Happy reading lovelies if you have any thoughts please let me know, I am happy for constructive criticism. Love wastelander543 xxx
Serena followed Erol into his apartment. The house was simple with very little decoration, if anything it looked like it was hardly lived in. Erol hung his keys up and took Serena down the hall to the open planned living and kitchen.
A modern white leather couch sat in front of an open gas fire place with grey cushions and a white faux fur rug on the floor. Above the fire sat a television and a mantle with a few odds and end trinkets and photographs in frames. Serena inspected them, most depicted Erol in his years of service to the guard with important figures such as commanders and the Baron. Erol put himself on the couch turned on the TV and petted the seat next to him. Some anchor woman from the news droned on about eco levels and prices in the back ground as she joined him. "So," Serena said nervously, " how's the pain levels? "
"Pretty good actually I'm rather surprised you could do such a good job. "
"Hey, I don't just sit around and do nothing in my ivory tower as you call it." She prodded him in the chest as she said it. Erol burst out laughing at the comment. "Well I'm more than happy to save you from your ivory tower any day, the Baron does want more elite guard to start having a presence on the streets."
"Is this so? Well I may just have to have a word about this with the Baron myself, it's the first I'm hearing of this." She said seriously " It would be good to get out of the palace and get out and about in the streets again."
"Good, as I have a few objectives that could use your expertise."
She smiled at him it was nice to have someone that she could speak to on her level, who she didn't almost have to watch what she said and could relate too. "Well since I'm here to help you for the night why don't I see what's in the fridge and I can put together some food for us?" Serena asked him getting up from the couch and heading to the kitchen. " Of course I'm sure there is plenty in their. " Erol replied and flicked through the channels settling on some NYFE racing.
Serena busied herself in the kitchen rummaging around the cupboards finding the various utensils she required to make them a meal. She found Yakow steaks in the fridge, as well as lettuce, carrots, cheese, onions and tomatoes. She began cooking the steaks and began cutting the vegetables to make a salad. "Your a bit of a whizz at this aren't you?" Erol said from his spot on the couch. "Well I'm an only child and lived with my mother, she was always busy working so from a young age I taught myself to be able to cook." she said adding the carrots to the bowl. "Do you visit her often? " Erol asked curious to know more about the woman cooking him food in his kitchen. " No I visit her grave once a year in Spargus and bring her, her favourite flowers. She passed away when I was fifteen. I had no job and couldn't stay where I was so I got all the money I had and brought a one way ticket to Haven City to start my life as a gaurd." "Oh I'm sorry about your mother, I didn't really know mine either she died when I was younger, my farther was a Lieutenant in the guard so I saw him very rarely and was put into boarding schools. " Erol replied, watching Serena work away in the kitchen, he thought she suited being in his home behind that counter quiet well. They continued the small chatter back and forth until an important race in Kras City came on and Erol became completely lost in it. That man sure does love his racing. She thought to herself.
Serena finished the steaks added dressing to the salad and served it on crisp white plates at the black granite kitchen bench, there were four black bar stools tucked under the bench. She pulled one out for her and one out for Errol. "Come on you, racing can wait food is more important," Serena told him, he looked up from the television.
"Oh sorry, I tend to get a bit involved sometimes. "
She laughed at him, "Don't most men?"
"Well not all men and not always."
He reached up into a cupboard and pulled out two wine glasses, and pulled out a bottle of red. He handed the bottle to her.
"I'll let you do this part, I don't want to pop the stitches."
Serena grabbed the bottle and uncorked the wine and poured them a glass each and left it on the bench. "A toast to a beautiful lady, and a new partnership between commanders." He said. The glasses clinked and they both started to eat their meals, "Okay, we have to do this more often this is amazing!" Erol told her, she stopped eating with her fork halfway to her mouth and stared at him. "What? It's just a simple meal. " She told him. " Well it's delicious and I wouldn't mind doing this more often. "
" Are you asking me out commander Erol? " She gave him a sideways glance, secretly she was jumping around excitedly in her mind. " I might just be, so what do you say? "
He looked hopeful at her, she couldn't say no, not only would Torn kick her arse she would kick her own arse, she had always had a soft spot for him over the years. "Let me think for a moment," she teased. " Yes."
He dropped his fork and kissed her. She giggled like a teenage girl and grabbed her wine and took a sip and they continued on with their meal.
Errol and Serena sat on the couch together, arm draped over her shoulders and she cuddled into his left side, watching the racing in Kras. There was a sound coming from the office suit in the corner, Errol's holographic communicator was ringing. He got up walked over and answered it. "Errol, I need you and Acheron in the war room six am!"
