by Bonds, Javan
While Randy worked on permanent arrangements for her, Amy made an offer. “Like, she can totally stay with us, for reals!” Without question, the interim mayor agreed. Though he wasn’t that happy about It, Benji silently relented as well.
The four costumed heroes came out onto the sidewalk, facing west and the setting sun. About to turn to their north and make their way to the airport, they were chanced upon from their south by three loud, joking figures in Mandalorian armor.
The black highlighted trooper was heard saying, “And she said, ‘but I thought they were all supposed to look like that!’” The trio laughed uproariously.
Noticing they had an audience, they quieted. The shorter two of the trio looked up at the set of armor in the middle before glancing at Benji. “We got to be on a mission with Salzman. We’ll leave him with you.” The two hurried further down the sidewalk and disappeared over to the east.
Benji cocked an eyebrow at an extremely tall version of Boba Fett left standing alone. “Neal?”
Unclipping his helmet, Paradis held it at his side. “Yeah man. This armor kicks ass!”
Robert looked at the suit with admiration. It was uncommon to find someone bulkier than himself. “What kind of steel you got?”
The bounty Hunter tugged on the hilt of the wrap around his waist. Over four feet of greenish metal dangled in three strands. “Jonah’s Three-Headed Snake.” He raised a finger with the other hand and explained further. “Urumi sword. It’s a whip blade. I’ll tell you about it on the way home.” Neal joined the party. Now there were five champions ready for battle.
Before they crossed 1st St., Roberto Martinez came out of the front door of the coffee shop and started walking their way. Abruptly, he stopped and rubbed his eyes. “Yorley?”
The little girl perked up, but before she could even respond, he exploded. “Yorley! Where have you been? I didn’t know what happened to you... thought the monsteros got you. I’m so glad you’re alive!” If it wasn’t for the master translation of Spanish by Neal, the others would’ve been completely lost.
Running to each other, they were both crying and speaking incomprehensibly. Paradis explained they continually referred to one another as uncle and niece. The parientes walked together to the courthouse. Though not yet knowing the details, Bob repeatedly thanked the heroes as they passed.
Amy waved goodbye to the little girl. “Aw, at least she totally found some family!” All the assembled made a conscious effort to think about anything besides their own families.
Benji winked at his fellow airman. “Guess it was supposed to be, right?” The impersonator of Johnny Blaze nodded, staring to the western horizon.
☠☠☠
54
The Most
Dangerous
Game
Noticing the sun sank below the horizon hours ago, Alan Peacock mentally checked off the houses he visited tonight. Peters, Hemrick, Olson... Every single one of them was just as ready and willing as he had been to accept the power of God and do what must be done in these trying times. The overall justification was “something so good can’t be wrong.”
If what they now saw as religious dictation laid down by the Heavenly Father was truly a sin, it wouldn’t be so easy to accept. What was once seen by society as barbaric corruption was now a commandment passed down from God through His holy vessel. The shrewd weren’t willing to question orders from on high. God wanted them to use the demonic tools of deception against the great deceiver; especially if that meant appeasing their own palates in the process. The Lord was gracious!
Tomorrow, they already discussed, was the beginning of the conflict between good and evil. During holy warfare, those puppets being controlled by the Prince of Darkness would be used to feed the Army of God. When the enemy found out what was becoming of their brethren, they would quiver and quake under the fist of divinity!
They may not be as willing to stand against the Trinity once they discover their ultimate fates. Terror was a trait seen often in the enemies of the Church. And especially in this case, it would be justified.
☠☠☠
Even though the devout had become blind to the trickery of The Wolf, he was playing a dangerous game. Letting the sheep become the masters of the slaughterhouse was just getting them closer to him without his realizing it. Because his barbarism was now unveiled, accepted to a point, and even reveled in by the flock, he was only one wrong word away from losing his tender grasp on the marionette strings.
