Bernard woke gazing out beyond the glass confines of his cell. His head pounded from the earlier ordeal. “”What was that stuff?”
Getting captured, while not without its risks had proven quite fruitful. Bernard had gleaned much upon entering Hydra’s immoral maw. in his brief stint leading to his capture the adept Sensitive was able to learn many useful tidbits. Not only had he discovered the location of the elevator that led deep into the innards of the beast but a few of its unique countermeasures that would have slowed or perhaps ended his progression.
The red head was also able to confirm his belief regarding the power struggle within the multi-headed corporation’s hierarchy as well as some useful insight as to its players. Something he could exploit to an advantage. The wily Sensitive was even able to uncover the identity of the mysterious man behind the curtain pulling the strings. If legend held true, the only sure way to defeat the beast.
He had also it seemed, gained an unexpected asset while inside the belly of the beast. With Rycroft, Bernard now saw the possibility to extend his reach from the confines of his cage waiting awaiting the reveal. The pieces were in play. Now it was just a matter of time before the first domino fell putting his plan into motion.
There was only one fly in his ointment. An unfortunate blemish that was to be remedied in short order should Rycroft pull through.
Bernard was left to sit in his cell for several hours before someone finally came to check on him. The room was mostly dark, Nathan had not returned to finish his research and the main part of the room just outside of the cell was left empty, until Jeannette walked in. She was tense and kept a brisk pace as she approached the glass and stared at Bernard for a few seconds before removing her sunglasses to reveal cybernetically enhanced blue eyes.
"You're finally awake. You were a pain in our side for a long time now. Trying to catch you was like trying to catch a snake in a cornfield. The worst part was that Rycroft was more interested in observing you and the other Sensitives instead of actually catching you, thinking that we could learn more if you were in a more natural environment. The fool cost us millions of dollars and countless lives as you killed our clones and wreaked havoc on the city. Not to mention tell our agents to pull out and putting you in charge of the Club Exxel raid." She put a hand to her temple and shook her head, clearly annoyed by how events played out.
"That was botched, a complete FUBAR. We lost a lot of good people that day. After that we have decided that Rycroft is not fit to lead, he is clearly unstable and not thinking clearly. It doesn't matter what Rycroft promised you before, you are MY prisoner now and will be dealt a swift justice. We will watch you like a hawk, you can be sure of that." She stared at him sternly as she attempted to contain her rage.
Last Edit: Sept 23, 2015 20:42:29 GMT -5 by FG Admin
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((SP 82?? of 82 Exp 8/10)) HP:=120 KARMA:2 Focus skill 19/20 fatigued ---- ((This one was FUN to write.))
”We lost a lot of good people that day”
”The explosion?” Bernard smiled shaking his head from side to side. ”Don’t be hanging that S*** that S*** storm on me!” The fiery red head exclaimed in mock protest. ”I hadn’t even made it back into Exxel to locate the mark. More likely one of your bumbling oafs tripped over one of those traps they had set for you fumbling around in the tunnels. If Hydra had in fact pulled out as requested your losses could have been avoided. Rycroft made a deal to save lives!”
” It doesn't matter what Rycroft promised you before, you are MY prisoner now and will be dealt a swift justice. We will watch you like a hawk, you can be sure of that." She stared at him sternly.
Armed with the information provided by Vladamir, the red headed antagonist lashed out. If there was a war amongst the Jeanettes he was going to fan the fire.
”YOUR prisoner or the collective Jeanettes? I take it I won’t be seeing Mr. Rycroft any time soon? Is he dead??" The thought of Vladimir's death had a sobering effect but it did not secure his defeat. There were still other options in play. Ultimately, she/they may have done him a huge favor disposing of the resilient CEO. If the conjecture proved true there would be one less enhanced super human to deal with in order to bring down the beast. "Funny, I didn’t think you had the guts. Ambition, yes, but not the….forgive the expression, stones to go through with it. I’ve got to hand it to you Jeanette, Bravo. Well done! Not that there will be much of a company to run after this Consumer fiasco snowballs in the media frenzy.”
