<Episode 14>

He and the thing he was facing were surrounded by a quiet, familiar mountain range. That calm was shattered the moment he shouted, “Henshin!”, and charged the shape in front of him. The rage inside him grew as it turned into the blue monkey the closer he got. The moment he was close enough to strike it faded away. Then he was hit from behind. As he went down he kicked out a foot but the monkey wasn’t there. He pounded the ground as frustration started mingling with the rage inside of him. When he got to his feet he was greeted by a blue furry foot that knocked him down again.

Quickly he got up and looked around but it was no where to be found. It had to be some where around here but where? He felt something behind him and he swung a fist back. A strike at his head was blocked and he planted a foot into a monkey’s gut. It didn’t disappear this time, “Gotcha!”. He hit an uppercut that snapped its’ head back. Grinning behind the mask he grabbed the monkey by the back of the head and smashed his knee into it’s’ head repeatedly. The monkey somehow grabbed onto his other leg and tripped him.

The next thing he knew that damn Drakan was on top of him trying to pound him into the ground. Blocking the blows as best he could he tried to get a shot in. Finally he got his right hand through, gripping it around the throat and started squeezing. Before long the Drakan stopped beating on his head and tried to remove the hand from around it’s’ neck. Then he got the other hand on its’ neck and squeezed even more. He forced the monkey to its’ back and wouldn’t let go. The monkey slowly stopped fighting and its’ eyes went dead. He slowly got to his feet and hovered over the carcass for a moment. “Go to Hell,” he spat and walked off.

He didn’t get far before a deep, evil laugh filled the air. Turning around the monkey rose up unnaturally and looked at him. Confusion and a hint of fear quickly replaced the rage and frustration. The very next instant it had crossed the distance between them and hit him in the chest. He flew back hard, skidding as he landed. It was on him again and picked him up by the chest armor. They looked eye to eye before it said, “You first,” and threw him. The meter started flashing as he staggered to his feet. The monkey grinned, banged its’ chest and held its’ arms wide open. It was almost like it knew what was happening. Well if it wanted to die that bad he was willing to go along with it. He grabbed the right pod and twisted down, nothing happened.

“What?”, he twisted the pod up and down several times with the same result. He looked for the button under the belt then started pounding on the pod to try to get it to work. Again the monkey was right in front of him before he knew it. The Drakan palmed his head and jumped. He was planted into the side of the mountain before he was thrown again. The monkey waved its’ hands around its’ waist and the Fusion belt appeared it. His armor faded away that same instant, “No.”

It grinned evilly and uttered a demonic sounding, “Henshin.” The Fusion armor formed around the monkey’s shape. It lifted up a hand made a waving motion. Out of nowhere other shapes started walking foreword. He recognized them almost instantly: a frog, a rabbit, an ox, just about all the Drakan he fought and killed stood by the monkey side. All of they were wearing the Fusion belt. The Drakan glanced at them and nodded once. All the belts glowed brightly and all of them were incased in the Fusion armor.

He started to run but something grabbed his right arm. An old man in a suit held on tightly. “Max what are you doing?” Then something grabbed his left arm. To say he was surprised didn’t even begin to cover it. That solemn look he had never seen on that face before but he could recognize that curly hair and those glasses anywhere, “Richie?” His friend said nothing, just looked up the mountain. The armored Drakan, almost as one, reached for the belt. Some twisted the pod down while other pressed the button that used to be there. He struggled to get free, “Whoa… wait, damn it let me go!” The Drakans jumped up and aimed their feet at him.

“NOOO!”, Jack woke up screaming, crossing his arms in front of him. Breathing hard he slowly put his arms down and looked around. He was still in his bed, alive for the most part. What the hell, instead of going away that damn nightmare was getting worse. Ever since Max. He sat there waiting for his heart to stop trying to burst through his chest. Jack glanced at the clock. It said it was three in the morning. He’d only been asleep for a few hours. Laying back down he stared at the ceiling for a long time. Finally he swung his legs over the side of the bed and got up saying, “Sleep is over rated any way.”

