Date: Fri, 15 May 2015 10:05:43 +0000 (UTC)
From: micah cooke <x_emoboi_x@yahoo.com>
Subject: Hunting the Future

This story contains graphic sexual scenes between males under 18. If
material of this nature offends you then you should not read this story.

Additionally, if you are under 18 years of age in most states, the state
has forbidden you from reading this story by law.

This story is purely a work of fiction.  Any resemblance to persons living
or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely coincidental.

Please understand this is a work of fiction. The actions described in the
story are not real nor encouraged or condoned in real life.

The author claims all copyrights to this story. No duplication or
publication of this story, except by the web sites on which it is posted
without the express consent of the author is permitted.

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Thank you!

***Please also note, this chapter contains some violent imagery. If this is
not your thing, please look elsewhere for your entertainment. This is meant
to be an erotic gay science fiction story set in the far future.



Hunting The Future – Chapter One



	Running footsteps echoed in the empty streets. The shadow of a man
fleeing for his life cast shadows on the walls of the abandoned ancient
city. A lone figure watched from on high, his perch a destroyed high rise,
tracking his prey. It amused him how they always thought they could escape,
but in the end, the result was always the same, death.
      The Emperor's spies informed him the man threatened his rule, but the
mysterious hunter knew the man descended from the original terrorists that
had destroyed this once great city he now hunted in, for him this was the
greater crime. He had sworn to wipe out every member of the families
involved in the terrorist plot, which changed things forever.
      The stench of the old city no longer bothered him as it once did. No
doubt, his prey thought the odors would aid him in escaping his fate. The
now filthy man paused in his running near a pile of garbage, hiding in the
shadows of a doorway of what was once a small shop. The foul odor of his
sweat-drenched clothes still gave him away, as a faint whiff of it rose on
a gust of twilight wind. Unfortunately, for the man, his hunter had learned
long ago to separate out smells much like a wolf. In his mind, this just
added to the already long litany of offenses committed by his prey, he
detested people, who neglected their hygiene.
      He could not resist smiling behind his smooth, black full-faced mask
as he watched the man pop his head out from the shadows of his hiding place
and look around. The action reminded him a mouse poking its nose out from
his hole in order to see if the cat was about. Moreover, much like the
mouse, the man failed to look up. He watched in amusement as his prey
emerged making his way down the now abandoned city street towards what he
thought was a meeting with a conspirator from another rebel group, who
wanted to merge with the man's group. His current prey, was unaware the
other rebel faction was already dead. He had executed them several hours
earlier. Leaving their bodies hanging in the ancient marble building they
used as a meeting place. A warning to any who would come looking for them,
an unseen predator hunted here.
      He watched as his prey slipped from view as he crossed the once great
boulevard heading towards the debris of a scarred and crumbling building,
once famous as a transportation hub and center of many cultural events. He
quickly calculated the distance, before easily leaping from his perch to
the roof of building next to him.
      Suddenly there was a loud clamor as he landed near a rooftop HVAC
unit. He swiveled instantly, dagger drawn, prepared for an expected attack,
but all that emerged from the pile of debris was a feral cat. It took him a
moment to realize he had disturbed her nest and litter of kittens. As he
sheathed his dagger, he bowed grandly to the mother cat and whispered an
apology to her for disturbing her litter.
      Carefully he proceeded towards the front of the building to catch a
view of his prey, but the man was no longer in sight. "Damn it," he
thought, "the noise from his disturbing the cat had caused the man to go to
ground." Silently he crotched down behind the remains of a once brightly
lit giant letter "C" to wait and watch patiently for the man to betray his
location to him.
      Finally, after many long moments his owl-like hearing pinpointed his
prey in a nearby dead-end alley. He had grown tired of playing with his
prey, he had built up the man's fear long enough, it was time to end this;
he had other commitments for the evening. He carefully peered over the side
of the roof, making sure nothing was below him, before leaping down and
landing three stories below in a crouched position behind the broken
remains of a rusted mailbox, the remnants of a once powerful government's
efficiency.
      Cat-like he crossed the street, creeping up to the entrance of the
dead-end alley. He closed his dark eyes and attended his senses; the only
weapon the man possessed was a large hunting knife. Few people now even
processed projectile weapons; they were outdated relics from the past for
most part, even fewer understood the secret of how even to produce them
outside the Imperial Army. Only certain trusted divisions of the Imperial
Army had any real access to those types of weapons. He almost felt sorry
for his prey, but the man deserved the reward he was about to receive.
      He drew out his dagger, preparing to advance and strike, he waited
letting the man's fear escalate a bit more before calling out. "Jaan, it is
time to meet your maker," he called out, deep and menacing. "Payment is
required for your sins."
      "I am not the sinner, you are infidel," Jaan shouted out from his
hiding place, realizing at once that he had betrayed his hiding place. He
pulled out his knife, knowing he was strong and fast. He would kill this
man pursuing him; after all, he had God's protection. He tensed waiting for
the attack he knew was coming.
      Suddenly the alley echoed with peals of laughter, turning Jaan's
blood to ice. "It has been a long time since I have been called either of
those things, but you use of words you can only merely parrot; barely
understanding their true meaning they will not save you from the fate
ordained for you."
      "Even if you manage to kill me, I will be avenged by the Army of
Khartoum," shouted Jaan defiantly, as he gripped his knife tighter, trying
to figure out where the shadowy voice was coming from.
      "Twenty-two men do not make an army, in fact they barely make a
platoon," the deep voice chuckled. "Once it is known you are dead by my
hand, the rest of your pitiful group will fade back into the shadows of the
past where you belong."
      "The Army of Khartoum will wipe the infidels from the face of the
planet as they gloriously did in the past," declared Jaan with more
conviction than he actually felt at the moment.
      "I should cut out your tongue for even daring to use a name from a
past you do not even understand," called out the voice now clearly
irritated. He hated these groups, who scoured history trying to use names
and events from the past they did not understand as justifications for
their rebellion. In his mind, their ignorance only vindicated the need for
their elimination from the gene pool.
      "They were victorious there crushing the infidel, as we will be,"
Jaan shouted at his pursuer in continued defiance.
      "Oh they were victorious all right, but if you knew your history
better, you would know it was the beginning of the end of their
rebellion. And in your case there will be no victory only destruction."
      "The Imperial family will fall and will reign no more, we will ensure
the righteous are victorious and the people will return to serve the
Mahdi."
      He chuckled loudly, "Indeed that maybe true that their line may one
day fail, which is not my real concern. The Emperor's wish for your death
is only of secondary concern as far as I am concerned. Your blood on the
other hand, bears the guilt for far more horrendous crimes. You are
answerable for the deaths of nearly one hundred and thirty-five million
souls, and I will have payment for them."
