Love Struck Eternal
Chapter 47 - Starchild.
Sam's POV, Thirty minutes later.
I had my time to think out the starting point for my plan, but I needed more. However Byron was now on his way and he'd be here in a matter of seconds. So I broke my meditation and threw my gear over my shoulder. I remained seated over my bunk as the dog came walking in with a small bag of his own. He looked ready to go and as he approached he said to me with a small sense of doubt behind his words.
"She's not going easy on you. You think you can pull something off?"
Now Byron was a Great Dane. What he lacked in height he made up for in weight. He was definitely one of the more physically stronger looking guys on the team. He nearly matched my height in fact and that's saying a lot based on the fact that I'm just a wolf. He should be easily a few inches taller than me. Yet he came off as a really nice guy. Both him and Sikes were solid in terms of personality. I don't know about everyone else, but in time I would. I can only imagine I'll sooner or later run into someone like or worse than Dusk.
Looking up at the man, I replied with confidence towards his concerns.
"I'm already thinking of a few options, but I need to get topside again if I even hope to figure it out. Can we leave?"
Nodding he replied while offering me his hand.
"Yeah we're good. Tika gave permission. Here." Helping me up, I proceeded to wonder out loud.
"Do we have a car or something to use once we're back up there?" Handing me a key just as fast as I asked, Byron replied with a small smile now.
"Already hooked us up. You lead. I'll follow."
"Not like you got much of a choice either. Sorry you don't get to rest just yet." I said back to him with some guilt to me which got him to respond back near immediately.
"Don't be. Been through a fuck ton worse then being sleepy. You ever been to Iran? Want me to show you around a little?"
"Nah, I'll drive. I got a few ideas lined up like I said. I just need time to look it over and think."
"Can we get something to eat before we go crazy? I'm only asking because I haven't had a nice greasy meal for a month now and I don't wanna have the first thing I eat be a ration." Byron chuckled as I smiled back and followed him to the elevator. Along the way I replied.
"Sure. You buying?"
As the elevator shut he replied.
"I think I can afford it. Just make a left once we get on the road. The place I want is just down the street. Can't miss it."
The trip topside was mostly quiet between us. When we reached the top I had to break the silence by asking Byron a simple question.
"Is Tika this hard on others?"
Looking me over as we walked out of the elevator, Byron replied.
"We don't get a lot of new blood to be honest. Last person we took in tried to sell us out. Thankfully the uppers caught them before much could happen. Ever since then we've been very careful with who we do business with. I'd assume she's just being rough because of the circumstances, but what she's asking you to do in two days is honestly unfair. That kind of money takes us months to get when we work together. How does she expect you and me to do this? Well I have no fucking clue. I hope you do, because you're nice and that's saying a lot when I think about some of the other people we have with us. I'd hate to lose you this way."
"You won't be. I'll figure this out. Just give me the time I need. I'll show her who she's fucking with. I might be a contractor, but I'm no rat and I'll prove it. No matter what it takes."
Byron sensed my faith and gave me a smile as we got back outside the bunker. From there he led me up a few flights in the garage till we met our vehicle. It was a piece of shit, but it would get us moving and that's all that mattered.
As we got inside the car and onto the road, I thought about my powers. I was focused this whole time on making sure my aura seemed normal to this man. Don't want him sitting with an icebox. Yet half of me was curious how he would react if I displayed a few of my gifts to him without any context. For example, I could phase through something once just to see if he questioned anything. I think I just wanted to fuck with him.
A lot of my thoughts were drifting around as I got this guy food. He was more than happy to eat so I decided a win-win situation would be for me to park and just let him enjoy his meal while I meditated again. He wouldn't question me if I told him I just wanted to start thinking over what I planned to do. So that's exactly what I did by bringing it up to him. Giving me a nod of his head while he had a burger in one hand, he urged me.
"Don't let me stop you. Do what you think you got to do. I'll try to be quiet."
With both my hands on my lap, I closed my eyes and looked up at the roof of the car. With my vision growing dark I considered my options.
I couldn't use the network right now because Tika took my phone and my laptop was with Roslin. I could contact my master, but taking a risk with Byron right here was too much to chance. So for now I'd have to figure this out on my own. The question was where could I get the cash she was looking for without going after a contract or while fucking with the military? The only thing that came to mind was ironically Twig. The shit he used to do? Rob banks? Seemed like my only option considering the circumstances.
It wouldn't even be hard considering my abilities. I could phasewalk right into a vault and just take what I needed. Cameras were useless while I was phasewalking so getting seen wouldn't be a problem and with any luck this could turn out just like it did for Twig and his solo robbery. No one would get hurt. Hell no one would even know they were robbed till an audit was made and by then it would be too late.
First stop after Byron was done eating would be to go shopping for some more duffel bags. I'd need a few to carry the cash and maybe a few extra just to prove to Tika I could do anything.
With my mind made up, I waited for Byron by using my senses to begin looking around the general area of the airport. No banks were close, but a few miles down the road appeared to be one. Problem was it was huge and had a parking garage of its own. No way I'd hit that because I'd need Byron and this car available for pickup of both me and the money. I'm not carrying six bags of cash down the open road. I'd need to look for something smaller.
My senses branched further and further away from where we were parked. Enough so that I felt something begin to roll down my face. Lifting my hand up to my nose, I widened my eyes when I saw blood on my fingers. I was pushing my limits when it came to distance. God damn it, I knew I should have practiced more. I thought to myself as I reached over to the dog to ask him.
"Can I borrow one of your napkins?"
Looking over to see me bleeding, he replied with some concern.
"Yeah shit, here. You good?"
Nodding, I replied.
"Just a nosebleed. I get them all the time. Don't worry. Oh and thank you." I added as I wiped up my nose.
