by J W Murison
The distraction was enough for Charlie to get the drop on them. Before they could move he had the weapon he had just taken off the officer pointed at the Modloch who sat alone at a big ornate table. It took both his hands to wield the pistol; his fingers didn’t reach the trigger.
The Emperor went very still. ‘Do you know whom you point a weapon at, Human?’
‘I remember you.’
‘Yet you dare point a weapon?’
‘If one of your men so much as move a muscle I am going to kill you.’
‘It would start a war.’
‘I would be dead anyway, so why would I care?’
‘Good point,’ the Emperor conceded.
‘So what is this all about?’
‘I have been told that you are rather intuitive. Why don’t you venture a guess?’
Charlie already knew, but decided to play the game. ‘Well my big friend Gord is here along with a half dozen others dressed the same way. I will presume that they are your personal body guard. The others are dressed very differently: tight black clothing with purple flashes and piping. Discrete, hard to see in the dark.’ He titled his head towards the Emperor. ‘Did you know that Humans always dress the bad guys in movies in black?’
‘No I didn’t.’
‘Here is another interesting fact. Did you know that at one time on Earth purple was the hardest colour to produce? As a result only royalty was allowed to wear it. Any commoner found wearing the colour was put to death.’
The Emperor found it hard not to smile. ‘That is very interesting.’
‘Isn’t it just? But back to what I am seeing here. A single chair, which I imagine is for me. One of your men in black has bindings stuck through his belt. Now let me see... Aha! The incident at the ball. I must have offended you with my wee demonstration. You must have taken it rather personally. You discovered I was coming aboard to visit the Chief and decided to right the wrong you believe I did you. Which means that these fellows in black are your private executioners. How am I doing so far?’
‘Remarkably well for a commoner. You are also exceptionally calm. Admirable.’
‘As are you, considering this is the nearest you have ever come to being killed. I don’t imagine there are many who have stuck a weapon in your face. I thought you would have been screaming like a little girl by now. I am impressed.’
The Emperor smiled, ‘So what do we do now?’
‘You’ll know about my neural link with my ship, so I presume you have some form of field surrounding this room or building to neutralize it. Which means I would have to get a fair bit away before I could actually escape.’ Charlie tilted his head again, ‘You know the motto of my regiment is “bydand”. It means stand fast.’
‘You mean you have no inclination to run?’
‘None at all,’ Charlie admitted, ‘I would far rather kill all of you and then everyone and everything I come across until I am killed myself.’ He paused for effect. ‘Did you know I come from a race that is famous for its fighting skills and tenacity in battle?’
‘Your King did tell me that, as a matter of fact. Now I am beginning to see what he meant. I have to question if you would actually do it.’
‘I would have absolutely no problem doing it. You know there are those who are still protest about the millions of Albany civilians asphyxiated during the battle for the city ship?’
‘Yes, there are those who say it was due to battle damage but others say it was done deliberately. You Humans seem to have no explanation.’
‘I have one: it was deliberate. We overheard an announcement by the Albany commander saying he had armed every single one of his people so they could fight us. He told them that if they captured even one of us, those involved would receive the serum first. If they died then their immediate family would receive it.’
‘Yes I am aware of that. It is on record.’
‘They did it too. When I found myself in one of the control rooms and discovered, with the help of our ship, exactly what controls I was looking at, I shut off the air to those sectors. My Captain tried to stop me.’
‘Captain Gordon.’
‘That’s the man. I think he still has nightmares about it. There are days when he simply can’t look me in the eye. Of course I did it in every other control room we fought our way to that day too.’
‘You admit this freely.’
Charlie looked him straight in the eye, ‘Why not? It isn’t like the dead can tell tales, is it?’
The Emperor seemed to lose some colour about the snout. He realised just what a precarious position he was in. ‘It looks like my own pride has led us down a very dangerous path.’
‘It has indeed.’ Agreed Charlie with a cheeky grin. ‘In fact it is a lethal path. I would say the only person that has any chance of surviving this is me. If I can live long enough to get outside your dampening field then I can get aboard my ship and alert our fleet before yours become aware that you are dead. Our commanders will have to attack your fleet, most likely destroy a large part of this city, and any city with military craft, dock yards, or space ports. We’d then make a run for the great barrier. Yup. I think this is going to turn out to be a very bloody day for the Modloch Empire.’
‘I could just let you go.’
‘I don’t trust you. You will then believe that the harm I have done you is tenfold to what it was this morning. Who knows, that may lead you to attack our fleet. I really couldn’t let that happen, could I?’
‘So our fates are sealed.’
‘Oh, I don’t know. I have to admit I was a little cocky at the ball. After all, you are an Emperor. I could start by apologising for my attitude.’
‘You were boastful as well. What was it you said? That it wasn’t men like those that we would meet in battle, it was men like yourself.’
Charlie cocked his head, ‘Did you find that boastful?’
‘I most certainly did.’
‘I was actually being very serious. I was trying to convey a warning to you. Those in political office can often lure people unacquainted with them into a false sense of security.’
‘So you were trying to do me a favour?’
