Society of Justice 3: Crisis on the Earth

[CounterAttack]

Katie took a breath and steeled her nerves before she began, under the impression that Alex wouldn't like what she had to hear. "I found this in the book I've been reading. It's designed to boost a number of things about the body, including fertility," she began, sitting next to Alex on the couch and showing her and Richard the page she had found. "I don't know if I can make it for you, but if I manage to pull it off with help from Leland and Tommy, would you try it? Even if it's just once?"

She hoped Alex would say yes to her proposition. It was better than genetically altering herself. That was too risky and could have had disastrous consequences. Admittedly, the potion Katie was offering was also risky, but any ill effects could be dispelled by Leland as long as Katie managed to convince him to help her.

[hr]

"Headache, but it was worse before you got here," Rowan answered, standing up properly and ignoring the pain that was still coursing through him. He'd been waiting for Eric to arrive for too long: it was time to get some answers. Strangely, he wasn't nervous, but a chill settled into his chest all the same in anticipation of learning the cause of his powers and why he in particular had been given them.

"But that's not important right now, Eric. Alex and I asked you about digging up some details on the virus released into my body. Did you... find anything? Something I can use to get a little closure?"

 

[blaze96]

"Well as long as we figure out what we need and how much, eons of history and magic would find the flaws right? I mean, to be safe, we should probably consult a professional herbalist or potions master before we run off and make it, but I'm willing to try if Alex is. I'm sure there are going to be some magical ingredients, but if there are any somewhat normal ingredients we can get on non-magical Earth, I can pay to procure them in any quantity we need." Richard replied as he looked over the page.

"Thank you Katie, it does mean a lot having you willing to help."

 

[Lizmichi]

Alex looked at the book then looked at Richard then Katie. "Well I'm willing to give it a try. Thanks Katie, really it means allot." Alex said. She was starting to feel better with Richard and with the help of the others but she still didn't feel up to par, not yet. For that she'd need time.

Maybe it was time her and Richard went out and did something together, just the two of them.

_______________________________________

Eric pulled out the folder filled with all of the information he was able to find. "The folder is filled with files and disks. I'm not sure if it's what you want to see but I hope it gives you the answers you want. As I'm sure you know Alex and I will help anyway we can if you need us." Eric said watching Rowan.

 

[CounterAttack]

"Alright, and it's no problem. Making the potion might be, but I want to help you, Alex. If it means that much to you, there has to be a way to do it," Katie answered, giving Alex a warm smile. "And Richard, normal ingredients will probably just be plant life, but if I don't have it I'll call you. I'll start work right now." Filled with enthusiasm after Alex agreeing to her request, Katie got up and hurried out of the lounge, potion book in hand and determination in her eyes.

She could get the more basic ingredients herself, and run the Latin ones through an online translator to figure out what they were. The method, however, would be difficult as she had never made a potion before. Katie resolved to gather the ingredients for now and figure out how to make it when she had them. It seemed that there were some everyday ingredients like garlic, strawberries and honey, but there were a couple that didn't seem like an ingredient at all. Flicking to the contents page as she walked out to the gardens, Katie breathed a sigh of relief as she found an index of non-plant ingredients, with descriptions of what they were and in some cases, how to obtain them. But she would look into those later rather than sooner.

[hr]

Rowan accepted the file, opening it to reveal a large number of documents, CDs and DVDs just as Eric had described. "Thanks. I'll look into this immediately," he said, forgoing the Tylenol in favour of the information he had received. With that he made his way back to his room and sat down on the untidy bed to read through it all.

Apparently the experiment had been conducted by one Doctor Ivor Cadizki, who had done extensive studies in molecular genetics, bioweapons and nuclear physics. There were six other subjects as well, listed by order of infection: Rowan had not been the first to be forced into one of Cadizki's tests. The man practically lived at the nuclear power station in which he worked, which also housed a laboratory for Cadizki's experiments. A document about the virus in Rowan's body claimed that it was designed to enter the subject's cells and merge its own DNA with Rowan's to grant him the shapeshifting power.

