The.Good.Doctor - [Dane||R]

[Liam A. MacArthur V]

Friday, The Twenty-Seventh

[/u]

Research Facility Gaia - Undisclosed Location, Northeastern Kansas[/center]


Dr. Livingston, I Presume?

From: Liam A. MacArthur V, CEO MacArthur Enterprises (Email Hidden)

Sent: Thur 3/26/09 11:59PM

To: Dr. Daniel Kevin Clarke (Email Hidden)

Dear Dr. Daniel Kevin Clarke,

Introductions are to be in order, I as stated in the above section of this email am Liam A. MacArthur V, CEO MacArthur Enterprises. I come to you at a crossroads of sorts in the path of human evolution and I wont get into specifics in this email, but i will explain some. During your stay at our facility on Alcatraz I had the chance to look into your case file and observe you from an isolated room for a period of one week, that is when i noticed something. You unlke any other power user I have come across have actually taken steps to understand the 'how?' in your people's mutations. And I Am intrigued.

So, I invite you out here to Research Facility Gaia in Kansas to discuss 'the elephant in the room' and if you need transportation I can arrange a private jet to fly you out here. If not, then the coordinates to the facility are 38*25'58"N 96*33'32"W and I ask that you take a private vehicle if you choose to forego the jet. At those coordinates you will find a black monolith that will scan your retinas and then require a fingerprint match...please comply. From there a circular elevator will rise and i ask that you get on for it is perfectly safe, the elevator will take you to my floor. I await your arrival.

Sincerely,
Liam A. MacArthur V
CEO MacArthur Enterprises

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Aged hands closed the laptop upon his desk after the email had sent, he would wait out the night in his private room he had set up at this facility and let his mind plot. Liam's grand scheme had accelerated to the point where he had to gauge the 'competition' out there and had started things off with Dr. Daniel Clarke, the man's file chaulk full of interesting tidbits. He stood from his desk picking up a file labeled Joshua MacArthur, his wayward grandchild had obviously survived the 'Clash of the Titans' as his research staff liked to refer to the incident out in Utah between Joshua, Lantos Harrison and project Helios.

The man read the compiled report of what exactly happened out there as he made his way to his quarters, the fight data gathered was invaluable to his plans seeing as the information could be spread out across all his projects making them more perfect. Liam closed the file to tuck it under his arm upon reaching his room, tomorrow would indeed be a good day bringing him that much closer to his goal. His steps paused for a second at the thought that things would grow chaotic with the arrival of Dr. Clarke, but quickly brushed off these concerns and entered his room for the night.

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[atlas]

Dane leant back after completing the email. “ How did this man get my email? If he has it it must mean he is not all he appears, a user perhaps? Damn, it’s so hard to read someone through an email. MIRANDA!” Dane yelled for her, he didn’t need to as she was just in the next room, but he felt this situation warranted it. When she rushed into the room he gestured for her to read the email, he had no secrets from her.
“But Daniel? How do you know this isn’t a trap?” She looked at him confused “I don’t, but I’m going to check it out anyway. Can you take me to that location, you’ve never been there and no-one you know is there?” Miranda’s lips tightened afraid, but she called for someone to bring in a globe. If he wanted to do it, she wasn’t going to argue.

A brilliant flash of lightning materialised the two outside the complex. Almost suddenly Miranda threw her arms around Dane, stating over and over again that something didn’t feel right “It’s ok, I will be fine! If it’s a user I can handle it, if its regular people I can handle it” she disengaged herself from him, she could feel a strange feeling welling inside her but she pushed it away as she returned home. Dane followed the instructions on the email, wondering how this man gained access to a retina scan and fingerprint information on him. As the elevator opened Dane stepped out into the room. The large room surrounding him seemed more an apartment then an office floor. “Hello?” Dane called, knowing this was the typical horror movie response to this situation. Where was ‘Liam McArthur’?

[Liam A. MacArthur V]

The sensors had detected Dane the moment that the man and an unknown entered the vicinity of the monolith, his eyes narrowed at the flashy entrance that had brought the good doctor to him and wondered just what else the man had up his sleeves. Already preparations had been made to prevent Dane from flexing his powers within the facility, the little device Joshua had R&D commission before his departure from the company had come in handy when dealing with power users like Dr. Clarke. "Orion...Cronus, I want you to be ready to intercept the doctor should he become an irritant and I do mean I want this done quickly. I can already hear his grating voice..." In his long years on this Earth he had only coveted one thing, it was the goal of his schemes and the reason that certain sacrifices like his grandson were necessary. The doctor was just another upstart in his way and measures needed to be taken in order to put the man in place, or write him out of the story all together.

