First
"Freeze! That's enough, we'll take it from here." Thomas's voice rang out, commanding enough to make the enraged Trevor straighten, then finally relax.
Thank God, I nearly drew first kill, first blood.
"Stand down... I said stand down." Thomas was speaking directly to Trevor, who still had his sword poised for the kill.
"I believe the other heroes need some attention." Trevor ordered, sheathing his sword and gesturing to Kane and Leon. Kane waved a weak hand at Thomas, who nodded slightly at it. He ordered several officers to retrieve an ambulance for them, and the others apprehended Cinder, a little intimidated. Cinder was already unconscious, powered down and looking slightly more human.
It can't be over... Trevor thought to himself. He was questioned secretly along with everyone else; all sides of the story were put in executive files. Cinder was taken by Direct, they insisted because of Trevor.
Cinder was put in a holding cell well below ground level, or so it was said to all the lower ranks.
* * * * * * * * * *
" I wonder if I have destroyed the enemy within." Trevor finished typing on his journal.
Knock! Knock!
"Save. Shut down." The computer did as it was told and he closed the desktop. An ensign entered a few moments later, asking if Trevor would follow him to the council room. Trevor let out a long sigh and asked, " I'm guessing you aren't allowed to tell me what it's about?"
The ensign shook his head.
"My one question is why did you interfere?" Aidam Stailer asked for the umpteenth time. Argumentation was one of Aidam's best ways of getting the point, questioning, on the other hand, was not his specialty.
"Innocent lives were at stake." Trevor stated again.
"NO one is innocent!" Aidam screamed in Trevor's face, spit flying from his lip, Trevor remained stone-faced.
"Stand down for the moment chancellor." Trunks ordered, "Let some of his colleagues answer for him." Trunks was the youngest, but definitely one of the most intelligent, councilman there. He always wanted to hear all sides of the story before making a decision.
"I have a conclusion," Trevor's main officer piped up. He stood and approached Aidam. "Trevor stopped Cinder at his time of killing-
"He destroyed our operation-
"Trevor wasn't the one to start it, the destruction was not wrought by him." That shut Aidam up momentarily as he searched for a comeback. The officer continued, "The Enforcer and civilian were the ones were stopped the Elimination, you all know that. But since we can't attack the other factions, you choose to attack yourselves and provoke more interest to our enclosed files?"
"Are you accusing-
"I'm not accusing anyone, only stating that we should declare him as a hero. He saved lives, think about that, what it might do for us." The officer sat down; he glanced over at Trevor, who remained with no emotion waiting it all out.
Trunks came to the conclusion first and stood, "I see, Trevor acted against his orders and followed his feelings. The effect it has on us is a few broken bones and the destruction of another Elimination process. However, the destruction can be used to our advantage. If we depict Trevor as a hero, it will raise our popularity among the masses, making them forget about our operation."
"They won't forget!" Aidam exploded, "Not after the operation, they all experienced it, the rallies will keep coming-
"Stand down chancellor."
"-And banging at our door until all the other factions are at war with us!"
"Silence!"
"I say that we build up our militia and attack while there's still time."
One councilman rose next to Aidam and tried to calm him, welcomed with a slap in the face that sent him off balance, but not totally. The man returned with, "There are too many powers against us, so just forget it."
"They all have to sleep sometime." Trunks rolled his eyes at yet another outburst of Aidam. "Because of this saboteur, we will have to declare war!"
"Shut up chancellor!" Trunks roared. After a moment of silence, he continued, "We will blame the assassination process on gang war shock and declare Trevor, all in favor?" everyone except Aidam and Trevor raised their hands.
Kane and Leon both squinted at the morning sun, lying in their hospital beds. They were told to stay overnight for "special healing" they called it. Exodus specialists worked on them while they slept and god knows what they did.
"Whatever it was, it worked." Kane murmured, looking at his now healed ribs through the pocket x-ray equipment on the shelf next to him, they looked as if nothing had happened to them.
"Well, I won't need any Tylenol, that's for sure." Leon had had only a throbbing head last night, but now he felt better than ever, if not strengthened.
Both "heroes" stared at each other, then doubled over laughing. Maybe laughing sounded a little inappropriate counting their circumstances, but they were so shaken up that that was all they could do. After they regained themselves, they snickered a little, and finally got up.
It was 7:00 a.m., but that wasn't very early in their standards as they dismissed and signed out of the hospital. Walking down the steps, they joked about how Cinder looked like an idiot, then both halted abruptly as they saw the main street. Crowds of people were on the sidewalk, waving Direct flags and cheering. In the center of the street was an open R.E.D. assault vehicle, spruced up with ribbons, badges, and flags. Sitting in the guest seat was Trevor.
"I'd say it was a very good turnout." Trunks stated from the enclosed balcony atop the main tower section of the building. "The article in the paper has convinced most of the populace that it was a gang operation and Direct stopped it."
"Most."
"Well, you of all people should know that it's impossible to change everyone's mind, especially when we rule them." He explained.
"Rule!? We do not rule anyone, that is what the factions are for, don't ever forget that! Ever!" SIMON exploded; bringing his track attached to the ceiling directly behind Trunks.
Trunks nodded grimly, recalling his past experiences in battle. SIMON placed a metallic claw gently on his shoulder and said, "I'm sorry."
"I don't understand," Trunks said, whirling and shrugging off the hand, "Why do we put up with Aidam and the rest, why not just leave?"
"We are here to guide them, this sort of power needs direction. If we leave, we unlock the door for dictatorship and welcome them with unsuspecting hands."
Trevor stormed into his commander's office and yelled in his face, "Why did you do that!"
"It was the only way to save your skin."
"To depict me as a hero?"
"Yes." He replied, you could tell he was right. This commander had been in Direct for double Trevor's age, making him a veteran, highly respected among any rank.
Trevor sat down on the couch, releasing a heavy sigh, then speaking in a softer tone. "I didn't want to be a hero, it was an empty victory. I wanted out, by destroying the operation, I would have been exiled. It should have been over then. Added to that, I defeated Cinder, and I didn't have to kill him to do so. I had accomplished what I needed to in order to gain my freedom."
"I know."
"Then, why?"
"Because I don't want to lose you." He paused, letting the comment sink in, then continued, "You're probably the most honest and understanding officer here. I know you hate it here, frankly so do I. Both of us have seen enough death for sixty lifetimes, and, yes, I also want out. But I'm worried, and I know that the council does have some good people in it, but a hunger for power can easily overcome them. I think only officers like us can hold this place together, before all hell breaks loose."
"So what do I do now?" Trevor asked with a shrug, what can I do?
"Keep people in belief of the factions, that's probably the only thing that's going to save us. Dismissed."
"Sir." Trevor saluted and exited the room.
"Hmm... They could prove to be difficult. What shall we do if they rebel against the Agenda. Shall we discuss it with Trunks?"
"No, the fool favors them. Simply, end them..."