The Nottingham University campus had been sealed off by the police so that they could carry out their investigation. Both Daniel Reid and Charles Borne were taken to hospital.
The roads around the university had also been sealed off, and traffic was being re-directed. A few hours after the attack one car managed to get through the police cordon. Paul Solo had heard about the attack on television, and he saw a photo-fit description of the man who had been seen leaving Reid’s lab. Solo recognised the picture as that of Peter Oswald.
Solo managed to get past the police using an old back road he knew, a road that had not been used in years. Although he couldn’t take his car all of the way because of the dense undergrowth he soon made it onto the campus on foot. Once there he soon sound the science wing, the building that Reid’s lab was located in. It wasn’t hard to miss. It was there that the strongest police presence was, and radiation de-contamination teams were clearing the building of the radioactive steam. It was then that Solo got an idea. He made his way over to the de-con truck. He was lucky in that the driver was easily distracted because he was checking out the 2.55 at Kempton Park. Gently, Solo opened the back doors and stepped into the truck. He switched on the light and looked around. He soon saw what he was looking for. A few minutes later he emerged from the truck wearing a radiation suit and carrying a Geiger counter which he had no idea on how to use. Then he casually walked towards the science building and entered. He recognised some of the police officers who were there, yet because of the radiation suit they didn’t recognise him. Solo soon found the lab. The clear-up operation was nearly finished. The repairs to the reactor were almost complete. Solo walked over to the shelving which had fallen down onto Reid. It was here that he sensed something very strong. Oswald had definitely been here. But then he felt another presence, someone who had been in the room apart from Reid and Oswald. He could sense that someone with special powers had forced Oswald to flee, but not before Oswald had got what he had come for. A few minutes later Solo left the lab, but he couldn’t shake the strange feeling he had. Taking off his helmet he approached one of the technicians.
“Some fight in there, wasn’t it?” said Solo.
“It would have been a lot worse if young Borne hadn’t helped Dr. Reid.”
“Borne? Who do you mean?”
“Charles Borne. He’s a student here. He’s in Dr. Reid’s class. It was him who stopped that madman in there. I just hope he’s alright.”
“As he taken to the hospital with Dr. Reid?”
“Yes, but…”
The technician could not finish his sentence because Solo went racing off down the corridor. Minutes later he was back in his car and heading towards the hospital.
It was an hour later that Solo pulled into the hospital’s car park. The first place he went to was the reception area. He was greeted by a stern-looking nurse.
“I’m looking for a friend of mine, Charles Borne.”
“He was brought in a few hours ago. He should be leaving any moment now.”
“So soon? I heard he had some sort of radiation poisoning.”
“He just had some minor lung trouble.”
The nurse then saw Borne walking down the corridor with a nurse.
“There he is now.”
Solo walked down the corridor.
“Charles Borne?”
“Yes. Aren’t you that policeman in charge of that new unit?”
“Paul Solo. Is there anywhere we can talk in private?”
“Well, we can’t go back to the campus yet. How about a drink?”
A short time later Solo and Borne found themselves in a city centre pub.
“You say you want to talk to me, but I would have thought you would have taken me to a police station.” said Borne.
“I neglected to mention that I no longer work for the police. I resigned three days ago.”
“Then why do you want to see me?”
“Because I want Oswald, the Gunner, and you were there. You fought him off. I can’t see how. Oswald is trained in many forms of armed and unarmed combat. You look like your average run of the mill university student.”
Solo then noticed the bracelets on Borne’s wrists.
“With a very nice line in jewellery.” Solo continued. “You’re not going to tell me you got those with your grant.”
Borne picked up and his coat and got to his feet.
“This is just a waste of time.” he said.
“All I want to know is how you…and Marvel Boy, stopped Oswald!”
Borne stared at Solo and then sat back down.
“How did you know Marvel Boy was there?”
“It’ll take a long time to explain. All I know is that there was someone else in that room, after Dr. Reid, Oswald, and you.”
“I still think that this is a waste of time.” said Borne. But if you still had your police job then you’d be able to find out that my grant doesn’t come from the taxpayer, it comes from a private investor, someone who is investing in my future. Now if that’s all I’d like to get some rest.”
Borne got to his feet, and Solo was not far behind him. Solo grabbed his arm.
“What private investor?” asked Solo.
Borne turned and stared at Solo.
“All right, if you must know. The private investor is Phineas Magus!”
A shocked looked appeared on Solo’s face. Then all the pieces began to fall into place.
“Now I get it! You were one of the Warriors! Magus was your teacher, just as he was my nephew’s!”
“Look, I haven’t got time for this. I’m more concerned about a man lying in a coma, a man who shared his work with me. I don’t need this!”
“But with your help we can get a shot at Oswald. I could sure use someone with powers like Marvel Boy at the moment!”
Borne continued to stare at Solo.
“Are you saying you want me to help you?”
Borne paused for a moment.
“Okay, count me in.”
Peter Oswald walked down the empty street with the plans tucked underneath his arms. As he walked along he reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He soon arrived at his destination, a rather rundown looking old house. Oswald mounted the steps, put the key in the lock on the door, and opened it. The room inside was pitch black. After closing the door behind him Oswald began feeling around for the light switch. He soon found it, and the room was soon filled with light. The interior of the house was a direct contrast to the exterior. The room resembled some sort of hi-tech workshop. Oswald took off his coat and walked over to a large table in the centre of the room. He then unfolded the plans and studied them for a few minutes. He then heard a noise outside the door. Picking up the pistol had on the table and slowly approached the door. The handle began to open, and a few seconds later a tall man with greased back black hair and wearing a designer suit entered. Oswald let out a sigh of relief.
“Haven’t you ever heard of knocking?” said Oswald.
“Do you have Dr. Reid’s plans?”
“On the table over there.”
The man walked over to the table and looked at the plans.
“Good. Mr. DiMambro was growing a trifle impatient with you, Mr. Oswald. He wants you to begin construction of the cannon straight away.”
“That’s not possible. I must study the plans and the notes at great length.”
“If the Mafia is to recommence operations in this country then we must wipe out our competition, starting with Anglo-Force and then the Black Squadron. We must have the cannon to do this.”
“I keep telling you it will take time.”
“Mr. DiMambro is willing to give you a further two weeks to complete this operation. He is also willing to let you test the cannon on one of those super-heroes not associated with Anglo-Force.”
“Who?”
“An American operative is arriving on a plane from New York in four days. His assignment is to give information to the British authorities, some information on our operations. If the cannon can kill him then it will work on Anglo-Force.”
It was the next afternoon, during visiting hours, that Solo and Borne walked down the corridors of the hospital. They were there to see Dr. Reid. Borne had telephoned earlier to see how Reid was, but he was told that there was no change in his condition. After a few minutes they soon found his room. Borne opened the door and then entered. He was shocked by what he saw. A few seconds later Solo entered and saw the same sight.
“Dr. Reid! He’s gone!”
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