Chapter 56 - going back to the hood (Part 12) - going into a dream world and this time we had everything place or maybe not.

I'm lost in a haze, my mind a complete blank. Yet, I sense a presence beside me. Darrel's silhouette is hazy, but I feel his eyes on me. I try to speak, but my voice is trapped in my mind. The silence is deafening, a heavy fog that suffocates me. I'm frozen, unable to move or utter a sound. Darrel's presence is the only thing that feels real, but even he seems distant, a fleeting thought in my dreamlike state.

"Yo, homie! Still grindin' hard on yourself, ain't ya?” Darrel attempted to communicate with me, but I was unable to respond. Frustration swirled inside me - why couldn't I speak?! I had questions for him, but they were trapped in my mind. To my confusion, Frederica, still a 6-year-old girl, appeared beside me. Her words were cryptic:

"You're going to be something soon...I know this sounds scary, but you're not dead yet. We just want to hold your hand...one day...I hope…"

She vanished with a smile, leaving me perplexed. Darrel tried to explain, his words laced with regret:

"I'm hella bummed about this, my bad fam. Sorry to leave you with this hot mess.”

The scene was surreal, with an air of mystery and unfinished business.I shook my head, smilin' at Darrel. He hit me with, "Yo, I'ma lend you this darkness in your hand, fam...just hold it for me for a minute, 'kay? But one day, I'ma come back for it, 'cause it's still mine, feel me? Just bear with it, homie, till it ain't got no use for you no more.”

The darkness remained hazy, leaving me puzzled about what I was holding onto. It felt familiar, yet I couldn't quite place it. Suddenly, Darrel sprang up like a soldier, saluting me with a serious expression.

"Rise up, G! Folks out here need ya...take care of my man Damien, aight? And if ya get lost, I gotcha back, fam…" Darrel…

Just then, Frederica whispered in my ear, "Get up..."

But the voice sounded eerily familiar - was it Nat? Or was it someone else entirely? Sil? No, that wasn't it...who was it?!

The voice was weak, laced with sorrow, and it sent a chill down my spine. What the hell was going on?!

Then, a louder, more urgent voice cut through the confusion: "Get up!!”

When I open my eyes, I'm met with the eerie glow of hospital machines. I'm trapped in a dark room, surrounded by the steady beeps and whispers of equipment. A tube forces oxygen into my mouth, making my breaths shallow and labored. Fear and panic grip me tight. I'm back in the hospital, and I hate it.

My mind is foggy, my chest aches, and I have no idea what happened. As I struggle to sit up, I see familiar faces around me - Mariam, Amin, and Mika. But one person I don't want to see me like this is Natalie. Her presence fills me with guilt and regret. Why did she have to be here?

As my vision clears, I see Natalie's tear-stained face, her hands trembling as she holds mine. She's trying to comfort me, but her fear and worry are palpable.

"Alex...I'm so glad you're awake," she whispers, her voice cracking.

I try to reassure her, my voice weak. "Sorry...I didn't want you to see me like this again.”

Natalie's gaze never leaves mine, her eyes filled with a deep sadness. She slowly moves closer, her voice barely audible. "I heard from Dad about what happened...how you risked your life to save others. I never knew Aunt Mas went through the same thing…"

She pauses, collecting her thoughts, her words dripping with emotion.

"There's something I want to tell you, Love...Cheveyo...nizhóní...dóó ákót'éego ádóó ádííłt'éego yá'át'ééh...naaldeelzí sil yéí mar beéda'ííłt'éego yá'át'ééh hólne' da...hospiitáálí dóó yideełt'éego yá'át'ééh yiníłt’é.”

I recognize the words as her native language, and my heart swells with love. I respond, my voice barely above a whisper. "Shanay...doo ákót'ą́...neeznáádę́ę́' ádóó ákót'ą́ ałtahí bik'ehgo ádoo át’é.”

Tears well up in her eyes again, and I feel a surge of guilt and regret. Mr. Hawk enters the room, his gentle touch on my arm a comforting presence.

"You're stable, Alex, but you lost a lot of blood. Soro donated his blood to you, and the doctor is amazed that your blood levels returned to normal before the transfusion. Soro said something strange...that you're special, that there's a power hidden within you…"

The room fades away, leaving only Natalie's eyes, filled with love, tears, and a deep connection that transcends words.

