Broken World by Marco Bucciferro

Author:Marco Bucciferro
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, evil, fantasy, hero, leader, wars, characters, personal, social
ISBN: 9781910295939
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2014
Published: 2014-12-23T00:00:00+00:00

7

As Stross fumbled with the three artefact pieces, he seemed to be delaying the inevitable.

“Find Mark and get him prepared for his return to his own world. We have no use for him now,” ordered Stross.

“I’m already on it sir. I’ve arranged for him to be taken to the memory wipe facility, then there’ll be a transport ship waiting to take him back to Earth ... as soon as we find him, that is. Nobody seems to know where he is,” said Schmalz.

Stross paused for a few seconds, still fumbling with the three artefact pieces.

“Is there anything wrong sir?” asked Schmalz.

“No, nothing’s wrong.” mumbled Stross.

“It’s just that the prisoners have already been taken to the courtyard; they’re waiting for you,” continued Schmalz.

Stross remained where he was, still fumbling with the three artefact pieces. There was a look of concern on the face of Schmalz, and he felt the need to say something, “Sir, snap out of it!” he shouted.

Stross looked up quickly, almost dropping the artefact pieces. “For a moment there, I was seriously considering putting a stop to the whole campaign. I felt no compulsion to construct the artefact or to destroy the prisoners,” Stross admitted.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s just the serotonin. You must remember, it’s absolutely imperative that you stay strong. Don’t let it affect your judgement, or you could lose everything that you’ve worked so hard to gain,” warned Schmalz.

“Yes, you’re right,” said Stross.

Feelings of doubt and remorse at the idea of killing innocent prisoners were dominating Stross’s thoughts - must fight these feelings, can’t stop now.

Schmalz noticed that Stross had already begun to construct the artefact, and he immediately backed off. “I’ll wait for you in the courtyard,” he said.

Completing the artefact seemed to boost Stross’s ego. “The world belongs to me now that I have the power to rule it.”

Ten prisoners stood in the courtyard, with their backs against a wall. Their hands were bound, and blindfolds were placed over their eyes. As Schmalz stood waiting with the guards, Stross came into view. He was holding the completed artefact. Immediately everyone backed away in fear. Stross stood before the prisoners and said out loud, “Behold my true power”. Then he placed the artefact on his forehead, and waited. Nothing happened. Stross continued to wait, but still nothing happened. He took the artefact off his head and examined it. Then he simply walked away, heading towards the science labs.

Schmalz ran to catch up with him. “What is it, what’s wrong?” he asked.

“I think the two pieces we took from Alto City are fakes. I’m going to have them verified.” explained Stross.

“How can this be?” asked Schmalz.

“I don’t know,” confessed Stross. “But I want you to do something for me.”

“Of course, anything,” declared Schmalz.

“I want you to go to the Grand Hegemon, and plead for the use of the Grand Army. If these artefact pieces are fake, then I will launch a full-scale invasion; no more diversions or tactics. I will not be made to look a fool,” Stross blustered.

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