Chapter 23: Faking A Funeral

          The very next day, Grey and Ritchie tells Dr. Peters about Grey's plan to fake his death and to stage a fake funeral service. They explain to Dr. Peters the need to mislead the police in order to keep Grey's secret identity safe. Grey also mentions his decision to deceive Samantha in order to give her a chance to start over in love and life, to free her from not ever having to feel the guilt and obligation of having to care for Grey. At first, Dr. Peters was vehemently opposed to Grey's idea, specially after Dr. Peters already hid his secret plans from his daughter of using, "Einstein's Time Machine", in bringing his wife back into existence without her approval, Having been dishonest to his daughter, he did not want another lie to gnaw at his conscience of having to once again deceive his daughter. But after careful deliberation, Dr. Peters finally realizes that Grey was right in wanting to fake his death. After a few minutes, the three of them start to plan Grey's fake funeral and burial.

         A week later, everything was set up and was starting to fall into place. Dr. Peters had notified Samantha over the phone four days before, telling her that Grey had passed away from a severe systemic infection. Samantha's first reaction was disbelief as she fell into a state of silence and utter emotional shock. And because of this distressing news, Samantha quickly abandons her projects and quickly boards her private jet plane back to San Francisco. After a long flight home, she finally arrives at San Francisco International Airport and was met by her father, together with four secret service agents at the arrival area. With her eyes red and without any sleep, she runs and quickly hugs her father tightly as she started crying uncontrollably. Dr. Peters folds Sam into his arms tightly remembering the same feeling he felt right after his wife's death. But this time was different, because this time he was part of a deception to fool his own daughter.

        Samantha's inability to stop weeping placed a huge burden on Dr. Peters guilt feelings, making him feel as if a knife was cutting through his flesh. Seeing his daughter suffer emotionally as she goes through the days depressed, not having any appetite, unable to sleep and just spending most of her time locked up inside her room crying or in Maria's arms weeping. This became too much for Dr. Peters that he decides to not even attend Grey's fake funeral, and after Grey and Ritchie learns about Dr. Peters decision to not participate in their deception, Grey decides to cancel the fake funeral and the church service and to just have a fake graveside service at the cemetery instead. This was done in order to lessen everyone's emotional suffering from his deception, Grey realizes that it was best to carry out his deception in the shortest amount of time possible.

Upon hearing that Samantha was suffering so much emotionally, this also took a toll on Grey. With his feelings of longing and love for Samantha, faking his death mean't that he'll never ever see or touch Samantha again forever. Realizing this fact brought Grey so much sadness that the JK4 drug was quickly waning from his blood stream due to his extreme emotional distress. Growing progressively weaker, Grey just reminds himself that the JK4 drug will start working again once he's able to control his emotions, but for now he just needs to accept his present predicament and to just rest and stay in bed in his paralyzed state.

       The day before Grey's fake burial, Grey started dictating to Ritchie the eulogy that he'll be giving to the crowd the next day. "Are you sure you wrote what I said word for word?!....You didn't add anything, did you?!....". Ritchie trying to quickly review everything that he wrote down from Grey's dictation responds, "I got it!...I got it!...Geez...don't get stressed out will ya?!....". Grey feeling very skeptical about Ritchie's ability to follow his instructions on delivering the next day's eulogy demands to have Ritchie read to him what he wrote from Grey's dictation. Five times, Ritchie had to practice reading Grey's fake final farewell to his friends, former co-workers and most specially to Samantha, even emphasizing in his message his total and  undying love for her. "I know how you are Ritch!..", says Grey, "Don't mess around, stick to the prepared speech....Keep your eye on the paper at all times and never deviate from my written message. I know that you have the tendency to say disgusting, inappropriate things, not on my funeral...you hear?!....". Ritchie sigh's feeling bored from Grey's constant stern warnings, as he blurts back saying, "Don't worry, this will be a piece of cake...", as Ritchie shrugs over confidently which makes Grey a little anxious. "You got your black suit ready for tomorrow?....", Grey asks. Looking surprised, Ritchie suddenly asks, "I need to wear a black suit?....". Grey sigh's and rolls his eyes in exasperation as he says, "Of course!....Haven't you ever attended a funeral before?!....". Ritchie thinks for a moment then says, "Well...not really, every dead person I know were all cremated....".

        The next morning, Grey wakes up and yawns as he glances at a clock hanging from his bedroom wall. "It's 08:30 AM....", Grey mumbles to himself, "My fake burial is at 09:00, I hope Ritchie's there by now....". Suddenly, Grey hears a loud snore from his side, looking to his right side, he see's Ritchie still sleeping in a recliner right next to his bed, "Ritchie!....", Grey yells, as Ritchie awakes suddenly, looking around feeling confused. "How come you're still here?!....", Grey angrily asks, "You should be at my fake burial service by now!....Did you forget to set your alarm clock again?!!....". Ritchie, still sleepy, wipes saliva that was escaping uncontrollably from the side of his mouth as he asks, "I thought you were gonna do it?....", Ritchie nonchalantly asks. Grey quickly scowls at him saying, "How the hell can I set your alarm clock, if I'm paralyzed from the neck down?!....". Ritchie slowly gets up from the recliner as he waves off Grey's derisiveness and says, "Ok, ok, no need to stress out, let me just take a quick shower then I'm on my way....". Grey sigh's then grunts as he says, "Hurry up, it takes about twenty minutes to travel from here to the cemetery, you're gonna be late for the burial service!....". Ritchie ignores Grey and after a few seconds, Grey hears the bathroom's shower turn on and hears Ritchie start to whistle the tune from the song, "Amazing Grace", which infuriates Grey even more. And as Ritchie takes his time showering, Grey was thanking the heavens thinking, "This is one of the rarest times I'm glad that I'm a quadriplegic, because if I wasn't, I'd have my hands all around Ritchie's neck strangling the life out of him....".

       (Holy Cross cemetery, Colma city, California)

      Meanwhile, it was 08:40 AM when a black stretch limousine followed by a black suv was just about to enter the main gate of the 200 acre cemetery. In the limousine was Samantha, Betsy and Maria and two secret service agents, while in the black suv was another two secret service agents who were assigned to protect Samantha from threats of harm or kidnapping. The three women were all wearing classic black attires, with both Betsy and Maria wearing black blouses and black skirts while Samantha wore a black long sleeve shirt, a black blazer and black slacks. They all had thick black jackets on due to the cool autumn breeze and the nippy temperature which was hovering at around 52 degrees. After the limousine and the black suv passes through the main gate, they make their way through a long winding road in the midst of acres of greenery. And as they were all solemnly and quietly looking out their windows, they could see an overcast sky together with windy conditions blowing dead leaves through the cemetery's rolling green hills and beautiful green spaces. And as Samantha holds her handkerchief tightly as she tries to keep her tears from falling, she glances at the familiarity of the scenery. And as they pass by botanical gardens, leafy trees, elegant fountains, grand mausoleums and white washed crypts topped with mournful statues, Samantha starts to feel a certain sense of admiration from the ghostly beauty of the cemetery's aesthetics.

      It was 09:30 when Ritchie arrives at the cemetery's front gate. Knowing that he was terribly late, he floors the truck's accelerator driving at a speed of 55 miles per hour through the cemetery's narrow roads. Turning with his tires causing a screeching sound around each street corner, people who were visiting the graves of their loved ones were all shock to see a car speeding as fast as it did through the cemetery. Others even thought that there was a police chase going on, though they did not here any police sirens blaring. Reaching Grey's fake grave site, Ritchie slams on the brakes as he quickly parks at the nearest sidewalk closest to where Grey's burial ceremony was being held fifty yards away. Jumping out of the truck, Ritchie quickly runs, waves, and calls out to the priest who was sprinkling holy water all over Grey's casket which was the last rite before the casket was to be lowered down into the open grave. And as Ritchie approaches the site, he starts feeling nervous at the amount of mourners who was present at Grey's fake burial.

        There were at least fifty people who were Grey's former co-workers, Cure Corp employees and acquaintances that were present, while the four secret service agents were dispersed strategically around the crowd of mourners. Samantha, Maria and Betsy were all seated at the very front as they were facing the coffin. On the other side of the coffin was the open burial pit and next to it was a podium with a microphone. It was provided for the priest to speak into it,  and for the other guests who wanted to share their feelings and memories of Grey. As Ritchie reaches the site, he breathes hard and was gasping for air. "Hold on Padre!...", Ritchie yells, "I still need to give a speech in memory of Grey....". The priest stops blessing the coffin with holy water as he nods then steps back giving way to Ritchie. And as Ritchie stands in front of all the mourners present, people starts to look and stare at Ritchie's attire.

       Ritchie was wearing black sneakers and black jeans which was acceptable to most guests, but since Ritchie did not own a black blazer or jacket, the best he could do was to wear a dark blue authentic "National Football League", jacket that had the words, "Chicago Bears", at the back, and with a big letter "C", displayed on the front side. Feeling a little sweaty from running, Ritchie quickly unzips his NFL jacket showing his white collared shirt with a red neck tie which was a Christmas gift to him by his girlfriend years ago. People starts snickering and giggling as they stare at Ritchie's red neck tie that had pictures of small green christmas trees on it and a picture of Santa Clause waving behind big white bold letters which showed the words, "Merry Christmas". Ritchie didn't feel embarrassed and didn't think that this was a big deal since he was so in a hurry and could not find any other neck tie to use. And as Samantha glances towards Ritchie, she felt stunned but not surprised at Ritchie's appearance, given the fact that she was already very familiar with Ritchie's unethical nature and immature personality. And as Samantha realizes that some people were snickering and giggling silently behind her back due to Ritchie's inappropriate attire, she suddenly shudders from the fear of what Ritchie might do or say next to blaspheme the solemnity of the ceremony.

