To Capture a Prophet Chapter 4: And Now for John
Posted By: Covie_Lover<shansen@sonic.net>
Date: 1 September 2004, 2:06 PM
Read/Post Comments
|
I apologize for the extremely long wait, as I have been on vacation, and then my computer broke down... wait a minute. I assume you want to read the story, not listen to me prattle on, right? That's what I thought. In that case I suggest that since I have not written in a long time that you reread the series to refresh your memory (unless this is your first time with my series, at which point I recommend you read it anyway)
To Capture a Prophet Chapter 4: And Now for John
As John went to the right way, he encountered far less traffic for the first 20 minutes. About the worst he found along the way was a pair of Grunts patrolling the hallway. Since Grunts have a habit of making a lot of unnecessary noise when they are dying, he just avoided them and walked by.
After about 20 minutes of relative inactivity, he can to a T-shaped fork in the ship's halls. To the left was a long corridor with several doors along the way and a right turn at the far end. It was being patrolled by a jackal and two grunts, moving in alternating patrols, one (the two grunts) going to the far end and back, and the other (the jackal) going the other way, so that they passed each other at the middle of the hallway. To the right was a short passage that widened with a large door at the end. The door was guarded by two rigid and alert looking elites, both in blue armor, but it was clear that their mind was elsewhere at the time judging by the glazed looks in their eyes. Still, it couldn't hurt to be cautious. He quietly snuck over and thought out how to remove them without detection.
Myope 'Zagenalee was very irritated. He had a report to give his superior, Mira 'Zoyomee, but it was not one he relished. Those two obnoxious cadets, Misa 'Solomee and Gira 'Makolee, were missing. He had received this information from a Grunt who had gone to the armory to get a new weapon, as his plasma pistol was running a bit low. When he got there he found the two cadets, who were assigned armory guard duty that day, missing form their posts. The Grunt, being the nervous little vermin that he was, had rushed over to Myope and told him in a frightened voice what he had seen, or more accurately, not seen.
He arrived at the outpost's center and the door slid open for him. There the Fleet Master, who currently held the honored position of Secondary Prophet Guardian. At the moment, 'Zoyomee was making a routine check of the Prophet's security measures. When 'Zagenalee walked in, he gave him a cursory glance and barked "Report!"
After he told 'Zoyomee the news, there was a long, deadly silence. Deserting one's post is one of the most dishonorable actions a soldier could take, and the punishment was severe and often humiliating. There was absolutely no excuse, short of death or pursuing a fleeing intruder that warrant such behavior
"I want you to perform and immediate search for those two...deserters. When you find them, I want you to bring them to the interrogation chambers. I have something...special...in mind."
As soon as John reached a decision, he sprang into action. From previous experiences, he knew that Jackals and Grunt were always at each others throats looking for a way to best each other. As such, there was a lot of tension between the two groups. However, while the Grunts were often relatively docile, except when frightened (which was actually quite common), the Jackals were very temperamental, and it took very little to set them off, especially when it involved Grunts .
Which is why John's plan worked. He positioned himself about where the Jackal would pass the twos Grunt and waited. When the Grunts passed the Jackals, he waited until they where just out of each others' sight. Then he gave the Jackal a small kick in the posterior, angling it so it felt like the Grunt had hit him, and quickly moved out of the way. The reaction was immediate. The Jackal whirled around, spitting with anger, and started yelling at the Grunt in its language. The Grunt, suddenly faced with what he saw as an insane Jackal, began to flee in the usual Grunt terror stance, with his arms flailing through the air, screaming bloody murder. This, in the Jackal's eyes, was enough to prove his guilt. It tore after the Grunt, and a fight began. The elite at the other side of the hall saw what was happening, and ran over to enjoy the spectacle. It was obvious that they had been bored out of their wits until this happened. As they began to cheer and make bets on the winner, John quietly slipped by. Engrossed in the fight, the two elites did not notice the doors hey had been guarding open then close.
TO BE CONTINUED...
I hope you enjoyed it!!!!
|