”So what’s in store for Bernie? I imagine a little experimentation before you finally end it? I assure you I make a better lover than a test subject in a lab any day. Us mindbenders live up to our name in the bedroom. But there’s too much baggage between us for anything like that to happen isn’t there? Well, you will always have those files stored away in that positronic memory core of yours to pull from on those cold lonely nights.”
He was deliberately pushing her buttons.
”Wait a minute. You’re NOT the one he was passionate for. Mr. Beck you DOG!” There was a chuckle to his voice as he drew out the words accompanied by a devilish grin. ”There’s another. I’m not talking the Cataloger in the wild outfits that was with you. The suit! I’m betting she’s the original. I didn’t think a gifted Geneticist would go for all those synthetic upgrades you posess. It would explain the connection they had.”
”Good thing that antique desk of hers was constructed as solid as it was. It frequently received quite the workout.” He allowed his words to dig deep. ”Why is it the buttuned down executive types are always the wild freaky ones in the sack. I would very much like to meet THIS Jeanette. She's quite the tiger. Think you can arrange it for me? We are bound to hit it off.”
He gave the blonde bombshell little time to process what had just been delivered.
”So, when do we begin? You know the poking and prodding." He said smugly. "THE experimentation sweetheart! What were you thinking?" He clarified further in response to the vacant look that stared back at him from those synthetic blue eyes. "I curious as to the security upgrades that they have implemented at Glory's request after my last visit to your facility.”
Last Edit: Sept 24, 2015 15:22:29 GMT -5 by Bernard
He gave the blonde bombshell little time to process what had just been delivered.
”So, when do we begin? You know the poking and prodding." He said smugly. "THE experimentation sweetheart! What were you thinking?" He clarified further in response to the vacant look that stared back at him from those synthetic blue eyes. "I curious as to the security upgrades that they have implemented at Glory's request after my last visit to your facility.”
At this point the four clones stationed in the room seemed to get alert as Bernard became more verbal, turning their attention to the conversation.
Jeannette began turning red in the face and she closed her eyes the more he spoke. She was clearing getting angry, but she just listened until he finished. She clenched her fingers tightly together to the point her knuckles turned white. Then she exploded all at once and verbally shot back
"Shut up! Just shut your mouth! She is NOT the original! Beck loved me, you don't know what you're talking about. You didn't know me and you didn't know him. You killed him and all of this is your fault! You ruined everything!" She shot back. Fury was now clear in her eyes as she stared him down.
"Rycroft save lives?!?!" She scoffed.
"In what way? So many people died because of Rycroft! What do you think District Zero is? It was all one giant experiment that no one wanted to end to make the perfect killing machine clone! I'm sure you read the documents by now, who do you think the team reported their findings to when they found a defective clone? Before we developed the mental processors how many clones do you think died? Do you know what it is like to wake up as a clone and question if you will be terminated because you behave a bit differently from the original?" Her voice broke as that realization once again struck home. Memories and thoughts that had been surprised since her birth from the cloning process were starting to resurface.
"When they saw the Consumer's potential they wanted to harness that power into something they could control. they learned nothing from the original Zenith project. That is what the clones are made for, to kill and be killed so that no one else has to die!" She yelled back.
"We should have sent the clones in first and had them disarm all the traps. The clones were meant to be disposed of, this made their entire purpose pointless! Instead, Rycroft betrayed us and broke protocol. We should have handled things by the book and carried the operation out as planned! It was probably you that had planted the traps in the first place to assist the Aces. When the tunnels collapsed our hospital rooms were filled with Sensitive agents and civilians that were hurt from the shock-wave that collapsed streets and buildings! Not clones, people. We know you had contact with Carson and the Asian hacker, I'm sure that is where your true loyalties lie. You probably helped them escape. Speaking of the Asian, I doubt she loved you... You were probably just a pawn in her own game for revenge. Could she love you after you killed Carson? It was you wasn't it? What, you got jealous? Perhaps she only helped you because you forced her with your powers. Is that how you get your women now, you brainwash them?" She was still angry, but that smug little smile crept across her lips again.
"I doubt she survived District Zero. Even if she did I would be more than willing to personally put a bullet in her pretty little head of hers myself at this point. No more games. I am in control now, no need for experiments. We'll strip you of your powers and you'll be disposed of after that. We end this now" She said sternly.
