by Eric Burney
“I’ll take care of them,” Nick said.
He sped off up the ramp before Michael or Kara could object and dropped the first unsuspecting target with a smashing fist to the jaw. With Nick’s super-speed, the next victim barely had time to turn his head at the sound of his comrade being dropped before he, too, was on his back.
Michael and Kara hurried up the ramp after him. Even though Nick possessed speed to rival an F-16, he could be extremely careless at times, like now, when he decided to tackle an entire group of enemies all by his lonesome. Kara knew with his thick head and cockiness, he’d never really quite get it, so that was something they’d have to accept—no matter how annoying and tiresome it was.
By the time Michael and Kara reached the top of the ramp, Nick had placed the situation well under wraps—literally. He’d taken a roll of cable wiring that was lying around and dashed along the entire top deck in a blur, tying up the remaining Evolution members to the side railing and to each other—a total of seven in all.
“Look, Mikey, I got you a present.” Nick slid to a stop in front of his grim friend. “My business is speed, and business is good,” he said. He sounded like he was auditioning for a part in a cheesy B-movie.
“Two things: you’re a moron, and don’t ever call me Mikey again.”
Nick frowned and threw his hands up in frustration. Behind him, a man who was badly injured, but still functioning peered over a tarp-covered crate. He lined up the sights of a high-powered assault rifle with Nick’s exposed back squarely in the crosshairs. With all his theatrics, Nick hadn’t noticed that he’d missed one. Lucky for him, Michael had.
He shoved the unaware speedster out of harm’s way and drew his arms out to the side, preparing to deal a fiery ball of flame. As he did, Michael felt something different—almost like a power surge. The sleeves of his new skintight outfit began to pulsate a bright blue color along the outer seam, about an inch thick. The pulsating resembled a string of LED lights that continued up to the stitching at the center of his sternum. He looked down in awe as his blue jeans melted away, until there was nothing left but ash from the tremendous heat generated by the lower half of his new outfit.
When Michael finally unleashed with the full strength of his ability, a white-hot blast of flame tore through the cargo crate, lifting the gunman off his feet and over the edge of the ship. His body hit the water below with a loud splash.
Michael held his arms out in front of him and stared in confusion at the strangely enhanced fabric, trying to comprehend what had just happened. The pulsating had subsided, but he could still feel its effect. It felt… amazing.
“Dude, that was awesome!”
Nick was exuberant and ran up to the ship’s edge, searching down below. He saw the body floating as it was being rocked back to shore slowly by a series of gentle waves. The man was OK; his ballistic armor took the brunt of the attack and luckily he’d landed on his back.
“What—how—”
Michael couldn’t even find the words he was so stunned.
“I take it you like the upgrade?” Kara asked with a grin.
“I love it. This thing is sweet. Whatever it is.”
“I thought he’d like the new modifications. The built-in nanotech allows him to increase and focus the strength of his flames. That was my little surprise. And I’m glad he decided to wear the pants. The modifications work best as a complete set,” Jasmine said through Kara’s ear implant.
“Jasmine says she thought you’d like that,” Kara relayed. “Come on, let’s keep moving. Nick, no more hotdogging please.”
Nick snapped his heels together and stood at attention, bringing his right hand up crisply for a salute.
“Aye, aye, captain.”
“Grow up.”
Kara led the group over to what used to be the front entrance. The door was missing and thick smoke billowed from within. Debris and rubble was strewn about like an abandoned construction site. But nothing was being constructed here. Evolution had set about destroying everything in their path.
“We’re inside,” Kara said, touching her ear. She stepped on shards of broken glass as she approached the guard’s desk. She observed his lifeless body on the floor along the way. From the extent of the burns on his face, he’d died a pretty gruesome death.
“Can you find a computer?”
Kara looked at the desk and noticed the computer had a large bullet hole in the screen.
“The CPU appears to be destroyed.”
She rummaged through the drawers.
“There’s a data tablet here.” She removed a small pad from the bottom drawer and cleared a space on the desk to open it. “Is that useful?”
“It may be. Turn on the Wi-Fi.”
Kara powered on the tablet and scrolled through its settings.
“Done.”
“OK, standby.”
Michael shot a fierce look at Nick, who appeared as though he had ants in his pants and was about to do something foolish like run off on his own—again.
“Don’t even think about it.”
“What?” He raised his eyebrows like he had no idea what Michael was talking about.
“Got it. I’m in the site’s mainframe. I’ll be able to walk you through from here. A subject was logged in a little under two hours ago and taken to Level 3. That’s got to be Charlie.”
“Great,” said Kara.
“Go through the corridor to your left and head straight. It will lead you to an emergency hatch that will get you to Level 3.”
“This way, guys.”
Kara raised her weapon and moved cautiously towards the corridor as Jasmine had instructed.
“Keep your eyes open.”
Chapter 54
“Hold up here a sec,” Agent Simmons whispered. He pressed his body up against the wall as a large squad of heavily armed guards stormed by. Luckily, they were in too much of a hurry to notice the two guys sneaking around nearby.