      "One hundred and thirty-five million? The Army of Khartoum has maybe
killed a few hundred, I know of no group, who has killed that many
people. It is impossible to kill nearly a fifth of the world's population,"
Jaan shouted back in disbelief at the accusation hurled at him by the
mysterious man hunting him.
      "An ancestor of yours detonated one of the ancient weapons which
destroyed this city, along with many other cities across the eastern
seaboard of the United States of America. I require payment for those lost
lives," the deep voice replied.
      "That happened nearly a thousand years ago," Jaan, answered,
surprised he was accused of the causing the Dark Times. "There are only
myths and legends of the day the sky burned, who are you to desecrate the
memory of my honorable ancestors with this crime?"
      A sudden swift breeze shot past Jaan, as he felt the sharp point of a
dagger pressed against his carotid artery. "I am the avenging Shadow of
Death from the past," the man hissed into his ear. "I will have my pound of
flesh in payment for that cursed day."
      Jaan started to struggle briefly before realizing it was futile, he
relaxed and began to recite a prayer for the death. He hoped he would join
the rest of his friends and family in paradise as a martyr to the cause.
      "No, you will never enter the gates of paradise scum. Swine's blood
coats this dagger preventing any martyr's death for you. I condemn you to
the pits of Tartarus for all of eternity," he whispered as he shoved the
dagger point deep. Briefly Jaan tried to struggle as his life's blood
flooded out realizing he was now forever damned.
      Once Jaan's body stopped twitching, he carried it to where the other
bodies he had killed earlier in the day hung in the ruined building. In a
short time, Jaan's body hung next to the others in warning. A Janbiya, a
dagger with a short curved blade and a medial ridge, once commonly carried
as a sign of manhood in the former Middle East, protruded from Jaan's chest
holding a short note for those who might find him. "Thus is the fate of all
betrayers of life."
      Finished with his task he began his return to his pride and joy, a
jet black Suzuki Hayabusa, like him, the last of its kind. He carefully
maintained and adapted it so it would function flawlessly in the present
day and age. It was once a marvel of technology created by men wanting to
excel, not the blind slaves, who now served only produce toys for the
Emperor and his minions. Strangely the older he grew; the less he cared for
all the modern buildings and technology of the capital. He understood as
long as he chose to support the Empire, there would be times he had to
spend in the cold, mechanical world of the survivors of the Dark Times.
      Tonight would be one of those times; the Emperor was throwing a ball
celebrating his son's coming of age. He chuckled to himself, few when he
was young few would have thought a fourteen-year old as being mature enough
to ascend a throne and rule in their own name. In his time, even
eighteen-year olds seemed barely qualified as being mature enough to even
vote. How a thousand years had changed things.
      A small waif-like figure dressed in the same type of black leathers
as he wore waited beside the motorcycle patient and alert, ready for
anything. The worn scabbard at his slender waist attested to the fact the
boy could defend himself well against most of the people he might encounter
hiding in the ancient city. He had trained the boy well.
      The small teen touched the red embroidered Phoenix emblem on his
chest in salute to his returning master. He nodded to the teen
acknowledging the salute, before handing him a moving string pack. The teen
gave his master a questioning look, before taking it from the older man. A
small series of meows began emanating from the backpack as soon as he took
it. The older man shrugged his shoulders as the teen shook his head in
disbelief at the acquisition of yet another kitten for the household.
      Once the teen secured the backpack safely against his chest, the man
pulled off the hard ballistic facemask, but instead of displaying his face,
only a black balaclava facemask showed to any who might see him. He took
the full faced black motorcycle helmet offered him putting it on, before
climbing on the motorcycle and waiting for his small companion to put on
his own helmet before climbing on behind his master. He as soon as he felt
the slender, but strong arms wrap around his stomach, they patted his
stomach, letting him know the teen was ready.
      The Suzuki roared to life, before he activated the stealth features
silencing the powerful engine. He tapped the teens hands letting he know he
was ready. The cycle shot forward as he accelerated heading towards the
only remaining bridge of the ruined city. The Empire by order of the
present Emperor's great, great grandfather maintained the all roads leading
away from the ruined city. He had convinced the man at the time it would be
in the best interest of the Empire to keep the roads easily accessible for
the military. Only authorized members of the Imperial Court and the
military used the highways now.
	Once he crossed the bridge and turned south, he pushed the cycle to
its maximum speed. He smiled to himself as he felt the small teen tighten
his grip around his stomach. The small teen for all his viciousness in
fighting, did not care for speed as his master did. In a matter of minutes,
he completed the nearly twenty-mile journey, as he pulled up to entrance of
the carefully and lovingly restored estate. He doubted any one living
understood the symbolism of his choice of residences. He activated the
gates as he approached, opening them as he drove on to the grounds, once
honored and visited by thousands of visitors so many centuries past.
      He always admired the view from the back piazza looking down on the
Potomac River ever since he first visited the house as a schoolchild so
many years ago. Who would have ever thought he would occupy the home of one
of the most important men that ever lived, George Washington. He wondered
as he approached the front of the mansion if anyone living even knew his
name without looking it up in the Imperial Archives in the Forbidden
Vaults.
      Two servants waited for him patiently as he pulled up at the
entrance. The older of the two, Fidelis, his Majordomo bowed greeting
him. He acknowledged his faithful servant, before proceeding into the
house. The other servant in his late teens hopped on the cycle and drove it
towards the stables/garage. Gryphi, the small teen who had accompanied him
on his hunt in the ruined city followed him inside. Once inside the boy
carefully opened the bag, he had so carefully protected on the ride back to
the estate. He was careful when he removed the small black kitten from the
bag.
      "Another one, My Lord?" Fidelis asked in disbelief.
      He laughed as he removed his helmet and black balaclava, "I owed it
to her mother for disturbing her on my hunt. Besides, it made a valiant
attempt at protecting her brothers and sisters. How could I not take her
under my protection?" He asked after handing his helmet and balaclava to
another servant. He reached out to take the struggling kitten, "Here
Gryphi, let me have Tsume," naming the kitten. "Well hello there little
one. My you are a fierce one aren't you?" He asked with a smile holding the
struggling kitten up in the air. The kitten tried to swat him on the nose,
obviously not pleased with the situation she now found herself. "You'll
soon adapt to your new home," he said holding the frightened kitten close
to him and rubbing it gently until it began to purr contentedly.
      He mounted the stairs heading towards his room to change for the
Imperial Ball, still carrying the small kitten. "Fidelis, will you see some
water and food are brought up? You can place it in the Custis Bedroom, so
she will be close to my room."
      "As you wish My Lord," Fidelis acknowledged his master's wishes,
before carrying them out.
      Later after changing clothes, he stood on the piazza of the ancient
mansion watching the full moon fill the night sky lost in his thoughts of
the past. It was on a night much like this one, his life and that of the
world changed. His lover had been incinerated it the flash of the nuclear
