Not on Her Watch

by Nicole Zoltack

  Neil woke up. For now, Venom's Vengeance was alone, but that would not be the case forever. He would find himself this woman. Surely the Colonel would agree that he deserved a wife.

  Neil might not know what love was, but he wanted it as badly as he wanted to hope for that new dawn.

  Chapter 16

  The boy struggled to return with the body, dragging it along the sand. Shauna rushed out to assist him and then gave her as much of her rations that he could carry. Wordlessly, Alejandro handed her some bars from his rations. He might talk a big game and complain a lot, but he was a good man and a solid soldier.

  The boy huffed and puffed. "I'm sorry it took me so long," he said.

  "You came a long way." Shauna patted his shoulder.

  He grimaced and shuffled his feet. "Don't yell?"

  "I won't," she promised, hating to see him so worried and upset.

  "All grown-ups say that and then they yell anyhow," he grumbled.

  She raised her eyebrows.

  The boy cleared his throat. "I didn't have to drag far. He'd been just over there." He pointed out the door across the street.

  "So what did you do? Did you tell someone about us?"

  The boy wrinkled his nose in anger and disgust. "No! You gave me food. I'd do anything you ask for life! But I, ah, I went to see Gelin Dalith."

  "The leader, right? Why did you go see his body?"

  "He had an awesome short sword. Guldor stole away my dagger, so I don't have a blade, and it's a lot harder to kill rabbits with rocks. I wanted the short sword." The boy lifted his chin in defiance. "Yeah, maybe it was wrong to want to steal from a dead guy, but someone beat me to it! His short sword was gone!"

  Shauna walked over to the Captain, who was hovering over Brook and Hunter, who were collectively working on the dead body.

  "Can I have the pictures?" she asked.

  The Captain shifted his gaze from her to the boy and back again. "You trust him?"

  "He hasn't led us wrong so far."

  "And if that changes… You have to be smart, West."

  "I already am or I wouldn't be on your team." She smirked.

  The Captain opened his mouth, shut it, and nodded.

  She shuffled through the pictures as she returned to the boy. "If you look closely at his boots, you can see a handle. I know it's not the best quality, but—"

  "So the guy's a killer and a thief. Nice. You don't think…" The boy paled and trembled. He hugged his arms around himself. The fright in his eyes threatened to make Shauna hug him too. "You don't think he used Gelin Dalith's short sword against him? That's terrible! But it's just something a snake would do!"

  "It is venomous," she agreed, "if he did that. Do you have any idea who this is?"

  "Nope. Can you recognize someone by their legs?" the boy asked skeptically.

  "No, but it was worth a shot."

  "I guess." The boy shrugged.

  "What's your name?" she asked suddenly.

  "Why? You aren't going to stick around here forever. You aren't going to change anything. The Army came. The Marines. They did a hold lot of nothing. What are you all anyhow? You're all wearing funny-looking hats."

  "Don't worry about us or what we're here for," she said firmly. "I am asking you your name, but if you don’t want to tell me, fine. I'm Shauna West." She held out her hand.

  He flinched. "Oh. You aren't going to hit me for not answering?"

  "No. Of course not. If you have nothing else to share, you can go."

  The boy rushed to the door and then hesitated. "I'm… I'm dead. That's what I am. I was born here. I'll die here. Everyone here will die. We should've left when the Duskyrns came around."

  "Who?" she asked, confused. "Oh, the couple with the boat."

  "Yeah, Sorn and Sabrae Duskyrn. They were nice enough to us. Not to them. They attacked them from time to time. It was nice that someone was fighting back. The leader guy? Gelin Dalith? He just wanted to try to ignore the problem. Well, the problem sure didn't ignore him!"

  "You aren't dead yet," she told him.

  "Nah, but it's only a matter of time." He shrugged. "Better to think that way. Then, when it happens, I won't be disappointed. I'd be right."

  "Wait. One more question."

  "Shoot." The boy grinned.

  "Have the… Have they..."

  The boy's smile stretched even wider.

  "Have they ever targeted people like this before?"

