Battle Beyond Earth: Insurrection (7 page)

"You have no authority here," Kuyok stated.

He waved towards Taylor, and twelve soldiers stepped out from the sidelines as a barrier between him and Taylor.

"Detain him!" Kuyok ordered.

As they raised their rifles, he raised his left arm, and they stopped. They saw he was holding a grenade. He twisted the priming cap with his thumb and watched them look at one another in a panic. They had no idea how to deal with him.

"You just made a big mistake," replied Taylor.

He tossed the grenade, and it landed at the feet of the soldiers. He leapt off to one side and rolled until he was behind the cover of a pillar. Bullets landed all around him. The explosion rang out, and he looked back; three had been killed by the blast. The others had taken shelter behind similar pillars nearby. The Emperor's bodyguard stood in front of him with a shield similar to Taylor's, but Kuyok refused to move.

"Fool," Taylor muttered.

He looked for another grenade, but there were none left. He knew they were so terrified now in the sealed confines of the throne room that a decoy would be enough. He pulled out the suppressor for his rifle and launched it towards the opposite corner of the room. As they panicked and rushed for cover, he stepped out from the other side of the column and rushed forwards. Two Cholans were in plain sight from where they had sought cover.

Taylor fired two shots at them, and they died instantly. He was on top of their position in seconds when a rifle barrel appeared from behind cover. He didn't even slow down but grabbed hold of the barrel and rushed past, launching the Cholans off their feet and slamming them into the wall behind him. Taylor fired a three-shot burst into the soldiers. They were dead before they even had enough time to reach the floor.

He leapt into the opening between two pillars to find the remaining soldiers had lain down their weapons. The other officials knelt beside them. Taylor couldn't believe they had give up so easily, but he was relieved.

"Fight him!" pleaded the Emperor.

Kuyok's cool demeanour had gone. He kicked out so that a footstool was launched down the few steps leading to his throne, and he was up on his feet beside his bodyguard.

"Fight him, you dogs!"

But they looked up to Taylor as their new master.

"Somebody get that door open, now!" Taylor ordered.

One of the high-ranking officials rushed to the entrance of the room with a soldier in tow. No one else made a move. Taylor watched cautiously, but to his surprise, they did exactly as he had said. They punched in codes to wall-mounted devices either side, and sure enough the doors parted.

His three companions came rushing through and instantly pinned the two Cholans to the inner walls. They froze with shock to see Taylor standing before the dozens who had surrendered to him. He knew all was not done yet but was glad to have someone covering his back. He went forward, and the Cholans separated so that he had a direct path to the throne. As he drew nearer, the bodyguard came down the steps and met him halfway. The Emperor grinned wickedly.

"This is Tuin, the greatest warrior the Cholan Empire has known in seven generations."

Taylor didn't look impressed, but the Emperor seemed confident, which at least made him take the situation a little seriously. Tuin drew out a long and curved single-handed blade that sizzled with fiery energy.

"Don't do it, Mitch. We're so close now," Alita begged him.

But Taylor couldn't help himself. He wasn't sure if he was doing it as a matter of honour or simply for the challenge, but he was already impressed that the Cholan had stood by his Emperor, and was willing to stand against Taylor when all others had given in. He threw down his rifle and drew out his Assegai. With his powered and armoured suit, the little Cholan came close to the size of Alita without her armour on. Meaning Taylor still stood as a giant in front of him.

"You would die for him?"

Tuin simply nodded.

"Well, okay, then," Taylor replied casually.

"You know you can stop anytime? You don't have to die for that bastard."

But Tuin just stared at him with a blank expression. Taylor couldn't tell if he was being studied or had scared the alien. He raised his shield and took a fighting stance. As he did so, the Cholan rushed forward with such blinding speed it shocked him. Tuin jumped as if he intended to barge Taylor, but instead placed one foot onto his knee and leapt over him into a flip. As he did so, he slashed with his blade. The sword sliced deep into the backplate of Taylor's armour and came close to penetrating. As it drew up towards the back of his head, the tip just slashed lightly into the back of his neck and base of his ear.

Taylor grimaced from the pain as he spun around and swung a little clumsily with his Assegai, but the Cholan was already beyond his reach. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Alita raise her rifle and take aim at this new threat.

"Don't you dare!" Taylor yelled angrily.

Alita sighed in despair but lowered her weapon, as she knew Taylor wanted her to. He turned back to Tuin and could see he was being circled now. The confidence of the alien was admirable, and he could see now that it was founded in reality.

"What do you know, a Cholan with balls, backbone, and the skills to put them to use," he said, smiling as he felt blood dripping down his neck and tainting his uniform beneath the suit. Tuin still said nothing and rushed forward again, leaping into the air much like he had before. But Taylor was not going to underestimate the warrior a second time. He took a quick step back and swiped his shield across the Cholan's, which sent him into a spin. As his flank was exposed, he thrust his Assegai forward. But with his immense speed and agility, the Cholan dropped low and parried with his own shield just a split second before impact. Taylor kicked under the shield and launched him three metres across the room. Tuin landed hard, rolled twice, and spun back up onto his feet, ready to come at Taylor once more.

He rushed forward and swung with three fast cuts against Taylor. He parried all of them, but on the last cut the Cholan stopped half way and redirected to the other side. Taylor could not move his shield quick enough to counter the fast deception and had no choice but to parry with his Assegai. The sword connected and cut it in half, slicing through into Taylor's arm. The blade cut deep enough to draw a centimetre into his triceps. Taylor responded by punching forward with his shield. The impact was enough to throw Tuin onto his back, and Taylor quickly went forward to stamp down on his face.

