"It took you long enough," Amir grumbled and slammed his palms on the hand scanner to open up the door to storage. "Do you know how long I waited here?"

"Enough." Decha rolled his eyes. "Stop complaining. Let's go."

"Director Chen sure kept a lot of junk in here. Look at all this crap! Most of these are from Bracketer cases, you know." When the door opened, the two walked inside. Amir was pointing at all the files that were placed in boxes and on high shelves, files that dated back 100 or so years. "Those people commit the most crimes."

"Most doesn't mean all. There are some Astellian strays here and there." Decha turned a corner and sauntered down a column of more files. Decha was looking for the bag that was taken in when they arrested Lindsey. It wasn't the bomb itself, but if they were able to find out the material for the improvised explosive device, it would make it easier for them to trace where he got the bomb from.

"There you go, defending them again."

"Help me look for a Black bag, Amir, I don't have that much time."

"I'm looking, I'm looking." Amir snorted and waved his hand over one of the boxes. On each of the shelves were small lights placed under them, they were motion activated. One of the lights flickered on and made it easier for the two men to look through the boxes. "That's not it," Amir's face went red when his fingers touched a piece of underwear.

"I don't wanna know where that came from," Decha sniggered.

"A drunk man by the border, probably." Amir wiped his hands on his uniform, scrunching his face in disgust."

"I think this is it," Decha took a thick black bag out of one of the boxes and placed it on the floor. He unzipped it, but Amir placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Careful, we don't know if there are any more bombs active."

"There isn't." Decha snorted and pulled out the black box with a bunch of keys and a screen. "The forensics team and lab technicians already made sure that this thing was completely disabled when they brought it in."

"We don't truly know that,"

"Otherwise, a bomb would've gone off and everyone in the agency would've been killed."

"That's not funny, Decha."

Decha ignored Amir's complaints and flipped the box over. He pulled out a blaster pistol from his pocket and aimed it at the box.

"Wait! Decha! No—"

Decha pulled the trigger and a blast hit the box. There was now a big hole in the middle of the box. Inside it was wires and a battery.

"I told you it was disabled, don't act like a baby." Decha yanked out the battery and held it high to take a closer look at the light. There were words, but not in their language. It was written in symbols, like a code. Unfortunately, he didn't major in anything technology, and he didn't have the time to read an entire book on it. "We may have to visit the Agency's Computer Lab and ask someone to decipher this."

"I have a friend who can do it in 10 minutes." Amir nodded. "Follow me."

The two left the storage room and locked it behind them. They took an elevator to the floor above, and Amir greeted everyone joyously. The moment they walked into the lab, he called out for his friend boisterously. "Henry! It's been a while!" Amir punched a blonde man with baggy clothes on his shoulder. The man was skinny, so the impact made him fall forward.

"Amir!" Henry coughed and caught himself before he fell completely. "You haven't changed. How's work out in the field going?"

"Okay, not too bad. It could be better." Amir snickered and placed his hands on his waist. His chest was puffed out, it was almost as if Amir changed into a different person when around Henry.

"Is this who I think it is?" Henry glanced at Decha and stood upright, saluting him. "N96! It's you! What an honor, sir! You're like, the best of the best! You're my hero dude— sir!"

"Don't do that." Decha rolled his eyes.

"Yes sir!" Henry dropped his hands awkwardly but still stood stiff.

"Don't call me Sir, either," Decha growled. "Not unless you want me to put you in a chokehold."

"Would you, really?" Henry gasped in amazement. Henry admired Decha a lot. He studied all about his victories and heard so many stories of his adventures on the Outside. "I'd honestly love that. I've only heard of your spars, but to see it in action would be amazing!"

Decha felt disgusted by the way Henry was looking at him. "Decipher this for me." He handed Henry the battery they found. "Amir tells me you can do it in 10 minutes, so I'm giving you 9 minutes and 59 seconds to decode. 58... 57..."

"Y-yes sir— I mean, dude?"

