HALLOWED_GROUND Read online

  Samuel gritted his teeth, then straightened up. “I’m fine. Take me to them.â€�

  A long corridor with red carpet stretched out before them. The stainless steel panels on the walls gleamed. They hung interspersed with a dark polished hardwood, adding a touch of natural to their refinement.

  Silas walked just ahead of Samuel. He hoped his assumption, about the boy not being capable of reading minds, was correct. It had occurred to him, by now, that he truly could not control this boy’s power by force. Coercion remained his only hope for survival and the chief means by which he could assume power over the Ring and its vast resources.

  The guards allowed Silas to pass with his guest. Large stainless steel doors stood ahead of them at the end of the corridor. “Is that where they are?â€� Samuel asked.

  “Yes, but they’ll have plenty of bodyguards with them.â€�

  Samuel scowled toward the door, then marched on past Silas. “Maybe you should wait here,â€� he suggested.

  Silas wasn’t sure what to say, but he followed after anyway. “I’ll tag along, if you don’t mind.â€�

  The lock on the door popped as Samuel approached. By the boy’s will, the doors swung open into the room. Multiple guns snapped to firing position in the hands of the many bodyguards spread throughout the room. Samuel walked in with Silas following. Ming raised his right hand, stopping the guards from firing. He rose from his chair.

  The five heads of the Ring sat at a large, wooden table with Ming at the far end, directly opposite the door. His expression of cautious anxiety turned to anger when he noticed Silas coming into the room behind the boy. “Silas, what is the meaning of this interruption?â€�

  Silas stood at Samuel’s side. “Isn’t it clear? You hunted this young man and thought to hold him prisoner for your own gain. Samuel wanted to come and let you know he’s not standing for it.â€�

  “This is outrageous!â€� said one of the five heads.

  “It’s no use for any of you to try and weasel your way out,â€� Silas said. “I’ve already told Samuel the truth and blown my cover in order to rescue him.â€�

  Ming’s mouth fell open. “Your cover?â€� He stammered, furious, then turned to Samuel. “Look, young man, I’m not sure what Silas has told you, but he’s lying to you. He’s no more an undercover agent than I am.â€�

  Samuel continued to scowl at Ming. “How would you know…since he was undercover?â€�

  Silas smiled at his old boss. “You see, Ming? Samuel isn’t going to be fooled by your pathetic attempts to save your own skin.â€�

  Ming’s face burned red with fury. “Kill them both!â€�

  Many things happened at once.

  The twenty bodyguards within the room took aim and fired their submachine guns. Laser sights flashed across Samuel and Silas, as he pulled his own gun from its holster under his coat. The five heads of the Ring launched out of their high backed chairs toward the floor, taking cover. Ming stood confidently, smiling at the two men about to die.

  Samuel’s eyes grew wide. Hundreds of bullets drove through the air at over twenty six hundred feet per second. His mind cast a net which ensnared all of them, altering their trajectory. The swarm of projectiles flew into orbit around his body, then back toward the guards who had fired them. In affect, each guard riddled his own body with bullets.

  Silas had flinched reflexively, realizing he was about to be gunned down, but Samuel never moved. Within three seconds the gunfire had ceased, and the last of the burly bodyguards fell to the ground asphyxiating in his own blood. Gun smoke hung in the air. Ming’s confidence morphed into disbelief and fear.

  Samuel stood scowling at Ming. Silas couldn’t believe what he had just seen. He trembled, realizing how close he had just come to death and the power which had prevented it. Though he longed to use that power, he wondered if he had made a deal with the devil which would ultimately come to his own horrible end. Silas decided it was too late to turn back now.

  Samuel boiled with rage, and his breathing grew heavier. “Did you think you could just do anything you wanted?â€� he shouted. The five heads of the Ring levitated off of the floor. Several tried to grab the table, or their chairs, hoping to anchor themselves, but they all slipped away into the air under Samuel’s mental grip.

