Chapter 12: In the eyes of a killer

Miori woke up with a start, she had a horrible dream. She dreamt that Jin had crash landed into an unknown planet. Glancing around frighteningly

it took a moment for her to realize where she was - in her living room . She breathed a sigh of relief when she found that she was safe .She then thought

about her recent nightmare. She was really worried about Jin and prayed silently that he will be all right. So absorbed in her thoughts on Jin that she failed to

notice that the TV was on until it made a loud noise that startled her suddenly.' I must have slept while watching it ' , she thought while staring at it. As she

stared her mind was racing trying to remember what she did recently before she slept. She remembered walking home tired from the day's shopping, the bags

she carried weighing heavily on both her hands. Fumbling for the card key that was in her pocket, she slipped it into the reader above the knob of her front door.

The LED display bleeped green and there was a click indicating the door had been unlocked. Using her body weight she pushed the door open and dumped the

bags in the center of the dining table too tired to care if some of the items rolled out. Miori then slumped on the couch and switched on the TV with the remote.

From there everything started to go blank. She wondered if this is all a dream Her gaze shifted towards the dining table to confirm this all wasn't a dream.

The groceries was still sitting on the table, unpacked with some of the items rolled that had out of the bags nearly falling off the table. Grabbing the remote beside

her on the couch she switched the TV off immediately. She stood and stretched languidly trying to shake of the sleepiness from her head but before she could

finish the routine there was a knock on the door. Guessing that it was Yun who usually visits her at this late afternoon she went and answered the knock. The two

women had become close friends these few weeks, although a few weeks is a time too short to be close to someone but somehow they felt that they had met

each other for years. Opening the door she found Yun standing in front of her a smile beaming on her face." Hi, " smiled Yun, waving her hand in greeting

" Hello, " said Miori returning the smile. There is something in Yun that Miori could not place. Yes, she is a nice person to have along for company and quite

friendly too. Although her past visits were pleasant and sincere, Miori could feel that she is doing this for something but right now she cannot place it.

She knows that Yun is hiding something from her but she was reluctant to press it because it was her friendship had lifted her spirits from the terrible things

that had happened recently in her life. She brushed the thought away for she didn't want their friendship to turn into something nasty and she needed somebody

for company because Jin had left her to fight the war. Miori welcomed her with open arms and the two women hugged. " Back from shopping I see, " said Yun

noticing the grocery bags on the table." Yes, " said Miori. " Well since I've nothing to do now I might as well help you unpack, ".Miori could only smile,

" Thank you. Come on in, " she said making a gesture of an invitation. The two women then started on the grocery bags talking about the latest gossip and news

of the day unaware by them a pair of eyes was spying on them - through the apartment's glass pane. The figure was lying flat on his stomach at the roof top

of another block. The figure smiled as he focused his binoculars at his intended victim. No one took notice of the figure's intent as it was night and his features were

hard to distinguish in the dark from an observer looking from down below.

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Denise had his elbows on his console table. His fingers were intertwined and his chin rested on them. He was looking at the battle taking

place on the view screen. The cult having learn that the fleet was in bad shape had made a sudden attack and retreated back for cover in the range of their

orbital guns that guarded Europa when his ships tried to give chase. His eyes narrowed at the scene before him. Things are looking bad for Denise for he

had already lost another 5 frigates and a battle ship that is heavily damaged during the first strike. ' Those accursed cultist are using their Orbital guns as cover

when they retreat from their attacks after hammering down our shields and amour, ' he thought grimly.' when their shields are low and quickly recharge them

from the shield battery provided at their space platform, ' he frowned. The Roosevelt shook violently when it took another enemy fire,

