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Act 5: Crackdown

I approached the gang trying to intimidate Greg. I looked around and sighed softly, biting my lower lip.

"What are you gentlemen doing?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hey, none of your business, White Hair," one of the males snapped at me. He was a Promus Alpha sporting a baggy red hoodie with the hood over his head and sunglasses to hide his eyes. He wore faded blue jeans along with a pair of black sneakers. He seemed to have a concealed weapon underneath the hoodie, apparently ready to fight.

"That's quite original, thank you," I said. "However, I must inform you that you're on the Crimson Gavel's territory Gentleman Hoodie and whoever those idiots are that are trying to extract cash from the Gavel's asset."

"Crimson Gavel?" the hooded male laughed. "We are the Deep Six gang. We ain't afraid of your group. We be comin' here now to take the portion of Downtown that we know is ours and not your low life group." He then tried to point his concealed weapon at me.

"Look who's calling who a low life," I said, rolling my eyes. "I haven't even drawn my gun and I believe you already want to shoot me."

"Look, fool, I said this ain't your business," he snapped. "Now get out of here before we put a cap in your ass!"

"Already threatening me, huh?" I asked, reaching for my gun now. I noticed the shaking of the hooded man's bulge where his weapon would be before I dove down suddenly, hearing the gun go off. The dive had turned into a bit of a leg grab as I swept the hooded male off of his feet and onto his back with a loud thunk.

I quickly grabbed the gun that had flown from his hand, only to be suddenly kicked in the stomach by one of his friends, a fatter Promus Alpha within a purple hoodie but the same pants and shoes. I let out a groan and stumbled back. I found a small opening, using some of my strength to land an uppercut into the fat Promus Alpha. I grabbed the other hooded assailant and twisted his arm before going behind him and putting him into a hostage position.

"I don't think attacking me was very smart," I said, groaning a bit as I managed to steady my weapon put it toward his head. "Now, you're not afraid of the Crimson Gavel, right? Then why did you stop when I grabbed your buddy?"

"This ain't your beef, bro," the fat Promus Alpha scoffed. "Let my homie go and let us take our turf back. We got rights here, you know."

"Not in the eyes of the Gavel or apparently any law enforcement," I chuckled. "I don't think they'd question a dead gangster now, would they?"

"Hey, hey, let Mark go!" he said, sounding a bit frightened. "Fine... We'll leave."

I then let go of his friend and pushed him toward his negotiator. I had my gun still pointed at them, but that didn't seem to matter as they immediately ran off.

"We'll be back, sucker!" the skinny one called out. "And we're comin' fo' you!"

"Now why the hell didn't you shoot those thugs?" Greg scoffed, his arms crossed.

"They left," I said. "I never said I would shoot them even if they complied." I then put my weapon away and looked over at the disapproving man beside me.

"You're still a softie," Greg sighed. "I knew you was new, but I didn't think they'd get fresh blood that can't even pull the damn trigger."

I sighed a bit at that, looking back toward the path the thugs had escaped into.

"Anyway... I suppose ya be wantin' some thanks or Tin," he said, interrupting my thoughts. "Here, add this to that card. Think of it as a gift or somethin'. Though if those thugs get back, tell Don Vinchi. I do need more support out here."

I nodded and took the Tin from Greg and loaded it onto my Tin Card. I then headed back toward my Hoover Bike. I tried to remember the direction Bernie had run off to. I just hoped he hadn't gotten himself into much trouble.

Luckily, Bernie was apparently not that far as he was making some sweet talk to a dame about twice his height just two blocks away from the Tonoko Shopping Center. I sighed and decided I wouldn't interrupt his attempt to woo a female as I checked my Communicator for any messages from the Gavel or anyone else for that matter. I went through the mail, deleting various spam messages that kept going on about how civilization will end unless more people joined in the fight to expand Mortion. Expansion was perhaps the worst idea the Baron and the Queen could have had. Mortion citizens were prohibited to traverse into Czech, the neighboring province from the North and vice versa. The province to the South, Alcad, was already defending itself against some attacks done by the Cryptic Guard. The Baron and the Queen were pushing for another war, a possible 'expansion' itself of the Great Wars. The province to the East of Mortion, however, I had little knowledge of. Though I knew they wanted it, too. This wasn't for the good of civilization, however. They just wanted more power, no matter how many Mortion citizens died because of it.

My Communicator then went off, interrupting any thoughts I had about the Royal Duo and their plans for 'expansion'. I looked at the Caller ID and saw that it was Don Vinchi and I quickly answered.

