Here you go guys! Let me know if there are any mistakes or plot holes that need fixing! Other than that, enjoy XD

Chapter 8

Application of Fear

Marneus watches as the DBS Contraption works on Bazz. Every now and then a grunt or growl can be heard escaping Bazz’s lips. Fenris sits next to Marneus and whines every now and then, constantly watching his new master as he gets surgically enhanced.

“What is his tolerance for pain Marneus?” Doc asks him softly coming towards him.

“I have no idea. Going strictly off of his reaction to the surgery so far I’d say that it is either absurdly high or he knows how to deal with the pain far better than any normal person can.” Marneus replies softly. “Has he lapsed into unconsciousness yet?”

Doc looks down at the device in her hands and presses a few keys. Sifting through the data being poured into the device, she spots the information she needs and widens it on the screen.

“I would say—”

“I can… still… hear… you.” Bazz says weakly.

A cold atmosphere slowly permeates the surroundings. Both of them stiffen and look over at the DBS Contraption.

“If you… could… be… so kind. Shut… up. Hard to…concentrate.” He continues.

The two of them look at each other simultaneously and move a good meter and a half away from him. Fenris stays where he is, seeming oblivious to the icy atmosphere surrounding Bazz.

The hours pass as the surgery continues and the icy atmosphere dissipates and recovers on a loop, eventually lasting longer and stronger in force. A saw starts up and is slowly brought towards the head, aimed along the sagittal suture. Doc looks at the device to see his brain waves, swiping and touching the screen to alter the pathway of certain arms to make sure nothing gets damaged.

Marneus cringes at every scrape, slurp, and sticky sound that comes from the mass of machines hovering over the table, and eventually leaves the room to alleviate his ears.

--------------------

12 hours later…

~Well this is fun~ Bazz thinks looking through the window at the ceiling.

He lays in a pod-like structure filled with a sappy fluid breathing through a face mask (best pod looking thing I could find that fits is http://th05.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2011/331/0/1/mass_effect_2__collector_pod___model_reference__by_troodon80-d4hgbp8.jpg). His limbs no longer respond to him at the moment so all he can do is stair at a nice plain ceiling. Marneus and Doc went off to another room to talk about his recovery process and the next steps in the evolution.

“The pod is designed to stimulate your cells to recover quicker as well as facilitate the new implants in the body.” Doc had said as she closes the pod.

Looking back through his memory, he remembers the pages that had appeared in front of his eyes at the end of the surgery.

You have been implanted with the Iron Heart, a Chia Lining, and the Mansya Lining

Mission has updated!

Human EvolutionDifficulty: CDescription:Requirements:How many people have the privilege of becoming the forefather of a new species? Not many, because human genetics are a bitch. In any event, to become the best new thing the human species can offer can either be extremely painful or immensely exhilarating. Time to find out which.

• First implants have been accepted by host. Waiting to acclimatize to host body.

Must be a Human

Mission Rewards:

Unlocked Species

???

???

Skill Level:Skill Experience:Skill Level:Skill Experience:[/tr]AuraBasic542%It is very uncommon when someone manages to manifest their will through their mind and body. For those who are able to do it are a terror to their enemies and a savior to their friends.

All surroundings within 6 meters= Penalty bonus applied to Health, Stamina, and Damage Reduction

Bonus Applied= +7%

(Optional)Pressure Exertion= 10%

-13 Psi / Sec

{Sustained}

Bazz looks hazily through the window in the pod, wondering when the recovery process will end.

Whisper from Elena Indie has been initiated

she asks.

He says.

She replies with a squeal of delight.

~Oh boy~

she asks curiously.

he asks

she explains.

he asks.

he says.

she asks in a hopeful tone.

he replies after some thought.

she says as a final note.

Chat has ended

His eyebrows furrow a bit.

~Really?! Is this going to become a habit of hers?!~

~Ah well, I just need to wait until everything settles for the time being. Can’t really do anything else in the meantime~ He thinks and dozes off to sleep.

--------------------

16 hours later…

TING!

Acclimatization Successful!

