O.S. Khaius

Chapter 3

Pressure

Khaius was dragged inside the wharehouse by the muscled guys, disregarding his leg's condition. It more looked like a scrapyard, only a small area near the entrance was clean. The whole building was full with several construction disposables, all the way to the ceiling.

The girl noticed Khaius's awe and smiled. "There used to be a tall building in here. It one day collapsed on its own weight. Anything that could be used was kept, all the rest, was hidden in here. Cheaper than refining all this metal for something else I guess."

"Stop giving his the sweet talk!" Yelled the mohawk man while staring angrily at Khaius. "Lets go in already!"

In? They kept walking towards the scrap mountain. A man showed up behind an iron bar. "Is that him?"

"Yes, we found a bit of resistance but the mission was a success. Not that Jul did anything to help. She kept talking to the bastard!"

"You need to ease up you know, someday you'll choke on your gold tooth."

Both the big guys started laughing at the girl's remark. "I'll teach you some lessons you lit-"

"ENOUGH" Screamed the man. "Bring him inside already."

Behind the large iron bar there was a previously invisible path between the wreckage that lead to a wide, lit room. It was empty, except for a metal chair placed in the other end of the room.

The muscled duo tied Khaius to it, then leaving the metal hideout. Having a look now, the new man, who appeared to be their leader was short and a bit fat. You wouldn't expect someone like that to command such a group.

"My name is Gordon. Do you realize why we brought you here?"

"No! Who are you people! Taking me like that…"

"Silence you bastard!"

"Mike! Leave!"

The Mohawk guy mumbled something on his way out, making sure to stare at Khaius all the way long. His creepy look gave him chills. Something was wrong about that man.

"Resuming… You see, what the Company has been doing these past few years is unacceptable. Since the first contact that they have breaking more and more international laws; however, being as powerful as they are, they manage to escape unscathed, while the media keeps the populace blind.
We are the Trash Dogs, the famous terrorist group as your father so kindly named us. The truth is, we are an underground faction that fights against the Corporation. What we want from you is simple: Tell us where the research division scientists are."

"What scientists?"

"Two years ago, a whole research department in Sweden simply disappeared. Every record of it was erased. And the scientific body went missing. One day, one of our undercover agents overheard a videoconference. That was shortly before Mike joined. In it, your father was talking with one of the scientists. They talked about a pill, and about a settlement being ready. If our sources are correct, you spent the last two years among them."

So the villagers were part of it too. While not fully relieved, Khaius felt less guilty about what he'd done. They knew what they were signing up for.

"Considering we saved your sorry ass, you owe us big time" said the girl. "Or do you need an incentive?"

"How so?"

"Calm down you too. Answer me this first, boy." Gordon asked while adjusting his glasses. "If your father wants you dead, what will you lose by cooperating?"

"Sure…" Khaius fainted. The injuries and hunger finally took their toll. He had not eaten anything since he left the island after all.

A warm scent comforted Khaius. His head was aching, and he was still tied to the chair.

"Mike made some soup" The girl's voice came from behind "You better eat up."

She came forward with a plate full of what it seemed to be tomato soup.

"He… made soup?"

"Don't let his attitude get to you, he sometimes is like that. Also… he has a reason to be mad. Nevermind. Eat."

"Won't you untie me?"

"Do you think I'm dumb? Say ahhhh."

Spoon after spoon, his strength was slowly regained.

"Why do you want to know about the scientists?"

"Well… we all lost something important to the company." Her face saddened as old memories rose to the surface. "Mike used to be a regular guy; he worked in an office of a company child to the Awakening, your father's company. However, it's mostly known nowadays as The Company, for it is the most popular and powerful worldwide."

"Don't… call him my father."

"I see. Well, one day Mike lost contact with his mother. She was one of the scientists."

"Oh, I did not know. I understand his anger towards me now."

"Believe me, he would have snapped your neck if it wasn't for Gordon. It'll pass."

"What's his story?"

"He's a rare case; he joined way before us out of a sense of pure… justice. At least that's what he tells us."

"And what about y…"

"Enough with me doing the talking. Let me ask you something. If bringing down the company would mean killing your… ex-boss, would you cooperate? Or would your feelings get in the way?"

He could not deny; it was a tempting offer. He had nothing to look forward to; now he could live with a goal. Ruin the man who used him.

"Count me in."

"Now that's more like it!"