Author's Notes:
So much Trump flak on the net and media, although he was never my main concern, only that the US government would act in a proper fashion. I'm still laughing at the fact that Melania Knauss is gonna be First Lady. Lol. "Model" First Lady and not role model First Lady.
I should be releasing a short story every ten chapters like the last time but don't have the right opportunity yet to write one.
"Quickly, don't let up even one bit." Daisy directed them through the tight corridor that Hurk had told them to use after confirming no one was there.
*Take a left and stop by the oil drums.* Hurk gave them instructions from the watch tower he took using the radio, replacing the overwatch sniper with himself. It was an easy task as the overwatch guard was out cold, muffling him as he stabbed a knife into his cranium to end his life for good.
"Understood." Daisy said quietly through the headset piece of the radio and followed his instructions. When they arrived behind the drums, in front of them were three bodies lying on the ground with an inch wide hole in their heads.
*Proceed to the arc slowly, I'm expecting a patrol to return there.* Daisy directed them to move where it was safe. The sneaked forward towards the arc.
(Door opens)
Just then two soldiers came out of the house directly in front of them.
"Urghhh… This sucks!"
"Tell me about it! Fuck the warden! Fuck Paul!… Hmm?" Cold sweat formed on their backs, they'd been spotted.
"What's up? Huh? He- (Crack) Urrghhh!" The second guard barely had time to respond as a bullet passed through the back of his head and out the front. His corpse fell to the floor with a slump. His companion was long dead even before he noticed Daisy and the rest.
*I've got you, clear the bodies then proceed forwards.*
"Ok. Let's clear the bodies." Daisy informed them of the task before moving. She didn't question Hurk as he was doing his best to keep them alive and undetected. One by one they chucked the bodies into a dark alley dumpster.
"Urrrpp!" Liza vomited as it was too much for her, Steven tapped her on the back so that she would let it all out. "Thanks, uhhh…." She replied still feeling nauseous.
"Come on, we'll have all the time in the world to puke, right now we can't miss this chance." Riley urged them.
"Gimme a break, Riley! I wanna get out as well but this….. its just- I can't take all this killing."
".….. Then stay." Daisy told her in a cold tone.
"W-What?!"
"If you can't even stand a single drop of blood, carrying dead bodies then stay in that cell. Besides, you aren't even the one shooting them, what's your deal Liza?"
"I-… You wouldn't understand."
"I don't. Let's get going, our window's tight here." Daisy reminded them as she took point once more.
For a good ten minutes, Hurk had led them all the way to the outskirts of the city.
"I can see the wall from here!" Oliver whispered jubilantly. Standing at the gate were five guards loading and unloading supplies from a supply truck.
"Hurk, what now?" Daisy asked over the microphone.
*Standby, setting the diversion. Stay hidden until then. And wait for my call to go ahead.*
"Alright, just be safe, Hurk. We won't want to leave without you."
*.… That's cute. Save it for someone special, I'm sure they'll appreciate it. Hurk out.*
Daisy wore a smile that confused the rest.
"What now, boss?" Riley asked eagerly.
"For now, we wait."
The mansion was crowded with guests but had good reason to, because arriving imminently was his Royal Highness Pagan Min. Ajay had departed from Raghu, his children and Arjun to attend to the arrival of Pagan as he was informed by a Palace Guard to be present.
The trumpets blew and the door opened for the finely dressed middle-aged man in a familiar custom maroon suit. At his side were, his personal attendant Gary and the Duchess herself who came to receive him at the carport.
"All stand for his Royal Highness Pagan Min, all hail the king!" Announced the herald by the door. The guests stood at attention, and a row of Palace Honor Guards stood the entire length of the red carpet that the King threaded on.
""""All hail the King!"""" Responded the dutiful subjects that were the guests. Pagan waved at the crowd as he made his way up the steps to the stairs arc where he could be seen by everyone.
"Thank you, friends and loyal subjects. Today marks the 28th Anniversary of my reign, though not the month I took the throne, no but the twenty-eighth year nonetheless. If we celebrated it on the exact day, we'd all be having another public holiday, another day to relax those feet wouldn't we?"
The crowd laughed with him.
"This year was rather special for me on a personal level, because the person who was like a son to me had returned for the states. And he's been making quite a name for himself these past few months and I'm sure you've all heard of him by now. Removing Golden Paths presence from the North, breaking that major offensive they had planned up and most recently the successful military operation to evacuate my precious subjects from Golden Path controlled territories in Pacchim Valley."
"Oh Badala, will you make yourself known?" Pagan called out.
"Here, your highness!" Ajay answered dutifully as he stepped out into the open where the line of carpet was.
"That's Lord Badala?"
"He's even younger than our son!" An older man exclaimed.
"To be so capable at his age."
"By the gods, that's the Northern Demon?!"
"We better organize a meet, maybe we can propose a marriage between you and him , what do you think darling?" A woman told her daughter who turned away shyly.
