IC: Chimera Nightfall

[Cyberwing]

In Greek Mythology, the Chimera is a monstrous creature of Lycia in Asia Minor, which was made of the parts of multiple animals. Chimera was one of the offspring of Typhon and Echidna and a sister to the Hydra.
Homer’s brief description in the Iliad is the earliest literary reference: "a thing of immortal make, not human, lion-fronted and snake behind, a goat in the middle, and snorting out the breath of the terrible flame of bright fire" The Chimera was slain by Bellerophon and Pegasus.

In recent years we have chosen to describe combining the DNA of two different species as a Chimera. Thus the rise of the Chimeran Army: Created by science for the use of governments to protect their people; unfortunately the true use has been to control and enslave the populace. Most free people had no idea what was happening until it was far too late and our fates were sealed.
The year is 2041, The Chimeran Armies are no longer discussed as possibility; we live with them. Some of the Chimera’s who were chipped in time to control them, do function as we intended. However, a few of the Chimera’s proved cunning, ruthless and intelligent. They removed their inhibitor chips.
We now have rogue Chimeras who hunt humans. Many say we created our own doom in a laboratory… some say we still are at it… The Chimeras are sterile and cannot reproduce. The one thing the scientists did do right… or was it actually God’s doing and we in our pride took credit?
I fear science has lost its meaning because the scientist has lost all sense of humanity and morality. We have become nothing more than alchemists, playing with others lives as if we were gods. Forgive us! We did not understand our grave error because of our pride. Because of this pride, sinister men used us like foolish pawns to create something that should have been left to mythology and legend…
~Excerpt from the journal of Dr. Elinore Gray


Selena Wade leaned back against the seat of her friend’s jeep she borrowed as she read the journal entry. She had driven to this rural area of Alabama because of her Aunt’s mention of the facility being abandoned. She hoped to find out more information into her Aunt’s research. Although she hadn’t asked her Aunt much, she knew her love was genetic studies and studying DNA manipulation. So here Selena sat in the jeep, hidden from view in the dense underbrush. The birdsong and thrumming of the cicadas were her only companions as she read her Aunt’s journal. Chimeras! Selena shivered, she never realized what her Aunt was mixed up in! Selena thought back to two nights ago when she had arrived at her Aunt’s house… it seemed to be an eternity ago… they wanted her to believe it was several weeks ago…Selena sighed and thought back…
Selena raised her blue-gray eyes to study the upper levels of the silent house. She had called her Aunt repeatedly over the last six hours to let her know she would be arriving this morning but gotten no answer. That was not unusual for her Aunt, who often worked odd hours. Selena had a key to the back door and could let herself in but she hoped to find her home. They were scheduled to leave on a skiing trip the next day.
The house was too silent and had the feeling of abandonment. Mail was piled up inside the mailbox which was unlike her Aunt Elinore. Her Aunt was meticulous about getting her mail. The house was simply too quiet. Her Aunt’s house was always a focal point for the neighborhood animals, be they wild or domestic. There was not an animal in sight. That in itself was extremely odd, but coupled with the strange feeling Selena got, she was getting anxious. Selena walked around the back of the house and the remains of a dead squirrel lay at the foot of the bird feeder. Some animal had partially fed upon the carcass but not one that was particularly hungry, too much flesh remained. Selena looked in the garage and her Aunt Elinore’s car still sat there. So she didn’t go to work. If she flew off on an emergency, even if she didn’t have time to call, her car should be at the airport.
Now Selena found herself in the baffled state of one thrust into a mystery. She had to find a clue… something… anything to tell her where her Aunt was. The cloying scent of decaying squirrel was making her sick so she put a handkerchief over her mouth and nose and went to the back door. She looked in and was startled to see the kitchen in a worse mess than usual. Her Aunt was not particularly neat or tidy but she didn’t leave chairs turned over in the floor! Selena tried the door and it fell open at her touch.
Fear assailed her but she stepped in to study the scene more closely. Things appeared to have been drug onto the floor, knocked to the floor… Selena gasped for there were signs of things being THROWN against the wall! Shards of a broken coffee cup lay against the wall closest to Selena’s right hand. The dried stain of its contents splattered and patterned in drips down the wall. There definitely was a scuffle in this kitchen! Her Aunt must have been kidnapped! Selena pulled out her cell phone and dialed 911. She went through the house as she spoke to the dispatcher and explained what she had encountered. The dispatcher asked her to stay on the line but Selena grew irritated with the woman and hung up.
Before anyone arrived she found several letters and her Aunt’s special journal which she absently tucked into her purse to read later. Only Selena knew where the journal was usually kept and had gone there immediately to check. She tossed her purse into the closet where she would put her bags when she returned to free her arms and hands to search more closely.
There was blood in the hallway outside of her Aunts room. A blood-smeared print of what appeared to be a very large hand. Strange dots topped each digits vague imprint. Selena was studying this, when a man dressed in all black appeared behind her and cocked a pistol. She turned a raised eyebrow at him.
“Are you from the Police, Government or the Project?” she asked calmly. He pulled his weapon up into the air and spoke into the microphone.
“I found her niece… no sign of Dr. Gray.” He reported to someone and listened to someone reply.
“Selena Wade?” The soldier asked, looking at her.
“Yes, are you going to answer my question?” Selena asked crossing her arms and glaring at the man. He smiled.
“Afraid I can’t right now…” he raised his arm and Selena was suddenly sprayed in the face with something, the cloud of gas caught her by surprise and she succumbed quickly.
“I have her neutralized, pulling back out…” The man responded into the microphone then lifted the unconscious woman over his shoulder and carried her back down the stairwell. Selena was placed in the back of a dark sedan and quickly taken off.



SYNOPSIS OF STORYLINE UP to this point....


Selena wakes up in a hospital room. She is told she was in a bad accident and that she has been in a coma. They tell her, her Aunt has died and she missed the funeral. Selena plays along with them in order to get out. Once out she starts running from them.

She found a journal of her Aunt's and it had a few clues. One was an abandoned building in a rural area. Selena goes there to find the Creature her Aunt had talked about a few times. Local legends talk about a half bat / half human creature with red eyes. Selena went in search of the Creature and ran into both Dr. Eli Colson and the Creature. The Institute however blows the building up trying to destroy the evidence of the misdeeds Eli and Selena found. The Institute wants to sterilize the area and kill the Creature. Eli and Selena were saved by the Creature but it disappeared so they are not sure if it died in the blast.

Eli used to work for the Institute but began to get suspicious when many of the scientists went missing. He left to keep from being among the casualties. He and Selena are now working together trying to locate the missing scientists. They were joined by a young man who found Eli Colson’s address in his missing father’s address book, Alan joins them on their quest.

The three of them decided to keep trying to find out more about the Rogue Chimeras and what the Institute is doing. They are on the run. The Institute is trying to find them and the Rogues. They are getting closer to the Rogue’s hideout they think because of the strange stories on the news. These were news stories of mutilations in small remote towns near a deserted section of national forest in the mountains. The caves located in this area are vast and many are interconnected… perfect for large creatures to hide in...

The three of them have had their second encounter with a Chimera, a lion-like creature that has been tracking them for two days now. Selena thought it was her imagination the night before but this night in the hotel, she is drugged and taken to the roof of the hotel. The Chimera is waiting. Something goes wrong and the Chimera kills one of the men instead of ‘the offering’ they brought. Eli and Alan get Selena back but the Chimera tells them they will see each other again soon.

The words proved prophetic for now Selena, Eli and Alan are in the Chimera’s compound. They have found Dr. Elinore Gray, Selena’s aunt but Alan’s father they learn, did not survive.

The leader of the Chimera’s is a clever one with a high IQ. He is intent on preserving his kind. To do this he must find an answer to the problem the hybrid’s all share… Thus he is forcing his own 'science team' to work on an answer. Using an old abandoned underground munitions base he has managed to make quite an impressive base. Selena and Dr. Colson now find themselves trapped in the base as well...

[Lairston]

Amanda woke up at 5:45 like she does every day. She goes into the bathroom and splashes water on her face and brushes her teeth. Then goes to get her tight fitting jogging attire and gets ready for her morning jog. She takes the same route every day. It always takes her one hour and fifteen minutes to complete it. At 7 she needs to be back here to take a shower and be on the road to the lab by 7:30.

As she departs her apartment, she feels like she is being watched. This has been occuring just about every day now for the last three weeks. She figures it must be her imagination since nothing ever seems out of place. She shrugs and starts her jog that goes through the park by the wonderfully sculptured fountain. She should be by that at 6:23 if she keeps her usual time. Its the one area where there would be no witnesses.

She's heard the joke more times then she can count that everyone sets their watches by what time she passes their store or house. She just laughs and pretends that they're the first one to ever think to say that.

Thump thump thump, the sound of her feet on the path toward the fountain. 6:21...

[Cyberwing]

The Condor-like bird swooped down rapidly seizing the woman jogger in his claw-like hands. The back legs were more bird like in appearance but they were massively muscled and wrapped the 'prey' in a protective embrace that was iron-like in it's grip. The bird then shot straight up in the sky like an arrow, within seconds bird and prey were little more than a dot in the sky.

Amanda found herself thousands of feet in the air before she her brain could register what was happening.

[Lairston]

Amanda never heard anything. One second she was jogging and the next second she's a thousand feet in the air. She was in shock. This didn't happen to people. She never heard of anything like this. She looked up at the Condor-like bird. No this is impossible her brain said. She closed her eyes.

"This is a dream. Just a dream. Going to wake up now."

She opened her eyes and was still thousands of feet in the air.

"TAKE ME DOWN!!!!!!!!"

She tried to punch the bird creature but her arms were held to tightly and she just twisted in its iron like grip.

"What are you? Where you taking me?" she screamed.

[Cyberwing]

The bird did not descend for some time, when it finally did Amanda found herself in a high mountain clearing. The evergreens were merely shrubs. A massive lone rock jutted up in the meadow and off in the distance was a lake. A small creek ran by the rock and divided the meadow in two. The bird dropped Amanda down somewhat gently on the soft grass before winging off.
"I don't follow human orders anymore!" The eerily human voice called back to Amanda.

[Lairston]

Amanda gasped. "You can understand me?" Her mouth then was hanging up. She reached up and felt her glasses on her nose still. Luckily she had a strap or they would have fallen off her face.

She reached out to touch the condor like creature. "This is real?"

[Cyberwing]

The condor-like creature scowled at Amanda, avoiding her touch and took to wing, flying off toward another peak. She was alone. There was no road to be seen. Only wilderness as far as Amanda could see. The sun was beginning to warm the meadow but the chill of the mountain air still remained for the slightly dressed Amanda.

[Lairston]

Amanda flinched back when the condor scowled at her and took off. She frowned as she realized she was completely alone. She looked around and saw nothing. "Now what am I supposed to do?" she mumbled.

She started to shiver since her jogging attire was exactly made for warmth. She wondered if she could make a fire.

She decided to move away from where the condor deposited her and walked a ways but also was searching for fire making items. She found some twigs and gathered up some dry leaves and found two rocks. She thought she remembered striking the rocks together might cause a spark and the leaves would catch the spark and a fire would be born.

Soon when she thought she went far enough away from the Condor, she started striking the rocks together. Every once in a while looking above her to see if the condor was coming after her. She was shivering as she tried desperately to start the fire.

