Get up you twit! He’s coming to kill you! Get up NOW!
Laurina struggled up to her hands and knees, but her efforts were too slow. She could feel the black presence of her opponent coming alongside her. Once again Praetor laughed his truck engine laugh, staring down at his helpless opponent.
“That was a nice kick you gave me, woman. Allow me to return the favor.”
With those words, he reared back his large metal boot and issued a kick to Laurina’s midsection, powerful enough to launch her several yards into the air, far enough to collide with the unyielding steel wall and land onto the sand hard enough to crack a rib. Writhing in pain on the gritty battle floor, Laurina grabbed her chest as she heaved and vomited onto the ground. Even her retching was interesting enough to have the monitors replay the scene over and over, as the spectators cheered raucously.
Christ Almighty! Can’t take any more of those kicks old girl. You gotta find a way to play keep away from the blighter until you can catch a breath and find that sword. It’s the only way you have a shot at him.
Gasping for air, Laurina slowly rose to one knee, and with a supreme effort, staggered back to her feet. She glanced at her massive opponent standing twenty feet away when she caught a gleam of metal to the left at the edge of her vision. Her golden katana seemed an impossible distance away, especially with the surprisingly quick gladiator standing too close for comfort, but it couldn’t be helped. Gathering what little strength she had, the youthful Londoner prepared to make for the weapon.
Praetor felt a sense of grim satisfaction as he watched the woman sway back and forth on her feet. She was clearly on her last legs, but he wasn’t quite ready to kill her outright. He wanted her to suffer for humiliating him. He wanted her to feel not only pain but despair, just before he dispatched her. Seeing that the upstart caught sight of her puny sword, he waited patiently. If the woman could have looked inside his helmet, she would have seen his lips part to reveal a huge smile.
Laurina was sweating profusely as she found her courage to move. Familiar warmth began as a spark within her being and began to grow into a fever. The feeling of heat caught her by surprise, and she almost fainted from exhaustion. Her vision blurred and wavered before focusing to become clearer than it had ever been in her life. Time seemed to slow and even the murmuring of the crowd ceased to be, as the golden katana seemed to be right in front of her. She could make out a particle of dust lying on top of the pommel as if she were looking through a microscope, and she could even see a small strand of horsehair that had fallen from Praetor’s helmet, still clinging to the edge of the blade.
Stop your bloody daydreaming and get moving, NOW!
She bolted forward, running with all of her might to reach the katana.
The spectators roared…
And Praetor moved.
Like the experienced warrior he was, he instantly plotted her trajectory and his speed making toward the exact spot of impact with mad abandon. Charging like a bull, he rumbled toward the woman, intending to impale her against the wall with his shoulder spikes. The Arena battle floor echoed from the reverberation of his pounding feet. His metal legs pumped like pistons, and the high pitched screeching of his armor rubbing together, sounded like a mad machine going out of control.
Ten feet away…
Five feet…
I’m not gonna make it.
The crowd waited for the imminent collision with great anticipation, and those seated along the edge of the wall nearest to the action leaned over to watch.
Gotta…
Praetor lowered his shoulder.
JUMP!
Somehow Laurina found the strength to spring forward as a tiny jolt of electricity seemed to spark within her legs. Like an arrow, she bolted through the air just as Praetor hit the wall at the spot she had just vacated.
The impact was deafening.
Chapter 5
Initiators in Nedara are generally people who show high aptitude in the sciences since the manipulation of CCE requires knowledge of the elements that make up all matter that exists in the world. Some are sensitive to and have an affinity for this ability from birth. When recognized, these individuals receive fostering and training to develop and enhance this ability. Others who enter into this discipline receive Scripts to augment this understanding, as well as to help them to effectively channel the energies inherent within the Light Universe. A very special few were “naturals” at it. Galicia Hawks was one such person.
Part of the Initiator training was making the operator sensitive to the power emanations of Core Conversion Energy. This force is mostly generated by artificial means, in areas similar to power plants, and supplied much like electricity is supplied. CCE is also evident in all living things, although in a very small measure. Prospective Initiators go through a special immersion process in which they are imbued with large amounts of this energy under controlled conditions. After the procedure, the candidate’s body can sense CCE anywhere it was present. Through continued training, their sensitivity is honed until it becomes second nature, where they can detect location, strength, quantity, and availability of CCE for use. By this time, the candidate can sense and “see” the world as a huge CCE circulatory system, like that of a living organism. After a period of extensive training, the “Initiates” are able to draw and manipulate that power through their special eyewear, in various ways according to need. All that is needed is an access point from which to draw that power for their use.
Through her ability, Galicia was able to read the small stream of CCE that radiated through the filament wires running within Athena’s stronghold and trace them to one of the massive CCE generators located within its lower levels. However, getting to it proved to be difficult. Each corner she rounded brought hidden dangers; each hallway she crept through held the potential for her to be spotted. Athena’s black hooded guards seemed to be everywhere, although currently in a relaxed posture, milling about in pairs or congregating in groups. As she continued her search, the sound of raucous laughter echoed around her. At one point, while she attempted to pass another group, an argument broke out between two of the guards. Sharp words were spoken, followed by a scuffle. Punches were thrown and the brawling combatants were cheered on by their fellows. It made for a great diversion, allowing her to skirt past them undetected. Galicia knew, however, that things would only become more difficult as soon as someone discovered the unconscious men outside of her and Sinza’s cell.