"Good, you're free," Vinchi said. "I need ya to do some deliveries, Silverbane. The packages I got you handlin' are quite hot. The Cryptic Guard shouldn't bother ya, but if they do, waste a few of 'em to make us look good. The Depot where the Speedle Truck is ain't too far from where your Communicator says you are anyway, so that's even better."

"Alright, uh... sir," I nodded. "Also, one question, Don Vinchi. Do you know anything about the Deep Six gang?"

"Yeah," he laughed. "They're a bunch of low lives that think they can take on the Gavel. Every time they try, they chicken out at doin' anything."

"Well, they tried to shake down the Gavel's Hovercopter Circuit Ringleader," I said. "Then they tried to fight me, which was to no avail but they did act quite violent. They may be getting braver."

"I'll send a couple of my boys out there to make sure the Deep Six ain't comin' back while you deliver these hot items," he said. "Deliver them goods, Silverbane. Don't do nothin' else until you're done, got it?"

"Got it," I nodded before ending the call.

I looked over where Bernie was sitting and he was still hitting on the same woman. I sighed and walked over to them and chuckled.

"Sorry, Miss, but my friend needs to come with me to get a job done," I said, giving Bernie a look when he seemed a bit angry.

"Oh, it's quite alright," the woman said in perhaps the sweetest voice that had the most inviting tone. "I gave Mister Bernard here my number already, so he can call me when he's done then." She let out a cute giggle before getting up and swaying away from Bernie and I.

I looked over at Bernie, whom seemed genuinely surprised that she had given him his number. "Come on," I said. "You can be dumbfounded when I'm done delivering this amount of crap the Gavel just told me to deliver."

"Alright, Laney boy," Bernie said as he hopped down from the stool. "Lead the way! Wasn't she a picture of perfection? Never before have I seen such a smokin' hot Promus babe, Laney boy. Her fur was so soft, her curves so... curvaious.... I really wanted to plant my seed and then plow the crops, if you know what I mean."

I rolled my eyes and headed toward my Hoover Bike as Bernie continued on about the woman.

Bernie and I found the Speedle Truck at the Depot about a mile away from the Carrion Speedway, as Don Vinchi had said. I then looked at the destinations on the built in radar system within the Speedle Truck and set for the first destination. Trying to be a law abiding citizen, I decided to go the speed limit.

"This is an awfully big truck," Bernie said as he looked about. "Ain't you a bit curious to what you're deliverin'?"

"More than likely it's something black market wise," I said. "I'm not too curious. Why? Are you trying to get me to pull over and look at what's in the back?"

"Well, yeah, kind of," he chuckled. "I'm curious myself, you know. If it's anything big, then we're part of a big crime, technically and that probably would give me a rush. Not necessarily you because you're trying to be as clean as a criminal can be with treason trying to force its way up your butt."

"Right," I said. "It depends on the degree of the goods. I might sabotage the truck and claim the Cryptic Guard did it if it's something I'd see as a threat to start another full scale war."

"Oh?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Can ya pull over then? We need to see what's back there! It'll give a bit of closure."

"I'm not stopping, but you can open the little slit up there behind me and peek in with a flashlight," I said. "I mean, if you're that curious."

Bernie was quick to take my suggestion as he grabbed the flashlight from the glove compartment and then opened the slit in the wall.

"Whoa, it's military stuff!" he exclaimed, making me blink. "The models look quite familiar, but they don't have the Cryptic Guard's symbol on 'em. They got some sort of.... Square.... Symbol with a star on the side of the symbol."

"Czech weapons...?" I asked, blinking. "Those are forbidden. That's definite treason against the Baron and the Queen."

"Treason, eh?" he asked. "Think this could be some sort of set up?"

"I'm doubtful of that since I've been in the Gavel for perhaps a day if anything," I said. "It would be highly coincidental if I had a Cryptic Guard tail, but I don't."

"I guess you're right about that, Laney boy," Bernie said as he sat back down after closing the slit. "We know the truck's packin' heat and apparently deliverin' said heat to this place... this place and this place... Why's this one in Jaden though? Ain't that nearly impossible to traverse to without some sort of preparedness?"

"Not impossible," I said. "Highly annoying if you're not prepared because we'd be in the Jeheree Desert for perhaps four hours before finally arriving there since there'd be no other stops. It's still very strange on why the Gavel would have Czech weapons. This kind of intelligence, however, could ruin them. Given my situation, however, that's probably why I was chosen as the driver. I can't tell the Gavel without being arrested and already punished for a false treason." Bernie shrugged at that as we arrived at the first destination. A few Crimson Gavel goons came out and ordered us to stay in the truck as they took their order from the back. I imagined it was to keep us from seeing exactly what they were getting. Once they told me I could leave, I did. Right now, I was curious as anyone would be but I wasn't going to get myself killed. We then headed for the next destination, which was awfully close to a Cryptic Guard controlled zone of Tonoko, one of which the Crimson Gavel didn't have marked as their own territory. I grew a bit nervous as if a Cryptic Guard did catch onto this, I had to run. I had to cause an accident and destroy this weaponry before they could find out it was forbidden and add more types of treasons to my file.

