Author's Note: All properties are the rights of their respective owners, Marvel, Respawn Entertainment, etc.
2020 has been an interesting year so far and the less said about it the better.
That out of the way, the title of this chapter is another Sabaton track because we haven't had one of those in a while, at least I hope not because then I would look stupid and we can't have that. Still, it comes from Attero Dominatus album, which is among the weakest of their discography, but that is likely due to the fact it was put together in about a year. Still, the album has some good tracks such as the title cut, Angels Calling, and Light in the Black. In fact, this chapter was titled 'In the Name of God' for a while before switching to this one. Though the song was chosen more for the history it is based on than anything else. I'll touch more upon that history at the bottom.
Power Without Question – Chapter 31: We Burn
Chase them down, let them suffer in pain
Dig them down, they'll be gone for a while
Evidence lost
We burn
Plunder and rape
Show them no mercy, just burn
Flesh turn to ash
Miles Morales sat at the front of the large crowd gathered outside City Hall alongside his mother as they waited for the ceremony to begin. Miles didn't really understand why his dad was so anxious about this, he was a bona fide hero for what he did. The patriarch of the Davis/Morales household had always been content to simply do his job and do it well. Miles never really understood that aspect of his father, he had done something good, why wouldn't he want to be recognized for it?
As he watched the playback of the video clip he had posted on twitter for the 38th time…no, he wasn't counting…his mother slapped at his arm to put it away as the deputy mayor stepped up to the podium. "Welcome everyone" he greeted, the crowd falling silent as he did so. "And before I hand it off to Mayor Osborn, I'd just like to say a few words."
Unbeknownst to Miles, his idol was less than twenty yards back, discussing the current situation with the Demons with a certain red headed reporter in civilian attire. While the Deputy Mayor droned on, the teen was keeping his eyes to the skies, looking for said idol perched on the rooftops. Surely Spidey would want to be here for the man who had reportedly saved his life.
But if he was, then Miles couldn't pick him out before the Deputy Mayor finished what he was saying and stepped back as the Mayor took his place, the fakest smile Miles had ever seen plastered on his face. "Well thanks, Jim. Couldn't have said it better myself, but I'll try" he joked lamely. Miles' father smiled politely at the joke as he took his place next to the Mayor. "We all know that Officer Davis is a hero…" he said before Miles tuned him out.
He checked his twitter, the comments on his video post devolving into Spidey vs. Marauder arguments. Who was better, who would win in a fight, or if they were dating. Miles never understood people's obsession with that theory. It seemed as if a fifth of eithers twitter activity was dedicated to dispelling it.
"…For acts of extraordinary bravery above and beyond the call of duty, it is my privilege to present Officer Jefferson Davis with the Department Medal of Honor" declared Mayor Osborn as he pinned the Medal to his father's chest over his heart as the Deputy Mayor came alongside and whispered something to the Mayor, though Miles couldn't decipher what it was. In any case he was too focused on his old man, standing stiffly and still nervous about all the eyes on him.
The two shook hands before Osborn discreetly departed, Miles frowned, didn't his dad deserve this? The flicker of contempt was overcome by pride as the uniformed Officer took his spot behind the podium, looking at the crowd before his eyes settled on Miles and his mom, both flashing reassuring smiles. "Uh…Thank you Mr. Mayor" he began before clearly taking a deep breath, spreading his feet and squaring his shoulders. "I share this honor with my family – my wife, Rio, and my son, Miles. Without their support I couldn't do what I do."
Miles couldn't have been prouder of his old man as he continued the acceptance speech, it was simple, but if he knew his father than the last thing the Cop wanted to do was spend any more time talking about himself than he had to.
When he finished, Davis stood with the Deputy Mayor at the center of the stage as the reporters to either side of the family readied their cameras to take photos. Miles faced twisted as the Deputy Mayor began to glow, at first, he thought it was a trick of the light and he was so entranced by it he barely registered the shockwave from an explosion behind him. To his horror, he saw the man pull back his jacket to reveal a bomb vest, it had to be, it looked just like all of the ones in the movies. "DAD, LOOK OUT!" he yelled at loud as he could, hoping his dad would run, jump, just anything to escape the grim reaper at his back.
