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My Mind of Murder - E15

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Chapter 20



Helio awakens with a start, carefully feeling the soft bed around him before opening his eyes. A piece of soft medical tape holds his mouth shut and he peels it back slowly, grabbing the bed sheet as it pulls painfully at his skin. He works his jaw, careful not to open his mouth, then stands and begins his morning stretches.
Hands up over his head, he leans from side to side, then puts his hands down to rotate his neck and bend his head to the sides. He rotates his shoulders next, first forward a few complete turns, then backwards the same. Bringing his arms back up partway, he twists at the torso several times, though hampered a bit by the small thin room. He turns sideways and grabs one of his ankles, pulling it back and up, then to the side, then brings his knee up to his chest. He turns around and does the same with the other leg. With one leg bending and the other held straight he lowers his head to rest above the bent knee, then stands and does the same for the opposite leg. Opening the room's thin wooden door, he walks out silent as the sun's light and descends down the stairs.
In a small pantry room he gazes reverently at a loaf of rough, grainy bread sitting in an open shelf, then sighs quietly, opening a small covered pot to pull forth a half of a food pill. He slips it between his pursed lips, and exits with one last sad look at the bread.
Opening the door of the fort, he nearly bumps into Curgus. Curgus and two large male Auxiliaries in shining silvery full suit armor to be precise, twin lances in their hands and face covering masks concealing their features. Curgus, in his perfectly fitted checkered suit that is rumpled as if he has slept in it, his eyes dark and cold and he doesn't seem to have been getting enough sleep lately. Curgus, who stares down at Helio in surprise then grins as Helio starts turning around to run.
"Excellent my son, I won't need to go looking for you then." One giant hand reaches in and through the door, grabs Helio by the neck and pulls him bodily out the door. "Although if you are here … brothers, shields up, third degree containment." The two Auxiliaries nod obediently, and summon the Wings bubble from their silver Horus. With a few more taps each their bubbles take on a slight egg shaped curve and become a bit more solid looking. Curgus turns back to Helio with a smile, "I was hoping to get here before your psionic talent awakened, in case the awakening killed you before I could, but it seems I am too late." He tosses Helio like one would discard a rag doll on to the grassy ground. "It was not easy to convince my fellow Guardians that I should be granted permission to come down here, I hope you appreciate my efforts!"
Helio picks himself up off the ground slowly, glaring at Curgus, who smiles. "What, no witty retort my son? Perhaps you are fully in the awakening phase, and so you can not speak?" Helio nods and Curgus laughs at him derisively. "Six days and already the ground has found a way to silence that mouth, truly this is a land of wonders!" He brings his arm up and uncovers his golden Horus, speaking to it as he looks back at the two waiting Auxiliaries. "My brothers, this son of ours is the one responsible for the deaths among our brothers and sisters. As future Guardians, it is your duty and honor to neutralize him and see to his disposal. Retrieve the man catcher weapons from our platform, whichever attachments you think best suited to the task."
The two Auxiliaries look to each other, then one brings his Horus up closer to his blank masked face and speaks in to it like Curgus is doing. The man's whispering and amplified voice echoes tinnily from Curgus' Horus, "Guardian brother, this is a defenseless child. It is your prerogative to test us for unbecoming traits in our character at any time, to see if we have the mettle to become true Guardians, but this test is too obvious." The other Auxiliary nods in agreement as Curgus turns redder and redder with rage. "He must have failed his Meek test to be here on the ground – unless you planted him here as part of this test – but still the odds of us meeting the criminal this quickly are too high, even at this structure which evidently serves the ground as a sort of meeting spot for them. Therefore you are obfuscating when you say he is the criminal, and the test is in how nobly we act in handling – ."
Curgus turns a dial on his Horus and speaks as loud as he can, "This is not a test!" The two Auxiliaries recoil, both dropping their lances as they reach up instinctively to cover their ears due to their helmet radios nearly rupturing their ear drums. Curgus sighs and turns back the dial, speaking softly again, "This is the criminal, neutralize him now or I will kill him myself, neutralize him quickly or I will make you do so without the benefit of your shields. That is a direct order, Auxiliary brothers. Disobey it, and I will be forced to reconsider your character." The two Auxiliaries salute smartly and tap quickly on their Horus, rising slowly into the air. The one who didn't speak before now raises his Horus to his face.
