Call Me… Doc Ock – Arc One: Origin
Chapter 9: Keepsakes
As the video finished playing, Vincent Azelea noted that the mood among the mages within the Sanctum at that moment was rather grim. Master Drumm and Master Wong looked especially grim. There was a moment of silence before Master Wong spoke up.
"…this is… troubling. To think that a potential disaster was brewing this close to the Sanctum and none of us had known."
Master Drumm nodded. "Much as I am reluctant to admit it, we do have to thank Curwen and Clan Akkaba for inadvertently bringing this matter to our attention. Calamities involving such evil entities always leave much suffering in their wake. Hopefully, we can prevent this dark god from taking possession of the boy." Drumm turned to Azelea. "Speaking of which, how is young Isaac at the moment?"
Azelea, bowing his head, considered his answer for a moment. After a few moments he looked back up at Master Drumm and spoke. "Honestly, I am… concerned. While he is understandably upset at possibly being a host for this dark entity, I'm more concerned about how he responds to reminders of his parents."
Wong's expression softened at the mention of Isaac's circumstances. "How bad is it?"
Azelea hesitated at the question, his lips pressing into a thin line. He glanced between the two before sighing. "He… tends to freeze up somewhat whenever they are mentioned, and I noticed that there seems to be some hesitation on his part whenever he speaks about them directly. It's like he's hesitant to refer to them directly."
Drumm crossed his arms. "I would imagine anyone in his position would have such difficulties."
Azelea shook his head. "No, I don't think that's quite it."
Wong gave him a questioning look. "Is there something else?"
Azelea stared up at the ceiling, a frown on his face. "I'm not sure, but he seems to hesitate to… refer to them as his parents. Maybe I'm reading too much into it but over the past few hours I noticed a slight hesitation whenever he said words like 'mom' or 'dad'."
"Perhaps it is some coping mechanism," Drumm offered.
"Maybe, I couldn't tell you without more information." Azelea shrugged. "But I'm hesitant to press Isaac on the matter."
"Whatever the case," Wong interjected, "it is quite clear that we will need to keep a vigil over the boy. Aside from the machinations of his family, he may have some potential for the mystic arts and in his current state, he could end up going to a dark place. Vincent, I need you to continue your watch over the boy."
Azelea nodded. "Of course, Master Wong."
"Master Drumm and I shall consult with the Ancient One on the matter and look into this Logos."
At the mention of the Ancient One, Azelea paused. Chewing on his bottom lip, he decided to press the matter. "Actually, Master Wong?"
"Yes, Vincent?"
Azelea hesitated for a moment before he steeled himself. "I was wondering if the Ancient One has managed to discern anything about Isaac or this dark power from the video."
At that, Wong grimaced. He looked between the two mages for a moment before he seemed to sag somewhat. "…actually, she had tried to gaze into the boy's future, but… something rebuked her, violently."
"Wait! What?!" Azelea could feel a cold chill run up his spine. Master Drumm and the other present mages looked similarly alarmed at the news.
Looking around, Wong sighed before going on. "She had apparently attempted to see past whatever veil shrouded Isaac's presence using a lesser-known scrying ritual. However, mid-ritual, it was like… like she had been hit by an explosion. Whatever she glimpsed left her unnerved."
"…I'm going to head back to Isaac now." Azelea opened up a portal.
Wong nodded. "Yes, please do. We shall arrange for more mages to cover for you in shifts."
Azlea nodded and quickly made his way back.
Looking over the brand-new casing for the solar-cell, I found no cracks and placed it with the other cells. I had gotten really lucky in that there had only been a few cracks here and there. It was also rather fortunate that the cells I had used the other day had been the only ones to have any power in them. …although I probably would not have gotten out of that fire fight if there wasn't any power in any of those cells.
By now, all of my solar cells were in perfect condition, so I would have enough time to charge them for the science fair in a few days. Putting them all in a storage case, I set them and my bag aside. With the free time that I had, I turned my attention to Otto's laboratory.
Now that I really looked the place over, I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. I was in the lab of an actual super-genius. With nothing left to do until Azelea got back, I figured it wouldn't hurt to take a look through the place and see if there was anything that I could make use of. With that I began to walk through the rows of shelves and containers.
If I recall correctly, Otto usually kept his projects organized according to the disciplines that he focused on. So that would be nuclear physics, robotics, and biochemistry. Heading over to the "biochemistry" section, I found that there was not much to look over. It was mostly cabinets of research papers he had both written and read in regard to the effects of radiation on the human body. Other than that, there were a few photos and CDs with labels marking them in organized cases. I made a mental note to look some of them over later, especially the one that was labeled "Vita-Rays."