Natalie's voice trembled with anger. "That clone...I had no idea. Dad, do you know about this?"

Mr. Hawk took a deep breath, his expression grave. "Cheveyo, there's something about your mother...something that worries me. Her connections, your father, your family's legacy…"

My strength returned, and I removed my cords, suggesting a private walk outside. Mr. Hawk cautioned, "It's not a good idea, they'll panic.”

But I insisted, and Mariam, now awake, hugged Natalie.

"Nat, babe, you okay?" Natalie's knees weakened, and she thanked Mariam for being there for me.

I asked Mariam to stay with Natalie while Mr. Hawk and I stepped out. Natalie agreed, and Mariam revealed, "She's been here with you for two days, Alex.”

Outside, Mr. Hawk and I sat on a bench, surrounded by an unsettling quiet. He began, "Listen, son...this won't be easy to hear. Nat already knows some of this, which is why she's not surprised.”

I settled in, preparing myself for a long night of revelations. Mr. Hawk's eyes gleamed with a mix of nostalgia and trepidation as he began his tale.

"Sabah, 1975. Your mom was just a teenager, but Usman and I were young and reckless, driven by our passion for discovery. We embarked on a research expedition into the unforgiving Borneon Jungle, seeking a legendary plant rumored to possess extraordinary healing powers.”

He paused, his gaze drifting into the past. "We spent weeks navigating treacherous terrain, braving venomous snakes and sweltering heat. But our determination only grew stronger with each step.”

Mr. Hawk's eyes snapped back to the present, his voice filled with excitement.

"And then, we found it. The plant was unlike anything we'd ever seen - its properties were astonishing, its potential limitless. But that wasn't the only discovery we made.”

He leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "We encountered someone, a young woman with abilities that defied explanation. She could communicate with the plants, control the elements...it was as if she had a special connection to the natural world.”

My mind raced with questions, but Mr. Hawk continued, his words painting a vivid picture. "We soon realized that this young woman was not just any ordinary person. She was connected to the plant, and to the very heart of the jungle itself. Her name was….”

The room fell silent, the only sound the ticking off the clock on the wall. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I prepared to uncover a truth that would change my understanding of Frederica on a deeper level. But somehow, I already knew the answer. A voice deep within me, my inner voice, whispered, "It's Lilith... my original self.”

"Lilith..." Mr. Hawk's eyes widened in surprise, but then he gazed at me intently.

"Is it Frederica? Are you inside him, child?"

My head spun, and I felt a strange sensation, as if someone else was taking control.

Frederica's voice echoed in my mind,

"He's gentle... maybe I can talk to him..." I was confused and disoriented, unsure of what was happening.

This time, someone was talking to him, and I could hear every word. 'You must be the old man Alex always talks about…'"

Mr. Hawk responded calmly, as if he had experienced this before. "Tell me, child, what do you want from him?”

My body smiled at him and responded, "A part of him is still disconnected, and it's really dangerous for him and everyone around him. I need to stay close to him and help him fix it until he's fully healed. When he visited me from the other side, it woke me up, and now I feel responsible to help him until I can move on.”

Mr. Hawk asked her, "How do you know Lilith?”

Frederica replied, "She is my original self, the perfect one... I've had visions of her before. I saw how she met two young men, and how she was taken by the Brotherhood of Masons."

Her eyes widened in alarm. Wait, don't tell me that's the same facility we destroyed in Kudat last time?

"Alex, are you in there?" Mr. Hawk asked, his voice filled with concern.

Frederica replied, "He's hovering between life and death, but his spirit remains strong... and safe." She offered a reassuring smile.

With a surge of determination, I mustered the strength to give a thumbs up, my eyes locked on Mr. Hawk. His face lit up with relief, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"Ah, Cheveyo," he said, his voice filled with pride. "That's the name I gave him, meaning Spirit Warrior. Perhaps that's why he can communicate with Frederica so effortlessly." He smiled at Frederica, his eyes shining with gratitude.

Frederica's eyes widened as she continued, "It seems there's more to the story, sir. Mr. Hawk, you seem to know more than you're letting on.”

Mr. Hawk paused, collecting his thoughts before responding, "Alex's mother, Professor Dr Masnita@Joanna Tagal, was a remarkable scientist. She made a groundbreaking discovery in 1980, sixteen years before Ian Wilmut's breakthrough in England. But what's even more astonishing is that she was not aware of the full implications of her research. Usman, was part of the Borneo Foundation and candidate of the Shariful Ahmad family, encouraged her to join the project, but I opposed it. I knew the Brotherhood's true intentions were sinister, and they sought to exploit her discovery for their own gain, which went against the Vatican's teachings.”

