Finally, after these drawn out minutes, he speaks. However, his gaze still focuses on the belt.

“At least Oblivion thought that their existence would better all who surrounded it. However malicious their deeds, however disgusting their plans, their intent was still good. What is the purpose of the group who goes by the initials ‘E. E. I.?’ Seemingly, they only want to dominate Mercury, for no other reason than to show that they can. They’ve already done so in Philadelphia, so now it’s time for them to prove that they can do it at home.

“Domination seems to be the sole reason for EEI’s battles. They wish to prove that they are the best. They want to show that all should cower in their presence. They want men like me to fear them.

“At least at its heart, Oblivion had a noble purpose. It seems that all the time spent fighting them should have been put towards the Enterprise.

“Keith has already made clear that a top priority of the Crusade is to strip me of the World Championship. Stripping it from me in specific, otherwise they would have waited for the match between Harbinger and I to finish at Fusion.

“This week they have their chance. I face the muscle of the group in Brimstone. Now, Brimstone, let’s assume for a second that you actually do have the capability of winning. Have you asked yourself if Keith will let you? He’s stated over and over again that he wants what I have, and that he’d love nothing more than to rip it away from me. Do you think he’d actually let you interfere with that infatuation? Even if you could beat me, would Keith let you ruin his plan to win the title and discrediting me at the same time?

“Think about it, Brimstone. Would Keith stand back for the sake of EEI? You’ve stated several times before that what you have is a brotherhood. That every man in your group would stand next to each other through thick and thin. But wouldn’t the newest member of that brotherhood be suspect to treachery? If you’re willing to rule out that possibility, you’re even more of a fool than I.

“Keith Summers. You seem repulsed that I dare speak such an obscenity as saying that you wish you were me. After all, I stand completely opposite of everything you are. I stand completely opposite of everything you’ve worked to become. But, I hold every quality that you’ve supported in the course of your career as being good: I am more capable of causing pain than any person you’d find on the street, I’ve worked for everything I have in life on my own, and most importantly, by most standards for comparison, I am successful.

“I am your complete opposite, Keith Summers. I am everything you are not. And at the same time, I am everything you wish you could be. I’m not trying to insult you. I’m not trying to provoke a fight. I’m merely speaking the truth, and judging by your reaction, you know what I’m saying is just that, the truth.

“I hate fighting. I hate causing pain. But, for some reason that I don’t understand, like with Oblivion, I’m compelled to exactly that to the members of EEI. They are no where near capable of doing the damage that their predecessors did. All they can do is destroy my body. But, they are a threat, just the same. And, as with any animal, I will instinctively fight off that threat.”

Finally, Slate breaks sight with the belt and stares momentarily at the camera filming him. He rises to his feet, turns, and walks away. Softly he says to himself:

“There are no answers here.”

End.