4 Years Ago
Mack trained at a gym for hours a day, working to become a professional assassin. The DuskRose organization promoted itself as a cause towards the betterment of humanity by removing evil doers, as well as providing good training for self defense. Mack destroyed the last punching bag in the gym before calling it a day and leaving.
A few days later, Mack checked her mail and found a letter from the DuskRose. She eagerly opened it and was thrilled to see the words of acceptance come in.
"Dalton! I got in boy!" -Mack
He barked back happily. Mack immediately went to the meeting location and got started with the training. A video was ready for her to play.
"Welcome to the DuskRose. Here you can make a difference in the world and become a better fighter all at the same time. During your time here you will learn how to properly neutralize targets, as well as how to sneak in and out of locations safely," -Video
"Hmph, sounds alright," -Mack
"Our goal is to neutralize threats in this world by knocking them unconscious. Once done, your job will be to attach a transmitter that will bring them right into our rooms, where we can properly send them to secure prisons across the world according to local jurisdiction," -Video
"Didn't know they worked with governments," -Mack
After the video stopped playing, someone walked into the room to greet her.
"Hi there, Mack. I'm Shutter, and I'll be your teacher," -Shutter
Present Day
On a quiet cloudy night, Mack was out on a contract to neutralize a threat located right inside her neighborhood. She carried her blade silently and swiftly through the night, being able to vanish for brief moments and reappear somewhere else completely different, all skills gained from her training at the DuskRose. Mack opened a window to the house of her current target, a mercenary who sells illegal weapons and goods in the neighborhood. After making it down to the basement, she located the supply of weaponry.
"Oh my god," -Mack
As she took notes on the place, a man burst through charging at her. Mack stood her ground and fought back. Both exchanged punches and kicks, before Mack's blade punctured him in the leg, causing him to fall down.
"That was, not very nice of you," -Target
"It's nothing personal," -Mack
A device in her pockets ringed.
"Mack, mission report?" -?
"Mission successful," -Mack
Mack put the transmitter on his neck and teleported him to the DuskRose HQ. He landed in a red room where someone was there to greet him.
"Hello there," -?
Back in the neighborhood, Mack got out just in time to evade the police and went back to her home.
"Dalton! I'm home boy!" -Mack
Dalton ran up to her, happy to see her again.
"I'm happy to see you too," -Mack
She got a snack and went to get ready to relax for the night. After changing into some pajamas, she turned on the TV and watched the news. The reporters were already at the crime scene.
"People in the Willow Creek neighbourhood have reported activity of one of many silent assassins in the area. Police have searched through the house and found no signs of the target or the assassin anywhere in sight. Anywhere with further information can call the hotline to file a report," -Reported
Mack rolled her eyes.
"That was one less weapons dealer. You're welcome," -Mack
She turned off the TV and finished the night by playing some Overwatch.
The next morning, Mack went out grocery shopping before stopping by to visit a book club. Her favorite book club member was there catching up.
"Hi B!" -Mack
"Heyy Mack, you stopped by today. I thought you were busy," -B
"I finished my shopping pretty early. How's the book so far?" -Mack
"It's so good. You need to finish reading The Troop," -B
"I will, I've just been extra busy recently," -Mack
"With your special job?" -B
"Yes, with that," -Mack
"And it's better than your old one?" -B
Mack knew she couldn't share too much information about the job. Upon working for them, the organization made her swear to keep it confidential.
"Trust me it's great, just Bn having extra, shifts recently," -Mack
"Well let me know when you have some free time. We should go book shopping again," -B
"For sure! I gotta go now but I will see you later," -Mack
"Alright, see you!" -B
Mack headed out to return her groceries back home. Food wasn't the only thing she got, she also bought extra upgrades for her assassin gear, as well as to improve her look. Dalton walked over to check it out.
"How's the new fit?" -Mack
He barked in approval and got a snack in return. Not long after, Mack checked her phone and saw a text from Shutter, asking her to meet in a community centre to discuss a special contract from the organization. Mack asked if it would pay well, and she got a very good response. As the sun set, Mack got her stuff and headed out.