explosion, while he still underwater in the pool at the party they had been
attending had been changed forever. He doubted anyone even remembered
Erick. He said a silent prayer for the long forgotten man, who once
completed him.
      "My apologies my lord Hunter, it is time, the car is ready," the
young wraith-like teen dressed in the jet-black house uniform announced
from the just outside the doorway nervously. It was his first time in
service actually to interact with the fearsome man standing on the piazza
over-looking the river.
	"Thank you Bjorn, I will be there presently," the pale tall
well-toned man dressed in a high-collared black wool court uniform
embroidered with ancient arcane symbols in the finest black silk thread
across the chest and around the stiff cuffs with a pair of highly polished
knee-high black boots, informed the nervous thirteen-year old teen.
	"As you wish my lord Hunter," the teen responded remembering
properly to address his lord and master, bowing and backing up several
steps before turning to leave the moonlit piazza.
	He sighed hating to leave the privacy of his retreat, but knew
where his duty lay. He pressed a button on his wrist communicator and the
piazza plunged into darkness.  A minute or so later the man entered the
house where Fidelis and two other teens waited. Fidelis held a red velvet
pillow containing his diamond and ruby livery chain of office with its gold
and ruby encrusted phoenix pendant, while one of the teens held a black
silk robe trimmed in black sable. The third teen, Michi a handsome Asian
household aide, wore a similar court uniform and his customary white Zorro
eye-mask. The sixteen-year old teen's uniform though was all white, with
sole exceptions of an embroidered red phoenix on the right side of his
chest, marking him as a member of The Hunter's House and the blood red
aiguillette marking him as a trusted household aide. Michi held an open
small hand-carved casket, inside a black half-face and a small canister of
adhesive spray for the mask.
	Once the silk robe slid on his powerful shoulders, Fidelis
carefully placed the livery chain of office over his head and adjusted
it. Finally, the small casket appeared before the man. He took the spray
applying it to the inside of the mask, before looking in the small mirror
on the inside and putting on the mask. Michi handed the casket to the other
teen, as Fidelis opened the door to the driveway. He took a pair of black
gloves from the teen, which had held his robe, pausing briefly to smile at
handsome, fourteen-year old.
	"My Lord," the older man said proudly acknowledging his lord and
master, "I assume you will be staying at Avalon House in Eagles Pointe, so
I've notified the staff to open the house for you."
	The man smiled reaching out and gripped, the older man's shoulder,
"Thank you, Fidelis. I think I'll be there a few days in case the Emperor
requires anything else from me."
	"I instructed Lux to prepare a late light supper, should you choose
to entertain after the ball," Fidelis informed his master.
	"Thank you, you know me well," he chuckled lightly before turning,
pausing briefly, as the lights darkened throwing the entrance into
blackness before heading out the door followed by the Asian teen.
	Outside a large Neo-Bentley limousine sat idling quietly as a
livered footman stood waiting to close the raised open door. Four hover
cycles surrounded the car ready to escort its primary passenger to the
Imperial Capital, Eagles Pointe. The man climbed in the waiting car and
Michi quickly followed the man, as they settled in for the twenty-minute
ride to the capital Strauss's Emperor's Waltz began playing through the
speakers. The Hunter began laughing softly, "I think someone is trying to
be funny tonight Michi."
	The youth laughed lightly, "It is not often you attend imperial
functions, so he's just acknowledging the fact," giving his master a smile.
	The man just smiled in response, sitting back to prepare himself
for the coming ordeal. The Hunter dutifully made appearances at least once
a year, but rarely attended any court functions unless absolutely
required. He had come to dislike the city, he had once helped build. It
reminded him of the cities from anime series he had once enjoyed. Eagles
Pointe no longer seemed a symbol of hope; it had become a symbol of
repression and he had helped it become so. He had once believed leaders
were good, but sometimes misguided. He knew the truth now, the good leaders
rarely lasted long, and it was only about remaining in power and
controlling people. The members of the Imperial court owed their positions
to keeping the Imperial line in power. Their rank secured by service to the
Imperial House, the same was true for him.
	After the destruction of Washington D.C., he had managed to connect
with the sole surviving member of the Joint Chiefs. He had been a young
top-level intelligence analyst with the NSA, and soon became one of the
members of the governing oligarchy trying to hold the remains of the US
together and fight back against the terrorists, who attacked and destroyed
many of the major cities of the East Coast and large sections of the rest
of the country. The West Coast was completely gone, only a massive desert
remained running from the Pacific Ocean to Nebraska. Texas managed to hold
out for nearly hundred years before it too fell.
       The US and what remained of its allies, managed to destroy the
terrorist strongholds using nuclear weapons. The allies thought at the time
if the terrorists used such weapons against the west, they deserved the
same fate as the west. The nuclear weapons ended up destroying more than
the terrorists who destroyed the US. Several countries took advantage of
the situation, attacking countries they had wanted to control for years. As
a result the world changed forever, there were now less than 700 million
people left alive in the world.
      Three empires, one oligarchy, and one ineffectual republic now ruled
the planet. Not what he and the others he had grown up with would have
predicted back in 2015. Humanity would continue to survive, but would they
ever again reach the heights once reached during the Renaissance and in
during the 1980s when anything seemed possible? He was not longer certain
as he had once been at the beginning. The Aquilan Empire he served was at a
crux, the question was should he continue to support it.
      The lights surrounding the city wall and those from the city itself
made the city glow with power. The car and its escort rapidly approached
the massive seven-story wall and the ceremonial gate. The force field
glistened above the top of the wall demonstrating the Emperor's power. None
of the other Imperial cities wasted power like Eagles Pointe; the shield
was a reflection of the Emperor's fear. He doubted Markus would relax until
he returned the memory drive personally to him.
      The escort transmitted its security code, and the massive gates began
to swing open to admit him. He activated his personal code to confirm it
was actually him arriving, as he watched the laser defense power down on
receiving his code. Almost a hundred years before some enterprising former
captain of the guard thought to assassinate him as he entered the city as a
prelude to seizing the throne. He personally hung a portion of the man's
quartered body at each of the gates, after brutally torturing all the
informants names from the man. The Emperor offered him one of his daughters
in marriage as reward.
	The escort and the car stopped briefly as they waited for an inner
gate to open allowing them entrance into the city proper. Two guards
saluted the car acknowledging the power and position of the chief
passenger, before the car continued forward. He sensed their fear and awe
as he passed by, heading up the main boulevard towards the Imperial Palace.
      The massive glass-enclosed bio-domes scattered through the city
though nearly thousand years old, still looked as they had when they were
finished. They were part of the lifeline which kept the capital
functioning. All the food grown for the city and its new satellite towns
came from here. Built at the same time as the city walls, they supplied
food to the city when the surrounding farmland no longer could due to the
radiation. As radiation improved, the newer buildings in the capital began