***

The past few nights had been cooler than usual and his left arm was aching from it. Ever since that abomination broke it. One of the things he had to learn to live with from the encounter. Like the fact he was now part of Christopher’s inner circle. Only because he was one of the very few that survived the Killer. That group grew by one the other night. Christopher’s sister Melissa was the latest to walk away unharmed. The others happened to be a group of children being watched over by Thomas Rodgers son Arron. Of course the pup decided to stay, another green to the cause. That disgusted him more than anything.

Of course he was as much of an outsider in that group as he was to the inner circle. He didn’t escape, the metal bug let them go. Something that stuck in his gut to no end. But that was no where near as bad as what he had been hearing lately. Everybody was united in the opinion that the thing had to be stopped. Now there was talk that it wasn’t as evil as originally thought. Maybe it could be persuaded to switch sides. That nonsense made him want to retch. Fortunately it affected other in the circle the same way. They were just as vocal about it as he was.

Too bad the old man was in the other court and was just as vocal about his doubts. “I agree something has to be done,” he said after some of the argument had died down. “But I still say we can’t do anything without knowing all the facts first.”

“The fact is,” someone blurted out,” it killed our kind.”

“We’ve killed our kind too,” someone else countered. “Don’t forget that fact.”

“That’s different.”

“How is it different exactly?”

“Because sometimes death is necessary to get the mission done.”

“It was on a mission too,” Christopher spoke suddenly. He wasn’t looking at them, just staring into space.

“Look Christopher, I realize it spared your sister…”

“Saved,” he cut in, “it saved my sister.”

“That doesn’t mean it’s not a threat now. That mission is to take us out. What it did can not out weigh what it has done.”

“We all done some things for the cause we weren’t proud of,” the old man told him.

“Or a decision we were forced to live with,” Christopher said. Jason’s eyes narrowed. What decision did the want to be king regret. Heading up the cause perhaps? Whatever he was feeling Christopher shut it down and was soon back to business. “I’ll admit I’m having my doubts about the Drakan Killer. He may be a pawn in all of this. We all know how Anderson likes to manipulate people to get his way.”

“He might be doing it now,” Jason spoke up. Several of them looked at him for speaking out of turn. Christopher, however, leaned foreword.

“How so?”

“He could have orchestrated the whole event to make sure your sister believed it was saving her.”

“You’re reaching for straws here,” the old man countered. “I seriously doubt even Anderson would sacrifice one of his own men just for show.”

“According to our contact’s report he did so to see if the thing would work like they designed it.”

The old man shifted in his seat, “Now you want to believe what he says.”

“What did your contact,” Christopher asked, “tell you about the man inside this thing? What was his name again?”

“Jack Davidson, and he didn’t talk about him much. The only time he started any kind of conversation with our contact was when he gave him the dart.”

“This fairy tale again,” someone moaned.

“We did our own test on it,” the old man told them. “Even our people say the compound inside that thing could cause the affect the Killer said it did in the right dosage.”

“And depending on the story he told the humans, he could prove whenever he wanted that we’re the aggressors in all of this.”

“Still doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything about the Killer.”

“I agree,” Christopher said, surprising every one. “Despite my doubts it should still be considered a threat to us, at the moment. And I might have an idea on how to deal with it.”

***

She paid for her cup of coffee and turned to see Jack staring at something. Rachel wasn’t sure if she should ask what he was looking at. He could be setting her up again for all she knew. Well if he did she could always “accidently” spill some of her coffee on him. After what Mitchell told her it might not be the last accident Jack could have today. “What’s the hold up?”

He pointed into the cafeteria, “Those people over there.”

This had to be a set up, “I don’t see the problem.”

“They’re sitting at our table.” She was still wasn’t seeing it. “We always sit there.”

“There are a few dozen empty seats we can sit at.”

“That’s not the point.” He was actually being serious about this.

She pushed past him, “And my Dad said girls were too picky about things.” Rachel took a table as far away from that table as she could. She had to smile as Jack took the seat across from her and shot a look at the other table. “I swear you try to make things harder than they have to be.”

