Corrin nodded to Krieg. He could tell the scientist was not keen on the mission. If they were to take back the city, they would have to strike quickly. They had to be precise. He moved forward silently. His father would guide them the whole way.
It would be simple; get into the Imperial Command building, place a bomb, and get. It would all be part of a greater plan. That night, Mercador would be freed.
The building stood before them, ominous in the dark of night. Corrin dodged between shadows. He heard Krieg's footfalls behind him. Two Imperial stood at the door of the office. Las-rifles sat lightly in their hands.
Corrin pressed his ear. "Follow my every move." He had begun to wonder why he had brought the man along. He felt he owed him, but had he put him in more danger? There was a crack. The Imperial's eyes shot to Krieg.
"What was that?" One said suspiciously. Krieg winced.
"I'm sorry," he said through the vox. Corrin held up his hand. The Imperials approached them carefully. He stood from his crouch quickly. It no longer mattered. He raised his slug rifle and stepped forward.
"Emperor…" One said. There was a flash and a bang. The Imperial fell to the floor. The other stepped forward, his hands up. Corrin turned and landed a shot on his heart. He fell, wheezing. Corrin sighed as the alarms blared. Krieg stepped forward.
"Now?" He said in a terrified tone. Corrin motioned to him. They rushed forward to the secured door. He swung to the side. Krieg did the same. The door slid open. Corrin leapt out. Three men stood there, rifles raised.
He threw the butt of his rifle into one's head. He quickly ducked the oncoming punch from the next and sent his fist careening into the man's gut. Krieg lunged out. His las-pistol pointed shakily at the final Imperial. Corrin watched him for a moment. The Imperial raised his hands.
Krieg closed his eyes and pulled the trigger. The Imperial dropped on one knee. Corrin placed a shot in his back, ending his pain. He nodded at Krieg respectfully. The scientist nodded timidly back. He was shaken. Corrin could imagine he would never be the same.
His eyes flew forward. The door began to close. He flung his hands at the closing entrance. He strained against the motors. "Go!" He bellowed a Krieg, who quickly dove through the doorway. Corrin fell inside.
The hallways were bright with expensive illuminators. Red flashes flooded the room occasionally from the alarm system. Corrin moved forward. The door ahead of them drifted open.
A huge stairwell sat before the two men. The tan paint gave it a rustic feeling. It smelled of royalty. It led to the commander-governor of Mercador.
"Hey, someone's coming!" A shrill voice called from above. "To arms!"
Corrin hefted his Slug Rifle to his shoulder. "Stay back…" He muttered to Krieg. These Imperials had taken his home. He would bring the fight to them. He bolted up the stairs. Las-fire erupted from above him. He let out a shower of lead and blood. A guardsman tumbled down the stairs, head first.
Corrin flung himself to the side. Another Imperial aimed at him from above. A las-beam hit his shoulder, drawing blood. His rage increased. He felt the adrenaline pumping through his veins. He rushed ahead. A well-placed shot saw the sniper from above plummeting to his death below.
A grenade bounced from around the corner. Deftly, Corrin took hold of the death device and threw it against the wall. It bounced quickly. The huge hole blew in the corner ahead of him. Three men lay dead before his eyes.
Krieg was heaving his way up the steps behind him. Corrin didn't care. He was set on killing every Imperial in the building. His father had told him to capture the commander-governor. He had told him the man knew information that could get him to his wife. That was the only reason he would spare him.
He bounded up the stairs, ignoring the shots hailing down on him. He blasted down several Imperials. A round bounced out of its cartridge. He drew his knife calmly and cut down the final man.
Krieg caught up, breathing heavily. "Let's go." Corrin said coldly. A single door stood before them. Corrin kicked it open and raised his rifle. The room was dark. Only the far off glows of klaxons gave any light to the small office. A chair, it's back turned to them, sat facing out a window.
Smoke emerged from behind it. "Have you come to kill me?" A voice asked from behind it. Corrin gestured for Krieg to start arming the bomb. He stepped forward.
"Before we…chat, you'll turn around." Corrin said spitefully. The chair turned.
"Of course," the man in the chair said. He was in his forties, obviously. His features were unseen in the immense darkness. "Corrin Grant, I had heard rumor you had come back to your old home town."
Corrin looked at him with hatred. "Yes, I am Corrin Grant. Do you fear the name, Imperial?" The commander-governor was silent. Corrin had to get information. "I am told that, to access you sick prison, I need an access code. What would it be?"
The man smiled. "You are a good warrior, to bad your skills are not used in the service of the Emperor."
Corrin lunged forward and threw the man's head into the table. "What…" He roared. He slowly calmed himself down. "…Is the access code?"
The Imperial smiled. He heard a beep from behind him. "Corrin something's wrong with the bomb. It's some sort of channeller inside the building. It's setting itself!" Krieg said frantically. "Corrin, we have thirty seconds!"
"Good luck, Crin. Thirty-three nineteen is the code. May it give you luck in death!" The Imperial said mockingly.
"Come on!" Corrin yelled to Krieg. They hurried across the room. Corrin grabbed the scientist's shirt. He jumped through the window, shielding his companion. His body fell further and further towards the closest roof until the concrete was upon him.