I soon parked the Speedle Truck at the next destination, looking around a bit and it gave the impression that I was paranoid. I was indeed paranoid. It was more about the fact I was harboring forbidden weaponry and then also aiding the Crimson Gavel in using the said forbidden weaponry. I felt like my judgment had been clouded ever since I decided I was going to join the ranks of the Gavel and it had only been a couple of days. I had to maintain my composure, however, as men came out and once again told myself and Bernie to stay in the truck. It wasn't too long until I got the clear to go ahead and drive away.

As I drove toward the third destination, my thoughts continued to invade the silence around me. The third drop off was no different from the first two. I waited until I was told to drive off and I did. I then began to head toward the final destination, the one unfortunately set in Jaden. I headed down a rather calm street, sighing as I didn't want to traverse to Jaden in a vehicle that had no Flight Mode. However, I began to notice something as I edged the gates that lead out of the city. The truck would be inspected by the Cryptic Guard and to make matters worse, they'd easily arrest me. I looked around, finding a nearby road coming up just before the bridge to the gate. I was approaching it somewhat rapidly, but I didn't hesitate to try and do a sharp left turn once the coast was clear. As I performed it, the guards at the bridge outpost seemed to become suspicious and began to yell out to me. The yelling did momentarily stop when the truck had to slow down a bit to keep itself from turning over due to the turn. It was then a chill ran down my spine as I heard a familiar voice state my name.

"It's him!" the voice called out. "It's Silverbane! Stop that truck!"

With little reaction time at all, I floored it. The Speedle Truck sped through the street nearly at the maximum speed it could go. I gulped and tried to swerve around and avoid as many innocent drivers as I could. I heard sirens soon behind me as the voice from only a few seconds ago echoed something over an intercom. The voice was still stinging in my brain. It was the voice of Lucky.

"Stop the truck right now, Silverbane!" Lucky called out. "Give up and you will not be executed!"

I didn't believe that one bit. The Baron himself probably wanted to kill me simply because I defy him. If this cargo was found out, then I was already dead if they caught me. I had to definitely ditch this weaponry now. I hit the gas as hard as I could, maximizing the Speedle Truck's speed. Bernie looked out of the window and let out a terrified yell.

"We're runnin' from the Cryptic Guard!?" he asked.

"No, we're running from a sadistic ice cream truck driver wanting to poison us in order to use our bodies for experiments," I said sarcastically.

"Ahh! Evil geniuses disguised as the Cryptic Guard that want my flesh and bone!" he screamed. It made me sigh.

"No, you idiot, we are running from the Cryptic Guard," I said. "I had to get away from the Guard Outpost this stupid route was taking us through. They saw me and became suspicious and apparently now know I'm driving this truck. The Gavel isn't going to get their last delivery, sadly. I need to find a way to torch the truck without either of us dying."

"Oh, well, that's interesting," Bernie said, looking at the mirror again. "Though first of all, don't ever joke about some sadistic scientist wanting to use me for any experiments. Secondly, we just gotta find where the gas tank is, shoot it when we're out of the truck and run off."

"If I'm doing that, then I'm making sure I'm not near any civilians," I said as I turned down the next road.

I looked around as the traffic seemed fairly light. I still heard the sirens from the Cryptic Guard vehicles pursuing me. I noticed a bridge approaching rapidly and thought of my plan.

"Bernie, we're gonna jump out once we cross this bridge," I said. "Try to make it into the water and swim to shore. I'll figure out how to get out of this alive myself."

"Jump!?" Bernie shouted again. "Are you insane, Laney boy?"

"I'm being serious," I said, looking over at him sternly.

"Oh, alright, but you're paying for my expensive mudbath to get the sewer muck out of this fur," he grumbled.

I sighed and gulped, hoping my idea would work. I pulled the Plasma Pistol from its holster before unlocking the doors. I then nodded at Bernie before grabbing him and throwing him out of the now open driver door.

"Ahhhhhh!" I heard him scream. It only lasted a few seconds. I positioned myself as I had found something to keep the acceleration pedal pushed down. I readied my gun and found the gas tank as I leaned outward. I then jumped, firing off perhaps five rounds in succession to it. Everything felt like it slowed down as the bullets pierced through the gas tank's cover and cap, immediately letting off huge sparks as the truck was still speeding forward, but then suddenly veered around as it soon erupted into a giant ball of flame. I was still falling as I heard it.