2 Years Ago
"You're getting better, Mack," -Shutter
"Yeah, you're a tough opponent," -Mack
"The key is to always be ready to counter," -Shutter
In her final lesson, Mack was training to officially be ready for contracts.
"So the DuskRose, why do they keep to themselves?" -Mack
"They don't want to interfere with politics and such. They think that they can make a difference from the sidelines without help from other leaders," -Shutter
"And you're ok with that?" -Mack
"I've been a high rank here for a few years now. I would say so. Any concerns?" -Shutter
"Just wondering why. It feels like a spy camp sometimes," -Mack
"Maybe, but just know that they are trying to help the world. It needs us," -Shutter
After exchanging a few more punches and kicks, Mack finally got the upper hand on her teacher.
"That's what I was waiting for," -Shutter
Shutter went into the back of the room and pulled out a selection of weapons.
"Every assassin needs a special weapon to use. Teleportation and sneaking skills are all universal, but everyone resonates with one weapon more than another," -Shutter
Mack took some time to look at the choices. There were guns, bows, hammers, but only one weapon stood out to her.
"I'll take this one," -Mack
She picked up a long pink blade and practiced using it. One slice was enough to cut a dummy model in half instantly.
"The blade is great for fast combat. Just be careful not to slice them in half. We don't want to kill the contracts," -Shutter
"What really happens to them? After we send them to the DuskRose," -Mack
"After seizing their power, we send them to the right prisons and have them serve their time," -Shutter
"Sounds simple enough," -Mack
"As long as you guys do the work swiftly. Good work today, assassin," -Shutter
The two walked out the training room together and into the large DuskRose HQ. Mack was guaranteed her official assassin uniform and weapon rights.
Present Day
Mack reached the meeting location and found the room where Shutter was sitting.
"Any good photos recently? Weather's been nice," -Mack
"No not as of right now. Bn too busy with the DuskRose to do my photography," -Shutter
"If I have time to play a game that makes me rage, I'm sure you have time to snap some pictures," -Mack
"I will in time," -Shutter
"What's so special about this contract that you want me to help?" -Mack
Shutter pulled up a holographic board that explained the entire case. A person's profile was put on it, but no image of them was available.
"The DuskRose believes that someone here is trying to destroy the organization, and set chaos across the planet, releasing the criminals we've already apprehend," -Shutter
"That's no good," -Mack
"Indeed. They have information on us, including information on our contracts," -Shutter
"If they are such a threat why haven't the other assassins Bn sent in yet," -Mack
"We have. The target has unfortunately foiled each of their attempts. We need you. You're the best that we have. My brightest pupil," -Shutter
"Listen, the extra cash is great and all, but I've been pretty busy. I wanted to get in some more time with a friend of mine and read some books," -Mack
"I know I'm asking you to join me on this contract, but I don't think I can take them alone. Ever since that water monster and its creatures terrorised Toronto, people are quite scared of what's out there in the world and it will be way worse if that target releases the criminals in our holding," -Shutter
Mack took a moment to think about it. She was already stressed out with making time for her B and Dalton, but figured that it would be best to join in on this fight. They would benefit by being safe too.
"Alright, I'll do it. Only because you've Bn a great teacher," -Mack
"Thanks so much. Always have your back," -Shutter
"Right back at you," -Mack
"We can start at where their main base of location could be. It looks to be on the move every time we strike but one of our assassins was able to pinpoint a location tonight where we will know they will be," -Shutter
"Where's it at?" -Mack
"At midnight tonight in the cargo shipwreck near the coast. We detected signatures of the target inside," -Shutter
"Alright. Let's do this then," -Mack
As the clock approached midnight, Mack and Shutter moved out quietly past the streets until they reached the coast. The shipwreck left large amounts of the water in the area dried out. Inside the ship was a faint computer screen light.
"We were right. Masks on. Don't let them see you," -Shutter
"Transmitter is ready to go," -Mack
The area inside the ship was much larger than the outside. The target inside was busy at work expanding the area.
