Ajax: Relinquished

by Gavin Magson

  The gang members efforts were in vain, Ajax was no longer where they thought he was. He waited until the gunfire halted before stepping out of the remaining walls safety and lined up a shot. Without hesitation he squeezed the trigger and fired a round that blew through a segment of the barricade; a second explosion mirrored it on the opposite side a heartbeat later. His next shot took the cannon man through the skull, his large frame instantly crumbled to the ground as his head exploded in a haze of red mist.

  Before the giants body could bounce off the floor underneath Ajax was already running for the barricade. Survivors had dove away from the explosion and scrambled for their lost weapons as he sprinted across the open ground with the rifle held tightly in both hands. A head popped up over the remaining debris and disappeared just as fast when a round pierced the scalp and blew a chunk of brain out of the man's shattered skull. Ajax swung around the demolished equipment to check for survivors, three squeezes of the trigger ended the last resistance.

  Ajax had aimed to save the cannon and was elated that his hard work had paid off. He waited impatiently for Miles and Rex to finally get up to speed and clear the building before he sighted along its length. Through his peripherals he saw Miles turn his head whilst running, realisation hit the man as to what was about to happen; Miles' shout was too late to stop him.

  With a thump the cannon fired, the round punched through the towers left corner before detonating in a shower of concrete and metal. Another round loaded into the barrel through a mechanism automatically, the spent casing already ejected, and the next shell blew the hole bigger. Now he could see daylight through the sizeable gap, past that a row of distant houses.

  Ajax focused more shells on the buildings supports, grappling with the turret as it bucked him after each shell hurtled out of the barrel. He did not hear the words of Miles or Rex as both shouted at him, their arms waving as they ran to intercept Ajax. Flames roared into life and spread vertically at an incredible rate, yet still Ajax continued to pull on the cannons trigger.

  Strong hands were gripping at his body, trying to drag Ajax away from the machine; they were too late. The last shell left the barrel and turned the exposed central support into high speed debris, occupying the silence with a terrifying rendering sound. Ajax smiled inanely, his eyes glossed over at the carnage caused. As suddenly as his trance started it was over, he looked the two bewildered mercenaries in the face.

  “Run!” he shouted.

  Ajax did not wait for the men to react, he bolted from the cracked concrete he stood on and headed for the distant bridge at a full sprint without looking back. Behind him, even through the rushing wind, he could hear the low groaning, which fast turned into a screech and was followed swiftly by powerful vibrations that shook the ground underfoot. Ajax dared not look back, so he did not see the skyscraper start to lean, the mammoth structure moving with glacial speed. His aim had been for it to fall away from them, but the shouts behind didn't fill him with confidence.

  With his lungs burning and heart hammering inside his chest Ajax pushed on even faster, surprised by just how soon the bridge was coming up. The noise behind him was deafening, the rumbling in surround sound that had his ears ringing and vision swimming.

  Miles and Rex were close behind, struggling to keep up with the man's sudden burst of speed. Miles had seen the skyscraper start to lean before he followed Ajax and was only spurred on further by the toppling tower; the sight had left his blood running cold.

  Ajax passed the bridge at last and slowed down, turning to watch the incredible sight behind. Miles and Rex looked minute to the backdrop of a crumbling skyscraper that slowly tore through the air as it came crashing down. With an almighty boom that shook the ground at his feet the skyscraper impacted, knocking Ajax onto his back. A cloud of dust and shrapnel eclipsed the fleeing duo and Ajax felt dread wash over him; he feared the men dead by his own hands.

  As the shock wave dispersed, rattling tiles from roofs and shattering panes of glass streets away in its wake, all noise came to a sudden halt. Ajax listened to his laboured breaths, trying to tune them out in the silence as he listened for signs of life.

  Coughing and spluttering the figures of Miles and Rex stumbled out of the dust cloud, covered head to toe in the grey powder of ground concrete. Ajax clambered back to his feet and ran the last few meters between them to embrace both men. He didn't even realise that he was shouting until Miles told him to shut up.

