Morrigan woke to Torvil nudging her with his foot. It was not a pleasant way to wake up and her emotions about it were reflected by an electric jolt to Torvil’s foot. It did not hurt him but was enough of a shock to prevent him from continuing to prod her.

“Up, it’s time to leave,” he told her as she rubbed her eyes.

With a long groan she sat up. Her body ached worse than training with the D.S.T.U. Her jaw cracked uncomfortably as she yawned and looked around the room. The duffle bags they stole from the armored truck were set next to the illusory entrance. Drusille was cleaning parts of her sniper rifle while Torvil was busy packing additional things they would need.

Rise and shine princess!

Morrigan glared at the center of the room before standing up with a grunt. Joints and vertebrae popped as she stretched.

“Here, you look like you need it,” came Drusille as she gestured to a container at the end of the table. Morrigan cocked her head as she moved towards the container next to the woman.

She sniffed the contents when she opened it, it smelled like liquid heaven. “Coffee?” she asked.

Drusille chuckled and nodded. “Ugh you are a godsend woman!” Morrigan elated as she took a huge sip of the lukewarm drink. Realizing it was not as hot as she was used to and began downing the coffee. Before she knew it she had finished the container of coffee with a satisfied sigh. “Is there anymore?” she asked shamelessly.

Drusille laughed, “well aren’t you insatiable. I’ll make you more once I’m done with this.” Morrigan looked to see that the woman was not working on the large sniper rifle, but Drusille was tinkering with her rifle that she looted off the marine.

“What are you doing?”

Drusille finished what she was doing and picked the rifle up to present it to her, “well first I have to say is great choice in marksmen rifles. Torvil told me you guys looted this stuff which explains why this thing was modded for someone bigger than you or me. Do you know anything about this?” Morrigan shook her heard. Drusille quirked her eyebrow at the young girl. “Do you know how to shoot?”

Morrigan scoffed at that, “my father is a sergeant of the D.S.T.U., he’s taught me several things including long range shooting.” Morrigan did not mean for the intensity of offence to be included, but she had just woken up.

Girl has to have her coffee, right?

“Damn right!” she cracked a smile.

Drusille smiled regardless and began showing her what she had done, “first I adjusted the stock to accommodate your reach as well as moved the forend. Put canted irons on and gave you a spare scope I had and Torvil managed to snag a 300 suppressor from the truck so you can thank him for that.”

Morrigan grinned like a child during the holidays as she accepted the rifle from Drusille. “Thank you,” she said as she got a better feel for the gun.

“Well even though the threat was towards Torvil, I have the feeling his sister would include me if I let you walk out with a shitty set up and got yourself shot!” the woman joked with a chuckle.

Morrigan laughed as she slung the gun over her shoulder. “Yeah, I’m honestly surprised a woman that sweet could make that sort of threat.”

That made Drusille laugh more, “oh honey, that's all Eskarii. They can be the kindest creatures in the universe and become the most vicious like flipping a coin. Isn’t that right Torvil?” she turned to the Eskarii who was busy gathering things he needed.

“I have no idea what you're talking about, I am not kind,” he said with a snort.

Drusille and Morrigan gave each other amused looks before Morrigan noted, “I’ll be sure to let Jen know that.”

“What's this now?” Drusille inquired with intrigue. Before Morrigan could respond Torvil cut her off.

“No more talking, it is time to go.”

Morrigan could see the slightest hint of blush on Torvil’s face as he wrapped his head with a scarf to hide his stark white hair and pale skin.

She moved to grab the long duffle bag, expecting it to be lighter than it was. Looking down she realized it was one of the bags from the truck and looked at Torvil as he reached for it himself.

“What the hell is that?” she asked as he slung it over his shoulder.

“Rocket launcher,” he stated casually while grabbing the smaller bag.

“Why the hell would we need a rocket launcher?”

Torvil moved behind her with the other bag and held out the backpack straps. As she unslung her rifle to accept the bag over her shoulders he remarked, “why would we not need a rocket launcher if we have one?”

“Well…I uh…hmm.” She paused as she thought about the question. “Alright fair point.” She concluded. It was logical after all if they ended up in a nasty fire fight.

Having the gear she needed, she turned to Drusille to find the woman walking towards her with a refilled container of coffee. She noticed the markswoman was not prepared like they were. “Are you not coming with us?”

Drusille pursed her lips. “As much as I would love to come shoot more bad guys with you girl, I’ve got my own things I need to do.” Morrigan frowned at that. She understood that it was not Drusille’s fight, but she had to admit she would have been a great asset. The worst part was she felt comfortable around the woman; it was like being around one of her father's teammates.