  "No. It's always been random shootings before or in battles with you people. This was… What's the word?"

  "Cold-blooded assassinations," she supplied.

  The boy snapped his fingers. "That's it! Yes. Assassination. A cold-blooded works too. Aren't serpents cold-blooded? "

  She nodded. "You're a smart boy."

  He wrinkled his nose. "Jevan Zolond."

  Shauna held back from hugging the dear child. "It's nice to meet you, Jevan Zolond."

  "Yeah, well, thanks. If it weren't for you, Shauna West, I'd die of an empty stomach." With a wave, he darted out of the door and quickly disappeared from sight.

  "There's only so much we can do," Brook was saying. "So many tests we can run. I never thought to get a sample from the air during the storm."

  "We can still study the sand, though," Hunter pointed out. "It's covering the buildings."

  "I wonder how long it lasts for," Brook asks.

  "It can't be long." Shauna shook the papers. "They wouldn't risk hurting their new assassin."

  "Maybe only while the sandstorm is active. Damn." Brook clenched her fists angrily. "I saw a few bodies on our way here from that cave. Sure, I thought the sandstorm might've been responsible but almost accidentally. Not that the sandstorm was deliberately an attempt to harm and kill civilians."

  "That's just crossin' the line too far," Dawson drawled.

  "We can't let this go without a fight," Alejandro said. "What's the plan, boss?"

  Most likely, Captain Jones hadn't heard Alejandro because he would never have accepted that laidback attitude. Knowing Alejandro, it hadn't been meant disrespectfully. When they were out in the field, they operated more than as a team. They were a family.

  "Now that we have reached the logical conclusion that they are operating underground, we need to learn just how deep this island goes. Begay, Reyes, you work on that. Rozene, keep us posted about any sandstorms, whether natural or unnatural are brewing."

  She nodded. The artificial illumination from their lamps highlighted her severe cheekbones. "My pleasure, sir."

  "You two, work on the body. See if you can find anything. I know we're hampered because we don't have a lot of equipment, but take as many samples as you can."

  Brook and Hunter nodded.

  "Nguyen, Jacobs, you worked out the comms situation, yes?"

  "Affirmative," Mack said.

  "Good. Set up Glover, West, and Fernandez. Adams, I want you to stay here."

  Hunter looked crestfallen but nodded.

  "Glover, West, Fernandez, I want you three to go out and scout. Lay low. Don't engage anyone. Not stray kids." The Captain glowered at Shauna.

  "No, sir."

  "What should be looking for?" Lela asked.

  "Anything suspicious. This assassin. Do not engage him, however." Captain Jones glared at them all as if he expected them to disobey him. "Keep an eye out for any caves or other places that will make suitable hiding places for another storm. I've seen sandstorms before, real ones, and that was nothing like what I had ever seen."

  The Captain had reacted to the approaching sandstorm like Shauna had never seen him before. She'd never witnessed or experienced one personally. When he dictated they hustle to that cave and to move that boulder like it would be their saving grace, she'd been shocked. A simple sandstorm wouldn't ground them for the duration, would it? But it had, and only because of his swift thinking had they avoided getting sick. She hadn't time to take in the sandstorm herself, too busy moving supplies and then helping to shift the boulder. W
hatever he'd seen had frightened him to death. She'd never seen the Captain scared before. Worried? Yes. Frustrated? Of course. Angry? Without a doubt. But afraid? Not until that very moment.

  "We need to be careful and cautious. We must gather more intel. Stick together. Come back before dark."

  "Should we check out those places the Lieutenant Colonel suggested?" Alejandro asked. "Or not bother because they're above ground."

  "Precisely, Fernandez. Ignore them for now. If necessary, we'll visit them. Again, ignore the assassin if you do happen to see him. Unlike in the movies, it takes a lot of strength and raw power to be able to decapitate someone and with a short sword too." The Captain shook his head. "Not one of us is going home missing pieces or in a body bag. Do you hear me?"

  "Yes, sir!" all of the sergeants commanded.

  "Roll out!"