[Cyberwing]

Almost three hours later a strange looking creature came loping toward her. The torso looked like a wolf-man, the rest of the body was like a shaggy goat. The face was very human-like but terrifying with glistening canines showing past the lips. It stopped to sniff the ground a few times. Finally it had spotted Amanda and now was making a beeline for her. The condor-like creature appeared in the sky overhead, also bearing down on her.

[Lairston]

Amanda looked up and saw the wolf-man coming at her. She noticed the goat legs and thought there was no way it could climb but then saw the condor reappear. Some curses appeared in her mouth as she turned and ran away from her fire as fast as she could. She jumped up and grabbed a limb from a tree and started to climb up. Thankful for her athleticism. The condor at least didn't attempt to kill her. The wolf-man certainly looked interested in that. She climbed up as high as she could and looked down.

"Leave me alone! She cried down. What on earth is going on? Condors that talk. Part wolf part goat men? This is impossible.

[Cyberwing]

Wolf-man goat arrived at the base of the tree and looked up at her. "Why are you up in the tree Dr. Parker?" He asked, curiously tilting his head.

[Lairston]

Amanda shook her head looking down when the wolfman spoke, "You can talk too? I'm in the tree because you look like you want to eat me! What do you want? Why was I brought here?"

[Cyberwing]

The wolf-man grinned. "I just had something so I'm not particularly hungry..." He looked up at her mischievously grinning.

"Our Leader is going to chew you out again if you don't stop..." The condor-like creature protested. Wolf-man sighed.

"Oh shut up bird-brain... Dr. Parker he is right though, Our Leader is expecting you... Will you please join us?"

[Lairston]

Amanda frowned. "Not without knowing why I'm here. Who is this leader? Why am I here against my will? What is going on?" She looked at both the bird and the wolf and waited for some type of explanation. Her brain was having a really difficult time accepting animals that could talk like a man and animals that had parts of multiple animals. It was making her head hurt. This was like something you'd read in a humanities class at college she thought.

[Cyberwing]

"We don't want to have to take you by force but if it is necessary we can certainly oblige..." The Wolf-man sighed. The condor-like creature eyed her, calculating how easy it would be to leap and pluck her from her perch and take off for the compound. The bird appeared to grin... a most frightening sight.

[Lairston]

Amanda frowned and looked at the condor. "I certainly appear to have no choice." She eyed the wolf man frowning. She didn't know if he could be trusted but she really didn't have much choice. The Condor was scaring her now with that grin and so she slowly climbed back down out of the tree. "Am I at least going to get somewhere warm?" She was shivering again as she got to the ground.

[Cyberwing]

"Yes, the sooner we get to the compound the better. Come on, hop on, I can carry you. Dr. Parker it will be more comfortable than being in bird-brain's claws..." The wolf-man replied with a sigh when he saw her reluctance.

"Shut up fuzzy face..." The condor creature snarled. It's bald pate shimmered in the sunlight surrounded by feathers. The eyes staring out were a golden color but quick like a hawks.

[Lairston]

Amanda looked at the wolf man and then the Condor. The condor's snarl convinced her and she whispered, "Okay. I guess I'll ride..." and hesitantly climbed aboard the wolf-man. She swallowed as she did.

[Cyberwing]

The wolf/goat/man hybrid laughed. "Put your arms around me Dr. Parker. I won't bite the Leader's guests... Promise..."

[Lairston]

Amanda swallowed again and whispered, "Okay... mister wolf-goat-man." and nervously put her arms around his neck so that she would stay on as he took her to this compound. She was bewildered by this and her brain was deciding whether or not she has officially gone crazy. This can't really be happening. SHe wondered if maybe she's hallucinating after an accident of some sort. That might make sense. Or maybe she's been hit on the head and is knocked out and dreaming this...

[Cyberwing]

"Now Dr. Parker, we will be taking you to the transport so just relax." The wolf-man started out and once she seemed to be comfortable he began to move much faster.

The two Chimeras took her to a low Hummer she almost didn't see because the camouflage on it was so perfect. Two normal men stepped out and sprayed something in Amanda's face. She slipped into unconsciousness immediately. She was then placed in the vehicle and driven to the compound. The two Chimeras followed.

***

"Dr. Gray? Dr. Colson? Please bring everyone to the conference room, the Leader wishes to see you." The intercom was perhaps old but worked sufficiently. Selena nearly jumped out of her skin when it first buzzed and the voice came into the room.

Elinore Gray leaned back and ran a hand through her hair. "Anyway, you see the problem Eli? Oh bother but this interruption stuff gets annoying! Let's go see what the Leader wants now..." She rolled her eyes and stood up, stretching.

[Lairston]

Amanda sighed. She wished she knew what was going on. When they managed to get the hummer, she was shocked to see two men appear out of nothing. When she saw they were normal she thought she was going to be saved. "Whe..." They sprayed her in the face and she keeled over into unconsciousness.

She didn't feel a thing or know what was going on as they put her in the hummer.

[Cyberwing]

The hummer pulled into the cave and motors began to hum loudly. Everything went dark, then fluorescent lights came on. Suddenly there was a series of loud clicks and then the hummer started on it's way again. It finally came to a stop. The noise sounded like an underground garage with its strange acoustics.

The two men shut down the engine and the majority of the noise ceased. The buzz of the fluorescent lights now could be heard. The opened the door and lifted Amanda onto a gurney, wheeling her down the hallway. They got into what appeared like an elevator and shortly exited with the still form of Dr. Parker. They wheeled her down another hallway to a large conference room then shut the doors.

"Oh good grief... they've nabbed another person haven't they?!" Selena gasped aloud as she saw the gurney's occupant.

[Lairston]

Amanda remained oblivious to her surroundings as she was still unconscious from the substance. Instead, she was dreaming of a world that was normal. She had just made a wonderful discovery that would benefit everyone and she was going to be famous. Unfortuntely she couldn't tell what the discovery was in the dream. It was just a dream where she was excited and her coworkers were congratulating her.

She sighed slightly as she realized she was dreaming. Her mind was coming back into the real world. She moaned from a headache as she opened her eyes. Where was she? She adjusted her glasses so they were on right and held her head as it throbbed from whatever was sprayed on her.

I hope that other place was a dream too. She mumbled.

She frowned as she didn't recognize where she was.

[Cyberwing]

"Welcome Dr. Parker, I'm glad you could join us. Please forgive my rather, insistent invitation but we are working against time and have no time to waste on formalities." A huge lion-human hybrid sat at the head of the conference table. He more than filled the over-large chair. Extremely intelligent eyes stared back at Amanda from his face.

"If you wish to freshen up, there is a bathroom with fresh towels there. We can wait."

[Lairston]

She jumped at the sound of the voice and turned to eye the lion hybrid. Her first instinct was to run for the hills again but she remained where she was because she knew that there was no escape. At least none at the moment. She meekly said, "Hello mister lion-man." Her eyes were in deer in the headlight mode. She looked at the bathroom door and slowly shook nodded her head and went for the door.

Once inside she shut the door and leaned against it. 'What was she going to do? This seems like the Wizard of Oz and it seems quite real.

Finally she took advantage of the ability to freshen up. But she remained in the bathroom for a while trying to get her thoughts together. And make sense of what is happening.

Finally she swallowed and reopened the door and walked back in. She tried to hide her great fear and appear confident and she asked, "Why have I been brought here?"

[Cyberwing]

Dr. Gray, Selena and Eli all walked into the conference room just as Dr. Parker was emerging from the bathroom.
"Ah, Dr. Amanda Parker? Dr. Elinore Gray and this is Dr. Eli Colson and my niece, Selena Wade. Feeling a little freaked I would imagine right about now... relax, you are not dreaming. This is quite real." Elinore Gray commented with a reassuring smile as she walked to the table and took a seat.

[Lairston]

Amanda just stared at her. The new comers seemed real and normal. "Yes I'm Amanda." She stared at Elinore for a few minutes. Was she in charge? She thought the lion-man was in charge. She nodded at Eli, "Hello." And Salena, "Hi." She then turned back to Elinore, "Dr Gray." She was cooler in tone with her since she thought she was in charge. She sat down away from the others and waited to hear what was going on if they were planning on telling her.

[Cyberwing]

Elinore turned to look at the Leader. He grinned at her and she sighed. "So you have kidnapped another scientist... what is her specialty?"

[Lairston]

Amanda turned her eyes on the lion-man again. Then back to Elinore. "I work in bio-electrical engineering. And yes, I've been kidnapped. What is going on here?" The last bit was said with a hint of anger rather than the fear she's been having. She wants to know why she's been kidnapped.

[Cyberwing]

"What you see here is under the control of real Chimeras." Elinore held up a hand to stall Amanda's protests. "These Chimeras have escaped and defeated the inhibitor chips. I know the Government says that's impossible but the Government has been in the business of lying for a very long time. These Rogue Chimeras are now in control. We mere humans are alive only because currently we serve a purpose, in short, they NEED our skills. However we are very much prisoners here," Elinore explained succinctly.

The lion-man laughed with a deep rumbling voice. "Dr. Gray you must not frighten our new recruit."

"I'm giving her the trimmed down version so we can get back to work. The sooner we find the answer the better right?" Elinore glared back at the Leader. The lion hybrid narrowed his eyes at Elinore, then grinned maliciously.

"Selena you are looking lovely today..." his eyes raked over her niece. Elinore gasped and realized she had been out-maneuvered that time.

[Lairston]

Amanda started to speak when Elinore stopped her and as she continued to speak so Amanda listened intently. Her eyes moved to the others eyeing their reaction to her words and back to Elinore.

"Okay I'll accept the government lies. It certainly has had a hard time finding the truth in the past..." She folded her arms and frowning asked, "What do they want? You mention you serve a purpose."

She looked at the lion-man and missed what he was doing with Selena. She turned back to Elinore wondering why she was concerned at what he said and then it hit her, "Hey if you want my help there will be none of that." she told the lion man. There wasn't any fear in her voice now. She was growing angry.

[Cyberwing]

Elinore jumped up. "Easy Dr. Parker. Leader give her some time, she doesn't understand all of this..."

"Very well Dr. Gray you may speak with her and I will reserve my own methods for later..." He chuckled again, it was a very menacing sound. He turned his eyes back to Amanda.

"Do not push your luck with me Dr. Parker. There ARE others..."

[Lairston]

Amanda stared back, she was about to retort then he should have kidnapped one of them if he was satisfied with them but the look in Dr Gray's face stopped her and she leaned back in the chair in submission. "Fine. I'll take it easy." She looked at Elinore and asked, "So can you explain what our purpose is?"

[Cyberwing]

"Your purpose is to get results. The challenge is simple. I want a way to do the one thing they tried to take away from us. I want my kind to be able to procreate. You scientists stole it from us in your filthy labs! Now you are going to give it BACK to us. Simple really. If you cooperate you may live, if you don't... well you won't need to worry about it for long." Leader's feline features stretched into a vicious grin, his sharp teeth visibly gleaming.

[Lairston]

Amanda's face shown in shock, "I've been kidnapped and brought here against my will so you can have kids?" She asked in amazement. She swallowed at the look he was giving her. "Okay I guess so." and then added, "I'll cooperate." She scrated her head and looked at Elinore, "What have you tried so far?" She moved her chair closer to Elinore and looked nervously at the Leader.

[Cyberwing]

"That is a much better attitude Dr. Parker. A good attitude can keep you alive..." Leader grinned and nodded. A chimera came up behind Selena and pulled her chair back. Selena's eyes flew open in surprise.

