                RETRIBUTION

PART 19 BY THE CHOIR BOYZ TEAM........................

Eliminator did not charge into the camp.  He remained
motionless and waited to see if the apparent sleeping figure
next to the fire was Hawk, or a cleverly placed bundle.  The
figure then stirred and sat up for a brief moment.  It was
Hawk.  Hawk looked around as if he sensed something, then laid
back down.  Time passed.  Satisfied that Hawk was asleep,
Eliminator eased into the camp and peered into Hawks backpack.
It was well stocked with medpacks, rations, and a FLOPPY DISK.
Eliminator knew that Hawk intended to launch another missile,
and recalled his last experience with a nuke.  Eliminator
began cursing Hawk, and Hawk immediately awoke and was on his
feet, with weapons in hand.  Startled at the speed of Hawk's
readiness, Eliminator pointed his Herculean in his direction
and fired.  The first shot hit pay dirt and Hawk was visibly
hurt.  Eliminator knew that Hawk was much more powerful than
he, and quickly moved in with his Xendrix before Hawk could
retaliate.  The two warriors exchanged numerous blows,
resulting in massive blood loss to both of them.  The tides of
the battle turned, and Eliminator realized that if he
continued the fight, he would certainly lose.  Satisfied that
he had done all he could, Eliminator attempted his escape from
the camp sight.  Hawk had been caught off guard by
Eliminator's quickness and accuracy.  The battle had raged on
much longer than Hawk was used to.  He was tired and his
labored breathing made it difficult for him to keep Eliminator
in the sights of his Herculean.  Eliminator ran and
continually dodged left, then right, praying that Hawk's shot
would miss.  It did.  Eliminator was now clear of Hawk's
range, and sat down to rest.  He did not dare to set up camp,
but had to tend to the many wounds that Hawk had inflicted.
He had no transmitter, so he had to make way for the Complex.
He did not mind the journey, though.  He was pleased with
himself and eager to reveal his findings.

Hawk checked his back pack and found that Eliminator had taken
nothing.  He had plenty of medpacks to tend to his injuries.
It took a long time for Hawk to treat his wounds, and it was
costly.  He was now left with a full medpack and one with only
three uses left.  He was sore, bloodied, tired and a little
unnerved by the experience.  He badly needed rest and time for
his wounds to heal.  He needed time and the floppy disk that
was still part of his equipment.  He wondered if it was a
coincidence that the attack had followed so soon after the
trap with the thumper.  He would be more cautious.  He would
light up the skies once more.  But first, rest.

                                Michael Willis
                                Cleve Sanders

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