By attaching itself to one end of Rowan's regular DNA strands, the virus's own DNA had not affected his genetic makeup; it was merely an extension that cannot be removed, like the tumour near his brain stem. That was also a product of the virus, although Rowan was the first to receive such an adaptation. A note from Eric accompanied this:

Alex's testing confirms this. Rowan is not genetically human. Being human mentally, of course, is up to him.

Reading that, anger filled Rowan's mind and heart. Cadizki had no right to do these things, especially to the unwilling or those who had no idea what was going on, such as himself. Cadizki could also have been responsible for what had happened just now. The agony he had endured was not something he wanted to happen, certainly if the doctor planned on doing it again.

"You sick bastard," Rowan said quietly, seething. He hadn't wanted this to happen, he had tried to resist breathing the virus's gaseous form when he had been exposed to it eight years ago. Cadizki had made him a test subject, studied him, documented his progress against his will. It was time the two met face to face.

Rowan's anger boiled over, and he sprang into action. Grabbing his car keys and Society of Justice identification as he got up from the bed, he began formulating a plan in his head, spoken aloud. "Alright. Gonna drive over there, get into that lab and find Cadizki. Just want to talk to him, learn it from his side of the line. No violence necessary," he added to try to calm himself down as he walked back out of his room with the file in hand.

 

[elementsoul]

Tyson had sat there listening in the lounge for while while he read the book. So far h hadn't learned anything past the fact that the original plan was to create a genetic modifier that would give soldiers the ability to use echo location. There were no expected mutations from the experiment thus far and there wasn't anything remotely close to the problem he was currently research.

On the other hand listening to the others problems was starting to get Tyson a little more than agitated. Alex was going to give herself a chance to have a child at the cost of her powers and her life. That was beyond foolish because her and those powers saved more lifes that are lived today than she would be able to produce if she even survived. Making a rash choice for your own happiness rather than the happiness of so many potential others is pathetic. She's nowhere near the person I fought that first week.

Tyson had no comment on Richard's response to what he learned here. He hadn't seen all of what happened with both of them and wasn't in a place to judge him beyond what he'd seen of the man so far. What he had seen didn't account to much anyways.

Katie's swoop in to the rescue to the problem with the potion was what hit Tyson the most. At the sight of a hurtle that may have proven a challenge to them and she raises the ground so its not even a challenge.

Tyson realized that he was getting angry out of jealousy. Jealous that people here always had answers loom around them. Jealous that so many problems for people here could be solved so fast. Jealous that he never got an quick solutions, that he had nothing to hold onto but a glimpse of revenge, and that for everyone else it seemed like this was a place that they could belong sith people that they loved and loved them. Tyson's place was gone and now he had to sit in and watch at other's happiness for a chance to get that revenge, that justice, that feeling like he didn't fail the memory of his old team, his place where he felt like he belonged.

Tyson got up closing his book, shoved in his bag and started to walk to his room. On the way there he passed an angry looking Rowan holding a file and set of keys leaving his room. "Fuck what I said before. Get the revenge your fangs lust for." Tyson said as he passed the man.

 

[Lizmichi]

Alex kissed Richard happy to try something new that might let her have a child. "Well it's worth trying." she sai cuddling to Richard then saw Rowan walk out of his room after reading the files Eric gave him.

Alex blinked getting up and followed Rowan, Eric close behind. "Um Rowan what's going on?" Alex said then looked at Eric.

"What did you find Eric?" Alex said worried.

"It was what he asked for. I'm sorry but you told me to as well." Eric said just as confused as Alex.

"Rowan, please tell us what's wrong?" Alex said stopping him.