"Get to it." Decha went over to one of the chairs and sat down. Henry nodded and went to work on his computer. He scanned the symbols and began typing away on the keyboard. A holographic screen appeared above them and the symbols began scrolling to find a match.

"So are you and Amir working together... or?"

"We are, but our case is classified." Amir coughed.

"You didn't tell me you knew N96!"

"I'm N95, Henry. He and I trained together."

"That's awesome. I'm a huge fan, you're my idol. Are your eyes actually as dark as coal?"

"Enough, talking. More working." Decha hissed, growing a bit annoyed by the flattery this guy was giving him. The comment about his eyes reminded him of Rory, briefly. "They're more of an obsidian color."

"Obsidian?" Amir laughed. "Where did you get that? You used to always say it meant you have no soul."

"I don't have one," Decha smirked. "You'd better watch your words before I take yours."

"I can never tell if you're threatening me or joking." Amir felt his bones rattle with chills.

"I'm just enjoying the company," Henry remarked with a smile. The next ten minutes went by quickly, and Henry deciphered the symbols. "These are ancient Astellian letters."

"They are?" Amir huffed.

"The symbols are what our people used to speak about 300 years ago. The rough translation means Kilos."

"Kilos, meaning?" Amir inquired.

Decha wanted to slap his friend. Everyone knew well that Kilos was a big brand tech company located in the center of Astell. "It means the battery was made by one of Astell's most prized companies, genius."

"That can't be right, that would mean that the person who makes the bombs are Astellians!" Amir growled angrily.

"Oh, you guys are working on the bomb cases!" Henry realized. "Not quite, Amir, although the label for this battery is written in our laters, get a feel of the material. When you rub your fingers on the paint, see what comes off?" Henry showed his dirty fingers to them both.

"Dirt?"

"Rust," Decha answered correctly. "The brown marks are rust, Amir."

"Bingo. And name one place where you see plenty of rust."

"The Brackets." Amir smiled. "But now, this is confusing. Kilos is using rusty material and putting Astellian symbols over it?"

"Or maybe whoever made these are trying to portray themselves as Kilos." Henry theorized.

"No, these are from Kilos. This is expensive paint." Decha confirmed. "Someone from Kilos is ordering material from the Brackets, buying from a third party because parts may be cheaper. Kilos takes these batteries, paints over them, and reclaims them. Although Rusty, these batteries work for a long time. Things in the Brackets usually last longer, because the economy is too bad to afford nicer things. They have to make things last longer. This is where the border comes into play."

"Holy cow, he really IS a genius!" Henry closed his mouth before his drool seeped out.

"We need to find out who is supplying Kilos with these batteries. I noticed that the device used to bomb the building across the street is also rusty. I think that certain homes near the border are supplying these to Kilos, and Kilos returns the favor by paying them with parts. Material to create the bombs."

"So, the Bracketers are behind the bombings!" Amir reasoned ecstatically. "Those suckers are in a heap of trouble! Can you imagine the headlines?"

"N96 saves Astell yet again from another dastardly deed done by the trash Brackets." Henry swooned.

"Idiot, what about me?" Amir frowned.

"You don't get much credit. You're the sidekick. N96 is the star here!"

"Your man crush is showing, dimwit." Amir slapped Henry upside his head.

"We don't know for sure that it's the Bracketers doing this. Amir, we need to investigate the entire street separated by the Sector Walls. If we find any material or ask around about Lindsey, we can find the culprits."

"Which street?"

"Both the Brackets, and Astell's. On either side of the wall." Decha commanded. "We can start tomorrow after I do one last look out at Grandell. I'll be telling Chen tomorrow will be my last day."

