The Key
Page 25
Chapter 25
Nom watched from his vantage point, high on the top of the tallest building, as the landers rained down upon the city. A deep breath filled its lungs. He had not claimed his rightful victory. The package was still in the possession of the enemy, and not within his grasp. Now the Masters were here to repair the mistakes that he had made.
Activating the chameleonic ability of his suit, Nom walked to the edge of the roof. The great building swayed erratically as he walked. From the precipice, the destruction on the streets below looked to be little more than an abstract painting from a different time. A tiny red dot appeared in front of his eyes, marking the location of the package. The dot marked a spot on the other side of a great crevasse that had opened and threatened to tear the city apart.
He stepped back a few paces, enough to gather some speed, then ran towards the edge and leapt over the side. Moments passed quickly as he hurled through the air. Gravity finally caught up with momentum, and carried him to a nearby rooftop. He landed neatly in a crouch, and then sprinted for the other end of the roof, avoiding the various structures that resided there. Without stopping, he again launched into the air.
Superhuman agility was an asset not to be taken lightly. One of the Ta'Reeth landers streaked past, trailing smoke and debris in its wake. Using deliberate movements, Nom landed on the falling ship, ran across the top of the hull, and leapt into the air on the other side.
The next building was considerably shorter than the previous ones. Massive cracks ran from the street to the rooftop. Metal beams protruded through gigantic holes in the roof. Nom alighted near the edge of the crumbling roof, poised to spring in any direction. Smoke swirled around the invisible figure, threatening to reveal its presence.
Quickly he scanned the rooftop. A frightened rodent scurried into a small hole in the distance, leaving a trail of crumbs behind. Finding nothing else, Nom rose from his crouch. The roof started to crumble under his weight as he carefully walked towards his destination. The building swayed violently from side to side, toppling the few structures that had been left standing. Halfway across the roof, a metal storage shed collapsed leaving a giant hole directly in Nom's path.
A quick step and a bound allowed Nom to clear the hole, and continue to the other side. Once at the far wall, he paused. There were no more buildings between him and the crevasse. The crevasse stared back like a giant maw, craving to be fed.
The air smelled of smoke and burnt flesh as he knelt and started to climb down the wall. He quickly placed one hand in front of the other as he climbed downward. Reaching ground level, Nom easily slipped from the side of the building to the street. Rubble littered the streets. Bodies lay in heaps scattered across the ground. Flies had already started to gather around the carrion. Obviously the glorious end had not greeted the infidels well.
The crevasse loomed larger on the ground. Nom crept back, away from the giant crack in the planet. Taking a running start, he hurled himself into the crevasse. Darkness engulfed him as he plummeted into the depths of the city's underground. After falling for a short time, he managed to grab hold of a loose cable, and swing safely to the other side of the crevasse.
The climb to the top was simple. A plethora of handholds and footholds presented themselves in the forms of cracks, broken pipes, and structural supports. Near the edge of the far side of the crevasse sat the wreckage of a small, red air car. The windscreen was shattered with specks of blood spattered across it. Oil spilled out from under the car, making a small lake underneath.
Soldiers poured out of a nearby lander. A squad of soldiers headed for the air car, and formed a perimeter around it.
Nom quickly looked around. The signal was coming from the air car. He quickly made his way to the car. Getting through the perimeter proved to be simple enough. Invisibility had its benefits, especially when stealth was required. Inside the car was a woman's body; bloody, twisted and pinned against the windscreen. It was the dangerous one from the bomb site. Here she was, as worthy of an adversary as the infidels could produce, and she appeared to be dead. It was a pity. She could have provided the glorious end that he so desired.
"Show yourself." The words thundered inside his mind. Nom glanced towards the perimeter of soldiers. One of them aimed its plasma cannon in the direction of the car.
A soft sigh escaped his lips. Nom quietly disengaged the chameleonic function of the dreaded suit. "This is my prisoner. Do not interfere." the words spilled out of his mouth, but seemed to originate from somewhere else. A breath caught in his throat for a heartbeat before the soldier lowered its weapon.
"Of course Wraith. The woman is dead anyway." the words came effortlessly into his mind.
"No. She is not dead, just severely wounded." Nom stared at the soldier with cold blue eyes. "Get her out of there, and give her to me." he commanded and then stepped aside and watched the soldiers rip the car apart with ease.