      And as Ritchie  gathers his composure, he walks towards the podium to get ready to deliver his speech. But before Ritchie could start, Samantha suddenly see's Chase appear as he passes behind Ritchie. He was  wearing a black suit as he was making his way quickly towards the back of the crowd of mourners. With her father, unable to attend the burial service,  seeing Chase once again starts to give Samantha an added feeling of comfort, though it wasn't enough to make a dent at the enormous grief that she was presently experiencing. And as everyone waits for Ritchie to give his eulogy, a sudden blast of air sweeps through the area, which forcefully blows hats away from people's heads. Seeing people hold tightly unto their hats while others curl into their thick jackets, Ritchie realizes that he has to start giving his eulogy soon before the weather gets even worse. But as soon as he pulls out the paper that contains his speech out of his jacket, a gust of wind suddenly blows the paper out of his hands and up into the air. And as the paper sways higher and higher, it just kept elevating until it was out of Ritchie's reach. Ritchie suddenly shudders in terror as he could do nothing but just helplessly stare at the piece of paper as it danced through the air, swaying and distancing itself further and further away until it finally disappears over the cemetery's green rolling hills.

     Not knowing what to do next, he quickly reminds himself not to panic even though a surge of anxiety was suddenly sweeping through his nervous system which starts giving him cold sweats. After a few moments,  Ritchie then thinks of what to say as everyone's attention were directly on him. Deciding to focus on Grey's positive characteristics, he clears his throat then starts to speak into the microphone nervously. "Good morning ladies and gentlemen, I'm here today to share with you the traits that made Grey a wonderful person. And hopefully, after we all leave this ceremony today, we can better understand the man, the myth and the legend of Grey himself.....".

    As the crowd of mourners listens attentively, Ritchie starts to tell them about Grey's generosity, kindness and loving nature. He starts by telling them stories of times when he and Grey had visited orphanages bringing and distributing food to the hungry orphans in the Philippines. He also tells the crowd about the times when Grey had volunteered at soup kitchens, feeding the hungry and the homeless in San Francisco . And when Ritchie suddenly recognizes that most of the people listening to him were now sobbing and crying, the somber atmosphere suddenly starts to affect him too emotionally, making him feel sad. He felt so carried away by his emotions that he even forgot that Grey was still alive and that the whole burial ceremony was just an act.

    Feeling a genuine sense of grief, Ritchie starts having difficulty choosing what to say, as he just starts blurting out anything that crosses his mind. "It's so unfair when your best friend dies in his early forties...", Ritchie says in between sobs, "Specially when all he did was to help people, he was so dedicated in helping the poor......I'm even sure that Grey was a far more kinder person than Mother Theresa ever was....". Some of the mourners were suddenly surprised at Ritchie's last comment. "Forgiving....Grey is so forgiving...", says Ritchie as he wipes his tears with his forearm, "There was a time when I lied to him, telling him that my grandmother was sick and that I needed to borrow $3,000.00 for her surgery. But the truth is, I just used the $3,000,00 to have a male enhancement procedure in the Philippines.....And when he found out the truth, he was very angry at me that I lied to him, but he forgave me, eventually.....Ask Samantha, she knows the whole story....".

        Mourners looked emotionally shocked at what they were hearing, even teary eyed Samantha quivered in extreme humiliation as she clutched her white handkerchief even tighter now. Ritchie noticing the change in people's reaction continues saying, "I'm not embarrassed to admit this fact, actually I even encouraged Grey to get a male enhancement procedure done in the Philippines.....Believe me, having to change Grey's adult diaper everyday?, if there's someone who needs a male enhancement procedure, its Grey....... I even told Grey that he can make Samantha a happier person if he corrects his sexual deficit.....From experience alone, I can tell you that after my male enhancement procedure, even my girfriend stopped charging me a fee each time we make love, she was a lot more satisfied, if you know what I mean.....I wish she could be here with us today to prove my case, unfortunately she works at a brothel in Nevada, the "Virgin Sluts" strip club, and oh!, by the way,  if any of you married guys happen to go there, just ask for my girlfriend, her name is "Zesty Spice", she'll give you a 30% discount on all services rendered....free!....". Wives suddenly stares at their husbands facial reaction as if they were searching for any hidden intentions that they could visibly perceive.

       And as Ritchie looks out at the crowd of mourners, he was surprised to see shocked faces. There was complete silence, the sobbing had stopped, there was no movement from the crowd of mourners. The priest was hyperventilating and was constantly wiping cold sweats from his forehead while nervously checking his wrist's pulse rate frequently. Even the wind died down, leaves from trees were still, as if mother nature herself was caught off guard from the revulsion of Ritchie's speech. Then as Ritchie looks around, feeling as if he's on a roll, he continues saying, "Since we're all here anyway....", Ritchie says, as he pulls out a deck of calling cards from his pocket, "I would like to pass around some calling cards to all of you.....", Ritchie walks away from the podium and hands the person closest to him the calling cards telling him to take a calling card and to pass it along. And as people starts to pass the calling cards around, Ritchie says, "I would like everyone to take a calling card....It has the address and telephone number for "Manila's Male Enhancement Procedure Clinic" and if you men decide to get a surgical procedure done, please remember to say my name, so I can get my monetary commission....And to all the women present today, give this card to your boyfriend, lover or husband, believe me, after they get their penis enhanced, you'll always wake up every morning with a smile on your face....I guarantee it!.....".

       By this time, the majority of mourners were extremely appalled even though they felt compelled to take  a calling card. Some of the women were looking around, wondering if they should just walk away, while others wondered whether it was disrespectfull to leave. While a few men snickered silently, Samantha was now in a state of mixed emotion, feeling both grief and rage. And as Ritchie notices that a commotion was starting to brew, he tries to reassure the mourners as he says, "It's ok...it's ok....there's no need to be embarrassed, male enhancement procedures are now done everywhere, and every time, it's now as common as getting a treatment for acne. Actually, male enhancement clinics is a big business in Asia. Are you all aware that there are now more male enhancement clinics than there are McDonald's in Asia?....It's the fastest growing franchise, no pun intended....". Suddenly seeing a few disgusted people start to leave, Ritchie tries to sound more convincing as he says, "I am telling you all the truth!....Even in China, they now manufacture more penile prosthesis than they do solar panels!...You guys have to believe me....". By this time Samantha was now wailing uncontrollably as Betsy and Maria were embracing and comforting her.  Though  Samantha's emotional suffering was not because of her grief for Grey's demise but more from Ritchie's abominable speech.

     Suddenly, a short Filipino man, standing no more than five feet tall who was sitting at the back stands up and curses at Ritchie while he waves his fist in anger. He starts yelling at Ritchie for dishonoring Grey's burial ceremony, and as Ritchie starts to feel uneasy, he looks around for help. He now realizes that this would be a good time to shift the attention away from himself. But as Ritchie desperately looks around as he tries to search for the priest, the priest was nowhere to be found. Later on, Ritchie would find out through one of the cemetery's caretakers that the priest sneaked away telling a few guests that he needed to leave in order to  take his blood pressure medications right away.

        Meanwhile, feeling that the crowd was now getting upset and angrier by the minute, Ritchie concludes by telling everyone present that whenever they would like to remember Grey, that they can always watch a video of him in the internet. He then tells the crowd that if they're ever lonely and that they miss Grey, that they can always watch his two minute sex tape at www.pornclipsz.com. He even jokes saying, "And when you watch his video, try not to blink or you might miss the whole intercourse thing....". Finally, Chase had heard enough, deciding to put a stop to Ritchie's distasteful speech, he walks towards Ritchie and grabs him by the back of his shirt. Lifting Ritchie off the ground with one hand, Chase takes him a hundred yards away to reprimand him of his reprehensible act. And as the mourners disperses towards their cars, the four caretakers who were supposed to lower the coffin down into the grave were laughing so hard from listening to Ritchie's speech, that they got so weak, not having enough  strength to bury Grey's coffin at that present time.

        Later that afternoon, as Ritchie was about to enter their apartment, he was feeling so miserable for disgracing Grey's fake burial ceremony. "But how would I know that the wind would blow my written speech away?....", thinking to himself as he turns the key and opens their front door. Even though he did not want to come home yet because he felt guilty and did not want to face Grey, Ritchie knew that by this time, he really needs to change Grey's diaper which was probably soiled, empty his urinary bag, prepare their meal and spoon feed his paralyzed friend.

       And as Ritchie enters Grey's room, he glances at Grey while projecting a wry smile. "How did it go?...",Grey asks with great anticipation, "Did you read the farewell message like how we practiced it?....". Ritchie wrings his hands as he stammers saying,"I..I..The wind....Yes of course, I read it word for word like how you dictated it to me....". Grey sensing that Ritchie was unsure of himself asks, "Are you sure?....Are you telling me the truth....Did you read from the paper, word for word without adding or deleting anything?....Tell me the truth Ritch!....". Ritchie realizing that Grey was now starting to pry intensely, starts projecting an aura of confidence as he hides the truth about the awful eulogy he delivered at Grey's fake burial. "Of course!...We've practiced that speech like five times...", says Ritchie as he continues to lie, " There was no way I was gonna do it wrong....".

         Wanting to know more, "Did people cry from the prepared speech, what about Samantha?....Did she cry?....". Ritchie not wanting to show any hints of untruthfulness says, "Actually, everyone cried.....It was like, the longer I spoke, the more people wept....". Grey finally smiles as he takes a sigh of relief then says, " I'm proud of you Ritch.....This could be the very first time that you've done something right, Thank you my friend...". Ritchie smiles eerily as he starts to gather some supplies he'll need in cleaning Grey up before he moves on to preparing their supper that night. (End Of Chapter)

Chapter 22: Crime Fighting

        The next evening, at Dr. Peters mansion, It was around 11:30 pm when Ritchie starts to assist Grey into the replica of Lancelot's titanium Knight's armor. In the gym, while performing bench presses at an excess of 500 pounds, with Ritchie as his spotter, Grey hears the news on the television about the continuing increase of crime near his old neighborhood in Vallejo California. He listens as a TV reporter describes in detail how a couple, a husband and wife were gunned down while they asked for directions from a group of gang members who police believe are responsible for dealing drugs in the southern part of the city of Vallejo. Upon hearing the news, Grey stops lifting weights and sits up feeling a certain level of anger, "I can't believe this Ritch....my old neighborhood is going to the dogs....Something has to be done about this!...". Then in a fit of anger, he grabs a steel weight lifting bar that was two inches in diameter and twists it over and over until it appears to look like a twisted pretzel. Ritchie was in awe as he says, "Wow!...if you can turn that steel bar into a shape of a pretzel, you can do anything. You can even fight crime if you want to....". Grey suddenly gasps in surprise about what Ritchie just said as he asks, "What did you just say?!....". Ritchie snickers as he tries lifting the heavy pretzel looking bar with one hand and says, "I said, with your super strength, you can probably fight crime and win!...". Grey was suddenly caught off guard with his mouth open as he stands up in deep thought, he then  looks out of the window towards the mansion's gardens. "It makes perfect sense.....with this super strength, I can defeat criminals and help lessen crime in my neighborhood....".