"Finally, I hated having to meet Risor when I'm not going there anymore."

~~~

Rory walked into the gates at the normal time she usually arrived. Today she had a long lab class and then some free time to explore Astell. She wanted to tour some of the shops that sold electronics, and holographic technology, or just the museums with older tech from 20 years before.

She could imagine the excitement she'd feel seeing when seeing a holographic display of both sectors for the first time. And the good thing was that the Museums in Astell were cheaper to go to than in the Brackets. Most children didn't care to visit them.

But she wanted to. She appreciated the effort and time it took for Sector A to improve.

Rory's heart leaped for joy as she hummed to herself on the way to Windsor's class. Her happiness was starting to overflow. She needed to release the energy she had on something before she'd ramble endlessly to her Professor.

Rory was so caught up in her thoughts she didn't notice a very livid-looking Terence approach her. Rory was about to sidestep him but was stopped when Terence slapped his hand on her shoulder and shoved her back.

"People like you piss me off so much!" He snarled at her. "You think it's funny, huh? Do you think it's great to see innocent people suffer?"

"What? What did I do? I didn't bump into you this time." Rory mumbled. Her mind went blank. She wasn't sure why this student was so upset. What did he mean by innocent people suffering?

"I'm gonna give you a taste of your own medicine. One less trash Bracketer for Astell to deal with." Terence grabbed Rory by the collar of her shirt and dragged her with him, toward the main office.

"Ow! Terence! Let me go!" Rory shouted. "Let me go!" Rory repeated louder, hoping Asher would hear her screams. Her heart started racing as he yanked her inside the school's main lobby, then pulled her into an elevator. "Terence! Please!"

"Shut up!" He shouted in her face. When the Elevator went to the building's top floor, Terence dragged Rory out to the open roof. That was when Rory realized what he meant by his words. He was going to kill her.

Rory screamed her lungs out and began hitting Terence as hard as she could, fighting for her life. "Let. Me. Go!" She huffed and rammed her fist into his arm repeatedly.

Terence backhanded her, and Rory fell at his feet. "Bracketers go around acting high and mighty and then they set bombs across the city, killing people because they feel like it."

Rory began to cry and tried to crawl away from him. But he grabbed her by her hair and slammed her onto the concrete. The impact cut the side of Rory's face, but her adrenaline got the best of her, and she kicked Terence away.

"Ow! You stupid wench!" Terence kicked her in her back. Rory fell over and rolled onto all fours as fast as she could. But before she could get away, Terence grabbed her and punched her. Rory shielded her face by covering it with her arms, but she began feeling light-headed. "Bums like you don't deserve to cry! You don't deserve to live!" Terence dragged her toward the edge of the roof.

"Please! Please!" Rory wheezed. "Please!" She felt herself being raised over nothing. If he dropped her, she would fall to her death. "Terence, please!" She screeched.

"My mother probably begged for her life before your people killed her. Because of you, I lost everything. My home is gone, because of people like you." Terence's voice cracked. Rory concluded that another bomb went off in Astell. Terence's family was targeted.

"I'm sorry." Rory sobbed. "I'm sorry!"

The apology struck a chord within Terence. His blood boiled immensely as he watched Rory's tears stream down her face. He threw her back onto the concrete and began kicking her repeatedly. Each kick was harder, using more force than the one before it.

Rory's agonizing screams faded slowly, she felt her vision going into a blur. But she refused to faint. If she fainted, he'd throw her off the roof. Her screams faded to nothing, but she clenched her teeth, trying her best to take every hit the best way she could.

She reasoned that he'd get tired of her, and go away. But every kick didn't feel like it. Rory's body began reacting violently. If she didn't escape, she'd have to go to the hospital.

"Please." Rory whimpered softly.

"You're still talking? You want me to throw you off?" Terence smacked her again, but that was the final hit Rory could take. He hit her so hard that she blacked out. Terence nudged her unconscious body with his foot, before getting an idea.

If he chucked her off, he could mask it as her committing the unthinkable. Terence grabbed Rory's arm and dragged her over the edge, but before he could push her off completely, he was tackled by someone.

That someone was Decha.

