Marcus stood over Lance's corpse, his expression blank, yet his mind was racing with the implications of Lance's death.
This was a strange situation to be in, the only person who was sent to teach them, was the source of their greatest problem.
Marcus knew he'd definitely have to contact someone high up, most likely Dr. Fletcher.
The real question though, was what to do with the body?
He couldn't just sneak it out, the moment he made it back into the city proper, someone would spot him, not to mention Carlos's corpse was an issue as well.
Marcus groaned as he walked in circles, his wounds slowly healing as his ether began to build up once more.
Just then, Marcus spotted a small silhouette approaching him from a distance. Whoever they were, they moved at a speed that seemed inhuman, almost as if they were flying. Marcus squinted his eyes and he led forward, his eyes then widened as he realized it was Luna flying towards him.
A weary smile crept onto his lips as he instinctively reached out his arms.
Luna crashed into Marcus with a tight hug. Her grip crushed him with the force of thirty grown men. "Are you alright?" She asked desperately, checking his wounds frantically.
"I'm fine." Marcus answered as he held Luna, "But, I don't know what to do with the bodies, and the killer has escaped."
Luna's gaze fell upon the deceased lieutenant, a faint frown forming. "I-I didn't expect it to be this bad," Luna said with a sigh.
Marcus nodded, remembering as it happened, the event replayed in his mind like a movie scene. "What do I do?" Marcus asked.
"Mark this location for a retrieval team of ACAs, then return back to the store and final a report, I suggest you contact Dr. Fletcher as well, she'd have better advice for what to do in the meantime."
Marcus nodded as he placed Luna down.
He then reached into one of his various pockets and pulled out a small beacon that would mark the location for retrieval.
With the beacon placed on Lance's body, Marcus then turned his attention back to Luna. "Come on, there isn't much else I can do here."
Luna nodded as she grabbed Marcus's hand, as they walked away from the crime scene, Luna looked over her shoulder with an unreadable expression.
"Marcus?" Luna called out his name curiously as they entered the city proper.
"Yeah?" He replied, never looking down to face her.
"Does his death make you feel any emotion?" She asked, "Like sadness?"
Marcus nodded. "I feel a little sad." Marcus answered, "he was a nice guy, he probably would've made a great teacher for me."
"But you aren't mad?" Luna asked.
Marcus shook his head. "In the past maybe, but now I'm more surprised than anything, I didn't think people like us could actually die."
"I see."
Suddenly Marcus was stopped by what looked to be a nurse. She had a concerned expression on her face as she grasped Marcus's shoulder. "Hey, are you alright?" The woman asked worriedly.
Marcus nodded, his expression slightly confused. "Uh, yeah?" He answered as he removed the woman's hand. "Why are you asking?"
"Because you're covered in blood and your clothes, they're full of cuts!" The woman explained.
Marcus looked down, noticing that his clothes were soaked in blood, it had stained so deep that it almost seemed like it was designed that way.
"Shit," Marcus said as he touched his chest, he looked up, noticing people were walking around him with wide, curious eyes.
"Are you sure you're fine?" The woman asked, "I can take you–"
"I'm good." Marcus hastily answered. "It's, it's not your problem." He said, pushing past the woman, and pulling Luna with him.
The woman attempted to pull Marcus back, grabbing his free arm as he tried to walk away. "You really don't–"
Marcus could feel his frustration and irritation rising. This woman was bothering him at the wrong time, he was already stressed and slightly disoriented, and she was just making it worse. "I said I'm fine!" Marcus shouted as he snatched his hand from the woman. "Learn to listen," Marcus demanded, glaring at the woman before continuing to walk away.
He pulled Luna alongside him. Her small legs struggled to keep up with his pace, making her fall behind almost to the point of being dragged.
The woman, now slightly startled and embarrassed by Marcus's outburst, watched him storm off. Luna, still trying to match Marcus's aggressive pace, looked back at the woman with an apologetic expression. The woman's expression grew increasingly concerned.
Luna looked up at Marcus. "You should slow down." She suggested, attempting to speak and match his pace. "Otherwise we'll draw more unwanted att–"
Before she could finish speaking, a group of four guys who watched the entire scene unfold, began to approach Marcus slowly.
"Dude, just relax for a bit bro, come sit with us." One of the guys spoke gently. He was dressed in shorts with a compressed long-sleeve shirt and a hat that held Beta Academy's logo.
He pressed a firm hand on Marcus's shoulder, as he gestured toward the hot dog stand they were sitting near. The guy's friends, all built and muscular men, surrounded Marcus but remained none threatening.