To Miles' utter horror, his father did nothing of the sort, instead running at the man and tackling him to the ground just as the vest detonated. The concussion knocked Miles back, head slamming into a chair as his vision became fuzzy, he blacked out before coming back, head pounding like a jackhammer was going to town on his skull. He was only aware for a few moments, long enough to register that he was being dragged, his mother was okay as she looked down at him, screaming his name.
But it wouldn't be the sights or sounds he experienced that would stick with him, it was the smell. The burning sensation of the cordite, the rotten smell of charred flesh, the saturated dust that soaked it all in, the gasoline that fueled the burning fires, they all mingled into a stench that could only make Miles think of one thing:
Death.
It was a relief that he passed back out almost immediately.
He didn't remember much else until he really came to as he pushed passed his muscles that ached in protest to stand. His eyes watered as he coughed, dust thick in the air as the horrible smell assaulted his nostrils. "Peter! Peter squeeze my hand if you can hear me!" begged a woman as she crouched down next to a bruised man, the first signs of tears rolling down her cheeks as she looked down at her red stained hands from the blood soaking his shirt. Miles couldn't help but pity her, but he had to be brave and find his parents. He knew his mom was alive and his dad…he had to be alive too.
Steeling himself, he shielded his face from the dust with his forearm as he called out for his mother, more people, some bleeding and limping, heading away from ground zero. Guard towers twisted and collapsed by the explosions blocked the way as fires spread from the gas leaking from a cruisers fuel tank. With the direct route blocked, the teen went into a bombed-out storefront, trying to ignore the sight of a paramedic packing up his bag and closing the eyes of a lifeless corpse on the floor as he vaulted over some debris.
Continuing forwards, the teen crawled under a tottering car as fires continued to spread through the wrecked shop. Making his way back outside, he was stunned by the scale of the destruction, so much so that he almost didn't notice the EMT helping a woman trapped beneath the wreckage. "Mom?" he said in disbelief as the remains of a tower with lights on it pinned her to the ground. "MOM!" he shouted in horror as he realized it really was his mother.
The Hispanic woman's eyes darted up to him, "Miles!" she shouted in recognition as the teen moved to the other side, scrambling to grab hold of the steel tubing and aid the EMT. With every ounce of strength he could muster, he pulled on the tower. "Can't…breathe…" panted his mom as Miles strained again, only to slip and fall as he saw the terror in his mother's eyes.
"Damnit!" he cursed as he picked himself off, "Think, think!" he chanted as he looked around frantically and his eyes settled on the piece of steel that had snapped off and he jammed it in under the tower.
"Hurry kid, it's slipping" informed the EMT as he strained to keep the tower from completely crushing the woman. With all of his strength, Miles heaved, throwing his weight into the lever as he propped the tower up just enough to get clear of his mother. The EMT dragged her out, "I got her!" he called as Miles let go, the tower slamming into the asphalt.
"Miles, Miles, Miles…oh my god" breathed Rio as Miles stumbled over himself to reach her, embracing her immediately as the EMT complimented him, though the teen was more focused on the sorry state of his mother.
"Are you okay?" he asked as he held tight. For a brief moment, Miles forgot about everything else, the heat, the dust, the smell, the sights he had seen minutes ago, just focusing on the here and now.
He felt his mother nod as she answered. "Yeah…yes…yes…yes…are you…are you okay?" she asked, almost on the verge of panic.
Slowly letting go, Miles could see the full extent of her injuries, the cuts and scratches on her face, the blood stain on her shirt. "I'm alright mom. I'm alright" he assured before looking her over again, "are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes, I'm going to be al…ah!" she cried in pain as she nearly slumped over before recovering. "I'm going to be alright" she assured as the EMTs arrived with a stretcher and Miles' mind was drawn to other issues, and more specifically, other people.
"I have to go find dad okay?" he said as he pulled away, doing his best to focus on the task at hand despite his mother's pleas. Looking at the wreckage that blocked his path, he steeled himself as he began to climb. "Dad's still in there" he assured himself.
"Miles! Miles come back!" pleaded his mother as the teen continued to climb, ignoring her as he focused on what he had to do. "Baby, please stay here!" called his mom from below, but again the words fell on deaf ears as the teen reached the top of the fallen tower to see the square, a few people still milling about, searching for survivors amidst the wreckage.
