End of Knighthood Part III_Ballad of Demise by Joshua Landeros

Author:Joshua Landeros [Landeros, Joshua]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-10-08T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10- Special Guest

October 23, 2065

Night had come to Manhattan. The East River shimmered beautifully. A caravan of Humvees drove through the streets of the city, all protecting a single black limousine. On the sidewalks of every street millions of citizens were out to wave at the vehicles.

Mari could see all of this from the giant monitor on the Times Tower in Time Square. The news report even offered an aerial view of the limousine, allowing people to see the UNR emblem on its roof.

The great warrior stuck to the darker areas of the busy intersection, but with her hood on she felt safe. Besides, everyone’s eyes were set on the news coverage. It was one of the few nights where the plethora of ads were not the main attraction.

She didn’t like leaving her sword back at the alley, but she wanted to see this. Who am I kidding? Even in her Hunter College jacket and jeans, she didn’t belong here with the civilians. What she really wanted was to get to the International Summit at that very moment. She reminded herself how foolish that would’ve been considering the impossible numbers against her. That was logic, and yet she maimed herself over and over with a single word: Coward.

She didn’t have any particular plan other than wait for the proceedings to be over and assault the Chancellor then. Mari assumed maybe once the event was over security might lessen up. That won’t happen, and you know it. No matter how many UNR soldiers you take down, you will die long before getting remotely close to the Chancellor. It was Maurizo’s voice in her head now, mocking her. Then your body will be taken in by the government and there will be songs of joy ridiculing your defeat. It’s over. Just run away, you stupid girl. Mari resisted the suggestions. If this is my defeat she told herself, then let it be a glorious one.

***

“We’re almost at First Avenue, sir,” Kearney reported. Seated beside him was Captain Howarth, and across from them was Chancellor Venloran and Janet.

“It’s your big night,” she said as she kissed him on the cheek.

“For all of us,” Venloran said to her.

“A whole night of smiling at assholes,” the captain said, but then he saw Janet staring at him.

“Pardon me.”

The woman couldn’t stay mad at him and smiled.

“Why didn’t you bring your girlfriend?” she asked.

“We’ve only been out twice. Besides, I wouldn’t want to bore her with all the speeches.”

“You know, he has an excellent point,” Kearney laughed.

“Still, we’d like to meet her soon,” Venloran reminded Damien. “I don’t want to intrude, but it sounds like you plan on seeing her a whole lot more.”

“Well…” the captain said nervously.

“Oh, stop it, Carl. He’ll introduce her when he’s ready,” Janet intervened. She winked at Damien, who allowed himself to relax.

“Fine, fine,” Venloran said.

“I can promise you, sir,” Damien proclaimed, “you guys will like her. She’s smart, a hard worker, and not a bad taste in music either.”

The Chancellor and his wife smiled.

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