Chapter 16 Breaking in

Michael soared through the night sky, the cool air brushing against his face as he flew towards his target. Weapon X like most secret projects was hidden from the world's eye and would be difficult to find and once he arrived he'd also most likely need to fight through tons of guards.

Fortunately, Dr Killebrew thought ahead and made a plan to make use of one of the base's many emergency exits. The only problem was actually finding one of these exits. The area had lots of natural obstructions like trees and would be hard for most people to find. Killebrew had even mentioned that locating one of these entrances might take him some time but Michael wasn't worried. He wasn't a regular person.

Approaching the general area, Michael slowed down, hovering in mid-air. He scanned the terrain, looking for any signs of the facility. Weapon X was buried deep underground, hidden from the prying eyes of the world, but the perimeter defenses would likely give away its location. He wasn't wrong.

A few moments later, his enhanced vision picked up subtle changes in the landscape, slightly irregular patches of ground, an odd grouping of trees, and faint glimmers of light that were likely from cameras.

Michael descended rapidly, landing just outside what he assumed was the range of the automated defenses. He touched down silently, his boots barely making a sound on the forest floor.

Crouching low, he took a moment to assess his surroundings. First off there were definitely cameras, lots of them. Killebrew did mention that they'd be here but they wouldn't be a problem. With his sight, he knew exactly where each one was and could easily slip by them.

Now all he needed to do was actually find one of these entrances. Focusing his senses he placed them on high alert, every rustle of leaves and chirp of a distant bird sharpening his focus. All kinds of sounds entered his mind until he found what he was looking for a light sound of footsteps, machinery, and conversations.

"Found you," he muttered, his lips curving into a confident smile.

Moving further into the trees Michael approached the main source of noise and used his X-ray vision to confirm his thoughts. Looking straight down at the ground he saw a long tunnel that led far below the earth. Sticking his hand right in Michael easily pried the hatch off and tossed it aside.

Reaching into his suit belt Michael pulled out his phone from one of its punches. He never added this design and hadn't even requested it but now that it's there he did have to admit that it was useful.

"Here we are so this should lead me straight to section A. Which should be the living quarters for the staff." This seemed to be as good of a start as any. Originally he wanted to go straight for the guard section to remove most of their defensive measures but this was good too. At least here he could meet up with Killebrew sooner.

Putting his phone away Michael stood at the edge and simply dropped down. There was a ladder meant to climb up and down but he didn't need it.

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In a room full of monitors a crew of security guards watched their screens detailing Michael's precise movements. Their cameras may have not been able to notice him but their sensors hidden below the ground sure did. Killebrew had done a good job of giving Michael a detailed layout of the base but once their plan was revealed it became simple to sabotage. As they say, inside information is only good when the enemy doesn't know you have it.

"Sir he's heading into section A. Do you want us to send the guards?" One of the men watching the monitors asked in a hurried voice upon seeing Michael's fast pace.

Francis didn't immediately reply and remained watching the monitor. Michael's speed had also come as a surprise to him and he quickly judged that he had to be a speed-based mutant. Those weren't rare but that didn't make them any less annoying.

"Yes, have them form a parameter in the halls. While they do that I'll have my men personally reinforce them"

"Yes sir" The guard quickly began passing the orders over the comms but as he did so he occasionally glanced at the men beside Francis. From what he'd heard they were supposed to be their backup from the government but he couldn't help but feel something was off about them. Having worked in this facility for years as a guard he has seen his fair share of weirdos but never has he seen a person look so empty.

One of the men glanced back at him causing the guard to retract his gaze. 'Definitely weirdos'

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In a sterile, brightly lit lab on the other side of the Weapon X facility, a group of nervous scientists huddled together under the watchful eyes of armed guards. The tension in the room was suffocating, each of them knowing that their plan to escape had somehow been discovered. The betrayal they felt was palpable, but the fear of what would happen next was even more overwhelming.

Dr. Killebrew stood among them, his face a mixture of guilt and determination. He had been the one to rally these people, to convince them that there was hope, that they could make it out of this nightmare. But now, with their escape plan compromised, he could feel the weight of their lives pressing down on him. Every pained expression, every tear-filled eye, was a reminder of the burden he carried.

