Greed - The First Sin

Chapter Four- What Lurks

          "How disappointing. To think we had enough time to review our agenda, and there's still not a full table." Eight sat in the head seat, Salazar to his left. The designated time for the meeting had come, and only four others were present. Remnant, Salazar, Arashi, and Gale. They were all pretty nervous about this sudden meeting, Eight had called it out of seemingly nowhere. 

          Salazar's heart rate is slightly raised, but nothing abnormal. Remnant and Gale, however... He looked up at Remnant, staring at the man's mask. They both seem frustrated. He heard Arashi gulp as he twiddled his fingers, there was a strong tension in the room, just what he wanted.

          "Salazar." The man flinched, staring at Eight. Everyone else in the room was glancing between Salazar and Eight, curious about the exchange.

          "Word has it that your asset is out of containment." Eight kept a stoic expression, his eyebrow slightly raised. This had the desired effect as he felt the man's heart rate start accelerating. Panic. He watched as the man's calloused hand reached into his pocket, pulling out a small notebook. 

          "I have my notes on it if you would like to review them." His hands unclasped as he hummed in agreement, holding out his hand. Salazar placed the book in his hand and as he withdrew, looking at the cover. Notes on Asset Three. 

          "There were two others before it?" He glanced upward, the man shaking his head. 

          "Sir, you're misinterpreting this entirely." Eight raised his eyebrows, setting the notebook down. His hands moved to his chin as he stared at Salazar, trying to pick apart the man. 

          "The asset is not out of containment. The parasite is. The asset is in a vegetative state." His mask moved downward as his heart rate slowed. The leader looked around the table, everyone seemingly had the same expression. Shock.

          The room grew silent as Eight processed this information. He nodded slowly, opening the notebook. There were countless drawings, on both the parasite and the asset, with a plethora of notes filling every page.

          "Salazar, I'm not understanding this. You're saying the parasite escaped confinement a decade ago?" Eight continued thumbing through the notebook, a smile forming on his face. All of this information would get them somewhere, and help them achieve their goal.

          "Yes, it did. It killed several people before going into a metamorphosis state for just over 10 years, where its body changed forms." He hummed in understanding, he was already almost done going through the notes. His eyes scanned the pages, moving through every line and absorbing all the information. 

          "I'm assuming it 'emerged' a few days ago? By this lake?" Eight turned the notebook toward Salazar, pointing at a small drawing showing a lake, surrounded by tall trees. Everyone else at the table leaned in, analyzing the drawing. 

          "Yes." Salazar hesitated, before putting his hands on the table. His heart rate once again elevated, Eight felt this difference immediately. 

         "Salazar, you're anxious." The leader's eyes pierced through Salazar's mask, staring straight into his eyes. He noticed the uneasiness of the people around him, and he decided it was time to open up a bit. If he never did, then they would not trust him. All trust is mutual, even to a small degree.

         "And how would you know, Eight?" His voice was quiet, and it faltered. He was fearful of Eight's answer. Perhaps he already had a suspicion of the man's power, or perhaps he was just scared of what may come of the answer.