Wishes And Dust - Chapter 3

 

          “Mister Nephilim, may I see your credentials?” Captain Samantha Morgan asked the urban camouflaged Bradley.

          “Our papers, Captain Morgan.” The seven Bradley had personally chosen, and Zeke, who had been eying the first officer of the ship, flanked the stoic Bradley. Sarah read over the authorization and bowed to her superior officer.

          “I am sorry, I did not realize that Rune himself signed the transfer.”

Bradley scoffed.

          “You do know that Rune is just a civilian?” Bradley asked with a blunt blade against his voice.

Zeke smacked his colleague in the back of the head.

          “Sorry, he’s mentally retarded.” Zeke tried to joke before being flicked by a cigarette. “Son of a-” The first officer cleared her throat.

          “Gentlemen, don’t even start that on my ship,” Samantha glanced the unholy knight down. “If your men will follow Sasha, we can discuss the first mission Rune has issued.” Bradley looked over to Zeke.

          “Zeke, go and set up our armory and make sure we get the good guns.”

          “We do have guns on the ship.” Sarah said with a bit of temper flaring.

          “Not our customs.” Zeke smirked.

          Zeke was with the seven as they left the captain alone on deck with the rebel captain.

          “Miss Morgan, could we go somewhere more private to talk?” Even though the ship was docking and running on a skeleton crew, the command bridge was still the busiest spot.

          “Sure.” She looked around and decided to go to her own quarters.

          Bradley looked almost worried as they entered Samantha’s quarters. The floor was carpeted and a bit more apartment like than a soldier’s abode should be. That and the fact that there was nothing truly personal in the room, everything was naval. Strategy books were strewn across what was supposed to be her dining table. There were several MREs on a shelf and an open one nearly inside the trashcan. Since most quarters were one room, Bradley sat down on the sofa across from her bed while Sam herself lay on her feather bed.

          “I’m guessing you don’t get off the ship much.” Bradley said with a chuckle as he moved a teddy bear from beneath him.

          “Yeah, I always felt that a captain should be with their ship to the end,” Sam broke out in a weird giggle. “I’m sorry but saying that to someone like you is an understatement.”

          “What do you mean?”

          “Rune told me about Von Groll Keep and how you were inside of it when it was bombed.”

          “It wasn’t bombed. I was the one who hit the detonator,” Sam was speechless. “Did he mention that I did it to murder my father?” Sam was now avoiding eye contact. “I’m sorry, I lost my head.”

          “No, its just Rune did tell me that. He also told me that you did it for your sisters,” Bradley smirked. “I don’t like Rune all that much.”

          “Finally, someone is willing to say it besides me. Why?”

          “He uses what his foster father gave him to rise to power anything linked with the Colonies. He wants the world molded to his imagination and the only reason I joined was because I feel that we, as a colony, have outlived the thrall,” Bradley looked deep into himself not to pounce on the topic. “Why did you join? There is nothing really connecting you to the Colonies.”

          “A friend of mine had to guilt me into it. Heh, it surprises me how young people are now.” Bradley thumbed the base of his left ring finger, expecting a ring he rarely took off.

          “What?”

          “How old are you?”

          “I’ll be twenty-five in a couple months. Why, you can’t be more than thirty.” Bradley scoffed.

          “I’m a bit older than that.” Sam’s eyes widened. “Frankly, time seems to have passed me by. Scars and beatings are what changed me from boyish to now.” Bradley stood up. “Sorry but I really need something to eat. I haven’t had a good meal in about three days.”

          “A decent dinner will be sent to the Guest Galley. It’s pretty nice for four people.” Bradley had forgotten all about Zeke and Sasha.

*****

          Zekial wandered down the hall beside Sasha. The recruits were situated in a single bunk while Zeke was going to be in the same room as Bradley. Theirs was positioned across the hall from the first mate’s bunk. Sasha opened the bulkhead door and pointed a finger.

