Chapter 6

"...This sucks. I'm stuck in a chair, which is right next to a table...with other people blabbing about events that I have no interest in. I get back from my mission, and get called here before I get a chance to rest. Next time something like this happens, I'm sending a clone." Zac muttered.

It had been two hours since the meeting had been started, and nothing of interest had popped up. Just some talk about finances, repairs, the press and other stuff to with the base. This seemed to be routine for many of those present but it was boring Zac senseless, surely they didn't need him for something so trivial? He groaned inwardly as another abstention was taken from the latest vote, the move passed anyway. Suddenly the mood changed subtly, things became a little more animated. Zac stopped doodling on the tabletop and slouched slowly to attention.

Sitting straight and trying to figure out why the room seemed smaller, the leader spoke. The topic seemed to have shifted to something of interest, signaled by the numerous whispers. Zac scanned the table quickly; several people had the bright fixed smiles of those who didn't want to be present but wanted to look pleased with whatever was going on. Others were genuinely ecstatic, like a cat that not only got the cream but has just bought a milk powder factory.

"...I brought you here to announce the time has come for me to step down from my role as leader over this facility. Yes, I know this is both sudden and shocking, but I feel that I have done everything I can here and should move on. A replacement has arrived, and I expect you to treat him with the same respect that you see fit to treat me. I know there will be disagreements with my decision, not least its suddenness however I hope that all objections can quickly and effectively be dealt with. Gentlemen, I present to you my replacement; please make welcome ...Mr Kard."

"Please, there is no need for formality, call me Kain."

A figure in black robes stepped quickly into the room, his clothing billowing behind him. He was of course instantly the center of attention as those present strained to get some indication of his form and figure, his garb was all encompassing, even his face couldn't be seen Nonetheless as he walked among those present they seemed, though hesitant, all to ready to welcome their new leader into the fold. Zac was on the verge of slamming his fists down on the table. This wasn't right and he knew it, he didn't want to object, but he could feel the words building in his throat, there was no way he could stay silent about this...

"Hey, wait a minute here, are you guys mad? Aren't we supposed to vote on this or something?"

The voice belonged to a young squirrel who had unceremoniously rushed into the meeting about halfway through, providing a few minutes of entertainment; apparently she'd been assigned to Zac's team to do paperwork, something which Zac himself had never had any inclination to complete. Since then she'd been sitting with an annoyed air in the spare chair at the rooms entrance. Now she was standing with a look of absolute amazement on her face. Kain was first to speak.

"There is no need for a vote on this matter, I assure you there is complete agreement with this decision."

There was mumbling to the affirmative at this statement.

"But... but how can you do that? This is a military installation, there are rules and controls to be observed here, not least subsection c of the management code of conduct that states-"

"I am aware, however, desperate times call for desperate measures."

More mumbling and nodding greeted this statement. Zac edged towards the door, grateful for the distraction.

"What? You can't do that! The public must know! Where would we get if we did everything behind closed doors? And look at the guy! Can't we get a picture for the monthly newsletter? Or do you always wear that getup? We're talking major creepy here, does anyone see anything wrong? Anyone?!"

Several people were looking around in a confused manner, like dancers at the prom who have just realized the music has stopped, but don't know what happens next. Zac was almost at the door now, a few feet away from the girl. Kain was staring at her with two piercing eyes, burning with hatred, and to Zac's small delight, a bit of confusion.

"I have a skin condition, of which I'm very sensitive, I do not wish to show my face and am hurt by your comments, we can't help the way we are little one, I think you should go now."

The temperature in the room dropped several degrees, now everyone was looking at the objector with a decidedly hostile gaze. The two guards at the door stepped forward and put their hands on her shoulders in a polite, but firm manner. Zac stepped up behind them and looked up to see the new leader staring right at him.


* * *

Shade jerked out of the guards' grip with an air of annoyance. What in hell's name was going on? Had everyone gone mad? They were just sitting there staring at her, as if she was the one to blame for this insanity, while God-knew-who was taking over. Whoever this Kard was, he looked more at home in a fantasy novel than running an elite military organization, couldn't they see that? Who would want this Kard as a leader? She became aware, through the red mist of shock and anger, that someone was speaking, it was Mr Kard.

"Ah, Zac, an old friend. Such a pleasure to see you again. I have some good news, you are to be given a vacation while your team is assigned to less taxing work. I plan to address the planetwide causes of our problems rather than relying on stop-gap magical solutions. Oh, and please don't raise any objections, as you can see I have the entire committee on my side and would hate for their to be any problems, such tiffs can damage reputations, among other things."

