corruption

Corruption

“So, you're telling me they managed to get a hold of an invitation? How can you trust the information?”

“The information is solid, same guy that tipped us off to the last gig, gave me the scoop. “

While the others looked on, Keyon was silent, fiddling with his empty glass, thinking of the new development. The Ox organization, one of the five zodiac organizations, was also after the blank passports. Blank Id cards that allowed passage for the group to enter Busaya. The newly formed mega city in the western province. Keyon waited to see Roland’s next move, knowing they couldn’t let this opportunity escape them.

“Let's get going we’re going to be late for the festivities.”

Roland rose from the table, pushing his chair in and leaving a generous tip on the table for the waiting staff and chefs.
Shima, Keyon and Seth followed behind their leader, walking through a haze of smoke as Roland lit his cigar. Once outside the bar, down an alley that ran alongside Brother Shuckers Roland explained in detail the new course of action.

“We’re going to let the Ox Organization pull off the heist. Seth and I will scout out the Transportation division’s office for the organization and covertly assist them anyway we can and make sure they succeed. Keyon, Shima you both will remain on stand-by until the heist is complete, and the group makes their escape. That is when you tail them back to the group’s safehouse and take the passports by force, leave no witnesses.

he coordinated with the four-man cell, looking over his shoulder back out to the main road. Waving the group to follow, he started walking, Heading north toward the colony’s center and location of the Transportation offices.

The closer they moved to the colony center the more the citizen’s demeanor changed, buildings and surrounding area appeared better kept. Silently the group broke up into their two-man squads. Roland and Seth continued north on the main road with Keyon and Shima breaking off down an alleyway. Once out of sight the two scaled the side of the buildings lining the alley. Reaching the top and sprinting their way north. Jumping roof to roof with grace and speed, not making the slightest sound in the process. on the ground below Roland pulled back the sleeve of his hunter green duster revealing a hi-tech watch

.
“ Keyon, Shima come in, do you read me?”

He spoke into his communicator; Seth nodded toward Roland when he looked to him for confirmation.

“I can hear you perfect, And the scrambler?”

Shima came to a halt on a ledge that overlooked the colony center, taking in the sights. The lanterns that lined the streets created a warming glow that engulfed the colony in amber light. Most of the shops had closed for the night, leaving the few restaurants and bars lining the colony’s main street, the only establishments open. The soft breeze that swept between the buildings was a relief from the air that was saturated with humidity and carried the scent of the sea. Looking off into the distance at a fire escape with makeshift restorations, she witnessed a couple sharing a candlelit dinner and smiled.

“Looks like everything is all green.”

Keyon stepped on the ledge next to Shima, His right hand resting on the hilts of his swords, the other to his ear.

” Be sure to report back when you are in position.”

He lowered his hand turning to face Shima, she Mirrored him, her smile still present. He was cold and detached, simply motioning his head in the direction of the transportation office. Silently the two sprinted across the rooftops Northwest toward the area of operation. Their squad mates on the streets below casually making their way into the Colony center. Walking past many of the New Aurorean guards that were patrolling the streets, shock rifles at the ready, their presence heavy. The growing tension between the organizations had New Aurora on edge.

“With this kind of presence, we might want to create a diversion to draw some of the patrols from the area of operation.”

Seth and Roland strolled down the main street, the two formulating a course of action. It didn’t take the two commandos long before they had a plan and put it into motion. Back on the rooftops the other two-man cell converged on the transportation office. Stopping on top of the building adjacent to their target, Keyon muted his headset.

“While we wait, why don’t you try and see if you can sense them?”

Shima nodded her head and closed her eyes, clasping her hands together, she interlocked her fingers. Easing her breathing, she focused on the essence vibrations surrounding her and Keyon. Using the natural flow of essence and tuning it with her own, Shima can sense the presence of someone whose aura she is familiar with within a Thirty-mile radius.

“I’m not picking up anything so far, you really think they could have picked up our trail that fast?”

“Anything is possible with those two, it’s better to stay one step ahead of them.”

An explosion erupted in the distance a few blocks away from the transportation office. Caught off guard, the two looked on in the direction of the blast.

