Post by lee on Nov 24, 2018 17:34:01 GMT
The Attraction Of Revenge
(Legion of Tyranny)
Part One
Braal 2986--
The crowd was on its feet as the Krinn brothers entered the magnoball arena. Rokk and his younger brother, Pol, were a dominating force in the sport, and they readily reaped the fruits of their labors. Few women were beyond their reach, and , indeed, they enjoyed the other vices available to them.
As the two stood waving to the crowd before joining the rest of their team for what promised to be the most exciting game of the season, Pol leaned near to his brother. “Have you decided what we are going to do?” the younger Krinn asked. “That's a lot of creds.”
Rokk continued to wave. “We already have more creds than we will ever spend,” he said.
“Yeah, but...” Pol began, only to be interrupted.
“Look around at the people you are waving to,” Rokk said. “They are worse than calabrium leeches. At least the leeches will stop before they drain a body completely. These people, given the chance, would take everything we have and then clamor for more. Why should we surrender our status just so one or two make a few extra creds?”
“So, we aren't going to throw the game?”
Rokk looked as his brother. “If you want to, that's up to you. As for me, I plan on going out a champion.”
Pol grinned. “Good enough for me. Come on, let's give these losers what they came for.”
* * * * *
Rokk stood over the broken body of his brother; he would live, but his magno ball career was over. While the team doctors tried to stabilize him enough to remove him from the court, the elder Krinn was staring at the owner of the opposing team. At his side were multiple government officials and not a few members of the criminal element. There were even a few smirks on the opposing team members themselves. He locked eyes with the owner.
“Accidents happen,” the man mouthed before sharing a laugh with those closest to him.
As the doctors transferred Pol to a grav-stretcher and started towards the locker rooms, Rokk fell in beside him. “Make sure he has the best care,” he told the doctors. “Oh,” he said, stopping at the edge of the court, “and tell him it is time to start crushing leeches.”
Unsure of what he meant, they nevertheless agreed to pass along the message.
The stunning events of the championship game were the talk of the planet for the next several week, even more so than the invasion of the Controllers homeworld. Every news outlet seemed to have a different version of what led up to the end of the game, but they all reached the same conclusion; Rokk Krinn snapped.
Once Pol was on his way to the locker room, Rokk crossed the court and walked up to the opposing team. Ignoring the men gathering around him, he looked the owner straight in the eye and said, “Accidents happen.” There was no laughter when he returned to his team.
Part Two
“Rokk Krinn,” a member of the ruling council began. “It is the decision of this council that you be stripped of all awards, medals, trophies, and endorsements, effective immediately. It is also the decision of this council that all medical bills—including those of the owner and his guests—be your sole responsibility.”
Rokk said nothing.
The council member spoke again. “And furthermore, you are being remanded into the custody of Braal Security Force for trial and punishment for your crimes.”
Two men in uniform approached the former magnoball star. “Please place your hands behind your back,” one said.
Rokk did as he was told.
“My offspring idolized you,” the second officer said. There was a touch of disappointment in his voice. “For the record, I hope your brother recovers.”
Rokk looked at the man. “You should go...now.”
The first officer punched him in the ribs. “Shut up. You cost me plenty of creds by not following the plan.”
Rokk turned and looked at the man. “You can stay.” He looked back at the other man. “Go.”
“I can't,” the kinder man said. “My duty is here. My offspring look up to me, as well.”
“I am sorry to hear that,” Rokk told him.
Before either officer could react, the speed and preciseness that made the older Krinn brother a star became apparent. He kicked back, catching the man who punched him in the knee, dropping him to the floor. A second kick caught the downed man in the face. Expanding the magnetic force between his wrists and his restraints, the restraints gave way and fell to the floor. With his hands free, he threw a punch that dropped the second officer. The man went down, and though still conscious, he closed his eyes and did not rise.
Turning to the council, he let his powers touch every piece of metal in the room and drew it around them—restraining them, and binding their arms to their sides. Slowly, he began to approach his captives.
