Quantum Rogues, page 7
“You have committed many crimes. You are sentenced to summary execution,” the Enforcer said as a fist aimed for the rogue.
Jenna leapt up, body twisting in the air as the metal fist missed her. Sword out, she slashed again at its head, the sword sinking in only half way and sparks shooting up. The Enforcer reached up to grab at the rogue when her sword flashed again, a metal hand flying off a wrist and hitting the street.
“Jenna,” Alric whispered as he backed up.
Flood lights from thick, armored shoulders turned in his direction. The two other Enforcers began marching, the very ground shaking with each step.
Jenna kicked off the sparking head and into the air. Turning her body, she was ready to dive down for the killing blow when a metal arm swung up and slammed into her body. The rogue went spiraling through the air and hit the ground with a rolling thud.
“No!” Alric shouted as he pulled his pistol.
The two advancing Enforcers lifted their arms, plasma cannons charging.
“You have an illegal firearm! You will be subdued!” both Enforcers said with urgency.
Jenna raised her head to see the flood lights on Alric as he lifted his pistol to the two Enforcers. Hand reaching into her cloak, she pulled out a long dagger and threw it. The dagger spun until it struck the back of one of the Enforcers, the tip sinking in a few inches. The Enforcer stopped its advance, turning to see a dark shadow run and leap into the air. It turned its cannon and opened fired.
Alric watched as Jenna flew through the air, cloak billowing behind her. An explosion by his foot caused him to stumble back as an Enforcer advanced, arm cannon aiming for the young man’s chest.
“That is your only warning. Drop the pistol.”
Something snapped from within and Alric shouted, “Fuck you!” before turning and running.
Jenna landed on the shoulders of the Enforcer, ready to stab her sword in its head when the other Enforcer opened fired on the fleeing Alric. Plasma bolts lit up the street as a stream of destruction was going to reach the running Alric. Turning his upper body, he fired back, plasma bolts striking the Enforcer’s chest but doing no damage.
Jenna gritted her teeth as she activated her QT engine. The air rippled as the Enforcer reached up to swat her away. Reality bent and Jenna appeared on the shoulders of the Enforcer firing at Alric. Sword in the same position as with the other Enforcer, this time, Jenna stabbed down with all her strength. The sword penetrated the hard, armored head and stabbed down to sensitive systems. The Enforcer’s aim shook and misfired as sparks flew up. Jenna twisted the blade, the loud crunch filling her ears. A pop and fizz, and smoke billowed up. Jenna wretched her sword free when a plasma bolt struck her back and she went spiraling through the air.
Alric reached a corner, turned around and aimed as he saw Jenna fall. Finger pulling on the trigger, he opened fired. The Enforcer Jenna hurt stumbled to the side as gears whirled. A small tendril of smoke rose up from its chest before plasma bolts struck exposed parts. The Enforcer shuddered before it fell.
Jenna hit the ground, smoke rising up from her cloak. Spinning her legs, she vaulted back onto her feet and charged the Enforcer who shot her. It turned its cannon to the approaching cloaked woman. The first Enforcer who Jenna cut off its hand advanced on them. Plasma bolts blasted out in a stream and the rogue leapt into the air.
Body spinning, Jenna planned her attack as Alric aimed at metal legs and continued to fire. Bolts singed black legs, but didn’t slow down the metal monsters. The sound of weapons fire bounced off the walls but Jenna was silent, moving through the air like gravity had no hold on her.
Body turning, she planted her feet on the firing Enforcer before leaping off. Blade out, her body became a spear as she stabbed the approaching Enforcer in the chest. The blow was so strong, the Enforcer took a step back as sparks showered Jenna’s arm. QT engine powering up, the air wrinkled once again as the rogue disappeared.
The Enforcer stumbled as sparks leaked out of the chest wound. The other Enforcer turned and fired back at Alric. Bolts hit the corner wall and Alric pulled back, debris and smoke filling the space by him.
