Cover Art for Vangelica

Vampire Hunters: Calamity - Chapter 1: Captivé

“Another dress? No thanks, ma,” I told her on my fourteenth birthday. “I’d like a hunting knife instead.”

She eyed me curiously, as if I had just told her that I was no longer a virgin. “And what do you need a knife for, Cailan?”

“To kill vampires, of course.”

“It takes a lot more than a knife to kill a vampire.” She rubbed the scar above her ear.

“A toothpick can be lethal if you know how to use it. At least, that’s what the old man told me,” I replied.

Momma pursed her lips, and began knitting again, but I was smitten with my new occupation. At first I thought I would be angry when she started seeing the stranger a few months ago, but my heart warmed every time he passed by.

Initially I thought he was a dork…all right, perhaps he is a dork; but when I caught him throwing knives into an old post I was captivated. I hid behind a bush and watched for a while, certain he could not see me. Knife after knife he buried into the pillar, each the same distance apart. After tossing his three knives, he yanked them out and began again.

Mesmerized by his accuracy, I could not take my eyes off him. He seemed more like a machine than a man. When I edged forward to get a better look, he turned and asked, “Would you like to try?”

A man of few words, I could not believe he was speaking to me. “Sure.” I rose and brushed off leaves from my hair and dress.

He had been kind to my mother, always implying a respectable distance, and never trying to place a kiss on her lips. Although he rarely revealed his feelings, especially around me, I could sense that he enjoyed being here. Perhaps I reminded him of someone he knew who also had lost her father. Hopefully one day he would open up and share this.

“Take the blade with both hands. It is the easiest throw to make.” He positioned my hands above my head, and placed a knife in them. “Imagine what you hate the most. Do you see it there in the post?” he whispered. “Now kill it. Eradicate it from your life!”

The knife slipped from my hands as I tossed it, veering off course, and falling into a pile of leaves.

“Did I not make myself clear? Kill it before it kills you.” He handed me another knife. “Again.”

I gripped the handle tight, and flung it with all my might. It flew straighter this time, but well short of the post.

“Better.” He stepped closer, his dark coat blocking out the sun. “Imagine not your own mortality, but one that you hold dear. Someone whose life will be snuffed out if you do not hit the mark. Like your mother,” his voice sharpened.

My eyes began to well with tears, for indeed that was exactly what happened. Gazing up from under the bed I was helpless to do anything when the shadow burst through my bedroom door and seized her. If I were skilled like the old man, perhaps my father would still be with us.

“Die, you bastard!” The knife flew straight and true, streaking through the air, and thrusting into the top of the post.

“Well done. You are a natural.” He patted me on the shoulder.

How magnificent it felt to be touched by another man, even though he was not my father.

“Most likely you would have only nicked his ear.” He stepped away and collected the knives. “Vampires are quick and crafty. It takes precision and a fair amount of good luck to kill them.” He rejoined me and tossed the knives into the post once more.

He knelt to one knee, and looked into me with his gray eyes. “I am sorry that I did not know you sooner.”

The connection that I now felt with him combined with the loss of my father elicited a storm of emotion from me. He held me close as I wept, the first man to do so since that fateful night when my father came home early to celebrate my thirteenth birthday.

I could barely hide my disappointment when he collected his things and left the following morning.

“He will be back, just as he has in times past.” My mother ran her fingers through my long, brown hair.

“How can you be certain?” I found myself in tears again.

“Because there is a fire in him that cannot be so easily quelled. Besides, he purchased the old shed out back. He said that he would like to make his new home here.”

“With you?” I wiped the tears from my eyes.

“With us.” She pulled me closer.

I slipped from her grasp and walked over to a knife buried in the old post.

“What is it, dear?” Ma stayed on the porch.

I extracted the silver blade and held it close. “I think I love you, Lawson,” I murmured.

The Canterbury Coven - Chapter 1: Delilah

‘Twas an accident, I must confess. Not sure where to begin, so I will just jump in. I caught her spying me through the window that eve as I poured over edits of The Canterbury Chronicle. As I hurried to bolt the door, the pale shadow slipped inside, combing her blonde locks with her fingers.

“Do not be frightened, kind sir. I am an admirer,” she murmured, making sure I could see her fangs. “Pity I have savored your work from afar, pondering every word, every subtle turn of phrase. No longer.” She advanced me. “Is that tomorrow’s edition?”

