Genetic X #3 By Supereub Edited by Kingbob ------------------------------------ Rebellion's Demise ------------------------------------ Nathienal Essex's Genetic Research Labs off the coast of San Francisco The Control Room "Excellent," Nathienal Essex muttered, standing behind the row of officers sitting by the computer base and manning the main station controls. The room was dark, overwhelmed with shadows, except for the dim computer screen lighting a section of the wide room. "We've managed to slaughter a quarter of their forces without losing too many lives of our own. We have also gained their base perimeters...I am pleased." "Sir!" one of the soldiers placed his communicator back in his belt pouch. "The Marauders should be arriving in a few minutes." "Report" Essex queried. "Scratching his neck, the soldier replied. "Forge Blackwing has escaped with some of the captives. Although, we've managed to halt two dozen jeeps and transportation vehicles that were heading north. We've retrieved about a hundred genetic captives." "Good," Essex nodded, gazing at the computer maps on the large screen directly across from him. "Once my band of Marauders return, inform Remy and Crusher that I will need them to search the Mutant: Underground perimeter for any information or captives we can get . Also tell them that I need them to find Jono Starsmore...he deserves a reward him for his efforts." "Yes sir, but I'm afraid..." the soldier said in a very unpleasing tone to Essex. "What has occurred?" "As for Crusher Creel," the soldier said. "We were unable to get ahold of him through his communicator. We searched for him through a genetic scan... but the scan says he no longer exists, sir." "Creel has perished?" Essex questioned, seeming rather puzzled. "I didn't expect his death to occur, at least not so soon. Inform Dr. Wilson to begin on Project: Sabretooth. We need Creel's replacement as soon as possible, understand?" "Yes sir," the officer slightly bowed, then exited the room. Essex pressed the tips of his fingers together. (I guess the fool will take Creel's place, but is he up to it?) Essex questioned. *** Mutant: Underground Forge Blackwing held his rifle close to his bosom, keeping a vigilant eye as he and Darnel traveled further down this trek. "How is the girl?" Forge inquired. "Was she injured doing the fight?" "No," Darnel said in a low tone. "Where the hell are we going?" "Mutant: Underground," Forge answered. "Bullshit!" Darnel snapped. "Your fuckin' Mutant: Underground base was destroyed by Essex's lackeys. How can you be taking us to a base that doesn't even belong to you anymore?" "Simple," Forge said, ignoring his rather rude tone. "What they onslaughted was not our base, but just the surface loading area. The true Mutant: Underground base is at the end of this tunnel. We should be there in an hour, be patient." Darnel simply glared at Forge, then looked at Monet and frowned. Suddenly, his eyes widened. "Where's Paige?" he mumbled, turning his head left and right. "Excuse me?" Forge said, watching Darnel from the corner of his eye. "Did you say something?" "Shit!" Darnel cursed. "Where's Paige?! She was with me until we came through that side door!" "Heaven help her," Forge remarked. "Let's just hope she's safe where she is...we have enough problems to worry about." "Such as?" Darnel asked. "We're sure to find the base sooner or later, and butt-ugly back there is as dead as a doornail..." "Reinforcements," Forge simply said. "If they attack us now, we can be found out. You know the consequences." "I have an idea," Darnel cleared his throat. Then sighed and walked forward. *** Essex's labs The outer landscape 11:24 PM... Nathienal Essex stood at the peak of the hill, hands behind his back as he saw the incoming hover crafts soar towards him, the headlights blinding his sight for a brief moment. # Remmington, Sean, Jasmine, approach me.