Diana "When was that put in here?" I turned to one of the doctors, but the Dreadwire mask was still in my peripheral. Had Ripley…

They shrugged, but one of them grew a curious eye. "Seen a whole lot of those around, but… didn't you say you had no personal connection to Dreadwire?"

"I- I don't." I lied. "But no camera footage? Last I checked, no one left anything here."

One of them rolled their eyes which glazed over, in a few seconds, he projected a video from a tablet that showed Anthony alone in the hospital room as time passed on, until eventually he opened his eyes. And the Dreadwire mask looked to have… always been kept there?

"I can't be assed to get the footage of his entire stay here." The same doctor answered honestly.

"It's fine. Must have just been a gift from… a friend." I hushed through my throat, uneasy at the idea that Ripley had been here and so easily hidden his existence. Of course he could, he had The Dogwhistler for a girlfriend.

I walked towards the mask, and as my hand touched it's surface, I felt the inner circuitry within it. It was genuine, one of his. He had to have been here, and then… helped Anthony? Lifting it up, I saw a strange Datacube underneath it on the table, and I tucked it into my pocket as with a light spark of my fingers, the mask folded down and back into a plate. One that would normally house on top of his Neuroframe.

"Looks high quality." One doctor raised his eyebrows. "My kids a real fan of the guy, I'll buy it off you."

"Sorry, it's evidence." I said with a mild warning in my voice, choosing to instead see how much I could throw my influence around. "Now, Anthony, is he stable?"

"I feel fine." He shook his arms around, before abruptly trying to stand up. Louis caught him before he could stumble, but Anthony remarkably found his footing very quickly and stretched a little to prove himself.

"Honestly, I feel like that was the best nap of my life." He yawned. "I just hope Aunt Annie doesn't smack me around for sleeping on the job."

Louis shifted at that, his hand faltering to reach for Anthony's shoulder. "Tony, uh… about your Aunt. She-"

"I'm sorry," I interrupted the hospital staff. "I'd like to see him discharged, now."

———

Turns out people really did not want to get on my bad side. The hospital cleared Anthony for discharge fairly quickly, as long as I signed an autograph or two. He was spry and mobile, coherent, even looked fresh and young compared to the tired and aching figure he'd been the last few months. Deciding to take on my earlier idea, I called Archangel.

She responded, a drunken slur in her voice. "Wha- what ish ittt? You bitschh."

"Oh, um… Alisha? Right, sorry about dragging you in for… duties you weren't prepared for? I was just wondering if your bar was free?"

"Yeah, yeah… I'm shleeping in." She yawned. "Areee… are you coming over?"

"If you're okay with that? Could I invite some… people with me? I just… I don't think we need to be on such bad terms."

I heard a long exasperated sigh from the other end, and then a single word. "Fine."

Getting her approval, I decided to take things a step further. I called Choirmen next, he'd want to hear about Anthony. He picked up, sounding sleepy. "Dianaaa? What are you calling for at this hour?"

"Anthony's awake." I said simply.

"Fuck." He became alert at that. "Really?"

"I- I am."

"Well… shit. Might as well tell you now." He muttered. "I know I rejected you before, but… dammit, you make a good speech. Whatever demons you're fighting, I know sooner or later they'll get to the rest of the city, I- I want in, Corporal."

I hadn't expected that, but I would take what I could get. "Can you keep secrets?"

"I think you'll fry my tongue off if I don't."

"Good, then come to this location." I sent him the address to Archangel's bar.

Anthony whistled at my second call. "How many people are you calling for my damn 'I got better party'?

"Honestly, I think I'll go all the way." I took a deep breath as I scrolled to my contacts.

Next, one who I was utterly unsure of except for her skills, Kim Liyung. She picked up quietly, guilt heavy in her voice. "Yes?"

"Sending you a location, be there."

Next. Belle, I knew he was hurting from the death of Sabrina… and things would be complicated with his girlfriend's actions about it, but I needed him. He picked up. "Yo? Everything good?"

"You at Fourth Precinct?" I asked.

"Nah, my aunt came here for the holidays, it's nicer and less… rowdy." He sighed, but there was an exhaustion to him. "Nice speech by the way… and uh… I'm sorry-"

"No, I'm sorry. I couldn't protect her." I gulped air in. "I… we're having an emergency meeting, think you could make it?"

