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Ghost's Story
Part 2
By
Scott "RaZrEsHaT" Hall
The sound of a sliding metal door roused Albert from his sleep. Stiffness registered from across his body and all attempts to move proved impossible. The restraints were on more than just his limbs. Attempts to open his eyes were met with complete darkness and it became clear that some sort of blindfold was in place. The gag however was more than he could take.
Deep and panicked breaths went in and out of his nose as Albert began to struggle against his restraints. Pounding his feet on the ground produced a hollow metallic sound and he picked up the pace. Suddenly, the sliding metal door sound returned, but with a faster pace.
"Look, he is awake!" The voice came from the same direction as the sound of the metal door. "I thought you sedated him?!"
"I did!" The defensiveness of the second voice was clear. "I guess his metabolism is higher than average. Better add that to the notes at the turn-in."
A light pressure registered on the right side of Albert's neck and was quickly followed with a slight pinch. His eyes grew heavy and Albert quickly fell back unconscious.
********************
A light pressure followed by another slight pinch woke Albert up. His eyes hurt as they adjusted to the light and he again found his arms and legs restrained. Slowly his vision balanced and the pain from the lights eased.
"Wh…where am I?"
"Mr. Spencer, I am Gordon Maxwell, welcome to Sentry Station. You will find that your arms and legs remain restrained. You are currently under the watch of a sniper team as well as medics who can sedate you within seconds. I suggest you behave yourself during the proceedings." The man to Albert's front wore a well tailored, but plain suit. His eyes revealed a focused determination in contrast with the obvious fatigue that his appearance displayed.
"What….proceedings? WHERE am I?"
"This is a trial to determine if there is enough evidence to qualify you as a mutant and determine if you are guilty of using your abilities criminally or dangerously. If you want to have an opportunity to speak in your own defense, then I suggest you listen closely to the judges and remain civil." Despite Mr. Maxwell's thinning brown hair, his presence was intimidating and was only supported somehow by a slight limp as he walked to Albert's right side and out of view.
"I don't understand. I have rights, how can you violate my rights like this?"
No response came as three flat screen TVs flickered on in front of Albert. The screens began to focus and the image of three very similar judges' benches appeared on each of the screens. Before long, three people wearing long black robes moved onscreen and took seats behind their bench. The two side screens were occupied by male judges, one white and one black, while the middle screen showed a female Hispanic judge.
"Your honors, we are prepared to start." The voice came from over Albert's left shoulder and he craned his neck to try to see to whom the voice belonged.
"Proceed, counselor." A strong determination permeated the voice of the female judge.
"Your honors, the accused, a Mr. Albert Spencer, is charged under U.S. Code 73 USC 1005. He has been evaluated to be a 1-Echo-Foxtrot, and is being held for utilizing his mutant abilities in the conduct of a criminal act."
"Counselor, refresh my memory. What is an Echo-Foxtrot?" One of the male judges requested.
"What the hell is going on here?" Albert had had enough, enough talking about him as if he wasn't sitting right there.
"Mr. Spencer! It is my understanding that you were given the pre-trial briefing? If so, then you had better abide by those instructions unless you would like to take part in the proceedings gagged or sedated." The verbal lashing from the female judge left Albert without response.
"Your honors," the voice over Albert's left shoulder continued, "a 1-Echo-Foxtrot indicates that the mutant is considered to have a normal human capacity for causing bodily harm, however his abilities affect the environment around him and he is also a flight risk due to those particular abilities."
"Ah, very good counselor, thank you. Please continue with the proceedings."
"Your honors, Mr. Spencer was found in a state of invisibility at the scene of a destructive battle between two mutant factions: the mutant terrorist group Ground Zero and the purported hero team Impact."
A pause allowed Albert's memory to catch up with what had happened. The events with Dr. Gordon Banneker all rushed back to him and he realized that his prospects were grim. He knew that Ground Zero had attacked the building, and had stolen the Solar Particle Catcher that he himself had been there to steal, but who was Impact? Then it dawned on him, the pair outside the front doors to the San Jose Technology Museum. They must have been Impact, or at least part of Impact.
"He was found by a K-9 team and attempted flight via turning invisible during the apprehension. As well, he was found in possession of sensitive government materials in the form of a technical manual for a top secret prototype generator. Furthermore, FBI agents raiding his dormitory room at UC-Berkley found connections on his computer to web pages on which he used the codename "Ghost" to search for possible buyers for the stolen technology he expected to obtain."
"How is any of this legal?! Where the hell am I?" Albert again found himself unable to simply be a silent witness to his own trial. "If this is a trial, where is the jury? Where is my attorney?"
"Mr. Spencer, you are here because you are accused of being a mutant and utilizing your abilities in the commitment of a criminal act." A voice announced from Albert's right. "Mutants come to this court for two reasons, either they have used their abilities for crime or they have no control over their abilities and need to be contained. As for the legality of the function of this court; all three branches of the government have confirmed the necessity of this body and its actions." The man to whom the voice belonged walked into Albert's visual range; he stood tall and firm wearing a Navy dress uniform. "Now, if you are satisfied, I am your defense counsel in this case. Lieutenant Barry Jordan."
