What Would You Give? (Closed to Sai)

Scott sat in his OCEAN sanctioned room, inspecting the claws he had fashioned for himself. They were beginning to dull, not enough to harm his performance but he could see the difference. Battle after battle had begun to take its toll on the bladed weapons. It wasn't always like that though. Scott began to think back to a time before OCEAN, before his life had become so busy. Back in those days his view of the world spanned LA and its surrounding areas. Back then he patrolled the streets tirelessly. Day in and day out he'd race across the city, patrolling for any crime he could find. He barely slept then. When he did it was back in a one room dump crammed tight between a complex of apartment buildings. The floors were a mess and wall to wall it was filled with gadgets and projects to work on if he ever got time for them. The time for that never came though. And no matter how much of a difference he thought he was making, it was only one city, one sore on a festering world.

Scott couldn't imagine a life like that anymore. He had been so narrow minded, unable to see the forest through the trees. What would his life be like had he never met Sai that fateful night in Las Vegas? It had been a fluke that he'd even been there that night. Vegas was outside of his patrol range. Not that he couldn't reach it but it was a hassle, mostly because of his lungs. If he had gone there with an inadequate amount of medicine he could die before he got back to LA. Thinking more on it had Sai not been there that night, he would have died alone in the desert. Without her appearance there, that trip to Sin City would have been his last. It had been fate, nothing else could explain it. Much like his failed attempt at suicide he was still destined for something more and he needed Sai to see it.

The more he thought on it he realized he could never fully repay her for what she had done. Sai had taken a Scott, nearly homeless and stretched to his limits from his small world and pulled him onto a global stage. Not only that, but she'd given him a home and a damn good one at that. Here he had access to technology beyond anything he had ever imagined creating and allies to match it. That may have been the single greatest thing he had been given with his home in OCEAN...friends. Never before had he been around people he was so glad to be associated with. All of OCEAN was hopelessly dedicated to one cause. Before OCEAN Scott had been alone and though he would always be alone. But now, now he was surrounded by like minded individuals and people whom he would gladly lay down his life for. Sai had given him a home and for that he was eternally grateful.

A knock at the door broke Scott from his thoughts, titanium alloy claws still gripped in his hands. It was Sai, speak of the devil. She asked to come in but Scott detected something, nervousness? He didn't need to see her to know that something was up. It wasn't to urgent though, it didn't sound like that kind of nervous. But Scott couldn't call it timidity either, he knew that was something she would never show. Regardless of the circumstance something was up and she had come to him about it. He didn't bother to place his claws back on. Sai was a deeply trusted friend and there would be no need. Besides, if trouble somehow did arise, he'd have them on and ready so fast no threat would have any idea what had hit them. Placing his weapons on one of the counters in his room Scott unlatched the automated door. "Thank you...for knocking...I don't always have...the suit on." Scott stepped out of the way allowing Sai entrance to his quarters. His eyes never left her face, trying to read exactly what was going on. Perhaps someone within OCEAN had been a spy or a traitor? They had run-ins with infiltrators before. It wouldn't be unheard of for another attempt to be made. "Come in Sai...I can tell something...is wrong" He locked the door and listened into the hall to ensure that no one was outside to hear their conversation. If she was this on edge, Scott felt he needed to ensure their privacy. "What's going on?" He said with concern in his voice. He'd be willing and ready to help with whatever it was she needed.

Sitting was...unusual. Scott's interactions with most people were quick, formal. Nonetheless he sat by Sai as she entered the room. The nervousness on her face only growing more intense. It was even more evident through her words. What ever information she had stored inside her was critical to OCEAN and to Sai. In his heart Scott was committed 100% to the OCEAN cause and to Sai who had virtually saved his life. If she needed something he would provide to the best of his abilities. It was the least he could do. "Spit it out Sai...I know you're nervous...but if what you...have to say...is that pivotal...I need to know immediately...if there's a spy...in our ranks...I won't hesitate" In a second Scott was back at his counter, his claws back on his wrists and sitting again. "Tell me what it...required of me...I owe you my life...there is nothing you...could ask that I...won't execute" He was dead serious, waiting intently for her words so that he could spring into action against whatever it was that threatened OCEAN and threatened Sai.

