Paladin Ascending Vol 4 #5: Factors

*Warehouse in Atlanta, 6:56 AM:*

 

Jericho: “Long trip guys?”

Jesse: “Yeah. Feels like I spent so long in that thing and I want to take a piss now.”

Jericho: “Washroom’s right down the corner. Trust me, it’s clean.”

Navin: “Anything to show us yet?”

Jericho: “Yes, Here's the archives. And for a fact, I should mention I have many files. Whilst I said to go fast in digging, there's so much information you'd slow down in. Unless you help me with this, there's barely enough to accuse the board. It won't be impossible for you guys, of course.”

Navin: “Good. We'll start here. Now shoot.”

Jericho: “For the last year, Raze has been making experiments in the dark. Even Edens doesn’t know it, but he's aware to a certain extent. She and the board committed to making better super humans to replace Paladin."

Lyra: "And I couldn't thought we were getting that bad enough..."

Jericho: "Which is awful. Many of my colleagues didn't believe it, but a few others like me went in dark to see what she had conducted. But I wasn’t alone, the colleagues who were believers started constantly monitoring. But she was ten steps ahead, and Edens would only be at five. We didn’t intercept fast enough, even if I had the lenses. She threatened to interrogate me if I found out about these superhumans, stronger and better. Blackmailed the rest to leave. It all harkens back to the years when the powers unleashed on everyone.”

Lyra: "Never question your higher ups. As usual."

Connor: "This is what I've been through for years."

Navin: “Did you do anything about it?”

Jericho: “Blowing up the factory is the last thing I ever imagined. But she still has plans on her hands. I should mention that Raze has family outside...she might be childless, but she’s got a niece.”

Navin: “Who is she?”

Jericho: “Sabine Rackham, who is better known as Fireflare. One of your enemies. Since Raze knows what doubles do, then Rackham is the wildcard. She has the commands for sleeper agent activations on secret command—as she’ll carry out her plans of her aunt...when the right timing comes..”

Jesse: "Holy fucking shit."

 

**Mason Gardner's private room, Paladin base, 5:14 P.M:**

 

Sam: “How are you holding up?”

Mason: “Still getting visions. I don’t know...there must be some trauma with those guys, right? Shit...I feel like I’ve caused it...I didn’t know the moon evacuation would do serious harm.”

Sam: “Don’t blame yourself. I know it’s a lot to swallow, but I’ve been doing my best with Remus to keep our buddies at bay.”

Mason: “I wanna get off the bed. I need...I need to do something. Get me off the tubes, Sam.”

Sam: “You sure? You should be staying.”

Mason: “I’m serious. Just get my clothes...I got unfinished business.”

 

**Paladin base, medical bay. 6:40 P.M:*

 

Erin: “Jesse’s not been in touch for a couple hours already. What do you think is gonna happen?”

Gary: “Nothing too bad, I hope. I just gotta keep using my chi to stabilize everyone in play, so talk to me, Tyrone. What are you seeing? How do you feel? Kurt, is everything alright? Please come in as soon as possible.”

Ty: “My sister’s death. It’s all over again. Dad too. I just feel so bad about it. I feel like something happened back down there..like I saw something and it caused recollections of really bad shit.”

Riley: “Goddamn feckers. Get me another beer! I don’t need no pills today!”

Kieran: "Hun, stop. I’m not gonna let you have any.”

Gary: "Keep her still."

Riley: “What do you think I am?! My mother? Don’t try to get away, you little shit!”

Kieran: "Please..."

Harry: "Hey everyone, how about you shut the fuck up."

 

Christ. The effects have latched onto these folks for a while. Tyrone with the constant loops. Riley’s swearing. I’m sure as heck Harry has seizures here and there.

 

I really hoped my powers would be a good effect but it turned out to be something worse, as me and Erin tried to look deep into what happened on that day. Kieran must have something too, since he was a drug addict in the past, but as far as I know, he's clean. He’s probably working his arse up with Kurt in trying to looking the darkness from Erin’s upgraded powers, which might be good help, I don't know clearly. This can't get worse when you’re getting engaged and your fiancée has a big dream/trauma problem.

