It's been a couple of days since Albrecht defected to Arachnos. Boy, was Operative Orson surprised when I brought Albrecht to the Fort! I'll get that promotion for sure now! With this on my record, there will be no way for me to get passed over!
I should be happy. Why aren't I happy?! This is what I've wanted for almost a year and a half! It's my ticket out of the rank and file!
I can't help but wonder this as Albrecht and I head to the Fort. The Council is still on the lookout for him, so he's staying at my apartment, at least until he gets assigned some quarters. Mike and Joe keep an eye and an ear out for trouble; once I'm promoted, I'll be able to actually license them as undercover Arachnos operatives amongst The Lost.
As we pass through the streets of Marconeville, I turn my head and nod at where Ignacio once stood. I still can't help it. I'd always done it, and old habits die hard.
****
After our daily exercises, we received our schedules for the day. I've finally been transferred off of Coralax Procurement, and moved into Active Duty.
Operative Orson informs me that I'll be acting as squad leader for this assignment. He doesn't say it outright, but from the look in his eye, I can tell that this is a test. If I do well, I'll secure my position and reputation.
We're assigned to take down a Family operation in Dockside; it seems that they've been smuggling in some Superadine, under the radar to avoid tariffs. We're to go and confiscate those goods by any means necessary. Albrecht and I are both assigned to it, along with three lower ranking Wolf Spiders. Green, Brians, and Peterson, I think.
****
The operation does not go smoothly. They did not come peacefully. The Family defended their turf and their property to the very last.
We lost Peterson; a Marcone Hitman got him right in the throat with a sniper rifle. Brians was injured, but he would recover.
As we were doing a final security sweep, I noticed one of the Family's thugs was still alive. Unconscious and wounded, but alive. I was just about to lodge a bullet in him and finish the job, but looking at him, he looked familiar. He couldn't have been older than fifteen, but...he looked just like Ignacio.
Ignacio's son. I hadn't seen the kid since he was a baby. I remember it well; I helped fake his medical file.
****
A dark and stormy night in the Isles. Rain pattered down across all of Port Oakes, with howling winds barely audible from the confines of an Arachnos building. Vega sits at a desk, filling out some paperwork. He is on office duty.
The door bursts open, and a large man hurriedly comes in from the soaking rain. He is square-jawed, with matted down brown hair and piercing green eyes. He clutches a baby to his chest. It's maybe a week old.
The man strides confidently to the desk. Vega doesn't look up until the man speaks.
"Operative Howard Vega?"
Vega is startled by the man's knowledge. He takes off his helmet, showing his short black hair and soft brown eyes, and stands up from his chair. Even with the man somewhat hunched, Vega stands a good half foot shorter.
"Who are you? How do you know me?"
"Ignacio, Vega."
Those simple words struck a chord within the Arachnos soldier. Ignacio. The man who had saved his life not two months before from a Cobra.
"I-Ignacio? What's going on? Why are you here?"
"I'm here fer help, Vega."
Ignacio reached into his coat with his one free hand and pulled out a slightly damp manila folder. Inside was the medical file and birth certificate of one Marco Aurelia, born to Angelina and Ignacio Aurelia, on November 14th, 1993.
"I need dese altered. Before dese go on file wit Arachnos, I need 'em changed."
Vega looked over the papers. Legit, except for the government seal. Normally applied as soon as the papers are drafted on site.
"I paid da doc ta not have dese filed. I need dis changed."
Ignacio pointed to a line on the medical file. He was pointing to one of the many blood tests, the line of which read, "Mutant Gene: Positive".
Vega immediately knew why Ignacio wanted that changed. Mutant children tended to be "recruited" into the various factions of the Isles very quickly, including Arachnos. Especially Arachnos.
"My boy's special, Vega. Not just cuz he's a super. He's special. I can tell. He's got great tings ahead of him, but he needs th' chance t' do 'em. He's gonna make sometin' of 'imself. I don't want him ta have th' same life I had. He deserves betta. I owe it to him ta give him betta."
Ignacio's eyes welled up with tears, with thoughts about his newborn son.
"Please Howie. Angelina passed givin' birt' ta him. And da Good Lord knows I won't be around fereva. I gotta make sure he'll be okay."
Vega nodded, and changed the papers. Changed the result to negative, and applied the Arachnos Seal to them. It was official.
"I'll make sure, Ignacio."
As far as everyone else was concerned, the baby was just one more human being born into the squalid, cut throat world of the Rogue Isles. Just one more voice in the din. Just another part of the crowd.
"Keep 'em safe, Howie. Ya gotta promise me. Ya gotta look after my boy. Make sure Marco don't throw away his life like I did."
"I promise, Ignacio."