  “You are one crazy bastard, Ajax, that thing almost was the end of us all.” said Rex.

  “If it had been then you wouldn't have the chance to tell me how much of an idiotic move it was. That solved the problem of Malik's men seeking vengeance, certainly cleared up the sector a little.” said Ajax, grinning ear to ear.

  They looked back as one, yet all they saw was the debris and destruction his actions had caused. The tower had hit another skyscraper in its sudden descent, which had twisted it back towards the fleeing men and gouged a large chunk out of the other building, before fracturing on impact and throwing stone, glass, and metal high into the air. As far as they could see debris littered the open ground.

  “You are the craziest bastard I have ever had the fortune of not fighting against; let's get back to the guest house whilst we still have some light. I need a stiff drink, working with you has ruined my nerves.” said Miles.

  Chapter 15

  For once a shotgun did not greet them when Ajax knocked on the cellar door. Katherine wore a broad smile upon opening the door and seeing the filthy, blood covered men. Her expression quickly switched as shock took over. Ajax wiped away the smeared substances that discoloured his face and watched Katherine relax when she realised that the blood was mostly not their own. No one could blame her for thinking the worst.

  “You look like you've been through the ringer. I'm glad that you are back though,” she said, stepping aside for them to pass. “Could I tempt you men in a meal?”

  A deafening chorus of agreement caused her to burst out with laughter, quickly breaking into a smile. Katherine unearthed a thick bottomed frying pan and started sourcing out some ingredients in the cramped kitchen whilst the tired men milled around aimlessly.

  “Go clean yourselves up and I'll make sure the meal is ready when you are all a little bit more presentable.” Katherine said, as she picked something squidgy off Ajax's shoulder and inspected it with a look of disgust.

  Their protests were weak; adrenaline that had flooded their bodies earlier had dissipated and left them without an ounce of energy between the three. With weary bodies the men climbed the steps out of the basement, traipsing a trail of filth in their wake. They were berated by Katherine for the mess, yet none of the men could muster the energy to do more than grumble an apology.

  A few minutes later the three men had collected a change of clothes, dropped off their weapons and were stood in the communal showers washing off the day’s hard labour. Blood, dirt, dust, and grime came off with intermittent blasts of scolding hot water, the feeling such a relief to Ajax; it confirmed the end of everything they had done that day, and drastic progress within the sector.

  The men dried and dressed themselves hastily, the kitchens smell had drifted up to the second storey shower and left all three salivating at the thought of food. Ajax and Rex went down first and sat expectantly at the table as Katherine served up dinner. Miles appeared soon after carrying a large bottle that undoubtedly contained alcohol; Ajax did not even bat an eyelid at the sight.

  “I'm not taking no for an answer, we are celebrating tonight. How many glasses have you got, Katherine?” asked Miles, sitting down in front of a heavily laden plate.

  “I'll fish them out.” she answered, a smile back on her face at the prospect of alcohol.

  Katherine returned with four glasses and Miles did not hesitate in filling each to the brim. The sharp smell of strong alcohol drifted up to everyone's nostrils, which was a harsh reminder to Ajax of how he had felt just that morning. He made a mental n
ote not to allow Miles to ply him with too much alcohol, all the while he knew this would never happen. Miles raised his glass high and waited until it had been mirrored by everyone else.

  “To an unbelievable day and the success of putting a big dent in the problems of Sector Six, may the gangs take heed of our actions and quit whilst they are on the back foot.” toasted Miles.

  He was the only one to down the glasses contents without protest, three heavy coughs from red-faced drinkers caused him to erupt with a booming laugh. Miles refilled the empty glasses automatically, whilst chiding everyone for their poor drinking abilities. His years of hard drinking had left him with such a tolerance to alcohol that he was incapable of getting drunk off anything other than the strongest of alcohols. Ajax had no intention of becoming like this drunkard, even if Miles seemed to be a functioning alcoholic. Ajax had hoped that, along with his accelerated healing, the nano machines coursing through his body would aid in preventing hangovers; he was nowhere near that fortunate.

