Nathan reached down and grabbed Deshad by the throat with two hands and turned intent on slamming him into the opposite wall but instead Deshad swung his leg back kicking off the wall then bringing his legs up around Nathans arms using his momentum to flip him to the ground with Deshad in the top position. The assassin brought his shin across Nathans neck as he punched him repeatedly; Nathan used his strength advantage to throw Deshad off of him. As Deshad landed on his feet he charged at Nathan and kicked towards his left side. Nathan’s kickboxing background had him instinctively lift his arm to absorb the blow but he had forgotten about his cracked ribs. As Deshad’s kick landed Nathan winced in pain his ribs broken from the impact.
Deshad saw the opening and flew in overwhelming Nathan with a flurry of attacks. Nathan stepped back as he was stunned, backed into a corner he then crouched slightly and came forward with a knee that broke thru Deshad’s defenses to hit square under his chin throwing him back to fall on the floor some feet away. Nathan backed to the corner to lean on the wall trying to relieve the sting shooting from his side.
Deshad had faced many before but he had never been in such a difficult fight, as he rose from the ground he wiped the blood pouring from his broken nose stood straight up and drew his daggers.
Nathan didn’t know if it was Deshad pulling his daggers or just the rage returning but he was able to ignore the pain as he reached for a broomstick in the near corner. Nathan snapped the handle off the broom and then held the stick out in front of him. He used his strength to snap it into two pieces, something he was more comfortable with. He looked at Deshad his body trembling with anger. “Well… come on then.”
Again they met in the middle Deshad in a flurry of silver as his daggers found wood. This was Nathan’s game though, more than once he made Deshad miss and countered with a strike to the assassin’s leg or arm. This battle may have ended differently if Nathan had his swords; unfortunately Deshad’s razor sharp daggers were whittling down Nathan’s broomsticks fast. Deshad pressed the attack as Nathan slowly retreated looking for another weapon.
Out of nowhere the ground began to shake violently; both Nathan and Deshad were caught off guard. Nathan fell to the ground as light fixtures fell and warehouse equipment was thrown to the floor. Deshad being more agile and having been in an earthquake before was able to stay on his feet and make his way towards the exit. The warehouse seemed to be falling apart as Deshad looked back to see Nathan on the ground behind some fallen equipment. The assassin left Nathan to the crumbling building as he made his escape.
* * *
It didn’t take long after the ground stopped shaking for Anthony to see his opportunity. The compound was in chaos, buildings had taken damage with sheets of concrete and brick littering the streets. People were screaming and crying many flooding the exits trying to get away from the city. With the soldiers being occupied and the perimeter fencing down in places Anthony calmly moved towards the airport hangar. As he reached the parameter he could see a very large fissure that went from the road, thru the fence line and into the airport. Anthony had never been in an earthquake before; he had seen the damage hurricanes can do many times but after seeing the destruction here he knew he would take a Louisiana hurricane any day over this.
Anthony made his way around the fencing happy the soldiers were too busy to notice him. As he neared the warehouse Anthony noticed a group of well dressed men moving in his direction coming from the runway the leader of which was in the middle as his guards were leading him further into the compound. The group of five agents noticed Anthony as they came around a truck. Instantly the camp director knew what this man was and what he was doing here, dressed in black fatigues with a sniper rifle and sword on his back it wasn’t hard to figure out.
Anthony saw Ackers eyes; before the director could mention the words “kill him” Anthony was already in motion. He drew his sword as he moved in slicing the first agent from neck to hip. Anthony’s attacks were like one continuous smooth motion; he swiped across from the first agent to hit the second on the side of his head the end of his blade going halfway thru his skull. The second agent was reaching for his gun but Anthony got to him first. Anthony’s attacks were so fluid and fast. Ackers was stepping back as soon as he saw Anthony approaching his first agent which was the only thing that saved him from the overhead slice aimed at his head. The last two agents were drawing their pistols, Anthony spun low to the outside of the one on his left using him as cover as he came up from his spin with an upward strike that dug deep into the agent slicing him from stomach to chest. Anthony was already reaching for his own sidearm before the move was completed, he didn’t hesitate. Anthony aimed around the agent in front of him and shot the last agent twice. As the agent in front of him fell to the ground blood gushing and intestines out Anthony looked to the last to see him falling backwards. Before the last agent hit the ground Anthony aimed his pistol for a headshot to ensure the deed was done. With that he turned to Ackers who was about to turn and flee but didn’t get the chance as Anthony stabbed him thru the heart and quickly withdrew his sword. Quick and efficient the entire exchange took less than ten seconds; Anthony had never been in a real fight with his sword and had always inwardly felt that he wasn’t very good. As he stood in a steadily growing pool of blood his pistol in his left hand sword in his right Anthony appreciated his friends training and encouragement ringing in his brain. “You’re a natural.”
