Here We Go

chapter 3

When we got inside and to the control room agents were still walking all over and Ames was standing in the middle as agents down below were working on computers. Ames was a rough looking older man, he was as tough as they come. "We're at lock sir." Agent Hall said. "Good. Let's disappear." Ames said.

I walked over to the railing near Ames and sat on top of it as James and Mark looked around wide eyed. "Gentleman." Ames said looking at them. James shook his hand and walked past still looking around in amazement.

Ames then shook Marks hand. "Doctor, thank you for coming." He said. "Thanks for asking nicely. So uh, how long am I staying?" Mark said nervously. "Once we get our hands on the Messer cube you're good to go." Ames said. "Where are you with that?" He asked. "We're sweeping every wirelessly accessible camera on the planet. Cellphones, laptops, if it's connected to a satellite, it's eyes and ears for us." Ben said.

"That's still not gonna find them in time." Alexandra said now looking down at a computer with Jakes picture on it. I looked sadly at the picture but forced myself to look away. Jake has always been a good friend to me. Ever since I joined Iron Arm, Jake and I have had each other's backs and comforted each other when we needed it. He has to come back.

"You have to narrow it down. How many networks do you have access to?" Mark asked. "How many are there?" Ames asked. "Call every lab you know, tell them to put the network satellites on the roof and calibrate them for nuclear rays. I'll plan out a tracking equation algorithm based on field recognition." Mark said.

"Right we could also search forensic databases for any recent disappearances or unusual activity. That might help." I said standing up and crossing my arms. "Good idea. At least we could rule out a few places. Do you have somewhere for me to work?" Mark said to Ames.

"Agent Rosair, would you show Dr.Campbell to where he’ll be working, please." Ames said. "You're gonna love it, Doc. We got all the toys." Lexi said leaving with Mark following her.

"And Bailey I was hoping you would accompany Dr. Campbell as well since you know a lot about nuclear radiation, maybe it might speed up the process." Ames said. "Yeah sure." I said walking out and following them.

Later on I left the lab taking a break from searching and contemplating algorithms with Mark and went to see how everyone was doing on the main floor in finding the Messer Cube. I walked up to James and Ben as they talked while looking down at everyone work.

"I mean, if it's not too much trouble." Ben said to James. "No,no it's fine." James said. "It's a vintage set. It took me a couple of years to collect them all. Near mint, the papers a little wore, but-" Ben was saying, getting James to sign his comic book collection and I was trying not to laugh at him when one of the computers started beeping.

"We got a match. Fifty two percent. Wait, processing, eighty seven percent." One of the agents said at the computer. "Location?" Ben asked. "West Germany. Fifty four east Markane. I don’t think he’s trying to blend in." The agent said. "Captain, Bailey your turn." Ames said looking at us. We both nod and I leave with James following behind me.

We flew in one of Iron Arms jets over Germany. Alexandra was steering and James and I sat in the back having a long conversations about our pasts since it was gonna be a long ride and we had nothing else to do. Almost two hours in and we still weren't there yet.

"So you're telling me you jumped off the Statue of Liberty because you were bored?" James asked me looking amazed. "Yep, I mean it wasn't that big of a deal considering I can fly. Actually even if I couldn't fly I'd probably do it if I had a parachute or something." I said shrugging.

"Wow and all I do when I'm bored is draw." He said. "You actually draw? Can I see them?" I asked smiling. "Yeah, um sure. They're not very good though." James said looking down a little sheepishly. "Now I don't believe that, I can't wait to see them." I said.

"Alright guys we're coming up on Eris get ready." Alexandra said from the front. James and I got serious quick and stood up getting ready. We saw Eris in the distance wearing a weird dress robe and horned helmet on her head, standing outside a museum with a crowd of people bowing to her in fear as she gloated with a staff in her hand.

We could hear Eris from here talking to them. "Is not this easier? Is this not your natural condition? It's the unspoken truth of your race, that you need to be lead. The lure of free will lessens your life's happiness in a chaotic grab for control, for identity. You were made to be ruled. In the end, you will always bow." Eris said. I glared at that and clenched my fists. Yeah I already don't like her.

An old man stood up from the crowd and faced Eris with defiance. "Not to people like you." He said. I smiled at him. "There is no one like me." Eris said. "There are always people like you who seek power." He said back. Yeah I have to agree with him. "Look to this man people let him be a lesson." Eris said and pointed her staff at the man. The old man stood his ground with no fear.

Here we go. James and I lowered the door on the jet and jumped out. Eris shot her staff and then James landed in front of the man and pushed him out of the way.The shot of power from the staff missed them both.

"You know, the last time I was in Germany and saw someone talking down to everybody else, we ended up with a problem." James said walking towards Eris as the crowd ran off. "The perfect soldier. A man from time." Eris said. "And you’re out of time." James said.

The jet came from above us and pointed it's machine guns at Eris. "Drop the weapon and stand down." Alexandra said over speaker. Eris quickly shoots the staff at the jet making Lexi quickly move it to dodge. I throw a fireball at Eris which hits her and sends her back some.

She looks at me and smiles. "Ah I was hoping to meet you. The controller of the elements, such power you have." Eris said smiling at me. "Yeah well I can't say the same for you." I said and then threw another fireball at her. She dodged it and sent a shot of power at me. It was so fast and close that I flipped backwards and landed crouching down as I barely missed it. James threw his shield at Eris but she dodges that too and throws James on the ground.

James tried to kick Eris in the air but she dodges it and knocks him down. Eris stands over James with the staff pointed at him. “Bow." Eris said. "Never." James said flipping and knocking the staff away before knocking Eris to the ground. When Eris is about to attack again I use the wind to pull her up high in the air and then slam her back down.

She got up again and we all looked up to see something flying towards us. As it got closer I recognized it and my eyes widened. No, no, please no. Suddenly Marcus Bolton hovers in front of us in his metal suit and blasts Eris sending her to the ground. He lands and pulls out all the weapons in his suit and points it at Eris.

"Make your move." Marcus said. Eris holds her hands up and her armor materialized so she sat in regular clothes. "Good move." Marcus said retracting his weapons. James walks over to us still watching Eris. "Captain." Marcus said nodding to James. “Mr. Bolton.” James responded. Alexandra started to put Eris in the jet with handcuffs on as we all stood there.

Marcus had his mask up and glances over at me. I don't think he's recognized me until now because he jerks his head back to stare at me wide eyed. I tense up. "Bailey." Marcus whispered sounding like he couldn't believe it was me.

I turned my head and looked at him blankly. "what?" I asked. "Bailey." He said again sounding more like he believed it and had a growing smile on his face. I just looked at him as he observed me stunned like I was about to disappear. Suddenly he came at me and hugged me tight putting his face in my shoulder.

I tensed even more and suddenly I went back to the night he hit me and made me fall into the glass table. I looked up at his face with blood running down my arm as he stared at me blankly and then walked away. I quickly pushed Marcus away with all my strength causing him to stumble away from me in shock but still looking happy to see me.

"Do not. touch me. again." I said glaring at him before walking into the quinjet not looking back.