Absorption Distortion

Chapter 21

20 Years Ago

The internal alarms of the Fernbrooke Facility went off. The siren echoed throughout the hallways as the varied frequencies filled the air. Sergeant Major Ryder had the system upgraded when he stepped onboard, making sure that the guards were able to flag an emergency on site. On this particular day, a guard was being held back by two scrub-wearing captives outside in the court area with another two standing before him and were yelling, beating him up. As the other guards ran into the courtyard, they drew their rifles, aiming at the four detainees holding the guard hostage, his head hung being weak from taking kicks and punches. "Let Chapman go!" One of the other guards demanded, referring to the guard being attacked. "No! Let us go!" one of the standing boys, Scott responded. He steps in front of them all, holding out his arm, "He's using his ability!" the guards quickly turned the corner as his hand turned into the end of a M259 light machine gun. He held onto the bottom of his weapon as he fired, the belt feeding through and firing ammo in the guards direction. The left over cartridges could be heard clinking as they hit the ground. He stopped as the wall started to crumble, seeing as the guards were able to duck. Once he stopped firing, noticing no one was attempting to combat him, his machine gun reforms back into his hand, breaking the link of his ability being used. "The Professor," Jake, one of the men standing behind Scott mumbles, his x-ray vision allows him to see Professor Eville stepping into the courtyard. Ryder follows closely behind him and he walks with his hands behind his back, curious of what the commotion is about. "What is happening?" He questions the guards, "Matt, Dan, Scott and Jake have Private Chapman and they are demanding to be let go," Eville smiles and chuckles, "Let me handle this," The Privates stand at attention as he passes, he turns the corner on his own as Ryder speaks with his men. "Gentleman, there appears to be a misunderstanding," he charms, smiling at the guys as he walks. He flicks his right hand and Scott is lifted off the grown and thrown into the wall. "We do not release you from isolation to have you make a stand," he added. Jake, standing behind him receives the same treatment, both of them knocked unconscious through the force of being thrown with Eville's ability. Matt and Dan who are holding Private Chapman look at each other and let him go, putting their hands in the air to surrender. Eville laughs loudly and claps his hands, just as the guards around the corner come running. They tackle Matt and Dan to the ground, securing them and removing them. Private Chapman is carried back in by some of the guards, "Take him to Dr. Greene," Ryder ordered. Professor Eville looks down at Scott and Jake who were thrown against the wall, the guards pick them up and only Scott manages to start regaining consciousness. Eville smiles at him and looks at Ryder, "Put him in Boardroom C," Ryder picks up Scott and walks him back inside the facility.

Once Eville returned inside, he made a quick stop to see Dr. Greene to retrieve Scott's file before walking to Boardroom C. Eville walked in with Greene behind him. He opened the door, seeing Scott handcuffed to a chair on the opposite side of the table, sitting alone in the room. He pulled out the file and viewed it, "Scott... Daniels," he lifted up some paper from within it and sat down like a doctor reading a patients chart. "You can't keep us here like animals!" Eville looks up at him, "No, we wouldn't want to keep you here like your brother," Scott's head snaps up, as Eville continues, "You're a weapon shapeshifter, he's an animal shapeshifter," he looks away, trying to reframe himself for losing his temper. "It's only a matter of time before we bring him in too, you know," Eville throws the file on the desk as Scott screams, "No!" he struggles to break free of the handcuffs but only manages to get his wrist caught. He starts to transform his hand into another weapon when Dr. Greene walks in. Scott's arm returns from gun metal back to human skin as he sits next to the Professor. He leans into Eville and whispers into his ear. Once he pulls away, they both turn to face Scott. He feels defeated, dropping his head in abnegation as he is unable to break free from the facility. "Scott, we understand you don't want to be here," he shakes his head, agreeing that he would rather leave. Eville stands up and slowly walks around the room as he speaks, "But we understand you don't want Jason to be here more," Scott lifts his head slowly as Eville leans over a chair on the far left of the table, "Join us," Scott spits at Eville, but with the distance between him, it lands on the desk. Eville smiles, "It's settled then, I'll just go grab Jason and we'll be back..." he teases, walking happily towards the door, "No. No-no..." Eville turns back to him, "So you'll join us then?" Scott hangs his head defeated and nods. Eville claps his hands, "Excellent," Dr. Greene stands up and they both leave the room just as guards enter to take Scott away. As he is pulled out of the room, Eville who is speaking to Greene turns to the guard, "Put him in isolation for now," he commands, and they all walk away from the Boardroom.