Shade tensed, she really wanted to hit someone now, only her training kept her calm. That twit was talking just like her mother, the same arrogant know-all and above all pathetically obvious sinister tone. And he was staring at her! She hated that stare, it seemed to be focused at a point several inches inside her skull, as if it was seeing inside her mind, as if she were just a minor detail. And the harder he stared the worse she felt, something at the back of her mind was desperately trying to make itself heard. Ugh, it had been a long day. But everything was alright now. What the hell? Now that they had their new leader and her teammates were being relegated to less taxing tasks she could go back to her new accommodations and get some rest. Are you crazy? He's insane! And of course she wouldn't have to work for that Lightwalker (-) for God knew how long. Can you hear me? Help! Anyone? Shade smiled, how could she possibly have doubted this wonderful man? she should probably quit on the spot for being so stupid Get out! Get away! but maybe he'd give her another chance? You're not you, he's in your mind! Hmmn, strange, she was hearing voices. She shook her head to try and dislodge the strange feeling.

And the world went white.

Her commander was hunched over the robed figure, punching him over and over in the face, there were spurts of blood and a sickening crunch as the two struggled. Suddenly Shade's mind was clear, what had she been thinking? The two guards were drawing their weapons, with a quick kick and twist one was bought down groaning while the other had two fingers broken. Now she had a weapon, but others had already surrounded the pair, weapons drawn by those who had them. Without pausing to think Shade fired two rounds at those closest to her, shattering their legs.

There was a flash and suddenly there was a large block of ice around Zac. Kain struggled to his feet still visibly bleeding as those present fired at their former comrade. The shots struck the ice, denting and cracking it, but failing to penetrate,t hey may as well have shot solid rock. There was a sudden click and reflexively Shade fell to the floor.

"Shatter!"

The small device on Zac's belt emitted an ultrasonic pulse that caused the ice encasing him to break like a pane of dropped glass, shards went everywhere and there were screams and the sounds of broken glass. There was a piercing yell and Shade realized it was her. Someone still standing was blocking her way, but Shade was tired and hurt and above all angry, she swung at the man and he fell backwards out of a shattered window, screaming all the way down. Before she could stop herself, Shade plummeted after him, overbalanced by her swift punch. The last thing she saw as the room sped upwards away from her was a single eye staring from a bloodied hood, burning itself into her memory like a red hot poker.

Something inside Zac had snapped. Everything was crumbling down because of this monster, he could almost remember the terrible battle between them before. Regretting he hadn't made a record of this fiend, Zac could only feel his rage building before he smashed his right fist straight into Kain's face. Blood and a disgusting cracking sound had echoed through the room as he continued smashing the face, which still remained in shadow. Before he could get a chance to finish him off, Zac found himself surrounded by his former comrades, guns leveled at him, hands near the trigger.

He'd had no other option but to blast himself out; he'd seem former teammates impaled by shards of cold ice. Next thing he knew the new girl had dived out of a window, what was she thinking? There was no other way out, that's what; guards were already entering the doorway, confused and panicked at first, but quickly adopting the glazed expression of those under the influence. Zac didn't think twice, he hardly bothered to think once, and dove out of the building, leaving the matter of gravity and height to take care of itself.

The fall should have been lethal; when Zac got up every bone in his body was protesting. However he'd landed on something soft; the abused corpse of one of the committee members. Nearby was the girl who had evidently done the same, curled up in a small personal world of pain. He grabbed her and tried to make her walk, they'd need to get away, and fast.

"What happened?"
"Kain."
"Yes, but what the * happened?"
"He's using some sort of mind control, you did well, you almost resisted it."
"I'll kill you, I'll kill you all."
"No, it's alright, I'm on your side!"
"Bull*! This is all one big *'n mess! What the hell is wrong with you people?"
"Listen! We don't have time to argue! Kain's probably sending soldiers after us!"

They reached a shuttle. It was of course locked. Before Zac could do anything the girl simply smashed the window, as if it were glass instead of reinforced polyperspex. It wasn't a wise thing to do, you could die from blood loss if you did it wrong, but she managed to pull it off. There were shots in the distance; the guards still in the meeting room above were firing down at them; it would take several minutes before they'd be able to get word out to those on the ground, but that still wasn't enough time to make a clean getaway.

"We have to leave now! Come on, I have transport, we just need to-"
"It's done."
"No, we don't have time to hotwire!"
"I said it's done, come on!"

Zac stared numbly as he was dragged into the shuttle; the security systems had been bypassed in a matter of seconds? But it could take hours to run through the combinations and wiring schemes! There was a jerk as they took off and Zac closed the door behind him. For a moment there was confusion over who was driving, but eventually Zac got the upper hand, both because he knew where to go and also because the girl had collapsed into unconsciousness.

"Just like my first date, great, just great."