Jenna appeared, a hundred feet above the Enforcer she had damaged. Gravity took hold and she fell, legs curled and sword pointed down with both hands. Sensors went off inside the Enforcer. When it turned to look upwards, Jenna came down hard, driving her sword between the neck and shoulder of the Enforcer. Twisting her blade, sparks lit her up.
The Enforcer shuddered, a plume of smoke rising up. Jenna planted her feet, pulled her blade free and leapt across the small distance to the other Enforcer. It continued to fire and advance on Alric’s position. When sensors pinged with an incoming second target, Jenna let out an almost inhuman shout before slicing hard across.
Alric took a deep breath, finger on the trigger before swinging his arm out and aiming. Eyes widened as the Enforcer’s head went spinning through the air. Jenna held onto the headless Enforcer, driving her sword into electronic guts again and again. Smoke furled up as she savagely stabbed and sliced. The Enforcer shuddered, fell and crashed onto the street floor.
“Fuck yeah!” Alric shouted.
“Alric Vine, you have been found guilty…” the last, damaged Enforcer said as it lifted its cannon arm.
Jenna turned to see the Enforcer aiming at Alric. It was over fifty feet away. Engine powering up, reality wrinkled.
“…of crimes against society. You shall be executed…” the Enforcer said as Jenna appeared before it.
The rogue stepped in, blade flashing for a moment before driving into the armored chest. Alric watched as he aimed, Jenna driving her sword into the metal construct nearly a dozen times. Sparks and smoke billowed, the plasma cannon arm dropping to its side as it slowly slid down to its metal knees.
Jenna pulled her sword back and spun her entire body in a wide arc. The blade cut through the thick neck and the head went flying. The Enforcer let out an erratic groan before small lights along its black body winked out and it stayed on its knees like a statue.
Alric bolted for Jenna as she stood. The rogue turned around to see the young man running toward her when pain touched synthetic nerves. The rogue fell to one knee, an alert filling her vision of the damage she took from the blast to the back. Alric was on her, grabbing hold and helping her back to her feet.
The pair said nothing as they turned and continued their march toward Orc Town, three smoking Enforcers filling the intersection with an occasional spark flaring between them.
Seven
Jenna grunted and Alric slowed down. The pair made their way to a dark doorway, Alric helping the rogue to sit down on the single step. Silence had long returned, the sound of their breathing breaking the night’s stillness.
Jenna pulled her cloak aside as Alric stood over her. He could see the burnt hole through her cloak as it moved to the side. Taking a step closer, he looked down at her blast mark and cracked skin. A reddish liquid bled out from the wound, sealing it and dripping into her leather.
“It’s not too bad. My self-repair systems will close it up and begin mending my top and cloak,” Jenna said with a wince.
“You still feel it though?”
Jenna gave a small nod. “The Master wanted me to feel every cut, every burn, and every stab. He has told me on many occasions, pain is the greatest teacher of all.”
“What a fucking asshole,” Alric said as he stared down helplessly.
“Yes, he is,” Jenna said with a faint smile.
Jenna sat back and leaned against the door. Alric sat down beside her, wishing he could do more.
“Orc Town is two blocks away. We’ll have to sneak in and avoid the patrols,” Jenna stated.
“You used all three charges. Maybe we should do this another night when your rested?”
Jenna shook her head. “Not with a bounty on my head. The Master will clear the bounty once we reach our objective. He’s done this before, to motivate mythics and adventurers. That’s why they are quick to attack, so they can collect the bounty before it goes away.”
Alric scratched his head. “Can’t we…find someone you can…you know.”
Jenna gave a weak smile. “I doubt anyone would find me attractive in this state and willing to spare a moment to sex me up right now.”
“I don’t know, guys can be pretty horny,” Alric tried to be funny.
Jenna touched his shoulder, “It doesn’t have to be just guys.”
Alric lifted an eyebrow.
“My visual systems see the sex of my partners. A woman simply has to bring me to orgasm while a man has to orgasm inside me.”
“Sounds weirdly hot,” Alric grinned.
“It has its moments, on occasion,” Jenna said as she forced herself to her feet.
