Project: MI
Chapter 21

Carryinga data pad, Daria opened the door to the interrogation room, replaceing Amandasitting at the table calmly. She exhaled a small sigh and approached her.

“Iheard that,” Amanda said, giving Daria pause. Amanda gave her an annoyed faceand tilted her head to one side. “No, I didn’t need my powers to hear it.Besides, you know I’m suppressed. It was administered as soon as your peopleshowed up.”

“Iknow.”

“Thenwhy are you so cautious?”

Darianarrowed her eyes at the other woman. “Don’t act as though you’re my mother,”she said, resuming her approach. Taking a seat, she continued, “You have beencharged with a class four act of terrorism and unlawful use of powers.”

Amandanodded. “What about Kira? Or Ran? Or Romana Pax?”

“RomanaPax is not your concern right now,” Daria replied, taking a seat.

“Daria…”

“Iwould ask that you not refer to me like that…” Daria said, her tone terse. “…ever.”

“Verywell,” Amanda nodded reluctantly. “Director then. I think after what Romana Paxdid to my daughter I have every right to know what is happening to them.”

Dariafrowned slightly. “They will be subject to an extensive federal investigation.Beyond that, I cannot tell you anything.”

“SoI won’t learn anything at all then.”

Dariaplaced her data pad on the table and leaned forward, folding her handstogether. She tossed her head slightly, throwing back a strand of hair thatfell over her eyes. “What would you do if I told you anything?”

Thetwo looked at each other for a moment, nothing and everything passing betweenthem, before Daria finally took hold of her pad and touched its screen, causingit to light up and display information. “Ran is going to be committed. Herpowers fall below the threat level that would cause an Epsilon Sentinel toexecute her, so be thankful for that. Properly suppressed, doctors can helprepair whatever damage was done to her. As for Kira…” She brushed her fingerson the screen, changing information being displayed. She looked back up atAmanda. “Her file has not yet been processed. Someone has, interestinglyenough, been combing through the net and eliminating any files or images thatmight incriminate her in today’s events. No one even knows she was caught up inthe mess, using her powers, except us, the civilians who saw her, and whoeverher ‘benefactor’ is.”

Sheleaned back a bit before continuing. “They’ve been trying to get through oursecurity as well, but they haven’t succeeded.”

Malcolm…Amanda mused, biting her lower lip. “Are you asking if I know?”

“Doyou?”

“Not…untiltoday, just before I rescued Ran.”

Dariabrought the tips of her fingers together, tapping them gently against eachother. “I believe you didn’t know a lot of things about what your daughter wasdoing. Perhaps Burton was wrong to force you to keep such a low profile. Youmight have picked up on it sooner.”

“Herpowers…”

“Iknow about the destructive interference,” Daria said dismissively. “I don’tcare.”

“Isee… So she’s not telling you anything?”

“No,”Daria admitted. “At least, not yet. She inherited your stubbornness along withyour powers.”

“Andyou’re hoping that someone who cares for her will be more cooperative?”

“Yourdaughter was in contact with what appears to be a subversive element, and yousaid you know who it is. Your ‘caring’ about her wellbeing is incidental,though it is convenient. Give me a name, and I can help your daughter. She’llreceive a lesser sentence and fair treatment from our facilities.”

Amandaeyed Daria carefully before speaking. “I have a better idea.”

Dariaturned her head to the side slightly, suddenly suspicious. “No, this is thedeal you get.”

“Youcome in here and tell me to give names when I’m worried about Kira? I may havemissed what my daughter was up to, but it seems to me that you think your‘subversive’ is a big deal. I know who you’re dealing with as well. You’ll needevery advantage you can get. You mayeven need me.”

Dariastood up and collected her data pad. She lifted it in front of Amandaindicatively. “There’s a timer on this offer. I can’t keep the story frombreaking forever. And you know we have an Epsilon Sentinel in theneighborhood.”

