The start of another day was something I was always quite glad to have, seeing how the Blood War ruined the country. The in-terim leader was no more than a 20 something young man who knew nothing about running a country, but he was held in high regard by his peers as one of the leading forces against the Deathwalkers. He was also known to be an avid supporter of Death Hunter Corp. he had sent a request once, before he was president, to become a rookie Death Hunter. Dion found this to be hilarious as he read the letter during our weekly meeting at the time.
It was not long after we had finished closing the case on Vance's war. Reading that casefile again would not do me any good today seeing as all there was for anyone to take from it is the start of a neo-deathwalker. Fusing the capabilities of a Shadomen and a Vampire of direct descent spelled trouble all over. It has been months since last I looked at the file and there was nothing on the radar of Shadow-Vance, not even a whisper in the pipeline of connections the Death Hunter Corp. had established during Ewen's crusade against the Dark Kaisers.
The moment I arrived at HQ, Dion was waiting in reception like always flirting away with the intern. He heard the door open and he turned to see my face looking all droopy and he gave one of his typical smirks when he was about to ask a favor of anyone.
"Marcus! My friend, pal, oh chum of mine! I have a job for you!" Dion said with plenty of enthusiasm, trying to look good in front of Serenity the intern. "What is it now Dion? Am I to go out on the field and slay some ghouls?" I answered with a bit of sarcasm. "Nah! Romero already had the other rookies take care of that case, you sir will be putting together a press release for the president. He is going to make a formal announcement about Death Hunter Corp." Dion set his hand on my shoulder as reassurance for my efforts. "Well that shouldn't be too bad, I am filling my old man's position here at Death Hunter Corp." I replied. "That's the spirit! Now be sure to have it done by the end of the day today and on my desk before you leave tonight." Dion then placed his other hand on my other shoulder and turned me in the direction of my office. "Woah! wait! by the end of the day???" I retorted, "Thanks pal! I knew you could do it! Keep me posted." Dion then turned back to Serenity and continued on with his flirting session.
I let out an obvious sign of irritation knowing fully well that Dion heard me, though he acted as if nothing happened and said something lecherous to Serenity who giggled at him. I shook my head and trudged into my office and opened my laptop to start on the press release.
'Death Hunter Corp.
A Place where great deeds were accomplished and great secrets were kept for only if the public knew the Chaos that was only one step away from total domination. These heroic deeds deserve to be shared and kept close to the hearts of the innocent and know that there is redemption for all who seek it. Now enough with the beautiful language; I will share with you today the stories that accompany these heroic actions that saved us from annihilation.
We start with the Executives of this Noble cause and corporation: Dion Martell - Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Simon Romero - Chief Operations Officer Marcus Alistar - Chief Administrative/Information Officer
The leaders of the Trion Titans that have touched all grounds of conflict in this universe. With great sorrow Do their deeds come with the fall of civil war on Earth creeping in the shadows of the next horizon. We are hiring new hunters every year with little success due to the civil war.
Earth has become Anarchy and the revolutionaries are gaining ground; but with only a few short months away from the encounter we only can hope the world is prepared to become unified within this time span because the second sun is rising, and we only hope we made it in time.
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We bring news that the Blood War is near its end only to show the world what its true purpose was. To assimilate and annihilate the human race. This plot has been overthrown and the assimilation is only beginning. Fairy tales and bedtime stories were not only for scaring the children. They spoke hidden truths to warn a would-be hero that they are the last hope of the war. Hopefully we make this in time to change the outcome...
Marcus Alistar CAO & CIO Death Hunter Corp.'
It was almost sunset by the time I had completed this press release, "Almost 5 O'clock." I thought to myself, just in time to submit my work efforts to Mr. Martin. I saved my work and sent it to the printer in Reception making my trip to Dion's office. I stopped by Serenity's desk and asked for my print job. "Here you are, Mr. Alistar." she said quaintly as she handed the press release over to me. "Thanks a bunch, Serenity" with that I set off to Mr. Martin's office which was on the upper level of the HQ.
His office was a sight to behold. With giant bay windows and a vaulted ceiling. It was every executive's dream office. Dion even had a mini golf hole set up in one corner of the office. The office nearly took up most of the upper level with an exception to a washroom, which was connected to the office and a hidden safe room that sat behind a moving bookcase behind Mr. Martin's desk. I reached the top of the steps and headed straight towards Dion's office door.
I knocked several times still not getting any response from inside the office. "He must be in the washroom..." was my first thought so I checked the door knob to see if it was open, to my favor it was open. I turned the knob and pushed the door open peering inside Dion's office. There was a waiting space just in front of the desk near the back of the room. I picked the top left corner seat of the four chairs lining a center table that was no higher than a living room coffee table. I set the submission on the table and still had no response from Mr. Martin. I decided to knock on the washroom door.
"Mr. Martin? Sorry to disturb you, I am here with the Press release." I spoke realizing I was being a bit intrusive, but I was eager to head back home to begin my night watch. "Mr. Martin?" I began to question if Dion was actually in the washroom. "Dion? Hello? Everything alright?" I asked with a weird expression not knowing what I was insinuating something like not being able to pass gas, which is a serious issue.
I began to hear laughter coming from back by the desk, but it seemed muffled. I took notice and headed over to the desk. There still was no other person in the immediate area. Then I began to scan the back wall behind the desk. More than just a set of bookcases were the only other explanation. I began to tip books on every shelf trying to find some sort of catalyst for opening secret doors. To no avail. I then turned back to the desk and began scanning the edge where the desk dropped in its design. Just as typical as a secret door button would be hidden. With a bit of unseen prodding for a button, I heard a deadlock open. The bookcases behind me began to move to the side revealing the inner chamber of the safe room.
To my embarrassment, Dion was standing there in so much laughter he was almost tearing up. I stood up at attention and began my progress report on the Press release. "Mr. Martin, now that you have been thoroughly amused, please have a seat and read the Press release you asked of me earlier today." My voice was stern and serious enough that it put Dion at ease. "Yes, Marcus, let us do just that." Dion replied in harmony with my tone. "Very good sir. I do hope you like the read." I answered following his lead back to the waiting chairs. He sat across from the document, I took my seat opposite of Dion.
After several silent minutes, long enough to have read the document twice. Dion raised his hand to his chin with a bit of a smirk on his face, he began to stroke his bit of facial hair that was growing on his chin. "I hope you approve of my writing style, sir." I said after a few moments of letting Dion stroke his chin hair. "Yes, Marcus, you do have an interesting take on the state of the world." Dion was still smirking as he spoke, "You will do your dad honor, taking over his position so soon after his supposed death." Dion was there the night my father disappeared, he was the last person to see him alive. "Yes... it is a dire time though, I can't let my father's disappearance keep me from finding out what happened." I said showing some competence in my words. I knew I could not just sit and mourn his death, if there was no solid evidence that he is dead. "Ewen would have done the same as you have, Marcus." Dion answered putting some of my tension at ease with his words. "Yes sir, thank you sir." "Also stop with that sir business, I may be your superior here at Death Hunter Corp. but just call me Dion or Martell, I reply to both." "Very well sir... Martin." I stumbled through my words taking in what Dion had just said and ended my phrase that way. "Very good, now Marcus, I best let you leave so you can start your night watch." Dion patted my back and walked with me out of his office and down the steps before I knew it. I still, to date, have not found out how Dion opened the door to his safe room.