THREE YEARS AGO.
" So what have you been up to lately Greene?" Ben asked me.
It was funny how a year ago he almost lost his life and went into a deep coma for seven months. This is the first time we are meeting since he got back to his feet.
I couldn't help but smile before replying.
" Nothing much, not on a case so, am a ghosted agent."
Ben's eyes lit up with amusement as he chuckled, the sound a little rough from disuse but still warm and familiar. "Ghosted agent, huh? Sounds about right. You've always been a lone wolf, Greene." He leaned back in his chair, his gaze piercing as he studied me. "But I know you're not just twiddling your thumbs. What's really going on? You're not the type to take a break just because the department tells you to."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Ben's perceptiveness. It was true; after the last case, the higher-ups had basically put me on ice, citing burnout and stress. But the truth was, I was just getting restless, missing the rush of the chase, the thrill of the unknown.
"Let's grab some coffee," I said, pushing my chair back. "I'll fill you in on what's been going on." Ben nodded, a small smile playing on his lips, and we walked out of the hospital cafeteria, the bright sunlight a welcome change from the sterile hospital air. Little did I know, this conversation would change everything.
As we got the coffee shop, we sat beside the window. Honestly, being seated once again with the long time partner of mine was one of a kind.
I suddenly felt like it was about time to play the game once more and this time I know we'll win.
" So what's happening in the last couple months?" He asked me bringing my mind back to reality.
" Yea__ you're right I've got something to say. We are ahead Ben, we can finally take down the eclipse once and for all."
Saying those word I thought Ben would feel pleased or feel eager to be back in action but, instead he replied.
" Hmm, good for you."
" What?"
I stared at Ben, taken aback by his lukewarm response. "What do you mean 'good for you'?" I asked, my voice tinged with confusion. "Don't you remember what Eclipse did to you? To us? We're talking about taking down the people who nearly killed you, who pushed you into that coma."
Ben's expression didn't change, but I noticed a flicker of something in his eyes. It was a mixture of pain and...resignation? He looked away, taking a sip of his coffee, his voice measured when he spoke.
"Greene, I've been thinking a lot about this while I was recovering. About what happened, about what Eclipse did. And I've come to realize that it's not worth it. It's not worth risking everything for revenge."
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Ben, my partner, my friend – he couldn't be serious. "You're not talking about giving up on justice, are you?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.
Ben's eyes locked onto mine, a deep sadness in them. "I'm talking about moving on, Greene. Eclipse may have taken a lot from me, but I won't let it define me. I've been given a second chance, and I want to use it to make a difference, not to perpetuate a cycle of violence."
I felt a surge of frustration and disappointment. This wasn't the Ben I knew, the one who had always been driven by justice, who had always stood by me against all odds.
"You're not thinking clearly, Ben," I said, trying to reason with him. "Eclipse is a cancer, and if we don't take them down, they'll just keep hurting people. You know that."
Ben's expression turned firm, and he leaned in, his voice taking on a determined tone. "I'm thinking clearer than I ever have, Greene. And I've made up my mind. I'm out."
I couldn't believe what I just heard, I felt betrayed, I've been out of a case for almost a year just to dig deeper into an unknown entity, to be able to have impact on the main chart.
But listening to Ben I couldn't say anything, the only word that escaped my mouth was.
" Why?"
Ben's words hung in the air, and I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "What are you talking about, Ben? What truth?" I asked, my voice low and urgent.
Ben glanced around the coffee shop, ensuring we were still alone. "Not here. Meet me at the old warehouse on 5th and Main at midnight if you want to know more. Come alone."
With that, he stood up, tossed a few bills on the table, and walked out of the coffee shop, leaving me staring after him in confusion and concern.
I watched him disappear into the crowd, my mind racing with possibilities. What could Ben have discovered that would make him want to abandon our pursuit of Eclipse? And what did he mean by "come alone"?
I knew I had to be at that warehouse tonight, no matter what. The game had just gotten a lot more interesting.
I couldn't shake the thought of Ben trying to quit. Why I couldn't wait, why midnight? My mind racing, my heart beating, there must be something dark in between with the way he said we should meet, the time was odd and the location suspicious. Even if Ben is a friend, I can't help but think he amongst many have been compromised.
The seed of doubt had been planted, and it was festering in my mind like an open wound. Ben's words and actions seemed off, and the more I thought about it, the more I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
I started to think about all the possibilities, all the ways Ben could have been compromised. Had he been threatened? Bribed? Manipulated? The more I thought about it, the more I knew I had to be careful.
I decided to do some digging on my own, to see if I could uncover any information about Ben's activities before he quit. I started making calls, reaching out to our contacts, trying to get a sense of what Ben had been working on.
As the hours ticked by, my anxiety grew. What would I find out? Was Ben in danger? And what would happen if I showed up at the warehouse tonight?
One thing was for sure: I wouldn't be going in blind. I'd be prepared for anything.