I had my eyes closed for a good twenty seconds before my body felt the pain of hitting the water of the river below before sinking into it. I then opened my eyes and swam up to the surface, groaning and gasping for air. I was soaked from head to toe as I swam toward the shoreline, wondering if Bernie was waiting for me. Unsurprisingly, he apparently was as I saw him with crossed arms when I climbed out of the river.

"You didn't mention anything like throwing me like a baseball!" he exclaimed, obviously a bit angry.

"It was either that or get caught and serve jail time and maybe die with me," I said, coughing a bit.

"I'd rather get a fair warning before I become some sort of fuzzy missile to you," he said.

"Fair enough," I said, looking around. "Well, we need to find a way to get back to the apartment without the Cryptic Guard stopping us. And quickly since I don't think either of us will last very long drenched and in the middle of a cold night."

"Relax," Bernie said. "I already called in a favor. That hot Promus chick said she's sendin' a ride for us since she owns a Hovercar Shop. Says we can get discounts on pimping out our rides, too, but that'll be for another time."

"Probably never," I said. "I don't waste my Tin on a car I may have to trash."

My Communicator then began to ring. I was a bit surprised, given the fact it was in my pocket when I plunged into the river. I looked at the Caller ID and it did state that it was from Don Vinchi again. Reluctantly, I decided to answer it.

"What the hell just happened?" Vinchi asked as soon as I picked up. "I heard an explosion and now the bridge connecting Downtown and Little Tonoko is partially destroyed and blocked off. I had a suspicion it might be you since Cryptic Guard is involved and all."

"How about you tell your preset navigation instructor not to send me directly through a Cryptic Guard outpost?" I asked, groaning a bit still. "I had to lose them and the last part of the goods. I managed to get most of the deliveries out, but the Cryptic Guard made going to Jaden impossible."

"Outpost?" he asked. "That must be new. Nevertheless, it's a stupid loss for Jaden but at least we have our weaponry here."

"Oh and about that, you do realize that technology is forbidden, right?" I asked.

"And do you realize you're in a criminal organization that doesn't give a damn about the law?" he snapped back. "If you're gonna be a goody-two-shoes, then I might have to put you down since that means you're gonna spill the beans to the Cryptic Idiots."

"No, I won't," I said. "They wouldn't believe me anyway. I'm already a man of treason and for a brief hour or so, two charges of treason."

"Then quit whining about it," he scoffed. "Anyway... Continue on with whatever you're doing to avoid the Guard. I'll be in touch if I need something else done." He then hung up.

I sighed and put my Communicator away before seeing a pair of headlights approach Bernie and I.

"She's here!" Bernie exclaimed excitedly.

I shook my head and looked over at the car, which looked a bit fancy. I saw the Promus woman climb out of the passenger seat and quickly ran over to Bernie. I then saw another figure climb out of the driver side. I was a bit surprised. It was another female, though a Lunga.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here, Minnie, two boys in distress?" she asked, laughing. She was dressed in a brown overcoat, with a matching hat. Her eyes were green and sparkled a bit to me. She had long blonde hair that was being somewhat flattened by a brown Fedora. Her voice was a bit loud and gruff, though pleasant to here at the same. I could tell she was wearing a skirt under the coat, due to seeing her Lunga legs with no protection past the end of the overcoat. She did seem to have a rather nice figure, as it still showed with the overcoat.

"Mmhm," Minnie nodded. "Bernie's the new guy I met. This is his friend, Lane. Bernie kept talking about him, so I thought it'd be cool to tell you to tag along."

I raised an eyebrow at that.

"Oh, don't flatter yourself already," the Lunga laughed. "I'm sure once I've heard your tale once, I might gauge my treatment toward you based on that. Anyway... Your ride's here, so let's go, you two."

I shrugged and headed to the car, taking the passenger seat since Bernie and Minnie had run to the car and were already in the back.

"I'm Tay," the Lunga smiled as she climbed into the car. "We're going to your place, right?"

"Mmhm," I nodded. "You know me already, I bet."

"Well, I am a reporter, so I do know my fair share of the occurrences in Tonoko," she said with a small giggle. "Well, ex-reporter. I had to quit my last job because all my articles on real issues were either denied or altered to make it look like I was praising Baron Von Largon and his wife."

"Oh?" I asked, looking over at her as the car started up. It wasn't long until we were back on the highway. "Then what exactly do you know about me?"