Reluctantly Morrigan stuck her hand out to shake the woman's hand as a farewell, but the woman grabbed her forearm in a warrior’s grip, to which Morrigan returned with a stern nod. “If what I’ve read about you is true, you're going to make great changes young mage. Stay safe and may we meet again,” Drusille told her as a farewell. Morrigan gave her a smile and a wave before heading out the illusion to find Torvil waiting. In the last 24 hours Morrigan had to say too many goodbyes, in person and spiritually, any more would simply crush her.

ΩΩΩ

Seven hours was a lot of walking. Morrigan’s feet killed and she let Torvil know how much it sucked.

“This is bullshit! We’ve been walking forever.”

“That is why I told you to get sleep,” he sneered.

She crossed her arms and groaned, “yeah well, however long that was, was definitely not enough.” After the first two hours her ankles began to hurt. By hour five her back, legs and feet hurt like hell and currently her entire body was screaming at her.

It was not so much the walk itself, but mainly her shoes and the fact that they walked on uneven ground all the while avoiding bumping into the electrified rails that would kill either of them instantly.

To her dismay, each subway station let in the light or lack of that expressed the passage of time.

After 20 more minutes of her complaining, Torvil finally stopped and turned to her. “You need to be quiet, we are almost there and all your incessant whining will get us caught,” he growled at her. This caused her to take a step back in defense. She had appeared to finally get on the Eskarii’s nerves which she found fair since she had been complaining for the last four hours non-stop. As irritating as his reaction was, she could not be completely mad at him, though it would have just been nicer if he had been up to conversation. Seven hours of silence in the company of someone was enough to drive her crazy.

Instead of opening her mouth to argue, she just pursed her lips in aggravation and stepped past him while unslinging her rifle. She made sure it was loaded, safety was on and noted where she had put the extra magazines in her vest. Torvil only shook his head as he followed her. He could even admit that it had been a long day for them both and the lack of sleep was getting to him as well.

The end of the tunnel was in sight for them, it was dark with the smallest hint of moonlight that shed through the glass ceiling of the airport terminal. As public transportation goes, Morrigan was astounded how easily and dangerous it was that the subway ran through the entirety of the airport. Then again, she found it odd to be seeing the world through the eyes of a terrorist.

Humans have always done ridiculous things when they feel safe. There is no surprise here.

“Yeah… humans never learn, do they?” she asked dolefully.

No, but they will and you’re going to teach them.

Morrigan ground her teeth in determination. Apollyon was right, she would teach the Federation of their wrongdoings, teach the Eskarii that Terrans are actually capable of being a decent species of compassion and hopefully, unify both species.

ΩΩΩ

At the end of the tunnel stood three marines facing towards the terminals, highlighted by the minimal light causing Morrigan to stop. She heard an amused hiss from Torvil as he strode up next to her. “It seems their orders are foolish,” he whispered. She studied the marines to find that none of the three were watching the tunnel at all. Given that the previous marines had not been watching the stairwell to the tunnel she and Torvil escaped into, she was able to deduce that their orders were to simply keep anyone from entering the subway system, not accounting for anyone who was possibly in it already.

In the low light she caught Torvil draw two long, blackened daggers from the several that were now attached to his armor. She also made note of the Terran submachine gun strapped to his back that had a built-in suppressor. Torvil turned to her with an evil grin, “you take the one on the right, wait until I’m in position, then on your signal.” Before she could wrap her head around his plan, Torvil had already silently moved up by five feet. Morrigan let out quiet sigh as she carefully unslung her rifle and began setting up her firing position. She scanned the area ahead with her illuminated scope, finding Torvil had already positioned himself just mere feet from the two marines that stood next to each other. By their motions they seemed to have been talking and were completely oblivious to the assassin hiding in their shadow.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Returning to her target, a marine who apparently was not in the talking mood, stood several feet from the pair. She found it ironic that her designated target was the antisocial one. “Okay, get this guy and switch over to give Torvil some cover,” she told herself as she gauged the distance from her and the marine. Making sure her scope was set within 50 feet, she lined the glowing crosshair with the marine’s head and clicked the safety off. She took several deep breaths to try and calm her nerves, the mission was now reliant on her not missing on top of killing the unsuspecting man.

Come on, it’s not any different than earlier.

“That’s the problem, it doesn't feel right,” she told Apollyon as her heart felt like it was in her throat. There was a difference in her mind about killing someone who could not defend themselves moments before being able to and killing someone who had no clue their life was about to end.

Every revolution starts with the pull of the proverbial trigger; for you it’s more literal than most. All that's left to do is squeeze your finger and let the wind carry the name of the goddess of death.

“Goddess of death?”

Hehehe yes, we've been over this, but if you truly want change, all you need is send that change forward through the enemy's skull.

“Well that's a barbaric way of looking at it don’t you think? That change is only made through violence.”

Maybe, but true nonetheless.