"Dad's alive, I know it" he whispered, intuitively knowing it to be true as he saw the stage where his father had been. Suddenly, a pair of sedans pulled up to the scene, the door opening as suited men wearing masks and carrying guns got out. Dropping down, he didn't know who these guys were, but he needed to press on.
As his feet hit the street he made to get behind a generator as two people held their hands up in surrender to the masked men before they fired, cutting the civilians down where they stood. "Oh my god" breathed Miles as he scampered away from the opening, hoping that he hadn't been spotted as he heard more bursts of gunfire.
Crawling through the shattered back window of an overturned SUV, he did his best to avoid the shards of glass littering the surface he crawled over. A man fell next to the SUV, Miles holding his breath as he saw the man raise his hands and plead for his life before a glowing sword was thrust into his chest. There was a disgusting gurgling sound before the sword was yanked out and the man fell flat on his back, lifeless eyes staring straight at Miles. Breathing heavily, the teen swallowed and pushed on, only to nearly jump up and bash his head into the seats as the body of the driver came unstuck and nearly fell on top of him.
Quickly averting his eyes, he forced himself to take deep breaths as he tried to calm himself lest one of the masked guys noticed him. Biding his time, he watched their feet, waiting for agonizing minutes and unable to do naught but watch as men and women were cut down until he thought it was finally safe to emerge.
Staying low and moving around the perimeter, Miles could still see and hear several gunmen sweeping the area, their flashlights slicing through the dust like knives and just as lethal. As quickly as he dared, he scampered down the sidewalk, staying out of sight and doing his best to not make a sound. Climbing up another destroyed tower, he looked down to see a man swing a sword that unleashed a burst of black and white energy that splashed over two people, killing both.
Creeping across the creaking beam, the teen didn't look down after he did once and saw the singed corpses sprawled out, clothes and skin melted away to expose the bones and organs inside. Dropping down on the other end of the tower nearby the stage and podium, he poked his head over the wreckage he saw a man with a rifle and immediately ducked as the flashlight passed overhead. Peeking through a gap, he watched the man wait for a moment before turning his back.
Seizing the chance, Miles clambered over the debris and stayed low as he made his way to the twisted wreckage of the stage. The attackers were speaking in some foreign language as Miles pressed himself against a barrier until he saw the group of gunmen move away from the stage. Knowing this might be his best chance, he began to climb the steps as he saw a single masked man at the top with a sword in hand, standing over the decapitated body of a woman as Miles boiling blood screamed for him to act.
Without thinking, the teen picked up a steel pipe and raised it as he rushed up to the swordsman, only for the killer to parry his attack and punch him in the face, sending Miles down the steps. "No! Please!" cried out the teen as the swordsman made his way down the steps.
His sword crackled with energy as he twirled it before pointing the tip at Miles' throat, the teen feeling the heat radiating off of the blade. The weapon came up, poised to strike as Miles raised his hand in a futile attempt to defend himself when a commanding voice boomed out. "Enough! Leave him as a warning of what happened here" ordered the unknown voice as Miles craned his head to find the source, only to see a man's back as he disappeared into the dust.
Without another word, all of the armed men turned and left, leaving a thoroughly distraught Miles Morales as the sole survivor of the massacre. Getting to his feet, he ran back up the steps in spite of the pain that wracked his body. "Dad!" he called out as he reached the top, his heart dropping as he surveyed the scene.
Blood painted the steps; a few body parts had been separated from their owners as twisted and mangled bodies and they littered the area like twigs. Wading through the carnage, Miles began looking for his dad, but came up empty. A bit of hope welled up inside him as he turned to leave, looking down at one of the bodies. This one was so badly burned as to be unrecognizable, the face deformed, arm blown clean off, and leg bent and a gruesome angle as blood turned the tattered police uniform crimson.
But what was completely unmistakable was the Department Medal of Honor pinned over the man's heart.
Cooper groaned as Felicia came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him, he was standing over his workbench; his freshly set up armor repair system humming as he wore an undershirt and basketball shorts. "Hey Darlin'" he drawled quietly as he bit back a wince when she squeezed his bruised ribs, "are you doing this just to tell me to not take generators to the face again?"
Felicia hummed an affirmative as her chin rested on his shoulder. "Just because I don't mind the scars doesn't mean I want you to try and collect them" she purred, digging her fingernails into him through his shirt in warning. Cooper didn't mind as much and was content after the action, the Demons had been neutralized, even if it was as clean of a takedown as the Marauder would have liked.