And so the large double oak doors leading into the living room area of his apartment opened revealing Liam to Dane, his silvery white hair catching the light from the lights illuminating the room and slowly he made his way to one of the high backed leather chairs. His hand gestured for the other man to take a seat as his eyes took in Dane's appearance in full, the power of the man licking just underneath the skin like flames and his own safely secure. "By now you must wonder just how i was able to contact you and get the required intel for the monolith to register who you were, I ask that you accept my answer of 'I just can!' Right now you're within the Research Facility Gaia in the great state of Kansas and in the presense of the man responsible for your stay at Alcatraz, I hope you understand i don't like to foot around the issue and simply cut to the chase. You're a thorn Dr. Clarke and from what i have seen from the footage we have of you inside Alcatraz and after your stay...i wonder just how i should handle you. To snip or not to snip...that is the ultimate question. Tea?"

[atlas]

Dane felt as if a cocoon was engulfing his body. “A power preventer, nicely done. Too bad it doesn’t work on me… 3 presences, 2 in the corners, strong, their powers seem to mask him” Dane smiled as he sat, straight to the point, just the way he liked it. “Ha, you sound like a rabbi ‘to snip, or not to snip’. Thank you for being forward with me, I’m not one for beating around the bush either. You mind calling off your croonies? Their powers are kind of dominating the scene.” Dane smiled, he liked this man, smart, generous, frank and confident. “No tea thank you, just water if you don’t mind. A thorn am I? If that is so it would make you the gardener… no, your to high for that, you’re the owner, your deciding if a thorn in your side is a good or bad thing? Please, tell me, what have I done thusfar to be a thorn in your side?” With a smile Dane analysed the mans power best he could. For safety reasons.

Dane took the time to look about the room. Grand. “If you are the one responsible for my visit to the island there are some thing I want to say before we proceed. Firstly, thank you for the visit, it was nice to see how my research has been affecting people. Second, if you found me, I guess you found my research? Did you? And finally, it is nice to meet you.” Dane extended his hand in greeting, he needed to know exactly what he was dealing with, this would be the safest way.

[Liam A. MacArthur V]

Liam appraised the man sitting before him and inwardly smirked at how well he had anticipated this discussion, his face devoid of a set emotion looked on as Dane spoke and asked his little questions. So far the doctor had been able to sense out the two he had waiting outside this room and if he had gauged things right, then the hand offered to him would be able to pin his powers down. "You are a thorn for simply drawing a breath my dear Dr. Clarke and i find your lack of respect for your betters to be grating. My men outside are there just in case you become too big of an irritant, but i shall oblige your request to tone down their powers as it must be overwhelming." With a wave of his hand he signaled for Orion and Cronus to mask their powers so that only two remained, that of the doctor and himself.

Liam began to talk once more as he slowly reached out for Dane's hand, keeping his eyes locked onto the other man's "Finding you was simple really when you have the connections i have made over my lifetime and as for your research, i must say i have only touched the tip of the iceberg as the rest of it would be better explained by you." Finaly his hand clasped the one before it and gripped it tightly, this would be the part where the doctor would learn the truth to what was going on...the partial truth. Liam pulled Dane close and tightened his grip further "I invited you here to see if i need worry over your continued existence and if i find enough reason to believe you wont be a threat to my plans, well then i shall let you go back to your dearest Miranda. After i show you around that is, i have to gloat to someone and seeing as i pretty much tried to kill my only living relative earlier this month the number of people available is lacking."

[atlas]

The wave of his hand had caused the guards powers to compress, not weaken, compress “Nifty trick”. He allowed the man to finish his talk. “Betters? No human being of any form, normal or user is better than another, we are all part of the grand virus that is killing our planet” Dane made no facial movement. As the man gripped his hand Daniel felt the most information he had ever encountered pulse through his body. After what felt like 2000years of information he dropped to his knees, released by the man. Once he had finished talking Dane spoke. “My apologies sir, I did not know of your, what’s the word? ‘Expanse’? You said gloat? That sounds as if you have a very large plan, my research must only be a trickle of it. I’d be glad to help, if there is something I could get in return?” Dane stood and took a step back from the table “oh, and for safety reasons, could you please not take my power sir?”

[Liam A. MacArthur V]

Liam glanced down at the kneeling position that Dane had taken and for all the respect that it showed for the older man, it filled him with an irritation unlike anything else "I suggest you quickly get off your knees Dr. Clarke, i will assume you know fully well how long i have walked this Earth and so understand why i do not suffer fools gladly. You are no fool, so get the hell up!" For all his years he was still driven quickly to irritation when dealing with people, powered or otherwise, and he quickly found himself missing his grandchild which still rubbed raw in that place he denied having in his heart. That emotion swiftly flitted past the man's eyes yet he didnt care if the doctor saw it, Joshua would always remain his best agent and if Dane cooperated then he too could be great.