"Time for you to get back to work Dr. Gray. Selena will be going back to her new room to wait while you work..." Leader tented his fingers and watched Dr. Gray and Dr. Colson from above them.

[Lairston]

Amanda frowned. Her anger was boiling up to the top. She asked in a soft voice that tried to hide her rage. "Leader, why are you doing this? Because distracting us with worry or fear will just delay the results."

[Ellesar]

"Yes, I think I might see the problem..." Eli had said before they were called to the conference room. Following Dr. Gray and Selena to the conference room, he raised an eyebrow in surprise when he saw Amanda there. Silently listening to the conversation, he frowned when Leader said that Selena would wait in her new room while they worked. "I would prefer it if Selena stayed with us while we worked." he said with a slight scowl as he crossed his arms over his chest.

[Cyberwing]

The lion-hybrid laughed. "I am human too so know full well the deceitful depths the human mind can sink to. Selena will remain safe in the room only as long as you are making progress. You will be able to monitor her constantly..." He took a deep breath, "...unless you make me angry!"

[Lairston]

Amanda frowned and folded her arms. She thought to herself, 'and monitors can be faked.' but she was hesitant to do anymore. Surely Dr. Gray or Eli would add that.

[Ellesar]

At the moment, Eli wasn't afraid to speak his mind and he asked, "Just HOW are we supposed to be able to monitor her and know for certain that it really is her and not just some fake?"

[Cyberwing]

The liony grin graced his face again. "I thought you might be suspicious so, basically she will be in the next room. What is now the break room has been modified for this purpose. The door will be kept locked until it is time for you to go to your rest period or for your lunch time. There is only safety glass separating you, so you can see her, she will join you for lunch and when you go back to your quarters after work. However she will be under my control just to insure your cooperation while you work." He leaned back.

"Speaking of which, we are wasting valuable time. Are we through with the outbursts? If so please return to your lab Dr. Gray and take Dr. Colson and Dr. Parker with you."

[Lairston]

Amanda sighed and folded her arms and mumbled, "Seems like we're already under your control to me." She stood up to join Elinore and Eli in the lab. She wondered exactly what they have accomplished and were they really going to help this madman.

[Cyberwing]

"You will stay here Selena, I wish to speak to you." Selena's eyes widened and she stared at the Leader.

[Lairston]

Amanda turned and frowned at the leader and shook her head as she went where Elinore and Eli directed her.

[Cyberwing]

Elinore Gray sighed. "We will only make things worse for Selena if we protest. Let's just do as he demands."

[Lairston]

Amanda sighed and said, "Okay but it seems quite unnecessary to me." she mumbled as she left the room. Then she asked when they were away from the leader, "Have you had any success with this project?"

[Cyberwing]

"Years of research ahead of us... we might figure it out. This DNA chain is so complex and the problem with hybrids of course is the infertility. This has been the case in hybrids. Mules, hybrid versions of crops... we have seen it over and over again as a result of man manipulating the DNA." Elinore sighed.

[Lairston]

Amanda frowned, "So in other words we're trying the impossible and have no way of getting out of here." She sighed. What was her family going to think when they found out she was just gone. She is probably never going to get out of here. And even if they succeed she doubted she would get out of here.

[Ellesar]

"Pretty much..." Eli said with a frown. "But even knowing that it is most likely impossible isn't going to stop me from trying to figure it out."

[Lairston]

Amanda nodded at Eli. "I see. So we're really going to try the impossible for the lion man?" She had been looking for an escape as they walked back to the lab. So far she didn't see anyway. She wondered if the others had any ideas but didn't ask since she didn't know what they thought of escaping. She looked up at the ceiling. She sighed. There just wasn't anyway she saw.

[Cyberwing]

As if reading Amanda's mind Dr. Gray sighed. "Don't forget this used to be a military base. It's built for security. We have all tried to probe it's weakness but those who came before us were experts in building secure facilities. This is one reason Leader has adopted it. He has modified it some for the use of his species but he is not a fool Dr. Parker. Please keep that in mind." She whispered as softly as she could while leaning over to tie her shoe.

[Lairston]

Amanda frowned and stopped while Elinore tied her shoe and whispered, "I didn't know that since I was drugged and they didn't let me see where they brought me. I guess there's really no hope at all. Is there?" She was feeling sick in her stomach. How did she get to be the lucky one they took she wondered.

[Paladin]

Alan sat on one of the beds in the room they had been in before. He just stared at the floor, hands folded. 'I can't believe he's dead...' He shook his head. Tears started to form but he held them back.

"Where are you going?"
"I can't tell you that."
"How long are you going to be gone this time?"
"I... don't know."
"You are going to leave your wife and son; no even knowing when you'll be back? Perhaps you forget... I don't have a job and Alan is not old enough to get one."
"I'll send you money through the mail. There's enough in our savings to pay for things until then."
"You're leaving.... just like that. No warning; no nothing. You'd have been gone before I or Alan awakened..."
"I have no choice, Linda. If I don't go; who knows what will happen to you and Alan."
"Is it the Government?"
"...Kind of..."
"Kind of?"
"Honey.... for your own safety; you've got to stop asking me these questions. If I slip up; who knows what will happen to this entire family."
"I'm just upset! My husband is running off-"
"And I'm doing it to protect you two!"
"Hermon... I love you; and you love me. We have a marriage; a family... it hurts me to suddenly see my husband leaving; for whatever reason..."
"I understand that... but trust me. It's for our safety; yours, mine and Alan's."
There was the sound of a car horn. "I've got to leave... right now."
"It's the Chimera project, isn't it?"
"...You broke into the vault..."
"I have many talents. When i was young and foolish; one of them was safe-cracking."
The horn sounded again. "I've got to leave, NOW. Please...remember. I'm doing this for you two."

Alan sat listening at his door to the conversation. A puppy whined; it was a the golden retriever. He looked at his young owner; worried. "Goodbye Linda... I will return... one day..."


Alan remembered that night perfectly... The day his father had left.

((Alan had always wanted to find his father, even though it sounded like something out of a movie. His only lead was the Chimera project; which he got mixed up with Selena and Eli and a cyborg named Demetri; the cyborg disappeared. He has a dog named Batman who is a golden retriever. The one from years and years ago is a different dog.))

[Cyberwing]

A voice echoed in the corridor. "Dr. Gray, please hurry to your destination, our work is already a few hours behind schedule..." Elinore Gray brushed her silver hair back from her eyes and straightened up. She pointed to her shoe with annoyance then began to walk.

[Lairston]

Amanda looked up and for the origin of the voice but didn't see it. "This is going to be..." She didn't finish. There was no need. Everyone felt that way. She followed Elinore.

'So she's in a former military base' she thought. 'That isn't good at all.'

[Cyberwing]

Dr. Gray led them to a large room with computer stations surrounding a central chamber area. Additional glassed in rooms were around the outside. Conference areas, offices and the break room which would become Selena's daytime holding cell now. On one wall a full lab set up filled one glassed in room. Scientists of different fields were working together.

Elinore led Amanda to the lab and introduced her to several other scientists. Two of which were experts in her own field.

***

Selena glared at the Leader, her arms crossed. She would wait and see what this was all about. In the meantime she was praying for help. She was frightened.

Leader continued to regard Selena with thoughtful eyes. "Yes I think you will do..." Selena paled.
"What is THAT supposed to mean?"
"I think you will suit for a job I have in mind..." he smiled mysteriously.
"How about you tell me what you are talking about?"
"I think not... not yet anyway. Things are not yet ready. Now Selena, your cooperation with me will determine how long Alan lives. Do you understand me?" Selena narrowed her eyes.
"Or you kill him like you did his father?"
"Exactly. Nice to know I am dealing with someone who understands. I can replace scientists as you have just seen... So none of you humans are that indispensable. You will cooperate... understood?"

[Lairston]

Amanda blushed as she was introduced to the two experts in her field. "I never dreamed I would meet you. I can't believe he was able to get you without anyone saying anything." She couldn't help but say, "What am I supposed to add to what you do? You're famous in the field. I'm just Amanda Parker."

[Ellesar]

Once in the lab, Eli briefly glanced around before claiming an empty workstation for himself. Sitting down, he powered up the computer and then removed his glasses before running a hand across his face wondering if they would be able to accomplish what has been impossible thus far. First thing I need to do is get my hands on some of the research the others have done so I know where to begin... Eli thought to himself as he replaced his glasses and sighed softly.

[Lairston]

Amanda was listening to them explain what they had done and looking at the computer screen as they showed her. She shook her head, what they were doing sounded right. "Maybe if we change this..." She pointed at the screen... "to a..." She looked at them to see if she was making any sense.

But then she looked up and at Elinore, "I wonder what is happening to Selena."

[Cyberwing]

"How can I cooperate when I don't even know what you have planned? That's really asking a bit much don't you think?" Selena turned to look back at the lion-like features of the Leader. He returned her gaze evenly then smiled.

"Yes, I'm sure you are going to work out fine. You are a stubborn creature but you are not stupid."

He raised his hand and another Rogue Chimera appeared. This one was obviously female and she had some sort of feline in her as well as the human side. She was eyeing Selena with curious eyes tinged with a healthy amount of jealousy.

[Lairston]

A half man half tiger named Phillip walked into the room with the Leader, Selena, behind the other rogue Chimera. He looked at the three of them. "So this is the one that's going to help us?" he asked the leader

He smirked and looked at her then winked at her.

[Cyberwing]

"This is Dr. Gray's niece, Selena. Selena this is Phillip, he and I work together a great deal. Sora will also be keeping you company to make sure your Aunt continues to cooperate. We know Dr. Gray is close to an answer but is not motivated to find it. You are going to provide her motivation Selena..." Leader chuckled.

Selena tilted her chin up and ignored Phillip's look.

[Lairston]

"Hello Selena. It is a pleasure to meet the one that is going to help us. You are being very kind." There was a hint of humor in his voice. Because he obviously knew she was being forced into this. And that she still didn't know what she was going to be doing. He had a crooked smile on his face as he looked at her again.

He laughed when she ignored him, "I don't think she likes me. Good thing she doesn't have to." He chuckled and then grinned menacingly.

[Cyberwing]

Selena spun around to stare at Phillip with horror. "What does he mean? Leader? What is he talking about?" She hissed through clenched teeth, feeling her skin crawl.

[Lairston]

When she spun around, he could barely contain his laughter, "Geez all I do is thank someone and they get all worried." He shook his head and looked at Sora and winked at her.

"What do you think? Was I doing anything besides thanking her?"

[Cyberwing]

Sora frowned. "Shut up Phillip, you are far too anxious to get to work. Have a little patience you idiot." Sora purred back at him, but her eyes held unreleased anger.


Selena looked from Phillip to Sora and back to Leader. Suddenly she looked like someone had struck her. "You are going to use me in the experiments! Oh no... no... I won't let you!" Selena cried.

"If you don't cooperate... Alan will die, then Dr. Colson will die, then your Aunt... Think about this Selena..."

[Paladin]

Alan's thoughts were focused on getting out of here. If he maybe could befriend one of the Chimera.... no.... they wouldn't be part of the gang if they were the friendly type. He couldn't even try to knock one of the guard Chimeras out because the others would surely kill him; and then he would gain nothing. Then it hit Alan. He stood up and tried to find Dr. Gray...

[Lairston]

Philip frowned annoyed at Sora, "Idiot? Me? Because I thanked the woman? Geez." He walked around the room annoyed. He always paced when he was annoyed and this annoyed everyone else.