Amandadidn’t say anything as Daria exited the room. Closing the door behind her, sheturned toward Kelly, who stood there waiting patiently.

“Shesaid no I take it?”

“Youwere right,” Daria nodded, grimacing.

“Idid say that your bias would blind you. Her psychological profile is quitemeticulous on this matter.”

“We’llsee. We still have time.” Daria shook her head in disbelief. “All right. Whatabout our hacker? What’s the progress?”

“Histracks are covered well. We can’t locate him by any means at our disposal. Hisattacks on our systems are becoming more sophisticated.”

“Andthe back entries we discovered?”

“Closedand secure for now.”

Thank the gods…She still couldn’t believe that their attacker had gotten so far into theirsystems without their realizing it. It was a miracle that they discovered themwhen they did, otherwise all the informationregarding Kira’s involvement would have been lost. Not that it would make aconviction or anything else impossible, but it would be…troublesome to say theleast. The government didn’t need another martyr on its hands. Especially ifthe hacker remained on the loose and able to blow the whistle on them. Dariashivered at the thought. The CHC had enough dirty laundry as it was.

“Atany rate, She claims to know who it is that’s trying to hack us. Have someonedo a rundown on anyone and everyone she knew or knows…”

“Shehas an incomplete profile on account of being off the radar for the better partof a century,” Kelly reminded.

“Doit anyway. It might be someone she knew back during the Bronze Age and we’redealing with what looks like an expert hacker, possibly with a genius levelintellect like the Teruo child. There aren’t too many heroi like that so itshould help narrow things down.”

“I…don’tthink it helps.” Kelly cast an uncertain look at her. “Too many heroi from theBronze Age were left unaccounted for after the Great War and the Exileperiods.”

Dariamassaged the bridge of her nose, feeling her head beginning to throb. “Just getit done. I want to have something topresent to the higher ups when they ask for a report.” I still need to figure out what I’m going to leave out or if I’m goingto leave out anything at all! Lifting her hand to her mouth she resistedthe urge to chew on her thumbnail—an old habit from her college days. Realizingthis, she dropped her hand and shook it hard, as though to scold it.

If only things were as simple asthey were in those old days, shecommiserated.

Nojob was ever simple. That was the thought running through Bruce Kane’s mind ashe strode into the hospital’s entrance and quickly recognized Libby Grey—themother of the heroi known as Jamie Grey—standing at the main desk, beinginterviewed by a pair of CHC agents and flanked by two local law enforcementofficers. Her expression was one of barely-checked distraught. This pleased himand he made his way over to her. As he did so, he picked up their conversation.

“…Companionassigned to him was not on him at the time of the attack,” said one of theagents. “We need to give you fair warning that this won’t look good with thecourts…”

“Courts?!”Libby’s eyes became angry daggers and she took a threatening step toward thetwo agents, being stopped only by a firm grasp on her shoulder by one of theofficers. “My son is in that hospitalbed with his neck broken!!! Andyou’re talking about involving the courts?!He was attacked! You have his friend’s statement! You have an entire neighborhood block!”

Thetwo agents exchanged glances. Bruce did not envy them, having to be the bearersof bad news.

“I’msorry ma’am,” said one of them, an older fellow with salt peppering hisotherwise blonde hair. “We’re just following protocol on the matter. HisCompanion wasn’t on him. Without proper documentation it leaves his storysuspect. I don’t mean to imply anything, but that’s just how the law is.”

Brucecould almost feel the anger swelling inside the women like a volcano about todetonate. Clearing his throat upon approach, he announced himself loudly enoughto cut into the conversation and draw the attention of those involved in theconversation.

“Thatwill be enough for now, agents.” He nodded to the officers behind Libbyrespectfully, pulling out his ID and showing it for them to see. “If you wouldall leave now, I will take care of the remainder of this matter.”

