Pratia
(Discussion allowed)
Background
In 2032 the second Great Depression hit the world's economy. It first affected the greater powers of the world but soon spread all over. Governments fought amongst themselves and each other. Until finally complete anarchy had consumed the known world.
Groups of independents gathered together and formed their own "governments" in which most declared war on the world and everyone in it. One of these radicals were the Praters.
This story takes place with a group of highly trained mercenaries, hired to travel to the Mobilians capital city and rescue them from the Praters.
A double agent resides among them... Areos Anduin is aware of it, and has ordered his soldiers to find out who it is.
The First Day
The seven trecked through the forest. North was their destination, and they all knew what lied ahead. Areos Anduin put a hand up to halt the line of warriors. He sat down on a fallen tree trunk and brought out his water bottle.
"So, who's our double agent?" He asked his comrads after taking a sip.
Dakota DeLeon (Waldinger) was unaware of his team-mate's decision to lynch him on sight. He looked around expectantly, when he realized everyone elses glare was on him.
"What?" He asked curiously, looking around at all the faces.
"Hold him." Areos said. Jakenason and Hayden jumped to it and held his arms behind his back. Dakota tried hard to release their grips, but they were too strong, and had him at a strange angle.
Areos walked straight up to Dakota and looked him in the eyes, "My friend, I trusted you." He turned as if to walk away, but pulled out his .9 mm pistol and shot Dakota in the forehead. Blood splattered into Jakenason and Hayden's faces.
Unemotionally Areos said, "Now that our troubles are over, we can get to work." He turned around to the North and signalled with his hand harshly to move on, leaving Dakota's body to the scavangers.
The First Night
Darkness set in, and Julian Archelli (Shlin28) had set out to retrieve an oil that came from the famed Solstice Root, which he would use on his weapons due to his lack of base supplies.
He was making his way back to camp when he spotted one and stooped down to harvest it. A broken stick behind him signified that he wasn't alone.
He tried to turn, but the flash of stainless steel and Hayden Matthew's hand prevented him. His discipline halted his scream for help, and a hand on his head exposed his neck. At knife point he was unable to escape without slicing himself.
"You?" Julian asked.
Hayden moved closer to his ear and whispered, "Reap the whirlwind, Archelli... Reap it!" And sliced his throat.
The Second Day
Areos Anduin (Tran) was first to discover Julian Archelli's body the next day, and carried it to the mercenaries camp. He dropped it near the fire, where the other four were congregated.
"What's this?" He asked them, furious. He could have sworn that they had killed their double agent the day before. No one answered him.
He pointed at the fatal wound on Julian's neck. "Who carries a knife!?" He said, looking their belt loops. None had one.
Hayden got up from a stone he was sitting on and silently walked over to Areos' pack. The hilt of a knife stuck out slightly from one of the pockets. Hayden stooped and pulled up the knife, a red stain on it. Everyone's stare was on Hayden.
Areos knew what was happening, but didn't have the words to proclaim his own innocence. Hayden said, "Knife wounds are generally made with a knife, and people generally bleed red blood." He tossed the blade from his left hand to his right. His eyes made contact with Areos', "We haven't eaten any meat lately either, so hunting is out of the question."
He looked to his "companions" and said, "Can you see it?"
Ian, Areos' best friend didn't even say anything to defend him.
Hayden notioned to Areos, "Hold him." And Jakenason and David grabbed him. Areos didn't fight the way Dakota had, although he felt betrayed. He made eye contact with Ian, who averted his eyes.
Hayden was careful when he winked at Areos inconspicuously. Areos' eyes grew wide as realization occured. He attempted to warn his friends of Hayden's corruption, but was cut short with a slice to the throat.
The Second Night
Laying in his sleeping bag, Ian Lawrence (Omanes Alexandrapolites) was unaware of any waking souls around him, besides the hourly shifting of a guard so they were always aware of enemies coming their way.
He was dreaming of home, of how he was happy then, before the Great Fall of man. He missed the United States, and he missed the protection that posed for his family.
His family was gone now, and he was alone. A shadow passed over his face, and a hand over his mouth. He awoke a second before the hand appeared, and attempted to move, but was too slow. Hayden held the same black handled knife.
Ian struggled under hushed silence to get away, attempting to possibly scramble out of his attackers grasp and strike him.
His eyes were wide, trying hard to see through the darkness. It was as if he was fighting a ghost, or a phantom. He was fighting darkness itself.
Incapable of moving is a horrifying feeling, and Ian felt it immensely. Hayden pushed down with even more force, force that seemed like a near impossibility for his size, being six inches shorter than Ian, who would be concidered taller than the rest of the group.
There was a moment of stillness, as Ian realized his was a dead man. Hayden knelt down over his ear and whispered, "Reap the whirlwind, Lawrence." and without any such warning, jabbed Ian in the temple, a fatal blow.
Hayden returned to his own sleeping bag, which was right behind the feet of Jakenason Lionheart, who had been facing the other way the entire time, and heard nothing.
The Final Day
Hayden was in charge of a band of two other guys now. They had began following him after Areos and Ian were lynched. They were the backbone of the group, and now they were nothing but a trainer, a messenger, and Hayden.
"There was a death last night" Hayden said, "So, which one of you is it?" He stopped and eyed the two of them. They looked at one another, then back at Hayden, and Jakenason Lionheart said, "David had majority vote this time man. He must be our culprit, although we've been wrong a few times."
David Faulkner (FactionHeir) didn't have time to react when Hayden pulled out his own .9 mm pistol and shot him in the forehead. His body arched out of reaction before dropping forward onto his knees and then down on his face.
Jakenason smiled, "We finally got him!" He raised his fist up in triumph, but Hayden's smile wasn't of victory. He wanted one more drop of blood to stain his belt before he was done.
Jakenason noticed Hayden's crooked smile approaching him with his gun. "What are you doing? Get away, you're freakin' me out!" He started to step back.
Hayden said nothing for a few steps before speaking, monotone, "You know the odds were against my expedition. To rid us of our enemies allies." Jakenason was panicking now, reaching for his pockets for some kind of weapon, he realized that his gun was in his backpack on the floor twenty paces in front of him.
Hayden pointed the barrel at Jakenason, and continued to say... "You don't realize how exciting it was near the beginning when you're voting "system" nearly got me out the first day, but I was lucky. Now, after five dead, you're the last." He stepped forward with his right foot, lined up his arm, shoulder, and foot to aim well.
Jakenason had turned and started running, but Hayden was a good shot. The trigger was pulled and the bullet pulled through the base of his skull. He fell, but didn't die instantly like the rest.
Hayden walked up to him. He kneeled down, right knee on the ground, and gun point on his temple.
"Reap the whirlwind Lionheart... Reap it!" and pulled the trigger.
(Game over: Complete Mafia Victory)
Bookmarks