"Probably the bare minimum," she said. "There was some sort of defiance from a Cryptic Guard soldier-in-training. Judging from the description the Mortion News Report gave, one look at you and I knew you fit it. Though I didn't expect you to be the type to flee from the Guard and explode a bridge to get away."

"You only know a portion then," I said, looking out of the window. "I do disagree with quite a bit of the laws around here. That's nothing special though. I'm sure there are more people that hate this dictatorship but can't do anything about it."

"Oh, yes," she laughed. "There is a small group trying to ensure that peace will be restored to Mortion and its neighboring provinces. Though I believe the only way that will happen is if we gain a new leader or even just overthrow the two tyrants."

"A small resistance group will be destroyed by the Cryptic Guard," I said. "Whoever is actually trying to form a resistance better know the circumstances of that."

"I'm sure they do," Tay nodded. "Usually, word only spreads about a resistance group if they've already established themselves, assuming the Cryptic Guard hasn't shut them down and imprisoned them."

"I'll believe it when I see it," I said. "As I said, no resistance group holds up unless they knew about the consequences."

"I'll show you when we get to your place then," she said, with a rather cute pouting face. "I happen to save my work to my Communicator like a good reporter would. Lucky you!"

"Yeah, lucky me," I chuckled. I continued to look out of the window, reflecting on my thoughts as many people seemed to do. I then closed my eyes and just enjoyed the peaceful drive to my apartment.

We arrived perhaps half an hour later at my apartment complex. I had gotten out of the car first and being a gentleman, I opened the door for Tay.

"Aw, that's a rare quality in men these days," Tay laughed as she climbed out of the car. "Leave the two wild dogs back there alone if they're getting frisky." She then walked toward the entrance of the apartment building, having a definite sway and one that was perhaps impossible for me to look away from. I did look over at the backseat of the car for a few seconds. What I saw made me gag a bit as I turned my attention back to watching Tay sway into the building.

"Yeah, you two in the car, get a room," I said as I headed into the building now.

"This place seems a bit too ordinary for the ex-military vigilante like you," Tay laughed as I caught up.

"Vigilante?" I asked. "I don't think I've helped anyone on purpose and have it take the glory away from the Cryptic Guard."

"Maybe that wasn't the right word," she said. "I do know that you became a bit of a bad boy since you teamed up with the Crimson Gavel. For a reporter, word travels faster than a Hoovercopter. Regardless, I'm glad a couple of days so far hasn't already phased you. Well, at least I think it hasn't."

"I'm gonna try to make the jobs I get from Vinchi or one of the other Dons as clean as I can," I said as we entered my apartment.

"Good," she smiled. "Perhaps there'll be a good guy criminal now, haha."

"Good one," I chuckled. "So, since you're a reporter, Tay, I can tell you want to know why I disobeyed the Cryptic Guard's law and pretty much threw myself under the treason bus for two innocent civilians?"

"Partially, yes," she nodded. "The other reason I'm glad I tagged along is that I do wish to know what goes on behind the scenes of the Cryptic Guard. I've heard so many juicy rumors, Lane. Rumors such as the Cryptic Guard and the Gavel purposely staging some crimes, the Gavel having Immunity to other crimes and that the Baron and the Queen plan to harvest something called Nether Energy and use it to empower their weapons for something sinister."

"Unless I get your word to keep it between us completely, I don't have much to talk about," I said, sitting down on the couch.

"So you'd spill your guys out if I promised to keep my lips sealed tight, huh?" she asked.

"Yes, that's what I said," I nodded. "Am I speaking in slurs?"

"No, just checking," she said as she sat down next to me. She took off her overcoat, revealing a blue v-neck blouse with a white undershirt, also v-neck, underneath. She seemed to like showing off some cleavage. The skirt she wore was a bit short, only reaching her thighs. It did match the blouse in color though. "Alright, fine. I'll keep it all to myself until you tell me it's fine that I publish what I know."

"I thought you were fired," I said, raising an eyebrow.

"I can self-publish," she smiled. "Especially since we have the Internet still, amazingly. I could perhaps put it on my blog."

"A blog?" I asked. "Are you serious? Any reporter that has time to keep a blog hasn't had all their time sucked from them like most news reporters here seem to."

"I wasn't a primary reporter," she said, sighing. "I wanted to be, but I wasn't good enough or I wasn't reporting the right stuff they wanted. Enough about that though. Come on, tell me any Cryptic Guard secrets."