 

[CounterAttack]

"Eric found out who was in charge of the experiment that turned me into what I am today," Rowan explained, trying to calm himself down as he spoke with deep breaths. "The guy's name is Ivor Cadizki. I plan to go across town to the power plant he works in, and meet up with him. I don't want to harm him in any way, unless things turn south. Just want to talk. But I want to go over there and see him now. He can explain everything: why I was specifically chosen to undergo it, why there are others like me with varying degrees of control over their powers... I just have to know."

Fully calm now that he had started talking, a thought presented itself to Rowan. "Do you guys... want to come with me? I don't know if Cadizki will even want to talk; maybe you guys being there could change his mind."

 

[Lizmichi]

Alex blinked knowing that name. "Wait I know Cadizki. He's checked in a few times asking for help on somethings. I could get us in." Alex said then looked at her broken hand. "I might not fight has well as normal but hell I'll try." Alex said.

"I'm coming too Rowan. I'm not letting this end without me around." Eric said.

"Well looks like you're not going alone." Alex said.

 

[blaze96]

"I'll come along as well. Just give me some time to fetch my suit. Hopefully this won't come to combat but it never hurts to be prepared for just such an occasion in any case." Richard said as he got up, he was deeply skeptical about the possibility of this being resolved peacefully but he hoped he was wrong. All too often going outside in the Society lead to a battle of some sort.

 

[CounterAttack]

"Alright, guys. Thanks for coming with me, really appreciate it," Rowan said as Richard headed off to suit up. "So, um... according to the stuff Eric pulled for me, there are other test subjects, presumably shapeshifters like myself. If they're around, they could be anyone in the facility, even Cadizki himself when we meet him face to face." Rowan was experiencing a combination of feelings: thrilled at the prospect of learning about himself, mildly angry at Cadizki for his actions, and nervous about meeting the scientist.

"I think we should be a little more careful than usual in regards to this, is all. Maybe come up with a plan or something on the way there," he added as they began to walk through the Promenade, heading for the garage. "Hang on. You said you know Cadizki, Alex. D'you think you could get us inside his building? If not, then we could always show them our IDs. I figure that's kinda like a form of authorisation, right? Just not the authorisation the guys at the power plant are used to."

At that point they reached the garage, having been unhindered by anyone or anything save a few construction workers they had had to pass to continue on their way.

 

[Lizmichi]

Alex just nodded and surged. "I'm not sure I can get us in but it might help for all I know. It's a name to a face he knows so I'm willing to try." Alex said. "He also knows I'm a member of the Society so that might help plus with Richard that kinda cements the fact that we can ether get in or blast in." Alex laughed some.

"Alex must you always use force to solve problems. There are better ways you know." Eric said rolling his eyes.

 

[blaze96]

Richard changed into his armor before joining the others in the garage when Eric made his quip.

"Yes but force is so much more fun than just sitting there and talking. I can't even tell you how many more meetings would be more pleasant if I could throw a punch." He replied with a chuckle.

 

[CounterAttack]

Rowan laughed at Richard's comment as he opened the door to his car and got in. "I don't want to imagine how dull your meetings are, if that's the case," he noted as he started the car up and drove out of the Promenade, Alex close behind with Eric as her passenger; the others would hear him over their communicators.

Cadizki's power plant was easy enough to find on a map of the city; there were a few smaller power stations scattered around the place but Rowan wasn't concerned with any of those. As he continued to drive, leading the others to their destination, he thought over what he was going to discuss with the scientist. There were the obvious topics as he had mentioned earlier, but what else was there? Could Cadizki's experiments have been the reason for the searing pain that had coursed through his head? That thought was sobering.

After about ten minutes of fast-paced driving, and a couple of security checkpoints, the small group reached the main entrance to the power plant. Rowan promptly got out of his car and strode into the building to find a receptionist behind a desk. "Hi, what can I do for you?" she asked, maintaining a demeanour that had evidently been drilled into her at some point.

"I need to see Doctor Ivor Cadizki immediately," Rowan stated. "Where can I find his office?"

"I'm sorry, Doctor Cadizki is unavailable as his schedule is filled today. Would you like me to book you an appointment for another time?" the receptionist answered, the half-smile never leaving her face even with the two other Society members entering the room behind Rowan.