“I have given everything to this sport and your greed has taken it away,” he said. “You have taken my fame, my wealth, and even tried to take my family. As we speak, however, my family is being taken aboard a ship and leaving this planet. You only took the creds you knew about. I'm not stupid. I'm also not leaving without making you pay for what you've done.”
“Free us,” the council leader demanded. “We have done nothing to you that you didn't bring upon yourself.”
“You allowed everything to take place by turning a blind eye,” Rokk said. “You made your wealth whether the games were honest or not.”
As he spoke, he let his powers reach out and grab the iron in one of the council member's bloodstream. With little effort, he began to shape it into a sliver of metal nearly three millimeters long. He then gave it a push and sent it speeding through the bloodstream until, seconds later, it punctured the man's heart. With a gasp, he collapsed against his restraints, dead.
The two remaining members of the council began to plead for their lives. There was a series of loud cracks as Rokk began to tighten the bonds of the second member. Her bones snapped like dry branches, and once there were no bones left to break, he continued to tighten the metal until she was reduced to little more than pulp.
Turning his attention to the final member, the one who had vocalized his punishment, he walked up to the man and snarled. “You shall not get off so easy.”
Drawing metal from the restraints of the two dead members, Rokk let it form around his fists until it appeared he was wearing metal gauntlets. The beating went on for nearly half an hour, long after the man had ceased to cry out.
As he turned to go, he saw the conscious officer open an eye and look at him. Kneeling down beside the man, he offered some advice. “When you regain consciousness, take you family and leave this place.”
The man nodded, then things went truly black as Rokk punched him in the face.
“No sense in you getting in trouble for being honorable,” he said to the unconscious man.
Part Three
Takron-Galtos--
The Krinn Family arrived at one of the many spaceports above the Refugee Planet to find Rokk already there and waiting for them. He was accompanied by a medical team who immediately to charge of Pol. After getting everyone and their belongings aboard a private transport, he signaled the pilot they were ready. The trip planetside was relatively uneventful given the amount of traffic traveling to and from the surface. In less than an hour, the pilot was receiving instructions on where to land on the grounds of a moderate estate.
“Welcome to your new home,” Rokk told his parents.
“We can't afford this,” his father said. “Not after the council and the government seized your accounts.”
“Those fools only seized what they knew about,” Rokk said. “If they were lucky, they might have got a twentieth of what I have. Trust me, you have little to worry about.”
The medical team had already offloaded Pol and were transporting him to a special med-bay set up in the manor house by he time Rokk and his parents disembarked. Armed guards approached the family.
“You should be safe here,” Rokk said, “but it wouldn't surprise me if someone came looking for me. These men will keep you safe.”
His mother reached up and patted his cheek. “You aren't staying, are you?”
“It would be best if I didn't,” Rokk replied.
“Where will you go?” she asked.
“Possibly Lallor,” he said. “Right now, I haven't really decided.”
One of the security guards put a hand up to his ear, then stepped forward.
“Yes?” Rokk asked.
“We have something that requires your attention...before you leave,” he said, trying to appear calm before his new employers.
Leaving his mother and father in the care of the remaining guards, Rokk followed the man into the manor. Once out of earshot, he asked, “What is it?”
“We've just gotten word of a security breach,” the man told him. “It appears there has been an unauthorized teleportation into the manor.”
“Lead the way,” Rokk demanded. “And may the gods have mercy on the intruder, because I won't.”
Having heard of what had happened on Braal, the guard felt sorry for the trespasser. “Actually,” he said, “we don't believe he's a hostile.”
“Then, why come to me?” Rokk asked, his frustration becoming dangerously apparent.
“He asked for you,” the guard said.
Rokk came to a halt. “Is he from Braal?”
“Definitely not,” the guard replied.
“A bounty hunter?”
“We hope not. A Coluan bounty hunter could be a frightening individual.”
The two started walking again. The guard led his boss to the manor's library.
“He said for you to come in alone.”
Rokk took a moment to consider his options in the event he was attacked when he entered. Certain of his abilities, he pushed the door and stepped inside.
“Who are you to invade my home?” he demanded.
