by Jim Roberts
"It was a simple test Mr. Callbeck. This team is going to depend on each of its players if we are going to have a chance against this PMC. You proved you would never back down; that you would always find a way to not only complete the mission, but to bring every last man home." The Colonel exhaled a lungful of smoke, "You know I think we might actually have a chance now."
"What do you mean 'might'?"
"Son, the past ten years, I have lost over a hundred men fighting Olympus. A hundred of the best soldiers America has ever seen. This Military will crush anyone in their way that tries to fuck with them. You need to be ready for what is to come Corporal. There's a storm brewing and we're right in the middle."
The Colonel tossed the cigarette to the ground and started walking to the Black Hawk, "Here endeth the lesson."
Danny Callbeck watched the Colonel walk off, his heart heavy. The sound of voices alerted him to the rescued POWs, making their way towards the infirmary to talk to and congratulate their former Sergeant and rescuer. Danny watched them with a sense of sadness.
He knew the hard lessons had yet to truly be learned.
Epilogue
Olympus Laboratory - Unknown Location
Agrippina's eyes snapped open, her body arching in vicious pain. She was in the middle of a large, sterile, pitch black laboratory save for a halo of light projected down upon the metal bed she was laying upon. The only sensation she felt was pain. Her entire body was wracked with burns, her legs were both broken and her left eye was gone; gouged out during her fall.
Why am I alive? The question sat unanswered in the Olympus' general's mind as she writhed in agony, awaiting the end.
"Are you awake my dove of war?"
The sound came from the darkness, booming through the vacuous laboratory like the vengeful voice of God.
Agrippina's throat was scorched and ravaged by the fires of the fortress, but she still managed to croak a response, "My lord...my Imperator...is that you?"
The booming echo returned, this time moving along the far recesses of the lab, "Look what they have done to you. My Agrippina...my vengeful Carnificus Supremus. Look at you now." An echo of sadness sounded within the powerful voice.
"My Caesar...my lord I...failed you."
"No my dear...we underestimated our enemies. It will not happen again."
The voice started to dim, and Agrippina could hear the sound of footsteps closing in towards her. Her good eye searched the impenetrable darkness for His form, but couldn't find him.
"No it will not, my lord."
"Good, my dear Agrippina. Are you in pain?" The voice seemed to falter for a moment. Agrippina thought she heard a muffled cough.
"...N...No my lord..."
"That pleases me my love. I must ask you...where is the second half of the Code?"
Agrippina's coughed violently, blood spewing from her ravaged lips. Her bloody hand moved to a small pocket within her suit and from it she produced the second half of the Code disc; untouched and undamaged. She held the disc up, her arm wavering from the pain. A hand appeared from behind her and took the priceless disc that had been the cause of so much hurt.
"That is wonderful news my love," the voice so close now; soft and gentle but rich with command and authority, "Was He there?"
"...my Lord?"
"The one you mentioned...what was his name?"
"...Whisper."
"Yes. He."
Agrippina closed her eye as pain like nothing she had ever experienced blazed through her body, "Yes, Whisper...did this...he...they have the other half of the Code."
"That is very disheartening my love. Why did you not kill him?"
"I...I...my...I..." she stammered uselessly, not knowing how to answer. A cold hand reached forward to stroke her burned face. She shut her eye, wincing at the feel of his powerful hand.
"You...feel something for him...even after he did this to you...you feel for him."
"No my Lord...I feel only for you. I feel pain for you alone."
The hand caressed her soothingly. Agrippina began to shake violently.
"I know you do my beautiful Venus. But you are damaged...damaged almost beyond repair."
If Agrippina's tear ducts hadn't been burned away, she would have cried a stream of regret.
The voice continued, "That is why I must re-sculpt you...into the vision of a true Olympus general," The speaker withdrew his hand, his voice going flat and un-emotional, "The pain will be unimaginable...but when you are complete...your rebirth will signify the rise of Olympus as we regain what we have lost."
The speaker snapped his fingers and several human forms walked towards her from the darkness, as if waiting for their cue. In their hands were various items of medical practise: saws, splitters, scalpels. They converged on Agrippina's deformed body, implements at the ready.
"You may scream my love...There is no shame."
And she did for some time.
THE END...FOR NOW.
About the Author
Jim Roberts was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Currently, he lives in Red Deer, Alberta. Jim is a lifelong action/adventure fan. Olympus Rises is Jim's first book. He is currently hard at work on the second Code of War book, The Peacemakers.
You can contact Jim here or at his online website Jimrobertsadventures.com
Find him on Smashwords here
Send him an Email at [email protected]