Clouds of Tyranny Read online

  Alex spent the next hour or so laying in her bed on her back staring at the ceiling thinking about various things; her mission tomorrow and how she would stop herself from spell casting (by now it was second nature) and more importantly, last night with Locke. Two nights ago she tried to seduce Locke to give her mind some relaxation and that was all it would have meant to her, but now she actually felt something; was it because he turned her down at first? But he made the first move last night, what did that mean? She was eternally grateful for what he had done; bringing her to safety and changing her appearance so no one would know who she is, because that could cause her to come to harm from a different angle.

  In the dining room everyone sat together; even Terra and Alex though neither one had closure yet. The Returner’s table was actually crowded with two gentlemen Terra hadn’t seen since her arrival. Chuck and Lars whom Alex had never met. Terra was the last to sit at the table as usual, “Hi guys. Long time no see.” Lars smiled, “Hi Terra. How do you like it here so far?” “It’s getting easier,” she shrugged, “Where have you been?” “Me? I was inside one of the imperial camps along the coast waiting for the right moment for Chuck and I to plant some bombs.” “Did it work?” inquired Terra. “Like a charm, forty less imperials,” interrupted Chuck. Alex was in the vicinity of Terra and the two returning warriors. “Hi, I’m Alex!” yelled Alex extending her hand to Lars obviously wanting his attention. Lars shook her hand and nodded without saying a word then quickly looked back to Terra, “Well, you definitely look more at home. Less nervous and more confident.” Terra smiled appreciatively, “Thank you. Are you going on one of the missions tomorrow? It will be my first and It’d be nice to have someone to protect me,” Terra said flirtatiously. Lars was now blushing, “No actually, but Locke can protect you. I really need rest. Besides, Smith wants to plan some kind of counterstrike on the Empire in a couple weeks and wants me to have a look at the blueprints of the town so we can determine the right places to plant explosives.” “Oh,” said Terra, “Me and Ruthie are going with Locke to get some retriever guy.” “The Retriever?” asked Lars. “Yeah, you know him?” asked Terra. “Know who?” said Ruthie just tuning in to their conversation. “The Retriever,” said Lars angrily. “Ooh! Shouldn’t have brought that up, Ter,” said Ruthie grinning. “I’m sorry,” consoled Terra. “It’s okay. I just don’t care for him because of what he did to my sister. I can work with the guy because that’s business, but I’m not having dinner around him,” explained Lars. “What did he do to your sister, if you don’t mind me asking,” asked Terra. “More like, what his sister did to the Retriever,” laughed Chuck. Terra looked to Lars for an explanation. “Okay, the short version is: He slept with my sister by saying he cared for her, she fell in love with him, he told her to get lost, she cut out his tongue so he could never lie to anyone ever again.” “Wow, she’s sounds tough,” gasped Terra. “She is a very strong woman,” confirmed Lars. “Where is she?” asked Terra. “Don’t know, last I heard she was going to the west continent to get away from the Empire and away from the hate to start a new life.”

  “Where’s Locke?” asked Alex towards Ray. “Oh, before a mission he likes to be alone the night prior.” She thought carefully whether to bother him, No he needs his strength if he’s gonna play bodyguard for Terra all day. Pearl saw her thinking; obviously about Locke, which she didn’t like one bit but then again she didn’t like anyone thinking about Locke in that way. Pearl looked over to Terra watching her talk with Lars and she seemed to be having a great time and it seemed more fitting. She smiled at Terra. Terra smiled back at Pearl saying ‘Hello’. Pearl winked at Terra and Terra raised an eyebrow in confusion.

