Hey guys and gals! I am, once again, terribly sorry for the late update. The next chapter will not take as long to be uploaded, I promise. I owe the readers another apology. The story has been kind of slow, but it is going to get exciting again, I swear! This chapter is proof. Anyway, as always, enjoy!
Alfred tightens his grip, slightly adjusting his fingers to find the perfect positioning. Kiku takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. Suddenly, the "clear to fire" light comes on, accompanied by a buzzer. Kiku's eyes open and Alfred clenches his teeth as the two unleash their fury on the targets. One by one, the targets pop up and are shot back down. The other gunmen practicing at the range lower their weapons and look on in awe. Alfred's and Kiku's magazines run out at the same time. They switch them out for new ones with lightning speed. After several minutes and hundreds of rounds fired, the "clear to fire" light goes off, repeating the buzzer noise. The two slowly lower their weapons. Kiku is breathing heavily. Sweat slowly runs down Alfred's temple.
After a moment of silence, Matthew clears his throat. "Well, let's run the scores, shall we?" He and Tony make their way to an array of screens and keyboards. After a few moments, Matthew turns around and motions at the score board. Alfred's name pops up with "Accuracy: 97%" beside it. "Read it and weep, keeks," says a content Alfred, leaning on his rifle. A few seconds later, Kiku's name appears on the board accompanied by "Accuracy: 99%." "It is you who should be weeping, Alfy," Kiku retorts in a cocky tone. Alfred's jaw drops. The other gunmen cheer for Kiku. Kiku gives a soft smile and thanks them. Matthew approaches Alfred and puts his hand on Alfred's shoulder. "It's ok, bro. You're still awesome in my book," he consoles. In his head though, he is thinking, "EAT THAT, AL! EEEEEEEAAAAAAT IIIIIIIIIIT! IN YOUR FACE, BRO! HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE A LOSER? WOOOOOOOOOOOH!"
One of the men cheering for Kiku approaches him and holds out his hand to be shaken. "What's your name, son?" he asks. "Honda Kiku," replies Kiku, shaking the man's hand. "Well, Mr. Kiku, I would like to thank you for beating my son's ass on the range. He needed a good lesson in humility," says the man. Kiku smiles, remembering that Americans put their surname last. Wait... Son… What? Kiku realizes who it is. He takes one step back and bows over and over again. "Mr. President, I am terribly sorry. I did not show you ample respect," he says very quickly. The president lets out a belly laugh. "It's all good. So, where did you meet my son?" he asks. "Actually, sir, I… kind of… sort of… rescued him," Kiku replies nervously. "That was you that got him off of that God forsaken rock? Well, you have my thanks. My son, for all his shortcomings, is my pride and joy. He is going to carry on my legacy one day… I hope. Has he been giving you any trouble?" the president asks sternly. "Oh no, sir. Actually, it is quite the opposite. He has been very pleasant company," Kiku replies.
He looks over at Alfred, who is talking to Tony about the weapon, and drifts off into thoughts about the night he and Alfred shared an intimate moment in the shower. Suddenly, his thoughts are broken by the realization that he has not heard a word the President has said. "What do you think?" asks the president. "I… Well, sir, I…" "Dad, Stop boring my boyfriend with politics! You'll scare him away," says Alfred, jumping to the rescue. Kiku lets out a sigh of relief. "Of course, sorry. Well, you two have fun now… but not too much fun," says the president winking at them both. "Dad, you're embarrassing me," says Alfred dryly. The president lets out another powerful laugh and leaves the range.
Alfred, still pouting about his loss, puts his hands in his pockets and kicks invisible rocks. Kiku throws his arms around Alfred, burying his face in Alfred's chest. He takes a deep breath, inhaling Alfred's essence. He looks up into Alfred's beautiful blue eyes and says, "Alfred, please don't be mad at me." Alfred huffs, but he embraces Kiku and replies, "I'm not mad, kid." He kisses Kiku's forehead. Kiku lets out a soft giggle and squeezes Alfred, burying his face in Alfred's chest once again. "Hey, Kiku, Tony invited us to get a drink. He wants to take us to the bar he owns outside of US Space. You up for it?" asks Alfred. Kiku nods his head. "Great, let me go tell him you said yes," says Alfred. He tries to walk away, but Kiku holds onto him. "I'm not done holding you," Kiku mumbles through Alfred's shirt. "Oh, right," says Alfred, softly hugging Kiku. After a few more moments, Kiku lets go. He takes Alfred's hand and walks him over to Tony. "We would be honored to accompany you, Mr. Tony," says Kiku. Tony puts his arms in the air and sways back and forth rapidly, making what Kiku could best understand to be joyful noises.
An alien landing craft is approaching an alien star cruiser. It docks inside one of the cruisers many hangar bays. When the ramp lowers, several humans, each in unique attire, descend onto the hangar floor and are then escorted to the bridge. Awaiting them is a well decorated alien commander.
"Finally, you have arrived. I trust our transport was accommodating," says the alien.
"It was sufficient," replies one of the humans.
"Good, good. Do any of you know why you have been summoned on board my ship, a place where no human has ever set foot?" asks the commander.
"Well, we're all bounty hunters, so we can only assume you need someone dead… Someone who is hard for a Sandulhari to get near, perhaps?" replies one of the humans.
"That is correct. Your target will not be easy to kill by any means, but that is why I have assembled the best," replies the Sandulhari commander.
"Whose fate has been sealed?" asks one of the bounty hunters.
The Sandulhari commander turns around, revealing a scar across one of his eyes and a cybernetic eye in its place, and says, "Alfred Jones."