The friends passed the general as he left the agricultural area. Minx already had the luxury kitchen up when they arrived and had begun growing the food items. As she and Raven prepared the meal, she explained to them how her morning went.
About 10 minutes before the bell sounded for afternoon club time, her watch informed her the general had already read, signed and returned the contract. Five minutes later, the general was seen walking up toward the door on the newly installed cameras from the recent update. Aqua also enjoyed the update as he was able to fill a single tank instead of needing to monitor two.
Midas hit the open button as the general approached and all rose in appropriate military fashion as a general entered the space. It hit Minx that she didn't do that when General Mike entered Duke's office earlier and she felt bad.
She waived him in when he got to the door and looked in. He told the students to relax as he looked around seeming impressed.
"Welcome to the luxury-deluxe field kitchen, General." She smiled.
She took up the spot by his side and walked him around the space. "As you can see, there are 5 cots, here is the bathroom complete with shower and sink. Over here, there is a screen and a couch for us all. It's like a home away from home while you wait for the meal to be prepared."
"So even with you having a party of 6, you can still sleep all of you with the couch."
She nodded.
"What do you think so far?" General Mike asked.
"Well, the kitchen part is mostly what I tested with the super model which is already on the market. I can set that up for you later if you'd like. I have been permitted to keep the prototypes I test. The kitchen portion works superbly but I have not tested the oven yet. I plan to do that tonight or tomorrow."
"What needs to be tested are the other features this model offers. I think it could be used as a mobile command post for travelers. Set it up in a safe area then go hunting in a radius where you can return at night for rest. I did realize a way to launder clothing is needed. You can wash off the beast blood in the shower but not out of your clothing. I figure after staying in here for a week, we should be able to give proper insight. Also, I won't be able to test the arctic portion."
"Arctic?"
"Yes, goes to -70 degrees."
Mike whistled again, "all to ensure you can eat in comfort." He smiled. "I like it. How much will this go for once it hits the market?"
"Oh, I have no idea. The Green Family will determine that."
Mike nodded. She showed him the control panel so he could see how easy it was to use and feel more secure, allowing students to spend the week in a strange contraption. If anything happened, he'd have to explain it to their parents.
He noted all the apples on the counter. "Is that the harvest from those trees? Where did they go?"
"Those trees are returned to dirt now. I grew them to make apple cider. I had to destroy them so I could have room to put this up."
"I see, you have limited space."
She nodded and smiled. He tucked his hands behind his back and looked around with a smile on his face nodding. "Remember to send me their names and when you plan to start."
"Of course, General, and thank you again."
He nodded, smiled, and left the group. The bell had gone off but they thought they could use the excuse the general was there to be a tad late to their clubs. They looked at each other excitedly then all departed for their respective areas. Minx explained to her teacher there was an added temporary structure in the orchard.
That evening, everyone was getting settled in. Minx had made all the proper preparations, including adding in some extra names for later, even though she had not asked all those people yet. Minx realized as she was arranging her things and finishing feeding Caser, she didn't bring blankets. She got Caser a new bottle then told everyone she would be right back.
She went outside and closed the door behind her. She was just getting ready to ask her tree to open when she was approached from behind. "Don't move or you die."
She stopped in her tracks as her mind started to whirr. She realized the invisible guy must have been hanging out. What weapon is he holding against my back? She couldn't tell. "Walk."
She did as she was told. They were leaving the agricultural area. Next thing she knew, she was grabbed from behind and teleported away. There was a hatch in the ground in front of her. It opened itself. Mister Invisible again, she guessed.
She was thrown in a cell after a bit of walking. He was right behind her and threw her up against the wall, hitting her head. Blood started running into her eye. He took the weapon from his friend and cut her uniform. She screamed and he laughed. She then wrapped herself in level 1 armor which he tried to cut with his knife, but it would not cut.
He punched her in the stomach, "You bitch! I will not be denied! You will wear the name of the person who taught you a lesson! I will carve it into your skin."
She then wrapped herself in stage 2. "Do you like roses?" she smiled at him as she recovered.
"I do actually."
"Smell them."
He slammed her against the wall again, hitting the back of her head this time and she screamed again. He leaned in to sniff the roses at her neck pushing her against the wall by the chin. He whispered, "Thank you for the screams. And the roses," then he switched to smell the other side, "screams are welcome down here. This place is heaven."
She was finally recovering from the pain of hitting her head and reached up and grabbed his head, pushing it into her neck. Moments later, the spikes came out and she could feel the warmth of blood all over as it spilled from his head for the last time.
She was terrified for her life for so long. Now one threat was finally gone. She wanted to cry but she kept telling herself she was in no position to allow that type of response. She was in the dungeon from which no one had ever escaped. There was an invisible person in here with her and who knew how long his MC would last.
They had walked a maze to get to this secluded area. She had no idea how to get back to the surface. But her one positive was she was not locked into a cell.
Logan had been working late and had stopped to stretch. "Hey Peter could you get…" he stopped when he realized his friend was not there. Then he noticed Minx's dot was not showing on the map on his computer. He quickly reviewed the data and saw when she went missing. He tapped a bunch of keys in a flurry and suddenly more dots were there and he was able to piece together what happened. He wanted to contact Midas, but it was late and he'd be asleep.
He sent a text to him and Vorden to let them know Minx had been taken to the dungeon. He also sent the same to General Mike to ask why the agreement had not been honored. He then continued his research trying to figure out how to get Peter and now Minx out of the dungeon. After thinking about it for a few minutes, he also sent a message to his mother. He may not be able to cover Peter, but she could get Minx out and that may give him insight into how to rescue Peter.