Chapter 4
"Miss Isley?" the boy called as he gestured towards the table.
Pamela surveyed her surroundings. They were in some kind of special operations room it seemed. Pamela started exploring. There was more apparently to the seemingly small room. She moved on, fingers moving across the black walls until they found a depression. Pamela applied a reasonable amount of pressure to the depression and waited. There was a grinding noise as Pamela stepped backwards. The wall seemed to split into two, revealing a second room which appeared to be a laboratory.
"Pressure pads I suppose?" Pamela commented as she turned towards the boy with a wry smile on her face.
The boy just smiled thinly as he beckoned towards Pamela.
"You are certainly gifted Miss Isley. You do have some sharp eyes over there. Anyway, here are the weapons I designed." the boy said as he picked up a metallic contraption of some kind.
"Interesting...I must say you're quite the genius yourself."
Pamela inspected the gadgets in front of her. She nodded in approval as the boy started the introduction.
"Firstly, this little bangle here...Made of titanium, tinted with emerald. Titanium isn't quite the strongest metal but well we'll make do with its good strength to weight ratio. Now for how to use it...It projects these tiny darts here at an astounding speed...Just slightly slower than a pistol firing a bullet...Around six hundred feet per second or thereabouts. And it even reloads by itself upon pushing this trigger here. The darts are made of plant mass and are thus biodegradable. They are stronger than steel but very light which make them extremely lethal. There are different sizes and of course there are hollow darts for poisons...These larger darts over here are for injuring rather than poisoning and yeah, for the smaller hollow ones, you get the idea..."
Pamela picked up the miniature crossbow curiously, then looked at the darts arranged in rows in front of her.
"Can I test this?" Pamela asked as she tried on the lethal bangle.
The boy gave a quick nod and then waved for Pamela's attention before he continued.
"Next...Some Teflon-coated nails over here." the boy said as he held up a stick-on nail.
"You can decorate them in whatever way you want, although that's not all of course...These nails are hollow and contain minuscule capsules with hydrofluoric acid in them...So if you want to destroy any evidence in a jiffy, just apply pressure to the nails then break them. The nails are coated with Teflon both on the inside and outside to prevent the hydrofluoric acid from corroding the nails so just break them and the acid will seep out. There's a reasonable amount of hydrofluoric acid there so you'll have enough acid to corrode a weapon or maybe a hand...Oh yes! You'll need another cell implant...Calcium lactate gluconate I believe...In order to immunise yourself from the hydrofluoric acid."
"Interesting...An abrasive touch...I believe I can smear the acid on my fingers and I'll be fine?" Pamela asked excitedly.
"Certainly Miss Isley...Sorry if you think I'm intruding into your privacy but...What's gotten into you? You seem to have become...Deflated? No longer...the arrogant woman I knew..."
"I-I...I'm behaving like...Myself! This has always been me-" Pamela stopped midsentence.
She looked at the table surface, her reflection.
What have I become...I only wanted Nature to win the war against Man...To make the world a better place...But now...I...I...How? Is this me? Poisoning? I must be mad...No! I'm not the crazy one here...The humans are! Not me! Poisoning...Ha! They are the ones...polluting waters with those filthy poisons...clouding the skies with dangerous vapours...ridding the land of precious plants...Man harbours desire...and therein lies the problem...The insatiable desire which threatens to consume the whole of Mother Nature...I will stop them...Just like the toxicodendron radicans...Just like Poison Ivy...Just like me...
"I'm sorry Miss Isley, I never should have asked."
"Not at all...I finally...realized my roots..." Pamela replied icily.
"Glad to know that. We'll need to acquire some calcium gluconate." the boy said with a hint of unease in his voice.
"Before we start working together officially, I need to know about the proposition. Go on, entice me." Pamela said, voice turning fearfully sweet.
"Yes Miss Isley...The proposition...Here's the deal, I'm planning...revenge on some...old friends of mine...And I'll be needing your expertise in Botany to assist me in my plans. If you agree, I'll restore to you to your former glory or even more and after my little vengeance, perhaps I could help you in your environmental escapades in the future. So, interested?"
