{"id":235,"date":"2014-12-30T04:06:14","date_gmt":"2014-12-30T04:06:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/?page_id=235"},"modified":"2022-02-19T23:26:01","modified_gmt":"2022-02-20T05:26:01","slug":"part5","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/episodes\/episode3\/part5\/","title":{"rendered":"Part 5"},"content":{"rendered":"

Episode 3: \u00a0Remember Me<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Part 5<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

His dark brown eyes penetrated the monitor. Reflected in their depths, the scene played out before him: row upon row of contestants doing the same zombie-like choreography, singing in the same robotic drone. “Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto\u2026”<\/em><\/p>\n

He leaned forward and pushed a stray, black curl away from his face, the better to see the screen. He couldn\u2019t believe his eyes.<\/p>\n

His plan was working.<\/p>\n

A smile spread like warm butter across his face, and his eye began to twitch with mounting excitement.<\/p>\n

It was working; it was really working! They had hypnotized everyone at Global Idol<\/em>\u2026 and soon, the hypnosis would extend to the world. After all, Global Idol<\/em> was truly a global phenomenon. Billions would watch it — billions who would soon be brainwashed in support of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve done it, Sexi,\u201d he murmured, turning to his female companion. \u201cThe seed has been planted, and it\u2019s already starting to grow. Just watch\u2026 soon, the entire planet will be in its tangles, and then\u2026 we will rule the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sexi seductively twirled a tendril of her long, black hair around her slender, taloned finger. \u201cSorry I ever doubted you, Dr. Rough. I didn\u2019t think it would work with all the security, but you were right. It\u2019s working.\u201d She smiled, her dark eyes flashing seductively. \u201cI can\u2019t wait to be queen of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

His eye twitched even more, much to his annoyance. It always did that when he got nervous or excited, and both emotions were going in overdrive within him now. Excitement because his plan was working, despite Himitsu Takana\u2019s attempts to sabotage it. Nervousness because\u2026 well, he always found himself nervous around Sexi. She was sitting so close to him, he could feel her warm breath fluttering against his neck. She made his heart race and his palms sweat whenever she touched him, her long fingernails scraping lightly over his skin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t wait either,\u201d he murmured, drinking in the sight of her, quenched by her beauty. His eyes lingered on her rear end as she retreated to spread the word of their success to the rest of the agents at FANS headquarters.<\/p>\n

He knew, deep down, that she only flirted with him because he was in a place of power, and she was hungry for some of it. But he didn\u2019t mind. No girl as attractive as her had ever given him the time of day when he was just Howie Dorough, a short kid with greasy hair and a lazy eye. But as Dr. Rough, he was someone to be admired, someone to be feared. Someone to be idolized. Someone to remember.<\/p>\n

In due time, they would all remember his name. And some of them would remember the short guy with the twitching eye they had let get away.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeeeeesssss, Dr. Twitches,\u201d he muttered, reaching down to stroke the lithe body of his minion ferret. \u201cSoon, they\u2019ll remember Howie Dorough\u2026 but not as Howie Dorough. They\u2019ll know me as\u2026 Dr. Rough!\u201d<\/p>\n

He rehearsed his evil alias with a roar, hoping to invoke terror in all. But Dr. Twitches, far from fearful, just squeaked cheerfully and tried to burrow into his crotch.<\/p>\n

Reddening, Dr. Rough felt his eye twitch some more, this time with embarrassment, as he pulled the squirmy ferret out from between his legs. He was glad that Sexi had already gone.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Agent K narrowed his eyes at the man standing in front of his desk. \u201cI don\u2019t care what anyone else told you to do. This is an international situation; it\u2019s HimTak\u2019s jurisdiction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis situation is happening on U.S.<\/em> soil. Our<\/em> jurisdiction. I\u2019m following my orders,\u201d the man replied, his Southern accent heavy. \u201cSo if you wanna change \u2019em, take it up with my boss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have time to waste arguing with your idiot boss over at the CIA! The U.S. isn\u2019t the only country at risk here!\u201d K sighed with frustration. \u201cMy orders are the only<\/em> orders you\u2019re gonna follow. Is that clear, cousin?\u201d Before he could answer, a knock interrupted him. \u201cCome in!\u201d<\/p>\n

