Solitaire 3 - Khaine
From Xinda
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Contents |
Introduction
The Third Part of this series works deeper into the Solitaire Project and sets the stage of Zhukov and Khaine to come to the fore.
Part 1
The rain poured down Khaine's face and spattered against his rippling exposed torso. His hair fell in matted rate tails down his face and the rain seemed to shimmer in a halo around the edge of body as he squatted on a rooftop looking into the bright and cosy room of the Imperial Palace. Excluded, as he'd always been. Kept out of the inner circle by the brother closest to him. They'd grown up together, they'd been born together...now that bond seemed gone forever. Envy, anger and hatred caused Khaine to shudder as he gripped the lip of the building upon which he now stood vigil. Security had been tightened after his first incursion but he had ways and means of being where he had to be. He broke a chunk of masonry from the roof and pulped one of the blood drenched organs he'd pulled just two days ago from Konstantin's beloved with it in his fist and then hurled it at the window before turning and leaving.
Konstantin sat in one of the squashy armchairs that his nation was famed for hugging a still recovering Kathryne close to him. Despite her seemingly solid recover he was taking no chances. The atmosphere was friendly and open, Sedt sat on a sofa to one side and Jarrick sat with Fletch stood behind him in an armchair opposite the Emperor, meanwhile Daphne lounged on another sofa nearby keeping a close eye on her newly found biological father. The fire in the grate was big and comforting despite the tense discussion that was about to begin.
"So why are you so anxious to return, what is it that made you do it?" Asked Konstantin suddenly breaking the near silence of the room, "I mean you've said already how petrified you were that Sedt, Drax or myself would come and finish you, so why did you risk it all to come back to a country and a family in which you are not welcome?"
The rain fell heavily on the windows, noticed now because the Emperor had stopped talking, Jarrick paused, as if to think what words were best to use and then leant forward sighing deeply.
"I heard about Lyzanda's death and that Zhukov was being put in charge of the Solitaire project Investigation. This was something I simply could not allow to happen. I realised the dangers of continuing that Project after Khaine and then when I saw what Clara could do," Replied Jarrick softly, his voice didn't betray the fear he felt, "Zhukov is a man who would stop at nothing to continue the Project, to improve and to boost it so that the results were even more amazing and even more powerful. But he'd also engineer them for the soul purpose of fighting. Imagine what such a man could do with even a small number of such creations, fathered by himself?"
"He'd cause no end of trouble..." murmered Sedt, "Konstantin, he's right, you know what Zhukov is like. I think you need to shut down the investigation and seriously think about steering Zhukov away from it!"
"I fear you may need to remove him, he'll never give up trying. Especially not now that he's had a chance to utilise his knowledge!" Continued Jarrick, "I'm not asking you to forgive me and let me back. But I need you to understand that I will do anything I can to stop Zhukov and put an end to the Project once and for all!"
Just as he finished the shattering of glass was held and a chunk of masonry flew bounching across the carpet leaving spatterings of blood and gore every time it hit, before finally coming to rest at Konstantin's feet. A sickened look took his and Kathryne's faces.
"Get that checked, I want to know whose that is!" He ordered firmly before rising and leaving the room.
Part 2
It was just as Konstantin had feared. The gory matter on the chunk that had been thrown through the window was that of the Empress' kidney, the other was still missing, as far as they knew Khaine still had though what he was doing with it was anyone's guess. He was furious at Khaine for making such an outright gesture of hatred and malevolence, Konstantin would have revenge if it was the last thing he did. Especially if it was the last thing he did!
"Come back to be Konstantin, your pacing is keeping me awake," murmered the Empress from the thick embrace of the warm bedcloths that now lay in a tangled mess, "You need to rest, I know its horrible, fudk its my kidney for goodness sake, but there's no sense brooding over the damn thing!"
Konstantin smiled at this, they'd been married little over a year now and already his beloved wife had adopted the Trodonian manner of swearing unnecessarily. Not that she hadn't sworn before but when Trodonians swore, well for one thing it just seemed to fit into thier speech naturally so unless you are actually intently listening to them you'd miss it, for another it was the casual way in which they swore about everything. 'Where's the fudking car keys' 'What did the bloody dog do now' 'crap I need a drink!' it all went so naturally...
"I'm sorry, I'm just worried. You know what I must do now!" Said Konstantin turning to face his wife her slender frame lay naked beneath the bedclothes but now obscured mostly by the tangle of sheets, he stopped then sighing. Taking a moment to remember exactly why it was that he loved her so much. It wasn't her body, he didn't really think on that when it came to the relationship they had, no it was something else he couldn't quite put his finger on. Not that he tried to hard to find it, because he knew how fickle love could be, if he found out, he'd all too soon start to fear it would leave and then that would liead him to feel that maybe it had without him notcing...
