Clouds of Tyranny Read online

  Several minutes past as they walked in silence, neither of them knowing what to say, Terra’s mind repeating the words Locke said to her you’re my mission – Just a job, then he hugs me when I’m feeling down. What’s with this guy? Acting tough so I wont think he likes me? Was the hug just to shut me up? Jeez, wish I had more experience with men, what is he thinking? Am I just a job to him? Oh god!!! Do I like him? Is it a deep feeling inside my soul or just a physical attraction fueled by the fact that he killed in order to save my life? Does he have a woman? Terra, get a grip, just wait, you’ll know soon enough. If his heart belongs to someone, I’ll find out when we get ‘home’. “So…” said Terra casually, “Where are you from, originally?” Locke answered without looking at her; his eyes stayed focused ahead as if waiting for something to pop out, “Born and raised in Listka, an island to the south of this continent; remnants of a former continent destroyed in world war three. Left when I was seventeen. Stowed away on a boat with a friend from the same town to get to the eastern continent and after five long years of traveling my travel companion and me joined the Returners. The Returners will change this land for the better. I joined because it seemed like everywhere I went was under the control of the empire and it made me sick seeing the fear in peoples eyes. Small villages, big towns, didn’t matter, the Empire was everywhere raping and killing and taking what wasn’t theirs.” Locke’s jaw tightened as he thought in between sentences, “ I remember the day I couldn’t take it anymore; I was in Korsla, a little village south of Turklane, and held a girl in my arms as she slipped slowly into the reapers grasp. Couldn’t have been a day over eleven years old and she had been viciously raped numerous times by numerous imperials.” Locke’s lip quivered as he continued; reliving that day, “Raped…in every place imaginable. Beaten while they did it because she couldn’t help but scream, any girl would scream out of desperation and pain, right. I looked into her eyes, eyes that were dead from the torment and pain within her body and mind. I wanted to get help, but she begged me not to go and that she wanted to die; she didn’t want to live with this memory. After she passed I laid her lifeless body on the floor and sought out vengeance; I seeked out a resistance group I heard rumors about. Sure, I could have killed the men that raped that poor child, but that wouldn’t protect anyone else and it wouldn’t bring her back. The smart thing to do is to end the Empire’s reign of terror as a whole.” As they walked Terra looked at Locke and into his quaking soul, this man has experienced a lot of pain; that young girl is just the tip of the iceberg. She went for his hand to supply some comfort but wasn’t quick enough. “There,” said Locke as he pointed to the wall that was a few yards away now. Terra looked forward to see not only the wall, but also a short stalky man of about five and a half feet standing there, no doubt waiting for them. Terra slowed her walk, but Locke placed his palm on the small of her back assuring her it was safe, which made her comfortable enough to continue.

  “Locke, I expected you yesterday. Thought you were dead till the scouts said you emerged from the tunnel just a short while ago.” “Yeah,” Locke retorted, “Smith, this is Terra…your welcome, by the way,” said Locke sarcastically. They didn’t seem to like each other, noticed Terra, possibly father and son. “Hello,” she said extending a hand. “Pleasure, miss Terra,” he said with a slightly curved accent (possibly Cuban) as he shook her hand and did a slight, very slight, head bow keeping his eyes on her as he did so. Locke watched them both, then exclaimed, “I’ll do a spy check.” Smith nodded at Locke without making any actual eye contact.

