Author: Milady Dragon
Disclaimer: Not mine at all…
Author's note: Here we go…this one is very short, but very pivotal….
Chapter Twenty-One
Somewhere…
It was wounded. The weapon that the human male had used had damaged it. It had been prepared for the weak weapons of the enemies, but not for the primitive projectiles.
And so it sulked – if it could be said to have that emotion within the nature of its programming – and waited for its master to heal him.
It didn't have long to wait.
"You have failed."
The cold, accusatory tone roused it from the pain-filled trance it had fallen into. It stood up straight, bowing in acknowledgement.
"However, you could not have expected the resistance you met."
It was forgiveness of a sort, and it accepted it as such.
"I have been attempting to determine the reason for such determined resistance, and have discovered a single lynchpin that will undo everything that stands in our way. However, it will require a retroactive response."
If it had been programmed for it, it would have frowned. Such actions had been prohibited until now, and it could not see where such a step would be justified within the boundaries of the mission.
"You doubt me."
The voice sounded disappointed, and it hated itself for causing its Master such pain.
"I have searched along all of the pertinent time lines, and this is the best way to break our enemies' defenses. Once that has happened, our mission may proceed unhindered."
It bowed its understanding.
"Come. I shall repair the damage done to you, my friend. Then I shall send you on your way."
It stood among the trees on the street corner, patiently awaiting its next victim.
There was a sudden slam, and a boy came running out of the house just beyond its hiding place. The child was twelve years old, and he ignored the strident calling of his mother, demanding that he come back into the house that instant.
The boy kept on moving, although he slowed down once he reached the sidewalk. He turned, stomping toward where it stood, waiting.
It wouldn't be long now.
As the boy drew even with the trees, it snaked out both arms: one to grab the child around the mouth to keep him from shouting; the other was holding a plain yet sharp knife, which it fluidly slid around the child's throat, nearly severing his head from the rest of his body.
As the body dropped to the ground, time changed…