Chapter 37: Death and Betrayal

"A very... unfortunate coincidence." Mark uttered as calmly as he could muster, "Right before an important reveal. You could almost suspect it's on purpose." He shook his head, "Your implications are categorically false. I have nothing to gain from it. Next question, Sophie."

'This needs to be sorted... fuck, I can't trust Barak, and he says not to trust Jenny. Argh! Why is this so fucking difficult?'

Sophie coughed loudly, knocking everyone out of their thoughts and picking someone with a scripted question, "Milly, from 'The Sunrise Post'.

Taking a moment to compose herself after the previous confrontation, she introduced herself, "Hi, I'm Milly... from 'The Sunrise Post' in Wales. My question is for Sophie regarding Mark's accountability. How do you intend to do that? Thanks."

The brunette took a short moment to jog her memory of the scripted answer, "Accountability... at the moment the current plan is for Mark to aid in humanitarian issues such as Tsunamis, Earthquakes et cetera. He'll serve the people to the best of his ability. Later down the line, dependent on the public's views, we may also have him aid in crime fighting. Other things are in discussion but are not finalized. We'll notify the general public via official channels when it has been finished."

"Thank you." The reporter said, taking note of her current thoughts on the statement as Sophie picked another from the rows of hands.

"Jean from Le Monde, from France." The man spoke in a thick French accent, "I believe this issue relates to every country. What are the current and planned countermeasures?"

'Countermeasures? The fuck?' Mark briefly thought as Sophie started her segment.

"We have some countermeasures in place, in which I'm sure others are preparing far more than us. Current counters in place are linked to military action, in which we have a few methods of stopping a rampage or undue behaviour."

Mark deeply frowned at this line of questioning. It was uneasy to hear about yourself in the third person and the methods to stop you. He'd been with them for a short time, and they were already creating ways to neutralize him.

The Frenchman added after her answer with another query, "That doesn't really answer the question, Madam. Have they been tested? Is that why he is deaf, according to my sources?"

"I can assure you, Mr Paul, and the public, that they work. As to Mark's hearing difficulties, that is unrelated to any countermeasures in place at this moment." Sophie answered in turn, getting rough thanks from Jean before moving on, "Aiko Sasaki from Japan Times, your question, please."

"Thank you, Miss Sophie. Can we get a list of Mr Mark's... differences? His gifts?" The Asian woman asked with surprisingly clear English.

"Of course. From our present experiments, we have 5 characteristics unique to Mark: Durability, Strength, Speed, Flight and as you have seen, the Laser. Each ordinary trait is at a level that is classed as superhuman, often seen in movies and comics."

"Thank you, Miss Sophie."

"Frank, your question, please. This will be the last one." Sophie stated, some reporters grumbling under their breath. Mark looked at the clock in the back of the room, seeing twenty-five minutes had passed.

"Good afternoon, Mark. I'm Frank from 'The Modern Insider'. I'm wondering, do you have any personal goals or aspirations considering the change? An interview with your friend, Rob Clifford, spoke about you not having any certain idea."

'They've spoken to everyone? Heh, of course, they have. You're an idiot, Mark.'

He took a few seconds to ponder before answering, "Erm, I wouldn't say it's a clear goal, but more of an idea. Accountability has been passed around a lot, and I have taken that to heart. I feel guilty about everything; how that has affected other people. But I also feel that I shouldn't be here, surviving because of luck, whereas my family didn't. I want to better the world to atone to the best of my ability for everything. So, I guess my answer is that I want to be someone that can make a difference in the world so that once I'm gone, I can rest with the belief I did something good."

"I see. Thank you, Mark." The journalist responded as everyone ensured they had that small speech saved.

Sophie leaned in and whispered, "Nicely done, Mark. You may have just salvaged the event."

His expression turned to brief consternation. He could only hope the public viewed this positively. Sophie spent the next few minutes wrapping everything up, specifying more answers at a later date, before she and Mark left through the white door behind the stage. They were greeted by Jenny, who stood waiting before slightly limping towards them, her crutches gone.

"This didn't go to plan. I knew we should have fully scripted the whole thing. That Irish woman fucked us." Jenny rapidly spoke.

"I'll go speak to the rest, see if they've got any input." Sophie conveyed, walking away.

"Come." Jenny urged Mark, taking him into a more private area, "I presume what she said was just a coincidence, right?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, "Of course! Don't forget, I'm leaving after this. I wouldn't screw that up by making the government wary."