adding green areas to their sides and rooftops. One of the previous early
Emperors ordered large public parks built, so the residents had safe open
spaces within the confines of the city.
      An impressive well-lit oval-shaped skyscraper with two attached
circular towers with buttresses stood in the middle of the city stretching
far into the sky, the Imperial Palace. The palace contained not only the
residence of the Emperor and his family, but also the homes of many of the
court and military. The Imperial military headquarters, as well as the
Imperial Household Guard barracks was located in the structure. Generators
located deep inside the building could protect it with a force field if
necessary, several platforms scattered along the sides of the building
maintained food gardens for the residents of the palace. The top of the
building where the actual residence of the Imperial family was located,
were impressive ceremonial gardens, which could easily be converted to grow
food if the need should arise. The palace was self-sustaining.
      The two following hover cycles pulled off as the car approached the
covered entrance to the palace, heading towards the underground garage. The
car and its remaining escort stopped, waiting for the passengers from
another car as they exited and entered the building. Once the car pulled
away, the neo-Bentley and its escort pulled forward shielded by the ornate
entrance covering. An Imperial footman dressed in the navy blue and gold
livery stepped forward raising the door. The young masked Asian teen
stepped out, looking around him, ensuring the safety of his lord and master
before giving a hand-signal indicating all was well.
      Out stepped the car's principal passenger, as the Imperial Household
Guard snapped to attention. The man acknowledged the salute before
proceeding inside the building followed by his aide. More Guardsmen saluted
him as he crossed the marble floor towards the private elevator waiting
him. Once inside Michi inserted a key and the elevator car began to ascend
rapidly, as the car approached the hundred and third floor, he pressed a
button and the car slide quietly to a stop. The door slid open, there
standing before the two passengers was a man dressed exactly as the man
with Michi.
      "My lord," smiled the man bowing to the man standing outside the
elevator. "I hope your ride into the city was not too uncomfortable on the
hover cycle?"
      The Hunter laughed, "No, I enjoy the freedom it provides me, as well
as the sense of security. I will signal you when I am ready to depart the
ball. We will be staying at Avalon House for a few days, so you can enjoy
yourself in the city once I am settled in there."
      "Thank you my lord, enjoy the ball," he said stepping out of the
elevator car making way for The Hunter.
      "Ready my lord?" Michi asked his master when the doors shut.
      "Yes, let's go greet our Emperor and his heir," he said smiling at
Michi indicating for the teen to continue the journey to the top floor.
      The elevator doors opened into an impressive three-story entrance
hall. Imperial Household Guards stood at attention around the room, while
courtiers and servants milled about the entrance hall. Many of the
courtiers appeared waiting to make their entrance, once announced by one of
the Imperial Chamberlains. The Hunter stepped out of the private elevator
with Michi causing a stir as people realized who had arrived. His masked
presence always created a stir at court. No one at court except the Emperor
and his heir ever saw his true face. One of the few demands he made of the
Emperor, he did not want people to realize he could not die. His body
chemistry was permanently altered the day people now referred to as Day the
Sky Burned. Any wound healed almost instantly, and no disease seemed to
affect him. Trapped for eternity in the body of a twenty-five year old.
      One of the emperor's personal aides immediately appeared in front of
him bowing, "Your Imperial Eminence, welcome to the Imperial court, we have
missed your presence," the young man warmly said, welcoming The
Hunter. Years before he had rescued the man during a court hunt outside the
city. A wild dog attacked the Imperial hunting party, the young man who was
barely a teen at the time tried to protect the current Emperor.
      "Thank you Javel, you are too kind," he smiled kindly to young man,
indicating his desire to proceed to the ballroom.
      Javel, lead the way towards entrance of the ballroom, the trance
fusion music coming from the ballroom brought a smile to The Hunter's
face. He found it amusing club music had survived the destruction of
Western Civilization. He and Michi waited just outside the doorway, while
Javel spoke with the Chamberlain announcing guests. Suddenly the
Chamberlain's ebony and gold staff echoed through the ballroom, bringing
silence to the room.
      The Hunter stepped forward pausing for dramatic effect, as Michi
appeared two steps behind to his right. "His Imperial Eminence, The Hunter,
and Aide" announced the Chamberlain.
      Women curtsied and men bowed acknowledging the elegant masked man
dressed in black, wearing the dazzling ruby and diamond livery chain of
office, proclaiming him below no one but the Imperial family. His power and
position at court secure for all time. Whispers flew through the room, it
had been over a year since he last appeared and that was for the Empress's
funeral. At that time he delivered a handmaiden's hand to the Emperor
avenging the Empress's assassination. He was the Left Hand of the Emperor,
an avenging angel or demon depending on whom you asked. His presence
generally meant either someone had been executed or was about to be. They
whispered excitedly among themselves wondering whom The Hunter marked for
death.
	"Well Michi," The Hunter playfully whispered to his aide, "Who do
you; think will be the first brave soul to welcome me back to court?"
	The Asian youth carefully covered his mouth, attempting to prevent
others at the gathering from seeing his mirth as he surveyed the ballroom.
	"A difficult question my lord, Major General Thomas seems anxious
to speak with you, but is afraid of what Marshal York and the rest of the
Imperial General staff will say if he approaches you first. On the other
hand, the Duke of Charlotte wants the distinction of appearing in the thick
of things, but his wife is terrified of you after the Empress's
assassination. After all, she recommended the traitor handmaiden for
service in the Imperial household. She realizes you never said anything to
the Emperor about it, and fears what will happen if you ever do decide to
inform the Emperor."
	"If I informed the Emperor of every foolish act an empty-headed
woman did in his court the human race would be dead in a few generations,
because of the lack of breeding stock," he chuckled lightly to his young
aide. "She was nothing more than a pawn and I could not see how her death
would be of any value. We cannot be responsible for the actions of our
friends and acquaintances."
	"The Marchioness of Albany seems particularly interested in you,"
said Michi giving his master a sly smile.
	"She has been trying to interest me in her daughter, Margret,
standing next to her, since the poor girl was ten. I will have to say the
young lady has blossomed rather nicely though," he said with a smile
nodding politely towards the direction of the woman in question and her
daughter.
	"Should I bring her to you my lord?" Michi asked stiffly obviously
not pleased.
	The Hunter laughed lightly, "No thank you Michi, I would never
replace you with one such as her. I am far too settled in my tastes and
natural desires for her to offer me any interest in that manner, as you
well know."
	The young Asian teen aide blushed, wishing he wore a larger
facemask like his lord and master to cover his embarrassment. He suspected
later that night in bed The Hunter would extract an appropriate payment
from him for offering the young woman to him. He suspected the privilege to
climax denied to him for many hours, a favorite retribution for the man's
playmates. In the end when the climax finally came, The Hunter enjoyed the
moment as much as his bedmate, so it was not a true form of punishment, but
a need to savor the moment for as long as possible.
	The Orchestra suddenly broke off the song it was playing, and began
