Rise of the Fallen: Ascensionis

by Danny R Negron

  Chapter X

  Adam feels his head hit something hard and gradually awakens to find himself inside of a van. It's all coming back to him now. This is the same van where he was given instructions by that lady with the glasses. He sees Melanie next to him and tries to shake her in an attempt to wake her up. All she does is moan and continue to sleep. He becomes startled at Rikki's voice saying, “You're awake, Adam.”

  He looks up at her and sees that her eye is being examined by one of the agents. For some strange reason, he asks, “What happened to you?”

  “Don't you worry about me, kid.”

  The agent applies several eye drops and tells her, “You'll be fine, Agent Hillman. It's just irritated.”

  Adam glances back and forth at the sophisticated technology around him. He has never seen equipment so advanced in his life...and he's an avid gamer so he is always up to date with news of the latest breakthroughs achieved in that particular field. While squinting her irritated eye, Rikki grins and says, “I have no idea how any of this shit works so don't ask me.”

  “Are you going to kill us?”

  His question brings her back to the reality of what she does for a living. A highly skilled and deadly assassin used mostly in covert operations hired by relatively unknown people that hide behind the shadows. She just follows the orders of her superiors without asking questions that always eat away at her later on. Too late for regrets now, girl. Everyone needs to make a living in this harsh world of lies and greed. Even if that means that she has to play the game herself to live comfortably for once in her life. Rikki tasted the cruelness of being a member of a low income family and refuses to go back to that nightmarish hell. They did, at one point, live somewhat comfortable lives...before her father became an alcoholic and a gambler. “No. We're giving you both new identities, new parents and new lives.”

  Adam opens his mouth but cannot find anything to say. Can he consider this an escape from his joke of a life? An end to having to wake up to the usual arguments of his dysfunctional family? The possibility of actually looking forward to holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas? Should he thank her for this? Fuck it. Let her know.

  “Thank you, Agent Hillman.”

  This catches her completely by surprise. Rikki was expecting him to lunge at her with angry fists aimed at her face. She stares at him and comes to the realization of what the CIA has done for him. Having read everything about his life, she is aware of the painful experiences that the young man had to endure. He indeed was given a raw deal...just like her. She feels tears welling up in her eyes and clears her throat to compose herself.

  “Uhhh...sure. You hungry? We have pizza here.”

  Adam shrugs his shoulders and replies, “Okay.”

  Rikki hands him a warm slice of pepperoni pizza and sits back in her chair. After taking several bites, he looks down at Melanie and asks, “What about Melanie? Are we gonna have to go our separate ways?”

  Rikki feels a sudden rush of remorse. They would need to indeed get separated...forever. She looks at him but cannot find the right way to acknowledge that fact.

  “It's okay, Agent Hillman. I can handle it.”

  She hands him another slice of pizza and finally replies, “Yeah. You'll never see her again.”

  Rikki dislikes certain aspects of her job at times. If Americans were to ever find out what transpires behind the scenes of their idealized fantasy of the American Dream, there would surely be an uproar. She believes that the majority of them can sense that they're being lied to by their own government, but the thought of the United States perpetrating attacks on their own citizens is far too difficult for them to accept.

  Miles away, Indrid and Sajjad enter the briefing room inside of the main headquarters of Area 51 to find Dr. Frankenstein standing in front of the television attentively viewing the news. Indrid stands next to him and says solemnly, “We have failed you, Ludwig. I am sorry.”

  He wraps his arm around her waist and hugs her while saying reassuringly, “No need for apologies, my dear. Someone is playing a very dangerous game and has, up to this point, succeeded in anticipating our every move. This was very well planned, indeed.”

  Sajjad observes the news while asking, “The manhunt has begun?”

  Dr. Frankenstein sighs with profound lament and nods as he replies, “Yes. They have already named Adam Eastman as the prime suspect. So far, they have recovered undisclosed evidence from his bedroom. Planted by the CIA, undoubtedly. That poor boy.”

