Chapter 7

Wayne pulled out his canteen to take a drink, recommending to his team that they should do the same. In heated battle lugging around weapons, wearing the heavy military equipment can dehydrate quickly, only you won’t have a second to stop for a drink. They then quietly worked their way through several more rooms before happening to a room with promise, as dusty old weapon parts were scattered, the team quickly ran around pocketing blueprints, and documents of the like while Wayne happened upon a document for a fully automatic shot-gun. He tucked it away then ordered they should pack up, and get out as quickly as possible. Ironically just like that the mission was almost over. Now they just needed out without a hitch.

They scurried down the hall like mice retreating from cats who were unaware of their presence. Because as we all know cats are faster, stronger, and killer in comparison to mice. Wayne felt unnerving fear. He at moments like this isn’t really one of the most fearless people alive. Always wanting to leave people behind to ensure his own safety. But he swore he would never do that again, and lets his courage take hold. It was his fear which left his brother unaware of being surrounded in the heat of battle. Which in the end, ultimately left his brother scattered all over the place, forcing Wayne out of guilt to retrieve him anyways rather than leave his corpse to rot with all the other who’d fallen.

Stabbing through the darkness in an instant one of the irons was attempting on the squad. Each member leapt into the wall with each member unloading at close range several rounds into the creatures sides with two men on each side of the beast as it ran past the men now wounded running toward the exit. Wayne ordering the activation of secondary lighting blinds the other oncoming irons as Wayne orders the team to fend off, while backing slowly out of the building the other ones as he goes to finish the one near the exit for a quick, and also safe escape.

Now using a table as a stand for the bipod of his light machine gun the crew is fending off two irons that stay at a distance waiting for the group to reload. Either sides getting nowhere in the effort as Joseph, and Sam shoot in intervals leaving one man with ammo as another reloads and vice versa. Dexter just unloads large clips of light machine gun fire upon them. And when Dexter must reload the others conserve ammo shooting few shots while only aiming for the face, as irons cover the face with their rough skinned arms slowing their advance.

Nearer the way out is Wayne trying not to let the creature hide, then ambush them upon leaving. Keeping a good beat on him all the way through Wayne then reloads the shells of his gun while looking for the spot he laid into the creature earlier. He makes his way out of the hallway only to be leapt after by the monster as he rolls out of the way. Wayne then raises his weapon to shoot the monster in the face from mid-range disorienting it as he now aims for one of the reaching hands, blowing it off at close-range as blood splats to the floor. the monsters veins, all stringy are hanging from its arm.

Now Wayne who hadn’t used his secondary light source yet, flips the switch once again disorienting the beast as Wayne runs up to dig his barrel into its neck before shooting off one shell, killing the monster. Wayne with blood on his face then whistles for his team to stop stalling. On the teams end stuck with the same two irons, and others on their way leave Dexter, and Joseph shooting as Sam pulls the pin on two frag grenades, and then rolling them towards the irons. The grenades exploded leaving two minced irons, as the team ran for the hills.

Back on Wayne’s end was another iron that had emerged from the darkness of another hallway. Wayne fired one shot to the face, once again at mid-range. Then ran for the iron running for him then slid under it, and with it too narrow to blast at its gut Wayne was using his last two rounds to take out two support legs at a time on each side, forcing the creature to fall on its stomach. Wayne then slipped the shot-gun which was empty over his shoulder and holstered the weapon.

Unlike Clive who was smaller and required assistance to get on the back of an iron Wayne was different. But for Wayne who was much bigger, to scale one of those spiderlike creatures he grabbed its arm of the hand that was lost so it couldn’t feel him pulling to hoist himself up. While up he slid out his combat knife from its sheathe then with its jagged edges he stabbed it repeatedly in the side of the stomach of the beast. The blood began pouring out as if it was draining from a faucet.

With it being dark both inside and out it made it easier to penetrate the irons skin at a close distance due to it being softer skin. Crawling in for the kill was Wayne now stabbing the beast repeatedly in the neck. Wailing, and screaming the beast ripped at him, ripping his clothing and skin until the creature died. On the ground Wayne had no time to rest. The rest of the squad emerged from the darkness with a herd of irons not too far behind them. You could hear the beast’s roars as the pitter pattered down the hall.

They jet out the door. The beasts behind them had a short delay as they busted through the doors leaving a trail of smoke behind them. With near inches between them, and the beasts as their boots push around gravel they are finally able to take refuge in the Armored DB. With the irons outside scratching, clawing, and shaking the vehicle. Wayne who was hurt was struggling get upfront then when he did he was struggling to get the vehicle started. It started but with irons on all sides it couldn’t move. Joseph then activates the main gun then starts picking apart the irons at the rear as Wayne uses the front blades that were constantly moving to slice through the front as the ones around get blasted apart.

