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Original X-roads-2003
A blaster charging filled the air, it was right behind me, pointed at my head. The soldiers stood as soon as they heard it, pulling their swords and watching their new attacker. I heard Sertoff kneel down behind me, his arm slowly running around my throat. “Stand.” he commanded in my ear.
I started to stand up with him in a slow motion.
“Now,” he moved the blaster to the side of my head so the soldiers could see it, “Tell them at ease.”
“No.” I rejected his demand. “If you hurt me or kill me I want them to rush you.”
I watched them take an offensive stance, waiting to rush at him.
“You can’t possibly kill all of them.” I warned Sertoff.
“Call one forward.”
“Why?” I muttered incredulously, “So you can shoot him?”
“So I can test their loyalty.” cold, cold words flew from him.
“No.” I said in a firm voice.
He set out his arm straight pointing it at soldier standing on the front line.
“NO!” I screamed as I broke from his grasp and grabbed his wrist. I forced the blaster into the air as it went off, making a mark on the far stone wall near the ceiling. I glared into his cold grey eyes, “You may be able to kill your own men, but these are mine.”
“Forget where they came from?” he raised an eyebrow.
I stood firm as my voice, “They’re mine now.” I assured him.
He de-charged the blaster, I let loose of his wrist. Slowly he put it back in his jacket, “Maybe you will make a good commander after all.” He turned and walked out of the building, leaving me alone with my troops.
I turned back around to them, “Lets continue, you did well.”
They sat back down and began with what I had taught them. Soon the room began to fill up with heat. I walked around them, down the first row till I reached the back. Then silently I walked to the far left corner of the room, “Where do I stand? I asked in whisper.
“In the far left corner, behind Briggs.” their tone rumbled out in unison.
I glanced don at the soldier in front of me, “You Briggs?”
“Yes commander…”
I cut him off, “Just commander, ok?”
“Yes commander.” his voice was young, about my age I guess.
“Very good then.” I walked to the front of the troops, and watched them with their eyes closed. “Continue this until you can do it without thinking about it. I’m going out and will return later. When I do I expect you to know who I am without looking at me. Memorize my power now, because if you fail me…” I thought about it for a second, what was I going to them? “I’ll be extremely pissed off.” I walked to the door and turned when I reached it. “For those of you who don’t know what that means… You don’t want to know.” I opened it and walked outside, Sertoff leaned against the building to my left.
“Do you really think what your teaching them is going to help?” he scoffed. “They need fighting skills, they have to know how to kill to win.”
“They NEED to know how to SURVIVE first. Besides they already know how to fight.” I corrected him, “If I can keep them from getting hurt then I’m doing good.” I walked past him and started to walk towards the circle of trees. “I meant what I said about getting them all out alive. This is the way to do it, no one sneaking up on them, you wait and see.”
“You’re working against time, Assassin.” he warned as he followed behind me.
“I have all the time I need.” I assured him. “I just have a few more details to clear up.”
“The town’s, this way.” he walked beside me and ushered me through the trees.