As shocked at they were of Ajay's age when they compared him with the feats he'd accomplished, it was just unbelievable. Standing before them was the Northern Demon, the nightmare of the Golden Path, who'd fought and emerged victorious in impossible odds, staved off fighters by the hundreds on his own. Built the industrial town in the midst of the once barren Valley of Death and made it a bustling hub of people of different ethnic groups residing in Kyrat.
"There he is, how've you been my boy?" Pagan asked ever flamboyantly.
"Fairly quiet, your highness. And quite bored of Golden Path's inaction might I add." The crowd laughed at his light humor as did Pagan.
"You only have yourself to blame for that, Badala boy. You've riffled up the Golden Path so much they won't even leave Banapur." Pagan chuckled but then his expression became a little more serious.
"It's been hard on you hasn't it, my boy. I know you've lost some of those precious to you during this damn Civil war. These are scars we carry for all eternity."
Ajay lowered his head to keep his face from showing his sorrow that crept out for a moment.
"Your grace and concern is wasted upon me your highness. This burden is mine to bear alone, that is all."
"Mmmm. Keep it close but don't let it drag you down… If it becomes a problem perhaps I'll personally take action in finding you a wife. So go find one before your right to decide becomes mine!" Again Pagan won in the humor contest as the crowd joined in at sharing laughs. Pagan walked down the steps slowly to where Ajay stood.
"I mean it, in time to come, she…. or he…." (Crowd burst out laughing)
".…. Will be there to guide you in times of need, when you stray from your ideals, when you question yourself, when-….. when you simply need someone there to keep you company. They'll be there for you." Pagan slowed down halfway, Ajay could see why, recurring memories of Ishwari.
"Don't end up like me." He whispered to himself as he placed his hands on Ajay's shoulders in front of him. Ajay hadn't caught what he had just murmured just but he let it go.
"You're gonna need one, tomorrow you take the big job! And you don't have any say in the matter. Duke Badala! How do you like the sound of that?"
The crowd begun to chat amongst themselves, right after they recovered from the shock. They asked one another if they heard correctly. Did King Min just make Badala a Duke? The crowd wasn't the only one to share in the disbelief, the recipient himself was beyond astonished.
He looked up to where Yuma was, she leaned on the parapet with a smirk on her face indicating she had some idea of this before Pagan announced it. Therefore, she was enjoying that priceless look upon his face. Seeing the crowd still in hesitation, Yuma began to clap to inform them of the next order of formalities to adopt. Seeing that the host was applauding herself, it was foolish not to follow so they slowly followed in clapping.
The applause began to pick up in pace till there were cheering in the background too.
"I-…"
"I already said, you have no say in this. Look! You think they don't agree? This wasn't like last time when I threw you the post as Vice-lord you know. This time, I can clearly say you've earned it!" Pagan said as the position was an award for his service thus far.
Pagan motioned to Gary who came over with a ceremonial sword which had been present since the British colonial rule centuries ago. "Kneel, my boy." Ajay knelt on one leg before Pagan, for what seemed like an official knighting process. The guests remained silent during the process out of respect. Pagan raised his sword and placed it upon Ajay's shoulder.
"I Pagan Min, Royal Highness of the sacred Kingdom of Kyrat. Hereby knight thee as my left hand. In times of need you will heed my call, protect me, advise me in times of need and always hold trust in my word. In doing so I pass onto you, the title of Duke."
"I….Marquis Badala, Vice-Lord of Kyrat and of his Royal Highness Pagan Min graciously accept." Ajay responded with utmost respect and formality. He heard Pagan chuckle silently as he response but it was clearly not noticed by the rest of the crowd surrounding them.
"Then rise, a Duke of Kyrat." Ajay stood as the sword left his head and back into its sheath, the crowd gave a round of applause once more.
"By the way, I don't think you should call yourself Duke to the Valley of Death. So I want you to change it right now, choose a name for that charming little hamlet of yours. Consider this my first order."
Pagan instructed him as his first order to Ajay as a duke. Ajay placed his index finger to his lips as he thought about it. Was there a way to appreciate Pagan for all he had done supporting him? He searched deep in his mind for a name that could show his love for Pagan as a friend and as a father figure. Only one name came to mind.
A name that connected Pagan to his mother and to him.
"Lakshman…" Pagan was taken aback when he heard Ajay murmur that name. His entire being swayed from side to side and his emotions were out of balance.
"From today onwards, what was once the Valley of Death where I reside, where thousands now call home and thousands more will come to call it theirs will no longer be but shall be known today….. as Lakshman!" Ajay announced to the audience. The audience liked the sound of the name, it was very traditional. But to Pagan and Yuma who knew who Ajay was referring to were in a state of confusion.
"Lakshmana was what binds you and mom together and what connects me to you. This town and all is my tribute to that bond, Pagan." Said Ajay to Pagan who was losing control of his emotions and tears poured from his eyes.