Alric looked up, seeing the wound slowly closing and the fabric of her torn cloak mending together.
“I should be slightly better by the time we get to the border of Orc Town. Let’s not waste any more time.”
Alric stood up, hand diving into his trench coat and pulling out his plasma pistol. Checking the readout, the weapon had about ten percent charge left, enough for maybe a dozen shots before it was empty.
Jenna looked down at the pistol, seeing the readout, “I suggest you use it only when you absolutely have too. The sound of plasma fire will alert the whole town. We need stealth for this quest.”
Alric slipped his pistol back in his coat. “I wish I was more help. I don’t have strength or speed implants so I am at a disadvantage. Pistol almost empty, I’ll be useless.”
Jenna looked down the street as she spoke, “You’re keeping my spirits up, that’s good enough for me.”
“Glad I can help,” Alric said but didn’t feel it within. He continued to feel like a burden and wanted to do more.
“The map point is part of the quest. We have to sneak past the border, the location we need is two streets in. Orcs are mostly nocturnal and like to stir up trouble with some of the other races.”
“There’s other towns, like elves and fairies?”
“There are other towns but they go by real names. Orcs like to keep things not too complicated. Sex and violence are their main traits, preferring to dwell in ignorance so they don’t have to think too hard. It makes their lives simple and effective.”
“Sounds lovely and horrific at the same time.”
Jenna nodded. “It can be. You don’t want to be an orc prisoner. They tend to play with them before they lop off heads.”
Cold seeped into Alric’s heart as Jenna’s implication sank into his mind. The thought of being gang raped or mutilated by orcs didn’t sit well with him. Her words drove home how dangerous this little adventure truly was. Thoughts of home vanished as he knew once the Enforcers were defeated, his place and all his belongings would be seized by the tower government. All his files and virtual space he owned would be deleted and any record of him would disappear. If he stepped back into any tower, he would be apprehended and forced to live his days in a virtual prison world where pain tolerances are set very low and lawlessness ruled. Death would be an instant respawn so there was no relief from the torments inflicted on his mind and body.
“I won’t let them hurt you,” Jenna said simply.
Alric woke up from his waking nightmare. “Ditto,” he said, trying to sound brave.
Jenna’s gaze remained on Alric for a long second before she turned away and began walking. Alric followed, his fears falling to the background and timid bravery fueling his need to help complete the quest.
Time slowed down as the pair crossed two streets and approached a dark corner. Jenna bent low, gaze cutting through the dark street to a makeshift barrier and torches along the rusty, metal walls.
Alric peered over Jenna’s shoulder, seeing several orcs standing at a gate. A small tower stood behind the gate, a lone orc peering down with a crossbow in his large hands. Beyond that, firelight lit up nearby towers, their windows black to keep the orc’s nighttime activities from disturbing citizen residents above them.
“We’ll circle around the block and see if we can climb the fence,” Jenna whispered.
“It doesn’t look very high,” Alric noted.
“I can jump it easily. Can you?”
Alric looked to Jenna’s wicked grin. “Maybe if I stretch.”
Jenna turned away, hiding her widening smile. “Follow me.”
The pair snuck off, silently moving down a side street and circling around. Alric tried to calm down his nerves with little success. Blood pumped in his ears and a sudden urge to use the bathroom painted his soul. He wanted nothing more than to be a brave warrior, helping Jenna complete her quest, but right now, he felt like some wet behind the ears fool with a nearly spent pistol in his coat.
Jenna and Alric stepped down a small side street. Staying low, they reached the orc made wall. Firelight rose up from the other side but their side was dark as pitch and smelled of open sewers.
“I’ll jump over. When it is clear, you’ll see my open hand over the top. Start climbing but be quiet. Once you’re over, we stay low and make our way in,” Jenna instructed.
“Be careful,” Alric said warmly.
Jenna nodded before she turned and leapt straight up. Alric watched as the rogue effortlessly made it over the top of the wall and disappeared over the side.
