The Plan Proceeds, Part 3

  The hatch door opened, and the three Strays entered, except, another bot was with them now. Zakor.

Once all 4 of them entered, the three Strays introduced the strange looking former Villain. Sheer was a bit surprised to see the new bot, but figured he’d be a good member of their team. He might even be able to help them with The Plan! Now that would be great!

The three Strays seemed to trust the new former Villain, but Sheer wanted to see if he was truly a worthy to be a member of their team. So, she asked him about his background.

Sheer asked him, “So, what did you do before the Great Breakout, and The Fall of the Hero Factory?”

“Well,” he started, as he found a spot to sit, “As far as I know, I didn’t exist before the Fall, though I could be wrong. All I know is, that one moment, I’m brought into a room, strapped to a cold metal table. Then, I feel a prick in my arm, and I’m out.

“As I was asleep, I can recall a very sharp pain. It originated from this arm,” he pointed at his right arm. “Then, the pain continued to course through my body slowly, causing excruciating pain. I could almost feel it getting to my head. I then woke up, broke the metal restraints that kept me on that dreaded table, with new-found strength.

“I quickly jumped off the table, knocking the vial of mutagen that was being injected into my right arm onto the floor, shattering it to pieces. I didn't realize it happened until I stepped on shards of glass on the ground, and more of the mutagen seeped into my foot. I didn't really care at the moment though, but I let out a howl of pain anyway. I just needed to get out of there!

“I found an emergency exit, and dashed out of the Lab, setting off an alarm. I hoped no one was going to come after me, so I ran for a long while.

“Then, to make a long story short, I started losing my mind to the mutagen, and felt an unrelenting urge to find some supplies and consume them, so I’d be able to survive. I finally found a broken down place, the very one you guys use to get your supplies, and started devouring. Then, one of you three,” he said pointing at the three Strays, “peeked in the entrance I made, and I saw you, and chased after you, not having control of my body.

“From then on, things are petty fuzzy. The next thing I knew, I felt something hit my head, and I woke up like this,” referring to the way he looked now. “Now, thanks to the three of you, I have full control of my body, and I’m willing to help you all do whatever you want, since you've saved my life! I have no want to return to the very bots who did this to me. But, there are a few advantages to these mutations. My senses have been improved tremendously, and I have great strength. I promise to help you all out any way I can, even if I have to give my life to save any or all of you, if such a dire situation was to come up.”

Well, that convinced Sheer. She didn't have any doubt about his loyalty to them. And, she was right to do so. He would never betray the very bots who saved his life.

“So,” Zakor just had to ask, “Would you mind telling me about yourselves so that I can get to know the team I’ll be working with and for?”

“Sure!” Sheer replied. Then she spoke about her life, and how and why she was no longer a Villain.

Jerin and Aleck then spoke about their life before and after the Fall of the Hero Factory.

Oran also spoke about his “life before the Fall” as well, making his lies more believable than ever before.  Everyone fell for it, which was very good for him. If they ever find out the truth, it’ll be too late for them.

He chuckled on the inside. They had no idea what was going to happen to them if everything went as planned. Thankfully for him, everything was still going well, even with this new member of the team. It will be even better if The Plan progresses further, bringing in more and more bots.

He was starting to enjoy himself.

So, all seemed well for everyone at the moment, right there in that Hatch.

--

Sheer.

She was still on his mind.

He wished he hadn’t have gotten her banished. At least he was able to keep her from being killed by the Villain Leaders. They probably would have had her tortured, and made the death slow and painful.

“So,” Cain began, throwing Drack’s train of thought off, “What did you do before our great Victory over the Hero Factory?”

“Oh, I had numerous jobs over the years. I started off with the basic substance dealing, with a smaller gang, just seeing how much we could get away with without the Heroes catching us. We almost never got caught. We were caught breaking into a store once, but took a secret tunnel we made to our hideout before the Heroes could catch us.

"Over the years, technology became more advanced, and we Villains were able to get our hands on a lot of the new gadgets. Eventually, the Hero’s tech became more advanced as well, in response to the new tech and weapons we had.”

He went on about the later years of his life, mentioning the new weapons and technology the Villains were able to get in circulation in the Black Market, and how the Heroes had upgraded over the years too. He also spoke about where he was, and what he was doing just before the Black Phantom hired the gang that Drack and formed and led to help in the destruction of the Hero Factory.

Since the Villains successfully destroyed the Hero Factory, and took over, Drack and his gang of Villains were able to work for the Villain Leaders, and were placed in high ranks as Searchers and City Guards. They were also well respected by many of the Villains.

Finally, he spoke about his time working with Sheer. He choked up a little, emotion kicking in, but was able to hide it. At least Cain didn’t seem to notice, anyway.

Cain then asked a painful question, “What was it like, finding out your partner was conspiring with that Stray?”
Drack looked out the passenger side window. 

He almost couldn’t answer. After the sorrow had subsided, rage took its place, he clenched his fist and almost snapped, but was able to keep his cool. He closed his eyes and the rage began to subside as well. 

“Well. . . I was very disappointed." He spoke, still staring out the window.
He turned to Cain and continued, "I almost couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I saw her talking to the Stray, and I just thought she was going to trick them, and swiftly capture them. But, I saw them shake each other’s hand in a friendly fashion, and went on their ways. I walked away as quickly as I could, and acted as if I was just looking around, waiting for her. When I saw her, I told her I just got a transmission to go to the Castle, because the Black Phantom wanted to speak to us personally to give us a special assignment.

“So, she gladly came, and we headed over to the Castle. I was led into the Throne Room by Mordeki, saying that I needed to speak to the Villain Leaders at once. He closed the door behind me and Sheer remained in the entrance hall to the Throne Room. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the menacing Anak at his normal post in the Throne Room, on the far right side, close to the wall, shrouded in darkness, glowing red eyes that almost never blinked, staring me down. Even when I speaking to the Black Phantom, I could still feel his cold stare.

“Anyway, I told the Phantom all the details. Sheer was then led into the room by Mordeki, thinking she was going to be given her part of the assignment, or something along those lines. Mordeki stepped back outside the entrance, closing the door.”

Drack recounted all of the events leading up to Sheer's banishment. He also stated that banishment would be a good punishment for her, since she would always have to watch her back for other Villains. The Black Phantom agreed, and he banished her form any City under the Villain Leader’s control.

But, deep inside, he felt sorry he had to report her. He wished he could have just let it all go, and they could still be partners. But he knew the Villain Leaders could find out almost anything they wanted to, so he had no choice but to tell the truth. If he lied, they’d both be deactivated. Slowly and painfully. It was a bit of a selfish choice, he thought. Now he had to live with the fact that he may never see Sheer again.

But, that gave him an idea. Maybe he could find her. He’d much rather be with her than have to work with Cain, his new partner.

Maybe. Just maybe.

To Be Continued!