There was a sense of peace in the refurbished warehouse, the two were curled up on the couch enjoying the free moments with some food. Felicia had picked the movie, The Italian Job, but Cooper had put his foot down and thus they were watching the original and not some remake. Both were still too wired to sleep, but enjoying the quiet to do much else as they watched Minis drive around in the titular heist. "How come when you choose the movie it's always about thieves?"
"And how come whenever you choose the movies it's always a relic?" shot back Felicia as she gave him a quick kiss to get rid of the sour expression on his face, though the Marauder still grumbled incoherently. Hardy giggled a bit, but the banter was soon cut short.
The movie suddenly paused as BTs voice came from the TV. "Pilot, multiple reports of explosions at City Hall. Captain Watanabe is requesting your presence immediately" intoned the Vanguard Titan as Cooper shot up from the sofa. "Alert, multiple gunmen spotted on camera feeds at City Hall" updated BT as the Texan took the stairs in twos and threes down to the armory.
By the time the Widowmaker pulled up to the police line and the Marauder emerged, there was nothing left to do but walk through the warzone. Cleanup crews were starting to get to work and the wounded were being relocated and treated, but the dead remained undisturbed. It was a haunting feeling as the Pilot carefully treaded through the square, rubble, debris, and bodies littering the space, the dust having settled to give a fine coating to the scene that made it more gruesome, the red tinted dust.
Watanabe was standing in the middle, though this clearly wasn't the same woman Cooper had come to know and respect. The Captain seemed…hollow, a shell of her former self, not barking out orders like she always seemed to be. She was standing in the middle of her own failure, the price of it paid with the blood of the innocent. Yuri turned and saw the Marauder, but didn't say anything as the Pilot looked down into her hollow eyes. "Don't worry Captain" he said quietly, barely audible amongst the commotion of the workers, "We will get them" he promised with deadly calm. He was overwhelmed with the same cold fury that had compelled him to enact his plan with Felicia.
There was a flicker of anger on her solemn features. "Is that all you can think about? Revenge? The next mission?" she asked hoarsely, still struck with disbelief.
The green striped helmet shook slowly, "The dead have settled their debts Captain…" he began tentatively. "It's up to the living to pick up the tab."
Peter jolted awake as his eyes snapped open to see the hospital room he was in before they widened and looked down at his bandaged stomach before remembering he had changed out of his Spider-Man suit before joining MJ at the rally and breathing out a sigh of relief. "Peter dear" came a motherly voice as the Queens native turned to see Aunt May standing up from her seat at the side of the room, "take it easy Peter. They just finished the surgery an hour ago, you had three pieces of shrapnel in you" explained the woman in worried tones.
Laying back down gingerly, he made a show of wincing in pain for his Aunt's benefit. His quick healing ensuring that he was practically good as new, they probably weren't that big of pieces. "How's…MJ" he croaked as May offered him a glass of water and he gulped it down greedily.
"Worried about you, but otherwise fine" revealed the older woman calmly as she placed a hand on Peter's shoulder, "I am too. What happened Peter? You could have gotten killed today" she reminded sternly. "I can't afford to lose you" she finished softly.
He took a deep breath and nodded, "I know, I just…I saw something strange and wanted to have a look. I had no idea…" he began to explain before he was hushed by his Aunt. "I'm sorry" he said simply as he averted his eyes.
"It's alright dear" assured the woman. "What were you doing at that rally anyway?"
The superpowered hero couldn't help but feel heat rise in his face, "I uh" he began before clearing his throat, "was there with Mary Jane while she covered it for the Bugle" he revealed sheepishly. After a second of silence he looked up to see the woman giving him a small but knowing smile that did nothing to help his composure. "May…stop it" he pleaded when he caught sight of a familiar head of red hair in the doorway.
"I don't see why I should Peter" retorted the woman firmly. "I'm just so happy that you two are speaking again. You two would make some beautiful babies" she reminded as Peter tried to become one with the hospital bed. His attempts didn't go unnoticed by May as she furrowed her brow and turned around to see a rather shocked looking journalist in the doorway. "Hello Mary Jane."