        Suddenly, there was excitement in Grey's eyes as he realizes a new calling and purpose in his life. With the hope of marrying Samantha and having a family someday gone, Grey is finally able to redirect his future life on helping the community achieve peace and order by turning himself into a crime fighter. After Ritchie finds a blank notebook and a pen, they start brainstorming on how they can initiate and implement their plan of fighting and stopping criminals. "Ritchie, the first thing we need to do is to find out whether this Knight's titanium armor is bullet proof. Sometime tomorrow, take the titanium breastplate to a metallurgist and have them assess if bullets can penetrate this armor. Secondly, we need to gather all the necessary equipment we'll need when patrolling the streets and fighting criminals like.... handcuffs or plastic restraints, so we can immobilize the criminals we catch until the police arrives. We also need one of those police radios so we can hear any crime that's in progress....". Ritchie adds, "That's right!...we can use your old truck in patrolling the neighborhood, you can lie on the truck's bed and with the truck's canopy, no one will be able to see you.....".

       Grey thinks for a moment then asks, "Is there anything else that I'll need?....". Ritchie quickly says, "Yeah!, your JK4 inhaler, make sure you bring an extra inhaler just in case the one you have runs out....Oh! and the most important thing you need to bring are extra adult diapers and extra urinary leg bags so that you don't soil yourself....". Grey looking perturbed asks, "Why the hell do I need to bring adult diapers and urinary leg bags, super heroes don't bring those things!...". Ritchie chuckles as he says, "Hey! don't forget you're paralyzed, and you're incontinent of your bowel and bladder, if you end up crapping into your armor, don't expect me to cleanup all your shit, Ok!?....". Grey sigh's in frustration asking," Ok, I see your point, but  how am I gonna carry all those stuff, I've got no pockets in my titanium armor....". Ritchie thinks for a minute  then suggests, "Carry a knapsack over your back....". Grey looking agitated stares at Ritchie, as Ritchie follows up saying, "I know it looks silly, but you can wear a cape over your back to hide the knapsack, no one will know!....". Grey sigh's a second time with a feeling of resignation, not wanting to argue with Ritchie anymore as he says, "Ok..ok...that's fine.....but remind me, later today, I have to talk to Dr. Peters about this plan. By fighting crime, there's a chance we might place Dr. Peters in harms way since we're living here, we might have to move into an apartment or something.....". Ritchie stands up placing his hands on his hips as he says, "Well, lets first see how it goes then decide later after we've done a couple of patrols....". After they've finalized their plans, Grey continued his workout up until the early hours of the morning then retreated back into his room before any of the house staff all woke up.

       (Macrostrength Industries, Main Office, Treasure Island, San Francisco, California)

          Later that morning, Dr. Marcos hurriedly reports to John Layer's office. As he enters his boss's office, he see's his boss sitting by his office leather chair with his feet propped up on his table as he asks, "What's wrong Marcos?....". Dr. Marcos panting and out of breath from running takes a few deep breaths then says, "Something terrible happened sir, It's Bionico....he killed some of our Vyonicks scientists!....". John Layer looking bored and unconcerned asks, "Ok, what happened this time?....". Dr. Marcos sits across his boss as he explains, "It was after the installation of the seven inch daggers into his bionic arms, without any warning or provocation, he just lashed out at our scientists, in a span of five seconds, he activated his daggers and was able to slash the throats of seven of our fifteen Vyonicks scientists. We were able to quickly zap him with the 50,000 volts of electric shock from the "Electro Muscular Disruption Device" that's implanted into his body and scalp which disabled him, but by that time there was so much carnage and blood splattered everywhere, no one wants to continue to work on him anymore. All of the surviving scientists are afraid and are all in a state of shock....".

           John Layer leans back in his chair and drums his fingers on his table asking, "Suggestions?....". Dr. Marcos thinks for a minute then suggests, "Let's reassign all the surviving scientists and get a new group in to continue our "Super Assassin Initiative"....It might take another two to four months to mold Bionico and train him into total compliance. But for now, we need to go back to torturing him again over and over so he can learn to be loyal to us....". John Layer sigh's in frustration then says, "Agree'd, just make sure to keep the carnage confidential, get rid of the corpses, I want them all burned into ashes with no traces ok?. Make up a story for their families that it was some kind of a biological laboratory bacterial agent that killed them....". Dr. Marcos nods then says, "Sounds like a good plan sir....". Dr. Marcos then quickly leaves his boss office to start doing  his  damage control.

         (Castro District, San Francisco California.)

           Meanwhile, Sirha and Zhiad, now both wearing men's clothes,  has kept themselves busy by working at a fruit stand along Castro street. "I can't believe we've been here over six months Zhiad!, we should have detonated our nuclear bomb by now and we should be enjoying ourselves in heaven, not selling fruits everyday to a community of fruit cakes!...", Sirha grudgingly says while emptying a box of apples into a fruit stall, "I'm so sick and tired of waking up each day and watching grown men kiss each other along this street while women walking along  hold hands. Zhiad who was washing some newly delivered supply of pears responds, "Master, relax....Learn to be content in life, sooner or later we will find someone who knows how to assemble,  activate and detonate a North Korean made nuclear bomb, and all of your sufferings will be over...". Sirha stops his task and with a demeaning stare says, "Sufferings!...Zhiad, you can't even imagine the sufferings I'm going through each day. How would you like it when different men passing by pinches your butt everyday. It's humiliating, disgusting and annoying!...". Zhiad snickers as he says, "I think it's rather sexy Master....You should be proud that gay men here at the Castro find you irresistible....". Sirha suddenly scowls at Zhiad saying, "I don't care what you say, I hate gays and I want to blow them away into kingdom come.....". Zhiad quickly whispers into his master's ear saying, "Master, be careful how you say the word "blow" around here, it has a different connotation...".

          After another hour of emptying newly delivered boxes of fruits, Zhiad suggests that in order to relieve  their stress from work, that they go and have dinner at a karaoke gay bar and restaurant tonight and have a few drinks. "Sing Karaoke?....and drink liquor?.....I've never ever done any of those two things you're suggesting Zhiad, I don't think that's a good idea....". But after Zhiad's constant urging and persistent persuasion, Sirha hesitates but then finally agrees to try out visiting a gay karaoke bar later that night.

         In the meantime, back at Macrostrength industries main office, John Layer in his office turns on his TV as he starts listening. "Good afternoon, America....You're on USNN news and now for the top story. Just this morning,  California lawmakers had implemented a ban on all sales of nicotine laced candies which are being sold by the tobacco companies. These candies were being promoted as aids in smoking cessation. There are unconfirmed reports that the initial push to illegalize these nicotine candies came from Samantha Peters, the daughter of the brilliant well known billionaire scientist Mark Peters. Betsy Rogers who is the spokesperson for Miss Samantha Peters says that these nicotine laced candies which comes with different flavors can easily hook children on nicotine and can eventually lead them to take up cigarette smoking later in life. And now for some local news the....".

        John Layer turns off the TV as he quickly becomes furious upon hearing the news.  Feeling a sense of heightened rage, he grabs his glass ash tray and throws it to the wall as it shatters into bits and pieces. He then calls his secretary to have Dr. Marcos report to his office right away. After waiting for twenty minutes, Dr. Marcos enters John Layers office, "Have you heard the latest news on TV..", John Layer asks, " Samantha Peters had influenced all of California's politicians into banning our nicotine candies here in California. This means I'll be loosing more millions of dollars a year because of her!...All this time, I've been counting on getting children addicted to our nicotine candies in order to get them addicted for life and hopefully to get them hooked into smoking even if is illegal in this state!...". Dr. Marcos stands silently then asks, "What can I do to help you boss?....".

         John Layer paces in his office and in an angry voice shouts!, "I want revenge Marcos!....I want Samantha Peters and all his family and friends dead, you hear?!...". Dr. Marcos stammers saying, "Bu..bu..but Bionico is not ready to do a mission yet Mr. Layer, he won't be ready for at least four more months sir....". John Layer sits in his leather office chair fuming while he rocks in it as he asks, "What if we sabotage the Protector again, Isn't he doing a mission with NATO somewhere in Europe?!. Let's start by killing Captain Chase Brassman!...". Dr. Marcos nervously shakes his head in disagreement as he responds, "That's not a good idea sir, the FBI is constantly monitoring all of Macrostrength's computer systems, which means that if we try and sabotage the Protector again, this time they'll be aware of it and we'll get arrested....". John Layer felt  so stressed out that he lit up a cigarette and started blowing smoke towards Dr. Marcos face in the hope that Dr. Marcos gets lung cancer from second hand smoke someday soon. After a few more minutes of pep talk by Dr. Marcos, John Layer was finally able to calm down and remain patient in waiting for his super assassin to be properly trained to attain his dream of killing Samantha Peters, her family and friends.

     (Castro District, San Francisco, California.)

      Later that night, it was around 08:00 PM when Sirha and Zhiad arrives at a crowded karaoke gay bar and restaurant. Upon entering, they were quickly escorted to their seats and had their orders taken by a waiter. "I don't know about this Zhiad...", Sirha says, "I just don't like being around gay people. In Russia and Afghanistan, there are no gay people, that's why these countries are so progressive...". Zhiad smiles and mockingly says, "Oh!, I'm sure they're around...". Sirha appallingly stares at his minion as Zhiad quickly says, "Oh!, what I mean't to say was that I'll buy the first round...". Zhiad quickly calls the waiter and orders a strawberry margarita while Sirha refusing to drink any alcoholic drink orders a diet soda.

       After a few minutes of waiting, their meals was served to them as they start to eat while they listen to customers take turns singing karaoke on the stage. "Why are all these gay men singing all these "wimpy" love songs...", Sirha says, "It's so depressing, I feel like I'm at a funeral...". Zhiad cutting some meat on his plate says, "Oh! Master, that's how gay men are, they're very emotional beings....". Sirha feeling disgusted sigh's then grunts as he say's, "Ahhh!, I might be an Arab terrorist but I'm very well versed with American music. If I was the one singing up there on stage, I'd sing those really manly, "macho" songs like the Village People's song, "YMCA", "Macho Man" or their other song "In The Navy" that has a military bearing to it. Zhiad hearing Sirha's comment almost chokes on the meat he was chewing as he quickly takes a drink of water.