He stopped there, interupting his own thoughts. It was not something he wanted to contemplate, especially not right now, and especially not with revenge and malice on his mind.
"I know what you FEEL you must do!" impressed Kathryne standing up, wrapped in a thin undersheet and coming over to spread her arms over his shoulders from behind, she kissed his cheek from over his muscular shoulders and ran her fingers allong the old fractal scar that ran down to the base of his spine, "But believe me you don't. I think you should let Sedt handle it, concentrate on finding Clara!"
"If that is what you want..." whispered Konstantin turning and embracing her warmly, "Then I shall do it. I would do anything for you!"
"I know, the same goes for me to you," she replied, a wicked smile coming onto her face, "Now please come back to bed!"
How could he refuse?
Konstantin was not the only one who was having trouble sleeping. Fletch lay looking at the cieling, though he was awake for totally different reasons. He still ahdn't come to terms with what he was, it had been so long for him, he was older than the others and had spent longer without his abilities, and being older and more conservative he wasn't sure how he felt in himself. He was what many men dreamed of being, he was stronger, faster and sharper than any man could be...but at what cost had it been gained, did he deserve this gift, this curse? He was superhuman, but did that mean he was still essencially human? Konstantin assured him he was, but he wasn't so sure...Drax would have known, would have been able to sort out his fears...but Drax was gone!
Finally he drifted off to sleep, a shallow uneasy sleep that set his head spinning and swirling in uncontrollable currents. He dreamt he was like Khaine, a monster capable of murder without a second thought. He dreamed that he was fighting through the Imperial Guards, and then there was Daphne and without a second thought he had killed her. Realising what he'd done he...
...woke screaming, cold sweat drenched his skin and his bedclothes. His breathing was heavy. He quickly got up, dressed in jeans and a tight T-shirt with some tight fitting rock climbing shoes and stapped on some fingerless gloves. Opening the window he slid out into the swirling, stormy night, hurling himself from the ledge down into the city of Geddon that lay below.
Part 3
Khaine watched Fletch go. It was hardly surprising that the old man had reacted poorly to his new found abilities, he hadn't found out until much of his life was over, the others had either always known or in Daphne's case were still in thier prime, but Fletch was a middle aged man. Khaine smiled to himself, now would be a good time to confront him, this giant of a man.
Fletch ran allong the ledges, jumping about the city like a man possessed of fearlessness. The heights were incredibly, the view spectacular, but Fletch had no time for it. He was searching for himself out here in the lashing wind and pouring rain. He was trying to find out whether he was still the same man he had been before or at least that he'd thought he was. That he hoped he was...
"Well what have we here? My eldest brother." Came a sinister yet familiar voice from the shadows, "Its about time we met properly."
Khaine stepped out of the darkness his red eyes flashng dangerously in the light, so alike and yet so different from Konstantin. Fletch stepped back and braced himself for a fight.
"Come now if I were here to do you mischief you'd already be dead." soothed Khaine mockingly as ever, "Let's see...ah yes you're the strong one right? The prototype. Hah you must feel quite inferior!"
Fletch gritted his teeth and balled his fists. He was inferior to no-one, he;d spent the early years of his life as little more than serf and now he was a free man he wouldn't have anyone taunt him like this.
"Come on! You can surely hold your temper better than this," mocked Khaine, "But if its a fight you want I'll be more than willing to oblige. But of course if we fight now it'll be one less of you to kill later on! I wonder what it'll be like...killing your dear 'neice' Daphne..."
Khaine never finished, a blow like a sledgehammer smashed into his face sending him flying back, the wall behind cracking under the strain of his impact. He wiped the blood from his lips with his forearm and lunged at Fletch only to find the giant's foot crushing the back of his head into the floor. He spat blood and dust into the cracked hole in the floor and spin kicking Fletch off of the rooftop.
"Dissappointing, I'd hoped for at least five minutes," said Khaine to himself and suddenly he narrowed his eyes, "Oh who's this come to join in..."
Part 4
One Week Later...
"Pregnant!?!" Cried Konstantin, "What do you mean you're pregnant? You can't be..."
"The tests don't lie Konstantin! I'm having a baby...we're having a baby!" Replied Kathryne keeping her cool, the stress had gotten to the Emperor, with Fletch still missing and Khaine at large, it wasn't the most ideal of times for him to find out he was going to be a father, "You know what this means! It means I'm going to have to tell my parents, my father is one his way back over now. Don't you dare suggest abortion! I may not have your religious scruples but even I believe that is wrong. I know we're both probably to young to have children but...well we ARE married and you have the succession to consider..."
