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Title: Black Edelweiss
Series: Zeitgeist
Follows: One Giant Leap
Wordcount: 1,191
Summary: Two weeks after Claire Bennet's televised leap from the Ferris wheel, the 12th handles it's first case delving into the strange world of specials. Evidence points the investigation toward a former Company Agent, a man Noah Bennet would swear up and down doesn't exist.
Details: Minimal details due to inflation. Full warnings and details in main post.
PREV: Interlude 17 // MAIN // NEXT: Interlude 18
Chapter Seventeen: Bait and Switch
"There's a sucker born every minute."
—wrongly attributed to P.T. Barnum
"This is a terrible idea," Noah said, voice crackling distantly through the earwig. "We can't trust him."
The words were quiet and nearly indistinct, and Bennet almost certainly hadn't intended for him to overhear them. Hearing that stubborn yet resigned tone of protest in the former agent's voice, he couldn't help but smile.
To say that he had been surprised when Bennet had asked him to act as bait to catch Adam in his own trap would have been an understatement of earthshaking proportions. The idea had to have come from Peter, of course. It held a certain audacity of the sort Angela herself would admire. Adam Monroe was alive, apparently, and if Zimmerman's murder had been intended to send a message there was only one person for whom that message could possibly have been intended.
If the older immortal was aware of Konrad's whereabouts, then it was likely Adam had been keeping an eye on Kevin Ryan's life for quite some time. The detective's colleagues within the NYPD had found the idea very disturbing, and he certainly couldn't blame them for that. They had circled their wagons almost immediately, assigning discrete protection details to Ryan's friends and his fiance, just in case.
Of course, those details meant next to nothing to him.
What did impact on him was the plan as they had explained it to him—well, as Beckett had explained. Noah hadn't said a word. If Adam was watching the station, then Ryan had already been out of sight far too long. If a frame job was Adam's ultimate goal, more than likely he suspected his trap had sprung as planned. But he wouldn't move on until he could be sure, of that everyone was certain, and the best way to catch him out was to convince him that his quarry was still free.
It had been an interesting experience, slipping into Detective Ryan's skin. In spite of all they shared in common, he really knew very little about the man in any of the ways that counted. He did have Beckett in his ear, ready to correct any misstep he might make. In any case, he had plenty of experience with things like this. In the past, he had managed to fall easily into roles which had provided a much greater challenge.
He knew more than enough to make a good show of it.
It had become easier as the hours passed and he went through the motions of Ryan's day, each action providing insight to the actions which followed. By nightfall, he felt comfortable enough with the ruse that he could likely have kept it up indefinitely, if required.
Though he hoped that wouldn't be necessary.
Entering Ryan's apartment had provided him with a more intimate introduction to the man he was pretending to be than Detective Beckett could ever have provided. Not that there was much of great interest to see. A few kitchy nicknacks, a sizable and eclectic music collection, a scant library—mostly cheap mysteries and spy novels—a game console and an ugly couch. He had spent several minutes staring at the photos displayed on the walls and tables in the living room—Kevin Ryan and his fiance, Kevin Ryan in his uniform, Kevin Ryan and his friends. He had spent a long time in particular dating those pictures in relation to one another, imagining what it might have felt like growing into the face he now wore.
Pretending to be Kevin Ryan and actually being him were two very different things. It was in his mind to wonder how much of "Konrad" had truly survived in the man left in his place, what memories and traits they might have shared. Where one ended and the other began. It was a very strange experience, examining that duality as an observer from the outside.
It was difficult for him to imagine being this man. It seemed such a waste of potential, becoming someone so ordinary.
In the kitchen he ran a hand thoughtfully over a counter top before opening a cabinet above the refrigerator and uncovering a bottle of bourbon. He located a pair of glasses just as quickly, and on a whim decided to fill both.
After all, with luck any he would be having company tonight.
He had hardly had a chance to taste his drink when he heard a soft click and felt the cold steel barrel of a gun placed against the back of his head. It was pointed directly at the vulnerable spot at the base of the skull—which answered the question of Adam's knowledge of that vulnerability pretty cleanly. Despite his own chagrin at being caught off guard, he couldn't help but be a little impressed by the older immortal's stealth. He hadn't heard a sound.
"I'm disappointed, Kunz, I thought you'd make this much more difficult," Adam said, and he actually did sound disappointed when he said it, though his voice was audibly smug as well.
There was no time for him to respond before Adam pulled the trigger.
The bullet slammed into the back of his head like a hammer, throwing him forward. He slumped against the counter, but managed to catch his weight and did not fall. The pain was bright and intense, and he could feel blood beginning to pour, hot and thick down the back of his neck. Gritting his teeth he struggled past that pain, forcing himself to stand.
"So did I," he said through clenched jaws.