" Shields are down at 30%, " cried Hannah, " We can't last another 5 minutes! ".The bridge room was in a state of panic and chaos. Displays flashed red

indicating warnings of the ships status, commanding officers shouted around giving orders and those under them scrambled to perform them. Denise gritted

his teeth in frustration when he heard what Hannah had said, the enemy is battering their defenses down slowly and if he order a retreat it will not only cost him

to fail his mission but the enemy would have enough time to recover if Earth sends in another assault and more men would die. This put him in a grim resolve that

retreat is not an option and he must end this war once and for all. Reluctantly he currently have to put his fleet on standby just out of firing range. Denise had a

feeling that if he backed away any further some of the cult's ships might escape unnoticed. Until the bombers had done away with the orbital guns they couldn't do

anything much. ' Damn! If only our intelligence had known that they have those things hidden in there then the damage would not be this bad ', he thought his

anger rising. The intelligence from Earth is somehow had slacked and gone into disarray by the looks of it since the cult managed to bypass Earth's security and

create world chaos. ' I don't know who is in charge for investigating the enemy's military strength but I'm going to have a word with him when this is all over, ' he

thought making a mental note. There was a sudden bleep at the intercom beside him and the admiral activated the transmission. " Sir! The orbital guns are down!

The bombing mission is a success ! " said Panaka, a smile beaming over his face. Denise could only smile, " Well done captain, dismiss, " he said disconnecting

the transmission." Alright! It's payback time ! " he shouted to the crew and set his fleet into motion.

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Desperately gripping the joystick with both hands Jin concentrated his might to pull the nose up. " Come On! Come On ! " he strained to pull the joystick

the ice surface was approaching closer by the minute. " COME ON! " he yelled and gave one last pull. The nose shot up just in time and ship gave a short glide

before it crashed onto the ground landing roughly. Sliding on the slippery ice creating a groove along the process before it came to an abrupt stop when it's nose

knocked a wall of ice. With blood nearly drained from his face, Jin slumped on his seat with relief sitting there panting for a moment trying to gather his wits from his

narrow escape from death. A continuous beep sounded at the ship's computer, flashing a warning sign. Jin noticed the display showing the ships plan indicated

that the left wing is damaged from enemy fire. When felt calm, Jin reclined his seat and crawled over it searching for an environmental suit that is stashed away

in a compartment. All fighters have these suits stored as an emergency when a pilot crash landed in an inhospitable planet so that he could get out and make

self-repairs or find supplies to the nearest town in an inhospitable planet. The suit is made of thin polyester and had a rubbery layer inside and an air tank

strapped at the back. It's purpose is to provide breathable air for the person wearing it. Flipping a switch on the console the cockpit door it hissed open forward

and Jin popped his head out surveying the area it was dark all over the place. Grabbing night vision goggles beside his seat he placed on his eyes on top of

the suits visor trying to distinguish his surroundings, " Great! ", he muttered, " Not a living thing nor a building in sight, " he said to himself shaking his head.

" Well guess I better give a check on the wing, " he thought. Hopping out of the cockpit Jin went out to inspect the left wing and to his luck the damage wasn't

very severe. The bullet from the anti-air gun had punctured a hole more than 30 inches in a diameter through the wing. Sparks shot out from damaged

wires inside the hole, " Shit! It'll take hours to patch that up, " he grumbled, " Luckily the ship is still in one piece or the captain will kill me, " he said trying to picture

what Captain Panaka would say if he found the Phantom Bomber irreparable.

Probably he'll blow his top, Jin thought. He continued making his way around the ship checking for anymore damage, finding nothing else he went back into

the ships cockpit fishing out some tools and materials inside the compartment he set on his work to patch up the wing.

