Chapter 2: Orders
*The scene opens a few days following the Golden Wreath Casino incident. Jasper is laying in a hospital bed and the news is on the television. A news reporter is discussing the attack.*
Reporter: The investigation is still underway, but the question still remains, who were the parties involved? And why has most of evidence following this incident gone missing?
*The sound of the TV causes Jasper to open his eyes slightly. There is a slight glare of sunlight coming through the curtains, and hitting Jasper in the face.*
Jasper: Well isn't that convenient....
*An agent of SEGMA enters the hospital room. Jasper looks over and nods.*
Jasper: How long have I been out Ross?
Ross: *Sighs* long enough. We were able to get you air lifted out of the area before reporters and police arrived. SEGMA's wash teams were dispatched immediately after to begin cleaning up the scene. The higher echelons are at a frenzy.
Jasper: And the others?
Ross: No one knows their whereabouts...Intel has drones flying all over the place, scanning every city and tapping into every surveillance camera and satellite feed that they can get into, to pull off their location.
Jasper: I froze up....
Ross: It's not your fault...we should have seen this coming...Bishop has been a red flag for quite some time.
Jasper: And the others just followed him...
Ross: What do you expect? Duke, and Faux are only here because of him, and Eris is his sister....you don't betray blood.
Jasper: So what now?
Ross: We wait....hopefully we will get a hit soon, but for now you need to recover....SEGMA put too much funding into the Primal Project for it to go up in smoke like this....
Jasper: That's not what I meant...
Ross: *Sighs* I know, but it's hard to say what will happen now....and whatever comes next is above my pay grade.
Jasper: I'll have to go after them, won't I?
Ross: Considering the sensitivity of the situation, it is very likely, but that also depends on how SEGMA feels about loosing assets as valuable as Primal Coders...It's not like we can pull you guys out of a fucking claw machine....
*There is a knock on the door, and the door opens. Another SEGMA Agent stands in the doorway.*
Jasper: Commander Reyes...
Ross: Sir, I wasn't expecting you to make such a long trip?
Reyes: Nonsense, one of our top operatives is injured, why wouldn't I come to check up on him?
Jasper: I'm flattered...
Reyes: But most importantly, we have a matter that needs to be discussed...
*Commander Reyes enters the room and closes the door. He places a black brief case on top of a bedside table and opens it up. Inside are files and pictures.*
Ross: Intel was able to find something?
Reyes: *Nods* Yes, But we do not know how much time we have to secure the other Primal Coders before they realize that we've tracked their location and they run....
Jasper: What do you need me to do sir?
Reyes: After discussing our options with the Board of Directors, the Board has deemed Bishop and his followers to dangerous to be left alive. Jasper, the mission I give you is no easy one, and it's a cross you will have to bear alone....
Jasper: You want me to take them down?
Reyes: In laments terms, yes, the Board has deemed the remaining Primal Coders to dangerous to be left alive...According to our Intel they have already began to make their move.
Jasper: Where are they now?
Reyes: Bishop's location is still unknown, but his sister Eris, Faux, and Duke's locations have been located.
Jasper: *Looks down at his bandaged hands and grips them tight* Where are they now?
Reyes: At the moment they are in Los Angeles.
Jasper: When can I leave?
Ross: Whoa, you just woke up, and now your ass is looking for a fight? What the hell is wrong with you?!
Jasper: We don't have all the time in the world to wait for me to recover, I know Bishop won't.
Ross: Sir, with all due respect, this is crazy...
Reyes: the power that Jasper possesses, the power of Fenrir, is very powerful, and his healing abilities are beyond your imagination....there is no need for concern Ross...
Ross: But he's fighting four other Primal Coders, who are just as powerful if not more...
Reyes: Jasper, are you willing to accept this mission?
*Jasper looks through the documents and pictures. Each picture of the other Primal Coders has their code name lined in highlighter, Phoenix, Minotaur, and Griffin, all of whom Jasper has seen in combat, and knows their capabilities well. The last document is labeled Bahamut, which Jasper grits his teeth.*
Jasper: No matter our past...or how I feel about them...they made their choice, and if they are going to follow Bishop, then I don't have a choice...I have to stop them before they hurt anyone else....
Reyes: And what about Eris? You two have a past?
*Jasper stared down at the picture of Eris*
Jasper: Our past is just that...the past
Reyes: So I assume you accept this mission?
*A cold breeze flows through the room just as Jasper looks up towards Commander Reyes. Jasper's Eyes are a deep yellow, with blue slits in them. Both Ross and Commander Reyes tense up from the pressure that Jasper is emitting*
Jasper: When do I leave?