BRAND NEW The Chronicles of Coral:CHAPTER 2: Devil's Child

[Azbats]

Ok guys... this is the second chapter in the 5 part "Chronicles" story line... After reading please leave a couple of words to tell me what you think... It does mean a lot to a writer folks

This piece contains swearing and adult themes... So if you are under the age of 15 please aske mum and dad before reading

I hope you enjoy...

The Chronicles of Coral: Chapter 2: Devils Child

918 Beats:

Tyrell took in a deep breath and purposely exhaled rather loudly. His fierce eyes darted between Dana and her Hunter companion, who was reluctant to return his gaze and flippantly looked out of the majestic dome above them. Dana stared back, lips tight together, not a crease in her porcelain face. Tyrell looked back at the Hunter who was now shooting sly smiles off to Tyrell’s repressed and shy assistant, whose cheeks burned with embarrassment.

“Right!” Boomed Tyrell. This made the Hunter jump and he turned around once more to face the Principal. “Both your Hunters Licenses are revoked as from NOW! You are to hand in your Section ID’s for full examination at the guild… Oh and I want your side arm now Pearce!”

Deliberately Dana unclipped the holster and drew out her pistol, pointing the barrel directly at Tyrell’s forehead. Her Hunter companion looked rather bemused by her actions but did not move to stop her.

“Like HELL I will!” Snarled the ranger.


215 Beats: One week earlier



“I’m home!” The voice was proud and full of contentment.
“I’m sorry?” Questioned the teenage girl.
The young man laughed, not too loudly, as if only he was party to the joke: “No, I’m sorry, I was talking to myself and you must have passed by and…” He realised he had started to blush. He always had a habit of talking out loud. This wasn’t the first occasion that someone had picked him up on it.
The girl giggled too.
“I’ve gone red haven’t I?” The boy asked biting the corner of his lip when he had finished. The girl nodded quickly and then covered her mouth as she laughed again. “Well anyway, I believe congratulations are in order. Sixteen I believe it is?”
“Sweet sixteen and not a pony in sight.” The girl pulled her tongue out at the boy.
“Ah, well you haven’t opened my present yet, you never know.” The youth looked over to a table that was brimming full of presents: “In fact, you haven’t opened anything… at all.”
More laughter.
“You know if someone did get you a pony I think it’s suffocated by now.”
The girl gasped with a huge smile on her face: “That’s an awful thing to say.” Playfully she slapped him on the arm.
“Ow!” he exclaimed that’s my shooting arm you know.
“Are you one of the soldiers? You seem a little young!” She quizzed.
“Well I am still young, that’s if eighteen is still young to someone like you. I’ve just been assigned here from Mandris Sarl.”
The girl’s face dropped at the mention of that place. Coral was turning into a war zone. People were fighting to be let in to the Pioneer Project. But the new Principal Government had no intention of letting them. Only the strongest and the best may survive.
“Are you alright?” She asked her voice soothing and sympathetic in tone.
“It was pretty hairy for a while but,” he paused and opened his arms wide and started to look around his body, suddenly he looked at the girl again. “Well, I seem to be in one piece.”
There was a moments pause. The boy realised that she wouldn’t be fooled by such a flippant remark. Over three hundred thousand troops had been killed at Mandris Sarl and over two million of Coral’s rebellious population.
“So what flavour cake have they made for you?” He purposely elevated the tone of his voice, adding as much enthusiasm as he possibly could.
The girl looked at him with a stare of almost disbelief: “Well, Duh!!!” She mocked.
“Chocolate!” They both said in unison. Once more laughter filled the air.
The girl turned away to face the table, picking up a jewel-encrusted knife. Her attention was now focused on the monumental Birthday Cake.
“Would you like a piece?” She questioned without taking her eyes off her prize.
“I can’t!” Exclaimed the young soldier
“Don’t tell me you’re dieting?” Giggled the Birthday Girl.
“No.” Replied the sombre voice, hollow and lifeless. “It’s because I’m dead!”
Shocked by the reply the girl spun around. The handsome soldier had changed. His neck tilted to one side, snapped, broken. One eye hung precariously from its socket. Maggots crewed and oozed their way around his stinking, rotting torso. His Rangers uniform torn, muddied and soaked with his dried blood.