Decha's eyes were darkened in a way that would make any man shrivel in fear. He slammed Terence into the ground and wrapped his hands around his throat.

Terence wasn't sure where he recognized the look from. The position he was put in was different. No regular Astellian held this much power in his eyes. To him, it looked like the student choking him had done this before.

"I can't breathe! Mercy! Mercy!" Terence tapped Decha's arm.

Decha ignored his pleas. One thing he couldn't stand was the murder of innocent people.

Mass murderers or first-timers were all the same to him. Decha knew that this crime or attempt at it would be handled in Justice by the death penalty.

A penalty that Decha was great at enforcing.

Decha's emotionless eyes remained the same as he lowered himself, closer to Terence's ear. Then in a low growl, he whispered. "I'll kill you."

All Decha had to do was move his thumb one inch up and snap Terence's neck. However, the moment he did, Decha felt himself being thrown off. Decha rolled onto his feet easily, as if he were on the battlefield. Then he looked at the person who interrupted.

It was Dean Risor. Decha stood back up, and stomped right back over to Terence, who was gasping for air. One way or another, Decha was going to kill him.

"N96 STAND DOWN!" Risor shouted and grabbed Decha's shoulder. Decha pushed through effortlessly, his murderous glare still set on his target. "N96! N96!" Risor ran in front of Decha and yanked him back by his arm. "Stand down! Stand down!"

The command wasn't registering in Decha's mind. It was as if Decha wasn't there to actively hear it.

In Decha's mind, the scene reminded him of when he found Avon. The boy was helpless, crying, begging for help. But the bystanders pushed him around as if he were nothing but trash. A memory appeared in Decha's mind, of him dealing with the people who treated Avon horribly. He didn't kill them, but he made sure that they wouldn't ever want to see the light of day ever again.

Seeing and hearing Rory screaming the way she was reminded him of the moment he saved Avon.

"STAND DOWN N96! N96!" Risor slapped Decha, snapping him out of his anger. "You're a General! He's a student! Stand down!"

Decha came back to reality, and he observed Terence once more. Terence was breathing heavily, and still very much alive. Decha didn't like it.

"He almost killed her." Decha's tone was anything but soft. It came out deep and menacing, and authoritative.

"Yes, I know. I'll handle the student, go and check on Miss. Clarke."

"He almost threw her off the roof!"

"I saw, N96. I will handle this matter properly. Please, check to see if she is okay."

Decha looked over at Rory's body. The side of her face was bleeding. He ran over to her and pulled her away from the edge of the roof. He looked over. Surely, if she fell, she would've died. "Rory." Decha laid her flat when she didn't respond.

Her breathing was too silent. He lowered his ear to her lips and calmed down a bit when he heard her breathing, but it was just extremely soft.

Decha scooped her into his arms and glanced over to Risor. "I'll take her to the infirmary. And Risor," His tone darkened as Risor looked over to Decha. "If you don't take care of him, believe me, I will."

"You must understand your boundaries."

"There are no boundaries when a crime is committed. I am legally allowed to end the life of someone who commits a crime. Next time, do not interfere with my job."

"He is Astellian!"

"The law does not limit me to only Bracketers, Risor. I am obligated to protect everyone. So again, I'll command you once more. If you don't do your job, I'll do mine." Decha sneered venomously and walked away.

Decha brought Rory to the infirmary as fast as he could, but there were no nurses. He decided to patch Rory up himself.

He was able to do it after watching the staff on the Outside do it on him many times. The first thing he did was connect Rory to an oxygen tank. Then he cleaned up the side of her face and patched it.

Amir was calling his phone, but he refused to answer, wanting to make sure Rory was completely okay. There was a TV on in the corner of the room, with the news channel being broadcasted.

On the news, there was a report of another bomb going off in an upscale neighborhood of Astell. Several houses had collapsed. At this point, the bombs were getting out of hand. Now they were moving to where residents lived.

Decha groaned and ran his hands through his hair. Then he sat down in the chair beside the bed. He thought of ways to prevent the bombs. There was something Astell needed to do as a whole to make sure that they wouldn't happen. Staying in one place wasn't the right way to go.

He decided that after waiting for Rory to wake up, he'd go to Strous's office and make a game plan. It was obvious they were missing something.