by Ben Brown
“No, thank you, I still have a bit of a headache,” Lea said as she placed a hand over the top of the glass.
“Maybe you would like some water, or something to eat. Caviar perhaps?” The flight attendant asked in a thick Russian accent.
“No, thank you, I’m fine.” Lea shook her head. “Dominic, when will this damned headache pass? It’s becoming very annoying.”
Lea hadn’t had a headache, a cold, or as much as a runny nose since she’d been enhanced. The pain she was experiencing unsettled her.
“Your discomfort should ease soon, my dear. The nanites are working on your neural pathways. It shouldn’t take more than two or three hours. Try and grab some sleep, the rest will do you good. I’ll wake you before we land.”
“That’s a good idea, I am so very tired. I certainly feel like I need a good sleep.” With that, Lea closed her eyes and tried to get some rest, but sleep wouldn’t come. She had too many images and thoughts rushing through her mind. What will Zac do when we meet? How can I make him realize that we were wrong about Dominic?
* * *
As she lay with her eyes shut, Dominic watched her intently. He could tell she was still conflicted, but he knew that would pass. Soon she would be his most valuable weapon.
“Mr. Skinner,” the attendant said, interrupting his thoughts. “We have been contacted by your people in the U.K. They are on the phone for you.” She held out a silver tray, on it sat a satellite phone.
Dominic smiled as he took the phone. “Thank you. Could you give me some privacy please, just while I take this call — you understand?”
She smiled and nodded, then headed off to the cockpit.
Dominic waited for the door to close before he spoke.
“Dominic here, who is this?”
“Dominic, it’s me, Michael. I have your father, but I have hit some problems.”
“Problems … what problems are you referring to? I feel I must warn you, any failures on your part will result in an unpleasant outcome; do we understand each other?”
The phone fell silent for a moment or two. Dominic could hear Michael’s breathing, and he knew his threat had caused the desired effect. Dominic knew that Michael wouldn’t let him down; still he enjoyed intimidating even his most loyal servants. And Michael was indeed one of them.
* * *
Michael had been a Catholic priest serving in Africa as a missionary when Dominic found him. He was devoted and determined to provide a safe, nurturing environment for the boys that had been placed in his care. However, one night, a bloody massacre took the lives of every child.
Up until that point his belief in God had been unshakable. The monks at his orphanage had raised him to be a good Catholic, and he’d never doubted.
He’d decided at an early age that it was his calling to help the poor and helpless of the world. It seemed all the more relevant being an orphan himself. It was this belief which had led him to Africa, but that belief had been crushed with the murders of so many innocent children. How had God allowed such hideous evil to occur?
Then, as if by a miracle, Dominic appeared just one day after the heartbreak of so many deaths. Dominic changed Michael. He made Michael powerful. Michael knew that from that point on, he would be able to destroy all evil that crossed his path.
He knew that with Dominic’s guiding, loving hand, he would become like his namesake — the archangel Michael, God’s warrior, the great prince who stands up for the children. He would become Dominic’s to command, and he would wipe the world of all wrongdoers.
* * *
“The problem is minor, Dominic, it’s nothing to worry about. The authorities have discovered your father’s abduction; we will simply have to take the longer route to exit the UK. This means our arrival in Africa will be delayed by one day. I apologize and accept full responsibility for my failures; I will accept any punishment you see fit.”
Dominic smiled. He had guessed the authorities would discover his father’s disappearance quicker than he had originally anticipated. The speed at which his house in the Hudson valley had been exposed surprised him; because of this he anticipated further complications.
Zac and Lea were a formidable team, but now that team had been destroyed, broken apart. Lea was his to command, things would once again follow his plan.
“Very well, Michael, I will see you in a few days. Don’t allow anything else to get in the way; we can’t afford any more delays.”
Dominic ended the phone call with a press of a button. He returned his gaze to the restless Lea and pressed the intercom button. “May I have some more champagne please, and perhaps some of that delicious caviar?”
16
Michael placed the mobile phone in his pocket, and then headed back to the small and inconspicuous car. Skinner sat in the front passenger seat, his wrist handcuffed to a bracket beside the parking brake. The bracket had clearly been fitted for that express purpose. He watched as Michael returned to the car.
“Did you say hello to Dominic for me?” Skinner quipped.
“Sorry, Doctor, I …” Michael stopped himself a mid-sentence — why was he apologizing to this old man?
“No matter, we will meet soon enough.
“Your face is healing nicely, by the way. Subjects’ healing abilities really are quite remarkable, don’t you think?”
“Thank you, yes I do seem to heal fast. It's a miracle, and it’s due to Dominic.”
Michael rubbed his cheek, feeling the healing wound which Skinner had inflicted six hours earlier.
Six hours earlier
Doc worked franticly trying to find anything that might help Zac and Lea. He was close to having a fully tested and effective viral nanite that would deactivate Dominic’s strain. If his nanites worked, he would finally be able to help Dominic’s enhanced subjects.
“Intruder alert. Security boundary is being breached,” announced the calm female voice of the computer.
Doc flicked a switch and brought up an image from the security cameras monitoring the perimeter of his facilities. Camera six had caught an intruder breaking through the outer fencing; Doc zoomed in on the man’s face.
