A Brief Future Of Time

Audio Log 7: The Assassination Escalation

"This is Mike. Come in, Sniper 10." The son of John Connor voiced in, to his men, nervous.

"Copy, Sir, what are the orders?" came the reply from the snipers perched on the ruins of what used to be a towering skyscraper, their corsairs aiming at the possessed avian.

"Fire at will."

"Roger."

"Sir, are you sure? This may not be the best way test..."

"I am dead sure, Phil, now let the snipers do their job. This test holds immense value in shaping our future war-time strategies. Seb won't know or feel a thing."

The radio buzzed in again: " I have a visual on target. Firing in 3, 2, 1..."

"Sniper 10 to base, It's a hit. Repeat, It went went as planned, Sir, you were right. Targets have been shot out of the sky. Over."

"Are there any more hostiles in the region? And do you read any activity?"

"Negative. Report to home base initiated. ETA 2 hours."

"Also, order a clean up, we don't want the falconoid corpses to attract more attention, and radio in Seb, tell him play-time is over."

"Right away, Sir. Anything else?"

"No, that will be all."

"I don't understand, wasn't the target the doctor himself?

"What? No! You remember when the falconoid screeched? That was but a ultra sound wave, an SOS of sorts. It was a message to direct the scouting falconoids towards our concealed base."

"Oh..So why didn't Seb just screech once again, calling off the attack?"

"If I was at war, and sent you an urgent call for help, and then immediately said 'Nevermind, It's cool.' What would you make of it?"

"I would be suspicious, triangulate your location and send troops to investigate...." The rookie realised.

"And if the call for help came with a possibility of finding an enemy stronghold, the chances of it going unnoticed are quite minimal."

It was then that an avian flew in from an opening in the roof, landing a little roughly.

"Good work, General, but please do something about this gaping hole in the ceiling, it attracts hostiles like a 'FREE FOOD!' sign at an 'All-you-can-eat-buffet'. Also, the snipers need improved camouflage, they stick out like a sore thumb." retorted Seb, sarcastically, easing Phil's fears that new addition to the conversation came from a regular Faclonoid. Also, all this flying is compelling me to get the clouds out of my talons."

"Haww! You noticed them? I thought you wouldn't because you were the centre of attraction out there." Mike returned the favor.

"Au Contraire, I knew all of your plans the moment I noticed you are carrying a walkie-talkie around.You obviously weren't expecting a Sit-Rep from the troops since all, but the snipers, are here. And it is only logical that the snipers would assume the highset point to set up a perimeter, and that's where I found them." The self proclaimed "paranormal prodigy" explained.

"Enough talk, chain him up Phil, let's get the knight out of his armor for now." Mike said, sticking his tongue out.

"Yes, Sir!" 

"But still, next time, I wouldn't mind if you gave me a heads up first, and not leave the situation to be deciphered by mystery novel-induced deduction skills and my own bad assery."

"Is that a peackock you possessed? Because you sure sound as proud. Or is the lack of air and adrenaline-rush getting to your head?" Mike countered.

"Done, Sir, you can now come out of there."

"I think my appropriate metaphor will involve a river of excrement and a native-American means of aquatic transport without any means of propulsion." 

"Now,  what the heck is that supposed to mean?" Mike displayed his irritation.

"I think Doc means 'Up a river of crap in a canoe without a paddle'. Am I right?"

"Indeed."

"That expression, Mr.Scientist, is used when you are in a bad situation, not when you are annoying those around you."

"I do know that, and judging by the situation, there's a reason why I said 'APPROPRIATE'!!"

"What is it now?"

"I'm stuck!"

Mike burst into laughter, "Haha! Good one! I almost believed you there for a second."

"I'm not kidding, I can't get out!"

"Oh, great!! We had a great advantage due to your intangibilty, and a.. a teenage dream of flight levelled the playing field." Mike says, getting a grasp of reality.

"Cut it out, and think of a way to get me out!"

"You are the scientist, what do you want me to do? All I can think of is to try and kill off the host, maybe you will be able to get out then."

"Or I die along with it. Too risky."

"Well, we could use a spy...."

"I would give you a look of derision and slight amusement, but I don't know those will look like in this bird face."

"Well, look as though you are going to be stuck with that face for a while, so you might as well get used to it."

"The very possibilty is too much ! Oh the horror!! This is more disturbing than a tap dancing pirate with a wooden leg on metal floor!!"

"Sir, I think it is affecting his mind..." Phil interjected.

"No, this is just proof that he's still normal."

"How will I continue my research? How will I do things without an opposable thumb?? What if I get sucked into a jet's engine while flying?"

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Cut it out!! Calm down!! Birds can die of fright you know?" Mike teased.

"WHAT?? I WAS BETTER OFF NOT KNOWING THAT!!" shrieked Seb.

"Not so loud! You might accidentally attract more bird-brains with that voice! Phil, come with me for a second." Mike said, signalling him to come over.

"Tranquilize him, that should calm him down. And while your'e at it, scatter some poppy seeds around! Haha!"

"Okay, Sir." said Phil, leaving to do Mike's bidding.

"Phil, the poppy seeds thing was a joke. Don't take things that literally."

"Oh.." said the rookie, returning to the direction of Seb.