Chapter Fourteen

Sinister strolled into the lab room. A technician warily watched his entrance.

"Wake the subject up."

"Sir, the memory grafting process has just completed. It may be better to ..." the technician stammered.

"We are running short on time. Our, ahem, hosts, are expecting a demonstration. I want to give them one that they will never forget."

"Yes sir."

The technician walked over to the prone form on the table. Pressing a button on the console beside the table, the color of the fluid running into the prostrate form's arm began to change from a clear substance to a bright green.

Suddenly, the form on the table jerked up to a sitting posture. His eyes flew open, with a wild expression across his features.

"WEAPON X. ACKNOWLEDGE!" Sinister bellowed at the sitting man.

The man once known as Jason drew his gaze to fall on Sinister. His bewildered expression subsided, replaced with a cruel smile.

"Weapon X here sir. Awaiting your instructions."

"Stand, my boy. Let's have a look at you."

Weapon X stood. His physiology no longer resembled the shy young soldier that he once was. He now stood almost a good foot taller, towering at 6'8". Huge, gaunt muscles rippled through the black jumpsuit that covered him. His eyes shone with a bright blue light that almost seemed unnatural. His black hair was cropped short, standing straight from his head, as if electrified.

"You have come a long way my boy. Let's see what you can do. Follow me."

Sinister turned and opened the lab door. The hulking Weapon X followed behind him like a docile pet.

Walking down the corridor, Weapon X watched closely as the man known as Sinister seemed to morph into something that more closely resembled a human. Sinister led his latest creation to room down to the left. He pushed open the door, and motioned for Jason to enter.

Standing around the large room were what appeared to be a mix of civilians, heavily armed soldiers, and high-ranking military personnel.

"Good afternoon gentlemen." Sinister addressed the group. "I am sure you are anxious to see what your money has earned you."

A person wearing the rank of General responded. "Good afternoon, Doctor. We are surprised that you called us here so soon."

"I promised you quick results, did I not?"

"Yes you did. We are very pleased with your timeliness. However, it still remains to be seen if you delivered what we asked for."

"Trust me, you will get what you deserve."

<SNIKT>

Six gleaming claws emerged from the knuckles of the huge man standing behind Sinister. Before anyone could react, one set those cruel talons had found their mark in the throat of the nearest soldier. Shouts echoed in the room as everyone scrambled into action.

Weapon X was a flurry of movement. He removed his claws from the soldier's neck with a quick snap of the wrist. Before the body could hit the floor, he was on the next armed guard. The soldier raised his machine gun in defense, to block the incoming blow.

Jason's claws sliced through the body of the weapon, continuing on their downward descent, to pierce the body armor covering the young man. Blood splattered across those standing nearby, as the soldier's chest was laid open."

"My God, he is out of control! Stop him Doctor!" one of the civilians screamed.

"Now why would I do that?" Sinister pressed a button on a small pager like device. The hologram faded away, revealing his true face. Laughing, he turned to face the man. "We appreciate your hospitality, but did you really think I would just hand over my creation?"

As he spoke, Weapon X made light work of the remaining three guards. In all, not one single man was able to fire a shot. His movements were almost to quick to be perceived by the naked eye. As the last guard slumped against the wall, Weapon X returned to stand beside Sinister. With a harrowing <SNIKT>, the six adamantium claws retracted back into his hands, staining his knuckles red from the blood of his victims.

The remaining men in the room recoiled in horror at the scene that faced them. Suddenly, they found themselves trapped in an underground conference room with two psychopaths. Blood covered the conference table, the walls, and even the ceiling. The torn bodies of their armed comrades laid about the destructive scene.

"What do you want from us?" the civilian moaned.

"I want nothing from you. I already have what I came for. However, since you were so kind to provide the laboratory and funding for my little side project, I am going to give you a choice. It should be evident that I cannot allow you to leave this room. Your choice is this. Die by your own hands quickly, or die by his."

To accentuate the point, Weapon X took a few steps toward the cowering group, exposing his claws once again.

"What do you mean?" one of the uniformed men stammered.

Sinister tossed the older man a vial with a milky yellow fluid in it. "Drink that, and you will be dead before you have a chance to taste the contents. Refuse, and my friend here will show you his full potential."

Weapon X took another step closer.

The General unscrewed the lid and downed the strange fluid. As promised, he dropped dead before he could show any reaction.

Sinister removed several other vials from his lab coat. "The decision is yours as well." Sinister walked toward the group, and distributed the vials to the remaining occupants.

One of the younger sergeants momentarily fumbled with his vial, dropping it to the floor. He reached down to pick up the container, when he spied one of the soldiers' machine gun lying nearby. Thinking quickly, he snatched up the weapon, leveling it at Weapon X.

Not missing a beat, he pulled the trigger, firing off a burst of ammunition at the dark figure. To his surprise, Weapon X made no move to dodge the attack. The rounds struck home, with apparently no effect. Jason smiled at the sergeant, and stepped toward the terrified man.

Weapon X slammed his claws deep in the man's abdomen. Both sets of claws buried up to the knuckles, he hoisted the screaming man over his head. Twisting around, he threw the man against the nearest wall, the body of the sergeant making a sickening crunch as it contacted with the metal surface.

"It would appear that he chose incorrectly. I hope we will not have any more displays."

It did not take long for the others to drain their poisons, leaving only two living occupants left in the room.