"Why don't we take a walk and tour the facility before you start lending your support to my cause, and your powers are of no concern to me right now so rest easy. Now let's be off." Liam walked out of the room quickly followed by Orion and Cronus who kept their distance as they quickly made their way to the elevator to take them further down, his concern whether or not Dane was following him was minimal at best. Much sooner than it felt the elevator doors opened to a long hallway of windowed walls, the scenes beyond the clear material showed various stages of their genetic research stretching for quite some distance. "As you can see we have extracted the DNA from certain sources in the hopes of duplicating the powers held by our test subjects and we've succeeded where others have failed. Just far off to your left there's some stasis pods carrying the fruits of our labors...but not enough of them survive the shift from normal human to power users. Orion and Cronus here are actually two of the five perfect successful projects we've had, it's just frustrating when we have the ability to do all this and still we have limited results." His hand signaled for Orion to give Dane a readout of their techniques to date to see if the doctor would actually be beneficial to his cause. If not then he could quickly be disposed of."

[atlas]

Dane looked at the way he was on the ground. Realising McArthurs interpretation Dane stood “I’m afraid you misunderstood my stance, I was flattened by your power” Clarke stood, looking up into the man’s eyes. He saw something, but in a man like this it could be anything, or nothing.

Daniel kept a equal pace a few meters behind Liam, keeping his mind’s eye on the two men walking behind them. As the doors opened Dane found himself staring in awe at the expanse of what this company does. “Whats your basis for the shi..” He was cut off by the placing of a document before him “Thank you sir” he nodded politely to the man. Taking it he slid his eyes down the pages, flicking through rather rapidly. He began to shake his head “This can’t be all of it? According to this your attempting to induce an ability in much the same way a vaccine works? I’m surprised you got ANY success with this method. How much of my research do you have? How long have you had it?” he reread the readout, constantly shaking his head in disgust. Placing it down on the edge of the window he looked back up at Liam, he looked into the mans eyes, he needed to know his future, but could only gauge that the man before him saw him as inferior.

[Liam A. MacArthur V]

Liam turned to face Dane and raised a calculating look at the man pouring over the information in his hands, there was a degree of disgust layered in the other's eyes that flared his irritation. "In the initial stages we treated the genetic shift like administering a vaccine to a patient with limited success as you read, what you see before you though is the outcome of Joshua's advice to administer the treatment as you would if infecting an individual with a virus. His thoughts were that a slow transition from a normal state of humanity to power user level would give us more results, the stasis chambers keep our projects from catching any imperfections." The bold attitude of Dr. Clarke further impressed Liam and ultimately surprised him to wonder why he hadn't killed the man outright for his lack of respect, like anyone else who would dare do so. Liam nodded to Dane and motioned for the man to continue to follow him deeper into the facility, they boarded another elevator that scanned the elder MacArthur's retinas and fingerprints to access it.

Metallic doors opened up to a large white coloured paneled room with a massive steel reinforced bulkhead, the ancient man turned to look at Dane with something akin to glee at what was behind the door. Liam went through the tedious security measures and soon enough the large door started to seperate down the middle, the scene beyond was a flurry of movement from a couple dozen of scientists running checks on their assigned duties. "This is Prometheus, a failed experiment from the beginning of our experimentation that reactivated itself after termination a month ago. Inside it lies a genetic material unlike anything we initially put into it, the DNA of Prometheus seems to absorb any variation of power user DNA we place and adapts it to its body. But without the stasis field it would die a permanent death in a matter of milliseconds, you find a way to make this work and i spare your life. You can walk away right now and i shall leave you and yours be...until such a time comes that you decide to interfere. Then your life is forfeit. Make no assumptions that this is any sort of partnership, i'm in this for myself and if you doubt that then take the fact that i tried to kill my own grandchild to further our research." Liam knew that if Dane were to accept the position then the man would have to work out of his home wherever it was, the presense of the man within the complex would be more chaotic than he wanted. Besides, his friends would begin to wonder where the good doctor had run off to.