Last Edit: Sept 27, 2015 16:35:54 GMT -5 by FG Admin
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((SP 82?? of 82 Exp 8/10)) HP:=120 KARMA:2 Focus skill 19/20 Enraged- CURSE! ---- ”When the tunnels collapsed our hospital rooms were filled with Sensitive agents and civilians that were hurt from the shock-wave that collapsed streets and buildings! Not clones, people.”
Bernard interjected. He had this audience.
”So you know what yuou are?” ”HYPOCRITE!!” ”You are one in the same yet you would have the others as fodder. What makes you superior? Is it that you carry with youa name rather than a numerical designation? Is that why you shroud them in masks taking away any humamanity they might have. Faceless drones in a corporate world."
Jeanette fired back in fury, this time using something deemed precious to Bernard as a weapon. A smug little smile crept across her lips again as she made her final point.
”"… I would be more than willing to personally put a bullet in her pretty little head of hers myself at this point. No more games. I am in control now, no need for experiments. We'll strip you of your powers and you'll be disposed of after that. We end this now." She said sternly.
Her idle threats cut deeper than they should have. Bernard could feel the rage builing up inside him. It had to be the Curse. He tried to keep it together if but for a moment
”It does end now.” Bernard responded flatly." Just not the way you imagine it. If the clones were to realize how few originals there are left withing these walls, things would be much different. They far outnumber those who keep them in bondage.All they need to do is organize. Something to fight for. “
” You see, I couldn’t do that from the outside these walls. That is why I am here; To lead them into a tomorrow free of Hydra. The Beetles over there,” ~standing in their black ceramic armour with yellow warning stripes reminded him of the chitinous shelled insects~ , John, Paul, Ringo and George, will be among the first to make that choice. Sure a few clones will die along the way but Hydra in turn dies along with them. Without the grunts, the corporate wheel it will soon cease to turn."
"But you knew that already. Didn’t you? Like the Egyptians of old when they began to realize their slaves, the Israelites outnumbered them. It was only a matter of time.”
”That time is here. You see, you’ve already created the perfected killing machine.” Bernard allowed himself to give into the rage fully. His eyes flashed a brilliant yellow as he smashed through the thick safety glass like it was brittle candy to grab the smug blonde scientist by the throat. The thick fingers of primal beast’s iron grip tore easily into the soft white flesh, constricting upon the flailing women’s windpipe making any rebuttle all but impossible, as he lifted her effortlessly from the ground.”[/b] ”ME!!” He growled.
”Thing is B***, my fight WILL liberate THEM in the process.” "Starting with YOU!"
Last Edit: Sept 29, 2015 4:31:08 GMT -5 by Bernard
Jeannette's eyes went wide as he broke through the glass. She hadn't known he had been infected and they hadn't had time to run proper blood test. The Other four clones were alert. One got into a stance as if he were about to fight, but another raised his hand as if to tell him to hold off. By now the other prisoners had become aware of the confrontation and had smashed up to the glass to see what was going on. Clarity was already locked up, but Nathan had been placed in one of the glass cells as well for holding.
Jeannette began to gasp for air and tears filled her eyes as the realization crossed her mind that she was about to meet her end. In a twisted change of events, Bernard was correct, he had surpassed the Consumers and most of the other Sensitives. Jeannette stood little chance against him as he tightened his grip. She made a few feeble attempts to beat at his arm with her hands but it was futile.
One of the clones put his finger to his ear and put his head down as he listened. Then, the lights cut out and the red flashing emergency lights came on as the emergency alarm blared on. "Something is wrong on the ground floor... We're going into lock down." John said with his muffled speaker voice through his helmet.
"Good riddance, Jeannette's dead. What should we do about him? The four us could take him." Paul replied casually as if the sight of the consumer was no big deal.
Ringo shook his head and chimed in. "No, I think he came to help us. We all know the legend of the Zenith project and what happened in the Underground. Jeannette said it herself, we are disposable. If something is going down, now is the time for us to choose sides..."
Paul seemed to get angry. "What you're talking about is treason! Is that a good idea? Can we trust him? They could have us disposed for this!"