Iron Heart, Chia Lining, Mansya Lining gives the following benefits to the body:

• Increased health and stamina regeneration

• Satiety decreases slower

• High resistance to poison and diseases

• Better breathing in low oxygen environments

• Acute Senses skill

Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Acute SensesStatic--Your senses are increased for better effectiveness. Almost to the point of being paranormal!

Senses are able to perceive 2x the range they normally can with greater clarity.

{Passive}

You are the first to gain a static skill

+100 Fame

~Finally!~

Bazz starts moving around in the pod, as if trying to find a way to get out.

Thud…thud…

Vibrations echo through the tank as he tries to get out. Not knowing where they come from, he stops to listen.

Thud…thud…thud…

Crrreeeeeaaakkkkkkkk…

His eyes shut tightly at what it could possibly be, and tries desperately to focus on a single thing in his mind to dull out the other senses as he sets up mental barriers.

“Well look who finally woke up! Welcome back to the land of the living son!” A deep voice speaks uncharacteristically loud.

The sounds are ringing in his ears as he tries desperately to filter all the noises in his eardrums. Hands drop down into the sappy liquid and hoist him out of the pod, into a blinding lighted room.

His leg muscles slightly tense as he stands next to the pod. Sappy juices slide down his naked body as the light shines down on him from different angles. A moment later, water hits him from all sides washing off the excess sap.

As the wash finishes, he stands there in the limelight eyes still shut tightly and trying to focus on a single point in his mind.

“What the hell are—” a woman’s voice rings out before his efforts succeed and all senses are dulled.

He searches through his memories frantically for a way to dull the momentary pain. He finds one and remembers how he went through the recovery of senses.

He breathes in deeply the smells of his surroundings, trying to use his controlled breathing to stymie the pain. Sweet lavender wafts into his nose, accompanied by a sterile air filled with earthy hues. Sweet and bitter, the ways of nature running its course.

He starts listening in his surroundings. The wisp of air begins curling around him, blowing the scents all around him in a swirling vortex.

Three figures are obstructing the wind, leaving behind an indelible mark on the world. The biggest one, a slight stench oil, gunmetal, and smoke, stymies the small hint of metallic blood. The average one, sterile and clean with a hint of something bitter. A trace of the chemicals being used on a daily basis corrupts this one’s atmosphere. And the smallest of the three, laying on the ground but ever so faintly the vibrations of its heartbeat echo through the earth. Its musky scent overlaps with the other two, slightly changing the gust’s atmosphere.

He slowly opens his eyes, perceiving the world as it should be. A multitude of colors with earthly hues and the ever-so-present starkness of off-white flooring. The sleek tiles of sterile white layer the floor and ceiling, casting its request to have something plaster a color onto them.

“How do you feel boy?” the deep voice says quietly, coming from the man.

Bazz, looking at the ground, takes a moment to collect his senses individually and wrap them together forming a cohesive whole.

“I feel… revitalized.” He says softly looking up at the two. “What exactly did you do to me?”

Marneus and Doc look at each other simultaneously.

“Well the Chia Lining adds an episerosal layer that secretes—”

“Doc, whatever explanation you give him will probably be way out of the ballpark of what he is asking. Let me explain.” Marneus says interrupting Doc.

Her brows shoot up in shock and then quickly furrows as she pouts at his interruption.

“I’m going to relate this to car terms. The Iron Heart can basically be said to be the equivalent to adding a supercharger to an engine. It gives your heart and blood stream that extra push while also secreting a serum that will change the lymphatic system over time.

The Chia Lining can basically be equated to rewiring and fortifying a car’s electrical system for better retention of energy and better responsiveness. It adds an additional lining to all of the organs and glands of the endocrine and nervous systems.

And lastly, the Mansya Lining basically acts as a massive filter for better efficiency and to make sure all the parts are working properly. It supplies a lining along the outside of the organs and glands of the immune, digestive, and respiratory systems.

Does that make sense boy?”

Bazz looks at the two of them passively. He looks down slowly and raises his hand to his face and clenches it.

“So when do we get started testing this new body of mine?” he says lowering his fist and looks up at them.

--------------------

3 days later…

THWACK!!...

“Monsieur you are too much for me!” Jacque exclaims from the floor.

