by Brian Moon
Part 2: Running the Gauntlet
The Sargent reported the build had just exploded and the squad was headed north on Freedom. The one called Vambrace was in pursuit.
“Sargent notify the sniper positions they are to take a shot if they can get one.” Lord Nemesis said. Lukas could see the excitement in his eyes just like the old days on the battle field, but he didn’t miss his leader grasping his hands together to keep them from shaking. Lukas walked to his side of the table and pulled a flask from an inner pocket. One of the few items he had left from his father, on it was engraved CSA. He opened it and handed it to his leader.
“My father said it was a standing tradition between the two of you before a battle. He would supply a taste of whiskey before and you would supply the tobacco afterwards.” Lord Nemesis took it and smiled then took a long pull from it to calm his shakes.
“I had forgotten about that. I will have to find us some cigars for later.” He said handing the flask back to Lukas who also took a long pull form it.
Vambrace raced down the street, having to avoid the morning traffic and crowded sidewalks as people made their way to jobs they were fortunate enough to have. Fire trucks raced past him heading back towards the university.
Several Lancer soldiers raised their sniper rifles and focused on the moving metal man. Some of their hidden positions were from several blocks away. In their scopes Vambrace paused due to traffic and it was a pause he couldn’t afford. No one heard the long rifles of the lancers as they squeezed the triggers. Three large caliber slugs hit Vambrace two from a front angle and one from the side. He was picked up and thrown several feet only to crash onto the sidewalk, cracking the concrete. Pedestrians startled by this just started running, unsure what was happening but knowing they didn’t want to be anywhere near it. Vambrace got first to his knees then to a couching position. This exposed him once again and two more slugs effectively knocking him off his feet again hit him. The snipers watched through their scopes waiting for a target to present itself. Both the Lancers and the observers noticed what they first thought was a smoke screen rapidly moving down the street, but it didn’t dissipate. One observer then noticed it moved contrary to the direction of the wind.
The Sergeant interpreting the dots and dashes wrote down the latest report of this smoke screen and gave it to his commander who in turn gave it to Lord Nemesis.
“I don’t think this is smoke, perhaps a fog. I think that Elementar has a new trick up his sleeve. Tell the Lancers to shoot any shadows they see within the fog. Carefully mind you.”
The Lancers looked for anything to shoot at within their sights, but the fog was so thick and complete, there was just nothing to target. They watched in aggravation as the fog retreated up the street and behind a building out of sight, but Lancers where like spiders, they could wait for hours, even days for their prey to come. At the range of their weapons it would be next to impossible get out of their line of fire in any direction.
Several long minutes passed when there was suddenly a burst of clatter on the wireless. So much so, it was hard for the Sergeant to interpret what was happening, then it started to clear out. Then only one sentence came through before the observers in the by the University route went dead…. “He can fly.”
“Who can fly… which one… how can they fly…” The room burst into clatter.
“SILENCE” Came Lord Nemesis’ voice. The room fell silent and all turned to look at their leader. “It is pointless to speculate and is in our best interest to count on more than one with this ability. They have been moving their pieces as carefully as we have. Well played Statesman. General redirect our efforts to the square we will not waste our efforts on stalling them any further.”
“Yes Lord Nemesis.” Lukas went to the communications operator and gave the necessary orders.
“General Eisenberg, if you are done please walk with me.”
Lukas followed Lord Nemesis down the hall into his personal workshop and then to the private workshop doorway. He turned the dial combination and gestured towards the door.
“Would you mind?”
Lukas pulled the doorway open and stepped aside as Lord Nemesis entered.
“General… Lukas, my heart is beating like a sparrow’s. This body is expiring faster than I had hoped. It would appear that now would be a good time to present the new Lord Nemesis to the world. I will greet these heroes when the time comes, and it will not be in this shell of a body. Your orders until I arise are to keep to the plans we have discussed. You are not to go out there yourself for any reason, do I make myself clear?”
“Sir I really don’t think…”
“Lukas, stopped thinking for once. Will you follow my orders or not?”
“You know I will my lord. And what do I tell to…” Lord Nemesis held up his hand to stop him.
“Let her grieve an old man and move on with her life.” He held up a packet and handed it to him. “You General are my last line of defense. Your orders are in here, follow them to the letter. Understand?”
“Yes sir, I will. Sir, will you feel anything in that metal body?”
Lord Nemesis’ eyes flared, “That my good friend is the right question.” He smiled and pulled a lever and the outer hatch closed him off from the rest of the world.
