Chapter 27: Chapter 27

"Doctor Roberts," Service's sounded. "You have a voice call from Agent Pee."

A tiny smile dawned on his face as he stared into the clouds through his self piloting jet windshield. The Cockpit.

"Connect me." He muttered and then a 3D hologram displayed on the windshields.

"Status report." He sternly voiced.

"Very bad, sir." Agent Pee answered in an extremely displeased tone. Doctor Roberts slipped his hands into his lab coat pockets as he sighed.

"I dug up more on Charlie Hale as you requested." Agent Pee continued.

"He's the leader of The Boys And The Hood gang. He's also in affiliation with Timeron."

Doctor Roberts frowned, taken aback by the revelations he just received. The leader of a deadly group of assassins was right under his nose at the Metz Gala and he didn't know. He slipped his left palm towards his lower jaw, grazing through his low cut grey beards.

"Timeron huh, that's very bad." He finally answered as his eyes returned to the Hologram. "I'm certain Hale and his gang were responsible for Mr. Williams assassination."

"Affirmative sir but how could you conclude so easily?" Agent Pee queried. Surprise hinting in his tone.

"Just a hunch." He smiled sinisterly.

"There's more, Doctor Roberts." Agent Pee answered. "Recently, Timeron and Charlie have been in several closed door meetings. I think they're planning another assassination attempt."

Doctor Roberts arched his right eyebrow upwards as he halted in playing with his beards.

"On who?" He asked.

"I don't know sir but this is the list I could come up with." Agent Pee replied and the Hologram instantly visualized another image. They were images of high profile dignitaries of Rivernea but Doctor Roberts eyes exclaimed as he noticed some familiars.

Mrs. Roswell, New Senator of District AB. Mr. Martins, Senator of neighbouring District and Mrs. Tina, another senator of a neighbouring District. Amidst few others he didn't care much about.

He separated their images from the others and arranged them in a separate Hologram.

"Interesting," he dipped his hands into his Coats back. "I'll work on it."

"Okay, Doctor Roberts."

"Any news on the EMP?" He asked with his eyes still glued to the images. The same people he had met at the Metz Gala. In all certainty, he knew they were probably the most targeted.

"Unfortunately, Nothing else apart from the Hexagon." Agent Pee sighed. "But I have a lead that can give us information about it's whereabouts."

"The Hexagon?" Doctor Roberts affirmed.

"Yes, but it's heavily guarded in one of Timeron's industries in Rivernea. The device is our only shot at finding that machine. Also, the planned attack in October is still holding."

Doctor Roberts sighed while he paced about the large pilot room.

"Now that's a problem." He voiced weakly. "Your work in Timeron's industries is done, Agent Pee. I need you to lie low. A vacation or something, you know what I mean."

"Understood Sir." Agent Pee courteously responded before ending the call.

"Ah this month is gonna be bloody." He sighed as he reviewed the images over again. There was only one connection bounding those three together. The dignitaries were going to attend Dé Deluxe.

"Sir, The Trainer is approaching." Service solemnly sounded.

"Deactivate soundproof." He ordered with a tint smile just before The Trainer emerged into the room. His left arm bandaged.

"How's the arm?" He asked once The Trainer stood by his side. Staring into the clouds.

"Recuperating." The Trainer answered sternly.

"I'm choosing a leader for the team." Doctor Roberts muttered after minutes of silence to dined amongst them. "What's your opinion?" He glanced briefly at The Trainer's awed face.

"Lola." The Trainer answered.

He hummed, briefly thinking about both of them escapades. He couldn't discern if his agent were speaking logically or simply out of emotional attachments.

"Why her?"

The Trainer's eyes bonded with his.

"Lola is powerful, hardworking, determined and above all, she cares for the team more than anyone." He stated.

"Theodore is quite powerful also but his icy countenance. We can't have a lone wolf lead the pack."

Doctor Roberts nodded.

"Marcus," The Trainer paused as if looking for the right words. "I find him too sensitive and one who succumbs to pressure easily."

Doctor Roberts squinted his eyes.

"Ariel can't speak and from the looks of things, she doesn't seem to fancy this team. I think she prefers the latter."

"Michael," The Trainer paused again. "Although he trusts your words completely, his stupidity alone can jeopardize the team."

"And finally, Collins." Doctor Roberts voiced with a tint smile. He noticed The Trainer's face morph into extreme disdain.

"That proud, defiant, selfish piece of crap is worthless!" The Trainer ferociously blurted while he giggled.

"Don't let your emotions cloud your judgement, Trevor."

"I hate him!" The Trainer declared regardless, his eyes a burning brimstone and his breaths, short and heavy.

Doctor Roberts looked into the clouds, retaining his tiny smile.

"He's not worthless. When Michael fell unconscious during training, I saw the look of care in his eyes." He returned his glance to The Trainer.

"The real Collins isn't a Proud, defiant, selfish piece of crap. In fact, I think he's the most powerful one amongst them."

The Trainer scoffed.

"He's only a Teleporter, Doctor Roberts."

"Let's not forget he did that damage to your arm."

The Trainer scoffed.

"I didn't go all out."

His smile widened.

"He his more than a teleporter, Trevor. He hasn't even reached his full potential yet."

The Trainer wore a confused expression.

"Well, we'll see about that." He remarked as he rolled his eyes alongside.