Bazz leans over and offers a hand to help him up.

The two of them are sparing in a boxing ring inside the gym of the research institute. Bazz and Jacque have been at it for hours ever since Bazz received the green light to try physical training from Doc.

Doc and Marneus are sitting down on a bench a couple meters away from the ring. The four of them aren’t the only ones making use of the gym at the moment. The same people that Bazz immobilized a couple days before can be seen pumping weights and whacking on a punching bag.

“He’s doing very well for his recovery and integration.” Doc says looking down at the device in her hands. “I wonder what else he will be able to do once he gets the remaining treatments’.”

“Let’s take things one step at a time now Doc. I don’t want to be rushing things just for personal satisfaction.” Marneus states watching the two in the ring. “Although, I’m very interested in that style of his.”

Bazz walks over to the edge of the ring and picks up a bottle of water. Draining it, he sits down and rests his arms on the rope.

“I’m gonna have to leave in a moment to check on things in my dimension.” He says looking over at Marneus.

“Alright, just don’t take too long now.” Marneus replies with a nod.

Bazz slips through the net and walks over to a chair leaning against a wall. He sits down and leans his head against the wall before saying softly, “Exit Neos.”

--------------------

Bazz opens his eyes and slowly opens the capsule. Looking over at the clock he notices that it’s 8pm.

~Wow. I might get time lagged if I’m not careful~

He swings his legs over the side of the capsule and walks over to the door. Opening the door, he walks down the hallway and into the kitchen to see the fridge door wide open with a shapely butt sticking out.

“Ah, you’re up are you?” Lirin’s voice sounds out from the open fridge.

“Yeah,” He replies leaning over the counter.

She leans back out of the fridge carrying a jug of milk in one hand and a carton of eggs in the other.

“I was thinking of having breakfast for dinner!” She says with a twinkle in her eyes.

GROWL…

Bazz looks down at his stomach and sighs.

“Great, because I’m starving too. I’ll grab the bacon.”

30 minutes later…

“Alright, I’m headed back into the game!” Bazz says enthusiastically after putting away his dishes.

He starts walking down the hallway when,

“What’s so fun about that game anyway?” Lirin asks curiously from behind.

He turns to her and thinks for a moment.

“It’s like being freed from the constraints of reality. You can do whatever you want and nothing is held against you.” He states happily. “I’m starting to wonder if this might be a way to get the Misfits back together. They would be elated to have this amount of freedom!”

“Speaking of Misfits, the anniversary is next Saturday so make some time to visit him.” She states softly.

His eyes soften and his face relaxes before saying,

“You know I always do Liri. I always do.”

He turns and heads back into his room, looking forward to what else might happen along his road.

Bazz awakes back in his game body. Taking in all of the scenery and scents that he could before he would need to go into hardware mode.

--------------------

He looks around and notices that no one was currently in the gym. He gets up from his chair and heads to the stairwell.

10 minutes later, he walks into a lab room. Marneus seems to be playing with Fenris as Doc sits on a stool nearby looking at her device scanning for more information.

“Where did Jacque go?” he asks looking at Marneus.

Marneus looks over at him and sighs.

“He was recalled to the Principae. It seems your acts with the council have come to a close and they have called the inner circle.” Marneus states heavily. “A call came in a little while after you left saying that they will be in within a couple days.”

Doc looks up at this revelation.

“Far be it from me to understand the intrigues of politics. Well Mr. Bazz, is there anything you want to do in the meantime? Your physical testing is pretty much finished so I don’t see much use there is to stay here.” Doc says with a smile.

Bazz thinks for a moment and starts tapping a tune on his leg. His expression brightens before saying,

“Why don’t you teach me about the human body Doc?”

Doc perks up and a massive smile reaches her face.

“Ah hell. Out of all the responses you could’ve said, you had to go and say that one…” Marneus gripes.

“Hey don’t downplay my teaching skills! I would have to ascertain how much he knows first and then continue from there.” Doc scolds.

“Ah well, it’ll be a good distraction for the time being. Just until the council calls for him Doc, no more than that.” Marneus says with a sigh.

