Chapter seven - Promise Fulfilled

“Hello,” A voice called. “Wake up man.” A tired voice called again.

A low grunt was emitted, but due to headache pulsating madly in his head, nothing more was created. He opened his eyes, letting it adjust to pallid white walls that joined to make four corners with the large bed in one corner, a door, and window across from it.

“Where the fuck are we?” Chester asked, leaning himself against the wall, one knee up and resting his forehead on his palm.

“We’re prisoners,” Whispered Brad in reply, looking out dreamily at the dark window. He had a black eye, and it appeared that even though blood had seeped out, he wore it with no vigilance.

“I asked where we were,” Chester croaked. “Not if we were prisoners.” Brad merely grunted in reply, as if not hearing the question. “Where’s Joe?” Brad pointed his thumb to the bed, Chester obviously overlooking the white blanket of a lump.

“He’s still knocked out.” Brad said, looking at Chester square in the eye now. “They overpowered and outnumbered us, nothing we could’ve done.” He said, seeing the man’s eyes darken at failure. Brad continued looking at him, even as Chester bowed his head down to try and rid of the headache overwhelming his head. “Why did you shoot him?” Brad whispered.

Chester looked up at Brad’s calm eyes, though he knew embedded in them were anger that could have been portrayed through yells and screams, if not blows to the face and ribs, or every proportion of the male human body.

“I’ve told him from earlier on that nothing will stand in my way to killing the man, even if he chose to, I will kill him.” Chester replied, his voice also calm though devoid of the depictions of murder.

Brad bit the inside of his bottom lip, not wanting to burst out as he had so easily imagined while watching the unconscious form some odd minutes before. Instead he looked on and diverted his question into something more less interrogating for fuelling their anger.

“So why didn’t you kill him?”

“What?” Chester asked, sounding irritated by the question.

“Why didn’t you kill him?” Brad repeated.

“The bullet simply missed.” Chester said, looking away.

Brad had a hard time believing that the perfected skill of the gunman had dropped so easily. “Why didn’t you take a second shot?” He asked instead.

Chester looked at Brad with as much anger as Brad had given him, except less concealing. They remained quiet then, neither talking or even so much as look at each other. Joe had woken up about an hour later, asking questions but never really getting any answers. He tried but failed miserably at speculating the problems the two currently shared, but thought on that didn’t last for much long.

The door of the room opened, the attention from all three prisoners quickly being taken.

A smile. He smiled as if everything in his world was great, that he had just done the most amazing task, that his luck had finally been fulfilled, a smile that seethes and oozes with malice and ill-fortune, but nonetheless, it’s a smile.

“How are we doing?” The 48 year old chirped, his two bulky bodyguards standing beside each side of the door, standing still and quiet though probably very wary of every movement made in the pallid room. “Please, one at a time. Heed your questions.” He said sarcastically.

“What’re you going to do to us?” Joe quipped, moving forward but stopped just as one of the guards did the same, quickly frightening him.

“Mr Hahn, is it?” The old man spoke. “To answer your question, you three are going to work for me.”

Brad scoffed, chuckling at the statement. “Like that’ll ever happen. I’ll kill myself first before I would do a single thing for you, asshole.”

“Please Mr Delson, language.” He smiled and paced around. “Your father had more control then, but now even more so.”

“What’re you talking about,” Brad said confused. “My father’s dead, you killed him.” Brad had in his mind set that the bastard had committed the murder and even if his assumption on the killer is wrong, there was no harm in blaming him still anyway.

“Killing is such a harsh word,” He chuckled. “Enhanced sounds a lot more fitting.” All three of them looked at the man in confusion. It seems that not a word would pass through any of their lips, so the older man continued. “You see, for nearly thirty years, this company has tried but failed to make a weapon suitable for the high technology we have in this era.

“We soon ask ourselves, what is the core of a weapon? Where does the power come from? Of course not the weapon itself holds the power, but rather the wielder. You see, we are walking time bombs, and very little of us know it. Our hands,” He raised his hands and looked at them before looking back at the stunned trio. “Are more powerful than any weapon developed by man kind.”

“What the fuck are you getting at?” Joe said. He wanted to punch that grinning face in, if only it weren’t for those guards with overly large muscles. He let a sigh escape his lips, defeated.