"Oh uh, hi Mrs. Parker" returned the redhead dumbly while her face did the same as Peter's in trying to match her skin color with her hair color. The awkwardness in the room increased tenfold as nobody moved for what felt like a small eternity, time being relative and all. The two young adults were content to avoid all eye contact, while May looked from one to the other expectantly, only to realize that neither was willing to break the stalemate.
With a small sigh, the woman turned back to her nephew, "Take it easy Peter, don't make me come back here and dote all over you like I had to back in middle school" she threatened lightly. "I need to head back to FEAST, call me when you are released, okay?"
"Okay" he returned, "be careful" he cautioned as the woman gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and turned to leave. With the older woman gone, it was just the two exes left, and the stalemate held for a little bit longer until Peter finally swallowed his pride and looked at the redhead. "So, what happened exactly?" he asked.
"Demons had the whole block covered in bombs, even corrupted the Deputy Mayor and had him wearing a suicide vest" she revealed as she pulled a seat up next to the bed and sat down in it. "After the bombs went off then more demons arrived to kill any survivors and first responders, most of them all got away. The Marauder showed up half an hour after the bombs went off, he's out there now" she said as she took his hand. "The current death toll is over a hundred and fifty, but they're still finding bodies buried beneath the rubble" she finished lowly.
That statement sent a spike of fury through Peter's being, "Li" he ground out lowly, only to look up and see the confused look on Mary Jane's features. "The last thing I saw before the bombs went off was Li, he was there, but…" he said as he tried to remember the scene, but it seemed impossible and he wondered if it was the concussion talking. "But he was…glowing, just like the Demons" he whispered lowly as he leaned in closer, close enough to pick up the traces of her perfume that were still left. "I think Matt was right" he admitted.
"You're sure?" asked MJ, skeptical for only a second before he nodded in affirmation and her features hardened as she opened her large purse to reveal one of his spare costumes he had left in a duffel bag on the roof of her apartment, "then let's get you out of here so Spider-Man can get after him."
The next week was a flash; everyone had been busy with trying to do their part to even the scores. Sleep and coffee were in equally short supply on the island as the bombing at City Hall proved to be the beginning. Manhattan soon found itself under siege by the Demons, who used Guerilla tactics to devastating effect and were able to disappear into the population as quickly as they appeared. It was a pattern that had a frightening simplicity to it, Demons would emerge and attack, killing or robbing something before getting out of sight, shedding their masks, suits, and weapons, rendering them practically invisible before making their escape.
The NYPD were completely overwhelmed by the coordinated series of attacks as they were still licking their wounds obtained at City Hall. They had unexpectedly found themselves locked in an intricate and deadly dance with the cunning Demons, only unlike their partners, the NYPD were wearing earplugs and a blindfold. Not to say there weren't making a herculean effort to remove such impediments, but as soon as progress was beginning to be made a car full of gunmen would shoot up a precinct, resetting their progress.
Cooper had wanted to tear apart the city to find Li and try and get some answers, but Watanabe had forbidden it, she needed the Pilot to try and do something to take pressure off of the beleaguered police force. With a bit of help from the NYPD forensics lab and a hunch from the Marauder, they soon determined the extent of the City Hall bombing. In addition to the suicide bombers, conventional explosives had been placed in surrounding buildings and by the various towers on the perimeter. Those had been conventional Composition 4 plastique, with the same chemical signature as the explosives used in Cinderblock, meaning they had the same source: Fisk.
The Marauder had then made it a point to hit the remaining Fisk weapon stockpiles and gunrunning points, with emphasis on securing the weapons they contained. Taking down three or four a day was a grueling pace, but it soon became much easier when he arrived at one construction site to find it deserted with a burner phone sitting on a weapons crate. Cooper hadn't been surprised when Fisk called it as soon as he laid eyes on it, but what he said once the Marauder answered had been.
"My sources in the NYPD told me about the origins of the explosives. I won't allow my weapons to be used in such a way again. My men have orders to begin transporting them out of the city since they've proven they can't keep them secure. There is no need for you to continue interfering in my business."
"That may be, but you'll understand if I'm suspicious enough to want to confirm that for myself."
"Very well. You may inspect the sites; my men will have orders to cooperate."
True to his word, Fisk had every weapon moved; Cooper checked every Fisk property and came up empty. That didn't stop the Demon's from using the weapons they had already acquired off of the deposed Kingpin, but there was finally some good news.
