What makes a man?
"Pardon me, do you have any
Grey Poupon?"
"Huh??!!"
The Crey Power tank turned around just in
time to receive the blunt end of Bear's war hammer under the chin,
which sent him flying upwards, into the sewer pipe ceiling. The result
was satisfying, the tank fell back down on the ground, limp and still.
Bear looked at his hammer head, making sure the metal wasn't chipped
or damaged and grinned in happiness. Life was sweet.
He was making
his way by the sewers to the underground Crey base, punting anyone
he would meet with his hammer, happy as an eight years old with a
new toy. One by one, he had taken out the snipers, permanently, leaving
their still bodies in position. Requisitioning one of their radios,
he had been listening to radio traffic for a while now, and reported
in for the elite shooters, when Crey HQ asked for an all clear. This
wasn't the first time he had to sneak into a base, and he was used
to military procedures.
The damp and smelly sewer pipe could allow
two men of regular size to walk its length without encumbrance, and
so far, he had been challenged by only one patrolling guard, the power
tank that lay at his feet. Bending over, he yanked off the power pack
cable that supplied energy to the power suit. He might wake up, but
he wouldn't be able to communicate or use his powers. Satisfied, he
walked away and headed towards the end of the pipe, where he was sure
he would find an access door that would lead to the boiler room, and
from there, to the inside of the base.
As expected, the door was locked.
He pondered about this for a minute, then decided that the most simple
solution, was probably the best... He knocked. Taking a step back,
he prepared the hammer for a biblical blow. The door opened, and Bear
Cat kicked it the rest of the way, sending a security guard flying
back into the room. He rushed over to him, while he was still surprised,
and knocked him out with a very powerful punch on the nose. The sound
of the bone breaking and blood gushing out of the nostrils indicated
well that this guy was going to wake up with two black eyes, a headache
and a question about which city bus had just ran him over.
Silently
moving up the small steps, he listened on the door, for sounds of
life. Nothing could be heard, not even the sound of a distant conversation.
Gently turning the handle, he edged the door open a bit, peeking inside
the corridor, this base had the same identical layout as the Hunters
HQ. Finding his way around would be easy. He stepped out, and moved
softly towards the first door to his right. Going left meant heading
towards the main hangar, and that meant trouble, so he believed.
Upon
entering the new room, he found an active computer on a desk. Moving
the mouse, the screen came to life. The display contained diverse
results of blood engineering tested on different subjects, he couldn't
decipher the medical mumbo-jumbo he was looking at, but some of the
results referred to heightened senses and super reflexes. He decided
to open the cd drive, and take the laser disc present there, for further
research. Searching further into the documents present on the hard
drive, he found references to several potential targets for blood
sampling, namely members of the Apocalypse and F.R.O.N.T. heroes.
This was troubling, what was Crey Industries up to again. Breaking
out his taser gun, he used it on the computer and fried the whole
system. No data could be used from it, and maybe, if this was the
only copy of the documents, he had sabotaged the plans of the Countess,
and that felt good.
Quietly heading back out, he moved towards what
he knew would be the main operation center of the base, maybe more
answers could be found there. He probably would have to bash in some
heads and break some bones once in there, but then again he felt confident
that his new found toy would help in this. Unchallenged, he made it
to the heart of the base, reaching the closed doors of the old underground
factory. He listened for the tell tale sounds of guards or people
busying themselves, nothing, only quietness. He risked an eye inside,
looking about the huge room. He could hear the soft humming sound
of machineries, the regular beeping sound of medical monitors.
He
entered the room, walked a few steps towards its center, where his
eyes were drawn to a clear glass water container. Inside, a body suspended
in liquid and hooked to several tubes, as well as a breathing apparatus,
could be seen. Blood was being pumped in and out of the naked man.
The scene was surreal and he had to walk closer, not paying attention
to anything anymore. The man inside the tube had a long flowing beard
of several months, the hair was very long also, but the traits were
unmistakable.
"This can't be..." He whispered to himself.
"Stand still
and lay down your weapons." Exclaimed a voice from behind him. Bear
Cat turned around, ready to fight. But he found himself challenged
by twelve Power tanks and several security guards. He was tough, but
not that tough, fighting them meant sure death. He looked around for
an escape route, he had to get back outside, warn the world about
what he had uncovered here. He should've never come alone, this was
too important, he had to flee and bring back a lot of help.
"We will
not repeat it again, lay down your weapons, and surrender yourself,
or die." The Crey Power tank that lead them had taken a step forward.
"All right, all right, you got me." Answered Bear Cat, who threw down
his war hammer and proceeded to unbuckle his battle harness. Letting
everything fall at his feet.
"Now turn around, kneel with your hands
behind your head, no funny moves." The Power Tank had signalled for
security guards to move in on Bear who stood helpless in the middle
of the huge room.
He turned around, facing the water tank once more,
kneeling and putting his hand behind his head. Looking at the man
floating in the water, sleeping and still.
I will get you out here,
even if it means my life, this I swear…
They shackled him, hands and
feet, and escorted him to a prison cell deep into the complex, where
they closed the door on him, leaving him in the dark.