* * *
Nathan made his way painfully out the warehouse his feet bloody from broken glass and debris. He exited the warehouse in time to see Anthony’s exchange between Ackers and his men. Nathan was not even a little surprised to see Anthony; he gingerly made his way toward his friend. Anthony almost didn’t recognize Nathan he was in such a bad state, as he moved to meet him Nathan dropped to his knee in obvious pain.
These friends had known each other a long time, no words needed to be exchanged about Anthony being there or why Nathan had to leave or about him being so bloodied and beaten. While they approach situations differently they both had a complete understanding of the others motivations. It was with that complete understanding that the first words out of Anthony’s mouth were exactly what was on Nathan’s mind. “Where’s Kayla?” Anthony placed his sword in its sheath as he moved to help his friend up.
Nathan winced thru the pain. “I don’t know, I thought I saw her near the registration area when I first arrived but I wasn’t sure.” Anthony aware of their situation and the state of the compound knew the objective and wanted to move quickly. “Which way?” Nathan pointed in the direction of the entrance. “There.” As soon as the friends started walking the ground shook again, not as large as the last one but still enough to make the already damaged buildings crumble more. Nathan fell but immediately stood back up on his own. He had to find Kayla, he and Anthony both knew how difficult a task that would be but both also knew Nathan was not leaving without her. As they moved thru the carnage people were running in the streets screaming and crying most trying to escape. Some bodies could be seen under the rubble others were trapped and screaming for help. As Nathan and Anthony passed there was no question to themselves of their moral obligation to help these people when they could. Every time they lifted debris off of someone or helped someone out of a barricaded building they were asking. “Kayla Melendez, do you know Kayla Melendez?” Anthony had just finished wedging the front door of a house open. “Do you know Kayla Melendez? She’s about this tall, brown with long curly brown hair.”
Everyone they spoke to was the same. “I’m sorry I don’t know her.”
The soldiers formed trauma units moving thru helping the injured. Nathan and Anthony would point them to people that needed attention; the soldiers didn’t even notice that Anthony and Nathan didn’t belong there even with Anthony’s sniper rifle and sword strapped to his back, they were too occupied with helping the citizens. Nathan was proud to be around such honorable people he just hoped they would choose the right side in the upcomin
g war.
Up ahead an elderly man in front of a house was waving down Anthony and Nathan. “PLEASE HELP!” Anthony moved quickly Nathan behind him moving as fast as his body would allow. As they approached the man pleaded. “Please, a bookshelf fell on my wife and I can’t get it off!”
Anthony and Nathan followed the man inside; Anthony could see the woman pinned down in the living room by a very large antique bookshelf. “HELP ME PLEASE ITS CRUSHING MY LEGS!” Anthony and the man could only lift the shelf a few inches, Nathan joined in and together the three men were able to lift it back to the wall. The Man quickly moved the contents from the shelf off his wife and began checking her over. He tried to reassure his wife. “Are you ok honey? It doesn’t look broken.” Anthony looked as well while Nathan leaned against the wall his side still shooting with pain. “It may be fractured but I don’t think it’s broken. You should get it looked at as soon as you can.” The Lady grabbed her husband’s hand giving his reassurance back. “I’m ok.” He hugged her as the tears flowed from both of them. Anthony moved to leave but the man stood up and embraced him. “Thank you!” He then moved to Nathan, seeing he was badly injured the man stopped and stuck out his hand. He and Nathan shook. “Thank you so much! God bless you both.” Nathan nodded. “We were happy to help.” As the two went to leave Nathan turned back almost forgetting to ask about his love. “Do either of you know Kayla Melendez?” The Elderly woman thought for a moment. “I don’t know her last name but I know a nurse Kayla.”
Nathans heart pounded as he franticly asked the woman. “Brown skin, brown eyes, long curly brown hair she’s about this tall.” Nathan held his hand even with the top of his chest.
