3. Evil arising
Monday, September 4th 2000, 5.30 p.m.
Akropolis Tower, Los Angeles
A red haired woman was standing on a street opposite the Akropolis tower near the center of the city with a black haired man. It seemed they were having an argument of some sort.
''I said I want out of this.'' the woman said.
''You know that isn't possible, you came to us with your own free will.'' the man said coldly.
''Well no one told me what kinds of creatures you would turn me into!'' the woman yelled.
''Would you shut up and go after your colleagues! They are ready to get the things moving. You cannot escape this, you are the most powerful form and we need you against that MIST team which will certainly be there.'' the man said irritated.
''I want you to take it out of me!'' the woman said, not giving up.
''It is too late for that and you know it. Your cells are transforming already, they are just waiting for the right moment to complete. You can either continue living as an ANMC or we can kill you here and now.''
''You're sick people, you know that. After this is over, don't come near me ever again.'' the red haired woman said angrily and left.
The man watched grinning as she walked across the street and disappeared through the Akropolis' tower doors. The man left satisfied, everything was going like planned. It didn't matter whether or not the red haired woman wanted this anymore or not. Once the transformation took place, it couldn't be reversed and she would be under their control. The man smiled wickedly, she would come to use as soon as their only real enemy, that secret MIST organisation, appeared.
MIST center, Los Angeles, 8.05 p.m.
The director in charge of the MIST, Eric Baldwin, was sitting in his office, browsing through some papers but left them be, unable to concentrate on anything. The was only one thing running through his mind while he was anxiously waiting a phone call to confirm whether or not their plan had worked out. He still couldn't understand how he had managed to get himself in this mess. Of course he needed that money because of his depths, but surely he could have made up some better way to get it. But at the time it had seemed to be the easiest way.
Baldwin sighed frustrated. It was rather dark in his office. 'Suits well for what I'm about to do.' he thought grimly. Only source of light was coming out of cars which passed by occasionally. This all was a strain on the nerves for him and he got up and started to walk nervously in his small office. Only sound that could be heard beside the sound his walking was the clicking of the wall clock's hand after every minute. Baldwin sighed again and was left alone in his thoughts. It all had seemed really easy at first when he came to work in MIST.
He put up a tough front, not letting anyone to get near him and pretending to be a strict and cold boss. Then one day he realised that every time one of his MIST hunters went out on the field, he feared whether or not they came back alive. He also started to understand how important the work they did was for all mankind. He knew he shouldn't think that way, he was supposed to work against this organisation. He tried not to care but the better he get to know his hunters the more he cared. His conscience didn't leave him be for a moment. But now it all didn't matter anymore. This was the day he had worked for and there was no turning back, It was the beginning of the end, at least they had promised to safe him from it all. After hearing that it made easier not to care about others. He wasn't going to pull the trigger on himself, he was going to see it to the bitter end.
The ringing of the phone interrupted Baldwin's thoughts. Quickly he hurried to answer.
''Baldwin speaking.'' he answered, trying to sound casual.
''Everything went like planned. I'm sure the police will contact you soon. I want you to send your two best hunters on the field. That Brea girl because of her powers and that Broderick because of his bloodlust for the likes of us. Understood?'' said a cold metallic male voice.
Baldwin closed his eyes hesitating for a moment. He had thought about this a lot but it didn't make it any easier.
''Don't tell me you have conscience after all. Sorry pal, it's starting to be a bit late.'' the man said mockingly.
''It's nothing. I'll do as you wish.'' Baldwin said, gritting his teeth.
''Good, you better do that.'' the mystery man said and hung up on him.
Baldwin stared at the phone for a moment.
It had been done and now there really wasn't a way to escape it. His soul would rot in hell and he knew he deserved it.
Shooting range, MIST Center, 8.18 p.m.
Aya Brea was practising at the shooting range once again, like she did many times after her working day was over. She didn't have much to do at home, so she liked to keep herself fit for her job. Aya had been shooting for quite a while and she was getting really tired. She just shot every target that appeared before her without thinking much. She just shot, loaded, shot and loaded again and again like she had learned already years ago when being a cop. Her thoughts had been drifting back to her nightmare and dead twin sister over and over again. It made impossible to concentrate on the matters at hand so she just let her mind wander deeper and deeper into her thoughts. Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by a loud siren and a bright red light which indicated that she had done an error. Aya looked at the target and noticed it represented human that was a mistake she hadn't done in a long time. She wouldn't beat Rupert Broderick at their shooting competitions if she kept this kind of performance on.
''What's the matter Aya, got something against little girls?'' she heard Pierce Carradine asking irritably from the control room.
They weren't allowed to practise alone and Pierce usually volunteered to practise with her. They had become quite good friends and Aya was starting to be quite certain that the poor guy had a crush on her. Aya hadn't told about her sexual orientation at her work place, since she liked to keep things to herself but it seemed this guy wouldn't give up before she told him directly.
