Part ten
The Ancients were dead and dusty legends of the abandoned Earth but millennia-long tradition was difficult to break. Masters still ruled, fledglings still paid fealty to their sires and all still hunted in the night, stalking their prey with deadly, sadistic glee.
The boy once called Jimmy Hanson glided through the subterranean passageways with a grace he had never possessed in life. Even so, his steps were hesitant and unsure, faltering as he grew closer to the Master's room.
He was merely a messenger, but bearers of bad news didn't always survive their missions. And Jimmy didn't particularly want to end his unlife just days after it started. As violent as his birth had been into this twilight existence, he had every intention of taking advantage of eternity for all it was worth. Which was rather difficult to do if he was nothing more than bits of dust blowing in the wind.
He knocked on the chamber door, unsure whether he wanted it answered or not. After a minute of silence, he decided to turn away, only to be stopped by a low male voice. "Come in."
Jimmy lay bitter odds he'd timed it that way on purpose, too.
The fledgling stepped cautiously inside, halting a few steps beyond the door. The Master lounged on a large chair that had been modified over time to include several bones, some with the flesh still stubbornly clinging on, giving the room a smell of slow rot. While a human would've found the scent nauseating, all it did was make Jimmy hungry.
A glow to the right sent the Master's face into sharp relief, harsh, narrow features contrasted by long, black hair styled fashionably about the shoulders. It should've made him look effeminate but seemed to heighten his dangerousness instead.
The Master grinned; a smile made of nothing but teeth. "Well, boy, don't be shy. Give me news."
Jimmy took an unnecessary breath and stepped closer. "We've, ah, had problems with the hunt tonight."
"Clarify."
"Er, right," Jimmy shifted nervously. "You see, we were attacked. By Vash the Stampede."
The Master remained dead silent for a moment, raising Jimmy's nerves, before giving a surprised chuckle. "Oh, that is a good one, boy. How long did the legend last anyway? A minute? Two?"
"Actually, Master, he escaped."
All traces of humor vanished. "What?"
Jimmy swallowed but continued with his report. "He took advantage of his marksmanship and fled. When we pursued him to an old barn, his gang ambushed us. Several were actually killed."
"They knew how to kill us?"
"Ah, yes."
Again silence and Jimmy began to strongly suspect his unlife was about to end shortly. Much to his surprise, the Master simply smiled, eyes shrewd and ruthless. "Gather the others. We're moving our time table up."
"Um, okay. What about Vash, Master?"
"Do nothing. The humans will take care of the problem for us shortly."
"But-"
"I gave an order."
"Yes, Master."
As the fledgling scurried out of the room, the Master rose from his seat and strolled languidly over to the source of the room's illumination. "Well, well, the outlaw has graced us with his presence. This makes things far more interesting." He placed a cool hand against the large bulb. "Don't you think?"
Within its glass shell, the Plant silently screamed.
End part ten