by John Davis
Steiner, still reeling from his flesh wound, realized that if the assassin was to be caught or killed, he was the only one capable of doing so.
Dalton was incapacitated, while such an experienced killer would have made short work of a Colonial sniper. Grabbing Draco in a tightly clinched hold, the Husk used all of his strength to tighten the grip even further trying to snap the bones of the assassin. Draco finally was able to loosen himself just enough to swing his right elbow around and bury it into the face of Steiner, who was stunned but still on his feet. A hard right kick from the assassin changed that, sending Steiner to his back with a thud as Draco spun quickly, doing a back fist with his clinched knuckles wrapped in black leather glove, knocked the pistol from Lassiter's hand.
Forcefully pushing Lasstier to the ground, the much more qualified Draco jumped onto him, his arms pursuing the neck of the Colonial sniper in an attempt to snap it and be done with the pesky commoner. It was his own neck, however, that felt a sudden stiffness as Dalton wrapped both of his arms around it, burying his elbows deep into the shoulders of Draco. After several moments of struggle between the two, Draco clinched the back of Dalton's brown jacket and using most of the strength he had left, launched Dalton over his shoulder through the air as the wiley soldier of fortune crashed into one of the nearby parked vehicles, knocking him virtually unconscious.
As with any assassin, Draco had grown tired of the hands on fighting and picked up Lassier's pistol, which was the closest weapon to him, laying just a few feet away.
He hesitated for a moment, unsure of who to kill first, deciding finally to send Dalton to the afterlife as he aimed down the crisp iron sights at the man he had once fought beside. Meat tore from his shoulder first, followed by skin and muscle from his ribs as
Adam had arrived just in time to fire two shots from his pistol, both hurting the assassin a great deal. Draco quickly made it to his feet just in time to be blinded by several reeling punches and a solid elbow, all thrown into the Benzan's face by Roman Raines.
Draco tried to fight back, throwing several punches with deep intention that would have seriously wounded a normal man, but Roman was no normal man, the farthest thing from it would be the best assessment.
Blocking the punches with the thick aluminum on the backside of one of his partially mechanical arms, the other was thrown to the body of Draco, the sound of ribs breaking under pressure echoed loudly as Roman threw Draco face first into one of the transports, putting him out of commission.
“Enough,” Adam said, doing everything he could to pull Roman off of the Benzan assassin. “We need to find out why.” he added, Roman stepping away as Sarah continued to tend to Lassiter, Dalton and Steiner.
Flag Officer Andrews watched from a tall glass balcony as thousands of Legion soldiers had gathered in formation under him, awaiting his final words before boarding their drop ships which would be descending in only minutes to the surface of Glimmeria to begin the largest battle ever recorded. The ships were solidly constructed with steel plating thick enough to deflect the paltry shots of small arms fire, however they could hardly withstand the pounding of the surface based Mack cannons.
Every Legion soldier knew this, understood the significant chance that once they entered the drop ships, they could be entering nothing more than a death sentence. Still they stood loyal as their Flag Officer placed his hands tightly around the bannister and prepared to speak.
“It is my belief that only the strong should lead. Survive. Take a moment to look around, look into the eyes of those which you fight beside on this very day. You are the strong, and because of this you will survive. The Colonials have tried to separate themselves from the rest of the Skyla System, and in doing so have made a mockery of our very way of life. Today, it is our turn. The Colonials will either submit to our way of life, or they will perish to the will of the strong. May the gods be with all of you!” Flag Officer Andrews said boldly as every soldier began to cheer before chanting the Legion name.
Shortly after, each soldier began boarding their ships with great reserve as Andrews returned to the bridge which would serve as the control center of the Legion High Command for the upcoming battle.
Draco sat on a wooden stool, his hands bound with thick rope and his face bloodied like a scene from a horror film. He knew he was still alive, yet it all seemed surreal, almost as if he were placed snugly into a dream. Steel plated walls surrounding him, the serene silence of emptiness penetrated the air throughout the room as he sat there with no idea of what was to come next. Thick steel began to grind as the door slowly opened, Adam Michaels entering the room and pulling up a wooden chair to sit within arm's reach of the man who had taken the life of Kelly and nearly several others.
