Rage (Chapter 4)

He tossed the money on the bed, gave the young girl one last, sleasey look and walked out. He pulled his coat closer against the chill wind. His earlier smugness about the newest one Trace had sent dissolved quickly as he felt an unease settle around him. He looked around the dark streets and tried to walk more quickly to his car. There was the knell of hard boots coming from the darkness in front of him. He stopped in his tracks frozen, knowing just by the sound of the boots who it was even though he had never seen him. The stories had been enough. That death knell of the boots walking toward him was identification enough.

“Henry Stolis, the time has come to pay for your crimes. It is I, the angel of death come to collect your dues. I that walks with salvation around my neck and death in my pocket.”

Joseph emerged from the darkness. His full length black leather coat flaired out in the wind behind him. He reached behind him in one fluid movement and drew his twin 45a’s. He clicked the switch on each to silencer mode. Stolis stumbled back slowly, still in fear and shock. Right as he snapped out of his shock and was going to turn to flee, Damien raised the 45s and fired a triple tap from each. Two in chest and one in the head. Stolis dropped to the ground, dead. Joseph walked over to the body, dropped a silver coin with the symbol of the Knight on it, picked up the metal briefcase Stolis had been carrying and walked off…

The mission cam stopped and the lights came on in the classroom.

“That, ladies and gentlemen is the prime example of how to follow procedure of eliminating the scum we are hired to get rid of.” the headmaster finished.

One of the students raised their hand.

“Yes corporal?”

“Is the speech that was given necessary, might it go a little over procedure?”

“In cases such as this, it is actually a key step to achieving the objective. It strikes fear in the client, renders the client usually unable to perform any action helpful to their survival. But speeches such as this should be limited to those with high field experience and success rate. Are there any other questions? No? In that case, lecture is dismissed.”

The students filed out until the classroom was empty except for the headmaster.

“Showing the Stolis contract again?” Joseph spoke from the door of the classroom.

The headmaster turned around and walked forward to clasp Joseph’s hand.

“The Stolis contract gives the best impression with the students. And I’m glad you stopped by. I’ve been meaning to ask you to teach some classes to the students.”

“Of course sir. What will it be on..weapons training, martial arts, contract and client setup?”

“Philosophy.”

Joseph’s expression of suprise flickered as quick as the flame of a blown out candle.

“Yes sir, philosophy it is.”

“Don’t be so suprised, you’re my finest student. You’ve excelled in every subject here, including the philosophy of the mercenary. I feel that the students need to see that part of you as well. To know that there is more to it than the weapons training and the martial arts. Now come, have a drink with me. And drop the sir for now Joseph.”

Joseph flashed one of his infrequent smiles before nodding, “Alright Robert, let have a drink.”

Headmaster and student walked out of classroom, as fellow mercerines…

Tenchi

“…the cultivation of the mind, the body, and the soul, and we must always cultivate the soul.”