The team now moving as Dexter, and Sam take control of the back light machine guns to start helping in the escape. Wayne now dodging, and weaving is starting to lose a lot of blood. Not a deadly amount but enough for them to stop, and let Sam drive the Armored DB. Wayne then laid down in the back. Although he couldn’t sleep. He refused to sleep until they got back safely. Joseph went into the back with him. Sam, and Dexter sat together upfront silent. Sam didn’t really want to talk to Dexter, and Dexter didn’t want to talk in general, or he would have been.

“You did good kid, really stood your ground.” Wayne said to Joseph, with genuine praise in his voice, and Wayne was truly proud of the kid for his first operation.

“You say it like you’re dying sir!” Joseph said, a little nervous that Wayne may actually be.

“Don’t worry about me kid, I have been in scrapes like this one before.”

The Armored DB ran through the streets once again and like on the way to Blount, they passed irons off in the distance, and people passing by at different hourly intervals. Once again like the last, and the time before, and before they passed people, and irons. As the ideas of heroism that young Wayne sought after would not save those people. Sometimes those people didn’t want to be saved. Didn’t want to live in the possibly corrupt city that is Requiem.

Wayne stood up, then opened the top of the Armored DB to look out at the ground they had passed. His eyes then widen in awe. The mysterious light he saw with Sylvia, when she was known as Rust not too long ago was sitting up in the sky motionless. He stared at it before, and like before it once again rained down in a shower of light, almost like a mini meteor shower hitting earth. Wayne said nothing, then went back inside. It seems this abnormality isn’t so abnormal after all. Not anymore.

The group returned to the wasteland surrounding Requiem. Sending radio signals to the top allowing for the draw bridge to be let down, the team then proceeding in. Waiting through the checkpoint was one of Wayne’s least favorite portions of returning. The crowd, snarling, and yelling at the soldiers. Unlike Clive who found them ungrateful, Wayne knew they were just scared, or at least when he was one of them, he was scared. He understood them more than anyone else he thought. Perhaps a bit naïve.

Wayne knew the whole of what Mason had partly understood when he first arrived at Requiem. That the people didn’t understand why things were the way they are. As driving through Cage District. The group got snarled, and hissed at. The usual threats, and insults were spat at the soldiers from a frenzied crowd of angry people. Dexter proceeded to flip them off and yell back with his head out the window until a beer bottle hit him in the head. He backed off as Sam continued to drive on like normal. In the back Wayne was now sitting up. A many hours long drive to arrive to a welcoming such as this.

“Sir, me and my family never lived near the entrances, and exits in district 1 so I’ve never experienced that sort of reaction. Why are people reacting this way?” Joseph asked as Wayne pulled out his cigar then lit it.

“You see Joseph, when you live near the draw bridges, you can hear when they rise, and fall. People get scared. When the draw bridges are down people get more scared. It is funny because I remember crowding the entrance with my family, and hundred or so others, to see soldiers that left rather than returned. So we would wait there with dedication for hours. It seems pretty stupid now though.”

Wayne saw all his soldiers off, even Dexter. Sam sat with Wayne for a while in medical before Wayne told him to leave. Sam had just gotten out of a place like that. “Oh wait Sam!” Wayne yelled first. Sam turns to see what it is as Wayne lets him know of Mason stopping by to visit him in the hospital. Sticking up for Mason.

“Listen Sam, don’t harbor any grudges against Mason okay? He didn’t have any choice in anything that happened on that mission.”

Sam gave a small nod before leaving the room. Sam doesn’t blame Mason for anything. He now harbors an immense hatred for the irons though. He used to fear the creatures. But while he was in a coma, he kept replaying in his head the fight that killed Dean. The fight that killed him a little on the inside. A glorious battle that held no glory in the end.

“Don’t worry Dean my buddy, I will kill every iron in my wake, you will be avenged! If I have to scour the entire planet for them I will find them, and they will DIE!” Sam later said whilst dwelling on Dean, and Romeo.

Back in observance of the captive iron Mason was beginning to make simple connections between the creatures, features, and habits to phrases inside of Miles’ notes. Things that showed more why the irons were constructed, rather than how they were constructed. It was almost hard for Mason to handle. His friend really did want to harm humanity, from the very start. He didn’t understand. Something he originally believed to be Pseudo science was being pinned on his best friend.

“My friend… a psychopath?! It just cannot stand!”

He looked down at the iron. Mason had been working, and compiling thoughts and notes for hours. Then even more disturbing was what he read in Daikov’s original draft of the journal. Puzzling connections that Mason wasn’t too thrilled over. But they were incredibly important. Mason can then hear the sound of feet coming up the stairs.

