Femme Fatale (The Dangerous Game Between Life And Death)

Chapter Six: A Strange Visitor.

"Nicklaus!" he gasps. "What on earth are you doing here?!" Lucifer asked, suddenly becoming alert, all of his senses on alert for any strange movement both from Nicklaus and outside.

"Chill, Lucifer!" said Nicklaus, grinning widely.

In an instant, Lucifer had rushed Nicklaus, pinning him to the wall by his throat.

"And when did we become so friendly that you get to address me by my first name, you betraying scoundrel?" Lucifer hissed.

"Let go, please, boss", Nicklaus pleading, choking.

"Not until you tell me why you're here," Lucifer insisted, his grip tightening.

"I will, just let go of my throat first boss!, please", he pleaded again.

"You've got 30 seconds," Lucifer said.

Releasing Nicklaus from his grip. Nicklaus fell on his kneel and was coughing; he can't believe he was almost choked to death. He had thought by now Lucifer would have become so soft and docile after all he had passed through escaping the organization.

"I thought wrong," he thought and grinned,

" You're still as ruthless as ever Boss",. Nicklaus said massaging his throat. His boss is still a brave soldier. "So the saying goes, 'Once a solider, always a solider!' Lucifer is far from becoming docile to just anyone.

"I thought I specifically said you have 30 seconds to state why you are here?! Or do you have a death wish?!" Lucifer said, tightening his fist while walking towards him.

"Whao! No, no; except if you have no use for my info, which could save your family's life," Nicklaus said with a glint in his eyes.

Lucifer withdrawn instantly and stood staring at Nicklaus with stern, suspicious eyes. He frowned, hand akimbo. Studying this man before him, what could be the motive behind his visit? "What is your game, you conniving snake?" He thought. Looking at the wall clock he hung in his work shop directly above the door, his eyes boring into Nicklaus's, he said, " You have 25 seconds now....."

Flashback:

He had met Nicklaus 15 years ago, when the Supreme had recruited new Soliders—a hundred and twenty Soliders in all—who he wanted to train for his own benefit. He had told he and Deamon to train all of them and select those who perform the best and train them stronger; this will be his best, and Elite Soliders the Supreme had said. The Supreme had ordered that they keep each a right-hand man, as it's customary to the underground rules, that one watch and learn from the master; he/she is a student too.

Nicklaus had done very well and was lucky enough to be picked as Lucifer's right-hand man. He went with Lucifer wherever he went, and yet he never got Lucifer to be so friendly with him. He admires Lucifer's capabilities, his resilience, and his fighting spirit. But this boss never noticed it; he hasn't thrown him a glance other than to give an order. He knows Lucifer was the backbone of the Supreme. And his leaving the organization makes him a threat to the Supreme's authority. Thus he ordered his annillation, and Nicklaus feared for his life. You have to side with the strong to survive in this world, so he had sided with Deamon, giving him information regarding his master's movement in return for his life! He had seen the disgusting look Lucifer had given him that night when he saw him among the men who ambushed his house and family. The look you give a filthy dog who betrayed his master. And that looks like it sticks to his brain like a picture, refusing to go away.

Back to Present:

Nicklaus finally cleared his throat; his airway was still hurting badly from Lucifer's grip.

"The Supreme ordered this island to be stormed with his elite Soliders until you're fished out," he said finally.

Lucifer's face turned ashen. He just stare blankly at Nicklaus.

"How did he know that I am here? How did YOU know I am here too?" he asked authoritatively. "It's no secret you are here, boss!; even I could find you. The Supreme had eyes and ears everywhere and could smell anything from afar. That's not news." Nicklaus said.

"My cover was well hidden; how could it have been blown except you blew it? Only you would have left by ship; only you knew Richmond! You sniveling piece of shit.". Lucifer infuriated, said aloud, using his palm to push Nicklaus farther to the wall.

"I didn't do anything! You blew up your cover! You kept sending different parcels to Russia with a baby's picture in it; that child's picture is pasta in the whole of Russia. The Supreme became curious and looked into it and was sure it was you. Deamon told him you escaped wounded, with a baby, and maybe you lost her. So he ordered this island to be searched. You blew up everything," Nicklaus fumed.

Lucifer stood quietly, working out a solution in his head. Just when he thought he was about to give his family a normal life, his past was catching up with him again.

"You need to leave this island, Lucifer, if your family is to survive." Nicklaus said, breaking into his thoughts. "Why are you suddenly concerned? Why are you helping me? What do you hope to gain?" Lucifer asked, glaring at Nicklaus suspiciously again.

"I owe you one. I'm paying back my debt; you saved me countless times in cross-fires, and for once, I want to be the one to save Lucifer!; and in a way, atoning for my sin of betraying you." Nicklaus replied, looking straight into Lucifer's face.

"Nonesense..! You almost had my family killed; atonement my foot," roared Lucifer, his anger intensifying.

"And now I'm saving them! You hurt dozens of people just because the Supreme orders it; at least I'm being remorseful," said Nicklaus, suppressing his annoyance. He has to try as much as possible to watch his tune with Lucifer, if he still values his throat, of course.

"They deserve everything I did to them. And you of all people should know I definitely do not punish the innocent!; everyone I have ever punished was guilty and deserved the retribution they got," bellowed Lucifer.

"You need to leave this island if you truly wish to spend days with your family. The troup will be arriving a day after tomorrow; please leave before then.; I was just a small boy from the country side farm, whose parents sold off, in other to clear the debt they owe to the Supreme, I was just 7 when I had to face the cold world of hunger and dread alone; I'm not asking that you forgive me Boss; I just want you to see reasons why I did what I did." Saying that, he turned to leave. Walking towards the door.

"Nicklaus!" Lucifer called out.

Nicklaus turns, looking sadly at his former boss.

"Take that look off your face. A soldier never softens up in the middle of a war," said Lucifer, frowning.

"Alright, Boss, thanks for the advice," Nicklaus replied. He looked at Lucifer. "He wanted to tell him Deamon found his lost baby that night, a baby crying and abandoned in a dustpan with Lucifer's blazer rapped around her. He wanted to tell him Deamon had kept it a secret from the Supreme; he longed to tell him all, but he fears Lucifer's unpredictable rage. Nicklaus kept quiet. He could not bring himself to say those to Lucifer; he was such a protective father and boss. He smiled and headed towards the door.

"And Nicklaus," came Lucifer's voice again.

He turned towards the voice...

"Thank you, mate!" Lucifer said, his eyes softening towards him. "I always know you'll make a great solider!"

Alas! A compliment from the Supreme right-hand man! It was an accomplishment!! Lucifer acknowledges him finally!!! Nicklaus brimmed with joy! He felt elated as he headed for the door.

"Last words of favor to you boss, there's a spy with you, keeping very close watch on you and sending us intel on your every move; full details I don't know, I over-heard Deamon say so on a phone call".

" A spy?!" Lucifer exclaimed flabbergasted.

"Yes Boss. And please do me a favor in return and not tell anyone of my visit and be careful for your sake and that of your family". Nicklaus said finally, slamming the door of the workshop behind him.

Once Nicklaus was gone, Lucifer went quickly to the secret compartment, he had built into the wooden walls of his shop, press on a button that look more like a nail, the compartment opened widely. He walked inside and brought out a briefcase. Just then he heard Elysa's voice...."Is that a real gun, daddy?"