Jack looked at her with a raised eyebrow, “Why do I get the feeling I did something.”

“Mitchell talked to me a bit ago.”

“That’s something.” Jack said as he looked around the room, maybe looking for an escape.

“So why were you beating the crap out of our guys? Mitchell told me he was very surprised when one of his guys went flying a few feet after you pushed him.”

He immediately went on the defensive, “First of all it’s not my fault nobody told Mitchell and his boys about the upgrade little side effect. And two Dave and Terry had it coming.”

“Why did they supposedly have it coming?”

“You should have been at the party.”

“Like I should havebeen at the campus when you went back and found that dart?” Jack froze for an instant, like a kid caught getting caught sneaking a cookie.

“Why can’t anybody keep there mouth shut around here?” he asked looking and sounding annoyed. “Freidman actually asked me what kind a doctor he would be if he couldn’t keep his patient’s secrets for crying out loud.”

“Yeah about that, he thought I was in on it. For that matter why wasn’t I told about this? If there’s some kind of dart that can make the Drakan go crazy I should know about it.”

He didn’t look at her, “I wanted some more information about it before I told you anything.”

“So what do you know about it?”

“You pretty much covered it.”

“I still don’t know why you didn’t tell me. I could have helped you check this out. I’m starting to think you don’t trust me.” Again he wouldn’t look at her. “You don’t trust me?”

He quickly said, “I trust you, I trust you. But I felt I needed to play this one a little close to the vest.

“Next thing you’ll be telling me you think World Inc. is behind it.” He looked at her this time but didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to, she read it in his face. “Oh my God.”

“Not the entire company, I’m pretty sure Heather wouldn’t be in on it. And you too,” he added as an after thought. “Besides, I don’t know who’s on what side at the moment. Terry and Dave drove that point home the other night.”

“Is that why you beat them up then?”

“It was the main reason.”

“What was the… wait I don’t want to know. We’re going to go over this in detail later.”

“Off property, this place makes me a little jumpy lately.”

“Lately? You always seemed jumpy when your here.”

“It’s like I told you before, you guys develop military prototypes yet animals run around and howl in the air ducts. But I haven’t ruled out the possibility of it being a couple of Drakan in heat.”

After all this time she was still amazed how he could switch gears from being serious to joking without breaking anything. “You are definitely one of a kind.”

“Thank you.”

“It wasn’t a compliment.” Jack quickly balled up a napkin and tossed it at her. She tossed it back. “You know, I would love to find out what the Drakan working here, if there are any more here that is, think about you being here.”

“I like to know why they needed something like me to begin with. I mean there’s a small army here, something like me seems like over kill.”

“I guess they needed someone to go hand to hand with them if they had too.”

Jack smiled for a moment for some reason. “Still seems like over kill.”

“That’s why you’re not in charge. A fact I’m grateful for daily.” Jack stuck his tongue out at her.

***

As she slowly sat down in the chair Christopher looked out the door. She leaned over slightly to see what held his attention. Melissa was tending to a “boo-boo” on one of the young ones. She had to smile, that one and her brother always had a way with children. The look Christopher had told her he wished things would stay this way forever. But he wouldn’t have asked to see her if they were. “So, you’re facing him in the Arena,” she started.

He had a small smile on his face,” So you saw it before I announced it.”

She tapped the side of his leg with her cane. “It doesn’t work that way and you know it. Word, however, travels faster than anybody would like. You do remember what I told you about a Drakan made of metal?”

“I remember,” he replied looking distant, “but I have to face him anyway.”

“Why do you have to?”

“Because they expect me to,” he said as his feature darkened.

“That doesn’t mean you should do it.”

“Damn it Emily,” he let go of some of the frustration he was holding. “Every time someone mentions the Drakan Killer and I’m around they look at me. I can see it in their eyes, I’m the one who’s supposed to deal with this thing. The all mighty Christopher, unofficial leader of the great rebellion.” A small glint returned to his eyes, “And now I guess I can add slayer of the Drakan Killer to my list of accolades.”