playing the Imperial Anthem, "God Save the Emperor," announcing to the
gathered court presence of the Emperor. The Hunter had to suppress a smile,
being the only one in the room to understand the music had once been "My
Country 'Tis of Thee" one of the unofficial anthems of the former United
States.
	The state doors to the Imperial Residence swung open slowly as the
court lined up on either side of the doorway. The Hunter and Michi took
their places midway down the line of courtiers. Two rows of Imperial Guards
lined the long corridor leading to another set of impressive golden
doors. As the second set of doors opened, the guards snapped to full
attention.
	The ballroom suddenly filled with the sounds of dresses rustling,
as the women turned in preparation of curtsying, and the clanking of
military officials' sheathed swords and shifting of leather shoes and boots
against the crème and crimson marble floor. The Emperor and his newly
come-of-age fourteen-year old heir began their walk down the long corridor
leading towards the ballroom. They arrived exactly at the moment the
Imperial Anthem ended. They paused at the entrance to the ballroom.
	The Grand High Lord Chamberlain pounded his ebony and gold staff of
office three times. The golden eagle located on the top of the staff
amplified the old man's voice, ensuring everyone inside and outside the
ballroom heard him.
	"His August and Most Imperial Majesty Markus the Fifth, Emperor of
the Aquilan Empire and his Imperial Highness Crown Prince Amyas, Heir of
House Dunfred."
	Other than, a slight paternal familial look identifying him as even
a negligible blood relation to the man standing next to him, the small
waif-like fourteen-year old heir to the throne stood in a dress Imperial
Navy uniform. The Emperor stood at attention dressed in his familiar
Imperial Pentagon Marine Lifeguard Regiment uniform.
	The Emperor was a tall, powerfully built man with a thick head of
iron-grey hair. His skin well-tanned, not from being outdoors leading his
troops, but rather from countless hours in the sun by the pool or relaxing
in the Imperial Palace's private gardens. The man felt he had earned the
right to relax, after his early years of service in the Imperial Military
before and just after ascending the throne. After all, he was Emperor and
he had the right to enjoy the privileges of his rank. He rarely went
outside the Imperial capital any longer, the assassination of his wife,
Amyas's mother, during a visit to a small village outside the city made him
distrust the common people. His reaction after her death led to the rise of
new and more violent rebels.
      The heir, Crown Prince Amyas, bore all the marks of his beautiful
mother, Empress Claire. His skin pale, but smooth and without blemish. He
and his mother both shared the same bright blue eyes and light brown
hair. He might be small and thin, but hidden beneath the Imperial Naval
uniform lay a well-toned teen body. The Hunter knew the male members of her
family line were late bloomers, and he suspected the heir would be like his
great, great grandfather tall, lean, and toned.
      Once the Emperor seemed satisfied with the adulation of the Imperial
Court, he began his promenade with his son and heir towards the ballroom's
dais containing the Imperial Throne and a smaller throne for the Heir. The
courtiers bowed and curtsied as the Emperor and his son proceeded towards
the dais. Markus smiled regally basking in the sycophancy of his court. The
young Heir smiled shyly as he walked with his father towards the
thrones. This was his first true public appearance at court, not counting
the State Funeral of his mother. It was obvious the young Heir was not used
to the attention of the Imperial Court. Few had ever seen him in person;
the Emperor chose to keep a tight hold on the boy, keeping him out of
public sight as much as possible. The Hunter suspected the man was
disappointed in the boy's physical appearance. The Emperor when young was a
large extremely active boy, his son though while in shape seemed to favor
his intelligence more so than his father did at his age.
      Midway in the promenade, the Emperor noticed The Hunter. He paused
briefly as he watched the masked man in black sink to one knee bowing along
with his similarly masked young aide in white following similarly in
suit. The Emperor nodded to the kneeling pair before continuing towards the
thrones. The Heir briefly looked back at The Hunter and his aide before
following his father.
      The Hunter and Michi stood as the Emperor and the Heir continued
their way towards the dais. The Grand High Lord Chamberlain following the
Emperor gave him a strange look as he passed the black and white pair. The
Hunter suspected he would need to corner the man before the night was
over. The old man knew something, and The Hunter wanted to know what it
was, and how it related to him.
      The Imperial father and son ascended the dais before turning to face
the Imperial Court. The Emperor activated his hidden microphone, "Welcome
all to this celebration of Crown Prince Amyas's coming-of-age. Enjoy
yourselves as We present the Crown Prince to his service to the Aquilan
Empire." The Crown Prince nodded to his father, before nodding to the
court. "Let the ball begin," announced the Emperor giving a signal to the
Grand High Lord Chamberlain to rap his staff as a signal for the music to
begin again.
      The courtiers began to circulate once the music began; some though
began to dance in a strange fusion of waltzing and free form dancing. The
Hunter found it all too amusing to think this was what humanity had come to
in a thousand years. He signaled to Michi to follow him, before turning and
heading towards the Imperial dais. He needed to pay his respects, as well
as let Markus know he had completed the task and reclaimed the memory
stick.
      The Hunter and Michi reached the foot of the dais and bowed briefly,
before climbing the steps. They paused again bowing when they stood in
front of the Emperor and the Heir. "Your Imperial Majesty, House Feuer des
Todes-Dunfred offers its pleasure at the Imperial Heir coming-of-age. We
offer to the Heir the same service our House has always offered the
Imperial family since the beginning of the Empire," he said giving the
Emperor a knowing sly smile, reminding the man he knew the truth, just as
the man sitting on the throne knew the "truth" about him.
      "I hope Your Majesty can spare a moment later privately. So I may
present you a small token of my loyalty," letting the Emperor know he had
secured the return of the desired memory stick. "I also have a small token
of my service to the Heir if I may be allowed to present it to the Crown
Prince."
      The Emperor relaxed as soon as he realized The Hunter had fulfilled
his mission. The Emperor was still slightly annoyed at The Hunter reminding
him of the man's close connection to the Imperial Family. Yet he could not
risk a breach with The Hunter, the man guaranteed many times over the
continuation of the Imperial Line. If he ever withdrew his loyalty, The
Hunter could easily end the rule of Dunfred family line. He motioned The
Hunter forward, who paused briefly to remove a small box from a pocket in
his black robe.
      He approached Crown Prince Amyas and knelt extending the small
leather box to the young teen sitting on the smaller throne. Emblazoned on
top of the small box was the Imperial coat of arms quartered with his
own. The young Crown Prince took the box from The Hunter opening it. He
smiled warmly at the man kneeling before him, before extracting an engraved
ring bearing the same coat of arms as emblazon on top the box. He slid the
ring on his left hand beaming at the man who gave him the gift. The ring
fit perfectly on his small hand.
      "Thank you cousin," the still unchanged boyish voice said obviously
pleased with his gift.
      "It is merely a small token of my loyalty and service to your
Imperial Highness," he replied suppressing a smile at the brave young teen
daring to acknowledge his relationship to the Emperor. "Call and I shall be
there for you, the ring is designed to imprint the seal only if on your
living hand."
      The Hunter raised bowing again to the Emperor and his Heir before he
and Michi backed down the steps of the dais. Once again, on the ballroom