Bazz just stares at the two, and then looks down at Fenris.

“Well, let’s get started!” Doc says pulling out a massive book from a cupboard.

--------------------

2 days later…

BRING…BRING…

Marneus takes his PDA out and looks at the caller.

He swipes it and answers,

“Hello this is Papa Bear how can I help you?”

“Everything is set Marneus. Please bring Mr. Bazz to the Principae.” Luciano’s voice rings out.

Marneus sighs heavily before saying,

“Very well.”

Clear exhaustion starts showing on his face as he drops the call.

“Princess!” He yells across the room.

Bazz turns around, along with two other pairs of eyes, from the other side of the lab room.

“The council is convened.” Marneus states simply.

“Well let’s get to it! Time’s wasting!” Bazz states cheerfully.

--------------------

30 minutes later…

~It’s been a while since I was last here~ Bazz thinks as he looks up at the main doors leading into the Principae.

The sunlight shines overhead as the heat of the day reaches the midpoint. Marneus, Bazz, Jacque, and Fenris, stand in front of the doors waiting for a moment before going in. Marneus and Jacque are talking in hushed tones on the side, periodically will they glance at Fenris.

~I wish they would stop that~

Bazz pushes open the door and heads on in. The council chambers are sparsely filled with people as they sit in groups discussing what will be happening today in hushed tones.

“Ah, you’re here! Good, you are earlier than the rest of the council and the inner circle should be here within the hour.” A female voice says from behind me.

Bazz turns around to see Councilor Vaina standing behind him with a bright expression on her face.

“Anything I should know before they get here?” He asks quietly.

“Nothing much really, other than interrogation I don’t think there should be a problem with your methods…however that depends on what your methods are.” She responds tentatively.

“Don’t worry about my methods. Just worry about what might happen to the councilors if they become…unwell.” Bazz says coldly and walks towards the platform. Fenris proceeds to follow him onto the stage.

Vaina pauses at this revelation and turns towards Marneus.

“What’s the problem here Commander?” she asks.

Marneus and Jacque turn to her with looks of apprehension.

“Nothing, nothing, don’t worry about it Councilor Vaina.” Marneus tries to say smoothly.

“You are starting to worry me with avoiding the issue Marneus!” she growls.

“What issue? I don’t know of any issue that needs to be avoided.” He says looking away guiltily.

Her brow furrows and she clenches her fists at her side.

(Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned?)

She turns to Jacque with a fake smile on her face and says,

“And what is the issue that needs to be addressed Jacque? Nothing life threatening I hope?”

Jacque nearly jumps out of his skin and directly starts pleading with her.

“We were just wondering how the rest of the council will react to—”

“SOMEONE KILL THIS BEAST!!” Luciana’s voice rings out in terror from the opposite end of the chambers.

All three of them turn around at the disturbance.

Primarch Luciana is standing with a group of councilors pointing at the two on stage. Bazz just stares at him while Fenris looks up at his master with a look of ‘what’d I do?’

“Jacque! Marneus! Don’t just stand there, kill the beast!” Luciana shrieks.

Marneus gives him a quizzical look and moves into the room. Vaina and Jacque follow closely behind.

“And why should I do that? Can’t you see that it’s docile?” Marneus states curtly.

Luciana becomes appalled at this and starts to point at Jacque.

“Jacque take—”

“I hope you aren’t insulting my family Primarch Luciana.” Bazz interrupts coldly.

Luciana freezes at the open ended statement. The rest of the room likewise pauses their conversations to watch the scene before them. Bazz glares at him with his piercing grey eyes, his right hand moving towards pack.

The minutes pass by as he stares down at the group. Luciana clears his throat before saying,

“Docile is it?” sweat clearly showing on his forehead. A fake smile stretches across his face as he tries to rectify his earlier statements.

“Fenris is my pet Mr. Luciana. Do you have anything to say in regards to that?” Bazz continues with an icy glare.

Luciana visibly shivers and decides to hold his tongue before something else happens.

“No, I have nothing to say.” Luciana concedes.

The group he is with dissipates and moves to their respective seats in the bleachers.

“Alright. It is time we convened. Everyone take your seats please!” Vaina calls out.