Hearing Adam's startled noise behind him, his lips pulled into a smirk. With a flick of his finger the liquor bottle launched itself from the counter, impacting noisily with the man looming behind him. He turned, twisting his neck at the unpleasant but familiar sensation of the bullet working its way out of his head, thankful not for the first time that he had been able to move that point of weakness elsewhere. Once the hole had sealed up he allowed himself to relax, releasing himself from the disguise of Ryan's form, his hair and eyes darkening even as he regained his height. Finally he reached out with his hand, directing a wall of his will to hold Adam immobile while he spoke into the mic in his sleeve.
"I've got him," Sylar said.
Detective Beckett and her writer friend showed up only minutes later, Noah reluctantly in tow. Though the operation had been a clear success, the former agent looked far from happy—actually, Sylar thought that success might be part of why. While Beckett was engaged in reading Adam his rights, Sylar glanced over at Bennet, throwing him an exaggeratedly good-natured smile.
"Just like old times, huh Noah?"
Noah chose to ignore him, focusing instead on their prisoner. Soon, Sylar noticed he was frowning and turned his attention as well. It didn't take long for him to realize the discordant detail that had caught the other man's attention. Where the bottle had struck Adam's face the glass had laid open a small cut—one that was trickling blood down the side of his cheek, and very noticeably not healing.
"So Arthur did take his ability," Sylar observed with faint surprise, earning him a hateful glare from their captive prisoner. "He's mortal now."
PREV: Interlude 17 // MAIN // NEXT: Interlude 18
Author's Note: Yeah, I probably didn't manage to fool anybody with this chapter. It felt so clever when I came up with it. I guess at a certain point readers probably expect a mindfuck, and it's pretty obvious something's up when I stop using names...
But, again, game_byrd knew exactly where I was headed with this. XD
Regarding the Battle of Two Muses, I finally ended my struggle by taking the path of least resistance and going with my original plan. The other version of this chapter that I was considering would have had Konrad actually in the driver's seat, and Javier walking him through Ryan's day. While it definitely would have been interesting, but it would have taken some of the punch out of later events, and taken longer to write dialog I really would have had to spend a lot of time on to make it meaningful. I think it works out best this way.
Plus...Sylar.
Series: Zeitgeist
Follows: One Giant Leap
Wordcount: 1,191
Summary: Two weeks after Claire Bennet's televised leap from the Ferris wheel, the 12th handles it's first case delving into the strange world of specials. Evidence points the investigation toward a former Company Agent, a man Noah Bennet would swear up and down doesn't exist.
Details: Minimal details due to inflation. Full warnings and details in main post.
PREV: Interlude 17 // MAIN // NEXT: Interlude 18
Chapter Seventeen: Bait and Switch
"There's a sucker born every minute."
—wrongly attributed to P.T. Barnum
"This is a terrible idea," Noah said, voice crackling distantly through the earwig. "We can't trust him."
The words were quiet and nearly indistinct, and Bennet almost certainly hadn't intended for him to overhear them. Hearing that stubborn yet resigned tone of protest in the former agent's voice, he couldn't help but smile.
To say that he had been surprised when Bennet had asked him to act as bait to catch Adam in his own trap would have been an understatement of earthshaking proportions. The idea had to have come from Peter, of course. It held a certain audacity of the sort Angela herself would admire. Adam Monroe was alive, apparently, and if Zimmerman's murder had been intended to send a message there was only one person for whom that message could possibly have been intended.
If the older immortal was aware of Konrad's whereabouts, then it was likely Adam had been keeping an eye on Kevin Ryan's life for quite some time. The detective's colleagues within the NYPD had found the idea very disturbing, and he certainly couldn't blame them for that. They had circled their wagons almost immediately, assigning discrete protection details to Ryan's friends and his fiance, just in case.
Of course, those details meant next to nothing to him.
What did impact on him was the plan as they had explained it to him—well, as Beckett had explained. Noah hadn't said a word. If Adam was watching the station, then Ryan had already been out of sight far too long. If a frame job was Adam's ultimate goal, more than likely he suspected his trap had sprung as planned. But he wouldn't move on until he could be sure, of that everyone was certain, and the best way to catch him out was to convince him that his quarry was still free.
It had been an interesting experience, slipping into Detective Ryan's skin. In spite of all they shared in common, he really knew very little about the man in any of the ways that counted. He did have Beckett in his ear, ready to correct any misstep he might make. In any case, he had plenty of experience with things like this. In the past, he had managed to fall easily into roles which had provided a much greater challenge.
He knew more than enough to make a good show of it.
It had become easier as the hours passed and he went through the motions of Ryan's day, each action providing insight to the actions which followed. By nightfall, he felt comfortable enough with the ruse that he could likely have kept it up indefinitely, if required.
Though he hoped that wouldn't be necessary.
