Zen stood beside her mom watching as the EMP lit the sky. A soft crackling filled her ears and she knew her comm wouldn’t function anymore. Military weapons were protected from EMPs since the Fifth World War. Everything except comms was safe from them. For the same reason they didn’t work in the Deadlands, they didn’t work well with EMPs. The Deadlands affected everything technological. An EMP did not. They were rarely used in war. The others would think they had gotten desperate with the Rollers and tried an EMP attack on them. Rollers could be affected by EMPs briefly. Several minutes at the most. This was because they worked more like an automobile than war machines. It had machine guns but that was the scope of them. They were just really big automobiles. Zen stood with the Dons to the East. Isaias was to the North, Marco to the West, and Stephan to the South. Each of them was with a Lieutenant except Zen. She was the translator for the other three sides. So far so good.
###
“Ves eso? Están desesperados! Manda el batallón de Generales ya! Vamos!” See that? They’re desperate. Send the battalion of Generals now! Do it!)
“Espera Cecile! SI es una trampa?” Wait, Cecile. What if it's a trap?)
“No lo es! No viste ese EMP? Están en su límite! Mandalos Ya! Yo voy con ellos! (It’s not a trap. Didn’t you see that EMP? (They’re at the limits! Send the battalion. Now! I’m joining them!)
“Espera, Cecile! ¡Es una trampa!” (Wait, Cecile it 's a trap!)
“¡No! ¡Ya he esperado demasiado! El cristal es mío!” (No! I’ve waited too long. That crystal is mine!}
Cecile hurried into the tent to get her battle fans before rushing out. D’ Angelo slapped his face and signaled his men.
“Let’s go, it's time,” he said, strapping on his double blades and walking into the tent before walking out and taking his spot beside his strongest men. Cecile is ruining everything but maybe I can fix it.
The inevitable click came on and a surly voice came on.
“Yes?’
“You still want the crystal?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then send me some men.”
D’Angelo growled as the comm clicked off with no answer.
###
Senka and his men were parading in big suits of armor, well tanks. Each man had taken a Roller and was passing the time cruising back and forth putting a charade for the other side. He warped and saw Alejandro exit his machine and walk into the woods. He followed the young man.
“Were you followed, Philippe?”
“No, and quit calling me that! My name is Alejandro!”
“For this assignment it is.”
“Look I already told you I’m not playing the spying game! I came here to earnestly learn other techniques and other ways to train. I came looking for freedom and I found it. I’m not coming back.”
“You could have been a damn good spy for us being in the enemy camp brother.”
“I’m not one to spy! I left of my own free will. Will you leave me alone already Raul?”
“It’s too bad that you brought no one with you. I was tasked with erasing you if you didn’t comply with orders.”
“I’m a Guerrero now. I shifted my allegiance before this war and I don’t regret it. Your Don is dishonorable!”
“Shoot!”
Alejandro rolled into the shadows and stood still letting the shadows of evening wrap around him. He slowed his breathing and stopped moving.
“Where is he!”
“I don’t know but we better get out of here before a Guerrero comes and finds us!”
“We can make Philippe a spy then!”
Senka appeared from the shadows scaring both young men.
“There’s no chance of that, but I guarantee there will be a butt-whooping of epic proportions if I catch you two in our territory again harassing one of my men.”
“He is a spy! He has the Pinguino marking on his shoulder and his real name is Phelipe.”
“Scream it out for the world why don’t you,” muttered Alejandro as he came from the shadows rubbing his calf muscles. “I couldn’t let you slander my name to my teacher, Raul.”
“Teacher? Him,” Raul pointed at Senka.
“You lasted a whole ten minutes longer. Would have survived this encounter if it wasn’t for that big mouth of yours,” Senka said smirking. Raul disappeared through the small outcropping of trees.
“Yada yada sue me, I’m human.”
“Does Bernado know of your dumping allegiance to join his Guerreros?”