“Yes.” I steadied my trembling hands.

“Good. I have a story for you. The wisdom of an old, enlightened soul,” she mused.

“Very well.” I backed into my desk. “Who would you like me to interview?”

“Myself, of course.” She lifted her crimson dress, and eased into the chair.

“Right.” I lumbered around the desk, and plopped down in my padded armchair. “Well then, tell me about yourself.” I grabbed a quill.

“Hopefully you will not ask my age,” she smiled, her gold eyes sparkling.

“How about your name?”

“There have been many over the years: Evaline, Saffrey, Marion, bitch, hag, slut…but you may call me Delilah.”

“So, Deliliah-”

“Your eyes do not deceive you.” She cut in.  “I am a vampire. For the past month I have lived among you, but I am not the only, nor the eldest.”

Icy beads of sweat trickled down my spine. “There are more?”

“Ask yourself, Mr. Bundt: is it a coincidence that The Chronicle is an evening paper?”

“It is my paper. I do with it as I please,” I balked.

“Then why not a morning paper?” The vampire eyed me curiously. “How did you arrive at this?”

“We conducted a survey, asking subscribers which they preferred.”

“And?” Delilah crossed her arms.

“Overwhelmingly they prefer an evening paper, but that’s besides the point. I myself prefer an afternoon deadline so that I do not stay up all night.”

“Yet despite such deadlines, you still find yourself laboring through the night. This I know. I have been watching you the past several moons,” she scoffed at me.

“So you have come to Canterbury to prove the conspiracy of the evening post?” I set down my quill.

“I am here to offer names, and in addition, my story,” she replied.

“I cannot afford to become the target of some secret society that does not wish to be exposed. If they do exist, they will come for you as well.”

“One can only hope,” Delilah grinned.

“Not another word.” I stood. “A pleasure meeting you, Delilah, but I am better off entertaining the notion that there are no vampires living in Canterbury, even if they do in fact exist. Good evening.” I nodded.

In the blink of an eye, she jumped across the desk and seized my neck. “As if you have a choice in the matter,” she sneered. “Do not make me stain my dress. I have grown quite fond of her. Tell me, Edgar, how is your darling Maggie? I am told she has a birthday in the coming days. I will craft her a gift that she never forgets.”

“You wretched whore,” I choked.

“Please, call me Delilah.”

Enura - Chapter 77: Checkmate

Before he saw the shadow upon him, something plucked Lawson from the ground. He looked up and gasped, dangling from the vampire’s outstretched hand. Talmot in turn wavered in Essinger’s grasp, who held fast to one of the whipping tendrils. “We shall ferry you to the blossom, where you can unleash your wrath,” said the Muslim.

Scores of dismembered bodies flashed by. Lawson’s stomach plummeted as Essinger released the vine, and latched onto another racing by.

“How many arrows remain in your arsenal?” Talmot asked.

“Just one.”

“Then we shall pass her over to maximize our contempt. Impervious she is to swords and arrows, but perhaps you can be more persuasive.”

As they glided through the air, the hellflower turned and scorched them with its fiery breath. The vine snapped, dumping the trio into a pile of mangled corpses.

“Never have I seen so many vampires felled at once, even by my own hands.” Lawson tossed severed heads and limbs aside. “Yet I am struck by a sadness that I have not felt since the hunt began.” He fled the blast.

A spiderroot scattered over the carnage, cutting off his advance. Talmot and Essinger leapt forward, unsheathing their swords, and chopping it to bits.

“She cowers inside.” Talmot flipped it over, and ripped out its heart.

“How certain are you?” Lawson asked.

“As certain as I can be.” The vampire took a bite, and spit it out. “Besides, where else would she be hiding?” Talmot pushed him aside as a crypt rein speared down. “We must keep moving if we hope to defeat her.”

“No, this is our best opportunity.” Essinger pulled counsel closer when the scythe failed to extract itself. The crusader grabbed a bony column and nodded.

Talmot sliced the line, sending the two skywards. “My prayers go with you, brothers.”

The world flashed by like a dream, the stage illuminating, no shadow too deep. Lawson spotted her watchful eyes in the flower below, colorless hollows that would not be soon forgotten. Unsure how much of himself reflected back at that moment, he hesitated to commit his final arrow.

