The Collector

“Enter,” Korse called without even looking up.

The door opened and a draculoid walked towards the desk, waiting patiently with his hands clasped behind his back as Korse continued to ignore him for a few more moments.

“Well?” He finally asked, glancing up expectantly.
“Exterminator Korse, the Killjoys are approaching.”
“Excellent,” he smiled thinly. “Arrange for them to rescue the Party Poison android with convincing but minimum resistance. I understand that our contact has arranged for them to enter through the tunnel that accesses the cells directly?”
“Yes, sir, at the speed they’re approaching, they can't be more than twenty minutes away.”
“How is the search for Doctor Fielding and Party Poison progressing?”

The draculoid lowered his head, this was not something he wanted to tell Korse; he was not one to shy away from literally killing the messenger.

“Sir, she has escaped from Battery City.”

About to continue, the draculoid paused as Korse rose slowly and threateningly to his feet. Leaning forward over the desk, Korse placed his hands flat on the toughened glass desktop and scowled at the draculoid.

“How?” He growled.
“Sir, we had people looking for her car and we gave her name and their descriptions out to all gatehouses…”
“So? I ask again - how did she escape?”
“Sir, a car passed through Gatehouse 6a. She said she was a doctor heading for Zone 3 but it wasn't her car and she had papers saying her name was Dr Chris Harrison…”
“Dr Harrison is male!” Korse screamed with a terrifying mix of frustration and anger. “She replaced him!”
“But, sir, she was on her own, everything seemed in order and he let her through. He couldn't have known, sir!” The draculoid pleaded with Korse to understand the genuine mistake.
“The gatehouses were on high alert?” Korse forced out through gritted teeth.
“Yes, sir,” the draculoid muttered in reply.
“Did he search the car?” Korse paused for a reply and on not receiving one, raised his voice once more to the frightened man in front of him. “Well? Did he?”
“No, sir.”
“No, sir,” Korse repeated with contempt as he rounded the desk. “Did he run the name through the computer?”
“No, sir.”
“No, sir,” Korse spat out the words angrily, furious with the response. “Get me the recording of her exit, find the drone responsible and process him.”
“P-process, sir?” The man stammered.
“You heard me! Now get out and arrange for the android’s rescue before I give the order for you to be processed too!”
“Sir,” the man nodded stiffly before turning and almost running from the room.
“Wait!” Korse bellowed as the draculoid was about to close the door behind him.
“Sir?” He asked meekly.
“The porno droid, Green PD68B, where is she?”
“I… I don't know, sir.”
“See if you can track her. I expect she will have some unique circuitry that will enable her to be traced? Speak to the tech department. If she went with them, it’ll be like having a homing beacon. We may yet find them quickly.”

Korse smiled cruelly, barely noticing that the draculoid had responded and left. Tapping his fingers together, his smile broadened into a satisfied smirk.

“You’re not free yet, Poison,” he chuckled to himself.

*

“Okay,” Kobra began, “we’re two minutes from driving into BLI’s cells. Anyone want to get out of the car?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ghoul grumbled.
“It means we might be about to commit suicide and I don't want to…”
“Just drive, Kobra,” Ghoul snapped back. “You’re not the only one who cares about Party, you know?”
“I’m guessing that was actually aimed at me,” Red leaned through the gap in the seats and placed a hand on Kobra’s shoulder.
“Not aimed!” Kobra turned his head briefly. “I just…”
“You don't want to assume I'm willing to sacrifice myself,” she explained, giving his shoulder a brief squeeze.

Jet turned a worried glance to the young woman. He appreciated Kobra's concern; he just hoped that Red would see it for what it really was and not take Ghoul’s interpretation.

“Like you said, I'm one of you now. We’re in this together, yeah?” She smiled. “All for one and all that.”
“Sorry,” Ghoul added quietly, but loud enough to be heard. “I guess I'm tense and I… What's that?”

Ghoul broke from his apology to point to the vehicle standing in the centre of the tunnel. It was a large shiny black van and even from the distance they were at, they could pick out the distinctive S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W logo printed on the side.

“Looks like we’ve arrived in the middle of a transfer,” Jet scowled. “We could do without this. We can’t ignore it and it's only going to hold us up!”

Kobra checked the time and frowned deeply.

“We’re right on time,” he announced. “Coffin was sure there would be nothing going on!”
“Should we split up? Maybe we…” Red offered, only to stop suddenly as Ghoul shouted excitedly.
“Party! It’s Party! That must be why Coffin gave us this time to arrive!”

He was practically bouncing in his seat as he gestured to the rapidly approaching scene in front of them. Kobra’s eyes widened with pure delight and Jet leaned forward to get a better view; all four barely able to believe their good fortune. With the car’s roof pushed back, Jet and Ghoul rose from their seats and took aim.

