|
Registered User
Currently Offline
|
Posts: 184
Join Date: Jan 2008
|
Upon his arrival, Powerhouse placed the unconscious Jupiter Zadkiel in a machine that resembled a CAT scan. Voltage provided the power to the machine and six monitors flared to life on a nearby console.
Several numbers and patterns appeared on the screens and Powerhouse stared intently at them.
“What do they mean Voltage?”
“Not sure big guy. We’ll be able to tell more once the scan is complete.”
Bombshell entered the room and glanced in the direction of the monitors “looks like two distinct brainwave patterns in there. I’ve sent Dragonfly to bring in an expert on demonology.”
“Expert” the two echoed in unison “you don’t mean the zealot?”
“He is not a zealot” she warned “I have already talked to director Westlake and he has agreed to lend him to us for a limited time.”
Voltage stared in disbelief, his fists crackling to life as his hatred for the name crossed his mind “I hate it when we have to deal with the government guys.”
The government guys that he referred to were the American Defense Agency and their director, Robert Westlake. These guys were in control of a top secret superhuman task force known in the intelligence community as the C.O.R.P.S. To the rest of the superhero community however they were simply considered sellouts. The animosity between them was almost despicable among ones who considered themselves “heroes”.
Dragonfly returned shortly with the one called Harbinger in tow. Upon entering the Watchtower, Harbinger sheathed his sword and his angelic wings disappeared. He removed his mask and went straight to the monitors.
“It was good of you to come Gabriel” Bombshell said, the hint of emotion not lost among her teammates.
“Anything I can do to help, Melanie” Gabriel Jones replied “the scan shows two different patterns inside his brain. You can see here where the lines part” he said pointing to the upper left monitor.
“A demonic presence is sharing his mind. The two are vying for control of his body. While in the demon form he is highly susceptible to suggestion by those from the underworld.”
“How did he become possessed” asked Voltage?
Gabriel responded patiently “it depends on what he was doing at the time. If his mind was empty of thought…”
“That’s what he said” Dragonfly interrupted “the monk said he was meditating!”
“That would do it” Gabriel responded “during meditation when your mind is closest to peace; it is also closest to suffering. During this moment when everything is aligned just right a demon can cross over into the body and bond itself to the host.”
Gabriel drew his sword and its blade suddenly glowed with holy light as it blinded the others temporarily. He approached the machine, sword raised in an executioner’s strike, readying himself to slay the demon.
“No! Don’t Gabriel” Melanie shouted!
“But it is the only way to free him from the possession” Gabriel shouted back as he swung his sword down.
Gabriel Jones was struck in the back with a thunderbolt and an energy blast at the same moment causing him to lose the grip on his sword.
Powerhouse and Voltage looked at each other wondering how they had come up with the same idea to stop him.
Gabriel struggled to his feet and reclaimed his fallen sword. His regenerative abilities kicking in to heal the burn marks on his body, glaring at the two who had struck him, he took flight and left the Watchtower without another word.
“Sorry Melanie” Voltage started.
“We were only trying to help” Powerhouse finished.
“I know, I know” she replied with a sad smile.
She thought back to the first time she had met Gabriel Jones the Harbinger. It was before he joined the Corps and before she had formed the Defense League. It was shortly after he had received his sword from the archangel Michael and vowed to slay the demons that were crossing over. She had just returned home from her last tour in Iraq where the unexpected had happened and she had gained her abilities.
Melanie Neidich was walking home through the deserted streets when the demon attacked her. Its fiery breath burnt her body only briefly until her skin managed to absorb the last of it and channel it back into her fists. She let loose a powerful burst of energy back at the demon causing it to retreat a few steps. Then Gabriel swooped in sword swinging and beheaded the demon and stealing her heart.
He was still distraught over the loss of his wife and son however to pay her much attention at the time and the two soon parted ways.
Bombshell’s thoughts returned to the present when she heard her name being called by one of her teammates. It was Powerhouse and he was indicating the monk had regained consciousness. Jupiter sat up slowly.
“I think it is gone” he said frailly.
“Think again” a voice boomed inside his skull as his body burst into flames again. The demon form emerged from the hellfire but it did not strike out at the others. Jupiter managed to keep his own mind in control. Through sheer force of will he locked the demonic mind away deep inside his brain.
“I think I have it contained for now” the monk said as his body returned to normal “and yet I still have this ability.”
“Keep practicing and maybe you will gain full control over it” Bombshell stated “if you are willing to remain with us so that we may help you keep it under control then we could offer you a place on the team.”
“We can always use the help” smiled Dragonfly “lord knows I can’t carry this team alone!”
|
