Chapter 17, art of deceiption 6

(Callie)

The air cracked with the report of her rifle, metal and composites shattered. Metal clacked on the allium floor as the Devali dropped her broken gun, and shook her hand, wincing in pain. It would have been so simple to end it. But Callie wasn't willing to let this monster die so easily. The Devali woman needed to pay for what she did to Meris. She glanced down at the pooling blood. Meris lay on her side, still strapped to the metal chair, her head leaking blood and grey matter onto the whitewashed floor.

Callie couldn't just allow the Devali woman to die quickly. Leaning her empty rifle against the wall, Callie drew her long knife from her side. The Devali gritted her teeth, forming a fighting stance, and favouring her shattered hand. Tears filled the Devalis' eyes, but she didn't cry out in pain. Her right hand was a mess of broken metal and plastic fragments that had splintered from the pistol.

Green Energy washed over the Devali into her broken hand. Ligaments knitted back together and metal fragments clacked as the green energy pushed the fragments from the woman's skin onto the floor. The woman screamed as her hand was forcibly healed. Healing was a complicated process, and there was no way the Devali woman healed her own hand properly. That wasn't the intention. It was clear the woman's only goal was to make the woman's hand healed enough to grasp her knife. Callie was going to make sure the long-term side effects of a poorly healed hand didn't matter to this woman.

Callie bit her lower lip. Because of the inefficient healing, the Devali woman would have sacrificed most of her reservoir. Callie widens her stance, crouching. She didn't speak, nor did the Devali. They both understood there was nothing that could be said. This was an execution. Nothing needed to be said.

The Devali drew her own knife with a grimace and rushed Callie with a shout. Callie kicked her leg with an art infused foot. The woman checked the kick and slashed at Callie's retreating leg with an energy infused knife. Hardened ceramic clanked on composite armour as the knife deflected from Callie's leg plate. Infused with green shimmering energy, the knife gouged a small line into the outer plating. Realizing her extreme disadvantage, the Devali woman retreated around the outside of the room.

Callie pressed, her body a blur of kicks and quick jabs of her knife that sent spatters of blood across the walls and floor. In a panicked retreat the Devali stumbled on Merise's leg, and her arms pinwheel for balance. Callie felt muscle part as the fine edge of her knife tore across the Devali's cheek. The fight had only gone on for a minute, but the Devali was already gasping for breath, her clothes soaked from minor cuts.

" Two down, reloading." Said warren.

Callie's body thrummed with energy, her left thigh aching from a shallow, bleeding cut. The joints of her knees and arms were her armoured weak spots, so Callie moved accordingly.

" Just kill her already, Callie. We don't have much time. The authorities will be here soon." Said Warren, over her speakers on her helmet.

" That's not as easy as it sounds. She is good with a knife." Said Callie, never taking her eyes from her opponent. The Devalis bangs clung to her face, sticking from the blood leaking from a gash on her brow.

The Devali woman must have heard their conversation as she scowled and attacked aggressively.

The Devali woman lunged forwards, her knife darting for the joint of Callie's neck.

In a display of flexibility, Callie bent back at the waist and kicked upward.

The hard toe of her boot caught hand holding the knife. The ceramic knife went flying end over end, clattering into the wall. Lacking the mercy from seconds before Callie lept forwards and thrust her knife down into the side of the Devalis neck. Flesh parted and blood spurted as Callie pulled her blood-soaked knife free.

Staggering back, the Devali collapsed against the wall. The woman's hands frantically tried to stop the fountain of blood from the femoral artery.

Her heart racing, Callie turned from the dying woman as she collapsed to the ground. With a heavy heart, she glanced at the mangled corpse of Meris. It reminded her yet again of why she hated the Zrixian empire. Sure, Callie didn't trust meris, but the young woman didn't deserve torcher and death.

Callie reached up to the camera on the corner, tapping her comm to the device. In seconds, her comm broke the camera's decryption and downloaded its stored files. She waited several seconds as the cameras stored memories downloaded to her comm. She smiled. The video would be useful. Maybe she could leak it to the media?

" Let's go. The Devali woman is dead." Said Callie.

" How about Meris?" asked Warren.

" They shot her in the head." Said Callie, unable to meet the young woman's lifeless eyes.

" Damn, we could have used more help." Said Warren.

Callie left both bodies in the room and stepped out. Warren was crouched just outside the door, positioned facing the elevator behind a thick steel desk.

A body blocked the elevator door, not allowing the doors to close and drop floors. They walked across the room. Warren gestured to the stairs, and Callie wrenched the bar to the stairwell upwards. No one could take the elevator, and so she guessed the remaining soldiers would wait in the stairwell. She took a deep breath, tapping her reservoir and shrouding her body in a translucent dark field of sparkling black pinpricks of nothing intersected by shimmering white lines of energy. Before swinging the door open and stepping gun first into the stairwell.