"We obey of course, Guardian brother. But for the audio record, that is exactly the reasoning a Guardian overly obsessed with revenge would use. This will be going in my report, and submitted to your fellow Guardians." Curgus shrugs and waves him on as the two men continue rising higher in to the air, heading for a small floating platform nearly half a mile up in the air. Curgus turns to Helio again, and smiles.
"So, finally we are together again my son. Did you enjoy your time on the ground? Did you live life to the fullest, knowing I would be here for you soon?" Helio seems to consider this, then nods. "Any women? I know they must smell terrible, but my son, you should never let a little thing like that prevent fun." Helio shakes his head, standing to look up at the sky. Curgus sighs and nods, "Of course you wouldn't, no sense of fun." He looks around, bored, and finally notices the forgotten lances. Laughing, he walks over to pick them up, "Those brothers of mine, too soft and too stupid. I swear, life in this new age is too easy for them, too easy for all of us. The Meek have made us soft and stupid."
He swings around suddenly, wielding both lances like duel spears, to align the lances and himself at the unmoving Helio. "But not me, my son. I am still a very dangerous man." Helio looks at Curgus with confusion and the Guardian laughs. "You would be dead in several quick moments if I let myself, my son. You would soon be lying in a pool of your own blood if I charged at you now, and I would have done justice for my dead brothers and sisters." He sighs, and lowers the lances. "But I cannot. Not when you are of my blood. It is a wicked man who kills that of his own blood."
He looks up and across, then grins even larger than before at Helio's now greater confusion, "You didn't realize? That is the law among Guardians, my son, he who created must rule over. When your crimes reached the ears of the Guardians, we searched the records for your blood parents to make either the man or the woman your judge and jury. The search ended with me and my wife, and so I chose to begin my proceedings. I researched your past, tallied your crimes, and would have been ready to have you face me in the court of law if you had passed your Meek test. You failed, much to my surprise, and so that would have been your just punishment. But you killed my brothers and sisters with your ugly trick, and so here we are today."
"And what an ugly trick it was! I reviewed the audio and video logs thoroughly, the signal device was the only thing to fell out of that old game cartridge when they broke it open. You must have realized they would break it open, when shaking made it sound as if you had hidden a data storage stick inside?" Helio nods, sadly. "Then that was the trap in its entirety? You hid your vile device inside the cartridge, knowing that any Auxiliaries given the permission would break it open and release it, destroying any evidence kept in your room and killing my poor brothers and sisters?" Helio nods to what Curgus says last, more determined now. "So that's the kind of monster you are. Things are worth more than people to you, are they?" Helio raises an eyebrow expressively, then shakes his head. He moves his hands like someone using a screwdriver, miming the action with a scowl on his face.
"Oh, guessing games now? So … they should have opened the cartridge? With a screwdriver? But would that have kept the device from activating?" Helio nods. Curgus narrows his eyes in thought, "Meaning … if you're not lying, your goal was never to destroy any evidence that might be in your dorm room, as the device might have failed to do so. Your goal was to have revenge on any Auxiliary, or any grenade carrying Auxiliary to be exact, who broke open the cartridge?" Helio nods, "So you admit, you care about other human beings less than you do for an old game?" Helio shakes his head in exasperation, then shrugs.
The two Auxiliary soldiers finally return, landing back on the ground carrying extendable poles with loops of plastic cord at the ends. Helio holds his hands up in surrender as Curgus returns their lances, which stick to their backs as if magnetic when pressed there. The Auxiliaries loop the plastic cords around Helio's wrists and tighten them there, securing him.
Curgus sighs, running a hand through his unwashed looking mane of coarse hair, "You'll die as soon as I can arrange it, my son, but it is unbecoming for a Guardian or an Auxiliary to kill a defenseless man. I'd drop you from somewhere high up, but," he gestures to the two Auxiliary dismissively, "these two would stop me." They do not react to his statement, unable to hear him with their shields up. "They would inform me that letting you die is as bad as killing you with my bare hands, no matter how much I would wish to do either." Helio nods tiredly. "So I've thought up a more creative way to see you die." He speaks in to his Horus, "My brothers, shall we go then?"