Pagan managed to say a few words through his tears that messed his ability to speak.
"Damn-…idiot boy!-…. Come're…"
He opened his arms for Ajay which he required an embrace from. Ajay walked forward to give him one. The crowd was stunned initially by the closeness of which Pagan showed to Ajay but were smart enough to know that there was a deeper meaning to the name Lakshman than its definition.
"All hail! Duke of Lakshman!" Shouted Gary on Pagan's behalf.
"""All hail the Duke! All hail the King!"""
(BOOM) (BOOM) (BOOM)
In about twenty minutes from when Hurk went dark on the radio and series of explosions rattled out. The tank for gasoline and main and auxilary power generator for the whole Cities lighting system went out.
"What happened?!"
"We're under attack! At your stations!"
"Fuck! It's New Years day, why are is the Royal army out here?!"
The renegades fell into anarchy as the streets went dark and the source of their lighting and communication were bombed with the enemy at their doorstep this every second.
Hurk's hard work had paid off, he'd planted the C4 explosives he'd picked from the Armory on several of the Cities critical Infrastructure. The carpool, power generator and armory were now in flames. Residue fuel and ammo created micro bursts of explosions. The renegade soldiers weren't the only ones in anarchy, the chained slaves and prisoners were all frantic about the City in flames, their screams added to the discord Hurk sewed amongst the Renegades.
He waited at a choke point to where he would escape through and where the soldiers would likely assemble to receive orders from their high command. As Daisy and her friends were escaping through the pathway a while ago, Hurk had passed them claymore and anti-personnel mines to place in hidden corners where he deemed appropriate. So now he had mined up most of the route to enable him to focus on one group coming through the street at a time.
(BOOM)
There were already unfortunate souls who had been too eager to find the source of their trouble and been the first to be on the receiving end of Hurk's traps. Ricardo had taught him the way to mark out likely entry points and exits to place traps. Ajay had taught him a set of rule he had to follow he called the Survivability layers in the form of an abreviation known as SAAB like the automotive company. Basically it stood for Stealth, Avoid, Armor, Back-up.
Stealth meant he should not indulge his foes to his presence as the first means of defense against the enemy. If that failed then the next phase to protect him was Avoid being hit by his enemies weapons fire. Next along the line was Armor, as in the protection of kelvar he looted from the blazing armory to protect him from sustaining damage. The last on the list was to always have a Back-up plan. The most important thing next to staying alive was to remain combat worthy to prolong one's life and that was what Back-up meant.
Hurk intended to apply all of this, starting with the first line of defense, which was his stealth. The Enemy hadn't been made aware of his presence so he could take comfort in that.
A squad of soldiers trundled down the corridor to muster with the rest and had entered Hurk's kill-box. Hurk lined up his shoot with his newly acquired rifle and took successive shots at the seven-man team.
(Peak)(Peak)(Peak) The muffled reports of his silenced M110 delivered three shots and killed all seven in the narrow corridor where they were packed like sardines.
(BOOM)
"Fuck! Mortar fire!"
"You idiot! It was underneath a roof, this place has been booby-trapped! No one move an inch! We wait fo-(Crack)." The commander of the second team to arrive died before he could finish his sentence.
"Hieee!" The group instantly fell into discord and ran in different directions.
"I don wanna die! Don wanna!" One ran towards a diverting street and- (BOOM) Stepped on one of the mines.
"Sniper! There's a sniper here!" One seemed to still have his wits about him to announce it to who ever was listening while he hid behind cover. Though Hurk couldn't see him from where he stood behind the end of a wall, he could see the heat bloom at the edge of the wall through the thermal optic. (Peak) The shot penetrated the wall and pierced the man's skull, his body plopped onto the ground motionless.
"Time to exfill." Hurk told himself.
Judging from the time he took, they should have already made it over the wall with the attention he made for the guards to investigate the blazing furnace that was building up because no one was attending to the increasing flame.
Hurk had only one regret, which was the hundreds of prisoners and slaves they had captured were still locked in their cells. Facing despair of the burning flames approaching them.
He ran through the street towards the gate entrance.
"Help us!"
"Please!"
"We beg you!"
As he ran by, the prisoners caught notice of him from the back window of their cell. They weren't sure if he was a soldier like the rest of them or a saboteur that caused this fire. Their pleading expressions weighted heavily on Hurk's conscience. He didn't have time to aid them, he had a mission to protect Jason's friends who were in desperate need of him. Where would these prisoners go if they were set free? The soldiers would find and kill them for leaving there was no doubt about it.
Hurk didn't have time to lose, he had to leave them for the sake of his friends. It was a painful decision to make. Hurk turned and ran towards the exit, seeing him walk away, the faces of the prisoners dropped and they began to lament their short life span. Hurk could still hear their pleads, he ran and ran… as his footsteps became heavier, he stopped midway.
