Wizard Cadet (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 2)

by Rodney Hartman

  Richard imagined a whole clip full of his imaginary ammo. Without releasing his grip on his M12, Richard wrapped the magazine in the handle of his .44 caliber AutoMag with Power. Using telekinesis, he extracted the magazine and lifted the flap of his dimensional pack. He dropped the magazine inside. For some reason, ‘the One’ would not let him have extra magazines for his standard weapons beyond his basic load. He didn’t know if the rule applied for imaginary ammo, but Richard was taking no chances.

  Richard continued to spray the brush to his front with plasma rounds. He stopped only long enough to fire another 20mm grenade into the wounded werewolf when it started to rise off the ground. Then he went back to spraying the brush. Maybe the plasma rounds slowed the creature’s reinforcements down, or maybe they slowed on their own due to the unknown noise. Whatever the reason, the predicted five seconds passed without their appearance.

  A small amount of Power left Richard’s reserve. He felt a little relief. His imaginary rounds must have been summoned successfully.

  Bummer though, Richard thought. Those silver-filled rounds cost me Power.

  What did you expect? said Nickelo. Only your standard equipment is a freebie. Liquid-filled, silver bullets are definitely non-standard. You’re just lucky ‘the One’ or whoever controls your dimensional pack stocked them or was able to make them in a hurry.

  Yeah, aren’t I the lucky one, Richard said.

  Without further comment, Richard stopped firing his M12. He released his grip on the M12 and let the weapon hang free from its shoulder strap. Reaching over his shoulder with his right hand, Richard raised the flap of his dimensional pack and pulled out a magazine of ammo. He slapped the magazine into the bottom of his .44 caliber AutoMag and pulled the pistol out of its holster. In preparation for the upcoming battle, Richard moved the lever on his phase rod to destructive. Small arcs of red energy began running up and down its length.

  I concur, said Nickelo. They know you’re here anyway.

  Several half-man, half-animal shapes ran out of the brush. They stopped dead in their tracks when they saw Richard. One of them put its hands over its ears and seemed to grimace in pain.

  It’s the phase rod, said Nickelo. Its energy frequency affects creatures differently. They must feel it. By the way, don’t forget the round in your AutoMag’s chamber is a normal round. You won’t get the silver one until the second shot.

  Richard hadn’t forgotten. Soldiers who forgot things like that usually didn’t last long in combat. He didn’t mention the fact to his battle computer. He just stood there facing the five newly arrived werewolves. The first werewolf was still wallowing around on the ground, but Richard got the impression it would soon be on its feet as well. Richard wasn’t sure how long the standoff would have lasted, but before it broke, an average-sized man came strolling out of the brush as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

  He was a handsome man with a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. He wore dark pants and a light shirt with ruffles around the sleeves. A fine set of riding boots adorned his feet. For a moment, Richard forgot about the werewolves as he tried to figure out how the man had gotten through the thorny brush without ripping his clothes.

  “Ah,” said the man with an almost friendly smile. “Now I understand. I was wondering why these two lovely children stopped at the stream. I was even more amazed when those green streaks of energy started tearing into my faithful pets.”

  “We’re not your pets,” snarled one of the werewolves in a deep, guttural voice. “You’re lucky we don’t rip you apart and eat you along with these kids.”

  “Now, now,” said the man in a voice that was icy calm. “There’s no need for that. Also, it’s impolite to interrupt when someone is speaking.”

  The man made an offhanded wave at the werewolf who had challenged him. The werewolf grabbed its throat and made choking sounds as it fell to its knees.

  “Now, where were we?” said the man nonchalantly. “Oh, yes, I was telling you of my surprise. You have a very good stealth shield, my friend. Even at this range, I can barely sense you. I wonder, is it your best one? Or are you running a lower-level one to conserve Power.”

  He’s either a magic user or some type of demon, said Nickelo. I’d bet a freshly-charged isotopic battery on it. In either case, he’s more dangerous than the werewolves. Be ready for anything, Rick.