  For dinner everyone had partaken in chicken legs, fried potatoes, and beans. However, the Returners had a different menu, the soldiers were forced to eat fish, bananas, peaches, and a few eggs so they would have sufficient vitamins and protein for the following day. One-by-one the soldiers retired; the last two being Terra, Ruthie, and Lars but Ruthie left after a few minutes; she felt more like a third wheel rather than a contributor to the conversation. “How long have you been here?” asked Terra. “Four years; Locke was still in his first year and I had just turned eighteen. I wanted to stop the empire’s tyranny, so did my sister, but we had different plans to stop them. I found it best to join a resistance group for safety and she thought going solo was stealthier and lest chance of casualties.” “How long has it been since you saw her?” “A year next month, but she promised when she returned she would see me so I’d know she’s safe.” “You could always go to the western continent,” smiled Terra. “Yeah, we thought of that too. She told me that if I was ever on the western continent to go to ‘where the lake’s meet’. Whatever that may mean.” “Hmm, not sure. But she’s probably expecting that you’ll know by the time you reach the shore.” “Yeah,” Lars laughed hysterically, “She always likes talking in riddles, because she knows it annoys the hell out of me.” Terra sat there listening to every word that came out of his mouth till his mouth stopped moving and they just looked at each other quietly enjoying the company in the dark dining room. “Lars?” “Yes?” “Do you…have anyone?” “Family?” “No.” Friends?” “No.” Lars’ eyes widened when he realized what she meant, “Oh, um, no actually.” “Me neither.” They stared at each other for several minutes before Lars broke the silence, “May I walk you to your room?” “I’d love that.” Terra smiled and held her hand out. Lars hesitated for a moment then wrapped his hand around hers and walked her to the outside of the women’s dorm. “It was nice talking to. It’s nice to have a friend,” said Terra smiling at Lars. “It is. Be very safe tomorrow so I can see you again.” “I promise,” said Terra opening her arms and hugging Lars tight. She opened the door to the dorm and looked back at Lars just to give him an extra smile to get him through the night and closed the door.

  Locke was just lying in bed when he heard a knock at the door. He got up violently, “Damn women.” He jerked the door open and was shocked to see Lars standing there; looking at him. “Lars? What’s the matter?? Asked Locke. “I want you to make sure Terra come home unscathed. Consider your debt paid in full if she come back unharmed.” “Sounds fair,” said Locke extending a hand. Lars shook his hand in agreement of their verbal contract. “Smells like love,” joked Locke. Lars smiled and walked down the hall to his room, which was the closest to the door leading to the dining room.

  The next morning Terra was awoken to someone shaking her awake gently and whispering her name; “Terra, Terra?” Terra opened her eyes to see Locke standing over here and looked around to see that everyone else was sleeping except Ruthie who was sitting on her bed rubbing her eyes. “What time-“ “The sun will be up in about two hours, we leave in thirty minutes. Meet me by the kitchen,” said Locke as he turned away and left the room. Terra rolled out of bed and looked to the top bunk. Lucky bitch gets to sleep, thought Terra angrily. “Morning Ter,” said Ruthie giddily. “Mornin’” Ruthie sprung out of bed and picked up a bag she had prepared the night before and went to the bathroom to change out of respect for Terra. Terra figured if she’d hurry, no one would see her change at her bed. Terra was scrambling under the covers to change as quickly as possible. After pulling on her green cargo pants she attempted to put on her shirt, but was stopped by the image of her own torso; she felt fat as she envisioned the bodies of her peers, Alex, Ruthie, Pearl, etc. How could anyone love some like her? She frowned and depressingly pulled on her tank top and emerged from under the blanket. She fastened the gun holster to her side and slid in the gun. Ruthie emerged from the bathroom wearing athletic style tennis shoes, red daisy duke shorts over black leggings, a black skin tight shirt with a crimson ribbon corkscrewing around her upper body, and the blue bandana concealed her hair as it was tied in a helmet shape around her scalp. Ruthie’s outfit showed off her body and made Terra just a little bit more self-conscious. “Ready?” asked Ruthie. “Yeah, I guess,” shrugged Terra. Ruthie slipped on her glove
s and motioned for Terra to follow.

