Through the Night
Leon
It took me long enough,but I finally managed to kill my contractor .I can now clean my hands of this profession,killing for higher ,at least that's what I tell myself .
I know when money comes up short,it would be so easy to go back,wouldn't it ?
As with all the others,I cover his face,dropped a pillow on it .
I believe I should at least get rid of the body .the evidence…does his little girl really need to know what happened to her father ?
I could always burn the place,but no,that would take everything away from this woman and her daughter .So I had decided on chopping up his body and ,stuffing it in a case and burning said case .When I'm done with that,I'll have to bury his bones .
God,it's going to be a long night .
Worse,I'm not getting paid for this .I'm suppose to be 'doing the right thing',and getting rid of somebody who runs an organization of killers for higher falls under this .I don't like organizations because that's too much familiarity and the kills are the usual .Wicked things like killing a spouse for money,killing a lover so you can be with another .I did it once,never again .I actually got so bothered by it that I killed the woman who hired me to do it . I always prefer to do things,like killing business partners, and the like,it's easier on my conscience .But of course I have to taunt the person who hired me…in fact,the only reason I even get hired because they know I always get away with it .Always .
Someone arrogant would think that getting away with it by mortal standards ,makes you immune to the wrath of other forces,makes one think your soul isn't up for judgement .I've been told I'm narcissistic,but I never get a big head when I'm at 'work' .(Speaking of work,I have to get those other assignments from my class and tell everyone I'm taking a vacation) .
I finally got up off of the desk of the study,get a closer look at the area .I had enough sense not to leave a lot of blood this time .I'm guilty of doing that because I'd get so mad at my targets,I'm usually doing karma's job ,the type of people I do kill .I love that most of the time,the clean up isn't my problem, I hate how meticulous it has to be .I don't see how Fox managed to kill all those damn people and hide the bodies,it seems impossible .
Actually,it IS impossible .
Great,another piece of the puzzle .I saw the video and apparently,the silly fox had accomplices,looked to be at least ten ,counting him .But what happened to them?
Fox was the last one left leaving the building,no one else was seen .Did they leav him behind? Or did he kill them too .Slippy said that maybe a close did it,but is it possible?
I don't know what Fox was doing on Titania,or what he did to get arrested in the first place .I admit,I stabbed up a man in the alleyway in New Tatooine ,a dome city .But he tried to rob me so I retaliated .And in some strange twist of fate,Fox was my cell mate .
They must've thought we'd tear each other apart,not become best friends .
From that one experience alone,I'm more inclined to thing Fox is guilty than a clone .He made it his business to raise hell in there .It was really because he called General Pepper to see if someone would help him out but got some bullshit explanation about it being out of their hands .
I told him he should've called Panther ,who is surprisingly a master of disguise when he wants to be .He showed up as a prison guard and sabotaged the security systems (and here I thought he only used computers to lurk around like a pervert) .After that,he gave me the system reset code so McCloud and I could bust out .All we had to do was start a riot,which was easy because a lot of people wanted a piece of Fox .Only two things saved his ass,me ,who everyone feared and I loved every minute of it .And Salvatore Lombardi,Falco's quite literal jail bird of a father,who ran the place
Man looks just like Falco,same beak ,only black ,same eyes,only rimmed with yellow .He also had the same,tall ,skinny frame ,same shade of blue as Falco ,only with white chest and neck and body with specs of black .He was a rarely seen perigrine falcon,which really should've made him rethink being a criminal in the first place .
He also shared a lot of things in common with the bird (things I don't like) .Same annoying accent that sounds vaguely like something I heard in earthlings from a particular city somewhere in the western hemisphere (everyone in New Brook ,Yorkstate *,small country in the upper north region of North Amretis,Zoness, and Lyn countu in New Vesper on Corneria talks like this .Don't know why, they just do) .And beside that,they even both walk with that same weird posture,and got a smart ass mouth .
