***
I’m getting news reports that some children have gone missing. The carer was injured trying to save them.
CraZ looked at the news feed Taln send him. No visuals. Just a first report by people at the scene. Several men appeared from nowhere and took the two children a boy and a girl. The female had fought to keep them but was easily over powered and knocked to the ground. Then men took off with the children. There were no names.
CraZ felt a weight reading the report. It didn’t feel right. A chill swept across his body. His diagnostic told him his temperature had not dropped and yet he felt it. Get me more information on what theOrder is doing about this and see if we can find out who they are.
Affirmative.
He couldn’t shift the feeling. Something didn’t feel right. CraZ connected to Bliz watching the shop. Report.
Feed entered his optic. Only one thing stood out. Racle had left to pick up the children and was late in returning. A rock settled in the pit of his stomach. He connected to Taln. Send hounds to the incident now. It might be Racle and the children.
Get me visual on that location.
On screen now.
CraZ tapped down on his emotions. How was he feeling so much? His system told him he was close to exploding. He watched as the screen closed in on what was clearly Racle being giving medial treatment. She was hurt. His anger burnt. The bitterness of it souring his mind. Cho had come after the children to make his point. CraZ blamed himself. He’d not considered that Cho would go that far. His men were watching the shop not escorting the children. That had been a mistake. Back it up, show me from before the snatch.
He watched it play out. He could see when she’d picked up a tail. He’d been clever. Waited until she was out of range of his warriors visual and hearing. Then appeared to make a call and held back. CraZ stilled as she saw Racle came around the corner with the children. He could see they were excited about their day. Racle was laughing and speaking with them. Do we have audio?
No. This is street cam only.
The one man stepped out and Racle pulled the children in instinctively and tried to walk around him. Then the others stepped out. There was a stand off for a moment then Racle launched herself at them, clearly telling the kids to run. They didn’t get far and Racle was soon on the ground being beaten. Both kids kicking and screaming as they were lifted and carried to a vehicle. It soon disappeared out of sight and was gone.
CraZ roared as his blood boiled in vengeance. His body shaking from head to toe. He’d told her he would protect them and now, they were gone. CraZ crashed the equipment around him, reaching for his swords. They would not get away with this. They were dead. They were all dead. He would burn this world to the ground if they were hurt. He would be his name once more and this world would quiver in his wake.
Get me Cho now. Take him. Find that vehicle.
***
They were late. Chris looked at the clock again. She knew Racle sometimes took them for a treat after school. She wasn’t too worried. She put their dinner on hold and cracked on with her work.
***
His optic displayed the various intel coming in from his men. They’d found the vehicle. Empty. Abandoned. One of the children’s school bags was in it. They should have burned it. CraZ stared at their stupidity. There were many scents in it. Scents his hounds could follow. More than just the children and their captors. Luckily, Cyborgs were able to filter out all the old scents and could concentrate on what they needed to find. The freshest ones. He sent the hounds to the location with one instruction. Find them.
***
The intel had been good. Cho didn’t look happy strapped to the chair in the warehouse. CraZ didn’t care. His men had connected with his neuro net the moment Cho was secure. They now stood around the perimeter both inside and out, waiting on his orders. His hounds were still hunting down the scents they’d found in the vehicle. CraZ watched from his datapad. Going near him right now, he was likely to kill him before he had the answers he needed.
“Do you have any idea who I am?” Cho shouted. They all ignored him. His men would be able to see and smell the panic coming off Cho. The human had been so confident he was untouchable, this happening, hadn’t occurred to him. Stupid.
CraZ gave him as much time as he could afford to sweat. Those children needed to be found. His fury threatened to over flow. His blood calling for blood. He’d taken from him and would pay. CraZ exited the off-worlder and blew open the doors to the warehouse making his way to Cho. The moment he’d entered, Cho pissed himself. If Cho was scared before, he was now terrified. CraZ engaged his emotions and let them run free for the first time since before the wars. The shear force of them slamming into him, was enough to halter his step for a moment. Then he was back. Drawing both his laser blades. His wrath would not be tempered.
“You take from me, I take from you!” he roared, running at him and slashing across his wrist. Cho screamed. The hand could still be reattached if seen to in time. CraZ knew this instinctively as he picked the exact location to slash. The blade cauterising the wound immediately. Cho, did not. He was begging now. Telling him he was wrong. Whatever it was, it wasn’t him. Asking what he’d done to upset the Empire. How he could put it right. CraZ roared again.
He poised the blade over his other wrist. “I want the whereabouts of the children.”
Cho hesitated. CraZ scented betrayal. He was looking for an angle, a way out. That was enough for CraZ, he slashed at the other one. The hand falling this time. Cho screamed. Crying and begging started again. CraZ stood back and snarled.
“How pitiful you are. How insignificant. A flea that does nothing but suck the life blood from others. A Cyborg can endure such toucher without making a single sound or give anything away. But then, we are warriors. Made to endure the unimaginable. You are not. There are a thousand ways I can kill you slowly. And I will make sure you see everyone if you do not give me what I want. If you hesitate again, I’ll take your balls next,” CraZ yelled.