The blond-haired, green-skinned Coluan looked up. “You know they will come for you,” he said.
“How did you find me?” Rokk asked.
The Coluan smiled. “What you did to those officials was brutal. No doubt they deserved it.”
“Who are you?”
“My name is not important...at the moment,” the Coluan replied. “As to how I found you is simple. The Refugee Planet is the only place you could come after what you did.”
“What do you want?” Rokk demanded again.
“You can't stay here and expect your family to be safe,” the Coluan said. “If you come with me, they will be.”
“Who are you?”
“He is in your home on my behalf.”
Rokk spun round, but saw no one.
“Ah,” the Coluan said. “You have heard her, haven't you?”
“Who was that? Where is she? Why did she send you here?”
“You impressed her with what you did on Braal and she wants you to join us. As to who she is,” the Coluan said, “you will need to come with me to find that out.”
“My family...” Rokk began.
“Will survive, but only if you come with me, now.”
Rokk glanced back at the door. “Fine,” he said at last. “If it will keep my family safe, I'll go.”
The Coluan spoke, not to Rokk, but to someone unseen. “We are ready.”
A portal opened and the insect-looking alien poked the upper half of its body through. “Come on,” it said. “She's getting impatient.”
With a final glance backward, Rokk followed the Coluan through the portal.
* * * * *
Ayla let Pol's charred body fall to the floor where the medical team already lay, paying him no more mind than she would garbage she would toss away. Turning, she left the med-bay. Salu was waiting for her.
“All dead,” she said.
“And no one knew where he had gone?” Ayla asked.
Salu shook her head. “I hate to say it, but it looks like we lost another one.”
“Burn this place to the ground,” Ayla said, “and let it be known throughout the galaxy the infamous Rokk Krinn's family are dead.”
“Consider it done,” Salu replied.
The two women left the manor. Moments later, flames were reaching to the heavens as a young man walked from the burning structure and joined them. He boarded the ship and dropped into the seat behind Salu.
“Not bad,” she told him.
“I think it will get the point across,” he replied. “No one crosses the Legion of Tyranny.”
(Legion of Tyranny)
Part One
Braal 2986--
The crowd was on its feet as the Krinn brothers entered the magnoball arena. Rokk and his younger brother, Pol, were a dominating force in the sport, and they readily reaped the fruits of their labors. Few women were beyond their reach, and , indeed, they enjoyed the other vices available to them.
As the two stood waving to the crowd before joining the rest of their team for what promised to be the most exciting game of the season, Pol leaned near to his brother. “Have you decided what we are going to do?” the younger Krinn asked. “That's a lot of creds.”
Rokk continued to wave. “We already have more creds than we will ever spend,” he said.
“Yeah, but...” Pol began, only to be interrupted.
“Look around at the people you are waving to,” Rokk said. “They are worse than calabrium leeches. At least the leeches will stop before they drain a body completely. These people, given the chance, would take everything we have and then clamor for more. Why should we surrender our status just so one or two make a few extra creds?”
“So, we aren't going to throw the game?”
Rokk looked as his brother. “If you want to, that's up to you. As for me, I plan on going out a champion.”
Pol grinned. “Good enough for me. Come on, let's give these losers what they came for.”
* * * * *
Rokk stood over the broken body of his brother; he would live, but his magno ball career was over. While the team doctors tried to stabilize him enough to remove him from the court, the elder Krinn was staring at the owner of the opposing team. At his side were multiple government officials and not a few members of the criminal element. There were even a few smirks on the opposing team members themselves. He locked eyes with the owner.
“Accidents happen,” the man mouthed before sharing a laugh with those closest to him.
As the doctors transferred Pol to a grav-stretcher and started towards the locker rooms, Rokk fell in beside him. “Make sure he has the best care,” he told the doctors. “Oh,” he said, stopping at the edge of the court, “and tell him it is time to start crushing leeches.”
Unsure of what he meant, they nevertheless agreed to pass along the message.
