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Episode
020
“Good ahead, punk. Make my day.”
“The design was simple.” Ernesto said, as he sat with Orson,
Uriel, Aaron, and Phillip. “I was told, by you, Phil, to come up with a
fortress that would be impregnable to any direct force-based offensive.
One that would be heavily protected from any bombardment, and one that
could be sealed off and still maintain the internal occupancy for years.
Perhaps even decades.”
“It’s Granite Inn all over again.” Orson said, his feet up on
a side table. Aaron looked up with an annoyed glance, but he said nothing.
“Why does the Triumvirate want this?” Uriel asked, to the
group. “Are we really in a position to oppose the UN? Much less the
Illuminati? Would such a place really be necessary for such an
offensive?”
“Apparently, they think so.” Phillip said. He looked to Aaron.
“What about this ‘World Alliance’? Are they a part of the
Illuminati?”
“Not at all.” Aaron said, shaking his head. “They’re
harmless.”
“Great.” Phillip said, leaning back in his chair. “So we’ve
got all the makings of us going to war, yet no clear reason why.”
“Three locations.” Everett said, as he and Armand sat together,
watching the business men walk from one corporate office building to
another. Sitting in the midst of the giant corporate park, the two waited
quietly. “I hope Edgar knows what he’s doing.”
“I don’t’ like trusting Morgan.” Armand said. “He just
rubs me the wrong way.”
“Me too.” Everett said, sitting on the bench. “But, he was a
knight. So he should get that much respect.”
“Was.” Armand said to himself, thinking about that. He looked
up and turned to Everett. “Do you know why he left?”
“I don’t like this.” Roland said, chewing on some gum.
Leaning against the brick wall, he stood over Morgan, the two unnoticeably
watching the fairly empty lot outside the movie theater. “Why would he
be here? Why shoot someone that isn’t here?”
“They’re all inside.” Morgan answered, not even blinking
behind his clear reading glasses as he scanned the parking lot and the
trees on the edge of the lot, separating the giant movie theater’s land
from the shopping center beyond it.
“Still.” Roland said. “Just doesn’t seem very smart to
me.”
“I never said this guy was smart, Roland.” Morgan said. He
glanced up at the knight. Dressed in black with a green shirt, Morgan
almost matched Roland’s knight uniform. “I just said this guy would be
here. Here or at one of the other locations.”
“Today should be four or five.” Edgar said, watching the edges
around the hospital.
“Counting or prime numbers, right?” Ledger asked with a bored
thought, his shotgun tucked neatly underneath his jacket.
“Right.” Edgar said, nervously tapping the side of his leg, the
act causing his rapier to bang against his leg noisily. Ledger looked at
the banging, then to the knight. “Sorry.” The middle-aged man said
with an embarrassed smile.
The cartridge slid into the gun with no effort. Eli leaned back
against the tree, his face cast up, even as he stared at the distant site.
His gun was laid across his body as he waited. The scope dug into his
shirt, but he ignored it. He looked around, seeing the cars travel quickly
by. He smiled a sardonic, sarcastic smile. He knew he’d have plenty of
cover.
“Here they come.” Roland said, standing up. His hand traveled
slowly to his side, the beautiful katana becoming clear from beneath his
raincoat.
“You look like a weirdo.” Morgan observed as he watched the
movie crowd, standing also. “It’s sunny and warm and you’re wearing
a trench coat.”
“It’s the uniform.” Roland protested. “Black everything,
red shirt.”
“I know, Roland. I know.” Morgan said. “Just, you’re
carrying a sword. It’s obvious with or without the jacket. You could at
least take pride in the fact that you’re under arms and not . . .”
Pop.
The crowd went silent.
One person fell.
“He’s here!” Shouted Roland, jumping around the corner.
Morgan was right behind him.
Pop.
The crowd shrieked.
A second person fell.
“Go!” Shouted Morgan to Roland, pointing to the crowd. Roland
burst into a sprint, running for the panicking crowd. Morgan, on the other
hand, ran straight ahead, aiming across the parking lot for the tree line.
Pop.
The crowd scattered in panicked horror.
A third person fired.
Morgan skidded to a halt, dropping low.
Pop.
No one fell.
Behind the scope, Eli’s eyes went wide.
When Morgan stood up, he grit his teeth, tearing the cover off a
manhole in the isle of parked cars. He hoisted the heavy metal disc into
the air.
Pop.
Sparks.
A bullet lodged itself into the pavement.
“Damn.” Eli said, swallowing dryly.
Pop.
Morgan stepped just slightly to the side.
Sparks.
Another bullet.
“Oh man.” Eli said, sweating pouring down his face. He turned
his gun.
Morgan turned his head also. Torqueing his body powerfully, Morgan
threw the disc to his right. The heavy metal top flew silently in the air,
spinning powerfully. The woman just in front of the disc skid to a halt
just in time to miss being hit. The disc flew slowly in the air, just
inches from her face.
Pop.
Sparks.
The woman fell, the disc landing at her feet.
Eli turned the gun back to it’s first victim, taking aim. He
pulled the trigger as Morgan walked calmly towards the tree line.
Click.
Eli’s eyes went wide again. “No.” He whispered desperately.
He looked up, seeing Morgan was close enough to see him. “Please, god,
no.” Eli whispered.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Eli stood up onto his knees, trying to keep low. He desperately
grabbed for his bag, but a whistling sound came through the air. He looked
up, just in time to duck down.
A powerful katana came flying through the air, spinning like a buzz
saw. Eli let the sword fly over him, then he jumped to his feet.
Crack.
Eli jumped back just in time to keep from having the tree fall on
him. He looked up, to see opposite Morgan, Roland racing towards him.
“Oh god.” Eli whispered, seeing them through the short, but thick tree
line.
“We can see you.” Morgan yelled powerfully, his voice catching
Eli’s heart, stunning him. “If you try to run, you will not live to
see your next moonrise.”
“I like the ‘moonrise’ thing.” Roland said as he slowed,
glancing at Morgan.
“I thought it added a poetic touch.” Morgan said, still
watching the forest.
Eli turned and ran.
“He’s running.” Roland said, preparing to give chase.
“Go!” Morgan shouted. The two rushed towards the tree line, but
as they approached, a beep went off. Roland skidded to a halt just as a
cloud of gas was released from the thick pine straw on the ground. The two
began to cough violently, their eyes tearing up as their lungs began to
burn.
“Tear gas!” Roland yelled, back-pedaling, his shirt held over
his nose. Morgan dropped low, rolling on his side to get away from the
gas. The ex-knight came up onto his haunches, holding his eyes as he tried
to keep calm. But the force of the gas was too strong. He threw his head
over, vomiting out onto the pavement.
“Morgan.” Roland said, coming up behind his partner. The knight
helped to push Morgan over also, but his own body convulsed and he was
thrown to the pavement, throwing up also. “Damn.” Roland whispered,
hunched over, his head on the pavement.
“Don’t worry, Roland.” Morgan said, his eyes closed, his
voice raspy from coughing so violently. “He only got three people. We
screwed his plan. He’ll get sloppy, desperate. We’ll get him next
time.” |