Thankfully he didn't look too hard at my blood. It wasn't smooth at all. It was chunked up like it was clotting. Proof that I was truly not mortal. Throwing the napkin out the window, I continued to wait for him to finish eating. Once he was done, I said to him calmly.
"I'm gonna get driving. You buckled?"
"Always." He replied happily as he let out a small burp.
"Sorry."
I just chuckled as I got us moving. I had to go deeper into the city if I hoped to locate another bank that fit my needs for this robbery. Hopefully I could do this by the end of the night and have this money back to Tika before the sun rises.
Byron's POV, a few hours later.
Anpu was a pretty interesting woman to say the least. She was quick with her thoughts and she seemed determined to prove Tika wrong. Most of us are scared to fuck with her, but Anpu just seemed immune to her treatment. If anything she looked fired up to get this plan of hers in action. A plan I knew nothing about yet. She hasn't mentioned anything as of late and she's had us going around the city for the last two hours. We even had to stop to get gas, but it seemed the time was near because she was now shopping at a local sporting goods store for duffel bags and not just any normal ballbags. These fucking things could hold golf clubs they were so big. She bought five of them and once we were on our way back to the car with them I had to ask her.
"Why the hell did you need this many bags? You gonna use them to hide bodies or some shit?"
Smirking a little, Anpu replied while throwing them in the backseat.
"Not exactly."
Upon jumping back into the driver's seat, Anpu got us back on the road while stating.
"I've made up my mind on what we're gonna do, but I need you to have some faith in me. I need faith."
"I'm nothing but faith. Just tell me what you got on your mind." I urged her as I looked her over as she drove the car out of the parking lot.
"There's a Fisher's we passed on our way here. I'm gonna rob it."
It took me a second to recall what a Fisher's was, but once I had remembered I questioned out loud.
"Wait, a bank? At this hour? The fucking place is closed by now and the last time I checked you needed the employees to be there if you planned to rob it. Also the place is probably wired. One step inside the building and you'll have the police down here in minutes. Ain't no way you can pull that off by yourself."
"That's why I'm glad you're here." She said back calmly as I then informed her bluntly.
"It takes more than two people to rob a bank."
"Not true. I robbed a bank back in the US with only one other guy and we got out clean."
"Bullshit." I laughed as she then ordered out.
"Believe what you want, but you're stuck with me for the ride. Tika's orders. So just listen to my plan."
Sensing I was outmatched, I nodded and replied.
"Fine. Hit me with it."
Sam's POV, Twenty minutes later.
It was midnight and the bank was completely closed. No one in sight, but a few cars from time to time which gave Byron and I the chance to pull our car into the parking lot of the bank. There were cameras everywhere, but I had Byron put on a mask with me so they couldn't see what he looked like from within the car. I was already using my powers to make sure I wasn't even in existence.
Byron was a little nervous, because from where he was sitting this was about as obvious as a bank robbery goes. Random car pulled into the back of the parking lot at midnight and we were wearing masks. I'd have to work quickly to say the least, but that shouldn't be a problem.
Making sure the car was parked just out of sight from the back door to the bank, I now had a spot to phasewalk to and from the vault without the fear of Byron seeing me walking through walls. To him it would look like I was heading for the back and coming out the back at the same time. Yet regardless so long as he stayed in the car he wouldn't really ever see me do either.
Ready to go, I took a breath and mentally prepared myself. Byron on the other hand had to ask me.
"How the fuck are you going to get into the vault?"
"Leave that to me. I've done this before. Just keep the car running and stay at the ready. You see any trouble just honk the horn and I'll be out as fast as I entered."
"Oh your fucking insane for even attempting something as stupid as this. I'm sorry, but were you fucking dropped on your head like twelve times as a kid? Jesus christ." Byron exhaled as I sensed he was truly now worried for his own self.
"Have faith Byron. I told you before, I need you to trust me. We'll be fine. No one will know."
"No one will know? Holy crap I take back what I said. I'm gonna get fucking arrested."
Patting his chest, I smiled and laughed out.
"There's the faith! I'll be back."
"Fuck me." Byron moaned as I exited the car while dragging the five bags I bought out from the backseat and through the driver's side door. It would look weird in the footage if all they saw was the back door being opened on its own.
Once I was free from the car I began my small walk towards the back door of the bank. Once Byron was out of sight, I began to phase through the building and into the vault directly. Thanks to my powers not a single alarm went off as I first took a look around the area to see what I was working with.
All of the money was locked away, but that wouldn't be a problem. I knew where everything was in these boxes thanks to my vision. It was just a simple matter of laying out the bags and getting to work loading each one with all the stacks I could. I even went ahead and got rid of the dye bags. Those were entertaining considering I soon had a stack of them that I bet could paint me red if they went off.
Two duffels of straight cash later and I had easily more than the number Tika asked for. Two more duffels were used just for valuables because by the time I had finished with the cash it became clear to me that I drained what this bank had. I was left to take all the other crap. Watches and jewelry was most of it. Documents came as well. I wasn't taking any chances. Unfortunately my fifth duffel came out empty though. Shows how much this place was actually holding. A good score for minimal effort. I thought to myself as I collected all of the bags using my immense strength.
Phasing into and out of the place took around fifteen minutes. I heard no horn from Byron so I could assume everything up there was going well. So once I found myself back outside, I rounded the corner and proceeded to knock on the trunk. Byron spun around in a panic, but ultimately listened and hit the button. Rushing out of the car now to help me with the bags, the Dane questioned in disbelief.
"How the fuck did you get all this?"
"Less talking Byron. Take the wheel." I ordered him as he shut the trunk after depositing the last bag. Byron came around me, but the whole time he was looking at me like I was some kind of specimen. Regardless, once I was inside he took off down the road about as fast as he legally could and the first question he had to ask came out.