"Fine, fine," I said, rolling my eyes. "Well, to put your rumor to rest.... Yes, the Cryptic Guard and the Crimson Gavel have a secret treaty. Most crimes a Gavel member commits are subjected to the Immunity clause, which does include Treason. However, the Immunity can be overturned if the crime is significant enough. Immunity becomes invalid when you smuggle a forbidden technology, food or utility into any inch of Mortion. For example, if the Crimson Gavel were to, I don't know, try and supply themselves with Czer weapon technology such as the Grenade Pistol and if they're caught, they can still be tried and executed. Pretty much most acts of terrorism or what they think is terrorism. My 'treason' reason was just letting two civilians go. As long as I work for the Gavel and get to a certain rank, the Cryptic Guard can't do anything about it. That is, however, assuming I don't get caught with any forbidden objects or serious offenses such as genocide."

"That's pretty interesting," she blinked. "I never knew about a treaty. I don't think it's new though. Crime has been way too controlled for at least ten years here."

"The treaty's been in effect since I was five," I said. "So... the treaty's been going on for at least fifteen years."

Tay nodded and typed on her Communicator, obviously taking notes.

"Of course, they're still trying to catch me," I said. "They're perhaps willing to break their own treaty to get rid of me since the information I have memorized is probably more lethal to the Baron and the Queen than an Atomic Bomb is. It'd ruin then, perhaps. Once the information's released, they'd want me dead regardless. Right now, it's just a higher chance of putting me in a jail cell or trying to brainwash me like most other soldiers are."

"Brainwashed?" Tay asked, sounding very curious.

"Mmhm," I nodded. "Brainwashed. I don't know the methods used, but what I do know is that when a Initiate in the Cryptic Guard passes his Academic Exam, they're taken to the Training Chamber. I have a suspicion that it has nothing to do with training. Somehow, the Baron at least is brainwashing his soldiers into full loyal support. I fear a friend of mine might meet the same fate, if she even cares."

"A friend?" she asked. "What will happen to her and wait, there are female soldiers?"

"Yes, a friend," I said. "Her name is Yuno. I entered the Cryptic Academy when she was a year ahead of me. I quickly caught up to her and we befriended one another. Since I had no one, it was rather strange at first to feel the effects of friendship. It was definitely frowned upon since the male and female soldiers were separated. Usually, you can't tell the gender of the guard due to the bulky armor and voice modulator. I could always spot Yuno though. She had a special sway that she even pulled off in the bulky uniform. All was going well until I was forced into patrol. She was the soldier I disobeyed and let the two civilians go. Two guards planted evidence on them and I didn't want that to go unpunished. Well, it's still going unpunished. Yuno wouldn't believe me and I had to run from the Cryptic Guard until I met Bernie, who incidentally lead me to a job that lead to the Crimson Gavel. If it weren't for that, I don't think I would have considered the Gavel as an option."

"Fascinating," she said, clearly listening to every detail. It was a bit eerie with how interested she was. "This Yuno girl... was she more than a friend to you?"

I didn't answer her for a moment as I just stared at the television on the wall.

"She was my only friend," I finally said after a few minutes of silence. "At least before I met Bernie. If this was another timeline or another world, maybe Yuno.... Could have been more to me than a friend."

"Oh, I'm sorry," she blinked. "I didn't mean to ask such a personal question. It just sort of slipped out."

"It's fine," I sighed. "I have to get used to the fact I may never be friends with her again. There is the small hope that one day, I can be her friend again. A very small hope. Maybe if I could dig up more evidence to show that the Cryptic Guard is up to no good... She'd run off and hide with me." I stared ahead as I talked, imagining that scenario.

I was snapped out of my daydream by a sudden tight hug from Tay, making me blink.

"What are you doing?" I asked, groaning slightly since Tay seemed to have a pretty firm grip.

"You looked so sad," she said. "I couldn't resist. You looked like you could use a hug."

"I hope you don't normally hug strangers like that," I said, groaning a bit as she let go.

"Not normally, no," she said. "You're different though, Lane. I can sense it. I'm documenting everything you tell me, but I swear to you that none of this will get out. If it does, then I have to be mind-controlled or murdered. I know that's a little extreme, but I am trying to get my point across."

"I believe you," I chuckled. "Still, I don't know how much usefulness I'd be since you can't use the information to make yourself a superstar reporter."

"I don't care about the spotlight so much that I'd end up killing someone because of it," she said as she sat back down on the couch. "I can restrain myself, you know. It'd be awesome to be the top reporter for once, but I know that can't happen unless it's completely unrelated to you. Though just know, Lane, if you come up with anything to combat the Cryptic Guard or even the Gavel, I'll try to help you out."

"Good to know if I make my own resistance group, you'd be in for it," I chuckled. "For now, my only option is the Crimson Gavel. It's a very crappy option, but it's the only one."

