by Allison Goh
Jean smiled widely and hugged her son. She felt terrible that she had to keep the truth from her son. But they couldn’t be too careful, they still had to contend with Orion.
“What’s going on? What happened?” Ren said.
“Long story short,” Jane said as she gestured to Kate, “Kate convinced me to play along. I was never really in any danger and thank god we figured out what Orion was about to do and escaped the building…” Jane shuddered as she thought of the narrow escape they had, and the betrayal she felt in her heart that her husband would rather sacrifice her than give up his plans.
Jane’s face hardened at the thought, she turned to Ren and said, “Son, I trust you know what your father has been doing. I don’t agree with any of it and this turn of events has convinced me that he won’t stop at nothing.”
Ren nodded, his face grim. He knew that now. Any qualms he had or shards of hope he held out for his father to repent had disappeared.
Kate cleared her throat, Jane and Ren turned to look at her. “Well I’m glad Ren is onboard. Let’s go meet the others,” she said.
Kate led the way. Ren, Paris and Jane followed her quick footsteps and they entered an open meeting room where Max, Brian and Lyxa were hard at work.
The three looked up at their entrance, and a strange mood overcame the room as everyone locked eyes and recognized each other as allies. It was part jubilation part desolation.
Each and everyone of them had lost someone or something close to them because of Orion. But they were here now, united in their cause.
One person looked upbeat. Paris felt a glimmer of hope for the first time in weeks. In this room, with all these people, a singular goal in mind, she felt like her parents could finally be avenged. In the past few weeks, her relationship with Ren had been severely strained. She couldn’t look at him without thinking of Orion and it started to affect how she saw him. But now that he was onboard as well, she felt so much lighter, in body and mind. It felt good to be on the same side again, though it was probably never going to be the same.
Even if she could look past his relationship with Orion, the truth of her parents’ murder lay deep in her heart. They were murdered because of him. They died trying to expose Ren and his immortality.
She knew it wasn’t his fault. He didn’t choose to be that way. He was just another pawn in Orion’s elaborate game of chess. She knew that Ren himself was struggling to come to terms with his abnormal physicality but with the tragic events of the past few weeks, she couldn’t muster any empathy for him. She barely stopped herself from blaming him.
Swallowing hard, Paris pushed her convoluted thoughts away. This was no time to think about those things. They could wait. Orion would not.
Pointedly putting distance between herself and Ren, Paris walked to the edge of the long meeting room and sat in front of a computer. She could at least contribute with her computer skills.
“I’ll take this station if you guys don’t mind?” Paris said, “Anything you guys need, I’m here to help.”
Chapter 16: Castles in the Sky
With a nationwide arrest warrant out for him, Orion had decided to barricade himself in his home. Things had turned from a simple investigation into a full blown conflict. Orion had refused to respond to investigations and his hostile response only meant that the government had to respond in kind. Guarding the perimeter of his home were his InfinityBots.
Lyxa pointed to the screen and said, “Are those people really putting their lives down for Orion?”
“I don’t think they have much of a choice,” Max said.
“I agree,” Brian said, shaking his head, “They’re under Orion’s control. They’ve managed to amp up the side effects of the Infinity Chip and brainwash them in the process.”
Max looked at Ren to see how he was taking this. He remained silent, his expression tense as he monitored the news.
“Anyway,” Max said, breaking the tension in the room, “Kate, Jean and Billy are gathering supplies from their friends. We’re going to force Orion to take us seriously this time.”
There was a collective grunt of approval from the room.
“How is your father doing?” Paris asked Lyxa. She was super grateful to Mayor Wayne. Without his help, they would have never gotten Congress to believe that Orion’s rehabilitation project was actually a sham. Phase 2 had finally been set in motion resulting in the nationwide arrest warrant for Orion.
But that came with a price. For Mayor Wayne to oust Orion, that would effectively mean he would no longer get his supply of Ålpha injections.
Lyxa pursed her lips. She looked pained.
“Don’t worry,” Brian said, as he squeezed Lyxa’s shoulder, “I’m working on it, I’m sure I’ll figure something out. He’ll be fine.”
Lyxa nodded, “Thanks,” she said as she forced herself to smile at both Brian and Lyxa.
The siege around Orion’s house went on.
“Yes!” Paris said. She got up with a start as she received the news from Kate.
“Kate and Jean have secured sufficient weapons and vehicles,” she said, “They plan to break into Orion’s stronghold tomorrow.”
“Alright,” Max said. “We’re going to confront Orion and we’re going to win!”
Brian and Lyxa joined in the chorus and agreed heartily with the plan.
“I’m in too,” Ren said, “I’ll join you guys in the battlefield. I would like a final face to face meeting with my father. I think I’m the best person to convince him to surrender.”
Ren had done much thinking ever since the siege began. As much as he hoped for Orion to peacefully surrender to the authorities, looking at the way things were going, that was a daydream. Orion’s handling of his mother’s kidnapping showed quite clearly where his priorities lay. He was entirely in self-preservation mode. They would have to hit him hard, hard enough that he would consider making concessions.