"Uh, how many defendants have you gotten off?"
"None yet, but I got real close two cases ago."
********************
The judges had heard all the arguments from both sides, short as they were, and had adjourned to make their decision. Albert sat alone in the room with the three flatscreen TVs off and only the lights to keep him company.
"Do you have any questions?" Mr. Maxwell walked in front of Albert.
"What happens next?"
"You mean if you are found guilty?" The word "if" seemed insulting to Albert, he knew that if he was there for the trial, then he was already found guilty.
"Let's be frank with each other, I will be found guilty, and then what happens next?"
"You will be remanded for custody to the containment and research section of this facility."
"For how long?"
"That's up to the judges."
The TV screens began to come to life and the sounds of people returning marked the end of Albert's and Mr. Maxwell's conversation.
********************
"We find the defendant, Mr. Albert Spencer, guilty of the use of a mutant ability in the conduct of a criminal act. Furthermore, we hereby remand you to the confinement and research facility at Sentry Station for an indeterminate amount of time, to be reviewed on a yearly basis to determine your suitability for re-entry into normal society."
Indeterminate! Reviewed on a yearly basis! Albert was pretty sure that a trap door had opened beneath him. His stomach heaved and his legs felt weak. They could keep him as long as they deemed necessary!
"What about my rights?! I deserve to know how long you intend to keep me here! You can't do this to me!" Albert began to struggle against his restraints. Pulling and tugging against the restraints, he felt the familiar tingle of himself becoming invisible. Suddenly a sharp pain erupted in his right arm. Albert looked over to see a dart stuck in his bicep and his body quickly becoming visible as a wave of irresistible drowsiness washed over him.
********************
Again lights painfully blinded Albert. Instinctively he became invisible and attempted to get up and run away, however the ever present restraints on his legs and arms reminded him of the futility. As he returned to a visible state, Albert squinted his eyes and looked around. Several large and powerfully bright lights focused on him in the middle of the room. He was restrained by wrist and ankle cuffs to a leaning metal slab and he wasn't sure but it seemed that there were many cameras, antennas and other devices focused on him.
"Where am I?" A slight pain shot through Albert's skin on his upper body as he attempted to stand up. All over his upper torso were attached various medical sensors. The attached ends pulled at his skin and body hair. "What are you doing to me?"
The lights dimmed and several doctors appeared from a doorway now visible without the bright lights blinding Albert. They were dressed head to toe in surgical scrubs with masks covering their faces. A sudden fear jumped into Albert.
"How long have I been out?! What did you do to me?"
"We have simply run some tests to determine how dangerous you are."
"What? What do you mean?"
"We need to ensure that you don't have some undiscovered abilities or dangers that were missed in the initial screening. Mutant abilities are very unpredictable and can have unforeseen effects that are often very dangerous to themselves and the people around them. As well, we have been attempting to determine exactly how you become invisible."
"Oh…What did you find out?"
"Sorry, you're a prisoner here, we can't discuss that sort of information with you; it is highly classified." One of the men moved to a station on the wall and pressed a button. "Please send in Chief Owens."
"Wait a minute! I am not allowed to know what the tests you did on me say?" Albert's anger met silence.
Moments later a buzz rang out and the sounds of a large air tight door opening were followed by footsteps. A tall black man with short grey hair walked into view. He was dressed in a dark navy blue set of military fatigues and wore a belt with a large handgun and various other devices on it.
"Prisoner12926 I am Security Chief Owens and I am responsible for security here at Sentry Station. You are about to be moved to your cell. Two of my Security Officers in Centurion Armor will be here to escort you. Have no doubt in your mind that if you attempt to harm anyone or escape, that those officers are both capable and authorized to forcibly end your stay with us. Is that clear?"
Before Albert had a chance to respond, two figures appeared through the doorway behind Chief Owens. Each one stood somewhere between six and a half and seven feet tall. Some sort of plastic-ceramic plating covered each figure like a cross between old knightly armor and new high tech sports protection; even their helmets left no exposed skin. The dark crimson hue of the armor supported the foreboding warning by their supervisor.
Albert simply nodded.
"They tend to have that effect on people." Apparently Albert wasn't the first person to be fear-struck by the guardians.
Two medical technicians quickly entered the room and knelt down by Albert's right leg. They wrapped something wrapped around his ankle and as the technicians moved away, he could see a thick metallic band with several boxes protruding out with blinking lights.
"This is your beacon. It monitors your status here at Sentry Station. You are currently going to be placed in the normal security section based on your current threat designation of 1-Echo-Foxtrot." Each statement by Chief Owens had the air of authority to it, and Albert didn't feel he had any option but to obey. "However, any disruptions, violent acts, attempts to escape or destruction of government property such as your beacon, will result in an increase in your threat designation and a change in your containment conditions. That is not a good thing."
Albert could tell it wasn't a good thing without explanation.
