Everyone loves a good villain.

[Jayce]

Special Agent Tracer sat alone at the edge of one of the many algae-producing ponds that formed Kodiak's biodome system. Dim sunlight filtered through the panes of clear duraplast, intensified only slightly by their concave shape. Outside, SAR teams and Avenger-class fighters sifted through the wreckage of the most recent battle.

"Put the dog down."

The words reverberated through his mind. Did he really say that? He couldn't have. "I'm not that evil, I'm not. I can't be." The young man thought. No matter how hard he tried to shake the memory, visions of gunfire from the Willow Grove ripping the Plymouth Rock clean in two flashed into his conscience.

"Put the dog down."

A quick look around to ensure noone was watching, then another, just to be sure. A button on his jacket was quickly undone, and a creased piece of paper retrieved. Adorning it was a picture of a woman, a pink scribble occupying one corner. "♡" was all that was written, and all that needed to be said.

"Put the dog down."

An artificial breeze swept past, shaking the leaves in the few trees adorning high spots of the barely-there landmass. Ash from the long-dead cigarette between his lips floated gently past the picture, and onto his lap. His eyes followed them down, tracing the smart creases in his uniform, to the pistol snugly holstered at his hip.

"Put the dog down..."

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