Section 4

Eve eyed the water distastefully. "How anything can live in this, don't ask me." She muttered, nearing the pit. She was about to touch the water when one of her soldiers sneezed, startling her and causing her to send a shower of pebbles into the lake.

With a snarl, a great green dragon burst upwards from the bottom of the pit, its yellow eyes fixed on Eve, who gasped. She had seen dragons before, covered in scales and each marked with a different temperament. They were an ancient race of magic that had decided long ago to let the world rocket forward with its technical advances, content with being left alone to their treasures. Occasionally, one would break the Code, a law just as ancient as them that stated that upon killing a human, the dragon was sentenced to death.

As mercenaries of death, the Hellschmidt family had been hired more than once by the Dragon council to kill a dragon. Eve herself had done a few, and had even learned what made dragons overstep their boundaries. The last one she had done away with had gone crazy, causing severe flooding throughout most of China until he had been sent to his last sleep. She had sworn to her uncle never to murder another one of the beasts, too saddened to see the life fade out of the eyes of such a beautiful creature that had reacted badly to a change in the country.

Eve stood stock still, her green eyes meeting the dragon's yellow ones unafraid. She hated what she knew would come next. It was entirely impossible to determine the stability of a dragon's mind without speaking to it, but if the dragon was deranged, the last thing you wanted to do was-

The same soldier sneezed again, and in an instant, the spell was broken. The dragon howled, and Eve barely managed to jump backwards in time to dodge its attack. Quickly, she retreated, shouting out orders. "Main company, distract our friendly Mr. Puff here!" She roared, beckoning to Geoff. "I think it's time we get out Bessy Lou and Crawford, don't you?"

Geoff nodded, going to the back of the procession and opening a solid wood box, revealing a pair of Colt M1914s. Bessy Lou and Crawford were Eve's pride and joy, two machine guns her great-grandfather had used in both World Wars. She had restored them herself, and made additions to make let the guns work better and not stick so much. Despite being impossibly heavy for everyday use, Eve took the guns everywhere.

After a quick apology to Crawford, Eve picked up Bessy Lou and set her on the ground, feeding the belt of bullets into her as Eve lined up to take the shot at the dragon, wishing she had really brought her Stoner SR-25 Sniper, or Moonman, with her, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

The dragon, busy playing with and killing Eve's soldiers, barely had time to react as a series of shots rang out, feeding every single bullet directly between its eyes. As the dragon fell, Eve stood up, surveying her men as they cheered, and her heart went out to the bruised and bloodied soldiers. She may have boasted bravery, but she had stood in the back of the lines while her warriors battled the dragon.

Geoff patted her shoulder, a grin on his face. "You did it Madame." He turned his eyes to the dragon. "Pity about the dragon though. I know you love them so."

Eve nodded. "It was for the best Geoff. Dragons are susceptible creatures, and our monster probably lives at the bottom of the lake. The amount of evil must have infected the dragon and made it go insane."

Geoff nodded, staring at the murky green water. "I'll prepare some of our best men to go to the bottom of the lake to drag the monster out so you can kill it my Lady."

Eve shook her head. "No. I think I'll enjoy a swim myself. Alone."

There were calls of disapproval, and Eve started, suddenly realizing everyone had been listening to the conversation. However, she stood her ground. "This is my battle, and mine alone!" She roared back at them, a new fierceness in her eyes. "You have seen my strength for yourselves, and have watched me rise from the darkness of war, dripping with my enemy's blood." Eve said, pointing to the lake. "I promised Alfred I would return with the head of the beast that tormented this area, and I won't sacrifice anymore of you to these monsters. As a Hellschmidt, you have my word, and as your commander, you have my oath."

The group fell silent as Eve pulled on her lightweight scuba gear, and finally, as she was about to enter the water, a hand fell on her shoulder. Eve didn't even have to look to know who it was. "Geoff, you won't be able to stop me."

Geoff smiled at the girl, the wrinkles in his face showing through. "I know that Eve. You're as stubborn as your father, and I was his care-taker too." His smile faded slowly. "But come back, because I don't wish to tell your uncle that the last Hellschmidt heir is dead."

Eve chuckled. "I will. But, in case I don't, give Bessy Lou and Crawford to the coward Alfred who refused to leave the plane, and tell everyone of what I've done here today." She said, stepping into the water and swimming to the center before beginning her descent.