The air cracked and sparks filled the air as bullets pinged off her negative barrier. Bullets ping off the walls around her from the stairs, deflected by her powerful negative art. Callie took in the three soldiers and instantly came up with the most effective way to deal with the soldiers. She pooled energy in her left hand and a sizzling net shot across the room. The net widened and wrapped around all three men. The shooting stopped as an immense pressure pulled the soldiers to the stairs. She could hear screams and loud cracks as the net's immense pull shattered armour and the people in them.

They descended the stairs, stepping around the screaming soldiers.

" Should we finish them?" asked Warren.

" No need, the net should kill them. It's way more powerful with my negative art." said Callie, ignoring the cracking of bone and armour. After seeing the horribly mangled body of Meris and the casual execution, Callie wasn't feeling merciful. She pushed aside her racing emotions, for perhaps the first time she saw the need to distance from her emotions.

Breathing deeply, Callie swept the stair with the green reticle of her ACOG sight. Her heavy boots pinged softly off the stairs. They took the stairwell to the corridors beneath the Gorgan Mack. They rushed along the maintenance corridor until they found the same closet prior. In a somber mood, they both changed quietly back into their normal clothing.

" What now Callie?" asked Warren.

"Well, now all we can do is wait. I will keep close to my boss. Maybe he will slip up and reveal the location of Peyton." said Callie, placing her sweat soaked helmet into the hamper.

Warren pulled the cloth bag from the hamper and slung it over his shoulder.

"Do you want me to dispose of that?" asked Callie.

"No, ill take it. You need to get back and make yourself seen. Your boss might suspect something after you ran away from his spies." said Warren.

Callie nodded. That was exactly what she was thinking.

"I will message you if I find any more information on Peyton." said Callie.

"Be careful, the Devali are monsters." Said Warren, his expression cold. She left the maintenance closet back into the spiraling catacombs of Berdant. She made her way back to her hotel. Using her borrowed map, Callie found an elevator that took her to her hotel. Using her key card, Callie enter her room from below. She had a shower and walked out onto the balcony. Making herself extremely obvious, she cracked a cold bottle of water and wasted time. All she needed to do now was keep her babysitters happy by hanging out in her room, where they could spy on her with their cameras. Smiling, she leaned back and pretended to take a nap. It wouldn't be long now before the enforcers found the dead bodies and Callie would get called to help.

(Dustin)

Dustin's heart clenched in his chest as he watched the video playing in front him. He was inside the Gorgan Mack, watching the video recording while several assistants picked up loose shell casings to search for fingerprints or DNA. What a mess this was turning out to be. First, there was the loss of a Devali, and now a video leaked to the press of the torcher. He gritted his teeth in anger. The public was rioting, as they saw this young woman as just that, barely more than a child. He hated torcher, what did Cal Hellen hope to gain? Meris was young. She wouldn't know anything important.

Now Dustin had to explain to the public why the Devali were torchering their prisoners before they even went on trial. Well, and the fact that torcher was illegal in both the Zrixian and Slax empires. Dustin scowled. The Slax ambassadors, who were starting to see reason until several hours ago, had now increased their pressure on the emperor, sighting excessive brutality.

Dustin wished Cal Hellen was still alive so he could shoot her himself. The amount of problems she made for him with this monumental disaster would have Dustin on the Emperor's, and the Ra's shit list for months. It didn't matter that he wasn't at fault. Dustin was the one in command of the Devali on Berdant. That meant every screwup was at least partially his fault. He tapped his fingers on his chin, not looking at any of the technicians in particular. So far, they hadn't found a damned thing. He needed Callie here. She was surprisingly good at this sort of thing. Maybe she could find something of use.

Dustin needed to watch the video again. First there was Cal Hellen, having her nose broken, and then the accidental shooting of Meris. Dustin watched as the figure in combat armour shot Cal Hellen's right hand into pulp and then surprisingly lowered the rifle. The figure drew a knife. Cal Hellen fought back, punching and kicking her opponent. The figure in dark armour was for more skilled, however, and was also in full combat gear while Cal Hellen was wearing blood spattered overalls.

The scene played out. In ancient times, there was a tradition called death by a thousand cuts. Dustin was reminded of this as he watched cal Hellen get cut repeatedly, her overalls drenched in blood. Then the last move, the person in black bending over backwards, and kicking the knife from cal Hellens hand. That was a lot more difficult than it looked and was impracticable for most people. Aside from Callie, Dustin didn't know any other fighters who moved so gracefully.

Dustin massaged his temples as he paced back and forth. He sent a message to Callie with the address. She might have some insight into the political battlefield as well as be able to help check for any DNA and decipher any clues.

