Gadget's New Mission

Ambivalence

"What do you mean? Who are you?"

"I'm Wesley the Jackal, alright? Look, long story short: Mighty stole from my people and they set out a bounty for him, dead or alive... Organizations in the city like ours will do anything to get Mighty turned into us for the $10,000 reward. Shouting his name at several city blocks could've easily been heard by someone who would love to see Mighty in chains! That's why he's trying to pose as Infinite, he doesn't want them to know it's actually him..."

"You know about that?! Do you know of his plan?"

"He has a plan? What plan?! What is he going to do?!"

"I won't tell you... You're part of the Jackal Squad, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am. Oh, okay so that's enough for people to think I'm some punk? That I'm gonna threaten and beat you down? That stereotype is destroying people like me who aren't so different from guys like you! I'd like to fight the good fight, but the people put me down at every opportunity..."

This all feels perplexing... Is he telling the truth? Is he deceiving me? I don't know what to think...

"Look, I don't exactly agree with what my colleagues do. I've changed my ways for a while now, but I can't leave them... These guys won't leave anyone behind and nobody leaves the squad. I have to stay with them... I'm stuck with these guys, and it's killing me..."

... ... ...

"I wish I could've been like you... I would've joined your resistance if I wasn't already a low life who needed money beforehand... I have what it takes to do the right thing, I know it. Instead, I'm wasting that potential with a squad obsessed with anarchy and revolution..."

... ... ...

"Is that proof not good enough for you?"

I see the sincerity in his eyes and I hold out my hand to him. "I'm... sorry to hear that, Wesley... Let's just forget about what I thought about you earlier... What do you say?"

He shakes my hand. This seems a bit precarious for me. If he's truthful, then it might be tough keeping others from judging him harshly. If he's lying, then he's very believable and I'll have to keep my guard up around him. One thing's for sure, he may be my ticket to finding Mighty...

"Let's go back a bit, what is Mighty's 'plan' that you mentioned?"

I hesitate with my words before they come out. "...He's planning on destroying the HQ of the Jackal Squad..."

"What?!" There's a minute of silence before Wesley looks to his side. He seems distraught... "Alright... well, on the one hand, that could help free me, but at the same time, my comrades might not give up so easily once our base of operations is gone... We've been very persistent ever since Infinite had gone away... I don't know if that will make us quit..."

"Did you see where Mighty went? I need to find him, fast!"

"You caught my attention when you were yelling his name. Anything before that, I didn't catch it... So, I don't know..."

"You know where he could've gone?"

"Maybe he could be stealing more stuff from the HQ... That's my best guess..."

"Take me there?"

"I'm sorry, you're the one with the grapple hook."

"Which direction?"

"South. About eight blocks from here."

I ready myself before Wesley stops me.

"I'm coming with you... Mighty is as much of my concern as he is yours. He might be my ticket to freedom... I want you two to help me..."