Chapter 5 –Some Drinks and Some Answers

 

 

Across Tempo City, about 15 miles away from where the four heroines were being prepared to pay for their defeat two men stepped into a fancy Irish Pub called the Stolen Shamrock.

 

The older of the two motioned toward a pretty young red haired waitress who looked to be about 21 years old. She walked over towards the men and smiled.

 

“Hey guys, how have you been? It’s been awhile since I’ve seen either of you two.”

 

“It’s been really crazy over there lately. We barely have time to go home some nights Mary.”

 

“Yeah”, the younger one said. “There’s been many nights I’ve slept in the office.”

 

“I guess the bond market is doing really good then huh? I hope it’s worth putting in all those hours though. Jeez, I’d have to think long and hard before committing such a big part of my life to that. The money must be amazing.”

 

The men looked at each other and the older one said. “Yeah, that’s why we do it, the money’s great. You really have to be committed to the cause though. Our job is not for the feint of heart; you really have to give it your all. It takes no prisoners.”

 

“Yeah, I think I’ll stick with the whole teacher thing I’m trying to do. Would you guys like a booth as usual?” the pretty girl asked.

 

“That would be great Mary, but how about something in the back and away from the crowd?”

 

“You’re wish is my command, follow me.”

 

The girl led them to a lonely booth all the way in the back of the Pub with no other booths around it. It was located underneath a large plasma TV that was on but had no sound coming out of it. The booth was up against a brick wall.

 

“Drinks, guys?”

 

The older man said “I’ll have the usual, Dewars on the rocks.”

 

The younger man placed his order “Just a Coors Light Mary, thanks. Have to watch my weight.”

 

“You let me watch you. I’ll keep my eye on your weight among other things.”, she winked at him and walked away.

“Ahhh, what a nice girl.” He looked at Mr. A and spoke, “I was surprised you wanted to come here tonight with everything that’s going on tomorrow.” Mr. B said.

 

“Well, there comes a time when things must be discussed and made clearer. Now is your time to ask questions. I suggest you ask whatever has been on your mind; there will be only one time we do this. Tomorrow things will change. Before that happens I’d like to commend you on your work with the bounty hunter and Volkov. You did a great job putting them together and keeping us away from the action and in the shadows.”

 

He slid a thick envelope across the table towards the younger man.

 

“A bonus?”

 

The older man just nodded at him.

 

Mary came back with the drinks, smiled at Mr. B and walked away with a little bounce in her step and a shake in her butt.

 

“You have been with the Program for 5 years now. You’ve been chosen to be groomed as my apprentice, and I want you to understand what we do. Its time you had some answers. Whatever is discussed here stays between us. I trust you understand the consequences?”

 

“Finally” thought the younger man. “Of course.”

 

“First of all, I appreciate you taking me under your wing and guiding me as you have since I accepted my position. Secondly I am sorry if I have pestered you over these last few months its just that the unknown has been driving me crazy for years now.”

 

“I understand, I once felt the same as you. I wasn’t always in charge of this project.”

 

“What is our goal?”

 

“To improve life for our citizens, to make the world a better place.”

 

“What does that have to do with these costumed freaks?”

 

“They have certain attributes that my boss would like to turn into an advantage for us”

 

“Their powers, it’s about gaining their powers.”

 

“Yes, that’s what I believe it to be.”

 

“Ok, but you’re not sure? You don’t know if that’s it?”

 

“No, that’s what I have been led to believe. I am not sure if that is the exact agenda.”, replied the older man.

 

“Why must we brutalize them? Why haven’t we just asked them to help us?”

 

“That has been tried once before with disastrous results. Do you remember the last heroine in Tempo City before this latest crop?”

 

“Tempest, you were involved with her? She disappeared; everyone thinks she’s dead. That was at least 8 years ago.”

 

“What else do you remember?”

 

“Well, I was in the military at that time. I didn’t live here then. She was kind of tall and had amazing powers. She was beautiful like all superheroines seem to be and had a fantastic body. Then she just disappeared and the scum took over the city again. What was the Programs part in all of this?”

 

“My boss approached her and she almost killed him. We tried to reach out to her but she wanted no part in helping us. Eventually we captured and held her, did our tests and found out what we could.”

 

“And what were the results?”

 

“My boss could hold her power temporarily, but then it would leave. He had a way of gaining it. All other measures proved to be futile.”

 

“What happened to her?”

 

“She escaped and was never seen again. Anyway, that’s why we do things the way we do them. Our work is too precious to ask them anymore. We can’t risk it. Anything else?”

 

“Your boss or our boss, what’s his name?”

 

“He goes by Mr. Z, his name is Zhamnov. That’s where this ridiculous Mr. A and B and the letters come from. His idea.”

 

“Who is he? Tell me about him.”

 

“He looks like he’s 20 years old, he’s much older then that though. He hasn’t aged since I first met him 10 years ago.”

 

“Who does he work for?”

 

“I have no idea what agency he’s from. You don’t want to ask him either, he doesn’t take well to being questioned. That’s why we’re here tonight, so when you meet him you’ll have some answers. I would think we’ll see him tomorrow. Wherever he’s from he’s well financed.”

 

The younger man finished his beer with a long gulp. He was sweating a little bit. Mr. A just looked at his face.

 

“A lot to take in. I know. I have sat in that very seat and had the same conversation when it was time for me to have some answers.”

 

“Volkov?”

 

“A friend of Mr. Z. They go way back.”

 

“So Mr. Z is old friends with Volkov and the Reverend but yet looks like he’s 20? How is that possible? Volkov must be 50.”

 

“I don’t know. All I know is that they both listen to Z and he finances Volkov. I don’t have all the answers.”

 

“These women help others, it’s a shame to fight them. We should be working with them not against each other.”

 

“They will not willingly help us. There is no other way. You’d be best to accept that notion and get all others out of your head.”

 

“Who tests them, the techs? How do they test them?”

 

“First they must be broken down physically, then if necessary mentally. I told you things would get much uglier before we were done. You’ve been with us long enough to know our methods can get ugly.” He watched the younger man to see his expression.

 

“I understand sir. Sorry.” The older man let the sir slide.

 

“Anything else?” asked the older man.

 

“The comet?”

 

“No idea if that rumor is true. Any other questions?” the older man seemed annoyed by the younger man’s last question.

 

“No, you can count on me to perform. I will head the recovery team tomorrow as the property is recovered.”

 

The older man admired how Mr. B slipped right back into the mission. Just like a well trained soldier should perform.

 

“Pick up is at 0600 hours outside the Reverend’s tent. The subjects are to be packaged and brought directly to the showroom. Any problems you are to contact me immediately. No delays, understand?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“One more thing. You really did a fantastic job setting up the bounty hunter with Volkov and his pet. I thought you should know that. Go home and I’ll see you in the morning when your team arrives.”

 

The younger man got up and walked out, many of the younger women in the bar followed him as he walked out. He walked past a smiling Mary without even glancing at her. The older man could read her disappointment. It was all over her face.

 

“He took it well. I wish I could tell him more but its not time yet.”, the man thought to himself. “He’s good hearted and doesn’t like what we do, just like I didn’t.” He would try to help the younger man in anyway that he could. He didn’t want him to corrode inside like part of him had.

 

He finished his drink, grabbed his jacket and walked towards the exit. As he did he noticed Mary didn’t even glance at him.


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