The Rise of Supremus - Chapter Two

Corkindale was worried. The sight he had witnessed in Supremus’ cell still disturbed him greatly. Could it be that he was the only one that saw it? Or could this job finally be getting to him? He did not have an answer to either of those questions. But other questions kept presenting themselves. Was all of this technology in this prison starting to break down? Or could Supremus be regaining some of his power after all this time? Corkindale knew that there was only one way he could find out.
    It was about fifteen minutes later when Corkindale entered the wing again and walked down the corridor towards Supremus’ cell. All of the lights had been turned off. The only sound that filled the area was a hum which cam from the security systems. Everyone second that noise was broken by the sound of Corkindale’s expensive designer shoes.

    Corkindale soon came to the door. The guard inside the cell seemed surprised to see Corkindale enter the cell, and he quickly took his feet off his desk, and quickly put down his cheese and pickle sandwich. He then got to his feet.
    “Sorry sir.” he quickly blurted out. “I didn’t expect to find you here tonight.”
    “I had a few things to take care of.” Corkindale replied.
    Corkindale walked over to the control panel. He spent the next few minutes examining the readings from the computer.
    “Is there anything I can do for you sir?”
    Corkindale did not reply. He continued to study the readings. After another minute he walked over to the stasis field. He peered inside, looking at Supremus’ face.
    “Has there been anything odd from Supremus lately?” asked Corkindale.
    “No sir. He’s been sleeping like a baby ever since he was brought here. To be honest, this is the easiest posting in this prison…”
    The guard stopped when he saw that Corkindale wasn’t taking any notice of him. He continued to stare at Supremus for a number of minutes. There was absolutely no movement from the giant mutate. It appeared that the stasis field was doing it’s job, keeping Supremus confined and unconscious, and it also appeared that Corkindale was wrong. He soon moved away from the stasis field and started rubbing his face.
    “Is everything alright sir?” asked the guard.
    “Certainly.” Corkindale replied. “But just to be on the safe side give Muir Industries a call. I want this entire system checked over.”
    The guard was confused.
    “Why? Everything’s in working order.”
    “I don’t care. Get them out here now.”
    Muir Industries were not happy at being contacted at midnight, even though they had an obligation to carry out all systems checks and repair work on the prison. After the call was made Corkindale spent the next few hours waiting near the front entrance, waiting for Jock Muir himself to arrive. He was annoyed when a younger man arrived.
    “Where’s Jock Muir?” he asked. “I asked for him! Who are you?”
    “I’m Simon Muir, his son. My father is currently in Canada on a business trip. You can’t expect him to be at this prison’s beck and call twenty-four hours a day. Now, Mr. Corkindale, what’s the problem.”
    Corkindale led Muir to Supremus’ cell.
    “I think there could be something wrong with this system.” Corkindale explained. “As you know, this system was designed to keep Supremus under constant sedation, yet I could have sword I saw his eyes open.”
    Muir walked over to the control panel.
    “Have you run a systems-wide diagnostic?” he asked.
    “We’ve checked all of the systems and they all seem to check out. But I could have sworn I saw him move!”
    Muir began to operate the computer, putting it into a diagnostic mode. Ten minutes passed as it checked all of it’s systems. It was then that the screen gave a printout.
    “There is a partial power drain in the secondary back-up field.” said Muir. “But that shouldn’t be happening. This system is designed to kick into gear should the first stasis field fail.
    Muir began to operate the computer once again.
    “The primary field is operating at full power. The back-up shouldn’t have kicked in.
    Muir got took his feet and took out a small instrument from his case. He walked over to the stasis field. He began to move the instrument up and down the stasis field. He then returned to the control panel.
    “Vital signs are normal, for him anyway.”
    Muir sat back in his chair, trying to work out what was going on. As he thought he looked over at Supremus. Suddenly Supremus’ eye opened. Muir almost jumped out of his skin. Thinking quickly he started to check the readings. Supremus’ life signs had rapidly changed. Seeing this Muir picked up the telephone next to the keyboard.
    “What are you doing?” asked Corkindale.
    “Contacting the Anglo-Force mansion.” replied Muir. “I have a feeling we could be  in for a lot of trouble.”
    It was three hours alter when a contingent from Anglo-Force arrived at the prison in one of their sky-jets. Corkindale waited on the pad as they disembarked. He watched as Daniel Reid, Star Man, Supercop and Marvel Boy let the jet. They approached Corkindale. He did not seem happy.
    “Mr. Corkindale I presume.” said Reid, extending his hand, which Corkindale did not grasp.
    “Where’s James Watt?” he asked. “As you leader I would have thought he would have come along.”
    “Anglo-Force is now a much larger organisation.” said Star Man. “James Watt may be out leader but he is not needed all of the time.”
    “I understand you have a problem with part of your security system.” said Reid. “I am somewhat adept at computers. Perhaps you will let me take a look at your system.”
    “Very well.” said Corkindale. “There’s someone from Muir Industries in there now. This way.”
    They began to walk towards the main compound when suddenly there was a loud rumble. The entire compound began to shake as there was a huge explosion. Suddenly the roof of the high security wing flew off into the air. Bricks and mortar landed on the ground all around them. Marvel Boy was only just able to protect them with a telekinetic field, which stopped the rocks from falling on them.
    “What the hell was that?” screamed Corkindale.
    Star Man looked up to the sky and saw a giant humanoid form flying overhead.
    “Supremus!” he cried. “Daniel, you take Corkindale to see if anyone was hurt. We’d better get after him.”