by R N Skye
A break finally came as Shane was tackled Lions handler who was wearing a yellow wristband with a red stripe; he then saw what was happening. The Lions Handler was using an artifact to give him energy.
Energizer bracelets had been around for a long time and were forbidden in the league. The various types were often sun glyph powered but some were military in nature and were powered by taking energy from your opponent; archeologists had theorized that they were designed for infantry in hand to hand combat.
Using his ever sharpening lumen senses, Shane was able to see the artifacts glyphs in his mind. As he watched carefully he saw how the Lions handler reached out to drain an attacking Wizard battler. Shane tried something new; he reversed the activation process and withdrew the lumen from the glyphs. As the energy that the cheating player expected failed to come he tripped and accidentally grounded the ball.
Shane hurriedly yelled to a nearby Official, “Hey they’re cheating; he’s got an artifact built into his wristband.”
As the ball was dead due to the grounding, the Official called the Handler over and examined the players arm then tossed a red flag from his pocket and called a technical; this was immediately followed by a second red flag as a team technical was called. An official time out was called and a mage from IDAD was called to the field to validate if it was indeed an artifact. The player realizing that the artifact had failed and began to protest that it wasn’t active so there should be no penalty. Just before the IDAD official arrived on the scene Shane reactivated the energy band with lumen; and for good measure deactivated the glyphs on his shirt and socks.
The IDAD Mage used a pair of scissors and cut open artifact and removed it from the player’s arm. He actuated the bracelet and held it in one hand and touched the head official with the other. The Official sagged at the drain. “It’s a military grade hand to hand energy band,” offered the IDAD mage plainly.
“And no doubt about it, it’s active,” said the official still dazed from the test.
The official blew his whistle stating loudly for the crowd that the Lions have been penalized two kicks for illegal use of artifacts.
“Hey,” protested the offending handler what about that guy he said pointing to Shane. “He has glyphs on his shirt that should count as an artifact. How else do you explain how well he plays?”
The Official looked at Shane and saw the glyphs on his shirt and threw out another red flag.
The IDAD mage and the head official called Shane over. “Let’s see that shirt, son,” the IDAD Mage said in a serious tone.
Shane removed his shirt and handed it to the mage. The mage tried to use the glyphs but because they were not activated nothing happened. He looked at the Lead Official and said” These are not an artifact they are simple glyphs that mean to the best of my knowledge health and protection. The charge of the Wizard’s receiver using an artifact is disproved on two levels. First these glyphs are not active and second it is basic magetech that even if these glyphs were supposed to do something it is impossible as no one, even at IDAD, has been able to make original artifacts; it’s simply impossible to do with the science we have today.
The Official handed Shane back his shirt with an apology and motioned him join the other players.
In an amplified voice the Official declared the technical fouls on the Lions and waved off the flag on the Wizards and awarded the Wizards two free kicks.
Grateful for the short break and that there were no more draining artifacts the Wizards caught their second wind. The down side was that the final goal to clear was on the opposite side of the field.
Shane as captain called for a time out and the group crossed to their side and huddled with the coach.
“I have an idea coach,” Said Shane. “We have two chances here. I say we play the first one safe. We have a five point goal only fifteen cubits to the left and a three point goal right in from of us. If we play the three goal, the Lions could still pull even and the game would end in a tie. If we go for the fiver then we are up by seven and they can’t score here without ending the game in a loss. In order for them to get into position to close out they would have to score two more threes or another five that gives us a lot more breathing room to get in to position for our close out goal. I say we use both shots and attempt the fiver, if we miss we are right were we started, if we make it in two we are up seven, if we make it in one then we use the cross eye play and go for the win.
The coach smiled, “nice call Shane I was thinking the same thing. Besides, “he said confidently, Bernard can make those kicks in his sleep. Who wants the kick on the cross eye play?”
“We need Bernie in the eye for the reset” Shane said, “so it’s got to be Rene or me.”
“I say Shane kicks,” offered Rene, “his leg is better than mine.”
“You just want the glory goal,” teased Shane and Bernard together.
“You better believe it,” laughed the other receiver.
“That’s the play then guys,” said the coach with a smile. Turning to the rest of the team he reminded them to be subtle as they got into position for the upcoming trick play. “Get us five Bernie,” he added as the broke the huddle.
The officials placed the ball on the zone line nearest the point of infraction and waved everyone back but the kicker. The team all shouted, “Go get it Bernie.” The crowd went wild with a deafening roar and Bernard who was the handler and their best kicker stood off, took a deep breath then ran to the ball for the kick.
The kick connected and the ball sailed away at an odd angle towards the five point goal to the left. The crowd realized the significance immediately and as the ball drilled the center of the goal like a thread through the eye of a needle; the home crowd roared even louder. The Officials signaled the five point score and then reset the ball for the second penalty kick.
The Wizards again called time out. As team captain Shane approached the lead official to let him know the details of their soon to be executed unusual play. The Official nodded that it was legal and Shane gave the ok to their team.