The Auxiliaries nod obediently, and lift slowly off the ground, pulling Helio up in to the sky as gently as they can, allowing it when he grabs the plastic loops to take some of his weight off his wrists. Curgus turns on his floatation Wings and follows them, up to the small floating platform. One large Wings bubble holds it up, it basically appears to be a small freight platform for moving heavy objects. Standing by a small control console at one side of the platform, Curgus can control the platform with his Horus and they begin flying toward the center of the island. Helio is kept between the two shielded Auxiliaries for the trip, and remains quiet and unassuming.
Soon enough they are flying over top of what looks to be an entire city, hidden among the forest trees. Houses of wood, stone and other unidentifiable resources litter the area, none much bigger than would be needed for a single occupant. People walk among those structures, men and women dressed in clothes not seen perhaps for thousands of years, clothes that do not match and clothes with strange, unique designs. Helio is permitted by the Auxiliaries to stare down at them, and he does so with fascination as Curgus pilots them to what is easily the largest of the structures, to the third floor landing deck of a mansion made from all the materials seen elsewhere and more.
A man exits the building and out on to the deck to greet them, wearing a heavy fur robe that seems to mark him as someone important and carrying what looks to be a decorative lantern that is lit even now during the day, the fire inside burning gently, "Greetings! Greetings honored guests from the sky, what can this humble servant of the sun do for such as you?" Curgus nods respectfully to the man as the Auxiliaries salute.
"Greetings to you, King of the Ground Eutropius. I am Guardian Curgus, and I have a small favor to ask of you if you would hear me."
"Of course Guardian, of course! I am always available to listen. But we of the ground already do many favors for the sky, handling the distribution of food and such, so I hope this favor is a small one. We are very busy already, and would not have the time or resources to do anything complicated."
"Nothing too difficult. You still keep that old arena of yours in good repair?"
"Very much so! It has become the main highlight of our evenings, for putting on plays and other productions."
"And for blood sport? Do your champions still keep their blades keen of edge and themselves of spirit? Do men still fight to the death, that is what I ask." King Eutropius winces, looking disturbed.
"Guardian, this clan of mine, in this our city of Eutopia, we have become a clan of peace – by which I mean to say that we do not keep to the old Colosseum traditions. Fathers and mothers of years past fought there to settle their differences, being without the justice of the sky, but we people of the modern day … well, we on the ground have finally found a sort of justice for ourselves, one that does not – ."
"I care little for what you have found on the ground, King Eutropius. It has not been too long since you were given your title as King, surely you must still have men with a lust for blood from the times before?" Eutropius slowly, regretfully nods, and Curgus gestures to Helio with a grin. "I would have one of them fight this young son of mine to the death. It is unbecoming – ."
"Ah yes, unbecoming indeed." Eutropius nods darkly, ignoring Curgus' narrowing, angry eyes. "It is unbecoming for a Guardian or an Auxiliary to kill, in this modern age where the Meek hold sway. So you bring this," Eutropius glances at Helio, measuring him up, "this boy to me, so that I may kill him instead?" Eutropius laughs derisively, "Of all the many reasons for a Guardian to visit, that is not one I expected!"
Curgus glares at the suddenly jovial man, "Do not judge me, you who have already been judged. I only ask you to act as your nature allows of you, nothing more."
"The ability to kill, Guardian? Is that what you mean?" Curgus says nothing and Eutropius laughs. "Of course Guardian, you can always count on me for that. Very well!" He holds the lantern high, looking at Helio with a suddenly regal air, "Boy, in the name of the sun high above I sentence you to death, to be done at the Colosseum as per tradition. Will you have it from me, quick and painless, or will you fight until your death as the Guardian suggests?"
"He will fight, King Eutropius." Eutropius raises an eyebrow at Curgus' interruption of this formality, then looks to Helio, who nods.
The king smiles, "Well, then as tradition dictates, you may have the choice of your killer. I have several options for you to consider, some rather interesting. One of my men can entomb you in bedrock and send you to the earth's core as you slowly run out of air, another can infect your body with plant spores and turn you into a giant tree right where you stand, a third can – ." Helio shakes his head, and points to Curgus. Eutropius laughs, "A Guardian? You wish to fight a Guardian?" Helio nods and Eutropius grins, "You are an interesting boy. I offer you mortal men to fight and you choose a god? I myself could offer you a death near as quick, though I assure you I would do so with much, much less pain." Helio keeps pointing at Curgus and Eutropius finally nods. He looks to Curgus, who seems to have been too surprised for words at this development. "Well then, the challenge has been made. I suppose you might be able to back out, holding fast to your code as a Guardian."
