The Marin Incident
A Crossover Fan Fiction by Orion Petitclerc
Chapter 1
"Subject number DI-1149-9987, name: Jonathan Harris Montgomery, vigilante alias: Gabriel Knight. Known abilities/superpowers: mechanically enhanced performance and rudimentary training in weaponized martial arts, classification: Scrapper, age: 32, ethnicity: American European. You hereby confirm that your participation in any and all tests and procedures performed by Vanguard is strictly and entirely voluntary, yes?" asked the voice from the speaker box.
The room is mostly dark with only a beam of light shining down onto the metallic reclining chair in which the six-foot-three armored knight lay with various sensing equipment stuck onto his body and head. Jon had seen very little of his hosts, even when they approached him eight days ago offering him help to remember the repressed memories in his subconscious, especially the memories of a particular event they were interested in. They claim to be Vanguard, a group which he knew little about. What he did know, roughly, was that Vanguard was a United Nations-founded organization that dealt with the Rikti invaders who set up camp around their crashed mother ship in the warzone that was once the city of White Plains. The only reason the Vanguard would approach Jon was if his most recent set of repressed memories was connected to invaders from another world or dimension.
"I do," Jon answered.
"Very well," said the female voice through the speaker. "Before we begin, I shall explain to you why you have been chosen for this operation. On March 12, 2009 at 1300 hours a series of unexplained events originated in Paragon City and the Rogue Isles, particularly in the Atlas Park, Kings Row, Sharkhead Isle, Cap Au Diable, and Grandville sectors. There were apparently no witnesses of this event, now codenamed the Marin Incident. For reasons unknown, emergency response teams and military or police forces were unable to enter the zones of the event. We have reason to believe that your most recent repressed memory is somehow connected to the Marin Incident and that it can shed some light on what really happened."
A couple dim lights activated on the four corners of a white screen in front of Jon.
"The sensors connected to your head will scan your brain for the specific set of memories we wish to acquire. Then, with the use of Vanguard interrogation equipment, we will attempt to force these memories to resurface in chronological order, which will then be projected onto the screen before you for our documentation. This procedure is almost completely painless and will not be detrimental to you in any way, shape, or form. You may, however, experience any and most of the emotions you experienced during these events. If there are no disturbances or interferences of any sort during the procedure, it should last for about eight to twelve hours. We shall continuously monitor your health and provide you with the nourishment you require for the duration of the procedure. Do you understand?" asked the woman.
"I understand," said Jon.
"Very well. We shall commence with the operation." A low whirr emitted from the machines behind Jon as the sensory equipment powered up. Then he felt the sensors at work as they probed his mind. After a few minutes, there were three beeps.
"The sensors have located the memories. In a few moments they will be projected onto the screen," said the woman.
An ear splitting tone rang in Jon's head for three seconds, then the projector shone light onto the screen. Blobs of color began to form into crystal-clear, sharp images of the moment he awoke in the morning of March 12, 2009….
***
Eliza struggled as hard as she could to release herself from her escorts, who wore the classic Men-in-Black uniforms.
"Get your greasy paws off me, jerks!" she screamed. The two men threw open a door and slammed Eliza into a metal chair, where they strapped her wrists and ankles. The men exited the pitch black room. "Hey! Come back here and uncuff me so I can break your necks!"
A ceiling light activated, shining down on Eliza. She was blinded for only a few moments, but her vision returned.
"Subject number NK-3287-9014, name: Elizabeth 'Eliza' Marianne Kelser—" said a man sitting at the end of a small table in front of Eliza, completely concealed by the darkness.
"Don't you dare say that name!" growled Eliza.
"—Also known as the mercenary Madame Sarr, convicted murderer, extortionist, terrorist, blah, blah, blah," droned the man. "Known abilities/superpowers: mastery in small, medium, and large arms, explosives, and brewing poisons. Classification: Mastermind. Age: 26, ethnicity: Chinese-American."
"So you have my profile, whoopdey-f***ing-doo," said Eliza, sarcastically sounding impressed. "You government and/or corporate goons can't scare me that easily."
"Let me put it to you straight, Eliza," the man said sternly, "you have been charged additionally with treason against the planet Earth and all nations and people respectively for affiliating and assisting invaders from another world/dimension with a hostile takeover. As far as far as International Law is concerned, with this charge and all other past charges combined you will be sentenced a minimum of a triple life sentence, if not the death penalty."
"You're outside of your jurisdiction, aren't you? I'm a citizen of the Rogue Isles, not Paragon City. Unless the Rogue Isle Authorities present evidence of my supposed 'treason'—which they won't—your arresting me is useless," smirked Eliza.
"You really are just another stupid, two-bit thug, aren't you?" said the man. "You committed treason to all of humanity and the world by siding with the hostile invaders, which in turn puts you not only into Rogue Isle jurisdiction, but the jurisdiction of the United Nations. And the last time I checked, the U.N. has more authority over global matters than the Rogue Isles and Recluse."
"Fine, I admit you make a compelling argument," huffed Eliza. "So you're here to put me behind bars and in the chair?"
"If you do not agree to my terms, then yes."
"Your terms?"
"Vanguard is interested in your interactions with the invaders, as well as the United Nations. If you tell us your entire experience—down to the very last detail—we may be able to lighten your sentence to a maximum of double life."
"So all I have to tell you is what I did?" asked Eliza, sitting forward.
"And any details about the invaders and their plans."
"You have yourself a deal if you can just uncuff me."
"That can be arranged." The door behind Eliza opened again and the two men in black entered, unstrapped Eliza, and exited the room. The man in the dark placed a voice recorder between them and pressed the record button. "Now, start from the beginning."