"Sealed...Our partnership...Sealed..." Pamela said gleefully as she looked around.
"Good...So, what are we waiting for? Let's get you powered up and I'll give you a tour of my place." the boy said as he offered Pamela an arm.
"The pleasure is mine." Pamela replied as she took his arm.
*
"Guo Xin...Are you sure moving back to Gotham was such a good idea?" the girl asked as she shook her head and flung her lustrous black hair backwards.
"Sweetie...You live here...And I wanna meet your parents. Besides, it would be great if we could live together and stuff. But first your parents' consent and probably after we're married..." the boy replied as he slid an arm around the girl comfortingly.
"Please Guo Xin, I'm stressed enough now to not think about marriage. My parents...Not to mention the murders...My murders..." the girl trailed off as she fought a sob.
"Come on now...We've gone through this...We'll forget the past okay? Start anew...Make amends! I'll do anything to make you feel better! And you must remember what you did was for the environment! And you were brilliant when you stopped the other poisonings! As for Mister Hayashi and his company...Well...Like I said, for the environment...So cheer up won't you?" the boy pleaded.
Haruko Takaharucho nodded, then smiled weakly. Guo Xin always had an optimistic point view and he never failed to cheer her up. Haruko was sixteen and had flawless skin that was free of any blemishes and quite the model figure. Her inky black waist-length hair was let down at the moment to exhibit its pristine lustre as it swayed from side to side. She had a pretty porcelain face with large sparkling eyes, a tiny nose and little sweet lips. She looked like something that came out from an anime or manga with a violet blouse and black mini-skirt.
"I'm glad you're by my side Guo Xin...I wouldn't know what to do without you...Without you...I wouldn't even be here...I would be poisoning even more people..." Haruko confessed, voice trembling.
Guo Xin smiled encouragingly at her. He didn't care about Haruko's past misdeeds. The only thing he cared about was her. He knew she had a good heart despite the crimes she had committed. After all, those crimes were in the name of Mother Nature. Haruko only wanted to save the environment.
I can't believe I've got such a great girlfriend...She's kind, good-natured and all...Not to mention good-looking...
Guo Xin himself at eighteen years old was quite the looker too. He was tall, muscular with a lean build and had long black hair that resulted in a slanted fringe at his forehead and a hairstyle that matched those of characters in Japanese cartoons. His face was long with intense black eyes and a prominent chin. He could consider modelling as a career alongside Haruko if not for the fact that he had to carry his father's legacy. He was even defined "cute" by those lovestruck girls at his school.
"So...Have you heard from your brother?" Guo Xin asked casually.
Haruko stiffened.
"No. Why do you ask?" she asked without emotion.
"No it's just...You know meeting your parents and all that family stuff...Don't tell me you've forgotten him..."
Haruko shot him a dirty look and snatched a copy of The Gotham Express from a newspaper stand and slammed a few coins onto it.
"My step-brother for your information! And in case you've forgotten, he almost caused my mother's death by severing ties with her and then running away from home! Not to mention he poisoned Dad! I tried playing nice! I begged him again and again to stay! So we could be one family again! But no, he even tried to poison me!" Haruko retorted, clearly exasperated.
Guo Xin was momentarily stunned at seeing his normally reserved girlfriend suddenly blow her top.
"Hey calm down...I was just asking. So...Have you heard from him?"
"Well no! What do you think? The next time he returns, he'll probably be trying to poison me with another of his devious creations!" Haruko shouted, causing a few passers-by to look curiously at the both of them.
Guo Xin looked around and smiled at the passers-by.
"Bad hair day! Sorry!" Guo Xin yelled to the passers-by and then turned back to Haruko.
"I guess it runs in the family huh?"
"What are you suggesting?" Haruko replied threateningly with a scowl.
