City Square was the only one in the city where a statue of Alexander still stood - it was built as a memorial to those that died in the invasion of Russia right after Phillip's death, and Spartacus would not rip down a memorial.
Justin entered it slowly, watching for an ambush. He knew that it was most likely a trap, and now knowing that Alexander was possibly still alive made him cautious.
"Dad!" Josh called from the statue.
The voice stirred the memories deep inside Justin, making the adrenaline start rushing and the anger start building as he prepared to do anything to save his son.
He remembered rushing from first battle of the Civil War, when Spartacus for the first time had supposedly killed Alexander, to the hospital, just in time to see Josh born.
He remembered desperately trying to find time to be with Josh while he was growing up, as the chaos following the first round of the Civil War engulfed Greece and Justin was one of the few who could help stop it.
Then there were those years of peace after, the lull between the wars, and he had been able to spend more time with Josh, enough that his son had decided to follow him into the Hoplites.
Then there was the German war, just after Josh graduated from the Hoplite Military Academy. Nicholas being kidnapped by the Germans triggered that war, and Justin had missed his sons graduation as he was leading a rescue mission.
He had always regretted missing that, and had made sure to be present for the day that Josh took his oath of allegiance and was sworn into the Hoplites, as well as supporting his son throughout the arduous training that even after the Academy the Hoplites demanded. A year later, and Nicholas, now King, had promoted Josh to command the Hoplites.
Then came Alexanders second coming. Discovering that the Hoplites had never been fully under his control shook Joshs confidence, and he had never really recovered from that, always seeking his fathers agreement to all his plans, and basically returning to being a soldier that followed orders rather than give them. In the decades that had followed the Civil Wars, Justin had watched his son grow once more, but he had never recovered from the betrayal. And now in his forties, Josh seemed set to follow orders for the rest of his life, or at least until his father died. Justin was one of the few people who thought that his death would actually bring Josh out of his shell a bit more - make him less cautious with no father watching over him.
And now that man stood helpless in the Square, his hands cuffed behind his back, around the leg of the statue.
For one second, he looked just like the innocent little boy who had so desperately seeked approval from his father, the big strong soldier, and told him I want to be a Hoplite just like you daddy.
The rage was building, but Justin remained calm as he walked closer towards his son, constantly looking out for threats.
Little did he know his son was the biggest threat.
******************
Joshs arms came from behind the statues leg, and it soon became apparent to Justin that his son wasnt cuffed.
And that his son had a pistol.
The pistol aimed at Justin, and he stopped, frozen with shock and denial.
Surely his son couldnt be in league with Alexander!
Son? he said quietly.
Sorry, but you are no father of mine. Josh growled.
Justin looked startled and instinctively reached for his own pistol.
Dont, or Ill be forced to shoot. Josh snapped.
Why? was the only word Justin could say.
Because I had always been looking for your approval when I was growing up, and when you were around you were always too busy with your work to show me that you were proud of me! Because you left mother to cry while you went off on dangerous missions, never once thinking about her! Because work always came first, and never your family! Because you care more about your King and his family than you do about your own! Because you never told me that the Hoplites werent completely loyal to me, and you let me think you were dead, proving your job came before me! Because ever since you returned from the dead, Ive been in your shadow, never able to make a decision without it being second guessed by you and Spartacus! And because Alexander actually treated me with respect, asked for my opinion on things and proved that he demands less of his people that your great leader Spartacus does! The outburst was straight from the heart, and it came out in a jumble.
When did you turn against the true ruler? Justin demanded, as grief, guilt and despair threatened to overwhelm him.
When Alexander was on his way to the plane to go to Macedonia, after the battle at Thunder Rift, he contacted me saying that he had seen my exploits, and how he would like a person like me on his side. We met before he boarded the plane, and I decided that he was the best leader, and that once he became King again after leading the Macedonians into Greece, I would be well rewarded if I helped him. Well, as we both know, he never made it. I helped his son create a DNA clone afterwards, and then a scientist transferred Alexanders frozen brain into his new body.
But how?! He was shot in the head for Gods sake!
Yes, we have found that the bullet entered and left through only a small portion of the brain, despite it being enough to kill him. The doctor made repairs enough that the brain could keep Alexander alive and would function normally, but the part that was destroyed was the part of emotions and pain. Basically, like you he has no emotions, but unlike you he feels no pain. Josh said these last words with an evil smile.
Why are you telling me this? If youre going to shoot me, why dont you just do it?
Because you are bait. Nicholas is following you, and we want to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. For once you two are gone, Spartacus will be forced to rely on me, and that will be a fatal mistake
Josh grinned as he saw that his father didnt see the true value of his and Alexanders great plan straight away.
There was a commotion at the same entrance that Justin had used, and the rebuilt Hoplite command company entered with Nicholas at its head.
**************************
Its Josh! Hes holding Justin hostage! One Hoplite shouted.
Hes a traitor
Nicholas realised.
Before he knew what was happening, the Hoplites were charging forwards, filled with rage and hatred.
Justin dived to his left, but his son had wait for his father to make an obvious move in one direction before firing, and a bullet hit Justin straight in the chest.
As the Hoplites charged forwards, a familiar voice echoed from the rooftops around.
Fire at will! Alexander roared.
The snipers cut down the Hoplites a long time before they reached the statue, and only one managed to shoot at Josh. He caught Josh in his arm, and the traitor returned fire, ruthlessly killing the soldier.
Nicholas began to back out of the Square, his pistol drawn.
But then he felt the pistol in his back.
Drop your pistol and walk towards the statue. Will ordered.
Nicholas knew he was doomed already, and swept one leg backwards, knocking Will off his feet. The King raced forwards, towards Josh, swerving, ducking and diving to avoid the snipers bullets.
Josh was charging too, but Nicholas went straight past him towards the statue, only briefly taking a shot at the traitor as he passed.
The shot missed, but it threw Joshs aim off, and his shot was wild.
Nicholas dived behind the statue, and began to consider his plan.
**************
Josh was edging closer towards the statue. He motioned for Will to go one way, while he went the other.
They closed around it, and Nicholas whispered a quick prayer before launching himself towards Will.
The ex-Hoplite was knocked off his feet by the King, and Nicholas towered over him, ready to deliver the killing shot.
Josh had got close to the statue again, and didnt seem to be interfering for some reason.
Nicholas fired, but as he did Will kicked at him, making him lose his balance. The shot hit near Wills head, before the ex-Hoplite rolled away and picked up his gun once more.
He heard shouts from one side of the Square, as Spartacus returned victorious from the battlefield outside Athens, with the Avengers.
But they were too late. Will was intent on avenging his family, and while he would now not be able to string Nicholas up on the statue like he had planned, he would still kill the King.
Nicholas struggled to get up, and Will delivered one savage kick to his stomach, sending the King back down onto the ground.
One shot, and no remorse.
Will pulled the trigger without a second thought, and the bullet splattered Nicholass brains across the Squares cobbles.
Spartacus screamed in rage, and charged towards Will, the Avengers in tow.
Will smiled, and put the pistol in his mouth.
And blew out his own brains.
Spartacus stopped, shocked at the suicide, before rushing towards Nicholas.
He was dead, that was certain, but just below the handcuffed Josh, was Justin, who was still alive, barely.
Spartacus saw the look of terror on Joshs face as he held Justin in his arms, and understood why the younger man would be so scared, seeing his father dying infront of him and being unable to do anything about it.
Josh. Was Justins last word.
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Hope you enjoyed this bit, more to come tomorrow!
Comments appreciated.
Thanks for reading,
Chris AKA Nemesis