"Why would anyone set up here?" -Mack
"It's hidden. Smart," -Shutter
Mack looked through some papers on a desk but found no helpful information on who this person was. Upon further inspection, she found some books with information, as well as some casual ones.
"Quite the reader," -Mack
"Found anything?" -Shutter
"They read, which is cool. This book though is a notebook. Is there anything here?" -Mack
Shutter took the book and began to read it. Lights began to flicker in the room.
"Nothing good I can use," -Shutter
All of a sudden, the lights went out as someone knocked Mack and Shutter to the ground. They got up and went into a defensive stand.
"Show yourself!" -Shutter
The mysterious person kept running around the darkness, beating up the DuskRose assassin duo. Mack striked her blade in the ground and created a flaming pink strike to light up the area. It hit the target, but let them run away.
"Go!" -Shutter
The two ran off after the target, dodging the falling debris and obstacles they were leaving behind. The target threw a piece of dynamite into the air and started collapsing the ship.
"Shutter abort mission we need to leave!" -Mack
"Hmph, alright let's get out," -Shutter
As the two assassins retreated out, Mack could see the target activating a personal red bubble to protect them from the collapse, unsure if they would get out alive.
"I told you, this is larger than all of us combined," -Shutter
"Why don't we get some help from the higher ups in the DuskRose?" -Mack
"The boss never steps down to help in missions. Their powers are reserved," -Shutter
"Yeah well. We could've used them tonight," -Mack
"At ease Mack. We can try again another night. I will let you know when there is an opportunity. Go home and have a nice night. Enjoy your book club," -Shutter
"Alright. See you Shutter," -Mack
Shutter vanished into the night, leaving Mack to walk home alone. Upon arriving home, Dalton was there to check in on her.
"Hi boy. Not a successful mission this time," -Mack
He whimpered and looked sad, but ran over to her computer to attempt to cheer her up.
"Aw. Ok we can watch something before bed," -Mack
She opened up a movie and got comfy with Dalton. One thing kept sticking around in her mind. Who was this mysterious target? And how did they generate that bubble?
Mack and B were able to go book shopping the next day.
"You look tired. Everything ok?" -B
"Oh yeah. Had an overtime that's all," -Mack
"Yeah, late shifts for me are pretty hard too," -B
B picked up a book and showed it to Mack. It was about scientific theories in recent years.
"I've been into science recently. Want to read this next time?" -B
"Is this even a story book?" -Mack
"Not really, but I think it'll be interesting!" -B
"Alright, just for you I will," -Mack
"Yay! Book babies forever," -B
"Haha, book babies forever," -Mack
The two purchased a copy of their books. Mack smoked up some weed and headed home to get started.
"Science huh. B never fails to surprise me," -Mack
Mack flipped through the first few pages to get an idea of what the book was about. Among the various topics in chemistry and physics, one topic caught Mack's attention. A theory in the science community about an element that some humans have inside them that no others do. An element labelled as Crimsonite. Humans with Crimsonite can use it at will to form protective shields around them and heal themselves due to the nature of its structure. It comes from descendants or gained when messing with certain chemicals in real life. Mack put two and two together, seeing as the target from the last night might have had this element.
"Thank you B. Science does prevail," -Mack
Later in the night, Mack used what she learned from the book to be able to trace signs of Crimsonite. Walking around in town, Mack was brought into a coffee shop that was shut down. She broke in silently and started searching the place for the target again. There were no signs of papers or laptops this time around. Before Mack could open a door to the back, the target jumped down from the roof and attacked her. Both of them went into a brawl, exchanging hits with one another. Mack was surprised someone was able to match her combat skills. She tried using her blade but the target knocked it away from her this time. Mack instead decided to throw an old coffee machine at them, which removed their mask. Before Mack went in to put on the transmitter, she froze, as if something wasn't right. She recognized part of their face. After removing their whole mask, she backed up a bit.
