Sonatorrek: Hyndluljóð - Reborn Part Three

[x-dominion.livejournal.com]

Kane gets a visit from Fred Duncan, and discovers a big change.



"Jesus Kane. You look like shit. I thought you had a healing something something that was supposed to stop this sort of thing happening to your face." Fred Duncan stopped at the doorway to the medlab room to view his agent; still black and blue, but slowly on the mend. Jean had assured him that his powers would come back with time, but as with many physically enhanced mutants, the severity of the injuries had funneled everything his body had into his healing factor, leaving him firmly in normal human ranges for now.

"They let you in, Fred? Security is going to hell in this place."

"The Professor was kind enough to let me know once you woke up. Said you had a kind of brain injury?"

"Literally lost my mind. Some friends helped piece it back together." Kane let himself lean back against the headboard. "What about you?"

"Territory fights over something like twelve separate cases in and around Aitkins. Jesus, Kane, when you step in it, you don't do things by half, do you?"

"You might say that." Garrison shut his eyes for the moment. His memories of Aitkins were fuzzy; there, but it was difficult to dwell on them for too long before they slipped away from him. "Thor was a god, Dunc. Rea honest to fuck god."

"I know. Fury got on the phone to me when Brand's team pulled you out. We're still working out where SWORD's authority ends."

"Brand? Abigail? And what's SWORD?"

"Supernatural Watch Observation and Response Department. SHIELD's answer to the inexplicable that keeps finding you somehow. It's existence is still top secret, by the way. They operate as a subgroup of SHIELD. Abigail Brand was promoted as the Director a couple of weeks ago. A reward for her stunning work with the FBI." Duncan said with a sour twist to his mouth.

"That bitch..." Kane's voice trailed off.

"Yup. She also put in an official request that you be considered for the FBI Medal of Valor." Duncan shook his head. "I don't think we'll ever understand her."

"No kidding." Kane looked down at his hands and back up to Fred. "OK, Dunc, small talk is out of the way. Why did you rush down here as soon as you discovered I was awake."

"Yeah, that." Fred took a deep breath. "Garrison, you're under investigation by the Bureau's internal investigations unit regarding the shooting deaths of Arnold Snorinsen, Amy Lushton, and Lars Grunwald. I'm going to need your badge, son."

"Ah." It didn't come as a shock, but Kane was surprised that his hands were still on the bedsheet. "Did you talk to the Superintendent?"

"I did. You are officially suspended with pay from the Bureau and the RCMP pending the findings of the investigation. I need to collect your RCMP badge and gun as well." Duncan took a step beside the bed. "What the hell happened, Kane?"

"I don't know."

"Three bodies... did you have no other choice? Just you and me, Garrison, not for anyone else. Was it the only way?"

"At the time, I think so."

"I've seen pictures of the girl, Garrison. And forensics found Snorinsen semen in her- well, in the body. II is going to suggest you lost it and gunned him down in revenge."

"There's more to it than that, Dunc. But I don't know how much I can prove without using words like 'gods' as my defense."

"Shit." Fred shook his head. "I believe you, Kane. I've seen too much and known you too long to believe that it was just you losing control. But, internally, it's not good. Arnie might be outed as a rapist, murderous fuck, but he was a well-liked and respected local chief, and the field offices in the region are screaming for answers. If II decides the shootings were not justified, you will be charged with murder.

"I understand." He was silent for a long moment. "You'll need to get the Doc to take you up to collect my badges and gun. Should be in the gun safe."

"I'm damn sorry about this, Garrison. You were right. We should have sent in a team from the start."

"Maybe. I don't think it would have changed anything." Kane held out a hand. "I appreciate you coming yourself to do this, boss. You didn't have to."

"Yeah, I did. I'll be in touch when I hear anything. Otherwise, get some rest, heal up. You know I'm going fight this one for you. I-"

"Dunc, it's magic and weird shit. If they aren't going to look at that, all fighting will get you is sent off back to a field office in Chicago. You need to stay where you are, even if it means II charges me." Kane said. "Seriously, I'll face what comes out of Aitkins. I can handle it, eh?"

"You say that now." Fred got up and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "But I'm still not going to just stand by if they try and railroad you. You're a good cop, Kane. And we need you out there."

"Thanks Dunc. I appreciate it. Just keep my badge warm for me."