Chapter Four: When the Bullet Hits the Bone
When Ark was a child, he liked to watch the lights from the airport at night. As an adult, he learned that not all lights were beacons of hope. Like the airport lights, however, they beckoned comings and goings.
"All right," began Ark, "The first order of business is-"
"Lighthouse Island," said Mizu. She explained the situation to him.
Ark nodded. "Noah's testimony should lend credence to a search warrant. I'll see what I can do."
"How long will that take?" asked Yajirobe.
"About a day."
Suddenly, a police officer ran to the entrance of Ark's office. "Noah says he's gonna tell us everything he knows! He's in the interrogation room!"
Mizu and Ark looked at each other. "That didn't take very long."
Noah confessed that Lighthouse Island was going to be a trap; that "dealing with an infestation" was code for an extermination not just of the people raiding a Family site, but potentially all of the personnel working there and the site itself, and – if need be – all of the files related to it.
"For Lighthouse Island," said Noah, "that means sealing off and sinking the facility below it."
"...With everyone still inside," said Ark. Noah nodded.
"They only know because you ratted us out," said Yajirobe. "Why do that, then tell us what they're plannin' to do?!" He grabbed Noah by the lapels of his suit jacket.
"I didn't think they'd actually do it," said Noah. "I thought they needed that facility! No other place I've sent people to has received this treatment yet!"
"They need to cover their tracks more," said Ark. "Ok, you'll be safe as long as you stay here. We'll deal with the rest of it from here on."
Yajirobe, Mizu, and Ark left the interrogation room.
"You two should probably stay here until we get the search warrant," said Ark. Yajirobe frowned. "It's safer."
"You don't have time," yelled Noah. "The order's already gone through! The only window of opportunity you have is now!"
"We can't wait for permission," said Mizu. "I'm going, even if I have to turn in my badge."
"I know you're not a fan of how slow the law is," said Ark, "but laws are all we have. Do you really think you're above the law?"
Mizu hissed out a sigh. "The Family does. And besides, laws are made by man, not God – and man is flawed. Some laws are only upheld against the common people."
Yajirobe smiled.
"Believe me," said Ark, "I know. But what if you're wrong? Do you think your case is that strong?"
"...Yes," said Mizu.
"Good. Because you're not going alone, even if you're not the only one turning in your badge." Ark looked around. "Give me some time to gather some things."
Mizu reached over and grabbed his hand.
"We need to act quickly," whispered Ark. "Things will deteriorate rapidly, and I'm not sure how much time we have before someone tries to stop us. And it probably won't be in a peaceful way." He looked at Yajirobe. "You are a civilian?"
"I guess," said Yajirobe.
"You don't have any experience with guns?"
"No."
"Then you'll have to stand by."
Yajirobe swallowed. "But I can help. I'm a samurai. Besides, you just said we're all in danger. You can't just abandon me!"
"Ark," said Mizu, "I brought him here for this purpose, and he actually wants to come along."
Ark sighed. "All right."
That rainy night, Yajirobe went to the docks with Mizu and Ark – and someone else.
"Aw," said Yajirobe, "what's he doin' here?!" Noah's shoulders slumped.
"We discussed it," said Ark, "and determined that he's safer with us. And we think he could help us get in and get the evidence we need to build our case."
Yajirobe scowled. It made sense.
Soon, they crossed the black sea in an unremarkable boat and reached the island's shore. Ark knocked on the door to the lighthouse, but received no response.
Yajirobe narrowed his eyes. "We'll have to break in."
"No," said Noah. "There's an old lighthouse keeper; he's practically catatonic, he's so lazy. Easy paycheck. We'll get in the normal way."
Noah knocked on the door more loudly than Ark, and someone on the other side grunted. The keeper shuffled towards the door and unlocked it. He did not speak to anyone before he walked back up the spiral stairs to sit in his chair.
Nothing appeared out of the ordinary in the lighthouse.
"There has to be a secret entrance," said Mizu.
"In plain sight," said Ark. "Does the keeper know?"
"No," said Noah impatiently. He began to tap the floor with his foot. A patch off to the side made a different noise than the rest, and one of the panels slid back to reveal a spiral staircase. Mizu nodded at Yajirobe and she walked down the stairs with Ark and Noah. The samurai sighed and followed suit.
The bottom of the staircase led to a sterile hallway. A pair of heavy doors stood on the other end. Two armored guards suddenly held up their guns. "Halt!"
Noah held up his hands. "It's me, you knuckleheads. You need to get everyone outta here."
"Why?" asked the first guard suspiciously.
"Because you're gonna die otherwise. Your time with the Family is over, and if you're not fast, your life will be over, too."
One guard looked at the other, and then they lowered their weapons. Then, they walked past Noah and the others.
"Look who's bein' a hero," said Yajirobe.
"Now," started Noah, "we gotta get people outta here quick, because it won't be long before the head of security realizes we're here."