She hoped fervently that her partner would be ok through this. Sinza was a skilled fighter but sometimes she tended to be a bit reckless. The plan she had devised was dangerous enough, and at any moment something could happen to send everything down the crapper. Even more importantly she hoped that Sinza would be able to get to Laurina and get her out of the Arena before she ends up getting killed. All of her life, Laur had always been there for her, as a protector, as her financial support, or even as her best friend, bringing a kind word and a warm smile for her when needed. The fact that Laurina was here now, against all odds, spoke volumes about how much her big sister meant to her. Now it was time for the younger sister to return the favor. Her soft blue eyes stung as the thought came to mind, but the instant she felt them begin to tear up, she steeled her thoughts, forcing them back to the present. Emotions had no place here, not when her state of mind could mean the difference between life and death.
As if to drive that point home, when Galicia rounded a corner, two black cloaks emerged from an open door. Quickly she backed into a nearby alcove, blending into the shadows just as they passed her by. Several moments elapsed as the young Initiator waited for the pounding of her heart to subside. That was close. Silently cursing herself for being so inattentive, she focused herself back on the task at hand.
As she stole through the complex, the readout on her Initiator visor informed her that she needed to descend two levels to reach her destination. Finding a stairwell, she carefully opened the door to make sure the coast was clear. See
ing no one, she quickly crept down the stairs, careful to walk on the balls of her feet, so as not to make any noise. Making it down one floor, she began to round the corner when a double gong sound broke the silence, repeating loudly and urgently. Seconds later, she heard urgent shouting coming from outside the door that she had just passed. Abandoning her stealthy approach, Galicia bounded down the remaining stairs, making for the door, as fast as her legs could carry her. As she approached the bottom of the stairwell, the sound of booted feet echoed above her, heading in her direction. Calling on what little power she had remaining, the blonde Initiator reached the last stair and pushed open the door. Rather than go through it, however, she whirled around the banister into the small storage space behind the stairs, tapping her invisible keyboard as she did so.
Immediately the shadows in the unlit space enlarged and deepened, as she squatted down into the inky blackness. Making herself as still as death, Galicia braced herself against the stair wall and waited. Moments later, twenty armed men stomped quickly down the stairs, and through the closing door, banging into it repeatedly as they exited. Their pursuit was so urgent that they passed by without taking notice of her. Soon the rumble of booted feet faded down the hallway, and once again all was quiet.
Athena's goons were patrolling in force, meaning that things were now doubly dangerous. Allowing the darkness to fade, Galicia emerged from her hiding place and made her way into the empty corridor, careful not to let the door bang closed behind her. Taking the passage to the right, she walked softly down the long hall for several minutes, taking care to stay along the wall so that she wouldn’t be spotted easily. As she finally allowed herself to relax just a bit, a rhythmic scuffing sound caused her to freeze in her tracks. The sound was coming from a good way off, but it was quickly approaching her location. Galicia realized that she was trapped in no man’s land, with no doorway or alcove to hide within.
Looking around frantically, the Initiator spied a statue of a naked woman with oversized breasts holding a basket of fruit, several feet away. Running over to it quickly, Galicia tapped a short sequence in the air calling upon the last bits of remaining CCE power in her eyewear. She posed herself in front of the sculpture intending to make herself as near to invisible as possible so that she wouldn’t be noticed.
It didn’t work.
The sound of footsteps gave way to a lone black robed guard walking in her direction. Galicia kept herself very still, adopting the same posture as the statue as if she were helping to hold her fruit basket. Just as the guard was about to pass, there was a sharp flash, and the illusion wavered for a moment exposing the Brit, before resuming its former image. But the damage was done. The guard caught sight of something that didn’t look quite right with the statue. Curious, he began to walk toward her.
“What the hell are you doing?” a gruff voice called out.
The startled guard turned around and found himself face to face with Captain Mert.
“Uh, sir I was…well,” he stammered looking up at the larger man.
Mert cuffed him hard to the side of his face, knocking him sprawling to the floor.
“Everyone else in this blasted building is doin’ his job, and you’re out here standin’ around looking for jerk off material.”
“B-b-but sir,” he subordinate began, pointing toward the statue.
The guard Captain reached down and pulled the man to his feet, spun him around and propelled him forward.
“You can ogle the pretty boobies on yer own time! Now move!” His large boot came up swiftly, kicking his subordinate squarely in the buttocks. Needing no further persuasion, the reprimanded guard ran down the hall on the double, followed closely by Mert.
As the two men rounded a corner, Galicia felt pressure in her lungs and realized that she was holding her breath. She let it out with a soft sigh.