"I'll be there." He gave a resolved answer.

After him, came someone who was arguably even more heartbroken through the events of the raid. Corporal of my SIO squad, Alex Lopez. Her husband, Rick, had been a target of Soul Killer's mutation and The Bladefather's abuse, while she was a victim of The Dogwhistler's reprogamming of her mind. The call picked up after a few seconds, her voice came out drenched in thickness. "Diana?"

"Corporal, are you fine?" I asked quietly.

"No, Diana. I'm not." She responded. "Thank you for asking, but I don't want to talk about-"

"Do you want your vengeance? I'm having an off-base ASK meeting." I left her an opportunity. In a few moments, she gave her answer.

"I do."

I sent her the location, and was about finished with my list of requests. Except, I had one more to make.

I called him.

"Dryder." I left my voice strict.

"Yeaaaah?" He asked in a drunken laugh.

"Clear up your BAC. I know you got the mods for it, I'm sending you a location. Be there in the hour." I was about to close the call before he spoke up.

"Ah, sure thingy. Uhhh, right, uh, someone contacted me. They, uh, wanted to know if they could talk to you."

"Who?"

"Twilight. One of Mirage's… thingies. Clones? I dunno, Dreadwire's girl's doppelganger."

I paused, utterly frozen. "Why?"

"She says she's broken up with him and wants a job." Dryder coughed.

"A job?" I sputtered.

"Uh… oh shit, she's piloting me." Suddenly, Dryder's voice turned a lot more… high-pitched. "So, uh, hey girlie? I know we're a bit on awkward terms and all, but you see… I'm kind of going my own way from Mirage and the rest of the crew. A bit of a self-discovery act, you know?"

"I have no clue what you're talking about, and aren't you-"

"Mirage is dismantling the whole Dogwhistler act, it's a thing of the past. Which… is kind of ironic considering that's where our Fragment comes from. So, um, I know we're not cool with each other. Kinda kept a lot of secrets, but I'm willing to make things right with you…"

Was I willing to take this risk? "You'll contain yourself in a Datacube of Dryder's, and we'll talk as long as you're not on any network."

"Deal." She said through Dryder's voice, before his own grufness came back. "Oh, that's weird. Never want that to happen again."

"Get your ass over, your godson is waiting."

"My Godwha-" I cut the call. The players had been called, and now, it was time to make our way over. ——— Archangel's bar was quiet when she invited us in, she appeared less well-kempt than usual, her hair was a mess and her breath stinked of alcohol. At least she had something in common with Dryder to bond with, Anthony and… his father were a little confused.

Louis spoke the obvious question. "So, uh, why am I here?"

"Because anything I tell Anthony gets to you, learned my lesson last time."

Alisha shifted a glance over Anthony, her disheveled state leaving him confused. "Uh, hi there, you must be Archangel? I'm a… uh… big fan!"

"Anthony Grazhe." She clicked her tongue, wobbling on the leg-braces that dug into her spine. "I've read your files… but you, you made of a cover of my song once, right?"

"Oh, that? Yeah, it was… years ago and on an account I don't really use anymore." He blushed a little in embarrassment. "Angel's Heartache is a classic, though."

"It's AI-generated." She murmured, sitting next to him as her hazel eyes careened up to him. "I liked it. The cover of the song."

"Oh, uh… glad you think so." He rubbed his neck nervously.

Next came Belle, and alongside him was our squad's Shard Operator Trixie, who I hadn't invited but I was glad to have anyway. She was dependable, but she side-eyed me as she walked in. "Alex called me, said you were doing some meeting for ASK."

"Yeah, I'm sorry I did this all in a hurry and-"

"ASK?" Anthony asked.

"Anti Soul Killer." Belle said, unsteady on the two cybernetic legs he was using now, my heart pained seeing him with them, but he remained steady on his own two feet.

"Oh shit… uh, I'm Anthony Grazhe by the way? Uh, Diana, who are these guys?"

"Special Intelligence Operatives." I explained, "I'll give you the run-down once everyone is here."

Alex came next, she didn't say much, but it was clear from the look on her face that she had a turmoil of emotions clawing through her that she suppressed. She sat on a far stool, as Anthony only said a simple: 'hi'.

