Tempest - Kris Michaels Page 0,18

"I'd like to approve you, to give you a Go, because you've worked so damn hard to get this far."

He stared at the doctor for a few moments. "I can't fathom an instance where Guardian would disapprove of my endeavors. These people are the rarest form of evil. According to what I've learned, they are coordinating worldwide efforts to subvert political leaders and gain profit and power to forward their end goals."

"And what are their end goals?"

"I don't know. I'll be sure to ask someone before I remove them from the equation."

"Is it simple for you? Killing?"

"Simple?" He leaned back in his chair and let his eyes drift toward the window to the desert beyond. "No. Taking a life is never easy."

"Then why do you do it?" Remi uncrossed his legs and leaned forward.

He let the question spin for a moment before he answered, "Have you ever wondered what the world would look like if the abominations who exist among us aren't controlled?"

His doctor shook his head as he spoke, "No."

Tempest smiled. "The reason you haven't is because they aren't allowed to impact your life."

"Have they impacted yours, before you came to work for Guardian?"

"You know the answer to that question. You've read my file."

Remi shrugged, "Humor me."

"Yes."

"How?"

"I was drugged at a party and kidnapped at the age of nineteen. When I came to, I was in a cage."

"And?"

"You want the gory details? They are in my file."

"I want to hear you say it."

"Fine. They revealed the plans they had for me and the others they had taken. When they transferred us, I was able to escape and free two others. The two girls weren't fast enough. They were retaken. When the police finally believed me, they found the girls. They'd been killed after they'd been assaulted. The cops arrested me."

"Why?"

"Because I had a long record by that time. No supervision and cheap drugs." He shrugged.

"How did you get out of the situation?"

"Demos."

"I thought he only recruited killers?"

"He does."

"Who did you kill?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes."

"The man who killed my mother."

"Why did you kill him?"

"He'd walked on the charges, and he'd killed again."

"How did Demos know you'd killed him?"

"The cops had charged me, but the fire had compromised all the evidence."

"Fire?"

He chuckled. "I like to make big statements."

"And you still do, for Guardian." Doctor Wheeler nodded.

"I don't care how I kill the people in Stratus or how I get to and kill each of the Fates. Silently dead is still dead. I'm accomplished in many aspects of my specialty."

"So, if Guardian was to say no?"

"I guess I'd cross that bridge if I came to it, Doc." He wasn't going to make it to a bridge. There was no way Guardian wouldn't allow him to take down Stratus. "What are your expectations?"

His doctor met his questioning gaze. "I expect I'll give you a Go. Physically, you're ready."

"Ah. But you're still concerned about my mental strength."

"God, no. You've survived an experience which would have crumbled others with less mental stamina."

"Then what concerns you?"

"The people who knew you before have indicated the person you are now isn't the person you were before the incident."

"No. Shit." He shook his head. "Doc, I've changed. I'm not that man. My reasons for continuing in my line of work have shifted. I'm no longer a blunt instrument used to make a statement to the rest of the world. I have a very specific skill set and a need for vengeance. My need aligns with my employer's goals. I'll be the Shetland in their dog and pony show, and I'll perform exactly the way they tell me to perform."

"And if your goals and Guardian's ever diverge?"

"Again, a bridge I'll cross if I ever get to it."

Doctor Wheeler leaned forward. "Would you kill without a target being coded?"

"To protect myself or others, yes."

Wheeler stared at him for several long minutes, and he held the gaze. Finally, the man nodded. "You've got your Go. I hope you take care of yourself."

He stood and extended his hand. "I will."

Tempest stared at the mass of humanity. Drago's was a huge deli in the middle of an ocean of office buildings. People packed the area to the point of overcrowding, making it almost impossible for anyone to overhear a conversation. Pilar had chosen well.

He made his way through the line while looking for her. It had been almost three years, but those beautiful features had been etched in his mind. Sandwich, chips and drink purchased, he turned and made another survey of the area. There