Original X-roads-2003

    Mark listened to the silence that now followed, for ten minutes only the wind could be heard. Then, out of the silence, a large explosion was heard followed by several others. Soon the city was nothing more than a large flame. He turned his back on it and walked towards the helicopter that awaited him. “Jondas next.” he directed.
    The soldiers all filed into planes, neat and orderly, but most of all silent. There was no friendly chatter between comrades. Not a word had been spoken through the whole attack. Nor would one be spoken til they had reached camp.
    They call them “The Black Sea”, “The Dark Plague”, Chasarue’s men… But there are rarely any survivors to tell. Accidents are made, a few are always missed if they hide well enough. Mark Chasarue was a dark man, commanding a army of brainwashed men. What he knew, they knew. What he thought, they thought. What he sees, they see. Mark could see through anyone’s eyes, hear anyone’s thoughts. A nice gift to have, but he only used it for his own intent, and he used it all the time. At any given moment he could from even light years away see a battle his soldiers were fighting from any of their eyes. And control a single officer with his own thoughts, should something needless arise.
    Needless being someone who stood out from the crowd, trying to save their home. A hero. They become wiped out rather quickly when Mark is around.
    The rest of the cities fell as easily as that one, it was only a days work to take out ten or so. They camped always in the last city, Mark stayed on the outskirts of town as did the other officers.
    “These technologically advanced cities fall easier than anything else.” Reveled complained.
    “Yeah.” Major Dybin was cleaning her rifle. “No soothsayers to warn them.”
    “Perhaps we should just detonate this planet and move on.” whirring motions could be heard as Sevec approached Mark with the idea.
    Mark glanced in silence, at the fire that had been the city.