  Ming also floated up, joining the other five suspended six feet up. “But it wasn’t—â€� Ming tried to say.

  “I don’t want to hear your lies!â€� Samuel shouted. Instantly their whimpering voices silenced. The men grabbed at their throats, choking. They writhed in the air like worms upon hooks. Samuel’s expression grew pained. “I’m not going to be hunted anymore. I’ve been prodded like an animal long enough! You heartless cowards!â€�

  When Samuel said the word heartless, the thoracic cavities of all six men exploded outward, as though their hearts had been ticking time bombs within their chests. Blood splashed across the round table with sickening finality. Samuel’s tension filled body relaxed, and the bodies of Ming and the five heads of the Ring fell to the carpeted floor like two hundred pound rag dolls.

  Silas tried to swallow the growing lump in his throat. On one hand, he had used the boy’s power and just become the sole leader of the Ring. On the other hand, he felt like someone trying to control the release of a hydrogen bomb.

  Samuel turned to him, his breathing becoming normal again. “Take me back to Psy-Corp,â€� he said.

  Silas surveyed the room once more. He had no choice. “All right kid, if that’s what you want.â€� He had started back toward the door when Samuel caught his arm.

  “Silas, remember what you’ve seen today,â€� Samuel warned. “You better be telling the truth.â€�

  HALLOWED_GROUND

  5 FEDERAL CASE

  Jay stood, looking out the back wall of his office through the ceiling-to-floor windows, allowing him a view of Imperial City’s high rise business district. Skyscrapers, much higher than those he remembered from his childhood, raked the passing clouds. From his penthouse office, he watched a puffy white bundle of cotton drift into the building and then disperse around it with the wind.

  All appeared peaceful this high up, but the last twenty-four hours had sobered Jay about the follies of perception. It could change in a heartbeat, and had. A danger unlike any he had ever encountered had been unleashed.

  A chime sounded, and the voice of his receptionist, Lily, came through his office speaker system. “Sir, an agent with the FBI is here to see you.â€�

  Jay sighed. “Thank you, Lily, please send him in.â€�

  “Yes, sir.â€�

  The honey colored door to Jay’s office opened. An oriental man with a crew cut stepped through the door, wearing a dark mod-style suit and thin tie. Ultra retro had been in for some time now, and this particular fashion had made its rounds through popular culture four times already. “Good evening, Dr. Young, my name is Daniel Wong, Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.â€� He removed a digital ID card showing his picture and designation with the FBI. Had Jay wanted, he could have scanned the card to be sure Wong was the genuine article, but he was sure Lily had done it already.

  Jay motioned for him to take one of the seats in front of his desk. “Please sit down.â€� Jay sat behind his desk—a polished black cube made of composite materials, housing a network computer which allowed him instant access to all information concerning Halo Tech Enterprises.

  “What can I do for you, Agent Wong?â€�

  Agent Wong sat down in the chair, smiled cheerfully at Jay, then began. “Dr. Young, I work within a task force that investigates the criminal activities of the organization known as the Ring. Perhaps you’ve
heard of it?�

  Jay’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, I know of it…who doesn’t in Imperial City?â€�

  “Indeed, but I imagine you have a more intimate knowledge, since you were briefly abducted by them as a teenager.â€�

  “I was abducted by Trenton Hallowed,â€� Jay said. “If he was working with the Ring, I suppose you would know more about it than me.â€�

  Agent Wong smiled again. He looked like a tourist about to snap Jay’s picture. “That would be the same Trenton Hallowed who previously held the majority stock share in your company?â€�

  “The same, along with his cousin, Jonathan Hallowed. They co-owned the companies started by their fathers, but I would have thought you already knew that.â€�

  Agent Wong smiled again. “I did. Trenton Hallowed conducted genetic research under the Genetic Corp name, then went on an insane rampage throughout the city. Correct, Dr. Young?â€�

  “Yes,â€� Jay said.

