Doug regarded the tiny rat he was following with disdain as he proceeded down his corridor. He hated how it had been used to trick him and his friends, lulling them into a false sense of security over the lack of cameras, and he hated that he was no doubt still being watched through its eyes. He ranted under his breath, seething.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFucking security dickwads, fucking show them how compliant<\/em> I can be\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The corridor was riddled with different junctions, all leading to the various departments the complex contained. He couldn\u2019t take any of them, more security doors rising as he approached them, blocking the path. This was annoying on its own but became more irksome when a squad of five security guards exited one of the connecting corridors, the doors having descended again after Doug had walked several paces past it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Upon hearing their footsteps, Doug had whipped round with his bionic fist raised, ready to pummel whoever was stupid enough to try and sneak up on him only to find five automatic machine guns pointed at his head. He glared at the newcomers, aware that he\u2019d be riddled with bullets before he could even reach the first guard. He lowered his fist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood call,\u201d the lead guard told him, smirking. Doug grunted, his escorts flanking him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, well, I seem to be making all the right decisions lately,\u201d he sarcastically remarked. The guard sneered at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShall we proceed?\u201d the guard asked in a tone that suggested that Doug really didn\u2019t have a choice. McCracken contemplated his lack of options and continued his walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo what\u2019s it like working for an evil corporation anyway? You guys get dental?\u201d he asked, attempting to relive the tension by being his usual smart-ass self. The guards ignored him, much to Doug\u2019s chagrin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eventually the corridor emptied out into a lobby. Another three security guards were waiting for him there. One held a tray, another was filling out some paper work. The third met him in the centre of the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m going to have to ask you to remove any and all personal affects,\u201d the third guard told him. Doug scowled at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd why would I wanna go and do a thing like that?\u201d he asked in as sarcastic a manner as he could muster, much to the guard\u2019s annoyance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause you really don\u2019t have a choice. We can do this the hard way if you prefer,\u201d he told the merc, tapping the taser on his belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh fuck you. I\u2019m tired of being herded. Get me someone important to talk to and we\u2019ll see what\u2019s what!\u201d Doug spat, failing to impress the guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMr McCracken, need I remind you that you were caught trespassing on Genetix property?\u201d the guard asked. Doug paused to consider this, eventually breaking into an embarrassed grin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGot me there,\u201d he agreed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRight. Now would you kindly remove any personal affects, i.e any weapons you may be carrying, your clothes and that rather large prosthetic you\u2019re sporting,\u201d the guard reiterated, clearly low on patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou want my clothes?!\u201d the soldier was clearly upset with this turn of events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou won\u2019t be needing them where you\u2019re going. If modesty is what you\u2019re worried about, we can provide a medical gown although I assure you, we\u2019ve seen it all before,\u201d the guard stated matter of factly. Doug eyed the other guards and their weapons, considered his options and shrugged as he begrudgingly started complying with the request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He placed his stuff into the tray the first guard was carrying, the bloke nearly toppling over as Doug dropped his arm into it, the guard clearly not expecting it to be so heavy. Doug couldn\u2019t help smirking with satisfaction as his captor attempted to right himself, the load weighing him down. The guard didn\u2019t take too kindly to this, deciding to find a way to irritate Doug further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s still got his dog tags on, Boss,\u201d the younger guard pointed out, drawing everyone to the one article of \u201cclothing\u201d Doug was still wearing at this point, the mercenary currently attempting to protect his modesty with his one hand. The leader of the troop of guards sighed loudly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe dog tags need to come off too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFuck off, these stay with me,\u201d Doug insisted, backing up a step and glaring at the Leader, daring him to try and take them from me. The Leader was far from impressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe don\u2019t have time for this. Men?\u201d Several of the guards drew telescopic stun rods, each rod snapping out to its full length. The first guard took a swipe, Doug dodging left, grabbing the rod and kneeing the guard in the gut only to be caught off guard by three separate rods ramming into his back and activating, Doug screaming in pain as electricity flowed though his veins. He fell to his knees, his muscles seizing up. The Leader took this opportunity to step forward and deftly pull the tags\u2019 chain over Doug\u2019s head, throwing them into the tray with the rest of Doug\u2019s things. One of the other guards then stepped forward and snapped a collar around Doug\u2019s neck, the others backing off once it was in place. It was metallic, a small display screen on the front showing the wearer\u2019s heartbeat. Two LEDs were visible above the monitor, only one currently powered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, serves you right!