-Why am I running again?-
The prisoners huddled into a corner where they made a final prayer to Kyra-.
"Hey! Get away from the wall!" Hurk called out from the window, they obediently backed off.
(BOOM) The wall collapsed from the shaped charge Hurk arranged to blow strictly the wall and minimize collateral.
"Come on! Let's go! It's ok, I've got y'all!"
At the end of the very public knighting ceremony of Ajay as the new Duke of Lakshman. Ajay spoke with Pagan for awhile to speak about the Pagan's past experiences, when Pagan left him to speak with Arjun and his war retinue Ajay found himself in dilemma. There were crowds of Nobles and wealthy tradesmen that surrounded him seeking to give him their congratulations and more importantly seek to establish connection with him. While Pagan said he was giving him this rank as a reward. Ajay knew it was more than that, Pagan was hoping for this very result so that Ajay could further his campaign against Golden path and improve Kyrat. There was also a hidden meaning to granting him the title of Marquis months ago for the deed of breaking the major offensive of the Golden Path.
As Ajay wanted to earn his way to becoming king rather than Pagan herald him as his heir when he arrived. There would be a lot of displeasure amongst nobles and common folk alike for the simple reason of granting Kingship to a foreigner which Ajay was back then at the time through the eyes of the citizens of Kyrat. The arch-traitors son was handed the throne by Pagan for no apparent reason, didn't sit well with majority of the populous be it Royal Armed Forces, Golden Path, nobles or commoners.
He was after all, Pagavel Min, not some push over King. He carefully planned Ajay's ascension up the ranks with carefully timed sequences, Ajay had done him proud at providing him the excuse to recognize his military and civil deeds. The difference could be seen with a well recognized noble being given the appointment of King compared with an outsider who had lived out of Kyrat for decades.
"Excuse me- Coming through-… Badala!" Bhadra squeezed through the crowd and Ajay caught her as she tripped forward.
"Hey, Bhadra. Been looking all over for you and Noore, where have you two been?"
"Um-….." Bhadra was unsure with the crowd gathered around him.
"Excuse me, all of you. I would like to have a moment with my escort companion, if you would." The crowd immediately made way and gave their compliments, handing him business cards, and addresses to come and propose to their daughters. Although they were quite surprised that this young girl although sixteen was his escort. A few of them were envious of her while some were quite familiar with who she was. Either way, all of them left him alone with Bhadra.
"Pheew! Thanks, Bhadra. You came in the nick of time, they nearly hounded me till I wanted to used repeated words."
"(Sigh) It's fine. Still… You're a Duke now."
"That's right!"
"Then I pay my regards to you, milord." She curtsied as a part of her act.
"No need for formalities. For to you, it'll always be Badala… or would you prefer my real-."
"Badala's fine." Bhadra smiled at him.
"Thank you, Bhadra. Now, what did you do with Yuma just now?"
"Only the usual. This time she's told me something new."
"Oh?"
"You wouldn't believe in a million years of it happening, but it has. She's got the surprise ready for tonight for everyone."
"And she gave you a sneak peak I would assume." Bhadra nodded.
Yuma had something to show all of us? She wasn't the showy type of person that was for certain, whatever she had to present must be very important.
"All I'll say is that, and don't eat or drink anything while she announces it or you'll make a scene." She smiled at him before walking off, Bhadra turned around to say some last words before she left.
"You should pay Maya a visit…" She chuckles halfway thinking about something. "At the second floor balcony facing the waterfall. I'll let you see it for yourself."
For some reason, Bhadra was enjoying hiding secrets and surprises from him. It did little more than irritate him for not being told what it was, the sooner he went to find out what it was the quicker the feeling would dispel. Bhadra joyfully strolled off leaving him to find his way, where she met up with Noore in the distance.
Noore looked in his direction and exchanged a look with one another. Signing why he hadn't found her sooner. He shrugged his shoulders as he had no excuse, Noore sighed and went off with Bhadra. Ajay assumed she had been hounded by nobles just now on her own the entire time.
-Sorry, Noore. I'll try to make up for it another time.-
Ajay began to follow the directions which Bhadra gave him to her insistence he go there. What did Maya have to do with this?
As he made his way towards his destination via the flight of stairs to the second floor balcony as Bhadra instructed but didn't find her.
"Now now ladies! I don't mean to be rude but I'm waiting for someone here."
There was apparently some folks here. A man surrounded by a flock of women hounding him to entertain them, with his back to him Ajay didn't see his face not that he wanted to. The man had a strangely gentle husky voice which was quite nice to hear even for him as Ajay waited at the end of the balcony on the opposite end. There was no appointed time for him to meet and no telling when she would arrive, so he leaned against the stone railings watching the water stream down into its basin where steam and mist formed. It gave a pleasant therapeutic feeling.
"Come on, sir! Tell us about your adventure in the Meh Teh Offensive."
