Ren: The Genesis

Collection: Submissions/Ages of Youth/The Halleaux - Guest Chronicle by Ren

​Chapter 5: The Uncovering
Mech walked over to the table and pressed a button on the side. Immediately a grid lit up on the top of the table making what looked like a topographic map on top of the table.
​“Today we planned to gather information to create 3D maps of Javert’s bases, however our 3D mapping systems are down and it appears that it won’t be up for a while” said Mech

“May I take a look?” Ren asked
“Oh by all means, but I don’t think that you’ll be able to figure it out” he replied
Ren strode over to the computer and slid underneath. After a few minutes there was a great rattling, a bang, a puff of smoke, and a shout. Ren emerged from beneath the computer, grinning like the maniac he was.
“Try it now” he said to Gabrielle
​She flipped the switch and a hologram of the Haven Fighters base appeared on the table, quickly disassembling itself floor by floor. The hologram showed every detail of the base, right down to Ren’s lab.
“Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. I’ve been working on that bloody computer since 3:00 this morning.” said Mech, absolutely dumbfounded.
“You blew a board system” Explained Ren
“How did you fix it without replacing the entire circuit board?” Mech asked
“I ripped it out” Ren replied simply
“You-”
“Ripped it out, yes. I’ve always said computers have too many parts” Ren finished. He held up the circuit board displaying the large black spot in the center.
“You’re bleeding” Petra gasped, pointing to the large gash in Ren’s forearm. Blood ran from his arm at a steady pace, dripping onto the floor. Ren lifted his arm to eye level and inspected the wound.
“No need to sound so concerned” He laughed “I’ve dealt with worse”
Mech walked over to a drawer and removed a square piece of white cloth and brought it over to Ren.
“Let me help you with that, come with me” Mech said
Ren and Mech walked out of the computer room and headed next door to Mech’s office. They stepped inside and sat down at Mech’s desk. Mech took the square of cloth and wrapped it around the wound, gently applying pressure. The cloth was instantly stained crimson as blood flowed into it. When the blood stopped Mech gently pulled away the cloth and inspected the wound.
“What is that” He asked quickly.
Where the blood had stained his arm, a mark had become visible. Two columns of three horizontal lines with a single vertical line running between them sat upraised on Ren’sarm, white against the stain of the blood. Ren’s eyes filled with shock and horror as he saw the mark. He stared at it for a moment then regained his composure. He looked up at Mech and smiled halfway.
“Oh, just an old scar from my days in the army” He said
“No, that’s definitely a marking I’ve seen before. Hold on, let me think”
Mech reached over and pulled a small scanner off the desk and ran it across the mark. His computer blazed to life and he stared at it.
“Here it is, yes” He said “the Mark of Seven Lines was cut into the arms of a group called the Soulless Six. They were Javert’s most loyal supporters and his personal assassins. They are personally responsible for hundreds of deaths of Javert’s political enemies and have arranged the death of hundreds more. Their first member was Javert’s own nephew”
“No, there must be some mistake, that’s impossible” Ren said nervously
“Computer search” Mech said loudly
The computer’s voice echoed around the room “Inputsubject”
“Name of Javert’s nephew”
“Searching… Searching… Result found: The last remaining survivor of Inspector Javert’s family is his nephew Michael Ren”
Mech looked up from his computer and stared at Ren.
“I left that place for a reason. I have no love for the man who calls himself my uncle” Ren said bitterly.
“All the same, you did lie to us” Mech reasoned, “What do you suggest I do?”
“Don’t tell Petra” He said
“That does appear to be wisest course of action, Mr. Ren”