Clash Of Worlds (35 page)

Up in the main control room stood Sergeant Cooper, along with several numbers of intelligence staff, who were manning their computer stations. The control room was a large area, full of the most highly advanced gadgets and technology the world possessed. Some of the technology on display had not even been made available to the general public. The World Order used the advanced equipment to aid them in their missions to maintain its control over he planet.

Professor Milton and James entered the control room. Sergeant Cooper, who was leaning over the shoulder of one of the intelligence staff’s computer screens, waved them over.

“What is it?” asked the professor.

A woman, in her mid-thirties, sat at a computer turned her seat around to face the three of them. “Sir, there’s been some sort of unnatural disturbance in the southern region of South America.

“Disturbance?” asked the professor. “Let’s take a closer look shall we? Computer, magnify the image to the main screen.”

A large touch screen was stationed just behind where they stood. The screen was huge, over eighty inches in size. The computer loaded up a large holographic map of the world onto the screen, taken from satellite images up in space. A red dot flashed on and off around the southern region of South American.

“What is it?” asked Sergeant Cooper.

“Let’s have a look. Computer, magnify image two hundred per cent,” said the professor. The computer zoomed in on the South American region of the map.

“It looks like it’s coming from Argentina,” said James.

“You’re not wrong,” Professor Milton replied. The man placed his hand on the touch screen mechanism and enlarged the country of Argentina onto the map. “Interesting…”

“What do you see Milton?” asked Sergeant Cooper.

“It seems that small tremors, like those made from an earthquake are forming here.” The professor pointed to the southern part of Argentina. “But still, something is wrong. These readings are not compatible with that of an earthquake. The landscape has been altered.”

Sergeant Cooper and James shared a quick glance; clearly both of them were as confused as the other about what was taking place.

“Rio Gallegos? Such a remote place for an unnatural occurrence,” said the professor, who was now thinking aloud.

James and the Sergeant had learned long ago that it was better to remain silent and let the man ramble on, rather than interrupt him. He was more often than not right with his hypothesis on such things.

“Wait, what’s this?” The professor zoomed in on the Rio Gallegos region. He brought up the Silva Jungle onto the full screen. “Interesting, very interesting.”

“I don’t get it,” said Sergeant Cooper. “It’s just a jungle with some sort of a building in the middle.”

“Ah but you’re missing an important point here my friend,” said Professor Milton. “This pyramid structure…it wasn’t here twenty-four hours ago.”

“What? How can that be? James asked.

“If my calculations are correct, the unnatural tremors in the area are a result of this structure, and it’s sudden appearance,” the professor explained.

“Wait a minute,” said the sergeant, who sounded less than convinced. “You’re telling me this damned…pyramid just rose up from the ground out of nowhere?”

“Precisely,” said Professor Milton. “Another thing that intrigues me about this, is this.” The man magnified the image further so the group could now see clearly the top of the pyramid that was visible from above the jungle. “Look familiar?” asked the professor, who pointed to the upper part of the image. At the pyramid’s top, were strange symbol like images.

“Wait, I’ve seen these before,” said James.

“So have I,” the sergeant added.

“The dagger?” asked the professor.

“And the sword,” added James. “Do you think HE is there?”

“You mean Lucius? The man who kicked your rear end in Sydney?” said Sergeant Cooper.

“Yeah,” answered James, who sounded a little despondent with the reminder of his defeat.

“With everything that has transpired so far, and now the sudden appearance of this pyramid building, one would likely assume him to be in connected to this in some way,” said Professor Milton.

“Right then, let’s get out there!” said James. The discovery that Lucius might have some of the answers to his past had James eager to cross paths with the white haired man again.

“Are you sure you’re ready? You haven’t made a full recovery from your injuries,” said Sergeant Cooper.

“I’m fine sir. I’m ready for assignment.”

The sergeant looked him up and down. “I’m not sure…”

Professor Milton intervened. “If Lucius is involved then it would be unwise to despatch agents onto the scene unless James is in the party.”

Sergeant Cooper agreed with the old man on that point.