“Computer, go to voice control.”
“Voice control activated, ready for instructions, Doctor.”
“Run face recognition protocols on the intruder and lock down the base.”
Doc started franticly collecting up all his notes. He then fed them into the shredder, which in turn incinerated the remains.
“The intruder’s identity is as follows: Michael Patrick O’Kieth, born April one, 1973 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Michael Patrick O’Kieth’s parents both died in a Protestant bombing in 1980. The Brothers of Saint Bartholomew orphanage then raised Michael Patrick O’Kieth until the age eighteen.
“At the age of twenty-one he became a priest, at which point he was assigned to work as a missionary in a boys’ home in Zimbabwe. He remained there until his disappearance on September twenty-one, 2007. His disappearance coincided with the mass murder of all the children in his care. Michael Patrick O’Kieth was presumed dead, killed along with the children. His remains were never found.
“Report ends.”
As Doc listened to the computer’s report, he watched the man carefully on the monitors. The man on the screen was short, maybe five-two — five-three, but no more. He was stocky and muscular and had wavy, almost wiry hair. He was quick and agile too, obviously enhanced.
“Computer, prepare a saline solution, 100ml should do. Impregnate it with the viral nanites, one thousand times the normal dose.”
“Acknowledged, Doctor; the solution will be ready in two minutes and thirty-four seconds.”
Doc ran to the kitchen, heading straight for the cutlery drawer. He pulled out the largest butcher knife he could find, then turned and headed back to his lab.
“Intruder has breached the secondary perimeter. Intruder is now within the complex.” The computers’ voice was impassive.
“Damn, he’s
fast.
“Computer, encrypt all hard drives, 512-bit encryption algorithms. Allow only Zac, Lea and me access. If anyone begins to break through the encryption, delete all data.”
“Acknowledged, Doctor. Commencing encryption. Full data encryption will be achieved in five minutes and twelve seconds.
“Doctor, the nanite solution will be completed in eighteen seconds.”
Doc was back in the lab; he headed for the device which manufactured the nanites. A few seconds later, a small metallic door opened, and a robotic arm appeared. In its mechanical grip it held a glass vial.
Doc took the vial and held it up to the light. It contained a slightly opaque liquid that had a syrupy appearance, due to the high density of nanites it contained. Although the nanites were too small to see with the naked eye, the sheer number in the liquid caused the glutinous effect.
Doc poured the mixture over the blade of the knife; using his finger, he smeared it on both sides of the blade.
“Intruder has compromised final security precautions. The intruder is heading for the main laboratory and will arrive in less than thirty seconds. It is time to leave, Doctor; your safety has become compromised.”
“I’m not leaving; I want him to find me. Computer, activate the simulator, emergency program Skinner One. Make sure all safeties are on. I don’t want him harmed by anything but me.”
“Simulation activated, two minutes until full data encryption is complete.”
“Thank you, computer. Deactivate voice command.”
Doc ran towards the simulation room, making sure to upset some furniture along the way. He wanted the intruder to follow.
* * *
Michael burst through the door of the main lab; his eyes scanned the room with lightning speed. It was clear which direction the old man had taken. Michael followed at a full run.
He followed the old man into a room. It contained nothing but a single door; he headed for it, snapping it open quickly.
Michael couldn’t believe his eyes. He looked back into the room through which he had just passed. The door seemed to lead to a city street, but that wasn’t possible. He had memorized the complete layout of the facility, yet he had no recollection of this room. It hadn’t appeared on any of the plans he’d seen.
What’s going on? he thought, then he spotted the Doctor — he was running down the street, looking over his shoulder as he went. He spotted Michael and increased his pace. Michael was on the old man in a split second, hitting him from behind. Both men went to the ground.
“Don’t struggle. If you do, I will need to use force, and I really don’t want to hurt you,” Michael pinned one of the old man’s arms behind his back.
Then suddenly Skinner was gone. The old man just disappeared.
What on earth just happened? Michael scanned the crowd as he knelt on the ground. Then he saw Skinner, at least a hundred feet away.
Michael was on his feet again and running. It took him less than a second to catch up with the old man. Skinner had his back to Michael, and as he reached to grab him, Skinner rotated on the spot, slashing a large knife across his attacker’s mid-section.
Michael winced, but felt no pain. He looked down, but saw no signs of a knife wound; even his clothes seemed to be undamaged. Michael looked up, and once again, the Doctor was gone.
Dominic never mentioned anything like this! Can his father teleport?
Michael lost sight of Skinner; he had no idea where he’d gone. He began to walk slowly down the street, looking up every alleyway; nothing — the old man had gone.
Then, without warning, Skinner suddenly appeared and plunged the knife deep into Michael’s chest. Skinner’s sudden appearance stunned Michael, but once again, he felt no pain.
Michael grabbed the old man’s wrist and wrenched his arm backwards, ripping the knife from his chest. However, as the knife drew clear of his body, he could see that the blade was incomplete. Had the blade snapped off inside him? It didn’t feel as if it had. Suddenly, the blade materialized; rejoining with the handle. Michael screamed with frustration and threw the old man back against a wall. Once again, the Doctor disappeared into the thin air.