"No! I mean the brains! Your parents are doctors...You're a chemist...And your brother...Something to do with genetics right? And all with very impressive degrees from Princeton, Harvard...Don't be mad okay? I'll stop probing if you're angry with me mentioning him"
Haruko took a deep breath and adjusted her hair.
"You're right...It does run in the family...A little too much...I'm sorry for overreacting...It's just, just that I feel responsible for him...Responsible for the state of my family now...And now meeting my parents...It's just too much..." Haruko replied with a sigh.
"It's all going to be fine love. Don't pressurize yourself too much. It's just visiting. It's not like your step-brother's going to come and poison you or something..."
"Yeah...I guess so..."
Haruko turned to the newspaper. The headlines were splashed across the first page in large type.
"POISON IVY KILLED IN GUARD SCUFFLE DURING VISIT! VISITOR MISSING BUT PRESUMED DEAD!"
"Looks like we spoke too soon Guo Xin...What are the chances that Poison Ivy dies in a guard scuffle...And that visitor..."
"I don't know...If Poison Ivy uses the same cell implant technology as you and you couldn't remove them all..."
"The asylum doctors wouldn't be able to as well...The imperfections would mean..."
Realization dawned on both of them.
"Poison Ivy retained some of her implants." Guo Xin said.
"Then it would be impossible that she died...It looks like...My step-brother's back in town..." Haruko said in a hushed whisper.
*
The laboratory attendant of the laboratories of Sandoz pharmaceuticals was giving one of the laboratories a final check to see if everything was in order and accounted for. Those checks of unspeakable tedium were what the attendant hated most about the job. They were the reason that the attendant had to stay past midnight before he could leave. This particular check was the source of his frustration as he walked to and fro the lab. He was about to check the last batch of chemicals when he heard two sharp knocks. The attendant was irritated and confused at the same time as he peered at the door.
Who can be bloody knocking at this bloody hour and how did whoever it is bloody get past security?
"Who's there?" the attendant called out.
"Poison."
"Poison?" the attendant asked in puzzlement.
The attendant was confused even further. He stopped his checking and moved towards the door. However, there was a small explosion at the door and then a bang as the door came crashing down. The attendant was thrown backwards by the force as he raised his arms across his face in reflex. A woman of incredible beauty dressed in a bright green suit walked into the laboratory followed by a teenager in overalls with a cap tilted in such a way that his face was covered.
"Good evening Mr. Baxter. We've come for a little something - Calcium gluconate. Now if you would kindly just get it for us." the boy said.
"What the heck? Who are you people? You can't just blow down a door down and request for chemicals!"
"Awww...But you answered wrongly...After I said 'Poison', you should have said 'Poison who?'. But you didn't...So I had to end my little joke...Don't you know 'knock knock who's there' jokes?" Pamela said in sing-song voice.
"I don't give a damn about your bloody jokes!"
"I fear I have to experiment Mr. Baxter." the boy said and the attendant's eyes widened in fear.
"What-What are you gonna do to me?"
Pamela did not answer him and neither did the boy. Pamela raised her arm and fired at the guard. The dart flew through the air and landed in the attendant's neck. The attendant gave an exclamation of pain before plucking out the dart and throwing it on the ground.
"What was that you...you fiends!" the guard shouted apprehensively.
"Just a recent creation of mine...Something...to turn you on...and off..." the boy replied devilishly.
"Oh, you added the anthrax?" Pamela asked, evident surprise on her face.
"Incorporated would be a better word. It was difficult but I got it eventually...And now...the show begins...You haven't seen its effects Pamela?"
"I was in the morgue...In any case you have forgotten..." Pamela answered dully.
"Doesn't really matter actually...You can see it now..." the boy said as he moved over to the attendant and started undressing him.
The tubocurarine started infiltrating the attendant's muscles as it did its paralysis job. At the same time, the boy's new and improved aphrodisiac started its work as arousal crept slowly over the attendant.
"I'm calling security!" the attendant yelled as he reached into his pocket for the walkie-talkie and pressed a red button.