  “That shit could strip walls of paint, where do you buy this stuff?” asked Ajax.

  “It is a well-kept secret, damn stuff goes for a thousand credits at retail. It's a home brew that I get a couple bottles of as a payment for repeat services, and could not be more worth it. Good, isn't it?”

  No one answered, they knew that it was better not to entertain him. The men busied themselves with eating the delicious and filling food Katherine had served up; all avoided the refilled glasses like the plague, save for Miles.

  Ajax thought the meat perfectly cooked, it was full of flavour and succulent, so much so that it seemed to break apart effortlessly in his mouth. The high spirits everyone was in made what he had to say that little bit harder. Ajax did not relish their reactions to come, his own heart was heavy knowing he would have to be apart from the camaraderie.

  “There is something I need to tell you guys, Katherine too. I received a message from a friend back in Sector Four, it is her union in four days and my attendance is rather compulsory. Tomorrow morning I will be heading out of the sector, so I won't be able to help you for a while. I'm sorry that this is a little short notice, if I had known any earlier you guys would be the first to hear. Hopefully I won't be out of the action for too long.”

  Miles was left speechless, his mouth half open and the glass he held forgotten. He had just witnessed the man bring down a skyscraper single-handed, Ajax was an invaluable member of the team and Miles had really been counting on him for the upcoming days. Without his help, and with Jerry injured, he did not know how they could proceed into the viper’s nest that would be Seven.

  Miles had never been thought of as ambitious, but after ending the threat that Malik posed he had the potential to advance quickly in the eyes of Rine. A few more success stories and he might end up promoted within Rine’s organisation; if only he could have kept Ajax at hand to assist with those plans.

  “I'm sad to hear that, Ajax, I wish you didn't have to go so soon. I was hoping to push into Sector Seven, with Malik gone there will likely be nothing left for us to hunt here come the morning. Are you sure that you can’t afford to stay for a couple of days?” asked Miles.

  “I can’t, if I don’t make it back in time the only valid excuse I could have, in their eyes, is that I am dead. It might have come close not so long ago, but I’ve no intention of missing her big day.”

  “Well do you at least have an idea when you’ll be back in action?” asked Rex.

  “I don't know, maybe only a few days, but probably closer to a week; I have a few things to sort out whilst home and I'd be lying if a short break in a comfortable bed doesn't sound like paradise to me. Will you still be heading for Seven whilst I am gone?”

  “I don't know now, it's something I will have to discuss with Rex, and we will need to evaluate Jerry's condition. Hopefully he is on the mend and would soon be able to join us; there is no way we could operate as a two man squad when we cross the border. The original plan was to see the job through until Six was dealt with and then possibly meet up with others in order to tackle Seven; shame they all bought it during the first week here. Seven is at least a magnitude ten on the shit storm meter, if my reports are anything to go by.” said Miles. “There will be plenty of work waiting for you when you return, that is for sure.”

  “I'll miss you, don't get any ideas of staying there when you go home; like Miles said, we really need you here. Now let's get pissed, we need to celebrate.” said Rex, his glass held high once more.

  It was fitting that the clouds loomed large and dark overhead, Ajax's mood was mirrored perfectly by the weather above as he felt threatened by the likelihood of yet more rain. He had been standing on the platform for over ten minutes, the train late by his estimated reckoning, just a small bag slung over his shoulder. He sucked down the polluted air to try and quell his queasy stomach, but the taste of bile at the back of his throat had him retching once more. Thankfully he did not succumb again and void his stomach; there was nothing left to purge within him.

