L.E.O.N (Prologue / Chapter One)

Prologue

“The world moves… Of course it does. Everyone knows that.
         We were told how the world moved: it spiralled and span at speeds we couldn’t gauge through the unknown universe.
         We know we used to orbit a star that bled us warmth and life; and that we met alien races that went to war with us.
         Few know that we struck first; tried to impose our rule and for a while we were successful.
         The new worlds that we tried to rule with brute force, fought back with cunning.
         The Kantoogian's destroyed our known world. Whatever they did, however they did it, our offensive capabilities were decimated. In that night and day they brought us back a thousand years. All that which we’d relied on. Our conveniences; our weapons; communication: were gone.
         They attacked other things - unseen - till we were all but crippled - then they left. Sure they had taught us our lesson.
         One of the other species felt we had not yet suffered enough.
         Splootarian's: a proud warrior race; sent an ultimatum. They would attack in two years. Two years for us; a blink of the eye for their race.
         After a great war, we came out triumphant.
         Though the fools that governed our planet would not let it lie. Instead of learning from past mistakes they started making brand new ones to join the old.
         In their wisdom they created a weapon; a cannon so powerful as to destroy whole worlds.
         They bid all to marvel at their power as they fired at the one who crippled them.
         But the barrel split. The beams hit nearby planets and the star; the blast thrust us from everything we knew. It was a monumental explosion of epic proportion, rocking our known solar system.
         That much is known. What is argued by scientists is how the many fragments of the star, the moon and the planets were brought into our orbit as we were blasted from our solar system. Without this fortuitous circumstance we would’ve perished. The mere fact our planet survived the events has allowed lenience over the growth of the masses religions.
         There is so much to tell. Though all we can say for certain is we are spiralling through space; unsure where we are or where we are going, our world spun to chaos, the people rising up against those in power whose decisions put us in our predicament, all the time wondering when or whether we’ll crash into something.
         Our world has been turned upside down…”
         Karl cleared his throat

