Chapter 8:
As I stealthily made my way down the valley, night slowly fell across the landscape. It was completely dark by that time, except for the occasional explosion that lit up the skies in the distance. The bombardment continued, rocking the earth beneath me as missiles screeched through the air. I would image that Corneria City was in total chaos, with the shield dissipated and all. The energy core of the city was knocked out a while ago, making the whole place pitch black, and the Academy all the more conspicuous for my operation. Due to the Academy's military value, it was the only monument with an emergency power generator. Yes, I can see it – a pale speck of light among the darkened capital. Pepper must be in it. He had to be for all of this to work.
I don't know when, or how, but I lost Leon during all the commotion. For one moment, I retreated to the foliages to avoid detection by incoming Confederate spacecraft, and I shouted orders for Leon to do the same. The next moment, I could not find him. I couldn't pinpoint when I lost him, actually – he had always been a dreadfully quiet person, especially on missions. I guess I could manage it all by myself. I had to.
Corneria City was getting close. From my position, the northern gates seemed undefended. Most of the troops had been sent to confront General Scales' forces anyway. Now all that was left were the few civilians who haven't evacuated yet. Sensing no danger, I boldly walked into the gates. Groups of screaming civilians ran past me, rubbing shoulders with me as I calmly made my way down the broken and tattered streets. Piles of rubble lay smoldering in scorched heaps. I doubted that anyone would notice me among all the raging destruction.
What did my expression look like? I must have looked cold, resolved – dangerous. The moment of vengeance was nearing, yet I managed to keep my poise all the same. A fire must have burned in my eyes.
Finally, I stood a block away from the brightly-lit Academy, all of the sudden hesitant. For a reason unknown, I took a deep breath and stopped to look around me. The streets did not seem to be any different after I left. What was it? Four years since I was exiled? I remember it all to painfully - the forlorn night when I returned to my dorm with news of my father's death. The earth seemed to spin was I trudged home, tears dried and limbs weak. The din of the streets and the gaudy neon lights and the rain and thunder swelled around me – I did not care. I welcomed the rain and let the water, along with the sorrow, wash all over me. Yet, I mustered enough strength and courage – under those dreadful times – to make the decision to leave my life behind. With bags of simple articles hauled over my shoulder, I silently left without a word.
A violent explosion rocked the streets again, shaking me back to reality – and there I stood, after spending four years drifting in space, ready to take my revenge. I silently thanked all the rough conditions that I was exposed to, for it gave me the strength to fight for myself – unlike that wretched Fox McCloud, who served the Federation like an expendable pawn without even knowing it.
Swiftly retreating into the surrounding dark allies, I pushed a button on my helmet, switching on night vision mode. A lens lowered in front of my one good eye. I quickly swept my gaze across the darkness surrounding the Academy. Good. There were no one guarding the entrances. Bending low, I loaded my blaster in one hand and slowly approached the building. After living in the familiar campus for most of my adolescence, I knew my way very well. The Academy Spaceport lay to the left of the main halls, and through the spaceport I could quickly access Pepper's office. He might not be in his office though – no, he'd more likely be at the command center, with the other corrupt high officials, plotting and planning the next conniving move. I could only pray that he was at the Academy.
Switching off night vision, I hopped onto the wide metallic platform of the spaceport. A few footsteps could be heard – synchronized metallic clinks. It sounded like the metal boots of Academy guards. I quickly ran to the nearest wall, and with my back against it, I waited for enemies to emerge from the main hall. Indeed, one Academy guard strolled down into the spaceport, eyes squinting alertly for signs of danger.
"See anything, Johnny?" A voice called loudly from his communicator.
"Nope, not a living thing," he reported promptly.
"Good. Keep looking for that chameleon, and watch your back. He's got a damned cloaking device."
"Affirmative."
I laughed inside. Leon must have infiltrated the building by himself, and there was no way in hell that these dull guards could catch him if they couldn't even detect me. Deftly, I screwed on the silencer to my blaster and aimed through the scope. With a gentle squeeze of the trigger, the lifeless form of the guard collapsed to the cold, metal floor.
Now that Leon had made his first move, it was only a matter of time before they find my newest victim. I did not have much time in my hands. Checking for other possible signs of danger, I made my way down the hallway. It must have been the millionth time I visited Pepper's office – only this time, I have different intentions. At last, the welcoming sight of the colossal wooden door was before me, standing as tall as ever. It reeked of Pepper's authoritarian scent. Walking up to the door, I pressed my ear against it to detect possible accomplices in his office. No, Pepper was alone - and certainly in his room. I could hear the hated voice talking on the phone, shouting haughty commands. The voice made my blood boil, and my teeth grit. At last, father granted me the chance to succeed in my lifetime goal. Drawing a breath, I brutally rammed the door open.