The words came through like a lump in his throat. This made him think of his own parents. Vega hadn't thought about his Mom and Dad for years.
"I need yer word, Howie. Yer bindin' word. I saved you. You gotta save him."
****
"You have my word."
I whispered my old reply, low enough so that the others wouldn't hear. How could I have been to callous about Ignacio's death? He had been a good friend for many years. He was the only one who ever called me 'Howie'. Even my parents called me 'Howard'.
The man had saved me. And I swore to look after his boy when he was gone. I gave him my word that I would look after his son.
His son, who was now slowly dying before my eyes. At my own hand, no less.
No. I would not let this happen. My years with Arachnos have been wearing away at my soul. I may be a cold, ruthless [censored], but I'm still human.
I gave Ignacio my word. And I never break my word.
I order my squad to clean up and report back to Fort Hades. I mumble something about having business to attend to.
As soon as they're not looking, I sneak out with Marco in tow.
Time to pay Ezekiel a visit.
Ooh, I'm liking this so far. More please?
[Admin] Emperor Marcus Cole: STOP!
[Admin] Emperor Marcus Cole: WAIT ONE SECOND!
[Admin] Emperor Marcus Cole: WHAT IS A SEAGULL DOING ON MY THRONE!?!?
((Yes, yes, I know, this next part is very late. I was busy. :P))
It's a long walk to Cap Au Diable. In between the two, I manage to get Marco into a half-conscious state. He's not cognizant, but he's mobile.
Well, he is after a quick leg splint.
By the time we reach the Devil's Coat Tails, my shoulder is about to give out. I glance down at my watch.
2:36. Perfect. Ezekiel will still be at home.
As I half-drag Marco down the streets of the Devil's Coat Tails, I get quite a few looks. A lot of those Goldbricker thugs eye me. Probably thinking about whether they could take me down.
Even if I were at my peak, they'd probably still win. I've seen the specs for those sonic weapons they've got; those things can eat through my armor like it was two-ply.
****
I eventually make my way to Ezekiel's place. He's a skilled doctor, but also one of those Vahzilok crazies. Luckily, he moonlights (daylights?) as a back alley surgeon for those of us who need things done off the books.
Just as I'm about to ring the door bell, I hear a weapon [censored] behind me. One of the Goldbrickers thinks he has the stones to challenge an Arachnos agent.
"You can just stop right there, Operative."
I turn around, and a Bombardier has a two-handed sonic cannon leveled at my stomach.
"You must be new to th' Cap, else you'd know there's a toll t' pass through here."
Even with that breather mask on, I could tell he was grinning like all hell.
"Let's see some clams."
For a moment, I considered just giving him my money.
But that was just one moment.
Fast as I could, I dropped Marco back onto a pile of garbage right behind me, and whipped out my pistol. Pointed the barrel at his forehead before he could react.
"By the authority vested in me by Our Lord President Recluse, due leader of these Rogue Isles, I hereby ORDER you to drop your weapon and quietly submit to arrest. You are hereby found guilty of threatening an officer of the law."
I just love to go all official on them. Don't always have time, but damn fun when I do.
The Goldbricker looked nervous. I think. Kind of hard to tell through mask and goggles.
"Don't play with me, golden boy. I guess you might've forgotten, but on these islands, Arachnos IS the law. Now get your [censored] on the ground before I do it for you. I don't have time for your freakin' Mexican stand off."
The thug hesitated. His head tilted a little; I think he was glancing around for his buddies.
"Listen here. You can't win here. I've got Mediport access. You don't. Do the math."
Truth be told, I didn't have Mediport access at that moment. I hadn't requisitioned it. But he didn't need to know that. Just like he didn't need to know I had forgotten to load my weapon.
He started to sweat, and then slowly laid his weapon on the ground and raised his hands above his head. I maneuvered him over to the wall and made him kneel, hands behind his head.
"Thanks for playin', Goldbricker."
I drew my mace and bashed him across the back of the head as hard as I could. He simply keeled over. I tagged his location; I'd let the patrol Arachnos would send figure out what to do with him. I had more important things to do.
I holstered my pistol and mace, and slung Marco's arm over my shoulder again. I dragged him over, and knocked on Ezekiel's door.
****
Ezekiel let us in, and I told him the whole story. It was weird to see him out of his reaper's uniform; he was wearing a short sleeve shirt and khaki pants. Just like a normal person.
"It's very fortunate you got him as soon as you did, Vega. In any normal person, they would have died from injuries of this caliber. There's no telling how much longer this young man would have survived."
Ezekiel took us downstairs. He'd turned his basement into a makeshiftlab/operating room. The place was nothing close to sterile, but he had me leave anyway.
After three and a half hours, Ezekiel came upstairs, wearing a blood splattered apron and gloves. Judging by how dry some of it was, I doubt all the blood was Marco's.
