he did so the wood beneath his paling hand splintered.
"Blackwatch..." He seethed, eyes flashing orange as Flint nodded solemnly and sipped from a NY Mets cup on his desk.
"At this point both operations are intertwined when it comes to the sharing of resources. In the last 2 months the president has ordered that the secrets between our operations be eliminated in order to speed up efforts. However my tactics and that of my associates vary greatly and while the U.S. Government has decided to absolve both of you of your past crimes-"
The door behind them swung open in a boom, Morgan squeaking as she jumped out of her chair. Alex was on his feet in a flash, hand grabbing Morgan who was forced behind him as he took a stand. His arm had phased in that time and now shone softly in the rooms dim light reflected off his blade shaped limb.
Before them stood a man in an all black uniform resembling something that echoed black ops yet indescribably harder in appearance. There were no wrinkles or breaks in the suit and the numerous pockets that covered him were crisp and bold in outline. His hair was like melted pitch, thick and heavy which offset his almost white like eyes. To anyone really paying attention they were a steely blue but all of this combined made the towering 6'3" man all the more intimidating.
"Flint! Who the hell authorized this!?" Owen demanded, freezing when Flints own guards raised their guns. They didn't aim at Alex but rather him! He took a step back, left shoulder facing the group now which proudly donned the silver 'Blackwatch' patch.
"Victor this is not the time...we were talking."
"The hell you where! What the fuck is that mutant doing here!?" He demanded, stabbing the air with his finger as he pointed to Alex. Alex gave a snarl in response as Morgan's hands caught his jacket in a tight hold. She could feel him shaking and the last thing they needed was the room to bleed red.
"This is completely unauthorized! If my superiors find out about this-"
"Well they won't Victor, now get out. I am talking to these people and you will just have to wait." Flint stood, glaring at Victor as he remained in place.
"Directive 31 says we have to be open with each other Flint. No secrets. No going behind the others back-"
"I'm well aware of that General Owen but Blackwatch and Mr. Mercer here do not exactly have the best track record." Flint sighed, rubbing his temple.
Owen snorted then, eyes zeroing back in on Alex who raised his arm a little more.
"Mr. Mercer...let me tell you a little about what Mr. Mercer has done. This ENTIRE catastrophe is HIS fault! If you had any god damn sense you would tell your men to empty their guns into this fuckers head! Do you have any idea how many people he has killed!?" Morgan peeked back, watching as Flint seemed to struggle with the situation. Most importantly though she had noticed a change in Alex. As Owen called him out he seemed to falter, his form weakening for just a split second before growing rigid again.
"That was then. This is now Victor. On the battlefield you have to learn to let things go, that sometimes they are out of your hand-"
"So you're just going to let this murderer walk? He has killed YOUR men too you know. You're going to let YOUR enemy, no no, this monster sleep in your own house?" Again, Morgan felt the man in front of her hesitate for a moment and it shook something inside her. Alex had never backed down to anything, not guns, not rockets, not even a damn helicopter but this one man? He was breaking him with just words? It took her to a place past unsettling.
"The enemy of your enemy is your friend...is that not true Victor?" Flint huffed, watching as his 'friends' eyes hardened.
"Your point?" He hissed back.
"Just a few weeks ago were you not telling me the infected appear more...organized? That they are becoming strategic, almost sentient?" He challenged as Victor fell silent. His outlined shook softly in irritation as Flint cornered him in a rather fine point. "Very few people have survived the first outbreak, even fewer saw it for what it truly was. How it started, the signs, the stages of it all...The one person who has and who has had intimate interactions with all those things is standing right in front of you." He paused, looking to Alex then.
"I heard stories, right before they decided to drop the bomb, that you were working to stop the infection...to eliminate it before it got much worse." Alex peeked around, expression softened but steely none the less.
"Yeah? What's your point?"
"You want the same thing that we do. We want the city back. We want the sickness gone. Whatever has taken over there now? It's not the same from what it was. This is new, different, and we're going into it blind." Flint's eyes flashed over to Victor then. "Frankly, I'm tired of signing condolence letters." He sighed, holding his position until he saw the Blackwatch General's shoulders drop.
"Fine. Have it your way Flint...but if you expect me to trust this fool, trust this...thing..." His eyes were dating between Morgan and Alex.
"I get to talk to them on my own terms. Alone."