"You misunderstand me. This isn't something that can be worked into his schedule," Rowan shot back as he pulled out his Society identification and showed it to the woman, quickly thinking of a way to bypass her. Then he had it; a name the scientist would recognise. "Call Cadizki, right now. Tell him... tell him Subject Seven is here to see him. He'll know what you mean."

Puzzled, the receptionist picked up her phone and did as Rowan asked. "Doctor Cadizki? ... Yes, I know, but... The Society of Justice, sir. ... Four of them, Alex and Richard Masterson among them. One of the others calls himself Subject Seven... Yes, sir. I understand." Putting the phone down and turning back to Rowan, she spoke again. "It seems Doctor Cadizki can make an exception. Take the hallway on the right, first elevator to the third floor."

"Much appreciated," Rowan answered, following her instructions and leading the others to the elevator in question, hitting the call button before turning to the others. "Alright, this is it. Um... how heavy is that suit, Richard? I'm not too sure the elevator will be able to hold you up..."

 

[blaze96]

"Just open a window when you get to where you need to be, alternatively you can just keep the communicator in your ear and I'll bust through the nearest wall. Your choice as to which as I personally like both equally well." He replied jokingly.

 

[CounterAttack]

"Alright, we'll see you then," Rowan stated as the three Society members who wouldn't break the elevator stepped into it, Eric hitting the button for the third floor just as the last of them filed in. A short trip straight upwards later, they stepped out to find a welcoming committee of four people waiting for them. One wore the traditional lab coat of a scientist, while the other three looked like little more than security guards. "You're here to see Doctor Cadizki? He's just this way," the scientist said, leading the group down the hall. The security team fell in behind the Society to ensure none of them deviated from the intended path.

"This place is weird. Almost like... an office building and laboratory in the middle of a nuclear power plant," Rowan whispered quietly to Alex and Eric, having sneaked side glances at the rooms through windows built into the walls. "Maybe this is where all the research gets done before Cadizki creates more test subjects like myself."

 

[Lizmichi]

Alex nodded softly and walked with the group. "So seems even I get treated like I'm a threat I see. How becoming of Cadizki. If I really wanted to I could kill everyone in this little group, well everyone but Eric and Rowan." Alex smirked.

Eric looked over at Alex and shook his head. "Wow Alex. Just wow." he said.

 

[blaze96]

Richard had left the building and took to lazily flying over it, figuring he could get some reconnaissance done in the mean time.

"Let me know if you need me, I'll be around." Richard said into the comm as he took a lazy holding pattern over the area.

 

[CounterAttack]

"Well, yes, I imagine any of the three of us would be able to deal with this small group. I mean, all they have is pistols and nightsticks," Rowan mused. His musing was interrupted, however, as the leader of the small group reached a set of oak double doors. A small plaque was attached to one:

Doctor I. Cadizki

"Here we are, then. The security team will be here to escort you out when your business with Doctor Cadizki is concluded," the scientist-ish person said as she walked away, disappearing into a room adjacent to the hall. One of the security staff opened the doors, then moved aside to allow the Society members to enter.

A man of slightly above-average height, dressed in a similar lab coat and a mess of unkempt black hair, stood alone in the center of a small open space. The rest of the room was fascinating: miniature containment chambers stood at one end, gaseous forms within; a multitude of tables full of equipment, biological samples and whatnot were scattered around the place; one wall was taken up entirely by a large window where Cadizki could look down on the power station and surrounding area, and the opposite wall was a bank of computers with a few technicians sitting at desks and occasionally tapping at keys.

Rowan, however, had eyes only on one thing. The man who had changed him forever. "Ivor Cadizki," he said as he walked into the room. It wasn't a question. Seeing the man standing there brought back the initial anger that he had experienced when reading Eric's files.