# he commanded telepathically. "Are you injured, Remmington?" Essex said as Remy landed his vehicle on the cliff. "I was informed about the unfortunate news on Crusher Creel." "No, Remy is not hurt." Remy sighed. "It's a shame dat Creel went gung-ho and kicked de bucket. He was in my squadron when we sighted Forge Blackwing and another captive entering a side door. We split up...he took de side entrance and told me he would bring me Forge's head. I guess Forge Blackwing killed Creel himself." "He got what he deserved," Jasmine said. "I told him his boasting would get him one day. Anyway, I've grown sick and tired of his blabbering mouth." "Ah, Jasmine," Essex chuckled. "Do not treat your teammates so sourly...even fallen ones. I do not show any compassion for his death, but he is a costly to the team nonetheless." "Oui," Remy agreed. "It looks like we need another replacement in Creel's place." "Done," Essex grinned, looking out at the sky. "Sean, Jasmine, leave us now. Remmington and I have some private matters to discuss." "Aye," Sean nodded his head, then started his hover craft and took off back to the lab. Jasmine followed his lead. "What is dis *private* news y' want t' talk about?" Remy smirked, folding his arms. "I hope it ain't anyt'ing bad." "Au contraire," Essex cleared his throat. "I need you to route a search for any information you can retrieve in the Mutant: Underground perimeters with our replacement for Creel." "Who is dis...replacement, Essex?" Remy asked suspiciously. "Victor Creed," Essex replied. "You and Victor will search..." "Mon dieu!" Remy interrupted, his eyes widening. "Creed? You ain't talkin' about de same Creed who I tink you are..." "I am." "But," Remy protested. "He ain't fit t' be a Marauder. His physic, no training, nothin'! How will be able to keep up wit' us, mes amis!" "Simple," Essex answered. "Dr. Wilson is currently working the process of Project: Sabretooth on Creed. Trust my word, Remmington, you will be rather satisfied at the new Victor Creed." "Oui," Remy smiled. "I like dis idea already." *** Mutant: Underground Three miles away from Essex's labs 12:39 AM... "Who's there?!" a Mutant: Underground soldier called, standing from his post. "Identify yourself, stranger." "Forge Blackwing, code name Craven" he said with a smirk. "I have a couple of children here with me, they need medical aid. Our surface loading areas have been destroyed and taken over by Nathienal Essex." "Oh Christ," the soldier mumbled, scurrying down the staircase of his high post. "Follow me, sir." Forge nodded at Darnel, then the two followed the officer to his high post. Entering through a small door, they arrived in a cave-like base...with small steel warehouses scattered around the huge cavern. Thick metal walls covered the inner cave, preventing any hazardous rocks to fall on the Mutant: Underground perimeters. (This place is primitive compared to Essex's junk.) Darnel thought. (But I doubt that the bastard considers these guys a typical non-threat.) The officer who escorted them gestured Darnel to follow him, leaving Forge Blackwing alone. Forge sighed, glancing at the base below. (Ah,, all we can do now is pray.) Forge said. (That Essex will not find some way to reveal our base.) Another officer came up to him, then smiled at Forge. "Good day Mr. Blackwing," he greeted. "We've got several defensive squads standing by. Some have already departed to look for any survivors of the attack." "Good," Forge said. "I am still bewildered on how Nathienal Essex was able to locate our base. Its not as if we..." He stopped dead in the middle of that sentence, empty-eyed, he cursed to himself. "Oh God," he whispered. "That attack we've maneuvered this afternoon, one of the captives must have been one of Essex's lackeys undercover. It would be the perfect bait and sneer." "Damn," the officer said. "I can begin an interrogation, we still have about half of the captives in our custody." "Good idea," Forge approved, then walked passed the officer silently. "I need to visit the head communications center. We need to run any files we can get on Essex and any other agents that are working for him." *** Nathienal Essex smiled, speaking into his overhead visual screen phone. "Where is the boy now, Beatrice?" "I am fed up with his crap," Beatrice said. "He went to some Ku Klux Klan meeting...I left him, after we had an argument." "You what?!" Essex's tone revealed his anger. "Do not push me around!" she snapped. "Its one thing to send me to assassinate anybody, its another to let me baby-sit this kid and tell me to do whatever he wants until he displays his powers." "You could have killed him," Essex's sharp eyes began to glow red. "You took it upon yourself, Beatrice. I want you to track him down, and get that boy, NOW!" "No," she said. "I don't want to." "Beatrice," Essex chuckled. "You are a fool. You either get me that boy, or suffer the consequences." "You get him yourself," Beatrice whispered. "I'm not going to take this anymore. You can send some other idiot to do your little errands." Essex sighed as she closed the connection, then pressed a button on his speaker phone and cleared his throat. "Yes sir?" a voice queried from the speaker. "Contact Jones