In the room, the tension was palpable as Mark, Loe, and Mindy huddled together. The discovery that they were staying in a safe house belonging to the Chicago Outfit had put them on edge. Mark's mind raced with strategies as he turned to Loe, who was meticulously searching for any surveillance equipment.
Mark asked, "Did you find any bugging devices?"
Loe shook his head, his face set in concentration. "None. It seems like they didn't put any bugging devices here."
Mark let out a sigh of relief. "Then we're safe for now."
Mindy, still visibly shaken, spoke up, "What should we do? This house belongs to the Chicago Outfit, and I was wanted by them. I'm shaking just thinking about it."
Mark placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, everything is going to be fine."
Loe, trying to ease the tension, added, "Don't be anxious. We won't be caught."
Mindy looked at Loe skeptically, "You think so?"
Loe smirked, "Have you ever seen us caught?"
Mindy couldn't help but smile at Loe's nonsensical confidence, despite the seriousness of their situation. His unshakeable demeanor provided a small comfort in the midst of the uncertainty.
Mindy chuckled, "You dummy"
Loe shrugged, "Hey... I'm just being realistic."
Mark, sensing the need for further reassurance, pointed to the bracelet on his wrist. "Don't worry, guys. We've got this."
Loe's gaze followed Mark's hand. "That... yeah, it's a tool from Michael Wilson—a spatial item."
Mark nodded and smiled, his confidence returning. "Exactly. Let's open it and see what we've got."
He carefully removed the bracelet from his wrist and held it up. With a practiced twist, he activated the spatial transformation, and the bracelet expanded into a small bag. The bag's sleek, modern design contrasted sharply with the surroundings of the old-fashioned safe house.
Loe's eyes widened with interest as the spatial bag appeared. "Let's see what kind of tools and equipment we have at our disposal."
Mark unzipped the bag, revealing an array of high-tech gadgets and essential tools for their mission. Among the items were sleek, futuristic devices that looked straight out of a sci-fi movie. Mark's attention was immediately drawn to a notebook resting atop the assortment. He picked it up and flipped it open, revealing a detailed guide on Michael Wilson's tools.
A chuckle escaped Mark's lips as he came across a page featuring a drawing of Michael Wilson himself, flashing a peace sign with a cheeky grin. The notebook was filled with sketches and descriptions of the various items, each page meticulously labeled and annotated.
Loe, meanwhile, had picked up a small, disk-shaped object about the size of a stone. It had a single button on its surface. Curiosity piqued, he asked, "What is this?"
Mark glanced over and took the notebook, flipping through its pages until he found the corresponding entry. He cleared his throat and began reading aloud.
"This is called an Energy Shield," Mark explained. "It's designed to provide a barrier against physical and energy attacks, but it can be destroyed if you're up against stronger opponents, like not average vampires or something more powerful."
Loe raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "It's still sounds pretty useful. How do you use it?"
Mark read further from the guide. "To activate it, you press it firmly. It might emit a brief pulse or sound to indicate it's working. It's rechargeable, so you can use it up to six times before needing to recharge it. To recharge, you simply place it in the 'Shield' slot of the Recharge Station Pack and wait for about 30 minutes."
Loe nodded, impressed. "Alright, that could definitely come in handy. What else do we have here?"
Mark glanced at the notebook and noticed another intriguing item. "Hmm, this might be the Recharge Station Pack.." he said as he picked up a device that fit the description perfectly.
As Mark examined the Recharge Station Pack, he flipped through the notebook to find the corresponding drawing and description:
Recharge Station Pack;
Description: A portable, all-in-one recharging unit capable of replenishing the energy and functionality of various items. Designed for ease of use in both infiltration and battle scenarios.
Recharge Instructions: Connect the items to the designated slots in the Recharge Station Pack. Each slot is labeled for specific item types. The pack automatically identifies and recharges the items based on their requirements. The recharging time depends on the item and the pack's power level.
Mindy, who was peering over Mark's shoulder, pointed to another device. "What about that?" she asked, indicating a small rectangular item, roughly the size of a large smartphone or small book. It had a sleek, slim profile with smooth, rounded edges for easy handling.
Mark picked up the device and flipped through the notebook once more. He found the description and began to read aloud:
'Disguise Box'
Description: A compact, advanced device designed for quick and effective identity alteration. Ideal for infiltration and covert operations, it allows users to instantly change their appearance by scanning their face and applying a new disguise. The device can be used 10 times before needing a recharge and provides disguises that last for 3 hours.
Mark looked up from the notebook, impressed by the detailed instructions. "This Disguise Box could be really useful. It seems like it's designed to make infiltration a lot easier."
Loe, leaning back against the wall, arms crossed and half in shadow, raised an eyebrow and scoffed. "It's not like we can use it.." he muttered, his tone casual yet dismissive.
Mindy, who had been sitting near the window, flinched slightly at his words. Her fingers fidgeted nervously in her lap, her face illuminated by the soft moonlight. She looked up, eyes wide with resolve. "I can use it.." she offered, her voice tentative but firm.
Loe rolled his eyes, pushing off the wall to stand straight. "Why? You can just stay here and use that power of yours to tell us what we should do through telepathy.." he said, his voice tinged with impatience.
Mindy, her face flushed slightly, shook her head. "My power isn't that strong yet... I'm still not used to it."
Loe clicked his tongue in annoyance, a low "tsk" escaping his lips. The silence stretched for a moment, tense and heavy.
Mindy lowered her gaze, her hands tightening into fists. "So-sorry." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mark, sensing the discomfort, sighed and placed the notebook on the floor. "Anyway," he said, his voice calm and measured, "there are still plenty of other items here we can use." He gestured toward the assortment of gadgets, picking up a few smoke bombs and flashbangs. "Look at this."