  Richard mentally acknowledged his battle computer’s advice.

  Nick, Richard said. I can understand them. Are they speaking standard?

  Negative, Rick, replied Nickelo. Their language is in my databanks, but I don’t have a name for it. Since I’m not translating for you, ‘the One’ must have modified your memory to allow you to understand the local language. He did that on your last mission as well if you remember correctly.

  Richard did remember, but he said nothing. What could he say? He didn’t have enough information to perform any kind of useful analysis or to make any kind of decision. He could only react as the situation developed. Richard heard the children breathing heavily behind him. So far, they were obeying his command and sticking to the same spot. He hoped they would continue to do the same.

  “Don’t you have anything to say?” said the man. “No? That’s unfortunate. After spending the last six months with only these uneducated buffoons for company, I’d hoped for an intelligent conversation. A pleasant diversion would be such a nice change.”

  “Enough talk,” growled the werewolf Richard had wounded. It had fully recovered and was now on its feet. “I’m going to rip this one apart,” he said gesturing towards Richard, “and then I’m going to slowly tear out the throats of those children as I listen to their screams.”

  “Now, now, Jacko,” said the man. “Don’t be so barbaric. You should learn to evaluate the situation more before you speak or act. This one is dangerous. I would highly advise you to not act rashly.”

  “To the seven hells with you,” growled the werewolf. “Get him, boys!”

  With those words, the werewolf charged. Two other werewolves also charged to the attack with him. One went to the left and one to the right while Jacko charged straight down the center. Richard noticed the well-dressed man did not move. He just stood there smiling in amusement. Two other werewolves remained standing near him. The last of the six was still on its knees holding its throat while it strained to breathe.

  Richard raised his .44 caliber AutoMag and pulled the trigger. The first round hit Jacko dead center in the chest. He was a head taller than the other werewolves, and even the large .44 caliber round did not slow him down. Richard thought Jacko actually gave a little smile. The big werewolf continued towards Richard with death in his eyes. Richard pulled the trigger again. This time the round hit Jacko in the left side of his chest. Richard sensed the .44 caliber round penetrating the chest. Just as it entered Jacko’s heart, the round exploded. Liquid silver was propelled throughout the werewolf’s chest. He was flung backwards onto the rocky ground. Richard did not wait to see if the werewolf moved. He still had two others to worry about.

  Swinging his arm to the right, Richard said, Nick.

  His battle computer obediently took charge of the battle suit’s right arm. When the AutoMag was perfectly aligned with the approaching werewolf’s head, Richard felt the trigger finger of his glove move.

  Boom!

  Richard did not bother trying to see what was happening to the right. He trusted his battle computer to do what needed to be done. Instead, he concentrated on the werewolf to his left. It had taken a flying leap and was heading straight for the children. Richard swung his plasma rod to his left and caught the werewolf in the side of the head. The force of the blow shattered the werewolf’s skull. Richard sensed microscopic explosions scrambling the monster’s brain. The force of the blow deflected the werewolf’s leap away from the children. Even as it hit the ground, Richard sensed it starting to heal itself.

  No way, bozo, Richard thought as he pointed the AutoMag at the werewolf’s head and
pulled the trigger. The werewolf’s silver-splattered brain did not attempt to heal itself this time.

  Quickly spinning back to his front, Richard pointed the AutoMag in the direction of the man and his companions. None of them had moved. Richard sensed a screen of energy surrounding the trio.

  He’s got a defensive shield up, Rick, said Nickelo. Don’t waste your ammo. However, that one still trying to catch its breath is outside the shield in case you hadn’t noticed.

  Richard fired a .44 caliber round into the kneeling werewolf’s head. It flopped over backwards onto the gravel. It twitched a couple of times and then stayed still.

  “Very nicely done,” said the man in a conversational tone.

  If not for the dead bodies lying around, Richard would have assumed he was talking about nothing more important than the weather. The two remaining werewolves were growling, but they did not move outside the man’s protective shield.