Even if he helped us out,he heard about me 'terrorizing' his son and wanted to teach me a lesson .So for the good of me and that damn fox,I had to sit still while he punched me right in the nose .It took everything in me not to lunge at him and take his life .
Now oddly I realized after the all this time,that I never knew what Fox was in prison for .And that is the final piece of the puzzle,the final piece .Find out what that was ,and that will sort this whole thing out .Maybe,I should have Panther to follow Falco to Titania and check what's left of the systems,or whatever it is he does .
And if all else fails,I'll just dope him up with truth serum and beat he truth out of him .I doubt he and the others would forgive me for such an act,but there is enough at stake thatI'm willing to risk it .Besides,I never liked the silly fox much,he always seemed to have a darkness lurking beneath that bright surface of his .He certainly isn't good for Wolfus,never could be .James was better,but that's in the past now .
In my thinking , I nearly made the fatal mistake of rubbing my eyes,a habit I sometimes have .
I know now that I must focus on the task at hand .I took out a lazer blade and started cutting off one of his legs,careful to avoid arteries so as to not make more of a mess .After I finished my work,I slept in all day .In just a day,we make our trip to Katina,we find out the truth .
Mr .Lombardi told me about his plan on what to do about Titania and I helped him out .Slipped him a contract to switch out the one Vic gave him,give a legitimate excuse to get away from that silly fox .I went to see Wolfus today ,but he was in surgery .I wanted to get out incognito but Fox was actually walking around the place now,a clear sign that he'll be released not too long from now .I winded up coming back to his room while he used his laptop .
"So,how do you feel?",I asked,leaning against the door .
"Pretty well actually .Said I'll be out in just four days,the muscle is healing up pretty well .I was lucky for those smoke grenades,made sure they didn't get any good shots off us",he said .I nodded and checked the tome on my communicator .
Just as I was about to take my leave,Fox called me .
"Leon?",he asked me,still looking at his laptop .
"What is it",I said,not even bothering to look at him .
"How did my dad die?",he said,finally turning away from the machine .
Now,if I lie,I'd be shooting myself in the foot .There's a probability that this twisted sonofabitch out for us would just show him a video .There was no video of what happened,just an audio feed because James shot out all the cameras .
Unless there were droids .
Better give him a vague answer then .
"James's death was an accident .Wolfus ,myself and other devised an escape plan,but it failed .While trying to get a gun from a Venomian soldier,it went off and killed him",I said .
He looked at me confused .
"But Pigma—"
Suddenly ,the door opened and Bill Grey himself was there .
"Oh hey Fox,lookin' good ,man .I'll be in in a second .Leon,could you come out here a moment?",he asked .Sounding harmless as usual ,but if the Major of the CDF is talking to you on duty,it's never a good thing .
We were outside and I was relieved to get away from Fox before he asked too many questions .Bill did his usual lazing and leaned up against the wall .He wasn't wearing his helmet,just his black shades and long coat .I envied him because I was dressed in layers and still felt chilled .
"General Pepper wants to offer you a deal",he said .
This thing has all kinds of suspicious written all over it and could potentially interfere with our personal mission .
"General Pepper? Isn't he-"
"Yeah,he's pretty sick,that's why he's offering now .He said that you can get your records clean and your name cleared if you take back your position of Commander of Black Ops team,Rainbow Delta"he said .
"You mean the team I created myself?",I said .He paused for a moment before answering .
"Yes",he said .
He stayed quiet as he lead me down the street to a black CDF van that I could see blocks away .
Team Rainbow Delta was the last of a no longer functioning and secret branch called 'The Rain Makers',called this for never completely failing a mission not once in our careers .We were the ones that did what the others couldn't do,and literally do whatever it took to get the job done .Since they couldn't have literal assassins everywhere ,they had us on payroll as mercenaries ,which is where I started my career .
Rainbow Delta got started when my team and I were out there,just watching a base on Katina .We heard them torturing Cornerian soldiers,but the higher ups refused to give us the order to engage in combat .
