The War Within

Chapter 10

     Jake peeped his head out from the tree he hid behind, seeing that the two canines were still in their same stances. He lowered his ears and sat down against the rough tree.

        “The scariest thing about Darzay,” Jake said quietly, “is how calm he is. I'd deal with a hundred robot gorillas than deal with him.” Darzay wore a smug smirk on his face that reflected in Captain Reko’s eyes as if he were urging him to take a swing at his head. All Captain Reko could hear were the sounds of his own anger speaking to him.

        “Kill him, Reko,” the voice chanted in his head. “Give him what he deserves. If you let him live, he’ll go on to hurt others. Especially Igneous.” Anger began to swallow him, but goodwill clung onto him, refusing to let go, and he knew what he had to do.

        “Come on Reko,” Darzay said impatiently. “I don’t have all day, you know.” Captain Reko growled and reluctantly put his sword back into its sheath. He walked towards Darzay and stopped when they were almost chest to chest, looking him in the eye with a death glare.

        “Not one more Tasoolian,” he said in a low, harsh tone. “You’d better not kill any more Tasoolians or so help me, I'll tear you apart limb from limb without a second thought. As of now, there are more important things to focus on than our hate for each other.” Darzay chuckled and began to walk past Captain Reko, but Captain Reko roughly grabbed his arm.

        “I’m warning you right now, Darzay. If I find out about you hurting anyone or if you ever dare try to kill my son, you’re going to be wishing that you’ve never crossed me. Are we clear on that?” Darzay looked at Captain Reko with a mischievous grin and pulled away from him.

        “Well I guess you just won’t be finding out, now will you?” Captain Reko did his best to ignore what Darzay said and called for Jake. Jake came from behind the tree, and his father motioned him to come to him. He was hesitant at first, but Jake carefully slid down the slope and ran over to Captain Reko and Darzay.

        “As much as I hate him,” Captain Reko said to Jake, “we’re gonna have to take Darzay with us.”

        “Does this mean that-”

        “No, it doesn’t. Take us back to camp.”

        “Hang on,” Darzay said abruptly, getting their attention. “I need my gear from Zubelon’s place.”

        “That’s not our problem,” Captain Reko responded.

        “Actually, Reko, it is your problem. You see, I can’t help you at my best without my weapons, and wouldn’t you want me at my best?” Captain Reko sighed in irritation and anger.

        “Fine, I’ll-”

        “Oh, I’m not asking you to get them. I want Reko Jr. to get them.” Jake’s eyes widened and he quickly shook his head no.

        “D-Dad would never let me do something that dangerous!”

        “Come on, Reko. He’ll never get any battle experience with you always coming to the rescue.” Captain Reko knew that Darzay was right, but he wouldn’t even send himself on a quest so dangerous. He looked at Jake, remembering their time alone at the wolves' den and how Jake’s combat abilities evolved overtime, but they were not even as good as Rai’s. Knowing this, Captain Reko sighed deeply and brought his communicator up to his mouth.

        “Kinsa, this is Captain Reko speaking. What's your current location?” Jake's eyes widened and he took a step away from Captain Reko, appalled at the fact that Captain Reko would even consider sending him and Kinsa on such a dangerous mission.