Date Posted:22:42:29 09/24/02 Tue Author: Spin Subject: Chapter twenty-two In reply to:
Spin
's message, "Revelation" on 22:34:06 05/20/02 Mon
Aside from the keen appearance of his predecessor this clone held no resemblance of the acquiescence of Ian Nottingham. This one stood before Irons with his head held high and his hands clasped behind his back. The clone boldly stared back at Iron, never wavering eye contact. With the obvious satisfaction showing on his master’s face, the clone returned the gesture by flashing of an arrogant grin. In his eyes reflected what Immo was afraid of. Pent up aggression accompanied by overconfidence.
Immo cleared his throat catching both men’s attention. The clone gave the doctor a malevolent stare. He had overheard the doctor’s concerns to his master. Obviously the good doctor thought it was unwise to activate him. Clearly stating that this successor of the current Ian Nottingham was not good enough psychologically. But physically speaking he far exceeded his predecessor. The sound of Immo’s voice broke through his thoughts.
“How are you feeling today, Ian?” Immo questioned, staying as far as he could.
“Restless” A simple word that summed up what he had been feeling since he had been awake.
Immo began to walk around the clone. Carefully keeping his distance as he made a physical assessment.
“Do you remember how you spent your day?” Immo asked.
“No, sir. I think I’ve been asleep awhile” The clone began to sway slightly on his feet. He was indeed restless.
“What do you remember?” Irons spoke up as he watched Ian.
“My primary mission is to protect you…” Irons nodded. Pleased at hearing the reverence in his voice. The clone continued with less feeling, less respect.
“…Following that, I protect Sara Pezzini, the wielder of the Witchblade.” The clone’s voice was void of any feelings. Unlike the show of reverence that of Ian Nottingham have when speaking about his ‘Lady’ and the Witchblade. This one had a distaste and lack of respect when it came to the both.
“Do you know what she looks like?” Irons questioned.
The clone closed his eyes. Though he had never seen the wielder in person the image of her was in his mind. His smile broadens and he opened his eyes.
“Exactly”
“What else do you know?” Irons continued his inquiry.
“That there is another before me. That my immediate predecessor is
defective in his emotional make-up. He’s soft. This deficiency will cost him his
usefulness, and thus his life. I share some of his memories. I know I only exist because you allow it.” He looked at Irons and smiled. He knew his master and was ready to serve him beyond all means possible.
Irons grinned. Satisfied in the knowledge that this one is entirely loyal to him and only him. Irons was not worried that his one would succumb to Sara’s unique charms like Ian. Irons moved in closer and spoke again.
“If the time ever arose, do you think you can retrieving Sara Pezzini?”
“Oh, I feel capable of anything.” The clone reassured Irons.
“Do you have the appropriate tools?” Irons asked.
The clone brought his hands up and looked at them. Then with a menacing expression he turned to stare at Dr. Immo. Remembering hearing the doctor’s comment about his superior physical skills and his growing aggression. Immo took an involuntary step back, afraid at what he had seen and the implication of it.
The clone shifted uncomfortably under the rain. Water was slowly trickling down the back of his neck. He snorted as he continued his surveillance over Sara. Unfortunately his master did not order him to retrieve the wielder. He could hear the conversation in his mind.
“For now I want you to keep an eye on the wielder. Do not make any attempt of any interaction with her.”
“What of my predecessor?” He had been so anxious to confront Ian. Wanted to unleash is aggression and punish him for betraying their master.
“I warn you Ian do not confront your predecessor. I only want you to watch. Watch over them both but do not reveal yourself. Record everything they do. Then return home before your predecessor does. Report to me of everything you see and hear. Is that understood?” Irons towered over the clone and bore his icy blue eyes into hazel ones. Though the clone did not waver from the threat but simply accepted his order from his master.
“Yes I understand, master.” The clone spoke out aloud into the rainy night. He continued to watch the wielder move about in her apartment. Her dinner had finally arrived; she sat at her table and began to spoon the contents from the box.
‘I am capable of anything. So why does he just want me to watch.’ He was beginning to get bored until he spotted his predecessor. His predecessor had hidden himself well into the shadows, in an ally across Sara’s building. He just stood there in the rain looking up to the window of the wielder.
“What a pathetic site. His weakness will be his down fall.” He sneered as he thought out loud. The clone kept a watchful eye between his so-called predecessor and the wielder. He looked down at his hands. ‘Soon very soon.’