  Chapter 17

  Neil was having difficulty waking. He could hear voices, but they were muffled. His body would not move, and his eyes refused to open. Slowly, gradually, the voices came into focus although they remained hushed and difficult to overhear entirely.

  "Questioning…"

  "Not break free…"

  "Mind…"

  "Memories…"

  "Control…"

  "The others?"

  "Not ready yet."

  "How long?"

  "…focus on…"

  "Trust him?"

  "Yes."

  "Can I trust you?"

  Neil's body could now be moved, and he yawned to alert the others he was awake. He would not dare eavesdrop.

  At once, the others fell silent. Neil stretched and sat up.

  "How do you feel?" Doctor Despair asked.

  "Well rested. And hungry." Neil smiled ruefully.

  "The steak might be a little cool, but here it is." The doctor grabbed a tray from a table and handed it to Neil.

  Neil ate as if he hadn't in days.

  "Your next mission," Colonel Kronston Taer said, "is to be on the lookout for more Marines or any foreigners for that matter. Any Americans. I want them all brought here."

  "And not killed?" Neil asked, confused. "Wouldn't all Americans here be because they're military and sent to destroy us? Not that they can even hope to accomplish that. Americans. And the rest of the world for that matter. All they do is hate and argue and fight. War and chaos are what they thrive on. That is why they fear us so badly. That is why they will not join us. I am afraid that we will be forced to go to war against them in order to achieve our peace. Even though we want peace for them as well, I doubt they will be able to accept it."

  The Colonel looked to the doctor. Doctor Despair could not seem prouder.

  "Venom's Vengeance, I will forgive you for questioning me this time," Taer said coldly, "but do not do it again."

  Neil stilled, pushed his empty tray aside, and stood, stiffly going to attention. "My apologies, sir!"

  "Do not doubt me ever again." The Colonel appraised him before admitting, "Your zealous and full belief in our cause is what drove that question. I do understand that. Yes, do not kill them, unless, of course, they threaten you. Even if they verbally threaten you or try to hurt you with a gun, knife, anything at all, you wouldn't be in danger. You are unstoppable. You are Venom's Vengeance."

  "I am Venom's Vengeance. I will return with as many Americans as I can."

  "Come back before nightfall," the doctor said. "You have four hours. Go round up the enemy."

  "At once."

  Chapter 18

  At the last minute, Captain Jones insisted that the Warrant Officer Trinity Shepherd tag along on the scouting expedition. Shauna didn't know Trinity that well. She kept to herself mostly. With ear-length, jet-black almost blue hair, Trinity had a way of carrying herself that suggested she'd pave a way deep into the military. But only if she can get her unit to rally behind her. Captain Jones may be tough, but he's a born leader. I'm not sure Trinity has that same stock.

  Shauna ducked beneath a branch and winced at her thoughts. She had no right to judge a woman she hardly knew. She was jumpy and on edge ever since they had left. They hardly went more than fifteen paces between discovering another dead body. Faces hid behind rocks or within the half-demolished buildings. No one else was walking the streets. Where was Lieutenant Colonel Padilla? Where were his men? Other units were supposed to be here as well, but they had seen no signs of any of them.

  At least the isolation meant that they hadn't come across any of the Hidden Serpents either. Although I sure would love to get my hands on one and make him or her talk…

  Fours hours they had been scouting now, and they had maybe two more before the sun would set.

  Alejandro held the map and was the leadoff man. Lela was trailing behind, and Shauna slowed down so that they were walking together now. The Warrant Officer was even farther back.

  "Have you heard anything from your mother?" Shauna asked.

  "Nothing. No news is good news, right?" Lela gave her a wan smile.

  "Sure," Shauna said sourly. There had been no news concerning the Marines. None. No way was that a sign of good news.

  At the end of this street, Alejandro hesitated.

  "What is it?" Lela asked.

  "If we head to the east, we'll be along the street where…"

  "Where the Marines were taken." Shauna's gaze immediately went to the rooftops. They had been told that the Hidden Serpents had lookouts everywhere, but so far, they hadn't spied a single one.

  "Guys, I have a bad feeling about this," Lela whispered.