Morrigan had to accept the fact that nothing would change while the Federation was in power. Not without a long bloody fight, that much was obvious since they were at war with the Saurian, Eskarii and CoU. She did not get the chance to strike first, no, that was Amaranthe, but she would strike back, hard. With the release of one final breath, she pulled the trigger.

She watched as the bullet punch through the marine’s helmet responding with a spray of blood on the other side, the moment Morrigan’s innocence perished. Adjusting to see the two other marines react, a blur of darkness moved as she watched Torvil drag one of his blades underhandedly across the first marine's throat as he reached for the second marine in one fluid motion. As he pulled the marine in, he drove the other blade into his stomach twice in a way that made Morrigan’s stomach twitch before he drove the blade through the bottom of the man's skull.

“Remind me never to piss Torvil off again,” she whispered out loud as she got up to join her companion.

Eh, you could take him. Honestly, he’s more afraid of you than you are of him. Morrigan’s response to that was a disbelieving snort. She frowned as she took a moment to survey the layout before them. It was mainly open space with varying sets of escalators and occasional decorative pillars that held up the tent-style ceiling. The massive glass walls on either side gave little cover from the moonlight and she could see a various number of marines patrolling the upper and ground floor of the airport. Torvil knelt next to her.

“How does it look?” he asked.

She shook her head as she knelt with him while studying the marines’ movement patterns. “Not good, a lot of open space, little cover, and I count at least 12 marines not including whatever is outside,” she replied. To punctuate her point, a spotlight shined through the eastern windows that quickly faded as a Federation gunship roared over the building. “And of course, assault vehicles…” she sighed. Torvil shifted on his feet and grunted. “Where do we need to go anyways?” she turned to the Eskarii.

Torvil looked down and traced an imaginary map with his finger, “we’re here.” He pointed towards a spot on the ground closer to them than outlined the terminals and landing pads for starships, then moved his hand a significant distance forward. “The storage for the ship is over here.”

Morrigan rolled her eyes and let out a frustrated groan, “you’re telling me the that our destination is not only on the other side of the building, but on the other side of the tarmac as well?”

It wouldn't be fun if it were easy.

“Oh shut up…”

Torvil nodded in affirmation. “We will need to figure out what the outside forces look like. With any luck they will be spread out far enough to just think we are theirs from a distance.” Morrigan shook her head in disbelief, being an infiltrator, she had hoped Torvil had a better plan than relying on luck. A plan was a plan though, and it was better than anything she could come up with. She saw Torvil taking stock of the terrain ahead of them. He looked at her and pointed to the first escalator, “we go up and through the terminals, keep track of your ammo, you'll take targets on the other side while I clear our path. We make for the farthest terminal and find a way down from there.”

Morrigan nodded as she checked the distance between both sides of the upper deck and adjusted her scope accordingly. With that, she watched Torvil vault onto the ground floor platform and look up the first escalator. The power to the building seemed to have been switched off seeing as none of the lights nor escalators were on.

She watched Torvil crouch and monkey crawl his way up the metal stairs silently, she did not know how the Eskarii was able to move so quietly but she was certainly jealous. She climbed onto the platform with less grace and made her way to follow, stopping halfway to check the other upper platform to make sure they had not been seen. She heard two bursts of clicks and soft puffs of bullets leaving a suppressed barrel that barely echoed in the massive terminal, followed by the thuds of two bodies hitting the ground. Morrigan moved as quickly while maintaining her stealth to the top of the escalator and maneuvered around the guard rail to hide herself.

Her heart beat loud and forcefully in her chest as she drew sharp repeating breaths. She gave Torvil the dirtiest of looks as she watched him move ten feet along the platform to the down marines. She had not expected things to kick off so soon.

She leaned over the guard rail to see four marines as equidistant from each other as they could be, some facing her direction, some out the windows, or towards the main terminals. She laid down and shifted back to the escalator where she propped her shoulder against one of the walls of the staircase and planted another foot on the other to gain a better angle on her targets. She figured her best bet would be to take each one out in succession. Her scope homed in on the center mass of the first marine that was watching out the window, she was curious as to what it was that drew his attention but in the end it did not matter. With a steady exhale and pull of the trigger, she watched a small dark hole form in between the shoulder blades of the marine as he collapsed. She quickly shifted to the slightly smaller marine roughly 25 feet away from her first kill, adjusted her aim slightly and fired again. The presumably female marine also dropped. The third marine was an interesting kill as the bullet passed right behind the chest plate and exited right in front of the back plate, causing blood to spray all over the pillar next to the marine when she pulled the trigger. She had to choke down a laugh when the shell casing came down and bopped her on the head. The angle which she held the rifle ejected the spend cartridges almost 100% vertically so the first two either bounced and settled somewhere on her stomach or bounced off her arm and rolled down the escalator.