“You always did make things sound larger than life.”

“And it never impressed you, not even when I was little. Most of us Greens are full of hot air any way.”

“True, but you were one of the few who had an actual cause to put your energy into. I doubt half of us would even be here if it wasn’t for you. A lot of leaders say things, but you actually believe what you say so they believe what you say.”

“But what happens to them if something happens to me?”

“No one is bigger than the cause Christopher, not even you. Even if the others don’t want to believe it. We’ll survive and go on. Our goal might take longer to complete. Of course there was no guarantee we would get what we want even with you in the lead.” She used her cane to get up. Christopher came over to help her and she patted his hand. “And don’t think I haven’t noticed you telling and showing things to Melissa, just in case.”

“I have to be prepared for anything,” he said slowly, “you’ve told me that for as long as I can remember. The reason I asked to see you is will they have to go on without me?”

“I wish I could tell you child, but your path is fuzzy at the time you face the Killer. All I can tell you is the decisions both of you make will not only affect your destinies but of those around both of you.” A wave of sadness came over her. “I wish I could tell you more than that,” she said softly.

“It’s alright Emily, it was more than enough.” He kissed her on the forehead and hugged her. She tried to hide the feeling of dread that was growing inside her.

***

This was not the best week he ever had. They had a lead on Melissa so he sent one of his men after her. If something happened to her it had to affect Christopher in some way. Then his man disappeared, to make matter worse Davidson was in the area so he had an idea bout what happened. Now he read this, what was Christopher thinking? The Arena of all places. It was suppose to be a place where Drakan fought in battles of honor. He personally gained control of this company by defeating Allen’s father there in combat. Now Christopher was using it to hide? Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Anderson put the file down as the others walked into the command center. Haily and Davidson took there usual spots. Actually Haily was Davidson went to the other side to the room for some reason. “There’s more than one place to stand.” Haily groaned as he made his way back to her. Like before he thought it was best not to inquire about the situation that much.

“You seem to be in a good mood today Mr. Davidson,” he observed.

“I was bound to have one sooner or later.”

“I suppose that’s true. Before we start you wouldn’t happen to know anything about a hole in the wall near R&D would you?”

“A hole in the wall? No, nothing ringing a bell at the moment. You know anything about it Rachel?”

“I think I would have noticed something like that.”

“We don’t know nothing,” Davidson looked totally innocent as he spoke. Anderson had a monitor set up to show that was a lie but decided against it. He would rather see the mood change after he told him what he knew.

“Then I guess we should get down to business. I’ll get right to the point, we know where the location of the rebel leader.” Like he expected Davidson jovial mood disappeared, replaced by something darker.

“Are you sure this time?”

“I’m quite sure Mr. Davidson. The information was doubled check, then tripled check and doubled checked again. There will be no children this time around.”

“Not that it mattered last time,” Williams muttered, but not low enough that they didn’t hear her. Davidson looked at the ceiling. Haily appeared to be uncomfortable but she was patting him on the back. How much longer before the situation exploded?

Apparently now because Davidson blurted, “They’re alive alright, the kids are alive. None of them went boom.” There were a few gasp in surprise around the room.

He might as well play along. “But Miss. Haily reported…”

“I lied,” she said plainly. Although she did looked relived that it was finally out.

“Why would you lie about something like this?”

“So you’d leave them alone,” Davidson told him.

“What would make you think we would go after children?”

“Have Mitchell’s men knock back a few and you’ll find out.” That might explain why two of those men had to be looked at by Freidman and his staff earlier. He confirmed it by leaning over to Haily and saying, “Told you they had it coming.” One of these days he was going to have to add sound to the video footage just so he wouldn’t be left in the dark about these things.

They outlined the basic plan after about an hour. Williams wasn’t sure how to act now that she knew the truth about the children. Davidson acted like nothing was ever wrong between them and even tried to get her to laugh a few times to lighten the mood of the room. Because of that he decided to throw Davidson a bone by saying he could try to take the leader alive if he could. It would make things a little more difficult but he readily agreed to it over Haily objections. After they left to get ready he went to a black phone on the wall. Mitchell picked up after the first ring. “Is your team ready to go?”

