Nathan jested to aggravate his captors but his main reason was for his own morale; he had never been hurt like this before and he didn’t know how much more he could take. He had passed out twice for short periods of time but was able to quickly recover with another smart remark as he awoke. They still hadn’t restrained Nathan’s legs yet, he knew he’d only get one shot to try something. Nathan also knew he didn’t have much time, he knew his body couldn’t take much more no matter how willing his mind was.
* * *
Anthony had been friends with Nathan since they were fifteen, his parents had moved to south Louisiana from Detroit when he was nine. After high school Nathan went off to play college football while Anthony joined the Army; after the Army Anthony attended Tulane University to get his degree in criminal justice. No matter where their paths led them over their twenty years of friendship Anthony and Nathan were always close never allowing distance or life to get in the way of their friendship. So it was now that Anthony stood by a tree looking at the Harrisburg compound. Anthony took note of the very high security patrolling the city; it looked to Anthony as though they were guarding a nuclear weapon. He wondered if his friend was able to make it inside or not. Anthony stood tall and calmly moved around the tree as a patrol vehicle was passing on a road close to him. After they passed Anthony moved south thru the woods trying to see if he might find a place where Nathan may have infiltrated. Anthony took note of the rapidly rising temperature as he moved thru melting snow, down in the twenties on his trip over the temperature had quickly climbed to the mid sixties in a matter of hours.
Anthony grabbed the bottom of his sword’s sheath as he crouched to get another look at the compound. He tilted his head ever so slightly so that his ear was listening behind him. Anthony had felt for a while that he was being followed but not by anyone that was particularly good at it. He kept calm as he stood not to alert his new stalkers he then continued his nature walk thru the woods carefully weaving in and out trees so as to not give up a straight line of sight. After a few minutes Anthony came to a small overhang that dropped off about ten feet. After moving his way down Anthony knew he was out of view and that the lack of snow under the overhang would make him hard to follow.
Nathan had brought back many weapons from Japan one in particular made him think of Anthony when he obtained it, a traditional Samurai sword. While not particularly old or ornate the sword was made by one of the finest weapon making families in Japan still insisting on a thousand folded steel even though some thought that an outdated technique. Nathan thought the plainness of the sword combined with an edge that could slice thru steel chainmail matched his friend perfectly. Anthony rarely drew his sword but when he did it often resulted in deadly consequences, as he drew it this time however he hoped for a different outcome.
Anthony made a couple of quick steps in the snow then retraced his steps back to the overhang and to a nearby bush to wait for his tail to show. After a few moments he could hear footsteps making their way down the overhang. Two young soldiers appeared, one black and one white reminding Anthony of the years he and his friend made a similar pair as they went on their misadventures looking for women. As they approached rifles at the ready one noticed the prints and motioned for the other to follow. As they passed Anthony came up behind one soldier and placed his sword, blade side in against the soldier’s throat while pointing his pistol at the other. The other soldier turned unsure of what to do.
Anthony spoke in a very calm reassuring voice. “Put your rifle down private.” The soldier heard Anthony’s command but was frozen in place still unsure of how to react. Anthony spoke again in his calm tone. “Its ok soldier nobody is going to get hurt as long as you do what I say.” Anthony saw the battle in the Private’s eyes. “Listen I was a Staff Sergeant not that long ago and I know you are scared for your brother and unsure of what to do, I give you my word that no one will get hurt…if you do what I’m telling you.”
The Private could see the honor in Anthony’s eyes and placed his rifle to the ground. Anthony nodded. “Thank you now please put your back to that tree and reach as high as you can above your head with your palms to the trunk.” Anthony then spoke to the soldier he had. “You too please.” The soldier dropped his rifle and moved next to his friend on the tree. Anthony placed his sword back in its sheath but kept his pistol drawn he then pulled five fifty chord from his pouch and tossed it to the first soldier. “Tie his hands behind his back and make it snug please.” As the soldier was complying Anthony questioned them. “Why were you following me?”
The Private getting his hands tied looked over his shoulder. “We were hoping you would lead us to the rest of your group.” Anthony was perplexed. “What makes you think that I’m with a group?” The soldier continued. “We captured your guy on the inside we know your planning an attack.” Anthony thought on that information for a moment knowing they must have been talking about Nathan. He continued to direct the soldiers as he investigated. “OK you sit on the ground while you tie his hands to the tree. Did you transmit that you were on my tale?” Anthony looked at the second soldier who hadn’t said anything thus far. “And be honest please.” The soldier just finished tying his comrade as Anthony motioned for him to turn around. “There weren’t enough radios for all the patrols, we were ordered to report back if we saw anything. We were trying to follow you to the rest of the terrorists and report your location back to our Lieutenant.”
Anthony stopped tying the soldier’s arms for a moment. “Terrorist? Do I look like a terrorist?”
The soldier grew nervous; he didn’t want to offend his captor. “Freedom fighter?” Anthony just shook his head as he tied the second soldier to the tree then checked the security of the lines.