It seemed clear to them that no one had anticipated such a well-timed rescue attempt. With Party heavily chained and only able to shuffle slowly, they must have considered him of minimal threat. As a consequence, there was barely a handful of guards.

As Ghoul fired his first shot, felling a guard, the Party android turned his head sharply and beamed a broad smile at the approaching car. Hurling himself to the floor, he rolled underneath the van in an attempt to avoid being accidentally shot and also to be out of reach of any guards wishing to use him as a shield.

The battle took only minutes and once over, Android Party was crawling with difficulty out from under the van, severely restricted by the chains. Behind them, further down the tunnel they could hear the sound of shouting and running and they knew there was no time for reunions. Turning the car quickly, Kobra paused the trans am just long enough for Jet and Red to drag Android Party into the back seat. Revving the engine, Kobra spun the wheels furiously for a few moments, kicking up dirt, sand and smoke, filling the tunnel with a choking wall of debris. Releasing the emergency brake, Kobra allowed the car to speed away toward the tunnel entrance. As they raced out, Jet and Red lifted their home made bazooka and, firing it, brought part of the tunnel crashing down behind them. If BLI were going to try to follow, that would certainly prevent them.

Racing out into the daylight, with the tachometer needle firmly buried in the red section. They were half way to Zone 1 before they slowed, finally satisfied that they were not being followed.
Kobra brought the car to a complete stop and beamed a broad smile via the rear view mirror.
“Let’s get you out of those chains!” He grinned. “We’ve got some bolt cutters in the trunk.”
All five piled out of the trans am. Still cautious, as they emerged from the car each of them checked their surroundings but as far as they could see, there was nothing but sand in any direction for miles. With his hands secured at his waist, Android Party allowed Jet to help him from the car but as soon as was he standing, Jet threw his arms around him, pulling him into a relieved hug as he waited for Kobra to fetch the bolt cutters.

“I appreciate the sentiment, Jet,” Android Party laughed, “but it would be much less awkward if I could move my hands away from your crotch.”

Pulling back, Jet glanced down and laughed, only now realising the problem caused by Android Party’s wrists being cuffed to a thick belt secured around his waist.

“We’ll get you out of that now, don’t worry,” he chuckled, stepping back and allowing Kobra to approach. “Where were they taking you?”
“De Witt’s Maximum Security Penitentiary,” he replied, nodding at Jet’s astonished expression. “Yeah, you wouldn’t have got me out of there so easily!”
“You think that was easy?” Red quipped as Kobra began to cut the locks.

Making short work of the chains, Kobra cast the cutters to one side as he pulled what he believed to be be his brother close for a happy embrace.

“Good to see you again, bro,” Kobra sighed. “You had me worried.”
“I knew you'd find me,” Android Party replied, patting Kobra on the back and slowly pulling out of the hug. “But, first things first, where's my little girl? I've missed you so much!”

Ghoul’s head snapped up, astonished at the words. Surely he didn't mean him, but who else? All eyes widened as Party pulled Red close and before she had chance to object, pressed his lips firmly to hers.

Android Party felt Red’s hands pressing on his chest only seconds before she drew up a knee to target his crotch. At the same time Kobra was trying to push Party back away from her. Sensing a possible fight, Jet was separating the two brothers and Ghoul was still standing perfectly still, open mouthed and speechless.

“What the absolute fuck, Party!” Kobra screamed.
“What?”

Android Party leaned back against the trans am, surrounded by a sea of angry faces. Each one could see that he seemed oblivious to what was wrong.

“What the hell are you doing?” Kobra shouted, leaving android Party more confused than ever.
“Apologise, now!” Jet insisted.
“Who to?” Android Party shrugged. “What? A guy can't kiss his girlfriend now?”
“Girlfriend?” Kobra spluttered. “Since when did you have a girlfriend?”
“What the hell did they do to you?” Red frowned, suddenly more sad than angry.

Android Party frowned; something was wrong. The memory that was at the forefront of his mind had meshed well with the briefing that Exterminator Korse had given him. Was it possible that the memory was false. He searched through the remaining selection of memories that had been downloaded. There was one of a violent argument with Fun Ghoul, also at the forefront, but the remaining memories attached to him were tender and passionate. Android Party looked over to the shorter man, still staring in disbelief. He noted that his eyes were pained and seemed to glisten in the sun.

“Ghoul?” Android Party saw now that Ghoul’s eyes were brimming with tears. “I… I'm sorry, man… I…”
“It's good to have you back,” Ghoul choked out, moving forward to give him a brief hug before walking away.
“This had better be BLI related, Party,” Kobra growled poking a finger into the android’s chest. “Because if that's how you're choosing to tell him you're straight, brother or not, I might just beat the shit out of you myself!”

Jet watched briefly as Kobra headed after Ghoul before turning back to face android Party.
“What did they do to you?” He asked sympathetically.

