The mutant diagnostic facility...
As Jerry was about to leave the office, the director called out to him.
"Hey kid"
Turning round to look at the director, he saw what looked like a card in the director's outstretched hand.
"There's a mutant arena in the outskirts of the city where mutants meet to exchange combat ideas"
The director said as he handed the card over to Jerry.
"You should check it out"
Jerry studied the card in an apprehensive manner as he shook his head and tried to return the card.
"Thanks you sir but no thanks"
"There are also prizes to be given to the winner"
The director proceeded to say without trying to collect the card.
"What sort of prizes?" Jerry asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Mutation stones" the director simply said.
"Huh?" Jerry's eyes widened as his body shook slightly.
"Mutation stones?"
Because of how difficult and arduous it was for mutants to develop their strength and power through training alone, mutation stones were the major resources that was needed to help speed up the process of a mutant's upgrade to a higher class and level.
"Yes Jerry....and apart from mutation stones, you can also get other top grade equipments that will help to boost your overall battle power"
By now, Jerry's interest was quite piqued due to the fact that their recent encounter with Tisane made him to understand how weak he was and was in great need for a faster way to improve his strength and power.
"I'll think about it sir" Jerry said with a sigh as he left the office.
The director had a smile on his face as he watched Jerry leave the office.
Coming to his desk, he stared at the digital image of a young boy in his iPad as he narrowed his eyes and said;
"Let's see what you're truly capable of"
********************
As Tisane arrived in front of the NPLC building the following morning, he paused and stared at the skyscraper while reminiscing.
He just couldn't believe that he was now a worker at such a prestigious company — and most interesting — he was working directly under the CEO himself!
Walking past the security guards, Tisane subconsciously stiffened due to the past experience he had with them.
Stepping into the office of the CEO, Tisane noticed that Mr Victor and a certain woman were having a deep discussion.
"Ah there he is" Mr Victor said with a smile as soon as Tisane walked into the office.
"Tisane my boy, we were just talking about you"
Tisane had a puzzled look on his face as he stared at Mr Victor.
"This is Mrs Yvonne and she has a proposal for you"
Mr Victor said as he pointed at the woman who was seated and stared at Tisane with a glint of interest in her eyes.
"Mr Tisane I am hosting a mutant competition which will commence in three days time — and I would like you to represent my faction in that competition"
*********************
"Jerry?"
Jerry was already about stepping out of the facility when a feminine voice called his name.
Turning around to see the owner of the voice, Jerry paused in his tracks as he muttered with a complicated expression;
"Sabrina"
He very much knew that Sabrina was also in the facility, but he chose not to meet with her due to the guilt and shame that he felt concerning the incident at the NPLC.
"You're leaving?" Sabrina asked as she stared at him with wide open eyes.
"Y-yes" he replied awkwardly.
"What about Matthew? — we can't just leave him like this"
"Matthew will be fine Sabrina" Jerry replied while avoiding her gaze.
"What he needs is time to recover"
"Recover? — have you really seen the condition he is in?!"
Sabrina yelled as her voice trembled with emotions.
"What would you have me do Sabrina?!" Jerry suddenly raised his voice also.
"I expect you to show your support as his friend and stay by his side instead of abandoning him!"
"And who said anything about abandoning him?"
Jerry — at this point — was very much certain that he had to leave this place because he couldn't bear to see the terrible state his friend was in.
Ignoring Sabrina completely — with a bleeding heart — he walked past the front door.
Sabrina gritted her teeth in anger towards Jerry's seemingly heartless attitude and walked back into facility while swearing under her breath.
******************
"Erm...." Tisane seemed to be in a dilemma as he stared from Mrs Yvonne to Mr Victor.
"You can go and think about it and give us your reply in Twenty-four hours"
Mr Victor said as he was trying to be considerate.
"No sir" Tisane shook his head gently as he replied.
"I accept.....I will do it"
His decisive reply brought a huge smile to Mrs Yvonne's face as she spoke;
"Good answer kid....I promise to provide all you'll need and want during the competition"
Tisane was not being reckless or ignorant in his answer — but he accepted because ever since his battle with Matthew and crew — he hungered to battle a mutant again.
So her proposal was a welcomed opportunity for him to test his strength again against other mutants.
"Well then since we've come to an agreement, why don't we share a drink in regards to that?"
Mr Victor said Gayly.
*********************
Meanwhile in an office...
Mr Mohammed — also known as Mr Moh —was seated behind a glass table as he placed a file in front of a young man whom had dreadlocks.
"That's your target"
Mr Moh said as he pointed to the file which was picked up by the young man.
"So how do you want him? — dead or alive?"
The young man asked with a growl in his voice.
"I don't care — but if you are to bring him to me alive — make sure you cut off his hands and legs"
Mr Moh said with a wicked glint in his eyes.
"Sure no problem" the young man said as he turned to go.
"When can you complete the mission?"
Mr Moh asked to his retreating figure.
"In three days" the young man replied without stopping.
"Be careful.....he's also a mutant"
On hearing this — the young man paused in his tracks as he turned halfway to stare at Mr Moh — who shivered subconsciously as he gazed at those glowing red eyes.
"And when has that ever stopped me?"
********************
_"G.D.I do you think there are mutants out there who are stronger than me?"_
Tisane asked while thinking aloud.
Being made a top executive had it's perks — as he was given his own private office in the top floor.
Sitting behind a polished mahogany table, Tisane decided to get some of his questions answered.
_[Strength is relative master — the more you expand your energy limit — the greater your strength]_
"So is that a yes?"
_{It means you'll end up being a pipsqueak if you don't take this seriously}_
A strange guttural voice sounded in Tisane's mind as he almost spewed out the wine in his mouth.
"G.D.I was that you?!" Tisane asked in shock.
_[No master it's–]_
_{It's yours truly! — hahaha — remember me kid?}_
Before G.D.I could speak, the voice interrupted again — which made Tisane to wonder where he had heard this voice before — as he eyes suddenly widened in a mix expression of shock and terror.
"What the hell?!!"
*****************
**Yes sir — your father said he was making him a top executive to work directly under him **
The voice on the other side of the line said.
"I see" Bayo said as a deep frown formed on his face.
"What about the other executives? — didn't they object to this?"
**Surprisingly no sir — and that's just it — they all said virtually nothing about it....it's as if...as if...**
"As if what?" Bayo asked immediately as he found the stammering tone of the voice slightly strange.
**As if they were afraid sir**
"Afraid?" Bayo's frown turned to confusion.
"Afraid of what?"
**Not sure sir but am still digging for more information and will get back to you**
"Okay" Bayo sighed in slight exasperation.
"Make sure you keep me updated"
**Yes sir** the voice over the line said before the phone went dead.
Bayo gritted his teeth as an angry expression clouded his face.
He dropped the phone on his bed as he swore under his breath.
"Damn it dad — why are you so fond of Tisane this much? — what do you see in him that I don't have? — damn it!!"
Bayo had always wanted one thing all his life — and that was to be the apple of his father's eye.
Everything he had ever done was to make his father proud — but yet his father never for once gave him any accolade or gesture of appreciation.
Bayo took this all in stride — after all he could never resent or hate his father.
Not until he began to notice the simple but substantial attention that his father began giving his friend Tisane.