“That lunatic, what is he thinking.”

she was shocked by the sudden development, breaking her concentration on her technique, she looked down onto the street below. Watching the soldiers scramble toward the direction of the blast, pushing through the citizens fleeing.

“Hope you two are enjoying the fireworks, we should be on site within the minute.”

Roland joked, Keyon silently walked along the end of the building gazing at the streets below. Listening to the havoc engulfing the colony center thanks to his Leader.

“Looks like they have arrived as well.”

Unphased by the recent development, he watched as the group of organization members advance on the transportation office.

“Better hurry, you two our guys are on site and making their move as we speak.”

Informing Seth and Roland, unmuting his headset. Shima resumed using her sensory abilities to sense the two possible pursuers, visibly upset. The two Keyon had her searching for were aware of her abilities, making the task that much harder.

“I got something, the good news is that it isn’t Locke and ki. The bad news is that it is Salamance”

“Salamance!? So, the lap dog thinks capturing me will gain him favor among the village elders. If that is the case Locke and Ki can’t be too far behind. Who does he have with him?”
he glanced over his shoulder at her, his burgundy eyes illuminated in the flames of the explosion

“Just Salis and gamma, but how he knows we are here is beyond me.”

“He doesn’t, he is just fishing for a lead, a slight chance to hear a whisper about our whereabouts.”

Shima released her technique, closing the distance between her and Keyon. Now standing next to him as they overlooked the area surrounding the transportation office. Civilians and soldiers alike scrambled about, Clouded in a fog of confusion unsure what was really going on.

“Shit.”

Snatching Shima by the collar of her jacket, Keyon pulled her along with himself into the shadows of a nearby smokestack. Evading detection from the patrol ship that flew overhead in the direction of the blast.

“The rooftops might not be the best place to wait out now, it is probably best that we get back down to street level.”

She didn’t say a word, taking in a deep breath of relief that his quick reflexes saved them from something she should have seen coming.

“Sorry about that, I got tunnel vision looking for Locke and ki.”

“Thats alright Shima, just keep your head in the game.”

letting go of Shima’s jacket Keyon walked out from behind the smokestack and made his way toward the edge of the rooftop. Jumping down to the alley below with Shima close behind. On ground level the two used the shadows of the alley as cover as they continued to wait for the heist to wrap up.

“Everything is going as planned at our end.”

“Just hacked the security cameras, it should be child’s play for me to loop the feed.”

Keyon and Shima listened in as Seth went over the technological aspect of the operation. They remained silent listening to the play by play of the operation as it unfolded covertly, Shrouded in the veil of chaos. A mere five minutes later the signal that Keyon and Shima were waiting for came over their headset.

“At least he didn’t blow something else up.”

“Never mind that be ready to get a lock on their signature.”

Shima activated her technique, this time using it to become familiar with the thugs essence signature. Allowing her to track them with ease.

“I got them, now we just got to follow the group to the hideout, and we can take care of business.”

She released her technique, and Keyon pressed his back against the alley wall and watched as the group of thugs passed by. The thugs came in various shapes and sizes but one thing they all had in common was experience. Instead of running about like they did something wrong they remained composed as they weaved through the masses of confused people trying to figure out what was going on.

“We got eyes on them; me and Shima will take care of the rest from here. You two head on back to the meet up spot we shouldn’t be too long.”

“Rodger that Keyon, you two be careful.”

Keyon and Shima held back for a few moments before entering out into the open following the group’s signature toward the hideout and the blank passports.

***

“You think the organizations did this, maybe the rebels?”

An on-looker curiously wondered from the safety of the barricade that enclosed the destruction. Watching as crews of soldiers battled the flames while others controlled the crowd.

“My guess is the organizations. Word around town is that there is a lot of bad blood, and the peace is uneasy.”

Another man answered.

Listening to the conversation between the two, a young man smoked his cigarette, His attention focused on the event unfolding before him. Taking one last drag of his cigarette before tossing it to the ground and crushing the cherry underneath the sole of his shoe.

“let’s go Bruno.”

He turned his back to the scene and walked away, His towering partner right behind him.

