-Earth: Stuttgart, Germany-
"...you're sure this is the place?"
/-You doubting my tech?-/
"No, I'm doubting the notion that an Asgardian has any interest whatsoever in a...a..." I lean forward with a furrowed brow, inspecting the plaque. "...a museum, I guess?"
/-The data says there's some sort of event going on.-/ There's a snicker over the comm. /-Maybe he's looking for investors?-/
"Investors? For what, a new pair of pants?" Great. Just great. Our man's hanging with a bunch of suits. Rich asshats that think they run the world just because they hold all the cash. Think they make the world tick, can control what flies and what doesn't, who prospers and who suffers just because they have all the resources. The reality of it all? All it takes is just one person to reach out and cut the strings. Then the bastards fall, rolling over as they do, hit with the harsh realization that they're just another puppet as they look up and see... "He's a fucking-"
/-Whoa! We got a sudden spike in activity in there! Better back off...!-/
I'm already on my heels. "Way ahead of you."
People are flooding out of the building like a horde of frenzied gnats. I let myself get swept up in the panic, moving with the wave into a small, cobblestone clearing. Light glimmers behind us. There's an explosion, the awful sound of metal grating along asphalt.
/-See? I told you. Data's never wrong.-/
It's crowded. I'm being shoved from all sides. Someone behind us has managed to speak above the noise, filled with a commanding authority. "...Kneel before me."
I look over my shoulder, muttering under my breath into my comm. "Sleeping."
/-You got it. I won't be offended.-/
There're two more glimmers of light-two figures appear on the peripherals of my vision and, between that and the voice, the panic increases, even more frightened. I chance a quick glance, and I see what all the fuss is about: copies of our man.
/-Well, THAT'S a useful trick!-/
He's growing impatient. "I said KNEEL!"
Everyone obeys-we kneel. That pleases him, and he starts talking, filled with what I'm guessing must be at least a century's worth of perfected, elegant flair. I can't see much, so I whisper, soft as I can, "Eyes."
/-Roger that.-/
Our man walks by. I tense as his trenchcoat brushes my shoulder. Did he hear?
"... unspoken truth of humanity, that you crave subjugation. The bright ..."
No. Too busy talking. The sound makes the perfect mask.
/-...Huh? What the...hey, hey, hey! Old man! What the hell are you doing? Get back down!-/
Shit. Some fogey started a countdown, and for what? So he could be a damn martyr? After this, there'll be another panic, and then-
Static over the comm.
/-H-hey, can ... me? There's a ... in. Still trying ... fast!-/
What NOW?
"... Let him be an example."
Time's up.
I begin to turn.
I'm too late.
A collective cry escapes the crowd, quickly followed by an awed hush. I curse under my breath, not sure if this is better or worse.
"You know, the last time I was in Germany ... "
/-... hell? Is ... serious? Nice out ... -/
A wind picks up. Some sort of giant craft. They're here for our man.
We can't take them all.
The crowd takes off as a fight breaks out. Another hushed curse through gritted teeth...then I turn and go with the flow. The static on the comm clears up just a bit. "Scatter!"
/-Wait, what? But-/
"We can't right now! Not without drawing attention." I dive into an alley, back pressed against a building, glowering out at our missed opportunity.
/-You're not serious, right? LOOK at them!-/
"THEY'RE allowed to stand out. You know the game, don't play like you don't."
/-Okay, fine. And if they kill the guy?-/
"Then we miss the hit. Next case. Simple as that."
/-But THIS one's worth-/
"NOT worth our rep, it's not!" I've had enough. I'm done watching. I turn and take off down the alley, already shedding tonight's mask. "Re-group at Alpha in three."
/-...fuck. Roger that!-/