A woman entered, her long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail that swung against her shoulders as she walked over. She wore a distressed, black leather jacket, a black t-shirt that read \u201cLED ZEPPELIN\u201d across the chest, and a pair of blue jeans that looked as if they\u2019d gotten ripped during several fights. He\u2019d hardly expected to find a high-ranking international agent wearing that type of attire.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou rang, K?\u201d she asked as she stopped beside him.<\/p>\n

\u201c005, this is Officer Brian Littrell of the CIA, also known as The Rok.\u201d He motioned to her left, where the short, blond man was scanning her with his deep blue eyes. \u201cHe\u2019s going with you to back up 008 and 009 in Las Vegas. Leave immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got it, boss.\u201d Summer O\u2019Riley — better known as Emerald Ecstasy to her colleagues at HimTak — gave K a small wave, then walked towards the door. After a few moments of silence, she looked back, realizing that the officer wasn\u2019t following her. \u201cYou coming, CIA?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d he answered, facing her after shooting a glare at his cousin, \u201cbut if you\u2019re not going to address me as Officer Littrell, just call me Brian. We\u2019re not big on code names in the CIA.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emerald rolled her eyes. \u201cIf you say so…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep me posted!\u201d K called to them as he got up from his chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill do!\u201d Emerald shouted from down the hall, The Rok at her heels. Once they exited his office, K entered his private elevator and descended to a familiar room: Pearl\u2019s laboratory.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust in time,\u201d Pearl said as K walked over to the desk, eyes fixed on the large screen. \u201cI just tapped into the surveillance feed in the auditorium.\u201d They watched as everyone in the auditorium danced uniformly as they chanted the chorus to an extremely odd song. \u201cAs far as I can tell, Nick is the only one there who\u2019s not affected by the device. If I could just locate it, I could have him shut it down…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, keep trying…\u201d K told her, peering over her shoulder as she typed furiously on the keyboard in front of her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do you<\/em> look so angry?\u201d Jay asked, appearing on Pearl\u2019s left side. \u201cWell, angrier than usual, I should say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not angry…\u201d K scanned the feed for any sign of a disturbance, frowning as he realized how loud the monotonous chanting had become. \u201cPearl, can you turn that down? I don\u2019t need surround sound to know that something serious is going on in that auditorium.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pearl looked up at him and frowned. \u201cThe volume is barely on, K. That\u2019s not the feed.\u201d<\/p>\n

She and K turned their heads at the same time, their eyes widening at what they saw: Agent Jay chanting and dancing exactly like the crowd in the auditorium.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there any way to stop him?\u201d K asked.<\/p>\n

Pearl thought for a minute before she spun back around to her keyboard and began typing in codes and commands that only she and the computer seemed to understand. \u201cLet\u2019s try muting everything…\u201d<\/p>\n

Moments later, Jay had returned to his normal state, except for the confused expression on his face as he found himself bent over with his right arm up in the air. \u201cThat was some trip…\u201d He stretched, then returned to his seat beside Pearl.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was strange even for you<\/em>,\u201d Pearl commented with a smirk, still typing. \u201cBut now we\u2019ve established that the device hypnotizes on an audio frequency… Which feed were you looking at when you went into the trance?\u201d Jay pointed at the feed that showed the area just offstage, where the only things visible were the curtain and the curtain and a soundboard with blinking lights. The soundboard operators were dancing just like the others. After a few more keystrokes, Pearl zoomed in on a close-up of the soundboard. \u201cNothing seems to be out of the ordinary here…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d Jay said. \u201cGo back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay…\u201d A few keystrokes zoomed out the feed. \u201cBut why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMark McGrath isn\u2019t hypnotized.\u201d Jay pointed at Mark\u2019s robotic movements, which didn\u2019t seem any different to K and Pearl than what the others were doing. \u201cHe just missed a step and stopped singing for a few seconds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pearl instantly pulled up a close-up of Mark and, in particular, his microphone. \u201cThere\u2019s definitely<\/em> something odd about that microphone. Looks like we\u2019ve found our transmitter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you shut it down?\u201d K asked, pulling out his cell phone.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. Might take me about a minute or so, but now that I know where to look…\u201d As Pearl went to work, K called Emerald and The Rok to tell them to find Mark.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure he doesn\u2019t get away!\u201d K emphasized to his agent over the phone, hanging up after her reply. He knew that they needed to get Mark back to HimTak and question him about FANS. The more they knew about this new organization, the better.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Back in the MGM Grand, Nick tapped his finger on the face of his watch. \u201cThere must be some sort of interference, Pearl; you\u2019re coming in and out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNick,\u201d Pearl\u2019s voice cackled through the static, \u201cit\u2019s Mark\u2026 the microphone\u2026 transmitter\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick lifted his gaze across the stage just in time to see the show\u2019s host put his hand to a tiny earpiece. As he began pushing buttons on the bottom of his microphone, Pearl\u2019s broken message about a transmitter clicked in Nick\u2019s mind, and he instantly began forming a plan.<\/p>\n

