Chapter 5--A Dangerous Meeting
Tirith lay between the western hills of the Caladras province and the Almara sea which supplied the water necessary for the fruit bearing trees that grew in organized plots around and beyond the village. Night had claimed the sky , bringing with it the first visible stars of the evening.
Far below, Captain Valader stood taking in the scene before him. The once vibrant village had gone silent, save for the occasional sigh or shuffle of feet from members of his troops. Valader had carried out the kenshin's instructions, evacuating the village and surrounding tree farms and relocating them to the safety of Caladras. Troops moved in, taking strategic positions within and around Tirith, forming a defensive perimeter. Large laser rifles were slung over their shoulders, their only defense against an unknown foe.
Valader gave a last minute inspection, nodding his head satisfactorily. Everything seemed to be in order. And yet it wasn't. His troops were anxious for the enemy to appear, hoping for the chance to take out the veiled threat that had hung over their home world. A sudden, strange whooshing noise sounded behind Valader, causing him to jump. He whirled around to find the kenshin staring at him.
"Did I startle you captain?" He asked lightly, an amused expression gracing his handsome face.
Valader took a few seconds for his heart to slow down before responding. "Would it be too much to ask for you to announce your presence like a normal person, rather than scaring your elders half to death?" He asked, eyeing Ryan irritably.
Ryan gave a small laugh. "But I'm not normal, as you well know Valader." He replied, looking past the captain toward some of the men stationed close by. "Your men are nervous." He began, focusing his attention on the smaller man once again. "And uncertain."
"I must confess I share their uneasiness. The night seems cooler than usual and it feels as if we are being watched." The older man said, a hint of fear in his voice as he looked off into the distance.
Ryan followed his gaze. "Most likely we are." He answered softly. "Did you perform sensor sweeps?"
Valader turned back towards the kenshin. "Of course. But nothing showed on our radar."
The kenshin closed his eyes. I know they are here, somewhere. But if that's the case, why then can't I sense anything? He wondered in frustration. With a shake of his head, Ryan opened his eyes once more.
"What is it kenshin?" Valader asked.
Ryan sighed. "I can't get a sense of where the enemy is yet." He answered, frustration evident in his voice as he rubbed his eyes. "And yet I know they're here, close by." Ryan paused, his features thoughtful. If he couldn't sense them, he would just have to do things the old fashioned way. Slowly, Ryan levitated off the ground until he was well above the captain's head.
Valader frowned as he looked up at the young man. "Where are you going kenshin?"
"I'm going to scout the outskirts of the village. Perhaps I'll get lucky and spot them." Before they spot me. He added mentally, staring off towards the hills in the distance.
Valader started to protest but Ryan cut him off. "Don't worry Valader." He began, aware of the captain's fear for his safety. "I can hold my own. If they are watching, they may attack after I leave. So be on your guard and ready to fight back." He answered before flying off towards the hills.
The captain shook his head. He did not like the idea of Ryan going off all alone. Valader watched the young man until he was visible no more, completely unaware that several pairs of unfriendly eyes were fixed upon both Tirith and the kenshin.
********
A few miles away, high upon a wooded cliff top, Felaris and his men sat impatiently, waiting for Koba to arrive. The plan the frail man had initially outlined to him had changed. They were to attack a village called Tirith near the Almara sea. Felaris and his men had been ordered to wear the neural inhibitors to mask their biological signatures from both the kenshin and any man made sensors that might be used. Koba had told him to find a heavily covered area near the village, where he and his men would wait for Koba to join up with them. For over twenty minutes, Felaris and his men had surveyed the set up around Tirith, eyeing the officers like wounded prey before a hungry lion. Like his men, Felaris was eager to fight, to maim, to cause destruction. Excitement coursed through his veins at the thought of what they were about to do. With the presence of the kenshin, the danger multiplied tenfold. If they could outsmart the kenshin, the thrill of the attack would be heightened. Such a challenge made up for the fact that Koba was to lead them on this run. Felaris shook his head in disgust. We're going to be lead around by a blind man, and a shrimp at that. He thought in contempt. Felaris dared not speak such words however, for his newfound fear of Koba kept his tongue in check. He loathed such fear, it made him weak. And Felaris abhorred weakness. Power through brute strength was his motto, one that he practiced without question and without mercy. And yet for a brief second he pitied the man he was tracking through his night vision goggles. I wonder what Koba wants with the kenshin? Felaris thought, his features twisted in puzzlement, as his large hands adjusted the distance readings on each side of his goggles. "Where the hell is he going?" He murmured.