alias Cyber," he said. "Inform him that I have a...little job for him." he said, forming an evil grin. *** "Good morning, Mr. Blackwing," the computer specialist greeted. "What is it that you need, today?" "Give me a rundown of every file of Essex's underground," Forge commanded. "I also want you to identify any of the freed captives with any of these agents. If you find a possible match, report to me immediately." "Anything else, sir?" "Yes," Forge examined some of the files displayed on the overhead screen. "Also contact Squadron F-3 and tell them to reach us if they find anything. We need to find this insider before he causes us any more damage. If Essex finds our true location, Mutant: Underground is no more. Got me?" "Crystal, sir. I'll get on it right away." *** Darnel rubbed his wrist, grimacing at the pain. (Probably injured from the fight against that steroids back there.) He sat on his bed, resting in his new private chambers. Monet lay on his bed, still unconscience from the blast. (Christ, if some other guy saw her lying on his bed, he'd take advantage of it.) he thought for a second, than shook his head. (Wait, what in the hell am I talking about?! Even though I don't know her, I feel sorry for the poor girl... she took that blast pretty hard.) KNOCK! KNOCK! He lifted his face up, facing the door. "Umm, come in." The door slowly opened, a familiar blonde-hair girl smiled back at him. "Paige?" his face lighted up. "Y.. y.. you’re alive?" "Yeah," she replied softly, then frowned as she noticed Monet. "Uhm, so she still hasn't regained conscience yet?" Darnel sighed, turning and looking at her face. "Nope," he said. "The doctor said that she'll be okay, all she needs is a little rest." "Good," Paige smiled. "How did you get here?" "That Forge Blackwing guy took me here," he hunched over, cupping his fist. "It wasn't easy though...we ran into some unwelcome freak along the way. So, how did you get here?" "A couple of officers took me on a transport," she drooped her head. "I..I..I was lagging behind. I'm sorry if I worried you any." "No," he shook his head. "Don't be, everything went fuckin' nuts back there." Paige laughed, then slowly neared the door. "I have to report to some soldiers, their setting up an interrogation. It was nice talking to you, I just wanted to let you know I was all right." He smiled. "Well," he said. "It makes me feel better that you're all right." She nodded, then left the room. Darnel sighed and continued to sat silently in his room as he thought to himself, something he did often. *** Essex's Labs Sector K2-38 5:31 AM... "Wade," Nathienal Essex called. "How is Victor progress?" Wade Wilson glanced over his shoulder, smiling. He checked his status records. "We're about to start the final stages, care to watch the transformation?" "Definitely," Essex smiled. Several other assistants started to set up the process. "Subject ready for transformation," one of the assistants announced. "Begin fluid injection." They fussed with various keys on the counter, Essex watched vigilantly. The lifeless body of Victor Creed, floating in the water-filled pod, patched with transparent wires. His frail body...was about to be no more. "AAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!!" Victor screamed, even though he was half-asleep and supported by an oxygen supporter. His eyes protected by goggles. "Fluid injection complete," Wade said, tapping on a couple of computer keys. "Stage two in progress." Victor squirmed, his arms and body beginning to grow larger, his legs the same. Essex folded his arms, smiling at Victor. "AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!!" Victor screamed again, his body and limbs growing. His arms, his muscles, enlarging slowly. Facial hair beginning to grow around his chin, forming a beard. "Final stage set," one of the other assistants informed. "Process due in five...four...three...two...one." (Bullsye,) Essex thought. Victor died out, floating lifelessly in the pod as the final transformations were complete. This man, no different from before, awed Essex. "Servant!" Essex called. "Yes sir," an officer bowed to Essex. "At your service." "Please awaken Remy from his slumber," Essex ordered. "Tell him to gear up, he will be departing with Creed in several hours." "Yes sir." Nathienal Essex grinned. "Perfect." *** NEXT ON GENETIC X: Nathienal Essex sends Victor Creed and Remy LeBeau to check out the Mutant: Underground ruins. Meanwhile, we learn more about the kids and a flashback from Monet's past. And where is Jono? Find out next month!