* * * * * * *

 

 

 

"So, Storm? You excited. First day at the academy for us." Mike asked as he and Storm stood in line at the Saran City Bank.

 

"I’m pretty excited. Who would’ve thought that me leaving Merlow with you would one day lead to this?"

 

"Not me. Where’s Dade?" Mike asked as he looked at his watch, "He said he’d be here five minutes ago."

 

"It’s ok. We have a long line anyway. He’s probably perving at some poor chick."

 

"I’m glad he’s here. It’s good spending time with him while he’s on break from college. I just wish you two would stop trying to compete so much."

 

"I don’t compete. I win. It’s not my fault he always tries to take me on in competition. He beat me in the regionals three years ago and hasn’t had anything on me since."

 

"Yes, yes. We all know that, Mr. National Champion. Maybe we should …"

 

"Hey." Storm said interrupting Mike as he motioned his eyes to the main entrance of the bank, "I think we might have some trouble here."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"See those two guys by the door? They’re waiting for something. And look at the two guys in the next line over."

 

"What about them?"

 

"They’re all wearing the same watch."

 

"That’s it? That’s your hunch? They’re all wearing the same watch?" Mike asked with a small laugh, "I bet you’re planning on being a detective, aren’t you? With a nose like that, you’ll be cracking cases in no time."

 

"I’m serious, Mike." Storm said with increasing frustration, "I really think something’s up here. Just doesn’t feel right."

 

"I think you’re just uptight because you saw Lucas last week."

 

"How do you expect me to feel? I still have a hard time seeing him but he made his choice and he chose Ashley. It’s been two years now since I left Merlow. I’m still not over him."

 

"Man, everything just seemed to go to hell after me and Sarah left."

 

"I always said you were the real glue, Man. Marcel went back to Drake. Lucas went back to Ashley. Dade and I almost fell apart again. But forget Lucas for now. I really think something’s up here. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong. If I’m not, we’re about to be in serious trouble."

 

"Holy shit!" Mike yelled in surprise as suddenly the four men Storm picked out suddenly drew automatic rifles.

 

"EVERYONE ON THE GROUND! NOW!" The tallest gunmen yelled out as he jumped to the counter.

 

"I hate it when I’m right sometimes." Storm said as he and Mike quickly fell to the ground.

 

Storm watched on intently as the four gunmen proceeded to badger the hapless bank tellers. Soon their huge bags were being loaded with cash. Both Mike and Storm knew better than to try and battle these odds. Neither of them had a weapon and they were outnumbered. Not to mention the fact they could be risking their lives and the lives of other innocents. But as the robbers became increasingly irritable, Mike could sense Storm’s growing unease.

 

"Don’t move, Storm. We can’t do anything here. You know the procedure."

 

"I know." Storm replied reluctantly as one of the tellers was smashed over the head with the butt of a rifle.

 

Just when Mike and Storm thought the ordeal was over, another man entered the bank. He had long dirty blonde hair, wore a black combat suit and mask over his head. It was obvious he was in charge here.

 

"Get it for me." The man spoke with a decisively foreign accent as one of the gunmen ordered a teller out the back.

 

The seconds seemed to tick by like hours as Mike and Storm remained firmly on the ground. The tense silence was broken by the sound of a baby crying. The masked man’s attention was drawn to the baby with a look of disgust.

 

"Shut that baby up or I’ll shut it up for you." He said menacingly, "Permanently."

 

The young mother tried desperately to calm her baby, to no avail. With a look of growing horror, Storm watched as the gunman nearest him turned his rifle towards the baby.

 

"Oh hell no!" Storm yelled as he spun on the ground, kicking his right leg directly up under the chin of the gunman

 

In one swift motion he followed through with his left leg and swept the gunman to the ground. His elbow came down on the gunman’s nose as he flipped to his feet.