The church members might be complacent at the moment, even willing to perform atrocities if they believed said heinous acts were truly the will of God. But, those willing to be despicable for another were more likely to commit inhumanities against the one, given a reason, even unverifiable. When the truth is discovered, their horrific crime against the one they relied upon might be even more disgusting than the cruelty they inflicted in his name. Mike Brown wasn’t aware; this was the most dangerous game he had yet played.
☠☠☠
55
I’m Not Gonna
Stand Here
and Wait
Prophecy from The Book of Smokes
From time to time, there will be at least one character who believes the laws of the old world should be followed to a T. As the Justicar sees it, strict adherence to a system that no longer exists will keep them on a path to righteousness. Cold and calculating this protagonist may be, but there can be no justice outside conventional legality. Possibly a policeman, private detective, veteran, or general public servant, The Justicar will remain on the straight and narrow, no matter how twisted at times it may seem, until the end.
☠☠☠
Because of the number of recently lost children, the time restraints of making a report had shrunk from forty-eight hours to twenty-four, twelve, six, and ultimately to the immediate. Just before the night duty staff was set to arrive at the county jail, Eve Peacock was reported missing. Sergeant Shawn Salzman was fed the information as he stepped from his office.
“And her last known location was on a scavenging mission led by Brother Brown?” Fucking interesting.
It’s funny how no one around him sees that. Guess you can’t see what’s burning when you’re right beside the ass hole. Maybe they should try standing outside the fucking fire. Even if they’re blind, they’ll smell the smoke... and the shit.
Without Staff Sergeant Sako, I suppose I’ll be performing the fucking investigation. He may be gone, but his companions, the Indian NSG Phantom HITs, would certainly want to carry on such an important fucking mission. I think I’ll call Mahatma Doshi and Rajesh Mattu. They gotta be itching to even up the damn score with the bad guys.
☠☠☠
From anything other than rocket launchers or landmines, the average police squad car was just as safe for most missions as riding in a military Humvee. Plus, Salzman would rather save the military-grade fuel for later. Both HITs rode along for a short trip across the western causeway. They would be doing some searching through one residential neighborhood of Warrington, possibly even further. If the peevies were the culprits, perhaps she would be discovered alive and preferably not missing any appendages.
Mahatma, the black-accented Clone Trooper, opened the door after disconnecting the pontoon bridge. Once across, he questioned from the shotgun position, “Think we’ll find her?”
Sarge sounded defeated before they started, “I fucking doubt it.”
Sitting behind him, Rajesh cocked his helmeted head. “Why you say that, Sergeant Salzman ?”
“I’m sure Hirotaro told you what he thinks is happening to all the damn kids, didn’t he? Well, I’m suspicious of the same asshole, especially after Hunter’s story.”
Giving slight nods, both phantoms were aware. “He never actually said it, but yeah. We knew what he was thinking. It did start to sink in with us, particularly after the Lodge.”
“And you both heard about the mayor’s kid?” Each answered with a silent nod.
“All
we have to do is prove it. Maybe we’ll fucking find something tonight.” the driver rasped.
☠☠☠
Before stopping at the Fredericks residence, the policeman thought it best to start the search on the other end of the dead-end road. Never having had a reason to visit, he didn’t know who the former occupant was of the large house on the west side of the beaten path. Both phantoms had accompanied The Tech to his abode to retrieve the armor they currently wore.
Mahatma pointed to the other side of the Sergeant. “Let’s stop by there. I’m sure he’ll have something for us to find... Must be fate, or something.”
Salzman was clueless. “He?”
“Gene Stanley! He’s The Tech.”
“I think I saw him before the Viva Ancora started down the river. What would be there?”
From the rear, Mattu laughed. “Where you think we got this badass armor?”
☠☠☠
The basement door slid open for the three to enter the pristine bridge of the Enterprise. Though not a science fiction geek, Salzman was still awestruck by the extravagant room. Walking past the line of command crew chairs, Mahatma was on his way to the ready room. He was sure there had to be something inside for Salzman. Someone once told him something about things happening like they were supposed to.
