The Empire

“Ah, you’re welcome!” Anora commented as she stood up, her face was a smile but there was a glimmer in her eyes that hinted at tears stinging behind them, “Sam…the Captain would have done a better job…” she muttered as she looked at the wound, the bandages still stained with blood, the bleeding hadn’t completely stopped. Daniel immediately took notice, Anora was beating herself up again, like always, but he could relate. He knew even a cadet in the Medical Corp could have healed that wound without the bandages getting stained enough to show. Sam wouldn’t have left a scar. This was all so messed up.

“Don’t beat yourself up, Anora,” Artemis stepped up behind her and gave her a small reassuring hug, pulling her head onto his shoulder and stroking her hair, “It’s not your fault… I should have listened to Delryn and Daniel more when they warned us about that road.” Daniel turned away from the two, feeling like he’d interfered in a private moment, he wished they would just come out and say they were dating or something instead of Artemis always giving those who chased her a dirty look and Anora getting into fights with the Colonel’s fan girls.

Delryn asked what was next, bringing him around so he could clear his throat, “We’ve still got ot get to the rally point, it’s in the hospital just two blocks up. We’re to hold that building and wait for the General to act, then we secure the roof as an evac and get the hell out.”

“We can’t just leave Sam’s body here though…” Anora commented, “He…he w-was our.”

“We aren’t leaving anyone, I’ll carry Sam, it’s my responsibility as the commander. Daniel, you can help Delryn right?” Daniel nodded to Artemis, “Right, Intel says the hospital should be clear, so we just have to get there without taking the main road or routes anymore. Delryn, you were here for days right? And you know the area, can you guide us there via a more obscure path?” he asked, knowing it was a lot to request.

As Karu finishes being filled with awe he turns around to see if anyone else is on the bridge, "Hmm... No one here still." He goes over to the mast and leans against it as he takes out the cylinder and stares at it. He notices the doors open up and puts the cylinder back into his pocket to see who was coming up to the deck. As the person walks up the stairs, he looks at the person and to his surprise the person a Kayle a general of the Medical Corp. Karu stands up straight and gives him a salute as a sign of seniority and good manners, "Good to see you this fine morning general." He quickly goes back into his regular standing position but still standing straight. "So if I'm not being rude, what are you doing here right now general?"

"Taking in the sun and contemplating the complexities of death itself. You're heading to a hellish place cadet, a person will die and you'll never see the sorry soul again." Kayle replied gloomily. He was in one of his brooding moods and was hoping his answer might scare the prying cadet away. It seemed he could never have the best of both worlds, at his place of work whether on the battlefields or in the infirmary he was beyond charismatic and confident, the second he stepped out of those places of adrenaline and work he found himself nearly unapproachable.

"Karu, right?" He asked, vaguely remembering him from the day before when Karu was all too eager to meet anyone from Archon on-board the ship.

Michale smiled as he raised his hands infront of him helplessly. "I dont cheat..but luck...I am very lucky." Michale admitted and then added. "Hang around me long enough and maybe it will rub in...Also Where i come from its only cheating if you get caught..and assumptions dont count as being caught." Michale said as he carefully gathered up the cards she had scattered. he had owned teh deck for as long as he could remember handed to him by his father. a bit of a family heirloom. His fathers father had been a gambling man and lost everything this was that very deck of cards. Michales most prized possession. as he picked up the Ace of spades last he gently placed it on the top of the deck and then tucked the deck back into his worn cloths. and gave a slight bow. "Bitter or not, win or loss. Thank you for the ride I appreciate it. Michale was aware that another had approached and looked up now to look the newcomer over. He was armed that was to say the least, Michale gave him a small nod as he took a step back. "Seems like your truck might be becoming a new school buss..." michale said with a small smile.

Azyrion St. Croix (Azyr)

Azyr sat atop the deck of the Spirit of Archon pondering his next move. "Archon Academy" he thought to himself. He contemplated sneaking away, but a sudden shock brought him to he senses when he realized his sisters would track him down and he'd be in for a more troublesome experience. He took a second to to regain his composure and pulled a letter out of his jacket.