Marcus unintentionally chuckled, "Look, I've just had a long day." Marcus explained, his grin spreading slowly, "I'm just a little riled up, that's all."
"Then it sounds like the perfect time to enjoy a hot dog with the boys." The man explained with a soft laugh.
Marcus nodded his head, these people weren't leaving him alone, not until he gave them a reason to. "So I guess everyone is just itching to fuck with me," Marcus said as she struggled to hold back a laugh.
The guy with that hat expression turned concerned, "What was that bro?" He asked worriedly.
Without word, without warning, and without hesitation, Marcus swung at the guy holding his shoulder at full strength. His fist connected with the guy's jaw perfectly, and the sound of bones breaking popped loudly as the guy was sent crashing into the ground.
Marcus, not wasting a second, charged the second closest guy. Dressed in a bright yellow T-shirt and joggers, quickly protected his face. Marcus swiftly changed direction for the stomach.
The impact was brutal. Marcus had punched the guy so hard that his eyes nearly popped out of his skull. Spit and saliva flew from the guy's mouth as he groaned in pain clutching his stomach and dropping to his knees.
Marcus then turned his attention to the other two guys, his expression twisting and filled with a sick joy. "Which one of you are next?" Marcus asked with a laugh.
Both their eyes were stuck on their wounded friends, their expressions horrified.
Marcus raised an eyebrow, his grin never faltering. "Are we done playing hero?" He asked. His expression was one of slight disappointment.
It felt good to release some of his pent-up stress, even if it was on the innocent.
A crowd had gathered around Marcus, Luna, and the four guys. Most had their phones out recording, while others looked to be calling the police.
Luna looked up at Marcus with a desperate expression. "We should go." She suggested, "Our 'family' is waiting on us."
Marcus ignored Luna as he stared the two guys down, "I asked you a question!" Marcus said with a stern smile. "Are… you… done?" He asked, putting emphasis on each word.
The two remaining guys exchanged nervous glances, the crowds murmuring and buzzing with conversation. Some were full of excitement and enthusiasm, others looked out in fear.
"Yeah, we're done, bro." One of them said as he stepped back from Marcus, the other friend quickly followed suit.
Marcus nodded with a satisfied expression as he looked out onto the forming crowd. Licking his lips Marcus reached out a hand to Luna, "Let's go." He said sternly.
Luna quickly accepted his hand, and they began walking towards the edge of the circle the crowd had formed. The crowd quickly began to part, their eyes wide and full of various emotions.
Marcus, stained with his blood and walking away from a fight scene, looked far more imposing than he realized.
Luna and Marcus moved further away from the scene, breaking through the crowds and entering one of the more quiet parts of the city.
"That was wholly unnecessary," Luna commented. "You caused a scene, a brought avoidable attention."
Marcus shrugged. "So?" He asked, "It felt good to blow off some steam, besides sometimes people need to mind their business."
"It sounds as if you despise them," Luna said with a conflicted expression. "But I suppose that's not important, we need to move, the authorities will arrive soon, and we don't need to draw any more attention."
Marcus agreed, quickening his pace.
It wasn't long before they reached the Cyber-tech store. Marcus made his way towards the back door and entered into the basement.
They were immediately greeted by a pacing Kael, who walked in circles around the room with his arms crossed. When he noticed Marcus entering the basement, he immediately started to apologize.
"Marcus, I'm sorry, I-I panicked, I didn't know what to do…."
"It's fine," Marcus said coldly as he approached a laptop. "Did you final a report already?" Marcus asked.
Kael nodded, "yeah, it was the first thing I did after I informed Luna of your situation." Kael explained, "I'm just waiting for a callback, or at least a visit from another team."
Marcus nodded as he sighed. "Ok, I'll contact Dr. Fletcher, I've already left a beacon with the bodies."
Kael nodded. "Ok, so what do I do in the meantime?"
"I guess you just keep waiting," Marcus said with a sigh.
— — —
Dr. Fletcher, who was still in Manchester at the time of Lance's death, was now on a jet ride back to the United States, heading for Miami Florida.
She had just been informed of Lance's death and was now in a meeting with several higher-ups from both the North American East Coast division and the Western European division of the organization.
"What do you mean an officer died?" A man dressed in a three-piece suit with a comb over fade asked with disbelief and irritation.
"I refuse to believe an officer died via a gunshot wound, no normal bullet could possibly put any of our officers in the ground, much less a rank-two lieutenant."
