The Spark by Howell H. G

Author:Howell, H. G. [Howell, H. G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-10-03T22:00:00+00:00

Marcus’ eyes watered from the bitter, putrid stench of the rotting corpses. It was pungent, with notes of a sickly sweetness and violating vileness. The square was alive with the nauseating odor, making it difficult for Marcus to suppress his desire to vomit.

Many of the men tried to avoid the over laden market. This proved to be difficult as many of the village’s streets and walkways led to, and from, the square. It was an unlucky man whom had to traverse the sordid space.

A light, warm breeze brought new tendrils of the horrid smell of death and carrion in Marcus’ senses. He spat a glob of phlegm to combat the urge to retch. Wiping sweat from his brow he cursed his luck. The commander demanded a count of the dead for his reports and it had fallen to Marcus to lead the tally.

“Add fifteen more long-rifles.” The only other man tasked with the count said through a napkin he held over his face.

“For being so few in number, the Valvian’s sure did a number on us.” Marcus said as he added fifteen ticks to his list.

“Aye.” The soldier agreed. “But we won.”

“Yes,” Marcus agreed. He reached into a shallow pocket on the breast of his uniform, withdrew a small kerchief and wiped the growing beads of sweat from his brow. “However, the damage they inflicted makes it a bitter victory.”

“We don’t need the kinetic’s.” The man spat into the face of a slain pyrokinetic. “We are men of the Order. We can do what those freaks of nature can do, only better.”

“Oh?” Marcus raised an eyebrow as he stuffed the kerchief back into his pocket. “Can you generate fire, or electricity, on command? Can you, or any of the other men for that matter, will these elements to harm our enemy?”

The man fell silent. Marcus stared into his resentful eyes, awaiting a smart response. The buzzing of the flies filled the hanging silence like a low heartbeat, ticking the seconds of the silence with their carrion song.

“That’s what I thought.” Marcus said as the man failed to offer argument. Marcus attached his pencil to his clipboard, grieving over the results of the tally. “We may still have numbers, but we will not last against any major offensive by the Valvian’s, should they try to retake this town. The kinetics were our sure fire way of holding a solid defense.”

“What about Vladimir?” The man asked as he moved over the corpses, coming to stand next to Marcus.

“He is…busy.” It wasn’t a complete a lie. Unbeknownst to the remaining troops, the lone surviving electrokinetic had specific orders from Garius Syrah. His task was horrific and sinful - so much so, Marcus doubted any positive results would come to fruition.

If, by some horrible chance the kinetic were to be successful, the whole course of this war would surely change.

“Sure he is.” The soldier spat again, wiping sweat from his own brow. “Why must it be so thrice damned hot?”

“You know why.” Marcus said, patting the man on the shoulder.

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