“What happened to the one you captured?” The first soldier shrugged while the second tried to answer. “I saw the camp director going to the airports hanger warehouse and thought it was odd but I’m not for sure.” The second soldier added. “You’ll never get in the camp has been on high alert ever since we caught your guy.” Anthony conceded the point. “You might be right, we’ll see.”
Anthony began to move off then stopped obviously uncomfortable. “Look this isn’t normally my job but I’ll give it a shot. What you have been told is wrong, there is no terrorist group.” The first soldier asked. “What happened to Huston and the rest of the world then?”
Anthony tried to explain. “There are terrorists but there is no terrorist organization… well there is kind of but it’s not what you think it is.” Both the soldiers were thoroughly confused now; they heard Anthony take a deep breath and mutter under his breath. “How the hell does he do this?” He then turned back to the soldiers. “Listen there is an organization that has infiltrated our government and is trying to form a one world government not against a terror threat but for their own power. Very soon their going to try to convert our military over to this alliance and get rid of US sovereignty.” The Private who had Anthony’s sword to his neck earlier shook his head. “Bullshit that will never happen.”
Anthony sighed. “Not if my friend and I have anything to say about it, but mark my words they will try. When they do remember what I said and remember your pledge to defend our country.” Anthony hoped he said enough. “When I’ve retrieved my friend I’m going to pass back thru this area, if you haven’t escaped yet I’ll cut you lose.” Anthony turned to look at one of the soldiers in the eyes so that he knew they understood his next words. “I will scout this area thoroughly before I return; if I see any hint of an ambush I will be forced to kill you and whoever’s here.” Anthony reached his left hand behind him to pat the butt of his sniper rifle indicating his ability to follow thru with his threat. “I would rather not do that right now… I would rather give you and the rest of our troops the chance to get on the right side of this war first.”
Anthony nodded and walked off towards the Harrisburg airport having no idea how he could get to Nathan or if he was even alive.
*
* *
Deshad had made his way back to the Harrisburg compound taking note of the much higher state of alert the place was in then when he left. After showing his clearance badge Deshad drove his snowmobile thru a guarded gate to the airport. He drove thru the slush towards his plane where one of director Ackers agents was standing. The agent cleared six seven and was easily 350lbs. Deshad stopped his snowmobile got off and began to move up the cargo ramp of his plane; the agent moved to stand in Deshad’s path. “Director Ackers requests your presence.”
Deshad stopped and looked at the agent as if he had lost his mind. The large agent wasn’t used to being intimidated by anyone, certainly not by this little man in a black suit, obviously the man had no idea who Deshad was or that he just took down a black ops commando unit single handed.
Deshad couldn’t control himself he just bursted into laughter. The agent didn’t understand what was amusing. Deshad moved to walk around him but the man placed his hand on Deshad’s shoulder. Deshad pushed the agent’s hand away and side kicked his knee snapping his leg backwards. As the man lay on the gate of the cargo plane screaming in agony Deshad moved to place his bag on the plane. After a moment he came out and stood over the man still screaming.
“MY LEG! YOU BROKE MY FUCKING LEG!” Deshad nodded matter of factly. “I know, usually I’d follow that up with a dagger to the throat… but I’m in a good mood. Now where is your director, he and I need to have a talk.” The man pointed to a warehouse as his body shook with pain. Deshad started walking towards the warehouse making it a point to clip the foot of the agents injured leg on the way. As the agents screams died down thru short painful breaths Deshad spoke while he walked away. “Have my snowmobile on the plane when I return.”
* * *
Nathan tried to rest as much as he could; he wanted to conserve his energy. He heard the door to the warehouse open and moved his eyes to see who it was. A man of average build and size entered wearing all black and armed in a manner Nathan might have armed himself. Nathan lifted his head and stood as best he could; he knew this man wasn’t military or one of Ackers’s agents, his intuition turned out to be true as Director Ackers quickly moved to greet the man with a very low bow. Nathan couldn’t hear the conversation but the man appeared agitated as Ackers spoke to him the whole time never making eye contact; eventually Ackers pointed in Nathan’s direction. As Deshad looked at him Nathan knew immediately what this man was; an agent of the Prince.
Deshad never turned his gaze from Nathan knowing that something was different about this man. Nathan could see the man in black was accustomed to people fearing him, evidenced by the fear Ackers showed. Nathan had an idea, he wasn’t sure if it would work but he knew he had to try something. He called to the guard on his left. “Hey jackass comere I got something to tell you about your mother.”
The witless agent willingly walked into Nathan’s trap; as soon as the agent was in range Nathan pulled his right leg across his body as if to perform a crescent kick but instead thru his leg behind the agent’s head so that the agent’s face was in the back of Nathans thigh. Nathan then squeezed his leg trapping the agent’s head between the back of his calf and thigh; Nathan then placed the back of his left knee over the top of his right ankle effectively executing a chokehold with his legs. Nathan looked intensely at Deshad as he squeezed as hard as he could trying to kill the agent before his partner arrived. Deshad was intrigued at this show of force which he knew was obviously for his sake. Director Ackers immediately yelled at his other agent to intervene.
