Complete

22: D24

"The buyer's alias is Diablo. I couldn't find much about him but I did find this.

(The money and influence needed to take-over Shadow was the foundation of my research.) Searching through accounts and data, I found out that such a big transaction and massive scale of power manipulation existed only one other time. 4 years ago."

Through his Ipad, Bright shared his screen, allowing Mew to view his research through his own tablet.

Turning to Gulf, Mew gave him a brief explanation of what was going on. Not going into details. Too much information would only cause him to drown deeper in the never-ending pool of the underworld. He doesn't deserve to suffer.

After explaining to Gulf, Mew nodded to Bright, signalling him to continue talking.

"That one other time, was the shipment of D24 bullets. D24 stood for 'Death (in less than) 24 (hours)'. The bullet is manufactured with bullet points containing trocar angles (edges with three angles reaching one point) to penetrate flesh more easily. It acts like a full metal jacket bullet when penetrating solid objects such as sheet rock, plywood, sheet metal or glass and still performs its original intent. The bullet shreds through solid objects and only then, expands its energy, reserving the worst for when it hits the target."

Bright taps his Ipad and a video starts playing on Mew's screen.

"This is the 9mm variant in action."

Once the video ended, Bright continued, showing diagrams of the bullet.

"The D24 bullet beared an unmistakeable resemblance to a tool of war banned by the Hague Convention (Hague IV 1907, Article 23E): Flechette rounds. In a 1964 St. Petersburg Times article about the use of flechettes in Vietnam, a U.S. Army officer says of the medical task of treating flechette victims: Don't kid yourself. It is not a job for a surgeon but for graves registration."

Gulf shuddered at those 15 words, making Mew's heart drop. I don't know if he has had any bad experiences with D24, and I won't force Gulf to tell me. Supporting Gulf is my priority.

"Think a shotgun, but nastier. Traditional bullets do most of their damage by transferring kinetic energy in an expanding 'bubble' around the projectile. Flechette rounds are different. They're full of nasty, tiny spikes which pierce the insides of the target (creating holes through skin, muscle, lungs, heart, vital organs, etc.) and pass through the other side."

Sighing, Bright laid back, resting his head against the couch.

Placing an arm over his face, he covered his eyes, continuing.

"96 grains of pure, unadulterated hate. A desire to inflict suffering. Period. One shot one kill."

Sitting up, Mew asked Bright. "Do you know have any information on who orchestrated the shipment of D24?"

Bright sat up, tapping on his Ipad. "Not really, that person is very shrewd, covering his tracks very well. That person has the same coding style as the person who took over Shadow. Both use similar patterns of codes to wipe off any data footprints."

"But you are still able to find something right?"

Bright would never have come to Mew until he found something worth looking into.

Bright smirked, proudly gesturing to Mew's screen.

"Of course! Although it was extremely difficult, from the mode of transport used to ship D24, I was able to find the owner of the transport. Hopefully he can give us some clues."

Glancing at his screen, Mew saw the profile of Park Seo Joon. To say Mew is surprised is an understatement.

In the corporate world, Park Seo Joon is known to be a man of honour and ethics. When he promises someone, he upholds his word. Although he is one of the top 10 richest in Thailand, he is still modest. He never looks down on his staff, making sure that they are treated well. Nonetheless, when someone deceives, betrays or abuses the power they have been entrusted, he is merciless. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Mew had done business with him several times and he is one of the few people Mew respects. They have similar personalities so they get along well, sometimes going out for drinks. Thus, to hear that he is involved in such a transaction is bewildering for Mew.

Peeking at Mew's tablet, Gulf's blood drained. His eyes and mouth were frozen wide open in an expression of stunned surprise.

"That is my brother."