  "Honestly, I do too," Shauna admitted.

  Alejandro shrugged. "We don't have to go that way, but there might be a clue."

  "They torched the place, remember?" Shauna said.

  "You two can stay here. I'll go check it out."

  "Alejandro Mario Fernandez, do you mean to insinuate that we aren't brave enough?" Shauna demanded, frustrated and annoyed.

  "I don't insinuate anything. You know I spell it out in black and white. I don't think you're not brave enough. I do think it will be hard on you. Maybe I have a wee bit of compassion in my heart." Alejandro patted his chest.

  "We should not split up," Lela said firmly, "and we should all have a say. Shauna and I already shot you down, Alejandro. We should head for the mountain."

  "Because the highest elevation has anything to do with the deepness of the island," Alejandro said.

  "We could head back," Shauna suggested. "Or go along the perimeter. Or pick a random direction and just walk. We have been wasting our time. We have learned nothing. There aren't many places to hide when another storm comes. We have to find better places."

  "What's worse is that just standing here is making us vulnerable," Trinity Shepherd finally said. "Let's go."

  Shauna nodded, held out her hand for the map, scanned it, and then glanced up and around her.

  Down that street eastward, where her love had been captured, stood one man standing over another. They were far enough away that she couldn't quite hear their exchange or see their faces clearly. But one thing was very visible. The tall man, the one in camouflage and boots, stood in such a manner that he appeared ready to kill. Had he injured the man on the ground? Why wasn't he trying to defend himself?

  Suddenly, the standing man grabbed the prone one and lifted him into the air easily. He held him parallel to the ground before slamming his back against his knee. A sickening crack filled the air, and Shauna was so disgusted that she covered her mouth to prevent herself from being sick. The killer wasn't done though. As if he was twisting a lid off a jar, he then broke the man's neck and dropped him to the ground.

  The man dusted his hand.

  Alejandro grabbed her and Lela and yanked them back out of sight. Trinity had stepped back already herself. A few minutes of quiet panic and worry passed them by. Eventually, Shauna risked another peek.

  The killer was gone.

  For an hour, they waited before they figured the killer had left the area. They approache
d the body and discovered it headless. The man had been an American soldier. His dog tags were missing. While Alejandro checked him for ID or weapons or anything that might help, Shauna lifted back his left sleeve. Although he sported a distinct tan line from his watch, the timepiece was missing.

  "Who was that?" Shauna asked, her words hardly audible. "Did you see the way he…"

  "He was like the Hulk," Alejandro said. "Impossibly strong. This guy has to weigh close to two-hundred and fifty. To break his back over his knee is insane."

  "Guys, look at this," Lela said, her voice shaking with fear.

  Shauna rushed over.

  From the victim's blood, the killer had traced two words into the sandy ground.

  Venom's Vengeance.

  Alejandro shouldered the guy, nearly hoisting him onto his back. Most of the other bodies nearby had been charred, but a boulder had protected a soldier who must've died weeks ago. Between the two of them, Shauna and Lela carried him. Trinity led the way with the map.

  It was a long, sombering trek back to the others.

  Who was Venom's Vengeance? The killing machine? What had made him so strong? Who was he and who was he avenging?

  They had almost arrived when Shauna halted.

  "Listen up. I think he saw us. I think that's why he killed him. I think that's why he left us that message."

  "Ah, so he wants to inspire fear in us. Too bad, dog. I ain't afraid of no one," Alejandro said.

  "Maybe it was a threat," Lela said.

  "Or maybe it was a promise," Shauna said. "Come on. Let's hurry up this last leg. It's almost dark."

  Chapter 19

  The hours had passed Neil by quickly. The Americans were hiding, and as the minutes wasted without him finding one, he grew more and more frustrated. He would not fail in this assignment. How could he possibly fail? He was more than just a mere soldier. He was Venom’s Vengeance, and vengeance against those who threatened worldwide peace would feel the sting of his bite.

  When he reached a certain street, he hesitated without understanding why. What was going on? Was he remembering something from his past? He did not wish to return to that torment, to that agony. All that mattered was the future.