Raid

Exodus had fallen asleep soundly that night, Rachel next to him under the covers as they slept together. He did not know when he became conscious, but he knew that the second he did, he was filled with a sense of dread. Something was wrong. He could feel it in the pits of his stomach. Quietly and smoothly, he climbed out the bed, shirtless as he tiptoed across the room to the bedroom door, gently opened it and slipped out. He stepped along the landing, the tiles smooth and cold beneath his feet, and then a blur of movement caught his eye. Ahead of him, someone in police riot gear was quietly searching through a desk near the stairs, not noticing Exodus creeping up behind him. Exodus snapped his hands forward, grasping the man by the back, turning, and throwing him down the staircase.

The man bounced on every step and sprawled at the bottom, apparently unconscious as more came up the stairs, glaring at Exodus and raising batons. Exodus ducked a swing and kicked out, sending the first officer flying down the stairs and accidentally bringing the others with him. Exodus backed away from the stairs, dove to his knees, thrust his hand under the desk, and withdrew the USB from his mission. An officer came up the stairs, and his eyes lit up when he saw the USB in Exodus' palm. Rachel came out the bedroom and stopped in the corridor, wearing jeans, a shirt, and her eyes wide as she surveyed the scene before her. Then, she ran forward before Exodus could say anything, grasped the officer by the shoulders and then flipped him through the air. He crashed onto the ground, and Rachel rose from the crouched position.

A black baton whistled through the air and struck the side of her face, making her drop to the ground in pain. Exodus didn't know what came over him, but next he found himself sprinting forward and raising out his left palm. "LEAVE HER ALONE!" he screamed, and a burst of what felt like lighting coursed through his body as he charged. The tips of his fingers began sparking, and then an explosion rocked the house and Exodus was thrown back, skidding along the floor before coming to a panting stop. He looked up, and his eyes widened. Someone stepped along the wreckage of bodies and rubble and came to a stop just several feet away from Exodus, apparently not seeing him. He only saw their boots, brown leather and hard as he stooped down and picked something from the ground. It took Exodus a moment to focus on it. It was the USB.

The figure turned away, and began walking out the house, then stopped beside Rachel, who lay unconscious on the ground. They crouched beside her and began reaching out to touch her face. Exodus climbed to his feet, grabbed the newcomer by the shoulder and threw him back, watching him skid on the floor before rolling backward and then rising to their feet. A black mask and goggles covered their features, and they held a small knife in their left hand. Exodus raised his fists, and the man charged, slashing the knife through the air. Exodus had to admit, the man was amazing. Every slash was accurate and deadly, the knife silently whistling through the air like a leaf caught in a strong breeze. Exodus ducked yet another slash, caught the fist, and was pushed backward, his back hitting the wall as the knife slowly drew closer, the point almost breathing upon his neck.

Exodus moved his head to the side and headbutted the man in the face, shocking him as Exodus then raised his leg and delivered a powerful kick to the man's stomach. The man staggered back, and Exodus advanced, fists raised. He moved from an attack, spun, and kicked the man across the face, then running forward, tackling him around the middle, and sending them both crashing onto the floor. Exodus sat atop the man's chest, wrestling as the man tried to shove Exodus away. Exodus remained, panting but trying to wrap his fingers around the mask. He was close. No matter how hard the man struggled, Exodus' fingers were brushing against the edges, so close to ripping the mask away and revealing the man. A sudden pain ran through Exodus' side as the man kneed him, and he rolled away as the man flipped to his feet.

Exodus stood before the man, panting but refusing to move from the destroyed staircase, blocking the man's only escape. "Surrender," Exodus said with the little breath in his lungs, and the man slowly cocked his head to the side, staring at Exodus through the goggles, expression hidden. They stood; eyes locked onto one another, and then the man took a step forward. Exodus did not move, raising his fists again as blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. The man reached to his side, to a pouch upon their belt, and slipped the USB into it. Exodus eyes the pouch, and then made a move, darting forwards and outstretching his hand to the man. Another explosion rocked the building, and the man was thrown back and into a wall as Exodus spun through the air and crashed onto the ground. Exodus' vision was going blurry, but he lifted his head when another man burst through the closest wall and landed smoothly nearby.

It was Tyrak. He was staring at the man with clenched fists, the tips of his blond hairs seemingly alight with fire as he glared at the man. "No one gets to beat him senseless except for me," Tyrak snarled, and the man ran forth, knife raised. The door downstairs was smashed open, and several loud running footsteps filled the house as people neared the destroyed stairs. The man suddenly changed direction, turning away from Tyrak and racing toward the window. Tyrak outstretched his hand, and a burst of flame burst forth, but not before the man jumped and smashed out the window, disappearing into the night. Tyrak did not follow but instead crouched beside Rachel and checked her pulse as Exodus scrambled to his feet and sprinted to the window. It was no good. The man had escaped. Exodus turned, feeling dizzy, and crouched beside Tyrak, staring down at Rachel worriedly.

"She was knocked out by the blast, but she'll be alright," Tyrak said sharply, and Exodus nodded, a feeling of relief washing over him before his thoughts turned troubled once more. "Who was that?" he asked quietly, and Tyrak shrugged, "I don't know, and I don't care. They clearly didn't have a Power, because if they had one they would have used it. It is odd, but not an uncommon occurrence." Exodus, though, did care. Not just about the intruder, but about the USB they took. Tyrak grabbed Exodus by the shoulders and pinned him to the wall, their faces inches apart as Tyrak breathed, "What did he take?" Exodus glared back, waited a few moments, and then quietly responded. "A USB from my most recent mission." Tyrak snarled and drew closer, his teeth barred with rage. "You should have done more to stop him," he hissed, "Nathaniel never would have given up!"

Exodus growled in fury and raised his leg, striking Tyrak in the stomach and sending him staggering back. "Never use my brother's name," Exodus hissed, and Tyrak's palms began glowing softly as his features contorted with pure rage. Tyrak took a step forward, the glowing in his hands disappearing as he raised his fist, and then a sharp voice cut through the air. "Enough, both of you." They turned to find Commander Net standing among the debris, a squad of soldiers behind him as they stared at the two rivals. "You will have time to sort things out later," Commander Net said in a bored voice, and then he indicated to the unconscious or dead riot squad members. "What happened?" Tyrak looked like he was about to respond, but Exodus cut across him quickly. "Your men invaded the house and when I went to investigate I saw them rummaging around my stuff. They could have terrorists for all I knew, so I took care of as many as I could."

Commander Net looked surprised, and he groaned, running a hand over his face in annoyance. "I should have known," he murmured before looking up again, a dark look on his features. "There was…a man as well," Tyrak offered, and Commander Net cast a concerned look at Tyrak. "A man?" he repeated curiously, and Tyrak nodded excitedly, "He took out the men with a single blast, knocked out Rachel and almost took out Exodus before I intervened." Exodus knew that Tyrak was making it sound like he alone scared off the man, so he turned to look out the window angrily, where he saw the black-suited figure sprinting along distant rooftops. An idea struck him. "So where is he now?" Net asked, and Exodus turned to them, "I'm in pursuit."