Snippet #992569

The wary eyes of the Hong Kong Division worker followed Alexei Sakhalin as he entered the HKD headquarters. As soon as the imposing form, clad in a trench coat, boots, black gloves, and, most notably, a gas mask, came into view, the worker knew who it was and why he was here. There could only be one reason Alexei Sakhalin would be sent by the Division to another country: there was a suspected rebel somewhere in Hong Kong.

"Sir." the worker bowed his head respectfully. "Er...can I...can I help you somehow?"
"I'm only passing through," a muffled, slightly accented voice emerged from the mask. "I'll be on the hunt as soon as night falls." Night was when Alexei went on the 'hunt'--that is, when he either killed or captured his targets, usually suspected rebels. He could hardly go out walking in the middle of the day, looking as he did. Alexei, however, did not wear his unusual attire simply to look intimidating--though that was a good plus. They helped keep his power in control. Removing any article of the clothing ran the risk of a surge of power that could cause untold amounts of damage.

"Do you think they know you're coming?" the man worked up the courage to ask. Alexei looked back at him; behind the gas mask his eyes were invisible. Then he laughed harshly; a sound which, combined with the muffling effect of the gas mask, sounded unearthly and inhuman. "I daresay they probably do know I'm here..." Alexei walked past the man. "The Division doesn't keep my presence anywhere secret. I suppose it makes for good scare tactics."