I spent the rest of the day gathering intel, trying to piece together Ben's movements and activities leading up to our meeting. I hacked into secure databases, made discreet inquiries, and analyzed phone records. The more I dug, the more I realized that Ben had been investigating a lot of high-level players.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, I made my way to the warehouse, my senses on high alert. I was dressed in dark, tactical gear, my gun at the ready. I approached the warehouse cautiously, scanning the area for any signs of surveillance or traps.
As I slipped inside, the darkness enveloped me like a shroud. I waited for my eyes to adjust, listening intently for any sound. The warehouse was eerily quiet, the only sound the creaking of old wooden beams.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps, light and deliberate. Ben emerged from the shadows, his eyes scanning the room before locking onto mine.
"Greene," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I'm glad you came."
But something about his tone sent a shiver down my spine. Was it fear? Warning? I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
"What is this, Ben?" I asked, my voice low and even. "What's going on?"
Ben took a deep breath, and in that moment, I knew something was very wrong.
Looking at him and the way he dressed I knew there's a lot to talk about.
___Ben's attire was a far cry from his usual suit and tie. He wore a black leather jacket, scuffed up and worn, with a pair of rugged pants and heavy boots. His eyes seemed more sunken, and his face was etched with a mixture of fatigue and determination.
"You look like you've been living rough," I said, my eyes scanning him from head to toe.
Ben nodded, a small, humorless smile playing on his lips. "I've been laying low, Greene. I've had to get creative to stay under the radar."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Under the radar? What's going on, Ben? You're starting to scare me."
Ben's expression turned serious, and he took a step closer to me. "I'm scared too, Greene. I'm scared of what's coming. And I'm scared of what I've gotten myself into."
His voice was low and urgent, and I could feel the weight of his words. Whatever was going on, it was big. And it was personal.
I took a step closer to Ben, my eyes locked on his. "What are you talking about, Ben? What's going on? You can't just drop a bombshell like that and expect me to let it go."
Ben glanced around the warehouse, his eyes darting back and forth as if he was checking for any hidden listeners. "I've been investigating a conspiracy, Greene. A big one. And I think I've stumbled upon something that could bring down the entire system."
He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing.
"I've been digging into Eclipse, like we discussed before. But it's more than just a crime syndicate. It's a web of corruption that goes all the way to the top. Politicians, business leaders, law enforcement... they're all in on it."
I felt a chill run down my spine as Ben's words painted a picture of a massive, intricate conspiracy. "What makes you think this?" I asked, my mind racing with possibilities.
Ben pulled out a small notebook from his jacket pocket and flipped through the pages. "I've been gathering evidence, Greene. Documents, recordings, testimony from insiders... it's all here. And it's enough to take them down."
But as he held out the notebook, I noticed his hand was shaking slightly. And his eyes seemed... haunted.
"Ben, what's going on?" I asked, my voice low and urgent. "What are you afraid of?"
Ben's eyes darted around the warehouse again, his gaze lingering on the shadows as if he expected someone to emerge from the darkness. "I'm afraid of being watched, Greene. I'm afraid of being followed. And I'm afraid of what they'll do to me if they find out what I know."
He handed me the notebook, his hand still shaking. "Read it, Greene. Understand what's going on. And then... and then you have to get out. You have to leave this alone."
I took the notebook, feeling a sense of trepidation as I opened it. The pages were filled with handwritten notes, diagrams, and cryptic messages. But one entry caught my eye:
"Eclipse is just the tip of the iceberg. The true enemy is much deeper. Meet me at the old clock tower at midnight if you want to know more."
I looked up at Ben, my mind racing with questions. "What does this mean? Who's behind Eclipse?"
Ben's expression turned grim. "I'll tell you everything, Greene. But first, you have to promise me one thing."
"What's that?" I asked, my voice firm.
Ben's eyes locked onto mine, his voice barely above a whisper. "You have to promise me you'll be careful. Because if they find out you're working with me... they'll stop at nothing to silence you."
I nodded, my mind racing with the implications. "I promise, Ben. I'll be careful. But you have to tell me what's going on. Who's behind Eclipse?"
Ben hesitated, glancing around the warehouse again before focusing on me. "It's... it's not just one person, Greene. It's a group. A powerful group that has infiltrated every level of society. They're known as 'The Architects'."
The name sent a shiver down my spine. I'd heard whispers of a shadowy organization with immense power and influence, but I never thought I'd be face-to-face with someone who knew the truth.
"The Architects," I repeated, my voice low. "What do they want?"
Ben's expression turned grave. "They want control, Greene. Control of the city, the government, the entire system. And they'll stop at nothing to get it."
I felt a surge of determination. I had to take down Eclipse and The Architects, no matter the cost. "We'll do it, Ben. We'll take them down."
But Ben's expression remained somber. "It's not that simple, Greene. The Architects have a plan, and we're just pawns in their game. We need to be careful, strategic. We can't take them on head-on."
I nodded, my mind racing with strategies and plans. "Let's get out of here, Ben. We have work to do."
As I turned to leave, Ben's voice stopped me. "Greene?"
"Yeah?"
"Be careful. If The Architects know I'm talking to you... they'll come for you next."