"Are there any questions?"
Albert couldn't bring himself to speak so much as a syllable.
********************
As he came out of the examination room, the two Centurion guards took up positions to Albert's front and rear. A long walk down a cement lined hallway did little to clue him in as to what to expect from his new home. Albert noticed that his bright yellow jumpsuit stood out against the dull grey of the cement walls, he assumed it wasn't by accident. The hallway eventually ended at a security station that had a single elevator that sat opposite a guard cell protected by more cement, steal and thick bullet-proof glass.
"Where are we going?" Albert's whisper barely registered in the silence. A ding heralded the arrival of the elevator car and its doors parted.
"Get in." The Centurion Armor's breathing filter caused the occupants voice to take on a foreboding texture. Albert entered the car and looked over to where the floor buttons should be, but found an empty panel.
The elevator lurched slightly as it began to descend. With a sense of drama, Albert felt as if he was descending into hell. It became impossible to determine how far they had gone, and Albert decided to give-up trying to figure it out. Eventually the elevator came to a stop and the doors slowly opened.
A security station identical to the one above sat outside the elevator doors. The guards escorted Albert out of the elevator and past the station. A single hallway stretched out before Albert and his guards quickly shuttled him toward its far end.
At the end of the hallway the prison opened slightly. The hallway dead ended into a curving walkway and the Centurions escorted him to the right. The walkway was lined with cell doors on the right and a railing to the left. Somewhere between five and ten feet from the railing was a featureless cement wall that seemed to extend far above and below the level they were on. Albert stopped momentarily and looked over the rail. He could see that there were many floors below his but darkness obscured any view he could get of the bottom of the prison.
"Back away from the railing!" The Centurion armored guard's voice sent a chill up Albert's spine. "Your cell is not much further."
Without a sound, Albert turned and continued to walk. Thoughts of turning invisible and making a jump over the railing were slipping through his head when a pair of non-armored guards came into view on the walkway.
********************
"I confirm Station 6," tension was apparent in the guard's voice as he spoke into a hand held radio, "there is a noise coming from Prisoner #103224's cell. Please send…"
The door to the cell that the guard was standing near broke off its rails and caught him mid chest. The guard's limp body flew down the walkway and away from Albert. As the other guard reached for a firearm on his belt; a blurred form flashed past him. The second guard's head snapped back and his body immediately went limp and slowly fell to the ground.
An average height Hispanic man stood in a yellow prison jumpsuit rubbing his shoulder.
"Tryandstarvemeyousonofabitches!" Albert had no idea what the escapee said, but he could tell that the man was furious.
"Stop where you are!" The Centurion in front of Albert took a wide stance and aimed his right arm at the prisoner. A gunshot like explosion sounded from the Centurion's outstretched arm and a coiled wire extended toward the mutant prisoner. Before Albert's eyes could find the projectile at the end of the wires, the mutant had moved with blurring speed and dodged. Bringing his hands up, the Hispanic mutant wrapped the wires in his hand and quickly pulled. The Centurion was tugged forward and had to struggle to regain his balance or fall over forward.
Just as a momentary thought of escape crossed Albert's mind a cold heavy hand came to rest on his shoulder.
"Make any move to escape and I will cut you down."
Thoughts of escape quickly became the last thing Albert considered and he resigned himself to watching the outcome of the battle in front of him.
A roaring sound exploded from the far side of the rail and was quickly followed by the ascending form of two more Centurion Armored guards. Flames kicked out of the bottom of their feet and they swiftly brought themselves to a landing on the far side of the escaping mutant.
The Centurion to Albert's immediate front quickly grabbed two hands full of the wire now connecting him to the mutant escapee and began to pull back on the prisoner. The Hispanic mutant quickly un-wrapped the wire from his hands and turned in a blur to face the two new Centurions.
The guard to his front partially shielded Albert from the sudden flashes of light that erupted from the pair of armored guards on the far side of the escapee. Albert felt pain in his eyes and forehead as his vision went completely white.
As he began to blink the white from his eyes, Albert could make out the new pair of Centurions closing in on the Hispanic mutant. One Centurion shot out a wire that attached to the escapee. The man stood his ground as he furiously rubbed at his eyes until his body began to contort in obvious pain. The second guard closed in and reeled back with his right hand. The punch spun the contorting mutant sideways as his body flew back several feet. When the Hispanic mutant landed, he made no attempt to get up.
********************
Nearly a half hour later, the mutant who had attempted escape was back in his cell and Albert was quickly closing in on his own.
The solid metal door slid open and Albert reluctantly stepped inside. A basic cot sat against one wall with a folded up set of linen sitting on a sad pillow. A sink and toilet denoted a bathroom zone in the cell and a single wooden chair sat in the corner.
A thousand questions entered Albert's mind at once and he turned quickly to try and address them to the guards. Looking into the menacing face of the Centurion armor, none of the questions seemed that important. The dark emotionless face was the last thing Albert saw before the door closed. He knew he would see it again in his sleep that night.
