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By the time that you and the others arrived back at the bunker, you were confronted with the possibility that you had somehow arrived at the wrong address. There was no longer an abandoned factory above the secret hideout. There was only a giant, smoldering, gaping hole where everyone was pushed up against the walls. They appeared to be cowering before a costumed individual with energy pulsing out of his hands. His suit was green with yellow slashes dancing across the fabric. A golden light flickered along the contours of his mask as he turned to address you. His eyes reminded you a bit of Slip’s, but instead of being serpentine, the lenses were noticeably fractured, making them appear to be lightning bolts.
As quickly as he turned to face you, he turned away and continued to stare at nothing in particular. Sitting at his feet was a pile of ash and what you could only describe as a giant wand. You remembered that Owen guy holding it. Was <span class="mu-i">he</span> that pile of ash!?
Feeling a bit of panic setting in, you decided to take stock of everyone here. And to your surprise, the numbers almost matched up exactly. Whoever this guy had been, he wasn’t killing indiscriminately. Saya and Silvermane were safe, and so were the maggia men that you’d befriended over the past week. Hell, they even managed to spare Halfstep and Foxhole! Although, his legs were missing. Apparently, that last strip search confirmed that he had been wearing weaponized prosthetics this entire time. His legs had been amputated just below the shins.
What caught you off guard was the fact that a new member had been added to their ranks. A young, slender Hispanic guy that was currently lying unconscious on the ground. He had shoulder length brown hair that was tied into a ponytail, and was now wearing a torn t-shirt that seemed a few sizes too big, and a pair of black dress pants. He had no shoes.
Either this was a poorly dressed assassin, or you were looking at the true form of “Slip”.
Silvermane noticed you then, and he gave you a meaningful glare as he looked between you and the glowing individual in the middle of the room. You nodded and crept closer, slowly putting the pieces of the puzzle together in your head. This guy must’ve dusted Max and Owen and taken the suit for himself. You’d have to settle this in a way that didn’t endanger the lives of everyone in this room.
When your team moved to surround the attacker, his head lifted and turned slightly in your direction.
<span class="mu-g">“Spider? Is that you?”</span> he said in a warbling voice, crackling with energy. It sounded somewhat familiar, but you just couldn't place it.
<span class="mu-g">“That’s close enough. I wouldn’t recommend touching me right now. Didn’t turn out so well for Owen, here.”</span> he continued, absently glancing at the pile of blackened ash and the smoldering hi-tech wand.
(Cont.)
