Margo snapped her fingers, “That’s where I’ve seen this maniac. He literally hasn’t aged a day.”
The video seemed to know Margo would take a moment to speak because it paused just long enough for her before Senator Arkdone continued. “Yes, well the nature of the meeting would eventually change your lives, so I suppose it would be only civil of me to share the highlights. Dr. Williams told me all about his new creation: his metahumans. He asked me about my previous efforts in mind control under the beautiful guise of national security. You’ve got to love politicians, don’t you?” The handsome figure smiled slowly, showing perfectly shaped, bright-white teeth.
“My work in that field was quite hush-hush as you can imagine. No one wanted to discuss over a round of golf the torture and whatnot required to break a brilliant-minded child. No, those precious politicians just wanted the end products, not the details about how they were made. I understand you’ve met one of my Monarch Slaves. Miro Reznikov. He was one of the first MetaMonarchs—a gift from me to Kenneth back when we were freshly starting our joint venture.
“It was a brilliant plan, really. He was having problems with some of his most promising metahumans growing a mind of their own and defying his orders. Isn’t that right Farrow Schone?”
Farrow’s face was red with rage, but she said nothing.
“Of course, Creed Young was another huge disappointment to my colleague. As for me, I had my mind slaves, whom I call ‘candidates,’ but they weren’t very well trained beyond what they were programmed to do. They were human, fallible and weak. You’ve met one of my candidates, Dr. Andrews. Michelle, your wife?”
The camera jostled a little as it was placed on a surface and the person holding the camera stepped toward the Senator, turned and faced the camera.
“Oh my God,” Theo gasped.
“That’s your wife?” Margo asked in a whisper, staring at the woman’s perfect physique under stylish clothing.
Alik stayed quiet, letting Dr. Andrews field this question, but he remembered exactly what she looked like. There was no doubt in his mind. The woman on the screen was most definitely the attorney named Michelle Andrews who had been married to Dr. Andrews and living in Kansas with him back when this all started. She was the woman responsible for telling Dr. Williams all about where they were, giving him the distinct advantage.
“Yes,” the man in the video spoke on behalf of Dr. Andrews as though anticipating perfectly what would be said. “Michelle is one of my Monarch Slaves. Beautiful, isn’t she? Too bad you chose the wrong side. Margo has been nothing but trouble for you all this time, and now she can’t even walk?” He shook his head as though full of pity. “If you’re man enough, you’ll realize what a liability she is to you; the sooner, the better.” The broad shoulders of the Senator shrugged as Michelle proceeded to kiss him passionately.
“Later my sweet gazelle. Return to the camera.” He smacked her tight rear end as she walked away seductively.
Theo’s face was crimson. “Well, that explains a lot,” he mumbled.
“So, you can see how interested I would be in having candidates who were more than human—physically and intellectually. We decided an alliance needed to be made. Williams and I would both look for qualified subjects and they’d start at his Facility. Dr. Bjorn would dose them. Doctor please, come forward and wave to the camera.”
From behind the camera came a shuffling then a slight man who walked with a lumbering gait moved to stand beside the Senator. “This is Dr. Fredrick Bjorn—a man after my own heart—a true artist in his torture techniques. I’m very pleased to announce that he will be leaving his work with Dr. Williams and joining me in the creation of Monarchs. Welcome aboard, Doctor.”
The doctor nodded curtly at the camera and hobbled off-screen. “Anyway, as I was saying, Dr. Bjorn would dose the subject upon their arrival at Williams’ Facility. If they survived the first week, half of them would be sent to me at my Monarch asylum. The other half, he would keep for himself to become more metasoldiers. We would both continue to make our subjects meta or monarch, but it was the MetaMonarchs that were the most requested and desired by our numerous high-powered clients, all with very deep pockets.” Arkdone smiled and nodded as though remembering the good ol’ days.