by Mike Smith
Eventually his hand reached the edge of her camisole and pushing it up and out of the way, lingering at the waistband of her underwear. He caressed it for a few moments, before pushing it aside and pushing a finger underneath, against her bare flesh.
With a roar of rage, like a crazed bull, Gideon charged into the room. The two men collided like the impact of two continents. However, Sejanus was caught off guard, as his mind was only on Sofia. Hence, as he didn’t have time to brace himself, he was thrown across the room by the strength of the older man.
Vaulting over Sofia’s bed with effortless ease, Gideon did not take his eye off Sejanus when he ordered Sofia in a firm voice, full of anger. “Princess, get behind me.”
Sofia was stunned by the sudden turn of events. Firstly by Sejanus’s sudden appearance and his callous actions then Gideon’s timely intervention. As a result of this, she could only stare at them uncomprehendingly.
“Sofia, move girl. Now!” Gideon ordered sharply, taking a step towards Sejanus, his face red with fury and hands trembling from the barely restrained desire to tear Sejanus apart, limb-by-limb.
Finally coming to her senses, Sofia scrambled from underneath the bed covers, until she was kneeling on the bed, behind Gideon.
Meanwhile Sejanus had recovered from the sudden shock of the attack and quickly scrambled to his feet, facing his attacker. “Gideon,” he exclaimed in surprise and with a little trepidation. The Praetorian Commander should have retired to his own bed many hours before, so what was he doing here? “This is nothing to do with you as this is between Marcus, Sofia and I—she has been promised to me.”
Gideon only spat on the floor. “That is what I think of you and that promise. You take this girl over my dead body.”
Sejanus’ hand went to the sword at his waist, but hesitated for a moment, for Gideon’s expression had changed to one of delight. Sejanus knew Gideon’s skill with the blade was unmatched and he had never been beaten. If he were to draw his blade and attack him, Gideon would be within his rights to defend himself and kill him. Sejanus slowly withdrew his hand from the hilt of his sword.
“Get out!” Gideon spat at him. “Get out and if I ever find you back in this room again I’ll kill you.”
“You have been promised to me, Princess. I always take what is mine and I’ll wait as long as necessary, don’t ever forget that.” Sejanus uttered in a strained tone of voice, terrifying the Princess with his gaze.
Then without another word he left.
Once he had gone, Sofia started trembling violently at the memory of what had just taken place and what had so nearly happened. Hearing her sob, Gideon turned around to face her, his heart going out to the young woman.
Taking a seat on the bed next to her, but being careful not to touch her he reassured her. “He’s gone Princess. I promise that he will never hurt you and you will never see him again.”
“He kept saying that I was promised to him, what did he mean? Who promised me to him and why?” She trembled, teeth chattering together uncontrollably and for some reason she felt cold all over.
“It’s nothing at all, just a misunderstanding, a mistake,” Gideon answered hesitantly. “It will be corrected,” he insisted. Looking at the young Princess worriedly, he could tell she was going into shock. Reaching behind her he pulled the blanket from her bed, wrapping it tightly around her. Only then did he gently and carefully pull her into his arms.
“There, there,” he said gently. Comfortingly but not too tightly, as he wanted to make it clear to Sofia she could break his embrace at any time. “I promise you that while I am here nobody will ever hurt you.”
“And what happens when you are no longer here?” Sofia asked in a terrified voice.
Gideon paused for a moment, before replying. “Then there will be someone else, somebody younger than me and much faster. Someone who will be able to protect you even better than I am able to.”
And he was right.
*****
Delighted by the recognition in her expression and the flash of fear that quickly crossed her face, Sejanus inquired, “Surprised to see me, Princess?”
Sofia took a deep breath, taking all her terror and fear and burying it deep within her. Jon had taught her long ago that while fear could be useful, it sharpened the senses and improved reactions, but it could also consume you, dulling your actions instead of sharpening them. Hence pushing back her fear, she looked Sejanus in the eye and replied, “Not so much surprised as, well, disappointed.” She let the last word roll off her tongue.
“Disappointed?” Sejanus replied, confused.
“Yes, disappointed,” Sofia insisted. “Disappointed Gideon or my father did not cut off your fucking head!” She hissed.
For a brief moment Sejanus was astonished at her response. Remembering the timid young woman before, who was paralysed by fear. However, that memory bared little resemblance to the woman now shooting daggers at him, eyes flashing with anger.
Radec! This was his doing, Sejanus knew with absolute certainty. Taking his reward, his prize and twisting her against him. He ground his teeth together in frustration and, with his face flushed with anger, he took Sofia’s arm in a painful grip saying, “I promised you we would be reunited. I always take what is mine, no matter how long it takes. There is no Gideon or Radec to save you this time,” he cursed.
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that if I were you. When Jon hears about what you have done, he will come looking for me,” Sofia replied with absolute certainty.
Sejanus was confused for a moment before his expression cleared and he said with a knowing smirk. “I would not be so sure, Radec has already been and gone.”
“Gone where?” Sofia asked confused.
“The same place as your last guardian, Gideon. Radec is dead.”