Dr. Fletcher listened in on the meeting with an unreadable expression, her eyes holding a cold gaze.
"This is preposterous!" Another high-ranking member said as he slammed his fist against the table. "How the hell does someone just pull off a kill like this?"
"Are we sure it wasn't an inside job?" Another high-ranking official asked curiously.
"What about the rookies that were under his command?" Another chimed in, "Could they have maybe killed him?"
As the officials continued to bicker amongst themselves, Dr. Fletcher felt her phone vibrating from within her neighboring seat.
She placed the laptop down on the table in front of her as she reached over to grab the phone.
Picking it up and looking at the caller's I.D., she realized it was Marcus.
She answered the phone and placed it against her ear. "Hello?" She said softly.
Marcus breathed a sigh of relief. "Dr. Fletcher, I don't know if you know this, but the lieutenant is dead, he was assassinated during a setup. I-I think it has something to do with the Kiba mercenaries, but I don't know for sure." Marcus's voice was slightly off, filled with confusion and frustration.
Dr. Fletcher sighed as she crossed her legs, "I'm aware of the situation." She answered, "However you and Kael should prepare yourselves for the future fallout of what's to come."
"Huh?"
Dr. Fletcher sighed. "Unfortunately for the both of you, the organization will look for someone to blame for a blunder such as this, they will most certainly attempt to blame the death of the lieutenant, onto you."
"But that's bullshit!" Marcus said angrily, "he was fucking sniped, how are they going to pin that on us?"
"Maybe not the direct death of the lieutenant, but you will certainly face some repercussions as either accomplices or leaks." Dr. Fletcher explained calmly.
Marcus groaned audibly, "so now what?" Marcus asked angrily, "I just roll over like a good boy and get left holding the bag no one wants?"
"No, I'll defend your case, and ask for you to be employed under my direct command." Dr. Fletcher explained, "But only you, I have no interest nor reason to do the same for Kael."
"So…." Marcus began to speak but paused for a moment. "A-are you just going to….."
"Yes." Dr. Fletcher answered, "he will most likely bear responsibility."
Marcus glanced over at Kael, who was leaning on the back wall with his arms crossed and his foot tapping the ground.
Marcus's mind swirled with the thought of what might happen to him. The implication that Kael, the one who was the most distraught by this entire incident, would be the one made to take the blame, was cruel.
It was like a sick joke.
"You cannot be serious," Marcus whispered as she stepped further away from Kael. "He didn't do anything wrong, if anything he's the most innocent person of all three of us, he tried to save ME." Marcus explained, "and he only left because he had no other choice."
"You should know how this works Marcus." She replied, "Kael may be innocent, but that doesn't matter during an event such as this, the organization needs someone to take the fall, Kael is the most convenient choice." Dr. Fletcher's tone was icy and lacked any sense of empathy.
She was completely fine with what was about to happen.
But Marcus wondered if he could even get mad at the situation, if he pushed Dr. Fletcher to defend Kael, then he and Luna would take the fall.
He would be giving away what was essentially his only lifeline.
After a brief silence, Marcus hesitantly agreed. "O-ok." He stammered, "Do what you gotta do."
"Of course." Dr. Fletcher replied, "And I want you to stay low Marcus, no unnecessary drama, do you understand?"
"Yeah, s-see you soon I guess," Marcus answered before hanging up the phone. Marcus then slid it into his pocket as he turned to look back at Kael, who looked at him with an anxious look.
"What did she say?" Kael asked worriedly as he pulled himself from the wall.
Marcus frowned as he averted his gaze. "I and by extension Luna, will be fine for the most part," Marcus answered, before sighing deeply as he tightened his fist. "But, she's not going to do the same for you…"
Kael paused for a moment before his expression paled. "Wait, wait, wait, a-are they going to pin this on me?" He asked, fear creeping into his eyes, "Are they even going to bother looking for the person who actually did this?"
Marcus shrugged his shoulders. "I-I don't know."
Kael looked as if he wanted to argue, his expression filling with anger. Yet his shoulders dropped and tears began streaking down his cheeks. "Of course, it was going to be me," Kael said, his voice full of defeat. "I should've known."
Marcus bit his lip as Luna crossed her arms. "How should you have known?" Luna asked.
"I was the one who accepted the mission." Kael said with a sigh, "I was the one who filled the report, I was too involved, so…."
Both Marcus and Luna remained silent, unsure of how to respond.
Today had been a mess, and the storm had only begun.