--- Part 10: Devil's Advocate ---
"Ah Kireek. Yes yes. On Pioneer 1 there was a highly decorated military hero named Heathcliff Flowen. He led the expeditions into the Ruins until his death in an earthquake caused by computers hooked up to probe the Ruins' systems. It would seem that before his untimely passing, he managed to integrate a small amount of unusual unpurified photons into weapon prototypes that he was building. These prototypes were given out to military officers and important personnel from Pioneer 1."
He continued. "When news came to me of these weapons I knew that I would have to acquire them. But with the power that they contained, no one in their right mind would want to trade such a rare find."
"That's what Black Paper and Kireek were looking for! These prototypes. Were they worth killing for?" Asked Sue.
"The weapons were ordinary base models, modified with the new photon type. Dark Photons! That's what they were. Falz contained within himself a power to rival that of... that of..." He gestured frantically trying to think of a comparison. "... Of a star!" He finished triumphantly.
"So others died just so you could boost your collection?"
"It was not my intention that others should die. In the beginning it was simple enough, a few cuts and bruises but no one got seriously hurt. At some point Kireek reasoned that it was more logical to kill them, no witnesses and all that. It got really bad when he developed a taste for it, but maybe I was blinded by the results that he achieved."
Sue snorted at the mention of results.
"He did prove invaluable when it came to covering up our tracks. The speed at which Black Paper and his associates had been arrested was shocking. I couldn't take the chance that he wouldn't talk."
"So Kireek silenced him."
"Yes, Alex, as you knew him, knew the risks."
"How did you know I knew him?"
"I told you before, I have watched your rise amongst the ranks of Hunters for some time."
"Why me?" She asked as her hand slowly slid along to the photon storage control panel on her arm.
"I have my reasons. After Kireek's destruction, I pulled strings in the government in order to have him rebuilt. Although I made sure to hide the trail it seems that Kireek would enjoy a sense of closure in matters. Hence his frankly outrageous attack on poor Ash. I'm just glad that if anyone would have worked out who it was, that it would be you."
"So you are the mysterious Black Arm eh? I don't suppose that it ends with you?"
Pagani smiled broadly.
"Pioneer 3 is already on its way, did you know that?"
"No, I didn't. What about your son? Where does he fit into all of this?"
"Hopkins? He is an innocent in all of this. If anything his name would be Black Sheep..." He chuckled at that statement. "... But he is weak. You are the daughter I should have had... or a replacement for the son I do have."
"So why are you telling me all of this? I now know everything."
Pagani sighed heavily.
"I guess I'm a sentimental old fool. I had the tiniest hope that you would join us, work for me."
"Not a chance." She replied defiantly while activating her Nei's Claw.
"I knew that would be your answer..." His voice was tinged with sadness. "...So you must be taken care of..."
At those words Sue leapt across the room at Pagani, her hand mounted blades mere millimetres from his face when he vanished...