The stunning events of the championship game were the talk of the planet for the next several week, even more so than the invasion of the Controllers homeworld. Every news outlet seemed to have a different version of what led up to the end of the game, but they all reached the same conclusion; Rokk Krinn snapped.
Once Pol was on his way to the locker room, Rokk crossed the court and walked up to the opposing team. Ignoring the men gathering around him, he looked the owner straight in the eye and said, “Accidents happen.” There was no laughter when he returned to his team.
Part Two
“Rokk Krinn,” a member of the ruling council began. “It is the decision of this council that you be stripped of all awards, medals, trophies, and endorsements, effective immediately. It is also the decision of this council that all medical bills—including those of the owner and his guests—be your sole responsibility.”
Rokk said nothing.
The council member spoke again. “And furthermore, you are being remanded into the custody of Braal Security Force for trial and punishment for your crimes.”
Two men in uniform approached the former magnoball star. “Please place your hands behind your back,” one said.
Rokk did as he was told.
“My offspring idolized you,” the second officer said. There was a touch of disappointment in his voice. “For the record, I hope your brother recovers.”
Rokk looked at the man. “You should go...now.”
The first officer punched him in the ribs. “Shut up. You cost me plenty of creds by not following the plan.”
Rokk turned and looked at the man. “You can stay.” He looked back at the other man. “Go.”
“I can't,” the kinder man said. “My duty is here. My offspring look up to me, as well.”
“I am sorry to hear that,” Rokk told him.
Before either officer could react, the speed and preciseness that made the older Krinn brother a star became apparent. He kicked back, catching the man who punched him in the knee, dropping him to the floor. A second kick caught the downed man in the face. Expanding the magnetic force between his wrists and his restraints, the restraints gave way and fell to the floor. With his hands free, he threw a punch that dropped the second officer. The man went down, and though still conscious, he closed his eyes and did not rise.
Turning to the council, he let his powers touch every piece of metal in the room and drew it around them—restraining them, and binding their arms to their sides. Slowly, he began to approach his captives.
“I have given everything to this sport and your greed has taken it away,” he said. “You have taken my fame, my wealth, and even tried to take my family. As we speak, however, my family is being taken aboard a ship and leaving this planet. You only took the creds you knew about. I'm not stupid. I'm also not leaving without making you pay for what you've done.”
“Free us,” the council leader demanded. “We have done nothing to you that you didn't bring upon yourself.”
“You allowed everything to take place by turning a blind eye,” Rokk said. “You made your wealth whether the games were honest or not.”
As he spoke, he let his powers reach out and grab the iron in one of the council member's bloodstream. With little effort, he began to shape it into a sliver of metal nearly three millimeters long. He then gave it a push and sent it speeding through the bloodstream until, seconds later, it punctured the man's heart. With a gasp, he collapsed against his restraints, dead.
The two remaining members of the council began to plead for their lives. There was a series of loud cracks as Rokk began to tighten the bonds of the second member. Her bones snapped like dry branches, and once there were no bones left to break, he continued to tighten the metal until she was reduced to little more than pulp.
Turning his attention to the final member, the one who had vocalized his punishment, he walked up to the man and snarled. “You shall not get off so easy.”
Drawing metal from the restraints of the two dead members, Rokk let it form around his fists until it appeared he was wearing metal gauntlets. The beating went on for nearly half an hour, long after the man had ceased to cry out.
As he turned to go, he saw the conscious officer open an eye and look at him. Kneeling down beside the man, he offered some advice. “When you regain consciousness, take you family and leave this place.”
The man nodded, then things went truly black as Rokk punched him in the face.
“No sense in you getting in trouble for being honorable,” he said to the unconscious man.
Part Three
Takron-Galtos--
The Krinn Family arrived at one of the many spaceports above the Refugee Planet to find Rokk already there and waiting for them. He was accompanied by a medical team who immediately to charge of Pol. After getting everyone and their belongings aboard a private transport, he signaled the pilot they were ready. The trip planetside was relatively uneventful given the amount of traffic traveling to and from the surface. In less than an hour, the pilot was receiving instructions on where to land on the grounds of a moderate estate.