A dull electronic honking noise resounded around Dana’s apartment. She sprung awake panting heavily from the images she had just experienced, sweat glistening on her milky skin.
“Fuckin’ dream.” She blasted trying to compose herself. “Alarm OFF!”
She swung her legs off the side of the bed and stood up. Thrusting her chest out she arched her back, placing her hands at the base of her neck and let out an almighty yawn.

“Good morning Dana Pearce.” Came the flowing voice from the computer consol along side her bed. Dana said nothing and let out another yawn. “You have a full days itinerary before you,” the voice started, “and that starts with a visit to Principal Tyrell’s office at 230 beats.”
“Oh joy!” Dana answered sarcastically. “Shower on.” She continued.
With that the shower cubical in the next room sprung to life sending clouds of hot steam seeping into her bedroom. Dana dropped the silken top she was wearing to the floor and entered the shower. She released a pleasing gasp as the hot water bombarded her naked frame. Long red hair cascaded down her body to the base of spine. She flicked it over her shoulders allowing the water to run all the way down her neck and chest, tapering off down her long smooth legs.
“You also have rifle training today at 300 beats.” The electronic voice interrupted.
Dana’s eyes narrowed with disapproval of the rude intrusion into her morning bathe. “Fine!” She snapped harshly.

After exactly a quarter of a beat the water stopped and cool jets of air filled the shower area drying all the droplets of water from Dana’s body. The change in temperature caused her to draw breath sharply. Now fully dry she stepped out of the bathroom and back into her bedroom.
“Closet open.” She barked. A wooden style panel in the side of the room opened and on it hung her rangers outfit. The top was crimson in colour and fit snugly on her well toned torso. The trousers were riding in style and were cut off at the knee, enough for Dana’s stockings to be held in place by them. Her Skyly badge glowed on her left breast and after she had clipped into place her black boots she put the final piece of her outfit on, her red beret. She adjusted it slightly so it sat slightly to the left hand side of her head.

Dana fumbled inside the frame of the closet until her fingers came to a small, discrete button. She pressed it firmly. A hidden compartment snapped open and she removed her handgun and shield from there. She slotted the former into her holster that rested on her right thigh. The latter she clicked into place on her left wrist.
“It’s two twenty-five beats.” Informed the computer. “Let’s not keep Principal Tyrell waiting, please.”
“Computer OFF!”

229 Beats:

Dana had just exited the warp that led to Tyrell’s chamber high above the towering peaks of Pioneer 2, the city in space. Dana hated to be summoned by him. It was Tyrell’s hotheaded actions in trying to find his daughter that partly led to the death of her husband, Javah. She thought of him as reckless, ignorant and bloody-minded. Tyrell had risen to the position as Principal through a coup on Coral. He was a fighter by trade and lacked any description of diplomacy. She arrived at his desk and without looking at him gave a salute.

“At ease.” He started. He continued to read his computer terminal at the side of him. “Bah!” He spat out and slammed the terminal back into the desk. “Ah yes! Ranger class one, Dana Pearce…” He patronised. “ Well… you know I don’t summon class one rangers unless we have a problem. And since you seem to be the only person ‘round here that doesn’t moan at the more…” He paused, “how shall I phrase this? Ah, the more diverse jobs that the Hunters Guild offers I have need of your services.”

Continued in next post...

[Azbats]

Dana remained quiet. Over the course of the last six months she had taken any job that was given to her. Any chance to make some meseta to fund her desire to resurrect her late husband. But those plans had now changed. The attempt had failed at Dana had made the decision to move on.
“Depends on the job.” She snapped.
Tyrell’s eyes shot up to look at her. She returned the complement. He started to laugh, the deep chug of someone that was overweight and spent far too much time sat behind a desk.
“Don’t worry Pearce. I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Hundred thousand meseta!”
“Fifty!”
“Seventy five!”
“Done!” Tyrell paused rubbing the white stubble on his chin. His face began to tighten again. “It seems we have a little problem.” He continued. “Some of the Pioneer Children have gone missing. And I don’t mean the little brats that inhabit the streets. I’m talking Pioneer Project Children… Children like YOU were!”
Dana’s shoulders relaxed slightly. She knew that she wouldn’t be able to refuse this job.
“No trace, no explanations… Nadda!!! It’s as if they just vanished.” Tyrell leaned back in his seat; the leather creaked under his weight. “Something’s happening and if it involves my elite personnel, then it’s something big! I want you to investigate and report anything you find.” His voice now turned severe. “And you WILL find something… Understand? I don’t need this shit Pearce, it’s election term.”
Tyrell now pressed his terminal button and it sprung back up on the desk. Dana saluted again and turned around.
“Your investigation will begin on Tener Sinus, that’s where the last one vanished from. The guild will provide you with a weapon in the unlikely event that you actually need one,” Tyrell began, “and you will meet the rest of your party there too.”
Dana’s eyes widened and she could feel the anger in her body rage: “WHAT?” She growled.
“You heard.” Said Tyrell, deadpan.
“You know I work alone.” Dana argued slamming the palms of her hands down on the Principal’s desk, causing his monitor to flicker.
“Dismissed Ranger.” He added calmly.