  Once in the kitchen, Terra felt different, she no longer had the butterflies when she saw Locke. Locke was waiting with a light meal for them; bread and some dried granola. After they had their snack it was time to go. Locke led them through a door just past the kitchen. As they walked down a dark corridor Terra couldn’t help but ask, “Why aren’t we using the entrance?” “There is a series of tunnels that can take us anywhere we care to go,” answered Locke without looking at her, “We will be in the swamp by noon.” They continued through the narrow corridor for almost an hour before coming to a tunnel much larger than the one they had been venturing through thus far; it had a small mine car with a lever sticking up from it’s side and a coiled spring behind it. “Get in,” ordered Locke, pointing into the mine car. Terra got into the wood and steel vessel and looked around confused as Locke checked the wheels for damages. “We get in and pull the level and that spring over there,” said Ruthie pointing to the coiled spring, “and it shoots us at a very alarming speed to our destination. And, once we arrive we apply the brakes and we stop. We’ll know where we are by the markers along the walls.” Terra nodded in understanding as Locke jumped in and pulled the lever. The three of them shot forward at an intense speed as Terra screamed; some was fear and some was enjoyment of adventure. They cut through the air; the sonic booms shooting past them were so loud they had to yell to communicate. “Ruthie,” yelled Terra, “ I could get used to this.” “Yeah, I love it!” screamed Ruthie with a jack-o-lantern smile.

  Alex awoke to Pearl rubbing her back trying to ease her awake. “Alex,” whispered Pearl, “We gotta go.” Alex sat up and threw the sheets from her body and revealed her nightclothes to Pearl; half shirt barely covering her perky breasts and tiny underwear hugging her pelvis. Pearl looked at what she was wearing and gulped hard. “Meet me outside,” said Pearl looking half away with her face as red as a roma tomato. Pearl quickly walked through the room past the other women who were starting to gradually get up and left the room. Alex was a little confused. Does she think I’m dressed too revealing and dislikes it or does she love it? Alex shrugged and grabbed some clothes from the corner near Terra’s bed and changed into black fatigues, military boots, and an army green tank top with her pendant of course. After rolling several cigarettes for the day she grabbed her dragon blade and exited the room.

  “What if his worst fears are right?” said Ray as Alex walked out. “What are you guys talking about?” asked Alex. “Umm,” stuttered Ray. “Whether or not the town will be too difficult to evacuate,” said Pearl glaring at Ray for speaking so loud. “Yeah,” confirmed Ray. “I don’t think so,” started Alex, “I’ve been there. Even if you can’t get them out in time, almost every single house has an attic or basement for hiding.” “Hmm,” thought Pearl. “So, we ready?” asked Ray. “I am, “ said Alex.

  After grabbing a satchel with crackers, bread, and water they headed out through the front entrance from whence Alex had come a few nights earlier. As they closed the trap door behind them and looked against the rising sun, Alex looked into the distance at the bush where she had hidden her vehicle then looked at her partners, “So, what are we waiting for?” “We are waiting for our rides,” said Ray. “He’s late,” growled Pearl. “Who? Asked Alex looking around. “Over there,” pointed Ray as Alex followed his finger to see a man on horse back holding the reins of two additional horses on either side of him. Alex would rather use her own ride, the S250, but revealing the machine would cause more problems than it would solve. The man arrived, about Terra’s age wearing blue slacks and a blue shirt; the color of the merchant. The man hoped off his horse and handed the reins to Pearl. Pearl snatched them away and handed him a tiny drawstring bag that jingled with the sound of coins when it dropped into his hand. The man nodded a thank you and began jogging back into the direction he came from. “Here!” said Pearl handing the reins to Ray and Alex. “Did you buy them or rent?” asked Alex, pulling herself up on a dark brown mare. “Smith rented them for us,” said Ray gleefully as he leapfrogged onto the beige horse from behind it’s rear.. “How did he reach somebody to request them?” inquired Alex. “You writin’ a book?” asked Pearl annoyingly as she positioned herself upright on the black and white horse’s back, “Come on and try to keep up. YA!” Pearl’s horse took off quickly followed by Ray. Alex heeled the horse in the side forcing him to catch up. While she rode across the countryside she thought about this so-called mission. Why do they need three people to go ‘look’ at a town with no imperials in sight? Did they somehow know of her last job? Was this a trap? She would just have to wait and see, but hopefully she wouldn’t have to kill these two. Even though Pearl was cold to her, she didn’t want to have to kill her. The only thing she wanted to kill now is imperials and beasts.

