Chapter Eight
Apollo's stomach nearly dropped out. Fucking hell, really? He tried not to roll his eyes as he watched as another servant went to fetch Camilla. He had already told the boy to lie for him, so hopefully the story wouldn’t fall through when the boy showed up.
The Reaper prayed Ryker was all right as a team was dispatched to try and retrieve the male from the sewers.
~*~*~*~*~
Ryker raced through the sewers like a bat out of hell. He soon reached the end of the pipelines after a few miles and quickly extracted himself from the pipes. Below, several shuttles flew; the wind ripped at his face and hair as he timed one.
On three, Ryker leaped from the pipe, onto the top of a shuttle. His body made a hard thump on the metal ceiling, and he could feel the little hover plane shudder. He waited until the craft flew over a low skyscraper and jumped, bracing himself for the impact. He hit the ground, crumpling and rolling, grunting in pain. He may have sprained an ankle.
"Shit..." Ryker cursed as he stood up, limping slightly as he made his way to the roof door to steal a bike and get back to the Division. He knew the Gruesomes were likely on his tail, but this was HIS turf, now.
A swarm of elite Reapers swarmed the sewers and the underground city, keeping to the shadows as they chased after Ryker's scent like a pack of dogs.
*~*~*~*~
Apollo knew this was happening, even if he was sitting in his uncle's study. His mind whirled frantically as he tried to think of a way for Ryker to stay safe. "What does it matter uncle?" Apollo finally asked with annoyance in his voice. "Why so much fervor over some scum of the underground? Why not just leave it?"
~*~*~*~*~
Ryker had procured a bike and was racing towards the entrance to the Division from the Ruins. He knew the Reapers were after him--hell, he had killed a few already, but he was significantly slower with his ankle, and sweat stuck his clothing and hair to his body.
Ryker revved the hover bike, kicking it into turbo as he neared the ruins. He was still around two miles away, but he could see it in the distance.
*~*~*~*
Camilla walked towards Jeta's study shivering slightly. He wasn't sorry for what he'd done--that dirty Radantian dog needed to die. How DARE he come and try to scoop up HIS master. Camilla wouldn't have it. The young teen adopted his timid, shivering role again and entered the study; prepared to lie for the man he loved to the man he feared the most.
~*~
Jeta growled at his nephew. "I will not leave it. That little bastard needs to know his place, and I intend to show it to him." he frowned harshly. "Do you have some problem with this—Apollo?" he asked.
"As my uncle wills it." Apollo replied holding up his hands. "However, I find that chasing the man is a waste of valuable resources. From a tactical point of view at any rate." The Reaper glanced at the door Camilla had just walked through, motioning for the boy to come to him.
Camilla came, basking in the warmth of his master's arms. "Now," Apollo started, "tell his lordship how the Radantian dog escaped." The servant came forward, head bowed submissively as he explained to Jeta just how Ryker escaped exactly.
~*~*~*~
The Reapers were hot on Ryker's trail, not even balking when a few of their numbers fell. However, it seemed the Radantian's efforts were paying off as he got further and further away.
Ryker cursed, he couldn't lead them to the Division. He frowned, before an idea struck him. He spun on the cycle is a deadly smirk on his face. He had sent out a message on his cycle to a few...friends of his and he turned, speeding towards the Reapers. He let out a long, high pitch whistle, triggering the Division’s outer defense systems. Laser bullets flew from all directions mowing down a few Reapers as Ryker struck a few with one of the bike’s autoguns. Taking advantage of the confusion, he turned and headed back to the Division.
~*~*~*~
Camilla recounted his story--some made up lie about the Radantian having struck him in the head and escaped. Jeta listened, his brow darkening. "That child is more trouble than he's worth. Give the order that when he is caught, he is to be brought directly to me," he said, growling. "A bounty is placed on the head of one Viper--I want him alive or dead." he frowned.
"Uncle, be reasonable!" Apollo gasped, surging to stand. "You said he was mine, didn't you? Well I say let the fool be. Would you go back on your word? The Radantian is mine, wherever he may be now." The Reaper's blue eyes sparked in fury. He didn't want Ryker in the hands of his uncle, nor did he want him killed. His mind drove itself into frantic circles, trying to figure a way out of this.
---
The Reapers in pursuit shrieked in fury at the attack as they fall of their brethren surrounded them. The smoke was dense, so black no one could even see. There was a frantic movement of sorts as the Reapers tried to get their bearings.
"Master Jeta, there is a message coming in from Eilita, about the Radantian." reported Sigma.
"Play it," Jeta said, still staring down Apollo.
"Master! *cough cough* The Radatian has lured us into a trap. Many--I'm not *cough cough* sure how many of us—“
“AHHHHHHH!”
“Stand back!”
“—are dead." came the male's voice. *ZZZT-POP!* “SHIT! Sire, we are sorry--AHH!” the line went dead.
"Elita!" Jeta's brow darkened in a rage so complete that it shook the very soul of all that saw him. "BRING ME THAT BOY NOW! Slade! You know what to do!" he growled. The boy's head would be on a spit by the end of the day. The tall reaper nodded, bowing his blonde head to Jeta before heading out.
"Everyone out! Servants return to your duties--and watch him." he ordered, pointing to Apollo. "Inform me if he tries to help the dog.' he growled, before sweeping out of the room.
~**~*~*~
Ryker let out a sigh as he limped into the Division, watching as the steel doors closed behind him. He slumped to the ground happily. "God..." he sighed. "I made it."