Dana flew around and marched quickly towards the warp. Her nostrils had flared. He knew that she didn’t like working with others. He knew that she always performed better as an individual than in a crowd. There are too many people to look after; too many backs to watch.

245 Beats:


“YOU!” Exclaimed the girl, her eyes wide with delight. The soldier’s face never twitched at all.
“I’ve come to escort you to the Research laboratory Ma’am.” He said calmly.
“Oh I’m a Ma’am now am I?” The girl joked. “Last week I was Dana and now I’m a Ma’am. Humph!” The girl breezed past the soldier, who grinned when he had left her eyeshot. Slowly he shook his head.
“This is official business D… Ma’am.”
The girl spun around giggling: “See! You nearly let it out then.”
The soldier’s body relaxed and he placed his hands on his hips, frowning, but with a wry smile: “When I’m on duty I must address you this way Dana. It’s the rules!”
The girl’s face dropped and she displayed a sense shock: “You called me Dana… I’m telling!” She flashed one of her smiles that made the young soldier’s heart miss a beat.
“Oh…” He stuttered, “Ooooooh… bite me!”
“Shan’t, you’re not chocolate.”
The soldier chuckled and pointed to the lift: “Oh why, oh why did the warps have to breakdown today?”
“Fate.”
“You think?”
“Nah! You just drew the sort straw.”
“Y’damn straight I did.”
The girl whacked the soldier on the arm.
“Oi! I’ve told you about that…”
“I know,” interrupted the girl, “it’s your shooting arm.” She mocked.
The couple entered the lift in silence, standing side by side, and both displaying huge grins. Dana pointed at Javah’s sidearm: “So how good are you are you with that?”
The soldier never moved his head and saw her actions peripherally: “I trust you’re pointing to my gun.”
Dana blushed. Javah chuckled, “Good enough to stop anything on Ragol.”
“That’s an awfully big boast considering we’re still seven years away from arriving. You’ll be a geriatric by then.”
“And you might have finished potty training.”
The girl folded her arms in a pretend huff: “I bet you can’t even hit a bay door at ten paces.”
“Ha!” Blurted Javah, “Me thinks a bet is presenting itself.”
“Maybe it is…” The girl now started to ponder, scrunching her face up in an exaggerated pose of thought. “I bet you can’t hit ten bullseyes in a row.”
The soldier chuckled: “I thought you were going to make this difficult.”
“Your confidence will be your downfall.”
“So what do I get if I win?” Questioned Javah.
“Erm…?” The girl hummed.
The young man turned to face Dana, resting his hand at the back of the lift: “I get to take you out to dinner!” He said matter of factly.
Dana’s eyes rose up to look at the grinning soldier. Her heart was racing at such a bold proposition, her lips slightly apart, but she was glad for it. “Ok.” She confirmed without moving a muscle on her face.
The soldier nodded affirmatively and adjusted himself to the pose he was in initially. The girl’s eyes now drifted to the lift doors that had now opened at the requested destination. A glimmer of a smile teased itself on her lips. She exited the lift with a slightly more exuberant stride, but soon realised that she left alone: “What’s wrong lost for word’s now?” She gloated as she turned around.
Javah’s body was slumped in the corner of the lift. The skin on his face had decomposed many months earlier. His neck was twisted to one side and claw marked covered his tattered and torn outfit. His boned fingers still clutched at his handgun. A wind seemed to echo through the open jaw of his skull, “I’m… dead!”


“Ma’am?” Questioned the guard
“Huh?” Replied Dana.
“Ma’am this IS your stop isn’t it?”
Dana nodded her head at the Pioneer soldier and laughed quietly to herself: “I must have zoned out there for a second.” She joked.
The soldier let out an unconvincing half laugh and rolled his eyes as he turned away. Dana wasn’t bothered and left the lift heading towards the entrance to the Hunters Guild.