“Slay her now, Lawson. For Vissorouy,” Essinger urged.

“For Vissorouy.” Lawson nodded, and pulled the trigger.

The creature recoiled into the bud as it snapped shut; but the hunter’s uncanny delivery allowed the silver arrow to sneak through. It slipped inside and detonated, blasting petals from the stem, and forcing its master onto the crimson stage. Her refuge in shambles, the translucent ovule rose, towering over the vampire legions. She was tall and slender, tresses of transparent flesh draped over her like a dress. The ovule stepped forward, and reclaimed her arm from the tainted soil before her. She pressed it against her shoulder, strumming her lithe fingers until it was firmly reattached.

Though her attention diverted, she was no less deadly. Her cruel stinger impaled vampires as they pounced. The barbed tail rose over her willowy frame, making her appear even taller.

She knocked Talmot aside as he buried his blade into her neck. “Are you still in need of the lesson?” She yanked the blade from her throat, and tossed it into the fire. “Impervious I am to earthly designs. Come closer, I beg you.”

Lawson rose from the carnage, watching the last of the bony tendrils sag before him. “From pile to pile I wander, no end in sight.”

“A merry time indeed.” Essinger grinned.

The hunter tossed his bow aside in disgust. If only he had been spared another hour, he could have forged the killing blow. Still he felt a burden lift from the land, noting the spiderwood wilting around him. “Her magic has faltered.” He rushed forward. “Culverins!” he shouted.

But Lord Vangley had already arrived at the same conclusion. His legions hauled the cannons into range, and uncorked the barrels. “I collected your stones for you, Enura. Now choke them down.” He signaled.

The culverins fired as one, blasting the wicked one asunder. The army took cover as the green stones obliterated what was left of the old manor and the forest around them. Fragments flickered and went out, surrendering their magical potential.

The ovule’s head rolled to the elder’s feet. “Checkmate.” Lord Vangley stabbed down with his canesword. Her pale face bubbled over, steaming in the moonlight, and dissipating in a cloud of vapor.

“We have won the night!” Talmot embraced Essinger with his one good hand.

The patriarch raised his sword. “Victory,” he said softly. Vampires cheered and mobbed the visionary.

“Well done, my lord.” Olivia bowed slightly.

But the hunter lingered on the battlefield. “What have we truly accomplished?” He scratched his chin.

Enura - Chapter 76: Hellflower

“I thought I’d stick around awhile longer to adorn my wall with your head.” Talmot launched himself into the trees as the rooftop collapsed.

Essinger followed, swinging around a lower branch, and mounting its perch. He reached for his sword, but instead groped air.

“Perhaps I should return this to you. It served me well in your absence.” Talmot tossed down the sword. “What became of you anyways, old man? Out whoring?”

“Too dangerous these days.” The crusader frowned. “You could catch something if you are not careful.” He sneezed.

A crimson bulb of flesh rose from the ruins, uncurling and exposing rows of sharp teeth. A translucent form huddled below, beckoning the vampires closer.

“‘Tis not the best view from the bottom of the ocean, so I decided to go topside for some devilish play. I prayed for a mermaid or two, but all I got were horny eels and hungry sharks.” Essinger savored the blade in his hands.

“Foolish infidel. Repent to Allah, and he will give you 72 virgins once I cut off your head,” Talmot grinned. “Otherwise, one of those decomposing corpses back in town will have to suffice.”

“I’m fond of such corpses. One in particular.” He pondered her sweet smile.

Talmot and Essinger jumped the next tree over, as the hellflower scorched the branches with its volcanic breath.

“Essinger?” Lord Vangley stepped forward, his mouth agape.

“My lord, look out!” Lawson knocked him aside as the wicked vine snapped down, and severed a guard in two. Woven into the hellflower’s stem, bony scythes flailed the vampire legions as they swarmed. “We must view the stage from safer ground if I am to unleash the fury of my bow.” He helped Vangley to his feet, and scurried away. “Laurent?” he called.

The skeletal whip lashed at their retreat, burying itself in the trunk of an old tree. Vangley’s guard rushed forward, slicing the vine to pieces, the bones of its victims strewn across the forest floor.

“Perhaps there is safety in the trees, the very ones we tried to extinguish,” said the elder.