Jacque and Marneus find a seat next to the door and Bazz decides to stay where he is.

“If I may, what is the reason for this podium?” Bazz asks the surrounding council.

“It’s there for aesthetic reasons Mr. Bazz, nothing more.” Vaina responds from the front row.

“Ah. Doesn’t seem very practical to me. May I move it off the platform for now?”

“…I don’t see why not.” She replies.

Bazz starts moving the podium off the stage. As he sets it on the ground, the main doors open.

Five individuals walk in, three men and two women each wearing a putrid green uniform with pockets covering them. Each uniform had its own set of insignia designating which part of the precinct they inhabit. They come in with a star formation, one man in the front, two women behind him, and a single man following behind a little to the center.

“We come before the Agora council, what do you require of us?” The leader announces with a cocky grin.

Bazz scans the leader from head to toe, profiling him off of what his behavior and way of dress dictates.

An arrogant slightly older man who thinks he can get away with anything with no regards for the consequences. Standing at 5’11”, his gait suggests that he favors his left leg slightly, possibly from a past injury. Charming looks with a suggestive glint in his eyes. A slightly crooked nose goes to show a past wound to the face that never exactly healed properly.

The two women were average in his perception. Each held their own in a way that showed they were used to having others follow orders. A subtle stern glint in their eyes show that they are always watching their surroundings for an immediate attack or possible exit plan if things go south.

The two men in the back are curious, always looking around; one lets his gaze wander the interior of the building, the other stares straight ahead. The one who is currently looking around the building seemed kind of young to be inside the inner circle of the police force. He had a buzz cut with light green eyes and a small scar running across his cheek from his ear. The one who is staring straight ahead had a bald shiny head with stern features, not just in the blue eyes but in the demeanor.

“We require you to st—”

“If you could, please join me on stage.” Bazz interrupts Luciana.

The officers become puzzled at his appearance not sure of what to make of it.

“Who the hell is this guy?” the leader asks aloud.

“He is the representative for the Spacers. So please oblige him and go on the stage.” Vaina answers.

The quintet becomes even more confused, not knowing what to make of this. Bazz watches as the quintet walks towards the stage from the door.

The soft patter of boots on tile sound out across the room. However, Bazz notices something peculiar, but can’t place where it comes from.

The quintet walks on stage and proceeds to stand in a line completely dissecting the stage in half. Bazz takes this moment to close his eyes and take a breath in, tasting the scents of the people before him.

A flush crisp scent of ozone and burnt tire rubber wafts up to greet him. Mixed in with the scents is the faint smell of perfume and alcohol. Not cheap alcohol mind you but the expensive kind. Liquor that had the faint sense of a crisp Scotch, 100 years old and a smoky aroma to permeate it. Overlapping the smells was the fresh scent of laundry detergent, as if they had freshly washed the uniforms for just this moment.

Bazz then focus’s in on his ears for the slight fluctuations of their posture. The leader indeed favored his left because he would constantly fidget while up on the stage. The two women would sometimes shift from one foot to the other, letting a clink of rough change shuffle around in their breast pocket.

The last two are indeed curious. The young man was standing at some sort of attention, no fidgeting or movements can be heard except for the slight ticking that resonates out from his back pant pocket. The silent one continued to remain so. No movements, no ticking, no fidgeting; it was like he was aiming to be a ghost.

Bazz opens his eyes starts looking each of them up and down, noting their discrepancies.

“Ummm, anything gonna happen or can we leave because we got shit to do.” The leader says slightly.

Bazz looks towards him, carefully thinking about how he was going to do this.

“What is your name sir?” he asks carefully.

“Colonel James Johnson. I gave you mine now let’s hear yours.” He says with a slight grin tugging on his face.

Bazz looks over at the curious one staring at him, and then periodically at Fenris. It seemed as if he was new to the world and was trying to take in every sensation possible.

Bazz walks over to the lad and asks,

“And what’s your name sir?”

He becomes a bit startled at this, as if he didn’t expect to be asked this.

“My name is Frank Serpico sir, Captain Frank Serpico. If you don’t mind my asking, what is that thing laying down next to you?” He replies with a slight lilt in his voice along with a New York accent.