  Smith looked into Terra’s eyes very intently seeing fear and depression. “You have no need for fear here young lady,” said Smith reassuringly as he smiled like a father to a child, “…you look so much like Rina, it’s baffling.” Terra gasped, “You…knew my mother?” “Yes, she was a wonderful woman. And powerful.” “I don’t understand.” Terra looked at Smith puzzled, then looked around for Locke and saw him about fifty yards along the wall peering over it as he climbed the wall. Locke leaped off and began walking toward them. When Smith looked to Locke, Locke nodded assuring Smith all was clear. “Lets talk inside,” said Smith as he turned around to the wall and placed his palm on its surface. The stone surface beneath his hand began to glow a bright yellow and the brick he was touching sank forward into the ones surrounding it and the large bricks began parting and inserting into each other. Terra was in awe over the vanishing and rotating stone pieces; this was the most high-tech display she had ever seen. After several seconds, there was a gaping hole in place of where stone once stood. Smith stepped aside and swung his arm toward the door wanting Terra to enter. Locke was now at her side; she looked to him. “Its okay,” whispered Locke sincerely and gently.

  Smith analyzed the mannerisms between the two: what went on? He looked to Locke after Terra entered, expecting some kind of explanation. Locke just stared intently at Smith, “I’ll head up the rear.” Smith entered as Locke took a last look in every direction then entered backwards as the stones slowly shut behind him blotting out the light behind them. Terra and Smith walked side-by-side down the long dark corridor that was lit by a single lantern every fifteen feet on the ceiling. “Don’t trust him?” said Smith without any provocation. “Who?” questioned Terra. Smith looked at Terra raising a bushy tan eyebrow and curling his lips. “He has a habit of getting involved with his missions. Not to mention the maids and errand girls here.” “Oh…” “Just watch yourself.” Terra stopped and Smith felt her ceased movement and turned to face here. Locke was now catching up to them. Terra’s eyes were slanted and her brows were sharp, “I am in a strange dark place standing in front of a man that made a stone wall, a landmark, vanish by touching it. On the other hand, Locke risked his life to save mine. This man is the only person in the world I trust. You knowing my mother’s name wont change that.” Locke was standing behind Terra, not knowing what prompted this defensive argument on his behalf. Locke gave Smith an annoyed look, a look Smith had undoubtedly seen numerous times. “Way to make her feel welcome,” said Locke as he placed his hand on her back, “come on Terra, there are nicer people inside.” As they walked past Smith, Locke purposely slammed his left shoulder into Smith’s right arm pushing him back. They walked as now Smith trailed behind, unpleased with himself.

  “So, this is ‘HQ’,” questioned Terra. “Yeah,” sighed Locke. After several minutes of venturing down the corridor, which looked as if it was a never ending stream of singular lanterns and bricks; Terra swore that she actually saw the same stain on the walls every few feet, they came to a set of wooden double-doors. Locke hammered his fist against the large doors sending a repeated banging echoing through the hall. The slot in the door opened; through it, two beady little eyes with the look of no aging, a young man maybe. “Locke! What’s the word?” said the boy. “The word of the day is ‘Rapier’,” said Locke mechanically like he was signaling for something. The slot slammed shut and the doors swung open. “Password?” said Terra. “Yep.” “But, if they know you why do they need one?” Terra asked confused. “Think about it: I get captured, tortured, and forced to bring the Empire here and they use me to get inside and eliminate their threat or ‘rodents’ as they call us.” “Ah, so you say a different word and BOOM! Returners run out to save you?” “Something like that, yes. For the record, the distress word is ‘feline’. Got it?” “Mmmhmm.” Locke walked through the doors as Terra followed. Terra’s mouth stood agape as she looked upon the ‘lair de Returners’.

