Sleeper #12

In "The Road to Hell," after three months in Bermuda, Holden Carver finds himself pursued by federal agents. Having subdued them, he reflects on his life since leaving the United States—stealing money and fleeing from one country to another to evade authorities and Tao's Syndicate, even venturing into unlikely places. Following the murder of a CIA agent, Holden realizes that leaving the island won't be easy and opts for a desperate dash to an airfield to commandeer a plane. Confronting a maintenance worker to arrange a flight, Holden is then faced by Tao, Peter Grimm, and the new Torpedo, the Blue Meanie. His attempt to assassinate Tao fails, and he is overpowered by the Blue Meanie. Tao allows Peter Grimm to torment Holden with the nightmares of the deaths, emotions, and betrayals he has caused. When the nightmares cease, Tao seizes the opportunity to converse with Holden. With his men securing the area, Tao reveals he has no intention to kill Holden but instead desires his return to "where [he] belong." Holden, skeptical, listens as Tao enumerates the reasons he belongs with him, citing the destroyed file that could have exonerated him, his refusal to admit to being a double agent, and his self-imposed punishment. Tao suggests that Holden, considering his crimes, had abandoned hope until seizing the opportunity to flee from I.O., accepting his place outside the law. Tao proceeds to share his own origins and motives with Holden, explaining how the Tactical Augmented Organism, or TAO, was born from the Optigen Institute's experiment, parentless and under the scrutiny of Dr. Ruark and his team. Speaking at only a week old, TAO's rapid development and self-awareness were grossly underestimated by the scientists.