"B!?" -Mack
"How do you know my name," -B
Mack took off her own mask and showed herself.
"No, not you too," -B
"If you did all this to find out what my secret job was, I wish I just told you straight up," -Mack
"No, not that. I can't believe you are working for this trash organization," -B
"The DuskRose seeks out dangerous criminals and imprisons them. I'm doing the world a service here!" -Mack
"Is that what they told you? Is that what happened when they killed my professor?" -B
Mack gave a shocked reaction.
"Amy?" -Mack
"Amy didn't want anyone to find out how she really died," -B
"I thought it was an accident at a resort. You said she got swept out to sea," -Mack
"I did, to protect her legacy," -B
"What do you mean?" -Mack
B took Mack into the back of the coffee shop and showed her all the papers and laptops from last time. Her work was stored here.
"Amy told me about her mission because she trusted me. After all, I was her favorite student," -B
"What mission?" -Mack
"To destroy the DuskRose," -B
"Why's that?" -Mack
"Because they are lying to you! Do you actually know what happens to them when you put those transmitters on them?" -B
Mack didn't have a response. She knew she didn't actually see what happened after sending them off.
"You're not actually getting criminals. Maybe some of them sure, but they really target people with Crimsonite. Like Amy," -B
"What do they want it for?" -Mack
"They extract it out of them to collect the energy. Their current plan right now is using it to build a device that can enslave the planet," -B
"And what happens to the person afterwards?" -Mack
B paused before replying
"Without the Crimsonite, they die," -B
That took Mack by surprise. She thought this whole time they were fighting for a good cause. She went in to hug B
"B, I'm so sorry. I didn't know," -Mack
"It's ok. They are very good at manipulating people. Amy made me promise to finish her mission, and that's what I'm going to do. I spent the last year collecting information on them and I know how to get to them," -B
"Even if you find out their hidden HQ, there's too many assassins in there. Not to mention their creator," -Mack
"So will you help me?" -B
"... It will be dangerous, but I trust you, B. Anything for Amy," -Mack
"Thank you. I don't think anyone in that organization knows about this, so best that you don't go talking about it with your co workers, if that's how it works," -B
"I have a mentor, her name is Shutter. I trust her but I can keep it secret for now," -Mack
"Let's do this tomorrow. I'm too tired after that fight," -B
"Where did you learn to fight like that anyways?" -Mack
"I trained myself, and Amy guided me," -B
"Ah, sweet," -Mack
The two of them walked out back to their homes ready to make things right the very next night.
The pair met up at the coffee shop again to discuss their plan.
"I'm not sure if you've ever been to their HQ before, but I've finally found out where it is. It's a huge flying base in the sky disguised with technology to blend in. That's why it's so hard to find," -B
"I've never been. Every time I needed to meet up with others from the DuskRose I had to go to some public spot," -Mack
"Checks out. The only problem now is that I have no idea how we can get inside. It's too far up for anything efficient," -B
Mack started thinking and came up with an idea.
"The DuskRose gives us transmitters to send our targets to HQ. Maybe we can modify it so it can take us somewhere on the base where no one can see us?" -Mack
"Mack, that's genius! Hand me one I can work on something," -B
Mack handed her two transmitters. Inside the coffee shop, B got to work on modifying the code to send them somewhere safe.
"I think I got it so it can send us right outside on the base. I think a landing pad or something. We need to sneak our way in and bring down the whole thing," -B
"I can get us past anyone, don't worry," -Mack
"Let's do this," -B
After activating the transmitters, Mack and B were sent to a large runway outside a large flying complex.
"This shit is insane!" -Mack
"Let's move," -B
With Mack's help, both were able to sneak past the guards on board and managed to get inside. They wandered around for a bit to see what was going on. B was right, the DuskRose was indeed collecting Crimsonite and storing it in a tank for some sort of weapon.
"This is absolutely sick. Think of how much people you and the others brought in to die," -B
"We'll make it right, I promise," -Mack
After some more poking around and exploring, they found a large room with a desk in the back. B went to see if she could get information on the place.
