With a smug air, Montgomery straightened in his seat. “I require my assistant and my winnings returned to me immediately. I also will receive compensatory accommodations for my personal distress in this matter as well as immunity from further harassment.”
The casino owner had a thought the very moment Montgomery lumped the assistant in with the winnings. He made a hand motion to Bertram, who crouched next to him. Montgomery leaned forward, trying in vain to hear what Gregor whispered.
“He referred to the assistant in the same manner as his profits; I believe he considers them both property. Look into it.”
Bertram’s eyes widened, and he nodded before stepping out of the room.
“I’m waiting…” Montgomery said in a haughty tone.
“Yes,” Gregor gave a nod, “and you will continue to do so.” The captive opened his mouth to object, but the proprietor held up a hand. “I am no longer thoroughly convinced you are operating within the full boundaries of the law. It is my duty as a citizen of the Galactic Central Government to pursue illegal matters conducted upon my property.”
Montgomery reacted as though slapped. His face paled slightly, and his mouth churned up and down. “I… I can assure you—”
“I’m very certain you can, and I cannot express how glad I am of it.” Gregor smiled, smug satisfaction at pegging the man flooding through him.
The captive raised his chin. “If I am thought to be the perpetrator in some illegal activity, I am entitled to know the charges against me.”
“Hmmm, not so.” Gregor tilted his head. “At the moment you’re being held due to violation of casino policy, pending the decision. However, while we work on that, we can at least wait until proper authorities can be summoned to take you into their custody, if necessary. It’s their job to inform you of any charges, not ours.”
“This is an outrage!” Montgomery spoke through clenched teeth, but the fear in his eyes was very obvious. “You cannot treat me in such a fashion!”
Gregor rolled his eyes. “Mr. Montgomery. You’ve now far overplayed your hand, and I have no interest in your continued business. In fact, I believe I’ll take great pleasure in watching your impending incarceration. Goodbye.”
As the captive continued to shout about the indecency he was facing, Gregor stepped out of the room. He turned a corner and was knocked sprawling by someone moving very quickly.
“Sir, sir, I’m so sorry!” Bertram hauled the older man to his feet and dusted off his employer’s suit.
“For God’s sake, Bertram, what’s the big hurry about?” Gregor scowled, shoving him away. “Did you find out about the woman? Is she his illegal property?”
Bertram shook his head. “No, but—”
Gregor folded his arms. “No? Damn. I could have sworn Montgomery was sweating about just that.” He sighed. “Now I’m going to have to go back in there and actually try to compromise with that oaf.”
“No, sir, I didn’t find out, but you don’t understand! You have to come with me immediately!” The servant grabbed his master’s arm and started running and half-dragging him toward the main security room.
Gregor shook himself free. “Have you lost your
With frightened eyes, Bertram looked at his employer. “Sir, it’s the main casino floor. We’re under attack!”
“Dear sweet mother of God,” Gregor said as he viewed the security monitors. Arms folded, he watched the chaos of his casino floor. Turning to Bertram, he said, “This room is secure, correct?” His servant, pale as a sheet, nodded without actually listening to the question.
People were running and screaming. Panic ensued as machines and tables flew everywhere. Cameras went black one by one as a man, a very large one, ripped them from the walls and flung the shattered remains at the security people. The huge man tore through the casino floor, shouting something indeterminate, masked by the screams of the people. A few security guards charged with stun batons, but they were knocked aside by the brute who appeared unstoppable.
“I’m getting requests for weapons free,” one of the operators at the console said as the intruder pried one of the slot machines loose and hurled it, scattering a group of security people. “Can they open fire?” He directed the question at Bertram.
“Of course not, you idiot!” Gregor slapped the man on the back of the head. “There are civilians in that room!” He jabbed a finger toward one of the camera displays. “Under no circumstances are they allowed to use their side arms!”
One of the guards, terrified, determined, or simply having lost his earpiece, did not obey the order. He pulled a pistol and started firing on the intruder.
With a terrifying speed which belied his massive size, the man dodged behind cover. He darted back and forth behind columns and gaming equipment before charging the guard. The large man pounded a shoulder into his attacker, sending the guard flying halfway across the room. Other guards followed suit and aimed their side arms. More screams from civilians ensued as weapons fire flashed about the room, but no one seemed to be able to hit the intruder.
“Who in the hell
Rearing back, the intruder placed a savage kick to the doors leading into the security back area. He disappeared from the cameras, and the sounds of chaos and fighting came not from the intercom but from the hallways nearby. The cameras, which quickly were disabled, detailed the continuing fight and systematic pummeling of Luna Casino’s well-trained security team.
“This place
The assistant gave a dazed expression before blinking. “Oh! Ah, yes, we should be fine in here.”
A heavy pound resounded as something collided with the door. Four security people snapped their weapons to bear, terrified and aiming at the entrance. The camera in the hallway outside was out, and no one knew if the man would be coming in.
Several seconds bled by, and nothing happened.
A few more shouts resounded from the hallway, and there was a spot of intermittent gunfire, but nothing more seemed to assault the main security room.
Gregor, realizing he was holding his breath, turned back to the display panels. “Where is he?” he asked the man at the station.
“I-I don’t know, sir.” Several angles in different locations flickered, but there was no sign of the large man. Considerable numbers of fleeing individuals and security personnel could be seen, but no intruder.
“Find him!” Gregor snapped.
More of the camera shots went by, different security areas, the vault-
“Wait, there!” The owner jabbed a finger toward the screen.
The tech moved the shot back in time to see the large man reach up and destroy one of the cameras near the vault.
“Christ dammit almighty…” Gregor took a deep breath. “The guy’s pulling a job. Get everyone we got left down to the vault! Kill the prick if you have to!”
One of the techs relayed the order, and the casino owner prodded the man controlling the camera displays. Over the course of a few minutes, images flashed by, but more and more of the cameras seemed to be going out. A couple of glimpses of the man resulted from the search, and frantic yelling into communicators directed personnel to intercept.
Scattered security teams dragged through the hallways, checking and rechecking the vault, but no one knew where the man went. More minutes dripped by, and the few cameras remaining could occasionally catch the group of security men cautiously moving through the halls. Other shots featured cracked walls and strewn, hopefully only