  “You’re him, aren’t you?” said the man. He paused as if waiting for Richard to answer. When he didn’t, the man continued. “There’s no use denying it. They’ve given out your scent. As soon as I got a reading on your Power, I knew it was you.”

  The man laughed as if he’d thought of a private joke.

  “I knew my opponent would send someone,” said the man, “but it never occurred to me it might be you.” He gave another laugh.

  Richard said nothing. His nerves were on end, and he was trying to watch everywhere at one. He doubted the fight was over, but he hesitated to be the one to break the momentary calm.

  “Oh, how I wish I could have been there,” said the man. “I would like to have seen you snatch victory out of Efrestra’s jaws. It would have been a sight to see. You know, he’ll never stop hunting you, don’t you? His brother demons tortured him for a thousand years. That time is long past, but he still remembers you. Your only saving grace is that he has been forbidden to visit the physical plane. But, if he knew you were here in this magical dimension and where you were, he’d be here in an instant. Even his three brothers would delight in catching you. You’ve made some powerful enemies, human. Or should I say, wizard scout.”

  Richard did not answer. His brain was working furiously assimilating the information he’d been given. His memory of his mission for ‘the One’ the previous year was sketchy, but he did remember a demon in the form of a dragon vowing to find and punish him. He also remembered helping an elf find part of some kind of seed. The elf had been a priestess of some type. He remembered liking her, but he only vaguely remembered what she looked like. He mostly remembered fighting undead and learning how to use defensive shields. Most of all, he remembered being afraid a demon was looking for him. Apparently, his fear was not unwarranted.

  “Fortunately for you,” said the man, “I have no love for either Efrestra or any of his brothers. Your secret is safe with me, for now at least. In the meantime, my companions are hungry. Since you have stolen their meal, I must go find them another. None of the locals venture into this forest anymore. Even the bigger game has moved on. I think it is time we moved on as well.”

  The man bowed and said, “Farewell, my silent friend. We may meet again, but it will not be tonight. So sleep soundly my little children, and dream of that which could have been. You may not be so fortunate the next time.”

  The man and his two werewolf companions turned and walked back into the brush. They left their dead where they lay.

  He’s still got his defensive shield up, Rick, said Nickelo, so hold your fire.

  How’s that possible? Richard said. Defensive shields are Power hungry.

  It must be a natural ability, or maybe he just has a large Power reserve, said Nickelo. How am I supposed to know? In any regard, he’s gone, and I suggest we do the same.

  Richard didn’t have to be told twice. As nice as his campsite was, he had no desire to spend a sleepless night this close to the scene of the battle.

  Should I put my best stealth shield up? Richard said. He said that demon is looking for me. Contrary to what he said, there’s no guarantee he’s not spreading the word I’m here right now.

  Anything’s possible, Rick, said Nickelo, but let’s deal with things as they come. You definitely need to keep your low-level stealth shield up, but I believe that’s good enough for now. Even that demon, and I do believe that’s what he was, even he said you were difficult to detect until he got close. I believe the most important thing is to get your Power reserve back to one hundred percent and keep it there. You can recharge your reserve while your low-level shield is up. You can’t with your best shield activated. That’s all there is to it.

  You’re right as usual, Nick, Richard said.

  Turning his attention to the children, Richard looked at them and said, “Are you kids all right? Are you hurt?”

  Richard knew they weren’t seriously injured. His passive scan told him that much. He just wanted to get them talking.

  “We’re fine,” Dren said finally. “Thanks to you, we are. We have some scratches, but that’s all.”

  “Are they gone now?” Brachia asked as he stared at one of the dead werewolves lying nearby.

  Richard noticed the boy’s lips trembling a little. His eyes were shinny as if wet, but no tears came down his cheeks. Richard respected courage, and both of the children seemed to have plenty of that.