"They modify Crimsonite to control minds. This is nuts!" -B
"I think people are coming, get down," -Mack
They hid under the desk just as someone walked into the room. Mack went to take a peek. She couldn't believe her eyes. It was Shutter. She appeared to be talking to someone on the phone.
"Yes, I will have it sorted out… Yes I think I know where to go… I will report back," -Shutter
Shutter stood in the centre of the room, like she was waiting for something.
"You guys can come out, you know?" -Shutter
Mack and B got out slowly ready to brawl.
"I'm not here to turn you in, but what on Earth are you doing here Mack. Why are you with the special target?" -Shutter
"She's my friend! And she told me some things about this place that I think you should know about. It's all a lie. We're not doing anything good here," -Mack
"... I see, and what lies are those?" -Shutter
B took the time to explain everything she discovered, including her history with her professor.
"I… am sorry to hear about that. What can I do?" -Shutter
"We need to find a way to bring this place down. If we can, the organisation will never be able to rebuild properly," -B
"I'll see what I can do to help," -Shutter
The three of them began to leave the room, but all the doors were suddenly locked.
"Shutter, did you do that?" -Mack
"Of course I didn't," -Shutter
Footsteps approached them from behind. Mack turned around and saw a masked figure radiating with Crimsonite.
"Shutter, please stand back," -?
Shutter took a step back and the mysterious person blasted Crimsonite onto Mack and B, weakening them for a bit.
"Sorry Mack," -Shutter
"I don't know how you got in here Mack. The DuskRose is not meant for assassins to see," -?
"We were here to bring you guys down! I saw it already. There's no good in whatever you guys are doing. These aren't criminals we are imprisoning, they are innocent people we are killing!" -Mack
The masked person revealed themselves. They looked young, but powerful.
"I'm Evelyn by the way. Founder of the DuskRose since 2004," -Evelyn
"You look young for your age," -Mack
"Crimsonite helps with that," -Evelyn
"We won't step until you guys are gone. You killed my professor!" -B
"Hm? Ah Amy, yes she was a thorn in our side," -Evelyn
Evelyn went to her desk and put up a large screen for Mack and B to watch. A video played, showing Shutter being the one who was sent to kill Amy. It was hard for B to watch, as well as for Mack. Mack walked up to Shutter and pushed her on a wall.
"Did you know!?" -Mack
"... I didn't know who she was to you guys," -Shutter
"Don't bullshit me Shutter! Did you KNOW!?"- Mack
"... … Yes," -Shutter
Mack stood back shocked and angered. She tried to attack Shutter, but Eveleyn attached a transmitter and sent her into a locked room. B was then sent into a Crimsonite extraction chamber.
"It's all good Shutter. I will handle it now. Good work," -Evelyn
"What about Mack? What will happen to her?" -Shutter
"You can find a new assassin to train, we will no longer need Mack's assistance," -Evelyn
Shutter left the room nervous afterwards.
Inside the locked room, Mack tried everything to escape. The walls were too powerful to break. After a few more attempts, Mack sat on the ground, accepting her defeat. A few minutes later, the door opened up and Shutter walked in.
"Hey," -Shutter
No response from Mack.
"I'm sorry. I did know what the DuskRose was doing to people. I had a high position here and I was happy. For what it's worth, I was happy training you," -Shutter
"... It's over now I guess. B is going to get her Crimsonite extracted too," -Mack
"I had a change of heart," -Shutter
Shutter pressed a button that deactivated the transmitters on Mack and B.
"We have one chance," -Shutter
Mack accepted Shutter's help and got back up. The two of them ran to B's chamber, took out the guards inside and helped her get out.
"Alright. We're all on the same page now. Shutter what can we do?" -Mack
"Someone needs to deliver a blow to the engine's core. It'll release all the Crimsonite and blow up the base. We're above inhabited lands right now, so we have a shot," -Shutter
"Sounds good, let's do this for real," -B
They fought out anyone in their path and made it to the engine room. The core was impenetrable from the outside, so Mack tried to stab it from the inside. Before she could, Eveleyn appeared in front of her and punched her back to the ground.
