Ace Flashman in "Reggiecide"- Part I

Reggiecide Part 1: The Mission

Ace Flashman crept along the hedges by King Reginald's royal gardens. Though Ace knew many forms of offense and defense, the red-uniformed king's guards were an elite force, and he could not fend them off alone. He needed stealth to complete this adventure. 

Crruck! A branch snapped, and Ace froze as the guards whipped around at the sharp noise. "Blast and gunfire," thought Ace. The guards had noticed his muscular yet sleek form beside the hedges, and were now rushing towards him, the red gleam of murder in their eyes. Leaping upwards into a martial stance, Ace braced himself for the upcoming battle. Why had he accepted this mission?

Three days ago:

"Ace, I have a mission request for you," said Dr. Veronica Brandheart, reading her electronic mail on her tiny handheld computer Marlon. "The poor citizens of Reggiopolis have asked that you free them from the tyrannical claw of their king, King Reginald."

"Why?" grunted Ace, while doing one-handed pushups in Dr. Brandheart's clean and well-decorated office. He was an adventurer, not a man of missions, and though he loved Veronica and helping the oppressed, he did not love missions.

Veronica frowned and flipped her lush auburn locks. "You don't have to ask why! Citizens are being oppressed, and it is your duty to help them. Look, over nine thousand have specifically asked for your help. Read this one. A sad little girl with a stuffed bunny rabbit wrote it. Just. For. You." She handed Marlon to Ace.

Brow furrowed, Ace began to read the pitiful message of Reggiopolis' citizens while still doing push-ups. " Please help us Mr. Ace. My stuffed rabbit Bipsy and me ain't had a bite of bread to eat in five months. We has had to eat only dry grass and yucky roots. King Reggie is mean." There were many more of these messages, each pleading for Ace's help. A single tear fell from his left eye. "My heavens and word, Veronica, I had no idea. How could I refuse this mission request?" Ace stood up, back straight, a determined look on his face. "Get my gear Veronica. I think it's time for a mission."

Next time on "Reggiecide": Ace Flashman gets geared up, and encounters trouble on a train.