  Meanwhile, Frank Garrison is driving his Silverado to meet up with his informant. A deep throat, if you will. It is miles and miles of nothing but the rural countryside of New Jersey. Completely devoid of shopping malls and fast food restaurants. Using his binoculars, he spots a stuffed white rabbit next to a tree and abruptly applies the brakes. That's what his deep throat uses to indicate his location. Frank shifts the gear into park and turns off the headlights followed by the engine. He glances over at the glove compartment where his handgun is stashed. No. Better to leave it there. No doubt the informant will frisk him to make sure he isn't bugged and the last thing Frank wants is to betray his trust. Especially now during an active black-op.

  After walking for quite a while, he arrives and picks up the stuffed animal. He turns his head from left to right in search of the deep throat. If this is a trap, he is royally screwed. They can easily make him disappear right now just as what was done to countless others in the past. A familiar voice is heard saying in a low tone, “Over here, Frank.”

  Farther ahead, he notices the tip of a cigarette glow from light orange to a bright yellow followed by a cloud of smoke. The informant always wears a black mask and he also uses voice morphing technology so his true identity has never been known. The silhouette tells him, “You know the procedure. Don't move.”

  A red stream of light appears just above Frank's head and gradually descends until it illuminates his shoes. The red beam turns off and the mysterious figure takes another puff of his cigarette. He finally says, “I'm taking a big risk here, Frank. We have to make this very brief.”

  “I know. What's this all about? A way to send a message to everyone? Disarming citizens?”

  “More like a distraction, Frank. There are FEMA camps being constructed as we speak.”

  “And you're using Adam Eastman as the patsy.”

  “All part of the show. He met the criteria.”

  “FEMA camps? Something biological in the works?”

  “Time's up, Frank. Give me the rabbit.”

  Frank does as he is told and proceeds to hand it over to him. The informant attempts to take it but Frank doesn't let go. He is very tempted to grab his wrist and force some more information out of him.

  “Don't be stupid, Frank. I can kill you right now.”

  He's right. The bastard. Who knows if there's a sniper nearby just waiting for the signal. He lets go of the rabbit and says, “Just don't kill Adam. Please.”

  “That will depend on his willingness to cooperate. It's been a pleasure as always.”

  Just as the informant turns around to walk away, he tells him, “You're right, by the way. We have the poison and the remedy.”

  No need to check the composition of the bomb now. He has a hunch as to who the real culprits are due to his experiences in 1953 conducting covert activities in Iran. Probably used nitroglycerin along with a mixture of potassium chlorate and iron-oxide. Purposely constructed to give the public the impression that the bomb was homemade. Judging from the potency of the explosion, a phone could've been used as a trigger and a booster added to increase the potency of the detonation.

  As Frank makes his way back to his Silverado, he wonders how he can break the news to Adam's parents that his life is officially over. His name added to the history books as yet another kid next door with a chip on his shoulder. Forever to be looked upon as a mass murderer. He needs to be the first to give them the heads up, however. They will need to become actors in this awful show of horrors
and lies.

  Frank opens the driver's side door and steps inside. He forcefully slams the door shut in frustration and mutters, “Fuck.” He takes out his phone and makes the dreaded call. A broken down Edna is heard with a quivering voice asking, “Frank? Did you help him?”

  After a deep sigh, he replies, “Edna. Meet me at my place in an hour. He's alive so don't worry about that. I need to give the both of you some information.”

  “Okay. Thank you, Frank.”

  The call disconnects and Frank takes a moment to think of his own daughter, Diana. To be a parent is the toughest job in the world. No doubt about it. He is just grateful that his grandson, Joshua, has grown into an independent young man and is fortunate for the quality time that he shares with him. Frank turns on the engine and shifts the gear into drive. The Silverado makes a U-turn and drives away into the distance.

  Melanie gradually opens her eyes and turns her head to find Adam sitting beside her. She pushes herself up into a sitting position and uses her finger to brush away the long hair from her face. Adam notices this and says to her, “Hey, Mel.”