      After they were done with dinner, Sirha was ready to leave but Zhiad was not. After a brief argument, Sirha finally decides to stay because of his fear of going home alone, this is due to his heightened sense of homophobia and his fear of being raped by gay men riding the bus with him on his way home to their apartment in the Castro district. "Relax Master, let's enjoy this night, we've been working hard all week...", Zhiad says as he pushes his strawberry margarita drink closer to Sirha, "Here, have a sip, one drink ain't gonna kill you?!....". Sirha stares at the frosty reddish pinkish alcoholic drink then finally gets the urge to taste it. He grabs the straw and sips a little bit of Zhiad's drink. "Wow!, this drink tastes really fruity...It's delicious...", Sirha says, "I don't even taste any alcohol in it....I'm gonna have one!...". Sirha quickly twists and turns around in his seat as he calls the waiter and orders a glass of strawberry margarita.

       After an hour had passed, Sirha had already drank seven glasses of different types of margaritas (mango, raspberry,strawberry, banana, pineapple, guava and watermelon) . "This feels great Zhiad, I feel like I'm on a merry go round....", Sirha says, "My world is spinning!...". Getting drunk for the first time in his life Sirha looses all sense of etiquette as he starts whistling at the people singing up on stage, even yelling at some of the gay men, saying how pretty they'd look if they just would decide to get a sex change. After another glass of margarita, Sirha finally gets the courage to go up on stage to sing a song. Not ever having to sing in front of a crowd before, Sirha had Zhiad accompany him up on stage to sing with him in order to lessen his nervousness. The first song they both sang together was a duet by Lionel Ritchie and Diana Ross entitled, "Endless Love". But because Zhiad had a low baritone voice, Sirha had to sing Diana Ross's part. Unfortunately he was way off key which made most of the audience listening cringe. After the song had ended Sirha looks around at the crowded restaurant and seeing that nobody was paying attention to them whispers to Zhiad, "Zhiad, everyone looks bored, I think It's time to pick up the pace a bit...". Zhiad agrees and after a minute, Zhiad selects a song by ABBA entitled, "Dancing Queen", and as the music starts playing, the two terrorists starts singing passionately as they sway their hips and perform their dance moves with choreographed precision. Then, after the song had ended, the third song they started singing together was chosen by Sirha this time which was the song by the Village people entitled, "YMCA", and as the music starts to play, Sirha was totally surprised when all the gay men in the audience starts getting up from their seats and starts heading to the dance floor to dance with their partners. And even though Sirha was singing off key, the crowd loved the song so much that they did not care too much about Sirha's horrible singing, as the dance floor starts to fill up with people dancing.

       But after singing another three songs, the audience starts to "Boo" Sirha. But not wanting to give up or give in, he decides to let his audience pick the last song for him to sing. And after a minute had passed, music starts to play to Helen Reddy's 1970's classic song, "I Am Woman". Then later on, after the karaoke bar was about to close, the two terrorists leave the restaurant as Sirha drunkenly staggers towards the bus stop with Zhiad as he keeps on singing the chorus to the song  "I Am Woman" that goes "I am strong!....I am invincible!....I am woman....".

       (Dr. Peters mansion, Hillsborough, California.)

       The next evening, it was 09:00 PM when Dr. Peters visits Grey in his bedroom. With Ritchie present, Grey details his plan to fight crime in his old neighborhood in Vallejo California. Not knowing how Dr. Peters would react to their plan, Grey and Ritchie were pleasantly surprised when Dr. Peters tells them that it was a great idea but did voice some concern about Grey's safety. But after Ritchie explains that Grey's knight's armor was bulletproof and the super strength Grey had acquired when he has the titanium knight's armor on would give him super powers in battling crime, Dr. Peters finally understood and felt less worried about Grey's plan.

       After a few more details were ironed out, Grey and Ritchie decides to go out that same night to look for trouble. But before getting Grey ready, Dr. Peters does a neurological check and a quick physical exam on Grey, listening to his heart and lungs with his stethoscope, taking Grey's blood pressure and checking Grey's skin for any signs of skin breakdown which could lead to an infection. And as soon as Grey passes his physical exam, Ritchie starts assisting Grey by first changing his adult diaper and strapping a new urinary leg bag to his left lower leg. After Ritchie gets Grey into his sweat pants and thick sweater. Ritchie starts by putting on Grey's arms and hands, the titanium arm guards and gauntlets. This starts to give Grey the ability to move his arms, hands and fingers. Next thing Ritchie did was to assist Grey into a full body chain mail, which was made up of a web of interlinked small titanium iron rings that forms a wearable body protection that a knight uses which is light and flexible.

    As soon as Grey had on the titanium chain mail, he was able to levitate himself out of bed as he starts floating vertically in the air, weightless like an astronaut in space. Floating two inches off the ground, Ritchie then attaches a pair of "Greaves", or "Shin armor" on Grey's lower legs, next was the titanium footwear that covered Grey's sneakers. This was followed by a pair of upper leg armor to protect his thighs. And as Ritchie was strapping Grey into his armor, Grey would focus on the next piece of armor as it would float in the air and levitate close to Ritchie to help hasten the process. After the titanium breastplate and back plate was secured around Grey's torso, Ritchie starts to strap the "Pauldrons" to each of Grey's shoulder for protection. Next was the "Gorget", which was a titanium armor that protects the knights neck area. And while Ritchie was strapping this around Grey's neck, Grey focuses on his titanium knight's helmet as it starts to float in the air and hovers above Grey's head. Grey raises his hands up, gently grabs the helmet and guides it down over his head.

    After Grey was fully dressed in his titanium knight's armor, he excitedly starts moving his limbs around checking his range of motion. Then after taking two inhalations from his JK4 inhaler, Grey starts feeling an enhanced level of strength which also refines his motion and dexterity. With Dr. Peters watching the whole process unfold, Ritchie reminds Grey that it's time to wear the knapsack over his back as Grey unwillingly complies. Ritchie then reminds Grey that his knapsack contains three disposable adult diapers, two urinary leg bags, one JK4 inhaler, his cell phone and a bottle of water just in case he gets thirsty. And as Grey adjusts the backpack over his back, Ritchie drapes a crimson colored cape over Grey's back to hide the backpack Grey was carrying.

   Then just before Grey and Ritchie was about to leave, Grey brings up the topic of their living arrangement. He tells Dr. Peters that his new calling in fighting crime might put Dr. Peters and everyone living with him in   the mansion at risk and in danger due to possible retaliation from criminals that Grey would be facing. Dr. Peters understood this fact and tells Grey that he'll think of a way on helping him with a new living arrangement if Grey really wanted to leave the mansion.

   Two hours later, it was close to midnight when Grey and Ritchie was finally underway. While Ritchie was driving Grey's old pick up truck in the freeway, Grey was at the back of the truck lying on his back, covered and hidden by the truck's camper shell. Unable to purchase a police radio, Ritchie just decides to randomly patrol the less lighted streets of Vallejo hoping to find crime that's in progress. After an hour of slowly driving through different streets, Ritchie passes by a car that had a flat tire. As Grey sits up, he glances and see's a young woman with a young girl at the car's back seat. "Stop the truck!...", Grey yells. Ritchie quickly steps on the brakes in surprise. Grey tells Ritchie that the woman and the girl might be in need of some assistance since their car had a flat tire. Ritchie then parks the truck ten feet away from the front of the stranded car.

          As Grey gets out of the truck, he slowly walks as normal as he can and not do any levitaion which might scare the car's passengers. Then as Grey approaches the car, the woman on the driver's seat starts to look horrified and nervous at the sight of a walking knight. Not wanting to scare them even more, Grey pushes up his helmet's visor to show his face. The woman quickly locks all of the car's doors with one press of a button at her driver's side as her six year old daughter clutches her brown teddy bear tightly. Grey standing near the driver's side, smiles and kneels on one knee, "Hi!, I don't mean to scare you...I was at a costume party tonight, that's why I'm dressed like this.....Looks like you have a flat tire, I'm just here to offer some assistance if you need it.

        The woman hesitates but then decides to slide her driver's side window one inch lower as she say's, "We've been here for an hour now, waiting for a police car to pass by. My cell phone's battery is dead and I don't have a jack to change my flat tire....". Grey nods then glances at the front flat tire as he continues smiling then  say's, "Tell you what, let me help you change your tire, you don't even have to leave your car. Do you have a spare tire in the back of your car?....". The woman nods anxiously as she pulls a lever that unlocks the car's back trunk. Grey stands up then asks the young woman to turn her hazard lights on. After Grey gets the spare tire from the trunk, he brings the spare tire beside the car's front left flat tire as he once again kneels on one knee.

        Grey calls out saying, "Ok miss, I'm now gonna tilt your car towards the right side, don't be scared....". The young woman hearing this looks puzzled as she asks, "Tilt the car with what?...You don't have a jack...". Grey ignores her question and with his right hand under the car's side, Grey gently lifts and tilts the car to elevate the car's wheels on the left side. Then with his left hand he starts twisting the flat tire's tight lug nuts counterclockwise to loosen the tire. After all the lug nuts were off, he quickly takes out the flat tire and replaces it with the spare tire. The young woman in the car was still in wonder how Grey is able to lift a car to it's side without a jack. After Grey had finished replacing the tire and had fastened the lug nuts back tightly, he gently lowers the left side of the car back down and stores the flat tire at the car's trunk, walking back towards the driver's side, Grey nods and says, "Ok, miss....I'm all done and you're all set....Drive home safely....". The young woman quickly starts her car's engine as she continues to stare at Grey with amazement. Grey stands back and smiles as he waves at the woman's young daughter who smiles back and waves her teddy bear at Grey.

