Cyberknight: One Path

⁕ The Lynching Game (part 8)

[Jagger] - "...Finally, make him feel guilty about his previous inaction and convince him of the positive impacts of his involvement. "

As a friendly gesture, Dunhill invited McCree to have dinner with him. As the two conversed during the meal, Dunhill strategically shifted the conversation toward McCree's past.

[Dunhill] - "I believe you survived the KD-series assassin attack on the base you were stationed in because you and several hundred others were trapped in a sector which was blockaded off the main area once the alarm was sounded, is that right? "

[McCree] - "Yes, but I wished I could be trapped on the other side. After seeing what you've shown me, I wish I could be there... to maybe save a few lives instead of waiting to be saved by others. "

Said McCree in a guilty voice.

[Dunhill] - "It's not your fault. After all, there was nothing you could do. You were powerless in front of these inhumane creatures. They were the servants of satan while you were just a mere mortal. "

Said Dunhill while intentionally making it sound like he was pitying McCree's helplessness.

[McCree] - "Then what do these damn crystals serve then? I defeated a mother fucking cyberknight, and not just any cyberknight! I found out the buster I defeated was a cardinal cyberknight, one of the highest positions possible for a cyberknight in the Empire! I know I have the power to do more, I know if I was there fighting alongside my friends, more lives could've been saved! "

Yelled McCree with passion.

There was a smirk inside Dunhill's heart but he professionally kept the facade on his face.

[Dunhill] - "If you believe in your power, then you know what kind of contribution you could offer us. We need a man like you, who believes in justice and sacrifice. Understand that, in this line of job, no mercy could be shown to the men we deem to be a threat. "

[McCree] - "I was trained for this. Before all this, I was a sleeper agent in the Empire. I'm ready to do my part! Look me in my eyes, you can see I won't hesitate until all the people responsible are put either behind bars or behind the hard plate of a coffin! "

Said McCree with a determined look in his eyes.

[Dunhill] - "Good then! Show the world there is still hope. Show us that justice is still the dominant force in our dark and sombre reality. "

With a gentle smile, Dunhill presented McCree with his hand. Without a second of hesitation, McCree stood up and leaned forward to shake Dunhill's hand. All the while, Dunhill remained seated like a fisherman while McCree acted like a hungry fish desperately hanging on to the bait.

*Back to the present

The abrupt knocks on the door woke McCree up from his slumber as he groggily looked at the time which showed 3:04 AM. He was so tired that he fell asleep on his desk. As another set of knocks echoed inside the office, McCree quickly wiped the drool off his desk before putting away the confidential documents. Just before Audrey could send a third wave of knocks, McCree kicked the door and made Audrey recoil in fear.

[McCree] - "What do ya want, Audrey? Ya better have a good reason to wake me up at this darn hour. "

Yelled McCree with apparent frustration in his voice.

[Audrey] - "We need to talk, McCree. It's important, so open up! "

Said Audrey as she frowned her brows.

As soon as the door slid open, Audrey was blasted with the nauseating scent of sweat and unwashed clothes. While covering her nose with her hands, Audrey immediately identified the odour as emanating from McCree himself.