The Reluctant

In a make shift army tent outside Ethan’s school we see DL and a military officer. Beyond the tent it is a hive of activity as news crews pull in to learn more about what has just occurred in Plainwell, PA…

Officer: Name?

DL: DL.

Officer: Your full name.

DL: DL Bradley.

Officer: That’s not a name, that’s initials.

DL: It’s the name I was given.  DL Bradley.

Officer: Fine.  Place of birth?

DL: Austin Texas.

Officer: Age?

DL: 45.

Officer: Current residence?

DL: Plainwell, Pennsylvania.

Officer: Occupation.

DL: Civil Engineer.

Officer: How did you manage to kill one of the intruders?

DL: As has already been told, it wasn’t me so much their weapon. Their swords apparently are quite lethal.

Officer: Apparently.  We have flown in an expert martial swordsman from…a nearby base to examine it.

DL: That’s nice. I would like to get back to my son now if you don’t mind.

Officer: Very well. Thank you for your cooperation…and service to your country.

DL: Thanks.

There is a commotion. Even as DL reaches his son, the truck near him evaporates and soldiers are scattered everywhere.  Dozens of soldiers react quickly and begin firing at the source of destruction – an intruder.

Intruder: What has happened here? We have sensed the life force of one of our own has been extinguished. You will pay for this. All here and this entire town will suffer the consequences. But we may show mercy if you tell us who is responsible.

DL at first remains silent but his son looks up and tugs on his sleeve. DL sighs and begins to move forward when a soldier holding the sword that was confiscated from the dead Intruder moves forward.

Soldier: It was I. And I challenge you to a duel of honor here and now.

Intruder: I think not. No human could cause us the slightest harm. Not even with that sword.

Soldier: Then how do you explain your dead friend?

Intruder: I do not. Very well, let me demonstrate the error of your ways.

The Soldier maneuvers the katana-like sword with expert agility and skill and strides confidently towards the Intruder. The Intruder makes no move. The Soldier finally makes it to the Intruder and in a display of skill lunges the sword towards the Intruder. The Intruder makes only the slightest move with his own sword to parry and with only the slightest effort impales the soldier. 

The intruder removes the sword and the soldier stands stunned and falls to the ground. The sword makes a loud clacking sound as it hits the pavement.  The fallen soldier’s comrades open fire with everything they have to no effect.

A mortar falls next to the intruder with the only affect being that the sword (and soldier) are blasted in different directions. The Intruder makes no notice of it but instead makes gestures towards the soldiers which results in the evaporation of those soldiers and their equipment.

Intruder: I shall make an example of this town.

The news crews, who were previously fleeing recognize their impending fate resign themselves to going out as true journalists. They video the conflagration to the live satellite feeds. The world is watching in horror as this small town is systematically wiped out along with its people.

Ethan: Dad, what are we going to do?

DL says nothing. He looks down and the dead Intruder’s sword has managed to get blown within steps of DL. 

Time seems frozen. DL and Ethan exist as if they are in a bubble of calm as destruction rains all about them.  DL sighs, picks up the sword and turns to Ethan.

DL: Stay back and stay down. This won’t take long.

It is at this moment that a second Intruder arrives to help begin the extermination of Plainwell PA.  At this moment, he is still relatively far away from the primary Intruder. He calls out to him.

Intruder #2: Tendath, did you learn the fate of Imith?

Tendath: No, the one who claims to have been responsible is now dead. He claimed that he did it with his own weapon.

Intruder #2: Nonsense.  Very well, if we will not know the cause, the secret will die here.  Tendath, a human approaches you.

DL is casually walking up to Tendath the Intruder, sword in hand.  He walks with the same manner that we might be walking with a rake to perform some unwanted chores. His head is down and his walk is unhurried.

Tendath: Human, you are brave to approach. The few remaining fighting men fire their useless weapons that are certainly not useless to you and yet you still approach with the sword of our comrade.  Tell us what happened here and we will spare your life.

DL continues walking, not even looking up, but speaks in a quiet voice half to himself.

DL: I didn’t want to get involved. I really don’t care what you…people do as long as you left me and my family alone. I tried to explain that to your friend but he didn’t listen.

Tendath: What do you mean? 

DL: Your friend left me no choice. But you still have a choice. Leave this place. Leave me and my son alone.  Heck, in time, I won’t even be here anymore and you are, if memory serves, essentially immortal.

Tendath: You..dared kill…a lord?

DL: He left me no choice.

Enraged, Tendath takes out his sword and briskly approaches DL. He makes a motion to the other Intruder to come as well.

Tendath: You will die.  I will cut you in two and lay waste to your city.

The television cameras haven’t been able to pick up the conversation but clearly see a single human being approached by both Intruders. One intruder has his sword out, the other is walking in a hurry towards the human and the Intruder.

They expect to see a repeat of what happened with the soldier. But instead they see DL effortlessly blocking every move that the Intruder makes. It appears that DL is still trying to say something to the Intruder but the Intruder merely seems more agitated. 

The second intruder gestures towards DL and the now familiar shimmering in the air as energy can be seen going seemingly instantly towards DL.  Yet it misses due to what appears to be an almost coincidental move by DL to the side. The blast evaporates a nearby building.

DL: Very well. This is what is going to happen. I am going to disable you now and kill your friend here. You can deliver my message – leave me and my son alone or you will regret it.

And with that, DL steps back and seems to trip and falls on his back. Tendath doesn’t hesitate and jumps to end DL’s life but instead finds himself on his knees as DL appears to blindly roll over with one arm covering his face as if in fear and the other arm swings the sword and cuts Tendath across the legs making him fall to the ground.

With a shriek, Tendath reaches towards DL with his hand and just as the shimmering of energy begins, DL falls onto his back and the energy blast strikes the second intruder instead squarely in the chest knocking him to the ground.

Tendath howls in rage and looks at DL with naked hatred.

Tendath: You will regret this, human. I shall deliver your message and it will be your ruin.

Tendath limps away, concentrates and seemingly disappears.

Soldiers rush up on the fallen Intruder who begins to rise with menace. Bullets continue to bounce harmlessly off of him.  DL strides over and with a quick thrust ends any threat the second Intruder may have represented.

The scene of carnage is now complete. The little downtown of Plainwell PA is in ruins. Army trucks and other vehicles are smoldering.  The sound of a lot of clicking sounds interrupts the silence as dozens of soldiers surround DL who in turn are surrounded by camera crews who have filmed what has just happened to the world.

Next…You will do what we tell you to do…