Noah used his keycard to unlock the doors.
"Let's move," said Ark. "Noah, get in between Yajirobe and me. Mizu will take the rear. We'll look for as many people as possible on the way. Where is the security office?"
"On the fourth level," said Noah. "Where the main lab is..."
They entered the reception area, where a lone receptionist sat behind the desk. Before she could press the panic button, Ark ran up to her and told her she was in danger, she needed to leave now with whoever else she could find, and that they were with SCIN. She was frightened, but complied.
The unlikely team entered the elevator, where there was a man on the floor. His bloody hand had dragged across the buttons.
Mizu gasped and leaped for the man, who was startled.
"Oh…" said Mizu. She realized that the man was not Ryō. "It's… ok. We're here, we can help. Who are you? What happened?"
The man wheezed again. "One of the scientists went nuts… started fighting with the head of security... hunting us… toying with us…"
Mizu's eyes widened. "Who is the head of security?"
"Tannis..."
Mizu blanched. "Tannis? Tannis Tsuki?"
The man coughed up some blood.
"Hey," said Yajirobe, who gave the man a Senzu Bean, to his confusion. "This'll heal you."
The man complied. A few moments later, he was able to sit up again. "How?" Yajirobe chose to remain mum.
The man sighed. "I'm sorry, but I don't know much about him. And the scientist… she kinda looks like you."
"Do you have any idea where she is right now?" asked Mizu.
The man shuddered. "She gathered us on the fourth level, and made us play Russian roulette… Some of us tried to escape…"
Mizu swallowed. "Was Ryō among you?"
"The head scientist? Yeah…"
Mizu bolted upright. "We have to go now."
"What about him?" asked Yajirobe, who gestured towards the survivor.
"We opened up the way to the facility," said Ark. "Leave the way you came."
The man nodded hesitantly before he left.
"Who's Tannis?" asked Yajirobe.
"...Her ex," said Ark.
Oh, no.
"Did you know?" Ark asked Noah, who shrugged.
"I don't know Tannis from Adam. Sinclair says it's important to hire the best."
Ark wondered why Tannis was so important to Sinclair that he would keep Noah out of the loop, but there was not enough time to ponder. "Let's go."
Ark pressed the button to the fourth floor. Beyond the entryway, there were voices, all but one upset. Ark brought a finger up to his lips as he led the others to follow the voices.
They led to a laboratory stocked with capsules that ran from floor to ceiling. The capsules contained several young men and women outfitted with breathing apparatuses.
One of the capsules in the front row had a bloodstain that concealed the face of the young woman inside. When Ark wiped the blood off, it was evident that the woman's face looked just like Mizu's.
"Uh," whispered Yajirobe, "do you have a sister?"
"No," whispered Mizu firmly. "Do you know anything about this, Noah?"
He shrugged again, breathing a little heavier than before.
"Ok," whispered Ark, "there are people in the next room. I'll take point. Mizu will be behind me. Yajirobe, you stay here with Noah."
The samurai pouted, but obeyed.
Ark and Mizu flanked the entrance to the next room and nodded at each other before they entered.
"Freeze!" commanded Ark. Before he and Mizu was a backroom where three people sat at a circular table: the female scientist, a middle-aged, bespectacled male scientist with short dark hair, and a tall, practically muscled young man in a security uniform with short blond hair and almond-shaped brown eyes. There were two corpses seated at the table as well.
The female scientist's unknowable eyes met with Ark's while Mizu's met with the young blond man seated next to the woman who looked just like her.
"Tannis?!" said Mizu.
The male scientist had a revolver up against his head and reluctantly pulled the trigger.
Click.
"You're all under arrest," said Ark. "This is a raid organized by SCIN!"
The female scientist smirked and yanked the gun out of the male scientist's hand. She aimed at Ark and pulled the trigger. A bullet narrowly scraped his cheek. The female scientist then ran out of the room. Tannis tried to give chase, but Mizu pointed her gun at him.
"Don't," said Mizu.
Ark grunted and ran after the female scientist.
"Mizu?" asked the male scientist.
"Ryō," Mizu said with relief.
Tannis held his hands up. "This madness must end. I'll tell you everything."
Yajirobe ran into the room; Noah trailed behind.
Mizu pointed at the back of the room where the female scientist escaped and ordered Yajirobe to follow her and Ark.
"Talk," commanded Mizu. "God knows you're good at that."
"We can give chase at the same time," said Tannis.
"Naturally." She turned to face Ryō, who was gravely shaken. "I'm glad you're ok."
"You shouldn't be here," said Ryō.
Mizu pointed at Noah. "...Follow him out of here."
"I have to get to my lab and-and gather my files."
"Fine, just go."
Mizu followed Tannis and Yajirobe through the subsequent hallway.
"Of course Vyce would have another," said Tannis.
"Vyce?" asked Mizu. "The head of SCIN?"