  It was mid morning when Terra, Locke, and Ruthie reached the forest southwest of HQ. Terra paid close attention to her surrounding, Locke paid close attention to her, and Ruthie didn’t have a single care; she was just happy to be out in the world again away from the stone walls of headquarters. Terra looked around at her wooded surroundings and noticed this forest was darker and scarier than the one near her cottage home. She could swear that the sharp, leafless branches were trying to slit her throat and they seemed to get closer with every step she took, How could a tree be alive and have dead leaves and branches? “It feels so good to breathe real air again,” said Ruthie taking in a deep breath, “Not musty or smelly or day old cooking. Locke, can’t you talk to Smith and get me doing missions ‘before’ I’m sixteen? “ “If it was my choice you’d never be allowed to do a mission, little girl,” sneered Locke. “Good thing you’re not in charge then,” laughed Ruthie. “Hey Locke?” asked Terra. “Yes? What is it?” “What do spies do?” “They SPY, what are you talking about?” “I mean, is it dangerous or do the imperials never really know there is a spy in their home?” “Usually, our spies get in, get info, and get out. Unless we are planning an attack, then they give the signal for the strike. All in all, no more dangerous than any other mission Returners get put on. Why? You wanna be a spy?” “Just curious,” said Terra casually. “Terra,” whispered Ruthie as she pointed past the trees, “Over there.” Terra looked into the distance beyond the trees and saw a saber wolf; a wolf the size of a male lion. “This should be some good moving target practice for you, Ter. Try to get him in the head or the heart.” “Terra drew her pistol and carefully aimed in his direction as she kneeled down. She slowly squeezed the trigger. The three of them saw the result of her shot; the bullet went clean through the wolf’s neck and made a smoke mark on the tree behind it. The wolf looked to their direction and began to charge. Terra stood up straight and fired wildly hitting the ground, trees, and the occasional rock. Locke frantically pulled out a dagger and just when he was about to toss it the wolf fell to the floor mere inches in front of Terra’s feet. He looked over at Terra who was holding the smoking gun still pointed downward at the saber wolf who was dripping blood from the center of it’s forehead. “WooHoo! Good job, Ter!” screamed Ruthie as she jumped up and down. Terra’s heart was pounding from the adrenaline that took over her body; she was terrified but also felt like she could do anything right now. “Next time,” said Locke putting away his dagger, “Try to get it done in one or two bullets.” “Sure,” smiled Terra. They continued through the forest jumping over fallen logs hoping the swamp would come soon. Terra stopped every so often when she saw a little lizard and a toad; they reminded her of her lonely little cottage. Will I ever be home again?