“Very clever Doctor, this may all be fake, but I know you are here somewhere. I will find you, I …”
Michael turned his head to see another Doctor only feet from him. He looked around … how many more of these old fools were there? As Michael’s face came back in line with his adversary, he swung his blade.
Michael didn’t react. He didn’t think the Doctor would attempt a brazen, full out attack. He was wrong. The blade opened a large gash across his face, his cut reaching all the way to the bone. Michael swung wildly at his attacker’s head with the back of his hand. The old man fell unconscious to the ground.
As soon as the old man hit the floor, the simulation ended. Michael picked up his limp body, throwing it over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He made his way out of the building and headed back to his car, which was parked about half a mile away. It was nine thirty pm, which meant he would soon be covered by darkness. Doctor Skinner’s complex was located deep in the Berkshire countryside; there were no neighbors for miles. He felt sure he would not be seen.
* * *
As the old man came round, he realized he was in a small car. He reached for his head, which was still throbbing from Michael’s blow. However, his hand jerked to a stop. He looked down and found his wrist was hand-cuffed to a bracket.
“Doctor Skinner, good to see you back among the living. Now if you show me that I can trust you, then, and only then, will I undo your restraint.”
Doc looked at Michael. The cut to his cheek had already begun to seal. I hope enough nanites got into his blood stream. Well, I will be able to tell soon enough.
“Doctor, are you listening to me?”
“Oh yes — yes, I’m sorry. I think I’m still a bit dazed.”
Michael seemed concerned by his remark. This offered the old man some hope.
“Do you mind telling me where we are going? I assume we are going to see my son. Am I right?”
“You’re correct, Doctor. Dominic has asked me to bring you to him. However, I believe it would be imprudent of me to tell you where that meeting place is.”
“Well played, my boy. I would consider it imprudent of you to tell me where he is as well. No, I will sit back and enjoy the ride — and I give you my word, I won’t try to escape. I haven’t seen my son in some years, and I look forward to being re-united.”
Doc was looking out the side window as Michael eyed him suspiciously. He was surprised by the fact that he wanted to see his son; this didn’t seem like the man Dominic had described.
“You wish to see your son? Why? I thought you loathed him.”
Doc’s head snapped around in Michael’s direction. “I don’t loath Dominic. He’s my son, I love him deeply. I know that much of what has happened in the past few years is my fault, but …” Doc looked back out of the window.
“But what, Doctor?”
“I don’t know what I can do to rectify the situation. I know Dominic won’t listen to me. I know he will most likely try to kill me, but I need to see him. I miss him, and I need to try and help him.” Doc’s voice cracked as he uttered his last few words. His eyes never left the window.
* * *
Michael watched as the old man’s free hand came up to his face to wipe a tear from his cheek.
Either he is the most cunning enemy I have ever seen, or he has finally seen the error of his way. Maybe Dominic will spare him if he sees he has truly repented.
Michael drove through the night; neither spoke for the next hour.
Michael listened to the police scanner, which lay in his lap. It was clear that the police were now looking for him and his prisoner. He hadn’t expected the Doctor’s disappearance to become known until at least the morning; he would need to inform Dominic.
Michael pulled the car over at 3:00 am; he looked at the old man sitting beside h
im, he was asleep. His head leaned against the glass of the door; a small mist pattern expanded and contracted with every breath. Michael left the car to make the call.
* * *
Doc woke at the sound of the door closing. He looked around to see why they had stopped; he saw Michael standing a few feet from the car. He watched as Michael spoke on a phone; he could tell he was speaking to Dominic. His body language had become tense, as if he were talking to an angry superior.
Michael placed the phone back in his pocket and headed for the car. Doc straightened himself in the seat as Michael opened the driver’s door and sat back behind the wheel. He started the engine.
“Did you say hello to Dominic for me?” Skinner quipped.
“Sorry, Doctor, I …” Michael stopped himself a mid-sentence. Why was he apologizing to this old man?
“No matter, we will meet soon enough.
“Your face is healing nicely, by the way. Subjects’ healing abilities really are quite remarkable; don’t you think?”
“Thank you. Yes, I do seem to heal fast. It's a miracle, and it’s due to Dominic.
“Stop calling me Doctor, or Skinner. Most people call me Doc. I’d like it if you would do the same.”
Michael thought about it for a moment; he could see no harm in granting the old man’s request. After all, it might make him easier to handle.
“Okay, Doc it is, but I feel I must warn you, this is just a courtesy. It does not reflect any change in my feelings towards you.”
Doc knew that Michael’s last statement wasn’t quite true. Michael didn’t know it yet, but Doc knew that his nanites were destroying Dominic’s, and this was the first sign of Michael returning to normal.
“Of course, my boy, you’re just here to do your job, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be pleasant to each other.”
Doc looked back out of the window, and allowed himself a small smile.
“Now Michael, don’t you think it’s about time to take off my handcuff? You must realize by now that I’m not going to escape. ”
Michael looked at the old man for a few seconds, then without a word he released his wrist from its restraint.
