Renegade Reborn

Part 10

Ren was led to a round room with people bustling in and out and multiple screens mounted on the wood walls. Constantly aware of the buzz of conversation and the sounds of people going about their business in the facility, Ren had restricted his hearing to human levels and shut off his mind-reading, blocking out the majority of the overwhelming symphony.

Seven people in clothing ranging from suits to casual dress to combat wear sat at a long table, speaking quietly and examining papers. The murmur of all conversation in the room stopped abruptly when Ren entered behind Leo Alexander, and all eyes, especially those of the seven, focused on him. Ren waved cheerfully and sat in the chair at the end of the central table. "Proceed," he drawled, waving his hand at the frozen agents all around him.

In a rush, the people about the room sprang into action once again, low whispers hissing around the room. The four men and three women sitting down the table from him scrutinized him carefully, staring at every visible aspect of him and then sending each other those glances that are loaded with hidden meaning. "He is impressive, Leo. You were right," said a middle-aged woman in a suit, glancing at Mr. Alexander. To Ren's surprise, he saw no lust in her gaze. Only simple military evaluation and approval, which was a nice (and welcome) change from the ordinary.

The man at the end of the table stood and cleared his throat. His head and face were clean-shaven, and his BDU was worn and bore a general's insignia. "Thank you for coming, Mr. Malachai," he began.

"Didn't have a choice,"Ren muttered to himself. Oblivious, the general continued. "We are in urgent need of your assistance." The general slid a rather slim folder down the table to Ren, who opened it. "The target of this operation is a group of demons, varied other supernaturals, and humans; we've named them the Forbearers, since we don't even know what they call themselves. Over the last six months, this organization has assassinated multiple world leaders and successfully attacked important government buildings across the globe. As far as we know, they have no ties to any country or organization. They apparently live only for destruction." Ren was subliminally remembering everything the general was saying, but the majority of his attention focused on the folder's contents as he flipped through.

His respect for these Forbearers rose a notch, which gave them a grand total of one point. They had killed governors, mayors, kings, presidents, and supernatural leaders from all over the map and blown up government buildings full of people, all without being detected or even seen. They left a demon face splattered in blood at every site they visited, and that was the only evidence ever found. Alarms were still active, cameras showed nothing unusual, and nothing was tampered with. They were ghosts- appearing invisibly to do their work, then disappearing without a trace.

No wonder that file is so dreadfully empty. The feds have nothing to go on, Ren thought. He looked up, shut the folder, and placed it to the side. "I'll do this," Ren interrupted calmly, cutting off the general. "My debt to COBRA will be paid off, and I'll be doing something worthwhile with my time. But you need to provide me with my materials, as well as some...privileges, seeing as this is a government-backed venture."