Revenge begins
#2 of the war
Part two.
It's late and haven't proof read properly but shouldn't be too bad.
As always constructive comments welcome.
______________________________________________
The silence stretched on. The park was crowded with people, a mixture of humans and Anthros, people who'd have a genetic modification procedure to mix their appearance with an animal's. It was based on the GM soldiers from the war.
The silence was in remembrance of those lost during the war. It was a good turnout. There were plenty of soldiers in uniform, families of the dead, those who fought in groups like Harry's sported the insignia of their particular group. Harry recognised a few faces and could see the resemblance of people who'd fallen at his side in a few of the families there.
Finally the silence ended and the man on the stage looked up. "It's been five years since the start of peace. In that time we've prospered through our cooperation with the Eastern Continent. The world is a better place. War is just a bad memory. That is what our soldiers gave their lives for."
Harry turned to leave then and earned himself some disapproving glances. He'd heard it four times before, he didn't need to hear it again. People gave a wide berth to the scruffy looking wolf moving through them. He was dressed in worn jeans and a ragged looking shirt but with good boots and a thick, leather long coat.
"For some the war continues on." Rang out a voice that stopped Harry in his tracks. "We all lost friends or family. We all felt that pain, some of us healed, some of are still healing. But some of us refuse to heal and let that pain fester and grow. Today I speak to them. Those who seek blood find it. Some quest for it and will only cause more pain and suffering. I speak to one person in particular. Darkwolf the Hunter. A Remnant. Like many of us he lost family. He refuses to let peace into his heart and it will destroy him, if it hasn't already.
"Many people are unaware of what the Dictator does. He holds the Global Union together. Without him another would take over the Eastern Continent and he would not maintain the peace that the Dictator engineered. The world is not as stable as people think and the Dictator is one of the few able to maintain balance and peace.
"I fought in the war with many friends including Darkwolf. We lost many friends and comrades fighting for this very peace. I have created a group devoted to maintain peace. We guard all of the Global Union including the Dictator. Some would waste what our soldiers gave their lives for. We will give everything to stop that."
Harry left with a heavy heart. Alex the only person alive he would actually call a friend. A few blocks down he was joined by a few more Remnants. Remnant was the name given to the fugitive GM soldiers. These were Harry's most trusted followers, a cheetah, Nick, and two German shepherds. "We fight our old allies?" Asked Nick.
"Yes. Avoid killing Alex, I'd like him to survive this."
"You don't care about the others?"
"No more than I'd care for you if you turned on me."
"Sometimes I regret working for you."
"Then quit."
"No sir. I gave an oath, I'll see it through. It's just that we've all seen Alex and Mark in action. Even if they're human I wouldn't want to fight them. Do you think you can out shoot them?"
"Out shoot? If Alex knows the distances he can make any shot when he takes his time. Up close he's fast and accurate enough, he beats me from fifty yards or so away. Less than that we're closer matched. If anything Mark's a better sniper and still pretty decent up close. Close enough for my Mateba and I won't have too much trouble with him. Get them into a sword fight and Mark has no chance. Alex might."
"So up close you can beat them?"
"If I want them dead they'll die without giving them a chance to fight back. I don't play by the same rules as them."
"That's good to know. I'd hate to die fighting them." Nick pulled a scrap of paper from his pocket. "Got the info. Cross checked it. He's there."
"Good. Call the men. We attack tonight."
"It's a public hotel sir."
"Yes."
"Always fully booked."
"He has a floor booked for his bodyguards right?"
"Yes but-"
"And likely Alex'll have men posted there too." Harry glanced at the obviously uncomfortable cheetah. "Tell the men not to shoot at unconfirmed targets then. But don't take chances. I don't want you dying."
"I didn't know you cared sir."
"Of course I do. I'd have to go to the trouble of finding new Remnants wouldn't I? Then there's you."
"Me sir? You actually care about me."
"Yes, I'm not likely to find another Remnant that speaks seven languages, am I? You all have value. Now, make the arrangements. I have some business to attend to."
Alex watched Harry walk away from the park without even looking at him. He didn't know what he was expecting, just something more. He finished up and left the stage. The Dictator was staying in town and Harry wouldn't pass up the chance. After five years the Dictator had relaxed his guard and Harry was ready for it.
Alex was hoping that his opposition would stop him. He'd find out what effect he'd had later that night. Mark was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He was tall and slim, dressed in camouflage. "I saw Harry. He didn't even look at me." He carried on towards his car and Mark fell into line next to him.
"Think he'll attack tonight?"
"I don't know. I hope not I have to leave. The President is taking a trip and he wants my guard with him. I tried to change his mind but..."
"It's fine. We have plenty of people guarding the Dictator, Harry can't have more than fifteen or so left."
"Don't take chances. He's a Remnant remember."
"I know but the new modifications are so much better. He's out dated."
"Keep quiet! For Christ's sake you know GMs aren't supposed to exist anymore."
"The Dictator allowed it. We have protection."
"Just get to the hotel. Be careful... try not to kill him."