“Funny. Nearly ten years ago, you, I, Dalton and a couple dozen other lucky souls made it off of this rock in one piece. We would have given our lives for each other back then, and when we left we were on good terms Draco, so my only question is why?” Adam asked. Draco continued to stare at the solid steel door without so much as a blink, no response and no acknowledgement of Adam's presence, well versed in the tactics of interrogation due to his extensive Benzan training.
“Draco, I am the carrot. I'm in here to try and get the answers I need and maybe let you live to see another day. The rest of my crew is waiting right outside that door, including the man who was deeply in love with the young girl you killed. They are the stick, and trust me, none of them have a problem with cutting the answers out of you and leaving you here to die. So again I ask y..” Adam said, cut off by Draco.
“I did it to save my family.”
“Who?” Adam asked in a demanding tone.
“You're in way over your head here Adam. If you plan to kill me, do it and get it over with. If I say anything, my family is dead, and I promise you I'm not going to let that happen.” Draco replied.
“About three years ago, I was in a bad spot Adam. I needed money...a lot of money. I met a few people and before I knew it I was in with the Benzan Mafia. Yea, I know what you must think of me. I kill people, usually in cold blood and I do it for a paycheck.” Draco said, turning to look into the eyes of his former brother in arms.
“Adam, you have to believe me when I tell you I didn't have a choice. Usually the people I kill, hell they all deserve it. I do society a favor by erasing some of the worst people you can imagine. This was different. Yea, it paid a lot of money and I know she was innocent Adam, but my family? What was I supposed to do,” Draco added as Adam turned away. “WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO?” Draco shouted.
“So the Benzan Mafia is responsible for the death of one of my crew?” Adam asked bluntly.
“No. In fact, they wanted no part of it. They just allowed me the meeting, that's it.” Draco replied.
“I need you to arrange a meeting, put me in the same room as the head of the Benzan Mafia.” Adam said boldly.
“You know I can't do that! Adam, I'm low level with the family, I can't just call 'em up and start demanding that kind of shit!” Draco replied.
“I'll do it,” Michaels said bluntly. “Who do I need to contact and how do I go about it?” Adam asked as Draco directed his attention on the other side of the room, reluctant to answer the question. “WHO GODDAMNIT!” Adam yelled, pulling his sidearm and pressing it onto the forehead of Draco.
“This is Commander James Edwards, the superior ranking officer of Colonial Command. Earlier today, our grid systems picked up a large Legion presence entering the orbit of this planet, leading us to only one conclusion, war is imminent. We have solid defenses set up on the planet's surface, the most capable soldiers in the Skyla System, but above all else we have reason. While the Legion looks to impose its will on a free people, we fight for the reason of freedom,” he said, pausing briefly as everyone near a com unit on Glimmeria's surface continued to stop whatever they were doing to listen to the breaking news.
“A society in which innocent people may live in peace rather than be slaughtered becaus
e of a political agenda. I ask that you all fight with reason, vigilance and the memory of those fallen Colonials who have allowed our freedom up until now. Good luck and God speed.” Commander Edwards announced throughout every Colonial radio and com unit on Glimmeria.
Turmoil set in as Glimmeria's citizens faced the facts, a war with the Legion was at their doorstep, one that would forever change the face of their planet and those who inhabited it. Most of them were quick to evacuate indoors, trying their best to safeguard their families.
Groups of the mechanical masterwork Goliaths accompanied squads of Colonial soldiers who were armed to the teeth, requesting the citizens stay inside of their homes as Colonial Spartan fighters and Glimmerian Swordfish screamed overhead, their thrusters at full burn and ready for the upcoming fight. The Mack stations were already online, however there became a sense of urgency with the staff as they hustled to run full diagnostics and double check the ammunition storage for the surface to space cannons. They were the primary line of defense for the Colonials and the backbone of their strategic war effort.
