Crest and Shield Book 2: an O R D E R mini

  Chapter Nine

  Kiel watched him. From a far, Kiel watched the soldier who led the clash against the Grim Reaper soldiers. Covertly he followed him through the compound to see what his activities were. His spectating eventually led him to the lower levels of the compound, through a few dark corridors, and into one of the many steamy pipe filled engineering rooms. As he navigated the pipe cluttered corridors, Kiel lost site the man briefly. Quietly creeping through the pipes, Kiel rounded a stem column and found the soldier sitting on a bench in a locker room tying his boots. Getting ready for another long night of work no doubt. Kiel watched quietly for a moment. He listened closely as his eyes navigated the room. They were indeed alone as he preferred them to be. The soldier hadn't noticed him. Kiel stepped out of the shadows. The soldier felt his presence and looked up. The disdain was still apparent in the soldier's eyes. He went back to aggressively tying his boot.

  "Oh," the soldier said with a smirk. "I thought I felt someone following me. Good evening Compound Commander." he addressed Kiel lackadaisically.

  Kiel stepped further into the light.

  "What's your name soldier?" Kiel asked.

  The soldier finished tying his boot, propped a leg up on the bench, then propped an elbow against it.

  "Why does it matter?" I'm a soldier here that does his job like he's told. That's all that matters isn't it?"

  "Not quite. If you can honor me with your name, I would appreciate it."

  "Rob."

  "Rob…?"

  The soldier stood up and saluted halfheartedly "Compound Cadet Robert Nelson… Sir"

  "Thank you cadet. Robert, how did that clash come about with the Reapers?"

  "They had nothing else better to do and took the time try to push their weight around."

  "And you were having none of that of course?"

  "There was no need to move those ordinances. They had been there as long as I remember. Besides, no compound officer gave us the order to." Rob informed.

  "And you decided to stand up against them? Not very smart you know."

  "Of course, I'm a soldier just like them and I'm not going to take shit from them. We're all in this compound together."

  "Are we really," Keil probed. Rob looked at him curiously. "You do know what they do, don't you?"

  "They kill. They've killed everything. Now what is there left to do?"

 

  "Let me streamline this conversation. You do not respect that I stand next to a Reaper, unchallenging and visually without voice. I don't respect that fact that you would challenge."

  "What," Rob shot back offended.

  "That you would stand up to a group of Grim Reapers or one individual Grim Reaper." Kiel continued, ignoring Robs exclaim. "You are a soldier? Then you should know you do not directly confront an enemy that is stronger than you."

  "I didn't know we were enemies within these walls."

  "There is always an enemy within any set of walls and where there is always an enemy there is always an ally. Decide now," Kiel commanded suddenly. "What are you to me?"

  It was obvious Rob was totally confused and completely taken off guard.

  "I thought you already made that decision.”

  "Where, out on that courtyard. No decision was made there, only calculations. Decide now. What are you to me?"

  Rob glanced down at the side arm on Kiel's hip. He didn’t know where this conversation came from or where it was going.

  "You don't know me. I don't understand."

  "You obviously don't. Ignore my side arm soldier. I'm not here to threaten you. I am standing here. I have chosen to come and you talking to you about alliances and enemies. I have tracked you down and I have initiated a conversation about alliances and enemies. Where do you think I fall on that side of things?"

  "That depends," Rob said as he again eyed Kiel's side arm. "What kind of conversations do you have with your 1st Narce?"

  "I don't have conversations with him. I have query sessions." Kiel popped the latch on his holster and promptly removed his gun. "Robert if removing my gun from its holster and holding it in my hand will help you hasten a decision, I will do so, but Compound Cadet Robert Nelson that is not what I am here for." The extreme irritation shooting through clearly. Kiel removed the clip from the gun, placed it in his pocket, cleared the chamber, and placed the gun back in its holster. "Let me put it to you like this soldier. Bide your time and your tongue. Things will change, but before they do, other factors and players have to enter the equation. Just play good soldier for right now. Can you do that?"

  "I guess I can." Robert extended a nervous hand. "I guess from this point on, this makes us allies?" Keil shook Robs hand firmly. "Allies in what I'm not sure of yet but I'm sure you'll inform me."

  "As what can be capitalized upon becomes more apparent, I will."