floor the two bowed again before turning, making way for others who wished
to congratulate the Heir. He made a secret hidden signal to Michi for the
teen to circulate and gather information. He had other spies among the
guests, who would later submit him their reports; the handsome teen Asian
aide would attract the attention of those who wanted to pry secrets from
him. Though he would miss his company, The Hunter understood the Asian teen
might need to perform sexually for some of those with information he might
need to gather. It was a good thing the boy was versatile sexually, he
hoped though he would not have to be deprived of Michi's company after the
ball, but duty came before personal pleasure.
      While Michi circulated, he did the same himself. He needed to make
the first contact to set the tone for his interaction with the members of
the court. He kept up to date with all the information of patricians of the
Imperial Court. The aides and lower aristocracy and military were under the
watch of the Imperial Security forces. On rare occasions, he performed a
service at their request, but otherwise did not concern himself with the
bulk of the court. His work was that of a specialist, cutting out a deadly
tumor to save the patient, not that of a general practitioner.
      As the ball continued, the Heir joined the dancers on the floor. The
Hunter observed he had inherited his mother's grace. The Emperor had spared
no expense for the celebration of his son's coming-of-age. All sorts of
rare delights and delicacies abounded. The Emperor had even gone so far as
to serve rare wines from the now destroyed Napa Valley region. He suspected
even the oysters and other seafood being offered were from outside the
city, rather than grown in the Imperial capital's fish farms. Markus unlike
his father Imre liked to demonstrate his power and influence. His father
would be disappointed at how Markus turned out.
	The Hunter as he watched the Heir and others on the dance floor
enjoying themselves noticed a change in the guards standing at attention
around the room. The Imperial Household Guard were no longer in place,
instead the Tenth Imperial regiment now stood in their places. Something
was very wrong, the Tenth Imperial never served inside the palace
ever. They traditionally were used exclusively as shock troops and special
ops. He signaled Michi to prepare for violence, there was about to be a
very public assassination attempt, the question was it the Emperor or the
Heir or both.
      He began to center himself, locating both the Emperor and the Heir
with his senses, before reaching out to pinpoint the weakest points of the
guards now placed in the ballroom. Just a minute before he saw the Tenth
Imperial begin to move into a strike position, he sensed a change in the
flow of energy in the room alerting him to the coming violence. This was an
attempt by some member of the military or even a possibly cadet relation of
the Imperial Family to overthrow the reigning dynasty. He did not have the
time to figure out who was behind the attack at the moment, but once the
Emperor and the Heir were safe and he eliminated the problem at hand he
would discover the origin of the plot and deliver the individual's head
personally to the Emperor.
      The Hunter activated the emergency force shield surrounding the
Emperor and the Imperial throne protecting them from any possible harm, as
he moved carefully into position to grab and protect the Heir, who was
standing in the middle of the ballroom. The sudden appearance around the
throne of the force shield caused the Tenth Imperial to pause in
confusion. This was not expected; next The Hunter used his override code
throwing the entire ballroom into darkness and chaos.
      The courtiers screamed as the room plunged into darkness and gunfire
began erupting. They realized something was up and began to panic, as they
did The Hunter made his move. He shot cat-like across the ballroom floor
and grabbed the Heir, wrapping him in his bulletproof robe. Unlike the
guard unit, attacking The Hunter needed no infrared goggles in order to see
in the dark. His vision in darkness was as perfect as his daylight vision.
	"Shhh...Highness," he whispered in the Heir's ear, as the boy tried
to struggle in his arms. "You are safe," he continued, "Michi here will
keep you safe as I take care of the Tenth Imperial Guards. Do not trust
anyone except Michi, I need to discover who is still loyal," he whispered
shifted the teen in such a position he was protected from the fire of guns,
as he slide out of his black robe keeping the Crown Prince safely inside
it's protection.
      Michi suddenly appeared at his side, ready to protect the Heir at all
costs knowing his duty. "General Dunlop disappeared right before you
signaled me, so I suspect it may only be the Tenth," Michi informed his
master.
      "If that is the case, it should be easy to contain this to the
Imperial Palace. Guard him, while I take care of the problem here," The
Hunter told Michi shifting the bulletproof robe on to his Aide's
shoulders. Screams filled the air as courtiers tried to escape in the chaos
of the attack in the blackened ballroom.
	"Is he crazy?" the terrified Amyas asked Michi as The Hunter
disappeared. "If that is really the Tenth Imperial Guards, they will kill
him before he knows what happened."
	Michi suppressed a laugh as he guided the scared Crown Prince
carefully towards a marble column on the far side of the ballroom. "You
need not worry about The Hunter, it is the Tenth which is outmatched,"
Michi told him as he reached his destination of a far marble column. He
pulled the young Crown Prince hard against him as they dropped into a
crouching position. For once, he was glad The Hunter insisted on all his
Aides wearing masks at court functions. The hidden infrared lens made it
easy to navigate the chaos of the ballroom and get the Crown Prince to a
position of safety. He tried to follow his master's movements in the dark,
but the man appeared only as a blur as he used his hidden ceramic knives to
attack and kill the guards attempting to overthrow the dynasty.
      The speed The Hunter moved stuck awe in Michi, he like other aides at
one point in their training had gone out with their master when he hunted
foes of the Emperor, but this was the first time he had actually seen his
master at work. All the times before he only arrived afterwards to aid in
the clean up of the hunt. The man was like a demon striking out at those
who opposed the Emperor, the guards had no idea what was happening, knowing
only some mysterious force was striking out to kill them off. Shouts for
assistance quickly turned to screams of terror from the attacking guards,
before finally becoming gurgling sounds as their life-blood flowed from
their wounds.
      Finally, the chandlers began to glow softly again illuminating the
wreckage of the Crown Prince's coming-of age celebration. In the center of
the room stood The Hunter straddling the prone body of a Major in the Tenth
Imperial Guards. The Major's uniform was ripped and torn, and his hair
disheveled and pulled up by a gloved hand, his face showed a mixture of
terror and confusion. Above the guardsman stood a grim-faced Hunter with
several splashes of blood covering his black court uniform and chain of
office, holding the defeated man's head up by his hair, while a long
ceramic hunting knife pressed against the prisoner's throat hard enough
small beads of blood ran down his stretched neck.
      Around the room lay the dead bodies of nearly the entire company of
Tenth Imperial Guards, reputed to be the most ferocious of the Special
Forces Brigade, with the only survivor in the hands of The Hunter. There
were also a number of wounded or dead courtiers shot during the attempted
coup in the darkness. The Emperor stood safely behind a force shield,
flanked by two Imperial House Guards and the Lord High Chamberlain. The
Emperor's face was a mixture of shock and outrage at scene displayed in
front of him. Moments later, the ballroom filled with the Crown Prince's
Imperial Washington Guards and the Imperial Life Guards taking up
protective guard positions around the room. The Hunter summoned them as he
moved to neutralize the attacking Tenth Imperial, knowing their commanders
were men he had personally trained and trusted. They were loyal to him
