You walk a thin line, vessel. Myyk is a high value Prophus. We share extensive history. I have known him since before mankind harnessed fire. He was part of the very first group of Quasing scouts sent to find others of our kind. I do not care for most of the Prophus but Myyk has value.
“And the old man?”
Abrams has been with the Prophus for forty years, rising through the ranks via their military arm. Watch your words around him. He is clever and spent twenty of those years on the front line. Do not engage him in singular combat. Even at his age, he is dangerous.
“Sounds like a challenge. My will is superior.”
You are no longer at the Hatchery. This is not a game.
“I never treated the Hatchery like a game.”
You will soon discover that the reality you knew is not what you will experience.
His men came to attention when he reached the ground level. The tension in the air was thick. Though the Prophus were unarmed, as agreed, the Genjix agents were trigger happy. He noticed Abrams and the rest of the Prophus eying him. One wrong move and a battle could erupt. Something must be done to cement the peace before his plans were destroyed. Enzo put his hand on the shoulder of the nearest Genjix agent.
“Stand down,” he said in a loud, assuring voice. “Blood won’t be spilled today.” The soldier lowered his rifle without question. The rest of his men followed suit. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Prophus relax as well. Abrams did not. Enzo gave his man a reassuring pat on the back before strolling toward Abrams as if on a Sunday walk after church. He got within two meters of the Admiral and bowed.
“By the power bestowed on me as Admiral of the Prophus fleet,” Abrams said formally, “and by the terms of our surrender, I give you the codes and the guarantee of my subordinates to offer no resistance.” He stood at attention, awaiting Enzo’s response.
Enzo studied his enemy for a second. At first, Abrams looked exactly like any other elderly man. Upon closer inspection, he noticed Abrams’s distinguished facial lines, his skin pale undoubtedly from years living in a submarine, his lean, tall figure, and his resilient penetrating eyes. This was not a man to be trifled with. He was also standing with both his feet pointing slightly inward, a sign of a trained martial artist.
Enzo stuck out his hand. “Admiral Abrams, it’s a pleasure. I wish we could become acquainted on better terms.”
Abrams hesitated before taking his hand. “Myyk feels the same way. He and Zoras have a history of mutual respect.”
“Zoras still remembers what you did for his vessels during the Stone Age, how you brought him from the darkness and into the Quasing fold.”
Abrams relaxed. “It was a difficult time for us. I still believe our goals remain the same, and that one day, we can all work together for the greater good of all.” He handed the notebook to Enzo and saluted. “The Atlantis is yours.”
Enzo took the notebook and then handed it off to Yuki. She scanned the codes and then nodded. Enzo turned and scanned the rank and file crew. According to the terms of the surrender, over three quarters of the enemy would be free in six months. And while it was a low price to pay for an intact nuclear submarine, it still reflected badly upon him.
“You are a shrewd diplomat, Admiral,” he mused. “I missed my induction into the Council because of our negotiations.”
“Convey my apologies to your Council.” Abrams sounded anything but apologetic.
Enzo smiled. “Of course. Please.” He gestured for Abrams to follow. “I will arrange some accommodations worthy of your rank.”
Abrams nodded and followed in step next to Enzo. “Thank you. Now if possible, Myyk would like to speak with Zoras tonight…”
He never finished his sentence. As they were walking, Enzo took a step back and cut the back of Abrams’s knees with a kick, sweeping his legs out from under him.
Enzo, no!
Credit was due to the old man: as Abrams fell to the floor, he rolled away and got back to his feet. Immediately, Enzo was on top of him, lashing out with his fists. He connected with Abrams’s face, shattering an orbital bone. But the old man was a tough old nut. He stayed on his feet and retreated to the protection of his people. In his peripheral vision, Enzo saw the Prophus agents closing in to protect their Admiral. He heard the footsteps of his own guards approach from behind. A pitched battle was about to commence.
What do you think you are doing? An arrangement has been agreed upon!
“I have this under control, Zoras.”
“Come out, Admiral, if you value your crew,” Enzo yelled. “Your sacrifice will save their lives.”
To his credit, the old man held his arms out and ordered his men back. Enzo waited while he gave final instructions to those around him, and then came forward. Enzo waved his guards back as well, and the two met in the center of the circular opening.
Abrams shook his head. “Is this the honor of the Genjix now?”
“This is the honor of the victor,” Enzo smirked. “We will dictate what history says.”
“It is a pity,” Abrams remarked. “Devin was honorable. He would be ashamed of Zoras’ new host.”
“Shame is reserved only for the defeated,” Enzo growled and attacked.
This time though, Abrams was ready. As Enzo charged in, he nimbly sidestepped and danced away. He ducked Enzo’s leaping swing and kept his distance, feinting and bobbing his way out of reach.
“Clumsy, lad,” Abrams said. “I expected more from a Hatchery-raised Adonis. I could have countered you twice there.”
Enzo pressed the attack, covering ground quickly and sweeping low with his foot. He relished this real combat. Trained by the very best in jujitsu and boxing, he had always been considered too valuable to deploy to the field. Now, he enjoyed the adrenaline of a real life-and-death fight. He grazed Abrams’s foot as the older man skipped back again.
“Predictable,” Abrams chuckled. “A low counter or a step down would have shattered your kneecap there. It is a pity I still honor our agreement, or I would have taught you a lesson, pup.”
Enzo grunted and doubled his aggression. He was not going to let this ancient weakling make him look a fool in front of his men. He swung a hard right, folding it into an elbow that grazed Abrams’s nose. Still, Abrams shifted out of the way and kept his hands up, emulating a strike. “Another two blows to your exposed left side. Your guard needs work. If I had…”
“Then do it!” Enzo snapped. “Defend yourself if you can.”
Enzo, no! You do not know who you are dealing with.
A wicked grin appeared on Abrams’s face. “As you wish.”
Abrams’s attack came so fast that Enzo barely even noticed it. He felt the air pop near his left ear and then a hard pull that lifted him off his feet as Abrams grabbed his collar and threw him across the room.
You are being foolish. Myyk was Dong Haichuan, and Abrams was once a deadly assassin in his own right.
Enzo recognized the name of the creator of Bagua Zhang as he landed unceremoniously on his rump. He rolled away just as a foot came stomping down. The challenge of this fight piqued his interest even more. A real opponent. Enzo picked himself up off the ground and brought his guard up. His face turned crimson red when he heard the cheers of the Prophus and the mutters of his own men.
“I will not lose to this feeble man. I will impose my will and strength on him!”
Your standing among the Genjix will fall if you do. This is a terrible risk you take to gain nothing.
Abrams pressed the attack. Enzo blocked three quick strikes and countered. Abrams dodged an uppercut but ate a side kick. Enzo followed up with a flurry that missed its mark. Enzo was stronger and quicker, but Abrams was by far the craftier fighter.