Marcus stared at the behemoth before them. Blood ran down its steely body, the crimson hue giving it a demonic appearance. It quickly dropped it's gaze, eyes slanting beneath it's helmet.

"So, this is the famous Marcus Wright and crew eh?"

The man's tone was deep and demanding. Of the many dangers Marcus had faced, this encounter made chills run down his spine. Would they truly be able to combat such a force of destruction?

"Not in the mood to speak huh? No matter, your words would have fallen on deaf ears anyhow."

Before Marcus or the others could react, the man charged forward with blistering speed. Before Germaine could react, the man slammed shoulder first into him, sending him reeling back.

Before Germaine hit the ground, Briggs found himself face to face with their opponent. He shot low aiming for the legs but found himself quickly crushed into the ground. The man grabbed him by his arm and quickly flung him away as if he was as light as a feather. 

"I really hope that wasn't the two strongest members of your team."

There was sinister tone in the man's statement. He was obviously toying with them. Marcus wasn't sure if he was doing it for mere fun or if there was a strategic reason. Either way, they needed to take him down quickly.

The man suddenly went reeling back as a heavy crack rang through the air. As he hit the ground, Marcus realized where the shot had come from. Amanda had taken aim and placed a shot directly in the top of the head of the target.

Marcus quickly exhaled, realizing he had been holding his breath in anticipation of an attack. Just as he felt some form of relief begin to settle in his nerves, it was washed away when the man begin sitting up.

"Surely you know who I am? Did you really think something like that would kill me?"

Before anyone could respond, Akatsuya quickly stepped forward and addressed the man.

"You're Kirsch Vossel correct?"

"Oh, it appears one of you do know me."

Akatsuya's body was completely stiff. Marcus had never seen him appear like this before. What was causing such a faltered state in him?

"I'm surprised you don't remember me. That must also mean you don't remember my wife or child do you?"

"Thats a bit of a broad question to ask someone like me isn't it? I've been in this business far too long to remember all the faces of those I've killed."

Marcus could see the words sting Akatsuya. He rarely spoke of his family, only ever mentioning that they had been lost in a raid by Helix. It didn't take Marcus long however to figure out the connection between the two.

"Years ago, I had to watch as my family was slaughtered before my very eyes. You and your men didn't hesitate to pull the trigger on a helpless woman and infant. Fortunately, you managed to miss me in your little cleanup operation."

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Kirsch hesitated for a moment before speaking again, "So, that's what your issue is. In that case, I have something to ask you."

Akatsuya braced himself, expecting a counterattack. Instead, Kirsch quickly raised himself up off the ground, turning his attention to Akatsuya.

"From my knowledge of your little band of heroes here, you all are considered Alphas. If you've carried such a disdainful hate for so long how did you become an Alpha in the first place?"

"It's simple. I opted into the Alpha experiments. Your organization gladly took me. I was a foreigner from a home that had been wiped off the face of the planet. If something went wrong during the trials there was nothing to trace back to. I could easily be disposed of."

"I see, yet you served under Helix after your trials? Aren't you the hypocritical type?"

"I only served in hopes that we would cross paths. In the time that hid in that organization, biding my time, I never once struck down an unarmed innocent. Once they began discarding their creations like cattle, I left."

"Well I can certainly understand your anger. However, I too have a wife and child. Despite my demeanor, I do not relish in bloodletting. I only do what my role requires and that, in turn, keeps them safe. Maybe you should have done the same."

Those words were all it took for Akatsuya to snap. He shot forward, blades in hand. Kirsch quickly raised his arm as the cold steel bounced off his metallic hide. The tense hesitation between the two parties had ended and they were engaged in full combat once again.

Marcus circled Kirsch, popping off rounds from his assault rifle hoping to find a kink in the armor. Meanwhile, Akatsuya continued his frontal assault while Amanda scanned for weaknesses through her scope.

The rounds kept bouncing off no matter where Marcus fired. Even if one round did make its way though there was no way that it would be enough to bring this man down. Even worse, Akatsuya's blades didn't even seem to leave a dent in Kirsch's body. Sparks were the only response to his barrage.

Another loud crack rang through the air, knocking Kirsch down to his knees. Even if the bullets didn't get through, there was still enough kinetic force there to stagger him. 

Seeing his opportunity, Akatsuya threw his blades aside and went for broke. Marcus watched as a sudden flash of scarlet red fanned out into the air. Akatsuya had triggered his Alpha ability.

No matter how much Marcus had seen it, it was still shocking to see. From the left side of his neck to the right and down his arm, a hardened but flexible scythe of blood extended from Akatsuya. As it originated from his neck, the inside of the blade spider webbed to avoid his veins and arteries before coming to a fine crescent over his right arm. Akatsuya could retract the length of the scythe as desired, making it deadly at mid range or close quarters. 

His red scarf now hung loosely over his shoulders, making him look like a reaper thirsty for the kill. Marcus had never seen him in such a rage fueled state.

Before Kirsch could get back to his feet, Akatsuya brought the scythe down with tremendous force. Kirsch raised his arm in defense only to feel the metal shear in two, the feeling of pain being so new to him after so long.

Without hesitating, he launched a heavy punch at Akatsuya. Despite the weight behind it, it was still too fast for Akatsuya to dodge and sent him sliding backwards.

As Kirsch readied himself for a full out assault, Chars voice keyed in over his comm channel.

"Kirsch, this is Char. We have what we came for. It's time to withdraw and let the engineers take care of the rest."

Kirsch locked eyes with Akatsuya, his gaze stopping Akatsuya in his tracks momentarily.

"It seems our time is up. I would love to stay and finish this but I have a family to get back to."

As Kirsch turned away, Akatsuya charged forward but felt an arm quickly stop his attack. He spun around in an anger only to see Marcus with a stern look on his face.

"Look, I understand where you're coming from but we've got bigger issues. We need to get to the airfield. You can finish things with him once we bring down Helix."

Before Akatsuya could make a counter argument, the familiar roar of a W.O.L.F. unit began to draw closer. In one seamless blur, Kirsch latched onto a red mech that shot by, heading in the direction from which the Helix forces had come from. 

Marcus instantly knew something wasn't right. His heart sank as he realized why they would be retreating. They had either retrieved what they were after or something devastating was about to happen to the city. Somehow, he felt it was going to be both.