‘In my very common way, yes. I imagine someone such as yourself would not feel threatened by us Humans at all.’
‘I have to admit this is the first time. I also have to admit I am still doubtful. Not doubtful that you could pull the trigger and kill me, that I am sure of.’
‘I don’t really like being called a liar. I have never killed anyone for it. But I do tend to get upset. I suppose I could prove it.’
‘By killing everyone?’
‘I don’t really think that would do anyone any good. I don’t fancy going down in history as the man who started a war with the Modloch race.’
‘It would most likely result in the end of your species.’
‘I would never be forgotten though.’
The Emperor laughed, ‘You have a point.’
‘Maybe, but you are the one who was trying to kill me in the first place.’
‘You insulted me.’
‘What if I was telling the truth?’
The Emperor hesitated, ‘You mean I should accept that you were trying to give me a friendly warning?’
‘Yes.’
‘I don’t actually think that would work. No, I think I would still feel insulted.’
Charlie raised an eyebrow, ‘You have a gun pointed at your head.’
‘I am just being truthful.’
‘I get that, and respect you for that answer. So how about if I prove it?’
The Emperor sighed, ‘By killing everyone.’
‘No. Ever heard of unarmed combat?’
The Emperor frowned, ‘Of course.’
‘You have a dozen men here: top troops, specialists even.’
‘Are you suggesting you fight them?’
‘Yup.’
The Emperor laughed, ‘But they would kill you.’
‘Then that should pr
ove to you without a shadow of a doubt that I was lying, and I was being boastful. If this lot can beat me or kill me, I will accept that as justice for my arrogance.’
The Emperor didn’t want to die, but nor would he be shamed. His pride was riding high but his admiration was growing for the Human. ‘I think I can accept that.’
‘If I win, will you accept the fact that I was not being conceited or boastful, and was genuinely trying to convey a concern I had?’
‘You believed that I was not taking the Human race seriously enough?’
‘Very much so. You are arrogant. You think that if it came to a conflict your forces could wipe us out.’
‘Of course I do. We are Modloch, not Albany. Of all the races that inhabit this galaxy, we Modloch are the fiercest and most war-like.’
‘Which is probably why our races have so much in common. Yet I still fear you have no real concept of Human fighting skills.’
The Emperor sighed and threw up his arms, ‘Here we are again.’
‘Right, back to square one.’
‘Do you really believe that you can beat my men unarmed?’
‘Doddle.’
‘That did not translate.’
‘Easily.’
‘You call me arrogant!’
‘I am not being arrogant, simply stating what I believe is the truth.’
The Emperor thought it over, ‘I accept. If you can defeat all of my men in unarmed combat I will accept your apology through this trial of strength.’
Charlie took a deep breath to protest then thought better of it. ‘Fine. You can act as judge then. If any of your people reach for a weapon I expect you to shoot them.’
‘I don’t have a weapon.’
Charlie offered his and the Emperor’s eyes widened, ‘You are giving me your weapon?’
‘It is unarmed combat, I won’t need it.’
‘Are you a fool?’
‘No, just a very good judge of character.’
‘You seem sure of that.’
‘A moment ago you were prepared to die for your honour. I am taking a bet you would shoot yourself before you shot me in the back.’
The Emperor reached for the gun, took it and placed it on the desk in front of him. He turned his attention to his men, ‘Remove all your weapons. You will fight this Human, and if he happens to die during the fight, then so be it. However, before he dies I would really like to torture him for his arrogance.’
He turned his attention back to Charlie, ‘Who knows Human, if you fight well, I might even let you live. In which order would you like to fight them?’
‘One by one, all together,’ Charlie shrugged, moving away from the desk, ‘it won’t matter much in the end. As you have seen fit not to order my death I shall return the favour by trying not to kill all of your men.’
‘That is very generous of you.’ Charlie wasn’t sure if the Emperor had thought it or spoke it. His attention now was focused on his aggressors as they moved in.
The fight didn’t last very long. The Emperor was dumbfounded. One moment Charlie was in front of him and the next he was crashing into the two executioners who had made the first move. The two hit the wall. There was a crack as Charlie used a jumping turning kick to knock the first out then grasped the second one’s wrist to use him as a flail against his companions. He knocked two of them down and changed his grip on the one he was holding to the ankles. It was a bit awkward swinging the huge Modloch above his head, but he managed it a number of times, battering the three into unconsciousness. Charlie tossed the limp form away. There was one executioner left on his feet. The royal guard had bunched up together and were slowly retreating from Charlie. He knew they were gathering room to charge. The executioner tried to move sideways towards where he had thrown his weapons but Charlie read his thoughts: he was counting on his own Emperor not shooting him. As the executioner made a dash, the weapons suddenly disappeared from the floor in front of him. A second later he was being strangled by his own weapons belt. As the Modloch slipped into unconsciousness and sagged, Charlie snapped his neck like a twig.