Peter had spent a few hours in a hospital bed before checking out and getting back to work, patrolling in an effort to stop Demon and Thug crimes as they happened. Spider-Man had been busy and active, and was now finally taking Cooper's advice that Li needed to be grilled seriously, though the man had disappeared.
All the chaos meant that Felicia had practically free reign to conduct her business unopposed as she began to take on tougher targets. With everything else going on, the Return of the Black Cat wasn't even page one news as the thief's return went unnoticed, to her chagrin.
But that was all forgotten for a few short hours as Cooper, in full Marauder kit, stood alongside other uniformed officers under the overcast sky, light rain dotting their headgear with water droplets. The Pilot stood motionless as Mayor Osborn handed a folded American flag to Rio Morales, the remains of her husband lying in the flower covered coffin. No words were exchanged as Osborn offered his solemn condolences to the fallen man's wife and son.
A flight of police helicopters did a flyover as Cooper and the other uniformed officers saluted their fallen comrade to bring the ceremony to an end. Many offered their condolences to Davis' family while the Marauder approached the coffin, pulling a banner from the satchel and unfolding it. On one side was the SRS Logo and motto, 'United We Stand; Divided We Ambush' while the opposite side had the words that he himself spoke as he crouched down. "For us, the storm has passed... it is over. But let us never forget those who faced the howling dark and did not return. For their decision required courage beyond measure; sacrifice, and unshakable conviction. They emboldened all of us, and they shall not be forgotten."
When he lifted his head and stood, he saw Davis' son, Miles, standing opposite him, just staring blankly at the coffin. Matthew couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the sight, the kid not even turning to look at the Renegade Gunfighter as he turned and left him be. Heading towards where he had been was Peter Parker in formal wear, the two exchanging slight nods as they passed. Approaching the Widow, he could hear the conversation stop as he walked up. "Mrs. Morales, Ms. Watson" he addressed calmly as he looked at each individual before the visor settled on the grieving widow. "My condolences Mrs. Morales, Officer Davis saved my life and I highly regret not being able to do the same" he said sincerely as he removed a box from one of his pouches and handed it to her. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out."
The woman took the box and opened it, finding an encrypted phone inside before closing it. Just as Cooper was about to turn away to let her be, she spoke up. "There is one thing; could you speak with my son? He's…been taking Jeff's loss hard." Without words, the Marauder nodded as he silently turned to see the teen brush Peter off as the Marauder went off in pursuit.
"Kid" he said carefully as he came to a stop a few paces back from the Teen, who turned around and snorted at the sight of the Pilot. Seeing he wasn't going to get any serious response, the Marauder continued speaking anyway. "I'm not good at this sorta thing, so I'm going to give it to you straight. This thing you're doing right now, it's not helping anybody. Sooner or later you're going to have to decide, decide if you overcome your grief or let it consume you."
After a moment, the teen unexpectedly rounded on the vigilante, a flash of anger in his eyes. "Or maybe if you had done your job my dad wouldn't be dead" he hissed scornfully. "Where were you when the Demons attacked? If you were there, then you could've…"
"No I couldn't" said Cooper flatly, cutting Miles off. "I had been shot earlier in the morning, I was recovering, repairing my armor, resupplying after the fighting" he explained simply. "You want the answer as to why your father died? It was because of a cunning and ruthless enemy who murdered him to make a point. Spider-Man and I both fell for their misdirection that ensured we couldn't respond to the attack; we underestimated the enemy" he admitted with a grimace. "But the details? There was no reason; I've seen enough war to know what it's like, for your buddy to die instead, to know it should have been you. But if you let that fact break you, then it's over, the people that do this will have won. The only way to win, truly, is to endure and prosper. And only you can do that."
The kid didn't answer, finally just walking past him as if the words hadn't fully registered, still in a trance as he approached his mother. Sighing, Matt checked his watch and got moving, heading to the parking lot and waiting Widowmaker. His mind was already pushing past the funeral to one singular thought: Payback. All week he had been focused on Fisk's hideouts or small time crime, but it was time for that to change. MJ had a few leads and she told him the first one might be ready after the funeral, ever since then the Marauder had been chomping at the bit to take the fight to the Demons.