"Ah…. well…"
""Ppppleaseee."" A few pleaded him. The man calmed them down and began telling his story there. Without Ajay knowing, he had somehow become interested in listening in on the conversation.
"Alright, please calm down. I'll tell." The ladies' expressions immediately brightened as he told the story.
The man told his account of the story where he'd assailed the cliff walls with his team and captured the Airport in the dead of the night and undetected for the rear troops under then Captain Saraswati's command. Moving in with that self-important jerk as he described a certain character that followed him in ensuring the defense of the airport until dawn for the Royal Guard attack helicopter squadron to come in and finish off the exposed Golden Path fighters that had found throughout the night and were expecting to take the airport back and win.
Ajay was surprised with the level of detail to the story the man spoke as if he were actually there. Could he have been? Quite possibly one of Saras's men, but he referred to her as an additional force so he was with another unit. Ajay was quite sure there wasn't another unit besides Yuma's Hunters that were with him. Anish suddenly came to mind, he was the type that bragged and bent his head before money and glory. But the man's proportions or voice didn't match that of Anish.
"The King was there?!"
""Ehhhh!""
"He just came for the fun of it, one thing led to another and he gave that jerk the position of Vice-Lord on a whim. He wasn't even grateful at all I tell you!" The man started getting worked up. Ajay was having a funny feeling about the tale this man sprung from his ass, yet it was completely accurate down to the bone with the exception of him in the story. While the tale of the Meh Teh offensive was told in several variants by the peoples' interpretation of the story. The Royal Army or then propaganda department never revealed the full account of the story besides the less than two hundred versus twenty-five hundred fighters part for publicity reasons.
Ajay became inclined to find out who was this bloke and paced towards the group.
"It must have been nice, to see Lord Badala."
"Compared to the being greeted by the King? I doubt so. Right, Sir Kadayat?"
Upon hearing the surname, Ajay stopped and processed his available memory.
-Bipin? Wasn't he in Maharashtra?-
The last time he met Bipin was in the tavern with the rest, Bipin wasn't even sober then and let him in on some secrets he was better off not knowing. The next day, he and Saras left for India. Saras went to delegate for the Royal Army and the Indian Army. Bipin went to study at the staff colleges like the rest of the officers that came along.
"Oi! Bipin, when did you return? And does Maya know about you coming bac-." As Ajay caught sight of the fellow as he turned around to the response Ajay gave in regards to mistaking him for his brother, catching sight of his face Ajay stopped abruptly mid-sentence. His thoughts immediately jumbled with the person he was looking at, then he over came it with logic. Then suddenly he have the wanton desire to laugh, he tried his best to suppress it but couldn't.
And burst out laughing.
In everyone else mind, they wondered who was this rude fellow until one of them pointed out he was the recently appointed Duke of Lakshman, then they froze in shock that he was presenting a very peculiar behavior in front of them.
The man walked toward Ajay in a grim manner, crunching his knuckles. The ladies were shocked by this display. The Duke might be a little rude but it didn't warrant him punching Ajay. Ajay was oblivious to all this until the very last second he felt contact from a fist to his face.
Ajay fell to the floor, yet seemed unhurt as he continued laughing after finding something too funny to stop. It was just as Bhadra had said.
"Oh my god! He's attacking the Duke! Someone get help!" One said as the ladies ran off to find someone to answer their plea.
"Have you done laughing? You goddamn jerk!" The man continued to pummel Ajay but Ajay laughed even louder, albeit in pain but nothing was more hilarious that this scenario he was in….. this scenario she was in.
Because the one dressed up as the ladies man was none other than Maya.
After finding Maya as Bhadra had told him, he instinctively knew what she wanted him to do and what he would have done as well. Look for Mumu Chiffon, luckily he was where he expected him to be amongst the nobles looking to source him for his one of a kind designer clothings in the dining hall.
Ajay went over and whispered his challenge to Mumu who immediately got up and excused himself from the gathered crowd or customers. Because there was no challenge House Chiffon could overcome. Mumu call in the Royal hair and make-up artists for a favor to help him in his project and asked for the garments in the Royal Palace to be delivered by Kamran.
"We're working on a tight schedule here people, Chop! Chop!" Said Mumu to his colleagues who worked with him on achieving new looks every week for Pagan. Ajay's challenge was simple yet the most difficult to achieve with the people available in Kyrat that could do the job well.
And that was getting Maya to not just look great but "Wow!" The crowd with her look, she had the natural beauty, all that was left was to bring it out further with style and ornaments.
Mumu had always wanted to present an evening piece to the crowd under circumstances such as this New Years celebration at Crystal Falls but hadn't the right model to bring out the piece until Maya came along. Unfortunately, the latter was difficult to find in one place not because of the nature of her job but because she was doing her best to avoid Mumu. As Ajay learnt from the hair and make-up artists associates, Mumu had hounded her since he found her working in the Arsenal when delivering Ajay another holster bag custom made. When he called her number she never answered when the party was imminent and so Mumu's hopes were nearly dashed until Ajay came knocking at the door to his guest room quarters with the request.