Sofia went very still and was deeply shaken for a moment, before shaking her head. “No, I don’t believe you,” she insisted. “Jon wouldn’t dare die a second time and definitely not without telling me first.”
Sejanus only laughed. “Well you had better believe it. I’ll bring you his head, as a wedding present.”
“A wedding present?” Sofia replied scornfully. “You are crazy and delusional as I am not marrying—anybody else.”
“Oh you will,” Sejanus insisted with a grin. “You will beg me to after I show you what your other wedding present is.” With that he pulled Sofia to her feet, keeping a strong grip on her arm and propelled her out of the room.
As his escort guard fell into formation around them, Sejanus could barely hold back his triumph. For after almost a decade his ambitions were finally going to come to fruition, with the Princess, the last piece of the puzzle, finally slotting into place.
*****
Jon rounded the corridor and would have come face-to-face with Sejanus and his guards, were it not for him hearing them just a moment before. Quickly stepping back into the corridor he had just come from, Jon watched as, in a flash, they passed him by. However, it was not Sejanus or his guards who drew his attention, causing his breath to catch in his throat and his heart to miss a beat. It was the woman being pushed along in front of him.
Sofia.
Jon had not seen her in years, but it did not matter. Sofia consumed his every waking moment, his dreams were full of her scent, her touch and her smile. She was branded across his very soul. For a while he was overwhelmed by the need to rush after her and rescue her from the hands of that sick psychopath. Jon could feel his hands trembling with the strong desire to take her away from this place, to wrap her into his arms and protect her, forever. The fire flowing through his blood was like a living thing and Jon could feel the blade at his side become equally as heated, perhaps also feeling its master’s all-consuming fury.
Instead, Jon was forced to close his eyes and take a few deep breaths to compose himself and, after a while, he felt in control enough to be able to open his eyes and try to think things through rationally once again.
Sejanus had Sofia
and more than likely he was going to take her to the Emperor, her father. Jon had dealt with people like Sejanus before. Shallow people that liked to gloat and flaunt their power over others. Hence Sofia was probably safe for the moment and, more importantly, soon to be reunited with her father. Therefore where Jon found one, he would probably find the other. As an added bonus, Sejanus would be with them and Jon had plans for him. He would pay for what he had done to Sofia and he would die by Jon’s hand.
However, Miranda was still out there somewhere. Probably still in Sejanus’s personal quarters and therefore in much trouble. Jon could clearly remember his promise to Miranda, that he would not let anything happen to her, no matter what.
Jon felt torn between his duty and his promise.
Between his love for Sofia and his vow to Miranda. Jon was racked by indecision should he go first to Sofia or Miranda. Left or Right?
Damn.
*****
The two guards stationed outside the main security centre tensed as they heard talking coming from further down the corridor. However, they both relaxed when they saw two of their own, who were easily recognisable by their corporate security uniforms, turning the corner. There was obviously no danger, as they both had their rifles slung casually over their shoulders and were joking and jostling with each other. One laughed at something the other said and gave him a light push in response.
As the two neared the entrance to the security room, one of them raised his hand in greeting to the two guards, before turning back to their conversation. As they were almost directly in front of the entrance, the other laughed out loud again at some private joke and gave his colleague another friendly shove. However, with the reduced width of the corridor caused by the two guards stationed at the entrance, the man stumbled slightly into one of the security guards. The guard unconsciously raised an arm to catch his colleague and that was the last thing he ever did.
The Marine caught his arm and, using his momentum, swung in closer. Before the guard could blink there was the brief flash of a knife, as the razor sharp edge cut across his throat. He was dead before he could utter a single word.
His colleague fared little better, because before he had a chance to realise what was happening, the other man darted in close and thrust an equally sharp knife into his chest. He was dead a few moments later.
Both men tensed for a minute, unsure if anybody had observed or heard what had just transpired. However, after a while, both relaxed when it became apparent their actions had gone unnoticed.
“You ready?” Jonas whispered to Jackson.
Jackson reached into his belt and withdrew the two spherical devices they had procured from the small armoury earlier, before giving Jonas a nod.
“Okay. On a count of three,” Jonas said.
“One,” Jonas said, reaching down and lifting up the palm of one of the dead guards.
“Two,” he said, laying the palm against the scanner positioned next to the door.
“Three,” he mouthed to Jackson as the door quietly slid open.
Jackson smoothly pulled the pins from the two grenades before rolling them through the now open door. Simultaneously Jonas hit the close button, reversing the direction of the door. Hurrying down the corridor both Marines were several meters away from the control room when it erupted into a flaming ball of smoke and debris. The two Marines could feel the force of the compression wave as it rushed down the corridor, overtaking their fleeing forms.
“Scratch one control room,” Jonas muttered.
*****
As Jon approached Sejanus’ personal quarters he could tell right away he was at the correct place as, forewarned by the young executive, it was the only door in this section with two guards stationed in front of it. He approached the entrance with long, easy strides that quickly ate up the distance, while at the same time making it appear he had every right to be there.