  Pearl, who was leading the other two stopped to consult the position of the sun to see which way to head, she didn’t want to admit it but she was lost. “Why’d we stop?” asked Ray as he moseyed over to Pearl as Alex idled behind them lighting a smoke. “She’s lost,” said Alex as she exhaled her first puff and moaned in pleasure. “No!” said Pearl sternly. “Then which way?” asked Ray as if she was bluffing. “It doesn’t matter! I’m not lost!” yelled Pearl in
Ray’s ear for doubting her as a traveler. “Come on!” yelled Pearl sternly as she headed south. They rode for another hour until they saw a huge grassy hill in the horizon. “See!” yelled Pearl as they traveled fast and hard towards it. “Kudos, my dear frien-“ Ray’s voice was cut off by an abrupt fall into a pit disguised as tall grass. Ray’s horse fell head first into the trap as Ray himself leaped over the horse’s head and landed on his feet but got stumbled by his trench coat and fell sloppily on his back. He leaned on his side to see his horse’s head and front legs struggling to get out of the large pit as he heard hissing growls and saw splatters of blood fly out of the pit and claws coming up and swiping down against the horse’s throat. The head of his beautiful beige horse rolled out of the hole and in front of him. He quickly did a reverse crab walk to get himself away from the removed horse head. Alex and Pearl stopped and looked at the hole intently. Pearl dismounted in order to help her partner in case he needed it, though they might not emerge if the horse was enough of a meal. She was wrong. From the hole erupted five Lizarros; green scaly flesh, a long mouth with sharp teeth, a long slithering tongue, and claws that could cut through anything. They crept slowly toward Ray and Pearl, they walked like men, only more bent over like an ape. Alex turned her horse around ready to charge when the time was right. Two of the man-lizards ran toward Pearl; she drew the katana from her back and prepared for a fight. The other three creeping up to Ray were slow, like they thought just because he was floor bound he was injured and helpless. One of the beasts bent his knees and jumped high into the air and came down on Ray. Ray shot his arrows up at the dropping reptile and by the time it fell on his body it was no longer among the living. The weight of this muscular lizard trapped Ray; this prison of slimy flesh would become his tomb if he didn’t act. He managed to get his arm from under the fiend and fired at the two that stalked him, but he could not aim correctly. They moved swiftly, dodging all projectiles with ease. He watched as they got closer and closer; he was sure he is going to die. Then, one of the beast’s head was removed from it’s shoulders and the rest of it’s body fell to the floor as Alex turned around yet again for a pass at the other one. The beast’s lifeless body blocked Ray’s view, but to his side he could see Pearl and he thought he could help her at least. He aimed and fired an arrow into one of Pearl’s adversaries forcing his body to inadvertently jolt forward as Pearl thrust her sword into its stomach going all the way through his body. She jerked her blade to the left and his waist was halfway cut through spilling crimson blood on the bright green grass floor as she kicked him back so the thing was lying on it’s back slowly dying. She stabbed her sword into the ground and went into hand-to-hand combat stance now that she was comfortable given the one-on-one situation. Alex was rushing the beast that formally was preying on Ray, but the intelligent lizard ran towards her and dove into the front legs of her horse with claws out removing the animal’s legs from it’s knees. Alex flew off the front of her animal as the horse writhed in pain and flailed about as it bled. She had landed on her elbow and was in pain, but rose to her feet nonetheless and unsheathed her dragon blade and threw the scabbard to the floor. The lizard charged and leaped for her upper body. Alex’s instinct forced her to fall on her back and thrusts the sword in the air as the lizard man fell on it ultimately committing suicide. Pearl was basically challenging the Lizarro as it swiped at her with it’s dangerous claws; she dodged every time, there was no doubt in her mind that she was faster and smarter. Pearl knew that one connection and she wouldn’t live to see tomorrow. The beast hissed loudly as it’s tongue came out to smell the air around Pearl, then took a big swipe at her face. Pearl lowered her head under the reptile’s large muscular arm and snuck around him jumping on his back and yanked his big slimy head hard to the left; she heard the neck snap in half as it’s body dropped lightly to the floor like a dropped feather. Alex and Pearl looked at each other panting and nodded in congratulatory respect. “Hello? Said Ray sarcastically, “Little help. This thing fuckin’ stinks!” Pearl laughed, “Let’s get him out of there.” They dragged the beast off of Ray and Alex extended a hand to help him to his feet, which he gladly accepted. “Alright,“ said Pearl, “Harmon is just a little ways past that hill. Be there in less than an hour if we walk.” “What?” chuckled Ray, “I think we can all sandwich on that horse.” “You’d love that wouldn’t you?” said Pearl. “Of course he would, two beautiful women? Every man’s dream scenario,” winked Alex. Pearl blushed and looked down then quickly snapped out of it, “Let’s get going. We’ve got a job to do.” “My horse,” said Alex looking to the maimed animal, “I can’t let him suffer.” Ray and Pearl nodded as Alex walked to the horse and pierced his heart with her dragon blade and sighed as she walked away. On the way back to the other two soldiers she picked up her scabbard and sheathed her sword. They began walking to the hill and eventually over it to the town. “If they have horses in town we can make it back home by dinner,” said Pearl.