When the Official blew the whistle, unlike with the previous kick, instead of clustering off to the side near the kicking area, Shane’s team crowded even further away slightly behind where the Lions had gathered awaiting the completion of the kick. This time instead of Bernard lining up for the kick Shane stepped up and faced the goal and picked up the ball for a drop kick. The Lions were now intently watching Shane. Knowing that a new kicker might miss they began chanting to distract him. While the Lions were distracted Bernard ran for the eye and Rene ran for the goal.
Per the rules the ball could not leave the zone line but if the kicker decided to do a drop kick he could stand on the zone line and kick the ball without a running start; the kicker was just not allowed to be in the zone without at least one foot on the zone line.
Shane pivoted as he saw Rene and Bernard make their moves; the rest of the team assumed a battler posture and set up a defensive scrum, arm in arm, to keep anyone who realized what was going on from getting to Bernard and Rene before they were in position.
The lions Coach and the Lions fans noticed the changes and the Wizards player’s movement, too late. The coach yelled at the top of his lung for his players to pay attention. The Wizards fans drowned him out as they saw that their team was executing some sort of trick play.
Before the other team could react Shane neatly booted the ball over the Lions player’s heads toward the running Bernard. Bernard with the speed and agility of the best handler in the league timed a jumping catch perfectly landing in the eye resetting the ball into play and almost casually lobbed it to a wide open Rene loitering in the zone who easily caught the ball, loped to the goal, then with a triumphant spin dunked it into the final uncleared goal for a Wizard’s win.
The stadium was a sea of pandemonium. Students and faculty alike stormed from the stands onto the field; the perfect ending to a hard fought game.
Shane ran to the other side of the fi
eld and joined his team in jumping up and down slapping each other on the back as the realization sunk in that they had won the championship at the end of their senior year.
VII
As the crowd vacated their seats in celebration the kings box was empty but for four people; the king, Stafford, Wendell, and Rosh Tanner.
“Tanner, you are out of time. I’m afraid you no longer have the chance to join the crown in the domination of the artifact industry,” said the king smugly.
“I don’t see how you can stop me unless you make it illegal to sell artifacts.” replied the grandfatherly man. “If you do that then you risk a civil war and an economic recession.”
“I quite agree with you, but accidents happen in this unsafe world and paperwork gets lost when licenses are applied for,” the king countered.
“What, you’re going to kill me?”
“Gracious no.” Allion put on his most beneficent look. “I’m going to let you ruin yourself. I just received a report that your activator was recently destroyed in an industrial accident and that your manufacturing facility suffered significant damage in a recent fire. I’m sure you can rebuild but I don’t know where you will get an activator; they are so rare.”
“Don’t think you are so smart, Allion, I wouldn’t be so stupid not to make a backup. My head of magetech will have it up and running within twenty four hours.”
“About that,” the king said smugly, “Your head of magetech was summarily executed last night for possession of illegal and unlicensed artifacts. There was an additional activator found in a hidden room but I’m afraid that it was destroyed during the skirmish when he resisted arrest.”
Tanner’s countenance fell.
“I see you now understand your true predicament. I won’t keep you any longer. I’m sure you can show yourself out. I’m afraid I have a celebration to attend.”
Rosh Tanner visually sagged. “I knew your father well,” Tanner spoke quietly. “If he were around today I’m positive he would have you stripped of your birthright and cast out of the kingdom. What a disappointment.” The ruined manufacturer then turned and left the room.
As the door shut behind the artifact manufacturer the king motioned to Stafford and Wendell. “Follow him and make sure he doesn’t live to find another activator, but first make sure that he doesn’t have a third one somewhere to leave to his children.
As Stafford and Wendell followed Tanner to what remained of his offices the bumptious spy Wendell concentrated nervously, his attention riveted on the cab they were following as if in fear that they would lose it. Stafford, eyes half shut reclined in his seat appearing relaxed as if nothing was as it shouldn’t be.
Wendell was worried. He had seen Staffords efficiency and cold hearted manner in which he had dispatched the mage the previous evening. He was having doubts that should he be able to kill the seemingly invulnerable senior agent he wasn’t sure he wanted to be an assassin; after all it was one thing to have people killed but to do it yourself seemed somehow more real and he was beginning to feel queasy about it. What was it the old man, agent Shew, had said prior to his death, “...Watch your back, Stafford, if for some reason I don’t get you for this betrayal, that little bastard you call king is more than likely going to do it for me.” The dead agent had been right; after all wasn’t that what he was doing in order to attain the title of head agent for the CSS? Was that what was in store for him some day? Of course not he rationalized I come from an influential family, I have an education. Never the less he had been ordered to kill Stafford for the position.
On the other hand Stafford seemed to always treat him as an inferior; talked down to him and always gave him assignments that were to Wendell’s way of thinking, things that underlings should be assigned to do. He never included him on his planning and always seemed to be on the inside of every private enterprise the king was involved with. That should be me he thought to himself. He was the agent with breeding and influence; he was the agent with a degree from a leading university. What was Stafford, he thought ignoring the fact that he had never really tried to learn his background; a thug with a military background and an aptitude for killing. The more he thought about it the angrier he became.