Cho shut up. Hiccup snivelling followed. Craz knelt and lifted his face with a blade. Cho was losing focus. His pain was stopping him thinking. CraZ lifted the blade. Cho barely registered it. He needed a reminder. CraZ stabbed into the flesh of his thigh. Cho screamed out once more.
“You need to focus Cho. If my hounds find them before I get the location from you…… you’re in for a living hell. I want the location of those children and I want it now. If you are to live passed the next few minutes, that will be the only words I want to hear. Get it wrong and I will come back here and sever every artery you have and watch you slowly die bleeding out. I will make sure it takes days.” He was shaking with the need to kill him. It took everything in him to hold back.
“I….I …I… don’t know…. about the kids being taken,” Cho told him through the pain. CraZ when to slash at his right foot. “NNNOOO,” he cried out. “Please, I…. gave no order…. to do that. Some …of the men …were trying to impress me. I didn’t ask them to do it. I swear.” Cho panted, CraZ could scent the level of pain he was in. It felt right to CraZ and not enough.
CraZ grabbed his head and yanked it back. “Who is it and where are they now?”
Cho swallowed. “I’m ……not sure where they are…. but you’re looking for three men, right?” CraZ gave him a nod. “Thought so…… They use …..a warehouse on East side……. Xelengir Street. End of the road…….. Right hand side, red sign saying ‘Bernie’s.’ It used to be……. a vehicle shop. Please I’ve ……. Told you what I know…….Something for the pain …”
Taln you get that?
Affirmative working on it now.
Give him a dose of painkiller. No med bed until we have verified his information.
Affirmative.
CraZ nodded to the medic with him. He came forward to inject Cho and depressed it against his neck. CraZ knelt down in front of Cho once more, playing with his knife. Cho’s blood all over it. Cho relaxed as the meds did their job. Cr
aZ lifted his face once more with the knife. “You give me false information or they’re not there, I’ll be back and not so nice.” Cho followed his every move. CraZ stood and stepped back.
“I can’t ………be held responsible if they…… ain’t there!” Cho shouted him. CraZ’s data told him many things. Primarily he badly wanted Cho to bleed out.
CraZ turned away and walked out the way he’d come. “This is the Empire. Yes, you can.”
***
Chris was getting worried. It was way passed when Racle would have been home with the children. She was never passed their dinner time, something had to have happened. She was becoming desperate. Didn’t know what to do. CraZ had told her his men were outside. Chris rushed outside and shouted. “I need CraZ, now.” She looked up and down the road and several men moved out of the shadows. He’d been right, she’d not seen them until now. “Please, I need him.”
One came slowly towards her with a datapad in his hand. He handed it over. CraZ was on the screen. He had blood on him. Her heart stilled. She knew it wasn’t good. “My children and Racle?” she could barely say the words.
“I’m sorry mate, I had not foreseen they were this desperate. We have found them. I’m going in for them now. I promise you, retribution will be swift and deadly for those stupid enough to have done this. They will never breath again.”
Chris started to shake; tears sprung to her eyes. She could barely see him on the screen any longer. “Bring them back to me CraZ. I cannot be without them. They have been through so much. I need them.”
He nodded at her. “I am here female. I hear you. I will have them shortly.”
“Racle, is she ok?”
“Injured and alive. She fought them to keep the children safe. She’s with medical now.”
She took a several shallow breaths, all her dreams could be over in a blink of an eye. It was a reminder of how precious life was.
Her devastation turned to anger. “Cho?”
“Partly. Yes.”
“I want him dead,” she cried out.
“He nearly is. I will bring them back. I promise. We’ve arrived. I will be with you soon.”
“CraZ, she cried. He turned back to her on the datapad. “Be safe, I cannot lose you too.” He gave her a nod and the screen went blank. Gods help them all.
Heat signatures?
Five in total as expected. Three in the centre, two smaller ones in a back room.
Find a way in through the back, I want those children out before we rain down hell.
We’re going to have to make one. No doorways we can use.
Light cutters and keep it quiet. The minute you are in, give the word.
Affirmative.
The waiting was unbearable. Chris thought she’d die if she lost her children. The pain in her chest was hard and heavy. Racle came limping in with support from one of the Cyborgs. She was black and blue and in a lot of pain. The Cyborg stayed with them while they waited. Racle couldn’t stop crying, apologising, replaying the events over and over again. Chris felt numb. Automatically telling her it was ok. She’d done her best. Anyone could see that. No one could have predicted this and for all her misery, Chris couldn’t fine her own tears. They would come later. Now, she had to focus on being sane when CraZ brought them back. She couldn’t crack now. The children would need her, need normality. She knew he would get them. He wouldn’t fail her and she clung to that hope.
We’re in.
Move in now. He cried out over his net. I want them alive.