Chapter One

         His empty glass slammed onto the bar, still in his grasp. The bartender was sure to be quick in placing a fresh beer next to the empty glass. Leon took it immediately and drank deeply, uttering no thanks. Despite the rudeness the bartender smiled at Leon, a faint glimmer of worry behind his smile.
         The other patrons knew not to bother Leon but they couldn’t help but glance at him occasionally. They owed him so much and knew the burden he bore so offered him every kindness they could afford.
         Already Leon’s glass had been emptied though the bartender was busy elsewhere. Leon growled and grasped the glass tight which shattered.
         Leon sighed, “Sorry Sham.”
         Sam the bartender brought him a fresh beer and stared at him for a moment. “Don’t worry about it. Did any of it get you?”
         Leon shook his head and drank the beer, slowly this time.
         Sam nodded. “Leon. You know I don’t mean to…” he hesitated. It wasn’t that he was afraid of what Leon would do to him, he was more afraid of what he was doing to himself. Sam composed himself, “Please take it easy. I can only imagine the stress you…” he broke off.
         Leon held his hand up to stop him, slowly he looked up at the bartender, “I’m sorry Sam. I know what you will say.” his head dropped again, “But it’s never enough.”
         The other patrons were no longer hiding their gaze, rapt now by the conversation at the bar. A few muttered to one another, looking concerned.
         “What’s not enough?“ Sam gazed fondly at Leon who growled a sigh, Sam leaned closer to him, “That’s the drink talking, Sir. The people of this city owe you everything. Just look around this room.”
         Leon lifted the pint to his mouth, “It’s not enough.”
         Sam slammed the bar with his palm. “Not enough?” Leon looked up at him, he never liked to see Sam angry. “Not enough?!” Sam repeated, “With all due respect Leon, Shut the hell up!”
         A few patrons looked worried for Sam, others started walking towards Leon.
         “Look at them Leon.”
         He didn’t.
         Sam sighed angrily, “Then look at me.”
         He did.
         “You saved my life. You gave me my life back. Without you my daughter would be rotting in a jail and my wife would’ve perished in the fire. If you turned around you’d see just what you mean to these people.”
         Leon didn’t have to, he sensed the mass of people surrounding him. One of the braver ones placed a hand on Leon’s shoulder.
         “We know how rough it is. Not as well as you, we know, but you belittle and insult everything we fight for when you put yourself down. Without you, we are nothing.”
         Leon slowly shook his head, “Sam…”
         The door burst open and they heard gunfire. A terrified man scanned the room furiously till his eyes fell on Leon who was already heading to the door.
         “It’s the Hendersons. The Guard are trying to arrest…”
         Leon stopped by the man and placed a hand on his shoulder before addressing the patrons. “All of you, to your homes now!”
         Immediately they moved for the door as Leon rushed off towards the fight.
         It was dark but Leon could still make out the shapes of ten people, bound and on their knee’s and the two dozen guards surrounding them with their guns.
         Leon sped up but knew he’d been spotted. The nearest of the guard called out in panic and began firing. Leon leapt to the right behind a car, rolled and sprinted down the pavement, ducking and weaving the bullets. As he neared the guards one of them let out a cry of pain. Peering over the top of the vehicle he saw two men attacking from the rear and now the guards attention was split. In the confusion they forgot about Leon who rushed forward, brought out the blood red sword from behind his back and felled the front line of guards effortlessly. The gunfire and screams of pain echoed in the streets as the three men cut through the remaining guard.
         Silence in the street now but still the they stood at the ready, listening for anything. When finally satisfied they sheathed their weapons and one of the men ran to the bound citizens. The other walked over to Leon.
         “Sorry to interrupt sir.” he said, saluting, “Couldn’t resist the fight.”
         Leon smiled at him, “At my party Marshall, you are welcome always.”
         Marshall beamed before turning to group of people, “Potrer! Is everyone ok?”
         Potrer was busy freeing the citizens and seemed out of breath but called back, “Seems so. But we’d better get them off the street.”
         Marshall nodded, “Agreed. Sir, we’ll escort the families to safe houses.”