  The large room houses a dozen tables ten feet in length, empty except a few tough-looking men sitting and eating some kind of lumpy soup-like substance. She looked around the room seeing a kitchen in the far back with three people moving about doing various jobs: one looking into the cupboards as another marked things down on a checklist while the third was stirring a large pot on the stove that was larger than the cook herself. Terra looked along the right wall and saw three doorless entryways no doubt leading to more rooms or the like. On the
left wall was a single door marked ‘Returners’. Next to the door laid an all black German shepherd on his side; he pick his head up from the ground and glanced at Terra for a second and then dropped his head back down and sighed as his jowls vibrated. Terra felt claustrophobic as she looked up at the ceiling that barely hung above seven feet. A young girl, about thirteen years old with blonde pigtails and dirty, faded pink dress, was running toward her. Locke stepped forward and lowered to his knees as the girl ran into his arms giving him a big hug. “Uncle Locke,” said the pretty little girl, “Your back!” “That’s right,” said Locke as he stood to his feet smiling down at the little girl, “This is my new friend, Terra.” “Hi,” said the girl cheerily, “I’m Sandy.” Terra bent her body at the waist and looked at the girl, “Hello Sandy, nice to meet you.” Locke smiled, almost, and then questioned, ”Anything interesting happen in my absence?” “mmmmm, nope! Welcome home uncle Locke…gotta go! Bye.” She ran off and into the right doorless entryway and disappeared. “You gonna show me around?” asked Terra. “Right, come on.”

  Locke started walking through the middle of the room toward the back and through the tables as he introduced her to the men eating. “Terra, these are some of our soldiers,” began Locke as he pointed at the men as he spoke their names in order from left to right, “Chuck; an explosives expert.” Chuck nodded hello with a full mouth of mush. Terra could only see Chuck’s Torso, but could tell he was a very short and stalky man; not the type to be in a hand-to-hand fight, so explosives fit. He wore a tanish tank top with food and gunpowder stains all over it. His face was messy with food around his mouth like a toddler eating spare ribs and his long, six-inch goatee even had food in it, as did his stubble-covered head. How do you get food on the top of your head? Thought Terra. “Lars; one of our best spies…spent a lot of time within the Empire’s walls.” Lars looked at Terra and grinned respectfully; Lars was sitting up straight with great posture. Though he was sitting, it was obvious he was a tall lanky man and cared about the way he looked. Lars was clean shaved with his hair combed neatly and his dress shirt, with rolled up cuffs, was sparkling in comparison to the two on either side of him. “Tomorrow we’re gonna post flyers so everyone knows my secret, right Locke?” said Lars sarcastically at Locke but not in a friendly way. “Alright,” Said Locke apologetically. “And this,” continued Locke, “is Pearl.” Terra gasped for a moment, A girl? She thought; Pearl didn’t look like a girl with her hair that was shorter than Lockes and a very seasoned face, no makeup or even a hint of bathing regularly. Pearl was smoking a rolled cigarette as the introductions were made; when her name came up she rose to her feet; six feet tall with very short white hair. She was obviously a fan of rings: a ring sat on five or her ten fingers (three on the right and two on the left). She wore a big long-sleeved shirt to cover her female figure, which was immaculate. Pearl seem very manly, but very beautiful eyes noticed Terra; light blue like the cleanest sapphires. She looked at Terra sternly, “Pleasure. Lieutenant Pearl Vanhearse. I shall teach you all you require, Said Pearl loudly from her diaphragm making Terra move back a step at her intensity “Uhh, actually Pearl, she isn’t a new soldier exactly.” Pearl seemed disappointed, “Very well,” she said as she sat back down and finished her cigarette. “This is Terra, guys.” The three soldiers grunted as Locke dragged Terra toward the kitchen, “Pearl is the toughest woman I know, so watch your tone with her,” said Locke quietly as to not let Pearl hear. “Kay,” said Terra.