The Baron's face had appeared and spat out angrily. "I have objectives for the both of you this week, where is Acheron anyway she hasn't answered her communicator!" The Baron seemed especially irritated tonight. " Ahhhhh she's here with me, we were going over a few plans for the new recruits," he lied. "Don't worry about that, I have sorted that problem, Ashelin will take over training the recruits. Acheron I know your there I want you in the war room at six am as well."
" Yes Baron Praxis," she piped up from the couch. "Good dismissed!" He shouted and the line went dead.
Erol joined Serena on the couch again, he put on a movie and they watched in silence not wanting to deal with work until tomorrow. Halfway through Serena fell asleep her head rested on Erol's lap her hair splayed out. He stroked her hair as she slept she looked peaceful and he didn't want to wake her. He admired her beauty and was finally happy that he was hers, he had wanted her for a long time it had always been a bit of an obsession, he would find any excuse to bump into her when he was at the palace.
He knew her schedule in and out where she would be at what time of the day. Now he had her he would make sure no man got to her and he would keep her his. He continued to stroke her hair as his eyelids grew heavy and he too fell asleep on the couch with her.
It was early morning Serena checked her watch, four am. Four am shit, I forgot to feed Sasha oh man she's not gonna be happy last time I had to buy a new couch cause she shredded it. Serena thought as she then realised she was lying on Erol's lap.
She went to sit up in a hurry startling him awake.
"Shit you scared me, what's wrong? " He asked her sounding groggy, reaching for a non existent pistol. "I didn't realise I'd fallen asleep it's four am and I forgot to feed my muse." "You have a muse? "
"Yes one who gets very pissy at me if I don't feed her, she shredded my couch last time. " She told him. "Well why don't you grab a shower here first before setting off save time? The bathroom is just off my bedroom. " He wiped the sleep out of his eyes. "Sure why not." She said and went off the way Erol had told her down the hall. She found the room easily enough, the room again looked like it was barely lived in, there was a bedside cabinet either side of the large bed that seemed to dominate the space, the room smelt of him. She walked across the room to the bathroom, it was huge with a separate shower and a big spa bath, she found a towel on the shelf and started the shower and closed the door to the bathroom.
She undressed, hung her towel on the frosted shower door and got into the warm stream of water. She washed away the stress of yesterday, turned the water off and wrapped the fluffy towel around her and opened the door. "Precursors, you don't sneak up on people like that!" Serena said as she found Erol sitting on the edge of the bath.
"Sorry the door wasn't locked, I wanted you to check over the wound before you left. " He pulled off his shirt and lifted his arm.
She smiled at him, filled the handbasin with warm water and grabbed a face cloth and wet it. She sat on the edge of the bath next to him and began by easing the first adhesive bandage off and cleaning the residue off his skin as she went. She finally got it off after much cursing and removed the eco pack. All that was left was a red scar that was a little tender. "There all gone and healed nicely just like I said. " She told him, smiling and couldn't help but notice the tattoo on his back again. The way it moved with his muscles.
He wasn't a body builder by a long shot but he definitely had all the muscles in the right places. She mused to herself. She blushed when he caught her staring. "Something on your mind Acheron?"
"Nope, I better get dressed and get going." She stammered embarrassed she had been caught.
What is it about this man that makes me feel like a blithering teenager again? Serena got up off the bath and bent over to pick up her clothes. "I'm definitely getting a nice view here." He chuckled and walked up behind her and grabbed her and pulled her back to him.
He nuzzled into her neck and bit her ear " and I like it." He whispered, sending a delicious shiver down her spine.
He kissed along her neck to her shoulder, she couldn't help but let out a gasp, especially when he pushed into her. He chuckled and held her close breathing in the vanilla soap she had used, he didn't think he would ever forget that smell. He spun her around in his arms and pushed her up against the wall and began to kiss her passionately. He stopped suddenly resting his forehead on hers, both parties breathing heavily. "As much as I'd love to finish what has been started, I don't want to piss the Baron off by being late, and if we continue I don't think we would make it into work. " He chuckled. "Well you better have a cold shower." she said as she ran her hand over his chest feeling the muscles tense. He grabbed her hand sharply, but kissed it gently and then kissed her. "Alright a cold shower it is I'll see you shortly anyway."
He hugged her and she left to his room to get dressed and to see what disaster had been left in her home.
Errol undressed turned on the shower to cold and jumped in. How is this woman having such an affect on me so soon?
Serena got to her apartment and opened the door she walked into the living room to see Sasha out like a light on the back of the sofa.