But he knew he wasn't the only one and so wasn't entirely surprised to see Spider-Man crouched atop the green McLaren, but it was annoying. "Hey! My car is not a perch! Off!" he barked as the vigilante flipped off and the two got in, Matt firing up the twin turbo V-8 as his friend worked the infotainment to make a phone call. "Davis earned his rest, it's time to make sure he can rest easy" said the Marauder solemnly as he put the car and gear and the hybrid pulled away.
Spider-Man didn't respond as he sat back, putting his seatbelt on because he had to be as much of a square as possible while the car dialed a mutual friend. "I'm busy, what's up?" answered Captain Watanabe brusquely.
As Cooper pulled the Hypercar out onto the road the webhead answered the Lawwoman. "Have you started looking for Martin Li yet?" asked Spider-Man as the Marauder watched traffic part for the Widowmaker. While Cooper wanted to speak to the philanthropist to see if he knew anything, that had been superseded when Peter claimed to have seen him at City Hall.
Watanabe however, wasn't having it. "No, I told you, I can't start a manhunt based on a hunch from Spider-Man" she said, Cooper having no doubt that his friend had been pestering the woman incessantly about it all week. "Or you Marauder, I know you're listening" she added.
Cooper sighed as he brought the P1 to a stop at a red light and relaxed a bit. "I'm not asking you to hunt him down, but at least consider him a suspect and put a BOLO out on him" shot back the Marauder. "Yuri, I'll be blunt, if you don't start hunting for Li, then I will" he threatened darkly.
Spider-Man turned to look at Cooper, eye lenses wide in shock as he was about to open his mouth and object when Watanabe relented. "You want to play hardball?" she asked with a wry laugh, "fine, get me some solid evidence and we'll talk about going after Li together" she emphasized before hanging up.
Spider-Man did have someone who could help with that, and Cooper remained quiet, focused on driving his baby while the wallcrawler spoke with his ex-girlfriend using the phone in his mask. While talking he leaned forwards and input an address into the navigation system, a recycling center. Without needing to ask, Matt took the next turn, clicked the left paddle to drop the car down into 2nd gear, and buried the throttle as 950 horsepower were turned loose to propel the pair towards their new target.
Cooper's Logbook – Submachine Gun: Volt (XR-341-E7)
The Volt is a bizarre case, a proof of concept protype that proved so effective it was thrust into frontline service. Pioneering a unique electrically actuated firing system that has since been upscaled into the D-2 Double take and thoroughly excellent X-55 Devotion. In comparison to those, with their multiple barrels and variable cyclic rate, the Volt is a standard weapon in practice. A modest rate of fire of 625 rounds per minute and a paucity of moving internal parts means recoil is nearly nonexistent, the sleek design and short barrel makes the weapon easily to handle, but the high velocity that comes as a result of the linear accelerator mechanism means that range is better than would be expected.
The downside is that the gun is pretty hefty, at over 7 and a half pounds fully loaded, the ammunition is also not light either, especially considering the projectile is, at the end of the day, a bigger, hotter 9-millimeter. Armor piercing power is substandard, and at medium range a true assault rifle will outgun you every time. That being said, presentation does count for something, and few guns inspire awe like the Volt, so alien and futuristic in its design and operation that it alone reminds people who they're dealing with. With skeleton stock and strange compensator/suppressor on the muzzle, it has a distinct profile that has become as associated with the Marauder as the bloody mouthed and eyepatch wearing skull that adorns my helmet.
In short, the future is always around the corner and you have no idea what it'll look like…at least until you see it.
Closing Notes: So, the title track was one I agonized over for a long time. But there is a reason for it is probably a bit more obvious now. It tells of the Bosnian Genocide in the 1990s that resulted in around 50,000 dead, to this day the exact number is unknown. Obviously there is a lot of weight to that story, weight that the attack at City Hall should have had in the game but was denied, mostly due to the T rating. For this story I have the M rating to give me the ability to give this event more detail, and I think the result was quite effective. And then I threw in a quote from, of all places, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Review and let me know what you think.
Of course next week is all about punching back, hence the short chapter and abrupt end. Having it stop there allows for both this chapter and the next to be more consistent in tone and content. The next chapter will have more action bring with it a character teased several chapters back who I have been waiting to introduce properly and have in the story.
While our heroes have been peeking around and messing about, a new faction is spooling up their War Machine.
Stay Frosty, Misfit Delta out.