War Wagon

by Al Shield

  ‘Mother...’ he mumbled and shook his head with force. He shook his head and looked again but the waitresses eyes had returned to normal. But the warning was now abundantly clear. His mother was in trouble and somehow she had warned him this far away.

  ‘I...must go.’ He mumbled, avoiding the waitresses look of confusion as he barrelled out of the diner doors and into the street outside. He needed to go back somehow, he needed transportation, he needed to find her before it was too late.

  What he didn’t see as he scoured the car park for a creature to hitchhike with was the black car with the three identical occupants that had showed a very keen interest in him as soon as they saw him through the window seated at the diner..

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Getting to the armoury safely was still a challenge on account of the roving strike team patrols moving about eliminating any survivors they came across, but the trio were warned well in advance once Unit M’s radar function suddenly came back online.

  Agent Omega had suggested laying a trap for them to stumble in but Nex getting impatient had opted for the direct approach and had thrown herself into battle as soon as she spied the first strike group. Before Omega could even line up the sights of his weapon, the third member had fallen on account of her quick work with the razor sharp blades she wielded, deeply embedded into his neck.

  ‘She’s something else isn’t she?’ marvelled Omega to Unit M. As bizarre as the situation was, he couldn’t deny the prowess she displayed, the way that every muscle movement was at just the right time to slide her out of range of gun or combat knife. The fact that she had dispatched three heavily armoured soldiers in such an incredible short time armed just with blades only added to the awe he was experiencing.

  Unsurprisingly, Unit M didn’t respond to his comment at all - staring straight ahead as the relatively short battle unfolded. He hadn’t even raised his arms to prepare any of the hidden weapons on board. Omega wondered if this was a previous instruction from Nex or if whatever powered him knew it was a waste of time.

  He also couldn’t ignore the fact that the both of them shared the same ghost like skin colour - was the connection deeper than servant and master in this case?

  ‘This room of weapons you speak of, is it much further?’ she walked back to them with both blades pointed down, gore dripping a trail behind her.

  ‘Not far. But I expect that won’t be our last patrol either. I suspect they would have posted guards at the armoury in case any of my soldiers tried to get there first.’

  He was correct as Unit M’s scanners picked up the signatures of ten soldiers as they reached the turn that would lead them to the armoury. Unfortunately his scanner wasn’t fully operational and couldn’t go into any further detail about what they were armed with. Agent Omega hazarded a guess that there was at least one, possibly two heavy weapons distributed amongst the group. Even more if they had successfully breached the weapon stronghold beforehand.

  ‘Having seen you in action back there I know you’re good but I don’t think you’re quick enough for ten of these goons.’ he admitted.

  ‘On this I agree with you creature. Perhaps a distraction is called for here?’

  ‘It would be handy if we had a smoke grenade or two..’ Omega thought out loud.

  Unit M buzzed in response and there was a small grinding noise as one opening in his palm closed and another circular one opened, exposing the end of a small pipe. There was a gurgle then a hiss and a wisp of smoke emerged from the end.

  ‘Smoke dispenser at 67% efficiency’ he reported.

  Again, Omega struggled not to show his awe at the efficiency those two strange creatures. She was free flowing killing machine and he seemed to be a heavily armoured swiss army knife with something for every situation.

  ‘Is there anything you don’t have hidden in this thing?’ he asked.

  ‘Oh there are probably a few surprises not either myself or my beloved are away of’ she smiled dangerously ‘He is my son’s creation and there were many moons of work that went into him. He is a masterpiece is he not?’

  The two of them hatched a plan while Unit M absorbed every word of the conversation. As they took their places he fired up his smoke dispenser and light red smoke started to flow out and pour down the hallway..

  THE CAR PARK WAS ALMOST full with cars, vans and big rigs but devoid of people and as K’Dian raced around looking for someone who may be able to assist him, the thought suddenly occurred that it might be quicker and ultimately easier in the long run if he stole a vehicle and drove it himself.

  How hard could it be?

  His time spent with Red had shown that the controls for the truck were almost identical to the piloting process of the War Wagon and it wouldn’t take too long to pick up the little differences needed to drive one of these vehicles smoothly. He just had to figure out how to get into one of these locked cars and get it started without attracting any attention.

  He thought he had found the ideal candidate with darkened windows difficult to see through when a voice called across the car park.

  ‘You look like you’re need to get somewhere fast. Maybe I can help?’

  He turned and smiled as a dark skinned woman in a black hide like jacket walked towards him. Her beaded hair swung behind her with every step. Hopefully she was travelling in the same direction and ready to leave as soon as possible.

  ‘What fortune’ he smiled as she came close. ‘I have a dire need to....to...’ his smile dropped.

  Although born without traditional eyes, K’Dian’s inner sight was impeccable and his gift allowed him to even see through obstructing magical barriers like they never existed to begin with. So when this creature stepped forward to greet him and their features started to strangely blur, his inner sight automatically looked past the illusion and saw what she truly was.

  Two identical snarling feline like faces contained in one head came into to view. It was a Nagdol, here in this world.