Tuin rolled nimbly out of the way, but before he could raise his sword, he found Taylor's boot stamp down firmly on the blade, pinning it to the floor. The Cholan released his grip and rolled out of the way and back onto his feet. Taylor kicked the blade out of the way as Tuin powered his shield down, and Taylor did the same. Despite the pain and injuries, Mitch was really starting to enjoy himself now, but he was also starting to wish he did not have to kill the Cholan who had shown so much promise.

"Surrender," he said.

Tuin raised his arms into a fighting stance and shook his head to refuse. He came forward with a kick to the inside of Taylor's leg. The Colonel teetered slightly before he returned a powerful straight punch. His reach easily allowed him to strike the Cholan hard. His head snapped to one side slightly, but as Taylor lunged again, Tuin ducked under, punching Taylor to the face and breaking his nose with a precise strike. Blood burst out from both his nostrils and streamed down his face. Taylor staggered back slightly and smiled to reveal his blood soaked teeth.

"Well played," he stated and went forwards.

Taylor knew he had to be smarter and more refined with his actions now. He swung as if he intended a heavy hook, but as Tuin tried to duck under, he struck a kick with his long reach. The alien’s hands rose up just in time, but it was not enough. The power knocked him back and stunned him. Taylor leapt forward with a flying punch that struck him in the left eye. The impact seemed to stun Tuin. Taylor followed it with an elbow into his collarbone from above, and he keeled over. He could see Tuin was defeated but could not bring himself to kill the warrior who had fought so valiantly and with such skill.

His fist was held up ready for the final hammer blow. He quickly struck, and Tuin was knocked flat down to the ground. Utterly defeated, and with nothing left to give, he finally nodded in agreement to acknowledge his defeat. Taylor was glad to accept it. They could hear the thunder of footsteps. Jones and several of their Immortals rushed into the room in support, and then stop in amazement to see Taylor's condition and the standoff between him and the Emperor. Jones didn't say a word. He simply nodded to give his support. Taylor looked back at the Kuyok, who for the first time looked truly scared. Taylor's expression towards him was contemptuous.

"Colonel Taylor, we can surely work something out."

Taylor didn't say a word. He quickly drew the pistol from his side and fired a single bullet. It hit the Emperor between the eyes and killed him instantly. His body slumped forward. As he smashed down to the ground, the crown toppled from his head and rolled across the floor, coming to a standstill just a metre in front of Taylor. Jones couldn't believe what he was seeing; the others didn't fully appreciate the severity of the situation. He lowered his rifle and walked up to Taylor. The Colonel simply stood looking at the body of the dead Emperor that he had slain.

"What have you done?"

But to his surprise, it was not remorse Taylor was feeling, only a sense of achievement.

"Completed the mission," he replied confidently.

"Is this really what we came here to do?"

Taylor nodded.

"We came to do whatever was necessary to ensure the Cholans no longer presented a threat, and that they would fight for us," he replied, looking down at Tuin.

"Do you understand that?" he asked the Cholan.

Tuin nodded.

"I understand," he replied sincerely.

"You were willing to lay down your life to protect him, and yet this does not bother you?"

"I did everything I could to fulfil my duty, and I must continue to do the same for my people."

Taylor was impressed. He was the only Cholan he had ever found he could relate to, and as he swept the blood from his nose, realised an opportunity had presented itself.

"I don't want to seize power here. I only want the Alliance to be as strong as it can be. This back and forth, this violence, it ends today, you understand?"

Tuin nodded slowly. Taylor took a few paces forward and reached down to pick up the crown. He studied it for just a moment. It was far heavier than he had expected and could see from the rare jewels that it must be priceless. It was also tarnished with the Emperor’s blood. He looked over to Tuin who didn't understand what he was doing.

"I need someone who can be trusted to lead your people. You are the only candidate I am willing to back, want the job?"

Tuin shook his head.

"I cannot. I am not of noble birth."

Taylor smiled, knowing he had the right man. He tossed the crown into the alien's lap. Tuin caught it and almost seemed scared to touch it. He held it up and at a distance. It was clear he had never handled it before. One of the Cholan officials stepped forward in an exasperated fashion.

"Sorry, Colonel, but you cannot do this. We have a strict tradition that must be adhered to, and..."

Taylor swivelled around and glared at the alien, who stopped when he saw the pistol still in his hand.

"You know what I have learned about tradition?"

No one dared say a word and waited for him to continue.

"I learned that it changes in time. Whatever you have been doing, it isn't working, and whether you like it or not, I am here to tell you things are changing."

He stepped over to Tuin and hauled him to his feet. He took the crown from his hands and placed it on the Cholan's head. Tuin still looked uncomfortable, but Taylor placed a hand on his shoulder and reassured him.

"You are a better man than all these assholes. You've got skill and courage, and that is enough."

He offered out his hand, a gesture Tuin clearly recognised but had never experienced. He took it eventually.

"If you continue to show the courage I saw here today, then I will gladly call you my ally, and my friend. Your people need you. The Alliance needs you. Will you step up and do what needs to be done?"

Tuin looked past Taylor to the Cholan officials. It was clear none of them approved, but he nodded in agreement anyway.