Free Dominant Species by Guy Pettengell

before appeared from the darkest corner. A visible shiver shook Josiah, despite himself.
    ‘Jeez, Zidtool, you give me the creeps. So what’s the interest in the Father?’
    Zidtool smiled a lopsided grin emphasizing the long scar that ran from the corner of his eye to his edge of his lip. His dark hair fell over one eye, which did nothing to diminish the intensity of his stare. A stare that hovered on the edge of sanity and seemed to bore deep into Josiah tainted soul. Although slight of build he still managed to exude an absolute, feral authority. His eyes flicked down to the thin silver throwing-knife that span expertly between his long, elegant fingers. Then, as he picked up the pace, and the knife blurred between his fingers, he simply looked back at Josiah and shrugged.
     
     
    B ack beneath the United Nations Building Karick sat in a large leather chair, behind a heavy wooden desk, like some uncomfortable C.E.O. An unimpressed Voltan stood by his side. They were both staring at Mayor Cooper who knelt in front of them, trembling and staring purposefully at the dirty and threadbare carpet.
    Voltan was the first to speak , stating the obvious. ‘You have kept Overlord Karick waiting.’
    Mayor Cooper’s reply was almost lost in the large room with the high ceilings, ‘Master, my apologies, I was…’ he looked up at Karick his face red, large beads of sweat slid down his forehead ‘…delayed sire,’ he finished weakly.
    ‘And pray, Mayor Cooper,’ whispered Karick with an icy calm, ‘ what was so important to cause this delay?’
    ‘The food factory Sire ...a small emergency, but I came as soon as I could.’
    Karick stared at the figure before him as if trying to gage whether he was telling the truth or not. He stood and glided around the desk, his shadow engulfed the Mayor who was now visibly shaking with abject fear.
    Taking his time Karick sat on the edge of his desk, leaving Cooper, who was not able to meet his gaze, starring at the soles of his boots. Karick watched as a bead of sweat dripped from the Mayor’s wide forehead and hit the floor. Cooper swallowed hard.
    ‘I have called a full Council meeting, Mayor Cooper. There is some unrest in the City. It appears that, in addition to food supplies, humans have begun to disappear as well. I’d like you to attend with the other community leaders so that you may provide a full update on the situation with the resistance.’
    ‘Of course my Lord, anything else?’
    Karick sighed, ‘…only that if you’re ever late again, it will be for the very last time. Understood?’
    Cooper nodded violently, his multiple chins wobbling.
    At the abandoned graveyard in Brooklyn there was a hive of activity as men were busy making preparations for their meeting with one of the other groups of survivors. There was a nervous atmosphere as they checked their weapons. Above them watching all the time in silence from the high walls were the scores of watchmen that usually remained invisible. On one side Nathan and Trent stood together having a hushed discussion. Max crossed the open ground between them chewing his unlit cigar, a pump action shotgun held loosely in one hand.
    Nathan looked up as Max approached.
    ‘Are your men ready?’ he asked.
    ‘Yeah, it’s all set’.
    Nathan nodded, turned back to Trent. Max glanced across at the others and noticed that Jake had turned up. Taking the unlit cigar from his mouth, his eyes narrowed and he sidled across the street.
    ‘You joining us then?’ he growled as he reached his older brother.
    ‘Not this time’ r eplied Jake.
    Max grunted as Jake turned his back to continue his conversation with a thin dark haired man who was moving his long greasy hair from out of his eyes. Jake paused, realising that his brother was still staring at him. He turned his head, raised an eyebrow.
    ‘Is there a problem, Max?’ he asked quietly.
    Max changed his grip on the shotgun, his eyes narrowing and shook his head slowly,’ only