From there I went to the robotics section, and here were some of the really cool projects that Otto worked on. One particular item in question was what looked like a large tennis ball made of steel with eight legs holding it up. This had been a prototype design for a security drone that he made a few years back. Its outer shell was made of a white ceramic material divided into four sections with two circular black caps on the top and bottom. On its "front" was a singular eye looking forward. Next to the drone's casing there was folder filled with notes and designs locked away in a separate case.
Stepping away from the drone, I went to the next item of interest. I rubbed my back as I looked over a harness with metallic tentacles attached to it. This was supposed to be a new and improved version of the cybernetic tentacles he was working on to replace his old ones. They were only half-finished. When I had first woken up, I had considered making use of these myself, but my… natural tentacles meant that I would not have to use them… for myself anyways. Looking over to H2H who was still standing guard near the stairs, I considered the idea of installing the completed tentacles into him instead.
…yeah, that could work. Making a mental note to work on that, I went into the section where Otto kept all of his work in regard to Nuclear Physics. Or at least the designs anyways. It should go without saying that Otto would never bring any dangerous materials into the house. It was mostly equipment meant to store and convert materials that he used for his generators. There were also what looked his version of an arc reactor. I grimaced as I thought about how these designs might be beaten out by Tony's future arc reactors. Poor Otto had put so much effort into his tritium-based designs.
Although… now that I have been made aware of my potential capacity for magic, maybe I could come up with a mystically enhanced version of Otto's tritium-based reactor. Can't let Stark have a monopoly on energy production after all. And speaking of magic… didn't Pascale say that she and Otto might have left something for Isaac in here.
Moving through the rows of shelves and cabinets, I spotted something in the far corner across from the stairs. Walking over I noticed a plain cardboard box sealed up with tape on a table. On top of the box was a letter… which read "To Isaac. Just in case." Right… Walking over, I grabbed the letter and opened it up.
Dear Isaac,
If you are reading this, then that either means we are not with you anymore, or something has happened, and you are in danger. Either way, we have left you these things as a means for you to protect yourself.
Love,
Otto and Pascale
After rubbing at my eyes for a bit, I put the letter aside and cut the box open with a knife. Taking a look inside I blinked as I got a good look at the contents. Reaching in the first things I pulled out was a rod. It was about as long as my forearm, was a translucent green and looked and felt like the stem of a flower. At the tip was what looked like a cluster of petals bunched up together. It felt light in my hand, but from the feel and sound when I tapped it on the table, I got the sense that it was much harder than it appeared to be.
Putting the rod on the table, I pulled out… a pair of fingerless gloves? They looked to be made of some thin gray leather. They reached up to just before the elbow. On the back of the palms of each glove was an odd green gem. From the gem, black lines ran through the gloves in intricate patterns all the way to up the dark green trim at the opening of the gloves.
Setting those aside for now, I pulled the next item out and as it unfolded, I felt my brain short for a second. …it was a wetsuit. Looking it over, I noticed it looked like it had a scale-like design. It was mostly a dark silver color with green raglan sleeves that reached all the way to the wrists. The leggings apparently reached the ankles and ended with green cuffs. Turning it around I could see that it had a hood as well to cover the head. Pulling on it, I noticed that it while it was stretchy it was a bit tough to pull on. …I really didn't know what to make of this. Why a wetsuit? How was this going to help me?
Shaking my head, I put the wetsuit aside on the table and looked back into the box and pulled out the final item, an old leather-bound journal. Opening it up a note fell out of it, and I grabbed it. Flipping it open, I read through it.
Isaac,
Within this box are the tools that we hope will keep you safe from any potential dangers. The green rod is the Ofo Rod. Legends say it was once wielded by the Loa of Lightning, Shango. Supposedly, it can grant its wielder protection from any assault by drawing on the Earth's power. The gloves are some form of ancient technology that can produce an energy shield that we found during one of our trips. Otto, despite his stances, had been very excited to get them working. The suit is made of three different layers of shock-absorbing non-conductive materials that should protect you against most harm. Finally, within the notebook is all the knowledge I have acquired on warding, runes and charms over the years, along with an assortment of designs from ancient technology that Otto was able to piece together to the best of his abilities.
I do not want to see you get involved in any of the dangers that are hidden from society at large, however, I know that I cannot keep them from you forever. It is my hope that these tools can keep you safe. Mon chèr petit étoile, wherever you go, whatever you do, I hope that you stay safe.
Love,
Pascale and Otto
Shaking, I looked back at the stuff on the table. …they made a supersuit… and somehow got their hands on a literal divine weapon and energy shield! Taking one of the gloves I examined it more closely. Slipping it on I stood there for a moment as I thought of how to activate it. Waving them around I tried to use command I shouted out phrases. "Um, shield. Barrier. Protect. Guard. De-." A bright light suddenly burst from the glove. I yelped as an actual shield made of light momentarily appeared before disappearing as I ripped the glove off my hand.
