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)