Chapter Ten:

Consequences

*Isaac Porter*

I stared at the computer screen, mesmerized at the information there. It explained everything.

"Sir, we probably should get going", said Lance from behind me, "If the computers right, they don't have a lot of time."

I nodded.

"Yeah we should head out, but I am going to copy this over to a hard copy."

I worked to copy the information over to show Nick when I got back. When he saw this, I had no doubt he would react much more strongly than I had. The information on the computer screen listed the five doctors responsible for the experimentation done to all prisoners and patients as ordered by CEDA of DC.

Dr. Bill Hones

Dr. Emily Garber

Dr. Don Waltz

Dr. Peter Weston

Dr. Margaret Barkley

Weston and Barkley. That was why they were surprised by the mutations surrounding the Commander and his men. That's why they were so quiet when it came to explaining anything about anything that had to do with what had happened at the base. They were working with the CEDA dog from DC and I knew as soon as everyone found this out, those two would be lucky if they survived the night.

"Lance, I want you to call base and give them warning to watch the doctors especially close. They are working with CEDA and if they try to contact anyone or do anything that seems sketchy, shoot them. I don't care what it takes, but they must not get word out about where we are."

"Yes sir", said Lance as he went to contact their hide away in the city.

"Be cautious Nick, they are trouble", I whispered as I stared at the screen, reading over the information, "You all are in trouble."

*Nick*

Ellie was resting in our room when I heard the radio going off in the communications room. Standing at the entrance of the cracked door, I listened as Lance spoke.

"This is Lance, anyone home?"

"I'm here Mr. Lance", said a young resistance member.

"Good, heed the following message. Dr. Barkley and Dr. Weston are active CEDA workers and are to be watched with extreme caution. Warn Nicholas Dean about this and tell him I am bringing proof with me."

"Yes sir", the soldier said.

"I already know", I decided to say as I walked into the room.

"Mr. Dean is here Mr. Lance."

"Nick that you?" asks Mr. Porter from the radio.

"Yes sir", I say, waiting for him to continue.

"You heard the warning right?"

"Yes sir"

"Good. I don't trust those doctors as far as I can throw them. Be sure to warn the others and oh Nick… I found your medical file as well as Ellie's and your two friends."

"And?" I ask, unsure if I want to hear the answer.

"And…we should talk when I get there."

"Alright", I answered, a nervousness settling into the pit of my stomach.

"Porter out"

I went into the living room where I saw everyone eating, including the doctors.

"Hey Coach, Ro", I said all at once; "Can you help me with Ellie? She wants to be stubborn and she isn't listening to me when I tell her she needs to eat something. You two always made her listen, so could you help?"

Ro and Coach glanced at each other and then stared at me. They all knew Ellie wouldn't turn down food, especially by my coaxing, so I could tell when they came to the realization I was trying to talk to them alone.

"Sure Nick", said Coach.

"That girl, really", she muttered as she stood.

"She okay?" asked Dr. Barkley.

I glanced at her.

"She is fine, just being stubborn like usual."

"Alright", the doctor said and went back to her food.

I sent Hunter a glance when he seemed to be watching me closely.

"Sophia baby", Hunter said all at once, "How about we go see Ellie and make her feel more like eating?"

Sophia's face brightened as she nodded vigorously. Hunter laughed as he patted her back.

"Alright sweetie, come on then"

The two followed us as we went to Ellie's room. When there, I closed the door as soon as the others entered and they all watched me, waiting for what I had to tell them.

"Hey Ellie", said Sophia as she walked over to where Ellie sat there, a large smile on her face as she ate a stack of five pancakes with syrup.

"Hey Sophia"

I turned away from the adorable scene as I looked at the others and began to fill them in on what Porter had told me. I could see the anger in the Commanders face.

"Don't do anything rash", I said catching him by his arm as he turned towards the door, "We don't want them to know we know; not yet anyways."
The commander didn't respond for a moment, but then with a sigh he gave a nod.