A root burst out of the ground, tripping the patriarch and his counsel. Slats in the base of a pine snapped open, its myriad eyes throbbing with a tawny gleam. The creature yanked its parasitic tendrils from the tree, and lumbered forward.

“Be still. You cannot outrun spiderwood,” Lawson whispered. “On my mark, roll to your side.”

Two children scampered by, torches crackling in their hands.

“Dionte, Deverrell, no!” Lord Vangley uttered.

The spiderroot pounced on the easy kill, scattering over top the twins, and snapping its jaws. Abruptly the woodcraft faltered, flames devouring its extremities. The creature screeched one last time before the miscreants kicked it off them.

“It’s mine.” Dionte came running with a parcel of flesh.

“No, mine.” Deverrell snatched it back.

Suddenly two stone lions jumped out of the forest, knocking the vamplings off their feet, and seizing the heart of the wood beast. They ripped it apart, devouring the soft, dark flesh before eyeing the vampires.

“Lawson!” Laurent called from the tree above. He unfolded a gray cloth, and tossed down the crossbow.

“I was saving this for Enura.” Lawson glanced at the hellflower in the distance. “But you will do just fine.” He pointed the bow and fired.

A lion jumped clear as the other exploded in a hail of rock and dust. The hunter adjusted his aim and fired again, catching the beast flat-footed, and shattering its lower extremities.

Stone stards cut into the trees, waking more spiderwood from their slumber. Dionte and Deverrell screamed, their arms and faces bloodied by the keen deluge. Before Lord Vangley could react, a shadow slipped out of the darkness, scooped up the twins, and ran towards him. The stranger deposited the miscreants at his feet, and glared at him with her green eyes.

“Olivia?” Vangley gasped.

“What fool goes into battle without a medic?” She uncoiled her scarf. “My elixirs are just as potent as my poison.”

“I will not have you here. Leave!” he commanded.

“Tell me something, my lord. Whose misguided notion was it to bring children to the battlefield?” Olivia asked.

“Field experience is invaluable if one wishes to become a man.”

“But real men use diplomacy. Your words, not mine,” she replied.

“Stop hounding me, woman. I am trying to conduct an engagement!” The adjacent tree exploded, knocking Vangley to the ground.

“Perhaps I could be some use.” Olivia pulled a splinter from his forehead.

The elder shrugged her off, and got to his feet. As he turned, the stone lion sprung out from behind a tree, and clawed its way forward.

“Save your arrow, Lawson.” Laurent pushed the bow aside, and charged forward. He swung down the stone hammer, again and again, pounding the lion’s skull to dust. “Finally we are free of your stain.” He tossed the hammer aside.

Spiderwood crept out of the shadows, tightening the circle around them.

“Wait a moment.” Laurent turned. “Where is Lawson?”

New Cover for Without You

Vampire Hunters: Prelude - Chapter 7

Like an ant feeling its way through the nest, I waded through the murky mire, swatting roots from my way. The passage narrowed, forcing me to my knees, no sign of the creature that had wandered through.

Thoughts of you ran together in my head, a shadowy mosaic of time and gold. I will not let your mark fade from me, Endolyn. I will remember you as you were, before your heart darkened. Failed you I have, though unsure how.

But I will not fail her.

Am I any closer to finding her? In my confusion, could I have passed her by, trekking through the ashes of Avarié? Though my heart says no, would I be able to recognize Elena’s charred corpse: her skin peeled off, hair burnt to the scalp? Or would self-preservation blind me, just as it would any grieving heart? I can only hope that I am not mistaken, that somewhere out there she is waiting for me.

Sweet Elena, live on.

I plodded along, my spirit waning as the burden grew greater. By all accounts, I had overdone it; pushed myself too hard despite the loss of blood. My eyelids sagged as I tried to decipher the light glowing in the distance.

Is that you, my love? The miracle that I am meant to see? I nudged forward. The tunnel spun, splinters of light peeling off pulsing orbs. I grabbed my glasses from my coat pocket, certain my eyes were deceiving me. The vortex quickened, spinning out of control. I reached for you, but as always, you were just beyond my reach.

“Is this my grave I have wandered into?” I mumbled. As before, I had come without the expectation of seeing the light again. With one last breath I inched forward, but alas, she had slipped through my fingers.

