Wild Heat (CHAPS 1-6 only, but you can still read the complete story for free)

The Scent of Destiny

I call heaven and earth as witnesses. Before you I have placed life and death, the blessing and the curse. You must choose life, so that you and your descendants will live.

                                                                                                                                                                    ~Deut. 30:19

Lucian watched Mikdash Island shimmer out like an oasis through the shroud of mist and splattering rain. 

"Starting descent," anunsiyo ni Samuel kasabay ng pagmanipula nito sa control ng helicopter.  

They braced for touchdown, his men grim faced as the aircraft descended smoothly to the island's helipad. Apat lang sila sa loob ng Matekhet 700, all still fully armed and ready for combat. They could have used one of the larger Matekhet UH-709A, an air tactical support helicopter of Matekhet Aircraft, but his men still stationed in Bailus Island in southern Greece needed them more.

The war was not yet over.

The damp mist scattered and thinned as the helicopter approached ground level.  Tila itim na bakal na salamin ang walang hanggang karagatan sa dilim ng gabi. Dots of lights blinked across the island, faintly illuminating the lush vegetation. He could see the outline of Shomer's HQ amidst the dense forest. Average human vision wouldn't have permitted it. But Kenites were hardly average.

Lumiit ang distansya ng aircraft sa mga puno at sa pribadong landing strip. Nakita niya ang dalawang itim na SUV sa gilid ng hangar, at may apat na lalaking nakatayo sa labas noon, nakatingala at nakatitig sa pababang aircraft nila.

Kinalas niya ang safety strap bago pa tuluyang makapag-touchdown ang kanilang piloto. Samuel lowered the collective fully and the helicopter halted quickly. The engine whined as it spooled down. He yanked the door open and he and his men jumped out of the aircraft and strode toward the vehicle. Nauot sa kaniyang ilong ang amoy ng gubat, ulan, dagat at lupa. Tumama sa kanila ang matatabang mga butil ng ulan at agad nanuot sa kanilang itim na kamiseta at pantalon. He didn't feel it. All he could feel was the murderous fire burning in his gut.

Sinalubong sila ng dalawang lalaki.

"Sir–"

"Stom ta'pe," pakli niya. Shut your mouth sa salitang Hebreo. Tiim bagang niyang pinagmasdan na bigyan ng instructions ni Samuel ang natitirang dalawang lalaki na magdadala sa Matekhet 700 sa hangar.

Bumaling sa kanila si Samuel matapos makipag-usap sa mga lalaki, at dumerecho sila sa SUV.

Kailangan niyang kontrolin ang sarili sa paghila pabukas ng pinto sa passenger seat. He could dislodge the frail door with the way he was seething. Pumasok siya at sumunod ang tatlo niyang kasama. Agad ding sumunod ang dalawang lalaki.

Binuhay ng driver ang makina ng sasakyan at gumapang ang ugong sa sahig. A faint, tapping sound jumbled together with the roar of the engine. Hindi iyon maririnig ng ordinaryong tao, sigurado siyang hindi iyon narinig ng dalawang pinadala ng Shomer. Mababa ang oil level at naging dahilan para hindi gumana ng tama ang valve lifter. Sumobra ang valve train clearance na naging dahilan ng pagtunog. Hindi iyon malala, halos wala pang nagagawang pinsala, pero madali iyong nasagap ng mga tainga at pandama nila ng mga kasama. Kenites were specifically attuned to anything related to machines and metals.

But weapons had always been their specialty.

The comfortable weight of his semi-automatic pistols rested against either side of his rib cage. Serrated obsidian knives were strapped against his back, chest and leg. Ang lahat ng iyon ay gawa ng Matekhet Industry. Dumadaloy ang kapangyarihan ng kanilang angkan sa bawat sentimetro ng bakal ng mga iyon. Ang lahat ng iyon ay kayang pumatay ng kahit ano'ng nilalang, mahiwaga man o ordinaryong tao. They were gods of war and carnage. Ares had nothing on them.