Gateway (Gateway Series Book 1) (33 page)

When he impacted the floor again, Martin instantly pulled herself up toward the captain’s chest and landed a powerful elbow to his sternum. He let out a moan and quickly tried to push his way up by his elbows. As his head lifted from the floor, Martin pivoted and hopped onto her knees, instantly crashing her fist into the captain’s head just above the bridge of his nose. The force from her punch caused the captain’s head to crash into the floor and bounce slightly.

Although dazed, the captain rolled to his left side to escape Martin’s attack. Martin saw her opening and in one continuous motion landed a blow to his kidneys and fell onto his side, placing him in an arm lock. Although the captain was massive compared to Martin, she had the advantage of leverage and slowly drove the man onto his stomach. Once there, she slacked off her hold slightly to allow him to think he had worked free.

Believing he had overpowered Martin, the captain pressed himself off the ground with both arms but as he did Martin quickly wrapped her legs around his waist, slid her right arm under his chin, and locked in the choke hold with her left. With a groan, Martin clasped down on the captain’s neck with all of her strength. After a few seconds she felt him waiver and collapse unto the floor. Feeling his body limp underneath her, she envisioned Stone in her grasp. Rage built of unrequited anger and betrayal shot through her body and she strained to squeeze harder.

“ProConsul!” shouted General Vispa, losing all sense of protocol as he watched Martin choke the life out of his son.

“Very well,” replied Astra nonchalantly. “Martin, release him.”

Martin had blocked out everything except the tension in her arms and her rage against Stone and Mori.

“Major Martin!” shouted Astra.

Astra’s shout finally brought Martin back to reality. Slowly releasing her grip, Martin rose to her feet and stood over the unconscious Captain Vispa. Expecting retribution from Astra or General Vispa, Martin placed herself at attention and turned to face the ProConsul as she fought to hide the searing pain in her shoulder.

To her surprise, Martin saw a look of satisfaction on the ProConsul’s face.

“Do you see, Gentlemen?” said Astra in a contented voice toward the group of elites. “Perfection,” she stated as she pointed back toward Martin. “Utter perfection…the anger, the hatred, and that beautiful pain…and combine that with her ability to kill. That’s why I have chosen this commoner, General. She is natural killer and because, unlike all of you, she has nothing to lose, she naturally focuses that wonderful rage into such splendid violence.”

Martin felt like a pet on display for Astra and her senior officers but the ProConsul was right. She was angry and hurt and she hated Stone and that Terillian bitch for what they had done. And not a day went by since she had finally accepted Stone’s betrayal that she did not want to make them pay.

“I think you see things my way now, General,” stated Astra.

“Yes, ProConsul,” replied the general flatly, obviously concerned for his son, who was slowly regaining consciousness.

“Excellent,” declared Astra. “Now I need some time with my thoroughbreds.”

Turning back to Martin and Arilius, she continued. “General, you and your staff may leave now…and please collect your son on the way out.”

Martin stood like an oak at attention as the officers cleared the room and General Vispa and a colonel helped Captain Vispa to his feet and out of the ProConsul’s chambers. She continued to watch the group exit through her peripheral vision. As the last officer left, Martin saw Astra stroll over to her chair and sit. As the ProConsul settled in, Martin performed a crisp right-face movement to face her.

“I knew I could count on you to prove my point,” said Astra, breaking the silence.

Martin looked up toward Astra. “Yes, ProConsul,” she replied. “It is my duty to serve my people and the Senate in whatever capacity they require.”

“And what of your ProConsul?” inquired Astra.

Martin looked directly into Astra’s eyes. “Of course, ProConsul, as the leader of the Senate and our people—”

“That’s enough, Martin,” interrupted Astra. “I am bored of the games. I don’t particularly like you, and I know you do not like me.”

Martin’s mouth opened slightly in surprise to Astra’s candid remark.

“But it doesn’t really matter,” continued Astra. “I don’t care what you think of me and the fact that I think you’re nothing more than a trained animal doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the skills.”

Martin’s mouth now tightened with obvious anger as she was reminded again why she hated ProConsul Astra Varus and every First Family asshole like her.

“And it’s that skill that’s brought both of you here. I need your, shall we say, talents,” added Astra.

Martin looked toward Arilius who had stood silent while the dog-and-pony show had played out in front of him. Martin could see he was a defeated man; despite his family name, proper behavior, and unquestionable military record, he was in the same boat as her—a mouthy, bitter commoner. Martin had always respected Arilius despite his family’s status, but now she sympathized with him as well. Knowing he would never speak out, Martin looked back toward Astra and spoke.

“ProConsul,” she said as respectfully as she could, “I am honored at the opportunity to—”

“Stop,” interjected Astra as she leaned forward in her seat. “There’s no one else here that matters. So drop the act. I—”

“Fine,” replied Martin, interrupting the most powerful person in her society. “Why are we here and what do want from us?”

“Such a rabid, unruly viper,” smiled Astra, “and just right for the job. I am giving you and the dear Major Tacitus exactly what you both want—the chance for revenge.”

“Ma’am?” asked Arilius, finally breaking his silence.

“I want you to hunt down, capture, and drag the Traitor and his whore back to this very room where I can personally eviscerate them.” Astra paused slightly, then continued, “or just kill them and bring their bodies back for me to display; either will do.”

Martin looked at Arilius again. A determined and slightly satisfied look came to his face.

“To support your mission,” continued Astra, “you will officially be envoys of the ProConsul and operate outside the authority of Humani military command, the Senate, or even the Patrician Council. You will only answer to me.”

“Only to you?” asked Martin. “And our authority?”

“My dear Major,” replied Astra, “you will carry the full authority of my office with you. And no need to get too acquainted with your new rank. Your ranks will be dissolved and the ancient title of Paladin will be given to you. In pursuit of the Traitor and the whore, you will have unlimited authority and resources.”

“Unlimited?” inquired Arilius abruptly.

“You will answer only to me,” replied Astra in what Martin thought was a surprisingly reassuring voice.

Despite Martin’s hatred for Astra, she couldn’t help but smile at the opportunity and the freedom it offered to accomplish her quest for vengeance.

“Well, this has been so very exciting, but I must tend to my son,” continued Astra as she stood from her seat and turned slightly toward her personal exit. 

After a few steps, she stopped and turned back toward the two.

“You must be on your way, my wolf-hounds. It’s time to get hunting,” said the ProConsul with a smile before she turned and exited the room.

Ab
out the Author

Brian Dorsey is a retired Naval Officer and is currently a Nuclear Test Engineer for a Naval Shipyard. When not spending time with his family, Brian enjoys reading and researching US and Native American history, watching good TV shows or films (anything by Joss Whedon), hunting, teaching the occasional history class, or working on his next writing project.

Current books available in the Gateway Universe (with more to come!):

Gateway (Gateway Series Book 1)

Cold Planet (A Gateway Universe Story)

Saint (Gateway Series Book 2)

Uprising (Gateway Series Book 3)