Page 23 of Remnants: Disruption
The list populates quickly and I let out a sharp exhale at the top three names. Every time I see it, I wonder just how muchlonger I can get away with the lies. How much longer I can pretend to have a chance.
My eyes flit back to Percy before returning to the screen.
1: Darkrend
Identity:Unknown. Powers: Tier 5, Unknown Affliction. Last Seen: October 1030 A.D., New Chicago.
Description:Six foot six, 300 pounds. Outfit generally a suit of armor resembling a medieval knight.
Notes:Little is known about Darkrend despite being the oldest known Remnant. His powers appear to be related to Affliction itself, as eye-witness reports depict him bending aspects of reality to his whim.
At the bottom of the page, beneath the sparse reports from those who had the misfortune of running across him, is the section that appears just for law enforcement.
The section I hardly ever have a reason to look at since most Homicide crimes involve low-tier Remnants.
NCPD Instructions:Kill on sight. Containment is not possible.
Yeah, “kill.” Right. As if that’s even possible.
The next on the list is, again, a usual suspect.
2. Bloody Mary
Identity:Unknown. Powers: Tier 5, Unknown Affliction. Last Seen: Rumored October 1030 A.D., New Chicago.
Description:Six foot seven, 180 pounds. Unknown outfit. Unknown appearance.
Notes:Bloody Mary is one of the oldest Remnants alive today. Available reports are scattered, but the general consensus is her powers may be related to Affliction manipulation—though to what degree is unknown. Mixed descriptions exist, some even speculate she may be an Afflicted animal, rather than a human.
NCPD Instructions:Attempt Containment. Capture if possible.
Unlike Darkrend, Bloody Mary had never been a boogeyman–at least not in the traditional sense. Her activities were more mysterious than dangerous. Still, the powers-that-be hate loose threads.
Since no one really knows what she looks like, many authorities are somewhat unclear as to whether she even exists. Many of the last eye-witness reports are as old as the First Disruption itself.
I suck in a deep breath before scrolling to the next entry.
3. The Dark One
Identity:Unknown. Powers: Tier 5, Unknown Affliction. Last Seen: October 23rd,1030 A.D., New Chicago.
Description:Six foot five, 150 pounds. Dark cloak with Pre-First-Disruption Plague Doctor Mask.
Notes:The Dark One’s gender and identifying features are unknown. They generally appear in the shadows and strike without warning. They’re efficient in shadow manipulation, martial arts, and otherwise possess nearinvulnerability. The range of their shadow teleportation is unknown.
NCPD Instructions:Kill on sight. Containment is not possible.
My heart stutters for a moment at the final words. Call it willful ignorance, but I’d never looked at my RISE entry. The “more information” symbol by the NCPD instructions lights up as I hover over it.
Updated October 23rd, 1030 A.D..
I glance down at the date on the screen and, sure enough, the update is from last night. Somehow, my self-defense earned me a spot on the NCPD’s kill list.
And “strikes without warning?” I have the lowest kill count compared with the others on the list. I’m not averse to defending myself, but I’ve never gone out of my way to hurt someone. I’ve never done anything irrevocable without de-escalation first.
Sure, I attacked Shadowblade, but the asshole had it coming. And a little whack on the head was hardly vile. Triggerman lost his hand, but there are plenty of Cogsmiths around to give him a new, shiny bionic one.
Yet, here, written in digital ink is the death warrant. My own spun tale ending in a clear and unmistakable “kill on sight.”