With an echo of moving steel, the doors parted and she entered the sterile room.
“You’re late!” Snapped the FOnewearl
“Half the warps are out,” started Dana without breaking stride, “and if I give a shit about what you have to say I’ll ask you first. OK?”
The Fonewearl folded her arms in an act of defiance, her completely black eyes burning a hole into Dana. The redhead stopped when she was in front of all three of her new team.

“What the Hell have I done to deserve this?” She winced.
“Now, now play fair.” Smiled the young HUmar. “We’re all aware of your desire to destroy the scourge of Ragol alone.” He flung his arms around dramatically, theatrically throwing his voice. The he stopped and grinned, widely. “And now you have us.” He lent forward towards Dana. “And I can be very, very nice!”
“Oh, pur-lease.” She responded. The HUmar scoffed and stood upright again flashing smiles at the Fonewearl.

The largest presence in the room wasn’t too hard to spot. It towered nearly seven foot in the air, and maybe just as wide. The RAcast was decorated with metallic red legs and arms. Its feet were blue and white stripes complemented its neck. A large head pointed straight ahead and was also red in colour. It had been granted the section ID Purplenum [Fist of Coral]. Strapped to his back was a photonic shotgun. Devastating at short range, sending a spread of photonic bullets into advancing forces, cutting them up instantly.
“Fuckin’ Hell!” Exclaimed Dana, “Tyrell really went for the subtle approach didn’t he?”
The RAcast never flinched and the HUmar stuck himself in Dana’s eyeshot: “Malcat here is the group leader.”

Dana shook her head from side to side. Androids, cold emotionless androids. She didn’t like RAcasts, they lacked the humanoid characteristics of the HUcast and in her opinion didn’t care about who were in their team, just as long as the job gets done. Casualties didn’t seem to matter to them, only the mission.

The HUmar himself was hardly dressed for jungle manoeuvres, but he wore his armour with pride and she couldn’t begrudge him that. He was dressed in orange trench boots, with matching greaves and the angelic white body armour that was only awarded to soldiers who fought and survived the Battle of Timbus Rai. Timbus Rai was one of the Principal Governments greatest victories in Coral’s Civil War. It was a small outpost that looked out over the Fusurvius Ocean. No more than fifty guards had been stationed there and judging by his age now, the HUmar must have been no more than a boy most likely on his first assignment. These fifty soldiers held their positions and fended off an attack by over ten thousand civilian usurpers. Only twelve of the soldiers were left alive at the end, but over five thousand of the attackers lay dead. As a mark of honour this armour was specially cast for them and they each had the prefix Rai’ placed before their names so everyone would recognise the valour of these soldiers. And shinning on his cheat was his Pinkal Section ID, an honoured gift, translating to “Mother’s Bosom” or “Favourite Son”.

Continued in next post...

[Azbats]

“I’m Rai’Kal.” He said thrusting his hand out in a goodwill gesture.
Dana shook it and felt the strength he had hidden behind his charming smile. The Fonewearl seemed to have mellowed and joined in the pleasantries. She appeared, superficially at least, every inch the professional. Dressed in FO-style Special Ops equipment she was adorned in green camouflage thigh length stockings and complimentary brown boots. Her top was also a brown green mesh with matching arm length gloves. In contrast though her hair was bright pink and styled with two large ponytails jutting out of either side. Her eyes were jet black and that symbolised one thing, she was blind. This however was no hindrance to a mystic FOnewearl they were gifted with a sixth sense that enabled them to grasp their surroundings far better than most able sighted people. But it was their skills in the art of techniques that seemed to heighten their powers making them very dangerous enemies indeed.

“Jazmine, Yellowboze [Nature’s child]” She boasted. Dana nodded her recognition to her.
“Tener Sinus is our destination, please proceed to the Transporter.” Crackled the RAcast.
“Ooh you just gotta love that guys charisma.” Joked Rai’Kal as they all moved towards the shimmering rings of light.

A blinding flash and Dana’s was hit by two unique sensations. The first was the softness of the ground and her feet slowly sank into the crystalline specks of sand. The second was the burning heat that radiated from the sun. She closed her eyes and raised her face in line with it, soaking up its warmth. It had been nearly twenty years ago that Dana had fully appreciated this phenomenon. Most of her work hunting on Ragol had taken her to the rain swept forests of Lupus Silva or the dank caves of Unguis Lapis.

“Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all.” Beamed Rai’Kal. “I needed to work on my tan anyway.”
“Let’s move out.” Barked Malcat, not giving the group enough time to fully appreciate their surroundings.

669 Beats:

For the next four hundred beats they party of four trudged their way through vast, dense jungles of Tener Sinus, following the last known coordinates of the latest victims of this mysterious disappearance. Scorching heat had gotten to Dana and she had removed her tunic top exposing a white, although now sweat ridden and muddied singlet. Rai’Kal had tied his long brown hair back into a plat and was taking in lots of water due to the excessive weight of his armour. Jazmine on the other hand hadn’t even broken a sweat. Not a single bead glistened on her mocha coloured skin. They had no real need to hack away the undergrowth because of Malcats huge physique. They merely followed the path of destruction that lay in his wake.

“Hey Robo-jock!” Shouted Rai’Kal. Malcat stopped and turned around. “Some of us here are human, so how about we pitch tents, yeah? It’ll be dark soon and I don’t fancy being jumped in the middle of the night.” He then turned to face to two ladies of the group. “Well I could make a couple of exceptions.”
Both the women groaned and fell to the ground. Although Jazmine wasn’t sweating she was tired and was in need of some refreshment.
“Agreed.” Buzzed the RAcast. “We will continue onwards at 0100 Beats.”
Dana removed a capsule from her belt and dropped it onto the floor. A translucent sky Blue dome no more than five foot high appeared. She threw her tunic into the opening and crawled inside.
“If you want a bedtime story…”
“Piss off ‘Kal.” Interrupted Dana. She lay down and rubbed her tired eyes. She could hear Jazmine snapping at the HUmar
“And you can forget even asking me!”
Although she preferred to work alone, for some reason Dana found solace in hearing people’s voices. Had she really been so long removed from human company?

872 Beats:


“One!” Boasted the RAmar.
“Yeah, yeah whatever!” Sulked the girl.
“Two.” He continued. The joy in his voice was very apparent. “I told you this would be easy.”
The girl remained silent.
“Three.” He blurted out.
“I can count you know.”
The soldier chuckled to himself: “Well I’m still learning… Four!”
Each time he said a number another photon bullet hit the target straight in the middle of the bullseye. It continued past five, six and seven and eventually until: “Nine!” He shouted. “Just one more to go… Oooooh, the tension.”
The girl looked at him blankly and he giggled to himself once more as he lined up the last shot. Just as he pulled on the trigger the girl kicked her hip out to knock the young man off target. This sent his shot spiralling into the raftered, knocking out one of the lights.
“You cheated!” The boy protested.
“I just said I bet you couldn’t hit ten bullseyes. I didn’t mention anything about not being distracted.” Smugly replied the girl.
“That is so unfair!”
“I know. Great isn’t it.”
The two turned to face each other and they remained silent for a second as they gazed deeply into each other’s eyes. The girl started to blush and quickly tried to resurrect the conversation.
“Er… So… er… how did you get so good?”
The RAmar coughed to clear his throat and turned away to look at his handgun: “This was a present from my father.” He started. “He was killed during the early uprising. I was only ten at the time. I concentrated on trying to perfect the art. A kind of homage to him.”
“That’s sweet.” Her silken voice replied.
“What about your parents?”
The girl looked down to the floor: “I never knew them.” She mourned. “I was told that they both were killed shortly after I was born. I was raised by the Principal Government and then was made a ward of Mistress Milarose.”
“Jeez!” Javah exclaimed. “She’s a right bitch too.”
The girl changed the subject once more: “So are you going to show me how to fire that thing?”
“Sure.” Perked the HUmar.
Javah handed Dana the pistol pushing the barrel away from him. He had positioned Dana in front of his body so she was looking down the range at the now decimated target. The girl felt him drape his arm by the side of hers and bend his knees until he could just see over her shoulder. Their cheeks touched and Dana could feel her heart pounding through her white blouse. His face was slightly stubbly and this rubbed against her velvet skin. His pronounced breath brushed against her neck. Their hands touched as he tried to manoeuvre the gun into the right line for her. Dana felt herself becoming aroused at such intimate contact with the soldier.
“Do I pull the trigger?” She almost whispered. Her voice was nervous and shaky in anticipation of what might happen.
“You squeeze it gently.” He hushed back.
Slowly she squeezed the trigger and the gun fired a shot, missing the target. The slight kick from the gun pushed her back into Javah’s body. His chest was firm and muscular and she could feel Javah’s heart beating through his tunic. It too was elevated and she realised that he wanted her as well. Slowly her eyes shut, as she felt secure and safe in this embrace, her lips parting slightly as she breathed through her mouth.
She fired the gun again; another light in the ceiling broke. Ever so slightly she felt Javah’s fingertips running up the sides of her arms. The most delicate of touches that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. His hands now moved across her heaving chest to the top stud on her blouse. Gently he began to unbutton it, placing his lips softly on her neck, tenderly kissing her. Another shot rang out from the gun blowing a hole in the target to the right of theirs. She realised her top had fallen open and the RAmar gentle caressed her aching breasts. Dana moaned with pleasure at his touches unable to contain the anxiety inside, dropping the pistol to the ground. The girl moved her left hand so it clasped against his thigh and positioned her right arm so her hand rested at the back of his head, kneading his soft mousey hair. She turned her face to one side and their mouths met, her full soft lips pressed hard against his, tongues slowly rolling over each other, the embrace becoming increasingly passionate. Javah’s hands squeezed her breasts tighter and she broke the kiss to release another louder exclamation of pleasure. Their hips began to slowly move in unison and she knew that she wanted him inside of her.
“Please.” She begged; every fibre of her body ached so much for him.
“I can’t!” Came the ghostly reply.
Her eyes shot open at the eerie voice that came out of his mouth. She stared at the hand that was touching her. Flesh falling off the decomposing fingers. She screamed and broke free turning to face her lover.
His neck hung to one side rocking slightly. Milky eyes gave no signs of life. The RAmar’s uniform was torn and scratched, covered with dried blood and mud. His hair dishevelled and stringy. The voice continued: “I’m dead!”