"Rowan Jethro Ward. Or perhaps you would prefer Silhouette?" Cadizki asked jokingly, turning to face the newcomers. He spoke with a hint of a Russian accent; it was fairly noticeable. "Welcome, Subject Seven, to where all the magic happens. Here, I and my associates bring new life to otherwise dull aspects of the world. Creation, adaptation, growth, observation - "

"Cut the crap, madman," Rowan snapped, stepping forward and raising a clenched fist. "You know why I'm here. You changed me against my will, turned me into one of your... your subjects. And now that I've found you..."

"Do not think that you can force me into changing you back into an ordinary human, Mr. Ward. The process is irreversible. However, I am currently working to find a way to change that, if you want to come back in a few months."

"Ha bloody ha. No. I'm not here to return to my human life. I am here to thank you for the gift you gave me, the ability to help those in need and make a difference. But I'm also here to show you how to change a man's life for the worse," Rowan stated, feeling his emotions take a stronger hold. "You know nothing of who I am, or what I've done."

"Au contraire, Mr. Ward. I've seen everywhere you've set foot, since the day I... converted you," Cadizki shot back. "The reason for this is simple: a biometric tracer chip, grafted into the living tissue of your brain eight years ago. I've known everything you've done over the past eight years. The only way to remove it, sadly, is to kill you. The electromagnetic pulse you tried to use earlier knocked it out for a few seconds, but an EMP is not enough. Your chip has an inbuilt override to counter the effects of a pulse."

"Electromagnetic - What are you on about? Speak sense, man," Rowan demanded.

"Enough talk. You have your companions, and I have mine. Subject Eight, Subject Nine, show yourselves." Two musclebound figures, almost invisible to the eyes of Rowan, Alex and Eric, faded into being as Cadizki retreated to a desk and pulled out some kind of weapon. Pistol-like, it was made up of a large injector needle and a tank holding a greenish fluid.

"Chameleons, Mr. Ward. The ultimate stealth operatives, able to blend into any background, becoming perfectly invisible. And shapeshifters to boot. They are the newest iteration of the Cadizki Virus; strong, tough and perfectly compliant. You, on the other hand, are outdated. Unreliable. As such, your particular experiment is now concluded. Kill them all." The Chameleons rushed at the group, one barreling towards Alex and Eric while the other picked up Rowan despite his struggles and threw him across the room. He crashed into the double doors and fell to the floor, hard.

"Son of a *****... Richard, get in here!" Rowan gasped into his communicator as his Chameleon assailant casually walked over to continue Cadizki's work.

 

[blaze96]

Richard had three outlines on his HUD that he knew weren't of the group. Since he could track the communicators he could use that ability to use them as something of an IFF system on a jet, anything wearing the communicator would be marked as friendly while anything not wearing them were marked as hostile. It was a way to define what he may want to shoot at and what he most certainly different. Two of the blips were larger than the third and close enough to the others that were he not working with a precision targeting system he could accidentally hit the group. Considering there were only two of whatever they were he saw no need to use the cannons though.

As Richard let electricity flow over his armor he flew so that he would be perpendicular to one of the creatures before swooping in through the chosen wall. As soon as he was through the wall he let the blades slip open before stabbing one of the creatures with the blades before turning off the jets and using his momentum to end up crouched against the subjects chest. Once his feet were against said creature's chest he immediately turned the boots on full blast and kicked to rip the blades out of the creature while at the same time burning it and sending it flying.

He spoke only after he had gotten into a position of safely hovering over the floor.

"You called?" He said simply.

 

[Lizmichi]

Alex jumped up in the air and landed on the back of the other Chameleon using ice spikes to hold it in place. "I'm not going to fucking die." Alex said sending an ice shard into the head of the Chameleon but it didn't seem to affect it. "Dammit." Alex said being pulled of it's back and yelled as the chameleon squeezed her tightly in its hands feeling some bones break.

Eric looked over at Alex and ran to save Alex. "Get off of her." Eric said using the floor it was on to help hold it in place more.