  K’Dian had never seen a Nagdol in the wild before, only having read about them during his studying years. But he knew of how dangerous they could be as mercenaries, especially when they divided themselves and split into an identical trio. Whether they knew oh his true sight though remained to be seen.

  ‘Hey are you okay?’ A look of concern flashed across the Nagdol’s illusioned face.

  ‘I...oh I’m sorry. You surprised me, that’s all.’ He quickly flashed up his smile again.

  ‘I do have that effect on people it seems’ she laughed as she stood in front of him. ‘Now, do you need a ride somewhere? My car is just over there on that side of the diner and..’

  Two. There were only two cat faces talking him as she walked up. Which meant that-

  He spun and ducked as the third one behind him ended up punching thin air. He lashed out with his own fist and landed a solid blow into her abdomen, doubling her over. However before he could roll out of the way the third had appeared out of the one who had approached him and crash tackled him into the black car he was standing by with a sickening crunch.

  He tried to defend himself as best he could but with the attacks coming from three sets of fists and feet, there was only so much he could do and soon a few heavy strikes knocked the fight right out of him and he started to lose consciousness.

  The three that made up the Nagdol stood over his body breathing heavily from the exertion. One had suffered a set of cuts on her cheek from one of his deflections.

  ‘This one saw me coming...

  ‘...did he sense my footsteps...’

  ‘...or did he recognise what are are?’

  ‘When he regains consciousness...

  ...we will ask him...’

  ‘...how he knew.’

  For now, they were content that they had successfully nabbed their quarry. One kept a lookout for any watchers while the other two dragged him over to their car. Technically he was going to be driven in the right direction, but not in a way that he would have preferred to c
hoose..

  AGENT OMEGA HAD TO wipe the gore off the plastic protective layer on the armory keypad to see the numbers clearly – perhaps the designers knew that something like this might happen in the heat of battle and took steps to minimize accidental spillage?

  The battle had been quick and very bloody. Even when the soldiers had been blinded by the smoke and switched to infrared to pick up heat signatures so they could still see something, only the silhouette of Omega appeared fully and he was far down the hall firing into the smoke. Mostly machine, Unit M barely produced a heat signature other than the tip of his smoke dispenser and for some reason Nex didn’t register at all as she danced and weaved, striking with perfect precision each time in the haze of confusion.

  Only one strike team member had thought to walk to the edges of the smoke cloud and was immediately fired upon by Omega before another of Unit M’s finger fired projectiles ripped its way through his helmet and skull.

  ‘While there’s plenty in here to choose from’ Omega grunted as he heaved the heavy armory door fully open ‘I don’t know if there’s anything that’s going to be really suited to....well what I’ve seen from you in action so far. Maybe a pistol or two?’

  But Nex ignored him as she strolled and walked directly to a rack of sniper rifles, pulling one down for a closer inspection.

  ‘They’re best for long range’ He explained ‘Practically useless in this situation unless you plan on firing away from a distance.’ The short time he had spent with her, he thought that definitely wouldn’t be the case. But she continued her examination none the less, feeling the heft and extending her arm out with the rifle and checking the balance. The long weapon normally used with two hands on a tripod or braced against something didn’t waver as he held the trigger grip with just one hand, like her outstretched arm had the rigidity of a thick steel girder.

  ‘It will do.’ She explained. Omega just shrugged his shoulders and fished out some ammunition for her choice. He handed her a set of clips when Unit M stepped over and opened a chest compartment, revealing an empty space within.

  ‘We take as much as we can carry’ she explained.

  Omega himself had dug out a belt fed heavy machine gun and opened a crate of armor piercing rounds for it. It was a brutal ugly looking weapon that he had used on a few occasions with so-so accuracy but that wasn’t the point. Opened up into a room without any friendlies, it would make sure work of anything in its path. He also loaded up a combat shotgun which he slung on his back and a high powered pistol for his belt holster.

  ‘He’s probably packing plenty already but is there anything he could use in here?’

  She motioned to Unit M who slowly turned his head as he scanned the contents of the boxes, crates, lockers and racks of weapons. At roughly halfway through the inventory he beeped and walked forward to a large metal chest of drawers, pulling one out to reveal three large circular objects.

  ‘Combat drones.’ Omega explained. ‘They’d be handy to have on board but we’d need remote pilots for them and unless we find someone along the way...’

  But Unit M had already lifted one out of its foam surroundings for a closer look. It was roughly the length of his forearm with openings for above and below for the rotors to help it hover. Balanced underneath it was a pair of light guns. While it wasn’t the most lethal of devices, it could still prove effective if they could find someone to operate it.

  Unit M touched a finger to the roof of the drone, where the components for control would be housed. He clicked, beeped and made whirring noises akin to an old modem and suddenly the three led’s at the front of the unit lit up. Meaning: Power, controller access and weapons armed. Normally the process would take 30 seconds to get combat ready but somehow he’d established a direct link almost instantly.

  The drone rose up from his hands and hovered just above his head, waiting patiently while he activated the second and then the third.

  Omega let out a whistle at sight of three combat drones now circling above in perfect harmony.