Whoever walked in must have had a key, and in that moment Clive was already peeking over Mason’s shoulder. Looking at Mason as he tried to propel his ideas further upon what Miles was up to. Noticing how hard Mason was working smiled in relief of it. He then tapped Mason’s shoulder lightly.

“You know Mason? It excites me to see you making connections and figuring Miles out.”

“Why is that?” Mason replied with.

“Because Mason, if we are closer to what Miles was thinking then I may be closer to furthering myself beyond the likes of anyone. With Miles’ knowledge, and ideas I may become truly perfect!” Clive said.

Mason took a step back. The talking reminded him of his friend Miles. It also reminded him of why he worked for Miles, and why he is now willing to work for Clive. But he never really understood Miles’ purpose after working with him all those years. He now realizes that like Miles he doesn’t fully understand Clive either. Miles also had the death of his mother motivating him. Does Clive he wonders?

“Tell me Clive, are you going to make things better?” Clive then paced slowly around the room.

“Mason, I am going to make things wondrous. Things will be better, and never, ever the same!”

“How exactly?”

“Well aren’t we curious today? I will eliminate evil from the world. No more rape, no more murder, and no more monsters!” Clive stopped and paused. He thought of that last thing he said.

“No, that isn’t right.” Clive said very quietly under his breath.

“That, sounds like a man I will follow!” Mason sits for a second thinking.

“Is Clive serious to be a solution to the problem? Either way he reminds me of Miles, and that may be a loss to the others but not to me! I will follow him!” Mason thought.

Mason then stands. “Okay Clive! Let us get down to business!” Mason then seats Clive at one side of a table then goes to sit at the other end.

“First things first. I noticed while making connections to the creature with the notes that this is more a journal of ideas, dreams, and what already exists with the creatures. I would more see those notes of not how he accomplished something but rather how it will fuel his own wants.”

“And what would you say that those goals of his were with the irons?”

“I say that my good ol friend Miles was trying to become something stronger than humans. But I just don’t know what or how for that matter!”

Mason then sat back and slapped the original Russian copy of Daikov’s journal onto the table. “Well I now know this, it was all a lie!” Mason said while making exaggerated hand gestures.

“What was a lie?”

“Miles was never killed by Daikov in the first place!” After Mason said that a scared look came over Clive’s face.

“How do you know?” with Mason then replying.

“I read the original Russian journal!”

A somewhat less worried look is erased from Clive’s expression but was then replaced by a curious one “You know Russian?”

Mason smiled “Me and Miles worked on weapons for years and were often in Russia, and I knew Miles’ handwriting in both languages. The time in Daikov’s journal when he supposedly succeeded in killing Miles was when the handwriting slightly changed.” Mason said pointing at that section in the book.

“This all means Clive that unfortunately my friend was indeed responsible for all this, and even worse is he tried to cover it all up with pretending he was assassinated. He is now more than likely dead but at the time he must have deceived everyone.”

Clive then brought up a point that made Mason a bit more curious, but didn’t sway his current opinion. “Well Miles may be alive Mason. I mean you are alive but shouldn’t be.”

That statement made Mason chuckle a bit but Clive was actually dead serious. It was a possibility that Mason just couldn’t take seriously. Mason now wondered though not too hard as to why Clive would even bring that up. What does it matter if Miles is still alive or not? Mason didn’t understand it so he decided to shrug it off rather than worry about it.

The next few days Mason found himself experimenting with the creature more directly. He then concluded that the irons were bread for the soul purpose of killing people. While feeding on any other type of animal the iron was more sport like rather than just ripping into it. But when he had blood donated to him from the hospital courtesy of General Miller. He used the blood in a stitched human ragdoll made from animal skins as an example. The iron attacked it as though the iron was at war with it.

It had been weeks of research and Mason had his findings now recorded. He gathered that Miles had a superiority complex, and also was losing faith in people and society. So he created a way to destroy humanity as he himself was trying to become superior. The irons seem to detect Mason when he is wearing shoes, and walking. The iron however whenever he was walking barefoot for comfort seemed to ignore him, almost as if it knew the noise of a shoe hitting the ground. He learned that it doesn’t matter if it is night or day out but depending on what the conditions around it are is the factor that changes its eyes, and skin.

Mason felt he was starting to understand everything as a whole, and he often felt solace in that. But his most interesting discovery was that this iron he found was not only spider, mouse, and human. He drugged the monster by making the living conditions to where he could soften the skin then tranquilize it from afar then collect, blood, and DNA samples. There were more animals in it he discovered with a telescope, and a book on cells.