"What are we doing now? Pushing our luck?"
Shaking my head, I replied while fixing my hair so it would stay out of my eyes.
"Absolutely not. We're gonna head back and give Tika the money. This way you can sleep and I can get her ass off my back."
"She's not gonna know what to do." Byron informed me back as he took off his mask then proceeded to ask me in disbelief.
"How did you do it? You gotta fucking tell me."
"You wouldn't understand, afterall I was dropped on my head about twelve times as a kid." I replied back so he would feel some guilt for what he said to me before the take. Giving me a small frown he quickly tried to apologize.
"I'm sorry. It was the heat of the moment. I was nervous. I mean….fuck the whole setup wasn't even really a setup. You just threw caution to the wind and did this on a whim. I'm sorry, I'm serious about that." I could sense that he was being truthful, but regardless I had no intentions on explaining to him what I was. Roslin has forbidden me from being forthright. So looking back at him as he drove, I kindly mumbled under my breath.
"It's okay. I'm not really a conventional person. But what makes me mad is having someone doubt me. The way you did back there? The way Tika put me up to this? I don't know, it just gets to me so I have to react."
"This is one hell of a reaction." Byron laughed as he seemed a lot happier now that we were further away from the crime scene.
"What I lose in being unconventional I make up for with results. I can bring in money for this group if that's all she wants from me, but I'd prefer to be more than just a paycheck to you guys. I wouldn't be here if all I cared about was making money or myself. If I gotta jump through hoops to earn some fucking respect then I'll do whatever it takes. You have my word on that Byron." I said to him with still a slight hint of arrogance behind my words.
The rest of the drive back was peaceful enough. I had some time to recover some of my energy. I was still adjusting to being able to change my aura. Hiding in plain sight was another thing I was getting over. Hiding from cameras for extended periods was easy enough, but mixing it with another power like phasing; was tiring. I need more practice. I thought to myself as Byron pulled us back into the parking garage. Once we were parked I suggested.
"The car should get scrapped. Or the plates need to be changed. The cops will be looking for it once they get the footage back."
"Sure, but what about you? You had to be on a hundred cameras inside that vault." Byron stated as I took a moment to collect myself from out of the passenger side door. Once out and on my feet, I said back to his question.
"Don't worry about me, I know how to deal with that."
"Just looking out Anpu. Let's get these bags to the boss. I can't wait. She's going to be speechless."
Popping the trunk, I threw two bags over my back and held the other two by hand, one in each. Byron got the elevator and together we began our descent.
Tika's POV.
Sikes was quite the talker when he wanted to be. Always giving me advice about shit that didn't apply to us. Right now he was sitting across from me in the war room just talking about space. Guy must want to be an astronomer, but I was glad to listen to his shit. It was a better distraction than thinking about our next move. I'd think about all of that in the morning once I got some decent sleep in a cold bed.
"Do you believe in life outside of our solar system Tika?" Sikes asked me as I was practicing to control my user abilities.
"Sikes? I'm trying to concentrate. So shut the fuck up."
The cat never took a word I said seriously during chats like this so I wasn't shocked when he deflected my response and proceeded to question me.
"You can't be a non-believer though. It doesn't suit you. Millions of planets Tika. There has to be something other than us out here."
"I'll give you that, but until I see an alien I don't want to waste my time thinking about it. I got more important things to think about."
"Like losing control again?" He asked me as I sensed this was his attempt to take a knock at me.
"I'm getting better, so fuck off with that. I won't get any better until I start practicing more on a consistent basis. I won't lose control and even if I do I know you can restrain me. So again can you please just be quiet while I do this?"
"Fine. Have it your way."
"Thank you." I sighed back in relief as I felt my eyes burning up from inside my own head.
This was the hardest thing I ever had to adjust to. I was a user, but I was classified as feral. An imperfect user. Just a user who can lose control at any given moment if they let the venom slip their veins. I've had my troubles with it, but I am getting better. I planned to conquer this shit and I didn't care how long it would take. I just needed…..?
My train of focus was broken when suddenly I heard a heavy thud land on the table in front of me. When I opened my eyes I found a duffel bag the size of my own body laying on the table and a foot to my right stood Anpu. My red eyes looked over at her in confusion for a moment for what this was all about. Before I could speak she put the second bag she held onto my lap and stated to me in a fair voice.
"For you."
Dropping two more bags she had behind her back, I widened my eyes when I heard the sounds the two bags made when they hit the ground. In utter shock I unzipped the bag on my lap while Sikes ripped into the one on the counter. Both him and I were stunned to see piles upon piles of cash filling the contents of each bag to the brim. In disbelief, I looked back up at the wolf to ask her.
"How?"
"You can ask him that question. Maybe while you're at it you can ask him about how I did."
She had me stunned still and she knew it. Using the confidence I knew she had and the cockiness she also possessed, I stared into her hollow eyes as she said to me directly.
"I'm not here for myself. I didn't come all this way to let someone like you doubt me and my loyalties. If it was only about the money then I would have told Ace to go fuck himself when he made me the offer, but I didn't and do you know why? Because I want to do something that's bigger than just myself. I understand that this is day one for me and your people, but hear me loud and clear. I'm no fucking rat. Have another test for me tomorrow if you wanna keep fucking around, but you aren't going to break me. You have my word on that."
The wolf had the balls to talk to me like no other from my family. She even turned her back after saying that all to my face and she walked her way out of the room. I had no idea how to feel or react. Even Sikes and Byron were looking at me weirdly. Probably expecting me to lay down a beating on the girl, but the truth was simple and it was a truth they would never know.