Tay nodded and typed on the holo-pad again as she took notes via the Communicator. I looked over at her, blinking when I thought I saw Yuno in her place. I rubbed my eyes gently before looking at Tay again, this time with no illusion.

"I may need to get some sleep," I said, getting up. "Feel free to just watch television or something, Tay."

"Alright," she nodded. "I'll be out here. Minnie and Bernie should be coming in any minute. I doubt that car will be a make out house forever." I chuckled and headed to my bedroom. I undressed, placing all my clothing in the nearby drawer. I was only in my white boxers as I lay on the bed and closed my eyes. It wasn't easy, but I did finally manage to fall asleep.

My dream that night was hazy, but it found its way into my memory. I felt myself stirring as I sat up, looking about in a dark void of space. It did eventually transform into a bland white room as I stood up, looking about. I found a door at the other end of the room, deciding to reach out to turn the knob. As I did, I stepped out into the Bacanshi Forest - which mostly was known as the Jehree Desert now. I looked around, walking through the muck beneath my feet. I was puzzled. Why was I seeing a portion of the forest that no longer existed? The entirety of the forest hadn't disappeared yet, but it might as well have. The only portion of it left is within the Twisted Fields. I had never been to that portion of Mortion, as it was said in a few history books - at least the few 'banned' ones I managed to smuggle into my quarters from time to time - stated that Magazor's Time Keepers managed to save a very small portion within a time field. If a mortal dare enter it, they could be forever stuck with time frozen.

I continued my walk through the forest, noticing it seemed like the clouds above were dark and looking as if it were ready to rain. Despite the dark presence the clouds made on the forest, it looked beautiful. The leaves were different shades of green on all of the trees, the brown bark full of color and not many of them had it peeling off of them. I soon began to recognize some portions of the forest before I came to a halt as I finally realized where I was.

My supposed childhood.

Quickly, I began to pick up to a running speed. My heart began to pound as I remembered the moment I was experiencing yet again. I kept running and running. The path I took seemed endless before it finally lead to a hut in the forest - my parents' hut. I looked around and then saw my younger self hugging my father, then running off to play. I found myself shouting at my younger self to stop running. I shouted for myself to warn my parents, foolishly thinking it would change what had happened. When it didn't work, I ran toward my mind's depictions of my parents, trying to tell them myself. I was panicking. I was desperate. I was seeing my mother and father again. I wanted them back. I wanted them with me.

I reached out to grab my mother's hand, only to have it suddenly grab my hand and seemingly detach from my mother's wrist. I let out a gasp as my parents were grinning now as a sinister echo emitted through my ears and around me. The sound of the explosion playing in the background rang in my head as if it had just happened, causing me to cover my ears as I tried to shake my mother's detached hand off of my arm. I looked up, watching my parents dissolve and transform into images of the Baron and the Queen. They were laughing. They were staring at me, with devilish grins. They began to talk, but voices filled my head quickly - all repeatedly in different tones or slurs that they died because of me.

I had enough. I stood up, still holding my head before trying to land a punch onto the Baron, only to feel like a single touch electrocuted me. I looked up after I fell to my knees, finding myself now dressed in a Cryptic Guard uniform and standing before General Azinoth.

"Maggot, you will drop and give me two thousand," he ordered.

I found myself complying, my training seeming to kick in.

"Keep obeying the rules and you won't end up like your parents." I blinked at that, questioning if my hearing had turned on me for a moment. Azinoth didn't even know my parents. He couldn't have... Could he? There were still so many unanswered questions about them and anything related to who bombed them. It could have been the Baron and his Cryptic Guard, the Queen herself since she was quite nasty or even the Crimson Gavel. I was about to stop the pushups I was ordered to do before I felt something against my head. There was a loud bang and I suddenly woke up, sweating and panting.

I looked around, finding myself back in my room and still panting and sweating. She rubbed my eyes and sighed, looking out of the window once I could see clearly. I wanted answers to what had happened that many years ago, yes, but I didn't want to torture myself about it. I looked over at the clock and noticed it was around six in the morning. I decided I would get up and go for a walk. I climbed out of bed and went to my closet before picking out a black plain t-shirt and throwing it on, then slipped into my slightly baggy jeans and made sure to tighten the leather belt I had. I pulled my fingerless biker gloves on despite planning on walking. I did also grab my keys, just in case I decided to go get something to drink or eat. I then left my apartment as quietly as I could and managed to get outside without much noise. However, my Communicator went off as soon as I was standing in front of the building.

"Hey, Silverbane," Vinchi chuckled through his hologram. "I was expectin' to leave a message, What'chu doin' up so early?"