The woman nodded. “That’s her alright.” Nathan moved a couple of steps closer. “Where is she?” The lady thought again. “I’m not sure, I know she works in the medical screening center during the day, it’s over by the main building where the FEMA director’s office is.”
Nathan could not contain his hopeful enthusiasm. “Thank you so much, thank you!”
Nathan left the house with new energy before the lady could say you’re welcome.
Nathan and Anthony made their way towards the medical screening center as quickly as they could thru the earthquake’s destruction. As they approached they could see that the five story building was being used as a hospital. Before they could go in Nathan heard a faint familiar voice above the commotion. “NATHAN!!! NATHAN!!!”
Nathan turned to find her up on the catwalk that surrounded the FEMA building and immediately tried to find a way to her. Kayla was crouching down helping a soldier who was injured by a fallen searchlight from the catwalk above. The catwalk overlooked the makeshift hospital, it was just chance that Kayla happened to see Nathan and Anthony as she was tending to the soldier. As Nathan met eyes with her she cried because she was overjoyed to see him, as she noticed the state he was in she cried more.
Deshad couldn’t escape on his plane due to the large fissure in the runway, he had found out after a few small interrogations that there was a helicopter on top of the FEMA building that would allow him to make his escape from Harrisburg. Due to the chaos inside Deshad was using the catwalks to reach the roof, as he rounded the current level he noticed a woman screaming and paid particular attention to who she was screaming to.
Nathan saw out the corner of his eyes the black clad figure making his way towards Kayla, too far to do anything Nathan could only watch as Deshad grabbed Kayla by her hair and put a dagger to her throat. Fear gripped Nathan as everything seemed to slow down around him. Once again Nathan and Deshad locked eyes only this time with Deshad seeing the usual fear he was accustomed to seeing. Deshad was angry that this man challenged him more so he was embarrassed that Nathan was able to stand toe to toe with him after taking such a beating. Deshad removed his dagger from Kayla’s neck and placed it at his side in order give Nathan a fleeting feeling of false hope. He then plunged the blade into Kayla’s stomach.
As she dropped to the catwalk holding her wound Deshad nodded to Nathan and continued his ascent to the roof.
“NO!!!!” Nathan screamed as he forced everything out of his way, people, debris it didn’t matter.
But before Nathan and Anthony got far a third aftershock struck the compound this one stronger than the last. Anthony pulled Nathan back as the medical screening center collapsed from the stress and began to fall directly in their path. Nathan initially resisted Anthony’s pull but saw what he did and knew he’d never make it to the FEMA building before being crushed.
A few moments later the shaking stopped but the way forward was blocked by the remnants of the hospital. People screamed and cried as the building was full of the injured but Nathan didn’t see anything, he didn’t hear anything all he could think was getting to Kayla. Nathan ran as fast as he could around the other side of the remains of the screening center Anthony in tow. As they circled the other side Nathans heart sank even further as the damage was not limited to the screening center. The catwalk where Kayla was standing was hanging from the building
Nathan ran with every ounce of himself to where he knew Kayla should have landed; once there all he saw was rubble and crushed concrete covering the street. Nathan moved slab after slab trying to dig down. Anthony too moved concrete dreading what they may find under it. Eventually Nathan came to a slab to large for him to move but thru the gaps he could see what he hoped he would not find.
Just a fraction of her brown arm could be seen thru the carnage, it was covered in blood. Nathan tried franticly to move the slabs out of the way thru flowing tears. “No, she’s ok.” No matter how hard he tried Nathan could not move the next slab of concrete. “HELP ME!” Nathan screamed at his friend but inside he knew that five of them wouldn’t have been able to move the slab. Anthony just bowed his head, unsure of what to do. Unending tears flowed down Nathan’s face as he went from trying to lift the slab to punching it. He punched and punched until his knuckles bled, he slowed but continued while sobbing thru the pain.
Anthony closed his eyes to hold back his own tears trying to remain strong for his friend. After a few moments Nathan just kneeled and cried for the loss of his love; he knew that he would forever be changed never again to see the world thru soft eyes. A few moments later Anthony moved closer to his friend but stopped short of placing his hand on Nathan’s shoulder. “Nate we have to go, we have to get out of here. It’s over.”
Rage surged thru Nathan’s body stronger than ever before, anger and hatred burned within him as he spoke thru gritted teeth and streaming tears turned sanguine from his own dried blood.
“No…it is not over. It’s only just begun.”
Armageddon Rise Of The New World Order Page 22