"The strike on Mesmer," Graves began, "originated from the back of the neck, hitting the C1 vertebra directly. However, the bruising pattern on the surrounding tissue is incredibly localized. It implies that the striking surface was no larger than a standard coin, yet it delivered kinetic energy equivalent to an industrial hydraulic press."
Edgar's expression remained perfectly still. "And Splinter?"
"The puncture wound on his collarbone," Graves continued, "was driven downward. The diameter of the entry wound is barely larger than a hypodermic needle. Yet, it carried enough velocity to tear through bone and cartilage without deflection. Furthermore, the angle of the attack suggests the assailant was positioned directly on top of the victim's chest or shoulder when the blow was struck."
"Positioned on the victim's shoulder," Edgar repeated, tasting the words. "A striking surface the size of a coin. A puncture wound the diameter of a needle."
"Yes, sir."
"Are you suggesting a specific superhuman classification?" Edgar said.
"I am, sir," Graves confirmed. "The only tactical explanation that fits the physical evidence is an assailant with the ability to alter their physical size. One who retains their mass and kinetic output regardless of their scale."
Edgar turned his chair slightly, looking out the massive window at the city sprawling beneath them. "A microscopic assassin. It is an elegant solution to a complex security problem. A target the size of an insect could bypass almost any conventional perimeter."
"Exactly, sir," Graves said. "And if this individual is working for that ghost organization, it explains how they were able to infiltrate the Supe Party and Sage Grove so flawlessly before initiating their larger operations."
Edgar turned his chair back to face Graves. "How many assets with this specific classification do we currently have on record?"
"The pool is extremely limited, Mr. Edgar," Graves stated, opening the folder to the final page. "Historically, size alteration is a rare manifestation of Compound V. Until recently, our most prominent asset in this category was Termite."
"You say 'was,'" Edgar noted.
"Yes, sir. Termite was discovered dead in his apartment several weeks ago. The official coroner's report ruled it a catastrophic polysubstance overdose. Our internal sweep confirmed the presence of excessive narcotics."
"A convenient overdose," Edgar said smoothly, his tone laced with skepticism. "Occurring just before this organization begins its campaign of surgical strikes. If Termite is deceased, who does that leave us?"
"We have two known Supes with confirmed size alteration abilities on our global registry," Graves answered, reading from his notes. "The first is Emma Meyer. A student currently enrolled at Godolkin University. Her power is tied to caloric intake and purging. She can shrink to a minimum size of one centimeter under extreme physical duress."
"A university student," Edgar evaluated. "Unlikely to possess the tactical training or the psychological conditioning required for this level of wetwork. Who is the second?"
"A mid tier independent contractor operating under the moniker 'Tiny Hero,'" Graves reported. "His power allows for size reduction without the biological triggers required by Meyer. He has a history of freelance corporate espionage and low level infiltration."
"An independent contractor," Edgar repeated. "Precisely the type of asset a well funded shadow organization would recruit. Or coerce."
"My thoughts exactly, sir," Graves said. "I recommend we bring both of them in for immediate interrogation. If they are involved, we will extract the information. If they are not, we eliminate the variables."
Edgar held up a single hand, stopping Graves instantly.
"You will not bring them in. Not yet."
Graves frowned, a rare display of confusion. "Sir? If they are the assassins… "
"If they are the assassins and they realize we are actively moving against them, they will go underground. Or worse, they will strike at our recovery teams," Edgar explained patiently. "You have just detailed how this operative bypassed every security measure we have, murdering two of our assets with absolute impunity. You do not kick the hornet's nest when you cannot see the hornets."
"Then what are your orders, sir?"
"We monitor the situation closely and act when the time is right," Edgar said, his voice lowering into a register of absolute authority. "I have just concluded a very productive meeting before you arrived, Graves. I met with Aryan Spencer."
Graves's eyes widened a fraction. "Spencer Industries? Sir, their waiting lists for advanced tech are years long."
"I have already secured immediate access to the ARGUS satellite surveillance grid for the entire North American sector." Edgar said, a hint of cold satisfaction in his voice. "Furthermore, I have secured an immediate shipment of twenty prototype sonic incapacitation arrays. The heavy industrial models."
"The ARGUS grid," Graves breathed. "That gives us real time thermal tracking. And facial recognition through solid structures."
"Precisely," Edgar said. "And the sonic arrays are designed to rupture equilibrium and liquefy soft tissue at specific frequencies. They are area denial weapons of the highest caliber."
Edgar leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. "Here is how we proceed. You will place Emma Meyer and Tiny Hero under total surveillance. I want every thermal signature they emit tracked twenty four hours a day. I want to know when they eat, when they sleep and when they use their abilities. Do not let your human operatives anywhere near them. Let the satellites do the work."
"We monitor them to rule them out," Graves summarized.
"Or to confirm their guilt," Edgar corrected. "If you detect any deviation in their patterns."
"And what if we confirm their involvement?" Graves asked.
"You will deploy the Spencer Industries sonic arrays," Edgar said, his voice as hard as diamond. "You will activate the devices at maximum frequency and you will flatten the entire city block if you have to."
"Understood, Mr. Edgar."
Graves closed the folder and stood up. "I will integrate the ARGUS feeds into our command center immediately, sir. The sonic arrays will be deployed to our rapid response teams the moment they arrive."
"Ensure that you do," Edgar said, picking up his pen, signaling the meeting was over. "And Graves?"
Graves paused at the door. "Yes, sir?"
"Do not fail. If this shrinking assassin strikes another of our assets while under your watch, the consequences will not be limited to the victims."
"I understand perfectly, sir," Graves said.
He opened the heavy oak doors and stepped out into the hallway, pulling his phone from his pocket before the doors even clicked shut.