"I could ask you the same, Mr. Vinchi," I chuckled.

"I like your answers, kid," he chuckled. "I was just callin' to tell you that you ain't gotta collect Impersonal's debt today. They're getting' a special early visit they ain't gonna expect, if you catch what I mean. Apart from needin' to trash the last of that weapon cache I tried to get delivered, you did good, kid. Jack wanted to see ya later on today, by the way. Said somethin' about havin' another job for you to help pay somethin' off for a friend. I dunno, but you better not prioritize that over the jobs I end up givin' ya." "I won't prioritize anything that isn't your order," I said, sighing silently.

"Good, kid," Vinchi chuckled. "See ya soon."

I put my Communicator away before deciding to denounce walking and ran to my Hooverbike. I hopped onto it and started it up. I then floored the accelerator, heading toward Impersonal. If Vinchi was telling me to basically stay away from it, that meant something was happening right now. I didn't want to picture what I might find.

It took me about ten minutes to get to the large intersection near Impersonal, as I was following traffic laws. I wasn't warranted to run red lights and I am a former soldier - a man of the law, so I try to break as little laws as possible if it's in my control. By the time the traffic light turned green, I heard a loud commotion over in the shopping center where Impersonal was.

"Crap, no," I blinked and then floored the accelerator yet again. I swerved in and out of traffic, trying to keep somewhat of a level head but I felt the panic begin to rise within me.

The panic seemed to be slowly overtaking me as I saw smoking rising from the shopping center. I managed to quickly park my Hooverbike before hopping off of it and running toward Impersonal, where the smoke was originating from. It was on fire.

I burst into the door despite the heavy fumes and covered my eyes with my arm, looking around frantically for either Marci or her supposed father. They had to be here; otherwise the Crimson Gavel wouldn't have told a rookie to stay away. I coughed and tried to call out for anyone to answer me and I didn't receive a response. I wouldn't let an innocent person die if I could help it. I then moved behind the counter, looking forward and almost immediately vomited. There was a man, presumably Marci's father, beheaded behind the counter and his body lying in a pool of blood. It was a horrible sight. One of which even a normal soldier may never hope to endure. I looked around again, this time heading for the nearby door that lead to the back room. When I opened it, I went wide-eyed. I saw Marci. She was wide-eyed, gasping for air. She had been impaled onto a coat rack and was slowly dying. I stared dumbfoundedly as I tried to see if I could pull her off.

"D-Don't..." she managed to choke out and cough. "M-Mr... Silverbane... Please... End it.... Sooner... I beg you... I didn't... listen... I followed... Daddy... and... ignored... you..." Each word she uttered was followed by a gasping cough as life was being drained form her form as she was covered in blood. I gulped and began to pull out my Plasma Pistol before looking at her again.

"D-Don't... even... ask..." she coughed at me. "I-I'm... sure... Mr... Mr.... Silver... bane... Do it... You're... a good soul... if you do..." I hesitated again, but I knew my hesitation was more like torture to her. I then gulped and swallowed hard before closing my eyes as I placed the pistol against her head. I looked away and fired, hearing her gasp and choke one more time before it went silent. Tears ran down my eyes as I didn't want to do that act of what I believed to be pure... evil. She had requested it and to be honest, she would be in more agonizing pain if I had just left her to die slowly. That would perhaps be more 'evil'. I sniffed and couldn't look back at the body. I then began to head back toward the front door as I put my gun away, coughing. I stumbled out of the smoke and fire, covered in ash. I looked around and noticed people were staring at me. I realized that either I had put myself deeper into the hole than I had been or they were going to assume I caused the fire... and when the bodies would be found, perhaps I would be blamed. Regardless of that fact, I wasn't staying to explain myself. The Cryptic Guard already wanted me. I headed to my Hooverbike. I climbed onto it and looked back at the smoke, sniffing as I wiped my eyes again.

"I promise you, I'll do something about this," I said out loud as I looked up to the sky.

I then turned the key and quickly sped out of there, looking a bit guilty. I didn't want more people to suffer. I wanted to make amends with Marci as I wanted to befriend her, to have someone out here since I lost Yuno as a friend. I have Bernie to perhaps fill that void now, but that didn't change the fact I wanted to protect anyone from the Cryptic Guard or the Crimson Gavel. I didn't protect Marci.

The sadness and anger grew inside of me. I didn't head back toward my apartment. I headed toward Jack's Tavern. I needed answers and a plan. A plan to show Marci that I'm not like the others in the Crimson Gavel. I gripped the handlebars tightly, speeding up now. The Crimson Gavel had made a terrible mistake.