         Leon couldn’t help but smile at the young man in front of him, “Thank you Marshall. Please be swift, it would seem we do not have any time to lose.”
         Marshall didn’t have to ask what he meant for he too had heard the echo in the streets behind him. Turning around he saw the streets behind filled with Clangerioids: emotionless cyborg artillery units; high powered machine guns built into their arms; duty and diligence their only thoughts.
         Leon’s eyes narrowed. “Go.” he whispered, and Marshall did. He and Potrer helped the people to their feet and led them away through a back alley.
         Leon lowered his stance and prepared for a fight.





         The room was dark, only illuminated by the glow of the Television. Leon sat with his left leg propped on a stool and a bag of ice on his ankle. He grimaced as he placed the antiseptic rag against the deep gash on his stomach. He ached all over, because he’d been careless.
         The Clangerioids hadn’t been the issue, despite their number. The trouble came at the with the tanks and the X-machine’s and the Counterasp.
         Leon coughed out a laugh, which hurt, “Not a young man any more.” he coughed again.
         He secured a fresh rag to his stomach and poured himself a large whisky as the television began showing the evening news.
         The ominous music placed and, predictably, the headline news was: “The death toll continues to rise as new bodies are discovered after the horrific attack on city guard by the notorious criminal revolutionary: Leon.”
         Leon smirked and laughed derisively into his drink.
         “In Detroit: fighting continues as the tide turns against the state.”
         “Wehey!”
         “And from Philadelphia. Ex Leader of the Revolutionaries: Robert Doofclotbone has been brought down by L2WD warriors.”
         The glass fell from Leon’s hand.
         He couldn’t breathe. His body was trapped in a skin tight bubble.
         “No…”
         It wasn’t, it couldn’t, there was no way.
         “Yesterday’s unprovoked attack by the maniacal revolutionary Leon left hundreds of civilians dead. The city guard who arrived to quell this genocide were injured but not fatally as they were able to fight off the deranged attacker.”
         Leon shook his head violently, “Wait, no.”
         “We remind viewers that anyone who see’s this man should report it to an official immediately and under no circumstance approach the madman.”
         He ran his hands down his face, “ of course…of course. It’s not…” he took his leg off the stool and leaned forward on his knee’s. His heart was pounding as he breathed deeply. Picking up the glass from the floor a horrible jolt of fear throbbed from his heart through his body and soul and made his hair stand on end.
         “NO!” he yelled, gripping the glass tight. “It’s NOT”
         Somebody began banging through the wall.
         The whisky didn’t need a glass, he thought, so he grabbed the bottle and drank, sitting back in the chair he waited for the next story.
         “Despite the sheer number fighting against the state in Detroit and with a supposed swing towards the revolutionaries. A new initiative had…”
         Leon drank again.
         “Today thousands in Philadelphia were celebrating as the L2WD finally brought down notorious mass murderer Robert Doofclotbone.”
         Leon sat forward in his chair, “How?” he yelled at the tv, “The L2WD are finished!”
         “In the early hours of the morning the new line of…”
         “Pffft!”
         “…L2WD warriors stormed the stronghold in which the revolutionary, formerly allied with Leon, had evaded capture. After a fierce battle, Doofclotbone and his generals, notably Liam Karp and Steve Blackwood…”
         “What? Hahaha!”
         “…were defeated by the L2WD.”
         Leon relaxed a little, though his heart didn’t. “And the body’s you muppet?”
         “…Their body’s were set to rest in a mass cremation with the rest of the rebel group.”
         Leon nodded, “So, bullshit then.”
         As much as he wanted to believe that he couldn’t help but have a doubt in his mind. It was ridiculous though: Steve with Robert? “That’d be the day.” and Liam was at the other end of the country last he heard. There was no way.
         Still…
         “RAAAAARRRG” Leon leapt up and hurled his chair against the wall. He was trembling with rage. There was no way it was possible. But what if it…
         “Leon?”
         He looked at the wall he’d thrown the chair at, straight into the eyes of his landlord. Dust was still settling from the chair sized hole in the wall as the elderly woman, rollers in her hair, drink in her hand steadily filling with debris, said, “I think I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
         Leon stared at her for a moment. “Why?”




         The bar was empty tonight. Leon sat with a full drink in front of him. He didn’t feel like drinking tonight.
         Sam arrived and stood in front of him. “You alright?”
         Leon nodded, “Just one of those nights Sam.”
         Sam barked with laughter. “When’s it not?”
         Again Leon nodded.
         Sam leaned on the bar, “You know everyone knows those news reports are a crock.”
         “Not everyone.”
         Sam had to admit this, “Ok, no. But how long before they do? It won’t be long before they see the way things really are. Kinda makes you wish for another…”
         “Don’t say it.”
         Slowly Sam stood up, “I’m sorry Leon, but you know what I mean.”
         Sadly he did and as much as it would help the non believers see what the government was doing, the last thing the world needed was another Leigh.
         “Well, since it’s quiet, I think I’ll join you.“ Sam smiled at him and went to pour himself a pint. “Kind of expected you to be heading home by now, it’s past your usual stay.”
         Leon finally broached the subject. “About that Sam…”
         “Kicked out again eh?” he chuckled, “You know where the room is.”
         Smiling, Leon thanked him.
         Sam joined him at the other end of the bar and clinked his glass against Leon’s before drinking.
         The bar door opened and they turned to stare at the two men in the doorway.
         Leon beamed as the large African man strode into the bar, exclaiming, “Always like you to be the last one at a party Le…” he was stopped as Leon rushed to him and grabbed the back of his head, pulled it down and rested his own forehead against his.
         As they pulled away the large man looked abashed, “You didn’t believe the news did you?!”
         Leon laughed. “You and Steve found together? Never.” he beamed, then noticed the other man. “Bern…” he rushed to the smaller man and embraced him tightly.
         “Good to see you too sir.”
         Leon placed his hands on Bernie’s shoulders and smiled fondly. “Sam?” he called.
         “Right on it L…”
         “Sit yer ass down Sammy. I know how to pull my own pint.” called Robert, strolling powerfully around Sam, placing a hand on his shoulder as he went. “Bernie. What is it? A Shirley Temple?”
         Bern smiled, “The way you make them? Go for it.”
         “Damn straight.” yelled Robert, picking a bottle of Scotch and a glass and sliding it down the bar to Bernie. Leon sat back at the bar as Robert drank the first pint he poured, then poured himself another. He growled a sigh, “Long ass day.”
         He rejoined the group and brought out from his back pocket a handful of cash and slammed it on the bar in front of Sam.
         “Bugger off Robert. You know your money’s no good here.”
         Robert didn’t hesitate in taking it back as he drank his pint, “Have to do the dance mate.” then poured himself another.
         Leon beamed at him, he’d been so lost, so outnumbered, outmatched. Now though, even if they were only here for a short while, his strength was renewed.
         The four men knocked their glasses together.
         “To the Cause.” said Robert.
         They drank.
         For a moment they sat in silence, Sam shuffled awkwardly in his chair.
         “Well, I’ll leave you to chat. I’m sure there’s lot’s you…”
         “Unless you wish to leave there’s nothing we say we wouldn’t wish you to be a part of.” said Leon.
         Sam smiled at him, “Thank you. All the same, by your leave gentlemen.”
         “Thank you Sam.” said Bernie.
         Sam nodded to him, “Leon, you know where your room is, stay as long as needed, and get the door will you please?”
         Leon nodded. “Thank you Sam.”
         As Sam left for the upstairs bedrooms the three men still were silent.
         Eventually Leon had to ask. “So? The truth?”
         Robert finished his drink and poured another. “Well…I’m sure you could pick out the lies. Fucking idiots. How they think they can still get away with it. ‘L2WD’ HAH!”
         And you being with Steve.” joked Leon.
         “Will you stop about that?”
         Bernie and Leon chuckled as Robert glared at them.
         “You want the truth or not?”
         Leon bid him continue.
         Robert placed his pint on the bar. “Well, what they got right: Liam was there; Steve was in the area - bastard - but not with us; and they did attack. Obviously there were no L2’s there.”
         “Obviously.”
         “Aye Bern. They put up a damn good fight though, so yeah, I’ll admit it: we retreated. Me and Liam went our separate ways.” Robert noted the worried look on Leon’s face, “He’s going to contact me when he get’s settled again.” the words seemed to sate Leon. “I headed this way and thought I was being tailed by some bastard.” he jerked his head towards Bernie. “Turned out to be this bastard.”
         Leon laughed, which hurt a little.
         “We saw the news too.” Said Bernie, “We knew it was mostly all bull, but we’d been meaning to check in for a while so…”
         “Not all bull.” Leon whispered. The two men looked at him. He glanced between them. “Detroit?”
         The men nodded. “Baxton seems to be doing well out there.” said Robert, “Git that he is.”
         Bernie forced a smile.
         Robert again drained his pint. “So you’ve been killing guard by the millions eh?”
         Leon laughed, “Trillions. Civilians.”
         “In pavilions? Were they Reptilian? They paint you a villi-an!”
         “Shut up Bern.”
         “He’s turning vermillion…” he whispered.
         Leon laughed into his pint but soon became sad, lowering his drink he tried to speak. “It’s…been hard.”
         The other two exchanged glances.
         “I hate to say it Leon,” Bernie placed a hand on his shoulder, “But you do seem different.”
         “Drained.” said Robert.
         Leon couldn’t but agree. “It’s…I’m glad you’re here.”
         “Well! We are and we’re going to get you out this funk.” said Robert, “First off: where are we staying?”
         He didn’t want to tell them but had to, “Here I’m afraid.”
         Again Robert and Bernie exchanged glances.
         “Ehm Leon?”
         “What are you talking about?”
         “The bases?”
         Leon couldn’t answer them. He’d been so weak, he’d let so much slide, he’d let..
         Bernie took his hand off Leon’s shoulder but smiled at him fondly. “You’ve been baring the brunt alone for too long, we understand.”
         “Too damn right,” called Robert, finishing his drink, “but no longer.”
         Leon’s eyes grew a brighter shade of green, “You’re staying?”
         Robert smiled. “Let’s go home Leon.”