"That may be hard if he's trying to kill me."
"I know just... Just do your job."
Alex got into his car and drove away. He hated everything about this. Both Mark and Harry were close friends and tonight one of them might die at the other's hand. He didn't know what to do. He couldn't let Harry throw the world back into war but the only way to stop him was to kill him.
When he broke out of his thoughts and looked back at the road he was forced to slam on the brakes. The car squealed to a stop at the feet of a tall Anthro wolf. His coat blew in the wind and uncovered the large revolver for a second. The same thought passed through both of their minds. "This would all be simpler if the car never stopped."
Alex took a pistol from the glove box before he stepped out of the car. He kept the pistol ready but didn't actually aim it at Harry, he hoped it would be quick enough to raise to beat Harry's uncannily fast draw. Neither of them spoke. Neither of them knew what to say. Finally Alex tried. "I'm sorry. Please don't do this. You must know what you'd cause."
"Yeah I know. If I have it both ways I would. I doubt I'll live to see the aftermath though. In any case I don't care. I assume I'll see you at the hotel tonight?"
"...Yes. We'll both be there. You can't fight us both at the same time. Even if we are human."
"No I can't." Harry inhaled deeply. "I've missed your scent. I've missed your voice. I've missed your personality. I've missed you."
"My feelings haven't changed."
"Didn't think so. Tonight we'll finally know whose better. For what it's worth... Good luck."
Harry turned and disappeared into one of the alleys. Alex had hoped his bluff would convince him to back down. He was disappointed. He was scared. He didn't know how to draw Harry into a fight he could win.
As soon as he was sure Alex wasn't going to follow Harry dropped to the ground. He was scared that Alex would just shoot him then and there and he wasn't sure if he'd be quick enough to stop him. After he was sure the emotion wouldn't leak into his voice he pulled out his phone and dialled Nick's number.
"Sir?"
"There's only going to be one of them. From the look on Alex's face it's going to be Mark."
"They know we'll be attacking?"
"Probably."
"Shouldn't we call it off?"
"No. I made an appointment. Plan's still the same. See you there."
At a call from their superior the hotel was emptied of all innocent bystanders. Every man left in the hotel was a trained fighter. They were armed to the teeth and waiting for the attack. Mark was set up on the balcony farthest from the doors waiting for targets. He sat behind a scoped rifle with a fully automatic pistol and a katana close at hand. The lobby was full of Alex's men, all in position to blast anything that entered from any of the doors. Nothing could possibly get through the hail of bullets lying in wait.
Several shadow figures made their way towards the hotel. Darkwolf was at the front, now dressed only in light clothing that wouldn't restrict his movement. He had two revolvers on him now and a narrow bladed, gently curving sabre. As the group reached the gap between the building and the hotel all eight of them leapt easily across the gap and crashed through the windows. A second group did the same on the opposite side of the building.
Two broke from each group to set explosives by the elevators and stairways. The rest headed up towards the Dictator's floor. They could already hear plenty of activity above them. Darkwolf grinned as he drew his two revolvers, they'd finally get used again. It'd been too long since he'd done this. He'd forgotten how much he enjoyed it.
He paused at the door to the Dictator's floor. He knew they'd be waiting for him. He knew that even he couldn't step into a crossfire and come out unscathed. He waited for the shooting the start on the other side of the building. For that split second when everyone would unconsciously glance towards the noise and burst into the corridor with a gun pointed in each direction.
Time slowed as he took in the scene. He looked over every man and picked the target that was reacting quickest. He felt the recoil thunder down both his arms before he'd even realised he'd pulled the trigger. Both targets shook as the large .454 bullets shattered their skulls. Darkwolf paused again to watch the blood, brain and bone splatter the men behind. Watched as the revulsion spread over their faces. Watched as they realised he truly lived up to the legend. Watched as the fear spread through them all and he loved every second of it.
Darkwolf proceeded to pick of the fastest targets and emptied both his guns before they'd even fire a single round. He holstered his left gun and reloaded his right with a speed loader. On his third shot everybody else finally caught up. The bodyguards started shooting, Darkwolf's men flowed into the corridor and joined in as well.
The whole thing took less than five seconds. Darkwolf looked down at his one fallen comrade in disgust. He reloaded both guns and continued towards the Dictator's room. The smell of blood and gunpowder was filling his nostrils now. It was intoxicating.
There were explosions from below. The guards from the ground floor were on their way. Mark or Alex was sure to be with them. Darkwolf hoped that they weren't the ones to trigger the bombs. He turned and waited for them to enter the corridor while the rest of his men carried on to secure the Dictator.
The first guard entered the corridor much like Darkwolf had. He took a bullet to the head before he'd even had a chance to aim. He started walking forward slowly. More entered the corridor and every one fell before him. A flash grenade was thrown into the corridor but he must have been closer than they thought. He had plenty of time to kick it back into the stairwell then finish off the blinded, helpless guards.
Neither Mark nor Alex was there. They must have entered the floor on the other side. Darkwolf hoped they'd still be alive by the time he got there.