I love it when someone working for me has an actual sack between their legs. Someone who isn't afraid to tell me how it is. Someone who wasn't scared of authority and so far it seemed like the contractor was just that. Bad thoughts began to control my mind. Fucking bitch had me hot under my own collar, but that had to wait for now. What mattered right now was the money she just gifted us. Looking up at Byron, I asked him with a voice that showed that I was still stumbling to recover my position.
"What happened? You left only a few hours ago. How the fuck did she get her hands on all this?"
During my question I reached down to unzip one of the two bags she left on the ground next to my feet. Inside it was nothing but jewelry, watches and paperwork. It would take some time to go over each document she had here, but as I grew more and more happy from the lump sum this would bring my team, I listened closely as Byron explained himself. After he was done I questioned out loud.
"How the fuck did she get in vault?"
"I don't know. She had me play the lookout while she went in. I don't know how she did it, but in about twenty minutes she was walking out with all this."
"It takes more than twenty minutes to crack deposit boxes and judging from what's here she cleaned it out. I need to know how. Not to mention how she even got into the bank in the first place. You said she went through the back? Those doors are all wired to go off if someone went through them. The fact that you didn't get any attention doesn't add up."
"She's not a normal contractor Tika. What did she do to get your attention?" Sikes asked me as Byron added on before I could answer.
"She's kinda fucking scary to be real with you boss. I don't know how she did what she did, but SIkes is right. She's not just some hired gun. What has she done before this?"
Lowering the bag that was on my lap so that it would sit on the ground with the others, I looked back up at my men to reply calmly.
"She didn't grab my attention. At least not until Ace noticed something was happening back in Azerbaijan. Esteban? Well his security advisor and secretary of defense were assassinated. No tracks of who did it or how. Military had Esteban under lockdown and the same assassin somehow managed to slip the net."
"Wait….Anpu did all that?" Sikes questioned in complete shock as Byron widened his eyes to begin chuckling.
"Holy crap. How did she do it?"
Shaking my head I replied back.
"No one knows, but her. She refuses to give me any direct answers when it comes to how she performs her duties and normally I wouldn't take that kind of shit, but her? She's not normal by any means, but a person who can manage that and something like this? Well I'm not about to ask her any more unnecessary questions. We stand to really make moves if she's serious about what she just said."
"Not to mention she's on our team." Byron continued to chuckle which got me to laugh along and shout.
"You got that right! Give it another month and we'll be out in front again and by a large margin. Sikes? Count the cash up. Byron? Good work. You're dismissed. Go rest up."
"What about Anpu boss?" Sikes asked of me as I took another long look at the money.
"Tika?" He said this time with some concern. Breaking away from my thoughts I replied confidently.
"I need time to think about it, but as of now she's one of us. So make sure the others know on the team. Play nice and treat her right. For once I actually fucking like some new blood joining our roster and I'd hate to have to make an example out of someone for pushing our guidelines. But do not mistake anything. You are to keep an eye out for anything weird she tries to do. I'm not letting my guard down until I'm confident she's not a rat."
"How does she do that?" Sikes wondered as I quickly replied back.
"She keeps bringing in money for starters. She follows all of my orders without hesitation and she proves to me that she can kill without remorse. G.U.N, M.E.A.F, and even the innocent are all targets I need her to confront. If she hesitates for even a second; I'll have my doubts. Till I can figure out a proper plan we will show her the respect she earns. Note what I said guys. Earns. Don't give. Am I clear?"
"Yes ma'am." They both replied as I again dismissed Byron who proceeded to walk off towards the barracks. Left with Sikes, I had to ask the cat.
"Do you believe in the supernatural?"
My thoughts were about Anpu when I asked him that question. Because there wasn't a place in my heart that wasn't considering the idea of her being a ghost or some shit right now. How does someone rob a bank by themselves in the dead of night without getting caught? How does someone only take twenty minutes to do it? How?
Giving me a serious look because he was indeed thinking of a proper answer, the cat locked eyes with me soon enough to reply.
"How can I not? I mean I believe in aliens. I'd assume anything to be possible. Why do you ask?" Giving him a cheeky grin I replied back with a hint of joy.
"No reason."
Raptor's POV, A week later, Iraq capital.
Ajex's operation was bringing about some light. Today his people transferred me some documents they were able to pull up on a few of the people working for the group that killed Char. Alongside Dusk who was the killer, I now had a folder on a man referred to as Gwent and the knowledge that the person who managed to bring this information to us was now embedded from within the group itself. Hopefully with some luck we'd have more information in due time, but I understood how long an op like this requires to pull off. It can't be rushed. So for now I went over all the details about this Gwent guy that Ajex managed to dig up.
Gwent used to run a G.U.N demolitions group. Served only four years then retired. Seems he was offered to enlist multiple times after that, but he never took up the offer. Last official sighting of him was only a few months later at a bar in downtown New York. I wonder how he got involved with these terrorists? I asked myself from within my own head as I flipped around the pages some more.
"Knock! Knock!" Looking up I found Zandro standing by my door with a folder in his offhand.
"Can I have a word with you?"
Putting down my own papers, I replied kindly.
"Of course. Come in."
Zandro nodded and proceeded to do just that while also shutting the door behind him. Once we were alone he approached my desk to throw down the folder.
"Tell me what you make of it." He then instructed as I carefully opened it up to see a crime scene report that looked like it came from Iran. I could tell only by the lettering. The news over there used a very specific font to attract people to reading it. I can't deny that it works, I thought to myself as I quickly pieced together that what Zandro was showing me was nothing more than a bank heist report. However upon a closer look things didn't make sense soon enough to me. Zandro noticed my changed look and stated to me calmly.
"From start to finish the heist only took twenty minutes. Somehow someone got into the bank, the vault, and into every deposit box in that amount of time. On top of not setting off a single bell or whistle to the authorities. And mysteriously enough the cameras only caught one of the suspects during the entire operation. We have the footage and I'd love to show you if you got the time, because this doesn't make any sense and once you see the footage you'll be just as confused about what happened as I am."