Her ears soon pricked up when she heard her owner walk in. Serena got closer to the couch only to find that Sasha had destroyed the cushions. There was fluff everywhere. "What the, nope, breath, I have not got time for this! "
She ignored the mess went to the kitchen fed the muse gave her a pet and left for the war zone of her house for the War room of the city.
Arriving at the palace in her uniform she entered the war room where chairs had been set up around the holo-map. She took one and waited, the door opened a moment later and Commander Errol walked in, she stood to attention.
"At ease Commander Acheron." He winked at her, Serena stood there with her mouth open not knowing what to do when the Baron walked in. "Get that stupid look off your face girl!" The Baron snapped. Her and Erol both stood to attention. "At ease, please be seated." He pointed to the empty chairs. " I brought both of you here today as there have been some advances on some important plans, first off, the full moon is meant to be this week from Commander Acheron's report it seems that the boy will land in our midst and he will be the perfect specimen for our experiments. " The Baron spoke like Serena should know what was going on. " I heard what the old woman had to say, but what do you mean by specimen? " Serena asked him. " I have begun an experiment to try and improve our soldiers against these metal heads and I believe I know the way." The Baron began. " You of all people will have heard of the ancients Gol and Maia Acheron?"
Serena eyed him suspiciously. "Of course I do they were mad with power and were killed."
"Not before they harnessed enough dark eco to become dark warriors."
"I don't know if I like where this is going." Serena mumbled. The Baron got up from his seat and walked right up to Serena with anger on his face. He got within an inch of her face, she could feel the warmth of his breath "you will like what I tell you to like commander!"He yelled and then Serena felt the sting and clack of her teeth as she was backhanded and came off her chair to the ground. She spat the blood out of her mouth and watched as he began to pace around the table, hands behind his back. " I want you and Commander Erol to be patroling the streets with extra troops. Our sources have indicated that this boy will be found in the industrial area." He marked out the point on the map. "Commander Erol I want you to take Commander Acheron on patrols, Acheron I want you in reds not yellows as punishment for your stupid comments. You are to assist Erol where and when needed, I need experts in the capture of this boy. We also need to be keeping an eye out for that other brat I don't want the people of Haven getting ideas of trying to put that kid on the throne. "
" Yes sir," they both said at the same time. "Erol, are the prison blocks ready to take our guests?"
"Strengthing has been done to the cells that require it, the lab has been set up as well to begin experimentation." Erol told him. "Good, I want this to begin as soon as possible. Acheron ensure that those who don't abide by the rules when your on patrol are arrested and sent to those cells imdeiately, I want the public scared to ensure my rule continues."
"Yes sir," she responded quickly. "I want this boy so you better not fail me!" With that the Baron walked out the room.
"Well that was not very informative. " Serena mumbled as she wiped what remaining blood had come from her mouth. She could feel the bruises on her cheek already, great now I'm gonna look like I had my arse handed to me she thought. "You know the Baron, he keeps to himself and only shares what he needs too. " Erol replied, she knew he was keeping something from her. " Anyway let's go get you kitted out in reds and we can begin our patrols. "
"Right, I know your keeping something from me mister and I will find it out." She crossed her arms. "All in due course dear, now stop pouting and get your arse moving. "
She sighed got up from the chair and followed Erol down to the armoury.
" For the next few weeks you won't be known as Commander Acheron we can't let out your elite guard so you will be known as Lieutenant Reynolds. It will still give you the authority to keep the troops in check and give them a wake up call when they need it."
" I can see reasoning behind that, "
" Secondly that means helmets."
"Argh fine, I hate those helmets, do the precursors hate me? "
She groaned.
"No they don't hate you, but it's part of uniform and my troops wear uniform, you have five minutes to suit up Acheron and we are off. " He demanded and went and got ready.
Serena pulled on the bulky armour plates and boots, French plaited her hair and put her helmet on. The on board system in the helmet booted up. A mono toned woman's voice came over the ear piece.
"Systems online, configuring view."
The eye panels adjusted and Serena could see clearly. "Configuration complete, welcome Commander Acheron to the onboard Krimzon Guard system, all human functions nominal."
She went to the weapons rack, picked up a knife to strap to her uniform then grabbed one of the heavy rifles.
They were more of a eyepiece the bigger the scarier according to the Baron.
"Five minutes is up Reynolds!" Yelled Erol, she quickly inspected the rifle and went and joined him. "Good you wouldn't even know it was you under there, communications all working good? "
She clicked a button on a side panel of her helmet and the radio chatter began in her ear. "All systems working and nominal. It feels like for ever since I've had to be fully suited, FYI these things are not bloody comfortable, or light! "
"You will get used to it, come along I want to introduce you to the patrolling troop. "
They left the palace for the patrol post.
