by Kevin Gordon
destroy you, to bring down the once mighty OLMAC.^
^Then keep your Grunts chained, and let’s have at it.^
^Agreed.^
The grunts allowed Ellore to pull Dobrin off to the side, as Suld and Uld circled one another.
^Oh, first, I need to do this.^ With a sudden motion, Suld concentrated on the TELREC, mentally attacking him. The TELREC struggled for a moment as his mind folded in on itself. He quickly collapsed into a pool of his robes, his face distorted in pain. ^No sense having any unwanted prying eyes as we settle this.^
^Full of surprises, aren’t you?^ Uld grappled with Suld’s mind, as Suld did the same. They also fought physically, each trying to knock the other to the ground using feet and hands. Uld was a master at deceit and guile, and used every trick he knew to try to get a mental foothold in Suld’s mind. Suld merely threw up massive defense after defense, preparing to absorb a lot of damage.
Uld smirked at his ploy. ^A rather simple strategy—trying to wear me down? You think that physically, you are slightly superior? Well, I have a surprise for you.^
Uld boldly grabbed Suld and casually threw him against a wall, his bones audibly creaking under the stress. Suld shook his head, his mental defenses holding, but still feeling a little shaken, looking at Uld in astonishment.
^Yeah, I’ve gotten myself a few gene-hancements.^ He preened for no one in particular, straightening his shirt, humorously admiring his physique. ^Just in case an opportunity such as this should present itself.^
Suld tried to outmaneuver Uld, rolling on his side, trying to get back on his feet, but Uld was too quick. In a moment, Uld had Suld by his neck, and lifted him into the air.
^I was debating whether or not to use my knife on you, but I thought you should feel some broader pain first.^
With one hand on his neck, and another on his waist, Uld threw Suld, head first, into a corner of the room. Louder cracking sounds could be heard as he fell, and he lay a long while in the shadows, mentally willing his CMS system to repair some of the damage. Uld patiently waited, flexing his muscles and mind. After a few mroas, he advanced on Suld, who struggled to stand up.
^Now, I think it is time for the blade.^
Dobrin tried to lunge forward, but Ellore and Aeolle restrained him. Uld’s short blade gleamed in the light, almost as brightly as his teeth, serrated with vicious points along its length. Suld moved slowly in the darkness, his body broken. Uld watched him stand, crouched over, with eyes of hatred and malice.
^Come to me Suld,^ he taunted, feeling the end was near. ^I so lust for your death cries, my old and dear friend.^
Suld rushed at Uld, trying to ignore the pain in his neck and chest. He went on the offensive mentally as well, battering down some of Uld’s mind. But before he realized it, Uld was digging into Suld’s shoulder with the knife, twisting his blade around as blood gushed forth.
^Hurts, doesn’t it?^ he cast softly. ^Nothing is as effective as a blade! Not particle weapons, not projectile weapons. The blade is nothing short of beautiful. It can be used to prolong life, or hasten death.^
The space suddenly seemed dark and close to Suld, reeking of the smell of flesh and death. He backed away, but Uld grabbed his jacket and yanked him close, shoving the blade into the side of his chest. He went quickly, in and out, as Suld moaned in pain.
^This really must hurt—I can see it on your face! You see, if Dobrin over there had your strength, maybe he would have fared better against me. He has a reason to want to win. But why are you here?^ he asked, leaving the blade fully inserted for a moment. His cheek touched Suld’s, as Uld inhaled deeply the smell of Suld’s sweat and blood. ^For the wife of a friend? For a whore who is well past her prime? Poor reasons to throw one’s life away.^
Suld pushed Uld away, staggering back, the floor growing slick with his fluids.
^I am here . . . because never again . . . will I stand by idly as people like you soil our planet!^
^How noble,^ wryly retorted Uld. He leapt with lightning speed, in an instant slashing Suld again on the same side of his chest, bringing him down to his knees.
^And I am here, so that never again will I hide in the shadows. With you gone, I will assassinate Iant, and take over control of the Leviathan.^ Uld glanced over at the body wrapped in brown and gold robes. ^Then maybe even the TELREC.^
Aeolle screamed. ^What are you waiting for, Suld? End this!^
Uld ran at him again. Suld tried to dodge, but Uld was too fast. He sliced along Suld’s neck, cutting deep, almost to bone. Suld collapsed on the floor, breathing heavily, feeling his life flow away.
