General Hernando Louise
Working away at a nearly endless stack of paperwork, I grimace as I go to take a drink from my coffee but find it unfortunately empty. Letting out a tired breath, I set the mug down and finish reading over the recommendation for promotions posted for a handful of privates to become corporals. Finding no outstanding reasons to refuse the request, I place my signature on the document and place it in the done pile. A pile that is unfortunately much smaller than the pending pile.
Need more coffee… and a smoke.
Grabbing my mug and lifting myself up from my desk, I head over to the counter and get a fresh pot brewing. It’s nothing more than standard ration coffee mix. Little better that caffeinated water and might as well be mud. Still, I would kill for something with more flavor to it.
While a fresh pot gets brewed, I head over to the window and open it, lighting a cigarette. My secretary complains about the smell if I smoke in here too much without blowing it out the window…
I keep reading in the reports from Lain’s missions that she keeps somehow managing to find and bring back coffee. Girl must have a nose for finding the stuff. I’ll have to see if she is willing to sell me some…
Smoking for a while as cold air flows into my office from outside, I wait and listen as the pot is slowly filled with boiling hot coffee. Once it finally finishes, I put my cigarette out in an ashtray and then head over to refill my mug. Looking at the old mug with its dried circles of coffee stains, I find myself wondering when the last time was that I gave this mug a proper wash. Oh well, hot coffee is as good a disinfectant as any.
As I am carrying my mug back to my desk to get back to work, I hear a bit of a commotion on the other side of the door. My secretary is talking to someone, and it doesn’t take long until she is opening my door and peeking inside. I just seat myself behind my desk and mentally prepare myself to receive more work.
“Sir, Miss’s Lain and Sky are here to see you. I told them that you were busy, but they insist on seeing you. They say that its important. Something about a deal.”
“I wish that they would have come yesterday… Haaa… Very well, let them in. This is indeed something important.”
My secretary gives a short bow and moves to open the door. “Yes Sir. Miss Lain, Miss Sky, General Louise will see you now.”
Giving a little nod and a thank you to my secretary, Lain enters the room while holding hands with Sky. For some reason the two of them look incredibly embarrassed about something, but Lain is quick to seemingly push it down with a flourish and strikes a pose for some ungodly reason before declaring, “General Louise, I have come to negotiate!”
I just stare at her for a long moment as she stands there in some weird pose, steadily getting more embarrassed as the silence draws on. I eventually break the quiet and ask. “Was that supposed to be a reference or something…?”
“… Yes.”
“I am a very busy man, Miss Lain. If you were one of my solders and did that, I would have had you running laps around the base. Although, I am pleased to see that you are doing better since the last time that we have met, lets us please cut to the chase and get to business. Please take a seat.” I tell her, and she has the decency to look apologetic as she moves for the chairs, giving a little sorry. I give a nod to Sky and address her. “Miss Sky, a pleasure as always.”
She gives a little curtsy and takes the chair next to Lain. “A pleasure indeed. Good day General, I hope that your work is treating you well.”
I smile at her politeness. “Could be better, but it would hardly be right for me to complain. Although I find myself wishing that I had better coffee to get myself through my work. I would offer you what I have available, but then I may as well offer you warmed up mud from outside in a cup…” I tell her, throwing a glance to Lain.
She sees me looking and gives a smile, feeling prompted to follow up. “Ahhh… Uhm, speaking of coffee… I recently found a big box of those coffee pod things. But I don’t have a coffee machine that uses them, so I was going to cut them open and…” She stops as she sees me giving her a smile. Her eyes dart over to my coffee machine and then back to me, an awkward smile on her face.
“Awh, you know what? Considering that I can’t really use them… Would be nice if I had someone that I could give them to…”
I just keep my smile on my face. “Well, if it’s no trouble, I could take them off your hands. Not for free of course.”
Her smile cramps a little, “Ah, yes…I uh, I think that would work fine… I’ll send the box over with our guard later…”
“Sounds great, thank you Miss Lain.” I tell her, my smile growing a bit more natural. Excellent, finally some actually good coffee. Just had to rob an Imp for it.
I clear my throat as Sky tries to silently cheer-up a pouting Lain. I just ignore this as it was her own fault for coming into my office and trying to act funny. “Hmmnh. Now to business. Am I correct in assuming that this pertaining to the deal that we previously discussed?”