          “You can throw your gear in there.” As Zeke passed her, her hand brushes his. Zeke threw the bag full of guns onto a cot, wrapped his arm around Sasha’s waist and kissed her deeply. They moved deeper into the room and fell onto Zeke’s now-claimed cot. They had known each other for about forty minutes and they already knew the taste and stench of the other.

 

          “Sorry we’re late.” Zeke and Sasha went to opposite ends of the square table and wobbled their chairs to their counterparts. Zeke was discussing what he and Sasha had done.

          “Dude, I beat your time for getting into a girl’s pants,” Zeke whispered. “And the cot with the guns on it is yours unless you want to feel icky in the morning,” Bradley made a near-gagging sound, set down his glass of wine and reached for the bottle to chug. “Oh and the navigation room was broken in. The ship is mine now by-”

          “YOU LEFT YOUR WHAT IN THE MAP ROOM?” Samantha was laughing at the sheer fact that Sasha had no underwear on.

          “SO…” Bradley said it loud enough so the awkward air faded. “Where did Rune tell you to drop us off?”

          “He said to drop you off on Cumberland Island, off the coast of Georgia,” Bradley and Zeke locked eyes. “A cult formed and is covered by a Gospel Church and taken hostage fifteen of the most prominent members of American Parliamentary politics.” 

          “You know, I’ve never saved a Brit in a suit before. Sounds fun,” Zeke admired the lobster that was in front of Bradley and stole its claw to suck out all the meat. “I’ll go mount up. The team will be on the flight deck, don’t be too long,” Zeke ran his fingers through his hair and felt the grease and sweat. “Ten minutes, I’m taking a shower.”

 

          Zeke and Bradley stood in front of five of their recruits.

          “B, Doc doesn’t want to come, he’s too comfy in the infirmary and Jericho said that his sister is ill.” Zeke held out a silver Deus Machina pistol. Bradley mirrored his move with an Ex-Calibre and they switched weapons as a sign of always having each other’s backs. They smirk at each other then turned to their recruits.

          “Today is your baptism,”

Zeke chuckled at the irony of where they were heading and that line.

“You have each proven yourself against odds of your choosing. Odds you knew you could beat but right now, there is an unknown amount of zealots bunkered somewhere outside a church. According to satellite imaging, there is a patch of woods frequented by heavily armed men. There’s no way of knowing if the hostages are there but you six will find out for us. Zeke and myself are going to strike at the Church itself. Launch a red flare if you get into trouble. Ready?”

Alec Sune gave a head bob and the rest gave a mighty grunt.

          “First time to the breach, dear friend!” Zeke yelled as the men went to the dinky. Bradley looked over his shoulder when Sam and Sasha saluted them on their way out.

 

          The beach was warm and soft.

          “Okay, there is a trail about a kilometer into those woods. One way is the church and the other way is the thicket where we believe the people are held. When we get there, complete silence. I want Jared and Alec to sweep around and see if you can’t find a straggler. The rest is up to you guys.” Bradley clicked the clips into his guns and was ready. Zeke did the same. Godric was fumbling around trying to get the clip to his HK-29. A hand clenched around the gun and it slid in without Godric’s shaking.

          “Sorry, first time.”

Jared had no expression but nodded.

          “Just don’t forget, these men have been using these for a while.” It felt weird to hear Jared again, after his death at Dorian’s hands. Zylo and Quentin slapped hands and then followed the rest of the group into the woods.

*****

          Quentin was the first in the arrow of people stalking along the ditches and brush by the trail. He was worried that there were traps but he and Zylo had designed so many that it was second nature to find them. He looked behind himself, seeing Zylo with his rifle raised in one hand over Quentin’s shoulder. All five men dropped to their stomachs as an obvious guard lit a cigarette.

          “All clear on the east side of the woods. Tell Faust that there is something going down at the Church.” The man turned and fell to the ground with no noise from Zylo’s silenced rifle. Godric flinched and scurried to the body.

          The man had been hit in the lung. His gasps were the sounds of a drowning man. Godric ripped his black t-shirt’s sleeve off and placed it against the gunshot.

          “He’s still alive!” The four other members looked sharply to the forest then to Godric.

          “Keep quiet.” Quentin stated as he stalked passed. Zylo and the rest moved out but Jared put a hand onto Godric’s shaking shoulder.

          “They’ll just leave him here in pain? We can help him!” 

Jared shook his head.

          “Go with the rest of them.” Godric was not budging until Jared’s hand began to tighten. He stood, looked at his bloody hands and then picked up his M-16 knockoff to rejoin the arrow. Godric heard the last gurgle in the man’s throat when Jared cut his neck.

          Jared and Alec split to take out the patrols when the first silo was spotted. This was when the team got better. Quentin and Zylo were the first to go out of the woods and headed straight for an old, beat-up truck, while Godric crept to the side of the silo. Godric was waiting until Quentin gave the signal to move.

Zylo was the first to make a move. He and Quentin slid under the truck when a patrolman walked passed. Zylo grabbed his knife and cut the man’s Achilles tendon so he’d fall. Quentin’s hand went to the man’s mouth so there’d be no scream. It was a silent kill; a perfect kill. Quentin looked to Godric just in time to see the rifle go off in a sea of blood. That single barrage of ammo cost the mission its stealth.

*****

          “Lord, I am a simple man. I want a home, and a country that will keep at least one war away for a second but will that happen? No.” Zeke walked down the row in between pews toward the reverend.

          “This is a House of God! Leave here at once.” Zeke’s eyes darted across the pulpit, he watched their hands and he made sure none of them looked edgy.

          “Vices are what you preach, not virtue. Each one of these are your conspirators and each one of your pulpit must be silenced.” Zeke heavily drew his Deus Machina and pointed it at the priest. The pulpit broke into screams but none of them moved with the barrel of the pistol waving about. Zeke saw the absolute terror in their faces and allowed the ones to leave but fifteen were still sitting.

          “And you, sir, have fallen into the pit of lions!” Sixteen AK-47s pointed at Zeke with furious anger.

          “Um, heh, wow. Wrong church.” Zeke holstered his gun and raised his hands over his head. As he backed towards the door, the Preacher walked away from the altar and left through a back door. The guns cocked and Zeke was ready. The stained-glass window above the door shattered when Bradley jumped through it. The first seven bodies hit the floor before he did and Zeke bumped off the others before any of them could react. Bradley inserted a new clip into his guns and so did Zeke.

          “You had to make a speech?” Bradley asked when going to the collection plate and pocketing about five dollars and seventy cents.

          “Sorry, I watched The Boondock Saints last night.” Zeke and Bradley snickered while checking over the bodies. Zeke plundered a twenty-dollar bill and some extra ammo while Bradley just picked up one of the AK-47s and tossed a roll of twenty to his counterpart.

          Bradley was the first at the door, unsure of whether he should open it or not. Zeke held tight his dual pistols and nodded as Bradley kicked through the weak door. He just missed a bullet and opened up the automatic fire on a peon. Zeke then went down the ten-foot hallway and added a shot down the end staircase. Bradley met up with his friend and they slowly went down the stone steps. It was a wine cellar and the smell of the miter was nearly sickening but they continued until they heard the sounds of gunfire. Zeke ducked behind barrels of white wine while Bradley jumped behind a large fermenting vat.

          Godric and Zylo were the ones who shot at their superiors.

          “SORRY!” Godric yelled to the three others annoyance.

          “Where’s Quentin and them?” Zeke asked.

          “HEY WE’VE FOUND ‘EM!” Quentin’s voice came through the headset. The four men ran as fast as they could to where the hostages were held.

          There were a dozen men and women trapped inside the cage. Bradley slung the AK over his shoulder; reached for the lock and yanked as hard as he could. Nothing happened.

          “Things were simpler as a Beast.” Bradley pulled out his Ex-Calibre and fired to snap the lock. The dozen people poured out as quick as can be.

          Quentin was taking names and matching them up with the faces.

          “Hugh Senate. Check. Holly Coleman. Check. Grant Coleman. Check.” Zeke smirked.

          “What was the name before Grant?”

          “Holly.”

          “Alex used to go to school with her.” Zeke laughed as the Special Forces followed the freed politicians out. 

*****

          “My knight, I wish you to know what troubles me.” Queen Garnet sat in her carriage, waving out the window to her subjects.

          “It is the Colonial Rebel Rune, isn’t it?” Alex already knew the answer.

          “He’s raising a force to storm the Isle. I want him dead.” This was the first time that the innocence around Garnet had faded, even for a second.

          “Killing him will only add fuel to the fire, I already have started to track his second-in-command and if the grunts die then there is no war.” Garnet smiled and took her knights hand.

          “I hate these parades.” Her barrier was back and Alex was actually smiling.

 

          17 November 1990

 

To my son, Alexander James, of whom I am so proud,

 

          By now you only recognize me from pictures and “The Daddy Movie”. You probably don’t even remember me, but my son I will never forget you. How proud I was when I heard I had a son. The Marine Corps had me then to. I didn’t get to see you for almost three weeks. You were born big (nine and a half pounds) and you gained weight before I got to see you, you’re a strong young man.

          I hope you like your name, AJ, that’s what I always call you, your probably know that it came from your grandfathers. It’s a great name. You can do a lot with it. Alexander J. Core or A. James Core or simply AJ Core. A very versatile name. A name to be proud of.

          I do so hope that you work the business, it has done so much for your mother and me. It will make you whatever you want to be. Just believe and keep working the system. Your mom can get you in when you’re old enough. Until then you can learn a lot from your mom.

          I wish we could have gone fishing. I always had fun fishing. Your mom likes to fish, I’m sure she will take you. Your grandfathers fished a lot too. Once I went fishing with my father and we caught so many fish we had to put them in the ice chest. It was Battlefield Lake. It was truly great. Those memories are good memories.

          I think I will miss you most of all. I only really got to be with you for maybe eight months of your life. You were a great person, back then. You must be something now! You were always so happy. I remember we would lie on the floor and play and you would laugh and giggle. The happiest young man ever.

          You probably didn’t understand but I would tell you stories about hunting, fishing and the Marine Corps. One thing I really wanted to teach you how to use a gun, safely and accurately. I want you to learn and I want your mom to teach you. She knows about that.

          I remember “The Daddy Movie”; you fell asleep in my arms while I read to you and Sarah. We all start out small and grow. Not only taller and broader but our minds, too. We learn new things and think of new things to do. I won’t be there to guide you through life, so you’ll be making your own decisions. Common sense, the differences between right and wrong, and your faith in your fellow man will guide you in the right direction.

          Read books, my son, read books. Read the books your mother and I have gotten from the business. Read the Bible and trust in the Lord. Treat people like you want to be treated and you’ll do well. Treat your fellow man special. As special s you are – because God don’t make junk. Care about people and help them when you can, but there are those who push. Don’t let them you are a man and you have the right of free choice without being pushed. A right worth fighting for.

          I didn’t really tell my- or did I? You decide. When you settle down with a woman, stay with that woman, love her and keep her safe and if she’s anything like your mother she’ll take good care of you. Like your mom did for me.

          My son, I am so proud to have you for my son, you have many years ahead of you, use them right. Be good, love God and we’ll meet again in heaven.

Love

Always

And

Forever

Your dad!

 

          Alex read that letter every time he had a choice to make. It was his father’s letter in case he was killed in action. His father, Scott, was killed ten years ago, long after he had left the Corps and forgotten all about the letter. Alex had found it as a teenager and never let his father know that he had it. Alex had made one for Alexis when he went into the ‘family business’ but tore it up.

          Alex clenched the letter in spite. He placed it back in its envelope and locked it back in the strongbox, along with Alexis and his marriage certificate and the letter of death from the Oneida County Corrections Office.

*****

          “Well, Mister Nephilim, it seems like Rune made the right choice.” Samantha handed him a cup of coffee. They were back in Sam’s room and sitting in their normal spots; Bradley on the sofa and Samantha on her bed.

          “Its’ not that hard. Once me, Zeke and Alex took out over ten thousand men by ourselves but that was before fate had its fun.”

          “Who’s Alex?”

          “Alexander James Core… he was my twin and-” Zeke burst in with Sasha by his side.

          “Hey, someone pulled a V,” Bradley looked skeptically to Zeke. “Dude, Parliament is history.”

          “Who did it? And if you say that he was wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, I will hit you.” Zeke smirked and slammed a file on the table.

          “Get this, the videotape at Winchester Palace caught a good glimpse of the culprit. You’ll love who that is.” Bradley was unsure as to Zeke’s anxiety or the contents of the file. He opened it, his face dropping and his hand shaking at the picture.

          “Its… Alex.” Bradley mentally convulsed.

          “Um, dolls, could you leave us alone? Oh and bring a bottle of Scotch back? Thanks.” Sasha was filled in on the way and would tell Samantha everything as soon as they left.

          “He’s alive!” Bradley twitched and fell to his knees. “That bastard is still alive!”

          “You’re taking this well.”

          “HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE DEAD ONE!” That roar was unleashed with all the air in Bradley’s being. His world was dissolving. His might flooded out and his past was catching him.

          “Not just that but it is obvious that he was going to make another appearance in this drama. You remember the old mystical curse he had with Alexis. Never shall those two be together in death or in life. I had some men searching around and the hits just keep on coming.” Zeke had not expected the reaction he was getting. Bradley was on the ground, his fists clench and his jaw tightened. Bradley’s hand went up and slammed down. The entire ship shook with an unearthly might. Bradley’s knuckles bled and he had nearly reopened his scarred hand.

          “Get out.” It was too late. A familiar darkness engulfed what was left of the world.

 

A figure lunged.

          “Mister, is this where I am to be?” A child asked from the cover of nothingness.

          “Who are you?” The struggling Bard asked.

          “I don’t know. That is what I’m trying to find. I lost him.”

          “Who?”

          “My pet dog. He was here but then he ran away. Have you seen him?” Bard shook his head.

          “I’m sorry but I have no idea what you are talking about.”

          “You took him, didn’t you?” The child’s voice was becoming pitiful.

          “I would have no use for a dog. Not where I am now.”

          “Then he left because you hated him!” The child was angry, and yet still sad.

          “I have hated no animal in my life! The only thing I hate was-”

           

          “BK, can you hear me?” Rachel was standing over him with a cold compress. His pupils dilated at the Infirmary lights.

          “He’s okay. See, his eyes opened. Now get away from him, bangtail.” Zeke said coldly to his sister.

          “No way am I leaving him after that!” They began to argue but Bradley began to fade away again.

          “BOTH OF YOU GET OUT!” The first time Doc had ever yelled in his life was at two bickering siblings that seemed to care about the same person in the same way and unwilling to share. They left without any complaint, or at least ‘til they were away from the sick bay. “Don’t worry, they’ve left.”

          Bradley grunted as he rose.

          “You know what’s wrong, Crystal?”

          “I’m no expert of your physiology but something seemed to go off in that brain of yours. Tell me, have you been under emotional duress lately?” Bradley thought a moment and realized that it was not a medical problem but a spiritual one.

          “Doc, don’t worry,” He said rushing the words while throwing on his shirt. “I think I know where my problem lies.”

*****

Bradley left the ship with only his guns. He couldn’t fight his twin, not as a human and not as a failure. The simplest thought was to leave and never return but then he would have to deal with the military. SO his plan was complex: he needed escape and the one woman that was able to do that agreed to meet him.

          The winter was a bare touch to the wars. If there were such religious men anymore, they would call it the Endless Winter.

A prevailing Nicholette sat at the diner Bradley asked her to. She knew that Bradley was under her thrall and she gingerly smirked as he entered.

“You look well, Bard.” His tattered look was something all women deemed sexy but all he felt was the longing for human contact.

“Room 12 is ours, Lette.” She sipped her tea and smiled warmly, her leg rubbing up Bradley’s.

“So courteous. Why not right here, right now?” Bradley growled softly as her foot rubbed as high as Nicholette wanted.

