10-27-2014, 10:51 AM
A wind of slowly whirling smoke pervaded Gamez’s private study. The old man himself, the army Commander–in-chief Juan Regulez and three high ranking officers sucked on heavy cigars, waiting. Damien ignored all five. With the Light secure in his iron fist he stared at the card he flipped over between his fingers.
Mockingbird.
The call-sign was now etched in his memory but still he sought something more in the lifeless paper that had littered the city after another building was destroyed. On the one hand the attack had eased pressure on the American front but Damien was not pleased.
Mexico City was in lockdown but this Mockingbird sowed chaos from inside, undermining everything he worked for. This bird could not be allowed to fly free, and Damien would do whatever it took to see this ended. “What have you uncovered?”
he addressed the room in time.
The pause was enough to confirm his suspicions. “Only what anyone else knows. The Mockingbird is the signature of a serial killer. They have targeted people and places all throughout Europe,”
Juan said. “The targets seem to be picked at random and almost no evidence is left behind besides the Mockingbird symbol.”
A perfect criminal it would seem. Damien did not believe in perfect criminals. He had known a multitude and none came close to perfection. If this Mockingbird thought himself above reproach, Damien would tear them from the sky. “People like this rarely think like rational beings,”
he replied. “We cannot wait for a slip up or a miraculous clue. Neither exist.”
Gamez leaned forward in his recliner and puffed out a ball of smoke. “Well then tell us what you have in mind. Our position is precarious; we need to get this done.”
Damien’s only reaction was to stop twirling the card. He did not even look up. “No, we do not have time,”
he said in a soft voice. “That is why I will leave Monero in your care for the time being. I will see to this Mockingbird.”
“But-“
one of Juan’s senior officers attempted to protest.
Damien brooked no dissention. “Leave me. Now.”
The five filed out without a word, although Gamez put a hand on his shoulder for a brief moment. Alone, Damien could concentrate. He knew Mockingbird and his kind. How they operated, how they thought. This one might be better than their predecessors, but so was Damien. He would not play the Mockingbird’s game and chase after the wind. No. The Mockingbird would come to him.
A smile parted Damien’s lips as he threw the card in his hand. The call-card drifted through the smoke-filled air like a bird drifting amongst the clouds. With a surge of Light, Damien pieced the clouds and the Mockingbird symbol burned, plummeting to the ground in a pile of shrivelled ash.
Mockingbird.
The call-sign was now etched in his memory but still he sought something more in the lifeless paper that had littered the city after another building was destroyed. On the one hand the attack had eased pressure on the American front but Damien was not pleased.
Mexico City was in lockdown but this Mockingbird sowed chaos from inside, undermining everything he worked for. This bird could not be allowed to fly free, and Damien would do whatever it took to see this ended. “What have you uncovered?”
he addressed the room in time.
The pause was enough to confirm his suspicions. “Only what anyone else knows. The Mockingbird is the signature of a serial killer. They have targeted people and places all throughout Europe,”
Juan said. “The targets seem to be picked at random and almost no evidence is left behind besides the Mockingbird symbol.”
A perfect criminal it would seem. Damien did not believe in perfect criminals. He had known a multitude and none came close to perfection. If this Mockingbird thought himself above reproach, Damien would tear them from the sky. “People like this rarely think like rational beings,”
he replied. “We cannot wait for a slip up or a miraculous clue. Neither exist.”
Gamez leaned forward in his recliner and puffed out a ball of smoke. “Well then tell us what you have in mind. Our position is precarious; we need to get this done.”
Damien’s only reaction was to stop twirling the card. He did not even look up. “No, we do not have time,”
he said in a soft voice. “That is why I will leave Monero in your care for the time being. I will see to this Mockingbird.”
“But-“
one of Juan’s senior officers attempted to protest.
Damien brooked no dissention. “Leave me. Now.”
The five filed out without a word, although Gamez put a hand on his shoulder for a brief moment. Alone, Damien could concentrate. He knew Mockingbird and his kind. How they operated, how they thought. This one might be better than their predecessors, but so was Damien. He would not play the Mockingbird’s game and chase after the wind. No. The Mockingbird would come to him.
A smile parted Damien’s lips as he threw the card in his hand. The call-card drifted through the smoke-filled air like a bird drifting amongst the clouds. With a surge of Light, Damien pieced the clouds and the Mockingbird symbol burned, plummeting to the ground in a pile of shrivelled ash.