The next day.
On the subway to Oscorp, Hawk's mind was elsewhere—back on Quantico and the stones hidden there.
If he was going to take them, it had to be fast. Swift and decisive.
No dragging things out.
Because this wasn't some petty warehouse. It was Quantico—home to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, the FBI Academy, and just down the road, Langley itself.
Trying to steal from there was the same as stomping on the heads of the military, the FBI, and the CIA all at once.
But so what?
The Gammaneon stones were his.
"Still," he murmured to himself, "plans before action. First, I'll scout the area. At the very least, I need a proper escape route."
Lost in thought, he scanned into Oscorp and headed for the Bio-Electric Department.
Minutes later, he was called into the supervisor's office—Max Dillon already waiting inside.
The bald, weary supervisor sighed, rubbing his temple. "Starting today, Dillon, you're being reassigned to Maintenance."
Max stiffened. "Sir, I—"
"I'm not finished."
The supervisor turned toward Hawk. "Hawk, you're dismissed. You'll still get this week's pay."
Max's eyes widened, but Hawk only blinked, calm as ever. He'd already guessed.
"Can I at least know why?" Hawk asked evenly.
"Yesterday's incident in Dr. Connors's lab."
Exactly as he thought.
Max bristled. "But sir, that blackout wasn't our fault! We only provide building power—lab equipment runs off a different—"
"Enough." The supervisor cut him off with a wave. "It's not up for debate. Dillon, out. Hawk stays."
Max hesitated, glancing between the two of them.
Hawk shrugged lightly. "It's fine, Max."
"…Alright." Shoulders slumping, Max slipped out, leaving the office heavy with silence.
The supervisor sighed again, eyes tired. "I can protect Dillon, but not you. You've been excellent, Hawk. If there's anything I can do for you, say it."
Hawk smiled. "Just explain things clearly to Mrs. Snow for me. That's all."
The man blinked, then nodded in relief. "Already did. I told Selena you and… that other one—"
"Max," Hawk reminded.
"Yes. Max." The supervisor exhaled. "I know it wasn't either of you, but orders are orders."
Hawk chuckled, shaking his head. The truth was plain enough: some higher-up had tried to dump more responsibility onto the bio-electric division than it could handle, and when things went wrong, they needed scapegoats.
Petty. Predictable. Perfectly corporate.
He accepted his envelope of pay—eight hundred dollars—and walked out of Oscorp with a light step.
Free at last.
"Wait! Hawk!"
He turned at the sound. Gwen hurried out of the building, slightly breathless.
"Mrs. Snow called you?" he asked.
"She did," Gwen admitted, leaning on her knees to catch her breath. "I ran down the second I heard you were leaving."
Looking up at him, concern filled her eyes. "Are you okay?"
Hawk shrugged. "I'm great."
And he was. He'd gotten what he came for—the confirmation of Gammaneon—and even pocketed a week's pay for the trouble.
He grinned. "Relax. It's nothing. The supervisor even said I can come back during winter break if I want."
Not that he would. But it never hurt to leave doors cracked open.
Gwen studied his face, then nodded slowly, reassured. "Alright… then what now? You've still got over a month before school starts."
"I'll stay home, read a bit. No point job-hunting this late."
He waved her off gently. "Go on back inside. I'm fine."
She hesitated, then smiled faintly. "Okay… but if you're free, let's go study at the library together."
Hawk froze for half a beat.
But before he could reply, she turned, hands stuffed in her pockets, and walked back toward the glass doors of Oscorp, throwing him one last cheerful wave.
He frowned slightly, watching her go.
Then he turned away, lips pressing into a thin smile.
Time to move.
Quantico.
His fists clenched.
"My Gammaneon… it's mine."
…
(End of Chapter)
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