Entering Ryan's apartment had provided him with a more intimate introduction to the man he was pretending to be than Detective Beckett could ever have provided. Not that there was much of great interest to see. A few kitchy nicknacks, a sizable and eclectic music collection, a scant library—mostly cheap mysteries and spy novels—a game console and an ugly couch. He had spent several minutes staring at the photos displayed on the walls and tables in the living room—Kevin Ryan and his fiance, Kevin Ryan in his uniform, Kevin Ryan and his friends. He had spent a long time in particular dating those pictures in relation to one another, imagining what it might have felt like growing into the face he now wore.
Pretending to be Kevin Ryan and actually being him were two very different things. It was in his mind to wonder how much of "Konrad" had truly survived in the man left in his place, what memories and traits they might have shared. Where one ended and the other began. It was a very strange experience, examining that duality as an observer from the outside.
It was difficult for him to imagine being this man. It seemed such a waste of potential, becoming someone so ordinary.
In the kitchen he ran a hand thoughtfully over a counter top before opening a cabinet above the refrigerator and uncovering a bottle of bourbon. He located a pair of glasses just as quickly, and on a whim decided to fill both.
After all, with luck any he would be having company tonight.
He had hardly had a chance to taste his drink when he heard a soft click and felt the cold steel barrel of a gun placed against the back of his head. It was pointed directly at the vulnerable spot at the base of the skull—which answered the question of Adam's knowledge of that vulnerability pretty cleanly. Despite his own chagrin at being caught off guard, he couldn't help but be a little impressed by the older immortal's stealth. He hadn't heard a sound.
"I'm disappointed, Kunz, I thought you'd make this much more difficult," Adam said, and he actually did sound disappointed when he said it, though his voice was audibly smug as well.
There was no time for him to respond before Adam pulled the trigger.
The bullet slammed into the back of his head like a hammer, throwing him forward. He slumped against the counter, but managed to catch his weight and did not fall. The pain was bright and intense, and he could feel blood beginning to pour, hot and thick down the back of his neck. Gritting his teeth he struggled past that pain, forcing himself to stand.
"So did I," he said through clenched jaws.
Hearing Adam's startled noise behind him, his lips pulled into a smirk. With a flick of his finger the liquor bottle launched itself from the counter, impacting noisily with the man looming behind him. He turned, twisting his neck at the unpleasant but familiar sensation of the bullet working its way out of his head, thankful not for the first time that he had been able to move that point of weakness elsewhere. Once the hole had sealed up he allowed himself to relax, releasing himself from the disguise of Ryan's form, his hair and eyes darkening even as he regained his height. Finally he reached out with his hand, directing a wall of his will to hold Adam immobile while he spoke into the mic in his sleeve.
"I've got him," Sylar said.
Detective Beckett and her writer friend showed up only minutes later, Noah reluctantly in tow. Though the operation had been a clear success, the former agent looked far from happy—actually, Sylar thought that success might be part of why. While Beckett was engaged in reading Adam his rights, Sylar glanced over at Bennet, throwing him an exaggeratedly good-natured smile.
"Just like old times, huh Noah?"
Noah chose to ignore him, focusing instead on their prisoner. Soon, Sylar noticed he was frowning and turned his attention as well. It didn't take long for him to realize the discordant detail that had caught the other man's attention. Where the bottle had struck Adam's face the glass had laid open a small cut—one that was trickling blood down the side of his cheek, and very noticeably not healing.
"So Arthur did take his ability," Sylar observed with faint surprise, earning him a hateful glare from their captive prisoner. "He's mortal now."
PREV: Interlude 17 // MAIN // NEXT: Interlude 18
Author's Note: Yeah, I probably didn't manage to fool anybody with this chapter. It felt so clever when I came up with it. I guess at a certain point readers probably expect a mindfuck, and it's pretty obvious something's up when I stop using names...
But, again, game_byrd knew exactly where I was headed with this. XD
Regarding the Battle of Two Muses, I finally ended my struggle by taking the path of least resistance and going with my original plan. The other version of this chapter that I was considering would have had Konrad actually in the driver's seat, and Javier walking him through Ryan's day. While it definitely would have been interesting, but it would have taken some of the punch out of later events, and taken longer to write dialog I really would have had to spend a lot of time on to make it meaningful. I think it works out best this way.
Plus...Sylar.
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no subject
Date: Monday, 27 August 2012 11:26 pm (UTC)From:So even though you might think I'd know what was coming, the sneak preview left me incredibly uncertain and upped the tension. What would have been a mild mystery soon enough explained was instead riveting!
The theatricity of the two glasses is perfect Sylar. My problem partly being that I know Konrad so little as to not be sure what would be normal for him.
Konrad's arc is the opposite of Sylar's. Sylar questing for power, finding it, wanting to be rid of it, learning to accept it and in doing so, finding a partner and making his connection. Konrad never quested for his powers - they found him, he wanted to be rid of them, couldn't accept it and lost himself and everyone whom he had connection with. Well, except for Adam.
I eagerly await the mystery of Adam's survival!
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Date: Sunday, 9 September 2012 07:59 am (UTC)From: