Life Is A Game

LOCATION: BOUNTY HUNTERS ASSOCIATION, MISTY TRAIL GALAXY HQ.

"Congratulations on your promotion, Commander Sirius."

The man identified as Sirius stood seven feet tall. He saluted to the Flag master who had his hands around his back.

They were in the office of the Flagmaster.

"For the honour of the BSA, I will uphold my duties with the utmost diligence, Sir!"

"Yeah yeah," August lit up a cigarette.

"Onto more pressing matters." He tossed the new commander an odd device.

"The last commander, and your former superior, Kane was a loudmouth who failed to gather a good team. I hope you won't disappoint me as he did."

Sirius gulped. He was well aware of what had happened to the former commander. He never liked Kane and always viewed him as a goal. Although that was the case, he'd never imagined the commander to face such an end at the hand of the Flag master.

"Kane was feeble-minded and slow when it comes to getting the job done. He believed in giving the weak a chance to seize power. I believe in the strong getting stronger and the weak becoming stepping stones for them."

August's lips curled. "I like the way you think, Commander. That said, that device you're holding is a tracker."

August paused to take a puff and then continued...

"4 hours ago the failsafe installed in the Astro tech of the A-grade hunter I sent after Jackal Knight was triggered. Someone removed the Astro rock in the device thus triggering the failsafe which in turn transmitted a unique distress signal that was picked up by our team of scientists."

He moved behind the large man.

"With this, hopefully, we'll know the whereabouts of the Black Stallion. And we can finally crush them!"

Sirius noticed a red blinking light on the screen of the device.

"Jackal Knight has eluded the BSA for the last time!"

"Let's hope he has," August uttered making his way back to his desk. "For your sake. That is if you don't want to end up like your predecessor."

Gulp. "Yes sir."

"I'll leave you to that, you're dismissed."

Sirius saluted and exited the room. The moment the door closed in on him, he sighed in relief. Clenching his heart, he couldn't control himself from sweating bullets.

"Scary..." He muttered to himself softly. He took a deep breath to ease his fast-beating heart and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe away his sweat.

"Look who's sweating like a pig. What's up Siri? "

Sirius turned in the direction of the voice. He gritted his teeth as he locked eyes with a dark-skinned man in his early twenties.

He was wearing a black sleeveless jacket with a pair of blue pants. On his chest was a badge of the BSA but his most noticeable feature was the scythe he was carrying.

"Kinkaid," Sirius said in an annoyed tone. "When did you get back from your mission and how long have you been standing here?"

"Got back last night, partied till I got wasted. As for your second question. Let's just say, I heard everything." The man smugged. "Including the part where the Flag master almost made you shit your pants haha."

A vein popped on Sirius' head. "Of all the"

"I'm in," Kinkaid uttered in a serious tone before Sirius could curse.

"Huh?"

"You heard me." He wrapped his arm around him. "The hunt for Jackal Knight, I want in." He whispered into his ears. Before moving away from him and spinning around.

"Plus, who better to send after someone like him than an S-Grade hunter?"

"Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," Sirius warned. "Jackal Knight is not to be underestimated. You'll go, but after I set up a team to go with."

"I work alone. Having a team of some beat down A and B grades will only slow me down." He shrugged. "You either let me go alone or I'll see myself in there." He pointed to the door leading to August's office. "Plus, I like my chickens roasted." He said smacking his lips.

"Grr..." Sirius pondered for a while...

'Why did this annoying runt return now of all times? Regardless, he won't ease up until he gets what he wants. Plus, one S-grade hunter is better than a team of dozens B-grade. Even if they're being led by an A-grade.'

He decided to break the silence.

"Fine."

Kinkaid jumped around like a child who was excited to go to the playground.

"But," Sirius held out a finger. "If you screw this up. I'll lay all the blame on you and you'll be met with the wrath of the Flag master."

"Fine by me. As long as I get to have some fun."

Sirius cringed at his behaviour. "This isn't a game." He cautioned handing him the tracking device.

"Oh but my towering friend, Life itself is a game. And I'm going to Solo the Black Stallion crew."

Kinkaid walked away leaving the new commander to himself.