"And I can't believe you would suggest I should have patience. I think I've waited long enough." He groused.

[Paladin]

Alan walked into one of the science labs and spotted a notebook and pen. He walked over to it and looked around, making sure no one was watching. From the view of the security cameras; he was simply looking at the computer screen on the desk; but meanwhile he flipped to a blank page, tore it out and then flipped the page back to the page it was on before. He wrote something down on the piece of paper he had torn and then set the pen down; folding the note until it was wallet size. He took it in one hand and slowly moved his arm up to his chin, and then dropped it slightly and stuffed the note in his shirt pocket. He then turned and walked out of the lab.

Alan entered another one of the labs and spotted Dr. Gray. He walked over to her and looked around, trying to make it look as if he was simply seeing who was around. "How's it coming, Dr. Gray?" He said. Earlier he had untied his shoe. He glanced down and then reached down; his front hidden from the cameras. He slipped the paper out and then stood up. He slipped it to Dr. Gray. "Darned shoe laces..." He said to c over up.

[Cyberwing]

Dr. Gray felt the paper texture in her palm under the table and knew immediately what Alan was doing. She played along and kept the observation camera's and Chimera's from seeing what Alan was doing by pulling her lab coat over, screening the exchange.

"Yes, it's these new shoe laces. They make them too cheap to be reliable and they give way. Mine does the same thing all the time." Elinore complained sympathetically to Alan.

[Paladin]

"So how is it coming?" He asked again.

[Cyberwing]

"We keep running into problems. That's the nature of science. You usually get one thing solved and that creates several new questions." Dr. Gray smiled wearily over at Alan.

[Lairston]

Amanda looked behind her at Alan and Caira. She turned around and walked up to them. "Hello, I'm Amanda" She offered her hand not sure who Alan was or what he was an expert of.

[Cyberwing]

"Amanda, this is Alan. Alan, Dr. Amanda Parker." Dr. Gray finished the introductions and then returned to her computer screen.

[Lairston]

"Ah Alan. I think I heard you or someone mention him already. Pleasure to meet you."

[Cyberwing]

Selena glared from Philip to Leader. "You learned man's wickedness far too well..." She commented finally. "You may find your plan causes my Aunt to have a very negative reaction. She won't like being blackmailed like this..."

"I have studied Dr. Gray extensively. Don't underestimate me Selena..."

[Lairston]

Philip looked at her and smirked at her after his rant. But he frowned when she glared at him and he shook his head, "Man... all we want is a little cooperation and we get glared at." He sighed...

[Cyberwing]

Selena narrowed her eyes at Phillip. "I won't cooperate with bullies and thugs. Period!"

[Lairston]

Phillip sighed. "Then I guess we'll have to do it the hard way." A growl erupted in his throat. "I should have known. You have always been a stubborn one. Making me sleep outside weeks ago and not letting me in."

[Paladin]

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance... or.... Did I say that right?" Alan murmured the last sentence. He wasn't sure.

[Lairston]

Amanda nodded, "Yes you did Alan." She smiled at him. "You don't need to be nervous. I don't bite." She laughed. She whispered, "How long have you both been trapped here anyway?"

[Cyberwing]

Selena gasped and whirled back to face Phillip. "YOU! You were the one outside my door at the Motel! It was YOU that frightened me so bad!" She accused him, her ire building.

[Paladin]

"Few hours." Alan whispered under his breath. "I can tell." Alan replied out loud to her first comment with a charming smile.

[Lairston]

Philip grinned ignoring her ire. "Yes I was outside your door. I was polite and waited for you to invite me in and you didn't." He looked hurt. "So I had to sleep against the door." He folded his arms, "Some people are just rude. I hope we don't get the rudeness when we get the ability to reproduce."

***

Amanda whispered, "Me too. Hopefully there's a way out of here that Dr Gray and the others haven't found." She raised an eyebrow at the charming smile and looked at Dr Gray.

[Paladin]

"Well... I'd better let you get back to work. Nice meeting you Dr. Parker..." Alan turned and left; heading back for the room.

[Lairston]

"Nice meeting you too Alan." Amanda replied to him as he was leaving.

[Cyberwing]

"You! How dare you frighten me like that!" Selena sputtered angrily at Phillip.

[Lairston]

"Frighten you?" Philip scoffed, "Think about poor me huddled outside the door trying to keep warm while you're inside all nice and toasty." He just shook his head. "You should be ashamed of yourself. Do I look like I'd hurt you?" He looked at her with a wicked grin.

[Cyberwing]

"Quite frankly... YES." Selena replied venomously.

[Lairston]

Philip shook his head chuckling. "Well that's how I look all the time." He replied and flopped down in a chair at the table. His pacing had wore him out earlier. He stretched.

[Cyberwing]

"My point exactly!" Selena snapped back at Phillip. Sora shook her head, "Score one for the human female!" She looked over at Phillip too, with a vindictive grin.

[Lairston]

Philip frowned at Selena and was about to say something when Sora spoke. He glared at Sora for her comment and the grin, "Maybe the two of us should go for a little walk." One that you might have an accident on he thought to himself.

[Cyberwing]

Sora scowled at Phillip then turned back to Selena. "You better watch your step, Chimeras are known for getting rid of what irritates them." She looked at Selena and grinned maliciously, her feline fangs dripping saliva. Selena shuddered and looked away.

Leader held up a hand. "No one is to lay a paw, claw, hoof or fang on Miss Wade without my permission, understood?" He looked from Sora to Phillip.

[Lairston]

Philip frowned, "Okay okay... I won't lay a claw or fang on her." He folded his arms. This was going to be far less interesting with her knowing we can't do anything he thought to himself. He frowned even more.

He looked at Selena and grinned. "So when will we have something that she can do to help us?" He looked at the leader. "Have you any idea?"

[Cyberwing]

"You shouldn't have to wait too long Phillip..." Leader chuckled and watched Selena's expression turn back to fear. She had glared at Sora but Leader she was afraid of... openly.

"Now Phillip, would you escort our Miss Wade to the holding cell in the lab?" Leader laughed softly his eyes on Selena. She shivered at his gaze. There was a promise of evil in it.

[Lairston]

Philip grinned and looked at Selena hungrily when Leader said it wouldn't be long. "That's what I want to hear." And he rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

When leader asked him to escort her, Philip nodded and continued to look at Selena. "Sure I can escort Ms. Wade." Her name rolled off his tongue and he grimaced. He stood up and told Selena, "Let's go Ms. Wade." He indicated for her to get up and start for the door.

[Cyberwing]

Selena frowned but obeyed. She really didn't want anything to happen to Alan, on the other hand she wasn't crazy about being around Phillip either. She walked down the hallway keeping her distance from Phillip. Sora followed behind, glaring at both of them.

[Lairston]

Philip grinned when he noticed her keeping her distance from him. He commented to her, "Alan would be a tasty treat for us. Right Sora?" He chuckled as he looked back at her and noticed the glare. He sighed. "Does everyone glare around here...?" he lamented almost to himself.

Philip opened the door to the holding cell and said, "Inside Ms. Wade."

[Cyberwing]

Sora nodded at Phillips suggestion. She was suddenly very hungry and her eyes took on a feral gleam as she stared at Selena. Reacting to Sora's gaze Selena moved closer to Phillip. A deep rumble came from Sora's throat and Selena caught her breath. She wondered if she would need to hit Sora with one of the chairs in the room.

[Lairston]

Philip grinned, "Changing your mind about me Ms. Wade?" Philip was again with the crooked grin. One fang showing but it wasn't intended to strike fear. He was genuinely amused now.

He walked into the cell and looked through the glass at the scientists. He waved at them to get their attention and for them to note that he was in there with Selena.

He noticed Selena was having further issues with Sora. "Now now Ms. Wade she won't do anything unless she wants to face the Leader." He chuckled. "Then she can be a nice rug."

[Cyberwing]

"SHUT UP you are one to talk..." Sora hissed out at Phillip her fur on the back of her neck standing up.

Selena put a chair between herself and the two Chimera's.

[Lairston]

Philip growled back at Sora and his fur was up. "Don't tell me to shut up." His claws came out and his fangs were showing. "I'll make you into a rug myself."

[Paladin]

There was the sound of fists against steel and a roar could be heard if everything were silent. Although; none of the scientists could hear any of this. There was more banging; it was louder and louder.

[Lairston]

Philip got distracted by the sounds eminating from elsewhere. He rolled his eyes and grumbled, "He's at it again."

[Cyberwing]

Selena looked over at Phillip. "Whose at it again?" She asked boldly.

[Lairston]

Philip shook his head when Selena asked who he meant, "No one you need to be concerned about Ms. Wade."

[Cyberwing]

"Really?" Selena raised an eyebrow at him.

[Lairston]

Philip frowned. He answered in a little more serious voice then he has been. "Yes realyl Ms. Wade . He's locked up and can't get at you. And won't get at you. Ever." Then he returned to his regular self, "After all Sora will take him on if by some chance he gets out. Right?" He looked at Sora.

[Cyberwing]

"SHUT UP PHILLIP!" she snarled at him. "Why don't you go back to terrorizing the helpless little human?"

Selena shot a look of anger at Sora and was answered by a look of smugness and self-assured arrogance.

[Lairston]

Philip initially stepped back when she yelled but then smirked. "Because you're so much fun to pick on and I'm not under orders not to do anything to you."

[Cyberwing]

"Try it... come on... I'm sick of you and your threats Phillip." Sora's claws came out of her 'fingertips'. She grinned and her own fangs gleamed.

[Lairston]

Philip's fingers suddenly produced claws. He hissed at her and stood up. His claws ready to inflict damage. He growled, "Do you really want to do this?" His fur raised.

[Cyberwing]

"Please don't fight, both of you are fine fighters I'm sure. What's the point of fighting? Isn't it going to get you into trouble with Leader? Surely it's not worth it..." Selena's soft voice interjected calmly. Always the peacemaker she could not help herself. However she also did not want to be torn to shreds in the middle of these two ferocious Chimera fighting.


Sora looked over at Selena with fury in her eyes but she was shocked into silence by how calm the human was. That made no sense. How could the human be calm when Sora was going to kill her next? She finally relaxed, because the human's words were true. Leader would kill whoever survived just for fighting. So either way she would lose. She gave Phillip one last murderous glance then walked to the door. "Fine... I'll be patient... one thing my kind knows... patience in the hunt," she added with an evil smile.

[Lairston]

Philip anger was raised and he wanted to rip her throat out. If she had made the move toward him before Selena spoke, he would have tried to kill her he knew. He sighed. He listened to Selena but his claws didn't retract until Sora was headed toward the door. He hissed at her murderous stare.

"Let me know when the hunt is on!" he growled at her as she started through the door.

He sat down at the table and put his hands on his cheeks. He sighed, "You're right of course. Leader would have killed whoever won." he mumbled to Selena. "Neither of us would do well on his bad side."

He looked at Selena for a second, "Has your aunt given any indication on how she's really doing in there?" His voice had a hopeful sound in it. One of the rare occassions when he is being serious.

[Cyberwing]

"She says they are stuck... Eli may have an idea but that may take a while to work out." Selena answered with a shrug.

[Lairston]

Philip sighed again. This morning was not going well. "I was afraid there would be more delay." He looked through the glass at the scientists working. "I hope Eli's idea pans out."

He watched them some more. "Well it will be fun experimenting when they think they have a solution." He smiled to himself.