Moving in the same general direction, Rajesh paused just past the security chief’s station on the level above, making a suggestion to the other Clone Trooper. “Wait! Have you ever been anywhere else in the house?”
The black tinged Trooper thought about it. “Well... I think I saw into the captain’s quarters when The Tech was coming out the door.”
“Want to check out the other floors?”
“Good idea, Foxtrot Niner Romeo!” Mahatma pointed to the turbo lift doors.
Shaking his head, the police Sergeant was utterly confused. Regardless, he followed his compatriots to a set of doors. Surprisingly, they opened to a working elevator. There was no point in inquiring about all the flowing electricity.
☠☠☠
Salzman followed a short distance behind the pair. It seemed they knew the house was secure.
“But... There could be fucking zombies right around the next corner,” the sergeant spoke to the back of the stormtroopers.
Rajesh chortled. “No, there couldn’t. All the doors on the ground floor are sealed. Besides, this place is way too clean to be a hive.”
Shrugging, Sarge had to agree. To cement the feeling of safety, Mahatma added, “Plus, I just don’t have that feeling yet. You’re not suited up.” All the officer could do was smile in puzzlement.
Making a sound, the Trooper with green accents looked into an open doorway. Though unsure how, he knew he would find the reason the trio had come to Gene’s home. The other Phantom entered the room behind him. After just a second, both gasped.
Speeding up, Salzman stopped at the doorway. “What’s wrong?” He expected there to be only one thing that would surprise the commandos. Peevies?
It was something else entirely.
The enclosure was obviously the master bedroom. The curtains were pulled back on the huge picture windows allowing the moonlight to flood through. The bright lunar glow highlighted what was on the wall, opposite the double California king-sized bed. There on a stand set a suit of silver armor with an accompanying helmet on a plate to one side.
The engraving read OCP Crime Prevention Unit 001.
This was Robocop.
Both Indians could only stare in astonishment. They knew to whom the armor belonged. “Why isn’t this downstairs with the rest of the suits?” one of them questioned.
Doshi swiveled his head, noticing the drawer in one of the deep nightstand beside the bed gaping open. Moving to it and rummaging through the contents, he made the same quizzical noise as his fellow did earlier. Slowly, he lifted the perplexing object.
He hefted the ivory grip of a large pistol in a leather holster, trimmed with silver. The elephant boned handle was ornately etched with the head of a wolf on either side. Somehow, the heavy revolver had what looked like an extremely long bayonet smithed onto the barrel. It was positioned to fire directly down the spine of the cutting implement.
The fighting brand was a seax knife. Blade tapered to a needlepoint with a thick, sturdy overall structure. Reinforced steel wouldn’t have a problem withstanding the kickback from such a hand cannon. A Viking weapon, it was designed to cleave.
As Mahatma began to pull the weapon from its scabbard, he noticed a paperback novel lying on the table. Damoren by Seth Skorkowsky. Almost the exact same weapon in his hands was on the cover. There was no doubt the name of this piece of deadly artistry.
Raising the weapon over his head, he triumphantly shouted. “Damoren!” Sergeant Salzman now had a suit of armor and blade. The Justicar was now ready.
☠☠☠
56
Beyond the Sunset
After dozens of members of The Hand rushed onto the stage to do whatever they could for Reaca, he finally convinced them he could move under his own power. Not like I need help. There’s nothing wrong with me. I’m not sick. That English dude didn’t have it. He was just trying to scare me. I’m not stupid!
With a company of bodyguards escorting the couple to the door of his hotel suite, he and Nedra were finally left alone. With his right hand bandaged, he had to hold her left. She pulled him into the bedroom, and he sat on the edge of the California king. I don’t feel bad. It was just a cut!
“So are you okay, Baby?” she questioned.