 

The other two gunmen by now were seconds away from firing on Storm. Mike had already picked up the dropped rifle and shot one of the gunmen in the hand, forcing him to drop his weapon. This distracted the other gunman long enough for Storm to jump at him. He succeeded in disarming the gunman but that wasn’t the only weapon he had. He came at Storm with a flurry of punches and kicks, which Storm deftly blocked.

 

"You finished yet?" Storm snapped angrily as he countered the assault with a swift three step kick combo, resulting in the gunman being knocked out cold, "Two years under 21 national champion, Mother fucker. Beat that."

 

Storm turned to see Mike in a fierce fight with the masked man. He was about to jump in and help when the fourth gunman burst through the back door with his hostage teller.

 

"Freeze, Mother fuckers or the bitch buys it!"

 

As soon as Mike froze, the masked man knocked him down with a crescent kick to the back of the head. Storm was left standing on his own between the gunman and the masked man. He kept his gaze firmly locked on the masked man, hoping to keep his attention off Mike. Mike wasn’t fully unconscious and still had one hand firmly on his weapon.

 

"Did you get it?" The suited man asked the gunman.

 

"Yes, Boss. Right here." The gunman responded before he threw a small silver box to the suited man.

 

"Then kill all these bitches and let’s leave this place."

 

"I think not." Mike said as he fired a perfect shot directly at the gunman’s weapon, "Everyone get out!"

 

As if expecting Mike’s actions, Storm had already launched himself into a flying straight kick. The sole of his shoe hit the suited man squarely in the jaw. But instead of going down, he caught Storm’s leg and twisted it in mid air. Storm landed with a thud on his head.

 

He spun on his back and swept the masked man off his feet. He followed up with two lightning kicks to the sternum. Grabbing a hold of the man’s collar, Storm rolled over him and used the momentum to launch the man off his feet and throw him against the security screen.

 

The masked man was obviously a fighter. Storm couldn’t make out if he had army training but he wasn’t your run of the mill bank robber. And he didn’t dress like one either. There was a certain invincible air about him. Made even more obvious when he stood straight up and launched back at Storm with a lightning fast array of combos. Storm did his best to fend the attacks off, but he was losing ground.

 

Even through all this fighting, Storm could see that Mike had his hands full as well. Thankfully the bank security guards were helping Mike to cuff and secure the other gunman. Right now though, Storm was a little more concerned with his own safety. The masked man was clearly more experienced than he’d anticipated. But Storm was no slouch either and he stood his ground.

 

Soon he began forcing the suited man back with a series of jabs to the midsection, sternum and the head. When the masked man grabbed his head in agony, Storm kicked him in the balls.

 

"That’s for calling me a bitch." Storm said as he spun vertical in mid air and hit the man on the back of the head with a double wheel kick.

 

"You’re a good match, but I really must go." The masked man gasped as he grabbed the crying baby next to him and backed towards the front door, "You’ve held me up long enough."

 

"Let the baby go!"

 

"Sure." The man replied with a taunt in his voice as he threw the baby into the air.

 

Storm instinctively jumped to catch the baby. Little did he realize that he was being set up. As his arms reached out to catch the falling infant, his eyes caught the masked man drawing a gun from his suit. And no weapon that Storm had ever seen before. Still, his first instinct was to catch the baby. And as he did, he felt the unmistakable feeling of his chest and back being ripped through by a bullet. It went straight through his body in a flash.

 

"Goodbye, Mr. Hero." The masked man said with a small bow as he walked right out the front door.

 

Storm’s eyes glazed over as he fell to his knees with the baby firmly in his arms. Mike had just finished cuffing the last gunman when he heard the shot. It all seemed to happen in an instant. Before he could get to his feet the suited man was already on his way out the door.

 

Mike rushed to Storm’s side as the mother took her baby from his arms. Storm fell limp in Mike’s arms, his eyes gazing upwards. The sound of sirens grew ever louder as Mike ripped off Storm’s shirt to check the extent of his injuries.