  “Where are we? What's going on?”

  “We're in a CIA van. It's okay.”

  “Are they taking us home?”

  Adam cannot bring himself to explain the grim reality which awaits the both them. Rikki decides to help him out and says, “Not the home that you have in mind.”

  Melanie moves closer to Adam and asks, “What? You're kidnapping us?”

  Adam tries to calm her down by placing his arm around her while saying in a soft tone, “It's not like that, Mel. This is kind of like a witness protection program.”

  Melanie becomes angered by his passive attitude and says angrily, “No. It's a kidnapping, Adam. That's what you call it when someone takes you against your will!”

  Rikki tells her frankly, “Your new identities have already been created, Melanie. If you don't comply, well...the other option isn't very pretty. Understand?”

  Melanie becomes flustered at first and then feels a sudden rush of sadness. She'll never see her parents and friends ever again. She gasps and begins to panic. Rikki had a feeling that at least one of them was not going to accept this easily. She says to her soothingly, “Hey, hey, hey. Easy now, girl.”

  Melanie stands up quickly and looks for a door to escape from this horrific nightmare. She refuses to allow this new life to become her new reality. She starts crying and shouts, “Let me out! I'm not doing this!”

  Rikki replies gently, “There is no way out, Melanie. I'm sorry.”

  Adam stands up and gives Melanie a huge hug while whispering into her ear, “We're gonna get separated, too. I still love you, Melanie.”

  This makes Melanie even more saddened and cries harder while hugging him tightly. After several minutes, she whispers, “I love you, too. I'm sorry I didn't defend you from that bully in school. I...I didn't know what to do.”

  Adam is shocked by what was just revealed to him. She does want to be with him, after all. Can life be this cruel? He looks into her eyes and says, “I never blamed you. I knew you were scared.”

  Rikki is somewhat emotionally touched by their love for each other and can't help but reminisce on her past. No! Forget it. The past is over. Don't even think about her. Focus on the mission.

  In the Garrison family household, Joshua and Alexandria are paying their utmost attention to what is currently being reported on the news.

  “Up to this point, there is an active manhunt for two suspects. One of them is sixteen year-old Adam Eastman and the other is his alleged accomplice, sixteen year-old Melanie Jones. Both are seen here fleeing the scene just moments after the explosion.”

  Alexandria's mouth drops open while viewing the footage and says, “I don't know, Josh. Don't they look confused?”

  “Maybe they didn't expect the bomb to be that powerful. It's almost like firing a gun for the first time.”

  Alexandria doesn't believe that at all. She is very certain that her father will have an explanation which will make more sense. Over the years, she's learned to not take things at face value. Having read the book Static by Amy and David Goodman, she is more than aware of the numerous lies that are spun by the American government and passed to the mainstream media as truth. The reporters are merely actors reading from a script.

  In the meantime, at Area 51, Dr. Frankenstein observes Indrid as she watches the news with a noticeable expression of grief. She is more alien than human but her heart belongs to Earth. It is because of this fact that she remains with him and he is grateful. He pats her shoulder and tells her sympathetically, “This is all unfortunate, my dear. Take comfort in the fact that you and Sajjad did attempt to prevent this from happening.”

  “The boy's life is over, Ludwig. Why must we allow this to happen?”

  “You know as well as I that the general public must not know of our existence. Keep in mind what happened after the radio broadcast of War of the Worlds. Mass hysteria due to fear of the unknown. Yes, we could very well be imprisoned indefinitely if they were to become aware.”

  David adds, “Or even a demand for execution.”

  Indrid remains silent but she does agree with them. When one takes a moment to look back into humanity's violent past, the conclusion must be made that their behavior has not changed very much at all. Because of what happened with David, she now fears that the time will come when the same government they work with will hunt them all down like animals. Quite possibly destroy Atlantis as well. She decides to go back to the hangar in order to use her ship. Some time away from Earth...just to take a moment to clear her mind of these negative thoughts.

