Death is a never-ending story. That is the one thing that will never change, no matter how much her surroundings alter. Hope is unable to truly alleviate the ongoing misery of those around her. All she can do is stay by their sides and wish for their suffering to end. The woman observes the redhead as she sobs uncontrollably on her mother's blanket. Gwen is currently a total mess, and Hope cannot blame her; nothing Carly or she says seems to help her relax. Her experience of losing a mother was well-known to her.
The redhead sobs uncontrollably as Carly hugs her. She, too, had experienced the bereavement of a parent. An extremely humble event capable of bringing even the most resilient people to their knees. Gwen wouldn't leave her mother's side, so Carly had spoken with the cops. Though sometimes all you want is to be left alone, the blonde didn't hold the younger lady responsible. After it first happened, Ben and Hope vanished; Hope is the only one that returned. She didn't say where she went or if she saw Ben, but her serious expression told Carly differently. Carly was happy that the witch returned, but she refrained from asking further questions.
It didn't take a genius to figure out that tonight's event is linked to what happened earlier today; if there was any doubt that someone was stalking Gwen, the shooting reinforced all suspicions. Who and why are the questions. With everything the redhead had accomplished for the world over the past three years, Carly found it impossible to fathom someone pursuing her. She considered the possibility that sympathizers or former Plumbers were to blame for all the recent fatalities. What would murdering Gwen solve, though? She would just be replaced by someone. Carly has another thought: the crime of retaliation.
A nurse enters the room at that same time to inform Carly that someone is waiting for her down in the foyer. The blonde gives the woman an odd look before getting up to exit the room.
"Watch over her," Carly insists to Hope.
"You don't have to worry," the witch assures. "And tell that idiot he's in big trouble when he comes back."
Carly shoots the silver haired woman a smile and leaves the room.
Ben and Carly are standing face to face. She would have to ask Hope how she knew it was Ben, but soon thinks that it would be a dumb question. Carly opens her mouth to say something, but Ben stops her with a crushing hug. She gives him a strong embrace right back. Carly could feel the tears welling up inside of her.
"You idiot…"
"I know, I know, and I'm sorry for all it's worth."
"Why did you leave?" she mutters.
"I had to find them," Ben replies solemnly.
"Who?" the blonde quakes, already knowing the answer.
"The people responsible," Ben states. "But they're gone now and I need your help."
Carly pulls away from the hug and stares into his cold green eyes. "But you said…"
"Those were just puppets; I need to find the people who orchestrated the hit."
Ben nonchalantly referring to the individuals he killed as "puppets" gives Carly the shivers. The blonde also noticed the way he mentioned the shooting; she questioned how he had obtained the evidence to make that assumption. When Ben became like this, Carly knew better than to get in the way of him. She could see by the expression in his eyes that he wouldn't stop until those who did this were dead.
"Ben…"
Ben gently touches Carly's face, drawing her in closer than ever. Her cheeks were warmed by his breath. The man looked right through her eyes to her soul. Carly could tell by the way he looked that the next few things he spoke would be completely true.
"I can't allow anybody else to get hurt, not you, not Hope, not Gwen, not Cooper, nobody; so I need you to help me stop them," Ben pleads.
"Okay," Carly agrees with a tear-eyed nod.
Standing in front of what appears to be the center of merc work are Ben and Carly. The man had informed Carly of the circumstances at hand. From the outside, this business seemed like your typical, run-of-the-mill, seedy pub where you could buy a line of cocaine mixed with opiates or have a blowjob for $20. Carly was aware that one shouldn't judge a book by its cover. She could tell something was wrong from the strange quantity of alien customers to the shady stares they received when they walked in. Ben guides them towards the bartender with the intention of obtaining expeditious information.
"Hey, I'm looking for someone."
"Aren't we all," the female bartender snapped back.
"It's important."
"Oh then let me turn on my listening ears."
Ben growls, "Lady, I would advise you to stop fucking-"
Carly pushes Ben aside and slips the woman a fifty dollar bill, "I am looking for someone."
"Ah, why didn't you say so?" she chuckles. "If you're looking for Marquis then he's in the pool room at the back."
After giving the bartender a thank-you nod, Carly pulls Ben toward the back of the bar. A bald, brooding man with a sinister smirk blocks their path. He winks at Carly and then glances at Ben.
"Well if it ain't the big bad Ben 10," he slurs.
Carly wrinkles her nose in distaste, smelling the foul booze on his breath from here. Ben despises the intoxicated man's gaze on his partner. He advances, but Carly gives him a quick glance and stops him. They weren't there to engage in a meaningless altercation at the bar.
"Listen baby, why are you with a do-gooder like him?" he laughs. "Let a real man show you a good time."
Carly shoots the man a cheery smile, "Maybe next time baby," she laughs.
Giving an intoxicated, reprehensible scumbag like that a taste of what they want is usually a good idea, assuming they'll let you go without any issues. Carly winks at him and tries to slip by the big monster, but he grabs her wrist and pulls her back.