He points to Fenris laying on the ground. Bazz looks down at Fenris, and then back up at Serpico. He crouches down and starts scratching Fenris behind the ears.

“This, Mr. Serpico, is Fenris. He is a baby Naeri.”

Everyone in the room looks down at Fenris with eyes wide with fear.

“Awh hell, step away from the animal please Spacer, before it kills anyone!” Johnson states pulling out a gun from behind him.

The surrounding area turns cold and icy. Everyone within the aura’s maximum distance becomes affected by it, cringing and trying to get away. The quintet in front of him, shudders for a moment before stiffening. Johnson freezes with his hands still on the gun, eyes going wide and his knuckles turning white from the strain.

“What did you just say, Colonel Johnson?” Bazz asks quietly. Everyone in the room starts shivering at the tone and atmosphere that was just created.

No one moves. Bazz slowly turns his head and stares at Johnson.

Johnson’s face drains of all color at his stare. The look Bazz was giving him could only be simplified as murderous. A stare so icy and cold that just barely meeting his gaze would be detrimental to their health. Bazz starts standing up at the middle aged man, not caring about his surroundings.

Bazz continues to stare at Johnson, his choler clearly not giving way in the chamber.

Johnson continues to stare, trying to maintain a sense of superiority over the Spacer whom he had just met. The rest of the officers were tensing and cringing at the same time, trying to fling off the icy atmosphere. But the more they struggled, the more they came to realize that it wasn’t going away.

The first to drop to the floor was Captain Serpico, swiftly followed by the two women. The aura seemed to become heavier and heavier as the seconds drew on, swiftly pushing down the quintet to the floor. The last one to drop to the floor was Johnson, as if he was trying to give being stubborn a new name.

“Alright I apologize! Please end this!” Johnson cries out.

Bazz looks down at the man on his knees, the gun still in his hand.

“Oh really? You want me to end this? After I am having so much fun keeping you like this, why should I stop? You were ready to end a family member of mine. And so I shall end one of yours.” Bazz states unemotionally and takes the gun from his hand.

The council stiffens at this announcement and only one person is able to ask,

“Is this really necessary Mr. Bazz?” Vaina asks, the fear on her face is palpable to the rest of the world.

The atmosphere warms immediately. Bazz looks over at the audience and Councilor Vaina.

“You said that you wanted me to ferret out information on the corruption of this police organization. Do you know what way I find works best?” Bazz asks.

The officers slowly get up, 3 of them staggering to their feet as if they had lost all sense of balance.

Vaina looks up at Bazz before asking,

“What method would that be?”

Bazz takes a moment to look back over the quintet of policemen hardly on their feet.

“Fear,” Bazz states, “That is my method.”

Vaina pales at this before Luciana decides to ask the obvious question,

“Why fear?”

Bazz looks back at the surrounding audience and then back at the five.

“Fear is a primal feeling. Every living thing in the universe has it and utilizes it at some point in their lives. Fear keeps people in line. Fear, in interrogation, makes all other emotions dulled and you utilize the only remaining resource that is available to you to survive. And what would this resource be ladies and gentlemen?” Bazz asks.

The audience looks at him questioningly, unease still seen in their faces.

“It is information.” Bazz says passively.

He looks deep into their eyes and notices that the bald man had already recovered from the pressure but was leaning on his knees.

“Let me ask you this gentlemen and ladies. What is the first thing one need look for when it comes to interrogation?” Bazz asks to the officers on stage.

Serpico is the first to respond,

“How do you know that we are the ones that are causing the corruption Mr. Spacer?” he asks quizzically.

“Alright let’s set something straight here. I already have an inkling as to the true suspect behind this. Or is it suspects’?” Bazz states looking at the group.

The council becomes shocked at this turn of events.

Johnson looks into Bazz’s eye questioningly.

“Who do you think you are pretty boy?” he asks lowly.

“Come now Mr. Johnson! Is that all you have to say towards me? ‘Who do you think you are pretty boy?’ I pretty much figured it out as soon as you walked into this room!” Bazz mocks.