“What did you do to my father?” Brad said softly, fright building steadily in his veins. A broader grin spread across the bastard’s lips, his eyes gleaming.

He snapped his fingers, ordering the guards to do something. Hope was in Joe’s eyes that the guards were leaving them to be alone, only for them to come back with a figure with its head down. It’s clad in an army uniform, all colours grey and blending into each other, except for the dark boots and messy hair. His hands were cuffed in front of him and the flesh of his hands were much too pale, as if no blood coursed through at all.

“Be honoured gentlemen,” The 48 year old said. “You’ll be the first to experience my experiment.” Just as the 48 year old man was to go through the door, he looked behind his shoulder and said, “Mr Delson, play nice.” Brad looked confused. “I’m not talking to you Bradford.”

Mr Shinoda left, along with the two guards. Joe ran towards the door, forgetting about the still figure in the middle of the room. Joe banged on the door, yelling and screaming.

Brad stood in horror, looking at the motionless being, or whatever it is in front of him and Chester. Joe stood between Chester and Brad, still watching and waiting. “What is it?” Joe whispered, as if scared to wake the thing.

Chester looked over to Brad to confirm his assumption. “It’s my father.” Brad whispered. At that, the figure tilted its head up in one fluid motion, looking at the three of them, almost robotic. Brad took a step back, startled. “Dad?” He said, moving forward but stopping as the figure smirked, his eyes harbouring malice.

His face was as pallid as the walls. He had no pupils and his skin was wrinkled. “What the fuck happened to him?” Joe asked, frightened now.

The cuffs that locked his hands were now broken free by one solid movement, his body still at the same stance. The trio moved back more so now. “Fuck.” Chester said. “We have to fight that thing?”

“Looks like it.” Joe replied, shaking somewhat. He wasn’t trained for melee combat.

Brad only looked on at his father, or what was his father. Can he kill his own father? Can they even kill this... this thing?

“Brad you with us?” Joe asked. They got no reply. “Brad?”

Brad took a deep breath. “My father’s dead.” He said, more to himself rather than to the other two. “That’s not my father, he’s dead.” He said a lot more confidently.

The figure quickly ran forward, it’s speed immediate. Joe was barely able to block the punch that it made as he ducked. They all stared wide-eyed at it, all wondering how this thing was to be defeated with its already impeccable speed. “Fuck!” Chester grunted.

Joe was able to dodge most of its blows, but he could only take so much till he was tired. A firm clenched hand was landed on his stomach as he gutted in pain, spit spewing from his mouth. Brad and Chester were trying but failing to get its attention.

The figure stood over Joe’s unconscious body, his back turned to Brad and Chester who were heaving with air, their stance at the ready. “It’s way too fucking fast.” Chester panted.

“No kidding.” Brad replied.

“How do we fucking kill it?”

“Swearing won’t help.”

Before a plan could barely form in their minds, the figure was intent on taking on Brad now. The blows he blocked felt nothing like flesh, rather it was more like stone that he was blocking. He could feel his bones nearly fracture at the contact. Chester was behind the figure, punching and kicking it madly, but it didn’t seem to be inflicting any.

Brad dodged the fist that came right to his face, cracking the wall behind him. Just as he dodged, he swooped his leg underneath the figure, giving it a loud thud as it fell to the floor. But just as instantly as it fell, it stood right back up.

“I’m not sure I’ll be able to take this anymore!” Brad yelled, punching the figure in the face, but seeming to cause no harm.

“Why won’t it try to hit me!” Chester yelled, jumping and kicking the figure at the back of its head. This rendered it dazed as the head appeared to have twisted in such a weird angle it stood still to correct it.

“You’re next.” Brad said, getting a theory. “Maybe it’s going for weakest first.” Right when his sentence had finished, and the figure’s head was corrected, a fist was landed at the side of Brad’s head, knocking him to the wall. He spat blood, and Chester could only glare in rage as he fought to gain the monsters attention.

“FUCKER!” Chester yelled at the top of his lungs. Brad was thrown against the wall with other bone crunching punch to his gut. He bowled over in pain. Just as his head was falling forward, his head connected to the monster’s knee, creating a sound that stunned Chester immobile.