"I … I could kill him?" Curgus seems unsure how to feel, "I could not, it would be unbecoming of a – ."
"Actually," points out Eutropius with a grin, "it would not. While the Meek themselves do technically frown on duels to the death, or other contests where blood is shed, they do allow it in cases of honor. You have been challenged, and one could easily say it might be considered a greater stain upon your honor as a Guardian to forfeit, than it would be to kill this boy. I assume he is a criminal of some sort, from the manner in which you have brought him before me?" Curgus nods, his mind elsewhere, and Eutropius grins. "Even better! So you would be dispatching of a criminal, a high and ancient duty of all Guardians!"
"I could … I could kill him, for honor."
"Exactly! What is more, you would be doing so in my sun drenched Colosseum, a place of honorable duels! And you must have passed your Meek test long ago," at the mention of his Meek test Curgus grins largely, nodding now, "so no one can say you were deranged in the killing, that would be impossible! And he is only a boy, so I assume he would pose you no danger!"
"You are right, King Eutropius!" Curgus seems excited at the idea, "No danger at all! Well, unless – ." He turns to Helio, "Son, what psionic talent have you gained? Go ahead, speak up!"
Helio looks unsure but Eutropius nods for him to proceed, and so, "Headache Voice." Everyone in the room winces in sudden pain, even the two Auxiliary soldiers, a fact Curgus seems to miss. Helio tries his best to look apologetic, and Eutropius is soon all smiles.
"Merely an interesting challenge for a fully trained Guardian then!" He turns to the door and quickly calls out, "Ligeia!" A small, stern woman appears within moments, "Ligeia, please inform everyone that there will be a small skirmish at the Colosseum between a Guardian and a criminal, everyone who wishes to come is invited." The woman nods, and puts her hand up in the air above her head with her fingers splayed.
"Attention, attention." Her voice seems to come from everywhere at once, a soft sound that must not come from her mouth since she keeps it tightly closed. "King Eutropius wishes to inform the clan that a Guardian and a criminal will be having a small skirmish at the Colosseum. You are invited." She turns away, rubbing her head, and Curgus grins.
"A 'small skirmish,' King Eutropius? Sounds like technical terminology to me! You have been staging fights down here, you can't deny it now!"
Eutropius grins back, "All right, yes, you have me there. Sometimes we have an entire clan come and participate in a mock battle with another entire clan, those we call wars. A fight between two or more small teams would be a sortie, while skirmishes are between just two people." He then adds quickly, "But we do still hold the occasional theatrical production there as well! We are not the barbarians you make us out to be, Guardian."
"King Eutropius, be calm. I do not care if you are having these fights, to be honest and true it is exactly how we in the sky expect you are passing the time down here. You need not defend yourself from acting as your nature allows you." Eutropius grins at this, a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.
"Then shall we avail ourselves of your transport?" Curgus nods, and begins tapping again on his Horus as Eutropius joins them on the platform and they lift off again. Eutropius looks to the two Auxiliaries holding tight to Helio, seems to take note of their shield bubbles dispassionately then leans slowly down to whisper in Helio's ear. "So then my son, do you have some sort of plan here?" Helio stares straight ahead and doesn't answer, then very slowly and nearly imperceptibly nods. Eutropius raises an eyebrow, then shrugs.
Episode 15! Let's see, let's see ... three more Episodes after this! And that includes the epilogue, cause I love epilogues. Altogether this turned out a bit shorter than P:tR obviously, but that month-long deadline really screwed me up. Sure I got a novel-length work finished, but I'm not satisfied and I'm already thinking about re-writing the whole thing from the start, perhaps in screenplay format. That might be my next year's 52-week challenge, after Family Matters is done.

Today is basically setup for next week's very big and important FINAL BATTLE thing, so not much happens, except for Helio learning the identity of his blood father. Also we do find out that Auxiliaries who are accompanying Guardians can expect to be tested for high moral character at any time and place, which leads them to be a bit paranoid. Nothing too bad happens this week, but if you disagree I would like to hear about it!

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