It was three days,three days of it,watching dead bodies getting thrown out to the fire .Finally,I couldn't take it and neither could we .I stole cloaking devices from the supply truck for my team and under the cover of night,we snuck into that Venomian base on Katina and murdered everyone there .By the time the rest of the soldiers got there,there was no one to fight .The soldiers were dead ,either poisoned or by other stealth means .The security system was down,all their computers crashed .And there wasn't a single bullet or blaster beam fired,meaning they didn't even get a chance to defend themselves .
We left not a piece of evidence and even the security drones didn't even see us . (it wasn't completely the cloaking device,it was the fact that we knew what the hell we were doing) .There was only one bit of evidence,a bloody combat knife I dropped on General Pepper's desk, when I took the heat for the entire squad .But,they were loyal,wouldn't let me go down,so they gave themselves up .
And the General was so impressed that we all got promoted,and I called the team 'Rainbow Delta' .But after the war,there were people who wanted to use the team for other purposes .When it blew up in the Cornerian governments' faces,they killed off the rest of Rainbow Delta and I took the fall for it .They branded me 'The Kaleidoscope Killer' in headlines,they ruined my life .But here's how I retaliated;
I named my ship Rainbow Delta as a reminder , a way to taunt the Corneria Defense force .They know who I am and what they did .So in reality,the thought of joining the CDF disgusts me .But,I won't tell anyone that,lest the CDF finish what they started .
"See,officer James Brunswick,that lion due who was hanging around here .he was up for the position next month because Commander Bates stepped down due to old age last week .He's frickin' ancient,you know the turtle with gray eyes",he said .
They know about Brunswick or maybe a bluff .I know no one found the body,because there is no body to find,I made sure of that .
"You mean the one that falls asleep during speeches and takes forever to get to the podium",I said,trying not to laugh .Bill himself didn't hold back and blatantly laughed at it .
"Yeah,that guy",he said .
"I'll think about it,but why me of all people?Couldn't you go and grab anyone else ? I mean,it's been a decade since I was on the force and my record is pretty bad",I said .
"Knew you were gonna ask,so here it goes .There's been suspicious activity going on at Venom .Someone or something is transmitting signals between satellites ,sending it from Titania ,Papetoon ,and Venom .You're the only known military personnel in the Lylat system still alive who knows the knows Venom", he said .
When I left,I left him with a 'I'll think about it' .Can't seem too eager,nor would it be so wise to decline .I now realize whatever happens,I have to move fast,get what we need done .I called Falco and told him he needs to leave for Titania ,right now .I don't know how long I can stall my decision on what to do .
This is why I'm at Krystal's place in the middle of the night .
She answered the door ,wearing nothing but a t-shirt that showed off her lovely curves . .but enough of that,the task at hand is more important .
I practically barged in and locked the door .
"What are you doing here?",she asked ,rubbing sleep from her eyes .
"We leave for Katina tonight",I said .
"But you said tomorrow morning",she said yawning .
"No,it must be done now .I was approached by Bill today .They want me to take up my former military tittle",I said .
"You're ex-military?",she asked .
"Oh,so I just came out my mother shooting sniper rifles?",I said dryly .
"Whatever .I've got my tickets,you have yours?",she asked .
"Yes,everything I need .Come ,let's go .It'll take a day in warp speed to get there .Bring nothing but what you have on,I will give you weapons…how well can you use your biotics?",I asked .
"Pretty well,I can lift and throw things and generate shields",she said .
"I didn't know we were leaving tonight,what about my fur?",she asked .
"I'll go buy something now,",I said and left .
I practically ran down the street to the convenience store to get Krystal's fur spray,and dye,don't know which one she'll use .
I quickly paid for the items and ran back to her place .By the time I got back,Krystal was already in the bathroom ,waiting .I checked the time again .
"How long do you normally take to apply this stuff?",I asked through the door .
"An hour our so ,but it's worth it",she said .I sighed .
"We do not have an hour or so ",I said .