I was stunned, my mind reeling from the revelation. "I had no idea it was so complex," I admitted, my curiosity piqued.

Mr. Hawk's expression turned grave. "The question remains, why was Lilith chosen for the experiment? Usman revealed the reason to Professor Dr. Ulbat Jariki, a member of the Brotherhood and the Borneo Foundation's director at the time. It seems they believed Lilith's body held the key to unlocking the fountain of youth, a secret they would stop at nothing to possess.”

Frederica's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "The fountain of youth? You mean they believed Lilith's body could grant eternal life?”

Mr. Hawk's nod was solemn. "Yes, and they would go to any lengths to exploit that power. The Brotherhood's true intentions are far more sinister than we ever imagined.”

"But it's actually the opposite, isn't it?" I asked, seeking clarification.

Mr. Hawk nodded solemnly. "Yes, they underestimated the power of Lilith's blood, which doesn't belong in this world. It's as if it was meant to remain in the jungle, hidden from those who would misuse its power. I still have regret of my actions to this day, wishing I had never found her.”

I shared his regret, thinking that if I didn't exist, my mom wouldn't have suffered because of the Brotherhood's pursuit. But Frederica surprised me with her insightful response.

"If that were true, Mr. Hawk, you wouldn't be a renowned professor, and Mr. Usman wouldn't lead the Shariful Ahmad family. Alex's mom would be just a college professor, and the Brotherhood of Mason would eventually discover her without your involvement, Mr. Hawk. I believe destiny has woven a complex thread... but for now, I sense that they're holding back, hesitant to make their move... for reasons unknown.”

Mr. Hawk's eyes locked onto Frederica, and he interrupted her, his voice filled with a mix of gravity and nostalgia.

"I was the one who reported the Brotherhood's activities to the Vatican. They responded with swift brutality, forcing the Brotherhood into the shadows, where they remain hidden and forgotten. But what few know is that Natalie's mother, my wife, was also a member of the Vatican, and her bloodline holds a secret that could change the course of history. The Sangreal, a bloodline believed to hold the power of the divine, runs through her veins, making her a target for those seeking to exploit its power.” I never knew that Natalie is that special.

"Remember, child... I wish it hadn't come to this, but with the mysterious lady's appearance, I must reveal the truth..." Mr. Hawk's voice trailed off, leaving me wondering what had happened to her.

Frederica noticed my curiosity and nodded. "You want to know who she's working with, don't you?" I nodded eagerly, my mind racing with possibilities.

Just then, Detective Tracy approached us, her expression grave. "It seems that girl was hired by someone high up..." Detective Tracy paused, his eyes locked on Mr. Hawk. "Someone who wants to prevent Alex from forming an alliance and stop Damien's attack.”

My mind reeled as the pieces fell into place. "What's going on?" Mr Hawk demanded,

Detective Tracy eyes narrowed.

"I've made some calls, even reaching Langley..."

He paused, his gaze intense. "The CIA headquarters, Alex. This goes far beyond our control.”

My eyes widened as the complexity of the situation hit me.

"The governor? Is he involved?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Mr. Hawk's response sent a chill down my spine.

"No, it goes far beyond that, Alex," Mr. Hawk's voice was laced with gravity. "This is a tangled web of deceit and power, and we're just beginning to unravel it.”

A storm raged inside me, a sense of foreboding and anger building. "Then Darrel... he knew about this... dammit!" I slammed my fist into the wall, the pain numbing my emotions.

"They want Damien as their scapegoat, the black sheep... just like Darrel... the LA racial War in 1996... they used the chaos to kill him, making it look like an accident in the riot... son of a bitch!" My voice cracked with emotion.

My anger boiled over, my mind racing with the implications. I needed to talk to Boulder, the mayor of LA, once a member of the 102's. "Detective Tracy, do you know Boulder?" I asked, my eyes blazing with intensity.

Detective Tracy's eyes narrowed, "Not sure about it, kid. Why?”

I took a deep breath, my voice steady. "He's the mayor of LA... once a member of the 102's." Detective Tracy's eyes widened in surprise.