"Where you going, sweetheart?"
And sometimes, no matter what you do, they'll persist in wanting what they want. Carly gives the intoxicated man a death gaze, but her eyes widen with astonishment when she sees Ben sock him in the jaw. Ben delivers a second blow to the man's skull as he falls back a few feet. Even though Ben isn't an outstanding fighter, he can nevertheless avoid a drunk man's sluggish swings. A hand lands on his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks as he prepares to attack again. Ben turns to see a young man with brown eyes and a captivating grin. The man with brown eyes gestures to a "No fighting" sign. Ben shifts away from the inebriated man, dropping his hands to his sides.
"Appreciate you."
Ben gives him a nod.
"I always hated putting my hands on people, but I do know when it is necessary," the man exclaims. "I'm Derek."
Ben accepts Derek's friendly handshake. "I'm sorry about causing a scene."
Derek laughs, "It's not an uncommon thing for the savior of the universe I'm sure."
Carly couldn't believe what she was seeing; the man in front of them is a Plumber. She recalls seeing him in the docking port with the ship's maintenance staff. She questions whether he also remembers her. Derek brings them to a secluded table for conversation.
"I never thought you would walk in here," Derek asserts. "Or you."
Carly's question is officially answered, but the follow-up question is how much does he remember? Carly and Ben should be most concerned about Derek of all people. His knowledge of their past is the greatest.
"Do I know you?" Ben retorts.
"I'm hurt," Derek quipped.
"We're in a bit of a hurry, so if you don't have anything important to say…"
The man chuckles, "I might, depending on what you're looking for."
Carly interjects, "No thank you-"
"I need the names of who put out a bounty on my cousin," Ben blurts out.
Carly gives her companion a scathing look, wondering how he could be so naive as to approach the individuals presumably responsible for information on the hit. Derek may be a spy sent to deceive them if they come too near to the truth, for all they know.
"I don't know who put it on the board, but I can tell you who accepted it."
"Not necessary, they're dead."
Derek smirks, "Of course they are."
"How long ago did they put out the hit?" Carly probes.
"A while back; I would say a month or so back," Derek answers. "Most bounties get claimed within hours of being posted."
"Any reason why this one hasn't?"
"C'mon, use that brain of yours; the target is directly related to the savior of the universe."
"Well clearly someone had the balls to post it in the first place," Carly jeers.
"How much is it?" Ben questions slowly.
"10 million, or 10 thousand kreds."
"Holy shit," Carly murmurs.
"But like I said, it could be 100 billion but nobody's crazy enough to even attempt it."
"Until now," Carly corrects.
"Well you'll always get those desperate outliers."
"I need to know who posted the hit," Ben growls.
"No way to find out without consulting the database and good luck getting access to that; the only one with the codes are Marquis."
Ben gives a frustrated sigh. They were essentially back at step one; he had hoped Derek would provide some helpful information, but it had been more of a time waster. Ben gets up from the stool and starts to move in the direction of their intended destination—the pool room. Derek leaps to his side, but retreats when he sees Ben's deadly gaze.
Derek chuckles nervously, "That doesn't mean we can't help each other."
"No, that's exactly what that means; you can't give me what I want."
"And Marquis won't give it to you either," he stammers.
"We'll see about that."
"I'm serious!" he rushes. "Marquis isn't the type to be strong-armed."
Ben shoots the man with another deadpan look.
"Not to say you can't, but he simply isn't the type of man to give up information, at least not for free."
"Then what do you suggest?" Carly interjects.
"There's two ways to get on Marquis' good side: you can cater to his business or you can do him a favor."
"Okay…" Carly says, urging the man to continue.
"But the chances of you two successfully completing either or is slim."
Carly mulls over Derek's comments, realizing that he wasn't entirely off when he said that they probably wouldn't be able to do the assignments Marquis had assigned them. That favor would undoubtedly involve committing a horrible act of some kind. Given Ben's current state, it would be better for them to avoid talking about such kinds of things as he may do something that he would later regret.
"But me, on the other hand, I'm a lot more reasonable."
"You're suggesting we do something for you?" Carly prompts.
"I need to get my hands on a Plumber radio."
"Why?"
"We don't care," Ben interjects. "Where is it?"
Derek smiles, "I knew I could count on you!"
"Where."
"The only working one is being kept at one of Marquis' warehouses at the old factory complex on the outskirts of town. He uses it from time to time to get in contact with intergalactic criminals."
"How do we know you'll keep your word?"
"On a Plumber's honor, you do this for me and I'll get you the information you need."
After hearing everything there was to hear, Ben started to leave the bar. He was coming closer to catching the perpetrators of the shooting. He's standing outside when Carly takes him aside.
"Ben, can you stop and think for one minute?" Carly scolds in a hushed tone. "This could be a trap for all we know."
"I don't care."
"Well someone has to."
"If you're not going to help me then just go back to the hospital."
"Is that how you feel?"
Ben sighs, "It would probably be for the best."