He removed the gloves and his surgeon's mask, walked over to me, and out a hand on my shoulder.
"He is going to recover, Howard."
I felt my stomach unknot itself.
Marco had been bleeding internally, and his legs were broken in several places. Ezekiel set his bones, drained the blood, gave him some clotting agents, pumped him full of painkillers and general antibiotics, and removed a damaged kidney. If I had cash riding on it, I'd say Ezekiel didn't have to remove the kidney, but he just wanted it, But, I was in no place to complain. I paid Ezekiel, and then started to drag Marco back to Port Oakes. Albrecht should be back at the apartment by now.
I'm glad I didn't have scheduled TV time today, because I just realized I would've missed it.
****
By the time I got back to Port Oakes, it was raining hard. I dragged Marco back to the apartment. Albrecht was quite surprised to see me dragging a Family thug into the place, especially after that afternoon. I gave him a quick rundown of the situation.
"Vega, you could really get in trouble for this. What if Arachnos finds out? You could be sentenced for insubordination, or maybe even treason!"
I sighed, and looked up at Albrecht.
"I know. But I'm going to do it anyway. I don't break promises. I'm a lot of things Albrecht; I'm a ruthless killer, a heartless soldier, a cold, calculating, scheming [censored]...but at least I always keep my word."
"Why is that so important to you, Vega? Why would a promise made years ago to a dead man be worth risking your life?"
"My word's all I've got, Albrecht. It's all any of us have here."
I got up off the couch, and leaned against a wall.
"I doubt you understand. You grew up on the mainland. You didn't live your life here. We're just barely held together. We're the world's biggest collection of conniving, scheming sons of [censored]. The only thing that keeps us from just ripping each other's throats out is our word. Without it, we'd kill each other just for a coupe of bucks. Cuz that's the kind of people we are."
I didn't have dinner that night. I wasn't really hungry. I slung Marco across the couch before heading to bed. Despite the glow of the computer monitor from Albrecht's room, I managed to fall asleep.
I'm just hoping tomorrow is a little more predictable.
*Click*
"Time to wake up, d00ds and d00d3tt3s of the Isles! It's 6:00, which means it's time for your daily dose of Sp1d3r-Fr34k! You're tuned inta the Sp1d3r-Fr34k Mornin' Hour, on WSPDR, the Rogue Isles' radio station."
The radio began to play some Arachnos propaganda, just like always. Two and a half minutes of Pro-Arachnos messaging before the music starts.
I get out of bed, and grab my uniform before going into the kitchen. The helmet of my armor is beginning to dull; I make a mental note to polish it before the morning inspection. I'd hate to be docked for Improper Dress again.
I have a quick breakfast of Nutrient-Enhanced Hydrate rations and some bacon-flavored NutriPaste. It takes me seven and a quarter minutes to prepare and eat. Just like always.
Another 3.7 minutes and I'm armored up and ready to leave. I take my mace and pistol, and pocket a can of polish. Some scavengers of The Lost mill about the trash bins for my apartment building, but they run for cover when they see me.
****
The streets of Marconeville have a muted quality to them, especially in the mornings. Everyone is busy, but nobody wants to look it. Purpose can arouse suspicion. And suspicion....suspicion leads to all sorts of things...
As I make my way to Fort Hades, I pass Ignacio. Good guy, I see him every day. He's leaning against a building on the other side of the street, keeping an eye out for Verandi trouble-makers while remaining inconspicuous. I give him a nod, and he returns. Just like always.
****
The last of the haunting spirits are discorporating as the day begins. I see one of those "Destined Ones" fighting a pair of them, some red and black costumed eyesore pounding on the pirates with his meaty fists. No doubt trying to hit the minimum entrance requirements for Operative Lunata's Ghost Research Program. Only reason they ever come around here.
He quickly traps the ghosts, and flies off with a stolen jetpack. Seems like almost every Destined One who passes through here has one. Wasn't always like that; only in the past couple of years.
It makes me wonder, why can't we get them? If those pesky Wyvern and Longbow units have jetpacks, why not us? It would certainly make tactical sense for us to be able to fly and...
I cut myself off. I put that thought away for later. Can't have any thoughts questioning Arachnos while I'm on duty. Never know when a Fortunata is performing a random thought scan.
Daily exercises go on as planned. 15 minutes of cardio, 15 minutes of strength training, 15 minutes of target practice. I manage to polish my helm during our break; I skip my rationed NutriPaste Booster Bar to do so, but it's more important for me to look my best. My wage is still being garnished from my last infraction, and I can't afford another pay dock.
We receive our weekly schedules; my night duty at the fort has been pushed back again, and I'm on Coralax Duty instead. Not much better, but at least it's not the night shift. That always throws me off for a few days, and really messes with my sleep. I always hate having to pull a night shift, especially when...