“Looks like reinforcements are headed topside. You want to share with me what we could be up against?”
“No. Not really,” Standeval said with little thought. “But I suppose if you must know… a rather large contingent of unstable radicals are headed this way. I believe these individuals call themselves Evolution or some nonsense like that. I don’t mind a good fight every now and again, but I’d really rather be gone before they get here.”
“If what you say is true, then I agree. We’d better get moving.”
They slipped out into the cramped, dark corridor, moving silently in tandem. The two were able to evade detection for some time in this fashion, getting steadily closer to their destination. It appeared the level had been cleared out after the alarm sounded. All the scientists and medical staff that usually frequented the halls were nowhere to be seen. This was probably due to some contingency failsafe. The government wouldn’t risk one of their top scientists falling into the wrong hands. Agent Simmons hoped they had been relocated and not terminated.
“Almost there,” Agent Simmons said. “Just a little further th—”
He froze mid-sentence. Someone was coming towards them. In the dim, red lighting it was difficult to tell who they were or how many. Either way it was going to be messy. Agent Simmons raised his gun to eye-level and prepared to pull the trigger. Standeval stood next to him with both hands gripping the cane tightly. They prepared for a fight.
Suddenly, in the thickness of the dark, Standeval saw what appeared to be two separate flames ignite. As they drew closer, he realized the brilliant, glowing flames were actually a man’s hands, covered in bluish hot fire.
Agent Simmons had seen enough. The last run-in with someone who could wield fire left good men in the hospital because he didn’t act quickly enough. That wouldn’t happen again. He slowly squeezed the trigger.
“Wait.”
Standeval grabbed the weapon and lowered it. Agent Simmons was vexed and stared at him like he was about to spit nails. An explanation was going to be nee
ded. Fast.
“I’m sorry, mate,” Standeval said, attempting to explain his actions, “but I know them. And I can’t allow you to put a bullet in any of them without inciting the eternal wrath of the one we both seek. You see, these are his friends. They’re here for Charlie Reese as well.”
As the trio came into full view, Agent Simmons finally understood. He had full dossiers on every one of them. Months of chasing these fugitives and now they were standing directly in front of him. His eyes narrowed once he recognized the one in flames as the same individual who slipped through his net during the sting at Carver Community College.
“You put three of my men in the hospital with that little stunt you pulled earlier.”
“I’m sorry about your agents,” Michael said. The flames slowly extinguished. “That was an accident, but you forced my hand.”
His voice was ripe with contrition and remorse. Agent Simmons could see true regret in his eyes, and for a second, he empathized with him. The manhunt had forced him to see things from a much different perspective than he would have thought capable just days ago.
“When this is all over, you and I are going to address this.”
“Sounds fair,” Michael said.
“You’re about the last person I would have expected to find here, Standeval,” Kara said. She was genuinely shocked to see the dapper one standing there, actually putting his life in danger for someone else.
Miracles really do happen every day, she thought to herself.
“Don’t get too excited, princess. I’m only here to see your boyfriend out of the mess he’s gotten himself into and that’s it. That’s the extent of my involvement. So, don’t go thinking I’m about to enlist in your little war. That’s for you and baby brother. But, judging by the way things are playing out around us, if we don’t get to him soon, you’ll have lost this war before it’s even begun.”
“Did you say brother?” Agent Simmons balked. He hadn’t expected that scenario. But now it made perfect sense why his mysterious companion would go to such lengths to free Charlie Reese.
“Save story time for later, agent man,” Nick said. “We’ll get you up to speed when we get out of here. Right now, we gotta beat feet. I think the patrol we saw earlier could be doubling back any minute.”
“Alright, follow me,” Agent Simmons said. “We’re almost there.”
He led the group of five now on through the heart of the ship. Before long, they arrived at a compartment that was vastly different from the rest. The area was divided into several holding cells, all made of laminate bullet-resistant glass. Each cell was identical, right down to the fully stocked medical equipment and steel exam table.
“What was the government doing here?” Michael asked.
“I’m not at liberty to say,” Agent Simmons said brusquely.
“Not at liberty to say,” Nick mocked. For the first time, Kara actually agreed with his sentiment. “This is where they were going to put us,” he mused.
The others were quiet as they considered that possibility. It wasn’t too far of a reach.
“I was only here a few times, so I really don’t know much about what goes on down here.”
“I find it hard to believe that you would have no knowledge of the science and experiments here, if you can call it that, Nick countered.”
“Look, I know it’s hard for you guys to trust me, but I really need you to. I’m standing here with you now, trying to free a man I believe is innocent. And I believe that man is being used as part of a larger government conspiracy. Last, but certainly not least, if Evolution is as dangerous as I think they are, we are definitely going to need Charlie Reese.”
“He does know the place,” Kara agreed. “Standeval, can you vouch for him since you two seem to have built such a rapport?”
Standeval didn’t respond. Surprised, Kara turned to address him, but he was nowhere to be found. He’d disappeared into thin air, and no one had noticed a thing.
“Well, that’s just great,” Nick said, throwing his hands up in frustration. “We just lost our ace in the hole.”