The whole compound was suddenly filled with the sound of wailing sirens. A look of fear flickered over Pamela's face but the boy just stood beside her unfazed.
"The tubocurarine wasn't fast enough then...But you'll pay for that!" Pamela growled.
For a moment, Pamela actually looked nervous but it was not long before a her creased brow smoothened as she broke into a smile.
"I almost forgot...I'm Poison Ivy...Security...It doesn't really matter, does it?"
Just then, the two security guards armed with revolvers burst into the room, aiming their guns at Pamela and the boy. They looked at the fully-paralysed attendant lying motionless and stark naked by a table, then back at Pamela and the boy.
"What's going on here?" one of the guards asked.
"Aren't you that Poison Ivy? You're supposed to be dead!" the other exclaimed.
Pamela smiled at them. The boy stepped back as Pamela advanced towards the guards. She took out a bottle of perfume and gave herself a few quick sprays. She then stuck out her hands together.
"Arrest me! I've realised the err of my ways...I know I've done a lot of wrong in the past...But now I'm going to make up for it!" Pamela said with sheer determination.
"You better not try any tricks. I'm warning you!" One of the guards said while the other took out handcuffs.
The boy crouched over the laboratory attendant and applied some lip balm onto the attendant's lips.
This should free you up a little for distraction...And make sure that you keep silent...Not that you can speak in your current...sexual situation...Haha...
"Help! Help!" the boy screamed as the attendant started gasping heavily in between moans.
This diverted the attention of the two security guards as they looked at the commotion. They looked at the apparently flustered boy who was clutching the attendant. They looked at the guard who was in agony and then at his erection. They stood there for a few seconds before turning back to Pamela. They looked at Pamela angrily, guns aimed at her.
"What did you do!" one guard asked furiously.
"Oh nothing...Just added a little love to his life...Like my perfume?" Pamela asked.
"I've no time for games!" the other guard shouted as he held Pamela's hands, preparing to handcuff her.
"Now...You won't handcuff me..." Pamela said with a sneer.
The guard made a choking noise as he grabbed his neck. He clawed at his neck for a few seconds before he collapsed. The other guard just looked in shock. He turned back, about to pull the trigger of his gun before he collapsed as well. Suddenly, there was a primitive roar as the attendant ejaculated. The tepid liquid spurted out of the tip of the attendant's erection and landed on the guard's chest, dripping down slowly. The guard smiled weakly, gasping, before his head lolled over.
Pamela shrugged her shoulders and flashed a smile in the boy's direction.
"Well, I am to die for..." Pamela said, smiling evilly.
"So now what? I haven't got enough acid to destroy all the evidence." the boy said.
"I'll worry about that...Just get whatever chemicals we need and let me have a look at your bag of tricks." Pamela answered as she looked at the dead bodies in front of her, clearly amused.
The boy went around the laboratory, gathering the required chemicals while Pamela looked through the boy's rucksack for anything of use. Pamela got it in an instant.
"You know...When we used Caesium to blow up the door's hinges...You think we can use it to blow up the laboratory?" Pamela asked.
"Definitely...And we've got plenty of it since this is a laboratory!" the boy said brightly.
"Good. The more the merrier...Come on! Let's get to work! To blow this place up!" Pamela exclaimed with a laugh.
"But where do we get enough water? And to escape in time?" the boy enquired.
Pamela smiled, having thought of this earlier. She searched among the pile of the attendant's clothing and found a packet of cigarettes and a lighter.
"We'll use the sprinklers. I'll just need to start this pile of clothes burning and soon the smoke will get to the sprinklers...And by then, we'll be long gone...Haha!" Pamela replied.
"That. Is. Genius." the boy said, voice filled with admiration.
Soon, the Caesium was distributed accordingly and placed strategic locations. Pamela lighted the attendant's boxers and dropped them onto the other clothes. Pamela just laughed and exited the room.
"Fire in the hole!" the boy yelled as he hurried after Pamela.
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