 

Dade burst through the door with a panicked look on his face. As Mike looked mournfully up at him, Dade rushed over. Mike tried his best to make Storm comfortable but he’d lost too much blood and whatever he’d been shot with had just shattered his insides.

 

"What the hell happened?" Dade screamed frantically as he held Storm’s hand and kissed his forehead, "Hang on, Bro. Hang on. Somebody do something! Mike!?"

 

"Sorry, Bro. I think I fucked up." Storm said with the weakest of smiles, "You’re late."

 

"I’m sorry, Bro. I’m so sorry."

 

"It’s ok … I … I’m glad … you’re … both here." Storm said with weak breaths.

 

"It’s ok, you’ll be ok." Dade said as he police rushed in and he could hear the ambulance outside, "Help’s here. You’ll be ok, Bro. Just hang on for me. I love you, Bro. Don’t leave me."

 

"Bye, Bro …"

 

And with that, the life faded from Storm’s eyes. Mike sat there covered in his brother’s blood, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Dade wailed uncontrollably as he buried his face in Storm’s hair. He refused to let go. Kept begging his brother to wake up. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. He was gone.

 

 

 

* * * * * * *

 

 

 

--Ten Years Later.

 

Mike stood holding an old photo. Reminiscing over times past. A picture of him and his two brothers, Dade and Storm. Taken the same day Storm’s promising life was cut short. Ten years have passed since that day. The years seemed to pass like water, yet Mike still found himself stuck to that day. It drove him to become the man he is.

 

Age had made Mike more of a man, but to most people he still looked barely older than 21. Not bad for a 29 year old. Sometimes it worked for him, sometimes it worked against him.

 

The rain poured steadily outside, drumming a steady beat against the roof of his small but neat apartment. For some reason the rain always reminded him of his late brother.

 

With a glance at his watch, he threw his coat on and clipped his sidearm into place. He hopped into his Jeep Cherokee and made the short drive to his partner’s house. Still a fairly green officer in comparison to Mike, he was still a keen learner and a loyal partner. Orrin Nation. He reminded Mike so much of his late brother. Impetuous, cocky, arrogant on the surface yet warm and caring beneath. He even looked the same.

 

"Jump in, Buddy." Mike said with a smile as Orrin hopped into the passenger side.

 

"Hey."

 

"Hey."

 

"You never told me who this is." Orrin asked as he motioned to a photo clipped to the dashboard of a woman who looked to be in her early to mid twenties, "Girlfriend? Wife?"

 

"That’s Sarah. She was my wife." Mike said with a reminiscing smile. "She died five years ago."

 

"Sorry to hear that. I didn’t mean to bring up anything painful for you."

 

"It’ok. We had a good life together. You would’ve liked her."

 

"If you don’t mind me asking, how’d she die?"

 

"Cervical cancer. She fought it for almost ten years. Nobody said she’d last that long but she did and she lived well. I haven’t been with anyone since."

 

"You still wear your wedding ring. I did notice that. But you just never talked about it. You don’t really talk much about yourself, do you?"

 

"There’s not a lot to tell anymore."

 

"No family?"

 

"My Mom died when I was 17. My older brother died when I was 19 and my little brother … well … he killed himself by jumping off a bridge after my older brother died. And Sarah died five years ago. So no … no family really. No one else that really matters. I only have one real friend I keep in touch with from back home. But that’s like once a year if I’m lucky. My work is my life. It’s all I have now. All I have."

 

 

 

* * * * * * *

 

 

 

"Marcus!" Captain Perez called as Mike strolled past his office.

 

"What is it, Captain?" Mike asked as he walked into the captain’s office and closed the door behind him.

 

"I wanted to tell you first. The suits are coming in to take over the Shadow investigation. They want you to work with them but effective immediately they’ll be involved in command and coordination."

 

"What?" Mike said in disgust, "Let them track Epsilon but leave Shadow to us. He’s playing in our city, it’s our job to take him down. I’ve spent the last two years on this case. I lost my partner to this bastard. We’re this close to getting him."