"Please pull through, Michael," Killebrew whispered under his breath, a desperate plea that he hoped would reach the man who was their last chance. Michael was out there, somewhere in the facility, fighting his way through. If he didn't make it in time, all their efforts would be for nothing.

"Shut up, or we start thinning you out!" one of the guards barked, his voice laced with irritation. He shoved a crying scientist to the ground, the sound of the man's sobs echoing through the room.

"Please don't. I'll try to settle them down," Killebrew said quickly, stepping forward with his hands raised. The guard scowled but nodded, clearly frustrated by the whole situation. The guards were on edge, too, aware that something was about to happen but unsure of what.

"Alright, but if they keep making noise, I'll keep my promise," the guard warned, his tone cold.

Killebrew knelt beside the fallen scientist, recognizing him as Dr. Smith. The young man was trembling, his face pale with fear and regret. Gently, Killebrew rubbed his back, trying to calm him down. He knew how much Smith had sacrificed for this plan, how desperate he had been to save his girlfriend who was also a test subject. But now, with everything falling apart, it was all too much for him to handle.

"It's going to be okay," Killebrew murmured softly, though he wasn't sure if he believed his own words. "We just have to hold on a little longer. Michael will come through."

Smith looked up at him, his eyes red and filled with guilt. "I'm sorry, Dr. Killebrew. I… I didn't want it to end like this. I just wanted to save her…"

"I know, Smith. I know," Killebrew replied, his voice calm. "But we're not done yet. We still have a chance. Just stay strong, okay?"

In response, Smith lowered his head further in shame because he knew Killebrew didn't fully understand why he had apologized. That he was actually the reason for all this happening to them.

While Smith wallowed in self-pity, Killebrew kept an eye on the guards. They were tense, fidgeting with their weapons and exchanging nervous glances. Whatever was happening outside this lab, it was making them anxious. And that anxiety could either work for them or against them, depending on how things played out.

The room fell into a tense silence, broken only by the occasional sob or muttered curse from one of the scientists. They all knew what was at stake, and they all knew that their fate now rested in the hands of a man they had never met.

"Dr Killebrew we have to do something" Dr Collen said as he arrived beside the two. If things stayed as they were then it was painfully obvious where their next destination would be… the morgue.

"We can't they might start killing us now if we cause trouble"

"Come on doctor if we don't do anything then we're dead anyways. There has to be something we can do. Like the test subjects. What if we free them?" He suggested hoping his idea might spark some defiance.

Sighing, Killebrew understood what his old friend was trying to do but that didn't mean he was wrong. If they truly did nothing and Michael failed then they were all dead. "No, that's impossible the subjects are all on the other side of the facility we can't get anywhere near their"

Dr Collen scratched his head in frustration because this was right. Even if someone managed to slip past the guards here they'd still need to make it all the way there without getting noticed which seemed unlikely. However, as he was thinking about the test subjects he suddenly remembered that not all the test subjects were locked up.

"Wait, what about that one subject that talks too much! He should still be in the lab next door"

"Him?" Killebrew questioned. That test subject was barely even a success. Yeah, he may have survived the process but it left him completely disfigured in the process. Francis even wanted them to put him straight in the burner not even wanting to learn about the abilities he gained.

"Yes him I know he isn't exactly the most optimistic choice but his records said he was a mercenary so he has to be somewhat useful. Maybe we can give him a gun to at least distract the guards while we free the rest"

Dr Killebrew did not agree with this plan at all. The whole reason why they wanted out was so they wouldn't risk any more lives. But if they did nothing then even more lives might be at risk…

"Alright, I'll try and get into the lab next door try and give me some cover" Dr Collen happy with the changing situation easily complied and went to get things in motion.

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In the lab next door a horribly ugly and disgusting man laid strapped on the operating table with an annoyed look on his face. Every second that passed seemed to make him more anxious as he twisted and turned.

"Ah, my copyright senses are tingling. Someone's stealing my movie and my spotlight! Just wait till I get out of here. I'm going to make their life worse than that movie Dragon Ball Evolution.