personally, as well as to the Imperial Family.
      Once the two guards units were in place The Hunter deactivated the
force shield surrounding the Emperor freeing him.
      "Where is my son?" Markus demanded obviously fearing the worst.
      "Father! I'm here and safe thanks to The Hunter and...," Amyas called
out as he emerged from the protection of The Hunter's robe and the arms of
the man's aide. He turned to face the taller teen, waiting for the older
teen to give his name.
      Michi looked at his master waiting for permission to give his name to
the Crown Prince, frightened at what the answer would be to him. A slight
shake from his master prevented him from answering.
      "Ferro Ungue, your Imperial Highness," The Hunter, answered for his
Asian teen aide.
      Michi sighed silently happy his master chose to give the Crown Prince
his public name, rather than his true name. Once an aide's true name became
public knowledge, his service ended. The Hunter would see the aide safely
installed in a position in the government and his future secured, but all
intimate contact ended. All any aide would remember was his service to The
Hunter, and being trained by the man, but little more. All personal
details, and the man's true appearance and any background knowledge of his
past would be wiped from his memory, only his sense of loyalty to his
former master would remain. Michi fought back his tears; he loved his
master body and soul. He hoped he would be allowed to spend many years at
his side.
      "Thank you Ferro Ungue for protecting my son," the relieved Emperor
replied, before turning towards The Hunter and his prisoner.
      Slowly he descended from the dais walking towards the two men in the
center of the ballroom. The only sounds were those of a few courtiers
moaning in pain as medics cared for them and the leather slaps of the
Emperor's boots against the marble floor as he approached.
      "Who is behind this attempted coup?" The Emperor angrily asked the
prostrated man.
      "General Dunlop the Virtuous seeks to free the people from the yoke
of your oppression. We will be free people again as we once were," declared
the Major spitting at the Emperor. "Sic semper tyrannis," the restrained
prisoner attempted to shout to the gathered courtiers.
      "Take this traitor to an interrogation room," commanded the Emperor
motioning for the two Household Guards, who had been trapped with him on
the dais to take possession of The Hunter's prisoner.
      The guards grabbed the Major and started escorting him from the
ballroom, but he managed to struggle free from their grasp, grabbing a
ceremonial dagger from one of the guards' belts. He launched himself toward
the Heir obviously intent on killing the boy, but he suddenly dropped to
the ground dead mere inches in front of the Heir. Protruding from the
center of the dead man's back was one of The Hunter's ceramic blades. He
had thrown it so quickly it almost appeared to have magically appeared in
the Major's back. The Crown Prince looked up in awe at the man who had just
saved his life. By all rights, he should be dead, but he had been saved by
the mysterious Hunter, not once but twice that evening, he owed his life to
the mysterious man.
      "My apologies Your Imperial Majesty for killing the Major, but I
couldn't allow him to endanger the Crown Prince's life," The Hunter coolly
said bowing towards the Emperor.
      There was a hushed astonishment and dread in the ballroom, no one had
ever seen The Hunter in action before, but all around them were the dead
bodies of the most ruthless military regiment obviously killed
single-handedly by him and now they had witnessed him killing a man
publicly with the ease of someone taking a breath of air. The rumors
surrounding his abilities were not exaggerated in any way; the man was a
fearsome killer.
      The Emperor too was shocked at the ease The Hunter killed; he had
used the man as weapon against his enemies for years, but was beginning to
realize just how dangerous the man actually was now. He needed to consider
how to deal with his weapon, granted The Hunter had saved both he and his
son, but at the cost of silencing the only surviving member of attacking
guard unit. Why didn't he just wound the Major? Was he trying to cover
something up? He would need to have The Hunter kept under closer watch.
      "Thank you for saving me," Amyas said bowing to the man, he owed his
life. "I would like you to become my Champion," he asked his defender,
motioning for Michi to return the black sable trimmed robe, which had
protected the two teens during the attack.
      "I would be honored to accept the position, highness," bowed The
Hunter once he settled the robe back on his powerful shoulders. The Crown
Prince's offer would allow him easily to place Michi in his household to
investigate the attempted coup and protect the boy.
	Amyas motioned for The Hunter to follow him as members of the Crown
Prince's Imperial Washington Guards assumed the vacate positions leading
down the hallway towards the Imperial Residence, normally filled by the
Imperial House Guard. Michi quickly followed his master and the Crown
Prince down the hallway towards the private chambers of the Imperial
Family.
	The massive golden doors to the Imperial residence opened as the
Crown Prince approached them. The Imperial Life Guards there inside the
residence snapped to attention as Amyas entered the massive impressive
grand entrance hall, but instead of taking the Grand Staircase he lead his
two guests to a private elevator. Amyas started to place his hand on the
scanner to grant him access to the elevator, but The Hunter prevented him.
	"Allow me Your Imperial Highness," he said pulling off a glove and
placing his hand on the scanner.
	"It won't work for you because it's set only my father and..."
Amyas started to say as the door opened for The Hunter.
	"I think you would be surprised at the places I have access to
Highness," the man smiled slyly at the surprised teen ushering him into the
elevator. Once inside The Hunter placed his hand on the scanner and the
doors shut. "Third floor," he said triggering the elevator. He turned
towards Michi, "Check to see if the scanners have been altered to prevent
access."
	"Yes my lord," Michi responded pulling a small device from a white
leather pouch on his belt. A couple minutes later he spoke, "Yes my lord,
the General hacked into the system and activated D Code One."
	Amyas turned pale, "My father," he suddenly nearly shouted as the
realization of what Michi said sunk in. The code meant kill anyone with
Imperial DNA. "He has to be warned," starting to activate his wrist
communicator, but The Hunter stopped him.
	"Its safe now Highness," he said softly giving the Crown Prince a
gentle smile. Ferro Ungue already corrected the problem, before he told
me. I suspected the General would try to kill you both if you made it back
to the safety of the Residence. This is why I scanned my hand, rather than
let you do it."
	"But you're of Imperial blood as well, why didn't it effect you?"
Amyas asked puzzled and concerned for his new Champion.
	"My DNA coding is protected in a very special way, the General can
not access," The Hunter told him, not wanting to explain his past to the
Crown Prince in such a way. The Emperor knew much about him, but not
everything. His Imperial master suspected it was due to cloning or
something like it that made it appear as if he were the same person from
the beginning of the Empire. The Hunter guarded his secret jealously; a
bare handful of people during his thousand years plus life knew his secret.
	Amyas found himself relaxing slightly upon discovering The Hunter
was protected, but still felt a bit puzzled as to why the man was
protected.  Something definitely seemed odd, but he could not help feel
drawn to the mysterious individual who saved his life. Though he had just
met The Hunter for the first time that night, he felt as if he had known
him forever. All the hushed whispers about him appeared true, having
witnessed the wonderful man in person.
	The threesome exited the elevator, following the Crown Prince to
his rooms. Amyas out of force of habit started to place his hand on the
scanner in order to open the door, but stopped giving The Hunter a worried
glance as his small hand paused hoovering over the palm scanner.
