Nis

NIS COULD FEEL THE STARES of his family and Caleb. And it didn't feel good.

"You said what now?" they all said in unison.

"I'm sorry okay!" he replied.

"It's fine, Nis." Mom assured him. "I suppose we could fight them and you find a way to get them all under control."

"Yeah, that could work." Nico seconded.

"Now! Get them!" Dr. Crazy shouted, and the zombie-like mind-controlled people came after them.

Everyone went to intercept, except Nis who was fidgeting with his laptop and Caleb who stayed to defend him. He managed to shut the doors to the cells, stopping other people from going out of there. Less people to deal with.

"Hey Nis? You still have that collar I wore right?" Caleb asked, his gun aimed, ready to fire.

Nis doubted the guy has fired a gun before. "Yeah."

"Well, I don't understand machineries that much since I'm a medical student but you think we can use that to get all these people under control?"

He didn't get it, so Caleb elaborated. "Well, that collar still has the code you used to stop me, right? If we could hook that at Dr. Crazy over there, we can put him under your control and order him to stop everyone."

"I like the way you're thinking. And how did you know we call him Dr. Crazy?"

"I didn't." Caleb answered. "I just thought he was crazy 'tis all."

"Hmm." Nis took out the collar he was keeping on his belt. "I'll put it on him. You have to defend me in doing so."

"How exactly?"

"Plan T. Take them head on."

Nis and Caleb charged at the swarm of people. Everything was doing well. Caleb would shoot the mind controlled individuals at the leg, Nis would kick them. Until Nis got cornered by five of the prisoners.

He was held down by the prisoners, and he noticed his family on the same position.

"Mom! Dad! Nico!" he yelled. Caleb was nowhere to be seen and it seemed like he lost the Astil during the fight.

"Don't fight it. It's impossible." Dr. Crazy's voice echoed in the halls. "You're really a bright young man, Nis Warren. Rewriting the Codex as you please. You'll be a great addition to my staff."

"I ain't working for you, you crazy old bat!"

Nis' face felt the sting of Dr. Crazy's slap. "Youngsters these days. You never respect your elders."

He showed a collar which he pulled out from his belt. "Once you have this, you'll be a loyal pet to me."

Nis started to struggle, but the people that held him down had iron grip. His family started to call out to him, because they too were being held down. There was only one person missing from Nis' count.

"Not on my watch." Caleb suddenly emerged from behind Dr. Crazy and put the collar he had in hand on his neck. "Now Nis!"

"Astil, Activate! Emperor code initiate!"

"NO!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Dr. Crazy's voice died down and his face slackened. His eyes became glassy and he just stopped altogether.

"Have us released." Nis ordered.

"Release them." Dr. Crazy said in a dazed voice, much like Caleb was when he was still under the influence of the Astil.

They were all released. Mom hugged Nis. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine Mom."

"You did a good job, young man." Nis saw his father pat Caleb on the shoulder.

"Thank you, sir."

"Now we have to get out of here." Nico said. "Have Dr. Crazy get everyone out of here."

"Uh yeah. But somebody has to go with him." Nis looked at his father. "Dad, you take Nico and Mom and get out of here. Caleb and I will get to the girls."

"No, I'm coming with you." Mom voiced out. "George and Nis should be the ones to get out of here first. Nis is the only person Dr. Collusus would listen to. Nico, Caleb and I will go get the girls. Understood?"

Nis couldn't help but just sigh. His mother's orders were absolute. "Yes Mom."

They all went their separate ways. Nis ordered Dr. Crazy to get them out of here. He led them to a series of halls and stairs and stuff. They met some enemies on the way but Dad would blow them away. As expected from a three star general of the Navy Seals.

"Nis, I'm glad you're all safe." Dad suddenly said. "I wouldn't know what to do if I find out you got hurt or something."

"We're the Warrens dad, we'll be fine." he assured him.

"I never wanted you to be in this side of the world. It's too dangerous."

"Maybe it's fate Dad. Maybe it's fate that the Warren family will fight for the country."

"I'm just glad you're safe." Dad hugged him.

"Me too. I'm glad you're okay."

Everything was going well. They were all outside the facility, and they were only waiting for the others to come out. But somehow, a feeling of dread was building up inside him. And he did not like it one bit.