"CREATOR." I jumped at the sound of H2H's voice. Whirling around I found the android staring at me. "UNIT HAS DETECTED UNKNOWN ENERGY SIGNATURE IN THE VICINITY."
I waved him off. "Don't worry about it H2H, it was just this. Go into standby mode." The robot let out an affirmation as I picked up the glove. Feeling my lips go dry, I put on the glove on my left hand. I said "guard" and watched in awe as the energy shield manifested again.
"…okay this is fucking awesome." I couldn't help but grin. The black lines running through the glove were lit with dots of light flowing through them. Quickly putting on the right-handed glove, I examined it for a moment. "I wonder…" Rather than saying "guard" out loud, I thought the word in my head. A smile made its way across my face as a second energy shield appeared. "Well, looks like mental commands work just fine." That was good. Now let's see if I could turn them off. Not even a second after that thought and both gloves were deactivated. Nodding in satisfaction. I turned to the rod.
The Ofo Rod. A tool wielded by actual divinity. Were before, there was excitement, now there was trepidation. I was not sure that I wanted to even touch that. It was one thing to use ancient technology. It was another thing to use the weapon of a god. There was a none-zero percent chance that the second I tried to use it, that it's original owner might come knocking. That was something that I was definitely not ready for. Much as I wanted to see how it worked, I think that it would be better to let the Masters of the Mystic Arts examine it.
Right then. The Suit. My own Super-Suit. On the front was a zipper. Stripping down to my underwear and sock, I undid the zipper and slowly put on the suit which was a lot harder than it looked.
"Come on, come on… come on! Fit! There! That's the left leg. Alright, let's try- there! That's the right leg. Okay come left haaaaand. There! This thing is tight! Okay and… right hand!" After zipping up, I stood there for a moment. It felt… like I was wearing a second skin. I'm honestly kind of amazed that it's this thin despite being made of three layers. Twisting and turning around a bit revealed some resistance in the suit. If I got caught in a fight, that could be a problem. Maybe I just needed to move around in it to loosen it up. "Yeah, that works. Maybe a few hours a day can help with that."
With that thought I turned to picked up the journal and flipped through the pages. So far it looked like most of this was mostly notes on creating wards and enchantments. There were also notes on what looked like the gloves, a hoverboard (interesting), the suit and ways to improve the design and… I blinked as I came across last page in the journal…
"Is that a fucking teleportation device?!" Looking more carefully, I could make out from the drawings and notes what looked to be a rough draft for a teleportation device. Where the hell would Otto have come across this? From the looks of it, there were two main issues that had stumped him. First, was the power cost. From the math he jotted down, it looked like teleportation would need a lot of power to keep the device going, and that was if he could get it going in the first place.
Which led to the second issue: being able to bend space to begin with. While I knew for a fact that it could be done, and Otto clearly had reason to suspect it could be, the issue was neither of us knew what bending space felt like for lack of better wording. Yeah sure, there was Azelea with his sling ring, but there were a lot of minute details going on there that my senses couldn't pick up on.
"Isaac! I'm back!" Azelea's voice broke me out of my musings. Looking over I spotted the man stepping through a portal. Huh, speak of the devil. As the man came up to me, his eyebrows shot up as he took in my new attire. "What's all this," he asked point to me.
"Oh, yeah this is some of the stuff that my parents have left me. The two of them have apparently been collecting relics of the past and felt I could make better use of them. Oh, speaking of which…" I picked up the Ofo Rod. "Um… Azelea, could you do me favor?"
The mage's head tilted. "A favor?"
Feeling a bit sheepish and nervous, I held up the rod to him. "So yeah, apparently my parents managed to get their hands on this rod, the Ofo Rod, which apparently once belonged to an actual God called Shango."
"Wait! WHAT?!" Azelea's eyes snapped to the rod, the man looking very alarmed.
I rubbed the back of my head. "Yeah, as much as I would like to see if I do have magic potential and test this out, I think it would be best if you guys looked it over, in case there were any traps on it."
Azelea, made to speak, then paused. This went on for a few seconds before he clapped his hands in front of his face. "Okay. Okay. Yes, you know what, that would probably be for the best." Carefully taking the Ofo Rod out of my hand, the man pulled a suitcase from a portal and placed the rod within. Turning to me, he held up the suitcase. "I will take this back to the Sanctum. Is there anything else you need to do here?"
I shood my head. "Nope, I fixed my solar cells and got everything I need from here for now. I just want to get back and prepare for the science fair."
Azelea nodded. "Alright then, let's get going."
"Hey H2H, were leaving now!"
"ACKNOWLEDGED." With that, the robot came up behind us and we headed off back to the Corona Hotel.
