Euthara (28 page)

Oojoung turned his attention to the guard he was holding up and applied a bit of pressure to the unbroken collar bone. “I move on to other parts of the anatomy after I have broken a bone. Next will be fingers or toes, I haven’t decided yet,” Oojoung said. “As I snap a bone I’ll keep asking the same thing until I get an answer. If, by some miracle, you manage to not tell me what I want to know I start cutting things off the body. I usually start with what people covet most.” Oojoung looked down at the guy’s crotch as he finished. “If you know what I mean.”

The guard shivered in uncontrolled fear.

“Now, save yourself a lot of pain and discomfort and tell me where she is,” Oojoung said.

“Third floor section one,” the guard blurted out.

“Fastest way there?” Oojoung said.

“The elevator right there,” the guard said as he motioned to his left.

“Good, then where once I’m out of the elevator?” Oojoung said.

“You’ll be right where you need to be,” the guard said. “She’s in cell one, right as you step off the elevator.”

“Is there a security code to open the door or a key?” Oojoung said.

“One-Zero-Zero-Two-Five,” the guard said.

“Thanks,” Oojoung said as he sat him back down in the chair. “Your friend is still alive he will just be a sleep for a while. I don’t break promises.”

Before the guard could say anything Oojoung struck him on the side of the neck and knocked him out. Oojoung took a second to reset the bones he had broken and then applied a field splint which was basically a healing foam that stiffened and would fall off in a couple days when the bones were mended enough for use.

Two minutes later Oojoung stepped off the elevator with his cloak engaged. A guard sitting outside Terri’s cell looked at the elevator as the doors opened. The confused look on his face told Oojoung what he needed to know, no one had any clue what had happened and that made them easy targets.

The guard stood up and rested his hand on his gun and took a step towards the open elevator. Oojoung turned his cloak off just as the guard stepped in front of him. The guard’s gun started to come out of its holster as the guard took a surprised step back. Oojoung’s hand lanced out and slapped the gun back down and locked the guard’s hand where it was as he applied pressure with his hand. The guard reached up and grabbed Oojoung’s neck and squeezed trying to cut off Oojoung’s air supply. It was like grabbing a hand full of steel cables as Oojoung tensed his neck muscles and smiled.

That’s when he heard the shot and pain flared in his back as the bullet slammed into his back. It was enough to force him to release the guard’s hand and stumble forward. Light purple fluid splashed across the guard’s armor that was in front of him as the bullet exited through his chest. Oojoung’s nanites reacted immediately and began trying to repair the damage.

Oojoung let out a grunt as another slug tore into his arm. The guard in front of him took advantage of the momentary lapse and slammed a knee into Oojoung’s stomach. The force of the blow snapped two of Oojoung’s ribs and lifted him off the floor. It was enough to cause Oojoung to lose concentration on his neck muscles and the armored hand closed over his throat cutting off his air.

Oojoung reached back with his damaged arm and grabbed his sword and extended it as he tossed it at the guard at the end of the hall. It caught the guard mid visor, killing him instantly. Even before the body hit the floor Oojoung’s other free hand slammed into the bottom of the helmet of the guard choking him. It caused little damage but slipped the helmet up enough the guard couldn’t see and was having a hard time breathing.

The guard let go of Oojoung’s neck, a fatal mistake, Oojoung gulped in air as the guard grabbed his helmet and tried to adjust it. He never got the chance as Oojoung stepped past him as he wrapped his arm around the guard’s neck and twisted as hard as he could killing him instantly.

Oojoung coughed and flecks of purple blood covered his lips. His lung was punctured and he was having a hard time catching his breath. Oojoung took a second to let the nanites do their job, but he knew the damage was past their ability. He coughed again blood dripping from his mouth. He took a deep breath and pain flared through his chest as the broken ribs moved. Oojoung closed his eyes and said a few words under his breath as he forced himself to stand up.

He retrieved his weapon and then made his way to Terri’s door. He wiped his mouth and then started tapping the numbers the guard had given him. The door cycled open and Oojoung stepped into the small room. Seated in the center of the floor was Terri her legs crossed as she meditated.

Oojoung crouched in front of her and softly called her name. Terri’s head raised and something reached out and touched his mind. “Oojoung?” Terri said.

“Yes, it’s me,” Oojoung said. “I’m here to get you out.”

Terri stood and shook her hands and the chains on her fell to the floor. “Not what I was expecting,” Terri said. She reached up and peeled two almost invisible patches from her temples. Her sight restored she gasped at Oojoung’s state. “Are you alright?”

“Of course,” Oojoung said as he gave her one of his special grins he reserved for her. “Nothing but scratches.”

“Are you sure you’re OK?” Terri said. “You’re not talking like the Oojoung I know.”

“There’s little need to play dumb or simple here,” Oojoung said.

“I knew it was an act,” Terri said. She gave Oojoung a hug that sent pain coursing through his body. He hid it from her as he returned the hug.

“We need to get out of here before more guards arrive,” Oojoung said.

“One second,” Terri said. She closed and squeezed her eyes shut in intense concentration. Her sword blinked into existence in front of her and she grabbed it from the air before it fell.

“I knew you were special,” Oojoung said as he winked at her. Oojoung felt the start of his systems shutting down and knew he didn’t have long to get her out.

“Bah, the sword is tuned to my brain waves and I can call it from whereever it is,” Terri said as she sheathed the sword. “It has a special Ga’sahde device in it what allows it to cross great distances. I don’t know how it works and from what I understand the technology has been lost for ages.”

“So, what you’re telling me by the display of the chains falling off and the sword appearing before you is that you were not in any real danger,” Oojoung said.

“Not really,” Terri said. “But, I was waiting to see how things developed. I would have eventually just left of my own accord. But, I wanted to see how far the King was prepared to go and to see if he was really out of reach. If things have gotten to the point where Jon sent someone to rescue me then things are going south fast.”

“The King still has Deatra and is refusing to allow her to leave the palace,” Oojoung said. “Though I have to say the Drovasian Nefeit is doing a good job filling in and people are starting to accept her.”

“Good,” Terri said. “I’ll get Deatra as soon as we return to the
Atlantis
.”

They had been moving the whole time during their conversation and Oojoung’s nanites had caught up enough with the damage that he was feeling better. They had just exited the building and right into a half circle of seven Eutharan women dressed in red that showed more skin than it managed to hide.

One of the women stepped forward and spoke, “Stop and put your weapons down.”

Oojoung hit the small com unit on his wrist signaling for a pick up. “How about we leave and you get out of our way,” Oojoung said.

“Not going to happen,” the woman said.

Terri stepped forward and said, “You know who I am?”

The women all bowed slightly as the main woman said, “Of course Matriarch, we have no wish to harm you.”

“Then remove yourselves and let us pass,” Terri said.

“We can’t do that,” the woman said. “We don’t take orders from you as the treaty has been nullified.”

“Unlawfully,” Terri said.

“That isn’t my concern,” the woman said. “We recognize your rank among the Ga’sahde and afford you the honors it bestows on you. However, that means very little here and now.”

“I’m ordering you as the Matriarch of the Ga’sahde to move out of our way,” Terri said.

The six other women all looked at the main woman as if waiting for her response.

“I’m sorry Matriarch, but I have my orders and they come from someone of higher authority than the King,” the woman said.

“Then I’m ordering you as a Princess of Euthara to remove yourselves,” Terri said.

“Concocted stories so your brother can try to usurp the throne,” Opellissa said. “You’re no more a Princess than those standing around me.”

“What is your name?” Terri said.

The woman arched an eyebrow as she spoke, “Why?”

“That way I know who I’m killing,” Terri said.

The woman chuckled quietly, “Opellissa is my name and I can’t allow you or the Buranis to leave here.”

Terri pulled her sword, but Oojoung put a hand on her shoulder and gave her one of those looks. Terri nodded as she set the tip of her sword on the ground and rested her hands on the hilt. Oojoung took a step in front of Terri and pulled his small sword which extended to its full length. Oojoung let out a low growl and hiss as he watched Opellissa through narrow eyes.

“Neither one of you are a match for me,” Opellissa said.

“What can you possibly hope to accomplish by holding us here?” Terri said.

