75 Warning (2/2)
Daneel had caused the same thing to happen in the throne room, but he had used a subtle method that targeted one's mind. Here, sheer strength was being deployed, and all at once, all the people of the town felt their knees buckle and their bodies kiss the ground, many heaping on top of others as there wasn't enough space for all of them to lie down on the ground.
Moans of pain began to be heard, but they were stifled as it seemed that the big man would focus more strength on them to shut them up. Silently, the people struggled, their faces fraught with peril and despair once more, and Daneel saw all the hard work he had put in start to be destroyed.
If the people broke now, they might forever remain broken. He needed do something… but without using the Will, what could be done?
He racked his brain, that was much faster and much more capable than it had been a few hours ago. A moment later, a path revealed itself to him.
In his journey through Angaria, he had seen that words sometimes had the power to do something that might seem as if it could only be accomplished by brute force. He had to use his words, now, to stop these two from teaching a lesson to the people… so raising his voice, he said, ”Tell me. You've been sent here by someone in charge, right? How do you think they would react after they find out that you injured all the people of the town, which would be the reason behind us not being able to deliver the number of crystals expected? I'm pretty sure they'll be displeased… so if that's alright, please go ahead.”
It looked like his plan would fail for a second… but then, a faint shudder went through the kid's back, and Daneel knew that he had hit the nail right on its head.
”Bongo, stop!”, he growled, clearly unhappy about the fact that he couldn't see the suffering continue. The people began to let out sighs of relief as they felt the pressure disappear, which were all observed with a sneer by the kid.
As he began to turn, Daneel put on the most honest face possible, with a wide brow, hands clasped together and back slightly hunched.
'If you look simple, and act simple… people tend to believe that you are simple.'
As if echoing his thoughts, the kid folded his hands and said, ”You're right. But… if you're even a day late, or a crystal short, I'll happily continue what was going to happen here. Bongo, fetch!”
At the command, the big man flew into the air once more and shot off in the direction of Harrold's residence. Many of those watching were amazed at his speed… but for Daneel, it wasn't very impressive.
After all, he had once possessed speed fast enough to rival the airplanes of the Earth, whereas here, the man was merely going at the top speed of a normal human, albeit in the air.
He returned a minute later with a bag in one hand… and a body in the other.
It was Harrold, his hands and legs tied securely and his mouth gagged, abject fear still clearly showing on his sweaty face and soiled pants.
The kid smiled when he saw what his servant had returned with. After the big man landed in front of him, he stretched his hand forward to catch Harrold by his hair and yanked him up.
”I can't kill the others… but this guy is useless. He let a rebellion succeed, even after we sent him help to locate the rebels! Worthless. Completely worthless. So…”
His hand became a blur. 'THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!' Echoed the sound of flesh meeting flesh, and when the kid stepped back, Harrold fell on the wooden platform with three clean, fist-sized holes on the two sides of his chest, and at the center of his stomach.
”We'll be back in a month. Remember: not a crystal less.”
Throwing the words over his shoulder, the kid floated away. After reaching the same altitude they had appeared at before, they leaned forward…and disappeared, leaving in their wake a town that looked the same, but had changed in ways that no one had foreseen.
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