  “I believe Halo Tech was also involved in part of that research wasn’t it, Dr. Young?â€�

  Jay leaned forward. “I believe we’ve already established that Trenton Hallowed owned both companies, Agent Wong. Of course, he could do anything with them he wanted.â€�

  “Hmm, yes, very interesting,â€� Agent Wong said politely. “I’m curious, Dr. Young. What have you been doing with the company since acquiring it from Jonathan Hallowed, upon his death?â€�

  Jay made sure not to smile. Agent Wong did not realize that Jonathan had never contested the death certificate made when he was gunned down in Trenton’s lab thirty years ago. As far as anyone knew, he had been killed, and the body stolen by Trenton Hallowed, never to be recovered. Detective Michael Stamos had never revealed Jonathan’s involvement in Trenton’s capture. The company had passed to Joseph through Jonathan’s will, and from Joseph to Jay after he graduated from medical school.

  Jay steepled his fingers on the desk in front of him. “Agent Wong, since I’m sure you’re driving at something, what do you say we cut the chit-chat?â€�

  Agent Wong’s smile faded to a thin line. “Very well, Dr. Young, we know this company has been responsible for extremely dangerous projects like Dr. Hallowed’s mutagenic experiments, and we also know the sort of research Dr. Sarkov was involved in with his company, Psy-Corp, before you acquired it. Although it doesn’t appear that he had much success, Sarkov worked within a eugenics framework trying to forward human evolution.â€�

  “Agent Wong, it’s true Sarkov hoped to do exactly as you say, but his work hasn’t been successful. In fact, the reason I chose to purchase Psy-Corp was to put an end to the sort of research Sarkov had been doing. Part of his work involved genetically engineered embryos. I wanted to be sure that the resulting children were removed from Sarkov’s research and cared for. Psy-Corp has been a money pit for Halo Tech, nothing more.â€�

  Agent Wong smiled again, but only slightly. “That brings me to my next question, Dr. Young. Who were they looking for?â€�

  “Excuse me?â€�

  “Sarkov’s transport was a medical unit. We have pilots, medical personnel and Dr. Sarkov among those onboard, but there is no record of who they were transporting, presumably under full anesthesia. The Ring went to considerable effort to bring down Sarkov’s medical transport. Who did they take, Dr. Young, and why?â€�

  Jay sighed. “As I’ve said, there were children produced through Sarkov’s research. The children didn’t live very long after puberty and many suffered psychotic breaks before they died. Samuel Stokes was the last of Sarkov’s engineered children. To my knowledge, Sarkov was transporting Stokes to one of his testing facilities in order to provide more appropriate care.â€�

  “Samuel Stokes?â€� Agent Wong spoke into his digital ID card. The card brought up a list of ID photos and references from the World Database located in Rome. “What is the boy’s WCC?â€�

  “Samuel doesn’t have a World Citizen Code Number,â€� Jay said. “He was a lab grown embryo. Sarkov never registered any of them.â€�

  “Why do you suppose the Ring would want to kidnap the boy?â€�

  “Money perhaps? I’d certainly be willing to pay in order to see the boy safely returned. By all means, if any ransom demands come through, I’ll be sure to let you know.â€� Jay looked at the holographic clock on his desk. “I’m late to pick up my daughter. Was there anything else, Agent Wong?â€�

  Agent Wong stood. “At the moment, no, but I’m sure we’ll speak again, Dr. Young. Good day.â€� He turned, walked toward the door, and let himself out.

  Jay watched him go, then released the breath he had been half holding during the entire interview. He hadn’t lied to the agent, but he certainly had not given full disclosure either. Jay hoped the FBI would find Samuel safe and sound, but he imagined reality would come out far worse.