Lain immediately sharpens up, her playful and embarrassed demeanor from earlier being shed like an old coat as she becomes serious. Sky next to her carries a concerned look for Lain, but sits quietly in support.
“Yes, we are. I apologies that I have taken so long to finally get around to having this meeting. I simply wasn’t mentally prepared for the responsibilities that would be required of me if I were to go through with this deal.”
“Am I correct in assuming that you are aware of the contents of said deal? What it is that would be expected of you?” I ask.
“Yes. In exchange for granting refuge and protection to Sky’s people, you want me to make you more Demons like Nathaniel. You want super soldiers.”
I nod, “And am I correct in assuming that you are prepared to go through with this? I know that you have been practicing with rats… Playing around with the researchers to make little people.”
Her eyes narrow slightly at that, having obviously stricken a nerve. “I wouldn’t call it ‘playing around.’ Bringing new sapient life into existence is hardly something that I do for fun…”
“Ah, yes. My apologies. A certain level of seriousness would most definitely be required when bringing over twenty new live and a whole new race of people into existence.” I say pointedly.
She simply watches me for a second before continuing. “I am ready to do what I must. I’ve come to terms with what I am, and have set rules that I shall follow for the rest of my life. So long as you honor the deal and protect Sky’s people, you will have my Demons.”
I lock my hands together before me and lean forward, “Rules? I would be interested in hearing about these. If you would like to share…”
“It pertains to the deal, so I would. My first rule is that if I am to change a person, it must be entirely voluntary on their part. They must be informed of all the risks and still be willing to go through with it. I won’t turn someone that you ordered into ‘volunteering.’”
I simply nod, “A good rule. The army is – even now at the end – a volunteer only service. Unsurprisingly, drafted soldiers typically tend to be unhappy and are flight risks. The best soldiers are those that are willing to fight and die for their country by their own will.”
She continues after a little nod, her eyes not leaving me. “My second rule is that I will guarantee the free will of any person that I make or turn. I will not be creating slaves.”
“Another excellent rule. And I assure you that it is not our desire to enslave your Demons. To do such a thing would be foolish now, considering everything going on. I would simply ask that you order them to do the same as you have with Private Smith. Simply ensuring that their loyalty continues to be with the US military until their contract with us expires.”
“Mmh, I can do that. But once their contracts expire, it will be entirely their own choice if they continue to serve. I will not be ordering them to do anything after that. Their lives are theirs to live.”
“I can accept that. Did you have any more rules?” I ask.
She lowers her eyes, looking to her own hands. “Yes, but it’s just for me. My third rule is that I will love my creations. Those I change or make. I can’t look at them as if they are something to be ashamed of…”
I remain silent at this, waiting for her to continue. When she doesn’t, I pick up the conversation. “Very well. I don’t see your rules getting in the way of things, so let’s move on to negotiations. We are willing to set aside the newest expansion to the west, just on the other side of the Ohio River as the living area for Miss Sky’s people. However, Miss Sky will be responsible for keeping them under control.” I turn to and address the princess in question. “No offence, Ma’am, but your people do have a reputation as thieves.”
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Sky, much to my surprise, seems to glow with pride at this. Lain simply smiles as she watches her.
Sky places a hand to her chest, “That we are! However, I do understand that humans rather dislike being stolen from, so I shall endeavor to ensure that my people are on their best behavior while we are under your care. We take hospitality and honor very seriously.”
“Hmhmhmhm…” I give her a laugh, “Ah, that is appreciated Miss Sky. I hope that we can rely on you to help keep relations peaceful between our peoples. As for Miss Lain, if we could start with ten Demons for now, as a proof of concept, that would be good enough for now.”
“I can do ten. Simply gather any soldiers that are interested. I’ll look them over and let you know if I can turn them or not.” She tells me seriously. I simply give her a nod.
Hmm, I had read in the report that she is able to determine who is capable of mutation. I just have to hope that we have ten such individuals willing to volunteer…
“I’ll begin sending out notices to gather those that are interested. I will let you know when we have everyone gathered, and then you can look them over.”
“That works fine for me. Just know that I will be telling all those who show up, what the risks are from doing this.”
I shrug, “I’ll have a podium and mic ready for you. I would rather like for us to go into this entirely transparent and with trust.”
She watches me for a short while and eventually reaches across my desk, her hand held out and waiting. I grab her hand and shake it.