A shadow loomed over me, all too familiar. “How deep is the chasm? Know one knows for sure. Depends how black your heart is,” came a voice.

I froze, recognizing its childish taunts.

“Does the darkness run so deep that it could consume an entire village? Vampires and mortals alike? One must ask themselves.”

“I do not know what you mean,” I replied.

“A grave deed you have done. Or did you? I am not sure that you know yourself,” the voice hissed.

“Leave me alone. I will not warn you again.”

“Or what will you do, vampire hunter? Sling mud in my face? Perhaps you have other tricks that I have not seen? You will need every last one of them,” it goaded me.

“I will indulge your query if you pay me the same respect. The hole goes as deep as it must, but do not confuse darkness with emptiness, they are not one in the same. I hunt alone, it has always been thus, and fear that I may never know what has befallen Avarié,” I replied. “Though you claim to know so much about me, little do I know of you.”

“In essence, I am thee,” the voice faded into the distance.

A horn blared, deep and guttural, twisting through knotted bones. I struggled to open my eyes as the light intensified, ripping me from my slumber. Had I been out minutes, hours? So easy to lose track in the void.

The scatter of tiny feet filled my ears. Hundreds raced towards me, their luminescent bodies coming into view as they charged the tunnel, each no more than the size of my palm. Late in executing my retreat, I ducked the wave, tiny legs pricking me as they swarmed over. I crawled ahead, brushing them off as they continued deeper into the passage.

I rolled to one side, admiring the cool breeze spiraling down. Only grave deeds cause a vampire to swallow their words. This thing we are up against, it will destroy us all if we are not careful. I must take leave of Avarié at once. Darrien and Delilah’s union will falter if given time. I must not stop until I cross the river, and put as many towns between us as I can. Though I still cling to her memory, there is nothing for me here. She is not here.

But still…

I reached up, grasping air, the void ever deeper. From my knees, and then my feet, I could not find a ceiling to this cramped space. As I stood, a fresh draft washed over me, imparting its wisdom once more. A fork in the road lay before me, one path leading upwards while the other continued parallel to the surface. Without a second thought I abandoned the course, scaling rocks and clay walls until the wormhole wavered, and I was able to get my base under me.

Darkness embraced me once more as I rummaged through the nest, the foul stench now inseparable from my soiled clothes. A faint gust licked my spine, a hopeful sign that sent me scurrying up the slope. The horn boomed again, louder still, its hymn punctuated by the chatter of broken teeth.

“Is it all you had hoped for?” the voice mocked me. “Curious that you find comfort in the deepest shadows. Is it because you sense the end is near?”

“Steady thy tongue before I carve it out,” I uttered.

The horn resounded before I realized that something was upon me. I turned, scraped my chest against sharp outcroppings, and hurried back whence I came.

“‘Tis too late. The choice has already been made,” the shadow snickered.

The creature closed in, braying in short bursts. I glanced behind me, my retreat turning into a tumble. I pinged off jagged walls, falling like a stone, and slamming into the soppy bottom, my shoulder absorbing the brunt of the fall. I screamed, thrusting my shoulder back into place, and flipping onto my stomach.

A second isopod stormed the burrow, chasing down a glowing mite that eluded him. The insect scattered by, providing a fleeting glimpse of the horned creature above. Thick, segmented plates adorned its massive frame, a trio of wicked tusks protruding from its spiky crown.

I leapt forward as the creature knifed into the moist earth, and scurried away as fast as I could, narrowly keeping pace with the luminescent. The cave fetid and familiar, an ominous feeling swept over me. Had I been turned around, heading back in the same direction whence I started? Or was I burrowing deeper into the labyrinth, a path that could prove just as fatal?

My heart sank as the passage dipped, and then skipped a beat when it inclined several paces later. Again the tunnel narrowed, my shoulders wide as an ox. I forced myself through at an angle, speed and motion halved, quickly losing ground to the wayward mite.

Into the heavens we ascended, the angle steepening, the passage barely wide enough to breathe. The creature snapped at my heels, and drove its tusk through my sole, the keen point sneaking between my toes. I kicked back, slashing at him with my knife boots; but the angle was poor, their design clearly meant for frontal attacks. It nibbled on my spurs, hoping to take my feet with them.