Ben turns away from Carly and looks up at the sky so she won't see the tears that are about to fall. He is currently in such a difficult situation. The man holds himself responsible for not stopping the first assassin in the town hall; perhaps things would have turned out differently if he had stopped the murderer. For the sake of his friends and family, Ben must set things right. He was helpless to stop the people who mattered most to him from suffering. What he had to do, who he had to hurt, didn't matter to him. Ben won't stop until he tracks down those who are accountable.
At that moment, when Ben is most vulnerable, Carly grabs his chin and pulls down, making him look at her. "Hey," she whispers. "We're going to find them."
Ben nods, blotting away his tears, and makes his way to their shared car. Ben slides into the passenger side as Carly enters the driver's side. Ben acknowledges Carly's anxiety as she grabs the driving wheel but says nothing. Ben was at his breaking point and all he could do was pray that everything worked out. Conversely, Carly was unable to control her thoughts from wandering. She continues to have doubts about Derek's motivations and the place they were now traveling. Taking a deep breath, Carly shifts the vehicle into drive.
The trip down to the plant complex took them no more than ten minutes. When Carly pulled up, there were a few parked cars near the lone warehouse that had lights on. Ben steps outside and looks around them. With the exception of their intended warehouse, it was silent and barren. After walking over to the trunk, Carly opens it to discover a rectangular case and two duffel bags. She zips open one bag, takes out her protective vest, and puts on her plate carrier right away. After that, the blonde unlocks the case and takes out the black steel Mossberg 590 7-shot from its carrying case. She glances over her gun, then jams three magazines into her vest. Ben notices the long barrel's suppressor connected to it.
She feels the magazine click into place as she puts it into her weapon. She delicately tucks her hair beneath the ski mask she slips over her face. Carly fastens her waist with a gun belt and slides her reliable sidearm into the holster. The woman indicates that she's ready by giving Ben a nod. Ben flips on the watch and flips between his several aliens, pressing the watch-face when he finds the perfect fit. The glowing green light gives way to Ghostfreak, who peers directly at Carly.
"Let's move," he hisses.
Stealthily, they approach the warehouse's extended side. Ben sticks his ethereal head in and counts 10 targets, three of whom being card players seated around a table. The others were pacing the warehouse's lengthy aisles. There are cases ranging in size from top to bottom along the shelves. How were they meant to locate the radio in this place? Ben notices another guard standing with a weapon, watching over the warehouse, and a catwalk hanging high above the shelves. The alien pokes his head out of the wall and returns his gaze to Carly.
"The place is packed with cases; it would take all night to find that damn radio."
"We don't have all night."
"Obviously," Ghostfreak hisses.
"So what's the plan?"
"We can't look for shit with all the guards."
"These are just observations, not a plan."
"I'm thinking!"
"Think harder!"
He couldn't possibly take that radio out of the warehouse without the guards getting suspicious. He doesn't have all night as Ghostfreak to discreetly check through every case. He doubts that any of the ten armed guards would know where the radio is, even if they could somehow hold them at gunpoint. Marquis most likely has no idea where the fucking radio is located. He wonders whether any of the guards are carrying an inventory list; that would be very beneficial. In order for Ben and Carly to swiftly search the cases, they must deal with the guards.
"Kill em."
Carly nods in response to Ben's order. Ghostfreak takes her arms and flies her up to the outside catwalk, where she is dropped just in front of the entrance leading inside. Carefully opening the door without making a sound, Carly gives the man a slug to the back of his head and pulls him back to prevent him from falling over the banister. She grabs his firearm and carefully sets it down on the ground. After grabbing her once again, Ben becomes intangible and descends to an empty aisle.
This is the start of their hunt. Pumping her shotgun, Carly stalks the aisle's shadows, looking for her next victim. A guard comes around the corner only to be shot by the marksman. Carly slows the body's descent to the ground and prepares herself for the next target. A guard is gazing at her, shocked, and she swears to herself. Before she can fire a shot, she is shocked to find that the man slices his own neck with a pocket knife.
Ghostfreak bursts from the man's corpse, flying down the aisles to find the radio. Carly continues to advance, killing every victim with a single shot as she moves from aisle to aisle. The men playing cards, completely unaware of anything else, are all that remain. Carly moves toward them, aiming her firearm at the nearest one. They sprang to their feet and drew their sidearms as soon as they saw her. Ghostfreak grabs one, turns instantly invisible, and carries the victim through the floor. Without hesitation, Carly blows the nearest one's face off. The last one raises his hands and surrenders, dropping his weapon.
"Smart move," Ghostfreak hisses.
"We are looking for something," Carly announces. "Can you help us?"
"After you just killed all of my friends?"
"And you can very well be next," Ghostfreak exclaims harshly.
Carly pushes the man back into his chair with her shotgun's barrel.
"There's no money here."
The blonde chuckles, "Not what we're here for."
"Then what?" the man frantically asks.
"Do you know anything about old Plumber radios?" Ghostfreak hums.