After scanning the crowd of hypnotized wannabe pop stars, he began to imitate their robotic dance awkwardly, slowly making his way across the stage. He\u2019d nearly reached his target when the song came to an end, and Mark McGrath turned to the camera with a big smile. \u201cThank you, Sanjay, for that totally rockin\u2019 performance. Up next, we have Nick Carter returning to the stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick froze at the mention of his name. He knew he would never get the chance to make his move if he blew his cover now, so he joined Mark with stiff movements and lifeless eyes.<\/p>\n

Many people watched his every move.<\/p>\n

Dr. Rough smirked with deep satisfaction as HimTak\u2019s golden boy fell victim to his evil scheme on the screen in front of him. The fact that his biggest threat would now help make the final phase of his brainwashing ploy complete created a sweet taste of unexpected victory.<\/p>\n

Drums watched from the shadows above, his mind drifting on a sea of painful, confusing memories.<\/p>\n

And agents Jay, K, and Pearl remained frozen, glued to the monitors in fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cTurn the sound back on. I want to hear what they\u2019re saying.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pearl silently followed Jay\u2019s orders without question. \u201cOkay, Nick, it looks like you have your work cut out for you if you want to come out on top. What song are you going to sing for us tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick gazed mindlessly into the camera. \u201cThank you, Mr. McGrath.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pearl gasped sharply at the complete monotone sound in Nick\u2019s voice. \u201cThey\u2019ve gotten to Nick, too!\u201d<\/p>\n

Pearl stared worriedly at the screen, but both of her superiors remained calm, aside from the single glance they shot each other. K pulled his phone from his pocket and thumbed down to the number for Emerald.<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight I will be singing \u2018Mambo Number Five.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, Pearl gasped.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou okay?\u201d Jay asked.<\/p>\n

K looked up from his phone. \u201cWhat? What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMambo Number Five!\u201d Pearl screamed with excitement.<\/p>\n

K raised an eyebrow and stared at Jay, hoping he could explain her crazy behavior.<\/p>\n

\u201cMambo Number Five!\u201d she yelled again. \u201cMambo Number Five!\u201d<\/p>\n

As she shouted, Nick robotically took the microphone from Mark. \u201cOne, two, three, four, five,\u201d<\/em> he chanted.<\/p>\n

Jay gritted his teeth as Nick sang robotically, wary of the performance. But Pearl had regained her hope, giggling at her friend on the screen in front of her; this would definitely be blackmail material.<\/p>\n

During Nick\u2019s horrible robot dance, he managed to flip the switch on the bottom of the mic, turning the transmitter off.<\/p>\n

When Jay caught the maneuver, he grinned with pride. \u201cYou sly dog.\u201d<\/p>\n

Relaxing, Pearl grinned at Jay and sat back with a sigh of relief, but K\u2019s gaze never left the screen. He watched and waited, and, sure enough, the effects of the mind control began to wear off slowly.<\/p>\n

The longer Nick sang, the more he began to slip into the role and enjoy himself. His voice hit the notes perfectly, and his movements became energetically playful. \u201cI like Angela, Pamela, Sandra, and Rita! And as I continue, you know they\u2019re getting sweeter!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Soon, Nick had all but forgotten the mission, carried away in the song. Meanwhile, realization dawned on Mark, and he dove at Nick. For a split second, he overpowered the distracted Nick, knocking him to the floor. After prying the microphone from Nick\u2019s hands, Mark turned the transmitter back on.<\/p>\n