His ranking? What could that mean? Her nerves or almost frustrated look, was she kicking him out of OCEAN? He had never gone against orders never strayed from her plan how could she be kicking him out? Scott's mind raced trying to fathom why it would come to this. No matter what he would respect her wishes but it was not something he looked forward to. Letting out a sigh, he anticipated the coming news. But it didn't come. Instead she spoke on Mikona, the co-founder. To be honest Scott had never actually met him. He knew his position but was never greeted by Sai's second in command. There of course could be reasons, secret missions, health issues whatever but it did always strike him as odd that he was never around. Sai only confirmed his thoughts. She informed him that Mikona had saved her in the past, probably when she entered this world and that while he would always be the co-founder a new second in command was needed. Wait...a new second in command, a discussion of his ranking, she was going to ask him to take the position. Before she could even say it he could feel himself sweating. He had been in a leadership position before. His memory flashed back to an initiation of new recruits in the Hellhounds.

Alright you little fuckers, you think you've got what it takes to be a Hellhound!? Well do ya'? You think you got the balls!" In front of Scott were a group of 5 new recruits. Each had come to the Hellhounds as an escape from normal life. Gang life meant family where there was none, it meant protection when none could be provided, it meant indulgence in all the pleasures of the earth. But they couldn't just enter, a long list of tasks had to be completed; branding, Hellhound identifying tattoos and the "ceremony" they were about to perform. Behind Scott were 5 black drapes each spray painted with the Hellhounds logo. The shrouded figures beneath were emitting muffled cries for help. This would be their final test, loyalty to the Hellhounds meant a disbanding of any former alliance.  Even blood relatives were not safe. Scott stepped to the first boy standing before him handing him a 9mm. "Give us your loyalty, blood for the brotherhood" he said as he removed the cowl on the first figure. It was a woman in her early twenties dressed nice and obviously misplaced in the LA slums. She was bound up and gagged. Tears streamed down her face smearing mascara. Scott grabbed her face violently and brought her to the recruit before him. Their eyes met and as soon as Scott saw this he ripped the gag from the woman's mouth. She screamed and pleaded for her life. "Do it! Look into her eyes and do it!! Show us how much you want this!" The boys hand rose shakily, fear in his eyes. The bang from the gun snapped Scott back  to reality.

As Sai finished letting Scott know about the position he began to visibly shake. His clawed hands making an audible rattled as they vibrated frequently. Sai trusted him, trusted him enough to forgo his hidden identity and bring him to that high of a position in OCEAN. It was a true honor, but it filled Scott with an unfamiliar emotion...fear. Sweat dripped from his head. He knew he would never betray her and as she said would do anything and everything he could for OCEAN's cause but how could she know? So much of him had been hidden from her, had been hidden from everyone. They didn't know who he was, where he came from or anything. He was an enigma and here she was with such faith in trust in such an unworthy soul. Scott's mind wracked, there was nothing more he could want then to aid this organization but how could she trust him! His mind kept going back to that. She has to know, she can't know, etc. etc. it was maddening in his brain and Scott was now stammering, his speech speeding to match the speed his brain was functioning at. "SaiIuh...howcanyou...howdoesit...andtrustingmeImean...IwanttoIbuthow..." The shaking began to worsen and his breathing escalated. Scott fell to his knees, his body convulsing and lifted a hand to his mask. The medicine hit him hard and instantly began calming his lungs and his thoughts. He was ashamed of his reaction and of himself. If Sai could show him such trust as this, there was only one option, he would have to give her the same trust. For Scott, this was harder than any fight, any foe he had ever faced. With his face still aimed at the ground and his hands keeping him up Scott spoke. "Sai I have to apologize...you give me such...trust and yet I...have not given you...all the information to...make your decision...I have not given you...that same trust." Rising up Scott met her magenta eyes. His heart raced as he forced himself to move and speak. His hands rose to his hood, pulling it back to reveal his bald head and scarred features aged beyond his years. A tattoo of a large dog encircled the back half of his skull. His dull blue eyes stared at her with immense regret. "You have no idea...how hard this is for me." Scott rose to his feet, his eyes never leaving Sai's. Reaching down, he unzipped the fire retardant hoodie and let it fall to the ground behind him. For the first time since prison, Scott was exposed, vulnerable. His scarred, tattooed and battered upper body was now in full view for his commander. The sins of his past and the burden he bore were now all out in the open. Scott had to muster all of his courage, inhaling deeply before speaking the name of the worst human being he had ever known. "My name is...Scott Silver" The name burned on his tongue like acid. It was rancid and horrid, a name unfit to be spoken in the darkest pits of hell. "Before becoming...Redline...I founded a violent gang...in LA known as...the Hellhounds...no crime was beyond...us and no sin too great...that life is...behind me....but in that time...I personally ended...the lives of sixty-three...human beings...in cold blood...seven of those...were children...I am a wretched thing...unfit to call myself...a human being...I respect you...too much Sai...to let you ask...what you have of me...without giving you the full...extent of my sin...I want nothing more...than to accept the...position you have...offered me...but I understand...if you can no longer...extend the offer." A long exhale exited Scott as he finished his confession. His arms remained extended at his sides, allowing Sai the full view of his shame while he awaited her words.