“I will have a contract drafted and sent to your apartment by this afternoon. Please read it over closely before signing. Now, with that handled, I had one last thing that I had hoped to negotiate.”
She raises an eyebrow at that. “And what would that be?”
“It is in regard to yourself, Miss Lain. But more importantly to your immortality. As of right now, your primary reason for staying with us is your family and the protection we provide them here on base. And unless you were to turn them and grant them longer lives, it is safe to say that come a few decades, you may very well lose your reason for remaining with us…”
She glares a little. “I prefer not to think about that… What are you getting at?”
“This is about the protection of mankind’s future. I would like some insurance that come thirty, forty, fifty years, a century, you won’t simply walk away and leave us to our fate. I would like to help ensure that even after those of us of the current generations are gone, that you will still be here to help us protect what is ours.”
“I see… How many centuries do you want? Though know this, I won’t sell myself for cheap and nor will I be a slave. My pride won’t allow it.”
“Three hundred years. Support us for three centuries by fighting for us and making Demons. Help humanity in reclaiming this land from the monsters so that we may finally rebuild and prosper.”
Her eyes narrow, back straightening, and her demeanor noticeably shifting. In a moment the girl before me changes and a pressure fills the room, the lights flickering and the shadows darkening. I am compelled to look her in the eyes as she watches me. In my peripheral vision, I can see as the shadows dance and move. Soon enough the three of us have left our world. We are in a place of darkness now, and there is no escape.
She speaks, her voice laden with the weight of a ruler. “Three hundred years is quite the ask. For a mortal to ask such a thing of a Devil... Know this, the price will have to be paid by more than just yourself. Those who follow in your place shall be held responsible to uphold the deal, their lives forfeit, and your soul claimed if the deal is not upheld.” She says, a finger pointed towards my heart.
My body is involuntarily shaking in my chair, even as I fight to keep it under control. “Ah… you’re not really a normal girl anymore, are you?” I ask the being before me.
She shakes her head sadly, “Regretfully not. But that is how life is, and now we are here.”
Lowering her arm and resting comfortably in her chair, she crosses her legs and then continues. “Three hundred years. In exchange, I will have several things. First and foremost, Sky and I shall be given a home fit for royalty. A mansion for us to live comfortably in with my family. For the sake of making things easier for everyone. The mansion shall be on the same land set aside for Sky’s people. This will make it easier for her to rule over them.”
Raising two fingers, she continues, her eyes never leaving mine. “Second, word is to be spread amongst the people about our presence. I will not be working from the shadows for three hundred years, nor will I have my Demons hiding away from the public eye, being forced to live away from everyone else. If I am to dedicate three centuries to humanity, then I shall do so while living amongst them.
She raises another. “Third. Trade is to be permitted between the humans and the Kobolds. The army will be held responsible for ensuring that the humans act peacefully around the Kobolds. The Kobold’s behavior shall be held in check by Sky.”
And another. “Fourth. Once an appropriate area of land has been retaken. It is to be given to the Kobold’s so that they may build an Empire. Humanity, at least what is under your people’s control at the time, shall ally with and assist the Kobolds in this endeavor. The previous points apply even after the Kobolds have moved to their new home, and those Kobolds who choose to remain shall be treated as citizens. I will not suffer seeing Sky’s people threated as lesser beings by the humans.”
Until finally her hand is held open. “Fifth. I am to be given a position of authority. With the right to vote and veto in your little government here. And further into whatever your government shall grow into. This position shall last until the agreement expires.”
She lowers her hand, a Devil’s smile on her face. “Finally, the gold stored in Fort Knox’s vaults. A third of it shall belong to Sky and I. To be taken when we so please.”
She remains silent as she watches me. The world of darkness growing around us, shadowed tendrils crawling up and swallowing the sparse furniture in my office. With shaking hands, I reach for my coffee and reel back as my fingers find the mug to be frozen. I let out a shaking breath and can see as it forms a cloud of white steam before me.
I finally find my words and speak, years of dedication to my work and service being the only thing keeping me from crumbling under her presence. “You would demand five million ounces of gold… Would… Would it be alright if I am given time to consider this…?”
Her answer is immediate. “No. My time is valuable. You asked a Devil for three hundred years. You can either accept the listed terms or I am walking away.”
