Lamaire's Trouble

May 12, 1889
Early Afternoon

Somewhere in the recesses of Paris, among the bubbling potions, test tubes, beakers and medical equipment of varied sorts in his lab Dr. Laurent Lamaire was intensely working trying to perfect his serum. Yes, it was really a pale comparison to the work of one Dr. Jackal but, in the mind of Lemaire, it was better because he was better. He was so close to getting the correct response without the use of some demon crystal, or so he thought.

He needed it soon, the powers that may be or the Children of the Sea were growing impatient. They wanted their Army of mutants, and they wanted it yesterday. An Army no one could defeat. ‘An Army of what were once men or better Orcs, the doctor still hadn’t given up on that thought, the voices still ringing in his head - Orcs would be perfect - but they were so difficult to get his hands on.

knock. knock.The sound of someone at the door made Lamaire jump and his paranoia became more pronounced. Was it that Eldren? Lady Elizabeth Ellington with her group, or he assumed it was a group coming to get him. Has he been found?

“Doctor Lamaire, open the door.” That voice however was not one of a British Eldren, it was decidedly Greek and female. What was she doing here?

Lamaire cautiously opened the door, a human woman somewhere in her late 20’s, maybe early 30’s, about 5’7” with hair the color of the deepest night and deep dark eyes entered. She wore a long black cloak with a hood hiding her face, but Lamaire had gazed upon those features before. She was, in his mind, beauty without equivalent. Escorted by two men in suits. Lamaire quickly closed the door behind them then got on his knees in front of the woman.

“Oh, great Omilitís tis Alítheias Antinea, what is it I can do for you, my Queen?” Lamaire was clearly humbled in her presence.

Antinea gestured to one of the two men who walked directly up to Lamaire and stood in front of him, she then asked. “Is it ready?”

“N…no…. almost but not yet.” Lamaire stammered over his words, then braced for what would come next.

Antinea snapped her fingers, and one man held the still kneeling Lamaire while the others' knuckles met contact with his face.

“Not the eyes, men.” The woman casually commented, “He needs those to work with.”

After a few minutes of Lamaire being attacked, Antinea spoke again. ‘Lamaire, why do we do this?’

“Because the Eldren have taken away the power. The power that rightfully belongs to the Arundan and those who believe." Lamaire responded through a now bloodied lip.
“Well, we have a problem,” The woman said. “An Arundan is coming tonight to the meeting. What do you think he will think when we do not have the serum ready? It has been a long time that you have been working on it. What do you suppose should happen tonight to prove you are serious about getting us the serum.”

“I will take any punishment you or he deem necessary. I apologize for how long it has taken. I just cannot seem to get the ingredients correct. I feel that….” Lamaire did not get to finish that statement as it was meant with another punch to the face.

“Do you think I care what you “feel”? Your punishment will be long, so best come with us now. I plan on motivating you - and someone else is coming tonight, he might have his own punishment for you.” Antinea said.

“Understood,” Lamaire knew exactly who that other person might be. He also knew the punishment would be serious for Antinea to dish it out herself.

“Get him to his feet, Gentlemen.” The woman spoke and the two men pulled Lamaire to his feet. Lamaire was granted enough time to take off his lab coat and take care of anything that might explode or catch on fire in his absence, then he, Antinea and the two men left the lab. In the cab Lamaire’s ride was uncomfortable with the two men sitting beside him, Lamaire didn’t know what punishment awaited him, but knew he must take it for the Children.