Ren knew he would have to get his hands dirty, one way or the other. Besides, being in the thick of the action would ensure he had some control over the outcome. There was certainly more than one person in the room that would rather see Orion dead than pursue negotiation.
“Great!” Max said, thumping Ren on the back. “All of us should be in this together, there’s strength in numbers!”
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It wasn’t outrightly shown but it was obvious that everyone was extremely relieved that Ren had finally vocalized his decision to join their battle plan.
It was obvious from the start that Ren’s participation was necessary. The InfinityBots posed a tremendous threat and not only was Ren physically able to cope with them, it was his own house they were planning to break into. He was the obvious choice to lead the team into Orion’s heavily guarded mansion.
Also, as much as they didn’t want to admit it, they knew their chances of success were slim. As much as they wanted Orion dead, they knew that if Ren could get through to his father and convince him to surrender instead of a protracted battle, it would benefit everyone.
After lengthy discussions, it was decided that Ren would lead the main ground team. Paris insisted on joining Ren. She wasn’t going to miss this showdown with Orion. She wanted her revenge, in person.
Kate was obviously going to be in the thick of the action as well. This was her battle, right from the start. And of course, Billy and Max had her back.
Brian also volunteered to be with Ren to infiltrate the mansion. He wanted to try his luck to get information or better yet, a sample, of Ålpha so he could reverse engineer it.
Jean and Lyxa were to be the primary support and communications team, helping to coordinate the entire advance from helicopters circling the location.
Thankfully, and especially with Jean’s help, they had secured army-grade weapons as well as armoured PODs from the Zine family. With Jean vouching for the operation, the Zine family managed to trust Kate.
The team felt much safe once they had perused the equipment Jean had gotten. Al
l they had to do now was to hold out long enough for Ren to get to his father, and hopefully Orion would come round and surrender.
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It was a good thing that Kate had motivated everyone into action so early. As the stalemate continued at Orion’s mansion, the police announced this morning that the army would be storming in by force if Orion didn’t give himself up in 48 hours. Effectively, this operation led by Ren would be the final and last effort they could make to try for a somewhat peaceful resolution.
Jean piloted the helicopter while Lyxa was hooked up to a computer that monitored everyone’s move. Kate, Max and Billy were in charge of creating a distraction to allow Ren and Paris to break through the guards and into the mansion.
From Lyxa’s aerial view, she saw a small explosion at the east side of the mansion’s perimeter. Billy had successfully detonated the mini bomb. She spoke into her communication device, “Kate, Go!” she said.
She monitored the scene more closely as Kate piloted the helicopter closer to the action. She saw three silver PODs escaping the scene as a few dozen of the InfinityBots gave chase, some on foot and some in PODs, firing on them with guns.
Thank god the PODs were armoured, Lyxa thought.
“Ren, it’s your turn now,” Lyxa said into her communication device, “Brian, please be safe,” she added.
Jean turned the helicopter round to the west side. It looked as if they had caught the attention of the guards below and she hoped that they would have enough time to help complete the mission.
Lyxa switched screens on her computer and she watched as the three PODs carrying Brian, Ren and Paris, burst in from the west side of the mansion. Ren picked that entrance as it was the weakest part of the perimeter. They easily blew up the side gate and charged through.
Thankfully, quite a few of the InfinityBots had been dispatched to the other side of the mansion where the first explosion had drew their attention earlier on; so only a few guards gave chase when they came through the side gate.
However, once they charged past the gate, the guards quickly called for reinforcements and Ren knew it wouldn’t be long before they caught up and started firing.
He spoke into his communication device, “Paris, Brian, please go ahead without me. Getting into the mansion is the priority, I’ll take care of the rest.”
Brian hesitated, he knew that Ren supposedly had some unorthodox healing powers but facing off all those InfinityBots alone? Right as he was still contemplating on what to do, he heard Paris’ voice over their communication channel, “Okay,” she answered without hesitation.
Brian saw Paris speed off in her POD toward the main entrance. Brian decided that he would be more useful in the mansion than in combat. He said to Ren, “Don’t take unnecessary risks. Be safe.”
Relieved to see that Paris and Brian had started toward the mansion, Ren got out of his POD and grabbed his weapons. He turned to face the onslaught of guards and began firing.
While he wasn’t trained for such combat, the weapons that Jean had gotten were no joke. They had heat and motion detectors so hitting the target was a sure thing.
Ren fired randomly at the onslaught of InfinityBots even as he ran to put distance between them. Adrenaline pulsed through his body, numbing the guilt he felt as he shot strangers in the face.
To be fair however, if he didn’t react, they would most certainly do him in. He saw the look on their faces, blank and unforgiving as they charged at him. They were entirely robotic in their movements. Their legs whirling in an almost completely synchronized fashion as they thundered toward him, guns blazing.
This observation only fuelled his motivation to get to Orion. How could his father do this to innocent humans? It was horrible! He had to get his father to surrender and put an end to all these horrible experiments once and for all.
A bullet grazed the corner of Ren’s temple and he winced as he felt the blood drip down his face.
Looking down, he realized that he had actually sustained several injuries to his legs and torso but he hadn’t even felt them with all the adrenaline pumping through his veins.