 

"You still believe he had something to do with your brother’s death?"

 

"He matches the description. He fights the same. His execution methods are the same. He uses the same weapon. He fights the same way. I think Shadow is the same man I saw in the bank that day. He may have been a bit player back then but he’s had ten years to work his way up in the Epsilon organization."

 

"There’s a briefing at fifteen hundred hours. Don’t be late. You’re our lead in this."

 

 

 

* * * * * * *

 

 

 

"You all know the drill. We’re after the Shadow himself today. We’ve managed to intercept a shipping container coming in tonight at 8.15pm. Our intel is late but it’s reliable." Mike said as he stood before his elite six strong Stinger team.

 

The Stinger team, a special ops unit of the Saran City Police Department were a new breed of cop. Lingering halfway between the traditional style of police work and armed forces style infiltration, they were a necessary unit in a Saran City plagued by the burgeoning criminal underworld run by Epsilon.

 

"So we’re going to raid them at the docks?" Orrin asked as he leaned back in his chair.

 

"No. We’re going to track the container to one of Epsilon’s warehouses. We believe the Shadow himself will be receiving the cargo."

 

"What kind of cargo are we looking at here?" One of the senior members of the team, information specialist Juan Carlos asked curiously.

 

"Part of a device called the Equalizer." Agent Jensen answered as she stood at the front with Mike, "It has the potential to neutralize anyone within a two mile radius by destabilizing their equilibrium. Only those with proper equipment can withstand the effects. We’re not yet sure how exactly they plan to use this device. But the potential applications are frightening."

 

"Can something like this really exist?"

 

"We believe so. We also believe one of the scientists working on the Epsilon project will be accompanying the shipment. We need this operation to go smoothly. Get in there, shut them down, grab the Equalizer, get Shadow." Mike said authoritatively as he dismissed everyone.

 

"Nice speech, Detective." Agent Jensen said with a sarcastic smile, joining Mike as he walked out of the briefing room, "And now you and I get to have a real conversation. What else do you know? You know how it works. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours."

 

Mike pondered the agent’s request as she walked beside him. The vivacious and determined attitude of the black haired beauty appealed to him. He had a natural distaste for any of the national agencies that seemed to just wander in any time they wanted. But he’d actually become quite fond of this particular agent.

 

"I know the man I’ve tracked for the last two years is called Shadow. He’s an assassin for the Epsilon Organization. We can connect him to twelve executions within Saran City alone over the last four years. They all happen the same way. One specialized bullet through the sternum. If the shot doesn’t kill them, the toxin does. They usually die within five minutes." Mike said as he stopped and leaned against the wall, "Your turn, Jensen."

 

"From what we’ve gathered, the Shadow only kills other crime lords or people with criminal backgrounds. We know he won’t kill civilians or children."

 

"That still makes him a killer." Mike said with a scowl, "Now give me something I don’t already know."

 

"We also believe the Shadow is positioning himself to take over the pacific branch of the Epsilon Organization. We still don’t know who runs Epsilon but we do know the Shadow answers to Epsilon number two, Sven Rein. I’m also here to recommend that we do not take down Shadow. The Equalizer component and the scientist accompanying it are our top priority."

 

"Then I hate to disappoint you because tonight we’re taking him out."

 

"I trust you, Marcus. That’s the only reason we have these little conversations. But what you’re playing with here is bigger than Saran City."

 

"Then you take care of the bigger fish. I’ll take out the fish playing in my pond."

 

"I’ve read the intel on Shadow and Epsilon’s activities here but I want you to tell me what you think of him."

 

"I think he’s scum."

 

"That’s not what I mean and you know it."

 

"I think he’s been steadily increasing his influence and power within Epsilon. Anyone who’s stood in his way has met with an untimely fate. I don’t think anything happens in Saran City without his go ahead. I’d go so far as to say that he controls much of the pacific activities already."

