CHAPTER 2

The black hoverbike slipped around a corner and flew through intersections. Most people just thought a motorcycle was weaving through traffic. Few realized a high-end, powerful hoverbike was next to them. As the rider neared the port city of Durres, feelings of rightness began to settle on him. It had been 15 years since he first left Durres. Back then he was only a young starving boy of 12 who had just lost his parents. However, despite the pain of memory in this city, coming back now, this place just felt right to him.

‘thinking of making this home?’ said a telepathic voice in his head.

‘yes, Raya, I believe we will call this place home once more. It will take some work, but I think we are up for the challenge.’ Replied Andrew.

‘Andrew, this place… you may be feeling good about it, but it gives me the creeps. There is so much…. Wrong about this place.’ said Raya.

‘There are likely some bad people around. We will just have to clean up the town. It will be a good exercise for us anyway.’ Replied Andrew.

Raya suddenly remarked coldly, ‘your arrival has been noticed by the Devos family. They will likely send someone to contact you. I can sense their pawns in the area.’

‘Dam, they must have been watching the train. Well, they can all go to hell. They were peons 8 years ago and are worthless now! That son of theirs, Conner, skirted battle thanks to me. For now, we ignore them. However, if they interfere with my plans, they will suffer. They likely just want to make sure I disappear.’ said Andrew.

As Andrew pulled into a large walking park, he began scouting the area. Many would consider him paranoid. Andrew considered his caution a skill more people should hone. After all, his heightened senses and awareness had saved him and his team countless times on the battlefield.

His black bike with its pure gold accents was eye-catching for sure. Thankfully, most people didn’t notice things that were outside what they expected to see such as the fact it was a hoverbike, instead of a normal motorcycle. His bike was the custom prototype product of several companies that were on the cutting edge of modern warfare technology. Speed could make the difference in battle, and business.

Knowing that he would soon be approached by pawns of the Devos, Andrew set off for the middle of the park and found a secluded bench to sit at. From here he could see anyone that approached a long way off. He took out his phone and began scrolling there the latest intelligence packet while a call connected.

“Jackson, I am back. Situation update,” said Andrew.

“Commander, it’s good to hear you are back in one piece. I have things coming along here. Overall, the situation is not yet in hand but with you here, it should fall into place quickly. I have people in place to assist you with anything you need. But sir, as you requested, they have not announced your arrival, so many hostile forces remain in control of the black and gray realms.”

Andrew frowned. Jackson was a superior fighter who had been under his command on the battlefield for years. Jackson was even the first of the team to be formally named a god of war. Eventually, after his term of conscription was finished, Jackson had become known as the Cobalt god of war, assigned to the western province of Rhodes, one of the eight gods of war who served under the supreme god of war. Andrew knew Jackson’s strengths lent themselves to the subtle behind-the-scenes moves more than being flamboyant in business. After all, he was the team's sniper and was used to blending into the backdrop. However, Andrew had hoped for a bit more of his plans to have been established by the time he decided to “retire” to Durres. Oh well, Andrew thought to himself, he would need something to do to keep his mind active. He was only in his mid-twenties after all. Some gray world gangsters would not be trouble. The black realm may be darker, crueler, and overall a stronger breed of criminal, but at the end of the day, they should not pose any threat to his long-term plans either.

“Have you found me a suitable site?” asked Andrew. While he was planning on relaxing from war for a few years here in Durres, naturally this did not mean he intended to be slack in his physical training.

“Yes commander, there is a suitable construction site owned by the Eisen family. They are in the midst of building a 5-story structure, but the plans show it is just a prebuild, with no current owner. It is still in the initial build phase. I have already contacted the company manager and she is prepared to sign over the title. Because you requested it be incomplete, we are getting it for a good price. I can have the paperwork complete by end of the day.” Was Jackson's response.

“Good. Send me the address as soon as the paperwork is done. You know my specs, have a crew ready to renovate by tomorrow,” Andrew spoke with a calm tone of authority that brooked no argument.

Andrew clicked off the call and looked up from his phone to see a group of men rushing toward him in controlled haste.