"He's searching for us." An all too familar voice answered behind him.
Felaris dropped his goggles as he whirled around. "Lord Koba, I didn't realize you had joined us." He spoke quickly, unable to keep the tremor out of his voice.
Felaris and his men stared at the small man. Koba was wearing a protective suit as white as the hair that was visible through the face plate of his helmet. His dull eyes staring straight ahead not registering the contemptuous faces that watched him move forward.
Bending down to retrieve his fallen optics Felaris spoke. "His search will be in vain." He said confidently, sliding the cloth strap over his head so that his goggles hung around his thick neck before straightening his frame once more.
"Don't be so sure Felaris." Koba replied in a chiding tone. "The neural inhibitors you wear may protect your biological signature from being identified, but they do not protect you from the naked eye. If the kenshin spots us before our attack begins, my plan will be ruined." He paused, closing his eyes. "And yet with each passing second, the kenshin is farther away from Tirith. Like a negligent shepherd he has left his flocks unguarded and at the mercy of wolves." He added, opening his eyes once more. "Tell me Felaris, what awaits us in Tirith?"
Felaris stiffened. "There are but thirty officers of the Caladras provincial police stationed throughout the village. All of them carry laser rifles, which may present some trouble." He answered, waiting for Koba to acknowledge him.
Instead the small man tilted his head as if listening to the light breeze that passed through the trees, rustling the leaves high above their heads. "Yes. Yes of course." He murmured.
Felaris exchanged glances with his men. Who in the hell is he talking to? He wondered, frowning down at the frail man before him.
A sudden flair of red light erupted within Koba's helmet, illuminating his pale features.
All the men took a step backward, nerved by such a strange sight. Even Felaris, who was familar with the phenomenon.
"We will begin our attack now, but not in the way that they expect." Koba spoke in a low voice that sent chills down everyone's spine, particularly Felaris.
It's as if he is another person. Like he's possessed or something. The large man thought in wonder as he eyed the flaming jewel. "What are your orders Lord Koba?" He found himself asking, cringing at thought of what would happen if Koba found the question moronic. The last thing he wanted was to feel that awful darkness the small man had inflicted upon him earlier.
Instead Koba gave an evil smile and motioned them to follow. The frail man turned slowly around and began to walk forward.
It was at this moment that Felaris noticed Koba was without his walking stick. Nothing was helping the small man as he moved along. He found it odd that a supposed blind man would be walking in such a straight line, without any guidance what so ever. Perhaps it's that's jewel that helps him to see? The large man decided to let the matter drop. He hadn't the time to ponder the mysteries of his employer. With a shrug of his shoulders and a wave of his hand, Felaris led his men forward, eager for the show to start.
**********
Ryan scanned the ground beneath him as he flew methodically around and beyond Tirith. With Calbon's twin moons currently in the new phase of their cycle, there was little light to work with as the kenshin sought out his foes. Even so, no small movement went unnoticed. So far though, the disturbances on the ground were little more than small nocturnal animals scavenging for food or slight shifts in the wind. The kenshin gave a sudden shiver as the chilly night air penetrated through his black oxford shirt. Not for the first time did Ryan wish he had dressed warmer for the occasion.
A sudden pinprick of darkness entered his mind, causing the kenshin to stop. Ryan closed his eyes, his body floating perfectly still as he tried to nail down the location of the presence he had briefly felt. Ryan's eyes shot open . The presence was everywhere, coming from every direction. This can't be right. Ryan thought in confusion as he scanned the horizon. His eyes narrowed. The darkness was playing with him, trying to confuse him. To Ryan's dismay, it was working as he tried once again to locate where the darkness' true source originated from.
As if in answer, waves of fear and anxiety bombarded the kenshin's senses. Ryan whirled around. Smoke rose up in great columns of gray. Brilliant flames of orange and red raged below the darkening haze. Filled with surprise and anger, Ryan closed his eyes and disappeared from the night sky. Instantly he materialized on the outskirts of Tirith. Chaos greeted his eyes as men scurried past him, motioning and shouting to each other to retreat as they fled from the fire that was beginning to spread towards the village. Smoke hung heavy in the air, making visibility next to impossible. Sensing that everyone in the area was safely away, the kenshin sought out Valader's energy and teleported to his location.