Belle tried to approach, as did Trixie, but they both were met a cold shoulder. I wanted to do more for her, to say that I understood how she felt, maybe in pieces I did. But she'd lost her husband, she'd seen him become soulless in front of her very eyes, and then witnessed his body be used as a weapon by the Bladefather. The pain she went through couldn't be spoken for by me.

When Choirmen arrived, the first thing he did was hug Anthony and squeeze his voice out. "What the fu- Second Investigator!"

"It's First Investigator now!" Choirmen dropped Anthony back down, before sniffing away tears he fought to keep inside. "Damn it kid, I missed your annoying ass."

"Did everyone get a promotion while I was out?" Anthony groaned, before smiling and patting Choirmen who nestled in between Anthony and Archangel. She looked… displeased by his intrusion.

"By the way, sorry, for being late," Choirmen grumbled, as he pulled out… two pictures of me from his pockets. "Got these printed, my kids have been raving about Silvereye. Half because I talk about you so much… and uh… could you sign them?"

I did so happily, before he puckered his lips. "Think one of them could get Dreadwire's sig too?"

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"Not at this moment, no." I left the answer as simple as that.

Archangel leaned in, a fond smile painted on her face. "Ah, Investigator Choirmen, I'd be happy to sign in place of Dreadwire."

He squinted. "Sorry, who are you?"

"Why do people keep on mentioning Rip…" Anthony shut his mouth, looking around before focusing on me.

I decided might as well clear it up now. "Ripley Donovick will not be helping us in this endeavor, and… yes, I know his identity. No, we will not be investigating him. We have to remain focused."

"Looks like everyone's here." Belle glanced around. "Unless… did you invite The Iron Devil?"

"You better have!" Trixie scoffed. "That's how Belle convinced me."

"I… did not." I shook my head, "But there are a few more people who I've called over."

Next was Kim Liyung, who took a long glance at Belle before moving aside and settling distantly from the rest like Alex had. Belle gave an awkward look to me, mouthing that: 'we're not in a good place right now'.

Finally, Dryder arrived and had a stunned look at Anthony, but he also wasn't alone. Next to him was Dr. Moira, who I was gladful had come over, we definitely needed a geneticist to combat Soul Killer. She gave me warm smile and settled in close, as Dryder tossed me a Datacube.

"She's in there."

I looked intently over the cube, it pulsed a faint violet, and turned to Alisha. "Hey, you got a non-NeoCore device hanging around, something secure. No network features, but has a microphone and speaker?"

She thought for a second, before resigning and digging around in a closet of the bar and pulling out an old karaoke machine with a holographic output. She tossed it onto the table, and I plugged Twilight's cube into the device.

She flared to life above us, her form of shadows and brightness twisting to reveal her appearance had… changed slightly compared to how I last saw her in the raid. Her hair was cut shorter and now had faint highlights of purple in them, and her clothes were less of a dress and more standard streetwear.

"Here you go, I'm completely at your mercy Ms. Silvereye." Twilight waved. "But uh, this thing doesn't have any cameras so I don't know where you are."

She looked around aimlessly, and I put my hand on the device as I unplugged the Datacube. With cold, efficient words, I spoke. "I can burn you to a crisp in an instant, you understand that?"

Twilight's attitude turned serious at that, and she nodded. "I do."

"Are you aware of what The Dogwhistler has done to someone here in this room?"

"I'm assuming you're referring to Corporal Alex Lopez. Yes, she rewrote her memories to trigger an emotive response that would lead to the death of Anabelle Grazhe. Specifically, implanted a false investigation where she stumbled upon details of Anabelle Grazhe being a part of Soul Killer, and was forcefully silenced."

Anthony's eyes widened, but I shook my head at him.

"Then why should I trust you? Twilight?"

"Because… he's not the only one trying to be who Starlight needs." Twilight's voice came out with a driven poise. "I've… been a reflection for far too long. I want to fight my own battles, and do what she should have done a long time ago. And do things that would make my daughter proud."

"Which are?"

"Dismantling The Uncaged. And you, Diana, are the only person I can turn to." Light wove from her hands. "If she ever becomes The Dogwhistler again, I'll take the stance against her. And… I have data, on Skeleton, on Soul Killer."