"You have my word Mr. Dean. I will do nothing…yet."

"That's all I ask", I said releasing him as I turned back to the others. I could tell Coach and Rochelle were in deep thought.

"Did they say anything about us?" Ro asked after a moment.

I shook my head.

"Isaac said he would talk to us in person, so I don't know."

They nodded.

"So what do we do now?" asked Coach.

"Act normal I guess", said Ellie from the bed, "If we don't want them to know, it's all we can do. If they suspect something, they might act quicker."

The others nodded in agreement; I myself knew she was correct as well. We had no other choice then to act completely oblivious to their guilt while waiting for Isaac to get back with the evidence.

"We wait" I finally said, "We wait and we be patient."

"I will feel in my guys", said Hunter as he turned, "Sophia stay in here with Ellie, okay?"

Sophia nodded as she climbed onto the bed beside Ellie and put her head to her stomach.

"I feel the baby" she said with excitement.

Ellie smiled and grinning, I stepped over to them and wrapped my arms gently around the love of my life while smiling down at the little girl.

"You know Ellie, I don't mind if we have a girl", I whisper into her ear.

She looked up at me and smiled, but shook her head.

"I want a boy", she said lightly, "A boy like Marcus."

"Marcus?" I asked confused, "You have never mentioned him. Who is he?"

She glanced up at me, a sad look crossing her face.

"My older brother", she finally said, "He died when I was young. My father, Edward and my brother Marcus had been traveling back from the carnival. I was only four at the time so I stayed at home with my mother, but Marcus was seven, so my father and he had decided to go for a while and have some fun. On the way home they were hit by a semi, Marcus was killed instantly while my father became paralyzed."

I stared at her in surprise.

"You never told me this before… I am so sorry Ellie."

She shook her head.

"I don't remember my brother much; I was so young when he died. I remember how much we use to play, but honestly, the only real thing I remember about him is his smile. He always smiled and danced for me. He was such a funny kid."

She smiled as she remembered him.

"I don't mind either way", I said kissing the top of her head, "Boy or girl, I will be happy."

She nodded, "Yeah me to."

*Hunter*

I walked out into the living room where the others were sitting.

"Hey Smoke, can I have a cigarette?"

Smokestack looked up at me in surprise before nodding.

"Sure boss" he said as we walked out of the apartment onto the staircase leading to the roof.

From behind me I heard the others muttering.

"Smoke sounds good", said Dr. Stark as he followed after us.

"I'm still hungry", said Bo as he got more food.

"You're always hungry", said Slim.

I didn't hear what else was said as I shut the door to the roof behind us.

"Well what is it?" asked Smokestack.

I turned to look at him and Jock who were looking up at me with less than patient eyes.

"Dr. Barkley and Weston are from DC."

They gaped at me.

"Really?" asked Carter taking a step towards me, "how do you know?"

"Porter went to the fort and hacked into the computers. He is bringing back proof as we speak."

"Jeez, never expected them to turn on us", said Carter with a sigh, "I thought you and Margaret were friends?"

I nodded as I turned away from them, staring out over the city.

"I thought we were."

Both are silent a moment before Jock clears his throat.

"You know… I have an idea"

I glance back at him and stark smirks.

"What is it?" I ask.

"We could give them a taste of their own medicine…"

"You mean give them our DNA?"

He nods, an anger clouding his eyes as he speaks.

"They turned me into a freak and yet they get to keep their bodies!"

I watched him pace and honestly, I agreed with him. They did deserve a taste of their own medicine. I noticed Carter seemed in agreement as well.

"Then why don't we?" I asked after a moment, "All we need to do is bite them. That's easy enough isn't it?"

They nodded.

"Good then its settled. We will do this after Porter gets back. I want to the evidence first and then… they will face the consequences of their betrayal."

I turned around from the edge of the roof, the moon shinning above me as I walked back to the door and went inside; revenge the only thing on my mind.