It only took an hour before she showed up. Callie enter from the stairs silently. As always, she scanned the room, her hand never far from her pistol. Now that he looked for it, he noticed she had the habit of always positioning herself next to an escape, with her back to a wall, and scanning every corner.

What made her so weary all the time? And why was she giving him such a disdainful look? She hadn't even seen the corpses yet. Well, aside from the video, he sent her to study on the way.

" Thanks for coming at such a late hour Callie." Said Dustin. Callie simply nodded, her lips turning into a scowl as she met his eyes.

"Did you watch the video I sent you?" Asked Dustin, unsure why she was acting so cold.

" Yes, I watched it. It was impressive, the display of skill from both fighters. However, next time I would appreciate a warning. Seeing a torchered naked young woman is not exactly something I want to go into unprepared." Said Callie, unable to meet Dustin's eye.

Dustin paused in thought. Was she mad at him or the situation?

" What is on your mind? If there is something I did to make you upset, then tell me?" asked Dustin, deciding to get right to the point.

" It's nothing sir." Said Callie, cold and professional.

Callie met his question with an icy stare that had his heart skipping a beat.

There it was, that same cold detachment from when they first met.

Dustin sighed as she turned and walked away, moving to the change room. Callie returned a few minutes later dressed in a technician's lab coat with her hair wrapped up and wearing plastic gloves. Like always, she did her job efficiently and diligently, starting from the elevator and moving carefully over all six dead soldiers and then to the room with both Cal Hellen and Meris.

Dustin took in a deep breath and kept his pacing. First the public and now his partner. Maybe it was that simple? Callie could be angry cal Hellen torchered the Secari girl?

Dustin didn't approve, and he found torcher distasteful, but this was war. Maybe she thought he would do the same?

Dustin's specialty was in politics, not forensics, so he left that mainly to the experts. Besides Callie, there were two others on scene. They were good but, having a third set of eyes was always helpful.

Dustin let out a frustrated sigh. He practically wore a furrow into the floor of the Gorgan Mack with his pacing.

First, he would need to appease the emperor. The man knew torcher happened but with the pressure of the public he would be out to throw someone under the bus. Not to mention the Ra herself, she would be receiving the brunt of the pressure. The public would scream for answers and as the head of the Devali in Berdant, Dustin was responsible for cal Hellens actions. Well, that wasn't true. Hellen was on special assignment. The question was, who gave the go to torcher Meris?

The Ra firmly denied giving Hellen the order, and Dustin believed her. The Ra was many things, but she told the truth, well, at least to Dustin.

His comm buzzed, and he scowled. It was senator Sergile.

" Hello, this is Dustin. How may I help you."said Dustin, doing his best to hide the exasperation in his voice.

"Dustin, I wanted to talk about that recent mishap." said Senator Sergile, in a deep concerned voice.

Callie moved towards him and paused, taking off her gloves.

" The minor mishap is under control, senator, rest assured that we have everything under control." reply Dustin, his patients fraying. This was the twentieth senator today, calling about the recent scandal being broadcasted on the news.

"Minor mishap? You call torchering a child a minor mishap? My supporters know I support the Devali. If you don't clean house and get your shit together soon, I won't be able to back your organization. Because I will lose my seat in office." Said the Senator.

" I understand that, senator Sergile. We have several people working on that right now. Just lie low for a while and we will smooth this all out." said Dustin..

" Good, you need to catch the rest of the Secari in Berdant. My backers are getting restless. They are wondering if they are supporting the wrong organization." Said Senator Sergile before his comm disconnected.

Dustin gritted his teeth. Damned politicians. One day they were loyal, and the next they were threatening to stab him in the back.

" Sounds like they are throwing you to the sharks to save their own asses." said Callie casually, even cracking a smile.

"You know that if I get fired you will be as well?" asked Dustin.

" Well, after seeing what our organization does to captives, I dont know if I want to work for the Devali." said Callie, her eyes flashing angrily.

"This is war, you should know this sort of thing happens." said Dustin, crossing his arms, and standing his ground.

"Did you know this was happening? They didn't even go on trial." said Callie. Her angry tone took aback Dustin.

That was a tricky question for many reasons. He knew that Cal Hellen was taking Meris, Peyton, and Jerry. He didn't know they were going to get torchered, however.

"I knew they were here, but I didn't know they were torchering the prisoners. Standard procedure is to question using less physical means." said Dustin. Callie took in a deep breath, the anger falling from her face.

" And the others? Are they this horribly beaten?" asked Callie, concerned. Dustin paused, thinking about that. The prisoners were back under his purview, and each being held in a place only known by him.

"They are alright. Cal Hellen only had time to interrogate Meris." said Dustin.

" What happens if the Secari tries and free the others?" asked Callie, her mask of anger finally breaking.

" I hope they don't. But at this point, I am using the fact that no one else knows where they are. That is my biggest weapon to keep them in custody." said Dustin, happy to see Callie less angry.