“Jet… I'm sorry. My head’s all messed up. I genuinely believed that…” the android turned to look apologetically at Red. “I had a memory… I thought it was real.”
“What about Ghoul?” Red asked quietly.
“I… I need to speak to him,” he replied, pushing himself away from the car only to be held back by Jet.
“Wait here,” Jet instructed. “I’ll see how he is first.”

Android Party nodded. Inwardly, he knew that to have been able to plant the false memories, Party could not have been anywhere near as broken and weak as Korse had thought. Either that, or Party was stronger than he was given credit for. Now he had to regain their trust. If he admitted that BLI had altered his memories, that would look bad enough, but he had to be certain that they didn't think he had been altered in other ways. He had already sent images of Red back to BLI with the correction that she was not Party's girlfriend and that it seemed that Ghoul was his boyfriend. The more information he could send back, the better the direction he would receive in return.

*

As Jet approached Ghoul and Kobra he was surprised to hear them arguing. Having just threatened to beat up his own brother, he thought Kobra had taken Ghoul’s side but now he was yelling at him too.

“Hey!” Jet called, running the last few feet. “What’s going on? Why are you yelling at Ghoul? It's not his fault!”
“No?” Kobra turned a scowl towards Jet. “You haven't heard his latest theory. Are you going to tell him or shall I?” He addressed the final comment to Ghoul.
“Theory?” Jet asked calmly.
"That's not Party," Ghoul announced, crossing his arms and waiting for the inevitable objections.

Jet turned an incredulous glance from Ghoul to Party, who was still standing with Red near the car. Looking back at Ghoul once more he raised his eyebrows to indicate the need for a more detailed explanation.

"It's not Party," Ghoul stated once more as if it should be obvious to all.
"I think I know what my own brother looks like," Kobra argued, unimpressed with Ghoul’s announcement.
"I don't know what to tell you except it's not him."
"Well," Jet took a deep breath, "if he’s not Party, who is he?"
"I didn't say I had all the answers," Ghoul pouted, now sensing a wave of anger washing over him.
"Is this just because he kissed Red? I mean, yeah, that threw me too. They've done something to him and he’s confused, sure, but he's still Party!" Jet reasoned.
"No! No to all your points. It's not because he kissed Red and he’s not confused.” Ghoul insisted. “He's not confused because he's not Party! Why won't you listen to me?"
"Because you're not making any sense!" Kobra snapped angrily.
"Why do you think he's not Party?" Jet asked calmly, trying to maintain peace between his two friends.
"Because he doesn't smell right," Ghoul explained, shuffling his feet in an awkward response to the embarrassment he felt at such a personal revelation.
"You're saying my brother smells?" Kobra raised his eyebrows.
"Well, sometimes, yeah," Ghoul tipped his head and shrugged as he gave it more thought. "But whoever, or for that matter, whatever..."
"Whatever?" Kobra gasped, astonished at the word.
"Whatever that is," Ghoul continued, "he smells of nothing."
“Whatever?” Kobra repeated, staring with wide incredulous eyes.

Jet frowned as he considered Ghoul's words.

"It was an easy rescue," he mused.
"You're taking him seriously?" Kobra turned on Jet.
"I know it's hard to believe," Jet admitted.
"Well, duh!" Kobra rolled his eyes.
"But, how about we consider the possibility? We know if nothing else they've messed with his head. How about we take him to the hospital in Nystad? Can't hurt, right?"

Ghoul nodded. In another time, Jet could have been a diplomat. The idea seemed to satisfy Kobra too.

"I want to be wrong," Ghoul shrugged. "I really do. I just don't think I am. Thanks, Jet, the hospital is a great idea. Whatever's happened, we need to get him there anyway."
"Hopefully we'll find some answers there and…” he paused as he considered what the reaction might be. “Just for now, we’ll keep it to ourselves.”
“Where we’re going or that he thinks Party’s an imposter?” Kobra grumbled.
“Both,” Jet frowned.
“You know that if what your saying is true, then we're back to square one and having no clue where Party is,” Kobra snapped.
“I know that,” Ghoul suddenly appeared deflated. “But just because I don't like it, it doesn't mean I can ignore what I know! You think I like telling you that that's not your brother, the man I love, over there?”
“There's always a possibility that he’s some sort of decoy?” Jet mused.
“You mean, the real Party is in De Witt’s?” Ghoul’s voice cracked as he spoke.

It was as if a cloud had suddenly settled over the three men. None of them wanted to say it, but if he was there, they would probably never see him again. Pulling each other together for a supportive group hug, the three took comfort in the closeness of their friends.

“Come on,” Jet broke the hug. “Let's get him to the hospital in Nystad.”

Notes

Hi lovely readers!

I hope you're still enjoying this. Sorry about the delay, I've had flu and I mean real flu, not just a bad cold. It's been 2 weeks now and I still feel lousy, but less lousy than I did!

Anyhoo, thanks for reading and if you feel like it, drop a comment or a DM - I'd love to hear from you.

Sas xx