Regaining his senses, Nick leaped to his feet and hooked Mark in the jaw. Staggering, Mark wound up to throw a punch in return, but Nick dodged, then jabbed Mark\u2019s chest. For every hit Mark landed, Nick countered with five. Blow for blow, Nick\u2019s skill and training won out over Mark\u2019s lucky shots.<\/p>\n

Drums swooped down from the rafters on a rope and killed the power to the TV cameras.<\/p>\n

For a moment, Pearl gaped at the black feed, then quickly tapped into one of the hotel\u2019s security cameras — just in time to see Nick knock Mark out cold. The microphone rolled across the stage.<\/p>\n

Nick scrambled to his feet, rushing to catch it, but a much worthier opponent blocked his victory when he reached the mic. For a brief moment, he looked into the eyes of his old friend, overcome with guilt. Drums\u2019 good eye narrowed, and he used Nick\u2019s hesitation to his advantage, knocking Nick to the ground with a force that snatched his breath.<\/p>\n

Nick rolled back onto his hands, kicking his feet into the air, and flipped himself upright into a squat. When he stood, Nick kicked, and Drums retreated a few steps to avoid the threat. Nick pulled both fists toward his chest into an unmistakable stance — 00Carter was pissed and about to kick some serious ass. Drums matched his stance. Each remained eerily still, daring the other to make the first move. With their history, this fight, this showdown, had higher stakes than a victory for HimTak or FANS. It stirred up their rivalry, muddling it with betrayal and animosity.<\/p>\n

\u201cI nevah thought it would end up dis way\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDrums–\u201d Nick started, but before he could finish, Drums lunged at him and swung his fist, knocking them both to the ground.<\/p>\n

Hitting. Flipping. Kicking. Choking. The fighting within their heap was a chaotic mess of movement; anything they could do to prevent the other from getting the transmitter. After finally prying the microphone from Drums\u2019 hand, Nick smashed it, sending a million tiny pieces across the stage.<\/p>\n

And yet, their fight continued; the fallen transmitter was merely a means to an end. The two old comrades flew at one another in a battle that would make Muhammad Ali nervous. Each punch released a frenzied emotional fury that would have continued forever if their bodies could have sustained the damage.<\/p>\n

As they panted for breath and wiped the blood from their faces, Nick stared into Drums\u2019 hate-filled eye, finally snapping from distress. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Drums flinched backward, caught off-guard by the pain in Nick\u2019s voice. He couldn\u2019t believe that Nick felt betrayed; HimTak\u2026 no, his family<\/em> hadn\u2019t abandoned him<\/em>!<\/p>\n

\u201cHow could you do it? I\u2019m sorry you had to leave the agency, but how could you go to work for them?\u201d Nick went on. \u201cCan\u2019t you see you\u2019re on the wrong side?\u201d Drums barely seemed human anymore with the cold, dead machinery covering the scar from that awful day. \u201cDrums\u2026 Justin\u2026 Tell me who\u2019s done this to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know damn well who did dis ta me!\u201d Drums snarled. \u201cAnd you deserve ta die fo\u2019 shooting yo\u2019 brotha!\u201d<\/p>\n

Overcome by guilt, Nick shrank into himself as a million solutions raced through his mind. Was there any way to convince Drums that it was an accident? His hand wasn\u2019t steady; he missed. But Drums would definitely be dead if Nick hadn\u2019t fired. More dead than he already was.<\/p>\n

Drums took advantage of the momentary vulnerability and pounced on him, punching Nick\u2019s cheek rapidly. Between the speed and the precision, Nick could barely see; it seemed Drums wanted an eye for an eye.<\/p>\n

\u201cNick!\u201d<\/p>\n

Startled by the murmurs of the confused crowd and the familiar voice, Drums catapulted himself backward, vanishing in the sea of bodies. In the same instant, Diamond burst through it and fell at Nick\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Part 6<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Episode 3: \u00a0Remember Me Part 5   His dark brown eyes penetrated the monitor. Reflected in their depths, the scene played out before him: row upon row of contestants doing the same zombie-like choreography, singing in the same robotic drone. “Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto\u2026” He leaned forward and pushed a\u2026<\/p>\n

Read more<\/span><\/i><\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":126,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"templates\/template-onecolumn.php","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-235","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P5xaHX-3N","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/235","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=235"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/235\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1166,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/235\/revisions\/1166"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=235"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}