Dana awoke with a start and a hand being thrust over her mouth. Rai’Kal lent over her his face held a concerned expression and he raised his index finger to his lips to signal her to be silent. She batted his hand away with her right forearm and pushed herself up.
“What’s going on?” Dana whispered.
“Captain Happy and Jazmine are missing from the camp.” Although his demeanour was different his humour certainly wasn’t. “Strange, no?”
Dana gave an affirmative nod and reached for her handgun. Checking that the cell was still full she left the tent and joined ‘Kal, who had activated his photon sword.

Continued in next post...

[Azbats]

It was a dark and chilly night, but the sky was clear and the stars and moon bathed the jungle in a violet shroud. It wasn’t hard to track where the Android and FOnewearl had gone. Dana was just surprised that the sound hadn’t woken her or her companion up. But when she fell upon a pieces of the androids smouldering body she had a suspicion. She raised her hand ordering the HUmar to stop and with deliberate movements pointed for him to break left. He obeyed the instructions and Dana remained still.
“I know you’re here Jazmine.” Shouted Dana, her eyes darting around, surveying the area. “Why did you destroy Malcat?”
She didn’t get an instant response from her question, but she heard the rustle of leaves in the trees above.

Dana grabbed her pistol from the holster and glided across the ground pointing the gun upwards to where she detected movement. The silence was broken by Jazmine’s voice; at least it appeared to be. It was distorted and twisted. There seemed to be a presence speaking through her and it was loud and very definite.
“Are you afraid of the dark Dana?” Asked the voice.
She remained quiet and tried to pin point where the speech had come from, but with so many trees for the sound to bounce off, it was difficult.
“When you close your eyes do you see him?” It continued, ending the sentence with a sick chuckle.
This time the voice appeared to come from behind and Dana spun around. The voice laughed at her reactions: “I’m all around you Dana, everywhere you turn I’ll be there.”
A bolt of lightning flashed from the heavens and Dana dived, arms outstretched, to avoid its might. The ground where she had been standing exploded into flames, razed by the technique.

The voice laughed again: “I can strike you down whenever I want Ranger.”
Dana remained composed and pulled herself to her feet. Suddenly there was a tap on her shoulder. She spun around to receive the full force of Jazmine’s rod crashing into her chest. She was flung backwards her fall eventually broken by one of the stoic trees that had remained in the jungle many hundred years.

Dana tasted brimstone and coughed violently spitting out her fresh blood. Her eyesight was slightly blurring, caused by the impact of the blow. She could make out Jazmine walking slowly towards her. Her eyes a burning flame. She was possessed!