       But before the young mother could drive away, a black sedan with five gang members suddenly cuts in front of the woman's car, blocking them from leaving. Quickly sensing trouble, Grey slides his helmet's visor back down as he peers through it's slit then quickly get's in front of the woman's car. One of the gang members extends his arm out of the car as he points a revolver at Grey. "Well look what we have here boys....We've got ourselves a caped crusader....". Another gang member blurts out saying, "It's either that or it's the Round Table pizza delivery man!....", as they all chuckle inside the car. Grey quickly glances behind him telling the young woman in her car to keep her car's engine running then faces the five gang members who were still making jokes about Grey's attire. "What do you guys want?...", Grey asks.

      The thug pointing a gun at Grey says, "We want your money, all your possessions and your lives!....", as they all chuckle loudly. Ten feet away from the thugs and without any warning, Grey suddenly levitates off the ground and lands in front of the thug pointing the gun at him. Everyone in the car was shocked at the levitation as the thug with the gun opens fire at Grey. Grey instinctively flinches from the sound and the bright sparks of bullets hitting his helmet and breastplate which ricochet's away. The whole gang in the car were all stunned at the knight's invincible armor. Grey then bends forward and grabs hold of the bottom side of the car as he lifts the side of the car then flips it over. The five thugs inside the car were all shouting in fear as they struggle to get out from their overturned car. Grey then with both hands pushes the car away in order for the young woman to drive away.

      After pushing the overturned car six feet away, Grey looks behind and tells the young mother that she could drive away. The young mother holding her car's steering wheel tightly was in shock, unable to believe what she was witnessing. Grey then starts waving his hand telling her to drive away before the thugs are able to crawl out of their overturned car. Coming back to her senses, the young mother quickly steps on her car's accelerator as her car speeds away from danger.

    Glancing towards his truck, Grey then quickly gestures at Ritchie to stay in the truck for safety. And as each of the thugs crawls out from their car, Grey waits for them as he stands erect with his feet wide apart and his fists clenched as he readies himself for a confrontation. And just when another thug pulls out his gun and points it at Grey, the thug was astonished to see Grey float up in the air and land inches in front of him. Grey grabs the gun and with his right hand breaks off the gun's nozzle and with his left hand crushes the gun into bits and pieces.

   Without warning one of the thugs attacks him from behind kicking him on his lower back which makes  Grey fall forward to the ground. Three of the five thugs quickly jumps on Grey's back as they tried wrestling him down looking for a weakness in his armor, but all were surprised when Grey starts levitating once more from a horizontal to a vertical position. Grey quickly grabs the thug who was doing a choke hold on him and hurtles the guy thirty feet away as the thug lands on the opposite sidewalk squirming in pain. With two more thugs locking their arms tightly at Grey's chest and waist in a bear hug. Grey grabs one of the thugs by his shirt then flings him twenty feet up in the air as he lands on his back, twisting in excruciating pain.

   With the last thug clinging on him, Grey swings his fist hitting the guy on his jaw and knocking him unconscious. With the two thugs seeing their comrades severely injured, they both attack Grey at the same time to try and take him down. Seeing another ambush coming, and without any martial arts training, Grey just starts throwing punches wildly. And after a few seconds, none of his attackers were left standing.

   Their night ends as Ritchie and Grey restrains all five gang members hands and feet using plastic restraints. Then after Ritchie finds a dozen bags of cocaine inside their overturned car. Ritchie makes an anonymous phone call to the police department using one of the thug's cell phone, reporting what had just happened and telling the police about the illegal drugs they found. Ten minutes after Grey and Ritchie had left the scene, the police finally arrives and arrests the five gang members.

    The next day, at around noon, while Ritchie was spoon feeding Grey as he lay in his bed in his paralyzed state, Dr. Peters pays Grey a visit to get a report on how their night went. Both men were really excited as they take turns detailing to Dr. Peters the events that transpired from the time Grey in his titanium knight's suit  helped a stranded mother and daughter to how he was able to defeat a group of gang members who were causing trouble. And as Ritchie was flipping channels on the television, the noon news comes on. "Good afternoon America, you're on USNN news, and now for our top local story. Last night, at the city of Vallejo, we've learned that a gang of drug dealers were subdued and bound by a mysterious individual wearing a knight's armor. The spokesperson for the Vallejo Police department says that they found five bags of cocaine in their overturned car. We were also able to interview a woman who came to the police department early this morning to provide eye witness accounts of the events that unfolded last night. Not wanting to be on camera, she told us that the mysterious man wearing the knight's armor assisted, and helped change her car's flat tire. She also states that she witnessed the knight battle and defeat the five criminal suspects who were all trying to assault them. But what was fascinating about her story was when she told us that the knight had the ability to levitate and also had super strength, she claims that the mysterious knight was able to overturn the gang's car by himself and was tossing the five gang members around as if they were play dolls...".

       Dr. Peters quickly turns off the TV as he stares at Grey and Ritchie then says, "You know, I'm really proud of the both of you for wanting to do this, but if you're planning to continue this crusade of fighting crime, I need to equip you guys of ways to keep you safe at all times. Grey and Ritchie glances at each other looking puzzled at what Dr. Peters was getting at. "I know you're both eager to continue fighting crime again, but don't go out tonight, we need this night to plan carefully. I'm taking this day off so I can guide you on this new endeavor of yours in crime fighting....".

       Dr. Peters takes a deep breath as he starts detailing his plans saying, "To start, I've rented you both a fully furnished apartment in San Francisco. It is located at 200 Alabama street, it's an area that's mostly filled with business establishments and factories. So at night, there's hardly anyone out on the street. Your apartment has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, I'm also planning to create a secret hideout for you guys, like a "Batcave" where no one can find you. I've decided to have the remains of my wife moved to a different grave sight and have her mausoleum converted to a secret hideout with a bedroom, a bathroom and an office space with state of the art computer systems, security alarms, monitors and cameras. I'll buy you guys a hearse which will always be parked outside the mausoleum, this will serve as your "Bat mobile", to keep things inconspicuous when you come in and out of the cemetery. So when you're staying at your San Francisco apartment, you'll use your old truck. But when you're at your secret hideout in the cemetery, you'll have to use the hearse.

      And finally, I'll be meeting today with the city's chief engineer who will give us the layout of 900 miles of all of Northern California's combined sewer system. This will serve as your escape route when you're in trouble. You'll be given an electronic homing device, and if you need to escape, just open a manhole cover, go down to the sewer system under the city street and turn on the electronic homing device. This should lead you back to the Holy Cross cemetery in the city of Colma California where your secret hideout is located at.

      Grey and Ritchie glances at each other looking impressed as Grey asks, "I'm not sure, I can pay for all these stuff you're offering us....". Dr. Peters smiles and touches Grey's shoulder as he says, "Just consider this as financial assistance for all your efforts in making our community safer.

       (Vallejo Police Station, Vallejo California)

      While rookie cop Alan Francis was typing a neighborhood disturbance report in his computer. Sergeant Holt approaches him saying, "Let's go Francis, we need to pay a visit to that woman who reported about that mysterious knight who beat up on those five gang members last night....". Officer Francis quickly stands up as he starts logging off from his computer then asks, "What's the problem?....I thought that everything's been ironed out with that case?....". Sgt Holt adjusting the holster around his waist says, "Not quite Francis, didn't you know that the woman had a positive I.D. on the knight, she said that the knight lifted up his visor as he was offering to help change her flat tire......We're bringing a sketch artist with us. I want to get an idea of what this guy looks like. This guy needs to be stopped before he does something crazy.....".

     The next day, Grey and Ritchie was able to move to their new apartment in San Francisco. Ritchie was also able to obtain a used police radio that they started using in order to hear any crime that's happening in progress. Grey and Ritchie had also decided to do their night patrols every other night in order to give them time to decompress and strategize after each mission they do in fighting crime. Three to four times a week they started patrolling the dark streets of Vallejo and always ended up confronting gangs in the midst of committing different crimes such as robbery, assault, burglary, attempted rape, theft, drug dealing, smuggling boxes of cigarettes and other illegal drugs into the city, and even attempted murder. And as the days turns  into weeks, the public starts to hear more about the tale of the mysterious caped knight who has been  roaming the city  streets of Vallejo at night, fighting crime.

       (Black Lake Ranch, Vallejo California - Home of Mob Boss Richard Sambrolini)

      One month later, mob boss Richard Sambrolini, his uncle, Dr. Luigi Courtess and the mob's operational manager, Dice Claw were all glued to the TV as they watched and listened to the news. "Good morning America, you're watching USNN news, and now for our top story. It's been a month since we started reporting to you about a mysterious man dressed as a knight who has been fighting crime in the city of Vallejo. Since this caped crusader started his campaign of fighting crime one month ago, the police says that the crime rate in the city of Vallejo had decreased by about 25%. Of the 40 known criminal gangs in Vallejo, the police claims that there are now only 29 organized gangs left that are believed to be under the control of the notorious mob boss Richard Sambrolini. The Vallejo police says that they've obtained a preliminary sketch of this person in a knight's armor, which we'll be showing you right now....(pause-sketch showing on TV). The police is asking for help from anyone who recognizes the picture on your TV screen to please call the Vallejo police....".

      Dr. Luigi turns off the television as he turns towards his nephew Richard. Seeing Richard start to sniff cocaine again from a small bottle, Dr. Luigi decides to speak with Dice Claw instead. "This could lead to trouble if this continues...", says Dr. Luigi," Tell the police officers working for us that I want this guy dead as soon as possible. Supply all our gangs with side arms, I don't want this vigilante knight to continue affecting our daily operations.....Got it?...". Dice Claw nods as he quickly leaves the mansion in order to implement Dr. Luigi's new orders.

      (Grey and Ritchie's new apartment in San Francisco, California)

      A week had passed since Grey and Ritchie had gone out on night patrols to fight crime. Settling into their new apartment, Ritchie was very busy arranging all their personal belongings, rearranging furnitures around  and setting up appointments for home visits from nurses, physical therapists, social workers, psychologists and other medical professionals that helps Grey deal with his health and well being. Later that day, news from Dr. Peters that work on converting the mausoleum into their secret hideout was underway and should be finished within four week excited Grey and Ritchie, and in the week that followed, Grey and Ritchie starts taking the time to familiarize themselves with the city's underground sewer systems which will be of great importance in Grey's future ability to escape from trouble. With the electronic homing device that Dr. Peters had given each of them, they were able to go down through any manhole in the city and find their way back to the nearest manhole which was closest to  their apartment in San Francisco or near the Holy Cross cemetery in the city of Colma California, where their hideout was located at. Once they finally became familiar with traveling through the city's underground sewer systems, Grey then finally decides that it was time to resume their crime fighting operation.