Fielder suddenly grew defensive. “Of course! Why wouldn’t I be?”
The Alpha huffed.
“Well, I was just asking! Thought you might be hungry...” she smiled. “I think there’s some fresh meat a few blocks away.” Slowly, she started removing her tunic.
With a grin, Reaca exhaled. “You gonna give me a reason to be hungry?”
“We’ll see,” Nedra giggled.
☠☠☠
Hours later, they were both spent. It seemed, at least to Reaca, to have been rougher than usual. God, I’m tired. Maybe that shit I went through at the Ryman took more out of me than I realized. Hopefully, I’ll get some rest tonight.
“One of the guys taking care of the deceased just so happens to be a former butcher. He didn’t have a problem when I explained to him to clean the innards out of each body to use as slop for the farm animals.” The Alpha detailed, propping up on one of her elbows. “The meat won’t be ruined, and I can go get a few pounds in the morning!” she cackled with a sinister smirk.
“Sounds like a plan. I’d kill for some meat!” Fielder spoke from his position beside her.
As tired as he was, he strangely felt a new animal ferocity. “I’ve got an idea.” Holding up a finger, he reached into the drawer of the nightstand and pulled out a pair of handcuffs. Attempting to alter his voice, The Wolf chuckled. “Do you want to play a game?”
She bit her lip seductively. “Duh! Who do you think will win?” Growling, she jumped to her knees, spun around, placing her hands to either side of one of the metal bars of the headboard.
“We are about to find out!” Said Reaca, moving to cuff her.
☠☠☠
It could have been hours later. Reaca suddenly stopped gyrating. “Oh, God, hang on!” The Dictator hurriedly jumped from the bed and dashed to the restroom.
Only being able to see the bathroom door from the angle of the large mirror at the head of the California King, Nedra Sink heard what sounded like her boyfriend destroying the toilet. All she could do was wait.
“Baby?”
It didn’t take more than a few seconds for the near-vomit inducing scent to reach her nose. Either he just shit his guts out...Or he’s got our next meal waiting in the bathtub. What the hell’s wrong with him?
Still bent over, on her knees, hands affixed to the headboard, she heard something heavy crash to the tile. “Reaca?” Nedra Sink questioned in a panic.
In utter silence
, a few more seconds, ticked away. Nedra began freaking out, running the chain up and down on the bar, screaming for any assistance. “Help! Anybody!” No matter how hard she fought, no one was coming.
☠☠☠
57
Mo Journal Entry 4
Once we were all in the basement, I started thinking, either this is an extravagant lie or my butthole is safe. At least from Junior’s clan of benevolent cannibals, that is. There’s apparently some dude called The Colonel, sees himself as a plantation owner in the 1800s and has pet peevies. So don’t worry, I could always be molested several times by a group of burly antagonists with antebellum accents!
The Colonel’s diabolical scheme was to capture any woman he came across, impregnate her to repopulate the world, and supposedly not try to have babies with any of the males. It would, of course, be a New World Order led by William “The Colonel” Gillenwater. I wanted to join the cult of twelve herbs and spices! Who wouldn’t want to be part of a community built by the face on KFC signs?
Oh yeah, and he enslaves all the men not infected, reportedly not touching their naughty places. It sounds like family-friendly fun! Is this guy The Dictator or The Villain? Though he does keep zombies as dogs, which seems pretty villainous...he thinks he’s El Presidente. I’ll go with The Dictator.
Junior only wanted us to stay because he was worried about our well-being. “Ain’t safe to be loafing after dark.” That’s the best time to loafer if you ask me!
Lately, according to Junior, The Colonel and his goons had been getting more and more aggressive. They’d been using enslaved women to call for help and lure unsuspecting men in to be captured, forcing them into slave labor. This tactic had worked reasonably well on some of the younger, single men. The females must’ve been their cousins! That had to be why they would be so attracted.