"The succession is the least of my concerns right now Kathryne!" Said Konstantin quickly, panic had set in now, he hadn't slept in days and he wasn't thinking straight, "How can we bring a child into the world now? With Khaine out there and gods know who else! By the bronzed cleavage of Lerandro why now?"
"Oh get some balls! Or rather start asserting them I know you've got some there somewhere or we wouldn't be in this situation!" Said Kathryne, her temper rising slightly, "I'm no happier than you about the timing, but what's done is done, there's no changing it now."
"You're right, I just...I need to get my thoughts straight. Ye Gods I need a drink!" Said Konstantin slowly, his temperament returning to normal, "I think I'll stick to water for now though, no sense making my head spin any more...what about names?"
"Names?"
"For the baby?" Urged Konstantin, "I mean we can hardly have a child when we have no idea what to call it..."
"Isn't it a bit early to be thinking about that..." Cut in the Empress sitting down on the couch, "Although I was thinking Michael."
"It'd have to be Mikhail or Mykle, this is Trodenhiem and they don't sound too flattering to me..." Said Konstantin thoughtfully, "That's of course assuming its a boy. I like Pyotr, or Peter if you want the Forthamptonian equivilent. Perhaps Iosef..."
"Iosef, are you mad! You want the poor child to be bogged down with the stigma of being named after dictators and tyrants?" the Empress exclaimed, "We need something that translates well in both Forthamptonian and Trodonian, this is a two way relationship after all."
"What about Nikholacz or Nicolas."
"I couldn't bare the thought of calling our child Nick sorry dear!"
"Hmmm Dannyl, Daniel?"
"Sounds like flannel!"
"I don't know Ezykael?"
"What the hell is that in Forthamptonian?"
"Not a bloody clue!"
They burst out laughing at that. They continued to discuss the topic for the rest of the day leaving Sedt in charge of the funeral arrangements for Drax, his body still hadn't been recovered though. At least the names decided upon were good... Mattheus Nash Scorpius or Elyse Maria Scorpius. The couple still weren't happy about the surname however...
"We are gather here to witness the release of Alejandro Drax, Advisor to our beloved Emperor Konstantin. May Lojan guide his path to his final resting place in the halls of Miudis, so that he may rise once more to be a defender of justice and righteousness when the end times are upon us. He was a devoted and loyal subject of our Divine Lords and ever walked in thier favour, right until the end. May he rest as one with the earth, the wind, the rain and the fire, and let the sky smile upon his final resting place, wherever it may be."
Fletch sat in the bar. Unfortunately an immense resistance to alcohol seemed to be a part of his newfound abilities, so despite the 4 pints of vodka he'd drunk straight he still wasn't feeling any less miserable than he had when he'd entered the bar. He was a fearsome sight, his features weeping blood and sweat, a giant of a man his clothes stained and torn. Still searching for who he really was after everyhting...
Part 5
Khaine got to his feet slowly. His head was throbbing, actually his whole body was throbbing. He staggered slightly and got his bearings...well he would have been he was in a dank grey room, but how had he got here? The last thing he remembered was...no it couldn't be, surely not Clara. No-one knew what had become of her, but surely she was the only powerful enough to do this to him, Khaine, 'the' Solitaire.
Swaying slightly he made his way toward the door, but as he headed there he felt a violent pain in the back of his knees, causing him to collapse weakly on his face. The force of the blow had been huge...surely it must be Clara, Konstantin wasn't this underhanded...
"So you're not so tough when caught off your guard are you Khaine?" Came a female voice, it was edged with an alluring tone but this was contrasted by the bitterness and mocking tones that flowed allongside it, "But now Jarrick knows you're alive he sees a use for you."
"I will not work for or with that man!" Spat Khaine, his mouth bleeding as he slowly lifted himself only to find another hammer blow against his back knocking him to the floor, "agh, who the hell are you?"
"My name is not important, suffice to say I am a subject of some quite rigorous experimentation myself, though nothing so scientifically complex as you," came voice from right next to his ear, black hair hung down on the edge of his gaze, "Jarrick saw that there were limits to how far even his loose morals would let him go with the Solitaire Project, so while in exile he's been siphoning funds from various sources for a new project. He called it Steel Blood Project."
"And what did this latest travesty against humanity involve?"
"Hah so scathing of that which created you. I am no such abomination as you! I was born, but since then, oh the wonders that can be achieved with machines!" Came her voice once more this time edges with pure ecstasy, "It involved cybernetic integration, wiring the nerves into machines that were grafted in and eventually replaced many parts over my body. I am the only Steel Blood Khaine, the only one and I hate that the machines are not advanced enough to make me immortal or nearly as powerful as you."
"Argh! Powerful enough it seems. What does my father want with me?"
