Average Joe and the Extraordinaires (26 page)

Mr. Girino: "That's security.  They'll be here
shortly.  Feel free to try to run."

She continued to sit and looked at him coolly.

Liandra: "There's no need for that.  I'll just enjoy
the pleasures of your company until they arrive."

Mr. Girino: "Suit yourself."

A group of men, four from Liandra's count, had arrived about
twenty seconds later.  They all wore the familiar blue W-Sec padded uniforms. 
Liandra recognized the agency from just about all the buildings she had
infiltrated that were linked to Grabas.

Liandra: "Hello gentlemen."

They rushed at her and she vaulted over the old man's desk
and landed behind him.  Two of the men approached from her left and right
knocking over all the papers in their paths and giving Liandra one remarkable
idea.  She quickly hopped atop the desk and thought one word which she
instinctively said aloud.

Liandra: "Ensnare!"

She spoke her commands to the mountains of papers scattered
throughout the room and they silently obeyed.  Pages upon pages of office
stats, graphs, charts, and various reports bound themselves together and
slithered around the room looking for four targets.  When the paper snakes
found their victims they coiled up the poor men's legs all the way up to their
necks and twisted tightly around their bodies.  Their legs were bound so
tightly and so suddenly that all of the men fell to the ground.  Only Liandra,
Jamison, and the old man remained standing and of the three only she was not in
a state of shock, awe, and fear.  She used the remaining stacks of paper to create
a towering blockade at the door.

Liandra: "So now that we are unburdened with
unnecessary company, let's have a talk.  Marc Jamison, Head of Research and
Development."

She pointed to the younger scientist and he nodded.

Liandra: "And Edgar Girino, Head of Research
Applications or as your subordinates call it: testing, or as these poor
subjects call it: hell."

Shivering, the old man spoke up.

Mr. Girino: "If it's hell then it's one they've
created.  We only take volunteers and they know the risks."

Liandra: "Well even if that was the case Mr. Girino, it
doesn't excuse you from your sins.  You're the devil holding their feet to the
fire, forcing them to choose between death and whatever twisted prize you've
promised them."

The old man couldn't hide his contempt, even with his
silence.  Liandra could see him slowly grinding his teeth.

Liandra: "You'll be happy to know that I'm not here to
pass judgment on you, as fun as that sounds.  I'm here to get information about
the element Ichor and the tests that you've all been conducting with it."

Both men looked at each other and then back at her.

Liandra: "Let's get started, shall we?"