  ‘We have ten available...how many could he realistically control at once?’

  Unit M turned to face the man.

  ‘I have reached operational limits of extraneous control. Further unit addition is possible but with reduced effectiveness.’ He reported in his machine voice.

  ‘It is three more potential weapons that we started with.’ Nex added.

  Omega had just walked back out into the hallway to finish locking up the armoury when Unit M beeped once more.

  ‘Update scanning.’ He buzzed as his eyes went bright green again while looking directly at the Agent.

  ‘What’s he doing?’ Omega asked suspiciously.

  ‘Updating his files. You’ve changed your weaponry and so he’s changing his records of your armament accordingly.’

  ‘For what purpose exactly?’

  ‘So you don’t become an accidental target in the haze of battle. Even if his vision is lost it wouldn’t take him long to identify the sound of your weapons or use your vocal commands to pinpoint your location.’

  ‘But is that all he’s doing?’

  ‘No.’ She admitted after pausing for a moment. ‘He’s also calculating the most effective way of killing you now if need be. I wouldn’t take it personally, it’s part of his programming. What was it you said about bridges before? Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.’

  ‘Update finished.’ Unit M beeped. ‘Threat level: Extreme.’

  Agent Omega took some small solace in that at least as the three and now the three hovering drones, freshly armed, plotted their way back to the interrogation room to put a stop to the madman known as Jorzan the Magnificent once and for all.

  K’Dian woke up in a terrible haze of pain. Every muscle in his body cried out in pain as he tried to move and his chest hurt savagely with each breath. The Nagdol, frustrated at being discovered had taken her frustrations out on him when he was out cold and now everything was incredible sore. As his vision slowly returned he found that he was in the back of a car driving somewhere, his hands behind his back in a pair of what felt like metal manacles.

  ‘For a minute back there I thought I put the boots in one too many times. I can’t say the boss would be happy with me if I returned you as a vegetable.’ The Nagdol spoke as she drove. The three had become one again.

  K’Dian didn’t speak, too busy taking in his surroundings. The long road they travelled was through desolate looking country full of scrubland and without any signs, he had no idea where they were going.

  ‘You’ll want to talk to me’ She purred ‘It might just be the last conversation you ever have..’

  ‘You’re a long way from home Mercenary.’ He finally spoke.

  She laughed at that.

  ‘We both are young one. A long way from anything from our old life. I have called this strange world home for more than sixty years in the local calendar now.’

  ‘How did you arrive?’

  She explained the story of her exile. The case of being hired as assassin only to be given the wrong target intentionally and after brutally murdering her victim, discovering that he was the son of one of the biggest crime families in the realm. There had been a king's ransom of a bounty put out on her head, enough money to sway even the most loyal of those she called friend and thinking quickly, she pooled what money she had saved and used it to bribe a sorcerer to send her anywhere he could, far far away.

  ‘He told me the threads of portal travel were fickle and that he couldn’t guarantee where I was sent. I could end up practically anywhere. But I had no choice. I took the trip and one way trip and ended here.’

  She continued with the story of how she came to meet her new employer, Jorzan the Magnificent and K’Dian’s hearts skipped a few beats at the mention of his name. His father had told him the story many times of their one time meeting and yet somehow not only had he survived, but he had also made it here. Fate was fond of playing incredibly cruel jokes at times.

&
nbsp; As a hired gun here, her life was easy, her life was good. There were rarely any major threats she faced when it came to hunting any creature her new master had marked for death and she particularly liked that line of work. She had steady work, all the strange creatures she could possibly torture, everything she could ever ask for. A far cry from the challenges she faced back home.

  ‘So you could imagine how excited I was to hear that after decades of just wiping out these pitiful minorlings, something from our world had appeared. Secretly I was hoping to hunt down something much larger than you little one but I’ll take what I can get.’

  Something like my father he thought. He could have quite easily bested the assassin in hand to hand combat, be it as one or one or one versus three. Given time and training, perhaps he could too.

  ‘So where are you taking me?’

  ‘To see my master.’ She replied, not adding that it was highly unlikely that he would still be alive for long after that. ‘He’s at a secret base right now dealing with three others he believes are from our world. Friends of yours?’

  K’Dian said nothing.

  ‘Ahh, family then.’ She chuckled. ‘What a great reunion that will be. Although I am surprised you were found on your lonesome. Pray tell, exactly what happened for you to strike out on your own?’

  But he remained silent, lost in his thoughts of seeing his family again. The Nargol continued with the questions until she got tired of a lack of answers and just kept driving.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  The mood in the interrogation room had now reached boiling point as a very frustrated Jorzan was now madly screaming at anything within earshot as more and more of the strike teams he’d sent out now failed to report in. The crown attempted to pacify him slightly by emitting waves of calm but they had no effect. Even the normally collected Nameless One was starting to have doubts and his own fear was growing with every report that he had to pass on. Not that he would show it in front of his lord or the exo soldiers of course. Never let them see your fear or doubt, that was one of the first lessons gleaned from his time with Jorzan the Magnificent... who was currently pummeling away at the imprisoned Dar’Kannag in order to release his rage.