"We've received intel that the rebels are planning to raid a deposit in the eastern district," Silent Scream said.
"We need to intercept them before they can cause any damage."
Erik's mind whirred, processing what the man was saying. He knew what the man was saying was true—that the raid was really planned by the resistance, his own people.
He knew that because he was present when Fischer and Van Dyke talked about the matter and planned the attack, and Fischer kept him updated regarding this and many other matters.
There was a problem, though. If he accompanied the Blackguards, he would be forced to confront and kill his own allies. If he didn't, his disguise as Ben Fink would cease to exist.
He would lose the opportunity he had been waiting for—a chance to gather intelligence on the Blackguard team that had been thwarting the resistance's efforts for so long, and that even the biological supercomputer could do nothing to find.
To abandon this chance could jeopardize the rescue of Richard Stone and the resistance's overall plans, especially because a single but precious fact.
The blackguards knew Erik got the ability to get more brain crystal powers, how that worked wasn't really known by them, but they suspected it had to do with getting powers from others.
To the blackguards, that would explain why he stole Max's body back in Caelora City.
Reasonably, Erik could now shapeshift. This ant that if Ben Fink acted way out of character, the blackguards would suspect the man wasn't who he claid to be.
At the sa ti, if he disappeared and changed identity, the disappearance could lead the blackguards to think sothing weird happened if they didn't find a body.
"Understood, sir," Erik said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "When do we depart?"
"Imdiately," Silent Scream said.
"Grab your gear and et at the transport. We can't afford to let the rebels slip through our fingers."
Erik nodded. He would have to be careful from now on, aiding the resistance without blowing his cover, but for sure, he needed to contact Fischer and Van Dyke to at least learn what they had in mind, and to have suggestions or tips on how to move.
Erik joined Silent Scream in the transport, and faked being under heavy contemplation, but in truth, he was calling Van Dyke while the transport soared through the air.
Erik used the biological supercomputer to connect to the soldier's phone and dialed Van Dyke's number. The older man's voice soon filled his mind.
"Who is this?" Van Dyke asked.
Erik used his biological supercomputer to transmit his own voice. "It's Erik. I have little ti, so you need to listen carefully."
"Erik? What's going on?" Erik's tone was urgent, and that left Van Dyke confused.
"I've been selected to join a Blackguard team that's going to be keeping watch over a deposit in the eastern district," Erik said. "I think it's the sa one you were planning to raid."
Of course, Erik already told the resistance that his acting within the military made the blackguards set their eyes on him and that he joined the group. He wasn't an initiate yet, but he knew he was going to be,
So, everyone was aware of the situation and knew how valuable it was. Since Erik was also their most important spy at that point, whatever he told them was really important.
He could almost hear the gears turning in Van Dyke's mind. "I see. This is certainly an interesting developnt."
"I wanted to warn you," Erik said. "I don't want to blow my cover, but I also can't let you walk into a trap. Can you hold off on the raid until I can get more information?"
Van Dyke paused again. "That's a complicated proposition, Erik. But I trust your judgnt." Van Dyke remained silent for a while.
"All right," he said. "We'll hold off for now, but keep updated." Van Dyke was going to close the call. Maybe Erik didn't call at the right mont, as van Dyke looked like he was in a hurry.
"This is not the only problem, Tom." Van Dyke remained silent.
"Yeah, I think I know what the other problem is." The two didn't talk about this particular matter yet, but it was pressing over Erik's mind.
"I haven't been assigned to a faraway place. It looks like the blackguards are having problems and have assigned here within the city."
"Yeah," Erik said.
"I'm honestly unable to decide what to do. I know what the best thing would be, but..."
"Yeah, I know…"
"This ans that..."
Van Dyke sighed. "You have to fight against us to keep your cover up."
"Yeah," Erik said.
"I'm honestly unable to decide what to do. I know what the best thing would be, but..."
Erik knew the best thing was to stay within the blackguards and act like one of them. The problem was a moral one. He knew many of the rebels; so ca from prison, and he was the one who saved them. Besides, Fischer, Lain, Amber, Mira, Emily, June and his clones.
He didn't want to fight them, knowing what would happen if they did.
Either they died because of him or ended up in prison again, likely tortured by Volkov's n or the blackguards.
Honestly speaking, death was many tis better than torture, knowing what Volkov did.
Of course, Erik was ready to blow up his cover if soone really close to him risked his life. For sure he would not kill them, but so he knew, but not so well as to make him throw everything in the trash. That was a different story.
Van Dyke was old. He had a lot of experience, and he himself went through so of the things Erik was going through right now. He understood what was going on in Erik's mind.
"Do it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, don't worry about anything. I will make sure that you won't have to fight anyone you know or anyone who knows too much. Just go easy on Fischer's guys, all right?"
"Yeah…" Van Dyke was going to close the call again, when Erik stopped him.
"There is sothing else."
"I'm all ears," the old man said, not without a hint of annoyance.
"My ntor, the man assigned to evaluate , said they got told the rebels were going to attack. You know what that ans, right?"
"We might have a spy." Erik couldn't see it, but there was a grim look on Van Dyke's face.
"Yeah. I'm not entirely sure if this is true. I read the man's mind, and he didn't know, as he was referring to having received that information from his superiors."
Erik's brow furrowed, a crease forming between his eyes as he processed the weight of the information. Van Dyke had a similar expression. His lips pressed into a thin line, reflecting his concern.
"Still, at this point, it is not sothing we can rule out with certainty, and I'm going to be inclined to think there is really soone spying on you."
Van Dyke's expression darkened even more, but Erik couldn't see it.
"The question is, does this person know the headquarters are inside the Red Palace? Because if he or she does, the blackguards are waiting for sothing before attacking you guys."
Van Dyke's voice took on a pensive tone. Following a lengthy sigh, his expression beca one of resolution.
"Understood. We'll need to rework how we recruit people then and make a search for potential spies. Thank you for the warning, Erik. Stay safe out there."
The line went silent, and Erik refocused his attention as the transport neared its destination.
Beside him, Silent Scream sat quietly, his masked face betraying no emotion. But most likely, knowing the blackguards, Silent Scream had none.
Erik, though, was calr since Van Dyke decided to avoid the attack.
It wasn't tactically good to perform since there was going to be resistance from the blackguards, and that Erik, basically a killing machine, was among them.
As the transport landed, Erik followed Silent Scream and the other soldiers out onto the streets of the eastern district. The only blackguards there were him and his ntor.
The area was relatively quiet, save for the distant rumble of activity. Erik scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of the rebels.
There were none luckily, but it was still too soon. The building was full of New Alexandria's soldiers, Volkovs' n and won.
They were all waiting for the two blackguards to co, knowing every decision was going to be taken by them. It wasn't unusual, but there was a chain of command in Volkov's army. A blackguard intervened only when the situation was serious or complicated, when there was sothing valuable to defend or a valuable person to save.
Silent Scream turned to address the group. "Intel shows the rebels will strike this deposit. We're to secure the periter and eliminate any hostiles. Savage Blood, you'll take point with . The rest of our n will fan out and maintain positions."
Erik nodded, falling in step beside his ntor as the soldiers from Volkov's army dispersed to their assigned posts.
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