Humanity's Last Stand

Part 13

The generals regrouped with Shiki and his squad inside headquarters where Akashi searched Hercules and Hanzo's rooms for any information.

Waiting inside the meeting room, Shiki sat on a leather chair and rested his arms on the long table. Four portraits of the greatest generals in history placed along the walls in ascending order. The others also waited while on their chairs and Hadate was released from imprisonment and was there too.

"You guys are quite skilled warriors despite your ages," the short sized man smirked "I don't think I have introduced myself. I am Ashada and I am a veteran like your old pal Andrew."

"Andrew?" Shiki asked "You know him?"

Ashada chuckled "He and I don't get along well that's probably why he never told you anything about me."

Tatsuya remained silent with his arms crossed.

"You're the one who killed Nor right?" Reikado asked "Once this is over, I'll arrest you for that."

"No you won't," Hadate said "He was doing what anyone would. Maybe you guys should think before you blindly follow orders like you did then maybe Nor would not to die."

"How dare you!" Reikado slammed his hands on the table "You're nothing more than a civilian with unauthorized weapons so know your place!"

"Haha you're quite amusing for a country bumpkin," Ashada chucked at Hadate "I suggest you know your position in this."

Hadate reached his gun but Shiki stopped him and looked at Ashada and Reikado "I am not going to even bother replying to your comments but don't look down at my squad," he said in a loud voice "These men are hardened warriors like any soldier and they have as much right to say as anyone."

Ashada laughed "You're amusing as well for someone who acts like a leader when you're nothing more than a soldier."

Hadate glared at him but Shiki remained quiet.

The double door creaked open and Akashi walked inside the room and sat on a chair. And the others looked on at him.

"Did you found anything?" Taiga asked

"Hercules and Hanzo did an excellent job in hiding their tracks but not good enough to conceal their motives," Akashi explained "Hercules' room reeked with chemicals and inside his wardrobe were dead soldiers."

Hakura's eyes widened "What could be sick enough that he'd have bodies inside his room?!"

"An experiment, am I right?" Kaise asked

"That's correct," Akashi said "I concluded that Hercules was conducting research into something related to the horde creatures so I am assuming he goes somewhere that he can continue this."

A place with overloading population huh? Shiki pondered. The idea crossed his mind "Hastagard City, that could be his next target."

Reikado eyes lowered "I guess that makes sense but the city has not been attacked by the horde yet so why there?"

"Because it hasn't been attacked yet," Akashi said "The reason that the horde hasn't attacked yet is because that place maybe important to them, its proven that the creatures are intelligent."

"But why? Why would he sell us out?" Kaise wondered "What reason could he have? What is he trying to accomplish?"

"That doesn't matter anymore because I'll kill him," Akashi said "There is no reason enough to condemn millions."

"Wait, you're being hasty with this," Hakura said "He maybe working with the enemy but we can still reason with him."

"That is out of the question," Akashi said impassively "He is a traitor and like all traitors, I would execute them without question."

Hakura looked away.

"I am guessing you're going then so am I," Shiki stood up and looked towards Akashi "I need answers behind this."

"To what questions?" The short sized man raised his eyebrow "There is really no need to know the enemy's reasons or intentions."

"I am talking about who he works with or for," Shiki looked at everyone "These attacks on us and the other cities are too coordinated and are well planned. The horde may have intelligence but the creatures know even our weak points so I think someone is leading them."

Hakura nodded "I think you're right," she stood up "I'll go with you."

"Well that's a big maybe really," The short sized man shrugged "Well do what you want but I am not going with you guys."

"I'll go as well," Kaise said "I have my own reasons."

"You're not in any liberty to come with us," Akashi said "You're nothing more than a civilian not a soldier."

Shiki glanced towards Kaise "No, he comes with us. Kaise is my teammate so he can come as long as I allow him right?"

Akashi and Shiki eyed one another's eyes without any words. Their silence shivered the room.

"Yeah well that's what our protocols says as well," Taiga said "Shiki has the permission to bring his squad with him."

"Fine but the rest can stay behind," Akashi said "We'll leave tomorrow in the morning at the gate so don't be late," he left the room.

The others immediately leave the room along with Shiki and his team. Walking next to him was Hakura and Taiga while his squad walked behind him.

"Well with that behind us," Taiga placed his arm around Shiki's neck "I am glad you're alright despite what happened."

Shiki remained quiet. You can act normal around me but you're aggressive in public. He closed his eyes and smiled. I am not even sure that I am talking to the same person here but its like always I guess, nothing changes.

Hakura remained quiet and looked down, appearing lost in what she has to say. Taiga noticed her remaining quiet "You can tell him that you're glad too you know."

"Oh yeah," Hakura held her hands together.

I guess she hasn't really change that much. Always not much of a talker. Shiki looked ahead "I am leaving this city in your hands, Taiga."

"I know but make sure you keep your ass alive," Taiga gave a light smack to Shiki's head and walked away "I'll catch up with you two tomorrow."

Hakura grabbed out a necklace from her pocket "Here I want you to have this," she said "I know its sudden but I think you should have it."

"That's your mother's present to you," Shiki stared at it "Why are you giving it to me? I thought you like that necklace."

"Well I want you to have it," Hakura held his hand out and placed the necklace on his hand "Take it," she walked back towards her home "I'll see you tomorrow."

Shiki gazed at the silver necklace and smiled. He wore it on his neck as he headed back home.

While at headquarters' courtyard, Ashada laid on a bench with a pick on his mouth and his hands on his backhead. The dark skies painted with glinting stars and a shooting star glowed through the sky.

"You're really lazy aren't you?" Roy walked towards him. Bandages covered his wounds all over his body "I thought you'd be more interested in going back to your home."

"Well I didn't want to get involve in this war to start with anyways," Ashada looked at him "I am only here to live the easy life nothing more and nothing else."

Roy sighed and looked at the skies "I am going to be stronger," he said under his breath as he clasped his arm.

Ashada looked at him blankly upon those words and looked back up the skies "I heard he spared you."

Roy said nothing.

"Well I guess whether you hate him for it or grateful for it is your business," Ashada rested to one side "I'll be napping now."

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