*

         “What happened?”
         Leon took a deep breath. “After the attack on the city school….” he trailed off, “I…”
         Bernie placed a hand on his shoulder as the three men stared at the boarded up shop.
         “Well,” said Robert, walking towards the door, “We at least need a place to stay.” In one swift movement he knocked the boards away from the door. There was a chain around the door handles which he grabbed and pulled apart, snapping them in half and sending the metal flying.
         They entered the upholsterers.
         Robert whistled, “Been a while clearly.”
         Bernie marched to the back of the room as Leon scanned his surroundings.
         “After the attack. I knew that my efforts were only hurting the people. For everything I did, they attacked the innocent tenfold. The school was the last straw.”
         No one responded to him. Robert went to the other end of the hall and began searching the wall.
         Suddenly the lights flashed on but were immediately turned off. “Sorry.” Said Bernie, “But we have power. Hopefully the generators downstairs still have fuel.”
         “We can get fuel Bern.” grunted Robert, now grappling with a slab of concrete.
         Leon stared at the floor. “I’m sorry.”
         Bernie looked at him, but Robert did not.
         Leon went to Roberts side and directed him away. Running his fingers along the wall he quickly found the gap and pulled open the secret compartment, reached inside and pressed the button.
         There was a soft chime and a squeaking sound like of metal on rubber.
         Robert grunted, “Hid it well I guess. This falls down?”
         “Yes.”
         As Robert reached up and pulled down the false wall concealing the elevator Bernie went to secure the main door. “What happened to the main controls?”
         Leon stared at the elevator. “I disabled them. Too easy to be accessed accidentally.”
         Robert stared at his friend.
         The three men entered the elevator and Bernie pressed the middle of three buttons. The doors closed and the lift went down.
         Silence still enveloped them. Something was still being left unsaid, there was an uncomfortable feeling amongst them all.
         Bernie cleared his throat, “What about the lower levels? Have you been tending to them?”
         Leon turned to him with a quizzical expression, “They don’t need tending. I imagine they’ve been grateful for my absence.”
         Bernie nodded though Leon heard Robert mutter, “they’d be the only ones.”
         The doors chimed open to a white corridor that sloped down to a set of glass double doors.
         Leon took a penitent breath.
         The three men ached forwards. Leon stopped before the doors and let Robert go in first, then Bernie, before following.
         His heart stung and hung like the dust in the air of their former home base.
         Robert sighed heavily and walked swiftly to what was Leon’s old office. Opening the door to the same dusk and musk that surrounded them.
         Bernie went to the other end of the hall to the generator room.
         Leon couldn’t move. He’d been so weak, he’d let things slide.
         “Leon!”
         He looked up at Robert. The giant in front of him managed to look angry and compassionate with the same stare.
         “Come. We’ll rest. And tomorrow…”
         The lights came on.
         “Power still works. I’m going to go check on the Monix.” Leon went to protest but Bernie stopped him, “I’m just going to check, I won’t hang around, believe me.”
         He headed for the elevator and Leon watched him go.
         “Leon.” called Robert, nodding his head in the direction of the office. Leon followed.
         It’d been a long time since he’d stood here.
         The room was dusky but it was still as he remembered it. The desk, the chair, the cork-board and map on the wall detailing all the attacks the guard had made - blue pins, and all the attacks they’d made: yellow for try; red for success; black for failure. There was far more yellow pins that there should’ve been.
         Robert was at the wall, using his signature level of grace on the inter-cooler, which meant he was hitting it. Still, it worked and cool air began feeding into the office space quickly replacing the mustiness of the derelict room. Robert sat in Leon’s old chair, which sank under his weight.
         He stared up at Leon, concern in his eye. “What happened Leon?”
         Tears threatened him. He turned away from Robert.
         They heard the elevator doors chime and footsteps echoed towards them. Bernie appeared at the door and looked between the two men.
         There was silence for what felt like an age. Robert continued to stare at Leon; Bernie looked between the two; Leon faced the wall.
         “Ok.” Eventually Leon spoke, “I let things slide.” he turned to face Robert. Bernie moved from the door to sit on the desk. “I got bogged down in with crapulence. I…” he turned and hit the wall softly, “I’m sorry.”
         Again there was silence but not for long. The chair creaked it’s relief as Robert stood and walked towards his friend. Placing a hand on his back he whispered. “We understand.”
         Leon turned to him and grasped Robert’s hand with his own.
         “And we’re sorry we left you.”
         Leon shook his head.
         “But, we’re here…”
         Bernie interrupted, “We’re here to help you now.”
         Leon composed himself; stood up tall and turned to his two friends. All he could say, simply, was, “Thank you.”




http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/2048710-LEON--Chapter-Two