Meanwhile, Commander Edwards strengthened the security forces inside of the Colonial Command Center. The large, atrium style room, which was made of plated steel and shatter proof glass, was designed to survive a nuclear strike. Therefore, all of the high ranking officials collapsed into the room with equipment enough to run the entire Colonial war effort behind the closed doors of what everyone had began to refer to as the “vault”.
“Where are Lieutenant Michaels and Roman Raines?” Commander Edwards demanded to know as Dalton, Steiner and Lassiter stood front and center.
“I'm sorry sir, who?” Dalton reluctantly answered.
“Do not play with me at a time like this Dalton!” Edwards shouted, smelling the hint of soured lager on his breath.
“Sir. They left to meet with the Benzan Mafia in reference to Kelly's kille...” Lassiter finally admitted, interrupted by the commander.
“THEY DID WHAT? AT A TIME LIKE THIS!” Commander Edwards added in hysterical disbelief. Steiner and Lassiter both sunk their heads toward the floor as Dalton began to recite his soldier identification number as if being interrogated by the enemy.
“ENOUGH!” the commander shouted, bringing his face within inches of Dalton's own, the sight of his stubbled brown beard furthering the blurred vision of a furious commander.
“I should have your ass thrown in the brig for such blatant insubordination,” Commander Edwards yelled as Dalton stared back planning his exit strategy, just in case. “However, with Lieutenant Michaels off doing business that is completely unauthorized, you are next in line in the chain of command Sergeant. I have no choice other than to put you in charge of the security detail of this building.” Commander Edwards said.
“I'm sorry?” Dalton asked.
“I have to put you in charge. You can't follow orders worth a damn, but if the Legion makes it this far, I have no doubt in my mind of your ability to give them hell to protect the lives of everyone here.” the commander answered.
“In charge? You mean like, as in giving orders of my own?” Dalton asked.
“Yes, in charge. Unless you are too drunk to do so?” Edwards asked.
Dalton stood motionless for a moment, cursing his chewing gum for failing to mask the stench of the morning's alcoholic adventure.
“No sir, I'm ready and capable.” Dalton finally replied, stretching his eyes for a moment in an attempt to pull himself from an intoxicated daze.
“Good. You three hit the ammunition reserve down the street, grab plenty of small arms weaponry as well as the nearest Colonial squad, and then double-time your asses back. Set the squad up strategically and you three collapse inside and protect the vault as a last defensive resort. Sarah Blaine will remain inside of the vault with us, it will be a huge boost to everyone's moral hearing her voice through the com system,” Commander Edwards ordered, turning to enter and seal the vault.
“Oh, and if you see Lieutenant Michaels before I do, send him directly to me. Understood?” Edwards asked.
“Aye Captain.” Dalton answered.
“It's COMMANDER!” Edwards shouted. “Huh?” Dalton confusingly asked.
“JUST GO!” Commander Edwards yelled before turning to seal the vault.
“I wonder what's crawled up his ass?” Dalton mumbled as the three men turned to walk down the narrow hallway and onto the street.
“Now what?” Adam asked as he stood with Roman and Draco, the assassin's hands tied snugly with thick rope.
“Now we wait.” Draco replied.
“Just to be clear, even though he's given me his word that we will not be harmed, if he does try anything, your ass will be the first one dusted.” Michaels said of Draco.
“Relax. The Benzans are always good to their word, especially Cyrus. Of all of the Benzans I have met, he considers a man's word to be as important as the soul in his chest.” Draco replied as they remained standing beside three of the mangiest horses Roman had ever seen.
“Looks like you guys have a friend coming.” Draco said sarcastically.
“Fuck.” Michaels replied, catching a glimpse of a Glimmerian lawman approaching them on horseback.
“Good afternoon.” Adam said charmingly, unsuccessfully trying to change the scowl on the Sheriff's face as the dust settled around the hooves of the solid brown steed.