The pressure was removed from Khaine's back.
"He hasn't decided yet, but..."
She never finished the sentance, it was cut off by the fact that Khaine had punched through her skull. Blood and gore spattered everywhere as the fist erupted from the back of her head...whoever his captor had been, he'd only find out when he finally faced Jarrick.
"Such a shame, killing a one of a kind. Seems I have a rival project to destroy, Zhukov will be interested in this. I suppose I'd best find thier facility, take thier research and destroy it..." Said Khaine and evil glint coming to his face, suddenly his voice dropped to a shuddering whisper, "So much blood, so many people to kill!"
Fletch sat in the bar still, drinking and drinking. He hadn't seen the outside in days. he hadn't left his seat in hours and he was putting down so much vodka that a crowd of people had gathered to watch.
"Okay, give the man some room!" Came a heavy, deep accented voice from behind Fletch, "I want to have a word, so scram you hear me?"
Fletch turned to find himself facing a giant man, his skin was a dark brown, his hair black and a vast array of matted dreadlocks.
"Having troubles friend?" Said the dark man sitting down, "You know as good a drink as it is, Vodka isn't your answer. No-one ever found themselves in a bottle of vodka."
"What would you know about it?" Fletch said bitterly, "I don't need your help!"
"Perhaps, but I have a feeling you do. Come follow me, I think you will find yourself...illuminated." He said offering his had to Fletch. Fletch considered this and then took the man's hand and suddenly everything about him melted away, leaving Fletch looking around at the darkness. "I have just one thing to say to you Fletcher Reise. Do you still want to be the man you were before?"
Part 6
Fletch woke in a daze. He found himself in his own bed in the palace, there was no sign of the dark man anywhere, but he remembered clearly what he had said...'Do you still want to be the man you were?' Well of course, he'd had a good life, good friends and a good family as the man he had been...but? Now he was surprised he couldn't find a but. He could be himself, still an intangible doubt lingered. He brushed it aside as Daphne burst into his room.
"Fletch?" She exclaimed, "Thank to gods! Where were you?"
"I just had to find myself," Said Fletch rising slowly, "How long was i gone?"
"Over a week," Said Daphne frowning, "You should have told us! We were worried sick!"
"Wait, we?"
"Yes of course, Konstantin was very worried about you and so was Kathryne," Said Daphne smiling, "We're family after all, oh and there's such good news!"
"Go on."
"Kathryne is pregnant!"
Khaine had no leads to follow so he followed Jarrick's tell tale trace, he'd stopped in the former Dead Zone before coming to Geddon it seemed. Time to take a look.
Part 7
The buildings he found were bleak and grey. Thier windows broken and the wind blowing, throwing eerie howls through the building as it whistled out of the shattered glass. It was a desolate place, one littered with debris and bodies. It was aplce that even now no-oe every visited. Glass crunched beneath his boots as Khaine entered hat looked like an old Infants' School, inside old child's paintings covered the walls, some faded, torn or stained with age. Here and there lay a bundle of childlike bones with a spatter of dried blood about it. The end had not been pleasant here, so suitable for a man such as Jarrick. He knelt down and picked up a little ragdoll that lay by a bundle of bones in a frayed and stained dress, a tear fell from his eye as he felt its softness under his fingers, he turned it over a read the label. 'Molly Hadst' it said in smudged ink, written in a child's hand...
"I'm so sorry Molly, but I will avenge you. My father will pay for his crimes. I will take you with me...always!" Murmered Khaine as more tears fell from his eyes onto the bones of little girls so brutally taken from this world, "This is the cost of my lineage, and I will atone for it with my father's blood I swear it!"
Khaine tucked the doll in his belt where its head brushed gently against the skin of his exposed abdomen. The scene around him was intoxication, it infuriated him on the most base of levels. That so many young children should have been killed in such a way, just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, just because they had lived in a remote Latagonian community. He entered a classroom and there was a sight he'd never expected, the bones of a teacher lay by the board at the front, clutching a paintbrush. On the board was painted rather hurredly, an image of Khaine with the words 'He will come to this place!'
Shocked that so poignant a premonition was to be found in this place of all places, Khaine backed into the dorr of a cupboard at the back. It gave under his weight and he found himself at the top of a stairs leading down beneath the school. Khaine went down the steps and when he left two days later he left a trail of dripping blood and gore behind him, the ragdoll still tucked in his belt, the blood of the scientists down there coated his flesh. Clutched in his hands was a satchel containing all the data and information from the project that he needed.
The Series
Main Story
- Solitaire - Trodenhiem
- Solitaire 2 - Jarrick
- Solitaire 3 - Khaine
- Solitaire 4 - Twins
Side Stories
Solitaire Series Extras
