Chapter 11: Lesson Time and Echoing Justice
Like a loyal servant of the shadows, Aslan returned within a few hours with the necessary information. Borok would give Roric his planned "lesson" the following evening in a large courtyard they called "the Arena" in the heart of an abandoned shipyard in Red Hook, the Iron Fist's main operations center. It was a place where Borok displayed his power, where disobedience was punished with blood, where the gang's dark justice was carried out. According to Aslan's information, Roric was in serious condition; Borok planned to execute him in front of everyone, slowly and painfully.
Kael's face showed no emotion as he listened to this information, but the Chitauri power core in his palm began to pulse faster, as if responding to the cold anger within him. Roric was a traitor, yes. But his betrayal was a result of Borok's ruthlessness and manipulation. Kael had decided that Borok was the real culprit, in his own sense of justice. Rescuing Roric would not only have the potential to restore his full powers, but would also send a message to Borok and the entire New York underworld that the Echo had risen from the ashes and that he would not hesitate to make them pay.
Preparations began that night. Kael focused on deepening his connection to the Chitauri core. He was no longer just looking for ways to heal, but to use it as a weapon, a tool. He tried to control the energy emanating from the core, to focus it on specific points. A faint smile crossed his face when he realized that he could move a small stone in the basement wall with the energy concentrated in his palm. This could take his marksmanship to another level; now he could shoot not only kinetic objects, but perhaps also pure energy. His marksmanship had not yet fully returned—the shadow of betrayal was still there—but the core offered him a new and unexpected advantage.
Aslan, under Kael's instructions, prepared a few simple but effective distraction and sabotage devices: timed smoke bombs, small EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) devices (made with leftover Chitauri technology under Kael's direction). Their plan was to create complete chaos and shake Borok's power in his own home.
The next evening, as dusk fell over the shipyard, Kael and Aslan sprang into action. They easily bypassed the security gaps in the outer perimeter of the shipyard, thanks to Aslan's information gathered and Kael's Chitauri-core-enhanced intuition. Kael used the core to momentarily disrupt the circuits of nearby security cameras and electronic locks, while Aslan lurched through the shadows, clearing a path for them.
As they approached the arena, they could hear the hum coming from inside and Borok's haughty voice. Roric was chained to a rusty post in the middle of the courtyard, exhausted and wounded. He was surrounded by armed Iron Fist members and other gang members who had come to watch this bloody theater. Borok paced in front of Roric, a glowing Chitauri energy whip in his hand, explaining at length the price of betrayal.
"This is it," Borok roared, cracking his whip. "This is the end of anyone who dares to betray me and the Iron Fists!"
At that moment, Kael gave the signal. Aslan detonated smoke bombs and EMP devices at the same time, which he had placed in predetermined locations. The arena was instantly covered in thick smoke, the projectors went out, and some of the modified weapons used by the gang members went silent, making meaningless noises. The area was in complete chaos.
In the midst of this chaos, Kael moved towards Roric like a ghost. His eyes glowed faintly with the energy he had drawn from his Chitauri core. His marksmanship was still not at 100%, but the focus and energy manipulation provided by the core had given him a new level of lethality. He shot two of Borok's closest men, using small metal fragments in his hand coated in pure energy, at points that were not vital but would have incapacitated them instantly. The bullets were much faster and more devastating than normal.
Roric could not believe his eyes when he saw Kael emerging from the smoke. "You…" he whispered, his voice filled with both surprise and hope.
"I told you I would teach you a lesson," Kael said, aiming at Roric's chains. He focused a single link in the chain with a shot of energy from the Chitauri core. Roric was free.
Borok roared in anger as the chaos continued. "Who are you? Show yourself!"
Kael grabbed Roric's arm and pulled him to safety. Aslan was also there, watching the surroundings. "Roric," Kael said, looking into his eyes. "I am giving you one last chance. Did you really betray that day… or were you a pawn?"
Tears welled up in Roric's eyes. "They used me, Kael! They threatened my family! I didn't know they were going to put that bomb there, I swear! I was just...just scared."
Roric's sincere confession changed something inside Kael. The sharp, bitter taste of betrayal seemed to fade. He felt his powers flowing through his veins again, more purely. The last murkiness in his marksmanship was disappearing. Roric's betrayal had been out of fear and desperation; it was not deliberate hostility. And Kael's powers seemed to understand this subtle distinction.
At that moment, Borok and a few of his most trusted men emerged from the smoke. The energy whip in Borok's hand buzzed dangerously. "So you are the mysterious marksman," Borok hissed as he eyed Kael. "I admire your courage. But even more your stupidity."
Kael entrusted Roric to Aslan. "Get him out of here." He took a step toward Borok. The Chitauri core in his palm glowed calmly now. His powers had returned, and now was the time to show it to everyone.
"The lesson is just beginning, Borok," Kael said, his voice echoing throughout the arena. "And today, I am the teacher."