“Yeah. He’s the one who helped me fit in.”
“Huh, so no problems then?”
“None. Some of the guys call me the runaway Pinguino which I hate, but others listen to my command and are friendly enough.”
“Well Alejandro, let's get back to the others. I get why you changed your name.”
“It reminds me of a past I left behind. I’m Alejandro now.”
They walked back to their machines and crept back inside no one the wiser.
Isaias was chatting with Marco when he spotted a line of men heading toward them
Game faces on! They’re here and so are the Dons! He telepathed.
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The Dons? Are you sure Isaias? Telepathed Marco
Well D’Angelo and Cecile. I don’t see anyone else, Marco
Figures, it be them, Stephan interjected
Cecile only wants the crystal and D’Angelo wants Zen Marco telepathed
You’re not about to let that happen right, pirate?
No way! He can keep his grubby hands off my girlfriend! I’ll melt them off!
I’ll tell the Dons they’re arriving from the North then. It was likely they were going to emerge from the small hills. We’ll reconvene when the fighting commences. Is everyone ready? Telepathed Zen.
I am! I need some action! Isaias replied.
You always need action Marco replied.
From you? Always.
Eww, Isaias remember all four of us are linked here. I don’t want to know those things about my brother!
Me either, telepathed Stephan with a disgusted tone in his message.
They’ll be here in ten so you guys get your butts over here now! Isaias shouted mentally.
Zen turned to Carmelo who was standing beside the big tent. “They’ve sprung their trap early. They’re attacking from the North. Cecile and D’Angelo are with them,” she said.
“Contact?”
“Minus ten minutes and counting. Sir, I can teleport us there.”
Carmelo sighed and nodded entering the tent. He came out with a giddy Bernado and a worried Rosalinda.” Do we have to teleport there,” she asked.
“If we want to arrive in time for them, yes. Why Rosa?” Bernado asked.
“I hate teleporting is all.”
Zen smiled. “I felt like that my first times as well, mom. It’s better to teleport than be teleported.”
Rosalinda nodded, grabbing onto her daughter’s hand. “Be gentle, please.”
They all disappeared from there.
###
Marco appeared on a gust of wind a few minutes later Stephan halted to a stop beside him and they walked towards Isaias who was facing the approaching line of fighters. A flash and Zen and two Dons plus a to-be Lady were standing beside them. Rosalinda looked a little pale but fine otherwise. Carmelo and Bernado walked with an air of refinement as they neared the edge and watched Cecile almost skip to them. She thought they were almost destroyed. That was her problem. She had rushed it without making sure. Vasquez would never have made that mistake and Bernado prayed for his friend to be alright. That snake had probably done something to gain control of his army.
She wasn’t the tactician though. That would have to be D’Angelo. He didn’t make Don on his laurels. He was good. Damn good. His only problem was being led by his libido and pride. D’Angelo walked towards them with a lazy gate, as if nothing was wrong except he had two broadswords strapped to his back and he could wield them well, Bernado had seen him wield them before. He was younger and faster. This would be a hard battle ahead. He hoisted his cleaver's two large butcher knives. And traded for his sword. He saw Carmelo also retrieve a thicker sword still as elegant but broader and his sister held her sword rage in her eyes.
This was the man who had touched her baby.
Beside him, Zen tensed and drew out her broadsword. Stephan looked at the sword-wielding family and shrugged, summoning some water and acid and reshaping it into a lethal sword of his own. Marco stood with his sword at the ready and Isaias pulled a katana from his back. It was slim and fit the crook of his hands well. Cecile had battle fans befitting a Lady. They were peacock blue with purple undertones and were made with Obtonium metal with hooks at the end of each fold.
Everyone got ready for the collision but the line of soldiers paused just before they could clash. Cecile was smiling and walked forward.
“Quiero batallar la descarada.” (I want to fight the wretched girl)
“Tu batalla es con nosotros, Cecile,” (Your fight is with us, Cecile) said Bernado as he hefted his sword.
