Sapien Loop 3 - Chapter 65: Who Is In Charge?

Chapter 65: Who Is In Charge?

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A short distance from the West Camp, Demadrian was training the Sentray. He wanted their absolute obedience to his commands. Octavius and Sapiod X had followed him to find out what he was doing with them. When they caught up with Demadrian, he was trying to get the Sentray to stand in rows.

‘What are you doing with them?’ asked Octavius.

‘I’m preparing them for the final battle,’ said Demadrian. ‘They lack coordination under your leadership.’

‘Well, I’ll be the judge of that,’ said Octavius angrily.

‘No, you won’t,’ said Demadrian. ‘They now recognise me as their leader.’

‘We’ll see about that,’ chuckled Octavius. He looked over to the Sentray and called out, ‘Come over here!’

Ducky and two others ran over to him, and one other reluctantly walked towards him. The others did not move.

‘Thanks for helping to remove the weaklings,’ said Demadrian in a joyous tone.

Octavius leapt forward towards Demadrian and roared ferociously at him. Demadrian shapeshifted into a small Sentray and roared equally fiercely back at him. Sapiod X screamed loudly and waved his arms frantically in the air.

‘They follow strength,’ shouted Demadrian. ‘You’re fat, weak, old, and slow.’

Octavius lunged forward to punch Demadrian. Demadrian shrunk slightly and darted under Octavius’ arm. This caused Octavius to wobble forward. Demadrian kicked Octavius in the back of the leg, causing him to drop to one knee. Sapiod X grabbed Demadrian’s head, hoisting him into the air. Demadrian broke free of Sapiod X’s grip and then flicked his tail around, smashing him in the face. Sapiod X staggered backwards.

Demadrian turned to attack Octavius, who was now back on his feet. He attempted to bite Octavius’ head. Octavius wedged one of his huge arms into Demadrian’s mouth. Demadrian desperately tried to bite down but was unable to do so. Octavius slammed Demadrian repeatedly into the ground. Finally, Demadrian forced Octavius’ arm out of his mouth by kicking him hard in the chest, causing him to fall over.

Sapiod X grabbed Demadrian by the neck and squeezed as hard as he could. Demadrian responded by poking him hard in one of his eyes. Sapiod X released his grip. Demadrian went into a frenzy, slashing Sapiod X with his huge claws. Sapiod X screamed as blood spurted from his body. Octavius grabbed Demadrian from behind. Demadrian immediately broke free. He spun around and slashed Octavius’ throat. Octavius gasped in pain as he dropped to his knees while grasping his throat as blood spurted everywhere.

Demadrian was about to slash Octavius again, but Ducky smashed Demadrian with her tail, sending him flying. Demadrian immediately leapt to his feet. Ducky charged at Demadrian. He dodged her and pulled himself up onto her back. He bit hard into the back of her neck, causing her to scream in pain, and within a few seconds, she fell to the ground. Demadrian got off her and walked over to Octavius, who was struggling to breathe.

‘They will follow me!’ shouted Demadrian as he shapeshifted into his Linap form and his Sentray skin shapeshifted into his clothes. ‘I am strength and you are nothing.’

The Sentray roared loudly. Demadrian climbed onto a large Sentray. He headed east, and most of the other Sentray followed him. Half a dozen stayed behind with Ducky, who was still whimpering while lying on the ground.

Meanwhile, in the West Camp, Razor had just arrived in a small vehicle he had taken from West Tribes’ convoy. Orcilla, Volo, Maskameera as Chamele, and Homer as Flint went outside the gate to greet him.

‘Good to see that you’re alive and well,’ said Orcilla as she approached Razor.

Razor ignored her welcome and walked straight to Volo, who gave him a friendly hug.

Chamele smiled at Orcilla, who seemed annoyed by Razor’s response to her.

‘Hello, I’m still Flint,’ said Homer confidently to Razor. Razor patted him on the shoulder.

Razor, Homer, Chamele, and Volo entered the West Camp together. Orcilla followed behind them. They reached the tent Julio was in.

Chamele turned abruptly to look at Orcilla. ‘Our friend has returned from a perilous journey,’ she said. ‘I hope you appreciate that we need a little privacy.’

‘In other words, you want to plot in peace,’ replied Orcilla.

‘Way ahead of you,’ said Homer energetically. ‘We’re just putting the icing on the cake.’