 

"You ever thought of becoming an agent?"

 

"Sure. Right before I think about killing myself. Which is never."

 

"Pity."

 

"I’m not stupid, Jensen. I know what’s going on here. You need Shadow in play because he’s your best shot of getting to Sven Rein. And Sven Rein is your best shot of taking down Epsilon’s leader."

 

"Epsilon have a hold in at least eighteen countries. You’re lucky you’re still alive. You’ve come the closest to cracking any useful information about them. Anyone else who got close has been promptly taken out. For some reason, Saran City has been our best source for gathering information on Epsilon. And that’s thanks to you. You’ve helped us out more than you realize."

 

"So where’s my commendation?"

 

"Mike, I’ve already lost a partner to Epsilon. So have you. You might not realize it but you can help us bring them down."

 

"No I can’t. They’re too big. That’s your job. Shadow’s my job. I’m taking him out."

 

"I know you think he’s responsible for your brother’s death but is that enough reason to jeopardize a global effort to bring Epsilon down?"

 

"Do you have any idea how difficult it is to locate Shadow? He’s like a phantom. This is the best shot we’ve had in two years. You can take your Equalizer and I’ll take Shadow. What’s the problem here?"

 

"You think he’s a phantom? Try figuring out who the head of Epsilon is. He’s so secretive that even Shadow doesn’t know who he is. The only person we can confirm to have communicated with the head of Epsilon is Sven Rein. And we know Shadow can get to Rein. Marcus, you have to trust me here. We need to keep Shadow in the game."

 

"Then you have to trust me as well. You give me one good reason not to go after Shadow during this operation."

 

"Ok … fine. But if you repeat this to anyone …"

 

"You said you trusted me. Prove it."

 

"Ok." Jensen said with a sigh, "We have reason to believe that these Equalizers are being placed strategically worldwide. Epsilon plan to simultaneously activate the Equalizers. We’re not entirely sure what they plan to do once the devices are activated but we know they’re either planning a global takeover or worse, a literal or political destabilization of the civilized world."

 

"Been reading a lot of science fiction, have you? Epsilon are terrorist drug running, weapon smuggling, criminals. That’s it. That’s all they are."

 

"They are all of those things. But they also pose a significant risk to global security. This is straight up information, Marcus."

 

"Ok. Fine. And you believe that somehow, letting Shadow slip can help you bring down Epsilon?"

 

"Yes. But we need to get our hands on the Equalizer device to try and come up with an effective counter measure."

 

"Do you know who this scientist is?"

 

"Dr. Hans Bakkum. We have good reason to believe he’ll help us and that he’s being held against his will. What he doesn’t know is we recently worked with Dutch authorities to liberate his family from what we believe was an Epsilon hostage situation. He should be able to help us without fear of repercussion. It’s vital that we extract him alive. Is that all a good enough reason to let Shadow stay in the game?"

 

"I want you to promise me that no matter when or where it goes down in the end, when it’s time to bring Shadow down … I want to be there."

 

"Done."

 

"Let’s get this over and done with then."

 

 

 

* * * * * * *

 

 

 

"The package is now in transit, en route from Saran City docks along the southern highway. Eagle Eye is tracking."

 

"Take her up!" Mike said as he signaled for his Stinger helicopter pilot to take off.

 

Mike felt the whoosh in his stomach as the helicopter lifted high into the air. He and his strike team were all perched, ready to make the mid air drop if necessary. His headset buzzed with radio chatter as he monitored the tracking operation for Operation Equalize. As soon as he received the key information he was waiting for, he triggered his communicator.

 

"Phoenix, this is Stinger One!" Mike yelled over his communicator, "Do you copy?"

 

"We copy." Agent Jensen’s distorted voice echoed back, "What’s your status?"

 

"Eagle eye successfully placed a tracker onboard the transport vehicle. We’re tracking the shipment now to the Lancome Building."

 

"Copy that. Blue team is en route to location now. Good luck. Phoenix out."