A thick vein pops out on Johnson’s forehead and he clenches his fists held at his side.

“Then tell me, how did you know?” Johnson very nearly spits out his words.

“Why should I do that? I don’t have to tell you anything. But, seeing as you are going to either be incarcerated or executed I might as well tell you. It was your body’s disposition.” Bazz states easily.

If a cartoonist could draw this moment, there would be a collective bubble with a question mark above the heads of the council.

“What the fuck is that?” Johnson asks bewildered.

“Your temperament and disposition is vastly arrogant. You swagger in here like you own the place and are quick to anger. More than that you seem to have the faint scent of liquor on you, that much I can tell even from this distance.” Bazz states as he ruffles his hair with a hand. “No police officer should be drinking while on the job and you very much tend to do so judging by the amount of detergent trying to get the stench out. Thus it was easy to figure out that you were the head honcho when it came to the department corruption.”

The remaining officers snap at this and turn their heads towards their C.O. with eyes turned into daggers.

“The other one is, well, did you really think you could fool me? Mr. Ray?” Bazz says turning to the silent one hunched over.

The council chambers become silent. Marneus starts getting up from his chair at this revelation. A low chuckle starts rumbling, from the bald man.

“How did you know Signor Bazz? Was my acting too flawless for you?” The bald man grins slyly. The chuckle still sounding out from him.

“It’s your acting that’s the issue here. How are you supposed to sneak up and impersonate someone when you don’t change the way you walk?” Bazz says smiling. “Plus how can I forget the man that tried to kill me?”

The council chambers freeze with this remark and Fenris finally gets up off his haunches and starts growling. Ray leans over and takes out his contacts, returning them to the pale yellow that they are.

“Ah it’s so good to have an adequate player in the game! We should do this more Signor Bazz!” Ray exclaims. “Sadly, I’m going to have to kill you now that you have found me out.”

“Adrenaline Rush,” Bazz mutters softly, too low for anyone to hear.

No one in the audience knows what to do and just as Ray starts pulling out black bowie knife from a back pocket, a massive hand appears in his face.

“Merda!” he exclaims with surprise.

As he says this, the hand grabs his face and in one flowing motion, violently thrusts it straight into the stage. A sickening crunch followed immediately by a cracking sound rings out in the chambers. The icy atmosphere returns with full force, continually beating down on the surrounding people.

Everyone cringes and widens their eyes at the scene playing out before them. Bazz stands over Ray, his head still in his grasp. Ray struggles to get up for a moment but soon goes limp as he falls unconscious.

Bazz lets go of his face after a moment of taking the knife out of his limp hand. He stands up and looks across the stage at Colonel Johnson.

“Do you wish to try me as well?” he asks coldly.

Johnson’s eyes widen as he stiffens and a cold sweat starts showing on his face. He starts slowly reaching for a pocket behind him before,

“Please refrain from doing that Colonel. We both know it will not end well. Just look at this poor sot on the floor for a suitable example of what happens to those who try anything towards me.” Bazz states softly, his eyes glaring daggers at him.

He stiffens at this and lowers his hands to his side.

“Captain Serpico? Please restrain the Colonel.” Marneus says finally.

The young man looks at him for a moment, before turning to look at Bazz.

“I will endeavor to fix this Mr. Bazz, I swear it. This corruption will not continue.” Serpico says as a final note and takes a pair of stun cuffs from a large pant leg.

“Very well.” Bazz states and leaps off the stage, swiftly followed by Fenris and Marneus.

The councilors watch as they leave. The icy atmosphere evaporates as Bazz walks out the main doors.

--------------------

“Well, I honestly did not expect that.” Vaina states softly as she watches the trio leave.

“Jacque, call a medivac and a repairman. I want this place spotless and fixed before the day is out.” She calls out.

The rest of the council begins to move off into separate corners, all gossiping about what the future will bring, with the Spacers at the fore.

--------------------

“So where are we goin next Marneus?” Bazz asks walking towards the gate.

Marneus looks at him with a slight smile and states,

“Aranov Fire Base, Ailen. Home to the rough and tumble proud marines of the Alliance!” Marneus says with a broad grin.