TURBULANCE

Chapter 8. Falling Into Place

Josh and Tesseract stared down the enemy.

"Josh. You survived. Congratulations." Viper spoke first with a smart attitude.

"Save it." Josh fiercely replied. He had grown a strong hatred for all Sweepers. He wanted to kill every last one of them.

"Tesseract. My old friend, still looking fine in that mask of yours. Now, I didn't come looking for a fight, so just hand over the book, and we can just go about out lives." Viper snarled.

"Since when is it ever that easy?" Tesseract added, "we will give you the book. Tomorrow at ten in the town square. You can bring along your Destroyers if you feel you may be double crossed."

Viper thought about it for a moment before saying,

"Ok. Sure thing. See you tomorrow then." Josh thought that it couldn't possibly be that simple. Then he noticed a patch of darkness forming behind Viper. He extended his right arm and a streak of shadows bursted out, like a single jet stream.

"Josh, duck!" Tesseract managed to yell. Josh did as instructed and ducked, only narrowly avoiding the shadows. When Josh got back up he saw Viper charging at him. Just as Josh attempted to summon a fireball, Viper sent a gush of air at Josh. Josh managed to grab the book, but he was sent flying backwards. Viper turned his attention to Tesseract. Tesseract charged at him and swung a dangerous left hook. But all he hit was air. Viper was good, and he knew it. But Tesseract was better. He quickly sent in two left jabs which landed on Viper's jaw, followed by a left knee to the stomach. Viper stumbled back, but didn't show signs if weakening. He shot a jet of bullets that Tesseract just dodged, and he was vulnerable, and Viper used that to his advantage. He charged, knocking Tesseract to the floor. He repeatedly hit his mask, but it seemed to do no damage. Viper pointed his finger at Tesseract's face. Josh had managed to recover. He was looking at the pair and had seen that gesture before. It was the same point Viper had used to kill the innocent man in the blink of an eye. Josh had to do something, or else Tesseract would surely die. He got up, book in hand, and charged. When he was five metres away, he shot out a stream of air. The air rippled around Viper, and he flew sideways. He managed to shoot, where he was pointing. And he had only just missed Tesseract's mask.

"Nicely done Josh." Tesseract exclaimed.

"Thanks." Josh replied. As they spoke Viper was again running at them.

"Viper just stop." Tesseract ordered. "There is no point in injuring ourselves if we are just going to hand the book over to you. Patience my friend."

"I understand, but why not now? Why does it have to be tomorrow?" Viper asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Because it just does." Tesseract replied.

"I have been on this planet for 550 years now, and never has something like this occurred. I guess I am just curious." Viper exclaimed.

"Ok. So you can go back, to your lair or whatever, and we will see you tomorrow. Without Hicks, but with your Destroyers. See you then." As Tesseract finished speaking, Viper disappeared into the shadows. Josh looked over at Tesseract and handed him the book,

"Are you ok?" He asked.

"Yeah. A little sore. He has a great right hook you know, for a 550 year old."