Precyber Chapter 42

Clarke is asked to Break and Enter.  Clarke's Boss learns some important things.

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[Script] Tossing Grenades at Windmills - Page 8

Thorne presses a button on the phone and speaks into it. The screen goes black. There is gunfire, and screams can be heard, Frank stares in horror at the screen, and shakes his head in denial.

J.R.R. THORNE

Kill them!

FRANK

NO!

DOC SHADOWS

I will regress you to the age of two for this. Just who do you think you are dealing with? Just because you have a little toy that keeps me from easily reading your mind does not really defend you from me.

J.R.R. THORNE

You WILL be party to this or everything we worked for is useless. His mind is now open to you, you know it, and I know it. Take him now, or do I have to find another telepath, and kill more of Dr. Noble’s family until I have what I want. You are expendable, he is expendable, but what he knows is not. By any means, my Dear Doctor.

Doc Shadows glares at Thorne, but finally squats again and stares into Dr. Noble’s eyes.

DOC SHADOWS

He’s still fighting, but I can…yes…I’m nearly there…I have it…

Doc Shadows shrieks in pain.

Frank Noble thrashes back and forth painfully.

FRANK

TALLYHO!

[Script] Tossing Grenades at Windmills - Page 7

J.R.R. THORNE

I thought as much, fortunately, I’ve come prepared.

J.R.R. Thorne swings the chair around.

J.R.R. THORNE

Observe the video, Dr. Noble. I think you’ll be interested to see this.

J.R.R. Thorne holds Frank Noble’s head up to be able to see the video screen.

J.R.R. THORNE

Are those your parents, Dr. Noble?

Frank suddenly becomes more animated, and begins to struggle at the restraints.

FRANK

What are you doing?

J.R.R. THORNE

I thought as much. I do my homework Dr. Shadows, and I’ve come to learn that certain violent and sudden psychological trauma can undo these ‘psychic barriers’ you speak of. Let’s find out, shall we?

DOC SHADOWS

You know I do not condone to the harming of innocents. That was part of our arrangements.

J.R.R. Thorne picks up the phone and looks at Doc Shadows

J.R.R. THORNE

In this war, Dr. Shadows, there ARE no innocents.

Precyber 41

Norne ups the ante.

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[Script] Tossing Grenades at Windmills - Page 6

J.R.R. THORNE

Your opinion isn’t necessary, Dr. Noble. In fact, if you had simply cooperated in the first place none of this would have happened. You’re a normal flesh and blood human being, like I am. If you can’t understand the logic of what I’m doing, then you’re just not cut out to be among the living…you’re no better than everyone else who blindly sits by and lets these demigods run amok about the earth.

DOC SHADOWS

(chuckles)

Am I a demi-god then?

J.R.R. THORNE

It is interesting Doctor Shadows, that you question my logic. You didn’t question it when you joined my organization. Are you doing so now?

DOC SHADOWS

(pauses)

No. It is necessary.

J.R.R. THORNE

Then proceed with your interrogation.

Doctor Shadows squats down on his legs and stares again into Frank’s eyes. There is a brief visible struggle.

DOC SHADOWS

Amazing…he’s still holding on some how. He’s got something he’s using as a psychic barrier against me….I’ve never seen such willpower.

[Script] Tossing Grenades at Windmills - Page 5

DOC SHADOWS

Yes, he’s weakening…one more time and I should have it. I’m ready to begin at any time.

J.R.R. Thorne flips a switch on the side of the chair, causing Frank to jolt as if from an electric current.

J.R.R. THORNE

Why waste a perfectly good telepathic probe when you can do it the old fashioned way…

Doc Shadows turns off the switch.

DOC SHADOWS

That wasn’t necessary.

J.R.R. THORNE

Of course it didn't help get the information from him, but I think it was, Doctor Shadows, very necessary. It was the kind of necessary that a young mother feels when she shoots the man that ran over her child and drove away into the night, it’s the kind of necessary our founding fathers felt when they dumped the tea into the Boston Harbor, and it’s the kind of necessary that I’ve felt every day of my entire life for the last twenty years. I assure you Doctor Shadows, it was and is necessary.

DOC SHADOWS

I believe your logic has a few flaws in it Thorne.

FRANK

(weakened)

I’ll second that

[Script] Tossing Grenades at Windmills - Page 4

J.R.R. Thorne and Dr. Shadows enter from opposite ends and begin to walk around the chair.

J.R.R. THORNE

Well Dr. Noble, have you changed your mind about giving me the formula?

Frank Noble slowly looks up.

FRANK

Isn’t that already sort of formulaic?

J.R.R. THORNE

Ah yes, evil villain tortures hapless scientist to obtain secret formula to conquer the world, isn’t that it?

FRANK

Something like that yes. It sounds a lot like the shows I watched growing up as a child.

J.R.R. THORNE

Ah, but you see Dr. Noble, the difference between your little television shows and THIS is that you are not only watching but feeling this…feeling the pain searing through your nerves, feeling the unreality of staying awake for 96 hours straight searing through your entire consciousness. You’ve managed to resist Dr. Shadows so far, but do you really think you can continue?

Doc Shadows stops walking around the chair and looks into Frank’s eyes.