But when he tried to call them forth, there was no answer. He searched through the black void, finally stumbling across their being, but something was wrong; seriously wrong. No one responded. It was as though they were asleep, but that couldn't be. Never before had sleep interfered with their being in communication with him.
What had happened? Had his brief awakening altered his ability to communicate with them? Perhaps, he was misreading the signals. Maybe these beings he sensed were not his children, but they had to be. He could tell his own children, no matter what he'd experienced. He decided to search once more just to be sure. It was on the second search that he stumbled upon a new psychic energy and knew at once this was his missing daughter. She possessed such pure energy. Such a soft glow -- a warmth -- in her being. He instantly connected and knew the love she offered was special.
Oh sure, all his daughters were special, just as every child is special to a parent in some way or another. It wasn't that this one, this one who knew herself as Alp, was any better than the rest. But there was a pureness, some inexplicable something that instantly set her apart. He must know her better. Must have a closer union with her. And, it could not wait.
He touched her with his mind, Come to me, little one. Come at once. It was all he could think to say. It was all that was necessary.
As Chickowski rounded the corner of the hall leading to his office, he noticed Fred rushing from the other direction. Probably with more bad news, he thought. God, I hope he's got enough sense to keep his mouth shut. If he blows this, I'll kill him. Right here in front of them all, I'll blow his brains out. He was relieved to find Fred did have enough sense to play it cool.
As they met in front of Chickowski's office, Fred glanced from Chickowski to Chunk and back to his boss, but kept his mouth shut long enough for Chickowski to take the lead.
"Don't worry, Fred. Everything is going to be all right now. We're just going to step in here so I can bring Chunk and Lionel up to date with the problems we've been dealing with. Why don't you step in with us so you can fill in any of the details I might have forgotten?”
To Chickowski's surprise, Fred took up the hidden message without a pause and fell into step behind Lionel. As they entered the office, he was further surprised to notice Fred strategically place himself slightly behind the other two men. Good, if there were any trouble, he could count on Fred to know what to do. He might have to reconsider taking Fred with him after all.
Chickowski walked over to his desk and sat down, waving the others to sit. As he sat down, he placed his hand on the butt of the revolver that had become his lucky charm. He took a deep breath and started his story about how the Kindred had contracted a mysterious viral infection which had spread through them in less than twenty-four hours. No one had known the source of it, but he had suspected sabotage and had taken immediate action by quarantining the entire wing of the building. As he talked, he studied the facial expressions of both men and had convinced himself they were buying his story when Lionel interrupted.
"What bullshit are you throwing our way, Chickowski?" Lionel's face turned a deep crimson in a matter of seconds. "I don't know what's going on here, but I am sure this fairy tale you just told us couldn't be farther from the truth. I'm going down to the nursery at this very moment and get to the bottom of this my way. I've had it with your meddling and as far as I'm concerned, if you come within a hundred yards of any of those kids, you'll be answering to me. Is that clear?"
Dr. Chickowski stared at the young scientist, momentarily at a loss for words. Before he could respond, Lionel stood up and started for the door.
"Are you coming, Chunk? The only way, to get to the bottom of this, is to see for ourselves what's going on."
The two men had turned towards the door when Chickowski spoke again. "That's as far as you go, you two. Stop right there." He pulled the hammer back on the revolver to emphasize his point. The two men froze in their tracks, as did Fred. "It would have been a lot easier if you had accepted my story, Lionel, but it doesn't really matter. Either way is fine. Fred, check our friend, Chunk, there. I bet he has a little surprise for you inside his jacket."
Fred moved swiftly to Chunk and frisked the large man as Chunk glared darts of anger his way. As expected, he was carrying a handgun also. This one looked like one of those semi-automatics he’d seen when he’d purchased his revolver. Figures he’d have a fancy gun, Chickowski thought.
"Okay, Fred, I want you to keep an eye on these two while I go down and make last minute arrangements. I'll come back up here when everything is ready and get you. If they so much as blink out of sequence, shoot to kill. You got it?"
"Sure, boss. How long before we're leaving?"
"It won't be long now. Plan A is back into effect. I'll come back up or have Barry come get you as soon as it's time. Meanwhile, stay alert."
Chickowski waved his pistol towards the chairs. "Have a seat, gentlemen. I've got some business to attend to. There is some precious cargo due to ship out of here any minute, air express. I must be sure it's properly packaged."
He walked to the door. As he opened it, he turned back to Lionel. "Someday soon, you'll be reading about me and the wonderful discoveries I'm making. I want you to understand that I appreciate the opportunity you've given me. Really appreciate it." He was still chuckling as he walked out the door.
Intensive Care
As the guard led Alp into the Intensive Care Unit that housed her father, she gazed with awe at the elaborate set-up that was needed to monitor and to sustain him. She glanced at the guard with a quizzical look.
"Is all this necessary?" she asked.
"Evidently so, Missy. I'm not one of the high-tech people here. There's usually a nurse watching all this fancy stuff, but it's been so crazy here the last day or so, I guess they've gotten a little slack. From what I understand, nothing ever changes, and so much of this machinery is controlled by computer that a nurse is somewhat redundant. Still, seems a mite bit strange to find no one here."