Surprised by the assault. They didn’t put up much of a resistance. As they broke down the door, they split in all directions, looking for cover. Going for their guns. Volleys were exchanged across the floor. Cyborgs tracked their rounds and positions; moving in around them. His men moved quickly and decisively. CraZ walked straight down the middle. Both guns out continually firing, killing one. The others were caught and disarmed.
His first thought was for the children. He saw the moment they came around the corner of the building with four of his men. Cally in the arms of Taln. Sonny running alongside. With their attacker’s dead, wounded and secured, they came towards him. Putting his weapons away, CraZ looked at both of them, checking them over.
“We’re fine sir,” Sonny told him. “Cally was upset but I told her you’d be coming. She was ok after that.” CraZ had the overwhelming need to hold both children to him. But knew that would have to wait.
He knelt to Sonny. “You did well son. Protecting females is very important.” He stood and looked at both of them. “Those men will answer for this crime. Go with my men.” They both nodded to him. “I will be with you in a moment, and your mother is waiting.” The children were led away.
Bring them here.
The men were dragged out to where he stood. Every nerve in his body creaming vengeance. They were placed on their knees before him. His first instinct was to kill them. Everything burned in him to do it. Waste them, as they had tried to lay waste to his life.
“I should kill you. Whose idea was this? Don’t think of lying. We are Cyborg, we can scent a lie a mile off and you are not that clever.”
No one answered. CraZ lifted his weapon and shot one in the leg.
“Last chance.”
“Cho,” one shouted. “Don’t kill us, we were following orders.”
CraZ connected his neuro net to Taln. Contact the Mayor and the Order. We have proof of Cho’s involvement in crimes and kidnapping. Cho is to be handed over with a record of this.
Affirmative.
He focused back on the men before him. “If I ever see you again, I will kill you make no mistake. I’m required to inform Order what has happened. You will go into their custody. However, if for a single moment I feel justice is not being served. I will do it myself. I will make you beg for death and take your life slowly.”
Hold them for the Order.
He’d left them with his men. Taking Cally into his embrace and holding his hand out to Sonny, they walked into the off-worlder. They arrived at The Diner looking no worse for wear. The emotional impacts would come later. He would make sure the Empire Doctors helped with that. His diagnostic told him how relieved he was to see the children safe and well. CraZ had never felt anything like before.
Seeing Chris run to him from The Diner had been a welcome sight. He carried Cally and Sonny by his side walked off the ship, making their way to meet their mother. She ran to meet them. Bundled them up in her arms and declared she was never let go again. The children were laughing, Sonny asking how they would eat. He understood the emotions. In each of their own way, were caring for each other, reinforcing their attachment. Making light of disaster. Ensuring all was well once more.
CraZ pulled back to look at his female. “I’m sorry I failed you.”
Chis shook her head. The man was talking rubbish. He hadn’t failed her at all. This was Cho’s doing no one else. “You didn’t. I’m just glad to see you in one piece.”
“Mom, can CraZ stay? He can teach me to be a warrior.” Chris looked from CraZ to Sonny.
“You’d like that? For CraZ to be with us?”
Sonny grinned. “O yeah. You should have seen what happened at the warehouse.”
A little surprised, Chris looked at CraZ. “What happened at the warehouse?”
CraZ looked at Sonny then back at her. “Nothing,” they both said in unison. Neither one looked that innocent. But Cyborgs didn’t lie. Right?
Chris ha hummed giving them both, we’ll be talking about this later look. “Come on,” she told them. “Dinners ready. We’ve closed for the night. Family only.” Gathering the children to her she made her way to The Diner. As they entered, she realised CraZ wasn’t with them. She turned to find him still where she’d left him.
“Are you not coming for dinner?”
“Family only,” he replied.
Chris ushered the children inside who ran to Racle. And came running back to him, grabbing him by his shirt pulling him down to he
r level. “Cyborgs are my family now,” she told him. “I love you. You are my man. Tell your men to come get it.” She winked and was gone back to her children who were already hugging Racle.
CraZ looked on with a fierceness he’d rarely used. His optic displayed his emotions. All within perimeters. He had a way to go before peace rained but he could live with that. Seeing them out of danger was all it had taken to deflect his desire for vengeance and being out of control. To pull him back from the precipice of crazy. Family, beyond his brothers. There were moments when he’d almost given up. Moments when he’d thought he would die.
Now, a female had given him something more precious than life itself. A reason to live. Who was he to say no?
The End.
A word from the Author;
Thank you for buying this book. I know you did not have to. So many choices out there to chose from and you picked mine. I thank you kindly and offer up a Chapter of another of my novels to enjoy.
I wish you joy and happiness. Enjoy. Jessie x
The Covenant - Lori Palmer Chronicles. Book 1.
Chapter One
Lori looked at the smoke and damage around her. The scent of blood, strong in the air. Covenant blood, her species blood, from the dead bodies littering the floor. One in particular, with its head disintegrated, its hand, still snarled in the throes of his last battle. Lori glanced back at the younger man across the room, holding back his emotions. They had no role here. This was Covenant business and dead men can’t lie.
Craz Page 9