  “They’re gone,” Richard assured the little boy, “and we’re going to be leaving as well. I know you’re both tired, but if you can walk just a little farther, I’ll get you some food and water. You can eat while I break down camp. Then if you think you’re able, we’ll find something a little safer than here.”

  “We can make it,” said Dren. After a short pause, she added, “Thank you for not abandoning us. They would have…” Her voice trailed off, but she did not cry.

  “It’s going to be all right,” Richard said in a voice as kind as he could muster. “I’m not leaving you again. Not unless you make me.”

  Nick, Richard said. They can’t see in the dark, and I don’t want to use white light. Can you feed me the specs for some night-vision equipment? I hate to lose the Power for modern equipment. A pair of old-fashioned night-vision military goggles should be adequate for our needs.

  Nickelo didn’t answer, but the battle suit’s heads-up display quickly displayed a pair of goggles with a monocular tube sticking out. Richard imagined two of them. After he felt Power transfer from his reserve to his dimensional pack, he reached over his shoulder and pulled two sets of goggles out of the pack. He switched them on.

  “Here,” Richard said. “Put these on. They’ll help you see. Then follow me. If I go too fast, you should just tell me to slow down.”

  Before long they reached Richard’s makeshift camp. The bottom of the beef stew was burned, but Richard scrapped out enough of the unburned part to satisfy the children’s hunger. The hot chocolate was a lost cause. However, both Dren and Brachia drank several cups of water with their hasty meal. They did not complain.

  As each piece of camping equipment was put back in his pack, Richard felt a small amount of Power return to his reserve. It was only about half of what it took to summon the items, but Richard was grateful for whatever he could get. As he started to place the blackened and food encrusted stewing pot in the pack, Richard felt a twinge of guilt. For all he knew, some poor slob was going to be forced to scrub the pot clean. Richard hated to think of the curses coming his way out of the mouth of whoever got stuck with such a thankless job. Of course, for all he knew, the camping equipment was destroyed when he put it back in the pack. On a whim, Richard removed his boot knife and scratched a small letter R near the pot handle. Then he placed it in the pack.

  Once the campsite was clear, the children put their night-vision goggles back on. By mutual agreement, neither the children nor Richard felt like sleeping anywhere near the stream. Under Nickelo’s guidance, Richard followed a path in a general northward direction for several hours. Eventually, near daybreak, the children cou
ld force their tired bodies no farther. Under an outcropping of rocks, Richard setup a tent for the children with two sleeping bags and pillows. Dren made him promise to wake her in order to take her turn at guard duty. Richard told a little white lie and said he would. The children were soon fast asleep.

  Richard sat on the ground with his back against a convenient boulder. He placed his M12 across his lap and stared at the surrounding forest.

  Nick, Richard said. I think we should just rely on my passive scan and avoid the helmet’s electronics unless absolutely necessary.

  I agree, said Nickelo. Why don’t you try and get some sleep. I’ll stand watch. I don’t sleep anyway.

  No, Richard said. Those two werewolves could come back, or that demon might show up. I have to be ready. Give me a stimulant to keep me awake for a few more hours.

  Roger, said Nickelo as he told a little white lie. I am administering a stimulant now.

  Richard felt a warm liquid enter his arm through one of the thread needles. His eyes slowly closed, and he drifted off into a deep and restful sleep.

  * * *

  Sleep well, my friend, said Nickelo. You’ve done well today. I’m proud of you.

  Nickelo resigned himself to waiting the endless nanoseconds until his friend was once again awake. He amused himself by thinking of new ways he could irritate his wizard scout. He gave a laugh in anticipation. He had time to think of many ways. He could hardly wait to use them.

  Chapter 9 – Questions and Answers

  ____________________________________

  Wakie, wakie, Richard heard a voice say.

  A little at a time, Richard cleared the cobwebs from his befuddled mind. He slowly opened his eyes and raised his head from where it rested on his chest. Awareness of his surroundings slowly came back to him. It was daylight. From the position of the sun, he guessed it was past noon. A sweep with his passive scan assured him all was clear.