This felt strange. I could feel something in my gut telling me this wasn't normal by any means. A trained professional who is a master at lockpicking wouldn't be able to get anywhere near that operation time. It's impossible to replicate using conventional means. This felt like only something I could do and I know for a fact I haven't robbed any banks as of late. So looking back at Zandro I nodded and made my way out of my seat without saying a word. I wanted to look at this footage above anything else right now. If this was the work of a god or demigod; then Marcus would have to get involved. He has no choice.
Making my way to Zandro's office, we soon found ourselves in front of his computer. Hitting play as soon as I got seated, I watched the heist from beginning to end.
A single car pulls up to the bank and parks around the back. The camera footage we had access to wasn't the best to boot. We could only see the right side of the car. The camera was also looking down at it from an angle. I couldn't see the driver even if I wanted to. I could only see this man who remained in the car for the majority of this.
"What's happening?" I asked Zandro who carefully replied a minute after.
"I have no god damn idea, but watch."
For twenty minutes we watched this guy sit in the passenger seat. By the eighteen minute mark he for some reason popped the trunk and got out to approach it. He looked like he was talking to someone, but there was clearly no one there. He even went out of his way to look like he grabbed something from off the ground. Nothing was fucking there so I was lost with what I was seeing. Regardless, his conversation was fast and before I knew it he took the wheel and sped off. Zandro then halted the footage to ask me seriously.
"What do you think about it? I didn't see anyone else at the bank during that heist, but clearly it looked like he was talking to someone, am I wrong?"
"No, you're right." I said back positively as he went on to question.
"Arrives in the passenger seat and leaves in the driver's? Something isn't right with that Raptor. Do you know anything about it?"
"Of course I don't. I've been here, drowning in paperwork and interviews."
"Okay, but clearly something…supernatural is going on. Does your…your friend rob banks during his free time?" Zandro asked me as I laughed about the idea of that. Marcus wasn't really ever going out of his way to indulge himself and if he did I doubt he would rob banks of all things. It wouldn't make any sense. So I looked back at my friend and I replied confidently.
"Not a chance."
"Could there be another person we don't know about that has your gifts?"
"Absolutely not. There can never be two demis in one realm. Two demis lead to chaos and chaos could lead to the end of the world. Marcus has given me this knowledge, Zandro." I said back to him as it was clear he wasn't used to believing ridiculous sounding ideals. Yet he had no choice but to believe whatever I said to him, simply because he wasn't part of this kind of relationship between men and gods. In our eyes Zandro was a follower. Everyone is a follower and being that as it is that means he has no choice but to trust me.
Giving me a noticeably calm response back, Zandro then proceeded to ask.
"Can there be two gods at once then?" My thoughts went to Roslin, but again that's not his MO. It's so far away from it in fact that it made even less sense then when considering Marcus being the culprit. I had no idea what this was and I had to show this to Marcus asap. Looking back at my friend, I replied.
"Not in the way you think it would be."
"What?" Zandro said back in confusion towards what I meant. With my mind swapping over to speak to my master I asked him.
"Is this a bad time?"
Marcus was always quick to answer me. He had that much respect at least. So in no less than two seconds I got back from him calmly.
"No. What is it?"
With Zandro waiting for a repeat of what I just said, I replied to Marcus.
"I got something you need to see."
"Is it important?" He then asked me as I calmly said back to him as soon as I heard it.
"Could possibly be the most important thing I've ever needed you for."
Taking me seriously, the fox sighed out a moment later.
"I don't like the sound of that if it's coming from you. I'll be right there."
Now I knew this was about to be a shocker for Zandro who has never met Marcus before, so I looked back at the man before he could appear to say to him.
"Zandro?"
"Yes?" He replied back while still being confused beyond reason from before. I was too late however. Marcus popped up behind him to question.
"Didn't mention we'd have a guest?"
Zandro jumped out of his skin from the sudden voice and turned to be face to face with the fox of nightmares.
"What!?"
"Calm down Zandro." I ordered him which got him to immediately look at me to ask.
"Who the fuck is this?"
Taking the conversation for himself, Marcus replied.
"The fairy godmother. Who the fuck do you think I am?"
They had a silent second between them and I took that as my chance to explain.
"This is Marcus. That Marcus. Zandro? Relax. You came to me with this information and I want to have you here so you have no suspicions towards me. Both of us have nothing to do with this."
"With what?" Marcus wondered as he passed through Zandro's body to reach me.
Zandro was so spooked by the interaction that he ran to the other side of the room. Leaving me with a small chuckle as Marcus leaned in to see the computer. Once I refocused, I said to him quietly.
"This is security footage from a bank robbery in Iran. Watch it close and tell me what you think could be going on?"
"Okay. Play it." He urged me as I hit play. I knew this would be a few minutes so I just took a liking to watching Marcus's reactions. Zandro even had time to collect himself and by the time we reached the part where the robbers popped the trunk he questioned out loud.
"What?"
"Mhm." I hummed back as he leaned in closer to the screen.
Once the tape ended I kept quiet despite having a million questions, because the fox began to play back the tape for himself, watching everything over and over to see if he would notice anything. Once he was near his end he said to us confidently.
"That's strange. Very strange."
"It looks like camera manipulation." I said to him as Zandro questioned.
"Camera manipulation? What do you mean?"
With both Marcus and I staring at him, I replied.
"It's something only we can do. Or people with our powers. Essentially if I don't want to be seen on camera, I simply can choose not to. Now of course I'm all over the fucking place, but that's because of my postion, but it's easy enough to choose otherwise. I can assure you of that."