“Did you really think we could depend on him?” Michael asked matter-of-factly. “We’re better off without him anyway. He always has his own agenda. Heaven only knows what that is this time.”
“You’re right,” said Kara. “His absence doesn’t change a thing. Time to do what we came here to do.”
Chapter 55
Standeval turned the knob slowly and opened the door, peering inside. The room was empty, save for a few random books and office supplies, just like the previous two he’d checked.
He kept moving, swift and silent. His absence was sure to have been noticed by now. Slipping away from them had been easy. They were all much too preoccupied with Agent Simmons to realize he was gone.
The overall perception of him was one of cockiness, and it was well-deserved. There were also those of the opinion that he was only out for himself. That was also true, for the most part, and he relished it. But, Standeval also held a personal belief that he was just plain better than everyone else.
No one could do the things he could, not even his righteous brother, Charlie. Sure, Charlie possessed amazing power and he could fly around like a real-life superhero. But, Standeval had all the brains. His smarts and wit had gotten him out of more jams than he could remember.
That’s why he was here now. Saving his little brother from himself—again. Why couldn’t Charlie be more like him? Maybe it was because they had different mothers. Who knows? Either way, he was flesh and blood. Standeval couldn’t just stand by while baby brother was dragged away in chains by some government honcho intent on very bad things.
But—first things first. Charlie would have to wait. Agent Simmons had proven to be more than competent enough to lead the others to him. And Kara, the love-struck soul she was, would stop at nothing to make sure they got him out. If they failed, which was highly likely now that he was no longer a part of the main rescue party, he would simply have to save the day. He did it at the Grand Tower Hotel. He’d do the same here today if need be.
But, he had a little detour to make. Another important task to accomplish. One surely not as important, but necessary nonetheless. No one else would understand, much less lift a finger in support. That was understandable. Heck, he couldn’t even blame them. He hated his guts just as much as anyone. But, he was family. And… evil, twisted mastermind or not, Standeval felt compelled to act.
He looked down at the cane. The Alarian relic was the only thing his father had ever given him. That, and a strong distrust of anyone. Thanks to him, Standeval had never allowed anyone to get close to him. It was always easier that way. No friends. No acquaintances. Just himself, making his own way in a strange, new world. A world ripe for the picking if you had the talent and instincts. Standeval had plenty of both.
Whenever things got hairy or a little too close for comfort, he’d perform his greatest trick: the disappearing act. On to the next city, the next town, the next show. His father had even played a hand in making a certain—unpleasant situation go away some time ago. And, true to form, he came calling to collect on that generosity one night. A favor for a favor. And what a favor it had been. Standeval was forced to use his unique skills to jumpstart Charlie’s ascending, or self-awareness of who he really is, his true heritage.
The whole thing left Standeval feeling used, filthy. But he had no choice. His father held all the cards at the time. That’s why he had no qualms about lending a hand to baby brother back at the Grand Tower Hotel. His own special way of sticking it to the man. His old man.
But now, he too was being detained in this floating prison. That just wouldn’t do. He would have to be rescued right along with Charlie.
He could sense him now. He knew exactly where he was. The government would not take from him the one thing he wanted most in life. He would be the one standing over Viktor as he took his last dying breath. He deserved that distinction, that pleasure. Not some gove
rnment patsy who had no idea what he was dealing with.
Standeval twirled his cane twice and struck the deck. Instantly, he was teleported inside the room. His unexpected presence was quite a shock, judging from the look of bewilderment on the faces of the two lab coats that stood there, frozen in place.
Viktor was strapped to an exam table. The government agent who’d been hovering over him turned to face Standeval. He was a grizzled hard-nosed vet by the look of him.
“Well this is an unexpected surprise. I’ve heard stories of a man who could vanish into thin air and re-appear someplace else. Well, you picked the wrong destination this time, Dorothy,” he snarled, baring his teeth. He looked like the big bad wolf. And Standeval was the next little piggy on his menu.
The man pulled a large hunting knife from the sheath on his back.
“If I can’t get what I need from him, I’ll just have to carve it out of you.”
Standeval twisted the cane slowly in his palm until he heard a series of metallic clicks.
“No,” he said, shaking his head with a foreboding look in his eye. “That’s where you’re wrong. I’m afraid I’m not the one you should be concerned with.”
The man’s eyes widened in horror as a sharp object suddenly pressed against his throat. Another hand gripped his forehead, yanking it backwards. He flung his arms wildly and fought back in vain as rough, short jerks cut deep through the soft flesh. After a few seconds, he ceased to struggle and his eyes glossed over, as though eternally fixed on some unknown object in the distance. His body was flung unceremoniously to the floor.
“If I were you poor unfortunate souls, I’d start running,” Standeval said to the two lab coats that stood there petrified, quivering in their shoes. He didn’t have to tell them twice. They practically fell over each other scurrying from the room.
“Good to see you, son. I knew I could count on you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Viktor tossed the bloodied keycard on the floor and ripped the IV tubing from his arm. He grabbed some gauze from the medicine cabinet and wrapped his arm to stop the bleeding.