“This… This is hardly something that I can decide on my own. We have proce-“ I stop as she watches me. The shadows have grown to cover the entirety of the office now. There is only the three of us here in the darkness now. There isn’t even light, and yet we can see. We three are sitting, no, floating in the void now, and the being before me controls this place in its entirety.
She speaks. “Decide, now or never. It will be your responsibility to sway the others. I will not entertain this deal a second time, nor will I be convinced to negotiate the terms. Know that to make a deal such as this is not a simple thing. If you fail, I will have your soul. You will be mine, and I will be compelled to take what is mine, even against my own will.”
“It isn’t wise to threaten the army…” I try. My breath coming out cold and my body shaking. A bead of sweat crawls down my back alongside a chill. She doesn’t bat an eye.
I’m not talking with the same little girl as before. I need to remember that this is something else. This version of her won’t hesitate to kill us all if she has to. Regardless of how she normally is.”
She keeps watching, eyes unblinking, the golden glow of her eyes quickly becoming the center of this new world of void as everything grows colder and darker.
“I… I accept. I’ll make sure that your terms are met.”
“And held.” She reminds. “Three hundred years, General Hernando Louise. This deal shall bind you even beyond the death of your mortal frame. Do not forget that.”
I slowly nod. “And held…”
“Then the deal is made, the contract signed. I shall dedicate myself to protecting humanity for three hundred years, or until your predecessors fail to uphold the deal. Know that I shall make no moves to infringe upon our contract, but I will also do nothing to ensure that it is upheld on your end. Pray that those who follow you will be wise and heed your words.” She declares.
Immediately, I feel a force penetrate my very being, sending me reeling back into my nonexistent chair. I simply float in the void, though I am too shocked to properly realize this. For the first time in my life, in an experience that I have never felt - not even when I was baptized in church at a young age - I could now feel my own soul. Not as an idea or a religious concept, but as a physical weight in my chest, my very being held within me.
A single chain now binds my soul. Cold iron wrapped tight around my very self, with the line leading straight to the being sitting before me. A pitch-black mark of a circle lined with text forms on the back of her left hand. She inspects it before looking back to me.
“We are now bound, you and I. See to it that our agreement is kept, and I shall do the same.”
With her last words, the world snaps back into being. Light and color and warmth and gravity. I find myself falling to the floor, my chair forgotten off to the side. With the single flick of a wrist from the being, a mass of shadows forms below me and catches me, pushing me upright and back onto my feet.
I put my hands on my table and shakenly lean forward. “Thank yo-“ I try. But I stop as I see the back of my left hand. A void-black circle now marks its back as well.
“Proof of our contract. If you focus on that mark, you will be reminded of our deal and whether or not it is being met. I am a lenient person. I will give you plenty of time to see it fulfilled. But do not try my patience, lest I be forced to come demanding payment.” She says, standing.
“One last thing before we go. To the east, some of Sky’s people have gathered. I will be requiring some soldiers and vehicles so that we may go retrieve them. Time is of the essence. We will be waiting at the motor pool for the soldiers to gather.”
Saying that she heads for the door, taking the hand of Sky, who is clearly looking at her with loving eyes full of desire and excitement, a massive blush filling her face.
I pull myself together quickly enough as they head for the door. “This seems rather sudden. I should have guessed that this is why you finally decided to come and meet me…”
“Yes, my apologies for that. But you shall have my Demons, General. I promise you that. A Devil never goes back on a deal.”
She turns to her lover, “Come Sky. I promised you that I would save your people. It is time that I honor that promise. Let us show your people their new Empress.”
Sky gives the Devil a kiss, holding her hands tightly before pulling back a little. “Yes! Let’s go. Thank you, Lain.”
They leave, my office quickly become silent and empty. My chair continues to remain discarded beside my desk as I stand there. Picking up my mug, I take a sip of coffee. It is ice cold, the already abysmal flavor ruined further.
My eyes fall back onto my hand and the circle that now adorns it.
Wasn’t a dream… I just made a deal with the Devil…
…
“I guess only time will tell if this was worth doing. But if it means saving humanity, then my own soul is but a small price to be paid…”
I grab my phone and put out the order. “Get me Staff Sergeant Haren. I have a priority mission for him. Also, schedule an emergency meeting the council. We have things that need to be decided immediately.”
Hanging up the phone and tiredly righting my chair, I collapse into it. “God, do I hope that I don’t end up regretting this…”