Operation Phoenix:  The Hunt For Samhain


Part 6


 
	Samhain rigged a couple traps as quickly as he could... the 
X'hirijq knife he tied to a hefty tree root pulled back and tied off, so 
that it would swing in an arc and stab its victim in the chest.  The Ion 
rifles were near useless as they could cause massive cave-ins, so he left 
them as decoys since he didn't have time for anything else.

	He then slipped off into a secluded area of shadows to hide and 
wait... and to try and think of a way out of this one...



	The X'hirijq Commander had the cave dug out even before Samhain's 
trap and decoys were set.  He barked orders for 2 of his scouts to go in, 
and take him down in one piece, or with their hand weapons if really 
necessary.  He was going in right behind them.  He wanted Samhain dead... 
and he wanted to do it personally.  He knew the scouts would probably be 
killed, but it was for a noble purpose, and would leave him completely 
exposed and vulnerable...



	He could hear them coming now.  They moved better than expected in 
the dark, though the rocky terrain proved to be rather difficult to move 
silently across, what with their large feet and tails combined with their 
large mass.

	He heard a snapping sound followed closely by a whoooooooosh and a 
grunt of agony and death.  Well, one down, and no more traps...

	Suddenly, another one was behind him, and grappling with him.  
Samhain dropped down to the ground, and spun with his leg extended, 
felling his opponent.  He scurried further away, and stood facing his 
challenger.

	The X'hirijq rose quickly, and took another large step forward and 
spun around intending to whip Samhain with his tail.  He was taken 
completely by surprise when Samhain caught his tail in mid air, ducked, 
and whirled him around in a Judo-style move and flung him headlong into a 
wall.  He rose groggily, and Samhain finished him off with a palm strike 
to the base of his neck, snapping the spinal column.

	"Impressive," came a deep, throaty voice from behind him.  "We 
told you were good.  And we were told to take you in the daylight, against 
our better instincts.  And you've proven a worthy adversary, killing 
almost a quarter of my group before finally losing.  Tell me... are there 
any requests you'd like to make before I kill you for your annoyances?"

	"Just one thing.  I want to know how you are tracking me, and 
why.  What have I ever done to you or your people that makes me your 
prey?"

	"Ahhhh..." his dark reptilian eyes sparkled at the interest.  "You 
have asked for some privileged information.  You will not beg for mercy?"

	"No.  You have fought well and with honor, and have won.  I will 
not allow myself to die easily, but I will not beg for mercy."

	"So.  You too are a creature of honor.  Our race is one of 
warriors and predators.  But I am of a clan which values honor.  I'll make 
you a deal..."

	Samhain was wary, and not without reason... "what kind of... 
deal...?"

	"A one on one battle.  To the death.  If you win, my knowledge 
will be yours to do with as you please, and the hunt will resume.  If I 
win, you are dead, and have no use for such knowledge anyway."

	"I accept, on one condition... that if I do win, you relay the 
information on to the rest of the Jihad.  You can do that however you 
wish, so long as it is done at the same time the hunt resumes."

	The commander grinned broadly.  "You are wise, indeed, as well as 
honorable.  I agree to your terms, if you do not leave this forest until 
all my troops are dead, or you die yourself if you DO win."

	"A deal, then.  Shall we take this outside?"

	"We shall."



	The 2 figures emerged from the cave, the Commander first, who gave 
some orders to his troops in his native tongue, and then he gestured to 
Samhain to come out.  A ring of his troops formed around them, giving the 
2 a makeshift arena in which to fight.

	"We begin with swordplay.  The rules are simple.  Almost anything 
goes, but if the rules of honor are violated in the act of the killing, 
the deal is off.  Understood?"

	"Understood.  Let us begin, then."

	And with that, the Commander took up his sword...

To be Continued...


"The Hunt for Samhain"
Copyright 1995, David R. Hibbs
All Rights Reserved.