Father and Son

The soldier is surprised by Magnus' sudden response.

"Hey Steven." says the soldier.

The very soldier Magnus had been fighting is the father of Steven Lockyer. His name is Dallas Lockyer, a highly decorated soldier in the Australian Army before being recruited into the debuting Australian Secret Intelligence Agency in the 1980's. A highly skilled soldier in all forms of combat, he was originally known as Delta Magnus, the latter part of the name Steven would take up two years ago. Dallas had not been around much in Steven's life after his wife mysteriously died, choosing to dedicate himself to his work in an attempt to fight the trauma he had suffered. Dallas entrusted his younger sister, Stefani to raise Steven in his stead, seeing him from time to time whenever he had the chance. Steven had resented his father from time to time, but held out hope that he could form a loving relationship with his father and really get to know him.

"Why?" Magnus shouted, "Why are you with them? You know what they're doing! You know what they're planning to do!"

"A soldier does what he's ordered." Dallas replies, "I'm a soldier Steven. All I ever did in my life was serve this country and it's government. Following orders is what a soldier does. It's not my place to ask why. I'm just a chess piece, nothing more. I'm just doing the only thing I know how to do."

"You don't have to do this!" shouts Magnus, "There's more to life than just following orders from corrupt bureaucrats! You control your own life! You control your own destiny! Surely you can see that!"

Dallas stands up for a moment, then proceeds to sit on a nearby chair.

"I'm glad I left you with Stefani." says Dallas, "She did a far better job raising you than I ever could."

"I know you miss mum." Magnus replies, "I wish I could've known her, I wish we could've been a family. But it wasn't your fault. Don't blame yourself."

Dallas blames himself for his wife's death. Her name was Gladys, a special forces operative. Dallas loved her so much. He would've given anything for her. Magnus was told that she died on a mission, and Dallas had carried the guilt ever since.

"Did you tell Commissioner Keith who I am?" Magnus asks,

"No, we're just bodies, they don't care about us." Dallas answers, "They're only interested in results."

"Dad..."

"What?"

"You can help me put an end to all this."

"I don't know..."

For the first time in a long time, Dallas is thinking for himself. He's given the opportunity to make his own choice.

Magnus extends his right hand to his father.

"Forget about what your superiors want to accomplish. Think about what you want to accomplish." Magnus pleas, "Think about mum... Think about Aunty Stefani... You still have a family to fight for. That's an accomplishment."

With tears streaming from his eyes, his emotional barriers being taken down, Dallas smiles, takes his son's right hand and pulls him into an embracing hug.

"I'm so sorry." Dallas cries out, "Forgive me."

"What's there to forgive?" Magnus replies, "You did everything for me, for Aunty Stefani, and for mum."

Dallas steps back from hugging his son, and begins to wipe away the tears from his eyes.

"So who are we after?" Dallas asks,

"Christine Keith is the Benefactor, this ledger here is the proof." Magnus answers.

"That Sergeant?"

"In her pocket, but that's it."

"Never liked the guy anyway."

"We've got Max Kade on the loose, he's in Keith's pocket. But we can deal with him as well."

"Alright, so what now?"

"We'll head to the Magnus Lair and start planning."

"The Magnus Lair? What are you? Five years old?"

"Shut up!"

The two head out of the precinct via the balcony and head for the Magnus Lair.

"EJ, coming home. We've got a guest coming, it's my father." Magnus says via radio.

"Hurry back! We've got a major problem!" EJ replies.