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Staring at his intended target through that electronic binoculars of his, Dantark Milton smiled evilly at his victim. Like a hunter stalking it's prey, watching,

waiting for the right moment to pounce. Dantark was a mercenary and an assassin, he just kill who ever he is instructed to from his employees without second

thought and without questions just as long as it doesn't effect his self interest. Such character had won trust from his employees. He does his job, silently,

swiftly and effectively like a professional for this no one doubt because he is able to evade and avoid capture by the police. His skill of a sniper came from his past

experience as a solider in the US army. Not because that he is fond of the military life that he sign himself up. It is because he is interested in handling guns,

especially rifles. Through years of training he then became one of the best. An elite sniper and he is often assigned in missions that require him to take out

enemy key personnel. He could live his life there comfortably if not for the strict rules he had to follow. Not only does he considered that those rules are

beneath him, he is also noted by popular belief that he had also trouble carrying out orders from his commanding officers as well and for this he is court marshaled

a few times on several occasions. Dantark knew that the army would kick him out if it was not for his resourcefulness but it didn't worry him. He was a proud man

and he silently clam that he was better then his comrades and those officers in the army. So after 3 years in service he resign his post and searched bits of news

if anyone required his skills as a sniper through the internet. He got his first assignment from a mafia gang leader and of course required him to assassinate his

rival that has been pissing him off. Their meeting was short and brief because his employer wants the job done immediately as his rival is giving him difficulty in

controlling the slums just outside the city of Texas. Of course he knew can do nothing but obey until he got paid for completing it. It was hard but he force himself

to do it even though he had several thoughts of putting his gun barrel into his employee's mouth. Dantark's job didn't let him stay in one place or in one company.

He is even believed to be a double crosser if he his loyalty can be won. This slyness of his keeps customers from coming to him. But to Dantark it didn't matter

because he knew when people are desperate they would come to him. He smiled at the thought, people are so dependable and always required someone to

do something for them unlike him who handles everything on his own. This habit of his had put himself in a position to work alone and he trust no one. He had

spent nearly 2 weeks hunting for Miori after he had recently killed other victims that his current employee instructed him and during that time he was

already in Japan.

They have all died by his hands. At first he find his previous instructions from his recent employee queer for he was told to pick eight people that he

think that he should kill and these instructions made his brain dance. He usually communicates with his employee that goes by the name ' Red One ' via through IRC

or sometimes by e-mail. One night when his employee was logged in he asked Red One to explain about the mission objectives. ' What do you mean anyone? ' he

typed and stared at the screen curiously waiting for his employee to reply. 'Anyone meaning anybody you hate, deserve to die or see fit to be killed ' came the reply

at the message box. He raised his eye browns at the answer then before he could reply another message was send to him, ' Each victim you kill a thousand credit

units will be added to your account, '. ' How will you know whom I killed since there is no intended target? ' he typed.

' I know because I'll be watching :) , ' read the reply. Thinking that it was a joke he typed, ' Are you certain? I can just lie and said that I killed eight people and you

won't even know and don't even think that the media can help cause sometimes they have missed a few victims that I've killed, ' and he waited.

' Believe me I will know :) : devil:,' replied Red One. Dantark snorted at the reply then he frowned, not the answer he expected,

' This really got to be a joke, ' he said to himself. ' You doubt me don't you? ' came a message from Red One. Dantark eyes went wide,

' It's impossible!? No it must be a lucky guess ', dismissing the thought he quickly typed, ' It is hard to believe that you'll be able to track me. I am a professional

assassin and I can move stealthily and disappear without a trace when cops give chase . I have tricks that will be able to cover my tracks when the cops search for

clues for my whereabouts, ' he smug proudly at his reply. ' I have eyes and ears everywhere. I will know at once that you have done the job though I doubt

you will be able to understand the ' how ' once I've explained it to you, ' Red One replied.

' Heh, try me, ' Dantark snorted as he pressed the Enter key. ' Very well, lets just say that each life form has energy stored

within its form. This energy called the life force is radiated outwards that makes its presence known to other living beings. The Chinese call it ' chi ',

the Japanese ' ki ' and the Indians call it ' chackarum ' , all of them have the same concept and it is the very essence of each life form.

