A Ghosts Betrayal

Chapter 2 – Betrayal and Death

With the Vamps Corpses still burning before him, Geist could make out the Dobermen's advance through the dying flickers of flame. Such a display had slowed them to caution but not stopped them. They were simply biding their time.

He would not run any more. It'd be a waste of energy. At the start of his fight he had the confidence that he could face the entire force. But the Merovingian had schooled his army well. Now, drained as he was from using his ability he was still their superior but only in a one on one situation. This would not be that. It would all on one. Without reinforcement he would be overwhelmed by the 12 exiles moving as one pack.

A prolonged squeal from behind him was the reassurance that he had not been abandoned. He sensed them somehow through the code. Agents. He stiffened his legs and braced his back. They would not start the fight but the Agents would finish it. This Geist knew and understood. The Dobermen were close now, the closest buildings separating them , as one they were baying and howling for his blood . He switched the grip of his knife into a back handed position meant for stabbing strikes. He put weight on his front foot in readiness of his first strike. He had a large area behind him to fall back into, and fall back he would, he'd have to. The guttural howls were closer now. They had to have reached the building by now, climbing it's walls, unable to leap like their vampire brethren.

A hand appeared from below the roofs edge. It gripped at the metal railing that stood above it, pulling it's owner upwards and catapulting the exile's squat frame up and over. Seconds later another appeared and did the same, followed by a third. The first was already moving forward the others catching up in an instant. The lead exile looked directly at Geist unfazed by the line of bodies it passed to reach him, a smile on it's face as he underestimated his opponents strength.

Geist once more struck first pushing with his back foot. He aimed high with his free hand balling into a solid fist It was an obvious move which the Doberman successfully countered with a high block. This left it open to Geists true attack a swipe of the knife across the ribs which cut deep. Geist pulled the knife back and shoved the exile backwards into his friends who caught him. The leads face showed his pain but also his anger. Unexpectedly his comrades pushed him forwards, his face now showing shock at their betrayal, followed swiftly by frustration as Geist caught him, turned him round and broke his neck.

The two followers came on, one to each side. More right behind them. Geist dodged the right hand exiles high kick, sweeping his knife at the exiles leg as it passed into empty space where Geist had been. The other saw the move and aimed low connecting with Geists back. The blow pushed Geist into the wounded exile. He caught his balance, planting a foot down solidly. The wounded exile did not have the same option , stumbling sidewards and still nursing his leg as he fell hard onto his side. Geist ignored him for the moment and turned to face the second exile who was grinning in celebration of his apparent victory.

Geist stepped forward a pace and made to act, causing the exile to flinch and brace himself. It had no chance as the slight crunch of debris underfoot and the rustling of a jacket was all that signalled the approach of a new foe. A gun was at his head and firing. Geist relaxed slightly, looking into the lenses of the Agent who had arrived. Two more were

following behind the first. He drew himself up and dusted the debris from his sleeveless body armour. An Agent handed him a firearm. Geist nodded hos thanks.

Orders were relayed to the agents from elsewhere and they broke immediately towards the other exiles gathering sheepishly at the near edge of the roof top. There were ten remaining to face the Soldier and three agents. Two instantly jumped from the rooftop, their cowardice taking them away from the slaughter that would come. Shots rang out as the Agents began firing on the exiles. Geist held back, his logic programming staying his hand, waiting for something the Agents had not foreseen to occur. The exiles split up and jumped sidewards hoping to dodge the shots. Some made it only to find themselves facing Geist. His foresight had paid off.

He raised the borrowed Desert Eagle and downed the first exile with a pair of shots to the chest The exile dropped to his knees cradling the wounds, a look of shock on his face. The machine it seemed had prepared these agents for fighting the Merovingian's troops, furnishing they're weapons with silver bullets to prevent regeneration in the exiles. Geists mind wondered to the status of the Vamps. Had he truly killed those not put to the flame. He had no time to think on it the next Exile was close. He fired twice at the exile, closed the gap and straight punched the Doberman to the ground.

In the same time the Agents had taken care of the rest with the same efficiency and were now approaching Geists position , firing additional shots into moving corpses that spasmed and died quickly. The Agents returned their guns to holsters as soon as the job was finished. As they approached, one of the Agents was already straightening his tie, A character trait the Machines could not fathom nor eradicate from the programming. Another held a finger to his earpiece. Something was said and the Lead Agent stepped over a body to face Geist.

"What are my orders?" he asked unknowing of what was said by their superiors. The machines it seemed had designed him to operate to his own logic and orders, giving him an unpredictability the Exiles and Zion could not hope to predict This meant he was not connected to the source as the agents were. The same could be said for his sister program, who's predicament returned to the fore front of his mind. " And what of the Assassin program, is a retrieval in process?" he added.

"There is not. The Assassin program has been designated failure and the program has been recalled to the source for deletion." Replied the lead Agent after a moments hesitation undoubtedly waiting for verification of the status of events elsewhere.

"What?" Asked Geist his voice rising. " She was untested. There is no reason to terminate." he replied, his words rushed, but the desperation evident. His Brothers had given their lives to speed his escape and now he was told his Sister program was deleted thereby removing the very reason his escape was needed. Before him the three agents were looking elsewhere, identically touching at earpieces with forefingers. As one the message ended and immediately the atmosphere changed. There were no more words only actions. Simultaneously Guns were drawn from unseen holsters. Geist took a step back.

"This cannot be. I have survived too much to be deemed failure." He protested.

"And yet you required our assistance to fight mongrels. You have failed Soldier." was all that was said before the cracks of three Desert Eagles. Geist tried to evade the shots dodging one but the Agents were too close. He took the remainder in the chest, his armoured vest useless in stopping the high velocity armour piercing rounds at such range. Falling backwards the code around became excited converging at the point of his impact. The last he saw were the three agents standing above him guns poised to complete the task they were given. The darkness took him before the shots were fired.

It was replaced seconds later by the green glow of the code rushing away and a new light at his back. He was turned by some force unknown to face it. The glare forced him to squint his eyes. But he soon adapted. As soon as he had however the glare faded and darkness was again around him. From nowhere a female voice sounded.

"Have no fear Geist, I have you now. My name is Shiva."