	"It is safe your Imperial Highness, the scanners have been returned
to normal working order," The Hunter said soothingly to the frightened boy.
	Hesitantly, Amyas pressed his hand against the scanner briefly
before the doors slid open admitting them to his rooms. He relaxed
noticeably once he was secure in his rooms.
	The Hunter looked around the Crown Prince's sitting room and was
pleasantly surprised. Instead of gilded, expensive wooden furniture, which
previously filled the room, very minimalistic furniture filled the room. In
fact, the room had an almost 1960s Japanese feel to it. The Crown Prince
seemed more of a history buff than he previously suspected. The boy had
jumped in his estimation; Amyas could prove to be a very interesting
Emperor if he continued on the path he was on presently.
	"I see you have redecorated your rooms highness, you have made some
interesting choices," he commented to Amyas, giving the teen a sly smile.
	"You're not going to criticize my choices too are you?" The Crown
Prince asked giving the older man a sad look.
	"No," he laughed, giving the Crown Prince a gentle
smile. "Generally most Crown Princes have filled these rooms with much more
ornate furnishings. You are the first to go the other direction. You have
very good taste for historical furnishings, though I suspect most of these
are reproductions."
	Amyas gave him a sheepish smile, "Yes unfortunately, but I do like
them a great deal," the Crown Prince confided.
	"I understand completely, my country home is furnished much in the
style when it was first occupied by the man who made it famous," he smiled
at Amyas.
	"I would love to see it some day if you would permit me," the Crown
Prince said, hinting he would love an invitation to visit. He knew though
the man valued his privacy and after the assassination attempt, it might be
impossible to leave the protection of the capital.
	"We shall see about that for a future day your highness, right now
it might be best if you stay here and safe," he replied knowing the boy was
fishing for an invitation. He found himself liking the teen in spite of
himself.
	"If you would not mind, could I speak with you in private?" Amyas
asked somewhat hesitantly.
	"Yes most certainly, I would be happy to join you in private," The
Hunter bowed to the Crown Prince offering him a pleasant smile.
	Amyas led The Hunter from sitting room into his small
office/library. The walls of the large room were covered with beautiful
floor to ceiling craved rosewood bookcases filled with all sorts of actual
printed books. The protective field surrounding each shelf told him these
were extremely old books being preserved. The Hunter suspected the Crown
Prince had actually read many of the books.
       One item, caused him to pause and stare, was the Crown Prince's
desk. He suspected Amyas had chosen the desk because of the large carved
eagle on the center panel of the desk. The desk had once belonged to the
most powerful leader in the free world. He knew the desk was a
reproduction, because the original had been destroyed over a thousand years
before in a nuclear explosion, which destroyed Washington D.C., leading to
the eventual fall of the United States of America. It was a strange choice
of furniture for the heir of an empire, which replaced had the republic.
       The Crown Prince turned towards him pausing; he looked as though he
wanted to say something important, but was unsure how it would be
received. The Hunter extended his senses and found the young crown prince a
mixture of confused emotions. He found it difficult to pinpoint which one
seemed directing his actions at the moment. Amyas could use some of the
training his servants and aides received, which helped them become more
balanced and helpful to him.
	Hesitantly, Amyas turned towards The Hunter and asked, "Is it
possible for me to see your face without your mask?"
	He smiled at the young Imperial Heir, "Yes, you may see my face
now. You have come-of-age now, so you are entitled to see me unmasked. Only
the Emperor and his Heir, if of age are entitled to see my face," The
Hunter said walking over to the hand scanner next to the closed
door. Placing his hand on the scanner, he spoke into the hidden microphone,
"Code A, Order One, Venator Imperium."
	The scatter-proof windows to the room darkened, as a red indicator
light appeared on the scanner panel. The Hunter had secured the room with a
personal code, which could not be over-ridden except by him. This ensured
no one else would see his face, but Amyas. He pressed a small point along
the ridge of his right eye and the mask loosened enough he could pull it
off. Holding the mask in his hand, he turned towards the young Crown Prince
letting the teen see him unmasked. He bowed slightly giving Amyas a
pleasant, soft smile.
	"You're not hideous," the Crown Prince exclaimed loudly with a
broad smile, before blushing suddenly, realizing what he had said
aloud. "Many rumors about you say you were maimed and that is why you wear
a mask in public," he tried to explain in way of an apology and exclamation
for his statement.
	The Hunter chuckled, "I'm aware of many of the rumors about me, but
the truth is I enjoy my privacy and it allows me to move unrecognized among
the populace." Both reasons were true that he gave the Crown Prince, but
most important reason he wore a mask was he did not want people to know he
could not age or die. Most of the previous Emperors suspected he was
actually a clone and he allowed them to believe it.
	Amyas motioned for the handsome man sit, while he ordered up a
couple of drinks from the food bank hidden behind a shelf of imitation
books. "I noticed you did not drink much at the ball," he said offering his
guest a cup of White Peony tea. "My mother used to drink this tea often and
I've continued do so since she passed," he said sadly.
	"I wish I could have done more than just bring her assassin to
justice," he replied gently sensing the loss in the boy.
	Amyas chuckled softly, "I never thanked you for doing that, thank
you," giving his guest a shy smile.
	The Hunter felt a rise in the Crown Prince's emotions, as though
trying to decide something. Abruptly there was a sharp shift in emotions as
Amyas rose from his chair quickly passionately kissing older man on the
lips catching him off guard.
	Suddenly without warning, there was a loud explosion, which rattled
the windows in the Crown Prince's rooms. The two pulled apart quickly
glancing at the windows making sure they were still intact, before turning
to look at one another once again. One face filled with shock, while the
other filled with panic.
	"Please don't tell my father," a panicked Amyas begged, as the
voice of Michi penetrated the locked room from a speaker above the palm
scanner.
	"My lord, are you and the Crown Prince alright?"
	For the first time in his long life, The Hunter did not know how to
answer the question for a minute. He just stared at the frightened teen,
wondering what to do next.


The End of Chapter One


	This story is a bit different type of story in that I am not
jumping right into the sex with my characters. In later chapters, if there
is a demand for me to continue this story there will be sex. Thanks again
to all my readers for your encouragement over the last few years. Be sure
to check out my other stories posted here on nifty. Do not forget to donate
to Nifty to keep it going. Thanks. Feel free to hit me up with your
thoughts and comments at my email: x_emoboi_x@yahoo.com Please forgive for
any delay in responding to emails life keeps me busier than I would wish
sometimes.


Here are my other stories. Hope you enjoy them.

http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/the-brotherhood/

http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/summer-discoveries/

http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/highschool/paper-cuts/

http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/adventures-at-school/

http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/incest/pool-party/

http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/jaydens-dark-journey/

http://www.nifty.org//nifty/gay/adult-youth/rise-of-the-morning-star/

http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/teaching-fletcher/

http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-youth/a-boys-gothic-tale/