He did not know if this transferred into other ones but it might explain the abnormally sized one that killed Romeo, and Dean. This Mason thought might be a reason to collect more samples, but he quickly decided against that. He didn’t want to put further danger to his friends, and new colleagues, as well as the city of Requiem as a whole.

But somewhere in his research process, someone stopped by, it was Sylvia. She also brought Emily, and Jack. Then Jack as soon as he got into the room rushed over to the glass window, and stared at the iron. He was in so much awe of the creature.

“Whoa cool!” He had a huge grin on his face as Sylvia yelled at him to get away from the glass.

“Don’t worry Sylvia, that iron won’t be able to get him, but why did you bring them along anyways?” Sylvia walked up next to Jack to at least make sure he was alright.

“Because their parents said it would be okay, since I was coming by to say hi anyways. So I brought them.”

As Sylvia was telling Mason that he saw Emily off to the side. She didn’t seem as enthused as Jack did. Sylvia was talking to Jack that they are actually really scary as Jack shrugged it off without caring. Mason then walks over to Emily to bend down and talk to her.

“Do you want to see the iron Emily?” Emily shook her head no.

“I am too scared.”

Mason looked at her then places his hand on her shoulder than said “It isn’t going to hurt you where it’s at.”

“I wish I could be like my brother but I can’t. It’s scary.” Mason then pats her on the head.

“How about this.” Mason then pulls out a chocolate bar.

“If you summon the courage to go look at it, then I will give you, and your brother, half of this candy bar!?”

At first she wasn’t sure. She looked over at her brother who was shaking his head yes. She nodded smiling at the candy bar but as she actually began getting to the window she couldn’t continue. But then Mason put his hand on her back, and she felt secure. She took the extra steps then was astonished with the creature she saw before her. Mason then handed her the candy as he was clapping for her success.

“You did it!” Mason said to the smiling Emily, while she and Jack munched on a bit of a chocolate bar. Sylvia then pulled Mason away as the kids laughed and talked about the gross, slimy features.

“Mason, please don’t encourage them to see those things like this!”

“What is it Sylvia?” Sylvia then sighs, and shakes her head.

“I know it has been a while since you were on the outside Mason but don’t forget that those things are dangerous enough to slaughter a pick-up truck full of people. I just don’t want them getting the wrong ideas about those things is all.”

Mason shaking his head in understanding then pulls the kids away from the window to enjoy some ice cream he had in his freezer which pleased Sylvia.

“I am sorry about my crazy mission idea with the whole iron capturing and everything.” Sylvia looked at her palms as he said that.

“It was the stupidest mission I had ever taken part in. I feared for my commander’s life, and the life of my comrades.”

Mason then sat back in guilt. It had been weeks since Sylvia bagged the beast along with July, Manny, and Clive. But it would stand out to be one of her most memorable missions. Most of the missions she had taken part in were mostly reconnaissance. With unique missions layered throughout like some sort of sick, militaristic cake. Or maybe just an onion.

“But you know it is all water under the bridge Mason.”

Sylvia then began swiping her legs back and forth on the marble flooring near where she sat. She looked giddy, and seemed to have a bit more energy than usual. Ason just observed her for a second. Then Mason started getting this teenage girl like vibe from her movements and facial expressions.

“Oh yeah!” Sylvia then punches Mason in the arm.

It stung enough for Mason to have an ow reaction to it. With friends, and relationships as well as science, and a community to live in Mason was starting to feel more and more at home. Mason then offered Sylvia some ice cream though not really thinking it as her thing he still goes to grab some. He is then interrupted as Sylvia leaned in, grabbed Mason’s shirt, and kissed him once he was pulled in. She held there as Mason dropped the packaged ice cream on the floor. The kiss dragged on for a second with both sort of just taking the moment to appreciate what was happening. She then let go as Mason sort of just sat there.

“Where did that come from?” Mason asked her.

Sylvia then shrugged with an embarrassed look on her face without replying to Mason’s question, and was touching her pink lips with her fingers. She picked up the dropped ice cream and saw as it dropped the wrap busted with some of it spilled on the floor. She set the ice cream container on the table then looked around.

“Sorry about that!” She says as she looks for a towel to clean it up.

“Oh uh, uh um don’t worry about it, it was all my fault!”

Mason said that as he rushed to find something to clean it up with as well, only he was a lot clumsier. He then grabbed a hand towel that’d be used to clean up experiments with. Mason started cleaning only thinking of the kiss. She then smiled at him before calling the kids over since it was time for them to head out. It was only a simple kiss but it was different. For Sylvia because she doesn’t get intimate, and for Mason because it was a kiss with love behind it.

Mason then looked at the mess on the floor, smiled then laid down on the floor and stared at the ceiling. “Suddenly, I don’t feel like working.” Mason thought.