Sai stood before Scott after his confession. It was the first time he had ever revealed this information to anyone sense the accident. He still stood shaking, so much of himself now out on the table, even the man he once was. It was as though he was a vampire, his skin now exposed not to sunlight but eyes. It almost burned. The seconds ticked by agonizingly before Sai spoke. At the sound of his birth name he cringed. It was a knife straight through his heart to hear such a trusted friend utter it. The name was unfit to pass from her lips or those of any other. But her intention was to address him on a personal level he understood that. Message received. The intimacy of the moment was overwhelming to Scott, so informal and so open. That tore him to pieces, the honesty and openness. It threatened to swallow him whole. But he maintained his composure on his scarred face as Sai continued.

Her thoughts on the situation continued forth on her mouth. Sai was a warrior Scott knew that but his words had disturbed her the same as they disturbed him. Yet somehow she could forgive him. Somehow she could put that behind her and him. She knew his feelings on the matter, somehow saw into his head and felt the regret he walked with every day and the screaming that haunted his nights. Not a moment passed that those lives did not weigh heavy on his soul. But Sai forgave him and believed that God would as well. As much as he appreciated her gesture Scott was not so sure about that one. In his eyes he was scum, no better than the filth he cleaned off the streets every day. He deserved to die a horrible death and to be loathed for the rest of his days on this miserable rock. How could she hold forgiveness in her heart for him, how could anyone? It was mind boggling and at the same time comforting. His demons were out on the table, the worst of the worst he had done and he wasn't being exiled for it. Sai couldn't explain it either, she said herself that her forgiveness of the situation disturbed her as much as him. It always came back to destiny, to fate. Whatever Redline was meant for was beyond who he was and who he had been. Maybe personal redemption di. With Sai's words Scott was rejuvenated in his purpose, pulled up from the self loathing muck that had drowned his soul and reminded of what he stood for. Innocence in this world was dead. Every man and woman alive had their sins, but that did not mean it could not be reborn. Out of the ashes of this shit hole could once again rise a beautiful earth and it would take all he had to bring it.

Light tears dropped from Scott's dull blue eyes as Sai concluded. Not of sadness but of joy. He was where he belonged, he and Sai and OCEAN were destined for greatness in whatever form it came in. And with her conditions met Scott gladly extended a clawed hand to his dear friend and commanding officer. Reigned in elation was clear on his voice as he spoke. "Thank you Sai...I accept the position...of Second in Command...you will not be...disappointed in your decision" A small smile broke behind his respirator. Rarely did he experience such joy but this was wonderful. Unfortunately his joy was broken. In his excitement Scott had not processed something that Sai had said while she spoken. "You're dying, I can see it". Scott had been sick, been told he was terminal for a few years before becoming Redline. But his medicine had staved off the worst of it since then. Perhaps it was getting worse, but how did Sai know? After breaking from the handshake Scott slowly gathered up his suit and replaced it on himself. Afterwards he spoke again. "I do have...one question...how do you know how...serious my condition is?"