"Nothing we can do about that",she said .I thought for a moment .I know what to do,but she'd probably be pretty angry .
"Let me help you!",I called .
"What?! Are you out of your mind,you can't-"
I threw the door open and saw Krystal in the tub .She stood in all he naked glory,her hands in her hair .The brown ,near black ran up her arms to the shoulder,halfway up her thighs ,like stockings and covered her neck .The rest of her naked body was completely exposed,including her lovely breast coupled with her tail courled forward ,has to be one of the most erotic things I've ever seen .
And I think I stared too long because now she's furious .She hit me with a biotic blast ,knocking the wind out of me .I hit the door,then the floor and thank the Gods ,there was a carpet there .
"You of all people ,Leon! I thought you were a gentlemen!",she said .
"I had no idea you intended to dye your entire body,dear Krystal .M-my sincerest apologies",I said .Slowly,I sat up,my head and back in pain but not too much to function .I seethed and Krystal rushed in,now wearing a towel .
"Oh my gosh,I'm so sorry!",she reached for me but I pulled back .
"The dye'll get on my clothes,I'm fine",I said .
"I didn't mean it,really",she said .
"It's alright .Just hurry with the dye",I said .
"Alright",she said .
At least I got a lovely image out of it . . .of course I would never admit that .
Ironically,she called me in ,just five minutes later to do her back anyway .I would say no,but there is no tim for such games .And like a respectable man,I kept my hands above that nice fluffy tail of hers and kept my eyes on her neck,despite how absolutely near impossible it was with such a nice curves and lovely fur .
And if I didn't know any better,I swear she was tempting me .
"I'm done .You can wash now",I said .
"Thanks",she said in that lovely voice of hers .Her accent reminds me of Wolf and I back in our days in the in the Union Kingdom when I first found him .Of course when we came to New Vesper,we literally changed our tune real quick .Speaking of which,I need to ask her if she can mask her accent as well .
"Now,your voice,have you any experience at doing something about that?",I asked .
"Enough .A trick I picked up after I ditched Fox a while back",she said,sounding like any other Vesperian natives .
"Good .I'll get our id cards and interplanetary passports"I said .
The Krystal I walked into the slightly crowded Orloe County Spaceport with was nothing like the girl we always knew,well,somewhat .Instead of dressing skank-sexy ,wearing heavy eye-liner and acting naughty and nice at the same time,with just the right amount of class to make it all work,she's just casual,plain ,ordinary .She smartly chose to wear forgettable colors,forgettable clothes and carry a rather unattractive travel bag .I myself was a different shade of green with violet contacts (that same lovely color that's natural to Wolf) and hid my yellow markings under my eyes .I too was dressed rather casual and carried a duffel bag of clothes I know I won't be wearing .
"Hey,baby,our flight's leaving ",she said .
"Comin' Julia ,just let me get us some drinks",I said,going to the soda machine .I got two cans of cola and slipped a small disk into the chute with the soda's; it was a transmitter that would alert us would neutralize any and all attempts to track our location .As long as we have the transmitters on our person,all surveillance devices in the area will be disturbed .I plan on planting them all along the way .
We made our way to the ship and as expected,I saw Dash Bowman making his way to first class with a rather attractive hamster girl with large brown eyes .By the time we got to the Bella Donna ,it was full and we made our way to the middle class section .Once we sat down,I took her hand in my own and she looked at me startled .
"We're suppose to be a couple . . .remember?",I whispered .
"Oh yes,that",she said,but she looked a bit disheartened .And somehow,I felt compelled to smile at her,and she smiled back .
I take it since the Fox incident I'd bet she hasn't been with a decent man in a while ,,or maybe any man at all .Explains why she would even look in Panther's direction .I'd known that to happen to people,myself included .After something serious,something traumatic,it'd be hard to get back on your feet .
