Manticore

Excerpts from the journal of Doppelganger
Translated from German

October 18th, 1978, Sinclair assignment, day 4
The house was just as detailed in the mission briefing. I went in expecting very little in the way of surprises. Infiltrating the home was easily done. Inside, however, I ran afoul of a small child, wandering the darkened halls. He asked who I was, and what I was doing there. "I’m here to kill your parents," I told him. A rage crossed his face I’d never seen in one so small, and he attacked me. His skill for his age was formidable, but still untrained, and I easily subdued him. He was not part of the assignment, so he shall live.
I carried the child into the master bedroom, where I found his father waiting for me. I smiled, holding the child by his neck, and demanded surrender. He quickly dropped his weapon, and submitted. My own weapon drawn, I struck down his wife, and with one swift blow, slew him as well. The horror on the child’s face made up for the kick he’d placed to my chest, in a valiant, but feeble attempt to stop me.
"See how weak they are, how easily their sanctuary is invaded, and their lives are ended." I spoke of weakness, and of futility. His father had fought my employer on numerous occasions, but never had he been captured. I laughed, and dropped the child to the floor by his dead parents. Perhaps in time, I could find use for the boy. I offered him a chance to train with me, but he refused, spitting onto my shoe and cursing my name. Pity. I departed, but was not about to let this be the end of things between young mister Sinclair and I.


July 7th, 1986, Richemont Academy
Paying a visit to my favorite distraction, I found young Justin had remained behind during the summer break to continue his studies and training. The amazing progress he repeatedly made in his fighting skills was truly a sight to behold. No target could escape his bow. He was out-shooting the rifle teams, in both accuracy and distance. The mighty Crimson bow he carried was one of his own design, a feat he'd accomplished that any aerospace engineer would envy. He seems to have forgotten the events of that night. Perhaps it’s once again time to offer him a seat at my side. His skill is growing each day, and must be molded in the right direction.

May 18th, 2002, Front-line
The nobility of young Justin’s spirit continues to shine through, despite my best efforts. Since the day he learned of his parent’s fate, he’s been a brutal and relentless force. I have clashed with him several times, a true victor never being determined. His skill has far surpassed my own, but my experience keeps me from being truly defeated at his hand. He has joined the other heroes in the battle against our invaders. Several of the villainous factions have also banded together under a banner to combat this menace. Pity I am too old to assist them as anything but advisor now. If only the boy had fallen under my sway, they would have a true leader. As it stands, I am in some way proud of the progress he’s made. Manticore has proven himself a truly unconquerable spirit, and in his fight, I wish him well. Perhaps one day, I shall stop running, and give him the revenge he’s sought for so long.