  Once in the kitchen, Terra could smell various things; delicious bread of various flavors from the coal oven that looked to be older than her. The three cooks didn’t stop working at her entrance. Locke leaded her through the kitchen and past the big pot of mush that the soldiers were eating; they were eating it cold and that made it smell not so bad, but now it smelled like rotting hare and week old tomato sauce. She turned her head in displeasure and followed Locke to the head cook who was now mixing something in a bowl that looked like melted pistachios, but probably wasn’t. She turned at the aura of someone behind her; she was a short elderly woman of oriental origin with straw-like black hair down to the small of her back. “This is Wisco, anything you need, she’ll make.” Wisco reached in her pocket and pulled out a small case, opened it and removed her tiny glasses that were curved on the bottom and straight on top. She put them on and looked at Terra and shook her hand with both of her palms wrapped around Terra’s right hand, “Preez to mreet you.” “You to, “ said Terra sincerely, “my name is Terra.” “Rike tha pwanet?” “Mmhmm, exactly.” Locke put his left hand between Terra’s shoulder blades as he pointed to the other two cooks, “And this is Carl and Ed.” “Hello,” they both said in unison. “Hi,” responded Terra noticing that they were exactly alike; twins. Locke proceeded to push Terra out of the kitchen and once in the dining room he saw Smith making his way toward them. “Dammit,” said Locke, not even trying to hide his thoughts of discontent for Smith. “Locke!” yelled Smith from across the room, “Bring her to my chambers after you show her the dormitory.” “Sure!” yelled Locke back at him, then leaned into Terra, “Your gonna eat and relax first, of course,” whispered Locke. She smiled, “Thank you.” They proceeded through the left entryway hole and into a large room with walls lined with jars and tiny boxes. There are eight empty cots with a large sink in the back with a large box of yellow gloves protruding out of it. Only one other person was in this room; a skinny middle-aged man in scrubs. “This is the medical room for the injured or sick,” explained Locke, “or as Smith would say: ‘The infirmary’,” said Locke imitating Smith’s deep, accented voice. Terra giggled quietly to herself, then walked into the infirmary towards a middle-aged man with a handlebar mustache wearing scrubs; she was getting more comfortable as the tour went on. “Hello,” she said as she extended a hand, “I’m Terra.” “Maam. My name is Dominic but every just calls me ‘Doc’ for obvious reasons. I apologize for the absence of my nurses; Bridget and Helena.” She looked over at Locke and grinned, “I know you’re disappointed. Helena wont shut up about you since…you know.” Locke rubbed the back of his neck, “Damn. I was hoping the breakup would be clean and we could just go back to before.” Terra looked behind her at Locke, “What happened?” she asked. “Well, she wanted me to give up being a soldier.” “Ah,” said Terra understandingly. “Anyway,” said Locke, “I’ll show you the woman’s dorm.” “Kay, “ she said, “See ya Doc.” The doc smiled and waved goodbye.

  They were back in the dining area again and they walked past the middle doorway, “That leads to the training area and the supply room,” said Locke as they entered the right door. As they walked down the hallway leading to the dorms Terra noticed art along the walls: towns, castles, scenery, water colored persons, and animals. Terra stopped to look at beautiful picture of a town with green grasses, flowers, and children having fun with one another. “This is beautiful. What’s this supposed to be?” she asked looking at Locke who also stopped. “That’s Sangrohl. Three years ago. Come on, Terra,” he said without looking to the picture. Halfway down the hall was a wooden door; a man emerged from it and walked toward Terra and Locke and smiled at the sight of Locke, “Hey man! Just getting some grub. What’s out there?” asked the young fit boy. “Rabbit bisque,” answered Locke. That’s what that was, thought Terra. “Yippee,” joked the boy sarcastically. They passed the door he came out of and Locke instructed, “That room is off limits to women; the men’s dorm.” She nodded as Locke looked at her for confirmation of her compliance.