"Dear Applicant,
Congratulation! Your application to Archon Academy has been accepted, your test scores and prior academic works have lead you to the highest peak. As you are aware Archon Academy is the Empires most prestigious military and political educational center, boasting the largest number of alumni to become Imperial Officers. Twelve Emperors and Empresses have called our noble school their home, along with over sixty Imperial Marshals, and a countless number of government officials and military officers. At Archon Academy you will be honed by a rigorous curriculum and military training into the future of our glorious empire, so that perhaps you too can one day count yourself as one of the pride of our school. However the entrance exams and application process are not in any way the greatest hurdle you will encounter. It will be up to you to either pass or fail and you alone.
You are hereby ordered, under right of her Imperial Majesty and the authority of the Imperial Marshal, to report to the school at 0700 on the thirty first of August, the Entrance Ceremony will take place at 0900 on the First of September.
May glory forever shine on our Empire,
Signed, Mira Campbell
Director of Admissions."

Azyr paused for a moment after reading the letter. "Mira Cambell, I wonder if she's hot." Azyr began to drift away staring at the clouds. Before he managed to fall asleep he noticed a figure walking around the deck. He peered at the man using his peripheral vision. The man wore a white cape over his shoulers. The man was wearing an Archon uniform, but his was more regal than the others. Another academy member approached the man in white and began to speak. The man in white gave the other cadet gloomy news of a hellish place death on the battlefield. Azyr let out a loud YAAAAWN and closed his eyes attempting to go to sleep. After noticing the man in his uniform Azyr wondered if he needed to change into his uniform. He tried it on once and it fit tight and snug. It wasn't particularly his style as he preferred his clothing a little loose.

Delryn looked at the body on the ground then glanced up at Artemis. "I could get to the rally pont myself unnoticed maybe one other....Four and a dead body is going to be...challenging...Especially if the sniper is still alive." Delryn said as he let that sink in and gave a small sigh. They didnt have much of a choice and he shot Daniel a worried look. as He began to grab pebbles off the ground and began to make a very crude map showing the hospital and their current location. "I was here for over half a day before you came in sir....the most direct and fast approach is down that street....but as we can see its not the safest... We can take the side streets and alleys here. However maneuvering them with a body is going to be slow and give our enemy time.... This is the path I think we should take if your adamant about bringing Sam's body...The other option is to cut our and around in the opposite direction and circle all the way around to come at the hospitable from the side."

Delryn looked at Daniel and then gave a small sigh. "The fourth option would be a to run a rabbit hunt...We could send someone to cause a little chaos while the others moved then with some luck perhaps they could evade the enemy and regroup in a few hours. at the hospital...Before the extract of course"

Delryn Wasnt sure how far they would be able to go with him wounded and carrying the body....but he could take care of himself and he knew that and if the shooter was who he thought it might be they would chase him not the group.

From hearing his choice of words Karu knew that he shouldn't be asking these questions, the tone of his voice thinking that he didn't want to bother with people at the moment. Karu Timidly responds, "I-I'm sorry s-sir." His voice and tone startles Karu as he looks away. "Yes, it is Karu sir." He takes a pause as he re-thinks each word that Kayle says for a valid response, "Even if such battles exist, no matter what's going to happen there will still be war. I want to be part of the battle that ends the wars sooner so that we have a longer time of peace, I know there is no such thing as world peace." He looks at him, "I'm sorry to be bothering you with my own rambling, but I want to help no matter what happens to myself. I want to protect..." Karu grows silent as he looks away again in embarrassment. "Again sorry to be bothering you, I'll excuse myself now."

Caspian nodded to Suna as she returned his blade and placed it into the sheath, “Okay, we’ll be sure to wake you up…’ looking at the other two’s seeming disinterest he chuckled nervously as he looked ot her scratching his head, “Well uh... I will anyway.” He then turned his attention not the one who had introduced himself as Rellen who was commenting on his question about position, “I guess… but you know that Archon isn’t a normal place right? The top students at this school are in line for the most powerful positions in the government, so the competition is pretty fierce.” his look was almost deadly serious but after a moment Caspian’s face broke and he laughed again, “Or at least, well, that’s what I heard… the brochure for this place was a little light. But yeah, I know it’s rude to ask but how did the entrance exams go for you guys?” Idiot, clearly well enough for them to get in.

Artemis watched with interest as Delryn made the crude map. Daniel, meanwhile, had moved back up to what remained of the sniper hide and was staring out at the ruins of the church while Anora watched the lower approach. “Hmm… no, we’ll stay together, they used their ranged combatants at the pillbox to try to hold us up, which means we’ll be facing more melee fighters later if at all… my kind of fight.” He sighed and pointed to the rear path, “We’ll head through the back route, it’ll be difficult sure, but we’ll be in close quarters the whole way, which will give us the advantage.”