Jon did not recognise either of the guards stationed at the door. Obviously the ones he had met earlier, apart from the ones he had already killed, were now elsewhere. With surprised expressions on their faces, one was just about to open his mouth in exclamation, when Jon held up his hand to forestall him.
“Commander Radec to see Sejanus,” he blurted out, before they could demand his identity.
Not seeing any other guards escorting him, and doubtful he would just be walking around this section of the complex without permission, the first guard enquired, “Do you have an appointment?”
Jon gave them both a broad smile, flashing his teeth. “I most certainly do.”
“Well unfortunately he is not here at the moment, he got called off for important business,” the other guard replied, giving a knowing smirk at the other.
Meanwhile Jon could hear muffled noises from inside the room, as if a scuffle was taking place (he could well imagine what was actually taking place). Therefore giving both men a hard look he replied. “That's no problem, I’ll show myself in then.”
He shot both guards before they had a chance to blink and was only slightly disappointed the energy pistol seemed to be set to stun only.
Marching forward he grabbed the wrist of the guard closest to the access panel and placed the palm of his hand firmly against it, causing the door to slide smoothly open. Releasing the sword at his waist, Jon stepped silently inside the room.
*****
“You bitch!” The bleeding guard cursed loudly, once again sending Miranda crashing to the floor, as the back of his hand struck her forcefully across the cheek. For the second time within the space of half an hour Miranda saw stars. Shaking her head, trying to clear her vision, she wondered what it was about men who slapped women around with the back of their hand.
Is there some school they all attend where they are trained to do just that? Miranda thought groggily.
Somehow she bet Jon and Paul had flunked that class, as she could not imagine either of them ever raising a hand to a woman. Come to think of it, the back of Jon’s hand was particularly soft as he ran it delicately down her body, causing her to tremble in pleasure. Shaking her head again to try to focus, she stared hatefully up at her attacker and was just trying to summon the energy to spit at him when a very strange expression came over his face.
Shock, surprise and disbelief. He looked down in horror at the blade that had suddenly erupted from the centre of his chest.
“Why don’t you see how you like it?” Jon hissed furiously from behind. “When somebody sticks something that doesn’t belong in them in you for a change.” The guard slowly toppled over, motionless. Pushing him off the blade, Jon hurriedly stepped closer to Miranda, hoping that he was not too late. Leaning forward he gently touched her red cheek with the back of his hand, relived when Miranda leaned into his delicate caress.
“You definitely flunked that class,” Miranda sighed aloud softly.
“Sorry?”
“Never mind, just a stray thought that crossed my mind for a moment back there.”
“Okay.”
“Jon?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for coming.”
“No problem,” he replied, offering her his hand to help her to stand and placing another under her arm when she stumbled.
Meanwhile a memory was stirring deep in Miranda’s consciousness, something she needed to tell Jon. Something important—The Princess.
“Jon,” Miranda gasped suddenly. “The Princess, Sofia. She is here in this complex. I heard Sejanus and that guard talking.”
Jon did not say anything in response for a moment, but Miranda could feel his body stiffen, as he helped support her weight and they stepped through the door. “I know,” he replied eventually. “I saw Sejanus with her. I guess he was taking her to see her father.”
Shocked that Jon knew, Miranda stumbled to a halt, looking up at him in surprise. “You knew?” She gasped. “And yet you still came here, to get me?”
Jon gave her a slight tug, indicating to continue walking. “I gave you my word I wou
ldn’t let anything happen to you,” he replied.
Miranda could not understand the sudden sense of warmth that spread through her body at his soft declaration.
*****
Heading down the corridor in the direction of the apartments assigned to them, in the hope of meeting Gunny and his team, Jon and Miranda were almost knocked over by the burly Marines, who were hurrying in the opposite direction. Fortunately, the Marines recognised the Commander in his white navy uniform, which stood out so starkly from the black of the Tyrell Corporation, that they didn’t open fire.
As the two groups converged, Gunny pushed to the front, eyes flickering quickly in Miranda’s direction before turning back to Jon questioningly.
Jon slowly shook his head, answering the unvoiced question. He was relieved to see the relief in the old Marine Sergeant’s eyes. While he was as tough as they came, Jon knew he had a soft spot for Miranda ever since she challenged him to an arm wrestling match on the flight deck soon after arriving on the station.
“We were just heading to secure the hangar bay Commander,” Gunny reported briefly. “Paul and the Sunfire should be arriving in the system at any minute, assuming they will be here.”
“They will be here,” Jon reassured him. “Take Miranda with you and prep a ship for our departure. I’ll go and rescue the family and meet you there.”
Gunny took one look at the injured Miranda and flinched. He did not react well with injured women. Fortunately Jason pushed to the front and took Miranda, saying in a quiet voice, “I’ll take care of her.”
Passing Jon a datapad, Jason explained, “I managed to download a plan of the complex onto this device, hopefully this will help you find Marcus. Did you manage to plant the tracking device on Sejanus?”
“Easily,” Jon replied with a smirk. “He was so busy gloating in satisfaction at beating me he never even noticed me slipping it into his pocket.”