[Cyberwing]

Selena looked back at him and wondered what he was referring to. The DNA testing could be quite painful she would think.

"How much longer before we can get some rest?" Selena asked. There was no timepiece in the room.

[Lairston]

"Oh not for a good while. When the scientists retire then we'll be able to get some rest." He answered with a grin. "Until then we have to wait." He snickered, "Like Sora said, patience."

Then he added, "I can go get us some food if you like. What would you like?"

[Ellesar]

After getting hold of some copies of the earlier research, Eli retreated back to the workstation he had claimed as his own and started to page through it, jotting down notes to himself in a separate notebook. He knew that they were trying to do the impossible, but at that moment, Eli was up for the challenge. Dropping his pen onto the notebook, he removed his glasses again and rubbed his forehead, trying to get his mind around the challenge as well as trying to completely formulate the idea that was just starting to form.

[Lairston]

Amanda was sitting at a computer screen looking over past experiments looking for something they could try something differently. She was astonded by the work that had been tried up to this point. Her mind was swirling around as she looked through the old experiments.

[Cyberwing]

Selena looked over at Phillip. "What do you mean WE? Leader promised my Aunt and me that we would be back together after her work time. That doesn't mean YOU." She crossed her arms and glared at the arrogant Phillip.

[Lairston]

Philip looked at her confused. "When your aunt is done in there you get to go back to your quarters and I get to go to mine. Until then, we're stuck in here together. And when your aunt completes her work, then you will help us with the experiment."

[Cyberwing]

"Look you overgrown zoo inhabitant, I am not going to help you out with ANYTHING if I can find a way around it! So just get your mind on something else." Selena snapped back at Phillip.

"I thought you were hungry? Why don't you go get something to eat... don't mind me..." She shot him an angry glance.

[Lairston]

Philip shook his head, "Well I guess I know what I can have then if you're not going to help us." He grinned wickedly. He rose from the chair. "Well if you don't want anything to eat then I'll just go get mine." He walked for the door. Waiting for her to say she did want something.

[Cyberwing]

Selena raised her chin and turned her back to him. She wasn't going to grace him with an answer.

[Lairston]

Philip huffed at Selena and exited the room. The door locked behind him and he went off to get a tray of food. He went to the cafeteria and started putting together a tray of food. He put on extra food in case Selena wanted anything. Soon he was walking back to the cell room and he re-entered.

He looked at her and smirked, "I see you're still here"

He sat down at the table and started to eat the food he brought.

[Cyberwing]

Upon Philllip's exit Selena began to go over the room's doors and windows with careful observation. She tried to find something... anything that she could use to her advantage.

When he returned she found she was hungry and the smell of the food was almost unbearable but she would not give Phillip any satisfaction. She narrowed her eyes at the mirror she was using to watch Phillip's every move.

[Lairston]

Philip pretended not to notice that she was watching him eat in the mirror. Instead he sat and ate about half of the food that he brought and the patted his stomach and leaned back. He felt like curling up for a nap but figured that would probably not be the right thing to do since he had to watch her. He sighed.

He pushed the tray off to the side and stood up and asked. "So are you plotting your escape Selena? You could probably think better with a clear head not filled with hunger." He mused. "To bad you didn't want anything."

[Cyberwing]

"Hmph, I think more clearly when I'm hungry. One gets sleepy and careless when they are full..." Selena shot back at Phillip. He was a frightening Chimera in more ways than one. She hoped Leader would end the day soon or somehow release her from this torture of being watched by Phillip.


***

Dr. Gray saw Selena clearly. Although Selena was looking in a mirror, the scientists could see into the room. She saw the Chimera in the room with her was making her angry and nervous. She hated the way Leader was treating her. They were finding out things Dr. Gray did NOT want to reveal to the Chimeras. It would mean horrible things for humankind. Thus far she had been able to sabotage her own work enough to prevent the truth from emerging. She leaned back in her chair and rubbed her eyes.

[Lairston]

Philip shook his head at her and mumbled, "Perhaps. But it sure is nice to eat." He walked over to the mirror. He wiped off his face and his paws. "Well I guess you'll be thinking very clearly then. Shame to waste all that food but I suppose you want to stay hungry since it helps you."

***

Amanda was eyeing the research and she came across an inconsistency. It was one of the places that Dr Gray had manipulated the experiment to mess it up. Her eyes narrowed and she started digging deeper into it. 'Why did they do that?' she wondered.

[Cyberwing]

Dr. Gray reached over and seemingly tripped, her hand landing on the delete key. The data on the screen suddenly disappeared and was reset to the main experiment screen.
"Oh no... I'm so sorry Dr. Parker... I certainly hope I didn't interrupt anything important!"

Selena moved away from Phillip's vicinity. Sitting down at the table she snagged a piece of bread.
"So how soon do I get rid of you?" Selena asked with a vindictive smile.

[Lairston]

Amanda gasped as the data disappeared... "I... I... ug..." She sat there and rubbed her eyes. "The answer was..." She slumped in the chair. "I guess it was nothing important now." She frowned and obviously was not happy.

"Is there a backup of these experiments anywhere?"

***
Philip grinned. "I am not going to be going anywhere Ms. Wade." He turned and saw that she had snagged a piece of bread. He didn't say anything at first.

When she finished the bread he said, "There is far more tastier stuff there then bread."

[Cyberwing]

Selena sighed. "Why are you staying here? You know that Dr. Shoenberg is after you. He will bring the big guns in to kill us all and then clean up the mess. Like he tried to do at my Aunt's house."

[Lairston]

Philip shook his head no. "Shoenberg is no match for Leader. So I stick with Leader. Plus there's always safety with numbers."

He grinned. "We are very safe here. You don't have to worry about Shoenberg Ms. Wade. Leader will stop him."

[Cyberwing]

Selena looked at Phillip and narrowed her eyes. "So what are you supposed to be a hybrid of exactly, zoo-boy? And what jokester gave you the name Phillip?" She smiled and looked to see if her insults were going to have an effect like Sora's did.

[Lairston]

Philips eyes narrowed and his fangs appeared, "HOW DARE YOU!!!!! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? I've been nice to you and you insult me." He hissed and his fur raised on his body. His claws dug into the table. A piece of the table ended up fall to the floor leaving claw marks in the table. He started to come at Selena.

[Cyberwing]

It had worked really well! She would have to thank Sora for showing her how to get under Phillip's skin! Selena lunged for the door as Phillip made his way toward her. She got the door open.

[Lairston]

Philip growled and he ran at her when she got the door open "Run away mouse and you seal Alan's fate."

[Cyberwing]

Selena tried to jump through the door but Phillip was too fast and he was able to trap her IN the door. She screamed out in pain as he applied pressure to the door.

Her breath was coming rapidly as her ribcage was constricted in the crush of the door. Her eyes grew round with fear as Phillip looked at her. She was a mouse to this big cat!

[Lairston]

Philip had her trapped and he pressed against the door in zeal. The anger he felt at the insults fueling his strength. Until something registered in his mind that he couldn't hurt her. He would be killed by the leader. IN one quick motion he grabbed her and yanked her back into the room after letting the pressure off. "Stay in this room." He snarled through haggard breaths. "Where do you think you're going to go? There's no where to escape to. This is a secure facility."

[Cyberwing]

Selena fell to the floor gasping for breath. Pain shot through her and she felt dizzy. She wondered vaguely if her ribs were broken. She had no strength. She was at Phillip's mercy. Her plan had not worked very well.

[Lairston]

Philip looked at the crumpled woman before him. He frown and reached down and pulled her up off the floor and shoved her in a chair roughly. "Now you're not going to insult me again are you?" He raised her chin so she was looking up at him. He then asked again "Right?" There was a threat behind his voice. He was not happy with her. And the only thing preventing him from acting was the Leader's order. He had tried to be nice to her and now he was upset that she did this.

[Cyberwing]

Selena gave a muffled cry of pain as Phillip lifted her and threw her into the chair. She knew fear now... Phillip was able to end her life easily. That was all too evident. She looked back at him, and tried to swallow past the lump of pure terror in her throat. She nodded her agreement to his demand not to insult him again.

[Lairston]

Philip nodded that they understood one another. He frowned that it had come to this. He was not happy. He didn't want to hurt Selena since she was going to help them regardless of how she felt about it or not. "Good. Because I don't want to injure you." He sighed, "You're in pain? How bad?"

Amanda had looked up from the computer screen and yelled urgently, "Dr Gray! The chimera is attacking Selena!"

[Cyberwing]

Selena's eyes were wide with fear and she was unable to speak. She feared Phillip would hurt her again because she couldn't speak but she could not get enough air in her lungs to push out through her vocal chords at the moment. She needed to breathe in order to get oxygen back to her brain.

Tears slipped down her cheeks. Phillip's fangs were sharp and far too close for her comfort. His powerful build could take one swipe at her and lay her entire torso open. She finally realized the scope of power she was dealing with. She tried not to look at him.


***

Dr. Gray jumped up and ran toward the glass. "STOP IT! STOP IT!" She screamed. "LEADER STOP IT OR I'LL RUIN EVERYTHING!"

[Lairston]

Philip sighed. He could tell she was too scared to talk. He didn't want this. He tried to be nice to her. Why did she have to attack him like that? And then try to escape? He heard Dr Gray yelling in the other room. He turned and looked menacingly at the mirror. He saw what he looked like to Selena and it shocked him for a second. No wonder she couldn't speak. Between Dr Gray yelling and the realization that he looked so... wicked... He turned back to Selena and backed away from her and his claws retracted into his paws. His fangs again covered by his lips.

Such a look will not help this situation despite how upset he was at the insults and the attempted escape.

He looked at Selena and said, "Ms. Wade, try to relax I'm not going to hurt you as long as you remain in this room when you're supposed to and you don't attack me." He moved across the room and sat down.

***

Amanda sighed in relief when Philip moved away from Selena. "I thought he was going to kill her."

[Cyberwing]

Dr. Gray stared at the glass. Phillip had moved away but Selena was now curled into the chair like a terrified child. The scientist was so angry she looked around for a moment then stalked to her computer. She began to type furiously then she stopped and looked up at the monitor camera.

"You better stop your friend from terrorizing Selena or I will hit this button. It is a worm that will destroy all of our work in a matter of 22 seconds. DO YOU HEAR ME LEADER?" Dr. Gray growled and lowered her hand to the key.

After a pause Leader's voice came into the room.

"I hear you, Dr. Gray. Phillip has not harmed Selena merely stopped her from her foolish escape attempt. Press that key and I will proceed with my own set of experiments which will involve Selena and Alan as our guinea pigs."

"Very well, we understand one another. I will destroy all of our research IF you harm my niece!"

"Phillip actually kept Selena from being hurt much worse, so calm yourself Dr. Gray and please return to work."

[Lairston]

Amanda listened to the voice as it came across the speakers. She frowned at it and just got angrier. She finally replied to the voice of the Leader, "Hurt much worse? What would have happened to her? And by who?"

[Cyberwing]

Amanda received no response. Dr. Gray turned to her. "To keep us from wandering away... Leader has installed an electrified field down that hallway. So if we tried to escape we would all be shocked into unconsciousness by the field." Elinore ran her hand through her gray locks and sighed heavily.

"Back to work everyone..." she commented and shot the camera a meaningful, warning glance. She should have warned Selena about the field but she was so enamored of speaking with Eli she had forgotten to cover several things.