\u201d Sneered the youngest guard, \u201cand I\u2019ll tell you what, I hope you like cold showers, mate, \u2018cus I\u2019m gonna make the decontamination room extra cold just for you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doug flashed him the back of his middle finger as he shakily climbed to his feet, a lot less fight in him after that display of force. He knew one thing now, lashing out in anger wasn\u2019t a good plan…<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t antagonise him, son,\u201d the lead guard told the younger, \u201ctake that lot to the security room to be processed. We\u2019ll come get you in a bit,\u201d the younger guard made a grunting noise, gave Doug one last dirty look and marched off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doug glanced at the leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll have that gown now, ta,\u201d he said, trying to sound humble. The guards behind him sniggered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, that was a lie. Where you\u2019re going you ain\u2019t going to need clothes…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The third guard stepped forward before Doug could ask any more questions, putting down the clipboard and producing some metal cuffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPlease stand with your arms, err, arm out and legs apart,\u201d the guard requested. Once more, Doug looked towards the men brandishing their weapons behind him and reluctantly decided to comply with the request if only because he was going to need his strength for when he made his daring escape from his prison cell. The guard set about attaching a cuff to each of his ankles and to his wrist. Curiously, no chain was present, the cuffs consisting of a circlet of metal and a couple of lights, one of which lit up green as the cuffs snapped shut around his limbs. The one placed on his wrist was given more care as it was attached, something digging into a spot just above a vein. A closer inspection revealed a small opening where a needle could enter if necessary. The captured mercenary looked over his new accessories with disdain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to be for? To look pretty?\u201d Doug asked as the guard finished up and he was able to return to more relaxed posture, one hand moving to shield his modesty if only out of habit at this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNah, so we can do this if you try and run off,\u201d the guard replied, pulling out a remote and pressing a button. The second light on Doug\u2019s ankle cuffs turned on as did the electro magnet within, Doug\u2019s legs snapping closed as the cuffs pulled themselves together, the mercenary barely managing to prevent himself from toppling onto the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, shit!\u201d he complained as he fought for balance, the guards around him laughing at his distress. The magnets were deactivated, Doug free to part his legs once more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlright, I get it, you guys are all arseholes,\u201d Doug summarised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArseholes that own your arse, so you better behave,\u201d the Leader sneered back, \u201cWe can take it from here, you guys go check the perimeter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doug\u2019s escorts turned and disappeared down the corridor, leaving Doug alone with the other two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you\u2019d just step into the decontamination chamber, we\u2019ll have this whole sorry affair wrapped up shortly,\u201d the talkative guard indicated a door with a security lock, the clipboard wielding guard opening the door with a swipe of a key card. There was a platform inside along with a railing that ran at waist height along a corridor. The platform was resting on a set of rails, the whole thing rigged up to move along the corridor. With an annoyed grunt, Doug stepped onto the platform where he was surprised by his cuffs activating. His ankles became stuck to either side of the platform and his wrist became attached to a small node on the railing, Doug unable to move no matter how hard he tugged on his bonds. With a jerk, the platform began to move, the door snapping shut behind him and Doug suddenly found himself in the human equivalent of a car wash. Jets of freezing cold water blasted him from all sides, the smell of disinfectant filling his nostrils. It lasted for ten long minutes, Doug swearing at the top of his lungs in protest as he was hosed down. Through a window to his left, he could see the guards putting on clean suits and following down a parallel corridor where the cleaning was far less harsh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the ride was finished, Doug was left shivering, cold, naked and stuck to the platform until the guards emerged to retrieve him, Doug glaring them all down as they approached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From there he was brought into what looked like a typical doctor\u2019s office, a man in a lab coat waiting for them. He regarded Doug with disdain. The feeling was mutual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI really don\u2019t appreciate being dragged over here; I have tests that need monitoring,\u201d he complained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSorry Doc but this shouldn\u2019t take long. It\u2019s just the one that you need to process,\u201d the head guard replied. The technician grunted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, wouldn\u2019t want to inconvenience ya, Doc-,\u201d Doug paused to consider what he was saying, \u201cWait, you need a doctor to put me in a holding cell?\u201d he was understandably confused. This was all wrong. He could see an argument for the shower as they probably worried about germs from the outside world getting in and ruining their morally dubious experiments but this was getting to be far fetched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s a very special cell,\u201d the technician replied, walking over to the back wall. There was a door there, a set of rails leading out of it. He pressed a button next to the door and a few moments later a piece of machinery was brought through the opening, stopping as it came to the end of the rails. It was a stasis pod, the glass front lifting up and its back wall sliding out and folding down until it turned into a chair, making it easier to strap a subject in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s not a holding cell,\u201d Doug was beginning to feel nervous. He wouldn\u2019t be able to stage a daring escape if he was placed in stasis. He tended to find being unconscious was not conducive to heroics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The technician scoffed at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell obviously. This is a research facility, not a prison. All our holding cells are used to observe research subjects; putting one aside for trespassers would interfere with our work,\u201d he informed the mercenary sarcastically, \u201cwe do however have an overabundance of stasis pods. They\u2019re much better. You won\u2019t have to worry so much about entertaining yourself while our superiors decide what to do with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd what\u2019s that likely to be?\u201d Doug questioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAny number of things. You might be turned into a test subject or harvested for parts or perhaps you\u2019ll just be filed away somewhere and forgotten about? Who\u2019s to say? They\u2019ll probably take their time in deciding though; it\u2019s not like you\u2019ll be going anywhere. Some of our subjects have been here for decades and have never been touched…\u201d the technician approached Doug once more, removing a small torch from his pocket and shining it directly into his eyes. Doug recoiled but a guard grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and held him still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHmm, good pupil response\u2026 healthy heart beat\u2026 hmm…now if there aren\u2019t any more silly questions, I\u2019d rather like to get on with things,\u201d he stepped back and waved towards the pod, \u201ctake a seat. It won\u2019t be the most comfortable but that hardly matters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doug made no move to comply, instead looking around the room desperately for something he could use. The guard currently grabbing him began to push forward, Doug trying to resist. The second guard responded by grabbing Doug\u2019s arm, the two slowly pushing their captive towards the pod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey! Hang on! You can\u2019t do this!