As we wriggled along, the tunnel abruptly ended. The glowing mite raced through a hole in the wall and disappeared, a fitting reward for those that put their faith in such worthless creatures. I rammed the dirt wall, hoping it shallower than it appeared. Nowhere to run, I ducked as the behemoth collided with me, thrusting me through the dirt barrier and stone tiles of an illuminated walkway above.

The creature screeched, its prized horn snapped in half. I rolled to my feet, grabbed a torch from the wall, and grinded it into the severed tusk. The beast recoiled and burrowed back into the muddy depths. Two more henchmen emerged and tasted my fiery wrath. I stomped the floor until it collapsed, burying the pill bugs in a shallow grave.

Soldiers of the hive, I knew their abrupt burial was merely an inconvenience. Without cloth or wood to build a fire, I grabbed a fresh torch, and hurried along the barren hallway.

Without You - Chapter 25: Insignia

Unlike Gyruss

These wicked warriors

Have screws loose

In all the right places

Creeley hisses

Fogging the lens

Of the camera

Tabitha Hayne

Step forward

A woman in light body armor

And a mirrored visor

Enters the spotlight

The murky breath

Around her

Dissipating

Leaving behind

A ghostly aura

A killer body

If I ever saw one

Captured and recycled

By yours truly

Trust me

It wasn’t easy

A lot of spunk

In this one

She’s a Russian model

One of many

In the DC area

Her cell

Was supposed to go live

Three months after The Departure

Of course

The Republic beat her to it

I’ve archived the details

Of her mission

In case you’re interested

Her instruction set’s limited

She’s meant to slit your throat

Not bake a cake

Unlike our other crony over there

Creeley glared at Gyruss

Ryan

On the other hand

Was born and bred in the U.S.A.

Yet another defunct Black Ops project

Incorporating synthetics

Into the battlefield

He’s a skilled field medic

But don’t let his charming looks fool you

He’ll pull out your fingers

With a pair of pliers

While playing

A relaxing game of chess

The spotlight moved over to a third man

Broad and grizzled

Not an ounce of fat

On his massive frame

Looks like this one

Eats glass for breakfast

Wressen chuckles

Pure brute strength

That’s what 90,000 credits buys you

Says Creeley

No idea

What language he speaks

Some gibberish

I’ve never heard before

The only thing

I’ve been able to decipher

Is his name

Alef

Creeley

You really do

Surprise me

Invest some time

In a little product knowledge

For a change

Will you

Wressen scolds him

Remember the headlines

A few years back

About an unmanned settlement on Mars

Perhaps that part of your cranium

Was removed too

The colony is still there

Not skeletons yet

But soon shall be

The last traces of life

On that rusty rock

Long since departed

You can’t understand

What he’s saying

Because his words are encrypted

Only members

Of his elite team

Can decipher them

I don’t know

How you snared him

But there could be

A treasure trove of intel

If we unravel the code

Hear that K-mart shoppers?

A treasure trove

Creeley beams

If we can break the code

Wressen reiterates

Even so

All this

Could be academic

Most autonomous systems

Still in operation

Are located in Valtryst

You’ll need at least one

To pilot a ship to Mars

In addition

The Republic

Moved their manufacturing

To the moon’s surface

The vital pieces we need

Just a world away

Could be gold mine

With the right guide

And a means to get there

I suspect you intercepted

The Chief of Security

For the Mars mission

Not bad

Next time

Aim a little higher

Up the food chain

Are you a buyer or seller Mr. Wight?

Ignatius asks

Cause if you’re a buyer

Like the rest of us

Then shut the fuck up

So we can get out of here

Not until I know more about her

Wressen points at me

I’ve had my eye on this one all evening

Why are you holding back Creeley?

Are you saving her for yourself?

Ha!

I almost forgot

Thanks for reminding me

Last but not least

The lovely Leiland

An ovular craft

Floats down from above

Lights flashing

Like an amusement park ride

A series of tubes and cables

Snaking out Creeley’s back

A metal brace

Holding him in place

With stumps for an arm and two legs

He sits atop a silver throne

Flipping switches

And redirecting

A giant hydraulic arm

He plucks me from the wall

And sets me

In the center of the stage

The gathering of eight eyeing me

With curious intent

What’s so special about her?