After 10 more minutes of frantic searching, the blonde Brit finally found what she was looking for. Thrumming in front of her was a massive grey device, squatting like an ogre in a dark corner of an alcove in the lower level. She could feel that it was filled with concentrated CCE, and when she opened her mind to it, she could see what looked like glowing yellow clouds floating inside. As she continued her inspection, the clouds became more substantial, turning into globules of molten gold before becoming translucent once again. She could see the gilded strands flowing away from it, like veins delivering golden blood to the complex, through various conduits, and into thin wires.
For each Initiator, after surviving the traumatic and sometimes painful “birthing process” of first exposure, the close proximity of a large CCE power source invokes a powerful sensation of pleasure within them, that varies from person to person. Some Initiates would feel the exhilarating feeling of freefall from a great height or the frosty wetness of skiing down a mountain. For Galicia it felt like being wrapped in a comforter on a cold winter day, sipping cocoa. As she came closer and closer to the apparatus, that warm soothing sensation began to envelop her. She closed her eyes and savored the experience for a few fleeting moments before letting it fade with a sigh.
After a bit of probing in the front of the large device, she moved a hand around it, feeling carefully until she found the maintenance access panel on the other side of the machine, hidden from view; the very thing that she was looking for.
“Well it’s about bloody time!” she whispered to herself, as she removed the heavy cover.
Chapter 6
Praetor slammed into the wall so hard that he sent three members of the audience plummeting forward onto the Arena floor. Their friends in the stands laughed at them as they cowered in front of the warrior's towering form. Cheers erupted as, mercifully, a panel slid open and the hapless spectators bolted toward the exit and the relative safety of the stands
They needn’t have worried as they scrambled to get away from him. Praetor was having more pressing concerns, and he paid the fans no attention. He had collided so hard, that the spikes on the elbow and shoulder of his armor had driven deep into the steel wall and had become wedged. Praetor pulled furiously to free himself, rocking back and forth to loosen the wall’s hold on him, but to no avail. He was stuck fast.
Meanwhile, Laurina landed on the sandy floor and in one motion somersaulted and emerged on her feet as the crowd cheered. She also disregarded the spectators, as she marveled at her narrow escape, and assessed her physical condition.
That was bloody close! That power or whatever it is helped me again. I wish it wouldn’t just come and go like it does. I need it now!
A heavy wave of nausea struck the beautiful redhead, and she unceremoniously doubled over and vomited again next to the metal wall.
I also wish it didn’t make me so damn sick.
She felt hot, almost feverish. Her beautiful face was now plastered with sand sticking onto her sweaty brow. What little was left of her clothing was dirt streaked and torn, and she had blood seeping through the scraped flesh of her arms and legs. She was alive but in rough shape. Collecting herself, Laurina looked up and saw Praetor still attempting to pull himself free of the wall. Seeing her opponent helpless, she seized the opportunity. She retrieved the golden katana and maneuvered quietly trying to approach the armored gladiator from directly behind, without attracting his attention. At each step, the crowd’s roar increased anticipating that a fatal blow might soon be struck.
The young Brit raised her blade, readying herself to stab it into the vulnerable spot of her opponent’s armor, but Praetor sensed her presence, half turned and struck the woman with a savage backhand blow that sent her reeling. Once again the golden katana flew from her grasp, and as Laurina fell unarmed to the dirt, the armored warrior pulled back and forth with all of his might until finally with a loud screech, he pulled free from the metal retaining wall.
Laurina lifted her head from the sandy floor, desperately trying to regain her focus as the Arena swirled around in her vision. Blood trickled from her mouth from the blow she received, but she ignored
it, concentrating with all of her might to get up and get away from her nemesis. But in her weakened condition, she couldn’t make any of her limbs respond to her mental commands. A small portion of her mind noted that her body was now in the air, about ten feet above the ground. The young Brit wondered why she was flying when she noticed that she had landed in the sand once more. Her tongue was dry, and she slowly realized that once again she had a mouthful of sand.
Praetor had picked up the small woman, lifted her above his head and with a roar, launched her into the air. Laurina's form sailed high across the floor before crashing hard and sliding once again on the Arena’s gritty surface. Blood began to seep into the sand from her wounds and she coughed spasmodically, gaping like a fish out of water, as her vision began to fade. Praetor slowly walked over to his downed opponent, and the spectators roared as one when he delivered a devastating kick to her midsection. The kick launched her into the air, and once again she landed hard on the ground. Again and again, the armored monstrosity kicked her, with the crowd responding to each strike.
Laurina was feeling none of it.
The roaring of the crowd faded like a dream into the sound of her blood pumping in her ears. The impact of Praetor’s blows disappeared from her consciousness as if they were nothing. At that moment, there was only one constant that the young Brit was aware of: The sudden and shocking reminder that the world she had found herself in was definitely NOT a simulation. She was not going to wake up in that uncomfortable chair in Colonel Keren’s complex, and if she died here, right now, this would truly be the end of her.
Hawks Effect_Dangerous Reunion Page 4