[Lairston]

Amanda's eyes narrowed as this new information was revealed. And she thought to herself, 'So we need to figure out how to turn that off. Obviously that is the way out or else they wouldn't have went through the trouble.' She started to smile. "We might have a way out of here yet." she whispered.

[Cyberwing]

Dr. Gray smiled and placed a hand on Amanda's shoulder. She understood the woman's anger. Had she not been trying to deal with her own for months now?

She just shook her head and hoped the younger woman would try to control the raging questions within herself.


***

After a long period of simply sitting curled up avoiding eye contact when Phillip moved Selena jumped up, looking around ready to run which ever direction took her farthest from Phillip.

A loud humming began and the windows allowing the lab to see into Selena's 'prison' suddenly had a metal shield dropping down over them, making seeing into the room impossible.

Elinore went pale as she realized what was happening. "No... Leader NO! Don't do this!"

"You were warned Dr. Gray, never to threaten me."

The loud snick of locks engaging everywhere was heard. Dr. Gray uttered a quite undignified curse and slammed her fist down on the table angrily.


***

Selena heard the loud noise and the locks engaging. Her eyes widened and she turned to stare at Phillip fearfully.

[Lairston]

Amanda smiled back and looked at Dr Gray, "We also need to talk at some point. I've noticed something in these files that I think you will want to know about. But not when we're being watched." she whispered.

***
Philip looked at Selena when the blind came down. "Your aunt did something to anger leader. We are locked in."

***
Amanda was furious. She cursed at the blind that came down.

[Cyberwing]

Selena merely continued to stare at Phillip terrified she was going to die now. She watched him with the eyes of fear.

[Lairston]

Philip stood up. He looked down at Selena and sighed. "You know I don't want to hurt you. I already told you that. I and the other Chimera need your help. Hurting you will not get us what we need. So you can stop being afraid. Unless I'm ordered to hurt you, I will not."

He grinned wickedly, "Besides, I want us to have some fun when the scientists are done."

[Cyberwing]

Selena's eyes widened at Phillips innuendo. She brought her knees up and wrapped her arms around them, she was trying not to cry. This Chimera was more powerful than she thought. She knew the games she had played earlier had been foolish on her part.

[Lairston]

Philip frowned at her response. "Some fun would be that bad with me?" He shook his head. After a second, he pushed the tray of food toward Selena and said, "You need to eat." Then he went over to the door and tried to use his key but it would not let him out. He sighed.

He could hear the cursing by the scientists. "You're aunt is very concerned about you."

***

In addition, Amanda was ready to bring the place down with her fists if she could. She was fuming and snapped, "Stop this right now! We are trying to get the experiment done. But we will not be able to with this going on!"

[Cyberwing]

"I'm afraid of you... Phillip. I can't have 'fun' when I'm terrified." Selena whispered. Food was of no interest at the moment. Selena had some re-thinking to do. The rules of the game had changed drastically and she wasn't even sure what GAME she was in anymore.

[Lairston]

Philip sighed. "I told you I wouldn't hurt you unless ordered to. And you were still mean to me and really tried to hurt my feelings. And you did too. How would you have reacted if the roles were reversed? "

[Cyberwing]

Selena looked up at Phillip. "First of all I couldn't I am the weak one here and totally at YOUR mercy. Second... I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. That really was only a ploy to try to get your mind off of things so I could try to escape."

[Lairston]

"Okay. But... oh its useless. I guess you should be afraid of me. You are weaker then me." Philip wasn't thrilled with this since he rather enjoyed the talking back and forth. Until it got personal. Philip nodded, "I see. So I'm not seen as a freak from the zoo by you."

[Cyberwing]

"No Phillip... I am sorry about all the things I said." Selena decided if she was going to be stuck with this Chimera she might as well make the best of it. Especially since he nearly crushed her to death without hardly exerting himself.

[Lairston]

Philip smiled slightly, "I accept your apology Ms. Wade." He then added, "And I'm sorry for being to rough with you when I should have controlled my temper."

He looked at the mirror and wondered what the scientists were doing on the other side. He wasn't hearing them holler at the Leader anymore. "I don't hear anything going on anymore. I wonder what's up."

[Cyberwing]

The shift end whistle blew. Selena jumped wondering what was happening now. She looked at Phillip wondering if he knew. "What is that?"

***

"Go to your quarters and rest. Tomorrow I shall expect more progress..." Leaders voice came over the intercom. Elinore Gray sighed and took off her lab coat. Draping it over her chair she turned toward the still shielded room.

"Come on Dr. Parker, I'll show you to your quarters. Eli? Maybe Selena can walk back with us." She looked at the shielded room again with a worried frown.

[Lairston]

Philip replied, "That means the shift is over and everyone gets to go back to their quarters. Hopefully it means we're going to be let out of here." he added frowning at the shielded room and locked doors.

***
Amanda nodded her head, "Okay Dr Gray." She started to walk with her and added in a whisper. "I want to talk to you in a more private place anyway." And added in a normal voice, "I hope Selena is let out of there now."

[Cyberwing]

There was a snick and the locks were released. Selena looked at the door hopefully. She was ready to be released from this prison.

Elinore walked down the hallway slowly and was relieved to hear the door to Selena's prison release. She knew eventually Selena would be joining her so she waited in the hallway.

[Lairston]

Philip went to the door and tried to open it. It opened and he saw Dr Gray in the hall. He turned to Selena, "If you hurry Ms. Wade you can walk with your aunt back to your quarters."

[Ellesar]

Eli sighed softly and removed his lab coat before picking up his notes and placing them in his pocket. Turning, he went over to join Elinore and Amanda and then glanced over at the room Selena had been placed in before following them out of the room. He breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the locks release and waited with Elinore for Selena.

[Lairston]

Amanda also stopped and waited for Selene to join them. She felt so sorry and was scared for her having to put up with Philip all alone. "Eli did you discover anything?"

[Cyberwing]

Selena looked at Phillip and edged toward the door slowly her memory of being crushed in the door by Phillip still fresh in her mind. She slipped by him and out into the hallway.

Seeing her Aunt and Eli waiting for her she ran toward them. She threw her arms around her Aunt, thankful to be with her again.

[Lairston]

Amanda waited and then asked Selena, "Are you okay? We saw that brute attacking you before the blind was brought down."

[Cyberwing]

"I noticed his companion Sora was able to get him really easily riled by insulting him. So I tried it and almost made it out the door but Phillip stopped me." Selena replied after hugging her Aunt.

"You were lucky Phillip DID stop you. Outside, down this hall see here... these are electrical fields and you would have been painfully shocked into unconsciousness." Elinore told her niece.

"Really?" Selena responded thoughtfully.

"Yes... Leader can't take the chance of losing one of us either. So stop trying to play the hero here Selena." Elinore snapped at her. Selena frowned at her Aunt and fell silent.

[Lairston]

Amanda added, "If you ask me that means that he's worried about us getting through there so we should try to find out why."

[Cyberwing]

"Why don't you all come to my quarters and we will fix something to eat." Elinore added wearily.

[Lairston]

Amanda sighed sinice it was becoming apparent that Dr Gray was not going to be interested in finding out how to deactivate the field and getting out of here., "Okay Dr Gray. I'll come to your quarters to eat. I am pretty hungry." As if to emphasize the point, her stomach growled and she laughed softly.

[Cyberwing]

Dr. Gray remained silent as she led the way down the maze of hallways to her quarters. Chimera's stood guard watching them here and there. Finally they arrived at her quarters and as they entered she held a hand up to her lips to the others.

She then spoke, winking at them all. "I'll start dinner, why don't you all help. Someone can set the table. Everyone to the kitchen and we will eat sooner! First stop wash your hands!" She kept winking and pointing to the kitchen sink.

Once there she turned the water on full blast. She leaned over to Eli and whispered into his ear.
"The listening devices have problems with running water. So we can talk freely here and of course in my private computer station. There I found all the bugs. Now you whisper this to the next person washing their hands."

[Lairston]

Amanda's eyes narrowed as Dr Gray gave them signals. She went ahead and followed them in the kitchen and waited in line to wash her hands.

[Ellesar]

"No, I have not discovered anything yet." Eli said as he followed Elinore down the hallway. Once at the sink, Eli nodded at Elinore's message and then passed it along to the person standing next to him.

[Lairston]

Amanda whispered back to Eli, "Good because I found evidence of someone tampering with the experiments when I was looking through the files. And I thought you should know."

[Ellesar]

"Someone was tampering with the experiments? What were they doing?" Eli whispered back, trying to figure out why anyone would want to sabotage the work.

[Lairston]

"Making sure the experiment failed. I think there was one that would have worked but it got deleted by accident."

[Ellesar]

"There has to be a reason why..." Eli said thoughtfully.

[Lairston]

"You would think so. But I thought I should tell you two about it. After all Dr Gray is leading the experiments. She should know that every time she tries something someone is messing it up."

[Cyberwing]

Elinore cleared her throat and motioned Eli to the sink. She held out some lettuce and leaned over to whisper in his ear.
"Meet the saboteur! I can't let him continue... the answer is bad for human kind. Now laugh like I told you a joke or roll your eyes like I told a bad joke. They ARE watching." She then smiled and winked at him.

[Ellesar]

Eli rolled his eyes slightly and took the lettuce as he whispered, "What kind of results were you getting, Dr. Gray?"

[Lairston]

Amanda was shocked at the revelation. She whispered "I guess your trip was not an accident then."

[Cyberwing]

"If one of our lab Chimeras mate with a human, the DNA of the Chimera progeny produced becomes stable . Each succeeding generation after that will be able to reproduce without humans! Do you see the repercussions of this?" Elinore whispered to them both as she handed them the Kale leaves to rinse.


***

Selena was curled up on the couch asleep.

[Lairston]

Amanda gasped and whispered, "If that happens, they can completely do away with humans after a few generations. It would become a massacre and more in likely they would have used their superior strength to make us..." She shook her head in complete horror. "oh my. No we can't let this happen."

[Lairston]

Philip went off to his quarters he heard the digging at the wall again and considered going down and seeing just how much damage he had caused now. He was always trying to escape. It was annoying. Like where would he go if he escaped...

Finally he went down in to the cell blocks and peered inside...

[Cyberwing]

Elinore nodded. "Yes, now you are getting it..." she announced aloud. She pointed to the lettuce to convince the observers she spoke about the leafy plants. Dr. Gray however knew that Eli and Amanda would finally understand her desperation to sabotage the work.

[Lairston]

Amanda picked up the lettuce and started making up some small toss salads to cover for Dr Gray's pointing. She whispered over the water while she made them, "I can't believe what this could lead to. I always just ignored such talk before. But this..." She shook her head. "Its too horrible to even describe."

[Cyberwing]

"We must be careful, Leader is very strict..." Elinore told them both without looking up from the chopping board where she was slicing tomatoes.

[Lairston]

Amanda nodded her head, "Yeah his strictness is to much. I can't believe what he's doing to Selena. And he's no dummy." She whispered it without looking up from her toss salad.

[Cyberwing]

"Let's eat. I'll go wake Selena up." Elinore rubbed a hand through her hair as she walked toward the couch.

"Selena? Selena wake up. Dinner..."

Selena followed her Aunt without saying a word.

Elinore went around the dining room inspecting. She found two listening devices and dropped them in the toilet then came back in. She then moved the china cabinet over with Eli's help. She dropped into her chair at the table with a sigh of relief.

"Now we can talk if we keep our voices quiet. Alan shared something with me. He may have hit on an idea. Eli, what if we engineered a DNA worm specifically for the Chimera?"