        The next morning, Ritchie was surprised when Sergeant Nick Holt of the Vallejo Police department decides to visit them. After Ritchie opens the door, Sgt Holt who was dressed in civilian clothes asks Ritchie if he could speak with Grey in private. Knowing that Grey would bitterly object, Ritchie tells Sgt Holt that Grey gave him strict orders that he did not want to speak with anyone from the police department unless they had a warrant. Sgt. Holt then reiterates that he believes that Grey is innocent of drunk driving the night he got into a car accident and was paralyzed. Sgt Holt also tells Ritchie that he thinks that Grey was framed, but in order to prove that Grey was never drunk during his car accident, Sgt Holt still needed to ask Grey some very important questions.

       Ritchie was not persuaded by Sgt Holt's reasoning and respectfully asked the sergeant to leave them alone, but before Sgt Holt leaves, he hands Ritchie a xerox copy of a police sketch of the mysterious knight's face. Sgt Holt says that the woman who saw Grey's face the night she was assisted by the mysterious knight who changed her flat tire did confirm Grey's identity.  Sergeant Holt says that he downloaded an image of Grey from the photos of himself he has from the music and novel covers Grey was selling online. "I showed the young woman a photo of your friend, and she said that the knight who rescued her and her daughter from the five thugs is Grey. She even said that she was 100% sure....". Ritchie starting to feel nervous quickly lies and denies that his paralyzed friend was the mysterious knight that had been fighting crime in the city of Vallejo.

       "Look, I don't know how your paralyzed friend does it?...", says Sgt Holt, "But all I know is that my investigation points to him as the mysterious knight....I've been to Vallejo General Hospital and spoke to all of Grey's nurses and doctors, and they all told me that a few days before Grey got discharged from the hospital that they frequently saw parts of a knight's armor cluttered all around Grey's hospital room....I used to be a detective you know...". Ritchie feeling a panic attack coming remained frozen and silent. Sgt. Holt then pulls out a calling card from his wallet and hands it to Ritchie saying, "Here, give this card to your supposedly paralyzed friend, and tell him that what he's doing is dangerous, not only for himself but also for the community. Tell him to be careful out there and that he can call me if he gets into any trouble, Tell him to not be scared, I'm here to help him..... Tell him that his secret is safe with me....".

      After Sgt. Holt leaves, Ritchie informs Grey of the visit from the off duty police officer as he stores Sgt. Holt's calling card inside Grey's backpack. Hearing that his secret identity might be compromised, Grey suddenly feels a surge of anxiety and worry. "This could put us in danger Ritch...", says Grey, "If ever my true identity leaks out, that I am that mysterious knight that's out fighting crime, Criminals and even the police will come after us....". Ritchie sigh's as he ponders their precarious situation. "So what are we gonna do?....Should we stop fighting crime?....Take a year off?....". Grey thinks hard, and after a minute of silence says, "I've got it!....This might be a radical plan, but it's the only way to get that Sgt. Holt off our tail....I'm gonna fake my death.....". Ritchie gasps in shock as he asks, "Are you out of your mind?!.....". Grey laying motionless in bed in his paralyzed state explains, "It's the only way to keep my secret identity safe, you've seen the police sketch....Their drawing of that mysterious knight looks exactly like me. It's only gonna be a matter of time before the police are on to us.....Plus....Faking my death will free Samantha from the guilt she carries from my car accident. I love her so much that I want what's best for her.....Faking my death will free her from feeling obligated to care for me, She can start a new life and someday, she can marry someone who can make her happy, but the most important thing is, by faking my death, It will end all suspicions and speculations that I am the mysterious knight......Then we can continue fighting crime...". Ritchie sits on a chair besides Grey's bed as he ponders Grey's preposterous idea.

      Knowing that Grey always has the final decision, Ritchie asks, "So, how are we gonna pull this off.....". Grey starts brainstorming for a few minutes then says, "First, Dr. Peters has to agree to this plan, because we'll need his help every step of the way. He'll have to sign my fake death certificate, we'll also need his help in setting up a fake funeral, It'll have to be a close casket for sure......We also need to inform Dr. Kane about my plan because I'll always need a supply of his JK4 inhaler.....for life...".

    ( Two days later, at Dr. Kane's Oaknoll research laboratory in Oakland, California)

      As weeks passes by, Dr. Kane had been busy upgrading his laboratory with state of the art research equipment as he now ventures on his plans of researching a cure for Alzheimer's disease. This was possible due to the twenty million dollars he received from Macrostrength CEO John Layer from a deal he made on agreeing to not manufacture to the public his JK4 serum. As he sits in his electric wheelchair, he tries to suppress his feelings of anger which caused the JK4 serum to dissipate in his system, making him a paraplegic once again. Looking out of his office window, he tries hard to think of pleasant thoughts. Being aware and knowing that he needs to be stoic, he struggles to keep his emotions in check for the JK4 serum to work in giving him the strength and movement to his lower extremities, in order to be able to walk once again.

       Unfortunately, about 20 minutes ago, he just ended a phone conversation with the private investigator he hired to investigate and to follow Detective Ted Cross for the last six months. The private detective's final report states that after six month's of listening and spying on Ted Cross conversations by planting a listening device inside the detective's home and phone system, the private investigator was able to obtain voice recordings of Detective Ted Cross admitting to a friend how he was able to get away with driving drunk the night he got into a car accident with Grey, how he was able to pin the blame on Grey whom he hit on the freeway, how he was able to use an accomplice to help him create a false hospital laboratory report that showed Grey's blood alcohol level to be twice the legal limit in California and how he was able to sue Grey for tens of thousands of dollars which made him richer.

       Dr. Kane now knows that Detective Cross days are numbered, specially after Grey admitted to him during a phone conversation that he had super powers and was the mysterious knight who had been fighting crime all over the city of Vallejo. Promising Grey an unlimited supply of his JK4 inhaler, Dr. Kane starts to ponder the chance of the two of them teaming up as vigilantes, both with super powers. He starts imagining the look on Grey's face when he burns Detective Ted Cross alive in his home for causing Grey's paralysis, framing him for drunk driving, sucking him dry financially and taking away his future. As Dr. Kane sits helplessly in his wheelchair, he starts to feel a sense of empowerment knowing that he and Grey both share a common destiny, which is to rid the world of drunk drivers. But first he has to be patient, he needs to let Grey experience and enjoy his super powers and the ability of beating up on criminal scums that preys on the weak and the innocent. Eventually, when the time is right, he'll expose Detective Ted Cross grave sin to Grey which will help fuel Grey's anger and hatred for Ted Cross and all drunk drivers in society. (End Of Chapter)

Chapter 21: Training Days

  (Vyonicks Basement Secret Laboratory)

       The next day, it was around 06:00 pm when Satenur Daemon wakes up with something cold and heavy covering his face. He was unaware that scientists had fitted him with a permanent metallic helmet and mask which was attached to an electronic neck brace that had an explosive device. His iron mask had two square holes for his eyes to look out from, a triangular opening for his nose to breathe out from and a six inch rectangular opening where his mouth was, for him to be able to get his sustenance. The rectangular opening to his mouth was barely wide enough to fit a straw in order to sustain him with high protein milk shakes, but without the ability to eat regular food for the rest of his life.

      Lying on a metallic gurney, his chest and torso were strapped with thick leather restraints. Looking around the bright room, he starts to feel increasing pain to his arms, legs and tongue, but as he looked to his sides, he was shocked to see his arms missing, then looking towards his feet, there was nothing there excepts stumps that were bandaged tightly. Satenur starts to squirm and grunt at the pain and horror he was experiencing, not knowing whether he was in hell or heaven but looked as if he was in some sort of a laboratory with surgical instruments cluttered all around him, probes and sensors attached to his body and electronic monitors beeping above his head.

     Trying to make sense of his situation, he asks himself, "How did I get here?....The last thing I remember was being in the lethal injection room, he remembers Sheriff's deputies all around him as an executioner injects some kind'a medication in my arm....I started feeling drowsy, then I was out...". Satenur looks around through the holes in his mask, wincing from pain as he starts telling himself, "I should be dead by now, this can't be hell, It's not hot enough.....Can't be heaven either, there's no heavenly female angels dancing naked...".

     Suddenly, the main doors of the laboratory opens as a group of scientists enters the room speaking some medical jargon that he did not understand. As the lead scientist notices that he was awake and squirming, he walks towards him and leans towards his face saying, "Ok, he's finally awake....he's squirming a bit, let's sedate him for a few more hours to help control his pain....", and as another scientist draws up liquid narcotics from a vial, the head scientist places his hand gently on Satenur's chest and say's, "Everything will be Ok, the pain you're feeling is from "Phantom Limb Pain"....we also cut out your tongue, so don't even bother mumbling.....From now on, your name will be "Bionico"....We will condition you to follow all our orders just like a trained attack dog, because if you don't....". The lead scientist gestured at another of his associates as he pressed a button from a machine that suddenly zaps Satenur's head and body with 50,000 volts of electric shock.  Satenur's body convulses with  jerky movements for a few seconds, then once the electric shock was discontinued, his body relaxes, as it went limp from weakness. Breathing hard, Satenur looks around as if there was some way he could escape this nightmare he was in, when suddenly, another 50,000 volts of electric shock zaps through his body. The scientists watching all around him were all chuckling as if they were enjoying torturing him. Then after four more zaps, they decided to sedate him again. And after a few minutes, he was once again unconscious. The scientists just gave a feel of what was about to be the start of his "Training Days".

     In the meantime, back at CURE Corp, Dr. Mark Peters calls Samantha on her cell phone informing her that Grey was in a coma. Samantha wanted to fly back to San Francisco right away to be with Grey but Dr. Peters knew that there was nothing Samantha could do to improve Grey's situation and he just encouraged her to continue working with the United Nations in Sierra Leone to end, "Conflict Diamonds", in that country. Samantha was first reluctant but soon realizes that her father was right. After they were done speaking, Samantha was still so upset that she tried calling Chase in his cell phone in order to confide in him, but there was no answer. Chase was already discharged from  the hospital and was on his way to his new "Top Secret", assignment somewhere in Europe where he'll be working with NATO forces in doing some aerial reconnaissance. Even though the doctors still wanted Chase to continue his rehab, Chase decided to leave the hospital earlier than anticipated and opted to continue taking the antibiotics in a pill form for the continued treatment of his surgical wound to his back. Because of this, Samantha called and spoke with Betsy instead as she unloaded to her the dread and sadness she felt about Grey being in a coma.