“I also think it would be wise to send the other one,” said Professor Milton, who referred to the currently imprisoned Chad. The sergeant agreed less with his colleague on this subject, but he too recognised that despite his flaws, Chad was an expert in combat, surpassing even James.

Through gritted teeth, Sergeant Cooper agreed to release Chad and assign him to the upcoming mission. “I’ll go and let him out myself,” said the man as he walked out of the control room, in the direction of the detention area where the holding cells were located.

“Let him out? Sir is Chad locked up?” asked James.
What has he done now?

Professor Milton sighed. “Yes…he is.”

“What happened?”

“Well…” replied the professor, recognising it was now time to tell James what had transpired whilst he had been sleeping.

Chad sat on a small wooden bed inside the holding cell. The cell was dark and damp and water dripped slowly from the roof, the sound of which had annoyed Chad for hours. The living conditions reminded him of something he might find in a third-world country. This was no accident of course. The World Order had purposefully downgraded the facilities of the entire wing the holding cells were located in, so as to make the occupants stay as uncomfortable as possible. It was widely thought by many that making prisoners feel uncomfortable would aid the organisation when it came to interrogation.

Down the corridor, a creaking sound could be heard. The main door to the prison wing opened up. Light from the outside partly lit up the darkness of the corridor, not that the darkness had been bothering Chad too much. There had been several other prisoners on the wing who couldn’t see a thing, but this was not the case for Chad.

The agent seemed unmoved by the sound of footsteps that could be heard walking along the corridor. The footsteps gradually became louder and louder. The other captives had risen to their feet and stood at the bars of their cells. Not Chad, though. He had so many other things on his mind that he didn’t even bother to stand.

A shadowy figure walked through the dimly lit corridor, passing by each cell. The figure did not glance at any of the cells as it passed them. Then, the figure came to a halt outside of Chad’s cell, the shadow cast the agents cell into darkness once more. The agent slowly turned his head to look at the figure. Through the murky light, Chad’s enhanced sight enabled him to clearly recognise the person’s identity.

Sergeant Cooper stood at the other side of the metal bars. Chad expected to get another lecture from his superior at any moment, however to his surprise, the man placed a key into the cell door and opened it. “Time to suit up agent.”

Chad stood up from the small wooden bed he had been sat on. He didn’t know quite what to make of this. “So…I’m free to go?”

“You’re not a prisoner here boy, you’re one of my soldiers and are needed on assignment.”

“You’re here with a mission sir?”

“I am. You have a problem with that?” said Sergeant Cooper.

“No,” answered Chad, taking the moment to step out of the cell before his superior had a chance to change his mind.

James gathered his gear in preparation for the upcoming mission. He was inside the equipment room within the base. Each agent had a designated section of the room, containing their own individual items and weapons. James was half way through putting on his uniform when Sophie walked into the room. The Irish girl noticed his muscularly ripped half naked body once more. “You know, I’m sure you hear me coming and take your clothes off on purpose,” she said, jokingly.

“Or maybe you just keep walking in on me to see it!” James responded, slightly taunting her.

The girl became a little flustered and attempted to hide her embarrassment. “Yeah right,” she said, walking over to her section of the room.

As an expert in dagger throwing, Sophie’s area was filled with all kinds of knives of different makes and sizes. She was already dressed in her agent’s uniform, which was dark skin-tight leather, which showed off her slender figure. The suits were fire proof and enabled enhanced flexibility to aid movement. The Irish girl began gathering her gear as well.

“You on assignment?” asked James.

“You should know, you’re leading the mission…boss,” answered Sophie.

“So you’re coming to Argentina?”

“Don’t sound that enthusiastic about it!”

“Sorry. It’s good you’re coming, seriously. I’ve just got a lot on my mind,” admitted James.

“Yeah, you’ve been through it lately. What with being shot and then falling from the top a large building,” said Sophie. James could sense her suspicion. “And look at you now, walking around with hardly a scratch on you. Just how did you manage to come out of Sydney in one piece?”

James was stumped for words. He thought for a moment and tried to brush it off. He turned around and starting gathering his gear once more. “Guess I just have strong bones.”