As I stealthily made my way down the valley, night slowly fell across the landscape. It was completely dark by that time, except for the occasional explosion that lit up the skies in the distance. The bombardment continued, rocking the earth beneath me as missiles screeched through the air. I would image that Corneria City was in total chaos, with the shield dissipated and all. The energy core of the city was knocked out a while ago, making the whole place pitch black, and the Academy all the more conspicuous for my operation. Due to the Academy's military value, it was the only monument with an emergency power generator. Yes, I can see it – a pale speck of light among the darkened capital. Pepper must be in it. He had to be for all of this to work.
I don't know when, or how, but I lost Leon during all the commotion. For one moment, I retreated to the foliages to avoid detection by incoming Confederate spacecraft, and I shouted orders for Leon to do the same. The next moment, I could not find him. I couldn't pinpoint when I lost him, actually – he had always been a dreadfully quiet person, especially on missions. I guess I could manage it all by myself. I had to.
Corneria City was getting close. From my position, the northern gates seemed undefended. Most of the troops had been sent to confront General Scales' forces anyway. Now all that was left were the few civilians who haven't evacuated yet. Sensing no danger, I boldly walked into the gates. Groups of screaming civilians ran past me, rubbing shoulders with me as I calmly made my way down the broken and tattered streets. Piles of rubble lay smoldering in scorched heaps. I doubted that anyone would notice me among all the raging destruction.
What did my expression look like? I must have looked cold, resolved – dangerous. The moment of vengeance was nearing, yet I managed to keep my poise all the same. A fire must have burned in my eyes.
Finally, I stood a block away from the brightly-lit Academy, all of the sudden hesitant. For a reason unknown, I took a deep breath and stopped to look around me. The streets did not seem to be any different after I left. What was it? Four years since I was exiled? I remember it all to painfully - the forlorn night when I returned to my dorm with news of my father's death. The earth seemed to spin was I trudged home, tears dried and limbs weak. The din of the streets and the gaudy neon lights and the rain and thunder swelled around me – I did not care. I welcomed the rain and let the water, along with the sorrow, wash all over me. Yet, I mustered enough strength and courage – under those dreadful times – to make the decision to leave my life behind. With bags of simple articles hauled over my shoulder, I silently left without a word.
A violent explosion rocked the streets again, shaking me back to reality – and there I stood, after spending four years drifting in space, ready to take my revenge. I silently thanked all the rough conditions that I was exposed to, for it gave me the strength to fight for myself – unlike that wretched Fox McCloud, who served the Federation like an expendable pawn without even knowing it.
Swiftly retreating into the surrounding dark allies, I pushed a button on my helmet, switching on night vision mode. A lens lowered in front of my one good eye. I quickly swept my gaze across the darkness surrounding the Academy. Good. There were no one guarding the entrances. Bending low, I loaded my blaster in one hand and slowly approached the building. After living in the familiar campus for most of my adolescence, I knew my way very well. The Academy Spaceport lay to the left of the main halls, and through the spaceport I could quickly access Pepper's office. He might not be in his office though – no, he'd more likely be at the command center, with the other corrupt high officials, plotting and planning the next conniving move. I could only pray that he was at the Academy.
Switching off night vision, I hopped onto the wide metallic platform of the spaceport. A few footsteps could be heard – synchronized metallic clinks. It sounded like the metal boots of Academy guards. I quickly ran to the nearest wall, and with my back against it, I waited for enemies to emerge from the main hall. Indeed, one Academy guard strolled down into the spaceport, eyes squinting alertly for signs of danger.
"See anything, Johnny?" A voice called loudly from his communicator.
"Nope, not a living thing," he reported promptly.
"Good. Keep looking for that chameleon, and watch your back. He's got a damned cloaking device."
"Affirmative."
I laughed inside. Leon must have infiltrated the building by himself, and there was no way in hell that these dull guards could catch him if they couldn't even detect me. Deftly, I screwed on the silencer to my blaster and aimed through the scope. With a gentle squeeze of the trigger, the lifeless form of the guard collapsed to the cold, metal floor.
Now that Leon had made his first move, it was only a matter of time before they find my newest victim. I did not have much time in my hands. Checking for other possible signs of danger, I made my way down the hallway. It must have been the millionth time I visited Pepper's office – only this time, I have different intentions. At last, the welcoming sight of the colossal wooden door was before me, standing as tall as ever. It reeked of Pepper's authoritarian scent. Walking up to the door, I pressed my ear against it to detect possible accomplices in his office. No, Pepper was alone - and certainly in his room. I could hear the hated voice talking on the phone, shouting haughty commands. The voice made my blood boil, and my teeth grit. At last, father granted me the chance to succeed in my lifetime goal. Drawing a breath, I brutally rammed the door open.