I cut myself off again. Another unobedient thought. Can't have that.
I'm slated for the afternoon team, so I have a couple hours of Freelance Work. That's the best part of my day; it's when we can take part in unscheduled, non-assigned, Arachnos-approved tasks and activities. Really the only way to get ahead is to use that time intelligently. Since I'm still waiting to here if Adjutant Albrecht is willing to accept my offer, I spend my time arresting Hellions setting fires down in the Oil Spill district. Not the best use of my time, but every little bit I can add to my record helps.
The rest of the day is dedicated to killing and retrieving the Coralax Hybrids. I mostly have to drag the corpses to the transport, but I get to engage a few. A couple even teleport away when we take them out; I make a mental note to report that; could be a count of Unauthorized Mediport Access against the hospital.
After one of the skirmishes, I recognize a Hybrid. Used to be Operative Lewis. Good guy, partnered with him when I was just a new recruit fresh out of basic training. He helped to mentor me; we cleared out many a Snake hole together in the streets of Darwin's Landing. I probably owe my whole career to the man. He had disappeared a couple weeks ago during an assault on an underwater Longbow base.
I'm sure this will please the Med boys. They've got his human medical records on file. Probably make it easier to experiment on the corpse.
While the squad leader isn't looking, I change the kill credit for Lewis to myself.
****
After my shift ends, I head back to Fort Hades for two hours of mandated television time. I never understood why television had been written into the schedule, but the order came direct from Grandville, so some higher up must have thought it was a good idea.
We watch an two hours of WSPDR news casts and relavent educational programming, with bits of Arachnos propaganda sprinkled in throughout.
During the television time, my mind wanders back to jetpacks. I can't help but think about it. I imagine how fun it would be to soar through the skies on a sleek, nlack, Arachnos-issed jetpack.
But out of the corner of my eye, I notice a Fortunata tense up. She must be starting a thought scan. I quickly crowd out thoughts of freedom in the air, and focus on the television. I feel the slight mental presence come and go, and I quietly breathe a sigh of relief.
I head home, down the same streets I always take. I see Ignacio, leaning against a building, once more on lookout duty. Just like always.
Just as I pass him and start to give a nod, the costumed Destined One who was at the fort this morning leaps out of nowhere, and begins to pound on Ignacio. The villain caves in Ignacio's skull, and his lifeless body crumples to the ground. I wait to see if Ignacio had bought a trip through the Mediport. When his body doesn't fade, I know he didn't.
I keep on walking, hoping that the villain ignores me and goes about his business. Normally I wouldn't be scared of someone like him, but I was on my own. Any operative worth his salt knows that you don't have a chance against their kind except in groups.
He ignores me. He dashes down the road, making numerous leaps as he bounds towards some unknown goal.
I suppose my routine will be different from now on. A few seconds shaved off of my walk to work.
****
I arrive home, and find a package on my doorstep. Wrapped in old newspaper, it's a broken Arachnos pistol. An attached note says, "We found this on a Family thug. Consider it a peace offering."
It wasn't signed, but I knew it was those Lost scavengers from this morning. I'll turn the pistol in tomorrow, and I'll be commended for recovering official Arachnos property. And I will make sure to not hurt those scavengers. I might be able to recruit them. They seem to make good minions.
Once inside, I turn on my computer. It's a bit old and boxy, and it's hardware is far from top of the line, but I confiscated it from a Skull warehouse, so beggars can't be choosers.
I notice that there's an audio file in my comm feed. It's one of the few methods of secure communication I have.
The file is labeled "Albrecht". I plug in a pair of headphones and listen.
"Operative Vega, I accept your offer. I will get a far better deal from you than from continuing to work for The Council. Meet me next Tuesday at the dock overlooking the Cairo Queen. I wish to discuss the terms of your deal."
I'm ecstatic! If I can get Albrecht to join Arachnos, I'll secure my promotion for sure! No more Coralax Duty! No more night shift! I'll finally get promoted to the InfoCorps! Sure, it'll still be mostly grunt work, investigating reports and rumors, but a promotion is a promotion!
I get a bottle of imported water out from my refridgerator. Since there are still problems at the Mercy cesspool, water has been rationed , and we've had to drink the Hydrate rations instead. I've been saving the water for a special occasion, and I think this qualifies.
I pull out a bag of frozen vegetables; also a special treat. A night this special deserves something more than just NutriPaste.
I go to bed with a truly full stomach and happy thoughts. As I drift off to sleep, I think about the jetpacks again. I let my mind wander for the first time of the day, and just imagine myself soaring through the crisp morning air.
I think I'll suggest an Arachnos Wing Unit tomorrow.