Sean let go of his pistol and dropped it with a loud clatter onto the metal grating. He held out both his hands to show that he was completely unarmed. Roen gestured to Kwan, and the two slowly placed their rifles on the ground. Roen stood up and put one hand near his holster, ready to pull his pistol out. And then – faster than he thought possible – Sean drew another pistol from his hip pocket and shot Kwan in the head.
Roen pulled out his pistol, but dropped it when he felt a hammer-like blow. He fell backward, clutching his chest. His armor had taken the brunt of the blow, but it hurt nevertheless.
“Stupid, stupid,” said Sean. “Why would you make a deal, boy, when you already know I don’t care about the consequences? And now look at the mess you’ve made.” He brandished the gun in his hand and looked at all the bodies littering the ground. Then he looked at the crushed door at the entranceway. Sean added, “You’ve built quite a body count, son. There is no escape from the helipad for any Quasing here, so this one is insurance.” He gestured at Jill and clubbed her on the head with the pistol. “And since no Quasing wants competition for available vessels, these three won’t be needed anymore either.”
Roen watched, horrified, as Sean put his foot on the backs of the two Prophus delegates and pushed them off the helipad over the cliff. Their screams faded as they fell down the side of the mountain. Sean was about to do the same to Sonya when he hesitated and turned to Roen.
“You care for this one, don’t you, boy?” he said slowly. He pulled out the small glass figurine of a turtle and looked at Roen. “I believe it’s time Tao pays a debt owed to Chiyva. Do you remember Paneese, Tao?” Sean pointed the gun at Sonya’s back and pulled the trigger.
Bam. Bam. Bam.
Sonya gasped. Roen watched as her body shuddered and contorted before collapsing onto the platform. A pool of blood began to expand on the ground around her.
“No!” he screamed. He dived to the right, rolled up onto his feet, and began to run. Roen continued running, dodging and weaving behind a few crates on the helipad. A bullet ricocheted dangerously close to his head as he dove behind a generator.
Stick your head out of the right side and pull back!
“What? I have to get to Sonya!”
Trust me. And do it quickly. You cannot save her until you handle Sean.
Roen complied, peering out from the right edge and pulling back. Two bullets spit up the ground at that side, and he huddled back toward the center.
Five. Six. Now do it again.
“Are you crazy?”
Just do it.
“Come on, boy. Why do you delay the inevitable? Do you know how to die like a man? Come out and show me!” Sean’s voice echoed through the mountain air. “You better stop hiding. Your girl will bleed out in a few minutes.”
Roen stuck his head out and peered at Sean, having just a split second to pull back behind the generator before two more bullets flew right past his head.
Seven. Eight. Now, stick your head out the other side.
“I’m not getting this.”
I will teach you if we ever survive this. Just follow my directions.
Resigned to trusting Tao, Roen stuck his head out and pulled back just as a bullet struck the railing close to his head.
Good, now run to the right, past that debris toward the edge. Cut in and charge Sean when I say so. Go!
Roen took off, keeping his head low and charging across the length of platform. He sprinted past a row of crates and heard a bullet pass by. He almost stumbled as his momentum carried him forward. Roen put his hand down to keep his balance as he turned and dived behind several large fans.
“Now what?”
Keep going.
Roen continued running and rounded the platform corner. He felt a sharp sting as a bullet grazed his armor, just missing his elbow. He pivoted and stumbled, almost falling down.
Now! That was his last bullet. Take him down!
Roen regained his balance and charged. His body throbbed everywhere, but he pushed the pain out of his mind. There was Sean with Sonya lying at his feet. Sean looked up and realized that he didn’t have time to reload. He hurled the gun at Roen. Roen tried to duck out of the way, but the pistol struck him in the shoulder, making him lose his balance. Miraculously, he stayed on his feet and closed the distance between them. He moved in close and attacked Sean with everything he had.
Control your momentum. Stay in control.
He threw a hard right cross that passed harmlessly by Sean’s face as the man easily sidestepped the attack. Sean countered with a quick right backhand on Roen’s cheek that sent him staggering. Roen attacked again, throwing a combination of kicks and punches. Again, Sean easily evaded him. He retaliated with another backhand that sent Roen crashing to the ground.
Sean chuckled, shaking his head. “You disappoint me, Tao. This is the best your vessel can do? I shot her through the lungs, Roen. She’s choking on her own blood as we speak.”
He is trying to rile you. Stay focused.
Growling, Roen picked himself up and took a few steps back. His shoulder and chest were throbbing, and he barely had the use of his left arm. Exhaustion was setting in as well. It was all he could do to stay upright. He watched warily as Sean stretched his neck and arms lazily, sauntering closer and closer.
He is trying to intimidate you.
“He’s doing a good job. I don’t think I can beat him. He’s too good.”
Now is not the time for self-doubt, Roen. He might have more experience and skill, but you have youth and strength on your side.
Gritting his teeth, Roen charged again, slipping outside of Sean’s guard to attack at an angle. He pressed forward and threw a right hook toward Sean’s exposed ribcage. Sean twisted out of the way. He grabbed Roen’s forearm and sent him tumbling head first to the ground. Roen found himself lying on his back as fresh waves of pain rippled through his body. The man was toying with him.
“I can’t beat him. I can’t even touch him. What style is he using? What do I do? He moves like Lin!”
I believe he is using a form of aikido or possibly Ba Gua Zhang to neutralize your speed and strength. He is good, but not that good! You can beat him! He would not hold a candle against Lin.
“That doesn’t make me feel better. Sifu Lin never broke a sweat tossing me around.”
Roen scrambled back to his feet and retreated, watching with unfocused eyes as Sean stalked him. Sean still wore that bored smug smile as he yawned. He said, “Why don’t you make it easier on yourself?”
“What?” Roen growled. “Just lie down and die for you?”
Sean chuckled. “You might as well. You have no chance, but who can blame you? You’re only human.”
“Tao, I… I can’t beat this guy, not by myself. I can’t do this alone.”
Roen, listen to me. You will beat him, because you must. Sonya and Jill are depending on you. If you fail, they die. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. Do not let anyone tell you that you are not able. Not me, not you, and damn it, not Sean Diamont. So, forget about me, the Prophus, and this ridiculous war. Think about those who love you and depend on you. What else is worth living and dying for? And Roen?
“What?”
You are not alone. What is the capital of old Assyria?
Roen closed his eyes and chuckled involuntarily. “The capital of Assyria?” He looked up at the early morning sky. “Well, heck, everyone knows the answer to that. The capital’s Assur!”
Exactly. I will always be with you. You want to change the world? Now is your chance! Go show this bastard what you are made of!