Rooks’s Report

Caption (to help readers):

- That's fine. - = character speech

"All the best." = character's thoughts (during certain scenes)

*boom* = ambient or setting sounds (similar to using other types of comic book sources)

This chapter is told from the point of view of Colonel (Douglas) Rooks.

Alex Mercer, James Heller, two monsters created by the Blacklight virus.

Created by a variant prior to the one used to create our super soldiers and far superior in their abilities.

- They still have the audacity to ask me if I don't want to be a guinea pig for the next variant? These mother fuckers should inject themselves with that virus. - I grumble to myself as I await Heller's arrival.

I was born to be a soldier, trained and developed my skills to the fullest to become effective and lethal in the service of my country. Be decisive, when necessary, like a move of Checkmate in the game.

Morality, ethics, Global Warming? What does that help with in the middle of a battle? The more I think about my history with Blackwatch, the more I question whether I rose through the ranks of others' incompetence or my own efforts.

I feel a slight vibration in my belt, it must be his arrival.

- This is Colonel Rooks. - I answered the call.

- James Heller has just arrived at the base sir, how should we proceed? - Asked one of my men.

- I'm on my way, ask him to wait and under no circumstances start any conflict. - I hang up after transmitting the order.

Former Sergeant Heller, field tracking and combat specialist, 14 years as a Marine, rejected as Blackwatch's material due to his resistance to killing unconfirmed targets as a personal threat. Who knew that someone with hesitation about killing would become the most lethal creature in town and still wipe out the Mercer in our place.

I reflect on the irony of fate and how incompetent this unit manages to be as I walk the path to my encounter with Heller.

- Arrived early Heller, follow me. - I order Heller in a subtle way, which can be interpreted as a request, it makes no difference as long as he collaborates.

- Yes, Sir Rooks or do you prefer Colonel Rooks as we should call each other during this mission together? - Questions Heller, I notice your supposed tone of debauchery, though we're actually going to talk about it.

- Colonel Rooks, now accompany me to my temporary room at this base. - I answer Heller as I order him to follow me, I don't care what he wants to call me or his jokes, but we can't talk freely with so many eyes around us.

All the large command bases in the Green Zone, Yellow Zone and Red Zone, are standardized, the standardization facilitated from the construction, as the handling and repairs necessary. A more efficient way that collaborated with our operations in this chaotic city after both the First and Second Outbreak, we were able to resist both the internal sabotage caused by Mercer and the external attacks caused by Heller, even losing many men in the process, resisting was still better than having to retreat and abandon the city.

I became responsible for this entire city after Mercer revealed his infiltrators, the last colonel who didn't just become another puppet or was killed in the conflict, the only one responsible for stabilizing all the chaos of this city in the last 68 hours, it was for me to win a medal, a promotion, or a chance to excuse myself after everything I dealt with so we wouldn't lose everything we sacrificed in this damn doomed city, what do I get instead?

A new mission as supervisor of the city's deadliest monster, because was me deemed the most suitable specialist for the mission? Good way to fuck yourself Rooks!

It's just revenge from those petty superiors who manage to be more incompetent than the late General Randall, The Old Man always made clear his personal hatred for the virus, using a nuclear bomb was just his last act of desperation, he always wanted to just make clear a single message that all these idiots continued to refuse to hear: "This virus has always been more of a threat than useful."

We have created a damn weapon out of control, our international image is completely compromised, we have closed our borders, economic recession, we have lost our place as one of the Most Powerful Nations on the Planet all because of a virus that we ourselves created, I always thought that the creation of the UN was to favor us and not collaborate with votes judging the morality of our internal actions.

- Colonel Douglas Rooks. - I identify myself and enter my password to access my current room, which I have previously checked for wiretaps, this internal investigation and distrust of superiors led me to the need to no longer trust anyone in this organization before putting myself as a priority first.

Heller follows me without making a comment all the way, I don't know what kinds of skills he has or may have acquired, he may even read my mind right now, but I have no better options but to take the risk now.

- The door is closed Rooks; can we start already? - Questioned Heller as soon as I lean back at the desk in this room, he can read my mind or at least should be aware of our current situation.

- We can. - I reply Heller who repeats his behavior from our last private conversation, assuming the resting position a few feet from me. - For starting, this mission will be stressful for both of us, conditions are worse after a new report from our research team and the unfavorable opinion of my superiors about my plan of our temporary collaboration. Using my disagreement in proceeding with the command of your capture, the scientific team's report that considers the possibility of you creating a Third Outbreak, or that you are Alex Mercer and no longer the original James Heller, your unlimited ability to develop new mutations and abilities that we do not know, as in the most recent report I received minutes before your arrival, reporting a new skill that had never been recorded before. - I decided to pause my report before continuing it expecting a reaction from Heller.

- Are you expecting a response from me or for me to volunteer for some sort of fucking exams after hearing all this? Or we can become enemies again, how about it? - Questioned Heller, his tone of voice and face shows irony with impatience, something that I can understand from his point of view.

- No Heller, I just wanted to tell you what will change and not cancel our personal agreement. - I reply to Heller keeping my posture. - Continuing, Blackwatch does not trust you and my daily reports will no longer be considered as an option, my superiors require full monitoring on all of our field missions, I will be monitored all the time as their way to be able to monitor you. This does not change our agreement, I will get the information you want, but I will only be able to share after the end of this mission. - I conclude my report to Heller, if he can read my mind now it may make it easier to avoid his possible revolt or distrust, my wish to maintain our agreement even with the most unfavorable conditions.

- Let me see if I got it right Rooks, do you want me to help you through this mission without getting anything in return until the end, and only after we've finished all the secret dirty work do you want me to believe you'll help me? What's my guarantee that you or Blackwatch won't betray me in the end? - Questioned Heller closing our distance, I reacted surprised about his reaction, Heller might not possess the ability to read my thoughts or would be testing me to find out some more information that I might be hiding, I had already considered giving him a guarantee, but I myself did not want to hear such words spoken by me.

- My own family, you can get revenge using Riley's memories. That's the biggest guarantee I can offer you, I pledge not to betray you, even if the Blackwatch changing plans after our mission. - I replied looking into his eyes as I squeezed the edge of the table that was propped up with both my hands strong. I hate having to put my family at risk, but my only chance was to make him see me as another father besides just his enemy now.

- A father-to-father deal, is your desperation speaking or would you even put your family at risk for this fucking country that doesn't give a shit if you're going to die or not tomorrow? - Questioned Heller, who before I could answer continued. - I can choose to kill you and all of Blackwatch after or now, our alliance is temporary Rooks, and by my decision that you are not dead like your former companions. Now open this fucking door and let's start this damn mission, before I actually change my mind! - Yelled Heller visibly annoyed, making it clear that no matter what happens, the one who has no guarantee or options is me.

- Yes Heller. Let's start this mission and get this over with. - I replied Heller this time unable to face him visually with my head down. Any sense of pride I had was shattered right now, my life is in Heller's hands and I'd have to swallow it.

I open the door and we leave the room, in total silence, towards the terrace that our helicopter is waiting for us. By the way I decide to accept my current situation, I only have the duration of this mission to figure out a path to my own survival, with or without Blackwatch help, with or without Heller, anyway, I need a plan if I want to see my family again, one plan for save myself.