[atlas]

Dr Clarke found himself staring at the two escorts, saying quietly to himself about their luck in survival. When Liam finished speaking Dane found himself, for the first time, in a state of bewilderment. As the tall man turned and continued on his walk Dane kept himself at equal pace with him; knowing not to step ahead, but making sure Liam knew he was not afraid of him. Inside the elevator he thought to himself “This makes no sense. Biologically it makes no sense, powers don’t work like illness, it’s cellular!”. As the doors opened Dane took in the look on McArthur’s face, absolute brilliance, he didn’t like it, “This man is far too full of himself, even for his age. He is obviously use to people bending over backward for him. Well I won’t”
Prometheus... failed... beginning... reactivated ITSELF... genetic material. Dane could feel the power emanating off it, the feeling was so strong his subconscious formed light in his eyes, light to show him the radiation from this body, Prometheus’ flame. Clarke’s hands clasped his eyes to stop the conflicting images, even through shielded eyes he could see the light of the power. After a moment recollecting himself Dane removed his hands from his clenched eyes. He turned his head so that McArthur was in front of him “Firstly I would like to apologise, the power hurts my eyes, no reflection on you sir. Second, something doesn’t make sense to me right now, why would you allow me to leave when I know about these 6?” he pointed first to the two escorts ‘orion’ and ‘cronus’ and then to ‘prometheus’ “I am going to assume that the powers that did allow the people to survive were to do with things such as; atomic/biological/energy manipulation, telekinesis or the such. Would that be correct?” After awaiting and taking in Liam’s reply, Dane continued “Everyone in the world is a user, we all; users and normal’s, have the genetic coding for powers. The code is a 10 digit combination, each digit can be anything from ‘0’ to ‘9’ OR a ‘blank’. When there is a blank in the combination, there’s no power, no blank means there’s a power. That’s why so few of your subjects are surviving, the only way your experiments could work is if the power altered the subject itself. This means you need to change the genetics of a subject in order to succeed in your attempts. Any questions?” His ears told Dane that a small crowd had amounted, obviously not happy about being told they’re doing everything wrong. “If need be, I can prove this fact to you, all I need is a volunteer”.

[Liam A. MacArthur V]

Liam assessed the man standing before him who was letting it be known that his own teams of scientists had failed and he as their leader had to assume some of that failure, that feeling left a slightly bitter and acrid taste in his mouth. The older man walked around the lab facility going over any documents that needed his pressing attantion as he mulled over what to do next "Dr. Clarke, i am going to offer you a position as project head of Prometheus and a research position throughout the entire facility. You will work from home and all documents related to this facility will be under tight security as will all communications be monitored, you must understand i am not ready for what i'm doing to be leaked out to anyone else...i've already risked much bringing you in. I can let you go from here with my mind at ease seeing as a strike team will be within a minute from your position once you leave." His lips curled up into a cocky smirk that was anything but confident that he did indeed have nothing to worry about it Dane left this facility, he did hope that Dr. Clarke would join his research team and bring along some positive results.

Even though he wanted the mind of Dr. Clarke to aide in his endeavours, he would not beg nor would he seem absolutely desperate for the man. Sure it would be a setback for him but he was assured by the project leader at Research Facility Ouranos in Maine, that they were close to solving the problems with the experiements there which were completely different from the ones here. "Also as a side mission i would request your "hunting down" skills to aide me in a simple task of locating my grandchild once you have made sufficient headway in this research. He was last seen traveling with a Lantos Harrison after escaping from the battlefield in Utah's Great Salt Lake Desert, i'm sure you saw the footage of the aftermath on the news. They were helping me, forcibly, to gather live combat data for another project of mine that you will have access to once you're back at home sweet home...i simply wish to acertain his status." Liam was anything but sentimental and the need to seek out the status of his grandchild was only to see how much of a threat the boy remained to his cause, the tug he felt in his heart was quickly crushed.

"Before you respond i forgot to address one of the statements you had made while schooling my research team, it seems you are correct in the kinds of powers that were easily adaptable to our experiements save for one. Telekinesis and telepathy seem to be close to impossible to re-create and any success we did have were limited at best, the level of power was laughable and then the added stress on their minds caused their skulls to explode. We have since moved on, and any other information on our projects will be available at a later date...so what say you?"

[atlas]

Dane’s face turned to follow Liam as he moved about the lab, He was being kept alive by his power so he was very easy for dane to make out in his minds eye. Liam seemed very unhappy, perhaps from the fact that he’s not making headway. “James, I know your listening, I can feel your presence. It’s rude you know, spying on a private conversation through my mind. I will be fine, trust me” Dane stepped forward, keeping his mind focused on all those with powers around him, some of the scientist were secretly hiding their capacity, Dane could feel it in their eyes. “ Well, that does sound tempting, especially the part that states that there’s nothing in it for me. Don’t take that the wrong way, I enjoy my work, I want to do this, as much as you want me to. I gave up on this research years ago, but seeing all this has reignited a fire in me. If I’m going to help you I’m going to need a massive amount of data. Raw data, I don’t want it to be have been processed, I need simply a copy of every biological sample from each and every one of your donors, and a personal profile on each” Dane smiled a wicked grin, this was a big ask, but if this man really did believe dane could finish the work. It would be done.

