Angels with Newfound Hope

Act 2 Chapter 24: Distrust

Alex's Apartment - Day 10, 8:32PM

Alex sat with several pieces of his equipment. Loading round after round into his ruger straight from the P90 he retrieved, he ran through the plan in his head over and over again. He'd just finished when a freshly showered Mongoose walked in.

"Going somewhere?" She asked as soon as her eyes found the spread.

"Yeah. I've got a favor for you too, if you don't mind." He stated, sliding the PDW over to her.

"Tell me you don't want me to kill someone." She sounded rather annoyed. Did her version of himself have her do that often?

"No, only send a message. What made you think that anyway?" Alex questioned genuinely. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't curious about his counterpart.

"I made an assumption. That's all there is to it." The hispanic replied blankly. "So what's this favor anyway?"

"The minister of culture, Emera, has disobeyed orders to leave Bryce the fuck alone. I need you to show her the consequences of her actions." The male lay out his request in full.

"Seriously? You want me to attack a political figure for you? Why do you think I'd do that?" Mongoose was admittedly annoyed with her friend's recklessness. Thinking back, her world's version of him was the same way.

"I don't. But you're the only person I can trust with this. I know you will have restraint. I'm afraid that if I go after her, she'll be dead before morning. I know I'm asking a lot, but could you just do this one thing for me? I will ask nothing else unless this really is a time loop." Alex pleaded. She was his literal only hope in this, and he was at her mercy.

"I guess I'll have a lot of favors to complete... Throw in the next round, and you've got yourself a deal." The hispanic countered, pulling off the towel turban she was wearing. Her onyx black hair flowed like a river through her fingers as she brushed it out a little.

"Are you even sure about that?" Alex asked.

"Positive. There's-" Three heavy knocks froze both of them in their tracks. Each snatched a gun off the table just in case. Alex only got a single step in before the door swung open, with Maverick poking his head through.

"So I just found out Bryce is comatose, all thanks to you setting off that generator in the farmhouse." The dragon began menacingly.

"That wasn't meant to happen. Reza must've noticed-" Alex immediately went on the defensive.

"Shut up! You think I give a fuck what you say you did? He's in the hospital because of you! You don't get-" A click sent something into his neck. Snapping in Mongoose's direction, he pounced.

Time itself slowed as his teeth sank into the woman who dared attack him. She could only throw her gun in an attempt to slow him down, not like that did any good. It clattered uselessly somewhere behind him...

Alex felt the pistol hit his leg, saw Mongoose try desperately to keep Maverick from tearing her throat out. Adrenaline raced through him as he picked up the weapon. There should still be one dart left in the launcher. He could only pray now as he readied himself.

Maverick felt Alex jump onto him, that pistol's barrel pressed against his carotid. Another click shot more of whatever that was. He managed to throw the man off before his movements began to slow.

"What did you do to me...?" He slurred. His vision began to blur, with his balance failing with each passing moment. He tried to attack Alex, only getting three steps in before collapsing. His vision faded as slumber took him over.

"Alex..." Mongoose exhaled. Her sight wasn't one to behold. Blood flowed steadily from the gaping bite wound in her throat. Her chest rose and fell with a slight gurgling noise on each breath.

"Shit. We need to get you medical attention, now." The remaining male propped her up, going for his sewing kit instantly after. He pulled a needle and thread from their places and got to work.

"Painkillers?" The hispanic rasped. Her friend handed her his shirt to bite down on. It was more than clear that this would hurt... a lot. She only braced herself for the worst as she felt the needle pierce her skin...

Her agonized screaming was barely muffled by the fabric basically gagging her. She was pretty sure she bit through a couple layers when he moved to her other side. At least her regen augment should take care of the rest...

"There. I think that should do it. How're you feeling?" Alex checked up once he was finally done. Mongoose couldn't get anything out due to the pain. She only signed a 'thank you', to which he exchanged a nod.

"Best we let you rest, then. You've had a rough day already." With that, he carried her to the bedroom for some well deserved sleep.

"God..." Alex looked upon the battleground. A small pool of crimson threatened to stain the floor if he didn't get it taken care of. It was followed by some bloody footprints and drippage leading to his bedroom. The one who caused this mess lay unconscious, with two darts protruding from his neck. This wouldn't be an easy clean-up...