"Hmm, I suppose you have a point. If they have fingerprints, I suppose the culprit will be found anyway. You should talk to Barak about leaving; he'll have to relay it to the Cabinet. I... I imagine it'll be quite the shit storm, so I hope you're prepared. The government isn't against using underhanded means..."

'Those fingerprints...'

"They can try. It's not like I haven't lost everything already. Besides, they're selling me off anyway. Not like I have a choice." Mark tutted in annoyance.

"Fair point. Just be wary it might not be just us coming for you. I doubt the Americans will be too fond of this renegade of the deal." The Brigadier sighed, "Go find Barak in the waiting room from earlier and let him know. I'll do my best to help."

"Thanks, Jenny. I appreciate all the help you've given me." He said as he started walking away.

"Don't worry about it."

Entering the waiting room, the door was wide open as Barak spoke on the phone and finished the conversation as Mark arrived.

"... should help. Bit of a PR nightmare, but it works well for us... mhm, yeah, I got it. See you next week." He cut the call before turning around and spotting Mark, "Ah! Just the person I wanted."

"I wanted you, too. I have something I wanted to say." Mark stated before the suited man started talking, getting a questioning eyebrow, "I'm... leaving the base. Or rather, I'm leaving the government's custody."

"Ooook. That might be a problem for the Cabinet. Unless... hmmm. I have something I want to show you, Mark. Come with me, it won't take long, but it's important."

"Erm, sure." He cautiously followed after the man who had picked up a black bag, arriving at a room a fair distance from the waiting area, devoid of people.

Mark watched as Barak locked the door, doing a rather thorough check of the surroundings, even handicapped with crutches, before he seemed to consider it secure enough to continue. He opened the pack's zip, bringing out a relatively long, thin metal bracelet that he slotted past his hand and onto his wrist. It lit up a moment later with white and blue lights before a blue hologram appeared before them.

"... what's that?" He curiously questioned.

"A neat little device I was gifted from an old friend. Advanced piece, with capabilities that help me do what I'm best at." Barak vaguely answered before continuing, "Did you know I was in the US for a few years?"

The question was odd to Mark, causing him to crease his brows, "I think Jenny might have mentioned it, but I'm not certain. I do remember you telling me about their weapons..."

"Yeah, I saw some shit that's for sure. Anyway, whilst I was there, I got familiar with their tech, signals, Intel. Anything in that ballpark, really."

"What does this have to do with anything? The device from the US?" Mark questioned, becoming impatient.

"To a certain extent. What I am trying to convey is I know how their stuff works. That way, you can understand how I got this." He spoke as he swiped right, leading to the blue hologram turning into a dark blue screen with a white, straight line running across it, "Listen."

The line started shooting up as noise resounded from the device, louder than you would expect, and yellow subtitles showed below it.

"He's changing and... I don't know if it's for the better. The world is going to shit. We're entering a cold war last seen in the 60s." A vaguely distorted female voice came out, "Britain is losing control of the situation. The job has been done; I did what I had to. I want what I'm owed..."

"He's changing? That is obvious. As long as he doesn't become fully independent, we don't care. Regarding what you are owed... we still need more for the transaction. What you have provided so far is good, but I'm sure you have time for further information." A voice answered, distorted with technology. It was reminiscent of the monster, Mark not missing such an obvious detail.

"Death is coming for me; I can feel it. You know the diagnosis, what happens to those with my condition... the slow decline, the decay. I don't want to die..."

"The condition is hard to treat, even for us. There's still a high chance you might not make it-"

"Bullshit! Volta Decay is survivable! Don't back out of our deal. You know the consequences if you do. We both do. We're in this together, and if I expose it, we'll die together."

'Volta Decay? The fuck is that?'

There was a pause before the other side responded, "Very well, we'll deliver the cure. It's almost impossible to get, even for us, so the stream of information will need to continue unabated."

"Good." The woman said, ""I'll await the next steps. T-..."

"What about Mark?" The voice interrupted.

"What about him?"

"How's his mental state? Deterioration would be bad for everyone. He killed one of ours comfortably, even with an adaption with your information."

'One of ours? The fucking Americans... and the traitor!'

"The kid's mental state isn't good. I... worry for him. Too much has happened too quickly. I fear he's on the brink. The edge. And once he's crossed it, there's no turning back."

"That's not pleasant news. We should still be able to manage, even if he goes over the edge. There's always a way to turn things to our advantage. Continue with your current instructions, and we'll go from there."