Daniel couldn’t argue there, they had Anora with them, whose burst and explosive spellwork were quite impressive, and his two pistols would do plenty of damage in a closed in area, and then there was Artemis. He didn’t even want to think about what an S class Guardian could do to an enemy at close range, he’d seen it enough. But the really worry was how Delryn kept talking about the other sniper, mentioning he knew or at least thought he knew who it was. He glanced at the man for a moment, taking in his features and trying to figure out what was on his mind.

But something caught his attention in his peripheral; he returned his eyes to the rubble, the seal appearing in front of one as he scanned the debris. He noticed that several pieces had shifted and watched as a few more rocks fell. Was that…no, who could have survived that? must just be my adrenaline soaked imagination… and yet his eyes remained on the spot for a moment, even as he heard Artemis say they were moving out. “Right…”

They moved as one, Anora in the rear, Daniel in the front, and Artemis helping Delryn along with one arm and Sam’s body in the other. He was careful to carry Sam upright, as if he was merely unconscious. He was trying to have as much respect as he could. They came to a fork and Daniel signaled they stop. “Which way Delryn?”

As the team picked up and moved Delryn kept his eyes open as they moved his hand gripped his pistol as he scanned the rooftops as they went. finaly he looked at Artemis.."Sir I can walk on my own besides you have your hands full..." Delryn said as he gave a small grunt looking over his wound slightly as he put his hand back over it The intersection lead through two different routes a park that had cover but lots of places to hide in....and the other would take them through a small urban maze. keeping in with Artemis's wishes Delryn pointed down hte left path. "Slowly...We could be walking into a rigged building...I could scout it but something tells me you wouldent like that idea sir." Delryn said as he lifted his optic to his eye to gaze over the rooftops surrounding them. Delryn couldn't shake the feeling that they were being hunted.

"Daniel you got that feeling man?" Delryn asked trying to reconfirm his suspicions...Perhaps he was in a too familiar area Perhaps it was that he thought he knew the other shooter. but Delryn was more on edge now than he had been in a long while.

Rallen gave him a smile. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.” He spoke his smile turning to a grin. “Just a test after all.” Rallens left hand began to shake slightly. Rallen looked at it and blinked. “Again so soon?” he said silently to himself. Rallen looked at his hand blankly and reached back to his back pocket pulling out the pills from before and quickly taking one. In an instant his hand calmed and he took a deep breath. He turned his attention back to Caspian as though nothing had happened. “what about you then didn’t struggle to much I hope.”

Artemis nodded and made to follow his lead having let him go, “Sorry to ask so much of you Deryn. Should have never brought so few for this mission…”

“I wonder how the General is doing?” Anora pondered aloud.

“I wouldn’t worry about him, General Ruler isn’t exactly your average Magus after all.” Daniel commented, “But yeah, Delryn, I’m getting one of those feelings as well… I think we should get inside ASAP” he suggested. Artemis nodded his approval and they hurriedly entered the next building, most of the ground floor was intact though there was trash everywhere, clearly someone had used this place immediately after the shelling but had abandoned it since, “Geez, I’ll never get how they can fight so hard for this place… and it’s not like We were the ones who shelled the city, the Kleznians are the ones who let us take the city without a fight then began long range bombardment to destroy our forces.” Daniel commented as they entered the building. Anora took the lead then, her right hand at the ready. The others couldn’t see auras but if they could they would have seen hers flowing in front of her like a torrent, a wall between her and the frontline.

Artemis was in the middle, still carrying Sam’s body, and took a step around a pile of rubble. Yet as his foot landed on the other side a blue circle appeared beneath him, “Shit!” he cursed as he jumped back. Anora turned and threw her hand forward, a pink seal appeared in a half sphere over the trap as it reached criticality and exploded, the smoke and fire trapped beneath her field for a moment. But a second later the second seal broke and released the smoke into the room; a fire circle still left ringing the floor. Artemis coughed and nodded to her in thanks as he ordered everyone to freeze, “Damn it, the whole place is rigged… what the hell?” he drew his sword as he stepped over to the counter, this building must have been a hotel or something. He was careful as he lay Sam’s body on the counter and then turned to the others. “A blast like that is sure to bring company… get ready.”