Nathan saw the other agent approaching but never took his eyes off Deshad as he gritted his teeth and tightened his grip. The second agent ran in baton extended and ready to strike; as soon as he got close enough Nathan released the first agent. As the second went to strike Nathan kicked his baton hand quickly withdrew his leg and kicked straight up under the agent’s chin as hard as he could, the agents neck snapped back killing him before his body hit the floor. Nathan then calmly stood as tall as he could and looked directly at Deshad once again.
Ackers was making too much noise and Deshad didn’t care anyway, he put his hand to Ackers face to push him out of the way as he slowly made his way to stand in front of Nathan. Deshad looked the large man up and down. “Am I supposed to be impressed?”
Nathan grinned. “No, if you want to be impressed let me go. You’ll be impressed right before I kill you.”
For the second time in less than an hour Deshad was about to burst into laughter but he held his amusement to a small smile. He thought he must be in some alternate plane of existence; nobody ever challenged him they all knew better. He nodded at Nathan as he turned around not concerned with staying in Harrisburg any longer. “Another time perhaps.”
Nathan made a sucking sound with the side of his mouth as he shook his head. “And I thought you were going to be different than these cowards… but I guess all the Princes men are weak cowards.”
Deshad stopped and looked over his shoulder. “I don’t know who you are but you will regret speaking his name.”
Nathan continued his prodding. “Then stop talking and release me if you’re so damn sure of yourself.”
Deshad then turned back around and walked a couple of feet in Nathan’s direction. “I should just slit your throat.”
Nathan clinched his fists his muscles flexing under the sweat and dried blood, he leaned his head forward as far as he could trying to get face to face with the assassin. “But you won’t.”
Nathan’s instincts as a profiler were correct; Deshad’s arrogance would never allow him take such blatant disrespect, his pride and overconfidence wouldn’t let him simply kill a chained man that had just challenged him either. Nathan didn’t know who Deshad was but Deshad was intent on showing him.
Nathan had failed to suffocate the first agent before being interrupted; waking up from his nap with a pounding headache the agent was just getting his wits about him when he heard the Prince’s assassin speak to him. “Release him.”
Neither Nathan nor Deahad ever dropped the others gaze as the guard was slowly beginning to stand still dizzy and light headed. Deshad’s words were now beginning to formulate in the agent’s mind as he looked to his boss.
Director Ackers quickly moved to Deshad’s side. “Sir we can’t release him, we bel….”
Deshad punched Ackers in the throat with just enough force as to not crush his windpipe.
Deshad returned to his stare down with Nathan. “My mercy for members of our order has limits.” Deshad momentarily switched his gaze as he addressed the agent over Ackers coughs.
“Release him.” Deshad motioned with his hand towards Ackers. “Then take this one and leave.”
As Nathans restraints were released one by one his instinct was to immediately attack everyone in the room but the tremendous pain he felt as his arms and shoulders returned to their natural position reminded him that he was not in top form. Nathan let his muscles stretch taking note of the cuts on his wrists from the handcuffs, scars he knew would never completely heal.
Deshad stood at rest with his hands folded on top of one another in front of him. “Take a few moments to gather yourself; they will be your last.”
Adrenaline slowly began to pulse through Nathan’s body as the rage began to take over, Nathan sneered at Deshad. “You are going to regret not killing me when you had the chance.”
With that Nathan launched towards Deshad with a flurry of quick kicks and punches, Deshad easily parried surprised at the vigor his opponent had considering the beating he had taken. After Deshad checked a low kick Nathan quit the assault and stepped back a few feet.
Deshad turned his head slightly as he eyed his adversary, Nathan was testing the waters trying to get a sense of the assassin’s fighting style, Deshad knew this tactic he had used it many times before. “You’re not trying.”
Nathan shrugged slightly. “Didn’t wanna hurt your feelings by beating you too quickly.”
Deshad nodded. “Very wel
l, now it’s my turn.” This time it was Deshad who advanced, he took a wide left step then a right as he leaped towards Nathan with a superman punch. Nathan stepped to the side slapping the strike with his open palm. Deshad landed and ducked a swing by Nathan returning a spinning backfist. Nathan raised his right hand to the side of his head in a muay thai block then countered with a left overhead elbow that Deshad barely escaped.
The combatants once again separated both having a better understanding of the other. No words were spoken this time as they both ran in. Deshad went for a spinning back kick that Nathan sidestepped. Nathan then returned with a hard body kick that hit Deshad in his kidney. The assassin rolled forward coming up in the ready position as Nathan was already in the air aiming for Deshad’s face with a flying knee. Deshad leaned out of the way, as Nathan landed he turned into a high kick that caught him on the side of his jaw. As Nathan stepped back momentarily stunned Deshad thru his left leg forward for momentum as he spun to land his next spinning back kick in Nathans stomach. Deshad landed and went to follow thru with a front kick but Nathan bulled thru swatting Deshad’s leg to the side as he landed a right elbow flipping Deshad backward.
Armageddon Rise Of The New World Order Page 21
