《Imperfect power》chapter 20

Eric's POV:

I've been searching for hours! This is insane; it's my thirteenth location. I'm starting to think that something's wrong. Also, I have no signal or internet connection. So, when I solve a riddle or some puzzle, I can't check it online. Another issue is that everywhere there are tablets, so I can't stop time to do everything instantly.

This one sent me to some weird island. To be honest, that would be a good spot for a new house, better than my current location. There would be some electricity problems, and solar panels would cost me a little bit, but it's within what I can afford. The downside would be that the travel here from Jade and Angie would be much longer. I might as well set it as some spare location for a vacation. I bet Raul would like it here. He thoroughly enjoys the sight of palm trees and the sea.

Now would be a good time to contemplate if it's still worth going after the treasure. I mean, it would be nice to get my hands on something unavailable through normal means. I can acquire pretty much anything if I want to. The catch is that the person who devised this treasure hunt is the owner of exceptionally well-made robots, which aren't the usual kind you come across.

I wonder if I can get my hands on a robot to have at home and take care of things. It would be a significant win since there would be no need to bother Angie and Jade every time I'm out.

Ren's POV:

Once the ice melted and the machine was pacified, we had an opportunity to access its memory. We dragged the whole thing to A.J.'s apartment, and... well, not really 'we' but rather 'he' By that, I mean the new strong guy who arrived after Jade made a call. Supposedly, he also possesses the power of absolute, much like Eric.

So far, I've had the chance to meet Isaac/the smart guy, Philip/the respawn guy, and Eric/the not-so-ordinary guy. Now, we've also got Ethan/the Baki character guy.

"What have you found?" I asked Angie, who was sitting by the computer, trying to examine the important files.

"Nothing much; most of it is stuff to make the robot work properly. The folders have numbers instead of names, so I just go through every single one, and I'm kind of barely past the first half." she explained, taking a sip of tea before returning to her search.

That machine, from the inside, looks more like a robot. The exterior parts resemble that of another human. The moment I grabbed its wrist, I felt something was off. There was no feeling of connection that I usually experience when I use my powers on others. The instant order to stop would usually trigger once our skin touched, but there was no trigger with him. Although it wasn't easy for me to determine it was a machine at first, given my lack of experience with machines, I won't make that mistake again if I have another chance.

I wonder... since I can't control a machine, does that also apply to Eric? It would be a good plan for someone who knows Eric's power if that person holds a grudge against someone from our group. Come to think of it, the robot took aim to take down Christine, but that seems like a job for a single living person if she was taken by surprise. A sniper would fit the bill if we consider that the owner of this machine is rich enough to afford it or even more machines. Then the machines are there to avoid mind control that could come from me or Eric. Christine was the strongest one among the present people there, making it a good idea to take her down first. If that robot had exploded, it wouldn't have killed Jade or Angie, but I would most likely be dead.

So then again, if the plan worked, both Christine and I would be gone, leaving Angie and Jade alongside Eric, who is out for some business. I have a feeling that neither I nor the witch were the main targets; it was only to have a freer hand in taking down both Jade and Angie. In that case, the person who sent the machine knew our powers and location at that very moment and that Eric would be gone for a while.

"The one who sent the machine has a grudge on Jade and Angie." I said quickly.

"How can you be so sure?" Ethan asked. I explained everything I had thought of so far, and after a sharing of thoughts, everyone agreed.

"Then Eric's absence is most likely also a part of their plan." Jade said, then turned to Angie.

"Jade... come here... p-please..." Angie's eyes widened at the sight on the screen.

Jade approached, and her expression matched Angie's.

"That's... that's impossible! She's dead! I saw everything crush!" she shouted, gritting her teeth.

"What's going on?" I asked, worried by the confusing situation.

"Professor Skylar Hill is alive." Jade said with a serious face.

"Who?" I couldn't help but ask since it didn't ring any bell.

"Me and Angie came from the laboratory; the powers we have weren't always ours." she said, catching my and Ethan's attention closer.

"The facility that purchased children and experimented on them through horrific acts to force powers on them. You were there?" Ethan asked Jade, the information about such a place was new to me.

"Yes, and if Professor Skylar is back, then so might be her facility." Jade stated, and the silence overwhelmed the room.

*Ding Dong*

Someone's at the door. Ethan went to open it in case it was an enemy. Fortunately for us, Isaac decided to pay a visit.

"You might already know the detail-..." I got interrupted.

"Yes, I know... sort of. I can't explain, but the knowledge should flow directly into my mind; however, it's as if two different pieces of information are against each other. Something's telling me that she's alive, and the other knowledge is that she's nowhere to be found, alongside the laboratory and anything about her." Isaac tried to explain.

"What do you mean?" Ethan asked, concerned.

"The same feeling of something interrupting my knowledge over certain things. That thing I said was in space; it's also on earth, and it might have something to do with this particular case. I can't locate the place where Professor Skylar Hill is because she might be connected to the very thing that stuns my powers." Isaac explained further.

"So how much do you know?" Angie asked.

"I know that Eric got sent by someone to make their move on you guys, and he's out of reach. We can't send anyone to get him either since he's constantly moving from place to place. We've got to solve it ourselves until he realizes he's been tricked, and there is no reward for him." Isaac informed us about Eric's situation. It was kind of confusing.

"Reward?" Jade asked.

"He's on the look for certain hints that get him to different locations; however, this plan was made to take as much of his time as possible, so we're out of his help. Fortunately, me and Ethan are here, plus we might eventually count on Philip, who's currently doing something I'd rather not describe."

Whatever Philip is doing, it must be urgent and important, and we shouldn't bother his actions. That's what I believe Isaac meant.

"So how should we approach this situation?" Angie asked while still researching the files.

"Third from the end, and after opening it, choose the file that ends with the number 02.7" Isaac instructed Angie to the file we're looking for.

"Got the location, now it's a matter of a plan, right?" Jade said.

"Ethan's gonna destroy the whole place while rushing in together with Jade, who will follow after. Angie will wait for the signal of a cleared place to enter, and while they continue rushing through, she'll search for potential patients that might reside there. I stay with Lauren and Christine, together with Philip, whom we have yet to call here." Isaac's explanation of the plan was quite straightforward.

"It sounds kinda dumb and simple..." I said.

"It's because we have all the force necessary to send and finish the mission in one go, and we'll be lucky if Eric joins once we finish. Now let's go and proceed with the plan."

Isaac has a good point here; there is no need to complicate the plan when we don't have to worry about anything. It has nearly no flaws.