     Meanwhile, back at Dr. Kane's research laboratory in Oakland California, Dr. Kane was starting to get worried about Dr. Mark Peter's threat that he'll sue him for control of the JK4 serum. "If Mark wins this lawsuit and gains control of the JK4, the psychokinetic properties that I'm trying to keep secret will finally be out in the open. And because of my serum's psychokinetic super powers, the US government will quickly confiscate my serum in order for the military to weaponize it for their own use....", Dr. Kane thought to himself, and as he analyzes his situation some more, he realizes that he has to act quickly. Dr. Kane was now thinking of assembling a team of men and women who he will provide with psychokinetic super powers like he has. His team will be so powerful that they'll be totally invincible. The US intelligence agency and US military will not be able to stop his team of vindicators from eradicating this country and even the world of drunk drivers. Every town, city and state will finally achieve safety and peace from the end of drunk drivers.

    (Vallejo General Hospital)

     Three weeks later, at about ten in the morning, Grey wakes up from his coma as the nursing staff quickly informs Dr. Kane and Dr. Peters. Since the two scientists were avoiding each other, Dr. Peters decided that it was best that Dr. Kane gets to examine Grey first since Grey was under his care. Upon reaching Grey's room, Dr. Kane see's Ritchie beside Grey as they were both watching a TV show. "Hey, how are you doing?...", Dr. Kane asks, "It's nice to have you back....". Grey looking somber responds, "I still can't move my arms and legs Dr. Kane, I guess the JK4 did not work at all...". Dr. Kane not wanting to give up easily starts doing a full neurological exam on Grey, and once he was finished, he tells Grey how it was with him when he first tried out the JK4 serum. "The first time I tried the serum, there was no effect. It wasn't until I found the technique to make it work, it takes focus and meditation....".

       Dr. Kane then decides to start coaching Grey on focusing on moving his toes and to meditate in order to enhance the effects of the serum on his severed spinal cord. Then after twenty minutes, while Grey was focusing on moving his toes, the piece of titanium plate on his bedside table, the one which was given to him as a gift by Dr. Peters starts to quiver. Everyone in the room was surprised, Dr. Kane had Grey try focusing once more but the only thing that started moving was the titanium plate that was mounted on the wooden base which was encased in glass. The piece of titanium metal's movement increased in intensity until it got pulled out off it's base and broke through it's glass encasement,  it then hovered in the air as if it was weightless. Ritchie was shocked and Grey was frightened which quickly broke his concentration, which also made the piece of titanium metal fall on the floor.

     Dr. Kane was jubilant and was excited as he quickly orders some blood work, EEG's and brain scans to be performed on Grey. After another two hours, the results were completed, Dr. Kane receives the results and  returns to Grey's hospital room. Wanting to speak with Grey alone, Ritchie excuses himself to go have lunch at the cafeteria, leaving Dr. Kane and Grey alone. Dr. Kane starts by telling Grey that his brain scans and EEG's showed massive amount of brain activity surrounding the melted titanium metal that was embedded on Grey's brain. Grey was puzzled at what this mean't, "One of the secret properties that the JK4 serum has is the ability to have telekinetic powers...", Dr. Kane explains, he then focuses on a glass of water and points to it as it starts levitating in mid air. Grey was astounded.

       But before Dr. Kane could explain further, he makes Grey promise not to tell anyone, even Dr. Peters about his psychokinetic powers. Grey agrees as Dr. Kane continues to explain. "Unfortunately, the JK4 did not give you the result we hoped for which was the creation of a neural bridge between your neck's two severed spinal nerves....But what the drug did was it created a neuro biochemical reaction with the titanium plate that's embedded in your brain which now gives you the ability to move and suspend titanium metals in midair using the power of your mind...". Grey still looking anxiously worried asks, "I don't really know what all this means....What good would this do to me if I'm still paralyzed...".

     Dr. Kane pulls up a chair, sits on it and leans forward facing Grey as he say's, "You know, I'm really sorry, because you'll still remain a quadriplegic for life. But the good thing about the JK4 serum is that it's giving you the power to control titanium metals by using you're mind. Once we're able to train your mind into moving several titanium metals at a time, we can build you a full body titanium brace which you can wear. And after a few months of rehab, we can train you to refine your movements while wearing the titanium brace. We'll train you how to walk with it, pick up objects with it, sit, stand and eventually make your life more productive and meaningful....". Grey finally understood what Dr. Kane was trying to explain. "I know Mark Peters will visit you later tonight..", says Dr. Kane, "You can tell him everything that we've talked about, just don't tell him that I have psychokinetic powers....I've been telling everyone that the JK4 has the ability to develop psychokinesis in only five percent of the population, so lets just say that you got lucky that you're one of the five percent....". Grey nodded in agreement even though he really did not like lying to Dr. Peters who has been a very close friend to him over the years.

     (Macrostrength Industries, Main Office, Treasure Island, San Francisco, California)

       The next day, it was nine in the morning when Dr. Marcos enters John Layer's office as his boss was focused watching  the news on TV. "Good Morning America, you are watching USNN news....and now for our top story, Dr. Mark Peters who's known as a brilliant scientist and physician who discovered a revolutionary way of treating and curing cancer has filed a lawsuit against one of his past associates, Dr. John Kane who is believed to have found the cure or treatment for paralysis. It is believed that the lawsuit stems from Dr. Kane's refusal to reveal the chemical composition of the JK4 serum which is believed to have the ability to create a neurological bridge that connects the gaps between two severed spinal cord nerves. Dr. Peters lawyers claim that Dr. Peters has every right to the JK4 serum since 70% of the research was done by Dr. Peters himself in which he spent close to twenty years of research work.....And now for other news, the..."

       John Layer turns off the TV as he faces Dr. Marcos asking, "Did you hear that Marcos, Samantha Peters father is suing Dr. John Kane....". Dr. Marcos scratches his head asking, "Isn't that the scientist who we're competing against for the treatment of paralysis?....I know that the exoskeleton machines that we want to manufacture out to the public is still going through more modifications and enhancements, it's not ready for production yet sir?...". John Layer looking annoyed says, "I know that Marcos!....I want you to give him Dr. Kane a call and set up a meeting between me and him. Tell him that I'm offering to provide an unlimited amount of financial assistance in helping him acquire the best lawyers money can buy in order to protect his JK4 serum from the hands of Dr. Peters....".

      Dr. Marcos scratches his head again as he asks, "Why would you do that, Isn't Dr. Kane our competitor in monopolizing the market with the best way to treat paralysis, once his drug is out in the market, we're finished....It's much cheaper to buy a drug that treats paralysis than a mechanized exoskeleton machine which is a lot more expensive....". John Layer stares at Dr. Marcos and sigh's, "You know Marcos, this is the reason I'm very successful at business, it's because I perceive things that other people like you don't see.....Haven't you noticed that it's been a year since Dr. Kane was able to cure himself of his paraplegia by using his drug....and yet, he has not made any move to mass produce it and sell it to the public. Something is wrong with his drug Marcos, there's a reason he's not mass producing it, and I'm going to exploit this opportunity...".

    Dr. Marcos sits in front of his boss as he squirms in his seat asking, "What do you have in mind sir?....". John Layer lights up a cigarette and blows the smoke at Dr. Marcos face making the doctor cough. "I'm going to make him a deal", says John Layer, "Together with the unlimited financial assistance I'll give him in legally protecting his JK4 serum from Dr. Peters, I'm also going to offer him twenty million dollars, if he'll agree not to market his JK4 serum to the public for the next fifty years....That way, I'll still be able to corner the market with my exoskeleton machines for the treatment of paralysis without any competition at all....I can make hundreds of millions of dollars if I can monopolize the market for the treatment of paralysis you know....". Dr. Marcos nods with a smile, impressed at the way his boss thinks.

     Later that night, Dr. Peters visits Grey in the hospital. After getting a full report from Grey's nurse, Dr. Peters enters Grey's room and see's Ritchie spoon feeding Grey his left over dinner, "You got us all scared there for a while..", says Dr. Peters, " Samantha is deeply upset and worried about you being in a coma....". Grey with sadness in his eyes asks, "How is she doing?....". Dr. Peters pulls a chair closer to Grey's bed and sits on it, "She's deeply concerned about you, she's currently in Africa right now doing some mission work. She really wanted to fly back here to be with you when I told her that you were in a coma, but I told her that there wasn't really anything she could do to make your situation better so I told her not to abandon her mission work. I'm gonna call her as soon as I leave here tonight, I'm sure she'll be very happy to know that you're awake...".

      Grey then tells Dr. Peters and Ritchie everything that happened yesterday when Dr. Kane worked with him. Grey knew that Dr. Peters and Dr. Kane were not on speaking terms and Grey therefore details how he was able to gain psychokinetic powers in levitating titanium metals. He also mentions to Dr. Peters and Ritchie that the only way he could move again was by using a full body titanium brace together with the JK4 drug. Even though Ritchie was now aware that Grey could levitate titanium metals, he still wanted Grey to demonstrate it again to Dr. Peters who was curious about Grey's ability. Grey then had to demonstrate to them his ability to levitate the piece of titanium plate that was given to him by Dr. Peters. Dr. Peters was  dumbfounded. "In all my years in medicine...",Dr. Peters says, " I've never ever seen anything so amazing than this levitation ability that you're able to do...". Grey tells Dr. Peters that he needs a few more pieces of titanium plates so he could practice levitating multiple titanium objects at a time. Dr. Peters tells Grey that he'll provide him with what he needs and will have his engineers work on designing a titanium full body brace for Grey to use in the future. Grey also tells Dr. Peters and  Ritchie not to tell anyone about his ability to levitate titanium objects. Dr. Kane said that once the US government learns that he has psychokinetic powers, they will experiment, torture and dissect him into pieces. Dr. Peters and Ritchie agreed and promised not to let anyone know, not even Samantha.