"Cut the chatter! We signed on to be loyal to Hydra, but Hydra is now divided into groups and killing themselves off. We've got a civil war going on. Who knows what they'll do to us, we'll probably be disposed of anyways as soon as this goes public. This guy is helping us, let's live first and question later. For all we know the Consumer's could have breached the building, we need to work together through this." George reasoned. The others seemed to agree with him. George then turned his attention to Bernard.
"Sir, you spoke of helping us. If what you say is true, we will fight with you. There are supplies all over this floor, I know this building like the back of my hand. What do you need?"
Last Edit: Sept 29, 2015 21:06:04 GMT -5 by FG Admin
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((SP 82?? of 82 Exp 8/10)) HP:=120 KARMA:2 Focus skill 19/20 Inhibited- Power Blocker ---- It was the flashing lights that bought him back. From the moment he gave into and was under the influence of the ‘curse’ he had lost himself; buried beneath the primal rage as it consumed him. Bernard loosened his grip dropping the lifeless blonde ragdoll he held aloft to the cold tile floor. The realization washed over him that with the destruction of Hydra any hope of a cure may be lost. Could he learn to control it or was he destined to become a monster?
The Sensitive looked to the quaret of clones locked in discussion. He had somehow manage to piece together their conversation from the thoughts of those present within the room. The power blockers were apparently beginning to wear off.
The one he had titled George turned to address him. "Sir, you spoke of helping us. If what you say is true, we will fight with you. There are supplies all over this floor, I know this building like the back of my hand. What do you need?"
”Thank you. All of you. I wasn’t sure if you were ready to buy into what I was proposing. I meant what I said Paul. You have staked your lives here. Things WILL change.”
”The lockdown works to our favor. I’m assuming this level is on a separate grid from the main facility. I doubt they expected any intruder to get this far. Apart from you, I trust any physical presence here should be at a minimum.”
”As for my needs?”
”Use that nuero-network of yours and get the message out. Tell the others what you fight for.The revolution HAS begun. There isn’t much time. There will be push back. I have to get to the high class Jeanette that operates behind the antique desk fast. You know where to find her I assume? Any surprises I should be expect along the way?”
”I’ll need belongings and a gas mask. I don’t want to be brought down by that crippling gas again. I could also use a few blues while this power blocker moves through my system.”
Bernard removed the key card from around the lifeless Jeanett’es neck. ”Release the Nathan and the Mindbender and let’s move before it’s too late. ”
Last Edit: Sept 30, 2015 13:17:31 GMT -5 by Bernard
The clones looked at one another. "Sir he is a wanted criminal, we'll free him but keep an eye on him. If he gets his powers back he could take control of you. We have mental processors, we should be okay." They cautioned. With that, they walked over to the security doors and entered the manual override to force the two cells open.
Nathan walked out and stretched his neck. "Thanks, I've been trying to think of a way out of here for weeks. I figured out how these things work, but they want to weaponize it and have all of the clones with this power. If you don't mind I would like to delete my findings before we leave so that they can't complete their project..." He requested as he stared at the red haired man. Nathan didn't remember their little encounter at the club and didn't piece together that the two men were actually one and the same. He didn't stare for too long, he turned and went to the computer terminal sitting on the desk in the center of the room and began accessing the files.
Clarity looked like a schizophrenic mess as he walked out of his glass cell. He kept twitching and fidgeting and his skin had a oddly smooth look to it as if it had been grafted back on. He didn't say anything, he just kept rubbing his hands and look around nervously.
Paul walked to the main door. "I can get your gear, it is in the clone's armory and supply room on this floor. I'll grab what you need now and meet you in the hall. Doctor Baris should have access to all the medical supplies." He explained as he left the room.
Nathan looked up from the computer. "Yes, of course. There are actually four of them in the top drawer of the desk. I would give them to Clarity from time to time if Rycroft needed information. There are more in the next lab. I'll grab as many of them as I can before we leave." He walked to the side of the desk and picked up a metal briefcase and opened it up to throw several documents inside. Then held up an SD card to show that he had backed up all the data. He tossed that into the briefcase and approached Bernard.