Alex's hands tightened. "So we're letting that bitch go?! She made me…"

"No." Twilight shook her head. "She's as much of an antagonist to Soul Killer and Skeleton, neither will let her go so easily. And… by separating from her, I've made the choice that I won't be there to protect her, that's a fight she will take on by herself, and I will be watching her. Preparing for the worst. Provoking The Dogwhistler can have catastrophic side-effects, so we can't act in haste."

"You're no longer affiliated to Dread… to Ripley Donovick?"

"We share a daughter together, that's it." Those words didn't come easily from her, I could tell.

Some of them looked confused on her statement, Belle picking his ear. "The guy has a kid with an… AI?"

"Starlight's your kid?" Archangel smirked. "Huh… I liked her, you're fine by me."

I was well aware I was taking a risk by doing this, but I plugged the karaoke machine into my own personal tablet, that connected her to my Frame, and I could feel her presence sink into me.

And squirm. Twilight shuddered. "Uh… no offense, Silvereye, but you feel really weird."

"Perks of becoming some bastardized Dual Adapter, I guess." I looked Twilight in the eyes and extended my hand. "You're now a part of ASK, and you better not let me down."

"Wait… Dual Adapter?" Anthony grunted. "How much did I miss?"

"I'm going to catch you up, all of you." I removed my eyepatch, letting my metallic eye stop on each and every one of them. "But first, let me make one thing clear. This is the real ASK task force, whoever else Omen assigns to our squad is only a lie, a traitor in wait. Do not trust them. They are likely agents of Mr. Skeleton."

They all shifted slightly, my voice burning into them.

"And make no mistake, I am threatening each of you right now. If anything I say makes it out to another ear, other than those gathered in this room. I will personally tear your last breath out myself. Do I have an understanding?"

"Uh, yes ma'am." Anthony hurriedly nodded, while Belle saluted. "Yes, Corporal!"

The rest all gave their affirmations, and I made sure to register the weight of their souls in honesty. So far, they all passed.

I plugged the Datacube Ripley left me into my tablet, Twilight gathered it into her hands and began presenting it out into the room as my voice continued.

"And this is not a task force only designed for defeating Soul Killer. Skeleton has made his way into the police's graces, into the government's. We will not let him do as we please, and I know there are many others just as wanting to tear his ass down."

I looked over at Trixie. "Like The Iron Devil."

Then at Archangel. "And Emizren 'Missy'…"

"Silvha?" Twilight erupted with noise as she plucked one piece of code out for further understanding. "Missy's the granddaughter of Michelle Silvha?"

"She's…" I stopped, looking more intently at the files Ripley sent. "How much did he give us?"

Twilight's eyes were overwhelmed. "Data on how to manufacture the Soul Anchors, some theories even about how to circumvent the use of his nanites, stuff about… Soul Killer's motives regarding the creation of Hybrids? Their location in The Floridian Gulf, their origin as a SynTec experiment known as Subject-K. Information on… The Bladefather's relationship with Missy? Skeleton's Unique Feature, Soulbind, probable methods to intercept his drones, further theorization regarding his work to create controllable MALs… and…"

Twilight's eyes looked both scared, and relieved. "Accurate information on how The Dogwhistler operates. I can verify it, it's true… and he didn't know I was coming here."

"Damn…" Belle whistled. "Uh, why aren't we working with Dreadwire, then?"

"It's risky." I left it simple. "And besides, that's not what you want either, right, Twilight?"

"If he's giving us all this…" Twilight realized, "it's so that we're independent of him."

Independent… so I guess it wasn't only me giving him an opportunity, he was doing the same for me. "Alright, then… we have a lot of work to get started on."

I looked at the group of people I'd assembled, from now on — they were the select few who would lead this endeavour with me.

Anthony was already a target, but he deserved to know the truth about his mother — and knowing him, he wouldn't sit still with the knowledge that Skeleton assassinated her and drove her to insanity.

Belle had mutations linked to plants, theoretically we could use that to study the flowers Soul Killer, but beyond that — he was a man of morals and standards. He would never let the Uncaged walk over this city — not after all he'd seen.

