Message #30789

[Sir Modemkill, Cyborg!]

Chapter Four

   “James, what are we doing back here?!” came the whining voice of Igor, they were back at Nastya’s again. “The Armory at HQ was out of .50, I never asked you to come along.” James replied coldly to Igor. Igor ignored the comment as they walked down the market street, the various vendors, all wearing the CS logo on their clothing, hawking all sorts of merchandise.

   “Hey you in the black, stop, I challenge you!” James and Igor stopped, but didn’t bother turning around just yet, behind them, they could make out what was happening just from listening, it sounded like two people trying to restrain another, with muffled whispers of “You don’t know what you’re doing!” and “Don’t you see their uniforms?!” James turned around just in time to see a man…well, not quite a man yet, he must have been about 17, break free from his two friends and rush toward James.

   The kid stopped short in front of James and Igor, He was brandishing an old saber in his right hand, James could see him swallow hard before speaking. “I challenge you to a duel” James could hear the shakiness in his voice. James turned around and said “Go home kid.” The kid’s friends rushed forward to try and restrain him again, but the kid had already run on ahead, he Blocked James and Igor’s path, holding the sword in a ready stance. “I said I challenge you, if I can beat you, I can prove to everyone I’m not a wuss!” Igor, still wearing that same grin he always wore, stated. “This kid has a death wish! Hah!”

   The ruckus had drawn a small crowd, who all looked rather worried at this stage, James sighed and gripped the hilt of the blade hanging by his side. “As you wish.” The metallic hiss the marvelous sword made as it left its sheath was painfully audible and caused the crowd to gasp. The blade itself was black, this was one of the famed Dusk Razor’s which took a great deal of skill to wield properly.

   The kid looked shocked, as if he hadn’t expected this to happen, James sighed again. “The first move is yours” he stated flatly. The kid seemed to be shocked out of his trance by these words, he shook his head and charged wildly, James, with a flick of his wrist, deflected the blow away from him. The kid tried again, he slashed wildly at James, who had barely moved, and looked bored deflecting blow after blow.

   Igor, who was standing nearby, said “James, can you hurry this up? I’m bored!” James, after deflecting another blow, caught the kid’s sword in his own and flicked it away, he then pointed the tip of his own sword at the kid’s throat. The kid almost looked like he was going to faint. “Your name.” James stated flatly. “W-what?” The kid stuttered. “Give me your name.” James repeated. “J-j-Jake…” he replied.

   In one fluid movement, James sheathed the Dusk Razor again and turned around to walk away. “Go home Jake.” The kid dropped to his knees and panted. After only a few steps, James heard Jake’s voice again. “Where are you going?!” James, without bothering to turn around, stated flatly. “None of your business.” The kid replied “That’s not what I mean! You’re supposed to kill your opponent when you beat him, it was the only reason I challenged you, because I knew if my life was on the line, I’d fight my hardest!”

   Jake’s two friends looked mortified when James stopped and turned around again. Jake continued “Damnit I don’t want your sympathy!” Igor actually burst out laughing at the thought of James showing sympathy, James stated flatly. “I don’t want to have to clean my sword” and with that, the two of them left the kid kneeling there.

   About ten minutes later, James and Igor were leaving a stall by the side of the street, James had bought several boxes of .50 ammunition, and were heading back toward the main gate, Igor piped up. “Why can’t we go have a drink first? It’s a long walk back!” James answered “Feel free.” Igor feigned a sad look and sighed. A couple of seconds later, Igor asked “So why didn’t you kill that kid, he was annoying enough.” James didn’t answer for a moment, then replied. “He was stupid to try and throw his life away like that, life is something to be cherished in these times, besides, there was no point in making our already bad reputation even worse.” Igor had a look of the utmost surprise on his face, it took him a minute to even say anything. “Wow James, I think that’s the longest sentence I’ve gotten out of you since….since…well, ever!” He said with a laugh. Modem furrowed his brow. “Shut up.”