A Web of Lies, A Rainbow Six Story

Part 1: Sins of the past

-Pompeii, Italy-

-Alibi POV-

I ride through Pompeii with Six, wondering who this mystery man we've come here for is. One thing is for sure, if Six is visiting him personally, he must be one of the best in the world, even compared to Rainbow. I look around at the beautiful city, once covered in ashes and bodies. This place, like so many others, has a dark history all its own. I turn to Six:

Alibi: "Who exactly are we looking for here Six?"

Six: "A man who does not want to be found, so be ready for anything. He won't want to come of his own choice."

I chuckle softly.

Alibi: "You should have brought Sledge, or Maestro then."

Six gives me a sideways look, a small smile on her lips:

Six: "I chose you to accompany me for a reason, De Luca."

Alibi: "And why is that, ma'am?"

Six looks out the window, deep in thought.

Six: "Because this is not a man you want to use brute force on... unless you have a desire to stop breathing."

I nod, and turn my attention back to the scenery flashing by outside the window. I hadn't realized just how much I had missed the sight of the Italian countryside, until now. We pull into a graveyard, an eerie fog hanging low over the ground, welcoming us with cold arms into the land of the dead. I shiver at the creepiness of it all. Six looks at me seriously:

Six-"No graveyard jokes."

I smile slightly, and nod:

Alibi-"Yes ma'am."

Six gives me a skeptical look, then climbs out of the car, as a heavy rain starts to fall. I hop out after her, and she starts off towards another area of the graveyard. I follow her, eager to see who we've come here for. I see a man kneeling in front of a tombstone, his head bowed, long hair obscuring his face from view. Six approaches him, but stops a fair distance away. Whether from respect, or self-preservation, I don't know. Without looking up, the man speaks in a voice filled with grief and anger:

???: "So. This is all I'm worth now? Two girls, and only one armed?"

Six takes a careful step forward.

Six: "Do you know who I am?"

???: "Yes, I remember you, Six."

Six: "It has been a long time Marco."

Marco stands slowly, and turns to face us. My heart skips a beat at the sight of his face. He's the most beautiful boy I have ever seen. He glances over at me, analyzing me for a moment, then turns his gaze back to Six. I shiver. There is something in his eyes, a sort of cold gleam, like that of a predatory animal. I glance at the tombstone he stands by, and read the inscription engraved into it:

Alessandra, "Piccolo Lupo", Romano. Amata sorella. Amico leale. Preso troppo presto. (Alessandra, "Little Wolf", Romano. Beloved sister. Loyal friend. Taken too soon.)

Six: "I heard what happened. I'm sorry for your loss Marco."

Marco: "No... You're not. You're just sorry that you couldn't find me to ask me this before she died."

Six stays silent for a moment, then pushes on:

Six: "Look, I'm not going to bullshit you. You're far too intelligent for that. Join my team. Come help us stop this from ever happening again. You want redemption? This is how you get it."