Anora turned to the other two and gestured for them to watch the back, which was open and had a long avenue of sight; that would be where the gunmen would come from. Artemis reached into his coat and drew out another blade identical to the one he held, blue sparks arcing from it as it was pulled seemingly from nothing, in truth he’d activated the plate metal that the object was stored in. He jumped over to Anora’s side as they heard running boots coming from the other side, approaching men, “Shit, just like Lor’an.”

“Come on, that was ten times worse!” she commented as she sprayed the ground in front of them with a scattershot of energy beams, detonating several other hidden seal traps. The smoke obscured them form Daniel and Delryn’s sight, but next they heard several men shouted something and a clang of steel on steel rang out.

Daniel looked away, knowing full well they had it handled on their end, Anora and Artemis weren’t going to get beat by some random Guardians. No, he was more worried about him and Delryn, something didn’t feel right and as a shot rang out in front of him and he felt the blood trickle down neck from where the bullet had grazed him he knew what it was. He dove for cover,, as he was sure Delryn would as well, “Goddamn it! That sniper bastard is still alive!?”

"Artemis save it for your victory speech...." Delryn said as the man apologized to him again, it was getting slightly annoying. As Dannel made his comment about how hard the opposition had been fighting for the city"I guess it just depends on how much you want to Protect something....you want." Michale said as he watched the rear holstering his Pistol and would unsling his riffle putting the magazine into it. The hotel was in decent condition, that was never a good sign it was too good of a place to be. Then began the chaos the trap went off. Delryn had gotten behind cover as Anora had shielded the group from the blast. Delryn spun around instinctively covering the hallway as Daniel seemed to do the same.

Delryn gave Daniel a small nod it was a simple gesture as he turned to look back down the hallway. That was when the shot rang out. Delryn had thrown himself into a small arch as he glanced around the corner listening to Daniel curse at the shooter. "She....and if it is Sarah her specialty is scrying...She is like a fox and we are mice in the field..." Delryn said as he called out his voice carrying down the hallway. "What do you want Sarah...?"

His question was answered with a single shot form the shooters rifle. splinters of wood scattering next to his head. She was closer than before that was for certain this was going to possibly turn into a legitimate shootout.


------------------
Down the hallway and outside the hotel, down the street and sitting just inside a broken window crouched a single figure her leg bleeding slightly and wrapped hastily. She had auburn hair and fair features. But to assume she was delicate was a deadly mistake. She was covered in tan and dark cloths designed to blend with the surrounding environment her Auburn Hair chopped off close to her head. In her hands she held a Rifle with a large optic on top of it. She herself couldn't have been older than 18 and yet she handled the rifle with a look as if she had been handling the weapon all her life. Her heart beat in her chest. as his voice reached her from the inside of the hotel. She had instinctively pulled the trigger "Damit!" She hissed under her breath as she adjusted slightly. She wanted to ask him why, she wanted to understand his decision all anyone ever mentioned of him these days were rumors..of how he had either been killed or flipped sides. on the ground next to her was a simple bowl of water. she glanced down looking into it as she could see the two inside the hotel. They appeared to be pinned she had the advantage at the moment this was a good day for her....Even if she was going to kill him

Kai gives a nods at the hitchhiker comment, though his mind was more thinking on the company he would have for the ride since there was another one beside himself. " I would not normally bother asking for a ride, but my travels have been delayed already so anything to make up time is appreciated" he said slightly raising his brow at the snake comment " Oh i will be fine with them" he said. making his way towards the man who answered, though it was then he heard the yell from the back. " Suppose i should greet my fellow travelers" for such a large, well armed man, Kai was generally good-natured, or more so unnaturally calm then anything to do with his nature.

Moving to the rear of the truck he surveyed the scene, the end of a card game. The male had noticed and had given him a small nod. Nodding his head in return he smirked at the school bus comment. He was gonna wait until he had the females attention as well before introducing himself, but either way a ride was sorted.

"Well hello there!" Ethelyn admired the tall muscular man that had arrived on the scene with a seductive voice, what a hunk! Over the brief break she had forgotten how big some of the guys at Archon got, she had gotten used to Peter who was somewhere between these two guy's height. All admiration disappeared as Peter joined them.