"So this has to be someone else then. If it's only something you two can do, then it has to be." Zandro stated which got Marcus to instantly reply back.
"It can't be. There isn't anyone else."
"How can you be so sure?" Zandro then asked him as I just listened as my master replied.
"Because I make the rules. I choose who I give my gifts to. Raptor has been the only one."
"Why?" He then asked which now got my attention, so I jumped in to reply.
"Another story for another time Zandro. For now let's just focus on this. Marcus? Are you sure I'm the only one?" Nodding, he replied.
"Absolutely certain. I know this for a fact, Raptor. Don't start doubting."
Now both Marcus and I were fixated on Roslin. Of course we weren't going to mention him to Zandro, so for now we both looked at each other and agreed not to mention it. Instead we'd have to figure this out another way. Marcus took another look at the footage before saying back to us.
"I need time to think this over Raptor. Can I get back to you?"
I knew what he was planning to do so I nodded and replied.
"Of course. You know where I'll be."
Before Marcus could leave he looked back at Zandro and took a step towards him. This time he urged him with an outstretched hand.
"Look at this."
Zandro did just that and instantly Marcus disappeared and for some reason Zandro began to tilt forward. I widened my eyes and jumped at the chance to catch him before he could lose his footing. Shocked that he lost his balance the man questioned.
"What just happened? Raptor?"
"You okay man? Sit down." I urged him as I helped him take a seat. Now I knew what just happened. Marcus did this kind of thing from time to time. He was tired of people seeing him in the flesh, so at the soonest point in time he'd wipe their memory clean from the first moment they saw him. Zandro was unfortunately his next victim. Thankfully his condition would get better in time.
Barely able to remember what we were just talking about, Zandro asked me while reaching for his head.
"The footage? What do you make of it?"
"I don't know man. Something isn't right about it, that's for sure, but I'm gonna need time to talk to Marcus and figure it out. He'll have answers." I informed him as he just nodded with his head now down. After a moment or two he mumbled.
"God damn it. This never happens to me. Okay well you take care of whatever you have to do. I need some time to myself. Chat later?"
"Of course. Feel better. And thank you for showing me this."
"No problem." Zandro sighed as I took my chance to leave the room.
Now with Zandro dealt with, I decided to regroup in my office. I had another half hour before Yoga and Maggie would be back from training. Then two more interviews, a meeting with the board, and another meeting with some of my recruiters, then we'd be off to bed at last. I was never tired, I just wanted the time to myself. It's how I've always managed to keep my powers at full strength. No time wasted. Hopefully Marcus would have some answers the next time we saw each other. I just hope whatever it is, isn't bad. God knows what this could mean.
Roslin's POV, Damascus, Syria.
"God damn it Sam. Why did you reintroduce me to this?" I asked myself as I enjoyed a beef sandwich inside a small shop just off the main street.
Taking my time I suddenly felt my senses spark up. My ears were the first things to move, but when I looked up I found a very familiar fox walking into the restaurant, cloak and all. Upon seeing him, I took another bite and watched as he approached the table against every mortal's knowledge. Once he got within two feet and stopped, he questioned calmly.
"Since when did you start eating again?" Swallowing my bite I replied.
"It's been a few months. Let's just say something looked good and I wanted to see if it tasted as good as it looked. Can't help it since. Don't worry, it's only from time to time I treat myself."
Marcus took his care to sit down across from me in this booth I had. Once he did I asked him now seeing it was now my time to ask a question.
"What are you doing here now? If it's about Raptor's daughter you'll be shocked to know I haven't discovered anything."
"Are you even looking?" He then asked me as I calmly chuckled back.
"Of course not."
Marcus was clearly hurt that I showed no remorse towards Raptor. In fact he proceeded to try to tell me how to feel otherwise.
"That man doesn't beg for anything. It's not in his DNA, Roslin. He fucked up, but that was a long time ago. Let it go. I did."
"That's because you don't have any other choice."
"How do you mean?" He then asked me as I took a sip of water. Once I put my cup down I replied.
"I mean come on. There isn't anyone else that fits the bill you're looking for. Sure there are some really fucked up people in this realm, but none of them match him. You're destined not to find another suitable candidate. Not to mention your relationship. I know who and what you are. Only someone as fucked up as him can hope to win over your heart like he has. You haven't been this emotionally attached to something since Jackie."
Widening his eyes, Marcus ordered sternly.
"Leave him out of this. First and only warning."
"Oh? Does Raptor not know?"
"Of course he doesn't and it's gonna stay that way. Now change the subject."
Shrugging, I then asked him again.
"Fine. Why are you here?"
I had a feeling I knew what this was about. Fucking Sam. I warned her to be careful or this would happen. Changing his tone, Marcus explained.
"We might have a problem. Raptor showed me some security footage of a bank robbery."
"So?" I sighed as I wiped my hands with a nearby napkin.
"Let me finish. The footage doesn't add up. What I saw was clear camera manipulation. I think we might have another god in the realm if that's to be the case."
Raising one eye I questioned.
"Really? Wish I could see it."
"Raptor will show it to you. I want you to see it as well. I need a second opinion before I start panicking." Marcus informed me which got me to chuckle out.
"You? Panic? Or are you scared?"
Giving me a dead serious glare, Marcus growled back.
"This is fucking serious Roslin! I know I've only given one person my power and that person is Raptor. I know you've only given it to me so that means only one thing. Either someone before us had themselves a second demi, or this is someone from the attrition."
"The attrition? Let's say you're right when you assume that. Why the fuck would they be here in your realm robbing banks? They have to know who you're working with so they know Raptor has eyes everywhere. They wouldn't be dumb enough to do something like this out of the blue and you know that."
Marcus knew I was right. The attrition was a lot of things, but dumb and adventurous weren't two of them. So Marcus believed me and went on to wonder.