But… I didn't know how to bring up Sabrina to him, to ruin the memories of a friend he held dearly. But Kim Liyung was a lost soul, Ghostblade, I didn't care what would happen to her, but she needed to find her sister to save Sabrina's nephew. With the Bladedaughter in captivity of Skeleton, that made him her enemy. And she was among our deadliest fighter, as a Dual Adapter.

But if there was one individual I had to call our 'Queen' in this gambit of chess, it was Archangel. Alisha Noori. NeoCore Enforcer, Tusk would be using her to keep information on me, to always have an eye… I knew she had bad faith in the man, that her disabilities were leaving her behind — but I was her best bet at changing that. NeoCore were not our allies, not until we could affirm their true motives, and she would be instrumental in piecing that puzzle.

Choirmen, then, was mostly a familiar face to me. He had things to lose, but he chose to come here on his own will, a man who wanted the right city for his children. To give the future they deserved, and so many others who had been ruined by this city deserved just as much — we needed him to remind us of why this was necessary. Hate would not win this war…

But vengeance would drive it.

Alex had long seen the police ignore The Uncaged's activities, and now she paid the price for it as a widow. I couldn't yet call her stable, but within the police she was always known for being dependable — a tough leader with experience I lacked. I might be organizing this squad, but her motivation would continue to lead us to progress.

Trixie, however, wasn't much in terms of personal vendettas, she stayed away from direct conflict. But I knew she was also determined to find a way to eliminate skeleton, if only for the intellectual exercise.

But Dr. Moira was very much an enemy to Soul Killer, one who pledged their life into curing their infestation. She proved a good heart, a rarity among the people. As a geneticist, she'd work alongside Trixie to develop our Soul Anchors.

Immunization was a must for Soul Killer, and for Skeleton… it was a war of planning and knowledge.

Twilight had to be our information expert, while I couldn't trust her entirely, she was the most reliable Delver we would ever find save for Mirage. She was born a tool of The Dogwhistler, and would turn against her former master if needed. She was one key to the abyss of the Net, but for the real criminal access…

Dryder very much had to be our link to the Underworld. Alcoholic he was, no one had experience like him in combatting The Revenant, he had the skills and the motivation to do things the rest of them would never try. He was our shadow, and with him, I could get in touch with other… less savory allies.

The Crimson Heart, former Nexus of Soul Killer.

Diamante, The Iron Devil. A man who once knew Skeleton as Mikail Almajali.

Emizren 'Missy' Silvha. A Founderborn, a former NeoCore Inquisitor who was likely the missing link behind so many mysteries.

Maiden, with a known distaste for both Skeleton and The Dogwhistler.

Quartz, who was last seen with Crimson Souls and needed Soul Killer dead to achieve his goals… but without his brother, I didn't know if he would remain an ally.

I'd even need to consider the other gangs, Metal Heavens were a no go, they relied too much on The Dogwhistler and Skeleton. Los Diablos were a relatively unknown factor, but more digging could prove bad blood I could manipulate. And it seemed like the Crimson Queen would join hands with the Heart, so The Souls were our most forward, and mysterious compatriots in this scheme. And the remnants of Muramasa, they'd all join hands with Skeleton as long as he had The Bladedaughter held captive, but I wasn't sure the other living royals would be so easy to convince… and The Bladedaughter was a Dual Adapter possessing a greater potential than even her father.

I had to remove her from Skeleton's hold, one way or another.

As for Ripley Donovick and Starlight… I'd need to discuss them later with Twilight. For now, I had to set the stage for my squad, to reveal secrets they would carry to the grave. I knew from the moment I invited them here, this was a death sentence, and where we were going — there would many flowers eager to bloom on their decay.

"The first thing I want to make clear, is our likely involvement with Crimson Souls… for multiple reasons." I met Anthony's gaze. "The one I'll speak first on is the story of Juliet Grazhe and the current state of Anabelle Grazhe. She's alive…"

Ah, right, we would have one more ally. An ally only Dryder and Moira would know about. Lilian Rose. That dark twisted self of mine eager for the torn flesh of The Revenant — she would be the monster while Silvereye played hero.

I was done holding back… I was going to win this war.