‘We’ve already done that for you, friend,’ said Alex, who had just walked over carrying a chocolate cake.

‘Great,’ replied Homer as he took the cake off Alex.

Both Homer and Chamele entered the tent together. Chamele blew an aggressive raspberry at Orcilla and then pulled the opening of the tent tightly together.

‘I have a feeling he saw you and improvised that line,’ said Orcilla as she looked at Alex.

‘I think he might just be passionate about icing, friend,’ said Alex.

Orcilla sighed and walked away.

Once inside the tent, the four of them walked over to Angelo, who was still kneeling by Julio’s side.

‘Did you get the algae and Roo flowers?’ Chamele asked Razor.

Razor opened his satchel to reveal several dozen Roo petals and a large jar of algae.

‘Perfect,’ chuckled Chamele as she looked at Angelo. ‘This is the only way we can guarantee August’s death. I suggest we fill some syringes with extra-large needles with it, and when the opportunity arises, he gets jabbed.’

Angelo stared at Chamele.

‘Your followers and the Sentray will take care of everyone else,’ said Chamele. ‘The Downs temple will be yours.’

Angelo frowned for a moment and then returned to looking at Julio.

Homer had shapeshifted back into himself. He was eating the chocolate cake given to him by Alex, and Razor had now shapeshifted into Flint.

Octavius and Sapiod X had returned to the West Camp. Sapiod X had recovered from his injuries, and Octavius’ neck had stopped bleeding, but he was still in some pain. They both approached Orcilla, who was sitting in the dining tent.

‘What’s wrong with you?’ asked Orcilla as she looked at the two of them.

‘Demadrian controls the Sentray now,’ replied Octavius. ‘He displayed his dominance over us.’

‘So, in other words, you’re completely useless,’ sighed Orcilla.

‘I have valuable experience,’ said Octavius. ‘I can help…’

‘You consume a lot of resources,’ interrupted Orcilla in an aggressive tone. ‘You’re old and slow, and I’m not sure I can trust you given your history with Maskameera.’

‘That’s it, damn it!’ shouted Walter, who was sitting at the next table playing macaroon checkers with Freddy. ‘You think you can just waltz in here and take charge of everything like we’re all a bunch of useless morons.’

‘I have the utmost respect for everyone,’ said Orcilla firmly as she looked at Walter. ‘I have dedicated my life to saving Downs. Maybe “thank you” would be a more appropriate response.’

‘Downs thrived for a hundred years before you were born,’ said Walter angrily as he stood up. ‘We were the only region to survive the Sentray, which had nothing to do with you. You came into Downs and declared yourself the leader. You promoted your idiot friends and even made Eugene share his position as Head Enforcer. We have only suffered because of you and your clowns, who thought it was a great idea to bring a bunch of frozen weirdos into our region.’

Orcilla sighed and remained silent.

‘Thank you,’ said Octavius as he looked at Walter, who was now breathing heavily.

‘You’re a good guy and we need you,’ said Walter as a tear rolled down his face. ‘I’m not going to let anyone disrespect you. You saved Hamlet’s life. I love you.’

Walter walked over to Octavius and Sapiod X, and the three of them hugged.

‘I’m sorry, Walter,’ said Orcilla. ‘I should be more respectful.’

Walter looked at Orcilla and then made a rude hand gesture. Orcilla responded by contorting her face in shock.

‘Don’t worry, friend,’ said Freddy as he walked over to Orcilla. ‘Walter is a special kind of special.’

Orcilla looked at Freddy and smiled.

Demadrian had returned from his training session with the Sentray. He was feeling confident he was completely in control of them. As he walked through the camp gate, the Hat Lady approached him.

‘I’m feeling good,’ said Demadrian as he tried to walk past her. ‘I don’t need you trying to ruin my mood.’

‘What happened to you?’ asked the Hat Lady as she got in his way.

‘I saw through all the shit,’ replied Demadrian. ‘I saw through all your shit. I’m done with you and now get out of my way.’

‘We worked everything out,’ said the Hat Lady as she refused to get out of Demadrian’s way. ‘The simulation truly messed with your mind. You need to block it out.’

‘I loved you, and all you cared about was destroying my family,’ said Demadrian angrily. ‘I was a fool to let you back in my life. The virtual world opened my eyes to the truth. Now I truly see you for who you are.’