"Why am I even doing this?" She complained as she stood on the elevated pile for measurements.
"Arms up!" Mumu tapped her arms to maintain its 90 degree angle while he measured.
"Because you can, Maya."
"Then I choose not to." Ajay chuckled at Maya's response, yet she obediently obliged to follow him this far, perhaps she was just shy to be in a dress. Maya had come far from a strictly military background under Yuma's training regime, she wasn't like the lady nobles of Kyrat despite her status.
"You wouldn't know if you didn't try, you get to do something that most women could only dream of. Having a beautiful face which makes others jealous and yearning to be you or be with you. Body proportions that many can't maintain or have, a slender figure with ample assets." Mumu chuckled at his straightforward and open opinion, Maya wasn't so pleased.
"That last one was sexual harrassment!"
"Up girl!" Mumu warned her again in an agitated tone which she obediently upright her posture once more.
Ajay had taken advantage of her inability to hit him while he made those comments about her.
"Are you really gonna let Bhadra and Noore laugh at you the whole night?"
"What?"
"I only knew about you because Bhadra told me to find you there, and in case you're wondering… she sniggered."
"She did, did she?"
"Think of it this way, if you went through with it. I can bet you can rub it in Noore and Bhadra's face for being feminine. I bet they'll be wearing priceless faces for you to enjoy for the rest of the night." Ajay's offer to her was rather attractive, getting back at the rest of the residence for mocking her previous male attire that she was comfortable with. She unwittingly attracted a female crowd who thought she was a charming young man with a handsome face. Afraid of humiliating herself she adopted that fake man's voice which she didn't do that well on. And earned a barrel of laughs from Ajay.
Ajay had given her an idea about the pros of going through with this minor discomfort to earn a reward in the form of their gaping mouths.
"I'll be in your care, Mr Chiffon." She finally responded, though feeling internally reluctant to follow through.
"Excellent! I swear on the honor of House Chiffon, this night will be unforgettable! I guarantee it, am I right ladies and gentlemen?" The Royal hair and make-up artists nodded in agreement.
"So how is the renown Mumu Chiffon going to make her a dress that will blow the crowds mind's in one hours time?" Ajay asked curious.
"I'm glad you asked, Ajay! The answer is tapering. I already had the dress done a week ago, but since I didn't have the exact measurements because our dear wasn't anywhere to be found I made an average adjustable length and proportion."
"Counting on you, Mr Chiffon."
"I know, when have I ever failed to deliver? Go and have a seat in the bedroom next door and I'll call you out when its done. Oh! That reminds me, I brought your new armored outfit too. I was wondering when I should hand it to you, consider it my gift to your newly ascended rank of Duke." Mumu said to him before devoting his ever attention to making measurements and calculations for the evening attire for Maya. The dress piece and further fabrics were not at hand due to Mumu being unable to reach Maya beforehand. He called for a favor to the attendants in still in the Royal Palace to send the pieces via helicopter driven by Kamran. As they spoke, he was already along the way from when Mumu called ten minutes ago.
Ajay left Mumu to do what he did best, in the mean time he would occupy himself with the set of body armor Mumu had made for him to replace his worn and tattered one that was almost completely destroyed in the "Crimson Woods" fight with over a battalion strength of Golden Path fighters and one very competent but dead Commander.
Ajay took the body armor to Samar to have it repaired and the latter did what he could but the armor already had parts that were compromised. Although the armor ceramic plates could be replaced, the carrier and under armor segments were torn beyond repair. It had to do with the abrasion of his inhuman movements that time, when wearing the armor there were limits to the amount he could raise and reach backward. His rampage went over those limits.
As it so happened, besides making a spare of the original he made a refined version of the first one. Ajay entered the bedroom and found a trunk standing by the mattress with a note attached to it.
Written on it:
Dear Ajay,
There is no such word as perfection in the eyes of man, only a dream to be so. Therefore my finest creation which you wore cannot be said to be perfect in every way even through my prideful eyes. Even if I devoted my every essence to making the one piece that I'm sure protected your life on countless occasions. It would remain inherently flawed.
This piece is my expression to reach further to that quest for perfection.
I've looked deeply into the feedback you and dear Samar have sent me on your use of the first iteration of the "Vengeance Armor". (I know its a stupid name but it translates well with your alias!)
The improvements can be said to be quite within expectations. Lighter weight, less bulkiness to the feel, more dexterity, improved protection aspects and refined features that were present in the old set. A step above the old one in survivability.
The details of the new specs I've listed in a separate attach piece of paper, take the time to read it before fiddling around with it.
Its strange really, while it seems to be the end of the Golden Paths influence I can't shake the feeling that this is just the beginning. Forgive me, I know I have no experience to dabble into Military affairs but knowing from life experience things don't always go as plan.
