Roger gently closed the glass top of the case that occupied the corner of his office. In his hand was the intricately carved wooden box that had been inside. He strolled casually across the room, to the large side table, grand in its own design with inlaid ivory and gold leaf accents. He gently laid the box down on the table, and opened it with excitement. As the lid rose up, the inside, lined with crimson velvet lit up his eyes. Inside, lay an ancient weapon of amazing design. It shined like well polished silver, with a finish so unmarred and clear that he could actually see his own reflection. Roger smiled, and exhaled a breath of pure glee, as he reached inside and pulled the huge handgun from the box.
“The mighty Desert Eagle.” He said to himself, as he quickly pulled the slide back, spun around, and aimed at the map on the wall. Click went the gun as he pulled the trigger. “Bang!” Yelled Roger, and jerked his hand up as if the gun had actually fired. He spun again, aimed, and “Bang!” he said. He spun again, just as a wall panel slid open, and Roger aimed his gun at his servant that stood in the doorway. Her hands went into the air, as she dropped the item in her hand and she shrieked. She turned and ran away. “Bang.” Roger said softly, as he laughed and lowered the gun. He walked over to the open doorway, and bent down and picked up the shoulder holster that she had dropped. He carried it back to the side table, inspected it as he went, and then set it aside. He laid the gun down, and reached into the box and retrieved the magazine clips. Three in all, and checked to see that they were fully loaded. He picked up the gun, slammed one of the clips home, and activated the slide mechanism. The first bullet was engaged, slipped into the chamber, and the slide slammed home. He engaged the safety and again laid the gun down, as he stowed the other two clips into pockets in the holster. Satisfied, he swung the holster into the air and attempted to throw his arm through the armhole. He had misjudged the speed, and fruitlessly missed. He tried again, and got his hand caught in the strap. He tried a third time and missed again. “Damn it!” He yelled. “Agnes!” He yelled. “Agnes! Get in here and help me, damn you!” He missed once again, and threw the holster to the ground. “Agnes! Where the hell are you?”
The frightened Agnes peeked around the corner of the still open doorway. Her one hand was visible high in the air. As she eased completely into the doorway, both hands became visible, as she held them high over her head.
“Put your hands down, and get over here.” He said, as he bent over and picked up the holster. “Help me with this.” He said. She lowered her hands and scurried over, took the holster from him, and helped him to put it on. She pulled tightly on the front straps.
“Ouch! Take it easy!” He yelled. She loosened the front connection, then pulled it tight again, and fastened it in place. She stepped back, as he moved his arms around to check the fit. “That’s good.” He said, with a smile on his face. The expression went back to anger. “Now, get out!” He yelled. Agnes did not wait for any explanation, as she turned and ran from the room. He smiled again, and let out a little chuckle as he did. He picked up the shiny gun, checked the safety again, and then slid it home in the holster. The gun hung just beneath his left armpit. He spun, and drew the gun, as he aimed at the map again. “Bang!” he said, and laughed again. He walked over to the coat tree by the exit of his office and grabbed his ornate coat from the tree, swung it into the air, and slid into it one arm at the time. “Some things you just have to do yourself.” He said, as he picked up his comm unit and typed a short message, and sent it. “Now, dearest Charles. Let’s see what you do about that.” He smiled. The device vibrated in his hand. He jumped, and almost dropped it. He keyed the device.
“What!” He yelled.
“Sir. I am back in New Sebastian.” Said Charles. Anger flared in Roger’s face. “I have an additional squad of Guardians with me.” He continued. “And the Defensive Squad has been activated, sir.”
“Have they been found yet?” Roger asked, with sarcasm.
“No, sir. Not yet.”
“Then what are you wasting time talking to me for. Get them!” he yelled.
“Yes, sir.” Charles replied calmly. “Sir?” He asked.
“What!” Yelled Roger, angrily.
“Have you made the announcement yet, sir?” Charles asked.
“Announcement?” He asked. “What announcement? What the hell are you talking about, Chancellor?”
“The announcement, sir.” He replied. “The announcement required when the Defensive Squad has been activated.”
“Damn!” Roger said to himself, as a look of concern crossed his face. No he had not made the announcement, because he had been too preoccupied with the preparation of his weapon. He wondered how long the squad had been activated now, or more importantly if they had run into any citizens yet. He keyed the device again. “I am making it right now.” He said. “Now you worry about your part, and get them.” He said angrily, and briskly walked back to his desk. “Do I have to do everything around here?” He asked himself. He opened the drawer of the huge desk, removed the box inside, and then lifted the lid of the false bottom. A panel glowed faintly within. He placed his palm on it, and with a click it opened, and revealed a series of small envelopes. He flipped through them quickly, but did not find the one he wanted. He started over. This time, in the middle, he found what he sought. He removed the envelope, and tore off the edge of the envelope, blew into it to open it up, and dumped the contents into his hand. A tiny black square chip lay there. He tossed it into the air, caught it, and then inserted it into the side of his comm unit. A password menu appeared, and he typed several commands.
“Voice recognition activated.” The device indicated.
“Premier. Level one. Guardian Defense Squad Activation.”
“Confirmed.” The device replied. He removed the chip, and tossed it back into the hidden compartment. He quickly closed the hidden panel, returned the box, and shut the drawer. He slipped his comm unit back into his tunic. “Now. Let’s get this show on the road.” He said, and headed towards the exit of his office.
Chapter 33
Immortal Page 32