“Welcome to your new home,” Rokk told his parents.
“We can't afford this,” his father said. “Not after the council and the government seized your accounts.”
“Those fools only seized what they knew about,” Rokk said. “If they were lucky, they might have got a twentieth of what I have. Trust me, you have little to worry about.”
The medical team had already offloaded Pol and were transporting him to a special med-bay set up in the manor house by he time Rokk and his parents disembarked. Armed guards approached the family.
“You should be safe here,” Rokk said, “but it wouldn't surprise me if someone came looking for me. These men will keep you safe.”
His mother reached up and patted his cheek. “You aren't staying, are you?”
“It would be best if I didn't,” Rokk replied.
“Where will you go?” she asked.
“Possibly Lallor,” he said. “Right now, I haven't really decided.”
One of the security guards put a hand up to his ear, then stepped forward.
“Yes?” Rokk asked.
“We have something that requires your attention...before you leave,” he said, trying to appear calm before his new employers.
Leaving his mother and father in the care of the remaining guards, Rokk followed the man into the manor. Once out of earshot, he asked, “What is it?”
“We've just gotten word of a security breach,” the man told him. “It appears there has been an unauthorized teleportation into the manor.”
“Lead the way,” Rokk demanded. “And may the gods have mercy on the intruder, because I won't.”
Having heard of what had happened on Braal, the guard felt sorry for the trespasser. “Actually,” he said, “we don't believe he's a hostile.”
“Then, why come to me?” Rokk asked, his frustration becoming dangerously apparent.
“He asked for you,” the guard said.
Rokk came to a halt. “Is he from Braal?”
“Definitely not,” the guard replied.
“A bounty hunter?”
“We hope not. A Coluan bounty hunter could be a frightening individual.”
The two started walking again. The guard led his boss to the manor's library.
“He said for you to come in alone.”
Rokk took a moment to consider his options in the event he was attacked when he entered. Certain of his abilities, he pushed the door and stepped inside.
“Who are you to invade my home?” he demanded.
The blond-haired, green-skinned Coluan looked up. “You know they will come for you,” he said.
“How did you find me?” Rokk asked.
The Coluan smiled. “What you did to those officials was brutal. No doubt they deserved it.”
“Who are you?”
“My name is not important...at the moment,” the Coluan replied. “As to how I found you is simple. The Refugee Planet is the only place you could come after what you did.”
“What do you want?” Rokk demanded again.
“You can't stay here and expect your family to be safe,” the Coluan said. “If you come with me, they will be.”
“Who are you?”
“He is in your home on my behalf.”
Rokk spun round, but saw no one.
“Ah,” the Coluan said. “You have heard her, haven't you?”
“Who was that? Where is she? Why did she send you here?”
“You impressed her with what you did on Braal and she wants you to join us. As to who she is,” the Coluan said, “you will need to come with me to find that out.”
“My family...” Rokk began.
“Will survive, but only if you come with me, now.”
Rokk glanced back at the door. “Fine,” he said at last. “If it will keep my family safe, I'll go.”
The Coluan spoke, not to Rokk, but to someone unseen. “We are ready.”
A portal opened and the insect-looking alien poked the upper half of its body through. “Come on,” it said. “She's getting impatient.”
With a final glance backward, Rokk followed the Coluan through the portal.
* * * * *
Ayla let Pol's charred body fall to the floor where the medical team already lay, paying him no more mind than she would garbage she would toss away. Turning, she left the med-bay. Salu was waiting for her.
“All dead,” she said.
“And no one knew where he had gone?” Ayla asked.
Salu shook her head. “I hate to say it, but it looks like we lost another one.”
“Burn this place to the ground,” Ayla said, “and let it be known throughout the galaxy the infamous Rokk Krinn's family are dead.”
“Consider it done,” Salu replied.
The two women left the manor. Moments later, flames were reaching to the heavens as a young man walked from the burning structure and joined them. He boarded the ship and dropped into the seat behind Salu.
“Not bad,” she told him.
“I think it will get the point across,” he replied. “No one crosses the Legion of Tyranny.”