“Adam Michaels, Sheriff Barker. I have a warrant to bring you in to the Colonials.” Adam hung his head for a moment before looking back at the lawman, who was still mounted on his horse, a large rifle laying across his inner elbows.
“Can't do it, at least not at the moment. I'm out here on business, when I'm done you can take me wherever you like.” Adam replied. Sheriff Barker pulled the rifle up, aiming directly at Adam.
“I'm not in the business of making suggestions, a warrant hits my desk and I go out and fetch 'em. That's how it works.” Barker said, his rifle's aim still true to Adam's upper body. Putting his hands in front of him to try and keep the peace, Adam replied. “May want to put the gun away, my friend doesn't take kindly to having them pointed in his direction.” Barker adjusted the gun barrel slightly to aim it at Roman.
“Can your friend dodge bullets?” the Sheriff asked.
“Well actually.” Michaels replied, knowing damn good and well that if Roman was pissed off, Barker would have been dead already.
The Sheriff started to reply, but was quickly drown out by the thrusters of a ship breaking orbit, falling quickly from the sky and hastily approaching to land near them. They all watched as the elongated blade design of the ship's front gave away the fact that it was Benzan, huge clouds of dust rising from the ground as the ship rocked back and forth slightly, finally touching ground.
“Sheriff, you need to leave now. Please.” Michaels pleaded, not knowing what the reaction of the Benzans would be.
As the shuttle door began to open, the Sheriff glanced in its direction for a split second, which was all the time Roman needed. Pulling his combat blade and throwing it end over end with blazing speed and unparalleled accuracy, the knife digging into the flesh of Sheriff Barker's shooting hand and throwing him from the horse.
“Just stay down until the ship leaves, otherwise they may kill you.” Roman said to the Sheriff as he walked over to him, grabbing his rifle and tossing it far enough away from him to be irrelevant.
Sheriff Barker remained on the ground, doing his best to stop the bleeding as he held the wound moments after Roman recovered his blade with a tug. Obviously enduring a tremendous amount of pain, the Sheriff did his best to remain silent as two Benzans exited the shuttle.
The first was a tall, slender man with dirty blonde hair braided down his back. He wore a pair of reflective silver sunglasses, a white long sleeve shirt with buttons and carried a solid black pump shotgun. He was everything the men had pictured a member of such a notorious crime family looking like. The second Benzan out, not so much.
Brunette hair with a slight but l
ustrous curl, she moved with perfect symmetry, deep blue eyes, a white v-neck shirt and gray cargo pants, she had a small machine gun pistol hanging from a black leather strap that draped over her shoulder. Unlike anything Adam or Roman expected, she was simply too damn beautiful to be in this line of work. Not society's definition of beautiful, which amounted to makeup, empty talk and a glamor filled wardrobe. She was a pure beautiful. The kind of woman who could make men do almost anything with a simple request. Of course, if that didn't work, she still had the machine gun pistol as leverage.
“The agreement was three passengers, not four.” the tall Benzan man said as the attractive female kept a finger on the trigger of the rapid fire pistol, its barrel pointed to the ground.
“Relax Oz, the one laying down is a Sheriff who decided to show his damn face only minutes ago.” Draco replied. With a slight nod of Oz, the female began to walk toward the lawman with intentions of ending his life.
“No! Please, he is of no harm. Simply came to serve a warrant on me is all.” Adam said, stepping in front of the Sheriff in an attempt to plead for the man's life. It would be the very first time Adam and the young lady of such immaculate beauty locked stares.
“It's alright Sasha, leave him be.” Oz said, standing by the ramp of the ship as he waited for everyone but Barker to board.
“Weapons.” Sasha said as she began collecting everyone's killing devices on their way up the steel ramp which was outlined with glowing red bulbs. Taking it upon herself, she quickly reached out and grabbed the combat blade of Roman, attempting to pull it from its casing which was strapped around his leg. Meeting her grasp with one of his own, he gripped her wrist strongly as a warning.
“Careful.” Sasha warned, breaking his hold on her and removing the blade as Adam nodded slightly to keep Roman calm.