Mr. Hawk's warning sent a chill down my spine. "That means... don't trust anyone right now." His words echoed in my mind, fueling my determination. All this talking had charged me up, and I was ready to take action. My heart raced with anticipation, my mind set on uncovering the truth.

Detective Tracy nodded, "Kid, let's set aside the incident for now, since Soro is handling it..." He paused, and I nodded in agreement, sharing a mutual understanding of the challenges that came with dealing with Soro.

"Got it, Detective Tracy," I said, my focus already shifting gears. "Now, let's prioritize the pressing matter at hand - preventing Damien's attack on the LA community.”

Detective Tracy's expression turned grave, "Exactly, Alex. We can't afford to waste time. I'll take lead on investigating the mysterious lady and her ties to the 102's, while Mr. Hawk provides crucial insight into the Sangreal and Brotherhood's motives.”

He locked eyes with me, his voice firm. "Together, we'll unravel the web of deceit and stop Damien before it's too late.”

I nodded, determination coursing through my veins. "Let's move, Detective. Time is of the essence."

"Did I miss something, gentlemen?" Luis asked, his sudden presence and questioning gaze indicating he had been listening in or had just arrived on the scene.

He swiftly approached me and wrapped me in a warm embrace. "Sorry, kid... that was on me, I knew about the clone, but I'm stunned that someone would dare hire such a dangerous individual.”

I explained the clone's connection to my past, and Luis's expression turned from concern to shock. "Señor, I had no idea what you've been through... I thought Darrel and Damien were unaware of this part of your history…"

I nodded, recalling the moment I shared my past with Darrel during a vulnerable moment. "Actually, Luis, I confided in Darrel about my past when he tried to console me during a difficult time.”

Luis's eyes widened in understanding, his compassion evident. "Word, Alex. We'll solve this mystery, and we'll keep you and our squad protected, cuz.”

"Looks like you guys managed to handle this, eh?" Soro and Maruk's voices echoed, their tone a mix of surprise and amusement.

Maruk's eyes locked onto me, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Nephew, you look pretty beat up. She must be quite the powerhouse to take you down like that, eh?" The atmosphere shifted, turning gloomy and serious.

Detective Tracy's expression turned grave. "Maruk, I need your help. We have a situation."

Maruk's eyes narrowed. "Must be those clones, eh? What happened to the other clone that Alex knocked out?" He directed his question at Detective Tracy, his curiosity piqued.

Detective Tracy's face darkened. "Damn suits showed up and took her away from the police interrogation room." His words trailed off, leaving unspoken the implication that she had escaped.

"So, what did you manage to extract from her?" Soro asked Detective Tracy, his tone inquiring.

Detective Tracy's response sent a chill down my spine. "One sentence in Latin: 'Ubi lux est umbra est' - 'Where there is light, there is darkness'." Soro and Maruk seemed unsurprised, as if they were already aware of this revelation.

Maruk's eyes narrowed. "Mason's extremists... they're a dangerous bunch." I was taken aback by Maruk's display of cultural knowledge, and even more so by Soro's seeming familiarity with the subject.

Soro filled me in on the situation. "It's another complicated web of deceit, far cousin. I managed to take out three of them, but it seems they have some sort of production line going on.”

Maruk chimed in, his gaze fixed on Mr. Hawk. "Without Professor Mas' acknowledgement, I presume?”

Mr. Hawk's expression remained calm, but his words revealed a deeper understanding. "Mas informed me about the issues with the Borneo Foundation, which seems to be at the heart of the problem. Interestingly, there's no apparent connection to the Brotherhood of Mason.”

He turned to me, his eyes serious. "Alex, focus on resolving the situation with Damien and unite the community. That will make it easier for us to take down the mayor and governor of California.”

Maruk and Soro chimed in unison, "That's what you're good at.”

Maruk pointed to my chest, his words piercing. "This thing inside you... it's starting to manifest. You better learn to control it, or it will consume you whole, kid.”

My mind raced as Soro added, "Every time I see you, far cousin, there's a change within you. Don't you realize that?" I felt a sense of unease, unsure of what they knew or what was happening to me.

I'd rather not think about it right now, but I'm sure this won't be the last time I'll encounter something like this," I said to Soro, indicating that I didn't want to dwell on the clone incident anymore.

"Fine, we'll table it for now. But we'll discuss it further next time," Soro replied, acknowledging my reluctance to explore the topic further.