***

Later, on the west side of the colony, a knock on the door of a store front could be heard. The dim light of a candle being lit illuminated through the thin bed sheet curtains. The sound of the mechanical lock broke the silence of the night, and the door opened ajar. A wrinkled and weathered face peered out into the streets. The thug shoved passed the fragile man as the others followed behind him.

“Out of the way geezer it’s us.”

The other thugs chuckling as their leader cleared a path, overconfident with the success of the heist. Closing the door behind the group of thugs, he locked it, lowering his head in shame.

“I know your boss; Serenade will honor our deal and erase my debt for allowing you to use my store.”

“That is between you and the boss old man, now shut up and show us to the backroom so we can stash the goods. You two stay here in the front and keep watch. The rest of you come with me and the old man.”

Like good soldiers, they did as they were told, getting comfortable and pulling up chairs to a table. Just down the road from the storefront Keyon and Shima stood on a nearby street corner. Watching as the shadows of the men danced in the candlelight.

“Alright Shima you know what to do. I’ll take care of the dirty work.”

She nodded as she sprinted off and Keyon started to make his way toward the storefront. His right hand resting on the hilt of one of his swords. By now things had begun to settle down, especially outside of the city center, leaving the road in front of the store empty. Keyon, standing just outside the shop’s front door, smiled as he started drawing on his essence, releasing it into the surrounding area around him. Just beyond the door frame the two thugs keeping guard were laughing and boasting about the heist when a cold chill ran down their spines and sweat started to accumulate.

“ you, alright buddy? You look like, like you seen a ghost.”

One of them questioned with a shaky voice, almost unable to form proper words through the stammers coming out of his mouth.

“You too man, you're shaking like a leaf.”

Suddenly the front door of the shop busted open, its lock knocked off the frame from the sheer force of the attack. The sound of Keyon drawing his sword from his scabbard was all that they heard as the candle when out. Maneuvering through the darkness toward the defenseless men, Keyon with one fluid stroke of his blade decapitated one of his victims. Paralyzed by fear, the other thug reacted slowly as Keyon turned to face him, his eyes staring deep into him. His paralyzing state intensified as he felt the warm misting of his friend’s blood painting his face. The other man began to breathe heavy, the sound of his own heart beating out of his chest. He tried to react, rising from his seat but his heart failed. Sending him into a state of shock as he collapsed to the ground at Keyon’s feet. He didn’t waste any time standing around to watch the man die his slow agonizing death. Instead, he continued in the dark toward the backroom to finish off the others.

“What was that noise?” Go check it out.”

The leader commanded as he heard the sudden sound of the door busting open and something hitting the floor. securing a firm grasp on the cache of passports and in his free hand he held a machete with an equally firm grip raising up from his seat at the table. As commanded the grunt approached the door to the back room. Reaching for the knob, his chest was pierced by a katana that penetrated the door with ease. With a faint gasp the thug coughed up blood as the blade piercing his chest was removed from his body. Causing the man to take several steps back before collapsing to the floor.

Soon the same Negative energy that took hold of the men in the other room started to seep into the atmosphere surrounding the remaining two thugs and the old man. The door slowly opened with Keyon casually stepping through its threshold, the other men in the room looking on, unable to move. As Keyon’s dark and murderous Essence started to saturate the room. With a slow and menacing stride, Keyon flicked the blood off his katana as he advanced toward the men.

One of them managed to summon the courage to attack Keyon, who side-stepped the weak attempt. Grabbing a firm grasp on his Katana and slashed his sharp blade across the thug’s back, gashing his flesh. His empty eyes staring at the last two remaining men as he turned to face them. The machete vibrated in the insecure hand of its master, sweat began to roll down his face as he faced the inescapable fate before him. His eyes widened as the candles in the room suddenly went out casting the room into complete darkness.

Just as fast as the light in the room vanished so did the lives of the old man and the leader of the heist group. Shima, who herself was breathing heavy, back resting against the wall of the alley. Released her technique, knowing Keyon had finished the job and stopped his essence corruption.

“It is so draining to keep that technique of his contained to such a small area.”

Shima managed to get out through labored breaths, physically and emotionally drained from the task. She started to regain her composure, looking over to see the sight of Keyon approaching with the passports in hand.

“Thanks, Shima, I know that takes a lot out of you let me help you back to the hideout.”