The Rise of ANUBIS (Chapter 2)
Mighty Lightning leapt into action, attempting to use his powers to take down Arsinal. Within seconds, he’d formulated a plan. He’d decrease his density, propel himself into the air, and then increase his density to come down with mighty force to knock his foe out. Instead, he leapt…then fell on his face.
Just like in the sewers after their first encounter, Arsinal was thankful the shadows masked his brief grin. This was, after all, a serious matter, and he wanted both of them to understand he meant business. “That night downtown, I figured your powers were electricity based. This whole building works as an electromagnetic pulse when I flip this switch, and as it seems, effectively negates your abilities.” Steve, puzzled, asked, “then how are the lights back on, and we’re still…” He waved his arm around, attempting to move at super speed, “running on empty?”
Arsinal began to walk towards his workbench. “I have back-up generators queued up from half a mile away, just out of range.” Greg had heard enough. “So we’re your prisoners?” Arsinal turned to face him again. “No, that’s not it at all…Mighty Lightning, right?” Greg nodded, as Arsinal continued. “I didn’t bring you here to trap you. I brought you here because I need your help.” Steve chimed in, “Well, you’ve got one heck of a way of showing it.” Greg looked back to Arsinal, cocked an eyebrow and said, “Man’s got a point.”
Arsinal paused for several seconds, trying to come up with exactly what to say. He was never an impulsive person, which he imagines is the cause of many of his current problems. Finally, after what seemed like ages to Steve, he began.
“About a year ago, when we had our first meeting…”
“You mean when you humiliated us in front of the entire Chicago Police Department, right? That time?”
Slightly annoyed, Arsinal sternly continued, “Let me finish, Ronin. Around that time last year, my life went through some…serious changes. Everyone I trusted betrayed me.” At this point, Arsinal thought he saw Ronin’s expression change, ever so slightly. He continued once again.
“The majority of the equipment I stored at Hopetech and the Illinois Department of Forestry was confiscated by CPD detectives. I had an understanding with one of the guys on the force. We agreed it wouldn’t fall into the wrong hands. That arrangement has since changed as many of my failed experiments have come up for sale on the black market.”
Greg had a good idea who he was talking about on the force. Following the events that had come to be known as the “Arsinal Incident” around Chicago, the internal investigation was heavily publicized. In every article one name came up more than any other. “If you’re talking about Captain Stevens, he did everything he could to keep you from being attached to what happened. Considering it’s called the ‘Arsinal Incident,’ I’m sure it wasn’t easy.”
“Captain Stevens is dead,” Arsinal replied.
A hush came over the room. The hum of the halogen lights were deafening now. Steve couldn’t believe what he’d heard, and for the first time in a long time, was speechless. Greg stood somberly, and remembered how he wanted to impress Stevens after their poor showing during the “Arsinal Incident.” Now, unfortunately, he wouldn’t have that chance.
Breaking the silence, Arsinal continued. “And you’re right; he did do everything he could. In fact, he gave his life investigating what I’m about to show you.”
The lights all flickered back to life, as the effect of the EMP finally wore off. Arsinal turned his back on the duo as he walked towards a large, hastily put together table. Greg noticed the move this time and thought to himself, “He wouldn’t leave himself this vulnerable unless he really means no harm to us physically. I guess this is okay…for now.”
When all three had gathered around the table, Arsinal unrolled a huge blueprint. On it were detailed schematics for a suit of armor. According to what Greg could make out, it was made completely of metal, unlike Arsinal’s old armor which only featured metal on the chest plate and helmet. The helmet resembled a dog’s head plates shielding the temples.
“One of your new designs,” asked Steve.
“I’m afraid not, Ronin. That’s a long ways off in my current situation. According to what we found, this design is called ANUBIS. It’s an acronym for something, but what it stands for isn’t revealed in these documents. All I can gather thus far is that this armor exploits a glitch in one of my earlier designs that removes moisture from the target.”
“Kind of like mummification,” said Greg.
“Almost. Looking at these specs, it has the potential to turn the target into a pile of ashes.”
Steve was getting visibly impatient. “Okay, so bottom line. Since you have all this data, why don’t you just go in there, guns blazing, and take back your tech from this guy?”
Arsinal, who was more than a little annoyed at this point, replied, “Trust me, if I could I would. Whoever this person is utilizing my research, chances are they’ve found a way to disable anything I may come at them with. I can’t risk getting captured, not while my tech is still on the black market.”
Now Steve was furious. “Listen, pal! We’re not bounty hunters! It’s a shame what happened to Stevens, but I’m not about to risk my neck so you can atone for some stupid mistakes you made. You said we’re not prisoners? Well, I’m outta here!” Steve turned on his heel, and headed for the door.
Not knowing if it was meant for them to hear, or simply to himself, Greg and Steve heard Arsinal say, “I didn’t want to have to do this…”
Mighty Lightning and Ronin braced themselves for what was sure to be another trap. Since they hadn’t had a chance to recharge their powers yet, both were still very vulnerable to anything Arsinal unleashed. This, however, did not mean they’d go down without a fight.
Suddenly, on a wall about thirty feet away from them, two large images were displayed from two separate projectors. One was of Steve changing into uniform on an elevator. Another was of Greg using his powers to snatch an envelope from the mouth a statue of a horse about twenty feet tall. Five seconds later, the images changed again. This time, Steve was on rooftop in his regular clothes, practicing with the Tsunami. Greg was shown in an alley, putting on his mask. Another five seconds, and the images changed again, but they all communicated the same horrific point.
“Greg Hoskins and Steve Matsuda,” Arsinal said as the projectors showed them changing into uniform, putting on their masks, doing amazing things that no other human could do. “I know your secret. Now that Stevens is gone, I’m sure the CPD would want to know your secret as well.”
All Greg and Steve knew at that moment were fear and rage. “Now, I am a man of my word,” Arsinal continued. “And I will destroy every shred of evidence I have. All you have to do is help me this one time. I’ll be in touch with further details.”
Steve stormed out of the warehouse, leaving Greg behind. Greg didn’t expect anything else out of him, and he himself didn’t know how to react. As he took his first step towards the door…
“Stay a moment. I want to ask you something.”
“Yeah?”
“You seem to have a good head on your shoulders. I can tell you think things through the majority of the time. Why is it then that you keep the kind of company you do?”
Greg, still furious, decided to answer the question honestly. “Since you already know who I am, I might as well tell you this too. Before he died, my father taught me to see the good in everyone.”
“Even a spoiled brat like Steve Matsuda?”
“Even you.”
It was Greg who stormed towards the door this time. “Hey,” Arsinal’s voice called from behind him.
“What,” Greg asked, only turning his head half-way.
“I’ll be in touch.”
The door slammed, and Arsinal went back to work.