Brad thumped loudly on the floor, bleeding on the forehead, his lips and through his nose. The monstrous body stood still over Brad before slowly turning its head mechanically towards Chester.

“Fuck.” He muttered, his breathing still coming laboured. But the monster took notice as it dived towards him. Chester quickly ducked and immediately, they engaged in a battle of fists.

Chester hadn’t known how long, but he was wearing thin. When the door opened, he took no note of who it might be and simply kept at his blocking of fist after fist screaming at his body.

“Chester!” His name was yelled, identifying it to be Mike’s. “Here, take the gun.”

The sound of metal scraped against the floor as the gun slid. Chester took his eyes briefly from his attacker to pinpoint where the gun had stopped. With quick manoeuvring, he rolled away and snatched the gun.

“Get out of the room.” Chester warned, as he held the M-16 towards the target.

Mike did as he was told and let the door shut. Rivulets of gunfire was muffled through the sealed off room and once it had ceased, only then did he dare enter. Just as he walked through, the gun was pointed towards him. Mike stopped, looking frighteningly at Chester.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Chester heaved, trying to catch his breath.

The dead body was right up against the pallid walls, black ink staining it.

“I-I came to... h-help.” Mike stammered, gulping down a lump in his throat.

“Why?”

“W-What do you mean w-why?” Mike replied, his voice tiny.

“Why the fuck did you decide to help us now!?” Chester shouted.

Mike flinched. As Chester moved closer, only then did he realise the numerous bruises and scratches that adorned his features.

“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t know t-this would happen.” Mike said truthfully, but Chester was far from believing him. “Rob and P-Phoenix are here too.” And with that, Chester eased.

“Where are they?” He asked, lowering his weapon slightly.

“They’re k-keeping watch.”

“You guys done kissing in here, we really need to bust out.” Phoenix said, entering the door. “Whoa, you look like shit man. What’d you do?” Phoenix looked over to the lifeless body sprawled against the wall. “Whoa times two, who the bloody fuck is that?”

“Phe, go carry Joe. He’s out.” Chester said, looking at the unconscious body that belonged to the Asian man. Chester then moved his gaze to where Mike was kneeling over Brad, supporting his head. In that instant, Chester felt a pang of jealousy but quickly stamped it out.

Rob was next to come through the door. “Let’s move, move, move!” He said.

“Rob, help Mike with Brad. He’s out cold too.” Chester said to Rob, nodding in return.

Mike had instructed Chester where to go, watchful of the cameras and various security systems that lay about. Of course Mike knew where all of them were, this was after all his playground as a child. They had managed to reach the fences of the outside before the alarm had rung off. Search lights were able to locate them in a matter of seconds.

“Stand away from the fence.” Chester warned, running a wave of bullets upon it to create a makeshift door. Chester held the fence open and turned back to realise Mike wasn’t going through. “Go.” Chester said deadpanned.

Mike smiled sadly and shook his head. “You go.” He looked behind him to see guards coming out. “I’ll keep them busy.”

Chester contemplated this, wanting instead to grab him and carry him over his shoulder. But that wasn’t his decision. He let out a heavy sigh. “Take care of yourself. I promise I’ll come back.”

Mike smiled and nodded again. “Okay.”

Chester ran through the fence and into the darkness of the forest.

~*~

He banged his fists loudly on the table. “We have to go!”

Joe looked over at Dave on the couch, a look of brief annoyance dancing in their eyes. The television in front of them was loud, but neither of the two took notice of what was playing, their attention more affix to the conversation going on not too far away.

“Their security has probably doubled, tripled, it’s probably gone ten-fold, there’s no way any of us could possibly get in there!” Rob argued.

“You guys are the top fucking criminals of this country, and you can’t think of any way?” Brad said.

“Do you know how much planning goes into the things we do?” Rob replied. “It takes us months to years to plan what we do, and going in there head first will kill us. Right now, laying down low is the best option we have!”

Brad chuckled, shaking his head. “And here I was thinking that you guys were actually the best out there. I guess they’re just rumours then.”

Rob was going to fume and blast his voice, but Chester snapped from his quiet notion and stopped Rob. He looked over calmly at Brad and with a reasonable voice, one which Rob would fail to conjure at the moment and spoke. “Brad, have you seen what we fought in there? Do you remember, or has it knocked your memory?”