Oddly enough,I don't think I'd have any qualms with helping her at all .As she fell asleep on my shoulder,I watched the night sky of Corneria ,skyscrapers and starships abound become starry night .We were leaving the clouds ,green grass and void blue ocean,and reaching the stars ,silence and perpetual night .
Fox McCloud couldn't for a moment keep his eyes off of the ape girl sitting on the bench with long white hair and blue eyes .The Titania Dome City of New Tatooine was practically empty under the hazardous night sky .Most of the residents have gone either home or somewhere to drink .
Yet .all day,that girl had been there and all day ,he watched her .
Finally,a man,an ape-man in a cloak much like the red one the young girl wore appered .She smiled and he took her hand and led her away .
"They're moving again",Fox said through his com-link .
"Follow them",a voice said back .
Fox got up and walked in the opposite direction pass the temple-like buildings,his cloak obscuring most of his face and body and concealing the blaster in his hand .The whole time,he kept his ears open .
He slide through the crowds,blending in ,as they got on a bus .He got on as well and kept his eyes on the girl .When they finally got off at their stop,an old bus station,Fox blended into the crowd of leaving pasengers as well .
The man and the girl brok off .and he took her to an old building,a run down stone apartment on the edge of town .
"I found them,I found the orphanage they'd been keeping the test subjects in",Fox said through his headset .
"Good .We'll move in on your location and lie low .Don't kill anyone until we arrive",the voice said .
So with that,Fox wandered to a nearby abandoned building .The whole place looked as though it was lived in and everyone left abruptly .The chairs and tables and things were out of place and any fooud that was there was now dust,crumb,stains from maybe centuries if being there .The whole place had a dankness,and oldness and a sense of mystery to it .On the wall,was a krazoa mask .
"Mister,mister,are you homeless? I am too", a voice said .Fox looked up,startled that the girl from earlier was in the building with him .
"What are you doing here?!",he demanded .
"I like to go away sometimes .I go away from the other kids,because they say I'm scary,they say I'm a freak",she said,her eyes on the ground .
"Oh,come on,why would they say a thing like that?",he asked,smiling at the litttled girl .
She looked up at him with eyes that glowed like lava and madness .
"This,this is what they're afraid of",she said in an unnatural sounding voice .A set of skeletal hands krept from her hair ,floating on either side of her face .
Fox literally froze,horrified at what he was seeing .
'No . . .he's dead,he;s dead!',Fox thought .
The girl took a step forward,her hair floating about her head as well .
"Are you afraid of me,Fox McCloud?",she asked .
"What . .how did you-"
"My memories tell me that you are Fox McCloud .They also told me that you are a good man,a kind soul .Be my friend",she said softly .
Fox was torn between horror and sympathy for the child .
"What's your name?",Fox asked .
"Andria ",she said .One of the floating hands reached out toward Fox and he immediately pulled his blaster and shot the hand .The girl let out a demonic whine,shrinking back in fear .Before she could recover,Fox slammed her into a wall and put his blaster to her skull and pulled the trigger .She tried to scream but he grabbed her throat and shot her in the head continuously until there was nothing but a mess of brains and blood ,staining his hands and arms .Hands shaking,heart pounding,Fox let what was left of the body drop to the ground . For a long time,he was afraid to move ,afraid it would move too .He kept his gun trained on the dead body .Finally,he pulled out a laser blade,approached the body .He stabbed it in the heart ,in the chest .He stabbed it continuously until he was sure from the mutilated chest that she was absolutely dead .And yet those glowing eyes still remain .He brought his knife down to her eyes .
Fox nearly fell out of his hospital bed,his fur damp with sweat,his heart beating too hard too fast .Fox looked around and realized he was in a hospital,not a dessert .He was wearing only his underwear and a flimsy gown ,no cloak ,boots and he was completely unarmed,which made him uneasy . But the realization that those glowing eyes,those evil glowing eyes,the ones that haunted him from time to time were gone . And yet despite this,Fox could not sleep . He forced himself to lie in the bed and stare a the snow falling outside his window .
okay,i will post another one shortly .