Sunday, December 25, 2011

Arc 1, Chapter 1: It's Just Business

Edit: Corrected a major mistake. Kregron is supposed to have one working eye. 

"Wait! We can discuss this like gentlemen! Name your price, please!" An obese, balding man dressed in a sharp tuxedo fell hard on his bottom, pushing away from a tall figure standing at the doorway. The opposing man gazed around the room, seeking any hidden bodyguards of his target.

Taking out his mobile phone, the man sitting on the ground thrust the device towards his would-be murderer. "Please see what is on my phone! If it is money or land, I can pay you. Please, spare my life!"

The assassin strode over, raising a jet-black pistol. He aimed it at the rich man's forehead and unlocked the safety. The victim breathed heavily, gasping as his blood pressure rose. "Please, we can talk about this, right?

The assassin remained emotionless, merely speaking these words, "It's just business."


"Ah, you're back. I take it that Sir Humbleton is dead, right?" A burly man clad in army fatigue offered a chair to the same assassin, who accepted the gesture with a curt nod. "He is. Do you need proof?"

"Definitely. I would like to invest my trust in you, mister-"

"Kregron." The taller man added, fishing around in his pockets in search of a particular object. The commander kept his eyes on the mercenary, who bore no interest in his client's stern gaze.

"Here. His eyes and his fingerprints. Freshly cut from his body." Kregron produced a small white box and slide it towards the soldier. "The payment, General Tiberon."

General Tiberon opened the box and almost gagged on his drink. Inside were the victim's eyes and fingerprints, cleaned, bagged in smaller plastic bags and arranged neatly on a bedding of crushed ice. He looked up to see the assassin waiting patiently for his payment. "Of course."

Kregron left the private bar after receiving a thick envelope. General Tiberon rubbed his forehead with a handkerchief, his mind stuck on Kregron.

A few months ago, the government of Malakba ordered the execution of an industrial traitor, who had went over to the enemy side due to a financial agreement. Millions of credits were exchanged in that contract and now, the blueprints of Malakba's defensive systems were in jeopardy of being presented to their invaders, the Eclipse empire. General Tiberon's superiors were in a frenzy, trying all possible means to protect the sovereignty of the nation. It was until a month remained before the Eclipse Empire made its move did a minister suggested hiring the Wandering Horror to eliminate the merchant. However, this was met with great resistance for it was known to many that the freelance mercenary accepted incredibly random types of payment. Furthermore, he was recognised as a downsized superweapon, having being recorded decimating an entire army of a hundred thousand men and vehicles by himself.

General Tiberon was a man who loved his country. He grew up knowing that he could not fit into society and immediately found his place during an army recruitment drive. There he signed up and was soon brought into the harsh world of military combat. Through his years of service, he rose through the ranks as he completed more and more vital missions regarding the defense of his beloved nation. Additionally, the reason behind his eventual rise to power was his ability to command his forces at such a high efficiency rate, which resulted in him receiving the title of "Turtling Tactician".

Nevertheless, when General Tiberon was given precise information of the empire's impending invasion of Malakba, he could recognise the possibility of his nation winning the war. It was impossible once the weaknesses of Malakba's defence systems were revealed. The forces which were slated to crush Malakba were a million infantry accompanied by five hundred thousand assault tanks. Not to mention an unknown number of fighter and bomber jets which would aid in the siege.

The general was desperate and tried his best to change the opinions of the majority, but to little success. In the end, he sent a small team of his most trusted soldiers to pass the mercenary a message.

Within a week of the team's departure, General Tiberon was visited by a nightmarish vision. When he awoke from his terrible dream, the first thing he saw was the glowing red cross-hair. Kregron had agreed to listen to what the general wished to offer as payment for the job.

"Your offer, General." Kregron spoke, his voice reflected the sensation of a barren land covered in frigid darkness. General Tiberon's heart beat faster and cold sweat began to run down his body. For a moment, the soldier thought he was looking into the eye of the End Times.

"May I know what you are seeking, mercenary?" General Tiberon forced the fear out of his mind with great difficulty. The mercenary tilted his head in deep thought, his face on the other hand, continued to show no emotion.

"The blueprint of your most powerful sniper rifle." The mercenary replied after a brief silence. General Tiberon nodded, knowing that it was a huge price to pay for the victory of the incoming battle.

"My target." Kregron asked in a monotone and the general quickly provided a folder containing information of the merchant to the man. Once he received the documents, Kregron vanished into the darkness, only to be seen again in the private bar.


General Tiberon later led Malakba's army with the other generals to a a great victory, losing only five percent of their total standing forces. Malakba's allies arrived a day later, routing the massive army of the Eclipse Empire. It was then Kregron's nickname was changed to the Wandering Soldier, a mercenary whose whims were like the winds.


"Please! Spare my life! I will offer you anything! Anything!" A middle-aged man clad in a pristine white laboratory coat stepped backwards, holding up his hands in surrender. Kregron approached the scientist with a huge claymore made of the dull black shards.

"It's just business." Kregron swung the monstrous blade down, cleaving the poor man into two gruesome halves. "Just business."

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