Take me for example, I always keep an emergency trunk full of my necessary tools and fabric, I also bribe the guards annually in case His Royal Highness suddenly isn't satisfied with my work and orders my death. Quite unbelievable ain't it! But believe it or not, there was ever a time when I nearly had a close shave to that scenario. So from then on my working style incorporates this sort of mentality which isn't bad attribute to begin with.
I hope you just stay safe in all of your missions, without you I can no longer imagine how my Combat Couture vision would ever continue.
Stay safe, Ajay. And remember, be fierce!
Sincerely your friend and colleague,
Mumu Chiffon
…...
It seemed that Mumu expected he wouldn't be around to hand it to Ajay, even though he was next door dress fitting for Maya, while the hair and make-up artists were doing up Maya's hair and complexion. They really intended to make her the star of the event.
Ajay flipped open the clasps to the trunk that revealed his new body armor set Mumu dubbed the Vengeance Armor v2.0 standing upright.
Ajay could see that Mumu wasn't kidding about the aesthetic changes to the armor. Immediately he could see several differences besides the sleeker appearance to the bulk first iteration.
The armor had slits to allow for further movement of the body in all around angles, what lay between the slits were a combination of Goretex and Nomex fabric for anti-moisture and fire retardant protection. With an additional layer of a stab-proof fabric. Most of the weapons that Samar built as a stand alone such as the grapple gauntlet were now integrated, one in each hand with the winch motor housed behind in a shell housing. The entire armor had hardpoints for placing weapons and ammo on his thighs, waist and forearms.
The armor plates themselves were the main difference with the previous single ceramic plate he had in the past. They came in segments around the torso and limbs that were bind together with kelvar straps and buckles. This had an application for ease of repair and refitting faster by replacing the damaged part with a new plate than taking the whole torso section to remove the plates and repair.
But the most impressive thing about the protection afforded to him by the new plates was its laminate configuration. Previously, his ceramic plates were all rated for NIJ Level Type 3 which could stop 7.62x51mm high power rifle rounds in certain conditions. For a rebel army like the Golden Path who were mainly armed with 7.62x39mm for AK and 5.56x45mm NATO for AR-15 weapons it wasn't a problem stopping the bullet and most of the energy from impact.
But Ajay noticed something about the inner layer of the armor slabs, they were all ceramic discs overlapping into a scale armor formation. It not only did better in allowing for further range of movement that he always wanted but now it offered a supposed increase per plate. Ajay had heard of this armor before from certain military personnel that returned from overseas in the states.
The armor plate were all comprised of Dragon Skin armor.
Ajay had supposedly heard the reputation of the body armor although he wasn't sure if this was pieces of the original armor that Samar sourced or that Mumu and Samar borrowed the concept in designing the armor, the latter made more sense both economically and logistically.
The armor was in a matte black color scheme like the first one but had a red trim at the collar and sleeves which seemed similar to the Royal Guards uniform scheme in some way. Perhaps to associate his affiliation with the Royal Army for friend or foe identification instances.
Sitting above the shoulder pauldrons was a gleaming mask. Samar had remade the Yalung Mask once more, although this time the mask wasn't iron anymore but fashioned out of titanium. How Samar did it with the lack of infrastructure to smelt titanium was beyond him, unless this job was outsourced which could explain this new mask.
Either way, Ajay was more than content with the new equipment he had been given. They were all cutting edged to his job and way more that a step above the old set of armor he wore. It would improve his combat potential further than before, he was sure of it.
But like Mumu said, he hoped there wouldn't be a scenario that he least expected.
Huffing after a long trek through the forest in the night with minimal lighting, the group was getting weary of their travel.
"Let's take a break, we're no use if even one of us falls behind. We also need to wait for Hurk." Daisy instructed them.
"Aye aye, ma'am!" Oliver instantly lay against the tree to rest his tired body.
Riley turned back to look at the general direction where the City of Pain was. All he could see was a bright orange glow from that place along with tons of smoke bellowing from the city.
"He really gave them hell all by himself…" Riley was now coming to terms with the kind and playful Hurk being capable of such brutal efficiency on his own.
"Badala trained him, so he would definitely be as freakish in that sense." Daisy responded to his monologue.
Daisy thought to herself. If Hurk could turn out that way because of Badala, then what about an entire army trained by him. An army of demons.
"Rest up, drink up! We have a long way to go. Steven, map please."
"Sure, here." Steven handed her the map and voluntarily shone a small torchlight upon the map for her to see. She took out the compass and cross checked their location. We're here, we need to at least get to here to be safe. She traced the place they currently were, which was somewhere five kilometres from the City in the Northern direction, up ahead there was a river system that led all the way to Shanath. All they needed to do was to follow the river North and they'd reach the Shanath area. There, they could have two choices to pick from. To the West was the Mukti Tigers, willing to shelter all refugees in need of assistance according to Hurk. North was the fortifications to King's Bridge, the only safe route to the Uttar region where the seat of power resided and was manned by the Royal Army. They needed Hurk to help them get across or else they were considered as illegal visitors due to their foreign nature.
