Duncan and the three other guards stood before Sovereign, who sat on his throne looking at them as if they were nothing more than bags of trash.
"Our sincerest apologies, sire. We have failed you," Duncan said, head bowed toward the ground.
They dropped to their knees in unison. "My stubbornness allowed John to escape his crimes. Punish us for our mistakes so others may learn the consequences of failure."
"Raise your heads," Sovereign commanded, his voice cold and authoritative.
They slowly rose, eyes still fixed on the floor.
"You did not fail me. None of you did," Sovereign said as he stood up and walked toward them. "John simply… outclassed you all. There was nothing you could have done."
Sovereign gripped Duncan's head firmly. "But you were right about one thing… you truly are stubborn."
Duncan's heart pounded as Sovereign's grip tightened.
"I am not angry at John. I do not want him dead… yet. However, the assets he stole hold real value to HEX. You will find John and bring every stolen item back here," Sovereign ordered.
"Consider it done, sir," Duncan replied as the group turned to leave.
"Wait."
They froze and turned back to face him.
"You are all ants compared to John. You will need an executive by your side." Sovereign paused for a moment. "I would normally send Knox, but I have finally seen what lies behind that mask of his — a weak and sniveling little pussy."
At that moment, a man standing 6'5 of pure raw muscle, with dark hair and a long beard, entered the room.
"Ah, Conrad. How did you know I was about to call for you?" Sovereign asked, chuckling lightly.
"After Knox's prolonged absence and rather… weak performance, I expected you to finally see value in me, sir," Conrad said, kneeling before Sovereign.
Sovereign smiled faintly. "You will go with them. Make sure everything is brought back."
Conrad nodded, "Your words turn into my actions."
---
The Maggots sat together, sipping coffee and chatting quietly. Everyone except Benjamin, who still held a deep grudge against John.
"I wonder when he'll be back," Aya said.
Junior set his cup down. "What if he got caught and didn't make it out?" he asked, his voice carrying a mysterious tone.
"The worst-case scenario isn't the only scenario," Hannah replied. "I doubt John would get caught. He's a genius when it comes to planning and strategizing."
"And creating things," Aya added.
"Yes, and creating things. Why not," Hannah said with a small smile.
"Can you tell us more about him?" Mitch asked.
Hannah thought for a moment. "Well, he's a really kind and caring person."
"I doubt that," Benjamin muttered, suddenly joining the conversation.
"But he is," Hannah insisted. "He has never killed anyone, or even seriously hurt someone, unless he felt truly threatened. He never liked hurting people."
"Did he ever tell you why?" Mitch asked.
"John believes everyone deserves a second chance. 'Reheating food won't make it taste the same' is what he once told me," Hannah explained.
"Ah, so he basically reheats bad people like food? That's what he means?" Diego asked.
"Yes, dude. Yes," Emma groaned.
"That's not being kind or caring. That's just being fucking reckless," Benjamin protested. "Why risk the same problem happening twice when you can solve it right then and there?"
"And if he really thinks everyone deserves a second chance, does Sovereign deserve one too? Is he going to let Sovereign off the hook?" Benjamin pressed.
The question hung in the air. Would John really give Sovereign a second chance?
"There's just no way he would do that," Hannah said.
"But didn't he say everyone deserves a second chance?" Benjamin asked mockingly.
"Sparing people wasn't what made him kind and caring, okay?" Hannah replied. "He always helped others, no matter how busy or stressed he was. No matter the situation, he would always try to do the right thing."
Benjamin sat down, jaw clenched. "We'll see if that's true…"
---
"So what are your names?" Duncan asked the three men.
"My name's William."
"Ethan."
"I'm Lucas."
"Good to meet you guys. You know, I still can't believe you let John go that day," Duncan said.
"He sounded so believable!" Ethan replied.
"Yeah! I mean, he's right though — who wouldn't be scared of big, scary, muscular guys like us?!" Lucas said, kissing his own biceps.
"Yeah, apparently all you guys have are fucking muscles and no brains," Duncan shot back.
Duncan then turned to Conrad. "Oh, and good to meet you too, Conrad."
"Now's not the time for making friends," Conrad said, his eyes locking hard onto Duncan's. "We were given a mission, and our job is to complete it. You don't want to fail him again, do you?"
Duncan exhaled. "No…"
"That guy's rough as hell…" William whispered.
"And mean…" Ethan added.
"Geez, let it go, dude. He's not even here. There's no point trying to impress him," Duncan said.
"I'm not trying to impress anyone, idiot. I am what Sovereign considers the perfect soldier. Unlike you weaklings," Conrad replied.
"Okay, dude. What's so perfect about you?" Duncan scoffed.
"I am powerful. I am obedient. I am skilled in combat. I am loyal. And most importantly… I'm not a softie like that imbecile Knox!" Conrad exclaimed.
"Anyone could do that! You're only more powerful because you're an executive," Duncan argued.
"Fucking idiot… You think I was born an executive? Unlike you, I actually worked hard and proved to Sovereign that I am different. That's what made me an executive!" Conrad snapped.
Conrad's eyes scanned Duncan before he scoffed. "And you? You probably shove a dozen donuts in your mouth in the locker room."
Duncan looked guilty and embarrassed. "Okay, that's so not true!"
"Just shut up! You're making me lose my damn focus!" Conrad scolded, cutting him off.
---
"Shh, do you hear that?" Hannah said, instantly silencing the group.
Heavy footsteps echoed closer to the base — footsteps that sounded almost identical to Knox's murderous stride.
"No… He couldn't have found us… that's impossible…" Hannah muttered.
They all backed away as the footsteps grew louder.
Then — the doors swung open. A silhouette stood in the swirling dust, silent, cold, and dangerous.
"Did you miss me?"
The man stepped forward out of the dust. Everyone held their breath.
It was John Harper.
They all exhaled in relief, grateful it wasn't Knox.
"You can't do that!" Hannah scolded.
"Huh? Do what?" John asked, confused.
"We thought you were Knox, dammit!" Hannah snapped again.
"Must be because of my heavy footsteps, right?" John said with a chuckle.
"Well, I've stolen some things that are going to be a fucking game-changer for all of us." John dropped the metallic cylinder, which cracked the ground on impact.
"What's this?" Benjamin asked, stepping closer.
The cylinder expanded, revealing the stolen weapons and gear. The sight filled them with even more excitement than when they had stolen John's old stashes.
"Wow…" Mitch whispered, jaw dropping.
They all rushed forward to inspect the haul: rayguns, laser cannons, lightsabers, and high-tech armor gear.
"I can't fucking wait to test these babies out!" Milo said, pretending to fire a raygun.
Suddenly, the doors burst open again. Five men stormed in, their eyes dark and murderous as they stared down the Maggots.
"Looks like I didn't need to wait that long, eh?" Milo said with a smirk.