  HALLOWED_GROUND

  6 PSY-CORP

  Dusk had crept across the horizon by the time Silas, and Samuel began their journey toward Psy-Corp laboratories, deep inside Imperial City’s business district in Hilton. Heavy traffic packed the multiple sky-lanes as people traveled home from the daily grind. Jams never occurred within the sky lane. The master computer database for the system controlled every aspect of travel within, keeping a brisk pace.

  Once again, Samuel remained silent during the trip. Silas wondered how he could best make use of the boy and how he could gain sufficient control without getting himself killed in the process. “What are your plans, once you reach Psy-Corp, Samuel?â€�

  Samuel turned to him, his expression cold. “Make them pay.â€�

  “Look kid, I understand you’ve got this whole vendetta thing going, but if you continue on this rampage they’ll hunt us down and—â€�

  “I didn’t ask you to come,â€� Samuel said.

  “Hey, kid, I saved your life.â€� Silas hoped that ace card would keep his own life sacred in the boy’s eyes.

  “That’s the only reason you’re not dead,â€� Samuel said. “If you don’t want to risk a confrontation with the authorities, then don’t come with me. I’ve been under their control my whole life. I’m through running.â€�

  Silas’ gut told him he should abandon the boy to whatever was coming. He had a golden opportunity to simply go back and take control of the Ring, now that Ming and the others were out of his way. Instead, he sank back into his seat. If it was possible to have control of this power, then his ambition told him to stay the course. “Is there someone in particular you’re going after?â€�

  Samuel considered the question. “I don’t want them around to do this to anyone else. Psy-Corp will be removed. But first, I need some information.â€�

  “What kind of information?â€�

  “I’m not the only one of my kind left.â€� Samuel looked at Silas. “We can get what I need from their database.â€�

  •

  Several minutes later, Samuel and Silas left his car parked outside the main entrance to the Psy-Corp building. Skyscrapers drove into the sky in every direction around Psy-Corp’s laboratory, making the squat two story rectangle seem insignificant. The two men walked through the stylish, stainless steel, main doors bearing the Psy-Corp moniker—a silhouette head, and shoulders with a white lightning bolt where the face should be.

  They passed through a metal detection arch, which beeped at Silas’ handgun hidden beneath his jacket. A security guard stepped forward to stop them. Samuel looked at him. The guard fell away, grabbing his throat.

  Samuel knew this building well. He’d spent his entire life h
ere. Silas followed him, waiting for the need to use a little muscle. So far, the kid had it all covered.

  Samuel took a right turn at the first intersection. Stainless steel doors stood ahead of them emblazoned with a warning, “Authorized Personnel Only.â€� Samuel kept going. The doors moved out of his way. Another set of doors held fast with a security input pad mounted to the right on the wall. Samuel blew them wide open anyway.

  Several scientists in lab coats practically jumped out of their skins at the intrusion. An orangutan stirred in his drug induced stupor. The animal sat strapped into a surgical chair with his skull cap removed and electrodes inserted into various places around his cerebral cortex.

  Silas stared at the display. “What in the world are you people doing?â€�

  Samuel glared at the two men and three women in the room, all wearing surgical masks. “What they do best here.â€� He looked at one of the men and addressed him. “Hello, Frankenstein.â€�

  One of the doctors stood up and pulled down his mask, revealing a neatly trimmed goatee. “Samuel, I’m glad to see you safe. We heard you might have been killed.â€� The man looked extremely nervous. Stokes had been the last person they wanted to see.

  “Don’t you mean you hoped I had been killed?â€� Samuel retorted.

  The doctor looked at Silas. “Why did you bring him here?â€�

  Samuel turned on Silas, but kept speaking to the doctor. “Do you know Silas, Frankenstein?â€�

  The doctor became angry. “Stop calling me that!â€�

  “The truth hurts doesn’t it, Dr. Keller?â€� Samuel noticed something in Silas’ eyes—fear. He turned back to Dr. Keller. “I asked you a question, Frankenstein…do you know Silas?â€