When it dies there is no 'chi' radiating out of it and that's how I will know for I have the ability to sense it, ' replied Red One. ' Oh that....Well everyone can do that

once trained in martial arts, ' he typed in his message box. ' I think you have been watching too much television, ' replied Red One.' Martial art techniques only

manipulate this force in such a way that it's like using a mirror to reflect light to put it in simple terms. Instead of harnessing the full potential of this force

martial artist only bend these energies to their will. There are some examples like breaking tiles with their bare hands this is only manipulating energy

because martial artists concentrate their force at one point thus by concentrating at one single point they will be able to break those tiles. Further more

their ability to sense a presence nearby is only in a limited radius and they use these energies to heighten their senses in hearing, sight and smell.

But my abilities go beyond those simple tricks because I draw these energies around me into myself and releasing this energies in a concentrated form and

this is not done through training. With this ability it also allows me to detect every living thing within several miles. Yes, sadly this ability has it's limits too but

my power is growing. This is a gift that I was given to me when I was born and it is a rare gift indeed '. After reading the statement several times Dantark

suddenly had a thought ' ? You mean 'qi gong' ! ', Dantark typed in the message box. ' Glad you understand. Yes my power works something like ' qi gong '

but it exceeds it by a thousand fold and ' qi gong ' requires training ! ' read Red One's reply. Dantark's eyes rolled as he read the message.

' This is crazy! ' he typed, ' having such a power will make you what? A demi-god? ' he typed back. ' :) In a way yes.' read Red One's reply.

' This is nonsense ', Dantark fumed rising from his chair. How can a person have such power ?, he thought.

* Bleep!* his computer sounded indicating that he had another message. Dantark sat back down on his chair, his gaze shifted to the message box.

It read ' I suggest that you should stop in worrying that how my power works. Now I ask you can you complete the task or are you afraid? '.

Dantark scoffed angrily at the reply, one thing he cannot stand is someone calling him a coward. ' Alright! I'll do it! ' he slammed viciously at the keyboard.

Before the first ray of light shone at dawn Dantark then had set out to get his task done. On that day itself he killed 8 people regardless of age and sex

and as he killed Dantark never felt any pity for his victims not even if they are helpless babies. ' I'll show him to call me a coward! ' and through his anger,

he killed them ruthlessly. When he checked his account the next day he got a surprise for he found 8000 Cu's are transferred at his account.

Chuckling he then knew that his employee did this to win his trust and made him angry so he could concentrate on the hunt instead of quarreling with him.

But how could he know of this? , he thought. How did he know that the day before I had killed eight even before it reach the news? Could this have been

his power?, he pondered. Shrugging since his employee kept his word Dantark agreed to work for him. He was not that kind of person who ponders

about the workings of the universe. Now he is here on the roof assembling his customized sniper's rifle - near Miori's apartment.

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Miori and Yun had finished packing the groceries, now they are at the dining area doing their best at lounging. Each of them had a cup in their hands

filled with pineapple juice, a jug stood at the middle of the table as a refill when their cups are empty. Both of them were laughing heartily about the jokes they

put up, unaware of someone stalking them.

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With rifle ready at hand Dantark aimed it towards Miori's apartment. Eyeing through the scope he zoomed forward aiming it at Miori's head. His finger closed

on the trigger.

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Miori stopped laughing when she felt something was amiss. She had a tingling sensation, like the one she always felt when she was in danger. Turning her head

towards the other block staring right at the source. She couldn't see anything but she knew something was there.

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Through his scope Dantark found Miori staring straight into his eye. This unnerved him and his rifle shook a little , ' How did she know I was here? ' , he thought.

He shook his head 'Damn! Must be imagining things again ! ', gritting his teeth he set the beam on his sniper. Seeing it at the center of the crosshair target

through his scope he pulled the trigger.

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Yun stopped laughing and noticed Miori staring through the glass pane. She was about to ask why when a red spot suddenly appear at Miori's cheek.

' GET DOWN ! ' she yelled and dived towards Miori just as Dantark pulled the trigger. Time seems to slow down, the bullet hit the glass shattering it into tiny

bits and pieces all over the floor. It sailed through the air and hit something soft and solid, there was a crack like a bone breaking and blood splattered on the

white floor turning it into crimson - time resumed its normal speed.