Heroes: Alternate Universe part 5

New York Councilman Nathan Petrelli was a man of principal, or so his campaign ads said. His past, however, told a different story. But, Nathan thought to himself in his office, this was the present. From now on, things were going to be different. This line of thinking came after a call from his mother, telling him of a plot against special people that possible involved Eugenics. His thoughts were interrupted when his secretary announced over his private intercomm that Pete was here to see him. "Send him in," Nathan told her. When Peter told him the story, Nathan nodded. "If I'm hearing you right, this project needs to be stopped. But we have no idea where it is," he said. "Appanently, somebody knows," Peter answered. "He might choose to reveal himself." "And if he doesn't," asked Nathan. "Then we fight when whoever our enemies are come to get us," Pete answered. "The thing is, Pete, we don't know when they'll come. We either stand together or we lose," Nathan said. "In the words of Ben Franklin, 'We either hang together or we hang seperately.' But we can't gather everybody and then wait around. People have jobs to work and places to go. We can't keep them holed up somewhere with no idea when this is going to happen." Peter thought about that. "Then we just have to hope whoever gave Hiro that dream shows himself to us," he said. "We can't count on that, Pete. I'll see if something like Eugenics is being cooked up by government agencies," Nathan said. Peter nodded. "Keep me informed," Nathan told him. "I'll help as best I can."

Bob Bishop had worked at the Company since it was created. Ivan, he had thought, was loyal to the Company. Well, he had been proven wrong. Now it was time to start replacing what had been lost. "How's he doing," he asked his daughter Elle as they watched Ivan's replacement through one-way glass. "Cory Knight is adjusting to his role very well," Elle said. "But he has this love of Poker. He carries that deck of cards with him everywhere." "There's a reason for that other than his love of Poker," Bob told her. He flipped the intercomm switch. "Let's see how he's doing with target practice," he said into it. Elle watched skeptically as the wooden target was set up. Cory took out a card, held it for a second, and then threw it. Elle's skepticism became amazement as the card embedded itself in the target. "Cory's special," Bob said as he turned off the intercomm. "He can re-align an object's molecules to make it rigid or flexible. In his hands, a playing card becomes a deadly weapon, like a throwing star. He'll be replacing Ivan as Jon Langley's partner." "Who will replace Mellissa as Kari Shmidt's partner," Elle asked. "I have someone in mind, but we have to go get her," Bob answered. "Claire Bennett would be a magnificent replacement." Elle snorted. "Even if her father were to agree, which I seriously doubt," she said. "We'd still have her to contend with. She'd never cooperate." "Getting special people to the Company has never been a problem for us," Bob said. "As for the other problem, we have a re-education center in Odessa." Elle remembered that facility. Her father had given her a tour of it. It was where the uncooperative people were sent. She knew that Cloaire, strong though she was, would comply after being taught there.

Heroes: Alternate Universe part 4

Hiro and Ando teleported to New York. Perhaps, Hiro hoped, "Flying Man" (Hiro's nickname for Nathan Petrelli) would be able to provide some answers. "This is pointless, Hiro," Ando told him for the third time. "Nathan Petrelli has always been reluctant to help in the past. What makes you think he'll help us now?" "He's the only hero I know where to find," Hiro answered. "And if he doesn't help, we can ask him where his brother is." "Peter Petrelli is definitely more helpful than Nathan Petrelli," Ando agreed. "But what if he doesn't tell us?" "Then we find a way to discover who has been giving me these dreams," Hiro said. The last dream had been frightning. He didn't know what those men circling the table were doing, but it didn't look good. "He'll have all the answers we need." "Hiro, we don't even know where to look," Ando exclaimed. "That won't stop me," Hiro said with resolve. "Whatever these dreams are about, it seems to be very important." "I'm not arguing with that, but we don't know where to start looking." "Flying Man might know. He knows a lot of things about politics, and his brother is a nurse. Maybe he'll tell us where he is." "Where who is," asked a voice from behind them. They both turned to find who it was: Peter Petrelli. Several minutes later, in a sub sandwich restaurant, Hiro told Peter the story. Peter frowned while he listened. "This sounds like people are going to be operated on for some reason," he said after Hiro finished talking. "But it could just be somebody having his tonsils removed. Did you see who was having the operation?" "No," Hiro answered. "The doctors were surrounding the table, so I couldn't see who was on the table." "But you're sure there was someone there?" "They were definitely working on something, and they were wearing caps, gloves, masks, and coats." "Well, that's as good a reason as any. You wsaid that the surgeouns were surrounding the table. Did any of them look young, like they were still in college?" "Many of them, yes," Hiro said, thinking back. "Then it could just be a normal operation. Students and interns are allowed in the operating room so they can learn by example." "It didn't look like they were just watching," Hiro explained. "They were helping with the operation." "Hiro, I want you to think about your dream," Peter said. "I'm going to try to read your mind so we'll be on the same page." Hiro nodded. He thought about his dream, brtinging the picture into focus so Peter would see it clearly. "What's that machine that looks like a computer from the '70s," Peter asked when he had finished. "I don't know," Hiro said. "It could be something from the past," Ando suggested. "No. The rest of the technology is too advanced," Peter answered. "I'll talk with Nathan and see if he'll help us."