Vol. 2, Chapter 26: Breakout (Part 2)

Lionel walks into his office to find Gabriel sitting in his chair.

Lionel
I was wondering when I was going to see you again.

Gabriel
Sorry I haven’t been in touch.

Lionel
How’s Lisa?

Gabriel
She’s fine. I think you know I’m not here for small talk.

Lionel
Of course. What can I do for you?

Gabriel
Lisa has a plan that I think you might be interested in.

Lionel
A plan for what?

Gabriel
I’m sure you’re aware of that man named Isaac.

Lionel
Of course.

Gabriel
He was just sent to a prison. Lisa wants to break him out.

Lionel
She wants to what?

Gabriel
I know, it’s a crazy idea but she seems determined it will work.

Lionel
I just can’t believe Lisa is the one who wants to do this. What is she hoping to accomplish?

Gabriel
Actually, she’s doing it for you.

Lionel
Me?

Gabriel
She’s hoping we can break Isaac out and convince him to willingly stay at LifeSource so that you can run tests on him and figure out how to reverse the after-effects of the Pods.

Lionel lets out a grin.

Gabriel
What are you smiling about?

Lionel
Ever since I heard about Isaac, I had that exact same thought.

Gabriel
Really?

Lionel
If anyone would provide me with the proper catalyst to figure out how this technology uses death to force an evolutionary enhancement through one’s genes after they’re revived, it would be this man. He’s gone through it countless times. Nobody else on the planet would come close to the changes he’s been through. If I could research him I can effectively start work on a new Pod design that blocks those effects. Alternatively, I could also enhance the effects after a single use.

Gabriel
Lisa wants to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Lionel
Why?

Gabriel
Look at the man we’re trying to let free. Your technology is already getting placed in the wrong hands and I’m not just talking about California. These things might be getting in the hands of military groups in other nations right now. We can’t take that risk.

Lionel
Don’t worry. The company is financially stable and we no longer need military funding. While you’re trying to fight your war with the FBI, I’m planning my own war to get this technology back to what it was originally intended for. I need to do it in phases by getting the technology perfect, by getting the Protesters out of the picture, and by getting the government back on our side. I’m actually on my way to see Carrie Walsh, who is joining me in this quest.

Gabriel
She’s helping you with fighting Protesters and all of that?

Lionel
Oh, no. The Protester situation will start to dwindle after my continued press stops like the recent interview I was in. It’s already happening.

Gabriel
I have some people you should meet.

Lionel
Speaking of, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been meaning to get in contact with you again. I’m planning something big that I could use your help with. This involves me, Joe Tyler, and Carrie Walsh.

Gabriel
And you’re going to see Carrie about this now? I guess I can free up some time if you’d like my help.

Lionel
I’d be honoured, but I’m afraid that will have to wait for another time. I’m actually meeting with Ms. Walsh tonight specifically for dinner.

Gabriel
So, are you and Carrie…

Lionel
Well this is our first official date. I’m hoping it’s not too weird. We’ve been friends for quite some time so I’m a little worried.

Gabriel feels his heart sink a bit knowing that Lionel is about to go on a date with the woman he loves.

Gabriel
I’m sure it will be fine.

Lionel
Well if that’s all for now, we can discuss the details of everything at a later date. Whatever you’re planning on doing I hope you’re just careful. I think examining Isaac would be beneficial to LifeSource and the world so I’ll gladly help. Good luck on the breakout.

Gabriel
Thanks, you too.

Lionel gives a blank stare towards Gabriel.

Gabriel
…I mean, good luck on your date.

Lionel
Ah, thanks. Keep me posted on what’s happening.

Lionel leaves his office and Gabriel just sits in silence for a moment.

---

Ryan is in the kitchen with the grown ups.

Joe
Ryan, I’m sure you have a lot of questions right now.

Ryan
Yes, I do.

Joe
Well how about I start from the beginning? You see, they were able to revive Mr. Wilson here after he died and I was able to get my legal team involved and we were able to put the entire family in witness protection. So now they’re living safe someplace else. They agreed to come here to see you one last time.

Ryan
So I’ll never see them again?

Tom
Well maybe one day but we can’t make that promise. It’s too dangerous for us to stay here. I can’t say exactly where we’re staying now but we’re leaving California.

Ryan
Well before you go I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry.

Tom
Sorry for what?

Ryan
That you died because of me and my mom.

Mary starts tearing up.

Tom
Ryan, it wasn’t your fault. I was just doing my job. The man who shot me is the one to blame.

Ryan
So you work for my grandpa?

Tom
Yes.

Ryan turns to his grandfather.

Ryan
And you were able to bring him back because he works for you?

Joe
Well that and because I know a lot of people and have a lot of lawyers.

Ryan
So, why weren’t you able to help mom or dad when they were going through the same thing?

Joe
Ryan, the situation was a little different.

Ryan
How?

Joe
Listen, you know I love your mother and father very much and if there was a way I could help them then I would do all I could, and I think I did that when you were away. I even had you move next to Tom here so he could keep an eye on you two, but there were other circumstances involved with your parents and I wasn’t able to get them the help I wish I could have.

Ryan is not sure if he believes his grandpa but doesn’t have a reason not to. His aunt Susan, however, is not so convinced but is staying quiet for this entire conversation.

Ryan
Alright, I trust you grandpa. I’m sorry I asked.

Joe
That’s alright.

Ryan
Can I go back and talk with Mason and Charlotte?

Joe
Sure. We can talk more later, if you like.