‘That world was not real,’ said the Hat Lady.

‘I lived in it longer than any other world,’ said Demadrian. ‘It was more real than the crap you’re spouting now.’

‘Look at me,’ said the Hat Lady as she held her hands out towards Demadrian. ‘Hold my hands and now tell me what’s real.’

Demadrian stared at the Hat Lady, and then he looked down at her hands. He slowly reached out and touched her fingers. His mind was flooded with memories. He remembered their time at the Alset facility in the North. He remembered some of the time they spent together while detained in the Alset mansion. He remembered her spinning around in her wheelchair. He smiled slightly. Then the memories from the simulation hit him. Her tormenting him seemed just as real as everything else.

The Hat Lady could see the confusion followed by growing pain in his face. ‘I know you can separate the truth from the simulated,’ she said to him as she pulled his hands closer to her. ‘Feel my hands. This is real. Think about those memories. Feel those memories.’

Chamele forced herself between the two of them, breaking the grip they had on each other’s hands. ‘The technicians need your expertise,’ she said as she pulled Demadrian’s hand. ‘The computers in some of the vehicles are not working.’

‘That’s not good,’ said Demadrian as he pushed past the Hat Lady. ‘I’ll check on them immediately.’

The Hat Lady was about to pursue him, but Chamele quickly got in her way.

‘Don’t mess with my plans,’ said Chamele. ‘The last thing any of us want is unfortunate accidents. We all know how accident-prone the Downs workers are.’

‘What happened to your facade about change?’ asked the Hat Lady as she stared at Chamele.

‘I got what I wanted,’ chuckled Chamele as she skipped towards some Downs workers who were carrying plates of fruit. ‘Your opinion doesn’t matter.’

In the West Tribes’ main underground city, Frank was loading up a few vehicles and preparing for a trip he had just decided on ten minutes earlier.

‘Frank, what are you doing?’ called out Shamia as she walked towards him.

‘We’re taking this show on the road,’ said Frank energetically. ‘I need an audience and I can’t let ticket holders down.’

‘Oh wow, you’ve sold tickets for the musical,’ said Shamia excitedly. ‘Well done! I’m so proud of you.’

‘Better than that,’ said Frank, pumping his fist. ‘I’m building theatres all over Sapey. I’m thinking of having multiple casts performing in different theatres at the same time.’

‘How is that possible?’ asked Shamia as she watched some technicians loading large boxes into one of the vehicles.

‘I’m incredibly rich,’ said Frank as his face lit up. ‘I borrowed millions from the Economic Institute.’

‘That just means you’re in debt,’ sighed Shamia. ‘You’re not rich.’

‘I’m definitely rich,’ said Frank. ‘I’ve paid off the loans using tickets and backstage passes. I have hundreds of thousands of Tibers in my account, dozens of theatres scheduled for construction and fully paid, and I now owe nothing at all.’

‘That’s amazing,’ said Shamia as her mouth dropped open. ‘Maybe you really are a genius.’

‘It’s incredibly obvious,’ snapped Frank. ‘You just don’t pay attention.’

‘I’m coming with you,’ said Shamia as she nodded her head emphatically.

‘Hold on,’ said Frank as he raised his hand up. ‘I didn’t anticipate that move. Aren’t you worried about this place?’

‘Stuff that!’ said Shamia. ‘I’d rather tour the world with my hero.’

‘I don’t blame you,’ chuckled Frank as he raised his eyebrows up and down. ‘Besides, any fool could do a better job running this place than you.’

‘Oh Frank, you’re such a tease,’ giggled Shamia as she climbed into a vehicle.

‘Sure if that’s what you think,’ said Frank. ‘We’re heading to the West Camp. We need to pick up Homer and hopefully Aganon Jr. and Sr. The talent I’m collecting for this musical is obscene.’

Sapien Loop: Worlds Collide

Sapien Loop: Worlds Collide is the final book in the Sapien Loop trilogy. It continues directly after the events of the second book. The world above and the world below merge into one world. The conflicts in the underground world are brought to the surface. The new ruling elite attempt to crush any resistance from above and below in an attempt to create a new global empire.

Currently, three books from the series have been published on Amazon; see the links below:

• Sapien Loop: End of an Era
• Sapien Loop: Frozen in Time
• Sapien Short Stories: Missing Links

All individual chapters can be found on my @captainhive account.

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