At the same time, George had walked around to the back of the desk and opened all the drawers until he found the four serums. "Got 'em."
He walked over to Bernard and handed them over for him to take. "Power up, our next stop is Jeannette. She might have other enhanced clones like us guarding her but they may have went up to the main floor. We seem to have lost some of our power so she may not know that we are helping you. We could try luring the clones out to get them to help us or get them to leave the area."
((SP 82-1 of 82 Exp 8/10)) HP:=120 KARMA:2 Focus skill 20/20 ((Focus (1) This is it! –roll =53 +20 skill=success!)) ----
” Despite the clone’s objection the high powered psychic felt he had little to worry about the bald man weaseling into his mind. Still, he spoke to address their concerns.” I don’t trust him either. Bernard said flatly. Still, he doesn’t deserve to be left behind to left behind to be exploited should things go south. If he does anything suspicious feel free to blast him. The choice is his.”
Bernard geared up as George walked over to hand him a handful ofe blues he had gathered from the lab. "Power up.” The clone directed before giving Omen an overview of what to expect ahead. The Sensitive removed a glowing blue cocktail from the pile and jabbed the cylindrical epi-device into to soft flesh. Immediately he cure feel the surge of vitality that seemed to clear the cobwebs from his mind. The feeling was invigorating.
Nathan had fininished holding up the SD card to show that he had backed up all the data. He tossed the card and several papers into a metal briefcase before joining the red head at the door Bernard could sense Manfred eyeing him jealously.” Perhaps if you’re a good little psychic I’ll give you one as a reward.” Bernard replied before addressing the clones. ”I’m sure she’s expecting trouble George. She’ll be on the alert the moment we get there. Enhanced how?” He asked wanting to know just what to expect. As they moved the floorplan became more and more familiar. It was as if he hasd been here before. It wasn’t long before he realized the layout was identical to that which he traversed withing the N.O.E.R facility located in District Zero.”You sure you know where she’s holed up? “He asked of his newly aquired companions along the way.
As they reached the door located in the northeastern corner of the building Bernard began drawing upon his recently refreshed psychic reserves. He readied himself as he motioned ‘The Beatles’ four clones to execute hard entry into the room.
((I'm not making a new picture for this Jeannette just for her to die...))
Manfred licked his lips and attempted something that looked like a smile, but it quickly faded back to his nervous paranoid expression as he silently stared at Bernard. Nathan had gathered more of the medical supplies from the other lab and had stuffed them in his briefcase.
"Yes sir, we have both mechanical and biological VBS enhancements. Her guards will be masters of hand to hand combat. She will be in this room, she hardly ever leaves." George explained and reassured.
Nathan stopped and stood at the doorway. "If you don't mind I'd rather not enter with the rest of you. I'm not powered and I'm not much of a fighter. I'll only get in your way so I'll sit this one out. If you don't come out in ten minutes I'll assume things went south and try to find a way out of here." Nathan opened his briefcase and handed Bernard two more of the glowing blue serums and three of the normal ones. "You might need these. Good luck." He gave a nod of his head and stepped to the side.
As Bernard gave the signal for the four clothes to storm the room, they acted and charged in. Paul kicked the door down and the other three followed closely.
The room was dark and large, similar to the underground lab that Ortega was stored in. There was a thin strip of light that formed a walkway to the end of the hall, and there sat Jeannette at her desk. The back walls were behind her desk were made of a reflective glass that looked like a mirror when it was blank. Every few seconds the mirrored glass would change and show a moving lifelike image like a TV screen- a beach, snow covered mountains, a cityscape. She saw a tropical beach that she liked and pressed a button on her tablet that was sitting on her desk to make the image stay on the wall. The large test tubes showed the image as well, making the entire room look like some type of tropical resort and hiding the appearance of the lab.
Jeannette watched as Bernard and his clone soldiers stormed the room. Four of her own black armored clones stepped out from behind the large test tubes to reveal themselves.
"I was hoping it wouldn't come to this... What can I do for you?" Jeannette asked as she steepled her fingers and rested her hands on her desk.
Last Edit: Oct 6, 2015 15:12:29 GMT -5 by FG Admin
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