Infiltration

Marcus's head jerked back as Junk's first shot grazed his side.

The pain seared through him, sharp and sudden. It was bad aim, but it still hurt. Marcus clutched his side, feeling the warmth of his own blood seep through his fingers.

Junk's eyes narrowed. The short weasel man grunted, his hand already cocking the rifle for another shot.

Marcus's heart pounded. He doubted he had time to react.

"Activate Automation Design!" he whispered in panic.

The world around him slowed. He was pulled into his headspace where everything moved in slow motion. Junk disappeared replaced by a world of grids and holo screens. It was a place where he could think and plan.

Marcus began to pace, the pain in his side had dissipated but the situation was dire. Junk had missed his first shot, most likely due to a combination of the trench coat making Marcus seem bigger and Junk's atrocious aim.

Marcus doubted he would miss the second shot. He walked back and forth for a long while growing more frustrated with each step until he had an idea.

"System!" he shouted.

[Yes?] came the monotone response.

"Can you simulate what was happening out there in here?"

[Yes.]

And just like that Junk was now in front of Marcus his hand on the trigger, the simulation started and in less than a moment Junk's finger pulled the trigger and the gun banged startling Marcus but there was no bullet.

[Simulation result: Death.]

Inside this headspace, he realized he could simulate not just himself but Junk as well. He could practice his draw, again and again, until it was perfect.

But before that he had to unblock the pain, there would be pain in the real world and it could ruin him.

"System, unblock the pain."

[Unblocking now.]

And like a searing fire Marcus felt the pain in his side, it screamed inside his head and made him flinch when he moved. He wasn't unfamiliar with such a feeling but he needed to practice with it, all parameters needed to be as similar as possible.

The first few attempts failed miserably. His frail body moved too slowly. His pistol draw was clumsy, his fingers awkwardly fumbling.

This was not a weapon he was use to and his body fought him at every step.

[AGILITY TOO LOW] the System chimed.

Marcus bit back his frustration and kept at it. Hours passed in his headspace, though in reality, it was mere millisecond.

He refined his movements. Each draw grew a bit smoother, a bit quicker.

Eventually, he had almost perfected it, but time had run out.

[WARNING: TIME IS RUNNING OUT] the System warned.

Time was still moving out there in the real world and Marcus was soon reaching a point where he wouldn't be able to even react.

One more simulation, one more try. He did it, with only minor errors. It had to be enough.

Marcus took a deep breath and exited the System.

Back in the real world, time sped back up to normal pace. Junk's rifle was aimed at him again, his fat finger squeezing the trigger.

In a flash, Marcus twisted his body, almost instinctively. He leaned back using the motion to fling his revolver up. Pain flared up from where he had been shot, his sick joints screamed but he ignored it all, tuned it out, as he had a hundred times before. The revolver seemed to move without his conscious thought, the least amount it had to.

Marcus pulled the trigger.

The boisterous sound of the gun shocked him. Junk's grin vanished as his head snapped backward followed by his body falling backward, the bullet had hit him squarely in the forehead. Junk's rifle clattered on the ground beside him.

Marcus's hands were shaking as Junk lay on the ground motionless.

[New Skill Acquired: Quick Draw I] the System announced.

[You have successfully overcome a fatal situation, 100 AP rewarded.]

Marcus allowed himself a brief moment of relief, but then the intercom buzzed.

"Junk, is he dead yet?"

The Librarian's voice sent chills down his spine.

Marcus took a deep breath considering his options. He could escape now but the door was still open, it was unlikely he would get another chance if the Librarian was on guard. Marcus gripped the revolver tightly.

No, he thought, this was the best opportunity.

So Marcus did what he did best and gambled once more.

"Ungh." he said mimicking the last sound Junk had made, evidently he had been a mute of some kind but Marcus hoped his grunt had been close enough.

"Bring the body in, and make it quick. We haven't got all day," the Librarian's voice crackled through the intercom.

Marcus glanced down at Junk's lifeless body. He needed to move quickly, every second was precious.

He grabbed the rifle lying next to Junk and sling it over his shoulder. The revolver remained clutched tight in his right hand. Then, mustering all the courage he had, Marcus stepped into the warehouse trying his best to limp slowly without the clack of his cane, ensuring his own movements were as calculated and deliberate as possible.

The door closed behind him after some time, there was no way back now.

The entrance was a stark contrast to the grimy exterior. Fluorescent lights hummed away, casting harsh shadows against metallic walls. Piles of books, holotapes, and numerous electronic devices cluttered not just the tables, but almost every surface.

It was hard to pinpoint the exact smell of the room, it was a strange mix of old paper, dust, and metal. The potent scent of decaying books lingered in the air, mingled with the metallic tang of electronic devices. Large screens displayed streams of news, information and an endless array of text. 

It felt like he had stepped into the heart of a data nexus. 

The setup overwhelmed him briefly—even in Alex's subconscious memory, he had never seen something so technical. Yet, he had to stay focused.

After what felt like an eternity, the clatter of autonomous machines and the chorus of beeping devices guided him to a section at the core of the labyrinth.

There, meticulously working over what looked like a highly sophisticated robot, was The Librarian.

"Oh Junk, set the body there—carefully—and assist me with this circuitry, will you?" The Librarian's back was turned, his tone casual, almost dismissive. Marcus glanced down to see a holster at the Librarians waste, a blaster pistol of some kind rested neatly inside it.

The man was armed, but unaware.

Marcus realized this was his only moment.

Inhaling deeply, Marcus raised the revolver and stepped closer to The Librarian his heart pounding so loudly in his chest he feared it would give him away.

"I heard a couple shots through the intercom Junk, you really should upgrade to a lazer rifle, ballistic weapons are quite unreliable." the Librarian commented.

"It worked well enough for me." Marcus said as he reached The Librarian's side and pressed the revolver's muzzle firmly against it.

The librarian froze, his hands detached from the robot.

"Keep your hands on the table or I shoot," Marcus commanded and the Librarian complied.

Marcus noticed an assistant's stool nearby and pulled it towards him with the cane, the gun aimed at the Librarian's head never moving. He sat down on it letting out a relieved sigh. He had been shot, his side was bleeding and this man was the reason.

The Librarian, a man Mr. Black wanted dead and a man who was working with the Black Hoods. The real question was why?

Marcus wasn't fool enough to not ask.

"I've got some questions," Marcus said as his eyes narrowed "and I believe you have answers."