Jenna landed on her feet, quiet as grave. Before her, an orc stood with his back to her. The orc lifted an old-fashioned cigarette to his big, green lips and tried to light it. A club with nails in the top lay by his thick feet. Beyond him, there was little movement, but down the street several orcs laughed.
The rogue pulled a dagger from her cloak. Her left hand bunched up some of her cloak. The orc took a long drag, humming some strange tune. Jenna approached like a ghost from a dark forest. When she was close enough to smell his foul stench, she launched herself at him.
The orc felt an arm swing around his neck, fabric stuffed into his opening mouth. A breath later, a dagger sank into his back, the tip just barely appearing from his chest. The orc gave a muffled grunt as Jenna pulled him back. When the orc struggled, she twisted the dagger and air escaped his lungs. The orc went limp and she pulled him to the wall. Laying him down gently, she stepped on him and raised a hand, palm open and out.
Alric took a deep breath before he stepped to the wall. The metal plates stood awkwardly against one another, allowing for grasping. Alric took hold and began to climb. He questioned the orcs need to make terrible defenses, but quieted his mind, knowing without it he would be scrambling up against the side.
Like a long-limbed spider, Alric made it to the top and slipped over. Hand missing the hole he was going to grab, he fell and landed on the big dead orc on the ground. The young man stared as the orc stared up at the sky. A shadow fell over him and Jenna took hold of Alric’s hand. Helping him to his feet, the pair lay low.
Jenna spread her cloak over Alric’s shoulders, the fabric rippling until it matched the background. Moving along, they hurried across a dirty street to the waiting shadows on the other side. Three orcs walked along the street, talking and hitting each other on the shoulders.
Jenna and Alric stayed very still, watching as the orcs strolled by, missing the dead orc laying against the base of the wall. Alric let out a long exhale before Jenna pulled him along, staying in the shadows as they made their way deeper into Orc Town.
The cloak blended the pair into the background as they made their in. Several male orcs were punching each other while several females cheered them on. The smell of cooking meat filled the area and Alric didn’t want to think too hard on how they got it. The further they invaded the town, the more they saw. Some orcs walked around, patrolling the areas while others were engaged in rough sex. A female orc cried out for more as several males had her pinned to a wall, taking turns, much to her delight.
Alric wanted to ask how they could live like this, but kept his mouth shut as they were neck deep in enemy territory. Jenna’s gaze was focused as they slipped around several corners. When they crouched down in a deep shadow, the rogue pointed ahead and Alric looked to where she was pointing.
A small building stood, but Alric quickly thought it looked like a warehouse. Lights flashed from plain windows as a line of orcs stood outside the main entrance. An orc in a bowtie with a clipboard stood by a velvet rope. He was the biggest orc Alric had ever seen and his size seemed to keep everyone in line. Some orcs growled and moaned, wanting to get in, but the bouncer held his clipboard in one hand and fixed his bowtie with the other. It was almost comical that the orc wore a simple loincloth and tie but Alric wasn’t about to go up to them and point it out.
“The location is in the back of that building,” Jenna whispered.
“The Master is not making it easy, sneaking into an orc nightclub,” Alric whispered.
Jenna grabbed Alric’s arm and the pair stayed close to the shadows. The rest of the street was empty as they made a wide arc so they wouldn’t be spotted. Circling to the back of the large warehouse, Jenna scanned the area, her gaze locking on a single door.
Without hesitation, Jenna made her way across the street, Alric in tow. The two made it to the door and hunkered down. Alric eyed the door, seeing that it had an electronic lock. The door itself looked like it could keep out an invading force.
“Keep an eye out as I work,” Jenna said and pulled a small kit from her cloak.
Alric nodded. Placing his back to the wall, he watched the street. Thumping music vibrated from the building but the young man stayed to task, watching every shadow for any surprise orcs.
Jenna opened her kit and pulled out several small rods. Reaching up, she removed the housing to the lock unit. The metal rods in her hands began to vibrate as she began to work. Alric glanced to the rogue, seeing that she was connecting the rods to certain sections and cutting through a wire or circuit. Once three rods were in place, the red light on the lock turned green and the door opened an inch.