\u201d Doug protested, the guards roughly turning him around so they could force him to sit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think you\u2019ll find we can,\u201d the technician replied, approaching. Doug grit his teeth, fearing the worst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The stasis pod was right behind him now, the guards trying to shove him into a sitting position and Doug resisting with all his might.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The technician moved to grab the remote for the cuffs from the guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lights turned out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The technician paused, staring up at the ceiling in surprise. Doug felt the guards grip slacken as they tried to work out why everything was suddenly pitch-black. Doug seized his opportunity, throwing all of his weight into the guard on his right, sending all three of them toppling to the floor. The guard grunted as he hit the ground. Doug prised his arm away and slammed his fist into the face of the guard on his left, breaking his nose and knocking him out. Doug used his leg to roll Leftie off of him, using his arm to try and prevent Rightie from disentangling himself. Doug rolled off of the flailing guard, who was trying to find where his gun had gone in the darkness. Doug found it first, using it to bludgeon Rightie over the head, the guard passing out with another groan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The emergency lighting flickered on, illuminating the room in an eerie red glow. The technician paled as he realised that not only was Doug now armed, but the security staff that were supposed to be able to handle this kind of eventuality were unconscious. Doug pointed the gun at the technician, grinning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell this was a lark an\u2019 all but I ought to be getting on. Where\u2019s the security office, mate?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The technician had turned as white as a sheet. He was beginning to sweat, clearly out of his depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat?!\u201d Doug began closing the gap. His brow was low, casting his eyes in shadow in the poor lighting, painting an evil expression across his features. The technician backed up from the approaching mercenary, soon finding himself with his back pressed against the stasis pod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSecurity office. Where they took my gear. Where is it?\u201d Doug asked again, trying his best to remain patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI-I can\u2019t\u2026\u201d the technician began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou know this gun\u2019s a pretty high calibre,\u201d he noted, \u201cI wonder how big a mess it would make of your skull\u2026?\u201d he sounded genuinely curious, which terrified the doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWh-what?!\u201d he stammered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI could probably find the office on my own; I don\u2019t really need you, it\u2019ll just be a hell of a lot faster if you told me now. But if you want to be difficult then I can just perform an experiment of my own with this gun and your fat head and then be on my way. Your call,\u201d he told the terrified scientist, still grinning that evil grin. In the red light he looked like a demon. The technician gulped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI-I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI wonder how much of the back of your skull would be left after a shot from this thing. Might be interesting to find out,\u201d Doug continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s back the way you came!\u201d the technician blurted out, \u201cexit the clean room, take the first corridor on the left and follow it round until the T-junction! It should be on the right! Don\u2019t shoot me!\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere, that wasn\u2019t so hard now was it?\u201d Doug said with a laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow here\u2019s the million Kronz question: how do I find my friends?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTh-the security network! The office\u2019ll have a terminal! You\u2019ll be able to f-f-find them on there! B-but you\u2019ll need a login!\u201d he babbled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot a problem, I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll figure something out,\u201d Doug told him, lowering his gun. The technician let out a sigh of relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThanks mate. You\u2019ve been real helpful,\u201d he told him before swinging the machine gun down onto his skull. There was a sickening crack as he was knocked out, the doctor slumping across the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, by the way, safety was on,\u201d Doug pointed out to the unconscious scientist with a laugh. The merc searched the technician\u2019s pockets, pinching his security pass before moving to the body of the head guard. First he grabbed the remote and used it to remove the cuffs and collar from his person. Then he took his pass-card as well and rifled through his pockets for any signs of a wallet. Coming up empty, he began inspecting the guards\u2019 guns. They were fully automatic FBG-2022s, equipped with 68 calibre rounds. They had some serious stopping power; a fact that worried Doug. He wasn\u2019t sure he wanted to find the reason behind the Genetix soldiers needing such powerful weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He chose to take the gun with the most ammo, leaving the other behind so as to not weigh himself down. He pinched the belt of one guard complete with pouches for the pass-cards, a radio and a stun gun as an afterthought, made sure to turn the safety off on the FBG and then quietly slipped out of the lab with all of his new accessories.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Doug regarded the tiny rat he was following with disdain as he proceeded down his corridor. He hated how it had been used to trick him and his friends, lulling them into a false sense of security over the lack of cameras, and he hated that he was no doubt…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[129,31,128,103,137,9],"class_list":["post-348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-mercenaries-tale","tag-animal-sentries","tag-doug-mccracken","tag-forest-canyon","tag-genetix","tag-mad-science","tag-the-mercs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=348"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=348"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=348"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.payneful.co.uk\/tales-of-sin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=348"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}