The Variants spectating still hadn't dispersed as they were curious what the outcome would be. The purple gas that had been approaching them had magically disappeared with none the wiser.
Seating himself onto a chair, Mr. Nunn asked, "Now, tell me what is going on?"
Lucifer had woken from his anger after he saw Mr. Nunn's threat. While he hated the people who set him up, he didn't want to turn the others into collateral damage as a result. In the end, he was still the same kind soul. Additionally, seeing Mr. Nunn's expression when he first arrived, he was able to determine that Mr. Nunn was genuinely surprised to see him storm in which slightly reduced the suspicion Lucifer had towards Mr. Nunn.
After he said farewell to Aida and the group, they went out to retrieve thicker jackets at the mall on Mr. Nunn's request. In addition to logistics, Mr. Nunn's team had also been in charge of much of the scouting and intelligence gathering as well. For example, the eagle man that brought Aida's group in is also a part of Mr. Nunn's team. The scouts had informed Lucifer that the mall was clear, which is why his brothers and him went to retrieve materials.
They had all entered the mall to retrieve the items. As they exited, they found that they were surrounded by Reapers with none of the scouts in sight. His brothers sacrificed themselves one after another to save Lucifer. His last brother passed away from excessive bleeding on the drive back. Lucifer wasn't even able to bring their bodies back with him.
Hearing the story, Mr. Nunn raised his hand and a man suddenly emerged from the wall. It turns out there was someone camouflaged along the wall this entire time. "Go find me the scouts Lucifer is referring to," said Mr. Nunn.
Nodding, the Variant camouflaged himself again and departed. Moments later, he reappeared with a dazed scout in his boxers. It was clear this scout had just woken up. Looking around, he took in the setting and realized where he was. Jumping up in fright, he tried to leave. Mr. Nunn, who was expecting this, raised a wall made up of purple gas.
Coming to an abrupt halt, the scout began shivering as he tried to back away from Lucifer and Mr. Nunn as far as possible.
Mr. Nunn saw this and said flatly, "Hm. Seems we have a rat. Explain yourself."
As he said this, he inched the gas closer and closer to the scout, threatening him. Shuddering, the scout quickly caved and explained in a stutter, "We...I...am loyal to you sir. Peter came to me with a proposition to get rid of...."
The scout's eyes quickly darted to Lucifer as he paused, and then started again, "Peter said that it would be getting rid of one of your competitors for you. He came up with the plan to lead variants to the shopping mall and run away, leaving him to die."
Angered by the words, Lucifer immediately stood up and all the items around him levitated. Mr. Nunn didn't react to Lucifer's reaction but instead lifted his hand as the gas quickly flew towards the scout and engulfed him. The scout's face began to turn purple as though he was choking on something as rashes covered every part of his body. He sputtered for a bit and then died.
He indifferently turned to Lucifer saying, "I take care of my rat and you can take care of the big rat."
Getting up, he elegantly brushed his suit and said, "I believe our business is done here. You know where the door is."
Lucifer was angry for losing the opportunity to destroy someone who harmed his brothers with his own hands but knew now was not the time to get angry. He was not aptly prepared to take on Mr. Nunn's abilities and, after learning that Mr. Nunn was not the culprit, he was no longer inclined to make an enemy of him either.
Getting up, he walked with very heavy steps towards Peter's den.
***
Peter had begun his monologue. Like every evil villain, he wanted to tell his victims his evil plans. Aida's hypothesis for why villains monologue was because they crave attention and validation. However, that wasn't the most critical reason. The most critical reason was because they wanted to give their victims the opportunity to escape.
He explained to Aida how he had always loathed Lucifer (Randy) for getting close to busting his money laundering operations. When Peter woke up and realized he had become a Variant, he cheered as he was finally free of constraints. He didn't mind all the murders he committed while Enraged as he had long grown accustomed to murders. Things were going well for him until Lucifer showed up at the base again and stole some of his authority.
Devastated, Peter was determined to get rid of him and enacted an elaborate plot. When Aida and the others arrived, it became the perfect opportunity for him to act. He knew the other base leader would never follow this idea, so he bought off the people under him instead. Using them, he forced Randy and his brothers to go on a last minute trip for supplies and then lured Reapers to the mall by bringing weak Variants as base.
Laughing maniacally as he paced around the room, Peter said, "With Lucifer gone, there's only one more to go before I can rule this base all on my own!"
Aida yawned and rolled her eyes as a glint appeared in her eyes. She looked upon him as a dead man. She wondered how a crazy man like this could possibly have made it so far in life.
At the back of her mind, she was also mildly concerned for Lucifer as well. While she didn't care or know much about the man, he had demonstrated humanity, morality and, most importantly, had done them a favor and allowed them to stay on base.
Preparing to take action, she flipped out one of her hidden knives and palmed it. Asking in her usual cold tone, "So, what do you plan to do with me?"
Hearing this, Peter's smile widened into a lascivious grin, "My dear, you are soon to find out."