Their car pulled up outside one of the large courthouses near to city hall. Major Dureal had been requested to report here and give his statement on the events leading up to the journey.

This place had been abandoned and recaptured from the Corrupted, so it was a surprise how well-maintained it looked now. It had become one of the Loyalist's seats of power, along with a good portion of the wall.

The guilds mostly functioned in the old financial district and NAS had taken the frontline, putting their base of operations as close to the fighting as they could safely get. Up until now, that was closer to the center of Manhattan near Washington Square. The island was still a warzone and everyday fighters would venture out into the infected city to attempt to reclaim more space for humanity.

Mark got out of the car and stretched, it had been a relatively short drive but he had never expected to have a luxury like that ever again. Granted, it couldn’t hold a candle to flight, both his speed and maneuverability eclipse this hunk of metal, but being able to just relax and let another drive you to where you needed to go was nice too.

They began to ascend the steps as a group. Almost by instinct they moved and fell into a combat formation.

Mark only realized this when Mana moved to his hands unconsciously and his eyes began to survey their surroundings, searching for threats.

Taking in their immediate surroundings, Mark noticed that the area had a heavy soldier presence, and they weren’t shy. The display of power was not only for show. Mark could tell that the man and woman here had extensive combat experience. They had clocked Mark’s group as soon as they got out of the car.

As their small group got closer to the line of combatants, both groups tensed.

Approaching the front entrance Sam spoke softly.

“Armour is fine, but all weapons away while we are here. They are a lot more accepted now but it's still frowned upon in these types of places”

She was right of course. Having a weapon was a person's lifeline. When you could be in danger at any moment, even pulling them from one's inventory felt too slow, as such. people wore them openly. In such a short time frame it had become the socially accepted thing to always have your weapon within reach. It both reassured the wielder and those around them.

This place was a little different, they saw the weapons as direct threats rather than deterrents, and fair enough this was their territory. So Mark reached back and gripped the staff, sending it into his inventory.

The Corruption returned like a devil to his shoulder, itching in his stomach. Luckily he had gotten better at managing his Cv.

Weapons were stowed and Sam took the lead, walking past the soldiers without batting an eye. The soldiers seemed to relax now that they could see no weapons and made no move to stop their group.

They walked through the massive halls, Sam leading the way, and soon enough came to a stop outside a room that looked no different than any of the others they passed.

Entering was apparently strictly forbidden at the time, as two guards stood outside and tried to turn them away.

Fortunately, they had barely even begun to argue before the two large wooden doors opened of their own accord.

Out strode one very solemn-looking Major Karter with Michael Davis in tow, when they spotted everyone he came to a halt and stepped off to the side to join them.

His face did not look like it was good news and Davis didn’t look much better.

From behind him, more people were exiting the room now. Major Liam and Captian Martina Garcia walked out. Followed shortly by Lieutenant Bix and Lieutenant Nole.

Mark had not seen them since they left Prospect Park.

On paper, Major Liam had succeeded in his mission and was probably being heralded as a hero right about now. But their group had lost even more people than Mark’s because of how they had to carve out the space ahead. While he looked fine physically, his eyes carried the shadow of loss. Captian Martina had four badly healed claw marks starting at her left cheek, dropping all the way below her armor. Lieutenant Bix and Lieutenant Nole both looked about the same as always.

All of them approached their group and came to a stop in front of them.

Major Liam spoke to Major Karter.

“What you did out there was brave, Karter. Is there really a need to go this far? You’ve proven your worth to me and the higher-ups, we could use your help in this”

Major Karter turned to look at him and to Mark's surprise, saluted the man.

“Major, thank you for your kind words, but an old man like me is better suited to helping the next generation, they’re going to need it.”

Major Liam pursed his lips in disappointment.

“Very well, I won’t insult your decision by questioning it, but know that our door is always open to you”

He nodded towards the rest of them and continued forward once more, his group followed but Mark noticed Lieutenant Bix had been very focused on Major Liam’s exchange with their group, while Lieutenant Nole’s eyes had never left Mark himself. It was like they were monitoring them all.

Finally, they moved on, but they were just out of earshot when another person emerged from the room.

Mark had never met the man before but he looked familiar in some way. He wore a suit and had the air of an up-and-coming lawyer.

As he approached his eyes glanced at their group as if bored, when he saw Ethel and Jonathan he froze in place, a mischievous glint appearing in his eye. Slowly a shit-eating grin spread over his face and he changed course toward them.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Gran, I’m so happy you are here. It's great you are doing so well!”

Making his way over, he drew Ethel into an exaggerated hug.

Ethel smiled and returned it, if a little awkwardly.

Turning to Jonathan the man stuck his hand out

“Little Jonny, you came at just the right time. It's unfortunate about the opponent but Jeffrey Wilson doesn't go easy, even against family friends”

He seemed to look at Major Karter when he said this, so maybe Mark’s guess was not too far off on the lawyer thing. That exchange was also all Mark needed to figure out who this was.

Jonathan took the offered hand and calmly said.

“Hello Brother, Good to see you are alive”

He hid it well, but Mark could feel the tension in Jonathan's demeanor. Though Jeffrey didn’t seem to notice, or at least didn’t care.

“And doing great for it, though I have to say, not where I saw my year going, but we adjust right? Samantha? Oh my, lovely to see you again. Are you still hanging around this guy, I’d have thought you'd have gotten bored with him by now.”

Jonathan's jaw set. While Major Karter's eyebrows came down in distaste.