"What about that large group of protestors on the street? I had to backtrack and enter from below to get past them using a floor below the street." said Callie. Dustin ran a hand through his hair, letting out a frustrated sigh.

" They are there because someone leaked a video of Cal Hellen torchering Meris. Well, and the fight you saw on the way over as well." said Dustin.

" Most of those protestors had signs saying free the prisoners. I even seen one to free the Secari from this brutality. They sounded pretty angry, like a pack of alligators." said Callie, cracking a smile.

Despite the dower subject, Dustin couldn't help but grin.

" Alligators don't travel in packs." said Dustin dryly. But he was happy she was getting back to usual joking self.

" Then you obviously haven't watched a pack of alligators tear apart a water buffalo." said Callie with a smile.

" Fair point." Dustin paused in thought. "I wanted to ask you. What do you think is a good next move? At this point, we have most of the empire against the Devali after the leaked torcher video." said Dustin..

" Catching the Secari could help. And even having your media guy go on the air could help. But with the uproar and the disbelief of the public, showing both of the Secari alive and healthy could go a long way to easing their anger." said Callie.

Dustin hadn't thought of that. He supposed he could arrange for something like that. It wouldn't need to be public. Dustin could do a recording. If he had his media guy question the Secari and post it later, much of the public might be appeased. That way, he could keep the prisoners' locations secret and appease the public.

Callie stood there patiently, her white lab coat accentuating her athletic body. The coat was zipped up to just under her chest, leaving her holstered pistol only partially visible. Her long black hair was put up in a net, exposing her sharp jaw and bright hazel eyes.

"I will consider it. Did you find anything in your search?" asked Dustin, looking up into her eyes. Her icy hazel eyes stare back at him, showing none of the warmth she usually showed to him.

"There are shells that could be viable. But I'm more looking for the blood in the room with Meris and her torcherer." said Callie.

" Alright, ill look at a video of the findings later. "said Dustin.

" What about the politicians trying to make you lose your job?" asked Callie.

" How did you know they are doing that?" asked Dustin, raising an eyebrow.

"Because politicians are like fleas, they are really good at covering their own asses. Right now I'm betting the emperor is feigning ignorance, or even putting pressure on the Devali. And then there are the senators and judges from Berdant. They will vie for public support, and if that means throwing the Devali under the bus, they will do it." said Callie, without a trace of doubt.

" That is pretty accurate. Aside from the fact, it's me on the chopping block, not the Devali." said Dustin. Callie brushed a strand of silky black hair behind her right ear, biting her lip in thought. He couldn't help but admire her deep hazel eyes. They always seemed to dance with a mischievous amusement from an unspoken joke..

" So they are throwing us on the chopping block?" asked Callie.

"Yeah."

A figure walked in the door from the stairwell, strutting like he was king of the building. Dustin bit his lip hard. The man wore a dark black suit and grinned, his perfect white teeth practically blinding.

" What are you doing here, Major Farlen? This is my jurisdiction."said Dustin, not bothering to hide his dislike.

" As of half hour ago, this is now purview of the Imperial enforcers. You are now ordered to hand over the remaining Secari to more capable hands." said Major Farlen, pulling some papers from the inside of his coat, smiling smugly . Emblazoned on the man's chest next to the golden emblem of a raven was a Silver embroidered IE, surrounded by a silver diamond. Dustin took the Papers reading them.

" Who is this peacock?" asked Callie, raising an eyebrow at Dustin.

"I am, Major Farlen of the imperial enforcers." said Farlen, scowling at Callie.

"Who? I have never heard of you." said Callie, looking at Farlen as though he was unimportant. Dustin coughed, clearing his throat to avoid laughing.

"Dustin, maybe you should teach your subordinates proper respect?" said Major Farlen, smoothing the front of his immaculate suit. The mans sparkling white teeth and smug grin made Dustin want to punch him in the face and judging by Callie's demeanor, she didn't like major Farlen either.

" She is my partner, not my subordinate." said Dustin, scowling as he read the paper in his hands. Dustin crumpled the paper in his hands and glanced up.

"Alright guys, clear it out. The enforcers are going to be taking over!" said Dustin, glaring at Farlen.

" Does that mean I'm free to go?" asked Callie.

"Yeah, unfortunately this is no longer our problem." said Dustin with a scowl.

Callie nodded before turning to leave.

"Would you like to practice some knife fighting later? After watching that fight, I realize I need some practice." said Dustin, the question surprisingly hard to ask.

"Can't, other plans. I'm going out with Taniya." said Callie without a glance back. Dustin watched her go. That woman was so confusing sometimes. She was funny, smart and really intense, but also complex.

Dustin shook his head and got back to work. As much as he disliked his orders, he couldn't ignore them.