———

By the time the meeting was over, it was noon. Their reactions were… shocked, and accepting of the duties I'd issued them, each had to play their parts for us to claim victory over The Uncaged. And I'd told them plenty, and we'd discussed what Ripley had given us. Their story of formation, of Missy, Kensuke Muramasa, and… his grandfather. Alberich Gravas, the Hammermsith.

It also seemed to say that Captain Ishram Krishav was a potential ally, albeit, one tied up in the strings of politics and a much needed recovery after being beheaded by The Bladefather. Such injuries were not fatal to Evolved humans, and they were exactly the kind of enemies we were up against.

Entities warring over for control over the Shards of The Source. The Uncaged.

I made sure they knew what was at stake. An upcoming battle against a MALtitan, maybe even two, it made my prior conference speech all the more meaningful. Archangel was the most terrified of them, her last battle against a MAL left her in her current, pitiful, state, and it seemed to be exactly what she needed to get her onboard.

As for the others, the growing list of crimes comitted by The Uncaged had more than enough to get them to do something. Anthony was still in quiet disbelief about his mother, his father likewise, but they deserved to know. I told him we could talk later once he had some time to rest, and he seemed to recognize that.

…it made me remember that conversation back before the auction. Back when I should have taken that kiss when things were simpler, but then again, it wasn't. I was just blind to the deep-rooted calamity at bay. Now, I was definitely too… lost for simple pleasures like that.

I groaned in my car once the others dispersed, my head aching and my eyes needing some sleep. Twilight was with me, I guess she was technically homeless now and liked my tablet enough to move in… so it looks like I had a roommate.

Ripley's ex-girlfriend. Great.

"Diana…" Her voice came quietly. "There's something I didn't share with the others, um… Ripley's message for you."

"A message?" I lifted my head off the steering wheel.

She flashed it up.

For Diana's eyes only!

So, uh… remember when I said The Infinite could take human form? I was not kidding! It's wild, I know, but tl;dr of it, Bladefather connected to my mind through psychic schizo Implant shit to give me some words of wisdom about his past. He was batshit insane throughout it… but the last memory I saw was… especially unnerving.

The Sin was there, he's this weird lack of reality itself. And there was a woman too, the date was a few hours before you got to The Toxin Club, and she was… changing. Infinitely. I don't know what that means or where she… it… is right now, but you should know. Just don't do anything I wouldn't do, Silvereye.

And don't do anything I would either.

Ripley Donovick

P.S I think there's a secret about you that you don't know yet btw? Ask your dad about your biological mother, and if he evades that question… mention The Founder Gene.

P.P.S Nothing to worry about, but The Sin, the whole reason he met with The Bladefather was that… he actually wanted to talk to me? I think that's how The Bladefather knew he would die. But, The Sin said something weird. He sad how the next time I meet him will be when Blood clashes with Steel, and I would deliver him The Eclipse.

Reading the message, it made me almost want to call him right back, but the final words held me from doing so. The Sin still had plans for Ripley, and I couldn't let that happen… I needed him away from all this. Twilight would still keep watch on him and Star.

But the question remained…

"Twilight?" The words that came off my lips next seemed… dangerous. "What is The Eclipse?"

"It's uhhh… this old myth since the dawn of the SecondNet, uh… kinda like…" She faltered, her gaze more than a little concerned before her hesitation turned into a blurt. "It's basically the end of the world."

———

2:44 PM Ripley

I'd stayed up several days working on Anthony's cure, so when I woke up to knocking on my apartment door, I was a little annoyed. I had plans to work on Starlight's project today, as well as cook some stuff for my mom and Elsa, but then I saw on the cameras… who was outside my door.

I thought it would be a neighbour, but it was someone who should have never set foot anywhere close to here. With a mental pulse, my replacement arms dropped and drones lifted up two combat-ready arms from my cupboard which fixed into their sockets. And I grabbed the Dreadwire mask there as well, condensing it down into a plate and slapping it onto my frame — ready to go at a moment's notice.

Looking back at my mother, I decreased her sedation in preparation for the worst. Then I opened the door, looking right into that smiling steel skull and two orbital cavities with unnerving red lights. He even had a Santa hat on his head like in those movies I watched with Elsa. He spoke, his voice lacking any sort of care in it at all. "Happy holidays, Ripley Donovick!"

"What the fuck are you doing here, Skeleton?!"

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