 

We already knew Madame Raze has constantly pushed people over the edge trying to get what she wants. Ruthless, cold. Resting bitch face. Recently Edens and her having increasingly bad arguments, which nobody could do anything about it. The gossip spreads around, and I hear about the board’s always been at her side, trying to understand what’s going on—they always looked shady.

But when you pressure other departments to conform into more work because of Mason Gardner getting shot, it's really bad. We all visited him when we had the time, since we were his only friends.

 

Kurt: “You need to make your jump soon, Erin. When he’s seeing images again, take control of it. Two days more he’ll be in eternal looping hell. Edens' manual on tips--have you memorized it?”

Erin: "Loud and clear. This shouldn't be tough regarding the developments for a cyberhacker in the shadows."

Kieran: “We gotta fix Harry after this. And Riley...”

Erin: “Sweetie, talk to me. Is it the car crash?”

Ty: “Yeah...it’s in my head...aw god, Alecia...she’s in the rubble...I...I couldn’t save her!”

Erin: “I know it’s hard sweetheart, you have to fight it. You’re not the one who destroyed the building. She was at war...your dad too. He was in an accident.”

Ty: “I’m sorry I’m letting you down...all I see are their faces...I’m sorry I let mom and your dad down...he won’t think I’m a good son in law..”

Erin: “I’ll do what I’ll have to—I’m going inside your head. You need to trust me. Gary, lets do it. I promise everyone won’t be sleepless when we fix our friends.”

 

**Outside Mason Gardner's room, 9:40 P.M:**

 

Edens: “What in the goddamn hell, Antonia? The program was not designed for these young people! They’re human beings, even with special powers! They’re human underneath that skin and blood!”

Raze: “If you knew the lead you would have something wouldn't you, Remus? I will kill Mason Gardner if I have to. But you have wasted much opportunities I have, and one day is already the best offer. Now I don’t get answers from that son of a bitch, I’ll start torturing your team if they can’t give rightful answers as well.”

Edens: “Fuck you. Don't even dare. You've already lost your mind. You’re just like whatever the Guild, or any of these corporate heads then. It doesn't and will never, ever make a difference.”

Raze: “I am doing what is the right action! We will give North what he needs so we can comply and call it a truce. This might not be your temptation, but I’m the goddamn director, and the board will support me at every move! I. Call. My. Fucking. Shots.”

Edens: “Not in hell for your niece, not in a million lifetimes. You’re not going to use her as a pawn to kill them. I know she's evil, but I promised that we wouldn’t kill North’s team! I just wanted them in and answer for their war crimes and the horrendous actions they’ve done to our agency.”

Raze: "Then you're simply too late. This is a waste of my time and space. Look at you Remus, begging like a dog. Get out of my sight. Men, take this scientist away."

 

**Mason Gardner's private room, Paladin base. 9:55 P.M:**

 

Raze: “Mr. Gardner. Being sneaky businessman you are. Aren’t you supposed to be in bed? And I thought your legs weren't completely shit"

Mason: "I'd rather walk around than lay to waste my life away, thank you very much. I don't need anyone or anything but to sympathize with my condition. Unlike them, you should be ashamed. I've heard everything on the outside. In fact, not just that, I know everything."

Raze: And? An argument means nothing. Your old mentor is nothing but a mere crazed wizard who thinks he can save your life. Complete lunacy. And now, where would you be hearing such things from?”

Mason: “I just know. I know Remus has part, but I will deal with that later. And the lies I’ve seen through it. It all makes sense."

Raze: “From who? Where is your proof, Mr .Gardner?”

Mason: “I had intel 5 hours ago. From a simple call. Just a runaway stray from the past who you all shunned when he saw the bigger ploy. Remember? It was Jericho."

Raze: "Who and so what? Oh right, that weakling. I fired him already. His department handled it."

Mason: "On your orders, yes. And now, I’m the one who wants the goddamn answers from you, Madame.”

Raze: "Try me. From the moment you covered your fucking ass for the team you cared so much like your sister, we've already cut ties. So do not try to cross me, are we clear?"

Mason: "I am giving my all---and this blackmail will hit harder than you think. It's on you now."

 

(He presses a button as the room starts brightening up).

 

***

Done