Theagents nodded to the officers, recognizing him. “We’ll keep in touch, ma’am.”With that said, the group departed, leaving Bruce alone with Libby.

“Allowme to introduce myself,” he said. “My name is Bruce Kane. I represent a branchof national security connected to the CHC known as the Epsilon Sentinels. Youcould say that I am the final arbiter of cases such as what your son, JamieGrey, was involved in.”

“Apleasure I’m sure,” Libby said bitter sarcasm. “I suppose I don’t need tointroduce myself, do I?”

“Notin the least. I actually would like to interview you… Or rather hoped for it,although I imagine that this situation will make that a difficult matter.”

Libbyregarded him suspiciously. “There’s a choice?”

“Itis preferable,” Kane admitted. “But no, it’s not. Not anymore at least. I wasin the middle of interviewing your husband when I heard about this…incident. Itundoubtedly changes things with his case.”

“Ohgods…” Libby ran a hand over one eye and turned away. “Why is this happening?He just wanted to live a normal life!I wanted him to live a normal life!”

Kaneblinked at that.

A far different reaction than theboy’s father… Kane took note of the differencebetween the two before resuming.

“Iassure you, Mrs. Grey, your son will receive justice. There’s no need to beafraid.”

“Butthat’s what I’m afraid of…” Libby replied with a touch of bitterness, fixingKane with a dark look. “Are you going to hold that against me?”

Kanedid not answer her question. Instead he opted to change the subject. “If wecould go see your son now…” he began, only to stop as the lights in thehospital flickered. He felt the back of his neck tingle and information came tohim.

Q-Field detected in heroihospital wing, registering at a particle density of 20 parts per million andrising. Judicial protocol initiating.

BruceKane frowned, not liking this development. It seemed that he was going to beamong the list of people that Libby Grey was angry with.

AsKane and Libby became closer to the heroi wing, the flickering of the lightsintensified, and the staff could be found racing down the halls, accompanied byGuardians as they checked in on various patients.

Particle density increasing to 24parts per million, Kane thought. Is he going Gamma?

“What’sgoing on?” asked Libby, becoming increasingly concerned at the tense atmospherearound them. Somewhere down the hall came an inhuman, almost animal-likescream. At it, Libby nearly dashed forward toward its source, only to be caughtby Kane at the last moment. “Let me go!” she snarled. “Jamie…!”

“Mrs.Grey,” he interrupted calmly, “perhaps it would be a good idea for you toreturn to the main lobby. There is clearly something going on here and it wouldbe a terrible idea for a civilian to remain here.”

Ashe spoke, he received more information. Particledensity rising to 24.5 parts per million… Not a good sign. His Companion Deviceis sending out a distress call… He frowned mentally. Interesting. The Q-Field is causing some interference, preventing thesignal from having much range.

Libbytried to throw Kane’s arm off, but found little luck in the attempt. Kane’sgrip remained adamant as ever.

“I’mnot going back down there,” she growled. “I… I need to see him.”

Kanetook a close look at her face and found himself surprised by the breadth ofemotion in her eyes. It was as though a dam had been breached and she came to asudden realization about something. Whatever it was, it stood out in starkcontrast to her husband’s attitude, and indeed what he knew of her personalprofile.

This will require furtherinvestigation, but for now…

Placinghis fingers against Libby’s face, thin strands of golden energy flowed betweenthem and at once Libby became a rag doll in his arms, slumping over. Lookingup, he saw a group of Guardian Spheres swiftly approaching. Getting to his feethe held out a hand. In the back of his neck, the thin rod imbedded glowed bluefor a moment and the Guardian Spheres announced him.

“Epsilon Sentinel, Bruce Kane,”spoke the lead sphere.

“Roundup some nurses and have this woman escorted back to the lobby. Inform thedoctors that concerning Jamie Grey they are not to do anything except what Iorder until I get there. Is that understood?”

“Understood and complied,”said the lead sphere, eye blinking twice in acknowledgement.