  The weapons and ammunition had been taken away by hover not long before he left the guest house, at this moment they were being transported to Miles' new headquarters a stone’s throw over the border. He had shaken the men by their hands and accepted a double embrace from the sisters; Ajax was surprised that Angelica showed him any affection after the night of her questions. He promised them he would return soon, and not just because Ajax knew that he would miss the action too much to stay away, not to mention he would miss the five new faces. In the back of his mind he doubted that he would ever see the sisters again, which left him downcast at such a scenario.

  A train pulled into the station and screeched to a halt, the noise piercing the quiet morning air and made his entire body shudder as it mixed with the pounding headache that racked his brain. Ajax let out a stream of curses as he clamped both hands over his ears in a bid to prevent his eardrums from bursting.

  Ajax looked through the train’s windows and thought to himself that if someone had tried to cram more people inside the train they couldn't do so with a machine gun and a belt full of grenades. He stepped back as the doors opened, ensuring he avoided the stampede as a flood of bodies emptied onto the platform.

  Several minutes and numerous pitched battles later the platform was nearly empty of citizens and Ajax could finally board the train. He scanned his credit chip, stepped into an empty carriage, and wedged himself in a corner; he knew from experience what kind of forces these trains put a person under. From his seat he could just see outside of the station, above the heads of a milling crowd as the citizens of Sector Six returned to their home. Beyond them lay buildings in various states of ruin, torn apart by the very conflict that caused them to seek refuge weeks ago.

  Ajax allowed his mind to wander as the train juddered and began to move, lost in thought about seeing his friends once more. He was only vaguely aware of his eyelids drooping, and it was not long before he opened them and saw Sector Four.

  Ajax stepped out of the dilapidated carriage and sucked down familiar air, he savoured its taste like a lost friend. The rains had hit Four with a vengeance, all he could hear was the torrent hammering on the train stations roof, interspersed with the flash and boom of thunder and lightning. At least the streets appeared to be clean; the water gushing across the streets had long since carried away the usual detritus that was discarded by the populace.

  Ajax sifted through the growing crowds within the building and walked out at a gentle pace, despite the near horizontal rain pelting his body, and aimed himself in the Haven's general direction. He could still feel that his body was tense as his eyes automatically scanned the people and buildings for signs of threat; Ajax breathed deep and exhaled slowly until the tension eased from him.

  The few people that passed him on the streets were all in a hurry, it seemed to him that he was the only person who wanted to enjoy the rainstorm. It was a pleasant sensation to not be rushing in fear for once, always watching for where
the next threat could come from. He savoured the gentle pace, lost in the moment.

  The icy rain that tore at his face soothed the headache that sat behind his eyes and made itself know to him constantly; despite the pain he did not regret drinking until the cellar had spun. He was already missing those he had met in Sector Six, the camaraderie they had shared when hunting gang members came easily to him, more so than initially with the Illicit Jane’s crew.

  When his feet carried him into the Haven's courtyard Ajax finally felt as if he was home, at last his time in the slums was washed away by the rain. More lightning lanced through the sky, illuminating the large building as a colossal boom overhead threatened to bring the skies down upon him. Ajax strode forwards.

  He had only allowed his thoughts to turn to the familiar inn a handful of times, the memories were uplifting, yet painful, whenever brought to mind. They had comforted him on the lonelier nights in Six, leaving the man pining for the only home he knew of. He heaved at the door to pull it open and nearly tore the thing off its hinges; he had not realised he’d gained such strength during his time away.

  Inside nothing seemed to have changed. The same familiar sights and smells greeted Ajax, relaxing warmth hit him like an exuberant pet. Ajax grinned like an inane child; he was so happy to be home. Someone shouted for him to close the door, which quickly turned into an apology as the owner looked to the newcomer; even his time away had not diminished his reputation.

  The ever expanding figure of Sal floated into view, bearing down on Ajax in an unstoppable movement that resulted in him being lifted clear from the floor. He could feel bones begin to stress under the immense pressure and tried to alert Sal; there was no air left in his lungs to speak with. Finally his feet touched the ground again as Sal relented.