"If it's another demi from before you and I, then I'm not sure what to do. I can't locate them because I don't know the owner."
"You can't go to the attrition either, because they'll just get mad that you might have two demis roaming the world at once."
"But it's not my fault. I haven't known about this since I took over."
"Whatever the case Marcus, this isn't my problem at the end of the day. If you can't find this person, then neither can I. I'm also liable to not help you and I don't want to waste my time."
Giving me a small glare now Marcus asked me back.
"What's your issue with me? I thought we were still friends. If you got a problem with me then just say it."
"See the issue isn't just you that has me this way. It's your demi who upsets me and it's your decision to make him a demi that pissed me off to begin with. You think he's a capable god, but at the end of the day when his time comes; he's supposed to thin out the numbers. Something of which he now lacks the ability to do. He hasn't taken a life in years."
"Thinning the numbers was always your plan. I did just that with those fucking wars the middle east went through. You were satisfied with that at the time clearly. After all, you gave up your reign because of it. Now that I'm in charge it's my decision to decide where to take this realm now and I've decided agonist a mass genocide for the moment. Raptor may be a killer, but he has morals." Marcus stated back bluntly as I took a small drink before replying.
"The attrition didn't put us here because they cared about morals. They care about numbers and Raptor won't provide that. If you continue this course they are liable to fuck you. Both of you and you know it. You know how this works. You can't stop. Go soft for even a second and they'll see that." I told him back as he was clearly not worried.
"Stop acting like you know everything. That time has passed. Raptor will remain my demi and that's final. And you know that you can't do anything to change that."
Chuckling slightly, I replied.
"Not right now, sure, but once they kill you and him? Everything comes back to me. Then I can change what I want."
"They'll kill you too Roslin. You interfered with my demi. Nearly killed him. That's not okay. That's a breach of the rules and they take rules very seriously. But again, you know all this right?" He asked me with a small smile as I quickly sighed back to him.
"I do, but most of the pressure will be put on you regardless. The attrition will hear my side and in the end they will side with it as well. After all, I care about my duties and acted out of my own emotion. I'll be just fine Marcus. Fear to see that?" I then asked him which earned me his disapproving mug.
Silence came between us but after about a minute Marcus asked me.
"Are you able to help me at all?"
Shaking my head, I calmly replied back after wiping my hands.
"No. I can't."
Marcus knew I was a dead end now and that's a big hole for him to try and fill. I could see his emotions slowly absorbing his face. He was indeed worried. Maybe even scared like I had assumed. Deciding now was my time to move, I stood up at my seat to add on to his stress.
"You're on your own with this. You got here on your own and now it's time to see where it got you. Oh, you can tell Raptor this if you want, I don't care. But I'm not wasting my time doing his bidding. He wants to find his daughter? Just like you; he's on his own."
Marcus couldn't help but stare at me as I left his sight in the blink of an eye. Where I found myself? No other place, but within my own head. I needed time to think. Sam drew attention, but Marcus and her family were none the wiser to her being that issue. I need to speak with her again soon to make sure she knows her place. I'm not Marcus. She needs to listen to me. She needs to be good.
Sike's POV, Iran, HQ.
For the last week I've watched Anpu. She was different in ways that made her stand out from the others on our team. The most obvious was her body. I haven't seen her outside her gear yet, but I didn't need to. She was built like a mule. Scary, intimidating, but somehow made you feel comfortable when you were one on one. Her aura was another thing to consider when looking at it from the angle I was. Being within a few feet of her made the area around feel cooler in temperature. Not cold, but again, comfortable. It was hard to explain, but I knew I could feel it. I was the only one getting close, apart from Byron who seemed to be getting a little attached.
Tika hasn't sent her on any missions just yet. I figured she would have, but the truth was she was looking into the bank job her and Byron pulled. It all made no sense and that had Tika's attention. Mainly because she hasn't reported our team's take just yet to the other uppers. Once she did they would surely all come asking questions and demanding to see Anpu. I think she wanted to avoid that for now. Not until she peeled away some layers from the mysterious wolf who now slept three beds down from me.
It was night time and everyone was asleep apart from me. Something kept me up and when I considered Anpu sleeping I had to see if she actually was. Come to think of it, I've never seen her lay down once since she got here. Could be the coke keeping her up, but after a week? Her body would be shutting down from exhaustion by now. But day in and out she was looking fierce.
When my eyes looked over to her bunk I found her sitting over the side of her bed with her back towards me. Her hands were on her knees and she leaned out slightly as if she was shulking. Her head down and her eyes staring at the ground. I wonder what was going on in her head. She seemed misunderstood somehow. As if she was a loner most of her life up till now. Maybe she was going through an internal struggle revolving around the changes she was going through with our group. She rarely talked to anyone since her last face to face with Tika. Maybe she just wasn't comfortable yet reaching out to us.
Now I was shirtless and barely dressed to boot, but my soul wanted to go over and see if she was okay. I wanted to ask and see if she had anything on her mind. But was this the time to do it? I had to wonder as we were clearly not alone. Anyone could eavesdrop.
Giving it some back and forth thought, I decided to engage. Quietly getting out of bed, I began a slow walk towards her left side. I had to go around a few beds, but when I was within a few feet I whispered.
"Anpu?"
She didn't move at first, but when I took another step I heard her hum back in a matched whisper.
"Hmm?"
I stood above her looking like a sap, but I still managed to swallow my pride before asking her cautiously.
"Are you okay?"
Giving me a smile the wolf just looked me up and down for a second. It gave me time to admire her body again. This time I noticed her new color. After the bank job with Byron she decided it was best to dye her fur for the time being. Just in case she was spotted by anything during the heist. She was now this fully fleshed out light brown wolf. It was a complete change to be frank, but she was still good looking. After I finished my inspection she finally replied.