"Yes."
Mizu laughed. "You have no proof."
"The proof is us, and what's in this facility. Mizu, I'm an assassin. I always was, and I'm so sorry."
Mizu stopped dead in her tracks. "So… it was you." She almost buckled under the weight of the emotion, but then pointed her gun at Tannis. "How do I know this isn't a trap? That you'll finally try to kill me, too?"
Tannis swallowed. "Because I need to end this. If I don't, she'll never be safe, either. And if we don't stop Micah, she'll kill everyone here."
"Because you're so opposed to killing…"
"After, I'll turn myself in and tell all."
Mizu issued a glare at that would level most, but still followed him.
"She's mainly after Ryō," explained Tannis.
"Why?" asked Mizu.
"Because he's the pioneer of clone technology. Vyce would rather have him killed than capable of defying how Vyce wants the tech used. We're all in his grip."
"Then that woman back there…"
"Is a clone, yes."
Mizu's throat tightened. "Of me?"
"Not… exactly."
Meanwhile, Ark and Yajirobe were unable to find Micah.
"Where is the wench?" asked Yajirobe.
Ark grunted. "I don't know. She knows this facility better than us. And you were supposed to stay behind!"
"Mizu told me to help," whined Yajirobe.
Ark took a deep breath.
"Maybe one of us should play decoy and then the other can bop her."
"Won't work," said Tannis, who turned the corner and startled the hell out of Yajirobe, who yelped. "She's going after Ryō, not you two. That man he left with – does he have any weapons?"
"Reluctantly," said Ark, "I gave him a gun."
"All the same, we need to get to Ryō before her. I know where his room is; I'll give you the directions. I have to get to the security room before Micah."
"Ugh," said Yajirobe.
Everyone hesitantly followed Tannis to Ryō's room, where Noah stood guard in a twitchy, anxious way.
"Ryō," said Mizu, "we have to get you and whoever else we can gather to safety."
"Hold on," said Ryō. He emerged with a laptop and a briefcase.
As they walked back through the corridor that led back to the elevator, Ryō said, "Mizu, this all happened because I'm a coward." He held up the briefcase and laptop. "These will help you build your case, and I also made… a tape. Protect these things with your life. You will dispel the shadow cast over our family." He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "But in the meantime, it's ok if you hate me."
"What are you on about?" asked Mizu.
Ryō shook his head.
Soon, they returned to the reception on the first level.
Ark held his hand up. "Wait. Do you hear that?"
"Footsteps?" whispered Yajirobe.
Ark sidled up against the entrance and peeked through the door. Heavily armored SCIN officers trudged down the hallway.
Ark closed his eyes and sighed. "We've been made."
"By who?!" demanded Yajirobe.
"SCIN."
"What should we do?!"
"Ryō, is there any other way to escape?"
"Bathyspheres," said Ryō, "if Micah hasn't sabotaged them yet. There are several available on every level, but they're in the back."
"...What about Tannis?" asked Mizu.
"He knows where they are."
As they turned around in the direction of the bathyspheres, Yajirobe asked Ryō, "How come you didn't know about Micah?"
"She disguised herself more before. She slouched, wore a wig, acted inconspicuous. But when the extermination order came through…"
"Micah might not even be her real name. Where'd she come from?"
"I don't know. Wherever she would have claimed to be from, would have been a lie anyway."
Soon, they reached the bathysphere containment area. Ark pulled the lever that unlocked the door.
"Will this fit all of us?" asked Yajirobe.
"It was made to hold a dozen adults at a time," said Ryō.
Noah tapped Yajirobe on the chest with the back of his hand. "Come on, you're not that heavy." The samurai gave him a tired glare.
Ark pressed the button that opened the hatch on the bathysphere. As Mizu tried to usher Ryō inside, a young woman wrapped in a bloody sheet emerged from the corner of the room. Ryō turned around and approached her, asking if she was all right.
There was a muffled sound, and Ryō clutched his chest. Mizu turned around and gasped as she saw him start to fall. She caught him before he hit the floor, dropping her gun in the process.
Ark reacted, shooting at the girl, who removed the sheet as she ran away, returning fire.
"Micah!"
She pressed a button on a remote, and there was a muffled explosion sound that triggered an alarm. An automated voice warned that the facility's integrity was compromised as she fled.
Mizu forgot her training and panicked, clutching at Ryō to get a good enough grip to drag him into the bathysphere. Yajirobe and Ark helped her, and Noah followed them inside.
As Ark tried to get the bathysphere moving, Yajirobe saw the tiny entry wound in Ryō's chest. The samurai fumbled for a bean and told Ryō to consume it. He chomped down on it, and grunted. The flesh healed, but the pain remained.
Ryō held Mizu's hand and apologized.
His breath hastened before it came to a stop.
Ark placed a hand on Mizu's shoulder. She looked at Yajirobe. "It's supposed to work…"