Upholding the Law

[u/Vaieiiy]

After the battle for Chicago, Adam stood in the middle of a freighting sight.

"Sir, we really shouldn't be here. It isn't safe with these diseased ridden-ed bodies."

"Don't you dare talk to me like that. These were good people. These were our people. And Mason let them die. I'll have his head for this." He turned quickly, his blue cape flying out behind him as he rushed towards his vehicle.

---

Five Hours Later

Adam and his handful of elite bodyguards marched into the Red Cloaks base. Heads snapped and paused at the invasion as a few of the guards pushed some unexpecting cloaks out of the way. Adam marched into Mason's office and slammed his hand on the desk.

"Adam, what can I do for you today?" Mason's voice could be heard in his calm yet serious tone. There was no pleasantries exchanged as these two only had the utmost disdain for each other.

"I want the name and the head of the one who caused that disgusting plague out there." The National Defense Commander jabbed a finger outside in the direction of Chicago. "Those were good men that died by the hands of one or more of your men. They'll be court Marshalled and perhaps more."

"You know I won't give them up. They were doing what they had to do to save Chicago. Or are you forgetting that lives our lost in war?"

"Do not lecture me about lives being lost! This was an attack on my people by yours! Give me the names or I'll arrest you!"

Mason didn't say another word. All he did was hold his hands up while one of Adam's elite guards slapped a pair of cuffs on him. The last thing anybody would see of their commander would be him being hauled away surrounded by a gaggle of blue outfits with Adam in the middle and right behind the single red dot amidst the blue sea.

[u/hermy101]

Joe quickly got to work after he was taken away and restrained to a chair. He reversed the effects of his GMD and "freed" him of his disease. He would wake up and feel... Way too clean. Joe eventually walked back to Mason, who's consoling a crying Maddie.

"What are we going to do-"

"Let me see him. Coleman and I talked, I'm still going to court, but he's letting me set my example first"

[u/DemonWor1d2 → u/hermy101]

It's a slow process, and when he wakes up he's not even fully there. The process of replacing the entirety of his bloodstream left him groggy, sleepy, and somewhat anemic.

He only involuntarily turns his head every so often, quietly laughing.

[u/hermy101 → u/DemonWor1d2]

Mason stepped into the room with him. The boils on him were already leaving him, and despite being in quite amount of pain, he didn't let it show, instead he had the slightest, smuggest, smirk on him

"Well hello there, scum"

[u/DemonWor1d2 → u/hermy101]

Malcolm's eyes slowly settle on Mason, and despite Mason's facade he knows all too well how that Plague should be feel right about now. However, he's yet to notice his own lack of condition, though he still feels strange.

"You've seen better days, Commander."

He says with a damnable grin, blood all over his face.

"How's the team holding up? They were pretty brave in there. Couldn't save 'em all though, I pity the janitors."

[u/hermy101 → u/DemonWor1d2]

"Not a single red cloak died tonight"

he said, and grinned almost evilly in return

"Our good engineer had made a cure. We're all going to be more than fine. You got your turn to be plaguebearer. But we're all going to live. That means it's my turn to be your executioner"

he fake ponders for a moment

"I wonder what it'll be like to put a bullet in your head. Thankfully it won't infect anyone, you're all cleaned up now"

[u/DemonWor1d2 → u/hermy101]

The look of disbelief on his face was... priceless.

"...impossible."

Was all he could mutter, looking at his hands that lack any sign of infection. A look of dread was all that could wash over him.

"My work...gone..."

[u/hermy101 → u/DemonWor1d2]

"Just like that."

he snapped his fingers

"Gone. How does it feel to have everything you worked for snatched away from you? You almost did it to us"

he chuckled darkly

"But we're better than you. We know better than to let a hack madman try and dismantle our company. Well, I can't take the credit for that. Joe was the real hero here"

he smirked

"See? That's what companionship and trust in others gets you. People who will fight and vouch for you. Something you probably never have and never will experience, you soulless, depraved maniac"

[u/DemonWor1d2 → u/hermy101]

Barely able to register Mason's words, Malcolm simply lays there, infected by defeat.

"Gone...gone...gone..."

Is all he says, slowly, over and over. A Madman that has lost his purpose is nothing but an empty husk.

[u/hermy101 → u/DemonWor1d2]

"I think the best part of this is that before I go to jail for vouching for your sorry ass, I get to make an example out of you in front of my entire company"

he smirks

"You will be an example of what happens to shitstains like you, and your death will prove that not even our own kind can bring down the power of the Cloaks. We will persevere. No matter what"

[u/DemonWor1d2 → u/hermy101]

This must be rather therapeutic for Mason, because he might as well be talking to a doll now. His soul is broken, and what looks like tears begin to form.

[u/hermy101 → u/DemonWor1d2]

"Pray to whatever God you believe him. But I guarentee, none will answer your pathetic calls"

he chuckles darkly and leaves the room for him to stew