Meanwhile
2049 CDT
July 1, 2075
Outskirts of El Coliseo, Scorpia, Formerly Mexico City
Veronica Shinka's Point of View
“We have arrived at your destination,” Helios says with a soft smirk as he parks his bright chariot. “Perchance your concluding one.”
“Remind me again why you haven’t been killed yet?” I ask. “You travel around the world in a rather illuminating, hovering, golden chariot.”
Helios, my old friend. You’re wearing your usual orange cloak and brown cowboy hat.
“Quite simple, really,” he says as he tips his hat. “Nobody wants to shoot the messenger.”
Right. Because of them. Such vile creatures are attached to his chariot.
“I’m taking my leave,” I say. “It’ll be best if I do this now while I still can. Your services are appreciated Helios. Thank you… old friend.”
“Veronica Shinka,” he says with a chuckle. “I am neither your friend nor your enemy. I am simply the messenger,” he bids adieu with the tip of his hat.
Using the secret underground bridges to escape Olympia was the easy part. Unfortunately, this will be the hard part. Sigh. Black Scorpions are so unpredictable.
“Hey! Who the fuck?!” A guard yells out as he aggressively approaches me.
*
5 Minutes Later
El Coliseo, Outside the King of Scorpius’s Throne Room
*
“I still can’t believe you’re real,” the moronic guard says as we reach the door.
“Sigh. I have no time for childish games,” I say to the guard. “When can I see him?”
“You don’t get to see him, she-devil! He sees you!” He says in a belligerent tone.
“Quiet, Johnny Donuts. This is why everyone makes fun of you because you always embarrass yourself,” the female guard kindly says.
“Whatever, Boonsri. People only like you because you’re a doctor,” Johnny says.
“Well, nobody even likes you, and the only reason you’re still alive and kicking is because you know how to fix those ugly ass motorcycles!” Boonsri fires back.
Prove your worth or end up in the dirt. Another Black Scorpion motto.
“Sigh. I can do without the lover’s quarrel,” I say to the guards. “If you want my advice, you two should get a room. I suggest one without weapons. What’s going on in there anyway? They appear to be listening to some rap song about the irresponsible misuse of previously prohibited narcotics.”
“He’s probably getting high as shit,” the lovers explain in unison.
“Cough, cough! Wait, wait. Turn it down,” the muffled voice says from beyond the large door as the volume of the music lowers. “Fuck. W-who’s at my door? … Veronica Shinka?! What?! Charlotte, get my rocket launcher! Ok, ok. Fuck. L-let the bitch in!” My target says as the door slowly opens.
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Sigh. Let’s get this over with.
“Well, well, well,” he says in a gruff voice as he leans forward on his throne. “If it isn’t Veronica Shinka.”
I almost forgot that this place resembles the famous Flavian Amphitheatre. On the opposite end of the room is my target’s throne room, several columns scattered about, a dreadful-looking carpet with a picture of a large spitting thick tail Black Scorpion is in the middle of the room, and there are countless under the influence and yet armed guards located throughout. A soft breeze is coming in due to the numerous amount of windowless arches this smelly room contains.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Andres Alarico Caesar, or should I say… The King of Scorpius.”
Andres, Hispanic, grey hair, mid-sixties, a hirsute beard, black eyepatch, blue jean shorts, shirtless, multiple tattoos, and is surrounded by several women. Numerous amounts of random drugs and empty bottles of alcohol represent this kingdom perfectly.
Despite their behavior, they’re smart enough to capture Scorpios, place armor on them, and control them like puppets with handheld machinery, to protect themselves from zombies and humans alike. They might be the least intelligent of all kingdoms, but they’re unfathomably erratic and own several gun factories, which makes them a high threat and not to be underestimated.
“Now,” he says with a violent cough. “It might be because I’m fucking high as shit right now, but I can’t believe what the fuck I’m seeing. You’re a sight for sore eyes, she-devil,” he says with a glare.
“Funny, given the fact that you only have one eye now,” I say.
“Why the fuck are you even here? Motherfuckers always try to sneak in and steal my guns, booze, drugs, and/or women,” he says as he throws his hands up in the air. “So which fucking one is it?”
“Your rocket launcher, monsieur,” a young woman with a French accent and cigarette in her mouth says as she hands Andres a rocket launcher.
“Thank you, angel. So,” Andres says as he stands up and takes aim. “I bet you’re here for my drugs, right? It’s understandable because we still have all the good shit.”
“I do not care for your vast assortment of narcotics; however, you should know that there are a plethora of faster ways to end yourself. Nevertheless, I did not come here to criticize nor save you. I came here to make a deal with you, Andres.”
“I thought you were a doctor, not a comedian!” He says with a snort. “We already have a clown, so fuck off, doc!”
“You’re wasting time, Andres. Just kill her,” a young man with a Spanish accent interrupts.
“Quiet, Jose! I’m having fun!” Andres blurts out in anger.
Charlotte and Jose must be Andres’s apprentices. How interesting.
“Holy mother of fuck! Get that fucking thing out of here!” Andres yells out in horror as my cat meows.
There, there, Akemi. I’ll be there for you, no matter what happens.
“Aw. What’s wrong, Andres? Scared of a little pussy?”
“I’m allergic to cats, beyotch. Now then, give me one good reason why I shouldn’t blow you and that spawn of Satan up to fucking smithereens,” he says as he grips harder on the rocket launcher handle.
Do or die time…
“Kill me, and you, along with the entirety of Scorpius, won’t live long enough to see the sunrise!”
“You’re full of shit,” he denies in malice.
“Andres, honey. We both know that I don’t bluff, and we both know how easy it is for a kingdom to fall. You should know better by now. My influence reaches the heavens above and the hell on earth. My name is feared throughout The New World and The Eight Kingdoms. I have allies in places you least expect, in addition, complete control of arsenals far more calamitous than a nuclear weapon. Sigh. Even a numbskull like you is capable of comprehending what I’m trying to say. I am preparing for a war that I’ve already won. I’m showing you my cards, simply because I have no reason to bluff in a game that I have absolute control over. My crusade has already succeeded, regardless of what happens to me, but I would like to live long enough to see it until the very end.”
“You’re all talk, but where’s your fucking bite, bitch?” Andres asks as he prepares to fire.
Sigh.
“It might be because you’re high as shit, but you’ve failed to notice the red dots on the head of you and your soldiers,” I say.
“How the?!” He and his guards scream out in surprise.
“Technology is such a wonderful thing, don’t you think?”
“You fucking…” He quickly spews in anger.
“In case you need further incentive!” I say.
With an effortless raise of my arm to give the signal for a warning shot.
Remarkable! She shot Charlotte’s cigarette out of her finger with such precision. She truly is the best.
“I don’t want to fight, Andres, but if we were to fight, I would win again, of course. I don’t even need you and the Black Scorpions alive, but we have a common viewpoint when it comes to one of your mottos. “People are much more valuable alive than dead. So… what do you say?”
“Living in this world is already a life of hell, so do you really think I give a shit about your death threats?” He asks.
“I know you don’t because you are the most stubborn man I’ve ever met in my life.”
“Aw. Love you too, baby girl.”
“But… think about the legacy of the Black Scorpions.”
Appealing to one’s interest. An elementary tactic of manipulation.
“Andres, I can be your best friend or your greatest enemy. I honestly hope that we can disregard the past because I have something that’ll interest you… for your inconvenience…”