"Isn't he the first person that deciphered my code?" Doctor Roberts asked while The Trainer grunted. "You might hate him but he's the most intelligent amongst them.

You shouldn't rank them by their powers alone, Trevor."

"Now let's go meet our beloved team." Doctor Roberts giggled as he aimed for the exit.

############

Collins eyes faintly awoke to bright lights illuminating the small room. As he sat up on the small comfy bed, he felt pain shoot from his forehead, nose and down to his muscles.

"Welcome back, Collins." Service voice solemnly filled his ears. He turned away from the bright window and then touched his forehead and nose which were plastered.

"You sustained a minor injury on your forehead and a broken nose during your training. You should be fine in a three to four days." Service's voice once again chorused in the room.

Collins grunted as he recalled his rugged battle with The Trainer. If he had known, he wouldn't have gone to the third floor.

"Where am I?" He asked in a faint tone.

"The Capsule."

"What's The Capsule?" He looked up at the metal plates and then the oval window. Displaying birds touring in the air.

"It's The Shining's private jet."

"Oh great," Collins scoffed as he massaged his right shoulder. "First, we landed in Lagos using an helicopter. Now we're jetting back home with The Capsule."

He sighed heavily.

"Doctor Roberts and his weird invention names."

"Speaking of which, Doctor Roberts requests your presence urgently." Service responded while the metal door opposite him gently slid open. Collins sighed again, wondering what tricks the Doctor was up too again.

He wobbled to the main room, large and brightly lit by the gold lights and oval windows surrounding them. Michael began with the reaction first. Laughing in a mocking mannerism instigating the others too.

"It was supposed to be training and not a fight to death!" He growled at The Trainer metres opposite him.

"You're not blind either. Look what you did to my arm." The Trainer retorted with an icy glare.

Collins gritted his teeth, his palms curling into a fist but Doctor Roberts quickly interjected.

"Okay before you both begin hate speeches, I specifically told you guys this training was a tough one."

"Yes!" Collins blared. "One that involves breaking my nose."

Michael laughed again.

"You're not the only one who got injured you know." Theodore toned icily.

"Shut up cat boy!" Collins growled.

"Collins please have a seat." Doctor Roberts interjected with a polite gesture. He eyed them all before relaxing to the couch-like chair.

"Thank you very much." Doctor Roberts muttered with his accustomed smile. "Although I was impressed by you guys team work but there were also flaws. I expected one of you to have reached the final floor."

"How were we supposed to do that, when you put someone like The Trainer there!" He growled again while the others nodded in agreement.

Doctor Roberts grinned.

"Like I said before, this training was a tough one. And if by now, none of you are able to best The Trainer in a combat then you need to work harder." He calmly explained. "This mission happening in months isn't child's play and the enemies are ten times stronger than The Trainer."

"You spoke of flaws, what were they?" Lola asked softly.

Doctor Roberts heaved a light sigh.

"Michael, you let go of your invisibility along the way which is why you got noticed and poisoned. Theodore and Marcus could have made work easier if they fought efficiently rather than needing help of Lola. Finally Collins, you froze at a point in the first floor and thanks to Ariel, you weren't gunned down."

"Although I love your sense of reasoning towards attacking The Trainer but you spent too much time. You used explosives recklessly and you let your guard down at the elevator. Which is why you got shot by Rita. All these affected your efficiency and totally jeopardized the mission." Doctor Roberts finished but Collins grunted. Loathing why Doctor Roberts pointed out many mistakes for him alone.

"I implore you all to work harder on both your strengths and flaws next time." He voiced again. "Now let's get to the main point."

"Something tells me I'm not gonna like it." He rolled his eyes.

"Trust me, you'll love it." Doctor Roberts grinned. "Service!"

The middle floor gently slid open and a metal table gradually arose.

"Wow!" Michael pitched excitedly as they all arose, circling about the Table that held black briefcases. Each of them had different Chess piece insignia donning a shade of White at the case center.

"This are nanotechnology briefcases containing bionic suits"

"Look Doctor Roberts, speak layman." Marcus interjected.

"In simple terms, this bionic suits are electronically and mechanically advanced in harmony with each of your unique powers. Marcus for example, your bionic suit comes with an inbuilt elastic material which allows you to use your powers at will without ripping your clothes off. Let me also say that, your suits are bulletproof vested."

"So what's with the Chess symbols." Lola queried.

"I'm choosing a leader of the team amongst you guys." Doctor Roberts beamed. Collins frowned, trying to decipher what the Doctor was up too.

"Why? You're already our leader." Marcus answered with a frown.

"I'm just an overseer." The Doctor answered.

"Which one is mine?" Collins asked sharply as his eyes scaled through the briefcases. Seven in total.

"Lola gets the Queen briefcase." Doctor Roberts gestured. "Ariel gets the Knight briefcase. Theodore and Marcus gets the Castles. Michael gets the Bishop." The Doctor paused with his gaze on him. Collins smiled as he glimpsed briefly between the King and Pawn briefcase.

"I guess I get the King briefcase which makes me the leader." He declared proudly before reaching for the briefcase. But Doctor Roberts held him back.

"No Collins." Doctor Roberts toned sharply. "You get the Pawn briefcase!" He beamed a smile as he slipped his hands into his lab coat.

Collins gasped, his eyes widened and his body quivered from shock that rippled through his spines.

"Me, Pawn?!" He blurted. "Do you even know what that means?"