Sophie resumed gathering her items also. “Yeah, bones of steel more like it.”

James pretended not to hear her and continued packing.

Sergeant Cooper and Chad walked along a corridor. They were on their way to the conference room in order for Chad to be briefed on the upcoming Argentina mission. The agent could feel awkward eyes on him from other the other people in the corridor as he and the sergeant walked along. Sergeant Cooper noticed Chad looking around at people as he passed them. “Is there a problem agent?”

“Everyone is staring at me.”

“They are.” The sergeant agreed. “Your actions back in the control room made quite an impression. Finally, someone stood up to the fierce old bastard Sergeant Cooper!” The man laughed a little.

I’ve made a fool of myself.
Chad felt embarrassed by his actions and felt the need to apologise once more. “I’m sorry sir,” he said, forcing the words from his mouth.

“Ha, don’t worry about it agent. I’ve been in your shoes before. Having a superior officer barking orders at me. It takes guts to do what you did. I need people like that working for us.”

Chad was flabbergasted. He expected to have been kicked out of the World Order for his actions. Besides, attacking a superior officer, never mind the leader of the organisation, was not something that was encouraged.

“Confused?” asked Sergeant Cooper.

“Yeah…a little,” confessed Chad.

“Don’t get me wrong boy. It is true I do think you’re a loose cannon so to speak, and even dangerous at times. In fact, the thought had crossed my mind about expelling you from the organisation indefinitely.”

“So what stopped you?” asked Chad.

The sergeant smiled. “Because you’re a damn good fighter!”

Kara wondered aimlessly through the large, decorated hallways of the Alexandrian palace. She looked around as if searching for someone. A palace maid spotted the princess hovering around and approached her to offer their assistance.

“Is everything ok my lady?” asked the maid.

“Kind maid, have you seen my father?” asked Kara. The princess had not seen her father since awakening from the coma. Ever since she had questioned the king about the young boy named Valentine, the boy she had seen in her dreams, her father had kept an unusual distance from the girl.

“I know not where the king is at the moment, my lady. I did see him with Master Auron in the courtyard less than an hour ago. Shall I seek him out for you?”

“No, that will be all. I shall speak with Master Auron myself,” said Kara.

The maid bowed as the princess took her leave, with the latter heading for the courtyard.

Kara descended a large white stairway and entered the main hallway of the castle. Two guards stood at the foot of the stairway, and both greeted the princess with a bowing of the head as the girl passed. Kara nodded back, in recognition of the guards and proceeded towards the main palace door, which was the entrance to the courtyard.

As she approached the door, it unduly opened. Behind it stood Auron, who entered with four soldiers behind him. His brown skin and long hair glistened in the sunlight. Kara had always thought Auron handsome, even for an older man. The Alexandrian warrior spotted the princess and turned to the soldiers behind him.

“That will be all,” said Auron.

“Thank you Master Auron,” said the men, who proceeded onwards.

“Princess, it is good to see you up and about again,” said Auron, bowing his head slightly as he spoke.

“Thank you Master Auron,” replied Kara.

“How can I be of service to you?” the man asked. Like the king, Auron also cared a great deal for Kara. The king had entrusted Auron with the duty of being her protector ever since she was a child. He was her honour guard, never far from her side. When the king had business in other lands of Alexandrian, it was the duty of Auron to ensure that no harm came to the princess in his absence. Kara also felt fondly of Auron. As her protector, the man had become like an uncle to her. In fact, of all the kings’ servants, Auron was by far her favourite.

“Have you seen my father today?” the girl asked.

Auron seemed slightly hesitant in his response. “Yes my lady, he has set off on a journey to the west. He will be gone for a few week’s perhaps.”

“Week’s? He never spoke to me of his leaving,” said Kara. The king had always advised her of any matters that may take him from the palace before he set off. However, along with her father’s odd behaviour, he had now left on business without even saying goodbye. “Auron, my father has been acting very peculiar lately. I sent for him a number of times whilst I was bed ridden, yet he never came.”