 

"Switch to silent running." Mike nodded to the pilot, "Stinger team, prepare to drop."

 

The sleek flagship of the SCPD’s helicopter fleet hovered majestically above the huge warehouses. Her engines made little noise and her special armor distorted her view to the naked eye. Not exactly invisible, but still impressive for the day’s technology.

 

Mike signaled for his team to drop and instantly six ropes dropped from the helicopter. The six members of the Stinger team rappelled their way down towards the warehouse rooftops. As soon as they touched the ground, their transport flew off.

 

"Sir, I have the building schematics downloaded." Carlos said with a nod, "There’s an access point at the bottom of the satellite tower."

 

"Anders, take care of security."

 

"Yes, Sir." Anders said as he stealthily moved off.

 

"Our top priority is to locate the package and Dr. Bakkum before Blue Team moves in. Nation, you’ve got Haas and Anders. Secure Bakkum. I’ll take Carlos and Henson and go after the Equalizer. Let’s hurry before they get it too far away from the transport."

 

"What about Shadow?"

 

"He is no longer a primary objective." Mike said with bitterness, "We have our job, let’s get to it."

 

Each team took one side of the fifteen storey building. Once again utilizing their rappelling skills, they scaled the side of the building, ending their descent on the seventh floor. Through the windows they could see the huge hangar like area inside that reached from the seventh to the ground floor. Twelve armed men were visible on the main floor. All surrounding the transport truck that had just arrived.

 

"It’s gonna be risky, Captain." Carlos said as he stared at a small screen on his wrist, "I’m detecting multiple heat signatures out of sight range."

 

"Team 2, come in." Mike called over his headset.

 

"Team 2 Hack man is on the roof. Charlie and Bravo are positioned to move in. " Orrin responded instantly.

 

"Change of plans. Secure the live cargo. We’ll have to leave the Equalizer to Blue Team. Carlos, do you have a point of entry?"

 

"Affirmative." Carlos said as he signaled to the air vent in front of him.

 

Carlos led the way through the small duct as Mike and Henson followed behind. Through the gratings they passed over, they could see the warehouse floor below. There were literally dozens of men all armed with assault rifles.

 

Finally, as they made their way along the maze of tight ducts, Carlos signaled for them to stop. He motioned for Mike to look down. Through the grating Mike could see they were over a small office. Inside the office was a man bound to a chair. He looked to be in his fifties or perhaps sixties and was completely bald. Even though Mike was certain this was Bakkum, he motioned for Carlos to confirm. Carlos nodded back at Mike.

 

Mike surveyed the room, noting that the only other two exit points were the door and the window. And outside the window was a very long fall.

 

"Understood. Prepare to move on my signal. Nation, tell Phoenix to move in." Mike whispered into his headset.

 

"Copy, Sir. Phoenix is moving in."

 

"Ok, let’s move!"

 

Carlos and Henson smashed through the air vents and leapt to the warehouse floor. Carlos immediately freed Bakkum as Mike found himself caught on a stray metal wire. He struggled to pull himself free and as he did, he could see through the grating the person who had eluded him all this time. He could see the Shadow himself. Stepping out of the darkness like some demon from his past.

 

Shadow had been in the room all along. He engaged the officers hand to hand. His moves so precise, blindingly fast and efficient. All Mike could think was how familiar the fighting style seemed. As if he could see the masked man from ten years ago right here. Still, Mike could not free himself. Nation and Hass leapt down to combat Shadow from another set of ducts. Before they could pull their weapons, Shadow kicked them from their hands. He fought all four at once and almost seemed to be toying with them.

 

Finally Mike worked himself free. He kicked the grating away and jumped down to the warehouse floor. As he landed, he heard the sound of gunfire outside the door. Agent Jensen and her team had obviously moved in. Shadow barely seemed fazed by anything going on outside. But his toying ended and he promptly knocked out all the other five members of the Stinger team before Mike had even cocked his weapon.

