Marcus Crassus sat on the medical bed, the dim light casting shadows on the damp walls of the sewer hideout. The hum of the dialysis machine filled the small room, a necessary routine for his frail body. A thin tube connected to his arm, purifying his blood.
He took a deep puff from his wakeleaf pipe, the smoke curling around his pale face. His hazel eyes flickered with satisfaction.
The plan had gone perfectly.
The Black Hoods' warehouse had been raided by the police, just as he intended. The goods—precious truth serum that could render anyone completely honest—had been taken. The police saw Mr. Black's men there, making him a clear target in their eyes and he now had the truth serum making him an enemy of the Black Hoods.
Detective Vega had almost been killed, but luckily one of his bots had been nearby to save her. All minor pawns in his grand game.
Most importantly, he had come away with the prize he wanted.
Before him was a box full of the valuable truth serum. But that wasn't all. He had also captured two key individuals in the crossfire: a man in a suit clearly from Mr. Black's organization, and a cloaked figure bearing the Black Hood emblem.
Marcus turned his attention to the captives.
"Bring them in," he commanded, his voice barely rising above a whisper but carrying an unmistakable authority.
Two squadron bots—workhorses—dragged the prisoners before him. The captives were unconscious from the grabber gas.
With a nod, Marcus signaled for the interrogation to begin.
--- BLACK HOOD CAPTIVE PERSPECTIVE ---
The Black Hood captive shivered as he knelt on the cold, wet floor.
As he began to wake up the darkness of the sewer became evident, it was oppressive, and the air was filled with the stench of decay. His cloak, bearing the Black Hood emblem, was soaked through, sticking to his skin.
He glanced at the other captive, a man in a suit from Mr. Black's organization, who was out cold on the ground. He was confused but before he could speak a figure approached, cloaked in shadows. The only distinguishable feature was a gas mask covering its face, causing its voice to sound distorted and mechanical.
"You are now in the presence of Marcus Crassus," the masked figure intoned. "You will answer his questions. If not, the consequences will be severe."
The Black Hood captive's head titled. He had heard whispers about Marcus Crassus, he was a cripple, a target, a thief. He wasn't suppose to be a threat, he was suppose to be someone hunted.
But facing him in person was another matter entirely.
The masked figure—Captain Bot—produced a syringe filled with a glowing, blue liquid. The truth serum. Its effects were both feared and known; it would compel him to speak the truth, no matter how much he wished otherwise.
He struggled as the Grabber bot held him still, but resistance was futile. The needle pierced the skin of his neck, and within seconds, he felt a strange warmth spreading through his body.
The Captain Bot began asking questions, its mechanical voice echoing in the confined space.
"Who are the leaders of the Black Hoods?" it asked, the voice cold and unyielding.
His mind fought against the serum, but his mouth moved on its own. "Our leader is known only as 'Viper'. No one has seen his face except Brick."
"What are your current operations?" the Captain Bot continued.
He couldn't stop the words. "We are expanding into new drugs, including the truth serum. We also handle arms deals and extortions and own the Market and all titanium production on the planet."
The questions kept coming, each one peeling back layers of secrecy that the Black Hoods would kill him for spilling.
As much as he tried to resist, the serum was relentless. It compelled him to spill secrets, every answer feeling like betrayal.
Finally, the Captain Bot paused and stepped back.
Silence filled the room and the stench of decay somehow became stronger, the darkness at the edges grew deeper and a piercing medical beep and twirl of a dialysis machine became louder.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Then it was cut off by a raised veiny hand and the imposing figure of Marcus Crassus came forward. He was frail, using a cane to walk, but his presence was terrifying. His hazel eyes bore into the captive, and when he spoke, his voice was a chilling whisper.
"You have disappointed me," Marcus began, his tone deceptively soft. "I expected more from the Black Hoods."
The captive's blood ran cold. He knew there was no escape now.
Marcus continued, lighting his wakeleaf pipe and taking a deep puff. "Now, you will tell me everything you know about Mr. Black's dealings with your organization."
Despite the terror gripping him, the captive couldn't hold back. The serum forced his compliance. "Mr. Black has been trying to stay friendly with us until recently, he owns the casinos and has a lucrative operation but because of legalities his hands are bound in many ways. I do not know what he wants the truth serum for."
Marcus nodded, as if he had learned a great secret. He motioned for the Captain Bot to step aside.
"Thank you for your honesty," Marcus said, his voice dripping with mock sincerity. "But I am afraid your usefulness has come to an end."
Before the captive could react, the Stabber bot moved swiftly, a blade glinting in the dim light. There was no time to scream.
The room fell silent again, save for the hum of the dialysis machine.
Marcus turned his attention to the other captive, the man in the suit, he had woken up sometime during the interrogation. The prisoner's eyes were wide with fear, having witnessed the fate of his fellow captive.
This was going to be a long night, full of revelations and divulgence. And Marcus Crassus would emerge knowing much more about his enemies.
He took another deep puff from his pipe and smiled.
"Let's begin again," he said, the words a promise of what was to come. "We have much to discuss."
--- MARCUS'S PERSPECTIVE ---
Back on the medical bed, Marcus pondered the information he had just extracted. The dynamics between the Black Hoods and Mr. Black were clearer now. They were not allies but did not want to fight outright, each seeking to use the truth serum to expand operations off world.
"System," Marcus called, his voice echoing in the dimly lit room. "Status report on our captives and the latest intelligence."
[Both captives have complied. Comprehensive reports generated on Black Hoods' and Mr. Black's operations.]
"Excellent," Marcus murmured.
The dark, damp sewer hideout was silent once more, save for the continuous hum of the dialysis machine. Marcus leaned back, letting the machine do its work, and his mind buzzed with the endless possibilities.
He had learned of many key bases and operations of both the Black Hoods and Mr. Blacks organization. Now with tensions high it was the perfect time.
It was time to start a war.