A Second Chance

Part 39 - JAYSPRAYMAYDAYSLAAYYY!

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Glass crunched under my boots as I stepped forward, looking at what was left of the chips. There were no sparks or faint him. Just scraps of metal and silicon scattered across the floor with the remnants of a life that was gone forever. 

Mark still knelt there, completely motionless. I couldn't tell if it was rage or grief shaking his shoulders... maybe both.

Justin broke the silence first. "We should move. I don't think the rest of his friends will take this well."

"Wait," I said. 

I walked up to Mark. 

"Billy, he was morally grey and maybe his methods worked, but they're not good or healthy. I have evidence to be confident about my way; look at how far we got when we worked together as a team. Now, we have Nightshade with us and this guy." I pointed at Justin. "He's kinda useless, but listen... we've got more allies. Don't forget Mr. Parker and The Swordsman... we've got a team of 6 people!"

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"Please, Mark. Don't get rid of this room. The main room has enough power to deactivate Spartan's core. I can use absorption to do it!"

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"Not by yourself," 

"What?"

"You've got a limit," Mark said coldly. "I'll get Mr. Parker to help. You can supply maybe thirty percent of the charge. Gridlines and I will provide the rest. Together, we'll overload Spartan's core. Without it, he's nothing."

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"Hey, dude?" Justin cut in. "My echolocation says this is inside The Sanction. Isn't that like... inviting a viper into your house?"

"It's risky, but if we take the right precautions, it can work, just like The Purge."

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"I'll start preparations," Mark started walking towards the exit. 

"Why are you helping me?" I asked.

"Don't mistake it," Mark replied. "I'm helping you because my goal is to stop The Vipers. With Billy gone... I guess I have no choice but to work with you."

...

"Well, we got ourselves a new ally," Justin said.

He was smiling like we'd just adopted a stray cat instead of temporarily teaming up with someone who just tried to kill me. 

"Actually, he was an old ally," I replied.

"Damn, that's craaazy!" 

"Yeah, he's the guy I had to get the suit from. Well, I pretty much got it now, so we're good."

Buzz!

I got a text from Mark. 

"I've given you a fair share of money and gave you access back to your apartment. I don't have any use for it anymore and Billy's dead, so since you are a hero and you need some form of headquarters, you can have it back. It's all in your control."

Wait... what? He gave me my apartment back so casually?

"Why?" 

"Like I said, I don't need it and Billy's gone. I have a mansion, and nobody here would need this apartment other than you. So, I am leaving it all to your access. It's out of me needing no use, not me feeling compelled to give it back to you."