Brad gulped down his retort and looked at Chester, his breathing apparent.

“You said your father was dead, you know your father is dead, but why was he there, hmm?”

“I... I don’t know, okay?”

“What we faced in there was obviously not human,” Chester started, observing the topic and not so much informing Brad alone, but everyone currently present and listening.

“Agreed.” Joe stated from his seated position on the couch.

Chester briefly looked over at the heavily injured Korean before continuing. “They’ve done something to him. He was dead, but like the old man said, he was enhanced.”

“I was wondering about the liquid coming out of him,” Rob interrupted, stating his view and purposely avoiding Brad’s glare. “And it smelled somewhat that of gasoline.”

“So, they’re like killer robots?” Dave inquired, chuckling. Everyone fell silent. “Or like, super humanoids with guns and all these gadgets coming out of their bodies.” He expected one person to the least bit chuckle, but everyone’s mind was too busy actually apprehending the thought.

“For once, you might actually be right Dave.” Chester replied.

~*~

Everyone had gone off to bed, choosing to take the time given to sleep comfortably, though for some it was a little harder, namely Joe who was injured quite badly. He had taken it quite harsh and also taking Brad’s theory to heart; the weakest got taken first. Though he understood that both Chester and Brad were a great deal stronger than he was, it had damaged his ego that it was put out there.

Brad had also taken a lot for his body, it was a wonder that he was able to keep his frigid and angered stance against Rob earlier that evening, and even more astonishing so that he appeared to show no sign of any effect it had on his body.

Chester had taken his share of punches and by all means, rest was one of his top priorities as well, but it wasn’t nearly as important as the worry that currently coursed through him.

He had laid in bed earlier, finally concluding that sleep just would not come. And so, he got up and walked about. He headed to the landing pad for the helicopter, opening the hatch so a full wall of the cavern opened. The helicopter sat quietly, sleek and shiny, just as Joe always liked it.

Chester enjoyed the breeze that currently blew by the high cliff of the mountain. He sat with his knees up and his hands resting on them as he looked out into the darkness of the woods far below. There were faint glimmers of light in the very far distance, a city.

No matter what he looked at and speculated, thought twice or twenty times over, Chester was unable to get the thought of Mike out of his mind. He invaded him like a plague, taking no attention to anything else even remotely of importance, such as sleep for example and Chester found this irritating. Why was he stuck in his head?

Chester remained confused of the possible reason why Mike would help him, but he figured he was doing so just to get Brad out and out he did. Perhaps the act of rescue wasn’t meant for him, but for his best friend. He felt another surge of jealousy in him again, wondering why it had emerged.

Though he failed to admit it to himself, he knew something was growing. It’s not as strong now, but it was there.

~*~

“Umm, yeah, no.”

“I totally do, you’re just not looking close enough.”

Joe took Rob’s hand and inspected it. Smirking to himself, he slipped his hand away and slapped the oblivious Korean. “Hey!” Joe frowned backing away, rubbing his slapped cheek.

Rob sipped his coffee. “I told you I do.”

“I didn’t even see it. You’re such a liar.” Joe made a face at Rob, taking another bite of his waffle.

“Where’s my ten bucks, Dave?” Rob asked.

“Joe-” Dave sighed. He shook his head and handed the ten dollar slip to Rob who pocketed it with a triumphant grin.

Chester poured himself a glass of coffee before walking out without so much as a word. He was surprised to see that Brad had done the same thing that he did last night. He walked over and stood beside his seated position.

“Why is it that people are so unaware of this place?” Brad asked, his focus straight ahead of him. Chester shrugged even though Brad didn’t see it, taking a sip of his coffee as a fog drew out from his mouth while exhaling. “Is there some sort of machine that’s making a mirage?”

“We tried to locate this place when we’re down there too, but we can’t see it. Or it’s just very hard to. So it’s not apparent to anyone unless they try really hard. Most of the time, this door is closed anyway, so you’ll never know.” Chester explained, taking another go at his coffee.

“Hmm.” Brad replied thoughtfully.

They both remained in their positions, letting the silence loom between them.

“-fucking believe you bet that I’m fucking stupid!” Joe roared. “Come here you bastard!”