^What did she mean, my friend?^ demanded Uld. ^Another surprise? Well, I think it’s too late for you.^
Not now, not now! What of Mechle Rulsi, what of Ksilte? I cannot die. My damned pride. Why did I let it go on this long? He turned towards Kurd.
^Now.^
Kurd stepped forward. ^You shall not die, Suld.^
Uld whirled on Kurd in total surprise. ^What?^
Kurd reached out an arm, and grasped hold Uld’s neck. Uld futilely tried to fight back, shoving his knife in and out of Kurd, slashing at his arm, but after a few moments, understood what the problem was.
^You . . . you’re meta!^
Kurd nodded with an ever-widening grin. ^Correct. ^
The Kurd-meta threw something at the grunts, small metallic devices that scurried up their wide, muscular legs, burrowing within. Their bodies shook for a moment, then collapsed, the life quickly ebbing away.
^Micro-meta. Saved, for just such an occasion. Why did you wait so long, Suld?^
Suld tried to sit up, but kept slipping on his own blood. ^Human pride. You wouldn’t understand.^
^You thought you could beat me?^ Uld laughed. ^You’re pathetic Suld. You can’t even face me man to man. You’re not worthy to run OLMAC. So many of your ancestors were strong and vital, almost heroic in stature. What a disappointment you must be to them. How you soil their memory.^
Through the entrance came several more meta. They knelt down and worked quickly on Suld, closing his wounds, attaching two devices to his head, as another freed Dobrin from his bonds and tended to his wounds. Suld slowly stood, regaining his strength. One of the meta connected with the Kurd-meta.
^Suld, we have information.^
^What?^
^TELREC forces are attacking Gan-Elldon.^
Uld laughed, so hard he fell to the floor. ^I get it now!^ he cried, still furiously trying to break Kurd’s hold. ^They used me as a diversion, and when they got you off your damned moon, when they knew you’d be occupied, they struck! Oh my, and for a moment, you thought the battle was over. You may have tricked me, but you won’t fool the ‘RECs! You’ll die, you disgusting waste, no matter how many mechanical friends you have.^
^How curious you now champion those you would eagerly replace,^ cast Suld, feeling his strength return.
^I have no allegiances, other than to myself, and my few select friends,^ retorted Uld. ^Of whom, it seems you have compromised. I shall have to be more careful, when I return.^
^You will never return to that disgrace you call a life,^ cast Suld, advancing on Uld. ^Never.^
Ellore could see the murder on Suld’s face, and rushed to stop him.
^Why did you come here?^ she cast desperately. ^How did you find us?^
He pushed her aside, and went over to Uld.
^What’re you going to do?^ Uld cast, with a smirk on his face.
^End this.^
Suld reached out his hands, and closed them around Uld’s neck. He worked on Uld’s mind, stifling it, beginning to shut down his CMS system. Ellore watched him for a moment, debating with herself about what to do.
^Suld, why did you come?^ she asked again. He ignored her, as he worked on Uld. ^Why?!^ she slammed, trying to break Suld’s focus.
^I came because of Ksilte.^
^Why because of Ksilte?^
^Because Ksilte was a kind, intelligent, gracious man,^ cast Suld, forcing himsel
f harder on Uld, ^who only wanted the best for his people, especially for you and your son.^
^Would he have wanted you to do this?^
Uld never closed his eyes. He kept focused on Suld, keeping the same smirk on his face, even as his face started to turn blue.
^Do you know what he would have done to you, Ellore?!^
^Yes, I saw what he wanted to do. He cast those things to me.^
^He would have sold your son back into the fleshivals, destroyed his adult life as he destroyed his childhood!^
She gently reached out to him. ^I know Suld, I know. But there is too much viciousness on Novan, too much murder and death. If you truly want to begin anew, start a new future for our people, it must begin here.^
He desperately wanted to break Uld’s neck, even felt the strength building within his hands and arms. The very smell of the man disgusted Suld, as if all the foul things he had done made their presence known in that smell. As much as it pained him, he released Uld, his arms slumping at his sides. Ellore took Suld’s hands carefully and gently as two meta took hold of Uld.
^Ksilte thought you were a strong and great man.^
Suld wrenched his gaze away from Uld, looking at Ellore for the first time, seeing many things that made clearer Ksilte’s love for her.
^Ksilte was the great man,^ he said, holding her tightly. ^I miss him, and I was only just getting to know him. He promised he would bring you and your son to Gan-Elldon. He loved you, so very much.^
^I know. He was my life, and I was his. Thank you so much for coming for me and my son.^
Ellore returned his tight embrace, finally feeling relief and hope,