Wressen asks

Nothing

Creeley grins

Everything

If you are trying to peddle

Another one of your escorts

You should have done so

In the previous phase

Wressen ran his fingers

Through his ivory hair

What the hell

Why not?

Let’s see what she’s got

Remove her clothes

Leiland

Remove your clothes

Creeley parrots

You first

The words spill out of me

Without a stutter

Sassy

And refreshing

Wressen swallows a mouthful of Merlot

He removes his shades

And gazes at me

With his icy blue eyes

Another gift

From an unwilling donor

Put a muzzle on her

Creeley

And strip her bare!

Tabitha?

Says Creeley

The assassin lunges forward

And knocks me to the ground

Riding me like a bull

As she tears off my shirt

And exposes my back

Abruptly she stops

And recoils

Is that what I think it is?

Wressen stares at the monitor

Gold and silver markings

Tattooed on my shoulder

It’s the first time

I’ve seen it myself

The mark of The Republic

He utters

One million credits

Without You - Chapter 24: Gyruss

We’re on fire!

Hopefully

You have something left in your coffers

Because things are about to get

A whole lot more interesting

Not to mention

Expensive

It’s time

For my hot picks

Creeley’s voice booms

A woman and two men

Walk onstage

Each step

Silky smooth

Too perfect

To be human

Synthetic soldiers

Discovered in a secret stash

Or discarded by The Republic

A fourth follows

With a strange twitch

Stumbling

As if drunk

Every bushel

Has its rotten core

Nonetheless

I urge you

Take advantage

Of my ignorance

Surely he can be fixed

For the bargain-basement price

Of 50,000 credits

50,000 credits?

What are you trying to pull here?

He can barely walk

Wressen balks

I’ll bet 1,000 credits

He can’t say a word

Even a fool’s wager

I’ll gladly accept

Creeley grins

The truth is

It’s difficult

To shut him up

Isn’t that true Gyruss?

Say a word or two

For the crowd

What to say

What to say

The pale droid scratches his head

I am a GSR-8 autonomous system

Series 4

Patches 11.2 and 13.1

Green star

Environmentally sound

I have been self-aware

27 months

13 days

And 19 minutes

Though my internal records show

I’ve been active for five years

Do not panic

I am not a refab

My internal banks

Most likely compromised

Due to the events

Of October 19th

As you can see

I am in prime condition

At least five decades remaining

Of loyal and efficient service

Furthermore

The android twitches

Furthermore

I am government-certified

And field-ready

To repair drones

Tanks

Convoys

Even medical crafts

Shuttles

And bridges

I also have experience

Installing and maintaining weapons silos

Including the one

You are in right now

My internal repository

Contains over 10,000 schematics

Residential homes

Military bases

Prisons

Outposts

Just to name a few

If given the proper resources

I can build these for you

In a timely and efficient manner

On a personal note

My favorite color is teal

I enjoy attending operas

And live performances

I am also a certified Karaoke singer

My favorite musical instrument is the drum

I will entertain you

Enthrall your guests

And help you achieve

An optimal lifestyle

Throughout your tenders years

Furthermore-

All right Gyruss

That’s enough

Creeley groans

I can aid in reprocessing

Biodegradable waste

Solid

Liquid

Or gas

To power your entire home

And shield you

From high levels

Of radiation

Shut up Gyruss!

Creeley snaps

And furthermore-

The female droid

In yellow and black body armor

Steps forward

And kicks him in the head

Gyruss is knocked back

But does not fall

Pausing to consider

The raven-haired assassin

I believe he has a mute button

Hopefully that isn’t broken too

Wressen sneers

Mute thyself

Now and forever

Creeley moans

Though his lips

Are still moving

Not a peep

Comes from Gyruss’ mouth

I’ll give you 40,000 for him

Says Wressen

And furthermore

Gyruss’ bumbling words

Are audible again

35,000

Dang it

Wressen

Why do I always

Have to repeat the rules

Just for you

You can’t retract or modify

An existing bid

You may be my biggest client

But don’t test me

Creeley grumbles

A particle gun

Lowers from the ceiling

And points at the observation deck

Very well

40,000

And another ten percent

For my ignorance

Any other bids?

Good

Creeley shows off

The rotten array of calcium

Protruding from his gums

Now let’s move on

To something truly ballistic