Bzzt! Bzzt!
My attention was stolen away from the comfort of the velvet couch I sat in from a notification that had rung my phone.
"What's this?"
I got up to check it out, already irritated by whatever request awaited me. The only people who ever contacted my personal cell were the Overseers whenever they sought something out of me. Sometimes it was for a mission, sometimes it was for a meeting. Either way, it disturbed the tranquility of the whiskey buzz I currently rode.
[ Call me once you've seen this. ]
It was a text from General Michael. I sighed and called him back.
"General?"
"Enzo." He'd picked up.
"What do you need me for?"
"An operation."
I groaned. "I already told you that I want no part in Operation Zenith—"
"It's not that," he interrupted. "Something new came up, just today."
My attention had been piqued ever so slightly.
"Have you seen the news as of late?" He asked.
"No. Why?"
"Do you still remember Fifth?"
The image of that pathetic excuse of a man flashed through my mind.
"Klyson? Did you finally find him?"
"No. We were never actively looking for him. But he's just been made public." Michael grumbled. "Discovered to be attached to a string of 30 confirmed murders, and at least 40 more indefinite cases. Serial killer status."
An empty breath left my mouth for a moment with no words in pursuit. I was speechless by the fact.
"Klyson 'Fifth' Rainer? Him, a murderer?"
"Yes. Everything has only been from the last few months. He was just last seen in an abandoned factory on the outskirts of downtown Melysia. We had sent Sav, Celeste, and two others to investigate, and only the other two came back alive, gravely injured."
Shock had finally reached my core. "He killed Sav and Celeste?!"
"That's not it. Azrael's Task Force, the first division, had been sent-in as backup, and all of them were wiped-out in an instant, save for J."
The tipsy sensation from the whisky had been forced out of me by now. I was sobered by all of this new information.
"What are his whereabouts now?" I asked.
"It's only been an hour since the last update. Either he's still at that factory, or somewhere within downtown Melysia's vicinity. He couldn't have gone too far just yet."
My heart pumped loudly. "Get to it, Michael. What are you asking of me?"
There was a quiet pause, almost as if to make way for something that seemed forbidden to say.
"Incapacitate Klyson Rainer, dead or alive. Use whatever means you deem necessary. The control chamber for your hive mind will be readily available, and your Angel Unit Infantry will be on standby."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "You're gonna let me deploy Angels into downtown over a Fractless?"
"Something about him is different," Michael said. "We've already issued a Confinement Status. No one will be outside their homes. Consider it your playground for the time-being. But any damages done to the city will charge your pay, so be attentive."
I scoffed. "High expectations of someone you're asking to do work for you."
"Low expectations of the only person left from the Upper Four. You're not 'First' anymore if there's no one left beneath you. Do as you're told."
And just like that, he hung up.
"Fucking General…"
I turned to face the window that displayed the view of downtown Melysia's skyline. My heart had been racing fast for the last few minutes, and it was for two specific reasons.
One, from a peculiar unsettling feeling that gnawed at my stomach for the implications made about this whole situation.
This is all too familiar...
Two, from excitement at the idea that Klyson had finally discovered what I'd preached to him all those times ago.
"Have you finally found your untapped Fractless potential, Klyson?"
I watched as the sun began to rise above the horizon.
"Let's test that newly awakened state of yours, shall we?"