  At the end of the hallway stood a wooden door with red painting in the shape of a lioness, Women’s room, thought Terra. Locke knocked loudly on the door and yelled, “Man entering!” “Clear!” yelled a voice from within. Locke pushed upon the door for Terra as she entered first; inside were thirty bunk beds making its capacity sixty. Each bed had a different colored blanket and various items on the bed tops. The walls were made up of cupboards and closets for storage. In the room, there were only about a dozen girls in atten
dance; mostly little girls that were too young to work or be of any use. “Come on, there’s someone I want you to meet,” said Locke as he walked to the opposing side of the large room. They walked along the shiny tile floor and Terra realized that everyone’s possessions were atop their beds because the floor was cleaned recently. A young girl, about fifteen years of age was sitting on her bed reading a book. She looked up from reading as Terra and Locke approached; she creased the top corner of the right page, closed it, and placed it on her pillow and stood up to greet Terra. She was a petite girl, not more than five and a half feet with shoes on and a hundred pounds soaking wet. She had straight mandarin hair hanging at ear level, bright green eyes, rosy lips, smooth clean skin, and dressed in dark green knee-length shorts, gray tank top, athletic sneakers, black fingerless leather gloves, and a blue bandana tied around her right bicep in a double knot (much like the one Locke wore on his head, in fact exactly like Locke’s). Terra thought back to everyone she had met thus far; everyone had a blue bandana whether it be hanging out of their pocket or tied to a body part.

  “You must be Terra!” said the girl gleefully. Her voice was bouncy and bubbly like she was a four year old being pushed on a swing. She had the kind of voice that you couldn’t help but smile when she spoke, which is exactly what Terra did. “Yeah, that’s me,” said Terra happily, Wow, her happiness is contagious, Terra thought. “I’m Ruth, but call me Ruthie…it’s way cuter,” giggled Ruthie. “Okay, I have to go give my report. Ruthie, can you issue her a bed, give her a snack and show her to Smith’s room in about thirty?” chimed in Locke. “O-ffimative!” saluted Ruthie. Locke nodded at Terra and walked towards the door and exited the room. “Handsome, mean Locke. You think he’s cute?” giggled Ruthie. “Yeah, I guess,” shrugged Terra trying to pretend like she wasn’t attracted to him. “Anyways,” said Ruthie, “This will be your bed. Right across from me and don’t worry I cleaned the sheets and blanket. Do you have any possessions?” Terra frowned, “No, Locke saved me in the middle of the forest and he thought it would be safer to get me here right away. So, I didn’t bother to ask if we could stop at my cabin to pick up a few things. All I have is this!” she said as she reached to the back of her dress and retrieved the .45 and pulled the magazines from her skirt pocket on the side. “Hmmm,” pondered Ruthie. “Well, we have tons of books, blank journals, and clothes. So…” “Okay,” answered Terra as she placed her .45 and the two refills beneath her pillow. Ruthie lifted her mattress and retrieved a brown bag, “Here,” she offered shoving the bag towards Terra. Terra looked inside, it was some kind of dried meat that smelled very potent. “Its like a steak you can eat with your hands. Very chewy,” explained Ruthie dipping her hand inside to retrieve a piece for herself. Terra took out a small piece and bit down. She had to pull hard to get it to break in her mouth, but enjoyed. “Mmm, that’s very good,” said Terra. “Hey!” said Ruthie loudly, “Check out what else I made.” Ruthie modeled her gloves for Terra; she clapped her hands together a single time and three sharp two inch studs popped out. She flipped her hands over and banged her wrists together and they retracted. “Wow,” said Terra as she chewed the dried meat, “You make that for a soldier?” Ruthie looked at her seriously, “Yeah. Me!” Terra swallowed hard, ‘You’re…a soldier? Your so young,” she said surprised. Ruthie seemed a little offended; “I’ve got seniority over half the soldiers here! I’ve been fighting since I was six.” She said this like it was a good thing. Terra looked deeply into her eyes and saw an innocent little child with a happy and pure heart, “Have…you ever killed anyone?” she asked not wanting the negative answer. “Of course. I’m a soldier! But, don’t worry, they were all imperials so I’m not a murderer.” She began laughing hysterically. Terra didn’t understand, but then again she didn’t know what the Empire’s purpose even was. After all, Terra had been in seclusion for as long as she could remember. “So,” said Ruthie, “Can I see it?” “What?” “You know…the power? Or will it destroy this room.” Terra slumped down on the bed, “Why does everyone think I have powers?” “Cuz you do, honey.” “Ruthie? Can you tell me all the rumors you’ve heard about me?”