When the rains may come (Science Fiction)

67. It's not over yet

Dahlia could have screamed but by the time she walked in on Julien bleeding on the floor, she was just mildly surprised. Even Jennifer seemed just a little disconcerted.

Neither of them would've expected Hodges to murder Julien like that. The former had been one of the most dedicated Firsts and the voice of the Seat of Authority. And as far as Jennifer knew, the two old politicians had been friends since their youth.

Whatever could've poisoned that friendship?

The thought remained suspended in Jennifer's mind for a second before she filed it away.

"This changes nothing, right?" Dahlia said.

Jennifer shook her head. "The First Leader had designed the Silver Lining Initiative in such a way that it would keep progressing despite his absence or in this case, death."

"And the troops deployed in Moudrin are already marching forward." Dahlia nodded. "We'll still need to finalize the deal with premier Ozaan."

"We can get going right a–"

Jennifer paused abruptly and frowned at a distant noise. She turned to Dahlia. "Ms. Esker, can you hear it too?"

Dahlia was already frowning. "Sounds like gun fire."

#

Ian Harper was flying the Orzstok helicopter while the standing army of the S-1 island kept firing up at them. The special grade truck was suspended by the base of the helicopter.

"We're lucky there is no anti-aircraft defense on this island," Erik said as he gazed out of the window of the truck and down at the ant-sized men who were carried on with the futile firing.

"As if it would've mattered." Lisa scoffed. "I still have two cluster bombs ready left shoot at them. It would've been like stomping a kitten."

"Are we still sticking to the 'keep-the-casualties-minimum' rule?"

"Not anymore." Erik glared at the soldiers firing at them. "We are really close to finishing this off once and for all. We can't let anyone get in our way anymore."

Lisa nodded. "Good to know."

Cathy's walkie-talkie hissed. "Cargo, this is the stork, do you copy?"

"Copy that, stork," Cathy spoke into the device.

"We are getting close to the drop-off. Be prepared."

Erik and Lisa were already putting their seat belts on.

"Roger that, stork. Thanks for the heads up."

Cathy put on her seat belt too as they arrived close to the First Leader's villa. She glanced back at the motorcycle they'd loaded in the back of the truck. She sighed. "I hope this ends soon."

#

The helicopter lowered the truck right outside the First Leader's villa and flew off for some aerial scouting. Lisa engaged the fortress mode after Erik and Cathy hopped out with their rifles and made their way into the villa.

The guards were coming up the inclined road to the Township of Authority. Lisa shot them off with the full auto machine gun before any of them could react.

Cathy and Erik didn't have to kick down the door. Someone had already left it open. So they walked right in.

The living room was vast with shiny marble floor, intricate murals on the wall, expensive furniture and exotic trees outside the windows. There were three glasses on top of the imported coffee table.