Original X-roads-2003

    I jumped from a knock on the door, I looked up.
    Sertoff slowly stood, he opened the door a crack and held the blaster eye level of whomever was outside. “This better be important.” he warned.
    “The Emperor requests a status report.” a guard stood beyond the door.
    Sertoff pulled the door open a little more.
    “No! Don’t!” I yelled to him.
    He turned to me slightly.
    “You might need him later.” I explained.
    He turned back and shot the guard, “I’ll take you in his place.” He shut the door and locked it, then walked over and sat in front of me.
    “What’s the Emperor going to say about you killing his men?” I waited for his answer.
    “They’re not his men.” he uncapped the flask.
    “Then who’s are they?” I asked in disbelief.
    He took a drink and capped the flask before setting it down. “They’re mine.” he looked me square in the eye.
    “Yours?” I wanted to laugh, to think there were people actually stupid enough to work for this man. Oh wait a minute, I’m that stupid too. “How did they get here?”
    “I had them sent.” he glanced at where my weapons normally were. “Some of them are yours.” he looked back up at me.
    I laughed, “Mine? What am I going to do with soldiers?”
    “Win a war.”
    “I’m not going to be fighting really, am I? I’m just supposed to kill someone in their sleep, right?” I began to grow a little nervous. I mean not even Gang Wars are all that bad compared to Real Wars. Actual hand to hand combat with people I’ve never met before, who want me dead, who hate me, who are probably more psychotic than I am?
    Sertoff half laughed as he leaned back.
    I looked at him, “It’s not funny!” I reached over and smacked his leg. “I mean it was fine before when I knew it was going to happen. But now, now, I have these … men.” I looked at the door. “And I’m responsible for them, each and every one. How am I supposed to get them all out alive?” I started to get worried, normally I’m associated with killing people not keeping them alive.
    “They aren’t all going to get out.” he assured me.