Just then, a commotion erupted from my ward, and Mr. Hawk and Detective Tracy approached me, saying, "Looks like something's going on right now.”

"I have a feeling Nat is up to something," Mr Hawk

"I think I need to get out of here..." I said, feeling overwhelmed.

Luis instantly grabbed my shoulder with a smile. "You kid, you have a knack for running away from troubles, just like before, eh?" He teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

I bristled at his assumption. "You have no idea what I've gone through, avoiding all this shit..." I protested, my frustration evident.

Luis's expression turned paternal, and he chided, "Language, kid!" He rapped my head gently, a familiar gesture that brought back fond memories. I missed this side of Luis, the one who treated me like a younger sibling.

"About that incident, I'm going to look into it," Soro said, his tone serious. "But you, cousin, need to decide what you're going to do about it.”

"Yeah, got it," I replied, nodding in understanding.

As Soro and Maruk departed the hospital, Detective Tracy and Mr. Hawk returned to the ward, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I gazed out the window, my mind racing with the next move. "Damien...I need to settle this," I thought, frustration mounting. But something was off - a nagging feeling that a crucial piece was missing. I mentally reviewed the players involved: the hood, Italians, Chinese, and Latinos. The Latinos, however, remained a wild card, their intentions unclear. My mind kept circling back to the pawn shop, where our last lead had ended in an ambush. Yet, I sensed a lingering connection, a thread waiting to be tugged. "It's time to go back," I thought, determination growing. "I hope the pawn shop is still standing.”

I'm drawn back to that pawn shop, where Darrel had sent us on a wild goose chase. But what's inside that's so important? I need to face this alone, without dragging others into the danger zone. I sneak into the nurse's ward, borrowing someone's clothes from a locker - sorry, unknown owner! - and make my way out of the hospital. My destination is the pawn shop, a place that's etched in my memory as a hub of suspicious activity. I approach cautiously, my heart racing with anticipation. What secrets are hiding behind those doors?

I entered the pawn shop, and the new owner, an old Asian man, looked up at me. "What do you want, kid?”

I hesitated, trying to remember the details. "Uh...do you have a video cassette? Something with Darrel's name on it?”

The old man's expression changed, and he seemed to recognize the name. "Is it that kid Hopkins you're talking about?”

I nodded, and he smiled, revealing a hint of mischief. "Yeah, 102...or Serbia..." He trailed off, eyeing me suspiciously, and suddenly pointed a gun at me. “Password?"

I raised my hands in surrender, but my mind raced. What password? Then, a voice in my head, sounding eerily like Darrel, whispered, "Rat i droga." I repeated the phrase, and the old man lowered his gun, seemingly satisfied.

"Looks like you're the right guy. Darrel instructed me to shoot on sight if anyone came looking for the cassette without the password.”

My curiosity piqued, I asked, "How do you know Darrel?”

The old man smiled knowingly. "Raven told me about Maverick.”

I recognized the code. Darrel had taught me that "Maverick" was a signal to respond with "The river flows east," meaning Darrel had given a lead or clue. I replied accordingly, and the old man nodded, a hint of a smile still on his face.

I never knew Darrel, aka Raven, before his death, but his legacy drew me into a world of intrigue. The old man, Sentinel, revealed a shocking connection: "Raven's final instruction was for me to contact you, Maverick." My mind raced, "What did Raven want with me?" Sentinel continued, "He left a message: 'When the time comes, trust no one. Use the device to uncover the truth.’"

I felt like I'd inherited a dangerous puzzle from Darrel. The device, with its encryption code: Echo-Lima-Papa-Romeo, seemed like a key to unlocking secrets. But secrets about what? And why me?

Sentinel's eyes seemed to hold a hint of warning: "Raven's legacy is complex, Maverick. Be prepared for a web of lies and loyalty tests." I realized that I’m now stuck with Darrel’s shit and now I had to uncover the truth about Raven's final mission. Little did I know, my life was about to become a race against time to unravel the mysteries left behind by Raven. Shit I make the right call not to involved them with Darrel’s problem. Suddenly Sentinel asked to the back door. "Echo-12 has eyes on your position. Sierra-1 awaits your presence.”

