FEALTY

BETRAYAL FROM ONE GROUP FORCES YOU INTO ANOTHER

A RED LIGHT STOPS THEIR CONVERSATION IN FULL. His braking is smooth on the surface but becomes abrupt once they come dangerously close to the pedestrian walkway. There’s no one out and about but Fernando pulls out full stop.

He doesn’t feel what’s left of the momentum push on him. Being the driver spares him that feeling, subconsciously prepared as his right foot puts down pressure.

“Are you compromised?”

They are alike in mind. Fernando knows little about this rendition of Rocket but to believe that such a high caliber explosive could trigger on accident is straight up bullshit. If such incompetence was accepted as the norm then Rocket would have revealed themselves long ago.

dominic sinclair is not a person to permit such blunders.

The fact that the former Underboss no longer remains in the region is something Fernando still remains unaware of.

FERNANDO SILPH

FEALTY

BETRAYAL FROM ONE GROUP FORCES YOU INTO ANOTHER

“WORKS FOR ME.” The red light lasts long enough for Katherine to bum a smoke from one of its compartments. It’s nothing more than a generic delivery truck but the company Fernando keeps is more likeminded than he knows. Long hours in a boring, tedious job helps cultivate habits that are shared among Silph Co.’s finest.

“The League hates you. Rocket doesn’t trust you.”

There’s a high note somewhere in his amusement.

“And I’m the only one to realize just how much you mean to the region.”

The guffaw that comes out is inward—a reflection of current events, self-recognition for breaking her down to this point. Had things unfolded any other way, could he honestly say that Katherine would still be in his pocket?

No.

And for that he is thankful.

“Spare me a drag?”

His other hands deals with turning the wheel when Fernando transitions into parking. Their destination looms over the vehicle with a menacing height that’s embolden by the occasional lightning. Scornful windows glare under the guise of a grey skyline, judging the two as do their colleagues.

His other hand is extended, waiting.

FERNANDO SILPH

FEALTY

BETRAYAL FROM ONE GROUP FORCES YOU INTO ANOTHER

FERNANDO KEEPS HIS NEXT COMMENT TO HIMSELF. As appealing as crass comments between them are, he still remembers her reaction to the last time they tangled tongues.

With Katherine Fairborne, there’s a line that’s not meant to be crossed. That’s fine and well—he’s dealt with worse. But Fernando’s issue with her stems from the fact that he doesn’t know where that lines starts nor where it ends. As per usual, he opts for the safer option, steering clear of it entirely.

A twist of the gear sets it firmly underneath the cheaply painted P. The sound of his seatbelt coming undone coincides with the cigarette leaving her hold. He takes a quick, deep inhale, before holding it back out. He just needs small hit.

MISTY TERRAIN seeps from his lips and nostrils, filling the shared space right before the door opens. His powers have accelerated since the last time they met. A silent fog hides within the glittery vapor, insidious, subconscious. It won’t aggravate her this time but his influence looks to invade whatever space it can.

“That reminds me. Thank you for that.”

Talk is cheap. There’s a reason he sought out her company. He makes a quick call and the loading bay for a back entrance of Silph Co. opens up. Inside the garage, a lone suitcase awaits them.

Freshly delivered.

Katherine Fairburne

FEALTY

BETRAYAL FROM ONE GROUP FORCES YOU INTO ANOTHER

SILENCE SEPARATES HIM FROM HER WELL DESERVED PRIZE. For a moment, their cargo is forgotten. His priority is the briefcase left unattended. Each latch comes undone with the proper combination, revealing a velvet interior curved around a seated Silph Badge. The trinket means little to Katherine who has already earned her right from conquering his challenge but there's more than meets the eye.

The badge is a mere decoy. Something illustrious enough to explain the method of transportation but not important enough to steal by anyone brazen enough to crack the lock. Fernando takes his time in undoing the velvet, prying it apart to reveal various chunks of ceramic tiles used to give the carry-on some weight. Between them, he recognizes the SPOOKY SHARD by memory.

"I don't put them above culling their own. Blackwell made it his M.O."

He holds it firmly between his fingers, presenting it to her but not quite willing to let go without her agreeing to his commitment.

"But to turn on someone of your value makes no sense. I overestimated them."

It goes without saying: it won't happen again.

Katherine Fairburne

FEALTY

BETRAYAL FROM ONE GROUP FORCES YOU INTO ANOTHER

BOTH FACTION ARE IRREDEEMABLE. Conflicting ideologies from the very people meant to bolster their colors puts a stranglehold on progress. For that reason alone, Fernando avoids hoisting either flag. His time with the League comes to an end now that his peers, people of power, sit on their asses while he single-handedly pushes them to greater heights. Likewise, Rocket teeters a fine line between being useful and too self-destructive for their own good.

It’s about time he snuffs both of them in a world of corporate blue.

“I know.”

Katherine is patient and for him that is enough. It is Fernando who pushes into her hand, the curve of his index resting against her palm.

“I entrust this to you. I’ll see if I can coerce Mateo and Bronwen for their pieces. When you assemble the plate, I’ll need it back, temporarily.”

With that, he lets go.

“kyle lopez has already offered me an assembled plate for research. Progress in synthetic plates is progressing well. They don’t mimic their behaviors but we’re making progress on that.”

He questions her with his stare.

“Whatever the Megalopolans were working on… It’s strikingly similar to the artificial plates we’ve created.”

Fernando doubts she has an insight onto it. The fact he couldn’t wretch it out of any of the Megalopolan’s who died from the war proves that his only lead is Jules—wherever he is.

“I’ll keep in touch.”

Katherine Fairburne