Ryan walks into the other room. Charlotte walks up to him.

Charlotte
So what did they say?

Ryan
Enough to make me realize that I don’t know enough about my grandpa.

---

Bennett
Fields!

Bennett is charging down the hall towards Adam and Carlie, who are talking about some results they went over.

Bennett
What’s this I hear about you making progress?

Adam
Well I wouldn’t really say we’ve had a breakthrough or anything but…

Bennett
What did you find out?

Saunders catches up to Bennett.

Saunders
Calm down, Bennett.

Bennett
Tell me!

Adam is starting to become worried from Bennett’s impatience.

Adam
Well, based on the research we have after testing the last subject we have a theory as to how the body…

Bennett
A theory? So you’ve basically made no progress!

Saunders
Come on, Bennett, at least give the man a chance to talk.

Adam
Like I said, we’re just scratching the surface of what we’re researching…

Bennett slams his fists down and destroys a table with equipment and documents on it in rage.

Bennett
That’s not good enough! You’re stalling, Fields! I know it!

Saunders
Agent Bennett, I need you to leave the R&D room immediately and wait for me out in the hall.

Bennett just looks at Saunders with hatred.

Saunders
That’s an order.

Bennett turns around and leaves the research area.

Saunders
Now, Mr. Fields, we both don’t really seem to get along but I do appreciate the work you’ve been doing for us. However, as out of line as agent Bennett was just then, he did have a point. Sometimes it does feel like you’re stalling.

Adam
I’m doing the best I can working with an idea that has baffled some of the greatest scientific and medical professionals I know for years. You can’t expect me to have everything done in a day.

Saunders
No I guess not. Take the rest of the day off while I get a crew in here to clean this up.

Saunders walks out into the hall.

Carlie
What the hell was that?

Adam
I have an idea, but we can’t tell anybody.

Saunders meets Bennett in the hallway.

Saunders
What’s the problem?

Bennett
I’m not good enough. I need to be stronger.

Saunders
What do you mean?

Bennett
My leg, Isaac… everything happening recently has shown me that I’m not reaching my potential.

Saunders
That’s what we’re doing here. You can’t just blow up in front of the one man who can help us. You need to relax. Your leg is fine now and we have Isaac under control.

---

Felicia, Chuck, and Lisa are in a car pulling up to the entrance of the prison lot.

Lisa
I don’t really think I’m trained for any of this. What if the guards recognize me?

Felicia
Trust me, the suit, sunglasses, and haircut are a drastic change from your normal look. Even if the guards were told to be on the lookout for you they’d still have a hard time recognizing you. Just follow our lead and we’ll get you inside.

The three of them walk up to the gate.

Guard
Can I see some I.D.?

Felicia pulls out a government I.D. card.

Felicia
Colonel Grey. We’re sent by General Larken to talk to our friend inside. I think you know who I mean.

Guard
General Larken has sent men to question the guy twice already today.

Felicia
The frequency of visits are probably going to increase from here for this particular circumstance until the General is able to bring Isaac into his own custody. I’m sure you understand.

Guard
Well, go ahead. It’s not like he’s saying much anyway.

The three of them are guided to Isaac’s cell.

Guard
I’ll be back in ten minutes. If he breaks through the bars and breaks one of your legs be sure to scream.

The guard leaves.

Isaac
You guys just keep coming, huh?

Felicia
Yeah, we’re going to back up to the ends of the hall here. You have fun talking to him.

Lisa
Oh you’ve got to be kidding me.

Isaac
I don’t believe it. I would have never expected to see you here.

Lisa takes off her sunglasses.

Lisa
Sorry, but it seems like this was the only way to get in contact with you.

Isaac
Well you have guts, I’ll give you that. So what brings you to the area?

Lisa
I want to ask you a favour.

Isaac
Why would I do that?

Lisa
I think you owe me for kidnapping me and exposing me to the media.

Isaac
I don’t really see it that way. Besides, I’m kind of stuck in this cell.

Lisa
From what I hear, that probably won’t stop you from leaving.

Isaac
Maybe not. What do you want from me?

Lisa
I don’t know who did this to you or what possessed you become this way, but I don’t think I have a lot of time to have a discussion about it. I have a friend who works at LifeSource and he would love the opportunity to research you.

Isaac
That doesn’t sound appealing to me one bit.

Lisa
What if I said that this research would help us in our own little way of getting back at the FBI?

Isaac
Now you’re talking. Go on.

Lisa
I’m afraid I can’t get into full detail, but we’re fighting against them, too. Maybe not in the same way you are, but we’re enemies all the same.

Isaac
And what’s in it for me?

Lisa
They can help you fully understand what happened to you. I’m sure you’re not exactly certain how the pain you went through can cause something like this to happen.

Isaac
Many people in history had to go through torture to get to where they are. I am no exception. An explanation of how it happens is not relevant. The important part is that it happened and I have achieved that goal. There is nothing you can offer me that I do not already have.

Lisa suddenly remembers back to the last time the two of them spoke.

Lisa
What about money?

Isaac
What?

Lisa
You were talking about a ransom before when you tried to kidnap me. I assume you’re still interested in money. People are paid for scientific research and drug tests all the time. What if I tell you that LifeSource will be giving you a paycheck for your time there?

Isaac
How much?

Lisa
I’m sure that they’ll be able to work out a deal with you.

Felicia’s radio goes off with Gabriel’s voice coming from it.

Gabriel
Colonel Grey, come in.

Felicia
What is it?

Gabriel
Looks like we may have company.

To be continued...