“Pues no! Yo quiero batallar la descarada! ¡Ya! Si yo gano vas a dar me el cristal.”(No! I want to fight the wretched girl now. If I win you give me the crystal.)
“Eso ya es imposible. El cristal ya no existe,” That’s impossible. The crystal doesn’t exist anymore.) said Zen a smile on her face.
“Que!” (what!)
“El cristal no existe. Dejó de existir cuando se juntó conmigo.” The crystal doesn’t exist. It stopped existing when we merged.)
“Imposible!” (Impossible!)
“Esta guerra fue para nada!”(This war was for nothing!) screamed Zen her eyes glowing eerily.
Cecile growled. “Dame el jodio cristal!”(Give me the damn crystal!) and attacked Zen with her fans. Zen blocked the hooks with her swords. She took a step forward, overpowering Cecile who stepped back. Breaking apart, the two combatants took a breath before Cecile began a complicated dance around Zen and began to scratch her with the metal hooks of her fan. Zen dodged as best as she could and lunged at Cecile but the woman was never still, always in a dance of movement. Putting her swords away, Zen took out two knives and faced Cecile. She began predicting the older woman’s steps and would slash at her. Cecile gasped when her face was slashed. Frowning she opened her fans and blocked a slash before closing them and spinning away. Zen pulled back eyes trained on the dancing woman.
She dances in and out. I have to wait till she’s in and..there!
Zen lunged and slashed, catching Cecile in the arm before retreating into a loose stance. She too danced around Cecile weaving in and out, slashing the woman when she wasn’t expecting it. By now both were scratched in the face and arms, but Zen took the real first move when she managed to slice Cecile’s leg, by ducking under her swing and slashing at her belly. Cecile hissed and covered her bleeding wound with a hand. Zen extended her knife and activated the homing beacon, before throwing it at her. As she expected Cecile dodged it, but the knife flew back and buried itself hilt deep in one of her arms. Cecil cried out.
“Maldita!” (Damn girl!)
Zen took another knife out and extended it. She did the same to the other and charged the older woman. She knocked Cecile to the ground and put a knife to her throat.
“Give up!”
“Hazlo.” (do it!)
Zen pressed the dagger along Cecil’s jugular.
“Give up!”
“Hazlo descarada!” (Do it, you wretched girl!)
Zen huffed and pressed her dagger down drawing blood. Cecile’s eyes widened and she looked up scared. “Me doy por vencida.”( I give up)
Zen sighed in relief and made to get up. She couldn’t kill Mariposa’s grandmother no matter how horrible a person she was. Zen stood and helped the older woman stand. Then she turned her back. Cecile yelled and raked her fans down Zen’s unprotected back causing her to fall to her knees. She grabbed Zen by the hair and was about to bury her fan in her jugular but Zen spun around and buried her dagger into her throat to the hilt first. Cecile gagged and collapsed choking on her blood and metal.
Zen winced and stood up then she turned a hand on herself and everyone watched as time reversed and all her wounds disappeared. She walked away from Cecile’s bleeding body. She would not bring that one back to life; she was better off dead...for everyone.
D’Angelo stood watching as Zen battled Cecile and smirked. He loved a strong, sassy, woman and Zen was both. He licked his lips and took a step forward only to be stopped by a water sword at his chest.
“Only I get to touch her. She’s my girlfriend and not your plaything,” hissed Stephan.
D’Angelo smirked and batted the sword away before hissing and pulling his hand away. He glared at Stephan who was grinning. “I wouldn’t touch the sword either. If I were you I’d learn to keep my hands to myself.”
D’Angelo sneered. “Mad because I had her first?”
Stephan laughed. “You didn’t have her at all, and you never will.”
D’Angelo growled and stepped back undoing his swords.
“Attack,” he ordered.
The two lines met in combat and the fight began in earnest as D’Angelo raised his blade to collide with Stephan’s blade.