"So Michale and... sorry I didn't catch your name." Peter looked to the new arrival. "You'll both ride in the back, don't damage anything or you're paying for it, that includes the snakes."

"If you kill the snakes, or even hurt them, I'll kill you." Ethelyn added before reloading Willow, Pyro, and Branch into their individual sacks.

Kayle raised an eyebrow and glanced toward the cadet with a strange glimmer in his eyes, “You want to protect what?” Most of what the cadet said was the ramblings of a typical patriotic fool they brought to the academy to counter-balance the realistic pessimist thinkers. The last bit of Karu’s comment caught his attention, “no matter what happens to myself, I want to protect…” The words echoed his philosophy when he entered the school, not quite as foolish as some form of world peace but pretty damn stupid. The memories of a simpler time cheered him up a bit and there was a faint smile on his lips.

Michale gave a small shrug as he saw her interest immediately change. Street charm only got some one so far anyways he supposed. Someone of her social standings probably had more interest elsewhere any how. "At this point I'm more concerned about my well being than the snakes... But I assure you I'm not going to be picking any fights with them." Michale said as he Michale began putting the things that had fallen out back into the back of the truck then climbed in himself. He himself figured he could get a bit more sleep before they arrived at the school. As he climbed into the back of the truck he would steal another glance at Ethelyn. and mutter under his breath. "Easy lover boy...She is way out of our league."

Kai nods down when the female noticed him, she seemed slightly family, probably seen her round campus or something during his first year. " Sorry for the intrusion" he said as she explained they were riding in the back " The name is Kai... and don't worry.... i will make sure everything is kept intact." he said as he waited until the truck was loaded again and Michale had climbed in the back before he pulled himself inside, Throwing his bag and his weapons against the wall he sat himself down before glancing one last time at the woman " Give a knock for when we get close to the academy if you would not mind" he said before turning his attention to the one in the back with him " Freshman?" he asked knowing it was gonna be still a fair drive, so a little conversation would not hurt

Michale gave a small nod pulling his cowl back up into place as he pulled out his hat and placed it on top of his head. "As a matter of a fact I am. Your definitely not a freshman though." Michale said as he glanced over all the weapons and Kai. "Im Michale Sear." He said somewhat flatly as he grabbed his only bag which was just a spare change of cloths and his school uniforms. and put it up against a few bags next to him. Fact was he was probably going to have to get a job just to support himself out here unless the kids at the school happened to be as careless with their money as people who bet it in the streets had been.

Karu looks at Kayle with the small smirk on his face and gives Karu a small sense of ease, but nonetheless still breathtaking speaking to a superior such as him. Karu looks around and looks back at Kayle and opens his mouth, "That last part..." He looks away embarrassed again, "is kind of personal, so I don't really wish to speak of it right now." Trying to keep his words in a single sentence away from it being broken apart. "what made you join the Academy sir?" As Karu attempts to answer another question again.

“Eh, I don’t even know how I got in in the first place, the practical was fine but that exam was murder!” Caspian explained, “I mean I was top of my class at high school but I don’t think even a tenth of the exam was covered in my advanced classes, no wonder so few get in.” he and the others continued their banter, there was plenty of time, as it took another three hours for the train to finally roll into the station at the Capitol city.

“Suna… Suna wake up, we’re here.” Caspian commented as he had promised, patting the seat above her to make noise. Looking out at the city as the train entered the station on the east bank he couldn’t’ help but stare. The Imperial city, its majesty was legendary, the buildings here all beautiful, green glass tiles lined the roofs of every building in the historic district as they moved through it toward the station. “Geez, this place is… wow… I’ve never been here before, have any of you?” the grand station they disembarked in was gilded, glitterign in the artwork of the Empire, while not modern persay it was truely breathtaking.

Suna

drowsily Suna opened one eye at a time catching a glimpse of Caspians face of wonder. standing up she stretched and you could hear an audible popping coming from her back. stepping up next to Caspian she looked at the city that lay before her;the Imperial City. Suna didnt really like being in the city very much its was too crowded but she liked its apperacence.

"well this is where i get off i mustnt have the officers know of my presence" and nodding to the others she fixed her shawl and cloak to make sure they werent slipping, climbing back onto the roof of the train and dissapeared over the edge. she walked quickly along the roof and crouched low once they got into the actual station. looking around she didnt spot any officers and jumped onto the mana trains station roof, and began to run with ease along the roofs of the nearby buildings, heading in the direction of the Academy.