[Paladin]

Alan entered the room and sat down at one o the empty chairs. Batman whined in the corner of the room. He wanted out of this lousy cage! "Shhhh..." Alan scolded the dog. Batman laid his head down on his paws and just watched the humans. "You could say you have found the answer, Leader might believe you... Then you could inject nearly all of them with the bug; and kill them. That would give us time to escape. We need to plan it out, though. Uh... and Dr. Gray... I noticed you throw those listening devices in the toilet... won't the Chimeras find them in there later and suspect something?" Alan whispered.

[Lairston]

Amanda nodded her head when Ellinore told Alan's plan.. She tried to keep calm in case there was a camera they didnt know about but her face showed how much she liked the idea. "I think that's a brilliant idea Alan. And we need to find out how to get that field down."

[Paladin]

"If I could kind of befriend a Chimera... one of the guards, that is... He might let me admire the fields... If someone were to accidentally run into one of the others it would distract his attention long enough for me to cut a main cord..." Alan suggested; still in a whisper. He smiled in case they were being watched.

[Cyberwing]

"Worth a try...We just have to try to coordinate things. Now there is one other thing. If we have to communicate write it out in cursive. The Chimera were never taught cursive writing and it's a mystery to them." Elinore nodded and took a bite of her salad.


"Selena, do not try to escape again without our aid. That Chimera could have killed you easily." Elinore looked over at her niece. Selena nodded.

"Yes, I am quite aware of that now." She replied wryly.

"All right then, are we clear? We do not aid the enemy. We do what we can where we can to sabotage their progress."

"Aunt Elinore? There was a noise coming through the ducts... do you suppose they have captured the Old One? Maybe they have him imprisoned here? He has saved my life many times. I feel I owe him something..." Selena added quietly.

[Lairston]

Amanda repeated, "Cursive? That's good to know. We can write everything out then."

She nodded, "We are clear. Lets hope we don't do something like sabotage an experiment into working." The very thought scared her.

When Selena mentioend the old one, she looked bewildered and asked, "who?"

[Paladin]

Alan pondered the ideas; including his own. "I'll need to look at it twice to know exactly what to cut...." He murmured. "Do any of the scientists have any blue prints of the systems? Have any of them every looked at one of them before?"

[Cyberwing]

"I'm afraid THAT we may have to discover on our own. Not likely the Chimera are going to provide them for us... Have you tried looking in the fuse boxes?" Elinore asked thoughtfully.

[Lairston]

Philip walked back up to his quarters since it appeared that he had not done enought damage to be an issue.

[Cyberwing]

Leader sat chuckling at the scientists. They had no idea he was just as cunning as they. Perhaps they had defeated his snooping for today but he looked at the chart he had laid out.
"In time you will serve me one way or another Dr. Gray. I am aware of your stalling tactics. However you are useful in more ways than one." Leader laughed evilly. "I've run some tests of my own. I know you have an answer you think you are hiding from me but I will find out..." He licked his lips in eager anticipation.

He stood and walked out of his control room to go seek out Phillip.

[Lairston]

Philip saw Leader coming and he slowed his walk since he was about to go down the hall to his quarters and leader seemed to be interested in talking to him. So he waited for him. When leader got up to him, he smiled and said, "Selena was a bit of a handful at first but I got her tamed down."

[Cyberwing]

Phillip's revelation made Leader look at him askance and grin. "Yes, I noticed. What do you think of Ms. Wade?" He asked with a curious smile on his face.

[Lairston]

Philip sighed, "I think she doesn't forgive and forget very well. I kept her from escaping and now she's scared to death of me. Its very upsetting actually. but before that I think she will serve our purpose well. And it will be enjoyable too." He gave a sly grin.

[Shadowseldil]

Nearly four thousand miles away, in the Canadian wilderness, six figures gathered around an instillation. The instillation itself was designed not to look very important, but those six men knew differently. This was a center of research, research into the outrageous technology known by the name of Chimera.
The men wore all black, with even their faces covered in black paints. They all bore assault rifles and heavy flak jackets. There were no distinguishing features to reveal one from another; and anyone who saw them would not live long enough to look.
One of the men spoke. He was not the tallest, but he was the largest, or at least he looked it with his massive shoulders. "Let's review the plan," he said. His voice was quiet, but even still it was a grisly and commanding voice. "Once five he shut down the security system, One and Two will secure the main entrance," he continued, "Once the front entrance is secure, One will guard it. Two and Five will plant the surface explosives. Three and Four will come with me and infiltrate the complex. Three will cover basement one, Four will cover basement two, and I will cover basement three. If something goes wrong, contact. Otherwise, we detonate in twenty minutes. Are we ready?"
There was a general agreement from the others. One of the soldiers with a computer gave a signal. If anyone were watching, it would have looked like the working of a Swiss watch, only much more deadly. The soldiers deemed One and Two came in quickly and executed the two men standing guard at the front entrance. They then did the same to the two guards standing inside the entrance.
The other troops came in. Two men broke off from the squad and disappeared into the darkness. The commander entered the building carefully, followed by Three and Four.
From there, they walked quickly and confidently through the complex. Anyone that came into sight was greeted with a bullet. They reached a flight of stairs and entered. At the first landing, Three peeled away and exited the stairwell. At the next landing, Four did the same. It was just the commander who reached the final floor.

The bottom level was much smaller than the others. There was a central hall, two laboratories, a holding pen, and a much larger laboratory. This was his destination. He immediately shot several guards as he entered the hall. Even if his gun were not suppressed, he would not worry much. Only guards, eggheads, and the security system were on this level. He could handle the guards, and the eggheads would not give him any trouble. As for the security system, it was not very secure any more. He pushed open one of the chamber locks. There were three between the hall and his target. The second gate presented no problems either. The third, which was to be the fail-safe, was a sheet of explosive resistance steel. The steel was explosive proof, but the walls around it, not so much. That was a general flaw to almost every fail-safe; the things surrounding it were just as vulnerable as everything else.
The commander planted a few bricks of C4 at key locations, retreated through the last barricade, and detonated the explosives.
The steel gate toppled into the laboratory as planed. Five scientists jumped from their stations and huddled at the far end of the room. There were no guards. The room itself was nothing so impressive as all that. It was primarily a group of computer terminals and several large data banks and supercomputers beneath fluorescent light fixtures. Several of them were flickering uneasily as a result of the explosion. Coincidentally, several of the scientists were flickering uneasily for the same reason.
The commander entered through the cloud of settling dust. He surveyed the scene, and spoke in an authoritative voice, "Is anyone injured?" No one raised a hand. "Who is in charge here?" No one raised a hand. A bullet landed in the wall not far from the scientist on the far right. "That will get an inch closer every second I don't have an answer, until I've gone all the way down the line."
"I'm in charge," the scientist on the far right said hastily.
"I need to know everything you can give me in five minutes about the Chimeran group known as the Rogues."
"I don't know--"
A bullet crashed into the wall next to him, roughly an inch closer than the last.
"Okay, okay!" he shouted as he stood up. "All right. Give me a second to pull it up." The scientist walked over to a terminal and began typing furiously. "There, there it is. Now what?"
The commander looked it over. "These rogues have broken free of the inhibitor chip, yes? How do you suppose they did that?"
"We don't know, honest to go--"
"I hope you plan on saying 'goodness,'" the soldier interrupted him, "I take blasphemy dead seriously."
"Ho-honest to goodness," the scientist said slightly stunned, "We-we don't know."
"It would show a level of intellect, hm; a sort of will, don't you think?"
"M-maybe. Why?"
"Here," he said, pointing to the screen, "It says there have been a number of Chimera sightings around this location. Is that true?"
"As far as I know."
"None whatsoever."
The commander gave him a look.
"Honest to g--, uh, goodness," the scientist stuttered, "Why wouldn't it be?"
"Just making sure," the commander said, "And they are not connected to any government?"
"I, uh, I don't think so. We're pretty sure that those are Rogues."
"Okay." The commander said as he looked at the scientist. The scientist shrank in fear, and doubly so when the soldier raised his hand. This was placed on the scientist's shoulder. "Okay," the soldier repeated, "Go sit down again."
The scientist did so as the soldier fired the remainder of his ammunition into the supercomputers. He then took several bundles from his backpack. These were placed primarily around the data banks and supercomputers, but several were also placed on structural points.
"Listen up!" he announced as he reloaded his gun, "This structure will explode in about ten minutes. I am leaving, and you are not to leave this room for five minutes. That will give you five minutes to run for your lives. Do not leave before then, because my men might still be in the building, and if they see you, they will kill you on the spot. I am more lenient; I'm willing to give you a chance to repent. Forsake this research, turn yourself from your atrocities! If you do not, God will see, and He will take vengeance. Then you will wish you had died in this building." The commander turned, stepped over the steel door, turned back, and said, "Remember, five minutes!"
He exited swiftly through the hall, stopping to plant several more explosives in key places. Then it was up the stairs, down the hall, and through the entrance. One was there and said, "You're the last one, sir."
They hustled back to the meeting point where they all had gathered before the entire episode. The others were there, minus Five, who returned in a few minutes. They waited until the complex exploded, completely decimating what had been there. "Good work, men," the commander congratulated them, "Head back to Montreal and report back to the Grand Master. I have another mission I must pursue."
The squad saluted the commander and began moving. The commander, however, waited until they were out of sight and hearing before he said, "So, this is where the Rogues are hiding out. Hmph. Well, I should be able to make it there before morning."

[Lairston]

Amanda looked at Alan waiting for him to answer Ellinore.

[Cyberwing]

"Very welll, according to the tests I ran, your blood and hers is most compatible. My blood unfortunately is not. So she will be assigned to you. So do be very careful with the specimen Phillip, at least for the time we need her..." Leader grinned. I will be testing the new arrival this evening after we put them under for the sleep period. During that time move Miss Wade here. Dr. Gray is not cooperating so, all three women will be put into our experimental program and Dr. Colson will be forced to continue the experiments.

"We are running out of time... I want the escape plan gone over as well. We have been stationary long enough for Shoenberg to be closing in. Time to move on is nearly with us."

[Paladin]

"No I haven't..." Alan replied.

[Lairston]

Philip grinned wickedly. "That is wonderful news." Then he cleared his throat, "I mean I'm sorry you're not compatible Leader. But I take delight in that I am. I will do what's needed to complete the experiment." He was eager for that.

"Aw... I thought Dr Gray would cooperate with the new arrangement." He sighed.

"Okay I'll see if Sora will help me with the escape plans."

[Cyberwing]

"Sora will have the young man Alan. I know she is enamored of you Phillip but we must make this sacrifice in order to keep our species alive. We must keep trying for the future of our race." Leader explained, he looked apologetic. "Once we have the progeny we can dispose of the humans if that becomes necessary. Science has once again failed us..."

[Lairston]

Philip frowned. He didn't like the idea of Alan and Sora being together... "Is it really necessary that she... with ." He shuddered, "...a human." He sighed. He saw Leader's apologetic look. He knew it was necessary and it really bothered him. He would take special pleasure in getting rid of this Alan.

[Cyberwing]

"If you find it so displeasing, why are you so anxious for Selena Wade?" Leader asked with a raised eyebrow.

[Lairston]

"That's different. Sora would be...with its..." He shuddered "if it worked."