“We’re getting ready to leave now.”

“Good, make sure Haily and Davidson don’t see you arrive. Do you remember what we discussed?”

“No rebel will leave the confrontation alive.”

“Excellent, make sure it happens.”

“What Jack doesn’t get we will. But what about Jack?”

He thought about it for a moment. “We’ll worry about him later. If he tries anything I’ll be ready.”

***

When they arrived Jack stared at the cave opening for a long time. He was concentrating so hard she had to nudge him to get his attention. When he looked at her she could see there was concern in his eyes. That was something she wasn’t expecting. “What is it?”

“I was just wondering if the monkey was in there with him.”

“Only one way to find out, right?” She headed for the cave. He put his hand on her shoulder to stop her. “This is a first.”

“Stay out here.”

“Jack I’m you mission operator. I’m going in with you.”

“Look, I got a bad feeling about this. I’d feel better is you stayed out here.”

“You didn’t listen to me when I had reservations when they sent you after the monkey,” she said as she crossed her arms. She had to remind him who exactly was in charge.

“I know, but you’re supposed to be the smart out of the two of us,” he snapped. Jack rubbed his face as he calmed down and tried another route. He put both hands on her shoulders, “I’m asking you, friend to friend, to stay out here for this one.” She was going to tell him no but she locked eyes with him. Not only was he concerned he actually looked worried.

Slowly she nodded her head, “Alright, but you’re filing the report.”

“Just as long as you fix my errors, because guys like me are why they invented spell check.” Jack squeezed her shoulders then got serious. He looked at the cave and raised his left arm across his chest. She saw the belt appear around his waist. He moved his arm to the side and raised his right arm up. “Henshin!”, he cried as he brought his right hand on top of the belt. She backed up a bit as the armor materialized on him. “I’ll be out as soon as I can,” He said as took the staff from its holder and walked toward the cave. As he reached the mouth of the cave he turned to give her a quick salute then went on. Now she had a bad feeling about this.

***

He traveled through the tunnel until he came to an inner cavern. A surprisingly well lit inner cavern at that. The lights attached to the roof allowed him to see with no problem was only part of what surprised him. The cavern itself looked like a small stadium. The sides were cut to form rows of seats and steps. At the bottom was a group of six men. Jack looked around to see if there was anybody else as he went down the stairs. Five of the men changed shape and surrounded the dark haired guy who didn’t change. If they weren’t going to attack now neither was he. “I’m guessing you’re the top dog.”

“In a matter of speaking,” he said as he walked past the others. “I thought you be taller.”

“Yeah I get that, so how is this going down? You gonna talk or are your boys and me going to go at it?”

“I’d rather have done this by myself but my guards wouldn’t be talked out of it. We don’t have to fight you know. We can work this out peacefully.”

This might be easier than he thought it would. It couldn’t last. “I have an option to bring you in alive if I can. You and me can walk out of here and head to World Inc. right here and now. There wouldn’t have to be any more bloodshed.”

The rebel leader sighed, sounding very tired. “I know Anderson a little too well. That wouldn’t be a bloodless option.” Jack had to agree with him on that one. If Dave and Terry were any indication of the situation. “You can always walk away with us and join our cause.” Jack slowly shook his head at the offer. “And neither of us can walk away. I’m afraid there’s only one way this can end.” He changed to a dark green tiger with light green stripes. His mind flashed to the female tiger the other night. Looks like the vulture might have been right after all. No matter, that was then this is now.

“I guess so,” he snapped the staff to extend it to its full length. Jack held the staff up and waited for them to make the first move. Neither side had to wait long as two of leader’s guards, a blue lizard and a red hammerhead shark, broke rank and charged him. Jack ran at them bringing the staff up to attack in return. At that moment one of the last things his Uncle told him echoed in his head.

If you know you’re going down make damn sure you take a couple of them down with you.