  Barbara and Henry become concerned and decide to follow Indrid. As soon as they all exit the briefing room, Barbara says loudly, “Indrid.”

  Indrid stops walking and replies, “Yes?” without looking at her. Barbara stands next to her and asks, “You okay?”

  Henry adds, “Yeah. You look kinda spooked.”

  Indrid replies rather unemotionally, “I am not. Thank you for being concerned.”

  Dr. Frankenstein exits the briefing room in search of Indrid. He sees her and says, “Indrid. Don't leave just yet.”

  Indrid turns around and asks, “Is something wrong, Ludwig?”

  He stands in front of her and says, “Diana Garrison's father is a retired military general. I would like to ask him a few questions.”

  “And risk further exposure?”

  “Their plan has been set into motion and there isn't much time, Indrid. At this point, to hell with the rules.”

  Phoebe appears and jumps up and down while shouting merrily, “Yeah! No rules! No rules!”

  Indrid looks down at Phoebe and cannot help but smile at her playful spirit. Perhaps not even aware of what is happening around her and oblivious to the grim reality of a possible apocalypse. She looks up at Dr. Frankenstein and finds his change of heart to be very courageous. A trait of his that she has always admired. This is the true Ludwig Frankenstein. She nods and tells him, “Very well. Whenever you are ready, Ludwig.”

  “I'll gather everyone and we'll meet you at the hangar.”

  Phoebe's hair color changes to yellow and she asks excitedly, “No rules and now we all get to go on a trip?”

  Jerry replies laughingly, “That's for them and not you, Phoebe.”

  She folds her arms, looks at the floor and her hair color changes to red. She mumbles angrily, “Awww. You never let me do anything.”

  An hour and fifteen minutes later, Frank slowly drives his pickup into the driveway of his home. The headlights make visible Adam Eastman's parents who have been waiting near the front door. Their eyes are sunken and their skin complexion as pale as milk. A sight that truly tears a hole in his heart.

  Edna abruptly grabs Harold Eastman's hand tightly and tries her very best to hold back her tears as Frank shuts off the engine. She sees him step out of the vehicle and begin to make his way towards them. Her heart pounding harder and harder
with every step that he takes. Frank nods at them and says in a somber tone, “Edna. Harold. Let's go inside and I'll explain everything.”

  The worried couple step aside in order to allow Frank access to the front door. He inserts the key into the lock, opens the door and turns on the lights. While holding the door, he makes a gesture with his head and says, “Come in.”

  They both mournfully step inside of the house and Frank can't help but feel a sense of helplessness. He's a retired Army General with connections and yet, for their safety, he can't do anything to bring their son back. The front door gets pushed until it closes. Frank arrives at the living room and says as he sits down on his favorite cushioned chair, “Sit down.”

  Edna and Harold Eastman sit down on the sofa and anxiously await information regarding their son. Frank folds his hands and leans forward. He then says, “Adam is alive and safe. Bad news is he's going to be held accountable for the bombing of the movie theater.”

  Edna squeezes Harold's knee and, while sobbing, says, “They burst into our house and took all of Adam's things. He's a nice kid. He's not capable of doing that.”

  Harold asks in a sad tone, “So what happens now? Will we see him again?”

  Frank pauses for a moment to choose his words carefully. There really is no delicate way of putting it, though. Not only must they accept the fact that they are never going to see Adam again, but also become unwilling actors in this dreadful movie. He reluctantly tells them, “No. You'll never see him again. He's gonna be going into something similar to a witness protection program. I'm so sorry.”

  Harold feels his heart sink all the way down to his bowels and a sudden rush of numbness overwhelms him. He had so many opportunities to be a good father and failed miserably. Now, he'll never get the chance to apologize or to even express his sincere love for him. Edna begins to cry in his arms. He gives Frank a teary eyed look and says, “I was never there for him.”