“Good,”nodded Kane. One problem solved. “Nowthis is what I need from the doctors…”

Inhis mind’s eye, he was still there; still on the ground outside of Justin’shouse. He heard the sounds—the sound of someone, Kira he thought, fighting theshadow person. The same shadow person that stole Monster from him. The same onethat attacked him and his friends at school.

Don’t be a coward! he shouted mentally at himself.Help her!!!

Hisbody refused to so much as budge. Instead, pain burned along the length of hisneck—the only sensation he felt at all—causing him to gasp and choke. Spitbubbled at the corners of his mouth.

Move! Move already! Why won’t you…move?! Jamieraged and shouted in his head, trapped, but still his body refused to move. Howlong this went on, he had no idea. Here and there a light broke across hisvision and he would hear voices speaking about him worriedly… Justin? hewondered. Or was it Justin’s mother? Or perhaps Beth? The voices offered noanswers, and often vanished almost as soon as they came, while he stayed herewith only the sound of Kira’s battle for company like a bad song stuck onrepeat.

Finally,after an unbearable eternity, the sounds stopped and a figure, obscured by thesunlight, stood over him. Growling—or rather choking—Jamie struggled to get up,but still his body refused to cooperate.

“Playwith me now,” the figure said, kneeling down toward him, hand outstretched.Jamie shrank—or at least tried to—away from the figure. Light flared around hisbody and dark curls of smoky shadow began to rise toward the figure, whippingand slashing like angry serpents. The figure pressed its hand against histemple, unmindful of their presence and said something unintelligible. Lightburst across Jamie’s vision and in one, fleeting moment before he felt theground cave away beneath him, words he didn’t expect came unbidden to his lips.

“Brother!There was no brother! I’m not…!”

Hiseyes snapped open and thunder exploded outward.

Thesudden loss of the Companion’s signal was all the warning he had before amassive explosion racked the hospital and Kane felt the floor beneath him giveaway. The hallway in front of him shattered into chaos and thunder, swallowingseveral nurses. Fire and smoke swarmed toward him and in response he felt atingle on the back of his neck. White light washed across his body and theflames passed over him harmlessly. He rose through the smoke, quickly replaceingsafe harbor deep within the hospital, or at least as safe as one could get atthe moment. With only a glance he could see the tremendous gaping hole that hadbeen gutted into the building’s side like a horrific, black wound. Smokespilled into the air, only just allowing the smallest trickles of daylightthrough, and there were screams everywhere.

Inthe midst of the smoke, he saw a figure floating in the air, body limp like adoll whose strings had been cut…or someone executed by hanging.

Hetightened his fists before taking back to the open air again, floating uptoward the figure. As if sensing his approach, the figure turned in hisdirection. His features drew clearer with every second until, finally, Kane wasable to identify him.

“JamesGrey,” he said without surprise. The boy simply narrowed his eyes dangerouslyat him and light sprang up around him. Kane felt a tremendous force pushagainst him, but his own Q-Field surrounded him, brushing the force off withalmost contemptuous ease.

Q-Particle count is at thirtyparts per million. He’s just testing me…

“Whydon’t you come down to ground level, so we can talk about this,” he saidcalmly. “You have lost control of your powers. We need to get you treated.”

Thelook in Jamie’s eyes—darker and much older—told him that he would not bereasoned with.

“Iknow what you did to me!” Jamieshouted. The light began to swim up his body, centering around his neck. Therigid collar around it ripped away and was dropped like garbage. His head roseand there came a loud snap. Red flushed the length of his neck, and fleshswelled as he gritted his teeth. Kane’s eyes widened in mild surprise.

Self-regeneration withtelekinesis administered assistance to reset the injury. That is…not what Iexpected. He’s instinctively using his powers…

“Whatdid we do to you?” he prompted, floating closer. Jamie raised one hand and atonce Kane froze in place.