Chester turned around to see Dave running off with Joe trailing behind him slowly, throwing words of profanity to him one after the other. Chester smiled and thought to himself, forming a proper question for Brad only.

“How much do you know about the building?” Chester asked Brad quietly.

Brad looked up, scrutinizing Chester, knowing what he was talking about. “Enough, I think.”

Chester took one last sip of his coffee, looking behind him to see if any of the guys were listening, but they all seemed caught up with being entertained by Joe. Calmly, he poured his thoughts to Brad and easily, Brad did the same.

~*~

A great deal of the afternoon was taken discussing things between the duo that sat on the ledge. The others took no notice and continued on with pranks with no care in the world.

“If they find out?”

“Then they’ll find out,” Chester replied. “I guess.”

Silence erupted for long minutes before it was interrupted.

“So there is something there.” Brad remained looking at Chester’s eyes while he looked out into the afternoon horizon. Chester slowly looked over. “At first I thought it was just me, but you actually do care for Mike, don’t you?”

“What are you talking about?” Chester tried to sound indifferent in his voice, but he found himself hard to actually form the sentence.

Brad smiled and looked back out into the canopy of trees below, having gotten his question clearly answered. “You know quite well what I’m talking about and denying it is just going to prove it even more.”

Chester sighed. “Okay, so what’s it to you?” Chester wanted to sound defensive, trying to diminish his current vulnerability, but failed in doing so.

“I’m just saying, Chester,” Brad continued with that smile on his face. “I mean, I know he feels the same way about you. He wants so bad to hate you but find that he can’t,” He chuckled. “I know all the secrets that is Mike Shinoda and I can unfortunately explain every gesture, act, face, or whatever he makes.”

Chester listened closely. “So why did he choose to stay?”

“That’s him trying to be brave,” Brad replied. “He tries so hard but he only ends up hurting himself in the end. He’s a good kid, just really misunderstood.” Brad said sincerely, gazing over at Chester.

“After all the things I’ve done to him, you think he still does?” Chester sounded guilty.

Brad only laughed. “He easily forgives people. His problem is that it’s hard for him to forgive himself. He takes most things to heart and he’s sensitive.” He said truthfully. “But he’s also devil’s tantrum child. When he was a kid, he knew how to be pissed.”

They both laughed quietly, the need to get Mike back safely growing stronger, but even more so in Chester.

Chester stood up and stretched. “I need some sleep.”

~*~

For days, Brad and Chester had not talked of their plans. They kept it locked out of the way and instead focused on the things at hand, which currently is to be having fun. The guys slowly grew to like Brad more and more. They found him an asset and could be very valuable for the team, so it was no surprise that he became an honorary member of said team, Xero. They had celebrated with booze and lots of wild singing and games. Everyone was in high spirits and for that time, Brad and Chester were able to remove the weight bearing heavily on their shoulders.

Those days drew into weeks and the need to formulate a better plan only made the duo more anxious. Chester was finding it harder and harder to sleep, unknowing of what was happening to Mike, or him for that matter. He felt a loss of control slipping from his fingers, because Mike was his, Mike belonged to him. That didn’t sound just, but to Chester, it’s what he felt and couldn’t help but feel.

The others still remained in shadows of what the two had in mind, but in due time, the thoughts may be subjected to change to accommodate room for assistance. Deciding that a month passed was long enough, Brad and Chester grouped the team together to discuss the current state of affairs involving Mike that bright morning.

Chester, having assigned himself a leader in the group, spoke first. “We’ve gathered you guys here to assign another task.”

“This was coming sooner or later.” Joe said, stretching his arms as he sprawled on the couch. The other two remained quiet and let Chester continue.

“It’s been about a month now and both Brad and I are getting worried about Mike.” Chester said. “This is a mission which you can choose to participate in or simply sit back. Brad and I are on go and we’re going, the question is if any of you are willing to.”

Brad lifted an eyebrow, seeing the three guys on the couch remaining silent.

“The monster we fought back was strong. Who knows how many more they’ll have this time.” Joe said.

“Fine,” Chester replied. “A simple no would have answered my question instead of looking back at me. Brad and I’ll do it alone then.”

It remained at that. No one spoke back or talked to Brad or Chester about the topic. For days on end, Brad and Chester trained openly, sharing techniques and other forms of destruction that could be inflicted upon the human body. The others would sometimes watch, wondering if they should change their mind and perhaps join, but they would never speak up.