Rallen leaned towards the window placing his right hand on the edge as he looked out into the imperial city. “Only once a few years back. Doesn’t really stand out so much the second time around though.” He watched the girl take off out of the train. He raised a brow at her quick departure and chuckled lightly. “Apparently someone didn’t want to pay for a train ticket.” He said in a joking manner. “Strange fellow don’t you think?” he questioned the others as he pushed off the window.

Rallen turned to one of the seats and reached up to one of the containers for luggage. He opened it up and pulled out a single long case with a strap attached so it could be carried. He He threw the strap on over his shoulder and turned back to the group. “Don’t worry about the school to much al that stress will kill you. Just come to me if you need some help ill pull you threw.” He gave them a reassuring grin and turned to the exit of the train waiting for it to stop.

“Come on.” Artemis goaded under his breath, before him and Anora stood a large force, a good fifteen or so, most had some kind of melee weapon, and by Anora’s count only three of them were Magus, so it was his kind of fight. A man with a spear struck first, coming full zeal at Artemis. The Colonel brought his right blade up to parry the spear to the left, and then his left down to slide along its length. He brought the blade up as he slid forward himself and cut the tendons on both of the spear wielder’s arms. The foes dropped his blade gasping in pain. Artemis did not stop, however, he was a soldier and his blade continued to the man’s throat. The only mercy that he offered was the swift death. The next came; a sword in one hand and a gun in the other as he cursed the man who’d slain his ally, Artemis didn’t slow as his second blade came up and the gun fired. The bullet deflected to the side as the blade continued, striking the opponents with a clang. However Artemis brought two swords with him and pressed the other into the back of his first, bringing the man’s guard down and allowing his weapon to bite into the man’s collar.

Anora was focusing on the Magus, as two orbs of twirling fire pressed in on her. Her left hand flew up, a blue outline of a seal appearing in midair before her, which the fire broke up like water on rock. As the flames receded she pressed forward, a ball of purple light gathered in her other hand. The ball burst as a beam shot form it, draining the ball as it shot out and struck the first mage’s barrier. The hastily erected seal was strong, yes, but it was insufficient to stop the attack as his barrier broke. The students of Archon were more than a match for their opponents.

-=-=-=-

Daniel cursed as more rounds kept them pinned at either side of the entrance. “Shit, this bastard is good… I can’t-Jeez!... I can’t get a shot off.” He commented while trying to peak around the corner. He weighted his options, he could try and rush out and get a shot off before he got pelted, very unlikely, or… “Delryn, get ready.”

Daniel stowed his pistols and held out his hand, palm up, the muscles tense and he gritted his teeth. “He’d have us by the balls i-if it weren’t for the fact that,” he grinned as the tiny blue light that had grown in his hand grew, “you and I aren’t your average guardians.” He nodded as he jumped out into the open, rolled, and extended his hand toward the building, we’re fomr Archon.

The energy leapt forward, a far more powerful cannon spell than a typical guardian could must in his fists, the energy as slower than a bullet but the light it let off was blinding, the sniper would never get a shot off as the blast struck the building. Unfortunately in his haste Daniel’s aim was off so he struck lower on the building, the explosive missile of mana never detonating in the room the sniper occupied as he had hoped.

Or perhaps the spell had been a distraction all along, as even when he was firing it his left hand was drawing the revolver on the small of his back, taking aim at the ground, and as the blue light flared he pulled the trigger, aiming for the middle of the courtyard. The round hit and a black outlined seal burst into being where it struck. A moment later black thick smoke billowed into the open area filling it with a dense fog of war. “Delryn!” Daniel called, the rest would be up to him.

Ethelyn brushed the dust off of her jeans before returning to Peter's side. At least this second hitchhiker appeared to have some manners.

"You should have made them walk, at least the pesky stow away one, it would toughen them up before they even got to school and they'd get a good beating when they got there." Ethelyn complained and put an arm around Peter.

"Come on, we better get going. We're behind schedule as it is." Peter replied and kissed her on the forehead as he threw his cigarette to the ground and stomped it out. He wasn't in a hurry to get rid of Lyn but now there were two others to get to school on time and he didn't want to stall any longer.

Ethelyn sighed and hopped into the passenger seat. Peter took his place at the wheel and they were off down the road again.