She had a mild panic attack when the fourth marine had curiously turned around, she assumed he had heard the kill but made no notion of being alert just yet. Unable to control the anxiety riddled shake, she thrust the rifle forward to settle on the railing of the escalator and planted her foot as a stop to keep the rifle from sliding down. It was not a comfortable position as she twisted to make a semi-stable shooting platform.

As the marine approached the pillar the dead marine was hopefully hidden behind, she took aim, compensated the distance and pulled the trigger while holding her breath.

Luck must have been on her side as the shot was overcompensated and instead of hitting where she had aimed, a burst of blood exploded from the marine’s throat and he dropped immediately. She let out a sigh of relief as she sat in a more comfortable position. “That was close… four shots, four kills, six bullets left.”

Five, where did you learn to count?

“What do you mean five?” she questioned aggressively.

You’re forgetting the first kill of the night girl.

Then it dawned on her, the guy in the tunnel entrance. “Fuck me… you’re right, thank you.”

Anything to help raise your body count sweetheart. Apollyon cackled.

Morrigan shook her head, she had no idea how long she would be able to put up with Apollyon’s sadism. As she got up and looked over the railing to find Torvil casually walking back to her. She raised an eyebrow dramatically. There was a small smirk on his face, “come, I cleared the rest of the way and found our exit.” Her eyes went wide in disbelief as he turned and walked away just as casual as his announcement was.

She rushed to catch up, “you killed eight in the time it took me to take down four?” she growled in a harsh whisper. He grinned as they walked towards the first terminal hub.

Looking around as they walked, she noticed two dead marines, and another three, then two more. “There were three more as well inside the terminal hub,” he noted smugly as she found more marines with a mix of stab wounds and bullet holes.

“Are you f-, you know what? Whatever.” As much as she found it annoying that Torvil cleared their path without her, she was mildly thankful that there was no looming threat of being discovered for the time being.

Her body began to tingle pleasantly, causing her attention to drift around her to find the source. She choked on her own breath as she realized all of the blood she had walked past was flowing towards her in a near horrific display.

Her reaction drew Torvil’s attention, his eyes wide as he watched the blood of ten bodies snake after the young mage and flood up her leg without leaving a stain on her clothes. “You’re… you’re going to have to explain that…sometime,” his voice had a trace uncertainty to it that Morrigan could not ignore.

“I wouldn’t even know where to begin…” her eyes fluttering as her voice came out smooth and sultrily, which surprised the both of them.

“Apollyon what the fuck is going on?” her inner voice responding more appropriately to her panic.

I told you, blood is power, the more you kill, the more you gain, the more you come into my power. Think of it like experience. Feels good doesn’t it?

“This? This is… fuck.” She didn't want to admit it, or even acknowledge it, but the truth of the matter was it felt amazing. It felt as if Taylor was gently touching all over her body, giving the same sensation he gave her when he would rub against her in their more heated moments together.

The last of the blood absorbed into her and she let out a satisfied sigh and shook her head. She did not like thinking of the creepy ability as wonderful as her time spent with Taylor. She looked to find Torvil’s arched eyebrows pointed right at her which embarrassed and concerned her completely. She did the only thing to distract herself and swap the magazine from her rifle with a fresh one before moving forward with their mission.

Without another word spoken, they made it through all three terminal main terminals before they came to the end of the building. Morrigan took the time to stop at every section of window to see what activity there was outside. To both her dismay and delight, there were very few ground forces on the outer perimeter, however, the majority of what was outside were armored trucks and as far as she could tell, two tanks. At the end of the long corridor that connected all of the terminals was a large window that gave view of the control tower.

There were lights on in the tower which Morrigan found odd that the power had been down for the airport yet not for the tower. The oddity of it ended when she saw a figure move up to the top window facing the terminals and lift a pair of binoculars up to their face.

“Shit!” she cried out as she slammed herself against the wall to the right of the window. Torvil instinctively threw himself against the same wall before looking to her for answers.

“What is it?”

“There's someone in the tower watching the area… I’ll take them out when we get outside,” she said through heavy breaths. Torvil peered around the outer edge of the window and shook his head.

“No, leave them be.” His response was gruff and filled with years of tactical wisdom. Morrigan on the other hand, had too little tactical wisdom to keep from becoming baffled.

“What do you mean leave them alone?” her voice shifted to a harsh growl. The idea of leaving anyone the chance of spotting them was irritating to her seeing as the whole point of the plan was to not get caught.

Torvil was quick to respond though, “we don’t know how many are up there. If you eliminated that one, there may be someone else up there to raise alarm.”

Morrigan frowned at that. It was pure logic behind that observation. Her nerves were so worked up her mind skipped over logic all together, it made her feel foolish. “Come, let’s go.” Torvil gently nudging her with his elbow and slinking back to the closest eastern terminal. She shook the disappointment from her head and quickly followed.