"In your opinion, where should we go, Steven?" Daisy relied on Steve to provide a realistic option to go for. Steve thought for a while then pointed to the North where the Royal Army was.
"Safer?" She asked.
"Happier." He responded with a smile.
Daisy chuckled slightly as she had made her decision thanks to Steve.
"Alright, we'll go North. I hope Hurk can help us pass or it'll be for nothing."
"Always dream big, girl. Liza and I didn't just enter the film industry because just her good looks. We took our chances sometimes. Right, babe?"
"Urgh! I think I foot has sores."
Steven sighed as Daisy chuckled again. "Coming!" Steven went over the see what he could do for Liza.
"Dais! Someones coming!" Riley called out quietly and cautiously.
"Is it Hurk?"
"Dunno, there's more than one guy out there. Fifteen spotted at least." Daisy's hairs on her back stood up, this was in all possibility either a Golden Path patrol or a search team by the Renegade soldiers of De Pleur.
"Call the rest to hide and stay low. We'll hope they'll pass, and bring me a rifle." Daisy dispatched her orders. Riley nodded and dashed off after handing her one of the M16 rifles from his dufflebag with a few magazines.
Daisy lay low behind the tree and loaded the rifle and cocked the charging handle, raising the rifle in a firing posture seemed like she knew what she was doing. That's because unlike her fellow Californians, Daisy was the only one that knew who to operate a rifle on her own, particularly an AR-15 variant which the rifle she was using presently was similar to in operation.
Not only was her father from a Naval background but her late boyfriend was from the National Guard. Even if she didn't bother with their affairs she happened to chance upon a time behind the trigger for recreation.
Daisy controlled her breathing as the shadows grew closer without any indication of slowing or identifying themselves. By now, her friends had all taken cover behind the trees. Riley was also holding one of the rifles at the ready but to protect the rest who were unarmed.
As the silhouettes got closer their hearts pounded quicker. Daisy took a deep breath in and lined up the target with the largest looking shadow, which seemed likely to be the hardiest of the patrol group that she assumed it was. But she would only fire when she was spotted, if not she would let them pass by.
Daisy was the most nervous despite being the most aggressive in response to the arrival of an unknown party at their most weakened time. Her trigger hand was shaking even through she tried her best to suppress these instinctive responses to fear.
The large shadow got nearer, stopping for a while and facing her direction and begin walking towards her. Her heart dropped, had she been found? She didn't want to do anything until the very last possible second for a chance he could miss them.
But the shadow continued to close in and increased speed as the other silhouettes followed his pace. Daisy placed her finger on the trigger, she and her friends had gone this far before a firefight would break out. Then their hopes of escaping were now hopes for survival against whatever patrols might call in for reinforcements.
Daisy said a prayer mentally to prepare her for taking a life away. While still a soldier that robbed and pillaged, he still was a flesh and blood human being albeit a horrible person.
Daisy's trigger had now reached halfway of its full depression to fire a round, and she almost continued on if not for-
"Daisy? What are you guys still- woah! Watch where you're pointing that!" Replied the silhouette that much to her relief was none other than Hurk.
"Hurk-… you made it!" She said obviously glad.
"Course I fucking made it! I'm Hurk, Tatbro of Jas and Bad's! Geez can't you stop pointing that at me? It's making me uncomfortable."
Daisy quickly raised her rifle after releasing the trigger.
"Hot damn, Hurk! You are one badass sunovabitch!" Riley patted his shoulder several times ecstatically.
"Woah! You kiss your mother with that mouth, kid brother?" To Hurk, Riley was still a younger brother of Jason and felt he shouldn't be exposed to this sort of violence, drugs or explicit languages. He was still a kid in his books.
"You're not my dad, Hurk!" Riley laughed it off.
"We thought you were a patrol, were those people with you."
"Not were, but are." Hurk said as the refugees came busting through the bushes to catch up with Hurk.
"Had a few, folks I just couldn't leave behind, see."
Daisy sighed, though not in frustration but relief. Hurk still had a good conscience. Daisy had her regrets that they were leaving while other prisoners were still locked up and suffering even worse than they were. Although, Hurk wasn't able to save everyone. He still did his best.
When they got out of here, they would make sure to improve their relationship with Hurk. Not just out of gratitude for saving them but because he was a good person.
"Come on, we've got a forest to GTFO from!"
"Right, we're right behind you, Hurk!"
Author's Thoughts:
(Charles zi Britannia): "Alllll Haiiilll Brrittannniaaa!"
(Britannian Subjects): """All Hail Britannia! All Hail Britannia! All Hail Britannia!"""