[Paladin]

Alan finished his food quickly; so fast the others were only about half way through when he finished. Alan wiped his mouth with a napkin and then set his hand, holding it on the table. The napkin was above his hand. He made several mouth movements and pretended to laugh as he slipped his hand over the fork. He brought his hand back to him and wiped his mouth again, then dropped the fork in his lap. He set the napkin down on the table. "Have you checked the other room for listening devices?" Alan said to Dr, Gray, glancing at the small room with the appliances.

[Cyberwing]

"No I haven't... why?" Dr. Gray asked looking at the young man curious.


***

"Phillip, we have human DNA anyway..." Leader grinned at the other Chimera. "I see it's the fact its Sora... Interesting, but not practical at the moment." Leader sighed and turned away.

"Make sure you have us ready to 'bug out' as the military say... I want us to be able to disappear like cockroaches in the light." He left Phillip's quarters and went to rest himself. There was a guard set and the 'alarm system' he had rigged up would awaken him before anyone got close enough to cause them concern.

[Paladin]

"I have a plan... I want you to come in right after I set this down in the microwave, and pretend it's broken." Alan winked at her and smiled as he stood up. He grabbed the coffee cup.

[Lairston]

Philip sighed. "I guess I understand." But he absolutely hated the idea of Sora being around Alan. It was going to mess with his mind.

"We will be ready." He vowed when the Leader said he wanted to be ready to bug out.

After he left, Philip sighed again. He said there depressed for a few minutes. Thinking about how he had treated Sora. He liked her. He should have been nicer to Sora he knew but she had always been such a fun one to tease.

He looked at the clock and realized he'd been moping to long. He needed to get her help on the escape plans. He picked up the plans he had and went to Sora's quarters and knocked lightly on the door.

[Cyberwing]

Sora answered the door and after a brief look of surprise she snarled. "What do YOU want?" She turned away but let Phillip come in if he liked.

[Lairston]

Philip swallowed and gingerly came into her room. "Hi Sora. I'm sorry I made you mad earlier. I just... well... I just like to tease you. And some times I don't know when to stop and then you threatened me... and things got out of hand. I'm sorry." He looked down. Then looked back up and said, "I was hoping we could do some work tonight. Leader wants to have plans in place to bug out as early as tonight. Would you go over the plans with me? I brought them."

[Cyberwing]

The Chimera female snorted at Phillip. "Hmph! I've decided I don't like you very much Phillip! You are too hot-headed. Too much human in you..." Sora snapped, her eyes following Phillip with feral distrust.

[Lairston]

Philip swallowed and was shocked at her. He knew he'd been over the top with her but he didn't think she would be quite so... upset. But he got a look of annoyance on his face because now he was hurt "I won't bother you then Sora. I can figure this out on my own."

He looked at the door. "Just hope that I do a good job since I told Leader we both would be doing it" He turned and walked for the door and then headed into the hall. He walked a few feet and leaned again the wall. He sighed.

[Cyberwing]

After Phillip left a few moments later something slammed against the door and a feline howling angry scream came through the door. Sora wanted to attack Phillip and hurt him physically as much as she was hurting inside. Her growls of fury came through the closed door. Sora had seen how he looked at the human woman and it had made Sora insane with jealousy.

"If I can't have you, she won't EITHER!" she snarled angrily. Sora purposed in her heart to kill the helpless human and then face the consequences from Leader.

[Lairston]

Philip heard the scream and crept away from her door. Afraid of her anger. What had he unleashed he wondered. He didn't think she would react this strongly to his teases. He determined then and there that he would try to refrain from picking on her anymore. He went back to his quarters and started looking at the plans.

But his mind was not on the plans. They were on Sora.

He took out a peice of paper and started to write a note to her. He then quietly went to her quarters and folded the note up. It read in clear printed letters.


Dear Sora,

I guess I am not good at speaking apologies. So I decided to write it and give it to you. I did not mean to anger you so much today. It is the last thing I really wanted to do. I hope some day that you will be able to forgive me for my transgressions against you. I never did anything out of malice for you. And I will attempt to keep my mouth from causing you any more anger.

Your friend,
Philip

[Paladin]

Alan walked into the room with the appliances and opened the microwave. He set his coffee down on the tray.

[Cyberwing]

Sora found the note and it started yet another storm of temper. "YOU IDIOT!" she screamed and tore Phillip's note into shreds in her fury.

"NOW you decide to be nice to me! TOO LATE!" Sora screamed and threw another breakable item. There was little left in the room now. End tables, vases... they were all destroyed. Only the couch remained intact and it had a rip along the top fabric from her claws.

Sora had determined what she was going to do. She was going slay the human woman. Sora licked her fangs in eager anticipation of tasting Selena's blood. She had just turned to leave when there was another tap at her door.

"I told you I...." Sora was expecting Phillip. "LEADER!" she gasped out.

"You told me what, Sora?" He inquired calmly. Looking over her shoulder at the state of the room he merely raised an eyebrow. Sora looked down embarrassed.

"Your housekeeping is a bit under my expectations Sora. I dropped by to tell you we will be implementing our plan. We can't wait for the scientists. You will be matched with the human male known as Alan, so make sure you watch out for him. Oh and make plans to be able to leave on a moment's notice. We have dallied here too long. Our new site awaits us."

[Lairston]

Philip did not know of her outburst. He hoped his note would make her happy. He went back to his quarters and started studying the plans. He sure wished she was there to help him.

He sighed.

He started writing up some suggestions to change the plans slightly. He would then go see Leader and see if he was satisfied or not.

[Lairston]

After completing the final bits of his plan. Most of it unchanged from the plan the Leader already knew, Philip headed back to the Leader's quarters and hope to see him. He knocked but there was no answer. Philip sighed and wondered what time it was.

He found a clock and determined Leader should still be up and around so he waited in a chair outside Leader's door. He had a notebook with his ideas on it and the original files.

[Cyberwing]

Sora grinned maliciously after Leader left. "HA! Two can play that game! This 'Alan' is going to be my ticket to make you PAY for your insults and smart remarks Phillip! I'll show YOU!"

She set to work on her new plan to aggravate Phillip with a renewed vigor.

***

"Phillip? Have you finished the plans? I saw Sora was in no mood to cooperate with you at the moment. I want everything ready to roll before dawn."


***

"Alan? The microwave isn't working... what are..." Dr. Gray started to ask as Alan headed for the device. At his look she understood he was up to something. Playing along she began to recount a story to Selena she knew Selena had heard before but it would cover whatever Alan was doing... she hoped.

[Lairston]

Philip nodded and stood up. "Yeah unfortunately I really made her mad today. I was just teasing her and she took everything so seriously." He sighed, "I have several ideas that I changed from what they had been. Like I made it so we left behind some of the less needed equipment and took more of the supplies we'll need to continue the experiment." He gave him the list of equipment he thought could be left behind and the supplies they would be able to add by doing that.

"One problem we'll have is continuing to control the captives without the field. So I thought maybe we could also take out the emitters and set them up again."

He paused for a second and added, "Other than that, I think the current plans are good."

He waited to see what he thought.

[Cyberwing]

"Well done Phillip. I want the raptors ready to take to the air. Make sure all of the Chimeras are notified and know what to do. We leave behind the scientists not on the list and take those with dual purpose according to the list I gave you. I want all of this in place before dawn."

[Lairston]

Philip suddenly smiled wickedly, "I will inform the other Chimeras as soon as I leave here. And we will get the Raptors ready. One quick question, are the scientists to be left behind to be eliminated or left behind unharmed?"

[Paladin]

"Oh? It's not working? Hmmm... I've had a little experience in appliances... I'll take a look at it. I need a screw driver." Alan said, taking his coffee out of the microwave and setting down on the counter. He unplugged the microwave and turned it around.

[Lairston]

Amanda watched Alan go to work wondering what his plan was. And wondered why he was going to take the microwave apart. But she turned and listened to the story that she was telling Selena.

[Cyberwing]

"Let's not kill needlessly. We leave them behind, let those that come behind decide their fate. I have just gotten word from my contact in Europe. He has gotten intelligence there is a push to eliminate us by the Vatican Network. A colony in Canada has been eliminated. Another reason for us to be careful. We will be using the secure facility my contact has indicated for us. No waiting, we move before dawn. No rest for the weary tonight Phillip. Put the plan into action NOW." Leader explained with quiet urgency. Leader leaned back and rubbed his eyes with his paw- like hands.

[Lairston]

Philip nodded, "It will be so."

Philip headed down the hall and started alerting the other Chimeras to start packing. They are bugging out. He gave them the details of the plan and what each needed to do.

Then hurried away to where he knew the Dr Gray, Selena, Amanda, Alan, and Eli were. He didn't knock but simply opened the door and announced, "You must come with me now. We are moving out of here. Let's go."

[Paladin]

By the time Philip had busted in; Alan had already managed to snag, secretly nearly everything in the microwave, and had put the panel back on. Alan looked up from where he sat in the room. He stood up. "Do we have a few minutes to pack our belongings?" He asked.

[Lairston]

"No. Only essentials. You will need to come now. There isn't time. You will be provided other things as you need them." Philip replied matter of factly. His fangs showed in case he pushed it. This was one way he could assure Alan never gets Sora.

[Paladin]

Alan walked over to one of the beds and picked up his brown leather suitcase. He went over to Batman's cage. Batman eyed Philip warily and started to growl lowly but Alan hushed him. He glanced at Philip. "Shall I pick up the cage or can he walk?"

((I had a idea. What if Batman were left behind and The Knights Templar took them with him to lead them to the chimeras new base?

[Lairston]

"Leaven him in the cage. He's not to be free."

[Cyberwing]

Dr. Gray stared at Phillip like he had struck her. "WHAT? We can't just leave the lab and everything!" She sputtered out. Selena backed away from Phillip.

[Lairston]

Philip looked at her and shook his head. "You will have everything you need at the new place. Come on! Get the essentials together. We have to be on the move before dawn."

He looked at Selena, "Come on Ms. Wade."

Amanda looked at him, "Where are we going? Haven't you all done enough to us without this sudden moving? I'm not in the mood."

Philip sighed, "Dr. Parker, now is not the time. Either come or we will have to find replacements for you."

[Cyberwing]

"Replacements? You would let us go?" Dr. Gray asked eagerly.

[Lairston]

"No. You would not like what Leader would do."

[Cyberwing]

"Oh... Well boys and girls let's get packed up we are 'buggin' out as the military say..." Elinore sighed.

[Lairston]

Amanda frowned and sighed, "I don't understand why we're leaving this place. So why are we?"

"That is none of your business. Do what Dr Gray says Dr Paker or I will not wait much longer. Pack your things."

"What things?"

"Why the things we brought from your apartment and made it appear that you left on a vacation."

"What?"

"Yes your things were taken from your apartment."

"How dare you!"

"Dr Parker, pack your things."

Amanda glared at him for a second and then went to pack once she found out where that was. She couldn't believe her home was violated in addition to being kidnapped. She was glad though to have her spare glasses.

[Cyberwing]

Supplied with a dull green pack they each packed their things. Selena's pack was already ready. She came toward Phillip. "I'm ready..."

[Lairston]

Amanda complained, "My stuff doesn't fit in this bag."

"Only the essentials."

Amanda growled, "Then why did you take so much of my stuff?"

"Because it had to look like you were leaving."

Amanda was not happen. Not happy at all.

When Selene approached, Phillip smiled, "Very good Ms. Wade. At least someone can do what they're told."

"Why aren't you bothering the other scientists?"

Philip paused and thought, "I was assigned to your group. Now stop asking so many questions. And get moving."