At the same time, he knew that he was healing. He saw that his wounds were all superficial, a remarkable feat in an outnumbered gun fight like this one. Looks like the immortality was coming in handy. Thanks dad? Ren thought with a wry grin.
Miraculously, Ren managed to ward off the troop of InfinityBots and reached the mansion. The door had already been blown open so he just ran in.
Immediately, Ren made his way to his father’s favourite study. The same place Orion had told him about the immortal jellyfish and the truth about his own body. He knew that his father was most likely to be there as the study itself was outfitted with the necessary technology to monitor the rest of the mansion and its walls were fortified, doubling it up as a makeshift bomb shelter. It was the perfect place to hide out.
When he got to the study, Paris and Brian were already there.
They had managed to break down the door and they were now in the study, caught in a deadlock with Orion, both sides armed, with their weapons pointed at each other.
“Stop!” Ren shouted, fearful that they would shoot.
Orion turned his head and looked at his son. He led out a hearty laugh.
“You?” Orion cried out, “You dare come here and do this to me?” he roared.
He immediately turned the gun in his left hand toward Ren, “Don’t you dare move.”
Ren was shocked, he didn’t expect that his father to point a gun at him.
“Dad, wait, just hear us out,” Ren said.
Orion spat on the ground, “Save it.”
Ren stepped forward, his arms out in a pleading fashion.
Orion’s hand twitched, his finger was on the trigger, ready to fire. “Don’t you dare move. This is not just any weapon. It will kill. Even you …” Orion said, his eyes glinting. The gun faced Ren unwavering. Orion definitely meant business.
“Dad, please,” Ren said, “You don’t want to do this…”
“Don’t bother, Ren,” Paris said, “It’s no use. He’s evil, through and through.”
Orion turned to look at Paris. “Why if it isn’t Paul and Patty’s favourite daughter,” he said.
Paris let out a strangled wail at the mention of her parents. How dare he speak their name, she thought. Pain and fury rushed through her causing her fingers to shake. She steadied her grip on her gun with both hands.
“No need for such a fuss,” Orion said, sneering at her. “They deserved what they got!” he said haughtily.
Paris cried out and a shot rang out in the air.
“NOOOO” Ren cried out, as the bullet hit his father on the shoulder.
Orion was caught by surprise. He staggered several steps back.
Paris collapsed on the floor. Tears rolled down her face. Brian rushed to her side to help her.
“Fucking bitch,” Orion swore. He dropped the gun he had pointed at Brian and Paris as he examined his shoulder.
Ren’s first instinct was to rush over and help him. He wanted his father brought to justice but he didn’t want him dead. But as he tried to get closer, Orion pointed the gun in his other hand at Ren.
Ren took a step back. Clearly, his father wasn’t going to let his guard down anytime soon.
Ren watched his father carefully. He wondered how best he should approach him. Should he just go all out and tackle him? He should probably do something while he’s still getting his bearings from Paris’s shot.
Before Ren could formulate a clear plan, Orion moved back toward them. He straightened his injured shoulder forcefully. Ren heard a clink as the bullet popped out of his shoulder and fell to the floor.
Ren’s eyes widened.
“You’re… you’re…like me?” Ren said.
Orion smiled, “Of course. That was the whole point. You were the prototype.”
Ren choked. He was shocked at his father’s words. Was his entire existence really to further his fa
ther’s own ambitions?
He didn’t dare believe it. He remembered his childhood. There were several happy memories of his father playing with him and singing his favourite songs.
“Dad, it’s not too late,” Ren pleaded as his eyes watered. “I know you’re a good person …” he said.
All of a sudden, Orion turned around and fired a shot.
Brian, who had been creeping towards the wall safe Ren had told him about, slumped against the wall. He had been shot.
Orion looked enraged, the veins on his forehead bulged an angry purple.
Whatever was in that safe was clearly precious.
Ren took the opportunity to join Paris. She sat on the floor watching the scene unfold. She gestured toward Brian and mouthed ‘help him’.
Ren nodded. He looked deeply into Paris’s eyes as he willed her to be strong and trust him.
Ren turned back to face his father. He started humming the nursery song that his father used to sing to him when he was young. He prayed that his father still had some semblance of humanity left in him.
Orion, who was on his way toward Brian, who lay slumped against the wall near the safe, stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Brian. His eyes widened in recognition at the familiar tune.
Memories of Ren as a child came flowing back to him.
Memories of his own childhood came flowing back. His jaw hardened. No, this was exactly why he had to do this. His goals. Power. He had already come so far.
Just then, Ren heard Kate’s voice through his communication receiver.
“Ren, I know this song!” Kate said.
Ren was startled as Kate started humming the same tune. Then, she started singing the lyrics.
What on earth? How did Kate know this? This was the exact same song his father sang to him when he was a child.
Kate stopped singing. Her voice came through the communicator in short raspy gasps, “Ren, oh my god… Orion….No, it can’t be!”
Orion had broken out of his reverie. He stared at Ren and shot him a dangerous look.
“Stop singing that song,” he said.
Ren stopped. He knew better than to provoke him any further. He looked at his father warily. Orion still had his gun aimed at him and Brian looked to be completely unresponsive.