"I'm okay. Why do you ask?"
Keeping my voice down, I replied.
"You haven't been sleeping since we got here. Something must be on your mind. Has anyone said anything to you? Has anything happened?"
Shaking her head, Anpu replied back
"No one's said anything, nor done anything. I promise. I'm just adjusting."
"Coming out of your shell?" I questioned which got her to chuckle before stating back.
"I've always been the silent type. I prefer it that way. Doesn't mean I won't talk. I just need some time. I'm feeling everyone out from a distance first."
"Why? We're not bad people."
"I don't know that though. I barely know you in fact. You might be nothing more than Tika's errand boy. Her watchdog. Who's to say it's genuine concern?" Anpu asked as I contemplated how to respond. Not before long I replied.
"I'm to say. I wouldn't be over here if I didn't find myself concerned."
'That's not good enough." She informed me back bluntly. Giving her an astonished look I had to ask out of confusion.
"Then what is good enough for you?"
Again the wolf looked me up and down. This time she looked a lot longer. Her eyes were what made her scary looking. I've never seen orbs like hers. Just looking at them had me in a small trance. It wasn't until she spoke that I broke out of said trance.
"Show me you're serious."
"How?" I asked her back. My eyes dropped away from her eyes when all the sudden she reached out for me with her left hand out. Staring right into my soul she replied.
"Join me for some meditation. I can quickly see your intentions for myself if that were to happen."
I reached out just out of instinct, but once my hand was resting in hers I finally whispered back.
"Meditation?"
Smiling now, she replied as I took a seat next to her on the small bed.
"It's my main method when it comes to relaxing. Any environment at any time. It's how I find my clarity and my sense of calm before and during any storm."
"I've only tried meditation once before and that was a long time ago. I doubt I can do it right." I tried to tell her as I could now feel that aura I mentioned from before. Even her skin was cold. How was she like this naturally? I wondered as she crossed her legs and proceeded to turn around on the bed to face me. I followed in line and crossed my own and once we were facing each other in this position I heard her urge me in a calm voice.
"You don't have to do anything right. I'll guide us. Just give me your hands and close your eyes. Listen to my voice and no matter what you remain calm and focus on nothing other than your breathing. In through your mouth, out through your nose. Then in through your nose and out through your mouth. Once we find a good flow, we can become one."
"Become one? You must really be into this. Do you study this kind of stuff?"
"A little." She replied as I offered her my other hand. Once she held me tight, I followed her instructions. First I relaxed. Then I shut my eyes and just found my focus on nothing other than her voice. At first nothing really was happening, but after about a minute things started to muffle all around me. I couldn't hear anything. Not even the snores coming from my fellow family members. It was odd, but I figured this had to be it working and I dared not fuck this up. My whole body felt at peace as I heard Anpu whisper from a foot in front of me.
"Keep your eyes closed and your focus on me and just open up your mind to the silence. Okay?"
"Okay." I mumbled as I was beginning to feel strangely relaxed. This feeling was numbing me in place, but in such a good way I almost couldn't recall if this was real or not. Minutes passed without Anpu saying another word and the deeper we listened to the world around us, the more relaxed I got. Then came the next feeling. Happiness. I began to smile to myself. What was happening to me right now? I had to ask myself as Anpu soon urged me in an angelic voice.
"Open your eyes now."
It took all my power to do just that, but when I opened my eyes I saw nothing other than her staring back at me. I couldn't look away from her eyes, but I could tell that nothing was around us. I couldn't even feel the bed I was sitting on anymore. Was this truly a trance? Another state of mind? What was she doing to me? This couldn't be real, yet I was so happy and amazed, all I could do was smile and begin to laugh. She smiled with me, but once I had stopped laughing she said to me confidently.
"It feels good right?"
"What did you do?" I had to ask.
With our hands still together she replied.
"Nothing that you couldn't do yourself. We have good rhythm and that wouldn't be the case if you were lying just to get closer to me. So I'll tell you the truth. I'm doing fine. I just want to get to know everyone a little better before I start settling in more to my personality. I also have a lot on my mind and I'm busy trying to figure it all out. I'll sleep when I need to, but for now I want it to stay this way. Okay?"
I couldn't do anything. I couldn't really say anything either. I was so overwhelmed by this tranquility she introduced me to. It was frying my head to be honest. With my eyes stuck to hers, I nodded and replied back in a sleepy whisper.
"That's okay. I understand. This all has to be so…stressful. But…..if something ever does come up, or if someone bothers you, I want you to tell me. It's….It's….it's easy to fall into a hole if you're by yourself."
"You're very right about that." She whispered back as she then urged me.
"Close your eyes. I'm gonna bring us to a close."
I obeyed and with our hands still together I soon began to feel the environment coming back to me. The snores and all the noise, then the beds, then my fellow family members. Everything came back into my senses and not before long I was back to staring directly at Anpu's eyes. My mouth was agape and my tongue was damn near ready to leave my mouth. I was so lost. Letting me enjoy a moment before that could happen, Anpu whispered to me with a smile.
"Go back to your bed now. If it makes you happy, I'm feeling even better now that we shared this moment. Did you feel anything?"
"I….yes. I'm feeling something."
"Good. Now go sleep. We can talk more tomorrow if you want."
"I'd like that." I said back to her in awe. She had to do something. There wasn't any way that this was how mediation was supposed to go. Especially not after taking so long to try it again. Was she some sort of seductress? The way she was looking at me. She was pulling strings, but I had to take a step back.
Slowly getting up from her bed, I made my way back to my own. The whole time I was at a loss for words. I had such clarity it made my head spin and that was making me tired. So it took no effort to lay back down and fall asleep.
mT Shadow.