Armsmaster hit the brakes on his motorcycle in front of the address he was given. BBPD had cordoned off the scene and were talking with the woman who called them in. He steeled himself and reached up to a bead on the side of his helmet.
"Armsmaster reporting in. I've arrived at the scene, heading in now." He got a confirmation before heading into the cordoned off alleyway. The BBPD let him in, possible parahuman activity was no longer in their jurisdiction.
If Colin wasn't so used to things like this, he might vomit. It was a scene right out of a slasher film. Gore and viscera were everywhere. Bodies were flayed, dismembered, and chained to the wall. Carved onto the chests of the flayed ABB thugs was a message. "Rape is forbidden."
"This is Armsmaster, Night Haunter has struck again. The scene is clear, send a team to investigate and cleanup. I will talk to the victim." Armsmaster was unaware as to the figure watching him since his arrival, a figure that all but evaporated into the shadows to appear in another place and deal with another violation._
Shadow Stalker and Gallant were on duty today, but due to an ongoing situation all the wards were being held for PR opportunities or monitor duty.
"This is complete bullshit! We should be out there bringing this Night Haunter in!" A voice complained, the sound of annoyance obvious.
"You know they're keeping us in exactly because Night Haunter is out there. He's a vigilante, who follows his own rules. No saying he couldn't decide we violated a rule and deserve to die." Dean told Sophia. She was having none of it.
"I'm just sick of being cooped up. I haven't been able to blow my steam off at school, I can't get out and crack skulls. I'm sick of sitting around." Sophia retorted. Dean knew she was complaining and not sneaking out because she was on thin ice for trying before.
"Look it can't be too much longer until he's caught. How long can a maniac blitz around like this before the gangs take notice. He'll either get caught or die any day now." Harsh words, but at this point justified to Dean. This Night Haunter was essentially a glorified serial killer. Might as well have been a member of the Slaughterhouse 9. "If it makes you feel better I'll have a spar with you. I can stand the waiting either." His offer was quickly accepted, the two of them heading to the training room._
If this kept going it would start to get troubling. The PRT had so far prevented word from getting out, but that would only go on for so long. They needed to get a handle on this before people started to panic and the gangs got involved. Thugs can only go missing for so long before someone notices. This would not do at all thought Thomas Calvert.
His plans as Coil would have to come to a halt until this Night Haunter situation was dealt with. Three days ago this vigilante decided the PRT wasn't doing enough, so he would step up. He was right in that there was no way the PRT could get rid of all the gangs, but order is bad for business. Especially the order this Night Haunter wanted. He left a manifesto of sorts at the first scene they found. Penned in the blood and written on the skin of the first scene they found. It proclaimed the name, goal and a list of violations worthy of being killed over.
He would have to put one or his assets onto expediting the case. Night Haunter was sloppy, but its better safe than sorry. He took out his mobile phone and sent a message.
"Tattletale, sending info on a situation. Get me any information you can find." With that, Coil got back to his plotting for domination.
Every part of Taylor's being hurt. Her body ached, her head pounded and a psychopath wouldn't stop whispering into her mind. She grabs at her head and can almost hear him telling her to strike a bigger target. One that can't be ignored, ever since she triggered in that damn locker 2 weeks ago. It appears In her head so vividly, Like every memory she has now.
"Please! Let me out!" Taylor bangs on the locker door. She knows no one will help, but she's just so afraid. She can hear the trio laughing outside. Not just them, other students too. they all hate her anyway. The loneliness, the betrayal it hurts so bad. She cries and sobs uncontrollably, for no one to hear but herself. It feels like an hour has passed going on like this and then it happened.
Memories poured Into her head. Life on Nostromo, the Great Crusade, a death at the hands of M'shen, dying and hijacking a shard of some kind. They flood in all at once, the pain is excruciating. Taylor can't help but scream, she was sure her vocal cords would be torn apart and she finally passes out from the pain.
Taylor remembers awaking in the hospital later that day, she knew she was a changed person. Konrad Curze had died, and their two persons have merged into one. Not only in mind, but body as well. Since that day Taylor grew half a foot and bulked up significantly. She can feel her body adapting to accept the Primarch soul inside her. A second heart, a third lung, increased eyesight and precognition.
Just as Konrad has seen his own death, Taylor saw hers. A woman in a fedora will kill her, and she will let it happen. She has seen it in vivid detail. A bullet through the head, quick and painless. Better than a monster like her deserves, but such is fate.
Everyday their consciousness further melds into one, and everyday her body resembles his more. There's no way Taylor can go back to school looking like this, she hasn't been home for a week now. Doesn't want her father to see her like this, or doesn't want to be with a bad father such as him any longer.
Konrad whispers into her mind, the Merchants. That is who they will strike next. This pulls her out of her reminiscing. This will be their first big target, but first, they must prepare. Power armor and lightning claws might not just be laying about, but crude imitations would be good enough for now. Later they can make some real ones, and Konrad knows how. It will be crude, but It will be necessary. Taylor smirks, let's see how Armsmaster will like this display.
A/N: Surprised This hasn't been done yet. Just crossed my mind. Anyway, next chapter is Tattletale investigations and the end of the Merchants.