The Marauder: Episode 3

Episode 3

Captain Jeremy Dawes was working late. Late being that he was the only one left at the station. A single lit window gave him away, and that was enough for the Marauder to introduce himself. 

"Evening, Captain." The masked Marauder spoke. 

The police captain instinctively reached for his gun, aiming it at the costumed man. 

"Who the hell are you and what do you want? The captain demanded.

"Easy, Captain. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I have some information regarding the robbery and explosion of the lab."

"Why should I believe you?" He replied, grip tightening on the gun. 

"Lets start by putting the gun down. I'm not going to hurt you, and you couldn't if you tried anyway."

"What, you some kind of demon? Like that Darkshadow down in New York?" 

Casey could see the fear in his eyes just at the mention of that name, but could care less at the moment. 

"I don't know about any Darkshadow, and I'm not a demon, I'm a man, just like you, just different. Now, you could either put the gun down, or I could leave and you would be up the rest of the night wondering why you didn't take my offer."

The Captain thought for a moment while Casey stood there motionless. The captain then put his gun back into his holster. 

"What do you know?" He asked the Marauder. 

"The lab explosion, was a diversion. So the police would be distracted. They took something, an atomic stabilizer. It was there most recent project and I still haven't figured out why they stole it and what they're going to use it for."

"Sounds like some crazy science experiment."

"It could be, but just how crazy? And who knows what else they stole, or what they have stolen."

"Anything else?" The captain asked, intrigued.

"I had a run in with a gang banger the other night. Said he was part of a gang called the Red Serpents."

The Captain frowned. "Red Serpents? Never heard of them."

"Me neither, they must be new. Said they had  big things coming, or some shit like that."

"Ill have the force be on the lookout for them." 

"Please do, Captain, but be careful. These guys don't fuck around. They know how to adapt, and you won't see them coming. Whoever they're working for, must be even worse."

The Captain nodded, taking everything into consideration the Marauder had said. He didn't know if he could trust him, but he disclosed some very helpful information even his best detectives couldn't dig up.

"I don't know who you are, where you come from, or what you can do, but thanks for the information."

The Maruauder nodded, and he was ready to leave. 

(Night before)

A terrified Crescent made his way back to the warehouse, running faster than he ever did in his life. He made it to the basement, clutching his injured hand. After he recovered, Thaddeus approached and shoved Crescent against the wall. 

"Where are the crates? Stinger and Fracture?"

"You've gotta believe me, boss! We were attacked! By some crazy guy in a costume!" He panicked.

Thaddeus trusted a gun against Stingers temple, and he flinched in fear. 

"Oh yeah? You have five seconds to really explain yourself before I blow your brains out. We cannot fail!" 

"Please, boss, please! I'm telling the truth!" 

"He's telling the truth." A voice came from the warehouse entrance, then a door slam. Two men got out. The boss turned his head.

"Stinger, Fracture, were you really attacked by a man in a costume?"

They both nodded. "It was crazy. He came from out of no where, and knocked out Fracture and I." Stinger explained. "Not for very long, and we shortly regained consciousness. He fired a gun to alert the police, and we quickly got in the van and left."

Thaddeus lowered the gun from his temple and leaned into Crescents face. "You are very lucky. But fail me once more, and you won't ever see the light of day again. Is that clear?"

Crescent fast nodded, and collapsed on the floor, panting. 

"Now, what to do about this costumed fellow."

(Present day)

Casey navigates to a warn down part of the city, as it is his only lead on the Red Serpents. He managed to track one of the Serpents weapons, by electronically analyzing a full spectrum analysis just before he vaporized the gun the previous night. Casey then turned a corner and found himself in an alleyway. He was getting closer to it's point of origin. He checked his surroundings and just in time, avoided a giant steel piece that hit the side of an old brick building, causing some of it to collapse. Casey turned to see a man with arms made of pure metal. The rest of his body was an interesting color of metal.

"Marauder. I thought I'd find you sooner or later." The person growled.

"Who the hell are you, and how the hell do you know my alius?" 

"Lets just say I have connections. I'm Steel Monger, and I'm going to tear this city to it's core!" 

Overheat then put his hands together to create an energy ball of what seemed to be steel colored and had small metal fragments in it Casey had just enough time to create a black energy shield to deflect the it, but could still feel the impact of its force. Steel Monger tried to increase it and had some progress by pushing Casey back, but the fragments never touched him. Casey stopped the energy by projecting the black energy shield, causing both the Marauder and Steel Monger to fly backwards. A few seconds later, they both got up.

"You wouldn't be able to beat me in a physical fight." The Marauder bosted. "My enhanced strength would outmatch yours."

"If what you say is true, how about we settle this with energy? Black energy versus metal energy."

"Fine by me." 

Casey used his heads up display to quickly search for a weak spot on the self personified villain known as Steel Monger. He then machine-gunned energy balls which Casey easily deflected. This went on for another half a minute before both powers were willfully neutralized by their users.

"Maurader, I see that we're evenly matched. We will finish this another time." The Maurader then completely surrounded himself in glowing white energy and took of into the air. Casey watched until he was out of site.

Casey then followed up on his original plan, and found the warehouse of the guns point of origin. According to the scanners, this was wear it was manufactured, but the building was completely dismantled. 

"Of course it is." Casey grumbled, smashing a cement brick. 

Steel Monger landed at the base of a hangar, the hideout of the Red Serpents. He approached Thaddeus. 

"Steel, welcome back. Did you locate the Marauder?"

"Yes, and I gave him the warning that you asked. Although, he is quite the formidable adversary. He blocked nearly all my attacks."

Thaddeus nodded, understanding everything Steel Monger was saying. He was his newest recruit and one of the most valuable. 

"Now Steel Monger, I know your powers are still in the beta stages if you will, but a new shipment came in from "big brother" if you catch my drift."

"I do. And you do know I can change back to my human form?"

"Of course."

Thaddeus opened a brief case with a unique 'O' insignia, and it contained 6 syringes with a metallic fluid. 

"I hope you're not afraid of needles." Thaddeus said, preparing each during.

"Im not afraid of anything." Steel Monger stated confidently.

"Well then. Get ready for an upgrade."

After being subjected to 6 needles, Steel Monger glowed white. His glow increased in intensity as well, he roared as he felt his power increased. He then shot an intense burst of energy with metal fragments at the wall, creating a hole through the next room. Steel Monger grinned at he realized his true potential of his power.