The Rise of Supremus - Chapter Eight

It took them only a few minutes to reach Gruinard Island. This time they had no trouble finding a place to land. Reid was the first to disembark.
    “My scanner detects power in the north.” he said. “Someone is...or was here.”
    “Let’s head that way.” said White Knight.
    Red Sun, Star Man and Supercop took to the air as White Knight and Reid followed on foot. Red Sun stopped in mid-flight as she saw something below on the ground. She called to White Knight. She landed as they rushed over. They saw a huge crater in the ground before them. Reid kneeled down at the edge.
    “This crater was made by an incredible force.” he said. “As if something fell down from the sky at great velocity.”

    He got to his feet and began walking around the crater.
    “It fell from the north-east.” he said.
    “How can you tell?” asked White Knight.
    “The angle of the trajectory tells me so.”
    White Knight’s communicator then lighted up.
    “Go ahead.”
    “Star Man here. I think you should come and take a look at this house.”
    A few minutes later they joined Star Man and Supercop at the house. Reid was immediately drawn to the massive control panels.
    “You seem to understand these.” said White Knight. “What do they mean?”
    “Whoever used these instruments has a vast knowledge, of almost everything, from what I can tell. It seems that the owner of this place was constructing something, and from the looks of this room it was mobile.”
    Reid took out his scanner again and began to sweep the room. A shocked look appeared on his face.
    “What is it Doc?” asked White Knight.
    “I’m picking up an energy reading.” he said. “We haven’t seen anything like this for a number of weeks, not since our last skirmish with…Supremus!”
    “Supremus is alive?” said White Knight. “He’s here?”
    “He was here.” said Reid. “From what I can tell he left this island about two hours ago.”
    “Can we follow him using your scanner?” asked Red Sun.
    “Yes.”
    “It’s obvious now what happened to Jim.” said White Knight. “He obviously got to close to Supremus!”.

    The cargo ship began to slow down gradually as it neared the western Africa coast and near the undersea volcanoes. Supremus was using his mental powers to control the vessel as he prepared his machines. Slowly he moved them onto the deck and started to reassemble them. Watt was still helpless, and he could only watch as Supremus carried out his task.
    “You still think you can get away with this?” said Watt.
    “I don’t think I can get away with this, I know I can get away with this.” Supremus replied. “And I will, Captain Watt, for you, and your comrades, are powerless to stop me.”
    Suddenly the ship came to a stop.
    “We have arrived.” said Supremus. “My machines will be fully reassembled within an hour, and this planet will soon become lifeless!”

    The Anglo-Force sky-jet flew towards the south coast of England, flying at near maximum speed. They were pushing the engines to the limit.
    “I don’t know if we can keep this speed up for much longer.” said Star Man.
    “We have to.” said Red Sun. “We have no choice.”
    Reid sat in the cockpit seat next to Star Man, his eyes fixed on the scanner.
    “The signal is getting stronger the further south we fly.” he said. “If this system is up to spec you should head towards the coast of western Africa.”
    “Western Africa?” queried Red Sun. “Are you sure?”
    “This scanner is one of Muir Industries’ finest creations.” said Reid. “My modifications have made it even more powerful. At this moment the energy reading from Supremus is just off the coast of western Africa.”
    Reid adjusted the scanner.
    “And I’m picking up a life reading.”
    “Jim!” said Red Sun.
    “How long will it take us to get there?” asked White Knight.
    “At our current speed about sixty minutes.” said Star Man. “We’ll be able to get there alright, but this crate will be useless afterwards. The engines will be kaput!”
    “Then put your foot on it!” he said.

    Watt was now looking towards the sky, straight into the sun. He was deep in concentration, trying to put all of his efforts into an escape attempt. He was trying to move both of his arms, trying to break free from the adamantium bonds. He continued to do this for a number of minutes until suddenly…success. He could now move his right arm a few inches each way. This would give him the leeway he would need if he was to stop Supremus from carrying out his plan. The mighty mutate was not even paying any attention to Watt and his attempt to break free. He was more concerned with putting together the vast machine he had constructed, and his rise to omnipotent power. It seemed as if Supremus had forgotten about Watt. The leader of Anglo-Force continued to move his arm.
    The reassembling of Supremus’ machine was almost complete. The final component was put in place, and after that was done Supremus walked over to the main control panel and switched the machine on. A strange tallow glow seemed to emanate from the machine as it kicked into action. Then from the top of the machine rose what seemed to be a large metal pipe of some sort. The pipe rose higher and higher into the sky, and a few seconds later it turned downwards and soon plunged into the ocean. Supremus appeared as if he was steering the pipe towards it’s location, which was one of the volcanoes on the ocean floor. It was a few minutes before it found it’s location. As this happened a broad smile appeared on the mutate’s face.
    “All is complete.” he said. “It will soon be over.”
    Supremus pressed another button on the control panel, and a small clamp-like device appeared out of a small hatchway. Supremus connected this to his wrist. Small needles came out of the clamp and penetrated his skin, entering his veins. It was with these that Supremus hoped would give him his power. Supremus breathed in deeply. He had waited for this moment ever since he escaped from Dentonville, and soon all of those who had opposed him would be killed. As he did this he did not notice Watt rising from the deck and suddenly charge towards him. A look of shock appeared on Supremus’ face, but he suddenly regained his composure, extended his right arm, and swatted Watt away as if he were an insect. He then reached over to the control panel and threw the final switch. The yellow glow got brighter and brighter. Only now it completely covered Supremus. A huge smile appeared on his face, and he let out a huge cry of victory.
    “The power!” he cried. “The power courses through my veins! It joins itself to every fibre of my being!”
    It was then that something happened. The very world appeared as if it were shaking, as if a massive earthquake was taking place. Supremus may have been gaining more and more power by the second but it was costing the Earth dearly.