He pushed the door to Flip's room open and stood aside. "Your dad is in here. Now, all the tubes and everything are going to look mighty strange, but don't fret. They're just what are necessary to keep him comfortable. You go in and say hi. I'll wait out here." The guard gave Alp a warm smile of reassurance.
Alp stepped quietly into the semi darkened room and paused for a moment, while her eyes adjusted. For some reason she couldn't explain, she had made it a point not to reach out with her psychic energy and try to connect with her father. Maybe, she wanted to surprise him or perhaps, she was afraid she'd reach out and not be able to connect with him. Whichever, as she stood only a few feet from his bed, she slowly opened the channels and found the warm and gentle being waiting for her.
Hello, Alp. I knew you would come. Please, step closer. The thoughts were as clear as she'd ever experienced telepathy, even with Mel. Yet they were different. Often, Mel's contact had been abrupt and abrasive, almost intrusive. Not so with her father. There was a natural openness as though he'd only connect with her if she wanted it. She found she very much did. She tiptoed over to the bed and gazed at her father for the first time.
Oh, how handsome he was, she thought. Too thin and without a healthy glow, but then again, he had been in a coma ever since she was born. I bet he was the most handsome man in the world when he was alive.
Thanks for the compliment, Alp, but I am still alive. My body is just on the fritz.
Of course you are. How silly of me, Alp thought back, then, realized she didn't know what else to say. It didn't matter. It had been her father who had requested meeting her. It was just nice to finally be in his presence.
As Alp entered the room, Flip gently established his connection with her so as to not alarm her. He got right to the point.
Alp, you're a very special little girl. I'm sure you know that, but you might not know how special. I know we've only just met and although you know I'm your father, I'm clear it may not mean anything. I've a sense t
hat family hasn't been all that good to you in the past.
His words resulted in Alp reflecting back to the awful treatment at the hands of her mother, and in an instant Flip knew also. I'm sorry, Alp. I never suspected such was going on, and if I had known, I doubt there'd have been much I could have done from this hospital bed.
Flip found he didn't know how to say what he needed to say. What if she refused to help him? What if he had been wrong about her? Hell, what's the harm of finding out? He decided to just barge forward.
Alp, you're a healer. I know you have a magnificent gift, and you know how to use it. Will you heal me, Alp? Will you give it a try?
Chickowski strolled into the nursery with a crisp step of self-confidence he hadn't felt in weeks. Everything was under control. He was going to pull this off. He just knew it. All it would take now was for Brown to get his ass here.
He had no sooner had the thought when he heard the first faint whine of the distant copters. He ran to the back of the nursery to the door that opened on the rear parking lot. As he did so, he shouted to the three nurses who were attending to the Kindred.
"Get ready to roll them outside when I give you the word."
The nurses were too stunned to respond but simply nodded.
Chickowski jogged out to the center of the lot and looking up, tried to decipher the direction the welcomed sound came from. As his gaze circled, he spied two tiny dots in the eastern sky. That must be them. Not one copter, but two. Wonderful. They were coming well prepared to get him and his precious cargo to safety. He was so elated that he felt like taking the gun out and firing a few rounds in celebration but decided the ammo was too precious. He wasn't off the ground yet. Still, too many things could happen.
He turned back towards the nursery door and yelled for the nurses to start bringing the Kindred out. Ten minutes, fifteen at the most, and they'd be in the copters and flying to a new life: research without restraint, unlimited recognition, full honors for the great research. He could hardly wait.
The helicopters came in low over the Dupont Building, waking Mel from his deep sleep. It took him a moment to figure out the copters weren't looking for him but had another destination in mind. He watched as they circled the parking lot below.
What new development was this? More importantly, how could it benefit his intentions of getting his sisters out of Bio-Vita? As he watched, a sly grin spread across his face. I'll be damned -- they're bringing my sisters to me. It couldn't be working better. I won't have to go in and get them. They're bringing them out.
From his vantage point, he could clearly see the gurneys being pushed to the center of the parking area. Now he understood why he'd been unable to make contact with his sisters: they'd been drugged and bound in preparation for this mass exit. Perfect. This was going to be so easy as to not even be a challenge. I'll just wait until they are all loaded before I make my move. This was going to be a real piece of cake.
Lionel leaned back in his chair in a nonchalant manner, but his mind was racing. If they didn't do something quick, Chickowski would escape with the Kindred, and they'd never see any of them again. He couldn't let that happen. Somehow, it was up to him to stop it.
Lionel glanced at his captor who continued to point Chunk's pistol in their general direction. He didn't know Fred very well. He'd only spoken to him on a couple of occasions and during those times, had found it difficult to carry on an intelligent conversation. He figured Fred was more brawn than brains, but at the moment, as long as he had the gun, it might be sufficient.
Then, he got an idea. He eased his chair back onto all four legs and studied Fred closely, shaking his head and smiling as he did so.
"What's so damned funny?" Fred finally asked.
"You are, Duffus. No offense, but Chickowski has sold you a bill of goods."
