The entire team, including the newest member, Ryan, piled into the cramped X-72. The engine started and the engine race as the hugh vehical peeled out of the garage.
At a speed of 70 MPH, the sides extended to form wings. dispite the weight of the vehical, in quickly took to the skies. It flew by totally undetected as it made its way to McBain Labs.
"We must be careful in McBain Labs," Ryan instructed us, "the entire place is heavily guarded by super-soldiers. They have been exposed to the McBain Project. Dr. McBain's assistant, Tor, has been giving them a new chemical known as a compressor. It's sole purpose is to hide their strength. They may not look it, but they can rip you apart. Take every precaution when you get there!"
"What?" I asked. "You mean that I going solo on this mission? Why won't you guys come in with me?"
"It'll be alright." Panthra coaxed. "If we go with you, they'll start to think that something is going to happen. We don't want that. Besides, they know who we are, you'll be a stranger to them. It'll be easier for you as well as us."
"Once you get into the labs," Ryan instructed, "you will meet Tor. Whatever you do, do not be frieghten of him. Just ask questions about taking the McBain Project. Make it look like you're interested in being a part of his new army. If you get into trouble we'll be waiting outside. When you get to Strike, act like you never met him. If Paul or Tor relizes that you two know each other, they will call for reenforements."
The vehical began to desend as it slowed. When it landed, we were on a backroad that led to the gates of McBain Labs. So far, so good. All that we needed to happen is to pass the gates and get into the lab.
At the gate, a MP stopped us and ordered for us to show identification. Since I had clearance, the other had clearance as well, we were allowed to pass. The MP gave me directions to the labs. I began to follow his directions to the front of McBain Labs.
Once at McBain Labs, I exited the vehical and told them to wait at a chow hall I notice by control tower. I entered the building as the X-72 left the curb as begin to go back the way we came.
Inside, I was stopped by a secretary as was made to fill out several forms in triplicate while I waited for Tor. While filling out the forms the secretary that stopped me talked to one of officers that was in the labs. The secretary returned to her desk while the officer walked down the hall, out of sight. I felt a little nervous while I continued to fill out the forms.
While I continued to scratch at the forms, completing the first set and starting the second set, the room began to fill with officers and members of the Galactic Police. They were filling out the same forms that I has filling out. I couldn't believe how many actually wanted to do this. Then I realized that I was going to take it once I finished filling out these forms. But I didn't stop writing on them - I needed to get to Strike at any cost.
Since I took my time to fill out the forms, I was the tenth person in the line to turn in their forms, but was the third to be called into Paul's office. This would prove to be the most cructal point of the entire mission. Will Strike be inside?
Inside McBain's office, I met Tor Armstrong, Paul McBain assistant. He was just hugh - his head was bearly touching the celing. If it weren't for the fact that the doors were twice the size of normal doors, Tor wouldn't fit though the door, even walking sideways.
"Don't be alarmed by my size." Tor explaned. "I working on a cure for these poor people. They don't realize what Paul's doing to them and their lives."
"I've heard that Strike Growler had come here to be physically enhanced, has he gone through it yet?"
"No, but he straped up and is curently taking in the fluids as we speak."
"Then I'm too late. You said that you were working on a cure, maybe I can help. I have a nack for developing cures."
"Cures for what??" Paul questioned as he entered the office.
"A cure for colds and flues that may be picked up while working here." I said, discuising the discussion I had with Dr. Armstrong. "Any one of those could trigger an epidemmic in a few days."
"That's not likily to happen. Before treating our patients, we make sure that they are in perfect health and the instruments are strilize and cleaned to prevent infection or transfurrance of diseases." Paul changed the subject. "Well, my assistant, Tor will take you to the examination room and take you though your physical. I'll meet you again once I finish with my last patient."
In the examining room, Tor took my vitals and plugged them into the computer. After he did that, he typed in a command as the readout changed. He told me that's how change I will have. If I wanted to change my mind about using the McBain Project, now would be the time.
"The patient he refurring to is Mr. Growler. He going to compare his vitals to the computer readout just like I showed you." Tor typed in a second command, instread of mine name appearing on the screen, Strike's name appreared. "This would be the dimentions of your friend. Even though it's not ready, we can still help him. I'll get Strike to report here before he leaves and give him the compressor injection. It only a temporary fix but it'll do for now."
In a moment, Strike entered the room, Tor told him to be patient while he gets his temperary cure. I reasured him that his will allow him to retain his strenth, but not the massive size that goes with it. Tor came in and administer the shot. Just then Pual entered the room as realized that Tor was working against him.
"We're trapped. Paul has the only exit blocked!" I cried.
"Not for long. One exit coming up." Tor turned to the wall behind us and began to punch it. Strike enhanced and joined in. The wall shortly gave way to the giants beating on it. "You go, I'll keep him busy."
"I'm not leaving without you. You have to come with us." I ordered.
"Chester, we got to go. We don't stand a chance against his army." Strike convinced me. "Don't worry, he'll be fine. Let's go."
Just then, alarms began to sound and the lab began to go crazy. Tor crashed into Paul and the two went though a wall. Paul threw Tor off his body and broke though another wall. That wall was the part of the lab that the McBain Project was executed. The room as well as the others began to fill with fire and smoke.
Strike and I dashed into the X-72 and it began to rip across the road. It picked up speeds over 100 MPH and instead of sprouting wings, it turned into a column of light. It burned a hole into the plank that was use like a crossing arm. We were saved, but what about Tor? Did he manage to survive?
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