''I'm just not in the zone today.'' Aya said shaking her head tiredly and lowering her M93R hand gun.
''Do you want to give another shot?'' Pierce asked more seriously.
''No, no. I think I'm ready to go home. It's been a long day.'' Aya said unloading her gun.
''Okay. I just shut the program.'' Pierce replied and disconnected.
Aya sighed and put the 9 mm. bullets back on the table behind her where all the bullets used in training were located. They weren't allowed to take those bullets outside the shooting range, the bullets used on field were stored in the firearms storeroom which her friend, Jodie Boquet, took care of. Aya also took of her headphones which just didn't block the sound of shooting but also played music while training. That, of course, had been Pierce's great idea and it actually helped Aya relax. It was really hot day and the air conditioning didn't seem to be enough. Aya ran her fingers through her short and moist blonde hair, she couldn't wait to get home and into shower. She rubbed her eyes; the contact lenses, which were used to count their extra salary after every kill while on the field, made her eyes feel really dry but it couldn't be helped if you wanted the money.
Aya put her gun on her shoulder holster, which she wore almost all the time. That handgun was one of her favourites because of its size, range and accuracy, it was also semi-automatic. Sometimes it wasn't enough so she owned a rifle and a shotgun too, but she had stored those in the gun rack, which Jodie also took care of. She didn't want that kinds of weapons in her home. Aya exited the shooting range through the only door, Pierce would take care of the lightning and other stuff. Aya came to a small hallway which walls were covered with articles about NMCs and creature discovery as the magazines referred to NMCs, since they didn't know about their existence. Aya ignored all those and went through one other door, which led to the control room.
When stepping in she noticed Pierce was talking with someone through the phone. Aya was about to walk past him, wanting to go home as soon as possible, but was stopped by Pierce's waving. Aya sighed and waited. Pierce had original looks, his rather long blonde hair was tied up in ponytail and he always wore round black sunglasses. Now he was in his green cargo pants and white shirt with brown vest to give some color. Aya herself just had light blue jeans and black t-shirt. They didn't have uniforms since they were supposed to work in secret and imperceptibly.
''So, what's up? Don't tell me it was Hal.'' Aya asked as soon as Pierce finished the phone call.
They all called Eric Baldwin as Hal because of his cold and detached manners.
''Yes, I'm afraid he was. Hal wants you.. I mean your supervisor agent Baldwind wants you at the Akropolis tower, downtown, ten minutes ago. It looks like the creatures had appeared again.'' Pierce explained.
Aya sighed tiredly, she wanted to go home, not to chase after some false alarm in the middle of the evening, but the place where she was supposed to go sounded really odd.
''Akropolis tower? I went there for clearance sell last week.'' she asked in disbelief.
''I bet not on the roof. Rubert is already there, it seemed urgent.'' Pierce explained.
''I hope this not some salesclerk in fluffy chicken suit like in last time.'' Aya said tiredly, still not believing this could happen.
''I don't think so, SWAT is already there.'' Pierce said sounding concerned.
'This is starting to sound serious.' Aya thought and readied herself to go, even though she was dead tired.
''I'm on my way. I suppose Jodie has my car ready?'' she asked Pierce who just nodded and said suddenly smirking:
''Did you have one too many last night? You don't look too good.''.
''No. You know I don't drink. I just saw a weird dream and didn't get enough sleep.'' Aya answered a bit irritated.
''Uuh, I like those.'' Pierce said sounding interested.
''No, nothing like that. It was about my sister. My dead sister crying for help.'' Aya whispered before she could stop herself, it wasn't like her to reveal things like that.
''I didn't know you had a sister.'' Pierce said surprised.
''It was a long time ago. Don't worry about it. I must go now.'' Aya said waving a goodbye wanting to end the conversation there.
''Be careful.'' Pierce shouted as Aya walked through the door to go to the carage, where her car was.
Aya walked through the short hallway and saw Jodie waiting for her in the carage where all the MIST hunters' cars were located. Aya looked at the smiling Jodie, who was rather beautiful with her long brown hair and green eyes. But she wasn't Aya's type, too lively and energetic, always in the center of action. Besides Aya was pretty sure she was straight, even though they never had discussed about it.
''Hiya, Aya. I put your guns and bullets in to the trunk. And I also put some water with you.'' she said winking.
''Thanks.'' Aya said smiling, she needed to drink a lot after using her Parasite powers, because it used the water in her body as fuel.
''Be careful.'' Jodie said concerned as Aya walked to her car and opened the door.
''Yes, as always.'' Aya said and waved before sitting on the driver seat.
Her car was rather new, she still paid for it monthly. It was a yellow cadillac, the kind of car Aya had wanted for all her life, she had actually named it Carrie. Aya smiled a bit when the engine roared to life. She waited as the carage doors opened for her and then pulled of, heading to the Akropolis tower.
To be continued
A/N: Things are just getting started. There will be some action in the next chapter. Please review.
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