"What do you mean?"
"Just what I said. He's sold you down the river, and you're too dumb to figure it out. Don't you know he's got you holding us hostage while he makes good his escape? Sooner or later, the police will come when someone reports the kidnapping and all they'll find is poor old Fred, left holding the bag."
"He wouldn't do nothing like that," Fred argued, without much conviction. "He needs me to help him with his experiments."
"Hell, he needs you. What a joke." Chunk took up the line of reasoning. "Techs like you are a dime a dozen. The only thing he needs you for is to make good his escape. After that, you're no better than a used up Petri dish. Face it, man. You've been had."
Fred didn't respond at once, but Lionel could tell the words were sinking in, picking away at his already damaged self-confidence. The last straw came from outside the building. It was the high-pitched whir of approaching helicopters.
"What that?" Fred asked.
"Sounds like Chickowski's ride out of here," Chunk answered.
"'Copters. Nobody told me about no copters." Fred rose to go to the window.
"What else didn't your friend tell you?" Lionel asked.
"Shuddup," Fred barked as he peered between the blinds. It was the moment Chunk had been waiting for. In the instant Fred's concentration was off them, the giant man dove for him. The two crashed against the window and for a moment, Lionel feared the weight of both men would send them through the window and to their deaths on the pavement below.
But the window withstood the blow much better than did Fred, who had the wind whooshed out of him by the sudden attack. It took Chunk only a few seconds to wrestle the gun away and pin him to the floor.
"Quick, you've got to stop Chickowski. If he gets those kids to the copters, we'll never find them."
Chunk turned to Lionel, who was already streaking for the door. "I'll be right behind you as soon as I take care of our friend here."
Lionel didn't wait for any more instructions as he flew down the hall toward the emergency exit. Would he be in time to stop Chickowski? As he ran, he remembered Chickowski also had a gun. No time to go back. He'd have to deal with the disadvantage once he got down there — somehow, but he didn't quite know how.
Alp knew, even before Flip thought it, the reason she was there, perhaps even the reason she'd been born. Her father, the man who had brought her forth into this world, needed her miraculous gift -- a gift that she would gladly give.
She glanced down at his emaciated and twisted body and the deep scar on the side of his head. But could she help him? This was not some simple tear from a barbwire fence. This was major brain damage and no telling what else. How powerful was she, anyway?
She remembered what Mel had said. "You have as much power as I have. It's just channeled in a different direction. You're just more trusting and so haven't needed to find it. One day, when it's really important to you, you'll find it."
It was important now, as important as it was ever likely to be. She stepped closer to the bed and placed her small hand gently on Flip's forehead. She closed her eyes and studied the images that came to her.
Yes, he was damaged, and it was more than his head. He'd also been injured in the groin area and the physical deformity there was more than she knew how to cure.
I can't do anything about your groin injury. There's too much scarring and deformity, she thought to Flip apologetically.
That's okay, honey. I've more than enough children, anyway. Just help me out of this coma. I just need enough of your healing power to get on the other side of the black tide. I've almost done it on my own. I just need your help. I know you can do it. Her father's thoughts were filled with hope. She had to be able to help him, for on the other side of the hope, she picked up another thought, one tied to the flip side emotion — resignation. Her father knew she was his last hope. If she couldn't awaken him, he was going to ask her to pull the plug on his life support system.
No! I won't do that! Alp thought emphatically.
Don't worry, dear. You won't have to do it because I'm going to wake up. Just help me as much as you can.
Alp placed her other hand on her father's c
hest and made connection with his inner self. She didn't concentrate but instead, relaxed. Relaxed and let her healing rays envelop the two of them. She sent the warming glow of love she had for all people radiating in waves to her father. She'd have willingly given all of herself to save him. Willingly, she'd have used herself up in order for him to live in the world. But it wasn't necessary. Long before she felt her own self being used up, she noticed a new awakening emanating from him.
It's happening, sweetie. Just a little longer. I can feel it lifting. This god-awful blackness is finally lifting. Stay with me, just a little longer. Tears flowed freely from the slits of Flip's eyes, dribbling onto the white pillowcase.
Then, his eyelids fluttered for only the third time in three years. This time though, they fluttered with a renewed energy, a renewed compassion for life. They opened with a strong determination to never return to the deep waves of darkness. Flip breathed a long sigh of relief and new life, as he looked into the sweet face of his special daughter.
Bridgette and Denise were both lying on their beds when the sounds of the approaching helicopters pulled them to the window.
"Holy mother of... " Denise started but could not complete the thought.
"Where in the hell did they come from?" Bridgette asked.
"I don't know, but I'd be willing to bet they're not on our side," Denise replied. "What are we going to do?" Then, before Bridgette replied, Denise gasped. "There's that son-of-bitch, Chickowski, and he's waving the helicopters in. Holy shit, he's taking the children out by air. We've got to stop him."
"But how?" Bridgette asked. "It took you thirty minutes to climb down last time, and you almost fell twice. They'll be gone long before that. Besides, if you climb out on the ledge, you'll be a sitting duck. I can't let you do it."
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