COMPLACENCY AND COCK-UPS (A DEATH STRIKE PRELUDE)

In Promo by Victor King

“Victor, are you there?” 

I was stirred from my thoughts by Stacy’s wonderful voice, as the communicator in my helm crackled to life. 

“Yes, where are the others?”  We’d been hunting these tech abusers for weeks now, and my men were out of sight so I was checking in. 

There’d been reports of strange lights and humming in the forests. 

“We’re a behind you Vic, we’re just a about fifty meters back.”  William was my de-facto right-hand man as it were, he always wore his family crest on his shoulders emblazoned in orange.   

“I hope we actually find something today we’re running out of places to look for these technophiles.” 

Although technologically advanced themselves, the beings of Med Veil kept their advancement hidden under the veneer of a developing society.  As Such, the use of scientific advancements outside approved norms was strictly forbidden for the fear of drawing another planet’s attention.   

The “King’s Men” Mercenary group would often be tasked with seeking out and policing these habitual line steppers and bring them to heel. 

I was roused from my thoughts as I realized I’d just stepped into a large clearing. “Shit, where is everybody?”  If they’re as close as William let on, I should be able to see at least one of them.   

Then, there was a sizzle and an electrifying hiss as a pink dome popped up around the clearing as a thought set in. 

My father used to say, “Complacency will breed cock-ups.” and if this right here wasn’t the mother of all cock-ups, it was a top contender. 

Suddenly a blue sphere popped into existence in the middle of the domed clearing and out stepped a man in an exoskeleton suit. 

He reached out and sent and electrical pulse at my form.  However his electrified exoskeleton was no match for me and the reaction speed of my armour.  

I dropped and slid into his right knee ripping cords from the actuators keeping him vertical.  Sending him crashing to one knee and using my momentum to push myself off the ground and drive my knee into his back with a satisfying “crunch”. 

In the process I caught the glint of orange paint.  As I looked up I saw my relief, William. 

“William, I am so relieved to see you.”. My stomach relaxed from a knot I didn’t even know was there as helped me to my feet. 

“Victor, when’ve I never been here for you?”  He said cockily.  “But here’s the thing “boss”.  I tire of being a tyrant, forcing people to live like luddites in on a world that could be so much more.” 

There was that knot in my gut again as he pushed me over the prone form of my exoskeleton clad foe knocking me off balance.  

Cock-ups and complacency, yeah dad they go hand in hand I realize that now… as I hurdled toward that blue orb. 

“Stacy, William’s a…” static, I am alone here I could be at the other end of the universe.   

All I know now is that I will do anything and everything I have to in order to see my home.