by Will Wallner
"It's not that bad, Max." Ryuu tried to smile in a comforting way, but his dark eyes and worn face, only made him look like a demonic jester.
"I appreciate you trying to be kind, but clearly you don't believe your own words. I'm not blind to my own disfigurement." Max held up his hands. His skin had gone so pale it was almost translucent. He looked at his palms in amazement, at being able to see his own veins, throbbing beneath the surface.
"Maybe you should take some time away from the source. It can't be healthy to have so much exposure." The General tried to comfort his master.
"No!" Max aggressively quipped back at Ryuu. "I cannot leave it." He calmed himself. "Ryuu, this is beyond life and death. This is more powerful than anything in this universe. I am certain it is the meaning of our very existence. I must unlock its secrets, that is the key. When we have the answers, it will mean more than anything you could possibly imagine. I have seen glimpses of the truth and it is magnificent. We will rule not only this world, but the heavens as well." Max looked into Ryuu's eyes with unwavering obsession and devotion to his beliefs. His voice was full of triumphant optimism.
"I'd settle for just being the ruler of Capitol City." Ryuu jovially replied.
"You'll get your chance very soon, my friend." Max smiled, but still didn’t help make him look human.
"Max, I'm sorry, but I'm late for an important meeting with a member of the CCPD. It's about time we had one of our own put on the board of directors. If we're going to take Capitol City, controlling the police will be an important step." Ryuu didn't want to spend too long within Max's chambers. There was doubt in his mind about many things. He had experienced humanity on the lowest levels of desperation and learned to exploit it. Max reminded him of one of the many drug addicted, strung out, wasters of Sector 13. Max was clearly trapped in the vices of this mysterious 'source'. Ryuu had gotten to where he was by using people's weaknesses to manipulate them, Max was no different.
"Farewell, Ryuu." Max's soft voice echoed through the chambers, as Ryuu made his exit. Left alone once again with nothing but the voices in his head, Max wondered deeper into the underground fortress he had built for himself.
Ryuu left the large skyscraper, located in a remote area of Sector X. Despite being within the heart of the city, this could almost be described as a secluded area. Security checkpoints extended for miles. Access was impossible for anyone without clearance. This area of Sector X was reserved for only the most high-profile candidates. Politicians, former Presidents, Generals, anyone who couldn’t live amongst 'normal people' and needed a level of privacy and security. Max owned several estates within this exclusive community. Every member of Nexus had their own piece of privacy. These estates couldn’t be bought or sold; they were passed down through family inheritance.
Ryuu despised everything they represented. All he inherited was poverty and hatred. It was only a few years earlier he was living in filth, fighting for his life. Now he was among the world elites, experiencing life at the opposite end of the spectrum. He still didn’t quite understand how he had found himself in this position, but he believed it was his destiny. The hands of fate had lifted him from the depths of hell. Now he would reap his rewards, as well as his revenge. Ryuu wanted to kill all these men in power, who lived as royalty, to make them pay for the years of oppression he had to suffer.
In the back of the armored limousine, which chauffeured honored guests from the private estates of Sector X, Ryuu used his MAW issue 'cryptophone' to place a call to one of his most trusted operatives. Using this communication device, his call couldn’t be traced or intercepted. It was completely secure.
"Valentine, have you noticed any changes since you started using the supplements?" Ryuu looked at his face in the faint reflection of the bullet proof, tinted glass on the back seat of the limo. He turned his head, side to side, checking to see if there was any notable difference in his appearance.
"I'm stronger and my mind seems somehow clearer, why?" Valentine asked.
"I've just met with Max. He looks terrible. That stupid little rich kid must be hooked on the stuff. It's changing how he looks. We should be alright as long as we only use it in moderate doses. I need to talk to Professor Arturo." He continued to gaze at his own reflection.
"I only used as much as prescribed. Should I stop using them?" She sounded concerned.
"No, I'm sure it's nothing, but let me know if you do experience any side effects. Have you decided a code name to use when go undercover?" Ryuu changed the subject.
"I have." Valentine replied.
"I'm going to arrange to have you planted into the CCPD. Initially, you'll be on standby in Sector X, and then you'll be ready to be transferred to any department in the CCPD when the situation arises. Soon, we'll have one of our own on the CCPD board of directors. After that, infiltrating the CCPD will be easy. When your undercover assignment begins, it will be important we only use code names when speaking to each other. We don’t know who is spying on us. Tell me your code name."
"Scorpio." She replied.
About The Author
Will Wallner
Will Wallner is a musician, entrepreneur, and author. He grew up in South West England and spent many years living in Los Angeles as a rock musician. He loves nothing more than to spend time with his animals or to plug a Les Paul into a loud Marshall amplifier. Whether he’s recording new music, starting a new business, or writing a new book, he is always in the process of creating something new. That is what inspires him. For more information visit www.willwallner.com