"Shutter, you never learn do you?" -Evelyn
The three heroes went to fight Evelyn instead, leaving the core for now. She had teleportation powers and fired strong blasts, but all of them were skilled enough to dodge them. With some teamwork, Mack was able to get up and land one strike. Evelyn took this challenge and modified the gravity in the room to be lighter.
"How can you do that?" -B
"Time, my naive friend," -Evelyn
She knocked B to the ground. Shutter went up next to take a hit in, but she was not skilled enough.
"Did you forget who trained you?" -Evelyn
Mack was the last one standing at this point.
"You hurt my friends. You kill innocent people. Hell will make a new spot for you," -Mack
Mack charged in with her blade, matching the combat skills of Evelyn, even she was caught by surprise. After outsmarting her and bashing her on the floor. Mack jumped up to stab the core. Her blade didn't do any damage, it was being protected.
"Shutter! The core!" -Mack
"It's protected by Crimsonite. We can't hurt it," -Shutter
Mack had a look of despair as the team was running out of options. Evelyn got back up to confront Mack.
"The DuskRose must prevail. You thought you could win?" -Evelyn
Mack didn't have a response, but she did get an idea.
"I don't need to win. I just need you to LOSE!" -Mack
Mack vanished behind Evelyn and jumped onto her, bringing the both of them into the core. Evelyn's Crimsonite was enough to weaken the barrier, and let her stab the core. This instantly destroyed it and caused an explosion in the rest of the facility.
"Mack no!" -B
B and Shutter grouped up and used B's Crimsonite to save themselves. Mack and Evelyn were too far into the core and falling for anyone else to help. As they fell through the sky, Mack repeatedly hit Evelyn over and over again to take her out. Without the Crimsonite in the DuskRose facility, Evelyen was defeated, and eventually perished. Mack pushed her body aside and tried to find a way to survive the fall. She held onto some falling debris but got hit with a large room that injured her arm. Unable to do anything now, Mack looked up as she kept falling rapidly. Not long after, someone dove down to her and held on tight. Shutter looked at Mack as she used some Crimsonite she had the whole time to create the protective bubble onto Mack.
"You have it too!?" -Mack
"Always did. I may have been your teacher Mack, but I always saw you as a friend" -Shutter
As the remaining Crimsonite transferred onto Mack, Shutter's power weakened as they kept falling.
"I'm sorry that I didn't do right by hiding secrets. I'm damn lucky you were my student," -Shutter
Shutter pushed Mack away from the falling debris as much as possible.
"Shutter, don't do this!" -Mack
Mack cried for Shutter not to leave, but she did, knowing it would save her. The falling debris and Mack eventually fell onto the ground. Mack got out of the bubble and started looking for Shutter, but was not able to. B found her and gave her a comforting hug.
"I'm sorry for your loss," -B
A few weeks passed. Mack recovered from her injuries as she went out to visit Shutter's grave. B accompanied her. After leaving some flowers, they left to take a nice walk with Dalton.
"I'll always be thankful that she helped us," -B
"I'll miss her too," -Mack
"So, you now have Crimsonite too!" -B
"Yeah, it appears I do haha. But it turned out pink for some reason," -Mack
"It fits you. What are you going to do now? Now that the DuskRose is gone," -B
"There are still some assassins out there who don't know what happened. I'm going to stop any of them who are still loyal to the DuskRose. Be a real hero this time," -Mack
"Sounds good to me," -B
"But first, let's go have that book club meeting," -Mack
The two of them walked to the book club and shared many thoughts and ideas from the science theory book. After the meeting, Mack smoked up some weed and began walking home. She noticed someone in need of help in a park, and decided to go help them.
"Turns out, I don't need to be part of some large scale organization to do good in this world. It was always about what I chose to do in my own free time. The DuskRose facility may have been destroyed, but it still lives on, and I will make sure it ends," -Mack