Twenty minutes later Tanner’s cab drove away after dropping of its fare. Tanner lithely stepped up to the building and entered into the semi-scorched office entrance. As soon as he was out of sight Stafford instructed his diver to pull up to the building and wait. As Wendell and Stafford exited the cab Wendell felt the queasiness return and began to look any direction but at the entrance to the building.
As if reading his mind Stafford said,” Wendell why don’t you wait here where it’s nice and safe and I’ll take care of this.”
Partly due to the feeling in his stomach and partly due to Stafford’s commanding presence, Wendell acquiesced with a nod. As Stafford entered the building alone Wendell began to seethe again; partly because he realized he was being left out but mostly because of how Stafford seemed to recognize and condescend to him for his weakness.
Stafford met up with Tanner in a semi-large assembly room that had only partially consumed by the previous evening’s fires near the back of the building. Tanner stood looking around in melancholy.
“Sorry it had to come to this, Tanner.” Stafford said as he entered the large steel door, stopping a few paces behind the man.
“I don’t understand why,” Tanner said shaking his head, turning slowly as if he had expected the assassin. “The kingdom had made so many strides under Allion’s father and grandfather. What changed the boy?”
Stafford shrugged. “Who can say? Some say it was the incident with the strange sphere artifact years ago. Maybe he was this way all the time and no one noticed.”
Tanner nodded, “I suppose we better make this quick,” he added accepting the inevitable.
“If it’s any consolation to you, Tanner, I’m supposed to die tonight as well. It seems I’ve also out lived my usefulness to his majesty.”
“You,” queried the manufacturer. Who’d be insane enough to try and kill you?” Tanner asked conversationally. “I stopped trying years ago because I lost so many of my best people; you know before I got to know you better,” he half chuckled.
“Flattery will get you nowhere. “ Stafford replied. “Besides this is a tough business. There’s always someone that’s faster, sneakier, stronger, luckier; no one lives forever. If I don’t miss my guess and I rarely do, my exit from the service to the crown will be facilitated by Mr. Sapp. He has been badgering the king for my job for quite some time. This week the king told him the position is his if he could vacate me from the position.” Stafford laughed. “Until a few moments ago I was seriously beginning to wonder if he had the initiative to attempt it. Am I right Wendell?” Stafford said more loudly as he turned towards the door.
In the doorway stood a pale but angry Wendell. “Shut up,” he yelled almost a scream. “I’m sick and tired of you treating me as an inferior. I’m a better agent than you, I’m a better planner than you and after I kill you tonight I’ll prove to the king that I’m a better killer than you.”
“You keep thinking that, Sapp,” Stafford taunted. I invented more about gathering information when I was a wet behind the ears lieutenant than you have learned in your entire life. As for planning you couldn’t plan water out of a bucket if the instructions weren’t on the bottom.”
“I’m going to enjoy killing you Stafford,” Wendell sneered. “I’m not afraid of you, I never was. You always treated me as weak and unwilling to do what needed to be done. What you failed to realize is that I’m your superior, I always have been. I only suffered your archaic brute behavior at the sufferance of the king. You should have treated me better. I might have included you in one of my advance teams; but it’s too late now; that bridge has been burned. The funny part is,” Wendell’s voice was reaching a maniacal pitch. “I will kill you with your own devices.” He raised high a small hand held artifact. “The king tol
d me in advance that we would be coming back here so I dropped by earlier and added your own flammable pyro throughout the building. This door,” he said grasping the handle “is the only way out of this room. As soon as I close it, it will seal shut and you will be left here to burn with the businessman. I hope your last thought as you die is that I got the best of you and it was your own doing.”
Stafford made is if to lunge for the door. Wendell pressed a glyph on the device he held and the walls of the room burst into flame. As soon as the flames ignited Wendell slammed the door closed.
Wendell pressed the glyph several more times as he made his way out of the building and soon what remained of the structure was a raging inferno. Silently he climbed into the carriage and hollered up to the driver to return to the palace.
As the door slammed shut Tanner was the first to speak. “Does that guy ever shut up?”
“Tell me about it,” Stafford replied turning to Tanner, “If you only knew how many times I nearly cut his throat just to avoid hearing about how great he is at espionage.” Stafford looked around at the increasing smoke and flames. “I guess we better get out of here… the air will be gone soon.”
Tanner kicked away a heap of rubbish near where he stood and bent and lifted a trap door. “You know when you told me that this is what would happen I didn’t believe it. No one is that predictable; but I saw it with my own eyes. You’re one scary fils de garce. I’m glad you’re on our side.”
“Yeah, yeah, let’s go, I have an appointment to keep with my niece’s boyfriend”
By the time Shane entered his dorm he was pretty beat. He had been with the team since the end of the game and had been to several parties and had even considered going to the palace where several of his teammates had gone after the entire team had been invited; with Ava away it didn’t seem like much fun so he graciously declined claiming the need to look after an injury.