Clarke’s eyebrows raised. “Mr Harrison, yes i’ve met him. Strange fellow, unique power. If my area of influence was a little larger and your ‘grandson’ was still with him I could tell you his exact location, but alas, I’m not that impressive yet. I would be glad to help you find this escaped experiment of yours, that is why you want him isn’t it? He’s a success turned threat?” 5 successes, Prometheus counting as a failure, ‘status’, ‘combat data’ obviously Liam saw his grandson as an excaped monster, Dane could see it in his face. His ghostly white face on his eyelids.

Dane smiled, grabbing one of the nearby scientists “ I’m not surprised about your failure with telekinetics, especially with people like this fellow on your team” Danes head moved from looking at McArthur to the man by his side, and then back to McArthur. The man was bending over, head locked by Dr. Clarke’s massive arm “This man for example, can break specific bones in certain people, just by clicking and whistling quietly” Daniel grinned wide, he found it extremely amusing that no-one had figured this out before. He tossed the man back into the crowd. Standing tall he face Liam from his place, calm as ever, knowing that any swat team that was near him would have to face the residents of haven to even get to him.

[Liam A. MacArthur V]

Liam stood there with a stoic face as Dane looked back with a fire in his eyes that intrigued the ancient man, true he had suspected that some members on his research staff could possibly be power users yet their involvement in the project guaranteed their safety. Turning his head, he nodded once to Orion signaling for the man to hand over the raw data requested "You will have your raw data under the stipulation that i will watch all moves you make with it and if i don't like what i see then i shall take measures to corrupt the copy i give you, and don't you worry about my strike team Dr. Clarke...they'll get the job done. As for my staff members and their talents, i'd advise you to not manhandle them from this point on for it's negligible to take in any powers as their involvement with me ensures their own place in hell." There was no misunderstanding when it came to the level of evil he had committed over the years and any associated with him would join him at the end of days, whatever plans Dane had for the data it was of no consequence as long as he got what he needed.

Liam walked over to a safe on the side of the wall putting in the necessary code to open it and pulled out a large binder, the older man carried it over to Dane and handed it over to the man. "This is the information that isn't classified on Joshua and just why he's important to my plans, his powers are immeasurable beyond anything i have encountered in my lifetime nor are have they been fully tapped. He is my grandson Dr. Clarke and not a monster or a runaway experiment, but if he has become an obstacle to my cause then i will take measures to end his existence...no matter the price."

[atlas]

Dane opened his eyes to glance at the sheet handed by the experiment "This is useless to me, I require actual biological samples from your donors. Deliver them to this location, I expect email confirmation on the arrival of the package. Thank you, It'll be my second priority to find him. And as for hell, it would seem we're in the same boat already" Dane scribbled the co-ordinates on a scrap of paper, handing it over before turning to leave. He probably won't be allowed, but he didn't care, He wanted to get to work, he needed to know the extent of his own power, the only one he can't assess

[Liam A. MacArthur V]

Liam smirked at Dane's audacity to speak to him as if the doctor was the one calling the shots and for that he allowed the man this one time 'get out of jail free' pass, his gaze turned to the former lead researcher in the lab and silently communicated to him to gather everything Dane would need and ship it to the stated location. "Yes, yes...scamper along back to that hovel you call your residence while i head back to my own research, you shall have everything you need and a blasted email confirming its arrival. I shall accept Joshua as being second priority, but with all this i have provided i will not accept failure on both fronts. Do we understand?" Silently he moved away from Dane after nodding to the man once and made his way out of the lab area via a side elevator, both Orion and Cronus signaled for Dane to follow them and lead him towards a surface access elevator.

Now deeper within the facility, Liam typed away at a computer focusing his full attention at the screen before him. The days were growing longer and with that a new renewal to his purpose on this planet, his vision was becoming reality and soon the facility in Montana would open its doors to the world giving him the chaos he needed to sweep in and grab power for himself. "Ah yes, now i found you! Zephyr, prepare for us to meet with Neil as i have a pressing matter that i must discuss with him...bring Helios with us as well." He sat back in his chair looking over the screen that displayed the current location for a one Neil Tack, yes indeed his plans were moving along quite nicely.