Loe, his mood shifting, smirked as he inspected the devices. "This is good." he said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. The sharp light of the gadgets reflected off his face, casting an almost mischievous look in the shadows of the room.
Mark then pointed to a small, discreet device, about the size of a stone. "And this too," he added.
Loe, stepping closer to examined the tiny device. "Hoh, let me guess," he said, his smirk widening. "An Eavesdropping Device."
Mark nodded, flipping through the notebook once more. "Yep, that's exactly what it is." he confirmed, tapping the page with the diagram.
Loe chuckled darkly. "That's perfect for our plan." he muttered, already strategizing how to use it.
Mindy, stared in awe at the array of gadgets. Her voice carried a mix of wonder and disbelief. "Wow... there's so much stuff here. Since when did Mr. Michael get all of this?"
Loe glanced at Mark, sharing a knowing look before both chuckled. Mark leaned against the table, crossing his arms as he explained, "Well, Michael has many kinds of power. He told me this is part of his ability. He can retrieve items out of a space he called an 'interdimensional pocket' or something like that."
Mindy blinked, her face showing a mix of surprise and confusion. "What? That's..."
Mark chuckled, interrupting her. "Pretty shocking, isn't it? But honestly, what matters is that he's..." He paused, looking from Mindy to Loe before continuing. "He's our friend."
Loe, still looking at the gadgets, nodded. "Yeah, Michael is Michael." he said with a small, almost affectionate smirk.
Mindy, lost in thought for a moment, glanced down, her expression softening. "Friend, huh..." she murmured, her voice carrying a hint of melancholy as she reflected on their connection to Michael.
Mark, noticing the shift in her mood, spoke up, "He's not just our friend, Mindy. He's also our leader. If it weren't for him..." He paused again, locking eyes with her, his voice growing more serious. "Nightwing wouldn't exist."
Mindy's eyes widened in shock. She hadn't known that Michael Wilson was the one responsible for Mark becoming Nightwing. She looked at Loe, searching for a reaction, but Loe just sighed and glanced back at her, his expression unreadable.
As always, Mindy's gaze lingered on Loe a little longer than necessary. There was something about him—his confidence, his sharp wit—that left her both frustrated and mesmerized. The fluttering feeling in her chest was undeniable, and though she tried to push it down, it surfaced every time he spoke. She had been drawn to him since the day they met, a quiet pull she couldn't quite explain.
Loe, noticing her stare, raised an eyebrow. "Stop looking at me like that, duffus." he said, his voice a mix of exasperation and amusement.
Mindy snapped out of her daze, her face flushing red as she stammered, "So-sorry." her words tumbling over each other.
The dim room buzzed with quiet activity as Loe picked up another item from the cluttered place. His eyes narrowed as he examined the peculiar object, which resembled a grenade but with a strange string attached. "What is this?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity as he turned it over in his hand.
Mark, still flipping through the pages of the notebook, glanced up quickly. "Wait, don't touch it. Let me check." he said, rifling through the notes with more urgency. Finally, he found the relevant entry. "Ah, that's an Explosive Charge. One-time use. It causes a controlled explosion—good for breaching or causing chaos."
Loe raised an eyebrow. "So, like a grenade?"
"Yep, pretty much like a grenade." Mark confirmed, his eyes still scanning the page for additional details.
Loe chuckled, his excitement barely contained. He rummaged through more items, pulling out a small gun-like device. "This is the grappling hook," he said, setting it aside before picking up a vial of glowing liquid. "And we've only got five health potions. Not a lot."
As Loe continued to inspect the gadgets, Mark returned to the notebook, cataloging the rest of the equipment. Meanwhile, Mindy sat quietly, her eyes flicking between them, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her clothes. She finally spoke up, her voice soft but steady. "Um, so what's the plan?"
Loe exchanged a glance with Mark, and with a quick nod, Mark stepped forward to explain. "The plan is simple: we'll pose as workers for the Chicago Outfit."
Mindy frowned slightly, tilting her head. "And then?"
Loe took over, his expression firm. "We plant the eavesdropping device and wait. As soon as we pick up any useful information—especially about those transactions you mentioned—we strike."
Mindy thought for a moment before chiming in, "But the transaction won't happen for another week."
Loe's expression tightened, his frustration apparent. "Exactly. We can't afford to wait a whole week. We need to infiltrate now, gather intel, and set things in motion. That's why we're doing this. And you—" Loe paused, his eyes locking on Mindy.
Mindy blinked in confusion. "Me?"
"You're staying here.." Loe said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Mindy's face fell, and she straightened up, her voice rising slightly in protest. "But I told you I can do it too! I know the Chicago Outfit better than either of you. After all, I worked there before I escaped."
Mark turned to Loe, a thoughtful look on his face. "She's got a point, Loe. And we have the Disguise Box. Michael made sure it can change her appearance, so no one will recognize her."
Loe frowned, clearly weighing the risks. "Yeah, I know but it only lasts for three hours before the disguise fades. That's risky."
Mark shrugged, his voice calm and confident. "We'll make it work. Plus, the device has ten uses before we need to recharge it. That should give us more than enough time."
Loe let out a resigned sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Fine, fine," he muttered. He turned to Mindy, his eyes narrowing as he pointed at her. "But you—"
Mindy looked at him with wide, hopeful eyes, almost like a puppy waiting for approval.
Loe sighed again, shaking his head. "Just... Don't mess up the plan."
Mindy nodded eagerly, a small smile playing on her lips. "I won't!" she promised, her voice filled with determination.
Mark clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. "Alright, everything's in order, but we'll do this tomorrow, not tonight." The room filled with the quiet clink of gadgets being gathered and checked, the faint hum of their combined anticipation.
To be continue