“Getting your brother to come get you himself,” Opellissa said. “He’s my mission and I have orders to kill him before he causes the destruction of our world and possibly the universe as we know it. I promise to make his death as fast and painless as possible.”

Oojoung swung his sword in a small arc so that it rested behind him on his shoulder the edge of it facing away from him. “One at a time or all at once?” Oojoung said.

“The others won’t be needed,” Opellissa said as she took a step forward. “I have just one question.”

Oojoung raised a thick eyebrow in question. He took a defensive stance as he waited for her question. His lung was still filling with his blood, but the blood had been slowed enough that it wasn’t much of a problem right now. The pain had also been blocked by the nanites, it was more a dull throb now, making it easier to breath.

“Are you sure you’re up to this in your current condition?” Opellissa said. For a brief second there was a hint of concern that crossed her face. It wasn’t her job to kill these two and she disliked killing for no reason.

“I can more than handle you,” Oojoung said. “If I beat you we walk free.”

Opellissa nodded as she spoke, “If you can beat me you can walk free.” It was the one law of their order that was absolute. One on one combat, once accepted, allowed their targets to go free, if they won. But, it didn’t stop them from going after the target again at a later date and trying to finish their job.

Oojoung twisted his right foot digging it into the ground as he prepared to engage Opellissa. Opellissa on the other hand stood at ease waiting for the incoming attack as she watched Oojoung prepare.

Oojoung closed the distance between him and Opellissa in the blink of an eye his sword flashing in an arc. Opellissa had already moved out of the way and she smacked Oojoung on his thigh with the flat of her sword that appeared to suddenly appear. Oojoung stumbled a bit from the force of the blow but quickly caught his footing. He turned on Opellissa and pressed his attack his sword flashing only to be met each time by Opellissa’s sword.

Oojoung’s strength began to fade and he knew he couldn’t continue at this rate so he doubled his efforts. His sword increased its speed and from the outside it seemed as though Oojoung had started to dance. His movements were precise and fluid but every time his sword sought an opening it was blocked. Every swing of his foot or fist seemed to fall on empty air. His fur was starting to mat from the sweat that was pouring out of him while Opellissa showed no signs of exertion.

Fresh pain began to emerge as the twisting and turning of his body began to tear at the wounds he had. Oojoung made one last effort and scored a success as his sword slid across Opellissa’s belly seconds before she stepped out of the way. The sword cut neatly through the sparse cloth that covered her torso and made her gasp in surprise. Oojoung stopped and grinned at her as she looked down at her belly. It was his mistake and she took advantage of it. Opellissa’s foot lanced out and caught Oojoung square in the chest. Even though Oojoung only slid back a few inches from the blow the kick was especially devastating due to the wounds he had already received. Two more ribs snapped and pain flared up almost causing him to pass out. The partially healed lung ripped back open and the blood began to make it hard for him to breathe again.

Oojoung’s eyes glazed over as he fell to his knees. His hand lost its grip on his sword which fell to the ground and rattled on the hard surface before settling. Oojoung’s eyes rolled back in his head as he fell forward and lay still.

Opellissa sensed the movement before she heard the scream of rage. Terri’s sword flash past her eyes as she leaned back to dodge the incoming blow. Stray strands of her hair were cut neatly off as the sword passed by and floated lazily to the ground.

Terri’s arm flashed out catching Opellissa in the middle of her chest palm open. The move caused Opellissa to stagger back as she tried to regain the breath that was knocked out of her. Terri’s sword flashed again this time leaving a thin red line up Opellissa’s arm as it cut her sleeve open.

“I’ll take you apart piece by piece,” Terri said. Her voice was uncontrolled as anger flowed through her.

Terri’s sword flashed again only this time Opellissa’s sword was there to block it and sparks filled the air where the two swords met. Terri stepped forward as she tried to trap Opellissa’s foot with her own. Opellissa danced back out of range as she tried to gather herself. She hadn’t been expecting the raw ferocity of the attack not from someone so small and weak looking.

Terri took off in a short sprint her sword held behind her. Just before she reached Opellissa she launched herself into the air her sword flashing up. It happened so fast Opellissa barely had time to move out of the way as Terri’s sword found nothing but air.