What the hell have I gotten myself into?" I muttered, stunned by Sentinel's sudden transformation. He now stood before me, a towering figure, around 6 feet tall, with a muscular build, dressed in a long-sleeved formal wear, reminiscent of a high-ranking government official. A scar above his left cheekbone and his slightly blond hair added to his James Bond-like demeanor.

"Sentinel, what's going on?" I asked, trying to process the situation.

He smiled, and his eyes gleamed with a hint of amusement. "You can call me Sierra-1, or the Director, Maverick. I'm the head of this agency.”

My mind raced. "Agency? What agency? Darrel never mentioned anything about this!"

Sierra-1 chuckled. "Darrel, or Raven, as we knew him, was one of our top agents. His duty was to gather intelligence and conduct covert operations. You see, Maverick, you're not just a random bystander. You're a vital piece in a much larger puzzle.”

I felt like I'd been dropped into a spy novel. "What puzzle? What did Darrel want with me?"

Sierra-1's expression turned serious. "Raven's final mission was something really vital to our intel about the corruption and infiltration between the Cartel and , Maverick. You hold the key to uncovering a conspiracy within our nation, and we need your help to connect the dots of the Raven’s last work.”

My world had turned upside down. "A conspiracy? What are you talking about?" I asked, my mind reeling.

Sierra-1 gestured for me to follow him, his eyes serious. "Maverick, we need to debrief and discuss operational details. Follow me.”

I hesitated, feeling like I was stepping into a James Bond movie. The pathway entrance looked like something out of a spy thriller. What had I gotten myself into? Darrel, what had you gotten me into?

As I followed Sierra-1, my mind raced with questions. Did Damien know about this? I had to ask Sierra-1. I remembered some military codes from Darrel, and I decided to use them.

"Sierra-1, has Raven’s sibling been briefed? Specifically, Diablo or Archon?" I asked, trying to sound calm.

Sierra-1 smiled, seemingly impressed. "Are you proficient in utilising cipher protocols, Maverick?" he asked, his voice dripping with amusement.

"Authentication phrase 'Крвна заветна' confirmed, Maverick. EYES ONLY clearance granted.” "He speaks like a damn robot, what the hell is going on?" I thought to myself as we walked towards a narrow pathway. It was like a scene straight out of a James Bond movie. I was speechless, my mind racing with questions.

I tried to composed myself and asked again, using a code. "Sierra-1, are we in a scenario? Am I living a script?”

He chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Negative, Maverick. We're at Echo-1.”

My mind was reeling. What have I gotten myself into? I thought to myself. Darrel, you have a lot of explaining to do...if I make it out of this alive.

The director explain the situation about Darrel’s past “He was working on a mission to expose the connection between the current Mayor of LA, codenamed 'Boulder', and the cartel. The reason Darrel wanted him was because Boulder was once our agent, but he went rogue. I had asked Raven to investigate, and it turned out that Boulder was using the Arizona border to smuggle goods between Mexico and America. Darrel was trying to gather evidence to convene a case against him."

"I see," I said, trying to process the information. "So, Boulder was once a teammate of Darrel and Damien, but he went rogue and is now working with the cartel as the Mayor of LA?”

Sierra-1 nodded solemnly. "That's right. And it's even more personal now that Darrel is gone. He was getting close to exposing Boulder's operation when...well, you know what happened.”

I felt a pang of anger and sadness. Darrel's death was still fresh in my mind, and now I knew that it was connected to this mission.

"What's the scope of the mission now?" I asked, my voice firm with determination.

"We need to finish what Darrel started," Sierra-1 replied. "We need to gather evidence of Boulder's involvement with the cartel and his role in the terrorist activities, and bring him to justice. It's the only way to honor Darrel's memory and prevent more innocent lives from being lost.”

I took a deep breath, knowing that this mission was personal now. "What's the plan?" I asked, ready to take action.

Sierra-1 replied, "Well, tell me more about your plan. It seems like you've been busy uniting the community in LA, something Darrel couldn't quite achieve. We know Damien has been doing vigilante work, taking down cartel operations, but it's dangerous for him and those around him. However, it appears you've been cleaning up after him, which is a relief. But we need a more strategic approach to take down Boulder and the cartel once and for all.”

I nodded, understanding the risks and challenges. "I've been working with community leaders and gathering intel on the cartel's operations. We need to hit them where it hurts most - their finances and supply chains. But we also need to be careful, as Boulder has eyes and ears everywhere.”