~*~

“Let go of me!”

“So very sick of your childish behaviour, Michael. Until you decide to tell the truth, I‘ll start treating you like a real man.”

Mike got up from the bed, having been pushed down roughly by his father who had refused to let him go before they had gotten here. Mike knew where he was; the sub-basement. There were no windows here, so the only thing you were able to see were the white pallid walls, the bed, and a desk with a single chair. This is where he went when he misbehaved as a kid.

Mike remained silent, looking at his father. “You’re playing with fire very dangerously, Michael, and I don’t appreciate any of it. Stay here. When I return, have something decent to say.”

“You can’t leave me in here!” Mike said, following his father to the door.

“I can and I will.”

Mike fumed, his anger rising. “No you can’t!” He pushed his father aside and ran through the door, but before he was even able to run any further, a pair of strong arms wrapped around him, a security guard who has been obviously told of his duties. “Let me the fuck go you ass-face!” Mike screamed.

“Let no one in but me.”

The guard nodded, throwing Mike inside the room before shutting it.

Mike got up from his thrown position on the ground and started banging on the door. “Let me out. LET ME OUT!” He screamed at the top of his lungs, but there only came silence as a response. He turned his back against it and fell butt first to the floor, running his hands through his hair. “Fuck.”

~*~

“Forty-five... forty-six... forty-seven... and forty-eight. I have forty-eight in total.”

“Forty-eight! Holy shit. That’s a bloody lot you have. Where do you put them all?”

“That’s a secret I’ll never tell.” Brad said, winking at Dave. Brad hadn’t caught it as he was busy fixing the various numbers of knives hidden about his clothing, but Dave had shyly blushed away and pretended to be paying attention to the television once more.

“Does anyone know where Uzi’s are?” Chester asked.

“I do.” Dave said, jumping up from the couch. He hasn’t a clue where it’s located but decided that now would be a good time to help look for them.

“Thanks Dave.”

“And how many guns are you carrying?” Brad asked.

“Ask me one more time and we’ll see that I don’t shove those knives down your throat.” Chester smiled. “Where’s Joe and Rob?”

“Bed.” Dave stated, walking in with dual Uzi’s in each of his hands. He handed them carefully to Chester. Dave looked between Chester and Brad, a little longer on the latter, and let out a breath. “This’ll be a piece of cake for you guys, I know.”

“Thanks Dave, hopefully it will be.” Brad said, finally ready.

“Just don’t tell Joe I’m taking the chopper.” Chester smirked.

Dave looked back oddly. “You mean he wouldn’t let you?”

Chester chuckled, shaking his head.

“So... what does that mean?” Brad asked, a tad worried.

“That Dave, you never tell him.” Chester smirked. “If he asks, tell him you were asleep and you didn’t see.”

“All right fine, but hopefully you guys will be back before then.” Dave said. “How long do you think you’ll take?”

“Don’t know.” Brad replied.

“Doesn’t matter how long, just as long as we get him back.” Chester said. Brad nodded.

“Now get lost.” Dave said, shooing the duo away.

Chester started the chopper and in minutes, they were soaring the skies. They flew it above the clouds, and even though the chopper was quiet due to Joe’s fine machinery on it, Chester still wanted to be watchful and wary.

It was past one am. A fog had built up, giving them more cover as they descended a clear patch of grass that showed clearly on the info red sensors of the chopper. Just as it was when it descended, it remains a silent and looming metal figure in the dimness of the night. Both Brad and Chester left it and stealthily got themselves to the fence.

“Don’t touch it.” Chester warned just as Brad was about to touch the metal weaves. Chester put clips on the fence, like one would do to jump start a car, and with a button, a spray of sparks let it known that the electrical output that it had had shut down.

They smiled at each other before Brad began to easily slice apart the metal wires, making a makeshift door.

“That’s a large open field.” Brad said, looking at the stretch of long grass to the building.

“It is.” Chester replied. “Well, good luck to you, man.

Brad smiled. “Good luck to you to. Hope to see you back out of this alive.”

Both laughed one last time as they carefully went through the wire fence.

“Here we come Mike, here I come to rescue you.” Chester whispered.