“Call the Ocicat clan! I believe they still have a debt of death they owe that bastard. Plus they still owe me a blood oath for restoring their home. I intend to collect on it, unlike the other assassin guilds they NEVER miss!” An evil laugh escaped his throat as his com tech made the necessary connections.
It was several hours later when there was an answer to his call. A raspy voice came from the speakers. “Who are you to demand the services of the Ocicat clan? Speak; we are already aware of where you are. You will be dead within a quarter toton if your answer does not satisfy us!”
Conrad stopped pacing his eyes narrowing at the threat the voice had just issued. “One would think that your organization and clan would already know who this is!” Conrad spit with venom.
“Lord Nox,” The voice replied. “To what pleasure do we have hearing from you?” The voice said suddenly softening.
“The Ocicat clan owes a blood oath to me for the restoration of their ancestral home. I intend to collect upon that blood oath. I suggest you remember that the next time I call you! I am in need of the services of your clan professionally.” Conrad said a hint of delight in his voice.
“For the blood oath we are at your service. How may we serve you to repay the blood oath?” The voice asked.
“I need you to eliminate that bastard Nephew of mine that is claiming to be the king elect. If he ascends to the throne it will be even harder to get to him. I am the rightful king, therefore eliminate him and your clan will be more than rewarded. There are several thousand tetsons of land around yours. If I am king I am sure that quite a few hundred of those tetsons would suddenly be awarded to your clan as a thanks.” Conrad said though his words didn’t seem to carry much emotion.
“We have been betrayed before by better nobles than you. Know this; if betrayal is a part of this deal then your death will be extremely slow and painful.” The voice responded.
Conrad chuckled a moment he knew they were all bluster as long as he still held the ownership to their land. No, they wouldn’t make a move on him. Smiling an evil smile he thought they were his to command as long as he held control of their land. Besides he thought even assassins were vulnerable to weapons fire!
The leader of the Ocicat clan grimly shook his head; there was nothing but deceit behind that one’s words. Sighing they had no choice at present. His spy had worked for a almost half a quant to get close to the hated Bengal clan male. Still they hadn’t received any word of where the ownership papers were. The leader feared that the spy had been captured at one point. Then two daycons later they reported in they were still searching.
The leader had to decide who would go on this mission. They had the best assassins on the planet. Even the Jaguar clan was still behind them though as the leader had seen they were closing the gap rather quickly. Calling his best two killers he watched as they battled it out to see who would go and who would be near death.
Both combatants came in and bowed to the leader then took a stance against each other. Moving like lightning they each advanced upon each other starting with thrown weapons. Both failing that, they pulled short swords as they again advanced slashing and thrusting. It was half a toton later when the slimmer of the two caught the other on the arm ripping a gash in it.
Undaunted the heavier combatant moved to counter attack only to be rebuffed and drove to the wall. A short sword at the throat and a dagger across the midsection finally put the heavier of the two down. Falling, the heavier combatant opened their arms to await death that never came. Instead the one still standing cuffed the one on the floor with the hilt of the sword effectively knocking them unconsciousness.
Bowing to the leader the male nodded as the victor removed their head and face covering. “You are the victor; you therefore are awarded the mission.” As the cover came off it revealed a fiery headed female that was smiling.
“Thank you father. I will not fail you or the clan. If I do I shall accept the consequences of that failure.” The female told the leader.
“I realize this daughter though with the shortness of the clan, all will be accepted back, failure or not.” Sighing the leader went on to explain at the questioning look on her face. “We have lost many in the last four quants. You are the last of the leader children. If the clan loses you, then the clan will be lost. I have therefore accepted that if there is a failure, the clan member will not be killed but teach the others of their failure so that it will not happen again.”
“Father? What of the honor of the clan?” The female asked.
“The honor of the clan is a very fine thing indeed. Though I have to ask, if all are dead then what of the honor would survive?” The leader asked the wide eyed female.
Bowing the female replied, “I understand father, I do not intend to fail. I will kill the one that is the assignment and return. Soon we shall have all our land returned to us.”
The leader watched as his daughter left for her mission. You are so naïve my daughter, even if we kill this king elect I fear that we will never be free of the one that held their land.
________________________________________________________
Bill watched as Mikos and at least fifty others left the palace. In all they had found well over forty thousand devices. Bill could only shake his head the amount of time all four of those that had planted them had to be staggering!
Mikos walked up a moment later a tired, wide smile on his face. “We ran two separate sweeps with two crews. We got at least ninety nine percent of them. It will take a concentrated scan to get the rest but I think we made it a hell of a lot safer than it was.”
Bill nodded he’d expected no less from Mikos, the Chartreux clan were nothing if not thorough. “I know you have done an exceptional job.” Bill smiled as the young officer snapped off a salute.
Roth walked up a moment later as Mikos gave his report apologizing for not getting all of them. “The work you did Lieutenant Colonel has made the Palace and Central the safest places on the planet right now.”
Bill smiled as he looked on while Mikos finished giving his report. Turning toward Bill Mikos saluted, “I will return soon to extract the rest of them sir.”
“You made a supreme effort Colonel, I can’t ask for more than that.” Bill said as he watched first Roth’s then Mikos eyes grew wide in surprise.
“Sir?” Mikos asked a look of wonder in his eyes.
“I just wish I had more officers like the two of you.” Bill told both of them.
Mikos gulped as he saluted Bill again then stopped a moment. “Uh… sir?”
“Yes Colonel, is there a problem?” Bill asked Mikos wondering what was up.
“Well sir, uh… it’s about Sergeant First Class Theta.” Mikos started.
Bill turned more toward Mikos trying to figure out where this was going. “Yes? What about her?”
“Well sir, I am of rank now that I may take a second wife.” Mikos replied.
“Alright, so I take it you wish to take her as your second. Are you needing my permission,” Bill asked.