“Room 12.” Bradley stood, unable to hold himself in proper society. Bradley got to the room with his head spinning. Something in Bradley felt like the days of the Third Great War but with his human brain it only hurt.

The room was nearly disgusting, with ratty floors and a poor excuse for lighting. It was the scene of countless acts of debauchery but Bradley could care less as long as he got what he wanted that night.

Nicholette entered with a devious sway.

“So is this romantic as you wanted?” Bradley pushed her against the close door with a faint knowledge of his strength.

“You’re not one for romance, bestial woman.”

There was no way to drive out the noises of their play. Bradley was back in his element of hatred and spite but Nicholette made sure that he knew she was the one giving all him all his whims.

 

“The Children want you among them.” Nicholette pressed her body against the panting Bradley. “You’re talents are wasted in the Gladiators.”

“Is it them, or Rune who wants my change of station?” Bradley spit out the name with distaste for Nicholette’s timing. He rolled away from Nicholette to grab his boxers.

“Actually, I want you to be near me.”

“Avatar would love that, wouldn’t he? To be upstaged by a human.” Bradley exhaled sharply as Nicholette rolled and pinned him down.

“You want to be with me, I know you.”

“If you did, you’d be dead.” Bradley forced her onto her back and rolled to hold her down.

Nicholette and Bard were the same hearts of darkness, only Nicholette never realized how close to death she truly was.

*****

          “Rachel, I want you off this ship.” Zeke said, standing on the observation deck with his sister.

          “Why? Because you still have to act like a dick to me?”

          “Because I don’t want Bradley distracted by another female. What happened between him and Katelyn was enough. I don’t want you here mucking up the works.”

          “So says the guy who banged every emotionally troubled woman from here to Australia.”

          “Fuck Australia! Weren’t you in love with Rune before Bradley showed up.”

          “I’ve always loved Bradley.”

          “YOU ALWAYS LOVED ALEXANDER! Bradley is worse, he’s screwed nine out of every ten women on the planet!” Rachel sniffled and Zeke figured out what her problem really was. “Right now, I think he’s just trying to cope with a new matter in life. Please, I know you and with Bradley, you’ll just end up hurt.” Zeke hated the big brother role, hence his dependence on Bradley for leadership.

          “Are you looking out for me, Zeke?” Her sweet voice made Zeke want to punt a rabbit.

          “No, I just don’t want you to give Bradley the clap. God knows he’s avoided it this long.” Zeke swung an arm around his sister’s neck in a brotherly fashion. Rachel shoved him back with a giggle.

          “You are the worst brother in the world.”

          “Ah but I still am a brother.”

*****

          “I don’t trust that damn Rune to pay up.” Quentin piped up as he took off his boots.

          “He’ll pay, or he gets a visit from the chainsaw fairy.” Godric pulled the pillow off his face.

          “Girls, some of us ARE trying to sleep.” Zylo kept his cool even when faced with an all night gab session from the rookies.

          “The chainsaw fairy? That is the gayest thing I’ve ever heard. If he doesn’t pay up, I’ll rip his tongue out with a tow truck.” Quentin never let Zylo’s crazy ideas get in the way of a thought train. “I mean, come on, my one earthly wish is pretty hard to come by.”

          “Mine was the easiest here. I just needed a safe haven for those abused.” Godric righted himself up against his pillows. “What was yours?”

          “PEACE AND QUIET!” Zylo chucked both his pillows at Godric and Quentin, hitting the heads of the targeted men. Godric quickly clammed up but Quentin was a wild card.

          “Me and dog-breath over there wished for a place to call our own.”

          “Bit Of Mice and Men, huh?” Godric chuckled. Jericho would have been a great company in the ship’s barracks but he stayed with his sister in the Infirmary. She was seasick, that’s all, but the loyalty of Jericho was never questioned when it came to his sister.

          “Now will all of you shut up before I get involved?” The wayward clink of Sune’s katana being readied for the draw shut Quentin and Godric up for good. Jared Heru just lay on his side, smirking at the humanity around him.