Chapter 66

The Package

Kestrel Capitol - Continental Monorail Complex

Central Station

Platform 12 - Government Reserve for Armored Train - Azure Flux

Two Days Later...

Ambassador Alderman Milet, a cheetah civilbelos, walked with his family - Sidre his wife, and his daughter, Sousette. They boarded the_Azure Flux_, a specially armored monorail train which was used to transport high-profile political figures between various kingdoms. Alderman was going out to the nearby kingdom of Sigrakan to work out trade deals between Sigrakan and Kestrel.

As he and his family boarded, Alderman noticed a large cargo crate being loaded into the freight car as well. He could have sworn he heard whimpers and soft crying from the container, but he brushed it aside after it went quiet.

As he walked onto the train, Alderman was escorted by security agents to the private passenger car where he and his family would be residing on this trip.

If only he knew he and his family were setting foot into a storm of hell...

# # # #

Egad's Castle

That Night...

Mick walked into the living area of the castle, seeing everyone settling down around the TV watching the local news. Things were uneventful for the day, and everyone was winding down for the night. Anthony and Alak were dressed in some casual yet fancy clothes: Anthony wore a cozy martial arts gi while Alak wore some loose thai pants, leaving his torso bare.

"Surprising that nothing crazy has happened today." Xen said. "After everything that's happened, I'm surprised that-"

Suddenly, there was the sound of a phone ringing in the room. Egad noticed that the ringing was coming from the package he received in the mail the last week, the envelope sitting on the coffee table.

"Oh, right. I forgot about that."Egad opened the package, and a burner flip phone slid out of the envelope. He noticed the caller ID said "Brother."

Egad paused, getting a bad feeling in his gut. He opened the phone, answering it on speaker. "...Hello?"

"Hello... Brother. I hope I'm not bothering you too much... Sorry, not sorry. I actually don't care if I am. Besides, I have a nice little surprise I want to show you." Cailus' voice came through from the other end of the call, sending chills down everyone's backs.

"What kind of surprise?" Egad asked, remaining calm. "Also, I told you that I don't want you calling me."

"Oh, but I'm not." Cailus countered. "That phone is a prepaid that I bought, so it's technically not calling you, according to galactic law. Besides, the game still isn't over. Not by a long shot."

"Quick! The Citadel Room! We need to track him, or at least record this!" Mick whispered. Everyone quickly and quietly started walking through the castle to Egad's Quarters, and into the Citadel Room.

"So what is it now?" Egad asked as Jet, Codec and Xen started running a program on the supercomputers to trace and record the call.

"Simple. Look at the international Vhaldaria News." Cailus said.

Codec quickly brought up a live feed of the Vhaldarian international news on V.W.N.N. - Vhaldarian World News Network.

Everyone was shocked by the broadcast - there was a breaking news story playing back on the station! The armored political transport train, the Azure Flux had been hijacked by illegal mercenary remnant groups, and they were holding the Kestrel Ambassador hostage, along with his family! The live camera showed the train surrounded by VTOL jets and helicopters, along with a few ground vehicles bearing mercenary crests, escorting the train! The _Azure Flux_bore energy scouring, scorch marks, along with pieces of cracked and broken armor, most of it's defenses either destroyed or inoperative!

"Simple enough explanation, I suppose. Judging by your silence. But that's only the tip of the iceberg. You see, I also had a container loaded up onto that train, going out of Kestrel with some very... Precious pieces of cargo on board, for the re-opening of Pete's fantasy house. I'm sure Anthony can explain, as I have no doubt he has been eavesdropping on my business conversations."

"Just be warned 'Egad,' I'm no longer fucking around this time. I want a match of wits, magic, and combat skill between you and me. A fight to the death, with me and my men, versus you, your war-veteran lover, his son, and your precious coven. If the traitorous detectives I hired, along with my son and the nosy Inspector want to join in as well, so be it. I won't deny them a most painful death if they wish it. As we speak, the Azure Flux is approaching the Kestrellian border with Zanarrkhan. Once the train has crossed that border, the Kestrel Kingdom's Security Forces will be out of reach, and I will personally execute the ambassador, his wife, and his daughter, while having you watch on a private feed if you do not accept my challenge. The train approaches the Kestrel border in ten hours. Don't dither over your choice too long, or it will be too late for everyone involved. I'll be waiting... For your answer."

There was a click on the phone shortly after. Cailus had hung up.