5 Chapter 4

A splash of water on the man's face, startling him awake. Once again, he groaned in pain. This time, it was the pain of being punched on his jaw. When he gained his bearings, he noticed that he was sitting on a chair and wrapped in a rusty chain. In front of him, Hale was staring at him with cold, unfeeling eyes. Any signs of his amicable attitude earlier was now gone. He now wondered if what he showed was real.

"I don't have time to wait for you to wake up so I went ahead and did that. While you were knocked out, I found two interesting items in you." He then showed two phones in each of his hands. Once was a smartphone while the other was outdated, old model phone. "I'm guessing this museum piece is the one you use to keep in contact with your employer. It's pretty clean. Not a single text message can be found and all call logs are empty. But there is only one number registered here so I'm certain this is your employer." He said as he went through the contents of the phone. "But this other one is interesting." He said, referring to the smartphone. "Give that back!!" The man yelled but Hale dismissed it. It was the first time the man talked since Hale captured him. He proceeded to open it but was protected by facial recognition. However, it was easily remedied though since the owner's face was just in front of him. The man resisted but Hale's strength made that not a problem.

"Look at these." He said, smirking, as he perused the contents of the phone. The man became very restless once Hale opened his phone. He began struggling against his restraints but the chains held strong. "You have a daughter. A precious one indeed." He remarked. Hale looked at the man who was glowering at him. "I said give that back, freak!!" The man yelled again, adding an insult this time. However, Hale was unaffected. He then leaned down while showing him a photo of a little girl that was the man's daughter. "Tell me. How does a scum like you continue to live? I can't imagine the lies you've been telling this girl. I bet she would be sick if she knew that the money that brought food to her belly came from the people her daddy killed." He taunted. "Go to hell, freak!!!" The man cursed and spit on Hale's face.

Hale backed away and wiped the spit off his face. It sickened him that this murderer had a daughter but also pitied him. He must've been backed into a corner by life and resorted to this damnable job to provide for her daughter. "I'm gonna call your employer now. I bet the chef would be glad to hear his dishwasher's voice." He said while he began to dial on the old phone. Seeing this, the man became visibly worried. "It's ringing now. I bet he's been waiting for this call. I wonder what he will do if you fail?" Hale continued talking. Finally, the call connected and a man's voice can be heard in the other line. "Hello? Rick? Have you done it? Is he dead?" The man whom Hale recognized as the chef asked. The man was silent for a moment, contemplating what to tell. During this, Hale used the smartphone to type something in its notepad. "Your call. Either work with me or doom yourself and possibly your daughter." The note said.

Reading it, the man took a deep breath before answering. "It's done, boss. I put a bullet through his skull." Rick answered. "Should I send you a picture? His blood made a pretty smear on the wall. I was so caught up in it which was why I wasn't able to talk when I called." He added. "You and your sick habit. No need to send it. I trust you enough. The funds have been transferred into your account. Until next time." The chef then hung up, ending the call. "Thank you, Rick." Hale said. He then grabbed the chains binding him and pulled it apart. "Now, let's talk."

****

The delegates involved in Project: VANGUARD was now in another long car ride. Like the AICorp Power Plant, the Doron Industries Manufacturing Plant wass also located on the outskirts of Lightspire. It only made sense since weapons were being created and tested here. On the lead car, Doron Industries CEO, Siegfried Doron rode with Defense Secretary Ortiz and General Dubois. Following behind them was the car where AICorp CEO Lucille Adineatha and her executive assistant, Alyssa rode. There was relative silence inside the car but it was soon broken when Alyssa voiced out her confusion. "Ms. Adineatha. Lucille. Can you please tell me what's going on? I saw you got out of the meeting room like you just saw your worst nightmare. Then I heard you hurl your guts out in the bathroom. And after that, you just came out wearing your usual business expression and told me to follow you. I thought that was the end of the weirdness but what's happening inside the meeting room was even weirder. What is VANGUARD? Why are you discussing the Deviants and demons? What is going on, Lucille?!!" Alyssa hysterically ranted. She let out a lot that afterwards, she was panting heavily.

Lucille who was just listening became concerned. She was so focused in digesting the current situation that she didn't consider her companion. She didn't see what she saw but she was already freaking out. Sighing, she put a comforting hand on her shoulder and gave her reassuring squeeze. "Sorry, Alyssa. Everything's just going too fast that I forgot about you. I'm still wrapping my head around it. What I can say to simplify all this is that my company, Doron Industries and a section of the government are working together to counter a threat that we have long dismissed as mere legends. There's no way around this, Alyssa. If you remember your history lessons, then I'm sure you know about the war four thousand years ago between the Demons and Scions. Our country's ten regions aren't just named after the Ten Saints to pay respect to our history but to honor and remember their sacrifice. Alyssa. They're all real." She said. The confusion didn't leave Alyssa but at least now, she has something to process. Even if Lucille wanted to clarify this better, there was nothing more she can do but to face this head on.

The group soon arrived at Doron Industries. They went through a series of security checks. Since this was where weapons were born, it only made sense that their backgrounds were check. Communication devices like phones were also prohibited. Afterwards, they went inside the vast grounds of the manufacturing plant. They saw its different sections and saw the processes weapons go under. Their destination took them to an elevator that was headed down the basement. One would think that there's nothing here but maintenance facilities. However, the headquarters of the Deviant Response Force was hidden here. Their facilities were also no joke. They were complete with all the essentials that they will need to do the jobs required of them. Siegfried then directed them to a viewing room. In front of them was a wide monitor divided in the middle. Shown in those screens were two young man. One has a lean build and short black hair. His facial features seemed soft and the glasses he wore made look that he wasn't a fighter. On the other screen showed another young man with a muscular build with unkempt hair. He has rugged and hard facial features. A smirk of confidence was present on his face. His whole demeanor already said that he enjoyed fighting.

"Everyone, I introduce to you this age's Scions." Siegfried announced. "On the left screen, you see Cade Brishen. If that name is familiar, then that is because he's the heir of the CEO of Brishen Airspace. He started here as Category Three but he soon became a Category Four and later on a Scion." He said. He then pointed at the screen. "This one here is Arthur Astreus. He started as a Category Two and then became a Four until he became a Scion." After introducing them, Siegfried press a button on the panel which activated a speaker. "You two. We have guests. Give them a good show." He told them. The two changed their posture into their respective fighting stances, ready for what's to come. Siegfried was entering commands into the computer as readied the rooms the two Scions were in for a simulation. "Simulation in three......two.......one........begin!!"

****

Lurking just outside an alley, Hale staked out a storage house from just across the street. Rick gave him this location after striking a deal with him. In return for this information, Hale would make sure that Rick won't swept along when all of this went down. The storage house seemed normal to the outside, just a place where fresh produce and meat used by restaurant was kept. However, according to Rick, it's also a place where the drugs were stored and where large transactions happen. It's also the last place of the people against the operation saw before they left this world. If all that were true, then this was the place the detective was taken.

It was already late afternoon. According to Rick, the security became lax during late at night. He wanted to rush in now and save his friend. But, he knew he can't. He may be a Category Two and was more durable than an ordinary human, it's still not enough reason to go in without a plan. He already confirmed the information. Now, he has to be patient. The chef still thought he's dead. The detective always used voice distortion apps in the calls he received which meant they didn't recognize his voice earlier. And his most valuable advantage was the fact that he's a Deviant. He had all the cards he needed. All that's left was to pull this at the right time. "Just a little bit more, Sarge. I'll come get you out of there." He said then left.