      Dr. Peters then tells Grey that it may take about six months to have this body brace made and ready for Grey to wear. As Grey focuses once more on levitating the piece of titanium plate, his concentration was suddenly interrupted with an idea, and as the titanium plate falls on the floor, Grey asks Dr. Peters if he could borrow one of Dr. Peters full Knight's armor, the replica of Lancelot's full titanium armor that was standing in Dr. Peters armory. Dr. Peters thought  about it then realizes that it was a great idea. He knows that it will give Grey the chance to wear several parts of Lancelot's armor replica as braces in order to help him  practice moving his limbs.

     The next day, at around eleven in the morning, all of the parts of Lancelot's titanium armor were delivered in Grey's hospital room, they came not assembled and in several boxes. Ritchie starts to unpack each part, and after all the parts were out of their boxes, Grey asks Ritchie to fit into his arms and hands the pair of titanium arm guards and gauntlets to start with. Having had his morning dose of the JK4 serum and with both titanium arm guards and gauntlets on him, Grey was able to raise his arms and hands by the power of his mind. Lacking any dexterity yet, Grey focuses more on swaying, flexing and extending his arms. Then after an hour had passed, Grey starts working on moving each finger of each hand, once again extending and flexing each finger of each hand up until he was finally able to gently hold a cup of water and slowly bring it to his mouth and drink from it. This was very exciting for both Grey and Ritchie, Ritchie even blurts out saying, "This is great!...Now you can finally play with yourself again...". Grey quickly ignores Ritchie's disgusting comment.

         Meanwhile at Macrostrength Industries main office at Treasure Island in San Francisco California, Dr. Kane had started a meeting with John Layer and Dr. Marcos, "So you're gonna pay all of my legal fee's and find me the best and most expensive lawyers so that I can defend the ownership of my JK4 serum against Mark Peters?....", says Dr. Kane, "So what's the catch?...". John Layer seated across Dr. Kane stands up and was about to light up a cigarette when he was suddenly warned by Dr. Kane that if he lights up that cigarette, that the meeting would be over. Dr. Kane grimaces and hides his cigarette back in his breast pocket as he starts saying, "Dr. Kane, are you aware that during a typical year, there are about eleven thousand spinal cord injuries here in the U.S., nearly 48% occurs due to motor vehicle crashes....We both are in the same business of finding a way to treat paralysis in this country. We both know that there's a large market out there for treating paralyzed people and I want to monopolize it. I'll get straight to the point, I don't know why you haven't marketed your JK4 serum to the public, but it's really non of my business. What I'm gonna do is to offer you twenty million dollars and the best most expensive lawyers to defend your lawsuit against Dr. Peters and in return, we'll make an agreement for you not to market the JK4 serum for the next fifty years....You get to keep your serum and it's secrets without any interference from me, as long as you don't mass produce it and make it available to the public in the treatment of paralysis....".

       Dr. Kane leans back in his seat as he ponders the offer. "This might just be what I need, a way to hide the psychokinetic properties of my JK4 serum, to keep my full ownership of it and millions of dollars that can fund my future team of super vigilantes that will eradicate drunk drivers from the face of the earth...". Dr. Kane thought to himself. And at once, Dr. Kane agree's to the deal as both men stand up from their seats and shake hands. John Kane then orders Dr. Marcos to have their legal team draw up the contract of their agreement and tells Dr. Kane to return in two days for the contract signing. Both men were excited at their new business deal and their new business partnership and association.

       After Dr. Kane had left, John Layer asks Dr. Marcos about progress reports with regards to their, "Super Assassin Initiative", Dr. Marcos takes a seat in front of John Layers office table saying, "Everything's going as planned...We're in a processes of breaking down Satenur Daemon's will through torture, I also ordered our surgeons to cut out his tongue due to a special request from Richard Sambrolini, the mob boss. He doesn't want Satenur to be able to verbally identify himself...". John Layer paces in his office as he lights up another cigarette asking, "How long is this torture treatment gonna take?....". Dr. Marcos wrings his hands nervously saying, "Maybe between two to four months, then once he is compliant with our orders then that's the time we'll surgically implant bionic limbs into him.....". John Layer inhales more cigarette smoke into his lungs as he asks, "What's the status on Vyonick's R&D, how long before they have the super bonic limbs completed?....". Dr. Marcos moves to the edge of his seat as he stammers saying, "Th..they said it should be done within three months...sir....". John Layer nods as he says, "Good!, keep me updated at all times, now get out of here...". Dr. Marcos quickly stands up and excuses himself as he leaves the John Layers office  quickly.

        (Back in Vallejo General Hospital)

          As days turns into weeks, Grey progresses in developing his ability to move while wearing the replica of Lancelot's titanium armor. With the full titanium armor on, he's now able to sit, stand and walk,  but the only hard part was trying to keep his training a secret from the nurses and doctors who from time to time had to enter his room to examine him and give him his medications. One night when Dr. Peters was visiting him, Dr. Peters suggests that Grey be discharged to his care. "Since you don't have a house to live in, just stay at the mansion, "Dr. Peters says," Samantha's still in Africa and won't be back for several months...". Grey hesitates  at first, but then changes his mind knowing that he could improve in rehabilitating faster since Dr. Peters mansion was a more conducive place to train, which even has a large fitness gym.

         After another week had passed, Grey was finally discharged from the hospital and was transferred to Dr. Peters mansion. With Ritchie's help, he was able to settle down quickly. In the meantime, Samantha was happy to hear that Grey was staying with her dad. Even though she wanted so badly to fly back to San Francisco to visit Grey, she was still much needed in the African continent, still trying to negotiate with different leaders of nations on abolishing blood diamonds.

        Meanwhile, as Grey's training continues, Grey and Ritchie does most of the training at night when the whole house staff was asleep. Ritchie would help Grey into his armor and they would proceed to the mansion's fitness gym. From around eleven at night until five in the morning, Grey would train using the different machines in the gym like the stationary bike, the elliptical trainer, he would jog on the treadmill, he'd do leg extension, leg presses and machine bench presses. Every night, seven nights a week Grey would train  in the gym. And while training, they would have the TV on watching the news at all times. Seeing the increasing crime rate in the towns and cities of Northern California made Grey angry specially when he see's the public being victimized and who are now scared of even leaving their homes after dusk.

       After three weeks of training, Grey was now able to refine his movements. Using the JK4 drug in an inhaler form which he uses every four to six hours to keep him strong, he's now able to bench press 400 pounds of weight. After another two weeks had passed, he was now able to bench press up to 900 pounds of weight with the titanium armor on. Ritchie's help was critical, besides helping him in and out of his armor, Ritchie was also the one who gets a supply of the JK4 inhaler from Dr. Kane's laboratory in Oakland California which was about 30 miles away. He does this whenever Grey's supply of his JK4 inhaler runs low.

        After another month had passed, Grey discovers that he has the ability to levitate in the air. Unfortunately, because he had acrophobia which was an extreme fear of heights, the JK4 serum would dissipate quickly due to the JK4 serum's aversion to extreme emotional state from Grey's acrophobia, and after floating at a height above five feet up in the air, he would loose his focus due to his extreme fear of heights and crash on the ground. He tried it over and over but with the same failed results. After a few days, Grey finally consults with Dr. Kane over the phone and was told about the phenomena that extreme emotions like fear, anger, sadness, and love weakens the JK4 drug in a person's body.

          (Macrostrength Industries, Main Office, Treasure Island, San Francisco California)

          Three months later, Dr. Marcos gives his progress report to John Layer. "Sir, I have great news....Vyonick's research and development team had finally surgically implanted Bionico's super bionic  arms and legs. Bionico is now fully compliant, with his bionic arms he's able to bench press 1,800 pounds of weight, he's able to throw 180 punches a minute. With his bionic legs, he's able to run at a maximum speed of 80 miles per hour and jump at a maximum of 80 feet high....". John Layer swivels in his chair as he sneers then asks, "What about his defenses, any vulnerabilities I should know about?....". Dr. Marcos sits in front of his boss saying, "He looks formidable, with his steel mask and his steel body armor....he's impenetrable from police gunfire.....We're now planning to attach a pair of seven inch daggers that automatically comes out from the back of his wrists just like that cartoon character from the "X-men" called "Wolverine". and once that has been done, we just need to train him with more combat techniques, then he'll soon be ready for his mission to kill Dr. Peters and everyone that's close to Samantha Peters. The two men laughed loudly as their evil plans are starting to come to fruition.

           (Dr. Peters mansion, Hillsborough California)

           The phone rings as Maria answers it, "Hello, can I help you?....". Maria hears a familiar voice on the other line saying, "Hi Maria, It's me Sam....How are things at home?...". Maria's face turns excited as she gives a positive report on the well being of Dr. Peters. Samantha quickly asks Maria how Grey was doing, "He's in good spirits, he's being monitored by your father, there are visiting nurses who comes everyday to assess his condition. I try to visit him in his room once a day but most of the time, he's asleep. I think he stays awake at night and sleeps during the day. His friend Ritchie is always by his side assisting him but mostly providing him some company which I think helps him stay positive. Your father has hired Ritchie to help take care of Grey and sleeps in another room. I've also been hearing rumors from other staff that he likes working out at the gym at night, maybe that's why he's also asleep during the day time like Grey....How are things at your end?...". Samantha sigh's in frustration saying, "I'm still working with different African governments on trying to stop conflict diamonds which can end forced labor of men, women and children from enslavement by different militia's. It's just that the difficult part is stopping the smuggling of diamonds out of Africa. I'm not sure how much more I can do here, there are requests for me to proceed to South America and Asia to help stop illegal logging which is the number one cause of flooding in cities around the world, so I don't really know when I'll be coming home yet....". Maria tried to be supportive telling Samantha that what she was doing was positive, worthwhile and will benefit future generations to come. After a few more minutes of speaking on the phone, Samantha asks Maria to tell Grey that she's always thinking of him and that she loves him very much. "Don't worry Sam, I'll tell Grey what you just said, I'm sure he'll appreciate that, I truly feel that he still loves you too but he's just unable to express it....". (End Of Chapter)

(Author's Note: I hope you've enjoyed reading this novel and I would just once again remind all my readers that for every chapter that you've enjoyed reading, to please donate $1.00 or whatever you can afford to a charity that helps the poor and the hungry in your respective country. Thank you once again for your generosity and patronage.....Greg Elie)