Ryan found Valader in the center of town, pointing off to his left as he shouted commands into the ear of one of the officers beside him. The man nodded his head quickly before dashing off in the direction the captain had indicated. Valader's gaze fell upon Ryan and his eyes widened. The older man rushed forward, his features troubled.
Before Ryan could say anything, Valader let forth a fury of words. "These fires came out of nowhere kenshin. We had no warning. My men were prepared for anything but this. I'm not sure how we can contain the fire, it's spreading too quickly for us. I relayed a message to headquarters to send hydro ships to Tirith to douse the flames but it will take a good twenty minutes before they get here. That gives us more than enough time to evacuate."
Ryan frowned. "By the time those ships arrive, Tirith will be a smoldering ruin." He replied turning away.
"What do you suggest we do?" Valader asked. "We can't stay here. We'll be burnt to a crisp."
Ryan seemed not to be listening, his features sorrowful.
"Kenshin we can not stay here!" The captain yelled desperately.
Smoke was beginning to filter in, blanketing the air around them with a gray haze.
"Kenshin we must leave!"
Ryan nodded, turning slowly back towards Valader who gave a sigh of relief. The two men began forward only to stop when a startling cry of pain erupted behind them, followed by another and another. Ryan and Valader whirled around gazing in horror at the fallen men who lay motionless, blood oozing from the open wounds that pierced their chests. The kenshin's eyes narrowed as he studied the smoke that rolled towards them. At that instant, streaks of red laser fire shot through the smoke heading straight for the two men.
Ryan enacted an energy shield that absorbed the beams, rendering them harmless.
"Sir! Captain Valader we're being attacked from all sides!" A voice cried frantically through the communication watch wrapped around the older man's right wrist.
"Retreat! Retreat to the transport ship!" The captain bellowed into his device.
"We're trying sir! But with the smoke we can't see anything!"
Valader was about to respond when the kenshin grabbed a hold of his shoulder with his left hand. The captain turned his attention on the larger man, watching as Ryan lifted his other arm. Opening his palm, the kenshin telekinetically retrieved the fallen men and in a calm voice that countered the rage in his features said, "Hang on."
In a blink of an eye Valader found himself standing beside the transport ship. Surrounded by those officers who had made it safely to the rendezvous point. "Sir are you all right?" One of them asked, as two others hurried over to the wounded men Ryan had settled gently to the ground.
Valader nodded absently as he watched the kenshin stare off into the distance.
"As soon as your men are safe Valader I want you to leave." Ryan said, his voice distant.
Valader frowned. "What about you kenshin?"
"I will make my own way back." Ryan replied, disappearing before Valader could protest.
With a shake of his head, Valader walked up the ramp, praying that they all survived the night.
******
Ryan walked fearlessly through the smoke filled streets, his energy shield protecting him from any real harm. He had managed to track down the last of Valader's remaining men who were pinned down by heavy fire that seemed to come from all directions. Walking past the barrage of laser fire, the kenshin came face to face with his enemy. They were large men, covered in black, their faces hidden by oxygen masks that protected their lungs from the putrid smoke that wafted around them. Bright gold bands adorned their foreheads. Ryan's eyes widened in understanding. Neural Inhibitors! No wonder I couldn't sense their presence! In a sudden rage, the kenshin stretched out his arm, telekinetically ripping the bands and masks from their heads. Images flooded Ryan's mind as their dark purpose became clear. He now knew who was behind these attacks and why. Making a fist, the bands and masks were crushed, landing in a crumpled heap before him. The men who had been wearing the equipment staggered past him. Swiping his arm, Ryan sent the men backwards, smacking them into their comrades who had joined the fray. Once again the kenshin felt the dark presence, but this time he knew exactly where it was. Sure that Valader's men had escaped the area, Ryan teleported to the cause of so much destruction.
The kenshin materialized high upon a wooded hilltop that overlooked Tirith. Looking around, Ryan saw nothing but he knew the leader of this attack was nearby. "I know you're here..Koba." He yelled out into the darkness before him.