“I thought you would have been tougher than this, Ranger!” The FOnewearl mocked.
Dana looked around her but couldn’t see her handgun. When Jazmine was nearly upon her she grabbed a pliable branch above her pulling it down and then releasing. The branch sprung back to position connecting cleanly with Jazmine’s jaw and sending her off balance. Using the palms of her hands and a twist of her hips, Dana sprang back to her feet. This time she sent her own fist cascading into the FOnewearl’s jaw. Following quickly with a kick to the midriff. It was Jazmine’s turn to taste blood as she slumped back.

There was a demonic scream and a fireball shot out of the Newman’s fingertips. It exploded in the tree behind Dana hurtling shrapnel like showers of wood into her back. Dana shrieked in pain and dropped to her knees. A boot smacked her in the face knocking her onto her wounded back. More shocking pain!
“Elite!” Growled Jazmine. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with here.”
Dana had no time for bravado, just survival. She swept Jazmine’s feet from under her and pummelled her clenched, bloodied fist into the FO’s sternum with a mighty crack.

Once more the Newman let out a disturbing scream and twisting its body grabbed Dana by her neck. The grip was immense. Whatever power was controlling Jazmine seemed to possess implausible strength. Although she was just over five foot the FOnewearl lifted Dana clean off her feet pinning her to the trunk behind her. The Ranger tried in vain to break the release of the smaller, lithe girl, her vision beginning to fade along with any hope.

“Oi!” came a cry from behind the FO.
Without releasing her grip she turned her head to see who it was behind her. The HUmar held his blade tightly in both hands, a wry smile pursed upon his lips.
“’You know…” He began. ”I had a feeling you were gonna be a complete bitch!” With this, his green blade glinting in the moonlight, he sliced Jazmine’s head clean off her shoulders. Her body remained upright for a brief moment before sinking, marionette like, to the smouldering cinders on the Jungle floor.

Dana clasped her throat coughing furiously while trying to take a breath. The HUmar opened a flask of water and offered it to his partner.
“You look like shit, beautiful!” He laughed.
Dana couldn’t help but chuckle back: “Take your sweet time why dontcha.”
“Sue me! I love watching a good bitch fight. That was one psychopathic Newman.”
“That wasn’t Jazmine.” Corrected Dana rising to her feet.
“What?” Quizzed Rai’Kal
“Whoever it was, it had possessed her. Something severely fucked up is going on ‘round here.”

There was a pause that was broken by a sadistic laugh. Dana and Rai’Kal looked at the severed head that lay on the ground. It was laughing as a thick black ooze seeped from the wound.
“They’re all inside of me.” It gargled behind a mouthful of blood and fluids. “I own them all. They’re a part of me now. Even HIM Dana Pearce.”
“What do you mean?” She demanded.
The fire red that burned in the Newman’s eyes now faded, as did the laugh.
“What… the… fuck… is going on here?” Rai’Kal asked with utter disbelief on his face.
“I dunno.” Replied Dana. “But the answer lie ahead.”

Limping and wincing the Ranger and the HUmar made their way back to the temporary camp. Dana pondered on the last words the demon had said begging herself not to believe what it might have meant.

“Javah?” She whispered.


Well there you go people, the end of Chapter 2 and believe me when i say the pace goes bonkers from here on in...

Chapter 3 will be up next Friday... Please leave a couple of words to say what you thought

Many thanks... Azbats

[Mikaelus]

Well, that's another awesome chapeter. Next Friday is too far away...

[Sagasu]

Awesomeness..

Sorry about the lameness of my post, and I promise you, once I get the time I shall go through as I have done before, and repay you for the comments you have awarded me.

[BeckieV]

Brillant! I really loved this whole chapter! You are a awesome writter who has TRUE talent! I am SO looking forward to reading more soon!

[Azbats]

Thanks for the feedback so far people... it seems pretty positive which s nice to hear... I'm hoping to have Chapter 3 ready for Friday... but it may be a day or two late... I keep on changing things and having new ideas... lol

Please keep the feedback coming it's very valuable

[Zer0]

It isnt that BAd... Nice job!

[BeckieV]

Thanks for the feedback so far people... it seems pretty positive which s nice to hear... I'm hoping to have Chapter 3 ready for Friday... but it may be a day or two late... I keep on changing things and having new ideas... lol

Please keep the feedback coming it's very valuable

Yay, Friday! Maybe today....or tomorrow...I am so looking forward to it.