Sierra-1 nodded thoughtfully. "I can provide you with some resources and manpower, but we need to be smart about this. We can't let Boulder know we're coming for him. What's your plan for taking him down?”

I took a deep breath, outlining my strategy. "We'll start by gathering evidence of his involvement with the cartel, then use that to our advantage. We'll work with the community to create a united front against the cartel, and use our combined strength to take them down. But we need to be prepared for anything - Boulder won't go down without a fight.”

Sierra-1 looked at me with a serious expression. "Alex, I know you're just a kid, but you've shown bravery and determination. I'm going to trust you with some information that could help you complete Darrel's mission.”

I leaned in, eager to learn more. "What is it?”

Sierra-1 hesitated, then pulled out a small folder. "Darrel was investigating a connection between Boulder and a shell company called 'Eclipse'. We think Eclipse is a front for the cartel's illegal activities.”

I took the folder, my mind racing. "This is huge! Thank you so much for your help, Sierra-1. I promise to use this information wisely and do my best to bring Damien to justice.”

Sierra-1 smiled. "I know you will, Alex. You're determined to stop Damien and end this cycle of death, and I have no doubt you'll succeed. You'll be able to close Darrel's case and bring closure to those who care about him.”

Sierra-1 suddenly asked me a question, his eyes piercing through the screen. "What do you think of Raven, Alex?”

I hesitated, memories of Darrel flooding my mind. I looked at Sierra-1 and said, my voice barely above a whisper, “Brother."

Sierra-1's expression softened, and he gazed off into the distance, his eyes clouding over with sadness. "Just off the formalities, Alex...he was more than just a soldier. He was a good friend, a brother in every sense of the word.”

I saw a glimmer of hope in his eyes, a sense that he was holding onto something precious. "Sierra-1, I need to move out. I have to take down Damien and Eclipse.”

Sierra-1's gaze snapped back to me, his expression serious. "Alex, I know about the clone incident. I know who's involved. But I'm not ready to explain it yet. You need to trust me, trust that I'm working to uncover the truth.”

I felt a surge of frustration, but Sierra-1's words were laced with a hint of warning. "What do you mean? Who's involved?”

Sierra-1's face was a mask of determination. "Not now, Alex. Just know that I'm working to bring down Eclipse and everyone involved. You need to focus on your mission. Take down Damien, and we'll take care of the rest.

I looked away, trying to process the emotions swirling inside me. "Fine," I replied, not wanting to know more about the clone incident. It was too much to handle right now.

As I headed out of the hidden room, Sierra-1 called out to me again. "Alex, go to the LA Observatory. Damien is there, waiting for someone...or something."

I raised an eyebrow, sensing a trap. But I needed to figure it out myself. Sierra-1 handed me a gun, a Sig Sauer P229 with two extra clips. "This belonged to Raven," he said, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "I want you to have it.”

I took the gun, feeling a surge of emotions. It was as if Darrel's spirit was with me, guiding me. I wondered what life he led before becoming 102, what struggles he faced, and what drove him to be the person he was.

Sierra-1's voice brought me back to reality. "Alex, be careful. The De Santo Cartel is involved in this, and they won't hesitate to kill. In spy language, they're known as 'The Scorpions'. They sting, and their venom is deadly.”

I nodded, tucking the gun into my waistband. "Got it. I'll be careful.”

Sierra-1's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze intense. "Alex, I mean it. The Scorpions are ruthless. They'll stop at nothing to get what they want. You're not just fighting Damien, you're fighting a whole organization.”

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead. "I understand. I'll take them down, Sierra-1. I promise."

I walked out of the pawn shop, feeling the weight of my mission. I had a feeling I needed to do this alone, but I didn't have a vehicle. Then, Sierra-1, disguised as the shop owner, called out to me. "Take this, Alex...Raven's ride.”

He tossed me a key, nodding towards the back of the shop. I walked over to find a dusty cover hiding a sleek black Ducati 996. My eyes widened as I realized this was no ordinary bike. It had a weapons compartment. What had Darrel gotten himself into?

I started the bike, and the sound was music to my ears. Sierra-1 approached me, his eyes serious. "The eagle has spotted a falcon heading towards the nest. I believe it's a vulture."

I nodded, understanding the code. I knew I had to move fast. With a roar, I sped off into the night, the Ducati's engine purring smoothly beneath me.

In my heart I know the others will be upset but this is something I had to go on my own.