Chapter 301

I want to see how they conduct their exchanges.

- Remi

This is the 301st episode of unORDINARY.

Synopsis[]

Of all the photos on the crime map, there are five of trenchcoated individuals of particular interest to the trio. One is of their old foe Volcan. The other four depict what must be other EMBER operatives, complete with codenames written on the snapshots. Blyke notes that the pictures don't reveal much, but Kuyo says that even he couldn't risk attempting expert photography when dealing with killers as dangerous as them. Remi asks about the spots marked with thumbtacks and linked with string. Kuyo explains that EMBER's operation spans many districts, but those pinpoints are where they do most of their business. Blyke notices Grasshill is one of those hotspots, and recalls how he and Kuyo first met and faced disk-related peril together. Kuyo sadly relates how he revisited Grasshill only to see that Lennon was still in charge. It would seem that the Authorities had not only turned him loose again, but gave him a fresh supply of amplifiers in order to resume their tests. Remi is incensed that the Authorities would enable criminals and assassinate vigilantes just for the sake of furthering their own power. But when Blyke asks how she feels, she says she's okay to get on with things. She asks Kuyo the time and place of the next EMBER transaction, so she could see for herself. He gestures to a spot on the map and says the next deal is this evening. Remi notices that it's the same town where Rei met his demise: Lovun. She turns to Blyke and Isen and asks if they're prepared to join her once again.

That night, Ponytail and his league of minors stand vigil from atop a roof. Their eyes are on a lone man, who leans against a wall in an alley. After much waiting, "Brims" of EMBER arrives at last. He greets the man known as Kurt, and they shoot the breeze for a bit. Kurt remarks he's finally getting the respect he's due in this neighborhood. Finally, they get down to business. Brims offers a parcel containing a week's worth of improved amplifiers. Kurt pays him with a large wad of banknotes. The exchange seems to be routine, and Brims gets ready to take his leave. But he finds the exit blocked by three men who clearly want trouble, and demands to know what's going on. Kurt reveals that he's decided to save them both the hassle of weekly exchanges in favor of producing his own amplifiers from here on out. When Brims tells him that's not an option, Kurt reveals that he'll be negotiating with three boosted friends of his. Despite having brutes sicced on him, Brims shows no fear. Instead, he expresses annoyance at this turn of events, even as he ignites his claws. Before anybody realizes it, two of Kurt's men are decapitated. As Kurt struggles to comprehend what just happened, Brims expresses disappointment that their arrangement must now come to an end.

Back on the rooftop, X-Rei witnesses the vicious tactics that killed her brother. She gets ready to leap down and intervene, but her friends hold her back. As much as she wants to stop a murderer, Isen reminds her that their only purpose this night is to observe. Blyke urges her to calm down and breathe deeply.

Kurt finally realizes the terrible mistake he's made, and tries retreating with his surviving subordinate. But Brims starts surging with brand new power, and he intends to use it to punish double crossers. The remaining junkies are zapped to death with what the vigilantes clearly recognize as the ability Lightning. As her friends deduce Conversion Technology at play, X-Rei loses herself to outrage. She loudly curses EMBER for stealing Rei's ability and using it for such evil. She leaps from the roof and furiously demands the return of the brother they took from her.

Appearing Characters[]

Appearing Abilities

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Notes & Trivia[]

• When Brims gave Kurt amplifiers in frontal view, he has hair in the middle; however; in other pictures, he does not have hair in the middle.

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