“Don’tcome near me!” he growled, the swelling in his neck rapidly subsiding as theregeneration finished its work. “Everyone wants something from me and I’m sick of it!” His mouth twisted into asnarl. “You people should have let me stay dead.”

Kanewas about to say something when a Guardian laser struck Jamie in the shoulder.With his inexperience mangled by the unexpected attack, his Q-Field winked outof existence and he plummeted to the streets below. Kane felt the telekinetichold on his body vanish and he quickly raced after the falling youth, grabbinghold of him before he impacted the ground…only to be struck by his Q-Fieldaugmented fist a fraction of a second after doing so. Kane smashed into theremains of a parked car, barely holding onto his own Q-Field. Disentanglinghimself from the ruins he massaged his jaw, testing his teeth with his tongue.

I’m lucky he wasn’t able tocharge that one up fast enough; otherwise he could have taken my head off. Hesighted James staggering to his feet, his hospital gown swaying slightly. Hiseyes were red and he looked confused. A swarm of Guardians were rapidlysurrounding him and began to emit a vibrating hum. Kane nodded. They wereattempting to deploy a net in thehopes of deactivating his powers, and if successful all but the mostexperienced heroi couldn’t break free. The problem with that however involvedthe time required to do so—eight seconds—and if there was even the slightestdisruption—such as one of them being destroyed—then the net was useless. Alltoo often Guardians simply did not have the time or the terrain to safely useit on their target.

Inan attempt keep the boy chained the Guardians began firing on him. Laserslanced out, connecting with Jamie’s skin, causing him to shout and raise a handin response.

Kane’sQ-Field flashed and at once he was there, grabbing hold of his wrists andchanging their target to his currently invulnerable body. His suit exploded,sending black and white burning tatters flying through the air, but Kane’s bodyremained unharmed. Roaring angrily, Jamie’s eyes turned black and he headbutted the man, slamming into his sternum. Kane grunted in pain, feeling hisribs flex into his organs and he bowed slightly, pavement cracking from hisattempt to remain rooted. He refused to let go and tightened his grip. His strength…! It nearly overpowered hisinvulnerability. He didn’t think he could contain the boy any further. The net…!

Anothercry and this time the boy kicked,leaping up and stabbing his legs into the man’s stomach. Kane let go this timeto prevent being skewered and in the next instant pain exploded across hisshoulder as he clipped a concrete column at the hospital’s main entrance beforecrashing through the wall leading to the waiting area. He rolled with the blowand was back on his feet within a second. Pain throbbed in his body, but asnear as he could tell he was still in good condition without injury.

Asfor Jamie, he was on the ground now, a field of crimson energy surrounding him,the chords of his neck standing out prominently as he let out a strangled howl.Bending down, his Q-Field flickered chaotically before finally explodingoutward, catching the Guardians and shattering them. The crimson fieldcollapsed, leaving Jamie to do likewise, hitting the ground with a heavy crack.He lay there, unmoving. With a quick flicker, Kane was by his side. Kneelingdown he reached for his neck, checking his pulse.

Weak, but still there.He looked around him at the wreckage of the streets and the hospital. This…complicates matters.

“So strong… Too strong,” hewhispered under his breath, retracting his hand. Massaging it briefly, hereached forward once more. His fingers pressed against Jamie’s face, and atonce black lines fanned out across his skin and began to spread like wildfire,causing Jamie’s head to jerk as he gasped, light flashing around his body. Theground shook quaked violently, nearly causing Kane to lose his balance beforedying down. Kane withdrewhis hand from Jamie’s face and sighed heavily as the boy’s head went slack, hiseyes open but unseeing. Black veins ran the entire length of his body. Thatwould change in time though. Feeling suddenly dirty, Kane wiped his handsfastidiously against each other

“It appears,” he said in aquiet voice, “that we are going to have to start all over again.”

Maybenext time we’ll have better luck…