For her part Sam didn’t flinch, as if used to the guy's jabs, instead, she responded almost off-handedly.

“Sorry Jeffrey, I can’t just abandon my loved ones like you can”

Jeffrey's face twitched for an instant but his smile never dropped, Mark almost thought he’d imagined it.

Jonathan spoke up as if trying to pull Jeffrey’s attention away from Sam

“Be nice Jeffrey, or I’ll make you”

Jeffrey turned his gaze back to Jonathan.

“Yes… I suppose you could. Heard you were a powerhouse out there. It’s a little different in here though, so just remember who you are threatening”

Mark felt a powerful Aura creep into the surroundings emanating from the man. It was like an icy wind that bit through all but the thickest layers. In response, Jonathan spread his to cover them all and push the Aura back. If Mark had to compare the two, Jonathan's would definitely win out in pure strength and size, and while his Aura eclipsed Jeffrey's, the guy didn't seem that bothered by it. There was something different about how Jeffrey’s Aura spread through the area.

Ethel snorted, flicking them both upside the ears.

“You two can have your sibling rivalry some other time, Jeff, tell your father I want to see him soon, and that he should make an opening in his busy schedule for me”

Like the flipping of a switch, Jeffrey smiled, pulling his Aura back.

“Of course granny, I’ll let him know”

“Good, we should be on our way”

“Well, it was good seeing you are both in good health, and hopefully next time I’ll have more time to meet your friends…”

His eyes glanced around at them as if memorizing their faces.

“Oh, and Jonathan. Dad didn't like that PR stunt you pulled without his approval, he said to tell you that you need to come home sometime soon, he has work for you”

Throughout the whole conversion the only emotion Mark had managed to get from Jonathan, was irritation at Jeffrey, but when the guy mentioned their father. Jonathan actually hesitated for a second.

It was a strange contrast when just a day ago Mark had seen the guy grinning from ear to ear as he ripped Titans apart with his bare hands.

Jonathan nodded, showing him he’d received the message.

“Tell him I’ll get there when I can”

“Sure, take your time, Dad always loves waiting. Anyway, I have to get going, got training to complete and all that, bye Gran. Jonathan and Co.”

Jeffrey had begun to move away but again, Mark saw the guy inspecting each of them as if assessing their value. His gaze lingered on Mark for longer than he was comfortable with. What was with everyone today?

When Jeffrey left, a couple more people came out of the courtroom and Major Karter started walking towards the exit.

Sam asked him what happened but Ethel piped up.

“Not here, wait till we are in the car”

When they got back to the street, they saw the car and its driver waiting patiently for them. Boarding the vehicle once more Mark heard Ethel say.

“Chinatown” to the driver.

The door shut and they got settled in, Daphne sat next to Mark as they waited for the Major to talk.

As soon as the door had closed and the car had pulled off multiple voices all launched questions.

Major Karter raised his hands in a pacifying gesture and spoke

“First off I’m sorry Sam, Jonathan. It was decided that SAGE would be dissolved. I know you worked hard but they felt that they could make better use of the unit in other ways.”

The Major looked bitter but Sam interrupted him.

“I’m not worried about that, we’ll figure something out. What did Major Liam mean back there?”

The Major grimaced and seemed to think through his next words, after a breath he spoke.

“I enrolled to guard my country and its people, up until recently, I thought I was. However, I realize I may be fighting for an idea of a country I knew, rather than what it’s becoming.

They invited me to serve in the Loyaists. I declined. Even I can see that if the rules do not serve the people then they need to be changed. We need change. I’d rather try and do some good where I know it will matter”

Most of the people in the vehicle froze and Sam was the one to break the silence.

“Daddy… you quit?”

Then Karter did the most human thing Mark had ever seen him do since they met.

He shrugged his shoulders.

“Discharge by request. I’ve seen how quickly the best of intentions can turn into strangling regimes and even stopped a few myself. Right now, they are playing a dangerous game and I want no part in it.”

There was a relaxed look on his face like a burden had been lifted and his eye glanced at Ethel for an instant.

“I believe we can do a lot with what we’ve got here. The Loyalists are not the enemy, just another factor we need to keep an eye out for. Their only goal is to survive this. Minimal losses and all calculated risks. I would agree with that normally, but I think we need something more here. To thrive in our new environment we need to take risks, big ones. And this is just the group to do that”

Saying the last sentence he looked around the small space at everyone.

No one spoke at first, too deep in thought.

Mark could understand where he was coming from, it was just surprising the man was willing to give up everything he had worked for over the years.

Perhaps the signs had always been there.

The Major had always bent the rules to give them every opportunity he could to help the most people. He gave them a chance even when he knew it was a risk to himself. Even when just following his orders would have been easier and safer.

On second thought Mark shouldn’t be that shocked.

A smirk spread over Jonathan's face.

“Does that mean I get to call you Karter now?”

Karter's face froze and Mark couldn’t help the smile pulling at the corners of his lips.

“That’ll be Mr. Dureal to you”

Mark could see some of the others in the car were struggling to remain serious too, if this was his decision, then they could respect that.

Sam looked like she was deep in thought but soon enough she relaxed.

“Well if that's the case then we’d better get this permit sorted so everyone has a place to stay.”

The drive had not been long and now the car slowed to a stop. They had arrived at a busy intersection, surrounded by tall buildings. However, they were headed to the tallest building in the area. A set of office blocks made almost entirely out of glass reflected the afternoon sun.