Chapter 1
Mobius M. Mobius, if he were to be asked to do so, would describe himself as a simple man. Not in a self-deprecating manner, of course. (He's seen too many, assets and agents and variants alike, fall into that cycle-slash-spiral.) Rather, in a manner which he intends to indicate that he understands himself. He knows his own strengths and weaknesses. Knows what he loves, what he dislikes. He even knows what he must do.
So, yes. Mobius M. Mobius, or Moby, as he keeps telling his friends to call him, would describe himself as simple. There's another word, though- one he would never be quite so presumptuous as to use, but which many who know the man would attribute to him in a heartbeat.
Kind.
In 1549, perhaps it is that kindness which shines through, giving him the advantage which he needs- which they all do.
It's a standard assignment, this one- if you count going after murdered Minutemen and a stolen reset charge as standard.
"Sixth one this week," the Lead Hunter reminds Mobius, pulling him out of his own head.
His initial response is to hum, tilt his head in acknowledgement. Then, with hands on hips, he says what he's thinking- perhaps what they all are. "That we know of."
"Great," mutters the other Hunter sarcastically, the Lead echoing their sentiment with a displeased grunt of his own. But before Mobius can reply, to either agree or discourage such thinking-
There is a noise.
A clatter, to be exact. Not an explosion, a scream, or any such thing. But they are in a church, and this clatter echoes off the walls, bouncing off the high ceiling.
The Lead shouts in warning, turning to face whatever threat this may be, and as he pulls his reset baton the other Hunter follows his lead. Mobius, however, happens to be quicker than he looks, and grabs the Lead Hunter's elbow to stop what could be a horrible mistake.
"Stand down," he orders in a hushed tone. Looking back to the other- "You, too."
For a moment, there is near silence- only the last echoes of the clatter, the following yell, ringing to their ends.
Then, light footsteps as the intruder to their investigation comes out of hiding. And the quiet sigh of a breath Mobius hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"It's just a kid."
Motioning for the Hunters to stay, Mobius starts forward. Slowly, and with hands held open, for fear of frightening the girl. The last thing they want is for her to run out of range for the new reset charge.
For whatever reason, though, she stays, same as the Hunters. Unlike the Hunters, though, it doesn't seem to be out of respect. And unlike the expectations Mobius holds, it doesn't seem to be out of fear, either. No, in fact, the girl smiles at him as he approaches. It's an uneven smile, one he thinks might be more out of courtesy than anything- but a smile nonetheless.
"I am sorry for my friend," Mobius tells her gently, as he reaches in his pocket, fishing for his AIO. "He is a, well..." He searches for the word, much in the same way he searches for the device. "Imbecile!" he finishes, finally pulling out the AIO.
For her part, it seems the girl is doing her best to humor him- though any semblance of not caring is dropped immediately as her focus shifts to the device.
"What is that?" she asks. Mobius beams.
"I'll show you," he answers, and lowers himself so the girl can see his movements. As he begins to trace his finger over the AIO's screen, drawing a simple figure, he can hear the Hunters holster their batons and approach. "Keep watching," he tells the girl gently.
Then he raises his voice and addresses his comrades, eyes never leaving the AIO, peripheral never leaving the girl. "Be nice," he tells them.
"I am nice," the Lead retorts. "Unlike you, jackass."
Mobius only hums in acknowledgement, and, finished with his drawing, flicks the screen before passing the device to his new friend. She does take it- but only after an encouraging nod from him. And as the drawing comes to life, right before her eyes, Mobius straightens and stands to his full height. Investigation mode.
"Do you know who did this?" he asks, careful to keep his tone neutral as he gestures to the bodies across the church.
It's noticeable, the way the little girl hesitates- but after a moment, she nods. "The Lady." Mobius's confusion must be visible, because she points to the stained glass to his left.
There, set in shining color, is a picture of the Virgin Mother.
"The Lady," he repeats under his breath. This whole investigation just turned on its head... but before Mobius can deal with this revelation, the Lead Hunter taps his shoulder.
"The branch is approaching red-line. We need to reset and go."
Mobius nods, and holds out his hand to the little girl, intending for her to hand him his AIO. Instead, she slips her hand into his- and even as he smiles gently, something inside of him cracks. Who is she, so desperate for someone to trust, that she takes the words of both a strange variant and the man chasing them?
"I need my machine," he says, pointing with his free hand to the device she still holds. And even as her face falls, the little girl cooperates, pulling her hand away and handing him his AIO.
They need to go, more urgently with every second, but-
"What's your name?" he asks her.
"Agent," the second Hunter prompts, trying to rush him. He only waves them off.
"Belin," she answers. Mobius nods.
"Belin, can you wait outside? I need to take care of something with my friends."
Belin only looks at him. She's searching his face for... something.
But then she nods, and heads for the door. Mobius waits. Waits for the heavy door to close behind her, before he sighs and turns back to the Hunters.
"Set the charge. Let's go."
As the secondary Hunter pulls said charge from their belt, the Lead claps his hand against Mobius's shoulder. "She'll be alright. We're doing her a favor."
"Yeah," he replies absently, glancing towards the door. "I know."
The other Hunter straightens from setting the charge, and opens the gate they need to go back- to go home, as much as that means. The look they give Mobius is sympathetic.
"You always did care too much."
They step through. The Lead follows. And Mobius... casts one last look at the door. At how it's cracked open, with curious eyes peeking through.
And just before the charge hits zero, he's gone with the others.