The Man In Black

"Six days ago my life had taken a tumble
The orders came from high above they say
A need to use me once again they've got my number
Further the cause boy; yes you know the game..."
-Queensryche 'The Mission'

I am known by many names, many faces. Today I am known as Thousand Sons. I got the call, I accepted the job. I knew the risks. I knew this target would be...difficult. I also knew that this mission required my special skills. Someone bailed him out at the last second before. But I'm in it to win it now. I will bring this demon to ground, no matter the cost.

A demon, you say? Yes, a demon who plays at being a man. He has lived a long, unnatural life at others expense. They have been feeding his existence, perhaps unknowingly. I'm sitting here at my favorite bar, waiting for my contacts to ferret him out. Hopefully it won’t be long, but who knows? I will wait as long as it takes to find this demon. I will have my vengeance upon him and claim my bounty.

------------------------------

A man in a black silk kimono sits at a table on the veranda of his island mansion.

Today he's enjoying the sunrise.

There are dark storm clouds looming on the horizon bringing texture to the sky.

A woman wearing a matching kimono steps out onto the veranda.

"Dear? I had the servants make some coffee, would you like some?"

"Yes, I would. Thank you, hon."

The woman strides out to the table and takes a seat opposite of the man.

The servants bring out a silver coffee service and a silver ashtray.

The man takes a Silk Cut out of an ornate cigarette case while the servants pour their coffee.

He lights it, taking a long drag and exhaling before sipping his black coffee.

"Ahhhh. Best part of the day."

"Wow, look at those clouds." she says. "Do you think there will be a storm, Fred?"

"Oh, most certainly." he replies.

The man takes another sip.

"He is coming, you know."

"Thousand Sons? Here?! How do you know?"

"I just know."

"Maybe not...maybe he's given up." she says hopefully.

Fred chuckles.

"I doubt that. Not that one. What will he say when he finds out you stiffed him on my contract?"

The woman freezes in mid sip. A chill runs down her spine.

"You...know about that?" she asks quietly.

Fred smiles. "Of course, my dear."

"You're not angry?"

"No. If I thought you had the least chance of success, maybe I would. But I cannot be killed, my love." he says stroking her hair.

His eyes narrow.

"I did not know he would claim the Blade though. That...complicates things."

"Couldn’t you...you know..." she makes a hand gesture wiggling her fingers.

Fred frowns.

"Magic? Pfah. If only I could. Magic doesn’t work on Thousand Sons or people like him."

"But what is he, Fred?" she asks.

"I don’t know, Sojourner." he sighs. "I doubt even he knows himself."

There is a crackle of lightning in the distance, a distant roil of thunder.

"He will be here soon. That is enough for now."

-------------------------------------------
My cel phone buzzes like an angry wasp; my contact has made a discovery!

"At last." I whisper.

I flip the face open. "Go."

"I have the coordinates," says a voice with a heavy Israeli accent. "I'm emailing them to you as we speak."

"What about photos?" I ask.

"Satellite intel of the island is on its way too."

"Excellent, I owe you one 'Death Ray'. You're the best."

"My pleasure. I have a live feed of the fortress on my screen now. The target is drinking coffee and having a smoke outside.

There is an awful hum of energy in the background.

"Suborbital platform is primed. Say the word; I'll turn him off like a light."

I shake my head.

"No need for that, I doubt it would work on him anyway. Besides, now it’s personal."

"Roger that. Over and out."

*click*

An island fortress means supplies have to be shipped in.

After visiting a few dockland 'associates' I find the junk destined for Fred's island.

I slip aboard unnoticed, I have that talent.

I hide out in the cargo hold.

Man, I'm starving! I haven’t had a bite since...yesterday? The day before?

Fred is a man of appetites, surely there's something edible down here.

I open the nearest barrel.

"Potatoes." I say with disgust.

Bah!

"Why'd it have to be potatoes?"

Personally I hate the dirty things.

Vile.

Contemptable.

My stomach growls.

...

...

"Dammit." I curse, stuffing one in my mouth.

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The junk pulls into port in the early evening. I slip out down the dock.

A storm has followed us here; it’s beginning to rain slightly.

I make my way up the hill to the mansion. The guards never see me. With any luck, I can just slip in and finish this.

I'm sneaking my way across the darkened courtyard when...

Floodlights!

"Ahhhh...Mr Sons!" booms a voice from a balcony overhead. "So good to see you!"

Fred!

"Did you really think you could waltz your way into my fortress and leave like the wind?" asks Fred.

I give him the one fingered victory salute.

"That was the general idea, yes."

"Well, I'm afraid I have to disabuse you of that notion." he says.

A wave of his hand and dozens of hired goons spill into the courtyard surrounding me.

"I think you luck has run out, my old friend."

*clap clap*

"Kill him!"

Fred retreats back inside.

The mob begins pacing, circling like sharks, waiting for an opening.

I laugh.

"Fools. Don't you know who you are dealing with?"

I draw Thread-Killer Blade. It hisses like a coiled serpent, waiting to strike.

