The Madness Returns - Chapter Two

    Governor Corkindale sat in his office at Dentonville Prison, getting ready the end the long working day that had just finished. Security was now at maximum, several new inmates having arrived in the past few days. However, he was not expecting what was about to happen.
    In the main control room the alarm suddenly sounded. Jackson, the chief of security, looked at the main screen. The infra-red cameras showed something moving towards the perimeter wall, something huge. Jackson called Corkindale, but before he cold get to the control room the image was gone.
    “I tell you sir, it was there!” Jackson said. “The infra-red showed it! It was huge! Like some kind of monster!”
    “Are you sure these things aren’t on the fritz?” asked Corkindale. “Maybe that General Billiar did something to the sensors when he got Theophilus out!”
    Then, as they spoke, the ground began to shake, and once again the alarms sounded. One of the guards raced into the room.
    “Chief! You’re not going to believe this bloody thing! Something’s trying to break into the prison!”
    Jackson and Corkindale ran out of the room as the guard led them to the other side of the compound. The first thing they saw was the guards firing on something, the intruder. Corkindale couldn’t see anything at first, but then he got a clear view, a clear view of the intruder. It was someone he had not expected to see again, let alone someone who would try and break into the prison.
    “It can’t be! Woodwose!”
The man-beast had returned to the place where he was held after his defeat at the hands of James Watt. Now he was tearing up the place like it was nothing more than a piece of paper.
    Then, in the middle of his rampage, Woodwose suddenly stopped and stared at Corkindale, eye to eye. It was as if he knew the governor of this prison. It was as if Woodwose blamed Corkindale for keeping him here. Breaking off from his mindless assault he lunged towards Corkindale and soon had a hold of him. He picked him up like he was a piece of rubbish and placed a huge furred had around his neck. With one gentle bit of pressure he snapped Corkindale’s neck like a twig and then threw him to the ground with such force that the impact carried him six foot into the concrete. Then, feeling that his work was done, Woodwose leapt into the air, not even looking around as the guards continued to fire at him. Seconds later the guards could no longer see him.
    Jackson walked over to the crater that had been created in Woodwose’s attack. He looked down and could tell that Corkindale was dead. Sorrow and sadness filled him for but a moment as he knew what he had to do.
    “Someone contact the Anglo-Force mansion! Get someone out here!”

    Alone, Magus stood in the quarters that were assigned to him at the Anglo-Force mansion. Candles lighted the room as the wizard gazed at his surroundings. He had insisted that if he were to be part of this team that at least one room be kept in the style of Craigmillar Castle, and although to Magus the décor was not perfect it would suffice.
    Moments later there was a knock at the door, and shortly afterwards the android Colossus One entered. The creation of his old friend Jock Muir wondered why he had been called by Magus. He would have to wait no longer to find out why.
    “Come in Colossus, come in. Please, take a seat.”
    The android did as he was told. Magus stared at the android for a few moments, gazing at the features he himself had given him in an attempt to hide him from the government. He began to wonder if it had been wise to make him look like a younger version of himself. Magus began to think that he would have made a dashing ladies man if he had chosen to take this youthful appearance.
    “What did you want to see me about?” Colossus asked.
    “Ah, yes. Tell me my boy, are you happy here?”
    “Happy? What do you mean?”
    “Happy, being a member of Anglo-Force, working with the team here, fighting crime, that sort of thing.”
    “My primary function was to help those in need, and as a member of this team I am fulfilling that function.”
    “But do you enjoy the fighting?”
    “Violence is not enjoyable Doctor.”
    “Nor should it be. But tell me, do you enjoy being part of Anglo-Force?”
    “To be perfectly honest I do not. Mister Muir, I believe, did not create me to ‘fight the bad guys’ so to speak. Although I do enjoy working with Doctor Reid on his experiments.”
    “But how would you like to be of more use?”
    “What do you mean Doctor?”
    “I want you to join me at Craigmillar Castle. I have need of someone like you. Since Thomas left I have been in need of an assistant as it were. I believe you would be of great help to me.”
    Colossus began to think for a moment.
    “The offer is tempting, but if I were to leave now, with the team in some difficulty, would it not be like deserting the sinking ship?”
    “Not at all. In a way you would still be helping the team.”
    “And what of Captain Watt? Have you discussed this with him?”
    “Briefly, and he is all for it. If you are to ‘evolve’ this would be the next stage in your development. So what do you say? I could do with someone like you to help me. You would not be a slave, and you would be free to come and go as you please.”
    “As I stated, the offer is tempting, but I would need some time to think it over. Is that okay?”
    Magus placed his hand on the android’s shoulder.
    “You have all the time in the world.”
    Then the general alarm sounded.
    “That is a priority one alarm.” said Colossus. “I will contact Raven Manor.”
    “No.” said Magus. “James and Katrina need the rest. We can handle this.”

    An hour later White Knight, Fire-Master, Tiger, Jet and Magus stood in the rubble in the Dentonville compound. Magus looked down at the crater that had been left.
    “Are you sure it was Woodwose Mister Jackson?” Magus asked. “There are several man-beasts roaming this planet.”
    “Believe me, it was Woodwose!” Jackson replied. “I’d know that big bastard anywhere! He came back, and he was mad!”
    “How did he get out in the first place?” asked White Knight.
    “You’ve run into General Billiar before.” Jackson replied. “He came to me a while back with orders to release Woodwose, Theophilus, Celsius and Chaney. Said he had some sort of mission for them. Didn’t say what though.”
    “So now we’ve got two madmen and an alien running around!” said Jet. “Bloody great!”
    “Let’s not stray from the situation gentlemen.” said Magus. “I what direction was Woodwose headed?”
    “East. With his leaping ability he could be a hundred miles away from here by now!”
    “Then I suggest we follow.” said White Knight. “T’Chuka, you can ride with me on Galador. Jet, I’d like you to go on ahead to find out where he is. With your speed you’d find him in no time!”
    “And take him down in no time as well.”
    “No!” White Knight replied. “I’ve seen what Woodwose can do once this madness sets in. Do not engage in combat! Just tell us where he is!”
    “Okay! Okay! Don’t get your knickers in a twist!”
    White Knight then turned to Magus. He seemed concerned with the crater.
    “Are you coming Phineas? We could use your power!”
    “No. I will stay here. It may be best if I try to find a way to cure his madness before we engage him in combat.”
    “Good idea. We’ll catch up with you later.”
    White Knight and Tiger then hopped on Galador as the winged steed took to the sky, closely followed by Fire-Master and Jet, who zoomed on ahead. Magus did not watch them leave. He continued to look at the crater, and could visualize Corkindale’s lifeless body.
    “I had hoped that this day would never come!”