"Alright. We're playing a dangerous game here. One misstep and it all comes falling down. I'll hold my side of the bargain, as long as you hold yours."

"You don't need to worry. We'll get you the treatment, but it'll take time."

"Good."

The recording stopped, with both men standing in silence as Barak stared at Mark. He didn't have to wait long for Mark to start talking.

"So, that's the traitor!? The one who ratted on us..." Mark spoke in anger, disturbing the silence of the room.

"Oh? How'd you know there was one?" Came the curious reply.

"Jenny told me. She... said it was almost certainly... you." He uttered as Barak's eyes glinted before he replied.

"Tsk. Of course, she would. Listen again; I'll remove the distortion effects."

The man's meaning wasn't lost on Mark as he wiped his mouth with his hand and huffed out, "It's fucking Jenny, isn't it? But why?" He urged.

Barak let the recording play out again, the effects removed, as Jenny and a male's voice spoke. It finished as he patted Mark's back reassuringly, "Do you know what Volta Decay is?"

"No, but I presume it's the main reason she's fucked me. Fuck! She made me deaf and got hundreds killed!" He shouted in pure frustration, his emotions jumbled, unsure of the best course of action. Should he kill her? Could he kill someone he thought was a friend? Should he let the government know? Or just leave it to Barak? But can he be trusted?

"If you know what it is, you'd understand why she'd do this. Not to excuse her, however." Barak said in exasperation, "Volta Decay is found in Africa, in Lake Volta, hence the name. From the little I know of it, it incubates over years with no symptoms. However, when it does resurface, it starts to decay the skin."

"Decays the skin? Like rot?" Mark asked, rather surprised.

"Ehhh, I'm not entirely sure. Every mention says decay, but not rot. It seems to just make the cells... disappear? Maybe it breaks it down into particles; I'm not sure. Either way, once it's got to that period, it is terminal. Not even amputation is viable."

"Shit..." He muttered.

"From the... images, it seems a mixture of Leprosy and Radiation Sickness. Horrific is how I would describe it at later stages. It seems the people she's talking to have a cure, though. I'd place my bets it's America. They were active in the region decades ago, and they're the ones with the technology to cure something like this."

"Of course. They're involved in everything. I'm not sure what to do with her, but either way, I'm not staying here any longer. Everything involving the government is a pit of vipers. I want to do things on my own. I want to be free."

Barak sighed, "I know you might not trust me, Mark. But I believe you are special. You have a bigger place in this world than you can imagine!" He said, with abject enthusiasm, "Leaving the government's care isn't a bad decision, but they won't let you go easily..."

"Heh." He shook his head, "Why do I feel you're about to offer me a business proposition."

"Haha, probably because I am. You want to help the world, right? To be a quote on quote, hero?" Pausing as Mark gestured for him to continue, "I've been in this line of work for decades. I know people who can help you in this endeavour. A... crew, I suppose. Or a team."

"Why would I want a team?"

"Mark..." He shook his head, "How do you expect to find out where to go? Who to save? Is it accurate? How will you get your information for literally anything without the government or someone with skills and connections?"

"Oh. Shit, I kinda didn't think that far." Mark stated in annoyance.

"I'll be part of it, of course. They won't let you go without a fight. But, if they have me as a key figure, it might be more... agreeable. Of course, I know your issues with trust, all things considered. So we won't investigate or interfere with your own problems and findings without your consent. However, this is the chance to realise your aspirations, your goal. A hero who isn't tied to a nation or extreme rules."

"Not a bad pitch, Barak." He laughed in disbelief before his expression turned sombre, "I'll think about it. What about Jenny? It's been an act, all this time..."

He took a deep breath before he replied to the young man, "Removing her would be problematic. She's also a source of information on some of their plans. I'd say, either leave it to me or, if you have a good idea, we got that route."

"Tsk. I can't believe it. I can't have something good for one second."

"You believed it was me, though, no? Can't say I especially blame you, knowing how I treated you when we first met. I'm sorry for that. I never said it beforehand. Better late than never, I guess."

"It's fine. Your attitude towards everyone else, though... needs some work. You are a bit of a cunt, honestly."

"Ha, you wouldn't be saying that if you joined the team. Ed's far worse than me. Anyway, we've spent too long in here. Think about it, Mark, but this is a good opportunity. There won't be anyone to restrict you, yet still get support for what you want to do."

"Yeah, I will, don't worry." Mark uttered as he started leaving, Barak putting the device back into the bag before following.