"Congratulations Kenshin. You've discovered my name. Although I suspect you had to glean that information from my hired help." A low voice spoke a short distance away.
Ryan turned slowly around, frowning as he spied a small man in a white environmental suit standing a few yards from him. The kenshin edged his way forward. "I know you're desperate to meet me. Well here I am. I hope the mayhem and destruction you caused was worth it because in a few minutes you will be heading to a Juraian prison."
Koba gave an evil laugh. "You certainly are entertaining kenshin, I'll give you that." He began, cocking his head to the side. "And yes, I believe meeting you to be well worth the risk." He added. "To have your power and memory I would risk everything."
Ryan frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Koba smiled. "Let me show you." He whispered.
Ryan gasped as a sudden sharp pain in his back and chest brought him to his knees. The kenshin looked down, his eyes widening in shock as he saw the end of a long blade retract away from his chest. The kenshin's breath escaped in ragged bursts as he fought for air. A pair of black boots passed his field of vision as Ryan looked up to find a large, bearded man making his way to stand beside Koba. His head adorned with the same neural inhibitor the men down below had worn. Ryan cursed himself for his foolishness and his arrogance. He should have paid more attention to his environment.
The kenshin watched helplessly as Koba stalked towards him. The small man stopped within a foot and leaned down until the two were eye level. Light flared within Koba's helmet flooding the interior in an eerie red light. Ryan felt himself being lifted off the ground as an incredible force whirled around him. His entire life flashed before his eyes, his memories leaving him one by one. The kenshin screamed endlessly as a terrifying pain racked his body. It felt as if he was being torn up inside, every square inch of his body felt like a white hot fire and his power, It was failing him! God help me! His mind cried out. Mercifully the pain ended as gravity took affect. Dropping to the ground like a sack of potatoes, the kenshin lay face down in the dirt.
With all his remaining strength, Ryan lifted his head to find Koba staring down at him. But the man who stared down at him was not the frail man who had talked to him minutes earlier. The man before him stood straight, his body fit and his now neon blue eyes full of life once again.
Koba ripped off the shreds of the environmental suit that hung in tatters around him and removed his helmet. Taking in a breath of fresh air, the once frail man laughed joyfully. "I'm cured!" He yelled up into the starlit sky. Looking down at his hands he patted his renewed frame and caressed his eyes. "I can see again!" He added dancing around.
Felaris watched the display in a mixture of awe and contempt. "Lord Koba." He said softly.
"What is it Felaris?" Koba said absently, studying his body once more.
"What about the kenshin?"
Koba turned his eyes down to the man who looked up at him in confusion. The jewel upon his head flared to life.
Kill him! If he survives he will hunt you down and kill you! Destroy him now!
Koba raised his left hand and opened his palm. A globe of green energy larger than the massive Felaris formed before him. In a lightening quick motion, Koba released the ball of energy which smacked right into the kenshin, knocking him up and over the hill top. Koba swung his palm downward and the energy ball slammed into the ground below, exploding with such force that the ground shook.
Felaris paled at the ferocity of such an attack.
"Good-bye kenshin." Koba murmured turning back towards Felaris who tried not to appear shaken. "Relax Felaris. You carried out your end of the deal." The smaller man said, walking up to the larger man. "Our business here is concluded." He added, handed over a small green metallic card. "Your payment in full." And with that, Koba lifted off the ground and took off into to the night sky.
Felaris eyed the green card greedily, stuffing it into his pocket. The large man strolled over to the edge of the cliff and looked down. A massive black circle of earth stuck out among the trees that lined the earth below. Grabbing his goggles, Felaris saw that the circle was actually a crater, but the kenshin, or whatever was left of him was nowhere to be seen. With a satisfied nod, Felaris backed away. Lifting up his wrist, the bulky man began to talk. "Fall back. We're leaving." He ordered, dropping his hand to his side. All in all a profitable adventure. He thought smugly, backing away from the edge.
Well that's all for now. I didn't mean for that chapter to end like that but it's two AM and I'm friggin tired, so if there are any errors I apologize. Tenchi and the gang will dominate the next chapter (as you can probably tell by the end of this segment). Is Ryan really gone? Or am I just messing with your heads? Guess if you like. Maybe if you get it right I'll fit you into the story! Thanks for reading and remember to review!