Active Measures (Ares #4)

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"Our plan is working, sir. I'm afraid I didn't get a change to catch your name in the lobby" a man dressed in a slick black suit exclaims. "Call me General Roarke. I've specialised in hunting these creatures for decades, it was only suitable they called me in for the first sighting in fifteen years" he explains. "And what creatures would those be, General?" The man asks. Roarke looks over at the man, and places a hand on his shoulder. "That's a need-to-know basis soldier, get back to work, keep following the android, note down anything out of the ordinary" he explains, as he slaps the soldier on the back. "Are they Kaimen, General?" The General's face drops, as he pulls out a small pistol, and points it at the soldier. "Now, how do you know about that name? Answer me!" Roarke screams, placing the pistol against the soldier's temple, who stays silent. "That's what I thought. Don't you ever mention that name again!" Roarke shouts. "GENERAL!" A voice from behind shouts, "STAND DOWN IMMEDIATELY!" Roarke lowers his gun, and slots it back in his holster, before walking up a set of stairs, and entering a meeting room. "Are you insane?! Are you trying to blow this whole operation up?!" A man shouts. "Forgive me, Commander. I got ahead of myself when he mentioned the creatures" Roarke explains. "I understand, but you must keep your temper in check if we are to expose these creatures" the Commander explains, before showing a blackboard marked 'EVIDENCE', filled with pictures of Skylar, April, Yuso, Corvus, Ziis, and even Ares. "We have to end this, soon. This is getting out of hand. These Kaimen are running rampant, and the divine ones? Corvus and Ziis? We have no idea what they are so far" the Commander explains. "Annihilator, and Angel" Roarke replies. The Commander quickly writes down the words 'Annihilator' and 'Angel' next to their names. "Our plan is working. We are getting all the information we need to bring them down from the inside out, Commander" Roarke continues. The Commander nods slightly and smiles, "what's our next move then, General?" He asks. Roarke stands up, and walks in front of the board, writing out in big text. "Project Athena. It's our only way out of this" he explains. "We have to kill the remainder of the Kaimen, and wipe out their pitiful race forever!" Roarke shouts. "Athena? The Greek God that killed Ares, the God of War? That's a fitting name for a person who hasn't been sighted in the past decade and a half, Roarke! You don't seriously think he's still alive?" The Commander says, laughing. "I'm sure of it Commander. Ares is still alive, and I will find him, even if it kills me" Roarke mutters, before walking out of the room, slamming the door behind him. "One day you will take me seriously. I'll prove he is still alive, and I will bring you his head. April is his daughter? And Krystal, the mother? Well, I guess I know where my plan starts!" He shouts, slamming a cup into the wall. As he sits down in his chair, a calm breeze rolls through the room, and once again, the mysterious caped man with the silver aura appears. "You..it's you.. but why are you here?" Roarke asks. "Leave them alone. You do not belong here. Do not push your luck, or I will come for you" an echoing voice responds. "You heard about the recent massive power increase that happened around this area lately? That's why you're here, isn't it?" Roarke asks. The figure stays silent. "It felt almost like divine power, and it was April, wasn't it?" He continues. The figure turns towards Roarke and shows a slight glimpse of a silver eye, before instantaneously moving in front of him. "Don't overstep your limits. Stay away from them. You'll regret it" and as the figure finishes his sentence, Roarke feels a strike hit his stomach with intense strength. "But how? You didn't even move!" Roarke moans with a strain in his voice. "You want to talk divinity? That was just a taste of it. You know nothing. The Kaimen are at such an advanced level, so much higher than you. You are nothing compared to us" the figure says calmly. "Us?" Roarke asks. The figure stares Roarke in the eyes. "You're one of them, aren't you?" He says. "You have no idea. The things I have seen. The people I have met. The people I have lost" the figure explains. "Like Skylar? And Krystal?" Roarke asks. "I know who you are!" The figure walks towards Roarke, and grabs him by the throat. "You do not know me! OR ANYTHING ABOUT ME!" The figure screams, as a loud bang interrupts his anger. Roarke fires his pistol, and hits the figure in the stomach, causing him to recoil in pain. The figure laughs, whilst hiding his strain. "You're a quick thinker, good shot. This is not over" the figure says, before quickly disappearing.