"Commander on deck! " One of the men yelled amongst the rucas. All the men stood to attention at once. "At ease gentleman, we have an important week ahead and our patrols this week will be mainly focused around the industrial sector of the city."
One of the men groaned. Errol snapped, "Parker! Fifty now!"
"Shit!" the man known as Parker said as he placed his rifle on the ground in front of him. "Sixty!" Errol yelled, and Serena watched as the man began to do push ups.
"Now men this is Lieutenant Reynolds, she will be in charge when I'm not around." He pointed to her. " I want you to break up into your teams of two and head out at ten minute intervals towards the industrial sector, we need to be keeping an eye out for that royal brat, reports have sighted him a couple of times with an old man and also keep me informed of any suspicious activity in the area, fall out! "
Errol turned to Serena.
"You are with me," he began to walk off and she followed suit.
The day seemed uneventful, it consisted of keeping an eye on the people of Haven City, they seemed to ignore the Krimzon Guard as much as possible. Listening into boring radio chatter on the earpiece and walking with Erol. There didn't seem to be any type of activity going on at all. The day went on and clouds began to appear over the city giving it an even more depressing feel than it already had. The weight of the armour was becoming to grow tiresome but she trudged on like the rest. Suddenly Serena's earpiece went off, "Commander Erol, we have a situation in sector four, I've detained one male weilding a knife, man was crazy stabbed Murphy we need med attention."
"Rodger that Davids, myself and the Lieutenant will be there ETA five minutes. " He said to his earpiece. "Looks like we might have some fun after all. " his grin showed the more twisted side of Erol that seemed to enjoy the violence.
They both ran to sector four, rounded the corner to see chaos, a group of guards surrounding Murphy.
The man who appeared to be the knife wielder was detained in handcuffs against a wall, held there at gun point.
"Make way! " Serena yelled at the men surrounding Murphy. They quickly dispersed to let her through, what she saw was not pretty. He had not been stabbed once but multiple times between his armour plating and the knife was still stuck in his back. Davids, Murphy's partner was sitting on the ground with him, he'd managed to get the amour plates off the back and shoulder, he had grabbed a civilians sweatshirt to try and staunch the blood. "Davids tell me quietly what have you done to help so far? " She asked the man quietly and calmly. He hesitated, "I have managed to staunch the blood flow but he's lost a lot of blood I don't dare take the knife out though."
"Good work, keep the pressure on." She reassured him and turned to one of the other men. "Someone radio back to central comms we need a hellcat to lift him back to medical, I want that knife X-rayed before removal. I want you to come back to me with an ETA on that hellcat. "
One of the men nodded and relayed the info to comms, she knelt down beside Davids , Murphy had lost a lot of blood the amount on the ground was enough to send most men reaching for a bin to throw up in. He was breathing but it was ragged and laboured, and his skin was loosing colour and quickly. "Roll him onto his side I'm going to see if I can get his attention see if he's responsive, if he yells don't panic him remain calm." She spoke to Davids softly and kindly, he nodded in understandment. Serena reached to his collarbone and ran her knuckles hard over it back and forth trying to inflict pain. He groaned, it was a response but it means hes alive for now. "ETA on hellcat five minutes mam."
The soldier who called comms said to her. " Do we have a crew member with a med kit? " she asked. "Here,"one of the soldiers handed her the kit.
"I want to stabilise the knife before he's moved into that hellcat." She said to Davids and began by opening the bag and found a few rolls of bandages and put then either side of the knife.
"Right Davids I need you to keep him stable while I wrap a bandage around his chest to keep the knife in place and to try staunch the wounds."
She grabbed some packing pads.
"Put these under your hands Davids."
He did as he was told, " good your doing well. "
She slowly began taking a bandage around him giving the bandage a few twists to make it tighter and to give more pressure on the wounds slowly allowing Davids to remove his hands. "Luietenant the hell cat has arrived! " one of the soilders said. The doctor came over with a med kit, asked Serena what happened and began a quick inspection and organized for Murphy to be loaded into the hellcat.
Serena breathed out heavily, everything had been tidied up. The man who had stabbed Murphy was collected by a prison vehicle and taken away, he would be processed and used in the Dark Eco Warrior project.
The whole time this was going on Errol had stood back from the scene and had watched it unfold.
He was impressed with the quick and efficient way she had handled the scene. She did not once loose her cool and kept the men calm and under control. He walked to her and put his hand on her shoulder. "You did a good thing out there today and may have just saved Murphy's life, it's getting late patrols almost over let's head back. Drinks on me afterwards. "
They both walked back to the palace in silence but in pleasant company.