"I am known by many names, my blade is known by many more."

I assume a defensive stance.

"Some you are worthy to hear. Some you are not."

Jeers from the goons rattling their weapons.

"This will be the last name you will ever hear."

The sky opens up, the storm has begun in earnest.

"I..am...Thousand Sons!"

The fury in the sky will be nothing compared to mine!

-------------------
Fred closes the balcony door, drawing the curtains.

He retreats quickly across the house to the master bedroom.

Sojourner is sipping heated brandy by the fireplace.

"Dear? What is all that commotion outside? It sounds like the end of the world."

"Thousand Sons is here. We have to go...now."

"Go? Go where?" she asks. "There's a storm battering the island! We can’t fly out of here!"

"To the veranda, down the stairs to the marina. We'll be safe on the yacht. Go!"

Fred steps outside first, making sure the coast is clear. The rain is pouring down now.

He laughs up at the sky. "Do your worst, o storms! Don’t you know I'm unstoppable?"

A crash of thunder. A voice like nails on a chalkboard answers in reply.

"Fred!!"

A dark figure holding a sword across the veranda is silhouetted in the rain against the flash of lightning.

"No! It can’t be!" Fred screams. "You can’t have dispatched all of my minions!"

Slowly, methodically, like some terra cotta warrior brought to life, Thousand Sons advances on Fred.

The blade howls. The mans visage is grim.

"Demon, you have plagued this world long enough. You have distracted our minds with your madness far too long! With this blade, I will end you tonight!"

A woman dashes outside between the combatants.

"Noooo! Fred! Keep away from him!" she screams, shielding Fred from the killing blow.

"What the hell?! Sojourner?! What are you doing here? Our contract..."

"Is null and void!" she cries. "I cancel your contract."

He continues to advance.

"It’s not that easy, woman. Now get out of my way!"

She stands defiant.

"No! I...I love him!"

A look of utter disbelief. "What?! You...love him?" he bellows. "Him? This one has plagued the world for so long! He has laid waste wherever he goes, an undead monster! That’s who you love?"

"It’s true!" she nods. "All of it! But you don’t know him like I do. I'm the one who piloted that helicopter and saved him from you last time!" said Sojourner.

"You're also the one who put the hit out on him as well." says Thousand Sons with a bitter smile. "Have you forgotten?"

She shakes her head. "Things are different now. That seems like so long ago." "All we want now is to be left alone, in peace. Is that so much to ask?"

It’s too much for Thousand Sons to take in, too much to process all at once. Sojourner and...Fred?!

"Its true, TS." says Fred. "I do love her. In all my undead existence, there's never been another like her. With her I feel...alive. And I want to live with her, here on my island. Troubling the world no more."

The sword shudders and snarls, begging to be unleashed.

"Kill them!" it cries. "Kill them both and be done with it!"

Slowly, very slowly he sheathes the sword and performs a bow.

Fred and Sojourner look on in amazement.

"That’s...it? You're giving up? Why?"

There is a long pause.

Thousand Sons takes off his sunglasses.

The rain runs rivulets down his face, hiding the tears.

"Love," he says quietly, "no matter how small, must be protected. I have searched this world for it myself."

He shakes his head. "It is most elusive."

He turns formally on heel and begins to walk away into the rain.

Sojourner calls to him, "Thousand Sons...?"

He pauses...only for a moment, not looking back.

Then continues on...

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Scene: A dark jazz bar somewhere in Southeast Asia. The walls are black, the air smokey. A ceiling fan beats incessantly in a futile attempt to cool the humid, tropical air. The sax player plays a mournful tune, full of sorrow. A tall man in black enters, carrying a bundle wrapped in black silk. He takes a seat at the bar.

"Ahhhh...Mr Sons! Good to see you again! Everything go well?"

"Hello, Jimmy. Well enough."

He places a bill on the bar. "Pack of Red Apples, please?"

The bartender pushes the currency back.

"Your moneys no good here, Mr. Sons." he says with a smile. "You know that."

The bartender hands him a pack of cigarettes.

The man takes a cigarette out, lights it.

"Thank you, Jimmy. Scotch on the rocks, please."

"Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Sons. Our freezer is still broken again. No ice!" he said smiling. "I am most vexed with the repairman. Unfortunately, he's my brother in law."

"Alright then. Neat, please."

"Very good, sir."

The bartender walks past the displayed bottles and pulls one out from the back.

It appears to be very old, the label peeling with age.

He uncorks it and pours it into a glass.

The man in black starts to take a sip, but puts it back down.

He walks over to the front of the stage, beckoning the sax player.

The music stops.

The man in black puts a bill of unspecified denomination in the tip jar.

"Hey, Tequila." he says. "Play me a song. Something about love lost and found. Something melancholy, but pretty and hopeful at the same time."

Sax player smiles.

"Sounds like someone got dem ol' 'Blade Runner Blues' again." he says, picking up the tune.

The man in black closes his eyes and smiles, reminiscing.

"Yeah."

He takes a drag off his cigarette.

"Yeah, I guess I do."



-Fade to black-