The Liberal Assassin

"Do you think we've been cheated? It has been three days since that crazy old man threatened to shoot our brains out."

"Nope, he didn't threaten to shoot, he threatened to disintegrate us but I digress. I know he has a lot of questions and frankly, I do too. What he will discover in due time is what I've already discovered. He'll need my help either way and when that time comes, the real negotiations will begin. The other day was a friendly introduction, nothing more."

"You still haven't told me why you want me to join Luna Services."

Smiling serenely at the violet-eyed man I waited with bated breath for the hot-headed man to explode.

"Just tell me already!"

"Sorry sorry!" It was hard not to laugh when the man was behaving so childishly. This must be what it felt like to tease someone. I suppose I can understand why Ignacio does it so often now.

"Well, it's really not rocket science. I just needed someone who has a large influence over the Slums to promote trust in Luna Services. You've been supplying them Pantiumite for free and they aren't willing to offer services for Pantiumite with Luna Services. I'm trying to bridge the gap between the Inner City and the Slums and so far, the only thing in common both sides would be Pantiumite. I need them to interact more so that the integration an become successful."

"What are you aiming for? The downfall of the Parliament? I can see why you're targeting Parliament members but what good will it do?"

"I could ask you the same. You wanted to plant bombs all over the Inner City. What good would that have done?"

"At least in my case, it serves as a warning to all. If you get rid of Parliament members who are to say they won't elect new members?"

I kept silent. Not even Ignacio knew of the plan yet. "They won't. Trust me on this one."

Annoyed by my reluctance to talk, Rush was about to leave when Kevin alerted me of a mail.

"You have mail, sir."

"Who is it from?"

"The sender is anonymous. There are no traceable records from the original source."

The maroon head stayed on while I read the mail. "Now might be a good time to put that beast of yours to use. We're paying the lunatic a visit."

A wide wolfish grin broke the icy expression. "That's more like it!"

I knew I was definitely going to regret it.

***

"I know what you want. Just tell me what I have to do."

That was rather unexpected. The other day Khronos had been so uncooperative. What could have changed his mind?

"That simplifies a lot. I need your help as the one who knows best about the Inner City's mainframe. Also," I looked at Rush beside me. "I require your assistance to help Luna Services supply Pantiumite."

Khronos inhaled deeply and leaned back. With eyes closed and furrowed brows, Rush fidgeted in worry that the negotiations would break down. It was a needless worry. After all, I had the upper hand in this. No scientist can remain impassive when the promise of the unknown laid right before their eyes.

"You drive hard at it Titus but I don't have time to play supplier." Rush wanted to strangle the scientist but I held him back, allowing Khronos to rummage through drawers. After a minute or two, he pulled out what seemed like a physical copy of a book. I felt my heart race a little and became a little light headed at the thought of holding a real book.

"This is my research journal from what I did when I was a scientist dealing with Plantiumite research. In it, the perfected formula for the Pantiumite can be found. Take it and use it wisely. The samples, on the other hand, I want to keep."

"That's no issue at all," I told the green haired man while wondering if the colour was natural. "I know you're curious about the unknown substance. However, all I can say is that the unknown substance is some kind of evolution for Pantiumite, I know nothing else. I was wondering if you knew better."

Khronos sighed. "I wish I did. Unfortunately, these experiments will fail. It is far too dangerous to perform it and if mass produced, a second Great Explosion could occur, wiping out humanity permanently this time."

Silence filled the room as we let Khronos' words sink in. Humanity had almost been wiped out once and now history might repeat itself.

"I won't let it happen. I swear it on the Night Walker's name."

"I know you won't. I'm offering to help in exchange for information. What they are doing might be dangerous but their research might prove valuable. I could potentially come up with something better. Naturally all this would be in self-interest. You have no idea how hard it was to survive during the Great Explosion with limited resources."

Rush frowned. "If your body required so much energy how did you not starve to death back then?"

Khronos chuckled. "There were still plenty of Plantiumite in the air back then. I simply inhaled them so I lasted. Normally people would ingest them or inject them. Thankfully for me, I can process them through respiration. Isn't that wonderful?"

Both Rush and I grimaced.

"I take it back. You're not weird, you're a downright monster."

Not offended, the scientist laughed off Rush's comment good-heartedly. "We got a Yankee, a vigilante and a monster on the team. I think we'll be fine."

"I'm not a Yankee!"

"With that hair colour? Preposterous!"

"It's natural!"

"Maroon? Really? What about those eyes? They're violet."

"You're just jealous it's better looking than dull green hair and dull green eyes."

"I'll have you know this is the side effect of becoming a monster. At least I'm perfectly fine unlike you."

"I'm the last man of my race so to speak, your ignorance is appalling for a scientist!"

Rolling my eyes at their antics I told them to knock it off.

"Shut up!" They shouted. Before I could retort Khronos sneered at how flat my c.h.e.s.t was.

"I'll have you know I'm a man!"

"Oh really?" Rush sniggered. "Could have fooled me."

That did it. They were going to know why the Night Walker is the most feared person in the Inner City. Walking towards them with a smile, I readied the Baby Blues.