I know the last chapter probably wasn't that great... or that long... but I'm planning to change that in future chapters. Now that Marshall has discovered his powers, it's time to get down to business. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but Marshall.
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Chapter 3: Construction
Delsin and I had ducked into every alleyway we could find, trying to hide from the DUP APCs after us while simultaneously introducing each other. We eventually lost them, but only by Delsin Smoke Dashing into a vent and by me hiding behind a dumpster until they were gone. At that point, Delsin dropped down from above.
"So... I think we got off on the wrong foot. Delsin Rowe." He offered his hand.
"Marshall. Marshall Tern." I replied, standing up and extending my own arm; I knew what he was trying to do, and if it got me closer to getting home, then I'd be happy to give him my power. He grabbed my hand - and both of us were mildly surprised when nothing happened.
Delsin let go and stared at his hand quizzically; I did the same with mine. The awkward silence was broken by Delsin's phone ringing.
"Delsin, sorry man, I got hung up, but I found out there's this Bio-Terrorist maniac running around-"
"Can you please not use the 'B-word?'" Delsin asked, a slightly pleading tone in his voice.
"What? 'Bio-Terr-'"
"Yeah, that's just a slur invented by the DUP to make people scared of Conduits."
"Look, whatever you want to call him, let's just track him down and see what he can tell us about Augustine."
"Yeah. Hey, I also found another Conduit, one that hasn't been found by Augustine yet. Think you could, ah, let him help?"
"What? There another one of them running around loose?"
"Reg, he's also standing right next to me."
"Look, its too risky. Two Bio-Terrorists running around together will draw too much attention. Just, see if you can absorb his power, and let's find that sniper."
"Yeah, about that... I actually can't."
"What?"
"I already tried man, it didn't work."
"Really? Guess it doesn't work with everyone then... Anyway, they just found a body on Fifth and Briar. Go check it out. But promise me you'll be inconspicuous... yeah." Reggie hung up as Delsin turned to me.
"So, want to help me track down another Conduit?" He asked, a hopeful look in his eyes. I sighed, feigning boredom.
"Well, I got nothing better to do."
...
"Wow."
It was all I could say as I stared up at the mural that the Neon-Conduit (what was her name, again?) had etched into the wall around the man's body. Delsin took a few pictures as I looked around the alley a bit more and absorbed some brick to replenish my supply. Eventually, I turned back to Delsin.
"Uh, Reg, I'm hearing sirens, man."
"Yeah, let me check. Yeah, the DUP's just cordoned off the area. I've warned the Seattle PD to stay away."
Delsin and I quickly traveled up to the roof, with him using a nearby vent and me creating a brick pillar under myself to launch myself into the air - a technique I'd decided to call a Brick Jump. Upon looking out over the edge, Delsin spoke up.
"Uh, Reg, I got a convoy of DUPs heading to the scene."
"Yeah uh, might want to steer clear of them?"
Once they were through talking, Delsin leapt off the building, intent on following them. After a moment, I did the same, hoping my new Conduit nature would protect me. Upon landing, I surprisingly felt... nothing. It felt more like I'd just jumped normally instead of stepping off a seven-story-high building. We tailed the DUP to the scene; standing atop a nearby building, watching the DUP swarm like ants around the body of the man strung up on the fountain with more Neon.
"So, you ready?" Delsin asked, smoke beginning to trail from his arms. I grinned as brick began swirling around mine and nodded.