[dcs_p]Mike Strider looked down at the documents in front of him. Alexus Capone. She
was a brief contact of Mike’s during his days on Black Earth in the space region
once known as the Oberon Confederation. He had met her while training for his
first mission, a mission of vengeance that had ended in an attempt on the life of
pirate king Kenny ‘Redjack’ Ryan. Alexus had guided Mike through several
different fighting techniques in the summer of 3036. The two had become good
friends by the time they’d parted.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]While the young Alexus had made an impression on him all those years ago, the
old Alexus had also caught his attention. When she’d received word of the
Strikers defeat on Wasat by the Bounty Hunter and the WOB, Alexus offered her
services for old times sake. Mike hesitated at first. Upon recalling the death of
his friend Mason Garr during the WOB’s unprovoked attack, he agreed to Alexus’
s terms. She was practiced and perfect in the execution, though she took the time
to make sure all was done according to plan. Ahrald Prinzelden was
dead, and the Strider’s Strikers had survived the man’s attack only to become an
even stronger threat to the Word of Blake than before. Mike thought the
outcome of Prinzelden’s attack was a fitting end for such a hostile and fiendish
scheme.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Mike knew that Alexus would have her own means of escape from the Strider’s
Strikers Intelligence Corps. The woman had surely gotten out of worse situations
in the past. While he refused to reveal the assassin’s true identity, Mike knew he
wouldn’t be able to hold out for long against the Nova Cats. Even if he were
lucky enough to best his friend Devon Carns, the Steel Vipers affiliated with the
Strider’s Strikers would likely push their own challenge. The only thing that had
thus far prevented Steel Viper commander Sasha Breen from challenging him
already was her respect towards Devon Carns, the commander for the entire
Strider’s Strikers Clan force.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Mike moved his hands to his forehead and wiped the sweat from his skin. The
Nova Cat challenge would be coming soon, and he was already feeling the
pressure of his friend’s threat. He closed the folder in front of him and looked to
his electronic notepad. The old device had been worn from several years of use,
but it still worked. Its automatic calendar background display flashed September
22 as the clocked rolled 11:59 into 12:00. The Nova Cat challenge, his end,
might come today.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Without warning, a light tap on the door brought Mike up to attention in his
pleather armchair. He hadn’t expected company so late, and briefly thought
about pushing the security alarm to scramble the headquarters guards. Before
he could make a decision, the door opened wide. He immediately recognized
Star Colonel Devon Carns’ silhouette in the lit hallway.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Mike sighed in momentary relief. Was this how his life, his career with this unit
might end? He was nervous and jittery, something he had not felt since the initial
warnings received when the Word of Blake had invaded last year. He looked up
to his friend, knowing full well that his face clearly must have shown his fear.
“Devon, its you.” Mike managed a brief smile. “I was afraid you were the
bogeyman coming to get me.” He locked his jaw while waiting for the man’s
response.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“The bogeyman I am not. I may prove to be your conscience by the end of the
day though.”[/dcs_p]