The crack of bone made the Emperor jump. His eyes met Charlie’s and he felt real fear for the first time in his life. The Emperor eyed the twitching corpse. ‘I saw him reach for his weapons. If you had not killed him, I would have.’ He turned to his guards. ‘If any of you reach for a weapon, the Human has my permission to kill you. Do not disgrace me further.’ He turned back to Charlie, ‘Continue.’
The Modloch guard had locked together, three in the front, three in the back, almost like a scrum. A phalanx of horns and tusks were presented at him. Charlie backed away until he was a few steps from the wall. He checked how much head room he had and nodded at Gord, who was in the middle of the front rank.
Gord roared something that did not translate and the six charged with heads down. Charlie was impressed by their turn of speed. Gord’s horns were aimed directly at his chest, which meant they were bent low and well over their point of gravity. Charlie knew they could never hope to brake the momentum they had gathered. As they drew close Charlie took two steps and simply leaped over the top of them. Only Gord managed to lift his head. The Emperor cried out as they crashed into the wall.
Charlie had flipped while in the air and was already facing the backs of his opponents. A swift kick between the legs put one Modloch down and out of action. A kick right snapped the leg of another. The one to Charlie’s left made a grab for him but he snapped the arm as though it was a twig. Of the front three, only Gord was conscious. Charlie tossed the Modloch in his path away and reached down for Gord’s ankles. Gord bellowed with surprise as his feet were taken out from underneath him. Charlie took a step back, performed a couple of turns and launched Gord across the room. The unlucky Modloch smashed through the glass doors and crashed into the barriers on the balcony.
Charlie did a quick scan of the room but no one else had any fight left in them, so he followed Gord, who was lying completely winded against the guard rails. Before Gord could react Charlie had swung him up and over the balcony and was holding him by a leg with one hand. He began to hum to himself as he swung him to and fro.
The Emperor was in shock. He looked round the room at his shattered soldiers. His hand went instinctively for the pistol but hesitated. Drawing his hand back the Emperor got up and got up and joined Charlie on the balcony where he was still swinging the luckless Gord. By now Gord had got some of his wind back and was howling his indignation.
The Emperor looked over the balcony, ‘Are you going to drop him?’
Charlie looked up, ‘Och no. I just wanted to see if he would squeal like a wee girl.’
‘You mean like a young female?’
‘That’s the one.’
They both regarded Gord for a few seconds and burst out laughing. ‘Give him a little shake,’ suggested the Emperor.
Charlie obliged and Gourd’s howls increased. They both laughed.
‘Let him up, it is getting embarrassing now.’
‘Move to the side then.’
The Emperor did so and Charlie flipped Gord over the rail and into the room where he lay in a heap, trembling. The Emperor walked back to the rail and grasped it in both hands before looking down at Charlie. ‘I accept your apology Human. Now I understand the message you were trying to convey.’
It annoyed Charlie for a few seconds, but the Emperor had after all offered an apology. He shrugged and leaned against the rails, ‘No bother.’
‘Maybe I should ask your President for a Human guard,’ the Emperor spared a glance behind.
Charlie looked up at the Emperor, ‘In the history of your people has an Imperial Guard ever turned against their Emperor?’
The Emperor was shocked, ‘No, never.’
‘In that case I would stick to my own kind if I were you.’
It took a few seconds to sink in, ‘Ah! I see. Are there many men of no honour in the Human race?’
‘Enough to be a pain in the arse all the way
through our history.’
‘It is a shame, but now I feel vulnerable. An unusual sensation.’
‘We could always help train your people. For unarmed combat I would recommend the Chinese. Their martial arts skills are beyond compare.’
The Emperor looked down at him. ‘You don’t recommend your own people?’
‘I would be doing you a disservice. I am just a common infantry soldier. Ask the King to arrange a martial arts demonstration for you.’
‘I will. You wouldn’t want to fight these Chinese?’
‘Only a bloody fool would want to.’
The Emperor sighed. ‘It is so hard to grasp; one species with so many different races. Or is it one race with so many different species?’
‘Not quite sure actually. I suppose now we consider ourselves as one people. That didn’t happen until your brother arrived with that bloody great ship of his. That made all the silly sods look up.’
‘Then the Albany did the Human race a favour.’
‘Certainly did. It made a change from killing our own kind.’
‘Do you feel guilt for the lives you took?’
‘In the darkest of nights and the longest of hours, I can still hear their silent screams.’
‘You took that decision on your own.’
‘Completely.’
The Emperor shook his head, ‘I doubt if any of my soldiers, especially one as lowly as you, would have taken that kind of decision by himself.’
Charlie raised an eyebrow, but let it slip. ‘It is one of the reasons my race has been considered so formidable over the centuries. Since childhood we are taught to think for ourselves. Make a decision, stand by it. If you get it wrong, take the consequences. Our history is full of men just like myself who saw an opportunity and took it. Not just in battle either.’
‘I get the feeling that not all races are like yours.’
‘Nope.’
There was a strange buzzing noise. The Emperor turned and surveyed the room. ‘My afternoon tea. If my servants see all these bodies lying about they will panic and sound the alarm.’
‘Tell them you are in a private meeting and to leave the tea at the door,’ Charlie suggested.