 

Shadow leapt at Mike and kicked the weapon from his hand before he landed right in front. He stood plainly before Mike, taunting him with his presence. Both appeared to be unarmed.

 

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way." Mike said as he rose to his feet, "But either way, you’re coming with me."

 

The Shadow said nothing. His sheer black mask concealing any sign of emotion. Both seemed to be at a standoff. Dr. Bakkum lay huddled in the corner of the room, trying desperately to keep attention away from himself.

 

"Fine. We’ll play it your way." Mike said lunging forward.

 

Shadow stepped effortlessly to the side and hit Mike with a knee to the stomach, before his foot snapped up and struck his chin. Mike grabbed Shadow’s foot and hit two punches in the midsection before he was swept off his feet.

 

Mike launched back to his feet and spear tackled the Shadow back against the wall. His hands then shot to Shadow’s neck and hurled him up into a choke slam. The Shadow kicked right back to his feet and hit Mike with a lightening fast flurry of punches. He followed up with one stiff kick to Mike’s sternum that sent him flying backwards.

 

Mike gasped for breath as he struggled to get to his feet. His ass was being handed to him by a guy whose face he had never seen before. He’d done his best against Shaodw but for some reason, he believed he was being toyed with. That Shadow was holding back. Mike had seen the way Shadow had fought his team mates. He knew Shadow could have dispatched him easily by now.

 

The Shadow stood defiantly before him, continuing to taunt him with his relentless doggedness. Mike’s anger seemed to fuel a deep seeded rage. A rage ten years in the making. This was the man responsible for the death of both his brothers, one intentional, the other by motivation. Forget Agent Jensen and procedure. He wasn’t leaving this room unless Shadow was dead.

 

"I’ve waited a long time for this moment." Mike snarled as he leapt at Shadow again.

 

Once again Shadow stepped deftly to the side but this time Mike anticipated it. He stretched out his arm and clotheslined Shadow. Shadow spun in mid air before Mike grabbed him and smashed him into the ground. Before Mike could capitalize, Shadow spun on the ground and caught Mike’s neck between his ankles. He flipped Mike off his feet and down to the ground.

 

Now there appeared to be less holding back. Mike fought with sheer anger, seeking only to kill the man responsible for his brother’s death. This time it was all on as he fought Shadow. He smashed a wooden chair over Shadow’s head before he threw him against the wall. Shadow retaliated with a jumping headlock as he flipped over Mike. Mike countered the move by trying to grab Shadow’s head. As he did, he inadvertently pulled Shadow’s mask off. Before he could see his face, Shadow had kicked him head first into the wall.

 

Mike slumped to the ground, feeling winded and dizzy from his incredible fight. Fortune favored him though as he found a fallen assault rifle beside him. He aimed the weapon squarely at Shadow’s head, just as the assassin and mastermind was about to grab Dr. Bakkum.

 

"Freeze!" Mike gasped, standing slowly to his feet, "There’s nowhere to go! I’ve got you all lined up and don’t think I won’t blow a hole in your head!"

 

"If you’ve got me … who’s got you?" The Shadow spoke for the first time.

 

"No games. Put your hands behind your head and turn around slowly. You make one wrong move and I will send your brains through that window."

 

"I guess you’ve got me then. How long have you been tracking me now? You don’t give up, do you?"

 

"Turn around! Now!"

 

Slowly the man who had eluded Mike for so long began slowly turning around. As his face revealed more and more of itself, Mike’s seemed to become overwhelmed with utter shock. So much so that his weapon seemed to drop limp in his hands. The face of the Shadow was not the suited man from ten years ago. No. It was someone else entirely. Someone he least expected.

 

"Dade …"

 

Just as his long lost brother was about to respond, agents burst through the door. The Shadow who had now been revealed as Dade, ran for the window as a hail of bullets let loose upon him. He crashed through the window and by the time Mike reached the window, had disappeared from sight. The Shadow had finally been revealed …